Chapter Twenty Three: When Stars Fall
Cersei paced the room of the small council, seething. Her first meeting with her council had not gone as planned. A man lay dead in the corner, his neck snapped by the Mountain as he confessed to conspiring with the North to kill Robert. It didn't matter though, because the council opposed her demands to launch into a war with Ned Stark. She needed to think, but she was so angry it was hard to rationalise. Leaning on the table with her hands she took a deep breath, and exhaled loudly dropping her head as she breathed out. Cersei's gaze reached the floor and the blood which splattered across the floor had landed near her feet. The sound of footsteps made her look up, and her gaze caught Petyr Baelish. He faltered when he saw her before smiling his smirking smile and proceeded across the room towards her. He seemed unfazed by the dead body to their side, and the Mountain standing at attention along the wall of the council chamber.
"Forgive me your Highness," he bowed and moved across the room towards her. Cersei did not reply, she just watched him approach with her cynical gaze fixed on him.
Baelish scurried over to his seat and scooped up a handful of scrolls and began to leave the room before turning back and looking at the Queen.
"I understand you're frustrated but due process must be followed" he spoke soothingly, trying to placate the obvious fury she exhibited.
Cersei laughed bitterly, "Due process...was due process followed by Aerys? Or Robert when the Iron islands went into rebellion? These cretins oppose everything I say because I'm a woman. They can't stand to see me standing where I am and will come against everything I try to do" she vented hotly not caring for holding her tongue.
Feeling pangs of defeat for showing weakness in her anger she turned to the wine pitcher and poured a very full glass of arbor red and gulped it thirstily.
"To me it seems they see you not just as a woman but as a child. For as you know, most of the men seated here who oppose you are Fathers. So to them, you'll always just be a child"
Cersei nodded her head while he spoke yet remained staring out at the distance, she put the cup to her lips and went to take another long exaggerated sip. But she stopped.
"What did you just say?" Cersei looked back at Baelish from the rim of her glass.
Baelish looked confused, "I beg your pardon I was just saying these men, they seem to think of you like their children. And men don't like being told what to do by their children do they?"
Cersei smiled slightly and gulped down the remainder of her wine and threw the glass to her side. It knocked the lifeless body of Olenna Tyrells master at arms and clattered to the ground. Cersei turned and stalked over to Petyr Baelish.
"Lord Baelish I have one question for you"
Baelish paused and bowed his head, "Ask me anything Your Grace"
"How many brothels do you have?"
"I have several establishments, but some aren't operational..."
"How many? I'm sorry, I meant how many are not operational?"
Unsure where her questioning was going he answered reluctantly, "Three Your Grace. I have three which are not operational but I'm working on them as we speak"
Cersei had crossed the room to stand right in his face, she was taller than him and hoped her size might be imposing for him.
"I have a proposition for you. I would need your fullest discretion. If you cross me, well-" she indicated the dead body just a metre away from them.
Baelish smirked and stepped closer to Cersei, from the side of the room the Mountain growled and drew his sword. Baelish gulped and paused, he leaned forward and whispered to her.
"Discretion is what I do best"
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Robb stood in front of the Weirwood tree deep in the forest near to Casterly Rock. He had found the tree after having a vivid dream about it and had set out at first light to find it. The air was cool, the wind was still, and all was quiet not even birdsong pierced the air yet. The only sounds were made by his boots crunching through the dry red leaves which littered the ground like splattered blood all around the tree roots which resembled hundreds of white snakes swirling in every direction. Robb was struck by the stark beauty of the tree in its natural state, the pale white roots snaking all around it, the blood red leaves on the ground. And the tree itself, stood there almost glowing in the low light of the morning. Sansa's words resonated in his mind, that had been weeks ago now and he'd been too busy to come and find the tree. But once it started calling him he couldn't ignore it's call for long, it haunted his sleep every night and in moments of quiet he felt it's presence pulling at the edge of his consciousness. Exhaling a breath of air, he stepped forward and wondered how he would find someone to help. In the same thought though he reminded himself with a smile that Sansa had been talking to him through a mirror, so anything was possible.
