Chapter VI - Tyrion I

He did not know about what had happened with Jason until a few minutes before he had come to visit him in Maester Sarwin's chambers. Throughout the day up until then, Tyrion had spent the morning sitting near his cousin, Orson Lannister, to study what he was doing. Orson was dropped on his head by a wet nurse as an infant, and Cersei liked to say that the nurse had her hands cut off and sent somewhere awful. She was always saying horrible things like that whenever she wasn't being mean to him.

Anyways, Tyrion went to see Orson, older than him by about a year and some months, crushing some beetles with a rock. Tyrion was shocked by the act of heinous animal murder and would ask: "Orson, why are you smashing those beetles?" Rather than a normal answer, all the simple-minded Orson could say was "thmath the beetleth, thmath em," all the while making the same "kuhn kuhn" grunt. Tyrion was not able to stop this massacre of the beetles, as Orson was a good bit larger, so he could only watch as the poor bugs were helplessly crushed beneath the rocks of his lackwit cousin. It was oddly fascinating to watch as much as it was terrifying to him.

Tyrion only heard about what happened to his half-brother Jason when a pair of serving ladies had come in to help guide Orson out of the room to feed him. One of them whispered to the other about what happened with "that Hill boy, the bastard son of Lord Tywin," so Tyrion, even at five years of age, knew of whom they were speaking. He was horrified when he heard the other lady gossip about how the "brave boy" fought against a boy as big as a grown man to defend Tarold Lannister, who happened to be Orson's elder brother.

"That poor little lad, I heard he got a hit to the eye," one of them said, "gods be good, he won't lose it."

"Is Jason going to be alright?"

The two serving ladies looked to see it was Tyrion who asked them the question, the small boy looking at them with such sadness in his eyes.

"Oh, don't mind what we say, little lord," one of them said to him in a gentle manner. "We just love to gossip about the worst nonsense around Casterly Rock and Lannisport."

"That's right," the other one said, "and your half-brother is a strong lad, Lord Tyrion. I have no doubt he'll be alright, or at least he will be after a few days' rest."

But this did not satisfy Tyrion. He wanted to know exactly what was going on with his brother and if he would lose a bit of his body, like an arm or an eye. He didn't want Jason to be like him, to be known as a little freak and a monster even if most did not say it to his face.

Tyrion waited until the two women had left, in the meantime pretending to resume his interest with his lackwit cousin smashing beetles. Once they had left the room, Tyrion slowly exited it and headed to Maester Sarwin's office, knowing well that Orson would not be able to disclose his location to anyone. Stepping very lightly, Tyrion looked around in the hallways to make sure no one was around, and it was to his good fortune that no one but a small number of guards noticed him. They assumed he was playing some sort of game and decided not to bother a son of Tywin Lannister, even if it was well-known Tywin didn't care at all for his dwarf son.

After moving through an assortment of hallways and sneaking up a number of steps, Tyrion arrived at Maester Sarwin's office. He knew Maester Sarwin would not force him to go back to the room with Orson and the dead beetles, for he was a kind man who enjoyed teaching Jason and Tyrion how to read. Jaime was never quite as good at reading, but Sarwin still liked him for his spirit and kind nature toward others in spite of his wanting to fight others.

I'm glad Jaime will be Lord of Casterly Rock and not Cersei, Tyrion thought to himself. She'd probably make me sleep with pigs and have me eat nothing but dog droppings. Once Jaime is lord, Jason and I can read for him and help him rule while he fights in battles against whoever wants to hurt us.

Tyrion arrived at the door handle and only then realized his height was an issue in getting to Jason. He tried to jump up and grab it, but his fingers were not long enough to touch it. Tyrion once felt his longest finger brush against it but no more, and he feared that knocking on the door would draw unwanted attention from the noise.

"Do you need help, little lord?"

Tyrion turned his head and looked up to see a Lannister guard was the one who asked him the question. Tyrion did not know who this particular guard was nor could he see the man's appearance under his helmet. He sounded as if he were a younger man, perhaps like Uncle Gerion.

"Um, yes please. I just want to see my brother, he got hurt earlier and I'm worried about him."

