EDITED: 7th Jan 2022
266AC
Despite the fact that she had given birth not too long before, Tya returned home to Casterly Rock early in the year of 266AC to attend her brother's wedding. She knew that Kevan would much rather wait to find a woman he truly cared for, and if he was a second or third son perhaps he may have done, however the fact he was heir made that impossible.
Thankfully he understood that, and had agreed to wed Lady Morya Brax, sister to Lord Andros, with little fuss. It was a good thing for him to form close relationships with the bannermen, given his father's reputation for being weak and his sister's reputation for ruthlessness; it wouldn't do to be outshone by either.
Tya didn't regret what she had done at Castamere and Tarbeck Hall. It had sent a message, both on behalf of her house and of herself. She had always deferred to Kevan's leadership in public, whilst advising him in private, to avoid the lords thinking him a puppet for his elder sister. At least with regard to matters in the Westerlands. She was still Hand of the King, the second most powerful person in the Seven Kingdoms.
Kevan would earn the respect of the bannermen through wise and strong leadership once he became lord, and was already well-regarded having led the fight against the Reynes and Tarbecks. He was no pushover in the least and wouldn't hesitate to enforce the best interests of House Lannister. He just wasn't as ruthless as Tya was. In that sense, it was best she remained in King's Landing as much as possible once their father died, lest the lords started to whisper that it was her who really ran the west, as they whispered it was her who really ran the kingdoms.
Jaime and Cersei were still infants, quite young to travel such a distance, but Tya was loathe to leave them in the Red Keep for the months it would take her and Jason to travel west and back. It was summer besides, and she wished for them to see Casterly Rock, their parents' home and theirs too. Jaime would have to foster with Kevan when he grew up a little, perhaps as a page.
It wasn't only Kevan's wedding that they made the journey for either, though that was a magnificent and regal affair in itself. Genna had got married herself only a month after their brother. It was well due; her younger sister was one-and-twenty, after all. Kevan had not pushed any of his siblings to marry yet, despite Tya's advice otherwise.
The wedding was a slightly more relaxed but joyous affair seeing as Genna got along well with her betrothed, Lord Leo Lefford. Both husband and wife were good-humoured and witty, though he was quiet to complement her loud brashness. And being Lady of the Golden Tooth was a fitting position for a daughter of House Lannister.
Much better than being the wife of the second son of the Twins. Even if Lord Tytos had been a shining example of a Lord Paramount in every other sense, Tya would never have forgiven her father for that.
Tygett and Gerion both remained unbetrothed, though that was not such a great issue for now. Tyg was only sixteen and Gerion a little boy. Both had seemed glad to see her when she arrived at the Rock, though Gerion showed it much more openly, embracing her in front of everyone; his smile had been too wide for her to push him away with a sharp reprimand, so she had stiffly returned it. Tygett seemed very happy with the verbal greeting they shared, though was pleased with her comment praising his martial prowess, which Kevan had written of.
All of her siblings seemed enchanted by the little twins.
"Oh they're a perfect mix of both of you," Genna had cooed as she held Cersei for the first time, the baby babbling up at her; already the little girl was starting to understand basic words, which Maester Pycelle told Tya was remarkable. Most babes didn't start speaking until they were nine months old at least. As for Jaime, he had been crawling at six months, though he was slower to speak, as his sister was slower to move by herself.
"It's strange, seeing you a mother," Tygett had said in that serious manner of his, then flushed as Kevan shot him a stern look. "Well it is! It's no insult,"
"He's right, Tya," Her sister admitted with a grin. "You've never been very motherly,"
"I'm not very motherly now," She said flatly. She had nursemaids that got the twins dressed, changed their soiled clothes, fed them, put them to bed, and got up when they cried in the night. She spent most of her days buried in work and meetings, only really seeing her children in the mornings, evenings and around lunchtime. Jason was much the same, although he got to spend slightly more time with them than she did.
"You are a better mother than I expected," Jason remarked later on in their chambers.
"And what did you expect?" Tya raised an eyebrow. "The evil witch that some people claim I am, sacrificing her children to heathen gods?"
The twins had not gone to bed yet, and Cersei was tugging on her skirts to get Tya to lift her into her lap, whilst Jaime played with his toy knights and horses on the rug at their feet.
"No, you're not coming up here again," She addressed her daughter sternly. "I put you on the floor because you kept pulling my hair. If you didn't do such a thing then you might have stayed,"
Cersei pouted, which worked on everyone but her parents. Tya simply raised an eyebrow and the girl scowled, though shuffled over to Jaime and grabbed one of his horses, waving it around in her baby fist. Another child may have been angered by this, but her son simply smiled and didn't try to grab the toy back.
"Well, that you actually like the children surprised me a little," Her husband smirked slightly as she glared. "I wasn't sure if you would. Although it does amuse me when you speak to them like they're impertinent supplicants to the crown,"
Her lips twitched at that.
"How else will they learn the proper way to speak to people?"
