AN:
In the Game of Stones, you either win or you wait. The more Power Stones you offer, the faster the chapters come.
...
( Tywin POV )
The Lion reclined in the seat of his power, a land where he ruled as king in all but name, where cowed vassals and compliant small-folk hurried to achieve his every end. Men japed that Aerys ruled in name only and Tywin led the realm, and in some ways that was true, but in the Westerlands Tywin ruled in name and deed. It was a good feeling.
It was a good feeling, but it wouldn't keep him sharp, and the only defense a Lion had was its sharpness, its fangs and claws and teeth. In Tywin's mind, the moment he ceased being sharp was the moment he'd fail, and the moment that he would pass his failures down to his children, leaving debts that they would themselves suffer to pay.
That need for sharpness, that need for power and authority was why he was still the Hand of the King. It was why he had let Aerys talk him down with apologies during his attempted resignation after the anniversary tournament when the king had sobered his wits and realized how deeply he had offended Tywin in his cups. A shame that Aerys had only grown bolder in his insults when Tywin accepted and stayed in his position, that he had insulted Joanna after her death.
Any affection he had for his king was long since gone, but still, that need for power remained, and so he could not sit, fat and happy in the Westerlands like his father had. He had to keep fighting, keep clawing at victory until his blood sat on the Iron throne and he could rest easy knowing he'd done his best for his children.
Tywin let his thoughts settle and then nodded towards Kevan, who sat across the room from him quietly. "Kevan, bring Princess Martell up here, I think it's time we hear out why the Dornish have really graced our doors."
"Of course." Kevan nodded and abruptly left the room, leaving Tywin alone to his thoughts for a while longer. Rather than himself though, he turned his thoughts towards Dorne, their position, and likely intentions here, what valuable characteristics they possessed, and how they compared against the other kingdoms.
It didn't take very long for the Princess to arrive. Tywin stood from his desk to greet her, as etiquette dictated.
"Princess Ennella." Tywin greeted carefully. "I hope you've been enjoying your stay here at the Rock."
"Oh, of course, Lord Tywin." Enella smiled in turn. "Joanna spoke to me about your home frequently when we were together in Queen Rhaella's handmaidens."
"I see." Tywin's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Was she attempting to play on his love for Joanna to see her ends through? That was a dangerous game to play. "I hope it has lived up to your expectations."
"Indeed it has, your home is indeed remarkable Lord Lannister, without doubt, the most impressive castle I've ever seen."
"It has been made that way by many generations of Lannisters," Tywin said firmly. "Passing it down from father to son since Lann the Clever himself. We have done well by the Rock and it has done well by us."
"Of course." The woman nodded curtly. "It is plain to see the care and artistry kept here."
Tywin decided that he would hold off judging her ill intent for now. She was being respectful enough, though he disliked the attempt to use Joanna against him.
"I thought it would be best for us to discuss why you chose to visit the Rock." He said after a moment of tense, but not yet unfriendly silence. "I know you would not have made this journey for a simple sightseeing trip."
"No." The Princess readily agreed. "I suppose I'll be frank then, I am here to assess the potential of betrothal between our children."
Tywin blinked. That seemed rather obvious now that it was presented to him. Why hadn't he considered it before?
Ah, because he already had matches in mind for Jaime and Cersei. He wasn't really interested in her offer. Still, she had come this way and paid him the respect he was due. He'd hear her out at least before he rejected her offer. "That could have been negotiated by letter, why visit in person?"
Now it was the Princess' turn to blink. "Why, because I wanted to be sure my children wouldn't hate their betrothed," she replied, sounding surprised that he even had to ask. "That and it seemed far too serious a subject to discuss in letters. We have a personal touch in Dorne you know?"
Tywin nodded his head slightly. That was a good enough explanation. "This is to be a negotiating table then, very well, what do you suggest."
"I…" The princess looked down for a moment. "First and foremost, I would like to suggest a marriage between my Elia and your Jamie. This would solidify an alliance between our houses. House Martell would provide favorable rates to Westerlands merchants in our ports and access to breeding stock for Sand Steeds, in addition to a sensible dowry. In exchange, we would request only the same beneficial treatment for Dornish merchants in Westerlands ports…"
Tywin took a moment to consider the offer. It wasn't actually a bad one. Dorne was not a terrible kingdom to have as an ally, he appreciated the trading conditions, and the Sand Steeds were tempting, most Westerlands breeds lacked somewhat in comparison to Dornish or Reacher horses… Still, though, he was angling for Lysa Tully for Jaime, their ages were closer, and much more importantly the Riverlands neighbored the Westerlands and held far closer trade and economic relations than the Westerlands did to the Dornish.
