The Last Svea

by Micmarj

For seventeen years Charles XII has been exiled in Braavos. The once glorious house Svea lost almost everything in Robert's rebellion. Charles' father, Lann Lannister who was Tywin's firstborn son, perished at the Trident. Charles' mother died giving birth to him. The last Svea now returns to Westeros seeking his grandfather's approval and glory for his crumbling house.

6. Chapter 5

Author's note:

Hello dear readers. It may be a bit random to post the first AN in chapter 5, but I did not think it entirely necessary until this point. I figured you guys deserved some explanations. Better late than never I suppose. In Chapter 1 the author usually writes an Author's Note explaining the rules for the fanfic. But I skipped this since I view the entire first chapter as a set up to the story.

But here is some more info for you as a thank you for sticking with the story: Yes this is an AU (Obviously). The timeline of the story is at the beginning of the show. A majority of aspects are borrowed from the books, but I imagine all the characters looking like they do in the show. Since I have created house Svea, a few things have changed. Most of the changes should be known when you have read this far. The only other major character I have created that alters the timeline is Lann. The reason for Lann's existence is so Charles can be related to the Lannister's without messing too much with the other Characters' backstory. If he were Jaime, Cersies or Tyrion's son that would have changed the premise significantly. And Lann, rest his soul, is a lovely character anyway.

As a Swedish Game of Thrones fan who has seen the major cracks that have formed since the show went from season 5 to 7, and as an enthusiast of Swedish history I decided to mesh two of my great interests to explore the wonders of Westeros in a different light. Especially now when the show dissatisfies my passion for GOT.

A huge shoutout to my friend who helps me form this story. This is a passion project of ours. I have many chapters planned out. Probably material for 20 chapters at the moment. But more is coming steadily. Charle's fate has therefore not been sealed. His story is shaped by the choices he makes. So I don't know myself where he will land.

You can expect an update at least every month. But my goal is always every week, which usually turns to every two weeks.

I think I have rambled on for some time now. Please feel free to review. If it either is criticism, thoughts, theories, or even hopes of what Charles will do. I love them, and I will respond to all reviews. If I can quote Jpena: "The more reviews, the faster the updates." It's just logic ;)

---

"Morning guards" Charles greeted when entering the courtyard. Two men stood posted at the outdoor. Workers could be seen collecting water from the pond.

"Morning m'lord."

Charles yawned and turned to the soldiers.

"Quiet night?" It was a ridiculous question, but he wanted to entertain the poor souls who were ensnared in this monotone duty.

"As always."

"So do you have something to pass the time while standing there?"

The guard to the left looked at his partner and shrugged "Talk sometimes." then he added jokingly "If the company is preferable."

Charles could have sworn he saw the second guard raise his eyebrows before responding.

"Well, we have only been positioned here for two and a half hours."

Charles bowed his head "Well keep at it, boys!"

After eating a fast breakfast, he once again ascended the steps of the great tower. Eager to hear the result of his assignment. Creylen sat at his desk and sealed a freshly written letter.

"Aa good morning. Had a pleasant sleep?"

"Morning maester, Indeed I had"

With a loud sigh, Charles took a seat in front of Creylen. He placed both his arms on the table and leaned over with an expecting expression.

"How was the essay?"

Creylen placed the sealed letter by the side and clasped his hands together.

"Well I must say, I was impressed actually. I had expected less. The grammar, the spelling." he paused "And the exposition is quite excellent. I don't think we need to work at this."

"Really?"

"No, its evident that Lord Tywin's money invested in your tutoring has been put to good use. I did not find more than one spelling mistake." Creylen picked up the essay and placed it in front of Charles. Then the maester moved his finger to the first neatly written paragraph.

"Here, you see this word…." Charles looked closer and saw the tidy word 'Extermenate.'

"It should be an 'I' there."

"Aha..." Came the words from the young student, but his thoughts sung a different song. "Damn." Or in the words of Gared who were one of the soldiers that accompanied him to Westeros: "Fucking oversights." Gared had miscounted his dice during a game of Farkle; that victory had been sweet.

Creylen collected the papers again. "But otherwise very good."

"Thank you."

"Have you written many essays in your tutoring?"

Charles thought for a moment. "Well, It was the main thing Myron focused on. There is no hindrance to all the imagination you can put into writing."

