It had taken time, far too much time for them to reach Winterfell from King's Landing, the pace of their marc had actually decreased once passing into the North with all the southerners complaining about the drop in temperature and the almost constantly cloudy sky.
Lucian himself cared little about the cold. He had pushed the news of his marriage aside since it had been revealed to him and ignored it. It would do no good to brood on the fact he was to be married and to hate his father for it. He should've been expecting this for a long time and yet he'd been a fool and thought it would never come. He should hate himself not his father, so he had pushed it aside and returned to seeing his father in the highest esteem.
The remainder of the trips time had been largely concerned with Tyrion who had become angry with Lucian when he did not permit him to go whoring about the camp or to drink in excess.
The twins had spoken with each other to pass the time and once Jaime had even joined them with grin and all. As the three had ridden together it had hit Lucian just how long it had been since all three of them had simply been together and laughed with one another, all that was missing was Cersei although Cersei never laughed when Tyrion was present.
As they approached the thick walls of Winterfell Lucian pushed his horse so it rode in alongside the queens carriage turning to Tyrion to ensure he was there too only to realise he was not with him. Lucian craned his neck back but could not see his twin as they rode in under the arch and into Winterfell, he would find his brother later.
Leading the procession was Joffrey along with the Hound, Joffrey had insisted he be on a horse when they entered Winterfell instead of in the carriage he had been in since the start of the journey.
The courtyard was packed with individuals as the procession rode in, the queen's carriage rumbling loudly beside Lucian as he took in the Stark household.
The carriage was at the head of the procession with the king only a little behind them, Jaime rode just in front of the carriage. As the carriage stopped Lucian stayed mounted and inspected the members of the family he was planning to impress.
It was no mystery who Eddard Stark was, he stood tall and muscled but he looked old too. His face looked gaunt but kind at the same time that was a rare thing in most any people. To his left stood his auburn haired wife Catelyn Stark standing tall as the king's procession slowly filed in.
To Lord Eddard's right stood a boy who must be at a height with Lucian, his black hair and composure marking him as Robb Stark, eldest son of Lord Eddard, he had inherited the kindness and the sense of honour that emanated from his father, by the son stood a shorter auburn haired girl who seemed tall for what Lucian guessed was twelve. She had inherited nearly ever feature from her mother looking every bit the southern lady, Sansa Stark was the name of that one. Next along was a girl who looked more like her father than her mother, looking almost defiant as Lucian quickly scanned her, Arya Stark and by Arya stood the short boy who looked like a younger version of his brother, Brandon Stark. Little Rickon Stark stood by his mother staring at the entire event in near awe as Robert Baratheon himself rode forth into the clearing.
All the gathered individuals bowed to one knee as the king struggled to get off his horse. Lucian saw Lord Eddard give a little glance up in what could me mild amusement before the king marched up to his childhood friend.
There was silence for a good few seconds before the king made a small motion with his hand for Lord Eddard to rise. "You've got fat," were the words that came once Eddard had risen along with the rest. A single look from Eddard said it all. If Lord Eddard was fat then the king was gargantuan.
Suddenly they were both laughing and embracing and Lucian had lost interest. He had not spoken to his grace since the news of his staying in King's Landing and had no desire to since but it was obvious that Robert Baratheon was not all just wine and fat just yet as he laughed and greeted his childhood friend.
Lucian dismounted his steed as the queen's carriage was opened up and Cersei strode outwards walking over to her husband. Jaime dismounted next to Lucian looking about him dully and without much excitement and Lucian had to share that look.
The way northerners told it Winterfell was magnificent but it wasn't. It was cold and gloomy, hardly comparable to the jewel that was Casterly Rock or even King's Landing, and it seemed like an awfully dull and boring place.
Lucian watched as Robert had Eddard lead him down to the crypts, it was no secret why Robert Baratheon wanted to go down there. Robert had been in love with Lyanna Stark, Eddard's sister, before Rhaegar Targaryen had kidnapped her and killed her starting Robert's rebellion for the throne against mad King Aerys.
