A/N: AGAIN I have to apologise for the delay in updates. I lost focus again and it's because I've sort of already moved onto the second half of this, so filling in this gap - where I know what has to happen, has been a bit hard.

You might notice I've changed the title. That's because I've decided to split the story in two. After these last few chapters the story seems to come to a natural conclusion, so it feels right to do it in two halves. The next story will be posted separately and named The Rise... but I won't spoil what happens at the end of this story first.

Also thank you so much for the reviews, the follows and the favourites! It's wonderful to know people are enjoying the story. I promise there's much more to come!

I do hope you're still enjoying!

"Do you remember when we were younger, I said we should get married. That you could still have your whores, and I could still do my fighting, but we should get married." Adelais said, she was lay on her back on the tiny bed in Tyrion's cell. She was facing the ceiling as he played with her hair. "Would have saved us a lot of trouble."

"I don't think it would." Tyrion pointed out. "I'd still have fallen in love with a whore and you'd still have fucked a sellsword."

"You wouldn't have had to marry Sansa though and I wouldn't be losing my house." Adelais said.

"If it's and buts were wine and women we'd live a very happy life." Tyrion mused.

"They're taking the house. Varys told me." Adelais said closing her eyes for a moment. "Halle and Tomaris, they say they have letters, from my mother to Tib's Uncle. Claiming she was with child."

"As your father inherited your mother's last name then, it still makes you an Aubouroc. More so than he ever was." Tyrion pointed out.

"Somehow, I don't think the council are going to see it that way. I'm a bastard in their eyes. The boundaries between rich and poor have blurred somewhat in recent years and there are those who don't like it. What better excuse to get me out of the way." Adelais sat up and rubbed her temples. Tyrion traded places putting his head in her lap.

"You can still fight." Tyrion said.

"I don't think I can." Adelais admitted. "I was going to ask him to marry me you know."

"Bronn?"

"Yes." Adelais swallowed. "I was a fool for something I knew I could never have."

"It's because, though you loathe to admit it, deep down you're a romantic like me." Tyrion said and Adelais rolled her eyes at him. "Probably something to do with our own families not loving us."

"Except the brothers." They said in unison before letting out a laugh.

"Let me stand for you." Adelais said, stroking his hair soothingly.

"Against the mountain?" Tyrion replied looking up at her.

"You don't think I can do it?" Adelais raised a brow at him.

"I think you're excellent with a bow and you're good with daggers but The Mountain could crush your skull with one hand and that is not a scenario I want." Tyrion pointed out.

"I'm fast and he's slow and stupid." Adelais replied.

"You're not that fast." Tyrion pointed out. "Not even Bronn would fight him."

"That's because he's a coward." Adelais retorted.

"In this case I think it's he's not stupid. The Mountain is fast, strong and skilled." Tyrion said.

Adelais sighed but continued to stroke Tyrion's hair. What did she even want anymore? To be away from all this, to get her friends away from all this. To live simply. She wanted nothing more than to hunt and gather and be part of a community, blending in, not falling into politics. She was tired of being seen as a thing to be bought or sold rather than human being.

She couldn't just walk away though, maybe the Mountain could see her into eternal sleep and at least she would go out fighting. Fighting for Tyrion was perhaps the only thing she had left she could do anyway.

"Adelais you need to leave." Tyrion said seriously. "You need to just go off into the wild, maybe go to Bravvos, there's probably money you could earn there as a sellsword. Hired assassin. Who knows you could impress the Dragon Queen."

"I can't just run off into the wild. I won't." Adelais said narrowing her eyes at him.

"Adelais." Tyrion suddenly sat up and clutched at her hands. Adelais knew he was serious then, no more laughing and joking just a plea in his voice. "They will kill you. They know you won't fall in line. You need to leave. Take supplies and say you're off hunting and then never come back."

"Tyrion, I can't just leave- I can't just leave Tib and the others and- and I can't just leave you." Adelais said. "You're my brother in everything but blood. I can't just leave you here."

"Adelais, please." Tyrion squeezed her hands. "Either I'll get out of this or I'll die trying. We can't help each other if one or both of us is dead though. Please, for once, listen to me. Leave now. Take some supplies and head off. If I manage to somehow scrape my way out of this mess, even if it's to the wall I'll find you. Somehow we'll end up back in the same circle. We always do."

"I have to go back for Tib and the others." Adelais said quietly.

"Then do it before Halle returns." Tyrion replied.

"Tyrion I-"

"I should have listened to you, about a lot of things. Hopefully, we can laugh about this over wine one day and you can say I told you so." Tyrion said optimistically.

Adelais wasn't sure she believed him though and tears swelled in her eyes, an ache in her chest spread like wildfire. How was she supposed to just leave him here in this cell to the jackals? She knew he was right. If there was any chance they could both survive whatever was to come it was better to be apart. Tyrion was certainly going to wind up dead though, wasn't he? He could hardly fight The Mountain himself and then what? Tywin would watch his son die. Cersei would smirk on. Then there would be some charges brought against her and Halle would seize the house.

Adelais lent down and kissed his forehead. Holding onto him for a minute as Tyrion wrapped his arms around her. Teary eyed they pulled apart.

"Til we meet again."

"Til we meet again."

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