After the confession about the Red Wedding, the meeting could properly start; although not a lot of planning took place. The basic ideas were thrown around, and the numbers of each army were discussed, but there were arguments over what was better to do.
Jon was forced to cut the meeting short in order to think of all the ideas while letting them think of what more they needed to do, most specifically what they thought their armies could do since there was a big variety in terms of manpower, weapons, specialties, and so on.
When it was over, Tywin was the first to stand, and he did not have to say anything but merely look at Visenya. She knew what he needed, and she silently obeyed, following after him as they left the Great Hall and headed for their chambers.
The Dragoness did not spare any glance at Oberyn, not brave enough to see his look after her confession. She would, eventually, but not now.
Kevan followed right behind her, but he was not going to join them. He simply covered their exit as many Lords glared at them as they passed by, and specifically glared at her.
Guest Chambers for Visenya & Tywin, West Wing - Winterfell, The North - Not Long After
Tywin almost pulled her into their given chambers and closed the door behind them. He had once again grabbed her wrist, ironically the same wrist, and refused to let her go.
"What do you think you are doing?" he asked her again, practically hissing as he stared at her with disbelief, frustration, and mild anger.
Yet, Visenya was not going to apologize to him this time, nor did she back down from his hard gaze; she never did.
"Saving your life. Do you have any idea what those Lords would do to you?" she argued, coming face to face with him but having a small distance between them.
She did not try to free her hand from his grip, but she could feel that as his temper rose, so did his grip increase. She did not let it bother her, for at that moment she was far too stubborn and ready to argue.
She had been travelling for 2 months, crossing across half of Westeros in a frenzy to gather their allies. She had been stressed about the meeting, about Jaime and him. She had lost sleep over her Dragon Dreams, and she was tired of having to carry this guilt all around her.
She had been miserable in those two months despite having Loras and Oberyn by her side. She had been thinking about the worst-case scenarios while she had to sleep every night, only to dream of the huge army of undead that was reaching the Wall; with a freaking ice dragon joining them as well.
Tywin felt his anger flaring like a fire that had constantly been fed wood to grow bigger and more powerful. His other hand went and grabbed her shoulder, unable to truly squeeze her skin since her armour stood in the way, but the message was passed all the same.
"Will you let me for once save yours?!" he asked, his tone rising slightly as he chose not to try and control his body or his actions, not as fully as he used to. "Is it that hard to act selfish for once?"
Honestly, he had gotten tired of seeing his wife risking her life to save him. She had done it with the High Sparrow, she did it now with the Red Wedding, she did it with the arrow that was shot from Tyrion's crossbow... heck, she had even done it by working with Oberyn to ensure the Red Viper would not come after him.
This was starting to become ridiculous. He was the husband, he was the man of the family, and he should be protecting her.
Not the opposite.
Visenya understood what was going on, she understood where his reaction was coming from, but she could not give in to his wishes. She remained the calm one between those two, and she brought her free hand to hold the wrist of the hand that was gripping her shoulder.
She kept looking into his golden-flecked emerald-green eyes, taking a step closer as well. "You have saved my life, more than once," she reminded him, choosing not to go into any details.
He had saved her, literally, from being executed when Robert captured her after the Battle at the Trident. He had saved her, in more than one way, by taking her as his student, showing her that she could be far more than the spare wheel in her family... he had saved her from herself when her miscarriage and her inability to have children got the best of her.
He had saved her from being hated by everyone, by being the bad guy in their relationship. By letting others see him as the monster and her as the victim. He had saved her from marrying some random lord and eventually killing herself after he forced her into bed.
Truthfully, Tywin had done so much for her, directly or even indirectly, that she could not properly count it all. She did, though, remember them all. She appreciated them, and it was one of the many things that reminded her why she loved the man in front of her.
Her touch was soft and so was her gaze, a contrast and polar opposite of his.
"You have been saving my life ever since we first met, even though you might not have realized it. But I am done letting you be the bad guy in everything." She took a small silent breath, her eyes not once looking away. "You can be angry at me all you want, but I am not changing my opinion. I caused this and it is my burden to share, my consequences that I need to face."
