[A/N] - Okay, this is more of a filler and just a nice little chapter to show Tywin as a father. He might not be the most in touch with his emotions but has his ways of being with his children. (In the books, he sat down with Jaime for hours every day until Jaime could read and speak without stuttering).

Inspired fully (and taken 99% of Tywin's History Lesson) from the video: The WesterLands by Tywin Lannister - Game of Thrones: Histories and Lore (It's an amazing animated video, narrated by Charles Dance himself. I swear I could listen to him reading a school history book and would never get bored or tired of listening)

285 AC – Casterly Rock, WesterLands – Seat of Power: Robert I Baratheon

It had been less than two years since Maester Val made an official examination of Visenya and found out that she could no longer bear children. Ever since that miscarriage and that near-death experience in the birthing bed, something had changed within the Dragoness.

She was often seen as cold or distant, smiling faintly and on rare occasions. She spent a lot of time with Tywin, working on the matters at hand and keeping a tab on what was going on around the world.

The times she would be softer were around Trystan but there were times her strictness would show. Even Tyrion started to see the changes and after the incident with his first wife, Tysa, he had come to realize that Visenya had become more Lion than a Dragon.

Yet, even the mighty Dragoness had moments of weakness that few could see. When her Dragon Dreams showed her the horrors of the future, she would wake up with a heart racing. When Trystan would do well in his training, she would smile in pride and somehow Genna could make her softer with her constant talk and ridiculous schemes she would come up with.

Sometimes, Visenya just softened behind the tall walls of her new home when she would see things that no one else would ever have the chance to.

Like that one day in the early spring when she found herself returning from training. Shooting a dozen arrows and keeping her sword skills sharp had helped her mind find some peace, while she ensured herself and others that she was not a helpless woman like many around her.

She came to a halt in front of Tywin's study room, peeking through the half-open door. Her husband was sitting on his desk with a 5-year-old Trystan on his lap. In front of them was a map of the WesternLands and the Old Lion of Casterly Rock was busy educating his son and heir, about the story of his house and of the lands he would eventually command when he would become the new Lord of Casterly Rock.

The Dragoness leaned against the door frame and watched in silence, listening to the stable and soothing voice of the man she had ended up harbouring enough feelings to carry his children.

"The WesterLands are all bounded by three natural defences, mountain, sea and forest. Necessary barriers when the land is as rich as ours. From our mines come the gold and silver that fuel the rest of Westeros" he explained, pointing at each natural formation on the map. "Do you know where our mines are located, Trystan?" he quizzed his younger son.

The boy quickly lifted a finger and pointed at the map, precisely where the famous mines were located. "Good. What about Lannisport?"

"Here," Trystan said, pointing at the famous port town.

"Do you know why is such an important part of the WesterLands?" he asked him next.

His son thought for a moment. "Because of the trade," he replied.

"Not only" his father said and made him focus back on the map. "From Lannisport, our largest city comes the most skilful gold and silver smiths in the land" he explained, momentarily glancing at his son, who was hanging from his every word. "Yet Geography alone is not strength, Trystan. The WesternLands would have been sacked and pillaged for thousands of years if it hadn't been for the man who ruled it, our family; House Lannister"

Visenya kept listening and watching as Trystan proudly pointed to the embroidered golden lion on his tunic, right above his heart. He bore the Lannister sigil with pride, as would any Lion born into the pack.

Tywin seemed pleased with the pride of the boy in his family and observed him carefully before he continued with his history lesson. His heir was intelligent, taking both from his parents and it was evident even at such a young age.

"According to Legend, we trace our descent to Lan the Clever. He was a trickster of the dawn age, who swindled the Casterlys out of Casterly Rock, their ancient castle...a childish story but not without merit. One, a mind can and should be a weapon in a man's arsenal, Two, must have been clever enough not to rely solely on his wits. After all, where today is House Casterly? Three, by keeping the Casterly Name on the castle; Lan reminded the world of the price of getting in his way"

Trystan was staring at his grandfather in silence, his childhood mind almost envisioned the events he was narrating being replayed live in front of him. He could imagine Lan the Clever, tricking the Casterlys out of their own home and establishing a new family; all on his own.

His father took a moment to allow his son to process everything since it was obvious the boy was paying the utmost attention to him. When he was certain the boy was ready, he pointed at the map again and continued his lesson by bringing up a part of his own past.

