Hi everyone,

Really enjoyed writing some Tyrion this chapter and the interactions between Stannis and Kenna :)

Also, this story is now over 200,000 words long! I didn't think I had that in my locker to write that many words and the story not veer off a cliff :P

Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 45: Commanding the Fury

Next morning ….

The Black Cells, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (of Dragonstone) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Tyrion lay flat on his back on the bench in his cell when two Golden Company mercenaries opened the door to the room containing his cell to reveal Lady Kenna who stepped through the threshold as the door was closed behind her.

"You know I thought we were friends," Tyrion said through the bars of his cell as he watched Kenna step further into the room from his horizontal position. She settled on the cold floor opposite him a few feet back from the bars with her legs crossed. It seemed that the dirt didn't bother her and she didn't want to stand for their conversation.

Tyrion saw the corners of Kenna's mouth curl up at his comment as her hands rested on her knees.

It seems they were always balancing on the threshold of friendship. When they were together the words flowed and there was a genuine connection between them but no matter how hard they tried to ignore it, the horrible truth was that they were, and always had been, on opposite sides with neither quite sure how far the other was willing to go to win the war.

"We are. Why do you think you aren't in a cell with Cersei right now," Kenna half-joked.

"A small mercy to not have to endure my sister's company as I wait for my head to be detached from the rested of my body," Tyrion said sarcastically in a dejected tone.

"Don't get all depressing on me Tyrion. I came here so I could get away from the doom and gloom."

"You came to the Black Cells so you could get away from the doom and gloom …" Tyrion said slowly.

"Point taken," Kenna conceded good-naturedly as she tried to rub some warmth back into her legs. "But have you met Stannis? Anyway, I came here for your advice not to discuss my happiness."

"I take it my father is nearly here?" Tyrion concluded knowing that there was only one opponent the Bloody Falcon would seek out advice to defeat.

Kenna gave a tense short nod as all the playfulness in her seemed to evaporate at the mention of his father.

"And Stannis is rousing his men for another hard-fought battle?" Tyrion predicted.

Kenna's fingers started to dance on her knees, "A battle I think can be avoided."

"Oh?"

"We have all the hostages and enough men to make taking King's Landing an undesirable option. Only a stubborn fool would pursue a battle under these circumstances but apparently one man's fool is another's King."

"I can tell that you are worried. If it makes you feel any better, I am sure that if you threaten to kill Cersei and Tommen if my father makes an advance on the walls of King's Landing he wouldn't attack. There is no point taking King's Landing if your claimant to the Iron Throne is killed before you even scale the walls."

"You don't include yourself?"

"My father doesn't put much value on my life," Tyrion said bitterly.

"He went to war to get you back," Kenna pointed out.

"He went to war for the family honour, not me," Tyrion countered.

"Thank you for confirming my thinking but it wasn't your father I was particularly worried about," Kenna said and added in her mind, not yet anyway, as she scanned the dim walls of Tyrion's cell and avoided Tyrion's piercing gaze.

Tyrion knew many of Kenna's secrets but she wasn't about to reveal her pregnancy to him or how she intended to handle her situation in King's Landing.

"Don't tell me you tremble at the thought of Mace Tyrell laying siege to King's Landing because I am sure your current King can tell you; he possesses no skill in that military disciple."

Kenna's smile reached her eyes and her laugh bounced around the underground cell as Tyrion's remark managed to spark a bit of her playfulness back out of her.

She isn't worried about my father or Mace Tyrell, Loras Tyrell? No. Mmmm. Ah, Tyrion's mind buzzed as he found the answer.

"You are worried about Stannis," Tyrion stated confidently.

"Maybe," Kenna reluctantly confirmed.

"You are worried he is going to force my father into a battle that really doesn't benefit anyone," Tyrion said as he slinked off the bench he had been laying on to curl his hands around the bars of his cell as the conversation suddenly became very interesting to him.

"Yes," Kenna agreed watching the dwarf's movements. "If Stannis, say, executes you, Cersei and Tommen, your father will have no other option but to siege the walls of King's Landing in the name of his dead family's honour until either himself or Stannis is dead. Further bloodshed and chaotic war aren't ideal outcomes or what the Seven Kingdoms' needs."

