Bronn sat on his horse by Tyrion's side, as they and the bannermen waited for (Y/n) and the children to appear. After she had received the missive from their father, Tyrion had made his way back into Lannisport believing it best to inform the sellsword as to the new turn of events. And given that Bronn had taken it upon himself to smash up half of the tavern in which he was already getting drunk, it was obvious that he hadn't taken the news well. Particularly the part about his children having some other man's name.

Suddenly the bannermen sat up straighter, as movement appeared in the doorway of the keep. Elna being the first to appear and make her way over to the waiting carriage, opening the door and curtsying as (Y/n) finally stepped out into the courtyard, with a child in each arm.

"Not now.........." Tyrion whispered, stopping Bronn before he could steer his horse closer to the carriage as (Y/n) passed one of the children to Elna, before climbing inside. The lady never once looking at Bronn as she did so.

"I can't believe that she agreed ta this.........."

"Believe me when I say that she has no desire for this; but she has little choice. (Y/n) knows our father well, and she is aware that he will do anything to restore the family name. To not have the legitimacy of his grandchildren be called into question. So, he will have her marry and will have it said that the children were the old lords from the beginning, and people will accept it; because if they don't..........." Bronn letting out an indignant huff, not wanting to hear any more of this. Not caring about what the old lion wanted. The twins were his, the only man's name that they should have, was his. And as for (Y/n), he had no intention of letting some old cunt with a posh title, get his hands on her. But how he was to stop this; how he was to speak to her when she didn't even want to look at him.........

"But you know, it is some way from Casterly Rock to Kings Landing.......anything could happen in the meantime........." Tyrion continued, patting Bronn on the arm, before the carriage began to move. Tyrion, Bronn and the bannermen falling into line behind it, as it slowly pulled away from the ancient castle.

                                                   >>------------------------------------<<

(Y/n) breathed a sigh of relief, as she placed Markas and Aranna into their crib; happy to take a seat in the tent that had been set up for the three of them.

It had been a long day, the carriage ride bumpy and it had caused the two children to fuss more than they normally would; and it hadn't helped that she had often caught sight of Bronn riding as close as he could. The lioness only able to imagine what was going on in the mind of the sellsword; sure that if it were the other way around, the notion that her children were to have someone else's name; some other man that they called father, she would be angry....she would be irate. Her head dropping into her hands, as finally she allowed tears to fall.

"(Y/n)........" A worried voice came. The lady quickly wiping the tears from her cheeks and doing her best to smile, as she looked around to see Tyrion standing at the entrance to the tent.

"Brother.......come in. I would appreciate someone other to talk to than Elna......." She told him, patting the chair next to her. Tyrion making his way over and taking her hands.

"You know that I have always been here for you, sister; as you have been for me. There is no need to pretend, (Y/n); I know that you have no desire for this. Talk to me, sister........I can see the ache in your heart........." (Y/n) looking into Tyrion's eyes as he spoke.

It was true, she and Tyrion had always supported one another. The twins had their own connection and had always been close; so, she had to suppose that it was natural that she and their little brother would gravitate towards one another, for who else did they have. And over the years they had grown close; each the one that they could cling to in times of trouble. The calm in the chaos. And if ever she had needed that calm; needed his sage advice and care, it was now.

"I know this is all my own doing, Tyrion. That I have no one to blame but myself. If I had not been so foolish as to let my desires to snub what was expected of me; to do something I knew father would hate, I would never have bedded Bronn, I would never have fallen pregnant and found myself in this predicament. But despite the fact that I hate the notion of being married off to save the family name; that I might have actually been able to wed a man that I loved, if I had taken a different path; I cannot regret anything that I have done. The time I spent with........with Bronn, opened up my world; made me see things differently. I had fun, I laughed; I felt free. And my children.......they are the greatest thing that I have ever done. The greatest gifts I could ever be given. Yet I should have known that I would have to pay the price eventually; I had just foolishly hoped that banishment from Kings Landing would be enough......" (Y/n) confessed, fighting back the tears that once again wanted to fall. The lioness only hoping that her betrothed would be a kind man and would treat her and the children well.

"Though if father is correct, and the lord is happy for me to forego some of my wifely duties, I suppose that it could have been worse. At least this way I won't have to put up with a man like Robert grunting and sweating on top of me until only he is satisfied. It will be like being married to Loras Tyrell, but without the knowledge that if I can't find my husband, he might be in the stables, rolling around in the hay, with a stable hand." The lady continued, doing her best to lighten the mood. Tyrion giving her a small smile, before bringing her hands up to his lips to kiss.

"That is very true. Nor will you have to put up with Renly Baratheon being a constant shadow........" The little lord agreed, before making his way over to pour two glasses of wine: handing one to his sister then taking a seat.

"You should speak to Bronn again.........."

"What.......after everything he said the other night. The rumours were bad enough before he opened that mouth of his. Now every time I walk past one of the bannermen, I can see the smirk on his face. I don't want to imagine what they are thinking........."

"Well, I suppose that it is not every day that they are told that a lady can and will do things that would shame a whore. Or that............."

"TYRION!"

"Forgive me, (Y/n). Though the looks on a few faces that night, were quite amusing.........." The lioness actually finding herself chuckling at the remark.

"He loves you........."

"Bronn doesn't know what love is, other than the love he has for himself. And as much as I would like to believe you, I am sure that I would end up just as miserable in the end. Maybe he would do his best to prove himself for a while, try to be a good husband and father; but eventually he would grow bored, get sick of married life and the responsibility. Then all it would need was one pretty face for him to betray me: to go back to spending all his time in the brothels.........I.......I don't think that my heart could take it. It would break me.........."

"You......you love him too; don't you.........?" (Y/n) looking over at her brother. Thinking for a moment, before slowly nodding.

"Yes........I knew some time ago that I loved him. Even before I found out that I was pregnant. But I also knew that I couldn't say anything; that all I could do was deny it and bury the feelings as deep as possible. Perhaps if this was another time, another place then there might have been a chance that we could be happy; but as it is.........Bronn will always be Bronn........" She sighed. Neither she nor Tyrion knowing that someone had been listening to their conversation all this time.