章 44: Chapter 44

She walked down to Luwin's quarters. She knocked on the door. "My lady." The man was dressed and ready for the day.

"There is something happening to Tyrion." Cersei followed the maester. Sansa was in her quarters waiting for them.

The maester ushered the girl out of the room. Cersei didn't know what happened.

"What happened?" She asked Sansa quickly.

"I woke up and he was feverish. I shook him but he wouldn't wake up. I tried shaking him again when you sent me back but he didn't react.

Cersei nodded. She tried to remember and couldn't recall if Tyrion had the measles. She assumed he contracted the disease when he was a child but she couldn't remember.

She tried to remember when she was a child. She remembered her and Jaime with fever and rashes. She remembered mother singing to them. She took care of them. Cersei remembered mother's big belly and crying because of the rashes. Mother would calm her and she would rub her belly.

The maester left the room. "He has the measles disease."

"Will he die too?" Sansa asked with some apprehension.

"I do not think so. He will need care. The fever will weaken his body. We have to be careful with him. Lord Tyrion requires constant care at least for the next few days. My lady, I will like to see to young Rickon. We need to be watchful of him. I'm afraid young Rickon would not have such an easy time with this disease as his siblings did." Cersei nodded.

"Sansa dear, you were exposed to the disease as a child were you not?" The girl was the ideal candidate to take care of Tyrion.

"I was my lady." The girl trembled.

Cersei arched an eyebrow; "your husband needs you now."

Sansa paled and shook her head. "Please don't make me."

The older woman understood that the girl wouldn't be of any help. "Step aside. You will sleep in other quarters until my brother's recovered. Now remove yourself from my sight." Lady Stark grew annoyed with the girl.

Sansa lowered her gaze and practically ran away from the big bad lioness. Cersei looked at the maester. "Examine Osha too. Have her take care of Rickon." The woman hesitated before making her decision. Rickon was healthy. He nursed on regular schedules and was livelier ever since she stopped crying so much.

"I assume you will stay with your brother." Maester Luwin seemed to agree with her decision.

"It is best my lady. You and your brother spend a lot of time together. It is best if we keep young Rickon isolated for the time being. I will have the babe drink goat milk." The man said with an easy tone.

"How long until Tyrion recovers?" She asked thinking of Rickon too.

"A couple of days. My lady. I am sure you remember when your children contracted the measles. They were able to recover within two weeks. I expect your brother to experience the same. I am only cautious of you because of lady Roslin's death."

Cersei nodded. Rickon would be safer if she stayed away at least for the time being. "I will stay with my brother." The woman didn't know what made her so readily willing to take care of her baby brother.

She entered the quarters. Tyrion was trashing around. "I will send Jeyne to help you with him. Your ladyship will need to make sure his fever diminishes. I will examine the babe."

Cersei waited until the maid arrived with cold rags and basins of water. The woman changed the rags on his brother's forehead.

He was unconscious for that first day. Cersei read and revised Winterfell's needs. She asked if this was normal and Luwin nodded. "I gave him some milk of the poppy to ease the uncomfortable experience."

She sighed and settled down in his brother's quarters. By the second day Tyrion was awake and talking. "What are you doing here?"

"Taking care of you. My little brother, you could be more effusive." She frowned when Tyrion swatted her hand away from his head.

"Where is Sansa?" He rasped.

"She moved to other quarters. I do not know why you care so much for that girl." Cersei stubbornly put another cold rag on her brother's forehead. He frowned and she rolled her eyes.

"You are suffering from measles." She explained.

"Impossible. I had them when I was a child." Tyrion replied.

"Apparently you did not. I had them, as did Jaime. You were in mother's belly if I remember correctly."

He stiffened a little. Cersei understood that was her fault. Whenever he spoke of mother she would cruelly tell him it was his fault they had no mother.

"Is anyone else infected?" Tyrion grabbed her book and thumbed through it.

"Yes, some servants but no one in our family. Rickon does not show any symptoms. They are quarantined in one of the keeps. Luwin is seeing to them."

Cersei asked the maid to send for food since Tyrion was hungry. The worst hadn't passed yet. Tyrion would break up in rashes and his fever would spike. This was the pleasant little brother she was experiencing.

The siblings asked Luwin to bring their papers, ink and more books. Cersei inquired as to Rickon's health. "The babe is healthy. There aren't any signs of illness."

She smiled gently. "You should go with your son."

Tyrion ate and remained quiet. Cersei read more letters and wrote more to her children. She spent the rest of the day writing and rewriting letters to her children.

She wrote to Joanna first.

