Chapter 26

Beta by wraithwalker

Pretty much like always I apologize for the wait. When you lose interest in something its hard to keep going. Especially if you wish to keep the quality of your work and while I would be the first to say I am not all that good at this I do wish to give the fans of this story something good to read. Anyways here is the new chapter but before we move on to the Q&A.

x-x-TheBurnedMan-x-x we will be seeing more of what is going on in Essos in the coming chapters. No matter where I look, I had no idea how long travel between where Dany is and Westeros. Perhaps I took to long but than there where other things to cover.

Pattou59 I was thinking something like that. It seems out of character for him to move the capital to Winterfell. But not sure were to put it now.

EyeofSoren I never thought of doing that before perhaps I should add those in down the line. Perhaps my next story after this one is done.

InfinityMask I have thought a lot about the epilogue and that would be something funny to add at the end.

SomePervyGuy thank you. To be honest I am not to much in to harem stories but people wanted it and I was like sure why not.

Guest who asked about a name for this war. Honestly, I suck at coming up with names for things like that. I will take suggestions and yours is at the top of the list right now.

MosesArk Reborn2000 I don't know were to start with your review lol. But yes Sansa character I did a full revise of. I never like her in the show and that is no secret, so I model her on a somewhat female Lelouch while not quite Lelouch know what I mean. Robb and Jon have always wanted to stand apart and be there own man but she always looked up to Lelouch and so looked to imitate him as best she can. So you got a more ruthless, smart and cunning Sansa than the show. I also feel bad for Euphemia for out of all of Lelouch's would be wives she is perhaps the smartest and politically sound. Yet she had a fool of a father and a prideful grandmother. So while she can somewhat match Lelouch in wits she find people unwilling to turn to her till it's too late. Shirley is perhaps my most interesting character. A mix between what I think a child with Doran, Oberyn and a hit in Milly personality would be like. A smart woman who is passionate about life, love and sex. When she wants something she goes gets it and will stop at nothing till she gets it. A more do first think later type but capable of adjusting when she needs to.

yesboss21 not much was taken except for a few things which I will go over at a later date.

liger86 thank you I wanted to portray the brothers as their own person but still very logical in their way of thinking.

betmen123 perhaps it is lazy writing but tell me you haven't seen worse.

Spike-2416 never watched it but will look it up.

Jdota mostly it was a promise to those who have been with the story from the start. Don't know when you came in but I was something that everyone seemed to want. Poorly executed perhaps but want is done is done and I have moved on from it.

Ale after this story and my other one I plan to leave behind Game of Thrones. Perhaps for good or maybe not but it is a good idea so who knowns what will happen down the line.

cjh2099 really I am not talking any more suggests at this point unless its how I should end something or if you feel like I over looked something. We are deep end and only perhaps less than 10 chapters away from the end. Hell, maybe not even that.

Before you start the story, I will say things will most likely not go as many of you were hoping and even I was hoping to go. What that is you just have to read but I will explain more at the bottom of the page.

On with the story

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-All of Westeros 301AC-

The destruction of the Red Keep was as Lelouch knew it would be a complete shock to the whole of Westeros. Say what you want, but the human psyche was extremely fragile especially when you took away that which someone always knew to be true. For 300 years Iron Throne was the symbol of power in Westeros and the Red Keep its house. Now the Red Keep was little more than rubble and as for the Iron Throne it would soon become known that Lelouch had it melted down for scrap iron. The message of what would happen if you stood against him had to be known to all and it was. For the news spread like a forest fire to all corners of the land.

The first to get this message were the stormlords in the Stormlands. With the fall of Griffin's Roost, a week before word of what had happened in King's Landing the stormlords already knew the end was near. Yet still they had fought tooth and nail to hope to stem the tide despite the cannons and men of the Northern Army steamrolling over them again and again. There was some respect and honor to be found in that, but once they got word of the Red Keep being destroyed, they had finally tossed down their swords. Submission to Lelouch at this point was preferable to outright destruction.

So, in less than a month Commander Harrion Karstark accepted the complete surrender of every noble who was still alive on his king's behalf. It was to be said perhaps the most memorable moment of Commander Harrion Karstark life. To see so many southern nobles bend the knee to him on behalf of his king filled him with a great amount of pride. Yet, he didn't let it go to his head because in the back of his mind the king was there watching him. Letting him know that if he thought what Robb did to the rebel riverlords was bad then it was nothing compared to what he would do if he betrayed him.

Similar feeling was being felt all over Westeros. From smallfolk to the nobles the feelings of fear, change and inevitability were clearly felt. Along with a knowledge that they would be dragged along whether they liked it or not. Yet while many were still trying to dig their heads in the sand and pretend, they couldn't feel it and that nothing would change. It was the old lion who understood and accepted the repercussions of this one act first.

(Line)

-Westerlands-

As Tywin Lannister sat in his castle at a table with a map of Westeros on it, he read the report that let him know the stormlords had submitted to Lelouch Stark. He knew that their loss was inevitable once Griffin's Roost fell but he had hoped they would hold on for a bit longer. While his own victory over King Stark had long since become little more than a dream, he had learned that he could make this war a war of attrition. While the North's cannons were indeed powerful, they were ill suited to the lands of the Westerlands. So, digging in and fighting hand to hand in a blood-soaked war would perhaps bring them to the bargaining table. That idea however was no longer valid and soon the full might of the North and its allies would descend on him.

