Tyrion received Jaime's letter while visiting one of his favorite brothels in Casterly Rock and contemplated the options for his brother while the women he was paying handsomely for their time took care of his every need. As soon as he had heard the announcement sent to all of Westeros by the High Septon, he had known their lord father Tywin would make Jaime his heir again. It was the only logical option since Tyrion's only marriage had ended so tragically because of Tywin's disapproval and Tyrion refusing every noble woman who came his way since.

"Trouble, my lord?"

He looked up with a crooked smile. "Not with what you are doing, Greta. As the queen bee around here however, perhaps I could pick your brain for ideas?"

"Of course, my lord."

"My brother received a threat from our lord father to wed or have his bride chosen for him. No doubt if he refuses both options, our esteemed parent will have him exiled and I am too fond of him to let that happen. House Lannister has many allies, but all the females seem to be married or betrothed to someone just as high up as us."

"I take it he is not the type to sew wild oats?"

"Not in the slightest." Tyrion's lips twitched, for he knew that statement not to be true. He had known about Jaime and Cersei's unholy union for all his life, but had never let on he did to his sister for she had no love for him. "He has always been devoted to being a Kingsguard."

"Is there a family yours has not been tied to yet? One that would perhaps appreciate his steadfastness?"

Tyrion hmmmed. "House Tyrell of Highgarden might. As I recall, they have a girl named Margaery who is no doubt of marrying age by now and I have heard she is quite pleasant to be around."

Greta chuckled. "Well there you have it, that is at least one option. You may want a few back ups in case her family says no. After all, your brother's temperament doesn't have a good reputation."

"As always, your insight is astounding my queen bee. I would suggest House Stark of Winterfell, except the eldest who is marrying age is already promised to my nephew Joffrey." He laughed at her expression. "Yes, the little monster is getting married. Shame his future wife has no idea what a horrible human being he is. Anyway, perhaps House Frey of the Twins would say yes, though rumor is most of the women there are hardly what any man would call attractive."

"And that would matter to your brother?"

Tyrion shrugged. "Maybe not. He could be attractive for the both of them."

Greta laughed. "Ugly women don't always have pretty babies."

"Indeed. I think my lord father would intervene at least if Jaime picked someone unattractive. House Martell of Dorne has very attractive women, though I am not certain they or my father would agree without ulterior motives. They have been loyal to House Targaryen in the past." He tapped his chin. "House Greyjoy of Pyke has one girl, but Lord Balon would not give up his only heir left after the Greyjoy Rebellion took all of his sons."

"I thought one survived?"

"Technically yes, Theon is a ward of Lord Stark's to ensure Lord Balon's good behavior."

"That is the surest way to force cooperation. I would recommend them anyway to your brother, give him places to start."

He nodded and began to write:

Dear Jaime,

Yes, I am aware of our lord father's intentions. As for possible women, I would say start with Houses Tyrell, Frey and Martell first. If you are willing to go further North, perhaps Manderly or Mormont could also work as acceptable matches for you, even in the eyes of dear old dad.

I hope this gives you something to go on,

Tyrion.

He rolled up the letter and sealed it with his own hand. "There, all finished."

"You mentioned all your allies are wed, right?"

"Or nearly. I heard the two Brax girls became betrothed around the same time. One is rumored to be marrying Ser Barristan Selmy, while the other is engaged to an unnamed Stark. Losing such attractive girls allied to us Lannisters certainly is upsetting. Although, we have married those from the Brax family before, so perhaps it is for the best."

"Ser Barristan Selmy is the type of knight all women wish would come courting." Greta sighed. "How pray tell did she manage to get him?"

"I can speculate, since the circumstances are unknown. Ser Barristan is far too honorable to have been sneaking around with her, leaving to reason he had been attracted and never acted on it."

"I bet she kissed him and he couldn't stop thinking of her."

He chuckled. "Perhaps. Kissing isn't exactly forbidden, even as a Kingsguard. Or rules against interacting more intimately than as "brothers". Apparently there are plenty of stories of situations like that among the white cloaks."

"I heard some of those too from girls near the Red Keep. They were quite put out that the men found more interest in each other than pretty women." She laughed at his grin. "Not like you, my lord."

"Always the flatterer. Give the other girls my love, will you?"

"Of course. Are you certain you cannot stay longer?"

"Don't worry, I'll return when I can." He winked and got dressed, leaving her with another satchel of gold and returned to his home. It was quite empty, even with the servants ever since his siblings had left because his father hardly ever sought him out. He walked up the stairs to the rookery tended by their Maester and had him mail his reply to Jaime.

"Is everything alright with your brother, my lord?"

Tyrion took a sip from his wine skin. "I suppose that depends on point of view. Our lord father wants him to pick a bride."

"Ah. I recall Master Jaime was quite decisive on the matter when he departed for the Kingsguard. Your father was furious."

"Indeed. Did my lord father say when he would be returning from King's Landing?"

"Sometime within the month. He didn't intend to linger."

Tyrion nodded. "In your opinion Maester, who would be a good match for my brother?"

"Your brother is a difficult man for most women to get along with and that makes it complicated, so perhaps someone kind and understanding? Or maybe I am just becoming a hopeless romantic in my old age. There aren't many like that any more."

"True, though not impossible to find."