Game of Thrones: A Wolf Comes Home
Chapter 37 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
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Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Tyrion
'A council meeting, now, is it not still the middle of the night.' Tyrion thought darkly as he walked to the Small Council chambers.
It was indeed dark out, the only light coming from a few flickering torches. He shook his head; he had been sleeping, comfortably for a change. Then next thing he knew there was knocking at his door and he found he was being summoned to an urgent Small Council meeting. He had hurriedly got dressed and was now, irritably, hurrying to the meeting room.
He growled in frustration, thinking to himself. 'What is so urgent it cannot wait until the morning?'
He had almost reached the chambers when he found himself accosted by Varys.
"Ah, Lord Tyrion there you are." He remarked casually, as if the meeting was a coincidence.
Tyrion frowned. "Please, spare me the parlour tricks Varys, it is too early in the morning and I'm not in the mood."
Varys merely smiled. "As you wish my Lord; I must warn you, what you're about to hear will not improve your mood. Things are rather…grim."
"Yet you know of it already?"
"But of course." The Eunuch replied calmly. "It was I who informed Lord Tywin of the information…Before you start barking, it was his decision to hold this early council."
Tyrion shook his head. "Seven hells, do either you or my father sleep?"
Varys' only reply was to smile and head towards the chambers with Tyrion in tow. Glancing over his shoulder Tyrion saw Littlefinger, Pycelle and Cersei also approaching.
Soon they all entered and took their seats. Tywin sat at the head of the table, looking grimmer than usual, it was clear he wasn't any happier about the news than Varys predicted any of them would be. Noting everyone was present Tywin began.
"It would seem we've had some, unfortunate setbacks." He remarked. "It would seem that our efforts to reclaim the Riverlands are being blocked, their defences are stronger than anticipated. But that pales in comparison to the situation in the North."
Cersei shook her head. "We discussed this before father; we made our choices, the Boltons have things under control, I already have a raven from them. Ramsay in particular is satisfied; he has the real Arya Stark now and…"
Tywin cut across her. "Your information is out of date Cersei; Varys' spies have confirmed my worst fears. The Ironborn in the North have been routed and the Bolton's are dead, Dreadfort has been put to the torch."
There was stunned silence around the table; they knew all too well what this news meant. Pycelle shook his head mournfully.
"Then we have lost the North, it is back in Stark hands and..."
Tywin spoke curtly. "We cannot allow this to continue, Robb Stark continues to sow rebellion against us. We have control of most of the Seven Kingdoms, we need to isolate them."
Tyrion shook his head, speaking up. "They are technically isolated, but there still the danger of them gaining a new ally, the Vale."
There was silence again after that, despite their thoughts about him, he could see they knew he was right.
Tyrion observed each of the people at the table, waiting for the first reaction. It came from his father who turned to Littlefinger.
"You will accelerate your plans Lord Baelish." He said firmly. "Be prepared to leave by midday, today."
Littlefinger nodded. "Yes My Lord, I shall prepare at once. Well, this changes the game slightly."
Varys shook his head. "Even if we prevent the Arryns supporting the north; we still face troubles surely."
"Stannis." Cersei spat. "He's still going to cause us trouble. Those Iron Islanders might decide to change targets and attack us instead."
"Stannis won't actually be a problem; we've just received word from Dragonstone that he is dead." Varys remarked.
Tywin shook his head. "That news is not as welcome as it seems. With Stannis around his wife and her priestess were under control, now they have free reign, Dragonstone is still a threat and must be watched carefully. As for the Iron Islanders; it will take them time to recover from their recent defeats. Enough time for us to attend to our sea defences and ensure they cannot attack without being crippled in the process."
"There is another issue father." Cersei remarked. "Closer to home, we…"
Tywin glared at her. "If I have to listen to your constant grievances against the Tyrells once more, I shall be forced to have you removed to Casterly Rock."
Cersei froze at that, glaring, but it was clear she had no comeback.
Tyrion sighed as he headed back to his chambers. The council meeting was finally over and he noted that the sun was rising. Tyrion pondered briefly; Cersei's thoughts on the Tyrells were poorly motivated, simply being driven by jealousy. But she did have one point, they were planning something. Tywin knew it too, but he let it continue, they still needed them as allies after all.
'My father is no fool; he'll have devised some subtle way to put a stop to them.' He pondered quietly. 'That should also be enough to convince them that their plots are futile.'
Despite thinking it, he had little hope that it was the case. These were just more moves in the game and new ones would come along. Finally he returned and was surprised to find Bronn and Podrick waiting for him.
"My Lord, there you are." Pod remarked. "We found you were gone so we…"
Tyrion shook his head. "I was at a council meeting Pod; nothing to worry about."
Bronn smirked and shook his head. "Oh yeah, then why are you so worried; something bad happen?"
Tyrion sighed and shrugged.
"Depends on your perspective I guess."
He sat down at the table and began to explain to them what had transpired.
When he finished he shook his head.
"So there you have it; here we are, beset by enemies on all sides. While Robb Stark has taken back the north and now sits in Winterfell." He remarked. "He'll likely already be rebuilding, happily surrounded by his loving family, now that they're all cheerfully reunited."
Bronn laughed. "You're on form with the sarcasm today I see."
Tyrion shook his head. "This is no joke Bronn. No matter what my father has planned; we better be prepared. Prepared for the worst, war is going to claim us soon."
He paused and then added. "It would seem the Starks are about to proven right too. For not only do we face war, but it is coming too; Winter will be upon us soon."
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.