The Children of Spring

Marianne III - A Lioness's Roar

Five days had gone by since she had arrived and Marianne had finally started to feel that she was going to manage to rule the Westerlands while her parents were away. She could find solutions to everything that had come across her path so far in the courts that were held. The courts felt a bit strange to her though, for every court she had attended before had always been held by her father or her mother, she would just watch and catch up everything she could. She had always found them very interesting, even more so, because for a girl of 14, that would every night dream of how it would be to have her own household and land to rule, it was the most amazing thing in the world. By then she was not sure if she found them so interesting and was starting to understand why her parents did not like them very much. Besides, despite being complicated sometimes, it could also be a bit boring. Marianne always thought that the matters of state would be more important than arguments over lands and titles. Now I know why my parents always say that it's a duty and not a pleasurable one, Marianne had thought on the third day. At the fourth, she started to wonder how did she like the courts so much when she was little? Then she remembered a conversation that she had had with her father, when she was 14. She had asked,
"Why do you not like to hold the courts, father?"
"Depends on the courts, Mary. When the matters are important, it's our duty to solve them. But when they start to be about unsolved quarrels from ages ago, it can be a little boring." her father had answered and she had chuckled.
"I admit that it can be a little boring if it's only about that, but only a bit. But I know that you and mother do not like it very much. I'm still a bit confused, I think they are very interesting." Marianne had said and her father had chuckled.
"You'll understand when you're older, sweety." her father had said.
"But didn't you or mother ever meet anyone that liked to rule?" Marianne had asked curiously.
"At the begining, it's possible to like it. But then, if you have a good heart, it becomes more difficult." her father had said and the conversation ended there, because the twins were missing again. Now, I know what he meant by that, Marianne thought. She missed her parents and Jenny and the twins.
Marianne wondered everyday, if her mother was getting better, if her father was alright, if Jenny and Thomas and James had already reached Rhaella, how was the situation in the Wolfswood camp, how was the situation in Winterfell. When she had sent that letter to Gerion, she had also sent a letter to her father, saying that she wanted to be there with him to help him and asking him to keep giving her news about mother. She also said that there was a situation in the Rock, still assuring him that she would solve it. Only three days after that, had she recieved the answer:
Dear Mary,
I'm so sorry, that you have to go through this and for not telling you before. We were afraid that you all would stay and the situation here is not the best one. As of your mother, she'll get through this, she's very strong and we are helping her.
I know you can take care of the Rock and of yourself, still be careful. I'll send news as soon as I can.
We'll all be home soon, sweety. Don't worry.
With love, your father.
She had been surprised to read that and a little relieved as well. There was nothing more that Marianne liked to do than to take a horse and ride to that camp. She wanted to be there to help them. She wanted to talk to her mother, just in case something happened. Still, she had a duty and she had to solve the situation at hand, therefore she knew that she could not leave.
There had also been some private meetings with the castle staff and other highlords. Marianne tried to discover something about the treath that Sam had warned her about, still she could not put the cards on the table yet, for she did not know who she could trust. By then the only persons she knew she could trust were Sam and Joy and the Hound. Marianne could probably also trust her staff at the castle, however if she was wrong it could cost her Casterly Rock and she would not take the risk.
Marianne needed to talk to someone about it, though, and also she thought it was better to have some help before Sam arrived, it was still a relatively long journey from Deep Den to the Rock. Therefore, she talked with her uncle Sandor, before his returne to Clegane's Keep.
"Uncle Sandor, can I talk to you for a moment?" Marianne asked.
"Sure, kiddo. What's wrong?" The Hound said.
"I recieved a letter from Sam saying that there was a conspiracy going on against my parents. He said that he was coming to the Rock, because he knew where the next meeting was." Marianne explained.
"That's something dangerous to say, kid. Are you sure?" Sandor asked seriously.
"I am. I didn't tell anyone, just you." Marianne said.
