Chapter 20

The Road to the Rock – Tywin

As they rode back to camp, Tywin's mind was reeling with everything that had just happened. His wife, from the future, had a vision that had led her to discover two lion cubs.

Lion cubs.

Cubs that were now in his lap and hers.

It was incredible.

His house sigil, come to life, and now given to them. If Tywin had any doubts about Sansa's place in his life, they had been utterly obliterated with the night's events. He knew as well as anyone that what happened tonight would become part of the myths of the Westerlands. Lions had been almost extinct in his region for years and yet here they sat – protected and sheltered by the Great Lion himself!

The men Tywin had with him had stared at Sansa in awe, and that included his brothers. There would be no doubts that Sansa was a woman worthy of him, worthy of the title Lady Lannister, worthy of being called a lioness. She had more than secured her place in the West along with the loyalty of those that surrounded them.

They rode back to camp, slightly apart from the group, as those with them had seemed to instinctively understand that they needed space.

The cub with him squirmed a bit and yawned then sat up, as Tywin held it tighter. He glanced at Sansa, seeing that she had somehow wrapped a sash around her cub, holding it close. His wife grinned at him as they cantered back to the camp and Tywin shook his head in wonder.

"It's incredible, isn't it?" Sansa asked, her eyes sparkling.

"There are no words," he said to her, staring down at his lap.

A lion was sitting there! A lion!

His wife threw her head back and laughed, clearly delighted at the turn of events and with his reaction to said events.

"They were meant to be ours, Tywin. I know it all the way down to my bones."

His hand came up to stroke a soft head, and the cub mewed and leaned into him, and Tywin knew that he'd do whatever necessary to ensure these lions lived.

They did belong to them and they had been meant to find them.

"How are we possibly going to take care of them?"

Sansa shrugged.

"It's not ideal, being a week away from the Rock. But milk for now. I suppose when they are stronger, we can add some meat that is mushed up for them. If we were in my time, we'd have formula and veterinary checkups and people who specialize in big wild animals. But we'll just have to do the best we can."

Tywin frowned. He wondered if Sansa knew how often she used words and concepts that he didn't understand.

"What is a veterinary checkup?"

"Oh! In my time, some people spend years of their life becoming what would be the equivalent of a Maester for animals."

"For just animals?"

She nodded.

"Yes, just for animals. We call them veterinarians, and they do all sorts of things to make sure that pets live long, healthy lives."

"Pets?"

Her grin was huge.

"Yup. People have cats and dogs that live in their homes because they love the animal. They are loved and pampered and become members of the household."

"But what is the purpose of these animals? Surely they must do something?"

It was a foreign concept to Tywin – that animals might live in someone's house without any purpose.

Sansa laughed and shook her head.

"Nope. Most people have at least one pet. It's a huge part of daily life in modern Westeros."

Baffled and trying to wrap his mind around the concept of pets, Tywin could only shake his head as they approached their camp. He had more questions, of course, but no time to ask them as people soon surrounded them.

There was a commotion the moment they arrived back at their camp. Tywin hardly expected there not to be, given how they'd left. The men with him were loyal to his house and circumspect, but seeing Sansa appear in his robe and demand that he take her into the hills would have had even their tongues wagging.

Now, his brother Tygett, always boisterous, let out a happy bellow as they galloped into camp.

"House Lannister rises! Let all of Westeros know that lions will rule the Seven Kingdoms!"

A great cheer went up as they halted their horses and were surrounded.

"My Lord? What does Lord Tygett speak of?"

Tywin was a man that rarely smiled in public, and few had seen him truly happy. But as he gazed at his wife, he knew this moment called for him to show his emotions.

Together, they reached down to their laps and raised the lion cubs to the gathered crowd.

Stunned silence met their presentation until someone finally whispered, "It can't be."

"Impossible!"

Tywin's chest swelled and pride in his house, his grand house roared through him.

"House Lannister will no longer be subject to the whims of dragons!" he roared as a cheer rose in the camp.

