Kind of a short one, sorry bout that.

If a good man were ever housed in Hell by needful error of the qualities,
Perhaps to prove the rule or shame the devil, or speak the truth only a stranger sees,

Would he, surrendering quick to obvious hate, fill half eternity with cries and tears,
Or watch beside Hell's little wicket gate in patience for the first ten thousand years,

Feeling the curse climb slowly to his throat that, uttered, dooms him to rescindless ill…

from The Good Man In Hell by Edwin Muir

Jaime

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Many days had passed since his meeting at the Tooth, and his return from his unexpected tour of the Westerlands. Though he was not keeping track, not exactly, the days were long and he could not help note each one that passed as another in which she was gone, just like his children, and his father, and… Cersei.

He was grateful for once, of the peace and quiet his empty castle afforded him. Alone, he was free to grieve, and though his servants and guards often asked him if he was alright, they did not pry much.

By the time he received word that a caravan was heading his way, Lannister and Targaryen banners flapping in the wind together, he smiled for he knew it could be none other than his brother, hand of the Queen. He did not know why he came, but it did not matter. His castle would bustle once more, and his company would do Jaime some good, to remind him that he wasn't entirely alone in the world.

Tyrion arrived the next day, looking tired but rosy from drink, as he emerged from the carriage. As always, he was not alone, though his company was not whom Jaime had expected.

"Brother, Lord Bronn," He said, his tone surprised.

"I've yet to get my castle, but I appreciate the title," He shot a look at Tyrion, his brother cleverly pretended not to see.

"A little soon to leave the capital, is it not?" Jaime asked solemnly. He remained somber because he knew it could not last. His brother would return sooner or later. When the time came, he was sure he'd even miss Bronn's presence.

They stood before one another in the main entrance, and Jamie found himself momentarily glad that he still had kin.

"King's Landing is much less interesting than you'd think these days," The younger Lannister answered, seeming amused himself of this fact.

"The Lords are happy. The common people are happy. It seems Queen Daenerys is beloved by all."

He wanted to say, 'that's because they all hated our sister', but he didn't. His little brother seemed to sense this and resumed.

"Come brother! Let us go inside where we may wash up and have another glass of wine. We are clean out, and we have much to talk of."

"There's to be a wedding brother!" Tyrion exclaimed once they were alone in the solar adjoining his chambers. Bronn reclined in a large chaise before them, while he and his brother sat across from each other at a large table in the centre of the room.

He'd raised his cup to which he'd already added wine, and did not wait for Jaime nor Bronn to join him, though the latter did as he had already poured himself a cup. He did not say anything to this proclamation because he was not sure he wanted to know whose it would be. Nor had he bothered to serve himself wine either.

"You're not very much interested it seems, but I'll tell you anyway. Queen Daenerys will marry the King in the North."

Somehow, he was not surprised, and though he knew it was now time for his journey (and for Theon's as well), what he did not understand is why Tyrion had traveled all this way simply to tell him.

"When I return to King's Landing I will write to Dorne, the Reach and Pyke, and invite each lady, and lord, I suppose, for the sake of decency, to the wedding in the North. Of course, you're invited as well."

"I suspected as much," He didn't think Tyrion knew of his talk with the Queen, considering this slow roundabout. He turned suddenly to their silent companion, "As are you, Lord Bronn."

After a pause, as Tyrion waited to secure the man's attention, he continued, "You will accompany my brother and swear fealty to King Jon, after you have done so, you will receive your castle and wife."

"It's about time," The former sellsword said as way of thanks, sipping from his cup once more.

"A Lannister always pays his debts," Tyrion replied, turning once more to his brother.

Jaime nodded in gratitude, as he'd once promised a castle and lordship to Ser Bronn, and though he hadn't secured it, at least the debt had been paid by a Lannister.

With his brother's following words, he knew the truth would finally come out.

"I don't mean to be rude Lord Bronn, but I need to speak with my brother alone. In your chambers, I've requested for you a little farewell to bachelorhood gift. Enjoy my friend."

He gulped down the rest of his wine before standing, "You shouldn't have, but seeing as how you already did, don't mind if I do. I was getting bored anyway."

He wiggled his brows at them, then left smiling, as if he knew he'd ended up with the better end of the deal.

"Surely you know I've not come to simply tell you this," His brother said after a long moment, addressing his unsaid thoughts.

"Of course," he answered, giving Tyrion a look as if to say, why wouldn't I?

"There is something Queen Daenerys has asked me to tell you—" He hesitated.

Jaime wanted to pressure him to speak already, only he could not. There was something in Tyrion's expression that kept him silent.

"There is no easy way to say it brother, so I will just come out with it."

I wish you would. Another pause, this time longer.

