I made a promise, so here it is! A New Book based on your favourite Dragoness her Grumpy Lion. (I suggest first reading: The Shadow Queen of Tywin Lannister, if you haven't already)
This will be an AU, and I do not know where it will end. I have some basic ideas for plots and will try to keep them consistent but I am more than happy to hear your ideas and what you wish to see. If possible, I will gladly make an arc or a single chapter into this book.
Updates on this will be slow as ideas come through but I will try my best! Hope you enjoy it as much as you did the Shadow Queen!
281 AC - Casterly Rock, Westerlands - Seat of Power: Aerys II Targaryen - Nightfall
It was a peaceful night that particular day and only a few could be found awake. The mighty Casterly Rock was faintly illuminated by torches but its inhabitants had long gone to sleep, well, most of them anyway.
For while some slept peacefully in their beds, the power couple did not have that luxury; not with the latest changes in the power dynamics.
Visenya had put Tyrion and Trystan to sleep, with the primer complaining that he did not have to be taken care of like that. Though, both, he and the Dragoness knew that he secretly enjoyed it, having someone look after him that way.
Trystan was barely past his first nameday and he had no trouble falling asleep, rather quickly but only if his mother would read him a book or tell him a story.
Now free, Visenya had paid a visit to her husband in his office. Tywin was waiting for her, two cups of wine ready and with his, already in his hand.
On the desk that separated them, letters were open and scattered across the wooden surface. Some were reports from Visenya's spies in the Red Keep and there was one directly from her sister. The rest were letters directed to both of them or her, from different lords across the 7 United Kingdoms.
However, all those letters had one thing in common; Aerys.
Ever since Trystan's birth, Aerys had changed. At first, he seemed happy to see the baby but that all changed upon seeing the Lannister colours. Even Elia's children did not seem to be good enough in his eyes...not even his sons, Rhaegar and Viserys.
Naming Jaime to the Kingsguard soon after only angered Tywin, who would take no more disrespect from him. He gave up his position as Hand and they all had returned to Casterly Rock.
And since then, Aerys had been going downhill.
"The letters will only keep coming, the more mess he makes" Tywin said as he passed Visenya her goblet.
This past year, Aerys had started to become more hated than loved amongst common folk but also his allies.
Dozens of men had become Hand and dozens of them had been accused, insulted and later dismissed by the King himself. His growing paranoia, his unwashed self with those dirty white locks and long nails... definitely did not help to maintain the image of a healthy and good King.
The common folk had even started to call him... The Mad King.
"It is not the letters I am worried about" Visenya confessed as she slowly lowered her goblet. Tywin arched an eyebrow and waited for her to continue. "It is what those Lords will decide to do when they grow tired of writing letters and complaints"
Tywin shifted on his seat, leaning more on the right side while his left hand still held his goblet. He studied his wife carefully while his brain decoded her encrypted words.
"You think they will plan a coup?" He questioned, concluding her words. He took notice of the look she gave him and he got his answer, without her having to say anything else. "You don't think, you know" he pointed out. "I suspect this is not based on one of your annoying dreams, is it?"
She shook her head. "No, no dreams on it. This is purely hypothetical... based on some rumours that have started to go around"
"What rumours?"
She drank some more wine. "Lords are talking... of a change in ruling" She glanced from the red liquid at him. "They are more than willing to stage it, as long as they get the right support..." She didn't have to continue, her husband already catching up equally fast.
"From us" he concluded.
His face was hard to read, his expression rather blank. Yet, behind his beautiful golden-flecked green eyes; the gears of his mind were working. His free hand rested on the chair, fist flexing faintly while he kept thinking.
While only a rumour, it would not take long for it to happen; with or without their assistance. However, the other Lords would move more confidently if they had the allegiance of House Lannister and the former princess.
Now, a good friend and wise man would not think twice and report back to the King. After all, it was his head threatened to be spiked by those he thought were his trusted allies.
Once upon a time, when everyone was younger and Tywin's loyalty had not been challenged; perhaps that would have been the case. Once upon a time, had Aerys not pushed away his most powerful and trustworthy ally; he would have been warned without hesitation.
However, that was not the case at the moment.
Aerys had insulted Tywin on multiple occasions when his first wife was alive and well. He had mocked Tywin and insulted him when he turned down the offer to have Jaime as Rhaegar's squire and Cersei as his wife.