"We will take back what was stolen from us, three hundred years ago, when dragons forced us to bend the knee! We will save my son from the clutches of the Mad King and smite down our enemies! And any whom stand in our way shall feel the bite of our steel, and the snap of the lions' jaws. House Lannister will never bend the knee again!"

"How My Lord?" a man from House Swyft asked.

"My wife, Lady Sansa, had a vision. She is a true lioness, a woman worthy of my house, and my love," Tywin declared, gazing straight at her, as she stared back at him. He saw the love that she had for him, and it surged through him.

"She is the one who led us into the hills, to rescue these lions from the wild pack of dogs that hunted them!"

He no longer cared who knew that he loved his wife. She was single handily restoring honour to his house. She had been sent through time, to be here, by his side, as Tywin took his rightful place in the Seven Kingdoms and clawed back at those whom had hurt him and those he loved.

Any earlier fears that Tywin had, that he was like his father, were obliterated. Sansa was nothing like those women that his father had occupied himself with.

She was sent here to be Queen – his Queen, of that he was sure. Their love, their connection, and their bond would elevate them beyond the dragons that had ruled Westeros for years. There wasn't anyone who matched them – in alliances, gold, knowledge and influence.

With Sansa's information about the future and his ruthlessness, combined with their logic and determination, they would be a formidable duo on the throne.

Tywin knew that the lions had been sent to bolster the reputation of his house and to remind him of what he was capable of. There could be no other reason. The lion cubs were his house sigil in living form, given to him to show him it was time to take his true place in the Seven Kingdoms – to snatch the throne from the man that had tried to take everything from him.

There was no mistaking that the gods had a hand in this entire affair – from Sansa finding his sigil ring to her journey through time, and now, with her by his side, as his wife.

When they finally slid from their horses, they handed the cubs to Kevan and Tygett, who held them reverently.

"Ty," Kevan choked out after Tywin had helped his wife down from her mount.

"They are incredible, aren't they?" Sansa asked, the question rhetorical. Tywin saw the awe in his brothers' faces as they stroked the little cubs' heads.

"No one will believe this tale," Tygett said, looking at Sansa almost worshipfully. "My Lady, you are a boon to our house. Surely the gods have smiled upon the lions of the West this night!"

Sansa blushed, as Tywin tugged her closer to him, pleased to see those loyal to him crowd closer. Even Sansa's handmaiden, Barba, and her sister, Catelyn, appeared utterly stunned by what had transpired.

"Sansa, this is indescribable," Catelyn said. Sansa reached out and gently took the cub that Kevan was holding, beckoning her sister closer.

"Your new husband comes from a land filled with direwolves. If the Targaryens can have their dragons, why can't our houses have our wolves and lions and rule the Seven Kingdoms?" Sansa asked her softly.

"You truly believe that, don't you? That we will emerge victorious in this rebellion?"

"I do. And I believe that our houses are meant to be strong, together," Sansa said, as Tywin watched the exchange.

He had never been close with the Starks, nor with any Houses in the North. But his wife knew things he did not, so if she was building this bridge with Lady Stark there was a reason, and one he'd be well advised to follow.

Catelyn finally dared to look at him, and Tywin tried to soften his ordinarily harsh face. Only those closest to him, like Kevan and Genna and now Sansa, could see past his stern visage to the man below. Bravely, Catelyn Stark straightened her shoulders and gave a curt nod.

"Our three houses, Stark, Tully and Lannister, are a formidable trio – even more if Lord Arryn stays true to his pledge to our cause."

Nothing was said about House Baratheon, although Tywin had plans for Stannis, the second son. His temperament was much better suited to Tywin's style of rule.

"They are, Lady Stark."

Something passed between Tywin and Catelyn at that moment – an understanding that their houses were now linked fundamentally. Personally, Tywin believed that Ned Stark needed guidance beyond that he received for the likes of Robert Baratheon. It was a role Tywin was more than willing to fill if it meant that he had the North.

"Feel him," Sansa said, inviting her sister even closer, breaking the moment.

Catelyn's hand reached out, tentative at first until the little cub yawned, and like all women, she melted before him.

"He's so soft," she cried.

