This chapter begins right after Jon's discussion with Tyrion and Margaery, and it will be the last chapter taking place in Casterly Rock for a while.
TYRION X
"This is madness! Arresting the Warden of the North! She's going to start a war!" Margaery calmed herself down. "Sorry, I shouldn't yell at you."
Margaery seldom lost her composure. When it happened, it was because something really serious happened. Just like now. She was pacing as well, something she didn't do often either. She was angry, and truth be told Tyrion was angry too, but he controlled himself with more success. He was more used to his siblings' rash actions and behaviours.
"I'm not happy about this me neither, Margaery. This could indeed start a war," he said.
"Of course, it could. What was Cersei thinking about? This stinks of her. We both met Eddard Stark at Winterfell. It was obvious he had no desire to go to King's Landing. And now, all of a sudden, he tries to take the Iron Throne?"
"I think we both agree this is very unlikely. The raven Pycelle sent everywhere is clearly made of Cersei's words." Tyrion sighed. This wasn't a good way to start the day, especially not after the night he spent with his wife and the feast that marked her three years as Lady of Casterly Rock. "Cersei has always wanted power. She craves for it. Now is her chance. Robert is dead, and Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne."
His sister always gave most of her attention to Joffrey. He was her firstborn son, and she prepared him to rule her own way. Tyrion didn't want to imagine the result it would give. He supposed they wouldn't have to wait long before they saw it. Joffrey was king and Cersei was whispering in his ear. If Robert was an awful ruler, then what would it be with Tyrion's nephew and sister?
"Tyrion." Margaery was looking at him, standing tall as he sat behind his desk. "According to Kevan, it was Cersei who arrested Eddard Stark. That's her doing. She is dangerous."
Yes, she was. They had discussed about it for hours when the ravens arrived in the morning. "Robert had no love for my sister. I wouldn't be surprised if he asked Eddard Stark to look after Joffrey before he died, or if he gave him the task in his will, but he certainly left nothing to Cersei, or almost nothing."
"So she decided to take the power with her own means. And now, because of her, we may end up with a war against three kingdoms. Eddard Stark had no reasons to take the Iron Throne. His daughter was going to marry Joffrey, and Robert Baratheon was his friend. We have to deal with her Tyrion, and in a permanent way this time." Tyrion saw the determination in his wife's eyes. "She tried to kill you, to turn your bannermen against you, and now she arrests the Warden of the North and threatens to bring us into a war against half of Westeros. We can't let her stay in King's Landing and influence Joffrey. She will only try to mine your power and to have you killed again. That's not something we can allow. That's not something I can allow."
Tyrion looked aside, his shoulders sinking. "I suppose you're right."
When he looked back at Margaery, she was staring at him with an expression between exasperation and sympathy. "I know she is your sister, but she tried to murder you, and she will try again."
"I know. You're right. It's not that she is my sister the problem."
"What is it then?"
After a moment, Tyrion said it. "It's Jaime."
"Your brother?"
"He won't forgive me for that. The real reason why I never did anything to Cersei was because Jaime would never forgive me. No more than he would forgive Cersei if she tried anything against me."
"Let me doubt about it. He seems to have forgiven her for trying to turn your men against you."
Tyrion frowned. "He doesn't know about it."
"He does. I told him."
"When?"
"During Joffrey's name day. He didn't seem to hold any grudge against your sister for that when we saw them at Winterfell."
Tyrion hadn't wanted to involve Jaime in his problems with Cersei. It was better to let him deal with their sister alone. Well, it was done and he could do nothing against it. Still, he wished his wife never told Jaime about this. "Jaime just doesn't want to do anything against me or Cersei. He doesn't want to fight against a member of his family."
Margaery sighed in exasperation. "Well, we won't harm Cersei. Let's just send her somewhere comfortable but isolated, where she can cause no trouble. In the Reach, preferably. Maybe the Shield Islands. There isn't much she will able to do there."
Tyrion approved. "We'll have to make sure that Joffrey approves. He's the king, so he has something to say about anything that concerns his mother. Some would say that since Robert is dead, she is under the authority of her son now."
