"My Lord, it's time," came his hand's voice from behind him.
Tyrion nodded. It was time. He straightened his jacket and looked at himself in the glass. He didn't look half bad.
They had done a fine job fixing his scar, his hair…and though little could be done for his height, his ugliness wasn't as pronounced in his estimation.
He left the Hand's room and made his way to the Throne Room, where the ceremony would be held since the destruction of the Sept.
He was quick about it, for his nerves had suddenly begun to well, and he was concerned that they would surface during the ceremony.
Not everyone in Westeros was supportive of the union, and many were not present. Of course, much of the country was ankle deep in snow, so there was that.
Winterfell only sent their regards, no representatives, due to the weather.
Tyrion walked up the aisle, toward the plinth, and smiled at the Maester. He turned and looked at the company.
The room was just over half full, and there were some smiling faces there. Some not so smily faces there, too.
He cleared his throat and waited for the bells to announce his bride's arrival.
…and they called out, softly at first, but they rose in tone and cadence…and Dany appeared in the doorway, her belly somewhat swelled with child…
And she walked toward him on the plinth.
She was smiling…
And Dany thought that she was perfectly happy. Yes, perfectly so. Her daughter was growing and healthy, she was Queen of Westeros, and she was marrying the man she loved. How could she be anything but happy?
She knew that there were dissenters, that some people thought that Tyrion was being advantageous, but she knew that he was true. No one who saw what he went through to arrive at the place he was could believe him to be false in any way.
The only thing now was to find a new Hand, for Tyrion could not be both King and Hand of the Queen.
And she had no idea whom to ask.
She walked up next to him.
They were to cloak one another in their family shrouds, for they belonged to each other equally, and as the sitting Queen, Dany thought it silly to have herself take the Lannister cloak and name.
So, she would remain Targaryen. He would remain Lannister, and Rhaella…they had not agreed on yet.
She had never felt more at ease, more comfortable with who she was, than at that moment. Dany had travelled far to reach that plinth, and she was going to savor it.
Not so with Tyrion, she could see.
He was smiling nervously at her, and she could feel the very real unease about him. She sighed inaudibly, and wondered if he would enjoy it. He was getting married, and she wanted him to be happy about it, especially since he was marrying her.
She caught his eye, and smiled.
And he returned it. swallowing.
She was wearing a gown of powder blue and lace. There was some velvet, since it was so very cold, and her hair was wrapped in a braid atop her head.
He thought she was a goddess.
And she likely was. Never had he ever known a woman like her…never would he meet her equal…
…and she was in love with him, and they were having a child.
The Maester was saying words to him, though he heard but little. He merely nodded and said "Yes," whenever it seemed as though he was being asked a question.
And Dany, for her part, was stock still, a grin laced on her features…she was hardly moving, her breathing steady and slow. She was concentrating on his face, thinking that later that night, she would say everything that she meant to say to him there for the ceremony.
He cloaked her, she cloaked him…they belonged now to one another.
"The Queen of Westeros, and her King!" yelled Maester Papas, and the crowd erupted in applause.
She took hold of his hand, and through the dimly lit room, they walked amid the torches to the dining hall.
Tyrion had said very little, he was waiting for Dany to speak. She remained silent.
There was a buffet of fine foods, which was a sight for everyone. Westeros had had little in terms of food diversity since winter. But not now, now there were fine chickens, and heaping pots of soup, breads, hens, and every type of sweet one could imagine. It was intensely grand.
Dany smiled at it all, and she went to the head table with the King. "You are all welcome to eat your fill, and then some! Whatever we have as left over will be given to the citizens of King's Landing," she nodded, then sat. Dany looked at Tyrion…Tyrion, who was still standing there, looking at everyone. "Are you well, my King?" she asked.
He started, then looked at her, a quick smile on his face. "Fine," and he sat. "I was only astounded by the level of merriment on display. I rather thought that we might experience some…pushback."
