It's been a while but it's quite fun to get back into this story. The difference in mentality between my usual OC's and Tyland is great, and then Loren is so different to Tyland too so I can have a lot of fun with different characters.
This will be my focus from now until the new season starts, so for at least a couple of months.
I own nothing but Tyland and Loren, everyone else is the property of HBO or George R R Martin.
Tyland rode through the Dragon Gate into King's Landing in front of the cart holding all the hostages from the Riverlands and Arya Stark, and was surprised to see the population of King's Landing out on the streets cheering for him as they went past. All throughout the city people celebrated the end to the Northern War, right up until the gate to the Red Keep. The heir to Casterly Rock dismounted his horse and walked over to the wagon, as Daven Lannister grabbed Arya Stark. "Take the rest of them to the steward. Have them all roomed and fed. I want a guard on their doors at all times." He ordered one of his men, who nodded and drove the cart away. "You're to come with me, My Lady." He told Arya. The girl tried shaking Daven off of her, but the Lannister was too strong and clamped irons around her hands.
They were escorted to the Throne Room where Tywin had clearly called court to session. Tyland walked ahead of his prisoner and the rest of his men, and stopped in front of the steps to the Iron Throne, kneeling before it.
"Welcome back, Uncle." The King said loudly from the Throne, and Tyland got to his feet. "I see you have brought us a guest from your travels."
"A guest and some gifts, Your Grace." Tyland told the King. "Lady Arya of House Stark was wandering the Riverlands. I have brought her back to the Capital to ensure the future goodwill of the North."
Joffrey grinned manically, waving to the angry Arya. "And you mentioned gifts?"
Tyland nodded, looking back as three of his men stepped forwards. He noticed Sansa Stark watching from the gallery as he turned back around. "Most of the traitors heads now adorn spikes on the Traitor's Walk, but I had heard you requested to see these yourself."
Tyland stepped aside as the three Lannister soldiers stood forwards, kneeling and presenting the spiked heads of Edmure Tully, Brynden Tully and Robb Stark to the King. Joffrey barked out a laugh as he sat up and ran down the steps to inspect them. "Is this really him? Robb Stark?"
Tyland nodded. "And his traitorous uncles." He explained.
"Excellent!" Joffrey grinned. "The Hound will show you men where to place them." He told the three. "I want Robb's head to be placed below my balcony." He told the court. Tywin coughed from bedide the Iron Throne, and Joffrey collected himself. "Lord Tyland. The crown thanks you for all of your efforts in breaking the Northern rebellion and would like to name you to the Small Council as Master of Laws."
"I would be honoured to serve you, Your Grace." Tyland played up for the court.
Joffrey soon dismissed the room, and Tyland led Arya out himself, noticing the younger Stark scowling up at her elder sister, who despite the vision of her brother's head hadn't changed from a state of calmness.
Later on that day Tyland was summoned to the Tower of the Hand, and sat down before his Father as he signed some papers. Once he had put his quill down, Tywin handed Tyland a raven message without looking up.
"From the North?" Tyland was surprised. The news was harrowing. "The Stark boys are dead." He stated.
"Ironborn." Tywin spat. "They are a scourge, Robert should have wiped them out when he had the chance."
"What now?" Tyland asked. "We hold the new Lady Stark."
"And the heir too." Tywin said. "You did well in finding her."
"It was more chance than anything." Tyland shrugged.
"Still, it strengthens our position." Tywin told him. "For now though, Stannis Baratheon has sailed from Dragonstone with a force of 5,000 men."
Tyland gritted his teeth. "I'll have our defences ready."
"You can take your time." Tywin told him, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "He sails South."
"South?" Tyland was confused.
"The last report we had was of a siege at Storm's End."
Tyland snorted out a laugh. "With any luck they'll kill one another."
"In any case, I want them dealt with as soon as we can." Tywin said. "Then we can make plans on what to do with the Stark girls."
Tyland nodded. "Is there anything else?" He asked. "I still haven't seen Loren yet, I probably should before sundown."
Tywin shook his head, and so Tyland stood preparing to leave. "He'll make a fine Lord of the Rock one day." Tywin told him. "His mind is sharp already, without his plans we would possibly still be fighting Rivermen. You've done well with the boy."
