Part Three
Note: I also understand that Tyene is older than Rainer by about 4-5 years. I've modified her age so that she is 19-20. Moving on...
At the same time in the Great Sept of Baelor, King's Landing...
Three bodies laid in state, being tended to by the Silent Sisters. A single figure watched as the Silent Sisters went about their work.
Tywin Lannister was many things. Warden of the West. Lord of Casterly Rock. The Savior (and to some, Sacker) of King's Landing. Former Hand to Kings Aerys II Targaryen and Joffrey Baratheon, and current Hand to Queen Myrcella Baratheon.
But now, he was a grieving father, as it was his son, Tyrin, and his (great?) grandsons, Joffrey and Tommen that laid before him. Had it been up to him, he would have not allowed the bodies of Joffrey and Tommen to be placed in state alongside his son. But, as much as it loathes him to admit, Joffrey was the King.
Arm in a sling from a crossbow bolt injury, Tywin was the only member of the Lannisters present, as everyone else was back in the Red Keep, under guard. For the moment, he wanted to be alone. He didn't want no one to see him grieving over his son, his lost heir. He considered Tyrin to be his true son, a true Lannister, unlike Cersei, Tyrion or Jamie.
Tywin frowned. Jamie. He was thinking about his - or rather, his former - eldest son yet again. He had always believed that his eldest son was a fool in defending Elia and her children, that eliminating the old regime would pave the way of a Lannister dynasty that would have lasted for 1,000 years.
Tywin had thought that by disowning his son, that Jamie would fail. He was wrong.
He was known as the most feared man in Westeros, and for good reason. After what he had done to House Tarbeck and House Reyne, no one in their right mind wanted 'The Rains of Castamere' played over their House, should they rise against him. He prided himself on being five steps ahead of his enemies. When they retreated, he attacked. If he knew of dissension in the ranks, he'd exploit it. He had plans for every scenario in which he would be the one standing tall.
He just didn't expect his eldest son to rebel against him in the aftermath of the Rebellion which had put the Baratheons into power. Or the fact that he found the lost Lannister ancestral sword whilst overseas. Or the fact that Lord Stark made him a Lord of the North, which to him, was a slap to the face. Or that he founded a prosperous mining and trading town alonsgside his wife. Or that he would become respected. Or that his children were even better than Cersei's and to an extent, his own son.
Jamie. He had thought that his son would self-destruct without his guidance. He was wrong. He had underestimated his son. Save for Tyrin, he had underestimated all of his children, as he deemed them failures, not being able to live up to his high standards.
But he had underestimated Stannis Baratheon most of all.
It had been easy to sway House Florent to his side. Words work just as well as steel. Betray the Usurper and House Florent would gain Storm's End. In the end, Stannis's head was rotting on a pike, as was Melissandre's, Stannis's red witch. Shireen Baratheon had also been killed, while Selyse committed suicide following the betrayal of her House. Davos Seaworth was missing.
With the exception of Robert's surviving bastards, House Baratheon was effectively extinct.
But even in death, Stannis would not be denied. Which is why he had a dead-man's cell of Faceless Men under contract. In the event that he did not survive the War of Two Kings, then the Faceless Men would unleash a decapitation strike upon the Lion.
They had came during the victory dinner inside the Red Keep, silently killing the House Guards, locking them inside the Dining Hall. They used 'The Rains of Castamere' as the signal to attack.
Gregor Cleagne was the first casualty. He had been lured out of the dining hall by a serving girl. Unknown to him, the girl was a Faceless Man. Using her body as a trap, Gregor failed to notice the two assassins following him. Instead of satisfaction, he earned himself an axe to the back of the skull. His brother, Sandor, was away at the time, and thus, was spared.
First, the Faceless Men - disguised as minstrels and servants - killed the majority of Tywin's commanders, first by serving strongwine laced with lethal doses of essence of nightshade. Anyone who did not drink the wine were shot down with crossbows or stabbed to death.
As reinforcements outside of the hall tried to break their way into the dining hall, the Faceless Men turned their attention to the royal family. For the first time in his life, Tywin felt fear. Then he felt a crossbow bolt tear into his shoulder. Tyrin managed to cut down three of them before being overwhelmed.