He did not reply to her immediately after. Rather, he took his time. Her warm hand was comforting and so opposite compared to his cold one. Even in the middle of winter, so far up North, she was still warm; as if the low temperatures around them did not affect her.
Her enchanting and unique eyes were calm and soft, not once bothered or terrified by his outburst. They kept looking at him with the same love and care that, honestly, Tywin did not remember anyone else looking at him that way.
A part of him understood why she did it and respected her initiative, but that did not mean he agreed with it. He saw no reason for her to get all that hatred when it had been him taking it all along. He saw no reason for her to ruin the image he had built for their allies and the Stark children by admitting something that she did not have to.
She could have let him take the fall, and worse, if he were to be tried, he could ask for a trial by combat. Truth be told, though, he was ready to even die if it meant that she and his children, his legacy, would keep living and continue carrying the family name proudly on their shoulders.
In the end, he had to let out his own heavy sigh and remind himself that he needed to regain control. Honestly, it was becoming harder and harder with the plans and actions of the woman he had wed so long ago.
He closed his eyes for a moment to make his anger drop. He then opened them again, looking into her beautiful eyes.
"No, it is our burden. You had the idea, but I gave the order," he corrected her, refusing to just agree with her. "I will not allow this trial to take place even if I have to smuggle you out in the middle of the night, mark my words, I will." He brought his face a little closer to hers. "And I do not accept any arguments on the subject."
Visenya felt the need to shake her head at his stubbornness and his need to just take all of her faults and burdens, to keep her safe and comfortable. She adored that thing about him, amongst other things, but sometimes she found it slightly annoying that it was the same stubbornness that made them argue with one another.
"Very well. I only agree because I know you will leave me no choice but to agree with you," she said, her lips offering a weak small smile.
Satisfied with her answer, he let her go. He could feel the joints of his fingers popping back into place as he released her, both taking notice of the bruising forming on her wrist; a result of his outburst.
He clicked his tongue behind his teeth, letting out a small quick sound of annoyance and frustration.
"This should not have happened if you had let me take the blame," he said, talking about her latest mark.
She barely glanced at it, unbothered by it.
"You know of my condition, it was expected," she said, both aware that she had a knack for bruising rather easily. A curse caused by all that inbreeding in her family.
Instead, she focused fully on him.
"Well, I couldn't let you take the blame, and things can't be changed now. They do not matter either, at least not to me."
This made him arch a single eyebrow and look at her, his head tilting faintly to the side.
"And what does matter to you now?" he asked, out of mere curiosity.
Her small smile grew, eventually forming into a familiar smirk.
"Being with my husband after 2 months of not seeing or hearing from him," she pointed out.
In the end, even he could not remain frustrated, annoyed, or even angry at the situation.
Hearing her words, he gave up and let out a small scoff of amusement. His lips offered her his famous signature smirk, one that was reserved only for her, and the same hand that had been holding her wrist prior moved gently to caress her cheek with the back of its fingers.
"It has been two months, indeed. This will be the last time I ever let you do this," he said with mild authority, but his touch remained gentle.
She leaned into his fingers, going as far as to leave a small peck on them.
"I know. I am not eager to repeat it either," she confessed, not hiding her amusement.
He rolled his eyes at her attempt to joke at yet another wrong timing.
She was not lying, though, when she said those words. She had spent almost 20 years sharing a roof with him, sharing a bed, and far more. Rarely had those two not been in the presence of one another, and that would only be for a few hours, not even a full day.
The only exceptions were when she went to the Reach and Dorne, but even then, their time away was not as long as it was now.
The last time she had been away from him for so long was during the Rebellion, but so many things had changed between them ever since; so many new feelings had come to the surface until now.
She had missed him, and by his actions and the look he was giving her, she knew he had missed her too. It had been too long, agonizingly too long, and unlike other times, they had zero contact with one another.
"Good. We can finally agree on something," he said and cupped her cheek before placing a kiss on her forehead.
She held no resistance as he pulled her head slightly towards him, and she simply closed her eyes and smiled at the sweet action that he had started to repeat a little more often than he used to; yet it was always welcomed by her.