"You can take as much credit, My Lord." Tyland told his Father. "I was away for years."
"Hmm. You can go." Tywin dismissed him, and Tyland bowed his head politely and left the tower to go and find his son.
As usual, Loren was found in the tiltyard crossing swords with three young nobles from the Westerlands that Tyland vaguely recognised. He stood on the balcony with Ser Gregor Clegane overlooking them as Loren quickly dispatched of the Sarsfield heir and a man wearing the strawberry's of House Turnberry, before feinting one way and whacking the last man, a Prester judging by the ox on his surcoat, around the head knocking him down.
Tyland began clapping. "He's likely good enough to beat even you Clegane." Tyland smirked, before walking down the stone steps towards where the three boys began to nurse themselves.
"I'll see you later Eldrick, Lambert, Benarr." Loren called to the three in turn as he took off his helm. "Father."
"You grow better by the day." Tyland noted. Loren grinned, wiping his lengthy blonde hair out of his eyes.
"That's why I practice." Loren shrugged, now sheathing his blade. "If I don't practice every day, I'll lose an edge. That's what Uncle Jaime says."
Tyland bit his lip, but nodded his agreement with the sentiment. "Come, let us walk. It's been a while since we talked." Loren nodded, and walked alongside his Father flanked by Lannister men at arms and Ser Gregor.
"What were the battles against Robb Stark like?" Loren asked eagerly. "Ser Gregor here told us about the Whispering Wood, but not the Twins."
"The Twins was nothing more strenuous than pest control." Tyland told him. "The Northmen were fleeing, we just caught them."
"It sounded more glorious in Cerenna's letter." Loren said. "Speaking of. Is there any news on Stannis and Renly? The sooner we end them the sooner I can go home. This city is a rat's nest."
Tyland chuckled softly. "It always has been. The only news I have is that they fight each other at Storm's End."
Loren looked at his father in amazement. "You always said Baratheon's were foolish." He laughed.
"Careful." Tyland warned, as they entered the Red Keep. "Our beloved King is a Baratheon."
At that moment they walked past the Throne Room, where surprisingly there was an audience. Loren looked in and saw Joffrey leering down at somebody holding his crossbow. "I stand corrected." He rolled his eyes.
"Seven hells." Tyland whispered, barging into the room.
"They're dead!" Joffrey was grinning. "Killed by the man you grew up with! Now you're one of the only Stark's left. I could shoot you here now and then kill your sister and your traitorous family would be gone forever!"
"If that is what you wish, Your Grace." Tyland saw Sansa Stark kneeling on the floor trying to cover her bare chest up, her dress ripped open pooling at her hips. "My House is one of traitors."
"What are you doing?" Tyland asked angrily, angrier that Loren could remember him being. "Are you a total idiot or do you wish to add to whatever lunacy this is?" He demanded.
"You can't speak to me like that!" Joffrey cried, but Loren noticed his eyes widen in fear as Tyland stormed over to him, stopping by Sansa as Ser Meryn Trant stepped in between his King and Tyland. Loren kept his hand on his sword pommel, just in case.
"Stand away from His Grace, My Lord." Ser Meryn warned.
Tyland stared the man down, his height making him seem more terrifying. "Was it you that beat the poor girl?" Loren looked down at Sansa and noticed red marks on her back. "Yes I bet it was, knowing your perversions."
"I'll not take that." Ser Meryn growled and began to unsheathe his blade but was interrupted when his sword was halfway out of it's scabbard.
"If you draw that sword Ser." Tyland began calmly. "You better be prepared to use it."
The Lannister heir hadn't even touched Red Rain, but barring Clegane, Loren and the four men behind him had all withdrawn their own swords in defence of Tyland. Ser Meryn stopped and looked backwards at his King who had frozen in his place. Tyland didn't hesitate however, and he nodded to his father's eight foot bannerman, who stepped forwards and grabbed Ser Meryn by the throat, lifting him into the air.
Loren sheathed his sword quickly and knelt beside Sansa, taking her chin in his hand turning her head. "You don't want to see this My Lady."
