A/N: Another Tyrion chapter! This is a big moment-hope you guys enjoy.
Tyrion walked with purpose towards his old rooms. Under his arm he carried the accounts of the crown and he needed to report to the new hand on the costs of the upcoming royal weddings. He had just come from a thorough tongue lashing from the famous Queen of Thornes and he wasn't well looking forward to a similar encounter with his father. Perhaps it wouldn't be as bad as he thought though. Afterall, he had managed to talk to old miserly woman into covering half of the cost.
As he passed the golden lion statues that had been erected since his departure he grimaced. His family was not known for their subtlety and clearly his father was no exception. The hand's chambers were better furnished than when Tyrion had possession of them. The elongated table had been placed in the main presence chamber and this is where his father waited for him, along with, annoyingly, his sister. Clearly this meeting would be as bad as he thought.
"You're late." his father's clipped tone made Tyrion sigh. This was exactly what he needed. Another unending session with his father making sharp, cutting remarks while Cersei looked on with that catlike grin on her face. Tyrion was sure the queen never looked as smug as when their father was reprimanding him.
"What's she doing here?" Tyrion asked as he made his way towards the table.
"Our business here concerns her too. Sit."
Tyrion met eyes with Cersei from across the table as he slammed the heavy ledger he had been carrying onto the table. He took a deep breath and started.
"You'll be pleased to know that after one conversation with Olenna Tyrell, I've saved the crown hundreds of thousands on this wedding..."
"Never mind that now. We have something important to discuss."
"As Master of Coin, saving money is very important." No one else might care to hear it, but the crown was deeply in debt and only sinking further with this opulent affair. Tyrion was sure that his father would care greatly about this issue if the Iron Bank of Braavos were to start funding their enemies. The tiniest of snorts came from across the table and Tyrion turned to the smirk on his sister's face, fuming with annoyance. "Stop that. You're making me uncomfortable."
"Your sister has learned that your new friends the Tyrells are plotting to marry Sansa Stark, another friend of yours, to Sir Loras."
Tyrion's lungs sucked in air at his father's words. He didn't know how to feel about this development. On one hand, it would be safety for Sansa. The Tyrell's would not allow one of their own to be a whipping post, even for their king. She would be the Lady of Highgarden and would be whisked away from King's Landing in a heartbeat. Olenna wouldn't want her around to distract Joffrey from his new queen at the very least. But on the other hand, Sansa would be stuck in a loveless marriage. She may not have said so outright, but Tyrion had gotten to know her quite well lately and if there was ever a person who deserved love, it was Sansa. He knew she craved it and she should have a husband who would worship the ground she walked on. She deserved nothing less after everything that happened with her first marriage proposal. It was certainly an odd and conflicting feeling that washed over him now. But in the end, he knew what he needed to do. Sansa needed to be protected. Needed to be away from Joffrey. Being shackled to a man who would never appreciate or love her the way she should be would be worth it if it meant she was safe. At least she would be a grand lady and if The Knight of Flower's could manage to perform, a great mother.
"Very well. She's a lovely girl. Missing some of Loras' favorite bits, but I'm sure they'll make do."
"Your jokes are not appreciated." His father growled.
"Well it wasn't my best, but I thought-"
"I bring them into the royal fold and this is how they repay me. By trying to steal the key to the North."
Tyrion looked at him skeptically. What claim did Sansa have on the North? Her brother, who was winning every battle, was the King and he was freshly married. An heir would be born any day now. "Sansa is the key to the North? I seem to remember she has an older brother."
"The Karstarks have marched home."Tyrion gulped. That did not fare well for the Stark boy. If the Karstarks had abandoned him, his forces were greatly diminished. He'd have to continue relying on craftiness and luck if he was going to win this war. "The young wolf has lost half his army. His days are numbered. Theon Greyjoy murdered both his brothers. That makes Sansa Stark the heir to Winterfell. And I'm not about to hand her over to the Tyrells." Tyrion's heart sunk at this news. Sansa would be trapped then. There was no escaping the great Tywin Lannister if he had you in his sights. Still, he had to try.
"The Tyrell army is helping us to win this war. Do you really think it's wise to refuse them?"
"There's nothing to refuse." Now his father looked smug. "This is a plot. Plots are not public knowledge. And the Tyrells won't carry this one out until after Joffrey's wedding. We need to act first and kill this union in its crib."
Tyrion sighed heavily. So that option was gone. He only hoped the Tyrell's had not made Sansa privy to this plan. He couldn't imagine how pleased she must have been. He could almost see her bright blue eyes filled with joy and relief at the thought of marrying her handsome knight and being the lady of a great house. To have that ripped away was cruel. He would have to find her and see how much she knew. He would discreetly tell her his father's plans, hoping that he got to her before Joffrey could. She deserved to hear this from a friend.