"You did well. If there's a conspiracy the least people that know about it, the better. Did Sam say who was behind it?" Sandor asked.
"No. Who would ever want to conspire against my parents?" Marianne asked confused. The last years had been good years, with prosperity and peace. Her parents did not start the war, therefore why would people conspire against them?
"I don't know, yet. But we will find out." Sandor said.
"What could they possibily want?" Marianne asked confused.
"There's a simple truth about lords and ladys: they all thirst for power." Sandor answered.
"They want Casterly Rock." Marianne realized.
"Aye. They want the Rock and the Westerlands." Sandor explained.
"Well, they can't have it. Casterly Rock is mine and my siblings' and parents' home and has belonged to House Lannister for years. I'll make sure they won't have it." Marianne said determined.
"You're talking like your parents now." Sandor said smiling and Marianne smiled.
"This can't be the first time someone tries to take the Rock. Did someone try before?" Marianne asked curiously and also trying to work out a plan, if she knew how it was stopped the last time, maybe it could help.
"With your parents, no. Also, I'd never think they would dare, obviously I was wrong. There were two houses that tried to take the Rock, from your great-grandfather. Your grandfather stopped them." Sandor explained.
"The Rains of Castamere." Marianne said, she had read about it and she knew the story.
"Exactly. The Reynes and the Tarbecks roose againts their lord, but they forgot that Tywin Lannister was not his father." The Hound said.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. I still don't get it, the Westerlands had prosperity and peace these past years, why would they want to end that?" Marianne said.
"They're fools who think that the Lannisters had the Westerlands for too long. They think they could do better, but the truth is that they don't care if they do, they only care for power." Sandor explained.
"My parents rule the Westerlands because it's their duty and because they want peace, they don't want power. I know that, I asked them a thousand times, and they always said that they don't enjoy rulling. Whoever these are, they don't only want power or the Westerlands, they want our home." Marianne said seriously and angry.
"We'll find out who they are." The Hound said.
"I can't ask you to stay here, uncle Sandor. You have your family and your household to keep. I wanted just to ask if it comes down to a fight, if you could help us." Marianne said.
"Mary, I'm not leaving the Rock, while these shits are out there ploting to overtrow you and your parents." The Hound said softly and yet seriously.
"But what about Beric and Alerie?" Marianne asked concerned. She knew that he had a son and a wife to take care of.
"Beric is 15 and knows how to fight and Alerie can take care of herself and of Clegane's Keep." The Hound answered.
"Thank you, uncle Sandor." Marianne said smiling and he nodded.
After somedays, Sam finally arrived. Sam was already a man by then, he was 22, married and had a one-year-old son. Sam and Joy had met in KingsLanding in a tournement, they had spent the whole afternoon talking and, by the end of the day, they were friends. After few months of keeping in touch, they realized that they had fallen in love and decided to marry. As Sam had a younger brother, named Jon, and as Joy wished to stay in Westerlands in honor of her father, Sam decided to take her name instead of the other way around and Joanna gave Joy and Sam the castle of Deep Den, saying that Gerion Lannister would be proud of the woman that his daughter had become.
As soon as Sam arrived, Marianne, him and The Hound had a meeting.
"Sam, I recieved your letter. How did you come to know this?" Marianne asked.
"Well, they sent us a letter. They said that we should have the Rock. That your parents are not strong enough to rule the Westerlands." Sam explained looking down. I'm going to kill them all, if they keep acting like that, Marianne thought.
"What?! Have they lost their minds?!" Marianne said angry and not believing them.
"For good. I don't know why did they think we would ally with them. But they did and thanks to that now we can set them a trap." Sam said.
"They're dumb cunts, that's why. Who was behind it?" The Hound said.
"I don't know, the letter wasn't signed. But they said that the next meeting is in Oxcross. I think there is an inn." Sam said.
"Well, let's meet them then. They have to know that Casterly Rock is not empty, nor up for the taken." Marianne said seriously.
