After the dizzy length of last chapter, I'm back with a regular sized one this time, briefly introducing Loren's new betrothed. The actress I sort of have in mind for Kathryn Payne is Stefanie Scott.
I own nothing but the OC's, everything else belongs to either George R R Martin or HBO.
Loren Lannister slept for a full day after the battle. Waking up with a groan, he grimaced at the sting of a couple of cuts that had managed to sneak through his armour. Pulling aside the covers, he stretched and then got out of his bed, the cool morning breeze hitting his shirtless body. Moving over to the bowl of poultice that Pycelle had whipped up for his wounds, Loren was surprised to see a figure sat in the corner.
"You're finally awake." Came the voice of his Father. Loren dropped his guard and breathed out loudly in relief.
"You can't just sneak into someone's room like that." He chuckled. "Yes, I'm awake."
Tyland shook his head, slightly amused. "Put your best clothes on, you're needed in the Throne Room." He told his son.
Loren was confused. "I thought court wasn't until after noon?"
Tyland's mouth was shaped in a rare smirk. "Get dressed. Quickly." Was all he said, before rising and walking out past Loren, sending a couple of servants in to help Loren get changed.
Half an hour later, his hair waxed so it looked sleek and shiny, and in his best crimson doublet with golden trousers, Loren fastened Lionheart to his hip and left his chambers, meeting his Father's Captain of the Guards, Vylarr, outside of his rooms.
"Come with me, My Lord." Vylarr said formally, and so Loren followed the man, flanked by two other Lannister soldiers. They walked along in silence until they got to the Throne Room, where Vylarr stopped as the doors opened. "Your Father is waiting for you inside." Vylarr added.
Loren gulped as he looked in at the Throne Room. His Lannister Grandfather was sat on the Iron Throne, with Jaime to his left and Tyland to his right. Up on the balcony stood his aunt and his younger cousins by her, and to his surprise his Mother's family, with his other Grandfather Lord Roland stood with Loren's three uncles. Walking the length of the room, Loren stood before the steps leading up to the Throne.
"Grandfather." Loren bowed his head formally.
"Loren, my Grandson." Tywin stated. "Do you know why you've been brought here today?" Loren honestly didn't, so he shook his head. "Your bravery and leadership outside the River Gate during Stannis' invasion were unquestionable. You did yourself and House Lannister proud and proved a more than capable commander. In the campaign against House Stark, you were the one to see that splitting the army was most beneficial and allowed us to gain a strong foothold in the Riverlands, while also proving your valour in battle. You have been a dutiful squire, but a man of your talent and nobility should not be a squire any longer."
Loren gasped suddenly as he began to process those words. Jaime then stepped forwards, unsheathing his blade. "Kneel, nephew." Loren's idol told him, and the youngster obeyed, dipping his head as his knee touched the stone floor. "In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave." Jaime said loudly, tapping his sword on Loren's right shoulder before moving it to his left. "In the name of the Father I charge you to be just." The swapping of shoulders continued every time Jaime mentioned a new God. "In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women. In the name of the Smith I charge to you keep yourself strong. In the name of the Crone I charge you to exercise wisdom. And in the name of the Stranger, I charge you to uphold these vows until he greets you in his arms. Arise, Ser Loren of House Lannister. Knight of the Seven."
Jaime's sword left Loren's right shoulder and the newly knighted Lannister rose to his feet as the room filled with echoing applause. The first to greet him was Jaime himself, giving Loren a strong hug. "Thank you." Loren whispered.
"You deserve it." Jaime told the boy with a grin, before standing off by the Throne and letting Tyland greet his son.
The heir to Casterly Rock for once beamed with pride. "Congratulations." He told his son, patting Loren on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Father." Loren replied emotionally.
Tyland rolled his eyes. "Come, let us celebrate before the boredom of court. We've set up the old Small Council Chamber with some breakfast in your honour."
Loren felt overwhelmed but was soon dragged into the room to the side of the Throne Room by his mother's younger brothers, Lyle and Merlon Crakehall to celebrate with the majority of his family.
Court was as dull as Tyland had predicted, and the Lannister heir could only stand there and listen as multiple minor Lords and Knight's were honoured due to their deeds during the battle. Tyland himself had been reinstated as the Master of Laws and had also been proclaimed the saviour of the city for his so-called timely arrival, although Tyland thought that the battle could have still been won without his efforts. He looked up at his Father who was sat beside the King, true unhappiness in his eyes.
