Chapter 33 Tyrion

The road back to Harrenhal was uneventful for Tyrion and his companions and for that he was glad. He had had enough of battles for the time being and perhaps for the rest of his life. Wounded at the Green Fork, almost roasted alive at King's Landing, Tyrion had no desire to press his luck in any more fights, unless forced on him. Fortunately, they were left in peace on this journey. Despite the lack of danger, the trip had not been as comfortable as Tyrion would have liked. They had made haste, pressing on each day from dawn till near sunset, covering plenty of ground with few stops each day. Harrenhal was not under threat, as far as he knew, but Tyrion had a feeling that with Stannis Baratheon on the Iron Throne it would not be long before Lady Whent, wherever she was, would convince him that Harrenhal was her family seat and that she would like it back.

And that would not do at all for the Lannister cause. Stannis certainly knew that Harrenhal occupied a strategic location between north and south, east and west. Within its walls, if they had adequate provisions, any lord could host an army and strike in any direction. It was the key to the Riverlands and it was close enough to the Kingsroad to make travel north or south unwise. Besides, Princess Myrcella was there, and Tyrion knew for certain that Stannis wanted her head. He would make his move sooner or later against Harrenhal. It had to stay in Lannister hands.

It was their seventh day on the road, and they were on the west side of Gods Eye in rolling farm country with many small hills cut by streams flowing towards the large lake. They choose not to take the Kingsroad north as they were uncertain if Stannis was sending armed men up it or not. And his force was not as big as Tyrion would have liked. Bronn was with him, of course, as was Podrick, Shagga, Timett, and the other surviving mountain men and women, about one hundred, plus an additional hundred Lannister cavalry, all his Uncle Kevan could spare as an escort.

Shae was here as well, riding in one of the supply wagons, having left Lord Varys' service after only a few days. Tyrion could not leave her behind, not only because he cared for her, but also because he knew for certain that some lord would make her his bed warmer before long. And that would not do at all, either.

"Should get there by tomorrow afternoon," Bronn said as they rode along a rutted wagon trail near some farms.

"Sooner I hope," Tyrion replied. "My arse is tired of saddles and horses." He had traveled more in the last six months than in his entire lifetime it seemed, first to Winterfell, then the Wall and back, and after that as a prisoner to the Vale. Then the return journey from that sad adventure, after which he fought in the Battle on the Green Fork, and then served where his father needed him, at Harrenhal, at Riverrun, and then at King's Landing. Now he was heading back to Harrenhal and was wishing for nothing more than to end his tour of the Seven Kingdoms and settle down somewhere where there was peace and quiet, plenty of books and good wine, with Shae at his side.

As Tyrion thought on this he spied some people working in a field of ripening wheat. They had seen plenty of smallfolk on the way, all working in their fields, trying to bring in a last harvest before heavy rains and cold frosts could ruin them. Many avoided them and refused to even look at them, but others were bolder, and when they saw the Lannister colors they even mocked them. "Stannis going to bugger you lot now!" one old man had shouted from across a wide field. "The real King is on the throne now, not that bastard!" shouted a woman from her apple orchard. When the leader of the cavalry wanted to go off and hang her on one of her own trees Tyrion stopped him, knowing they need not give these people any more reason to hate them.

They camped in a wooded glade on a sloping hill that night, making several small camps as was usual when traveling with the wild mountain folk. After all they had been through with each other at the Green Fork and in the Kingswood, the mountain tribes still had their petty squabbles and tribal rivalries. Tyrion had once promised them the Vale for their help but he knew they would never unite long enough to ever throw Lady Lysa and her knights out of their strongholds.

Supper was hastily cooked and eaten and then those not on guard duty bedded down for the night. For once Tyrion did not feel like staying up late and drinking or trading japes with Bronn and soon after supper was done he called for Shae and they pleasured each other. A long time later, Shae dozed, but sleep did not come as easily to Tyrion. He was feeling restless, and his mind went from one trouble spot to the next trying to see a way out of all their predicaments and finding none. The only hope lay in his uncle and Jaime rousting Stannis from King's Landing before he could tighten his grip on the Seven Kingdoms.

Unable to sleep, Tyrion slid from his bed, and pulled on his small clothes and a linen shift over his head and then slipped on his boots. He poured himself some wine, a good vintage from the Arbor, and took a long swallow and filled his cup again. He stepped out of his tent and saw Pod and Bronn sitting by a fire, mugs of ale in their hands. Oh, well, drinking and japes it was.

"Tired of sleeping?" Bronn asked him as Tyrion sat with them.

"Sleep is not my friend sometimes," Tyrion told him.

"Drink more wine," Bronn advised.

"I intend to," Tyrion said as he gulped another large mouthful.

They were quiet for a moment and Pod poked the fire with a stick and then added a few more branches to it.

"What's the plan when we get to Harrenhal?" Bronn asked suddenly.

"There is no plan," Tyrion told him. "We sit and we watch and we send out patrols, all of which I am sure whoever is in charge is already doing. We will have only about three thousand men, so we won't be looking for battle."

"We should block the sewer entrance," Pod said suddenly and Tyrion knew he was right.

"An excellent idea, Pod. We wouldn't want anyone to bugger us like we buggered Lady Whent's people."

"We?" Bronn said with a puzzled look to Tyrion. "I think you mean me and Pod here."

Tyrion gave him a look of exasperated. "Yes, yes, you and Pod buggered them and I am sure you enjoyed it. You do recall it was my idea? Good. So, you two are in charge of securing that sewer entrance since you know where it is."

"Yes, my lord," said Pod, but Bronn shook his head.

"I swore to never go near that sewer again. And I still haven't seen my lordship yet for taking the big, bloody, black castle in the first place."

"When the war is over, I told you," Tyrion said in an exasperated tone. "Bronn, if we have to go through all I owe you that hasn't been paid yet we will be here all night. You do trust that I will make good on my promises don't you. You know a Lannister always…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Bronn interrupted and then he took a drink of ale. "But what happens to me and Pod and Shagga and the rest of the lads if you get killed?"

