A/N: I am so sorry for the coding that was in there. It should all be fixed now. Let me know if it ends up still being messed up. Please enjoy. 😊
Today is another boring day. I stand watch in the outer room while Tyrion does his work in his bed chambers. shae is also in there with him. I hear her shout, but the words she yelled were nothing to worry about. She is going stir crazy being confined to such a small room. I grow happier as she grows more uncomfortable. I know I shouldn't feel that way, but I can't help it. She is bedding the man I love after all.
"Trixie!" I hear Tyrion call through the door. I open the door and walk inside.
"Yes, my lord?" I asks before waiting for him to tell me what he wishes for me to do.
"You can stop calling me that in private. It sounds awful coming from you." He tells me.
"As you wish." I say. "What did you call me in here for?"
"I need you to find a job for Shae. She's getting restless." He tells me. I look over at the whore as he continues. "Something respectable, but still hidden. No kitchens or anything of that ilk."
"I think I have something in mind." I smirk at the whore. "She could be a handmaiden. It is not dirty work, depending on whom she serves. And I know the perfect lady."
"And whom would that be?" Tyrion asks. I snap my head back to look at him.
"I've been talking to The Hound. He has quite a soft spot for Lady Sansa. Only the Gods know why." I tell him. "Perhaps she could use another friend in this horrible place."
"This sounds like a good idea," He says before turning to emShae/em. "What do you think of that?"
"Do I have any choice?" She asks.
"It's either that or the kitchens." I say a little more harsh than I should have. She takes a deep breath before answering.
"Fine."
"Good." Tyrion says.
"She can start tonight." I say. "Sansa is having dinner with the queen regent, Myrcella, and Tommen. I'm sure she'll need help afterwards."
"How do you know of this?" Tyrion asks me.
"You're not the only one with friends in high places, Tyrion." I say with a smile.
"Very well," He says. "You can take her to get suitable clothing and escort her to Lady Sansa's chambers."
"Of course." I say. shae makes her way to the door and I follow her out. I lead her to the room where all the handmaidens gather to get ready for their work. There are a few spare dresses with belts, so emShae/em takes one and gets dressed. Once ready, I lead her to Lady Sansa's bed chambers. I knock on the door and wait for the girl inside to allow us in.
"Come in." She says. I open the door, and let Shae go in before me. I stand in the doorway. "Who are you?" She asks.
"This is Shae, my lady." I tell her.
"Your new handmaiden." Shae finishes her introduction
"I didn't know I needed a new handmaiden." Lady Sansa says. "You're not from here." She points out, hearing the accent.
"No." Shae answers. There is a long pause before Lady Sansa speaks again.
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for you to tell me what to do." Shae answers.
"I shouldn't have to tell you to do things. You should just do them." I look closer at the Stark girl and realize she is holding back tears.
"What things?" Shae asks. I roll my eyes as I answer for the lady.
"Change her linens, wash her clothing, scrub the floor, empty her chamber pot, brush her hair." The whore turns and glares at me. She then storms over to grab the brush from the bedside table. As she goes to start brushing Lady Sansa's hair the girl denies it.
"No."
"She said to brush-" She says only to be cut off.
"Not now." Lady Sansa told her.
"Your chamber pot is empty." Shae says.
"Clean the table." Lady Sansa orders. Shae puts the brush back where she found it then goes to a small table with food. She takes a grape and eats it as she begins to clean the table. "Have you ever been a handmaiden before?"
"Yes." Shae answers. Is she telling the truth? Or is she lying to stay in character?
"For whom?" Lady Sansa asks.
"Lady Zuriff."
"Lady Zuriff?" Lady Sansa and I say at the same time. I have no clue whom that is. Is that a real person?
"Lady Zuriff." Shae confirms her answer as she stops cleaning the table.
"There is no Lady Zuriff in this city." Lady Sansa points out.
"She wasn't in this city." Came the clarification.
"Well, I don't know how they did things in that city, but in this city, handmaidens wait on ladies, not the other way around." Lady Sansa does have a point. "And I don't have time to answer a thousand questions and teach you how to do your job."
"I'm sorry, my lady." I say. "If you wish for her to leave, I can get another handmaiden to help you tonight." I wait for her to tell me her decision.
"Just brush my hair." She says as she goes to sit down. Shae looks at me and I nod to her before she does as she's told.
"Rest well, my lady." I say before exiting, but I'm stopped by the lady's voice.
"Wait," She says. "I didn't get your name. You remind me a great deal of my little sister." I turn around to look to the Stark girl.
"I am sorry, but I have no name." I tell her. "I was never given one."
