Ch. 24 Plans

I absentmindedly climbed the stairs as slow as possible. I was enjoying the silence after spending nearly two hours of constant politicking with the Queen of Thorns on my arm. That was followed by a half-hour of indulging Margaery and Loras Tyrell. I just want to sit down in a corner and stare at the wall.

The entire experience wasn't all negative. Every Westerlands' lord I spoke with was courteous and encouraging. Several even bluntly stated their support for me. Some of the Reach lords expressed hints of support. Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed in politics.

I know making the right connections is vital for securing the heirship of Casterly Rock. But an afternoon of having to constantly be cautious of what I say and looking below the surface of every comment is more draining than an entire day of sword practice. This may also be part of what Tywin was talking about when he said I wasn't ready for the Game. It requires a hell of an amount of mental stamina.

When Lady Olenna took me to speak with Margaery and Loras, I was glad to be able to step back from veiled messages for a bit. The two Tyrell children attempted to act like mature little adults. Thankfully, their character broke after a few minutes, and they resorted to just being well-behaved kids. While Loras as eager to begin his own training as a knight, Margaery did strike me as a genuinely sweet and kind ten-year-old girl. Too bad the Queen of Thorns plans to turn her into a devious manipulator.

Having run out of steps to climb, I brace myself for another bout of politicking. Lady Olenna was a crafty politician, but I believe I figured out her hidden agenda I originally feared. And it was time to pass that information on.

Moving down the familiar hallway, the guards on duty open the door to the Lord's Solar before stepping aside. I don't slow my walk as I move into the Lord Tywin's office.

The sight of Jamie standing beside Cersei sitting in one of the chairs in front of Tywin does slow me down. I wasn't expecting anyone else to be with Tywin. Begrudgingly bracing myself for another round politicking, I bow before the room.

"Your grace. My lord. Ser Jaime," I say as I look at each one in turn. Cersei gave me a polite smile. Tywin didn't really react, but Jaime looked both confused and annoyed at my presence.

"Well?" Tywin asked as he leaned back in his chair.

"Based on my limited time with the Tyrells, I'm confident they are attempting to arrange a royal marriage." I summarize my thoughts on Lady Olenna's hidden agenda.

"I will never allow those upstarts to get their claws into my children," Cersei suddenly snarled.

The show did not do Cersei's blind protectiveness of her children justice. I didn't give an ounce of proof, and she's already pissed. If she had them, I'm sure she would have bared claws and fangs right now.

Jaime looked between Tywin and me with a baffled look. "Did the two of you plan this whole thing? And how do you know the Tyrells are seeking a tie to the royal family?" Jaime pointed asked me.

Tywin made no indication of answering one way or the other. So I decided to play it safe. "Uncle Tywin and I had a discussion prior to the tourney. As for how I know, I shared a meal with Margaery and Loras, after Lady Olenna was finished parading me around. They let slip how Lord Tyrell has been promising to introduce them to the Royal children since they've arrived." I respectfully answer the sister-fucker.

Turning back towards Tywin, "Despite Lord Tyrell's efforts to win over the king, I still believe the king plans to wed Joffrey to Eddard Stark's eldest daughter." I continue my 'belief' of future marriages. "Most likely, the Queen of Thorns was publicly staking a claim in me, in the event Mace fails to secure a marriage between Joffrey and Margaery."

"There is still Myrcella and Tommen," Jaime said. I'm starting to wonder why Tywin was pushing so hard for Jaime to renounce the King's Guard. He has the physical aspect of being a lord in spades, but he doesn't have the mind for it.

Seeing that Tywin is content to remain quiet. I answer Jaime with a shake of my head. "Loras is the Heir to Highgarden and the future Lord Paramount of the Reach. Myrcella will be expected to live in Highgarden, thus limiting the amount of influence the Tyrells have in King's Landing. And Tommen will most likely never be the king."

With a shrug of my shoulders, I finish my thought. "The Tyrells will see a marriage between Margaery and myself as more beneficial than a marriage to a prince without lands or titles."

"Oh, and what lands and titles do you hold," Jaime snidely asks.

I stare into Jaime's eyes. "Can you honestly say Tyrion will be a good and just lord? That the lords of the Westerlands will respect him and obey his commands? That our family member's lives will not be at risk with Tyrion leading the family?" I bluntly ask.

Squaring his shoulders with me, Jaime's hard eyes bore into mine. "And what makes you so sure you can do better? What can you do to ensure House Lannister will be protected?" Jaime sneered.

As I'm about to defend myself, a sudden thought strikes me. What can I do to protect my family? Or better yet. What should I be doing to protect my family?

This entire time, I've been working to improve my personal strength and the fighting ability of our men. I completely neglected the biggest strength of House Lannister.

Refusing to back down from one of the deadliest swordsmen in all of Westeros, I boldly met his stare. "I bear no ill-will to Tyrion, cousin. I know he could be a great asset to the family, but it is by his own doing that I am forced to take action." I calmly state. "Tell me, do you believe Tyrion is unmarried because your father refuses to find him a wife, or because every suitable match has been rejected?"

Jaime's brow pinches for a moment before relaxing, and the aggression melts from his face. I'm unsure if Jaime is thinking about Tyrion's first wife or the fact Tywin has been unsuccessful in arranging a marriage.

"You have my word, Tyrion will be able to continue living how he pleases. I only want what is best for the family." I say in an attempt to placate Jaime.

Jaime glances towards Cersei before stepping back and placing his hand on the back of her chair. His eyes firmly fixed on me.

I turn to Tywin. "I need to prepare for tonight's feast and review what I learned today," I subtly ask for a dismissal.

"Go," Tywin said with a nod of his head. "We will discuss this in-depth later."

After bowing and giving my farewells, I quickly retreat from the room. My mind is already reviewing everything I can remember from both the show and books.

All of our enemies, besides Cersei, are still in the early stages of their planning. Operating in the safe belief that no one is aware of what they are doing or attempting to do.

I don't need to kill them myself. That's what gold is for.

I have plans to make.

********************

Jaime stared at the back of Lancel Lannister as he left the room in long strides. Jaime couldn't help voicing the one thing on his mind. "What have you created?" Jaime asked Tywin.

Tywin answered with only two words. "A legacy."