Already the Golden Tooth had fallen to Lieutenant Commander Smalljon Umber and Lord Robb Stark Tully. Who had in turn put all of House Lefford to the sword sparing no one. Lord Arryn had already traveled up Gold Road and was laying siege to Deep Den. It wouldn't last long Tywin knew this for even though Lord Lydden was a decent commander he was not equal to Lord Arryn. Plus, the men of the Vale had something to prove seeing as they had sat out of the war so far for the most part. They needed to accomplish something, or they would have no say in the peace that follows.

Then there was Lord Theon Greyjoy who from reports sent to him was laying siege on the Iron Islands with ships that had those cannons on them. While a fortress in of itself the Iron Islands would take long to pacify now that the young Greyjoy had nearly wiped out the entire Iron Fleet. Once he did pacify it no doubt, he would move his fleet towards Lannisport where his fleet was. Knowing that his fleet however wouldn't be a match for the one commanded by the young Theon or the one that was surely coming from the east now that the Reach had fallen, he had made up his mind to scuttle them around the port. This would buy Lannisport some time when they showed up but it was again only a matter of time till it fell.

Looking at the map some more Tywin saw that if he moved wisely and used the limited amount of wildfire his son brought with him from King's Landing, he could perhaps hold on for another six months or perhaps even a year. That is if his lords could keep their fear in place. Already they were so scared that none would face the armies coming after them in the open field and now with the destruction of both House Lafford and the Red Keep, they wanted to surrender. The only thing keeping them from doing so was fear of him but it was only a matter of time before they realized using him as the sacrificial lamb was perhaps their best option. He wouldn't be surprised if a few had thought about it already but again their fear of him would keep them at bay for now.

With time limited however and him not trusting his bannermen not to become brave all of a sudden he knew there was only one way to save House Lannister. So with a strong resolve he calls out, "Guards bring my son and brother to me."

"Yes milord." One of the guards bows and takes off to find them.

(Line)

-A few months later The Reach-

As he stood on a hill overlooking the lands of the Reach, Lelouch wondered not for the first time why he was even here right now. His goal and the reason he was here had nothing to do with each other. His wife was more than able to handle things here and while he would have preferred that she didn't just go demand the Twins Roses of the Reach marry him he would go through with it. Yet still he was here about to meet a person he had in truth been trying to avoid for a very long time. Was he scared to meet the reincarnation of his sister Euphy? No, but he still had the scars of his heart for what he had done to her.

He may have moved on past the act itself but the sense of guilt he felt for her death would never truly go away. Still in the end he knew it was better to meet her now than later. After all, if this Euphemia was anything like his sister then he may have something to fear after all. At the end of the day no matter how many times he beat her she always won. In her own way she always won and from what he had heard about this Euphemia she was far more cunning.

The last thing he needed was to allow himself to be manipulated due to some sentimental feeling he had for a girl that was in long since dead. He already had enough trouble with his wife, who while the reincarnation had him wrap around her finger most of the time. Just her over sexual nature kept him busy to say the least and something the Shirley of his world was never like. Just like the Euphemia of his world would never have been able to or willingly pulled off a coup against her own father. While he knew for a fact Euphy never loved Charles zi Britannia the girl was too gentle hearted to do something that could cause him harm. And from the intelligence reports given to him this Euphy indeed loved Mace Tyrell but was willing to put him in harm's greater good of the Reach.

To be short this woman was a tiger where his Euphy was more of a rabbit and could be quite useful to him. That is if he could keep his emotions in check. Still, he wished his wife hadn't agreed to a marriage on his behalf. Really, he knew giving his wife the power to act completely on his behalf would come back to bite him somehow. And with him trying to advocate for women to have more rights couldn't just rescinded the offer. The North and Dorne had no problems accepting women in power, but the others would drag their feet unless he showed that his wife did indeed hold real power of her own. So, he had little choice but to honor his wife's deal. Still, if she thought she was safe by running off with her father and the army towards Crakehall instead of facing him she was sadly mistaken.

(Line)

-Sametime-

Letting out a sign as she rode in an ornamental carriage, Euphemia thought about what had happened after she surrendered to Shirley. Like she had thought the news of surrender had reached Highgarden long before she had returned for the meeting and like she knew he would, her father had tentatively come out of hiding from his tower. While she was happy that he had come out of hiding looking healthier than when he had returned from Bitterbridge. She was not at all happy with how he tried to take back power from her. The key word however being tried for as soon as he did, she had him arrested and tossed back into his tower. The last thing she needed, or the Reach for that matter was him fucking everything up. Which he would have done seeing as once she told him the terms of the surrender, he started to wail and complain about how she had no right to agree to them. And that he was going to get them a better deal as soon as negotiations truly started.

Her oaf of a father didn't seem to realize that what she had agreed to were not terms at all but demands. Demands that if she didn't agree to, they would see the Reach and House Tyrell cease to exist. Or perhaps he had gone crazy after his loss at Bitterbridge. He was very pale and sickly looking when he had returned. Regardless, none of the lords of the Reach or guards listened to him and she had no time to deal with her father. So, she had him tossed back in his tower and put under heavy guard. While she doubted he could cause any real trouble at this point the last thing she needed was him insulting their new King or Queen when they came to Highgarden to claim her sister and herself.

After that little episode she had called all the lords of the Reach who were still alive to Highgarden for a general meeting to inform them on what had happened. Needless to say, that meeting ended as well as could have been expected. There was a lot of blaming and hurt pride to go around but none dared to suggest continuing the war. Even the stupidest lord could see that they had lost, and the terms they were given were quite generous. While it may have seemed like they lost a lot and they did, it was not as much as they could have. The war was just so one sided that many of them understood that if they kept going all of the Reach would be taken and their houses would most likely be put to the sword.

