Fall Of The Proud Lion

"Haha… see? I have utmost faith in His Grace." Mace Tyrell smiled, until he started to reminisce about the food and wine that was on the table. Now his sweet delights were nothing more than particles in the air.

'Or were you too stupid to move? Hmm…' Aerion pondered as he sheathed Ambition.

Several guards stormed in, worried that something had happened. After all, Aerion's strike was the opposite of silent.

He turned his head slightly. "Did I request your presence?"

"No, Your Grace."

And so, they stormed back out.

"So this is how you conquered the Nine Free cities?" Oberyn wondered, impressed by the display of power. Those flames would cut deep fear into the hearts of others… however, Oberyn knew well that Aerion would never point his flames towards him, so there was no reason to fear it.

"This was but a drop in the ocean." Aerion looked at the middle, where the table used to stand.

"Well, no use in you all sitting around here. I'd like all the lords who have already bent the knee before me to prepare their men for a swift march to Robert's camp. Ser Oswell and Barristan, I'd also like you two to maintain a Kingsguard presence outside."

Mace Tyrell got up from his chair and went along with the others. "It will be done briskly, Your Grace."

"That is good to hear."

"Well, I'll be informing the lords from Dorne."

"No, Oberyn, I want you to stay here. Let Viserys and Ser Jaime settle that matter."

"Sure, it will be done... Ser Jaime?"

"Jaime, you have served as my faithful Kingsguard ever since I was a child. I entrusted my life to you on countless occasions and you've done the same just as many times, if not more." Aerion leaned closer and whispered his last words. "He abandoned you all those years ago and never once did he try to reach you... why must you stand up for him? Why must you choose that fiend of man over me, the Emperor and friend who trusts you above everyone else? Why must our mutual trust and faith waver over such a man?"

"It will not." Jaime turned around and joined Viserys. "I trust that you will make the right decision, as always, my Emperor."

'I will.'

Aerion genuinely smiled. However, that smile didn't last long after Jaime left the camp.

Now, only Aerion, Oberyn and Tywin remain inside the camp.

"I don't believe we've met face to face before, Lord Tywin Lannister. I planned to make a visit to Casterly Rock but it seems that you came here of your own accord... which I appreciate. In all honesty, I've admired your ability for quite some time. So much so that I even took some notes from your past deeds as I conquered the Free Cities of Essos."

"It is said that while you were Aerys' hand, the true King was none other than yourself as most matters requiring wisdom were settled by you. He grew green with envy once those rumours reached his ear and distanced himself from you… quite a petty move, I must say."

"So, what of it?" Tywin inquired. "I doubt that you have come here to give praise."

Aerion nodded. "You are correct. I'll just get to the point and state that you are who I believe to be the most capable Lord in all of the Seven Kingdoms. Because of that, I want you at my side. But first... you must bend the knee."

Oberyn glanced at him but Aerion did not look back.

Tywin closed some of the distance between them before bending the knee and solemnly looking at the ground.

"The past cannot be overwritten, Your Grace. I do not expect you to pardon or forgive me for the orders that I gave that day. But… I wish to pledge myself, House Lannister and all the swords under me to House Targaryen. Allow me this one opportunity to prove myself and I swear to you that you will not regret it."

"I accept... you may rise."

Tywin's expression lightened. he had not expected the cold and ruthless Aerion to be so... receptive towards him. He found it quite strange but he did not have any complaints about it.

After Tywin stood up from his knees, Aerion looked back towards Oberyn, who could not read his expression.

Aerion's tone grew very fierce suddenly.

"You dare think that it was so simple!?"

Aerion punched Tywin in the gut with all his strength. Afterwards, he landed a mighty front kick to the lord paramount's face and forced him down to the ground, squashing the poor man's wrinkled face under his boot. There was a sting of irony to Aerion's actions as he was the one to 'betray' Tywin, unlike the last time where Tywin had betrayed Aerys.

"You have a way around words, don't you? Prove myself…" Aerion chuckled. "That is the incorrect term, you ancient bastard."

"When you commit a sin, do you pray to the Seven for an opportunity to 'prove' yourself? No, you ask for forgiveness… and more importantly, a path to redemption!"

Then Aerion retreated, allowing time for Tywin to recover.

