I do not own ASOIAF in any way shape or form. Quick Note, chapters will still updated on a weekly basis, but it will not be every few days as it has been so far.
Tommyginger: Happy you liked it, the weddings are better explained this chapter. Also, Joffrey won't be invited.
Boramir: Joffreys Position is not a good one, and it all just gets worse from here on out for him. I didn't make not of her yet, but Daenerys is still across the narrow sea, not to mention the ironBorn.
Azphxbrd: Joffrey just doesn't care, its kinda up to Tyrion to figure it all out.
Icarus666: Therse some this chapter, and there will be more in a few more.
BarrZ: I will Try
Tywin Lannister POV
His children had failed him, or perhaps, just maybe, he had failed them.
Cersei was a horrible mother and didn't understand the limitations placed on her by society, yet he had always tried to give her everything she wanted. Even marrying her to Robert was her wish, though she would never admit it now, preferring the version of the story were he sold her like a broodmare.
The less said about Tyrion the better. Tywin could admit he was a clever schemer, but the truth of the matter was that he was an dwarf, worse yet, he was a foul mouthed alcoholic dwarf who whored himself throughout the seven kingdoms. Tywin could acknowledge his fault in that situation, and perhaps if Johanna yet lived, he could find it in his heart to love such a broken creature.
Jaime perhaps was the biggest disappointment of them was to be his successor, and instead, he was a glorified gold cloak guarding a madman who had more interest in raping his sister and strangling kittens then ruling the realm. History repeated itself in the worst of ways, and with every year of such nonsense Tywin began to doubt his ability to fix it. He refused most recent offer of staying in the rock and marrying Margaery Tyrell, which meant Tywin had to let Highgarden fall into the Starks hands.
Tywin felt his his age. In all of his years, from the days of his youth playing in Casterly Rock with his brother Kevan, to the day his grandchildren came into this world, Tywin never felt old. Truthfully, he still didn't feel old in the traditional sense, he was just weary of the days to come.
When Joffrey was first crowned in the Great Sept of Baelor, he never felt more proud. Years of planning finally coming to fruition, a Lannister on the throne. Then, things changed. Initially, Joffrey Seemed to be on his way to being a good king, a great King even. Appointing Mace Tyrell and Eddard stark to the small council was a move of political genius unexpected in a man so young. Tywin's own appointment as hand also allowed him to oversee the realm, and assure the stability of the seven kingdoms.
Tywin had plans to unite the three strongest of the seven kingdoms under one dynasty.
There were two marital contracts in the works before Joffrey made his announcement to marry his own sister. Myrcella Baratheon to Robb Stark, an alliance that would have truly united the North and the South. If Robb Stark was even half the man his father was, Myrcella would be hard pressed to find a better match. Not only that, but the North would rise for the Iron Throne for generations. The second, Margaery Tyrell to Joffrey Baratheon, an alliance that would give the throne access to the largest army in the seven Kingdoms. Even the dragons would be unable to stand against such an alliance.
The Lion, the Wolf, and the Rose, it would by a dynasty that would last for a thousand years. The Stag might be it's symbol, but the world would no power descend from the lion. However, fate had other plans, and Joffrey dashed the grand alliance within the course of a fortnight.
Joffrey married his sister, and made Tywin look like a fool in front of the other lord Paramounts for not keeping his word. That decision of Joffrey's to marry Myrcella, that stupid, foolish, irreversible decision cost Tywin more then he would like to admit. If that wasn't enough, what Joffrey did to the Stark girl, what he tried to do thankfully. If Ser Trant or anyone else was with the king that day instead of Jaime, there would have been rebellion.
Would Eddard Stark sit idly by his daughter was defiled by his king, no, of course not. Jaime saved us from a second Robert's Rebellion that day, I wonder if he even realizes it?
Joffrey would have destroyed the realm if it wasn't for Jaime Lannister, and he would have destroyed a dozen more times if it wasn't for the work of Tywin Lannister. Tywin worked to assure the realm wouldn't fall to pieces as Joffrey made himself the laughing stock of the realm, and even then, the boy found ways to disappoint.
"3,782 Gold Dragons, that was the payment that arrived from the Crown, correct?" Tywin asked, already knowing the answer, his face unreadable mask of indignation and fury.
"More than 20,000 Gold Dragons short of the expected first payment," Kevan responded grimly. If anyone was as angry as Tywin about this whole affair, it was him. "There is also a note from Tyrion, he sends his apologies, but explains that the coffers are empty, and that King has requested another loan of 1 million gold dragons." Kevan finished with a disappointed sigh. "Shall I write back refusing?"
