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Chapter 7 Changing of the Guard

I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones

Before I start I just want to thank everyone for their continued support. It means a lot to me that so many people give this story their time. One point I have picked up on from the feedback I have been getting is that people want to see Hadrian use more magic. So I will assure those that are interested that Hadrian will use more in the future and it will play a big part in the next stage of his conquest.

Chapter 7 – Changing of the Guard

Although the Great Sept of Baelor was usually reserved for royalty, Lord Tywin Lannister had 'done so much for the realm' that he was granted the honour of being placed there for people to pay their respects before his body was sent back to Casterly Rock where he would finally be laid to rest. Around the corpse of their father, Tywin's three trueborn sons kept vigil. Their expressions were sombre but their individual feelings towards this unexpected event were very different.

For Jaime Lannister it was a great sense of shame and disgust directed solely at himself. The last time he had ever seen his father alive, Tywin had been giving him a look of abhorrence that would have made the most prideful man doubt himself. He had utterly disappointed the man whose approval had once meant everything to him even when he did not achieve it. Worse were the looks Cersei was giving him when she thought no one else could see. Her lust seemed to have intensified and there was a touch of satisfaction in her smile that only he would be allowed to see. She had murdered their father, he was sure of that beyond a shadow of a doubt and framed one of sworn brothers and he could not tell anyone because it would implicate him as well for his incest with his sister. His own cowardice of his crime being discovered made him feel even more wretched and he wondered how he might even cleanse his own guilt. His sleep was disturbed as nightmares of all his old demons combined with the new coming back to haunt him, leaving him tired but scared to close his eyes for fear of what might be lurking there.

Tyrion Lannister on the other hand was feeling anger, not at the person that had killed his father…but that he had not managed to do the deed himself. For years the man had tormented him and degraded him despite all his attempts to earn his trust and respect; labelling his lovely but lowborn wife a whore and nearly condemning her to being raped by the entire castle garrison and for another example instead of allowing him to travel Tywin had forced him to take responsibility for the cisterns and drains of Casterly Rock and Lannisport. Thanks to his eldest brother those actions had been declawed and he had a chance to travel as he had long dreamed and his wife was safely hidden in Braavos with their children. How he longed to be with them but as long as Tywin and Cersei lived then Tysha would always be in danger. He slept with whores largely to spite both of them and as a distraction but now Tywin was dead he found himself regretting the decision, what had he truly done besides waste coin, disappoint his wife and sire bastards? He did not want to think of the answer he arrived at.

Hadrian however was the most confused of all of them. He was in many ways glad for Tywin's passing as horrible as it sounded. He now had his father's title and his lands and all of the wealth and power that came with it, he no longer had to account to Tywin for what he did and could continue his plans without his father looking over his shoulder. And more crucially a dangerous element in the long term plan to restore the rightful dynasty to the throne had been removed. But at the same time he felt…sad. A sense of grief that he did not expect. The man lying before him had not been a true father to any of his children in so long that neither Jaime nor Cersei had any real memory of it anymore and of course Tyrion had never experienced it at all. But he could still remember the brief smiles Tywin would give him when he was growing up and those traded with his mother on occasion. He could remember when he had put his arm around him when he had first had a nightmare and told him that fear was an instinct that should be trusted but controlled lest it consume you. Hadrian did not know what to feel at Tywin right now, but with his sadness came anger. Hatred at the one who had killed his father and despite what everyone was saying, he knew that it was not Ser Boros Blount. The satisfied look in his sister's eyes that she disguised so poorly had given her away immediately and his fist clenched in fury.

"I leave for Casterly Rock soon." Hadrian said breaking the oppressive silence. "I need to take our father home." Jaime looked like he wanted to say something so Hadrian suggested. "Perhaps you should come with me? Spent some time at the Rock with the rest of the family."

"If Robert allows it I would certainly join you brother." Jaime said quietly hoping to hide his feelings. Right now he wanted to be as far from Cersei as possible.

"I think it best I stay here. I have my new duties to attend too. It would not be good for me to leave so soon after being named master of coin." Tyrion said, he did not want to return to Casterly Rock at all. The place held to many bad memories for him and he was glad his brother would inherit the responsibly of leading their family. Hadrian nodded and told him with complete seriousness.

"Guard yourself well brother. Cersei has managed to kill one member of our family and gotten away with it. She might well be tempted to kill another." Both Jaime and Tyrion looked at him surprised.

"How did you know?" Jaime asked confused at how his older brother knew the truth and Jaime secretly feared Hadrian would kill him if he truly knew the circumstances that led to Tywin's murder. Hadrian without turning to face either of his brothers explained.

"Even if someone paid him, Blount is too much of a coward to even attempt killing Tywin Lannister. He would be too scared of Tywin's reprisal if he failed or our vengeance if he managed to succeed. And I too brothers have seen the look in Cersei's eyes, that glint of triumph…like she has achieved something. With our father out of the way she must now feel she has free reign, something we must deny her. Strip her of any power she has Tyrion any way you can, her short-sightedness could spell doom for us all. But be ready to get out of here if you need too, I will not lose any more members of my family on this endeavour." Hadrian said to his youngest brother. "I'm giving you the manor here in King's Landing and all the resources that go with it. Shore up your defences and sharpen your mind brother. You will need every weapon at your disposal."

Hadrian saw the distressed look on Jaime's face as he looked on Tywin's body and decided to tell his brother something that would hopefully help.

"Jaime." Hadrian said to his younger brother who turned away from the body of their father and looked at him. "I want to tell you about something that happened when you were five and I was seven. Before Tyrion was even born…"

Flashback…

The sun shone brightly in through the windows of the room where two young boys were sitting surrounded by books and pieces of parchment. Both boys were very similar with golden blond locks and emerald green eyes. However while the oldest boy was focused on his work and doing well, the younger was screwing up his face in concentration and yet it was as if the words on the parchment before him were floating off the page and up into the air like dust on the wind. Finally losing his patience the younger boy threw the parchment across the room with a cry of anger causing his older sibling to look up in surprise.

"This is pointless! Why can't I just go and practice in the yard?" Jaime Lannister aged five said in a huff folding his arms and pouting. The seven year old Hadrian looked on his brother patiently and put down his quill asking him.

"What is the problem Jaime? You know father will be angry if we do not finish our work." His younger brother answered quickly still pouting.

"The words just seem to flow off of the page. It makes no sense to me." Hadrian smiled gently, he knew his brother was more suited to physical activities than intellectual ones. He would make a fine knight but a poor lord Hadrian thought and got up from his seat and put a hand on his brother's shoulder before reassuring him.

"You will get it eventually. Do not worry little brother, I can help you if you would like." Hadrian offered and Jaime looked happier at having his brother's help. Then the door opened and in walked their lord father Tywin. Jaime jumped to his feet alongside Hadrian but both boys relaxed when they saw their father was smiling.

"Good, you are brothers. You should always be there to help each other." Tywin said glad to see his boys got on so well. In future when Hadrian was ruling the Westerlands Jaime would hopefully be the sword at his side. The Kevan to Hadrian's Tywin so to speak. Tywin was certain that they would built and expand on the legacy he was going to leave behind but more importantly ensure their family would live on as the most powerful house in the land. He put his hands on the boys' shoulders and guided them over to the balcony that looked out on to the Westerlands. He told them with pride.