The only real term they were against and would fight against if asked was the marriage agreement. Whether it was their fate or just unwillingness to allow the Twin Roses of the Reach to be forced married to the same man it warmed her heart to see them so willing to fight for her sister and her. Even the cold-hearted Randyll Tarly who she told about the terms before anyone else had trouble accepting this one thing. However, she would not allow them to lose everything if she could help it and told them as much. Plus, she pointed out that as a queen she could perhaps set things up to bring the Reach back to its former glory if not in her lifetime than in her children's. Reluctantly they accepted this though the shame they felt was clear to see.

There was also a sense of relief there as well, however. Before the assembly had even happened, word had already spread of what happened at King's Landing. To think Lelouch would raze the Red Keep to the ground was beyond even her prediction. She remembered telling her grandmother before the war that if Lelouch had won he would most likely move the capital of Westeros at some point and melt down the Iron Throne. Her grandmother had told her that she was overthinking things at the time. Even if the boy won, the nobles would never accept such a thing. King's Landing had been the capital of Westeros for 300 years and the Iron Throne its symbol of power. Such things were not easily undone.

It would seem they were both wrong in that matter. For she had thought Lelouch would simply move the capital and her grandmother thought he wouldn't at all. So, when news reached them about the great explosion that topped the Red Keep, it had come as a shock to both of them. Never had she seen her grandmother's face go white with fear but on that day the Queen of Thorns. Her poor grandmother Euphy was sure her grandmother lost more than at least half of the few years she had left off her life. But it went to show that one should not underestimate how far Lelouch would go to make it clear what would happen if you challenged his power. Which she would be careful to not do all that much after they were married.

Feeling the carriage come to a stop, Euphemia looks out of it and sees a lone man standing on a hilltop with a few guards standing a fair distance away. Enough to allow for a private conversation but not too far away that they couldn't react in time of a threat.

"Are you ready milady?" Euphy hears her friend or at least she thought was her friend Diana ask.

Looking over at said women, Euphy had mixed feelings on her. While she understood why the woman had spied on her family it didn't change the fact that she most likely had a lot to do with the downfall of her homeland. Looking over the maps after the battles the Reach had lost Lord Tarly and her to realize the movements of the Dornish army was too precise. The Battle of Ashford and what was being called the Blunder at Bitterbridge by the people of the Reach were just perfect. Too perfect if you had an eye for tactics like Lord Tarly. While her father's loss at Bitterbridge could mostly be attributed to his many failings it didn't go unnoticed by either her or Lord Tarly that the main bulk of the Dornish Army had hidden behind a hill that could just barely obstruct the view of an army if placed just right. A hill that neither of them nor anyone they talked to knew about.

Then there was the Battle of Ashford where it seemed like Lord Ashford had done everything right. He picked the terrain and the time of the battle, so he should have heard the advantage: cannons or no cannons. Yet from what the survivors had told her when the army had started to descend the hill that the Dornish were supposed to still be marching up they were met instead with cannons and some type of thin metal string that stopped their cavalry cold. This at least to them showed that in reality Lord Ashford had never chosen the battlefield, but had instead for no fault of his own fallen into a trap.

A trap that most likely had been in the making for years and one that was most likely only made possible by Diana. With her disguise as a merchant, she had been welcomed to every town, village and with her help castles in the Reach. Combined all that with her charm and beauty and it would have been easy for her to get information on the lay of the land without arousing suspicion. Information that once she got ahold of, she most likely sent to Lelouch who in turn sent to Dorne. Which they then used to plan out a war that they were preparing for, for years. Really it hurt to know all that happened right under her very nose.

"I am as ready as I ever will be I guess." She says in a dismal voice.

Giving her friend a smile Diana says, "Come now cheer up Euphy it's not so bad. Look, your family is still alive and you and your sister will soon be queens. So really there is nothing to be depressed about."

With a flat look on her face Euphy says, "I am not depressed at that Diana. Nor am I sad at the knowledge that my father brought the Reach into such a disastrous war that will cost it more than most know of yet. No, what I am sad about is the knowledge that all our time together and friendship was not real."

Giving a sad smile at that Diana says, "Ah I see. Well, if it makes you feel any better Euphy I had never once thought our time together as fake and truly do think of you and your siblings as my friends. But I am a servant to my king before I am anything else and will do what is necessary to ensure his reign."

Hearing this, Euphy gives a small smile. While it still hurt to know Diana had spied on her she could accept that. If Diana had looked even a bit guilty or had done it purely for coin then she wouldn't have been able to forgive. But there was honor in serving someone with such devotion.

"I can understand that. We all have parts to play after all and you were just doing your part." Euphy says to her friend.

With a smile of her own Diana says, "Thank you Euphy and while the trust between us may never be the same, take heart that once you are married to our king, I will serve you just as faithfully."

"I would expect nothing less Diana." Euphy says before opening the door to the carriage and stepping out of it.

Taking a moment to gather her wits before she walks away from the carriage. She knew this meeting would surely bring up memories of her past life. Memories that brought with them strong emotions that could cloud her judgement. Which was something she could not allow even if she had already agreed to marry Lelouch. If she wished to enter this marriage as an equal, she would have shown Lelouch that she was not that same naïve girl from the past. But a woman who would not submit herself to his will.

Once she feels she is ready she starts to walk forward with her head held high. The very image of nobility and grace that few women could match. Yet as she gets closer she finds that he has yet to turn around to acknowledge her. It was like he was somewhere else right now and she was about to call out to him. But before she can he speaks up.

