The Lion and The Fallen Star

(Time-skip: 271 AC)

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It'd been roughly five long years since Gerold asked for permission to marry Polygamously, and his father and King Aerys had granted it, he was jointly betrothed to Ashara Dayne and Janna Tyrell. Gerold was now Twelve and was looking to outclass Daemon Blackfyre as the Youngest man to ever be Knighted. The Blackfyre Bastard was Knighted at thirteen, which meant he had to do it now.

Gerold was feared, respected, and loved throughout the Westerlands. His lands had the lowest crime rates within the entire Seven Kingdoms, because he punished the harshest, Bandits, murderers, and rapists were crucified, the public was encouraged to fling refuse and just general crap at them. He tightly controlled Castamere, but was fair to his people. Thieves and other small time crooks were given the choice of death or The Wall, most chose The Wall.

Slavers were punished worst of all. Brought to the square, their victims were given their tools of disciplining slaves and were ordered to use it on the slavers before the men were Crucified. Six Strikes were permitted in accordance with The Seven, the belief was granting a seventh strike with the Slaver's own tool's would grant them absolution in the eyes of The Seven as it would pay homage to all Seven Gods, and most of the former Slaves didn't want that to happen.

Gerold's Fleet numbered some Four Hundred and Seventy Six Ships, mostly Frigates and Brigs, but with a good Fifteen Man'o'War's. His Non-Naval Troops totaled around Eight Thousand Men, mostly Cavalry and Heavy Infantry. About Three Thousand Cav and Infantry each with just Two Thousand in Archers and Levies. Castamere's true firepower was it's Siege Engines that were designed by Gerold years ago Ballista, Trebuchet, Scorpions, and so on. Big walls thick as hell and high enough to have disastrous impact on his enemies.

Lady Janna and Lady Ashara were both said to be accepting of the need for two matches for Castamere and Casterly Rock, but Gerold had yet to meet them. Gerold sat in his Solar, as he wrote to his spie network in Myr, he needed something to happen and what better way to get something to happy than hire Myrish Pirates to attack Lannister Ships allegedly Leiden with Gold or Lannister Made Products? Over time Gerold could request permission from the Crown to deal with the problem.

Since the Lannister's Special Goods were only capable of being made by the Lannister's, and brought in fifteen percent of the Crown's Income alone it stood to reason that the Crown's Small Council would argue in favor of letting Gerold deal with it.

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(Rhaegar Targaryen POV)

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Gerold Lannister, The Young Lion, The Lord of Castamere and Sword of the Westerlands. Gerold was someone Rhaegar wanted to keep an eye on. The boy was highly talented at arms and a Capable administrator. Inside of a year he'd completely rebuilt Castamere's Income and returned his Father's investment with interest.

The King, Rhaegar's father, had granted him permission to marry polygamously. so that sons by one wife might inherit Cadterly Rock while Sons by the other might inherit Castamere. Somehow Gerold had managed that and didn't end up with the High Septon disagreeing.

He was someone worth trying to keep an eye on, especially as there were reports of Myrish Raiders looking into attacking Lannister Trade Goods. It'd be interesting to see how Gerold would deal with it since it was his Goods at stake.

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(Tywin Lannister POV)

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Tywin Lannister was livid, Myrish Pirates had attacked an important shipment of Gerold's inventions and continued to do so with impunity. His son requested leave to destroy them, and Tywin was all too ready to grant him this request.

If these Essos filth hadn't learned to know of what had happened to Houses Reyne and Castamere, Gerold would Correct their educational mistakes. Tywin was already issuing the orders, before the doors opened, revealing Crown Prince Rhaegar.

''My Prince, is there something you need?'' Asks Tywin.

''I'm interested to see how your son reacts to these attacks, Ser Barristan, Ser Arthur, and Ser Oswell and I intend to join him.'' Says Rhaegar Said Kingsguard Knight's behind him.

''Is that wise my Prince, endangering yourself like that?'' Tywin asks. ''Should you perish we all lose.''

''Worry not my Lord Hand, The three best Kingsguard stand behind me on this. tell your son to be ready for us.'' Says Rhaegar.