My dearest Kitten,

I hope you're well. Please keep writing and taking care of your sister. I believe prince Gendry and lord Baratheon will be on their way to Storm's End when this letter reaches you. My sweetling please take care of yourself. Do not trust so easily and I'm so very sorry you had to see Selyse take her life in such a manner. Your brothers are fine they grow strong and you would love to see Rickon. He loos a lot like your father. I long to see your face until then please keep writing.

With all my love

Mother.

Joanna wrote her every week it seemed. Cersei was surprised to learn Selyse Baratheon committed suicide. Her daughter was shocked and concerned. She was far more impressionable than Arya. She hoped Joanna took her advice and remained guarded. Cersei sighed, she should have insisted in the girl learning more than archery.

Cersei looked to the bed. Tyrion was fast asleep. The woman wrote to Arya then.

My dearest Wolfing,

Be careful. Now that your prince and Lord Baratheon have marched to their ancestral home you have to be cautious. Do not attempt to be anything other than the highborn lady you are. Do not leave your sister's side. Your mouth will get you into trouble if you do not keep quiet and listen. Your brothers are strong. Rickon looks like you and Ned. Arya keep your eyes open my love and remember our words, both our houses my love. Stay safe and protect your sister.

With all my love

Mother

Arya didn't write. Joanna usually included passages in which Arya expressed her opinions. Cersei wrote to her nonetheless. Her daughter was restless. Joanna wanted everyone safe, she wanted all the hurt to disappear. Arya was different. She wanted Catelyn to hurt. If possible Arya wanted to fight. Cersei rested easier knowing Stannis would never grant her daughter's wish.

Cersei wrote to Robb. Her son wrote to her a few weeks announcing that Jon was due to meet him in the Riverlands. Jon would be there now.

My dearest Robb,

I hope you're safe my darling. I wish you would come back home. I trust Jon arrived with good health. Robb please reconsider; come back home. Your uncle can surely manage his own men without your input. At least please ride to Dragonstone and protect your sisters. I didn't raise you to be a soldier. Dearest, please come back to your mother. Bran and Rickon are safe. Your uncle sends his regards too.

With all my love

Mother.

Lady Stark pleaded with his second eldest. Robb would of course ignore her missive. He as Arya did not write. It was different; she had Joanna who wrote about Arya. Robb was alone. Jaime wrote to her once. She burnt the unopened letter. Tyrion must have written because she never received more letters.

Tyrion was awake now. "My face itches."

Cersei stood up and approached him. He had a red rash on his forehead and cheeks. "You have a rash."

"Brilliant sweet sister. You are skilled in the arts of the obvious." He was in one of his moods.

Cersei rolled her eyes. "Do be grateful brother mine. I could easily leave through this door and have your delightful wife nurse you to health."

Tyrion stood up from the bed and sat by her. He grabbed parchment and a quill. "Who are you writing to?" He asked.

"My children." She replied. The woman glanced at his sheet of paper and saw he was drawing something.

Cersei looked back at her parchment it was blank. She had to write to Jon. Tyrion sent him a short missive regarding Roslin's death. Lady Stark wrote to him too. Her son did not reply to either uncle or his mother.

My dearest Jon,

I hope you're safe darling. I do not know if you received my letter or your uncle's. I am afraid your lady wife is with the Gods. She perished from the measles disease. Do not worry my love. We are all fine. Your uncle is bedridden but maester Luwin expects him to recover. Dearest, I need you to be the strong man your father and I raised. You have to bring them to their knees. Ned wouldn't agree but perhaps you and I are the only ones who understood your father's honorable nature. Do not fret my dearest son. Avenge your father. Bring them to their knees. I worry for you and your siblings. Jon, please, please. Do your mother a favor. Send Robb to Dragonstone. Have him bring your sisters back to me. He will only hear you. Sweetling please. I would be easier if I had them by my side. Your brothers are well. Bran can almost walk with some canes your uncle built for him. He is so determined to succeed. Rickon is well. He grows strong and looks much like Ned. He looks like you too.

With all my love

Mother

Cersei wrote and rewrote her letter for Jon more than three times. She was not entirely happy with the result but it would have to do. She needed to convey her desperation to Jon. Her son was the lord of Winterfell and could send Robb back. She knew it was almost impossible that he would heed her advice. Robb was his own man now and there was a possibility that he wouldn't listen to his eldest brother. Jon could opt to not send Robb anywhere. It was why this letter was so important.

The maester entered the quarters and examined Tyrion. "The rash should proceed. You are progressing nicely my lord."

"I rather not be here." Tyrion grumbled. Cersei rolled her eyes and asked about Rickon.