He had commented on the appearance of his newborn so because he did not have the Targaryen colours. And he had crossed the line by taking Tywin's heir and assigning him to the King's guard.
Now, Tywin had the chance to get even with him. He had the chance to take his revenge on the cocky man that only wore that crown thanks to his constant assistance.
He was rather intrigued by the idea and with already knowing who would be King next, he was quite interested in the topic. Of course, it posed a risk for if it failed; there was nothing that could save them from the sword that would separate their heads from their bodies.
"You are thinking about it, don't you?" Visenya asked after a prolonged silence.
She had silently drunk her wine and observed him, her mind busy with her own thoughts. She knew Tywin would not turn down the chance, considering the bad blood existing currently between him and Aerys.
She chose not to interrupt him directly, letting him take his time; although a part of her already knew the answer.
"You do not?" He questioned, one eyebrow arched at her hesitation.
"I do" she corrected him without missing a beat. "However, should Aerys be successfully upstaged; Rhaegar will be crowned King" she reminded him but he was not fully seeing her point. Or if he did, he waited for her to continue. "He is young, Tywin. He just recently passed his 23rd name day. I am not sure how ready he is to be King"
Tywin drank some more wine. "He is more than a boy, he is a man. He has a wife and two healthy children, one being his heir" he pointed out. "He had been personally educated by you all those years, pampered even. He is more than capable of being King, considering Aerys was far younger when he got the Throne"
"And we saw how that turned out" she argued. "Even with you by his side"
"Rhaegar is not Aerys, you have told me that. I saw it myself during Duskendale" he emptied his cup of wine and left it on the desk. "I personally tested him and he will be a good King. Do you know why? Because, unlike his father, he will listen to us; his advisors"
She frowned and parted he lips in surprise at his words. "You plan for us to return to our old positions?" She asked, to confirm her rising suspicions and ensure she was not rushing to the wrong conclusions.
The realm becomes unstable, and Visenya we both know why. Aerys weak leadership has carved the path towards rebellions and war" he started, eyes locked with hers. "This... threatens our family, our legacy. With the world in chaos, our future is as doomed as everyone else's. That boy might be the only chance to save it all and for that, he will need proper guidance"
"I see," she said and watched him get up, his goblet in hand and heading for the small side table where the wine jug was.
He did not say anything at that moment, rather took his time to leave her in silence and him with his thoughts. He used one hand to hold the jug by the handle and the other was holding his cup before he let the sweet red alcoholic liquid flow gently into the cup.
"If Rhaegar establishes me as Hand, I will have to return to Kingslanding" he started as he let the jug down. "However, you do not have to come with me" he continued and turned to face her, walking her way with slow confident steps. "I know that you have a preference for Casterly Rock, ever since we took down the Silver Lions" She could not help but smile faintly at the memory, the beginning of all. "I should not even mention that you do excellent work as Lady Lannister. You can reside here and continue doing your duties, handling things in my absence and we will plan visits, just like I did with Joanna"
To a third party listening, his words might sound harsh or even offensive. In a way it was, at least for someone not truly knowing Tywin; not knowing the relationship he shared with Visenya.
Some might go as far and say he insulted her, by telling her to stay back like an obedient housewife like most ladies were expected in such times and eras.
However, that was not the case with them.
Ever since the birth of Trystan, Tywin had changed, to say the least. There would be more tenderness behind his actions and faint smiles directed at her behind closed doors. One should not even bring up all the gifts of gold jewellery and dresses that had become a habit; all a gift from him to her.
While not the most in touch with his emotions man, Tywin did respect and held care for Visenya in his own way. He knew since the first time they were alone in that balcony and she had confessed how drawn she was to the place.
The visits to Lannisport the day after and then her return during the tourney for Viserys' first nameday... they had only confirmed it for both of them.
Casterly was peaceful and beautiful, adorned in white marble and gold with the Lannister banners all over the place. The view of the sunset was majestic, mesmerizing and hypnotic for her while she found solace in the peace that existed when the sky would turn dark; something that she often lacked back at the Red Keep.
Lannisport was her favourite place to visit and the common folk loved her, practically worshipping her along with Tywin. She was loved there, she was supported and she was truly good at what she was doing.
She had found her peace, her seat of power and he did not wish to take them all away from her.
He knew personally how undermined she was in the Red Keep, how often she held back her sharp tongue when men spoke of nonsense and idiotic ideas. He disliked how little power she had back there, being merely a Lady Wife and not The Lady Lannister, that she was supposed to be.
