Meanwhile, on the other side of the Dragon Pits...
Tyrion had withdrawn from the others to get some fresh air and to also escape the look his father was giving him. He had tried his best to ignore it and he did but he had also come to understand just how badly that bridge was burnt that night with the crossbow.
He was quite alone where he had chosen to go, keeping his distance from any Lannister soldier who would most likely have his head presented to his father. It was not unknown to him that Visenya was quite loved between them and Tyrion had been the man to shoot her, according to the rumours the power couple had allowed to spread to increase the bounty on his head.
"Thinking of sneaking away to one of the brothels?" a familiar voice reached him.
He turned to face the source, only to see his two brothers walking his way. They did not smile truly but they did not seem to glare at him either. Yet, Jaime's attempt at a joke was not that good or perhaps his conflicted feelings did not allow him to execute it right.
Yet, Tyrion chose to entertain while testing the waters.
"Partially, although I am afraid with the bounty on my head; even the whores will try to give me away," he confessed.
The two brothers came to a halt in front of him, keeping two feet of distance and allowing him to look at them without craning and injuring his neck.
At least they were decent enough to do that, he thought.
Trystan folded his hands in front of his chest.
"That bounty would not exist in the first place if you had not tried to kill Father, let alone result in getting our mother wounded," he said, clearly not happy about the events of that night but he did not seem boiling with rage either.
"Will it do any justice if I say that I was actually taunted? And that it was not fully my mistake of her getting the arrow instead?" he asked but by the looks his brothers gave him, he already got his answer.
He let out a sigh.
"I guess that is a no, then," he concluded. "Just go ahead and tell me how much you hate me for what I did, go on."
The two brothers exchanged a look with one another before looking down at him once again.
"We do not hate you," Jaime started, leaving out a small sigh as he could no longer hold that I am pissed at you facade.
"But if you were not our brother, you would not be alive by now," Trystan added right after, making it clear where they stood on the subject.
Tyrion glanced to the ground for a moment, until his younger brother spoke again.
"But we are glad that you are alive and unharmed."
This made him look up at them again, seeing their small smirks and he could not help but scoff in amusement at their cruel joke.
"Well, more than once I almost wasn't. I guess one can say I am rather tough to kill."
His comment amused his siblings, especially Jaime. He had personally missed hearing Tyrion's voice, his sarcasm and bad timing jokes that he often threw here and there.
"And rather hard to find from the looks of it. Essos didn't have any razors for you?"
Tyrion smirked.
"Oh they did but I thought to update my look. I see you are following a similar approach," he commented, pointing out the facial hair Jaime had slowly started to grow but kept rather neat.
He then turned to Trystan.
"And you... do you really shave that well or does your Targaryen lineage keep you from having any facial hair? Honestly, I think they would suit you quite well."
Trystan rolled his eyes but chuckled, having also missed his brother and his humour.
"Unlike some, I do find the need for facial hair unnecessary," he corrected him.
"You must be the only Lannister man that thinks that way," the Imp pointed out since any male Lannister from their uncles to their own father, had left some sort of facial hair.
"I see you got a new Hand pin."
The dwarf looked down at the pin on his black jacket and then at his brothers.
"That old thing? It was actually given to me, along with the position. Ironically, that's how it happened the first time as well."
Jaime glanced at the other side; where the faint image of Daenerys and Jon could be seen as they were busy talking.
"Does she listen to your advice? Do you trust her?" he asked.
Tyrion followed his gaze.
"She is young but she listens, more than I can say for some others," he chose not to drop any names and ruin this reunion. "I do trust her, yes. I do believe she has kindness in her."
He then looked at him.
"But I know what you are thinking. I will not talk to her about going to an open war against Westeros. There has been enough innocent blood spilt all those years."
The older of the Lion siblings nodded his head, glad to hear his brother talk that way but also a way to show that he agreed with him.
"Yes... more than enough and I am afraid with this threat, there will be much more."
The shorter of the three looked beyond his siblings where his good-mother was discussing, her back turned and her focus on the members of the Small Council and the King that were around her.
"Does she hate me? For what I did?" he finally asked, bringing up a question he had in his mind for a while.
The boys glanced behind them and then focused on him. This time, it was Trystan who answered him.
"She doesn't. You know she never truly will. She still cares for you, despite all of the..." he took a deep breath. "Fuck ups that took place."
Tyrion looked at his half-brother with an impressed look.
