Erwin Lannister (Lord Tywin's Gift)

## Erwin Lannister

Ser **Erwin Lannister**, also known as the **Golden Cub**, is a member of House Lannister, the eldest son of Ser Jaime Lannister, heir to Casterly Rock, and Princess Elia Martell of Dorne. He has a younger brother Gerion, and a younger sister Cerelle. At the beginning of the War of the Four Kings Erwin was married to Princess Daenerys Targaryen, the sister of King Rhaegar I Targaryen.

## Appearance and Character

Erwin shares his father's Lannister's appearance, tall compared to other boys his age with blonde, curly hair. He is well known for being one of the greatest beauties of his time with deep-green eyes and pouty lips. He is very strong and muscular like his father and is one of the best swordsman of his generation, being described by his close friend Prince Aegon Targaryen as "one of the best knights of the realm".

Though not fully developed, Erwin is already a gallant and courteous knight, seen by many as the representation of what a good knight should be. He is also strong-willed almost to a fault, tending to rush into situations without considering the consequences until after the fact. Usually his natural charm and gregarious personality is able to get him out of most situations he gets himself into, though his skill with a sword has been used on more than one occasion.

Despite his perceived glowing personality Erwin does have the Lannister pride, to the point of being considered arrogant and stuck-up. He considers most not born of high nobility, such as landed knights and even some smaller noble houses, to be below him and thus tends to come into conflict with members from said houses. Despite this, having grown up surrounded by his family he has a strong sense of honour about his House and will often defend the bloodline to a fault.

## History

### Early life

Erwin was born in 282 AC as the firstborn son to the heir of Casterly Rock, Ser Jaime Lannister and Princess Elia Martell of Dorne. His birth was celebrated by his grandsire Lord Tywin Lannister with a tourney at Lannisport, an event unattended by Princess Elia who was bedridden due to the birth. Erwin's father went onto win the tourney and proclaimed his twin sister, Queen Cersei the winner.

When Erwin nearly turned two his mother Princess Elia Martell died in 284 AC giving birth to Erwin's twin siblings: Gerion and Cerelle. Too young to understand what had happened, the maternal duties of caring for the infant and his newborn siblings were taken over by his grandam Lady Joanna Lannister and great-aunt Lady Genna Lannister.

In 287 AC Erwin travelled to King's Landing in his fathers entourage to attend the tourney celebrating King Rhaegar I Targaryen's tenth year on the throne. His father Jaime competed in the tilts and only lost in the final list to a member of the Kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne. During the tourney Erwin's father and the King agreed that he would be sent to King's Landing to serve as the King's page the following year.

In 288 AC at the age of six Erwin travelled to King's Landing to take on his role as page to King Rhaegar I Targaryen. He was accompanied by his sworn shield Ser Addam Marbrand, an appointment made by his father Jaime as Marbrand was his close friend since childhood. As well as his sworn shield Erwin had his aunt Queen Regent Cersei Lannister and grandsire Lord Tywin Lannister to look after him in the capital.

### At the Capital

As squire for King Rhaegar I Targaryen, Erwin was in King's Landing for most of the year, thus he became friendly with the noble children at court. In particular he and his cousin Prince Aegon Targaryen were both the same ages and became close friends, often found playfully sparring with wooden swords and play-jousting with one another. Both idolised Ser Arthur Dayne, the most skilled member of the Kingsguard who was often with the King, a close ally and good friend of Rhaegar's. Another close friend of the pair was Aubrey Crakehall, the second son of Ser Tybolt Crakehall and page to Ser Addam Marbrand. However the three boys didn't get on with Marbrand's other squire, Damon Lannister, Erwin's cousin.

While Erwin was in King's Landing he came to know many of the courtiers well, befriending many. However he also took great interest in Princess Daenerys Targaryen, the younger sister of King Rhaegar I who was his age. In their youth the pair didn't interact much, however when they hit puberty Erwin began courting the Princess, something she encouraged. They were unsure if their courtship could come to fruition, with some believing she was to be betrothed to her nephew and Erwin's cousin, Daemon Targaryen.

In 298 AC Erwin competed in his first proper tourney, having previously taken part in some competitions for squires. He defeated Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Flowers, to win the tourney. He crowned Princess Daenerys Targaryen his queen of love and beauty. After his victory his liege, King Rhaegar I Targaryen, knighted him in front of the spectators, to the satisfaction of his father and grandsire; Ser Jaime and Lord Tywin. This honour was seen as an unofficial approval of the Young Cub's courtship of the King's sister.