Tyrion III:
Another bloody council meeting. It seemed as if we had one every single day ever since my father had been defeated by the northmen. Tywin the Arrogant they had called him in their message to the Red Keep. I still couldn't believe it, and neither could my siblings. I had seen the look of shock on Jaime's face, the terror in Cersei's. Our name meant nothing now except in the Westernlands. Our only hope was uncle Kevan's forces. He had arrived a couple of days ago, and his 30,000 men would be our only to make it through this war.
Grandmaester Pycelle had called for the council to meet so we could be informed of the matters pertaining the war. I arrived and saw everyone except Joffrey and Jaime had arrived. The Grandmaester, Bronn (my sellsword who I had named as Captain of the Goldcloaks), Uncle Kevan and Cersei were all sitting here waiting for the King to arrive. The Grandmaester looked extremely worried, with a couple of ravens in his hands which he would no doubt read out once the King arrived.
The doors burst open and in came the king. By now the scars from the duel with Stannis had healed, though the gash across his face could still be seen. His left hand was missing two fingers, also courtesy of Stannis. Trailing behind him was my brother Jaime. He was wearing his golden Kingsguard armor, a serious look on his face. He had been like that ever since losing his arm, though now with the golden one he was a bit more cheerful.
Joffrey sat, an annoyed look on his face. He looked to the Grandmaester and spoke.
"Well, what are you waiting for Grandmaester? You thought it fit to call on a King, I wish to know your reasoning."
"Uhhh, yes…. yes, my apologies Your Grace. I have received two ravens of significant importance."
"Carry on then. Read them." he waved off to Pycelle.
"Very well, Your Grace."
To King Joffrey Baratheon
The Vale knows no King but the King in the Vale who's name is Arryn. We do not acknowledge your rule, nor the rule of Mad Lysa Arryn or Robert Stone. You shall receive no men, no taxes and no more word from the Vale. May the Seven have mercy on you, for the White Wolf will not.
King Harry Arryn, Lord Protector and King of the Vale
Silence filled the room after Pycelle read the raven. I looked around the room, gauging their reactions. Bronn looked amused, Pycelle was worried and sweating, Kevan was stone-faced, Jaime looked angry, and Cersei and Joffrey were red with rage.
"HOW DARE THEY! I AM THE KING! THE KING OF THE FUCKING SEVEN KINGDOMS! NOT SIX, NOT FIVE… SEVEN! THEY'RE TRAITORS I TELL YOU! FUCKING TRAITORS! THEY'LL HANG, EVERY SINGLE BLASTED VALE LORD OR LADY! THEN I'LL HAVAE THE MOUNTAIN RAPE THEIR FUCKING CORPSES! HARRY ARRYN WILL RUE THE DAY HE CLAIMED TO BE MY EQUAL!"
Everyone else was silent, waiting to see if Joffrey had anything more to say. I decided to chime in, since no one else would.
"Well nephew, I would certainly find it an incredible miracle of the Seven should you make it possible to have Ser Gregor perform what you wish him too, what with him being dead and all that. You truly would be favored by the Seven should you make that possible. Joffrey the Blessed they would call you!"
I looked around and Cersei seemed even more furious, if such a thing were possible, meanwhile Jaime was trying hard not to crack up. One of my favorite traits of his, he didn't take much serious. Grandmaester Pycelle chose to follow up on my statement, but in his annoying whiny way.
"Uhhh, Your… Your Grace. The Lord Hand is correct in this case. We received word of the mighty Ser Gregor's demise at the northmen's hands. It would be uhhh… physically impossible for him to do what you wish, Your Grace."
"Thank you Grandmaester! Nephew, might I suggest alternatives to Ser Gregor for your suggested punishment of the Valemen?"
Cersei looked incensed at that, and quickly screamed.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTHS! ENOUGH OF THIS! GRANDMAESTER, READ US THE OTHER RAVEN NOW!"
