Tyrion:

The new small council had been organized, and they all stood and waited for the King to sit before they all did the same. "Who would like to start?"

Tyrion knew that it was Aegon's way of telling him to start, despite how open ended it sounded. "The army will be ready to move out tomorrow." He exclaimed to the council, which consisted of Yohn Bronze Royce, Brynden the Blackfish Tully, Bryce the Boulderfist Brune, Aurane Waters, and Aegon Targaryen who sat at the head of the table.

"It should take two or three weeks to reach King's Landing. But I would account for the castles and towns we should take, and add it up to a month and a half." Ser Brynden Tully knew it was an unpopular stance, but Tyrion and the man had both discussed it at long lengths. "From the word we've heard from the Reach, their army is still trying to pin the Ironborn down. So the time to seize King's Landing is fast approaching us." Most word that arrived from that part of the world, spoke of the Ironborn launching surprise raids on the soldiers of the Reach. Aegon had spoken at great lengths of Ser Garlan and WIllas Tyrells intelligence to Tyrion in private, but reality has not dictated any results in their favor so far.

Lord Yohn Royce had his own popular stance that most of the Riverlanders shared with him which he voiced again. "I still feel we should bring the whole of the Riverlands under us before we go south." Lord Royce in the stead of an Arryn had taken over the regency of the Vale, and as such he led the Valish army which numbered nearly twenty thousand.

"And you would have us rip the Twins down, brick by bloody brick." Ser Bryce exclaimed and he wasn't wrong, because that was exactly what the Blackfish and Lord Royce wanted to do.

Aegon's violet eyes were focused on the center of the table at nothing in particular and Tyrion noted how his hands dug into the armrests of the chair, but he chuckled out with a continued blank stare. "That sounds reasonable to any man. But unfortunately the time for that is not right now. Let the little weasel Walder Frey starve in his home while the winter snows fall." As the King spoke his intention on that matter all argument in room ceased and Tyrion was thankful they were now all on the same page.

"We'll need ships to blockade King's Landing, do we have the means to do that?" the Boulderfist asked Aegon, though Tyrion felt the question was more suited for himself or the master of ships; Aurane Waters.

The Bastard of Driftmark himself was spinning a gold coin from Lys under his fingers, but when he heard that question he snatched the coin up in his palm. "I command ten dromonds. They're good warships for open sea combat, but we will need more then them I fear." He was nearly as handsome as Aegon, Tyrion thought it every time he looked at the ambitious man. He had become fast friends with Aegon when they were both in their squirehood, and while Aurane was older it seemed like Aegon was the more mature of the two. Tyrion had asked Aegon once what he had offered the man and he told him that Aurane simply wanted what most bastards want.

Lord Yohn Royce then added his voice back into the conversation. "Gulltown can supply forty more war galleys, and if we need more we could conscript them from any merchants in the harbor."

Tyrion thought it sounded fine, but he had to admit that naval combat was not something he was truly knowledgeable about. "You're the master of ships, does it sound like it will be enough to you?"

The Velaryon Bastard seemed to weigh the decision several times in his mind before giving his honest answer. "I could manage, but I'll need the best sailors you have, Lord Royce." His pale green eyes then shifted to Aegon, who still sat like a statue. "Is there any chance that you can bring the Braavosi fleet to our aid, your Grace?"

Aegon simply shook his head. "No, both the current Sealord and coming Sealord were adamant that they wouldn't bring Braavos into a foreign war." Tyrion knew how Aegon felt on that point and how it ate him up any time it was brought up, as he considered it his first defeat.

Aurane Waters took the Kings's word for what it was and moved on. "A pity, but I will succeed nonetheless. I will set out for Gulltown whenever you please."

When Aegon didn't see reason to answer, Tyrion took his place. "I think tomorrow will suit our cause just fine. You will have plenty of time to make it to Gulltown and prepare the fleet."

"There is the choice of who will be left in command of the Riverlands while we fight in the Crownlands." Lord Royce raised the next issue before the council without pause, and it was one that had weighed on Tyrion's mind heavily.

"Can the Blackfish not handle it?" Ser Bryce innocently asked the council. When Tyrion looked to the grizzled soldier, he was happy that the man saw fit to pull a glove over his deformity as it was just what Tyrion needed to see that morn to flip his stomach.

Tyrion opened his mouth to answer, but Ser Brynden explained for him. "I won't be able to lead the Riverlands, not while I'm leading troops down south. We'll need someone to step up as regent for my nephew and lead."

