Author note: I don't own Game of Thrones or any characters. I only own the story's plot and a few characters, which are my own.
Summary: The Sword of the West they called him, the nephew of Ser Arthur Dayne: Jaime Lannister had a son with Ashara Dayne before the tournament at Harrenhal. Ser Addam Lannister.
Chapter 1
The Tale of the Sword of the West, Grandson of the Great Lion Tywin Lannister, Son of the Golden Lion Ser Jaime Lannister, Nephew of the Sword of the Morning Ser Arthur Dayne. Started from a humble beginning.
A marriage between House Lannister and House Dayne would have been an unlikely match. Jaime Lannister was one of the most eligible bachelors in the Seven Kingdoms after the Crown Prince himself. Prince Rhaegar.
Jaime's childhood had been split between Casterly Rock and King's Landing, due to his Lord Father's position as Lord Hand to King Aerys II of House Targaryen. The meeting of Jaime and Ashara Dayne was thanks to Ser Arthur Dayne and Jaime's childhood best friend Addam Marbran.
Ashara was a name day older than Jaime, not that matter. The love between them grew quickly and burned just as hot and deep as dragon fire or wildfire, whichever one you preferred.
Jaime avoided the unwanted advances of his twin sister. Cersei was sickly in love and obsessed with Jaime. Jaime loved her as a sister, nothing more. Jaime was careful to keep Ashara a secret for a reason till he went to his father to ask for his blessing for him and Ashara to wed.
Jaime had been sure his father would refuse the match. House Dayne was a minor house sworn to House Martell; it offered no advantages for House Lannister. Tywin Lannister was a hard man to read and predict.
'You love this girl.' Tywin questioned his son as he sat at his desk in the Tower of the Hand.
'Yes, Father. I do love her, and she loves me.' Jaime replied passionately. Tywin may be many things, but he was not heartless. While a marriage between House Dayne and House Lannister didn't benefit House Lannister. But who was he to stand between his son and the woman he loved and happiness, the way Jaime of Ashara Dayne was much the same as he had spoken of his own late lady wife and love Joanne.
Hoster Tully had been sniffing around for a marriage between his daughter Lysa and Jaime. The Tullys had already snared the North in a marriage between Catelyn Tully and Brandon Stark.
Even Tywin had heard of Stark Boy's reputation with women even down here in King's Landing. Ashara and Jaime's wedding was small but lavish. It was not long after they returned to Casterly Rock.
Tywin received news he was to be a grandfather in a matter of moons. Addam Lannister was born on the ninth moon of the year 279 after the conquest. He was born with a good set of lungs, a tuff of blond hair, and two different colored eyes. One was purple and the other was green.
Maester Creylen assured them that Addam was perfectly healthy with two different eye colors. Though it was rare, it was not uncommon for babies to sometimes be born with two different colored eyes.
Addam was named for one of the two men who had introduced Jaime and Ashara to each other Ser Addam Marbrand. The birth had been bloody, messy, and long. At one point, Maester Creylen had thought they would possibly lose Ashara.
The future Lady of Casterly Rock survived without any complications from the blood loss. Addam was a good babe and healthy as well. Lord Tywin made the journey from King's Landing to Casterly Rock to meet his grandson when Addam was three moons old.
Roughly three and a half moons later. Addam would be without a father and Ashara without a husband. Attending the Grand Tournament held at Harrenhal. Jaime was subjugated by the Mad King into the service of the Kingsguard.
In disgust of Jaime's forced joining of the Kingsguard, Tywin resigned as Lord Hand. Ashara had to contend with the unwanted advances of Brandon Stark.
The younger Stark son, Eddard or Ned, seemed to be smitten with Ashara. The prince caused quite an uproar when he named Lyanna Stark the Queen of Love and Beauty. Slighting not only his lady wife and Ashara's childhood friend Princess Elia but also Lady Stark's intended Robert Baratheon.
Lady Stark didn't seem all that happy either with Prince Rhaegar. She begrudgingly accepted the crown of Winter Roses; what else could she do? Lady Lyanna's oldest brother Brandon Stark had a thunderous look on his face, matching the look on Robert Baratheon's face.
