4 Dawn of the rebellion

(A BIG chapter, with a lot of narration. A time skip paired with complete informations will do that to you. Cutting it in half didn't give a good result when I tried. It will slow down a bit after )

8 years later

Casterly Rock, 281 AC

Years passed with the depression gradually fading away in house Lannister. Jaime was swinging his sword, both literally and with Cersei.

In 276 AC, there was a tourney in Casterly Rock for the birth of prince Viserys Targaryen. Father wanted the king to squire Jaime but he refused and chose another lord's son as an insult.

That's how I came to discover that Aerys desired my mother, long ago. But Tywin loved and married her before he could try anything.

The same situation as when I was a baby happened again. But the twins had grown. So the kisses weren't in the same area, ugh. If there were soaps, I would have washed my eyes at that moment.

They need to slow down…

Sweet home Alabama, huh. What's more, Joanna was Tywin's cousin. I learned it not long ago and it's weird for a modern world guy, but less than Cersei and her mood swings.

She wants to be a queen, but acts boyishly. Find the error. She is already a beauty tho. And she didn't try anything on me, thank the seven for that.

Jaime eventually had to leave to be squired. That was in 277 AC, under lord Summer Crackehall, in Crackehall. He went there alongside Merret Frey.

He came back briefly at some point to rage when father has sent Cersei to Kingslanding to adjust to the court and try to seduce prince Rhaegar, heir to the Ironthrone.

Jaime shouted 'How could you do this?' quite a few times before being calmed down by Tywin's cold eyes and hidden threats.

There was also this event, the same year. It is called the defiance of Duskendale. It began when lord Denys Darklyn refused to pay the taxes, demanding a new charter for Duskendale and certain rights for its citizens.

It ended with the extirpation of house Darklyn and a rift was created between the king and my father.

The king's madness became stronger because of that event.

Winter just ended again after two long and cold years. It's been harsher than the last one, not gonna lie. Let's not even talk about the mountains.

The soils aren't so rich there. So they depend on the good will of Tywin and his trading successes with the Reach and Riverlands.

Most of the time he buys food from the Reach, at high prices. I swear, what a bunch of snakes. But he can afford it.

'A Lannister always pays his debts.' And it's true when you're rich.

The child in me went out at that point and I shouted 'Winter in coming!' for half an hour in the castle.

A young noble boy from house Sarsfield saddely died after catching a cold. Rest in peace, dear stranger. It's more common than back home.

I also catched a nasty cold after my shouting and I was stuck in my bed for a few days. I healed just after. But I know that without my accelerated healing, I may have died due to it.

Sabrina, the same maid that chased me when I explored the castle, was the one to take care of me in of those difficult days.

I would gladly invent a heater but I'm a dumb sh*t and I know it.

Tyrion is either an energic little ball or a depressed one. He is old enough to understand how much he is hated now.

But he received some love from both me and Jaime. I just can't hate Tyrion, I'm not Cersei nor my father. I don't hate them either tho. They lost Joanna, the best lady of Westeros.

I also trained A LOT, in a many areas. This is a medieval world. So I won't allow myself to be as useless as Mace Tyrell.

I shone in various regards. I'm as talented with numbers as a maester. The maths of modern days help.

I know every houses with their details and history. This was a lot to study but I already knew part of it due to the show.

My accelerated healing is quite versatile. It helped me with my cold, but also with my training. I can push myself harder and recover faster.

The muscles follow the rythm, giving me a nice body shape. This is more op than I thought.

For trainings with weaponry, it's under the watch of ser Cerval Marbrand. He is the little brother of lord Marbrand, it's the house whose the sigil has a burning tree on it.

He is harsh and stern. He kicks every apprentice's ass with a smug face, even mine.

I'm not my brother Jaime but I'm good with a sword, I just won't ever be at his level. The danger sense helps with it sometimes. Incoming blows just can't surprise me.

I tried myself with a spear, a halberd, knives and a bow. Knives aren't my thing and the halberd is troublesome. The spear and bow are easier for me.

But I'm better with a bow, it's a talent I didn't know I had. I can make successive bullseyes in a time record. I can shoot moving targets, even while moving.

I can be so precise… give me batarangs and I would be Batman. The streets of Casterly Rock are way safer than Gotham tho, we won't need a dark knight breaking legs for justice.

It gave me some fame in the archery community, calling me 'bullseye' as my first nickname. My last prowess was a perfect curved shot on a 75 meters mark. A deed, to be sure.

I also showed some talent in managing the castle and giving modern tips in various domains, receiving the second nickname of 'the smart pup'. Now maester Creylen washes his hands before taking care of a birth.

It has reduced the number of stillborns under his care. So he has continued to do it. When he said it to the Citadel, they became complacent tho.

They deemed it to be useless. Without their endorsement, it won't be generalized in Westeros, a sad thing.

I also made some friends while training with the sword and the bow. They are mostly second and third sons of minor nobles. My new best friend is Adrian Swift.

He is the third son of a minor knightly house, nearly no chances to stay a noble without personal achievements. He is to become an archer under house Lannister.

Another surprise for me, I'm good with a horse.

