A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 58: TYRION
Overview
Tyrion, now lodged away from Maegor’s Holdfast, grapples with Sansa’s quiet grief after the Red Wedding and his own powerlessness to help her. He meets Shae in secret among the dragon skulls, indulging their affair despite mounting danger. Remembering Varys’s warnings, Tyrion considers sending Shae away or marrying her off to protect them both, and resolves to endure Joffrey’s coming wedding.
Summary
Before dawn, Tyrion dresses in the dark beside his sleeping wife, Sansa, reflecting on her contained reaction to Robb and Catelyn’s murders and his failure to shield her from the Red Wedding’s cruelties. Though Lannisters thrive, Tyrion feels cold and alienated, resigned that Sansa will not seek comfort from him.
Freed from Maegor’s Holdfast by his marriage, Tyrion now occupies Lord Gyles’s former apartments atop the Kitchen Keep, a small mercy that limits contact with Cersei. Slipping through underground passages, he reaches the cellar of dragon skulls, where Shae awaits. They play in the darkness and make love, briefly easing Tyrion’s dread and guilt.
Afterward, Shae jokes about dosing Sansa with dreamwine, while Tyrion confesses a litany of worries—his family, allies, and enemies alike. He recalls Varys’s warning that Cersei will not be deceived by Shae’s false history and that the Spider will not lie to the queen to protect them. Tyrion feels the mounting risk of their affair and the danger it poses to Shae.
Weighing options, Tyrion considers placing Shae with Chataya for comfort and safety, or arranging a marriage—to Bronn or Ser Tallad—so she might live openly and be protected. He rejects telling Sansa the truth, mistrusting her discretion. As dawn light reveals the skulls, Tyrion resolves to survive Joffrey’s wedding even as Shae professes love. He privately decides to wed her to Ser Tallad, judging it the safest course.
Who Appears
- Tyrion LannisterStruggles with Sansa’s grief and his own guilt; maintains a dangerous affair with Shae; considers sending her away or marrying her off; steels for Joffrey’s wedding.
- ShaeMeets Tyrion in the dragon skull cellar; teases and comforts him; unknowingly deepens his fear for her safety; professes love as he plans her future.
- Sansa StarkSleeps while grieving the Red Wedding; distant from Tyrion, prays nightly; object of Shae’s jest about dreamwine.
- VarysRecalled warning that Cersei will see through Shae’s cover; refuses to lie to protect the affair.
- Cersei LannisterA looming threat; likely to uncover Shae’s true identity if suspicious.
- BronnConsidered by Tyrion as a possible husband for Shae to secure her safety.
- Ser TalladPotential match for Shae; Tyrion privately resolves to wed her to him.
- Lord Gyles RosbyDispossessed of his Kitchen Keep apartments to house Tyrion and Sansa.
- BrellaSansa’s maid; her presence helps cover Shae’s movements; heard snoring nearby.