Chapter 3

Tyrion cried until no more tears would fall.

His brother was dead – killed by the Queen he'd trusted. Daenerys had been his friend.

After the golden hand was thrown at his feet Tyrion remembered very little of the journey back to his cell. It didn't matter anymore. No-one was going to come for him, and with Jamie's death there truly was no-one left who cared.

Anger boiled through him as he thought of Daenerys. He thought she was different; he'd believed in her – and she'd tossed him aside as if he meant nothing.

It was the next day when Cersei came to him. Her green eyes were no longer rimmed in red, but the hatred in them burned brighter than ever.

"You killed Jamie" she said

"I would never hurt Jamie" he sniffed "you know that"

Chained to the wall, Tyrion couldn't move as Cersei's hand collided with his face. The smack echoed in the small cell, and suddenly his sister's face filled his vision as her fingers dug painfully into his jaw.

"Understand this you hateful little imp; you will suffer for what you've done. I'm going to kill the dragon bitch and then I'll break you apart piece by piece"

Tyrion supressed a shudder at the coldness in his sister's eyes. He knew she was cruel, that she hated him – but Jamie's death had erased whatever tiny piece of her soul remained.

"I'm your brother" he said "Jamie wouldn't want this"

Cersei eyes narrowed to slits "You dare speak my brother's name?"

"He was my brother too"

"No. You don't belong, you never did" said Cersei, her voice rising "You took everything from me. You killed Mother, Father; my beautiful children. Jamie was all I had left and you killed him too"

"No I didn't!" he protested, heat burning at his eyes "I'd never hurt the children or Jamie"

"They're all dead because of you" she hissed "I swear to you little monster, I will dedicate the rest of my life to repaying the debt"

Tyrion tried to pull his face away, grief bubbling through him. He'd loved Tommen and Myrcella, they're deaths had broke his heart.

"What's wrong?" mocked Cersei "Aren't you going to tell me how your Queen will rescue you. How she's good and kind and wouldn't possibly leave you behind"

Cersei relinquished his face, her hand moving to his filthy tunic. When she straightened up, the hand of the Queen badge sat in her hand.

"You were so proud of this" she said, her face twisting in disgust "The dragon whore is pretty - I'll give you that. Did you really think she cared about you?"

Tyrion said nothing, his throat tightening as her words seeped through him.

"I'll make sure the lesson sinks in this time" said Cersei, closing her hand around the pin "I have business to attend to but I'll make time for you later. You are nothing. Not a lion, not a Queen's hand or a lord. I always told Jamie what you were and he wouldn't listen – now he's dead because of you. There is no-one left in the world that will care what I do to you; but you'll suffer anyway"

Tyrion was dimly aware of Cersei leaving as darkness engulfed him once again, but he didn't have the energy to care. How had he been so foolish? Agreeing to Daenerys plan so readily – believing with all his heart she meant to save him.

His sister was cruel, callous and more than a little mad – but she was right.

The rest of his miserable life would be spent in pain and not a soul alive would care.

No-one dared to comment when a strangled sob broke from Brienne and she excused herself from the tent. Sansa would give her sworn shield all the time she needed. Despite what Jamie Lannister was and how he left Winterfell, Brienne had clearly cared for him.

"Is this information accurate?" asked lord Royce

"Varys and Arya have both written to me" said Sansa, eyeing the two letters sat in front of her. The words were few but the ramifications could be deadly

"I saw it too" said Bran, drawing uneasy glances from the assembled lords

"The dragon Queen means to provoke Cersei" said lord Royce

"An exchange was offered" said Sansa, a bitter taste in her mouth "Cersei offered to swap Tyrion for Jamie"

"And the dragon Queen burned him alive instead" said lord Royce, shifting in his seat "Daenerys can't be trusted. The Lannister dwarf was one of her most trusted advisors"

Lord Glover exchanged glances with a few of the other Northern lords "You can't intend for us to fight with Daenerys? She's as mad as her father"

"No, I don't" said Sansa, pushing down the wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. There was no time to deal with that now "We need to get to Dragonstone. We can't take Kings Landing alone"

"So we will join Daenerys?" asked lord Royce, his brow furrowing

"No" said Bran, sympathy in his brown eyes as he stared at her "We need her armies"

Sansa said nothing, eyeing the messages from both Varys and Arya.

