The Hand's Study, Tower of the Hand, Red Keep — King's Landing, Crownlands - Night
Visenya and Tywin had been pretty much locked into his study for a few hours now, barely seeing anyone or eating much. At first, they had started to deal with the usual matters of the realm but eventually, two different ravens reached them.
The news they carried was far from pleasant and was concerning enough, that the powerful couple did not directly bring them to the attention of the King or the Small Council. Both ravens had come from acquaintances of Visenya in Essos; both messages were bad news in their minds.
The first spoke of the return of Daenerys, after she had been considered 'lost' or 'missing' for a couple of weeks. Now, though, she had returned and brought with her a huge army of Dothraki; increasing the numbers of her army significantly.
The other letter spoke of a person that many knew as young Griff. The boy claimed to be Aegon, Elia's son and the rightful heir to the throne.
Now, those were some news the two of them knew had to keep silent.
The Dragoness passed both hands over her face and through her loose white hair, having been silent for about 15 minutes while trying to process everything. "How is it possible? The baby was dead, you told me so yourself." She let out a sigh and looked at her husband.
Tywin seemed to be rather uneasy by the news, evident by how often he spun his ring around his index finger. His eyes were cast on the desk separating them, where the two letters were placed.
Hearing her talk after spending so much time in silence, made him advert his attention fully on her. "I did. Whoever this...boy is, is nothing but an imposter."
"I truly hope so because if baby Aegon was somehow switched before your mad dog got to him...I don't even want to think the troubles it will cause us," Visenya said, voicing out her thoughts.
As if he was reading her mind, he connected the dots on the mental question she seemed to have. "You think Varys had something to do with this?" he asked her.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Mayhap. I wouldn't be surprised but the fact remains the same..."
"Whoever this boy is, we cannot let the word spread. We risk losing a lot of allies, your lords and the Dornish included," he finished for her, leaning back and a little bit more on the right as he sat on his chair.
Visenya nodded, trying not to think too much about such a bad future scenario. She passed her hand once again through her white hair, something she did when she was frustrated and generally troubled by things.
"I do not understand one thing, though," she confessed, earning once again his full attention. "Why hasn't the boy already come to Westeros? Why remain hidden? With the war, it would be the perfect opportunity for him," she said, voicing out her thoughts as if somehow an answer would be given. "Unless..." her eyes opened wider, and realization seemed to strike her faster than lightning would hit the open sea during a very bad storm.
"Unless what?" Tywin asked, arching one eyebrow in curiosity.
She shook her head faintly, gathering her thoughts. Her lips parted but she took a moment longer to reply. "Unless he is planning to wed himself to Daenerys first. If he marries her, their claim would be undeniable." She pointed out, looking into his eyes. "Think of it. Her army and her dragons, combined with his claim to the Throne. Both would rule and half of Westeros would bend the knee to them the moment those two showed up." She moved her hands faintly, trying to emphasize her point; something she did when a subject either frustrated or worried her and she needed somehow to release all that tension in order to keep her voice calm.
She did and rather successfully because Tywin's eyes turned cold. The thought of such a threat, of one even he could not truly face ticked his temper. It was already hard enough to deal with the girl alone and her dragons. If those two were to be wed and no one questioned the boy's parentage, it would be a lost game.
There would be no way for them to win. The last time the Lannisters went against Dragons, the events in the Field of Fire took place and Tywin was a man, who learnt from the mistakes of his ancestors.
If those two were to invade Westeros, there would be no political arrangements, no switching sides; no loopholes for them to escape.
Daenerys would wish for the head of Jaime for killing the Mad King and most likely Trystan's as well, since he had claims to the throne; Tywin had made sure of that when he ordered Jaime to burn that damn paper when he would find it.
The whole idea of losing a war before it would even begin left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. He would have no chance and no moves in this game if those two were to combine their forces and by the Seven did he hate that.
Visenya seemed to share his thoughts or at least have a clear image of how dangerous that outcome would be. She could survive and Trystan too but she knew the Lions wouldn't and she could not let that happen.
The Lannisters were her family, Tywin's children and grandchildren were her own and she refused to stand aside and watch them be burnt by Dragons; even if it was at the order of her own niece.
As she felt that dreadful future approaching, despite being such a theory...something clicked into her mind.
