Test of Claw

So far negotiations had gone well getting the house of Dawnshae to ally with Tywinel but there was still the matter of getting them to ally with the house of Lannister as a whole. Which meant marriage, Talyn was of marring age nearly as was Tyrion and Jamie, but Ruelle cut Tywin off by standing.

"I've met your Tyrion and we will not match, Talyn is a maybe but I will not agree to anything until I test him and Jamie. That is my answer," she mused staring at Tywin.

Farfella watched from the sidelines and was rather impressed by the Queen of Shade, she was not a push over, tradition be damned. She was a survivor, and a fighter, in a way she felt envy for that.

Tywin was not used to a woman playing the game of power and Farfella poured his wine as they sat alone.

"She would be a good match for this house; her stubbornness is not unlike our own." She teased.

Tywin snorted but traced his glass, she had a point.

He had been grateful that Rhaegar had gone back home before her arrival, he didn't want the king accusing him of plotting treason until he was damn near ready, after all his son was learning under the kings' guard. A ploy no doubt by the mad king to keep him in check.

"Her request is going to be a problem; he won't let Jamie come home." He mused tracing the message brought by Raven.

He was not there to see his son Talyn get bested by her in a duel, it had been private, she hadn't found him suitable, and Tywinel was too young to marry off funny enough.

"What did she say when you told her?" Farfella asked laying aside her sewing.

"She didn't, she smirked and looked at her Squire and left the keep." He drank down his wine.

Farfella nearly dropped her cup of water. He looked at her startled.

"How long ago did she leave?" He frowned.

"Not long maybe a couple of hours ago, what is wrong? Farfella!" He called after her as she ran out and to the keep wall.

He caught up with her and she turned to him, showing the camp, "She snuck off; she's going to King's landing to see Jamie herself."

He was startled by that and called for his horses, kissing Farfella. He suited up and mounted to ride with his knights and ser Gregor. Cursing himself for not realizing how bold Ruelle would be, she was a dangerous woman. They caught up to her knights who greeted him but she and her Squire were gone. Demanding answer he learned she had rode ahead and told them to ride with him to catch up if he wished.

They did before sunset halfway to the Capital.

"Don't even think of chastising me." She said before he opened his mouth, her hood up this time.

"Legacy is important, and to whom you leave it to as well as make it with Lord Tywin. If your son is worthy of that, I will marry into your house, your legacy will live on by the bloodline that follows. But so will the blood of Shadow, of the Shade Huntsman. So I ask you to let me do this. To come with me or to let me go." She kept his gaze.

His temper was abated a bit, she had a point. He watched her but sighed and nodded. "I will leave it to you than. Just promise me you won't do anything stupid."

She grinned at that, they made camp, resting and sharing a meal. Farfella was going to kill him for coming home so late. She watched the fire with him, a shared silence given.

"If Jamie isn't suitable…" He broached, it had been nagging at him.

"I will still be your Ally; there is one among you suitable if none of your sons are." He blinked hearing that and looked at her to see her looking past the fire.

Following her gaze he stiffened, she was watching Ser Gregor the Mountain.

"I would not suggest that choice, he is quiet violent, he also has terrible headaches, and my wife treats him for it. His temper is….well." She listened to him and tilted her head.

"He is just like my father. He drowned his headaches in milk of the poppy or Ale. He killed occasionally during a flare up. I survived him and a massive serpent, I can handle to learn the Mountain if it comes to it." She said smoothly.

Tywin looked to her then Gregor, thinking about it. She was a lot braver or a hell of a lot more foolish then he thought. She wished him goodnight and went into her tent. Tywin breathed in the cold night air feeling the warmth of the fire. At least there would be an alliance….one way or another.

*Author's note: The next two chapters will be much longer and include the many other Lannister children. This is where you guys get to vote though; would you rather see Ruelle with Jamie or try to tame the Mountain? Let me know in the review. Also in the last chapter the song was The Devil and the Huntsman by Sam Lee & Daniel Pemberton. (King Arthur Legend of the Sword)