Her little sister had been brief and pointed.

Jamie Lannister burned alive. Mutterings grow louder. Jon knows but won't accept the truth.

Varys words were more layered, but Sansa understood the meaning; she only wished she hadn't.

The dragon burns the lion, and our friend's situation turns deadly.

The wolf girl was making Daenerys nervous. Arya Stark had come south with them but she wasn't certain the girl was truly with them. If Daenerys saw her at all she was skulking about in the shadows, her strange grey eyes studying her from a distance. Even now the girl watched from the side of the throne room. She tolerated Arya Stark for Jon.

Jon who was pacing moodily in front of her.

"Why burn Ser Jamie? He was valuable as a hostage"

"He killed my father"

"Aye – the mad King. You said you weren't your father"

Daenerys narrowed her eyes "I'm not. Jamie was a threat and now he's ashes"

Jon stopped his pacing, his wolf eyes widening at her "You killed the only leverage we had over Cersei"

"We don't need leverage. I have a dragon; unsullied and Dothraki troops. I have your men and when Sansa arrives I'll have hers too" she said, hardening her tone "Won't I?"

"Yes, your Grace" said Jon, his shoulders slumping "We could have used Jamie to manipulate Cersei"

"I've had quite enough of clever plans. Tyrion was overly fond of them"

Somehow the mention of her former hand caused a ripple of unease through the room. Daenerys didn't understand why. Grey Worm had a sour look on his face and Missandei was fidgeting with her hands. She'd explained many times why he needed to go – there shouldn't be any doubt.

"Your Grace, killing Jamie Lannister killed any hope of negotiating with Cersei" said Jon, drawing her attention "She has nothing left now. How do you intend to take the throne?"

Daenerys smiled, straightening in her seat "With fire and blood"

"People will die" said Jon, a shadow passing over his face "innocent people"

She scrunched up her nose "Only those who oppose me. I'm freeing them from a tyrant Jon. You understand that don't you?"

The Queen studied her fellow dragon's face; his eyes filled with sadness as he nodded "Aye, I understand"

Daenerys allowed herself to smile. Things had been strange between her and Jon, but it would be better when she sat the throne. There was too much wolf in him – waking the dragon would take time.

Tyrion didn't like the look on the guards' faces as they led him out of the Red Keep and tossed him into a litter. His hands were chained together as were his feet, giving him no hope of escape as he was carted off. Since becoming Cersei's prisoner he'd been given just enough food and drink to keep him alive but whatever strength he had was long gone. He knew Kings Landing well, but the litter had no windows and other than the sound of guards and horses outside he could hear nothing.

It was odd for a city as large as kings Landing but they were under threat of attack by Daenerys. It surprised Tyrion she hadn't attacked yet – patience wasn't her strong point. Not that he cared anymore. Betraying him and killing his brother had twisted whatever love he'd had for Daenerys into an ugly reflection. He would gladly kill her if he could.

The litter came to an abrupt stop and before Tyrion could wonder where he was, the door opened and he was pulled out into the light of day. The sun hurt his eyes after so long in the dark of his cell, but he noticed his sister immediately. She stood in the centre of the Dragon Pit, Qyburn at her side. The ruins of the once great Dragon Pit were packed with people as if waiting for a show. Hundreds of eyes burned into him as he stood in the midday sun.

The glint in Cersei's eyes as he was pulled towards her caused his stomach to lurch; he was the show.

"People of Kings Landing, I thank you for joining me today where we take another step forwards in the war for our kingdom" started Ceresi as Tyrion's feet and hands were unchained. Immediately his hands were twisted and locked in place behind his back - attached by a short length of chain to a post not far from his sister.

"I know these past months have been fraught. A foreign invader has come to kill you – to burn everything you love to nothing. That is why it pleases me so to give you this gift"

Cersei's hand spread towards him, a smirk puling at her face. His heart sped up; this was it – a public execution.

"This creature has betrayed you, betrayed us all for his foreign Queen. He was born and raised as my kin but I loathe him as much as you. He was the dragon Queen's hand and even she didn't want him"

Tyrion's cheeks burned as he tugged hopelessly at his restraints. He hated being the centre of attention like this – it was like the trial for Joffrey's murder all over again. He'd saved these people from Stannis once, and they'd turned on him without a second thought.