"Where's the imp?" asked Arya Stark.
"Shut up!" came the abrupt reply from her sister making Lucian chuckle slightly. Cersei turned to them both.
"Where is our brother?" she asked eyeing Lucian in an almost expectant way. When Lucian shrugged slightly she turned fully to Jaime, "go and find the little beast." Lucian swore he saw Jaime roll his eyes slightly before swiftly swinging up onto his mount in a flash of white and driving his horse back out the way they had come. Apparently Jaime knew something Lucian did not.
…
That night a feast was held in Winterfell to celebrate the king's arrival to the holding. Lucian had changed into a grander set of clothing in his chambers, which had been supplied by Lord and Lady Stark, he had intended to meet with Tyrion too but had not seen him since the Kingsroad and had no clue where his quarters were. So instead Lucian dressed himself as was expected before heading off for the great hall of Winterfell, which was already packed.
Lucian walked over to the small group of individuals to see Tyrion who was smiling gleefully, before Lucian could say anything the doors swung open and the couples we moving. Lord Eddard appeared to be going first with Cersei at his arm followed up by the king and Catelyn Stark. Little Rickon Stark had no partner and seem to simply want to follow his mother as the procession headed off. He was followed by his oldest brother Robb Stark who held Marcella on his arm making Lucian smile slightly, even more so at Marcella's shy looks towards Robb. Arya Stark was paired with bright Prince Tommoen, the girl looked murderous and the other girl, Sansa, was paired with Joffrey who seemed to be playing the gallant Prince today although he looked rather bored.
Lucian followed in directly behind Jaime and Tyrion who walked by one another as they strode up the aisle. Lucian scanned quickly other the gathered men and his eyes locked onto a boy who looked almost more like Ned Stark than his eldest son. The bastard. Lucian had heard about Jon Snow at Casterly Rock and Jaime had mentioned the boy often liking to point out that Ned Stark couldn't be completely honourable if he fathered a bastard. It seemed he had been forced amongst the commoners for this particular feast.
Benjen Stark and Stark's ward Theon Greyjoy, who smiled knowingly at half the maids already serving up small portions of food, took the rear of the procession.
Lucian was given a seat right at the end of the high table next to Tyrion whilst the feast began and the wine flowed. The moment everyone turned back to his or her tables Lucian turned on Tyrion.
"Where were you earlier?" he asked seriously as Tyrion waggled his eyebrows and drank down a whole goblet of wine before a serving boy ran over to refill it immediately.
"I find Winterfell dull, I needed some excitement."
"You mean you needed a whore."
"Call it what you will it distracted me all the same," Tyrion spoke as the first plates were served and he began to eat, Lucian did not yet.
"Father instructed-"
"Our beloved father isn't here."
"I'm here to enforce his demands Tyrion."
"What are you Lucian some overly dressed soldier?" scoffed Tyrion downing more wine, "we all have our ways of relieving ourselves. Is it so bad I indulge myself?" Lucian stopped Tyrion from drinking more wine by putting his land on top of the goblet.
"It is when it involves going against our fathers wishes." Tyrion tilted his head in interest at Lucian before replying.
"Tell me Lucian, I never asked, why is it that whenever father tells you to do something you don't hesitate to do it immediately?" Lucian frowned.
"Father has tended for us and raised us into house Lannister, the least we can do is do as he commands."
"Really?" snapped Tyrion his green eyes suddenly turning to fire, "do indulge me brother, I forget how much love father gave me when I was a child… oh sorry, forgive me, I forget that I still am one." Lucian glared.
"You're no longer a child Tyrion."
"Father would say otherwise," snapped Tyrion instantly, "remind me again Lucian how he made my wife, the only person in my life to ever love me simply for who I was, fuck every single one of the men in the barracks because father had paid her from the start. Tell me again Lucian why the fuck, after all the love you claim to have for me, after all the horrid and spiteful things he has done and said about me, tell me why you still do what he says like a fucking dog." Lucian stared in astonishment as Tyrion pulled out the cup from under his hand before he downed it in one.
