What's this… a second update in the same month? How unheard of for this story! In all seriousness though this pandemic has given lots of us a lot more time on our hands, so I hope you can all settle down and forget about the panic in the real world for a few minutes at the very least while we dive into Westeros, with the post non-lethal Purple Wedding.

I own nothing recognisable from A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. That all belongs to people with far more money than I have.


The morning after the wedding Tyland left his bed early. Sansa had still been asleep and so he was quiet getting dressed so as not to wake his wife, and he directed one of the serving boys to have some breakfast delivered to his offices. Before he went there however, he made his way over towards the Small Council chambers ready to have a discussion about the King. As he began to ascend the stairs he could already hear voices being raised, and he wasn't surprised to see Tyrion and Tywin staring each other down. "Is this a bad time?" Tyland asked dryly.

"I wish to be absolved of my duties and be sent home." Tyrion said through clenched teeth. "Father here disagrees."

Tywin glared down at Tyrion. "You are the King's new Master of Coin. Your place is here."

"Fuck the King!" Tyrion roared, and Tyland winced. "After yesterday why in the name of the Seven would I want to stay here and lick his boots?"

Tywin's knuckles were growing whiter. "Thankfully you said that in my presence, and I shall forget that." He said coldly. "Now go and do your job and work out how much this has cost us."

Tyrion scoffed, and was about to say something but stopped himself, before changing his mind and saying something else. "And what if I resign?"

"If you resign." Tywin said coldly. "Then I shall rush through your wedding with Shireen Baratheon. You shall be wedded, and forcefully bedded if needs be, before being shipped off to Storm's End and held there under guard until you beget a son on her."

Tyrion's nostrils flared in rage. "You will not force me to rape another woman."

Tywin was equally as angry, rage showing in his eyes as he stared down at his youngest son. "If I have to, I shall."

Tyland knew he had to get in the middle of it. "That's enough." He said firmly. He turned to Tyrion. "Go on, we do need to know the cost of yesterday."

"Tyland…" Tyrion began.

"I will handle it." Tyland said firmly. "Now go."

Tyrion clenched his teeth before nodding and storming out of the room angrily. Tyland sighed through his nostrils loudly and poured himself a drink. Tywin looked at him unhappily. "I meant it."

"He will do his duty." Tyland said strongly. "But I must admit, I am not comfortable at serving Joffrey either, not after yesterday."

If Tywin could laugh, he would have snorted. "Do you really think that you will all be serving Joffrey?" He asked, an eyebrow raised. "His Grace will be far too busy with his new wife for the time being, while I run his kingdom for him. After that, he will find a new hobby that keeps him well away from the actual governance."

Tyland nodded. "He won't like that."

Tywin clenched his teeth. "I've acted against the wants of my family in favour of the good of the House all my life, I will continue to do so for a spoiled child King." Tyland didn't know what to say to that, taking a sip instead. Tywin noticed and sat down heavily in his chair, lounging in it a bit. "I served Aerys for 20 years despite being spited at every turn. Joffrey will be my last challenge. I don't expect to see Casterly Rock again before I die, and I don't expect Joffrey to miraculously turn into a good King. You will follow me as both Lord of Casterly Rock and as Hand of the King, and soon it will be your job to ensure he doesn't incite another civil war."

"I can't wait." Tyland said dryly.

Tywin glared. "Mock it all you want, but the Tyrell's will look to sink their thorns into Joffrey and change him for their own. It is our job to see that the interests of House Lannister come above all else, do you understand me?"

Tyland was amused. "I'm almost 40 years of age, Father. You've given me enough lectures on leadership to know this by now."

"And yet you're still weak for the dwarf." Tywin said coldly. "He is a stain on us."

Tyland shook his head. "He is more than capable, you just need to view him on his merits rather than what he cost us."

"Your Mother…"

"Would hate to see how you treat him." Tyland said firmly. "He was but a babe, Father. He isn't at fault."

Tywin clenched his jaw again. "Your soft spot for the dwarf blinds you." He muttered. "There will be a Small Council meeting at noon, come back then."

Tyland bowed. "Father." He said before he turned and walked away, his stomach beginning to let him know that it was time for his breakfast.


The rest of his morning before the Small Council meeting was spent going over reports from the Commander of the Gold Cloaks, Addam Marbrand. The Westerman had already begun intensive training and the results were starting to show, as crime lessened in the city around the Street of Silk and the Street of Steel. Fleabottom was a separate entity however, although it was one that Tyland was determined to crack.

