Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 47: Tyrion Lannister

There were many times that Jaehaerys felt pain in his life. Beatings from his own brother Viserys, his fights with common folk when he traveled the Free Cities, and now an assassin's blade that plunged into his stomach. Never before has he felt so much pain in his life than now as he lay in his bed. Even an inch of movement brought waves of pain.

A shaky breath left him as he gazed down to his stomach, his hand touched the blanket to lift it up. He bit his lip as he saw the bandages, the color red that was visible. While he was assured he would live, the pain was horrible. He wanted to scream but even that made waves of pain come over him. It caused him to hold it all in.

"Your Grace, how are you this morning?"

"Everything hurts, Baelor. I can't say I am enjoying my morning," Jaehaerys answers, his voice strained as he looks up at his long-time friend.

"I know. The first days were what would determine whether you'd live or die. It is now only the pain that you need to fight through. From experience, it will take a week before the pain will be coming down."

"Great... Any word from Daenerys? Jeyne?"

"No, nothing as of yet. They only left a few hours ago. It will be one or two days before they return. Rest assured, they will be fine. The surprise of their attack and the fact it will be done with dragons guarantees their victory. I am convinced of it."

Jaehaerys sighs and nods in turn. His gaze went to the window, peering out to the city that lay below them. It looked peaceful. The colorful building shines in the ever-present sun. While it held a beauty, he could see dust and activity on and around the walls. This pyramid is so high he could see a lot of the city and some of the countryside.

"How fares the preparations?"

"They are going well. Daario and Grey Worm have been hard at work. I do not know whether it will be enough, but we can hold out until the dragons come back. The city is strong and many of the freed slaves and some free men rallied to defend it. We stand a good chance of winning."

"Good. Make certain my daughter is protected during the siege. And have scouts see how long it will take for them to get here."

"I will. But I did come here with some other news. I do not how to respond to what has come to Meereen."

The Silver King turns to Baelor again. It is surprising to see him so in thought. There was only once Jaehaerys saw him this conflicted about something. That was long ago when they were in the Red Waste. But Baelor was again conflicted about something.

"What news, Baelor? It has you conflicted this much then tell me what it is. You may be acting in my name now, but I still rule. From a bed," Jaehaerys chuckled softly with a bit of a hiss from the pain.

"I know. Well, just now someone with an important name has come seeking your attention. Just before I came here, Tyrion Lannister arrived. I received him and gave him quarters and food. But I have told him you and the queen will decide his fate. What shall be done with him?"

"A Lannister... What did he want?"

"Not much that would be of concern. He seemed very intent on killing his family. Revenge for what has been done to him. He already admitted to killing Tywin Lannister. It was that revelation which caused my hesitation on what to do."

"Hmm..."

It is a strange development. The famous Lannister dwarf has come here for revenge? Never did he think he would get a Lannister here in the palace asking a Targaryen for help. The irony does not escape Jaehaerys. But if one Lannister would switch sides, it would be Tyrion. He heard enough tales about Tywin's distaste for him. Even from Baelor and the other two knights. That does not mean he has to trust him. Not before he spoke with him in person.