39 The little lion

The little lion

Tyrion POV

What in the seven hells was going on? I pushed through men on the walls to my uncle Stafford. After hearing that Stannis started to retreat, I ran straight from the Red Keep to the city's walls. My legs were burning in pain before I found my uncle.

"Tyrion, what are you doing there?" He asked after seeing me.

"Nothing just wanted to sightsee," I answered after taking a few breathers.

"There is nothing for you to see. You should go back."

"I have to disagree, uncle. Seeing Stannis' army retreat is quite a sight."

So, it was true. I watched as men boarded Stannis' ships and the tents were taken down. It was an orderly retreat. But why? That damn spider Varys didn't say anything for some time right now. Apparently, no little birds could bring him the news as the siege went on. I bet he knows something but is trying to hide his true capabilities.

"You should return, Tyrion," Uncle Stafford suggested.

"I have no duties today left. I can at least watch, can't I?"

"Suit yourself."

Uncle Stafford was becoming colder to me with each day. Unsurprisingly, Cersei was working hard to have him on her side. That meant that he had to be my enemy. At least, that is what he and Cersei were thinking.

And he dares to accuse me of misbehaving with my family. Cersei only needed a few weeks to turn him to her side. I knew he wasn't exceptional at anything, but at least I thought he would see through Cersei's lies. At least he could be more distrustful of her.

"We should attack them," I said after a few moments of silence. "We have a cavalry of about seven thousand. If they are retreating, that would mean my father has returned. We could charge through Stannis camp and join my father."

"Even if lord Tywin has returned, he won't have many men."

"That's why we should join up with him."

"You know nothing of wars, Tyrion. Stannis is setting up a trap for us."

It wasn't wrong to think that way. We all knew that my father had no more than ten thousand exhausted men. Stannis wouldn't retreat from that, his men were fresh, and he had three times more. He is only withdrawing because the Tyrells have accepted my offer and are coming. But only I knew that.

"Give me a few thousand men, and we will ride burning their camp," I said. "Just like Theon Greyjoy did with the Mountain's camp. While they are distracted, we should use this chance."

"It is too risky, and if someone were going, it would be the Mountain."

I needed to do this. I know that the moment my father sets foot into this city, my position as the Master of the Coin will be gone. There was no way my father would keep me close to him. He might even send me back to Casterly Rock to die by Theon's hand.

I needed to contribute to this war in one way or another to keep my position. If I can't do this, I will be replaced, and the new Master of the Coin will buy out the Goldcloaks I worked so hard to get. I couldn't let this chance pass by me.

"People need to see a Lannister fighting for them," I told my uncle. "We have been defeated too many times, and people are questioning our capabilities. We need to prove them wrong. Won't you trust me, uncle?"

"You are no warrior," He said. "And I won't risk the men."

"King Stannis is right there, uncle. If we could kill him, the war would end. The Stormlanders will not serve a little girl. The Riverlanders will have no choice but to kneel to us. The Vale would follow soon enough. We would only need to deal with the North."

"And with the Iron Islands," Uncle added.

"I not so sure," I replied. "I gave lord Balon Greyjoy an offer that would be hard for him to reject."

"Does Lord Tywin know of it?"

"How could I possibly contact him? Why do you think the Iron Islands have not yet joined the war? Give me five thousand men, and Stannis' camp will burn. Even if we lose, you will have enough men to defend the walls."

"Even if it is a trap, if we manage to burn his camp, we will buy some time," It seems that my uncle finally agreed with me. "Then I should take command of these men and ride out."

"It is as you said, uncle. It is too risky. We need you to defend the walls. If I die, nobody will care. My father wouldn't mind hearing news of my death," I needed this more than him. I required glory to survive. "I know how to ride. Give me a command, and it will be done."

"I don't know."

"We need this victory, uncle. The family's name is on the brink of ruin. We have no choice but take risks."

"Fine, take the Goldcloaks. They are the least useful."

Finally, I don't need a big victory, and there is no way I would go after Stannis. I only needed to make some fires in this camp and then spread the rumors about how bravely I fought. It was the only choice for me to keep my position. To save my life.

…

I took some time to prepare the men and horses. By the time we were ready, it was clear that Stannis was not faking his retreat. It was now or never. I needed to attack him. It would be dangerous for me if word goes around how the Tyrells and the Reach saved the Lannisters.

The gates opened, and my hands started to tremble in fear. One mistake and I am dead, but I had to do something. If I wanted Casterly Rock to belong to me, I had to risk my life for it. No matter what, I will not give up what rightfully belongs to me.

"Attack," I yelled and started to ride.

It took only moments for me to fall behind. It was fine. There was no way I would rush into a battle. The Tyrells should be close by now. I only needed to last till they showed up and then take credit for defeating Stannis.

…

It was hard even to know what was going on. I could barely see anything. I only heard yelling and steel clashing against each other. I held my axe as hard as I could. My shield was on my back. There was no way I could control my horse by having both my weapon and shield.

