Chapter – 2
The Old Lion
He woke up early the next day and ordered his brother Kevan to rule from the golden gallery. He ordered servants to send his fast and supper to his solar. After taking a bath and dressed for the day, he commanded his guards to not disturb him for the day.
Tywin locked his solar's door and opened the chest and got the two books he wanted to read before continuing to the main books. He started reading the book titled 'Fire and Blood', which told the events that took place during Aegon's Landing to Torrhen Manderly's dismissal as hand and start of Aegon III's reign which was very accurate as per the chroniclers.
Tywin discretely enquired about authors by the names of George RR Martin, Elio M. Garcia and Linda Antonsson in the Citadel and Essos, but found none who are recognized by those names. He was confused by the style of narration and queer names found in the book called as 'table of contents', 'Newyork' and 'publishers'. He cannot believe that someone can draw such accurate depictions of the Targaryan kings and dragons.
Tywin was convinced these books are gift from the seven after confirming and taking notes of the accurate timelines given in the book. He took his midday meal and locked the book away before he read 'The World of Ice and Fire' book. Halfway through it he understood that this book detailed every region's history, lords, heraldry, maps, geography, strengths and weaknesses perfectly. The book has colorful images of people from strange lands like Essos, Sothoryos, Tolos and all the seven kingdoms.
House Lannister's history was detailed from Lann the Clever to Cersei becoming Queen and Tywin was sure that this book was a treasure trove of knowledge only the Citadel can rival. Tywin was bothered by the importance given to Targaryans, Dragons and Magic by the author George and did not want to think his existence was a figment of this Martin's imagination. He did not like what he was reading as he read the last two books.
He locked the book inside his chest and found that night was approaching fast. He drank some water and lighted the candles in his solar. Tywin thought about what he read till now and wondered why these books were delivered to him. He remembered the Being's warnings about the future of his house and vowed to do everything he can to save his house from his children's follies. His legacy will not collapse with him.
He opened the first book named 'A Game of Thrones' and started reading the first chapter named 'Prologue' which was about rangers of the night's watch Jared, Will and Ser Waymar Royce investigating a wildling village which was slaughtered.
Tywin did not like that the story started beyond the wall as he noticed the author always started with the main issue in his other books but continued to read. Ser Waymar Royce, who he is sure is lord Yohn Royce's son ordered to further investigate the missing corpses. As the ranger Will narrates about a mythical 'Other' appearing to fight and kill Royce and Will himself as the chapter ended.
Tywin felt anger rise in his chest, he was a skeptical and rational man but found it hard to believe that the others have returned beyond the wall. He wanted to dismiss the books as work of fiction but decided to read it first after the previous books correctly predicted the past.
He took a sip of the wine and read the next chapter named 'Bran I' who was Lord Stark's third Son. He was surprised the story involved the children and particularly the Starks who are always far away from the game and southern politics 'except lord Rickard Stark' he thought sadly lamenting the fate of the late warden of the North.
Tywin read about how the child went to witness the beheading of the night's watch deserter, who was named Jared. He was surprised to find this is the same Jared who witnessed ser Waymar and Will's deaths in the hands of the White Walkers. Tywin also noticed Theon Greyjoy's cocky behavior and friendship with Robb Stark despite being a hostage in Winterfell.
Tywin found himself intrigued by Jared's admission of the truth and Ned Stark's dismissal of the tale. What further confused him was the direwolf pups the stark children acquired. He never cared about large families but wondered if Joanna had been alive they would have two or three more children. Once again he cursed his dwarf son for his beloved wife's death.
The next chapter was told from lady Catelyn Stark's perspective as she mentions the death of Jon Arryn and the King visiting winterfell with his family, which was the first important news from the future he heard till now apart from the appearance of white walkers.
Tywin deduced the year was 298 AC and read about Ned Stark's reaction of being elected as the next hand of the king, a position which the Northerner seemed to dislike. He did not like Lady Catelyn's views about house Lannister and envied the fact that the starks have a 'Valyrian Steel Greatsword'.
