Dramen

Despite his low status amongst the other great houses that had come to Casterly Rock for the war, Dramen had been chosen as one of the lords that would attend King Robert's war council. Greater men that he also attended, Bronze Yohn Royce, Ser Barristan the Bold, Ser Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer, and of course his liege lord, Lord Tywin. Other lords from the Westerlands, Stormlands, Crownland and a few from the Riverlands had also been invited to sit at the table, but they were lesser lords. Invited for political reasons or to simply be polite. Dramen remained silent, seated further back beside a Buckwell and a Buckler. King Robert sat in Lord Tywin's seat, with a goblet of wine in his large hands, one that his squire, a Massey boy judging by his doublet, ensured always remained full of wine.

"Gods it's been years since I've been in a good fight." King Robert sighed loudly. "Tourneys aren't fun anymore, every fucker is scared of 'harming their king', and those who don't aren't even remotely good at fighting. Good on you Tywin, if it wasn't for your fleet burning, I wouldn't have been able to relieve some stress now with my warhammer." Ser Barristan and Ser Jaime stood on each side of the King, the only men with swords within the war room. The Kingslayer looked like he wanted to burst out laughing.

"House Lannister is glad to be of service, your Grace." Lord Tywin answered dryly. He seemed harder and colder than usual, evidently he and his royal Goodson didn't get along. That could prove very interesting to use. "Our forces are ready to sail once Lord Stannis reports that he smashed the Iron fleet."

"Bah, should be any day now. Stannis is a prickly fuck, but he knows how to do his job." King Robert waved him off. "Have we heard from Ned?" Ah yes, the King's savage brother-in-arms, at least he was raised in the Vale alongside civilized folk.

"A raven from Seagard arrived this morrow." Maester Creylin spoke up. "Lord Stark has met with Lord Mallister and the Riverlords. They are ready to sail once your Grace commands."

King Robert formed a large grin and downed the rest of the wine in his goblet, Arbor Red dripping down his cheeks and into his beard. The Massey boy instantly refilled the goblet with the pitcher that never left his hands. "Good, good. Once Stannis returns, send a raven, have Ned meet us on Pyke."

King Robert finally rose from Lord Tywin's chair and looked at the map of the Iron Islands. "Ned, Lannister and I shall take Pyke. Stannis can have the Great Wyk, give him command of the Crownland levies, those should be more than enough."

Dramen would likely be refused the honor of joining any invasion force, to focus on the repairs of Lannisport. Not that he minded, he did know the city better than anyone else, and quite frankly, he wasn't sure Tywin wouldn't arrange an 'accident' if he went into combat.

"Old man, are you feeling bold today?" King Robert turned to the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. "Take the Riverlords here and siege Old Wyck, Yohn, you'll assault Harlaw."

"As you command, your Grace." The older men said, nearly in unison. Being placed in such a high role was a great honor, stories would be written about the days to come. It would become a part of their already impressive legends. Assuming of course, nothing went wrong.

"Once Pyke falls and Balon Greyjoy bends the knee, the rest of his shoal should follow." King Robert scratched his beard, which hid his developing second chin. "I can already smell the piss in his breeches."

Yet, what would happen should Balon Greyjoy refuse to bend the knee? And even then, should they keep the Greyjoys in power? History would repeat itself, better to simply to remove the house altogether, and place a newer, more loyal one in their place. Or maybe even, a darker corner of his mind argued, just conquer and redistribute the land to other Houses? Sure it was desolate, but it was better than constant raids by heathen fools. Dramen was sure a few distant Lannister cousins would appreciate having their own keeps.

"Dramen."

"Yes, your Grace?" Dramen turned his head to look at their king, keeping his gaze low and respectful. He did not need any more enemies, and embarrassing the Lannisters in front of the King? Decorum be damned, Tywin would jump across the table to strangle him if he even thought that would happen.

"I hear that your whelp has been embarrassing squires in the training yard." King Robert sounded amused. "Including Lorch. How does a little girl defeat a trained knight in a duel?"

