Hand's Study, Tower of the Hand, Red Keep - King's Landing, Crownlands - Afternoon
Visenya and Tywin were working, as per usual. They were busy discussing Qyburn's idea of the Scorpions. He had found the designs and already the best smiths from Lannisport had been summoned to King's Landing to create such a weapon.
However, it was taking time and none of them was truly sure if they had time. This is why provisions had also started to be gathered, rather discreetly, and big parts of the army had already returned.
One should not mention how many men they had lost in all those battles but they were still enough to fight the foreign invaders if the dragons were to be taken down.
Yet on that particular day, a letter arrived personally for Visenya from Daenerys. In the letter, it was described that a powerful threat from the North was coming their way and would eventually bypass the Wall; which once stood proud but now was barely able to function properly due to a lack of personnel but also resources.
The letter said that they had proof of such a threat and that they wished for a meeting in King's Landing, to show evidence; because this threat required all of Westeros for humanity to come out victorious.
The ones signing the letter were not only Daenerys but also Jon Snow, who had sided with the Dragon; only due to the impending danger coming for all of them.
The letter was read by both Tywin and Visenya, but it was clear that the Old Lion did not truly believe it.
"This must be a trap. They want us to gather like sheep in one place and take us down," he said, tossing the paper on the desk.
Yet, his lady wife did not seem to share his opinion.
"I don't think so," she disagreed. "I think they are being honest and they truly have something to show us."
"It is too dangerous, too risky."
"Then let us not allow an army inside. Let only their chosen representatives come, like when a truce is discussed between two hosts," she suggested.
He thought about it for a minute, a different idea coming into his mind. He twisted the ring upon his finger, leaning more towards the right side.
"Yes, and we can have our trap. We take them as prisoners when they arrive; we use them as leverage and end this war before it even begins."
"Remember what happened the last time prisoners were taken?" she asked, although she knew it was not his fault. Yet, she did not support the idea and made it clear. "Either way, we cannot risk it with Daenerys having the dragons. Especially if one considers that we do not have any Scorpions ready, yet."
Her words did not please him, evident by the faint scoff that her ears picked up. However, he mentally knew that she presented a very valid point on the matter. His plan had the potential to backfire at them and now it was not the time for such rookie mistakes or such big openings for the enemy to take advantage of.
He then thought of the letter again, this... threat that it spoke of. It was not clear what kind of threat but apparently one dangerous enough to make Daenerys stop her quest to conquer Westeros and instead choose to assist them fight it.
Something clicked in his mind and he focused his full attention on Visenya.
"Could this threat be the one you saw in your dream? When was the last time you saw it?" he asked her.
The Dragoness thought for a moment.
"I don't know, Tywin. Mayhap it is... I do believe it might be the same threat but until we see that proof, I cannot be certain. I do not even know neither what it was nor what I saw exactly, nor have I truly found any information to match either," she confessed and then thought some more due to his second question.
"The last Dragon Dream I had generally, was before the Dance of the Dragons. I had not seen any dreams ever since, specifically about that threat from beyond the Wall."
"Hmm... This is unusual," he commented.
Her Dragon Dreams had come to a halt many times but they always came back. The past two years, though, they had come persistently almost every single night. To suddenly stop, especially if such a 'big threat' seemed to come close to them... it was odd.
Visenya did not say anything else for a moment, choosing not to bring up the dream she had of the green dragon. She did not have it again and unlike all of her other dreams, this seemed too symbolic or at least; kind of random.
Although she did not believe anything was ever random, yet she could not explain why she had seen it or what it could mean. All she knew was the fact that after that dream; something felt different.
No longer had she had those hot flushes and her wound seemed to have healed rather fast. One could even say there was some connection although she had still to figure out what it was exactly.
"Do you think she speaks the truth?" Tywin asked, snapping her from her thoughts.
She looked at him.
"I do."
"Hmmm," he exclaimed, clearly thinking about it. "Do you trust her?"
She nodded her head.
"I trust my instincts and at this moment, they tell me to trust her."
She did not lie, for she found no reason to. She did trust her niece, even though they had never met. At that moment, she truly believed that Daenerys wished to make a truce with them.
Yet, a small realistic part of her was still hesitant. Her most optimistic side kept thinking that Daenerys had inherited intelligence and kindness from their family, and not something worse.
She did not wish for a war to start, where she would have to choose between one family and the other.
Perhaps if this truce were to take place and somehow all the Kingdoms united against it, she could have a chance to talk with her and persuade her to drop any ideas about conquering Westeros and reclaiming her throne.
