Daenerys showed him the scrolls of Lady Olenna and Ellaria Sand, hinting toward what Tyrion Lannister already knew. “Dorne and Highgarden are ready to march,” she told him, while her eyes seemed to say, give me one reason why we should not.
“I know it has been a while since we sent Winterfell terms of alliance, but Jon Snow has not given us an answer yet,” Tyrion said, remaining coy. “Maybe his raven lost its way in the winds.”
“Maybe,” said Daenerys. “But at what point do we assume Winterfell plots against us? I understand the North can be great allies, but will they be allies with Targaryens, Lannisters and Greyjoys?”
The tides were crashing against iron islands, audible to all, but Tyrion felt he was in more dangerous waters. I have wine in my belly, but I must keep my wits. We must not court war. He tried a different track. “I had hoped it would not come to this,” he said, “but perhaps it must. Very well – I shall travel to Winterfell on your behalf and offer your terms to Jon Snow and Sansa Stark. I shall not leave without an answer. I believe they know me well enough not to slaughter me on my family name alone…”
“I agree,” interrupted Daenerys. “I think it is the best plan. In such delicate state of affairs, war must be my last option to explore.”
Tyrion hid his surprise well, but Daenerys may have guessed it all the same. “You know,” she said, “from what Jorah and Ser Barristan told me about Robert’s Rebellion, it sounds like your father was very similar to you. He was an expert politician who ruled as Hand to the Seven Kingdoms… but under a king jealous and mad. Things did not work out well for either of them. One was killed by his own Kingsguard, another by his son.” She paused. “Such history must remain locked to the past.”
“Your Grace,” Tyrion started. “You are not your father-”
“I believe so,” she interrupted again. “We are not all of our families. Yara shares Balon Greyjoy’s courage, but she is not him. You… you have your father’s mind, but you have a better heart. That is what will win us this alliance, and what will build a better Westeros.”
Tyrion Lannister retired to his chambers with desire he did not have before. It was not lust, he knew, for that had died with Shae. It was a longing for a world where monarchs could be strong but just, people heartful and hopeful, which made the coming winds of winter almost bearable.
If there were not wine enough in his belly, Tyrion may have heard the footsteps behind him earlier. When he finally turned, it was too late. He heard the dagger enter his belly before searing pain reached his limbs, reached his mind. Paralyzed, he staggered to the floor yelling, looking up at his assailant. All he remembered, before she slashed the dagger against his throat, were piercing eyes of grey.
*
End of episode – S07E04 will be published on Sunday, 22nd July 2018, 8:30 am GMT
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