The battle was fierce and the Lannisters were at a disadvantage against the higher number of the Baratheon soldiers. Yet, motivated by Tyrion's words they fought with all their might and the Imp actually fought as well; even killing a man with his axe.
As the battle raged, Tyrion managed to wound another enemy soldier as one of his comrades finished him off. He turned and saw a Baratheon soldier ready to end him but before he could, he was tackled to the ground by a Lannister soldier.
He could not help but smile, happy to see that the men had his back until Ser Balon Swann pointed out to him where enemy soldiers were swarming off a broken galley smashed on a pier. That's when he realized that if they were to destroy those pieces, Stannis' men would not be able to reach them; at least not that easily and they could win enough time to handle the men that had made it on land.
With a war cry, he led some of his men to charge the invaders and stop them from reaching the shores; preventing them from trapping the Lannister forces between two fronts made of Baratheon soldiers.
Somewhere in the battle, he lost his axe but found another weapon and fought on, climbing across the unstable wreckage with Balon and Mandon until rocks from the walls smashed the galleys apart, knocking him into the water.
Tyrion desperately climbed up the remains of a deck and observed confusedly that there was fighting on the wrong side of the river. He then heard someone call for him and shouted for help.
Ser Mandon appeared and offered him a hand, but Tyrion sensed something wrong when he noticed that it was the left hand while the Kingsguard was a right-handed man. At the last moment, he flung himself backwards just as Mandon tried to kill him with his sword.
The sword left a gash across his face, barely missing his eyes while the force made Tyrion fall into the shallow waters. He managed to pull himself up but stumbled, feeling the loss of blood and sudden attack affecting him while the sharp pain coming from his face made it hard for him to focus.
Ser Mandon was ready to finish him off when a knife was plunged at the back of the knight's head, the blade having stuck deep enough for the hilt to reach the base of the man's hair. Dead, the knight collapsed on the ground.
The dwarf saw a figure rushing his way with a sword at hand, golden hair being reflected by the red, yellow and green flames all around them.
"Jaime?" he croaked, almost choking on the blood that filled his mouth. Who else would save him, if not his brother?
"Close enough, brother" a familiar voice said and a pair of hands caught him as he was about to collapse.
"Trystan" he mumbled and slowly sat down and held against the boy's body as the fighting continued.
"Remember brother, you owe me the secrets of your speech. So, you cannot die on me yet" he said and fixed the grip on his blade, ready to take down anyone approaching.
He looked around him at the same time, trying to find a path to retreat with Tyrion and pull him to safety but it was almost impossible in the chaos of bodies. Bronn and Podrick were close by, having seen Tyrion wounded and helping to defend Trystan.
"We have to get him out of here before someone chooses to finish him off" Bronn said and moved even closer to them as Tyrion tried to remain focused on the battle but felt himself slowly losing consciousness.
"If you find a way to do so, take the lead" Trystan argued and pulled his hand from Tyrion's body to pull out his Valyrian steel dagger from the corpse of the Kingsguard.
The fight around them kept going but more and more Lannister men fell while some Baratheon soldiers managed to break through the Mud Gate and were making their way inside the Red Keep.
For a moment, Tyrion wondered if this was the end for them all. To die under steel and fire, their blood painting the sand of Blackwater Bay while the rest of their family die a few moments later by the invading forces.
He focused forward one last time, his head leaning against his brother's chest and his vision started to blur. Then all of a sudden, he swore he saw something move behind the rising cloud of smoke.
Indeed, a few seconds later endless soldiers seemed to gallop their way; armoured knights leading them while the banners of the Lion and the Rose were held high during the attack. What struck oddly, however, was the rider at the very front with the green Baratheon armour.
"It is Renly! His ghost is leading the enemy forces!" a man shouted.
"He is back for revenge!"
"It's his ghost! He is here to take us down for betraying him!"
As the relief party came closer, more and more Baratheon soldiers, who were once Renly's supporters started to shout and point at the rider.
Everyone recognised the green armour of Renly Baratheon and the narrow helmet with the stag antlers at the top. His shield with his sigil was held in one hand and a sword was on the other.
Taking advantage of the shock, the Ghost of Renly started to slice one Baratheon soldier after the other; cutting limbs and heads as well. All around it, thousands of men spread like wildfire and started to take down the enemy.
No one could truly count how many appeared through the darkness and the smoke but anyone could see that the tables were turning.
A lot of the soldiers started to drop their swords and just run, truly thinking that their former leader had returned to avenge his death and their betrayal. As panic started to arise due to the ghost and the endless amount of Lannister & Tyrell soldiers, many started to retreat to the ships; Stannis included.