Not knowing what to do, Robb reverently stepped forward taking the scene in with his eyes as he stepped under the wide canopy of the tree. Closing his eyes, he knelt amongst the roots and began his prayers to the Old Gods. At first he didn't feel it but after several minutes of prayer he felt the telltale sensation of energy building through his body. Surrendering to that feeling, the sensation intensified until it felt like fire prickling his skin from the inside out. It continued to intensify until he felt he couldn't stand it any longer, he grasped the roots at his feet so tight his nails scratched into the wood. The power spilled out from his body and he cried out in agony, but the energy wasn't hurting him it was just intense. Throwing his head back he howled and the energy burst out of him in a flash of flame energy all around him. Opening his eyes they glowed bright Orange and all he could see was a burning light, panting from the exertion of the power he rocked on his heels as the energy slowly began to subside. For several moments he was dizzy and disorientated, along with confused but he sat in the moment and reflected on the intense power he got from the tree. It reminded him of the Weirwood he found with Sansa during their escape from the North but this was different, this time he'd found fire not earth magic.
Robb felt a small hand lay itself on his shoulder and he startled at the touch, opening his eyes and immediately reaching for his sword. But when he went to grab the sword the being he faced already had their hand on his sword.
"Do not raise your blade in this sacred glade," spoke the figure smoothly and calmly.
"Who are you? Why would you sneak up on someone with their eyes closed? And who has a blade!" spoke Robb disdainfully.
"Because I know you Robb Stark and I knew you were coming, after all it was I who called you"
Robb looked closer at the beings face, it was clearly male, very small in stature, too small to be human and looked like moss grew on its nut brown skin. A pair of very large cat like eyes dominated its face and stared deeply at Robbs face intently.
"You called me? How?" asked Robb confused.
The small figure chuckled, "The magic you use is the magic I use. And the magic your sister uses. Your family is well known to my kind and we watch you all very closely, so we know when you are near. We also know when you need help"
"Do I need help now? Is that why you're here?" smiled Robb.
"Yes my son, you do need my help. It's time to grow what's within you"
"it's pretty strong already, how much stronger could it get?" He asked in earnest.
The small figure simply smiled and said, "We have much to do, and little time but your powers aren't even close to being fully blossomed. If you're a good student they'll grow quickly"
Robb nodded soberly and then gingerly asked, "What is your name?"
For a moment the being did not speak, finally he said, "It is hard for humans to speak our true names. So we give you a name in your tongue which is easy to speak. You may call me Asher"
Robb bowed his head respectfully, "Thank you, you already know my name so I wanted to know yours"
Asher chuckled, "Dear boy our kind have known of you since you were a babe in your mothers arms. It's not fair how much I know of you. But enough of that, we have much work to do"
He turned and shuffled away, Robb pulled himself to his feet and followed him towards the tree. Asher walked straight toward the trunk, and Robb thought surely there was no way he would walk into the trunk. Asher paused and turned to look up at Robb, "Every Weirwood tree resonates with a certain element, our kind pay homage to all the elements to retain the delicate balance needed for our environment to thrive. This is a fire Weirwood, which is why it called out to you. It senses your power and your energy are one and the same as it," he reached up and affectionately patted the trunk, "and so it has allowed you passage to discover its secrets and learn more about the magic you've been blessed with. Listen carefully and practice diligently and what you'll learn will save your life and that of countless others"
Those cryptic last words were ominous, causing Robb to gulp slightly in nervousness. Asher was stern faced, and Robb mirrored his serious expression.
"I'm ready," he said after a moment
Asher nodded, "When you come here lad lay your hand on the trunk and the tree will know it's you," he placed his hand on the trunk and the roots parted immediately to reveal a set of stairs going underground. "It will permit you entry, and only you. If you're followed the roots will attack and strangle any who try to follow you. The tree after all must protect itself and it's secrets"
Robb merely clenched his jaw at these words and nodded, "I understand"
Asher waved Robb down the stairs which slithered closed as he stepped underground extinguishing all the light.
"Do not make fire here Robb, let the tree give us passage. Be patient"
Moments after Asher stopped speaking a whooshing sound punctuated the cool darkness, and fire leapt to life in torches placed at intervals along a corridor. Asher immediately proceeded through the tunnel and Robb followed, the corridor was thin and sometimes the roof was so low Robb had to stoop to get through.
Asher just chuckled and remarked that his kind are not very tall and did not consider making a higher tunnel to accomodate humans. After walking for a while, a cave opened up before them glittering with sparks of energy. Robb was entranced by the cave, a glittering pool and a thin waterfall created dancing light across the roof of the cavern. While the light from the fires in the torches bounced light off the clusters of crimson red and Orange crystals which grew in magnificent clusters along the walls. Asher stood in the center of the cave and let Robb examine the cave in detail at his own place. The energy was palpable here, it caused the hairs on his arms to stand on end, his mouth gaped open as his eyes fell on the crystal clusters and the ferns which grew out of the crevices alongside the crystals.