The maester eyed his pupil with fascination. "I saw that in your exposition, introduction, and ending. It was booked together excellently. So we don't need to work with this. I had expected to dedicate more than a week on this."

"Great then we can get ahead," Charles spoke with satisfaction.

Creylen nodded and reached into his shelf to pull out three scrolls. He unfolded the map on the table while saying "I thought that we could discuss some of the areas and rivers of the Westerlands."

The rest of the morning Creylen lectured Charles on a few rivers and terrains. One of the regions that peaked extra interest for the young Svea was Ashmark, which was entirely protected by mountains.

"Now I think its time for a break. You can go and have a meal. I need to write some letters. "

As his new routine dictated, he headed to Benedict after eating to develop his swordplay.

When his students were geared and rounded up the master at arms bellowed "Today we are practicing defense."

Charles dueled with Robar, one of the guards. During training, Benedict walked off to greet a stranger clad in crimson that conversated with Choren and Damion. Benedict then wandered back while the rest of the group headed for Tywin's office.

"Alright, keep it up! Wilhelm, Martyn you two against Charles."

The two boys got some hits on their opponent. But the young Svea managed quite well to keep his two opponents at bay. Charles always tried to maneuver himself, so he only faced one opponent at a time. He had learned many different techniques, and his specialty was quickness. Although it was hard dueling two opponents that were going berserk, Charles dodged and evaded. He shifted his body fluidly which was an easier feat without armor. The two Lannister boys, therefore, had a hard time hitting him. In the corner of his eye, Charles could see that they had an audience. The closest posted guards and the workers by the pond viewed them intently. Even the kitchen personal poked out their heads from the entrance.

At this moment Charles truly felt at home.

When Whilhem stood disarmed and Martyn laid panting on the ground the master at arms called out.

"Alright, Charles"

"Yes"

"You will fight against Robar and Joryn."

Charles viewed his two new opponents. Now, this was going to a challenge. Martyn and Wilhelm were children, so handling them had not been too difficult. Robar was brawny, and Joryn was roughly his height. He had dueled both of them individually, and they had proven to be adept fighters. Charles prepared himself with a righteous smirk. Never feeling disheartened by a challenge.

They clashed. The young Svea were forced into to the defensive as both his opponents mercilessly slashed with great intensity. Joryn aimed a cleave towards Charles' shoulder simultaneously as Robar thrust towards his chest, their swords collided. Jorryn knocked Robar's sword into a hit onto Charles left arm. The young Svea hissed in pain, but he managed to parry the next strike from Jorryn and twirled his body, so Jorryn was placed behind Robar. As he had predicted, Robar who had just refound his grip on the sword attacked him head-on, blocking out his ally instead of letting him recover. Charles knew that the brawny guard had longer arms and preferred to strike in a safe reach, so he pressed his advantage and used his superior speed to attack in a flurry of blows. His closeness and pace drove Robar to take a huge step backward. To Charles' great delight, Robar collided with Jorryn who had not entierly recovered. In Robar's confusion, Charles quickly slashed and disarmed his opponent. The young Svea then placed the practice sword on Robar's neck.

"I yield" The guard exhaled. Then Robar started laughing "Not bad."

Charles felt incredibly smug and shot a glance towards Benedict to see if the master at arms had seen his victory. But Benedict had his attention elsewhere. Choren had run up to talk with the master at arms.

Charles turned back to Jorryn who had pushed Robar aside and placed himself in a high guard.

The combatant's focus was suddenly averted by Benedict's mighty voice "Alright everybody, listen up. Ser Brax will take over the education from here. I need to go to a meeting."

As Benedict walked of Choren stepped forward.

"We will duel two against two, so pair up everyone."

Jorryn grunted but grabbed the sword that laid on the ground and pushed it into Robar's Chest. Martyn ran up to Charles and tugged his sleeve.

"I want to fight with you."

Charles nodded distantly. He had his focus on Benedict who met up with a group of four people outside of his grandfather's office. One of them looked to be Tywin himself. The assembly then headed off. Charles wondered which room this meeting was located. But his curiosity was interrupted by Robar.

"Are you waiting for us to yield without a fight 'Lord Charles'?"

After an additional hour of training, Choren called out "That will be all for today. Now everyone can go and wash up."

Charles did just that. When he had slipped into fresh clothes, he decided it was time to visit the barracks and see how the gang that had escorted him to Westeros held up.