Tyrion picking up on Kenna's attitude asked, "And what does the Seven Kingdom's need? A new Queen?"

Kenna stifled the chuckle in her throat at Tyrion's words, "You overestimate my ambitions. Remember little lion my last name may be Lannister but I will always be an Arryn."

"So, you are just after the Weirwood Throne not the Iron Throne?"

"I have no interest in ruling over the Seven Kingdoms. I want to rule over my people, look after their wellbeing and ensure a prosperous future for them. I love the Vale and all those that dwell in it. My heart doesn't have the ability to care for another Kingdom or another people."

"Why are you still in King's Landing then? Why didn't you trot your army to the Eyrie in the wake of Stannis's triumph in becoming the King of the Seven?" Tyrion inquired.

"There is no point in taking something that you can't hold onto."

Tyrion stood there confused looking through the bars at Kenna.

The Lannister and Tyrell's forces had taken the Eyrie before but they had a traitor within the walls of the Eyrie to ensure they could march through open gates. Without that Tyrion doubted a force of a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand would be able to take the Eyrie.

Is she worried Stannis won't give her the Vale? He would have no power to take it back. Ah …. She isn't worried about men taking the Eyrie but dragons.

Tyrion's hands tightened around the metals bars as his mind went to work, "You think that the Targaryen girl will cross the narrow sea and demand fealty like Aegon the Conqueror."

"She has three dragons and history is on her side. I have no desire for a dragon to grace the skies of the Vale again or for the Vale to bow down before a Targaryen for a second time."

"Don't you think it prudent to focus on the more immediate threat instead of a faraway curiosity."

"She is neither that far away or merely a curiosity but you are right. I need to deal with your father and the Tyrells." And Stannis, Kenna added in her mind.

"Beware then, as there is always a price to be paid when dealing with my father as you well know," Tyrion said cautiously then quickly changed the subject, not wanting to linger on the subject of his father with the woman in front of him. "How is Sansa?"

"Safe," Kenna hesitated for a moment, "She saved my life you know … and your sister's."

"That sounds like her," Tyrion said as he rested his forehead against the bars trapping him. "She has a good heart. Who did she save your and my sister's life from?"

"Ser Ilyn Payne," Kenna hesitated for a second, "and me."

Tyrion returned his mind to when he had been escorted to the Black Cells and shoved into his current cell, he had caught a glimpse of his sister's face in the process, "You are the one that cut her, aren't you? I am surprised with your reputation you didn't finish the job."

Kenna let out a deep sigh, "Your wife is one of the few people I am willing to rein in my … rage for."

"Many in the Kingdom would have rejoiced if your restraint had failed you. And I would have been one of them."

Kenna pushed herself up of the stone-cold floor and brushed herself down.

"What will happen now?" Tyrion asked in a tired voice that pulled at Kenna's heart. He doesn't deserve to be lumped in with the rest of his family but life is rarely fair I suppose.

"I am not sure," Kenna said quietly, "The future depends on the decision of a very stubborn man." And my reaction to it.

Tyrion nodded not quite sure if she was referring to his father or to Stannis.

Kenna closed the space between them and rested her hands on the bars of the cell above Tyrion and looked down at the imprisoned Lord.

"Tell me Tyrion, if your father marched into the Throne room today and demanded my head would you stop him?"

"I wouldn't be able to," Tyrion replied honestly. "But I wouldn't need to. My father isn't in the habit of killing people who still owe him a debt. And you my Lady owe him a very valuable debt in his eyes."

Kenna paused thoughtfully at Tyrion's words before she turned and walked towards the door of the small room leaving Tyrion to wonder why she had asked the question.

Kenna threw over her shoulder at the downcast Lord as she pushed through the door, "Remember my friend, most of us are imprisoned by something and the worst prisons are not constructed of wood and stone."

Tyrion grunted as his own words of reassurance were repeated back to him. He appreciated someone who actually listened to what he said but he still preferred being in a metaphorical prison than an actual one.


Next day in the afternoon….