"Do you know that they are males?" Tywin asked Sansa suddenly.

Not even glancing at him, her entire focus solely on the cub in her arms, she murmured a yes.

"I mean, I don't know, but it's just a feeling that I have. It'll take some time for us to determine gender."

Then Sansa sighed and looked at Tywin.

"We need to find milk and some sort of mechanism to slow the flow of the milk so they can feed. I'm sure that farmers here have livestock they lose in birth, but still nurse the newborns."

Before he could stop her, Sansa was ordering his men about, demanding supplies for the cubs. Barba, ever loyal, clapped her hands and flew into action, and soon Tywin and Sansa were in their tent, warm milk in a goatskin sleeve. Sansa had placed both cubs on their bed, to which Tywin had frowned, as she muttered something about this might not work.

Worried now, not wanting the cubs to die, Tywin turned to her.

"How do you know this?" he asked, transfixed by her.

She was a font of knowledge, and it was almost endless the things that she seemed to information about.

"Oh, well, each year they have this theme on the Discovery Channel called Big Cat week. It's sort of like Shark week, but each day focuses on a different big cat. You know, like lions, tigers, mountain lions, leopards. Anyways, since I was a child, I watched it religiously. I also took any opportunity to do reports on lions, including ones in the zoos and following their plight in the wild when I was in school."

She stopped, having found what looked like a scrap of lace.

"It's not a nipple, but it'll have to do. Maybe when we are at the Rock, I can speak to the Maester about a better system. What I wouldn't give for some plastic nipple and a bottle," she sighed and then hurried back towards the cubs.

Tywin didn't know what to say, for he didn't understand half of what had just come out of her mouth.

What the hell was the Discovery Channel?

What were the other big cats?

And what in seven hells was plastic, and why did she seem to want it so much?

Before he could ask, though, she had one cub in her arms and coated its mouth with milk from her fingers. Amazingly, the cub rooted around and then found her finger, bringing it into his mouth. Sansa took the sleeve, attached the lace cloth over the aperture of the gourd, and tilted it so the cub could drink.

It was messy, and she cursed, a lot, but the cub drank its fill. She repeated the process with the other one before she settled them back into the little nest of blankets she'd made them on their bed. Tywin just stood there, watching her the entire time, before he found his voice, realizing where she'd placed them. On their bed!

"Surely, they are not sleeping there!" Tywin protested although the look his wife gave him assured him that they were.

"They are babies, Tywin. Newborns. We'll need to feed them again in a few hours, and they must stay close to us, so they don't freeze. These next few days are critical, and I wish we were closer to the Rock. We'll have to stop when we see a settlement and see if they have ideas to keep them alive. And we must make everyone understand how vulnerable they are …"

Tywin stopped her by kissing her, holding her to him. He felt her soften, and he bought her into the cradle of his arms.

"Breath," he whispered to her.

A shudder went through her, and he heard the sob before she buried her head into his chest. She shook as she cried, and he knew the moment had overwhelmed her.

"No one, least of all me, expects you to be an expert when it comes to lion care. What you have done, already, rescuing them, is amazing. Now you need to breathe. We will do the best we can."

Her damp eyes raised to meet his, and she felt her hands come up to rest against his neck.

"They are ours, Tywin. I love them so much – feel so much for them already. It is as if they are a part of me."

"I know. I do, Sansa. But running yourself ragged for their care will do neither them nor you any good. It has been years since our house has had living lions."

"I would be heartbroken if something were to happen to them, Tywin."

He nodded in understanding while biting his tongue. His wife was clearly from a time when animals were afforded a higher degree of care and position in a household.

His warhorse was a magnificent beast, well trained and vicious and should something happen to him, Tywin would mourn his loss. But he was just a horse. Animals were replaceable. His wife was not. There was no one like Sansa.

"Come. We shall care for them tonight, and then we must trust others to their care, lest we falter. That would not do."

Sansa was agreeable, and Tywin helped her slip into her nightshift again before he donned a tunic and soft breeches and joined her in bed. He wondered how much time this might add to their journey. If they rode hard, they might make it to the hill that overlooked the Rock within seven or eight days. But they now had the cubs to think of, not to mention Sansa and her sister. More than anything, Tywin wanted his home, where the impenetrable walls would protect those that he loved.

