King's Landing 297 AC.
Tywin Lannister
The Lord of Casterly Rock stood on the walls of King's Landing watching the Sea. Night had already fallen on the capital, and Tywin Lannister was waiting for his grandson.
Tywin was aware that the boy specifically chose this place, because he was out of reach of the eunuch's 'little birds', and anyone who tried to spy on them.
He soon heard footsteps heading in his direction, to see his grandson with black hair and blue eyes approaching along with eight armed men, wearing the colors of House Baratheon.
Tywin sighed in frustration remembering the exchange between Jaime and his grandson a few hours earlier.
"Steffon." Lord Tywin said looking at his grandson.
"Grandfather." said the boy, bowing his head respectfully.
"I'm here." he said in his cold tone. "You said you had a proposal for me."
"And I have it." Steffon said smiling. "You said that my recent actions had left you without an heir." the young prince began. "And although technically that is not true. We both know that you will never give Casterly Rock to Uncle Tyrion," Old Lion made a gesture of disgust at hearing the name of the deformity that embarrassed the Lannister name daily. "Therefore, I propose that you name Tommen as your heir."
"Tommen is just a boy." Tywin said directly, his face showing no emotion. "A soft boy."
"So? That's not a bad thing. Not really." Steffon now had the same serious look as his grandfather. "Tommen may be too young, and he is too sweet sometimes for his own good. But he has something that most kids of his age doesn't have."
"And what is that?"
"The desire and ability to learn." said the young prince as if he were the most obvious thing in the world. "Unlike Joffrey, Tommen takes his studies seriously and when he practices jousting, or wooden sword training, even though he is still young and not very good, he puts in a lot of effort and determination."
Lord Tywin looked down for a moment before returning his gaze to his grandson. "Do you suggest that I take Tommen as my ward and squire at Casterly Rock?"
"No. I will take Tommen as my ward and squire in Storm's End." Steffon responded and his grandfather gave him a suspicious look. "Tomorrow when I leave, I'll take Tommen and Myrcella with me, take them to Dragonstone and then to Storm's End. It's time for the two of them to spend some time out of this stinking city."
"And what would your mother have to say about that?"
"She can say whatever she wants, I don't care." Tywin noticed the disdain in his voice, there wasn't as much anger as when he spoke to Jaime, but he still had enough. "She keeps letting that Illborn Joffrey torment Tommen, even Myrcella sometimes. I've had enough, if she doesn't do anything I will."
"Lately your jealousy of Joffrey seems to have given you a new disdain for most of your family." Tywin said trying to provoke him. But the boy did not fall and began to laugh.
'Do you think I'm lying?'" His grandson's wry smile was still on his face. "If you doubt my words you can ask anyone within this Keep and they will tell you the same as me. My uncle Stannis and Jon Arryn for example, who are the most honorable men in this castle."
"I've already talked about your brother's behavior with several people here."
"Oh really? '" Steffon still had that look of disbelief on his face. "With whom? The Kingslayer?" Tywin became furious. "He's not a very reliable source. He will do and say whatever my mother tells him. Maybe you should ask someone else. Someone who will surely tell you the truth, like Sandor Clegane, he spends most of his time with Joffrey and unlike the other servants, he is not afraid of my mother, therefore, he will tell you the truth regarding the questions you ask him."
Tywin still looks at his grandson expectantly; he was still upset by the comments made towards Jaime. "How do you plan to take your brother as a squire when you're not even a knight?"
"I plan to hold a tournament in Storm's End during my wedding." Steffon answered him with pride. "And I plan to participate in it. If I prove myself, I'm sure my father will knight me."
"You seem very sure of yourself."
"I am."
Tywin looked at the boy in front of him. "And I suppose you want my support, for when you ask your father for permission to take Tommen and Myrcella from the capital."
"Yes, it would be a great help." admitted the young prince.
"I will give you my support when you make the request to your father." Tywin said looking his grandson in the eyes. "But you are going to put an end once and for all, to the antagonistic behavior you have towards your uncle Jaime."
"No." Prince Baratheon quickly responded indignantly.
"I will no longer tolerate the enmity between you two." Tywin said angrily, stepping forward, but his grandson refused to be intimidated. "I thought I explained to you the importance of family."
"Yes, you did it." the boy admitted. "But apparently you didn't teach the Kingslayer that, since he forgot that I was his family when he put a dagger to my throat and threatened to kill me if I told anyone what I had heard." Tywin said nothing, his grandson had once again managed to leave him speechless. As he didn't say anything the boy continued. "Tell me, did you ever ask him why he threatened me?"