"What, like everyone who isn't a Lannister is worth less than the dirt on the bottom of your shoe?"
"There's some Lannisters that fit in that category," She replied. "Your brother, for one. And my father,"
"I can't disagree with you there," Jason grimaced. "I had forgotten how thick-headed Stafford was. I suppose we're lucky your father didn't try to betrothe Cersei to a Clegane,"
"Don't," Her eyes narrowed, still having not forgiven the man for marrying her to a Frey.
"There's that look," Her husband said with a faint leer. "You don't look at me like that as much as you used to. I wouldn't say that's a bad thing, but I miss it on occasion,"
"Miss being looked at with scathing dislike?"
"You make it rather appealing. Perhaps that's why Aerys still longs after you, you glare at him often enough,"
"What is wrong with you," Tya tutted in disgust.
She found herself getting to her feet to call the maids in, however, to put the twins to bed. She made to return to her seat by the fire, only for her husband to pull her into his lap with a small noise of protest.
"Was that necessary?" She turned to see him looking rather pleased with himself.
"I'd say so," One of Jason's hands moved to the laces on her dress, whilst the other held her jaw, tilting her face to kiss him before breaking apart. "There's a certain joy in treating a highborn lady like a tavern wench,"
She really did protest at that, but he silenced her with another kiss.
Shortly after they had returned to King's Landing, Tya received the raven informing her that Kevan's wife was with child. It was rather early to announce, seeing how many women miscarried during the first months of pregnancy, but good news nonetheless.
Thankfully, six months after the news of Lady Morya's pregnancy came a letter announcing the birth of a son, whom her brother had named Gerold, after their grandfather. An old man's name, Jason had scoffed when he heard, earning a glare.
The boy seemed strong and healthy, despite the fact his mother had scarcely survived the birth and had been advised by the maesters to not bear any children for a while. Odd, seeing how Brax women were usually quite strong and hearty, and Morya herself had good childbearing hips, though perhaps that didn't make a lot of difference. Tya's own were narrow enough that the maester had warned her birthing may be difficult, but had caused no issue in the end.
Regardless of his wife's health, she was gladdened that her brother had a male heir, strengthening his position in the eyes of the lords. Though the fact that Morya Brax wouldn't be producing any more heirs for the next few years did solidify that Tygett and Gerion both needed betrothals, to keep the faith of the lords. Tya wrote this to Kevan in their weekly correspondence, and he agreed, albeit warily, knowing the trouble that would follow.
Genna had said in the past that she thought Tygett fancied men instead, and Tya had brushed it off as a mindless jape of course, but the explosive reaction their brother to being told of his betrothal to Lady Alinor Lydden did make her wonder. So long as he did his duty, Tya didn't particularly care. It wasn't as though he was to be immediately pressed into marriage, besides; Alinor was only three-and-ten, so there would be no wedding for several years. He had time to do whatever he pleased in the meantime, so long as it didn't shame their house.
Surprisingly, Gerion took the news of his own betrothal to the five-year-old Lady Elissa Serrett slightly better, but that may have been because he was an amiable - if reckless - boy of eleven, to whom marriage seemed a far off thing. Perhaps he'd give them trouble in a few years.
But with Lannisters married or betrothed into four of the most powerful families in the west - with the exception of Tya of course, but that was for strategic reasons as well as personal - and with the blood of most of the other major houses already in their veins - Tya's own mother had been a Marbrand - their position was a lot more secure than it had been in years. Lord Tytos mostly left the running of his lands to his elder son and daughter since the Reyne-Tarbeck rebellion, retreating feebly back into his mistress' arms, which was humiliating but at least he could cause no more trouble by interfering.
Dare I say, Tya thought, as she watched Jason swing a laughing Jaime around in his arms whilst Cersei sat at her own side, seeming intent on showing her mother her latest game with the toy horses and dolls. Things were going very well indeed.
"Stop poking me with that thing and I'll listen to you," She told her daughter. Cersei might not have understood her words fully but she understood the intention, withdrawing the wooden horse from where its pointed leg had been digging into Tya's rib. "Thank you. Now show me again,"
Smiling, her daughter began babbling, animating the wooden figures. It was nonsense but Tya found she didn't mind paying attention, though kept a watchful eye on her husband and Jaime.
"Do be careful, Jason," She said dryly. "I'd rather you didn't break our son - he's only just had his first birthday,"
"Thanks for reminding me, lady wife," He replied in a similar tone. "I was just going to let him go in midair and hope for the best,"
Tya tutted and looked away to hide a smile.
267AC
Tya had not been planning to visit Casterly Rock that year, however the news of her father's death made it unavoidable.
She wasn't quite sure what she felt, having read Kevan's letter. She had actually sneered whilst reading how Lord Tytos' heart had burst whilst climbing the stairs to visit his mistress. Her father had married her off to an unworthy Frey, humiliated their house for many years, and shamed his family in countless ways. Even her beloved mother had disdained him, often in front of a young Tya. She knew she had shamed him in return, given his soft morals and her brutal response to the Reyne-Tarbeck rebellion.
