Chapter 53: The Best Laid Plans
It was definitely getting colder. As the Starks said, Winter was Coming. Winter certainly had come for them though, losing Winterfell to the Ironborn that would be a blow that Robb Stark could never recover from. Tyrion cleared that thought from his mind and instead spoke. "I have been receiving letters from Sunspear, I believe that Prince Doran is ready to agree to at least a betrothal between Princess Myrcella and his son Prince Trystane." There was a brief pause as he allowed that to settle in with the council, then he continued. "Prince Doran has agreed to allow Prince Trystane to come to court, but he will be bringing his uncle Prince Oberyn and a large Dornish contingent to court with him."
Cersei spoke then. "That is likely to exaggerate tensions then."
"Indeed, though Prince Doran has promised me that his brother will be on his best behaviour." Tyrion said.
Cersei laughed. "Do you really believe that? Prince Oberyn issued a declaration after the rebellion stating he would not rest until Ser Gregor and Ser Armory were both dead. And you know Father would never give them up."
"Yet Father is not here, he is in the Riverlands playing cat and mouse with Robb Stark." Tyrion said. "It will be fine." He hoped it would anyway.
The King cleared his throat and they all looked at him. King Joffrey had grown bigger and wider in the past few months, looking more like a bull than anything else. "Why is Myrcella marrying a Dornish Prince?" The King asked. "Did you propose a marriage between myself and Princess Arianne?"
"I did, Your Majesty." Tyrion replied. "Indeed it was one of the first proposals I put forward. However, Prince Doran was not willing to agree to it if his daughter had to let go of her rights to Dorne."
"I would not have cared about that." The King said. "Having a child inherit Dorne would have been a great blessing."
"The child would have had take the Martell name and be raised in Sunspear." Tyrion replied.
The King sighed. "And I suppose Doran Martell did not want his heiress being here."
"Indeed not." Tyrion said.
"Very well, when will the Dornish come here?" The King asked.
"By the end of moon, assuming of course that Stannis does not move from Storm's End or is defeated." Tyrion said, which given those who were going with Renly, he thought might well be likely.
"And where is Lord Tywin?" the King asked.
"He is still in Harrenhal, Sire." Tyrion said.
The King's impatience showed then, he banged a fist on the table. "Why? Why does he continue on insisting on this stupid game? Stark is in the Westerlands burning through villages and crops. He should either march and defeat the boy now, or he should come to King's Landing. The north has fallen to the Ironborn, Stark will have to return there to hold onto his petty little crown."
Tyrion had no answer to that, and so was relieved when Ser Barristan Selmy spoke. "Sire, Lord Tywin is waiting to see what Robb Stark is doing. In my view at least."
"How so?" The King asked.
"Stark is raiding through the Westerlands, he has taken Ashemark, he defeated a Lannister host at Golden Tooth, he defeated a host at the Crag and took that castle. His men have burned and raised around Crakehall. He is likely trying to tempt Lord Tywin into thinking he is going for Casterly Rock. Lord Tywin will no doubt be waiting to see if such a thing is actually going to happen. This is especially relevant given that the Ironborn are not allied with Stark, for I am sure that had they actually allied with him, the Rock would be under severe threat right now."
"So, he's simply waiting?" The King asked.
"Yes, that would be my answer and the strategy I would use also." Ser Barristan replied.
The King looked a cross between angry and tired. "Very well." There was a brief pause then the King asked. "And what of this Gendry Waters, where is he?"
"Sire," that was the eunuch speaking. "He is in the Vale, being treated as a King by the Lords of the Vale, or at least the Lords Declarant as they have taken to calling themselves."
"Lords Declarant?" Tyrion asked.
"Oh yes, the Vale is split, between those who want to declare for Gendry Waters and sit him on the Iron Throne and those who want nothing to do with the war." The eunuch said. "Lady Lysa leads that latter group."
"Oh, how very juicy." Tyrion said looking at Baelish. That man had kept a low profile since Ned Stark's death and Tyrion suspected he knew why.
The King looked at Baelish then. "You are friends with Lady Lysa are you not?"
"I am, Sire." Baelish said.
"Then we want you to go to the Eyrie. Remind the woman of where she owes her allegiance, and if you can bring me Gendry Waters head." The King commanded.
"Of course, Sire. When do you wish for me to leave?" Baelish asked.
"As soon as you are able." The King replied. "We do not want any delays on this matter. We must bring the Vale in before they ever have the chance to ally with the north."
"As you command, Sire." Baelish said bowing his head.
There was a pause for a moment, and then the door opened. Jaime came hurtling in, bearing a letter in his hand, but instead of passing the letter as was protocol he instead said. "Word from Storm's End. Renly is dead, murdered by Stannis. Stannis is marching for the capital."
Tyrion stood up then and asked. "How do you know?"
"A letter from Ser Loras. There was a confrontation and then at night before battle, Renly was slain." Jaime said.
"Shit." Tyrion said to himself.