"He told me that you heard him, and your mother, talking about something related to, about, Tyrion." Steffon smiled. "Something you shouldn't have heard."
Steffon started laughing "Oh really? And you believed him?" Tywin said nothing, his gaze still expressing anger. "Well let me tell you grandfather, that the Kingslayer lied to you. That day: I saw and heard several things and only one was about Tyrion. And that was not why he threatened me."
"Why was it then?" Tywin asked determinedly, he was already tired of always having this conversation.
"You should ask him." Steffon looked at him with a superior smile on his face. "I won't tell you, because you wouldn't believe me. Since like my mother, you prefer to close your eyes to the things you don't want to accept from your own children."
Tywin didn't answer anything and kept a penetrating gaze on his grandson. The boy returned it before speaking again.
"I'm going to be perfectly clear with you, grandfather." The boy looked at him with a serious look of determination. "My respect is something the Kingslayer will never have. Just as my mother will never have my trust." Tywin knew the boy was serious. "She herself destroyed with her negligence and coldness any kind of trust that I could have felt for her." Tywin once again silently cursed his daughter. "Tomorrow I will take Myrcella and Tommen away from this city, and if you want me, to make Tommen a worthy heir of Casterly Rock, you will support me in this. If you don't, I can still turn Tommen into a good knight completely loyal to me and give him lands, to rule in the Stormlands when he comes of age, it is your decision. Good night grandfather."
And with that said Tywin watched his grandson leave, with the eight Baratheon soldiers following him.
The boy is too smart for his own good. Tywin thought, just as he thought about whether he should teach her a lesson the same way he taught Tyrion when the despicable creature dared to act behind his back in such a stupid way when he had thirteen years old. But he quickly dismissed that thought, unlike Tyrion, Steffon acted intelligently, managing to make peace with Dorne with a marriage alliance.
Tywin returned to his chambers, He sat at his desk and poured himself a glass of wine thinking about the conversation he just had with his grandson. The boy as he grew up became more and more determined, self-confident and willing to make a name for himself, and completely moving away from the image that anyone could have of a prince with Lannister and Baratheon blood. But at the same time, the hatred that the boy felt towards Jaime grew every day, as did the resentment he felt for Cersei, due to the coldness and negligence she showed him during his childhood.
Tywin silently cursed the stupidity of his children, fearing that his stupidity would one day lead House Lannister to ruin.
This made Tywin remember an event that occurred when Steffon was seven years old and had just become his ward:
"You still haven't given me a good reason to accept what you ask of me." Tywin Lannister said to the woman in red robes who was in his study.
"My lord." she said with a smile and calmly. "I have knowledge of the Valyrian language, I know perfectly the customs of Essos as well as those of the rest of Westeros."
"Any of the maesters of the Citadel can have that knowledge." answered Lord Tywin, who was already getting tired of having this conversation.
"Not in the same way as me, my lord." The woman responded again with the same voice of confidence and calm as before. "I have spent more years in Asshai than any of them could spend in the Citadel," the red-robed woman began to approach him. "I've been to Volantis, Bravoos, Myr and I've even traveled to the ruins of Old Valyria."
"You're too young to have done all that." Old Lion told her, skeptically, although for some inexplicable reason he was beginning to get nervous about the woman's proximity.
She smiled at him and took her hand to put it on the gold necklace that was tight around her neck. She placed Lord Tywin's hand on the ruby. "I'm much older than I look, my lord." Lord Tywin shuddered as a series of images appeared in his head, so he quickly moved away from the woman. She must have detected his fear, because when she spoke she did so with a tone of calm and gentleness. "Do you believe in magic Lord Tywin?"
"I only believe in what my own eyes have seen."
"Very good." the woman said with a smile. "Would you mind calling your grandson? There's something I need to show you."
"What do you need him for?" Tywin asked suspiciously.
"Trust me, Lord Tywin. Afterwards you can do whatever he wants with me, if you wish to banish me or execute me you will be free to do so. Although the Warriors of Light might not like the latter option."
Tywin looked at the woman and for the first time noticed that she was much taller than several men he had known, before calling one of her guards to bring Steffon.
"You send for me, grandfather." said the boy with black hair and blue eyes as he entered his grandfather's study, Tywin noticed that the boy was sweating, probably coming from the sparing yard.
"Hello, Prince Steffon." said the woman with red hair and eyes, with a big smile. "My name is Melisandre, I come from Asshai."
The boy was apparently speechless when he saw the exotic woman in front of him, so he was barely able to speak. "Hello."
"My grandson is here." Lord Tywin said cautiously. "Which is what he wanted to show me."
