Visenya woke up with a small gasp, her unique amber eyes looking widely at the wooden roof above her and her lips parted to allow more oxygen into her body. Her chest moved up and down slowly, her heart beating much faster as her brain replayed the last image she had seen in her mind.
It took her a minute of silence for her to control herself, regulate her breaths and slow down her heartbeat. She slowly lifted her upper body, placing both hands over her face and let out a silent heavy sigh.
Sometimes she truly hated having Dragon Dreams.
"Do these Dragon Dreams make you wake up like that every time?" a familiar voice was heard, making her focus on her surroundings.
A quick look around and memories replayed in her mind as to what had taken place. She was in Tywin's chambers and currently, she was lying on his bed, her body lacking any sort of clothing and having different love marks left by the man lying by her side.
Lowering her hands, Visenya looked forward for a moment; noticing that the sun had long set and it was the middle of the night. "Only those that speak of death or indicate towards it," she said slowly.
She felt the bed shifting slightly by her side as Tywin turned to be better on his side. He was bare as well, minus the red blanket spread across his lower body, leaving his chest and arms exposed to the chilly night.
He rubbed his eye ever so faintly, pushing away any sleepiness he had and focused on her body; mostly her back. "What did you dream about?" he asked, more out of curiosity than of anything else.
There was a pause from Visenya, taking a minute longer to answer him. "The death of my sister" she finally said, the atmosphere in the room shifting as those words were spoken out loud. "I did not see her dying but she was after labour, bed sheets a deep red from all the blood she was losing" Her next words were spoken so softly, one might have trouble hearing it if the room was not utterly quiet. "I doubt anyone could survive such blood loss"
Tywin let out a sigh and laid on his back again. That dream, if it were to come true, could complicate a lot of things and what was worse? There was no detail behind it. When would this lethal birth take place?
If it were soon, it would be a disaster and most likely break the little mentality Aerys had. If that were to happen in the future, then most likely things would not take dramatic turns.
He was not sure but he was suddenly put into thought. A part of him was even annoyed by that dream, for it had ruined the remaining night for them.
After breaking the taboo and the two of them had sex, they had chosen to rest on the bed; mostly Visenya. Hours had passed since then and he had planned to stay in bed just a little bit more, with her present.
Somehow, sharing the same bed did not feel nor seem so wrong in his mind; only for them to be reminded that they were not married for them to be so comfortable around one another. That thought made him wonder if they should repeat it or now that the sexual tension was gone, they would continue like it never happened.
He glanced in her direction and saw her getting dressed, silently and expertly as if she had done it dozens of times before.
"I better leave, before anyone realizes I am not in my chambers" she said, fixing her dress before heading for the door.
Tywin did nothing to stop her nor did he say anything to her, only watched her in silence as she exited his chambers with the stealth of a cat. If Visenya expected him to argue or say something, she did not seem to show it and he was not going to think about it too much.
His body was relaxed on the bed, although his mind was wide awake now and he knew he would not be getting any more sleep; not anytime soon at least. With a groan of annoyance, he pressed his head more against the pillow.
Sometimes life seemed to be unnecessarily complicated.
277AC – King's Landing, CrownLands – Seat of Power: Aerys II Targaryen
A few months passed since the Tourney and the new year had arrived peacefully. Things had returned to normal for everyone, although some things from the recent past could not be forgotten.
Even since Visenya and Tywin slept together, there had been no repetition of that night. They seemed to be back to normal, working together behind closed doors and merely being seen together in public.
None seemed to be willing to ask or make a move, both putting their work and the realm above everything else. However, it was also their characters that did not truly allow them to express themselves with the same freedom others did; since too many things were at risk by even the slightest of mistakes.
That, however, did not mean that their night together had left their minds. On the contrary, it seemed to reside there and randomly choose to make itself known; much to their dismay.
Visenya often found herself glancing at him as they worked, her eyes casting to his hands before she focused her attention elsewhere. Sometimes at night, she would lay alone and let her hands roam her body, imagining it was his for a change.
Tywin seemed to be in a similar dilemma. Often he would spy on her from the balcony or from afar, watching her interact with his son or doing her own thing. When they would break fast together or during supper, his leg barely touched hers now that she was positioned next to him.
And when the chances would appear, when their fingers touched faintly or their thighs rubbed against one another under the table; only then would they feel that burning sensation to increase that limited touch.