Secluded balcony spot facing southwards, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (of Dragonstone) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Kenna leaned on the balcony as she cast her eyes over the sprawling city. She felt the memory of watching Tywin Lannister do the same thing as she had quietly kept playing cyvasse behind him all those years ago.

She would never have thought she would be carrying the man's child now.

Kenna moved one hand to rest on her stomach protectively as she looked beyond King's Landing's walls to the King's Woods in the distance. She knew that the Lannister and Tyrell armies were most likely marching under the great trees at this very moment and would be within sight of King's Landing within days. There was no doubt they were coming.

That he was coming.

A gentle hand on her shoulder shocked her out of her own thoughts and another steadied her. Kenna looked up into sky blue eyes and felt the tension that had been building in her body at the impending armies marching towards King's Landing seep out of her.

"Yohn," Kenna greeted warmly.

The large Lord released Kenna's shoulders with a deep smile and they both settled on the balcony railing to look out on the sun-drenched buildings and streets of the capital.

"You have a plan?" Lord Royce asked as his eyes focused on the unmoving greenery of the King's Woods beyond the walls of King's Landing.

"Of course," Kenna replied giving Lord Royce a little nudge with her shoulder.

"The last time we took a city you didn't," he pointed out playfully nudging her back.

"Sadly, I am not the same person as the one who took Casterly Rock," Kenna said ruefully.

"No, you have grown," Lord Royce said with pride then looked down to his hands, "Stannis has asked me to prepare our men for a siege."

"A wise move when two strong hosts are marching your way," Kenna acknowledged

"He sees a siege as inevitable," the Vale Lord clarified.

"It is wonderful how our King sees the world; everything is right or wrong. There are always only two paths available in his view," Kenna glowered as she shook her head.

"What are you going to do?"

"Follow whatever the best path is for the Vale," Kenna said with determination.

Lord Royce nodded as he covered one of Kenna's hands with his own on the balcony railing, "Please don't run headlong into danger, you don't just have yourself to consider now."

"I have never just had myself to consider but I understand Yohn. I am well aware of the … extra responsibility I now have. But my nature is my nature and I won't stop doing what I think is right for the people of the Vale just because I am pregnant."

Lord Royce let out a puff of frustration as if he had been hoping to curb Kenna's nature but knew that his effort would be futile.

"It is nearly time for the Small Council meeting," Lord Royce presented his arm and whispered, "Allow me to escort you your Grace."

Kenna grinned but lightly batted the old Lord's arm before taking it. He always knew what to say to lighten her mood.

There was still a lot of work to be done before Kenna could sit comfortably on the Weirwood Throne and call herself a Queen.


That evening …

Small Council chamber, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (of Dragonstone) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


"Is Ser Davos not attending?" Kenna asked as Lord Royce and herself glided into the Small Council chamber to be greeted by Lord Grafton, Melisandre and Stannis.

"I am afraid Ser Davos has been stricken down with illness," came Stannis's no-nonsense voice.

"I wish him a speedy recovery then," Kenna replied quickly hiding her suspicions as she took her seat beside Lord Grafton, "A King always needs his Hand."

"Much like the Small Council needs a Grand Maester," Stannis replied sharply not taking his eyes off Kenna.

"There are many positions still to be filled but I have a suggestion on who could replace Pycelle," Kenna said ignoring Stannis's ill-disguised anger.

"Did you have that suggestion ready before or after you killed Pycelle?" Stannis shot across the table as a thick and taut atmosphere descended among the table.

Both Lord Grafton and Lord Royce sent Stannis hard stares but remained silent knowing Kenna could handle the brunt of Stannis's obvious fury alone.

Kenna leaned forward on the table and gave Stannis a sweet smile, holding in her own frustrations with the King's gruff manner with forced effort, "I didn't kill Pycelle. He committed suicide."

Not strictly a lie, Kenna reassured herself.

"How much encouragement did you give him?" Stannis pushed like a dog with a bone.

Kenna leaned back and simply smiled at the man that sat at the head of the table, not denying she had helped Pycelle come to the decision to take his own life.

"I didn't give you an order to execute Pycelle," Stannis ground out with a murderous look on his face, "You know what Robb Stark did when Lord Karstark executed a prisoner against his orders? He chopped his head off."

