Tyrion Lannister

A tunnel beneath Chataya's, 301 AC

How the tides had turned. Of all the things that could've happened, this was the last thing anyone would've considered. Word had been coming for weeks on what was coming their way yet somehow they had still been ill prepared. It had been weeks since the city had fallen to a Dragon once more. Right up until the bitter end his oh so sweet sister had been harping on how the Red Keep had never been taken and that it would never fall to someone undeserving of such a thing yet she had eventually calmed down somewhat. Well, more their father had ordered Grand Maester Pycelle to mix her beloved wine with some sweet sleep to make her drowsy to the point she couldn't argue back.

The same could not be said for Joffrey however. The vile leech had done nothing but complain and rant on how his throne had been taken from him and he would make the Targaryen's pay. Every time he done so, Tyrion had rolled his eyes before retorting back.

"And then his dragons will come after you, dearest nephew."

His answer never changed, his tone never changed. Always dripping in sarcasm but lower than usual given their shit situation. They had tried to get out of the city, yet they had found out the hard way many of the tunnels which went farther than the walls of Kings Landing had collapsed from lack of use. How his father knew as many of them as he did was surprising but one in particular vexed Tyrion. He'd been in the Tower of the Hand for months, yet the entire time there had been a tunnel leading directly to Chataya's? What had baffled him more was when they had escaped through said tunnel Alayaya had stated something which further annoyed him from lack of knowledge.

"Would you like me to fetch Marei, my Lord?"

Given the way she had spoken the words so casually, it meant it was something that happened before. Possibly many times before. Whilst he himself had never lain with Marei there was no denying she was incredibly beautiful. With her long pale golden hair and equally pale green eyes that almost looked like peridots when the light hit them. Only seven years younger than he himself was yet always gave him a look of disgust whenever he tried to advance on her. Not a new expression for him to experience, and given the way Alayaya had spoken to his father the way she had, Tywin clearly had fondness for Marei.

It was a strange thought. Tywin Lannister who never took another wife after Joanna Lannister had died in birthing bed was seeing a whore. Regularly given the simplicity of the conversation. Yet Tyrion didn't dare to open his mouth and ask the questions that he was desperate to have an answer to. Now was not the time, nor was it the right place. They had to get out of the damned city one way or another. Ser Jacelyn was still in his pocket which was a good thing, as was Bronn, yet his wonderful sister and great father were very against asking for help from those they saw as lower than them. The longer they waited though, the more likely it was for this Jaeron to get more people to his side which would further box them in. Their only hope was getting to the Westerland's to start building a force to take back what was theirs. Three more days had passed however when there was a visitor in the tunnel, and since Cersei had finally finished her wine skins she was fully aware as was her son. The brats face getting more and more purple as the days went on in anger for sitting around doing nothing. It annoyed him greatly, that his nephew actually rightfully felt something for once as they were all thinking similarly. Pale golden hair seeming to glow in the dim candlelight as she got close enough to be within a couple metres of them.

"You called for me, my Lord?"

Marei asked, looking directly to Tywin. Cersei's emerald coloured eyes flashing in anger at the blatant disrespect of ignoring both herself and her son, yet he was biting back a laugh. Nothing amused him more than grinding Cersei's gears and in a single sentence this whore had done just that. Deciding right that moment he liked her even if she did not like him.

"Alayaya sent for you- "

"On your request."

Oh, Tyrion definitely liked her. Very few people had the gall to stand up to the mighty Tywin Lannister. Glancing to his sister and nephew for a split second to see the rage on Cersei's face which only made the encounter even more amusing. What stunned him more was the way his fathers stony expression fell apart and the tiniest grin was on his lips. People who didn't know him well would not be able to tell, but it was as clear as a summers day to everyone and this was what broke the back as his sister spat.

"Who do you think you are ignoring the King and Queen and disrespecting the Lord Hand?!"

There was a deathly silence at her words, for a moment Marei seeming to ignore them before looking directly to his sister and quirking her head to the side feigning ignorance.

"Last I checked you were deposed and there is a new King- "

"A pretender! A false dragon who holds my throne which was passed down to me from my father who won it rightfully- "

"Daughter, ensure your son is put to bed quickly."

It was very difficult now to keep a straight face. Rarely did his father scorn his sister and it was clear she was upset by such a thing as her cheeks went almost as red as a freshly ripened cherry in anger.

