The walled city of King's Landing, known in Westeros as the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, is packed with many civilians and guards. In the royal castle, the Red Keep, which is made out of red sandstone, perches on the cliffs above Blackwater Bay where guards had been busy patrolling every corner of castle. Several guards were also guarding the seven-towered Great Sept of Baelor, which rose on the south edge of the city. In between the sprawls of the city, several civilians were walking by the fetid slum called Flea Bottom. Inside the Red Keep, Lord Jon Arryn, who was cold and still, was lying on his deathbed where two silent sister, veiled adherents to the Faith of the Seven, fold his hands across his chest and close his eyelids.

Jon Arryn was born as the eldest son of Lord Jasper Arryn. He had a younger brother, Ronnel, and a sister, Alys, who married Ser Elys Waynwood. Jon was Keeper of the Gates of the Moon while Jasper lived, and after his father's death Jon named his brother Ronnel and later his cousin Denys to that position. Because of the Vale mountain clans, Jon always traveled in strength when crossing the Mountains of the Moon. Jon's first wife was Jeyne Royce. He had been betrothed to her from an early age and married her after his father's death. She died in childbed, their daughter stillborn. His second marriage was to Rowena Arryn, a cousin, who died of a winter chill during a childless marriage. Because he had no children, Jon's heir became his nephew, Elbert, the son of Ronnel.

Many years ago, Jon fought for King Jaehaerys II Targaryen in the War of the Ninepenny Kings. During the war, he made alliances with Lord Rickard Stark of Winterfell and Lord Steffon Baratheon of Storm's End, which resulted several years later in Jon taking their sons, Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon, as his wards at the Eyrie. As they grew, the two boys became close companions and regarded the childless Jon as a second father. The only blade used by Robert was a hunting knife he received from Jon as a boy. He even declined Lord Walder Frey's offer in fostering his grandsons, for which he despised him and viewed Walder to be nothing but a greedy individual who has no care for others.

At some point in 278 AC, Jon received a raven from King's Landing, informing of the death of Elbert Arryn, who was murdered by King Aerys II Targaryen, who was recognized as the Mad King. In a state of shock and grief for the lost of his nephew that he loved and cared for, Jon was given an order by the Mad King to execute his wards, Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon. Choosing to avenge his nephew, Jon refused and raised his banners in revolt, beginning what would become known as Robert's Rebellion. While Ned Stark returned to the north to call his banners, Jon and Robert led the taking of Gulltown, allowing Robert to return to the stormlands. He eventually confronted Ser Lyn Corbray of House Corbray, who had fought for House Targaryen with Lord Marq Grafton. After Grafton's death, Jon pardoned Ser Lyn Corbray and allowed him and the rest of his house to fight against the Mad King. When word that his cousin Ser Denys Arryn, who was the new heir of the Vale, was slain by Lord Jon Connington during the Battle of the Bells, Jon believed that his house would soon become extinct and that there would be nothing left. That was when he and Eddard Stark came up with an idea to gain the support of the houses in the Riverlands. In order to gain Lord Hoster Tully for the rebels, Jon and Eddard agreed to marry Hoster's daughters, Catelyn and Lysa. Because Lysa was proven fertile, Jon hoped to secure a new heir for the failing Arryn line, and so Jon and Eddard married the Tully sisters in a dual ceremony at the Riverrun.

A year later, Jon participated in the Battle of the Trident, during which Robert killed Aerys's son, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. During the Sack of King's Landing, not only the Mad King but also Rhaegar's wife, Elia Martell, and children, Princess Rhaenys and Prince Aegon, were killed. Eddard was appalled by the brutality of the acts, but Robert's hatred for the Targaryens made him consider the murders necessary, creating a temporary rift between the two that even Lord Arryn was unable to breach. When Robert Baratheon ascended to the Iron Throne, he appointed Jon as his Hand. The first task Jon undertook was making peace with Dorne. The southern region was incensed by the deaths of Prince Lewyn and Princess Elia during the war, and Prince Oberyn Martell tried to raise the kingdom to support Viserys Targaryen, the surviving son of King Aerys II. The year after Robert I Baratheon took the throne, Jon returned the bones of Lewyn to Sunspear and brokered a peace with Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne. However, Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch, who had killed Elia and her children, went unpunished by Robert, creating a persistent bone of contention between the Iron Throne and Dorne.