Perhaps such thoughts were naive for someone like her but after all the wrongs she had done, after all the family she had lost; she was willing to try anything if it meant saving the rest from meeting the Stranger.
She took notice of his expression, already seeing right through it as if she had personal access to his thoughts. He was hesitant with the idea and perhaps was deciding whether to argue with her or not.
She leaned forward and grabbed his hand, feeling once again how warm she was compared to him. This movement made him look into her eyes and she did not look away. She did not say anything, for many times they did not have to.
After all those years, they had this mental communication that they could do with their eyes and the tiniest of expressions. Sometimes, such communication seemed to work far better than using words.
After a full minute of pure silence between them, she saw the change in his eyes and eventually all over his face. It was small but she knew him so well, she could easily see it.
"Very well. We will arrange a meeting at the Dragon Pits. We will have soldiers and will make it clear their armies are to stay out of the city, only the basic escort and that if—" he said and she smiled in gratitude.
If she was not present, she knew Tywin would not have agreed so easily. In the end, he did, because he trusted her... more than he trusted himself and that said something. No one would ever truly find out or even understand it, but she did and that was enough.
"Thank you," she said, deciding to show her gratitude with words as well as she withdrew her hand, so he could grab a quill and write his answer.
"Be aware that this will not be easy to bring up during the Small Council. One where Tommen will have to be present," he reminded her.
"I know but we have to try. Right now, we have three different House Heads present and if this is all true; this threat concerns all of us."
On Top of the Northern Wall - King's Landing, Crownlands - The Big Day
It was the big day, where Northerners and the Mother of Dragons would step into King's Landing. It was the big day, as for the first time in Westerosi history; such a peace pact was expected to be formed.
Every soldier that day was on edge but they were not the only ones. The Lions and the Thorns alike seemed uneasy but they knew they had no choice. It took time for Visenya and Tywin to persuade the other members of the council to accept the meeting and they did not blame them for disagreeing at first.
They did too, at least Tywin did.
However, he put his faith in Visenya and somehow; they seemed to do so as well.
Jaime, as the Captain of the Kingsguard, was with Bronn on top of the outer walls that surrounded King's Landing from any invaders coming from land. The sellsword had remained with the Lannister family, getting paid by Jaime to become his sparring partner when Visenya was too busy.
In addition, he was a decent extra set of arms in case of a battle and did not charge the outrageous amounts the Golden Company did. Thus, he had been kept around and also seemed to offer some type of company for Jaime; an annoying one nonetheless.
Trystan, as well, did not seem that ecstatic to have him around; specifically because Bronn somehow could always find him and drag him away from his books. The young Lion was still trying to understand how that was even possible.
Outside the City Gates, the Unsullied army stood in formation. They did not speak; they did not even seem to change the weight from one leg to the other. They stood completely still, like statues; showing the supernatural discipline that had been forced upon them since they were children.
Many of the Lannister men were on the rampart, some standing guard with their arrows ready to be grabbed and others shouting orders to those below them. Many other soldiers were boiling pitch, filling barrels and rolling them up to the defensive wall.
Bronn stopped one of the soldiers.
"Oil?" he asked them.
"Pitch, my lord."
"How many barrels?"
"500, my lord."
"Get 500 more."
"Yes, my lord."
The soldier said and left, leaving Bronn to go find Jaime on top of the wall.
"I still enjoy it when they call me 'my lord,'" he confessed to the Kingslayer.
The Lion had his eyes locked on the army outside the gates, his hand resting on his sword. Despite Bronn standing by his side, he did not fully give him all of his attention; afraid if he did, those silent soldiers would find their way into the city.
What was good-mother thinking? What was Father thinking by agreeing with her?! he asked himself but unfortunately, he had no answers, only questions and that was frustrating him.
He had always been the one to blindly trust Visenya with any of her plans, not once hesitating or questioning it. However, this seemed to be the rare case where he could not help but wonder; even feel the slightest hesitation.
"The thrill will fade," he commented, a way to make Bronn leave but also not to expose his thoughts.
Yet, he was not that eager to leave; more eager to talk.
"If we live that long. Men without cocks. You wouldn't find me fighting in an army if I had no cock. What's left to fight for?"
Jaime let out a small sigh, deciding to entertain him with some discussion. Perhaps it would help him take his mind off things.
"Gold?"
"I spent my life around soldiers. What do you think they spend that gold on?"
"Family," the Lion said, giving a more honest answer and one not many would hear from him or any other proud knight.
If Bronn wanted to comment on the very cheesy answer, he did not; not directly at least.
"Not without a cock, you don't."
