Short and not sweet exactly, but I did have loads of fun writing this one.
Wine comes in at the mouth and love comes in at the eye;
That's all we shall know for truth before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth, I look at you, and I sigh.
A Drinking Song by W.B. Yeats
Tyrion
†
His journey back to King's Landing was quick and uneventful, he had not minded though because he realized he was eager to get back. Being in Casterly Rock only reminded him that it would never be his, but since he had no wife, not after having the sham one annulled once he'd returned to rule as hand, he had no need of a castle in which to put her, and the Red Keep was more than enough for him.
His journey back to King's Landing was quick and uneventful, he had not minded though because he realized he was eager to get back. Being in Casterly Rock only reminded him that it would never be his, but since he had no wife, not after having the sham one annulled once he'd returned to rule as hand, he had no need of a castle in which to put her, and the Red Keep was more than enough for him.
As he reached the castle, construction was still being done on the throne room, but he was pleased to see that they had accomplished much in his absence. Lord Varys greeted him alone, as he'd expected considering the rest were gone. Considering she was the only one left of her House to rule over the Reach, Lady Olenna had returned to Highgarden for a visit shortly before he'd taken his trip back to his own ancestral home.
"Lord Tyrion, it is good to have you back. Your presence has been sorely missed."
Varys spoke as if he truly meant what he said, and he realized suddenly that the man was not his usual calm self.
"What has happened Lord Varys, to make you miss me so?" He smiled, knowing it was not something serious since the man seemed more weary and exasperated than anything else.
He did not answer at first, only stepped aside and motioned him forward, and away from his carriage and the many ears around them. Tyrion did as he was bid, his lips turned up, eager to hear whatever news the Spider had for him.
"The Sand Snake has arrived from Dorne," He answered finally, as they walked up the steps to the Keep alone. "And clearly her father's daughter."
He chuckled, unable to help it, "Too much for you to handle?"
"That is putting it mildly," Lord Varys answered seriously.
"I'm not sure what the Queen was thinking with this appointment, what position could this girl possibly hold? A skilled fighter to be sure, but I doubt her capable of sitting in one spot for long, let alone the council room for an entire meeting."
This time Tyrion outright laughed, compelled by the force of his friend's words.
"Surely it's not that bad," He managed to say.
Varys shot him a glance before the guards let them in.
"She makes you seem like the master of composure and propriety."
Tyrion did not take offence to the slight, instead his amusement only deepened. He'd met two of the sand snakes during his time in Dorne, and though they were not alike in personality, they were both fierce warrior women who would not be told what to do, and while he was fond of that spirit, he could not see the Spider was not.
He was glad there was still some excitement to be had in the capital.
"Well then you will be relieved to know that right now my only intention is to return to my chambers and draw a nice hot bath, then have Daryn bring me my dinner as well as a pitcher of Dornish wine to wash it all down. I'll meet your Sand Snake tomorrow, at the council meeting."
Varys sighed, but bowed all the same, "Very well my lord. Shall I fetch your squire for you?"
Tyrion smiled, "If you'd be so kind."
†
He woke late the next day, it was morning no longer he realized, seeing the sun bright in the sky when he pulled back the drapes to let the light in. He'd spent the night reading some of the books he'd requested from the Citadel, that had arrived some time after his departure for Casterly Rock. Most of it was regarding the dragons and Targaryen lore, though he'd requested some on the Long Night as well, as he could not put aside what Lord Varys had revealed to him and the Queen, of what the King in the North believed.
He had spent most his time on a particular tome about the habits of dragons, as Viserion often flew over King's Landing but otherwise was rarely seen within the city walls. He hunted, Tyrion was sure, but what else occupied his time and where else did he go? The volume had not been entirely helpful in the end and he sighed realizing he would likely spend another sleepless night with his nose deep in a book and go through more than one pitcher of wine.
Tyrion turned away from the tomes and scrolls suddenly, deciding he would think on them later, and instead summoned Daryn to fetch his breakfast. He dressed while he waited and after it arrived he told his squire to notify Lord Varys that he would be ready to hold council within the hour.
Not wanting to insult their newest member, he arrived early, not surprised when he saw Varys already in his seat.
"Good afternoon my lord. I trust you had a good night's sleep?"
He nodded, though it was not exactly true, and served himself his first glass of wine before taking his own seat.
"i'm glad to hear it," The Spider said sounding as if he truly meant it.
Tyrion's lips went up, knowing the reason behind his words, but he did not speak, only sipped from his cup.
"It is good of you to be on time, my Lord, but I'm afraid the Lady is not as prompt."
Amused by his friend's relentless condemnation of the girl, he chuckled deeply.
"She has really gotten under your skin hasn't she?" He asked, still grinning.
