A Lion's Pride, a Stag's Fury

Chapter 5: Tywin II

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing. Everything is the property of G.R.R. Martin and HBO!!!!

He had forgotten how grand it was. Storm's End. Not as magnificent as Casterly Rock, of course. But grand and majestic in its own right. Its massive, thick wall seemed impenetrable and made the castle look impregnable even to him.

It had been a different time when he had been here last. The day of Steffon's wedding. A happy day, he remembered. His friend had been a smiling idiot the whole time. So much that Aerys had started making crude remarks about the bedding. Joanna... oh, his dearest Joanna had grabbed his arm painfully and whispered in his ear to do something. Steffon had been faster, though. He had laughed heartily dismissing everything as a joke. But that was who Steffon Baratheon had been. A man who always laughed at the insults and the affronts made against him by his kingly cousin. Ah... How the world had darkened after his demise...

Tywin looked sideways at Stannis. His resemblance to his father was remarkable. His black hair, his bushing eyebrows, his thin mouth and straight nose, but most importantly, his midnight blue eyes. For a moment he felt like he was brought back in time. But only for a moment. Because Stannis' eyes had something darker in them. A long-hidden, painful memory that would never leave him. His eyes did not seem capable of laughter like his father's. And Tywin was certain that they would never be. Because, he admitted to himself, his own eyes had been looking the exact same way since... Oh, Joanna I will avenge you, my Love...

He glimpsed at the boy's bare chest. It looked terribly sickly. So osseous. No wonder why the people had reacted the way they had. It was astonishing that the boy was even standing. How did he carry his tall body without even wincing? And as if that was not enough, the bird- Proudwing- was perched on the boy's shoulder, which was slightly bleeding from the beastly nails. And he was walking with his back straight and his face unreadable. Was it all a mask? Or did he not feel any pain?

They arrived at Stannis' solar. One by one they got in. Proudwing immediately flew to the window sill. Strange. Stannis did not react at all. He simply excused himself and entered another door. A few moments later, he returned fully dressed and composed. His eyes were on the children.

"My Lady, should it be of your convenience, you may have my room to rest. Your children seem to be worn out from your travel."

Tywin observed Elia. She looked surprised and yet relieved. And she did not even attempt to hide it. What a peculiar snake she is...

"I thank you, my Lord. It is most considerate of you." she replied and holding her son and her daughter's hand she walked inside the other room.

Once the door was closed, Tywin saw Stannis gesture them to have a seat in front of the fireplace. The boy put some wood in the pit and lit a fire. The warmth hit the Lion Lord at once.

"Now," the young man started, "I saw the truth in your eyes, Lord Lannister. You did come to save us. I am in your debt for that. Which you will definitely claim someday. Your reputation precedes you after all. And I am no green boy. What is the purpose behind this generosity of yours? Have you joined the Rebellion? Is this your part in it?"

Hmm, straight to the point.

"In a manner of speaking." he answered apathetically. "I do not take orders from others. My brother, Kevan was instructed to contact the new Lord Stark and inform him personally of the situation. Nothing more and nothing less. When I conceived of this plan, my purpose, as you put it, was to disorganize the Targaryens. I needed the Martells on my side. And I have them. When we reached Dorne, we met and created a strong alliance. And so, in a little more than a fortnight, Lannister forces will join them here and take down the Reach. The Targaryens will not know what hit them. Then, your brother will be free to fight Rhaegar"