"Do you have any suggestions?" Lord Royce asked the assembled group of men.

This was another point of contention that Aegon, the Blackfish, and Tyrion shared. Aegon had thought to give the position to Lord Tytos Blackwood, but Tyrion knew that the Brackens would take it as a slight. The Blackfish had thought to give the position to Lord Jason Mallister, but Tyrion thought their ties were far too strong with Robb Stark's rebellion. In that mind Tyrion thought it best to give it to someone like Clement Piper, who was a man of low ambition that would be eager to please his King and wouldn't have the courage to defy him.

It might go poorly in the end, but Tyrion knew that they couldn't argue here so he left the final choice to Aegon. "That is the King's choice not ours. So have you decided, your Grace?"

Aegon's eyes were drawn from the conversation and when Tyrion looked at the shine in his violet eyes, he almost thought Aegon was sleeping. He wasn't however and he said back in a monotone. "I've decided Lord Piper will be gifted that honor."

Tyrion could not help, but feel pleased with his answer as he gleefully scribbled himself a reminder to write the official decree. "Very good. I'll be sure to inform him of that honor tomorrow morn."

Aurane Waters cleared his throat and spoke up louder then he had spoken all day. "It may be a tad bit personal, but I think we do need to discuss your eligibility, your Grace." When he said it, a small smirk broke on Aegon's emotionless face. Lord Yohn Royce himself had gained a smile too, and Tyrion knew that the man had hoped to make his youngest daughter Lyarra a queen.

"You are a comely man, Aurane, but I must tell you that I'm only interested in woman." His jape seemed to break some of the tension from the air and everyone shared a small chuckle over it. Aegon's voice then returned to it's steely tone. "We've sent word to Dorne, and they sent word back saying that they are sending a diplomat in the form of Princess Arianne Martell. So at the moment she is our first option." Tyrion had to hand it to Aegon, as he certainly was skilled at stressing Tyrion's own stance for him in front of others while adamantly fighting it in private.

Aegon himself still held onto the belief that the Tyrells were still in play for him, though Tyrion had done his best to dissuade him of that long shot. He had also made sure that Arianne Martell was not the only option coming from the south, and he had hoped Aegon would not disapprove too heavily of his tactics. "So I think that rests that matter for now." Tyrion exclaimed and the room seemed to be in agreement, though Bronze Yohn Royce still held a knowing smile. Tyrion had already been informed of a certain letter Yohn had sent back to his home in Runestone, thanks to the maester Vyman. It had detailed his plan of bringing his daughter Lyarra to the Riverlands to meet and seduce Aegon. Tyrion had to hand it to the Lord Royce as he did not seem crafty on the surface, but he certainly had located Aegon's taste in woman perfectly. Though Tyrion wondered how the poor girl's resolve to her father's plan would last after Aegon sung her a song or flashed her a smile.

"I believe we only have one more matter to discuss for today." Tyrion informed the group, and he knew it would be the most interesting topic of the day. "The new Kingsguard." Tyrion knew that Aegon had already promised two positions away, but until the time came Aegon and Tyrion would not disclose them to anyone.

The name of Lothor Brune was thrown out by Ser Bryce Brune, though Tyrion held severe reservations over a man that once served the cretin known as Petyr Baelish. Ser Wallace Waynwood the youngest son of Lady Anya Waynwood was also brought up by Lord Yohn Royce, though both Aegon and Brynden voiced their doubts over his skill at arms. A fair name brought forward was Bryan Lychester, whose grandfather died fighting for the Targaryen's during Robert's Rebellion. Though many questioned if he would even want to join, as he was still only six and ten and not even knighted yet, despite his skill with a sword and lance. In the end nothing was solved or decided, not that Tyrion truly expected it to yield any real results though it did need to be discussed.

With the close of his heavy leather faced tome, Tyrion said to the council. "With that, I think we are finished for today. Unless any of you have personal matters you would like to bring to attention?" Tyrion waited for anyone to speak up and when none did, he exclaimed. "Then we are done. I hope to see you all at supper tonight, my Lords." Tyrion finished with his most pleasant smile.

The King and Tyrion both sat in their chairs unmoving and waited for all the men to shuffle out of the room which they did very slowly, as undoubtedly all of them wanted some private word with Aegon about some desire or boon they wanted. "That seemed like it went well." Aegon murmured while his gaze bore a hole in the meeting hall's table.