Tywin had been most wroth with Cersei the day after the battle, and the Dowager Queen had been scolded harder than she had been in years. Normally that would have amused Tyland, but the news that came from that shouting match filled him with dread as the news about Tyrion came to light. Cersei was keeping tightly lipped, but Tyland reckoned that it was her that had ordered Ser Mandon to kill the dwarf during the battle, and thanks to Tyrion's squire stopping the botched attempt, it had failed. Podrick's reward for saving Tyrion's life was about to be recognised, as the squire knelt before the Iron Throne.
"Podrick Payne. Your efforts in defending your master from new enemies in the Vale are greatly appreciated." Joffrey began. Tyland's idea had been to blame the mad Lysa Arryn for Moore's deceit, his family being Valemen. "In return, your House shall be granted lands further to the North, up to the bank of the Blackwater Rush by the Stony Sept. Your distant cousin of the main branch, Lady Kathryn, if she agrees, shall be betrothed to my own cousin, Lord Loren of House Lannister."
Tyland looked over at his future daughter by law as she moved to stand beside Podrick. The girl was slightly comely with dirty blonde hair and was wearing a flattering dress in her House's colours of purple with yellow detailing. The girl curtseyed before the Iron Throne before saying. "I would be honoured to wed the noble Lord Loren, Your Grace."
The speech had been practised, but now it was up to Loren to do his part. The boy was at Tyland's right hand side and didn't look happy in the slightest when Joffrey said loudly. "And what say you, cousin? Will you wed this fair maid?"
Breathing heavily, Loren put on a fake smile and stepped forwards. "I would be delighted to, Your Grace."
"Then it is settled!" Joffrey proclaimed happily. Kathryn had the decency to blush as her and Loren locked eyes for the first time before she and Podrick returned to their places in the room. Loren stepped back beside Tyland, looking at the floor.
"You did well." Tyland breathed out, Loren just nodded his head.
More honours were given out after that, as the Lefford's gained some villages from the Riverlands and more men were knighted. Afterwards, marriage pacts were announced between Tyland's cousins and the Reach in order to cement an alliance between the two nations. Tyland's cousin Daven was to marry Desmera Redwyne while his other cousin Myrielle was to marry Dickon Tarly. Dickon's sister Talla would marry Lancel Lannister, and his cousin Tyrek would marry Alla Tyrell. The big one however was the last to be announced, as Joffrey called Ser Loras to the Throne.
The heir to Highgarden knelt before the Throne, and Joffrey addressed him. "Your House has come to our aid. The whole realm is in your debt, and none more so than I. If your family would ask anything of me, ask it, and it shall be yours."
The pretence was set, and Loras played along perfectly. "Your Grace." He began, still kneeling. "my sister Margaery, her husband was taken from us before…" He stopped for a moment, swallowing before continuing. "She remains innocent. I would ask you to find it in your heart to do us the great honour of joining House Tyrell and House Baratheon."
Joffrey sat casually on the throne and pointed out to the Lady in question. "Is this what you want, Lady Margaery?"
Margaery Tyrell stepped forwards, stopping beside her brother. Tyland grimaced at the obvious way she was dressed to keep the King's attention, in a gown that was ridiculously revealing. "With all my heart, Your Grace." The woman said. "I have come to love you from afar. Tales of your courage and wisdom have never been far from my ears. And those tales have taken root deep inside of me."
Joffrey looked extremely smug as she said those words and replied back to the Tyrell Lady. "I, too, have heard tales of your beauty and grace, but the tales do not do you justice, my lady. It would be an honour to return your love." He then spoke for the benefit of the room. "But I am promised to another. A king must keep his word."
From beside the King, Tywin leant forwards. "Your Grace, it is the thoughts of your Small Council that while a match with the North will help to bring peace throughout the Kingdom's, a traitor's daughter cannot possibly be a suitable Queen for you. Your Council would implore you to set Lady Stark aside and wed the Lady Margaery."
Whispered murmurings filled the Throne Room as this statement sunk in. Tyland quickly glanced up to the Stark girls, the pair flanked by Lannister guards there to keep an eye on the younger. Arya herself looked almost gleeful, while Sansa had a look of calmness about her, her face showing no emotion. The crowd themselves began muttering for Margaery, a sound which Joffrey didn't miss.
"Lord Hand, I would like to heed your wishes and the wishes of my people, but I took a holy vow." Joffrey said to Tywin.
