Chapter 16

My lord? I'm supposed to wake you" called the voice of Podrick Payne as Tyrion peeled his eyes open. Light filtered into the room from the single window and the worried face of his squire loomed over him.

"Good morning Podrick" drawled Tyrion, stifling a yawn

"Apologies for waking you my Lord, but the Queen asked me to help you get ready for court"

"What should I wear for my execution? Do you think I'll have to wear the same outfit for eternity in whichever of the seven hells I end up in?" Tyrion pondered, watching Pod flinch at the question. The squire went about the room laying out clothes for him.

"I don't know, my Lord" the squire answered quietly, not looking at Tyrion

Tyrion shifted into an upright position, feeling slightly guilty for upsetting Pod - the boy had always been loyal to him.

"Come now Pod! When I'm gone perhaps you'll get to squire for a Knight and gain a Knighthood for yourself someday" said Tyrion, trying to inject some enthusiasm in his voice

Podrick wouldn't look at him as he said "If that would please you, my lord"

"It would" he agreed. Podrick would make a better Knight than half the Knights in Kings Landing with the right time and training.

After more than a week in bed, Tyrion's body trembled as he pushed himself out of bed. He swayed on his feet as his battered body groaned with the effort.

"Please my Lord, let me help you" Podrick said, hurrying to steady Tyrion

"I don't think I've got much choice Pod, I can barely stand"

It took a while but eventually Tyrion was outfitted with breeches and a loose tunic in the traditional Lannister red and gold that went over his broken arm. Podrick had asked him if he wanted a walking stick to move about, but Tyrion had adamantly refused. The effort to get dressed had exhausted Tyrion after so long being inactive and he was almost ready to go back to bed, but he was determined to meet his fate with dignity and stand as proud as he could. His nephew was safe; that was all that mattered. His mind wandered back to his sister's visit the day before and he regretted not asking her how she planned to protect the child from Joffrey in the future. Perhaps she was hoping their father would arrive soon and rein Joffrey in? There had been an odd peace between them yesterday, and Tyrion had been loath to break it just to satisfy his curiosity.

"Are you ready Lord Tyrion?" asked Podrick, waiting by the door

"I suppose" he answered, turning to face Podrick. The boy wouldn't look him in the eye, but Tyrion had to say something to his faithful squire "Podrick, you've been the most loyal squire a man could hope for. Thank you for everything you've done for me; you'll make a fine Knight someday"

"I enjoy serving you, my Lord" Podrick mumbled, quickly pulling the door open and hiding his face as Tyrion passed him. Outside the door, two guards stood waiting, helms down with one hand resting on their swords. He wasn't expecting an armed escort to be waiting for him. A flicker of fear ignited in Tyrion as the guards moved to stand either side of him. They weren't particularly close to him, but their presence was intimidating enough. 

'Well, this is it' Tyrion thought, as he started to walk down the corridor. The guards falling into step beside him 'At least they haven't put me in chains'

The stiffness in his limbs slowed his pace and his body protested the sudden movement, but the guards matched his pace, never speaking a word to him. Tyrion felt keenly the loss of the pin that named him Hand of the King; he had enjoyed the role. No doubt his father would soon be here to claim the role and pin however, and Tyrion thought at least his death would keep him from seeing his father again. His stomach twisted as another thought came to him - he would never see Jamie again either.

The murmurs of the crowd greeted Tyrion's ears as he made his way into the throne room from the side entrance. He couldn't see the throne, but there was a huge crowd of lords and ladies that filled the hall as his heart beat sped up. This was it. No clever tricks. No escape. Tyrion found his feet wouldn't carry him through the entrance. As if his body knew stepping inside would seal his fate. A quiet descended over the crowd as they noticed him standing in the entrance. To Tyrion, their eyes were predatory as they stared at him.

"My Lord" Podrick mumbled, laying a hand on his shoulder and bowing his head before moving to stand along the edge of the room

Tyrion knew he had to go in, but his feet were refusing to cooperate. He hated being stared at. He'd spent his whole life being stared at like some kind of novelty and now there were hundreds of people crammed into the hall to watch his head leave his neck. A few moments passed, before a guard prodded him in the back, urging him forwards.

Tyrion Lannister did not want to die a coward. He did not want to give Joffrey that satisfaction. A shudder ran through him at the thought of Joffrey. He had assumed his death would be quick. Who knew what Joffrey really had planned? His death could last months at the cruel boy's hands.

