Author's note: I'd planned to make this chapter longer, but on editing it I discovered that I need to check some facts for one of the POVs. Another story (my The Big Bang Theory fanfic An alternate Pennyverse), took up most of my time however, so I only have a bit of Robert and a bit of Kevan for you this month.

ROBERT

He'd been told by his wife and his good-mother to spend time with Myrcella. As he and the girl walked in the gardens it hit him that he barely knew her. He tried to come up with something to say.

"You and Lord Stark are friends, aren't you Father?"

The girl looked up to him with a devotion that shamed Robert. He put his arm around Myrcella's slender shoulders. "Yes we are. As boys we were both fostered by Lord Arryn, the same who's now my Hand. We grew very close, Stark and I. We were like brothers."

Myrcella looked puzzled.

"Ha! Maybe I should say that I got closer to Ned Stark than to my true born brothers then."

"Are you still close?"

"I'd like to think so. I'm very happy that our families will be united through your marriage." Myrcella blushed. "Robb Stark is named after me, did you know?" At his daughter's nod Robert continued: "He's a good lad. Very northern but –"

"I know," Myrcella enthusiastically interrupted him. "Grandmother told me that northern people speak plainly and take their time to get to know strangers. She said they're a bit like uncle Stannis. I like him."

"Do you?"

Myrcella nodded. "He doesn't say nice things in your face and then speak ill behind your back."

Robert glanced down at his daughter, who resembled her mother in looks but was so unlike her in behaviour. "Wise words girl. I think you'll come to like the north very much. Is there anything you need ere you depart for beautiful Winterfell?"

"Will you and Mother and Tommen come and see me?"

"You don't care to see Joff?"

Myrcella shrugged ever so delicately. "Grandmother said she'd come and visit me some years from now."

Robert said that he too would come to Winterfell. He wasn't prepared for the hug he got. Instead of telling his daughter that it wasn't ladylike behaviour to exhibit in public, he returned it. Various courtiers who also enjoyed a stroll under the trees watched the scene. They were wise enough not to interrupt the father-daughter moment but as they bowed or curtsied they also listened.

"I hope Shireen might accompany me to Winterfell," Myrcella said when they were on their way again. She held his hand. "Grandmother promised me to ask uncle Stannis about it."

"Did she?"

Myrcella nodded happily. "Do you know great-uncle Gerion well?"

Robert had feasted with his wife's uncle. The man could hold his liquor and didn't shy away from women plus he wasn't a brilliant swordsman: a likeable Lannister all in all. "He's adventurous: he travelled to Essos and beyond. He'll be able to tell you many stories on your journey north. Say, would you care to ride with me tomorrow?" Myrcella seemed torn between eagerness to spend more time with him and dislike for the activity he'd suggested. "I'll make sure you'll be given a gentle horse." It really won't do for a northern lady not to be able to ride. Besides Jon is gifting her saddles for her betrothal: she ought to use those.

"Thank you Father, I shall like that."

"Good girl."

KEVAN

Gerion's letter was mainly meant to reassure Tywin that Joanna was fine. Kevan was allowed to read it and he felt there was more to it. "Wasn't Joffrey to marry Sansa Stark according to the Grand Maester?"

"Joanna is disappointed in the way our daughter raised her eldest son," Tywin said.

"Not ready for marriage is he?"

"Hardly. According to her Myrcella will blossom outside King's Landing."

"Do you disapprove of the new marriage?" Kevan tentatively asked.

"Joanna judges this to be the better match. She doesn't know all the players though."

As Kevan placed Gerion's letter on his brother's desk he stole a glance at the message Tywin still held. It was in Joanna's hand and it included some lines filled with numbers. "Gerion's with her," Kevin reminded his brother.

"Far away from the Rock Gerion will visit inns and whorehouses. He won't be of much use to her."

Gerion disgraced Lord Lannister neither by being drunk at the Rock nor by bedding women there and on one occasion he'd made Tywin very proud. It was true though that Gerion's view on being a Lannister was like his view on life: something not to take seriously. The only two people who could voice their appreciation for Gerion without being frowned upon by Lord Lannister weren't present: Kevan knew that defending his youngest brother wouldn't make Tywin change his mind about him.

"What did my daughter write to you?" Tywin asked.

Kevan wasn't surprised that his brother had found out that Cersei had sent him a letter. He'd brought it with him and obediently handed it to Tywin, summarizing its contents: "She feels that her mother won't regain her memory in King's Landing, is better off at the Rock and shouldn't meddle with affairs of the state. The rest is about Joffrey's witty nature for some reason."

It only took Tywin a few moments to scan the letter. Kevan eyed him, hoping to learn why Cersei was gushing over the crown-prince. Of course Tywin's expression remained blank and he changed the topic. "I'm glad I sent Ser Gregor to protect her now that she's playing the game."

"Surely it was just grandmotherly –"

"How long did it take her?" Tywin interrupted. "She's plotting."

And how much did she reveal to you my lord? "Do you think that she… suffered from her concussion?"

"No. You've seen her here. And her writing doesn't imply it either," Tywin sternly said and he rose to walk to a window.

Yet you are worried.

Kevan joined his brother. At the courtyard below Mors was training with a knight. The twins were watching.

"I've never seen him look happier then when you told him for whom he is to squire. Only when Jaime got him his first real sword he was equally thrilled."

Myra and Alyn were applauding and possible cheering their brother, who seemed embarrassed by their behaviour.

"Mors is a young Jaime when it comes to wielding a weapon," Kevan remarked.

"Not quite. But he'll complement his elder brother. It will be good for Tybalt to have someone to rely on."

When Kevan later on told Dorna what Tywin had said, she voiced the thought that Kevan had kept to himself: that his brother had somehow given him a compliment too.