And because of all that, because of his own care for her wellbeing and her happiness... he was not going to force her to come with him. He never forced Joanna when Aerys made her uncomfortable and he was not going to force her.
If she wished to stay back, he would respect her wish and would find solutions for them to meet up. Contact would not be that hard thanks to Ravens and visits could easily be arranged between them when the times would be proper.
Visenya craned her head and looked up at him, while he stood by her side. Their eyes met once again and despite the coldness, Tywin Lannister might give to passersby... it was not the same when it came to her.
For every time they were alone and he could enjoy the sight of her, his eyes softened just a tad and his jaw stopped being clenched. Even the edges of his lips could be seen curving upwards more than once while his tone was far calmer and his words, passively encouraging.
Her own gaze softened and her lips formed a small smile at his words. She extended her hand, gently holding his free one and feeling how his fingers subconsciously wrapped around hers.
"I do appreciate the offer and as tempting as it might be, I am afraid I will have to deny it" she said, not surprising him with her words. "We started this together and we will continue it as such. If you are to return to King's Landing after Rhaegar's coronation, I will be by your side like I have been all those years"
She stood up to fully face him, her chin held up and her voice not once faltered. She spoke those words with confidence and strength, certainty audible behind them.
Despite the peace she had found and the chances she was offered by remaining back, it was not who she was. She was raised in difficult times, tutored and evolved to deal with the Red Keep and everything that came with it.
She enjoyed her break but there was a job to be done back there and they were the best ones for it. Even if she were to lose what she currently had, she would still be by the side of her nephew and her husband; she would find ways to make it work through them like she always did.
And she was fine with it.
Tywin smirked at her confidence, the gleam of pride visible in his golden-flecked orbs. He had offered her to stay back but he never truly expected her to accept. He knew her well enough and he knew she was not that kind of woman.
He still wished to offer, to offer her something in return for what she had done for him and his house all those years. Yet, that did not mean he would enjoy being back at Kingslanding without her by his side.
So when she stubbornly refused to stay behind, he could not help but enjoy the moment and he did not hide the pride growing within his chest. He had chosen well and it was times such as those that he was certain, he had made the right choice back then.
He brought his hand towards his lips and gently placed a kiss on the back of it. "I should not be surprised and I am not" he confessed, making her smile grow to a smirk.
"Good. For a moment I had started to doubt" she commented, amusing him some more with her quirky remark.
He lowered her hand but he did not let go, his thumb passively rubbing the skin. "Since it has been decided, we have work to do. Letters to write and lords to inform. Do you have any idea when they plan it all to happen?"
She thought for a moment. "The tourney at Harrenhal in 5 months' time"
His smirk disappeared as the gears in his mind started to work. "Hmm" he exclaimed. "That is soon. I will let you find a way and bring your nephew here to discuss the whole matter. We cannot crown a man that does not know it"
"Ellia is already weakened by her second birth and her health is not that good" Visenya started. "I will suggest them to reside here for a while, the warm climate should help her become better. Rhaegar will join and I will be the one to bear him the news"
He nodded his head, understanding why she wished to be the one to do it. She was like a second mother to Rhaegar and she had personally tutored and trained him in almost everything that boy knew.
He trusted her more than anyone else, he trusted her judgement and he would trust her advice when she would tell him the news.
"Good" he added soon after. "Now, let us get to work. We send the letters morrow morning and start putting everything down. The Lords might want a coup but they will be dammed if I let them plan it all"
She chuckled at his words. "Let me handle them when they arrive. You focus on how everything will go"
"It appears that we are back in the game, Princess," he said with his signature smirk.
He lifted his filled goblet up for a toast.
"It appears that is the case, Lord Hand" she added and grabbed her own goblet, bringing it close to his.
The two metallic objects met, letting out a small but beautiful clinging sound before the two of them 'sealed' the deal by consuming the sweet red wine they both preferred.
The Lion and the Dragoness were back to the game and they were not known as a couple that lost. The Cyvasse board was waiting for them to place their pieces and plan their moves, to ensure nothing else but guaranteed victory over their opponent.
[A/N] - Here you go, the very first chapter of the AU!
Right after it, a chapter of Cast Interview.
Let me know if you enjoy it and wish to see more of it (I know you will want the AU but what about the cast interviews/behind-the-scenes idea?)