Hey everyone, welcome to the newest chapter of Hear My Roar. Last time Lucien sparred with Jon Snow and bonded over their shared hatred for Joffrey. This however would be halted by terrible news, Bran Stark had fallen. Now with the recap out of the way let's get started.
Somewhere in Winterfell, a wolf howled. The sound caused Lucien to look up from his book, at least one of the wolves had been howling ever since Bran Stark fell, as if mourning for him. Lucien shut his book, putting it back into his satchel.
He left his room to go find his father so they could break their fast. After being raised by his father for 16 years, he was not surprised when he found him sleeping in the kennel with the dogs. Unfortunately, he wasn't the first to find him.
"Better looking bitches then you're used to, uncle?" Joffrey mocked, standing behind him as always was the Hound. His father simply ignored Joffrey, getting up and wiping himself off. "Mother has been looking for you, we ride for King's Landing today."
"Before you go you will call on Lord and Lady Stark and offer them your sympathies." Tyrion said.
Joffrey then gave his father a petulant look only a boy prince could. "What good will my sympathies do them."
"None," Tyrion said. "Yet it is expected of you, your absence has already been noted."
"The boy means nothing to me." Joffrey said, before smirking. "Besides, I can't stand the wailing of women." To Lucien's amusement, his father's response to this was to slap Joffrey. Hard.
"One word," Tyrion warned. "And I will hit you again."
"I'm telling mother!" Joffrey exclaimed, turning from arrogant prince to whining child in a second.
Tyrion hit him again, this time on the other cheek. "Go," Tyrion told him. "Tell her but, first, you will go and tell Lord and Lady Stark, you will fall knees in front of them, and will tell them how sorry you are, and that you are at their service if there is the slightest thing you can do for them and that all your prayers go with them. Do you understand?" At this point Lucien was barely holding in his laughter, Joffrey looked like he was about to cry as he turned and left.
"The prince will remember that little lord," Sandor warned him, though it seemed even he had enjoyed that little show.
"I pray he does," his father replied. "If he forgets, be a good dog and remind him, come son it's time to break fast." As the two Lannisters walked away Lucien finally let out the laugh he had been holding in.
"That was well done father." He said as his laughter finally subsided.
"Yes, I quite enjoyed that myself." As they made their way into the dining hall they saw Robert missing from the table, and Jaime talking with Cersei in a hushed tone.
"Is Robert still abed?" His father asked as they seated at the table.
His aunt peered at them with a faint look of disgust, as if their very presence made her sick. "The king has not slept at all," she answered. "He is with Lord Eddard. He has taken their sorrow deeply to heart."
"He has a large heart, our Robert." His uncle said with a lazy smile. His uncle Jaime, took very few things seriously. A servant approached, Lucien and Tyrion ordered some food.
"Is Bran going to die?" Myrcella asked, despite looking a great deal like her mother she had a good heart.
"It appears not." Tyrion answered, as the servant brought over their food.
Cersei tensed. "What do you mean." Neither Tyrion nor Lucien missed the change in her tone.
"Tyrion gave her a crooked smile. "The maester thinks the boy may live."
This brought a smile to Myrcella and Tommen's faces, but it was not their faces Lucien and his father were watching. Neither of them missed the subtle glances that passed between his aunt and uncle.
"It's no mercy to let a child linger in such pain."
"Only the gods know for certain," Tyrion said before changing the subject. "The charms of the North seem entirely lost on you."
"I still can't believe you both are going, it's ridiculous, even for the two of you." Cersei mocked sending a dirty look at Lucien. Lucien simply ignored it and continued to eat.
"Where's your sense of wonder?" Tyrion said in mock surprise. "The greatest structure ever built, the intrepid men of the Night's Watch, the wintery abode of the White Walkers." Tyrion said, making Tommen giggle a little.
Jaime smiled. "Tell me neither of you are thinking of taking the black."
His father laughed. "What and go celibate? The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. No, I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world."
Cersei stood abruptly. "The children don't need to hear this filth Tommen, Myrcella, come."
His uncle Jaime then brought the conversation back to their original. "Even if the boy lives he will be a cripple, grotesque, give me a good clean death any day."
"Speaking for the crippled and grotesque I disagree." His father said. "Death is so final, while life, life is full of possibilities."
"Never pegged you for a poet, father." Lucien joked.
Ignoring his son Tyrion continued. "I for one hope the boy does wake, I would be most interested to hear what he might say."
"Tyrion, my sweet brother," Jaime said darkly, "there are times when I wonder whose side are you on."
His father grinned up wolfishly at his uncle. "My brother you wound me, you know how much I love my family."
After breakfast Lucien and his father packed their things and left with Benjen Stark and his nephew for the Wall. On the way there they joined up with another member of the Night's Watch bringing his own group of new recruits, his however were in chains.
"So I see my advice was for not." Lucien said, as he and Jon Snow sat at the campfire. "Not that I blame you, stuck with Catelyn Tully at Winterfell without Lord Stark you might have been killed in your sleep." This caused Jon to glower at him. "Don't look at me like that, all Tully women are crazy." This actually caused Jon to laugh. Lucien the turned to his book East of Westeros and Beyond.
"Why do you and your father read so much." Jon finally asked.
"Remember when I said I understand how it feels to be judged by how you were born?" Lucien asked. "Well my father understands even more then me, he was born a dwarf, he will never be a great warrior, but he can be a great tactician, my father is one of the smartest people I know, while my uncle is one of the greatest warriors." Lucien said. "The both are constantly sharpening their weapons, my uncle with a wet stone, my father with his books. They are the greatest men I know and I want to be like both of them that Jon Snow is why I read so much."
That morning they arrived at the Wall. To be honest only three things impressed him there. The first was the Wall itself, big didn't even begin to describe it, the Wall was massive and made completely of ice, unfortunately those that watched it weren't quite as impressive most of the Night's Watch was made of thieves and rapist and they were poorly trained at that. The one that commanded them thankfully was far more impressive. Jeor Mormont, former head of House Mormont was an impressive man he knew the names and history of every man under his command. Finally, there was Maester Aemon, one of the last Targaryens left in the world, Lucien was pretty good at reading people and he still couldn't get a read on the man.
They didn't stay long and the only worthwhile thing that happened was his father helping Jon with some homicidal recruits. After a week it was time to go.
"So you're leaving then?" Jon Snow asked as Lucien saddled his horse.
"Yes, my uncle will have missed us by now."
"Well if you stop by Winterfell can you give a message to my brothers?"
"Of course."
"Tell them I love them and I hope Bran wakes up soon."
"I will." Lucien said and shook Jon's hand.
"Farewell, Son of the Imp." Jon said, smirking.
"You as well, Bastard of Winterfell."
And that ends the newest chapter of Hear My Roar. Sorry that I sped through the Wall part so much but their was little that Lucien could really do in it, but I hope you enjoyed it none the less. On my profile I put something up that should help keep track on what I'm working on and when it will be done. Now onto the reviews.
GrM12: Sorry can't tell you what the pairings will be yet it would spoil to much of the plot.
Nipplegunz: Thank you and Yes, Lucien was Jaime's squire but he has already been knighted don't worry there is a story behind that.
Hail King Cerion: Yeah I thought so too and let's just say Tywin's feelings about Lucien are complicated.