His next task was to introduce some form of law against monopolies of what could be classed as essential businesses. With Baelish having been sent away in order to bring Lysa Tully back into the fold and the irregularities into the loans he had been mounting up, Tywin had ordered him to strip the man of anything to lessen his supposed power.

He was interrupted around an hour before the Small Council meeting however with a knock at his office door. "The Princess Myrcella to see you My Lord."

"Send her in." Tyland said, stacking up his papers and going to pour some waters. When he turned around he saw the Princess in a thin orange dress that was fairly revealing for the 13-year-olds young body. "Princess, wouldn't you be comfortable in something… warmer?"

Myrcella chuckled. "This is considered decent in Dorne, Uncle."

"We aren't in Dorne anymore." He murmured, handing her a drink.

"Thank you." She replied brightly. "I didn't see you much yesterday."

Tyland shook his head. "After the feast, my wife wished to depart quickly." He said carefully.

Myrcella scowled. "I think we all did." She muttered. "How can Joff be so… so cruel?"

Tyland placed a finger to his lips. "Careful Princess, even here." He said quietly.

"Is it bad that I don't care?" The young girl stated plainly. "The way he bullied Uncle Tyrion…"

"He is the King." Tyland said quickly.

Myrcella looked at Tyland as if he was stupid. "A King shouldn't act that way towards his family, not when we have only just come out of a war. The way he's going…" She trailed off. "I've heard the stories of Mad Aerys."

Tyland sat up straighter. "It won't come to that, Princess."

"You can't know that." Myrcella said bluntly. "You were alive under the Mad King, was he always that bad?"

"I was 4 years of age when I left King's Landing for the last time before the war." Tyland told her.

"But surely you knew what was happening?" Myrcella had a knowing smirk on her face.

Tyland chuckled lightly. "I had letters, the Mad King was certainly erratic from the start, but never overtly cruel."

"So this is worse." Myrcella said quietly. "How can you stand it?"

Tyland stood up, collecting his papers from the desk and finishing his drink. "We do our duty." He said plainly. "Yours is to wed Prince Trystane when you come of age, and mine is to act as the Master of Laws to keep the realm in a good shape." Myrcella snorted in amusement as she stood up too, and Tyland walked to the door to hold it open for her. "Have a good day, Princess."

"I can read you better than you think, Uncle." She grinned, before she remembered the main reason why she had come to see him. "Oh, can I visit with Sansa today? She was always kind to me."

Tyland nodded. "Of course, I believe she is visiting the Godswood this morning."

Myrcella beamed and hugged Tyland, who bemusedly stood in place. "Thank you!" She cried before skipping away, Ser Arys Oakheart following her as fast as he could. Tyland just stood in bewilderment, thinking on how such a bubbly and positive child could slip out from between Cersei's legs.


The Godswood was the only peaceful place in the entire city, Sansa had decided. She was always glad to get away from the stares and the whispers that followed her in the Red Keep, and the sanctuary of the Old Gods, even without a Heart Tree, gave the Stark some respite from it all. She was once again with her fellow Northerner Mira Forrester, and the two had sat on the stone wall facing away from the Blackwater.

"I got a letter from Ironrath today." Mira stated. "Apparently the Whitehills are putting pressure on my family. My Mother… she isn't sure how they can survive."

Sansa felt for the girl. "I remember my Father ranting about the actions of Lord Whitehill when the drama with your brother and his daughter was at its peak." She reminisced.

Mira smiled sadly. "I shouldn't be grateful that Asher was exiled, but if he hadn't been, I would likely only have Ryon."

Sansa was confused. "Did Ethan go South too?"

Mira had a tear fall from her eye. "No… he offended the Bolton bastard over something and…" She sobbed. Sansa put an arm around her, knowing the reputation of Ramsay Snow.

"I will have a word with Lord Tyland." Sansa insisted. "You are my friend, and House Forrester has always been loyal to the Starks. I will see to it that he protects you."

Mira shook her head. "I couldn't ask that of you…" She trailed off.

"You aren't." Sansa smiled. "I insist, Mira. Without you then my time here would be unbearable."

Mira smiled, her cheeks glistening in the sun from the tears. "Thank you, Lady Sansa. That means a lot."

Sansa smiled, pulling the girl close and hugging her from the side, before she noticed the golden armour of the Kingsguard shining at the bottom of the stone steps. "Please not today." She whispered, expecting Joffrey. Thankfully, she saw the long golden hair of Myrcella instead and stood up quickly. "Princess." Sansa said brightly, ignoring the slight dizziness that she felt.

"Lady Sansa." Myrcella beamed. "And I don't know your companion."

Mira stood up too and curtseyed. "Mira Forrester, Princess. I'm handmaiden to Lady Margaery."