The Baratheon self-proclaimed King saw the ghost of his brother himself and truly thought it was him and had come to exact his revenge. He wasted no time retreating, many men following his example but with few ships remaining; there was not enough space for all of them.
The result? Comrade turned on comrade and brother on brother as they started to fight between them for who would be left behind, making easier the victory of their opponents against them.
Tyrion was seconds away from fainting when he got a glimpse of a familiar white stallion and recognisable armour.
Always at the last moment to save the city, he thought as he finally dropped unconscious.
Trystan for a moment truly thought they would die there and he was ready to fight until his heart was pulled out of his chest, in an attempt to survive when backup arrived. He was relieved and beyond happy to see the familiar Lannister banners, side by side with the golden rose of the Tyrells.
The army spread, being led by three different leaders and fell upon the enemy without mercy; easily overpowering them by their sheer numbers. Most Baratheon men shook in fear, some paled and he swore he even saw one faint as they also noticed who was leading the vanguard.
The young Lion knew it could not be Renly but in the moment of chaos, not everyone could sit down and realize that dead men never came back. It worked in their favour, resulting in many of the enemy soldiers retreating or being left open for an attack.
Before he knew it, the Baratheons were retreating and even fighting between them for a chance to be from the few fitting in the remaining ships and boats.
Trystan watched the 'Ghost of Renly' fall back as Lannister and Tyrell men spread around him, a very familiar blade cutting through men as if they were paper dolls rather than bodies of muscle and bone.
He narrowed his green eyes at the fake Renly before he opened them wide, realization dawning upon him faster than lightning hit the water during a storm.
That sword and that riding style... mother you brilliant mad woman, he thought and smirked as he also noticed his father taking down man after man like the years had never aged him and he was the mighty Lion that left its name in the pages of Westerosi history.
The battle was going as it was expected and the stags fell like flies. For every man they lost, dozens of the enemy were killed by the combined forces of Tyrell and Lannister soldiers.
Just like Baelish had predicted, Visenya under the disguise of Renly had shaken many soldiers to the core; even causing a lot to retreat while others perished by her allies. Her blade was once again drowning in red blood as she let the soldiers around her spread, keeping her promise to Tywin.
He had left towards the Red Keep, to ensure no other Baratheon supporter remained and to make sure his family was safe. This left her on the battlefield to continue fighting rather effectively despite the bigger and heavier armour of the deceased Stag.
She felt hot within it, her amber eyes looking everywhere around her as the battle continued. The battle was almost over and it was then she chose to remove the helmet with the antlers, exposing her face to the Lannister men, who did not know of her plan.
"The battle is ours! Finish them off!" she shouted from on top of her black mare, her words directed to the men who had followed her in battle and those who had defended the city.
Many men turned to look at her; those that carried the Lion sigil immediately recognised her and their morale was boosted.
"It's the Lioness!"
"Lady Lannister!"
Some men shouted, lifting their swords in victory before they continued to fight the enemy; killing anyone that did not yield.
Suddenly, a Baratheon soldier with a sword charged at her from behind; aiming to take her down. He never managed because Loras Tyrell galloped behind him and cut his head off clean with one single move.
He stopped his white horse and looked at her through his helmet, his armour covered in blood like hers. She nodded her head as a thank you, remembering that he would have her back. He mirrored her action and then both turned to observe the battle and interfere if needed.
Not that they really had to because the Battle of Blackwater Bay was about to end and they had just made history.
Red Keep, King's Landing - Crownlands - A few hours after Stannis' defeat
The enemy was captured or killed, with Stannis himself running away when he knew he would not win. At last, King's Landing could breathe again after they almost lost their freedom and much more.
Many soldiers were lost, many older lords and many lands would soon be taken from the traitors and given to those, who fought for the crown.
Among those wounded was Tyrion, whom Trystan had managed to protect along with Bronn and Podrick. Now, the dwarf was under the care of Maester Pycelle as he received a nasty injury on his face but the good news was that he would live.
Trystan was relieved to hear the news as he could not be present or visit him anytime soon. With the Hound still missing and Tyrion out of commission, it was up to him to check on the Lannister forces under his temporary command and ensure nothing was wrong.
His wet hair fell on his forehead and he felt the sand and blood even beneath his armour and clothes, a foreign feeling that he tried to ignore.
He walked into the Red Keep and looked around, seeing wounded being carried and many big faces showing up.
He was thinking to go find Sansa and return the handkerchief to her, as he had promised but came to a halt when he spotted two faces he had not seen in a few years now.
His father, Tywin, stood in all his glory surrounded by his men. His armour was covered by blood but he still looked as mighty as he always was despite the passing years.