"Others could say she is under your authority. She was given to Robert by the Lord of Casterly Rock. It was your father at the time, but since Robert is dead, you may have a right about anything regarding her as well. She never called herself Cersei Baratheon. Everyone keeps calling her Cersei Lannister. We could use that to say that she goes back under your authority now that her husband is dead. You could even force her to marry again."
The thought of this wasn't displeasing, far from it. To force Cersei to marry someone else. He almost smiled at the thought, though he knew Jaime would be furious about it. "Better be sure that Joffrey has nothing to say about it. We'll find a way to get Cersei out of King's Landing for good without having him protest in any way."
It was unclear whether Cersei depended on her father's family or her husband's family now. There were no laws concerning this, only customs. Among the lords in general, it could vary from one family to another, and even within the same family it could change. However, since the Lannisters were the power behind Robert for many years, Tyrion might have a chance to get back an authority on Cersei if he maneuvered well enough.
"Then better to go there as quickly as we can," Margaery said. She sat on a chair in front of his desk. "What a mess we're in."
Indeed, they were in a mess, and all that because of his sister. Jon Arryn's death, Bran Stark's fall, and now this. Margaery ignored it, but Kevan had sent two ravens to Casterly Rock. The first one was destined to be read by them both, and it explained that Cersei was the one to arrest Eddard Stark and his daughters and who had his whole retinue slaughtered. Kevan said he was trying his best to bring back order, but he needed Tyrion and Margaery in King's Landing.
The second message Kevan sent was for Tyrion only. There was a special sign on it, that meant it could only be read by the Lord of Casterly Rock. Even the maester couldn't open the scroll and read its content. Creylen knew it and he had given it to Tyrion immediately when he received it. Tyrion had thrown into the fire the small piece of paper as soon as he read it, to make sure no one would ever know about its content but him. Still, the words that were written on it would never leave his mind.
Eddard Stark discovered the truth about Jaime and Cersei. He knows. He wrote to Stannis and to Margaery. Don't let that message reach her, or make sure she doesn't believe it. We'll be at war soon. We will need the Tyrells at our side.
Margaery knew nothing about it. She didn't know Kevan sent a second message. Tyrion couldn't tell her. However, if the truth about his nephews and niece was about to be revealed to the entire realm, and if a message from Ned Stark was heading in their direction as they spoke, he could no longer hide the truth from her. Tyrion knew what it meant. He knew what he would have to do.
He looked at his lovely wife. They had spent such a wonderful evening, followed by a night that was just as beautiful. Three years since they were married. Tyrion couldn't believe so much time had gone since he met this fantastic woman. He never thought he could love again after Tysha. He hoped for it, despite his certainty that it would never happen, but he was wrong. He had fallen in love with Margaery, and even more surprising, she had fallen in love with him. Tyrion found it less surprising every day, but still. Margaery was so perfect. He never thought he could be so happy. And now he would have to do something that he would probably regret for the rest of his life. He hoped he wouldn't regret it, but he felt that his hopes wouldn't be granted this time.
"I suppose Willas will have to marry without me," Margaery said, regrets filling her voice. Tyrion knew how much she wanted to be there for her cousin's wedding, but there was no way around it. They had to go to King's Landing immediately. He left his chair and came to sit before her on the other side of the desk.
"I'm sorry." He took one of her hands into his. She had graceful hands, just as graceful as the rest of her body. She had been running the same hand on his chest this morning when Creylen had come with the news from King's Landing. Tyrion had wanted to kill the maester when he interrupted them, and he had wanted to kill him twice when he learned what Cersei had done. "However, maybe it would better to delay this wedding. Your handmaiden may prove useful in the capital. She is a Northerner, and we'll have to deal with a few of them wen we arrive."
Margaery had a disappointed expression. "Willas won't be happy. He's been waiting to marry Mira far too long. Their betrothal already lasted longer than it should have been."
"You'll only have to accompany her to Highgarden once this is all over. And you'll be present for the wedding, this way," he added with a grin. Margaery returned a condescending smile.
"Yes. I suppose I should tell him now, and Mira too. I don't know what will be her feelings about it."