"Stannis Baratheon sends his regards," one of the assassins said right before driving a knife into Tyrin's chest.
Kevan was also injured, while Lancel himself was mortally wounded. Unlike Tyrin, who had died fighting, Joffrey was a coward, pleading and begging for his life until his throat was open from ear to ear. Tommen was also given the gift, and he died alongside his brother. But just before the Faceless Men could finish off what remained of House Lannister, reinforcements had arrived and had quickly cut down the Faceless Men.
Those who were there would remember seeing him cradling the body of his son, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Yet the damage had been done. Tywin may have won the war, but Stannis had the last laugh.
But what was to be known as the Black Dinner paled in comparison as to what Lancel had confessed to him on his deathbed. As his nephew laid dying, Lancel confessed to Tywin that it was he, not Robert, who had fathered Cersei's children. Cersei had seduced him, used him as a replacement for Jamie, of whom Cersei had been fucking prior to his being disowned from the family. He also confessed that he and Cersei conspired to kill Robert whilst away on his hunt.
The ensuing war between Tywin and Stannis was all for nothing. His grandchildren were bastards, and his heir was dead. Cersei herself was a Kingslayer. She may not have wielded the blade, but she was responsible for Robert's death
In a silent, cold fury, Tywin wrapped his hands around Lancel's throat and strangled him to death. Kevan tried to stop his brother, but a single glare stopped Kevan mid-step as he was forced to watch his brother kill his son. As a final indignity, he had Lancel's body fed to the dogs, just as Aerys had done with Rickard and Brandon Stark nearly 20 years earlier.
The Black Dinner was three days ago. Since then, Tywin had bigger problems.
One week ago, word reached King's Landing of the Westerlands being invaded. But that was not what had shocked him. Casterly Rock, the symbol of power for House Lannister, has fallen, reduced to a second Harrenhal.
But it wasn't the Ironborn, as they had been decimated following the Greyjoy Rebellion. It had been the House he had betrayed - House Targaryen. Tywin had thought he had destroyed them, but as it turned out in the days following the Black Dinner, Elia Martell had been a lot smarter than she had let on, as it had been Jamie's actions in defending Elia and her children which allowed the Martells to smuggle her out of King's Landing.
Jamie. All roads led back to him.
It had been nineteen years since the end of Robert's Rebellion. Since then, he has seen Jamie and his wife twice; the first was during the Greyjoy Rebellion, when he arrived alongside his wife and his banners, the second was during the Hand's Tourney in Harrenhal when he brought his family. He had met his wife, at the same time defusing a volatile situation between his daughter and daughter-in-law. Prior to that, he had seen her in action during the Greyjoy Rebellion, neither Ironborn nor their sellswords could best her in combat.
He himself had witnessed Valeriya's battle prowess as she carved and shot a path of destruction through the Ironborn. He watched as she killed Euron Greyjoy with her Valyrian Sword, making him shorter by the height of his head.
As he discovered, her mind was just as sharp as her sword and arrows, seeing as how Olenna had spoken highly of her. It was during the Hand's Tourney, that Cersei had confronted Valeriya as she was speaking with Olenna Tyrell while practicing her archery, denouncing her children as 'Northern bastards.' When Valeriya dismissed Cersei as a 'vindictive, spiteful woman,' Cersei had ordered the two Lannister House Guards accompanying her to arrest her, only for Valeriya to fire two arrows at the guards, knocking the swords out of their hands.
"Tell me, Lady Olenna...who do you consider to be the most dangerous woman in Westeros? The woman with the title of Queen but no power? Or the woman with the power and no title?" Valeriya had asked, all the while holding the two Lannister guards at arrow-point.
Tywin then intervened, sending his guards and Cersei back to their tents. He then left without a single word, and Valeriya went back to practicing her archery. He had pondered the question for a while, before coming to a realization.
It was Valeriya Lannister, not Olenna Tyrell nor Cersei Baratheon, who was indeed the most dangerous woman in Westeros. Her actions in the Greyjoy Rebellion proved that. He also suspected that she had given the Stark children instruction in how to play the game of thrones. Valeriya reminded him of his beloved Joanna in most cases.
Had things turned out differently, he would have been proud to call Valeriya his daughter-in-law.
