Tyrion Lannister POV
He went to the Stephen's chambers, the Red Keep's Library, the gardens where he had seen Stephen occasionally played his songs to the ladies in the castle, he even went to the small council chambers.
Stephen Baratheon was nowhere to be found.
It was only by sheer luck that he eventually ran into Sarella Sand, who was practicing Archery in the training yard.
He admired the Goldenheart bow as well as Sarella's perfect form for a moment before he approached the girl.
"Excuse me, my lady. If I could have a moment of your time." He said as his short legs carried him toward the dark skinned beauty.
The girl released another arrowed right at the centre of the target some fifty yards from her before she turned to glance at him.
"Lord Tyrion." She said with a brief nod of her head. "How may I help you?"
"If it won't be too much trouble, my lady, then can tell me where Prince Stephen is?"
The girl smiled at him for some reason. "Ah. Steph told me that you might come looking for him."
"He did?" He asked, his mind churning on how the hell Steph could've guessed something like this.
The only way this could happen, would be if Steph had some internal spies in Casterly Rock. And a good knowledge about his character, as well as the internal dynamics of him and his siblings.
The thought that Steph could know all that was… a tad bit scary. And useful. It made his decision to go to the boy seem even more prudent, despite his general dislike of the fake prince.
"Yes. He told me to inform you that he'll meet you after the dinner." Sarella said before gazed at the targets once again. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Lord Tyrion. But I need to finish my training."
"Oh, of course. Thank you for your help, my lady." He thought and quickly vacated the area, wondering on how strange it was that out of everyone in the castle, it was a sand snake who treated him like a person, and not a whore mongering dwarf.
He was envious of Prince Stephen for his choice of woman, if nothing else.
—
He walked to the entrance of the chambers and knocked, feeling jittery and nervous as he waited.
This meeting could very well decided his future. It could either increase his chances of turning him into the next Lord of Casterly Rock. Or it could plummet his chances.
His thoughts were brought to a halt as the door opened and he came face to face with Asha Greyjoy. Well… face to breast to be more exact.
The young woman glanced down at him with an unimpressed look before she turned around and looked into the chamber.
"Hey, Steph! It's the dwarf." She shouted and his eyes twitched.
"My name is Tyrion Lannister, my lady." He informed her and the young woman gave him another unimpressed look.
"I know who you are. And I'm no-" She was interrupted by another voice came from inside. "Send him in."
Asha scowled and gazed at him for a moment before she moved aside to let him in, inadvertently giving him a look at the sword hanging by her side.
If his brother's words were anything to go by, then this young woman was capable of defeating more than half of the current Kingsguard. And improving rapidly still. Better not to antagonise her then.
He entered the chambers and was surprised to find that it was not as richly decorated as he would've thought.
In fact, the most surprising thing about this room were the multiple shelves of books kept in every single corner of the room. Filled to brim.
He noticed two maesters as well as Sarella sitting on a table and copying down the contents of some old, decayed book. He was more than a bit impressed by how quickly Sarella was writing. And a bit disappointed when she didn't even look up to greet him.
He felt a shove on his back and a "Keep moving," from Asha.
He nodded and quickly moved toward the balcony of the room and paused for a brief moment when he found Prince Stephen sitting on a chair, with a large egg on his lap.
A shimmering onyx coloured egg with beautiful blue patterns across its entire form.
He had heard before, that Prince Stephen had acquired two dragon eggs from somewhere. Eggs that he always kept close to him. But this was his first time actually seeing it.
He had never seen a dragon egg before in his life and he couldn't help but stare at it until a voice broke him out of his trance.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Stephen asked and he quickly glanced up at the fake prince. Hoping that the boy hadn't taken his silence for disrespect.
"Prince Stephen." He said, quickly regaining his bearings. "A good evening to you. Forgive me for my silence. This is just my-"
"First time seeing a dragon egg?" Stephen asked, a soft smile on his face. "It's understandable. Pretty much everyone has a similar reaction when they see a dragon egg for the first time in their life. There's a reason why despite being Petrified. These eggs sell for enough gold to rent a fleet or a small army."
"And you have two of them." He said and came to a stumbling halt when he took a step forward and noticed a large clutch dragon eggs resting by Stephen's side. He counted them and found that there were Eight more dragon eggs.
Nine Dragon Eggs in total. And the wealth and connections that would be needed to acquire them…
It seems like he vastly underestimated just how wealthy Stephen Baratheon was.
"So they say." Stephen said, an amused smile on his face at his reaction before the boy glanced at Asha. "Thank you Asha. You may go back to your studies now."
Asha gave him one last disdainful look before she turned and left.
"Forgive her." Prince Stephen said. "Asha has come to dislike House Lannister ever since she learned that it was your father who pushed the King into doing what he did at the Iron Islands."