The woman in red smiled and took out a small jar from the sleeve of her dress, while from the other she took out a small knife. "Give me your hand my prince." The boy looked at his grandfather.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lord Tywin said taking a step towards the woman.
"There is power in the blood of a King, Lord Tywin. Power to achieve great things, and horrible as well or better yet, to prevent them from happening." she responded with the same calm as always. "I just need some." She looked from her to the boy who was looking at her with distrust, so she gave him another smile. "It's alright, my prince. It will only be a small cut; it won't hurt much." The boy looked towards his grandfather who nodded. Melisandre put the tip of the blade on the child's finger and made sure that the drops of blood fell into the small vial. Melisandre smiled when she saw that the child did not express any pain at this. When she finished she gave him a bandage to cover her finger.
"Come closer, Lord Tywin, and see what fate awaits House Lannister if he does not grant my request." The woman said, pouring the prince's blood into the fire.
The lord of Casterly Rock paid attention and approached, while his grandson looked at them both in confusion.
Tywin looked towards the fire but saw nothing, until it soon began to take shape:
Tywin saw his daughter and Joffrey who was a little older and therefore taller, standing in the Sept of Baelor next to a red-haired girl and a kneeling man who appeared to be Ned Stark. Tywin watched as Joffrey said a few words so Ilyn Payne cut off his head, even though everyone else present with him tried to stop him.
The fire changed and showed a field surrounded by Lannister soldiers that was commanded by Jaime. To then be ambushed by an army with banners of the Houses of the North. Jaime then appeared chained in a cage.
The fire changed to show Joffrey sitting on the Iron Throne while the same red-haired girl from before was beaten by two knights with familiar faces.
That image faded to then show a huge riot in King's Landing, Tywin watched as everyone insulted Cersei and threw trash at Joffrey despite the attempts of the Lannister guards and the Gold Cloaks to contain them.
The fire changed again to show Joffrey choking and clawing at his throat while Cersei held him down trying to help him. Tywin himself later appeared in the fire sitting on the toilet with two arrows piercing his body.
Tywin turned away from the fire, shocked by what he had seen.
"Keep watching Lord Tywin." the woman in red said with a stern tone. "The fire still has a couple of things left to show you."
Tywin looked at his grandson who looked at him confused. The Lord of the Rock sighed and brought his face close to the fire again.
The fire now showed Cersei sitting at the head of the Small Council Table, with mostly unknown people with arrogant smiles, except for Grand Maester Pycelle. He then saw Cersei naked with her shaved body walking through the streets of King's Landing, alongside a group of Septas and men in tattered robes.
The fire returned to show Cersei now with a short hairstyle and a glass of wine in her hand and a triumphant smile on her face. She was watching an explosion in the Sept of Baelor, then Tywin saw a blonde boy, crying as he watched the explosion that had taken place and then saw the same boy throw himself out of the window.
The last thing Tywin saw in the fire was Cersei sitting on the Iron Throne with a mad smile and Jaime approaching her, then strangling her. The flames then went out on their own.
Tywin stood there in shock at what he had just seen while at the same time trying to breathe out.
"Are you alright, Grandfather?" His grandson told him while he looked at him with concern.
"Yes." was all he managed to say, and then directed his gaze towards the red woman.
"What you saw in the fire is what awaits you and your family unless you fulfill my request." said the red woman determinedly. "You would have noticed that he," She pointed to his grandson who looked at her confused. "did not appear in the visions that the flames showed you. That is because his birth had not occurred, that he is here with us now, is a miracle from the Lord of Light himself." The woman caressed her grandson's face and the child turned red. "But the people who appeared in the visions are the ones who will fulfill your greatest fears and lead House Lannister to ruin." She looked into his eyes and Tywin felt her hand tremble. "But if you accept my wishes and allow me to stay here, the visions will not come true and House Lannister will prevail."
"Very well." Lord Tywin said quietly. "From now on, you will serve as Steffon's tutor." The woman in red smiled at her grandson who looked more confused than ever. "But you will maintain your discretion regarding the religious teachings you give him and you will never tell anyone about what you showed me today."
"Of course Lord Tywin, you have my word on that." She directed her gaze from her to Steffon. "Come on Prince Steffon, let's go to the sparring yard, I'm sure you want to finish practicing and then we can get to know each other better." she told the boy with a smile, he returned it to her and then, they both left the studio.
Tywin finished drinking the glass of wine as he reflected on what he just remembered. He was quite aware of Joffrey's cruelty and erratic behavior as well as his daughter's refusal to put an end to it. While Jaime continued to act indifferent to everything around him.