"Aye, I heard about that," the soldier said with a grin. "You should have seen the Clegane boy...that's a squire even I would not go against in combat. Built like an auroch and as mean as one of those dogs on his family's sigil. What your brother did was very brave, if foolish. Come now, I'll help you see him."

Tyrion stepped aside as the soldier grabbed the door handle and turned it open. As the little Lannister lord stepped inside the room, he saw Jason turning his head to see him. It was then Tyrion saw how severe his swollen eye was, the flesh covering his left eye to prevent it from seeing, but Tyrion was glad to see Jason smiling at him, with whatever wounds his half-brother suffered seemingly not affecting his demeanor to much of an extent.

"Hey there, Tyrion! I thought you were with Cousin Orson and all the beetles!"

"I came to see you! I heard you got hurt by some boy from House Clegane!"

Tyrion quickly uttered "thank you" to the guard who opened the door for him before entering Maester Sarwin's chambers, hearing the door close behind him to leave him alone with his elder brother.

"That squire was a monster," Jason remarked, "almost as big as Uncle Tyg, that's for certain."

"And what about your wounds? Will they be alright?"

Jason smiled only to wince as his mouth grew too wide, something Tyrion noticed even at the young age of five.

"My mouth bled a little, but Sarwin told me the bleeding had stopped and it should be better in a matter of days. As for the eye," Jason Hill said whilst gesturing to the swollen flesh near his left eye, "that should be properly healed within several days, a week or two at most. It's nothing to worry about, really."

Tyrion waddled a little closer to his half-brother and sat down on the floor next to his bed. "Will you be able to leave Maester Sarwin's room? If you're not fighting, you and I could read together."

Jason's smile widened a bit even as he winced from such an action. "I am not sure I can read too well whilst my eye is recovering. But perhaps I can ask Uncle Gerion to take us to explore Lannisport, then we can have dinner with Uncle Kevan and Aunt Dorna."

"Okay. I want you to feel better soon. I don't want you to be called a freak like me."

Tyrion saw his brother's smile vanish as he moved to sit on the floor next to Tyrion.

"Who called you a freak?"

Tyrion looked at the floor. "No one. But I know that I am one."

Jason sighed. "No you're not, Tyrion. You're just a tad shorter than everyone. That's all. Jaime knows it, our aunt and uncles know it, and so does everyone in Casterly Rock."

"Cersei and Father think I'm one."

Tyrion waited for Jason to respond only to hear nothing. He turned to face his brother only to feel a hand ruffle his hair. In spite of how sad he was, Tyrion could not help but giggle.

"Listen to me," Jason sternly said, "I can't change Father's mind, and Cersei is a miserable, spoiled princess who will spend her days far away from us in King's Landing with Prince Rhaegar. But no matter what, as your brother and a servant of House Lannister, I will protect you from anyone who harms you. Jaime will do so as well, especially after he is Lord of Casterly Rock since Father will be away as the king's Hand."

Tyrion looked up at Jason. "Will you keep me safe? Always?"

"Always."

Tyrion sat there quietly for a moment before hugging Jason as tight as he could with all the strength in his small body. In turn, Tyrion felt Jason wrap an arm around him and hug him as well. He enjoyed embracing his big brother, but when he heard the door to Maester Sarwin's chambers open, Tyrion quickly stood up alongside Jason. Much to their dismay, the visitor was none other than their sister, Cersei.

"What are you doing here," Jason asked. Tyrion could hear some tension and anger in his voice, and he understood fully considering how Cersei did not care for either of her brothers that were not Jaime.

"I'm your sister. Can I not come to visit my half-brother when he is wounded?"

Cersei closed the door behind her and walked up straight to Jason. Tyrion was going to tell her Jason was hurt, but she merely shoved him aside as she firmly grabbed Jason's face. Tyrion heard his brother let out a small sound of anguish as his sister's grip on his jaw made the pain he got from Gregor Clegane return from earlier. The pain was such that Jason sat back down on the bed and tightly squeezed the bedsheets to deal with it.

"You're hurting him!" Normally, Tyrion was too scared of Cersei to say anything to anger her, but he would not let her put Jason in pain. To his dismay, Cersei did not particularly care that she was hurting her half-brother.

"I'm just looking to see how bad his wounds are. The whole castle won't stop talking about how Jason got beaten by some Clegane boy. I wonder what stupidity led to him fighting this monster of a squire."

