Whilst it was something he expected to happen, somehow his aunt ordering guards to seize him and to take him to the dungeons still took him off guard. Expecting for her to at least explain himself because she was always kind to him which was one of many reasons he had suggested a potential betrothal to bring the Westerland's under his Queen's rule and to firmly boot his spoiled cunt of a sister into place again. Ever since they were young, Cersei always believed herself to be superior. No thanks to his father grooming her from the moment she could read and speak coherent sentences to be a Princess. A Princess for the Crowned Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Back before King Scab had lost his mind and before he had stepped a little too over the line with his mother Joanna.

Looking around him to take in his surroundings. The cells hadn't changed one bit since he had last been to Casterly Rock. Being carved in the deepest caverns of the massive rock the castle was built upon and later expanded deep within the rock. Some of the stones were damp from moisture and others were covered in moss. Some had carvings on them of what appeared to be skeletons of some kind but it was difficult to say. At least the ground was smooth and not slanted. Remembering the last time he had been in a cell well. Anger flowing through him which disappeared quickly as the knowledge that Lysa Tully had fallen to her death echoed in his mind.

He'd thought his sister mad when they were younger, but the younger Tully daughter made Cersei look like a little angel. Not any more though. The little Varys was able to find out about the capital would've even made his father feel queasy which in itself was saying something. Of course, there was no way to prove the claims with certainty unless they could get someone into Kings Landing to monitor the situation, but he knew his sister. Many of the stories sounded exactly like things she would stoop too. Apart from the cannibalism one that came around. Due to their being little to no food going into the capital, people were starving. Rumours were spreading that instead of burying those who had done so they had been butchered and fed to people unknowingly in bowls of brown in Flea Bottom.

The sound of keys jangling broke his gaze towards the many carvings which he didn't even realise he was looking at. Turning his head as the door to the cell was opened and a stench of sewage entered his nostrils which almost made him gag. A plate being placed on the ground filled with food. At least he had that going for him. Whilst he was a prisoner, by law he was the Lord of Casterly Rock and he was a Lannister. Walking over to see what his meal was today. Chicken and an assortment of vegetables. No sauce in sight and he could tell the chicken was overcooked with the darkened edges. Although he did delight in the fact the skin was crispy and enjoying the strong salty taste. Once he'd had his fill, he returned to looking in everything around him.

No wonder people went insane in here. Nothing to look at other than rocks and carvings and moss. Nothing to smell other than whatever food they gave prisoners and sewage when the thick iron door was opened. Nothing to feel other than smooth stone deep within the rock. At least he wasn't chained. The joy of getting up to stretch his legs gave him some form of freedom whilst he waited on what was happening. How many days had it been? One? A week? A month? It was hard to say because there was no way to tell the time in the cell. All he did know was that Olenna Tyrell was still here. Whilst he got along well with the older woman, there was no false pretences between them. They were allies, not friends. She would not leave without him because that would anger their Queen massively. Tyrion was under no illusions. He may be an advisor to Daenerys, but he was still a hostage.

The sheer irony he was treated with more respect as a hostage than a free man. The thought made his blood boil within. There wasn't anything for him to do though, so he curled up at one of the edges, enjoying the heat from the rock against his back as he knew the kitchens were close to the cell he was. That was one good thing about being the man to plan out the sewage system and tunnels in and out of the castle. He knew them inside out. Heck, give him a blindfold and he'd still be able to work his way around with ease. The jingling of keys broke him from his sleep as he stared groggily at the iron door. It was rusted over now, being twenty inches thick and seven padlocks to keep it tightly shut. Usually needing at least three people to hoist it open. Sitting up slowly as two guards came in and grabbed each of his arms before he could even speak a single word. Right as he was about to, a third guard gagged him so tight the edges of his lips began to burn hot. Trying to speak but the cloth in his mouth prevented such a thing and instead only come out in mumbles. Something the guards seemed to enjoy as they began making baby noises as a way of mocking him. If he wasn't angry before, he sure as hell was now. They would pay for their mockery one way or another. They would hear him roaring.

They marched him up many staircases until they were in the castle portion above the rock itself and not within the rock like much of Casterly Rock was. People pointing at him, staring at him, some even turning their noses up at him. This only adding to his already foul mood. Seeing the room they were heading towards though changed this to one of fear. Wondering what was going to happen. They were taking him to his aunt's personal quarters. Seeing her seated there very much looking like a whale from her size, extra chains sticking out awkwardly but there was no denying the seething hate in her emerald coloured eyes. Nodding her head to the guards who immediately ungagged him and left the room. Leaving them alone.

"Dearest aunt, how kind of you to speak to me- "

A stinging broke him from his thoughts which soon turned into a dull ache. Taking a moment for him to realise what had happened but when he did he shot his aunt a look. Maybe her weakling Frey husband hadn't worn her down after all.

