Casterly Rock, Westerlands,287 AC

Tywin Lannister was not a man easily roused to passioned displays of emotion, he always found such things to be beneath him; an action more suited to someone like his spineless deceased father.

Yet here, as he sat in his solar, he felt a stirring of emotion well within him. The odd beginnings of what one might call pride.

"Stranger's Hall's new lord, what do you make of him Kevan?" He asked in an idle, almost bored tone of his brother Kevan who was stood dutifully beside him.

"Hadrian has been a most interesting young man. That ghastly business with Luthor's death would have made mewling cubs of any other man, but Hadrian stood up and took charge."

Tywin's lips twitch upward in remembrance "He was a quite child who has grown into a cold, calculating and intelligent young man".

"You were quite close with his grandfather were you not? Is there any bit of Luthor in the boy?" Kevan inquired curiously

Tywin shook his head, "They could not be more different, where Luthor was pig iron, Hadrian's actions so far mark him out as steel."

And what a bar of steel that was, Tywin had struggled to believe it himself, how a boy of a mere 14 namedays had managed to crush such a sudden rebellion from discontent sub-lords in a matter of months.

If Tywin was being honest with himself, Hadrian reminded him of his own youth and the fearsome song he had inspired many a bard to sing.

Which severely complicated matters and was why he had called the young lord before him today.

The doors to his solar creaked open, one of his elite Lion guard entered "My lord Tywin, the young Lord Peverell has arrived".

"Show him in" came the curt response from Tywin, as he leaned forward in peaked interest.

The guard hurried off and left the door ajar behind him. It did not take long for Hadrian Peverell to arrive shortly after, looking lost before he visibly regained an air of assured confidence.

Good, he's no fool but it is clear he is nervous as to why I've called him to meet me Tywin thought with some dry bemusement.

"My Lord, I am here as per your request" Hadrian respectfully stated with head bowed.

Tywin nodded before gesturing at a bottle of Arbour Gold and three cups, understanding his intent, both Kevan and Hadrian sat on the prepared chairs and began to take pensive sips of their cups.

"Before we get to business, I really must offer my condolences to you, your father Luthor was taken by the Stranger too soon. He is missed by my brother and I" came the sympathetic refrain from Kevan, with sorrow and regret colouring his words

A look of confusion glided by the young lord's face, but it was gone as quick as it appeared "Thank you Ser Kevan, father was…a good man".

Tywin held back a derisive sneer, Luthor II Peverell was many things, a fool, a braggart, a man holding on to the coattails of power desperately after generous land grants from Tywin's own father, and most egregiously of all was a grasping toad of a man who wanted more.

It was only the actions of Luthor's father, Luthor I that he had escaped the fate that had befallen the Reynes and Castameres for Luthor I had saved Tywin's wife Joanna from a bandit ambush when he had offered to lead her escort retinue, this unfortunately had cost the nobleman his life and paved the way for the greedy Luthor II.

Before the man's brutal death at the hands of Gryffenlen rebels, Tywin had in fact been considering disciplinary measures as the Peverell domain had grown exceedingly more and more greedy and had seized much land from its neighbouring vassals, fattened and strengthened by the land grants of Tytos.

Tywin didn't voice any of these thoughts to his wayward vassal however, merely nodding before he leant back on his high-backed chair "So you must be wondering why it is I have called you here today".

The silent but curious stare from Hadrian made Tywin press on.

"Casterly Rock has heard, what it hopes are all the facts of the ill-born Gryffenlen rebellion that you have just finished crushing." Tywin began with a note of concealed pride.

Hadrian nodded, all confidence once more. "It was nothing my lord, those rebellious scum got what was coming to them."

Here Tywin found an opportunity for a lesson, "Yes indeed, disloyal behaviour must be thoroughly punished, on this we can agree." he gave a meaningful half glare at the lordling across him.

Hadrian seemed to shrink in confidence and stature as he nodded "Of course my lord."

"You would normally be saddled with regent rule until you reach your majority. However, for the loyal service rendered by your grandfather many years ago, I am willing to waive such formalities for you."

"Your terms are agreeable my lord" responded the young lord, seemingly surprised at the leniency shown.

Tywin believed that at this stage in his life he had mastered the art of rulership, and one thing he knew was that while favours must be repaid, so too must transgressions.

The carrot had been given, now to remind Hadrian that the stick existed closely within reach.

"However, due to the actions of the Gryffenlens affecting more than just your own demesne, and the damage they wrought across your neighbours, Casterly Rock will seize all Gryffenlen territory."

"This territory will be divided between four new lords, two of which I will allow Stranger's Hall the honour of appointing, but these lords will be lords in their own right and will owe no fealty to anyone but Casterly Rock."

In truth, this had been the disciplinary measure Tywin had prepared for Luthor the second before the man had the indecency to die before Tywin could see the look on his corpulent visage morph into outrage.

The Gryffenlens had controlled much of the silver wealth of the Peverell demesne and had been ardent loyalists of the Peverells before Hadrian's father had come along.

Their rebellion had come at a fortunate time, allowing Tywin to deal both magnanimous rewards and couched warnings.

"My lord, your terms are just and fair, I will inform you of my appointments before the year is out."

Tywin nodded, accepting the lordlings submission and subtle admission of defeat for what it was. I will be watching you closely Hadrian, which Luthor you emulate will decide your fate.

After all, the rains may weep o'er the Stranger's Halls too, should the need arise.

Unknown Location

"And so Morghon finally makes his move" a voice hissed in the darkness of the void, serpent like in quality but with an otherworldly twang, as if the speaker was not themselves human.

"Brother patience, Morghon has always held more power than us gīda tolī se ropagon hen valyrio" a deeper, more sinister voice chided.

"That pest R'hllor stays strong we must plan our moves with care" Hissed the softer voice that sounded like gently crashing waves against a shore

"We will see the mettle of Morghon's champion first, brother, then, when he least expects it, we will bring forth a bloody tide of dragons to keep this world between their jaws."

The serpent like voice giggled as only one free from the looms of mortality could. For what was death, to the deathless?

Author's Note

(UPDATE 22/01/24) As you all may have guessed by now; I am giving this old passion project of my a more loving rewrite. Life simply got very busy, and even now, I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Political Communications and can only write if I have the spare time for it.

I cannot promise a steady update schedule like other writers on here can, but if you love my writing and would love to see more, please stay tuned, more will come! I have kept this story alive in my thoughts, it was always just more about finding the time to actually write rather than losing interest in the project.

See you all in the next chapter! Please read and review and let me know what you all think!