Game of Thrones: The Storm

S2E2 - The Night Lands

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A few days after Lord Tyrion arrived back in the capitol, there was a small council meeting called, and you were told to attend. When you walked into the room, there was a Lannister boy standing in front of the table holding a message. 

After taking your seat in between Cersei and Varys, the boy handing the rolled-up paper to Cersei. 

"From this time until the end of time, we are not part of your realm, but a free and independent Kingdom of the North," Cersei read the message before tearing the paper into pieces. "He has more spirit than his father I'll give him that."

"You've perfected the art of tearing up papers," Tyrion jabbed at his older sister. "We can give him his father's bones back at least as a gesture of good faith."

"You'll give the Starks our reply, cousin?" Cersei ignored Tyrion as she looked up at the younger man. Guessing by what Lannister cousins Cersei and Tyrion would have around his age, his name was Alton Lannister. 

"I will, your grace," Alton said as he looked down to the ground, almost as if he were disappointed to be sent back to be kept prisoner. 

"Did you see my brother when you were the Starks guest?" 

You and Varys shared a knowing look before turning away from each other to inspect anything else in the room. To say you were uncomfortable was an understatement seeing as you had always gotten weird sibling fucker vibes from both Jaime and Cersei. 

"I did. They have not broken his spirit, your grace," Alton reassured her. 

"If you speak with him," Cersei ducked her head down a bit as she thought of what to say. "Tell him he's not been forgotten."

"I will, your grace."

"Safe travels, cousin," Tyrion looked over at Alton with a sorry expression. It was clear he felt bad having to send the poor boy back. 

You watched, letting out a soft sigh as two City Watch guards escorted Alton out of the room before turning back to look at everyone else. 

"You have a deft hand with diplomacy," Tyrion said out of the blue, making your eyes shoot open a bit at his jab. 

"If that's everything..."

"A- A raven flew in this morning from Castle Black," Maester Pycelle handed Tyrion the scroll as Cersei was about to leave. The mention of Castle Black alone made you look over at Tyrion, waiting for him to read the scrolls contents. 

"Trouble with the wildlings," Varys said as he looked over at Littlefinger. You could tell Varys was baiting Littlefinger to say something so that he could tell the interesting news that he found out before the rest of you all did. It was his little game he liked to play. 

"That's why they're called wildlings," Littlefinger responded. 

"Somewhat less wild these days. Seems they've stopped killing each other and started following this King-beyond-the-wall," Varys explained. 

"Another King? How many is that now, five? I've lost count," Cersei let out a small laugh. 

"The Lord Commander asks that we send more men to man the wall," Tyrion said as he continued to read off of the scroll. 

"Perhaps he's forgotten we're fighting a war, we have no men to spare," Cersei told him. 

"Cold winds are rising and the dead rise with them," Tyrion read as Maester Pycelle shook his head. 

"The Northerners are a superstitious people," Pycelle stated as Cersei stood up to leave. 

"According to the Lord Commander, one of these dead men attacked him in his chambers," the rest of the small council started to stand as Tyrion spoke. "Mormont doesn't lie."