Chapter 3 up!

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Chapter 3

Eight Month, 297 AC

The lances impact on the knights shields broke them with a thundering noise. People in the stands were screaming, trying to cheer on their favorite. It reminded Hadrian, or more accurately in this case Harry, about the Roman Empire and the Gladiator Arenas that he read about in muggle school. Humans always enjoyed watching a competition, and if blood were split it only seemed to please the crowd even more.

Maybe it was the Tri-Wizard Tournament he remembered… certainly would explain why Hadrian kept looking at the sky. Still no dragons.

But back to the present, Hadrian personally thought that this particular fight was pathetic. It seems that everybody misjudged just how big the Tourney of the Hand would become, for hundreds of hedge knights had flocked to the city in hope of glory and fortune. It meant that the Tourney Joust would be extended by days. Stupid morons, you have no chance against the likes of Loras Tyrell or the Clegane brothers. Still there were a chance that this would be their breakthrough. Dunkan the Tall was a perfect example that people could rise and better themselves in a tourney.

Hadrian's first match would only be later on the day, and only against a minor member of House Frey. The only good thing was that the Melee would be taking place soon after. It would be a giant event, with nearly two-hundred fighters. Hadrian would only be allowed his old bastard sword, as Brightroar was deemed "to dangerous" by the people organizing the melee. Hadrian had to agree on that.

His musings ended as he one of the knights fell of his horse, the man's foot still in the stirrup, and he was dragged away screaming as his horse kept on running. To Hadrian's disgust, many of the commoners cheered on the man's pain.

Barbaric, but Hadrian understood why the cheered. They didn't have much to look forward in their lives, and usually it was they that were injured for the amusement of nobles. Turning the tables must be nice.

The Knight was rescued by a few squires watching near the tents, but you could see that he was carried away. More than likely he had a broken bone.

Thank the Seven that Sansa Stark was away at the moment. This is exactly what he meant with tourney dangers.

Hadrian had realized that he personally couldn't do anything to harden little Sansa. Oh, she would listen to everything he said, stupid girl, and then run and tell the Queen. Even with Hadrian's and Cersei's truce didn't change the fact that Cersei thought the world of her son. That in itself was not a bad thing, maternal instinct was needed for the species survival, but Cersei's blindness was dangerous.

Hadrian feared the day when she and Sansa would realize what Joffrey is. And Hadrian telling Sansa that Joffrey was bad, who would later tell Cersei, would only hurt things.

No, Hadrian had to resort to Plan C. Plan A had been hoping that Cersei or Robert would rein Joffrey in. Plan B was his wife. Plan C was Hadrian personally taking control of the situation and planting himself in Joffrey's good side.

It would not be pleasant, but Hadrian knew the horrors of war. He wasn't a coward by any means, but if he could prevent a conflict he would. He had seen enough war and battles for two lifetimes.

"Is he even here?"

"Of course he is here, stupid. He is sitting right there!"

"I mean is here in the mind?"

"You mean the aloofness he gets while grumbling and scheming?"

"When isn't he scheming or grumbling about the world?" Lucion said. Hadrian smirked.

"You two really must always have my full attention. Are you sure you aren't playing for the other team?" Hadrian suddenly said.

Damon grinned. "Nah, I very much like girls." Lucion nodded alongside his cousin.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"The future," Hadrian honestly replied. "How uncertain it is."

"Uncertain?" Damon said. "The Realm is stable. Nothing's going to happen."

How information truly made two people view the world in different lights. Damon wasn't stupid, he just wasn't informed of the events happening. He didn't know about the Royal Children's true father, didn't know about the ever increasing Tyrell threat, and most certainly didn't know just how close Westeros was to war. Robert Baratheon was all that kept it together now.

Whereas before that burden was shared by Jon Arryn, Hoster Tully and Ned Stark. But Stark wasn't there to be a bastion in the North and had instead moved south where he was of no use, Jon Arryn was dead and Hoster Tully was bed-ridden. Probably for life.

And where was Robert's allies except Stark? Stannis was hiding away at Dragonstone, why Hadrian didn't know and Renly was a Tyrell lackey. No, the Realm hadn't been this unstable since the First Blackfyre Rebellion.

Even during Robert's Rebellion Westeros had only two sides. The next war would more than likely have several. Dealing with one enemy was easy, two or three? Damn near impossible.

"It's a curtain, Damon. The entire realm is a scene, and soon the real act will begin," Hadrian said quietly. While the turmoil in the stands more or less ensured nobody could overhear them, it didn't hurt to be cautious.

"Act?" Lucion asked. "What act?"

"A new one. It's a never ending theatre, the lives we live. Robert's Rebellion was one act, the Greyjoy another. We are right now sitting in amongst the other actors, learning the script and stage as best as we can."

Damon and Lucion were gaping at him. "What?"

Hadrian had no wish to keep speaking about the impending troubles however. He needed to get ready. "I need to get my armor and horse fixed, do enjoy the show."

Damon snorted. "This? Please, I am certain that my sister could beat some of these knights."

Not an untrue statement. Myrielle loved ridding, and was one of the best ridders Hadrian had ever seen.

"She doesn't have the muscle to hold a lance up straight and hit hard," Lucion said.

"Damon's got a point though," Hadrian admitted. "Jousting is more than just hitting each other with lances. It's about understanding where to place your horse, how fast it is and how to best stay on it when hit. Myrielle would best some knights here with just her skill in riding."

Damon proudly nodded. "She has taken a somewhat interest in hawking. Daven was overjoyed when he heard it."

Daven Lannister was not only a great warrior and commander, but the man loved hunting. Hadrian knew for a fact that Daven and Damon's father Stafford had gifted Daven a hawk from the Arbor upon the man's twenty-fifth name-day.

"Who knew your sister actually wasn't completely boring?" Lucion said.

"Myrielle has always been alright," Damon said frowning. "It's Cerenna that is… just too much sometimes."

Hadrian grimaced. Damon didn't and would never know this, but Cerenna had set her eyes on the next Lord of Casterly Rock for a long time. She had even once sneaked into his room in the middle of the night and had undressed before jumping into bed where a sleeping Hadrian had been.

He had never left a bed that fast in his lifetimes. Never.

Then he had harshly yelled at her. That she was betrothed to a minor member of House Brax she had clearly forgotten.

Thankfully no one knew except Hadrian, Cerenna and somehow Uncle Tyrion. The little bugger must have been nearby when a crying Cerenna left Hadrian's room. Thankfully, Tyrion had not squeaked about the event.

Which was probably entirely dependent on that Tyrion owed Hadrian big time for a very… interesting event.

Hadrian did not want to think more about it. If Tywin ever heard about it all of Casterly Rock would tremble upon his rage.

"Cerenna needs a good spanking, no offense Damon, but she is a bit bitchy," Hadrian said.

Lucion disguised his laughter with a cough, and Damon's face was rather sour. "That is my sister," he growled.

"And if she wants to get married to somebody worthy of her she needs to understand that she will never be Lady of Casterly Rock. While Tywin might still force Ser Baelor Brax to actually marry her, if she ever tries something… Cersei-like even my Lord Grandfather cannot protect her."

Damon's eyes narrowed. Did he suspect? Probably, he wasn't a fool. "I'm afraid my Lord Father will never bruise my sister's confidence. He is rather weak-willed when it comes to her," he admitted, showing once again the maturity that made Hadrian confide in him.

And indeed, Stafford Lannister was a hindrance and a handicap to both Tywin and Hadrian. The man was a fool, not Mace Tyrell stupid, but more like a Robert Baratheon without the charisma and talent for war. The man did drink a bit too much also, just like the King.

He also hated Hadrian. In the fools eyes he had been so close to getting Casterly Rock. Tywin was an old man, Jaime a Kingsguard, Tyrion a dwarf, Kevan nearly as old as Tywin and Lancel was a fool. What was it with people thinking that they stood a chance at getting the Rock. Did they all forget about Tyrion, a man, admittedly a short one, that could outthink even Tywin in the right conditions. And after Tyrion the Rock went to Kevan's line.

Of course Kevan's son could easily be removed by Stafford. Then Hadrian had emerged, and all of Stafford's hopes were dashed. It didn't help that Stafford's wife was a complete petty bitch that thought herself privileged to everything and hated bastards.

