Tyrion Lannister – Various Locations
Gods he could scarcely remember his quiet life of gambling, whoring and drinking. His life over the past few moons had been quite an adventure, he had seen and experienced things he never thought he would.
He had travelled across the northern wilderness from Moat Cailin to the Wall, seen things he never had the chance to see in Kings Landing or Casterly Rock. It had been a truely interesting experiece for him but it had all changed that day in the Inn. His life of leisurely travel had disappeared in an instant; instead he travelled shackled through the mountainous Vale. He had thought for a split second that he would die at the hands of Lysa Arryn but thanked the gods that Bronn's desire for gold had been so great.
His newest companion had saved his life that day just as he had this morning on the Green Fork. Tyrion would never forget the battle that he had been forced to partake in on his father's orders for the rest of his days.
He had been woken with a kick from Bronn before his sellsword had told him that the northern army was close to attacking. He rushed from his tent bleary eyed to see that camp was springing to life attempting to prepare themselves.
Looking around he was relieved to see his uncle Kevin rushing his way with a group of knights at his back. "Tyrion you will have command of the left, the sellswords and your wildlings will be under your command" his uncle said stopping in front of Tyrion.
"I thought my father wanted me in the vanguard with the Mountain" he said confused.
His uncle knelt down then and spoke quietly so only he could hear "your father has ordered Ser Gregor to ride out as soon as he is able to gather enough men to try and keep the northerners at bay long enough for the army to ready itself."
He nodded to his uncle then knowing full well that those men that the mountain led were as good as dead. He was surprised that his father hadn't ordered him to join them, no doubt his uncle Kevin persuaded him against such an action.
He watched as his uncle stood once more and rushed back towards the bulk of the army where Tyrion's father no doubt waited.
"Bronn rouse the clans then return I'll need your help with my armour" he said before returning to his tent. The next few minutes past by in a blur he remembered saying farewell to Shae, Bronn helping him put on his armour and watching as the Van the mountain lead being pierced by arrows, impaled by pikes and crushed under the weight of the northern army.
Of the battle itself he could remember every detail from dodging countless arrows that came his way to leading his men through the northern lines. Many things could be said about the mountain clans but one thing that couldn't be denied was their ferocity. Tyrion saw his men rip through the northern pikemen forsaking their lives if it meant they killed a man in the process.
To his own surprise Tyrion had managed to kill several men before he lost consciousness from a blow that would have no doubt killed him if it weren't for Bronn.
He found himself now in his father's command tent surrounded by the lords of the Westerlands who were all looking to the mighty Tywin Lannister for guidance.
Despite the fact that much of the army outside was celebrating making the northern army retreat Tyrion and the lords gathered knew better then to call the battle a victory. True the northern forces had lost close to five thousand men including some notable northern nobles but his father's men had suffered just as much if not far greater. Over four thousand men had died most of which were cavalry including the entire vanguard, his father's favourite dog Ser Gregor was either dead or close to dead and no one had heard from or seen Addam Marbrand since he took charge of one of the scouting parties. To make matters worse they had just been informed of the defeat of Jaime's forces at Riverrun.
"How many men managed to escape" his uncle Kevin asked the bloodied Westerlands knight.
The knight clearly didn't want to answer the question but a fierce look from his uncle made the man think better of it. "Maybe two or three hundred my lord, Ser Forley attempted to lead two thousand away when he saw the battle was lost but was rode down by Karstark and Blackwood forces"
Tyrion couldn't help but gain some respect for the Stark boy, he had beaten a Lannister army, freed Riverrun and planned a significant blow to another Lannister army weakening their position significantly.
A fierce debate broke out then about what their next step should be both he and his father remained quiet. "We should sue for peace" lord Lefford said sheepishly.
"Exchange lord Eddard for Ser Jaime and send the northmen back to the wasteland they call their home" the lord of the Tooth said wanting to somehow get back into his father's good graces, a task that would prove impossible.
He had to admit the idea had promise but the Stark boy would hear sooner or later that Joffrey was torturing his father and would no doubt be enraged and want Joffrey's head.
"They have my son" his father shouted before ordering everyone from the command tent with the exception of Tyrion.
It wasn't until the last of the Western Lords left did his father speak once more "you will go to Kings Landing and rule as Hand in my stead." Tyrion had thought he misheard what his father said and was going to question it before his father continued.
