Disclaimer: Westeros and its world belongs to George R R Martin; I'm just using it as a whetstone while I create my own.

I'm going to say this before the new season starts out of fear that more of my ideas turn out to really be GRRM's ideas as well; I'm not changing any of the plot from the original anymore, from start to finish it will remain as it is now planned - even if the Winds of Winter turns out to look identical! - and the foreshadowing of the ending in earlier chapters than this one is proof for those who need it!

This one's not Jon, and a touch shorter too since there's all that much to it.

Tyrion

'This is warm, Yoren,' Tyrion said, as they crossed into the great city through the Iron Gate.

'Too warm, m'lord,' Black Yoren said, mopping his brow. 'Men spend too long in the summer forget what winter is.'

'Lucky men,' Tyrion quipped.

'Fools, m'lord,' the black brother disagreed. 'Winter is always coming, and men who forget it find themselves lost in the snow.'

The Starks are always right in the end, Tyrion thought.

'So long as it's not coming right now,' he replied. 'My father longs for a snow drift I might be lost in, it wouldn't even have to be a large one.'

Black Yoren grinned at him, baring chipped, yellowed teeth. 'Tywin Lannister should have better sense,' he said. 'Gold won't hold back the cold winds rising in the North, Casterly Rock will be as quiet as Castamere if the Wall falls.'

'Snarks cannot be bribed,' Tyrion agreed. 'I eagerly await the day my people come to rescue me from among you all.'

But Casterly Rock will never fall.

'My men and I are billeted just down that street,' Yoren said, jabbing a greasy finger down a refuse strewn alley. 'I daresay you'll want to find rooms in the Red Keep.'

'I have missed my brother and sister dearly,' Tyrion said, directing his mare up the street past Rhaenys hill towards the Red Keep.

I want a bath, some decent wine, and food that isn't salted.

Somehow he found himself in the throne room instead, tired, smelling more like horse than man, and listening to his little shit of a nephew speak on and on about how great a king he was going to be; it made him miss almost Robert Baratheon, and even Cersei seemed a little annoyed after the first few minutes. Tommen and Myrcella had started ignoring him almost from the moment he began to speak.

'Sweet sister,' he greeted politely, one eye on his nephew, who was garbed in gaudy gold and crimson, with rearing lions and prancing stags all across his cloak. She was garbed in sea green, with myrish lace for a a bodice, and emeralds on her fingers and brow.

'Tyrion,' Cersei said, and he knew his sibling well enough to know she was on the verge of some success.

Always she pretends as if nothing had happened, but her eagerness still shows. Today she looked as regal as ever, but the small smile at her lips implied the lioness had devoured the canary.

Tyrion waddled a little further along, to where Jaime stood beside the throne in his white cloak beside all his brothers but Ser Barristan. 'You look noble,' he jibed. 'I don't suppose you're planning on putting your sword into the back of this king?'

Joffrey was too busy to hear, waving his shiny Lion's Tooth around on the Iron Throne, much to his younger sister's dismay.

Jaime sighed. 'Tyrion my dear brother, has anyone told you that you talk too much.'

'Father,' Tyrion said, grinning wolfishly. 'He tells me so every time I see him.'

'How was the Wall?' Jaime asked, as the members of the small council filtered into the throne room.

'High, and cold,' Tyrion replied. 'Short of men, and full of rumours too.'

'Wildlings?' Jaime asked.

'Others, dead men walking, grumpkins, snarks, and likely dragons too,' Tyrion quipped. 'A few more men would not go amiss, though, the garrison is threadbare, and there are a hundred thousand willings beyond the Wall.'

'Perhaps we should have let Lord Stark send Ser Gregor,' his brother said lightly.

'Speaking of our lord hand, how has his son fared here in King's Landing?' Tyrion asked. He'd not seen a single grey-cloaked man in the Red Keep so far.

'I made him squire to the king,' Jaime said, smiling slyly. 'We were thick as thieves for a little while.'

'Really, Jaime, what would our father say.' Tyrion flashed his brother a grin.

'Alas, our father is busy scheming, too preoccupied to turn his attention upon his wayward children.'

They both fell silent when Lord Stark strode in with Ser Barristan at his side. He had his two grey-cloaked guards either side of him, and a host of gold cloaks on his heels.