To strengthen Robert's hold on the throne, Jon negotiated the king's marriage with Cersei Lannister and advised that he retain her brother, Ser Jaime, on the Kingsguard, thereby opposing Lord Eddard Stark, who proposed sending Jaime to the Wall for his killing of King Aerys. Robert also considered the assassinations of Viserys and Daenerys, believed to be the last two Targaryens and thus possible threats, but Jon dissuaded the king from the idea. Robert left Jon with much of the responsibility of running the Seven Kingdoms, but Jon could not stop Robert from spending huge amounts of coin on tournaments and excess, putting the realm in serious debt. While he was at court, Lord Nestor Royce ruled as High Steward of the Vale, and Jon appointed Janos Slynt as Commander of the City Watch after the death of Manly Stokeworth.

However, his marriage with Lysa was loveless, with Lysa finding her husband to be too old and hating his bad breath. After three girls and two boys miscarried, Lysa gave Jon a sickly son and heir, Robert Arryn. Jon was considered robust for his age, but he became ill the night after he borrowed Grand Maester Malleon's book, and quickly wasted away. Jon's maester, Colemon, tried treating an assumed stomach illness by purging the body. The moribund Jon kept mentioning the name Robert, and his final words to his wife Lysa Arryn and King Robert I Baratheon were "the seed is strong".

After his passing, Grand Maester Pycelle entered the room. Pycelle wore a heavy chain around his neck, each link forged with a different metal. Beside him is Queen Cersei Lannister of House Lannister.

Cersei Lannister was the firstborn child of and only daughter to Ser Tywin Lannister, heir to Casterly Rock, and his wife, Lady Joanna. Cersei was born shortly before her twin brother Jaime, who was holding her foot. During her early childhood, she and Jaime were inseparable. They looked so similar as children, up to the point that not even their father was able to keep them apart. Because of their similar looks, Cersei occasionally wore Jaime's clothes and took lessons from the master-at-arms in his stead, without anyone realizing. They played in the bowels of Casterly Rock, where the caged lions of Cersei's late grandfather, Tytos, were kept. Cersei and Jaime would dare each other to climb into the cage. Cersei once dared to go as far as touch one of the lions, until her brother pulled her away. Cersei and Jaime slept together in the same bed when they were very young, and experimented together in a sexual manner at a young age. During one of these encounters, they were caught by a servant who informed their mother. A guard was placed near Cersei's bedchamber, whilst Jaime's bedchamber was moved to the other side of the castle. The twins were told never to do anything like that ever again, as Joanna would otherwise be forced to tell their father.

Years later, Lord Tywin Lannister first informed Cersei of his wish to betroth her to the crown prince when she was no older than six or seven, though he told her never to speak of it until a betrothal was officially announced. Cersei drew a picture of her and Rhaegar on a dragon, once, though she claimed it depicted King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and his sister-wife, Alysanne, when Jaime discovered it. At the age of ten, Cersei became infatuated with Rhaegar after meeting him for the first time during the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth at Lannisport. Before the tourney began Cersei's aunt, Lady Genna, informed Cersei that her betrothal to Rhaegar would be announced during the final feast of the tourney. After being separated from Jaime following their mother's discovery of their sexual experimenting, Cersei had numerous bedmaids and companions, daughters of Tywin's bannermen and household knights who were of an age with her. While Cersei occasionally appreciated their company, she had not liked any of them, believing them weak and convinced they were trying to come between her and Jaime.

Following Genna's announcement that Cersei's betrothal to Rhaegar would soon be announced, Cersei brought Melara Hetherspoon and Jeyne Farman to a woods witch, Maggy the Frog. After Jeyne fled out of fear, Cersei inquired as to when she and Rhaegar would wed and how many children they would have. Maggy correctly predicted Cersei's marriage with the king and the amount of children both would have. She went on to prophesy that Cersei would outlive her children, who would die as kings and queens, and that after everything she had was taken away by a younger and more beautiful queen, the valonqar would come to end her life. Melara suggested that if they never spoke about it, the prophecies would not come true. However, Melara died shortly after their visit to Maggy, and it is implied that Cersei killed the girl to prevent her from speaking of the prophecies.