She had sent Joy fleeing the study rooms of the Rock crying more than one time. Hadrian had vowed to banish her from the Rock first chance he got.

Hadrian's view on Myranda Lefford was reinforced by Lucion. "Sorry cousin, but your father isn't even nearly as bad as your mother is."

"Hey," the voice of Daven suddenly called out behind them. "That's my mother you are talking about?"

"Are we telling lies?" Lucion cheekily asked.

Both Damon and Daven glared at Lucion with all their might. Hadrian felt the urge to leave while he still could. "I got a Frey to send into the dirt, Lucion, you'll hold the fort?" Hadrian happily said as he stood up, slapped Lucion on the shoulder and walked away.

He could hear Lucion quietly begging for help before Damon and Daven quietly grabbed their cousin, with one of them clearly silencing Lucion, as Hadrian turned around and saw Daven punch Lucion in the stomach.

Family love.

Hadrian scolded his expression as he swiftly moved into a tent reserved for the Lannister's and started to put his armor on. While a squire would have made the process easier, there was something calming to personally put the armor on and making sure everything was good. And a small bit of magic to double check that everything was right didn't hurt.

He exited the tent armed with Brightroar on his hip and a shield displaying a black Lion on red with golden claws, his own personal banner, and could hear the thunderous applaud of the commoners when his name was called. He smiled beneath his helmet which covered his entire face and mounted Tirion in a single move.

Tirion had been Hadrian's personal horse for so long that he didn't even need to direct him before the loyal black war-horse moved out to the arena. A squire wearing the banner of House Payne stepped up and held out a lance. "My lord," he said.

"What's your name squire?" Hadrian asked as he eyed the Frey on the other side of the field. The man had a makeshift armor and his horse looked underfeed. If Hadrian didn't take this man down on the second tilt he was going to hear hell from his father.

"Podrick, my lord. Podrick-"

"Payne, the coat-of-arms on your chest gives that detail away," Hadrian said. "This your first tourney?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Are you enjoying it?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Be honest squire."

The boy seemed paralyzed at the very thought of being honest towards the Heir of Casterly Rock, but clearly didn't dare to deny him. "It hasn't been what I heard how tourney's were, my lord."

"True," Hadrian said looking down at the nearly shaking squire, "the really good people haven't met each other yet. We are currently only… weeding out the weak."

The squire only shakenly nodded before handing the lance to Hadrian. "Good luck, my lord."

Hadrian scoffed. "This? If I don't get the Frey down on the second tilt I'll have you knighted and given a thousand gold dragons."

The squire looked green at the thought. "But I don't even know how to fight, my lord," he quietly said.

The announcer was yelling for everybody to get ready. "Payne, have the second lance ready for me. If you do well I'll make sure to find you somebody that can train you."

The young man nearly beamed at Hadrian at the promise, and set off to get the second lance. Hadrian chuckled beneath his helmet as he rode out to the yard. The Frey seemed nervous all the way from here.

"Combatants!" the announcer yelled. "Ready?" It was only for show. Hadrian took a deep steadying breath before he heard the man shout "Begin!"

Hadrian felt Tirion move like the wind as he swiftly and precisely charged down the yard, lance pointed straight at the Frey. In the last second Hadrian raised his shield, feeling the Frey's lance hit it right on, while his own lance pushed the Frey's shield to side and hit the man dead center in the chest. The man went flying of the horse and landed with a heavy dunk on the ground.

In the stands the commoners were cheering like mad men, clearly enjoying the complete bashing of one of the knights. Hadrian spotted several coins being handed out, even between Damon and Lucion. What in the Seven had they betted on? They both knew he would win!

Hadrian rode back to the tents and saw the young Payne standing there staring at him. And he was holding that second lance. "You clearly didn't need this, my lord," he said as Hadrian got close.

"Apparently not, the Frey was even worse than I thought. A complete waste of my time," Hadrian agreed. "But you did good work. Tell Daven Lannister sometime tomorrow that I sent you to him. He'll give you a good spar."

"Why do this for me, my lord?" Payne asked.

Hadrian dismounted Tirion and shrugged. "You're a vassal to House Lannister. It is in my interest to see my men well trained." The squire nodded, clearly unsure but didn't protest as Hadrian gave him Tirion's reins and then left for his tent. What a waste of time.

Thank the Stranger that the melee was later today or this day would be so boring. Quickly getting rid of his armor and ordering the guards stationed outside the tent to not allow anybody without the Lannister name inside, Hadrian returned to the stands.

The two idiots and Daven were still arguing about something. "So, what did you guys bet on?" Hadrian said as he jumped into their conversation.

Daven laughed as Lucion and Damon got a guilty expression. "They said that not even you could take a man down on the first tilt. I said the Frey looked so weak that there was no chance that he could survive the first tilt. I won."

"How much," Hadrian asked.

"Only two dragons."

Hadrian frowned. "Cheap little shits. I know for a fact you could easily double that bet."

Daven and Hadrian laughed at the gob smacked faces of Lucion and Damon. "What? I got several bets going on, a few on you two," Hadrian admitted as he sat down. He could hear the outrage in their voices.

The rest of the joust was just as boring as it had been before. While Loras Tyrell faced some hedge knight with a small ounce of skill, that match didn't last beyond four tilts. What a disappointment. Gregor's opponent even forfeited as he saw the Mountain ride out. Probably a smart move.

Then the Stark girls returned and Hadrian had to sit and listen to the Queen-to-be gushing about the entire tourney and how fairy-tale like the entire thing was. It was disgusting, but he wasn't the only one. Arya Stark's face turned more and more green for every minute her sister spoke. Were all girls this into fairy-tales? Probably a side-product of a world ruled by men.

"Next, Ser Hugh of the Vale against Ser Gregor Clegane!" the announcer called out. Hadrian had entered a somewhat comatose state, but the name of his favorite attack dog woke him up. And then he noticed that Lord Stark had arrived. The Hand of the King had a rather sour face.

"Not enjoying the tourney?" Hadrian asked. They were seated close to each other.

"It's a waste of money," Stark replied. "One the Crown can ill afford."

"I respect the fact that you are trying to stop His Grace from bankrupting the Kingdom, Lord Stark, but I fear it will be for naught. Robert does what Robert wants," Hadrian said as they watched the two combatants enter the field. He could hear Lord Stark grunt in agreement.

"Daven, what was the name of the knight Clegane is about to destroy?" Hadrian suddenly asked alarmed.

"Ser Hugh of the Vale," Daven said with disgust.

Hadrian gaped. "He's actually using the name of the Vale? Is he stupid? The Valemen will eat him alive for that insult." And indeed, Hadrian could see Yohn Royce a few feet away glaring at the man. It didn't help that the man's chest was adorned with a light blue cloth with crescent moons. All that was missing was the Falcon and you'll have the sigil of House Arryn.

"Is he a bastard of the house?" Damon asked, clearly wondering why in the Seven he had the Arryn colors.

Hadrian could feel the glare that Lord Stark directed at his cousin, probably because the northern lord knew that the only two that could have fathered an Arryn bastard were close to him. "No, I knew Jon and Denys, it wasn't their way," Lord Stark said with a strong voice.

"Do you know who he is, Lord Stark?" Hadrian asked.

Stark nodded. "He was Jon Arryn's squire. Knighted after his death."

Well, that could explain the sigil, but still… so arrogant. Hadrian knew that if any knight appeared anywhere in Westeros with a Lion sigil with any form of red and gold Tywin would hire assassins and have the fool killed. As long as they didn't carry the name Lannister that is.

Hadrian simply frowned as the two combatants rode towards each other, not paying true attention as a fool could see that Clegane would win, when the screams started. Hadrian's vision zoomed in on the field and mentally cursed.

Ser Hugh of the Vale lay on the ground, a splinter of Clegane's lance buried in his throat. Hadrian stood up, furious at his vassals carelessness, for this would bring no good will to House Lannister. Daven was already on his feet and over the stands and running towards the poor boy.

Daven looked up at Hadrian with an asking face, and all the Heir of the Rock did was to nod. Daven quickly drew a dagger he had and buried it in the boys heart, shortening his suffering. The stands themselves were in turmoil, and Hadrian could hear Sansa Stark weeping openly.