"And how do we do that?" he asked tonelessly.
"We find Sansa Stark a different husband."
"Wonderful" he replied dryly. Perhaps he could persuade his father to at least marry her to a Lannister that didn't live at court.
"Yes, it is" For the first time in any meeting involving his sister in their entire existence, Tyrion had almost forgotten she was there. Now he turned to her and his stomach sank at the look on her face. He had never seen her happier. Never seen such cruel joy in her face. He was confused, but only for a moment. No... His head whipped to his father and saw the determination in his eyes. No!
"You can't mean it" Please let this be a joke. Please let his father finally find a sense of humor, however misguided this jest was. He cared for Sansa, of course he did, but he couldn't marry her! She was a child! And he a misshapen, useless dwarf! A monster! He didn't want to see the trust die in her eyes, didn't want to force her to give up everything she ever dreamed of in a husband and be shackled to him for eternity. He didn't want to look into her innocent, kind face and see hatred and betrayal. And he didn't want a wife who hated him.
"I can and I do."
Anger started to rise in him. The injustice towards her was overwhelming. "Joffrey has made this poor girl's life miserable since the day he took her father's head. Now she's finally free of him and you want her to give her to me? That's cruel even for you." Tyrion snarled, desperately trying to ignore his sister's smile.
"Do you intend on mistreating her?" Tywin asked mockingly before setting Tyrion with a hard glare. A glare that told him that this would happen regardless to anyone's feelings. Tyrion stared down at the table and took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "In any case, the girl's happiness is not my concern - nor should it be yours. You wanted to be rewarded for you valor in battle. Sansa Stark is a finer reward thank you could ever dare hope for. It is passed time you started acting to benefit your family."
Tyrion just glared at his father. How could he so spectacularly ruin the only good thing Tyrion ever had in his life. Tysha had been raped on his orders, Shae had to be hidden in fear of his threats, and now Sansa's delicate trust was to be shattered. Tyrion's friendship with Sansa was the purest thing Tyrion had ever had, and after the battle of Blackwater and the loss of the position of hand, the only good thing about King's Landing. Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she had a kind heart and a strong will. The girl was much more intelligent than even she realized and the hours they had spent together just talking had been illuminating. If he wasn't born into this stunted body he would be thrilled to have a woman as she as his wife. But she could never feel the same for him. She only trusted him as a friend but after this betrayal that would all be gone.
"You should be thanking the gods for this. This is more than you deserve." Cersei purred, obviously gloating.
"Tyrion will do as he's bid," their father said in an almost bored tone. "As will you."
Silence engulfed them as the smile faded from Cersei's face.
"You'll marry Sir Loras." The axe fell and Tyrion couldn't help but stare between them. His father ruining his life was almost common occurance, but this...
"I will not." Cersei declared steadfastly, as if she truly had a say in this matter. Tyrion was almost sympathetic to her naivety. As if she had any more of a choice than he.
"The boy is heir to Highgarden. Tyrion will secure the North. You will secure the Reach."
"No...I won't do it." Cersei had begun breathing heavily as she shook her head emphatically.
"Yes, you will. You're still fertile. You need to marry and breed." His father said just the wrong thing.
"I am the QUEEN REGENT, not some broodmare!" his sister exploded, but Tywin quickly overruled her.
"You're my daughter! You will do as I command and you will marry Loras Tyrell and put an end to the disgusting rumors about you once and for all." He glared at her and she could see that yelling would not help her and she quickly switched tactics.
"Father, please" she begged "Don't make me do it again." Tyrion felt his heart twist for his sister. She may be awful and haughty and cruel, but she was his family and he knew what she had dealt with being Robert's queen. Even if they hadn't loved others, it would have been an unhappy marriage. Hearing her beg for freedom made him feel for her.
But Tywin's fist connecting to the table was like a door slamming shut for the both of them. "Not another word!" Tywin growled and looked at the two of them with disgust. "My children. You've disgraced the Lannister name for far too long." And without another word, he stormed from into his inner chamber and slammed the door.
Cersei and Tyrion sat in silence for a moment, reeling from what had just occurred. He glanced up at his sister and saw her fighting to maintain control of her features. Fear, hopelessness, and fury all swirled through her bright green eyes. Green met green as she turned to him, and for a moment, Tyrion hoped that they could share in their misery. Those hopes were dashed as she narrowed her gaze and stood abruptly, all but running from the room, leaving him alone.