Jaime was sitting on Tyrion's other side and gave Lucian a knowing look quickly before looking away as if pretending he couldn't hear the conversation.
Father's done wrong by you too. You thought he cared and loved you and then threw you into a situation you never wanted. Lucian hadn't told Tyrion of the arranged marriage and didn't intend to. It was obvious how much hate father and Tyrion had for each other. Maybe if father had just tried to love him like his other children it would've all been fine… but it wasn't and somehow Lucian always ended up being in the middle of them. Was it so bad to want to love a father and a twin, was that not possible?
"It's my duty," mumbled Lucian.
"It's your duty to care and protect your twin," snarled Tyrion picking at some food and eating it angrily.
"How am I meant to keep a vow to obey my father and a vow to do what's in your interests?" asked Lucian seriously and marked that Jaime shot them a look Lucian didn't understand.
"Prioritise Lucian," Tyrion snapped giving Lucian a angry look, "it's me or him."
"That's not fair."
"Nothing's ever fair Lucian," Tyrion said icily, "and you always have a choice. I can understand if you frown on some of the things I do but you can't allow father to keep ordering you about. Stand up to him, be your own person, stop being his lapdog." Tyrion then turned to Jaime and engaged in conversation leaving Lucian with no one to talk to so he didn't, he just ate and drank.
It's all good and well saying that brother, thought Lucian, but what do you expect from the brother you keep leaving at the Rock with no one but their father to turn to? This was hardly the first time Tyrion had complained about Lucian obeying their father to the letter. Lucian had never seen how he and his father were similar but Tyrion pointed that out too often telling Lucian to stop trying so hard to be someone he shouldn't be. There was the problem. I don't try to be my father, I do what he says because it's my duty but I've been left with only him so often… for so long that it was inevitable that he'd rub off on me… that I may become somewhat like him.
It wasn't Lucian's intention to be Tywin the Second but whether he liked it or not his father had shaped him the most in his life. Tywin had taught him what was right and what was wrong, had taught him most of what he knew about politics and even encouraged Lucian on rare occasions on endeavours. Tyrion would never understand that, could never understand that. Father despised Tyrion and Tyrion held much dislike for father. Tyrion would never understand what Lucian felt for his father.
Lucian was pulled out from his thoughts when men at the tables started joining each other in a loud song roaring with another and laughing at each other. Lucian glanced to his right to see Tyrion and Jaime had both gone. Tyrion wouldn't head to a whorehouse if only for what Lucian had said earlier. As for Jaime… well… he could only hope he stayed in line.
Lucian glanced down the high table. Eddard's brother Benjen had disappeared from the table. Robert Baratheon had embarked into the gathered crowd and found a maid he was now laughing with and groping. Lucian glanced Cersei looking on with cold and hidden eyes, obviously annoyed by the sight Lucian felt some sympathy for her as she coldly took a sip of wine.
Catelyn Stark was looking at the queen with similar sympathy that Lucian felt, glancing down towards Robert Baratheon in hidden disgust. Eddard Stark had left the high table and was milling amongst the individuals at the feast, he was certainly not drunk.
His eyes fell upon the Stark children who all had wide smiles upon their faces. Robb Stark sat with Theon Greyjoy and was laughing with most of the gathered lords, ladies and knights. The boy looked rather handsome, most young men did, Lucian even remembered once when he had been exploring Lannisport he had managed to gain the following of a girl who was related to a high lord. She had kept on pestering him for two years before father had told her to fuck off.
The youngest girl, Arya, was laughing with the men and chatting with some of the northerners and the southerners both. Had Lucian not known she was a girl he may have mistaken her for a boy well on the way to becoming a strong man.
The two younger boys had disappeared from the feast Lucian suspected they had both already gone off to bed. Lucian doubted Lady Stark wanted them hearing the language that had started emanating from most men's mouths.
Lucian's eyes finally found the last auburn haired Stark. Sansa Stark was giggling girlishly with another girl next to her, both dressed in southern dresses. It suited the Stark, Lucian decided, on the other Starks he could only envision them in the grey they had appeared in but the southern dresses worked surprisingly well on the girl.