"I have wondered for a long time what it is I would say to you once we met. Would I greet you with a happy smile or ask, how are you doing? Would I break down and cry for forgiveness for what I had done to you in the past." Lelouch says, not turning to face her still.

Hearing his voice for the first time in what felt like forever Euphy feels her heart flutter with a range of emotions. Happiness, sadness, longing and so many others that she knew were not her own, but her past self-making herself known. Perhaps that is why she says, "Come Lelouch we both know that while you may have initially felt guilt for what had happened to me you have long since moved on. And while a simple greeting like asking how I am doing, would have been nice we both know you spies would have kept you well informed on how I am doing. So, there would be no point in asking a pointless question."

She hears a small chuckle come from Lelouch before he turns around and faces her. When their eyes meet, she sees in them an old man who was both tired, but still full of an iron resolve that would not bend. The same resolve that she had seen on his face many times before in the past.

"Pointless, true, but still it never hurts to ask. So how are you Lady Euphemia Tyrell?" Lelouch asks her.

"I am well Lelouch vi Britannia or would you prefer Zero." Euphy says with a straight face.

With a small smile on his lips at hearing those names he says, "You remember quite a lot, don't you? I didn't even put those names in the book I wrote about my life before coming here."

With a sad smile on her lips Euphy says, "I do indeed remember quite a bit and perhaps even more than Shirley. Though I am not sure about that. She is more the type to follow her emotions and live in the moment than question where such feelings are coming from."

Lelouch smiles as he hears that seeing as she was right. His wife indeed lived in the moment and while fully capable of thinking ahead chose not to. "Indeed, she is but I have to say I am surprised that you remember her. I don't recall you two ever really meeting before."

"As far as I know we never did but one of the chapters in your book went over a hostage situation I was involved in. While the moment itself is very hazing for me I do remember her being there as well. You can imagine my surprise for the first time. Tell me Lelouch, are there any others from that world here as well?" Euphy asks him.

While she may have stated it in the form of a question Lelouch could see she was really demanding an answer. Quite brave of her seeing as she was in no position to make demands. Still there was no harm in answering her. "As far as I know only 4 people from that world are here. You and Shirley are two of them and of course myself but I am not so much a reincarnated person as so much just a soul placed in a new body. As for the last person, well, I am sure you can guess who that is."

Nodding her head Euphy answers, "Jeremiah Gottwald the Knight of Orange and the one who fell the Mountain."

While she didn't know the man personally, she could remember an aqua colored hair man from that world. No real details on him but from what she had heard the man had no equal when it came to combat. Perhaps something he kept over from that other world like her skill with the violin. The musical instrument had after all just been invented yet her skill with it was beyond that of what natural talent could explain. That other world from what her dreams and memories showed her was very advanced so it could explain why he was so strong and skilled in it.

Putting those thoughts to the side however she asks a question that has been on her mind for a long time. "Lelouch after you killed me did those things in the book really happen?"

"They did more or less. There are many things beyond the understanding of the people of this world. So, dumbing it down to the point that others could understand the story was a must." Is Lelouch's answer.

"So, Cornelia and Nunnally they live?" She asks with a more hopeful voice than she wished to use.

"Jeremiah outlived me by a few years and last time he saw them they were doing well." Lelouch answers her.

Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, Euphy says, "That is good." Then taking several deep breaths she asks, "So what happens now Lelouch."

Looking at his reincarnated sister Lelouch says, "Honestly Lady Euphemia I truly do not know. My wife's actions have somewhat taken me off guard in regard to what I am to do. On one hand I can't very well back out of her agreement with you. Yet on the other I am not sure of how I feel about marrying you. Your sister I am fine with but not so much you."

"Really and why is that?" Euphy asks.

"Because I find the thought of having to sleep with the reincarnation of my sister just a bit awkward." Lelouch states to her. While he was willing to admit that she was the first girl he ever loved and incest marriages between half-siblings and cousins were legal in Britannia it was far from common after it was proven that such breeding often led to birth defects.

Laughing a bit at this reason Euphy says, "Yes, I can see how that would make even the coldest of people feel awkward. I was thinking that you would say something along the lines of still feeling guilt for her death."

A sad smile comes to his lips as he says, "Guilt for actions of the past are pointless at this point. What is done is done and there is no going back."

"Indeed, that is true and for that reason I had agreed to marry you Lelouch. What you are planning to build in the aftermath of this war will not be easy. Many will resist the changes that are coming and you need help to deal with them. And while my sister and Shirley are more than up to the challenge of standing by your side you need someone who could put the whole of the kingdom above their family. Sadly, something I feel neither of them could ever really do." Euphy says to him.

"True, my wife, as intelligent as she really is, could never consciously put her family in danger." Lelouch comments.

"Something I think we have both learned may indeed need to be done regardless of how much we wish to avoid it. It really was foolish of me to think that the Special Administrative Zone would work." Euphy says with a sad smile.

How that other her couldn't or didn't realize that the zone would only work for as long as the Empire let it was the very height of foolishness. From her memories it would have only lasted so long as Euphy's sister remained Viceroy. Which would have been long seeing Cornelia as also the Chief General of the Army, and would have only stayed around till the area was pacified. Once that happens it would be up to another Viceroy to allow it to keep going. Something Euphy felt wasn't going to happen and as for the past she most likely would have disappeared or been killed in some way to help do away with it.