"It did." Tyrion admitted before he emptied a cup of wine down his gullet. It was a sweet vintage and it was perfect in his parched throat. "Have you went to visit, Sansa?" Tyrion truly didn't know why he asked as he already knew his answer.

"I haven't." He told Tyrion. Without another word he stood to his feet and paced over to the small balcony overlooking the Trident. "Have you ever had regrets?" He asked out of nowhere, and the question had caught Tyrion off guard.

"Of course I have. Any honest man would tell you the same. It's an unfortunate truth of the world, but it befalls all men; small or large." Tyrion remembered Marwyn's advice of giving Aegon an ear to unload his problems and complaints on, so he encouraged him. "If you need someone to talk to, you know I'm always here for you don't you?"

Aegon had tensed up at that moment and Tyrion wondered if it was the wound he had suffered on his back from when he infiltrated the Twins. Maester Vyman had assured Tyrion that it would heal and it wouldn't hamper Aegon at all, but Tyrion had his doubts sometimes. "Thank you." It was small and carried as well as a whisper would. "I admit everything seems so overwhelming to me at times. And it seems like every step I take towards the throne, the more I see people suffer that shouldn't have ever had to."

"That's the tragedy of war. I know you feel these things harder than you should, but you need to learn to move past them. No King can be perfect, and sometimes you'll make the wrong decision and then look back and wonder why you chose that route. While other times you might do something on a whim and one day it will prove the best thing you've ever done."

Aegon's still displayed signs of frustration, but Tyrion was happy he was drawing him out of himself. "I'm supposed to be the King, and I can never lose my composure. But it seems like the weight of the Kingdom is always on my shoulders at every waking moment. How am I supposed to hide it and act like it doesn't faze me?"

"By letting others in. You don't need to hold the burden yourself, that's why you have a small council, Egg." Tyrion didn't know why he slipped and used that name for his King, but Aegon didn't seem to either notice or care.

"But a King is supposed to be the father of the land, I have to set an example of strength." He said back in a more hurried voice.

"You are, but you have time to learn your way. No King was ever perfect and you can't hold yourself to that impossible standard. It's not good for your sanity."

"What do you mean by that?" Aegon asked as he turned and looked at Tyrion over his shoulder.

"By what? I was just telling you not to hold yourself to these standards or it will tire and fatigue you." When Tyrion explained what he meant further, Aegon's hostility seemed to fade away and was replaced with his emotionless facade he wore of late when in private.

"Oh." Aegon exclaimed and then he turned from Tyrion towards the door, but before he left he stopped and asked in a small voice. "We're friends ... aren't we?"

That took Tyrion off his guard even further, as he had never thought about it himself. "Yes, I think we are." Tyrion didn't know truly know as the only one he thought to call his friend was a sellsword, who had abandoned him in his moment of utmost need.

It seemed to hurt Aegon, like Tyrion had slapped him and he did not know why. "I thought so."

Aegon moved to leave the room, but Tyrion knew he could not let it hang between them any longer. "Thank you, for sparing Jaime's life. You had no reason to, but you did and for that I'm in your debt ... for the second time it seems." Tyrion chuckled out, though he did feel happy enough to tear up.

"We're even, my friend. Trust me in that." Aegon said with finality and then he left the room without another word.

Tyrion could hear Edric through the door bounding off after Aegon like the dutiful squire he was. He sometimes found it amusing in a twisted sort of way that a child of Robert Baratheon would look up to Rhaegar's son like a hero. Edric however was growing bigger and stronger everyday, and he had already grown out of his squire wear, so Aegon had payed for a real suit of mail and leather for him just the other day. It had a tunic that went over the mail and it was coal black colored with a gold stag embroidered on the chest. He had wanted to train with a warhammer, but Brynden who had taken over his training had told him that he would need to learn his swordplay first.

He sat at the empty table for a while longer and in that time he finished off the rest of the flagon of wine, and Tyrion knew that he had to go visit Sansa today. After leaving the room, he saw his squire Bryce Cave leaning against a carved corner post. "Have a nice rest?" Tyrion asked him as Bryce rolled his eyes at the sight of his guardian.

"No, M'lord." He exclaimed back in a bored tone.

Tyrion chuckled and started walking towards the maester's rooms. "First to arrive and the last to leave, thats what you have to look forward to with me, Bryce." The tall boy followed a noticeable distance behind him, but his foot steps echoed off the stone floor loudly. "While I can't promise you the thrill of battle. I can promise that you will be handsomely rewarded in gold, and I can assure you that you'll find a knighthood when your squirehood with me is done. If you serve me well, I'll even make sure the King himself knights you." That proposition seemed to peak Bryce's interest greatly, as Tyrion heard his footsteps pick up to follow close behind.