"This land has been in our blood for hundreds of years. Even before the Targaryens came this land was ours and it will continue to be ours long after we are gone." Tywin paused before continuing. "Some say that my greatest achievement was putting down the Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion and being Hand of the King but no. My greatest achievement was fathering two sons that I can be proud of. One will go on to be one of the greatest lords that the Rock has ever known. The other will go on to be one of the greatest knights of the age." Tywin said as both boys listened in rapt attention. "You will both do great things that will be remembered for generations to come but one thing that you must remember, is that family is what must come first. Family will outlive any man and carry on what you start. Stand together as brothers and the world will be yours."

Flashback end…

Back in the present both Jaime and Tyrion were stunned to hear that their father had once said such things. They only really knew him as the cold but clever and proud lion of Casterly Rock. Only Hadrian really remembered the man their father had once been…when mother had been alive to bring out the better parts of him. He had always been tough but he had also been fair to his family at least. He had been a loving husband and father but that part of him had seemingly died with Joanna and he had become harsh and cold.

In the room of Robert Baratheon, the king was himself too drunk to even consider getting out of bed. The whores that he had enjoyed last night had long since left but he was too hungover to move. His head was aching and his eyes were drooped. Then a sight that made his head ache even greater appeared at the door, his 'beloved' wife Cersei. The whore was looking smug as she peered down at him and he really wanted to wipe that smirk off her face but could not manage to move his arms enough.

"What do you want?" He asked her slurring his words, her disgust at him was clear to see but she still kept up the pretence of a caring wife.

"My love I will send for the maester, perhaps he has a remedy that can help you." Robert however was in no mood for her false pleasantries.

"Clear off woman! It is too early in the day for your poison. Say what you want and do it quickly!" He warned now finding the strength to sit up and gave the woman a glare. His blood shot eyes would have been frightening to some especially given the hatred that was being directed out of them. But Cersei was not intimidated in the slightest, she was feeling so euphoric right now…she had gotten away with murder and not just of some lowly peasant, the great and terrible Tywin Lannister. Killed by a pot being smashed over his head. How ignoble an end for such a distinguished lord she thought with mirth. Now all she had to do was get rid of Hadrian, his children and Tyrion and she would have Jaime and House Lannister all to herself. And even better she could get all of her children back under her roof once Robert was removed and she would rule all of Westeros through her golden lion Joffrey. She was salivating at all that she would accomplish when ultimate power was hers. She would prove herself to be the greatest queen in all history! But for now she would have work to ensure the power to make her dreams reality became hers and hers alone.

"My love I only wish to tell you of my concern for your kingdom." Cersei said sweetly although her eyes were full of anticipation. "With my beloved lord father dead, I worry that the Westerlands may fall into chaos. For the stability of your realm and the security of your crown, maybe my love you should name my brother Jaime as the new lord of Casterly Rock? He has served you loyally for many years and would ensure my family's continued support of your reign." She said kneeling before him so she exposed her cleavage to him as an extra enticement for him to give her his full attention.

Robert just stared at her for a moment before he started yelling at her in annoyance.

"ARE YOU MAD WOMAN?!" He got his feet now feeling his head clear slightly. "Hadrian Lannister is the oldest son and has been groomed to run the Westerlands since he born and Jaime is a fucking idiot! Why would I give your bloody twin brother the lordship of Casterly Rock and start a fucking civil war!" Robert might not be the smartest king that the kingdoms had ever had but he was not the most stupid either although some would debate that point. He knew that Hadrian Lannister had the stronger claim to the Westerlands and had run it for many years while Tywin was here in King's Landing. The lords there had made much coin thanks to the man and would stay loyal to him while Jaime Lannister had a dirty reputation as a disloyal knight who had killed the king he was sworn to protect and possessed the wit and cunning of a donkey. The lords would side with Hadrian except perhaps for an ambitious few who would be easily crushed by the eldest son of Tywin who had his father's cunning and superb fighting skills. Not to mention what would happen if Hadrian decided to call in the three million debt Robert owned to his house.

He started sneering at the wife he hated so much who now looked angry at her idea being dismissed out of hand. She looked ready to argue back but Robert grabbed a fistful of her long hair and pulled hard causing Cersei to yell out in pain as Robert dragged her by her hair across the room back to the door, grabbing a half full bottle of wine left over from last night on the way. They got to the doorway where Ser Arys Oakheart was standing guard today. Cersei was kicking and screaming all the way until Robert threw her down onto the floor outside his chamber before taking the open bottle and pouring its crimson contents right over his horrible wife who was still massaging her scalp from the pain of being dragged by her long golden hair and she cried out in anger as she felt the sticky wine being poured all over her. She went to get to her feet to slap Robert only for his meaty fist to meet her face sending her back down to the ground. She put her hand to her face where Robert had hit her and was about to glare at him but he had already gone back inside his room and slammed the door shut. With her jaw aching from the hit and her formerly brilliant red dress stained crimson in places from the wine she got to her feet and instead directed her furious glare at Ser Arys who just stood there smirking while he pretended to focus his attention on the wall in front of him. Worse she heard the giggling of two maids who swiftly ducked down the corridor and out of sight. She stormed off fuming at her humiliation, Ser Arys and those maids would surely tell others and if they did not then Robert probably would. Before too long everyone would know of her embarrassing ejection from Robert's chambers and seething with anger she stormed her way back to her own rooms where she could get a bath and a change of clothes.

Hadrian having left the great sept made his way to the throne room where the trial of Ser Boros Blout was taking place. If Ser Boros had any actual value as a member of the Kingsguard or in fact in any other capacity then Hadrian might have considered saving him. But the man was a weakling coward and the Kingsguard would be better off without him as they could choose a new and better knight to take his place. But his anger as he made his way through the corridors of the Red Keep was directed solely at his sister Cersei. He had long known she was like poison to everyone around her, corrupting or ruining them on her own whims but that she would kill their father was something he had never considered. That she would go this far. He wanted to make her suffer, not just kill her but make her life a living hell. He wanted to take away everything she valued and then he would allow her to die. First step was to get Jaime away from her, his brother would have a far better chance to turn his life around if he was not constantly touched by her poisonous influence. Keeping Tommen and Myrcella at the Rock was another thing he could do, although killing Joffrey did sound like a good idea it would mean having to put Tommen in his place and Tommen while a good boy was no king. Hopefully Robert could hold on long enough for Jon to conquer his new kingdom in Essos and learn enough that they could install him on the throne as soon as Robert died, a task now made easier by Tywin's death. In which case Joffrey's behaviour made finding allies for Jon easier. So even those like Joffrey could be useful in their own way.

He brought himself back into the moment as he entered the throne room where he saw that Robert as expected had not bothered to show up. You would think the murder of the most powerful and richest lord in Westeros not to mention his father in law inside his own walls might have broken Robert from his regular activities but the king seemed not to care enough to even show up at the trial. So on the Iron Throne Ned Stark sat in his stead with Willas Tyrell and Oberyn Martell at his side acting as the judges. Boros Blount stood in the centre of the room, stripped of his white armour and dressed in simple rags with his wrists bound by heavy chains that were so tight he kept rubbing the edge of the cuffs as they chafed his skin.

Taking a seat near the back he watched as the whores would could have proved Blout's innocence instead lied to the judges saying that they had not seen him that night leaving him with no alibi. The judges looked distinctly unimpressed at the desperate man's pleas given the evidence against him.

