- 273 AC -
(3rd Person POV)
"So the Citadel caught fire, and you helped put out the fire? Why would you do that?"
"It is common decorum to help those who allowed me to live with them for these past years. And it would have seemed suspicious."
"I agree. So what was in that carriage?"
"Information and some valuables. With kind regard from House Hightower and the Citadel."
"Was that the reason for walking?"
"Indeed. I chose to walk to get anyone away from my tracks and to have the carriage have a head start. That way, I could easily catch up with it later on, but no one would associate me or House Lannister with the theft, should it ever become known."
"Well done. So, about the reason you arrived, what are your plans? And did you uncover something else about the Maesters?"
"Indeed. It seems that the highest echelon of the council of Maesters absolutely loathes magic. They loathe it so much that they had secretly spent centuries 'helping' House Targaryen and offering their services as the harmless, friendly, and skilled Maester when, in truth, they tried to ruin the house as much as possible. Their knowledge of poison has allowed them to do so for many years."
Tywin has a serious expression on his face. Even more serious than usual. What he was hearing was beyond concerning.
"Explain."
"When Aegon the Conqueror arrived in Westeros and told all the different Houses that there would now only be one house, the High Septon 'asked for guidance' from the Seven. But in truth, the Citadel had observed Aegon's conquest of the other Kingdoms and understood that Oldtown would burn, and they would all die. So, together with the High Septon, the Maesters decided not to fight Aegon but put a crown on him and save themselves. They have, since then, been playing the long game. When nobles were squabbling over land, marriage or alliances, they were planning the fall of magic and dragons themselves. They see it as an abomination to life itself and want to destroy it."
"In a way, they have succeeded then."
"Well, in a way, yes. But the truth is, it goes further than that. You know the saying: 'Every time a new Targaryen is born, the gods toss the coin in the air, and the world holds its breath to see how it will land.'"
"Of course."
"Now, why do you think this saying has managed to remain? Why would anyone say such a thing?"
"Naturally, because it's true. Aerys is not the first."
"Precisely. But why do you think that House Targaryen has been plagued by this 'madness'? Was it their incest?"
"That's what is commonly believed, yes."
"Right. But I can safely tell you that that's not the case. The Targaryens are an old family stemming from the Valyrian Freehold when it was at its peak. They had already done such practices and more outrageous ones back then, and their family was all sane. No, the truth of the matter is once again very simple. The Maesters had planned to remove this 'abomination' from Westeros, and from what I can see, they have almost succeeded in their task."
"..."
"This is beyond outrageous. Do you have proof?"
"Naturally. Which is why I arranged for a carriage to arrive. I couldn't afford to allow Maester Creylen to be the only one present during Mother's labour. We might not be Targaryens, but their plans are so convoluted that I don't think they themselves know what they want anymore, except power."
"Very well. I shall review the evidence you provided and make the necessary arrangements. Now leave. I believe your mother might stand up from her bed if you don't visit her soon."
"You may be right."
Leonard stands up from his seat and leaves Tywin's solar. He hasn't seen his mother in years now and is happy to see her again. Keeping her alive will serve all of House Lannister, which is what he will do.
.
Leo's mother was rather emotional during their reunion. She was tired from her pregnancy and was happy to have her lion cup back home. Leo told her what he had done over the years, even if he had to make many things up. They talked for hours, and Jaime and Cersei eventually joined them. The siblings got to know each other better. Leo had missed almost half of their lives, but unlike others, Leo didn't have a problem establishing his 'status' as the elder brother. The two were reminded of their father when Leo talked, and while he wasn't as distant as Tywin, something else bothered the two younger Lannisters.
Leonard was a lone lion in the truest sense. He didn't like to work 'together' with others and preferred to give out orders and do things himself. He was not unfamiliar with bloodshed, even at his tender age, and the two siblings felt underlying danger. Leonard put in some effort to try and get closer to the twins. There was no sense in ignoring them. If left alone, they were capable of doing a lot of damage, and he despised incompetence.
"So tell me, Jaime, I heard you are incredibly skilled at swordsmanship. Is there some truth to that?"
Jaime's expression brightens immediately, and he starts talking about his lessons.
"It's true. I managed to spar with our Master-at-arms yesterday for a few minutes, and he told me that he was impressed."
"That's very nice, Jaime. I'm sure you will grow up to be one of the best-known swordsmen in all of Westeros."
"Really?"
"Do you hear that, Jaime? If your brother says so, you can trust him on it," Joanna says, looking at the happy expression on Jaime's face.