"The Reynes ignored all these lessons, not content with being the second richest, they sought to challenge the first; ours. " he explained, memories of his own past coming into his mind as he continued educating his son. "My father had put up with their insults and disrespect. When I came of age, I led our army to teach them what they should have known."

"The Reins of Castamere" Trystan commented, interrupting his father.

Tywin sent him a look, clearly not liking to be interrupted and the boy looked at his hands in embarrassment. Nonetheless, his father did not comment further upon it and instead kept talking about his first real achievement that made his name as famous and powerful as it is today. "Some people say I was harsh, that eradicating every member of their family was not necessary. What do you think Trystan?" he asked his son, who was clearly in a mood to comment.

If the boy wanted to talk about it, he could but at the same time, he would be quizzed and tested for his perception of things.

The Lannister heir lifted his head and looked at the map, where Castamere still stood but only in words for the city itself had been wiped out by the river his father had redirected upon the city.

"I..." he took a moment to focus on his words, knowing that his father did not like mumbling and stuttering. "I think you did what you had to, father. In the sight of great disrespect, only harsher options remain" he said, quoting a famous line that Tywin knew too well.

Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince he thought, surprised that his son would choose to quote a Dragon.

Yet again, Visenya had taken it upon herself to also educate him in the history of her house and of her ancestors. Daemon Targaryen was her ancestor, his blood flowing through her veins and she bore the characteristics to prove it.

While often reckless and headstrong, the Rogue Prince had earned alliances and burnt any enemies that threatened his family. To some, he was considered cruel but Tywin understood what it meant to get your hands dirty when you were facing disrespect from someone inferior to you.

"Good," his father said after a moment of silence. "Let the others say what they wish for now that I know Bannerman is loyal to their Lord as the WesternLands to us. If any Lord bridles of our authority, I have only to send a singer with a harp and he falls back into line." he continued, bringing up the Rains of Castamere.

The song was created to narrate the destruction of a full house, barely leaving anyone alive. Back then, Tywin thought he had eradicated the whole family until they showed up under the Banners of Pitt the Bastard. With Visenya's help, he made sure to fully eradicate the silver lions and remind the world of what happened when someone went against the powerful House Lannister.

"I will not have our Lords squabble amongst themselves like the Lords of the RiverLands or hide in their Castles like the Lords of the Vale, each of our bannermen contributes a unique skill that furthers the whole of the WesternLands" he explained, going to the next chapter of his lesson. He then took a wooden circular piece from the side of the map, where a dog was carved on it and he placed it on a specific place on the map. "House Clegane because every Lord needs a beast from time to time. Ser Gregor strikes terror into the hearts of our enemies and our friends. So too does his disappointing brother, Sander"

Visenya shivered at the sight of the Mountain and she made a mental note to ensure if any Clegane were to serve her son, it would not be the unpredictable rapist that her husband kept around.

Yet again, due to Gregor's bloodthirsty nature and kin slaying of his own family; not many of that house remained. Perhaps, by the time Trystan would become Lord, she would have found some other house to offer a trustworthy knight to be by her son's side.

Tywin then picked up another wooden token, this one had circular coins spread in a square formation and he placed it further on the map since there was the place where that specific house was located.

"House Payne, who provides us loyal servants. Ser Ilyn Payne was once Captain of my Household guard until the Mad King heard him boast that I ran the Seven Kingdoms, which I did alongside your mother" he explained, his green eyes glancing at her form for a mere second, showing that he had been aware of her presence all this time. He then focused back on his son and the lesson he was giving him. "The Mad King tore our Ser Ilyn's tongue, making him well-suited to later become the King's Justice"

The boy was too focused on the story, memorizing the most important houses that would be ruled by him when he would grow older; to notice his mother by the door.

Tywin kept educating his son since the boy was eager to hear more. He picked up the next token that indicated an inverted pile with a sun on the left and placed it on the map accordingly. "House Lefford, who guards the Golden Tooth, the Eastern Pass through the mountains and the all too frequent chaos of the Seven Kingdoms" he then leaned back on his chair and looked at Trystan. "Listen well, Trystan. Fools look at the WesternLands and see gold. Fools see our wealth and call it strength. Gold is just another rock. The WesternLands are strong because of House Lannister. Never forget, from strong Leadership comes unity...from unity, comes power"

The boy kept his green eyes on his father, listening to everything and in the end; there seemed to be a new idea and a new perspective of how things worked. There was determination in his eyes as the young boy understood what his father was truly telling him.

