~Elena~

My fingers clinched involuntarily in my lap as I stared out at the lush lands surrounding my rocking prison. We'd set out late into the night in a carriage with covered windows, a precaution Varys insisted on for Tyrion's, and I suppose his own, safety. I'd felt trapped at first, my heart pounding in my chest as sweat trickled along my brow. It was a weakness that had let the evil inside come to surface for just a moment, long enough for me to try and pry the windows open with bare fingers. Tyrion's voice was what brought me back from the chaos, setting with his arms wrapped tightly around me until I could gather myself. Maybe it's a good thing I'm in here. I'm a danger to everyone around me. Images of the slaughtered guards filled my head, their blood slick against my skin. Of killing those men in the alley. Their screams music in my ears. For a moment, I had felt powerful; god-like. The thought scared me now as I tried to pull myself back to the present.

"You'd best be careful. You might accidentally consume some solid food." Varys sighed as he rolled his eyes at Tyrion, who was busy trying to drown his sorrows in yet another cup of wine. He still held his haggard appearance, face pulling in a deep frown as his cold gaze met the runaway nobles'.

"When I agreed to come with you, did I misrepresent my intentions?" His voice held an anguish that he would not share with me. A hurt that I wondered if I could shoulder. I wanted to be strong for him, knew that's what he needed now, but I didn't feel strong. I felt broken and fragile. My mind flashed to the evil again, of how strong I had felt when it had taken over. Maybe if I- No, I had to deal with this as me, even if there was so little of me left. "Besides, what else is there to do inside this fucking box?"

"You don't like it?" Varys' voice was dripping with sarcastic amusement as he gazed coolly at Tyrion who had begun to pout.

"I want to take a walk."

"You can't. Cersei has offered a lordship to the man who brings her your head."

"She ought to offer her cunt. Best part of her for the best part of me. Well, I suppose a box is as good a place as anywhere."

"Are we really going to spend the entire road to Valantis talking about the futility of everything?"

"You're right, no point." Tyrion raised his glass before taking another swig as Varys eyed him questioningly.

"The road to Valantis? I thought we were going to Mareen? What's in Valantis?" I'd asked that same question when I'd been informed of our extended journey. A conversation that involved Varys asking me, once again, if I'd like him to purchase me a ride back to Dorne.

"The road to Mareen." The same answer I'd received, though where I'd been content to accept this simple answer, Tyrion was not.

"And what do you hope to find here on the road to Mareen?"

"I told you, a ruler."

"You've already got a ruler. Everywhere has already got a ruler. Every pile of shit on the side of the road has someone's banner hanging from it."

"You were quite good you know. At ruling during your brief tenure as hand."

"I didn't rule, I was a servant." Tyrion walked over to join Varys then, pitcher of wine in hand as I picked up my mess of needle work. I'd never picked up the art of it, but it kept my hands busy.

"Still, a man of talent."

"I managed to kill a lot of people."

"Yes, but you showed great promise in other areas as well." Tyrion shook his head, looking up to meet my gaze as his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"You wanted me to leave King's Landing. Practically begged me, and I wouldn't go." I bit my lip to keep from crying as he looked away from me and back to Varys. He was shouldering blame that was not his to carry. I should have left. If I had, then maybe my sister- I stamped out the thought before it could do lasting damage, sending up a quick prayer that she made it to Ellaria in time.

"Why?" Tyrion's face appeared much older as the truth fell from his lips, Varys' question heavy in the air.

"Because I like it. The power. Even as a servant." He finished his cup in a single gulp before pouring himself another. Come back to me Tyrion. I begged as I stopped myself from standing. From going over and snatching the pitcher from his hand to pour it wastefully from the carriage.

"People follow leaders. They will never follow us. They find us repulsive."

"I find us repulsive."

"We find them repulsive, which is why we surround ourselves with large comfortable boxes to keep them away. And yet, no matter what we do, people like me and you are never really satisfied inside the box, not for long."

"You're right." Tyrion admitted with a sigh. "Let's go for a walk."

"No."

"How many dwarves are there in the world? Is Cersei going to kill them all?"

"It is entirely possible. Now, please consume something besides wine and content yourself with the knowledge that we are safe for now." Varys demanded with a small smile before he picked up a scroll he'd been reading, stopping all further retorts with a wave of his hand.

"Unbelievable. I'll go insane in this damn box. You'll be sorry then." Tyrion growled as he came to stand near me. I stopped sewing long enough to cut him a slice of bread with cheese, offering it up with a hopeful smile.

"No thank-you. I have wine to keep my belly company." My fist clinched, the cheese squishing between my fingers and the bread crumbled to the floor.

"Fine, starve to death before we get there. After all, you are but a repulsive thing with a shit future. Are you not? See how many tears I weep over your shriveled corpse." The words were in the air before I could bite my tongue. Varys looked up with wide worried eyes as I turned to look back out the window, knowing all to well that I was being inconsiderate. The more time that passed, the harder it was to put up with Tyrion's pessimistic view of the world. Normally, I would have let the anger simply roll past, but I was far from my normal self.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend." Tyrion sighed as he sank down next to me, cutting another slice of bread and cheese as a peace offering. Tears burned in tired eyes as I forced myself to meet his apologetic gaze, fingers reaching out to brush his stubbled cheek.

"I wish you could see you, the way I do. Then maybe you wouldn't be acting this way." I whispered before I leaned in and captured his lips, the taste of wine bursting across my tongue. He was hesitant at first, body ridged, mouth unyielding, before he let himself give in, hands gripping my arms tightly. It was the first moment of peace I'd felt since we'd left King's Landing. The evil vanishing for just a moment. We parted with swollen lips and panting breath. His eyes still closed as I fell in love with him all over again.

"I am yours, and you are mine. Never forget." I spoke softly as I took his hands in mine. He nodded, tears gathering in his eyes. Until my last breath.