"M'lord" A guard called Alar breathed as Charles entered the crowded building.

"Sorry boys, I would have visited sooner. But my grandfather commanded me to resume my education. So my days have been quite busy." He clapped the guard called Gared on the shoulder.

Gared dropped the dice he held in his hands on the table and grinned foolishly.

"Well, we did not expect you anyway." Then he looked over the table and erupted in his standard donkey laughter.

Charles beamed and looked at Alar who rolled his eyes and sighed. The young Svea settled down with the soldiers and shared a drink. They talk about epic bandit raids, Charles shared some of his stories from Braavos. None of the guards had been to the place where he grew up. The young Svea drank some of the soldier's beer, but mostly to be polite. The guards were not drunk either but there was a jolly atmosphere. After a lengthy discussion, they reached the topic of patrol and rotations.

"All of us are only guarding the upper levels. So we are Tywin's Private household guard. We usually stand posted three hours in a shift." Said Alar

"And how is ser Sterlan?" Charles asked while raising the tankard to his mouth.

"Well, he does not say much, uses few words. Strict" Alar responded quickly, but his tone was filled with respect.

Gared laughed "Well you could almost say he is as strict as Tywin."

Alar placed a palm over his face "That's not really funny."

"Oh sorry m'lord. But his name is Sterlan after all so if he wasn't stern it would be a disappointment." The donkey sound erupted from the guard.

"You have to excuse Gareds bad jokes." Alar's face twisted comically "Imagine that we are usually posted together. So nine hours in a row listening to his jokes" He sighed "Uh gosh. Sometimes I could fling myself from the rock."

Charles laughed heartily then he looked to Alar. "So when does your shift start? Do you have a night shift?"

"Great right... I don't know when it starts though. They ring the bell, and then we know."

"Well keep at it," Charles said while standing. "I think its time for dinner.

"Thank you for your company m'lord" Alar said while bowing his head respectfully.

The young Svea returned the courtesy "See you around the rock."

On his way to the dining hall, Charles spotted Choren walking across the courtyard. He quickened his pace to stroll beside the knight.

"How are you doing" Choren asked with a smile.

"Have you dinned yet?"

"No" The dashing knight turned his head.

"Then let's go." He was responded with a nod and the two men headed to the dining hall.

"I saw someone new arriving during sparring."

"Oh, that was Ser Casper Lannister, head of the fleet."

"And they all went off to some meeting?" Curiosity burned inside Charles.

Choren answered nonchalantly "Well yes, Tywin's household had a meeting. The council of the castle."

They young Svea wished he could be part of the council it would indeed prove interesting. Then he asked a bit confused "You are not part of the council?"

"Ehm no... I actually have no official position. I'm a Sworn sword to Tywin. One of his personal knights. "

"So if there is a mission you are one of the first to be commissioned?"

Choren sat down at a table an said with a sigh "Yeah, but I don't want any more than that. I don't crave an official position. It's nothing I can handle at the moment."

"Why not?" Charles inquired perplexed. How come Choren had no higher ambitions when his own meant everything to him.

"It's a lot of responsibility. A lot of work. Right now I just want to live in the moment. Have some guard duties here and there and commit to my training."

"What about some extra purpose? Some adventure" Charles called raising his fork which had impaled a potato.

"Well adventure I have nothing against, but if I, for example, were master at arms. It's work all day."

"Hmm.." Charles thought out loud. Then he remembered his discussion with Damion. Work could certainly take its toll on a person.

Choren continued with a bit more excitement "But I enjoy when I'm sent on missions, escorting you her for example." Then he paused and continued with a more somber tone. "But Tywin is usually at the rock. So I don't get to travel a lot. But Sometimes I go on missions."

"Perhaps someday we will go on a mission." Charles said uplifting.

"Yeah, that would be fun. You are good company."

Charles nodded with a grin "The feeling is mutual. Can't imagine how it would have been if I was accompanied by Sterlan all the way."

This made Choren snicker "Well he is quite the man. But he is effective."

"Sure, but I appreciate there was a welcoming person to acquaint me with the area. I was pretty nervous as you can understand."

Choren swallowed and looked at his companion and spoke warmly "And how do you feel now? Feel at home?"