"And lost half his army. Look where that action has gotten the young wolf," Kenna replied with simmering rage in her words aware what Stannis had been implying.

Kenna didn't react well to threats but for the sake of the alliance between their two houses Kenna submerged her firery ire towards Stannis.

Stannis simply stared back in silence. It would have been unnerving to Kenna if she hadn't had plenty of experience in withstanding such glares from Lord Tywin over the past few years.

Kenna stilled the raging storm in her mind as she tried to defuse the situation, "Surely there are more pressing matters to address than the death of some old goat. The North is in disarray; we have a hostile force of at roughly eighty-thousand men marching on us as we speak; and the Targaryen girl has three dragons, and army of unsullied at her command and two experienced Westerosi knights to advise her."

Kenna clasped her hands together on the table, "You can't solve all these problems alone so I suggest with respect you stop pushing your only ally away."

The next words out of Stannis's mouth shocked everyone in the room, even Melisandre.

"You are right."

"I .. I am sorry your Grace?" Kenna muttered not really believing what she had just heard.

"You are all dismissed, except Lady Kenna," Stannis commanded with a calm demeanor.

Lord Royce and Lord Grafton gave Kenna concerned looks but she waved them on. Melisandre too rounded the table and left the chamber without a word.


"Sorry?" Kenna spluttered not believing what she had just heard.

"I said, marry me," Stannis said bluntly repeating himself.

Kenna sat at the Small Council table in partial shock. She had never envisaged Stannis asking this of her.

"I am married," Kenna managed to respond.

"Your marriage to the Kingslayer can be annulled."

Kenna resisted moving her hand to cover her midriff, No it can't.

"It was a true marriage, your Grace," Kenna lied.

"When Jamie Lannister falls in battle will you marry me then?" Stannis reconsidered as if they were haggling at a market place.

"If Jamie Lannister falls in battle I will consider a marriage to you but as long as my husband is alive by the grace of the Gods I cannot marry again," Kenna stated clearly.

Stannis seemed to accept Kenna's stance, "When the Lannister forces attack King's Landing, I will make sure your husband falls then."

"You already have my men at your disposal. A marriage is not necessary to secure my resource," Kenna reiterated avoiding the word loyalty.

Stannis didn't reply so Kenna rose from her chair and bowed before retreating to the door.

"Lady Kenna," Stannis called as her hand was about to turn the handle, "If you deviate from my orders or act against my will again you will share the same fate as Lord Karstark."

Kenna didn't acknowledge the remark as she escaped the chamber.

Only Stannis could think it was a good idea to propose marriage twinned with the threat of a beheading.

Kenna charged down the corridors of the Red Keep to her chambers where she knew Lord Grafton and Lord Royce would be waiting.

Kenna had no intention of marrying Stannis Baratheon under any circumstances but she had never thought it possible that she would have been married to a Frey or the Kingslayer either. As soon as it become common knowledge that she was pregnant Kenna was sure Stannis wouldn't want to marry her, who would want to marry a person carrying another man's child?


A few days later

Outer Walls of King's Landing, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (of Dragonstone) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Kenna watched with attentiveness as the Lannister and Tyrell armies set up their camps just out of range of the archers on King's Landing's walls. Her eyes shifted to the sky to see Balerion circling above her. He was nearly getting as bad a Lord Royce. Both her falcon and mentor never seemed to leave her alone, it was a good thing that she enjoyed both their company and she would be lying to herself if she didn't admit their company instilled a sense of safety in her.

Ser Davos wandered up to her, "A lot of men down there."

"Yes, there are. Have you recovered from your illness?" Kenna enquired behind a veil of politeness.

"Yes, thank you," the Onion Knight lied uncomfortably.

Kenna noted his discomfort, He is hiding something. "Stannis wants to fight all of them till they or us are dead. But what do you want Lord Hand?"

Davos looked to the two large army camps in front of him, "I want Stannis to rule and be the just King I know he can be."

Kenna nodded eyeing Davos's deformed hand, "He still took your knuckles despite you saving him at Storm End's."

"Yes, because I was a smuggler and that is the punishment for smuggling."

"You admire him for it, don't you?"