Ashara and Jaime said a bittersweet goodbye the night of the final feast of the tournament. That final goodbye they had in Harrenhal gave a surprise in the form of their daughters Joanne and Allyria.
Addam was just a moon shy of his first name day when the rebellion broke out. Ashara felt sick when she heard of how Lord Rickard and his son Brandon Stark had died. Rickard was burned alive in his own armor. Brandon choked himself to death trying to save his father.
On the outbreak of war. The Westerlands didn't raise their banners, sitting out most of the war. Lord Tywin had his hands full, keeping his good daughter and daughter apart from killing each other.
Cersei was vindictive and jealous of Ashara. Having married Jaime and had three children with him. Tywin doubled the guard around his good daughter and grandchildren.
After the Targaryen Army was beaten at the Battle of the Trident. Prince Rhaegar fell to Robert Baratheon's War Hammer. Tywin raised his banners to secure the capital.
Tywin still to this day remembers the smell of burning flesh. The Mad King had burned Princess Elia and her children alive. He had planned to blow up King's Landing and everyone else in it with the cache of Wildfyre he had packed beneath the city.
The Mad King's reign of terror ended at Jaime's hand. Killing both the Mad King and the men who would blow up the city on the Mad King's final orders.
Baratheon, Stark, and Arryn arrived half a day later. Jaime at first was pardoned for his crimes of killing the Mad King. But Baratheon had soon backtracked on that due to the Falcon getting in his ear.
Stark didn't stay long in the capital; he headed for Storm's End or something about Dorne looking for his sister. The two remaining Targaryens had fled to Dragonstone after the Battle of the Bells.
It was decided by a Great Council that Baratheon would take the throne, regardless of whether Ned Stark returned with Lyanna Stark alive or not. Robert Baratheon would need a bride.
Marrying Cersei to Robert Baratheon solved two problems. It secured his bloodline on the throne and removed the danger of Cersei to his good daughter and grandchildren.
Ned Stark returned to the Capital with his sister's bones, tales of her dying of a fever, and Dawn, one of two Ancestral Swords of House Dayne. There was a second sword, Dusk. The Warden of the North presented Dawn to Tywin to take back to Casterly Rock.
Spinning a tale that it was Arthur Dayne's dying wish that his swords be given to his Nephews. Addam and Edric. Tywin was the one to break the news to Ashara of her brother's death and his final wishes for his sword Dawn and Dusk to be split between his nephews Addam and Edric.
When Addam turned three name days. Tywin took over the boy's education. Teaching him to read, while Maester Creylen saw to the academic side of things. Like his father and uncle before him, Addam had a natural talent with a sword.
He was taught to fight with all manner of weapons by his great Uncle Ser Tygett Lannister, the best swordsman of Lord Tytos Lannister's four sons and the whole of House Lannister.
Ashara split her time equally between being a mother and her duties as Lady of Casterly Rock. Tywin groomed and shaped Addam into the heir he needed to be as Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West when Tywin finally passed on.
There were roughly eight years of peace between the end of the rebellion and when the Iron Islands rebelled. Attacking Seagrad and Lannisport simultaneously.
Addam remembered that day till the end of his days. It was the first time he killed a man. He had been running drills in the training yard with his cousins and Great Uncle Ser Tygett.
The bells rang loudly and clearly. The alarm had been raised; Iron Born had been seen in the harbor. At ten name days. Addam was tall for his age, standing 5'1.
Even at the young age of ten name days. Addam was stronger and faster than most knights, who were older and more experienced in warfare.
"Ser Tygett, his lordship has ordered the Household Guard to Lannisport to beat back the Iron Born. You are in charge of leading the Guard." A soldier ran towards them with a scroll relaying Tywin's orders.
Those forty miles from Casterly Rock to Lannisport were the longest of Addam's young life. This would be the first taste of battle for the heir of Casterly Rock.
Addam knew he had to be smart and cunning to survive the fight to come. He would not fail. His mother, sisters, grandfather, and the people of Lannisport were counting on him.
Lannisport was a blaze. Anger boiled in the bottom of the young Lion Lord's stomach at the sight of Lannisport put to the torch by the Iron Born; there were possibly hundreds, if not thousands, of the raping, pillaging, and murdering. The Nobles and Common Folk of Lannisport.
"Addam, you stick close to my side."