The clashes became louder, but finally, I could see smoke rising. We didn't need to fight to the end. We only needed to set a few tents to fire and join the Tyrells. I can do this. I will do this. At least I felt like that before I was knocked off my horse and landed on my shield.

"What a damn dwarf doing there," I had no idea who he was, but he sounded furious. "I will kill you. I will kill all of you."

While he was yelling, I stood up and took my shield. It surprised the man that I stood up so quickly. The things my uncle Gerion taught me when I was little are finally helpful. There was no way I could defeat the man, so I only hid behind my shield as he slashed at me.

Only a few hits in, and I felt my arms go weak. I started to question myself, why was I even here? If only I had been born normal, I wouldn't have to suffer so much. If only I were taller, my arms and legs longer. Then I could fight, but now I could only hide behind my shield and hope someone would save me.

"Die, die, die."

I dropped my shield after a few more strikes. Was this the end? What in the Seven Hells was I doing here? I should have just stayed with my uncle and waited for my father. My father would come with the Tyrells and save us. I would have been saved and shamed for the rest of my life, made fun of, and not acknowledged by anyone.

"No, you die," I yelled and threw my axe at him.

I didn't expect anything from this desperate action. Definitely not for the axe to be stuck on his neck. Did my small arms save me by throwing the axe sideways? First time in my life, I felt so grateful to be born as I was.

Yes, I am still Tyrion Lannister, even if I am a dwarf. I am the son of Tywin Lannister, lord of the Westerlands. I am the heir to Casterly Rock. I will not die or be disposed of so easily. Clearing my mind, I quickly got my shield up and hid behind a fallen horse.

The battle was over before I knew it, with yells all around. Stannis has fled, I have won, and the Tyrells were still not here. This was my victory. No one will deny it. Nobody will take it away from me.

…

When the Tyrells showed up, they found only a burned camp. I was surprised to see my father and my brother with them. I looked down at them from up the walls. They were too late. All the glory had already become mine and mine alone.

Uncle Stafford was the first to greet my father as he entered the city. After him, I went up to welcome the new arrivals too. I already have paid off the Goldcloaks to spread rumors of how I led a small force to drive away Stannis' army. Now I only needed to keep my head up proudly. There was no way my position could be threatened.

"Father, brother, I am glad to see you come back to us safe and well."

"As well as one could imagine," Jaime replied.

At first, I didn't understand what he meant, but when he climbed off his horse, I saw him limp toward me. His leg was injured, and from how hard Jaime tried to hide the pain in his face, I could tell he was severely wounded. All happiness from my victory disappeared and was replaced with worry for Jaime.

"Tyrion Lannister," Before Jaime could enjoy his time with me, a knight came to me. "Where is my brother? Where is Loras Tyrell?"

"He is in the city," I realized it was ser Garlan Tyrell. "Don't look at me like this. As I stated in my letter, ser Loras Tyrell was never our captive. He was free to do as he wished. He roamed the city from the beginning, as he didn't feel like staying in the Red Keep all alone. Stannis prevented him from leaving."

For the first time in my life, I saw a slight smile on my father's lips when he heard my words. He instantly realized that I used the fact that Loras wasn't captured to my advantage to have a friendly relationship with the Tyrells. Now I only hoped that Loras was alive. But even if he wasn't, Tyrrels had already chosen their side.

"Jaime, Tyrion, come, we are going to the Red Keep," My father said, and we listened.

On the way to the Red Keep, I never stopped talking to Jaime. He told me that he had broken his leg badly at the siege of Golden Tooth. A log had fallen on his leg, and he was dragged back to the camp by his father's men. It still wasn't clear if the leg would heal fully.

"Father, brother, you have returned safely," Cersei greeted us at the gates of the Red Keep.

My father only nodded to her and rode past her. At first, I wondered where he was going, but soon I discovered he rode straight to the Throne room. I followed behind him, but I wasn't riding. At the Throne room, my father greeted Joffrey, still on the horse, then turned away and left.

"It seems our father doesn't have time for formalities," I commented and again followed my father.

Cersei wasn't too happy about his actions, and Joffrey was furious, but neither could say anything. Just in mere moments, my father established his superiority over others. I followed my father with my sibling to the Tower of the Hand.

"My lord, my lord," Just as we faced each other and father wanted to say something, a messenger rushed into the room. "My lord, Stannis has crushed Lord Crakehall and his host. Now Stannis and his cavalry are moving to the Westerlands along the Goldroad."

It was shocking news to us, at least to me. Who would have thought Stannis would not go back to Stormlands or Dragonstone but march to the Westerlands? It was reckless action by all accounts, yet it was a brilliant tactic. The Westerlands had no men to defend themselves from Stannis. Looking at my father, I shivered in fear as I never in my life have seen such a cold expression on my father's face.