"Lord Tywin."
Tywin slowly turned his head to face the Lannister soldier. Green boy, yet he was loyal.
"Ser Kevan asked for your presence in the Small Council chambers."
Tywin nodded. He slowly rose to his feet, grunting in pain from his injury and walked out of the sept.
The Red Keep, Small Council Chambers
It was more of a war council meeting rather than a Small Council meeting, from the look of things.
Aside from Tywin, Cersei and Myrcella, there were survivors of the Black Dinner. Addam Marband was one, as he sat beside Varys, looking just as battered as everyone else. Tytos Brax was another, now Lord of House Brax following his father's death during the Black Dinner. He was seated beside the Grand Maester, Pycelle.
Cersei Baratheon, the former Queen sat beside her daughter, Queen Myrcella, the former Queen silent, clad in a black mourning dress, her cheeks puffy from crying. Kevan Lannister sat on the opposite side of Myrcella, his face showing anger over his niece's deception. The same deception which had cost his son his life.
Tywin leveled his glare on Cersei, as if he was saying, "You move, you say one word to me, and I'll kill you where you sit."
Following the Invasion of the Westerlands, a copy of Aegon's Declaration had arrived in King's Landing. Tywin had read it and crumpled the Declaration into a paper ball. He then responded by sending a Lannister minstrel to Aegon's camp to sing 'The Rains of Castamere.' The song that Tywin loved to hear was so feared, that a single verse would make anyone reconsider their plans of rebellion.
Aegon's response? He sent the minstrel's head back to King's Landing, along with a message, saying that while he enjoyed the 'entertainment,' he preferred 'The Wolf Awakens.'
"Aegon Targaryen and the Golden Company is pushing his way eastward, following his invasion of the Westerlands coastline," Addam reported. "He has also effectively cut us off from the gold mines. From the look of things, he will reach the borders of the West in less than a week."
"What do we know about the Targaryens?" Tytos asked.
"From what I know, Aegon is a natural born leader. Some say that he is his father reborn," Varys explained. "As for his sister, Rhaenys, she is the diplomat of the pair. As for the daughter of the Mad King, it is said that she is a master swordswoman, and can fight as well as any man."
"The war has severely depleted our manpower and resources, while the Black Dinner decimated what was left!" Tytos shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "House Florent has been wiped out and the Stormlands are in the middle of a civil war!"
"What is even worse is that none of the other Houses will support Myrcella as Queen," Kevan said, his voice grave.
The Bastard Queen, as the nobles and the smallfolk called Myrcella. Her brother, Joffrey, had been known as the Bastard King. Stannis had made sure that all of Westeros knew that Cersei's children were illegitimate.
Kevan pulled out a second message, which had arrived whilst Tywin was inside the Great Sept. "This is a second Declaration from the Targaryens. House Lannister has been stripped of all titles and honors. We are no longer a Great House. That honor has been passed onto House Westerling of the Crag."
Cersei extended her hand. "May I see that, Uncle?"
Giving his traitorous niece an evil glare, he handed the message to Cersei. After reading it, she promptly tore the declaration in half. "Words mean nothing, Uncle. In any case, Myrcella is their Queen. Our House is still a Great House. They should be united against the Targaryens, as they are the bigger threat."
"If you have bothered to read Aegon's Declaration, he has promised a general amnesty for those who joined Robert in the Rebellion," Kevan said. "And I do not need to state the more obvious reasons why no one would support your daughter as Queen, let alone us. For us, it's nothing short than complete surrender and for your daughter, she must abdicate. She surrenders the Iron Throne and..."
"Myrcella will not abdicate!"
"We have no allies, no thanks to you and your son!" Kevan exploded, rising from his chair. "You insulted Lord Stark and his daughters, which is why he and the North remained neutral in the war, and your son took Loras Tyrell's head, hence the reason why the Tyrells did not summon their banners to our aid, not to mention that you were calling for the heads of both Lord Stark's son and nephew!"
"You dare speak to me like that?!"
"I do! My son is dead because of you! All of this is your fault!"
"Stop it!"
Everyone looked at Myrcella. Like her mother, her eyes were red from crying. "Please...just stop it."
