"My lord you have received a letter from King's Landing"
"Thank you, Salem."
Jon didn't waste a time to open the letter he wanted to know what's going on in the capital of the realm.
To Lord Aegon Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone, Jon.
Jon, I sent you this letter to inform you of my betrothal to Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock.
I know this might be hard for you to accept but I beg of you not to be like my mother and judge the man by his title alone. Come to the capital and see for yourself. Try asking Lord Tywin any questions you want. I don't think he'll answer them all, or even to your satisfaction, but it will be enough for you to get the measure of his character and know whether he'll be a good husband to me.
Our marriage will bind five of the seven kingdoms under House Stark. Leaving only the Reach, Dorne and The Iron Islands out of it, though with Balon Greyjoy on his death bed and Theon his only male heir, there's a chance they could be a close ally, but you never know what will happen.
Our wedding will be in a month and a half from the day this raven will arrive to you. I expect you to see you in the Red Keep soon. Your old chamber is ready for you.
Yours,
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.
Jon's jaw had dropped the moment he read the news about Sansa's upcoming nuptials, and he hadn't quite been able to pick it up yet, even after reading the letter twice more.
He couldn't quite comprehend what was happening. Sansa is marrying the Tywin Lannister! What happened to marrying a knight like in the fairytales? And him of all people! Her mother was always a headache. I pity Sansa that she has no one but Arya to depend on in King's Landing, but to turn to Lord Lannister?
There was a scraping of claws on the ground. Jon turned to see Ghost looking up at him in askance. It seems he'd startled his direwolf with his apparent shock. He approached Jon and pawed at his pants leg.
"Sorry to scare you Ghost, but it seems we're going to King's Landing." Ghost began to perk up, no doubt thinking he would see his siblings. "Only Sansa and Arya are there. Robb, Bran, Rickon and Theon have returned to the North." Ghost's ears drooped at the news. Jon reached down to rub his ears in commiseration.
Gods, I wonder what Robb will think of this news! Hopefully he doesn't have a heart attack.
…
A week had passed since the announcement of Sansa and Tywin's betrothal. The news had spread around the seven kingdoms like wildfire.
Currently Tywin was in the courtyard teaching Arya how to be a good swords-woman.
"You're not holding your sword the proper way. Failing to do so will give your opponent a good advantage when they go to strike you. You can't copy the way I'm holding mine."
"But that's not fair! You have your family ancestral sword Brightroar!"
The sword had been lost for centuries with every person who ever went to find it never returning until Tywin himself found it in his journey to Valyria. It had given the westerners another reason to be proud of their liege lord. Unfortunately, during his search he had been looking for his brother Gerion but never found him.
Tywin was a sight with the sword. Not that he was any less of an amazing swordsman without it but it definitely made him more intimidating.
"Without patience, skills and training even the finest sword made of valyrian steel won't help you. But be that as it may, we will train with wooden swords to start with."
"You just wait! I'll beat you one day!"
Tywin smirked. "Yes, but don't forget you must complete your lessons to become a great lady."
Arya let out a huff of annoyance at his words. "Speaking of being a great warrior and a great lady. It wasn't just Aegon riding his dragon, it was Rhaenys and Visenya, too. Rhaenys rode Meraxes, Visenya rode Vhagar. Visenya Targaryen was a great warrior. She had a Valyrian steel sword she called Dark Sister."
Tywin indulged Arya as she went on a rant about Aegon and his sister-wives. Of course, their legacy is all but gone now. Tywin privately told himself.
While out at sea
"Ser Davos, how many times have you been to King's Landing before?"
"I'm from King's Landing, my lady. I was born in Flea Bottom. My career as a smuggler began there. Fate was kind to me when your late uncle's rebellion happened. I saved your father from starvation and he made me a knight, although many people objected to it."
"Why?"
"Because I'm lowborn, my lady."
"That's not fair, you saved father. You deserved to be a knight!" Shireen insisted stubbornly.
"Thank you, my lady but not everyone shares your opinion. They see me differently because I wasn't born into a noble family."
"Well their wrong," she said with a sniff before changing topics, "But how did you lose the fingers on your right hand?"
"Your father has always been a just but fair man. He cut off my fingers in punishment for smuggling because the profession is illegal. But in return he also rewarded me with a lordship and keep."
Shireen gazed at him stunned. "But you saved him..."
"Aye. But that didn't change that I had committed a crime, but had done a good deed. As your father would say, 'The good doesn't wash out the bad and the bad the good.' Justice was done."