"My lords." Boros pleaded looking terrified. "I swear on the Seven that I did not murder Tywin Lannister. Those whores are lying! They were with me the whole night!" Ned however answered him with a stern look and said.

"Yet the murder weapon was found in your room and those who you claimed would prove your innocence have sworn exactly the opposite. Ser Boros Blount you must present more evidence if you plan to leave this court a free man." He said severely to the now disgraced knight. Boros looked ready to panic and made one last desperate attempt to save his life.

"I demand a trial by combat." He said quickly and the crowd all started talking amongst themselves loudly as the judges frowned in annoyance. Ned wanting to get this over and done with turned to Ser Barristan Selmy who was watching the proceedings with disgust as one of his sworn brothers humiliated the once great order yet again. Barristan remembered a time when being on the Kingsguard actually meant something; in the days of Aerys the second as bad as they had been for everyone else. There had been Arthur Dayne, Gerold Hightower, Lewyn Martell, Jonothor Darry and Gwane Gaunt amongst others in his time. They had all been the best of knights and honourable men, it had been an honour and a privilege to serve alongside them. Then it had all gone so wrong and now corruption and incompetence had tainted the Kingsguard. Other than he only Jaime Lannister had any notable skill with a blade and as much as Barristan felt Jaime after betraying his king did not deserve to serve he knew the guard could not afford to lose him given the general idiocy and incompetence of the other members.

"Ser Barristan will you stand as the champion of the court?" Ned Stark asked him. Barristan nodded slowly, glad to have someone of Lord Stark's honour and standing taking the reins of power from the disgusting lump of dishonourable blubber that currently sat on the Iron Throne.

Boros Blount looked relieved when Lord Stark had granted his right to trial by combat but was then absolutely terrified at the thought of having to face Ser Barristan Selmy in single combat. Despite his advancing age the man was one of the most talented knights that had ever been…a man who was up there with Arthur Dayne and the Dragon Knight Aemon Targaryen and the thought of having to face him in a duel to the death was nearly making Blount shit his pants as the guards dragged him away to the Black cells where he would be kept until the time came for his duel with Ser Barristan.

Then quite unexpectedly King Robert walked into the room looking hungover and his movement was unsteady. Everyone in the room who was seating suddenly got to their feet and Robert made his way to the Iron Throne which Ned quickly vacated so Robert could sit there. He looked relieved to sit down even if the throne was very uncomfortable. Then as the court stood quietly waiting for him to speak what he said would shock everyone in that room.

"I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago…I hereby dismiss Jaime Lannister from the Kingsguard with immediate effect. I leave to you Ned to find replacement knights."

The court erupted into chaos with everyone shouting or talking all at the same time, Ned and the other former judges were speechless. Dismissing someone from the Kingsguard had never been done before…not in the entire history of the brotherhood and Ser Barristan and Jaime who had just arrived in time to hear Robert's decree looked ready to throw a fit. Hadrian's eyes narrowed at Robert, this was a blatant slap in the face to House Lannister. It would be a black mark on Jaime's record just like the killing of the Mad King but there at least there Jaime had the defence of protecting everyone in King's Landing. This was a grave insult against not just against Jaime but all Lannisters that they were not good enough to serve for life like all Kingsguard members.

Jaime was devastated as well as angry, his position on the Kingsguard was something that had given him great pride despite all the things he had done since joining, namely killing his own king to save the capital and fucking his own sister, putting three babies in her belly that now were masqueraded as the fat king's own spawn. He had wanted to get away from Cersei but not like this. What would he do now? He was an unmarried thirty plus year old knight with no lands or titles. He would be dependent on his family for support and the fact that he was thought not good enough to be in the Kingsguard grated deeply against his own sense of pride.

But Hadrian suddenly realised this presented new opportunities that otherwise would have been unattainable. Now only would it get his brother away from Cersei and hurt her in the process but it would help him later the conquest of the Free Cities.

That night before the trial by combat Hadrian was lying on his bed in Lannister House while he thought carefully on his immediate plans. Crimson Night was within easy reach if it was needed as even here in the manor he had built threats could be found. Brightroar was also in the room but tucked safely away in the chest nearby. As he sat up Hadrian became aware that someone else was in the room, he reached for his sword when a cloaked figure emerged from one of the secret passages he had built into the manor to allow escape if needed. Hadrian was about to cut the figure down when a familiar voice said quickly.

"My lord! Please stay your hand." It was the voice of a woman dressed in a long cloak and Hadrian sheathed his sword. The woman lowered her hood revealing an attractive brunette in her late twenties and Hadrian realised it was his own personal spymaster Alys.

The woman had come from a long line of spies that were sworn to the First Sea Lord of Braavos. They had spying down to a fine art and Alys had been an agent prior to getting married and having children of her own. But several years ago, the previous First Sea Lord had been murdered and his position usurped by his own son. He had been inspired by a Red Priestess whose name Alys had never managed to learn to sacrifice her entire family to the Red God by burning them at the stake to be granted supreme power over Braavos. Thankfully Arthur Vestra who had been there on a business trip had managed to save Alys and two of her children although her father and husband had been killed and she had pledged her spy network to Arthur in exchange for a safe place for her children who remained hidden even now and Arthur's help in getting justice for her father and husband. Although the murder of her family had not warranted the intervention of the rest of the ruling class of Braavos however horrifying it might had been but the murder of his father most definitely had warranted their attention, not to mention there were many that wanted the position of First Sealord and were eager to tear the existing one down. The son had been hanged and a new Sealord appointed although the Red Priestess had escaped. Once Arthur had introduced Alys to Hadrian, she had come into his service. She was a tenth generation spy master and every trick in the trade and a real benefit to Hadrian since she was little she could not find out.

"Alys, I assume you must have something urgent to report to risk coming here in person?" He asked her. She nodded and told him quickly.

"My lord I have received worrying news. It seems Xaro D'Artegan had a son…Horus and he has sworn vengeance for his father's death against the Seven Kingdoms. I know he is negotiating for support from Lys and Myr and is planning to target somewhere in the Kingdoms themselves but so far we do not know where he is planning to hit." Alys said and Hadrian frowned in worry. If Horus was anywhere near as vicious as his father and mad for revenge and had the support of Lys and Myr he could be potentially a very dangerous threat. Hadrian then gave her a nod and told her.

"Double your efforts in finding out where he is going to strike. If he is set on revenge then potentially he will do anything to hurt us and there are too many possible targets he could go after for us to defend them all." She nodded and quickly disappeared down the same passage she had emerged from leaving Hadrian worried about the unexpected development.

In the next room Jaime Lannister was still awake too but he was just staring at his Kingsguard armour and his fingers moved slowly over the decorated surface of the chest plate. This had been his armour for so long being parted with it was really hard for him, like losing a treasured friend. He had always thought of himself as a knight first and foremost. Being a member of the Kingsguard had been a badge of honour that he had worn with pride despite the distrust and disgust that was sent his way all the time for his killing of the mad king. Breaking his oath seemed to be a far more heinous crime than what Aerys had been planning to do as people gave the circumstances no consideration jumping to conclusions as to why he had betrayed his king.