"Mary. In the letter... it said that... your mother, that she was..." Sam said looking down and concerned.
"My mother was poisoned in the battle. She's really in bad shape, but she's going to make it. I know she will. Your father went to help her." Marianne said looking down.
"I'm sure my father is going to save her. He's the best maestre I know." Sam assured her.
"How the fuck did they know that?" The Hound asked.
"They must have spies. When is the next meeting?" Marianne said.
"One week from now, at mid-day." Sam said.
"Very well, let's see who these people are." Marianne said seriously, after that, the meeting was over.
The night before the meeting, Marianne was walking through the halls of the castle, she liked to walk around when she was stressed, it calmed her down and helped her to think. She would walk until she stopped somewhere, that day she ended up in her parents' room. She entered the room and closed the door. Then she looked around the room, it was still the same, the same bed, where she and her siblings had come to hide, when they were younger, during the nights of storms, when the thunders were so loud that could awake the entire castle. Marianne remembered those days, it had started with Jenny and her and then with the twins as well. The room seemed the same, however there was something different that she could not quite figure out. At first, she thought it was her imagination, however then she took another look around the room and saw that there was box near the closet. They must have forgoten to put it in the closet, Marianne thought. Then she went to where the box was and took it, with the intention to put it in the closet, however, when she picked the box up, it did not seem to have anything inside, given that it was so lightly, therefore Marianne opened the box and turned out it was not empty. Draws. That's why it seemed to be empty, Marianne thought, smilling.
"Why is it out of the closet?" Marianne said out loud. Then she started to look at the draws. Some of them were nothing special, just some lines and circles, but others were just amazing. There were at least five draws of knights, there was one that was fighting a dragon and other that seemed like a kingsguard knight that was riding into the woods. Marianne knew that it had been her mother who had drawn them, there were only two people that could draw like that, Jenny or her mother, and Jenny was not that good yet.
"These are amazing." Marianne said smiling. Then she saw different draws, she knew that those were a bit old, if not for the fact that the papper were a bit yellowish and worn out, but for the fact that she and her siblings were still children in that draws. There was one in which they were playing in 'The Glade' as they called the glade near Lannisport. She turned the draw backwords and read,
"My little lionesses and lions." Marianne felt tears in her eyes. Oh mother, I wish you and father were here, Marianne thought. Then she saw a draw that she was certain that was her father, only it had been drawn years ago. At the back, it said,
"My knight. I love you." Marianne smiled when she read it and then she kept looking at the draws, she saw one that were her uncles, and it said,
"My beloved brothers. May the teasing never stop." Marianne laughed. It did not stop, Marianne thought. There was a draw of a woman, at the back of it said, "Sister.", Marianne assumed it was Cersei. There was one with three kids that seemed to be unfinished and Marianne did not recognize who were the kids. Then the last one was a man, a bit old already, Marianne got a little confused, but when she turned the draw around it said,
"A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinion of the sheep. - Tywin Lannister." It's my grandfather, what does the phrase mean?, Marianne thought. Marianne thought that it was the last one, but it was not. There was another, Marianne could recognize everyone in the draw, for many years ago that it might have been drawn, it was their family. All of them, well, except her mother, obviously, because she was the one who had drawn it. One big family. From every corner of the world, Marianne thought, remebering the bed time story that her parents had told her a million times. Then at the back, there was the bottom line of that bed time story,
"Family is the most important thing that life has, it doesn't need to be bound by blood as long as it is bound by love." Alright... I have to go to sleep, tomorrow is a big day, Marianne thought and then, as she was putting the draws inside the box, she saw a small card, she took the card and read it,
"To my little lioness. Never stop drawing. - Uncle Gery." Marianne smiled. It was from Joy's father. Then Marianne put all the draws inside the box and put the box in the closet. After that she went to her room, to sleep.