"The septons claim she has been blessed by the Seven, your Grace." Dramen answered. Rumors had already started to spread, about Weiss slaying four Ironborn raiders, the defeat of Ser Amory Lorch, and the results of her duels in the training yard, despite his best efforts to dissuade them. He had to pay off a few members of the Great Sept of Lannisport, but it worked out in the end. Ceria's dedication in taking Weiss to pray at the Sept every seven days had also assisted his efforts.

"Blessed or not, it's unnatural." King Robert boomed, handing his goblet to Massey to refill it. "I wish to see her for myself. Tywin, arrange for one of the training yards for my use."

Dramen's eyes widened slowly, his lips suddenly dry, yet he bowed his head all the same. How could he refuse a king's command? Dramen swore he could feel Tywin's glare from across the table, without even looking his way."As you command, your Grace."

"She'll fight Justin." King Robert continued, filling his mouth with more Arbor red. His squire was a large boy, with straight white-blond hair and blue eyes. The war room was filled with the giggles of full grown men, laughing at the King's squire. Many of them didn't believe the rumors, aside from Lord Lefford and a handful of others who visited the Gold Keep during Weiss' lessons with Ser Janas. He could see some of the wiser men making bets, and he resisted the urge to grin. A fool and his gold were soon parted.

"Y-Your Grace?" Justin Massey's grip on the pitcher tightened.

"What? Scared of losing to a girl that hasn't even flowered?" King Robert's cheeks turned a light pink as he laughed.

"N-No." The Squire shook his head. "I'll fight her." And lose, Dramen trusted his daughter. Her track record so far was impressive, so one random squire was not likely to change it in the least. Now, if Robert had picked one of the Kingsguard, that would be another matter altogether.

"Good." King Robert turned to Lord Tywin. "Make the arrangements before lunch. I always enjoy food with a show." How insulting, even for the Lannisters of Lannisport. They were a noble family, not fools who provided entertainment.

"As you command, your Grace." Lord Tywin's voice sounded as if it could cut steel.

Dramen knew his daughter would make him proud.

Weiss

The arrival of King Robert meant that Weiss and her Mother had to spend more time in Casterly Rock itself, accompanying Father as he attended meetings with the King about the war. Ladies weren't allowed to attend, for their hearts were weak and many would faint at the mere mention of blood, was the common excuse many Westerosi men used. It annoyed Weiss, she had been in countless battles back on Remnant, against the Grimm, Salem's followers, and rogue huntsmen. She was capable of handling herself! Yet no one here would ever take a seven year old girl seriously.

Weiss practiced her needlework in one of Casterly Rock's gardens, attempting to sew a red ribbon that would have the sigil of House Redwyne. Mother had been the one to suggest it, not that Weiss ever planned on gifting it to Stuar. Instead, she used the center of the first grape as the start of a white rose. She resisted the urge to retreat into happier memories, she couldn't afford to lose her awareness. Not now.

"You have such a lovely daughter, Lady Ceria." Lady Genna said casually. In her youth she might've been able to be called pretty, but now she was fat and broad, with an enormous bosom that seemed annoying to deal with. Her face was still smooth, and Lady Genna's hair was pulled into a casual bun. And yet, her attitude didn't match her appearance. Sure, she was uncouth, but she took no grief from anyone, and was one of the rare few who could backtalk to Lord Tywin and not get in trouble.

"Thank you, Lady Genna." Mother formed a small and polite smile. More than a few other ladies joined them, including Alysanne, Lady Lefford, her Mother, Lady Marband, and Lady Dorna Swyft. Alis remained in the Gold Keep, her family standing too low to have been invited into the greatest keep of the Seven Kingdoms. Weiss would ensure that she would never be left behind again. At least, if she had any ability to, that is.

Weiss bowed her head with a small smile as she grimaced on the inside. She disliked garden parties with other noble ladies, they were boring and did nothing but gossip about which lord had fathered a bastard, or what lady was having an affair with a baker. Still, it would be useful practice for the future once Weiss inherited the title of Lady of Lannisporr, politics would be important. And hey, could be worse. At least here, the parties were smaller than what she had to deal with in Atlas.