She leaned forward and kissed him. Her lips were smooth. He could never get enough of them. Their kiss lasted longer than it should have considering the circumstances, but Tyrion didn't want to break it. When their lips finally parted, she said the words he loved to hear so much.
"I love you." Then she left. Why did her words hurt so much now? Tyrion dreaded the moment when he would have to do it.
He tried to set aside these dark thoughts and went to his desk, writing the letter for Robb Stark. When he was done with it, he called for his squire to bring it to Jon Snow. Ty told him then that Tycho Nestoris asked when they could speak. Tyrion supposed that now was a good time as ever. He wouldn't be here tomorrow.
He let Ty go and carry out his orders. In the meantime, he took another message that arrived a few days ago. He didn't read it until this morning when he looked among all the news they received from Westeros before they left. Creylen hadn't though it was worthy of attention. Jeor Mormont, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, was dead. According to Maester Aemon, he was killed by a dead man in his sleep. We've been capturing wildlings, more every month. They're fleeing south. The ones who flee say they've seen the White Walkers. The fishermen near Eastwatch have glimpsed them on the shore. One of our own rangers swore he saw them kill his companions. He swore it right up to the moment Ned Stark chopped his head off. Tyrion had liked the Lord Commander, and he respected him. If Maester Aemon was to be believed, the dead man killed four other men before they were able to put him down. Swords and arrows had no effect, and they needed fire to neutralize him.
Tyrion remembered Maester Aemon. He had spent more time at the Wall than any other living man, and despite the fact that he was old, Tyrion didn't think he was raving. Benjen Stark said the wildlings were not the ones to give him sleepless nights. And there had been a moment, the last time he was on the top of the Wall, the night he proposed to Jon Snow to come with him to Castrly Rock, that he had the impression… that this was all true. Surely it had only been his imagination. The members of the Night's Watch were for the most part uneducated men. Most couldn't write or read. They probably imagined this, and reported it to Maester Aemon. Yes, it had to be this. And yet…
Aemon probably made an autopsy of the Lord Commander's body. He would have realized at least if the Lord Commander was murdered. If a dead man killed him, he would have inflicted injuries to Mormont. That meant the Lord Commander was certainly killed. If not by a dead man, then who? One of his own men? Could it be possible that there was a mutiny? There had been some in the past. Most of the people at the Wall were criminals. Tyrion kept sending those from the Westerlands at the Wall, and he also sent gold, supplies and steel since he returned from the Wall. At least, it could help these people for the next winter. Some people at Castle Black weren't horrible, just unlucky. Still, there were enough murderers and rapers who could try to kill their Lord Commander. Their loyalty was far from assured.
Tyrion couldn't get out of his mind the words of Benjen Stark, Jeor Mormont and Aemon Targaryen. He couldn't get out of his head that there might be some truth to what they said. He sighed and put a hand on his forehead. He spent too much time in the North. Jeor Mormont's death was tragic, but they had other worries right now. He would keep sending help to the Watch, but he would believe that the dead were back when they would be back. He put aside the raven from Maester Aemon.
The representative of the Iron Bank of Braavos arrived, smiling and courteous like always. His manners reminded Tyrion of those he witnessed with other bankers and businessmen he met, including Littlefinger. He had to be careful with him. Lords, kings and cities trembled before the Iron Bank of Braavos. Even his father was always careful with them, saying they all lived in the shadows of the Iron Bank.
"Thank you for granting me this private audience, Lord Tyrion," the representative said.
"You may sit, Nestoris." The man did as he was told. "So, what is this private matter that brings you here? You mentioned the debt of others."
"I'm afraid I did. Lately, he Iron Bank has been preoccupied by the Iron Throne. We invested quite important sums there, lately."
"I suppose you considered this was a good investment, if you did it."
"We never make investments we don't believe to be good. And yet, it is not because the Iron Bank believes something that it is true. We can make wrong decisions."
"Are you saying you regret lending money to King Robert?"
"King Robert was quite better at spending money than making it, or managing it. We know the Crown is over six million golden dragons in debt, and that most of this debt is owned to you, and your wife's family."
