The Imp and the Spider

A stable realm.

It had been something he had worked on for many years. He could not say that every action he had taken truly benefitted the realm in the short term, but his endgame had always been for a stable one.

He knew suffering and had endured much of it throughout his life. From a slave of Lys, to being the sacrificial slave of a sorcerer from a mysterious land, abandoned and forced to beg, theft and prostitution in order to survive. His life had been a difficult one from the beginning and Varys knew that it was the children that suffered, who grew up into cruel, mad men who ultimately continued the cycle.

Everything began from the top and carried down the chain that spun the wheel. If Varys wanted to succeed in ending that cycle, he needed to secure a King who could ensure that the chain stopped pulling the wheel.

But good Kings we're difficult to come across. Some played the role of a good King, hiding their desires behind locked doors. Others, indulged in them endlessly, uncaring of the pain they caused others.

Kings were difficult.

The power they possessed and wielded with but a single word corrupted them entirely. Varys had seen it happen with Aerys and Robert Baratheon.

Two Kings, both corrupt.

One, a madman.

The other, a drunken fool.

It was why, when his old friend, Illyrio came to him with an opportunity, Varys accepted. Aegon had all the makings of a good King, all that was needed was proper counselling and constant surveillance.

Varys had worked with Illyrio for many years, manipulating the Beggar King, Viserys and the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys. All the while working to shift the realms into the perfect opening for Aegon's 'return.'

Naturally, of course, things did not go as expected or as planned. It was not just Robb Stark who proved to be a thorn in his side, but the Ironborn, the Tyrells, the Vale, Stannis and even the Wildlings. So many moving pieces that Varys had expected to move in certain ways, only to shift in different ones.

It was an unpredictable world and one that Varys had always understood. But it was the first time he hadn't felt in control. Now he found himself locked away in the dungeons beneath the Red Keep.

"I never imagined that it would be me on these sides of the bar and you on the other." Varys opened his and looked to see Tyrion standing before his cell, looking upon him in amusement with a small smile on his face.

Yet Varys was not insulted by him taking amusement out of his position in life. "I can say that I too am surprised at how things have gotten to this point."

Tyrion moved, wrapping a hand partially around one of the bars, almost unsure if they were real. "I'm curious though, why stay? You could have escaped like the Mattel's before Yohn Royce arrived, but you didn't. Why?"

"Because it is clear how things are going to progress from this point," Varys replied. "The Martells have retreated to Princes Pass, they will no doubt come to Kings Landing to welcome the new King when he arrives from the North."

"Can't help but notice you did not mention Robb Stark, but instead ambiguous," Tyrion noted, amused by Varys ever cryptic words. He rarely ever said what he was thinking and now seemed to be no different. "You believe Stannis has a chance?"

"Do you know what Stannis has done in the North since he arrived?" Varys questioned.

Tyrion scoffed. "I may not have eyes and ears everywhere like you, but I do know things all the same." His words made the Spider laugh lightly.

"Then you should know Stannis' experience in sieges." He pointed out, Tyrion nodding his head, unable to deny it.

"But Robb has even more experience when it comes to sieges considering the numerous keeps and castles he has taken from the Westerlands," Tyrion responded.

"Yes," and there it was, that tone Varys had when he was about to say something truly obvious. "But how many of those were built to be as defensible as the Wall? With all those traps and tricks? The Wolf King may have talent and skill, but the defensive location Stannis has cannot be understated."

"True." Tyrion agreed. "But I doubt that is something the Wolf King has overlooked either."

"No, I imagine it's not," Varys murmured, leaning back against the wall in an attempt to get a little comfortable. It was difficult in these areas, though he was thankful he had one of the more comfortable cells, no doubt a result of Tyrion's, influence.

Much better than the cell he had after being arrested by Yohn Royce.

"Now, I doubt very much you came here to rub my current predicament in my face." Varys eventually said after a moment of silence between the two of them.