Inner Courtyard, Winterfell - The North - Sometime Later
Tywin had gone to meet with Kevan, needing to discuss some private things about their army but also the guards that would have to be placed, to ensure no crazy Northman would try to harm any of the Lions.
This allowed Visenya some free time, and she chose to try and explore Winterfell since she never truly had the chance to visit it until now.
Sansa talked greatly about it, and the Dragoness was curious, although the dark stones and the cold weather were not something she favoured.
A single Lannister guard was trailing behind her, a single sense of security but also a way to pass the message that she was not open for an attack. She doubted anyone would try to harm her, not now with the White Walkers marching against them, but she knew it was always wiser to play it even a little bit safe.
She had tried to avoid Oberyn, for she was not sure how to face him after the confession, but alas, she was not that lucky. The Dornish prince had found her, and she was not going to be surprised if he had been searching for her all this time.
At first, the two of them exchanged a look, and then he joined her side; despite the displeased look her guard gave him. They walked in silence, passing by Northerners who glared at her, but surprisingly, Oberyn glared at them back.
"You are awfully quiet," Visenya pointed out, realizing that he was not going to speak first; which was unlike him.
"Should I say something, Princess?" he asked her, glancing at her.
She let out a heavy sigh.
"Shouldn't you? Go ahead, say your part about the wedding and my actions... I know what to expect," she confessed, her steps slow but her head always held high.
Oberyn came to a halt, grabbing her upper arm to stop her from walking any more as the two of them stopped at the edge of the courtyard, close to the walls. He released her arm right after, but he had successfully earned her full attention.
"And what do you expect of me, Princess? Do you expect of me... perhaps to be angry? To pull my soldiers back and return to Dorne?" he asked, his voice calm but also serious; even though he tilted his head faintly to the side.
She looked back at his dark eyes, mental exhaustion hidden behind her amber orbs, but he could still see it.
"Well, maybe that more than being quiet all of a sudden. You can judge me, you know. After all, everyone has done it, and by the gods, have I judged myself all those months."
Oberyn placed his hands behind his back and slowly tilted his head to the other side. He was rather serious, which was unlike him, and that was perhaps the one thing that truly made her feel uneasy.
"Were you the one that sliced the neck of Catelyn Stark? Was it your blade that took the lives of the people at the wedding?" he asked.
His questions sounded random to some, and maybe they were, but they were chosen for a reason; having a certain target in mind.
She frowned for a moment, unsure where those questions truly fit, but she chose to answer him nonetheless.
"No, it wasn't."
"Then why should I blame you for something that you did not actively participate in?"
"You blamed Tywin for years, thinking that he gave the order to murder Elia," she reminded him.
"But did you give the order for the massacre? Did you directly tell Lord Frey what to do?"
Slowly, pieces seemed to fall into place, and for a moment, Visenya felt the need to scoff. She held it back though.
"No, I didn't. I made it clear when I was explaining back there."
At last, the serious Oberyn started to disappear and his signature smirk appeared on his lips.
"Then I see no reason why I should blame you. Unless you personally put poison in their wine, that is," he joked, and she eventually rolled her eyes, her lips forming a weak smile of amusement.
"You can rest assured I didn't. Although I was very tempted to do so with Lord Frey after I received the news."
His smirk turned into his toothy grin, now back to his regular self.
"Well, if he had not been killed already, I might have helped you with that one. Met this... Lord Frey once, unfortunately. Terrible man, disgusting, even more than the Old Lion you married," he commented, and she gently nudged his ribs with her elbow as he managed to bring Tywin into the conversation once again. "Glad he is dead, although I wouldn't have minded trying a few of my poisons on him."
"Knowing you, I am sure you wouldn't even know which one to choose from your big variety," she said, making him chuckle, and he also made her smile of amusement grow.
"Perhaps, Princess. I might have asked for your delightful insight then."
She kept her small smile that was not so small anymore, feeling slightly better after talking with him. She was glad he was not really against her or hating her because honestly, she could not accept it from him.
After Dorne and during the 2-month trip, she had come to truly appreciate his company and his attempt to make her smile. He had been a good companion, flirty but also respectful when she said no.