He held Sansa that night as she fell asleep, his mind still racing to comprehend how fundamentally his life had just changed.

What would it look like, with two grown lions by his side?

And how could anyone deny that the gods had reached down and chosen him?

It felt like they had finally found him worthy of all his sacrifices and hard work to restore honour to the Lannister name. Tywin had could image the dynasty he could create from the events that had transpired in the past month.

Sansa.

His marriage.

The lions.

New hope for his family name.

He must have drifted off to sleep, for a few hours later, he was awoken by increasingly incessant mewling. Sansa was up almost instantly, calling for her handmaiden to warm milk. They repeated the earlier feeding and then put the cubs on the ground outside, lest they need to void their bowels.

This series of events repeated twice more in the night until bleary-eyed, Tywin eyed the dawn.

As tired as they were, he knew they needed to ride for home – only there would be safe.

Sansa barely protested as Barba plied her with tea and oats, and then Tywin helped her on her mount. She insisted on holding one cub, again wrapped in a red sash. When the camp was packed, an hour after first light, Tywin set a punishing pace, knowing they'd find a warm welcome at Sarsfield. Kevan's good brother, Ser Melwyn Sarsfield, was married to Dorna's sister, and they were loyal to Tywin.

Three days and Sansa would have a proper bed, a warm bath and perhaps even a funnel she claimed she so desperately needed for the lion cubs. But now, they rode hard, Tywin needing to see the familiar visage of Casterly Rock, and welcome his wife to her new home, with the Great Lion by her side, now and always.

Sarsfield

Tywin and Sansa were utterly wrecked by the time the castle of House Sarsfield came into view. It was a squat thing, surrounded by sturdy walls half way down the valley. The mountain pass they'd just come through, overlooked the castle and the surrounding village.

As predicted, word of the lion cubs spread like wildfire throughout the Westerlands. Even on the sparsely populated mountain road, villagers had lined the road to catch a glimpse of the Great Lion as he and his wife thundered by. The golden lion banner proudly snapped and waved as their horses beat a muddy trail down the pass towards the Rock.

And in their arms, the Lord and Lady Lannister had their lions.

Despite his exhaustion, as Sansa had refused to trust the lions into anyone else's care, the pride that surged through Tywin as the whispers of his power and legend grew, made his chest swell.

He was starting to understand how his deep grief and his aloofness after Joanna had died had impacted more than just his family. Others had felt it as well, and he'd been negligent in his duties - he could see that now.

There was new life now in the West, due in large part to Sansa and their marriage. Hope for House Lannister had returned, and many commented that Tywin once again looked like the man that had bent both Reyne and Tarbeck to his will.

The Great Lion had returned – and he was a force unlike any they could recall. This was the man who was the most powerful in the realm.

And glory for the West was just the beginning, Tywin knew. With Sansa, he would take back Westeros from the madness of the dragons and rescue his son. He would ensure that the West was the most powerful region of the seven and that those he loved prospered. He'd build strong alliances so that from Sunspear to the Wall, houses and men would be loyal to him and Sansa, no matter what threat bore down on them.

They were met outside Sarsfield by Ser Melwyn, a loyal man in his mid thirties, and a band of loyal knights and escorted through the village, that was thronged ten deep with villagers and minor nobles from the surrounding regions. Flowers were thrown at their feet, as Tywin slowed their pace.

Sansa shot him a look, and he said, "Take this moment in Sansa. You are already beloved by my people," he told her. It was no small feat, to race to the Riverlands, marry a Tully and return with a bride that was already accepted by those here.

She slowed her horse, to match the canter of his, and finally looked down. He saw when she realized that the adoring gazes were for her, and she smiled back at the people, waving. She looked humbled by their admiration for her, and no one missed how warm and lovely their Lord's new wife was.