He had to be a strong leader when he would become the Lord of the House, and through his leadership, he would bring unity and thus power; to ensure his family prevailed. He puffed his small chest. "I understand, father. I will become a strong Leader like you"

Visenya then chose to walk into the room, drawing their attention. "Just like him, alone? I was certain I would count somewhere" she said.

"Mother!" Trystan exclaimed with happiness, jumping off his father's lap and rushing towards her. "Of course, you count, mother. You and Father are both strong leaders" the boy said, hugging her legs above her scarlet red dress.

The Dragoness smiled faintly, amused by the words of her son and placed her hand on top of his head. The boy had the colours of the Lannisters, his hair the shade of gold and his eyes a bright emerald green, with golden specks like his father. So far, the boy looked a lot like his father but there were softer edges at his jaw and more prominent cheekbones that he had taken from his mother.

"Good. Now, it is time to bed" she reminded him, since the sun had already set outside.

The boy looked up at her, pouting faintly since he was enjoying listening to his father talking about their history. He did not wish for it to end. "I do not feel tired, though" he argued back. Visenya lifted a single eyebrow and stared him down. What did you say? Her sharp gaze would tell and the boy lowered his head. "I will get ready for bed," he said and started to walk towards the door but was stopped by his mother clearing her throat.

"Did you forget something?" she asked him.

Trystan turned sharply and gave a bow to them, mostly to Tywin. "Thank you for the lesson, father. Have a pleasant night" and with those words, he left the room.

Visenya watched him go until she sensed a presence right behind her. She didn't need to turn to know who was looming above her shoulder, making the room appear smaller with his stature and presence alone.

"He is catching up fast. He will learn the houses and the history of Westeros before he comes of age" she commented as she felt his breath faintly close to her neck.

"He is our son, it should not surprise you that he carries our intelligence," he said, his breath causing goose bumps to form on her exposed skin. "Although, I do wonder who he took such eagerness" he continued, his lips now closer to her neck but did not touch it yet.

The Dragoness kept down a shiver at the close proximity and did not turn her head, somehow enjoying the intimate closeness they had without truly needing to touch one another. It was a rare thing to exist and yet it seemed to come naturally for both of them.

She closed her eyes momentarily and tilted her head just an inch, showing a little bit more of her neck. "Eagerness to learn? I guess I am guilty of that" she said, keeping her body stable and her back straight.

Tywin moved so his body was pressed against her, her back against his chest. One hand moved slowly, pushing away white strands of hair from her neck as he brought his lips closer to her skin. "Yes, you are" he agreed, placing a gentle bite on the soft spot of her neck; causing her to hold her breath in reaction to it.

He then pulled back and even took a step away, amused drawing such reactions from her. His hands moved behind him and he watched her, as she turned to face him and she seemed to share his challenge.

"I see the Old Lion has grown soft, to leave someone as guilty as me to walk away" She smirked as his face darkened, her words having found his buttons all too quickly and too easily.

He took the step forward again, standing right in front of her like the predator he was. He tilted his head faintly but said nothing, staring down at her for almost a full minute; letting her wait for his reaction and not giving it to her.

"Go put him to bed. This will be continued later" he ordered and waited no time to walk back to his desk, his eyes dark with desire but in control so far.

The smirk remained on her lips, looking forward to the challenge that would come. But to add fuel to the fire, she did one more thing. She gave a small mocking bow. "As my Lord Husband commands," she said, keeping her victorious smirk upon seeing his eyes narrowing in warning.

She then left him there, to fume silently in his study as she headed towards the room of her son.

[A/N] - Don't forget to let me know whether:

1) We follow Trystan as he is now older and he goes with Robert and the Royal Family to the North. There will be a chance to see his character and interactions with the Stark children, especially Sansa (for they might or not might not be a future romance between them)

OR

2) We head straight to Tyrion's capture by Catlyn and Tywin's appearance in S01E7, going for small cameos before the true return of the powerful couple in the capital; with Joffrey as King for some damage control.