He had proven himself to her, and she had learned to truly cherish his presence but also his friendship. He was one of the few people that she truly did not wish to lose either to the Stranger or due to her past actions.
Her red-flecked amber eyes took notice of movement not so far from them, and she spotted Ser Barristan. She had not seen her teacher and almost parental figure in so long, let alone talked to him. She wished to go and see him, although she feared what he might think of her after what she had become.
The tickling sensation of someone's hot breath to her ear made her snap from her thoughts and worries.
"Need some escort, Princess? I wouldn't mind being your sexy Dornish knight in leather armour."
His words made her scoff but also chuckle slightly as she moved her head further away from his lips.
"I shall be fine, I believe. You, on the other hand," she took a step to the side and then turned her body halfway to see him, "better check on Obara and ensure she had not crashed the rather fragile egos of many Lords."
The idea alone amused Oberyn, and he puffed his chest in pride, not hiding how he felt about his firstborn, who had truly become one of her kind. Her need for fighting, her tough nature, and her intimidating presence were something he admired while his brother dreaded; fearing she had taken only the worst of Oberyn's character.
"I better do that then. Call if you need saving, Princess," he said and took her gloved hand into his, before placing a peck on the back of it.
She smirked and lifted her chin just a tad more.
"You know I never did, and I don't plan to anytime soon."
This seemed to please him, and she watched him go before she took a deep breath.
She then started to head towards Ser Barristan, her guard always two steps behind her, but his hand always at the base of his sword; ready to draw it if needed.
As if having sensed her approach or her gaze, the old knight turned his face towards her direction. Their eyes met first, and then he slowly turned his body to face her as she covered the small distance left between them.
She came to a halt in front of him, slightly amused at how old age had shrunk him just a bit, but she could still see the strength he always had.
He was, after all, Ser Barristan the Bold for a reason.
"Ser Barristan," she greeted him formally, nodding her head faintly.
He looked at her and nodded his head back.
"Lady Visenya," he greeted back, but despite the tough persona he was trying to present, he was eventually betrayed by his lips slowly forming a smile.
The Dragoness copied him and moved first, embracing the older knight in a rather rare hug; one he returned without hesitation.
"It has been too long, my friend," she said as she pulled back a few seconds later, her body now more relaxed.
His own eyes seemed to glow with joy, making them look as if they belonged to someone far younger, and the lines at the corners of his eyes deepened; a sign of his quiet smile.
"Far too long," he agreed, inspecting her with his eyes as he had done when they saw each other at the coronation. "I see you have been well."
The familiar movement amused her, and she did not hide it as she offered the older man a more natural smile.
"More than well and healthy, as you can see."
"And leading yet another army into battle," he pointed out.
This amused her, and she did not hide it.
"Well, you kept saying I would be good at it, even before I exchanged my training sword for a real one."
He chuckled, the tension between them long gone, and the two of them felt as if they were younger; back at the Red Keep when things were different.
"Technically, it was your grandfather that first said it. I was simply repeating his words."
"My mother would have gone crazy if she knew how right he ended up being. Her pride would never allow it."
"Your uncle, Duncan, would have been the one to tell her. He was always better at delivering such news to her," he remembered, making her smile grow as she silently chuckled; the only evidence being the faint shaking of her shoulders.
"I am glad to see that you have been well. I was so furious when I found out what happened to you while Joffrey was ruling," she confessed, sending him a small apologetic look.
He placed his hand on her shoulder like he used to, offering a small squeeze.
"Don't be, they had it coming. I believe it was my time. My oath was always to protect the rightful rulers, the dragons; not the stags."
She placed her hand on top of his, and she nodded her head.
"I know. Your generation of Kingsguard were the last truly honourable and loyal ones," she said, remembering him, the White Bull, the Sword of the Morning, Duncan the Tall, and so many others who fought for her family until the very end.
"Well, from what I have heard, I am the last of them left," he pointed out as he slowly withdrew his hand. "But you are no longer the last Dragon, though."
Visenya knew what he was referring to, what message he was trying to pass, and she let out a small sigh; lips pressed to form a thin line.
"I know... but so many things have changed ever since," she confessed, lowering her voice faintly.
