"I know this is not how you wished to be proposed to, but the circumstances were not in our favor."
Vaenera did everything to avoid looking at the man behind the desk. Her eyes rested on his hands, which were busy signing papers.
And despite having a million other things on her mind, she could only think about whether this was how he looked when he decided to kill Robb and Catelyn at the Red Wedding. She wondered if this was where he decided Grey Wind's head should be sewn onto her best friend's body.
After nearly being arrested by Cersei the previous day, Vaenera was escorted to her chambers and guards were stationed outside her door. She felt trapped and couldn't sleep all night, remaining dressed as no one, not even Este, had permission to enter. In that condition, Ser Meryn found her and, without explanation, informed her that Tywin Lannister wanted to see her.
So here she was, sitting before the man responsible for every pain and tragedy in her life.
"My grandson's death was... unfortunate. My daughter was out of her depth; surely you understand that."
Vaenera watched him dip his pen in the ink, surprised he didn't use the blood of his enemies for signing his letters. Silence hung in the air. The Iron Princess cleared her throat, doubting her own voice.
"Our king suffered a terrible death. I am sure the queen meant no offense," she said quickly.
Perhaps too quickly. Tywin's pen stopped. Vaenera felt his gaze on her.
"Obviously, she meant none," he said, looking at her intensely.
Silence again, and Vaenera had no intention of breaking it. She watched him return to his work.
"I assume you know what happened to your brother? And what it means for you and all of us," Tywin said after a moment.
"I heard rumors." The image of her twin brother appeared before her eyes. She quickly blinked, not wanting to think about him.
"Theon Greyjoy is unable to have children, that leaves you as the heir to the Iron Islands."
Vaenera looked up at him. What did he know about being Ironborn? They would never accept her as heir. She wasn't raised in the Iron Islands, and she was a woman. The Ironborn followed strength, not rules made by lords from other parts of the Seven Kingdoms.
"My father named my sister heir," the Iron Princess responded.
"Your younger sister," he said, meeting her gaze for the first time.
Vaenera clenched her jaw but kept her face neutral.
"Twelve years ago, when your father lost his rebellion, King Robert took it upon himself to find you a proper husband. He is no longer with us, but the Crown continues its existence. It found you a spouse: my son."
"What if I say no?"
Tywin laughed. "Let me tell you something, girl." He stood and took a few steps, his fingers gripping her face. "My son is heir to the greatest family in Westeros. By marrying him, you will be Lady of Casterly Rock and aunt of the King—"
"Aunt?" she interrupted. "Or stepmother?"
The words slipped out like poison, but it was too late to take them back. She braced for a slap that never came. Instead, his eyes burned with Lannister red as his grip tightened before he released her, making her jaw ache.
One second later, he was back in his chair, papers in hand.
"I will forgive you this one time," his voice changed, losing any sympathy. "But if you ever say something like that again, I will not care if you are my daughter-in-law. I will give you to the Mountain, and he will deal with you as he sees fit. For now, I forget."
YOU ARE READING
The Great War- Oberyn Martell
Fanfic''This story unlike many others from this world begins not with inflaming fury, not with debt needed to be paid or not even with a winter that was coming. It begins with love that was sowed and had grown and it will end with fire and blood"
