Dragonstone, 300 AC
Aylis is sitting in her room, with Shireen by her side, Aistan and the twins playing joyfully on the carpet. Eyeing the boys, she focuses on Shireen, teaching her how to sew. The septa could do it, of course, but Aylis enjoys spending time with her children, especially since Stannis has left for the war. They had not received any news since that day. Stannis would not risk putting them more in danger, and his wife knew he would wait before telling her about the battle. When he has left, she had cried her eyes out, after the ships had disappeared on the sea. In front of him, she had remained strong, smiling, and confident. She knows his army is powerful, and his men are very loyal to him, but… who knows what could happen on a battlefield… Lost in her thoughts, she does not hear the door opening, and it's only when her children gasp that she looks up. For a very second, she thinks it is Stannis, coming back, but, how could it be him? She looks at the Red Woman, standing in front of her, smiling softly. Shireen has stopped sewing and is staring at the woman. The boys have turned quiet. They are all impressed with Melisandre. But Aylis is not fond of the woman. She remembers her face when Stannis has refused to take her with him to King's Landing. Melisandre has looked like she had received a slap in her face. Aylis, her, has been more than happy with this decision: she had not liked the idea of knowing her husband would spent days and nights with this strange, though gorgeous woman.
"Have you received a message from our King?" she asks with her foreign accent, which both amuses and exasperates Aylis. The Queen shakes her head:
"Nothing… Not yet…"
Melisandre sits down by her and pats her hand awkwardly.
"Stannis will prevail. I have seen it in the flames", she smiles again.
Aylis feels her look upon her and simply nods, before getting back to sewing. The look of Melisandre feels like burning the flesh of the Queen and she ends up staring back at the red priestess. Melisandre narrows her eyes and, for a second, Aylis thinks she is going to slap her. But, indeed, she smiles again, and says:
"It is strange that Stannis fell for you."
The hands of the Queen stop moving suddenly, and wrath rushes in her blood. How dare she disrespect her? She is her Queen, as much as Stannis is her King. Melisandre notices the angry look she gives to her and smiles:
"Don't misunderstand me… I am happy for you, for the King. A king needs heirs. He needs a wife who can give him strong and healthy children", her eyes wander on Shireen's cheek, and Aylis feels anger overwhelming her.
"Our children are perfect, Lady Melisandre", she spats aggressive.
The red woman does not seem to be offended by her tone:
"Of course they are", she whispers, glancing at the boys still playing on the ground. "That was not what I meant… I think… when we will be in King's Landing, that we should celebrate our King's victory" she says softly, stroking Aylis's hand. For a moment, Aylis imagines the scene, Melisandre and her, waiting for Stannis in his room. She could feel appealed by it, if she didn't imagine Stannis's face when he would come in. He would give her a disgusted look, and would walk away, and nothing would be the same between them again. She moves her hand away brutally and stands up:
"You don't know Stannis", she coldly tells Melisandre, before holding her hands out at her children. "Come". They quickly obey, and she is about to open the door when someone does it in her place and she faces Cressen, eyes filled with tears, a parchment in his hand. Aylis's heart skips a beat: "What is it, Maester?" she asks gasping. Silently, Cressen holds the parchment at her. She takes it with shaking hands and reads:
"My Queen,
Join me in King's Landing as soon as possible. Robert is avenged. Your people await you.
Stannis"
Simple words, but, to Aylis, they mean so much. A tear rolls on her cheek as she hugs Cressen tight.
King's Landing, 300 AC
Surrounded by his most advised counselors, Stannis is listening to what will be his official council and his kingsguard. The letters will be sent all over the kingdom, so that his people know about it. Tywin has not come yet, but has sent back a message letting Stannis know he will be on his way. The perspective of having his three children killed has convinced the old lion to bend the knee to his winner.
"I, Stannis of House Baratheon, first of my name, King of Westeros, have chosen to be the members of my small council: Ser Davos Seaworth as Hand of the King; Lord Yohn Royce as Master of Laws; Lord Ardrian Celtigar as Master of Coin; Ser Imry Florent as Master of Ships; and Lady Melisandre of Ashai as Master of Whisperers."