"For all the crimes of this little beast it is only right he atone for his sins" said Cersei.

The Queen nodded to her guards and Tyrion suddenly felt a multitude of hands grabbing him, followed by the sound of ripping.

No. He tried to resist as his clothes were cut away from him, but it was no use as the guards pinned him in place and the cool breeze touched his exposed skin. First his tunic, then his breeches and even his boots were stripped from him. The men stepped back when it was done and Tyrion was left as naked as his name day as the eyes of the crowd burned into him.

Tears pricked his eyes as his twisted body was exposed, without any hope of escape from the humiliation. He tugged desperately at his hands behind his back but they wouldn't budge, leaving him no way to shield himself from the eyes of the crowd. Cersei approached him, her eyes bright with satisfaction.

"You wanted everyone to see you, didn't you little brother?" she said

"Why?" he asked, tugging hopelessly at his restraints "Please Cersei...I'm your brother"

"My brother is dead. You are nothing to me" she said "Because of you I suffered at the hands of those religious fanatics. It's your turn now"

"No...please"

Cersei nodded again to her guards and hands grasped hold of him, holding him in place as a knife passed over his head – a clump of golden hair falling to the ground.

"Worry not. The walk's not quite as long as mine – I know how short your legs are. When you return to the Red Keep I have a reward for you" she said, watching on as more and more of his hair fell around him

Nausea clawed up Tyrion's throat as the realisation of what was going to happen hit him full force. He'd heard of Cersei's humiliation – of course he had. As much as he hated his sister it hadn't given him the satisfaction he'd expected. The faith militant was nothing at all to do with him, but that wouldn't stop Cersei blaming him for her suffering. Now he was going to suffer the same fate.

"The traitor will make the walk of atonement back to the Red Keep" said Cersei, turning her attention to the crowd as a grinning guard grasped his face and began shearing off his beard "I'd encourage you all to enjoy this piece of revenge"

The crowd began mumbling as the Queen finished her address and Tyrion heard the first of what would be many laughs. He couldn't escape as the knives scraped at his face and head, leaving him nothing to hide behind. Cersei's eyes were bright with enjoyment as the last of his beard was removed and the light breeze brushed against his head. The guards were still shaving his head though Tyrion could tell his hair was nearly all gone.

"Leave some hair" instructed Cersei "I want it to be perfectly clear who the traitor is. A few traces of golden hair and the scar on his ugly face should be enough"

The guards released him as Cersei moved closer, a smirk twisting her face as she took in his appearance "Enjoy this little brother - it's the last time you will ever leave the Red Keep"

Qyburn and the Mountain followed as she moved off, leaving him to his fate.

His clothes were gone. His hair had been sheared down to nothing.

Why couldn't she just kill him?

Naked and utterly exposed to the increasingly bloodthirsty crowd, Tyrion felt what remained of his soul shatter. A hand shoved his back propelling him forwards and he turned to see a guard holding the length of chain attached to his hands. His legs trembled beneath him as more guards started pushing him forwards. With the Queen's departure the crowd had grown increasingly loud - eager to witness the humiliation of their enemy.

Quicker would be best. Tyrion surged forwards, keeping his head low only for the chains to jerk him backwards.

"Not so fast dwarf. The Queen wants you to go at a nice leisurely pace" mocked a young guard appearing beside him "Gotta give all the people chance to see you. They're lining the streets for this"

Tyrion wanted to scream at the injustice of it all as he was paraded out of the Dragon Pit and onto the tightly packed street.

"Kingslayer!" came a shout, followed by a pile of dung narrowly missing his head. All these years later and he was still accused of Joffrey's murder. As if his nephew hadn't been a sadistic bastard.

The crowd was packed with men, women and children - all hurling abuse at him. They were throwing rocks, dung and anything else they could find.

His heart hammered painfully in his chest as he was forced onwards, Cersei's words ringing in his ear. There was no-one coming to rescue him from this. Why hadn't he learned by now? People didn't care for him, only what they could use him for.

Cersei watched in satisfaction as Tyrion stumbled up the street towards the Red Keep. He deserved all of this and more. The imp had brought the dragon Queen here. He'd chosen to betray his family.