"Pushback…?" and she scanned the room. "Do you mean…because I married you?"
"Yes."
"Well, I wouldn't be terribly concerned. The people are thrilled with the news of our daughter. Everything will be as I predict."
He sat back with a smile, keenly aware of the crown resting on his brow. "And what did you predict, again?"
"That Rhaella will bring peace and prosperity, and the spring will begin with her birth. We have only a few more months of darkness. The sun will begin to show himself before long," and she sipped some wine.
"Is that wise, Dany? Wine, with your baby growing in your womb?"
"It's one glass, Tyrion," she dismissed. "And this is the happiest of occasions. I am merely toasting it," she smiled. "As should you."
"Humph," he replied. "I'd rather not be struck down by some angry gods."
Dany shook her head, smiling widely…then her expression changed. She saw someone in the hall…"Daario," she whispered.
"Hm?" and Tyrion looked…and yes. There he was. Just as dashing as ever, heading toward them.
He arrived, and bowed to them both. "Well, Your Majesties, never thought I'd see the day," and he nodded. "Well done, King Lannister. Got me dutifully out of the way…"
"Daario, I command that you stop," Dany replied with some severity.
"He knew what he was doing all along."
"Incredible that you think so, seeing as how I scarcely knew my heart at the time," Tyrion smiled.
"Well, it worked, and here you are," he waved his hands. "Remember, Daenerys. What I told you about perfumed aristocrats."
She smiled. "What news of Meereen?"
"Meereen is dull. But secure."
Dany nodded. "It is good to hear."
He sighed, and there was a pause. "Well. I think I'll enjoy some of Westeros's cuisine. I don't think I've ever had the pleasure."
"Have as much as you'd like," Dany said.
"Unfortunate that you said 'as much,' and not 'whatever,'" he said with a steady look.
"As Her Grace's new husband, and as the King, I really must object to your suggestive language, Daario," said Tyrion.
"Oh, you can object all you like. I should have known…you are a Lannister."
Tyrion smiled. "I don't know how being a Lannister made me fall in love with Daenerys, nor how you would know anything about my family. You've only ever met me."
"I've heard stories."
"And therein lies your expertise? Dany, while I admire your intelligence, here is one place that it failed, I think. Daario hears stories and takes them as fact."
"I'll thank you both to stop now," she replied with a smirk. "I can speak with you in a moment, Daario," she dismissed him, and turned to her husband. "Now, I think that you might be a bit kinder to our warrior. He is in charge of Meereen, a place I claim to rule."
"You should have kept him there, instead of inviting him," he pouted.
"Now, come," she stood. "He is a great asset to us. He needed to be here," and she bent down, kissed his mouth softly. "I'll attempt to assuage his mind," she said, a glint in her eye. "And we shall eat, watch some fine people play…give a speech or two, and that will be that," and she turned, leaving him at the table.
He watched her leave and sighed. Speeches. He only wanted to be alone with her.
"Congratulations," came a voice from behind him.
Jaime. Tyrion smiled. "Thank you," and he turned and smiled at him.
"So, King of Westeros. Tywin would be…"
"Flummoxed?"
He laughed, then sat where Dany had been. "Yes. I suppose that's fair."
"More than, actually, and more generous than he deserves," and Tyrion sat as well. "But, it would have been grand to see his reaction to these goings on," he sat back.
"Will you not drink tonight, Tyrion? I was there when you made your promise, and I think that a sip or two won't kill her."
He sighed. "I'm afraid not. I cannot withstand the stuff, Jaime. One sip will turn into one thousand."
Jaime nodded. "Your wife is quite a determined woman. She has convinced me to stay in King's Landing."
Tyrion was looking very steadily at him. "And how do you feel about that?"
"Confused. I am a lost man, Tyrion. I am trying, though, to be something else."
"What will you be?"
"Anything."
Tyrion's face fell. "But you are everything I always wanted to be, Jaime. Proud. A warrior…" he paused. "Tall," he laughed.
