Tyrion
Tyrion sat in his solar, rolling and unrolling the message. Much and more had happened in the weeks following the destruction of King's Landing. It was still too painful to think about Lannisport...about his nuncle's death. He tried to turn his attention to other matters.
Dragon or bastard, the King in Storm's End is plainly a fool. His attempts to nullify my marriage are toothless so long as he lacks the support of the High Septon. Even so, the news that Lady Sansa was a hostage at Storm's End – under protective custody, according to the boy King of the Stormlands – had been a most unwelcome surprise. I should have had the bloody Spider thrown into the sea when I had the chance. Worse yet, Princess Myrcella had been sent to Storm's End once the Martells declared for Aegon. He re-read the message from Lannisport.
Ser Daven had managed to drive the Iron Born from the charred ruins of the city, but the Lord of Casterly Rock found that the victory left a bitter taste in his mouth. It will not bring Kevan back. He's dead because I sent him away. I never meant for any harm to come to him, but men will say that I have near as much of my nuncle's blood on my hands as the bloody Iron Born, Others take them. If my sweet sister were still alive, I imagine she'd ask why I couldn't have been content with killing our mother, Tyrion thought to himself bitterly as he tossed the parchment into the fire. He watched it crinkle and turn to ash.
He could at least take comfort in the knowledge that Aegon Targaryen and his allies had been dealt a crippling blow not long ago. Daenarys Targaryen – or someone claiming to be her – had somehow caught Dorne by surprise, captured Sunspear, and taken every member of House Martell hostage, save for Trystane and Arianne who were fortunate enough to be in Storm's End. At this rate, Rhaegar Targaryen should turn up any day. I suppose it's not worst thing that could have happened. For the moment, it would seem that the dragons are too busy ripping out each other's throats to turn their attention to the Westerlands. And yet if there really were dragons in Sunspear... No, it's not possible, he decided. There was a knock at the door and Tyrion turned to see Jaime entering the room.
"Must we go through this again, dear brother? I'm quite certain I have your arguments memorized by now," said Tyrion.
"It is bad enough that you refuse to fight for his claim," Jaime replied. I can understand your reasons for that, at least, but –"
"His claim? You of all people should not be speaking about Tommen's claim to the Iron Throne. Seven Hells, Jaime, fight with what? We don't even have anywhere near half the men we had before your first son was crowned."
"Careful, brother. I may be the only member of our family who ever cared for you, but be careful. And I said that I could understand why you won't fight for his claim. What don't understand is why you would consent to giving Tommen and Myrcella the surname Waters. How can you abandon them like that? You would strip them of all lands, titles, and incomes."
"I'm trying to save them," Tyrion snapped. "You know as well as I do that Stannis is willing to make peace with our House so long as we declare for him. And you also know that he demanded that they either be executed or formally acknowledged as bastards with no claim to the Iron Throne. So long as they remain Baratheons, they will both lose their heads...and we will too, most like. They will still be provided for and live in Casterly Rock with every comfort imaginable. And it will mean one less King trying to burn every member of our House. I won't have any more Lannisters die for their parent's mistakes."
"It was not that simple. Cersei and I didn't have any choice. You can't choose...I...we didn't know..."
"You always have a choice. And Cersei knew exactly what she was doing, even if you didn't realize what she was."
"Father died trying to build..."
"If one more person tells me that I need to remember all that father did for House Lannister and that nothing matters except for protecting his legacy, I'm like to go mad. Father die for our House and he it wasn't poisoned wine that killed him. It was his pride and arrogance. I made that mistake once and it got our nuncle killed. I will not make it again, and neither will you. Not when Tommen and Myrcella's lives are at stake. I already sent Stannis my reply earlier today, so there is no reason to continue discussing the matter. It is done, Jaime.
Oh and one other thing, dear brother. Lest you require any further proof that I am acting with Tommen and Myrcella's best interests at heart, I suppose I should tell you that I have a plan to get my beloved niece back to Casterly Rock."