[Chapter Size: 1200 Words.]
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The camp stretched as far as the eye could see, alive with chaotic noise.
The cries of prostitutes and the haggling of merchants rose and fell, mingling with the curses of soldiers.
Tywin Lannister, a legendary figure in the West.
If Joffrey's mother, Cersei, was guilty of lust in the original tale, then Joffrey's grandfather, Tywin Lannister, was guilty beyond doubt of pride.
When still young, Tywin inherited the chaos left behind by his father, as the Lannisters, the Wardens of the West, had begun to wane.
Two ancient houses of the Westerlands tried to supplant him, but the young Tywin crushed them with ruthless force. Their lands were seized, their families annihilated.
The Rains of Castamere spread thereafter, proclaiming the majesty of House Lannister.
From that time, the Lannisters grew ever stronger, becoming unrivaled in the West.
Tywin demanded that the noble houses send retainers to serve at Casterly Rock.
He also used the family's immense wealth to allow lords to train their household soldiers on occasion.
It could be said that the Westerlands had already become a centralized realm.
This was one reason for Tywin's pride. During the War of the Five Kings, he seemed to take none of the other realms seriously.
Yet Tywin was not a mere arrogance incarnate. At least in the show, the Westerlands' army bore matching armor and arms, unlike the Northern host, where many farmers marched to war carrying little more than pitchforks.
"Your Excellency, my lord duke, reinforcements have arrived from King's Landing."
Tywin lifted his gaze from the corpses he had been inspecting. "Reinforcements? From King's Landing?"
His voice was laced with doubt. Were there truly reinforcements to be had from the capital now?
"He names himself Theon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands."
At this, Tywin frowned, even more perplexed. Was not the Lord of the Iron Islands still that old reaver, Balon?
Wiping blood from his hands, Tywin asked, "Where is he now?"
"Outside the camp, my lord."
"Bring him to me," Tywin commanded.
At that moment, Theon stood on the edge of the camp, surveying the disorganized host. A flicker of emotion stirred within him, and he fancied he could still hear the faint cry of a woman in his ears.
"Lord Theon, please follow me. Lord Tywin awaits you," said the soldier with great respect.
Soon, escorted by guards, Theon entered a vast command tent.
Inside, Tywin Lannister sat upon the chief seat.
The aura of a man long accustomed to command was unmistakable.
"Greetings, Lord Tywin," Theon began.
But he was no longer as meek and deferential as he had been in King's Landing. Those days were past, he now possessed wealth and provisions.
Tywin narrowed his eyes at him. "Theon Greyjoy, son of Balon?"
"If memory serves, you were once fostered by Ned Stark. And you claim you've come to aid me?" Tywin's tone made clear he did not believe a word.
Theon smirked carelessly. "That depends on how many gold dragons Lord Tywin is willing to pay. I've heard it said your shit is made of gold."
Hearing Theon's words, Tywin replied, "How many men did you bring?"
"Five thousand, all elite infantry."
Theon was not exaggerating. In Westeros, five thousand men properly equipped with leather armor and decent weapons could indeed be called elite.
Tywin began to consider whether hiring Theon to fight for him might be worthwhile.
Of course, Theon was every bit as ambitious as his father, Balon, but far more cunning.
Theon now styled himself Lord of the Iron Islands, and it was likely that Balon had met with an "accidental" death.
Seeing Tywin still hesitate, Theon pressed, "Roose Bolton can hold him with eighteen thousand men. I can hold him with five thousand."
"What do you want? Gold, or something else?" Tywin finally asked.
"Riverrun. And the lands around it, including Seagard and Stone Hedge." Theon declared his demand. Seagard stood upon the coast, along the Green Fork of the Trident.
The Green Fork ran straight into the Bay of Crabs, providing a waterway across Westeros and facilitating trade with Essos through the Narrow Sea.
As for Stone Hedge and Riverrun, they were desired mainly for defense, against both Northern and Western incursions.
"Yes, Riverrun is currently besieged by the Young Wolf. Stone Hedge and Seagard lie north of the Riverlands. Seagard in particular is close to the Twins. If you can seize them, they are yours."
Tywin's words were almost dismissive, for Theon had only five thousand men. How could it be so simple to capture three strongholds, each distant from the others?
"Very well, but you must also provide me with some warhorses and arms," Theon bargained.
Tywin understood Theon's ambition clearly, but both men were using one another.
In the end, Tywin supplied five hundred warhorses and a thousand suits of arms and armor, an invaluable gift. In the impoverished Iron Islands, warhorses were a rare treasure indeed.
Thus, the two struck a preliminary accord: Tywin would provide equipment, while Theon promised to create chaos on the battlefield.
Back in his quarters, Theon eagerly unfolded a map. His desire for Riverrun, Seagard, and Stone Hedge was no bluff.
Riverrun had already been besieged by Jaime Lannister. Edmure Tully himself had been captured.
But to surround Riverrun, Jaime had divided his force of thirty thousand into three camps.
Later, Robb Stark sent Roose Bolton with eighteen thousand infantry to Harrenhal as a decoy, to draw Tywin's attention.
Meanwhile, Robb led six thousand cavalry in a surprise assault, not only freeing his uncle Edmure but also capturing Jaime Lannister.
At that same time, Joffrey executed Ned Stark, Arya Stark vanished, and only Sansa remained as a hostage in King's Landing.
This sudden reversal left Tywin on the defensive. Yet the old lion remained unshaken, calm even in adversity.
Studying Riverrun on the map, Theon contemplated his strategy.
After retaking Riverrun, Robb could not remain there long. He would surely seek another chance to strike at Tywin's army. Even if Jaime's camp had been defeated, Tywin still commanded twenty thousand men.
Against Tywin's nearly fifty thousand soldiers, the North's twenty-four thousand could not win a pitched battle. Robb would inevitably turn to ambush and maneuver to bleed Tywin.
For now, Tywin remained entrenched at Harrenhal with thirty thousand men, while nearly twenty thousand more guarded the Golden Tooth, ensuring Robb could not strike the Lannisters' ancestral stronghold.
Theon then ordered his men to march toward Riverrun. When Robb appeared at the front lines, Theon planned to seize Riverrun for himself.
Shortly after Theon's departure, Arya Stark entered Tywin's service as his cupbearer.
When she learned that Theon had just arrived, she cursed him as a traitor, adding his name to her list of those marked for death.
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