The old oaf Pycelle then added his own input from behind Tyland. "Your Grace, the gods do indeed hold betrothal solemn, but your father, blessed be his memory, made this pact before the Starks revealed their falseness. I have consulted with the High Septon and he assures me that their crimes against the realm free you from any promise you have made to them in the sight of the gods."
Joffrey stood up, looking as regal as he could. "The gods are good. I am free to heed my heart!" He exclaimed to the crowd of lickspittles. "Ser Loras, I will gladly wed your sweet sister." He told the knight, now rising to his feet, before addressing Margaery herself. "You will be my queen and I will love you from this day until my last day."
The room erupted in applause at the declaration, and Tyland joined in half heartedly. The show was necessary, but the prospect of working with the Tyrell's and their scheming nature didn't exactly fill the Master of Laws with confidence.
The Small Council was soon to grow with the arrival of more of the Tyrell's, but for now Lannisters still dominated Tyland sat to his Father's right as Varys began to talk.
"News from Riverrun, Lord Hand." The eunuch stated, handing over a raven scroll.
"Riverrun?" Tywin answered, raising an eyebrow. He took the message and read it, his eyes not portraying any emotion. "Lord Hoster Tully has died in his sleep."
That intrigued Tyland. "House Tully is no more then."
"You saw to that, dear brother." The fatigued voice of his younger brother came, Tyrion having just about recovered from his injuries but bearing an unflattering facial scar.
"It was war." Tyland said grimly. "They were our enemies and it left children in line to inherit. Children we can control."
"We can't control that which we do not have in our possession." Tyrion told him, leaning back and widening his arms indicating the room. "I don't see them."
"We can settle the matter of the Riverlands ourselves." Tywin said impatiently. "We still have Catelyn Tully's daughters in our grasp. The more pressing matter is Dragonstone."
Jaime was confused. "Stannis is dead." He reminded everyone.
"But we've had no news of a surrender." Varys input. "My little birds tell me that the ports have been shut and Lady Selyse is preparing for a siege."
Sighing, Tywin said. "Well then, a siege she shall get. We have the fleet of the Arbor, let's use them. Tyland, take as many men as you need. Take Dragonstone and bring the daughter back alive."
Tyland nodded. "Of course, Father."
"Leave as soon as you are able. I want this over." Tywin said firmly, and Tyland did as he was bid, excusing himself from the council and going to prepare both his belongings and his men.
It was a battered, bloodied and bruised Ser Davos Seaworth that somehow had made it back to Dragonstone after the battle. He had seen his son die in front of him but couldn't grieve, he had heard of his King's death but still couldn't grieve. As Hand it was his duty to see that his new Queen sat the Iron Throne even though the odds were heavily stacked against them.
He stumbled into the Chamber of the Painted Table to see Dowager Queen Selyse whispering with her Red Woman, and Ser Davos glowered at the sorceress.
"Ser Davos." Selyse greeted him in surprise. "You survived."
"I'm one of the lucky few, Your Grace." Davos nodded.
"You didn't save my husband." She added snidely.
Davos grimaced. "He led the land charge, I led the sea." He explained. "I had no chance, Your Grace."
"You had a chance at Storm's End to win the battle, Ser Davos." The Red Woman told him, her neckline still far too low for the elder man's liking. "You convinced King Stannis that I was to be left here instead of aiding in his victory."
"Yes." Selyse nodded, hypnotised by the woman. "That was a grave error."
"It is no matter. The Lord has made his will known and punished Ser Davos heavily." The Red Woman said, sympathetically. "But he has granted the smuggler his life in order to aid the new Queen."
"They'll be coming here, Your Grace." Davos urged. "How many men do we have?"
"Enough to hold the stairway." Selyse told him. "They'll never take the castle, not while the Lord watches over us."
Sighing, Davos ran his hands over his eyes. "Your Lord was watching over us on the Blackwater and burned half of our fleet, Your Grace."
"The Lord, Ser Davos." Selyse said unhappily, standing up. "You'll remember that if you are to serve my daughter."
The Dowager Queen then took her leave of the room, leaving Davos alone with the woman he detested more than anybody in the world. She regally glided over towards him, stopping to put a warm finger to one of the cuts on his face.
"This castle is doomed, Ser Davos." She said softly and quietly. "The Lord has shown me where Azor Ahai truly resides and it is far to the North. You should join me and together we can save mankind."
Davos looked outraged. "You said Stannis was your saviour." He growled. "You made everyone believe!"
"Not you." The woman said.