After the conclusion of Robert's Rebellion, a marriage was arranged between Cersei and the new king, Robert I Baratheon, in order to seal the new royal house's alliance with House Lannister. She and Jaime had sex the morning of her wedding. Nonetheless, Cersei was at first enthralled by the happy crowds at the royal wedding. However, her enthusiasm for the match ended when Robert called her "Lyanna" during their first night together. The marriage rapidly deteriorated, and Cersei resumed her incestuous relationship with Jaime. She bore him three children (Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen), all of whom she successfully passed off as Robert's trueborn heirs. Although the king was away during the births of his children, Jaime was present for at least Joffrey's birth, though Cersei refused to let her brother hold the child, fearing people might start to suspect his true parentage. On one occasion, early in her marriage, Cersei became pregnant by Robert. Unwilling to give birth to Robert's child, she sent Jaime out to find a woman to cleanse her. Having grown to resent Robert over the years, Cersei took further care to ensure he did not impregnate her.

"I gave him milk of the poppy at the end," Pycelle sighed. "To ease his path."

Cersei touches the old maester's arm in thanks, responding solemnly. "We are blessed to have a man of your wisdom caring for us."

The old Maester is not too old to appreciate a little flattery, or the touch of a beautiful woman.

"He was peaceful, in his final hours," Cersei said.

"Mostly he slept, my grace," Pycelle stated. "Though he had moments of clarity."

"Did he?" Cersei asked that. "What did he say, in these moments of clarity?"

"He asked to see the King, your grace," Pycelle answered when he made a slight cough.

"Robert will never forgive himself for not being here," Cersei sighed in disappointment. "These hunts of his last longer and longer."

"And he asked to see Lord Stark," Pycelle added that as well.

"Well its a shame that Lord Stark is a thousand leagues away," Cersei informed since the Seven Kingdoms were very big within the western continent. "That was all?"

"Yes… no," Pycelle paused and went on. "There was a phrase, one phrase he kept repeating. 'The seed is strong'."

Cersei focuses on the Maester and asks, "The seed is strong? What does that mean?"

"The dying mind is a demented mind," Pycelle shrugged. "For all the weight they're given, last words usually have as much significance as first words."

"Where is the Hand's wife?" Cersei asked.

"Lady Arryn left the moment he breathed his last," Pycelle informed.

Cersei was a bit concerned of this as she turns and heads for the door. That was when he made a sudden stop and says, "Send a raven to Casterly Rock. My father should know Jon Arryn is dead."

"At once, my grace," Pycelle complied to her command.

After Cersei exits the bedchamber, Pycelle watches the sisters perform their ritual ablutions, imagining, perhaps, the not-too-distant day when they will minister to his own corpse.


Up in the balcony, Cersei watches the beauty of the sea as someone approaches from behind to join her. The person was Jaime Lannister. He is the second child and first-born son of Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock and his wife, Lady Joanna, also of House Lannister, and even the twin brother of Queen Cersei Lannister. As young children, Jaime and his sister Cersei looked so much alike, that not even their father was able to tell them apart. Jaime grew into a tall, handsome man, with curled hair the color of beaten gold. He is muscular and extremely strong, musing that he could only think of a few men in the Seven Kingdoms stronger than him, and that his speed and skill can defeat them. As a Kingsguard knight, Jaime wears white armor and a white cloak. On occasion, he wears golden armor decorated with the Lannister lion, with gilded longsword and ornate lion's helmet. Jaime alternatively wears a crimson silk tunic embroidered with a golden lion, along with black boots and a black cloak. Jaime is a born warrior, with little interest in politics and court intrigue. He takes few things seriously. By his own admission, he only feels truly alive when fighting or making love.

Jaime was born shortly after his twin sister Cersei, while holding her foot. During the Targaryen Dynasty, King Aerys II Targaryen sent both Jaime and Cersei their weight in gold as a name day gift, and commanded Lord Tywin to bring the children to court when they were old enough to travel. Jaime and Cersei did visit King's Landing when their mother brought them from Casterly Rock for the Anniversary Tourney held to celebrate the tenth year of King Aerys's reign. Jaime and Cersei were inseparable in their early childhood, and as children, they played together in bowels of Casterly Rock, where the caged lions of his late grandfather, Tytos, were kept. Jaime and Cersei would dare each other to climb into the cage. Cersei and Jaime slept together in the same bed when they were very young, and even went as far as to experiment together in a sexual manner at a young age. During one of these encounters, they were caught by a servant who informed their mother. Jaime's bedchamber was immediately moved to the other side of the castle, whilst a guard was placed near Cersei's bedchamber. The twins were told never to do anything like that ever again, as Joanna would otherwise be forced to tell their father.