He almost grimaced at that. That's his father alright. Making friends everywhere he went.
"Some would say that the Iron Islands got what they deserved, for fighting in this unproved war." He said diplomatically. He was here to make friends after all, not enemies.
"And those people would be right." Stephen said as he put down the dragon egg and took another one on his lap. And… were it just his eyes seeing things or did that egg actually glow for a brief moment? "The Ironborn culture was something that needed to be stamped out, there is no doubt about that. But regardless of what kind of people the Greyjoys might have been, they were still Asha's family."
"I completely understand." He said. He felt like a fraud for saying that, since he'd only felt a sense of relief and giddiness each time he thought about his own father's death.
As if sensing his lie, Stephen only gave a soft hum but remained silent.
He walked over to one of the other chairs and gestured at one of them. "May I sit, Prince Stephen."
The boy nodded and he took the seat.
Then he cleared his throat and spoke up. "Lady Sarella informed me this afternoon, that you were expecting me. I assume that you're aware of what has happened at Casterly Rock?"
Stephen gave a nod before he put down the dragon egg and picked up another one. And this time he caught it. He wasn't just seeing things. That dragon egg glowed for a brief moment as well.
Was Stephen… blessing those eggs. Could he actually bring those petrified dragon eggs back to life by doing that? The thought of seeing a living dragon filled him great excitement, as well as slight trepidation, considering who those dragons will belong to.
"Then, I assume you know why I'm here."
Stephen simply nodded once again, not saying anything. It was infuriating but and he had to remind himself that he can't afford to anger this boy.
He took a deep breath and asked. "And… will you help me in becoming the Lord of Casterly Rock?"
Stephen remained silent for a moment. And then his heart dropped as the boy shook his head.
"Why?" He asked, and some of the desperation he was feeling must've shown in his face because the boy gave him a sympathetic smile as he spoke up.
"I will not lie to you, Lord Tyrion. If I decided to support you on this, then there is almost nothing in this world that can stop you from becoming the next Lord of Casterly Rock." Stephen said to him.
The boy's words were softly spoken. But they were said with soft confidence and assuredness that he couldn't help but believe the boy.
"But you will not support me." He pointed out. 'Or you want something in exchange for that support.'
"Why would I?" Stephen asked casually as he took up another dragon egg. "You're not my friend, or ally, Lord Tyrion. Why would I meddle into Lannister affairs, and risk the Queen's ire? How would that ever benefit me?"
"We can make a deal." He said. "Tell me what you want, and once I become the next Lord Lannister, it is yours. Lands, wealth, women… Trade?"
"I already have land, wealth and women, Lord Tyrion." Stephen pointed out. "And as for trade. I can get that easily enough, even if it's not you who is at the head of House Lannister."
"Then what do you want?"
Stephen gave him a sardonic smile at that and took another dragon egg. "There are few things in this world that I want, Lord Tyrion. Very few things. And you can give me none of them."
"Perhaps. But I might be able to help you in your endeavours." He said. "House Lannister is the richest and one of the most powerful House in Westeros. Having its Lord indebted to you would only be to your benefit, Prince Stephen."
"So you say. But how long will you remain indebted to me, Lord Tyrion." Stephen asked with an amused smile. "How long until you decide that you've repaid your debt and no longer owe me anything. A moon. A year. A decade?"
"I might be many things, Prince Stephen but I'm not an ungrateful man." He said, stressing out the next words. "If you support me in this, then you'll have a friend in me for as long as I live."
"So you say, Lord Tyrion. So you say. But words are winds." Stephen said and then raised a hand before he could protest. "And even if I do believe you, how long will you live?"
"What?"
Stephen gave him a look. "Your father was assassinated. What is the guarantee that the same won't happen to you? In fact, I would not be surprised if the Queen already have a few plans in regards to you."
"She wouldn't-" He said and then paused upon realising that Cersei might very well do it. "She's my sister."
Stephen only smiled at that. "Don't lie to yourself, Lord Tyrion. You're better than that."
"I'll be very careful then. I'll hire guards for my protection. I'll watch what I drink. And I'll even stop going out into brothels."
"Such actions will increase the chances of your survival no doubt. But let's say that you still got assassinated. After all, guards can be bought, and some poisons take a long time to reveal their effect." Stephen said. "Then what will I be left with? No allies, and a very powerful, irate enemy in the form of the Queen."
He thought of something and quickly spoke up. "The Queen already doesn't like you, Prince Stephen. You'll find no ally in her. And despite what some might say, I am indeed the heir of my father. My brother won't betray me by leaving the Kingsguard."
Despite his intentions though, the words only seemed to amuse the fake prince even more. So amused in fact, that Stephen actually started to chuckle.
