Sansa was sitting on the Iron Throne listening to petitioners when a boy came to her holding a letter. The boy was out of breath when he reached her and said, "Your Grace, the Grand Maester sent me to give you this letter which arrived from the Westerlands."
Sansa thanked the boy before he left and decided she would listen to the remaining petitioners later. Standing she dismissed Court before heading towards her solar shadowed by Lord Commander Black.
He had been knighted by her father a few years ago. He'd been raised a peasant to poor parents, and had made his living fighting. One day King Eddard saw him sword fighting several soldiers, and with a blunted tourney sword no less. He'd turned out to be more than good as he defeated the soldiers without great effort, many of which had been training their whole lives. Impressed, the late King had taken him under his wing to be part of the Kingsguard. He'd squired under a trusted knight, slowly climbing the ranks until he was lifted to the order and was on par with knights like Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Brynden Tully in skill. Many compared his rise to that of Ser Duncan the Tall.
Arya saw Sansa heading toward her solar and followed her. "Is the letter from Lord Lannister? Let me come with you as you read it," she asked.
Sansa nodded to which Arya fell in step alongside her. Entering her solar she went to her desk to grab a letter opener feeling both a bit nervous and agitated. Asking Lord Lannister to be her Hand was a gamble. What if he rejected her offer?
Sitting on a chaise near the fireplace she opened the letter with Arya resting her chin on her shoulder to read as well. Sansa felt relief flood through her at reading Lord Tywin's reply. Arya gave a more vocal gasp, "He's coming, Sansa! Tywin Lannister, the Old Lion of the West is coming to King's Landing!"
Sansa looked at her sister and smiled. "Yes, sister he is. We better get ready for his arrival."
Before dismissing herself, Arya pointed out, "Mother will be even angrier than she is now. She thinks partnering yourself with Tywin Lannister will end up being the ruin of House Stark. Personally, I believe he will be a good Hand. Don't mind mother's words Sansa, she hasn't been the same since Father died."
Sansa thanked the gods the rest of her family supported her. "I thought you might agree with Mother. Thank you, Arya." Sansa gave her sister a fierce hug.
"I'm your sister, Sansa. I'll always be on your side even, if we are like the sun and the moon in most things."
After Arya left, Sansa summoned the Master Chef and told him to prepare an evening feast to celebrate the good news.
It was too early to throw a feast in Tywin's honor but Sansa couldn't help but feeling like celebrating. It would be a little over two weeks before he'd arrive. Sansa would do her best to leave a good first impression as queen.
Later that day she got another letter from her brother Robb giving her a report of the North.
To Queen Sansa of House Stark, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm
Dear sister, I have arrived in the north with Bran and Rickon. I apologize for waiting a moon before sending this letter, we were terribly busy on the road. Our home Winterfell is in acceptable condition. Bran and Rickon were enthusiastic to finally see our ancestral home for the first time. I can't blame them. They've only ever known the Red Keep as home.
Sometimes, I wish Uncle Robert hadn't died by poison before he even sat on the Iron Throne. Winterfell would have been our home in truth rather than the Red Keep.
Vayon Poole has done his job perfectly in keeping Winterfell running smoothly. Unfortunately, Winterfell's larders were scarce of food and drink for a while due thievery but the problem was solved soon after our arrival and we have dealt with the thief. I hope one day you will be able to visit us and we can relive our childhood memories together.
Yours,
Lord Robb Stark, Prince of the realm, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North
Sansa wished she could go back to those carefree days before the rebellion started. They were peaceful and happy. Then the war changed everything and took their father away from them for a year. She, Robb and Jon had shared a lot of happy moments. Arya was infant at the time of the rebellion so she didn't remember much of their time in Winterfell.
Robb didn't know yet about her offer to Tywin Lannister, and she wondered what would be his reaction.