"True." Tyrion disagreed. "But it was the main reason."

Varys hummed, indulging in his amusement. "No doubt here to figure out why I decided to work with Aegon Targaryen."

"Actually, I've figured out most of that."

"Really?"

Tyrion nodded his head. "It did confuse me at first, you're many things, an opportunist most definitely. At first, I thought that it was purely to keep yourself in a position of power. But then I started wondering how things had gotten so bad to get to this point in the world. After that, it was very easy to figure out that you had been working for Aegon for a while."

"Impressive, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with how smart you can be. That is when you decide to turn your attention away from whores and wine." He mocked.

Tyrion chuckled. "Well, whores and wine are two of my favourite things in the world. They got me through my childhood after all."

"Yes, I suppose that does explain many things." Varys then rose his hands in an indifferent fashion. "Congratulations are in order, you've figured out the truth. Well done you."

"Not quite," Tyrion interjected. "I've met Aegon, only briefly, but he reminds me so much of the Wolf King. Young, talented, but brash and reckless making mistakes that prove to be costly. It made it clear to me that the plan you had crafted, hiring Sellswords, loaning them to my father and hoping he and Robb would destroy each other."

It was far too complex of a plan for Tyrion to accept the idea that Aegon had come up with it. The things Aegon had shown didn't match up with the type of political and subtle planning needed to pull it off. Tyrion was not one to underestimate young rulers as he had done in the past, but even he struggled to see the Aegon he had seen and with the Aegon needed to pull it off.

"Then if you're not here for that, then it must be to find out whether Aegon is truly who he says he is."

"I can't deny it, I am curious. As is everyone." Trigon replied. "Why don't you tell me what you know."

"In return for what?"

"To satisfy the debt you owe me."

Varys chuckled lowly. "If we are to speak of anyone owing anyone a debt, it would be you to me, is it not?" He questioned, Tyrion keeping that smirk on his face as he conceded with a bow. "A changing of cells hardly equals me smuggling you out of Kings Landing in the midst of a siege.

"But it would be the first time you have reportedly done it," Tyrion stated firmly, implying the miraculous survival of Aegon Targaryen. "Alas, I do not believe anyone will ever know the truth as it will die with you and the man himself. After all, I have nothing you want and what you desire is outside of my ability to provide. Truly, it will become one of Westeros' greatest mysteries, much like yourself in that regard."

There was a pause.

"…From one friend to another, I can say that I truly do not know the answer to that mystery." Varys eventually spoke, breaking the silence that had befallen them. "But while Aegon claims to be many things, I know confidently that he is not a red dragon."

"Then the claims of him being the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell?" Tyrion pressed, receiving a nod in return.

"False."

"Thank you, my friend," Tyrion replied. "I do not know why you told me this, but I am truly grateful for all that you have done for me. Though it may not be much, I will do what I can do at least ensure your head remains where it is or that it is removed painlessly."

"I suppose that is the most I can expect from you in your position," Varys replied. "It is more than I would have done for you had our situations been reversed. Though I never imagined I would have the most unlikely of allies in the Lannister Imp."

"You should never underestimate what I can do if I put my mind to something." The Imp said sharply, his smile growing. "But thanks to you, I now have an answer to a question that had been irking me for some time. And you too I suppose, Prince Oberyn."

Varys' eyes widened, looking to see the Red Viper himself coming around the corner. Upon laying eyes on him, the Spider chuckled, shaking his head.

"Truly, I must be losing my mind to have fallen for such a simple ploy." He muttered. "It seems, I owe you an apology."

"Save your breath." Oberyn spat. "I care not for your apologies. You should be thankful that the Imp spoke on your behalf and has convinced me to spare your life."

He then turned, sparing neither Imp nor Spider a glance as he stormed down the corridors, pursued by guards who made sure to escort him back to his own cell.

"…Now it appears, I do in fact, owe you a debt."

"It does appear that way, doesn't it?"