[Casterly Rock]
The great halls of Casterly Rock echoed with the measured step of one Tyrion Lannister. A rather small man with big grievances with life.
Torchlight flickered across the stone walls, casting long shadows behind the dwarf as he made his way to the solar, where his lord father awaited—or at least that would be the polite term to put it. In reality, he knew that man never waited for him, never considered him as his son, and even at times would not even acknowledge his existence if not to uphold the name of his family, his house, and his future glory.
The so-called Legacy behind which Tywin Lannister worked all his life, did unspeakable profanities and would do the same if reason arose which would so cause his house even a grain of shame or blood.
Tywin Lannister sat behind a long oaken table, fingers steepled, gaze cold as the northern winds. He did not rise, nor offer a greeting. His eyes, sharp as daggers, followed Tyrion's approach with veiled contempt.
"You've returned," Tywin said, his voice devoid of warmth.
"Aye, North gals were a little too cold for my cock, I'm afraid I can't lose more in the size department as it is already," Tyrion replied, the corner of his mouth twitching with a smirk.
Tywin, for his credit, didn't even bat an eye at this despicable talk. He kept on just glaring at his youngest with the same intensity which would be suitable for a lion ready to hunt prey.
"Your prodigal son, back from his travels and no feast, no gals from the whorehouses of Lys—not very befitting for our esteemed house and its glory, wouldn't you say..."
Tywin said nothing, just kept on glaring at his youngest like sizing him up. A show of power, building pressure, authority, and more than anything, his silent way to show that he doesn't care. Not about Tyrion's return or his escapades.
"I bring a letter," Tyrion finally sighed and said, knowing fully well that any more and he might be dismissed in a rather demeaning manner. He stopped; it wasn't good for his health angering his lord father especially when he knew what kind of news he brought. So he quietly reached within his cloak and retrieved a folded parchment sealed with the lion sigil of House Lannister. "From Jaime. He sends his regards. And, oddly enough, an apology."
Tywin wasn't expecting this. He thought this monster spawn was here to waste his time as usual. He showed the slightest of disdain before he reached out for the letter, broke the seal, and began to read. At first, his expression was unmoved. But as his eyes scanned the contents, his brow furrowed.
Tyrion watched, enjoying the rare sight of his father's composure slipping.
"White Walkers," Tywin said, almost spat like he was mocking or looking down on thoughts of creatures biologically inferior to his. And yet this was his son... sons.
"Aye," Tyrion said, pouring himself a cup of wine uninvited. "Dead men walking. Not the kind Cersei keeps in her bedchamber either. The real sort. Cold, silent, and more persuasive than septas in terms of changing our affiliations. Though this particular one might cost our lives. Small price to pay for crawling beyond the free world existing beyond the Wall for eternity, if anyone asks me."
Tywin looked up sharply. "You seem quite taken with the proposition. Should have taken it. Or this walker wasn't interested in a man of your... stature," Tywin replied, not even acknowledging what he read, like he knew it was full of cow dung.
Tyrion smiled, a forceful one but smile indeed he did. "Not quite, in fact, the one I encountered didn't seem to distinguish a man or any form of life in that regard, as long as they are living, they were most pleased to take them.
I, however, couldn't find it in me to leave behind the company of our dear little family. I have yet to burn half of the gold in Casterly Rock on whores and wines, if that's even possible, and make my dear father proud."
Again, Tywin didn't respond to this. He just turned back to the letter.
"And what about this… Thor."
"Yes," Tyrion said, sipping his wine. "A man with the strength of ten and a hammer he treats like lesser men treat their own cock, in his hand all the time. Though I assure you this was no lesser man. He, after all, was the one who caught the White."
Tywin's jaw clenched. It was not like this was the first time he was hearing about Thor. News from King's Landing comes to Casterly Rock much faster than anyone could imagine.
Ravens have told this hammer lord's tales; not more than a day passes and half of Westeros knows how he beat one of Tywin's strongest cards in the deck.
The Mountain's defeat was like a slap on Tywin's reputation. He had two thoughts about taking action against Thor; however, the fight was done in a tourney and no foul play was involved.
Even if he took his revenge against this man, he couldn't recover the loss of reputation which was lost in front of many lords and ladies of various houses, he could only remove a powerful pawn from the chess board.
Which he previously intended to do; however, this pawn was placed by a new player, one who hardly played the game and more importantly was in alliance with him by co-affiliation.
Ned Stark, after all, was the Hand of the King now; he can be moved but moving against him would cost much, especially when Robert was still on the throne while the North gave support to his rule. The very same throne which his grandson would sit on soon.
That, however, changes now since Robert was dead and Joffrey was king. Though he doubted he had to move himself, just a little push to his daughter should suffice to bring those northerners to pikes.
(He is considering Thor as a Northerner here.)
"And finally..." Tyrion waited, and ultimately added, "Jaime has gone beyond the Wall. To seek out this threat himself."
"What!" Tywin asked in a jolt, his eyes back on the letter, eyes moving miles a second before he slammed the parchment down. "My son goes chasing fairy tales while my house stands on the edge of war?"
"War?" Tyrion narrowed his eyes. It seems in his absence much has happened in the realm which he's unaware of.
Not knowing what was happening, he decided to crack another one of his annoying jokes to poke for information, in his own way.
"Well I did hear one of the whores in the North planned to venture south, but to wage war over her cunt is..."
"Enough," Tywin growled. "You think your jests can shield you from consequences."
"I have lived through many consequences as you can already see. They began the moment you decided to use your cock once more after making my dear siblings. However, I fail to see how me being born has anything to relate to this."
"You should have stopped him," Tywin growled, now really getting angry.
"Yes," Tyrion said, setting his cup down, his voice hardening slightly. "I should have, in fact, I did. But did you really expect me to succeed? What is one more failure?"
Tywin stood, towering over Tyrion.
"I'll not be lectured in my own hall by the creature that killed his own mother."
Tyrion's smile faded. "And yet here I am, Father. The only child who still listening to you."
They stood in silence, the fire crackling between them. At last, Tywin turned away.
"You are dismissed."
Tyrion bowed with mock flourish. "As always, a pleasure."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Tywin to stare at the letter, the flicker of unease now burning like a slow flame in his chest.
xxx
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