A few hours after the meeting, Visenya and Tywin had returned to their tent. Tywin sat on his chair and merely leaned on his hands while on his desk were the letters of all those news, including those of Trystan that were scattered across the wooden furniture.
Visenya stretched her arms and moved her neck from one side to the other, feeling the tension forming knots. It had been quite a while since she had felt that pressure on her shoulders and she could not say she had missed it.
She let her hair loose and massaged her aching scalp, the migraine from before yet to pass and the wine might have made it worse. She had closed her eyes momentarily but opened them upon seeing Tywin just staring ahead in silence; the only thing moving being his shoulders with each silent breath and his eyes whenever he blinked.
She knew that he took Jaime's capture seriously, not just because of Lannister's pride. Jaime was his son, no matter how many times he failed to please his father. He was his first heir, his first male son and that meant something; more than what many would think.
She had a soft spot for him as well, being by his side as he grew but she did not share their bond. Yet, she understood personally how he felt because it was the same anger she had when she lost Rhaegar and the same feelings she would have if instead of Jaime; it was Trystan.
With how messed up things were, she felt they were back in their younger years. When Aerys and his small council or anyone else messed things up and they had to clean after it, control the damage before it ruined the empire.
It was not an easy job and it was not pleasant either. It kept them both busy, often testing their patience with what they had to deal with; mostly the stupidity and incompetence of those around them.
She silently walked towards him, her bloody red dress barely touching the floor as she had a simple cloak around her shoulders to ensure she did not freeze with the lower temperatures. She moved around his desk and placed her one hand on his stiff shoulder.
Visenya gently let it stay there and then placed her other hand on his other shoulder, feeling the stiff muscles. Her fingers started to massage those areas as she pressed herself more against the back of the chair.
"We will get him back, my love. We will get Jaime back and make sure no one touches any of our children, again" she said, moving her hands a little further up and closer to his neck.
"We will and he will be alive. Whether I have to burn down all of the RiverLands and its people, I will get my son back"
Her hands moved to slowly spread across his collarbone as she bent forward and leaned more.
"Our son" she corrected, reminding him that she saw Jaime as her own and was there for him.
"We will get him back, no matter what," she said and placed her chin on his shoulder, her hands placed above his rising and falling chest.
"Jaime will be by your side for time to come" she whispered to his ear, her breath warm against his skin as the smell of wine reached him.
Tywin was not really an affectionate person and neither was Visenya. There were times when little shows of contact were all it would be given and none would complain. However, there were times Visenya felt that her lover needed more and she had tested different ways to deliver.
Indeed, she was not often one to go for the affection or let it be one-sided but Tywin did appreciate her words and her gesture. His mind was racing like crazy, his body tired and stiff from all that pressure and yet was not going to bend.
After having to control and handle everything on his own, he needed a chance to relax; to take a breather. He could never truly have it but many times, he found that her presence was having similar effects.
When she talked to him, when her hands massaged his shoulders or when her warm hands were placed on top of his colder ones; he felt his mind quieting down. He went as far as to close his eyes and lean fully on the chair, letting her stay like that as her words full of certainty replayed in his mind.
"Did you dream it?" he finally asked, opening his eyes and letting his green orbs move to look at him without the need to move his head.
She took his scent from his neck and closed her hands a little bit, creating some sort of vague hug.
"I did. It was not clear but I could see him standing by your side in battle and King's Landing" she confessed.
She usually did not talk much about her dragon dreams because they were complicated. Sometimes, the scenes were too vague and sometimes Visenya had to spend days questioning whether she should do something to make them happen or not.
Those dreams could be dangerous because just like prophecies, they could easily be misunderstood or misread; resulting in the opposite of things.
She was not sure how they worked and how they were supposed to favour her like they did with her ancestors but she did try to listen to her late sister's advice. She uses her mind along with those dreams, to make them work.
Tywin still found those dreams unnecessary or the many loopholes behind them were not something he liked to deal with. Most of the time, he let them be but rare times; he just needed to know for confirmation.
Ever since the miscarriage, Visenya rarely had one of those dreams but they all came back fully just a year ago. It all started one night and then continued, Visenya being attacked by dreams; leading to many restless nights that sometimes were in a row.
Eventually, she got control of it and they seemed to be reduced in frequency but were still there. Tywin could always hear her when she mumbled in High Valyrian or when she would wake up and try to remain silent in order not to wake him up.
Yet, hearing her speaking of those dreams at that moment; offered a sense of security and confidence. If she had that dream, then it was meant to happen and he knew he would get his son back; in one piece.
He only had to play his cards right to ensure that those things would happen and eliminate anything that might prevent them.
