- 273 AC -
(3rd Person POV)
The year 273 AC was a tragic one for Oldtown, the Reach and all of Westeros. In the intellectual city, the Citadel, where countless Maesters had started their journey towards greatness and acquired knowledge, a fire erupted. It just suddenly happened, and no one knew why or how it started.
It was chaos in the streets of Oldtown. The Citadel was their pride and joy. The Harbour of Oldtown was so busy because of the Citadel. Hundreds of people rushed to get water and to stop the fire from spreading and damaging the tower further. So much knowledge, so much wisdom was contained in the tower and in those thousands of books. No one would ever be able to replace them.
Everyone was working hard to save as much as possible, to preserve the legacy that was the Citadel and to keep as much political power as House Hightower could at this point. Everyone tried to help, even the young Leonard Lannister, who had been a guest in Oldtown for years now. The people worked tirelessly, and when the night passed and the new day arrived, the damage was visible to all. The Citadel would never be the same again. Hundreds, thousands of books were destroyed. People died during the fire, and the two who caused it all ... were the two Maesters who were known to have started drinking. They were found sitting in their chairs, drinking. Their bodies were pitch black, and their bones were visible.
Oldtown was saddened and angry about this fact. But as it turned out, it would not be the last time that day. After everything was done, the Lord of House Hightower got home and was met with very disturbing news... their treasury had been stolen. Most of their gold was gone, disappeared without a trace. Guards were sent out, and an investigation was launched, but it was all useless. The perpetrator was never found, the only thing that was found was a single rose lying on Lord Hightower's bed.
On the road north, towards the Westerlands, a young man was walking and making his way home. The Lion was going back as his task was complete, and the time for his mother's labour was approaching. He wanted to be there when his youngest brother was born, and the course of House Lannister would inevitably change. He had studied all the books the Citadel had, at least the important ones, and after he had manipulated everyone of note, he left. It was getting tedious to entertain two drunkard Maesters in their discussions. The Reach would not be as united after this, and that was his entire goal, apart from getting away from Tywin and the twins.
He loved his mother, but things were different now. He would make sure that Joanna survived, as it was his top priority before he left. But there was more to his trip to the Citadel than met the eyes. Where did this change of heart come from?
Simply, he saw his dependency on his mother as a weakness and evolved past that. It wasn't that he saw the love for his mother or the love his mother had for him as a weakness, but the fact that he seemed to lean on it and 'need' it. That was no longer the case, though. He still loved her dearly, the only one in the family, and would see to it that she was well looked after, but it was no longer enough to just stay at home. The older he got, the more the personality of the Lion surfaced and the more detached and distant he became. His character was changing ever so slightly, but he was adapting to it. He would never become the same as the original Lion El'Johnson, but probably something even more scary.
So he was on his way to save his mother from her death and, with it, House Lannister from an even colder and bothersome Tywin Lannister.
.
(Tywin POV)
I read the letter sent to me by my informants. It seemed a great tragedy befell the Citadel and House Hightower as well. My thoughts race thinking about the repercussions and the one responsible for them. I am certain that my son has something to do with it. He is of course not the one to do all that, but there is a chance that he was the one to arrange everything.
His maturity has long become obvious in the weekly letters he sends back. I knew that my son would one day do great things, but to become my greatest source of information in the Reach is something I would have never expected. He has learned a lot during his stay in Oldtown and as far as I can tell, he is on his way back to make use of that knowledge.
Joanna is about to go into labour any day now, and Leonard wants to be present when it happens. He has told me about his distrust of the Maesters as a whole, and from the few letters he sent me, I am inclined to believe him. After his words, I increased security on the Maester in our House and ensured he was not part of some scheme. You can't trust anyone. The fact that Leonard is returning home to see Joanna's delivery himself somewhat calms me down. Who knows what might happen? On the other hand, I am unhappy that my 10-name days-old son thinks he can do a better job than a Maester. But he was always a special one.
Leonard did well. No matter what he did and how things turned out the way they did, he did well. I might have to start teaching him how to rule Casterly Rock. Jaime has no talent in that regard, and he is not even as intelligent as Leonard. I am uncertain about his martial prowess and skill with the blade. Jaime has at least shown considerable talent in that regard.
I have returned from King's Landing to be with my wife during this time. With Aerys' growing concern about my power, it is getting harder and harder to do any meaningful work in King's Landing. The fact that he seems to lust after Joanna even after these years has me concerned. My spies have reported about Rhaella Targaryen's screams when Aerys abuses her to the extreme. That won't happen to Joanna as long as I'm alive.
*Knock Knock Knock*
"Enter."
A servant enters and bows before me.
"Lord Tywin, your son has just arrived. He ..."
"Yes?!"
"... he seems to have travelled on foot."