"This is...beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here, I can feel this place is sacred" spoke Robb with great respect.
"You are the only human to ever set foot in here young Stark"
Robb knelt in front of Asher in respect, "I'm here and I'm ready to learn what you have to teach me"
Asher sat on a log behind him, he moved slowly and painfully and for the first time Robb could see he was quite old.
"I hear your thoughts racing through your mind like an angry beast seeking answers, seeking clarification, seeking comfort. Before we begin clear your mind, what is it you wish to know?"
Robb thought for a moment, "You said before we use the same magic, my family and your kind. How did that come to be? We are different creatures, but we share something that's the same"
Asher looked uncomfortable, "You are right, we are not the same race and never have been. But long ago my ancestors were fighting a hopeless battle, and their allies were dying fighting to help them. The Elders of our kind held a great meeting, and decided to gift your kind with powers to aid us. As you are taller and wield different weapons to us, you fight the same as our enemies did but they had the advantage of numbers. We agreed then it would help give us an advantage at survival if we bestowed some powers into your kind. Which we did, and so the line of House Stark became as it is now, in possession of powers which are otherworldly compared to the rest of your kind. It was a risk but it worked, others have taken that risk though and have created a terrible mess..."
Asher looked troubled as he shook his head slightly and became distant, Robb looked in curiosity not wanting to interrupt his new friend. So he remained silent, after a moment Asher leant forward and picked up a handful of earth. He crumbled it between his hands, back and forth he crumbled from one hand to another. The earth began to glow until he was tossing fire embers between his hands, he placed the embers on the ground again and they burst into flames in the space between Robb and Asher. The warmth of the flames caused Robb to smile, he felt comfortable with the flames. Suddenly Asher pushed his hand on the flames, extinguishing them and lifted the ashes in his hand and resumed crumbling the ashes from one hand to the other. Robb watched carefully, observing that the ashes seemed to change form again. Asher leaned forward and opened his hand for Robb to see.
"Fire and Earth are intimately linked, Earth is alive because of the element of fire. Which is why I can make a fire from a handful of dirt and extinguish the fire and turn it back into earth. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?"
Robb looked carefully at the earth, and with a bit of uncertainty he spoke hoping he was right, "Earth and fire create life, they coexist within the living. Trees, people, animals are made of earth and fire energy"
Asher smiled slightly, "And what happens if I take the fire out of this dirt?"
"It isn't the same, there's no life energy"
Asher held his hand open and hovered the opposite hand over the dirt, with a slow pulling motion he pulled a flame from the dirt particles letting it come to rest on his hand. It danced happily on his hand, while on the other the dirt remained.
"If I put a seed into this soil nothing will grow, watch"
Asher scooped up a seed from the ground and cradled the dirt and seed together in his hand, his hands flowed with the energy he was exerted. He opened his hand but the seed and the earth looked the same.
"Now watch this," he reunited the flames with the earth, popped the seed on top of the earth and pushed it deep down. Then he focused his energy again and within seconds a plant grew bright green shoots up and out of the earth.
Gently Asher put the seedling at his feet and it grew rapidly into a spreading flowering plant around his feet.
"Fire is essential for life, earth provides the medium for growth" he said gently with a smile, "without fire, life ceases to exist"
Robb watched the spreading plant and thought of Sansa immediately, and Asher smiled as he spoke.
"Your sister is also gifted with fire, but earth is her strength"
Robb chewed his lip as he came to a realisation, "Fire is my strength, you're showing me this for a reason though. And it's not to give life is it?"
Asher's face darkened slightly, "What would happen if I pulled the fire energy from this plant?"
He hovered his hand over the plant and pulled his hand up slowly, there was a flash of light and the plant disintegrated into the earth around Asher's feet.
"Once you destroy the fire of anything living, it can never return" he spoke ominously.
Robb practiced what he was shown, first by pulling the flame from particles of earth and returning them, then by taking them from plants.
"Why can I remove the fire from the earth and return it then it grows as normal but to a plant it's completely destroyed?"
