Game of Thrones Iron Stark

Ned cleared his throat and looked around the silent Small Council chamber. No one wanted to raise a hand and make an enemy for life.

"Anonymous vote," he said. "No hard feelings that way."

Littlefinger shrugged. "Fine by me. I'm not winning anyway. Just curious who gets the job."

Pycelle wheezed out a laugh. "At my age I have nothing to gain and everything to lose. Anonymous sounds wise."

Barristan fetched a heavy jar. Lancel ran for paper and quills. Fifteen minutes later every vote sat folded inside. Robert told Lancel to drag Cersei in so the queen could open them herself and keep things "fair."

Cersei swept into the room in gold and crimson, Jaime at her shoulder. She took one look at the jar and the waiting faces and her mouth went tight.

"You summoned your queen for a game of lots?" she said coldly.

Robert grinned like a man who'd just won a bet. "Your little brother might end up Deputy Hand, sweetling. Thought you'd enjoy counting the votes."

Cersei's eyes narrowed, but she picked up the hammer on the table and smashed the jar open. Nine folded slips spilled out. She unfolded them one by one, her face growing darker with each name she read.

When she finished she stared at the slips like they had personally betrayed her.

"Tyrion," she said, voice flat with rage. "Tyrion has the most votes."

She turned on her heel and stalked out. Jaime followed without a word.

The chamber stayed quiet for a long moment. Even the Kingsguard looked stunned.

Littlefinger gave a sour little smile. "Well. The Imp just climbed higher than any of us expected."

Robert roared with laughter, slapped the table, and stood. "Then it's done. Eddard, send ravens. Let every lord in the Seven Kingdoms know Tyrion Lannister is now Deputy Hand. I want the whole realm talking about it by morning."

He swept out with his white cloaks. The others began to drift away. Ned caught Renly before he could leave.

"Lord Renly, a word."

Renly paused, wary. "I didn't vote for the dwarf, if that's what this is about."

"It's not," Ned said. "I hear you have a knight in your service. Brienne of Tarth. A woman, but strong enough to trouble three Kingsguard on her best day."

Renly's eyebrows rose. Then he laughed. "You want her to train your daughter?"

"Sansa needs to know how to fight," Ned said quietly. "King's Landing is a pit. I want my girl to have teeth if someone tries to hurt her."

Renly studied him for a second, then nodded. "She'll be at the Tower of the Hand tomorrow. Brienne follows orders."

He started to turn away, then paused. "Since we're speaking privately… I have something to show you. A painting. Come see it."

Ned followed him to Renly's chambers. The rooms smelled of flowers and expensive oil. Several pretty young men were cleaning. Renly sent them out with a flick of his fingers.

He unrolled a canvas.

A girl with big dark eyes and thick brown hair looked back at them. She had the fresh, lively beauty of someone who still believed the world was kind.

"She reminds me of Lyanna," Renly said softly.

Ned's jaw tightened. "She's nothing like my sister. But she's a fine-looking girl. Who is she?"

"Margaery Tyrell. Loras's sister. Highgarden's rose." Renly's voice dropped. "Robert hates Cersei. Everyone knows it. If you put this girl in front of him and she pleased him… if she gave him a son…"

Ned stepped back like the painting had burned him. "Stop. Right now. I will go to Robert myself if you say another word."

Renly raised both hands. "Understood. Forgotten."

Ned left without another glance.

Cersei reached her chambers and began throwing things. A vase shattered against the wall. A goblet followed.

"That twisted little monster is going to sit one step below the king," she snarled. "My father's golden son. The one who killed our mother."

Jaime stayed by the door, calm. "He's still our brother."

"He's a demon," Cersei spat. "And now he has real power. I won't have it."

Down at the docks Tony's ship waited. Sansa, Arya, and Catelyn stood with him while the tide pulled at the ropes.

"Dragonstone really has dragons?" Arya asked, eyes bright.

Tyrion answered before Tony could. "Used to. Now all that's left is dragonglass. Proof dragons were real once."

A runner in Lannister colors found them. He handed Tyrion a folded note.

Tyrion read it. His mismatched eyes went wide. Then he started laughing so hard he nearly fell off the dock.

"Deputy Hand," he said, voice shaking with delight. "Cersei. Father. Watch me now. I'm going to show every one of you exactly what a Lannister can do when he finally gets the chance."

Sansa tilted her head. "Did your family find another gold mine?"

Tyrion looked at her, still grinning like a man who'd just been handed the keys to the kingdom.

"No," he said. "Something better than gold. Power."