"Let's go to bed" she whispered to his ear and rested her chin on his shoulder again.
"You will need all of your strength to march for Harrenhal tomorrow" she reminded him as she slowly pulled away.
Once she had stepped away from the chair, he stood up. He looked at her with those same green eyes she had fallen in love with, ever so powerful despite the wrinkles forming at the edges of them.
"Let us go. We are to depart early tomorrow" he said and offered his hand to her, making her nod her head and offer a smile before accepting his offer.
The war between the Starks and the Lannisters started less than a year ago, when Tyrion Lannister got captured and accused of attempted murder. Ever since that, only the Stranger seemed to enjoy the passing events.
With Jaime still a prisoner, Tywin Lannister and Visenya had headed straight for Harrenhal while their armies spread like wildfire on the grounds of the RiverLands. However, their opponent held equally destructive force, motivated by the death of his father and the hostage sister of his.
Thousands perished on the battlefield, and more soon to join them as the war raged on. Sometimes, the Lannisters emerged more victorious but there were times the Direwolf seemed to have the favour of the Gods.
Robb Stark had proven to be rather good in planning or had someone with a military mind of its own, being able to take down Lannister forces; although many times it was through the cover of darkness and spy craft.
While the war continued on the battlefield, a different one threatened to take place in King's Landing. Joffrey, with the influence of his mother, proved quickly that his mentality was not that fit of a King.
300 AC - King's Landing, CrownLands - Seat of Power: Joffrey I Baratheon / Lannister - 2 Months since Tyrion arrived and became Hand
The 10-year-long summer had finally ended, autumn at last to show.
After prolonged months of heat, many were relieved to hear that colder weather was due but also feared because a summer that long, only brought a winter of equal length.
After the small moment between Trystan and Sansa, the young dire-wolf had followed his advice. She remained loyal and obedient around Joffrey, keeping her head low and trying not to have her spirit broken.
When she was alone or away from him, she would often have Ser Trystan accompanying her. They would often talk, mostly softly or exchange a few words but his presence was always calming for her.
They kept this odd friendship, for now, secret from the Lion family who would disapprove but were unaware of a certain purple spider spying at them when their backs were turned.
With the war continuing and Robb taking his revenge on Lannister's forces, things were becoming tougher for Sansa. Eventually, the spoilt boy-king snapped and during a gathering with the royals and the court; he unleashed his frustration on her.
Forcing her to kneel by the base of the Iron Throne, Sansa stark looked at her husband-to-be with fear in her dove eyes as he held his crossbow aimed at her face.
"You're here to answer for your brother's latest treasons." He told her, his finger itching to pull the trigger and see what kind of damage the arrow would do.
"Your Grace, whatever my traitor brother has done, I had no part. You know that. I beg you ... " Sansa begged but her words fell on deaf ears.
"Ser Lancel, tell her of this outrage"
"Using some vile sorcery, your brother fell on Stafford Lannister with an army of wolves" the former squire but now Knight said; making the present crowd start murmuring between them. "Thousands of good men were butchered. After the slaughter, the Northmen feasted on the flesh of the slain" he continued, his words earning more gasps and whispers from the crowd.
"Killing you would send your brother a message" Joffrey said, not moved at all by the sobs and tears of his future queen. "But my mother insists on keeping you alive. Stand." He ordered and she was forced to obey as she wiped the tears staining her cheeks. "So we'll have to send your brother a message some other way. Meryn. Leave her face. I like her pretty"
Before Sansa could even realize what had taken place, the Kingsguard had moved close and delivered a strong blow on the side of her leg that made her gasp and then groan as a second one landed at the same spot.
She stumbled but remained standing, her eyes watering but she tried not to let him see her crying again.
Yet, even all that did not seem to satisfy him and he wanted more, so he stood up.
"Meryn, My Lady is overdressed. Unburden her" he ordered and remained where he was, watching the scene unfold in front of him.
Ser Meryn moved behind Sansa and forced her to kneel before he used his sword to cut the back of her dress, leaving her skin exposed. This made her gasp and sob as she placed her hands at the front of the dress, trying to keep some of her modesty.
"If you want Robb Stark to hear us, we're going to have to speak louder." Joffrey continued and nodded at his knight.
Ser Meryn moved in front of Sansa, his sword raised and ready to harm her.
However, before any of this could take place, the doors to the throne room were pushed open as Tyrion walked in.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, seeing the sight and feeling anger growing inside of him.
Behind him was Bronn, following a few steps behind and surprisingly; Trystan did as well.