"Well, looks like someone has slowly been gathering the courage to use more curse words," he teased, earning an eye roll from him. "You know... I kind of expected that answer but I still felt that I should ask."
Just then, they were all called back as a decision had finally been made.
Everyone held their breaths for a moment as King Tommen took a step forward, facing both Daenerys and Jon. He kept his chin high as he had been instructed, reminding himself what he had been taught.
"The Crown will support you in this Great War. We will gather our men and march them north," he said, earning small moments of relief from almost all the other parties. "The darkness is coming for us all. We'll face it together."
He added, offering his hand for a shake.
Daenerys and Jon exchanged a look but each one of them shook his hand, officially sealing this temporary truce and securing the promise to help one another against the common enemy that came from beyond the Wall.
The sun had just set above Westeros, allowing the moon to replace it across the now midnight sky. Yet, not even the bright white moon could truly be seen ever since the clouds had settled above the land.
The temperatures had started to drop rather quickly and some have even claimed to see the first snowflakes coming from the sky, a sign that winter was almost here. One who was present during the demonstration of the undead skeleton, knew that this was a sign of the upcoming threat.
After the Crown made an official peace with the North and Daenerys, the parties had all retreated. The Mother of Dragons would head for North first with Jon and later backup would reach them as well.
First to have left the Crownlands were Trystan and Jaime, with a few royal soldiers as their escort. Their plan was simple, reach the North first to inform their latest allies that the army of the Crown would be delayed but would be sent their way, once the numbers had been reached.
However, the older Lion cub also had a selfish plan in mind. He knew that Daenerys and most of the North accused him of breaking his oath when he killed the Mad King, and in a way he did break his oath.
He knew this could cause trouble with the alliance and so he chose to go meet them first, explain the situation and his reasoning. If they were willing to kill him for what he did, he would accept it but only after the Great War ended.
Jaime, truthfully, wanted to go alone but once Trystan found out about his plan; he insisted on joining him. Visenya found out about their decision later while they were preparing their horses and she was the only one to fully know the truth, about his plan.
They just told Tywin something else and she ensured that he would let them go, in the end. They all knew he would never accept it if he knew the truth, but they also knew that this had to be done.
It even made Visenya think, of what she would do if the Red Wedding would eventually be brought up. She didn't know for sure but she kept it in the back of her mind, as something that could eventually happen.
Now, she was busy with something else...gathering their allies.
Chambers of Tywin & Visenya, Tower of the Hand, Red Keep - King's Landing, Crownlands — One Day After - Nightfall
Visenya sat at the edge of the bed and looked at the pacing Tywin, who at that moment could truly resemble a caged lion. His hands were behind his back and it was clear that whatever she had told him, had only upset him and most likely frustrated him as well.
"I know you do not like it but we do not have a choice," she said, drawing his attention at last.
"We do have a choice" he stopped pacing and turned to look at her. "We send the Ravens and arrange a meeting place for the armies. Then we all march North, simple as that" he argued.
The two of them had decided that they would be the ones to lead the Royal Army instead of Tommen. The young King would remain back with a pregnant Margaery, Olenna, and Qyburn.
He would, with the help of the small council, ensure that everything was okay and the production of the Scorpions was not going to be delayed. It was wiser for him to remain out of battle, considering his age and his inexperience.
He had tried to argue, but the power couple had quickly changed his mind. Margaery had also played her part, using her newfound pregnancy to ensure he would remain back and by her side.
"We don't know how many will believe us. They were not present when that damn skeleton was shown to us," she reminded him, trying her best to keep her voice at a normal tone. "It is wiser if someone goes in person to talk to them, to truly show what we mean, and for that to happen, that someone needs to leave early in order to avoid being delayed."
Her words made sense and were based on facts that Tywin could not really ignore or argue with, yet he was not going to just accept it and admit defeat.
"Then we send someone else. It doesn't have to be you," he said, taking a deep breath to ease his rising temper.
He felt a sense of déjà vu, as the two of them had such similar discussions more than once. For a moment, he truly felt he was back at Casterly Rock when she asked to leave and help Rhaegar with his armies.
Back then, he had let her go and he almost lost her at the hands of Robert. Even if he got her back, she was wounded. Now, she was practically asking to go into the doorsteps of Lords Paramount and try to persuade them to join them; a plan that had its own risks involved.
She stood up slowly and marched his way. Her head was held high and there was this determination within her amber orbs, practically glowing. He knew that look too well, but he stubbornly looked back at her, refusing to back down...not yet at least.