"You, my brother, are so much more than any of that. And Daenerys Targaryen sees that. The Queen, she who has won the hearts of many men, sees that. You must learn to see it, too."
"I do…but to hear you…."
"Stop," and he turned toward him. "I need to learn to live without Cersei. Something that I never thought I'd need to do. And it is a daunting thing. But I'm here, and I will try to be a good uncle to your daughter. She is the reason I remain."
There were tears in Tyrion's eyes. "Thank you."
He nodded, then sat back again. "What will you call her?"
"Rhaella Johanna."
Jaime then felt his throat constrict. "An excellent name."
She was walking toward the royal suites, tired and wanting to be alone…
She would send for her husband shortly.
Husband…and she smiled.
How strange that she should be married again, carrying another child! She had believed she was meant to rule alone.
And Dany entered the room.
Daario had been sad. A bit angry. But mostly confused. He couldn't fathom why or how Tyrion, an imp, had won her heart when he didn't.
Dany sat by her fire.
How indeed…
She smiled and sat back…she had thought about this a lot, and what she discovered was that Tyrion was her friend…above all else, they were friends. He made her laugh, and he spoke plainly to her in an intelligent, and sometimes silly, manner. She trusted him.
She enjoyed herself with him. How many people could boast that?
Dany looked into the fire. Perhaps her marriage, superseding convention, might spark others to make a similar choice for their lives…to marry purely for love.
She sighed…she was no fool. She knew that she was able to marry Tyrion because she was the Queen and was able to do as she pleased, ultimately. This would not likely translate to others very easily.
There was a knock at the door. "Come in," she called, snapping herself out of her reverie. And she heard someone enter the room…and she she knew it was her husband. "You needn't knock on your own bedroom door," she said, now turning toward him.
"I wasn't certain that you wanted company."
"I always desire my husband's company," she replied coyly.
He sat across from her. "It grows tiresome out there," he nodded to the door. "I began to wonder at your absence," he paused. "How is Darario?"
"Mm…he is…confused."
"I should imagine so."
She smiled. "Don't be that way, Tyrion. Besides, he's leaving in the morning, and it is doubtful we will ever see him again."
"Why is that?"
"He has found himself a lovely maid in Meereen, and though is is spiteful, he is not dim," she paused. "Not as much as you would make him, at any rate."
"I would never…" he began, falsely aghast.
Dany held her hand up. "I care not to dwell on Daario. He is my past. You are my future."
Tyrion swallowed, nodding. "As you like."
She smiled. "I want to tell you everything that I was denied during the ceremony, Tyrion…there is much to relate."
"Is there? I rather thought that you've been thorough…"
"No. Not nearly as much as I'd like…" and she leaned back, sinking into the chair. "I'm not one for verbosity, as you know. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why I find us so compatible," she smiled.
"Yes. I can drone on…"
"While that's true," she laughed, "It is hardly the reason for my fierce and utter devotion. I love you, Tyrion, because I feel inexplicably and irreversibly connected to you. I felt that almost immediately, when I sought to keep you near as my advisor. I knew then that you'd do me some good…but never did I expect to experience what I have. And though my realization was a long and fraught one, it was a necessary journey. I had convinced myself that I needed no one, until I found that I did," and she leaned close. "I need you."
He smiled at her. "I believe that I would shrivel and die without you, Dany. And I thought that would never be granted that consuming love again, only to find it more desperately than ever."
"You make me happy, Tyrion. Perhaps that's all anyone needs."
He got up and went to her, opening her legs, and revealing her swollen belly…she was not that far along, but enough that her condition was plain enough to see. He leaned into her and kissed her mouth, and when he kissed her, the world ended, and he was at peace…
They were laying in a tangle in the early morning hours. There would be no sunlight for at least a year, so said the citadel.
Dany knew better. The sun would shine in five month's time. The day Rhaella would be born, the sun would shine.
And she laid there, her hand on her child, in a cuddle next to her husband…
…utterly content.