aeternus | tywin lannister

V

"Mother, aren't you scared of grandfather?" Myrcella questioned her mother as they stood on the balcony of her chambers observing King's Landing. Tywin Lannister would be visiting them and Cersei couldn't help but feel nervous about her father's visit, even though she was good at hiding it.

"Only a fool wouldn't be intimidated by your grandfather, my sweet. He is a very powerful man and to be that way he needs both to be feared and respected."

"I have never seen him laugh. Have you mother?" She hugged her mother's legs with a smile on her face.

Cersei smiled, still looking at the gates of the Red Keep, expecting her father to arrive any minute, "Yes, I have seen him laugh. Once or twice, with your late grandmother Halaena."

"I wish I had met her. Everyone says she was very beautiful," she uttered dreamily, "It's nice to descend from a Targaryen."

"She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Until you were born, my darling Myrcella." Cersei crouched and tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear, "I think you look a little bit like her."

Myrcella grinned, two of her teeth missing, "Really?" Her mother nodded, "Was she kind?"

"Yes. She was a good mother. I and Jaime were everything to her."

"What about grandfather? Did she love him very much?"

Cersei chuckled, "You're such a curious girl, my sweet. Yes, she loved him very much, but I didn't spend a lot of time with the two of them together. At the time, your grandfather Tywin was the Hand of the King and he lived here in King's Landing most of the time. He and your grandmother sent each other many letters, but he was with us only once or twice a year. However, I vividly remember the face my mother made when she saw your grandfather riding through Casterly Rock's gate, she would always burst with happiness."

"It must have been difficult for grandfather to spend so much time away from his family."

"Well, you know him. Duty above all else."

•

Halaena had expected the tourney to last no more than two or three hours. It became obvious she was mistaken when she finished eating and saw the line of people who were there to perform to the young prince Rhaegar and impress him.

Sipping her wine and watching a man sing, she wondered when it would be acceptable for her to leave. Beside her, Rhaella was watching the performers with interest, the King was sleeping with his mouth open but still with the glass on his fist, Prince Rhaegar seemed bored and Lord Tywin Lannister was sitting on the other side of the king, but instead of paying attention to the performers, he was observing the people there.

The member of the Small Council was also seating at the same table as them, but they were mostly chatting loudly, some of them already tipsy.

With the sun hitting her face and her belly full, she felt like sleeping as well, but unlike the King, she had some manners.

"Rhaella?" Her sister looked at her, "If I stay here much longer I think I will fall asleep. I am going to take a walk and then I will come back."

"Take your handmaiden with you and a guard. There are plenty of people here we can't trust."

"I'm aware, but I will ask Lord Tywin to accompany me. We have some things to discuss," Halaena got up and walked towards Tywin's seat, standing behind him.

Tywin felt a presence behind him and turned around to see his future wife, "Princess Halaena. How can I help you?"

"Could you take a walk with me, my lord? I'm starting to get rather restless."