They had passed by several servants who were working on the castle, some were hanging dragon and fish banners while others were scrubbing floors and walls. It brought memories of all the bodies in the Great Hall, all that blood and horror. He had Daven and his aunt sent to Casterly Rock to be buried in their crypt the Hall of Heroes. Jaime didn't have any words when Tyrion told him what happened, though Jaime didn't talk very much of late.

When they arrived outside of the maester's chambers, Tyrion saw a behemoth of a woman standing in front of the door. "Lady Brienne," Tyrion addressed her politely. She had become a usual sight of late, as she always followed after Sansa like a lost puppy, though a rather large puppy in truth, "Is Lady Stark in?"

Lady Brienne gave Tyrion an offhanded glance. "She is." To Tyrion's discomfort, she continued to block the door. "The maester just left."

"I'm actually here to see, Sansa." Tyrion saw a flicker if disapproval in the woman's eyes though it confused him why all still gained it when he visited Sansa. It had been crushing news that affected Tyrion much harder then it should have, and after he felt even worse for caring about it. When Aegon returned from the Vale he had informed Tyrion of Petyr Baelish's last vile act, which was an annulment to his marriage to Sansa on the grounds on non consummation. Aegon had offered to re-broker the marriage for Tyrion if he desired so, but he couldn't bring himself to force Sansa into a loveless marriage again. Though based on the stares he received from the Hangwoman once known as Catelyn Stark, he couldn't even imagine what would have happened if he took up Aegon's offer. "Care to let me pass?"

She did as he asked, but it was without any great haste. Lady Brienne also made sure to touch the sword on her hip, to prove her point that she did not like him one bit. "Your squire can stay outside."

"You are aware, Lady Brienne, that I'm the Hand of the King correct?" Tyrion had to hear what Brienne of Tarth had to say to that.

The huge woman bit the inside of her cheek like she had tasted something foul. "That may be so, but I don't serve your King."

Tyrion let loose a slight chuckle of amusement at her stupidity and bravery in being so honest and passed by her into the maester's room. After closing the door behind him, he spotted a small feather bed that contained a large sandy haired man who looked to be sleeping. Next to the bed sitting in a straight backed wooden chair, was the beautiful vision that was once his lady wife. When they had first arrived at Riverrun, her auburn hair had been dyed black to match Petyr Baelish's just like Aegon had said it was, but now the dye had been washed out and she looked even more perfect then he remembered. Her breasts had swelled and her hips had grown wider and he wasn't sure what it was, but she seemed to walk with a confidence that he had never seen on her before. It pained him in a dull way, but when he saw her and Harrold Arryn together, Sansa's face always lit up in joy.

"How does he fare?" Tyrion asked as he walked near.

Sansa didn't seem to notice him as she slightly jumped at the sound of his voice. "Hello, Lord Tyrion." Sansa exclaimed as she got to her feet and curtsied before him. "He was in some pain, so the maester gave him milk of the poppy."

From what Tyrion had heard, Harrold Arryn had been wounded in the battle when Aegon stuck his dagger in his belly. It had been a clean wound though and a maester with the army did not think that it would have any problems healing. But on the trip to Riverrun it got infected and he almost died of a fever. It was infected and green when he arrived at the castle and maester Vyman did not think he could be saved, but the new Lord of the Vale had hung on. Three days past, maester Vyman said that the worst of it had passed and he would live, though the scar would haunt and be a reminder to him for the rest life. Tyrion knew in truth that the Lord Arryn had Archmaester Marwyn to thank for his life, as he had been the one who taught Aegon where and where not to stab.

A likely rumor that had flown around the castle from the mouths of servants and squires, was that Harrold and Sansa would be married any time now that she was free to do her own will. When Tyrion saw how she looked at the man, he knew that she loved him. Though he did worry about Harry's known inclinations of whoring he knew that it was not his business any longer because Sansa was no longer his.

"It's good he is recovering. I hope to see him walking around on his own two feet soon." When Tyrion said it she seemed happy and most likely was smiling at the thought.

Sansa rubbed Harrold's hand while he slept, while looking at Tyrion and exclaimed. "I heard you allowed the annulment of our marriage."