...
"Petyr..."
Petyr Baelish turned to see Dowager Queen Catelyn approach him.
"My dear Cat."
"There is an issue I need you to help me with." Catelyn looked slightly harassed as if she hadn't been sleeping well for days.
"I'm all yours, Cat."
"You have to save Sansa! She doesn't know what she's doing! Tywin Lannister will control her and the kingdoms will fall under his mercy."
Petyr wrapped Catelyn up into his arms. "Don't worry, I've got this. I've always been a good friend to you and your family. Sansa is like a daughter to me, and it's my duty to guide her to the right place." Besides, my plans would be no good to me if she were to marry Tywin Lannister.
"Thank you, Petyr. I don't know how to pay you back for your kindness."
"When the time comes, I'll tell you how. It won't be much."
…
Tywin was using the Hand's solar temporarily until he married Sansa. He thanked the gods that he wouldn't be using it for much longer. There were too many bad memories here from his time working with Aerys.
Kevan entered the solar waiting for his brother to finish writing. Tywin had summoned him to complete a task for him.
After several minutes Tywin set aside him quill before looking up at his younger brother. "Kevan, I have a mission for you."
"What is it, my lord?"
"It's a suggestion I plan to make to the Queen soon, but I want to appoint you as Lord Commander of the City Watch."
"Brother, thank you for bestowing such a great honor, but what if the Queen refuses? You're already set to become King Consort and Hand of the Queen, appointing me as Lord Commander of the City Watch may seem a bit much. Likewise, what if there's a war? Who will lead the Lannister forces?"
"The Queen won't refuse. She's a smart woman and knows your value to me. She knows also that I won't trust just anyone with this kind of position unless he's fit for the job, even if they are my own flesh and blood. This is a uniting of our Houses; we must look after each other's interests.
The Lannister forces will have Ser Adam Marbrand to lead them in any event, as he has proved himself time and time again during Robert's Rebellion and the Greyjoy Rebellion."
"Thank you, my lord. I'll do my best to secure the city and keep the streets safe."
"I trust you Kevan. I always have. Our goal is to make this city a great place to live. Every family, whether rich or poor should have a safe place to live. As well food, water and shelter should be provided to those who cannot afford it."
Kevan nodded as he thought of the ways he could help with improving the city. "First, we have to put together a system that will allow us to count the population of the city. It would give us an idea of how many are in need of jobs, food, and shelter. Jobs will be provided to those able to work. We should make whatever money we give them back quickly as they spend it on food and shelter."
"Good thinking Kevan. I'll ask the Queen to allow you to use the tower of the Hand as your base of operations after our marriage. That way you can bring Dorna and the children to live here with you."
"Thank you, brother."
…
"Theon."
"Robb."
"We've received news from the Iron Islands..." Robb trailed off, not sure how to break the news to one of his oldest friends.
Theon froze. Dark wings, dark words. Could it be...? "And?" he asked, finally mustering his courage.
"Your father is dead. I cannot say what will happen to you, but it's your choice to either stay here or go back there..."
Theon ran a hand through his hair. He wasn't sure how to feel. Balon Greyjoy was his father, would always be his father. But from what little memories of him Theon had, he hadn't been much of one. Still. "Robb, I don't know. I need time to think."
Robb nodded, "Of course. Though, there is something else. Sansa's getting married."
"To whom?" asked Theon, barely containing his surprise. He knew Sansa had to marry soon. It had been his hope that maybe she would choose him to be her husband. But, considering Robb's news that dream was impossible now.
"The Lord of Casterly Rock."
"Tywin Lannister? That old man?" Theon's eyes bulged.
"Shocking, I know but she has her reasons, though I don't understand them at all. 'Course, the real question is how will he treat her? I don't think he's the type to harm a lady, physically at least, but he could hurt her emotionally, put her under his thumb and control her like a puppet."
"True enough. I'm surprised you didn't faint from the shock of it," Theon smirked, trying to add some levity to the situation.
Robb scowled. "Do you think I'm my mother? She refuses to see others people's perspectives. After I abdicated the throne to Sansa hasn't treated me the same since. She couldn't, wouldn't understand why I didn't want to become King of the Seven Kingdoms. For me it was an easy choice, I didn't have the easy confidence Sansa had; the ease with which she could navigate court. I'm content with ruling the North. I know these people, can deal with them more frankly."
"A lack of confidence? Really Robb? Never thought I'd hear those words from your mouth," mocked Theon.