"It looks to me she inherited more Velayron blood than Lannister." Lady Marbrand said, nursing a ceramic cup filled with Yi-Tish tea. The plain woman knew what she was implying, that Weiss was a bastard child, a subtle insult. Quite a bold move for her, very unusual at that.

"She has the Lannister nose and chin." Lady Genna said before her Mother could retort. She waved off Lady Marband. "My poor Cleos, he looks more like his Father with every passing day. Soon he'll be off to war, I hope he returns with a knightship." Everyone knew that Frey's looked more weasel than human. Based on the stories she'd heard, that was an insult to weasels. The Late Lord Frey had poisoned his house's reputation even worse than what Jacques had done to the Schnee name.

"The Seven shall return him home safely." Weiss finally spoke politely. As much as she disliked religion, if she was going to survive in this world Weiss was going to have to use it to her advantage. She spent the last week turning her glyphs into snowflakes with seven points, which was harder than she expected. Playing up how 'pious' she was in public would be annoying, but worth it in the long run. One lesson she knew intimately was the value in a good public image, and the Faith had significant soft power here. Alienating them was surely an unwise idea. While she could theoretically fight off any number of assassins, her parents could not, nor was she invulnerable, Weiss still had to sleep and eat, and that was when any intelligent assassin would strike. Her Aura wouldn't shield her from a strong poison dribbled into her cup by a passing servant.

"You should pray seven times on the morrow." Lady Dorna added timidly. House Swyft was a minor family with a long history, yet Ser Harys Sywft somehow managed to arrange for his daughter to marry Ser Kevan. He must've been a political mastermind, or knew where the bodies were buried.

Lady Genna gave her an annoyed look, and was about to respond when the sound of light footsteps approaching interrupted her. It was a large boy, bigger than someone his age should be, wearing a fine brown doublet with a black and white boar stitched over his right breast.

"What do you want?" Lady Genna gave him a single look before turning back to the generous slice of apple cake on her plate. She was the Lady of Casterly Rock in all but name since Lord Tywin's wife died giving birth to the Imp, who Weiss surprisingly still hadn't seen.

"King Robert and Lord Tywin request the presence of Lady Weiss Lannister." The Crakehall boy answered with a nervous tone.

Weiss pressed her lips in a thin line as she almost stabbed herself with the needle. Great, King Robert hasn't even been here for two days and he already wanted to see her, likely due to the rumors that Lord Tywin was spreading. She already knew it was him who did it, after all, who would dare try to disobey his orders to keep the duel with Lorch? The Old Lion was starting to lose his touch.

The thin line soon turned into a discreet smirk.

Weiss was given the chance to change before she was led to the training yard by the Crakehall boy. Wearing a red leather doublet with darker trousers that fit this time, Weiss had her hair tied into a ponytail with a matching red ribbon, the one she had been working on not even an hour earlier. It felt ironic, being led to another duel to test her by another Crakehall. What did Blake used to call that, deja vu? The training yard chosen this time was one of the larger ones in Casterly Rock, fit to hold at least a hundred men. The Crakehall boy said nothing as Weiss walked into the yard, her eyes easily adjusting to the bright midday sun.

"You may go." Weiss said softly so the big soft boar could leave her alone. The Crakehall boy muttered his thanks and quickly scurried away, more rat than boar. Not that she could blame the boy, she had developed a bit of a reputation among the squires. Besides, if they were being beaten by a seven year old girl, then really, they needed more training.

The courtyard waa full, with an elaborate chair seated at the far end. King Robert sat in it, with Father at his left side and Lord Tywin to his right in a smaller seat. All three members of the Kingsguard were present, in their full white armor and cloaks. The sides of the training yard were filled with the lords and knights that King Robert had brought with him. They had been engrossed in their own conversations and whispers, yet the yard turned silent the moment Weiss walked in. Weiss gave their king a short, yet respectful bow.

"You're shorter than I expected." King Robert said bluntly. His cheeks were red from the alcohol he had likely been drinking. Lord Tywin gave her a blank stare while Father looked worried as always. "And look more like a fucking Targ than a Lannister."