As it turned out, Renly Baratheon was not the only one who had been listening in on Stannis and her cousin. Myrcella herself had stumbled upon the conversation and when Varys had confirmed it, her faith in her mother had all but shattered. She gave her mother the most hate-filled glare she could muster. "You have done enough. More than enough."
"Myrcella, I..."
"Enough! You lied to me! All these years!" Myrcella shrieked, her outburst shocking even Cersei. "You lied to Joffrey! To Tommen! You lied to me about everything! You and Joffrey killed all of Robert's bastards, and even tried to kill Cousin Rainer!"
"Myrcella, please try and understand," pleaded Cersei. "Robert would have killed us all if he knew the truth!" There was no denying it, as Cersei knew that it would be pointless. "What I have done...what we have done was with our best interests at heart."
"You lie! You did it because if Robert didn't kill you for the deception, then Grandfather Tywin would! I want the truth, Mother. Am I a bastard? Answer me! I am your Queen!"
Cersei swallowed audibly as all eyes were on her. "You...you are my daughter. That's all that matters," she said in a low tone. "You are not a stag, but a lion. My lioness."
Myrcella glared at her mother. Then she turned to her uncle. "Uncle Kevan...give me your dirk."
Kevan blinked. "Your Grace...?"
"I said give me your dirk, Uncle!"
Kevan complied. He unsheathed his dirk and handed it to Myrcella, who in turn placed it in front of Cersei. "There you go, Mother. Since you and Joffrey like to order the murder of bastard children, take it and kill me."
Cersei looked at her daughter as if she had grown a second head. "Myrcella..."
"You're already a Kingslayer in your role of murdering Robert," Myrcella deadpanned. "Why not add Queenslayer to your many titles? You admitted to it yourself! The highborn and the smallfolk call me The Bastard Queen!" She grasped the dirk and pointed the tip at her own chest. "Here! I'll even make it easy for you! All you got to do is grab and thrust! Now do it! Kill me!"
Now Cersei was trembling. She had no problem in ordering the murder of Robert's bastards, but her daughter was different. Tywin and the others looked worried as to how this will play out.
"I gave you a command, Mother!" Myrcella shouted. "Do as your Queen command, and kill me!"
"NO!" Cersei shouted, knocking the dirk from her daughter's hands. The weapon clattered to the floor. Myrcella glared her her mother, who was now sobbing. "I'm sorry, Myrcella. I'm so sorry, my precious little girl..."
Cersei cried out as Myrcella swatted her hand away when her mother tried to reach for her. "Myrcella...!"
"Don't...touch me," Myrcella hissed. "I will never forgive you for what you have done! I hate you!"
Cersei looked like she had taken a sword to the gut. Tywin, in the meantime, calmed things down. "My niece is tired," he said in a calm voice he could muster. Even he didn't recognize her as Queen. At least he respected Myrcella, as she hated her mother as much as he did. "Take her back to her chambers and let her rest."
The grand maester nodded and escorted the heartbroken girl out of the room, but not before issuing an edict regarding her mother, speaking directly to Tywin. "Cersei Baratheon is to be placed under house arrest until I deem fit to have her released. If she refuses to comply, then maybe some time in the Black Cells will make her reconsider. I want her escorted to her chambers upon the conclusion of this meeting."
Tywin nodded. "Of course."
"As amusing that was," Varys interjected, "I'm afraid I have some more bad news, Lord Hand. My little birds in Highgarden has whispered to me that Aegon has accepted both The Reach's fealty, and the hand of Margaery Tyrell in marriage. Lady Arryn has also sent a representative from the Vale to swear fealty to Aegon. As Aegon has Dornish blood, the loyalty of Dorne is a foregone conclusion."
"Traitors...the lot of them," Cersei hissed.
"We wouldn't have that problem if your son didn't take Loras's head," Addam pointed out. "With the Reach swearing fealty to the Targaryens, that leaves The North and the Riverlands," Addam said. "Have you heard anything from them?"
"No, Lord Marband," Varys replied. "So far, they have remained neutral."
That was not true. Aegon also had the North's fealty along with that of the Riverlands. The fact that Robb Stark had married Rhaenys Targaryen - Tywin and the others thinking that Robb had married Talisa Maegyr, Valeriya's niece - certainly helped smoothed things over. It was just more fun to see the lions commit suicide.
