Chapter Text
Being on the war for so long and on constant travel had made the servants rather fast at packing and preparing to go. Due to the urgency of this move, a lot of the recently acquired manpower in the form of hostages had to be left behind; and some injured men as well.
Only the strongest, fastest and readiest men would join them; thankfully, consisting of the biggest part of the army. Even young squires that could use a sword would come along, armour up if they had to.
As a servant prepared the horses for Tywin and Josephine, the Old Lion gave the final orders to his bloodthirsty hound; ensuring there would be no mishaps like last time. Holding Harrenhal was essential for now and he had no room for error.
At the same time, Josephine had slipped further away once she spotted Arya watching them from the crowd. The girl seemed hesitant, clearly debating something, but the woman could not tell—not at that moment.
Yet she made the effort to approach, the men moving out of her path as she headed for the young girl, who stood her ground.
“There is not much time, Ary,” Josephine said, stopping before the young girl. “Tywin might have given orders but never turn your back on any of those men, especially the Mountain.”
“I wasn’t planning to. I know what he does to people,” Arya commented, making her smirk.
“Smart girl,” the woman said before she grabbed a small, simple dagger and handed it to the child. “If anything goes wrong, aim for the neck or the heart. You are smart and small, use it wisely.”
Arya was surprised by this little gift but accepted the blade nonetheless, feeling how light it was in her hand. The size was perfect for her small hands, and the handle was wrapped with some dried-up leather, making it easier to grip.
She had been partially taught how to use her sword needle but never a dagger. That did not mean she would not accept it, for she knew Josephine made a valid point. Even Hot Pie and Gendry were restless, knowing that Tywin’s favouritism over Arya had upset many and the Old Lion would no longer be present to protect her.
Josephine nodded and gently touched Arya’s shoulder before standing her full height. She could feel Tywin’s sharp gaze on her back, and he did not have to say anything for her to understand.
Without wasting any more time, she headed for her horse and quickly climbed on the saddle; her horse was right next to Tywin's. The path was cleared, and the red tents of the army were visible in the distance, while the sun had yet to set.
This was their sign, that there was time to protect their family before it was too late.
They knew marching back home would not be easy, and they knew they would face resistance—just not that kind of resistance. As they were approaching Tumblestone, Lord Edmure Tully appeared with his army and blocked their way forward.
Despite their best efforts and tactics, the Tully Lord and his men did not allow them to continue forward, and both sides suffered casualties. Since they could not pass through like that, Tywin forced his army to retreat and recover while they made a quick plan to win eventually.
However, the idea was halted when riders from Bitterbridge reached them with news of a successful new alliance and a plan to stop Stannis before taking King’s Landing.
With the opportunity to take down the bigger fish and save the crown and their family, Tywin and Josephine moved the host south towards Tumbler's Falls; a town in the southern Riverlands that lay on the Blackwater Rush.
To their surprise, near the headwaters of the Blackwater Rush, they met Lords Mathis Rowan and Randyll Tarly; both men now in alliance with them thanks to the Tyrells. They had brought their men as well.
Glad to see more men and allies, the three Lords and the Lady had their formal greetings before forcing a march to Tumbler's Falls. When they finally arrived at the small town, they were greeted by Lord Mace Tyrell and his sons, who had been waiting with their huge host of more than 50.000 men and a fleet of barges.
They had to make a plan before setting sail for King’s Landing by taking the Blackwater Rush River.
Thus, they all met in the main tent of Lord Mace Tyrell; a man whom Josephine knew but he did not seem to know her.
Which was perhaps for the best, for she did not need Tywin’s interrogation on how she knew certain individuals and what she truly did while away.
Lord Mace and Tarly did not seem to mind her present, though she did catch their surprised looks between them when she showed up with Tywin. By now, word had spread of a woman in the Lion’s council but few truly believed it.
And those that did believe it, doubted everything was fully true.
They thought of arguing, of politely keeping her out of the meeting, but Tywin’s sharp words and gaze quickly made them drop any attempts. This action from the old Lion did draw curious looks from his new allies, but now it was not the time to question.
Now it was the time to plan and they had to do it fast. Each passing minute was a minute that Stannis was getting closer to King’s Landing.
Inside the tent were each of the great Lords, Lord Mace’s sons Garlan and Loras, Josephine and even Littlefinger; since he had been the one to make this alliance work by persuading the Tyrells to marry Margaery to Joffrey and crown her queen.
