A few days go by. Tyrion and I never mention my feelings. It's just too much to sort through right now. We got word that Ned Stark was beheaded on the orders of King Joffrey. I had to spend some time alone after hearing that news. He had been the closest thing to a father I had ever had. I was always welcome in his home. Currently, Bronn and I are waiting in the food and ale tent for Tyrion to come back from Tywin's meeting.
"We're off to King's Landing today, my friends." I hear Tyrion say as he enters the tent and sits next to me. He looks down at his hands.
"Why are we going there?" I ask. "And why do you look so upset?" He doesn't look at me or Bronn.
"My father wishes for me to be the Hand of the King in his place." He answers solemnly. "And, he said that I can't bring Shae." I look to the roof of the tent as I take a deep breath. Then I look to Bronn, whom meets my gaze and I see slight sympathy in his eyes. Then, I gulp down the rest of my ale before standing from the table.
"I guess I should get ready to go." I say before heading out to find a free horse around camp somewhere. It gives me an excuse to leave before Tyrion starts talking more about Shae. Ugh! I hate this. The whore is giving me a feeling of nervousness. It's like she's up to something. Maybe I'm just jealous. I never thought I would be the jealous type. You learn new things everyday I guess.
I talk to a couple soldiers and one of them graciously gifted me his own horse. He said he saw me on the battlefield, and he wanted to aid me in any way possible. I thank him profusely and lead the white horse closer to the tents. I tie him to one of the only tree trunks around and head off to the training/sparring grounds. There was no one there so I decided to lay down and take in the clean air. Once in King's Landing, there would be a constant smell of shit and rot and sweat and mold. It is not a nice place. I close my eyes and take deep breaths. It's so relaxing. My stress is beginning to melt away when the shadow of someone blocks the sunlight from hitting my eyelids.
"Move. If I wanted to lay in the shade I would find a tree." I say to the person. I hear them chuckle and I slowly open my eyes. I squint up at the short man.
"I suppose this is the only time I'll be able to tower over anyone." Tyrion says with a smile. I roll my eyes and sit up.
"When are we leaving?" I ask with no emotion in my voice.
"When Shae's done packing her things." He answers simply. I look into the sky. The clear blue sky. Will it still be so clear in the claustrophobic, bustling, city? "Look, it's not that I don't like you." He starts. "In fact, I am extremely attracted to you." He confesses something I already know. I mean, he has hit on me so many times since we started this journey. "But Shae makes me feel something I haven't felt in a long time."
"So, if I had come to bed with you one of the many times you asked, would I be making you feel that same way?" I ask. "That feeling has only brought you heartache in the past. I just don't understand why you would want to go back to it." I say as I stand and head back to camp.
"Trixie, please, I need you to help me."
"With what?" I ash harshly as I spin back around to look at him. "You seem like you're set for life. You're born into a rich, high ranking family, which means you can pay for as many whores as you can bed in a night. You have Bronn to protect you. You were even given a name. You're going to be the Hand of the King. Seems like you don't need me at all. When we get to King's Landing, what keeps me from leaving? I have nothing tying me to you except for my feelings. And what are they getting me? The same heartache you've felt yourself. Why would I stay when it hurts so much to see you walk into that tent with her? I won't stay and have my heart broken every single moment of the day. Why would I willingly suffer? For what?" I feel tears running down my cheeks. They warm up on my skin as I fume with anger and frustration.
"Please, Trixie." He pleads. "I need people I can trust around me."
"Well, you're doing a great job with that whore. She's a really classy choice."
"I have a job for Bronn once we get to King's Landing. With him in the position I want him to be in, I have no muscle following me around." he says. "I need a personal body guard."
"So I'm just supposed to follow you around like a puppy?" He looks to the ground. "And I'm supposed to guard your room too, I suppose. Will I be forced to hear what you and Shae do in your bed chamber?" He doesn't look up. "So, this position you have for me is a form of willing torture? Why would I take that job?" Finally he looks up at me. I see tears forming in his eyes.
"Because you love me." He says, voice wavering.
"I never said those words."
"No," He admits. "But what you're describing, what you're feeling, it's written all over your face." He explains as I see a tear fall from his eye. "I wish I could return those feelings right now, but I can't."
"I don't know how long I can wait for your feelings to turn in my favor."
"I guess you'll have to stick around to find out." We stand there looking at each other until Bronn calls to us from the tents. I look over my shoulder and see him gesturing for us to come get ready to go. I don't even look back at Tyrion as I walk towards my new horse. We leave soon after everyone is loaded up and on their horses.
What path should I take? Do I stay with Tyrion and hope he comes to love me as much as I do him? Or do I cut my losses before I get more attached? Only time will tell.
A/N: Ugh! I cried as I was writing that scene. I know, it was a really short chapter, but I wanted to finish out the season 1 storyline. What do you think so far? What do you think will happen next? What will she choose?