"Then just make sure that doesn't happen." Tyrion had a feeling he had had this conversation with Bronn in the past. "When I come into my inheritance you will get it all. You will be so buried in my generosity you will have to kiss my arse for an eternity."

"Arse kissing was not part of our deal," Bronn replied. "You promised to make Pod a knight as well."

"He still needs to squire a bit longer for me yet," Tyrion said. "A few more years, what do you say Pod?"

"Whatever you wish, my lord."

"Not to worry, a knighthood shall be yours. I will even get Ser Jaime to knight you if we all survive this mess."

"Thank…thank you, my lord." Pod seemed pleased by this and Tyrion knew it would be a treat, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard knighting him. If there was still Kingsguard. If there was still a King. Our King, he thought. King Tommen.

"We must also look to Mrycella's security when we arrive," Tyrion told them next.

"She's got the big bloody Hound to look after her," Bronn reminded him.

"Yes…a man who likes his drink and his whores," Tyrion replied. "With my father dead he may not be heeding his words to remain sober. Father said that Clegane was worth twenty knights as long as he stayed away from the wine. And his brother."

"What's between them two anyways?" Bronn asked.

"You've seen his face?"

"Aye."

"Ser Gregor the noble knight did that to the Hound when they were boys."

"I think I heard that tale before. Wasn't there something else to it…a sister?"

Tyrion nodded. "There have been many rumors about the Clegane family. They are bannermen to my family but I was just a boy when it all happened. Jaime told me once there was a sister, who died in an accident. The father also died mysteriously though I know not the details of either death. Ser Gregor has also gone through a wife or three, and servants at his holdfast have been known to disappear."

"A man with a temper," Bronn observed.

"That he is."

"He's a good fighter," Pod commented.

"Indeed," Tyrion replied. "And he's ruthless. That's why Father kept him around."

"Will you keep him around when you become Lord of Casterly Rock?" Bronn asked.

Tyrion laughed a bit. "That title is still vacant and the future holder is uncertain. Once Cersei gets there I am sure she will demand to see Father's will. My Aunt Genna will no doubt show it to her, and then we will see what happens. If she likes what she sees it will stand. If not, well, Cersei is very fond of ripping up papers she doesn't like."

"Ah, well," said Bronn. "Even if you get the title you might only keep it for a short time. If Stannis and his lot get the whole Seven Kingdoms to rise up against you, you haven't got a chance."

"We, don't you mean," Tyrion said with a sharp look to his friend. "We haven't got a chance."

"I'm not a Lannister."

"No, but you serve us. Stannis will see no difference when it comes to loping off heads or burning prisoners alive to please his new god."

Bronn raised his eyebrows. "Aye? Is that so? Well then, we had better make sure we win this war. Or run away before it gets too hot."

Tyrion nodded. "Yes, we will run if it gets too hot, do not doubt that. But knowing when to run is important."

"Where would you run, my lord?" Pod asked.

"You will run too, Pod. I could not go without you. Nor Shae. The plan is to leave Westeros and go to the east if things get bad."

Pod nodded. "I will follow wherever you go, my lord."

"Good lad," Tyrion said, happy to have one loyal person at his side at least. He looked sideways at Bronn. "And you Bronn?"

"You need ask? Besides, after siding with you lot, I won't be safe here unless you…we… win."

"How would we go?" Pod asked.

"Casterly Rock is but a stones throw from Lannisport and its harbor is always filled with ships," Tyrion told him.

Bronn snorted. "Maidenpool is but a four days ride east of Harrenhal and is a lot closer to the east than Lannisport."

"Maidenpool will most likely be controlled by Stannis before long," Tyrion said. Then he drained his cup. "Well, my good men, this is all in the future. Tomorrow we have more riding to do and now I think I am ready for sleep."

The next morning they were up early and mounted and soon after a breakfast of dried beef and hard bread and ale they were on their way. As soon as they came out of the glade of woods they could see the top spires of the vast castle off in the distance to the north. By mid-morning it was looming even bigger and by mid afternoon they had reached its outskirts. The small force picked its way through one of the old Lannister camps, where Lord Tywin's army had camped but a few weeks past. They stepped around nasty smelling latrine pits, past the blackened remains of camp fires and around the wooden stakes and ditches that had been built for defense. Rats, cats, a few dogs, and even a wolf were rummaging through the midden heaps of animal bones and scraps of food the army had left behind.

One of Shagga's men dropped the wolf with a well-aimed arrow shot that was followed by a roar of approval from his companions. In moments he leaped off his shaggy mountain pony, skinned the wolf, and slung its bloody pelt across the back of his mount. A warm coat for winter, Tyrion thought, or maybe a gift for some woman back in his mountain holdfast.

Of gifts the mountain folk had no lack of. They had three wagon loads of plunder from Stannis' camps near the Kingswood plus two large chests of silver and gold coins Ser Kevan had paid them for helping the Lannisters. Most of that had already been divided among the mountain men, and fueled their endless dice games and other forms of gambling that took hold when they grew bored.

The big black castle loomed to their right and they took a long while riding around to the front of it towards the main gate. The guards saw Tyrion and immediately opened the gates and the small force passed through the long tunnel in the thick walls and emerged in the main courtyard of the castle. Ser Robyn Serrett, the Lannister bannerman who had escorted Princess Myrcella and Sansa Stark to Harrenhal, greeted them as they came off their horses.

"Welcome, Lord Tyrion," Ser Robyn said with a slight dip of his head.

"Thank you, Ser Robyn," Tyrion replied as he looked around. The courtyard was strangely empty of men. He was sure there were three thousand men here, somewhere. "Where is everyone?"

"Resting, eating, manning the walls, making repairs, cleaning quarters, and out on patrol. We have not been idle, my lord," Ser Robyn replied.