"It could not be me you are speaking of?" A voice said then, feminine and accented.
He turned to her, his witty retort at his friend's expense, dying on his lips. She was clearly Oberyn Martell's daughter, with her dark hair, olive skin and lithe body, but she was also clearly her mother's, exuding confidence, and a come-hither expression. She was petite where her mother was tall, but dressed in Dornish fashion, her dress low cut and the bottom half sheer, he could tell she was still long legged with curves in all the right places.
"Not at all, Lady Tyene," Lord Varys said after a moment, his tone unaffected, though he was clearly lying through his teeth.
Tyrion glanced over at him, grateful the man had answered when it seemed he could not.
Are you not cold my Lady?" He heard himself finally ask. It was not yet winter, but the trees had already changed colour, and the nights were cool.
She smiled and glanced down at herself, as if she only just realized what she was wearing before answering, "My blood runs hot."
She stepped further into the room, looking about the room before she sat.
He turned to Lord Varys then, and Tyrion was surprised to see a bemused look on his friend's face. He swallowed heavily trying to find his composure once more, glancing at the sand snake once more.
"Queen Daenerys informed me it would be your sister Nymeria who sat on the council."
As he spoke she poured herself some wine, raised it towards him then took one long swallow, before leaning back into her seat.
She spoke then, her tone ambivalent, "It was, but at the last moment my sister Obarra decided she did not wish to be the Princess of Dorne, which is lucky for me as I did not truly desire to serve as Queensguard. This is less exciting of course, but I am free at the least."
She smiled seductively, before adding, "To do what and whom I please."
Tyrion cleared his throat before following her lead and sipped at his own cup, and though it was usually him who spoke salaciously, he felt his cheeks flush and found himself grateful for the beard that hid them from sight.
"Is the Kingslayer's friend here?" She asked after a moment, her tone curious. "The older man, with dark hair and a moustache and a sharp mouth?"
Aside from the fact that his brother did not have many friends, with a description like that, there was only the one.
"Bronn, you mean? He is heading North in fact, to the wedding, where he will eventually marry his own bride."
She seemed slightly upset by this, and he was surprised to find himself grateful Lord Bronn had finally been given his prize. The moment passed though and her eyes were firmly on him.
"And you my lord?" She asked coyly.
He wasn't sure what she was asking, whether he was going to the wedding, or if he had a bride of his own, so he did not immediately answer.
"King's Landing is my charge for the moment, all of ours," He answered, turning to the only other left, suddenly remembering him.
Lord Varys' lips twitched, as if trying to contain a smile, before he answered, "With all the high Lords and Ladies in the North, there is not much to worry about down here."
"The three of us," He paused, shooting a dubious glance at the sand snake before continuing. "Should be able to handle it, though I do admit, I would have liked to attend the ceremony, I hear the ritual under the heart tree is quite moving."
Her eyes flashed towards Tyrion, smiling mischievously before she spoke, her voice heavy with implication, "Not as much moving as there will be that night."
A scowl found its way onto Lord Varys' face, but he did not address her words. Tyrion himself chuckled.
"Let us hope so," He answered semi-seriously, raising his glass to her.
Though he hadn't seen Jon Snow in many years, he was sure the man hadn't changed that much, still honourable and headstrong, but the Queen could be abrasive and let her temper get the better of her, and so he was not sure how compatible they actually were. It had not gone all bad so far it seemed, as Jon had already agreed to the union, but something told him that the king would not be so agreeable when it came to Daenerys' intended match for his sister.
His brother Jaime would be arriving in the North soon no doubt, it was possible he already knew. Varys' birds were few in the North, so Tyrion himself would know nothing, not for some time. It made him feel useless, being stuck in the capital with no one to council but the men working in the great hall. Somehow though, he could no longer bring himself to be bothered by this.
She clinked her cup against his.
"To fucking," She said smiling wickedly, before swallowing the rest of her wine.
Tyrion felt his own lips go up, though he did his best to keep it in control, flashing an apologetic look to Lord Varys before he answered, "To fucking."
†
The next morning, after he broke his fast, he wrote to each House announcing Queen Daenerys' wedding to the King in the North, and summoned each Lady and Lord to attend. His hand hurt by the time he was done, it was lucky he'd only had to write to three of the nine houses.
After, he made his way to the Great Hall, having had Varys announce that there was to be a royal proclamation. He'd put on his finest silk tunic and a doublet of black leather, his silver pin proclaiming him hand shining brightly against it. That morning he'd trimmed his hair and beard and when he looked at himself in the mirror, he suddenly felt ridiculous. His motivations were clear, but no amount of trims and fine clothing would make him taller, nor erase the ghastly scar that covered his face. Unable to fool himself he turned away, letting his shoulders slump.