I won a horse race for minors by a few seconds with my personal horse Ablet, a beautiful immaculate white female horse that I cherish a lot.

Some attendees were late teens. They call me the 'western dothraki' now, I mean… seriously? Dif I claim your wives for you to call me that?

Outside from my little bubble, other things happened. The ravens worked hard the give us the news of Westeros.

Prince Rhaegar ended up betrothed to Elia Martell, a princess from Dorne. I bet Cersei made a ruckus after this. At least, she won't die butchered by the mountain.

In 279 AC, Jaime won a tourney and he was still a squire at the time.

He was then sent to Riverrun as dad and lord Holster Tully were considering betrothing him to Lysa Tully.

Some weeks ago, Jaime turned fifteen and a raven arrived stating about his deeds against the Kingswood Brotherhood.

He saved lord Summer Crakehall from Big Belly Ben and crossed swords with the psychotic Smiling Knight.

Jaime was then knighted by ser Arthur Dayne, a member of the Kingsguard and a reputed swordman.

I don't know what happened but Jaime apparently went to see Cersei in Kingslanding just after that.

He then came up with the idea to impress the King during the tourney of Harrenhal. And he did just that. Thus, he became a member of the Kingsguard, the youngest one.

The bethrothal with Lysa was broken and father was so enraged that he quitted the position of hand of the King and came back home. Aerys had just robbed him of his heir after all, it's appropriate.

During the same tourney, prince Rhaegar crowned Lyanna Stark as the queen of love and beauty instead of his wife Elia.

Some men are just like that…

Just after, he literally went away with her on his horse without a care in the world. A d*ck move that was stuck in the throat of a few lords.

Robert desired Lyanna and was supposed to be betrothed to her. So he showed openly his new found hate for the prince. Seems like the rebellion is near.

But let's go back to the present, because father just called me to his quarters.

Maester Creylen escorts me to the door before taking his leave. While entering, I hear the stern voice of my father inviting me in.

« Leonard, enter. Do you know why I called you? »

As expected, I will become an heir today. It was planned by my wish after all. I always knew Jaime would become a Kinsguard.

« Jaime lost his claim to the Westerlands some weeks ago and I'm the second in line for this same claim. »

« Correct. You are now my heir, until being said otherwise. But that is not all. You are to be squired by lord Lewys Lydden. »

« Really? But I'm only nine and a half, isn't it still a bit early? »

I was confused, it is early by the standards for a squire. I know that much.

« Yes, it would be early for other heirs. But my decision is made. And you don't have a say in this, it has already been approved by lord Lydden. »

« Very well, I wasn't against it to begin with, just surprised that's it. »

« Good. Tell me all you know about house Lydden. »

His eyes squinted, he will pay attention to my words. Let's go all out, then.

« House Lydden is one of the main houses of the Westerlands. It's a house of major andal ancestry. Its current Lord is Lewys Lydden, with his heir being James Lydden. Their castle, Deep Den, is located on the Goldroad south of Hornvale and north of Silverhill. Their most known ancester was Joffrey Lydden who married into house Lannister and became the first andal king of the Rock, ruling as king Joffrey Lannister. Their banner is a white badger on a per pale green and brown. Their motto is: We guard the road to gold and the Rock. »

I'm the perfect dictionary right now and I know that father is pleased, but he doesn't show it on his face.

« Maester Creylen taught you well. I see that praises regarding your successful studies and good memory weren't lies. King of the Rock… what a wonderful era it must have been. But there happened to be dragons. »

He said the last part looking away, likely in his thoughts. It's uncommon, but speaking of the glory of the Westerlands do that to him.

« You will depart tomorrow at dawn with a group of two dozen red cloaks and ser Andrew. Don't you dare take this as lightly as your swordmanship. Do I make myself clear? »

I'm not that bad, he just compares me too much with Jaime in that regard. Him and I aren't made of the same wood, for a lot of things.

« Yes my lord, I understand. I shall do as you say. »

« Good. Now get out, I got work to do. »

I exited and went straight to my room. My actions will begin to have more weight now that my position is established and that I will become a squire.

I'm still unofficially the heir. But everybody knows that it's a matter of formality.

Concerning the incoming but unofficial rebellion, father should know what is going on.

I don't really understand his decision to sent me away during such a time. Casterly Rock should be the most secure place for his heir.

Except if he wants me to get involved in the war that is likely to come. And to make me ready without alerting me, he made me a squire.

Why would he want that ? For me to gain more respect and fame, maybe. Or just for me to be a trained soldier.

But I will be an early teen for the war, even if the Lannisters will take action at the very end… too much questions.

Well, all I can do is to be ready for what is to be thrown at me.

'You win or you die when you play the game of thrones.' *cough cough* I didn't steel that from anyone. My sister didn't say it yet anyway. But it's accurate.

Tomorrow, I will go to squire at Deep Den as an heir.

———

Notice: my plans for the fanfic have se a few upgrades. Some are never seen in other fanfics or at least differents (I read a lot of them so I know that a lot of ideas are taken. Being 200% original is impossible. But original events will happen).

Warning: gruesome descriptions will appear in multiple chapters. This is a medieval world, not Leonard in wonderland. I will try to make you cry a bit, I see it as a challenge.