"You have some gall to come here after all you have done to our House, Tyrion."

"On that we can both agree."

Genna tried to hide it, but she failed the slight upturn of her lips at the retort. They were a lot like each other- too much like each other according to some. He was no fool. If she wanted him dead she would've killed him the moment she saw him. Sliding over a skin his way and quirking an eyebrow up.

"I know poison is a woman's weapon, if you do not believe me then this should suffice."

She reached over to grab the skin herself and chug back some of what was there. Nerves calming instantly at this as he took it the second time it was offered. Almost moaning aloud at the slightly sour taste.

"What kind of wine is this?"

"One I've become rather fond of recently, it's mixed with raspberries and gooseberries."

Hence the sourness, which when abetted left a wonderful fruity taste behind. Was it as good as an Arbor Gold or a Dornish Red? Nay, no wine would top either of those two in his eyes.

"How long has it been?"

"Three weeks."

Not too bad then, he'd been a prisoner for much longer than that before.

"Where is Lady Olenna?"

"Speaking with Daven about the agreed betrothal. Desmera Redwyne will wed Daven in a moons turn."

Not a complete farce then, and it meant that Genna at the very least saw some value in what was going on. She wasn't someone to sit back and hold her tongue. Not that she always won her spats, but she'd make her voice heard. A lion through and through.

"So, now that you've so lovingly had me locked in a cell for three weeks and greeted me with a smack across the face, may we speak?"

Once again, the corners of her lips twitched. This time though, it was hard to tell if it was out of amusement or trying to hide her anger at him.

"Why did you do it?"

Of course, put it to Genna Lannister to get straight to the point at hand. Tyrion taking another deep swig of the wine and smacking his lips for a moment to savour the taste.

"What would you like to know? The reasoning? What made me do it? Why it took so long for me to do it? There's no use lying to me, dearest aunt. I know and you know there was no love between my father and yourself. Except perhaps when he went up against grandfather for agreeing on that ridiculous betrothal for yourself."

And it was a ridiculous betrothal. One that had made House Lannister a laughing stock. A Frey and a Lannister. Dear uncle Emmon certainly did not do anything to make himself stand out from his brothers and nephews and cousins and probably cousins fourth removed given the sheer size of House Frey. Or what had been House Frey. Realisation swooping over him then because she was now on her own. Her remaining sons were dead, her husband was dead. Killed by whoever had massacred House Frey.

"Do you remember Tysha, dearest aunt?"

"The whore you married?"

"She wasn't."

Even now, the memory of Jaime confirming it had all been a lie concocted by his father to teach him a lesson. That Lannister's were better than common born folk and were special because of it. For all of his life, Tyrion had defended Jaime. Had loved Jaime. Yet all of that went down the drain when he admitted he had lied to him about her being a whore.

"What?"

Genna's voice was quiet, her tone rather high. No other analysis needed to be done because with these two things he knew she was unaware.

"Tis true, Jaime himself told me right before he freed me. The little maiden I was completely in love with was not a whore. Just someone who saw me as more than a monster. But father wouldn't stand for one of his children being wed to a common born, he was insulted enough having to call Walder Frey his goodfather. So he told Jaime to tell me he wanted me to experience being with a woman for the first time. That he had hired a young whore from one of the many whore houses in Lannisport, discussed with her she was to act like she cared for me. I believed him. Jaime always protected me and spoke up for me, it made no sense he would lie to me in that instance. Father then had my wife dragged into a stable like a dog and he made me watch. As every guard had their way with her, each giving her a coin, but never a gold coin. Oh no, because common people don't deserve gold. By that point I was so angry I went along with it, and as ordered, when I was done I gave her a golden coin. I never saw her again. I wasn't going to even so much as confront father until Jaime confessed to me when he freed me. She wasn't a whore, she wasn't hired. Tysha was a young woman who loved me, and I repaid her by watching as fathers guards took turns raping her because father wanted to teach me a lesson."

Genna's face had gone deathly pale at this, wanting to deny it most like, but it sounded exactly like something the almighty Tywin Lannister would've done.

"As to why I did it? That was something else. There is a reason I denied many of the matches father made for me as I've just explained. I was not going to let myself love again when the only woman I'd ever loved was lying to me? Until I met Shae. She was Lorathi, initially she was only a whore I enjoyed the company of but this changed quickly. Hells, I snuck her into the Red Keep. Had her appointed as Sansa Stark's handmaiden so she could be near me and it not look suspicious in any way. Gods, was it satisfying having my beautiful sister be completely unaware of what was happening under her nose. Yet when I had to send her away for her own safety, she took it so bad she testified against me for the murder of my wretched nephew. There is no use lying, Genna, you know I didn't do it. But father wanted me gone, and with Joffrey just so happening to point to the cup he had been drinking from it provided the perfect opportunity. That was why I confronted father. Why I grabbed that damned crossbow I cannot say, I was not thinking straight in that moment. Decades of hatred bubbling over and this spilled when I saw Shae in fathers bed. I killed her first, used the chains on my wrists to wrap around her neck and squeeze until she lay still. When I confronted father, do you want to know what he said?"