Tomorrow I will have a serious conversation with my children. He thought while he was getting ready to sleep.
King's Landing 297 AC.
Steffon Baratheon
The prince of the Seven Kingdoms was going towards the Small Council chamber. His father had sent for him. Although the prince suspected that it was the idea of Jon Arryn or his uncle Stannis. He had a smile on his face remembering how the citizens of King's Landing praised him for ending Janos Slynt and Petyr Baelish's reign of terror in the city. Like the merchants of the capital who came to thank him in person for freeing them from Baelish, while he and Arianne walked through the city.
When the young prince arrived, he greeted everyone. "My lord Hand." He said looking at Jon Arryn who nodded. "Uncles." Renly laughed, while Stannis just nodded. "Ser Barristan." The old gentleman greeted him politely with a smile. "Grand Master, Lord Varys." The last two greeted him with courtesy, which Steffon couldn't quite believe.
"Your Grace, I did not expect to find you here" Steffon said looking at his father.
"I told you not to call me that boy, I'm your father." the King growled.
"Forgive me, then, father." Steffon said the last word with a mocking tone, although he wasn't sure if his father noticed it or not. "Why did they send for me? I was finishing packing."
"Eager to take on your new position nephew?" Renly said sarcastically.
"Anxious to leave this city, dear uncle."
"We are calling you, because we want to ask your opinion about the next steps we will take regarding this Council." said his uncle Stannis. "The discovery you made about Baelish opened our eyes not only to the financial mismanagement, but to the corruption that spread in this city under our noses."
If only you knew uncle. The young prince thought, trying not to look at Pycelle and Varys.
"Recovering from this financial crisis will take us, at least a two years." Stannis continued. "The same way it would take us to sort out all the mess that Baelish and Slynt caused behind our backs"
"Very well, what exactly do you want my opinion on?"
"The new Commander of the City Guard for example." Renly said. "My gentle brother here," he pointed to Stannis. "suggests naming Ser Jacelyn Bywater, to which Jon Arryn agrees, although I warned them both that he is not a very nice person." Steffon watched as his face Stannis sighed in annoyance. "Grand Master Pycelle suggests that we give the position to Ser Addam Marbrand." 'Of course he suggests that, those are the words of my mother and grandfather, coming out of his mouth.' "While in my humble opinion I believe that Garlan Tyrell would be the best choice for the position, a very skilled warrior as you may well remember," his uncle was obviously referring to the time they both spent in Highgarden and Steffon sparring with Ser Garlan. "And the Gold Cloaks should be commanded by a true warrior."
"Who do you think we should give the position to?" his father asked him and suddenly all the eyes of the Small Council landed on him.
"If we talk about martial ability I would say that Ser Garlan Tyrell is the best option for the position, his skill with the sword is quite impressive." Renly smiled. "Ser Adam and Ser Jacelyn would make good men in command." His uncle Stannis and Pycelle stare at him. "But if the decision were entirely mine, I would appoint Ser Asher Forrester as the new Commander of the City Watch." Everyone was surprised by this statement except for Varys who just smiled. "He is an experienced warrior, he knows this city very well and most importantly he has a code of honor and incorruptible loyalty, which is common considering he is someone from the North." Steffon watched as his father smiled, obviously thinking of his old friend Ned Stark.
"Forgive me, my prince." Lord Varys said trying to sound as innocent as possible. "But it was my understanding that Ser Asher is your sworn shield and that he now acted as Princess Arianne's protector."
"He is, Lord Varys, but if this Council were willing to give him the position I would gladly release him from his current position and leave him here to lead the Gold Cloaks."
"Then do it." said his father. "Tell him that from now on he will be the new Commander of the Golden Cloaks, we will need order in the city for you and your brother's Name Day tournament."
"Robert I already told you that we don't have gold for another tournament." Jon Arryn said with a severity that surprised Steffon. "Until the economic situation of the crown improves, it is better not to hold another tournament."
"I am the King and if I say there will be a tournament then..." his father began but The Lord of the Valley did not let him finish.
"! Then you can start by find another Hand!" Jon Arryn exclaimed, leaving everyone surprised. "If you're going to continue turning a deaf ear to all my warnings, even after all these years, then I see no reason to stay here." Steffon noticed his father had a shocked look on his face, apparently his foster father had never spoken to him like that. "I'm sure the Queen will be pleased if Jaime Lannister or Lord Tywin have my position."
His wife's betrayal turned him into someone different.
"Fine, no tournaments." His father said quietly, after that there was an awkward silence in the chamber until his uncle Stannis broke it.