"I see the Iron Bank is well informed. I would say that the six hundred thousand the Crown owes to the Iron Bank is quite small and unimportant to the king when compared to the millions it owes to the Reach and the Westerlands."
"Indeed." Tycho Nestoris was still smiling, but behind his smile Tyrion could see a coldness when he heard that the money of the Iron Bank paled when compared to the money of Casterly Rock and Highgarden. "However, the Crown has been borrowing more money from us lately, after you reached an arrangement with the regretted Hand of the King. Not long ago, they borrowed eighty thousand, and we found out later that it was for a tourney."
That didn't surprise Tyrion. "Why are you telling me this, Nestoris? You should discuss it with the king. I am not the king."
"A very regrettable situation, maybe." Why did he say that? Was he implying something? "Although this isn't why I came, I heard that Robert Baratheon died, and that now your nephew is sitting on the Iron Throne."
"I see news travel fast here."
"The Iron Bank must always be aware of what is going on. We need to protect our investments. But now that your nephew is king, I expect we can be sure that you will provide if he ever fails to repay his father's debts."
So, that was why he came. Tyrion straightened himself in his chair and looked right into the emissary's eyes. "Nestoris, let us make this clear. Joffrey may be my nephew, but Casterly Rock is not King's Landing, the Westerlands are not the Crownlands, and the Warden of the West is not the king. It will be to Joffrey to repay his debts. I always pay my debts, but Joffrey's debts are not mine, or else I would be lending money to myself when the Crown borrows it."
A silence followed. "You make things very clear, just like your father."
"Yes, but I'll make them even clearer for you, Nestoris. The Iron Bank will have its due, and you don't need to worry about that. I know better than to make an enemy of the Iron Bank, and I don't want Joffrey to make an enemy of you. If he doesn't understand that the Iron Bank will have its due, then I'll remind him. I'm very good at talking some sense into him. And before you think about other possible investments in Westeros, let me remind you that Casterly Rock and Highgarden stand unconditionally behind Joffrey. All the other kingdoms combined can't compete with our financial and military power. Investing in other ventures in Westeros wouldn't be safe for the Iron Bank. Joffrey is the best venture."
Nestoris's smile widened for a moment. "Thank you, my lord, for enlightening us. And you are right. Casterly Rock and Highgarden are the best places where the Iron Bank could invest on this continent." He bowed in Tyrion's direction. "Now, although this is not the main reason of my presence here, may I know if you intend to accept Magister Renyon's proposition?"
"I will have a discussion with the magister later, to give him my answer. The Iron Bank is always welcome here."
"Thank you, my lord. I think that will be all."
He excused himself, bowed and left. Tyrion wouldn't accept the deal of Braavos. To allow a foreign power to build a harbor on his lands could be catastrophic on the long term. They could come to control the trade and place favorable conditions for the ships that would divert some of the trade away from Lannisport and Casterly Rock. Tyrion couldn't allow competition to settle. With Lannisport, Casterly Rock controlled most of the trade by sea in the Westerlands, thanks to the family ties with the minor branch of House Lannister that administered the city. If they allowed Braavos to competition them, they could lose an important source of income.
Ty entered his solar. "I gave the letter for Robb Stark to Jon Snow, my lord. He should be leaving very soon."
"Good." On a whim, Tyrion decided to seek Jon Snow. "I'll go to make him my farewells. Tell Arfo Renyon to come and wait for me here."
"Yes, my lord."
Tyrion found Jon Snow near the stables and watched him go as he rode away from the Rock. Let us hope that Robb Stark will listen to his brother. Half-brother. It was for situations like this one that Tyrion had taken Jon Snow with him back to Casterly Rock. To forge a friendship with a Stark and let him stay here could make the relations with the North better on the long term. Jon Snow could also be a valuable hostage if need be. Tyrion could have kept him at Casterly Rock for that latter purpose. However, Tyrion wanted to stop a war from happening. It wouldn't be a good way for Joffrey to start his reign, though it wouldn't surprise either. Jon Snow would help more in preventing the war if they sent him to stop his brother, or at least to slow him down. If he failed, then they still had three Starks in King's Landing to trade. A fourth wouldn't have much value. And to be honest, Tyrion didn't want to make Jon Snow a prisoner. It was better to send him away for everyone. There wasn't much to lose in letting Jon Snow go, and there was much to gain.