"Good. And my niece is well?"

"I sent for her when we knew…" But then she was there, running across the courtyard, a young girl in a pale blue dress with her two handmaidens behind her and the hulking figure of Sandor Clegane a few steps behind them.

"Uncle Tyrion!" Myrcella said with a cry and ran into his arms, surprising Tyrion and bringing grins and laughter from Bronn and the wild folk, now dismounting behind Tyrion. Myrcella had to bend low to hug him and he could see she was growing and may even be as tall as her dead brother some day. Maybe even taller, now that he was short a head. Then he looked at her face and he saw pain there and fear and Tyrion smiled and kissed her lightly on one cheek.

"Fear not little one, I am here and all will be well."

"Oh, I am so glad you came," she replied, composing herself. "Are we going to Casterly Rock?"

That took him aback but he recovered quickly. "There will be time to discuss these matters soon. I must first bathe and change clothes and have some food. Then I will come to see you."

"Yes…how silly of me," she replied. "You are tired. Please, take your time, uncle."

At least she knew her manners. "Not to worry," he answered. "I will see you soon."

She kissed him on his cheek and then she smiled and turned and went off with her two handmaidens. The Hound turned to follow but Tyrion stopped him.

"Clegane, we need have words later. Join me in Lady Whent's solar in an hour."

"The commander might not like that," the Hounds replied. "It's his solar now."

"The…what?" Tyrion said in surprise. He looked at Ser Robyn, who seemed a bit abashed. "The commander is you, is it not?"

"No," the Hound answered. "That whore's son Ser Amory Lorch has taken up that duty. The new lord of Harrenhal." The Hound spat on the ground, to show his feelings on this matter.

Ser Robyn explained. "When he arrived back from hunting Hoat he immediately took over. I had not the men to challenge him."

"Did he at least find Hoat?"

"Yes, and killed most of his men, but Hoat escaped."

"Then Ser Amory is neglectful of his duties to House Lannister," Tyrion growled. " And if he calls himself commander he should be here to greet the new commander. Where is he now?"

"Dining with his men in the Great Hall," Ser Robyn told him. "He sent me here to greet you."

Tyrion fumed. That was disrespectful and Ser Amory knew it and was doing this to show he was still in charge. Tyrion was tired and dirty and hungry but this could not wait. "How many men do you command?" he asked Ser Robyn.

"But fifty."

"What of the two thousand men my uncle sent here not a week past?"

"Ser Amory took command of them when they arrived."

Tyrion fumed some more. "Well, they are all my men now. He is but a knight and I am a lord and soon to be heir to Casterly Rock. Come Bronn, Shagga, Timett. You too Clegane and Ser Robyn. Time to let Ser Amory know who is in charge here."

They found him feasting with his men in the Great Hall. The benches were full close to the dais, hundreds of men gathered here, all eating and drinking and making a babble of noise. Despite their numbers they occupied only the far end of the massive hall. The thirty-five hearths were mostly cold but at least six were ablaze, giving off plenty of heat. At the very far end on the dais sat Ser Amory and several of his high commanders, feasting and drinking. As Tyrion and his party made their way to the head table down the center aisle between the tables and benches a silence followed their footsteps until Ser Amory's companion at his side nudged him and Ser Amory noticed the new arrivals.

Tyrion had never taken much notice of the man before, as he was among the least of his father's bannermen, used for unpleasant tasks like terrorizing villagers, or killing small girls who tried to hide under their beds. Oh yes, Tyrion knew it was Ser Amory who had killed Rhaegar and Elia's daughter Rhaenys during the Sack of King's Landing, stabbing her so many times she was barely recognizable when he was done.

As silence filled the hall Ser Amory stood and raised his wine cup. Ser Amory Lorch was not tall or short, and was stout, more fat than muscle, and he had a fat face with small pig-like eyes. He wore a doublet with his black manticore sigil on it, a jeweled dagger at his side. It was not even mid afternoon and he was already drunk, Tyrion observed.

"Welcome to Harrenhal, Lord Tyrion," Ser Amory said loudly so all could hear. "Men, say hello to our newest guest, the Imp of Casterly Rock!"

That brought a few titters of laughter but mostly silence, and Tyrion knew Ser Amory had stepped too far and his men knew it as well. They were all Lannister bannermen and he was a Lannister and Ser Amory was not.

Tyrion grinned. "Yes, thank you for that most pleasant welcome, Ser Amory. I should have expected you to greet your new commander at the gates."

"New commander?" Ser Amory said in puzzlement and looked around, sloshing his wine as his body turned. "Where is he? I will surely bend the knee to him."

Tyrion grunted and then climbed the dais and turned and looked out over the crowd of men. "My good fellows, the meal is over. Please return to your duties."

For one brief moment Tyrion thought they would disobey and then he would be lost. But they all knew who he was, and many also knew he might be the lord of Casterly Rock soon. Some men took one last drink or one last bite but most quickly rose from the benches and began to file out of the hall. Tyrion turned and looked at the commanders sitting with Ser Amory. "Get out," he snarled, growing more confident, and they hastened to leave as well. Soon Ser Amory was alone with Tyrion and his men, who climbed up on the dais behind him.

Tyrion took a flagon from the head table and pour some wine into an empty cup and drank.

"The command of Harrenhal is mine," Ser Amory said as he stood glaring at Tyrion through his piggy eyes.

"You forget yourself ser and you are drunk," Tyrion replied with a cold glare at Ser Amory. "You think perhaps because my father is dead that the lion has no more claws? Think again, ser. My claws are standing with me."

"I see five men," Ser Amory said, slurring his speech. "I command three thousand!"

"Three thousand Lannister men," Tyrion replied. "Are you a Lannister? No. I, however, happen to be one. And they will obey me as you just saw. So, end this farce now or find yourself locked in a cell until you sober up and come to your senses."