The next day, they got up earlier, because they had to be in Oxcross by mid-day. They were at the gates of the castle, they would go with twenty men, just in case. Marianne was nervous, she had never done this before, or heard her parents talking about situations like these. However, it was her duty. I'm a lioness like my mother and my sister, I'll be brave, Marianne thought.
After some time, they were leaving the gates of the castle behind them, heading to the inn. Marianne was into her thoughts, when she heard,
"Are you alright, Mary?" It was Sam.
"Yeah, I'm just nervous." Marianne answered.
"It's going to be alright." Sam assured her.
"What if they don't listen to me, Sam?" Marianne asked concerned. She was 16 and a woman, most of the lords did not listen to women, even more so if she was just 16.
"Then we'll make them." Clegane said, he was next to them by then.
"Exactly." Sam said.
"I'd still like to know why they're doing this. Because, power isn't worth a damn thing if everyone is against them, which will happen if I have to call the bannerments." Marianne said fustrated, she knew that they wanted power, still her mother was Master of War, her father was Lord of Casterly Rock, they were both knights and their bannerments, the ones that were out of that damn conspiracy, supported Casterly Rock, how could they want to do better than that?
"Look, kid, these cunts are going to make anytype of arguments against you. Two of them, I'm almost certain, that are these: your mother is a Lannister, the last Lannister that was charged with the Rock left it for the enemies. And your father is not a Lannister and that may be a problem to them as well." The Hound said.
"My mother is not Cersei and she cares about the Westerlands, both of them do. As of my father, he took my mother's name, I know people still called him by the name Payne, but oficially his last name is Lannister. He lived his life amongst Lannisters, from squire to knight." Marianne said.
"They don't care about that. They care about who is easier to overthrow. That's why they want me and Joy to take the Rock, because they know that they could overthrow us." Sam explained.
"I don't want to start to chop heads off, but if they gave me no choice, I will." Marianne said seriously.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." The Hound said.
After some time riding, they got to Oxcross. They found the said inn.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" The Hound asked her.
"I have to." Marianne said and he nodded.
"We're with you, Mary." Sam said and she nodded. This is it, Marianne thought and then she opened the door of the inn, her hand was trembling. Still, they entered the inn. It was almost deserted, except for five highlords. Two of them she knew, Lord Swyft and Lord Crakehall, she had seen them in some courts. The rest of the people, she did not know, however, looking at the sigil they beared in their clothes, there were either of House Swyft or of House Crakehall. They all looked at her surprised, still with a little bit of mockery in their eyes. Marianne kept her face serious and it gave nothing away. They all stood up. Marianne waited for them to say something, still there was only sillence. Very well, if they don't say anything, I do, Marianne thought and when she was about to speak, Lord Crakehall asked,
"What's the meaning of this?"
"I was informed that there have been ocurring secret meetings with the intention to overtrowing my parents' lordship. The reports led us here, at this precise time. Therefore, it's me who is asking, what is the meaning of this, my lord?" Marianne said seriously, like a lady should.
"I don't know what you heard, girl-" Lord Swyft was saying.
"Excuse me, my lord, you're talking to your castellan." Marianne said seriously.
"You've heard the lady." Clegane said seriously.
"My lady, I don't know what are these rumors, but this is no secret meeting." Lord Swyft said. Marianne did not believe it, not even for a second, she had spent enough time in KingsLanding and heard enough small talk to know when a man was lying.
"The reports came from reliable sources, trusted sources. Which, unfortunately, I can't say it's what this situation looks like. Five men, in a inn, in a village that was almost destroyed years ago, where only common folk live..." Marianne said seriously.
"I recieved a letter saying that the meeting was here. There's no denying it, my lords." Sam said.
"You should have taken the chance, lad." Lord Crakehall said to Sam, who looked at him with a serious look, saying that he made the right choice.
"I don't think you understand which are the consequences for betrayal, my lord." Marianne said.
"Betrayal? Your parents went to fight in a northern war. And left a girl to rule." One of the lords that she did not recognize said. Girl? You don't have a clue, Marianne thought angry.