"No, not me." Davos shook his head. "I never needed some fancy prophecy, or legend to make me believe in Stannis. He would have been a good King, but your words twisted him into rushing and now he's dead, leaving a little girl as the last of her House."
"Houses won't matter." Melisandre stated. "The Iron Throne won't matter, all that matters is that Azor Ahai will rise once again to save us all from our doom, and you will be there, smuggler, by their side."
50 ships were slowly filtering out of King's Landing around a week after the announcement of Joffrey's new betrothal, and Tyland stood on the deck of Lion's Pride looking out towards the city as the ship left the docks. Ser Loras and Ser Daven were also on board Tyland's ship, and the two were discussing Daven's new betrothal.
"What is she like?" Tyland heard Daven ask.
"Freckled?" Loras shrugged. "Honestly I've not seen her in years."
Not interested in the gossip about Desmera Redwyne, Tyland unbuckled Red Rain and retired to his room in the ship, before sitting down and staring down at the map of the island he had been charged with taking.
Lots of religious mention here, with a knighthood, the King changing his betrothed and the introduction of Melisandre…
I've not really got a lot else to add, other than I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that I'll be back next time with the Siege of Dragonstone.
Reviews:
Silver crow: All good ideas as to where he could get eggs, although I won't be using them for a few reasons. 1) Luke's leadership means that the Golden Company is on the odd occasion less 'sellsword' and more 'private army' in case of a special circumstance which I'll go into more detail in the actual story, and 2) I don't want to overpopulate the world with dragon eggs. I personally subscribe to the theory that Daenerys' dragon eggs are the ones stolen from Dragonstone by Elissa Farman and sold to the Iron Bank, and that's what I'll be using in the story. Dragons will play a part, but there's only going to be three to begin with. I'm not sure I'll do the whole Qyburn route yet, nor have I really thought about the story beyond the 3rd chapter so I need to go into all that before I start giving away too much haha. He does have a more 'warrior' build to him though, like Maekar except clean shaven and wields a hand-and-a-half longsword instead of a mace and he follows the Seven. Don't get too excited about it though, as I've got this, Black Wolf Rises and maybe even another story to come before that, I don't know how I'm going to structure all my ideas. As for your review of the chapter, I agree that his death is on Tyland, but to me it's a smart move for both PR purposes and to ensure that the rebels hopes now rest on the shoulders of a young girl. I think Cersei definitely holds some resentment to Tywin, but Jaime now has seen too much cruelty in King's Landing both times, the Iron Islands and now the campaign in the Riverlands to think of him as anything other than the adult Tyland became.
Guest (The Hound): He never got the chance to leave due to the heightened security around King's Landing, so is still part of the Kingsguard.
Guest (Sansa): I don't think she knows what she will do with her gaining knowledge, but she's ready to prepare something within a moment's notice.
ShpperofTrashyShips: Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!
Supremus85: Or, Tyland believes that while at war Stannis is a bigger symbol of defiance than Shireen is. It's a pattern with Tyland that I've been hinting at, he did the same with the Stark's and technically the Tully's, leaving children in places of power to weaken the Lannister's enemies. Wow… I've literally never seen anyone say they're rooting for the Ironborn, so I'm amazed that this story has driven you to that!
Hail King Cerion: Tywin has definitely scolded Cersei aye. I just felt it necessary that for these Lannisters that have committed heinous crimes over the last year or so that some PR was needed, and to give Joffrey legitimacy by having the singers spin tales of his personal victory was too good an opportunity to pass up. Tyland is more complicated than just worrying because Loren is his heir, he doesn't truly like seeing his family hurt, emotionally or physically.
Golden Shrouds: Spoilers.
Zurver: He doesn't care about marriage or women really, and unless it's a true benefit to his house or Loren dies, he won't take another one.
Mach9330: No, the Lannisters aren't Aegon and his sisters, but they're pretty powerful right now and would have always won the battles I have placed them in. That being said it's not always going to be so easy, but things need to happen before they fall apart.
damarcusgraham: You're not the only one it triggered trust me! That's part of the point, this isn't a nice story. Your favourite characters if they aren't either strong enough or adaptable will die and I'm not shying away from that. Most people don't like it because they hate the Lannisters or love the Houses that fight against them and that's ok, but a strong House Lannister would have only truly had troubles against Renly if he had marched on King's Landing with his full army. Robb didn't have the numbers and neither did Stannis. Thank you for your kind words though, that's honestly made my night.