"Who exactly are you going to send to Dorne, Tywin?" she asked him.
"Jaime and Trystan have already left. Lord Mace has no connections with them and neither does Kevan. You will be murdered before you place both feet on the ground," she reminded him, and as he parted his lips to argue, she interrupted him. "The Army of the Reach is split and we do not have enough time to gather them into one point. I have kept in contact with Willas, and I can make it happen. I will try the Stormlands as well, considering where their allegiance and loyalty were when my family was ruling."
Her plan sounded simple, but it was not. She would have to travel across half of Westeros in a limited amount of time, meet with their allies, persuade them of this Northern Threat, and bring their soldiers with her. She would have to be fast, swift, and cunning. Considering the bad blood existing amongst all those lands, it would be challenging to persuade them into an alliance; literally asking them to fight side by side with those they had been waging war against for years.
Yet, it was something they had to try and do. Their armies, Crown, Reach, and Westerlands had dropped significantly in numbers. The North did not have the manpower it used to have, and neither did the Riverlands. Even Daenerys' army was not enough, considering how many of those skeleton creatures were said to march towards them.
They needed all the men they could get if they wished to be successful.
"Hmm," Tywin exclaimed, not once looking away from her. "You really are determined to do this, don't you?" he asked her, the tension in his shoulders slowly going away.
She offered him a sad smile. "Daenerys had three dragons and yet we only saw two. To bring that creature back, meant that they went beyond the Wall to find it and most likely lost a dragon... If that enemy can take down a full-grown Dragon, you think the number of available soldiers we have will be enough?" she asked him, her gaze softening. "This is big...too big...if those creatures take down the North, they will come for us. There will be no legacy, no family, no Iron Throne...nothing that will truly matter."
She did not look away from him but instead took a few steps closer until there was almost no space between them. She craned her head a little more, her red-flecked amber eyes looking into his golden-flecked green ones.
She understood it was not easy and she was not truly ready for it either. The trip would be long and they would not meet until after they all had arrived at North, something that would take months.
She did not wish to leave him or worry him, but she understood what was meant to happen. She had the dream of the Great War ever since she was a child, and she never understood why...until now.
A part of her, deep down, was telling that this was why. This was what she had to do, and she could not even stop herself but think of that odd vision and what Brynden Rivers had told her.
"The Great Winter is coming down from the far North. It will cover the world in darkness, marking the end of the era of men. Only a Targaryen on the Iron Throne can unite the realm against the threat."
Someone could easily point out that those words were nonsense because no Targaryen was on the Iron Throne at that moment. Visenya, though, had long learnt not to focus on the details.
Perhaps not a Targaryen on the Iron Throne but one as a messenger of the Throne. I might not be able to unite the realm but I can try to unite some of it, she thought.
Tywin had been silent for almost a full minute, listening to what she said. He always admired the confidence behind her words, even when it meant she had to make some drastic decisions. He could see the determination motivating her, fuelling her to continue and take the leap of faith.
He had come to realize, a long time ago, how selfless she could be when it came to her family and their future. She would often risk her own life if it meant saving theirs and despite their arguments; she would do it again and again.
Would it hurt her once to be selfish? He often wondered when he would stand across from her, trying to deny her crazy plans and keep her close.
He could easily be selfish at that moment, to find a way and keep her close to him; prevent her from leaving on that crazy plan of hers. He was so close in doing that, but her words refused to leave his mind.
He would never admit it out loud, but she was right, and by the gods did he hate when she was.
This Threat was bigger than all of them, and Tywin could care less about the realm or the lives of others. What he cared about was his family name to continue, his legacy to survive across the years, and he knew that if that damn undead army were to reach south; none of it would matter.
All those years of trying to ensure his legacy, to singlehandedly hold the family name and arrange to become the great House it used to be...all those years of rotting away behind papers, of waging wars...they would all be for nothing.
In the end, he let out an audible sigh; a sign of his defeat. "When will you depart?" he finally asked, his gaze now softer as he slowly relaxed his clenched jaw.
She offered him a sweet smile, mentally thanking him for trusting her despite the internal conflict he had. "After the sun rises. I have already sent ravens for the other Lords to expect me."
Her words made him scoff faintly. "Of course, you have," he commented, not truly surprised by the fact that she had already acted behind his back. "I shouldn't even be surprised."
She kept smiling, and soon that smile turned into her signature smirk; one that always tempted him and challenged him. She did not say anything; instead, she grabbed his jacket and pulled him down for a much-needed kiss.
