(Hills of Lannisport, The Westerlands, Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)
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(Lucion Lannister POV)
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Lucion, Jaime, and their eight guards had ridden into the hills surrounding Lannisport. Along one such Hill, Lucion was looking out over all of Lannisport and Casterly Rock in the Distance.
The two hills beside it intrigued him, but he had more important matters to attend to.
''Alright Jaime, the first thing I want you to show me is how you hold your Sword.'' Lucion tells his brother handing him live steel.
As Jaime takes his stance, Lucion - who at this point across two lifetimes has twenty-eight years of combat experience - is already seeing several things wrong with Jaime's stance.
''Alright first things first, your footwork. I won't say there's any one right way, because there isn't, but the way you're putting more weight on your front foot? Try and keep it on your back foot.'' Says Lucion as he shows Jaime his own footwork.
''Why?''
''Keeping most of your weight on the front foot might help you meet and hold an opponent's blade for a time.''
''But?'' Jaime asks him.
''Against stronger and larger opponents such as Clegane or the men of Houses Umber and Crakehall, they could easily push past your blade lock and unbalance you. Keeping your back foot firmly planted allows you to use your front foot to reposition yourself and not get thrown on your ass straight away.'' Says Lucion, showing his brother how to reposition.
''Second is your hands. Don't hold it in a death grip, keep it firm, but keep it relaxed. Otherwise, you might not have an opportunity to drop a hand to your sword belt and stick a dagger between an opponent's ribs or into the gaps between their armour or helms. Honour only gets you so far, better to survive than die without having exhausted every possible advantage.'' Says Lucion.
''What does honour mean to you, brother?'' Jaime asks curiously.
''What does honour mean to me?'' Lucion repeats, before considering the question. ''To me, you must be ruthless on the battlefield, but you need not be that when the battle is won, and your enemies are defeated. Treat your captives fairly, offer them terms of peace, but not terms that are too strict or too lenient. Hostages might be taken, but take the captive's spare heir. Never let an enemy forget you hold a claimant to their lands. Honestly though? Oaths and promises should never be broken lightly, the penalties for oathbreaking and desertion are death, but as I've said, when at war be unyielding and be ruthless, but when at the peace table be firm, be honorable, and be fair. That to me is what honor means.'' Says Lucion turning to face Jaime.
''Is that the right way to see honour?'' Jaime asks.
''You know our words, both Hear Me Roar and A Lannister Always Pays Their Debts carry weight. The Reynes and Tarbecks felt this roar, but a debt need not be rushed to be paid. A debt of blood could take a lifetime to pay, let your enemies grow old and fat, and when their guard finally lowers or falters you take a bite out of their neck, going for an instant kill.'' Says Lucion, looking at the three hills and their proximity to Lannisport.
''Hmm, perhaps that might just work.'' Lucion muses.
''Brother?'' Jaime asks.
''Doesn't matter, for now, we'll run through some drills, before we see how well you can shoot.'' Lucion says, waving off Jaime's question.
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(POV Shift: Lyanna Stark)
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Lucion had gone and returned home for the past year. He'd taken over as acting Lord of Casterly Rock for his mother's pregnancy. He wrote to her, every day, and he missed her. She missed him too, she wrote back, and now a letter had come. Lord Tywin it seemed was agreeable to a match with her and Lucion.
Her father had gathered the family and council around them.
''Lord Tywin and I have agreed that a match between Lucion and Lyanna is mutually beneficial. However, we have agreed that Lucion won't continue to be fostered here. Instead, Lyanna will travel to Casterly Rock, and spend the next few years as a handmaiden to Lady Joanna, and companion to Lady Cersei, is that agreeable Lya?'' Her father asks.
''Yes, father. If I am to rule as the Lady of Casterly Rock someday, better I familiarise myself with it now. But what of Lucion? Where is he to go?'' Asks Lyanna.
''He will spend some time at Oldtown at the Citadel as a novice, before serving as a Squire. Lord Tywin hasn't said who will teach the Young Lion, though I have my suspicions it will likely be a member of the Kingsguard.'' Says Father.
''And what of the dowry? Even with the improvements to our economy, we're a long way off from a stable enough economy with sufficient excess for a dowry worthy of House Lannister.'' Vorin Poole, the Lord Steward says.
''Lord Tywin is amenable to a smaller dowry, the remaining part would be comprised of Twenty Northern Garrons. Ten now, ten upon the wedding. Lucion, as we know has a passion for horses.'' Says Father.
''Young Lord Brandon to Riverrun, the little lady to Casterly Rock, where does little Eddard and Benjen stand in this?'' Maester Bryland asks.
''I don't know, I'm hoping to leave that up to them.'' Says Father.
''When do I travel to Casterly Rock Father?'' Lyanna asks.
''It will take time to finalize the arrangements, as for when? Just be patient Lyanna, a few months at least, take this time to familiarize yourself with the histories of the Westerlands and House Lannister.'' Father tells her gently.
''Yes, father,'' Lyanna says, trying to hide her disappointment.