"You are in no position to act prideful and strong. In truth, you are no more than a struggling lion caught in a dragon's fangs." Aerion's cold, sharp violet eyes looked down on Tywin.

"I suggest you start acting like it before I truly consider feeding you to my dragon. Vermithor is still a relatively small dragon so he would take his time... tell me, it wouldn't be the best death, now would it?"

Tywin wiped his face with his hands, heavily dazed by the two blows from before. Never had he, the much-feared Lord Tywin Lannister, felt such fierce humiliation before. No one had the nerve to beat him down physically and mentally to such a degree... only King Aerys II Targaryen could even come close to such a feat. Blatantly ignoring his advice, marrying Rhaegar to Elia Martell instead of Cersei, not allowing Jaime to serve as a squire under Rhaegar and then making his prized heir, who was due to marry Lysa Tully, into a member of the Kingsguard.

"No... Your Grace."

Tywin managed to mutter the wisest words that came to mind at that moment.

"I thought so."

Tywin returned to his knees and chose his next words carefully. He despised having his pride shattered but he had come all the way here for a reason... for the benefit of House Lannister. Acting out of turn would only lead to making matters worse.

And so, he gave in.

"I ask for a path to redemption... Your Grace. If you may grant it to me... I will do what it takes."

"Beg."

Aerion kicked him down once more, leading to some of Tywin's blood escaping his mouth.

"Plead for it and I will be merciful."

"All that work and pride you put into your great House Lannister... do you want it all to go into flames, Lord Tywin?"

Aerion cut open a small wound with Instinct, allowing some of his own blood to fall to the ground.

Tywin grit his teeth as he thought over Aerion's words. In the end, however, he gave in and put forward all his efforts into convincing the unshakeable conqueror before him.

"I beg of you... Your Grace, grant me a path of redemption so that I may earn your forgiveness and mercy. I swear that I will never betray you or House Targaryen... I swear it on all the gods, old and new. Whatever you need, wherever and whenever... I will always be there to serve you until my very last breath. I swear it... I, Lord Tywin Lannister, swear it on the name of Joanna and House Lannister!"

'For a man with such pride to go so low and yet show so much emotion while doing so... it must have been excruciatingly difficult.'

Aerion was rather shocked and even, unexpectedly, touched by Tywin's oath. A vibrant crimson circle appeared beneath their feet and dragged both of their blood to the centre of the pattern. Then, after a few seconds, the circle vanished and the ritual was complete.

"And I, Dragon Emperor Aerion 'Stormcaller' of House Targaryen, accept your oath of fealty."

Once he realised that his killing intent had wavered by a great degree, Aerion turned away in his own disgust. His palm burst with flames, forming into the sigil of House Targaryen immediately.

"Know that I'll work you to the bone."

He turned back around and lowered his palm, imprinting the sigil across the top of Tywin's bald head.

"You have not earned the blessing of being reborn anew. Under this contract, you are free to do as you will as long as it isn't against the interests of House Targaryen or my orders. A loyal slave, essentially."

"Here... I'll show you how it works." Seeing Tywin's confused expression, Aerion gave him Instinct.

"Stab me."

Tywin moved in to stab Aerion without thinking twice because of his order.

"Stop."

And, just as he was about to, Aerion ordered otherwise.

"See? You cannot resist the blood contract, no matter how hard you try. Now you may go and make your preparations. I want a majority ready to march within an hour."

"As you wish."

Tywin nodded, taking note of the said blood contract. He returned Instinct to Aerion and went on his way.

"That is a rather frightening magic trick you have there, Aerion..." Oberyn remarked.

"A painful death would more or less be a release from his sins. With this, I can make him suffer for far longer."

'And complete Jaime's request.'

"Hmm, smart... the humiliation will continue until the very end."

Aerion nodded. "Until I deem him worthy of being proud."

~

After slightly over three hours had passed, the entire loyalist army had gotten onto their feet and prepared for a confrontation against the opposing force; the Usurper's army. Aerion had used a wedge-like formation with the strongest infantry, mostly consisting of Dornish spearmen, standing in front. To the sides of the wedge was the horsemen and knights of Aerion's army. Right behind the vanguard were the archers, who would move back and be covered by the rest of the infantry if the line broke... which was very unlikely with Aerion leading the vanguard.

There were also some rather 'powerful' reinforcements on their way.