"The woman with no name." Lady Sansa whispers. "No wonder you seem so familiar." She smiles. "You stayed in Winterfell a few times." I nod in agreement.
"Yes, my lady. Your father was a very generous man." I tell her. "I'm so sorry for your loss." I tell her as I try to keep my tears from falling.
"Thank you."
"And where is little Arya?" I ask. "Surely she's here." I watch as the girl looks down into her lap.
"I don't know." Lady Sansa says. "She ran away before father was killed." I couldn't help the tear that escaped my eye. I wipe it away before either woman sees it. Sansa truly is alone here.
"I'm sorry." I tell her. "I should be going. Rest well, my lady."
"Wait." She calls again. "Can I call you Nymeria?"
"Why?" I chuckle.
"I feel like I need something to call you." Sansa says.
"No, I mean, why that name?" I ask. "I am no warrior queen."
"You were to Arya." Came the reply. "Some days she would follow father around. 'Where's Nymeria?' She would ask him. That, mixed with 'When's Nymeria coming to visit again?' Sometimes you were all she talked about. She also named her Direwolf Nymeria. She's gone too." The words telling of little Arya's actions make my heart skip a beat and my breath hitch. I've never known anyone to look up to me in that way. The little girl told me of the warrior queen. I knew all the stories of the woman, but I loved how the girl told them. The words she spoke had a sense of excitement and wonder. To have the girl think of me in a similar way is an honor. "The first time she referred to you as such, father was very confused. She then explained that she meant you, and that a great warrior should have a name to match." A smile grows on my face.
"I'd be honored for you to call me Nymeria, Lady Sansa." I tell her. "Though, It would probably be best if we kept that to private settings. Others listening in may get confused. Now, I really should be going."
"Of course." She says. "I hope to see you again soon." I nod to her before exiting the room and heading back to Tyrion's chambers. With emShae/em gone for the night, I don't mind standing guard for Tyrion.
The next day, Tyrion and I start talking on our way to his morning meal. He said that there was someone telling the queen regent about everything he was telling them. He said it's the reason Ned Stark and the hand before him got into trouble.
"I need a way to figure out how to weed out the rat in the small council." He says to me. There is a pause as he thinks up a plan. I know he can think of one on his own, but I offer my idea anyway.
"Why don't you just tell the three of them something different." I say. He looks up at me in slight confusion. "Tell them that they can't tell the queen under any circumstance. If she calls you out on one of the stories you'll know whom ran to tell her." Tyrion stops and looks up at me, and I look down towards him.
"That is brilliant, dear Trixie." He says looking up to me in slight shock. "Now," He says, continuing on his walk to break his fast. "What lie should I tell?" He ponders for a moment. "Ah! something about my dear niece. Perhaps I plan to marry her off. But to whom?"
"Whom would be the best allies?" I ask.
"Hmm. I'll have to think about that." He says as we make it to where he'll break his fast with his family. "I'll think about it while I eat." He tells me. "I'll also bring you something to eat on our way back to my chambers." With that, he heads inside and I stand guard outside the door. A few moments go by before I see someone come down the hallway. A smile grows on my face.
"Good morning, Sandor." I greet him. He looks confused before finally realizing I was speaking to him. He stops by me and we talk for a while. He's actually quite funny. I was almost doubled over in a laughing fit when the door behind me opens.
"What's with all the noise out here?" A feminine voice sounds. I immediately stand up straight and turn to the lovely Cersei.
"I'm so sorry, Your Grace." I say as I look to the ground. I feel I'm not worthy to look upon her. "It won't happen again."
"It better not." She speaks in a stern voice.
"Oh sister, she was just having a lighthearted conversation with The Hound here." Tyrion's voice is heard behind her. She steps out of the way and the little lion can be seen. "There's no harm in a little laughter." He then tosses me an apple. I stumble to catch it, but I manage not to drop it. "Now, she'll be escorting me back to my room. You won't likely be disturbed by her happiness for the rest of the day." He then walks past Cersei and The Hound and I. "Come along, Trixie. Lots to do today." I turn to Cersei. I bow my head even deeper.
"Have a good day, Your Grace." Then I turn to Sandor. "I hope to see you soon." I smile and wave at him as I jog to catch up to Tyrion. I take a bite out of the apple in my hand and sigh.
"Have a good time with The Hound?" His voice had an inflection on Sandor's nickname. He said it with such venom.
"What is that?" I ask. "Is that jealousy I hear in your voice, My Lord?" I joke around with him.
"No." He answers, but I know he's lying. "I just don't think that he's the best type of person to be hanging around."