Charles studied the dining hall watching the servants walk across the room and clean the table. Then he saw maester Creylen through the exit heading for his tower. He felt very comfortable.

"Indeed I do. Although, I have to say my grandfather is very... on point. Hopefully, I will get a chance to prove my self." His hand went to the handle of Vasa while he viewed Choren determined. "I will start by doing all I can with my education. Hopefully, I will meet the rest of my family once I'm done. Have you ever been to Kingslanding?"

Choren leaned back with what looked to be a bitter expression. "No I have not. I have only been in the Westerlands. Perhaps rode past the borders into the Riverlands."

"Tournament?"

"No a scouting mission. I and some of Tywins men met with one of the lords there. A border dispute."

Charles nodded and continued feasting on his pork.

"So can you tell me something about the Brax family?"

"Well, my cousin's branch of the family rules the Hornvale. When I was young, I did not want to spend my entire life in the place I was born." Chore made a hand motion "Gets so boring. So I set out and a few years later I got into the service of Lord Tywin."

Intrigued Charles inquired "How did that come to pass?"

The dashing knight put his fork on the table and exhaled. "Well, I was at a tournament." Then he quickly cut in as he saw Charles' excitement "Not participating though." Then Coren continued "Lord Tywin was there, and we spoke at the dinner, and I asked him if he had a place in his household." He clasped his hands together "Then I was allowed to come here. Not as a Sworn sword though, merely a courtier. I spoke more with him as the time passed, and I think he enjoyed my company, to the extent he can enjoy anyone's company. He wanted a Sworn sword to send on missions. Ser Sterlan can't be sent away all the time. So I have been a sworn Sword to him for almost three years now."

Charles wasn't overly impressed with the story. He had thought something more intriguing placed Choren at Casterly Rock. There was also a small feeling of jealousy building inside him. His grandfather probably enjoyed Choren's company more than his. Still, it was quite a feat to be selected by Tywin Lannister.

"Are there many Sworn swords in his service?"

"Well, he has many knights under his command. But I'm the only knight sworn to him directly."

This made the young Svea more impressed. "Interesting. Then that is quite an honor."

Choren waved his hand dismissively "He does not really need many knights sworn to him that way."

To think Choren filled the spot of a singular position after a meeting on a tournament. One he did not even participate in. Charles had never been to such a magnificent spectacle. But he hoped to sign up to the lists and hopefully win one day.

"How often are there tournaments?"

Choren pondered for a moment. "Depends. We had one two months ago In Lannisport. Although, King Robert hosts many tournaments. I think he had one a week or so ago."

"Any special celebration?"

"I think it was called 'the summer tournament.'" Choren scoffed "It is actually the fourth 'summer tournament.' He likes tournaments our King. There are always generous prizes."

"Have you participated in a Tournament?" Charles asked as he finished the last scrap on his plate.

Choren took a sip from his wine goblet. "Yes, three. All of them in Lannisport."

"And how did it go?" Charles asked with expecting excitement.

Chore grinned in response "Quite good actually. I was knighted after my first tournament. I defeated five knights in a row." As Charles' eyes widened in aw Choren raised both hands and added modestly "I have been training a big portion of my life to do well in the tournaments."

"I want to train for tournaments." The young Svea spoke with resolve.

"I spoke to Maester Creylen. You are going to train lance and horse."

Charles felt content and looked to his clean plate and yawned "I think I will go to my reading now."

"We will speak later." Choren said and inclined his head.

The next day Charles bumped into Sterlan on his way to breakfast. He tried to small talk, but the commander of the household guard unsurprisingly seemed very disinterested. He managed to escape the conversation with enough grace and settle down to eat. From the high table, he had a decent view over the courtyard. Charles could observe what Sterlan had been so focused on. Passing by were the commander of the household guard and three additional soldiers. Sterlan walked in front of two soldiers who carried a chest. Most likely filled with gold. The third guard walked behind. It looked to be completely routine.

When he was finished, Charles thanked the staff for the meal and headed for the maester's tower for his lecture.

"We will continue to discuss the principal families of the Westerlands," Creylen announced after Charles had taken a seat.

The three coming days Charles read his book and attended the theoretical and physical lessons. Additionally, he spent some time with Wilhelm and Martyn and conversated with Alar and some of the other guards. On the third day as he exit after breakfast, Casper Lannister went to greet him.

"Charles is it?"