Now all that was gone, his position as one of the Kingsguard nothing more than a memory and a second badge of shame on top of killing Aerys. No one in the history of the Kingsguard had ever been dismissed, once named you served until you died. It had been that way for centuries and now Robert had changed all that just to spite Cersei and him. Right now he was feeling the urge to kill another King but knew he would be stopped by his actual brothers who were just as shocked as he had been. Such an insult to their house could not be taken lightly and hence forth Hadrian had told Jaime that House Lannister was no longer going to give gold to the Baratheons and if Robert wanted their help in the future he would have to repay them with something; if not gold then positions, titles, lands but no longer was Robert going to get such a free ride as he had done in the past, marriage to Cersei or not. Knowing how much the crown owed his family Jaime could not help but smile at the position Robert had put himself in, alienating one of the few Houses he still had on his side and possibly the most dangerous to cross which had a huge debt to hold over Robert's head.

Still despite his satisfaction that Robert had put his lavish lifestyle very much at risk by angering them, he still felt angry at the loss of his place in the Kingsguard. When he gave an oath he kept it. Aerys had been the one exception given how many lives would have been lost if he had done nothing. What could he do now? He thought to himself as he leant back on the bed putting the discarded armour on the floor beside him. Spending some time at home with all his nieces and nephews might be a good idea for a while.

He would just have to go from there.

The following morning the court gathered at the colosseum again this time for Boros Blount's trial by combat. The crowd that had gathered was small given how short everyone expected this to be but was sure to swell as the tournament of the Hand resumed later that afternoon. In the night Blount had tried to escape only to be dragged back to his cell kicking and screaming. The small crowd that had assembled was eagerly anticipating the sight of Blount being killed for the murder he had 'committed' but also for a chance to see the great Ser Barristan Selmy in action. The man was a legend, after all one did not earn the name Barristan the Bold for nothing.

The Royal Box contained Cersei and Joffrey who sat without the king as he had not bothered to show up and alongside the queen and prince were other highborn guests come to see 'justice' done, Ser Manton Moore and Ser Arys Oakheart were standing guard today in Barristan's stead. Hadrian, Jaime and Tyrion watched impassively not caring either way what happened here. They knew the truth and seeing a corrupt knight killed meant little to any of them. Seeing their sister's stormy expression however was somewhat enjoyable, her humiliating slap down from Robert was the talk of the Red Keep and indeed most of King's Landing by now and nearly everyone was laughing at her.

As her brothers they should have been angered at this but instead they found it oddly amusing and fitting that this should happen to her as punishment for not only father's death but what she had tried to pull. Replacing Hadrian with Jaime as the new lord of the Westerlands was just stupid. How had she thought it was going to work? The rules of succession were older than the Iron Throne or even the wall in the North. When the father dies, his holdings and duties fall to his eldest son or closest male heir in any case. In Dorne of course it was simply the oldest child of the standing ruler whether they were male or female. Besides Hadrian had spent more time at home than Jaime and earned the respect and admiration of their vassals, Jaime had not stepped foot in his home kingdom for years and was cursed with his disgrace at killing Aerys who he had sworn to protect and had no heirs whereas Hadrian had three sons and four daughters.

Tyrion and Hadrian had both come to the conclusion that she probably wanted to control the Westerlands through Jaime thinking she could lead him around by his cock. Something they were pleased Robert had denied her.

The judges Ned Stark, Willas Tyrell and Oberyn Martell looked on with disinterest as Ser Boros clad in simple unadorned armour walked out into the large arena. Given the crime he was charged with he was not permitted to wear his Kingsguard armour. He looked absolutely terrified as he walked into the arena and suddenly turned hoping to escape his fate but he saw the gates being locked behind him. His terror then became of so much greater as he saw Ser Barristan, a man who time and again had openly shown his disgust of him enter the arena from the other side.

The fight if it could be called that was over swiftly, Ser Barristan despite being in his early sixties was a fearsome opponent. There were probably only five or six knights in the whole country that could even think of taking him on with even a remote hope of victory and Boros Blount was not one of them. His swordsmanship was laughably childish compared to the incredible grace of Ser Barristan who moved like a man half his age, fending off Blount's poor attacks with ease and within moments…Blount's head was separated from his body.

Ned as the leading judge got to his feet and shouted out.

"The gods have spoken and Boros Blount was guilty. Let this be recorded and his bones returned to his family. Ser Barristan, I trust your judgement and bestow the task on you to find two new knights to take the two vacant spots on the Kingsguard." The old knight nodded and remained stern and expressionless on the outside. But inside he was feeling very contented, a nasty blot on the Kingsguard had been removed and the lord hand had given him the choice of who to place in the vacant spots. Finally he would be able to get some decent talent instead of thugs who pretended to be knights.

With that business over the small crowd dispersed and made their way back to wherever they needed to be. Ned returned with Arya and Sansa to the Tower of the Hand where he was met by Hadrian and Bran.

"Ned, we need to talk. Alone." Hadrian said seriously. The three Stark children looked at the two men expectantly only to look annoyed at being dismissed when their father nodded, going to their rooms in a huff. The two lords then moved to Ned's solar in the tower and the northern lord looked on Hadrian expectantly and Hadrian decided not to waste time with idle chitchat and move straight on to the main reason he was here.

"Ned I need to take Arya to Casterly Rock now, I cannot wait any longer."

Ned looked surprised and then anger took hold.

"Not a chance." He answered back firmly, Arya was staying right here with him and the rest of his family until she came of age. He might have been browbeaten by Robert into fostering Bran at Casterly Rock but he was not letting his daughters go until he was ready. The wolf blood in him rearing its head for the first time, fiercely protective of his pack refused to let his daughters out of his sight.

Hadrian however had his own animal 'blood' to call on, that of the lion and he was not going to take no for an answer.

"Like it or not things have changed Lord Stark." Hadrian said his cold tone turning formal and his eyes narrowed slightly. "With my father dead I have to assume his responsibilities and if something happens to me then they fall to Tyler and while I hope to live long enough for him to become a man Arya could end up as Lady of the Rock sooner than any of us thought. She has a lot to learn and not much time to do it in. I need to start preparing her now." Hadrian finished looking intently at the Northern lord who found himself unable to argue against his logic but not willing to send his youngest daughter away when he had already to part with his second son. Then he made a decision that he knew would annoy the other lord but get half of what he wanted.

"Alright, Arya will go to Casterly Rock but Bran must return to Winterfell so he can meet his new betrothed Lyanna Mormont and be made ready for his future role as Lord of Moat Cailin." Ned told Hadrian waiting to see his reaction.

If he was expecting anger then he was disappointed as Hadrian just stared at him with narrowed eyes and asked Ned coldly.

"And his training as a knight? Who is going to finish it?"

"I have sent a letter to his great uncle Ser Brynden Tully who has agreed to come to Winterfell taking a leave of absence from his duties in the Vale to teach Bran." Ned said whose voice was now as cold as the land he came from.

"Very well, I will tell the two children what is going to happen. I trust instead of Summer you will send Nymeria to Casterly Rock. Good day my lord hand." Hadrian said and made his exit feeling furious with Lord Stark. Now how was Bran going to learn to control his magic now? He could not teach him from the other side of the continent.

Then he had an idea and with a slight grin he walked down the steps from Ned's solar to Arya's room where Bran had taken refuge while his father and Hadrian talked. He pushed the door open and saw the two younger Starks sitting on Arya's bed and taking a deep breath his face became serious as he told them what he and their father had discussed while they looked on with curiosity.