"Yes, Uncle" Addam answered, tightening his grip on his horse's reins with one hand. The other is on the hilt of Dawn. His uncle's sword.
Casterly Rocks Household Guard numbered close to twelve hundred men. The Iron Born Scum were no match. Tygett positioned Archers on the hill to rein a fury of arrows down with Crossbowmen closer.
Footmen and Pykemen were among the soldiers that Tygett led. Mounted soldiers and knights made up the rest of the numbers. The indisciplined and unequipped Iron Bron was no match for the well-trained and armored Westerland Soldiers led by Ser Tygett Lannister, a living legend in his own right. He'd killed his first man at age ten name days during the War of the Nine Penny Kings.
Tygett and Addam both fought with the ferocity of a lion, no hold bars. They showed no quarter to the Iron Born invaders. Nephew and Great Uncle fought with swords, daggers, dirks, hands, feet, and anything that was on hand.
Addam barely remembered the first Iron Born he cut down. While Dawn was not made of Valyrian Steel, it was just as strong and sharp as Valyrian Steel. No one would think a boy of ten-name days would be able to wield the infamous blade.
Addam was stronger than he looked, under the harsh and tough regime of his great Uncle Tygett. Addam was stronger and fitter than fully grown men twice his age or older.
Addam picked up a lone shield from a dead Lannister Men at Arms. He and his Uncle Tygett fought back to back. Protecting each other. "Well, well, what have we here?
The Lion's Cub. Lord Tywin's heir and grandson. He'll make a nice hostage." The ugly face of Euron Greyjoy appeared.
Addam said nothing as he braced for the forthcoming blow; he had blood running down the right side of his face, a lucky blow from an Iron Born's dagger.
That was the last Addam remembered before waking up in his rooms at Casterly Rock. "Mother"
"Thank the Gods, you are alright, Addam. Madame Creylen was worried you wouldn't wake up. Your wounds being what they are."
"Uncle Tygett," Addam questioned, grimacing in pain.
"Safe, he and your grandfather have gone to the Iron Islands. King Robert has called for the raising of banners in response to the Iron Born attacks and rebellion. The Crownlands, the Riverlands, the Reach, the North, and the Westermens have answered the call and are taking the fight to the Iron Born."
"What happened all I remember is facing off against Euron Greyjoy." Addam queried his mother
"Tygett only told what he remembers seeing. You fought with Euron Greyjoy. You took an eye from the Iron Born. Your uncle lost sight of you for a time. He found you after the battle was over. Euron Greyjoy fell to your blade. Maester Creylen worked on you.
You came down with a bad fever; Maester Creylen wasn't sure you would survive if you did wake up soon," Ashara explained.
With his grandfather and uncles in the Iron Islands fighting the Rebels. The ruling of Casterly Rock fell to his mother and Uncle Tyrion. Addam recovered quicker than Maester Creylen had thought the young Lord would.
It was roughly three and a half moons later when Tywin and the others returned from the Iron Islands. Addam met his father, Ser Jaime Lannister, for the first time in nine and a half years. Addam was six and a half moons old when he saw his father last.
His sister Allyria and Joanna never met their father before that day. The King, to celebrate his victory over the Iron Born Rebels, hosted a large and lavish tournament at Lannisport.
Addam met his Aunt the Queen for the first time. She had a nasty disposition when it came to Addam, his mother, and his siblings. There was no love between her and his uncle by marriage. That was plain to see.
Addam's father won the joust, naming his mother the Queen of Love and Beauty. Since that day in Lannisport, the common folk had begun to call the heir of Casterly Rock the Sword of the West.
Many commented that he was his uncle, Ser Arthur Dayne, come again. The heir of Casterly Rock's raw ability and skill with a blade was undeniable. Those short ten days Addam had with his father.
He and his sisters bonded with their father. Who knew how long it would be between now and when they would see their father again? Addam watched his father bristle every time the King or someone else called him Kingslayer.
Yes, he had killed the King he was sworn to protect. The Mad King was a madman and had Jaime not killed the Mad King. King's Landing would be nothing but ash and rubble.
In Addam's eyes, he was a hero.
Nine moons later, Addam gained another sibling, his brother Arthur. Born with his father's eyes but his mother's dark hair. Arthur was named for his uncle, who'd died during Robert's Rebellion.