"Oh, and who should I be hanging around?" I ask. "You? Bronn?" I laugh out before taking another bite of the apple. "Shae" I say with the same venom he had. He stops in his tracks and I almost bump into him. "What?" He stays silent a moment, looking at the ground, before speaking.
"Nothing." His tone of voice makes him sound depressed. "Hang out with whoever you want." He then continues down the hallway to his room. I let out a sigh before following the little man. Once there, I make myself comfortable on the balcony and finish my apple.
Tyrion calls for Grand Maester Pycelle to bring him a certain concoction to help him with something. Once he arrives, the old man gives Tyrion a small vile with a blue substance inside. I walk closer to the room and lean on the bannister of the entrance to the balcony as I listen in.
"Oh, thank the Gods." Tyrion says. "I haven't had a proper shit in six days." I have to hold down my laugh. The old man glances at me for a second before replying.
"I've encountered this problem before, my lord." He says. "The stresses of power often have this insalubrious effect. Two drops with water daily." He gives the instruction.
"Right. I'm so grateful to have a man of your vast knowledge and wisdom on my side." Tyrion says before he gestures to the chair behind the old man. "Please."
"Thank you, my lord." The old man accepted the offer. And now the game begins. Tyrion briefly told me what his plan was for today. He wanted to figure out whom was reporting things to the queen regent. Tyrion looks over at m and I walk out onto the balcony area. I look out at the scenery of the city while I stand just outside. The same actions take place with the other small council members, Lord Baelish and Lord Varys. He told Grand Maester Pycelle he was going to broker an alliance with House Martell of Dorne by wedding Princess Myrcella to the youngest son once she comes of age. He told Lord Varys the same thing only replacing 'House Martell of Dorne' with 'Theon Greyjoy'. And the third story he told, to Lord Baelish, was that he would marry Myrcella off to Robin Arryn of the Vale. The only one to ask what was in it for them was Lord Baelish. It was probably because the skinny man would have to broker that specific deal himself.
"Yes, I could sing this song to Lysa. If I cared to. What's in it for me?" The man asks.
"The gratitude of the people of Westeros for helping to end this war." Tyrion tells him. "The adoration of the king for bringing the Vale back into the fold..." He thinks of something that would truly be a benefit to the man. "And Harrenhal."
"Harrenhal is cursed." Lord Baelish says.
"Never took you for a superstitious man." Tyrion points out. "By all means tear it down and rebuild. You'll be able to afford it. I plan to make you Lord of the Riverlands." I am a little shocked that Tyrion would offer that.
"With a single stroke, you'd make me the greatest lords in the realm."
"You served my family well in the matter of the succession." Tyrion explains.
"So did Janos Slynt, and he was given Harrenhal, too." That is true. "Until you snatched it away." It was the right decision, though. That man was just awful.
"I need you to deliver Lysa Arryn." Tyrion says. "I didn't need Janos Slynt." There is a long pause, and I look to the man known as Little Finger. His whole aura just seems wrong to me. It's like he's a snake in wolf's clothing. I know that's not the saying, but there is no sheep ever showing on this man. He always has these piercing eyes that look like they are just looking for his next opportunity to get ahead in life. "It's settled then?" Tyrion breaks the silence and Lord Baelish slightly nods his head. "Good." Tyrion turns away and heads to the small table by the wall with the wine on it. "Oh, and remember-"
"The queen mustn't know." Lord Baelish finishes the sentence and Tyrion smiles before putting his glass down on the table near him and walking further into the room. Little Finger pauses before glancing at me. "I don't think I've introduced myself." He starts to come over to me, but I avoid him by walking into the room away from the balcony.
"I'm sorry, My Lord, but you don't need to know me. I'm nobody important." With that I follow Tyrion's actions and head further into the room.
It doesn't take long for the queen to send for Tyrion. I am interested to know who the rat is in the council. I don't believe it's Varys, but what do I know? I follow Tyrion until we get to the room. He tells me to wait outside, and he goes in. Immediately he's verbally attacked by his sister.
"You monster." I hear her seethe through her teeth. Before Tyrion closes the door our eyes meet. I didn't want him to be in there alone with her. The rest of their conversation was muffled through the door. I hear raised voices and objects smashing on the ground. To be quite honest, It didn't last as long as I thought it would. Everything went quiet after about a minute and I hear the door open. I look down to him and he returns my gaze. He says nothing until we are half way back to his room.
"She said Dorne." He informs me.
"That means Pycelle, right?" I ask in a whisper. He nods and I smile to myself. We get back to his room and he sends out Bronn to find the Grand Maester. Hours later someone bursts into Tyrion's chambers. I get into a fighting stance with my hand on the hilt of my sword. The figure comes through the shadows to the light of the candles lit up around the room and we see it's Lord Baelish.
