Part 2 - Baby brother

272 AC

(Escanor POV)

I'm trying to open my eyes again. I can hear voices and I feel myself being lifted. Somehow I still don't know what is going on. Was I drugged? Or did I somehow survive the stabbing? No that makes no sense. Maybe ...

No! No that is impossible.... right?

I still remember reading some of those stories about 'isekai' or reincarnation and wish-fulfilment. I liked those. It's the best way to leave your problems behind and dive into an adventure for some time.

But that's impossible ... I don't believe in reincarnation ... but what happened then?

'Come onnnn .... you stupid eyes ... I want to see something.'

Let's see here. (lol) I can hear voices. I don't understand what they're saying but they must be very close. Judging by their tone, they're speaking softly. Maybe because of me? Not wake me up? But I'm awake. Please help me here. I'm awake.

Oh god, this is what patients with Locked-in-Syndrome must feel like. This is terrifying.

(Normal POV)

Tywin gently places Escanor back with Joanna. It was enough excitement for today. He almost lost her, he couldn't have dealt with that.

You have to stop with the children. No more producing them for a while.

The problem is simply that Joanna loves her children so much. She's the glue that holds the whole Lannister family together. Her smiles and friendly aura pull everyone in. Even the stoic Tywin had fallen for her charms and bright character.

Tywin doesn't know what he'd do without her. He would become very bitter. Even when the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen craved her and wanted to 'bed' her. Nonsense, he wanted to ravage her and r*pe her. The Mad King wanted to have his way with many of the Queen's Ladies-in-waiting. Among them also Joanna. But Tywin would never allow that.

Tywin sighed. Joanna was planning on having Jamie and Cersei visit King's Landing, for the Anniversary Tourney. It was supposed to be held to celebrate the tenth year of King Aery's reign. Now though, it didn't look promising for them to go. He had to return to King's Landing soon. When he heard that his wife was having complications in the last few days before birth, he came as fast as he could. Thankfully, she made it through and if you could believe the Maester, she'd make a full recovery.

He didn't want Joanna to do anything taxing for the time being. But he knew her well enough to know that everything she promises her children, she keeps.

*Sigh* It wasn't easy. Lately, Tywin noticed the king acting slightly differently. He wasn't a fool. He knew what went on in that bedroom with his sister-wife Rhaella. The pain she must go through is immeasurable.

That's also why Tywin doesn't like for Joanna to be that close to King Aerys.

Tywin took a chair and moved it right next to his wife's bed. He planned to stay with her tonight. But first, he had to placate the worries of the twins.

Jamie and Cersei were very worried about their mother and their new baby brother. That's why they refused to leave the hallway where they were waiting and walked back and forth. It took Tywin considerable mental strength to have them go to their respective rooms and wait for him to fetch them.

He moved out of the room as silently as he could. No need to wake his wife up now. He closed the door and told the guards not to let anyone inside, except the midwife or the Maester.

Tywin walked through the corridors and let his thought wander.

He knew where to go. He knew his children well. Therefore Tywin didn't bother to check Jamie's room. He was certain that Jamie would be in his sister's room. Those two were inseparable and Jamie would undoubtedly be in his sister's room to placate her worries. She was the smarter one of the two, Tywin knew that. Jamie seemed to follow her whims more often than not. Not a good foundation for the future Lord of Casterly Rock. It didn't matter, just like he was working with him on how to read, he would also form him into the next Lord of Casterly Rock.

Tywin opened the door to Cersei's room and entered. Both children were sitting on the bed. Jamie had one hand around Cersei and the other was holding her hand. Just as he expected, Jamie had not listened to him and joined his sister to take care of her.

When he entered they had a guilty and shocked look on their faces. Like two lovers that had been found out ...

"Father! How's Mother? Can we see her?", Cersei asked him. Ever the sly girl, trying to shift his attention away from them and escape his rebuke. But he also could see the real worry in her eyes, so he'd let them off this time.

"Your mother is fine now. The birth was hard and she lost a lot of blood in the process. Right now she's sleeping and recuperating. She needs this rest to regain her strength."

"How's the baby, father? Is it a boy or a girl?", Jamie asked.

"You are proud brothers and sisters of a small brother. His name is Escanor and is healthy."

"Can we see him? Please...", Cersei asked him. There was no begging in his home but she was still a child and therefore he allowed it very very rarely.

"You may, BUT ... you will control yourself and not cause a ruckus. Your mother needs this rest as does your brother. You have a few minutes and not a moment longer. Is that clear?", Tywin asked.

Tywin looked at them with his Tywin-glare. It was his most trusted weapon against his enemies. And he was also not bellow using it against his children.

"... Y-yes father. We promise."

"Good. Then come with me."