"Yes, yes, Your Grace. I feel I must warn you all to remember it is not my words, I am simply reading them, Your Grace. My King, I feel as if you will be rightly offended after my reading of this. This raven comes from Dragonstone, Your Grace."
Joffrey was already mad at the first raven, and he must have figured the second one couldn't have been any worse. He waved him away and so Pycelle started reading nervously.
To Joffrey Waters, King Inbred, Lord of Incest, Bastards and No Kingdoms
Hear us, Bastard, and rejoice. The rightful King and Queen of the Six Kingdoms come to take rightful thrones. We have taken Dragonstone, our ancestral seat, and soon we shall take King's Landing as well. I march with the Golden Company and Give yourself to my mercy and you shall be spared, I give you my word as a Targaryen. Resist and receive Fire and Blood. We come to save, not conquer, yet conquer we shall if it is our only option. Think of your family, Bastard, and think wisely, for they shall be the ones who suffer after you are gone. Think wisely, and Seven be with you.
King Aegon Targaryen, Lord of the Six Kingdoms, Protector of the Andals and Rhoynar.
Queen Danaerys Targaryen, Queen of the Six Kingdoms, Mother of Dragons.
Eyes wide in shock, I looked around and saw everyone gasping in shock. Aegon Targaryen had been murdered as a babe, at the orders of my own father, yet here he was penning a raven to us from Dragonstone. Not only that, Danaerys Targaryen, the Mad King's daughter, was his wife? And she had signed as "Mother of Dragons", whatever that was supposed to mean. This did not spell well for House Lannister.
Looking around the room, I gauged my peers' reactions. Jaime and Cersei were pale faced, scared of the now precarious position we now faced. Bronn wasn't laughing now either, he was the most serious I had ever seen him. Pycelle was shaking, wether of terror or just old age I didn't know. Joffrey looked almost purple with rage.
"LIES! LIES! AEGON TARGARYEN IS DEAD! DEAD! GRAND-UNCLE, YOU SAW THE BODY YOURSELF DID YOU NOT?!"
Kevan answered.
"Aye, Your Grace. His head was smashed open. It must be an imposter."
That calmed down Joffrey a bit.
"Ahhh, exactly. Yes, he is an imposter. A Blackfyre possibly. Pycelle, denounce his claim for all the realm to see. He is a Blackfyre, or a lysene whore's son with the look of Valyria. Draft the ravens. Announce his whore as a madwoman, who thinks she will bring about the dragons again. Compare her to Aerion Brightflame and Aegon the Unlikely's folly at Summerhall."
"Of course, Your Grace. It shall be done"
I chimed in.
"And what shall be done of the Vale nephew?"
He looked mad at being reminded of it, but it was an important issue.
"Denounce them as traitors of the Realm. They shall be brought to heel after the war against the Northmen. Offer all lords of the Vale one last chance of fealty to me . Maybe we could still create a civil war in the Vale while Petyr and Lysa Baelish still live."
"Very well. Now, what are our plans for when Ser Kevan arrives with his host?"
Joffrey looked thoughtful at that, and took a moment to think and then responded.
"We will start digging trenches and collecting rocks to throw from the walls when the siege comes to pass. Our reports say that the Reach army is marching slowly towards us. Mace Tyrell is probably waiting for his goodson to lay siege to the city, not eager to waste his own men. It is the same strategy he employed in my father's rebellion. They will arrive in about 2 months. The Northmen are still about 3 weeks away from the city. If this raven from Dragonstone arrived today then the forces of this Aegon Blackfyre could be upon us in as soon as a week."
I suddenly had an epiphany, one with terrible consequences should it be proved true.
"Your Grace! You remember that the crownlords had refused your call to arms have you not?"
He looked affronted.
"Of course I remember! They shall be dealt with soon after."
