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#### **The Lion Lurks in the Shadows**
Lord Tywin Lannister, ever composed and calculating, sat in his private chambers within the Red Keep. Despite his imposing presence in the aftermath of the rebellion, his late entry into the war had denied him the full credit for Robert Baratheon's victory. The capital had fallen, but it was not Tywin's forces who opened the gates—it was the rebellion itself. And though his troops had sacked King's Landing in the name of Robert, they had done so without his personal delivery of the city.
For a man like Tywin, this oversight stung. He had built House Lannister into the wealthiest and most powerful house in Westeros through meticulous planning, but this miscalculation now made his position precarious. Robert was already seated on the Iron Throne, and Tywin's most immediate prize—the marriage of his daughter Cersei to the new king—was not yet secured.
The other lords, he knew, whispered about his lateness to the rebellion, attributing it to opportunism rather than loyalty. And while opportunism was indeed his intention, Tywin understood that perception often mattered as much as truth. He had to correct this imbalance—not through brute force, but through the quiet, insidious strategies that had always been his strength.
If one path was closed, Tywin would create another. The game of thrones, after all, was not one of fairness but of persistence.
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#### **A Reputation to Restore**
Tywin's first move was to repair the perception of his house by highlighting the growing reputation of his son, Jaime Lannister. Jaime, who had stayed behind to protect the Red Keep during its chaotic final days under King Aerys, was no longer burdened by the stain of kingslaying. Aerys had died at another's hand, leaving Jaime's honor untarnished. Instead of being vilified, Jaime was seen by many as the knight who defended the Red Keep from complete anarchy during its fall.
Tywin seized on this narrative. He quietly ensured that the story of Jaime's valiant defense spread far and wide. Letters were sent to lords throughout the realm, praising Jaime's bravery and discipline in the face of chaos. Barristan Selmy's silence on the specifics of the final hours had also worked in Tywin's favor—there were no contradicting accounts to tarnish Jaime's newfound glory.
But Tywin knew reputation alone was insufficient to secure his family's dominance. Gold, as always, was his most reliable ally. He summoned his most trusted agents, dispatching them across the realm with offers of financial relief and carefully worded letters to struggling noble families. Debts were forgiven, alliances strengthened. With each interaction, Tywin quietly ensured that his influence grew, laying the groundwork for when the matter of Robert's marriage was inevitably brought to the royal council.
"The lion does not roar before striking," Tywin remarked to his steward as he signed yet another letter. "It waits, silent, but undeniable."
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#### **The Council's Deliberation**
In the chambers of the Small Council, the matter of Robert Baratheon's marriage was formally raised. Present were the most important lords of the realm, each carrying their own agenda.
- **King Robert Baratheon** – seated at the head of the table, his face marked by exhaustion. Though his crown gleamed on his brow, his demeanor was that of a man burdened, still grieving the loss of Lyanna Stark.
- **Jon Arryn** – the Hand of the King, ever the pragmatist, seeking stability for the realm through alliances.
- **Eddard Stark** – somber and withdrawn, eager to return North but fully aware of the political importance of this meeting.
- **Hoster Tully** – present to advocate for his daughters, though his influence had waned after Catelyn's marriage to Eddard.
- **Several loyal bannermen** – eager to push forward their own candidates for marriage, each vying for favor with the new king.
Jon Arryn opened the discussion with characteristic calm. "Your Grace," he began, "the realm must see stability. A strong queen at your side will not only cement alliances but assure the people of a steady reign."
Robert sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Spare me the formalities, Jon. You want me to marry quickly. Just say it."
Jon pressed on, undeterred by the king's tone. "A marriage to Cersei Lannister would strengthen our hold on the Westerlands, Your Grace. Tywin Lannister's wealth and influence would prove invaluable to your reign."
At the mention of Cersei, Robert scowled. "The Lannisters. Always the Lannisters. Why must it be them?"
Eddard spoke then, his voice measured. "Your Grace, I understand your reluctance. But the Lannisters hold the gold we'll need to rebuild the realm. The cost of war is high, and our coffers are empty."
Robert turned to Ned, his expression pained. "And what of love, Ned? What of Lyanna?"
A heavy silence fell over the room. No one dared to speak, and even Eddard hesitated. Finally, Jon Arryn spoke again. "Your Grace, Lyanna is gone. But the realm remains. A king cannot rule alone."
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#### **Robert's Inner Conflict**
Robert pushed himself to his feet, pacing the room like a caged lion. "A king cannot rule alone," he repeated bitterly. "But must a king marry so soon after burying the woman he fought a war for?"
No one responded. The lords at the table exchanged uneasy glances, unwilling to press him further. But Robert's grief was not easily silenced.
"I loved her," he continued, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Every step I took in this rebellion, every blow I struck, was for her. And now you ask me to forget her? To marry another and act as if she never existed?"
Eddard rose slowly, meeting his friend's anguished gaze. "You'll never forget her, Robert. None of us will. But the realm needs a king—not a man lost in the past. You can honor Lyanna's memory by ruling justly. By ensuring her sacrifice wasn't in vain."
Robert's shoulders sagged, his grief momentarily softened by Ned's words. He sat back down, his face etched with exhaustion. "Fine," he muttered. "But I'll not wed for love again. This is politics, nothing more."
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#### **The Decision**
Hoster Tully briefly raised the possibility of his daughter Lysa, though with Catelyn already married to Ned, the proposal carried little weight. Other lords offered vague suggestions, but the council quickly converged on Cersei Lannister as the most viable choice.
Jon Arryn outlined the practical benefits of the match: the Lannisters' immense wealth, Jaime's growing renown, and Tywin's political influence. Despite his misgivings about Tywin, Robert recognized the necessity of the alliance.
The lords murmured their agreement. Eddard remained silent, his distrust of the Lannisters evident but unspoken. He would not oppose the match, knowing that Robert needed stability as much as the realm did.
At last, with a reluctant sigh, Robert nodded. "Fine. Send for Tywin. The marriage is agreed. But don't expect me to be happy about it."
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#### **The Lion's Victory**
As word spread of the king's decision, Tywin Lannister allowed himself a rare smile. His daughter would be queen, and House Lannister would stand beside the Iron Throne. The delay in securing the match no longer mattered—Tywin had achieved what he set out to do.
That night, the Red Keep was alive with preparations for the grand feast to come. Servants rushed through its halls, carrying casks of wine and trays of gold-encrusted plates. The noble lords, though outwardly celebrating the marriage, whispered in corners about alliances and ambitions. The feast would be a time for unity—but also for intrigue.
In his chambers, Tywin Lannister studied a map of Westeros, his mind already turning to the next phase of his plans. The game was far from over.
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