"Once you remove the life force from something living it can't be rebuilt again, the earth is the starting medium. You simply restore the earth to its original form, once you take the force from a being it can only return to the earth"
"And from a person? What happens then?"
Asher looked solemn, "It is the same as for a plant boy. That person will be no more. There is no coming back"
Robb sat back on his heels and poured some earth from one hand to the other gazing at it as it fell through his fingers.
"It's amazing, how much power is contained in these bits of dirt"
Asher watched as Robb practiced making fire embers in his hands, before turning it back to dirt again. After some time Asher stood, satisfied that Robb had grasped his teachings.
"That is enough for today, you are wanted back at the castle. Return soon young lad, and next time bring your staff"
Robb stood and not knowing what else to do he bowed his head respectfully to Asher before turning and leaving the cave. The tree roots parted to allow him passage back above ground, stepping into the world he felt weary after exerting himself in that cave. A movement to his side startled him, then Greywind stepped out from the shadows. Robb smiled, and beckoned to his wolf, running his hand along his back as they walked together to his horse who cropped grass in the clearing.
Tywin watched Robb appear through the castle gates, looking weary and worn. Immediately his suspicions arose, after everything has the boy been frolicking with castle girls, again? With a stern look on his face he resumed his day, but with Robbs activities clearly on his mind.
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Gendry rolls on his side, pain immediately flashed through his head and he feels a heaviness in his body like he's made of stone. He can hear a fire crackling in the hearth across from his bed, he opens his eyes and after several moments of seeing blurry shapes his vision focuses.
The woman is standing at the end of his bed facing away from him, gazing into the flames. He feels anger at being attacked by her, and he tries to sit up.
"You should still be resting," she speaks gently, with affection that takes him back.
Gendry freezes unsure what to do. The woman turns, her face is young and beautiful but her eyes have a hardness to them, a wisdom that tells him she's older than she appears. She smiles and he immediately feels danger all around him.
"I'm sorry for the way I took you. I had to act quickly otherwise I couldn't bring you here to meet your family"
Gendry's heart jumped, family. That word was charged for him. He'd never known a family until the King forced his way into his life one random day. Now everything had changed, and the family he never knew he longed to meet.
"How do you know who I am?" he asked the woman.
She smiled again, and didn't speak just stared at him and came to the side of the bed to run her hand along his face.
"How could I not know, just look at you" which only deepened Gendry's discomfort.
At that moment the doors opened and a man entered the room, his face was stern and although he looked like his father there was no joy in his eyes.
"So," he spoke with a haughty arrogance, "this is the boy claiming to be my nephew by blood"
"I found this with him," spoke the mysterious woman, handing the man a scroll. He impatiently opened it and read it, at the end his eyebrows raised.
"This is my brothers hand," he snapped the scroll shut and handed it back to the woman. "Get him dressed and ready then, we will discuss this at dinner"
Without a word he turned and exited the room, Gendry had no idea who he was though. He looked to the woman.
"Who are you? And Who was he?"
The woman chuckled a little, "I am Melisandre, and that man is your Uncle Stannis"
"I was trying to find Renly, is he here too?"
Melisandre shook her head, "No my dear boy, I got to you before Renly could"
Gendry didn't like her words, every time she spoke he felt the hairs on his skin raise. He knew she meant him harm, he couldn't explain how he knew it, but he just knew he had to keep his wits about him.
Dinner was an awkward affair, his Uncle Stannis grunted stiff questions at him and Melisandre spoke kindly and gently but the undertone of malice was thick in the air. Gendry knew they were plotting something and didn't like what it meant for him. An older gentleman came to join them who seemed kind and genuine, he had stubby fingers and a rough voice. But it was easy to tell he was a kind man, and a measured man who listened to Gendry's story. He spoke to the three about his Father, everything he had said to him and how he had urged him to find Renly. Stannis raised his eyebrows and said with offence.
"Never mind your older uncle, don't find him"
"To be fair Uncle, we didn't have much time together and you live off the coast on an island. I wouldn't be offended by it"
The older man smiled kindly and laughed a little, "He's got Robert's sense of humour doesn't he?"
Gendry noticed he was the only one smiling though, Stannis was angrily eating his dinner and Melisandre stared right through him.
Time dragged on and Gendry became tired, the kind man offered to escort him to his rooms.
"Thank you," said Gendry gratefully, "you never told me your name. Who are you?"
"Apologies for that son, Im Davos Seaworth"
"Nice to meet you," returned Gendry politely, he immediately felt endeared to this man.
