Chapter 20. Last of the Lannisters
After Sansa killed herself Tyrion Lannister returned to Harranhal, cut off all contact with his family and married Shae. He used gold he borrowed from the Iron Bank and built his own army-10,000 strong. When his father came to Harranhal Tyrion refused to see Tywin and sent him a message stating that if he hired assassins against his wife or try to move against him-then Tyrion would make war on his own family. When Joffrey sent messengers to Harranhal Tyrion had them killed and their heads placed on pikes on the wall.
He made Bronn Captain of his guard-a year later Shae bore him twin sons he named Tyrion Lannister II and Jormen Lannister. Podrick was knighted and given command of a 1,000 men. Then Shae bore Tyrion a daughter he named Joanna after his mother. The only person Tyrion would allow to see his children or visit Harranhal was Jaime and his family. Young Tyrion was a lot like his father-he loved to read and use his mind. Jormen was a combination of his father and mother-very cunning and quick witted-he liked swords but preferred the bow. Sometimes Tyrion would look at Jormen and see a small version of his father Tywin. Joanna also loved to read and was as calculating as her aunt Cersi-Tyrion spoiled her the most and their wasn't nothing Joanna could ask that Tyrion wouldn't do.
To keep House Lannister in good graces with the Iron Bank Tywin paid the debt off. A well calculated move by Tyrion who was unaware that every member of house Lannister was dead with the exception of him. He sat on the wall reading with his daughter and son Jormen when Joanna spotted a rider approaching the gate.
"Father look!" Joanna said pointing-she was six years old.
Tyrion was on a chair that allowed him to see over the rail when he stood up. He spotted Podrick running into the courtyard to greet the man. From the way he was dressed Tyrion guessed he was a messenger for Verys. "Jormen take your sister to the library-while I see what is brewing in King's Landing."
When Tyrion got to the steps Bronn was waiting with Podrick and the messenger. "My lord-I was told to put this in your hands by Lord Verys."
Tyrion furrowed his brow as the man climbed onto his horse to leave, "Aren't you going to wait for a reply?"
"No my lord! I was told to give you that and return to King's Landing."
Tyrion watched the man as he rode back through the gate-he broke the seal and read:
To: Lord Tyrion Lannister of Harranhal
From Verys Lord of Whispers
Lord Tyrion after you read this letter burn it! I consider you a friend-so I write this letter at great risk to my own life-Your family-Tywin, Jaime, Brienne-their children, Cersi, her husband, their son Victor, Mrycella and her children, Tommen, Kevan and his family, everyone who carries the blood and Lannister are dead-Killed by a very skillful, dangerous assassin-Your life and the lives of your wife and children are in grave danger-Leave Harranhal and do not underestimate this person-Stay off the road-There is a ship in Kings Landing waiting to sail you and your family to Pentos-I can say no more-Farewell my friend and good luck...
"I don't believe it!" Bronn said reading the letter, "It could be a trick!"
Tyrion sighed, "Normally I'd believe you-but I know the Lord of Whispers-This is his handwriting." He looks up at Podrick, "Prepare a hundred me-We travel fast and light!" Then he looks at Bronn, "Tell Captain Lorson to assemble the army and march them to Casterly Rock-They are to report to Lord Clegane."
Shae was in her room sowing when Tyrion came, "What is it?" She asked noticing the look on his face. He gave her the letter and when she was done reading it he placed the letter in the fire place. "Do you think its true?"
"I do-my mind has trouble believing it-but my heart says it is true-I need you to do something for me!"
Shae didn't agree, but she did what he asked. Shae packed some gold and clothes for the children. Her guards would have to hunt game in the wild for food or buy it from a village. Shae along with the children and a 100 men would travel to the Iron Isles and sail to Pentos from their while he went to King's Landing with Podrick. Tyrion lay in his tent five days later hoping Shae and the children were well. When he got up and exited his tent all his men were dead-Podrick was help by a strong dark haired man. Sandor Clegane pointed a sword at Tyrion's neck while a hooded woman looked down on him from a horse. What caught Tyrion's attention the most was the object strapped to the Hound's back.
"The Hound-I suppose you are behind the deaths of my family!" Tyrion then looks at the woman on the horse, "And who is your new friend?"
Woman dismounts and removes her hood and mouth cowl, "Stark! Arya Stark!"
"I see! Are you responsible for the deaths of my family?"
"I am-Now I only have one last Lannister to kill-but tell me-How did you learn I was coming-My spy in your castle said you left-was it Verys who warned you?" Tyrion remained silent, "I see!" Arya snapped her finger and they dragged out Shae, Tyrion II, Jormen, Joanna, and Bronn."
"Let them go they have nothing to do with this-They never harmed your family!"
"Answer me or I will throw this dagger into your daughter's chest!"
Tyrion's mouth trembled, "I...I have spies in King's Landing-They warned me!"
Arya smiled staring into his eyes, "Let my children go!" Shae demanded, "They are innocent!"
Arya walked up to her, "There is no such thing as innocent."
"We were friends with your sister and my husband tried to help her."
Arya smiles, "I know! But look at him..." Arya said pointing at Tyrion, "If I let him live he will want revenge on me for Jaime, his family, Myrcella-her family, and Cersi's son-And all the others even though he didn't get along with his father and sister."
"What if we were your wards-or take my children as your wards and kill us-For the sake of my friendship with your sister PLEASE!"
Arya bit her lip and looked away pushing the tears back-she huffed and sneered at Shae, "My father made the mistake of making Theon Greyjoy his ward-Theon Greyjoy my father's mercy by leading an attack on the home he grew up in and killed the boys who called him brother-I will not be weak-All of you must die!"
"Wait!" Bronn said struggling to his feet, "Allow me to fight the Hound-If I win take them all as wards and spare their lives-if you loose then do as wish-At least give them a chance-You owe them that for the kindness they showed your sister."
Arya turned her back on Bronn, "I owe them nothing-I owe my family vengeance!"
"I will fight him-give them a chance!" Sandor said speaking up.
Arya folded her arms, "NO! They are in no position to bargain with me! But I have a a deal for you." Arya signals Sandor and he removes the object from his back. Tyrion's eyes bulge and his daughter screams as Joffrey Baratheon is set down in their mist.
"Un...cl...e...h...e...lp...me!" Joffrey begs-he smells as he hadn't been bathed in the past 3 days.
"I know my nephew is a monster-but have some humanity-put him out of his misery."
Arya looks at Bronn, "See what I have done to Joffrey Lannister-If you take this same punishment I will spare them-Your legs, arms, and cock will be cut off-You will live like this for the rest of your life-Willing take it and I will spare them! That is my deal!"
"You cold hearted bitch!" Shae said.
"I will take it!" Podrick says speaking up, "Spare them and I will live like that!"
Tyrion shook his head, "I wouldn't wish that on my worse enemy-no don't do it Podrick!"
Arya slits Podrick's neck, "He spoke!" She said pointing at Bronn, "He must decide!"
Bronn roars, bashing Sandor in the face breaking his nose, and Snatches his sword charging Arya-He tries to wrap his arm around her neck, but Arya catches his arm, flips him onto his back-takes the sword and stabs Bronn in the chest. Tyrion is dismayed.
"Your deaths will be quick and painless." Arya gives them a poison that makes them fall asleep and die. Then she has them buried together forcing Joffrey to watch.
"I...pr...ay...t...o...the...g...ods...n...e...w.. .a...nd...old! T...hat...y...ou...get...the...same...BITCH!" Joffrey said mumbling.
Arya bent down in front of him, "There is only one god-The god of death-And I am his Hand. Mount up lets go!"
