Chapter 17.
The battle raged on. The Queen Regent and Ladies of Court were all gathered in the small feast hall off of Cercei's chambers. Shalene's senses were keenly aware of everyone and everything. Her first thought was to keep Sansa away from the Queen, who seemed to be well into her wine. She had also noted that Ser Ilyn Payne was lurking in the shadows behind The Queen. She was well aware of what his purpose was in Court and she had the feeling that this would not end well if she let her guard down. She caught Shae's eye and they both, silently, acknowledge the threat.
Sansa was mingling with the other Ladies, The Queen continued to drink. Reports came to her at different intervals and Shalene could tell that Cercei was becoming both angry and fearful. The last report came with Ser Lancel Lannister, Cercei ordered him to go bring Joffery in from the battle. When he started to plead the case for why Joffery needed to stay out on the wall, she became enraged and ordered Ser Ilyn to follow her and for him to get Joffery. Ser Ilyn balked for an instant, as if he was weighing this order with a earlier one, then he followed The Queen, casting a passing, deadly glance at Sansa.
Shae and Shalene both saw this exchange and as soon as The Queen and her executioner had left, they immediately escorted Sansa from the Hall and headed towards the wing that their chambers were in. As they left, Ser Lancel tried to stop them, not knowing what a deadly situation he had placed himself in, unluckily for him, he never would. As he was trying to get Sansa away from Shae, Shalene walked up behind him and buried her dagger, to the hilt, through his back, piercing his heart. Sansa was near hysterics as Shalene pulled out her dagger, knelt and calmly cleaned it off on his cloak. Shae just grinned and they proceeded with their escape to their wing, dragging Sansa along.
They were almost at their rooms, Sansa was leaning heavily on Shalene when Shalene sensed that Shae had slipped away. She heard the sound of boots approaching and recognized them as Ser Ilyn's, urging Sansa to move faster as they get to Sansa's door, Shalene opens it and shoves Sansa in just as she hears Shae scream. It's the scream of a wildcat! As Shalene turns to help Shae, she sees that her help isn't needed as she watches Ser Ilyn fall to his knees, blood gushing from his throat, pooling beneath him. Shae has jumped on his back, pulled his head towards her and cut his throat so deeply, his head is barely attached to his neck. How fitting! As he falls to the floor, Shae gracefully steps away from him. They both watch his blood continue to spread, they look at each other smiling. They then go to Sansa's room, bar the door and start moving the furniture in front of it, each giving prayers of their own for the ones that they love, who's futures are not known.
The next hours rush by. Tyrion directs soldiers and battle plans. With his courage, knowledge and continued encouragement and involvement in all aspects of the battle, he unknowingly earns a new and strong respect from those around him. When Joffery left the battle, the men were stunned. They knew him to be a weak coward though none would ever say it. This new development created a rift that wouldn't be resolved. Tyrion still had no idea what had happened to Sandor and Bronn, he couldn't let his fears be known at this point.
There had come a new wave of soldiers into the battle from the opposite side of the city. Tyrion was momentarily stunned until he saw banners bearing the Lannister sigil and many others, all of them Banner men of House Lannister. He knew they would have victory now, his father had arrived with reinforcements! As they battle raged and then wound down, he began to worry about his friends then he was summoned to the Throne Room, he knew it must be his father, the battle was over.
When he entered The Throne Room, Joffery was sitting on The Iron Throne, Cercei at his side, both of them looked disheveled and extremely uncomfortable. Lord Tywin was at the foot of the stairs talking to them. There were many others there but as Tyrion entered, Lord Tywin turned to him and said,"Tyrion, my Son. I see that you have done an excellent job holding this city until my forces arrived, unlike some others in my presence." He turned and looked right at Joffery who looks like he wants to say something but Cercei placed her hand on his arm, which he jerks away. Tyrion is momentarily taken aback but his wit and knowledge of his father makes him speak instantly," Father, I'm happy that you made it before the party was over. I do believe that I may have run low on dancers for this particular dance. I am ever grateful for your arrival and quick mastery of the music. I have just done what I knew you expected of any Lannister. I am not my brother, but I have my uses. I am ever at your service, Father." Lord Tywin is never one to smile or show his thoughts, he looks at Tyrion for a few moments and Tyrion sees a shift in the gleam of his Lord father's eyes before he looks away. Tyrion is inwardly stunned, silent acceptance from his father. FINALLY!
Lord Tywin is about to speak again when the doors to The Throne Room burst open so forcefully that one of them breaks from it's hinges. Standing there in the shadows of the doorway with the darkness of the night behind him, the lightning flashing occasionally only making the figure more black, steam rising from his body; his gigantic bulk almost filling the entire doorway is what appears to be a demon from The Seven Hells come to take them all! He is grasping something in his left hand and in his right is a huge, six-foot long great sword that he wields with an ease that belies that the sword weighs as much as some grown men. He steps into the torchlight of the room and everyone there can see who it is. The Hound. He is covered in blood, gore, soot, brain matter, hair and flecks of bone. He stalks to the Throne. With each stride he takes he emits a growl. his aura is so powerful, everyone shrinks away from him as he passes. It seems his body is growing larger with each step he takes although it could just be the evil and hate he embodies. When he finally reaches the steps to The Iron Throne, he throws what he has in his left hand up to the throne, at Joffery. Joffery screams like a maiden as blood flies all over him and Cercei. Lord Tywin steps up to see what it is, he sees the heads of Stannis Baratheon and Gregor Clegane. Sandor has removed another great sword, he points the one in his right hand at Joffery then Lord Tywin, and says in a voice that is as dead as his eyes," I'VE HAD ENOUGH! I AM DONE WITH YOU!" He then spreads his arms, swords pointed at the heavens, throws his head back and roars a scream that shakes those present to their souls. He then sinks to his knees.
Lord Tywin knows The Hound has broken for now. He knows the Warrior is still there but he also knows that to push Clegane past this point, will never happen. The Hound has paid his dues, he has done more than any of them. He brought Lord Tywin the head of Stannis Baratheon! He will have his break, he may even have his release from service, he will always be a Lannister man. But now he is a kinslayer. He can't let that pass. He looks at Sandor and says, " You have brought me the head of the traitor Stannis Baratheon. On another day we will discuss your reward. I also see your brother's head, did you do that also?" Sandor meets his eyes, tilts his head slightly and just nods. Lord Tywin is about to speak when Bronn comes into the room and tosses an arm towards the stairs and says," No, My Lord. I did it." Then it seems that hundreds of men start filing into the room and go to the pile of body parts and throw another piece on the pile, all saying, " I'm sorry, My Lord, I did it." In the end, Lord Tywin just lets it go and orders the mess cleaned up and The Throne Room cleared.