"Does this satisfy you, your Grace?" asked Qyburn

"It does" she said "but it's still not enough"

This justice was long overdue.

True justice for Jamie's death would be found when the silver haired bitch's head was on a pike. For now this would have to do.

Blood was dripping from her brother when he finally made it to the steps of the Red Keep. Stones had been thrown at him, leaving a nasty gash on his head and several others across his chest and back. He was quite filthy; covered in mud, shit and whatever else the people had thrown at him.

She'd ordered her guards to stop him being seriously injured - she was nowhere near finished with him after all.

"Welcome back little brother" she called "pleasant walk?"

The loss of his hair and beard made it impossible to hide his face; just as she'd intended. Disgust rolled through her as she saw the tears sliding down the little monster's face. Truly he was no lion. Never fit to bear the Lannister name.

"I promised you a reward, didn't I?" she said, raking her eyes over his twisted body "Guards, take the traitor to Qyburn's rooms"

The Lannister guards dispersed the crowd as Tyrion was led away. The Queen turned to Qyburn. The man was far more intelligent than Pycelle had ever been. His work was strange but useful and he had no use for morals. Cersei had hoped Jamie would be with her when the dragon Queen came, but that was no longer possible. Perhaps it was better this way - Jamie wouldn't approve of what she'd done and what she would do.

"Your Grace, my little birds have reported Sansa Stark is heading south with a host" said Qyburn as they made their way back into the castle

"To join the dragon Queen"

"Perhaps"

Cersei turned to the black robed Maester "I doubt she's coming to join us. Not that I'd let the traitorous little bitch hide here"

"Strange isn't it? Her bastard brother has already brought his men and joined the Targaryen girl at Dragonstone. Yet now Sansa Stark travels south with her own host - including the Knights of the Vale and many of the Northern lords who did not travel themselves with Jon Snow"

Cersei's mouth turned downwards "Strange - but of little consequence. They will all die; every last one of them"

Qyburn bowed his head "Of course your Grace"

Their footsteps echoed down the stairs as they descended to Qyburn's rooms. Given his position as hand and the delicate work he undertook Cersei had given him chambers more central in the Red Keep, and a more private working space not far from the black cells.

The two guards on the door stepped aside as they approached and Qyburn held the door open for Cersei to enter.

"Comfortable?" asked Cersei, her mouth curving upwards as she saw Tyrion strapped down to the table.

The imp didn't reply, keeping his gaze locked on the ceiling. Up close he looked even worse; blood and grime covering him. It didn't matter. Qyburn had promised to keep him alive long enough to suffer.

The Queen moved closer to the table, smirking down at Tyrion "Were the people not excited to meet the dragon Queen's hand?"

"Why?" he asked, his voice breaking "You're my sister"

"You know why"

"I never wanted to be like this…" he whispered "I'd have given anything to be normal"

"I'd give anything to have my family back" she said, an all too familiar grief rising in her "You won't die today, or tomorrow. Your suffering will last until even Qyburn can no longer keep your pathetic excuse for a body alive"

Tyrion rolled his head away from her, weakly tugging against his restraints. The sight was making her nauseous. How could her mother possibly have birthed this creature? Joanna Lannister had been a true lioness.

She nodded to Qyburn and the man busied himself around the room, making the necessary preparations

"I promised you a reward little brother" she said, grasping his bare face until he was forced to look at her.

She held out the object in her other hand for him to see "You were so proud to be the dragon Queen's hand"

"Get rid of it" he said, tears escaping the corner of his eyes "I was wrong…she's a monster like you"

Cersei's smile only widened "Oh, no. You can't forget your mistakes so easily. You betrayed your family for this foreign whore. I'll make sure you never forget"

Tyrion's eyes widened in fear as Qyburn re-joined them at the table. Fear was good. That's what she wanted to see - his fear and pain.

Jamie wouldn't approve, but he'd always been weak when it came to Tyrion. There was no-one left to protect him now. The imp was at her mercy and she would show him none.

Sansa flexed her fingers, struggling to contain her anger at the dragon Queen.

They hadn't long arrived at Dragonstone. The men who'd come with her were currently making camp not far from Maidenpool. The rest of the allied forces were closer to the coast and Dragonstone but Sansa wanted to keep her distance until she knew how things stood.