Jason tried to speak through the pain of his sensitive mouth wounds being pressed by Cersei's fingers. "He was attacking our cousin, Tarold."

Cersei snickered. "Tarold? I thought that idiot hated you and insulted your...origin."

"We realized we're still blood kin," Jason said as he winced from his sister's harsh grip on his wounded area. "And you always insult me, so why would you care?"

Jason's words caused Cersei to pull his face down hard to examine his swollen left eye. The bastard let out a slight noise of pain as Tyrion winced, unable to do anything to stop his uncaring sister.

"Well, your eye does look as ugly as others in Casterly Rock have said it is," Cersei remarked in a calm, bored manner. "I wonder if it is permanent, then I would have two freakish brothers: a dwarf and a cripple."

"Maester Sarwin says it's temporary," Jason snarled in noticeable anger, "I'll be back to normal in no later than a week."

"What if he's wrong? After all, maesters seem to lose all their wits when they get older."

"And you never had any wits to begin with. Maybe Jaime only keeps you around to make himself look smarter."

Upon hearing that insult, Cersei, with a cool and unchanged look on her face, squeezed Jason's face even harder than before, making him emit more sounds of pain. To his good fortune, the door opened to show Maester Sarwin enter, and Jaime was right behind him. Upon noticing the harsh grip Cersei had on Jason's face, Sarwin immediately had a look of distraught and a tinge of anger.

"Lady Cersei, you should know better than to treat your brother like that when he's in such a condition. I do not wish for his injuries to be aggravated at this moment whilst he is still recovering from them."

"I can do with him as I please," Cersei arrogantly replied. "I'm the trueborn child of Tywin Lannister, he's a bastard, and you're merely a family servant."

"Cersei, let Jason go," Jaime said in a pleading manner. Tyrion did not understand why someone as kind to him as Jaime would go out of his way to act so meek toward such a terrible sister like Cersei.

Maester Sarwin, in spite of Cersei's insults, retained his calm. "If you do not stop this behavior, I will be forced to inform Lord Tywin of your misbehavior towards your wounded brother. You may not share the same mother, but he is your blood kin regardless. You should be wishing for Jason to have a quick recovery rather than causing him further pain."

Tyrion noticed his sister's eyes widen at the thought of their father being told of what she was doing. It seemed he was the only person she truly feared, which was why she hid the worst of actions toward Jason whilst he was home at Casterly Rock (though Tyrion knew Father would not care too much if Cersei abused him since Father did not like him). She let go of Jason's face, and as he rubbed his sore face along where it had earlier bled, Cersei sneered at him.

"I wonder if Father will punish you. After all, you interrupted the squires' practice, insulted the son of Father's bannerman, and made our cousin look weak. I guess we'll find out tonight at dinner."

Cersei then shot a glare at Tyrion before she angrily walked out of the room, the door slamming loudly behind her. Evidently, she was upset to have her fun interrupted by anyone. After she had left, Jaime came over to Jason.

"Are you alright? I haven't seen you since Uncle Tyg had you taken to these chambers, but everyone's been talking about you and how you fought against that monster Clegane boy."

"Both you and Tyrion worry too much," Jason remarked, clearly not fond of being patronized. "I'm fine, both of you. Sarwin told me I'll be back in a week at most, a few days more likely."

"Good," Jaime said with a grin, "you're far better than any of the other boys out there. Would hate to have to wait for my greatest opponent to lick his wounds in a lion's den."

"I will say though, young Jason," Maester Sarwin said loudly, "that you should not rush back to the training yard before you have fully healed. The last thing I desire is for your wounds to be aggravated and for you to be back in my chambers so soon, as much as I enjoy your company."

"I can come here if you're lonely, Maester," Tyrion interjected, happy to be wanted around by someone in the Rock. Sarwin smiled at him and chuckled at the small lord's friendly demeanor.

Unlike his two half-brothers, Jason's face was not adorned with a smile. He was looking at no one person, but rather at the wall in melancholy. "What if Cersei's right? What if Father thinks I acted in an inappropriate manner?"

"What did you do wrong," Jaime asked incredulously. "You defended our worthless cousin from that giant brute. Father keeps saying 'family is the most important thing,' won't shut up about it even."

