Chapter 8
(It is late in the afternoon as Jaime is standing guard outside Robert's quarters while muffled screams of delight and laughter are filtering out into the corridor. Jaime's face is stoic but he grimaces every once in a while and his eyes darkens as he fidgets with his hands, his fingers often tracing the hilt of his longsword strapped to his belt while he whispers threats every so often under his breath. He turns to see Steffon approaching him climbing the round stone staircase of the Tower of the King and his eyes narrow with dislike although he tries to hide it)
Steffon: (evenly) Good afternoon uncle. I was wondering if I might have a word.
Jaime: (turning to him reluctantly then with a sarcastic tone) And what might you be doing around here at this hour? Come to hear your father, the King at his daily labours? Doing the rounds of some tavern girls he picked up on our journey back from Winterfell, installed them in the Red Keep. How many do you think are with him now? Maybe you'd like a go at one of them when your dear father's finished.
Steffon: (taking a breath) That's really not why I came and I really couldn't care.
Jaime: (cutting him off) But it really does matter you see. It's my sister that he likes insulting, all the time, especially when I'm on guard duty.
Steffon: And it's my mother. But believe me when I say that my mother doesn't care enough to be insulted, so long as it's not in public, and I hardly think this qualifies as a public venue.
Jaime: (chuckling falsely then stretches) Yes you're right. It doesn't matter to her, or me either what King Robert gets up to.
Steffon: I hear Tyrion's been arrested travelling back to King's Landing.
Jaime: (looks back at him somewhat surprised) Has he now?
Steffon: No need to pretend uncle. I know if you hadn't previously heard you'd be flying off in a great rage at the news. But the truth is we both want Tyrion back safely so I've come to talk to you about it.
Jaime: (mockingly but with a hint of concern) And did you happen to hear which party is responsible for his abduction? Maybe I would be right to say that you're speaking in a very hypocritical manner.
Steffon: (expressionless) The Starks are responsible but Ned Stark didn't order it. It was his wife who inadvertently arrested him. I also know that you are planning a revenge attack. I must advise you to hear me out before you proceed.
Jaime: Well by all means go ahead and enlighten us with your wisdom.
Steffon: There is a clear reason why this abduction happened. Tyrion has been accused of a crime that is linked with Bran's fall from the tower that I warned you about. There was a subsequent assassination attempt on the boy soon after we left that the Starks took to being an additional attempt to silence him. Then someone tipped off Lord Stark that the dagger they found with the assassin belonged to Tyrion. That's why Lord Stark's wife Catelyn arrested him. (Pauses) Well, can't exactly blame a mother for wanting revenge for her children.
Jaime: (taking this all in) And so they just take it on themselves to kidnap Tyrion because they think he's guilty? (shakes his head pretending to be amused but with a trace of worry) Those idiots. They'll pay for what they did, I'll make sure of that. (rounding on Steffon) And what's your role in this? What are you going to do about it? I wouldn't expect you to do anything to protect your family-
Steffon: On the contrary I've already spoken with Lord Stark and cleared up the misunderstanding with him. He's apologized for his wife's actions, to me at least, and is writing a letter to your Lord Father explaining the situation. (Jaime snorts derisively)
Jaime: If you think my father is just going to take this insult on a stride, you don't know him very well.
Steffon: Lord Stark has also released all the ravens in King's Landing, sending out a royal command that Tyrion is to be released without delay and returned to King's Landing for trial.
Jaime: (frowning) Trial? What trial?
Steffon: We're going to have a formal trial. I've already discussed it with father. (pointing inside the door where moans and slaps can still be heard) He's agreed to preside over it.
Jaime: (looking incredulously at the door) Him? Preside over anything?
Steffon: (continuing) Alongside Lord Stark and your Lord Father. He's been invited to the capital as one of the three charges. Together they will attempt to get to the truth of the matter. They will be fair and Tyrion will be judged in front of everyone.
Jaime: You do realize what this means don't you? This is the Starks attempting a power play by fawning over Robert, our King who's always had a soft spot for them.
Steffon: Maybe so. But he is the King and his judgement can't be questioned. And by doing this out in the open I'm minimizing the danger of escalation, misunderstanding, secrecy, back-dealing between the parties. Everyone will have their turn to weigh up their influence and concerns.
Jaime: (fuming) If my brother is found guilty I'll fight for his release. And I always win.
Steffon: (calmly) I don't expect anything less. I also do not believe that Tyrion is guilty but we need to find a way to satisfy the Starks and get to the truth. Or else they'll attempt to take justice into their own hands and I'm afraid the chances of Tyrion making it out alive in the event of war are slim. But you need to understand first of all, that Lord Stark did not order the abduction. Therefore attacking him would accomplish nothing and possibly endanger Tyrion's life.
