He left her, and with that departure, some regret. They would be married that evening, before heading to Westeros the next morning.
He was unsure. He had been a Lannister his entire life, and to abandon the name was unsettling, however relieving. He could fashion himself a new identity…and though he would still be a dwarf, he would be more. No longer a hated Lannister, he could be a Targaryen, a dragon…
He opened the door to his room. It was all moving so fast. Not twelve hours previous she had kissed him, and now they were getting married.
He wondered if she wasn't being a touch rash.
Perhaps her behavior was more indicative of her worry over the conquest of Westeros, and less about any true depth of feeling.
He poured some wine.
Tyrion was standing, looking at his bed, thinking that he should rest before that evening came. Perhaps he just wanted to believe so much that she was sincere that he, too, rushed into the agreement.
Marry her. Become a Targaryen. King of Westeros.
He swallowed. It was no good…
And he put the cup down, heading out of the room and into the warmish air of Meereen.
Dany was writing…something she hadn't done in some time.
She figured that she should, since she would be married for a second time in just a few short hours.
And she was writing about the man who would become her husband…someone who, just a few short hours ago, was just her Hand.
She smiled, then looked up. She felt so much better about things. It was as though loving Tyrion had opened up possibility, while also offering stability.
And she loved him. She felt it. It was a soft awareness, one that was lingering for some time under the surface. She had always admired him…trusted him…laughed with him…and found him to be one of the wisest people she had ever known.
There was a knock at her door. "Come in," she called.
"Khaleesi," came Missandei's voice.
She turned, smiling.
Missandei shifted her weight. "I saw your note."
Dany rose and went to her. "And can you help me prepare?"
"You are marrying him?" her face was full of concern.
"I am."
"And after he advised you to leave Daario here?"
"Yes."
Missandei swallowed. "Are you certain? Is he what you want?"
Dany took her hands. "Yes. I am quite certain. It happened quickly, I know…but…" she dropped Missandei's hands and turned to the window. "I am full of love for him. And I want to enter this new life with him as my partner."
"How did you come to this decision?"
She turned. "He makes me laugh," she smiled.
The air was heavy with the red of the setting sun. It laid upon him fiercely. He felt foolish…Daenerys would think he was pouting.
Perhaps he was.
But he felt this acutely. The fact that everything had occurred in such a whirlwind of time…he needed to protect himself. His heart had become fragile from abuse, and he couldn't afford another blow.
He had scarcely admitted to his heart…in fact, he had suppressed it to the point of ignoring the vessel even in his reverie.
And she wanted to marry him.
He sat on the dock and looked out into the bay. He sighed. Cersei was on the other side of the water…waiting to take his head.
He almost welcomed it.
"What are you doing here?"
Tyrion rolled his eyes. "I'm contemplating the difference between the salt of this bay and the black sea."
Varys sat next to him. "She is looking for you. Apparently, there is to be a wedding."
"Is that so?"
"That's how I understand it."
"Well. I imagine there is much to be done in a short time…you'd best get on with it," and Tyrion looked at him.
"I don't think much can be done without the bridegroom."
He sighed again and nodded, looking down. "What is happening."
"You're getting married. At least, that's what I have heard."
"How?"
"One of you proposed marriage, I imagine," he paused. "Are you unwilling?"
"I'm not…just…" and he looked out again. "Winter will touch this place. The sky will glow amaranthine in the height of day…and what will I be doing?"
"You'll be married to Daenerys Targaryen and ruling Westeros."
Tyrion laughed. "It's a cruel joke. Me. Married to her, and sitting beside her in the Red Keep."
"She isn't laughing. Allow yourself some joy, Tyrion. I have watched you closely for many years, and you are more qualified to lead than most. And she loves you."
"How do you know?"
"Because she asked you, and she is not to be gainsaid. She does not suffer hesitancy. Perhaps this time here, this purgatory, made her realize this, and she wants to act and make you her husband."
He looked away. What a mess, the lot of it. He sighed. "I suppose this is to happen straightaway."
"I believe she has Missandei with her now, readying herself."
He shook his head, then stood. "Well. Then I suppose I should be going," he dusted his pants. "Can you believe it, Varys?"
"I can, surprisingly," and he got up, too. "You can be quite charming," he smiled.
"Oh, I have my moments, I suppose," and Tyrion walked back down the pier. "But I never thought that I could woo a Queen."
"Was that your design?"
"Not even remotely," and they entered the pyramid.
"Perhaps that is why it worked…"
He was putting on his best. Which, if he thought on it, was one of only a handful of "best" things he owned. Daenerys had offered him more, but he decided against it. He had lived a lavish lifestyle, and did not desire it any longer. In fact, he had rather thought that if she kept the carafe full up, everything else was ancillary.
He thought on that for a moment. He still drank the stuff to excess, but perhaps it was something he should rethink. As a King, it might be more prudent to keep well away.
As a King.
He looked at himself.
He was no King…not really.
Who was he kidding.
