Disclaimer - if you recognise it then it belongs to GRRM.
Tyrion III
He never saw it coming. He had entered the small council chambers and before even saying a word, a blur of red and gold moved towards him swiftly and he was pinned up against the wall. He looked down into the clear green eyes of his father.
"What did you know?" Tywin barked at him.
Tyrion had no idea what was going on. "Is this the proper way to treat your newly appointed Master of Coin?"
"Did you know Imp?"
"I have no idea what the fuck you are talking about father. Now put me down!"
Tywin maintained his stare then eventually dropped Tyrion to the floor, seemingly satisfied he was speaking the truth. He stormed back to his seat at the table whilst Tyrion got up from the floor and dusted himself off. He made his way to the table and sat down in a vacant seat next to Varys who wore vibrant pink robes that was outlandish even for the eunuch though his face was completely serious. Also sat at the table was the Master of Laws Renly Baratheon, Grand Maester Pycelle, the Queen Regent Cersei and Ser Kevan, who had no small council role but often advised when requested by Tywin. Joffrey was no doubt out hunting with the Hound as usual. This was Tyrion's first small council meeting since he was made Master of Coin after Littlefinger's not so surprising request to remain in the Vale and marry the widowed Lysa Arryn. Tyrion assumed his own ascension to the small council was a sort of reward from his father for his skilful dealings with Ser Robb Stark whilst he was at Kings Landing.
"So what in the seven hells is all this about?" Tyrion asked earnestly.
"The Ironborn have captured Lannisport and now lay siege to Casterly Rock." Tywin spoke plainly.
Tyrion was shocked "What...how?"
Kevan spoke up "This morning the Iron Fleet entered the port en mass and overwhelmed the defences. They didn't just raid and leave though, they landed and have taken control of Lannisport. They have used their ships to block the harbour and have secured the city. What is left of the city guard have retreated to Casterly Rock to secure it for as long as possible whilst the Ironmen lay siege."
"The Ironborn don't lay siege, they just keep attacking and attacking till they storm the gates and take the city." Renly interjected.
Tyrion said nothing as he tried to take all this in. The Ironborn had done nothing this audacious for hundreds of years. They have always raided but never conquered anywhere, especially not Lannister land. Eventually he asked a question "How did you learn of this?"
Kevan answered "We got a raven from Ser Devan who has taken control at Casterly Rock. His father, my cousin, Ser Stafford was the castellan but he died in the fighting in Lannisport. He believes they can only hold the Rock for three days before they will be overrun."
"Ser Devan also sent word that Theon Greyjoy was seen among the Ironborn attackers."
Tywin's words were clearly aimed at Tyrion and the whole small council seemed to turn and look at him with suspicion. Tyrion was taken aback, both by the accusation and by Theon's involvement.
"If you are suggesting I have told Theon anything that would aid their attack, or that I had any idea of their plans, then you don't know me at all."
"He gave you no clue of this plan?" asked Cersei.
"Not even when you were out drinking and whoring?" Pycelle added unhelpfully.
"No. I can't believe he would do this." Tyrion responded and he meant it truly.
"Well he has and there are numerous dead Lannister men to prove it." Tywin retorted.
Tyrion knew by his tone that his father was deeply worried. Losing Lannisport was a disaster, it was a vital port and much trade and mined gold passed through there, but his father's main fear was for Casterly Rock to be sacked and conquered. Regardless of the valuables and wealth that would be taken, Tyrion knew it was the shame of losing the seat of House Lannister to "pirates" that his father feared most of all. Tywin's pride may not be able to handle it. The Rock had never fallen but Tyrion was aware, just as Tywin was, that by controlling Lannisport the only safe road to the fortress was now available to the Ironborn so they could attack in large numbers, safe in the knowledge no-one was able to come to Casterly Rock's aid without firstly taking back Lannisport which is no easy task with his high solid walls.
Tyrion knew discussing blame was futile at this point so he thought of solutions. He asked "So what can we do? Has the Royal fleet set sail for Lannisport?"
Renly answered "They are currently en route to Dragonstone to arrest Stannis and bring him to the capital to explain his lack of acknowledgement of our new king. We won't be able to contact them for at least two days yet and even then they wouldn't be able to get to Lannisport for at least two weeks."
Tyrion thought it ironic that the Royal fleet was being sent to arrest the Master of Ships but said nothing on the matter. Instead he turned to an empty seat "So land it is then. I assume my brother is marching as we speak along with other Kingsguard."
"He is to leave in the hour." Kevan confirmed.
"So what of the remaining Lannister army. How quickly can they be assembled and get to Lannisport?"
Before he even said a word Tyrion knew the news was not good by the look on Kevan's face "Our troops are currently scattered. Some are in Kings Landing, some currently march to Dragonstone and the rest are at their own respective Keeps. We have sent word to all in the vicinity to get to Lannisport but the only noteworthy warrior to speak of is Ser Gregor Clegane."
"So you are telling me we cannot raise an army in time to take back the city?! Incredible…. Father, what about that Sellsword company in your employ - the Brave Companions. Can they not be used?" Tyrion enquired.
"If I want a place crushed and reduced to ash, I use Vargo Hoat and his merry bunch of animals. Using them to reclaim Lannisport would only result in destruction. Besides they are currently indisposed in Essos looking after our interests near Braavos"
Tyrion racked his mind for inspiration. "So we are reliant on the assistance of others. With so many people returning to their homes after the King's nameday tourney who can get there in time...Ser Robb Stark! He sho-"
Tywin interrupted angrily "Ser Robb has already been contacted near Pinkmaiden on his way back to Winterfell and he now takes his men, plus those available from the Riverlands, to Lannisport as we speak. It is only a small force but it can keep the Ironborn to their current position and no further into the Westerlands, though there is no chance they could mount any effort in breaking the siege of Casterly Rock or reclaiming Lannisport. He has been instructed to hold position till Jamie and the rest arrive. I have thought of everything Tyrion, EVERYTHING!"
"But the Rock!" Tyrion was aghast.
The silence was deafening. Eventually Tywin spoke solemnly "Nothing can be done for Casterly Rock. We must hope that Ser Devan is able to hold out for longer than he predicted. There is nothing more to be said."
With that Tywin stood and left the small council chambers followed closely by Kevan.
"I guess that is the end of this meeting." Renly spoke matter of factly. He left the room along with Pycelle and Varys, whom Tyrion noted again was unusually quiet. He wondered if his little birds had given Varys any knowledge of this plan or if even Varys' network did not travel as far as the Iron Islands. Only Cersei now remained with Tyrion.
"Father is heartbroken. The Rock is a symbol of Lannister strength and power. The thought of those Ironborn ravaging her is killing him inside." Cersei stated, using more her usual level of insight Tyrion acknowledged.
"We will all be heartbroken should she fall." Tyrion replied, the sadness filling his voice unashamedly. What he wouldn't admit to Cersei or anyone was the heartbreak was not just for his ancestral home but for Theon.
Tyrion could not comprehend what had happened to Theon in the short period since he left the capital. Tyrion wanted him to fit in with his people but not like this. Did he ever care for Tyrion like he did for him? Or was it all an act? Or is this just revenge against those who mistreated him in the capital? The questions kept coming but no answers ever followed. Confusion reigned in his head and only sadness existed in his heart. Casterly Rock and his friend Theon - he had good memories of both but now he had a sick feeling that both would be beyond repair and were lost to him forever.