284 AC - The Red Keep, King's Landing
Lyonel's first year passed in frustration.
He could think, but not act. Observe, but not intervene. His body betrayed him at every turn clumsy limbs, useless hands, a mouth that produced only noise when he wanted words. It was a special kind of torment. Still, he watched, listened and learned.
Cersei was almost always there.
She held him far more than duty required, spoke to him as if he were older than he was, as if he might truly understand. Perhaps some part of her really hoped that he did understand her.
"You will be great," she whispered more than once, fingers combing through his black hair. "Greater than every king there ever was, you will be thr greatest of them all my precious son."
Lyonel would gurgle in response, which was all he could manage which made Cersei giggle. Seeing her like that and hearing her words his heart was filled with joy and he knew his mother really loved him
Robert on the other hand, was largely absent. The king would occasionally visit the nursery, usually drunk, and proclaim loudly about what a fine boy Lyonel was, how strong he'd grow, how he'd be a great warrior. Then he'd leave again, off to hunt or feast or whore.
That was fine Lyonel needed nothing from him.
It was Jaime who surprised him most.
His uncle though would visit often, standing guard outside the nursery or sometimes stepping inside when Cersei was there. Lyonel would watch him with infant eyes, seeing the way Jaime looked at Cersei, the way his hand would linger when he handed her something, the careful distance they maintained in public.
285 AC
By his second year, Lyonel had gained enough control over his body to start walking and forming simple words. He was careful not to appear too precocious a child who spoke in complete sentences at one year old would draw unwanted attention but he couldn't help being ahead of normal development.
"Mama," he said clearly one morning, reaching up for Cersei her face lit up with delight. "Yes, my sweet boy mama's here."
"Love Mama," Lyonel added, because it was true and because he knew it would please her. Cersei's eyes actually glistened with tears she scooped him up, holding him close. "And I love you, Lyonel more than anything in this world."
He learned restraint early. A precocious heir was dangerous. A clever one who appeared merely bright was safer.
The maesters began gentle instruction colors, letters, stories. Lyonel absorbed everything. Pycelle praised him endlessly, which Lyonel tolerated with patience bordering on saintly.
"He is sharp," the old man declared.
"He's a Lannister," Cersei replied, satisfied.
That, at least, was true.
It was also a year when Cersei became pregnant again
He watched her belly grow with mixed feelings. This would be Joffrey, he was certain. The boy who should have been crown prince, who would have grown into a monster. But in this timeline, Joffrey would be the second son.
That mattered.
Whether it was enough Lyonel didn't know.
Cersei spoke to him often during this time, hands resting on her belly.
"You'll be a good big brother won't you?" she said once, brushing Lyonel's hair back.
Lyonel nodded and replied "yes mama i'll be the best big brother"
Cersei laughed and caressed his hair
He spent his days learning everything he could. The maesters taught him letters and numbers. The servants told him stories of the Seven Kingdoms and his mother, his fierce, ambitious mother, taught him about power.
"Never show weakness," she would tell him, brushing his black hair back from his forehead. "The moment they see weakness, they will tear you apart. You must be strong, always."
"Yes, Mama," Lyonel would agree, his blue eyes serious.
One day, while playing in the gardens under the watchful eye of guards and servants, Lyonel encountered his father.
Robert was returning from a hunt, still in his leathers, smelling of sweat and blood and wine. He spotted Lyonel and his face broke into a grin.
"There's my boy!" he boomed, striding over
.Lyonel stood his ground as Robert approached, though the king was an intimidating figure up close massive, loud and overwhelming. Robert scooped him up with one hand, lifting him high. "Look at you! Growing strong! That's how Baratheon should be. you'll be swinging a warhammer before you know it, eh?"
"Yes, Father," Lyonel said, though privately he doubted he'd favor the warhammer. In his past life, he'd always loved the idea of using swords and had a great collection of them.
Robert set him down just as quickly and lost interest almost at once and then he was gone, leaving Lyonel standing in the garden, watching him go. That was his father a force of nature, powerful and charismatic and utterly unable to focus on anything that didn't involve fighting, drinking or whoring.
*Consistent, at least.* he thought
It was during this year that Joffrey was born.
Lyonel remembered the day clearly. His mother had been growing larger for months, and he'd known what was coming. Lyonel was brought to see his mother after the birth. She looked exhausted, her golden hair plastered to her forehead with sweat, but she smiled when she saw him.
"Lyonel," she said softly. "Come meet your brother."
A servant lifted him up so he could see the bundle in his mother's arms. Lyonel looked down at the red-faced, squalling infant with golden hair. Joffrey Baratheon the boy who would have been a monster.
"Little brother," Lyonel said carefully, reaching out to touch Joffrey's tiny hand.
Joffrey's fingers curled around his, and Lyonel felt the weight of responsibility settle on his small shoulders. This was his chance he could shape Joffrey, guide him, prevent him from becoming the cruel tyrant he was meant to be he had to try.
"You'll look after him, won't you?" Cersei asked, watching him with those sharp green eyes.
"Yes, Mama," Lyonel promised. "I'll take care of him." and he meant it.
Cersei smiled and leaned to kiss Lyonel head and Joffrey forehead "Good i'm glad he has you as his big brother"
That night, he never left his mother and his little brother even for a moment, when Ser Jaime walked in and looked at the scene before him he had a big smile forming on his face and decided to close the door and kept the guard through the whole night.