"Who do you think Father will side with? His bannerman, he who gives him taxes for his coffers and men for his army? Or his bastard son? If I'm lucky, Father will have me sent off to be fostered somewhere to appease Lord Clegane."

Jaime put a hand on Jason's shoulder. "Listen to me. I doubt Father would care for what one minor lord who only gained his lands a few years ago would think. He has far more valuable lords to deal with, like the Crakehalls and Presters. And if he is upset, I will do whatever I can to make sure Father will not punish you for being brave."

"Brave, or stupid?"

Jaime playfully shoved Jason. "Come off it now, you're worrying over nonsense. Take a bath and calm yourself." He then turned to Maester Sarwin, "he does not have to stay in this room much longer, does he Maester?"

"Of course not. His wounds are far from debilitating. I even think a walk outside could do Jason much good after today."

The Maester smiled as he held open the door. Jason stood up, but Tyrion noticed he walked cautiously as he could not see very well in his swollen left eye.

"Do you need help leaving this room," Maester Sarwin asked.

"I would prefer not, as grateful as I am," Jason replied in an irritated tone. "I am not some old crone who cannot walk three steps without falling to the floor. I only ask that Jaime and Tyrion walk in front of me so as to let me know where to turn since I cannot look to my left."

"Of course," Jaime replied. "Come now, Tyrion. Let's help our brother get to the room."

Tyrion smiled and walked beside Jaime as they left the room. Before they departed, he uttered a small "thank you" to Sarwin, who merely smiled and nodded toward him. Jason also thanked the maester before following them, the three brothers heading back to their chambers after a long and eventful day. But it was not over yet.

It was several hours after Jason had left Maester Sarwin's chambers, and the aroma of freshly-prepared food filled the halls of Casterly Rock as if to mark the sun descending over the horizon. On this night, the family of Tywin Lannister would be enjoying dishes such as suckling pig and a roasted duck, accompanied by fruits and vegetables along with pitchers of Lannisport's finest wine filled to the brim. But rather than smiling at the meal before him, Tyrion felt anxiety flow in his stomach, mostly at how Father would handle Jason after the incident in the training yard.

After Tyrion and Jason left Maester Sarwin's chambers, they decided to read some books, but that proved to be difficult in light of Jason's swollen eye. They then pretended to be figures of myth, with Tyrion being the Grey King of the Iron Islands against Jason, who played the role of Nagga, the vicious sea dragon who devoured other fearsome beasts such as krakens and leviathans. Jason got on his hands and feet and made all sorts of noise, sounding like a snake mixed with a lion, while Tyrion pretended that his stick was a sharp blade. When Jason tackled Tyrion to "eat him", Tyrion giggled and laughed as Jaime smiled. It was fun to play with his brothers, Tyrion thought, and it was good to see Jason happy after watching him be sad earlier.

Later that day, as the sun was starting to set, Uncle Tyg and Aunt Genna both visited to inspect Jason's condition. Their shared expression was one of relief.

"Tis not as bad as some gossiping hens around the damned Rock said it'd be," Genna plainly stated. "The way they spoke, you'd have lost half your bloody skull, Jason."

"Cersei wishes I did, but I did not," Jason said with a grin. Tyrion was glad to see his half-brother smiling more now than he was earlier.

"Careful what you say, Jason Hill," Tyg sternly warned. "And while I admire the courage that you showed earlier, it was foolish not only to fight someone else's battle but also to refuse to retreat and accept aid. You tried to go back and fight when you were in no condition to do so."

It was then Tyrion saw the smile fade from Jason's face, replaced by a look of anxiety and guilt.

"Forgive me, uncle. I did not mean to disrespect you. I only meant to defend my kin and bring honor to my host family in the training field."

Now it was Uncle Tyg's turn to smile as he ruffled Jason's hair. "I know you meant no harm, Jason. One simply must use their head at times when practicing rather than just their arms and legs. You are still quite skilled at swordplay, and within a matter of days, you'll be back out there having learned to utilize patience to balance his desire for battle."

"I hope our Tywin sees it that way," Genna remarked. "I hear that Lord Clegane is coming to take his beastly son home from the Rock after hearing that he assaulted the son of his liege lord. Our eldest sibling was never one to enjoy discord among his bannermen."

