Note: This fic is connected to two running series that I have going on over on AO3. The added context will make parts of this fic less confusing but it is not required reading in order to understand what happens in this fic as they are more or less unrelated. It merely provides some background for two characters.
"Are we to ignore what is right in front of our eyes? Father, you must know that this tourney is a farce, that there is no possible way that Lord Whent could amass such a wealth. We cannot just sit here and do nothing whilst the rest of the realm prepares for what is to come."
Tywin Lannister simply looked at his eldest son in silence. Gerold had a good head on his shoulders, a mind honed for strategy and politics, yet he is still a green boy. The man – a boy in truth – was the only one of them standing in his solar. He had only eight and ten years and had yet to see true battle. Oh, he had bloodied his sword on bandits and lesser men, but not against true warriors. He was strong and tall to be sure, a true Lannister if Tywin had ever saw one, and no doubt that he would prove himself to be the best of the family. Not like Jaime and his delusions of knightly grandeur, nor that monster who took my Joanna away from me.
"And just what is the rest of the Seven Kingdoms preparing for, nephew of mine?" His brother asked as he sat in one of the chairs facing his desk. Kevan was always his most loyal man. He knew his place early on and had stuck to it with tenacity and skill. Not like Tygett and Gerion, those two could learn from his example, one being too headstrong whilst the other simply cares not for anything.
"War." Gerold said immediately. Tywin watched as his eldest son looked at the both of them with those green eyes that were so reminiscent of Joanna. His golden hair was shorn short in a style most akin to the household knights, something that Tywin had discouraged at first, but Gerold had countered by saying a knight had no need of long hair Lannister or not. "The realm is moving to war, and we all know it. Why else would Aerys take Jaime as his hostage?"
"Your brother is all but confirmed to be named a Knight of the Kingsguard. He's to take his vows at Harrenhal." Kevan countered. "I would hardly say that he is a hostage."
But he is one. Tywin kept his thoughts to himself and simply listened. Aerys is not a smart man, but he is a proud one, selfishly so.
"Then how do explain all that is going on? Why are we sitting here doing nothing? Lord Arryn is going to Lord Whent's tourney, and he is bringing his wards with him, who are currently the Lord of Storm's End and the second son of Rickard Stark the Lord of Winterfell." Gerold said and then pointed at the map that they had laid in front of them. It was no Painted Table, but it showed everything clearly, and Gerold's finger landed right on Harrenhal. "Lord Tully is bringing both of his daughters and his heir with him to this tourney. Lord Tyrell, Hightower and half the Reach are said to be coming. Oberyn Martell and the Dornish as well. Prince Rhaegar has announced he is going to be participating in the joust. And now," Gerold motioned towards a raven scroll discarded off to the side, "the Mad King himself is heading to Harrenhal as well. There has not been a meeting of lords such as this since King Aerys' coronation."
"That does not mean there is to be a war. Aye, many lords are gathering, all of the Great Houses and many of their bannermen, but what of it? I see no banners called. No hosts raised."
"Then why would we have been in negotiations with Lord Tully to betroth Jason and Lysa Tully for so long?" Gerold gestured as he spoke, and Tywin listened closely to what was next said. He may see what is going on behind closed doors, but does he truly know the depths of this treason that is being planned by the Falcon Lord? "Lord Arryn has already arranged for the betrothal of Robert Baratheon to Lyanna Stark, tying the Stormlands and the North together. Brandon Stark of Winterfell is to wed Catelyn Tully of Riverrun, bringing the Riverlands into this alliance. That is already four different Great Houses that are to soon be tied to one another by marriage. Stark, Tully, Arryn, Baratheon, it cannot be more clear."
"And you think that Jon Arryn sought our inclusion to this alliance by way of your brother and Lysa Tully?"
"I don't think it," Gerold huffed. "I know it. If you had agreed to that betrothal then we would have been dragged into that alliance as well, leaving out only the Tyrells and the Greyjoys."
"Yet you do not offer full proof for a cause for war." Tywin said slowly, his fingers steepled in front of him, his eyes on both his brother and his son. Both of whom quieted down and looked to him. "Aerys may be mad, and Jon Arryn may be forging alliances by way of marriage for his wards, but the war you speak of is not yet at hand. No one has taken that necessary step as of yet."
"Father?"
"Prince Rhaegar is still unwed. Steffon failed to find a bride amongst the Free Cities and died on his return. No other Great House has a daughter that Aerys deems worthy for his heir. None except us."
"Tywin…" Kevan started but Gerold soon spoke up.
"Cersei? Father, the king has already denied the betrothal, and I doubt the prince has changed his own opinion on the matter."