"Your father and I have decided that Arya will come to live at Casterly Rock while you Bran must return to Winterfell to prepare for your future lordship and meet your future wife Lyanna Mormont. Your father has arranged for your great uncle Brynden to come and teach you to be a knight."

Both children were shocked at his announcement, Arya looked unhappy at the idea of being packed off to Casterly Rock still not convinced that he would allow her to learn to fight. Bran however was very upset at having to go home.

"But how am I going to learn…magic?" He asked saying the last word quietly in case anyone was listening. Arya having forgotten about that turned back to Hadrian expectantly and he grinned.

"I might have found you a new teacher, one closer to the North than I will be. He will also help you refine your future sight, something that I have never had much skill at." He admitted reluctantly, hating to admit a weakness. "Come I have something to show you." He said gesturing for the two children to follow him. They walked out of the tower where Raga and a compliment of Lannister soldiers was waiting for them. Seeing the great lion for the first time was surprising for Arya and she looked on him nervously but the lion was as ever well behaved and just walked alongside them.

The two children were confused at where they might be going and were surprised when they arrived at the city's godswood. Hadrian turned to the guards and told them.

"Secure the area, no-one comes in or out." He ordered and the soldiers responded with.

"Yes my lord."

Entering the godswood with Raga at their side they came upon one of the largest weirwood trees and while gently stroking Raga's ears Hadrian told them.

"A weirwood tree is a powerful source of magic…that might be one of the reasons so many were chopped down by those that feared magic. For those like us though they can be used for so much more than making furniture or as fuel for a fire." He told them sitting down with his back to the tree and gestured for them to sit next to him. "Now sit down, take a deep breath and touch the branch with your hand."

The two young Starks were confused as to why but did as they were told and suddenly their eyes rolled upwards as did Hadrian's.

The sensation that they experienced was not one that either Arya or Bran could consciously describe to someone who had not experienced it. The closest thing they would compare it too would be like being like a leaf on the wind being carried by it far away but at the stay time you were rooted to the ground. When they opened their eyes they discovered they were no longer where they had been. They found themselves in the familiar main yard of Winterfell.

"Well you both must have a desire to go home if you brought us here." A voice from behind them said and they turned to see Hadrian standing there looking amused. Confused at how they were here Arya asked.

"How can we be home? Winterfell is miles and miles away." As a servant that she did not recognise walked past them without even a sideways glance she added. "And why has no one noticed us?" Hadrian smiled and told her with his arms behind his back looking relaxed.

"Because this is not Winterfell…or at least the Winterfell that you know." He said and knowing that he was not explaining it very well he told them. "The weirwood tree expands our powers allowing us to observe past events while touching it by inducing a trance. Whether it was only yesterday or a thousand years ago does not matter. And if you have a real gift for future sight then it can amplify that too." He told the amazed pair and then just as further proof that they were not in the present day anymore they looked over to the exercise yard and saw two boys practising with swords. One boy looked to be about twelve or so years old while the second boy was four years younger. The older boy seemed to be trying to teach the younger how to wield a sword and while the older boy did seem competent enough to teach the younger seemed to be having problems much like Bran had done when Ser Rodrick and Robb had tried to teach him. They were all oddly familiar to the younger Starks but they could not place where they had seen them before.

The second oldest boy knocked the younger to the ground and they looked over to a knight.

"Give him another go Ned." An older knight said who was observing the young lads and finally then Arya and Bran realised who it was.

"It's our father." Bran said in awe as they took in the young man who was only a few scant years older than himself, Arya likewise was near dumbstruck with the sight before her.

"He's so young." She said simply as she studied the man who had sired her, he looked although younger just as serious as he did in the present day just less jaded. Then it occurred to her who the younger boy must be. "And that is Uncle Benjen." He looked younger than Bran was now as the two sort of time travelling Starks took in the sight before them. The younger Ned and Benjen resumed sparring only now Benjen had taken Ned's advice and was keeping his shield up. Then however the two boys were disturbed from their practice by a girl riding in on a white mare. Both of Hadrian's young charges looked on in amazement as she rode over to the young Ned and Benjen. They were astonished at how much like Arya she looked, had they been together at the same age you would have clearly thought them sisters.

"Is that?" Bran asked as the girl slid off her horse with the grace of an experienced horsewoman. Hadrian nodded amused by his two charges awe.

"Lyanna Stark." Hadrian confirmed nodding before he had an idea. "Perhaps we should skip ahead a few years." He did not let the two children object as he put a firm hand on their shoulders and concentrated and the world around them changed. The two Starks were disappointed to see they were no longer into Winterfell but instead were near another castle that was a ruin but was notable in its sheer size. But the most interesting thing however was the large number of tents that were clustered around it.

"Where are we now?" Bran asked confused and somewhat annoyed at not getting to see more of his father and his uncle and aunt as children.

"The Tournament of Harrenhall in 281 AC. This is the moment that would spark everything that followed." Hadrian told them with some sadness. This was where everything had started going wrong he thought sadly to himself, yes the mad king had already been terrorising his people for years but the people had been given hope that a much better king would replace him, Rhaegar who would heal the hurt that his father had caused and lead the Seven Kingdoms into a better future like Jaehaerys the First also known as Jaehearys the Conciliator had done after the reign of Maegor the Cruel. The wise king that had healed the wounds his predecessor had left on the entire realm and ended the rebellions caused by his uncle. All of Westeros even Dorne had mourned for Jaehaerys when he died. Shaking himself out of his dark mournful thoughts he turned to his charges and said. "Perhaps we should see what is happening."

So they walked into the camp and saw the crowd eagerly watching the joust. They were in time to see a younger Barristan Selmy getting ready for the final round of the joust. He did not look so different despite being nearly twenty years younger with more colour in his hair and less wrinkles on his face and dressed proudly in Targaryen Kingsguard armour which carried the symbol of their house on its chest plate. Across from them they saw a second knight preparing but his armour was black and red coloured plate with a three headed dragon on the chest made of smaller rubies. Both the Stark children stopped still when they realised just who it was. He was talking to a younger blond haired man with his arm in a sling who was holding Rhaegar's shield and a dornish knight in Kingsguard armour.

"Is that?" Bran asked in awe and Hadrian nodded with a sad smile.

"Rhaegar Targaryen, the Silver Prince." Hadrian told them with nostalgia remembering his old friend. The two Stark children however were fixated on Rhaegar. Something about him seemed familiar to them but even that was at the back of their minds as they took in the sight of the only Targaryen they had ever seen to their knowledge. He was handsome with his white blond hair and had a strong face but his eyes seemed solemn and his shoulders were somewhat lowered like something was weighing him down. The time travelling trio walked closer so they could hear what the Silver Prince was saying to his two companions although one of them knew already what was going to be said.

"Rhaegar, please just focus on the final round. Ser Barristan is a formidable opponent and will beat you with ease if you do not concentrate." The Blond haired man said looked worried, but Rhaegar however told him seriously.

"I always focus on what I am doing Hadrian." The two young Stark's looked in amazement from the man standing at their side to the teenager standing with Rhaegar.

"You knew Prince Rhaegar?" Arya asked in surprise and Hadrian nodded sadly.