Jaime: I think he's fed you a load of lies.
Steffon: (patiently) I saw him write the letters and the ravens delivering them. If he had no intention of releasing Tyrion, why would he indulge me so? As it is, Tyrion is probably going to make it back safely. Anyone who intervenes risks the supposed wrath of the King. If you attack Lord Stark you'll only complicate matters. You have to ask yourself which is more important to you, Tyrion's safety, or your pride, anger and thirst for revenge?
Jaime: (angrily) Say that one more time you little wretch and I'll skewer you to the end of my sword.
Steffon: (turning back to the door again) I don't even think he knows I'm here. Anyways I've said my peace. The decision is up to you. (turns to go but speaks with his back to Jaime) But remember rash actions often multiply and breed, if I were you I would be praying that no one does anything rash and unthinkable to Tyrion.
Jaime: (calmer again) How did you know I was here anyways?
Steffon: (turns back at the foot of the staircase to him) Ser Barristan said you were on guard duty at this hour.
Jaime: Of course, (bitterly with an ugly emphasis) Ser Barristan again.
Steffon: (staring at Jaime) I care about what happens to Tyrion just as much as you do… He's easily my favourite Lannister uncle, no offence to you. (turns to leave)
Jaime: (cheerfully) None taken.
(Steffon has gone to meet with Ned again to discuss the planned upcoming trial and how they plan to verify Baelish's accusations)
Steffon: I've actually taken the liberty of inviting him into your office today. To discuss the business of the trial. I hope you're not offended.
Ned: (reluctantly) No, of course not. We'll speak to him together, it's a first. And you plan on telling him what his role in the trial will be?
Steffon: (thinking) I will ask that he testify. He'll have his excuses no doubt but if we do it right we can test the worth of his words in front of witnesses, the judges, and most importantly the accused. If he adamantly refuses, also we'll hear his reasons why.
(There is a small knock on the door and Steffon glances at Ned who nods. Steffon rises from his seat and opens the door to let in Baelish who is smiling as if to himself, courteously bows before Steffon who nods in reply, Baelish walks over to Ned's desk and bows again and takes the proffered seat. Steffon remains standing.)
Baelish: (with perfect, practiced courtesy) My Lord Hand, My Prince what can I do for you both today, that you've so graciously summoned me to the Tower of the Hand. I hope I'm not intruding on anything important going on between the likes of you two.
Steffon: (turning to survey him edging closer to the seated Ned Stark) Not at all Lord Baelish, Lord Stark and I both wanted to have this meeting to discuss the upcoming trial of Tyrion Lannister.
Baelish: (feigning surprise convincingly) Oh? Has he returned to the capital yet? Something I've missed?
Steffon: Not yet Lord Baelish. But we've begun making plans as when he does arrive. As we've discussed in the Small Council there will be a trial with Lord Stark, Lord Tywin and my father as judges. The impetus for the trial of course, has been your vital bit of evidence concerning Tyrion's dagger and your knowledge of its ownership. So we just need a confirmation from you that you will indeed testify to the best of your knowledge during Tyrion's trial.
Baelish: (a slight sigh and in a dry tone) So it is that. (smoothly not looking at Steffon) I said I would help you Lord Stark. But I meant discretely, behind the shadows. (Shakes his head) The Lannisters can't know I told you any of this or my position will be in peril.
Steffon: (insistently) Lord Stark is the Hand of the King and he has my father's backing. I think he'll be able to make it so that you retain your post.
Baelish: The reason for my being summoned was for you to insist upon my involvement in this so-called open trial, but I am telling you, it is solely not in my interests to declare my allegiance so openly in court.
Ned: (sternly) Lord Baelish might I remind you of your duty to uphold the King's justice. By refusing to testify you will be obstructing the process of trial, you will be obstructing the King's justice.
Baelish: It would be my word against Tyrion's, a Lannister, which certainly wouldn't be enough to convict him by any means. So… I do not really see the purpose of such a trial, what would it achieve? Only to let Tyrion slip through our fingers due to insufficient evidence and we may never get the chance again as he and the Lannisters will be wary of us.
Steffon: (abruptly) Lord Baelish we are still in the process of determining whether Tyrion is indeed guilty, rather than presuming his guilt. A lot would depend upon your willingness to testify, in deciding the matter for ourselves.
Baelish: (spreading his arms open wide) I have nothing to hide from either of you. I stand by what I say and remember, that you Lord Stark have undoubtedly told Prince Steffon here.
Steffon: (addressing him coldly) I am half Lannister. (Baelish inadvertently smirks) Know this Lord Baelish, the trial proceeds whether or not you agree to cooperate. If you do not both Lord Stark and I will testify before the judges of what you said if you do not step forward. In which case you will still be forced to respond to our accusations.