"True, but it was still a good dream if only a dream." Lelouch comments. He had realized from the start that it would not work but Euphy had a way of making him believe in her dreams. So, he would have gone along with it if only to make her happy.

"My…. my, king." A messenger yells out as he runs up to Lelouch only to be stopped by his guards.

Looking at the messenger Lelouch lets him catch his breath before he asks, "What is it my good man?"

Taking a few more deep breaths the messenger says something that shocks both Lelouch and Euphy equally. "My king, Lord Tywin Lannister is dead."

With cold eyes Lelouch commands. "Tell me everything."

(Line)

-Flashback-

Sitting in his office Tywin looked at his younger brother and youngest son as they digested the news, he had just given them. He could not blame them for having to take a moment to realize what it is he just told them. For never had he thought that he would be backed into a corner this badly that he would have to contemplate his own death. And plan how to use it for the benefit of his house.

"Brother….I….there must be another way." Kevan says to his brother.

"What other way do you believe we have Kevan? Please if you know of a way to turn the tide of this war, speak up." Tywin says in a cold voice. It would be a mocking one as well if it were not for the fact that this was too serious a conversation to spend time mocking his brother.

"But father still…. your death." Tyrion says having mixed feelings on what his father has told them. There was no love lost between the two of them. But still this was his father.

"Indeed, I will Tyrion, but there are no other options available to use any longer. The Starks are out for blood, and they will not be sated till your sister, my grandson and I are dead. Lord Arryn is an honorable man, but he holds little sway over the Stark brothers and even if he did, I doubt we could count on him stopping them regardless. Both his former wards have died by the hands of your fool sister, and he will see our family beheaded for it." Tywin says to them.

"Still father even if you were to die that wouldn't mean an end to the hostilities. If anything, it will embolden them." Tyrion says a little surprise that his father would admit to his sisters' crimes but then there was little point in denying the truth any longer.

"As if they are not already emboldened. They have all the advantages as it is. The wildfire you brought from King's Landing while a good move nephew will only slow them down. Yet, he is right brother, your death won't end the hostilities." Kevan says not wishing to see his older brother die.

"True, it won't and that is why we will be handing over my daughter and grandson to the Starks. And if necessary, Jaime as well." Tywin states to them.

At this both are taken off guard. While an overall disappointment to him both Kevan and Tyrion knew that Tywin would not give over his chosen heir easily. Something Kevan speaks up about, "But brother if we give them Jaime then who would take over as head of our house. I cannot see the Starks letting him live and even if they do, he would most likely be stripped of all power."

Despite the insult of his uncle not even mentioning him as a possible heir, Tyrion was wondering the same thing. His father always made it clear he would die before he let him become the next head of the House Lannister. Granted he was going to die by his own words but Tyrion still didn't believe he would change his mind.

So, he was surprised when he heard his father say, "The task of leading our family after I die will be your Tyrion."

"F…. father?" Tyrion asks in surprise.

"Don't look so surprised, Tyrion. Once we surrender to the Starks both Tommen and Myrcella will be reduced to the status of bastards so neither of them can become the next head. As for Jamie while he was technically just during his duty it can't be denied that he gave Lord Eddard one of the many injuries that lead to his death. So, there is no telling what the Starks will do or not do to him. You on the other hand are guilty of nothing and King Stark seems to have a liking towards you for whatever reason. Plus, you are intelligent Tyrion and while I hold no love for you, I will not deny it. That intelligence will be dearly needed by House Lannister in the new regime." Tywin tells them both.

Feeling like a great wright was just placed on him Tyrion says, "Father I…. I don't think I can do what you are asking."

With a cold and hard stare Tywin says, "You have no choice Tyrion. The destruction of the Red Keep was only the start. King Stark has sent the message that things are going to change one way or the other and many will not be happy about it. There will be those fools who try to stand against him. They will ultimately fail in their foolish attempts to overthrow him, but those moments will be your chance to bring House Lannister back from the brink. Many will look to shove the knife that is already in the chest of House Lannister fully in. To keep that from happening you will have to prove yourself indispensable to King Stark. How you go about that will be up to you for I will long be dead by then."

Having gotten fed up with his brothers talking about him dying Kevan speaks up again, "Brother, enough there must be another way than you dying. Surely if you offer a formal declaration of surrender the Starks will accept."

"Of course, they will be Kevan, but tell me what do you think will happen after that?" Tywin asks while looking at his brother coldly and finding no comfort in his little brother's idiotic sympathies.

"Well, they will hold a trial." Kevan says, like it is the most obvious thing in the world.

In an angry voice Tywin says, "A trial that King Stark will use to drag our house's name through the mud and me along with it. It would be little more than a mummer's play and me playing the part of the fool."

"Surely he would go so far." Kevan says to his brother.

"I have spoken with the man, uncle, and I can assure you he would. You are thinking that King Lelouch Stark is like his father and that is not the case. They are as different as a moonless night to a cloudless day. The opportunity a trial would afford him would perhaps even be better for him than completely annihilating us. I could see him spinning it into some grand spectacle that would serve as a message of what happens when you stand against the Starks." Tyrion says to his uncle.

"Exactly and I refuse to allow such a thing to happen." Tywin says to them.

When he thought about it logically Tyrion could understand and even accept what his father was saying. His father's death and his appointment as Lord of House Lannister was the only way forward. And while it left a somewhat bitter taste in his mouth at the thought of using his own family as sacrificial lambs, he didn't feel too bad about it. Other than Jaime, Myrcella and Tommen he held no real love for the rest of his family. Perhaps his aunt Genna as well and a few of his cousins as well but that was it.