Foolish and weak. He really had his work cut out for him. The Stranger give him strength.

"Lord Stark, might I suggest getting your daughters out of here?" Hadrian said as people rushed in to carry Hugh's body out.

Lord Stark seemed to be in shock, but recovered quickly. He was a war veteran, and did not break easily. "That might be a good idea," was all he said before guiding his daughters away.

Hadrian did not care, he was already on his way towards the tents. He could hear the King roaring above the crowd, trying to restore order to the scene.

Soon the furious Heir reached the man he was looking for. "Clegane," Hadrian hissed. "You stop right there."

The Mountain did just that. "Any problems, my lord?"

Hadrian nodded towards the tent and saw the Mountain nod back. The second they were inside Hadrian stared speaking. "Did you mean to kill the boy?"

"No. My lance hit him straight on. Thought he was stronger than he looked."

"Cut the fuckin bullshit, Ser Gregor. You knew that the boy was green. Did you purposely aim to hurt him more than necessary?"

Gregor remained stoically silent, giving Hadrian his answer. "Seven above," Hadrian whispered. "Do you know what you have done?"

The Mountain shook his head.

"Then let me tell you. Every single person in King's Landing is looking for an excuse to minimize House Lannister's influence. You killing people in a sport gives them another argument. A weak one, to be sure, and one that could be easily argued against. But yet still an argument. Both His Grace and Lord Tywin will receive another raven carrying a message from Dorne, with Oberyn Martell saying that you are a wild dog that needs to be put down."

"Neither His Grace or Lord Lannister will listen to the Martell dog," Gregor grounded out in a low voice.

"True, but it will give me a headache trying to fix this. While the damage of this dead lowly knight can easily be forgotten, what if you killed someone from a higher House? We have the last son of House Dayne here, the Heir of Runestone and so many more important figures. You think that the King can forgive you if you kill somebody of a higher station?" Hadrian hissed out. "Or the fact that your… talent at stacking corpses makes you look independent from House Lannister, making it looks like we have no control over you? If people starts to think that no one can rein you in, you will be killed!"

The Mountain began to speak but Hadrian simply raised his hand. "I need you, Ser Gregor. Your loyalty and… lack of morals makes you invaluable to House Lannister, but only as long you do not drag us down. Stop trying to purposely hurt people here, unless on my orders, or I will find a ship and get your ass onboard and have you sail past Dorne back home to the west, are we clear?"

The threat was clear. Gregor wasn't stupid. He knew that if he even came close to Dorne he would have a swift death at best. At worse… there was a reason why nobody knew the true fate of Queen Rhaenys Targaryen. "Yes, my lord," the Mountain rumbled out.

"Good, and by the way, that was a good hit, even if it backfired," Hadrian said giving the Mountain a small compliment before leaving. The conversation was swift, but to the point. Being silver tonged when speaking to the Mountain got you nowhere.

Gregor was invaluable, but as where Tywin liked him on a long leash, Hadrian preferred a short one. But the man needed to understand that House Lannister couldn't back Gregor up if he screwed up big time. Ser Hugh would be forgotten in a week, but if somebody else had been killed… political disaster.

While disaster struck tourneys often and most of the time there was no punishment that didn't stop the fact that somebody of Gregors reputation could suffer consequences. It was rare, but not unheard off.

"What a fucking waste of a day," Hadrian thought.

Getting back to stands he searched for his companions, but didn't find them. Frowning, Hadrian looked started to search for a Lannister banner but found none. And people were leaving the station.

"Ser Hadrian!" a voice called out. Hadrian nearly groaned out loud.

"Ser Loras, a pleasure," he said as the Knight of Flowers approached. "I still have not forgotten about you trying to sabotage my family dinner," Hadrian added in his mind.

Loras was the Heir of Highgarden, but was not much better in politics than Mace was. Were the Tyrells purposely making the male members stupid?

"How have you been? Renly doesn't like to gossip and you haven't visited Highgarden in ages!" Loras said as they started walking towards the Red Keep.

Renly not liking gossip? Please, the man lived for it! That and dressing up like a pretty boy Hadrian mentally japed.

Or Loras sucking Renly's cock. Mustn't forget that activity. Hadrian mentally cringed at his harsh words. "Standards Harry, keep some standards!"

"I've been well, Ser Loras. It hasn't been more than five moons since I visited Highgarden, not much has happened to me since," Hadrian said. While a lot of things had happened in the Realm, Hadrian's life had been boringly calm.

Loras however clearly hadn't inherited Olenna's brains. "But so much can happen! Life is too short not to fully enjoy it every day!"

Hadrian wanted to scream from frustration. He really, really, didn't have the patience for this today. "Of course, but as a Lannister I am much more inclined to spend my days at the Rock. The sea calms me."

"Then we can visit Oldtown together after the tourney! It has been to long since I saw my cousins there, and mother so wants to see her brother. And I know that Elinor misses you, and she is currently in Oldtown."

… what? Why in the name of all that is holy would Hadrian want to visit any place with Loras? He couldn't be this bad at manipulating people, was he? And that was without mentioning Elinor Tyrell, the girl that Olenna had tried to teach how to seduce him. Once again, she was pretty, but too… naïve for his taste.

Were they still hoping that Hadrian would actually marry a Tyrell? Now thinking about it, there was a possibility that Tywin might betroth him to a Tyrell girl. That needed some thinking upon. "Oldtown has it charms, but I was there not even two moons ago. A business trip," Hadrian said trying to make sure that Loras wouldn't bring up his cousin anymore.

Hadrian mentally patted himself on the shoulder as he was the Knight of Flowers frown. While it was true that he did visit Oldtown not to long ago he had made double sure to not alert the Hightowers. The deal he had made with the trade cartels there would not favor the rulers of the city after all.

"I must admit to not have known that," Loras said to his credit. Instead of asking why he hadn't heard about that he went for a more neutral approach. Maybe Olenna's genes actually had done something for him. "But that hardly matters! Tonight promises to be entertaining!"

Against his better judgment Hadrian allowed a feral grin on his way. Yes, tonight would be fun. "True, but I hear you are not joining. Why is that? You are by far one of the better swords here, Ser Loras."

"Father doesn't want me to get hurt, and the melee's are known to be filled with wounded combatants the day after. Didn't a Targaryen Prince once die in a melee?"

Hadrian frowned. "No… I think that was the Trial of Seven at Ashford. And two Targaryen princes perished. While it was melee like, it was never a tourney official event. Well, it became one after the tourney started, and was a disaster."

The Trial of Seven at Ashford had seen the Heir of the Iron Throne, Baelor Breakspear, and another Targaryen Hadrian couldn't remember perish. The irony was clear as the man that began the events that lead to the Trial, Ser Dunkan the Tall, would one day become the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to the Targaryen prince that rescued him and made sure a trial happened, Aegon the Fifth.

That man might have been one of the worst kings in history. Sure, the people loved him, but the nobles despised his reforms and that he personally weakened the Royal House's standing in the realm would backfire tremendously. The despise against House Targaryen had truly started to bloom during Aegon's reign. That was without mentioning that he was responsible for Summerhall.

After Aegon came a good king in the form of Jaehaerys Targaryen ll, but the king only reigned for three years. Then his son Aerys the Second took the throne. That didn't end well.

Loras seemed to be thinking over Hadrian's words as said Heir of the Rock mused over the events that the Trial at Ashford put in place. "I think I remember reading about the event, but sadly history never interested me. I would much rather spend the day in the training yard."

"Well no one can dismiss your talents at the joust. You did very well today," Hadrian said trying to make sure that the Heir of Highgarden didn't feel insulted over his intelligence. Loras wasn't completely stupid, he just wasn't the most bright person in the world.

"You did to, Ser Hadrian. A most impressive duel."

Hadrian bowed his head in a show of thanks and respect. "I imagine that if the roles had been different you would have had the same outcome with him as I had."

"Perhaps," Loras said as he frowned. "He was new."

"Another son of Lord Walder Frey, or a grandson. I pity the Frey's actually, there are so many of them that most will be poorer than some commoners." It was sadly true. While Walder Frey himself alone had nearly thirty or so children, that number was multiplied many times once you got to the grandchildren. And that was without counting most of his bastards.

"Isn't your aunt married to a Frey?" Loras asked.