He didn't even wait for a reply before continuing.

"She was a whore. Like your other whore. Right then, I told him I knew the truth, and he was smirking at me the whole time. He was proud of what he had done to me, proud that in doing so he didn't lose part of the precious legacy he was so obsessed with. Then I stated what I'd known all along. Father wanted me dead, but he didn't want to do the deed himself. Wanted to wipe his hands clean of being a kinslayer like I became, like Jaime, like Cersei. The final kicker was when he looked me in the eye and said once again they were just whores. That was when I shot him. The first arrow didn't hit anything serious, waiting on him to say something at the very least. Yet what did he say? You're no son of mine. Then I shot him in the heart."

No words were spoken for what felt like hours but he knew it was only minutes. Blood boiling as hot as the summer sun at the memory of it all. Taking another swig of the wine and noticing there was barely any of it left in the skin. Emptying it in one more gulp and placing it down on the table.

"And you know what? I'm still haunted by what I did. As much as I despised him, he was my father. And I killed him. Looked him in the eye as I shot him in the heart."

"What did you say about Jaime and Cersei?"

He wanted to rage then. Out of what he had told her, that was what she was focused on? Still, he answered her question.

"About them being kinslayers just like me?"

"Who."

He voice was dangerously low now, bordering on a growl. So she didn't know then. Almost rubbing his hands together in glee because this might just be the opening needed to win her over to his Queen's side.

"Cersei is the one who blew up the Sept. She done so to get rid of Margaery because Tommen wasn't listening to his precious mother anymore."

Tyrion felt the anger rolling off of her like waves crashing against a cliff. Something that was not unusual to him considering Casterly Rock was on the coast.

"The High Sparrow did that- "

"Why would the High Sparrow put an end to the damned Faith Militant? You're not that stupid. Cersei killed uncle Kevan, cousin Cerenna, and cousin Myrielle. Her doing what she did also pushed Tommen to throw himself from his window- "

"That was an aftershock- "

"Quit this game, aunt Genna. I'm a good liar but you've always been able to read me like a book. Look me in the eye and tell me I am lying to you. And before you ask how I know this, you can thank Varys for such a thing. It's the only information we've gotten out of Kings Landing other than the food situation. Cersei is poison, she cannot remain on that throne. If she does she will not stop until every enemy is dead which in case you weren't aware is every other Kingdom. As for Jaime, he strangled Cleos. He did so as a distraction to try and escape Robb Stark."

This one was what pushed his aunt over the edge. Cleos was her eldest son. As Cersei put it, there was no greater love than a mother and her firstborn. Watching Genna slowly stand up and veins popping out in her wrists because she was clenching the table that hard.

"Guards! Gather all members of House and tell them an urgent meeting is occurring!"

Neither of them refused the order, scampering off down the hall because everyone in Casterly Rock knew a pissed off Genna Lannister was not someone one wanted to come across. She was muttering under her breath now but it was now so low it really did sound like a growl. She was angry. Rightfully so. It had been years since he'd last seen her, but nothing had changed there. Now though, there was no leash holding her back. Her fangs were about to come out and he just prayed to all the gods there were that he was not the one going to be chewed up. She ordered more guards in, demanding they surround him. At first, Tyrion was insulted, but then he understood she'd done so to protect him. Cersei had lied to them all, and they were about to find out the truth. Would their anger be enough to swing them to his Queen's side though? He hoped so. If it failed it would at least have them remain neutral. Oh how he wished he could see his precious sisters face when she found out her lies had caught up to her. Jaime's as well for that matter. The moment he crossed aunt Genna again would be the last time he took a breath.

Daven was first to walk in. Followed by Joy, Damon, Damion, Lucion, and Lanna. Two cousins, a half-uncle, and half-cousins through his mothers side. Cousin Janei wasn't long after and finally cousin Tyrek was last. This was it. All that remained of House Lannister. The moment Daven's eyes landed on his, he saw the green light up like wildfire and begin heading his way, the guards surrounding him preventing such a thing.

"Step aside for your Lord."

"Sit down Daven, or your betrothal will be broken with immediate effect."

