Chapter – 4

Shield of Lannisport

Tywin was sure the gods mocked him for his crimes as he slowly realized the dangerous position his house is in when a war breaks out. His fool son is rash and prideful, his other son is a dwarf albeit a brave one, his nephews Lancel is an even bigger idiot, Tyrek, Daven, Martyn and Willam are too green to be considered battle commanders. The Female line of his house seem to be lacking wits after Jenna and Joanna despite the promise shown by Stafford's daughters. His bannermen will fear him as long as he lives but will they fear the next generation of Lannisters ?, he does not want to think about the answer.

What if Clegane and Lorch dies, which other attack dogs can he command ?. Only Kevan and Genna are left among his trusted counselors, if only Gerion has not gone on that suicide mission. The last week had been utter agony for him after he read the third and fourth books, even Aerys could not throw Westeros into this kind of madness and all that because of power ? greed ? ambition ? the game seems everything to people who failed to see the bigger picture.

The book titled "A Storm of Swords" had revealed to him how the seven kingdoms have lost their minds and destabilized the realm like never before. He himself have rescued his deranged Grandson by agreeing to ally with the Tyrells, but suspected they might have a hand in Joffrey's death through an alliance with that traitor Baelish.

He had to admit, the little worms mechanisms and plots were very clever even for him and how he had enabled the man to gain power unknowingly. Either way he was glad that littlefingers obsession with Lady Stark and her daughter can be used to destroy the fool now. The sheer genius of the lord in killing Lord Arryn and starting a war between the Starks and Lannisters to killing Lysa Arryn and taking control of the Value made Tywin both respect and loathe him. He decided that Lord Baelish would be the first one to die a gruesome death once he makes his move.

The North and Robb Stark had destroyed itself by foolish decisions of both Catelyn Stark and the self-proclaimed 'boy king', although he felt happy for a while that his plan has destroyed the Starks and Riverlanders in hindsight, capturing the boy and pardoning him with his Westerland wife would have benificial to them. Tywin rued he had to ally with the weasly lord frey and the barbaric lord Bolton to neutralize a threat and lamented how worse the situation might have been for him to break guest rights and sacred laws of hospitality.

Tywin was terrified that Stannis Baratheon's witch used Edric Storm's blood and leaches to curse and cause three kings to die but was relieved to find that ser Davos saved the boy's life before Stannis had more power in form of a stone dragon. Tywin felt sympathy for the watch who he felt were the only men who were fighting a losing war against the wildlings and the Others. The mutiny at the wretched wildlings place and murder of the Lord Commander Mormont by his own men sickened him further. He was surprised to know that Obsidian blades can kill a whitewalker and wondered who this mysterious 'Coldhands' who helped both Samwell Tarly and the Stark children.

Tywin felt dizzy when he read about magical ravens and 'horn of winter' which could bring down the wall and was happy to find the watch repelled an attack from the Wildlings and Stannis Baratheon came to the Watch's rescue to defeat this 'Mance Rayder'. He was surprised and very impressed by Jon Snow, who kept his loyalty to the watch and rejected the 'Stark' name and lordship to become Lord Commander of the Nights watch.

Tywin was amused that Daenerys Targaryan gained a slave army after gaining control of Astapoor and Yunkai with her boldness and her Dragons. Tywin was surprised to find Ser Barristan Selmy's in a disguise and cursed Cersei for losing such a seasoned warrior to the Targaryan girl. The girl's decision to banish ser Jorah Mormont and rule Mereen makes her more worthy and dangerous threat than the last three generations of Dragon Kings.

Even through all odds, Arya Stark and Gendry have met the brotherhood without banners and watched Lord Beric die and return from Thoros of Myr's magic, which irritated Tywin as he could see the fanaticism of this red god spread. He was surprised to find Arya Stark could warg and dreams of her direwolf, alas she was captured by the hound after fleeing from the brotherhood and fled to Bravos to join the faceless men, which spelled doom for his family.