"She wishes you to swear fealty to King Jon and—"Tyrion's expression was serious, and for the first in a long time, he looked uncomfortable. As if he did not know how to say what was on his mind.

"Marry Lady Sansa."

Jaime stilled with the force of his brother's words, but only for a moment, "Surely, you must be joking."

Such insanity, could not be the truth. When Tyrion did not laugh, the faint grin of his mouth faltered.

Tyrion spoke, to confirm what Jaime had clearly not thought of.

"But house Lannister and house Stark should come together, what greater symbol of the end of war than marriage between such houses? Casterly Rock is yours, Jon will remain in the North for some time yet, though eventually he will settle in the capital. Hopefully one of the other Starks out in the world will appear by then. It was once my duty to our house to marry Lady Sansa, but we were ill suited. Now it is yours, I should think you are much more her type."

"Would her brother and mine be that cruel to her? Sell her off to a Lannister just as our father once did?" He finally countered.

Tyrion sighed and reclined in his chair before continuing, "King Jon does not know of this plan, I admit. Wish that I could claim it as my own, but I cannot."

His brother looked over at him, a pitiful expression he was not accustomed to on his face.

"The Queen wishes to secure the safety of the seven kingdoms. The King has the North and she's given him choice in who will have dominion in the Stormlands, perhaps because his father and Robert Baratheon were friends, or as a wedding gift, in any case, he will choose a lord loyal to him."

"That is quite a gift indeed, considering he rules over most of her land as it is."

His brother smiled grimly before continuing, "Thanks to your would be wife, she will have her uncle in the Riverlands, and cousin in the Eyre. I'd call it a fair compensation."

He said nothing to that.

Tyrion took that as his cue and resumed, "King Jon has given her a gift in return, which brings us to Lord Bronn. He will marry a Frey, of his own choosing of course, and hold the Twins."

Jaime almost grinned, "I take it you intend to let Queen Daenerys break that little news?"

Tyrion did smirk then, "And in the presence of Lord Edmure's own Frey, I think he will take it much better do you not?"

He remembered then, of Roslin, Lord Tully's wife and Lady of Riverrun, and her surprising beauty.

"Indeed," He answered simply.

After another moment, his little brother returned to the topic at hand, the one he hoped to refute.

"He also has her cousin and Lord Royce in the Vale, though a suitable match will need to be made for the boy. The Queen has her trusted ally Yara in the Iron Islands. The Sand Snakes in Dorne, though scary, are fiercely loyal and it seems Daenerys will make one a Queensguard, and another will soon be on the small council. She's promised her first heir to house Tyrell, that should hold them for some time. They are currently trying to secure one of their own."

Feeling angry for the first in a long time, he nearly shouted, "Have I not done enough to prove my loyalty?"

Tyrion said nothing, only stood, and refilled his cup and poured one for his brother. Carrying them over, he handed one to Jaime, and sat beside him.

"It is not a question of loyalty Jaime. The Queen knows you are loyal, and a good man, otherwise she would not offer you her sister by marriage. She knows it was you who saved her. No, she offers you Sansa because she must. In truth, it is what's right for the realm. And we must all make sacrifices, so many have died in the name of this house or that, it must end."

All his ire faded as he replied, "Brienne saved her, not me."

He did not address the rest, hoping his brother would realize what that meant. He had not expected to give in easily, but he no longer had it in him, the energy to resist the strings that have pulled at him his entire life. It seemed as if he'd finally reached a point, where maybe there was no longer a reason to, after all he'd actually met Sansa and something told him that perhaps such an arrangement would not be so bad after all. Considering he had been on his own since Cersei died, at least now he wouldn't be alone.

In any case, Jaime knew he had little choice in the matter. Tyrion let out a breath and seeming to understand what his silence meant, did not address it either.

"Only by your doing. And I have you to thank for Podrick as well."

He was not convinced he'd saved either of them, but he didn't argue.

"What of what Lady Sansa wants? Do you think she wishes to marry another Lannister, even if it is the better looking one?"

His lips turned up and his brother returned the gesture, though there was more mirth in his grin than Jaime felt in his own.

"I suppose it will be your duty to make her forget who you are then. And for the good of you both, fall in love with her and make her fall for you. The realm will thank you for it, and the legacy our father tried so hard to protect will be worth it finally, with your proud, yet honourable children."

He did not reply to that, only finally sipped from the glass his brother had offered him.

Tyrion remained for another three days, before he finally departed, leaving Lord Bronn behind.

Soon they too, would leave the Rock, but they would go North instead.

a/n: Short chapter, kind of abrupt I know, but there isn't much more I need to say regarding this, considering I've been working this plot line since almost the beginning. And right now, I really wanna get back to the North. I wonder why (with that episode, it's hard to think of much else, haha).

Thanks as always for the love. Reviews are appreciated!