"Bring Joffrey and Cersei to heal, the boys torture of Eddard Stark will end immediately. Move him from the black cells and ensure he is treated as befit his rank. When he is well enough to travel I want him sent to me so I can arrange a trade of prisoners, the northerners will accept no one else for Jaime" his father said the last bit more to himself.
It was after several moments of silence before he nodded his acceptance and his father spoke up once more and ordered him to hold the capital no matter what and neutralise any threat to their family.
That had been several days ago now and Tyrion now found himself heading south along the Kings Road with his clans men and fifty of his father's men. He sighed at the thought of what lay ahead of him; his family was surrounded by enemies and had only the forces of the West and Crownlands behind them, allies would need to be found if they had any chance of surviving this war a task which no doubt fall to him.
As if things couldn't have gotten worse they had just heard reports that Joffrey had publicly executed Ned Stark the day after the Battle on the Green Fork.
Riding through the streets of King Landing Tyrion was shocked to see the state of the capital, there was hundreds of people begging on the street for food and the market stalls they passed were almost bare.
The squalor and poverty that seemed to affect the city didn't seem to affect the Red Keep though where a meagre attempt of a tourney was taking place in honour of Joffrey's name day with food and wine almost falling off the tables. His nephew and king was sitting on a throne laughing as the Hound ran Ser Dontos Hollard through with his massive sword, Tyrion couldn't help but sign at the sight of the boy he owed his allegiance to. After sorting out his nephew and bringing an end to the wasteful tourney he made his way to the small council chambers. Striding into the room he almost laughed at the sight of his sisters face drop when the letter was read out making him Hand.
He knew his sister wanted nothing more than to throw him out but their father had been quiet specific on Tyrion taking over, and not even Cersei was foolish enough to disobey the mighty Tywin Lannister.
"My lords, how was it that you all allowed the king to execute Ned Stark our most valuable hostage" he said his voice firm.
In an instant all eyes fell to Cersei who paled slightly before she responded "Joffrey was angry after hearing about the northern traitors attacks on father and Jaime. Besides Ned Stark was a traitor who refused to acknowledge him as the rightful king"
He could have hit his sister then for perhaps costing Jaime his life. "Did you consider what Robb Stark will do when he hears about his father" he said trying to keep his voice calm.
Varys spoke up then holding back a giggle as he spoke "I'm afraid Robb Stark has already heard my lord hand. The lords of the North and Riverlands have declared him their king forsaking King Joffrey"
Gods it was going from bad to worse he thought while he looked at the small council who all had a different reaction to the news. Cersei was furious, Baelish almost seemed glad, Janos Slynt looked offended and Pycelle looked his usual tired self.
Ignoring his sisters foolish talk that their father will destroy the Stark boy before long he turned to Varys and spoke his voice slightly raised. "What of Stannis and Renly?"
"Stannis Baratheon has gathered the lords of the Narrow Sea to Dragonstone and has begun burning any man who refuses to answer his call to arms. Lord Renly has gathered over twenty five thousand men to Storms End and intends to march on the capital if my birds are correct. Lord Renly has also made a request for an audience with Lord Tyrell but was refused" Varys said in response.
"The Reach" he asked simply almost not wanting to know the answer.
Varys tittered in his seat before he finally responded "Lords Tarly and Rowan have already gathered their men and are camped outside Highgarden my lord and I have only just heard that Lord Tyrell has ordered the remaining lords of the Reach to gather and prepare for war"
Tyrell would no doubt support Stark as his daughter was the newly made queen of the North and Trident which put them in a dangerous position. The North, Riverlands and Reach together were too strong a force to beat something would need to be done quickly.
"I want word sent to lord Florent in the Reach promising him that if he remains loyal to the Throne his family will be rewarded greatly, suggest Highgarden" he said loudly silencing the talk that had broken out.
The Vale and Dorne still hadn't declared for anyone, Lysa Arryn held no love for his family so the Vale was out but Dorne was strong and was in a good position to attack the Reach or the Stormlands. He made a mental note to remind himself to write to Prince Doran offering to make his daughter a queen, hopefully that would make the Martell's forget the past.
He sat through the rest of the meeting listening intently to everything that was said making notes the entire time what would need to be done, gods being hand wasn't going to be easy.
It was his second day as acting hand did he call Varys to his solar and truely begin his work to ensure his family didn't suffer the same faith as the Targaryens.
"Tell me Varys, what do you know of the sellsword companies of Essos?"
Notes
As always I own nothing and the more reviews the better
