Tyrion

He awoke to find Sansa asleep and still next to him in bed. Well, that was progress. At least she hadn't vanished in the middle of the night. He quietly got dressed, making a decision. Before he left their bedroom, he pressed a gentle kiss to Sansa's forehead.

He abruptly moved through the inn and knocked on Shae's door. She opened it quickly, meaning she hadn't been asleep, but she looked bleary eyed and tired. She left her room, closing the door.

"If we argue, I don't want him to hear it," she said quietly.

"What's his name?" Tyrion asked, realising that he didn't know.

"Tywin."

He felt a thrill of revulsion go through him, especially at the memory of his father. He ignored it, with difficulty.

"Look, you're staying here," he said. "I am not going to bring you to Winterfell. You'll be taken care of."

"I want my money to keep me silent," she said.

"Don't you understand?" he asked. "You announced yourself not in only in front of my family, but some of my guards too. Word will already be spreading about my… bastard." He paused slightly just before the word. "There is no keeping this quiet now, Shae."

"Then why would you give me any money at all?" she asked.

"Because if that is my son, I want him taken care of," Tyrion said. "I'll never acknowledge him, even if I had proof he was mine. I can't, you know that. It could even lead to civil war. But I will see you both looked after."

"Thank you, Tyrion," she said sincerely. "Why won't you let me come to Winterfell today?"

"Because it's my wife's childhood home and I will not insult her by bringing you there."

"Your whore?" she said bitterly.

"Yes," he agreed quietly. "I'll cover your room expenses, but stay put. Bron will be here with your money in a couple of weeks. Three at most."

"Fine," she said. "Will I see you again?"

"I doubt it."

"Goodbye Tyrion," she said. She crouched down and gave him a hug, much to his surprise. "Thank you for helping me."

"I wish I could say it's been good to see you," he said, backing away.

"I didn't mean to disrupt your life, you know?"

"I do know. Goodbye Shae." She turned and closed the door, leaving Tyrion alone.

Daenerys

"Go away," she groaned, rolling over in bed. Her silk sheets were wonderfully comfortable and she didn't want to move.

"Your grace, I'm sorry to disturb you so early, but Bron is insisting to talk to you. He says it's important, concerning Lord Tyrion," one of her maids said. She was barely eleven years old, with jet black hair and Daenerys knew that she'd drawn the short straw, to wake the Queen up.

"Okay," Daenerys said. "Help me dress, then send him in."

"He's very impatient, your grace," the girl said.

"But I'm the Queen," she reminded the girl. "Get my grey dress with the green fringe."

It took twenty minutes for the Queen to be presentable with her white blonde hair brushed out of its tangles. She moved to her receiving room and sat down.

"Get two members of my Queens guard, then send him in." She wasn't frightened of Bron, but she was very well aware that he served Tyrion first, and herself second. She'd feel better if she was protected.

"My Queen," Bron said, bowing to her. She didn't speak, simply looked at him pointedly. He coughed, before disarming, dropping the sword and two daggers to the floor. No one was armed in the Queens presence, save the Queens guard.

"Sorry. Habit. And I've got to leave Kings Landing today. Now."

"Are you being the delivery boy?" Daenerys asked politely. "Taking money up North to pay off your masters whore?" Bron looked surprised and she took a moment of satisfaction in that. "I have my spies too," she said gently.

"With your permission, your grace, I'll be leaving the capital."

"I don't have any objection," Daenerys said. "Providing you wait for me to write a letter to deliver to Lord Tyrion."

"My Queen, I have to leave as soon as possible. I have to detour to Casterly Rock first."

"I'll give you the money you need," she said. "Double, for yourself. I need to write a letter."

"Of course," Bron said, annoyed at the wait, but pleased with the money she was offering him.

"Wait here," Daenerys said. She got up, and went to find parchment, a quill and some privacy while trying to find the right words for what she wanted to say.

She'd only written a few lines when the door opened and before she could even look up, she felt a kiss on her neck. "Daario," she said with a sigh of pleasure. She turned to him, her smile fading. "How is he?"

"I've just come from his chambers," Daario said. "He won't live out the month. Probably not the week."

"Oh no," she said, closing her eyes. "We need more time. Apart from how I feel for him personally, I can't get a replacement Hand of the Queen that quickly. Can we keep it quiet?"

"Of course," Daario said. "For a while. Not for ever."

"Is he awake?" she asked with concern.

"Drifting in and out of consciousness," Daario told her.

"I've got some letters to write, but then I'll be down to see Ser Barristan," she said.

"Get someone else to write them for you," Daario said.

"I can't," she said. "I need to write to Lord Tyrion and Grey worm at Dragonstone. See how he's dealing with the Baratheon children." She didn't trust anyone else to write to Grey Worm. He helped her win her kingdom back, the least he deserved was to have her spend the time to write a letter to him. Especially when he was keeping an eye on those wards she'd asked him to.

"Not children any longer," Daario reminded her. "You've got to be careful of Tommen and Shireen Baratheon. They're old enough to marry now, and could be dangerous."

"A bastard of incest and a disfigured girl couldn't challenge my throne," she said.

"Maybe not, but they could cause trouble," Daario said. "Just be wary."

"I will. Tomorrow," she said. "I'll see Ser Barristan presently."

"Why are you writing to Tyrion Lannister?"

"I… it doesn't matter," she said. "Go. Let me finish." He didn't press the point even though she knew he was curious. He kissed her briefly, then left, letting her write her letters. She had to hurry. If Ser Barristan was conscious, she needed to see him. Quickly sealing the letter, she gave it to Bron, then left her chambers to see the Hand of the Queen. For quite possibly the last time.

Sorry for the long delay between chapters. Britain is currently having a month long heat wave, which makes it incredibly hard for me to be productive! Thanks for all those who are still reading and reviewing. More when it's written.