"So we have Dorne, the Reach and the Vale standing against us," Tytos said. "We stand on the brink of oblivion..." He glared at Cersei. "...and you are to blame."
Cersei was about to reply, but a glare from her father froze her in her seat.
"Three of the Seven Kingdoms wanting to kill us all, and another embroiled in a civil war," Addam said. "Do anyone have any suggestions that can keep us from going the way of Tarbeck and Reyne?"
"I got one."
Everyone turned to Kevan, who straightened himself in his chair. "There is a chance, slim at best, but it is better than nothing." He looked at Tywin. "We reach out to the Mountain Lion of the North and his lady wife."
Everyone present knew what Kevan meant when he used that title. He was speaking of Jamie and Valeriya Lannister. The Mountain Lion and the Lion Tamer.
"No."
Now everyone looked at Tywin. "Lord Lannister...?" Tyros began.
"It is just as Jamie's fault as it is Cersei's, using Lancel as a replacement for her sated lusts when I banished him. She couldn't keep her legs closed, which brought us to the abyss," Tywin grated. "I will not go groveling to Jamie, of all people."
"But Jamie did not father her bastards," Tytos pointed out.
"Brother, I know you do not like this idea, but it is our only chance to survive," Kevan said. "We have fallen from grace, while Jamie has not only risen, but thrived in his station as a Lord of the North."
"Jamie is held in high regards by both Lord Stark and Lord Tully," Addam seconded. "Your son has a direct connection with the Lord of Winterfell, as his nephew squired under him. If we can convince Jamie to take our side against Aegon, then he can try and convince Lord Stark to do the same."
Tywin's brow furrowed as he took in what Kevan and Addam were saying to him.
"The Targaryens did kill his father and brother, after all," concluded Kevan, "so that means that that the Starks may still hold some ill will towards Aegon, despite the fact that Jon is Rhaegar's son. He may even negotiate on our behalf. We give up the Iron Throne, and we live. We may have lost Casterly Rock and all honors, but we still live."
Tywin seem to contemplate Kevan's suggestion. Even though he had disowned Jamie, he had been keeping tabs on both him and his family. He had taken a ruined keep and built a thriving town around it. The mines he helped fund made Northern steel just as valuable as Lannister gold. As the Western Lannisters' power began to wane, the Northern Lannisters' influence began to rise. Jamie's eldest son even made a fool out of Cersei and Joffrey when he and the Starks eluded capture following Renly's arrest. He had missed out on so much, yet he had no regrets in disowning Jamie.
But now, the Lannisters faced destruction at the hands of a vengeful Dragon.
"And Lord Stark's wife is Brynden Tully's sister," Tywin mused. "Which means we can at least have the North and the Riverlands aid us. And Jamie has two sons...very well." He took a breath and gave his orders. "Kevan, Addam...the both of you will leave within the hour. Go to Lionsden and speak with Jamie. He should already know the plight we are in. Tell him that all past transgressions on his behalf are forgiven should he convince Lord Stark to aid us. Not only will I recognize his family, but I will make his youngest son my heir."
Kevan and Addam nodded and departed from the chamber.
"In the meantime, we must prepare in the event that Kevan and Addam fails to sway Jamie to our side," Tywin said. "In the event that King's Landing falls, have our fastest ship ready and under guard in the harbor." Tywin rose from his chair. "I will be in the Great Sept. Do not call upon me for the remainder of the day if you value your lives."
He departed from the room without another word. Even though the Lion's power was waning, he still ruled with an iron fist.
Nighttime.
Queen Myrcella Baratheon sat inside her chambers, picking at her dinner. She was alone, as Sandor Cleagne stood outside. As per her orders,
her mother was placed under house arrest upon the completion of the meeting. Her grandfather had returned to his silent vigil back at the Great Sept. She had seen both Addam and Uncle Kevan off on their mission to Lionsden.
She knew that the mission was futile, as it was only delaying the inevitable.
'When you play the game of thrones, you either win or you die. There is no middle ground.' Those were the words that Tyrion had told her, as he was one of her teachers in how to play the game. Myrcella knew that the Targaryens had won. Her mother and her grandfather, in spite of all his foresight, did not see that.