Stannis and Melisandre watched Gendry and Davos excuse themselves. Once the room was clear Stannis pushed his plate away from him angrily. Melisandre reached across and placed a calm hand on his arm but he shoves her away.
"You come here, tell me you can see the future. Me sitting on the throne and then my brother has a legitimate heir? One no one knew about? So much for your prophecies" he speaks venomously
Looking unfazed Melisandre smiled a little, "I see you sitting on the throne. And with this boy I see an opportunity for you to get there"
"I have a duty to this boy. He is true born! Don't you understand what that means?"
Melisandre shrugged, "This means nothing where I'm from. But if nobody knows about him then we can use him how we like"
"What are you saying?" Stannis leans forward as if to interrogate her.
"I'm saying he can't sit the Iron Throne if nobody knows he exists," she leans forward, "if he never leaves DragonStone-"
Stannis raised his hand bidding her to stop, he rubbed his temples as if he had a headache.
"Are you suggesting what I think you are? Kill my blood? And for what? I can't kill a boy no one knows about and use it to take the throne"
Melisandre smiled widely, "Kings blood has immense power my Lord. He is young, we can use him in ways you can't even imagine"
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The breeze gusts through the room, salty and fresh causing the curtains to fly wildly. Olenna closes her eyes and feels the wind on her skin, and lets it transport her elsewhere in her mind. Back to her youth, back to spending time with her friends on the coast before life became complicated with marriage and children. She sighs and lifts her cup from the saucer to drink her tea. As she puts the cup to her lips she catches sight of a scroll tucked under the side of the saucer and on a whim decides to read it first. Shaking slightly from age she clatters the cup down on the table slightly spilling the tea. Cursing under her breath she reaches over and picks up the scroll, rolling it open she sees spidery handwriting and reads its contents. As soon as she's finished reading it once through she rises as quickly as she can manage to her feet and throws the cup from her window. The castle is so high she doesn't even hear it obliterate on the rocks below, returning to the scroll she reads again. Her eyes darting across the details outlined in it she doesn't waste a minute. Pulling on a dark dress and grabbing a shawl, Olenna limps around the room and collects her most prized possessions stashing them in a bag as she goes. Voices at her door startle her, she quietly tip toes to the door and listens. It's muffled but she can hear snippets of the guards conversation.
"She should be out by now"
"When you're sure, go in there. We have orders to follow"
"She's an old lady though!" She heard one guard protest.
"It's either her throat or yours," replies a gruff voice.
"Follow your orders"
Olenna waits no longer, she rushes across the room and grasps the scroll shoves it in her bag and hurries to follow its instructions. She feels with her gnarled hands for the panel along the wall, she feels a click and pushes it back. She scrambles into a very small and very dirty hall, pushing desperately with her limited strength after some huffing she manages to close the panel and escape a certain death. By now her heart is racing, but she knows she can't stop. Cersei wants to kill her family today. Olenna scurries through the dark hall, her eyes have adjusted but she occasionally stumbles over an obstacle. Finally she reaches a door, fearing what's on the other side she tries to listen but there is no sound. Knowing she can't stay hidden in here forever she bravely and slowly turns the handle. Light and sound spill into the dark dusty hall and she covers her face with the shawl and slips through. The doorway opens onto an alley way alongside the bottom of the castle walls, and she melts into the crowd. Olenna makes her limp more pronounced and bends her back further forward to make herself seem more aged. People bustle around her as she moves at a slow pace, and as they go she hears the snippets of their conversations and what she hears chills her to ice.
"They're executing him today! That bloody turn cloak!"
"to think he conspired to kill the King! I can't wait to see his head roll!"
"Those Tyrells think they can do what they like!"
Olenna knew it was a race against time, she picked up her pace and followed the crowd into the square, glancing at several small children as she picked her way along. It was hard to get a place she could even see, she was so small in size. Thinking quickly she diverted away from the crowd through some jostling young boys and raced up some rickety stairs to come onto a low balcony which had a view of the square. She immediately saw the executioner, Cersei and other members of the small council along with Joffrey standing on the dais. A hooded figure was dragged across in front of them, and periodically he kicked out at whoever was dragging him. Olenna's knees buckled when they pulled the hood off his face and she saw it was Mace, a cold fury threatened to boil over and out of her. Her knuckles became white from gripping the balcony so hard, everything moved in slow motion and the sounds of the jeering crowd seemed to be drowned out by her ragged breathing. Her heart faltered in her chest and she clutched at herself as pain gripped her, in mere moments she watched as the axe was raised in the air, sunlight glinting off its cruel blade before it whistled down and took her sons head from his shoulders. Olenna felt her knees give way from under her, and she retched at her feet, her gnarled hands spread on the dirty rickety balcony. The thud of approaching footsteps arrived quickly behind her, not giving her enough time to hide. Several strong arms gripped under her arms and that was all she remembered before she fainted from shock.