"He is well my lady. Osha tends to him as you requested. She stays with Bran and Hodor. The young lad is growing strong. The direwolves watch over them." Maester Luwin said while examining her brother's chest.

Cersei smiled. It was good to know her youngest sons were safe. "Have there been any ravens?" she wanted to have news of her sons and King's Landing.

"Not one my lady." The older man finished his examination and proclaimed Tyrion had still a few more uncomfortable nights ahead of him.

"Send these and send a man to the kingsroad. I need news of the war." Cersei handed the letters to the maester.

Tyrion made small talk for the rest of the day. Cersei swatted his hands away from rash. "Stop. You will make it worse." She repeated as she pressed cold compresses to her brother's skin.

Tyrion grumbled. "That's cold."

"Ungrateful man." Cersei continued with her compresses.

She was exhausted by the time Tyrion finally slept. The next few days consisted of the same routine. Tyrion grew restless and impatient while Cersei treated him with patience and delicate care.

Cersei rested the fifth night until she woke up to a handmaiden shaking her gently. "M'lady"

Lady Stark sat up; a frown marred her face. "M'lady said to wake her if anything happened." The woman looked nervous.

"Lord Tyrion's fever spiked quickly." Maester Luwin tended to her brother. Tyrion shivered and trashed around. "What can I do?" She said quickly.

"Help me bring the fever down. Keep pressing the cold rags to his forehead." The maester handed her the rags. They managed to bring the fever down an hour after she woke up.

"We'll have to monitor him the rest of the night." Maester Luwin commented once Tyrion was back on his bed. They had to bathe him with ice-cold water. Cersei remembered seeing Tyrion naked when he was a babe. She saw her brother naked again but this time it was a man's body with stunted legs.

Cersei helped the maid change Tyrion into bedclothes. They remained watching him until he opened his eyes. Tyrion's eyes were glazed over. He whimpered and cried. "Mother, mother." Her brother cried pitifully. "Please help me restrain him now. He will harm himself if we let him keep on like this." Maester Luwin took action. He restricted Tyrion's movements. Cersei moved behind her brother to keep his head and shoulders still. Two maids kept his arms still while Luwin held onto her brother's legs.

"Mother, please don't leave. Mother." Tyrion's face contorted with pain. She was confused. The man kept looking at empty air.

"Mother, mother please, come back." Her brother trashed with more vigor.

The maester's hold on her brother's legs weakened. He looked up at her, "My lady, come by my side." Luwin exhorted her to leave her place by Tyrion's head.

She stayed by the maester's side. Tyrion looked at her. "Mother, please don't leave me. Please stay here." Her brother tried to reach her with one of his arms but the maids held onto his arms.

"He thinks I'm her." Cersei concluded. She felt discomfited. Her brother hallucinated it was her. It was cruel and ironic. For years she tormented him, repudiated him and now in his delirium Tyrion believed her to be their mother. Tyrion grew restless if that was even possible.

"My lady it is best if he remained still." Luwin commented.

Cersei didn't have any other choice. Tyrion was her only companion, the only intelligent being and her equal. She tried to rationalize her actions. Lady Stark was not ready to admit that she cared for her little brother. Years of hatred and contempt did not go away in a couple of months. Their circumstances were extraordinary. They only had each other for intellectual conversation and companionship. Luwin was her advisor, Osha lacked finesse, the children were young and Sansa was a blithering idiot.

Cersei reached to him. Tyrion quieted, he calmed a bit. She sat by his side and sang to him. Her brother stopped his fidgeting. He leaned into her touch. The woman carded her fingers through his blonde hair. It was very soft; her baby brother had very fine and soft hair. She sang the songs she sang to her children when they were sick. Cersei found out that Tyrion calmed down when she heard her voice just as Robb did. Her Robb was the hardest to comfort. She shooed the maids away. There was no need because Tyrion clung to her torso and slept peacefully just as Robb did when he was sick.

Maester Luwin stayed in her cot while Cersei slept by her brother's side.

Cersei took care of Tyrion the whole night. She wiped his sweat, gave him water and sang to him. The maester left when it was sure Tyrion's fever had broken and he was sleeping peacefully.

Tyrion woke up disoriented a day and a half later. Cersei didn't dare leave his side. She stayed with him. "Why are you in my bed?" Her brother asked with a raspy voice.

"Taking care of you." Cersei said simply.

Tyrion moved away from her lap. He looked uncomfortable. "Thank you." He said awkwardly.

Cersei stood up. "Jeyne, draw a bath for my brother."

He looked better and the rash seemed to have diminished.

"Why were you in my bed?" He asked when the maid helped him out of the bed and led him to where the tub was.

"Leave now." She gestured for Jeyne to leave.