Myrcella was the underdog in the game of thrones. Her interest in the game came from her Aunt Valeriya, Uncle Jamie's wife. They had spoken briefly when the Northern Lannisters had came to the Hand's Tourney along with Lord Stark and the Northern Representatives. Then she sought out Tyrion at her behest, who became the first of two mentors in teaching her how the game was to be played.
She turned out to be a natural at it. Tyrion once said that she was even better at it than her mother, who fancied herself a player, but as Myrcella found out, was inept. Life inside the Red Keep was not all fairy tales and tourneys. It was full of intrigue, betrayal and danger.
The Spider was her second teacher, as he too saw the hidden intelligence that Cersei and Joffrey lacked. It had been a series of errors on her mother's behalf and the inability to control her power-happy brother, Myrcella had realized, which had led Myrcella down this path of self-preservation. What had followed - from Renly's execution to the murder of Robert's bastards - was the final straw.
The Bastard Queen knew that it would only be a matter of time before all the enemies the Lannisters had made would finally have enough and rise up against them. But what Cersei or Tywin did not know was in regards to the North, as to why they did not raise their banners. The Northern Lannisters were one reason, but not the major one.
No, the major one - according to Varys - was that Robb Stark had married Rhaenys Targaryen, thus securing an alliance between House Targaryen and House Stark. The North had fooled Tywin and her mother into thinking that Robb Stark had married Valeriya's niece. By the time the deception would be revealed, then it would already be too late.
It was only after the Black Dinner and following that, Aegon's declaration had arrived, that Myrcella made her own plans. She had been hesitant, but when Aegon had sent back the Lannister minstrel's head, did Myrcella realize that she was making the right choice. As Tywin and Cersei grieved for their children, Myrcella had confronted Varys. She knew that he was a Targaryen loyalist and that the eunuch was in contact with the Dragon Commander and the Mother of Dragons.
"I know where your loyalties lie, Varys. In spite of doing what is good for the realm, you are also a Targaryen loyalist. One which can prove to be useful to me."
"Oh...? How so?"
"Send your little birds to Aegon and Daenerys Targaryen. Tell them that I am Queen. My brother is dead. Stannis Baratheon is dead, as Grandfather Tywin saw to that. If he wants the Iron Throne, then he treats with me, and me only. Tell them that I am willing to bend the knee and abdicate. In exchange, my life is to be spared and I am to be sent to Lionsden."
"What about the others?"
"Anyone else who surrenders can return home without consequence; Tytos Brax, Addam Marbrand, anyone who served under my grandfather."
"And your mother and grandfather?"
"They're both expendable. Mother's actions has brought us to the brink and Grandfather must answer for his past crimes involving the Targaryens. What better way to earn the fealty of the Targaryens with the bodies of my mother and grandfather?"
"I will deliver your terms to them, Your Grace."
"Your Grace."
Myrcella turned around. Varys had emerged from a hidden passage and into her room.
"I have received word from Aegon and Daenerys," the spymaster whispered. "They both have agreed to your terms as dictated. The lives of Cersei and Tywin Lannister are forfeit, whilst yours is spared. As promised, you will be sent to Lionsden and any Lannister soldier who surrenders shall be spared."
Myrcella nodded. "When will the Targaryens make their move?"
"By the time your uncle and Ser Addam arrive in Lionsden, they will be at the gates of the city. Lord Tully is allowing them to march through the Riverlands."
'So the month-long ultimatum was a ruse,' Myrcella thought as she dismissed Varys, who left the way he came.
Alone again in her chamber. Myrcella now had a timetable as to when the Golden Company will march onto the capital. And when the time came, she would be ready to deliver the Iron Throne - and her mother and grandfather - to the Targaryens on a silver platter.
Ironic as how her grandfather had betrayed the Targaryens in order to gain more power and influence. Now, his granddaughter was going to do the same. Half of it was out of spite, while the othe rhalf was out of self-preservation.
As Myrcella prepared herself for bed, she began to whistle 'The Rains of Castamere.' Tywin had that song playing with House Baratheon was destroyed. Myrcella would make sure that the same song would be playing when Aegon and Daenerys take Tywin and Cersei's heads.