In the darkest of thoughts and the most depressing and gruesome outcomes she expected for her family, a plan seemed to also form. Yet, it was a plan so dark and ironic that she could feel the hatred of her ancestors thrown her way; as if that wood witch had not considered her cursed enough.
Something must have changed while she had those thoughts, something that was concerning enough to make Tywin lean forward on his chair and snap his fingers faintly close to her face, to fully get her attention.
It worked and she blinked in response, her focus fully going to the world around her and then at him. She could see some small confusion and some mild concern in his golden-flecked green eyes.
"What happened?" he asked as he leaned back on his chair, now that she was back with him.
Visenya blinked a few times and licked her dry lips faintly. "I think I know how to handle this issue," she confessed, mentally praying that this boy was indeed an imposter and not the real son of Rhaegar or else she would never truly forgive herself.
"How?" Tywin asked her, clearly interested.
She was silent for a moment and in the end, she took a deep breath. She did not believe the words that left her mouth right after.
"By creating another Dance of the Dragons."
Tywin's lips parted faintly, opening his mouth to say something but then stopped. He thought of the idea, of how this could somehow work and while he could not see the details; he would mentally admit that this was a good plan.
Perhaps the only plan that could truly work in their favour and save their heads. However, that meant that Visenya would risk both the lives of her niece and grand-nephew in this game; with a high chance even both of them not surviving.
The Aegon pretender might not have any dragons but those beasts could still be taken down since they were rather young. Plus, if their precious 'mother' were to be taken down; they would not have a handler and most likely no one else would be able to tame them.
He looked at Visenya, now realizing why she had such a reaction before.
A big part of him was filled with pride, seeing how willing she was to cause such a thing in order to protect her real family; the Lannisters. He had chosen well all those years ago and not once did he regret it, especially when he saw how right he was with his guess. He had seen her as a woman, willing to do anything to protect her family and once again; that much was proven.
Yet, a part of him remained a little more passive with the idea, not fully accepting it as the perfect plan to handle their latest trouble in the East.
This was a big plan, one that could easily turn against them if it failed or even affect her mentally if the outcome came as bloody as one would expect it. Most likely the latter would be the case, even if it was not as bloody as he would have hoped.
That did not mean that he would not have to be prepared, in case her mind got the best of her. That was the only downside of her character. She was intelligent, she was cunning but sometimes the very same thoughts that made her such a dangerous opponent and a force to be reckoned with, were also the one thing that could truly take her down; as he had unfortunately witnessed faintly when her inability to have children would come forward.
He pushed all those thoughts and scenarios to the back of his mind, locking them away for now. If things turned up in any way, only then would he deal with them and her reaction.
For now, he had come to realize that might be their chance to deal with both threats at the same time. However, one question did remain and he eventually made it known.
"Can you do that?" he eventually asked her, after giving her some time to gather her thoughts.
She thought for a moment and then nodded her head. "I will have to use most of my acquaintances in Essos and pray Varys does not realize it until it is too late," she said and let out a heavy sigh. "With the right 'rumours', I can create the opening and put them against one another but there are risks, as you must have already figured out."
She didn't have to continue, because he nodded his head faintly; silently telling her that he had already thought of them.
This left him a moment to think of it again, the silence between them not that pleasant as the stakes were getting higher and higher now. This would be their toughest game, their most dangerous and risky move; her most important and toughest move.
When one would weigh the options and would remember that the other outcome was their death; one could already guess what the final decision would be.
"Do it. Create the fuel for the dance and do your best to make it happen."
In the worst-case scenario that would still favour them, the pretender would be gone and Daenerys' army would be weakened; most likely her dragons as well. It would make it easier for them to defend themselves against her if she eventually marched to Westeros.
Visenya did not have to be told more as she moved her chair closer to the desk and then grabbed some parchment and the quill, before dipping it into the ink pot. She had a lot of letters to write and she had to make each one of them worth it.
Whether it was Visenya's honed-over-the-years skills, luck or the will of the Gods; the plan worked. A few days after the ravens were sent, the first spark was ignited and soon, many encounters and battles would take place between Daenerys and the imposter Aegon.
As this would take place, the Dragoness would have the chance to be as far away from it. Either as a chance to help ease her mind from the deep-locked guilt she had within her heart or as a chance to amend bridges; she would have to leave King's Landing rather soon.
