Chapter 5

As soon as her brother left, Cersei moved to put the baby back in his crib. The fool had been reluctant to give him back and even more reluctant to leave. Cersei wobbled only slightly as she deposited the child in his crib, pulling the blanket over him. Silently, she cursed herself for drinking too much wine. It had been a while since she could drink, and this birth had caused her no end of problems - it was only right she indulge.

In truth Cersei was going increasingly bored of her chambers and was keen to see her other children. What to do with the baby though? Staring into the crib, she couldn't help but notice the look of contentment on his face as he slept. He was such a cheerful baby. Tommen had been a quiet baby and even now was a quiet child. Joffrey had fussed and cried constantly for attention which she had eagerly given him, he was her first born after all. Myrcella was so calm and beautiful when she was born, you couldn't help but love her. But Cersei's new-born had his own charm. With his smiling face, and constant giggles Cersei knew he had charmed both of her hand maids who would coo at him when they thought she couldn't see. Even the wet nurse would smile and tickle him during feeds, much to the baby's delight.

Cersei couldn't do enjoy him though. He was a Lannister baby, of that there was no doubt. If he was not a dwarf, Cersei was certain she would be smitten with him too. Instead, she could barely look at him. Tyrion had probably held him for longer than she had. She felt a prickle of irritation at the thought of her brother. The imp had reminded her of Jamie at Joffrey's birth. The way Tyrion had held the baby as if afraid he would disappear.

Stepping away from the cradle, Cersei absently started to tidy her rooms. It was a job for her hand maids really, but Cersei needed a distraction. Tommen and Myrcella would come and meet their brother soon. The Queen Regent knew that disposing of the child after introducing it to her other children would be very difficult. She knew Tyrion had been right, no matter how much she denied it, Jamie would not allow her to hurt the child if he were here.

'But you're not here are you?' she thought bitterly, adding more empty wine flagons to her increasingly large pile

There was no point thinking about what Jamie might have said or done in this situation, all that matters is what she chooses to do. Agreeing to let Tommen and Myrcella come was, perhaps, a moment of weakness but she hated to think of them worrying. No doubt she would be forced to suffer her little brother again too.

Heading to the door of her chamber, Cersei asked the guard to summon her hand maid and the wet nurse. She might as well make herself look the part of Queen regent after spending the past few days in her robes and nightwear. Besides the baby needed to be fed, so he would hopefully be cheerful when Tommen and Myrcella came to visit.

It had been a few hours since he'd left Cersei's room and headed to the library. With the threat of Stannis attacking Kings Landing, Tyrion thought it best to research past conflicts and strategies in preparation. Despite his best efforts to stay on task Tyrion had found his thoughts quickly drifting back to his new nephew. He knew the child was not his, but Tyrion couldn't deny he felt protective of him. Cersei and Jamie were similar on the surface, and to outsiders there personalities were undoubtedly similar but Tyrion knew that wasn't true. Yes, they were both self-absorbed and Casterly rock could barely contain both of their egos, but they were also opposite in many things. Cersei cared nothing for others opinions and had an undeniable cruel streak. She was a woman capable of doing dark deeds without suffering any guilt from her actions. Jamie projected a similar image, but Tyrion knew it was false. His elder brother was capable of great kindness and it bothered him to be known as the kingslayer. Tyrion had listened to his brothers doubts after slaying the mad king. The charming Jamie Lannister had questioned if he had done the right thing and been wracked with guilt for breaking his vow. That wasn't the Jamie the world had seen however, and Tyrion felt honoured his brother would remove his golden lion mask to him and share his inner thoughts. It humanised Jamie in a way Cersei never could be. That was why he had to protect his nephew. Jamie had a right to know his son, and Tyrion would fight tooth and nail to protect the child until his brother could.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the library and pulled Tyrion from his thoughts as he turned to find Pod standing a little way behind him.

"Sorry to bother you my lord, but you asked me to get you for dinner"

"It's that time already?" said Tyrion in surprise. Surely he hadn't sat here daydreaming through the whole afternoon?