The next chapter stunned Tywin as he read about the future of Daenerys Targaryan and her impending marriage to a Dothraki Khal. He already realized the girl has many of Rhaella's features and qualities based on her description in the book and Viserys behaved erratically much like Aerys had in his treatment of his sister and had foolish delusions to conquer the seven kingdoms using the Dothraki. Again he noted down the name of this dishonest Magister Illyrio just in case, he would not let the Targaryans invade while breath lingered in his body.
Tywin eagerly read the chapter of 'Ned Stark' as he described King Robert's hatred of Cersei and disdain for ruling. The fat fool was still obsessed with the dead Lyanna Stark and continued to berate his family and asked Ned Stark to be his hand. Tywin almost laughed at the antics of Robert who thought Ned Stark could put the realms to right in the Viper's pit called the capital.
Tywin learned atleast his foolish daughter had tried to get Robert to foster the Arryn boy with him in Casterly Rock and name Jamie as the temporary 'Warden of the West', only for the lady Arryn to take the boy with her to hide in the Eyrie. Robert had suggested a match with lord Stark's daughter to make the Starks kin, which Tywin thought was stupid as Lady Margaery Tyrell offered more benefits to Joffrey than the Stark girl.
He gathered his wits and read the next chapter about Jon Snow, the bastard of winterfell. He foud it interesting that the boy holds delusions about the wall and wishes to freeze the rest of his life as a black brother. He almost felt sorry for the boy who's mother remained a mystery to all was treated badly by Lady Catelyn. Tywin felt his own brother Gerion's bastard Joy Hill was treated better than this snow.
The boy had a surprising conversation with his son tyrion who advised him to own his bastardy and compared himself to a bastard. Once again Tywin felt anger at his dwarf son for slandering him infront of an unknown bastard. It is not like the dwarf was a paragon instead of a drunken lecher and a disgrace, but Tywin could appreciate Tyrion atleast was wiser than his siblings, so much so that Ned Stark's bastard compared him to a King.
The next chapter caught him by surprise as it described as Ned Stark and his lady wife were coupling as lady Stark wishes for one more child. Tywin learned more about Ned Stark's reluctance to go to Kingslanding and rule as Hand. His patience ran out and he almost lost his control when he read about Lysa Arryn accusing his house of murdering Jon Arryn. How dare the mad woman accuse his house of killing the former hand without any proof. The book ended with Stark agreeing that he would go to the capital to bring justice to Jon Arryn's murder and protect Robert.
The next chapter introduced Stark's younger daughter Arya who despised ladylike skills and wanted to be treated as an equal to her brothers. Tywin almost smiled remembering Cesei doing the same when she was this girl's age. He was angry at Joffrey's pathetic sword skills and his spiteful behavior towards their hosts especially insulting of the Stark heir in his own home. Tywin was angry with Cersei's influence over the future king and the bastard Jon calling him a 'little shit'. He was more worried for Joffrey as he remembered Aerys having the same cruel behavior when he and Steffon were mere pages in King Aegon V's court.
He mulled over what he had read till now and noticed the book contained many of chapters about the Starks and started to paint house Lannister as evil. Even the author mentioned these books are part of a series called 'A Song of Ice and Fire', which made him realize the story would mostly revolve around the Starks and Targaryans and felt anger at his house looked over even if it is only in the mind of the author.
Tywin did not like where this story was heading and the Starks perception of house Lannister, he predicted a conflict coming between both houses. His mood was already foul when he started reading the chapter named 'Bran II'. The boy was happy, active and adventurous boy who loved climbing along the castle and dreams of being a Kingsguard knight. The boy felt sad leaving his home and decided to climb the broken tower one last time when the king and almost all men in the Castle are out hunting in the Wolfswood.
All of a sudden Tywin's interest was piqued when the boy Bran happened on a conversation while climbing the broken tower. His breath hitched when he read the conversation that was heard by the boy who almost fallen from the tower due to the sudden voices coming from the first keep.