Weiss tried to bite her tongue, but failed. "My apologies, your Grace. I shall endeavor to be born with blonde hair in my next life." She said with a slight sarcastic tone. Lord Tywin shot her a sharp glare at that. Ser Jaime looked amused, and stared at her like a lion would a mouse.

King Robert stared at her silently for a few seconds, before he started bursting out laughing and giggling. "You have balls, talking to your king like that, it must be the arrogant Lannister blood in you. Gods know it can get tiring after a while."

Weiss remained silent as King Robert continued laughing to himself. There was no safe answer here, especially not given his reaction. She immediately reevaluated her opinion of the man. He obviously wasn't just some mindless warrior, he had a brain in there, somewhere behind that beard.

"This child's more brave than a lot of you!" King Robert sighed and shook his head. "I've been hearing a lot of hearsay about you, girl. You're here to fight my squire, prove that you're blessed by the Gods or some shit." He was rather crude, wasn't he.

The King's squire was tall, at least two or three times as tall as Weiss was. He wore heavier armor than Ser Amory Lorch, and a full-helm that covered every bit of skin on his face. The Squire wielded a tourney blade, and a shield with three spirals painted red, green and blue. She could tell just from how he was holding his blade this was going to be more of a challenge. This was a squire with some skill, not an upjumped killer or young boy.

"As you command, your Grace." Weiss bowed once more and went to the weapon rack to grab a tourney blade. Ever since she was allowed to train with the men, her strength had started to increase. The gathered lords and knights started to murmur as Weiss moved to her position, around five feet away from the Squire. Out of the corner of her eyes, Weiss spotted an extremely short person, with mismatched eyes and thin hair staring straight at her. The Imp was hiding in between two Lannister knights, likely cousins of his. Her first thought was of Neo, that diminutive psychopath who had hung around with that ruffian Roman, before his tragic demise. Yet, unlike her, he didn't give off an aura of suppressed murder. He wasn't as monstrous-looking as the whispers said, though to be fair, he was still far from being called handsome like his older brother. .

Pushing that out of her mind, Weiss took up her regular stance, holding the tourney sword with her left hand, and her legs close together as if she was doing ballet. The Squire held his shield closely, with his sword behind it, attempting to square his body defensively. Giving King Robert a side glance, Weiss formed the symbol of the Seven over heart with her free hand.

"Start already." King Robert waved them off with an enormous hand. The King's Squire instantly started to advance, though Weiss could tell he was hesitant by his footwork. Weiss took a few steps forward quickly, not as encumbered as she was by fear.

The Squire was caught off guard, and used his shield to follow her movements. Good, he wasn't underestimating her. When she was in striking distance, Weiss struck, slamming her sword against his shield in an attempt to judge his level of strength with a loud thud. To his credit, the Squire didn't flinch, catching the blow on the rim, and attempted to counterattack her with a downward strike.

Weiss used her own blade to meet his own with a clang, guiding his sword away by using her Aura enhanced strength. The Squire noticed and tried hitting Weiss with his shield, forcing her back. His armor was heavy, and his full-helm obscured his vision, yet he had managed to force her back a step or two. Allowing herself to smirk, Weiss was back on the move, moving towards his right. The Squire tried another swing, but he missed, used to fighting opponents that were the same size as him or bigger.

Using her superior speed to get behind him, Weiss struck. First with his shoulders, slamming her blade against the metal armor that protected his vitals. The Squire responded by trying to smash his shield into her face, a bit of a one trick pony for this one, yet Weiss' quick footwork allowed him to miss. No longer hesitant, Weiss was likely starting to get on his nerves.

"What's your name?" Weiss asked suddenly, launching herself for another strike. She jabbed him in the shoulder, and narrowly dodged a counter strike from his sword this time. It seemed he was starting to lose his temper. Good. This could be over fast if that was the case.

"Justin Massey." The Squire declared with a light groan from the jab to the shoulder. Yet still he stood, unyielding. He wasn't going to give up that easily, it seemed. Well, she was playing around with him.

"Well, Justin Massey." Weiss twirled her tourney sword casually in her left hand and aimed it at the young squire. "I apologize in advance if I send you to the maester."