Sansa politely removed his hand. "Yes, I do."
Joffrey began complaining, but Ser Gregor squeezed tighter until a loud snap was heard, and Ser Meryn fell limp. Gregor threw him to one side before stepping backwards.
"Hound, take the body outside and dump it somewhere. I would educate my nephew." Sandor Clegane just growled in Gregor's direction, but nodded his agreement, picking up the body over one shoulder. The rest of the room scarpered out before him, leaving Tyland and Loren almost alone with Joffrey. "Loren, take Lady Stark to my chambers and help herself clean up."
Loren nodded. "Of course, Father. Come, My Lady." He said, whipping off his red cloak and covering her with it. Sansa gingerly got to her feet and leant into his arm as Loren escorted her away.
Turning to Joffrey as it was just the two of them in the room now, Tyland began ascending the steps. "What do you know of King Aerys the Second?" He asked.
Joffrey stammered over his words. "I… I don't know… he was mad."
"He was mad." Tyland nodded, speaking calmly. "King Aerys at first was a charming King, the ladies loved him, the nobles loved him. He had grand ideas that he'd mull over for a week and then forget about them but other than that he seemed like he was going to be a good king. Then what happened?"
"He turned mad and my Father beat him in a war." Joffrey said, trying to show some pride in Robert's achievement.
"Aerys wasn't in any form of command in that war." Tyland shook his head. "No, your Father beat Jon Connington and Rhaegar Targaryen. Aerys preferred to sit where you are now and watch people suffer. He enjoyed it, that's why he was called the Mad and that's why he was killed and overthrown. He was cruel. What you just did there, that was cruel."
"You're cruel!" Joffrey cried, with a hint of bravery. "You ended an entire House, you killed a King!"
Tyland backhanded Joffrey, causing the boy to double over the arm of the Iron Throne. "The King was killed because he was a tyrant. The way you're going you will go the same way." Tyland snarled. "Would you like to be stabbed in the back?"
"No." Joffrey replied meekly, rubbing his cheek.
"Would you like to be stabbed in the back?" Tyland asked louder, not happy with the response.
"No!" Joffrey exclaimed.
"Good." Tyland said, calm again. "Then stop acting like a child tyrant, and begin to act like a King. What I have done has been for House Lannister. House Drumm murdered my wife so I ended that line and took their prized sword. House Drumm meant nothing to the world, they were pirates. Lady Sansa is now the Lady of Winterfell and there are still Northman up there that would love to see your head on their walls. Are you going to give them any more reason to want you dead?"
"No." Joffrey told him.
"Good." Tyland said, stepping backwards. "Then I shall take my leave, Your Grace. I recommend you go and train your sword arm for the afternoon."
He bowed his head at his nephew and swivelled the other direction, striding out of the room leaving his bewildered nephew to nurse a sore cheek on the Iron Throne.
Meanwhile, as Tyland was trying to educate his nephew, Loren had quickly escorted Sansa to Tyland's new chambers. He closed the door and sat her down on the bed, noticing that she was still tense.
"There's no need to worry now My Lady. You're under my protection." Loren told her before beginning to search through some of the still packed chests. He found a long black nightshirt of his Father's and handed it over to Sansa, who was still tugging Loren's red cloak around her chest. "Here."
"That's Lord Tyland's." She said, shaking her head.
"He won't mind, he has plenty." Loren rolled his eyes. "It's comfier than the cloak, I promise."
Sansa still was nervous, but slowly took the item of clothing. Loren turned his back as the Stark girl dropped the cloak and her ripped dress, placing the nightshirt over her head. The hem came down to just above her knees, and she felt really exposed.
Loren searched through another trunk, finding some lightweight trousers to go with it. "Are you decent My Lady?" He asked.
"Not really." Sansa grumbled, and Loren chuckled as he handed the trousers back. "I can't wear these!" She cried. "They aren't ladylike…"
"My Lady, after what my loving cousin has done, I fear you can afford to be a little less ladylike in private. Nobody will know, I swear, and it's better than sitting there in an oversized shirt worrying if I can see your legs."
"It's not proper." Sansa mumbled under her breath, as she grabbed the trousers roughly. Loren heard her putting them on and found her a belt.