…
2 weeks later
The journey to King's Landing turned out to be a pleasant experience. Lord Tywin, along with his son and brother Kevan, arrived with the Lannister army at the capitol before dawn due in part to the hard pace he had set. Tywin sent one of the soldiers ahead to inform them of his arrival when they had camped the day before half a day's ride away.
He was welcomed by the queen and her family outside the Red Keep along with the small council. Tywin had aimed to make a striking appearance; thus, he was wearing gleaming gold armor decorated with rampant lions, with red sash over his shoulder crossing his body. He may be the Old Lion to many, be he would have them doubt him as the Great Lion as well. The welcome suited his status as he been prepared to be presented before Court in the Red Keep, and had determined to stride in on his destrier to make his presence known. Luckily, there was no need for such theatrics.
Lord Tywin dismounted from his large white destrier. His eyes met the queen's and he felt a strange warm feeling overcome him.
He walked in her direction and greeted her with a bow saying, "Your Grace, it's an honor to meet you." By her leave, he took her hand and kissed the back of it, raising his head he said, "Let me introduce you to my son and brother."
Releasing her hand to he gestured. "Tyrion Lannister and Ser Kevan Lannister." Both men bowed low before their queen, each being allowed to kiss her hand.
When Lord Lannister tried to kiss Arya's hand, she pulled it away saying, "You don't need to kiss my hand Lord Lannister. Shaking hands is sufficient enough."
Lord Tywin glared at her for a moment not believing what he's hearing until Sansa intervened to smooth things over. "I apologize, my lord. My sister, Lady Arya isn't like other ladies of the realm. She prefers sparing and archery to gowns and jewelry, therefore shaking hands much more preferable to her."
Tywin looked over at the queen with a brow raised. "Yes, I think I understand now. I'm sure I'll have an interesting time interacting with your sister in the future, Your Grace."
Sansa returned a smile. "I'm sure you will my lord. Likely more than you think."
After the formalities were observed she said, "You are most welcome to King's Landing my lords. I hope you all will enjoy your stay. Let us retire inside. I'm sure you and your party are quite tired from the journey to King's Landing and would like to freshen up." Everyone moved to follow their queen's command.
Tyrion was surprised no one had commented on his appearance, though he had noticed the disdainful looks of the Dowager Queen Catelyn toward him and his father. It seemed as if she had barely restrained herself from making her opinion known. Brushing such thoughts aside, he followed his father and uncle to their appointed chambers.
Sansa personally guided them to the guest quarters, wanting to further the good impression she was going for.
Although Tywin was aware the Queen and everyone else knew he was well aware of the Red Keep's layout, the Queen's insistence of escorting herself further showed her determination to make him Hand.
Once they arrived to the guest chambers Sansa spoke, "I hope your chambers are to your liking, my lords. You will be told when the evening meal is ready. You will join my family and I. Tomorrow we will set aside time to discuss the matter that has brought you here in my solar." Tywin nodded to the Queen as she departed.
The evening meal started off interestingly. As Tywin was arriving he could hear the Queen Mother saying, "I'll not set beside him Sansa! He's not a man worthy of my attention."
Sansa could be heard replying just as angrily, "My whole life you've taught me to act like a proper lady with guests, and now you refusing to do just that!"
Catelyn shot back, "I did my duty. I barely tolerated him touching my hand and kissing it!" There were more words exchanged that he could barely make out, as they were said more quietly until he heard the scraping of a chair.
As the dining room door was opened by a guard, he almost ran into the Queen Mother herself, causing the woman to flinch. However, she recovered remarkably quickly to glare at him. He returned it in kind with the two staring at each other for several moments until she finally broke first and left without saying a word.
Family, Duty, Honor they say. A Tully will be always a Tully, Tywin told himself.
He entered the dining chamber and everyone stood for him, including the queen.
Sansa greeted him. "Welcome, my lord. Please sit beside. Please excuse my mother's absence, she wasn't feeling well and decided to retire early." Tywin, of course, knew the truth but he decided let the matter lie. He approached the chair the queen indicated and stood behind it just as Tyrion and Kevan finally entered. He would speak to them about their tardiness.