'"Don't worry Lya, you'll see Luce soon enough.'' Says Benjen, apparently seeing through to her disappointment.
''Thank you Benjen.'' Lyanna says, hugging her brother.
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(POV Shift: Oberyn Martell
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They were a couple of days from Casterly Rock, even so, Oberyn hoped this next suitor proved better than the last. Even in Dorne, tales of the Heir to Casterly Rock are heard. They say he tamed three Lions, and they serve him faithfully as guardians. But then again they say his father shits gold too.
''We're almost there.'' His mother says after conferring with one of their outriders.
''I wonder whether or not the stories about the Lannister boy are true.'' Oberyn mentions aloud.
''Joanna says it is, and there are no lies between us. Secrets yes, but no lies.'' Mother says.
''And if he's to be betrothed as we hear?'' Elia asks.
''He does have a younger brother, sweet sister, a second son isn't the worst thing. Especially from a family like House Lannister.'' Oberyn muses.
''While the Elder Son is more desirable...'' His mother begins slowly. ''Any child raised by Joanna is a good match.'' She finishes.
''If you Mother, let us just hope that this one is far more worthy than little Lord Breakwind.'' Says Oberyn as his mother sighs in exasperation, but Elia giggles.
''Why are we stopping?'' Oberyn asks as the carriage comes to a halt.
''Princess, there is a Lannister party on a nearby hill. It appears to be two small children and some guards.'' One of the outriders explains.
''Why would two children be on a hill with eight Lannister guards?'' Oberyn asks with a strange expression.
''I do not know my Prince, but they seem to be fighting.''
''Could it be Lord Tywin's children? The elder son teaching the younger perhaps?'' Elia asks, and Oberyn believes that that is certainly better than the alternative which is Lannister soldiers forcing children to fight.
''I certainly hope so sister.'' Oberyn mutters quietly.
''Are they on our way?'' His mother asks.
''Not exactly, we are unable to get the carriage there but our Horses should be able to. The thing is though they've probably spotted us already, so they've either left already or are about to.'' The guard tells them.
''There's no point in delaying our trip, either Joanna is aware it's her boys, or Tywin's soldiers are forcing children to fight and something needs to be done.'' Their mother decides.
''If you Mother.'' Elia says in deference to their mother. At the end of the day, she was still the Princess of Dorne and their mother, and ultimately it was her decision.
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(POV Shift: Lucion Lannister)
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Lucion was looking through a Myrish spyglass at the Dornish party about a quarter-league away.
''Time to head back, Sorry Jaime, but we'll have guests at the Rock it seems. Highly esteemed guests at that. So soon as we get back we'll have to bathe and be quick about it too. Our guests are a step below the Royal Family, so don't tally too long brother. We'll train again another time.'' Lucion decides he couldn't see from the Spyglass whether or not the Martells had Sandsteeds, so wanted to leave now for Casterly Rock to have a chance to bathe and redress.
''B-but? Wh-'' Whatever Jaime was going to say was cut off when Lucion stared at his brother sternly.
''Jaime, House Martell has entered our Lands, the Princess of Dorne is a good friend to our mother, she'll undoubtedly be visiting us, and that visit will be soon! We will not disgrace our mother, our father, or our house by not being present or being present but caked in sweat and grime. Do you understand?'' Lucion says.
''Yes, brother.'' Jaime says, and his disappointment is plain to see.
''When they leave, you and I will train again. But only for a short while. I have to eventually leave for Oldtown to train in the Citadel for a couple of years. Now Jaime, let us ride!'' Says Lucion as gently and with as much encouragement as he can initially muster.
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Lucion Lannister had bathed quickly and had since dressed himself. Even at ten years old he knew he was an abnormal child. And even if it weren't for his meta-knowledge and had he been reborn here without that meta-knowledge, he would still be an abnormal child.
His last life's adult mind intact as it was would not allow him to spend any length of time idle. For that, he was grateful, though it was frustrating that for all his studies and training he was not at his desired level. But there was only so far he could go before he would be hurting himself more than helping himself. So after hitting his training bottleneck, Lucion lightened his training and expanded it to at least be training in something new he wouldn't have to do lightly.
Such as improving crop yields in the North and modernising some of their practices.
But right now? Lucion was debating over whether or not he would remain clean-shaven. Why was be having this thought at ten? Because in his last life, his puberty hit at eleven and he got a moustache a couple of months before he hit twelve and he was already six foot at ten.
Doctors said he had an extra male chromosome, and eventually, some eighteen-plus years later while getting a doctor's validation so that he could continue receiving his benefits he learned its medical term was called Jacobs Syndrome or something. He learned that because at six foot eight and a half, they mistakenly put him down as XXY instead of, which at his height was essentially being Tyrion as an adult. In any case, Lucion was already of the mind to keep it short and manageable, but speaking of manageable. Lucion had had to change his attire since returning to Casterly Rock for the duration of his mother's pregnancy.