The rest of the day was spent arranging for their departure tomorrow. The Braavosi magister was sent back to his home with a polite refusal. Tyrion named Damion castellan of the Rock in his absence, but charged Genna to keep an eye on everything. His aunt would be the real castellan but in name. They also sent ravens through all the Westerlands, ordering the lords to mobilize. Tyrion left instructions to send a first army to King's Landing through the Goldroad while another one would camp near the Golden Tooth on the River Road. He specified to his uncle Stafford and his son Daven, who would command this army, to not penetrate the Riverlands under any reason. They were only to be there as a warning for the Riverlands on their borders. If the Starks or the Tullys tried anything on King's Landing, Tyrion would give the order to Daven and his father to invade the Riverlands and do everything necessary to make the Tullys kneel. In the meantime, the army at the Golden Tooth would stay on its position, even if the Tully forces attacked them. They wouldn't give the other kingdoms any reason to think that they initiated the war if it came to that.
Margaery also sent a raven to Highgarden. For now, the Tyrells were not to raise armies, but they were to be prepared for that eventuality if someone raised in rebellion against Joffrey. Margaery wasn't aware of that, but if Stannis Baratheon received word that Joffrey wasn't Robert's son, then both Baratheon brothers would declare war against him very soon. They would need the Tyrells then. But for now, the Reach was only to be ready for anything.
Tyrion supped with his wife alone this evening. She had been busy all day, preparing for their departure, arranging the household for the time she would be absent and visiting some of her charity works one last time before they left. Combined with yesterday's feast and the time she spent organizing it, this led to a complete exhaustion. Margaery was seldom exhausted. Tyrion was always surprised by her energy and her ability to work as hard if not harder than him. However, it was obvious now that she needed rest. She didn't speak as much as usual and her smiles looked forced. Tyrion supposed this was no surprise. The news from King's Landing were not to make anyone cheerful.
Tyrion had a few other things to prepare afterwards. When he came back to their apartments, it was quite late. He should have gone to bed sooner for the journey they would start early in the morning. Margaery was talking with her handmaiden when he entered.
"Rumours could spread, Mira. If Ty mentioned this to me, he could talk about it to anybody. And someone else could have seen you enter or leave his room," his wife was saying.
"My lady, nothing happened. I was only there to say goodbye," Lady Mira replied.
"I know. I believe you. You're not Sera." He perceived a small sigh in his wife's voice as she pronounced the name of the other handmaiden. "Still, you should be careful. Rumors are dangerous, especially for women in our position."
"I know, my lady."
"Good. You may go. Just be careful the next time."
"Am I interrupting something?" Tyrion asked, coming in the open.
Mira Forrester curtsied. "My lord."
"You may go, Mira. We must all be rested for tomorrow," Margaery told her.
"Yes, my lady."
Mira Forrester left and Tyrion found himself alone with his wife. "A problem with your handmaiden?" he asked.
"Nothing serious."
"Nothing serious like finding her in a larder with a boy."
Margaery made a muffled laugh. "Nothing of this sort. With Mira, I can be quiet. Sera is the one worrying me more often than not."
Tyrion grinned. "You know, I may be the Lord of Casterly Rock, but I'm not going to have a friend of yours flogged just because she stole a jug of my finest wine."
Margaery smiled in return. Tyrion came to sit next to her and took her hand in his. "I know, but still, she should be careful. She'll get herself in trouble, and I can't watch her every step."
She sighed and pushed her head back. Tyrion kept rubbing the back of her hand. In ordinary times, she would have a few rings to every hand, along with bracelets on her arms. When they went to sleep however, there was only one she kept. His thumb sometimes trailed to the diamond ring adorning her middle finger, the one he gave her three years ago. Back then, he didn't think their marriage would take that direction. He didn't believe this ring would have more meaning than a political alliance. He was wrong.