'It doesn't matter' Tyrion thought 'My family may disown me, but I'm still a Lannister. Still a lion'

Despite his resolve Tyrion kept his head low as he walked stiffly into the centre of the throne room, hundreds of eyes burning into him. The guards stopped walking and blocked the entrance as he made it to the centre of the throne room and Tyrion raised his eyes up to meet the King's.

Shock rattled through Tyrion as he stared at the monarch on the Iron Throne.

'Tommen?' his brain eventually registered 'How…'

A deathly silence reigned in the hall, as Tyrion took in the sight of his sweet nephew sat atop the Iron Throne. Myrcella and Cersei stood to one side of the throne; Tytos bundled in a Lannister blanket in his mother's arms. Vaguely, Tyrion registered the small council sat to the other side of the throne, though it seemed to be just Varys and Littlefinger - Pycelle was nowhere to be seen. Kingsguard spread out around the King, and Ser Ilyn Payne stood silently in the corner. A cold feeling settled over Tyrion as he saw the Kings Justice. The silent man would take his head with one swipe of his great sword.

Baelish stood up to speak, as Tyrion drank in the sight of Tommen on the throne; a crown settled on his golden hair.

"Lord Tyrion Lannister, you stand in the presence of Tommen Baratheon, first of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm"

Tommen was King? Where was Joffrey?

Tyrion dropped to one knee despite his body's protests, bowing his head "Your Grace"

"Rise Uncle" called Tommen, and Tyrion hid a smile at his nephew's attempt of a 'kingly' voice

"Lord Tyrion, you stand accused of killing Ser Meryn Trant and ignoring the orders of the last King Joffrey Baratheon" continued Petyr Baelish, smirking down at Tyrion

Tommen looked sombre as he sat on the throne and Tyrion offered his nephew a weak smile, though the boy King didn't seem to notice. At least if Tommen was King, Tytos would be safe from Joffrey. The story of how this all came to pass would have intrigued Tyrion, though he knew he wouldn't live long enough to hear it.

"Did you kill Meryn Trant?" asked Baelish, his voice echoing through the chamber

"Yes" Tyrion said simply. He wasn't ashamed of what he'd done; there was no point denying it.

"Did you disobey the direct orders of Joffrey Baratheon, who ordered the death of Prince Tytos Baratheon?"

"Yes"

Baelish nodded at his response and stood aside so Tyrion was directly in Tommen's view. It seemed unfair to make Tommen pass the sentence and he hoped Cersei wouldn't let him see the execution. The boy was far too young to see such horrors.

Tyrion glanced at Myrcella but she wouldn't meet his eyes and stared anywhere but at her uncle. A flicker of hurt crossed Tyrion's face - he had wanted to see her smile one last time. Cersei's face was unreadable as she held Tytos close, short arms poking out from beneath the crimson Lannister blanket.

"This is not a trial" started Tommen, his young voice surprisingly strong "evidence has already been given that proves you did commit the crimes you are accused of, and you have readily admitted to them before the court"

Tyrion lowered his eyes to the ground as his nephew prepared to deliver the sentence.

"Therefore, I Tommen of the house Baratheon, first of my name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm hereby pardon my uncle, Lord Tyrion Lannister of all crimes and name him Hand of the King"

A thundering applause broke out in the throne room, but Tyrion was hardly aware of it. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He was pardoned? He wasn't going to die? Tyrion raised his eyes to the throne and saw Tommen watching him, a wide smile splitting his face.

"Uncle!" called Myrcella, as the young Princess walked towards him, a happy smile covering her pretty face. A glint of gold caught his eye as Myrcella held up a shining new Hand of the King badge for him to see. Tyrion couldn't help the grin that spread over his face, as his niece pinned the badge to his tunic and pulled him into a hug.

"We missed you" she whispered in his ear, and Tyrion felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes as she pulled away and resumed her place beside Cersei. Looking at his sister, Tyrion saw her smirking at him as she rocked young Tytos.

"Thank you, your Grace" Tyrion said bending his knee once more, trying and failing to hide the emotion in his voice "I will not fail you"

"Rise, Uncle. Everything you did was to protect our family and I know you will continue to do so as my Hand" said Tommen, his voice cheerful and earnest

Everyone in the throne room was watching him and for once Tyrion found he didn't mind the attention. This time they were applauding and cheering him. They respected him for something he'd done rather than his family name and the warm feeling that flooded Tyrion's body in that moment seemed to make all his pain worth it.

Cersei watched as her little brother positively beamed at the praise he was receiving. After being named Hand of the King, he had been called to take his place beside the throne and despite his injuries he practically ran to the seat, as if afraid someone would take it away from him and tell him it was all a trick.

'No-one will take this away from you brother' she had thought, seeing the happiness in his face that had lasted the rest of the court session.