"We were friends, he and I. My father brought me to court and there I met both him and his wife Princess Elia Martell although they were only betrothed back then. After that we spent much time together while my father was hand of the king." Hadrian said feeling those memories of a much happier time with warm recollection.

"Why did he take Aunt Lyanna?" Bran asked, the question had haunted the Starks since that day and Hadrian could only tell him sadly.

"That I am afraid I do not know why." He lied knowing they were unprepared for the truth but then told them honestly. "Rhaegar was always a very private person. You could know him your entire life and not truly know what he was thinking. Always quiet and always worried about the people of the Seven Kingdoms, never allowing people to know his burdens and worries…keeping them to himself. I do not think he meant to hurt anyone but all the same…he did." Hadrian said sadly looking at his long deceased friend and then they turned back to the conversation the three knights were having.

"Lyanna Stark is unlike any woman I have ever met." Rhaegar said with a certain longing in his tone to the Kingsguard knight at his side. The two Starks listened intently as they hoped to find the answers to their questions but were disappointed when the man they now recognised as Ser Arthur Dayne spoke to his prince.

"She is betrothed to Robert Baratheon and you are a married man with one child already. Do you really want to become another Aegon the Unworthy with a flock of mistresses and throw the kingdom into chaos when you die by legitimizing all your bastards, Prince Rhaegar." Arthur said severely hoping to remain his prince just what his responsibilities were.

Rhaegar chose not to answer his friend's comment and instead climbed onto his waiting horse before his helmet was passed to him by a squire then his lance before the younger Hadrian gave him his shield and he rode off to compete in the final round of the joust.

As they watched Rhaegar line up ready to face Ser Barristan Selmy they suddenly became aware of an old man that was looking straight at them. While the two children at his side looked around to see if there was something else behind them Hadrian smiled and told the old man.

"I thought if I waited long enough you would show up." The old man smiled too and said back as the two children looked astonished that he could not only see them but hear them.

"I see you have new students now." The old man said and he turned to the Starks at Hadrian's side as he walked over to them. He told them with a slight nod. "I am Brynden Rivers, former hand of the King, former Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and lastly my current title…The Three Eyed Raven."

The two Starks just stared in surprise and Hadrian then said to the newcomer.

"As you are no doubt already aware these are Arya and Bran Stark. I was just showing them the sort of power those like us can draw on. I was hoping you might take Bran as your own apprentice since he is due to return north soon. I will give him books on runes and other subjects but if you could give him some lessons I would be grateful." Hadrian said and Bran looked surprised but Brynden did not.

"Through the weirwood trees in the Winterfell's godswood I can communicate with him and teach him, if of course the boy is willing to learn." Brynden said with a knowing smile. Bran himself was intrigued, if this was the real Brynden Rivers that he had heard legends of then he was one hundred and twenty four years old! All the knowledge he must have gained would be fascinating to learn. So Bran nodded uncertainly still annoyed that he would have to leave his current teacher but eager to learn all that he could. Arya looked somewhat jealous but was still intrigued by the man in front of her. Seeing that they had missed the joust the four time travellers turned just in time to see Rhaegar ride straight past his wife and instead crown Lyanna Stark his queen of love and beauty.

"I think it is time to go home. Bran I take it you now know how to contact the Three Eyed Raven so he can teach you?" Hadrian asked sternly mindful that they might learn too much about what happened that day and Bran nodded slowly so Hadrian smiled and told him. "I will give you the books you need. I have already got them with me so you can take them to Winterfell just make sure to hide them. I will also give you and Arya a pair of magic mirrors. Two way communication objects that will enable you to stay in contact." Hadrian said and was about take them back when he suddenly smiled and said with a gleam of childlike mischief in his eyes.

"Before we go, would you like to see Aegon the Conquorer and his dragons?" He did not wait for Bran and Arya's response although they both looked excited before the world changed around them and they found themselves on a large hill just as Balerion the great black scaled dragon with Aegon astride fly over them with his two sister wives close behind astride their own dragons. Hadrian and Brynden both smiled as the two youngsters they had arrived with stared in wide-eyed amazement.

Tyrion Lannister later that day made his way up the seemingly endless stairs of the Tower of the Hand to the chamber where he would attend his first Small Council meeting. Tyrion was not nervous, he already had planned his moves out and knew all of the players on the council and who they favoured. Pycelle of course was a Lannister man who his sister thought was on her side but in reality was with his brother now and therefore him as well. He knew where the gold that allowed him to enjoy his whores and the influence that covered up his indiscretions and kept him where he was came from. Pycelle he could handle easily.

Renly was a lazy pillow biter who spent more time with Loras Tyrell 'playing with swords'. He would not interfere too much in what he was planning to do. Besides the city watch which the man was supposed to control was led by Ser Jacelyn Bywater who was as steadfast and devoted to duty as Lord Stark but wise enough to protect himself from potential assassins and other enemies. Ser Jacelyn could be counted on to follow his orders if they came with the Lord Hand's approval.

Ned Stark was an honourable man and could be easily anticipated given his straight forward way of thinking and loyalty to his friend the king. It was actually quite refreshing to have an honest man 'leading' the Small Council given its usual backstabbing political infighting but Tyrion predicted that Lord Stark would not last long if he did not wise up soon.

Varys was the only one that he could not anticipate given how hard the man was to read and who Tyrion suspected had an alternate agenda to his service. What it was he could not be sure but figuring it out was a puzzle that Tyrion under most circumstances would enjoy solving.

Arriving in the Small Council chamber he saw the other members of the council were already present. Lord Stark looked over from his seat and stood at the sight of him and said with his steady baritone betraying no reluctance to have him there.

"Lord Tyrion, welcome to the Small Council. Please take your seat and we will begin." The Northern lord was eager to get down to business. Tyrion smirked and took his seat and told the men sitting at the table.

"My lords I thank you for your most warm welcome and I look forward to working with all of you." He said with slight sarcasm, his eyes darting around the room to see the expressions of all the men around the table as he talked. They all looked uneasy except for Varys who looked somewhat relieved for some reason. Another mystery for him to puzzle out later but right now he had business to sort out. "And although it is presumptuous of me to say such things in my first meeting I have an important piece of news for the Small Council. Since I was announced as the new Master of Coin I have been familiarising myself with the financial records of the kingdom and discovered something interesting." He said with grin, making sure he had their complete attention before explaining further.

"It seems that the 'pleasure industry' taxes have not been collected as thoroughly as they should have been in the last ten or more years." He said referring to brothels although he put it more politely. "Although establishments owned by my brother have been paying their taxies correctly many including the establishments of Petyr Baelish, my predecessor have not and in fact owe quite a bit of coin in back taxes. So with your permission my lord hand I will work to ensure the owed money is collected in full immediately and in future all taxes are collected properly. Although it will not be enough to clear the debts owed to my own family or to the Iron Bank and the Tyrells, it will allow us to pay off the Trade Cartels and the Faith, clearing two of our creditors."

The rest of the Small Council looked surprised at his announcement and in fact Tyrion could swear there had been a brief smile on the face of Varys although the man had swiftly hidden it. Lord Stark however did not hide his own relief that it was a good thing Tyrion was reporting and it would help in clearing the enormous debt Robert had amassed. Lord Stark nodded and told Tyrion.

"See to it at once Lord Tyrion. If it will help the kingdom then it is a relief to my ears."

Tyrion nodded back and told his Lord Hand.