The young Svea bowed his head "And you must be Ser Casper Lannister, head of the Lannister fleet. It's a pleasure." They shook hands, and Charles added: "I saw you a few days ago."

"Yes, I apologies for not introducing myself earlier. Attending the fleet is busy work. So I am not at the Rock often. Mostly urgent matters brings me here."

Charles completely understood and asked with analytical curiosity "How large is our fleet?"

Casper gestured past the Tower were the sea lay hidden. "Well, the lords who have ships gives them to our command effective immediately. So we have a hundred ships at our disposal."

"Ready to Crush a Greyjoy raid?" Charles added with a smirk.

"Hah, I wish. But those cowards are at their islands after we crushed them last time. Many of our ships are patrolling the sea borders in case the Greyjoys would attempt something. Either way, it keeps the crew occupied. Its boring just sitting in Lannisport."

"Which is superior in battle a Lannister Warship or a Greyjoy Warship?" The young Svea inquired wanting to know from an expert.

"It depends.." Casper started to say, and Charles could not help to think 'doesn't it always.' But he continued to listen "...which ship design it is, who fires first, the experience of the crew. The Greyjoy are quite good at naval warfare. Their ships are fast, but our ships are usually stronger. Afterall, we have more gold to invest in equipment."

Charles opened his mouth to talk, but he was interrupted by a voice behind his back.

"Lord Tywin requests to see you in his office."

Charles turned around, and indeed it was a guard. He looked over at Casper who smiled politely.

"Its just as well, I need to get back to work."

So the last Svea and the head of the fleet went their separate ways. Charles walked to the study and took his normal seat in front of the desk. Tywin sat with his hands together and viewed his grandson formally.

"Having a good time here?"

Charles who sat straight smiled at his grandfather and answered. "Very. I also appreciate the education. I am doing the best I can."

A sound of recognition of Charles statement left Tywin.

"Maester Creylen says you are doing fine. You are achieving over expectation. It seems my payments in your education has paid off."

There was a small curve on Tywin's lips. Charles swelled with Pride, even though his grandfather had the look of a man who had found two gold dragons in a stash he had simply stored one.

"I am glad you think so."

Tywins blue-green eyes narrowed somewhat, and he lightly tilted his head before stating "Today you are going with Ser Choren to Practice your riding. You need to be able to command a horse in battle."

Charles nodded, excitement displayed in his identical eyes.

Tywin stacked a few empty papers on the table as he continued.

"Ser Choren is already on the ground floor. So I will have two guards escort you down to the main entrance. You will stay at the lower levels for a few days. So you have easy access to the training."

Tywin looked at his grandson as he finished his sentence in a very formal tone. After a small moment of silence, Charles understood that was the end of it and stood. He bowed and said "Very well" before he left the room. Charles had been burning to ask about his father at every meeting with Tywin. But his grandfather was very evident in his dismissals, so he had not dared.

"Well Well" The familiar voice could be heard as Charles stepped into the courtyard. He immediately recognized the two guards standing before him.

"Gared, Alar"

Gared nudged the young Svea lightly on the shoulder "Well lucky you; we are your escort haha."

"Maybe not so lucky." Charles said and winked at Alar.

"But you will keep Gared at bay won't you?"

Alar sighed "Well I am trying my best. Not that I have found any progress with it."

The journey down through The Rock was significantly faster and as Charles noted: definitely not as tiring. They soon reached the gate where Choren and four more soldiers stood mounted.

"Time for the twelfth field marshal to finally get proper guidance in the art of riding." Choren said in a jest-mock voice as Charles mounted.

Charles shot the dashing knight his best cocky grin. "Try to keep up will you." Then he spurred his horse forward leaving a laughing Choren behind.

They rode out from The Rock some 250 meters. The place chosen for practice was a grass plane with a few sprouted trees. The guards stoped in a line out of the way while Charles and Choren halted, so their horses were facing each other. Choren drew two practice swords and handed one to Charles.

"Alright, now we will train so you can fight while mounted on a horse."

They troted their mounts forward, so they were parallel. Then they commenced dueling while mounted. It was tiring, and Charles found it hard to keep up with Chorens blows while adjusting to his horse's movement. It proved a formidable challenge and Choren was far superior.