"It is my lord" confirmed Pod "Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella are on their way to your chambers which have been prepared for dinner"

"Time slipped away from me it seems" Tyrion said standing from his chair and stretching the stiffness from his body "You can have this evening to yourself Pod, I have family matters to attend to"

"As you wish my lord"

Podrick left as Tyrion hastily tidied his work away and began the journey back to his chambers. He'd decided it was best to not tell the children what their brother was. It was Cersei's place to tell them, and Tyrion did not want to risk his sister's wrath.

Heading into his chambers he found Tommen and Myrcella already sitting at the table with their Septa hovering around them.

"Nephew! Niece!" he exclaimed, forcing a grin on his face "You may retire for the evening Septa, I will take care of them"

The sour faced septa turned her grim expression to him "As you wish, my lord" she said with a small bow.

Tyrion had no idea why his sister would choose such a miserable, old septa for her children, but he knew it couldn't be much fun for them. Taking his place at the table, Tyrion quickly filled his plate from the large spread as the children followed his lead. He could feel them watching him, both too polite to ask him outright if he had visited their mother but wanting the answer all the same. Honestly, they were so meek and timid at times it was hard to believe they were related to Cersei or Joffrey.

"Have you both had good days?" he asked politely, determined to make them ask him outright

"Yes Uncle" they said nodding in unison

"How was your day?" asked Myrcella, and Tyrion had to hide his smile. She was the bolder of the two.

"Informative, my dear. Did you know King Aegon built Kings Landing from where his ships first landed after leaving Dragonstone?" Tyrion asked, sipping his wine

"Yes Uncle. He expanded from the fort he built when he first arrived" answered Tommen, much to Tyrion's surprise

"There's a clever lad! Well done Tommen" he praised as Myrcella beamed at her little brother in pride. The young prince smiled shyly and Tyrion felt his heart soften. They were such good children. He half expected it was due to their mothers attention being fixed on Joffrey, as he was the first in line to the throne. Cersei had spoilt and indulged him far too much and it had turned him into a callous, cruel King.

Their dinner continued with idle conversation between them, until the last of the food was finished and the wine was empty. Tyrion could practically feel the question they were desperate to ask, and part of him felt cruel for not just telling them, but he was their uncle and he wanted them to know they could ask him anything. Besides, they hadn't hesitated to ask him to visit their mother on their behalf, though he suspected it was fear and worry that had pushed them this morning.

"Well, if you two are full I suppose you'll want to go back to your rooms" he said idly, sitting back in his chair

The children exchanged a look.

"Uncle, we know you're very busy but have you by chance heard about Mother?" asked Myrcella timidly

"At last" Tyrion said, rocking forwards in his chair "What took you both so long to ask? I know I'm called the Imp and a monster, but I do not in fact eat children. Least of all my beloved niece and nephew"

Myrcella blushed as Tommen mumbled "We know Mother doesn't like you"

"Your mother seems immune to my charm, I'll admit, but I promised you both I would find out what I could" Tyrion said, with a wink. Tommen was exactly right, but it wouldn't do to admit such a thing. He would not turn them against their mother; he was not the monster Cersei made him out to be.

"We told Septa Morgan we asked you to visit Mother, but she told us mothers need rest after giving birth and we shouldn't have bothered you with it" explained Myrcella, lowering her eyes

Annoyance flared in Tyrion. They were the Prince and Princess, they needed to learn to ask questions or else they would spend their lives as puppets, with their mother pulling the strings.

"My dear, I'm not sure how many times I need tell you both you can ask me anything. I'm your uncle, it's part of the job description" he said, grinning at them both "that and telling amazing stories"

Tommen nodded "We love your stories, Uncle"

Now that both children had perked up, Tyrion decided to turn the conversation back to their new sibling. Cersei wasn't one to be kept waiting and would surely be keen to see her children.

"Now, about your mother. She is well, and resting with the baby"

"Is it a brother or sister?" asked Myrcella excitedly, as both children grinned in delight

"You'll have to see for yourselves. We are going to see them after dinner" Tyrion said, happy to watch the children excitement

"I hope it's a sister" said Tommen after a moment's thought

"Really?" asked Tyrion with interest "You don't want a little brother?"

Tommen seemed unsure and glanced at his sister.

"We're worried a boy might be like Joff" whispered Myrcella, as if the King might appear at the mention of his name

At that Tyrion laughed "I wouldn't worry on that count children. I don't think anyone could be quite like your older brother"