Joffrey sheathed his blade, and settled himself awkwardly among the blades and spikes of his seat. 'I command the council to make all the preparations needed for my coronation,' he said. 'I wish to be crowned within a fortnight, and today I will accept the oaths of fealty of my councillors.'

Lord Stark gazed up at the throne with pensive, grey eyes, and Tyrion glimpsed a cool hostility he'd not witnessed since he'd left Winterfell.

This is not going to go to plan, he realised. Lord Stark believes we are responsible for his son's death too.

'Take this to the lady of Lannister,' he ordered Ser Barristan.

The knight of the kingsguard held a sheet of paper in one gauntleted fist, and Tyrion could clearly see Robert Baratheon's seal hanging from it.

Cersei scanned it briefly. 'Paper makes a poor shield, Lord Stark,' she said derisively, and tore it in half, and then in half again.

The pieces floated gently onto the floor of the hall.

There's our peace, Tyrion thought.

'Those were the king's words,' Ser Barristan said, shocked.

'Your king is before you, ser,' his sister replied. 'Lord Stark, I offer you the same advice you once gave me, go home with your children.'

Lord Stark's grey eyes froze hard. 'I am bereft of two,' he said grimly. 'And I shall not go home until I see justice for them, nor until I've seen Robert's heir crowned.'

'Mother?' Joffrey asked, confused as most the room. Tyrion made a careful count of the faces who showed no surprise.

'You hold no claim to the throne you sit upon, Joffrey Waters,' Eddard Stark said solemnly. 'Lord Stannis is the heir.'

'Lies!' Joffrey screamed, flushing as red as Robert Baratheon did.

'Traitor,' Cersei accused. 'Seize him.'

It was the Hound who stepped forwards when every other man hesitated. The brutish man looked oddly thoughtful, and unafraid, even when Ice, the greatsword of the Starks, slid from Lord Stark's back with a steely slither.

Sandor Clegane swayed on his feet, and struck at Eddard Stark's gut. His blade was parried off the top of the greatsword's edge, then Stark changed his grip, taking the blade in his hands in a flash, and driving the tip of Ice through Clegane's throat before the man could so much as twitch.

'Stupid,' Jaime said quietly. 'To challenge the man who killed the Sword of the Morning, even if he had help.'

'Damn,' the Hound gurgled, choking as Lord Stark withdrew his blade. 'The surly little cunt was right.'

Joffrey's sworn shield was dead before he hit the floor, and the blood from his neck spread across the floor like wine.

'Kill him,' Joffrey screamed, red with rage. 'Your king commands it!'

Littlefinger smirked, sidling closer to Eddard Stark.

If he dies, the North rebels, Tyrion knew. And with them will rise the Riverlands, the Vale, and likely Dorne too. None of the houses had any love for his, and with Stark declaring for Stannis that would likely leave them facing the Stormlands too.

Not even Casterly Rock can take on so many of the other kingdoms, and nobody else here seems to see it.

He cleared his throat loudly. 'There seems to have been some misunderstanding,' Tyrion said lightly. 'Perhaps my sweet sister, and his grace are unaware, but Lord Stark's son was murdered just after the royal party moved south.'

'That doesn't justify treason,' Cersei said venomously.

'Treason, sister?' Tyrion feigned confusion. 'I'm sure Lord Stark is simply overcome by the stress of his son's death, and ruling in place of his grace, King Robert, could not have been easy either.'

There were a few soft chuckles, and some of the tension left the room.

'He said Stannis should be king, and he killed my dog!' Joffrey cried. 'Be quiet, uncle, and let my command be carried out. I want his head on a spike!'

The gold cloaks at last came to life, sweeping around Lord Stark and his two men to level their spears at the three northmen. Tyrion shivered at the stare Eddard Stark levelled at Littlefinger, but the man simply smiled.

'Brandon was too kind to you,' Lord Stark said icily.

'I visited the Wall when I was up north, my lords,' Tyrion interceded, making his last gambit. 'They're begging for men, fighting against a hundred thousand wildlings, I'm told, and here are three men who'd relish the chance to defend their homelands from such a threat.'

'What do you say, Lord Stark?' Cersei asked softly. 'Will you take the black?'

Lord Stark looked about him, then at his men. 'Aye,' he said disgustedly. 'I'll take the black, but I want justice for Bran, and for Jon too.'