Yet he was her father nonetheless, and though she wouldn't quite say she was sorry he was gone - Kevan was now lord, which was better for everyone - she wasn't exactly celebrating either.
She made the journey alone; well, with a contingent of guards in tow, but Jason and the twins stayed in King's Landing. Her husband had seen the look in her eye and almost eagerly asked if he should come along too, but she had refused. She didn't want the twins to be without both parents, and neither did she want them to come with her. It would be easier, what she had to do, without her children there.
Of course, Tya had missed the funeral, which had been held in the days following Lord Tytos' death. That wasn't what she came to do, however. After a few busy days of helping Kevan get everything in order and take control - which he was capable of doing alone, her presence just sped things along - she climbed the stairs her father had died on.
"I knew you'd come to gloat," The candlemaker's daughter tried to put on a show of bravado as Tya silently stepped into her apartments, though her eyes were wide and her voice slightly shrill. She's afraid, and rightly so. "Your own father dead, and I bet you're nothing short of delighted,"
Tya wasn't going to waste her breath on this impertinent wretch. One glance over her shoulder and two guards stepped into the room.
"I'll have my mother's jewels back," She said coldly. The woman opened her mouth, but she raised an eyebrow, effectively cutting her off. "Now. Or these men will take them from you,"
"But half of them jewels are mine," The woman glared, though her eyes darted nervously between the two guards. "Milord Tytos had them made for me,"
"Made with Lannister gold," Tya said dismissively. "I'll have all those gowns back, too, and these rooms. Whores shouldn't be swanning around pretending to be ladies,"
The candlemaker's daughter looked openly scared, now, unable to hide it any longer.
"I'm no whore," She tried to sound strong but only sounded pleading instead. "And I've nothing else to wear - I burnt what I wore before,"
"A pity," Tya's lip curled, and she signalled to the guards, who strode forward and seized the woman by both arms. She shrieked and struggled, eyes wild, but that didn't stop her being dragged away. Tya followed, raising her voice to be heard over her protests. "For too long, my father let you whisper poison in his ear, drape yourself in finery and order the servants around like you were the Lady of Casterly Rock. Today you will be exposed before the entire city as the treacherous whore that you are. A walk of shame through Lannisport to the docks, then you may board any ship you desire, so long as you never return to the Westerlands again,"
The woman had given up any bravado or pride, now.
"Mercy, milady," She sobbed, having dropped the highborn accent she'd been putting on. "Please, I did nothing wrong, just what Lord Tytos asked of me. Was it so wrong to want to wear pretty dresses and be a fine lady? That's all I ever wanted, I swear. I'm sorry I was so rude to you. Mercy, please,"
"This is mercy," Tya said coldly. "I could've had you whipped, your tongue removed, your head cut off. All you'll have to do is walk through the city,"
And so she did. Tya watched her set off through the streets - guarded so the mob didn't tear her apart, as the commoners were wont to do - as naked as her nameday, sobbing and pleading all the while. The good people of Lannisport came out in their droves as they realised what was going on, laughing, hurling insults and jeers, even stones and rotten vegetables. Many of them might resent the highborn, but not near so much as they resented one of their own who rose up beyond her station.
She didn't stay for the whole thing, simply gave instructions for the whore to be seen onto a ship leaving Lannisport, and banished on pain of death.
"Was that truly necessary?" Her cousin and goodbrother, Stafford, asked with an expression of distaste on his face as she dismounted without help in the courtyard upon returning to Casterly Rock.
Tya turned on him with a cold stare, which he didn't hold for very long, looking over her head instead.
"It sent a message,"
"It certainly did," He snorted. "Tell me, do you think Kevan would have done the same to that girl if you had stayed in King's Landing?"
"No," She replied honestly. "But he would have banished her. He's not so unlike me - do you hear him disagree with what I did?"
"I don't hear much from him at all when you're around, for when you come to visit he turns into that little boy being bossed around by his big sister once again," The man said, a hint of scorn in his tone.
"In that case, does my presence turn you into a blundering fool?"
Stafford's lip curled.
"I don't know how my brother stands you," He shook his head. "Cold shrew that you are. I feel sorry for Jason, sharing a bed with an unnatural woman who murdered her first husband, drowned one castle of women and children and burned another to the ground,"
She scoffed a little at that. Men always lashed out with something unrelated and designed to hurt when they had no answer to your point. Besides, Jason had a cruel streak too, just hid it better.
"I wouldn't dish out petty insults so readily. You said it yourself, that I have Lord Lannister's ear. I also have the king's, who is considerably less tolerant,"
"From what I hear, you've had more of the king than that,"
Tya was silent for a moment, which Stafford apparently took as victory, moving as though to leave.
"Careful," She said dangerously softly. They locked eyes for a moment, that one word enough to unnerve him, before she turned on her heel and left.
It's been ages I know. Apologies for that, I have no excuse other than real life got in the way. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm not too keen on it, but let me know what you think.