"Did I say something funny?" He asked, finally getting a little annoyed.
Stephen smiled as he changed dragon eggs once again. "It's just that… you sound so sure of yourself, when you know so little."
"Oh, then please enlighten me, great saint Stephen Baratheon." He said sarcastically.
Stephen nodded. "The Queen did used to dislike me, once. But ever since I healed her son, and got betrothed to her daughter, she has started to come to my side. I can't say for sure if she'll ever see me as a friend or an ally, but for now, we have an amicable relationship."
"Is that so?" He asked, feeling the desperation increase.
"Indeed. And as for Ser Jaime… how well do you think, you really know your brother?"
"Far better than you."
"So you say." Stephen said. And then the boy's calm smile fell and his face took a somber turn. "Tell me, Lord Tyrion, do you still remember Tysha?"
His entire body froze at those words as she silent pleading look flashed into his mind before he banished it back into the darkest depths of his heart.
"How do you know that name?" He asked, glaring at the boy for the first time in this meeting.
"So you do remember her." Stephen nodded, ignoring his words. "Tell me, Lord Tyrion. How would you feel, I tell you that Tysha was not a whore."
He shook his head from side to side, not even willing to look at the boy anymore. "You're lying."
"She was what she seemed." Stephen continued, his words falling like hammer in his heart. "A chance encounter. A crofter's daughter. And love she had for you was real."
"You're lying." He said as he got up from his seat. "You're lying."
"She was not a whore, Lord Tyrion. You know this deep in your heart. You've always known this. Your brother lied to you."
"My Brother Would Never Do That To Me!" He shouted as he smashed the contents of the table to the side. His fists were clenched tightly as he glared at the boy. "Do not speak of things that you know nothing about!"
Despite his growing rage, the boy continued to stared at him with a calm, somber look.
"You can run from the truth, Lord Tyrion. But it'll catch up to you sooner or later." Stephen said softly. "If you do not believe me, then go and ask your brother about this yourself. Your brother isn't a great liar, so he won't be able to hide the truth if you confront him directly."
"I think we're done here." He said as he pushed his chair to the side and started leaving, not willing to listen to this drivel anymore. Not willing to believe.
"I wish you luck, Lord Tyrion." He heard Stephen's voice from behind him but ignored it as he opened the door and quickly strode out of the hallway.
He walked until he was quite some distance away from that room before he bent down and heaved to the side, and vomited out all the contents of the dinner on the floor.
He noticed that his hands were shaking, and his body felt unnaturally cold.
The image of Tysha came in front of his mind once again. As she was raped again and again by men in Lannister red and he quickly banished it to back to the darkest corner of his mind.
His vision became blurry and quickly wiped the tears from his eyes.
It couldn't be real. The boy didn't knew anything. The bastard was just using a piece of information that he learned from some old Lannister guards to get him out of his game.
But the boy's words continued to ring inside his head.
'If you do not believe me, then go and ask your brother about this yourself. Your brother isn't a great liar, so he won't be able to hide the truth if you confront him directly.'
No. His brother won't do that to him. He Won't!
Because if he did…
Then…
"Tyrion" He voice from behind him jolted him back to reality and he felt a cold shiver went down his spine as he realised who that voice belonged to.
"Brother, are you alright." Jaime asked, his face filled with concern as he reached for his belt and took out a wineskin before offering it to him. "Here. What happened to you?"
He shook his head, unconcerned about the vomit on his beard as he pushed Jaime's wineskin to the side.
This was too soon. Too soon. He didn't want to meet Jaime right now.
She was not a whore, Lord Tyrion.' Stephen's words continued to rang in his mind. 'You know this deep in your heart. You've always known this. Your brother lied to you.
"Tyrion?" Jaime asked, looking at him in concern.
"No. No. No." He said as he pushed Jaime away from him. "No. Oh gods no."
"Tyrion?" Jaime asked, the concern in his eyes growing. "Are you crying? Is this about father? I told you I"
"Don't remind me about that bastard!" He hissed out and enjoyed the way Jaime's eyes widened at his words. "That man might have been your father but he was never a father to me. And I'm glad that he's finally dead. I'm glad, you hear me!"
Jaime was speechless now. "Tyrion…"
"Don't! Don't." He said and then pointed at Jaime in the chest, deciding to get this over with, already. "Did you lied to me, Jaime?"
"About what?" Jaime asked. "I'm not going to give up my white clo-"
"I Dom't Give Two Shits About Your Damned White Cloack!" He shouted, his breaths coming in heavy from the intense emotions as he continued to stare at his brother. "Tell me the truth Jaime."
"The truth about what?" Jaime asked, looking confused.
"Was Tysha a whore?"