Olenna drifted in an out of consciousness before jolting awake to the sounds of loud voices around her. She looked around, bewildered as the faces of Margaery and Sansa looked over her. In a panic she clawed at them as they startled her, Sansa gripped her forearm and lifted her into a sitting up position.
"Where am i?" She gasped, "Am I dead?"
"Grandmother please ssshh, ssshhh" soothed Margaery, "Lie down-"
"I will not lie down! Tell me where am I?" She questioned irritably.
"You're home Grandmother, in Highgarden. Who brought you here?" spoke Willas from across the room. Olenna wildly looked around, and caught the ashen faces of her grandchildren all around her. Willas, Loras and Margaery all stared at her with grief and worry across their faces. Sansa stood to the side trying not to get too involved, her face downcast.
"Sansa," panted Olenna, "leave us, we have family business to discuss"
"No," interjected Willas, "she has helped grow our families wealth and lived under our roof for months now. She stays"
He flashed Sansa a look which she returned and Olenna noted, knowing there was something between them but this was not the time to address it.
"Very well," she continued, "children I'm sorry your father-"
"Is dead," interrupted Loras, holding up a scroll with the Lannister lion seal on it, "Cersei already took the pleasure of notifying us. She also mentions you are missing, presumed dead. So she has no idea where you are either"
"Grandmother," said Willas gently, "how did you get here? Did someone help you"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you before you keep interrupting me!" She blurted out irritably, "I don't know!"
"Well, whoever it is must be a friend to our family because if you had stayed in Kings Landing you'd be dead by now. What do we do now?" asked Willas, taking Olenna's hand in his. She looked down at his hand in hers with tears in her eyes before she sniffed them away and replied resolutely.
"Cersei Lannister is coming for House Tyrell, she will take everything from us if she has her way. Our home, our titles, maybe even our lives will be gone if she comes. We must prepare for war. Willas summon our banner men," Olenna looks to Sansa, "Sansa, contact your Father. If Cersei is coming for me the North is next"
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Tywin sat in silence, the glass in his hand still full as he gazed into the flames dancing in the fireplace. Since news arrived of Cersei's actions Tywin experienced a range of emotions, mainly rage. And to avoid having people see him lose his composure he decided it best to stay away from people for a while. Strangely the only person he had confided in was an unlikely person, his youngest son Tyrion. And ever since there seemed to be a relaxing of tension between father and son. Tyrion sat by his Father also gazing into the flames, but his glass was near empty and his expression relaxed, the scroll in his hands held only loosely. Tyrion sighed, and went to drain his cup and upon finding it almost empty looked disappointed. Turning to his father he went to take the cup to refill it and noticed it full, Tywin caught his gaze and without an expression lifted the glass to his lips and drank, deeply. Once it was empty he gave the cup to his son who diligently toddled off to fill it. Tywins gaze noticed the scroll Tyrion had placed on the table, he leaned forward to re read the words. His eyes skimming across the haughty message from his daughter, the rage boiled up again but didn't threaten to overtake him again.
"Have you thought what you're going to do about this?" queried Tyrion from the other side of the room.
Tywin flicked the scroll back onto the table and sat back in his seat again, "No" he replied stiffly, with barely suppressed rage.
Tyrion chuckled, "I don't know if you've noticed Father but Cersei isn't someone you can just ignore"
He returned to their shared seat and presented Tywin with his filled cup and resumed his seat, Tywin took a sip.
"I'm aware of that" he continued to reply stiffly
"Well if you haven't returned a reply it could only be because you're planning on opposing her rule or you're angry with yourself that you didn't plan to put her there earlier" smirked Tyrion as he took a pensive sip of his drink.
"I do oppose her rule Tyrion that's why I've been sitting here for days trying to think of a way to get her off that throne!"