Tywin noticed two large furred animals sitting beside the queen and her sister. Direwolves. The northerners are fond of their wild animals.
Everyone from the Seven Kingdoms to Essos had heard about the Stark children personal pets. They were the living proof of House Stark's sigil. Until their acquisition by the Stark children, it was a common knowledge that direwolves hadn't been seen south of the Wall for thousands of years. When they appeared again in the North, King Eddard had gifted them to his children and the news had spread like wildfire. Tywin couldn't help but wonder what the man was thinking giving his children such wild beasts.
Speaking of beasts, Tywin stiffened as both trotted towards him and preceded to sniff his person. He stayed still with a blank look refusing to give away his fear. He noticed the queen and her sister watching but not interfering. Finally, the beast's curiosity was satisfied as they moved back to sit at their master's feet.
Tywin took his seat once the queen was seated with everyone else following suit. A generous spread was set before them on the table, boasting some of the best food from around the Seven Kingdoms. Across from him was Lady Arya who stared at him undisguised curiosity.
"I beg your pardon, Princess Arya. Is there something the matter?"
"My direwolf Nymeria likes you. Even Sansa's likes you too."
Tywin almost snorted in amusement but he said, "It is not often someone tells their pet likes me. Though considering your pets are direwolves, how can you tell they like me for sure?"
Arya smirked. "Direwolves are intelligent creatures. They can smell a person's attentions and decide if their trustworthy or not. Obviously your intentions are in our favor."
"Arya's right. I trust my direwolf's instincts. Isn't that right Lady?" Sansa reached down to pet Lady's head. To which the direwolf's tongue lolled out of its mouth and its tail wagged ferociously. The moment Sansa's hand left her head, she trotted over to Tywin no doubt expecting the same treatment.
Marshalling his courage once more, Tywin moved his hand to rub Lady's fur replying, "She will protect you well, Your Grace. I'm sure of it."
Sansa smiled at him. "In such occasions, you may call me Lady Sansa, my lord."
Tywin locked eyes with her for a moment. She wants me as her Hand, and isn't sparing any efforts to achieve it. Well, we'll see if after tomorrow she still wants me or not. "You can call me Lord Tywin, my Lady Sansa."
The rest of the meal passed in peace as everyone enjoyed the food and company.
Tyrion was drinking wine as if it was water and he almost choked when he felt his father's glare on him. Tywin gave Kevan a pointed look, who then whispered to Tyrion, "That's enough wine, Tyrion. Your father will kill you if you do or say anything to embarrass him."
"Don't worry uncle. I will not embarrass father. Not with his eyes on me now."
After dinner was finished Tywin asked for the queen pardon to leave for his chamber to rest. Tomorrow would be an essential meeting for both their lives.
…..
Cheryin was standing outside the dining hall waiting for his lord to finish.
He kept glancing at Ser Erwin Black. Honestly, he didn't like the man much but he kept his thoughts to himself.
Suddenly Ser Erwin spoke. "Lord Hand of the Queen, ha? You westerners and your pride and gold. We northerners, unlike you, don't give a damn about gold. You think you can just buy the crown to your side don't you?"
Cheryin countered him, "But the queen seems of a different opinion, Ser. Last I checked she's from the most ancient northern family and clearly wants our liege lord by her side."
"She's young, she'll learn from her mistakes," Ser Erwin responded dismissively.
"You clearly don't know Tywin Lannister, and if I was in your place, I'd keep my mouth shut." Cheryin then studied ignored the man and his heated glare.
Even though he was just a squire to his lord, he took pride in being a westerner and at being by his side. Yes, he had made some mistakes but Lord Tywin was depending on him. His lord might be frightening most of the time but serving under the man who'd restored the pride of the west was the honor of a lifetime.