He did not hesitate to return the action, losing all control and logical thinking when their lips met. Of course, he did not let her have the upper hand either; his pride would never allow him that.
He moved his one hand at the base of her waist, pulling her even closer to him, and the other went to the back of her head. He kissed with fervour, barely letting her pull away even when the need for air was becoming too much.
He savoured the taste of her lips, the feeling of her being in his arms, for she would be away from him for months. He kept her close, to the point he could feel her heart beating against her chest, her back arching beneath his fingers, and the warmth radiating from her body in invisible waves.
Eventually, he pulled back, but only enough for them to catch their breaths.
One look was all it took for them to exchange, to know what they wanted, and none held back.
Her hands let go of his jacket and started to open the buttons at a hasty pace while he slowly led her backwards towards the bed. He did not stop her, letting her take charge for now, and he would soon take it from her.
Her feet found the back of the bed, and after she had managed to toss his jacket to the side, she let herself fall backwards; but not before grabbing his tunic and pulling him on top of her.
His hands moved to be next to her head, to ensure he did not fully fall on her, and she smirked. With his hands occupied, she moved for the knots of his tunic; eyes not once leaving his.
This time, there was more than just lust in their eyes...this time, they could truly see the raw passion and love they had for one another...that he had for her, as he watched her discarding him of his clothing.
She started to pull his tunic up, and he had somehow to balance on one arm and then on the other, to help her remove fully that piece of clothing. Once he was bare from the waist up, she took a moment to truly admire him. He did not possess the physique he had when he was younger, but there was evidence of him taking good care of himself from his square chest to the muscles on his arms and the faint sign of abs.
Yet in her eyes, he was as handsome and alluring as he always had been. She never cared for his physical appearance that much, finding their connection running deeper, and long now it was proven.
She noticed that he was still watching her, giving her time to enjoy it before he took control. She let her hands roam his body and move lower; clearly intending to make him remove all of the clothes he wore.
And in that moment, he could not help but smirk as he used one hand to grab her wrists and stop her before going for his pants.
"This is not a one-way deal," he reminded her with a smirk.
Her smirk returned as if he had somehow challenged her, and in a way he had. "No, it is not, but I am not done with my part," she told him as she wrapped her legs around his waist.
In one swift motion, she had flipped them so he was lying with his back and she was straddling him. She placed her now free hands on his chest and she smirked, for once enjoying having the upper hand.
She moved her body slightly lower, so she could have better access to his pants and continue what she had started, while he was lying there; watching her with that predatory gaze of his. She had managed to pull them down all the way to his knees, but that was all he would allow her to do, without participating.
Her moment of victory and her chance to lead was cut short as he moved one hand around her waist while bringing his upper body to a standing position so he could kiss her again, this time with more need than before.
Her hands kept working and so did his hands as he rushed to remove her dress and anything else that stood an obstacle in his way.
It did not take long for the two of them to be left bare with nothing to separate them. She kept her legs wrapped around his waist as he balanced her on his thighs, a rather new position for them but all the same intimate and sensual.
Tywin wasted no time going for his favourite spots by her neck, his well-trimmed beard tickling her skin as he took his time to enjoy the sensation and the feeling. He could sense her pulse against his lips when he moved close to the vein by the side of her neck, and he could sense how much faster it was beating with anticipation. Goosebumps had appeared on her skin from his attacks, making her gasp faintly and fight to stay quiet; but the man beneath her knew her spots too well.
Her own hands roamed his back, nails gently leaving faint red lines before he moved in; earning an audible gasp at the new angle and the sudden action. She wasted no time rocking her hips in the rhythm that he set while she leaned forward and sealed his lips with hers, savouring every moment she could at that moment.
Tywin returned the action without complaint, one hand by her waist to keep her stable and the other around her back; preventing her from moving too far away from him, as if she would disappear into thin air if he dared to leave her. His fingers pressed against her skin, keeping her as close as possible while he kept silencing any noises she wished to make by devouring her lips.
He was careful not to bruise them, but that did not mean he was not going to enjoy their sweet taste. And when the need for air became too great, he would just bury his face in the crook of her neck, and she would do the same.
If this were to be their last night together and not see one another for months, he was going to make it count; more than he did any other night with her. He was going to give it to her all and completely, to never forget whom she belonged to in the end. He did not care if she had to ride the next day or if they had to wake up early, he was not going to lose his chance that night.