"What are you doing?" Tyrion asked while clutching his robe closer to his body.

Cersei rolled her eyes. "Tyrion, do get over yourself. I have seen you naked."

Her brother frowned. "Your fever spiked. We had to bathe you and keep you cold." Cersei said.

"This is not the time for modesty. Do get on with it." It helped Cersei to think of Tyrion as one of her children when they were sick.

Her brother complied. "Tell me what happened." He queried. Cersei grabbed a sponge and lathered his hair and arms. "You'll have to lather the rest." The woman rinsed her brother's hair.

"Why are you doing this? This isn't like you. We hate each other." Tyrion spluttered when the water entered his mouth.

"You are my brother." Cersei said tightly.

Tyrion moved away from her grasp. "I have been your brother since birth. This is the first time you have offered me some kindness."

Cersei moved to rinse more soap from his hair. She wouldn't apologize, couldn't do it.

Tyrion seemed resigned to not have an answer on the matter. He lathered his body. "What happened yesterday?"

"Maester Luwin and I tended to you. Your fever increased. You confused me with mother. I held your head and sang to you." Tyrion didn't say anything and let her rinse the soap from his hair.

"How much longer do I have to stay here?" Her brother sullenly asked.

"Two more days." Cersei replied while asking for the maids to fetch more water.

"I can't stay here any longer. I must not be contagious anymore." Tyrion said, their previous conversation forgotten. Lannisters did not discuss their feelings. Cersei and Tyrion were lions of Casterly Rock. They were proud, arrogant and above all did not openly apologize. They had nothing to apologize to anyone. They were predators and did not bow to anyone. Lions were not weak.

"The maester believes it will be prudent to have you quarantined for a few more days, lest your health worsens."

The maid brought more water. Tyrion was still weak from his illness. He needed help getting clothed. Cersei remained in the room. The man looked at her defiantly as if daring her to jest or say something cruel. She was quiet and asked Jeyne to bring them breakfast and for Osha to bring her children. Maester Luwin believed the contagious stage was over. He felt confident that her boys were healthy enough to visit her and their uncle. The man even assured her she could return to her quarters but Cersei wanted to remain by her brother's side. She tried to excuse her behavior by stating that Tyrion deserved the best care and she had to provide him with the best care as the Lady of Winterfell.

"I don't understand why are you still here. You are free to go sweet sister." Tyrion was a smart man and understood that if the children were free to come into the room, she was free to leave said room.

"And leave you here. You would probably have your whore here in less than two minutes. I prefer to monitor you."

Tyrion grumbled but welcomed the visitors. Osha brought Rickon and Bran with her. Jeyne brought breakfast. Osha placed Bran by Tyrion's side. "Hello uncle. I have to tell you everything that's happened." Her son said effusively while Tyrion ate.

Cersei held Rickon and asked Osha about the castle and any news. "No ravens m'lady. Nothing, the old man does not lie this time." Osha said.

Lady Stark glanced over to Tyrion and her son. They were busily speaking about horses and how Bran rode his mare around the yard the afternoon before yesterday.

"Lady Sansa?" She asked gently.

Osha looked furtively at Tyrion. She cries in her room all day and night. She doesn't eat, sleep or leave the rooms you assigned to her.

Could it be that the girl felt affection for her brother? Cersei speculated and discarded the idea of affection. It took her years to love Ned and he was handsome did not have whores or drank himself to stupor. Sansa was shallow, forever thinking of songs and knights. There was something else. Cersei rocked Rickon on her arms and asked Osha her opinion.

The wildling looked confused and then spoke. "She is not with child. I have seen women cry for weeks when they are with children. Her moon blood comes, as it should. She is a strange girl, she is."

"Keep your eyes open Osha. Come at once if any ravens come. It is most disconcerting. Alert me of any ravens." Cersei worried. They had not received any ravens since the siege at Torrhen's Square. That was almost three weeks ago. She needed news about the war.

Cersei spent the afternoon with her children. Tyrion asked for his sellsword to visit him. The man appeared in the quarters once the children were gone. Cersei moved to her quarters. She needed a bath and a new dress. She entered his brother's quarters when her brother and the sellsword where in the thickest of a conversation.

The men stopped talking as soon as she entered. "Please do not stop on my account."

She sat next to her brother. The other man looked at Tyrion. "Do continue." She motioned to the man and smiled.

"Sweet sister, it is best if you return to your quarters." He said with a mockingly sweet tone.

"How could I leave you brother mine? Now please do continue Bronn is it?" She enjoyed Tyrion's annoyed face. She didn't intend to hurt him in the least. She only wanted some distraction. The castle was dull without her children.