In Winterfell, Lucion had worn clothes made of wool and cotton with furs and leathers, eschewing his light fabrics and silks for something more practical. His Attire now was an outfit comprised of samite, silks, and Myrish Lace. Though his clothing beneath that was made of cotton. Lucion also carried a Sword at his hip, though because of his height, it was a shortsword, he also had a Myrish Stiletto in his belt, though that was more for practicality than anything else. If he was attacked, grabbing the stiletto likely would be the better option since it would mean he would be able to pull it free and murder his attacker while he pulled his sword out.
''Lucion? I've been sent to collect you, mother and Father are awaiting us in the courtyard with Jaime, Aunt Genna, and Uncles Kevan, Tygett, and Gerion.'' Lucion would be lying if he said he wasn't still angry with Cersei'' Cersei said, and Lucion would be lying if he said he wasn't still a little bit angry with his sister. So for that reason, he kept his mouth shut the entire walk. Even though he held his sister by the arm, he refused to say a word, and the way his sister squirmed in his grip and stole glances at him spoke volumes about her. He had mixed feelings about Cersei, they might be kin now, but he had read the books and watched the show. He knew more about her mentality than she probably realised, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try to guide her to a better future Cersei would never be queen, and god's willing, Jaime would never be a Kingsguard.
But he needed to leverage things to his favour, and Cersei, Jaime, and the Martells would be part of that. As would the Houses Stark, Tully, Baratheon, and Arryn. Marrying Lyanna Stark ensured that Eddard would support him in the rebellion, Catelyn and Lysa to Eddard and Jon Arryn gave him Vale and Riverlands, and Robert would support them on principle of his friendship to Eddard and Jon. With Elia to Jaime, it gave them six of nine regions of Westeros and left the Reach and Crownlands out to dry. The Ironborn as always would be the wild card in the equation.
But there were ways around that Wildcard…
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(POV Shift: Tywin Lannister)
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Tywin spoke little, it was his nature. Tywin knew that a silent look was often as loud and clear as a raised voice. Lucion was the same, but he also took after Joanna in that he was able to act diplomatic and negotiate.
Tywin hadn't married his wife just because he loved her, though that was a large part of it. They complimented each other well. To put it in the tongue's of the Maesters, Tywin was the Hammer held by Chainmail with a silk glove underneath, Joanna was the Scales, with coins on one side and people on the other.
Simply put? Tywin was a warrior who could kill or negotiate with methods as straightforward as bombarding with trebuchets, or he could send a message as obvious but unspoken as a Minstrel playing the Rains of Castamere.
Joanna was different in that she had a keen mind for numbers and accounts, backed by an outspoken and generous disposition. She made friends easily and she was able to leverage those friendships to their benefit. Her mind for numbers and accounts had made them no small profit over the years.
But Tywin knew that just like him, his beloved wife had seen their reflections in their children, both their strengths and their weaknesses.
Cersei was cunning, but she had poor judgement backed by impatience and arrogance. In his youth Tywin had been arrogant, and his wife impatient in hers.
In Jaime saw the warrior he aspired to be, but not the thoughtfulness and perception that Joanna had. In Lucion, Tywin saw a golden child who's sole faults were an unwillingness to completely trust even.his own family and a number of rash decisions.
Tywin wouldn't exactly say his eldest son was impatient, but he was impulsive at times. But Lucion had shown him that Cersei could be petulant and petty, her actions towards Tyrion were proof if that.
Joanna had spoken to Cersei, but it went unsaid that Tywin would be impressing upon his daughter the importance of family far more now than ever. Especially since Tywin hoped to broach the matter of a betrothal between Cersei and Prince Rhaegar in a couple of years time.
Which made the next few steps in lucions education absolutely critical. Tywin would allow Lucion two years at the Citadel at most. After that Lucion would be recalled to serve as a page and squire to a member of the Kingsguard. The only question for Tywin was whether or not he'd continue to indulge his eldest son.
Tywin was friendly to the White bull, but Tywin would prefer it if Ser Arthur or Ser Barristan were to train Lucion as their squire. Being the Squire to the Sword of the Morning and a member of the Kingsguard was a rare honor, and it would improve the standing of Lucion as a Knight. Much as Tywin's initial standing had been garnered primarily from the then Prince Aerys Knighting him, Lucion would garner more from Ser Arthur. However Barristan and Gerold both had something that Arthur lacked.
Barristan had extinguished the last of House Blackfyre, while Gerold was the Lord-Commander and had served three kings, whereas Barristan had only served two and Arthur had served one.
That lineage of Kings as well as Knights would be passed down to Lucion. Barristam who had been trained by the previous Lord-Commander Ser Duncan the Tall and Knighted by King Aegon The Unlikely. Gerold who's training had been completed by Barristan following Duncan's death but it was Gerold who raised Barristan to the Kingsguard. Lucion would be a part of such a legacy in time.
Which also meant that the Martells who were entering Casterly Rock as they did right now…an ever more important piece of the much larger game.
Now was the time to begin planning Jaime's future…
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