"I am the King and I will stay and see this whore- "

Now, his father walked over to tower over him. Joffrey had always been tall for his age, but Tywin was still a head taller and he looked down to his vile grandson and completely ignoring all protocols of speaking to the King. Treating him like the child he was, and a spoiled cunt of a child he was. Cersei had left him unchecked for far too long.

"Anyone who must say that they are the King is not a true King. Daughter, the King is tired. Ensure he goes to bed so we can discuss."

Tyrion could've sworn at that moment he would've heard a pin drop. Even Cersei didn't have anything to say, eyeing her youngest hiding behind her legs. Something Tommen had taken to doing often as of late. Why did Joffrey have to be the oldest of her ilk? Myrcella and Tommen were both sweet children yet their older brother would've given Maegor the Cruel a run for madness. Watching his sister press her lips together in annoyance but relenting as she dragged her sons away to the edge of the tunnel where they had taken to sleeping in.

"What news do you bring?"

His father spoke, with a surprising tenderness in his tone he wouldn't have expected. Speaking to her like he had spoken to Jaime and Cersei when they were little… Tyrion's face moved to look at both and wanting to kick himself for not figuring it out sooner. Other than her hair being paler there was no denying the similar looks between Marei and his sister when she was younger. Oh, this was interesting. Very interesting indeed. Wondering for a moment now if her looks of disgust hadn't solely been because he was a dwarf.

"Bad tidings, father."

And there was the confirmation. If the situation weren't so serious, he might've laughed at the absurdity of it all. The almighty Tywin Lannister had a bastard daughter who just so happened to be a whore. Oh the shame that would bring if it were ever to be released, so strong he could almost taste it on his tongue. Yet he didn't dare say anything, wanting to listen in carefully on what was about to be said.

"Don't sweet talk it- "

"When do I ever?"

Tywin made a noise which made Tyrion's eyebrows go comically high on his forehead. Was that- was that a laugh? Racking in his memories for a time where he had ever laughed but not being able to remember one time where he had heard such a thing from the stern mans lips.

"It seems not all of House Lannister are for Lannister pride. The fish and toad are back."

Confusion whirred in his head now, wondering who in all the hells that was. He'd never heard of such names before but from the way all expression of glee immediately disappeared from his fathers face to be replaced with anger he did know. Knowing that behind his cheek he was almost certainly grinding his teeth together.

"What have our estranged cousins done?"

Cousins? Tyrion racked through them all in his head, trying to figure out who he could be speaking about but none he could think of. Which meant they had to be lesser Lannister's of Lannisport and not Lannister's of Casterly Rock. Marei taking a deep breath as she looked around clearly for his sister and understanding now why she had refused to call Tywin father when she was there. Cersei would screech aloud and would likely kill her on the spot for besmirching the memory of their mother.

"Both were working with Princess Elia, and they succeeded. They're alive, father."

The anger deepened even more but whatever he was about to say was immediately quietened when Cersei appeared again with her youngest still hiding behind her legs.

"I told you to put your children- "

"Tommen is not tired, he slept for hours longer than usual today."

There was a moment where he had to force himself not to scoff. Despite her being so openly displaced she still thought she held authority with the way she had bit back. It wasn't lost on their father either who positively looked like he would tear her apart limb from limb in that very moment.

"News has arrived."

Cersei rolled her eyes at this, not wanting to hear whatever it was which was clearly a bad move as Tywin walked over until he was staring directly down at her too. Taking immense joy at seeing how she refused to meet his gaze but this failed when he grabbed her chin and tilted her head to look directly at him.

"Tarena's whelps are back in the fold and are proving an even bigger thorn in House Lannister's legacy. They switched them."

By now, Tyrion was more than annoyed at the lack of explanation.

"Can someone explain what in the seven hells is going on?!"

The words came out louder than expected, cutting through the tense atmosphere in the room like a knife to warm butter. It went quiet for a moments afterwards as they all waited on the words to finally be said and not tiptoed around.

"Rhaegar and Elia's whelps escaped is what it means, and they are heading to Westeros- "

"Aegon has already landed, he's married Princess Arianne Martell and has almost all of Dorne on his side apart from the Dayne's who are firmly on Jaeron's side."

The words hit him like he were just thrown off the cliff of Casterly Rock itself. That wasn't something small, that was huge. Perhaps even more so than the reveal of Rhaegar Targaryen getting a son on Lyanna Stark.

"Marei, speak to Alayaya and have her send for Ser Jacelyn immediately."

She nodded at the command and left further up the tunnel to where she would reappear in Chataya's to find the commander of the City Watch.