"Yes, m'lady." The man kissed her hand. She smiled.

"Now, you were probably talking of your whore." Tyrion rolled his eyes. Bronn smirked.

"Do tell me. How is she? Where is she?" She asked the man. Bronn in turn looked at Tyrion as if asking for permission to speak.

Her brother nodded. "She is fine m'lady. Bored now that the lord does not visit her."

Cersei smirked. "He will not visit her any time soon. What would you do Bronn?"

Tyrion frowned. "You don't have to answer. Cersei, stop meddling."

"I only want you to see sense. Tyrion, you took a vow. Sansa is your lawfully wedded wife. Leave the whore. Your wife is a maiden; every night she continues to do so you are at peril. Bed her; give her children. Cast the whore aside; at least until you put a child in Sansa's belly and this war is over. Once you and your wife are in the Eyrie you can have as many whores as you can. I doubt lady Sansa would have many complaints."

Bronn sniggered, "She does have a point. Although I would fuck my wife and my whore."

Tyrion looked at her. "I will not give her up."

Cersei sighed, "you are too stubborn for your own good. Know this little brother, that whore will not set a foot in Winterfell."

Her brother poured wine for them. "You should not drink, not until you are recovered." She drank from her cup.

Cersei knew in where Tyrion kept her whore by the end of the night. She was in one of the small keeps near the gates. "Technically she is not in Winterfell." Tyrion said while still drinking.

"I will not do anything little brother. Not yet." She conceded.

Bronn left after midnight. He swayed away.

She slept in her cot that night. Tyrion refused to stay in bed the following morning and he dressed to have breakfast in the Great Hall. Cersei tried to reason with him but her brother would not hear any reasons.

"It will be your fault if you die." She said as they walked hand in hand to the Great Hall.

They sat for breakfast. Tyrion buttered his toast and spoke with Bran. Rickon was fast asleep. "Where is my wife?"

"She does not feel well and decided to stay in her quarters my lord." Maester Luwin commented.

Cersei couldn't care less. Sansa proved to be just as useless as she first thought. Lady Stark despised weakness.

Tyrion frowned but continued eating. "Maester Luwin. Any ravens?"

"None, my lady. I sent your letters as you commanded." Luwin led her to Eddard's study.

Tyrion joined her shortly after riding around the grounds for a bit. She addressed her brother. "Why aren't there any ravens? Are you hiding something from me? Don't lie, I know if you are." Cersei said crossly. It wouldn't be the first Luwin hid information to keep her in good health.

Tyrion inched closer to her chair. "I am not hiding anything from you sister."

They worked all morning. They discussed Winterfell and attended to the commoners. They were finished with the last commoner at last. She sent for Sansa and Bran it was almost time for lunch. The Luwin burst into the hall before she could order the maids to serve the food. Cersei saw him with a stack of letters.

"My lady." He grinned. The old man looked so happy. The last time she saw him grin like that was when Bran was born.

She was confused as was Tyrion. The old man was out of breath and shoved a letter in her hands. It was simply addressed; it read My Lioness. The letter had the Stark seal.

The woman broke the seal. Her heart thumped inside her chest. There was only one person in the world that addressed her as such: Ned, her Ned. He was dead. His head was somewhere on a spike in King's Landing. Catelyn did not have the decency to send her his bones. Cersei face betrayed her emotions. She read the letter searching for cue words. Her eyes ran over the letters. "I'm alive. Tommen is well. I'm so sorry my love." All she could read was "I'm alive, I'm alive. Tommen is well." She recognized the handwriting as that of her husband. She let out a laugh, pure bliss and happiness.

Tyrion looked at her with surprised eyes. He didn't see the seal. He didn't know what was happening. Cersei cried, she was crying and didn't even realize. Her brother stood up and came near her chair. "Cersei, sister, what in the world…" He couldn't finish because Cersei Stark wouldn't let him. She hugged him fiercely. Lady Stark hugged her little brother, as she should have all those years ago when they became motherless. The woman kissed his cheek.

"You're worrying me Cersei." Tyrion said. She kissed his cheek again. "Ned is well. He is alive as is Tommen. He has Tommen."

Her brother looked at her as if she'd gone mad. "Read it for yourself." He scanned the page. Cersei was glad he was such an avid reader. He looked at her with bright eyes and returned her hug. They laughed. Cersei kissed his forehead and cheeks.

"They're alive." She chanted. Sansa, Bran and Osha found them like that laughing, with big smiles on their faces.

She ran to Bran and hugged him. "Your father is alive as is Tommen." She held onto Bran who grinned. He didn't grin like that since he woke up