Tyrion could see the color drain from Jason's face at that statement, and even he himself could feel some fear course through his small figure. It was then Tyrion heard Uncle Tyg's face contort into a snarl, though he was actually relieved since he knew Tyg was not mad at them, but Tywin instead.

"If he has an issue, I'll deal with him. I'm the one who oversees their training, not him. I watch over his children and defend them with every drop of blood in my veins whilst he's off serving a king who loathes him for being his better. He is mistaken if he thinks I will let him decide what happens to Jason."

"Ah yes," Genna sarcastically remarked, "I'm sure another one of your screaming matches with the boys' father will be just what Tywin wants to come home to after months away in King's Landing."

A pair of knocks sounded at the door, which opened to show a serving girl's petite body.

"Excuse me, Lord Tygett and Lady Genna, but dinner will be prepared soon. Lord Tywin wants everyone to be ready for it shortly."

Genna rolled her eyes. "Tell him we'll be right on it."

As the girl nodded and closed the door, Genna turned toward her three nephews. "All right, the three of you best get bathed in short order. Your father is never in a good mood, and a foul stench from the three of you shan't make it any better, believe me."

Tygett sneered. "He's been around rotting corpses and drunken soldiers before. His nose should be well used to it by now."

Back to the meal at hand, Tyrion was sitting between Uncle Gerion and Jason, the latter staring intently at his unused plate in fear and anxiety at what his father would say to him about the incident from earlier with Lord Clegane's son. Gerion noticed his half-nephew's worried expression and sighed.

"Calm down, Jason. You cannot seriously think your father will be too upset with you over some nonsense in the training yard."

"He disrupted Uncle Tygett's session of training the pages and squires of Casterly Rock," Cersei haughtily stated, making herself seem as if she had far more authority among those within the Rock than she actually possessed. "Father should be firm in his discipline of his unruly son, especially one who isn't his trueborn heir."

"Jason did nothing wrong," Jaime remanded his twin sister. "If Father knows the truth of what occurred, he'll-"

The sound of a door being pushed open silenced Jaime as a servant entered, with none other than Tywin Lannister behind him as well as the eldest of his younger brothers, Kevan Lannister. All those within the room turned their attention towards the Lion of Casterly Rock, and all of them felt fear aside from Tywin's siblings.

Tywin was in his usual attire: a black jacket with golden clips complemented by well-made black trousers. On the right side of his chest was the golden badge that signified his status as Hand to the King. The look on his face, adorned with blonde facial hair with flickers of gray, was one of slight annoyance and exhaustion, as if he did not wish to be here in Casterly Rock for long. Uncle Kevan, wearing similar attire that was instead in red color, looked more relaxed, fitting for one who was often calmer and less terrifying than his older brother even as he rivaled Lord Tywin in cunning and shrewdness.

"Ah, our big brother has finally arrived to have a meal with us," Genna remarked, one of the few people who did not fear agitating the man behind the slaughter of the Reynes and Tarbecks. "I do hope you have enjoyed your return home. Hopefully, court was not too severe today, in honor of your arrival."

Emmon Frey, seated next to her, winced at his wife's carefree remarks. It was no secret that his brother-by-marriage terrified him, with Tywin having made his disdain at Genna's wedding to Emmon Frey very clear, much to the horror of his father, Tytos Lannister. Since Genna was Tywin's sister, and was second only to Kevan in age among Tywin's siblings, she could more often get away with making sarcastic and impolite remarks towards Tywin, though he did have his limits.

"Holding court is never pleasant," Tywin stated plainly as he sat down at the table, "but during the few times I come here from King's Landing, it is my responsibility to ensure that the family is in a satisfactory position whilst I am away regardless of how little satisfaction I earn from it. Kevan has done well in my stead, so I will continue to have him serve as the acting lord of Casterly Rock whilst I am in the capital."

Kevan bowed his head. "You honor me, Tywin. I will continue to oversee matters here in your stead."

Tywin nodded before turning toward Tygett, who disapproved of Kevan being so loyal to the sibling he heavily disliked.

"Tygett, would you explain what happened today in the training yard?"