"You are no commander of men!" Ser Amory snarled, pounding his fist on the table. "You burnt King's Landing! King Tommen stripped you of your office as Hand of the King. Oh, yes, we have heard of that here. Stannis will soon have us under siege and you want to be in charge? I cannot allow that! Harrenhal must not fall!"

Tyrion sighed wearily. "Shagga, Timett, escort him to the cells. You do remember where they are?"

"Aye, Halfman," Shagga said and he and Timett approached Ser Amory. His eyes bugged out and he tried to draw his dagger, but Shagga grabbed him by the arm and pulled him across the table, scattering dishes and cups everywhere, food and wine spilling on the table and floor. Timett got his other arm and they soon dragged the kicking and screaming Ser Amory off to the cells.

"That was fun," Bronn said as he stepped down from the dais and sat at a nearby table and tore a chunk of bread off a half eaten loaf.

"Not so fun," said Ser Robyn dourly. He looked at Tyrion. "He will sober up and come to his senses. He has his uses, despite his pretensions of grandeur. But he will hold a grudge, my lord."

"Then we should make him short a head. Now," the Hound snarled.

"No, I think not," Tyrion told him. "Ser Robyn is right. He has his uses. But not here. When he sobers up I will send him and some men back out looking for Hoat. Or at least patrolling the Kingsroad so Stannis does not surprise us in anyway." Tyrion sat across from Bronn. "Sit, my good men, and tell me all that has gone on here."

Ser Robyn sat next to Bronn and the Hound sat besides Tyrion. The Hound immediately reached for an ale jug and took a long drink straight from the neck.

Se Robyn began the tale of what had happened. "Ser Amory came back more than ten days past and took over, claiming a great victory over Hoat's men. Of course, the Goat slipped through his fingers, but most of his men were killed and he was all alone and no more trouble, so said Ser Amory, my lord."

Tyrion shook his head. "He should have pursued him till he was dead."

"Yes," Ser Robyn agreed. "When he arrived here he started acting like he was lord of Harrenhal. Ordering everyone about, feasting every day and going through our supplies. The storehouses have much food laid in for winter by Lady Whent's people, but they were few to begin with and did not expect first your father's army and now this smaller host. The supplies won't last another two months at this rate, my lord."

Tyrion looked around and saw he was right. Every nearby table was covered in piles of food, half eaten roasted joints of beef and mutton, piles of fresh bread, jugs of ale and wine, platters of boiled vegetables, fruits, and cakes. And this was no festival or ceremony or special occasion, just an everyday meal.

"Put an end to that at once," Tyrion told him. "We must ration the food in case there is a siege. There will also be a daily ale and wine ration for each man, not to be exceeded to avoid drunkenness."

"Aye?" said Bronn. "For you as well?"

Tyrion laughed. "No, of course not. A commander must have some privileges or the men will not think him a commander." He turned back to Ser Robyn. "What news of the war in these parts?"

"Quiet, so far," Ser Robyn told him. "We send out patrols and there is nothing to report except farmers in their fields and the odd wolf pack or two. The Riverlands are weak, and too busy getting ready for winter. Most of the Riverlands lords have returned with their men to their homelands. We have heard the men of Seagard and Eddard Stark's men have clashed with some ironmen near Seagard but they are all dead or sailed away now. Robb Stark wed one of Walder Frey's daughters as well."

"I hope he found one that did not look like her father very much," Tyrion quipped. "What news have you heard of Moat Cailin?"

"Nothing new, my lord," Ser Robyn replied. "Only that the ironmen had taken it and the Stark host was moving to attack it."

"Well, that is Ned and Robb Stark's problem, not ours. What of the road west to our homelands?" Tyrion asked next. "Is it safe?"

Ser Robyn shrugged. "Uncertain. It passes close to Riverrun and they have no love of us. I would not travel it without a large escort."

"You mean to send the Princess to the Rock?" the Hound asked as he drank more ale.

"I do," Tyrion said. "You as well."

He snorted. "Good. Sitting here is boring me to death."

"The rock will be no less boring," Tyrion replied. "And my sister is in charge there."

The Hound shrugged. "She never bothered me."

True enough, Tyrion thought. As long as he kept Joffrey safe, she had no reason to bother Sandor Clegane. But then Joffrey dismissed him, for protecting Sansa Stark. Tyrion wondered if Joffrey would still be alive if the Hound had been there. He would not have been afraid to speak bluntly to him and even drag him back from the edge of the battlements, as those other two brave Kingsguards knights had been. Or maybe the Hound would have been too close to Joffrey and flung to his death as well. As he thought on this Ser Robyn was suddenly asking about the very subject.

"How did the King die, my lord? We have heard so many rumors here."

"He fell from the city walls," Bronn told him.

"Fell?" the Hound said. "How?"

"Some idiot set off an underground store of wildfire," Tyrion replied. "We know not who did it or how it happened. The explosion burnt the city and sent Joffrey and two of your brother Kingsguard over the walls as well. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn."

"Meryn was no knight," the Hound snarled, his eyes flashing. "Beating little girls. I hope he died in pain."

"Aye, he did," Bronn told him. "Ser Jaime and I found him all mangled on the rocks below the Red Keep. Stannis' men got Joffrey's body. Had his head off and on a pike. They burnt his body."

Ser Robyn shook his head sadly. "A terrible end for our King."

The Hound snorted. "He was a little shit and don't you think otherwise, Ser Robyn. I stood by him almost every day for over a dozen years. I saw what he did and who he did it to. And kept my mouth shut and hid his crimes far too long. The cruel little bastard met a just end."

Ser Robyn reddened. "He was our King!"

"Gentlemen, please," Tyrion said wearily. "Joffrey is dead and we have a new King, hopefully made of better stuff." Tyrion finished his wine. "Well, gentlemen, that is enough reminiscing for the moment. The baths await me. And then we have work to do."