"It shall be done my lord hand. I will continue to check the records for anymore…irregularities in the crown's finances. Also I have set out a new financial plan so if we are able to ensure taxes are properly paid and with the recent addition to the treasury from the conquest of the Stepstones within the next three years we should be able to pay off the debt owed to the Iron Bank if we are more frugal in our spending. It would be easier if we were to seize control of the brothels that were not paying their taxes so their revenue is added straight into the crown's treasury?" Tyrion suggested but Lord Stark quickly said with disgust.

"I will not have the crown associated with that quite of filth." His voice was hard and no one argued despite it being something of a good idea. "Collect the owed taxes and continue to work towards paying off our debt to the Iron Bank, Trade Cartels and the Faith but that is all you will do. Is that understood?" He said severely and Tyrion held his gaze firmly neither man willing to look away and concede defeat and Tyrion said simply.

"Completely."

Later that afternoon having returned to the present and left the godswood, Hadrian was now at Lannister House making preparations for the trip back home to Casterly Rock, already he had left orders with some of his spies hear to destroy several of Baelish's establishments in retaliation for his attack on him and Oberyn during the tournament. He had thought of sending an assassin to kill Baelish and solve the problem once and for all but it seemed Littlefinger had surrounded himself with professional bodyguards too good for most hired killers to get past and moved around his various establishments. Still by destroying his establishments it would hit Baelish where he was most sensitive…his coin purse.

The Sovereign would take the new Stepstone lords and Oberyn Martell plus his party home before returning to Lannisport for its refit while he would ride west with his own party carrying his father's body. He was annoyed that he would not be able to finish Bran's training himself but at least he had found a good teacher for the boy although hopefully he would still be able to contribute through the communication mirrors he had given Arya and Bran. Arya was nervous at leaving her father to come to Casterly Rock. She did her best not to show it but she would need to get much better to fool someone who had skill in reading people. Something he would have to remedy amongst other skills she would learn from his teachings.

He was just packing his own armour away as was his custom when the door to his room opened and looking around he saw Varys enter the room.

"Lord Varys. I trust you are here for more than to wish me farewell." Hadrian said as he temporally abandoned his packing to go and pour a cup of wine for himself and then a second one for Varys who took it. Hadrian sat back in his chair near the now extinguished fire and waited for Varys to speak.

"My lord I have discovered a potential problem." Varys told him with concern written on his face which in turn made Hadrian feel worried too if it was something that made the legendarily calm Varys worry. "When your lord father was killed I initially thought that an assassin might have entered the Red Keep via the secret passages built by the Targaryens before I realised it was your sister. So I sent my little birds to scout the tunnels and although there was no trace of an assassin they did discover a partly collapsed tunnel. When it was cleared we discovered a hidden chamber under a house in one of the city districts. It has clearly been long abandoned and initial enquires reveal that the building in question has not been inhabited since the Sacking…but inside we discovered these documents." He said handing over a stack of parchment documents to Hadrian who carefully took them, got up from his chair and walked over to his desk where he laid out the parchment and looked at them closely.

"I cannot read the language that the papers are written in. It is some Valyrian dialect but not one I am familiar with." Hadrian said slowly as he tried to make sense of the writing in front of him. Then however he saw the seal that had been imprinted on the top of the documents. At first he thought it the seal of House Targaryen, the three headed dragon but then he noticed that the colours had been inverted so instead of a red three headed dragon on a black field like House Targaryen…it was a black three headed dragon on a red field.

With a chilling sense of foreboding he looked up at Varys who like him knew which family used that particular symbol for its house.

"House Blackfyre! They were supposed to have been wiped out nearly forty years ago!" Hadrian said alarmed at thought of yet another threat to their plan to restore the Targaryens to the throne.

"The male line was my lord. But the female line just disappeared." Varys said feeling just as worried as the Lannister Lord. The last time that House Blackfyre had challenged House Targaryen for the throne had been in the War of the Ninepenny Kings nearly four decades ago. They had been defeated and the last of the males of the Blackfyre family killed but no-one knew what had become of the female line. If they had changed their name and married into another family then they could be anywhere by now and be preparing to make a claim on the throne again at time when it was most vulnerable.

"We need to know what they were doing here twenty years ago Lord Varys. I trust you can find someone who can translate these documents." Hadrian said taking charge. This was an unexpected development but he was determined not to jump to conclusions until he knew what it was these documents said. Judging by the structure of the way they were written then he would have thought that they were some kind of record. Although he could not read the main body of text the date at the top of the document was familiar enough for him to recognise. Varys nodded and told him.

"I have a contact that should be able to decode these documents in time and I will continue my investigation into whoever was living at that address twenty years ago my lord." Varys reassured him.

"Good Varys because if they are out there…then we need to find them and what they were doing." Hadrian quickly before adding more darkly. "And eliminate them." The weight of his sword Crimson Night and on the other side where he now carried Brightroar seemed to become greater.

Ned Stark watched as his son Bran rode away on a horse alongside Edmure Tully and Ser Jory Cassel would ensure his son got home safely. Having Bran back at Winterfell would ease his worries considerably but now Ned was dealing with the fact that his youngest daughter was now going to be taken to Casterly Rock and trained to run it by Lannisters. That she would be surrounded by lions and he was worried that they would destroy his young wolf girl. That they would break that incredible spirit inside of her and resolved to make sure that if the Lannisters hurt his daughter then he would bring winter for them early. Ned thought fiercely as his protective parenting instincts rose up.

But alongside Edmure much to his concern as he watched the small group leave King's Landing was that Cerenna Lannister was riding with them. The Lannister woman had made a strong impression on Ned's brother-in-law and now Edmure was taking Cerenna home to marry her once he had his father's consent. Hadrian had promised to pay a handsome dowry to sweeten the deal. Holster Tully would almost certainly accept the deal. Seeing the spread of Lannister influence worried Ned a lot but there was nothing he could do about it.

The following morning once he had said his goodbyes to Willas and Oberyn, Hadrian and the rest of his party...now including Arya in the place of Bran rode out of the city and towards the Westerlands. Arya had hugged her father desperately as she was to be separated from him for the first time in her life. She did not want to leave him but at least Syrio was coming with them. He sat on his horse looking quite proud of himself that he was to train the future lady of Casterly Rock and more importantly that the young girl in question was one of the most promising students he had ever trained. Alongside the procession another new member of the party was Ser Arys Oakheart who was coming to guard Tommen and Myrcella when the party arrived at King's Landing.

The body of Tywin Lannister was placed in a glass casket laid upon a cart that the procession rode around. As they arrived in the Westerlands and began riding along the roads the people of the towns and villages they passed all came out to line the road in respect for their former lord. There were no tears of course, Tywin had been a feared lord not a beloved one but still they came out to pay their respects. It was as if they were in some big play being put on by a mummers company and everyone was just playing their part Hadrian thought sadly.

Perhaps the worst part of Tywin's death is that there were few people who would actually miss him, Kevan and Genna would as they were his siblings and while cold Tywin had held a kind of love for them as he had for his own children. But those same children mostly would hardly even care that he was gone. Tyrion would even be glad as the man who had tormented him for all these years was finally no more while Jaime would regret the chance to gain back his father's respect if he had ever had it was lost with the man's death. Cersei was of course delighted, feeling as if she now had free reign to do as she pleased but thankfully Robert had quickly disabused her of that notion and Tyrion would hopefully start removing her supporters at court.