"Here, you can keep them up. I'm sure my Father will bring one of your handmaidens up with a change of dress once he's finished with Joff." Loren explained, turning back to face her. It was a change to be sure seeing Sansa in men's clothes rather than a dress, but all Loren noticed was a thin trail of blood leaking from her lip. He grabbed a napkin from Tyland's table and sat down beside her. "Here, let me." He said gently, dabbing the white object carefully onto Sansa's lip.
"My Lord… this isn't proper." Sansa whispered, muffled by the napkin on her bottom lip. "My betrothed…"
"Your virtue is in no danger, My Lady." Loren grinned. "Not by me. I have a woman back home in Casterly Rock I intend to marry, and no matter how foolish he is, Joffrey is still my cousin and my King. You won't be in any danger here."
"Lord Tyland ordered Ser Meryn's neck crushed with a nod, and I'm in no danger?" Sansa asked, bemused. Loren could only chuckle at the brazen words coming out of the usually quiet and loyal Sansa Stark.
"Ser Meryn was a cunt." Loren told her. "He likes beating on little girls because it makes him feel powerful, I swear to you he is no loss."
"I'm not saddened he's dead." Sansa affirmed. "But forgive me for fearing I'm in danger while sat in the Demon of Old Wyk's bedchamber."
Loren grimaced at the name. "Do you know why he did that?" He asked. Sansa just shook her head, so Loren handed her the napkin and went to pour a couple of glasses of wine, handing her one. "When the Ironborn came for Lannisport my Mother was in the city. She enjoyed going down to the docks, I've been told she enjoyed the view of the Sunset Sea, but there are whispers she had a lover there." Loren shrugged.
"She dishonoured your Father like that?" Sansa asked aghast.
Loren chuckled. "You've met my Father, does he seem the type to inspire love in a woman? He's a great man but love isn't an emotion he's good at. No, I think my Mother had a lover by the docks and the Ironborn came as they were meeting. The Lord of House Drumm kidnapped her, he and his men raped her a dozen times on their way back to Old Wyk and then they cut her throat and threw her in the sea." He said bitterly.
"That's awful." Sansa whispered.
"That's why my Father did what he did." Loren told her. "That was an affront to our House, to our name and he couldn't have that so he wiped them all out. And if he hadn't, I would have done when I was older. I promise you though, he is only cruel to those who deserve it, like that old cunt Dunstan Drumm."
"Joffrey made promises too." Sansa said sullenly, sipping her wine.
"Joffrey is another cunt." Loren chuckled. "A spoiled tyrant that wasn't slapped hard enough as a child."
Sansa began to tense up again, as her armour of courtesies came back once again. "My beloved Joffrey…"
"Don't pretend." Loren told her, interrupting. "You don't need to here My Lady. You should be angry at him, venting out at how awful he is. You are his betrothed and he treats you like that!" Loren was getting angrier, before he took a deep breath and calmed himself. "No man should treat his woman in such a way. I could never treat Cerenna that way."
Sansa wanted to say something but bit her retort back. "His Grace is treating me like the traitor my family has proven to be." She told him, and Loren outright laughed.
"I'd have done the same as your brother, Lady Stark." Loren told her. "That's a treasonous statement right there, but it's true. I truly am sorry for the loss of your family, it's a horrid thing that has happened to you."
"At the hands of your family." Sansa whispered, and Loren sighed, sitting next to her again.
"I know, and I can only apologise for the pain it has caused." He told her honestly. "War is brutal, war is vicious and cruel, and those that lose often get thrown down in the mud and trampled on. Your brother sounded like a good man, he just fell to the same trap we all may fall into, rushing to save his family before understanding what the consequences of such action could be. I admired him you know, he tricked us at the Green Fork."
"He did?" Sansa asked quickly, forgetting herself for a moment.
"He did." Loren chuckled. "We expected him by the Kingsroad, but he fooled us and took most of his men to Riverrun. It was just that my Father was quick enough to realise the rouse as it was happening."
Sansa appreciated the praise of Robb, but was saddened at the reminder of his death. "I'm sorry about your Mother." She told Loren.