"The next matter is who will be the new Master of the Coin."
"Do you already have a candidate in mind?" Steffon asked, looking at his father who was looking at the ground like an embarrassed child.
"Your uncle, Lord Renly has suggested the Lord of Highgarden, Mace Tyrell." Lord Varys said giving her one of his fake kind smiles. "He believes that the Reach's excellent economic management makes him the perfect candidate for the position."
"Well, he's not wrong about that, but as far as I know, it is his heir Willas Tyrell who is in charge of managing the finances and trades of Highgarden."
"Oh really?" his uncle asked him in disbelief. "And how do you know that exactly?"
"Lady Margaery told me when I visit Highgarden the last time."
"I didn't know the two of you were so close." His uncle said to him in a mocking tone, raising an eyebrow.
"It's what a guest does, talking to his host about his home." Steffon responded, ignoring the mockery. "I remember you taught me that uncle."
Renly smiled. "Yes I did."
"Lord Tywin, suggest that his son Lord Tyrion should be appointed as the new Master of the Coin." Stannis's uncle said, ignoring the exchange he had just had with Renly. "He said that considering he has been our biggest benefactor in recent years that he should have a voice on the Council."
"Unfortunately, he's not wrong about that." Steffon said thoughtfully and once again he felt everyone's gaze on him, especially that of Maester Pycelle. "Tell me, uncle, do you think Mace Tyrell would allow his heir to come here and take a position on the Small Council, given his particular condition?"
"No." his uncle Renly admitted reluctantly. "But I'm sure he would take the job himself if we asked him."
"And he would want something in return wouldn't he?" Stannis's uncle asked, almost smiling.
"Well, yes." admit his uncle Renly. "If our older brother agreed to marry Joffrey to..."
"Don't!" his father was quick to say. "I already told you hundreds of times, my son and heir will marry Ned's daughter." Renly clenched his jaw in frustration, Steffon tried hard to hide his smile from him. "It's bad enough that Steffon chose that..."
The blue-eyed prince slammed his fist against the council table, looking at his father angrily. "Watch your words regarding my future wife, father." Steffon warned him. "I didn't allow my mother to speak ill of her and I won't allow you either."
"Careful, boy," his father said, refusing to be intimidated. "You may be my son, but you are talking to the King."
"Any man who has to remind others that 'he is the King' is not a true King." Steffon said challenging him to his father who apparently didn't know how to respond to that. "And I mean it, watch your words regarding my betrothed."
"So," Jon Arryn said, interrupting the confrontation between father and son. "Mace Tyrell and his son Willas are ruled out as options for the position of Master of the Coin. I will tell Lord Tywin that his son Tyrion will have the position." The prince's two uncles made a frustrated gesture.
"Very well this matter is concluded." his father said, but Steffon interrupted him before he could get up.
"Father, there is something I would like to ask of you before I leave for Storm's End." He said looking at his father.
"What?" his father asked him sharply, still remembering the previous exchange.
"Tommen and Myrcella." This caught the attention of the rest of the council. "I want to take them with me. I think it would be good for them to get out of this city, don't you think?"
His father looked thoughtful before answering, "Your mother won't allow it, if I agree with this, she'll drive me crazy."
Steffon began to get angry, the resentment he felt towards his father began to be present, but he decided to ignore it and try another approach. "I think it's the best for them father, Myrcella has become quite fond to Arianne and in Storm's End there are children with whom Tommen could become friends." His father became thoughtful. "But the most important thing is to keep them away from Joffrey's cruelty and stupidity. I don't want to leave and then find out that Illborn of Joffrey did something to Tommen because if that happens, I will keep what I promised and knock his teeth out." Renly laughed at that, while Pycelle made a disgusted face. "And if my mother start to make a big deal about this, ignore her, leave the room she is in, don't have lunch or dinner with her, and don't go near her at nights and leave her alone." Steffon said this last in a warning tone that his father noticed. "You can go hunting or better yet, gather a hundred soldiers and ride out to track down and kill Baelish's accomplices who fled the city." His father smiled at that idea.
"Very well, you have my permission to take them with you."
"Thanks, father." Steffon extended his hand to his father who shook it. "And don't worry too much about the tournaments. I plan to hold one in Storm's End to celebrate my wedding and I'll pay for it with my own coin."
His father laughed "You should have been my heir. You would be a much better King than me or your brother." his father said melancholy, gave him a hug and got up to leave.
