AN :
if we hit top 25 I will release another two chapters ;)
In the Game of Stones, you either win or you wait. The more Power Stones you offer, the faster the chapters come.
...
( Tywin Lannister POV )
Tywin tapped his fingers on his desk and let his eyes scour the man in front of him. Like a cat sizing up his prey, he let the silence drag in the air, holding his tongue in the threatening stillness before he finally spoke.
"And why, precisely, should I do that?"
Prince Doran did not flinch at the harshness of his tone, and that made Tywin like him just a little bit more as he waited for the Martell heir to respond.
The Dornish prince, with his pallid skin and greasy black hair, stroked his chin. He had the look of a man choosing his next words carefully. Tywin's finger continued to tap on the table.
"I believe it would be good for our future relations." The man said calmly. "I-"
Tywin snorted.
"It would give you a hostage if your sister does something incredibly foolish."
"She will not," Doran said, shaking his head. "She is not a fool."
"Then why does she continue to act as one?" Tywin pressed. "I understand that a woman's heart is weak, Especially when they're young, but your sister has done two very foolish things since this tourney started, one more foolish than the other.
How can I trust she will not do so again? And when she does you will have my second son in your clutches to protect her? Unacceptable." It wasn't actually particularly unacceptable in Tywin's view, because he didn't actually expect Princess Elia to act out anymore.
She had been given a taste of the real world after her first error, and slapping Cersei had been understandable, given the insults his daughter was making. Still, that didn't mean he wasn't going to wring Prince Doran out for all that he was worth.
He almost felt bad for the man. Tywin knew well the feeling of having to make up for the actions of foolish relatives.
"Elia has learned her lesson, and besides that, House Martell would not dare hold your son as a hostage against you. What would we have to gain? The betrothal would likely be dissolved at any rate in such a situation, and then we'd simply earn more of your ire for no gain." Prince Doran shook his head. "I merely think that it would be best if Callum stayed with Elia for a while, for the sake of their eventual marriage."
"Don't try to steer the conversation your way," Tywin said sharply. He didn't actually disagree on that component. Callum was a bit young, but mature for his age, and he was going to need to spend time in Dorne before the marriage anyway, given that he might someday rule Dorne as Princess Elia's husband. "I want to know what guarantee you're giving me that this won't be used against House Lannister."
"Guarant-ah." Tywin saw recognition flash through the younger man's eyes, and suddenly Prince Doran's entire demeanor shifted. "Horse-trading then."
Tywin let his trademark frown lesson slightly. "House Lannister needs some manner of contract or collateral to assure Callum's safety given the repeated foolish actions of Princess Elia during the Tourney," Tywin explained his position calmly. In reality, it was more a matter of recovering the debt that House Martell owed for her foolishness, but this was a mechanically sound way to do it.
The Prince's lip was pinched shut in a frown. Tywin was quite sure he recognized the true purpose of this too. If Doran refused Callum wouldn't go south, but more importantly, he risked souring their otherwise good relations further.
Prince Doran met Tywin's gaze. "I propose the following," Doran said, discomfort clear in his voice. "Your Son's bodyguard, Ser Clegane was it? House Martell will pay his wages while he comes south with Callum. Moreover, we will provide Callum with a stipend of… let's say five gold dragons a month for the few months he is in Dorne. We will address all manner of transport arrangements with our own funds."
"A Lannister? For five gold dragons a month?" Tywin snorted. It wasn't actually insulting, Callum was eight after all, but he acted as if it was.
"...twenty then." Prince Doran corrected. "Additionally… when the marriage between Callum and Elia occurs, the details will be placed in House Lannister's hands fully."
Tywin considered that… that could actually be quite a valuable offer all things considered, however. "I want the sand steeds specified in the Betrothal to be moved up. They will be sent to the Westerlands as soon as you reach Dorne. In the event they are wrecked or otherwise destroyed at sea, you will replace them as soon as you are able. Only when I've got them in the Rock's stables will this be considered fulfilled."
"You will put them in the Rock's stables as soon as they reach Lannisport." Prince Doran said immediately, and Tywin actually smirked a bit, Horse Trading indeed.
"Correct. I have no intention to cheat you, merely to seek a guarantee against future stupidity." Tywin said, rather cheerfully. Those Sand Steeds would do quite well for House Lannister he suspected. "Very well. I suppose that's enough of a guarantee if you agree."
"I do, and I am sure my mother will also." Prince Doran nodded, looking relieved. Tywin didn't particularly blame him. "Now, on to the matter of salvaging this Betrothal."
Tywin grimaced slightly, "Plain words, but appropriate." The lack of attraction between Callum and Princess Elia was obvious, not that it was especially surprising given that Callum was a child and Elia was eighteen. It would have been helpful if some sort of physical attraction was there, but that would have to wait. "You believe that you have a solution to this?"
"Three solutions, I've put thought into this since Callum came to visit us at the manse we're renting." Prince Doran inclined his head. "I rather like him you know, he'll be good to have as a brother in a few years."
"Callum is a very intelligent boy." Tywin said, stern-faced but cheerful inside. He had instructed Callum to make a good impression on Prince Doran, and his son had clearly achieved that much. He supposed one thing he couldn't criticize either of his sons for was their sociability. Jaime's disobedience in the Prince's tourney rankled, but the potential alliance Tywin now saw with the Reach outweighed any desire to punish the boy. If Jaime married one of Luthor Tyrell's daughters… That was for later though. "State your suggestions."
"Ah." Prince Doran nodded. "First, I believe that Callum has good enough compatibility with Elia to befriend her, and she him. While my Sister's behavior at the feast certainly strained their relations, she was receptive enough to his humor during his earlier visit, and as I understand she bears no ill will towards him at all." he paused, clearly mulling over his next words.
"I believe that if they befriend each other, even if they lack physical attraction, it will soften both their betrothal and their eventual marriage. Simply keeping them together and in good spirits for long enough should make both of them more accepting of the other."
"And your sister is less likely to pursue any more foolish endeavors if it means betraying a friend, as well as hurting your house." Tywin nodded. "As her brother, I imagine you'll be in a good position to press that friendship as well."
"That is my intention." Prince Doran nodded. "It would be best if I can encourage Elia to speak to Callum of her own accord more. I am convinced that they will get along eventually." He paused for a moment, but Tywin didn't care to speak, implicitly demanding that the prince continue laying out his plans. "Ahem, and for the second solution, I believe that my mother may be of some help."
Tywin frowned but kept his tongue planted firmly on the base of his mouth. He would not mention that from what he'd heard the man's mother might not even be alive by the time he returned to Sunspear.
"I will be frank, Lord Lannister, my mother expects to die soon. The Maesters think so as well. However, I do believe that she may still help secure this betrothal further." Doran's voice was tight as he spoke, but Tywin noted he did not flinch. It was impressive, and Tywin found his estimation of Prince Doran raised another bar. The man clearly loved Princess Ennella, his mother, but that did not prevent him from factoring her into his plans.
"I believe that if she reminds Elia of her duties, and on her death bed as well, that Elia will likely feel those words most heavily. Likewise, I believe that if she tells Callum stories of that friendship she had with Lady Joanna, that may make him more inclined towards Elia." Doran sighed.
"I do not know the latter for certain, but I am most sure of the impact it will have on Elia."
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