"She was a kind woman." Loren sighed. "She deserved happiness, but if it's true then her happiness was her doom."
"Maybe this betrothal will save me yet then." Sansa murmered, and Loren broke out into a hearty laugh.
"So long as the moron is kept on a tight leash by my Grandfather, then the worst has already passed." Loren told her, smiling at her giggles at the name calling. The door opened as the pair laughed to reveal Tyland and Sansa's new handmaiden, Shae. "Father." Loren said, standing up with Sansa.
"The King is heading to the tiltyard." Tyland told his son. "Go and knock some sense into him."
Loren bowed his head, turning to Sansa once more. "It was good to talk to you, My Lady."
"Thank you for helping me, Lord Loren." Sansa curtseyed. Loren smirked, and left the room.
Tyland stepped towards the girl and inspected her lip. "That was unbecoming of a King. On behalf of my nephew, I apologise for his actions."
Sansa's face returned to its emotionless state. "The King does as he pleases. I can only apologise for my families actions that have caused His Grace such distress."
Tyland almost slapped himself at her stubbornness to keep defending him. "Nonetheless, he has been warned and he shall keep his distance now. You and your sister are under my protection."
"Thank you, Lord Tyland." Sansa curtseyed again, internally screaming at him about the last time they were under his protection.
Tyland stepped closer to the young Stark girl. "Would you like an end to this… agreement… your Father and King Robert concocted?"
Sansa froze for a moment, wondering if this was all a trick. Playing it safe, she shook her head. "I love the King with all my heart and I hope that one day he shall share the same affections."
Tyland didn't say anything, instead turning to Shae who was holding up a crimson and gold gown. "It's one of my sisters, you're about as tall as the Queen is and she has plenty." Tyland explained. "I thought you'd want to look your best for when you speak with your sister."
Sansa didn't say anything as the Lord left, but as soon as he turned his back she glared daggers at him. The door shut, and Shae spoke softly.
"Careful My Lady." The handmaiden said in her thick Lorathi accent.
"He knows what this will do to Arya." Sansa whispered venomously. "I can see right through him. He wants us to be at odds."
I love that last scene. Sansa is still wary of the Lannisters and rightly so, but Loren is finding ways to break her walls down and she is responding to that.
The image of Ser Gregor breaking Ser Meryn's neck is the main one that sticks with me however, Joffrey really needs to stop relying on inept guards…
I hope you all enjoyed it. My PM's are always open if you have a question that can't wait until I respond to reviews in the next chapter. Otherwise, join me again for the next chapter, where Sansa and Arya finally reunite, and the Small Council take their plans to beat the Baratheon's to another stage…
Reviews:
tommyginger: This Joffrey isn't despised because of the Ned scenario, but because of his stupidity in denouncing a beloved man as a traitor while also slaughtering children. Sending Gendry to the Wall is more damage limitation than anything.
Freakdogsflare: The Lannisters still have some use for the Starks…
Some: Dany won't be around until much, much later on in the story.
ShpperofTrashyShips: She certainly doesn't!
Lolmax: I presume you mean Tyland, and because he spent a good few months with her…
Hail King Cerion: As I said in another response, with Joffrey's rep taking a serious hit so early on it's more like damage limitation sending him to the Wall. Edric isn't in the TV show so he isn't an issue. Gendry will get to the Wall before Jon dies so it may be even more dramatic as they'll likely become friends.
iHateHotWeather123: I'm sorry you don't like Cerenna, I hope that changes eventually as all she is right now is a girl in love and determined not to see that destroyed. Interesting to see some more Dany hate too!
Vwchick: 3) If people love Tyland then I'd be worried for them to be honest! I don't expect people to love him, he's the sort of character that like Ramsay, you'd wish dead in my eyes. Loren however is different and I'd expect for him to grow and be the character that people enjoy reading. 8) If he could get away with it I'm sure Tyland wouldn't mind killing Joffrey so long as he was past the point of no return. 10) Arya definitely won't be cooperative, but I don't see the Lannisters being as lenient as Ned was with her. She gets on alright with Loren, but age differences don't matter to the High Lords.
Supremus85: It severely weakens the North to the point that the Lannisters underestimate them now. That was the point.