"Why are you sending for that upstart?"

Cersei seethed on the spot, clearly not liking what had just been confirmed because it meant hers and Jaime's whelps had even less of a standing to the throne.

"We are getting out of this city this evening, and then we will be creating urgent alliances- "

"You will not use my sons!"

Oh, so she wasn't wholly stupid then. Better than perpetually stupid, Tyrion mused. Who could they ally with though? If Dorne was with Aegon and many others were with Jaeron, who was their best bet? It would either need to be a fellow Westerlander or a Valewoman, neither of which Cersei would take kindly to. As much as he despised her guts and would happily watch her be thrown into a vat of boiling water, there was no denying she loved her children deeply. Watching as her nostrils flared a few times before spitting her next words out.

"As the Queen I order my son not to be taken- "

"You are the mother of the King, that does not make you the Queen."

It was very difficult to keep in the snort that was desperate to escape at those words, especially from the look of complete insult on Cersei's face at being put in her place. Clearly, his sweet sister had gotten used to being so high no one would dare to speak in such a manner to her. Good, Tyrion thought. She needed to be knocked down a few pegs.

"Can someone explain who Tarena is?"

"No one- "

Cersei began to talk but their father cut her off.

"Tarena Lannister is a Lannister of a lesser branch of the lowest branch of the Lannisport branch. She's a cousin gods know how many times removed. She has two children- one trueborn and one bastard to an unknown Tollett. Both were shall we say- close- with Princess Elia and Prince Rhaegar."

Too close obviously, because it appeared both had went against the most basic core value of not dishonouring ones own family or bringing themselves down.

"I'll have their heads for this, they were exiled for a reason- "

"They were exiled for refusing to bend the knee to Robert. Well, Torghen was and Mychelah didn't want to betray her brother."

That was all fine and dandy, if it didn't put them in an even worse position than before. Beforehand there was only one other claimant they were actively dealing with but now there were two and both had a decent backing behind them. And both were Targaryen's- history had proven why such a thing was a terrible idea. They did need to get out of the city, that was a given, and luckily if Jer Jacelyn hadn't turned his gold cloak to dark red they would be doing just that.

"What about uncle Kevan? He was sent to recruit more armies."

He asked, dreading the answer that was due to come. As the days went on the less of a hold they had on the Seven Kingdom's which they needed desperately, yet no one was willing to back them when there was a claimant with literal dragons. Tyrion himself had only saw them twice as they escaped into the tunnels below and he couldn't believe the size of them. Whilst nowhere near the size some of the previous Targaryen dragons had been, they were still impressive in size. Seeing the boy atop the silver ones back for a split second as they descended into darkness. Recalling the quiet boy from Winterfell and wondering what it was that had caused the inevitable shift for him to make the claim in the first place.

"With luck, a response is awaiting us in Casterly Rock."

No further words were said after this. How much time had passed before there were two sets of footsteps again was unknown but soon Ser Jacelyn Bywater had appeared and breathing a sigh of relief at seeing he still wore a cloak of gold. Showing there was still support for their side within the city which sent a small shiver of hope through his small body.

"You sent for me, my Lord?"

"Can you get us out and on a ship out of the city tonight?"

Ser Jacelyn paused for a few moments as he thought, noticing the second set of footsteps had disappeared but it could only have been Alayaya or perhaps Marei again. That was a strange thought, his half-sister. One he hadn't even known about until earlier this day and wondering what else there was under his nose that was incredibly obvious in hindsight.

"Yes, I can."

Jaeron Targaryen

Kings Landing, 301 AC

Three days had passed since the news had broke and even now, to say he was reeling was an understatement. People had been trying to talk to him but he'd given explicit orders not to be disturbed which to most people's credit- were giving him the much needed space. Only a few days ago everything had been looking up and he was actively working on tying the fraying pieces back together yet even more pieces were frayed now. Varys' words from before ringing in his ears and wanting to scream at how clear it was in hindsight. He'd known since before he had even made the claim of a boy pretending to be a Blackfyre. Heck, Catelyn had literally travelled to Kings Landing herself to speak to the Spider himself on the matter to entrap him in the web they were spinning.

Why now? Why was it not spoken sooner? An anger beginning to ebb in the deepest parts of his body that literally made him feel as though he were about to combust on the spot at the sheer lack of information provided. For weeks the Eunuch had sat in the councils, had heard of his plans, had heard of ploys he was considering using. Had he shared said plans with anyone else? Yet it wasn't just Varys, having cornered the man alongside Ser Arthur to demand answers in private until they had gotten it out of him. The betrayal cutting even deeper than it had before when he confirmed that Torghen was sworn to Aegon, and had been sworn to him for more than a damned decade!