"That is what worries me. I fear the Spider was playing games with us all. I would bet every single penny I've spent on whores that he gathered support from them for this supposed Targaryen and had them hold their men from our Northern efforts. Soon we might be facing a siege on both land and water from our enemies, Your Grace."
Kevan nodded, agreeing with my assessment.
"Tyrion is right, Your Grace. We should prepare to face forces on both sides. I suggest sending terms of surrender to the King in the North. Acquire his help in dealing with the Targaryens, they hold no more love for them than us. Combined with a promise of a substantial amount of gold and we should get them to march back North once this is over."
I nodded in agreement, yet when looking at Joffrey he looked as if he had no intention of even parleying with the North.
"I will not have it said that Joffrey Baratheon bowed to tree-worshipping savages! No parley will be had, we will crush them both!"
Cersei reached her hand towards Joffrey to try and calm him.
"Joffrey, my sweet boy, do you not care for your Lord Grandfather? Speak with the savages, war can be done later in your reign, what is needed right is stability."
"What we need is strength mother! I would not expect you nor your family to understand that, what with Grandfather losing against some barbarians. Lannister Gold has not won us any battles, and they shall not win us any more now. Strength is what will give way to stability, and it shall be strength that I show. I will defeat the false dragon, I will defeat the traitor Arryn King and I will kill Jon Stark myself!"
I held my tongue, and I could see my uncle doing the same, cursing the King's arrogance. We were fighting a losing war, and everyone except the King could see it.
It had been a few hours after that disaster of a council meeting. We were currently in one of Baelish's whorehouses, all of which had been claimed by the crown due to his failure to properly manage the Vale. Currently we were being entertained by some of the girls dancing in front of us.
"So you're sure the dragon fucker is not an actual dragon fucker?" asked Bronn.
I rolled my eyes and drank some wine.
"Yes Bronn, I'm sure. Never mind that, have you prepared the Gold Cloaks for what is to come?"
"PFFTT, most of the fuckers will run the moment they see one of those big northern cunts. The few who'll fight…. yeah I trained them. They know their formations and their roles, the lot of them, but I don't expect them to do any good."
I sighed.
"Guess I can't ask for more than that. They are probable to be the first casualties in the battles, my uncle will not waste good soldiers to save your street rats."
"Proper cunt that one isn't he? Well, thats those High Lords for you. I remember I used to spit at your kind's feet every time one of you walked by."
I raised my eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"Aye, thought every one of yous was a proper cunt. You're alright though, I'll give you that. Must be the Impness in ya."
"I figure so! My father is certainly a dour and prideful man. Must be because he is not a dwarf!"
"Must be. To think, now I'm rubbin shoulders with all of you rich fucks and fucking these high quality whores. When am I gettin a castle Lord Imp?"
"A castle? I am affronted! Don't I pay you enough?"
"Should be payin me double of what you're doin right now."
"I don't even know how much I'm paying you now!"
"Exactly. You won't even notice its gone. You Lannister's shit gold. The rest of us have to work for it. Might as well give ya friend some more will ya?"
"Lucky me! Imagine that! No wonder our House is so—excellent! You are a delight my girl! What is your name?"
She was a comely looking girl, brown haired with a shapely bottom. Her face was certainly pleasing as well, a delicate looking whore.
"Alys, My Lord."
"Excellent! Wait for me in your room my sweet!"
I looked to Bronn, who was eyeing me in displeasure. I knew he had been eyeing the whore, but I simply could not pass her up!
"I know you were eyeing her my friend, but I snatched her up first. Do not worry, I will pay for your entertainment tonight as recompense."
He scoffed.
"Least you could do after taking away that beauty."
"Get over it Bronn! Look at all these beauties! There are plenty more to choose from! You two, go with my friend!"
The two whores giggled and pulled Bronn towards his own chambers, while I gave the other two remaining whores a slab in the ass and went to my chambers, the whore Alys waiting for me.