Another brother came a few years later in the form of Damon. Addam squired for his great Uncle Ser Tygett till he was knighted at ten and four name days.
Tywin Lannister was a man who rarely smiled nor laughed after his beloved Joanne had died, bringing the monster that was his son Tyrion into the world. The Old Lion of the Rock when his grandson Addam earned his spurs winning the tournament at Lannisport. Winning both the Joust and Melee.
Addam was the spitting image of Jaime at that age. His blonde hair reached his shoulders. A beard of sorts graced his face. His mismatched eyes shone with pride and honor as he swore the vows of knighthood before the Seven.
"Addam of House Lannister. In the Name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave in the face of death and battle; in the name of the Father, I charge you to be just; and in the name of the Mother, I charge you to be to defend the helpless, young, innocents, and those who cannot defend themselves.
In the name of the Maiden, I charge you to protect all women. In the name of the of the Smith I charge you to be diligent and steadfast in your duty as a knight. In the name of the name of the Crone, I charge you to be wise and respect all laws of men and gods.
In the name of Stranger, do you Addam of House Lannister swear to uphold these vows till the day you meet the Stranger and remember that all men must die?" His grandfather questioned.
"I Addam of House Lannister swear in the name of the Stranger to uphold the oaths and vows as a Knight till the day I met the Stranger," Addam vowed.
"Arise Ser Addam of House Lannister."
Addam took his vows as a knight seriously, as were his duties to House Lannister. He would come of age soon and have to marry. There are many eligible brides from any number of houses.
But none seemed to strike his fancy nor catch his eye. Perhaps he was too picky. Allyria and Joanne were both coming of age as well, turning into beautiful women in their own right.
Addam felt a strong overprotectiveness when it came to his sisters. They were his sisters, and no man would ever be good enough for Allyria and Joanne in Addam's mind at least.
Addam split his time between Casterly Rock, Lannisport, the Westerlands, and the occasional visit to King's Landing. Like his grandfather, Addam is cunning and ruthless. Perhaps even more so than his grandfather. The heir to Casterly Rock had grown into a strapping young man of 6'5.
Apart from a cunning, ruthless mind, he had an excellent, sound military mind. Part of his studies and lessons had been about famous battles fought in Westeros. Under the tutelage of Maester Creylen and Tywin himself.
Addam's mind was as sharp and ruthless as Tywin himself. Addam excels not only in his studies but in his weaponry as well.
For several moons, Addam had been thinking of ways to strengthen the Westerlands and prepare for any forthcoming war. Securing their borders.
The Reach, the Riverlands, and the Vale could all be worthwhile allies. Hoster Tully had no daughter of marrying age, but he had two granddaughters from his eldest daughter Catelyn's marriage to the Warden of the North Sansa and Arya.
Jon Arryn had one sickly son; there had been rumors at court that the sickly boy named for the fat oath of a king was not even Jon Arryn's son. But someone else's. Then again, it could be just rumors or court gossip.
The Riverlands could be tied to the Westerland and bring the North into the fold with a marriage between House Lannister and House Stark. The Reach could be brought to the fold with a marriage between House Lannister and House Tyrell.
Lord Mace Tyrell had three sons. All three were unmarried. Though the youngest son was out of the question. A sword swallower through and through, his lover King Robert's youngest brother Renly.
It was the worst kept secret in King's Landing, along with a few others. Addam kept to himself. Particularly his cousins Joffery, Myrcella, and Tommen.
They hadn't been fathered by King Robert; there was too much Lannister in them and hardly any Baratheon. It was not Addam's father who had fathered them, but perhaps Lancel.
His cousin had been sent to King's Landing as a sworn shield all those years ago.
Another possible proposal Addam thought of bringing to his grandfather was the possibility of having a standing army and fleet of his own separate from the main Lannister Army and that of the Westerlands.
Addam came to his grandfather's solar. Knock twice. "Enter," the gruff voice of Tywin Lannister answered from the other side of the door.
"Addam, what can I do for you? Tywin looked up after scribbling on some parchment for a few moments.
"I have a few things to talk over with you, grandfather."
"So speak, you are not a man who mixes his words, are you?" Tywin eyes his eldest grandson.