The members of the Small Council looked at each other, Steffon looked at Grand Maester Pycelle who looked uncomfortable at the words spoken by the King. Then the members of the small council began to leave, Steffon waited until Varys and Pycelle left to give a paper to his uncle Stannis, who looked at it and then took it.
Jon Arryn then gave him the decree naming Ser Asher Forrester as the new Commander of the City Watch.
Steffon then went to see Arianne who greeted him with a kiss and told him that both her cousins and her uncle had already started loading things onto the ship.
The prince then went to see Asher to tell him about his new position in the king's court. The knight of the North accepted and promised to follow Steffon's instructions, to use Rosby Manor as his personal quarters, train the newest recruits, go to Jon Arryn and his uncle Stannis with any problem and keep him informed of everything that happened, in the city. Steffon left ten of his knights to help Asher train the new recruits and left him a small chest of gold to cover any emergency needs he might have.
After that he headed to his meeting place where his uncle Stannis, Jon Arryn and Ser Barristan Selmy were waiting for him.
"Uncle." He looked at Stannis. "Lord Hand." Jon Arryn nodded. "Ser Barristan." The knight nodded.
"What did you wish to speak to us about, my prince." Jon Arryn asked.
"We took out two traitors from the Small Council." Steffon said referring to Baelish and Slynt. "But we still have two more left."
"Varys." Ser Barristan said.
"Pycelle." Stannis's uncle said of him.
"Yes." the young prince answered them. "A eunuch who whispered in the ear of the previous King until he drove him crazy." Ser Barristan's face turned thoughtful. "And a lecherous old man whose loyalty has always been to the Lannister family."
"Your father should have executed them both when he took the Throne." Stannis's uncle said of him.
"Yes, he should have." Steffon agreed with him. "But he didn't do it and now he can't do it unless we had a good reason." Stannis gritted his teeth and Jon Arryn let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm pretty sure that old bastard Pycelle is currently telling my mother about my plans to take my little brothers away from here, as well as the rest of the matters discussed at the council today. While Varys is probably receiving reports from his little birds and deciding what he will tell us, while keeping the rest of the information to himself."
"What exactly do you mean, my prince?" Ser Barristan asked.
"I'm saying that I was able to uncover Littlefinger's treachery in just a few months. While Varys having the largest spy network in the Seven Kingdoms was totally oblivious to the machinations of the former, Master of the Coin." The three members of the Small Council looked at each other in realization.
"How would you suggest we deal with this problem, my prince?" Jon Arryn asked him curiously.
Steffon smiled. "I would suggest that you keep certain matters to yourselves, and discuss them in private. Out of the ears of the eunuch's little birds."
"The eunuch or Pycelle would notarize it, even Renly." said his uncle Stannis. "He may seem disinterested, but he knows when someone is hiding something from him."
"Then find a place to meet privately." the young prince suggested to them. "Rosby Manor will be at your disposal. Asher will stay there and my men will make sure that no one eavesdrops on your conversations. And I would also suggest that you keep a close eye on Varys, in case there is anyone who could escape from the Red Keep at any time, at any moment undetected, it is him. After all he is the only one who knows the secret passages of the Red Keep." The three men nodded in approval.
"Is there anything else you would like to discuss, my prince?" Jon Arryn asked him.
"The King's Guard." Ser Barristan looked at him with interest.
"What's up with that?" the old gentleman asked him.
"Of the other six knights. How many do you think are truly loyal to my father?" Barristan looked thoughtful, while Jon Arryn and his uncle Stannis stared at him. "I know very well that the Kingslayer's loyalty is entirely with my mother." Steffon made sure the three men heard the disdain in his voice. "Ser Meryn and Ser Boros I doubt they are very different. I heard that Ser Preston visits a draper's wife when he is away." Ser Barristan had an embarrassed look on his face. "And there's something about Ser Moore that doesn't let me trust him."
"You are not wrong about that, my prince." Ser Barristan said. "But your father ignored my suggestions when giving the White Cloak to someone. Even Ser Arys, who I have no doubt is the most honorable of the others, has too many desires for glory with it."
Steffon smiled at the old knight. "Then for my father's well-being I suggest that you keep the other five away from him. And that you or Ser Arys keep an eye on my father." Ser Barristan nodded. "But I would also suggest," Steffon looked at the three of them. "Keep the Kingslayer under surveillance along with those two Lannister squires who I am sure are following my mother's orders."
"Do you think she might try something against him?" Jon Arryn asked him with some disturbance.
"Yes." Steffon answered bluntly. "And I'm sure the three Lannister rats would obey without hesitation. That's why I suggested my father stay away from her. She doesn't need any more reasons to hate him." The three men remained silent. Obviously already knowing what Prince Baratheon was referring to. "That will be all my lords."