Myrcella was pregnant and about to get married to Trystane Martell, after more than two years of being betrothed to one another. The Royal Family would attend, including all the young Lions and Margaery while Tywin would remain back.
Cersei was not going to be able to make it since surprisingly, she was also pregnant and very close to giving birth. The trip alone until Dorne was too risky for her health and the Maesters at Highgarden advised her to remain back or risk losing the baby.
After being away from her daughter for 3 years and also away from the rest of her family, Cersei had become a shell of what she used to be. If she had not been diagnosed with carrying a baby, most likely she would have long thrown herself off the tallest tower and have a fate similar to the Mad Queen Helaena.
Everyone thought that the baby was one of Loras', but only she knew that it was Jaime's. Their last child together, their last chance to have something made from the two of them.
Loras, of course, knew the baby was not his since he never slept with her but he did not mind. It eased his mind from having to produce an heir, it made his father and grandmother happy and he was free to flirt with the squires and the servants.
The only non-Lion that would attend except for Margaery, would be Visenya; of course. A part of her wished to remain back and keep up with the Dance in the East but she knew she had to go.
Thankfully for her, she would have company both as her escort there and also once she would eventually step into the Lands of Dorne; after all those years.
Chambers of Visenya & Tywin, Tower of the Hand — King's Landing, Crownlands - Early Morning
Visenya had finished with her red dress and was busy just fixing her hair somehow to be kept out of her face. They had been shorter ever since the incident with the High Sparrow, making it harder to braid them as elegantly as they used to due to their curled ends.
Tywin did not seem to mind although a part of her knew that he was mentally waiting for her hair to grow longer, since he did have favouritism for longer hair; at least when it came to her.
She observed herself in the mirror, admiring once again the talent of Doroh when it came to making dresses. This one was far lighter than the usual ones she would wear, made specifically to survive the heat of Dorne and at least make it a little easier for her to survive with such dresses on her.
As per usual, the colour was a nice vibrant red and had the golden Lion symbols around it, a proud representation of the House she was married into and the House she represented whenever she went into the lands of a different Kingdom.
Her husband was busy fixing his jacket, and taking care of the buttons while he was also dressed in his regular but still expensive clothing. He would escort them to the port and watch them climb on the ship before he would return to the Red Keep and handle the daily issues while the King would be absent.
Visenya was busy with a golden necklace, trying to tie and secure it around her neck but having trouble with the small hook and the chain.
That was until Tywin moved silently to stand beside her and grabbed the two ends of the jewellery.
"Thank you," she said with a small smile and removed her hand.
She felt his hands gently caress her skin as he moved to easily put the hook through one of the small golden chain loops and secure the jewellery around her neck; before letting it gracefully fall on her neck.
Then, he let his fingers trail the exposed skin of her neck with tenderness while his eyes held both desire but also lust.
He had left his marks upon her skin the night prior, but to more private parts, that would not be visible by anyone; no matter the dresses she wore. He would have much preferred to leave a few extra, just a reminder for a certain viper that in the end; it was the Lion that got the Dragon.
"You worry too much," Visenya said, after silently observing his reaction and his expressions through the mirror.
She knew by now that when he acted that way, was because he had a lot in his mind and mostly worry or jealousy. In the past, he would be a little bolder with his actions but after the incident with the High Sparrow; he had become rather tender and sweet.
One might say he had become more careful.
He still had this need to dominate and control, especially when they were alone in bed but often after it, there would be this sweetness that was almost nonexistent all those years. As if he had come to terms with something rather deep and important, finally allowing it to come forward and stop it from being held back.
"You will spend a lot of time there, with him," he almost spat, his eyes darkening with jealousy but the movement of his fingers remained tender. "I do not like this situation, you know that," he said, slowly moving his hand towards her exposed collarbone.
She smiled faintly and placed her hand on top of his before she slowly turned until she could be face-to-face with him. "I do but I also know that if you were to step into Dorne, you would be assassinated in the first few minutes," she said, casually throwing her attempt for a small joke as she moved her hand and let her fingers interlock with his. "In addition, if you were to come; Olenna would most likely take control of the Small Council," she reminded him.
He did not hide the sourness from appearing on his face upon such an idea, a sight he would make sure to never witness while alive. Mace had gone with a big part of the troops to keep the shores of the Reach safe from the Greyjoys and that left only Jaime, Tywin, Olenna, Visenya and Qyburn as the present members.