"It wasn't truly my choice, that is a septon's power not mine I fear."

"Thank you." She said in a small and truly thankful voice that reaffirmed Tyrion that he did the right thing. "I'll see that we name a child after you."

Tyrion chuckled at the thought of a Lord Tyrion Arryn and shook his head at that proposition. "You wouldn't be so cruel as to name a child after a man such as me, Lady Stark. Better to name him after some brave hero or relative then after your former husband."

Sansa's eyes didn't seem to be deterred from the idea however. "I was just as surprised as you were when I heard of the annulment. Petyr had talked about doing it if for so long, but he never told me when he did it." A brief tinge of a smile threatened the corners of her mouth that Tyrion could barely notice. "I'm happy he's dead you know? He was a monster just like Joffrey was. A different kind mayhaps, but a monster is still a monster all the same. They may be hard to see, but after you see the true face of one, no one can hide the monster they really are inside." Sansa's bright blue eyes stared Tyrion down and he felt his stomach flutter when she did. "Your King is the same way."

I can assure you he's just as scared of you as you are of him. Tyrion had wanted to say, but instead he shot back. "He saved you, spared Harrold, and he seeks to bring justice to all those who've wronged you. And yet you call him a monster? You've never been one to hold a grudge, especially over something so trivial as only wounding Harrold."

Tyrion saw her eyes light up in anger and he thought she would snap at him, but she contained herself at the last moment. "You don't know me, Lord Tyrion. You were always kind to me, but you never truly understood me and I won't fault you for that. But don't presume to judge me, you don't have that right. Now if you would please, I'd like to be alone with Harry."

"As you wish." Tyrion exclaimed rather bluntly, he did not want his voice to betray his true feelings, but that failed spectacularly. "I wish you all the luck in the world, you deserve all the happiness you can find after everything you've been through." Without another word shared between the two, Tyrion left the maester's chambers and paced off to anywhere that was not where he was now. Bryce followed closely behind and could tell Tyrion did not want a conversation so he remained silent.

He knew Jaime would be in his chambers, and he did not feel like looking at his brother's face so he went to somewhere he wouldn't find anyone. "Bring me some parchment, ink, quills, and some wine to the Godswood." He did not care for the faith of the Old Gods, but it was a place to be private with his thoughts and it was an oddly warm day so he decided to enjoy it for as long as he could.

It had been quite the charming location Tyrion thought as he found a shaded seat under a tall redwood. It even had a good view of the slender weirwood which sat a few yards away. After his squire returned with Tyrion's goods, he was sent away to go practice his swordplay. He had several letters he had to write; one was to be sent to Jon Stark demanding that he abdicate to his sister Sansa. Another was royal declaration that for as long as the Brotherhood obeys his laws and does not take justice into their own hands then they will be tasked with handing out foodstuffs to villages in need and act as representatives for the smallfolk. The Hangwoman was rather furious when she learned of Lord Eddard Stark's bastard taking Winterfell, but she stayed for Sansa. It had not been visibly apparent at first glance that Sansa was frightened by the husk of her mother, but she was. Yet the Hangwoman still persisted in being near her, though she either did not seem to know or care that Sansa was afraid of her.

Tyrion had also written a letter to the Twins, telling them that Roslin Frey was now in their care and she would not be returned until her pregnancy was over. He in truth doubted that she would ever return, because Aegon certainly would not let her take Edmure's heir away and she herself would not want to leave the child behind. Aegon and the Brotherhood had also come back to Riverrun with the King of the North. His bones were collected in a trunk and his mother always kept them close at hand he was told. Lord Marq Piper had also been broken from captivity and his father was more than overjoyed and in Aegon's debt for that. The Greatjon Umber had departed for the North shortly after they had escaped the Twins and he had apparently swore to Aegon that it would never be forgotten. In response Aegon had given the giant of a man a simple letter. Tyrion himself wondered what it read, and wondered more so if the Greatjon could read it.

He had been sitting under the tree working until the sun started to dip in the sky, after looking and listening he heard several laughs and chuckles and he knew that supper was about to start. "I'll just have to finish this letter after supper." He exclaimed to himself as he pushed himself off the trunk of the tree and up to his feet.

"It's not prudent to lay work off to later times, Tyrion." Advised a wizened voice that Tyrion hadn't heard in a good long while. He could not help but smile as he turned to look at the source of the voice, which belonged to an ox of an Archmaester. "So tell me, hows my Egg?" Marwyn asked.