"Have a safe journey my prince." the old gentleman told him with a smile.
"Your father was right, my prince." Jon Arryn said smiling. "You should have been the heir; you would be an excellent King." The Hand of the King began to leave.
"Maybe I am." The three men looked at him in surprise.
"What do you mean?" His uncle Stannis stared at him.
"Maybe I was the one born first, but my mother told Pycelle to tell the rest that Joffrey was born first." Jon Arryn and Stannis stared at each other, seriously considering his words. "After all my mother despises everyone who is not Lannister or looks like Lannister, for her to have a King who looks like Lannister would be a dream come true." His uncle Stannis looked down as if he was remembering something. "Pycelle's loyalty to my mother's family extended to such an extent that he advised Aerys Targaryen to open the city gates to my grandfather in the hope that he would take the Iron Throne." for himself." Ser Barristan had an angry look on his face. "And the look that old bastard had when my father mentioned that I should had been his heir, is quite suspicious."
"Do you really think Pycelle and she could have lied about such a thing." His uncle Stannis asked him.
"Yes." the young prince answered quickly.
The three men looked at each other thoughtfully. Until Jon Arryn broke the silence. "We will investigate that, my prince. I promise you, just as we will keep a closer eye on the aforementioned individuals and be as discreet as possible." Steffon nodded, the Hand of the King patted him on the shoulder and left, as did Barristan, leaving Steffon alone with his uncle Stannis.
"Do you really think your mother is capable of lying like that?" His uncle asked him, still not being able or rather not wanting to believe his nephew's statements.
"Yes. I don't trust her, uncle. And I'm sure she'd rather see even Myrcella or Tommen sitting on the Iron Throne than me." the young prince hastened to answer. "Lying is normal for her as it is for Joffrey. And what better way to get revenge on the drunken pig she married, whom she hates so much, than by denying the Throne to his favorite son."
Stannis didn't make any gesture when he heard Steffon call his father that. His uncle knew perfectly well what kind of person Robert Baratheon was. "I'm going to help Jon Arryn investigate him." His uncle took some papers out of his clothes. "Give this letter to your Aunt Alysanne." I hand him one of the sealed papers. "And this one to Edric and Shireen." He gives him the other paper.
Steffon looked at him confused. "I thought you were coming with me to Dragonstone."
"After everything you discovered and everything you've told us today, it's better that I stay here, at least for now. It's my duty." Stannis said with some sadness. "Your Aunt Alysanne will understand."
"Okay, but you better come to my wedding."
His uncle let out a dry laugh. "I wouldn't miss it." He hugged him. "Have a good journey, son." Steffon smiled and then watched his uncle leave.
Guiding them step by step and alone they will discover the truth. Steffon thought, as he watched his uncle leave.
After that he went to his room and called his little siblings to tell them the good news. The two children entered with a smile, but only moments after telling them the reason for taking them with him, other footsteps were heard down the hallway and Steffon saw his mother, Cersei Lannister, enter the room.
King's Landing 297 AC.
Cersei Lannister
The Queen of the Seven Kingdoms was once again walking angrily towards her son's room.
After talking to old Maester Pycelle about the last meeting of the Small Council she was filled with rage.
Not only had her drunken oaf of a husband said that Steffon should have been the heir, but that he would be a much better King than her precious Joffrey. How dare that drunken imbecile say such a thing? Especially in front of the Small Council, apparently it was not enough for him to have betrothed Steffon to the Dornish whore in front of the entire royal court.
And now he was even giving Steffon permission to take her two youngest children away from the capital, away from her. Who did that fat pig man think he was? He was never a father to his children, neither biologically nor emotionally, to any of them, he barely even paid attention to Steffon and only because her black hair son looked like him physically and had talent in arms.
No, she wouldn't allow it, they were her children, his little golden lions. Finally, she arrived at her son's room.
"Who do you think you are?!" She said to her son who gave her an incredulous look. "By what right do you think you can take my children away from here?" Tommen looked at her scared, while Myrcella looked confused.
"I think I'm his older brother." He said, smiling once again, the Queen couldn't remember who he looked like with that beautiful smile. "And it was my father, the King who gave me permission to take them with me."
"I don't care what that drunken oaf told you." She saw her son laugh, wich suprise her. "You won't take them."
"But Mother Steffon will take us to see Dragonstone." said her sweet little princess. "And we'll meet Uncle Stannis' new baby."
"He also said that he would take us to Storm's End and teach me how to fight." Tommen said excitedly.