"I made a promise to your mother." Tywin said and struck the rearing emotion dead before it had the chance to truly live. A Lannister always pays his debts, my dear Joanna, always. "Cersei will be queen and by the end of this we may be the strongest house in the Seven Kingdoms. Whether it be to a Targaryen king or anyone else, she will be queen."
"Anyone else?" Kevan leaned forward in his seat. "What are you-"
"Chaos is a ladder." Gerold interrupted with a somewhat shocked voice. He more fell then sat in his seat. "Father, we cannot let the realm fall into war, not when Jaime is a hostage and Arryn schemes with Trouts, Stags, and Direwolves. It would be disastrous."
"Jon Arryn would not court open war." Kevan rubbed his chin, his beard colored like the same gold of his hair. "Not when a more peaceful route lays open. We need worry about what Prince Rhaegar's own role in all of this is. It is no secret that there is a rift between him and the king."
Arryn would not fight to put another mad man on the Iron Throne. Tywin looked down at the map in front of him. Surely, he sees that Rhaegar is truly his father's son, for one only need spend time with the prince to see the truth of his disposition. "What Rhaegar decides to do will not shape our future. Whether he makes the right choice, or the wrong choice is of no consequence. House Lannister will come out on top, I guarantee it."
"Still, for us to sit this tourney out is a clear signal that we-" Gerold was cut off by a sharp knock from the door to the solar. Tywin glanced as his brother Kevan and found a soft shake of the head. Gerold too looked perplexed. Jason is with the master-at-arms, Cersei is still sulking at not being in King's Landing, and Jaime is still squiring with Lord Crakehall. The monster is in the library with Gerion and Tygett is in Lannisport. The guards would not go against my orders for just anyone.
"Come." He ordered and one of the knights stationed outside of his door came through. The man bowed his head and Tywin caught sight of red and gold Myrish lace in the hallway. There was also a hint of orange to it, and he knew what the knight was going to say even before the man opened his mouth.
"My lords," Ser Byron of Lannisport was from a family of no importance but was a steadfast and loyal knight. He knew how to serve House Lannister's interests and that made him valuable. "Lady Elia is without and requests entrance, she bears a raven scroll from the rookery. It is the Arryn seal."
"Let her in." Tywin gave the man a simple gesture with his hand. Let us see what the honorable Jon Arryn wants now. The knight stepped to the side and in walked Elia Martell with the babe at her hip. Myrish lace in Lannister colors swished as she walked, and Tywin did not rise to greet her as his brother and son did.
"My lords." She curtseyed as was proper, but no sooner did she do so was Gerold by her side. Tywin simply watched as his son gave his lady wife a peck on the lips before turning his attention to his daughter. If only you lived to see this, Joanna, you would have been so proud to see your plans come to fruition. He allowed himself a minute upturn of the lip at the sight of Gerold with his own daughter. No matter that she had a Dornish mother.
"Hello, my little lady," Gerold said with a grin as he took his daughter into his arms. Dyanna Lannister looked up at Gerold with those dark eyes of hers, just like her mother's eyes, but she had her father's hair. She was a small slip of a girl, only two years to her, yet she seemed just as smart as Gerold had been when he was that age. "and how do you fare, my love?"
"As well as ever." Elia said but Tywin knew better. Maester Creylen had reported that she had yet to fully recover from the birth of Dyanna near two years past. Half a year she had been bedridden after the birth, he thought as she placed the raven scroll down on his desk, and Creylen says the next child may very well kill her.
Tywin paid no mind to his son as he took up the scroll. The seal was unbroken, the moon-and-falcon seal of the Arryns looking back at him, and it split down the middle as he broke it. What he found within did indeed cast a light upon the point that Gerold had been making. My Lord of Lannister, the time for celebration is upon us as the tourney for Lord Whent's daughter draws near, and it would be a great sadness if the House of… He moved over the banal courtesies and repetitive words towards the meat of the message. No need to reread what he had heard so often in Aerys' court.
Lickspittles and sycophants, the lot of them.
"What did Jon Arryn write, Tywin?" Kevan asked. Tywin did not answer immediately, scanning the writing of the Lord of the Eyrie once more, soaking up the message. Arryn's hope for a betrothal between Jason and Lysa Tully was still there, written in plain black ink. If he were to agree to it, two more kingdoms would join the Falcon Lord's cause, as Dorne was already tied to them by way of Elia. Still, Tywin was wary, for there were too many unknowns still in the air.