Like a forbidden relationship where a single touch would be punished with death, so were their lives when the two of them did not bury themselves with work. For when they had to work and focus on the good of the realm, there was maturity and professionalism between them; despite the occasional roaming eyes.
Yet, the Gods had other plans for them to eventually bring them closer. It all would start one random night when the two of them would be in the Hand's Study. There, Tywin sat behind his desk as per usual and was reading out loud a letter he had just received.
It was from Denys Darklyn, the Lord of Duskendale, bringing up his desire to have his citizens with certain rights, as well as a new charter for Duskendale; just like Dorne had done so long ago.
Duskendale, once been an important port on Blackwater Bay and even a seat of kings but nowadays its wealth has shrunk and its trade dwindled due to the growth of King's Landing and its harbour.
Tywin was frowning after he read the letter, clearly not happy with how prideful Lord Darklyn was in his letter; thinking he would be given what he wanted just like that.
"He must be a bigger fool than I had him for" the Lord Hand commented, leaning back on his chair.
Visenya sat across from him on the same chair she had been occupying for the past few years. She was leaning back all this time but was focused fully on what he was reading out loud.
In the end, she hummed faintly in thought. "That doesn't sound like him. Although, I have heard that he had wed himself to a girl from Myr. I wouldn't be surprised if she was the one putting such ideas into his head" she commented, earning his attention. "Court Ladies talk too much, you should be aware" she explained and moved one leg to be crossed over the other.
That movement caused her black dress to shift, exposing most of her lower leg and smooth skin. Green eyes followed the movement of the leg, staring a little too intensely at the exposed flesh before focusing back on the subject.
He cleared his throat. "His ideas or not, he should await our answer. Under no circumstances would we give him what he desires"
She nodded. "Agreed. If one Lord starts to be given what he asks, more will follow and you cannot deny some and accept others without risking alliances"
"Good, then we agree on that," he said and grabbed one quil, before dipping it gently into the ink.
No more words were exchanged as Tywin started to write on a clear parchment. Usually, such subjects would be brought up to the King but after Casterly Rock; the relationship between Tywin and Aerys had strained.
No longer did the mighty Lion try to be close to the King or keep him up to date. Now, he had taken it up to him fully to do most of the damage control and generally rule the Kingdom. Of course, he did not do it fully alone.
Visenya was present in his studies almost daily, with whom he discussed of what had changed and kept her informed on everything going on about the realm. At the same time, he would discuss certain plans of action for she had a different point of view from his and she also, like with the situation of Lord Darklyn, had more insight; either through personal experience or gossip court as she liked to call them.
Yet, no one could have seen what their decision and that letter would bring. Even her Dragon Dreams would not prepare them for the dire consequences, which would rain upon them and the 7 Kingdoms in one of the worst years in the History of the Western World.
It all started when Lord Darklyn was not pleased with the reply he had gotten. Wanting to come successful out of this one, he used the latest piece of gossip he had heard. Aerys and Tywin had an estranged relationship, leaving the King open to influence.
With a new plan in action, he sent a letter directly addressing the King and inviting him to come to Duskendale and hear the petition from close. As it was expected, Tywin and even Visenya tried to argue with the idea and stop the King from going.
But alas, Aerys was not only stubborn but also petty. Wanting to get away from Tywin and handle this problem on his own for a chance, the mighty Targaryen King chose to travel to Duskendale.
He went with a small escort led by only one King's guard knight, Ser Gwayne Gaunt. Despite the arguments of pretty much everyone, Aerys chose no other loyal knight since he did not expect someone to strike the ruling King of the 7 Kingdoms.
It was his pride and stubbornness that made him blind to the obvious trap. Upon his arrival, he was imprisoned while some of his escorts were killed defending him; including Ser Gwayne.
With the King imprisoned, it was up to the rest of his court and family to handle the issue and bring him back.
A few hours after the raven had arrived in King's Landing, the troops were already in motion. The full force of the King's Guard, the best of the Lannister soldiers and even soldiers from allied houses were planned to regroup and march towards Duskendale.
A single hour before the troops would leave, Tywin and Visenya were once again exchanging last words and plans. In his chambers, Visenya was helping him with the straps of his armour.
After last time, Tywin had learnt to appreciate her skilful hands and she was faster and better than his squire. She did not seem to mind, giving them more time to discuss things, although the proximity did become tricky for both of them.
Thankfully, at that moment, the imprisonment of the King and the ransoms were far more important; helping keep their heads in the game.
