Chapter 19: Decisions
Sipping gently on her wine, Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns leaned comfortably back into her chair. The day had just reached its peak and the light was reflecting down on the beauty of Highgarden, showing it in all its splendour and glory. Truly, it was the jewel of the Reach and perhaps, the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms.
Though with the current war waging on in Westeros, perhaps even a brothel could be considered a jewel.
It wasn't surprising that things had gotten to this point. The Targaryens led by Aegon Targaryen had come as conquerors, forcibly uniting most of the Seven Kingdoms and only integrating Dorne through marriage. Since then, they had ruled, symbols of strength and in some cases, madness.
In the chaos that ran rampart across the realms back when Aegon the Conqueror first arrived, House Gardener had ruled the Reach. They all perished when they resisted the Targaryens and in doing so, the Reach was granted to them, House Tyrell.
Since then, they had navigated the rocky and treacherous roads of the Game of Thrones. Trying to gain more influence and power, they had met with minor success, almost losing it all when Robert Baratheon destroyed the Targaryens dynasty and replacing it with a Baratheon one.
And look at how that had gone.
Five years after he ascended to the throne, the Iron Islands declared war on the entirety of Westeros in what had come to be known as the Greyjoy Rebellion. And the less said about Robert's rein in the peacetime the better, the Seven Kingdoms actually seemed to be under better rulership when in the middle of a war when Robert was on the throne.
And all the while her house had worked hard to ensure they kept their influence, the Lannisters had grown to be the unofficial rulers of the realm.
Now that war was here, there was finally an opportunity to tear down their longtime political rivals, the Lannisters and increase their own standing. Except, instead of being cautious and thinking things through, her son wanted to go put all their money on a single horse.
If she didn't remember giving birth to the fool, Olenna would question if he was even hers.
"Grandmother, here you are." Looking up, she saw her grandson, Willas Tyrell enter the room. His cane tapping against the floor as he slowly made his way to join her at the table, taking a seat and pouring himself a glass of wine as he did. "Father is looking for you."
Olenna scoffed. "No doubt to try and get me to change my mind. He should be happy that I didn't order for Renly to be imprisoned."
"And would you have?" Willas asked.
"Of course not, doing so would have alienated us to a potential ally."
"And yet you refuse to join Renly's cause. If we did, he'd have over a hundred thousand men at his command. The largest army in Westeros." Olenna simply shook her head, he was smart her grandson. While he was no longer able to sharpen his skills as a warrior, he had instead worked hard to sharpen his mind. Yet at times, her grandson acted much like any man, unable to see anything other than what was right in front of him.
"If we did, you're right, Renly would have an overwhelming advantage. But I'm sure you remember the letter we received of Ned Stark's escape, yes?"
"Of course, because of it you called off Margaery's betrothal to Renly and told the lords of the Reach to withdraw their support and troops from Renly's army. A very unpopular manoeuvre." Willas omitted the fact that the most angry was his younger brother, Loras. The young man had been outraged and had been caught trying to sneak out of Highgarden to join Renly.
Loras hadn't gotten far, eventually captured by Garlan and other men of the Tyrell guard and brought back. He was, last Willas checked, locked in his room under heavy guard to ensure he didn't do something similar.
"Yes, despite his misgivings, Renly is a gifted orator loves by many." Olenna muttered. "But you forget who Ned Stark is, an honourable man. I like the Stark's for that, they're a breath of fresh air. So terribly honest that you can't help but like them and pity them. Ned Stark is loved by the lords of North, the Vale and the Stormlands. If he really wanted to he could crown himself King and you'd be hard pressed to find people willing to go against him."
What Olenna didn't mention because it didn't need to be, was the fact that Ned would never do that. He was too honourable and so, would never make a grab for power on such a scale, it was for that very reason that people loved him so, though that wasn't the only reason.
"Mmm, even so, Renly is the only one that would provide us with the chance to gain the power we seek."
And there came the crux of the matter.
The Tyrells and more specifically Mace Tyrell wanted to be connected to royalty through marriage and blood, he wanted his grandchildren to be Kings and queens, and princes and Princess. It was an ambition shared by many in the realm, the only problem was that the Tyrell's always found themselves on the wrong side of things, losing influence instead of gaining it.
Tywin Lannister had practically made Joffrey a puppet king and there was no way the Tyrells would be able to gain any measure of influence or power that would make allying with them worthwhile. That was how the Lannisters were, greedy and possessive, unwilling to let go of what was theirs.
Stannis was no better and there was no love loss between him and their house. The Siege of Storms End had left a bitter taste in Stannis' mouth so much so that Olenna wondered if purely out of revenge he'd strip them of all their lands and titles. He wouldn't, no King would want to risk destabilising the realm and rebellions so soon after becoming King. Then again, Stannis had never been an orthodox individual, nor was his recent conversion to the pagan God from across the Narrow Sea in Essos.
