Game of Thrones: Of Lions and Roses
Chapter 17 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Tyrion
Tyrion sighed as he sat; observing the comings and goings of those around him, the feast was rather extravagant; perhaps too much.
'We are celebrating the death of Stannis Baratheon and, what is already believed to be a victory at Dragonstone.' Tyrion thought darkly. 'A premature celebration, we still haven't started fighting there yet. Besides the cost of all this, as if we weren't in enough debt already.'
He looked around dispassionately at those all eating and drinking, at Joffrey sitting smirking as he looked down on all of them, also enjoying the feast.
He shook his head. 'All of them don't care of the costs of this, they think it's all easy; they don't know the truth…Nor will they accept it.'
He soon found Oberyn sitting next to him.
The man smirked as he spoke. "Quite a joyous occasion, wouldn't you say Lord Tyrion?"
Tyrion shook his head. "I couldn't say, Prince Oberyn, we haven't taken Dragonstone yet after all, this seems…premature."
"You doubt our chances of victory?" Oberyn asked.
"In war, you should be prepared for anything, even, unexpected defeat." Tyrion replied.
Oberyn nodded. "True, but still…No reason not to celebrate, if not a premature victory celebration, at least the removal of a dangerous enemy."
Tyrion sighed but agreed. "I suppose you're right."
Still he felt this was all a tremendous waste.
Tyrion later found himself even more disturbed; more and more money had clearly been wasted than he thought; now there were singers, entertainers and such.
'More extravagance, I can't begin to imagine the cost of this…How did Littlefinger do it?' He fretted angrily.
Much to his surprise, it seemed he was the only one even considering the problems. Nobody gave any indication that they had thought of the very issues they were facing financially. Still the feast continued and the singers offered further entertainment occasionally.
Just then one stepped forwards, one Tyrion had seen before in the company of Lady Olenna. He began his song and Tyrion noticed that the singer, disconcertingly, kept his gaze upon Joffrey the whole time he sang.
'And who are you, the proud lord said,
that I must bow so low?
Only a cat of a different coat,
that's all the truth I know.'
'In a coat of gold or a coat of red,
a lion still has claws,
And mine are long and sharp, my Lord,
as long and sharp as yours.'
'And so he spoke, and so he spoke,
that lord of Castamere,
But now the rains weep o'er his hall,
with no one there to hear.
Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall,
and not a soul to hear.'
'And so he spoke, and so he spoke,
that lord of Castamere,
But now the rains weep o'er his hall,
with no one there to hear.
Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall,
and not a soul to hear.'
As the man sang, Tyrion inexplicably felt a chill crawl up his spine. He tried not to choke on the wine he was drinking; he sudden had a very bad feeling, as if there was some hidden message in that singer's words.
Tyrion hurried as quickly as he could, heading to Joffrey's chambers, hoping to catch him before he was too distracted with anything else. He was holding the reports on the throne's expenses; he had to deliver these immediately. He intended to do so sooner but the reports weren't ready; Pod had come up and delivered them to him shortly after Joffrey and Margaery left.
As he walked he couldn't help but still think about that singer and the feeling of dread he felt, it still lingered. Reaching Joffrey's chambers he knocked on the door and entered when Joffrey called him. He spotted both the King and Queen; Joffrey was seated at a table while Margaery stood nearby. Tyrion had the feeling he interrupted something.
"Uncle, what do you want?" Joffrey inquired, looking irritable.
Tyrion stepped forwards. "I have important reports for you, Your Grace; in regards to the Kingdoms finances."
Joffrey sighed; still looking irritable. Margaery smiled and went to the table against the wall and began pouring wine.
Joffrey then spoke up. "So, you've been over Littlefinger's books, what of it?"
"Yes, I have and you really should see this, Your Grace." Tyrion replied. "I wouldn't take this so lightly."
Joffrey scoffed; just as Margaery returned, holding a goblet of wine.
As she approached, Tyrion noticed angry red marks on Margaery's upper arms.
'Only one thing could've caused marks like that, hands…but, has he…?' Tyrion wondered before speaking. "Allow me, Your Grace."
Margaery smiled sweetly. "How kind of you Lord Tyrion."
She handed him the goblet and returned to the table. Tyrion handed the goblet over to Joffrey as Margaery returned with two others, handing one to Tyrion, the other for herself.
Joffrey gulped his wine before speaking. "Very well then, let's have it."
Tyrion began detailing what was in the reports, handing them to Joffrey to read, explaining the problems, particularly the debts. Joffrey's expression did not change; he was still clearly disdainful; particularly regarding the debts owed to the Lannisters and the Faith.
"You are a Lannister Uncle, as is Grandfather; you should simply erase those debts." He replied haughtily. "As for the Faith, they should forget it too, they should be grateful; I'm ridding them of their enemies."
Tyrion scowled at the reminder of all those deaths; as well as how convenient some of them seemed.
"It doesn't work that way Your Grace, besides, my father would never hear of it." He explained.
Joffrey snarled. "He will, I am the King, he will do as I say and I say we owe no debts to the Lannisters, or the Faith, we've already repaid them, the Lannisters with their positions in court, the Faith by removing their enemies…"
As Joffrey said this he broke off, coughing.
"Your Grace?" Tyrion asked, concerned.
Joffrey waved him away as he looked at the report before him. This one, Tyrion hoped, he might take more seriously, as it was about their debts owed to the Iron Bank of Braavos.
However, before Tyrion could say anything else; contrary to Joffrey's gestures of being fine; his coughing got worse.
"Your Grace." Tyrion gasped as he saw Joffrey's face going purple as he suddenly collapsed, falling to the floor.
Joffrey writhed and choked as blood began to spill from his mouth. Tyrion was out of his seat, knocking several things, including Joffrey's wine goblet, off the table. Margaery was also at Joffrey's side in moments.
"Joffrey." She cried out; yet did not seem as distressed as Tyrion thought she should be.
As Joffrey struggled still; more blood appearing a sudden horrific realization overcame Tyrion.
'Gods, he's been poisoned.' He turned and yelled to Pod, who was waiting outside the door. "Pod, go, fetch help, the King is in trouble!"
He heard the footsteps rushing away and returned his attention to Joffrey. But it was too late; Joffrey twitched a few more times, before going still, dead.
"My King…" Margaery said softly, bowing her head.
Tyrion looked at her. "You are rather calm about this."
Margaery turned to Tyrion and gave him a small smile; he froze as he realized the sudden horrific truth. They heard the footsteps approaching Tyrion turned, but when the door opened, his heart sank, the man who came through the door was in fact Loras Tyrell.
Margaery immediately put on an act, appearing to be distraught as she pushed Tyrion aside and rushed to her brother.
Tyrion could only watch helplessly, knowing his words would fall on deaf ears as Margaery spoke.
"Oh Loras; I…I; my King is dead, poisoned, the Imp killed him!" She cried out. "He tried to kill me, grabbing me when I struggled, look."
She showed the marks on her arms as evidence.
Tyrion was shocked by this. 'She is good; it was pure chance her brother came in, but it worked for her. If it were one of the other Kingsguard, she'd put even more effort into it.'
Tyrion attempting to defend himself; but Loras wasn't interested and before long he found himself arrested on the charge of murdering the King and the attempting murder of the Queen.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, well, this is the last Tyrion chapter of this story, read and review please