He looked at his wife, her eyes closed, her head leaning back, her right arm hanging from exhaustion. She was still wearing the clothes she put on for today, a light green gown in her homeland's style with golden branches on the chest. It outlined at the perfection her breasts, and the neckline allowed to see the beginning of her curves. Her hips were partially displayed, and Tyrion knew that half of her back was left bare. She was beautiful beyond description.
Eddard Stark discovered the truth about Jaime and Cersei. He wrote to Stannis and to Margaery. He wanted to tell her the truth. He wanted to tell her what really happened, why Cersei acted in this way against the Starks, why Jon Arryn probably died. He wanted to tell her everything. How could he hide this from her all these years?
She mumbled something and breathed deeply, her head moving a little. He wished he could carry her to their bed, but the nature deprived him of this privilege. Why did the gods make him a dwarf, and why did they allow him to marry such a woman? He couldn't even place himself between her and an assassin who would ty to kill her if that happened. All he had was due to his family name, to his Lannister inheritance. Without it, he would be nothing. You'll have to make sure the family name lives on. It's all that lives on. You'll need to continue the work I started. His father's last words resonated in his mind. He remembered something Kevan told him a long time ago, something his aunt Genna told him. She said you were Tywin's son. The only one of his children who could maintain what he built in the last decades and build on it. He was the son of Tywin Lannister, for sure. He was about to betray his wife, the one woman he loved in this world, and all that for family.
So instead of telling her the truth, he only told her : "We should go to bed."
"Yes," she said in a tired voice. "We need some rest." Her hand didn't leave his a second as they walked to their bedroom.
Later, after he got rid of all his clothes and extinguished the candles, he climbed into the bed. Margaery was already laying on her back, her eyes shut. Maybe she was already sleeping. He hoped that she was. She needed to sleep, and she deserved it. She deserved so much more, and Tyrion couldn't provide her with it. He slid inside the sheets, laid on his back just like his wife and looked at the ceiling. Considering the time a ship needed to reach Dragonstone, it was clearly possible that Stannis Baratheon already received Ned Stark's message. The other message was on its way. If they followed the Goldroad, it would reach them while they would be in the surroundings of Deep Den.
There would be a war, without any doubt. They would have to fight Stannis and Renly. Stannis without any doubt. As for Renly, there was a small chance, however small it was, that they could convince him that Ned Stark didn't tell the truth, but since Ned Stark was known for a man of honor, their odds of succeeding were very limited. Very few would question the man's word. Who would believe the Kingslayer and the Imp over the honorable Lord of Winterfell?
They had to prevent a war with the North. A war with the North meant a war with the Riverlands and the Vale of Arryn as well. The North rebels, and half the Seven Kingdoms rebel as well. They had to force Eddard Stark to recant his words. Then they would only face the Baratheons, an enemy much easier to deal with. Dragonstone and Storm's End couldn't defeat the Crown alone, not if the Crown was supported by the Reach and the Westerlands. What would Dorne do? They hated the Lannisters, but they despised the Baratheons as well. Did they hate the Starks too? It was difficult to say what they would do. Perhaps they would simply stand by and watch the other houses kill each other. Tyrion tried to imagine what he would do if he was in Doran Martell's position. Would he join the war with someone who had a hand in the murders of his sister, his nephew and his niece? Yes, if he could take his revenge, or else he would find another way to get what he wanted. War wasn't the only available option.
They had to prevent the North and its allies to enter war against them, they had to make sure Dorne wouldn't fight with the Baratheons… and he had to make sure the Reach would fight for Joffrey. For that, he needed to do everything necessary. He looked on his left and surprised his wife watching him.
"Can't sleep?" she asked.
"No," he answered. If only she knew the real reason why he couldn't sleep, but as much as he wished he could tell her, he couldn't.
"Me neither." She moved and came to rest her head on his shoulder, near the crack of his neck. "Damn Cersei."
"Yes, damn Cersei," he repeated. He inhaled the scent of her hair, and his right hand came to caress the smooth skin around her left hip.