Once gathered around the war table, everyone looked at the map of the CrownLands where tokens had already been placed; Lord Mace had prepared in advance while waiting for them.
“Here is the final plan that I believe we all agree on,” he started, taking the lead since his ship and his men would play the biggest part in this relief party. “We sail down Blackwater Rush and we are to disembark here,” he pointed to a marked spot on the map. “It's only half a day away from King’s Landing and if we have no delays, we should be able to arrive before Stannis overpowers the troops left to protect the city.”
Everyone looked at the map, nodding heads and humming in agreement. Pieces to represent the vast army were placed next.
“What is the attack plan then? Who will command what?” Lords Mathis Rowan asked, wishing to go to the most important part of this plan.
“Lord Tywin, you can lead the right wing on the north side of the river while Lord Randyll Tarly will command the centre and I will take the left.”
Tywin looked over the map, visually imagining the battle position. “It is a good strategy, Lord Mace,” he started. While a prideful man, Tywin respected a good plan, especially one that would help him win this war faster and with as few obstacles as possible. “However, I do suspect we will meet resistance by Stannis’ army, especially the main centre and the vanguard.”
Josephine understood where Tywin was leading the conversation, so she nodded before adding her comment. ”If I may add something, my lords," she said. They exchanged a look, some uneasy and others unsure. Yet, Lord Mace gave her the faint nod to continue and she wasted no time sharing her thoughts. "The coast of Blackwater by King’s Landing is not as wide and we need to remember that Stannis will most likely have men waiting in their ships, leaving us open for a side attack while our forces will be narrowed due to the limited land.”
Her points made Lord Mace think deeply, passing a hand over his beard. He had not truly thought of that detail, but now he could not see it when his eyes were on the map. If her predictions were right, they would lose a significant number of soldiers.
They had more men than Stannis, but an ambush from the ships and the fact that they could not truly use their full force all at once could challenge them.
Littlefinger was the least likely member to interfere in a military plan. He chose the moment of deep thinking and mental questioning to propose an idea he had developed.
“We can still intimidate them if we plan our attack right,” Lord Tarly commented, breaking the silence. “They do not expect all of our armies combined, and if we hit them while they are busy with the city, we will have an advantage. Seeing them trapped between the walls of King’s Landing and us should be enough to make many to surrender or risk dying.”
“And what if they don’t get affected, hmm?” Tywin questioned, eyeing the said Lord. “Stannis is a man they consider God and have blindly followed him all this time. Bold of you to assume that they will get discouraged so easily.”
Lord Tarly disliked being questioned or argued, especially so openly. His displeasure was visible by his frown. “I don’t hear you suggesting something, Lord Tywin.”
A glaring contest was starting between the two seasoned Lords, who had their own war and battle experience. Both were prideful individuals, headstrong and dominant.
An old feud was also at risk of being awoken, for the Tarlys had remained a loyal vassal to the Tyrells and the Targaryens all this time. While Tywin had changed sides and helped take down the Dragon Lords when Robert started to win the war.
Josephine glanced between the two men, never seeing someone staring back at Tywin without flinching. It was impressive, and while she would have waited to see where this would lead, she knew they had no time.
“The plan can work, if we add something more to demolish their morals,” she suddenly suggested, earning the attention of the men around her. “Most of Stannis' Soldiers followed Renly once and changed sides when he was killed. So, we need to find a way to mess with their morals and make them question their places. It does not have to be something big, just enough to give the men a few second opportunity window to strike; meeting least resistance."
The men exchanged glances, sceptical about this plan but thinking about it. It was vague, and no one was sure how they could intimidate the enemy soldiers, but if they did, it would definitely increase their chances of winning properly and with fewer casualties.
“This is madness,” Loras Tyrell argued, his voice audible above the faint mumbles of the older lords.
Thankfully, help came from an unlikely ally.
“It would be, if we did not have Renly’s full armour with us,” Petyr Baelish commented, having been silent this whole time.
Loras looked at Renly with hatred and distrust, for the sneaky weasel was one of the few knowing of such a secret. The youngest of the Tyrell males had a relationship with the deceased Renly, and after the assassination, he had brought the armour with him, to fully bury it with his sword when the war was over.
“It is a mad plan...” Lord Tarly muttered. “Mad enough that it might actually work.”
Tywin nodded faintly, agreeing with him on this particular matter. He then glanced at Josephine, who remained standing, prideful by his side; showing her sharp and cunning mind that few could rival.
Pride was evident in his gaze and she could sense it, without looking at him. Josephine focused on the men with her, studying their reactions and hearing their comments. Though, by what Baelish had informed, seemed to have quieted most arguments on the plan.