After Joanna died from childbirth when giving birth to Jaime's younger brother, Tyrion, Jaime developed an affection for his youngest sibling, and treated him with kindness and respect while both his father and sister openly despised the young Lannister, who was a malformed dwarf. Shortly after Joanna's death, the Princess of Dorne visited Casterly Rock with her two youngest children, Elia and Oberyn Martell. When she eventually proposed a betrothal between Elia and Jaime, she was refused. When Jaime was ten years old, Lord Tywin hosted a tourney to celebrate the birth of young Prince Viserys Targaryen. During this tourney, Tywin suggested to King Aerys that Jaime could squire for Rhaegar Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, but Aerys refused and named the sons of other lords to the position instead.

At the age of fifteen, Jaime participated in the campaign against the Kingswood Brotherhood, during which he saved Lord Sumner Crakehall from Big Belly Ben and crossed swords with the psychotic Smiling Knight. After the brotherhood had been defeated, Jaime was knighted for valor shown on the battlefield by Ser Arthur Dayne, a member of the Kingsguard of King Aerys II Targaryen. Now a knight, Jaime was to return to Casterly Rock. He decided to stop in King's Landing on route, to visit his sister, from whom he had been separated for years. There, Cersei informed him that their father, Lord Tywin Lannister, intended to betroth him to Lysa Tully, and had gone as far as inviting Lord Hoster to King's Landing, to discuss the dower. Cersei suggested that Jaime become a member of the Kingsguard instead, replacing the recently-deceased Ser Harlan Grandison. Though this would require Jaime to give up his claim to Casterly Rock and his position as Tywin's heir, it would allow him to be close to Cersei and free himself of the unwanted marriage to Lysa. After a night of passionate sex, he gave his consent to Cersei's plan. While the siblings expected Tywin to oppose it, Cersei claimed he could not openly object. She promised to do the rest, and a month later, Jaime received news at Casterly Rock that he had been chosen for the Kingsguard, and was to present himself to the king during the grand tourney at Harrenhal, where he would say his vows and don his cloak. Jaime's and Cersei's plan did not entirely work as expected. Their father, furious about the king's decision, pleaded illness and resigned his position as Hand of the King. He returned to Casterly Rock, taking Cersei with him, which separated the siblings once more.

Jaime was raised to the Kingsguard by its Lord Commander, Ser Gerold Hightower, in a ceremony at Harrenhal, making him the youngest knight ever to be raised to the order. That night, however, King Aerys soured the honor by sending him back to King's Landing to guard Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys, depriving Jaime of the chance to participate in Lord Walter Whent's tourney. It was that moment during which Jaime realized that the king had only chosen him for the Kingsguard to slight Lord Tywin, of whom Aerys was insanely jealous, and to rob him of his heir. Jaime left for King's Landing at once. When a mystery knight appeared at the tourney, King Aerys became convinced that it was Jaime, who had defied his orders and secretly returned. By being raised to the Kingsguard, Jaime gave up his claim to Casterly Rock. Nonetheless, his father Tywin continued to regard him as his true heir, and was always angry to see Jaime dressed all in white, instead of the red and gold of House Lannister.

Jaime served in King Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard for two years, but when he witnessed his king growing aggressive and mad, he began to grow more and more disillusioned. As he continued to witness the Mad King's growing insanity and tendency for burning men alive, he would even witness the executions of Brandon and Lord Rickard Stark, standing at the foot of the Iron Throne as the two Starks were dying. Jaime coped by "going away inside", focusing on thoughts of Cersei instead of the events occurring in front of him. Afterwards, he was reminded by his Lord Commander, Ser Gerold Hightower, that he swore a vow to guard the king, not to judge him. Jaime would later advise others to "go away inside" as a way to deal with a harsh reality and making an appalling task tolerable. Following the deaths of Brandon and Rickard Stark, Lord Jon Arryn refused to obey Aerys II Targaryen's order to send the heads of Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon, starting a war that would become known as Robert's Rebellion. When Prince Rhaegar Targaryen left the Red Keep to face the rebels on the Trident, Jaime begged Rhaegar to take him along, suggesting one of the other Kingsguard knights could remain at the king's side instead. Rhaegar refused the suggestion, admitting that King Aerys wanted to keep Jaime close as a hostage against his father, Lord Tywin. Rhaegar promised an angry and disappointed Jaime that changes would be made when he returned from the battlefield, and charged Jaime with keeping his wife, Elia Martell, and their children safe.