They remained in that position for some time, her hand resting against him, her breathe sending warm air on his chest. His right hand wandered on her back while the left one stroke her hair. Sometimes, he buried his face into them, filling his lungs with her scent. All the while, her left hand travelled on his chest. He could see the glint of her wedding ring as her hand moved. Her right hand was in his hair as well.
She suddenly straightened herself over him and looked straight into his eyes. "You know we'll have to deal with Cersei for good this time."
"I know." On that, they agreed.
"Even if your brother hates you for the rest of your life."
He sighed. "I know."
He looked away from her. Jaime may hate him for that, but it would be safer for all the family, including Cersei, Jaime himself and their children. It would also be safer for Tyrion to have Cersei isolated somewhere she could do no harm. And it would be safer for Margaery. He wouldn't let Cersei hurt her. That was the one thing where he could make no compromise. Still, Jaime wouldn't be happy.
"Why does it matter so much to you?"
He looked back at her, frowning. "What do you mean?"
"What you brother thinks of you. Why does it matter so much?"
"Jaime is my brother."
"Cersei is your sister. Do you care so much about her? Why?"
Her tone wasn't accusing. If anything, it gave him the impression that she didn't understand his love for Jaime. Why wouldn't she? She had a brother too. He didn't look in her eyes as he answered. "Jaime was always my big brother," he said softly. "He was the only one to ever defend me when I was young. He was the only one in my family who really saw me as a member of his family. He was the only I was really close with, and he never abandoned me."
A long silence followed. "There is one time he abandoned you."
What was she talking about? He looked straight at her again. "When?"
She kept looking back at him for a time, and then she looked away before locking her eyes with his again. "Forget it." She said it in a very low voice. Even with their faces only a few inches from each other, he could barely hear her. "I love you."
Then she kissed him, slowly. This was a real kiss, a kiss that meant she loved him. At the beginning of their marriage, she would have made a bright smile after he asked the question she didn't answer, then she would have kissed him deeply, with passion, so he would forget the question he asked. She didn't do it anymore. Through the months, their lovemaking changed. They didn't make love anymore out of duty, or out of lust. Well, that wasn't really accurate. Every time they made love, lust was involved, but it was no longer only that. The main reason why they made love was because they loved each other. Tyrion loved her, but to know that she loved him too, that she enjoyed their time together, it brought him more happiness than anything else. It was so different from all the other women he had been with.
Soon, they reversed positions and Margaery was the one lying on her back, while Tyrion kept kissing her slowly on the lips. Then he trailed his mouth on her cheek, then her neck. Her scent was wonderful. He wished he could breathe it all day. He heard her moans as he went lower. He loved to hear these sounds from her. He loved her so much. If it hadn't been for the damned raven, they would have spent more time together in bed this morning, doing that sort of things. His hand trailed close to her heart and he could feel its beating. At the same time, he could hear her breathing getting quicker as she let escape small sounds. His own breathing was getting heavier and quicker. Soon, he forgot everything but the woman he loved, and the world seemed limited to them and them alone.
Later, they were in their initial position, Margaery lying on her belly, her head resting in his neck, while he rested on his back, his left hand still caressing her back. She was asleep. She looked so beautiful in that peaceful state. His left hand was rubbing the back her left one, often stopping close to the ring or brushing it. He loved Margaery, more than anyone else in the world. However, he wasn't ready to do anything for her. He could do for her many things that he would never do for anyone else, but there were certain things that he wasn't sure he could do for her. Could he betray his family for her? Could he betray Jaime for her?
He loved her. She was beautiful, but above all this, she was intelligent, good-hearted, generous, clever, caring, and she loved him. He didn't see what he could ask more from her. She trusted him. I am hers, and she is mine. From this day until the end of my days. Vows that he took three years ago. He meant them, and meant them even more today. And yet, that wasn't enough. His aunt was right. He was the son of Tywin Lannister. He was going to fool the woman he loved. He was going to use her and her family. He was going to betray his wife.
I hope you don't hate this chapter too much, but we can see Tyrion struggling here. Loyalty to the family was inprinted too deep into Tyrion's mind at an early age, and this loyalty stops him from telling Margaery the truth about Jaime and Cersei. Let's wait for the consequences of his choice in the future.
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Next chapter : Eddard