Tyrion's trial and Oberyn's hot headed nature had troubled them as the prince had met his end. Jamie miraculously returned to the Capital but refused to be his heir and for once Tywin was glad he was taking his vows seriously and becoming a knight with lady Brienne's help. The lady has helped his son in many ways he could not repay, mayhaps she would make an able 'lady of the Rck'. After hearing Jamie's confession for killing Aerys, he was distraught at his son's foolishness and Aery's madness. The thought that the wildfire could lay king's landing low at any time troubled him.

Tywin had seen it or rather read about it in these accursed books. Of all the horrors he had read from the giants, wildlings, shadow demons, faceless men, dragons and Whitewalkers, he was never so shook and disgusted when he learned of his own fate. He still remembered that accursed and dreaded words, days after he read them. For the first time in his life he felt dread as he read Tyrion's chapter

Tyrion gave him a mocking half bow "My lord."

"Tyrion." If he was afraid, Tywin Lannister gave no hint of it. "Who released you from your cell?"

"I'd love to tell you, but I swore a holy oath."

"The eunuch," his father decided. "I'll have his head for this. Is that my crossbow? Put it down."

"Will you punish me if I refuse, Father?"

"This escape is folly. You are not to be killed, if that is what you fear. It's still my intent to send you to the Wall, but I could not do it without Lord Tyrell's consent. Put down the crossbow and we will go back to my chambers and talk of it."

"We can talk here just as well. Perhaps I don't choose to go to the Wall, Father. It's bloody cold up there, and I believe I've had enough coldness from you. So just tell me something, and I'll be on my way. One simple question, you owe me that much."

"I owe you nothing."

"You've given me less than that, all my life, but you'll give me this. What did you do with Tysha?"

"Tysha?" He does not even remember her name.

"The girl I married."

"Oh, yes. Your first whore." Tyrion took aim at his father's chest.

"The next time you say that word, I'll kill you."

"You do not have the courage." "Shall we find out? It's a short word, and it seems to come so easily to your lips." Tyrion gestured impatiently with the bow.

"Tysha. What did you do with her, after my little lesson?"

"I don't recall."

"Try harder. Did you have her killed?" His father pursed his lips.

"There was no reason for that, she'd learned her place … and had been well paid for her day's work, I seem to recall. I suppose the steward sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire."

"On her way where?"

"Wherever whores go." Tyrion's finger clenched.

The crossbow whanged just as Lord Tywin started to rise. The bolt slammed into him above the groin and he sat back down with a grunt. The quarrel had sunk deep, right to the fletching. Blood seeped out around the shaft, dripping down into his pubic hair and over his bare thighs.

"You shot me," he said incredulously, his eyes glassy with shock.

"You always were quick to grasp a situation, my lord," Tyrion said. "That must be why you're the Hand of the King."

"You … you are no … no son of mine."

"Now that's where you're wrong, Father. Why, I believe I'm you writ small. Do me a kindness now, and die quickly. I have a ship to catch."

For once, his father did what Tyrion asked him. The proof was the sudden stench, as his bowels loosened in the moment of death. Well, he was in the right place for it, Tyrion thought. But the stink that filled the privy gave ample evidence that the oft-repeated jape about his father was just another lie. Lord Tywin Lannister did not, in the end, shit gold.

He threw the book away and felt everything he has done for his family was undone by his own children, all he has built was for naught. Tywin never felt more crushed in his life after his fate had been revealed. His death was made to be a joke by this cruel author. He felt overwhelming loss of sense and could not think for a while 'Is this god's punishment for my cruelty ?' 'Is this the end of House Lannister ?' he lamented.

He skipped supper for the day and went to the hall of heroes and lamented about the past. A portrait of his family forced him to agree to his failings. He always thought his father was weak and failed them but he himself has failed his family with his sternness and avarice. He felt like a failure and wanted to open the vaults and pay faceless men to kill all his enemies now before all the misfortune begins, but resolved himself that everyone needs a second chance and cruelty and madness were not his methods.

He will change for the better and whoever crosses him will be mauled to pieces. The time to 'Roar' is now. He returned to his solar to see this through and finish the final the shocking return of 'Lady Catelyn' as "Lady Stoneheart" did not surprise him as he started reading the fourth book "A Feast for Crows".