There had been no one since Shae, and if she had taught him anything, it was that no woman would ever take interest in him, not unless he paid her.
It was not until after his announcement, which had been received mostly with cheers, but also some hushed whispers, when the crowd had dwindled, that she approached him sitting on the Throne.
He'd been speaking to Balon Swann over the Keep's guard shifts, when he caught sight of her bold yellow gown. She must have been looking his way as his eyes found hers almost immediately. He faintly noticed the knight turn back and then smiling, excuse himself as she made her way to him, stopping on the steps so their eyes remained level.
"You are well suited to this post, you enjoy it yes?"
She was nothing if not blunt, and though he did not mind, he looked around to see that though there were eyes on them, none were within ears reach, and of that he was glad.
Considering her candor, he decided to return it in kind, though he felt self-conscious admitting it.
"I do," He answered, his voice low, the traces of a grin pulling at his lips.
She seemed satisfied with his answer, and for a few seconds, neither spoke.
"I thought to take a turn about the gardens, though they are dull compared to the ones in Sunspear. You would like to join me, no?"
He shifted uncomfortably, wondering if she always spoke in question and implication, or if she was only playing with him, to see how he'd answer. Something told him, it was the latter.
"I am not too fond of the gardens myself, perhaps the Godswood instead?"
He'd grown attached to the spot since he'd been back in the capital, as it was quiet and surprisingly peaceful in the bustling castle and city. In this case, it would offer him some privacy, as it was not a popular spot amongst the castle's inhabitants, in case she should ask anything else he did not want others to know. Or at least that is what he told himself.
She did not seem enthused, but she nodded. "I have not been interested to visit this spot I admit, but perhaps there is more to it than just trees?"
He tried not to deflate, because there wasn't, not truly.
"Yes," He answered anyway, standing.
He turned to Lord Varys who'd been standing off to his side, noting he was no longer occupied with the castle's new Maester.
"I will return in a bit," He said, keeping his voice even.
The spider smiled, but only nodded.
When he reached her, she took his arm, and for once he hardly noticed the many stares that followed him out of the Throne Room.
Once they reached the Godswood, and the Heart Tree where dragon's breath bloomed heavily, she finally spoke again.
"It is quiet, and very green."
She sounded disappointed, and it was obvious she had not taken to the spot as he had.
"Is there nothing exciting in this castle?" she asked her voice bored.
He wanted to impress her, but wasn't sure what he could possibly do or show her to achieve such a thing. He was sure her true interests lied in activities such as riding and fighting and hunting, and he did not want to make it more clear to her that he couldn't keep up with her in such things.
He sighed, realizing himself that there wasn't. Just as he was about to open his mouth to tell her, Viserion screeched in the distance, though he sounded closer than usual. They both looked up, but the canopy of trees covered most of the view, and without speaking, they both made their way towards the northwest side, closest to the Throne Room where some of the trees had burned away in their proximity.
As they reach the spot, their eyes turned up once more as the dragon rumbled again. The trees bristled and swayed as he made his descent, and Tyrion couldn't help but smile feeling grateful of Viserion's sudden presence, especially as he noticed the stunned look on her face.
He was not as big as his brothers, but still he filled the little space available to him as his talons latched onto the burnt ground.
Tyrion had not been this close to the dragon, not since he'd freed him and Rhaegar from their chains in Mereen, but he did not feel afraid as he had that time. Not even when Viserion lowered his head, bringing it dangerously close to himself.
He reached out steadily, wondering briefly where this bravado was coming from, but when he turned to look at her once more, he suddenly remembered. When he turned back, he felt the side of Viserion's face touch his palm, and he let out a breath as he felt his rough scales. After a few moments, Tyrion felt him pull away, turning his head to Tyene before inhaling deeply, blinking at her before releasing the breath, a faint puff of smoke escaping his mouth, then he flapped his wings and rose into the sky once more, gone as quickly as he'd appeared.
She exhaled deeply, then laughed, looking exhilarated as she glanced over to him.
"Now I see why you like this spot, he visits you often?" She asked, taking his arm once.
Tyrion couldn't help the little white lie that escaped his lips.
"Quite often. Viserion and I are fast friends."
a/n: So yup, I'll be pairing Tyrion with a Sand Snake, though my Tyene is a loose version of the one on the series. Theirs is not one of my main ships, but since there will be lots of angst when it comes to the other two featured in this part of the series, I thought i'd let myself have some fun with them instead. Hope you guys are into it.
One other thing, I've gotten some concerned reviews about House Stark, but all I can tell you, is i've got it all figured out, and though it may not be what is expected (or likely to happen in the series), it's not going anywhere. You'll just have to wait and see, but I will say this, Jaime and Sansa are a go in this fic.
Thanks again for reading and reviewing and following this little world I've created. It means a lot.