"A Rose and a Lion
" is a Game of Thrones fanfic where Tywin Lannister dies under unforeseen circumstances three years before Season 1, leaving Tyrion as head of House Lannister. This provides a dramatic change for the Game of Thrones, as the Imp begins the process of reforming House Lannister alongside his new bride: Margaery Tyrell.
Tropes that appear in this fanfic:
- Actually Pretty Funny: Joffrey chuckles at a joke Tyrion makes at The Hound's expense.
- Ascended Extra: Margaery Tyrell is a POV character.
- The Atoner: Jaime for what happened to Tysha.
- Battle Trophy: Tywin's bedchambers had a few trophies from lords he had defeated in the past.
- Big Badass Battle Sequence: The Battle of Riverrun has 4 perspectives in what's nominally the last part of the 2nd phase of the war of the 5 kings.
- Coitus Uninterruptus: Tyrion is informed of his father's injuries by his uncle Kevan while at a whorehouse.
- Conflicting Loyalties: A recurring issue in the story. House Lannister, House Tyrell and even House Stark all have issues amongst its members in having loyalties to the realm, to friends, to family, and to their own honor.
- Death from Above: Tywin was inspecting a ship in Lannisport when a piece of the mast fell, crushing his torso.
- Death Glare: Stannis gives Littlefinger one when he suggests that Tyrion marry Shireen because of her greyscale. Littlefinger just smirks back.
- Dies Differently in Adaptation:
- Tywin Lannister's death kicks off the plot.
- Arianne Martell is mentioned to have died from an illness.
- House Clegane is wiped out by the end of the first year's conflict. Without Tywin's favor, Gregor is killed in the first battle with the north, and Sandor dies in the Battle of the Blackwater.
- Jamie Lannister doesn't make all the way to the end of the civil war. Rather, he's killed when Stannis takes over.
- Cersei is executed by Stannis.
- Stannis himself meets his end at the hands of Jon Snow in the Battle of the Five Armies.
- Dramatic Irony: In his first chapter, Jamie remarks to Cersei that Tyrion would never kill Tywin. Oh Jamie, just give it 5 years.
- Tyrion's own self-loathing keeps him from accepting that Margaery could love him for himself, while Margaery, coached in political thinking, sees that Tyrion will make her happy for both their sakes, but can't help but think of her own abilities to have power rather than accept the joys.
- Due to the communication issues in Westeros, what one person thinks vs what others intentions are often get twisted when the readers know exactly what's going on.
- Godzilla Threshold: In a panic after the death of Stannis and Selyse, Davos offers Balon true Iron Island independence if he'll press his advance against the Stark-Lannister-Tully-Tyrell alliance.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Cersei's efforts to undermine Tyrion typically lead in this direction.
- In Spite of a Nail: As Tyrion and Margaery are only 2 people fighting the structures and old hatreds of the realm, some things are inevitable still.
- Bran is still pushed from the tower.
- Ned still is executed.
- The North still rises in rebellion along with Stannis, Renly and Balon.
- A Lannister is still captured due to Robb's own brilliant work, though this time Kevan is the one captured.
- Mythology Gag: Cersei again tears an official document in two, asking, "Is this your shield? A piece of paper?"
- Tyrion gives Jeyne Westerling his "never forget what you are" speech he once gave to Jon Snow.
- Sansa Stark is suggested as a bride for Tyrion. They were married for a brief time in the books and show.
- Not So Above It All: Tywin admits to Tyrion that he keeps a whore or two and advises him to be discreet.
- Perfectly Arranged Marriage: The betrothal to Margaery came from Kevan first, but Tyrion wanted to be sure she would understand what she was entering into. As such, both of them have difficulties putting down their political minds or facades with each other, but they enjoy each other tremendously. Their sharp minds, breaking down the walls of each other, and finding a common connection in their empathy towards others make for a enjoyable if not perfect marriage.
- Plot-Triggering Death: Tywin Lannister's sudden death in 295 AC kicks off the plot.
- Popularity Power: Margaery figures this out as a thing when she does some service on a visit to King's Landing. That though she may not wear a crown, she's the true queen of the Seven Kingdoms right now.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Tysha gives a blistering one to Jaime in one of his dreams before slitting her own throat."You lied to him. You lied to your brother. You had me raped. His wife. ... You are a knight. You swore to protect the innocent. To defend the weak. You feel you did the right thing by killing the Mad King. You feel you acted like a knight should. But you are no true knight. You're a man without honor. You'll bear my death on your soul for the rest of your life, Kingslayer." [slits her own throat]
- Catelyn also lays into Jon when she hears of Ned's death, thinking the delay for Tyrion to save him cost them his life.
- Related Differently in the Adaptation: Willas and Garlan Tyrell exist, but they're now Loras and Margaery's cousins rather than older brothers like they were in the books.
- Rule of Three: Cersei slaps Tyrion three times in the same conversation.
- This gets subverted later on when Tyrion catches the last slap in fury over how Cersei ruined the realm in a matter of weeks.
- Ruling Couple: After better acclimating to each other, Tyrion and Margaery work the Westerlands together, bringing intelligence, compassion and wisdom together to their realm.
- Servile Snarker: Tyrion has a great wit and a sharp mind, making his japes cutting and accurate. Making his style of ruling an interesting, but fun time when dressing down people under his command.
- Shout-Out: Chapter 12 features Willas Tyrell reading The Hobbit and having a conversation with Tyrion about comparing Smaug with dragons like Balerion.
- Chapter 43 also mentions The Witcher 3 where they don't know how the story ends because it's up to the player to decide who Geralt goes with in that Love Triangle.
- The battle of Riverrun is cheekily called the Battle of the Five Armies.
- Thicker Than Water: Tyrion has a desire for peace and success, but ultimately, it's this which leads him down a canonical path despite how different things have become for him.
- The Usurper: Cersei sees Tyrion as one.
- Wham Episode: Stannis's invasion of Blackwater succeeds! And kills Jamie! And captures Cersei
- Exhausted from doing Stannis's work without any respect or sympathy, The North begins their own rebellion, proclaiming Robb the King in the North
- The battle of Riverrun ends with Tyrion playing kingmaker by leading a relief charge to smash the Stormlands army and kill Stannis, ending his brief reign.
- Margaery falls victim to plague... inducing a miscarriage after years of trying.
- Wham Line: For Tyrion in chapter 6. After sending his sincere letter to Margaery in a self-destructive path to feel out a potential marriage, he doesn't expect anything back from her because he treats her as a potential equal in sincerity rather than romancing her. Then he reads her short reply.Margaery: Lord Tyrion, that would be my pleasure to become your wife and live my life by your side.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Margaery is none too pleased when she hears about what Tywin and Jamie did with Tysha and lays into Genna and Jamie regarding it.
- Margaery also isn't too pleased how much Tyrion tries to excuse his family when they're so clearly ruining the realm.
- You Are in Command Now: Tyrion becomes the head of House Lannister.
- You Are Too Late: Tyrion and Margaery dramatically make it to King's Landing, only to find they're just a hair too slow. Ned is already dead.