"On foot?"
"Yes, my Lord."
Why would Leonard travel on foot?
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(Jaime POV)
My brother has returned from his years in Oldtown. According to Mother, he has been studying at the Citadel. While Father didn't comment on what exactly, he did confirm that our brother was learning at the Citadel. I can see the happy smile on Mother's face when she learns about Leonard returning. She never smiled like that when he was away. I don't know what to feel about it, but Cersei isn't happy.
Mother seems to favour Leonard. He is the firstborn, and Father also seems to value him more than ... well, anyone, other than Mother at least. I am confident that I am more talented in terms of swordsmanship. Our Master-at-arms has praised me more than once for my skill and talent with the sword at this young age already. And Cersei also seems to like it.
I wonder what he has been doing all this time in the Citadel? Is he a bookworm? If so, I'm sure I would win a spar if I asked him. I might just be seven-name days old, but Leo hasn't trained like I do.
"Jaime, what are you doing here?"
Cersei enters my room like she always does and sits on the bed. Since Mother found out about what we did, we have been given rooms far apart. Cersei didn't like it and tried to find moments to see me whenever she had the time. But Mother hasn't allowed it to happen. She keeps close watch over us. However, since she found out that Leo is returning, she has stopped doing so. It is as if she forgot about us momentarily and is only concerned about him.
"I am dressing. Brother is returning from the Citadel, and Mother told me to dress appropriately."
"It's our brother, Jaime. We are Lannisters; our usual dresses will suffice for him. We are not welcoming the King."
"But Mother said-"
"Forget what she said. She is now focused on her babe and on our brother. This means ~"
Cersei starts to get closer to me. I am confused about what she means and raise my eyebrow.
"What does that mean?"
"Ugh, it means we have some time to ourselves, dummy. Come, I want to try it again."
"Try what again?"
"You know~... that."
"Ohhhh, but Mother said-"
"Stop with mother. Gods, Jaime, are you a babe or a man? Stop being like that. Be strong."
"I am strong. Did you see how I did during sword training today? I was praised again."
"Really? Did you defeat a knight then?"
Cersei looks happy, and that makes me happy as well. She is very interested in my progress. Swordsmanship has been going well, but reading, on the other hand ... I just can't make up the words. They turn around when I want to say them. It's so frustrating, and Father has been forcing me to learn. I don't like it.
"Young Lord and young lady. Lord Tywin has asked me to get you two. Young Lord Leonard has arrived."
The servant tells us.
"Very well. We're coming."
We make our way through the castle towards the entrance. I can see Mother wasn't allowed to come. Father ordered that she remain in bed until the babe arrives. He has been strict in the last few weeks.
I stand next to Father, and we wait for Brother to arrive. Then I see a carriage arrive, loaded with something I can't see. And behind the carriage walks a young man. He is taller than I am, and his eyes move from left to right, moving over the people present. And then he looks at me. For some reason, I shudder and feel weak. It is strange; I have never felt this way before and have forgotten to breathe. He has blonde hair like mine, but his face is hard and like stone, similar to Father's. After a second, which seemed to stretch on forever, he looks away and walks towards Father.
"I am back, Father."
"I can see that. Would you be so kind as to tell me why you travelled on foot?"
"I ran out of money and couldn't afford another carriage. And since I had to hire someone to transport some goods, I chose to walk instead. After years at the Citadel, it was a nice change."
"Hmm."
Father looks at Leonard like he usually does when he wants someone to say something. Even grown men and knights can't withstand his eyes for long and usually start talking. But Leonard ... he doesn't say anything.
"Very well. Come to my solar later."
"As you wish."
Father walks away, leaving us siblings to ourselves. Leonard then turns to the man who was driving the carriage.
"Leave the load over there, near the stalls. You have been paid and ordered to remain secretive about what happened. Should you go behind my back, I hope you understand what that means..."
"Of course, young Lord. But don't you think that ... in view of what you asked of me, that it is worth ... a bit more? Sometimes, when I drink, I don't know what happens to me, and my tongue just loosens. Do you understand?"
"..."
Leonard looks at the man for some time and then exhales. He turns around to Cersei and me.
"I am glad to see you two again, Jaime and Cersei. You have grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you. Sadly, we must postpone our reunion for a moment."
Then he turns back to the man.
"I perfectly understand, good man. If you would follow me, I shall give you what you deserve."
"Heh, I knew you would understand."
The man follows Leonard somewhere and they just leave us standing there.
"I wonder how much gold Leonard will give him."
"No gold, Jaime."
I look up to see Alastor, our Master-at-arms, standing there looking at their retreating backs.
"No gold. Do you think he will only want silver?"
"No. Steel, nothing else."
"Steel?"
"You will understand in time."