The man looks at Stannis for his approval, and the King briefly nods. Renly looks down, nibbling on his lower lip: he has hoped to get his seat at the council back, but Stannis has explained him that he wanted the council to be as neutral and diverse as possible. He had chosen different lords from every part of the Realm, has rewarded the Vale and the Reach for their support in his war by appointing Lord Rhoyce and Ser Florent. In the Citadel, the Conclave is deciding who will be appointed as Grand Maester. Of course, Stannis has sent a letter supporting Cressen, but he doubts they will agree. They will probably think he is too close from him. Maester Pycelle was Joffrey's Grand Maester, but he has died during the attack of the city, probably from a heart attack. Stannis would not have kept him anyways. The man keeps reading:
"I, Stannis of House Baratheon, first of my name, King of Westeros, have chosen to be the members of my kingsguard: Ser Loras Tyrell, Ser Rolland Storm, Ser Godry Farring, Ser Ormund Wylde, Ser Corliss Penny and Ser Justin Massey. Their Lord Commander will be Ser Richard Horpe."
Again, Stannis nods. He continues reading:
"The different lands will be governed thereby: Lord Renly Baratheon will remain Lord of Storm's End, the Warden of the East will be Lord Robert Arryn. It is my choice to appoint Ser Davos Seaworth as Lord of Dragonstone. His eldest son Ser Dale Seaworth will rule Cape Wrath in his place. The Lordship of Highgarden as well as the wardship will remain Lord Mace Tyrell's, as well as Riverrun will remain Lord Edmure Tully's. Robb Stark keeps the Lordship of Winterfell as well as the title of Warden of the North."
Stannis approves:
"Good. We will wait for Lord Tywin's decision. If he bends the knee, I will grant him Casterly Rock and his title of Warden of the East. Tommen will be appointed as his heir. Joffrey and Ser Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer will be sent to the wall. I demand that the children born from this incest abandon the name of Baratheon. Any objections?"
No one says a word, the people around him nod approving of his decision.
"What about Lord Tyrion?" Renly asks.
"He has defended the city bravely", Stannis nods.
"Don't you think he has more legitimacy to be the heir of Tywin rather than Tommen?" he asks again. Some other men nod slightly.
"Tommen is still a boy. He still is malleable. I do not trust Lord Tyrion. He is a clever man, I know it very well, and this is why I am defying of him. I cannot send him to the Wall, he will be more of a burden for them than an asset…"
He stops talking, thinking lengthily about it. The whole room is silent, the men waiting for the King's decision. After a long moment, he says:
"Tommen will be sent to the Citadel, to become a Maester", he looks at his brother. Renly looks surprised but nods.
"And Tyrion?" he asks.
"Tyrion will be Tywin's heir. As he has always been", Stannis nods and the man quickly corrects the words he has written. Stannis dismisses the council, eager to see Tywin Lannister getting to the capital.
He is awakened a few days later by his servant, but it is not Tywin who is here: it is Aylis and the children. He welcomes them warmly, happy to have his family back by his side. A message arrives while they are chatting together, letting know Tywin will come the following morning.
Casterly Rock, a few weeks before
"Tywin, be reasonable", Kevan pleads, staring at his older brother. "All my life, I have supported you. I have always been by your side. You are the elder; you get to decide the fate of our family. But, please, for the love of the Gods, for the love of this family, you must be reasonable."
Tywin stares back at his younger brother, pacing up and down in front of him. Stannis had won the Throne a few days ago, and a raven has flight from the Capital to warn Tywin Lannister. His children are all captives, his grandchildren as well. He needs to bend the knee to save them. Tywin is a proud man. He cannot stand seeing his family dragged in the mud. But, after all, what does Stannis do wrong? Tywin thinks he is even too soft, as for him, he would have beheaded the whole family. Tywin feels Stannis will not spare Cersei, to make an example of the King's justice. He does not reply to his brother. Lost in his thoughts, he tries, still, to find a solution, an issue to get away. But there are no ways to escape their fate, this time. The whole realm is united behind Stannis. Dorne is not, but will not rally Tywin, not after what he has done to Elia Martell. And, even if they would, what could they do against the hundreds of thousands of men Stannis has in his army… So, Tywin nods at Kevan:
"I will go to King's Landing, and try to save what can be saved"
Kevan nods, relieved, and walks out of the room.