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Tyrion III

The throne room was packed as Tyrion entered. He immediately worried he would not get a good vantage point so he bustled his way to the front and stood on a box so he could look out over the scene. Cersei was sat on the iron throne surrounded by Mace Tyrell, Varys, Paxter Redwyne, Mathis Rowan, Ilyn Payne, Qyburn and Addam Marbrand. King Tommen was not present and Tyrion had heard he was being guarded by Garlan Tyrell. Jamie and the entire kingsguard stood in full armour at the base of the throne. Tyrion could see goldcloaks placed all through the crowd within the throne room, each one carrying steel. The Dornish were spread across the throne room too, including Dezial Dalt, Lord Uller, Daemon Sand, Lord Dagos Manwoody and his brother and sons. He could also see Ellaria, dressed in a beautiful bright yellow dress. She noticed Tyrion and smiled warmly at him.

Tyrion also saw many allies among the crowd. Among other Lannister and Tyrell bannermen he spotted Harys Swyft, Merlon Crakehall, Jalabhar Xho, Randyll Tarly, Dickon Tarly, the Redwyne twins and Flement Brax. There was still no word from Tywin or Kevan and their absence was clearly on the lips of all the gossips at court as well as the arrest of Oberyn Martell. Tyrion felt a tap on the shoulder and turned round to face a familiar face with a wicked smile.

"Bronn, or should that be Ser Bronn of the Blackwater? Or is it Lord Bronn Stokeworth?" Tyrion asked of his former captain.

"I can't be Lord Stokeworth as Ser Balman is still alive and in good health….. for now," Bronn replied in his usual calm but dangerous voice, "Bronn is fine."

Tyrion moved aside so Bronn could stand next to him overlooking the iron throne. The others made space for Bronn despite the busy conditions, clearly his reputation was known in Kings Landing. Tyrion asked him a question "So Bronn are you here to keep an eye on the Dornishmen for the Queen Regent?"

Bronn looked at him disapprovingly "Now don't be like that Tyrion. If I had been your champion we both wouldn't be stood here now, about to witness the unveiling of whatever Oberyn Martell has been planning. Any ideas?"

Tyrion shook his head "Not a clue what his game is."

Bronn frowned "Then we are in trouble if you don't know what's going on."

Tyrion faced the former sellsword and saw he was not being sarcastic. He enquired "Are you worried?"

Bronn tilted his head slightly and replied "Not worried, just ready" and he tapped on his chest. The sound of metal was easy to hear and Tyrion knew Bronn was fully armoured under his cloak.

"Bring in the prisoner" Cersei announced at the top of her voice. The whole room went silent as Oberyn Martell was brought in chains to the foot of the throne. He looked in good health. Cersei had tried to get him imprisoned in the black cells, where he would be subject to Qyburn, the newly appointed chief gaoler, but Jamie had managed to persuade Cersei that he should be imprisoned in relative comfort so not to cause any further tension at court. Luckily she had relented and Oberyn had been kept in the second level apartments of the dungeon, far away from Qyburn's devices of torture and sadism.

Cersei had sent Balon Swann, Loras Tyrell, Addam Marbrand and twenty goldcloaks to arrest the Red Viper. She had anticipated resistance on his part yet Tyrion he heard that he did not put up any resistance and was taken to the dungeons willingly. Again it all made Tyrion nervous of what he was up to.

Oberyn turned and flashed a smile at Ellaria before facing Cersei. She spoke clearly "Prince Oberyn Martell, you are accused of the murder of Grand Maester Pycelle, member of the small council and loyal subject to King Tommen. You are accused of killing him with poison. Do you confess your crime?"

Oberyn cleared his throat and replied simply "I am innocent of all charges against me" before bursting into a strange short manic laughter.

Cersei let him finish then continued "In the absence of the small council's Master of Law Ser Kevan Lannister, I have reviewed the evidence and believe it is sufficient for a trial. Sitting in judgement will be the Hand Tywin Lannister, the Master of Laws Kevan Lannister, the High Septon and myself, the Queen Regent. The date will be set when the Hand returns. Any questions Prince Oberyn?"

Oberyn nodded and asked "Will Moon boy also be one of the judges?"

The crowd murmured and giggled at the absurdity of the Red Viper's question. Cersei remained nonplussed and replied "No he will not."

Oberyn looked confused, mockingly Tyrion noted, and spoke up "I see. I just made the assumption that if you were sitting as a judge in this trial your Grace, then there was opportunity for other fools to have the chance to judge me as well."