One person wasn't happy, though. Cersei didn't like the new situation at all, and she was showing it. Her mother was busy with her pregnancy, and things changed while she still spent time with her and Jaime since she loved her children over all else when Leonard arrived. Leonard was like a stranger to the twins, as he had been missing for years, and while Joanna loved him dearly, the twins were too young to remember it well. Cersei was unhappy that he had just arrived and took the spotlight.
"Say, Leonard ... how good are you at swordfighting? Jaime is already considered to be a genius at his young age; I don't remember hearing Father tell us about your skills. Why is that?"
"Most likely because I have never shown much skill when using the sword when I was still here. Father never got to see me fight much since I never did it that often."
"So you are saying that you aren't very good at it? You prefer to study and read books?"
"Cersei-"
"What? I am just saying that if I were skilled at something, I would want others to know about it and see what I can do. If no one ever knows about it, can you truly claim to be able to do it? Aren't you a man? Someone who wants to be liked?"
"Some men ..." A new voice is heard behind them, and the twins look around to see their father standing there. He doesn't look very happy, but he never does.
"Some men demand pomp. They cannot accept the end of one era and the beginning of another without an occasion to mark it and give it meaning. Laurels must be given, honours and fair titles invented to be bestowed upon favoured generals. Some men need recognition."
Tywin's gaze turns to his firstborn son.
"Some men," the Old Lion continues, "do not".
"..."
"Do not speak of things you don't understand, Cersei. Do not speak unless you know what you are talking about. And do not speak unless you are certain you won't embarrass the Lannister name."
"Yes, Father."
Cersei lowers her head and is close to crying. Jaime also lowers his head, and Leonard walks over, touching their shoulders. They are surprised to feel his touch and lightly raise their heads to look at him. He wasn't smiling or nodding to them; he was just neutral and waiting for his father to leave.
"I will leave you to it. Leonard, come with me; I have some things to discuss with you. There is more time for reunions later."
"Very well."
After the two leave, the room stays silent for a moment. Jaime is thinking about what his brother said about swordsmanship and his praise for his skill. He was going to ask Leonard to spar with him sometime. Cersei, on the other hand, was thinking about the words she had said to Leonard and how she had tried to provoke him. She wanted to know what made him so special that even their father thought highly of him. Tywin never praised anyone, but he did praise Leonard's efforts during his time in the Reach. She didn't like it. Then there was Joanna. She loved Leonard dearly, and Cersei could feel it. She was supposed to be everyone's favourite; she was not a man but wanted to be one so that she could prove to her father and mother that she was better than everyone else. But now, Leonard arrived from nowhere and took the spotlight. Cersei didn't like that.
"Come here, Cersei."
Joanna says to her daughter and motions with her hand to come closer. Cersei does so and leans at her side.
"You must understand, Cersei, that there is nothing you could do to provoke your brother, Leo. Your brother is already so far ahead of all other children that it seems that he is older than he truly is. He has just passed his tenth name day and is already holding serious discussions with your father. If you are your brother's enemy, he will destroy you, my sweet, but if you are his loving sister, he will help you. Try to listen to him, Cersei, you, and Jaime."
.
The day had finally arrived; Joanna Lannister went into labour. The entirety of Casterly Rock was nervous and stressed as the lioness would once again give birth, and nothing was allowed to go wrong, or the king would have their heads. King, as in the king of Casterly Rock, but as far as the servants of Casterly Rock were concerned, it was the same thing. Surprisingly, it was the young Lord Leonard who instructed everything on how it had to go down. He organised the correct towels and linens to be used and specified who was allowed and who was not allowed to enter the room. Joanna was in. He told the Maester what he would expect and how he was to assist HIM and not the other way around. The Maester reacted impressively, one had to admit that, he didn't puff himself up like a cock and simply accepted everything as he was told. Although Leonard saw the fear in his eyes as he realised that should the labour fail and either the babe, the mother, or both die, he would be punished and most likely be killed either way.
It was a slightly complex birthing process, but since Leonard was prepared and expected what might happen, he knew what to do. Leonard simply, forcefully and quickly pushed the babe out with a handhold. This caused a perineal laceration but saved Joanna's life and the newest member of House Lannister, Tyrion. Although it was more complex than that, it doesn't matter now.
After everything was said and done, Leonard left the room and allowed the rest of the family inside.
"How was it?" Tywin asks as he walks in.
"Good. It was as I suspected: minor complications, but I managed to do what I am here for."
Tywin looks at his wife, who is lovingly cradling the babe. He saw the slightly off proportions of the head and limbs and understood what his son meant by that. But seeing the weak smile on Joanna's face, he puts that aside for now and joins his family at the bed. And for a short moment, they are a somewhat normal, and maybe even loving, family.