Chapter 5
Tywin Lannister was a cold man Harren decided as he watched the man in front of him. The proud, noble lord shackled like some common thug and kneeling but not broken.
Not yet.
“So, you are the man who helped spawn that arrogant berk Jaime and that bitch Cersei.” Harren said after a while. “Forgive me if I stare but for a man of your reputation I was expecting something...more.”
The Lion of the Rock said nothing, he just glared at Harren.
“Were you this cold to your wife? I know you are cold to the son I haven't met yet -”
“When I get out of these chains,” The older man began coldly. “I will watch as this precious castle of yours is burned to the ground, Lord Whent.”
Harren knew that it was unfair to use the Lady Joanna in such a manner. He had spoken to her spirit not too long ago and she was truly a remarkable woman. It was unfair but necessary.
“Dragon fire couldn't destroy this castle, not entirely,” Harren drawled with an eye roll. “I doubt a chained lion is going to do much.”
“I won't be chained for long.”
“And why not?” Harren scoffed. “The walls are too high to be climbed, we have enough food for any pathetic siege that could be mustered and the gates are impregnable,” Unless you have a magic user, you won't even make a dent in those gates, He thought to himself.
“Do you think any rescue attempt is going to take place? My men took you from your camps and no one knows that you are here. Even if they did, by the time they rallied any sort of force to get to you, you would no longer be at Harrenhal.”
“And just where would I be?”
“Why, in Dorne of course,” Tywin Lannister gave no outward reaction but Harren could see in the man's mind, he was nervous. With a wicked smirk, Harren continued, “You will be part of a bargain for the Martell's – they've been wanting to speak with you for some time. Don't worry, you won't be alone.”
A pained roar echoed from behind the cell door which made Harren nod.
“Your dog will be going with you – to pay for what he did to Princess Elia and her children.”
"A necessary action,” Lord Tywin grunted as Harren pierced him with a stare. The older man flinched and groaned all while Harren sat in his chair in front of him.
This isn't even a fraction of my power you old fucker, Harren thought when he heard a loud knock on the door.
“Enter,” He let Tywin go from his torture, the older man slumping to the ground as blood poured from his ears, mouth and nose.
“What happened here?” A deep voice wondered.
“Lord Tywin spoke out of turn old friend,” Harren glanced over his shoulder. His friend Ser Felix Hightower or The Gold as it were, stood at the door. “How is Clegane?”
“On the mend,” Felix said with a grin. “Have I told you how much I am glad that I got to keep my abilities?”
“All the time,” Harren said dryly to the larger man. “You and Demetrius both owe me for making sure you kept them without the need to drink blood. Death wasn't particularly happy with me for some time because of that decision.”
“Thank you, Harren,” Felix said honestly. “Demetri would say the same. You saved our souls from the punishment we both deserved. That is why we will stand beside you until the end of our days.”
“You two can leave at any time you wish,” It gladdened him that he had their trust and friendship but he did not want them to follow him blindly. If they tired of this life they could go without protest. “What is it you need?”
“Edric and Bronn have Tyiron Lannister with them, they also have a man that Edric wants to make a knight. He said something about shooting at a noble lady to make sure that they could leave the Vale.” Felix shrugged his massive shoulders.
Harren raised his eyebrows before shrugging himself, “Edric is a knight and more than capable of knighting someone else. I would like to meet this person though but after I speak with the young lion.”
He glanced at Tywin Lannister. “Take him to Gilly and Talisa, and get him patched up.”
"Of course my lord."
“Lord Whent,” The half man greeted upon seeing him, pouring himself another cup of wine.
“Lord Lannister,” Harren sat in his own chair and waited for the other man to do the same. “No thank you.” Harren waved away the offer of wine. “I don't like to drink during business – it dulls the senses.”
“That's the point my lord,” Tyrion replied. “Though what business you have with me I know not, for I am not Lord Lannister.” He took a drink when Harren spoke again.
“You will be when your father dies – whenever the Martell's deem that to happen.”
Tyrion spat out his wine in surprise, with a cough he turned furious and incredulous eyes to Harren, “What do you mean boy?!” The imp demanded only to jump back in fright when the table in front of him flew across the room and crashed against the wall. He stared at Harren in shock. Harren, for his part, stared at the dwarf blankly.
Flicking his hand again and making the shattered table disappear, Harren said calmly, “In the Westerlands, you lions have complete and utter control. In the other parts of Westeros your influence is strong. But here, in this house, in my house, you don't get to speak to me in that way.”
“Now, as to your question. It is simple – your father got away with murder all those years ago and now I am giving the aggrieved party the outcome that they desire. Namely his head along with those involved. Except Amory Lorch of course, he got lucky when he fell from his horse all those years ago.” In truth, it wasn't luck but revenge from one of the smallfolk, not that anyone besides Harren knew about it.
“My siblings and I will not allow this to stand.” Tyrion replied quietly, eyes blazing.
“Considering that your brother was killed by my own hand, I don't think he has much input to give you.” The dwarf stared at him in shock. “Your sister is alive for now, but considering her crimes against the crown, she may not live long. Your bastard niece and nephews should live but considering how much King Robert is against incest, well...” He trailed off and shrugged. Of course, with Joffrey dead there wouldn't be that much issue. Tommen and Myrcella would be untouched and would become Harren's wards along with the heir to the Vale but Tyrion didn't need to know that.
Tyrion said nothing, he just glared with impotent rage.
“More death can be avoided Lord Tyrion,” Harren added, still calm. “You need not join your family nor do the people of the Westerlands. Take your place as ruler of Casterly Rock, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and Warden of the West. Allow whatever sons and daughters you have later to know peace and prosperity. I will leave you to decide on how to proceed from here.”
Harren stood to leave but he added coldly, “You should note that if you decide to fight this, as it is also your right, I will kill you myself, one lord to another. It seems only fair. Then I will reduce the Westerlands to nothing just like that table from before. Men will be hung from every tree, children will be orphaned or worse and the women will know a fate worst than your first wife.”
Green eyes widened at him and Harren smirked cruelly, “Yes, I know about Tysha and what you allowed to happen to her without protest. You of course know that she gave birth to your daughter, and that she wasn't a whore. But because your precious feelings were hurt you never bothered to do anything in her defense, even when the truth came to pass.”
Though his heart had been hardened by war, Harren would not condone rape of anyone nor would he condone the slaughtering of innocents. But again, Tyrion didn't need to know that.
“Your daughter Valarie would become the new Ruler of Casterly Rock – if I don't turn it into dust, I haven't decided that far ahead just yet. When you make your decision, make sure it is the wise one, Lord Tyrion.”
Harren swept out of the room, leaving behind an emotionally and politically conflicted young lord behind.