As soon as they arrived she'd left Brienne and a couple of Northern lords in charge of the troops while she travelled across to the castle with her most trusted advisors. Brienne hadn't been happy but Sansa wasn't certain her sworn shield wouldn't kill Daenerys on sight for Jamie. Bran had insisted on coming and didn't protest when the unsullied lifted his wheelchair into the boat. Lord Royce, lord Glover and Pod would join them.

Immediately they'd been whisked into the throne room for an audience with the Queen. Jon and Varys stood along from the throne. Her brother looked mournful and the spider wouldn't meet her eyes. For the past few days she'd heard no mention of their mutual friend. In desperation she'd asked Bran if he was still alive, which caused some of the strange tension in her chest to ease, but her brother would give her no further details. Varys knew something, and provided she didn't join Jamie Lannister as a pile of ashes she would get the answers.

Missandei and Grey Worm were present as were several unsullied guards. Arya couldn't be seen but that didn't mean she wasn't around. Bran, Pod, lord Royce and lord Glover stood behind her. The lords had told Sansa it was her lead they would follow.

"I'm pleased you could join us lady Sansa. You are most welcome here at Dragonstone" started Daenerys. Her voice was pleasant but her violet eyes shone with distrust.

"Thank you, your Grace" she replied "Might I ask where lord Tyrion is?"

"Gone. That's all you need to know"

Sansa stepped forwards, anger rolling through her "Forgive me your Grace. I've done my best to keep up to date on the war, but as you know ravens are difficult while travelling. I heard you traded him for Missandei?"

The girl in question shrank in on herself, fidgeting guiltily with her hands as she stood beside the throne. Missandei had no reason to fear Sansa - her anger was for the so called Queen.

Daenerys lifted her chin "He offered himself to save my dear friend. His sacrifice will not be forgotten"

"I heard you promised to free him"

"You've heard many things, it would seem" she said, sending a pointed glance at the spider

Varys remained impassive, his face a perfect mask.

"Why haven't you rescued your hand? In the North, loyalty is a valuable trait" said Sansa, her voice icy calm "Cersei made you an offer did she not? Tyrion for Jamie"

"I do not deal with tyrants"

"You betrayed him"

Daenerys eyes flashed dangerously and Sansa found herself stepping forwards even as Jon mouthed a silent warning.

"Did I betray him, lady Stark, or did he betray me?" she spat "You think I didn't see how close you were at Winterfell?"

Sansa steps faltered "What are you talking about? He's your hand - his loyalty is yours. I was acting as lady of Winterfell. We had to work together. There were provisions to plan, defences to discuss. Everyday things that were just as important as riding a dragon into battle"

"Are you trying to fool me or yourself?" said Daenerys, gripping the arms of her throne "All I heard from Tyrion was how I should be working with you. How you're such a clever woman, how you'd make an invaluable ally"

"I-I.." she stammered. Had Tyrion really said that?

A humourless laugh fell from Daenerys "He even suggested I give the North independence. That I allow you to rule it as Queen, subject to certain arrangements between the Kingdoms"

Northern independence; that was what she wanted. Tyrion had pleaded with her to give Daenerys a chance, but had he been trying to help her as well?

'Of course he was' whispered her mind 'he promised to never hurt you'

"Tyrion understood working together" said Sansa, her voice coming out far weaker than she'd intended "He believed in you"

"Not as much as he believed in you" spat Daenerys, clasping her hands in front of her "You wish to know why I didn't rescue Tyrion? Fine. His loyalties were too divided. He was a loose end"

'Your divided loyalties would be a problem'

Hearing the dragon Queen echo the words she'd spoken to Tyrion in the crypt was like a slap in the face. She'd thought Tyrion's loyalty was to his Queen, but Daenerys believed it was to her.

"Killing Jamie sentenced him to death. Cersei will hurt him" said Sansa, her heart twisting unexpectedly "Did you never care for him at all?"

"He was my friend - but I can't trust him anymore" she admitted, eyeing Sansa with suspicion "I hope this satisfies you lady Sansa. Jon has promised you're here to help. I understand you may dislike what happened with Tyrion, but it couldn't be helped. I trust I can rely on you in the war to come?"

Sansa bowed her head, her blue eyes as cold as ice "Yes, your Grace. There's a tyrant to deal with after all"