"He writes for Hoster Tully, inviting us to another round of betrothal negotiations at Harrenhal, saying that it would be a prime opportunity for both Jason and Lysa to get acquainted with one another." Tywin said and watched the reactions in the room. Knowledge is power. Kevan looked thoughtful, brow scrunched in thought. Elia was mostly occupied with Dyanna and gave little reaction for she already knew of the attempted match.
Gerold looked conflicted. There was an emotion that flashed across his face for a second. What it was, Tywin could not discern, and Gerold did not seem to be in a telling mood either. He remained with his daughter in his arms, but Tywin knew that his son was going over his own plans, and he let him.
When the time comes, he will need to be ready, for I will not do to him what my father did to me.
"That is all he wrote?" Gerold asked. Tywin merely laid the scroll onto the table. The words were clear for all to see, half the message had been filled with empty words, and the other half with nothing they had not already heard. Gerold glanced at it before again that flash of emotion crossed his face. It disappeared as Dyanna took his attention by grabbing onto his nose. "They may take it as an insult if we do not attend this tourney."
"Hoster Tully will take it as such." Kevan said as he shook his head. "The man was always ambitious and prickly when it came to slights. If we do not attend this tourney and meet with the man, then he will take it as such, a slight against his daughter and his house."
"Then let him take it as such." Elia said. She had taken Gerold's seat, the man himself walking slowly around the solar with his daughter in his arms, and Tywin looked over at her. There was no denying that she was beautiful as the Dornish were said to be, bronzed skin and dark hair, but she was of delicate health and lacking in certain areas. "They are all playing at a dangerous game after all. They know the risks. What is a slighted lord's opinion compared to the safety of House Lannister and of Dorne?"
Greater men than Hoster Tully have fought wars over lesser slights.
"That slighted lord may very well leave us in a position of disadvantage." Gerold spoke as he slowly ambled over to them. Dyanna babbled along, sounding out the word 'disadvantage' along the way, and Gerold smiled down at her as she did so. That smile faded as he looked back up. "The alliances made in the last decade can't be ignored. The North, Riverlands, Vale, and Stormlands are all tied together either by betrothals or deep bonds of friendship made through shared experience. If a war was to come, we would be forced to choose a side, and those that are left might not be enough to stand against that power bloc."
Indeed, Aerys' days may be numbered, and every man and women he burns just further shortens that number.
"It may be wise to attend the tourney," Kevan said lightly. "if only to learn of Jon Arryn's true intentions."
"I doubt he would say it all openly." Elia mused softly. "To certain ears this all sounds like treason."
"I'd bet all the gold in our vaults that the Master of Whispers is telling the king just that." Gerold said and bounced his daughter on his hip. "Isn't that right, Dyanna? The Spider has his little birds are singing their songs into the Mad Dragon's ears?"
Tywin felt his lip twitch as Dyanna let out a squeal, one furthered as Gerold tickled her side. Kevan did smile at the sight whilst Elia stood to join them. The sight of the three of them standing there made him go over his plans once more. There was a war coming, the string of alliances and marriages to be did not lie, and the king only grew madder as the days went by. The question remained, however, was to which side House Lannister would take.
He found his eyes drifting back to the scroll on his desk, the offer to come to Harrenhal for a betrothal negotiation was plain and innocent, but the game of thrones was seldom that. Yes, House Lannister would be forced to pick a side, but Tywin would be damned if he was forced into choosing. Let Jon Arryn and the rest play at their little game, he thought as he took up the scroll, let them think they know what is right and just, for it will be the Lions that triumph in the end.
"Go for the counter riposte!"
Cersei Lannister did not know what drew her to a balcony overlooking the training yard. Mayhaps it was boredom, she had already thrown her tantrum at being taken from King's Landing days ago, and the prospect of fresh air moved her legs. Or was it that she instinctually sought out the closest thing to Jaime she could find? Her twin was always a swordsmen and a knight at heart, he may have loved it more than he did her, so mayhaps that was why she was here.
For a reminder of Jaime. It had been so long since the two of them had truly been alone with one another. Not since before Gerold and Jason had chanced upon them and forced them apart. Not since before mother died. She had been happy then, with Jaime's focus more or less on her, and before that monster had come into their lives and taken mother away from them.
And now that idiots gone and all but swore himself to a life of chastity. Cersei grumbled to herself as she overlooked the training yard. There were two knights in full armor going at one another, swords in hand, and lion helms upon their heads. Why couldn't you just follow my plan, Jaime?
"Ah, you're losing your touch Damion, and you've yet to see your twentieth year!" One of the knights shouted, and Cersei felt herself grimace at just who that voice belonged to, even though she had no real reason for her disliking of him. No, I do have a reason, he and Gerold are the only reason that Jaime was sent off to foster with Lord Sumner Crakehall. She instinctually knew which one was Jason down there for he had taken to wearing golden armor with silver accents.