It was hard to keep the laugh in at the insulted look he wore at his aunts retort. It was a rare match, one of love. It was no secret in Casterly Rock Daven pined for Desmera Redwyne and now he was going to wed her. He wouldn't be betrothed to her if it weren't for him suggesting what he did. On this he owed him, but that was wishful thinking at best. And Genna spoke. Told them everything he had just told them regarding Cersei and Jaime. By the end of it, they were even more furious than before. Only then did Genna nod to the guards who took hold of his arms and marched him elsewhere. Wholly expecting to be taken to the cell again but instead being placed in his childhood bedroom. A wave of emotion overcoming him immediately. Now, all he could do was wait. See what the outcome was, how they would all react.

A day passed.

Followed by a second day.

And a third day.

The more time passed, the more he worried. What was taking them so bloody long to come to a decision? One day fair enough but three seemed way too long for him. Either they were toying with him, were keeping him prisoner to hold his Queen's hand in fighting against Cersei, or something else had occurred. Even Lady Olenna paid him no visit. Then again, nor did she in the cell. Allies, not friends. They enjoyed one another's company well enough, but neither would deny there was warmth between them. They were working towards the same goal. Deposing his sister, preferably have her die so her poison didn't seep through them all. He hadn't known Daenerys for long at all now he thought on it- less than a year. Yet in that short time frame she had proved herself a worthy ruler.

She had gone north. Lady Olenna's words ringing in his ear and just like that anger bubbling within he'd been left out of that discussion. How could he advise her if he wasn't being told of her actions? Then again, he wouldn't have counselled her against such a move. The North was strong, and with the North came the Vale and to an extent the Riverland's. Especially now that there were no more Frey's. Did that mean Lord Edmure was free again? Had he retaken Riverrun? The lack of knowledge was grating on him. If they didn't reach an accord armies were on their wear to blockade Lannisport and begin a seize of Casterly Rock. Something that had never been done before. Then again, a few years prior the same would've been said about Slaver's Bay having no more slaves. As much as he wanted to support, Tyrion loved his family. He didn't want harm to come to them.

Apart from Cersei that is, he'd happily dance on her burial site with no remorse if the opportunity ever popped up.

"Come."

He snapped his head up at this, looking to the door to see his cousin Joy stood there. Gods, she had grown. The last time he had seen her she hadn't even flowered. She was a woman now. A beautiful woman. However, she was cursed with the bastard name of Hill. Perhaps as a way to soothe relations she could be legitimised and married off to an ally of his Queen. It would go a long way in mending the bonds between House Lannister and House Targaryen. He followed her then, glad she wasn't that much taller than he was as she'd always been short for her age. Something uncle Gerion said she got from her mother. No words were spoken as they made their way back into his aunt's quarters. His other family members were there as was Lady Olenna, it not missing his perceptive eye that many were struggling not to just snap his neck for what he had done to their House's precious legacy.

"House Lannister will remain neutral. For the time being. It has become obvious we cannot support Cersei with the knowledge that has now been bestowed upon us. But we do not know Daenerys. She was not raised in Westeros and was raised on the run from assassins. You may have been too young to remember the Mad King, but I most certainly am not. I remember him well, and I will not pledge our House to his daughter without confirmation with our own eyes she is not as mad as he is. We have conditions."

Better than he expected in truth. Not what he was hoping for, but it was a kick in Cersei's teeth and that was music to his ears.

"What are your terms, aunt?"

It was quiet for a while, Genna looking around them all trying to decide who should be the one to speak. None of the others made so much as a peep. Something that annoyed her as she rolled her eyes at having to be the one to deliver the news.

"Joy and Janei will travel back with you. In time we expect for Joy to be legitimised and given a Keep of her own. We will handle marriage prospects for her ourselves. Janei will be sending correspondence explaining everything to us as we make our decision. We will parlay and if needed will host your Queen in Casterly Rock as an honoured guest. Devan will be named Lord of Casterly Rock- "

His anger boiled over at this. Who was she to tell him to give up what was his by right?

"By law I am Lord of Casterly Rock- "

"You lost that when you killed your father and went into exile, cousin."

Daven's voice was dangerously low. For a moment he wanted to fight him on it but a single glance from Lady Olenna stilled his tongue. Biting his cheek as he forced his anger away. How dare they? He didn't need to come here to discuss with them. He could've waited on the armies to arrive.

"Then give the Rock to Jaime- "

"He can rot in all the hells. The next time I see him I will be wringing his neck with mine own hands."

Ouch. Expected though. Jaime had killed Genna's son and had never confirmed what had happened to Cleos Frey. Cersei would not be accepted, he wouldn't be accepted, and now he knew Jaime would not be accepted. Huffing quietly under his breath before nodding his head in agreement to the term. If he kept on his Queen's good side he may be granted something else for his loyalty.

"I suppose this is it, then. Until an agreement for a parlay is achieved."

There it was again, the tiniest upturn of her lips. It wasn't much, but it could've been a whole lot worse.

"One of the Redwyne ships is awaiting us, we leave for Dragonstone tonight."