"Forrester, I don't know that name." Myrcella admitted.

"It's…" Mira trailed off. "It's Northern, Princess."

Myrcella nodded knowingly. "Ah, so you both knew one another?"

"Not particularly." Sansa said, the dizziness not disappearing. "We…"

Her legs gave way as Sansa collapsed to the floor. She heard Mira scream her name and Myrcella cry to Ser Arys to fetch a Maester, but a split second after she felt her back hit the grass beneath her Sansa lost consciousness.


Tyland knew that he was early for the Small Council meeting, but he walked up the steps of the Tower of the Hand anyway, knowing that it was better to get there early if he could. As he grew closer to the room however he heard voices being raised and groaned when he recognised one of them. He opened the door and saw Cersei pointing accusingly at the Hand of the King.

"He won't answer to you." Cersei scowled.

Tywin just glared back. "He will do as he is told, or sooner, rather than later, he may find out that not many people will appease a tyrant for too long."

Cersei was aghast. "Are you threatening your King?"

"No." Tywin said coldly. "I am educating my daughter. Reign him in, or I will." He sat back down at his desk. "Leave."

Cersei looked to argue, but instead she just scoffed and swept around dramatically, not even stopping as she passed Tyland in the doorway. The Master of Laws strode towards the stressed Lord of Casterly Rock and remarked. "That looked intense."

"She forgets her place." Tywin remarked bluntly. "She wants Tyrion arrested for disobeying his King more than Joffrey to be disciplined."

Tyland rolled his eyes. "She's blinded by the boy."

Tywin looked up at Tyland, amused after their words earlier. "Perhaps, but no matter what she thinks, he will be calmed. I'm thinking we start with a daily pinch of sweetsleep, to keep him docile."

Tyland raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Drug our King? That's treasonous talk." He joked dryly.

Tywin just stood up and began making his way to the Small Council table. "I'm open to more suggestions."

"On the contrary, I think it's a wonderful idea." Tyland admitted. "Of course there will be those who suspect something."

"Let them. The lion does not concern himself with the opinion of the sheep." Tywin explained, sitting down in his chair.

Tyland nodded, having heard the phrase a thousand times before. "Yet we should concern ourselves with the Dornish. Prince Oberyn was not very subtle yesterday."

"They should be happy with a royal match." Tywin grumbled. "I'm sure we can find a space for Prince Doran on the Small Council, I shall approach Oberyn myself."

"Take care." Tyland warned. "Prince Doran is no fool, Oberyn was sent here for a reason."

Tywin nodded. "He is angry at the death of a girl 20 years ago, let him simmer. Lord Payne is also angry at us." He threw a raven message down on the table. Tyland picked it up and read the angry words. "As is Lord Frey."

"Does Loren know?" Tyland asked, reading them both.

Tywin nodded. "He has a plan for them both. It's a good one." He threw another letter down on the table. Tyland read it and nodded. "He is a credit to you."

"He's impulsive." Tyland countered.

"We all were as youths." Tywin remarked. "No matter, he shall bring Lord Payne back into the fold and the West shall be at peace."

Tyland nodded, and at that moment both Grand Maester Pycelle and Varys entered the chamber, closely followed by Mace Tyrell. "Lord Tyrion sends his apologies." The Lord of Highgarden announced. "But he is predisposed with the costs of the wedding. He sends his regards."

Tyland knew the real reason that Tyrion wasn't there was likely to do with his Father, but he said nothing while Tywin digested that information. "Very well, let us get started in the meantime…"

He was interrupted as one of Cersei's handmaidens entered the room. Tyland saw Tywin grow angry and spoke first. "This is a Small Council meeting girl, you shouldn't be here."

"Apologies, My Lords." The woman said. "Only… there's been an incident…"


The Lannister Dwarf was at the time escorting the Queen of Thornes to her carriage. "Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?" Tyrion asked. "I could do with your help in going over the finances of the wedding."

Olenna grinned down at him. "I'm sure you could proposition me well enough My Lord, your reputation proceeds you and it has been so very long for me."

Tyrion felt himself grow red. "I… that's not…"

"Oh stop babbling and take the jest." Olenna rolled her eyes. "But no, I'm afraid I have had enough of this city for the time being, the smell is rather off putting. I shall retire to Highgarden and sniff the roses for a while to recover, then perhaps I shall return to see how my Granddaughter is getting on."

Tyrion nodded. "Very well."

"And you're a clever man. You can work out the costs of yesterday and half it well enough I am sure. Left, help me up." She barked the last order at one of her guards, who took her hand and helped her into the carriage. "I am sure I will see you soon, Lord Tyrion."