They noticed that she looked at the Great Lion as if he were the only man in the world that mattered and some swore their Lord smiled at his new lioness. Reassured that Lord Tywin had found another love match, they openly welcomed Lady Sansa to the Westerlands.

Of course, the slower pace alerted her cub to the fact that something was going on. In the three days since they'd found them, the cubs had seemed to gain weight rapidly, and Sansa predicted that any day they'd open their eyes.

The cub on her lap sat up and yawned. It was impossible to miss, and a great roar went through the crowd, to see Lord and Lady Lannister with lions in their laps. Unable to help himself, Tywin slowed his horse even more and then held his cub aloft.

"Let those who have witnessed this day, never forget that the lions rule the West!" he voice bellowed, carrying through the crowd.

"Let everyone bear witness to the fact that House Lannister has been richly rewarded for our sacrifices to the King! Go and tell those not here, that Lady Sansa Lannister is a true lion, a woman worthy of her place by my side, and chosen by our sigil in the flesh to rule by my side, as the lioness of Casterly Rock!" His impromptu speech ended with a great roar and it surged through him.

Tywin couldn't help but notice the cheers from the mouths of Kevan and Tygett and the others in their procession, including Sandor and Addam. He vowed then and there that he would take the throne. No longer would his people live under Targaryean rule.

They finally got into the castle and exhausted, Sansa almost slipped from her horse. Hollering to his brothers, they had the cubs in their hands, as Tywin held his wife. She had pushed herself hard, never once complaining and Tywin's respect for her went up another notch.

"A bath and supper. And our rooms," he demanded of Ser Melwyn. Tonight he had no interest in socializing. Tonight, he would be with Sansa.

"I will ensure the cubs get their milk," Lady Catelyn stated. Tygett and Sandor went with her, as Catelyn barked out orders, others hurrying to comply.

"Bring them back when they are fed, or else Lady Sansa will never sleep," Tywin said to her, and she nodded.

Then, with Sansa still in his arms, Tywin carried them to their temporary chambers.

"I can walk," she murmured, even as she cuddled deeper into his arms.

Tywin didn't even respond to that comment. Sansa was tall but slim, and she weighed almost nothing in his arms. Soon enough, they were shown to the second-best chamber in the castle, a hot bath ready. Tywin set her down on a chair and left her in Barba's competent care as he went to oversee the feeding of the cubs.

"You're going to them, aren't you?" Sansa said, a knowing look on her face. Tywin had been shocked at how quickly he'd bonded with the cubs, that connection that Sansa had mentioned manifesting itself inside of him. The cubs were a part of him – of both of them and they hated when they were far away.

"I am," he said, his back stiffening. He didn't like anything that someone might perceive as weakness, and his evident affection for the cubs could be exploited.

"Tywin, stop. I'm not judging you for it. They are incredible, and they are defenceless. Of course, you would see to their safety. Just hurry back. I'm exhausted," she said.

He glanced at her face and saw it was pale and drawn. For the first time since their wedding, they hadn't coupled each night, both of them pushing hard to get back to the Rock. The added burden of caring for the cubs had left them no time to be with one another.

"I know you might want to linger here at Sarsfield," Tywin started to say, as Sansa shook her head.

"No. I want to get home, Tywin. I need to get home. How far are we?"

"Five days until we see the Rock."

"Then let us rise at first light and make for the coast."

Unable to help himself, Tywin stalked back towards her, leaning down to capture her mouth in a searing kiss.

"Tonight, when we are clean and fed, the cubs stated, I will make love with you, Sansa."

She'd taught him that word, and in private, Tywin loved to use it. Sansa melted when he did, and it was decidedly less crass than the other options. More, it was the truth. Every time he touched her, it was with love. So much love.

She gripped his doublet.

"Fast, Tywin."

Nodding, he took his leave, his long strides eating up the hallways of the castle until he entered the main dining room, where he found his goodsister, his two brothers and several members of House Sarsfield looking at the lions.

Sandor had one cradled in his hands, encouraging it to suckle the milk and it was doing surprisingly well. Tygett had reported that the lad had a way with animals, much like his father had. Remembering what Sansa had told him, and knowing that Sandor was fiercely loyal, Tywin finally acknowledged that perhaps there was a place for Sandor in the care of the lions.