"I would not speak too hastily Jay!"
She hoped that he would lose in the spar against Cousin Damion. Then immediately chided herself for such a thought. He's my brother, Cersei thought as she watched Jason maneuver Damion around as if he were a foal and Jason the stable master, and mother made me promise that I would look after my brothers. Cersei nodded to herself as she schooled her expression. I've followed through on my promise to her, I've looked after all three of them, for I don't have a fourth.
A crash came from the yard below and Cersei watched as the two armored knights fell to the ground in a pile of steel plate. Jason and Damion scrambled to come out on top, both of them wrestling with the other, their armor and surcoats becoming muddied as they did so. Daggers were in hand now, their swords forgotten off to the side, and each of them was struggling to get the other to yield. The many onlookers that were standing around offered cheers and words of encouragement.
But no one laughed at the sight.
Damion came out as the victor just as Ser Titus, the aged master-at-arms, had made a move to call for a halt. The man's arm was half in the air as Jason shouted out. "I yield!" His voice sounded labored and strained as Damion's dagger was at his throat, right where the lion helm ended, and his gorget began. "I yield, the fight is yours, Damion."
"Alright boys," Ser Titus helped both of them to their feet, Damion only slipping slightly in the dirt, and Jason coming to his feet with slower movements. "you both are done for the day, off to the armory. Rollam! Duncan! Help them with their armor."
Cersei watched as her brother and cousin walked off towards the armory with two squires following them, discarded swords in hand. Jason had his helm off and tucked under his arm, the lion's maw bearing its fangs at her. His gold hair was shorn short, just like Gerold, and Cersei couldn't help but be displeased at the sight. Jaime would never cut his hair so short, he wouldn't, they're too beautiful to cast aside. Damion took off his own helm to reveal longer hair, not as golden as Jason's, but Lannister gold all the same.
She watched them disappear into the armory and paid half a mind towards the next to knights stepping into the yard proper. Household knights she did not know the names of. They were not important and their skills at arms were lesser than that of her kin. Even I could swing a sword better than that.
Then a hand came down on her shoulder and she stumbled as she turned. She saw a flash of gold hair and for a moment she thought it was Jaime. But that golden hair was too short, didn't even go past the ears, and those green eyes were a shade different. "Have I done something to cause you great insult, dear sister?"
Gerold had that ever present kind smile to his face and height that matched their lord father. Cersei had to tilt her neck up to look at him in the eye and she forced herself to regain her composure. I am a lioness, I do not show fear, only strength. "No, you simply startled me, dear brother."
She spoke the last part somewhat begrudgingly. Gerold was part of the reason Jaime had been sent away from her, off to Crakehall. It had to have been pure chance that her older brothers had stumbled upon them when she was with Jaime. We were just giving one another a kiss! Yet Jason had dragged Jaime away whilst Gerold had held me like some common prisoner. None of them had spoken of word of it after that night, but Cersei hadn't missed the way that Jaime was never again allowed to be alone with her, with Jason or Gerold being by his side at all times until he was fostered away.
"Well, I have news that I think you might like," Gerold gave her shoulder a squeeze before he let his hand fall to his side. Cersei tried to find any form of deception in her brother's eyes and found nothing. "father has decided that we are to attend Lord Whent's tourney."
The tourney that was being held in the honor of his daughter's name day. Cersei had heard talk of it ever since father had resigned his post as Hand of the King and brought them all back from King's Landing. It was all that anyone could speak of. Lord Whent's Great Tournament, they said, Cersei doubted that old Walter Whent had enough gold dragons to cover the costs.
But she could not say that the news did not excite her.
"Who amongst us is going?" Cersei asked. She knew that not all of them would be making the journey. The monster for sure would be staying behind, Dyanna will probably be with Aunt Genna for she is still too young for travel, and mayhaps Elia as well. Cersei knew that her goodsister was never of the best health. She had heard of how hard the birth had been for her. That there was a lot of blood.
"Near all of us I should expect." Gerold said and leaned against the stone of the balcony. "Father intends for us to put of a great showing of strength. For good cause as well, both Prince Rhaegar and King Aerys are to attend, and there is still hope that the Silver Prince may choose the right lady for his wife."
Cersei felt her cheeks flush slightly even as she looked away. In truth, she still held out hope that she would be Rhaegar's lady wife, that she would be his queen. Aunt Genna had said as much during the tourney in honor of Prince Viserys' birth. But then hope had been dashed. Father's offer to the king had been spurned and Cersei's dreams had been crushed.