"No. But I have some proposals to put to you, grandfather," Addam answered.
"Proposal what sort of proposal." Tywin looked up interesting in what it was Addam wanted to discuss with him.
"Proposal to strengthen our borders, grandfather. There will be war soon enough. The King is a King in all but name. It's Jon Arryn who rules Westeros while the King hunts, drinks, eats, and fucks his way to an early grave."
'That is true; continue." Tywin set aside the parchment, taking another piece of parchment and dipping his quill in the ink.
"It's possible that when Robert finally does die, Stannis and Renly Baratheon may rise up in rebellion and try to usurp the throne from my cousin. Joffrey may be the eldest, but he is not fit to be king; that is another topic to be discussed at a later time.
What I am saying. If war does come, it will before too long. As we are tied to House Baratheon of King's Landing by blood and marriage, we will have to raise our banners.
Renly Baratheon is unmarried and a good 'friend' of Loras Tyrell. If Renly marries Margaery Tyrell, he would have a hundred thousand men at his disposal, not to mention the Fleets of the Redwyns and Hightowers.
To either back his claim for the throne or Stannis's. Nullifying the Reach would be a smart course of action, as would bringing the Riverlands and the North to our side through marriage.
The North is tied by blood and marriage to House Tully. Stark has two daughters, both unmarried. Bringing the Reach, North, and the Riverlands to our side gives us almost two hundred thousand men at our disposal.
The North and the Riverlands can each muster a hundred thousand men between them, and the Reach could comfortably field a hundred thousand of their own." Addam paused before continuing.
That only leaves Dorne and the Vale. The Vale is of no use to them. Jon Arryn has only one child, a sickly son who may not even make it to adulthood. Renly Baratheon has no heir, and Stannis has a daughter, yes.
Even if Renly married into House Martell, gaining the support of the Dornish, they could muster what thirty thousand men at most, the Vale no more than fifty thousand, and the Stormland would roughly be about that, if not less. The less than number of men we combined with the Crownlands, Westerland, Reach, the Riverlands, and the North put together could Muster."
"And how would we bring the Reach to our side? You are not particularly a fan of Margaery Tyells." The Old Queen of Thorns had been plotting a marriage ever since between himself and Margaery or her granddaughter and Joffrey.
"A marriage between the eldest two of Lord Tyrell's sons and one of my sisters would work; same for the North. Stark has a son and daughter close to marrying ages," Addam clarified.
"Interesting could work; what was the other proposal?"
"For me, to have an army of my own to command," Addam answered.
"An army of your own to command. That is quite a proposal. I have one condition: if you wish for me to give any men, you have to find something for me. In the lower vaults of Casterly Rock, there is a vault. Within this vault, there are two items I want. Bring them to me. If you return them and bring them to my solar, then you will have you men. Do we have an accord grandson?"
"We do, Lord Grandfather." Tywin and Addam shook on the deal.
Addam left his grandfather's solar heading lower into the bowels of Casterly Rock; the vaults of Casterly Rock were like a maze. Most of the family heirlooms and gold were kept in the upper vaults.
The lower vaults and Catacombs had been untouched for many years. Addam stopped when he reached a set of double doors leading into a cave-like vault.
Addam stopped short when the torchlight hit a full set of Valyrian Steel Armor. The sigil of House Lannister pressed into the Gorget with a red ruby for the eyes.
The armor of King Tommen II is thought to have been lost along with Brightroar during an ill-fated voyage to Valyria after the Doom. The Valyrian Great Sword of House Lannister was thought lost in Valyria. It had to be by the Hilt and Pomple.
Uncle Gerion. Gods, he'd disappeared after going to Valyria to find Brightroar. It had been her all this time. Had they known, Gerion wouldn't have gone on that ill-fated voyage to Valyria. Joy would have her father, as would young Tygett.
Born six moons after Gerion and his ship had disappeared in the Smokey Sea. Addam took Brightroar first; he would go back for the armor later. None of the guards nor any really said anything of Addam carrying a Great Sword with a distinctive pommel and hilt.
Addam knocked on his grandfather's door once more. A bit dirtier than before.
"Enter"
Addam entered holding Brightroar in his hands. "Ah, you found them then, both the sword and the armor."