In the end, Jaime shrugged his shoulders beneath his armour.
"Maybe it really is all cocks in the end."
"Yet your brother chooses to side with the cockless," he reminded him, knowing that family drama would easily unfold the moment Tyrion would step into the city.
"Yes, he's always been a champion of the downtrodden."
"He is brave, though. I will give him that," he confessed. "Your father has put a lot of bounty on his head and yet he is willing to walk through those damn gates as if he will be expected with open arms."
That was something that Jaime had also thought of, ironically.
"Imagine what kind of threat we are dealing with, for him to take such a risk," he commented, voicing out his conclusion.
Suddenly, a trumpet was heard. In the distance, men howled and whooped, accompanied by thundering hoofbeats. The Dothraki crested the hill behind the disciplined Unsullied army. They were savage and shrieking, riding through and past the Unsullied.
"I think we're about to be the downtrodden," Bronn said, upon seeing the sight.
"Archers, stand tall!"
"Cover that wall!"
The orders were heard coming from leading soldiers, ordering those they outranked to get into position. One could never be too safe when the enemy was allowed on their doorstep. Especially an enemy that possessed such an army and weapons at their disposal.
Dragon Pits, King's Landing, Crownlands - A Little Bit Later
The Dragon Pits still stood majestic and rather intact despite the many dances and the fact that no dragons had inhabited them for a long time.
However, a big part of them had been altered like the main entrance on top of the surface.
Unlike the underground chambers, it was not matching its original glory but was still an impressive structure; one that was the ground of a lot of blood being spilt.
In the past, the magnificent structure was home to dragons but was destroyed by common men, during the first Dance. It was said that hundreds of men died that day but all four dragons that were chained and resided in the pits were killed.
It was a place Visenya never stepped into, until now. She always found the place giving her chills, a haunting memory of something she was not even born when it took place. Yet, the tragedy and the innocent lives of the dragons that perished in that same place; seemed to be the main thing keeping her away.
Now, Lannister and Baratheon banners decorated the walls; a representation of the two houses King Tommen was representing. A stage had been furnished with open tents for the summit.
The two parties started to fill in the Dragon Pits but each took opposite directions. It was clear that the Lannisters had more men present since the letter had made it clear only the most basic of escorts would be allowed; along with the representatives.
As this was happening, it was only Jon Snow who watched everything. His companions were busier looking around, none truly having the chance to be in there before. The only one that was not in the mood was Sandor Clegane; busy pacing back and forth.
He knew his brother was dead, killed by the Red Viper of Dorne but he was still not happy to be back; especially with the bounty on his head. If he had not seen those damn creepy skeleton things himself, he would have never even stepped a single foot into that shithole.
"I left this shit city because I didn't want to die in it. Am I going to die in this shit city?" he asked.
An answer came from none other than Tyrion.
"You might. Although, I do believe I have a bigger bounty on my head. I should also not mention that my father will most likely wish me dead upon laying his eyes on me."
If the dwarf expected some sympathy from the scarred former knight, he was not going to get any. In the end, all he did was scoff.
"And this is all your idea. Seems every bad idea has some Lannister cunt behind it."
"And some Clegane cunt to help them see it through," he snapped back, silencing the Hound temporarily.
Just then, the royal party arrived and everyone's attention went on them.
Tommen and Margaery walked first, Lannister and Tyrell soldiers covering every angle of them. Right behind them were Lord Mace and Olenna, followed by Qyburn, Trystan and Jaime. Cersei had remained in Highgarden with the newborn, something that Tyrion had learnt of and was rather surprised.
Of course, he did wonder if this child was Jaime's gift to her and not Loras', since he truly doubted the Knight of Roses would end up winning Cersei over and even sleeping with her.
Last from the royal party, were Tywin and Visenya, who earned bows from all their Lannister soldiers upon sight; something that Tyrion had witnessed so many times that he felt the need to roll his eyes.
The power couple came to a halt or better said, Tywin did; upon laying his eyes on not one but two wanted criminals. Yet, his hatred was directed fully on Tyrion; who tried not to look away from his intense and burning gaze.
The Imp saw how cold his golden-flecked green eyes became, how tight his jaw was and for a moment; one would expect Tywin to give the order to his men. Considering how many Lannister soldiers were looking at him with anger and hatred, Tyrion knew they would not hesitate.
Visenya was loved and respected by the men sworn to the Lannister family and he was certain, many did wish to see the dwarf dead after learning how he shot her with a crossbow. Of course, that was not how things had turned out that night but as per usual, Tywin Lannister had twisted the truth to benefit him and him alone.