"There aren't many just men left," Davos said in a somber voice and Kenna agreed with that sentiment.

"But what of your reward? What of my reward? You saved Storm's End." I saved his bid for the Iron Throne.

"Stannis gave my son .. the opportunity to better himself and made me Hand of the King."

Kenna noticed the pause and remembered Stannis's words at their first Small Council meeting, "You lost your son at Blackwater Bay?"

You lost him to Stannis's war, Kenna surmised in her head as Davos gave a curt nod to Kenna's question.

Kenna turned to the new Lord Hand and ensured she had his full attention before she spoke her mind, "If you want Stannis to remain on the Iron Throne to bring justice to the Seven Kingdoms he needs to compromise. Dissuade him from executing any prisoners before we have parlayed with the Lannisters and Tyrells."

"King Stannis will not allow Cersei or Tyrion to be exchanged. Their fates are sealed in his eyes," Davos gently said, "Tommen will either stay as a hostage or be sent to the Wall so he cannot claim the Throne in the future. The Tyrells' fate maybe negotiable with some well-placed words."

"What harm is there in delaying their executions so we might hear what Mace Tyrell and Tywin Lannister have to say before the Seven Hells descends on King's Landing?" Kenna implored, willing Davos to see her logic.

Davos let out a deep sigh, "I agree my Lady but as you well know it isn't my decision."

"No but it is your duty to save Stannis from himself," Kenna stated boldly, gambling that Davos would understand her point of view. "Talk to him Ser Davos, make him see sense before he falls victim to the same folly as Robert."

"And what was that my Lady," Davos asked as Kenna started to back away from him towards the Red Keep.

"Thinking that winning and ruling is the same thing," Kenna said as she turned her back on Davos to walk away.


Same time …


Tywin stared hard at the walls of King's Landing from the entrance to his tent as the hustle of his camp swirled around him. The walls did well not to shrink back under his punishing gaze. No man had yet dared hold his eye's attention while talking to him, such had been the simmering rage in his countenance since the news of King's Landing's capture.

The Old Lion didn't like being made a fool of and losing control of King's Landing and the King was a devastating blow that would most likely end the reign of Tommen Baratheon and end the Lannister influence over the crown.

His combined forces with Mace Tyrell's were superior he knew but Stannis and Lady Kenna had the most important piece on the board.

The King.

Tywin was sure that Tommen's life would be dangled before him if he were to approach the walls of King's Landing and without his grandson there would be no point in taking King's Landing back. In whose name would he take it back in? And then there were his children to consider. No doubt Stannis had plans for the woman who cuckholded his brother and the man who nearly single-handily destroyed his entire army at the Battle of Blackwater Bay.

Tywin brushed his hand through his beard in exasperation at the situation he found himself in.

Tywin had been in this situation twice before; when he sacked King's Landing and when he had taken the Eyrie. Both times he had an inside man that opened the gates for him. He had no such man this time.

Footsteps approached his position and he heard the familiar voice of his brother, "Jamie is seething in anger. He can't wait to lay siege to the walls."

"Tell him he will have to wait," Tywin replied definitively still focusing on the walls of King's Landing as if they were puzzle he simply needed more time to solve.

"I reminded him that the Lannister forces don't heed his command but yours," Kevan said as he stood beside Tywin and mirrored him to look out onto King's Landing.

"It seems Lady Lannister is on the walls," Tywin growled as his mind fought the image of Kenna, naked and tangled in bedsheets to focus on how he was going to defeat her in this scenario.

"How do you know?" Kevan asked squinting his eyes.

"See the black falcon," Tywin said as he pointed to just above the walls of the capital, "That is her personal falcon so she is there watching us now, just like she did at the Eyrie."

"Then just like at the Eyrie she will be defeated and her prisoners freed," Kevan said reassuringly having every confidence in his brother.

"The situations are not comparable," Tywin barked letting his frustrations out in the company of his brother. "And she knows that." She knows how strong a position she is in and how to keep it.

Kevan quickly looked around them for any eavesdroppers, "Tywin, don't you think you are focusing too much on Lady Kenna?"

"No brother I do not. She was behind Stannis's siege of King's Landing and the capture of most of my family. I underestimated her. I don't plan on doing that again."