Hadrian however did miss his father. The man who had raised and taught him so much was no longer here to help him not that he had needed it for many years. But still they had shared games of strategy that had truly challenged each other. The only other man besides Tyrion who could match him in a debate. These are things he would miss.

It only took them a few days to arrive back at Casterly Rock with the sun now setting as they rode through the gates although Hadrian had not imagined coming back like this. They decided against riding through Lannisport and instead rode straight to Casterly Rock where all the members of their family were waiting for them. His uncle Kevan along with his wife and daughter, Aunt Genna with her Frey brood who looked glad somewhat that Tywin was dead hoping they would gain something until Genna snapped at her husband and weasel like children and they all settled down and all of the cousins and other members of the extended family. They all lined the courtyard as the wagon carrying Tywin's body drawn by two horses rode in, Kevan was stoic as were most in the yard but Genna looked genuinely upset at her brother's passing and somewhat afraid too for some reason. Hadrian's own children stood near their surviving grandfather Arthur looking more confused than upset and Hadrian felt angry when he saw that Leo was not there. Missing their arrival after a trip to the North was one thing, but this was one step too far and he resolved to bring his eldest son to heel. Jaime now slid off his own horse and looked at the casket with grief, walking alongside his brother.

Hadrian who led the procession leapt from his horse and as six men carefully lifted the casket from the wagon led the way into Casterly Rock and through its corridors to the crypt where Tywin would finally be laid to rest. The family and retainers of House Lannister followed behind the casket with their heads bowed in respect. When they arrived in the crypt the tomb where Tywin's body would be placed was already open so Hadrian stood aside as the Lannister soldiers carefully placed the glass casket into the open stone sarcophagus where everyone took a moment to gaze upon their fallen lord one more time before Hadrian nodded to the soldiers who strained to move the heavy stone lid into place. When it closed with a resounding thud it was like a death knell of life as it had been. Everyone felt it wondering what was going to happen now.

The rest of the 'mourners' slowly drifted away while Hadrian stood there as the statue of his father, prepared years before was moved into place sealing off the tomb once and for all. Around him his children alongside Arya watched as their grandfather was laid to rest.

Tyler and Richard walked over to their father who looked as intently at the statue and took a hand of his each. Hadrian looked down to face them and smiled gently pulling his hands free of theirs and placing them on his sons' shoulders. His daughters then came up to him and he gave them a smile to let them know he was alright. Then he looked around to see his youngest child the year old Clarice in the arms of her nanny Iris Dannett, a beautiful but rebellious young noble lady that had run away from her family to avoid a marriage to a fat old merchant only to be kidnapped by brigands and sold into a brothel at King's Landing. Tyrion had found her and saved her from a life of prostitution and brought her to Casterly Rock where she now acted as Clarice's nanny however with her recent marriage to Randyll Lannister she would soon leave to take up her new position as Lady of Lake Side.

Iris carefully handed Clarice to him and his youngest daughter let out a cry of joy at the sight of her father who tickled her chin. He saw the rest of his family and Iris smile at the baby's joy not understanding why everyone was so solemn. Hadrian told his daughter although she had no way of understanding him although those around him did.

"My little girl…I hope that when you and your siblings lay me to rest it will be because I was old and grey and that you will have a large and loving family of your own as will your siblings." He said gently. "For you and your siblings, I would tear this whole world down." Everyone in the vault smiled at his words.

Arya meanwhile had been watching the proceeding with interest although she suddenly felt another hand wrapping around her own. She turned to look and saw Tyler Lannister grinning at her, holding her hand firmly in his. She blushed slightly when he whispered in her ear.

"It is good to see you again wolf girl." To pay him back she slugged him in the side very gently and told him back as he looked at her in surprise.

"Good to see you lion boy."

After sending the children bed early Hadrian made his way quietly up the castle towards Leo's studio. His mood was foul and his face a mask to hide his anger as he looked for his eldest son. He might cut Leo a lot of slack but even that had its limits. Without waiting he burst into the room and was not surprised to find his son painting without a care in the world. Knowing that words however harsh would not merit his son's attention Hadrian moved over to the centre of the room and before his son could even react grabbed the painting and threw across the room and out over the balcony and over the cliff where it lost momentum and plummeted down to the rocks below.

That got Leo's notice and he looked angrily at his father.

"Father that was my finest work yet. Now I will have to begin all over again." He did not even seem to register that his father was here or what that meant. Hadrian however did not cut his son any slack and yelled at him.

"The one event I need you to attend for the sake of our family and you ignore it." He said to his son severely, trying to make him understand that for appearances sake they needed to be united right now. "I have now officially laid your grandfather to rest and must assume his mantle as head of our house. As a member of this house you had to attend, because you ignored the event our bannermen will wonder if there is infighting in our family and that will weaken our standing in their eyes. Now you will make an appearance tomorrow when the lords of the Westerlands swear their fealty to me publicly or so help me I will have every single painting you have ever made burned and every single sculpture smashed. Do you understand?" He asked him fiercely. His son's eyes met his own thinking he was bluffing and tried to out stare him while Hadrian was so angry at his son for his selfishness.

Finally after a few moments Leo realised that his father was completely serious and broke the staring contest and nodded saying quietly.

"Yes father. I will be there." Hadrian's glare lessened in intensity but he remained serious.

"Good! Now tomorrow you will spend some time with your younger siblings even after the lords have sworn their loyalty. For now go to bed, we have a big day tomorrow." Hadrian ordered and Leo walked reluctantly out of his studio and down the stairs to his room.

Hadrian meanwhile went back down the stairs to the bowels of the castle where he approached what seemed to be a simple stone wall. However when Hadrian concentrated magic into his hands and drew with his finger a lion against the wall, the wall shimmered for a moment before a door appeared in front of Hadrian. He spoke the seven word password in sequence, all of his children's names in order of birth and then pushed the door open and walked through into a set of rooms that he alone could access with the torches magically lighting when they sensed his presence.

He had specially applied wards to this room and weaved magical defences into every square inch. It read his magical signature and finger prints when he drew the simple lion shape of his family's banner into the wall and the door would only open if someone with his voice spoke the seven names of his children. This was his private vault where he stored his own private treasure stash, plans for his inventions and other objects that were too dangerous to simply leave lying around.

He walked past the books, scrolls and tomes that came from all over the world including Ancient Valyria, past the gold and gemstones and all of his own documents on plans for future inventions that he would have to introduce slowly so as to not upset the status quo too much too soon until he passed into another chamber were the most dangerous or important items were kept having to past through a second security door. Inside was a variety of items including Aegon the Conquorer's crown, retrieved on an excursion to Essos some years ago and being held for Jon till he was ready to crown himself and more importantly beside it…two dragon eggs that he had kept back. He was keeping them just in case they were ever needed, as he was doing with the Valyrian sword Lamentation which his workers had discovered when they were clearing the site of the Dragon pits in King's Landing. Officially it belonged to House Royce in the Vale and he was keeping it just in case he needed to negotiate with them someday.

But they were not what drew his attention, what he focused on were three large sceptres with big red crystals held in the top that seemed to glow with their own intimidating red light. Just like the fire stone he had given to the Targaryens only these were his own versions with a few...improvements.

For the next stage of his conquest towards Essos, he would need just one.