Of Lions, Wolves, and Dragons (Jon Snow)

30. Oathkeeper

Since her first visit down to see Tyrion, Joellyn made a point to try to visit Tyrion at least once a day.  She knew it was lonely down in the cells for him with nothing but his negative thoughts.  She invited Oberyn to come with her, but it was simply to be polite.  She knew, very well, what Oberyn thought about the rest of her family.  He did not particularly care for any of them, though Tyrion he seemed to tolerate the best.  Probably because Tyrion was an outcast from the Lannister family, just like she was.  However, Oberyn told her that it would be improper for him to spend time visiting Tyrion as a judge that was taking part in the trial and Joellyn agreed.  She was just glad that Obeyrn did not try to stop her from visiting her brother.

Today she was finally able to work up the courage to tell Tyrion the story of exactly how their father had asked Oberyn to be a judge for his trial.  Well, courage was maybe not the right word.  It was more like she had to overcome her own mortification at what had happened and be able to see the humor in the situation for herself.  She at least knew that Tyrion would see the humor in it and she wanted to be able to be some sort of a bright spot on his day.

"Tyrion, I'm telling you he didn't even knock or make any noise until he was already in the room," she told him, "Oberyn was on top of me and we were about to... Well, you probably don't need to know more details..."

Tyrion scrunched his eyes and nodded, "You would be correct.  You can skip over that part."

She laughed, "Then father just said, 'Prince Oberyn?' to get our attention and acted like nothing was going on.  As if he had interrupted nothing!"

In spite of his discomfort at thinking of his baby sister in bed with Oberyn Martell, Tyrion laughed as he said, "Of course he acted as if nothing was going on!  He has to think he is in control of all situations.  Interrupting the two of you was the perfect way to show that he still does possess power over the both of you."

Joellyn leaned back against a pillar and said, "Regardless, I was probably newborn the last time our father saw me naked.  I hate to know how much he saw...or heard."

She and Tyrion both jumped when they heard Jaime's voice from the doorway, "I'm afraid to know what you two are talking about right now," then he closed the door behind him and sat down on another pillar, putting the three of them in a triangle all facing each other.

Tyrion smirked at Joellyn then turned to Jaime, "Oh, just about the time that our father walked in on our dear sweet baby sister in bed with her Dornish prince of a husband."

Jaime raised a hand to stop Tyrion, "I don't think I actually want to know more.  Sister, I do not know what you see in him."

Joellyn shot a nasty look in Jaime's direction, "And I don't know what you see in our sister."

Jaime paused for a moment, but he didn't look angry as he replied, "Honestly, sometimes I don't know what I see in her either."

Tyrion and Joellyn were both surprised by his honesty and a comfortable silence settled on the three of them before Jaime said, "You know, this isn't so bad in the grand scheme of things.  Four walls, a pot to piss in.  I was chained to a wooden post covered in my own shit for months."

Tyrion looked at his siblings in disbelief, "Is this really supposed to make me feel better?  Stories of my sister's sex life and knowing what life was like for you as a captive?"

Jaime shrugged and raised his hands as he said, "Maybe a bit...  I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."

Then it was finally out in the open.  Jaime had acknowledged how long it had taken him to come see Tyrion.  Joellyn and Tyrion had tried to avoid the subject, but Tyrion couldn't keep it a secret from her that he was hurt by their brother's absence.  The three of them had always sought solace from each other, especially as it was concerned with Tyrion turning to Jaime for help.  It had been hard on Tyrion to depend on his baby sister for social interaction and not have Jaime come check on him even once until now.