Jaime and Visenya did share the extra responsibility of covering up for Mace as Masters of Ships & Arms until his return but both now would leave for Dorne; which would mean that only Olenna, Qyburn and Tywin would remain behind.
It would mean more work for the Old Lion, temporarily, but he could make it work; he did when Aerys was ruling and his small council was rather useless in general. He could do it again for a while until Visenya would be back.
"You are not to be alone there under any circumstances," he said, his face serious and his tone commanding. "Jaime or Trystan are to be with you at all times, if not them; two Lannister soldiers at least."
A scoff of amusement was heard from her, her lips not hiding it but neither did her enchanting eyes as she looked deep into his. "Only two? That is an improvement," she joked but it was clear that he did not share her humour on the subject. "Fine, two soldiers at least with me when the boys can't be," she repeated and this seemed to please him, at least a little bit.
"Good," was his reply.
She squeezed her hand that was still holding his, not once looking away from him. "Will you manage not to kill Olenna while I am gone?" she asked, a mixture of amusement and seriousness audible in her voice.
The corner of his lips curved up into his usual charming smirk, one that Visenya could look at for hours and fall in love with all over again; every single time she would lay her eyes upon it.
"If she doesn't push her luck, I believe both of us will survive one another until you return," he said and Visenya craned her neck a little bit, before placing a gentle peck on his lips.
She pulled back slowly but he used his other hand, which was still free, to grab her chin and pull her forward again for yet another kiss; this one less innocent and more needy. One peck was never enough for him, always wanting more and she never denied him. She did not complain and instead, she smiled as she returned the action, savouring the taste of his lips that she would have to live without for a while.
Their eyes had closed for a moment, both melting into the moment until the need for air became too great to ignore. They pulled back just a tad and Visenya kept that smile upon her lips, her eyes not hiding the feelings that kept blooming when it came to him.
He then moved his lips towards the edge of her jaw and the beginning of her neck, gently placing kisses against her skin. He did not leave any marks this time but he still took personal pleasure in attacking her neck, with her even passively pushing him to continue.
She closed her eyes and willingly moved her head more to the side, not stopping him as she felt herself shivering when his lips reached too close to her sensitive spot while one hand had remained wrapped around her waist; keeping her pressed against him. She was not sure how long she could stand there before her legs would feel weak from all that teasing or before one of the two lost control and threw the other on the bed.
A knock on the door made them groan, a sign that they had to leave. It was most likely a guard, telling them that everyone else was ready for the trip. They had to leave rather early to save time since going with a ship there did take a certain number of days.
"Tywin," she called him, trying to keep her voice stable but he did not reply to her, as he was busy inhaling her scent and not willing to let her go anytime soon.
Yet, the knocking on the door continued to the point that he let out a growl of annoyance, something she sensed almost vibrating through her skin as he pulled his head back to look at her; memorizing every detail of her face to keep in his mind for the amount of time she would be away from him.
She offered him a smile. "Come, it is time," she told him and took a step back, freeing her hand from his; although she did feel his small reluctance to do so in the first few seconds before he finally let her free.
"Unfortunately it is," he commented and fixed his jacket, before offering his elbow like the gentleman he was. "My Lady," he said in all his serious mannerisms, the mask of the cold Old Lion already on his face.
Whatever small humane feelings and reactions he had shown, were deeply buried behind the face of the ruthless Tywin Lannister that many knew and even more feared. She was the only one blessed enough to see that other side, one shown to her and her alone when they were in complete privacy.
Just like he did, she also got into her role. Clearing her throat faintly, she lifted her chin higher and ensured her back was fully straight. "My Lord," she replied, her lips having just the faintest of smirks as all her vulnerability and the emotions she had for the man by her side were locked away; hidden from anyone who laid their eyes upon her.
This was them.
The Proud Old Lion and the Untameable Dragoness, both being trapped in a marriage of opportunity where no love could ever bloom and one they chose to remain due to the advantages each earned from one another. That was the image they gave everyone the moment they stepped outside the door of their chambers or when they were no longer in the luxurious privacy of his study.
That was the image they would retain even while she would be away at Dorne, although none truly could foresee what adventures would await Visenya; all thanks to a very cunning and rather persistent Dornish Prince.