"No," Tywin said firmly. "I don't believe that is enough. Jaime is my heir and will be Lord of the Westerlands. You would be putting Martell blood in my seat in some generations, and while your offer of horses is valuable, it is not sufficient to buy a wedding with the heir to the West."
"What would be enough, in your mind?" Ennella asked, nodding. She clearly wasn't surprised at his pushback. "I believe we have room for negotiation."
"Hmm." was there anything Dorne could offer him that was worth more than what he could get from Hoster Tully? "I believe that if you were to offer the Dorneish fleet, in full, I would accept." The Westerland's fleet was perenially weak compared to the Arbor fleet of the reach to their south. If the Dornish navy was given to the Westerlands as a dowry then they would match the Redwyne navy and have far less to concern themselves with in regards to the Ironborn.
"Oh…" Ennella took time to think. "I don't believe I can offer that," she said with a sigh.
"Then it appears that Jaime is off the table," Tywin said cooly.
"Yes, it appears so." Ennella looked like she'd swallowed something sour. "I don't suppose you would be more open to a match between Oberyn and Cersei?"
Tywin snorted, then chuckled, shaking his head. "No, no I would not." He paused for a moment, then shrugged, she might as well know his reasons. "I aim to make Cersei a bride for Prince Rhaegar, it's no fault of your son that such a match isn't possible." he offered a small olive branch, and Enella made an 'o' shape with her mouth, before nodding.
"Yes, I can… I can see why that would be a more desirable betrothal. Trying to put Lannister blood on the throne." The Princess of Dorne let out a heavy sigh. "I suppose then… Elia to Callum?"
Tywin paused. In truth, he hadn't considered any betrothals for Callum yet. The boy was still a bit young for such things, and Tywin hadn't taken the time to feel out the possibilities yet. He took a moment to ponder the match. Elia was quite a bit older than Callum, what was it, ten years? It wasn't exactly an ideal choice. Still, he'd hear her out. Like Jaime, this was possible. "The same as your earlier offer?"
"The trade, the Sand Horses, a dowry and…" Ennella seemed to stop for a moment, "and an honor guard to be placed in my daughter's service, ten household knights who will accompany her to the Westerlands and join your court." she stopped for a moment. "Also, I suppose you're already aware, but should Doran pass without heirs, Elia would be in line to inherit my position."
Tywin stilled at that, he had been about to turn down her offer, but that aspect made him reconsider. He had concerns with Callum's competence and ambition, that it might prove a threat to Jaime's rule, but this… the succession of the Dornish was peculiar, and in his mind wrong-headed, but this was a way out.
If Callum ever felt the need to start a civil war to seize a kingdom for himself, let it be made clear to him that he ought to do it in Dorne rather than against his brother Jaime. It would put Lannister blood, if all went to plan, on the Iron Throne and two kingdoms, forge a bond with Dorne that would last generations… Tywin could see it.
It wasn't such a terrible match for his son either. A first daughter to a second son between two high lords, or well, a high lord and a princess. "Of course, the same is true of Callum should anything happen to Jaime." Tywin paused, but mostly just to let the Princess Sweat. "I am open to this offer."
Princess Ennella sagged in her seat, just slightly, though not beyond Tywin's notice. "Wonderful." she smiled. "Elia is more in favor of a match to Jaime you know, but she agreed to Callum as a second choice."
Tywin blinked again. He hadn't thought about consulting his children at all. Still, appearances must. "Callum will agree, it's as good a match as he can likely expect as my second son, and he has as good a head for politics as most grown lords. He'll understand both of our rationales." He paused, he hadn't actually gotten this far with any of his betrothal negotiations before, aside from awarding his vassals with marriages to cousins and the like. That wasn't the same as a betrothal between the children of royal households.
"Do you want to announce it right away?" Enella asked, and Tywin was again forced to think. Doing so would be as good as announcing the intention to form an alliance between their houses publicly… that would probably benefit both House Martell and House Lannister though.
"Yes, it should be announced at once." he decided. "We'll have to sit them down together later and inform them." Tywin nodded sharply. "For now, let's speak of the details."
"Yes." Princess Ennella nodded. "Lets."