But Rhaegar remains unwed, she thought to herself, and I am still the most eligible daughter in all of the Seven Kingdoms.
She turned back to her brother and found him looking at her with a queer expression. It was that same one he got every so often. Indiscernible and calculating. It was so very like father, and Cersei could see that Gerold would grow to be just like him. They were already of a height with one another, and she knew for a fact that her brother could be as ruthless as their lord father if needs be.
"You have doubts about the tourney." Cersei said, and Gerold crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze turning towards the vast view offered to them. The sun was still high in the sky, the clouds providing ample shade, and the wind cooling the air. They say that winter is at an end and spring is upon us. "I can see it in your face."
"I have my doubts about everything." Gerold countered, his eyes turning towards the courtyard, and Cersei followed his gaze. Jason and Damion were out of the armory. Their clothes were still muddied, and it did not seem to bother them at all. Jason looked up at their balcony for a moment, his eyes going to Gerold first like always, before they stopped on her. "For if I doubt everything, then nothing can truly surprise me, and I have a feeling that this tourney will be filled with surprises."
Cersei looked back at Gerold. She caught the slight movement of his hand. A signal. She did not know what it meant, but then again, she was never meant to know, for it was only Jason that Gerold shared his most inner thoughts. They're like twins. Like how Jaime and I should be, knowing one another so well that we can communicate with simple gestures. A pang of jealousy shot through her, and she quickly squashed it, not wanting to travel down that path of thought.
"And why is that?" Cersei asked, forcing herself away from those thoughts. "What is truly so special about this tourney?"
"So many lords gathering in one place? It is bound to be full of surprises." Gerold said and then offered her the crook of his arm. "Come, Elia sent me to fetch you, something about helping her choose which dresses she should take and which jewels to wear."
Cersei thought about refusing. It would have been easy to come up with an excuse. But she instead found herself taking Gerold's arm and being led within. She hadn't liked Elia at first, but mother had been insistent before she died that Elia would make a fine lady wife for Gerold, and everyone in the family had been won over in the end. A part of Cersei still could not quite believe that she considered Elia a friend, but she did, and she found that she quite enjoyed their time together.
Mayhaps she even has some insight into the Silver Prince, Cersei mused as they went, for she is friends with Ashara Dayne after all, and the Queen Rhaella's ladies-in-waiting would certainly know a thing or two.
"Are you ready for what is to come, Jae?"
Jason Lannister mulled over the question as he reclined in his feather bed. His eyes found the ceiling of his bed chamber and traced over the smoothed stone. Not at all like the Red Keep, or even Winterfell, buts its home to us now. Casterly Rock was massive in a way that the others could not hope to compare. Shining in layers of gold and bathed in red.
It still surprised him at how easy it had been to adjust to this new family. How simple it had been to simply take on the name of Jason Lannister after years of being known as King Jaehaerys Targaryen. To think that he would come to respect and even care for a man like Tywin Lannister or a woman like Cersei. Had he not lived through what he had, he would have resigned himself to madness, but the Gods had other plans for him, and his brother.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Jason answered. He looked over at his brother and found him sitting by the candlelight with a glass of wine in hand. Gerold had taken to their second chance at life quickly and with both hands. That he was the elder of them now may have had something to do with that. Of course, Jason soon found himself egged into doing the same, and now here they were. "We are certain that this is the right path?"
"Honestly? No, I'm not certain," Gerold said as he took a sip of his wine. "there are too many things in the air and every one of them could be the spark that lights this great cask of wildfire that we've found ourselves in."
"We could always run?" Jason offered with a chuckle. "Take Elia and Dyanna and run off to Braavos? Just leave it all behind to live a quiet life as fishermen?"
"Tempting, but you and I both know that we're too invested to simply run from it all, not now."
He couldn't help but agree to that. Casterly Rock was their home for near twenty years, and he had come to love his new family. Tywin, for all that the man was a ruthless monster, was their father. Joanna had offered him a mother's love that he so lacked back when he went by Jon Snow. Cersei and Jaime were so different from how he knew them to be. Tyrion was but a boy, yet Jason could already see the intelligence hidden within that short statute. Then there were all the cousins, all that family, all of whom he could not just walk away from.
"So, I suppose we really should win that joust then, and keep Rhaegar from plunging the realm into chaos." Jason sat up as he spoke. It was good to be in a body not wracked with scars and pains. He was young and strong again. "Seems simple enough."
"If only," Gerold said and raised his glass of wine. "Gods willing, we'll save the realm from chaos, and history will turn out differently."
Indeed, Gods willing, for why else would we be here?