"Genna? She was married to Emmon Frey, per the orders of my late great-grandfather Lord Tytos," Hadrian said, wincing on the inside.

To say that anybody was happy with that marriage was a huge lie. Except Lord Frey, he was happy, the old shit. Tywin had done everything he could have done to break the betrothal but had failed as he hadn't been Lord Lannister. Genna hated her husband and called him an idiot, if she had a good day. Bad days included even worse insults. Emmon rued the marriage as Genna berated the man every time she could. Hell, even her children didn't like their parents. Genna didn't especially care for them either these days. The reason was that they were all idiots. The Lannister blood had not done anything to help the poor Frey's.

Worst of all was that Emmon wasn't even in the competition of becoming the next Lord of the Twins. Sure, he was rather high up, but was too stupid to last against the likes of Black Walder and his ilk.

"The Westerlanders couldn't have been happy about that," Loras said.

Hadrian subtly grabbed Loras's arm. "My aunt did her duty. The opinion of our vassals, while important, do not rule over us. They have learnt to follow the lead of House Lannister."

Hadrian would not tolerate any kind of bad words against House Lannister. His great-grandfather had been an idiot, and only after the destruction of House Reyne and Tarbeck had the Western nobility learnt again why they were ruled by the lions of Casterly Rock.

"Duty? You sound like a Valeman," Loras said grinning.

"Isn't that what our lives are at the end? The duty of continuing and leading our Houses? It does no one any good if you try to hide from fate," Hadrian stated. He had learnt that the hard lesson as Harry Potter. Fate always got her way. The bitch that she was.

Loras sighed. "Sometimes the pressure of being an Heir to a Kingdom is a bit… to much you know? How often have you imagine just setting out on your own, living a simple life?"

"I would be lying if the thought hadn't struck me," Hadrian admitted, clearly surprising Loras. "But at the same time I like my life. Sure, it isn't the life of no problems the commoners might think it is, but we still have it much better than them."

Loras looked puzzled, but Hadrian remembered reading on the French Revolution during Muggle School and hearing from Hermione how the Wizarding World needed its own one. There was no way in hell that Hadrian would allow something similar to happen, and the easiest way to ensure that was to keep the commoners happy and well fed.

It sounded demeaning, but it was the truth. The ideals that had led to Revolution didn't as of yet exist in this world, but Hadrian knew that it wouldn't stay that way forever. Making sure that the commoners of the Westerlands liked House Lannister was a good way to ensure that they wouldn't end like the French Royal House, dead or exiled.

"So how is the border to Dorne?" Hadrian asked changing the subject again. "Still tense?"

Loras snorted. "Dorne might as well be its own realm, with how little interaction the rest of Westeros has with them. Prince Doran keeps most of his people under control, but the Marshes are experiencing more problems."

"You suspect the Viper?" Hadrian questioned.

"We have no proof that the unrest goes back to him, but who else? To make it worse we cannot get him arrested, or a new Dornish War might happen. And if it does the Reach will feel it first."

Hadrian nodded. "Dorne has never been conquered, only assimilated by marriage. Respect your foe," he said.

"Respect?" Loras said. "He is your enemy, respecting him might make it harder to kill him when the time comes."

"Or blind you to the fact that he might be a very good enemy."

Loras said nothing, only cautiously nodded at Hadrian's words. The two made simple small talk up to the Red Keep for the short remaining way before Loras excused himself and left for Renly most likely, while Hadrian headed to the training yard and was met with a wonderful opportunity.

Tommen getting his ass beaten by Joffrey. The two were sparring, but Tommen wasn't only five years younger, but would flinch every time Joffrey would swing his sword, and therefore drop his guard.

Hadrian wanted to roar out and grab Joffrey by the neck, but knew that it would do nothing good. And just by looking at the present Ser Barristan the knight had clearly the same feeling.

"Tommen, feet wide and dodge!" Hadrian called out.

Nearly by instinct did Tommen jump swiftly to the side as Hadrian had over and over again instructed him. And by jumping to the side, Joffrey that had started to overdo his blows and had put too much momentum into his swing, fell to the ground with a heavy thump.

Hadrian would be lying if the sight didn't make his day.

Tommen stared horrified at his older brother before looking at Hadrian and rushing over to him.

"Harry!" he said and placed himself behind his oldest (if unknowingly) brother. "I didn't mean to hurt Joff!"

Hadrian lifted a single eyebrow at Tommen. "You did nothing. Joffrey overextended himself."

By now the Crown Prince had recovered and was glaring hatefully at his youngest brother. "You little shit," he growled quietly, only allowing Hadrian, Tommen and Barristan to catch it. "That is not how a Prince fights. Dodging is what cowards does."

Hadrian simply looked at Ser Barristan. "Ser Barristan, when you fought Maelys Blackfyre did you ever dodge that fail of his?"

"Of course, Ser Hadrian," the old knight said. "While my shield could have held against a few blows, chances are my arm would have been broken eventually. Dodging was a good option."

Joffrey simply sniffed in disdain. "Ser Barristan is no Prince. Princes stand their ground."

Hadrian quirked an eyebrow upwards before he smirked. "Very well, Prince Joffrey, I think it's time for you and me to actually spar together. Ser Barristan, can you hand me one of the swords there?" Hadrian said and pointed to a weapon rack.

The concealed smirk that the old man gave Hadrian said everything. He agreed with the young knight, and was going to enjoy this.

"Live steel, my Prince?" Hadrian asked.

Joffrey hesitated before puffing himself up. "Of course, anything else would be beneath us."

Barristan handed over a simple longswords to Hadrian that quickly swung it around testing its weight and balance. Satisfied with the sword he entered the yard. "First to three wins?" Hadrian said as placed himself sideways facing Joffrey, sword pointed downwards.

Joffrey grinned and nodded before entering a dueling pose himself, facing Hadrian with his body straightforward, sword pointing upwards and being held with both hands.

It looked ridiculous. The longsword wasn't exactly a greatsword that needed both hands.

On a mutual agreement, but a silent one, Joffrey stepped forward and raised his sword in a wide upwards arch before bringing it down. Hadrian stepped to the side and lightly poked Joffrey in his side with the wide side of the blade.

"One," was all the Heir of Casterly Rock said before re-entering his original pose. Joffrey blushed and growled before swinging his blade sideways, forcing Hadrian to step backwards.

Hadrian then in a quick move struck lightning fast, bringing his sword towards Joffrey's sword. The two clashed in a pure tone before Hadrian used his left hand to punch Joffrey in the gut. The Prince dropped his sword in surprise more than pain, and Hadrian lazily and lightly had his sword's broadside his the Prince in the side, again.

"Two."

Joffrey was nearly apocalyptic in rage, but he bent down and retrieved his sword. Had there been any more spectators in the yard Hadrian would have been in trouble, but as it were only Tommen and Barristan were watching.

The Prince took a deep breath before yelling and charging forward. Hadrian nearly sighed in boredom and sidestepped the blow, leaving one of his feet in Joffrey's way. The Prince fell to the ground once again. Hadrian pointed his sword at Joffrey's throat. "You're putting too much effort and strength into your blows."

"You didn't stand your ground," Joffrey complained.

"And most of your adversaries will not either. You are using that sword like a mace or greatsword, not a simple longsword. If you had picked up a shield you could have tried to hit me like you did, if you used one hand, and blocked most of my blows with the shield. There is no technique or surprise in your fighting."

"Mother said-"

"And what does Queen Cersei knows about swordfighting? Has she ever used or learnt how to wield one?" Hadrian said calmly.

Joffrey opened his mouth before it closed. Then he opened it again and closed it, again. This fish face routine continued for a few minutes before he sighed and looked at Hadrian with huge questioning eyes. "No, she hasn't," he gloomily said.

Hadrian handed his sword over to Ser Barristan. "Then why do you follow her instructions?"

You could see the internal struggle Joffrey had. He frowned heavily before his shoulders slumped and he looked defeated. "She doesn't really let me train."

"Afraid you'll get hurt?" Wouldn't surprise him if Cersei actually was that overprotective.

"She says that I've no reason to ever be in combat, I'll be leading men and will have no part in the actual battle."

Hadrian scoffed. "The men will never respect a commander that doesn't know how to fight. They'll think that you don't care about their lives."