Kevan dipped his head slightly at Tywin's words knowing now was not the time to challenge his brother's thinking.

"Send a messenger to King's Landing. It is time for a parlay," Tywin commanded.

Kevan once again remained silent but bowed his head before he left to carry out his brother's order and leave Tywin to stew in his own thoughts.


Later that day …

Throne Room, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (of Dragonstone) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Tyrion was laying on his back recounting the cracks in the ceiling he could identify with the limited light of the single torch in his cell when Baratheon men charged into his cell and practically carried him out.

"Where are we going?" Tyrion yelped out as he was dragged across the floor.

"You'll find out soon enough," came the gruff reply back.

And so, he did. A few minutes later he found himself kneeling on the floor with his sister beside him looking up at King Stannis who sat stiffly on his newly claimed throne. Ser Davos stood beside him looking apprehensive as he whispered something discreetly into his King's ear but he was silenced with a wave of Stannis's hand. It seems Stannis didn't want to listen to his Hand.

This can't be good, Tyrion thought despondently as he spotted the Red Woman leaning against one of the great pillars observing the show.

Stannis switched his attention from Ser Davos to the two Lannister siblings kneeling before him.

"Your father and Mace Tyrell have reached King's Landing and are requesting a parlay. I was debating my response and have come to a conclusion."

Tyrion saw how Ser Davos tightened his jaw line at the word conclusion, clearly the Hand and King did not agree on the outcome of the debate between them.

"And what conclusion was that?" Cersei spat at Stannis.

Tyrion admired the bravely Cersei showed in that moment or maybe she truly didn't understand the danger they were in, as it was fairly obvious to Tyrion what Stannis's conclusion was.

"My response will be to send Mace Tyrell my terms for the return of Lady Olenna and to send your heads to your father," Stannis announced in a clear tone.

"You would be a fool to do that," Cersei exclaimed having thought the threat of the Lannister and Tyrell armies would keep her alive, "My father would burn your house to the ground and all those that stood for you. You would be destroyed in his wrath."

"Maybe, but I will not be dictated to by anyone. Not Tywin Lannister. Not Mace Tyrell. Not-"

Stannis's rant was interrupted as the doors of the Throne room flew open to reveal Lady Kenna rampaging towards them with a Vale Lord at each shoulder.

Ser Davos looked relieved at the sight of Kenna and his jawline slackened as he took a few steps down from the Throne in a way of greeting to Lady Kenna.

"What is going on here?" Kenna asked with ferocity behind every word.

"A messenger from the Lannister and Tyrell camp came demanding a parlay. I intend to reply by sending him back with their heads," Stannis said with an undertone of steel as he pointed towards Cersei and Tyrion who Kenna had now passed with Lord Royce and Lord Grafton following her all the way.

"Allow me to change your mind your Grace," Kenna responded tempering her tone, not wanting to antagonize Stannis further.

"Why would I change my mind Lady Kenna?" Stannis asked from his position on the throne.


Tyrion watched and listened as Lady Kenna tried to convince Stannis to hear what his father and Mace Tyrell had to say instead of destroying any chance of diplomacy. Her arguments of using Cersei and Tyrion as tactical leverage in any negotiations were sound but it looked like Stannis didn't want to listen to her let alone entertain the idea of meeting his opponents for a parlay. It looked like where Davos had failed to install reason so too would Kenna fail to convince Stannis to see reason.

"This is all your fault," came his sister's harsh voice.

"How is this my fault?" Tyrion whispered back, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

"If you hadn't got captured by Catelyn Stark none of this would be happening right now," Cersei reasoned.

Tyrion snapped. Maybe it was a combination of the years of torment Cersei had inflicted on him or the fact her latest insult was just delusional but Tyrion saw red.

"You think I caused this?" Tyrion whispered back in a disbelieving tone, "If you had actually given Robert true heirs instead of three bastards with Jamie there would have been no War of the Five Kings and a Queen. There would be no reason for Stannis to claim the Iron Throne and now decide our fate. It is not me who is responsible for this situation. It is you."