"Father, what about Cersei and Jaime? I can't see either understanding or going along with this." Tyrion says, knowing his sister will do all she can to hold on to whatever little power she thought she still had. And Jaime well he could see him foolishly coming to her aid.

"Let me worry about those two Tyrion. Your foolish sister still has her part to play and as for Jaime his bleeding heart for his children will keep him in check." Tywin says, while at the same time fully admitting to knowing that Cersei's children were indeed Jaime's.

"Yes father. Yes brother." Both Tyrion and Kevan say as they listen to what Tywin has planned.

-End Flashback-

(Line)

Lelouch pays close attention to everything the messenger tells him. From what their spies have reported from within Casterly Rock and according to Tyrion Lannister's own words his lord father had planned to surrender to him unconditionally. But before he could do so Cersei had found out somehow and had foolishly stage an ill-conceived coup for power within House Lannister. With no support from the various lords or guards the women had pulled a dagger and proceeded to stab her father to death thinking that once he was dead, they would rally to her son. Something that obviously didn't happen, and she was quickly arrested by Tyrion and his uncle Kevan shortly after the act.

In fact, she was arrested surprisingly fast or perhaps he should say unsurprisingly fast. Seeing as the messenger had just told him that there were no defensive wounds. It went without saying it was strangely enough or perhaps not strangely at all no defensive wounds were found on Tywin Lannister's body. It was in the reports' own words like Lord Lannister had expected the attack, but decided to not do anything about it. From what Lelouch knew Lord Lannister wasn't the type to have a death wish and look to get himself killed.

Looking over at Euphy he could tell she had her own suspicions on what had really happened. While the report from his messenger was clearly incomplete this all seemed a bit too convenient. The mere thought that someone like Tywin Lannister could be killed like that was freckly absurd. And when his messenger got to the part where Tyrion shortly after the death and arrest of his sister surrendered to none other than Lord Jon Arryn it all started to click into place.

While it made more sense, to surrender to Smalljon and Robb who were right now in command of both the Northern Army and the Army of the Riverlands it could be argued that neither of those two would accept it. Robb's actions alone in the Riverlands with those lords who betrayed House Tully had made people fear him and give him a wide berth. As for Smalljon, well the man was not the peaceful type and would probably prolong the war just to keep fighting. So why try your luck with two unpredictable people when you could go to a man whose word carried just enough weight that Lelouch would have to heed his words or risk disgracing a key ally.

Once the messenger is done and Lelouch dismisses him, Euphy says to him, "I didn't think someone like Tywin Lannister had it in him to pull something like this."

"He was not an impractical man and while stubborn was fully capable of seeing the writing on the wall for what it was." Lelouch says to her.

Looking over at him Euphy asks, "Lelouch did you predict this would happen."

"It was within the realm of possibilities. Though not one I had given any credence to." Lelouch answered, truly not believing Tywin Lannister would arrange his death in such a way that it would make it hard for Lelouch to do away with his family.

"What will you do now Lelouch?" Euphy asks.

"There is little I can do. Tyrion Lannister is guiltless of any crime and is now Lord of House Lannister. Even if I wanted to continue the war all justifications have now gone out the window. Truly Tywin Lannister had made a masterstroke." Lelouch says while feeling angry inside that he wouldn't be able to kill Tywin Lannister himself. Yet at the same time could help but feel some small measure of respect for this one act. It wasn't every day after all that someone outsmarted him after all.

(Line)

-Qarth-

As Daenerys walked through the corridors of her palace, she thought about how quickly things were picking up and changing towards her benefit. In a few short months after her arrival her new ally Princess Sansa Stark as it were now that her news reached them about the North independence was doing a wonderful job of turning people to her side. While she had struggled and had overall failed to bring people to her way, Sansa had done it with an ease that was almost insulting. The way in which she was able to twist things around in order to appear in someone's benefit or use old grudges to promote her simply astounded and confused her much to her shame. While she was indeed learning tricks of political trade as Sansa called it, it was becoming quite clear the difference between her, and Sansa's skill was vast. Yet while it annoyed her quite, it was satisfying to see some of her enemies kneel before her and pledge their allegiance to her. And while the number of those people were still not enough to completely change the political landscape it did put her on a more even footing with Egon who remained her biggest opponent. Though that too was changing bit by bit.

While still not willing to support open war with Slaver's Bay just yet after the man had found the black oil that King Start was supposedly looking for, he had become more receptive to the idea. Especially when Sansa showed exactly why her brother needed the black oil in the form of a new type of lamp. Now oil lamps were not something new by any means, but they were just as expensive or more so than candles. Unlike the kerosene lamp as she called it, it was cheaper, safer, burned brighter and lasted longer than anything else in existence. Or so she claimed anyway, seeing as she was only able to prove 3 out of those four things.

Regardless, this kerosene lamp had all of the Qarth merchant princes talking. The North had already proven with its glass what can happen when you can make something cheaply and then sell it to the masses. The amount of gold you can make and in a short amount of time was staggering. And while some of the lesser intelligent merchants would only see coppers when they first start selling. It was like Egon had said during the showcasing of the lamp. If you think of coppers, you get coppers, but if you think gold, you get gold.

Nothing got people moving like a common interest Sansa had told her when she first started to weave her web. It was more like common greed if you asked Daenerys but that was how the world worked. Yet still the merchants of Qarth were hesitant to invest in war. Her dragons were bigger now and would soon be of the size where they could be used effectively in war, but even so they were just not ready to fully support her. She knew half of that reason was because they were in truth cowards, but the other was, they were trying to figure out how to make the kerosene lamps and fuel themselves.