By his side, as always, was his mother; Visenya. She still wore the green armour of Renly Baratheon, earning glares and curses from prisoners, who were pulled towards the black cells. They did not like the fact that they got defeated by a woman or that someone else wore that armour other than Renly himself.
While covered in blood and having travelled with little rest to reach them in time, both looked ready for another battle. Standing proudly next to each other, they were receiving reports from a Lannister soldier.
Visenya was the first to notice him approach and a relieved smile spread upon her lips as she started to walk, meeting him halfway.
"Trystan" she exclaimed, standing in front of him. Before the young Lion could react, she had placed her hand by the side of his neck and pulled him forward for a hug.
It was not uncommon for the Dragoness to have a softer side and be more physical with any of the Lions but it was not something many could witness. However, at that moment Visenya did not truly care.
She hadn't seen Trystan properly in a few years, even since his last visit to Casterly Rock. Plus, with the war and the siege; Visenya could not help but worry at the back of her head about the fate of her children.
She had heard of Tyrion being wounded but alive, which she was relieved. Yet, while Trystan was not said to be seen among the dead, she hadn't seen him yet and that did not fully settle well with her.
She knew, though, that in the end he would be alright and here he was.
She felt his arms around her as he hugged back, always thankful that he had not grown too tall yet for her to stretch.
"Good to see you too, Mother" he exclaimed with a small smile and the two of them pulled back.
With barely half a head of difference, Visenya was thankful for her tall genes; for she could look up at him without worries. Her eyes scanned his body, trying to see for any injuries that he might have gotten during battle while her hand slowly fell to her side.
"You keep growing, for starters. You are almost as tall as your father" she pointed out with a small smile, more than happy to see him after almost 3 years.
"Almost" a familiar voice said as the man of the hour marched their way.
He came to a halt next to his wife and looked at his son, once again an impossible-to-read mask upon his face.
"I was just informed that you took charge after that coward Clegane left" he pointed out.
Trystan did not have to try to truly remain standing despite his father's gaze on him. Even though he had grown taller since he last saw him, he was still not surpassing him. He did, though, hope to be just a tad taller so he couldn't stare down at him even with that small difference.
With hands by his side, his back was straight and his chin held high.
"I did, although it was Tyrion, who gave the speech to rile them up after Joffrey's retreat"
Tywin pressed his lips to form a thin line. He had been informed that Cersei summoned Joffrey back, hiding him amongst the women while the battle raged on right outside the walls. He would handle her later for he had a lot of things to handle.
"So I was told. Would have been better if you had taken that initiative instead" he started, already pointing out the faults. "But sometimes a good leader can lead without truly saying much. Your chances will come"
Trystan expected some sort of comment from him, for he was never truly satisfied. There were always mistakes that had to be fixed, things that had to be done right. Compared to the rest of his siblings, he simply had tried harder and seemed to have the most minor of flaws in the eyes of their father but they were still flaws.
"You saved Tyrion's life and defended him while injured" Visenya brought up, giving a small smile of pride but that was evident enough in her unique eyes.
He did not smile for he knew his father would not be pleased if he did. Instead, he pressed his hands more against his sides and stood his ground.
"Of course, mother. We are Lannisters and we always look after our own" he said.
"Hmmm" was Tywin's nonverbal comment. He could not truly argue because it was the words he quoted. Instead, he looked at his younger son with faint amusement. Well played, the glimmer in his green eyes was saying.
"Where is Tyrion now?" Visenya asked.
"With Maester Pycelle. His wound is being treated and then he will be moved to his quarters in the Chambers of the Hand" he explained.
"There will be no need of that" Tywin said, making his son arch a single eyebrow in silent question. "Since I have returned, I will take my role back as Hand of the King. Tyrion can be moved to more common chambers... one more fitting for his height as well"
Mother and son exchanged a look but said nothing, knowing there was nothing to be said. Instead, a silent sigh was left simultaneously but was well hidden from the sharp gaze of the Lion.
However, Trystan could not help but feel a small worry.
If Father is to become the Hand of the King again... he will take the reins of the family. Cersei will not like that and a lot is about to change, not for the best, he thought.
Tywin was a strict figure and an even stricter father. He had his moments when he could be someone you admired and wished to learn from but many times he was present only to correct. With how much initiative Cersei had taken with Joffrey, it was clear that she was about to be kicked off her high chair; literally.
There will be less relaxed family suppers when all the lions would gather. Instead, there would be the more formal and quiet ones that he had only heard of and barely remembers witnessing.
The only good thing that would come from all of this was the fact that someone would end Joffrey's reign of terror. Finally, the boy king would learn his place and be controlled by the same man, who had bent all of their heads in submission and held the other end of their leashes... The Old Lion of Casterly Rock.