Shashank_bhatt
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Chapter 66
🕑 Added 2025-10-26 13:48:23 +0000 UTC"I had not thought to be here. I would speak with my son alone. I know you will forgive me, My Lords."
"You heard her! Move your asses! Come on, out. You too, Greyjoy. Are you bloody deaf? Have no fear, My Lady. We'll shove our swords up Tywin Lannister's bunghole and then it's on to the Red Keep to free Ned."
"He hasn't changed a bit, Rickard said with a smile. The Greatjon was a friend of House Stark, a friend of Rickard's. Younger in age than he was, the man was large, ferocious and loyal to the bone. Times had not changed him, something Rickard was glad for.
[As soon as the men left, Catelyn hugs Robb.]
"I remember the day you came into this world red-faced and squalling. And now I find you leading a host to war."
"There was no one else."
"No one? Who were those men I saw here?"
"None of them are Starks."
"All of them are seasoned in battle."
"If you think you can send me back to Winterfell..."
"Oh, would that I could."
"There was a letter. From Sansa."
"From the Queen, you mean. There's no mention of Arya?"
"No."
"How many men do you have?"
"18,000. If I go to King's Landing and bend my knee to Joffrey..."
"Death," Stannis said evenly.
"You would never be allowed to leave. No. Our best hope, our only hope, is that you can defeat them in the field."
"And if I lose?"
"A word of advice grandson, think about defeat only to avoid it, not as an alternative to your decisions. The confidence that self-belief can give you will do you and you men a great deal of good in these times."
Robb nodded and noted down what his grandfather said, as did Jon beside him.
"Do you know what happened to the Targaryen children, when the Mad King fell?"
"They were butchered in their sleep."
"They were not asleep" Elia spat venomously, making Joanna flinch. Rhaegar took her hand and gave it a firm comforting squeeze.
"On the orders of Tywin Lannister. And the years have not made him kinder. If you lose, your father dies, your sisters die, we die."
"Well, that makes it simple then."
"I suppose it does."
"It does" Ned repeated dejectedly."
[Arriving at the foot of the Lannister camp, Tyrion, Bronn, Shagga and the hill tribe, decide to stop for a short while.]
"From here it might be best if Bronn and I continue alone."
"Best for Tyrion son of Tywin. Not best for me. If the half man betrays us, Shagga son of Dolf will cut off his manhood..."
"And feed it to the goats, yes."
"Lovely" Joanna muttered under her breath.
"All right then. Time to meet my father."
[Moving into the Lannister camp, Shagga and the hill tribe follow. Upon entering Tywin Lannister's tent, we see Kevan Lannister and Tywin sitting at a table, scheming. Kevan notices Tyrion.]
"The rumours of your demise were unfounded."
"Sorry to disappoint you."
"He does look slightly disappointed" Oberyn whispered to his brother.
"He probably wished to use that to commit more crimes in the name of justice" Doran huffed in good humour.
"And who are these Companions of yours?"
"Father never did appreciate my companions" Tyrion mused.
"That is because all your companions are whores" Jaime pointed out.
"This is Shagga Son of Dolf, Chieftain of the Stone Crows. Timett Son of Timett, ruler of the Burned Men. This fair maid is Chella daughter of Cheyk, leader of the Black Ears. And here we have Bronn son of..."
"You wouldn't know him."
"May I present My Lord Father, Tywin son of Tytos of House Lannister. Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West. Kind of you to go to war for me."
"You left us no choice. The honour of the House was at stake. Your brother would never have submitted to capture so meekly."
"Did he expect me to fight all those men alone?" Tyrion raised an eyebrow.
"He probably wished you did and died trying," Jaime said thoughtfully.
"Yes, would give Father great joy," Tyrion said in ill humour.
"Surely your father wouldn't want that" Joanna argued weakly.
"I'm afraid that Father would delight in it, Mother" Tyrion gave her a sarcastic smile, which turned into an apologetic one seeing the look of hurt on her face. "Father and I are too different for us to get along."
"On the contrary, I think you are the most like him" Jaime pointed out. "Only Father does not see it."
"Must be terrifying to see yourself in the son you hate, and worse seeing all your flaws in him" Tyrion chuckled sarcastically.
"We have our differences, Jaime and I. He's braver. I'm better looking." Tyrion said
"He's been covering himself in glory." Tywin said "Jaime smashed the River Lords at the Golden Tooth, and now lays siege to Riverrun, Catelyn Stark's homeland."
Catelyn flinched.
"And the Starks? Lord Eddard?"
"Is our hostage. He will lead no armies from his dungeon cell."
"How did my sweet sister persuade the King to imprison his dear friend Ned?"
"Oh, I didn't know" Tyrion frowned. Had nobody thought he should know? Even a prisoner gets to know stuff.
"Robert Baratheon is dead. Joffrey rules in King's Landing."
"My sister rules, you mean."
"Stark's son has called his banners. He moves south with a strong host."
"A green boy. One taste of battle and he'll run back to Winterfell with his tail between his legs."
"Maybe. However, the boy does have a certain belligerence. You'd like him."
Robb made a face. He didn't know how he felt about that.
"While we're on the subject of war, I made promises to my friends here and a Lannister always pays his debts. We shall require 3,000 helms and shields, plus swords, pikes, gorgets, maces..."
[Suddenly a messenger appears, interrupting Tyrion's request.]
"If it please My Lord, Ser Addam bids me report that the Northmen have crossed the neck."
"The wolf rushes into the lion's jaws. So be it. Kevan, command the drummers beat assembly. And send word to Jaime that I am moving against Robb Stark."
"At once, My Lord."
"It is said that the men of the Mountain clans are great warriors. Ride with me against my enemies and you shall have all my son promised you and more."
"Only if the half-man fights with us. Until we hold the steel he pledged us, the little lion's life is ours."
[Tywin looks over to Tyrion. Tyrion looks shocked.]
Jaime couldn't help it. He broke into barks of laughter.
"It's heartwarming to see how my possible death amuses you, brother" Tyrion scowled.
"Tyrion, my brother, I say this with all the love I have for you, you are a cockroach. And cockroaches are very hard to kill."
Tyrion grumbled incoherently under his breath.