"I don't appreciate being made a fool of, dwarf." He says in a slightly raised voice before seeing me. He stops short and looks between me and Tyrion. There is a long pause before Tyrion speaks.
"Stand down, my dear." He tells me. "It would be a death sentence for him to try and harm me with you here anyway." I look back at the little Lannister and he looks at me before sliding his gaze to Little Finger. "Isn't that right, Lord Baelish?" I look to the taller man and he slightly nods causing me to relax a bit. I also get a bit closer to the little lord to make sure I will be able to defend him if anything does happen.
"If Myrcella marries the Martell boy, she can't very well marry Robin Arryn, can she?" Baelish asks.
"No, afraid not." Tyrion answers. "Sorry about that."
"And Harrenhal ... I suppose that's off the table as well."
"Yes, I fear so. Sorry about that, too." I look to Tyrion and he has a slight smirk on his face. It's contagious and I can't help but smirk myself.
"Leave me out of your next deception." Lord Baelish states.
"Oh, that's a shame." Tyrion replies. "You were to be the centerpiece of my next deception. My brother Jaime rots in a northern stockade. I would see him released. That's where you come in." When did he plan this? He hasn't talked about this with me. Has he been thinking about this whenever he's silent? Probably. It's not that I hate Jaime, but I'm not fond of him. It would do him some good to be humbled in a stockade for a while.
"Robb Stark will never release the Kingslayer." Little Finger speaks truth.
"No, he won't. But his mother might." I shake my head. What is this plan? Catelyn Stark will never release Jaime. "How would you like to see your beloved Cat again?" We hear footsteps approaching quickly and I look over to the entrance to the room. Bronn appears and I smile a bit.
"Find 'im?" I ask.
"Oh, aye." Bronn answers. "And he has company." He walks farther into the room as he continues. "Filthy old stoat. Almost hate to interrupt."
"No you don't." Tyrion reacts.
"No, I don't." Bronn agrees before walking back to the entrance. I look back to Tyrion. He smiles and puts down the book in his hand before hopping off the bench and going to follow Bronn. I am close behind as we make it to a bed chamber I have never even been close to. I didn't even really now there were rooms down this hallway. Bronn motions to the door one of the tribes men from the Vale and Tyrion just look at me. I shake my head violently. There is no way I will open that door. Bronn rolls his eyes and forces the door open. I hear surprised noises coming from someone inside. Bronn and the tribesman walks in and Tyrion soon follows and leans on the side of the door opening.
"What is the meaning of this?" I hear the Maester ask. "No, please, please." Bronn must be getting the old man out of the bed.
"You disappoint me, Grand Maester." Tyrion says.
"I am your loyal servant." The maester replies.
"So loyal that you told the queen about my plans to send Myrcella to Dorne." Tyrion points out as he walks into the room.
"No!" The old man reacts. "Never! It's a falsehood. I swear it." It's clear he's lying. "It wasn't me. Ah, Varys. It was Varys, the Spider." I couldn't take his accusations so I made my way into the room not caring how decent anyone in the room was.
"Lies." I tell him. He looks up at me and I glare back. "Lord Tyrion told Varys he was giving the princess to the Greyjoys." The old man was surprised. "And he told Lord Baelish he planned to wed her to Robin Arryn." There was a long pause before Tyrion continued.
"I told no one that I was offering her to the Dornish. No one but you."
"The eunuch has spies everywhere." The old man tries to defend. "I wouldn't be surprised if your bodyguard woman was whispering secrets to him." Before I have the chance to react Tyrion reacts for me.
"Cut off his manhood and feed it to the goats." Bronn grabs the maester as the old man panics.
"There are no goats, half man." The tribesman points out.
"Well, make due." Tyrion tells him. The maester begins whimpering as the tribesman gets closer to him, and the old man falls back, sitting on the edge of the bed. "How long have you been spying for my sister?"
"All I did, I did for House Lannister." The old man begins. "Always. Your lord father, ask him. I've always been his servant, since the days of the Mad King." I look to Tyrion in his seat and he thinks for a second before asking me a question.
"Do you like his beard?" I look back to the old man and grin like a madwoman.
"I suppose not, My Lord." I answer.
"What?" I look over to Bronn and he immediately walks up to the old man and grabs the beard before taking out his dagger and slicing it off. the old man whimpers again.
"How many hands have you betrayed, Pycelle?" Tyrion asks as he gets up from his seat. "Eddard Stark? Jon Arryn?"
"Lord Arryn," Pycelle says. "He knew. He knew the truth about the queen. And, well, he planned to act, to tell King Robert."