Ned: (gravely) This trial will not be an end. If more evidence should emerge in the future we could always reopen the proceedings.
Steffon: We have not yet told anyone where the evidence for this trial comes from. But if you denied during trial what you have told us here today, you will still be suspected by the Lannisters hereafter, especially since I am my mother's son and I have no reason to conspire against them, the Lannisters will either see you as siding against them if they are guilty, or you trying to frame them if they are indeed innocent. (Baelish bows his head thinking)
Baelish: I almost wish I had withheld such information from you Lord Stark, if I knew what it entailed for me, what you would force me to do. (Ned looks at Steffon questioningly) I will agree to the testimony, under protest I must admit, because I do not see it as a wise course of action. It accomplishes nothing, serves no purpose other than to certify what I have said, which tells me plainly enough that you do not trust me. Regretfully, I am at a loss to understand why, I have never lied to you Lord Stark and have helped you in your many investigations to date.
Steffon: (cutting him off) So you will testify in front of my father?
Baelish: (surveying him intensely) Yes, my prince. I will indeed.
(In the gilded throne room, Tyrion is brought forward escorted by a party of Vale knights with shields embroidered with the sigil of House Arryn. Behind him Catelyn Stark marches eyeing the onlookers around apprehensively, she exchanges meaningful glances with Ned who is seated on the Iron Throne with Steffon, Baelish, Varys, Pycelle, and Renly flanking him)
Ned: (clearing his throat) Lord Tyrion you are hereby charged with the breaking of the King's Law, namely the attempted murder of Brandon Stark in Winterfell two months previously. A trial will be held a week from today to ascertain your guilt or innocence. Until then, you shall be held in captivity in wait to answer for your crimes.
Tyrion: (sarcastically applauds) Very good… speech. I'm sure we will have a delightful time together in a week, a sort of get-together party if you like. (Before he can proceed, two guards escort him away and he whistles to the tune of the Rains of Castamere)
Steffon: (whispering into Ned's ear) I think we should talk to him prior to his trial.
Ned: (looking somewhat shocked) As a judge, I cannot speak with the accused prior to the trial.
Steffon: Then I will talk to him alone. Both to inform him about the trial and hear what he has to say about himself. And I will report everything back to you.
(In the dungeons, it is damp and apart from several torches lining the wall and casting shadows down onto the floor, it is dark and foreboding. Tyrion is sat on a stone step attempting to massage his feet in vain with his hands chained together. Suddenly the dungeon door creaks open and Steffon enters and bids the guards to wait outside)
Tyrion: (turning to address Steffon trying to look bored) So, what's all this about? I've been hearing all sorts of things. How I'm accused to possess a dagger that was used during an attempt on the boy's life and so everyone seems to think that I've set an assassin on him and yet nobody has shown me the dagger and I don't own very many daggers and as far as I know my dagger was very much present until it was taken away from me when I was arrested and stripped.
Steffon: (looking somewhat apologetic) I am very sorry for your predicament uncle, but I did try to make the best of things.
Tyrion: (pleadingly) Tell me you're the last person I've got who still has some sense in him? Do you think that I tried to murder Brandon Stark?
Steffon: (looks around nervously before replying in a low voice) I am actually certain that you did not. I am certain that you are being framed. But nobody else can say the same. And I needed to placate the Starks to prevent them from doing anything rash which is why this trial has been organized. But I have a plan all the same which will undoubtedly clear your name and possibly bring down those that have falsely accused you.
Tyrion: Well as a last resort I always have my brother Jaime.
Steffon: It will not come to that. I am sure of it. Do you trust me?
Tyrion: (hesitantly nods) Very well. I do. My life is in your hands then?
Steffon: There are many things I cannot tell you right now or else my plan will not work. You will learn who has accused you during the trial. In the meantime… (Steffon unveils a large shoulder bag containing all manner of dried meats, sweets, a quill, a bottle of ink, some parchment, candles, fruits, bread, cheese, and a flask of water)
Tyrion: No wine?
Steffon: I need you to be focused. But I brought you a book and a cyvasse set as well. (sets it all before Tyrion) I'll see you in a a few days time when your father arrives in the capital.
Tyrion: (questioningly) So my father is one of the judges?
Steffon: Along with Lord Stark and my father. You understand, I needed him present or else there'd be no way we could have settled this peacefully.
Tyrion: (pops a roll of dried meat into his mouth and chews) You put some thought into this. Well done.
Steffon: (amusedly) Well done?
Tyrion: (not looking at him) Well done for averting war. (seriously) Thank the gods we have people like you looking after things.