"You don't understand. I've always been uncomfortable with the idea of becoming King. The burden of making a mistake that could ruin the realm was too much for me to bear, especially when there was someone who took to such ruling better than me."
Before Theon could come up with a retort, Rickon suddenly appeared tackling Robb. "Sansa! I heard from someone she's going to be married! Is it true?"
"Aye, Rickon. It is. She's going to be married in less than two moons."
Rickon grinned. "I can't wait to have nieces and nephews! I won't be the youngest anymore!" This declaration caused Theon and Robb to laugh while Rickon pouted. "I bet they'll be beautiful like her with red hair..." he trailed off trying to imagine his future nieces and nephews.
"Or they'll have golden hair like their father, more like..." Theon muttered to himself. Robb shot Theon a look having heard him anyway.
"When we are going to travel to Kings Landing?" Rickon asked.
"We're leaving tomorrow with a small party so we can travel faster. I expect to arrive the day of the wedding due to the distance we have to cover between Winterfell and the capital. Plus, Sansa wants me to give her away to the Great Lion so I have to make sure I'm there to do it. Be ready Rickon, we travel at dawn."
"I'll go and tell Bran! He'll be delighted by the news!" Robb and Theon watched amused as Rickon took off as quickly as he'd come.
…
Sansa watched from an alcove as Tywin sat upon the Iron Throne holding court in her place. She was taken by the image he presented.
"My lord, may I have a word with you?" Varys asked, approaching Tywin as descended from the Iron Throne.
"What do you want?" he asked in a harsh tone. Tywin was loath to deal with the eunuch. He was as sure he was then as he was now that half of Aerys paranoia was stoked by the man's whispers.
"I heard a most disturbing rumor..."
"What rumor, Lord Varys?" Tywin asked impatiently. He was in no mood to play games.
"I'm sorry, my lord but it's become something quite commonly spoken of on the streets of King's Landing by the commons, and has reached even the nobles now."
"I don't have all day! Speak plainly!"
"It is being said that your lordship and the queen..." Varys trailed off leadenly.
Tywin narrowed his eyes while resisting the urge to strangle the man. "What of us? We're betrothed if you don't recall?"
"Yes, but not yet married. Rumor has it that you've been seen visiting the Queen's chambers multiple times at night..."
Tywin stared at Varys for almost an eternity before the Spider spoke up.
"Of course, I don't believe these rumors at all, my lord. It is not in your nature or our Queen's to do such a thing, but... People talk, and have been wondering if the reason she's marrying you is mayhaps she's been defiled?"
After Joanna's death Tywin hadn't lain with anyone, not even whores. He'd occupied himself with ruling the West and if the situation was bad he had satisfied himself with his own hands.
"Who? Who is responsible for this rumor?" Tywin demanded hoarsely.
"I don't know yet, my lord. I assure you my little birds are trying to find the source of the but it's tricky."
Sansa approached them then. "My lords, how are you today?" She smiled brightly at her betrothed.
"Your Grace, we need to talk." Tywin tried to return her smile but it came out more as a grimace.
Tywin lead them to the royal gardens, they were accompanied by Ser Erwin Black.
"We shouldn't be alone together again until our marriage, my lady."
Sansa gave him a confused look.
"Last week's incident... someone saw us."
"Oh. Maybe the servants... But I don't understand."
Tywin took a deep breath then told Sansa what Varys had relayed to him. Sansa was close to tears. He wanted to give her a handkerchief but under the current circumstances and in such an open place like the gardens, he refrained.
"The wedding..."
"Will not be cancelled. After we get married and everything settles down I'll continue investigating the matter to see who is trying to sabotage us."
"But people might continue to talk," Sansa worried.
"Let them try to talk about it in front of you or me. I'll deal with them myself." No one would dare to cross the Lion of Lannister. He was a force to be reckoned with, very powerful man.
"Thank you, my lord. For telling me about this, as well as not backing away from the marriage. "
"Why would I, Sansa? If anything, the idiot who spread the rumor probably wanted to separate us but that will backfire in their face. We are stronger now."
Sansa felt joyful at Tywin's words, but couldn't help but wonder why.
Before going to their respective chambers and preparing for dinner, Tywin told her about his suggestion to make Kevan, Lord Commander of the City Watch.
"Ser Kevan is a great choice. I'll give him my blessing tonight. It's fine if he has the tower of the Hand for himself and his family." Tywin thanked her and bowed before they both went their separate ways.