Once the Crown Prince leaves a small sly smile appears on Tywin's Lips, for Tywin see's this opportunity for what it is. If Gerold befriends Rhaegar, he'll be able to leverage that Friendship for Cersei to wed him. But Gerold would have to tread lightly, the Prince was no idiot...Then again Gerold wasn't an idiot neither....

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(Starfall)

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(Ashara Dayne POV)

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A large fleet was massing at Starfall, more than half of the ships flew Lannister sails, while a good dozen flew The Targaryen Dragon emblazoned onto their sails, and the remainder of the Ships in the Fleet bore Sails bearing the Purple grass of Redwyne and the Golden Rose of Tyrell.

Ashara understood what this meant, The Lannister's were tired of the Myrish Pirates in the Stepstones raiding their shipments to Essos. The fact that the Redwyne, Tyrell, and Royal Fleets had dispatched ships to assist meant that either Lord Tywin or one of his Brother's was leading the armada.

Knowing Armond, he'd likely send what little they had in order to improve the odds of her future Children inheriting the Lannister Seat of Casterly Rock of Lady Janna Tyrell's.

Looking from her window a fourteen year old Ashara Dayne wondered if her betrothed was amongst the Ships bearing the Lannister Sails.

Gerold wrote her often, and she found his letters sweet and endearing. He always wrote in the promise of not bedding her until she wanted him to. But Lannister's were crafty and she had to wonder how truthful his promise was.

A knock at the Door interrupts Ashara's thoughts, as her younger sister Allyria enters. Allyria was nine namedays old, but was still a great beauty. Even so Young.

''Yes, what is it Ally?'' Ashara asks her sister, using her affectionate nickname, which Allyria always lightly protests, but by the smile on her little face, it seems something exciting is afoot.

''He's here! Gerold Lannister is here!'' Allyria says excitedly.

Ashara feels a rush of heat in her chest, her betrothed is accompanying the fleet?

''Are you sure?'' Asks Ashara.

''Armond said so himself, not just Gerold but Arthur too! And Ser Barristan Selmy and Oswell Whent! Even Prince Rhaegar!'' Says Allyria.

''Prince Rhaegar is leading the Fleet?'' Ashara asks.

''I overheard big brother Arthur and bigger brother Armond saying that the Prince was here to observe Lord Lannister, since he's leading the Fleet!'' Says Allyria.

''That can't possibly be right, can it? Gerold is too young and inexperienced to possibly be leading that many ships!?'' Says Ashara.

''No, she's right, He's leading it.'' Says a voice as Arthur steps in and Ashara rushes in to hug her elder brother. ''Ashara.'' Arthur says as he hugs his little sister.

''Arthur, I've...we've missed you.'' Says Ashara as she and Allyria continue to hug Arthur.

As the the three break their hug Arthur turns somber. ''The Lord of Castamere requests for you to join him on his Flagship, The Daybreak.'' Says Arthur. ''Prince Rhaegar sent me to retrieve you.''

''Why would the Prince send you and not Lord Gerold?'' Ashara asks.

''Allyria there's a red leather box in my saddlebags, inside of it there is a small gift for you.'' Says Arthur as Allyria squeals before rushing off to find it. ''The Prince wants Gerold on side when he becomes King. Gerold alone is fifteen percent of the Royal Taxes. The Betrothal between him and you and the Lady Janna would tip the scales either in Rhaegar's favor or The King's. We need this Ashara, and I need you to do your duty so that I'm able to do mine.'' Arthur says seriously.

''Then let's meet this Lion.'' Says Ashara.

''That's my sister, let's go.'' Says Arthur offering his sister his arm.

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(Arthur Dayne POV)

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Arthur wasn't entirely comfortable using his Sister to make his Prince's plans succeed, but Gerold was a clever Bastard, he'd made Castamere and Casterly Rock impossible to spy upon and any and all attempts to replicate what increased his families wealth further.

And if Rhaegar said he needed Ashara to help win over Gerold Lannister, however reluctantly he was inclined into doing so, Arthur would ensure Rhaegar succeeded without any issues at all.