"Stop the carriage!" A voice called, and Tyrion turned around in alarm to see a small group of Lannister guardsmen marching towards them, led by Tyland and Jaime in his Kingsguard armour.

"What is the meaning of this?" Olenna cried out impatiently. Tyrion noticed Bronn stand in front of him defensively as Tyland and Jaime came to a halt in front of them.

"Stand aside, sellsword." Tyrion recognised the voice of Captain Vylarr, Tyland's loyal man.

"I don't like the attitude of your approach." Bronn said warningly.

"Stand aside, Bronn." Tyrion ordered, and the sellsword obliged.

Olenna meanwhile grew impatient. "I say again, for you idiot men to hear me. What is the meaning of this?"

Tyland turned to Vylarr. "Please help Lady Olenna down and escort her to her chambers." Vylarr nodded and moved, only for the oddly named Left and Right to stand in his way.

"Move aside." Vylarr warned them, his own hand going to his sword.

"You are not being arrested, Lady Olenna. This is for your own safety." Jaime told her. "The city is on lockdown. Nobody is to leave."

"Why?" Tyrion asked.

Tyland looked down at his youngest brother sadly. "You need to come with us, Tyrion. Do not resist."

"What for?" Tyrion asked impatiently.

"To answer some questions." Jaime said, not looking at Tyrion in the eye.

Tyrion was getting exasperated. "About?" He pushed.

Tyland looked down at him. "About your movements between leaving the feast yesterday till just now."

Tyrion shook his head with a bitter laugh. "And I suppose there is a reason that my every move is needed to be recalled?"

Jaime nodded. "A good one."

Tyland agreed. "Tyrion, the King has been poisoned. He is dead."


So yeah… Joffrey lived for a few more hours than normal. As I was planning it and knew that Tyland would stop the necklace I guessed that Olenna and Baelish would have some form of a backup plan.

Sansa also faints out in the Godswood. Points to your Hogwarts house if you guess what's up with the Lady of Winterfell before the next chapter.

Finally, I just want to remind everyone on the importance of adhering to the health guidelines being set out. COVID-19 may not be the deadliest pandemic to the wider public, but it's incredibly contagious and any mentality along the lines of 'it won't affect me I'm fine' is more dangerous to others than you think. Stay safe, stay aware, and look after yourselves.

Next time: Loren prepares to fix his mistakes, and the aftermath of regicide…

Reviews:

Tony McNucklz: Unfortunately Olenna had to find a way to kill Joffrey and I couldn't see any way of that being avoided.

tommyginger: That was probably the most 'show based' chapter I'll do to be honest, and only because I couldn't find any way of changing that wedding. There will be bits from the show that bleed into the story for sure, but never in such a drastic way.

Untouchable: Sansa knows that Tyland killed Ned, Robb and Catelyn… there's no chance of her willingly getting close with him.

Black Magic99: The sparrows will make an appearance, but there's some things to get through first.

AZW330: A Lannister Civil War is pretty much the point of the story to be honest, although saying which Lannisters will be too much of a giveaway. I wanted to show how internal politics can topple an otherwise unstoppable empire, which is why I laugh at all the comments that say that this is just Lannister wank and that they'll win every time… they won't.

Mister LaGuardia: Is naked in his bedroom humiliating enough? Tyland protects his family, and the Starks were his enemies so that's why he stands up for people like Cersei while murdering Ned and Robb for example. He's mainly guilty about the whole Tysha thing.

Freakdogsflare: That's presuming there's nobody in the North with the right connections to help save Rickon from that fate… (spoiler: It's an extremely minor and unimportant OC from later in the story so there's no point in guessing)

akoslows: I really enjoyed that review, it made me laugh thank you!

Silver crow: You're right, they were numbered as he only lasted an extra day! I'm not sure if Olenna overly respects Tyland though. Yeah, Tyland has never been able to be a proper brother to Tyrion, and now that he's been forced to face his past actions he truly cares about the little man.

Rolling Mist 13: They're great to write. Having Tyrion be a part of the family is something that I unfortunately cut short in United in Fury, and he's one of the two characters that I may save if I had to go back and rewrite that along with Renly, so it's great to be able to write him here. You were right that it was Sansa, but I'm not going to say what's wrong with her…

Vwchick: If anything it was probably easier for Olenna here as there was a lack of other witnesses!

Supremus85: Not Joffrey, but Oberyn will be out for pretty much any Lannister blood.

Lord Villarreal of house Grand: As mentioned in the PM to you, that's just not Lysa's character. Littlefinger is in the Vale.