"Have you talked with her?" he asked her, noticing how hesitant she was to discuss the topic already.
He had seen her when she rode at the head of the army, when she showed up dressed like a Queen with her own 'crown' on top of her head. He was not stupid, he understood what she was doing, and he had explained to Daenerys all the same.
Yet, a part of him wondered if it was truly her who was behind that idea, or if the others had simply made her do it; using her to excuse their refusal to side with the Mother of Dragons and support her claim to the Iron Throne.
He was not sure, but he wished to find out, especially because a long time ago, Visenya truly wished for her family to return and dethrone Robert. Now, she seemed hesitant and even willing to step in as a big player in this game; a move that risked ruining the relationship between her and her niece before they had even truly met.
She shook her head faintly.
"Not yet, I have not... things have been complicated," she confessed, and he nodded his head, understanding.
"You should when you find the chance. You are the last two Dragons, and you deserve to be together, as a family."
"Trystan is also a Dragon... half-dragon, but still," she reminded him, hoping somehow to change the subject.
She truly wished to talk to her niece, to explain some things and also get to know her. She could see Rhaella so much in her face, but also Aerys, and that made her heart ache in nostalgia.
She wanted to spend time with Daenerys and, in the end, persuade her not to come after the Iron Throne; so they would not have to meet on opposite sides of the battlefield.
"And half-lion," Barristan argued back. "Although, he is far better in character than any of them. You have done a good job."
She gave a small smile.
"I tried, it was not easy," she commented. "I should thank you, either way, for looking after him while in King's Landing."
Trystan often wrote to her, and he had told her how Ser Barristan had taken him under his wing ever since he first arrived at the capital. The knight had helped him train along with Jaime, he was with him when they were paired up, and had been present when Jaime eventually knighted him after Trystan saved Cersei and Joffrey from some bandits.
Ser Barristan had talked to him about Visenya and the times when the Targaryens ruled since the boy was interested in his heritage and the other side of his family that very few truly talked about.
The older knight could easily see that Trystan was pure of heart, and he had the potential to be a very noble knight, perhaps as noble as Ser Arthur Dayne himself; with the right guidance. It had been his pleasure to teach him, remembering when he had taught Rhaegar and Visenya all the same; somehow seeing parts of both of them in him.
He smiled at her.
"It has been my pleasure to do so. He is a good kid, and I saw he has grown into a good man."
"Hopefully he will remain. Life has a way of truly challenging our moralities and our loyalties, in the very end."
"Like it has challenged yours," he concluded, seeing how her lips were pressed and formed a thin line.
"Unfortunately. I did not stand well against those challenges, I am afraid," she confessed, choosing not to lie to him or herself.
She knew she had done some questionable things, she had crossed the line, and her morals had long changed; some by her own decisions and some by force of circumstances. She was not the woman she once was when she was younger, she could see that in the mirror every day, and she had come to accept it; even though it was never easy.
"You were always very mature for your age, Visenya," Barristan said, his aged eyes softening. "You carried responsibilities that no child should. You sacrificed your childhood for the sake and future of your family... no one is perfect, and no one can truly stand like a mountain all those years," he continued, his fatherly wise words offering comfort deep within her. "You have succeeded in a lot of things, despite all those challenges, and it is something you should be proud of... I know I am."
She looked deep into his eyes, her lips parted faintly in surprise at hearing his words. She did not truly expect to hear anyone saying how proud they were of her, let alone him.
She had only ever been told those words twice in her life so far, once from Tywin after she birthed Trystan and once from Rhaella.
No one else had ever told her they were proud, especially out loud. They never showed it, and she had long stopped thinking others were, concluding that they never would be.
Tywin showed it differently, and that was the only comfort she got, but no one else had shown or said it... until now.
To hear them from Ser Barristan himself, who had been like a father to her as she grew up, meant so much more than she or anyone could truly expect.
In the end, she offered him a smile of gratitude and nodded her head.
"Thank you, old friend. I am glad there is still one person proud of me."
He offered her a gentle smile in return.
"I assure you, there are more people who are. You just don't know it."
He placed his hand on her shoulder one last time, a rather fatherly move that she had long missed and started to truly appreciate.