Surprisingly, nothing truly happened and no order for Tyrion's head was given because Visenya interfered. She placed her hand on the chest of her husband, earning his attention on her. Like in the Purple Wedding, she seemed capable of making some of his anger disappear once their eyes locked.
"Let's go to our places," she told him, her voice low but he heard it nonetheless.
Tyrion watched her, seeing her standing as proud as ever. Not a single sign that she had an arrow through her abdomen the last time they had seen one another and also not a single sign of bruising upon her exposed skin.
I wonder for how long, the Imp thought and watched as his father seemed to obey her; a rare sight.
He sent one last glare at Tyrion and then walked side by side with her, before taking their respective seats.
Tywin sat next to Tommen, by his left while Margaery was by his right. All the Tyrells were next to Margaery, while Visenya, Trystan and Jaime took their positions next to Tywin.
The Lion brothers all exchanged a silent look, some silent communication between them.
Tyrion was not sure what to expect from them and whether they would hate him for shooting their mother or would have missed him. What he knew, though, was the fact that nothing could be done while their father was present.
After everyone had been seated, one would notice that one person was missing; the most important one they could even say.
"Well? Where is she?" Olenna asked, looking around for any sign of their little foreign invader.
"She'll be here soon," Tyrion answered, trying not to look at his father; who had not stopped silently glaring at him.
"Didn't she travel with you?" the man of the hour asked him, his voice cold and did not hide his disappointment.
His son knew he was getting impatient and did not forget that the Old Lion hated to wait for someone who was late.
This definitely doesn't help in giving a good first impression, he thought but chose not to answer; since it was rather obvious.
Yet not so long after, the sound of dragons screeching reached their ears. The sound was so loud and foreign that caused Jaime and Trystan to stand up and look around as their latest guest arrived.
The two dragons created huge shadows above them, covering the sun's rays before finally landing.
Daenerys was riding on the back of the bigger one, whose black and red scales seemed an accurate representation of the Targaryen house colours. The other dragon was slightly smaller, its green and amber scales reflecting brightly against the sun above them.
They did draw a lot of attention, with almost every member of the Royal Party staring at the magnificent creatures; practically gawking.
Jaime and Trystan remained standing; watching with their mouths open and both had this childish silly expression on their faces. Jaime even nudged Trystan with his elbow and his brother nudged him back, neither truly able to hide their amazement and shock at the beautiful creatures; that until now were the stuff of old tales.
However, the Half-Lion also noticed something; one thing that deep down started to worry him.
Didn't she have three dragons? Where is the third one? he wondered mentally because it did not make sense.
She had come with the full force of her army, Dothraki and Unsullied alike to show her power to them; passively allowing everyone to rethink where their loyalties would lie if she chose to go for the Throne.
It would not make sense for her to only show up with two dragons... unless something happened to the third one; he concluded in his mind but said absolutely nothing.
Lord Mace was looking at them, a few shades paler and was even holding the arms of his chair a little tighter. He was not a brave man, one knew that and now it was rather evident.
Olenna seemed surprised by the unusual sight but did not show anything, keeping her expression to the usual poker face she had. The only change was that twinkle in her eyes, as if the child within her was trying to get excited but was held back.
Tywin, unlike her, did not show anything when it came to his thoughts. His expression remained cold and serious, only his eyes moving to follow the movement of the dragons. Even when the black one roared at them, he did not move from his position; as if he had seen and been around dragons all his life.
Tommen had a similar expression to his uncles, a small smile upon his lips and his green eyes never left the mighty beasts or the rider on the back of the black dragon.
Margaery, on the other hand, seemed shocked and slightly uneasy. She had grabbed his hand tightly, trying to remain calm and she did on the outside. Others might enjoy the show, seeing dragons for the first time but she did not; because she knew that those things could burn and eat them all before anyone could even blink. Seeing their huge sizes and sharp teeth, she wondered how exactly her grandmother was going to handle them if they ever chose to attack the city.
Visenya had, surprisingly, the most different expression compared to everyone else. Her eyes had been locked on the dragons, her pink lips parted and her gaze distant.
Unknown to everyone, she heard something that she had never heard before.
It was odd, it was mystical and it sounded both heart-wrenching but also incredibly beautiful.
It also did not help that the green dragon was the exact one she had seen in her dreams, the very same one that had come from the corpse of her nephew.
"Rhaegar," she mumbled, her voice merely a whisper.
As if the green dragon had heard her, it turned its serpentine neck until he was facing her. Instead of roaring, it let some odd clicking sounds and moved slightly deeper into the Dragon Pits but did not dare to come any closer.