A clattering sound caused Tyrion to flinch in his seat. He turned to his left to see Jason had dropped his fork, lettuce and onions on the tips of its points. Tyrion saw Jason's face, and it was filled with fear as Jason audibly gulped. Jason snapped out of it long enough to see those at the table were beginning to stare at him.

"I-I'm sorry, Uncle Tygett" Jason stammered, "I did not mean to interrupt your response to Father's question."

"'Tis alright," Tygett reassured his half-nephew before turning to face Tywin. "As for what happened there, brother, it was simply Jason defending his cousin, Tarold Lannister, from a bullying squire. Jason received punishment enough already in his eye and mouth, and I think he'll be ready to fight again soon, if you're so concerned for his health."

Tyrion expected his uncle's venomous and bitter words to get some reaction out of his father, but Tywin made no immediate reaction. Instead, he ate the piece of duck on his fork, calmly set down his silverware, and turned in his chair to look at Jason.

"Jason Hill, tell me the truth. What happened with you and Lord Clegane's son in the training yard earlier today?"

Silence filled the room like an uninvited guest at the dinner table. As the eyes of the Lannister household once more turned toward him, the natural son of Tywin Lannister swallowed loudly before he began to speak.

"I was sparring in practice against Jaime when I saw Gregor Clegane..." Jason paused to swallow again, "...attacking Tarold brutally. I knew that Uncle Tygett had many students to look after, but I hoped someone would intervene to stop him. I...went out of line to save Tarold from further harm."

Tywin made no noticeable reaction. Instead, he turned his attention to Jaime.

"Jaime, what did you see?"

The heir to Casterly Rock did not share Jason's worry when discussing the incident. "It was just like Jason said, Father. He ran to help our cousin and got attacked for it. He only did it because he thought it was right."

Tyrion could see Cersei looking scornfully at Jaime, as if she was displeased with how he defended Jason's role in what occurred in the training yard. Tywin merely nodded and took a sip from his wine.

"As you may have heard, I sent Lord Clegane's son home for his behavior. Maester Sarwin informed me that your wounds are not severe, and you will return to the training yard once you are in sufficient condition. If something like this occurs again, you will first tell Tygett before engaging in such reckless behavior. Do you understand?"

Jason hurriedly nodded. "Yes, Father, of course. I would never do anything to ruin your reputation among the lords of the Westerlands."

Tywin grunted softly and nodded. "Good. That will be all."

As Tywin shifted his focus toward his food and wine, Tyrion could hear Jason let out a loud sigh of relief. He smiled at his brother's newfound happiness, and looking at Jaime, sitting on the other side of Jason, was also smiling. In contrast, Cersei, sitting across the table from Jaime, was quite unhappy with her father's decision.

"Father, if Jason caused a Westerlands lord to be upset, shouldn't he be disciplined?"

Tyrion's smile quickly vanished, and so did Jaime's as he kicked his sister's foot from under the table, with her letting out a small "ow" in response.

"No," Tywin said plainly. "He protected a member of House Lannister because Jason understood that, regardless of what squabbles or differences he had with Tarold beforehand, the family always comes first. Jason understands that, and he knows to perform his role as a servant of this house in the future. That is all."

"But-"

"I said, that will be all, Cersei. Do not speak out of turn."

Her father's cold and brutal eyes staring right at her, Cersei slumped in her seat, disappointed with her failure to get Jason punished. The rest of the meal would be uncomfortably quiet, with most of the conversation being done between the adults as the children remained silent. Of note was that Tywin had tried to convince King Aerys to appoint Uncle Tyg as master-at-arms of the Red Keep, but instead, Ser Willem Darry was chosen to serve in that role, the king denying his Hand's request out of spite. Tygett did not seem too disappointed by the news, while Tyrion was glad that his uncle would be able to stay in Casterly Rock since Uncle Tyg was always kind to him.

Obviously, Jaime and especially Jaime were angry with Cersei's attempt to have Jason remanded & humiliated. But Tyrion was just relieved that Father was not too hard on his half-brother, one of his true friends who did not treat him like a freak.

And, of course, Cersei did not win. That alone made Tyrion a tad happier.

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Hey y'all! Back with another chapter after WAY too long! I hope you enjoy it because next up is the first Cersei chapter! Feel free to reread the prior ones if you haven't done so already!