As he rose, Ser Robyn asked him the most important question, "Will Stannis march on Harrenhal?"

Tyrion shook his head. "No, not until he deals with Ser Kevan and Jaime's army that sits nearby. And I have every confidence they will defeat Stannis."

Bronn followed Tyrion to the baths as the Hound and Ser Robyn left to resumed their duties. A long hot soak did Tyrion and Bronn wonders, as did fresh clothes. Bronn of course, kept his black leather armor and his weapons on him as always. After their baths Tyrion and Bronn made their way to Lady Whent's former chambers and found Pod and Shae there, clearing out Ser Amory's belongings. Two men of Lady Whent's household were carting them out and two others were bringing Tyrion's things inside.

Soon they were done and Tyrion told Pod to go off to the baths. Bronn went with him, to get some dinner, and Tyrion was left alone with Shae. She was folding his clothes and putting them in a dresser.

"Leave that be," he said to her as he sat on the bed. "Come here."

"I need a bath as well," she said, closing the drawer on the dresser.

Tyrion nodded. "Well, then…"

"My lord," Shae said quickly as she turned to him. "What happens now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your father is dead. Do I still hide in the kitchens?"

Tyrion sighed. "Well, my sister still lives…and if she knew of you she would use this against me."

"She is far away in Casterly Rock by now."

"True, but she has a long reach."

"You fear her?"

"Not for what she would do to me, but what she would do to you."

"I can take care of myself," Shae said with steel in her voice.

He smiled slightly. "No doubt…but, she is the Queen Regent. If she tells these men here to take you in hand, they will. No, my sweet, we must continue our mummer's show for now."

"Then make me your servant. I will not go back to the kitchens."

That was the best he could do Tyrion knew. Many men who had traveled with them already knew about Shae, but he could not openly bed her or have her dine with him or sit at his side, not if he wanted to keep their respect. "As you wish. Your first order as my servant is to head to the baths and return later tonight smelling as sweet as can be."

She grinned. "And then you fuck me?"

He smiled. "But of course." He gave her a quick kiss and Shae went off to clean up. After that Tyrion waddled down to Lady Whent's solar to see what state Ser Amory had left it in.

He found it fairly clean, except for the main table, which was covered in bits of paper and parchment, and a few open books. Tyrion wondered if Ser Amory could even read. Then he noticed several small scraps of paper. Raven messages, left out in the open where any servant could see them. Now that was foolish indeed.

Tyrion sat and picked up the nearest one. A message two weeks old from Lord Edmure Tully of Riverrun concerning some prisoners to be ransomed. Tyrion tossed it to the side. Another one was from Casterly Rock, intended for his father before he marched, reporting on the reinforcements being gathered in the west. Those men were now in front of King's Landing Tyrion knew. Another, from Cersei, pleading for her father's army again, another message sent before his father had marched south. It was strange reading these notes to a dead man.

Then he looked at another one and this message peaked his interest. It was from King's Landing. It was a message from King Stannis Baratheon to the commander of Harrenhal.

"To whoever commands the Lannister men at Harrenhal, began the message. I have claimed the Iron Throne as is my right as my elder brother King Robert Baratheon had no true born heirs. I command that Harrenhal forthwith be returned to Lady Shella Whent as it is her rightful seat, taken from her in an act of war. All those presently occupying Harrenhal will be free from punishment as long as this order is carried out swiftly. Any delay will result in repercussions in the future. King Stannis Baratheon, First of his Name,…"and then came all the rest of his titles, which Tyrion ignored as he carefully re-read the message.

He knew what kind of repercussions came from Stannis. Spikes, heads, walls, that sort. Was Ser Amory getting so drunk because he feared the wrath of Stannis? Or was he drinking to build up his courage to empty the castle and march his men west to their homes? Many would like that, but it would not do for the war effort. Ser Amory had made a good show of wanting to defend Harrenhal when confronted in the Great Hall. Did he really intent to defend it or was that just a show?

Stannis should have included a promise of a lordship or a pile of gold if the castle was emptied. Maybe Ser Amory would have gone for that. Or maybe he didn't need such incentives. Maybe he had already sent his reply to King's Landing. As he was about to leave to go see the maester and find out if any ravens had been sent to King's Landing, a knock came to the solar door. A guard someone had placed there, Bronn no doubt, opened it and told him the princess wished to see him.

"By all means," Tyrion replied. He could not put her off anymore.

Myrcella entered, with the Hound directly behind her. She was all smiles and sweetness, and Tyrion was glad she did not know the horror that men like he and the Hound had to deal with.

"Come my dear," Tyrion said and she sat in a seat by the table. The Hound stood by the door, directly behind her, his face impassive. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?" Tyrion asked his niece.

"No, we had lunch not a few hours past so I am well, uncle." Tyrion was not well, as he had not eaten yet, but it could wait.

"So how are things here?" he asked her.

"A trifle dull, uncle, compared to King's Landing. But the castle is so big we spend much time exploring it and playing games." By 'we' he knew she meant her and her handmaidens.

He looked over at the Hound with a knowing look. "I make sure they stay out of the oldest and more dangerous parts," the Hound told him.

"Good," Tyrion replied. He grinned at Myrcella. "We must keep you safe."

She smiled and then her face fell a bit. "Am I going to Casterly Rock?"

"Yes. When the road is safe you and your handmaidens and Sandor Clegane and an escort of men will take you to the Rock. Your mother and King Tommen await you."

"I cannot believe Tommen is King," she said. And then she grew a bit sad. "First father died and then Joffrey. It is all so terrible."

Your father is not dead, Tyrion wanted to scream, but held his tongue. Cersei would surely pull it out if he ever told her surviving children the truth of their parentage.

"Yes, quite terrible," Tyrion replied.

"Sandor told me you told him Joffrey fell from the Red Keep into the sea. Is it true?"

"Yes. He fell. And he died."

"Oh. Did they look for him?"