The young Lion had seen the crossbow aimed at Sansa and knew things would get out of control. While everyone was staring at the horrendous abuse, he slipped away and rushed to find his brother; the only one with enough power to stop him.
As much as Trystan wished he could be the one to interfere, he knew he had no true authority against the King. The Hand, on the other hand, did.
"What kind of knight beats a helpless girl?" Tyrion asked as he marched her way, the people making a path for him.
"The kind who serves his king, Imp" Meryn spat, sheathed his sword and glared at him.
Bronn, however, did not seem to like that.
"Careful, now...We don't want to get blood all over your pretty white cloak." He told the cocky knight.
To the sell-sword's surprise, Trystan interfered.
"Ser Meryn, my brother is the hand of the King and also a Lannister" he reminded him.
"I think it would be wiser to speak better to the brother of your Queen Reagent and uncle of your King, don't you think?" he asked as he moved to stand in front of him.
Trystan was taller than the sadistic knight by at least a head and while young, he had this face that silently challenged someone to argue with him or worse; fight him.
His face showed no fear, no pride and no shock at the scene that was unfolding.
He remained the perfect rock, hands behind his back and chest puffed forward along with his Lannister armour. He stared down at the sadistic knight, deciding to step in just this time because his temper would not be contained for far longer.
"Someone get the girl something to cover herself with" Tyrion instructed.
Trystan finally turned from Ser Meryn and looked at the shivering, terrified girl kneeling on the hard marble floors.
Without saying another word, he unclipped his red cape and put it over her shoulders.
The fabric was soft and it wrapped around her smaller body while his hands guided the edges to her hands, making her keep it secure. The Golden Sigil at the back of it glowed with the sun's rays and as the young Lion lifted his body; he locked eyes with the Hound.
His muscles were stiff and he had moved one leg forward, evident that he was most likely thinking the same.
Trystan did not expect that from him but accepted it silently, his head nodded; a silent praise for his quick thinking in bringing Tyrion and covering the girl.
At the same time, Tyrion walked towards the throne and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"She is to be your queen. Have you no regard for her honour?"
"I'm punishing her" the boy-king tried to excuse himself.
"For what crimes? She did not fight her brother's battle, you half-wit"
"You can't talk to me like that. The king can do as he likes!" Joffrey exclaimed, his tone rising and shifting as he tried to control his emotions.
The childish need to throw a tantrum and cry to his mother was strong but he refused to give his imp uncle the satisfaction.
"The Mad King did as he liked," Tyrion said, voicing Trystan's internal thoughts.
He took two steps up as his nephew sat back on the Iron Throne.
"Has your Uncle Jaime ever told you what happened to him?"
Immediately, Ser Meryn moved and had his sword drawn halfway out.
"No one threatens His Grace in the presence of the Kingsguard" he said as Bronn was ready to take out his blade if the foolish knight thought he could attack Tyrion.
"I'm not threatening the King, Ser. I am educating my nephew. Bronn, the next time Ser Meryn speaks, kill him. That was a threat. See the difference?" the dwarf asked rhetorically, earning murmurs from the crowd that was still watching. "Let us go. Trystan, help young Lady Stark and escort us out"
Joffrey glared at his uncle, who offered his hand for Sansa to take, more than willing to hear Tyrion than him. Uncle or not, Joffrey would complain about it to his mother because this was unacceptable.
"My Lady" Trystan said as he extended his hand and waited patiently for her to take it.
She looked into his beautiful eyes and immediately felt safer with him around. She hadn't seen him during her 'trial' but when he appeared with Tyrion, she knew he had gone to fetch help and she was thankful for it.
She placed her hand into his, allowing him to help her get on her shaking knees. Once she was stable, he slowly withdrew his hand and motioned for her to start walking, making sure to be one step to her right while Tyrion took the other side.
As they walked out of the throne room, her ladies followed suit in silence; too afraid after witnessing Joffrey's sadistic nature.
Once they were out of the throne room, Tyrion glanced at her.
"I apologize for my nephew's behaviour" he started, seeing the girl being too quiet. "Tell me the truth. Do you want an end to this engagement?"
To his surprise, Sansa did not say what he expected her to say.
"I am loyal to King Joffrey, my one true love, my king" she said, her face a perfect mask and yet her words sounded believable.
She continued with her head held high, leaving behind the three men to stare at her surprised.
"Lady Stark, you may survive us yet," Tyrion muttered out loud and then looked at Trystan, who had also stayed back.
"What are you doing here? Go with her, ensure Cersei doesn't send assassins on her way to her chambers" he instructed his younger brother.
"Bold of you to assume she will send assassins and not finish her herself, along with us" he said and then started to walk, following after Sansa's female party.