Tyrion looked surprised, "I was just joking-"
"Tyrion listen and listen closely. There is a reason I never sought to sit on that thing myself, it's not our place to sit on that throne. We can get power and wealth without it, that seat is a curse our family doesn't need"
Tyrion sat back and processed what his Father said, "What do you mean it's a curse?"
Tywin made an impatient sound, "Of all people Tyrion I expected you to understand. You know the twisted history of the Targaryens the best of everyone I know"
Tyrion sat back and mulled over what his father had said, flicking back through Targaryen history.
"What about the boy? Cersei seems bent on starting a war with the North. He's in danger being here"
"She doesn't know he's here"
"I guarantee to you she still has spies in this castle Father, she's learned a lot of things over the years and one of those is the value of spies"
"A lesson I taught her myself" seethed Tywin.
"You've got to admit some sort of pride in her. After all she seems to be the one who has put all of your lessons to use"
"Don't remind me," he took a long sip from his cup, "I need to speak to the boy. I'm reluctant to send him away, it's more dangerous on the return North than it is to be here with me"
"Father you can't be serious? If Cersei gets what she wants she will consider his presence here a betrayal and seek to use him as a pawn in her war. She will do anything to break the North including hurting your ward"
Tywin knew Tyrion was right but he didn't want to admit it, despite himself he had grown fond of the young Wolf.
"You raise fair points Tyrion, but for now let's talk about what you're going to do"
"Me?" choked Tyrion as he almost spat out his wine.
"Yes, the only good option is sending you to Kings Landing in my place" Tywin turned to gaze at his son, his stone cold face set resolutely.
"She won't accept me in your place, she wants to gloat and throw it in your face. I'm not worthy of that in her eyes" spoke Tyrion bitterly.
"I know, that's exactly what I want. To prolong the gloating as long as possible, in the meantime I will prepare the West for whatever is to come"
Tyrion looked concerned and lowered his voice, "Father what are you planning?"
Tywin swirled his wine in his glass his thoughts straying to a conversation from many years ago that had never left his mind.
"Im weighing up several options. Now go, prepare to go to Kings Landing and send me the boy"
Tyrion recognised that his father had ended their conversation and jumped from his seat to exit the room, his heart was heavy with worry for what was the come.
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Robb was exhausted from being Tywins assistant all day, he had been stone faced more than usual since Cersei took the throne. Robb knew something was wrong, and he knew there were rumblings of war, all the nobles in the West had flocked to Tywin to be assured their sons and men were safe. They remembered all too well the ravages of the last war and the effect it had on some more than others. Many expressed their concern that their Houses might be extinguished should their sons be conscripted to war or that their regions would suffer if only the women remained to do the manual labour. These were all valid concerns, which Tywin would hear and then provide very short answers which seemed to only trouble the people. Knowing better than to argue, they took his word and left but Robb could see the discontent and he felt the undercurrents of discontent. This was a dangerous time, he could feel peoples allegiances were being questioned. All of these new senses were being heightened in Robb since finding Asher, sometimes he even heard strings of thoughts when people crossed by him. These disturbed him even more. His days with Tywin combined with the lessons with Asher stretched Robb considerably, some days he was silent and drawn from being fatigued. But he still managed to listen, observe and take note of important subtle aspects of all interactions. He had begun to notice a flicker of eyebrow, quirk of mouth, and slight changes of expression to be a true indicator of what is going through someone's mind. He knew Tywin noticed these things too so he did everything to emulate what Tywin was doing. This only troubled Robb further. He lay sprawled on his bed close to falling asleep when there was a knock at his door, followed by Tyrion entering his room.
The two had formed a sort of friendship which begun when Tyrion mentioned Jon who he had grown close to while he was visiting the Wall.
"Sorry to interrupt such a riveting evening," smirked Tyrion as he sat on the end of the bed and took a small sip of his whiskey. "My Father has requested you join him"
Robb breathed out tiredly, and Tyrion patted his shoulder, "I'm exhausted Tyrion. I've seen much that troubles me these last few days"
Tyrion looked at Robb wondering how much he should tell him. "Yes there is much to be concerned about. Exactly why you must go see Father. Hopefully he doesn't keep you long"
Robb nodded and got up to leave, but Tyrion grabbed him as he went to leave the room.
"I also came to say goodbye"
"Goodbye? Where are you going?" asked Robb, immediately his eyes were wide as he became alert again.
"Kings Landing to see my sister, the Queen" said Tyrion as best he could without apprehension or uncertainty.
