Game of Thrones: Of Lions and Roses

Chapter 4 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
wazzup11: Well, we've not got to Jon's chapters yet; as for Tyrion, here you go.
canonman89: Thanks; glad you enjoyed it :)
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks; yeah, he is.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you liked those parts :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Tyrion

Tyrion sighed as he walked towards the Small Council chamber; it was once again a late night session.

'I'm starting to think my father is doing this to us on purpose.' He thought shaking his head. 'Well, here we go again anyway, what shall it be this time I wonder?'

He opened the door and entered; the others glanced towards him but otherwise did not react. Tyrion was surprised when he saw one of them, the only one to smile when he saw him.

"Jaime?" He gasped.

Jaime nodded. "Yes Tyrion; it's me, I'm back and here to fulfil my duties as Commander of the Kingsguard…Despite various issues."

As Jaime said that he glanced down at the stump of his right hand. Tyrion grimaced; he had heard of what had happened to Jaime; this served as confirmation of what he had heard.

"I…see." He replied; suddenly awkward.

Tywin cut across this moment between the brothers.

"If you would like to take your seats, we shall begin." He remarked.

Tyrion sighed but nodded as Jaime took his seat. Tyrion walked to his own, sitting down. He then glanced around at who else was present. He recognized them all; many of them were not people he was fond of. Aside from his father and brother, his sister was present, as was Pycelle, Varys, Mace Tyrell, Oberyn Martell and finally his uncle, Kevan.

Tywin nodded and spoke.

"Now that we're all here; let us begin." He said calmly before turning to Kevan. "What news from the war front?"

Kevan sighed and then explained. "We've had reports of ships, Ironborn ships apparently; they've suddenly appeared and started attacking the Reach."

Mace started at that. "Ironborn, in our homelands?"

"I fear so." Kevan replied.

"Who informed us of this?" Cersei inquired; a strange expression on her face.

Kevan began to explain. "The reports come from Willas Tyrell; it seems the Ironborn were able to launch a surprise attack; the most likely means to travel by ship to the Reach were watched, yet they did not come that way?"

Tywin raised an eyebrow. "How did they come then?"

"It seems they risked the open sea and attacked from there." Kevan revealed.

There was a shocked reaction to this; Mace immediately spoke up.

"If you have men to spare, they must be sent to defeat the Ironborn."

Before Tywin could reply, Cersei spoke up; smirking. "You have doubts at your own men's capabilities. We shouldn't act rashly; after all, how can we be sure this is the Ironborn. They would never risk the open sea when making an attack."

Kevan looked at her in surprise. "You doubt my word?"

"I doubt that these assailants are Ironborn." She replied. "How can we be sure they're not simply drunken pirates? We only have Willas Tyrell's word for it after all."

Her implication was unmistakable. Mace glared but before he could say anything Tywin spoke up.

"That will do Cersei; we will give this matter some thought." He remarked; glancing at Mace. "We will reach a decision in due course."

They both accepted this, Mace with relief, Cersei glaring.

After giving Cersei a warning look; Tywin prepared to continue. As he did so, Tyrion supressed a sigh, shaking his head.

'Cersei could not be more obvious if she tried; we know the Tyrell's are dangerous, but they are our allies.' He thought to himself. 'Alienating and treating them the way she does will ruin that.'

Finally however, Tywin spoke again.

"What other news?"

This time it was Varys who spoke. "We have confirmed that Stannis Baratheon is dead. His wife and her priestess have holed up at Dragonstone with what loyalists they have left."

He paused briefly before adding. "Our spies also confirm that the North is rebuilding and the Riverlands are increasing their defences."

Tyrion shook his head. 'Just what we need, losing them again is bad enough, but now to have them possibly rise up again.

"Lord Hand, do you believe Dragonstone can be taken?" Pycelle asked.

Tywin narrowed his eyes. "It has been crippled by the desertion of many of those that were loyal to Stannis. With careful planning, I would say it can be taken. What we must account for is those that have deserted it. Where have they gone, for they have not returned to swear fealty to our King."

Everybody pondered this before Oberyn spoke.

"Surely Dragonstone should be easy to take, with Stannis dead."

Tywin shook his head. "Dragonstone is a fortress with powerful natural defences. Those will be our main obstacles."

Jaime then added. "Difficult, but not impossible to conquer."

The others nodded in acceptance.

"Now, we face another issue, since Lord Baelish has now left for the Vale, we shall need a new Master of Coin." Tywin remarked. "I've decided we might as well make use of my son…Tyrion, you are now Master of Coin."

Tyrion froze at that, shocked. "What, but I…?"

His words fell on deaf ears however.

Later Tyrion found himself seated in his chambers, sighing as he was having to settle into his new role as Master of Coin. He was currently reading through Littlefinger's account books.

"Gods." He gasped as he read the books; his thoughts raced. 'He borrows money, borrows again and then borrows some more, no wonder we are in such debt.'

Just then there was a knock at the door which then opened. Tyrion looked up and smiled as Jaime walked in.

"Tyrion." He greeted warmly.

Tyrion nodded. "Ah, a true reunion at last."

Jaime laughed and nodded. "Indeed.

He sat down Tyrion leaned back in his seat and sighed.

"I cannot believe this man." Tyrion murmured.

Jaime heard him however. "I'm sorry?"

Tyrion shook his head; gesturing to the books. "Littlefinger, it's all here, utter chaos…"

"How bad is it?" Jaime asked worriedly.

Tyrion explained the state of the Kingdom's finances, as well as Littlefinger's methods; all the while thinking about Jaime's strange seriousness; he seemed very different than before. When he was done Jaime shook his heads.

"Gods…"

Tyrion nodded. "Yes, as if this position wasn't difficult enough."

Jaime sighed sadly. "Much has happened since I've been gone."

"Indeed." Tyrion agreed; before adding. "You've changed too."

Jaime started at that. "In what ways?"

"I'm not sure, you just seem…different." Tyrion replied.

Jaime shook his head. "Well, a lot has happened."

Tyrion nodded in agreement; yet something still bothered him, something in the way Jaime had been acting. As he left Tyrion watched his brother go.

'How strange, I've never seen Jaime like this…I wonder; what could have changed him so?'

He shook his head; things were already complicated; this was just making things even worse.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.