"But I don-"

"It doesn't matter," Hadrian gently said, but there was a harshness in his voice. "You can care or you can choose not to. It's all about how you make it look like you care. Or they will not follow you once it gets though and their lives are on the stakes."

Joffrey didn't truly seem to think that Hadrian was right, his frown and the distaste in his eyes betrayed him, but from the corner of his eye Hadrian saw Tommen nodding along. Why wasn't he the Crown Prince again?

"Tommen, do you want to join us?" Hadrian asked. The ten year old boy nodded and the smile on his face when Hadrian nodded towards Barristan and the old knight gave him Hadrian's sword.

"Feet wide," the Heir of the Rock told his half- brother that the world thought was his cousin.

Tommen, a bit too enthusiastic went a bit too far with his legs. "Tommen, not that much," Hadrian said with mirth.

Tommen blushed but got into a better position. "Feet wide apart is to make sure you can bend your knees, therefore being able to absorb the blows better or even outright dodging them. But if you go too far you'll lose balance, and might be tripped or just simply fall. If you ever fall down during a battle you must get back up quickly, or you are dead," Hadrian instructed Tommen, and saw a reluctant Joffrey join in.

Even Joffrey, in all his sadistic and egoistic ways knew that Hadrian was a great fighter. "Now, how should you face your opponent?"

"Sideways," Tommen said with confidence. "Like you."

Hadrian shook his head. "That depends on your fighting style. If you have a shield you need to face the enemy head on, to make sure his blows land on the shield. Your father is an excellent example. Warhammer and Shield is not a combination you see often. His blows cracked ribs, but he absorbed enemy blows with his shield. Allowing him to keep swinging that warhammer of his. Why are you two not fighting with a warhammer?"

"It's too heavy," Joffrey said.

Hadrian nodded at the same time as he shrugged. "Correct. You have the build of swordsmen, agile but strong. I prefer a one-and-a half hand sword because of the variety it provides me. I can use a shield, but if I lose it I can keep going. Just have to remember to block with both hands on the handle."

"Why?" Tommen asked.

"Ser Barristan? A practical demonstration?" Hadrian said. Barristan nodded and drew his sword. "Tommen, can I get that back?" he also said and pointed to the sword he gave Tommen.

The prince happily nodded and handed the sword back. "Ser, hit me with as hard as you can, I'll try to block with one hand," Hadrian said and raised the sword.

Barristan moved forward with a single step and struck once. The blow impacted hard on the sword, and Hadrian's arm was forced inwards, closer to his chest leaving his arm in a bad angle to block again or to strike back.

Hadrian turned to his two students. "My arm was in a bad postion, because I couldn't control where my arm went, Ser Barristan simply had too much force behind his blow for me to hold that defense with one hand."

"So you should never fight with only one-hand?" Tommen asked.

Before Hadrian could answer that, Joffrey, to everyone's surprise, spoke up. "No you can use one hand, but you need to dodge or go on the offensive. Like Hadrian did with me. He dodged the first and third time, while on the second he attacked."

Hadrian nodded in respect to Joffrey. Who would have thought that would ever happen? "The Crown Prince is right. That is why most people that fight with a longsword also uses a shield, so that they can effectively block the blows."

"You use a bastard sword, so how do you block?" Tomman curiously asked.

Hadrian grinned. "Who taught you that one-and a half hand sword had a nickname?"

The small prince blushed as Ser Barristan chuckled. "I think he has been listening to the guards talking."

Hadrian to let out a single chuckle. "Isn't that what all young boys do? I clearly remember just wanting to spend time listening to Lord Tywin's household. Both the guards and the knights."

Barristan smiled humbly as he nodded. Then Hadrian turned back to Tommen. "I use a bastard sword thanks to the variety I get when I use it. I can use it and a shield, but I can also easily let the shield go and use both my hands on the sword to increase the strength of my blows. It doesn't matter if I lose my shield in the heat of battle, I can still go on the defensive."

"And use both hands to block while on the defensive!" Tommen exclaimed in excitement.

Hadrian smiled and nodded. "So, Ser Barristan, once more."

Hadrian raised the sword again, both hands on it, and as Barristan's sword was brought down Hadrian's arm went towards his torso, but stopped rather quickly. In an elegant move Hadrian then reflected the blow and countered with his own attack.

The two fighters didn't trade anymore blows as the point had been made. "Because I could actually hold my own against Ser Barristan's strength I was quickly able to strike back. See my point?"

Both Princes nodded. "Good," Hadrian said as he grinned. "Now, get into a good fighting position, and show me what you can do."

Tommen enthusiastically followed Hadrian's instructions, while Joffrey did so reluctantly. This was Hadrian trying to better the odds of Tommen's survival and planting himself in Joffrey's good side. Two birds on stone so to speak.

It was also clear to anybody with an eye for skill that Tommen had somewhat inherited his true father's skill with a sword. There were small differences, but Tommen shined beneath Hadrian's tutelage, absorbing all the knowledge he could. Joffrey also clearly listened, but didn't absorb as much knowledge as Tommen did.

Tommen quickly learned how to dodge, to see where Joffrey would strike and how to counterattack it. It was soothing to see the young boy's confidence grow every second, and while Joffrey grew angrier every time Tommen beat him, you could see the Crown Prince's anger and frustration slowly turn into determination. Determination to not be beaten. Perhaps some part of Jaime actually did exist in Joffrey.

"Ok, that's enough," Hadrian said after having instructed the two princes for over an hour. "There is a thing as enough training. You have to slowly build up your stamina, or you might injure yourself. Your Queen Mother would have my hide if that happened," Hadrian said with a crooked smile.

Tommen laughed at Hadrian's words, while Joffrey had a face that told him "of course she would! You are beneath her and me!"

That superior thinking was one day going to have him killed. Eh, as long as Tommen survived. "But you can still learn by watching, and that is why I recommend you come and watch the melee that should start in… Ser Barristan, how much time has passed?"

"Most of the afternoon Ser Hadrian. The melee should soon," the old knight said.

Hadrian turned to Tommen and Joffrey. "Go and watch us fight, see how we move. Ser Barristan should be more than enough protection for you two. Speaking of that, where is Sandor?"

Joffrey shrugged. "Drinking? Whoring?"

"On his time to guard you?" Hadrian growled. Sandor was supposed to protect the Prince!

"I told him to leave, as you said, Ser Barristan is more than capable enough to protect us both," Joffrey rather arrogantly said. How he made his voice always sound so superior baffled Hadrian. Somewhere there must exist a fucking class where blond, self-entitled idiots learnt arrogance. That or Hadrian was cursed to deal with those kinds of people for the rest of his existence.

"Ser Barristan is the greatest knight in the realm, true, but right here are both of Robert Baratheon's sons. One man is not enough protection," Hadrian scolded Joffrey.

It seemed that even though they had a truce during the spar, that truce was now over. "You cannot talk to me like that! I am the Crown Prince!"

Hadrian raised a single eyebrow. "I cannot? Yet, my mouth keeps on opening and making sounds. Are you going to silence me?"

Joffrey looked murderous, but Hadrian needed to drag him down from that high, imagined, horse of his.

"Was the horse possible named Cersei?" Hadrian thought with a bit of glee before mentally cringing. "No, the only that rides that horse is Father," Hadrian thought and instantly squashed that mental picture.

No thanks. He didn't want that picture.

"Family looks out for each other. You might want to look the other way and spurn me, but we are family. Believe it or not, I care about you two's safety. Keep at least two good men with you all times," Hadrian said gently.

Tommen was listening so intently on Hadrian's words said Heir was afraid that the little prince forget to breath. Joffrey, while clearly displeased, nodded. "I'll keep the Hound closer."

Hadrian saw a golden opportunity. "Tommen, you want Ser Barristan to guard you? I am sure he can show you a few things even I don't know."

The little prince beamed and looked pleadingly at the old knight that chuckled. "I can take over here. Prince Tommen, you want to stay here or go and watch the melee?"

Tommen looked towards Hadrian with a thoughtful look. "What are my chances of seeing what you do? You did say that I should watch you."

"The chances that you are going to learn something from watching me are small to none. It's going to be chaos, I'll be hard to spot, and in this case Ser Barristan has a lot more to teach you before you can start to watch and learn from others" Hadrian answered honestly. Two hundred men charging right into the fray, yeah, it was going to be chaos. Hadrian knew that with that number it would take more than skill to win.