Apparently, if the rumours could be trusted, Stannis was burning people alive in some pagan ritual. No, she'd rather not ally herself with what was obviously another Mad King in the making.
Renly was a good choice, an excellent choice. If one didn't overlook the fact that he had no real claim to the Iron Throne. Stannis was the rightful King if Robert Baratheon's children were actually the children of Queen Cersei and the Kingslayer. And if Ned Stark had escaped from the Black Cells then he would support Stannis due to honour dictating it.
Though his new religion might be a cause for serious problems between the two.
But if Ned Stark did ally with Stannis that meant he would be an enemy of Renly. Most of his forces would be comprised of soldiers from the Reach, the lords from the Stormlands on the other hand would be wary of fighting the Lord of Winterfell. Renly would lose a portion of his fighting force before the fighting even began.
Stannis on the other hand would gain the soldiers of the North and Vale, possibly even many of the Stormland and Riverland soldiers as well. As numerous as the soldiers from the Reach were, that was not a fight anyone wanted to fight alone.
No, it was too early to attach oneself to a singular King yet. It was best to sit back and watch as the events unfolded around them, then they could make the best decision for their future.
"Speaking of the Stark's." Willas spoke, interrupting Olenna's train of thought. "It seems that we have a new King in this war. The lords of the North and Riverland have proclaimed Robb Stark their King. Hardly surprising really, he has quite a fearsome reputation and legend building, especially considering he has all but disarmed Tywin Lannister."
Olenna noted the tinge of respect in Willas' voice when he mentioned Robb Stark's recent string of victories.
"And your opinion on the war?"
"If things continue the way they are, it is most likely that Robb Stark will win. Tywin Lannister made the correct decision in staying Harrenhall, it forces Robb to commit most of his forces to ensuring he can keep Tywin in check. However, it seems the Young Wolf was more resourceful than we imagined. Lord Jason Mallister has been hard at work reclaiming the castles and keep that had either remained neutral or surrendered to Lannister occupation in the Riverlands. His force, from our last reports numbered over eight thousand strong."
Olenna hummed, agreeing it was a smart idea. Lord Jason Mallister was a renowned commander of great skill.
"This also puts more pressure on Tywin, though instead of pushing that avenue. It seems the Young Wolf has instead decided to not aggravate the Old Lion. His supply lines from Kings Landing to Harrenhall have been untouched and it seems that both sides are content to remain where they are. It's a stalemate as far as things go." Willas finished.
"Hmm, but that won't remain the case for long. If I remember correctly, there's another Lannister army being raised, yes?"
"Yes, last reports on their strength put them at ten thousand though most are fresh recruits. Even so, their presence alone puts pressure on the Young Wolf much like how Lord Mallister's actions put pressure on the Old Lion."
"And what does dear Garlan believe the Young Wolf's next move will be?"
"Brother believes they will be mounting an invasion on the Westerlands. Stark still has six thousand men at Riverrun, though our last reports showed him marching south to Pinkmaiden in order to reclaim it. No doubt he will be using those men to at some point launch an invasion into the Westerlands and wipe out the Lannister force raised there. If he does that he will have the advantage in this war."
And as Willas said that, Olenna went silent considering what this could mean for the future.
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A fist slammed into the table sending the sound echoing across the Great Hall at the Golden Tooth. All around the men of the North that had been feasting and celebrating to their two consecutive victories, first at Oxcross and then at the Golden Tooth, halted. The lords and noblemen looking to see the Young Wolf crunching the letter in his hands, a deep angry glare upon his face as his mouth curled into a snarl reminiscent of his Direwolf.
"Your grace?" Lord Marq Piper, the new Lord of Pinkmaiden asked hesitantly from beside the King.
"My father raised him, taught him and loved him. And this is how he repays our family?" Robb seethed as he got his feet, Grey Wind sensing his masters anger released a deep growl. "Lord Bolton! Lord Karstark!"
"Your grace?" The two men replied, rising up from where they were situated in the room, Rickard surrounded by his two sons, Harrion and Eddard while Roose had secluded himself in quiet corner, watching the proceedings around him with a studious gaze.
"You are to remain here and ensure that our foothold in the Westerlands is secure. Do not leave or attack any Lannister forces until you receive my orders." He ordered firmly, stalking across the Great Hall and out of the room barely paying attention to the affirmation from the two lords in question.
Despite never giving the order, his personal guard rose from their positions across the Great Hall and followed after him.
"You mind if I ask what was in the letter?" Smalljon asked as they entered out into the courtyard.
"Theon has betrayed me." Robb spoke firmly, Dacey Mormont ordering the stable boys to bring their horses, Olyvar Frey having already rushed ahead. "The Greyjoy's have invaded the North." His grim words made the men of the North frown in anger, many spitting on the floor or cursing Theon's name as they did.
Robb paid it no heed, taking the reins from Olyvar and swinging himself up into his saddle.
"We make haste to Riverrun."
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