While a rebel army led by Lord Eddard Stark raced towards King's Landing after Rhaegar's death at the Trident, Jaime witnessed his father arriving with an army of 22,000 armed soldiers. His main concerns were that King Aerys II Targaryen would be capable of killing Jaime out of spite, as well as that Jaime himself could do something rash. Though Lord Varys, the master of whisperers, counseled Aerys against opening the gates, the king listened to Grand Maester Pycelle, who told him that his old Hand, Tywin, had come to his defense. As such, the city gates were opened to Tywin and his army, but once inside, Tywin betrayed Aerys and began the Sack of King's Landing. As the sole Kingsguard remaining in King's Landing, the defense of the Red Keep became Jaime's responsibility. Knowing that he did not stand a chance to defend the castle, he sent a messenger to the king, asking for leave to make terms with the attackers. The messenger came back with the Aerys's order that Jaime should bring him Lord Tywin's head, to prove that he was no traitor. The messenger also informed him that Rossart was with the king, leading Jaime to believe that Aerys was about to command the destruction of the city.

Jaime killed Rossart, who was dressed as a common soldier and hurrying to a postern gate. When the king in the throne room saw the blood on Jaime's sword, he demanded to know whether it was Tywin's, renewing his command that Jaime should bring him his father's head, otherwise Jaime would burn with all the other traitors. When Jaime answered that it was Rossart's blood, the frightened Aerys ran towards the Iron Throne. Jaime hauled him off the steps, and killed his king with a single slash across the throat, thereby preventing him from giving the command to burn the city to some other pyromancer just when Lord Tywin's men, led by Ser Elys Westerling and Lord Roland Crakehall, burst into the throne room in time to see that the former Kingsguard had killed the king, forestalling any chance for Jaime to steal away and let someone else claim responsibility. Jaime told them to advise all who were still fighting that the king was dead and to spare anyone who yielded. Lord Crakehall then asked whether a new king should be proclaimed as well, indicating that it could be Lord Tywin or Robert Baratheon or that even a new Targaryen king could be proclaimed. Jaime mused on the possibility of choosing Viserys or Rhaegar's son, Aegon, as the new king with Tywin as his Hand, but, realising that both boys shared the same blood as Aerys and thus the same propensity for madness, Jaime declared to Lord Crakehall that it was all the same to him. He then seated himself on the Iron Throne, waiting to see who would come to claim it. He was found sitting there with his golden sword across his legs when Lord Stark rode into the hall with his men to claim the throne for Robert. Jaime gave up the throne to Eddard, proclaiming it to be an uncomfortable seat.

In the following days, Jaime secretly hunted down and killed the two other pyromancers involved in Aerys's wildfire plot, Belis and Garigus. Although Eddard urged Robert to strip Jaime of the white cloak, arguing that he should at least be made to join the Night's Watch, Robert listened to Jon Arryn instead. Jaime was pardoned by King Robert I, together with Varys and Pycelle, and continued to serve in the Kingsguard along with Ser Barristan Selmy. Because of the death of King Aerys, Jaime earned such a bad reputation that everything he says is usually cast in the worst possible light.

"As your brother, I feel it's my duty to warn you," Jaime said. "You worry too much. It's starting to show."

"And you never worry about anything," Cersei smiled. "When we were seven, you jumped off the cliffs as Casterly Rock. One hundred foot drop into the water. And you were never afraid."

"There was nothing to be afraid of until you told father," Jaime whispered. "We're Lannisters. Lannisters don't act like fools."

"What if Jon Arryn told someone?" Cersei stated.

"But who would he tell?" Jaime asked.

"My husband," Cersei answered.

"If he told the king, both our heads would be skewered on the city gates by now," Jaime said. "Whatever Jon Arryn knew or didn't know, it died with him. And Robert will choose a new Hand of the king, someone to do his job while he's off hunting boars and whores like he always have done. Or is it the other way around? And life will go on."