He saw the girl blush violently as Joffrey turned and caught her eyes before making a small smirk. Lucian may have called it a Lannister Smirk if the smirk had not been so obviously fake. Poor girl. She was entranced with the young prince, the prince she knew nothing about, the prince that Lucian suspected would find enjoyment from murdering a child than kissing a beautiful woman.
There was a look in the young Stark's eyes that made him shake his head in sadness. She was thinking of dreams, fake dreams, dreams that could never become true. She was hoping the story and visions of her imaginations would become real and she would run off with the golden haired prince, she was a fool for it. Lucian even considered walking over to the girl and telling her what a fool she was but thought otherwise.
Let her live in her dreams and let her cry when she realised otherwise, she would become stronger for it.
"Someone caught your eye Lannister?" Lucian turned his head to see Eddard Stark standing there his face cold and stern. Lucian laughed inside as Eddard's eyes eyed Sansa and returned to him. Lucian rose and bowed slightly.
"Lord Eddard, an honour." Lucian said before straightening. Eddard was glaring at him in a way that screamed distrust.
"I wish I could say the same, Lannister, and I would trust you to keep your eyes off my daughter."
"I assure you, Lord Eddard, I have no desires regarding your daughter."
"I would sincerely hope not since she is your future queen." Lucian frowned. What was this development?
"By whose command?"
"By his graces. My daughter is now betrothed to Prince Joffrey and they will marry when they come of age." Lucian noted the note of slight victory in Stark's voice. If this is the game you want to play Stark then it's time to turn the tables.
"I assume that means you have accepted the King's proposal," Lord Eddard's air of superiority faded in a flash but Lucian wasn't done, "I suppose that means you intend to leave your wife and half your family behind? I was under the impression that you loved your family very much."
"Don't talk to me of love and care Lannister." Snarled Stark and Lucian remembered why he was in Winterfell. He was here to ensure peace with the Starks, not poke them.
"I apologise, my lord, I spoke out of place," Lucian glanced at the grey eyes of Lord Stark, which openly told Lucian he thought Lucian was mocking him. He didn't care Lucian had made the effort. Lord Eddard looked Lucian up and down and Lucian raised his eyebrow slightly.
"Was there anything else my lord?"
"You speak big Lannister, like your father, you talk like him, you walk like him, you even act like him and I bet you enjoy that don't you?"
"What brings me enjoyment is my own realm, my lord."
"I know it does. It's the same with your older brother I saw the truth of your family when I saw him there standing over the body of King Aerys. I never understood the anger between our families before I saw that and I realised my family is the one with honour whilst yours is the one without." Lucian felt like hitting Stark but somehow felt that was foolish especially in his own holding, especially when Stark was larger, strong and more experienced than Lucian. Lucian was royally cocking up this mission of a peace treaty. How were you meant to make peace when one party didn't want it?
"It is not my desire to be my father, my lord."
"You're good liars too," Eddard snapped glowering, "you just keep on lying. You'll get to the point that you forget what truths are." At this Lord Eddard walked off leaving Lucian scowling.
I understand why Jaime dislikes him, Lucian thought, he's stubborn. He has his reasons and every right to be stubborn but that doesn't mean you have to be stubborn.
Lucian looked up at the sound of musical instruments, it seemed some individuals had somehow assembled instruments and were now starting up some fast paced and loud songs to dance to. Lucian watched as Robb Stark ushered his sister off smiling softly and Lucian sipped his wine slowly watching as the boy left with his sister.
Lucian looked down the centre of the hall to see Eddard Stark had bumped into Jaime and seemed to be heaving a rather heated discussion Lucian stood and left the high table trying to stop Jaime from saying anything foolish.
By the time Lucian approached him Stark had gone and Jaime was smirking slight, however before Lucian could say a single word a roar sounded.
"LANNISTER!" both Jaime and Lucian turned to the massive and drunken form of Robert Baratheon who was looking on groggily before them. The small band stopped and all froze as Robert looked at them both.
