~Tyrion~

I tried to understand it. Understand what I had missed. It had been the wine that killed my nephew, of that I was certain, but I had drank from the same bottle and not died. So what was the difference? It was a question that drove me mad as I sat chained to a wooden post in the dungeon, waiting to be judged guilty and put to death. With my entire family aiming to have my head, it was a wonder I'd been allowed to live this long. What did I miss? I wished for Elena then. Something I hadn't let myself do since we'd last talked. I chuckled to myself. No, we didn't talk. I'd called her a whore. Something I knew she was not, and ripped her heart to shreds. The fact that she was still here spoke volumes on her resolve. She would know how to help I bet. She would be able to see what I'd missed. There was a knock at the wooden door, before it opened to reveal Podrick, my faithful squire.

"Podrick, my apologies for the stench." I greeted as he smiled at me.

"I brought a bottle of wine my lord, but they took it from me." I sighed, longing for a sip.

"A valiant effort."

"I did find the candles though. A quill, some parchment. Duck sausage, almonds, and some hard cheese." He spoke as he unrolled his pants legs, removing the items, before standing, hands clasped before him. He will be a fine knight someday. I thought as I looked at the growing boy before me.

"Good lad. Have you heard from Elena?" A frown pulled at his lips and I wanted to take back the question. I knew they'd been spending a lot of time together, and I was willing to bet he fancied her something terrible.

"Not today my lord." She had also disappeared during the chaos, and I couldn't help but wonder if maybe she'd been responsible for poisoning my nephew.

"What are they saying about me out there?" I asked as I looked up at him. His face grew serious then and he stood straighter.

"You are to face trial in a fortnight, for murdering the king."

"Do you believe I murdered Joffery?" I asked before he shook his head, though his shoulders slumped.

"No my lord. You didn't?"

"No. Gods no. The world is a better place without him, but I had nothing to do with it. I would like to think, if I were planning a royal assassination. I would do it in such a way that I wouldn't be left standing there gawking when the king died." Podrick smiled at my attempt at humor. Something I'd always admired about him.

"Trial in a fortnight." I sighed deeply as I looked at my hands. "Have they announced the judges yet?" He frowned again, coming to sit on the only stool in this hell hole.

"Your father. Maester Pycelle."

"Who will vote exactly as my father tells him to."

"Prince Oberyn of Dorne." That was a surprise.

"Oberyn? Have to give it to my father. Never fails to take advantage of a family tragedy."

" I'm supposed to get a list of names from you, my lord. Anyone who might testify on your behalf."

"Oh, I can call my own witnesses?" Podrick nodded with a shrug. "How generous of them." I thought of the short list of people I could trust.

"Well of course my wife, Sansa."

"Sansa is gone my lord." Shock tingled along my skin as I let that sink in.

"Gone?"

"No one's seen her since the wedding. You don't think she-" He trailed off, not sure if he should finished the accusation or not.

"No one had more cause than Sansa, but the girl is no assassin. Whoever killed the king wanted me to lose my head for it, and with my wife's disappearance, it makes me seem that much more guilty." Which led me to another realization.

"Podrick?"

"Yes, my lord."

"They'll be following you now."

"Who will?

"I don't know they." Frustration pulsed behind my eyes. "They. The ominous they. The man pulling the strings. My father. Maybe Joffery was to much work for him. Tommen was so much easier to handle. Everything bad that happens to me, I assume my sister had a hand in it. Say what you will of Cersei, but she loves her children. She is the only one I am certain had nothing to do with this murder, which makes it unique as King's Landings' murders go." My head began to pound as I tried to put the pieces together. Would my father really go through such lengths to get rid of me?

"Any other witnesses my lord?" Pod asked as he studied me.

"Varys could vouch for me if he dared."

"Lord Varys has already been called as a witness for the queen."

"Of course." I should have known Cersei would jump on Varys as soon as the word trial was released into the air.

"Fetch Bronn, I have a job for him."

"I already asked my lord and they won't let him see you."

"Why not?" I demanded. Had he gone against me to?

"Sir, he's a known cut-throat, and your close associate. He's under investigation himself." Damn.

"My brother. Will they at least allow me to see Jamie?"

"I'll ask my lord." He stood then as I took a seat back on the hay covered floor, feeling a bit of hope that maybe I could reason with Jamie. Podrick paused with his hand to the door, back turned as his shoulders grew stiff. He sighed as he turned to look at me.

"There's something else my lord." He announced as he walked over to me. Oh Gods, now what?

"A man, I didn't know his face, he came to ask if I'd testify against you. Said I'd be named Sir Podrick Payne if I said you bought a poison called The Strangler."

"Sir Podrick Payne? Has a nice ring to it. And what did you tell them?" I asked, growing anxious

"I didn't tell them anything my lord."

"Are you going to accept their offer?" I don't know if I could blame him if he did. He was a squire. Knighthood was what he was after and with me locked away in this cell, more than likely headed to be beheaded, this would present itself as a golden opportunity.

"My lord?"

"Testifying against me wasn't a suggestion. If they can't tempt you with honey, they'd choose something less sweet."

"You've been good to me my lord." He started.

"Pod? The trial's in a fortnight. I want your answer before then." I demanded.

"I already gave them an answer my lord." I stood, walking over to look up at him as he looked to the floor. He didn't.

"I will not have you dieing on my behalf, do you hear me? If I have to take that long walk to the executioner's block, I don't want to see your head already mounted."

"My lord." He interrupted as he looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Pod. I am giving you an order. Go and find my brother. Tell him, I need him. Then get yourself out of King's Landing before it's to late." He refused to meet my eyes and I knew he wasn't going to listen.

"Pod!" I snapped. I needed him to understand."This is farewell." His eyes watered as he nodded.

"My lord." I felt bad, knowing I'd brought these problems on poor Podrick's head.

"Pod." I called, stopping him. He turned with the look of defeat. "There has never lived a more loyal squire." He flashed me a watery smile before he left without another word. Leaving me to sit wallowing in my own misery while trying to put together a puzzle with missing pieces.