"You should be the Hand of the king," Cersei suggested.

"That's an honor I can do without," Jaime rejected. "Their days are too long, their lives are too short."


In Flea Bottom, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in King's Landing, many drunks spill out of doorways of taverns lit with oil lamps. Outside, the sounds of rough laughter and singing was heard all over inside a brothel. In one room filled with silks, damasks, and gilded ornaments, a beautiful red-haired woman named Ros bestows oral favors upon Tyrion Lannister.

Tyrion Lannister is a dwarf, with stubby legs, a jutting forehead, mismatched eyes of green and black, and pale blond hair. His unique stare has been said to make most people uncomfortable, which Tyrion tries to use to his advantage. Tyrion is intelligent, well educated, and a ferocious reader. He is sharp of wit and tongue. Even though he is no warrior, he has been trained at arms, and states to himself as to what he lacks is his size and strength he makes up for in mental acuity. Tyrion generally receives little respect and is often mocked. His deformity is the cause of many problems and persecution, although mitigated to some extent by his high social standing and his family's wealth and power. He craves for love and respect from his family, but does not have a good relationship with all his family members.

Born in 266 AC, Tyrion was the third-born child to Lord Tywin and Lady Joanna Lannister. After his mother died giving birth to him, Tyrion was accused by his father for her death. Tales about Tyrion were spread immediately after his birth; At Oldtown, it was said that Tyrion was a monster, with a tail, monstrous huge head, thick hair, a beard, an evil eye, lion's claws, with teeth so long he was not able to close his mouth, and both male and female genitals. It was said that Tyrion's birth was an omen to famine, plague and war, and the smallfolk named him "Lord Tywin's Doom" and "Lord Tywin's Bane". King Aerys II Targaryen stated that Tyrion was a punishment for Tywin's arrogance, and the same was said by begging brothers in Oldtown, stating that Tywin had made himself greater than the king. Shortly after his birth, the Princess of Dorne arrived with her consort and two younger children, Elia and Oberyn Martell. Tyrion was kept out of sight during the visit of the Martells, though he could sometimes be heard howling. Cersei and Jaime showed Tyrion to Elia and Oberyn the day before the Martells left, with Cersei claiming the infant would die soon. Lord Tywin, having refused to betroth Princess Elia to his heir Jaime, offered Tyrion as a betrothed to Elia instead, which the Martells took as an insult.

During most of Tyrion's childhood, his father Tywin served as Hand of the King to King Aerys II Targaryen in King's Landing, and as a consequence was absent from home for longer periods of time. As a child, Tyrion was lonely, but that was when his elder brother Jaime came to admire him. At one time, he used to dream of owning a dragon and once asked one of his uncles for a dragon as a name day present, whereupon he was informed that the last dragon had died a century before. He used to start fires in the bowels of Casterly Rock, and stared at them for hours, pretending they were dragonflame, while he himself was a lost Targaryen princeling, or a dragonlord from Valyria. As he grew older, Tyrion would seldom ever dream of dragons, though he would always remain fascinated by them. At the time when Cersei married King Robert I Baratheon, Tyrion came to King's Landing for the wedding, where he sought out the dragon skulls which had decorated the throne room during the Targaryen dynasty, but which had been taken down by Robert in the aftermath of the rebellion and the death of the Mad King.

Despite being very young at the time, his father offered Tyrion as a husband to Delena Florent of House Florent, who had been deflowered by King Robert I Baratheon. The two started to make out and slept with each other, even having sex at very young age. However, their relationship was cut off when her father suggested in having Delena marry Ser Hosman Norcross.

After turning thirteen, Tyrion fell in love, and that quickly replaced the thoughts of priesthood. He and his brother Jaime rescued a common girl, Tysha, from some bandits near Casterly Rock. While Jaime went after the bandits, Tyrion took care of Tysha. To his amazement Tysha liked him, and they eventually made love. Tyrion became so enamored by her, that he bribed a drunken septon and married her in secret. They lived in a little cottage by the sunset sea, and spent whole days in bed. They would kiss and make love, and Tysha would sing the Myrish song "The Seasons of My Love" for him. However, their marriage lasted only two weeks, until the septon sobered up and confessed to Lord Tywin. When Tyrion's father learned about the wedding, he commanded Jaime to say that Tysha was a prostitute whom Jaime had hired to take Tyrion's virginity. To drive the lesson home, Tywin forced his son to rape her, for whom Tysha was paid a gold coin, because Lannisters were worth more. Afterwards, Tywin had the marriage undone, and the septons said it was as if Tyrion and Tysha had never been wed.