With little luck she might add from what she had been hearing. The basic concept of making kerosene lamb was at first look easy, but actually figuring it out was a lot harder. The first problem they had was they really didn't know how it was made. The only example of one was in Sansa's possession and while friendly enough to let people see it, she didn't let it leave her possession. Several attempts had been made to steal it but as those would be thieves had learned that was no easy task to accomplish. Her guard Sandor Clegane was a giant of a man that had quickly proven to be as vicious and cruel of a bodyguard as his marred face led people to believe he was. No one and she meant no one got close to Sansa without express permission and those who tried found themselves quickly cut in half or beaten to death by the man. And even if you got past that man you still had to deal with her other guards along with her dire wolf Lady who while friendly and playful would turn deadly on command.

That however wasn't even the biggest problem the merchants were facing. The fact was that the lamp's fuel was completely unknown to them. While there was little doubt that sooner or later, they would get down the making of a lamp the fuel would remain unknown to them. And that was really the key to the whole thing. Without the fuel they would be forced to use normal expensive oil that was just not cost effective. Of course, like with the lamp itself the merchants had tried to get Sansa to tell them how it was made but she had been very blunt in saying she didn't know how it was made and that her brother would never share such knowledge with her. While most didn't believe her, Daenerys had met the man once and he did indeed seem like the type of person to withhold such knowledge from members of even his own family. Egon seemed to agree with her on that as well. For while he had never met King Stark just from what he knew he fully believed that such a man would send anyone here with such valuable knowledge on hand. He would lose all his bargaining power if it fell into their hands and only a fool would risk that.

This left Qarth in a difficult position. There was no money in slavery anymore like there hand once been. All the real wealth and power were now in goods from the North that were spreading each year. Even now new places of manufacturing were showing up in places like Braavos and Lys according to Egon. And with Qarth slowly on the decline it would be in its best interest to find new avenues of revenue. So war may in fact be in its best interest.

But even if that did happen Daenerys was concerned about the prospects of going to war with Qarth warriors. A cruel reality in the form of Sandor Clegane, Sansa's guards and Ser Barristan Selmy had opened her eyes to the truth that the warriors of Qarth could hardly be called such. While pretty to look at in their scaled copper armor and snouted helms with copper tusks and long black silk plumes that was all they were. When put to the test against the men of Westeros it spars, they were shown to be less than adequate.

That was why she was seeking out Sansa today. Because Sansa had arrived as an official emissary of her brother Danenrys was able to invite her to stay within her palace without any real suspicion. Which was good seeing as it allowed her to talk with the woman at her leisure. Something Danenrys often found herself doing nowadays. Mostly because Sansa did give her sound advice even if it was coated to be more beneficial to the North than her own.

Walking into palace garden where Sansa could most likely be found during this time of the day Danenrys spots her sitting under a pavilion writing a letter. Most likely writing up a report to send to her brother about her progress and the state of Slavers Bay. It was little more than spying really but if Danenrys's wanted King Starks support than she had to allow it. And after all, it was like Sansa's once told her it was best to deal with the spy you knew than the one you didn't. If she stopped sending those reports, it would be Lelouch's signal that either Sansa felt supporting her was pointless and was on her way home or that she was dead in which case she would find herself with a very deadly enemy.

"Good day Princess Stark." Daenerys says as she walks into the pavilion.

Looking up at Daenerys, Sansa smiles then stands up and gives a small respectful bow. "Good day to you as well, Dany."

Hearing the nickname Daenerys gives a flat smile. While it wasn't that she disliked the nickname, it reminded her that Sansa saw her more as an equal than a superior despite her officially being a queen. It hurt her pride but shoving that down she just looks at the letter on the table and says, "Writing letters to your brother again are we?

"No, not today. There is nothing really new to report to him, so I am just taking some time out to write some more personal letters." Sansa says with a sweet smile.

"Oh, then you are writing to a family member or perhaps a close friend?" Daenerys asks with a wondering look.

"No, not exactly. Perhaps you like to read?" Sansa says knowing that Daenerys doesn't believe her and is just trying to get more information out of her. It was cute and reminded her of the days she used to do the same thing with her brother.

"No, it is fine. Write your letter, I do not care." Daenerys says to her.

"Are you sure? I bet you find the letter quite enlightening." Sansa says with a teasing smile knowing that curiosity often killed the cat.

Giving Sansa a look as if making sure she is alright with-it Daenerys goes and sits down. "Very well if you insist."

Taking the letter, she starts to read it, "My darling love Diana oh how I miss basking in the spirit of eternal beauty as I laid within your soft arms. My head resting on ample bosom as your arms hold me tightly after a night of passion where our bodies become one…"

Daenerys' face quickly turns a bright red color as she quickly flips the letter over and slams it onto the table in embarrassment. While no pure maiden herself, that was unexpected.

"What is wrong Dany? Was the letter no good?" Sansa asks with an amusing smile on her lips.

Looking and seeing the amused smile on Sansa's face, Daenerys's eyes narrow and not wishing to be this woman's practical joke frightens the blush, "Nothing is wrong Lady Sansa, I was just surprised that the letter would be so personal. As for the letter itself it was fine, I guess."

Giving a knowing smile Sansa says, "I am happy to hear it. I often find writing to Diana difficult for I never really know how to express my feelings on how much I miss her."

As she listens to Sansa speak Daenerys slowly picks up the letter like it's something lethal and continues reading from where she left off. Quickly she finds that the letter just picked up steam from there. Which causes her to blush and breathe heavily. Once she is finished reading, Daenerys puts down the letter and looks at Sansa and asks, "So this woman is she your lover?"