The understanding of such a thing hit him like a brick to the face. If it weren't for Ser Arthur, he would've collapsed from the shock of it all, yet his Kingsguard had caught him as he done so. Sansa had been taken by Torghen, and where he had taken her was now staring him directly in the face. Jaeron might've not been close with her, but they were raised as brother and sister and there was no denying he would do anything to protect her. Yet his blind trust of a man had ensnared her into being someone else's hostage.

Not just someone else too. His brother.

A brother everyone believed to be dead, having his head smashed against a wall by Gregor Clegane. Yet the babe had been switched, and the pieces all fell into place. Arya overhearing what she did, Torghen not speaking on his time in Essos, Arya finding a chest of items including a brooch gifted by the Martell's in a tunnel leading onto the Blackwater. It all just fit, too perfectly. The realisation of what it all meant then hit him. He'd made his own claim in ignorance and he had both the Red Keep and Kings Landing, yet he was the younger brother. Older brothers were not passed over without merit. In fact, if he recalled correctly the last Targaryen to be passed over had been Maegor on reason of both his name and his rumoured lack of grasp on reality. Being broken out of his thoughts by a soft knock on the door of his solar as he called to invite whoever it was in. From the way Ser Arthur's lips were tightened, he knew he was about to receive even worse news.

"Out with it, there's no need to draw it out."

"Hoster Tully has died, your Grace."

A long sigh left his lips as his hands moved to cover his face, pushing the heels of his palms into his eyeballs until he was seeing stars. There had been a few times since he'd been told the truth of who he was where he wanted to run away from it all, but now he felt like he had to get away. Everything he'd worked for was slipping through his fingers faster than a snowflake would melt upon touching warm skin.

He'd usurped his brother. Unknowingly, but he had done so. The thought made his entire mouth taste like vomit as he fought to keep what little food he'd eaten since the news broke down. People were worried for him, he wasn't stupid. Yet to be King one had to keep their composure which was something he most certainly was not doing currently.

"Any news from Robb?"

"Aye. He's left Seagard to head to Riverrun for the funeral. Elissa has also reported that Lord Walder is done waiting and is travelling down from the Twins to Riverrun to seal the marriage."

He couldn't prevent the long groan that left him at those words.

"Of all places and times for a wedding- "

"The Old Weasel sees it as one less person that looks down on him."

No wonder. He wasn't called the Late Lord Walder for nothing. Removing his palms from his face as he looked up at Arthur and speaking.

"I will travel for Riverrun. I promised Robb I would be there for his wedding- "

"That's where the bad news comes in."

He was cut off again, looking to the man in shock. What he'd already said wasn't the bad news? If that wasn't the bad news then what in the seven hells was? His lack of words being all the confirmation needed.

"The Golden Company have landed. Some on Claw Isle, some in Dorne."

Claw Isle? Why there- and then he remembered and cursing aloud. Not caring if anyone overheard him from outside now. Of course, how could he have been so damned blind?! He'd sent Torghen to discuss with Lord Ardrian and then he had disappeared off their radar for weeks afterwards only to make an appearance for a moment and disappearing again.

"Well this is just wonderful."

The sarcasm dripping from his lips was not hidden, nor did Jaeron care. Too much had happened in the last few days. With the Golden Company so close to Kings Landing, he couldn't leave. For if he did, he would be leaving the Red Keep up for the taking which he could not allow. He hated breaking a promise, it being instilled in him from a very young age only to ever make one if fully committed to it. Yet he'd made a promise to Robb, and now he had no choice but to break it. Disgust filling him wholly at the realisation and what it would look like to the Northerner's who were of the same belief promises should never be broken.

"Please alert Ser Brynden and that he is temporarily relieved to attend his brothers funeral. He shall stand in my place. Also, send for my betrothed, she deserves to know what is happening."

Arthur clearly disagreed with such a thing because sending away one of his three Kingsguard left him much more than open than previously. Yet he left the room to carry out his order and closing the door behind him. Reaching up to tangle his fingers into his hair and tighten the strands around his fingers to the point they were numb. Any distraction, anything to think of other than what was consuming every second of his waking hours the last few days. It was quite a while before Margaery appeared, stating she was in the gardens but he held his hand up for her to stop.

"You do not need to explain your whereabouts, my Lady. I assume you know why I sent for you?"

