A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)

by George R.R. Martin

“I leave on the morrow,” Tyrion said. “I know.” Jon sounded strangely sad. “I plan to stop at Winterfell on the way south. If there is any message that you would like me to deliver …” “Tell Robb that I’m going to command the Night’s Watch and keep him safe, so he might as well take up needlework with the girls and have Mikken melt down his sword for horseshoes.” “Your brother is bigger than me,” Tyrion said with a laugh. “I decline to deliver any message that might get me killed.” “Rickon will ask when I’m coming home. Try to explain where I’ve gone, if you can. Tell him he can have all my things while I’m away, he’ll like that.” People seemed to be asking a great deal of him today, Tyrion Lannister thought. “You could put all this in a letter, you know.” “Rickon can’t read yet. Bran …” He stopped suddenly. “I don’t know what message to send to Bran. Help him, Tyrion.” “What help could I give him? I am no maester, to ease his pain. I have no spells to give him back his legs.” “You gave me help when I needed it,” Jon Snow said. “I gave you nothing,” Tyrion said. “Words.” “Then give your words to Bran too.” “You’re asking a lame man to teach a cripple how to dance,” Tyrion said. “However sincere the lesson, the result is likely to be grotesque. Still, I know what it is to love a brother, Lord Snow. I will give Bran whatever small help is in my power.” “Thank you, my lord of Lannister.” He pulled off his glove and offered his bare hand. “Friend.” Tyrion found himself oddly to...