Aerion only used such a formation to make his army look organised and it most certainly did, especially compared to Robert's army that had only just started to move out of its camp. Essentially, this battle had been won before it even started.

"Why the lack of words, Jaime? It feels like you've been wanting to say something for quite some time."

"I would not break my oath to you for anyone or anything, Aerion. Even if you had killed my father... I still would've stayed by your side until the end."

"Jaime."

"Yes?"

"If there ever comes a day when I..."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind, it's nothing."

Aerion, on horseback, turned to his army. He channelled some magic vitality, raising his voice so that more of his men would hear him.

"Who wants a battle here? If you want to fight raise your weapon as high as you can and shout 'FIRE AND BLOOD'!"

"FIRE AND BLOOD!"

"FIRE AND BLOOD!"

"FIRE AND BLOOD!"

'These soldiers are almost as bloodthirsty as my crew...'

Aerion noticed a dozen or so soldiers on horseback approaching his army. It was an envoy from Robert's army, to be precise. The archers of the loyalist army prepared to fire in the case that they tried something funny.

"His Grace, Robert Baratheon says that he wishes to avoid a direct battle between the two armies that could prove to be devastating to the Realm. Instead, he offers a simple solution that will lead to far less blood being shed."

"And that is?"

"A duel to the death."

Aerion smiled as that was precisely what he wanted.

"Tell him that I accept. To add to that... we will be duelling in the grounds of King's Landing."

"King's Landing...?" The envoy questioned.

"Yes, though very few of the rebel army will be allowed inside and access will be restricted due to safety reasons. At most, Robert may only take five people with him. The rest of the rebel army will stay here until the victor is decided."

"Just five!? Do you think that His Grace is a fool?"

Aerion chuckled. "If I so wished, all of Robert's men would turn into ash before you could even return to him."

"What of your magic in the duel?"

"Robert and I will come into terms on the rules of the duel, I'm sure."

"Very well... I will inform His Grace. But first, you must swear that you will not try any underhand tactics. For His Grace to enter King's Landing..."

"I swear by the honour of my House. Honestly, I have no reason to dodge a duel against a man as old as him. Now that you gave my reassurance, gallop along."

"... Very well."

Aerion turned back to his army.

"Well, it looks like there won't be a battle today. At the very least, we all had an opportunity to stretch our legs..."

Originally, Aerion had thought about a duel in the middle of the field but that could get quite messy pretty quickly. In the duelling grounds of King's Landing, there wouldn't be any potential soldiers to interfere and the people of the city would have something exciting to watch.

~

The loyalist army returned to the camp right outside King's Landing and awaited the results of the duel. All the while, Robert Baratheon and his five chosen people arrived at the gates.

'Robert Baratheon, Eddard Stark, Jon Arryn, Edmure Tully...?'

Aerion observed the group of lords that were allowed in. Their horses were given off to the stables as he confronted them.

"It has been a very long while, hasn't it, Lord Eddard Stark? How is Jon Snow?"

"He is growing into a fine young man."

"That is good to hear." Aerion turned to Robert. "How are you enjoying the mark I gave you?"

"I hate it... and I hate you even more."

"Good... very good. I hope that you use that hatred well in our duel. I want you at your very best... so that you have no excuse when I crush you into the ground."

"Hah, the Targaryen Emperor has some confidence thinking he can beat His Grace in a duel." Edmure Tully chuckled, shaking his head.

"Who told you to speak, weakling? Your House Banner is that of a fish... which is quite fitting as you wouldn't even be able to cut me."

Edmure looked at his sword and back at Aerion. Although insulted, he did not have the guts to challenge him.

"I won't need to because you'll be dead after His Grace is done with you."

Aerion's violet eyes gazed into Edmure Tully's blue eyes, seemingly piercing right his very soul.

"This cunt doesn't know who's he talking to." Ser Robb stated. "Your Grace, allow me to teach the fool a lesson."

"No need. The man has been married to the beautiful Cersei Lannister for over ten years and failed to produce an heir... that says all you need to know about him."

"I..."

Everyone looked at the speechless Edmure and not even those on his side could say much to counter that.

"Hmph, anyway, I'd like to get this duel done today. My knights, escort these good lords to the arena."

"I want to see my wife and children first." Robert interrupted.

"I will respect your wishes." Aerion nodded. "Come, we will go to the Red Keep together."