"Yes." Should he tell her the rest? A bit, but not all, he decided. "Your uncle Jaime and my man Bronn saw he was dead but could not recover his body."

"So there was no funeral?"

Tyrion hadn't thought of that. No one else had either. Strange for a dead king to have no funeral. "No…not yet. I am sure your mother will do something for him in Casterly Rock."

"Yes, she must," Myrcella said. She seemed like she was upset, but at the same time, she shed no tears. Maybe she had already done so when the news had first arrived here. Or maybe she had little love for her cruel brother like Tommen.

Tyrion smiled at her. "Tommen named his donkey after Joffrey."

That made her smile as well and she even laughed a bit. Then her face fell again. "I…I have prayed to the Seven for Joffrey's soul, uncle…I tried hard to be sad he is gone…but…I am sorry."

Now Tyrion knew, remembering Tommen's words. "He was cruel to you, was he not?"

"Yes…often," Myrcella admitted in a small voice. "Once…he said he wanted to kill me."

Nothing could have shocked Tyrion more. It could not have been like that. Maybe she only imagined it. "Come, my dear, surely he only did it in jest or perhaps a fit of passing anger. He loved you and did not mean it."

"He meant it," the Hound suddenly spoke. "And would have done it if I had not stopped him."

As Tyrion stared at him in disbelief, Myrcella spoke again. "We…I…have something to tell you, uncle," Myrcella said, trying to sound formal, straightening up in her chair. "Sandor says it is time to tell the truth, that Joffrey is dead and can harm me no more. I…he…wanted to kill me when we were in Winterfell."

"Winterfell,'" Tyrion repeated, his mind a whirl. "What happened in Winterfell that angered Joffrey so much he threatened to harm you?"

"I…I…saw…," and her lip trembled and she lost her courage and the Hound stepped in.

"She saw him, talking to a strange man," the Hound said.

Tyrion had a sudden feeling he knew where this was going. "What strange man?"

"Tell him, my Princess," the Hound said to her in what passed for a gentle tone from his rough mouth.

She nodded, once, but could not look Tyrion in the eye. "Just before we left," she said, staring at the table. "I saw Joffrey in the stables, talking to the man. I was there to look at the horses. I love horses…so…I was there. I heard voices and saw them. He…gave the man a bag and I heard coins clinking in it. Then he gave the man a dagger."

"A dagger," Tyrion repeated and now he knew with certainty what she was telling him. It had been Joffrey all along. He clenched his hands into fists and struggled to control his anger.

"Then what happened?" he forced himself to ask so he wouldn't shout and scream at his dead nephew.

"The man left…I never saw his face, I don't know who he is." He is dead, not to worry, Tyrion wanted to say but only nodded and she continued. "Then Joffrey saw me. He grabbed me and threw me in the hay in one of the empty stalls and demanded to know what I saw and heard. I told him. He pulled his sword out and waved it in my face and said he would kill me. His face was so red, his eyes were so mad, and I thought he would do it. But then…then Sandor was there and he snatched the sword from Joffrey and told him…I forget the exact words."

Clegane took up the tale. "I told him if he laid a hand on the princess ever again I would tell the King all about what had just happened."

Tyrion knew Joffrey feared Robert, had known it since Robert had smashed him across the mouth when he was a boy after he had cut open a pregnant cat to see the kittens she was carrying inside.

Tyrion took a deep breath and looked at Clegane. "Did you see him give this bag and dagger to the man?"

"I was the one who found the man in the village for him," the Hound replied.

Tyrion bristled at him. "And did it ever occur to you to ask why he wanted such a man?"

The Hound snarled back at him. "I did as I was bid. I did not question. I thought he was up to one of his games again. Going to steal some treasure from the Starks or some other damn foolishness."

Tyrion shook his head in disbelief and looked at Myrcella. "You know what he paid the man for?"

"He tried to kill Bran." She said it so plainly that it was jarring to hear such words from a sweet young girl.

And there it was, after all these days and weeks and all the recriminations against him by Catelyn and Ned Stark and many others. The truth from the mouths of a young girl and a dog. "Why?" Tyrion asked, still not believing it. "What did Bran do to anger Joffrey?"

"I don't know," she replied quietly. Tyrion looked to the Hound. "He never told me either, told me to keep my mouth shut about the man. I never knew what he had done till we arrived in King's Landing and soon after you were taken by the Stark woman. After that I heard stories from the man-at-arms in the Red Keep about this dagger Lady Stark's castellan was asking about. I knew then."

"And kept your mouth shut while the realm bled!" Tyrion shouted at him.

"Piss on you, Imp!" the Hound shouted back, his scarred face full of anger, as he stepped further into the room, almost behind Myrcella's chair now. "I was his shield! I could say nothing! Would the King and your sister have given him to the Starks for judgment? NO! He was the heir to the Iron Throne! The Stark boy did not die! Best to leave it be."

"Meanwhile I was almost killed because of this foolishness!" Tyrion shouted back. Myrcella winced as they shouted and she looked frightened and Tyrion slowly calmed himself. "Forgive me, my dear. I grew angry."

"It's my fault as well," she said, real tears in her eyes now. "I should have said something. But…I was scared."

He patted her hand. "No, my dear. It is Joffrey's fault. All of it. What happened to Bran, to me, to the kingdoms. He is gone now. There is no need to be frightened anymore."

She nodded and wiped her eyes. Tyrion looked at the Hound. "Take her to her quarters."

The Hound hesitated. "What will you do now you know the truth?"

That was a very good question. "Do? I should shout it from the highest battlements of this monstrosity of a castle so the whole realm knows I am innocent."

"Mother will be angry if you blame Joffrey," Myrcella said at once and Tyrion knew it to be true.

"Yes, my dear sweet sister will not like any of us accusing her dead son of attempted murder. I need think on this. Myrcella, get some rest, my dear. I will see you tomorrow."