"I want you to take Rhaegar with you" she suddenly said as she fixed the straps around his chest plate.
Her words made him arch an eyebrow and look at her. "The Crown Prince? His role is to take his father's place until we bring him back"
Visenya finished and moved to the straps of the arm guard of the left arm, despite him being able to do it on his own. He did not stop her nor push her away, choosing to let her continue while she explained her way of thinking.
"He is almost of age 8 and 10 and yet he has seen no true combat or battle. This should help him learn how to negotiate and how to handle if a similar situation arises" She finished with the left arm guard and moved to the right. "I see none more qualified to teach him properly and help shape him into a better King before he takes the throne"
She finished and took a step back, noticing how his lips curved into an amused smirk and he silently took pleasure in her words. "Once again praising my accomplishments to gain my favour, Princess?" he asked, bringing up their first official meeting in the Library.
She looked slightly offended but his words were not something she took to heart. Placing one hand on her waist like a disappointed mother, she looked at him with her head slightly leaning on one side. "I do not think those words ever to be a lie or a plot, Lord Hand. Merely stating the truth to emphasize my point and my final decision"
"Say the Crown Prince joins me, who will rule in his absence?" he questioned rather openly but immediately got the answer on his own. "You" he pointed the obvious, this time his smirk becoming more and more evident. "You will rule the 7 Kingdoms until we bring back the King"
He could just imagine her, sitting on the Iron Throne or commanding the small council with barely a silent look. A crown was placed upon her head as she held her chin high, not once bending under the pressure that made many men and women kneel.
He would have loved to see that, seeing her in a position she deserved. If Tywin truly ruled the Seven Kingdoms from the Shadows, then she was his Queen Regent. All fake smiles and playing innocent, fooling everyone and preventing them from seeing the crown of shadows above her head; decorated with bleeding red jewels.
"As a Princess, I am the next in line should both the King and the Crown Prince be absent. I will handle any responsibilities and be in contact with you. You are aware that with me in that position, you will have the freedom to act as you see fit without caring for the true approval of the crown"
Tywin would never truly admit it out loud but sometimes Visenya seemed to think better than him when it came to near plans. In less than 24 hours, she had already formed a plan on what she should do, and whom she should send away and even knew the way to present it to him to make him agree.
She was sneaky and cunning, far surpassing the average court lady. Many men underestimated her and one would pity the ignorant man that one day would court her. She was a force to be reckoned with and only very few were capable of containing it; for it would be impossible to truly tame.
He checked his armour, once again satisfied with her work and turned fully to face her. "Very well, you can inform your nephew to get his horse ready" he said but then something clicked into his mind. "Although, something tells me he is already ready for departure"
Her response was a pearly white smirk and that mischievous glow in her eyes. Like a kid that had just been caught up in the kitchen, stealing pastries; she felt no true guilt for her original plan and even had this sense of excitement to be found out eventually.
It was in such moments that she truly saw Tywin, for whom he was. He was an intelligent man, observant above all. He had managed to read her, and speculate her thoughts and plans better than any man ever did; even better than her sister sometimes.
Yet her white teeth were quickly covered by her pink lips as the mood turned serious again. "I have some of the men to load a few barrels of Wildfire" she informed him, making his face turn equally serious. "You are already aware how to maintain it and this new batch is better than the one I used against the Silver Lions" she continued, taking a step closer and lifting her head slightly up to look at him. "Bringing the King back or not, I leave it up to you. However, I want to see those walls burning. A clear message for everyone to see and know of what happens when one dares to threaten my family"
There was a silent exchange between them, the only talk being done with their eyes. Visenya's face was cold and serious, revenge and anger glowing inside her unique irises like burning pyres.
Every word had been spoken without hesitation for she had none. She had created Wildfire to defend her family, and her house and she was going to use it. Now, would it be to burn people or just buildings with it; Visenya did not care.
She wanted people in the future to think back to that day, remembering how that single mistake brought down upon them the true rage of the Targaryen; dragons alive or not. She wanted people to realize that despite their reduced numbers, the Ancient Valyrian family was still powerful and no one should even dare to think of going against them.
Tywin understood that, for he had done the same in Castamere and it had paid off. His actions and his show of power whether wealth or force, had made his house untouchable and respected; whether by fear or not he could care less.
He gave a small nod to his head. "We will be in contact with ravens" he said and she seemed pleased with his answer.
Others might find her approach cruel or unlady-like but not him. He understood better than anyone her position, and her thoughts on defending her house and family.