A woman is saying that she does not like it, and that the person she is talking to should be the Hand and A man's voice replied lazily that he does not want that honour, and there is too much work involved.
Tywin felt sweat pool on his forehead and a panic had started in his chest and continued reading. Brandon Stark hangs by a gargoyle statue as he continues to hear the conversation :
The woman asks the man if he can see the danger they are in, as Robert loves the man like a brother. The man says that Robert can't stomach his brothers – Stannis would give anyone indigestion.
Tywin has an inkling of who these people could be but considers it odd that they converse so secretly and reads the passages :
The woman replies that Stannis and Renly are very different to Eddard Stark, and Robert listens to Stark. Damn them both. She had been certain Stark would refuse Robert's offer. The man says they are lucky Robert named Stark instead of his brothers or Littlefinger. He would prefer an honourable enemy to an ambitious one any day.
Tywin is sure this is his son and daughter having a conversation, which the boy intruded on. He wonders why are they so worried about Stark or Robert's brothers and hates Cersei's ignorance in suggesting Jamie become 'hand of the king'. He sighs and wonders what stupid plots his children are involving themselves in.
The woman wants to watch Stark carefully, but the man sounds bored, and says he would rather watch her.
Tywin's heart start to beat faster as his son jests with Cersei and an unease creeps into his mind but focuses on reading the pages.
She continues talking, and says Lord Stark has never been interested in the South, and she fears he wants to move against them. Why else would he leave Winterfell?
He was surprised at Cersei's paranoia and wonders how will Ned Stark threaten his family by becoming hand.
The man suggests many reasons: honour, fame, wanting to get away from his wife, or just wanting to be warm for once. The woman remembers that Stark's wife is Lady Arryn's sister, and is relieved Lysa hasn't accused them yet.
Tywin was taken aback by her words and doubt creeps his mind about Lysa Arryn's accusation about Lannisters behind Jon Arryn's death. His mind whirled with possibility of his children committing treason by murdering Jon Arryn based on the last chapters he had read but he questioned himself 'Why?, what does his twins gain by killing the old hand ?'. He continued reading as young Bran tries to lower himself towards a ledge which was far away.
The man says that there is no point in worrying, and that Lysa Arryn is a frightened cow. If she knows anything, she would have gone to Robert before leaving King's Landing.
The woman argues that she was scared for her son's safety, but that she will grow bolder now that he is safe in the Eyrie with her, to which the man replies that birthing must damage women's brains, as all mothers are mad. Lysa Arryn has no proof, so it doesn't matter.
The woman says that Lysa won't need proof, as Robert doesn't love her. The man tells her that is her fault, calling her his sister.
Tywin had no doubt his children were upto something and did not like the implications and wondered what 'Proof' are they talking about.
The woman says that it's obvious Stark is loyal to Robert, but he has already betrayed one king. She is impatiently waiting for Robert to die so Joff can take the throne. Robert is still in love with little dead Lyanna, and having Stark by his side will only make Robert's restlessness worse. She wonders when Robert will leave her for a new Lyanna?
Tywin's brows furrowed as he heard his fool of a daughter's paranoia of the king setting her aside and wishing Robert dead to seat her fool of a son who she can control on the throne, how predictable. Instead of seducing her husband, why is Cersei fearing lord Stark.
Tywin reads that Brandon tries to lower himself who is talking when suddenly bile rises in his throat at what he reads next :
The man sighs and tells the woman she should think more about the pleasures at hand, and
Bran hears a slap of flesh on flesh, followed by laughter.
Bran climbs over the gargoyle and crawls onto the roof. He moves right above the window where they are talking.
The man calls her his sister again and tells her to come to him quietly.
The old lion is disgusted and dumbfounded by his children's antics and prays to god his illborn twins are not performing the vile act he thinks they are committing. He wanted to scream and burn the book but composed himself and braved the chapter while his heart was pounding.