"What is it, your grace?" asked Jaime in a rather bored voice but Robert scoffed.
"Not you Kingslayer." Jaime did not react to the name before turning his eyes to Lucian.
"Your grace?" Lucian spoke honourably bowing his head and Robert snorted heavily.
"Rise you golden headed shit!" Lucian looked up to Robert and quickly glanced to the high table, Cersei had gone maybe even hours ago now Lucian had lost all sense of time. "Tell me," the King roared to the surrounding drunkards, "do you dance Lannister?" there was laughter at this and Lucian felt his heart quicken slightly.
"I'm afraid not your grace."
"Then you do tonight!" he shouted and other roared in approval.
"I'm afraid…" Lucian's eyes quickly latched onto Jaime's, "my older brother is far more talented than I."
"That maybe so but we wouldn't want to stain the Kingslayer's honour now, would we?" laughed Robert and all others laughed with him apart from Jaime and Lucian. Jaime shot Lucian a look saying he deserved his fate before he swept away leaving Lucian in the den of wolves without any fellow lions.
"Your grace-"
"Fuck your excuses," roared Robert slapping a nearby maid on the arse who squealed in a rather comical way, "I've never seen Tywin Lannister dance and you're the closest fucking thing I'm ever going to get. Dance! Your king commands it!" Lucian could feel eyes on him, drunken eyes, amused eyes and wary eyes.
"Your grace-"
"Do it or you'll find yourself a head short." There was no laughter here and Lucian had the dreadful feeling the king was not jesting. He preferred to dance and live than stay stubborn and die.
"I will require music, your grace." The king made a motion and the assembled musicians started playing a fast paced song. Lucian stood there for a bit feeling only embarrassed before grabbing a maid from nearby who had been smiling amusedly and swinging her about.
Lucian had been taught how to dance at Casterly Rock but father had made it clear dancing was for fools and jesters. He should only dance at a wedding at a feast it was unnecessary but it was necessary. The maid's laughter immediately went and she looked shocked as Lucian danced, forcing her feet to move with him.
He could hear the laughs and feel the smirks but he ignored them and the girl he danced with, it was all a show, an elaborate show that was so pointless. The girl was merely a means to an end but somehow it seemed to never stop.
He felt others join in with the dancing and slowly the smirks faded but he kept on going, he didn't know exactly how to stop. The girl span out of his arms before another landed in them and they danced.
They kept passing onwards and onwards, girls going from man to man and dancing continuously. Forgive me father. Should Tywin Lannister learn of this there would never be any forgiveness for Lucian, he would treat Lucian as he did Tyrion.
At some point Lucian ended up holding hands with Catelyn Stark who looked wary as Lucian took her hand and he paused before bowing and kissing her hand like a proper lord.
"My lady, this feast is most spectacular," Catelyn Stark seemed to lighten up slightly there. This woman is not her husband.
"A feast you somehow seemed to have influenced greatly, my lord," suddenly they were dancing the pace of the music had changed and was slower than when it had started. Lucian did not dare try anything daring as he and the lady danced around in circles before he let her go and she fell into the ever widening arms of Robert Baratheon who wasn't truly dancing but more drinking. Lucian wished his best for Lady Stark with that adventure.
Lucian fell back to the real world there looking around. Most people had passed out on the floor others had left the feast entirely. Lucian decided it was time to depart, he moved past dancing couples and out into the cold courtyard.
There was small specks of snow falling about him as he strode through the courtyard and to his chambers where he just lay on his berth for a while looking out of the window he had been granted.
He would forget the dancing, he would not tell anyone about it ever otherwise his father would no longer be an anchor in his life, an anchor he'd needed and an anchor he'd appreciated…
...
Author's Note;
Sorry it took a while to update, updates will not be as frequent as before now that I've got a ton of work to do. I hope to update at least once a week but there's no guarantee. Thanks all who reviewed, it means a lot and I'm happy your enjoying it. There will be a love interest in due course, have no fear, but I want to establish Lucian as a person first before plunging into a romance. See ya'll next time!