285 AC - Casterly Rock, WesterLands - Seat Of Power: Robert I Baratheon
It had been less than two years since Maester Val made an official examination of Visenya and found out that she could no longer bear children. Ever since that miscarriage and that near-death experience in the birthing bed, something had changed within the Dragoness.
She was often seen as cold or distant, smiling faintly and on rareoccasions. She spent a lot Of time with Tywin, working on the matters athand and keeping a tab on what was going on around the world.
The times she would be softer were around Trystan but there weretimes her strictness would show. Even Tyrion started to see the changesand after the incident with his first wife, Tysa, he had come to realizethat Visenya had become more Lion than a Dragon.
Yet, even the mighty Dragoness had moments Of weakness that fewcould see. When her Dragon Dreams showed her the horrors of thefuture, she would wake up with a heart racing. When Trystan would dowell in his training, she would smile in pride and somehow Genna couldmake her softer with her constant talk and ridiculous schemes shewould come up with.
Sometimes, Visenya just softened behind the tall walls Of her new homewhen she would see things that no one else would ever have the chanceLike that one day in the early spring when she found herself returningfrom training. Shooting a dozen arrows and keeping her sword skillssharp had helped her mind find some peace, while she ensured herselfand others that she was not a helpless woman like many around her.
She came to a halt in front of Tywin's study room, peeking through thehalf-open door. Her husband was sitting at his desk with a 5-year-oldTrystan on his lap. In front of them was a map of the WesternLands andthe Old Lion Of Casterly Rock was busy educating his son and heir, aboutthe story of his house and of the lands he would eventually commandwhen he would become the new Lord Of Casterly Rock.
The Dragoness leaned against the door frame and watched in silence,listening to the stable and soothing voice Of the man she had ended upharbouring enough feelings to carry his children.
"The WesterLands are all bounded by three natural defences, mountain,sea and forest. Necessary barriers when the land is as rich as ours. Fromour mines come the gold and silver that fuel the rest Of Westeros" heexplained, pointing at each natural formation on the map. "Do youknow where our mines are located, Trystan?" he quizzed his youngerson.
The boy quickly lifted a finger and pointed at the map, precisely wherethe famous mines were located. "Good. What about Lannisport?"
"Here," Trystan said, pointing at the famous port town.
"Do you know why is such an important part of the WesterLands?" heasked him next.
His son thought for a moment. "Because of the trade," he replied.
"Not only" his father said and made him focus back on the map. "FromLannisport, our largest city comes the most skilful gold and silver smithsin the land" he explained, momentarily glancing at his son, who washanging from his every word. "Yet Geography alone is not strength,Trystan. The WesternLands would have been sacked and pillaged forthousands of years if it hadn't been for the man who ruled it, our family;House Lannister"
Wisenya kept listening and watching as Trystan proudly pointed to theembroidered golden lion on his tunic, right above his heart. He bore theLannister sigil with pride, as would any Lion born into the pack.
Tywin seemed pleased with the pride of the boy in his family andobserved him carefully before he continued with his history lesson. Hisheir was intelligent, taking both from his parents and it was evidenteven at such a young age.
"According to Legend, we trace our descent to Lan the Clever. He was atrickster of the dawn age, who swindled the Casterlys out of CasterlyRock, their ancient castle...a childish story but not without merit. One, amind can and should be a weapon in a man's arsenal, Two, must havebeen clever enough not to rely solely on his wits. After all, where today isHouse Casterly? Three, by keeping the Casterly Name on the castle; Lanreminded the world Of the price Of getting in his way"
Trystan was staring at his grandfather in silence, his childhood mindalmost envisioned the events he was narrating being replayed live infront of him. He could imagine Lan the Clever, tricking the Casterlys outOf their own home and establishing a new family; all on his own.
His father took a moment to allow his son to process everything since itwas obvious the boy was paying the utmost attention to him. When hewas certain the boy was ready, he pointed at the map again andcontinued his lesson by bringing up a part of his own past.
"The Reynes ignored all these lessons, not content with being thesecond richest, they sought to challenge the first; ours." he explained,memories of his own past coming into his mind as he continuededucating his son. "My father had put up with their insults anddisrespect. When I came Of age, I led our army to teach them what theyshould have known."