Robb looked shocked, he hadn't thought Tywin would send Tyrion.
"But sending you will anger her-" began Robb.
"I know, but my Father seems to think this is the best way for now"
"It will help his banner men be relaxed about the War they're all worried about"
"Well for now it's a solution, but long term I don't know what will happen. Maybe next time we meet we will be enemies," joked Tyrion.
"I sincerely hope not," returned Robb seriously as he held out his hand to Tyrion. He smiled gratefully and shook Robbs hand fiercely.
"Enemies or not we were friends first. Let's hope we don't forget that"
"I won't" pledged Robb.
"Me either, as much as I'm loathe to admit it I rather enjoy the company of you Stark boys"
Robb chuckled, "I've grown to enjoy yours too after tolerating it for months now"
Tyrion looked mock offended as the pair took off down the ornate golden corridor toward Tywin's suites.
Shortly after, Robb sat to Tywins side in front of the fire. Robb could tell Tywin was tired, but not physically more mentally.
"Things are changing rapidly now my daughter calls herself Queen," started Tywin barely above a whisper.
"What things?"
"Everything, now danger is present in a place that was previously safe for you. And I'm torn what to do. There is a part of me that thinks you're safer here where I can keep you close but then another part telling the safest place for you is back home with your Father. But with impending War, changing allegiances and general anxiety about the state of things that might not be ideal either. Now with Cersei as Queen I must be careful and I mustn't be fast to make decisions"
"You're not happy she is Queen?" asked Robb boldly.
"No, I'm not happy. Tell me why"
Robb looked at Tywins face and knew he wasn't joking.
"Tell me why and don't hold back. Read her latest scroll and tell me" reiterated Tywin. Robb reached forward and picked up the scroll, he read it over once and put it down.
"She acts before she thinks, and will make too many enemies. Her decisions will ruin the kingdom, financially and politically"
Robb thought he saw the slightest smile break across Tywins face as he sat back after Robb finished speaking.
"It's time for you to go home Robb, your family needs you"
"What did I do wrong? Why are you sending me away?" said Robb in despair.
"You did nothing wrong, our lessons are complete. Tell me one thing though, why do you keep disappearing into the forest?"
"You had me followed you tell me" replied Robb with a smirk.
Tywin inclined his head, "You're right I did. They couldn't find you, it was like you disappeared. So I'll ask you again where did you go? How did you evade me?"
"It's not what you think-"
"Then tell me where you went-"
"I can't tell you where I went, I gave my word I wouldn't betray their home. But I went to learn more about this-"
He opened his hand and let the flame burn brightly before it slid up and around his arms and back to his hand again.
"The witch?" asked Tywin with some rage.
"Witch? There was no witch" stated Robb, confused.
"Then who?! These are my lands!"
"They haven't always been yours Tywin, and if you remember that you'll know who I'm talking about. Respect my pledge of silence here, there is no threat to you"
Tywin listened to Robbs words and understood, for a moment he was reminded of the presence of Maggy the Frog. The woods witch he had ordered be killed many years ago but who managed to evade him.
"I understand," He replied, "there is no threat to them from me"
"They know and are aware of your concerns. I should go and get ready to leave. Before I leave though," he slid a piece of roughly folded parchment onto the table, "here is a list of Houses in the West considering betraying you"
Tywin raised an eyebrow, and opened the parchment. He read it once and tucked it away for later.
"Some of these surprise me," he said simply
Robb shrugged his shoulders, "I heard their thoughts very clearly, they're fearful and now Cersei is Queen want favour with the crown."
"Seems I have to remind some people who their Lord is then" he said with cold indifference, Tywin turned his head to Robb again and spoke with warning.
"Robb, use whatever skills you have to keep yourself safe. It's a different world out there to when you arrived. Keep your wits about you"
Robb smiled, "Comments like these make me think you actually care about me"
Tywin smiled a little before replying, "Don't flatter yourself boy"
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Ned's hand trembled a little as he held the scroll, reading it over again he raised his eyes to meet the gaze of his wife and Maester Lewin. He shook his head and looked away.
"Ned, what is it?" questioned Catelyn, her face white with worry.
"Mace Tyrell was executed in Kings Landing. Cersei proclaimed he conspired with the North to kill Robert, she has declared war." Ned looked to Maester Lewin and said softly, "Maester send out the ravens, call the banners. The North is going to war"