"Yes, Grandfather, I did." Addam placed the sword on the desk.
"It's yours, Addam. I am too old to wield such a sword. You are the future of this house, Addam. Which is why I will grant your request to have an army of your own. About fifteen thousand men.
They will be yours to lead. As a knight and commander of an army, you will need squires. Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Arthur, my cousins Willem and Martyn can squire for me," Addam answered.
"A fine choice."
Addam left his grandfather's solar, heading for his own rooms. He made his way to the vault once more, taking the Valyrian Steel Armor that had once been King Tommen the Seconds and was now his.
His brothers and cousins were sparring in the training yard under the watchful eye of the Master of Arms of Casterly Rock, Ser Benedict Broom.
"Ser Addam, will you be joining us today?" The Master at Arms questioned the heir to Casterly Rock.
"Not this time, I'm afraid, Ser Benedict. I would like a word with my brother and cousins once they are done with their lessons with you."Arthur disarmed Damon just seconds later.
"Lord Damon, you can take a short break? Lord Arthur, Williem, and Martyn. Ser Addam would like a word with you."
"Brother, Cousin"
"What would you say if I offered for you three to squire for me? You understand the duties of squires," Addam questioned.
"Yes, brother, cousin." The three Lannisters answered at once.
"Very well. My armor and sword need to be cleaned and polished. You can attend to that after you've finished your lessons for the day."
A moon and a half later, word came from King's Landing that Jon Arryn was dead.
"This came from King's Landing from Pycelle. Jon Arryn took ill a week ago and died last night. According to the Grand Maester, the Lord Hand was positioned by Tears of Lys."
"Tears of Lys," Addam repeated.
"Tears of Lys were the poison."
"Did he say who he suspected gave the poison to Jon Arryn?" Addam questioned.
"Petyr Baelish was who he named; Littlefinger took a vile of the poison from the Grand Maeter Solar."
"Baelish, it's a shame Brandon Stark didn't kill him all those years ago at Riverrun when he challenged the Stark heir for the hand of Catelyn Stark. Robert Baratheon's spending is one thing, but Baelish has been lining his pockets for years from the Treasury.
No one would doubt his word as Maester of Coin. How much is the Crown in debt to us?"
"Three million gold stags," Tywin answered as his younger brother Ser Kevan Lannister entered the room.
"What does Littlefiner gain by poisoning the Lord Hand?" Kevan asked reading the letter.
"What does he gain by it? His motto is Chaos is a ladder. There has been a lot of Court Gossip that Jon Arryn's son, Robin Arryn, is not his son but possibly Baelish's.
It's possible he killed Jon Arryn because he began to suspect that the boy wasn't his."
"The other letter was from your father. Robert is riding north along the Kingsroad to Winterfell. He will most likely name Stark as Hand of the King."Tywin passed the letter from Jaime to Addam.
"We should prepare our defenses by land and sea. War is coming, and it will be here before the year is out."
"What makes you say that, Nephew."Kevan queried.
"Baelish, he's up to something. The man is not to be trusted; he's as slippery and slimy as an eel. What better way to tear the realm apart than by having Starks go to war with us? Pinning Jon Arryn's death on us would do just that.
Aunt Cersei believes she has his ear. But he is playing her. Baelish is a slippery bastard and has greased the pockets of many in the King's Landing and the Vale.
If Baelish gets in Stark's ear. And the North goes to war with us. It's not just the Northerners we'd be fighting, but the Riverlands and the Vale possible." Addam was a good judge of character; Baelish was as slippery and dangerous as they came. He was not someone you wanted to underestimate.
"I will send word to Clegane to watch the roads and borders." Tywin paused, "There is another thing I have to ask of you, Addam. I need eyes and ears in the North."
"Yes, grandfather. I will take my sisters, brothers, and mother with me. It's been a long time since we've seen Father."
"Don't underestimate the Northerners, Addam." Tywin cautioned.
"I won't," Addam began to make plans in his mind for how many men and supplies to take on the road north. They could meet up with the King's Party at the Cross Road Inn. He wasn't looking forward to traveling with his Aunt Cersei and cousin Joffrey, being the ones he couldn't stand. But he had all the time in the world for Mrycella and Tommen.