Well, there was nothing for it. He had agreed, and now he must see things through…
Dany was having Missandei do her hair. She had a dress…nothing specifically for a wedding, but a nicer one, at any rate. "Do you know if Lord Lannister has returned from the bay?"
"I don't know, Khaleesi. I can check for you."
"That won't be necessary," she smiled. "The Maester is in the adjacent garden?"
"I believe so," she finished the style.
"Good. I'll go and get Tyrion," Dany stood. "I'll see you there momentarily," and she lifted the front of her skirts slightly, and left the room.
She strode down the hall with purpose. She felt as though she was doing everything with some purpose now…
And she attributed that to her newfound love. Perhaps her ignorance clouded everything about her…every thought was mired in a curtain, shielding her from the obvious truth. Once she openly admitted her heart, everything else became more clear.
She rapped softly on his door.
He opened it, looking concerned. He stepped aside to allow her passage.
Dany entered and looked around. With slight hesitation, she turned toward him. "Are you ready?" she asked.
Tyrion closed the door and poured some wine. "Am I ready," he stated and sipped. "Your Grace, have you really thought about what this means?"
She sighed. He was doubting…"Yes. Have you?"
"I have at length, and I really think that…"
"Stop. I know what you are going to say."
"And now you are a mind reader?" he replied with some heat.
"No, but I understand you. And you think that this is bad policy. That I should heed your advice and enter Westeros without the hindrance of a marriage. You had advised me against bringing a lover, and a husband is infinitely worse for that end," she walked toward him. "I don't care. This is about recognizing something which I had felt for some time, and I do not wish to ignore it any longer."
He swallowed. "Dany…you don't understand Westeros. I do. And this…"
"This is what I desire. If you don't, then it's best you let me know now," her brows were raised.
And what could he say to that? He loved her, for gods sake…but …"Daenerys, there are so many factors at play here. That you should ask me if marrying you is my desire is to reduce it only to its meanest terms, and not gathering the whole of it."
She advanced upon him. "Do you love me?"
He looked at her solemnly. He swallowed and sighed. "I do." How could he lie to her?
"Then I fail to see…"
"Dany," he stated. "There are many reasons for my hesitation, and I suppose that speaking about this now is better than later," he sighed, but did not sit. "I…" no…start with the practical. "I have already outlined the issues with aligning yourself with a Lannister. That any marriage or romantic relationship puts you at a decided disadvantage…" he nodded. "Therefore, that is point one," and he walked away from her, motioning her to sit, and began to pace slightly.
She sat.
"Point two is your current mental state. You are in a transition, in near every sense. You should not be making rash decisions with everything in flux as it is," he took a long draught and poured more wine. "Point three is my stature and looks. You may dismiss them as unimportant, but I shall beg your pardon, stating unequivocally that they do matter, and you will soon tire of it, and your eye shall wander. Point four," his voice fell. "…is coupled with point three. I shall be left broken, and I cannot abide another episode like that. I fear my safety, and…." he swallowed. "Nothing, no one, is worth another heartache. Not again."
Dany was watching him very closely. "You have very little faith, Tyrion. I thought you believed in me."
He stared at her. "I do…but…"
"Then you should trust me. Trust that I am not fickle. Trust that I understand myself. Trust that while I have been unsure, I am now more sure than I ever have been. That while I have been living as though in a haze, my realization struck it clean and clear, and I am at peace with it all," she stood. "And I would very much like for you to be as well."
His gaze fell. He felt somewhat ashamed. "You are certain."
"I am."
"You have not one doubt," he looked at her. "For you see me. You see how I am."
She smiled. "I love how you are."
He nodded. "Then let us away," and he took her hand…
Dany was smoothing herself out. They had abandoned the traditional ceremonies of both the Dothraki and the gods of Westeros. They had Varys, Missandei, and Greyworm in attendance, and would state their promises to each other.
Tyrion was waiting for her, he was adjusting his coat and fussing about.
"You look fine," whispered Varys.
"Please don't make jokes," he hissed.
"I'm not. You do look fine. And you are about to be married. A smile is in order," he stood straight again.
"What do you know about it?" …but Dany appeared, and started walking toward him.
He lost his voice.
…and she approached with a smile.
They were on the ship, the dragons flying overhead. There were people bustling about, and Daenerys Targaryen was issuing orders to her generals.
Tyrion Targaryen was speaking with the captain, discussing the weather at sea, and what he envisioned they would be encountering.
She finalized the route, and was looking out into the bay holding one thousand ships. She was smiling.
"What are you thinking of?" he kissed her hand.
She looked at him. "That it was fortuitous that I pinned that on your chest."
"And slipped this ring on my finger?" he smiled.
"Both," she nodded, then turned and walked to the helm where Missandei and Varys were standing. "It's just there. Just beyond the horizon."
"It is," and Tyrion took his station beside her. "Are you afraid?"
"No," she replied. "Not even slightly…"
…and her dragons roared overhead, as the ships left the harbor, out into the wild, dark sea.