Tommen seemed to mull over his cousins answer before turning to Ser Barristan. "We stay here and continue. Joff, you want to stay to?"

Joffrey scoffed. "I am going to go and see if there are any worthy in the melee. Two hundred men promises that some are going to be perhaps good enough for me to recruit as bodyguards. Ser Hadrian was right about one thing, a Prince needs more than one personal guard," he said puffed out his chest.

Hadrian rolled his eyes behind the Crown Idiot. Sandor was more than enough, Joffrey just wanted an excuse to see the carnage. Sadistic little shit.

"Then I have to go. See you later my Princes," Hadrian said, gave a small respectful bow before he turned and left. His muscles were warmed up already, making him grin. This was going to be good fight.

He walked into the Red Keeps courtyard where a handful of Lannister Guards were waiting with his father already on their horses. "Ser Jaime, don't you have a Royal Family to protect?" Hadrian asked as he smiled.

"His Grace has given me a few minutes to be with my son before the melee. Come, let's go and get you into your armor," Jaime said. Not wanting to argue, and not having the time, Hadrian simply nodded and kept walking to the stables were he mounted up on Tirion before he rode out to the courtyard. He didn't stop but set an easy pace as he rode in front, his father at his side with the guards behind them.

Hadrian, while happy that he and his father could spend some time together, he could sense that it wasn't without a reason. Probably Cersei had tasked him with trying to pry information about Hadrian's "true" intentions. "You not joining the melee? Thought you were."

"Sadly the Queen is in need of my services, and His Grace agreed that I was the best suited for such a waste of time task," Jaime gritted out. He clearly wasn't happy about Cersei ordering him around so much.

"The Realm and its subjects exists to serve the King and his family," Hadrian quietly said.

"Indeed," Jaime hollowly said. A slight legimence probe onto the surface of his fathers mind revealed a picture of an old man being stabbed in the back, followed by a flash of a green liquid inside a bottle before the image of a man sitting on the Iron Throne, laughing.

Hadrian frowned. The man on the Iron Throne was clearly the Mad King, but the other one? And the liquid? What was so dangerous and green?

"And the Realm gladly servers the Royal Family, as long as they don't do something to crazy," Hadrian said, and could feel his father's thoughts move to a Silver Prince on a white horse, surrounded by an army, giving a promise.

Rhaegar Targaryen? Must be, and the reason for his father's thoughts were clear. It was Rhaegar that put the nail in the coffin for the Targaryen's when he kidnapped Lyanna Stark. But why did Jaime associate Rhaegar with respect?

"A lesson the Dragons learnt to late," Jaime said with a smirk. Hadrian could see that it was rather forced.

"And the lions nearly had to learn," Hadrian whispered. "Never forget that we to can do mistakes. It is the ability to correct them that promises a House's survival."

"Or you teach your children to not do a mistake," Jaime argued.

"We all do mistake's in life, some just do more stupid ones than others," Hadrian shot back.

Jaime chuckled. "I can think of a few times my mind wasn't very practical."

"Please," Hadrian said with a disgusted face, "I really don't want to know."

"You sure," Jaime said grinning like a fool that struck gold, "why, there was that one time…"

"No, I do not want to know," Hadrian said with a smidge of pleading in his voice. Jaime's smirk was so infuriating right now that Hadrian really, really wanted to punch him.

"It is the story of how I met your mother, Hadrian. I was a young lad, squire to Lord Crakehall, when we rode to Casterly Rock for some business. So instead of staying around the Rock, as I had been ordered, I had the brilliant idea to spend it in Lannisport!" Jaime told Hadrian dramatically, "And when I came to the market I saw this beautiful maiden with black hair and blue eyes. And a few words later and a visit to the tavern-"

"Father, no. I can live a good life without hearing this," Hadrian growled out. He could hear his father laugh at his discomfort, making Hadrian's hands grips his reins harder. "And you are still doing bad choices," Hadrian whispered as he rode closer.

The mirth left Jaime instantly. "At your tent we'll talk more."

"I agree," Hadrian said and spurred Tirion on, and they soon arrived at the tents. People went to the sides of the road when they saw the Lannister riding through, the power of the Lion making them all fear the potential wrath of House Lannister. Hadrian kept a neutral face, with perhaps a bit of aloofness while Jaime had his trademark smirk, shouting to the world that he thought them beneath him.

"Guards, stay here," Hadrian ordered them as he dismounted and walked into his personal tent. It had an interesting ward on it, courtesy of his dealings with the Unspeakable's when he was Head Auror. It served two purposes. A person Hadrian wanted to overhear a conversation would so, but a person that tried to spy or was unwelcome would only hear small talk. Much better and more discreet than the Muffilato Charm.

"Father, you want some wine?" Hadrian said and poured himself a small glass of Arbor Gold.

"No thanks, and you shouldn't drink before a battle son," Jaime said with a tint of worry in his voice. Hadrian raised his eyebrows and smirked.

"Sandor and Gregor always drink before a fight. Liquid Courage, so to speak," the Black Lion said as sipped the alcohol and took a seat in one of the few chairs in the tent. "I know what my cousins really are," Hadrian said, not jumping around the bushes.

Jaime winced. "I know, Cersei told me. She mentioned that you saw us after the Greyjoy Rebellion, during the Tourney of Lannisport." To his credit Jaime looked guilty, running his hands into his golden hair. His father really looked like a fairy-tale knight in that golden armor and his appearance.

"You know what hurt the most?"

"Except that I was fucking your aunt?" Jaime said quietly. Suddenly his eyes widened and he started to look around. "We cannot discuss this here!"

"Sure we can. Nobody hears this conversation. I got my people making sure that we aren't overheard."

"You trust your people?" Jaime said disbelieving.

Hadrian coughed into his glass, hiding his laughter. "Their very existence, and the existence of all they love, depends on their loyalty. In the early days a few tried to… backstab me, but they learnt very quickly and set good examples."

Magical contracts were so good. The Ministry and the DoM spent massive amounts of money to make sure wizards didn't force muggles into signing one. It wasn't very well known, but all living things had a magical core. The Muggles core was just empty, but it could still be bound. It had taken Hadrian years to perfect the contracts, but all his spies were bound that way. It was still a very free contract, they had their freedom and could even resign and go back and work as farmers or fishers or whatever they did before. But they could never betray the secrets of the Lannister Family.

"You sure?" Jaime said with caution.

"Willing to bet my life on it," Hadrian said. He could see his father nodding, making Hadrian smile. Jaime did trust him.

"Then you know that you are no longer an only child?" Jaime teased while regaining his smirk.

Hadrian laughed. "As sad as the fact that I and Joffrey are closer related than I will ever admit, yes, I know that I am their half-brother."

"What was your reaction when you found out?" Jaime asked with what was clearly genuine curiosity.

"Rage."

"Rage?"

"What did you except? That I would be happy to realize that the future of my house is doomed should the truth ever be discovered? That my father was sleeping with his own sister, a woman that hates me. The fact that you had more time for Cersei than me? Especially in a time of weakness for me."

Jaime frowned, you could see the confusion in his eyes. "Weakness?"

"My mother had been raped to death, and I had killed two human beings," Hadrian said casually. "And Grandfather, for his few good sides, cannot sympathize with another human being to save his life. And when I went to you-"

"Harry," Jaime said quietly. "I didn't-"

"Think that I was in need of comfort?" Hadrian said with small bitterness. "Don't get me wrong, I-" Hadrian frowned and put down his drink. "I was so detached from everything after that. I had nightmares about my mother and Euron Greyjoy for years. I got over it, I am over it, but even now I've got a hard time to forgive you."

"You don-"

"Had you been busy with truly important matters the blow would not have been so harsh, but you spent that time with Cersei, that does hurt."

Jaime sat there, flabbergasted, and could only sigh. "It's always been her, Harry."

"Don't use that name," Hadrian said quietly but firmly. "you are my father, and for some reason only the gods know I love you, but you do not have the right to use my nickname. There are only three people that does."

"And they are?"

"Joy, Tommen and Myrcella. There was a fourth, but you can guess who that was."

"Alyssa. There was never anything between us."