King Robert started to laugh when Weiss charged forward, faster than before and with several dozen thrust, forced Justin back onto the defensive. She used enough strength for each one to make a loud thud, that must've been audible enough to be heard in the stands. She couldn't imagine what it would've been like under that helm, and yet, still he stood. Weiss caught a glimpse of steel behind his shield, and changed her movements with a slash.

A loud clang strummed through the air as Weiss slashed at Justin's helmet. A second hit to his head caused him to stumble. She was about to hit him in the side, when someone burst through the doors that lead out of the training yard. It was a small man that had a small chin, yet he strode with authority. His doublet was decorated with a drawbridge and a Lannister lion on quarters, one of Lady Genna's sons most likely. Weiss didn't allow him to distract her and a heavy hit to the back of Justin's leg forced him onto his knees, then she allowed herself to pause.

"What's the meaning of this, boy?!" King Robert boomed as he stood up from his seat. Next to him, Tywin rose as well, never showing his true emotions. This was worrying, but what could it be?

"M-My apologies, your Grace." The Frey stuttered as he bowed deeply. "I bring news from Lannisport."

Great, it better not be another attack. At least this time she had a proper weapon on hand. Even if it was a training blade, it was still a vast improvement over a letter opener.

"Get on with it, boy." King Robert narrowed his eyes. The Frey nodded rapidly, his chin quivering as he pulled out the scroll he carried in a pouch at his waist.

"It's the Royal fleet, your Grace! Lord Stannis has returned!" The Frey said excitedly. "He has smashed the squids in the Strait of Fair Isle." A roar rose up throughout the area, she swore she could see even Tywin's lips curl upwards in a vague resemblance of a grin for a brief moment. It disappeared as soon as it came.

"Ha! Stannis won, did he?" King Robert started laughing again. "Prepare the banners, we shall leave before a fortnight comes, I wish for Balon Greyjoy to be on his knees before the new year comes." The group of gathered lords and knights cheered, ready to win their houses and king glory.

"And Lannister?" King Robert pulled Weiss out of her thoughts. "I name you the victor, it was a fine duel, even with this interruption."

"Thank you, your Grace." Weiss bowed her head. Always good to be polite, even if she didn't think she'd won this. Sure, she was winning, but overconfidence was a slow and insidious killer. Who was she kidding, Weiss would've won in the end.

"Bah, one day I hope to see you give the Kingslayer a run for his coin." King Robert clasped his hands together. "What a day that will be, the Kingslayer losing to a little girl." Ser Jaime didn't seem to hear, busy in conversation with Ser Barristan. It didn't matter, Weiss was going to be busy now that the fleets returned.

She had to check and see if Stuar was okay.

Weiss had changed back into the dress she was wearing when a servant led her to the room her parents were using temporarily for their visits to Casterly Rock. She was surprised they weren't preparing to return to Lannisport and had her meet at the Lion's Mouth to depart. By the time Weiss walked into their room, Father and Mother were both pale, staring at a letter with shaky hands.

"Mother, Father, why aren't we preparing to return to Lannisport?" Weiss asked, taking light steps to approach them. They were acting strange. They were nervous, but about what?

Father was the first to look up with sad, but relieved eyes. Mother continued to shake as she held the letter. "Weiss, Sweetling, you may want to take a seat."

Weiss nodded and sat in one of the expensive long benches with the nice cushions. "What happened, Father?"

Father licked his dry lips before he started to speak. "Stuar Redwyne, your betrothed, waa slain during the Battle of Fair Isle by a Harlaw Knight."

Weiss froze, her eyes wide. S-She wasn't expecting that kind of news at all. Staur was stationed aboard the Redwyne flagship was he not? He should've been stationed in the rear, not dead. They had only known each other for a short while, but Stuar had seemed kind. He might not have been her first choice of a husband, but she could've done a lot worse. Her cheeks felt moist as she started to cry, not for her betrothed, but for the boy that would never reach manhood. Mother and Father soon wrapped around Weiss, holding her closely.

Gods were cruel in every world.

A/N

Another long update came out faster than I initially expected.

And we have new art donated by kclcmdr so feel free to check it out in the media thread!