Still, when he coughed, Ser Melwyn almost fell over to ensure that Tywin was pleased with his bedchambers and his meal.

"And Lady Lannister? Will she be joining us?"

"I am afraid not. We are not long for Sarsfield. The hospitality is appreciated, but the realm is in open rebellion. The King still has my son, and I need to get my new wife and her sister, Lady Stark, behind the formidable walls of Casterly Rock."

The man nodded as if he understood, although Tywin imagined he could have stood there juggling, and Ser Melwyn would have accommodated him. Few in the realm were willing to stand up to Tywin, and none he'd met in the West. Here, his word here was law and people both feared and respected him.

When the cubs were done, Tywin heard Cat giving orders to the kitchen staff about their feedings in the night and asking for a funnel. Pleased that she had things well in hand, Kevan and Tywin carried the cubs back to Tywin's chambers. Pausing outside their door, Tywin watched as Kevan stroked a finger down one tawny head.

"Do you think it is because of when she comes from?" Kevan finally asked. "That she was able to find the cubs."

Tywin cocked his head, contemplating his answer.

"I am unsure, to be truthful. It is clear some force wanted her back here – wanted us united. Her knowledge alone makes her the single most powerful person in the Kingdom."

His brother's eyes widened. "And what does that make you?"

There was no one else Tywin could confess such a thing to, but to Kevan.

"Before her, I would say that I was that person. But the things she knows – they defy logic. Even in her time, she is considered above average in intelligence. She has studied this time so extensively that there is barely a person, a house or a situation she does not know about. Beyond that, her knowledge of trivial, everyday things is so superior to anything I've ever encountered, that if we tap into even a quarter of her knowledge, our house will prosper in ways we never imagined."

Tywin paused, then glanced down at the cubs.

"Who else would even know how to care for two lions within moments of rescuing them? They would have died, were it not for Sansa. And there is more, Kevan. So much more. Half the time when she speaks, I have no idea what she is saying. She talks about resource management and improvements to the realm. She claims something as simple as washing one's hands before touching an open wound might save thousands of lives, and improved sanitation thousands more. She talks of forming trade guilds and education for the masses, including orphans and widows, as a way to elevate them beyond their meagre existence. She speaks of making the realm love me, through reform and the improvement of their daily lives."

Kevan's eyes had widened as he attempted to keep up with what Tywin was saying to him. It was staggering the changes that Sansa might bring to the realm, and those changes, if positive, would be attributed to Tywin, only growing his reputation. Tywin knew that he might not be loved, that he was feared, but few could argue that he wasn't an excellent administrator. The realm had prospered under his leadership and would do so again when he took his place as King.

"Do you believe her?"

Tywin nodded.

"Not only do I believe her, but I know she speaks the truth. She is not wrong that under the rule of Aerys' people prospered when I was Hand. But since? There has been a dramatic decline since I relinquished my position and many live close to poverty. Death, starvation, war, disease – these are the plights of the common man in Westeros. If I were to change their lot in life, I would win their loyalty and gratitude, and House Lannister would secure our dynasty for a thousand years. We would be loved! And now we have lions by our side – a sure sign from the gods that the path we tread is the right one. Who could possibly argue with that?"

Kevan grasped Tywin's forearm. "I am with you, brother. Whatever choice you make, I am at your back, my sword ever ready."

Touched, knowing his brother was the most loyal man in his entire household, Tywin clutched Kevan's arm.

"She must be protected at all costs. I will destroy any that seek to harm her. I will burn the realm to the ground should anyone dare hurt her. Know this. No one will take her from me."

Tywin did not have to tell Kevan that it wasn't merely what losing Sansa would do for his legacy; Tywin himself would never recover if he were to lose Sansa. She was everything to him.

"We will, Tywin. We will keep her safe. Not just me, but others. Addam and Sandor are as loyal as they come, and Tygett would take the head of anyone who dared to harm her. Soon, she will win Gerion to her side, and even Jaime when he is rescued. She will be surrounded by our family, and safe."