Cersei glared back at Tyrion, the heated debate between Kenna and Stannis forgotten in front of them, "You should never have survived. My mother should have survived. Everything that has gone wrong for House Lannister starts with you!"

The topic of their mother was a sore point for Tyrion. There wasn't a day that went by where Tyrion didn't wish he could have met her and known her, felt her warm touch instead of his father's cold glares, heard her honey like voice instead of his father's harsh tones, and some days he even wished that he had died for her such was the love he felt for the mother the Gods had cruelly taken away from his father, his siblings and himself.

Tyrion was overwhelmed in that moment to hurt Cersei anyway he could so she too could feel the pain he suffered with every day at being the cause of his mother's death. Tyrion's eyes wandered over Cersei's still healing cut on her cheek before he locked eyes with his sister.

"Father killed Joffrey."

Tyrion knew revealing the truth wasn't wise but he doubted he would keep his head much longer and he wanted Cersei to know the truth as it would shatter her world and he wasn't done yet.

"Father is fucking Lady Kenna too since Jamie refuses to do the job," Tyrion hummed to her in a hushed tone as he savored the lost look in Cersei's eyes.

Tyrion's words seemed to physically shake Cersei and her entire body slumped to the floor deflated. Her mouth wavered as if she wanted to refute what Tyrion had said but couldn't find the words as deep down the conclusion that Littlefinger had been behind Joffrey's death had never felt right to her. She had only accepted it at her father's assurance that Littlefinger had been the culprit. Now she knew why Littlefinger's guilt hadn't rung true. Because her father had killed Joffrey, not the Mockingbird.

The revealed secrets destroyed the idolized image of their father in Cersei's mind. Tywin Lannister had always been the one man she had relied on her entire life. That belief and image was now currently being rendered to ash in Cersei's mind as her eyes dropped to the floor.

Stannis's shout of frustration drew Tyrion's attention back to the two nobles currently debating the worth of keeping his head attached to the rest of his body.


"Again, my Lady why should I change my mind? You have given me no good reason too," Stannis practically yelled at Kenna, his temper getting the better of him.

I have given you many good reasons, Kenna shouted back in her mind. You are too stubborn to listen to them! You pig headed man!

Kenna's mind frantically searched for another answer to Stannis's question but the only one that came to her that might change Stannis's chosen course of action was one that she desperately wanted to avoid saying.

"Because when I am your Queen I would rather we rule over a Kingdom not ravaged by an unnecessary war with the Lannisters and Tyrells," Kenna said in the most even voice she could muster.

A halting silence followed her words as all the eyes on the Throne room settled on her.

"Is that a yes then?" Stannis finally said, seeking clarity.

"That is a yes, if we both survive the coming few days and my current husband falls. I think our survival would be greatly helped if you would allow Ser Davos and myself to parlay with the Lannisters and the Tyrells instead of sending them the heads of Lord Tyrion and Lady Cersei."

"Fine."

With that one word from Stannis the tension in the room was alleviated.

"Ser Davos organize the parlay and make sure my future wife is suitably protected throughout. It is her wish to be present but we will not allow the Lannisters or Tyrells to take advantage of her being there."

Advantage? My presence would be a disadvantage to them, Kenna scolded Stannis in her mind.

Davos bowed, "Yes your Grace."

It was clear that they were all dismissed so Kenna quickly bowed and raced Lord Royce and Lord Grafton out of the Throne room. As they went Lord Royce whispered, "That was not part of the plan."

"I know but neither are Tyrion's and Cersei's lifeless heads part of the plan either," Kenna murmured back as she resisted resting her hands on her tummy.


Author' Notes:

When Kenna is discussing the quote about prisons not always being physical it is a call back to the conversation, they had in Chapter 25 and the balcony scene with Kenna and Lord Royce is a call back to the Tywin flashback scene in Chapter 6.

Stannis – Implies he might behead Kenna for Pycelle's death, proposes marriage to her, then directly says he will behead her if she acts out of line again …. What a charmer … but it looks like he is now betrothed …..