After that the Hound left with her and for a long time Tyrion sat and brooded on what to do. Tell Cersei, and she will demand to know his evidence and when he tells her, she will scare Myrcella into silence and most likely send men in the night to kill the Hound. Tell the Starks and they will bristle and scream for justice. But what justice can they get from a dead King? But he must tell someone, so his innocence in this matter is never in doubt again. After some time he knew the only solution was to have the Hound and Myrcella put down their account on paper with ink. Then at least Tyrion would have that to back him up if he ever faced a trial over this matter.

Again a knock came to the solar door and the guard opened it. "Kitchen boy with food for you, my lord."

"Send him in." Tyrion was starving, and his mouth watered at the thought of food.

The boy came in and Tyrion recognized the chubby lad right away. It was Hot Pie.

"My lord," he said as he entered the room with a large basket.

"Hot Pie, correct?"

"Yes, my lord. Where shall I put the food?"

"Here, in front of me. I am famished. Who sent you?"

"Serving woman with black hair…I think she was with you last time you were here. Shae, I think her name is, my lord," Hot Pie replied. "Said you hadn't eaten yet."

Tyrion had to grin. Shae was looking out for him. Hot Pie placed a plate and fork and knife on the table in front of Tyrion and then took out a steaming stuffed capon wrapped in linen and then unwrapped it and placed it on the plate. He added a bowl full of buttered boiled potatoes and carrots, a small dish of fried onions, a small loaf of warm bread, two sweet jam tarts and a flagon of wine with a clean cup.

"Thank you, my good fellow," Tyrion said as he poured some wine. The boy went to turn but hesitated. "Was there something else?"

He seemed about to speak, stopped, and then spoke in a rush. "Do you remember me, my lord?"

"Of course. With a name like yours how could I forget? I thought you were going to Winterfell with the Starks?"

"I was, my lord. But I got to liking it here so I stayed. You remember Arry and Gendry, too?"

"Arry?"

"Arya, I mean. Lady Stark, except she didn't like that name."

"Yes, I recall," Tyrion said and then he knew what he wanted. "You want news of them, yes?"

"Yes, my lord. Sorry for asking."

"Not to worry. Let's see. The last I heard the Stark army was heading for Moat Cailin, so if they are with them that is where they are. Oh, and Arya's brother Robb got married to a Frey girl. That's all I know."

"Did Arya get married as well?"

Tyrion had his wine cup almost to his lips but stopped. "Arya? Married? Isn't she a bit young?"

"Gendry told me she was promised to one of the Frey boys, my lord."

Tyrion now understood what had happened. Robb and Arya Stark were promised to some Frey whelps for the use of Walder's Frey's bridge so they could bugger my father and brother's army, Tyrion thought. "No, I have not heard if she married. Though I doubt her parents would allow it until she becomes a woman."

"I guess so," Hot Pie replied and he sounded relieved.

"Had your eye on her, did you?"

He flushed. "No, my lord. I'm too low born anyways. But…Gendry liked her a lot."

Oh, that was interesting. But he knew the stern Lady Catelyn would never let her youngest daughter have anything to do with a bastard, even if he was the son of a dead king. "Yes, she was a likable young girl. Well, again, thank you for the food."

He dipped his head. "Thank you for telling me about them, my lord." And then he left.

Alone at last, Tyrion ate with gusto, his mind still filled with what Myrcella and the Hound had told him. As he ate he looked at the raven message from King's Landing again. No, I have not forgotten about you Ser Amory.

After he ate his full, Tyrion took the message and made his way down to the court yard. Bronn was there, teaching Pod some swordplay. "My dinner dishes need clearing away, Pod," he told the squire and the lad ran into the tower to take care of it. "Come Bronn, I need have words with the maester and then Ser Amory. Let's find Ser Robyn as well."

They found Ser Robyn shortly and made their way to the maester's quarters, Tyrion explaining what was in the message from King's Landing as they walked. After a quick conversation with the maester they made their way to the cells. They found Ser Amory asleep in a cell, all by himself, lying in a corner in a pile of straw. Tyrion nodded to Bronn who kicked Ser Amory in the shins.

"Wake up, you piece of shit," Bronn snarled. "The commander has some questions for you."

Ser Amory awoke, shook his head and blinked, and slowly stood up, a bit unsteady. "What does the commander want of me now?" he asked, his words slow and his body unsteady.

"To cut off your head," Tyrion told him. "For treason."

Ser Amory stared from one to the other, now more awake. "What treason? I am a loyal…"

"Spare me your false loyalty," Tyrion said strongly. "We have just come from the maester. We know what you wrote to Stannis."

Now Ser Amory suddenly seemed to sober up as well. "Whatever he told you, it's a falsehood. He wrote all the letters. He was the one who sent them. I am a loyal servant of House Lannister!"

"Loyal?" Tyrion said in mock surprise. "You told him to write to Stannis asking what terms he would offer for the surrender of Harrenhal!"

"It's a lie! I would never! The maester just wants Lady Whent to come back. He wrote that message. Not me!"

Ser Robyn bristled. "He wrote it by your command!"

"Lies! I would never be disloyal!"

"I think you think we are going to lose this war," Tyrion told him. "You're looking for a new liege lord now that my father is dead. I suppose you would rather bend the knee to Stannis."

Now Ser Amory suddenly seem to find some backbone and he snarled. "Better than bending the knee to you, Imp!"

Tyrion snorted. "That sounds like a confession of guilt. What shall we do with him?"

"Hang him," said Bronn in a bored voice.

"He must have a trial first," said Ser Robyn quickly. "Or the men will grumble."

"Yes, that would be best," Tyrion replied. "I suppose once we receive Stannis' answer we will know of his guilt for certain."

With these words, Ser Amory's pig-like eyes bulged and in a sudden movement that surprised Tyrion he reached for the dagger on Ser Robyn's belt. In a second he had it out and it was thrusting towards Tyrion's throat, as Ser Amory snarled in rage. "DIE IMP!"