Steffon laughed. "You see mother; they want to come with me."
The Queen looked at her two younger children, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, they wanted to leave her, her own mother.
"No, your home is here." she said and the two blonde boys looked at her with disappointment. "They will stay here, with me and Joffrey." The children looked at her annoyed.
"No they will not." her son said with determination. "They will come with me."
"No..." she started to say but her son didn't let her finish.
"Yes they will." He said taking a step forward. "And there's nothing you can do to stop me." her son said with determination. "And if you plan to call the Kingslayer to stop me, I warn you that it will end badly."
"She wouldn't do such a thing." said a voice entering the room. The Queen saw her father Tywin Lannister, who looked at them carefully one by one. "Steffon, take Tommen and Myrcella to their chambers and help them pack, I think they have a ship to board." She watched her eldest son give a triumphant smile, as he led his two youngest siblings out of the room.
She tried to follow them, but her father stopped her by grabbing her arm. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked her with a coldness that seemed to freeze the room.
"They are my children; they have to be here with their mother." She tried to get away but her father didn't let her go.
"From what I have seen and heard from Joffrey, you are as incompetent as a mother as you are as a ruler." Her father told him, she wanted to slap him for saying such a thing, but she knew better.
"I don't know what Steffon would have told you but I have..." she started but her father didn't let her finish.
"Steffon hasn't told me anything." he said annoyed. "Who do you think pays Sandor Clegane to take care of your son?" The Queen said nothing. "He's told me everything Joffrey does in his free time, from killing Tommen's pets to murdering starving peasants with a crossbow."
She looked down thinking of what to say. "Joffrey has always been a stubborn father. I told you that."
"There's a big difference between being stubborn and being an imbecile." said her father, furious at her, letting go of her arm. "Now listen to me carefully Cersei, because I am not going to repeat this." The Queen tried not to tremble. "Steffon will take Myrcella and Tommen with him." She tried to speak but her father did not allow her. "They are better off away from Joffrey's stupidity and cruelty, and while they are there, you will be responsible for correcting Joffrey's behavior once and for all. And just so you can see that I am serious, I have made sure that Tyrion is appointed as the new Master of Coin." Cersei looked at him in surprise, not being able to believe that her father would give a position on the Small Council to her monstrous brother. "He will stay here not only to control the crown's finances, but to make sure that you do your part in correcting Joffrey and if you don't Tyrion has permission to discipline him himself."
"Joffrey is your grandson." she said surprised.
"Yes, he is my grandson. But that doesn't make him blameless," his father replied, more upset than ever. "I'm not going to fight a war for the whims of some stupid boy. And Joffrey is not my only grandson." Cersei looked at him in shock. "If you don't do what I say, then I will give my support to Steffon, Tommen and even Myrcella, because I am sure that any of them would be better candidates to rule. It's up to you." And with that said, her father left.
She stayed there in the room not knowing what to do, not being able to believe that her father would say such things to her. She didn't know how long she was there, until Jaime came looking for her to tell her that Steffon's ship was about to sail.
Already in Blackwater Bay, she saw how her stupid husband hugged her eldest son and then Myrcella and Tommen hugged Robert too, Tyrion and Jaime also said goodbye to them with a hug. Afterwards they came to hug her and she had to hold back her tears and desires to never let them go. Neither of them bothered to say goodbye to Joffrey.
Then the Queen saw her eldest son approaching her. "Don't be sad mother." Her son said but she didn't answer him. "They will be safe with me. Safe and happy, two things I doubt they can have here." He looked at Joffrey who snorted mockingly. "Goodbye, Mother." And with that said he gave her a kiss on the cheek, she looked at him surprised since he had never done that before, Cersei felt some of her anger dissipate. Then the Queen saw her eldest son board the ship along with her two youngest children, who were very happy to leave with their older brother.
"Good riddance." Joffrey said laughing.
"What did you say?" she said surprised.
"At least I won't have to deal with Steffon and the whining of Tommen or Myrcella's stupidities." The Queen saw how her husband turned red and was about to say something, but he didn't need to, because she slapped her son.
Joffrey looked at her surprised, since she had never done it before. "They are your little siblings. They left their home and you don't even care." Robert looked at her surprised as did Tyrion and Jaime.
She continued looking at her son who gave her an angry look and then he left. She continued watching the boat her children were on move away from her, until Jaime took her arm and tried to talk to her, but she slapped him to. "This is your fault." she told him angrily, surprising him. "You did this." And with that, the Queen returned to the Red Keep, angry, sad and fearful as she remembered an old prophecy about her, which she heard when she was a child.