Tywin nodded, still worried.

"If anyone finds out who she is. What she is. She is the most valuable person in the realm. Men would wage wars for her – to know what she knows. She would be tortured … and worse," he finished. "No one must know where she comes from Kevan. No one."

Kevan nodded and then handed the cub he was holding back to Tywin.

Tywin knew he was extremely paranoid – that Sansa would most likely be safe. They were in the West, and there was an entire realm between them and Aerys, but something felt unsettled in Tywin.

He knew there were more enemies than just House Targaryen.

Robert Baratheon and him would never break bread together again.

The Ironborn plotted on their wretched islands.

House Tyrell and the entire Reach had sided with Aerys.

And then there was Dorne – an unknown entity.

Tywin knew when he rode for King's Landing, Sansa would have to be by his side. There was no other place he would trust her to be. But that was inherently more dangerous, and things like poison and assassins could slip by his watchful eyes.

He found Sansa sitting in bed, eating and relaxing, her lengthy hair in a braid down her back, and in a tunic of his. Her face lit when she spotted him and he stopped, undone by her. Not even Joanna had appeared so happy to see him.

Tywin put the cubs on the bed where they curled into one another.

Thankfully there was more space in this bed, so there was room for them and their lions. Tywin knew this arrangement couldn't possibly continue when they reached the Rock, but for now, this would do. He wouldn't dare bring up the cages that the previous lions that his ancestors had kept, deep in the bowels of the Rock. He knew without mentioning it that Sansa would be firmly against that idea.

"Hello, husband," she said, looking a little less haggard. The bath and food had brought some colour back to her face.

"Wife."

Gods, he loved how that sounded.

Wife.

His wife.

He was a man that was created to have someone by his side. He hadn't been exaggerating when he'd told Kevan that she was the most precious thing to him. Tywin knew he was a better man in every aspect of his life with Sansa as his wife.

He sat at the table where his dinner awaited him, eating quickly. As he ate, he watched Sansa put her tray aside and sit beside the cubs. She touched them softly, and they leaned into her fingers that scratched them behind their ears. Some unnamed emotion rushed through him, seeing her with the cubs.

"Have we thought of names?" he suddenly blurted out.

Sansa's eyes snapped up to meet his.

"Names?"

"Names," Tywin said, eating the meat pie before him.

Names meant a great deal, as he knew. The names that the lions had would have to be perfect.

"I hadn't even considered it to be honest. I'm not even sure they are both males. It is just a feeling right now."

Tywin shrugged, reaching for his wine, washing down the meal. It was the best food that Tywin had eaten since the Tooth. Now he needed a bath and then his wife. He brushed a kiss across her lips before he went to find the bathwater.

"Just think about it," he told her. "I'd like to have them named before we reach the Rock."

Tywin washed quickly and hurried back to the bedroom to find his wife fast asleep, a candle almost gutted down to the nub. He couldn't even be upset at the picture she presented and joined her under the covers, knowing tomorrow would be another brutal day. Having her in his arms was enough, for now. There would be time to be with as he craved, soon enough. When they were home - when they were safe.

They arrived in the village of Oxcross two days after leaving the Sarsfield, to find the local Inn prepared for them. The village was nestled in the valley beneath the pass, and Lannisport was less than three days ride away.

As Sansa predicted, the cubs' eyes had opened their eyes and were now curious and starting to move. Each evening, with Sansa, they spent hours watching them, fascinated by their development.

His wife had taken his request to name the lions as a jape, giving him names that sounded outrageous and ridiculous. Each time she proposed a name, she would laugh, clearly knowing something he did not.

"Garfield," she'd snickered.

"No."

She was doubled over in laugher and kept wiping her eyes when the tears came.

"Simba!"

"No."

"Mufasa."

He levelled a look at her.

"What in seven hells does that even mean?"

And where the hell did she come up with such names?

She laughed harder, and then sang "Oh I just can't wait to be King!"

Tywin scowled as she went about singing some ridiculous song about the circle of life or some such nonsense.

"Snowball."

Tywin growled.

