Tyrion had just finshed dressing and sat himself in front of the hearth in Sansa's chambers contemplating his next move. He felt as if his head would explode. He didn't want to leave her; the Gods knew that, but what could he do. The queen had gone truly mad, and it was a miracle he had gotten away as easily as he had, all thanks to the Onion Knight. He had no idea that the moment they had shared in the crypts had awoken emotions in her as well, or had they always been there? He turned to see she had finished dressing as well and was staring at him with worry. At that moment, the queen didn't matter.
"Sansa, my sweet, I will not leave you. Not now that I know you need me. I know, if I stay, the Dragon Queen will find me here but I don't care. She will need to kill me if she thinks I will be taken away from you. You are everything to me, I hope you know this." Sansa rushed over and collapsed into his arms. "Tyrion," she whispered, "I love you." At this, Tyrion pulled back and stared into her eyes, "You? Love me? Truly?" Sansa smiled and pulled his face to hers to kiss him with a fierce passion that answered his questions. Tyrion felt the heat pulsating between the two of them and wrapped his arms tighter until he heard someone clear their throat causing them both to jump.
"Are we interrupting?" Arya said with a sly smile across her face while the new Lord of Storm's End stood next to her looking smug. "Do you really have that much of a lack of manners, Arya? How about knocking next time?" Sansa scolded. Arya laughed, "I did knock. You didn't answer. Now, we know why. Lannister? Are you attacking my sister?" Sansa stood up and stomped over to her younger sibling who was still smiling with as much mischief in her eyes than a mummer. "What is it? Have you heard any news of the Queen?" Arya's smile fell. "No, I have no word on that front, but I do have news. You're really going to want to sit though." She motioned over to the sitting area near the fireplace. Sansa noticed a blush creeping up her sisters face and then noticed her fingers interlaced with the lord next to her. She smiled and then sat on the lounge chair next to Tyrion grabbing his hand as well. Arya watched this action and realized the Imp was going nowhere.
"Lady Stark," began Gendry, "I have gotten the blessings of your brother, Bran, and cousin, Jon. Now I ask the same of you. Please, allow me the great honor of having your sister as my wife, my warrior and my best friend." At these words, Sansa smiled. "Of course, but only if you let her be her own version of a lady." Arya got up and went to her sister to embrace her. "That's not all. We have decided to marry in the Godswood. Tonight." Sansa looked shocked, "Tonight? But we must prepare. Why so soon? You're not pregnant, are you?" Sansa said with a laugh, but then Tyrion squeezed her hand and she saw the look on the couple's faces. "What? How? Well, I know how, but when?" Arya told Sansa of the night before the dead came and how they had come together after years of being great friends. "Tonight then, but tell no one of the babe until after you are wed." They nodded in agreement and headed out the door to make arrangements for the evening. Sansa turned to Tyrion before they reached the door.
"My lord, will you do the honor of accompanying me to the wedding tonight." Tyrion gave her a bow, "As you wish, my sweet." They walked arm and arm down to the courtyard where Tyrion left her to seek out Ser Davos. Ser Davos was conversing with Ser Brienne and Pod near the training grounds. "Ah, good morning my friend!" Ser Davos greeted Tyrion with the warmest of smiles, "Have you heard the good news?" "If you are talking of the wedding tonight, then yes, I have heard. Hello, Pod, Ser Brienne. How are things going here?" Tyrion looked at his former squire and smiled proudly.
Such growth over these past few years, he was now a man and he was a better fighter each time he saw him spar. Ser Brienne had her usual grim look about her. "Lord Tyrion, I hoped to speak to you today if you have a moment to spare." Tyrion looked at Brienne as she spoke. She seemed so tired. Had she slept at all since news of Jaime's death? "Of course, shall we?" Tyrion stretched his arm out towards the courtyard signaling the direction for them to walk. "Thank you," Brienne excused herself to Pod and Ser Davos and walked next to the brother of the only man she ever loved besides her father.
"Before I speak, can I offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your siblings?" Tyrion gave her a sad smile, "Thank you, Ser Brienne. I know my sister and I never were close, but my brother was the only decent person in my family. Without him, I would have died long ago. But, we said our goodbyes the night I freed him." Brienne sat on a bench and motioned for him to join her. "He was a good man but flawed in so many ways. I cared for him, deeply cared for him. He had planned on staying with me, did you know this?" Tyrion nodded in ascension.
"He left a part of himself with me." Tyrion watched in horror as Ser Brienne placed her hand on her stomach. "Oh Gods, are you...are you with child?" Tyrion inquired. He watched her face twist in anguish as she began to weep; putting her head in her hands. Tyrion put his hand on her back as a sign of compassion as she continued, "Yes, I never thought it possible, and now I fear that the Queen will find out and want the baby dead as payback for Ser Jaime's betrayal. I am a ruined woman now. A bastard grows in my belly. Pod offered to marry me and say the child is his but he is still a young man. I cannot ask that of him."
Tyrion looked out toward the training grounds and smiled. "Podrick Payne is a most noble and honorable man. I mean, you could do worse. Is that Wildling still around?" Tyrion joked but it only caused Brienne to cry harder. "I am an ass. It was only in jest, Ser Brienne." She nodded and continued, "What should I do, Lord Tyrion? This child is your blood as well." Tyrion sighed, "Yes, but I cannot marry you now, can I? I am most likely taking the Black soon. Plus, if I were to marry, I already have a love I am giving up. Say yes to Pod's proposal. He's loyal and will be good to you. Go back home to Tarth and make a life there."
Brienne turned to him, "And what of Lady Sansa. I have already pledged my service to her. I cannot abandon her." Tyrion scanned the courtyard and looking up, caught Sansa's stare. Those piercing blue eyes felt like they were burning into him. There was no way he was leaving her and taking the Black, but he would still talk of it in hopes word made it's way back to the Queen. "Yes, but she will want what is best for you. Talk to her. She is just and strong, and she is your friend." Tyrion jumped down from the bench in search of wine, lots and lots of wine. Gods! It wasn't even midday and everyone was asking him for advice.
Sansa watched Brienne being comforted by Tyrion. 'She must be taking the loss of the Kingslayer harder than she thought. She seemed okay when I read the raven from King's Landing.' Sansa stared and then smiled at the interaction; watching Tyrion being so concerned, even in his own grief, made her fall even more in love with him. She needed to find a way to save him from Daenerys. But how?
There had been no word from King's Landing or Dragonstone since she burned the city down. Was she satisfied being Queen of the Seven Kingdoms or was she planning more destruction in the realm? Was Winterfell next? She knew Sansa was the one to tell of Jon's parentage, and she knew Sansa wanted the North to be independent. Suddenly she knew what she needed to do. She needed to talk to Jon!