“And who will wear the armour? Who will risk riding right at the very front of the vanguard?” Lord Mace asked, making everyone think once again.
However, this time, it did not last long as Garlan took a step forward. “I will do it. Let me wear the armour and lead the men.”
Dozens of barges sailed down Blackwater Rush during the early morning hours, the main one carrying the most important men and women of the upcoming battle.
Josephine was on one of them, currently away from the little cabin she could share with Tywin. She was busy standing by the end of the galley. The sun was slowly rising, the faintest rays visible on the far horizon.
The river's calm waters carried them across, earning them time and bringing them closer to the battle.
Josephine’s mind was busy at that time, and many thoughts were going through her head, preventing her from getting a rest. So, she chose to stand alone for a while; trying to prioritize her thoughts.
She had been thinking of this plan and her role in it, a role the others did not know. Many thoughts she would remain back or join some archers, but Tywin had discussed with her other plans once they were alone.
It had been so long since she was in real combat, not just at the end but right in the heat of it, where chaos and death walked hand in hand. Blood was everywhere, the screams of dying men and horses haunting one’s future sleeps and a second of hesitation could cost your life.
She rubbed her shoulder faintly, as if remembering the pain of that spear during the Tarbeck-Reynes Rebellion, the very first serious injury she had ever suffered. That had not stopped her from fighting, and she had healed fast after it, though the scar had remained and was refusing to fade.
Her mind also went to King’s Landing, a place she hadn’t seen in years; never daring to step into it despite the many chances she had. She had spent her time there, walking the halls of the Red Keep while Tywin was Hand to Mad King Aerys.
It had been a few unsettling years with the King’s reaction and vulgar comments, his whoring and drinking; even his parties. But she had been with Tywin and he had continuously stood his ground for her.
Now, they were to be back; in the middle of a siege and pray they arrived in time.
Once all this was over, Josephine would reunite with Cersei and Tyrion and meet the latest cubs named Joffrey and Tommen. Once all of this would be over, she would be with the Lannisters once again, and this was perhaps what she had been dreading the most.
A familiar presence approached her, and she turned to greet and acknowledge Tywin, who seemed to have been searching for her.
“Are you Ready for the battle that is to come?” she asked him, seeing that he was also puzzled and had a lot on his mind—well, more than usual.
He halted before her, hands behind his back as he looked at her. “Yes, are you?” he questioned, receiving a head nod as a silent reply. “You remember the plan?”
“Yes,” she answered, head tilting faintly to the side. “I will take my place and join you once the battle starts. Take as many men as I can, show no mercy and leave no prisoners.”
Tywin smirked, pleased to hear her words; a last minute reassurance that she was truly in the game. He needed her to be fully present, just as he commanded himself to be. There was no room for error, no place for mistakes.
They had to go in, they had to fight and they had to survive; no matter what.
“No matter what, Tywin, I will have your back.” She added soon after, her gaze softening. “Like last time.”
His smirk turned into a small smile and his hands relaxed faintly, as did the muscles across his back. “I know. That’s the one thing I always count on.”
Josephine gently grabbed his dominant hand, his skin rough from years of sword, war and work. It contrasted with hers, that had a softer tone and was smaller in size; but the moment their fingers interlocked, the differences mattered little.
“We will push Stannis and his men away and protect our family. After this, we will find a way to win this War and end it all,” she reassured him, gently caressing his skin with her thumb.
Perhaps it was a little risky to show such a physical act, when anyone could spot them, but Josephine sensed the turmoil within Tywin and she could not help it. She could sense the storm within his heart and mind, finding little to no peace even when asleep.
So she squeezed his hand, reminding him that he was not alone in this and he was going to succeed; just as he had done so many times. For Josephine might have been away for decades, but she kept up with all the achievements that Tywin had accomplished across the years, each one making her more proud of him than the last.
Tywin exhaled and squeezed back faintly, feeling the familiar sensation from where skin met skin. This electrifying feeling that was so subtle and yet so persistent, caused only when the two of them truly touched.
He focused on that feeling and her confident caring gaze, remembering how often she would give it to him when younger. When the world seemed against him and when his Father made everything worse, she would give him that look and remind him what he had achieved.
She was his second believer, right after himself, and remained no matter what happened between them. And in that moment of silence and dawn, Tywin was truly glad to have her by his side once again and vowed never to let her leave; unless the Stranger himself had come to collect her.