"I know that," Hadrian said tiredly. "Doesn't change the fact that it hurt. But what hurts the most is that in your world Cersei will always come first. Let's be honest there. Neither you nor I gains anything by saying that you would place me before her. I will not ask you to do that. But I will ask you to stop trying to pry information from me. I only want the best for my family."

Jaime stared at him for several long agonizing minutes. "You've grown up." There was pain in his eyes.

"I had to."

"When did you stop being the small little happy boy with that charming smile?"

"Years ago."

Jaime suddenly stood up and walked over to the small table with the wine carafe and poured himself a large glass. "I won't say a word of what happened here. You can rest easy knowing that Cersei will never hear of what you told me."

"What will you tell her?"

"That you only want the best for your family. Her children included."

Hadrian nodded and finished his wine and stood up. "And you? How will things be between us?"

"More mature. We both now know where we both stand. Its… refreshing yet dauntingly difficult to melt."

"We needed to do this. Have for a long time."

Jaime nodded. "What do you want me to do, son?"

"Continue as you've been doing. Be an uncle for Cersei's children, be a supporter for the Queen, guard the King, and let me handle all political things," Hadrian said with a grin. "You do not have the subtlety for politics."

"And you do?" Jaime said teasing him.

Hadrian shrugged. "More than you."

Jaime laughed. "Good luck tonight Hadrian. You'll need it."

"Thanks for the support," Hadrian said and walked up to his father. Jaime smiled slightly before giving a small bow. Then he left the tent.

Hadrian took a single breath as he sat down on the floor. He didn't cry, he just sat there staring. He had of course know that things between him and his father hadn't been sunshine and rainbows. But he had never meant to let that much out. A part of him hadn't knew… no had not wanted to understand that things were that bad.

But the phrase "the truth shall set you free" was true. While it might take years before his and Jaime's relationship was healed, the fact was that this conversation needed to happen. And now that it was over… Hadrian only felt relief. He stood up and put his armor on again, using magic once again to check that everything was perfect before picking up his old bastard sword and a round shield with the Lannister Sigil on it. The sword he strapped to his hip, while he fastened the shield on his left arm. Lastly he picked up his helmet and put it on. Showtime.

The area were the melee was supposed to take place was huge and set on a field of grass. Spectator stands had been built around it, with a few places where commoners could stand on the ground. There were also a few raised more secluded areas were some of the more important nobles would be staying. House like Baratheon, Lannister, Stark, Royce and Mallsiter had put their banner in these place.

Looking back at the field Hadrian was willing to bet that the field would be muddy before the end. He spotted multiple banners he recognized, and many more that he didn't. Most probably belonged to smaller houses.

"Ser Hadrian," a raspy voice called out. The man looked like he had seen better days, but all the red he was wearing told everybody who he was.

"Thoros, here for vengeance?" Hadrian said and smirked. The last melee had been brutal, ending with a one-on-one battle between Hadrian and Thoros. The Red Priest used his fiery sword as his main advantage, but Hadrian didn't flinch against that.

Wildfire, for all its perks had nothing against Fiendfyre. And Hadrian spent enough time hunting Dark Wizards to be very familiar with that kind of fire.

"If I win it'll be because R'hllor wills it so. But, even if wills it so that you will win, I will not go down without a fight, good Ser."

Hadrian chuckled. "How about this. You and I have a truce until the first chaos is over. That way neither of us have to watch their back against a good opponent."

Thoros looked thoughtful, clearly going over the advantages of a temporary truce. "Deal. I place a lot of trust in you." Thoros held out his hand. Hadrian didn't hesitate as he grabbed it, and as both participants shook their hands Hadrian kept eye contact with the Red Priest.

"You have my word that I won't go back on the deal."

Thoros looked a bit impressed, but his face reverted back to the happier going one he usually had. "Then I wish you luck out there."

"Same to you," Hadrian said and turned around, heading towards the area where he saw several banners from the west were situated.

"Ser Hadrian, we were wondering if you had gotten lost," a knight with the Unicorn of Brax said. Hadrian scoffed at those words.

"I've been here before. Was just going for a stroll," he said as walked towards where he saw figures like Gregor Clegane, the Strongboar and Daven Lannister. "Daven, where's Damon?" Hadrian asked as he joined the group.

"With Lucion fixing his armor."

"Good, make sure he is here soon. The melee might start any time now," Hadrian said and looked backwards towards the King's pavilion. Robert Baratheon sat there with a wine cup in his hands, clearly getting bored as nothing was happening.

Daven nodded and left, probably to make sure that Damon got here, leaving Hadrian with the Mountain and the Strongboar. "Ser Lyle, will you leave me with Ser Gregor for a moment?" Hadrian commanded.

The Strongboar's eyes narrowed before he too left.

"My lord, is there something you want?" the Mountain asked.

"No killing, Clegane, you hear me?" Hadrian said staring the huge man directly into his eyes. "I will not tolerate another disaster."

Clegane nodded, his face a bit angry but not daring to do anything against the Heir of Casterly Rock. "You have my word, my lord," Clegane promised.

"Good. And good luck," Hadrian said as he saw His Grace stand up and boom out orders. The melee was starting any second. "Don't hold any punches back, even if you face me," Hadrian ordered. The Mountain gave a bloodthirsty grin before leaving. Hadrian started to quickly walk towards the entry point a grin on his face too, thankfully hidden beneath the helmet. Soon a huge circle was formed on the field as the combatants got into their position. The crowd was going wild behind them, calling out their favorites and wishing them good luck.

And cursing the opposition of course.

It took a few minutes before everybody was here, and Hadrian had to stand there and listen to the King boom out that they would have to start before he fell asleep thanks to boredom.

"COMBATNATS!" the announcer suddenly called out. Hadrian tensed up before drawing his sword in a quick move. He could hear more steel being drawn all around him.

"READY!" Hadrian raised his shield and took a deep breath. From the fire into the pan.

"BEGIN!"

Chaos erupted the second the announcer said the word. Hadrian didn't waste time as he quickly spun around, hitting the knight closest to him straight in the chest with his shield, sending the man to the ground. Hadrian's sword was stopped mid swing, a knight dual wielding axes starting to wildly swing them against the Black Lion.

Hadrian drew his sword back closer to his body, but instead of getting engaged with the knight he jumped to the side, having spotted another knight rushing towards them. The sprinting knight had built up so much momentum that he kept going as he missed the tackle, and Hadrian placed his sword in front of the knights legs. The man fell to the ground just like the other, but this one fell right into the man dual wielding axes. The two knights tumbled to the ground together, with Hadrian dashing forward tapping his sword against the Axe-Knights helmet, the heavy armor and the dizziness from the fall and hit would keep them there.

The Rules of the Melee was simply. You fall, you're out. That or you get hit in the head, but that was frowned upon as it could very get lethal that way. Being on a killstreak, so to speak, it was a grinning Hadrian that spun around, raising his shield to protect his chest, his sword angled down to the ground. And that was lucky.

A mace smashed into his shield, making Hadrian stumble from the pure force, but the Heir of Casterly was too experienced to fall to somebody only using pure strength. But he lost his confident grin. The man, clearly not well trained, kept on swinging his mace, and the impacts on the shield buckled it. Hadrian weathered the assault, waiting for the brute to tire, and the moment came. Hadrian jumped backwards, dodging the blow and as he jumped he brought his sword up, and before the knight knew what happened Haddrian vertically slashed his sword towards the knight's helmet. The sound of ringing steel echoed, and the man fell to his knees because of the loud noise. Hadrian kicked straight in the chest, putting the mace-wielder into the dirt.

Hadrian quickly looked around shoved his sword into the ground with the pointy edge. He then unstrapped the shield and held it with his right hand. Smirking beneath his helmet he threw the shield like a Frisbee, hitting an unsuspecting knight in the back. Hadrian nearly laughed out loud as the knight face planted the ground.

The person that had been fighting the unfortunate knight looked up and clearly saw Hadrian. He started to slowly approach the Black Lion, longsword raised in a defensive manner. Hadrian grabbed his own sword by the hilt and drew it out of the ground, giving it a few quick twirl to get rid of some dirt. The fighting around him was still chaotic, but the initial fighting was dying down.

