The Birth of Dragons

Tyrion Lannister

The war was raging; the effects were being felt by all. Tyrion was not sure how he felt about all of this. He knew exactly what Benjen would say should he go and ask him, and he knew what Renly had said. They would remind him of the oaths he had sworn long ago, back when it seemed as if Robert would live forever. Robert was dead now, and Tyrion felt as if his life was dangling by a thread. He was not a fool, he knew his nephew did not like him, that Lord Tywin's letter naming him as acting hand was the only thing keeping him alive right now, but once his lord father came to King's Landing, he was doomed, and that, that was a terrifying thought. It did not help that that was the thought that constantly plagued him as he sat and listened to council business, like today.

"Ser Jaime has written from the Riverlands, my lord." Grand Maester Pycelle says, his tone onerous. "He states that in his fight with the southern Riverlords led by Lord Darry he managed to defeat them quite convincingly and has now advanced further afield toward Harrenhal."

Tyrion nods, he'd never doubted that his brother would defeat Darry, Jaime was a good fighter, whilst Darry was simply hot headed. However, before he can voice that thought, his sister speaks, her tone petulant. "Why is he heading toward Harrenhal? Father is at Riverrun, surely he should be heading there?"

Tyrion feels like slapping his sister for such a stupid question, instead he grits his teeth and says. "He is heading to Harrenhal to ensure that Lady Whent does not try anything. She might not have that many men, or enough to pose a significant threat, but Harrenhal is an important castle and very resource heavy. Should this war last longer than we think it will, we shall need those resources."

His sister snorts and responds. "You do not sound as confident as I think we'd like brother. After all, Darry and his army are dead or buried. Furthermore, father has managed to break the back of the Riverlords army that was gathered at the border with the West."

"That is true." Tyrion concedes, thinking over the reports that had come regarding the brutal battle near the tooth, of how Lord Tywin's forty thousand strong army had completely decimated the smaller host of Ser Edmure Tully. "However, Riverrun will not be so easy to overrun. Ser Edmure might be a prisoner, but Lord Blackwood is a stubborn old man, and he will not bend so easily."

"He will if the girls are threatened." Baelish says then, his eyes gleaming with some hidden malice. "Lord Blackwood is a chivalrous old fool, and the Stark girls are his liege lord's granddaughters, they will hold sway over him. The moment one of them feels weak, he will surrender."

Tyrion sees his sister smile then, and he feels a slight chill run through him at the sight. "I think I know just who that could be." A moment pause, then his sister continues. "The eldest Stark girl, Sansa, she has always been a delicate flower, give her about two weeks under siege, and she shall start cracking. Further to this, I do get the impression that she never got over Joffrey and their betrothal falling through."

Tyrion looks at his sister surprised. "You would bait her with something that would not happen?"

"If it means we can end this front of the war and focus on Stannis, then yes, yes I would." His sister replies unashamedly.

"And what of Stannis, what is it that he has been doing exactly?" Tyrion asks, looking directly at Varys.

The eunuch smirks at that. "He's been sitting on his hands, gathering swords, and money to his side. It seems he has determined to make use of the Red Priestess and her swords."

"So has he converted then? Are the rumours true?" Tyrion asks.

"I do not think anyone can ever truly gather whether or not Stannis Baratheon believes in any form of religion. He is quite like his younger brother in that regard. He will use whatever tool he can to get to where he can, so long as his principles are not compromised." The eunuch responds.

Tyrion thinks over this, before saying. "We can use this to our advantage. The faith has been too silent for some time now; it is time we used this to our advantage. I do believe that if we can make the louts in Baelor's Sept see just how poisonous the red god is to them and what they stand for, they will rally more support for us."

"That is a very dangerous game to play, brother, the Faith are notoriously fickle in their allegiances." His sister points out.

"Furthermore, there is a lot of pressure coming from Oldtown as well, for the Faith to remain neutral." Baelish points out.

"No doubt that is the doing of the Tyrells and the Hightowers." His sister responds with disgust. She looks at him then and asks. "What have you actually learned from Renly Baratheon? Has he said anything of use?"

At this Tyrion sighs, remembering his friend's haunted eyes, the fearful expression on his face as he had asked about Loras Tyrell, and his relief when he learned that Tyrell was free. Tyrion runs a hand over his face, and then replies. "He says little and less. He knows we are fighting a war, and that we have offered the Tyrells terms. But other than that he says nothing."

"Perhaps if you were to use some more persuasive manners of questioning you might get him to talk?" Baelish asks suggestively.

"No!" Tyrion says firmly. Then a bit calmer. "I do not think such a thing would be of benefit to us. Not if we want him and the Stormlords to remain on our side."

"And how long might that be for?" his sister asks.

"Truthfully sister, I do not know, and that is what worries me." Tyrion replies honestly.