Many in the crowd started laughing whilst Cersei looked shocked by this public insult. Her face went a deep red and she looked ready to leap from the throne and attack Oberyn there and then. She banged her feet to maintain order then stood and spoke fiercely to the Red Viper "No Martell, it is you who is the fool. You think you ca-"

Oberyn interrupted "I demand trial by combat."

Again the audience erupted and Cersei was again forced to stamp her feet in order to get silence. She remained standing and spoke fiercely "As is your right by t-"

Oberyn cut her off again "I will champion myself. Grand Maester Pycelle was a member of the small council and a loyal subject of King Tommen, the words of the Queen Regent. Therefore it seems proper that his champion be a member of the kingsguard. Do you agree Your Grace or should I get Moon Boy to explain it to you?"

Cersei was now completely beset with rage. "You stupid fool Martell, the kingsguard are the best warriors in the land and each would relish the chance to cut off your head."

Almost immediately Loras Tyrell turned to Cersei, bent the knee and said "My Queen, I request the honour of fighting for the deceased Grand Maester Pycelle in the trial by combat."

Bronn whispered over to Tyrion "Loras Tyrell wants revenge for his brother Willas. No matter who wins it looks like Houses Martell and Tyrell will have further reason to hate each other."

Oberyn laughed again, causing Loras to turn and face him. Oberyn gave Loras a condescending look then returned his gaze to Cersei. "A green boy. Really? The great and loyal Pycelle is going to be championed by a green boy, one who should know better after seeing what happened to his older and far worthier brother."

Loras went to go for Oberyn but was held back by Balon Swann and Osmund Kettleblack. He struggled briefly before calming down and returning to the line of the kingsguard.

Varys shuffled forward and spoke "So if not Ser Loras, then whom do you think should be champion for the late Grand Maester Prince Oberyn?"

Oberyn's face broke into a sly grin. "Good question eunuch. I say that they should look no further than the Lord Commander of the kingsguard, the Kingslayer Jamie Lannister."

Tyrion felt his stomach twist into a tight knot and he was sure he was going to throw up. "Jamie cannot fight like he used to," He thought, "He isn't ready for Oberyn Martell."

Oberyn turned to face the crowd. He addressed them loudly "I'm certain the great Ser Jamie Lannister would want to avenge such a loyal servant of House Lannister as his champion. Or is he craven?"

Voices started to come from the crowd, most shouting for Jamie to agree to this deal. Tyrion noticed that the loudest shouts supporting this came from the Dornish in attendance.

Jamie raised his arm and the crowd quietened down. "It does not matter what I want, I will only do what my Queen asks of me." He replied. Tyrion noticed the reluctance on his brothers face and knew Jamie did not want this but he would never admit that. Tyrion looked to Cersei and hoped she knew this too.

"So what say you Queen Cersei, should the Kingslayer represent the deceased as his champion?"

Cersei sat back on the throne and replied sternly "I will think on this Martell. But know that I will ultimately decide who will champion the late Grand Maester, not you or anyone else."

Oberyn spoke up "I know it is your decision Your Grace. But I thought the Kingslayer would insist being the champion as well as defending your honour."

Cersei stepped right into it "My honour? what do you mean?" Tyrion grimaced in anticipation of the response.

"Well considering I am openly calling you a WHORE right here in court for all to hear, I thought that would be sufficient. If it isn't I can start naming lovers as well." Oberyn quickly retorted then winking openly at Osmund Kettleblack.

The court erupted and Tyrion saw a few scuffles within the crowd, including Daemon Sand pushing Dickon Tarly and what looked like a headbutt from Hobber Redwyne on one of Lord Manwoody's sons. Bronn had to push the crowd back from his and Tyrion's position on the balcony to prevent them from being knocked over the edge. It seemed that the whole scene was going to descend into a riot until a loud smash stopped all talking. Tyrion turned to see Cersei standing, breathing heavily with abject rage. She had thrown her goblet through a window in the throne room. She looked like a true lioness as she focused her gaze on the Red Viper. Eventually she said "You want to fight the Kingslayer you Dornish cunt? You have got it and I will use your head as a footstool when my brother, the best swordsman in all Westeros, brings it to me. The trial is set in two days."

Oberyn bowed mockingly "As you command Your Grace." With that he was led away back to his cell, smiling broadly.

Tyrion's eyes remained on Jamie, even as Cersei began to curse loudly at Mace Tyrell and the other small council members who surrounded the Iron throne. Jamie remained stationary and he stared out blankly into the crowd. Despite his impressive white armour he looked like a husk of a man, as if his fire had left his body already.

Tyrion knew why. "He knows his only true love has just killed him." he thought as a small tear moved down his cheek.