Bran sits down on the gargoyle, hangs himself upside down, and looks through the window. Inside, the man and the woman are wrestling, and both are naked. The man is pushing the woman up against a wall. Bran realises they are kissing.
The man must be hurting the woman because she moans, but she doesn't push him away. Bran sees her face. Her golden hair is messy and her head is moving, but he recognises the queen.
Tywin stands up suddenly disgusted by what the boy found in the books, he remembered the warning Joanna gave him when the twins are eight years old and his wife caught them kissing and exploring each other naked , which led to their rooms changed to opposite sides of the rock.
His mind whirled with panic, 'No did they continue committing the sinful act when Joanna died, had he failed as a father due to his grief over his wife's death ?' questions plagued the old lion and he almost had a heart attack.
Then another thought hit him which almost made him fall on his floor. 'The Children, cruel Joffrey, sweet Myrcella and plump Tommen all have the Lannister coloring. None of them looked like a Baratheon. "No. This is madness, rank madness. They are not this mad" he spoke to himself and willed himself to look at the book and continue reading quickly in horror.
Suddenly her eyes open, and she is staring at him, letting out a scream.
She pushes the man away as Bran loses his grip from shock, and his legs slip, and he is falling.
He feels a sickening lurch in his stomach and reaches out for the ledge, hanging one-handed, panting.
He sees the queen and the man look down at him, and recognises him as the queen's twin brother. The woman says shrilly that he saw them, and the man calmly offers Bran his hand, seeing that Bran is about to lose his grip.
Tywin could not believe what he is reading, the boy caught them in the act. This is treason at the highest order. 'Damn you Cersei, damn you Jamie' he cursed them and read fast.
Bran holds onto the arm with all his strength, and the man pulls him onto the ledge.
He asks Bran how old he is. Bran says he is seven, and lets go of the arm sheepishly. The man looks at the woman, and
He says "The things I do for love."
He shoves Bran.
The lord of Casterly Rock almost collapses in his chair after learning his knightly son foolishly pushed a boy of Seven from the top of a tower breaking guest rights. 'Damn you Illborn spawn' he cursed both his golden twins with disgust.
"No not like the Targaryans, even worse" he weakly moaned. Tywin remembered the serving wench who he dismissed a year ago with a bag of silver after her twin children fathered by Robert were killed on Cersei's orders.
The woman cried as she placed her dead sons at his feat, both have black wisps of hairs and blue eyes, the woman had blonde hair and green eyes of the lannisters and was only sixteen at the time. He let Kevan deal with the issue as he ignored Cersei's cruelty and Pride.
He wondered if the book is a trick or fabricated by his enemies to torment him, someone from the citadel but knew he is deluding can no longer keep a blind eye to the faults of his children. They are a blight to the Lannister name and no lannister debased himself so, they are both dead to him now.
Ironically he cared for the little boy's life who his children have taken and wanted too finish the chapter but his hands hardly moved. His head was pounding and his hands felt heavy as he reached the book.
Screaming, Bran falls down. There is nothing to hold onto and the courtyard rushes up to meet him. In the distance a wolf is howling, and crows circle the broken tower, searching for corn.
He threw the book away "No Damn you" he shouted alerting the guards who knocked on his door to check on him.
Tywin Lannister, the lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, Warden of the West and Hand of the king for twenty years knelt on the floor and cried for only the second time in his adult life admitting that he is a worse parent than his own father Tytos and his legacy is a lie. 'I have failed you Joanna'.
Note : This is only one of the chapters where I wanted to use the book dialogue. Tywin was clever enough to understand his 'grandchildrens' lineage without seeing any book. The lengthy chapter was to draw out Tywin's reaction and shock to his children's treason and understanding the position of his house.
Tywin was already clever enough to predict these books are not about Lannisters. Next chapter will change Tywin for good as more shocks await the Old Lion. Thank you for the feedback and encouragement. Enjoy.