But Tyrion didn't die and Ser Amory did, with three feet of Bronn's blade buried in his bowels and out his back. He screamed as the steel bit into him, and then with a foul stench his bowels released and he fell to the floor of the cell and lay there in agony.

"Finish him," Tyrion told Bronn and then Bronn stabbed him through the heart and he was dead.

As Bronn wiped the blood and viscera from his sword, Ser Robyn retrieved his dagger. "My apologies my lord. He should never have taken it from me."

"Not to worry," Tyrion replied. "That is why Bronn is here. Come, before the stench he made chokes us all. Let us find someone to dispose of him. Then I think I shall get drunk. Bronn, join me."

Word of Ser Amory's death spread quickly and by nightfall the whole castle knew he had tried to kill Tyrion and had failed. They also knew that he had planned to betray the castle to Stannis and all were angry about that. No one would miss Ser Amory Lorch.

Tyrion drank heavily with Bronn in Lady Whent's solar and he told him all about the Hound and Myrcella's story. He had to tell someone or he would explode and it may as well be Bronn.

"So you were innocent all along?" Bronn asked and Tyrion rolled his eyes.

"Of course! How many times do I have to tell you?"

Bronn shrugged. "No more now." He drank some wine and then refilled his cup. At that moment the door opened and Shae arrived. "Ah, that is my signal to leave," Bronn said and he bid them good night, taking his cup with him.

She was clean and fresh and smelling sweet and after his brush with death she fussed over him and cursed him for being stupid and then made love to him as if it was their last night together.

The next three days were uneventful, and Tyrion spent them looking over the defenses of Harrenhal, checking supplies, and dealing with many minor issues. Pod and Bronn went off to find the sewer entrance again and make it more secure. Bronn grumbled about this but went anyway and soon the task was done. Ser Robyn suggested Tyrion start dining with the men in the Great Hall to know them better and Tyrion knew he was right and so it became his habit to dine with some of the men for lunch and dinner each day. The fare was not as good as under Ser Amory but there was still enough food so no one grumbled too much. Ser Robyn also set up a training schedule so the men would not be bored, and Tyrion even opened up Lady Whent's coin vault and gave the men some overdue back pay from her piles of coins, which made him quite popular. Of course, his wild folk wanted their share as well and when they complained that he was not being generous enough he reminded them they had already been well paid by his uncle.

Each day he inspected the men in the morning, and heard the reports of returning patrols in the early evening. The nights were for Shae, however, and each evening she came to him. They drank and talked and she rubbed his legs and shoulders and lay with him and all was right with the world for a little while.

On the fourth day since his arrival at Harrenhal dawn came and Tyrion awoke. He had a bit of a hangover but he knew he had to get up to greet the day and take care of things. He was commander, after all. He stood and pulled on his small clothes and shift. He quickly awoke Shae and without being told she knew she had to leave. She dressed and there came a knock to his door before she could get out.

"Not to worry, you are my servant," Tyrion said. "Just…do some cleaning."

"As my lord commands," Shae said with a sigh and then started picking up some of his clothing from the floor where he had hastily disrobed the night before.

"Come," Tyrion said to the door and then the maester came in.

"A message my lord, from your brother. A rider came in just before dawn."

"Give it to me." The maester handed over the unopened scroll and left, not even glancing at Shae. Tyrion broke the wax seal and opened the scroll and quickly read as Shae hovered nearby.

"Dearest brother. I have news of the war. First, Lord Varys has gone missing, the day after you left. If you see him on the road somewhere, make sure you kill him before he can reveal all our secrets. Uncle Kevan thinks he has gone over to Stannis, but I think he has just run away, worried over his bald head. Whatever the case, his talents are sorely missed. We attacked King's Landing three days after you left. We took the Lion Gate for a short time, after a party went sneaking in through the tunnels you escaped through, but we were beaten back eventually. The earthworks by the Dragon Gate we stormed as well and took them after heavy losses but then Stannis' men dropped wildfire on us from the walls and we had to retreat from that hot corner as well. We are now in a state of siege. We are close to the city in entrenchments and have many heavy catapults pounding the walls and city. We must make a wide enough breach for enough men to storm it at one go to make it count. How long this can last I know not. But we must take the city before winter comes. We have word that Highgarden may rise against us. You must make sure the Riverlands lords stay home. I will write again soon. Jaime."

Tyrion re-read it and then sighed. "What news?" Shae asked.

"War, more damnable war." He handed her the scroll and she quickly read.

"Fuck. Varys is gone! He knows everything!"

"Quite. I am thinking Jaime has the right of it. The eunuch worried over who would win and then decided that both sides would see him dead eventually. But where would he go?"

"East," Shae said quickly. "He told me he was from Myr."

"Really? Surely you did not get that from pillow talk."

She gave him a stern looked. "Your pillow is the only one my head rests on. Besides, he is not a man. He told me when he asked me about my life."

"Your life? I know little of that story."

"It is quite boring."

"That I cannot imagine." He knew hardly anything about her except she came from the east. Not even what city or land.

"Someday I will tell you. But now, what do we do?"

He took the scroll from her and placed it on a nearby table. "First, we eat breakfast. Then I must tell the others what is happening in King's Landing. After that, we wait. Soon news may come of a great victory at King's Landing."

"And if not?"

"If not?" he repeated. "If Highgarden enters this war again, then the Lannister army must break the siege to defeat them. And the siege fails and we have a stalemate. If the rains and snows come before they can win, then the siege will fail and we still have a stalemate. But if Stannis defeats them and scatters them to the winds, we will be next in line to feel his wrath."

"Then we should run!"

"Oh, not to worry my dear. I have no intention of waiting here for Stannis to lop my head off and put it on a spike on these high walls. When the time comes we shall definitely run."

"Where?"

"East. Now, I think it is time you told me more about where you are from. I have a feeling we might end up there some day."