Chapter 11
POV Change- Genna Lannister:
Listening to my two elder brothers argue about our near disaster I could not help but lament at our situation and all that was brought about due to my ignorant and self-serving niece. I am relieved at how the imminent danger has been averted, I truly am. But when I think of the arrogance of my eldest brother brought upon by the cowering of lesser men and how this had clouded his judgment it truly angers me to no end.
"At least the impending war has been avoided thanks to our drunken King, but all this could have been avoided if you had heeded my warnings and advice from the beginning." I finally voiced my complaints after I had heard enough of my brothers. I watched as he mulled what I had to say over and from what I could tell he seemed to be going over what I had to say but I decided to refresh his memory so we could move on and come up with a plan.
"I told you all those years ago that you should have your daughter treat him like the son he is to her, everyone who has the least bit of influence knows that the Queen hates her eldest son for reasons unknown. That ploy of hers where she had a few lords band together to gather an army to slaughter the prince was stupid especially since he ended up killing the army and slaughtering all those lords. Yes, we ended up benefiting since the new lords he replaced them with are loyal to us and have helped increase our influence, but we had to spend large portion of our gold to lead others to believe that those lords were old Targaryen loyalists."
There was silence in the room after my words and now my two brothers were going over everything they knew about the relationship between the prince and his mother. I knew why she hated her first son; I think I am the only one who does but this has gotten out of hand and now it is affecting our house.
"I am aware my daughter's actions have been disappointing concerning the boy and his upbringing, but I also know that the boy sees you as the mother he never had. You and he grew close during his years here at Casterly Rock if I am not mistaken, we can use your bond with the boy to our benefit." Tywin spoke solemnly and he had grasped onto a new path to get what he wanted, and he would get what he wants as he always does.
It is true that Alexander and I grew close when he was a page for Tywin, we developed a bond much like mother and son and if I was being honest, he was the son I always wanted but never had. He was a genius in his own right and helped develop the Westerlands and our house to new heights with his novel ideas and his swordsmanship was the best I had seen. He was a fast learner and well-disciplined and it was these very characteristics that made me sure that the only reason Cercei would have to hate him was if he were the son of the King and not her lover Jamie.
"Very well I will write the boy a letter with concerns to the prosperity to the Westerlands and the Lannister family and see if I can appease him and gain as many benefits as I can, but I will not betray the boys trust in me in the process."
I watched as Tywin bridled at my words, but I knew he could see the benefit in my actions, and I could only hope the boy had calmed down in the time his father had sent the letter to him confining him and his men to the East.
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POV Change- Alexander Baratheon (16):
I was beyond furious when my father sent me the letter reiterating the fact that I was exiled and that I could not return so I had to find a way to calm my anger and so I looked further East to the Dothraki sea. So, I had assembled my forces and marched them to war.
It has been three months of endless war and now that I had calmed, I could see the folly of my actions regarding my grandfather, and I could only blame it on the sporadic emotions of a teenager going through puberty.
After receiving Aunt Genna's letter I decided to appease any worry my grandfather might have concerning me and my growing power. So, I decided to have a third of our merchants to go through the Westerlands and raise trade in their lands, while also offering discounted goods from my lands to them as well.
Despite my now calm and clear head I continued my war path against the Dothraki to train my new men and ensure my seasoned men did not go rusty due to peace. We continued our war path defeating Dothraki horde one after another and I increased my infamy as I used my war hammer to crush men that stood before me, and I used my two Valerian Steel swords to carve my legend into Essos.
My forces and I were closing in on the Khalasar of Khal Drogo when I received a rider informing me that my uncle Renly Baratheon had come to Essos alongside his lover and friends from the Reach, they were currently residing in Tyrosh where they were given royal treatment that surpassed even that of the Red Keep.
Upset at the intrusion I calmed myself with a new breathing exercise and with a now calm mind I had my officers organize my army and marched us home for some much-needed rest and down time. Peace had come far sooner than I had planned, but politics wait for no one. Even now the Tyrells attempt to spread their influence in my city and have had their men wondering around the city asking questions and trying to bribe the citizens and officials.
It matters not though for I had absolute loyalty of my people so there was nothing to fear, and I had my people start sipping poison in small doses to build immunity as I had been doing since my conquest of Tyrosh.
When my officers and generals had the army ready for march, I lead them home where deadly flowers awaited.
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POV Change- Renly Baratheon:
It was truly amazing what my nephew had managed to build on his own in this foreign land, the receptions and treatment we received was grander than even the treatment my dear elder brother enjoyed while being king.
I sometimes wonder if Alexander is truly my brother's son, I've seen the similarities however when I look at this city which he conquered and now rules I can't help but see the glaring differences. The son is both warrior and ruler, I often wonder if Alexander is perhaps everything my brother could have been, perhaps he is the best of my brother and the Lannister's.
Looking at the city down below me from the balcony I can see the Baratheon colors being flown on shops and homes of the people, I've heard the stories the people spread of my nephew, and I've grown to love the songs the bards sing of the Lion with antlers. Songs of his victories and his kindness.
To think there are two more cities like this and from what I've heard the servants say it seems as though Alexander plans to build a new city at the edge of his lands to act as a gateway for those that come by land. It seems he is not satisfied with his already established sea kingdom.
Yet despite all that he has accomplished he is still too young; this was made glaringly obvious when he planned to go to war with the Lannister's all because he received a letter that did not, please him. It truly makes one wonder what the letter could have said to anger him so, but I guess it matters not as he has been at war to relieve his anger. I guess he is more like his father than I thought.
Looking out beyond the city walls I can see the approach of an army and as the black mass makes its way closer, I can see the banners of house Baratheon and the personal banner of Alexander.
"The Warlord returns from the battlefield; I wonder how much you have grown dear nephew…" I whisper into the gently blowing wind.