It was not yet dark when Lyanna hesitantly raised her hand to knock on the solid oak door to what had briefly been her home with her father and sisters in King's Landing. A home that now belonged to Lord Tyrion, the new hand. Yet when the door opened she did not know why, but she was surprised to find one of their old servants on the other side. They had come with the house, there was no reason why would they not remain. But she was not the only one surprised, the man could not help but stumble over his words as he spoke upon seeing her.

"L-lady Lyanna."

"Thomas." She said, remembering the man's name, something that seemed to make the man flush.

"What brings you here so late, my lady?" He asked in an almost fatherly fashion.

"I wish to have words with my brother."

"Your brother, my lady?" He asked, confused by the idea, after all her brothers would hardly be in the Capitol.

"Lord Tyrion. Tell him it is important."

Led into what had once been her father's study she did not have to wait long for the little lord to join her. He looked as if he had come straight from bed, or perhaps a whore.

"Sister." He greeted with a still surprised expression on his face. "I am told you seek a word with me."

"Yes, you are my friend." She began. "And it is late so I shall be direct. Since we parted ways I have seen kings die and crowned. I have been wed and carry my husband's child. I have seen my father labeled a traitor to the crown. I have been labeled a traitor by my family, and am distrusted by my husband's. I have a husband who seeks the touch of his sister before that of his wife. I have a sister who foolishly thinks her status as the King betrothed gives her power and safety. I have a brother who is riding to war against my new family, and a beloved younger sister who is missing. " She stopped, her eyes never leaving the little lord's who was watching her in contemplative silence.

"What do you wish of me?" He finally asked.

"The truth."

"Very well Which truth is it you seek?"

"My family by blood and by marriage, will they always fight until the other is dead and gone? And where do my sister and I stand?"

"You are safe. You have mine, and my father's, protection. Lady Sansa however, I do not yet know. As for the war… If my sister had not convinced the King to exchange your father for Jaime then there would perhaps have been a chance for peace, even if he had made it to the wall there would have been a chance for new negotiations. Now, there is none. Your brother seeks to be king of the North, as I am sure you know. We can not make such a concession, especially when there is such ill will between us. But now you owe me a truth in return. Do you believe my family had your father killed, as your brother does?"

"No." She answered truthfully. "It does not help you. It is my belief that one of King Robert's brother's ordered it. They are the only ones to benefit from a war between the North and the King. It divides the King's armies even more."

"I am told you worked with Cersei to convince Joffrey to send your father away. Why?"

"He wanted him executed, your sister did not. On the wall he would at least have had a chance of survival. There is also training before the vow. I hoped things may have settled before he took the vow and he could return home."

"My father does not want a war with your brother and the North. He needs time to deal with King Robert's brothers. He does not wish to fight a war on three sides. With or without Jaime. Perhaps you can be of use."

"Why are you telling me this? What do you want?"

"You wanted truth. Also Joffrey listens to you. My father wants me to bring him to heel. Your help may help me in this matter. In return I offer my protection for your sisters, Lady Arya too should we find her."

"And my brothers?"

"Robb… unless peace is brokered between us, I can not promise his safety or even life. If he does and aid our armies, he will be forgiven. Your younger would also be safe. I will even make Brann Lord of Winterfell, should your other brother fall in battle or refuse to aid us against what remains of the other pretend kings."

"And Jon?"

"He is a man of his word, like your father. He will not leave the wall, and I will not use him against your brother unless he breaks his vow and joins him."

"As long as your wishes are just, or the King's are worse, you will have my aid. Though I demand truth from you, and I will not bed him, no matter what you may have heard." She told him.

"Then the truth you shall have. And I did not believe the rumors. My nephew believes himself in love with you, correct?"

"He loves no one but himself. Never has so many men been sentenced to death or publicly tortured or/and humiliated. And he is not the only monster, he had his mother order the death of tens of children around the capitol, from babies to nearly grown men and women. King Robert's bastards, the rightful heirs, some say. All that innocence slaughtered because the King wants his throne. He is not capable of love. I am but the closest he thinks he can come to prove his worth to the dead King."

"I know of his misdeeds. I have take care of it." He was silent for a moment, then went back to the topic at hand. "But this infatuation of his is a tool we can use. But I will not ask you to break any of your vows. I know how you Starks are." He said with a small smile, earning himself a smile in return.

Returning to her chambers not long after the conversation ended she was surprised to find her husband waiting within. As for why he was there as such a late hour she did not know, for his face was far from amorous.

"Where have you been?" He demands, taking in her clothing as if expecting them to be disheveled from a liaison. They were not, they were as orderly as when she had had her maid helped her dress. She wanted to glare at him, but instead she raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"I went to see my brother, as my husband seems to have no time for me. And I do so enjoy his company."

"Tyrion." He said, as if he had forgotten their friendship. Perhaps he had.

"Yes. Now why are you here?"

"I can not come and see my wife?" He questioned and she almost asked if the Queen had refused him but thought better of it. Unless he brought it up she would never again broach the subject.

"It has been so long and our time together so brief that I would almost have forgotten I had a husband had your not left me with a reminder. You will have to forgive me to be surprised to see you in my chambers."

"I came to ask of your health and that our child." He said, and she supposed that would be the closest she would ever some to an apology for his words earlier that day.

"We are both well." She replied, wishing she could ask of her brother's health. Though she doubt it was acceptable for a wife to ask about the welfare of her husband captor. She did not want him in her chambers though. "But tired."

"Have you ever felt the baby kick?" He asked, surprising her with his words to such an extent that all she could do was nod.

"Often?"

"Yes." She said, almost hesitantly. She wondered where the sudden interest came from. Had he truly thought she carried the late King's bastard? The thought brought the old anger back, but she tried to reel it in. "Mostly in the early morning, she has been my wake up call for many nearly two moon now."

"She?" He asked.

"If you expect a daughter a son will merely be a happy surprise." She said. "Though my sister insists that it is twins, or the baby would not have the energy to keek me awake. But the healer says it is doubtful. I am too small."

"But you have a pump? I don't remember when C- my mother began to grew large with Tyrion." He said, wisely stopping himself from mentioning his sister and the pregnancies she had undergone, though a little too late for her not to notice. She did however notice his attempt to cover it up and let it be.

" It is not very big yet." She confessed. "There is still long to go."

"May I see it?" He asked, making her move her hands to allow him a better view. But he merely shook his head. "You wear too many layers. May I?" He asked reaching to touch her. She nodded, momentarily surprised when he moved to undress her. Which in turn made her flinch, perhaps knowing he had another lover was worse than she had thought it would be, but she forced herself to stand still. He was her husband regardless of anything else and despite what she had accused him of earlier she knew he had some kind of honor, she merely did not know quite how it worked.

TBC…