For the first time since Lord Stark had entered the throne room his sister looked surprised. 'The king will be more than happy to provide you with justice, Lord Stark,' she said, placing one hand over Joffrey's before the brat could say anything stupid. 'It is his duty, and his pride.'

'I'm sure, my lady,' Lord Stark said, but he replaced Ice upon his back.

'Will someone please take the Hound's body away,' Tyrion said into the silence that followed. 'He's not a floor ornament.'

Lord Stark allowed the gold cloaks to lead him out, while Ser Barristan stood there and frowned so severely Tyrion thought his teeth might wear away to nothing.

'Well done, brother,' Jaime said softly. Behind him, Cersei glanced up from where she was whispering to Joffrey to nod stiffly at him.

'What happened to Jon Snow?' Tyrion asked.

The boy better not be dead, he thought. I'm the reason he managed to come south.

'I have not seen him since he left his grace's chambers before he died,' Jaime said quietly.

'I last spoke with him the morning before,' his sister added, sweeping over to join them.

'You, sweet sister?' Tyrion raised an eyebrow.

Cersei stared impassively down at him. 'He was pleasant company,' she said simply. 'I will set the gold cloaks to searching for him until he is found safe and sound.'

'I would speak to Lord Stark,' Tyrion said.

'Then do so,' his sister said. 'Try to convince him it would be best to take the black, and write to his heir to ensure he comes to swear fealty.'

'I'll come too,' Jaime offered.

'The king needs you to protect him,' Cersei asserted. 'Lord Stark is not the only traitor, I'm sure. Renly has fled the capital, and Stannis and Eddard Stark exchanged several letters.'

'Stannis Baratheon will not send assassins,' Tyrion said, chortling at the very idea. Jaime smiled thinly, but when Tyrion waddled away towards the Tower of the Hand where he was likely being held for the moment his brother remained behind briefly before striding after him.

Jaime had no trouble catching him up before he'd left the throne room.

'I hope Lord Stark's words don't spread too far,' Tyrion said slyly. 'Rumours like that can cause such trouble, though I must wonder what he has learnt to make him come to such an interesting idea.'

Jaime gave him a long, dry look. 'This is one of those times where I wonder if you're actually on our side, brother.'

'You hurt me, dear Jaime,' Tyrion replied, placing his hand over his heart. 'You know you're my favourite brother.'

'Cersei means what she said, you know,' Jaime told him.

Changing the subject, brother, Tyrion thought.

'About what?' Tyrion asked, indulging him.

'About Jon,' Jaime answered.

'Really?' Tyrion's reply dripped sarcasm. 'Has our sweet sister suddenly taken a fancy to sullen, pretty northmen?'

'There's less of the North in Jon Snow than you might expect of Eddard Stark's son,' Jaime replied drily. 'He was quite taken with our sister, too.'

'More fool him,' Tyrion said.

I led the boy into the lion's den, he thought bitterly, as they entered the Tower of the Hand.

'I don't think Cersei wishes him any harm,' Jaime said. 'She seemed almost fond of him, and I know she intended to give him a white cloak at one point.'

Truly? Tyrion wondered. Or was he just another boy awed by his beautiful queen into spilling all sorts of secrets.

Lord Stark and his men were within the tower, still armed, but watched over by a dozen gold cloaks.

'Lord Stark,' Tyrion greeted, hopping up into the nearest chair. 'I was wondering if you had heard anything of your son?'

'If I had I would not tell you, my lord,' Eddard Stark replied stiffly.

'A shame,' Tyrion said lightly. 'I'd grown fond of the boy, as has Jaime.'

Damn, his eyes are cold.

'You'll forgive me if I don't trust the lives of my children to Lannisters,' Lord Stark said coolly. 'Recent times have proved it to be unwise to trust the honour of House Lannister where children are concerned.'

Jaime's bright smile was one Tyrion knew often led to trouble. 'We've betrayed the same number of kings now, Lord Stark,' his brother said sharply. 'I'm sure you're wishing right now you were as successful as I was.'

'The king named me Lord Protector to his heir, not executioner of pretenders. I would have had your son grow up safe with his mother in exile, and nobody else needed to know they were lions rather than stags,' Lord Stark said, his grey eyes measuring Tyrion's response. Something flickered through them when Tyrion didn't react. 'They are your children, aren't they, Kingslayer?'