The knight had by now reached Hadrian and struck out like a viper, Hadrian only just parrying the blow. The fight that ensured was fun. This Knight was not some lowly trained hedge knight, this one knew how to fight and Hadrian had to use some really good tricks to stay even. Hadrian gasped in pain as he missed the knights sword, and in return it him hard on the shoulder.

Hadrian growled in anger, as he tackled the knight backwards. His shoulder was not broken, thankfully, but it was now a weak spot. The knight focused his attacks there, clearly trying to force Hadrian into enough pain there that he would forfeit. There was nothing the Heir of Casterly Rock could do as he was put on the defensive. This was not good.

"If I only can get his attention elsewhere, but he is so fucking focused- that's it!" Hadrian realized in a eureka moment. He braced himself, knowing that this would hurt. The Knights sword his Hadrian on his wounded shoulder, hard, but while doing so the knight overextended. Hadrian brought his sword up from beneath the knights arm, using all his strength to hit the man in the elbow. The sound of breaking bones could be heard clearly as the man dropped his sword and fell to the ground.

Hadrian bent down and picked up his foes dropped sword, using it in his left hand as a pair of Knights with Frey Sigil approached him. Hadrian's eyes narrowed as he started to swing his swords. The Frey's raised their swords to block the attacks, which was just what Hadrian wanted. The same second the sound of steel hitting steel vibrated into his ears Hadrian went down one knee, allowing his swords to fall with him closer to the ground. One of the Frey's jumped backwards, but the other pressed his attacks, and swung where Hadrian had previously been, missing the Black Lions head with inches.

Hadrian jumped up, swinging his bastard sword so the hilt was upwards pointed, and smashed it into the Frey's face. The man screamed, for his helmet had been open and Hadrian had smashed his nose hard, and fell to the ground covering his nose.

The other Frey yelled as he charged, enraged by his relatives pain, but Hadrian swung both of his swords and in a few seconds the Frey to hit the dust.

Hadrian started to look around, but saw no threat, and therefore quickly assessed the field. The Strongboar and Damon were laying on the ground, with Daven dueling Thoros and a lord with a lightning bolt as his sigil. "Dondarrion?" Hadrian wondered and quickly concluded to. He also the Mountain fighting a group of five knights, clearly winning. Then one of the knights charged forward, falling to the ground and hugging Clegane's legs.

In a comical and wonderful show of teamwork another knight joined his comrade in keeping Clegane pinned down. Then a third man roared and tackled the Mountain head on. While all three fell, putting them out of the fight, the fact that the Mountain had been defeated by them made all three grin like schoolboys.

Hadrian chuckled at the scene and started to make his way there, dispatching another combatant on his way. The last two saw him and went on the defensive, raising their shields. Hadrian pointed his swords at them, and started to twirl them around, gaining momentum. His eyes keep jumping between them, and therefore saw when both of them looked to a point behind Hadrian.

Realizing the danger Hadrian stepped to the right and struck his longsword backwards, hard. He could feel it impacting on pure steel, and saw Dondarrion standing there, bent over from the blow but not defeated. And right behind him was Thoros of Myr with the fucking flaming sword of his.

Hadrian, not liking the odds, disengaged from the fight, using the speed he had gained to get away. Instead of ganging up on him, as Hadrian excepted, the two groups attacked each other. It was a show of surprisingly good sportsmanship. Hadrian allowed that fight to be played out, not going for the backstab Thoros. "A Lannister pays his debts," Hadrian mentally japed. He instead turned around and went the other way, engaging a few knights here and there, quickly disposing of them.

The fighting was dying down, with only small pockets of fighting. Hadrian stood in the middle of the arena with both his swords, looking around. The last fight ended when Thoros forced Jason Mallister to forfeit, and soon Dondarrion (who was still fighting with the Red Priest) and Thoros approached Hadrian.

"I guess the truce is over?" Thoros asked grinning.

Hadrian laughed. "I thought it was over when you saved my ass a few minutes ago."

"Did we scare you?" Thoros asked teasingly.

Hadrian raised both his swords. "You did, I thought it was over. I couldn't have beaten you four without using lethal means."

"You fought well Ser Hadrian," Lord Beric suddenly said. "It is an honor to fight with you like this, and not to stab you in the back."

"You ok Lord Beric, no pain in the stomach?" Hadrian asked, both in true worry and looking for a weakness. The perks of multitasking.

"I'll live," Beric said. You could hear the mirth in his voice.

"Well," Hadrian said and entered and defensive pose, "how about we end this?"

Thoros wasted no time as he dived towards Hadrian, swinging the sword around creating a fire show. Hadrian noticed that Lord Beric was holding back, trying to circle around him. Hadrian was not having any of that. Hadrian stepped right into Thoros's blow, using his picked up longsword to block the attack. The sound of Wildfire melting steel reached his ears, but Hadrian was already attacking again.

Thoros had made a single mistake. He didn't wear a helmet, and Hadrian capitalized on that as head-butted the Red Priest. Thoros stumbled backwards, his nose bleeding, giving Hadrian an opening to finish Lord Beric off. He swung his half melted longsword into Beric's own sword, and Hadrian grinned. The second the heat of the Wildfire left the blade the sword started to cool, but it was still hot, and as it hit Beric's sword they fused together. Hadrian could hear the outrage and surprise from Beric as he sidestepped the knight, and in Beric's moment of carelessness, grabbed the knight from behind and dragged him down into the ground.

Instead of cursing the Stormlord laid there laughing, clearly amused in the way he was defeated. Thoros had by now recovered, and stood there grinning. "Now that isn't something you see everyday," he stated.

Hadrian shrugged. "I took a gamble, it paid off."

Thoros angled his face to the side and looked at a still laughing Beric, "Clearly it was worth it. But let's hurry up, my sword isn't going to last much longer."

Hadrian grinned as he started to circle Thoros, and soon enough an opening was shown. Hadrian didn't really care for his old sword, and used the same tactic as before, and as he heard his old sword melt he used his left hand to punch Thoros straight in the face. The Red Priest, still hurting in that area, dropped his sword in pain and stumbled backwards. Not hesitating Hadrian too dropped his sword and grabbed Thoros by the throat, and slammed him into the ground.

He stood up slowly and straighten himself out, a single thought struck him and the spectators.

Hadrian Lannister had won.

"The winner is Ser Hadrian Lannister!" the announcer called out.

The stands started to cheer, probably because of the great show that they had just seen. Hadrian could see Myrcella cheering as loudly as a lady was allowed to, with Jaime standing behind her smiling. Even Cersei had a small smile on her face, while Robert was laughing loudly.

"Hey Renly! You owe me some gold!" the King called out, clearly not caring about social exceptions. Hadrian smiled at the scene as he started to leave the arena. The second he left it both Damon and Daven flanked him, protecting him against the onslaught as the commoners kept cheering. Hadrian saw Lucion approach them, smiling widely.

"I was worried there for a second. I had a lot of money on you winning!" Lucion said with a shit eating grin.

Hadrian laughed. "You're not the only one that was worried there for a while."

All four Lannister's laughed as they entered Hadrian's tent. "Lucion pour up some wine, tonight we celebrate!" Hadrian called out, the adrenaline keeping him active.

Lucion did just that, and for the first time in a long time Hadrian didn't spend a night worried about the future, but happy in the moment.

The Game of Thrones could wait.

Sorry for the long wait, but chapters will sadly be sporadic and far between. The good news is that during this time I've more or less completely mapped out pairings, plot and more. I've come up with a few twists and turns you guys are probably going to love. Best of all, I've come up with what I think is a completely new pairing!

There also seems to have been a misunderstanding. I wrote and explained badly a thing in the last AN. I said I would introduce more HP characters, what I meant to say was I was going to introduce more characters from the books a Song of Ice and Fire books. At most you are going to get (except already introduced characters), one to three more people from the HP Universe. An example from the ASIOAF characters would be Sarella Sand and Edric Dayne. Just to give you an idea and hunch.

Worth a note about this chapter, it's all about continuing to set up the playfield. And following G.R.R Martins theme to make sure there are no perfect relationships, I needed to throw something into Hadrian and Jaime's one. If you get mixed feelings about Joffrey and Hadrian's view on him, that's intended. He is, at the end of the day, Hadrian's brother. No matter how sadistic he is.

Next chapter we're getting to the juicy stuff.

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