They then proceed to train charging towards each other, then halt and duel. The next element was hitting targets with the sword while the horse was in full gallop. After a few hours of labor, they took a break and rode back to eat lunch inside the gates. After resting an hour, they headed back out to continue. The training progressed until supper. When they were done, Charles felt completely drained. He was drenched in sweat, and so was Choren. Only the guards were still fresh.

Charles got temporary quaters at the bottom, where he rested and ate. He wanted to read but had no energy. Day two they continued exercising the same things. On day three they used a lance. Before lunch, he trained hitting a hay man while charging. It was very monotonous, but Charles found it incredibly entertaining. He, after all, aspired to get better so he could eventually win a tournament. The last hour he practiced riding up close to Choren, so he was in the lance's hitting radius. Day four they continued with the lance and Charles asked a lot of questions wanting to know all he could.

The entire training session lasted six days total. At the sixth day, Charles' legs were aching and his body wasted. They had a resting day, and on day eight they moved towards the top. The trip up was not enjoyable, his whole body ached. It felt like his lower body were shaped according to the saddle.

"Well, we are back," Choren called out as they entered the familiar courtyard.

Charles sighed in exhaustion. Ready to commit to theoretical exercise. Tiredly Charles pointed to his left.

"Lets have some dinner then."

They were served pigeon pie, and the two men ate in relative silence. Both tired after the week. Charles saw with heavy eyes as a mouse ran across the floor.

Charles yawned but pushed himself up. "Now to the Maester."

Choren blinked twice then he said amused "Perhaps you should rest for the remainder of the day and take care of that tomorrow."

Charles felt like slumping back into his chair, but his hand found the sword handle, and he took a deep breath. With determination, he spoke "Perhaps, but I will go and speak with Creylen anyway."

When his tired legs finally took him up the last step into the maester's office, he saw in his dismay that Creylen wasn't there.

He viewed the extra set of stairs leading up to the rookery with malice. But he managed to climb up and to Charle's great relief he saw the maester feeding some ravens in their cage.

"Aa it was some days ago you were here last" Creylen called out as he noticed who had arrived.

Charles leaned against the wall "Indeed, I'm exhausted but ready for any assignment."

Creylen raised an eyebrow but smiled "Rest, and we will talk tomorrow."

It felt like a miracle as Charles stood before his feather bed. He plummeted into the inviting silks and almost fell asleep with his clothes on.

With renewed energy, Charles greeted the maester the next day.

"I have a new task," Creylen announced. "I want you to write an essay about critical houses sworn to house Lannisters and some of the basic geography of the Westerlands. Descriptions of their lands, what rivers that pass through, forests, Roads and such."

"A long essay then."

Creylen nodded confirmingly "We are talking at least thirty pages."

Charles' eyes widened, it would be the longest text he had written. But he quickly collected himself.

"How many days?"

"Well, how many do you think you need? I will give you a week."

"Very well" Charles answered after a moment of consideration. He would try his best to finish ahead of time as always.

Creylen reached behind his desk and plucked a few items from a shelf. "I have brought you some books. Four different that you can use as sources. I think they will serve you well."

The young Svea received the books and gave Creylen a resolute look. "I will start immediately."

He tackled the challenge with the outmost concentration possible, spending as much time writing imaginable each day. He ate fast meals and limited the reading time of his war book. But he stilled spared two hours every afternoon. Four days into the assignment a guard ascended the steps into the tower where Charles sat engulfed in his scribbling. He immediately understood what his business was.

When Charles entered Lord Tywin's study, his grandfather wasn't sitting behind his desk. He stood looking out of a window at the back of his office. His arms placed behind his back.

"You called for me, grandfather." Charles carefully announced. Not knowing if he had noticed his entrance.

Tywin turned and gestured to the usual chair and spoke calmly "Charles, you can sit."

As the young Svea obliged his grandfather turned and resumed to look out of the window. It was dead silent in the room. Charles shifted nervously in his seat as his grandfather ominously looked through the glass. Charles could see Tywin's reflection, he looked to be in deep thought.

As the young Svea started to wonder if he was expected to say something Tywin reached with his arm and picked up a wine goblet. He took a sip and momentarily glanced out the window. Then he put the goblet down and walked to his desk where he stopped, standing behind his chair.

"I hear you make improvements. Is maester Creylan good to you?" Tywin finally spoke in his deep voice. His tone sounded softer than usual.