"I'd imagine it's to discuss the news a few days before."

At least she didn't mince her words and got straight to the point. He was more than done with dancing around people with honeyed words which he'd had to do for weeks now.

"Is it true?"

She asked, looking to him awaiting an answer yet when he did not reply, she knew it was indeed the truth. Eyebrows raising for barely a millimetre before returning to their original position. So he told her. Everything. Trying his best to remember every little detail so she could piece it all together too. She was stunned when he finished, that much was clear given the fact her eyes were wider than usual but the rest of her face she remarkably kept still.

"What do I do? I've put so much work into everything that giving it up would just be a massive betrayal to everyone who's supported my own claim. Yet if I don't there's a high chance I'll only be seen as a usurper and that is something I don't want to happen- "

He felt her hand on his, the touch making him freeze for a second before stopping in his rant and breathing deeply. He needed space, and he needed it now. Even if only for a few hours.

"Take it a bit at a time. Try and work out Aegon's plans. Yet you are missing one crucial thing, Sansa was last seen in Qarth and that wasn't that long ago. It takes a lot longer to travel from Qarth to Dorne."

That was something he hadn't figured out yet. Glad deep down he had called for her to be able to pick apart it all and being upfront about it. It was true, and it brought on some relief but that was better than nothing. She wasn't a hostage then. So why had Torghen taken her? Clearly there was something else at play but he knew if he tried to figure it out now he would only give himself an even worse headache. They talked for what felt like hours afterwards, and given by the time she finally left it was dark outside it may well have been. Jaeron knew he wasn't getting any sleep this night though as he walked through the Keep to the gardens. Heading for the large clearing Rhaegon and Lyrax had claimed. Both lifting their heads as he approached and petting Lyrax's snout as she chirped happily at the touch. Standing by what was left of a weirwood tree that had been cut down at some point and sitting down on it.

It was rather cold, yet he'd grown up in a much colder climate. To him, it was at best mild. Continuing to pet the blue dragon as the silver one remained away as usual as he did not like affection anywhere near as much as his sister who was now practically trilling in happiness. Placing his other hand on the white park and closing his eyes for a moment. Images flashing in his mind which frightened him momentarily before remembering where he was. Catching his breath and doing so again to enjoy the peace and quiet as no one dared come to this area of the gardens given what dwelled in them. The images came again, clearer, almost like he were there. Confusion whirring for a second before realising he had seen this before. In a dream, one that had left him completely stunned. The end of a woman begging another to take her babe far away and the other had already been taken.

His eyes opened in shock as it slotted into place. The woman begging was Elia. His fathers first wife and the one he'd set aside to wed his own mother secretly.

"T has my youngest."

Now that made sense. Torghen was ordered by Elia to take Aegon away, and even more hit him in the face by what the rest of it had meant. It wasn't just Aegon, it was Rhaenys too. Both had survived all this time and had simply been biding their time waiting on the perhaps time to strike. But then something else happened. Seeing two women stood facing one another, one with pale skin and jet black hair, the other with caramel coloured skin and very dark brown hair it was almost black.

"You need to get out of here- "

"I can't, Ash, and you know I can't. The fact I managed to get them out itself was a complete stroke of luck."

Her voice cracked a moment and all he wanted to do was to reach out and comfort her. Yet he couldn't do that, because both these women he was seeing were dead. Had been dead for nearing nineteen years now.

"Our attempt failed, Aerys is madder than ever before and has guards at every corner. You tried to distract him but it didn't work and I am so sorry you had to go through that- "

Ashara placed both her hands on Elia's shoulders and shook her for a moment to try and get rid of her guilt. Wondering what it was that she had meant with such words.

"You're like a sister to me, and sisters do anything for each other- "

"Ash, you let him have you to create a window and now- "

Elia trailed off, looking down for a split second but that was all that was needed. Opening his eyes and standing up from the stump as he began pacing in circles. No. It couldn't be, could it? Yet it also fit, far too perfectly. Knowing he would need to tell Arthur and dreading how he was going to take such news. Elia had looked to Ashara's stomach, and despite her not finishing her sentence the words were as clear as a hot summer day.

"Allyria."

The name left his lips barely a whisper. Hearing a loud caw from above as he turned to see a raven flying away into the night sky. No, now he needed some time away. A breather, that was all. Away from this web of fucking politics he was weaved so deeply in before he lost himself fully. Not even thinking it through much as he walked towards Rhaegon and mounting him. Giving the command and taking off into the night.