For those who are wondering why Stannis wants to marry Kenna, his reasons are to bind the Arryn forces with the Baratheon's secure her loyalty (as he doesn't trust her) and he doesn't know about her pregnancy yet …

I wonder what Davos got up to when he was 'ill' …

I haven't written from the Lannister characters point of view for a while so was nice to once again step back into their shoes, especially Tywin's :)

Oh no, Cersei now knows everything … well nearly everything and saying she is upset is a massive understatement. She is no longer going to be a Daddy's girl ;) What will a marked, angry and isolated Cersei do? Blow something up? ;P

Reviews:

Supremus85 – I understand where you are coming from with the Arya comment as it would be in her nature to try to save Edmure. I think because Arya already thought he was dead and there was realistically nothing she could do in this scene but escape that is what she did. Also, I wrote the Hound 'clamping his hand on her shoulder' bit so she couldn't just shoot off and try to save Edmure. By killing Ramsey you will save a lot of the characters based in the North :) I haven't killed Davos yet :P

Vcu – Thank you!

NCVII (Reply to all three reviews left on 7/02/2020) – I think you might have a problem/obsession with chicken :P Yes I know but I am going off the shows interpretation and he was a weakling in most scenes but I thought by getting him to stand up to Ramsey was a nice end for him. I will admit maybe Ramsey hasn't spent long enough in my head and I need to flesh him out a bit more but I haven't had the chance to write any significant (in terms of character development) scenes for him yet as the North plot is balancing between Robb, Arya and Ramsey really. Yes show Stannis, I will incorporate the book information in my next projects but for this story as it started off with show lore it will end with show lore. Ser Davos is in a hard place right now so it will be interesting to see what his future action will be but I love him too :) Thanks for saying that about Kenna as I do work on her character a lot to make sure she isn't overpowered, underpowered or has personality shifts XD Haha it should always have been Jake vs KSI anyway :D Glad I can galvanize a smile for you. Stories (and my replies to reviews) are meant to entertain! We will get Tywin's reaction before we get Robb's but the King in the North will be returning to the story soon.

Well I am in the progress of writing you a one-shot :) I haven't re-watched any Merlin episodes so I am basing the story of my own knowledge which might be a few years old but I am doing my best! No need for payment but maybe you could write a story of your own choosing? Your profile said you would like to start writing and there is no time like the present :) I could be a beta reader for you if you would like, if that would help you get started.

NightlyRowenTree – I am trying to displace it with the crazy frog song but it isn't working! Thank you for reading :)

Guest (Commented 8/02/2020) – Hehe yeah, he is a bit of a bastard ;)

Cashy7183980 (Commented on Chapter 37) – Hi, welcome to the story!Throughout the entire story up to Chapter 37 I had been writing little bits here and there hinting at their future relationship/outcome of their promise to each other. Really glad it was a good reveal for you :)

DannyBlack70 (Commented on Chapters 38 to 42 Chapter 44) – Where you happy Lord Umber and Tormund died or are you conveniently avoiding their deaths :P

The scene in Chapter 39 between Jon, Edd, Sam and Grenn was supposed to handle Jon leaving the Nights Watch as Edd gives him a (weak) reason for him to travel south with Robb – "spread the word about what lies beyond the Wall" but I know it is a weak ass reason :-/ I was waiting for someone to get upset over Luwin's death as honestly I got a bit teary writing it but it felt like such a perfect end for Luwin and a great moment of growth (might not be the right word) for Arya.

I like Robb being a bit more … assertive and active, especially as the experience of surviving the Red Wedding, the Battle at Castle Black and the betrayal of the Boltons, Umbers and Karstarks should (in my opinion) beaten quite a lot of optimism and nativity out of him and installed a considerable amount of anger.

A lot did happen! Thank you so much! The long-term aim is to keep improving as a writer so I can produce better stories for you guys and exercise my ideas in better quality ways too. This comment coming from such an awesome and accomplished writer as yourself really blew up my world when I read it :)

If they all worked together, I would agree and it isn't even a 'full' Small Council. The future is … uncertain ;P

Haha coming from the author of 'No Mercy' I shall take that comment about Ramsey as a compliment ;P


Next up: The future of House Lannister hangs in the balance as Kenna and Tywin go head to head, threats are exchanged, terms are set, and promises are given ….

If you are enjoying this story please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!

See you guys next Friday :)