"No, you shall not." Kevan seemed surprised. "Write back to him, and inform my son that the Iron throne is cut off from all Lannister resources. I will be calling in all debts I have in the Crownlands, Stormlands, and in King's landing. There will be no more loans, and I will contact representatives in the Iron bank and urge them to the same."
"What are you doing, there will be a full on rebellion by the time this letter reaches Tyrion." Kevan asked incredulously
"What must be done." Tywin looked at his brother who seemed to understand, Kevan bowed before leaving the room.
At his brother's departure, Tywin turned back to the paper on his discuss, a marital contract that only required his signature to make it official.
A match between his bastard niece Joy Hill and Eddard Stark's bastard son Jon Snow. The boy would be given the Lordship of Sea Dragon Point, where Eddard Stark had grand visions of a western White harbor. It would normally be a fool's errand, but with Lannister support, it was a possibility.
He signed the contract after a moment of hesitation, agreeing to a dowry fit for a princess just to assure Stark support when the time came.
There was a soft knock at his door which brought him out of his musings, and what sounded like whispers just beyond the threshold. Tywin, was slightly annoyed, but unsurprised, he allowed himself a small sigh.
"Come in." Tywin said calmly, he looked sharply at the intruders.
Two individuals walked into the room, a boy and a girl, both young, and little more than children. The boy, Tywin's own grandson, Tommen, seemed afraid to even be in this room. The girl on the other hand looked confident and sure of herself, almost as if she belonged.
"What is it?" Tywin asked, slightly impatient.
"We want to know where the glittering pools are." Arya Stark said earnestly. Behind her, Tommen nodded nervously, but immediately went back to hiding behind Arya.
"My mother always mentioned swimming in them with Uncle Jaime," Tommen offered cautiously.
"And you decided to bother me with this?" Tywin asked incredulously. Glancing between the two youths, as Tommen seemed to retreat further into his shell, while Arya remained confident.
Arya Stark was impulsive, short tempered, and the opposite of what a lady was supposed to be. It reminded him of Cersei at a younger age, a slightly more reckless, but somehow nicer Cersei. He hated to admit, but Tywin actually enjoyed her company, it reminded him of day's long since past, it reminded him of Joanna.
"No one in the seven kingdoms knows winterfell like my father. Was it too much to presume that no one knows Casterly Rock like you?" Arya asked, she was tamping her foot impatiently, almost hopping back and forth. If he recalled, she wanted to be a warrior, and her father was content to let her have whatever she wanted.
"It's rude to barge into a man's solar like this." Tywin chastised, and he had to bite back anger as Arya rolled her eyes. "It's truly unbefitting of a lady, especially one who is to marry a prince."
"I'm no lady, besides, I didn't barge, I knocked this time. I remember how mad you got last time I barged in here without warning." Arya explained slightly flustered.
Tywin sighed again, and fought to remain calm. "Very well then, the glittering pools are in Casterly Rock's basement. It is quite dangerous to go alone, so wait here, and
I shall call a servant to accompany you down.
"Why don't you just come with us? You know the way don't you?"
"Arya, don't.." Tommen urged, grabbing Arya's arm and moving her towards the door.
"Very well, I shall show you the way myself. But remember lady stark, be careful." Tywin rose from his seat, at made his way to the door.
If all goes well, that girl shall be Queen soon enough. The alliance shall be reborn, and the Lannisters shall have no more threats to their power. And Joffrey will finally learn, a Lannister always repays his debts.
Myrcella POV
The strike came suddenly, a blow across the left side of her face that left her staggering, almost immediately she knew it would bruise. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth, and she looked up at her tormentor, just in time to receive a hard slap that echoed throughout her husband's solar.
"Do you think this is funny?!" Joffrey asked, and he debated on hitting her again. "I said you were not to send anymore letters. Did I not make myself clear enough?"
"I swear your grace," Myrcella fell to her knees almost on instinct. "I sent no letters just as you commanded."
"Then what is this!" He threw the letter down before her. The lettering was in a small rough print, sealed with a crimson wax seal bearing the Lannister emblem. The message was from Tommen, straight from Casterly Rock, there her brother warded with her grandfather, living happily with his betrothed.