I was walking through the Red Keep, a spring in my step, in direction of Myrcella's chambers. She had summoned me to have tea and chat, which meant we would be talking of what was happening throughout the Kingdoms. We had at least one of these sessions a week, and it was always a joy to speak with her of the events throughout the kingdoms. I arrived to the door of her chambers and her guards stepped aside, already used to seeing me for the weekly meetings.
"Sweet Niece! How are you today? Have you heard the news?"
She smiled and responded.
"I am fine, though I fear we may soon find ourselves in trouble. What news do you bring me uncle?"
I sighed and poured myself a drink.
"Enemies from all sides. The Reach is slowly going towards us, Mace Tyrell dragging his feet in fear of any actual battle. North of us march 60,000 men, and supposedly Giants! Imagine that, actual giants! They've been confirmed by our scouts."
"Perhaps we can save ourselves by presenting yourself to these giants. I doubt they've seen a man as small as you."
"A wonderful suggestion Myrcella! The Half-Man against the Twice-Men! A great tale to tell all future Lannsiters! In a hundred years they'll call me Tyrion the Giant, savior of King's Landing!"
I got her laughing then, which was always a good sign. She had been very worried lately so it was important to me she get some cheer from the dreary life in the Red Keep. Eventually she stopped and returned to what we were talking of.
"Uncle, are the Targaryen rumors true? They say Elia Martell's son has taken Dragonstone and married the Mad King's daughter."
"Unfortunately… the answer to that question is yes. Apparently the boy has taken the castle with the Golden Company at his back. The Crownlords already flock to him, and soon Dorne will follow."
She turned grim at the news.
"We won't win will we?"
"No…. we will not."
Silence followed. We were both worried of what would come after. I was unimportant in the long run, no need to keep me alive, and Myrcella and I both knew the fate of women in a sacking.
"Uncle…. we could….. no, forget it."
I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Forget what?"
"It cannot even be considered."
"Myrcella, speak plainly or do not speak at all. Do not think to play coy with me. What do you propose?"
She stayed silent for a moment until she finally spoke.
"I propose we wait until the Northmen arrive and surrender ourselves to them. The Starks are honorable and just. I would prefer to be a northern hostage than a raped corpse at the hands of a Targaryen."
I should have been shocked, but really, what else would was there to do? Starks had throughout the years hosted exiles from different places throughout the world, from Royals to Merchants, First Men to even Andals. Hells, their current grandmaester was named Aemon Targaryen! They were ruthless to their enemies, yes, but they were notoriously just. They would not turn her away, and should they do, well her death would be quick.
"I see what you are proposing niece. With luck they will take me in too."
I looked down, smiling sadly.
"A good fantasy, but we cannot go against our family. I will arrange for you to be transported to the northern camp once they arrive, but I will stay in the city until it falls. Whatever happens, I promise you this, you will be safe."
Author's Note:
I'M BACK! So, did ya'll think I did a good job writing Tyrion? What about Myrcella? This was very dialogue heavy so I hope I did a good job making it engaging. Bronn was fun to write, and him and Tyrion make a fun duo, so I hope I nailed it. What did you all think of the letters? The Vale one was kinda iffy in my opinion, but I liked how the Targ one turned out. Straight up disrespectful. Loved writing it. "King Inbred" was from one of my reviewers, can't remember it off the top of my head, but thanks dude!
Thanks for reading! Please leave a review if you have the time, I respond to every single one of them! They help me with both just getting better at writing and overall getting motivation. On the subject of updates, after taking these 2 weeks off I've decided to post a chapter every 2 weeks. This was posted on Oct. 1, so next chapter will be on Oct. 15. I really want to keep posting weekly but its really fucking hard managing writing while also studying for College. If I have the chance, then I'm posting before the deadline, but I promise ya'll won't have to wait more than 2 weeks for new chapters. Thats basically all there was regarding this, so I'll end it here. Thanks to all of you, and have a nice day!