"The Rains Of Castamere" Trystan commented, interrupting his father.
Tywin sent him a look, clearly not liking to be interrupted and the boylooked at his hands in embarrassment. Nonetheless, his father did notcomment further upon it and instead kept talking about his first realachievement that made his name as famous and powerful as it is today.
"Some people say I was harsh, that eradicating every member of theirfamily was not necessary. What do you think Trystan?" he asked his son,who was clearly in a mood to comment.
If the boy wanted to talk about it, he could but at the same time, hewould be quizzed and tested for his perception of things.
The Lannister heir lifted his head and looked at the map, whereCastamere still stood but only in words for the city itself had been wipedout by the river his father had redirected upon the city.
he took a moment to focus on his words, knowing that his fatherdid not like mumbling and stuttering. "I think you did what you had to,father. In the sight of great disrespect, only harsher options remain" hesaid, quoting a famous line that Tywin knew too well.
Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince he thought, surprised that his sonwould choose to quote a Dragon.
Yet again, Visenya had taken it upon herself to also educate him in thehistory of her house and of her ancestors. Daemon Targaryen was herancestor, his blood flowing through her veins and she bore thecharacteristics to prove it.
While Often reckless and headstrong, the Rogue Prince had earnedalliances and burnt any enemies that threatened his family. To some, hewas considered cruel but Tywin understood what it meant to get yourhands dirty when you were facing disrespect from someone inferior toyou.
"Good," his father said after a moment of silence. "Let the others saywhat they wish for now that I know Bannerman is loyal to their Lord asthe WesternLands to us. If any Lord bridles of our authority, I have onlyto send a singer with a harp and he falls back into line." he continued,bringing up the Rains of Castamere.
The song was created to narrate the destruction Of a full house, barelyleaving anyone alive. Back then, Tywin thought he had eradicated thewhole family until they showed up under the Banners Of Pitt theBastard. With Visenya's help, he made sure to fully eradicate the silverlions and remind the world Of what happened when someone wentagainst the powerful House Lannister.
"I will not have our Lords squabble amongst themselves like the Lordsof the RiverLands or hide in their Castles like the Lords of the Vale, eachOf our bannermen contributes a unique skill that furthers the whole Ofthe Western Lands" he explained, going to the next chapter of his lesson.
He then took a wooden circular piece from the side Of the map, where adog was carved on it and he placed it in a specific place on the map.
"House Clegane because every Lord needs a beast from time to time.Ser Gregor strikes terror into the hearts of our enemies and our friends.so too does his disappointing brother, Sander"
Wisenya shivered at the sight of the Mountain and she made a mentalnote to ensure if any Clegane were to serve her son, it would not be theunpredictable rapist that her husband kept around.
Yet again, due to Gregor's bloodthirsty nature and kin slaying Of his ownfamily; not many of that house remained. Perhaps, by the time Trystanwould become Lord, she would have found some Other house to Offer atrustworthy knight to be by her son's side.
Tywin then picked up another wooden token, this one had circular coinsspread in a square formation and he placed it further on the map sincethere was the place where that specific house was located.
"House Payne, who provides us loyal servants. Ser Ilyn Payne was onceCaptain Of my Household guard until the Mad King heard him boast thatI ran the Seven Kingdoms, which I did alongside your mother" heexplained, his green eyes glancing at her form for a mere second,showing that he had been aware of her presence all this time. He thenfocused back on his son and the lesson he was giving him. "The MadKing tore our Ser Ilyn's tongue, making him well-suited to later becomethe King's Justice"
The boy was too focused on the story, memorizing the most importanthouses that would be ruled by him when he would grow Older; to noticehis mother by the door.