"The North and the Six Kingdoms have a war alliance. It's the duty of every Lord Paramount to respond when called upon. My parents did not leave Casterly Rock or the Westerlands empty. And I assure you, my lords, that nothing will change. And if, for once, I'm refered to as a girl, there will be consequences." Marianne said seriously.
"And what do you plan to do if we are indeed conspiring against you and we do not intend to stop, my lady?" One of the other lords that she did not know said.
"My parents thaught me how to fight my enemies, but they also thaught me to be merciful. So, my lords, you have a choice. You can end this here and now and I'll forget this ever happened, or you can continue this conspiracy and suffer the consequences." Marianne said looking at them. They laughed, the Hound and Sam were about to intervine, but she made a signal for them to stop. I'll not have bloodshed. Not today, at least, Marianne thought.
"May I ask you what is so amusing?" Marianne asked, she was furious. And she could kill them, right there. Still, it was not the right time.
"Tytos Lannister was a merciful man and look where it got him." Lord Swyft said with a mocking tone.
"Very well then, make your choice. But, if I recall rightly, my grandfather invented The Rains of Castamere." Marianne said.
"You're not your grandfather." One of the lords that she did not know said.
"No, you're right. I'm not Tywin Lannister, but I'm definetively not his father either. Think about your choice and think wisely, my lords." Marianne said and then she left, humming the song of The Rains of Castamere, the Hound and Sam left after her.
She did not talk the entire journey back to the Rock. I hope they'll believe me now. I don't want for this to go any further. I don't want to have to chop heads off or to start to attack castles. I need to write to my father, I don't want to tell him or my mother that I failled, but I need them to know that, if it needs to be, I will not backdown, Marianne thought during the journey.
When they entered the gates of the castle and dismounted, the Hound asked,
"Are you alright, Mary?"
"I am. I just need time." Marianne answered.
"Whatever you need, you can call upon us." Sam said and she nodded.
Then she went to her parents' solar. She entered, closed the door and sighed. Then she went to the desk, grabbed a paper and started to write,
Dear father,
I'm writing this, not for you to get worried, nor to ask for help, but simply because I want you to know what I'm about to tell you.
The situation I told you about in the previous letter, it's a situation of treason. I tried to reason with them, but I fear they did not take me seriously. Therefore, I may have to take more drastic mesures, like making prisioners or, in the worst case scenerios, chopping off some heads . I do not want to do it, but I don't know if there is any other way.
I want you and mother to know that I do not intend for things to go down as a fight, but I want to protect our home and I'll do anything to make that happen.
Please, do not be dispointed with me. I love you.
Mary.
Then Marianne closed the letter and sealed with wax. Only after that, did she noticed that there was a letter from Winterfell. Gerion..., Marianne thought, she opened the letter and it was indeed from Gerion.
Dear Mary,
I'm very happy that you are home and safe. The situation here is unchanged. Gladly, there has been no battle yet.
However, I discovered some things. I discovered that Lord Eddard Stark, my grandfather, was named Hand of the King and that, in that day it was the first time my father and uncle Jaime came to Winterfell, I still don't know why your mother did not come. Anyway, however, they came because Jon Arryn had been killed and there were rumours saying that there were the Lannisters doing, so King Robert wanted my grandfather near him, but the rumours were out there because of Lysa Arryn, it is said that it was her who murdered Jon Arryn. It's weird, I know, but when I have more details, I'll let you know.
How is the situation in the Rock? I hope it's peaceful.
Love, Gerion.
Marianne was at the first confused when she read it, then she realized what he meant and at last she was surprised and began to wonder what had crossed his mind to write the last line. Love? He never wrote this before, Marianne thought. However, there was a knock on the door that took her out of her wondering.
"Come in." Marianne said.
"My lady, there's a person in the hall to see you." The maestre said and Marianne nodded and went rapidly to the hall.
When she got there and saw who the person was, she smiled and then said,
"Aunt Genna."