"So you poisoned him?" Tyrion asks.
"No! Never!" Came the answer.
"But you let him die, made sure he succumbed!" Tyrion raised his voice.
"Lannister- I always served Lannister."
"Get him out of my sight." He tells Bronn. "Throw him in one of the black cells." Bronn grabs the old man and the tribesman does as well. I step out of the way as they take him out of the room. I watch as Tyrion walks over to the naked woman cowering in the corner. He places a coin on the arm of the chair next to her. He whispers something I couldn't hear over Pycelle's shouting. Tyrion looks to Pycelle finally being dragged out of sight and then turns back to the woman and adding another coin to the first one. With that he walks past me to the door. I look to the woman and smile before bowing my head to her and following Tyrion out of the room. I don't have anything against whores. They're just doing what they need to to get by.
The next day, Varys comes to give us an update on Shae and her new occupation. Tyrion and Varys sit down to a cup of wine and begin their conversation. I'm offered some wine, but I reject it and try to get as far away from this conversation as I can. I make my way to the balcony once again. I suppose it's my escape from my mental stresses.
Tyrion POV
I watch as Trixie walks to the balcony.
"You'll be pleased to know our mutual friend is doing quite well in Lady Sansa's service." Varys speaks, bringing my attention back to him.
"Good." I answer. "One of my better ideas." Of course I did have some help from Trixie.
"And it seems the Grand Maester has found his way into a black cell." I smirk to myself at my victory in weeding out the rat in the small council. "Well played, my Lord Hand. But should I be worried?" He asks. "Janos Slynt, Pycelle... the small council grows smaller every day."
"The council has a reputation for serving past Hands poorly." I tell him. "I don't mean to follow Ned Stark to the grave."
"Power is a curious thing, my lord." He says. "Are you fond of riddles?"
"Why, am I about to hear one?" I ask as I take a sip of wine.
"Three great men sit in a room." He starts. "A king, a priest, and a rich man. Between them stands a common sellsword. Each great man bids the sellsword kill the other two. Who lives, who dies?" I think about the two sellswords I know. Bronn and Trixie are so different. They fight for different reasons. They have different views of the world.
"Depends on the sellsword." I answer.
"Does it?" Varys asks. "He has neither crown nor gold nor favor with the Gods."
"He has a sword, the power of life and death." I argue.
"But if it's swordsmen who rule, why do we pretend kings hold all the power?" He makes a good point. I take another sip of my wine as he continues. "When Ned Stark lost his head, who was truly responsible? Joffrey? The executioner? Or something else?"
"I've decided I don't like riddles." I tell him.
"Power resides where men believe it resides." He says. "It's a trick, a shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow." I smirk at his words as I look out to the balcony. "She can help you make that shadow, you know." My gaze snaps back to the Spider. "As I've said before, her deep feelings for you can be used to your advantage. It would do you some good to not waste it."
"She is only here to protect me as my bodyguard." I tell him. "I will ask nothing more of her."
"As you wish, my Lord Hand." He replies. "But it could bring you down at some point. Be very careful. Her love could fade quickly with the right reward."
"I don't believe that for a second." I tell him. "I've experienced the kind of love she has for me once before. Nothing could sway me from the feeling. In fact I still had that feeling until I met Trixie. Every time I saw her, even if it were just for a few minutes, it would make me forget about that person I had feelings for before. They were bright times in my life."
"And may I ask why you are with Shae instead of her?" He asks. I take a deep breath before answering him.
"I feel so shallow every time I think of that question." I speak the truth. I tend to just ignore that question. "Trixie and I got closer before I met Shae. I would tell her that I wanted to bed her, and she would blush and say em'not in your dreams, little lion'. /emIt was a nice little game after a while. But when I thought I was going to die in battle I wanted to have one more woman naked in my bed. I knew Trixie wouldn't go for it. I complained to Bronn about it and he brought Shae to me." I took another sip of my wine. Now mu cup is empty. "I promised Shae everything, thinking it wouldn't matter because I would die in the morning."
"But you didn't." Varys points out once again.
"Yes. I sit before you very much alive, and I have two women who love me and who I love in return."
"Who knew you, of all people, would have two women pining for you?" He says. "No offence." He adds quickly.
"None taken." I reply. "I never thought I would ever be experiencing this in my lifetime."
A/N: Woo! Finally another chapter! I am sorry for the long wait, but there are a lot of things going on in my daily life that keep me from getting any writing done. Be patient for further chapters. More long waits are ahead. I am sorry in advance. Also, I love reading comments on my stories. Feel free to comment. Tell me what you think of this chapter or any of the previous ones.