Tywin kept educating his son since the boy was eager to hear more. Hepicked up the next token that indicated an inverted pile with a sun onthe left and placed it on the map accordingly. "House Lefford, whoguards the Golden Tooth, the Eastern Pass through the mountains andthe all too frequent chaos Of the Seven Kingdoms" he then leaned backon his chair and looked at Trystan. "Listen well, Trystan. Fools look atthe WesternLands and see gold. Fools see our wealth and call itstrength. Gold is just another rock. The WesternLands are strongbecause Of House Lannister. Never forget, from Strong Leadershipcomes unity...from unity, comes power"
The boy kept his green eyes on his father, listening to everything and inthe end; there seemed to be a new idea and a new perspective of howthings worked. There was determination in his eyes as the young boyunderstood what his father was truly telling him.
He had to be a strong leader when he would become the Lord Of theHouse, and through his leadership, he would bring unity and thus power;to ensure his family prevailed. He puffed his small chest. "Iunderstand, father. I will become a strong Leader like you"
Wisenya then chose to walk into the room, drawing their attention. "Justlike him, alone? I was certain I would count somewhere" she said.
"Mother!" Trystan exclaimed with happiness, jumping off his father's lapand rushing towards her. "Of course, you count, mother. You and Fatherare both strong leaders" the boy said, hugging her legs above her scarletred dress.
The Dragoness smiled faintly, amused by the words of her son andplaced her hand on top Of his head. The boy had the colours Of theLannisters, his hair the shade of gold and his eyes a bright emeraldgreen, with golden specks like his father. so far, the boy looked a lot likehis father but there were softer edges at his jaw and more prominentcheekbones that he had taken from his mother.
"Good. Now, it is time to bed" she reminded him, since the sun hadalready set outside.
The boy looked up at her, pouting faintly since he was enjoying listeningto his father talking about their history. He did not wish for it to end. "Ido not feel tired, though" he argued back. Visenya lifted a singleeyebrow and stared him down. What did you say? Her sharp gaze wouldtell and the boy lowered his head. "I will get ready for bed," he said andstarted to walk towards the door but was stopped by his motherclearing her throat.
"Did you forget something?" she asked him.
Trystan turned sharply and gave a bow to them, mostly to Tywin."Thank you for the lesson, father. Have a pleasant night" and with thosewords, he left the room.
Visenya watched him go until she sensed a presence right behind her.She didn't need to turn to know who was looming above her shoulder,making the room appear smaller with his stature and presence alone.
"He is catching up fast. He will learn the houses and the history ofWesteros before he comes Of age" she commented as she felt his breathfaintly close to her neck.
"He is our son, it should not surprise you that he carries ourintelligence," he said, his breath causing goose bumps to form on herexposed skin. "Although, I do wonder who he took such eagerness" hecontinued, his lips now closer to her neck but did not touch it yet.
The Dragoness kept down a shiver at the close proximity and did notturn her head, somehow enjoying the intimate closeness they hadwithout truly needing to touch one another. It was a rare thing to existand yet it seemed to come naturally for both of them.
She closed her eyes momentarily and tilted her head just an inch,showing a little bit more of her neck. "Eagerness to learn? I guess I amguilty Of that" she said, keeping her body stable and her back straight.
Tywin moved so his body was pressed against her, her back against hischest. One hand moved slowly, pushing away white strands Of hair fromher neck as he brought his lips closer to her skin. "Yes, you are" heagreed, placing a gentle bite on the soft spot Of her neck; causing herto hold her breath in reaction to it.
He then pulled back and even took a step away, amused drawing suchreactions from her. His hands moved behind him and he watched her,as she turned to face him and she seemed to share his challenge.
"I see the Old Lion has grown soft, to leave someone as guilty as me towalk away" she smirked as his face darkened, her words having foundhis buttons all too quickly and too easily.
He took the step forward again, standing right in front of her like thepredator he was. He tilted his head faintly but said nothing, staringdown at her for almost a full minute; letting her wait for his reaction andnot giving it to her.
"Go put him to bed. This will be continued later" he ordered and waitedno time to walk back to his desk, his eyes dark with desire but in controlso far.
The smirk remained on her lips, looking forward to the challenge thatwould come. But to add fuel to the fire, she did one more thing. Shegave a small mocking bow. "As my Lord Husband commands," she said,keeping her victorious smirk upon seeing his eyes narrowing in warning.
She then left him there, to fume silently in his study as she headedtowards the room Of her son.