"I know! Grumpy Cat!" Then she howled in laughter. "Oh gods, that's you. They all might call you the Great Lion, but I think in private, I'll call you grumpy cat."

He'd pounced, then pinning her to the bed and nuzzling just below her ear, making her moan.

"You are testing me, Sansa."

"I love my grumpy cat," she purred, stroking along his neck as his hand came up to cup a breast.

"We've hardly had any time," he complained.

This wasn't exactly his ideal location to make love to her, as the walls between the rooms were thin, and they barely had privacy. But his need for her was too high, and he didn't care in the least if his men heard her scream his name.

Later, sated and naked, Sansa was lying across his chest.

"What about Alexander?"

"Hmmm?"

"Alexander. For one of our lions. It means defender."

Tywin thought about it. It wasn't a name he'd ever heard before, in Westeros, but it had weight.

"Oh! And the other one could be Augustus! Alex and Augy!"

Tywin frowned slightly at the nicknames she bestowed upon what would be resplendent beasts. But the two names, unique and unheard of, would only elevate the entire legend of the Lions of Lannister.

"What does Augustus mean?" he asked her, ignoring the shortened versions of their names.

"Majestic!"

He smiled indulgently at her. "Then, it is settled. The lions will be Alexander and Augustus."

They rose to feed the cubs, and let them void, and then settled them in the bed before they too crawled into their bed. With Sansa in his arms, Tywin pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"In three nights' time, you will finally be home, Sansa. At Casterly Rock, in my chambers, where I've wanted you since the first moment I saw you."

"I'm so nervous. I hope that your family likes me, Tywin."

Tywin could scarcely imagine Genna and Gerion not falling in love with Sansa the way that Tygett and Kevan had. Dorna would be excited to have Sansa at the Rock, and even the Rock's longtime Maester would welcome a woman with her knowledge.

As had happened at Sarsfield, when they'd ridden into Oxcross, a tiny village, it had seemed like every resident had flocked to the streets to see them pass, word of their marriage, their love and their lions having travelled throughout the West. And everyone wanted to see the Lord and Lady Lannister.

The only question that remained was how his daughter would react to Sansa.

There was a pit in Tywin's stomach when he thought of Cersei, for several reasons.

He knew that Sansa neither trusted her nor liked her. She blamed Cersei for many things that had led to the downfall of House Lannister, and while Tywin knew Sansa was not wrong in her assessment, there was a part of his heart that broke to think that his daughter was too far gone – that she might be an enemy to them, instead of family. It was a bitter pill to swallow, and not something he was looking forward to.

Cersei was a jealous creature that had always defended her mother to anyone who might disparage Joanna. Seeing Tywin arrive home, not only married but deeply in love, would surely send her into a rage.

And the lions?

Cersei would not be able to argue that Sansa wasn't the correct woman for him.

She'd brought lions back to the West. Sansa's place was secured, her reputation almost above reproach. This marriage had been a boon for the West and it was evident throughout their journey that the people welcomed Lady Sansa into the fold.

As if knowing where his mind had drifted, Tywin felt Sansa's hands on his face, stroking him as he liked.

"Do not borrow trouble. Perhaps she will welcome me, Tywin."

The words sounded optimistic, but they both knew them to be a lie.

"Perhaps," was all he said, knowing in his heart, if his daughter forced his hand, Tywin would choose Sansa. He would always and forever choose Sansa. Then he kissed her forehead.

"Sleep. The Rock awaits, my love, and then we will be home."

"Home. Funny how I had to come all this way, to find the man I loved, in this wild land. I loved Casterly Rock from the moment I saw it. Thank you for loving me," she told him, humbling him.

Him.

The Great Lion.

The most powerful man in the realm.

A man that had been deemed unlovable except for Lady Joanna.

Now Sansa proved that was untrue.

She loved him – as deeply and as profoundly as he did her.

And together, they would rule the Seven Kingdoms, with lions by their side and the assurance that some powerful force had worked its magic to bring Sansa back through time, to be by Tywin's side as he took his rightful place in Westeros, and finally was named King.