While Tysha was kept watch and had been forced to work as a maiden in Casterly Rock, Tywin made sure to keep her separate from Tyrion. Despite the marriage being undone, Tyrion learned from his father that both Delena Florent and Tysha had been pregnant at the same time and had given birth. Delena gave birth to a daughter and Tysha gave birth to a son. Since Tywin knew that Tyrion slept with Delena before marrying Tysha, he came to the decision in naming his granddaughter Lysa, as well as giving her the Lannister surname, and lastly naming his grandson Jeren, but giving him the surname "Hill". Despite being to young to take care of his children, Tyrion became a loving father to his children and took care of them with the help of his brother Jaime. When he began to wonder what happened to Tysha, he was told by Jaime that their father had her banished. Feeling heartbroken, Tyrion disdained love and romance in favor of liaisons with prostitutes for money. However, he wouldn't ignore his love for the children he adored to much and would educate them.

Tyrion loved his children very much, for which his daughter Lysa loved him the most, but he would never forget his son Jeren, for whom he believed that he might have a bright future ahead. For years, he dreamed that one day he could travel the world with his children and see them himself. However in the year 289 AC, when his daughter turned ten and had suddenly died from a terrible illness, Tyrion mourned Lysa's lost, leaving his son Jeren as the only child to look after. Tyrion had hoped that his son will earn the Lannister surname one day, so that way no one would ever view him as a bastard. Two years later, Tyrion learned that his uncle Gerion was leaving on a journey for Valyria to recover the ancient Valyrian steel greatsword Brightroar, which had once belonged to House Lannister, but his father Lord Tywin forbade him to go on this journey as well.

As he shudders, Tyrion's hands grip her Ros' hair until they suddenly heard the sound of thousands of great pealing bells that were ringing outside across the city of King's Landing.

"Who they ringing the bells for?" Ros asked.

"The King's Hand died this morning," Tyrion said just as he grabs a goblet of wine from the bedside table. He swigs and passed it to Ros, who then raises it in toast.

"Here's to Jon Arryn," Ros praised, drinking deeply, sloshing the wine around her mouth. "He was the only one of you lot who cared about the smallfolk."

"I care about the small folk," Tyrion said.

"Only the ones with good tits," Ros giggled. "Who's Robert picking for a new Hand?"

"If he's smart, my father," Tyrion sighed.

"And if he's not smart?" Ros asked.

"If the King is not smart, then those are treasonous words," Tyrion clamped his palms on the back of her head and guides her back toward his crotch.

"No chance you're ready again," Ros laughed in disbelief.

Tyrion takes the goblet from her, downs the remainder, and tosses it across the room. Ros grins and pushes her hair away from her face as she dips down for further service. Just as Tyrion closes his eyes, the door swings open. It was Tyrion's older brother Jaime Lannister, who smiles as Ros covers her naed body with sheets.

"Don't get up," Jaime smiled.

"Forgive me, my lord," Ros apologized.

"Should I explain to you, dear brother, the meaning of a closed door in a whorehouse?" Tyrion demanded as to why his brother entered.

Jaime continues to favor Ros with his laxy grin, staring at her with his eyes as he speaks with his brother. "You have much to teach me, no doubt, but in this instance, perhaps you'll forgive the interruption. You told me once that wanted to see the North. I didn't want you to muss you chance."

"Who's going North?" Tyrion asked.

"The King, the Queen, me, and you, if you can find your pants," Jaime said. "The rest of the court might be frightened by the sight of your wet little dagger. Besides, you'll need your pants once we pick Jeren Hill from Winterfell."

"Oh Jeren, my dear beloved son of mine," Tyrion sighed. "Why, oh why, would I ever forget about him."

"Have you ever thought of your plan to legitimize him?" Jaime asked. "I mean, he deserves the Lannister name. Maybe one day, he will earn a place within the Kingsguard."

"I know he does," Tyrion sighed. "I know I don't want to go up there, but since the King is going to choose his new Hand, I don't think anyone is going to be happy about it."