Thankfully, it hadn't been a long session and Tommen had only a few more duties to perform. Ser Harwinn of her personal guard had been raised to Kingsguard and Tommen had been delighted for that particular duty. He stumbled over some of his words in the excitement but Tyrion had quickly leaned over and helped him. Ser Harwinn now stood in a white cloak beside her son, and Cersei felt she could breathe a little easier knowing there was a trustworthy Knight protecting her son.

Maester Creylen was appointed Grand Maester, and Pycelle had been asked to step down given his advanced age. That was a lie though. Pycelle had been useful to her on many occasions but the old man had been reluctant to remove Joffrey and had defended the decision to kill Tytos. Cersei would not have that old letch anywhere near Tommen, and Pycelle hadn't been seen since the decision was made the day before. Creylen had done good work in helping her brother and Cersei believed he was a dutiful man – far more trustworthy than Pycelle. Varys and littlefinger had been allowed to remain on the new small council. Baelish had a knack for handling money and Varys had proven his worth in removing Joffrey, but given Tommen's age it was with the Hand of the King the power would reside; the power to rule the seven kingdoms in all but name. A power she had suggested Tommen give to his uncle.

As soon as the appointments had been made, the court session had ended and Tommen had bolted from his throne to embrace his uncle Tyrion. Myrcella had quickly joined them and the three stood chatting in the centre of the throne room as lords and ladies came to congratulate Tyrion on his heroics in saving Prince Tytos. He looked rather embarrassed by the positive attention, but Cersei could see he was enjoying it nonetheless.

Orders had been given while Tyrion was recovering that no-one tell him what was going on with Joffrey; Cersei had intended to tell him herself when the mess was sorted. However, the little fool had seemed so certain yesterday that his head would roll, Cersei decided to let him carry on believing it. The children had quickly agreed to play along and she was surprised they managed to keep straight faces. Cersei had felt somewhat guilty when she saw the genuine fear in his eyes as he entered the throne room. Her little brother had tried to hide it, but she could see Tyrion truly believed he would be executed.

Tytos wiggled in her arms and Cersei gently bounced her son watching his eyes gaze around the throne room. He was wrapped in her Lannister baby blanket now as he should have been when he was born. Cersei would never forget the coldness she had shown her own son during the first few days of his life, but she would spend the rest of her life making it up to him.

"You're safe now sweetheart. Mother won't let anyone hurt you" she murmured in his ear

"How are you, you're Grace? My prince" asked Creylen bowing his head, approaching from her left

"I feel well, Grand Maester. Prince Tytos is a strong boy" she answered, as Creylen's face reddened slightly at the new title

"That he is, your Grace" said Creylen, before nodding towards her brother "Lord Tyrion seems happy"

"Good. He deserves to be happy" she said "I think he'll make an excellent Hand of the King, and no-one will take it away from him"

As Hand of the King under Joffrey, Tyrion had been filling their father's position and Tywin Lannister would have snatched it back from his son without a second thought. Her brother had worked tirelessly in the role, and Cersei knew Tyrion had hoped to impress their father - prove his worth to the family. Tywin Lannister would never be impressed with his youngest son however, and Cersei had known that even before she'd read the letter addressed to her little brother. A letter she had happily burnt. This time the title and the power were Tyrion's and his alone. He wasn't filling a position meant for someone else; it was meant for him.

"I'm certain he will serve King Tommen very well; though please remind your brother he must still rest if he is to fully heal"

"I wouldn't worry about that, Grand Maester. I'll pay his sellsword to shove milk of the poppy down his throat if I have to"

Creylen moved off with a smile and Cersei found herself watching King Tommen as the various lords and ladies spoke with him. He had practiced hard for today and insisted that his first duty as King would be to appoint his uncle as hand. Cersei was so proud of Tommen. He was still young and unsure - she could see it now as he spoke to his people but in time he would make a fine King. Myrcella stood alongside her brother offering her support as Tyrion subtly guided Tommen through the conversations he would need to learn to navigate alone. It was a good start for the new King, and Cersei was determined to do everything she could to support his reign.

There was only a single shadow that darkened her mood as Joffrey and all that led to this point ran through her mind. There had been so much pain, suffering and cruelty. It had almost claimed the lives of her baby son and her brother.

Cersei shook the dark thoughts from her mind. Getting to this moment had been difficult. Joffrey had lost his Kingdom and now sat in a black cell deep below, and her father would be enraged when he received the letter she sent him that morning - but it was worth it for the little bundle of joy nestled in her arms. And for the happy smile spread over Tyrion's face as he beamed at her across the throne room.