'Guilty as charged,' Jaime said, shrugging, glancing at Tyrion, who grinned wolfishly back at him. 'Cersei and I were made for one another.'

'You suit each other well,' Lord Stark said.

Tyrion chuckled. 'You've taken to the south better than I expected, my lord,' he said. 'I thought clever insults beyond the reach of you northmen.'

'You'll find there is little beyond the reach of northmen,' Lord Stark said icily. 'We will have our justice, on way or another. I doubt Joffrey Waters will sit any more comfortably upon the Iron Throne than I would've done. Your sister has at least spared me from Robert's vengeance.'

We'd best give Lord Stark something, Tyrion thought, pondering what exactly Eddard Stark might have done to earn a throne he would have hated from a man who'd always loathed it.

He pushed himself out of his chair. 'If Jon Snow is found I will make sure you're informed,' he said.

They made their way out into the bailey in silence.

'How long have you known?' Jaime asked eventually, before they returned to the keep, where little birds likely lingered in the corners.

'Oh years and years, brother,' Tyrion replied slyly. 'I doubt I'm the only one, either. Lords Varys and Baelish looked remarkably unsurprised by Lord Stark's declaration.'

'They said nothing.' Jaime sounded uncertain.

'Yet,' Tyrion told his brother pointedly. 'They've said nothing yet.'

'Neither had you, I suppose,' his brother said, the he smiled thinly, and shrugged. 'I don't think I really care.'

'Our father will,' Tyrion said slyly. 'I wonder which of us will be a greater shame now, dear brother?'

Jaime laughed. 'Our father is too busy for now, and he'll likely only get busier. For all Stark's foolish honesty he has allies aplenty, and we lions are not so popular as they once were. Still, Lord Stark outlawed Ser Gregor, no small insult, and a Lannister always pays his debts.'

'Especially the insults,' Tyrion quipped. 'Father likes to make sure that debt is settled swiftly.'

And speaking of debts.

'You don't happen to know anything about a valyrian steel dagger with a dragonbone hilt, do you?' Tyrion asked lightly.

'Robert gave one to the youngest Stark girl at the Ruby Ford,' Jaime said disgustedly. 'A waste of such a fine blade.'

'One?' Tyrion raised an eyebrow.

'There were two, but when I looked one had vanished,' his brother explained. 'Did you want a dagger for yourself, Tyrion?'

'The other dagger turned up in Brandon Stark's chest, courtesy of a paid footpad,' Tyrion said darkly. 'The Starks are blaming us, and if it vanished before you reached King's Landing it's hard to disagree, for Robert would not have done such a thing.'

'Joffrey would,' Jaime said simply. 'He might have called it mercy, or mistaken it for kindness, our sister is not the best teacher of either I'm afraid.' His brother frowned, then started back towards the keep. 'If they are blaming us, there may well be war. Lord Stark has no love and little fear for us, and his son will be braver still.'

'A problem to be sure,' Tyrion agreed. 'I will let our father deal with it, and continue to drink here in King's Landing where everything is safe, and warm.'

Jaime smiled, and shook his head at him. 'I should get back to protecting his grace,' his brother decided after a few moments. 'But if Jon Snow is found, it might be best he heads elsewhere for a little while.'

'I quite agree, brother,' Tyrion said, pleased. 'Let's hope he is found by reasonable men.'

But where is safe? he wondered. And what is father doing that keeps him so busy we've not seen so much as a letter from him?

Tyrion waddled towards the rooms in the keep he intended to make his. Lord Stark was no fool. Honourable, and not so sly as many southron lords, but no fool.

The North is likely already prepared, Tyrion realised, as he made his way up Maegor's Keep. I will have to write to father to tell him how thing's stand. His father would agree with him, he thought, and would put a leash back on Ser Gregor before it was too late.

He knew already it was a losing battle he was fighting, for Joffrey was likely to do more than enough to push Robb Stark into calling his banners, but it was worth trying.

If Jon Snow is found, and returned home, Lord Stark, and his men sent back north to the wall, then we may yet have peace.

The small council would have to be convinced. Baelish and Varys could probably be persuaded, he thought, but the others might take some sterner words.

Heads. Spikes. Walls, Tyrion thought wryly. Father will approve.

AN: Please read and review, thanks to everyone who does.