Taking a moment to think of how to answer that Sansa says, "Well it's hard to really define our relationship. While we have admitted our love for each other, to call her my lover would be perhaps a bit much. After all, relationships of this nature between women are not exactly welcomed in Westeros. Especially now that I am a princess and not just a noble lady of a great house. One day I will have to marry a man of high rank to benefit my family so our relationship as it were is pointless."

The way Sansa says that makes her sound very sad despite how she was clearly trying to hide her feelings on the matter. It makes Daenerys wonder if she should have read the letter at all regardless of Sansa's teasing or saying it was alright.

Seeing that Daenerys is feeling a bit awkward Sansa changes the subject, "But, you didn't come here to hear about my love life. What can I do for you today, Dany?"

Thankful for the change of subject Dany says, "Yes well I have come to let you know that you were right. The Qartheen warriors were indeed less than what I had hoped for. I do not believe I can hope to take on Slaver's Bay with them."

Nodding her head Sansa says, "As I thought. What do you plan to do now that you have come to this conclusion?"

"I am not sure. Ezio has given me one as well as Ser Selmy and Jorah. None of which I find favorable." Daenerys tells her.

"And what are these options?" Sansa asks.

Knowing that Sansa most likely already knows what they are, Daenerys realizes she is being tested once more by her. Something Sansa had been doing made a lot of sense coming to Qarth. "Well, the first one is the one Ser Selmy suggested and was backed by Jorah. And that was that once I got the full support of the merchant princes on my side, I retrained and re-equipped the warriors of Qarth."

"A sensible suggestion." Sansa says to her.

"Sensible perhaps, but one that would take too long. When I asked them how long something like that would take, they told me at least 2 years." Daenerys says in a displeased voice.

Sansa thinks on this for a moment before saying, "You do realize they are being overly generous with the timeline they are giving you right?"

"I do." Daenerys answers.

"Good, because to retrain and rearm the North it took my brother the better part of 4 years and that was with people who already knew how to make steel. Here in Qarth it's traditional to use copper, a soft metal that wouldn't stand little chance against the bronze the Unsullied of Slaver's Bay use." Sansa says to her.

"And it would be harder to get them to move away from copper in favor of steel seeing as it's all they ever needed." Daenerys says somewhat bitterly.

"Indeed, while Qarth has wonderful natural defenses in the form of the Red Waste to the Northwest, the mountains to the Northeast and sea to the South it has also worked against them. A high wall and minimum number of guards is all they have ever needed. So, they never felt like they had to invest in better military tools." Sansa says, while thinking their idiocy would have come back to bite in the ass sooner or later if Daenerys can't conquer Slaver's Bay within her lifetime. If the young queen failed, her brother would deal with Slaver's Bay in his own way, and he had told her many times he would simply kill off all the so-called masters of the city and leave it a desolate wasteland empty of life if that is what it took to get rid of slavery.

Letting out a sign Daenerys says, "Then what about going with Jorah's idea of hiring an army of sellswords."

"A less appealing option than the first one if you ask me." Is all Sansa says.

"Agreed, I have already learned how quickly those whose loyalty you buy will turn on you." Daenerys says not having forgotten those who took her money just to turn on her in less than a second after taking it.

"A hard lesson Dany but one you needed to learn." Sansa says to her.

"Quite, but that only leaves me with Ezio's suggestion which I refuse to consider at all." Daenerys says bitterly.

"To not consider all options is the height of foolishness my young friend." Sansa chastises her for such thinking.

"You are younger than me." Daenerys points out with some anger her voice at the chastising.

"Perhaps, but I am older in other ways, my friend. Ideals such as justice and goodness are for idealists not leaders. In a unperfect world a leader must be above such petty and foolish thoughts and accept that compromising one's morals is not only necessary to succeed in one's regime but necessary." Sansa tells her.

"That is a horrible way to think, Princess Sansa." Daenerys says bitterly but sees sense in her words which is even worse.

Sansa gives a dry laugh, "Yes, I can't help but agree with you on that Dany. Gods, I often wish my brother had left me to be raised by my mother and her septa. I would be an idiot but a blissful idiot who never questions the world around her."

Knowing already the clear choice before her Daenerys says, "Then it would be appealing that I will be buying Unsullied for an army, but even that won't be enough. From the reports Ezio has given me, a number of rebellions have been taking place in Slaver's Bay over the last few years. They most likely won't be willing to sell me the numbers I need or even have them on hand."

"That might actually be to your benefit." Sansa says, then leans forward to give her some information she may need.

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End chapter.

Wow that took longer than I wished lol

Anyways as I said at the top of the page this chapter had a lot of changes and things happen that I did for see. While most was planned out the Tywin parts and Euphemia parts had to be redone. What I had before I didn't like after the fact.

After weeks or perhaps months of talking about it I settled on how to kill off Tywin because it was the only way I could really see him going. He wasn't a stupid man and seeing how the war was going he knew he needed to find a way to see to it that House Lannister or a form of it lived on. What I had before was perhaps worse than what I have now to me honest so sorry for any disappoint on that.

2nd I also did like what I originally had written for Euphemia. I had imagined a more emotional meeting than what I have at first but after looking back I felt it didn't fit with the character I was building. So I took a less emotional view of their meeting in exchange for what I felt was more fitting for their characters.

Anyways like always leave a review if you liked it or just want to shit on it. And intel next time stay safe everyone.