"I sent no letter your grace, I swear, he sent it to me. I have had no contact with Tommen since he left for Casterly Rock." She whimpered looking, down she could not bring herself to look up. Into her tormentors crazed eyes, if she did, she knew she would only see herself looking back.
"You think you're clever don't you?" Joffrey asked, he laughed slightly at that, then his features straightened out again. He leaned into her, wrapped his hand around her mouth, and forced her to look into his eyes. She felt herself blinking back tears. He sighed, "You know I hate seeing you upset Myrcella." His voice turned soft, still looking into her eyes, he pressed a forceful kiss to her lips, pressing his tongue into her mouth as he did, and biting her lip, drawing blood. He broke the kiss suddenly, smiled, and slapped her with all of his might open palmed against the cheek.
She fell to the floor, stunned from the force of the impact. She could hear both Joffrey and Ser Trant Laughing at her. She truly struggled not to cry, instead she just brought herself back to her feet, and stared downwards, avoiding her husband's gaze when she could.
Joffrey stopped laughing, and looked her up and down. Their was a slight smile on his face. He put his finger to the corner of her mouth, wiping off the blood that trailed downwards. "You can go, I have a small council meeting tonight so I won't be at dinner, but mother is expecting you." He said absentmindedly rubbed the crimson blood between his thumb and index finger as he walked away.
Myrcella nodded obediently, turned, and moved to walk from her husband's solar. As she made her way to her own chambers she avoided the look of everyone and anyone. Her Uncle Tyrion no longer talked to her, not because he didn't want too, but because Joffrey wouldn't let him near her. Tommen was lost to her, he escaped this place, and from what little she heard of him, was happy with his new betrothed, the youngest Stark girl. It wasn't that long ago when she was excited about the prospect of marrying, she even had a certain Stark in mind ironically. Now she just kep moving in a blur, hoping for her days to end quickly.
As she made her way inside her room, she opened the door, and then fell to her knees. She allowed herself to cry, to be as broken on the outside as she felt on the inside. She heard someone enter the room and shut the door. She need not look up, she already knew who it was.
"It will be okay," Jaime hushed softly as he wrapped his arms around her frail form, she could see his hollow eyes, the way he shook just like her, but instead of sorrow, she knew Jaime only felt rage. Rage for the injustice that was cast upon her, and rage for his inability to do anything.
"He's a monster," Myrcella whispered, and she lifted her head to look into her uncle's eyes. She never knew so much shame then in that moment. For when she looked up, Jaime quickly diverted his gaze, unwilling to look at the bruises already covering much of her face. "Uncle, I need you to do it, I can't do this, not for much longer." She whispered, and she felt him squeeze her tighter, and run a hand through her hair.
"Myrcella, I can't, not again." He whispered, and he enveloped her in another tight hug. "I'm already a kingslayer, and if it was anyone else I would do so without hesitation, but I can't kill him he's fam-"
"Your son?" She interrupted. His eyes widened, and locked with her own, before Jaime quickly looked down again. "I know he's your son, as I know I am your daughter." She rasped out against his arm. The tears slowed down now. "I have known for a long time now, I have lied for so long to protect you, and Tommen, and mother, but I don't know if I can lie any longer, not when life is like this."
Jaime remained silent, but he didn't let go of his daughter. He remained still like a statue, like a guardian.
"You have no idea, how many times I've began writing a letter to Lord Stark or Uncle Stannis, telling them I'm nothing more than a bastard, an abomination, just to throw the letter in a fire as soon as I think of you or Tommen." Myrcella cried out, her throat felt sore, and her face lit up with another wave of pain. "Kill him, please, kill your son, and save your daughter."
There were no words spoken, and Myrcella didn't expect their to be any, but still, she wondered.
Jaime was her friend, perhaps her only one at this rate. He was her shadow, following her through the halls of the Red Keep, rarely ever saying a word, but he was always there. Now he refused to meet her eyes, and she wondered if she lost her only friend in the world.
She needed to do something, because she knew, If there was ever a day that Joffrey smelt the Tansy on her breath, she knew her days were numbered.
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Tywin is done with Joffrey and with the crown. He's pulling all debts and loans owed to him, and only willing to extend loans to merchants willing to trade with the New Lord of Sea Dragon Point.
Myrcella has been taking Moon tea, provided by Cersei of all people, so she won't have to bring a Joffrey's child into this world.
Jon Snow will be married to Joy Hill, Margaery Tyrell to Robb Stark, Tommen to Arya Stark, and Tywin himself is thinking about marrying into a Reach house.