Charles was a bit confounded with his grandfather's concern but answered "Well yes, we are getting along just well. He is a knowledgeable man, and I relish the opportunity to learn as much as I can from him."

"Good" Tywin uttered quietly. More to himself. Then he slowly paced around the chair and leaned against the edge of the table.

"And your training with Ser Choren and Ser Benedict?" Tywin inquired regarding Charles from his diagonal standpoint.

"Progressing. Working on my defense." While Charles was talking Tywin stepped from the table and turned his back to his grandson eyeing a bookcase while listening. He then rotated his body establishing eye contact as Charles continued to say:

"And my offense and the riding practice is going very well."

Again his grandfather was on the move. Charles felt incredibly confused as his he followed Tywin with his gaze. Between the space of Charles' chair and the desk, the lord of Casterly Rock settled. He leaned against the table, facing Charles who was sitting in front of him.

Feeling encouraged with the closeness Charles added "I hope to participate in a tourney in the future. To see the results pay off."

"Well, first you need to train more. So you don't embarrass yourself." Tywin answered, but it did not sound as harsh as it could have been.

Identical eyes met. "Of course. I would never dream of it." Charles spoke with resolve. If he had hoped to impress the elder he had been wrong for the next words that Tywin spoke stung.

"Your house has been an embarrassment to the entire realm."

Charles averted his eyes and looked into the floor not knowing what to respond.

Tywin continued "You will not go in that footstep." There was a higlight in his voice as he said YOU. Charles looked back at his grandfather.

"You need to be smarter than your father was." Tywin eyed him meaningly.

"My father…." Charles started. This was his chance to inquire some truth about Lann and Tywin's relationship. But he decided to tackle it softly "...What was his role in the Lannister family?"

There was a short silence as Tywin looked at Charles intently. The deadness of the room and the intenseness of his grandfather's gaze started to form cold sweat on the young man's brow. Perhaps he spoke out of term to soon.

But to his surprise, there wasn't coldness in Tywin's voice as he spoke. Instead, his tone was considerate. "You know where your father's name originates right?"

"Yes, Lann the clever" Charles answered carefully.

"Exactly. Lann the clever founded this house thousands of years ago." There was a short break in his speech as his voice turned bitter and his gaze vacant. "But Lann was not clever. If he were recorded by the maesters, he would probably be known as Lann the stupid." Tywin reestablished eye contact "He abandoned his family. And Me his father. To fight for your house, the Svea."

Charles felt honor bound to say something in his father's defense, especially since his grandfather's last statement seemed like a personal attack.

"But he was wed to my mother. Wasn't he bound to defend her?"

Tywin scoffed "Well it was King Aerys who brought him into house Svea." He paused and resumed his lecturing voice "Anyway he made a fool out of himself and turned his back on his family to fight for the mad king."

"It was foolish…" Charles concurred silently. Tywin eyed him approvingly.

"You have a chance to reshape your house. And make sure you do not abandon your real family. The Lannisters."

Charles was silent, but his face was determined. His grandfather moved even closer, his gaze penetrating.

"I want you to remember that. Who your true family is."

The last statement fed Charles' need of proving his worth. He would make it his life duty to live up to his grandfather's expectations. As Tywin sat down in his own chair on the other side of the desk, Charles met the expecting look and uttered "Always."

Tywins facial features turned smug for a moment "Next week I will have Ser Choren bring you down again to practice with the horse. For now, you can focus on your essay."

Charles recognized the dismissive last sentence but felt extra bold after his declaration of loyalty and spoke "If I may ask grandfather. What happened to Three crowns after the war?"

Tywin narrowed his eyes. "You can go" His voice was cold as ice.

Charles got chills down his spine and stumbled out of the office pale. He cursed himself for the foolish question when otherwise the discussion had gone so well.

"Aa had a meeting with your loving grandfather?"

Charles spun around to see Choren Brax leaning against one of the pillars by the pond. Upon seeing the knight, some of the color returned to his face.

"Always a cheerful exit." Charles muttered.

He ate in the hall while Choren stood by his side.

"Well, we are going to continue mounted training," Charles said, trying to lighten his own mood.

"Next week I heard. After your essay is done."

"Yes.."

He would have to compensate and finish his work as soon as possible. To prove that he had his focus in the right place. But he still had some ten pages left to write, so he needed to return to the task.