New students start from 'Game of Thrones'

Chapter 50 Shifting Tides

Though the Battles of Riverrun and the Trident had ended, their ripples continued to spread across Westeros. Even as the last swords were sheathed, news of the Northern victories reached every corner of the realm.

In Winterfell's Great Keep, Eddard Stark unfolded the freshly arrived letter, reading it carefully. After a moment, he looked up and spoke: "Robb led our men well. He lifted the siege of Riverrun and freed Edmure and the Riverlands lords. Owen held Tywin back with the infantry—forced the old lion to retreat in disgrace."

"We hold the upper hand now against the Westerlands. And we have Jaime Lannister captive. I'll send a letter to King's Landing at once—demand they trade Sansa for Jaime."

He turned to Catelyn Tully. Learning of their son's victory had lifted much of her anxiety; now, only her longing and fear for her daughter remained.

"Be at ease," Eddard said, comforting her as tears welled in her eyes. "The Lannisters will agree. Soon, we'll have Sansa back."

"Maester Luwin," Eddard called, turning to the maester who stood nearby. "Write to King's Landing as I've said. And send another raven to Dragonstone—tell Stannis to ready his forces. He must coordinate with Robb when the time comes to march on King's Landing. This farce ends now. The Baratheon dynasty must remain in Baratheon hands."

"Yes, my lord," Maester Luwin replied, bowing before departing.

In the Reach, at Highgarden, Olenna Redwyne—the Queen of Thorns—sat with her granddaughter Margaery Tyrell, discussing the Stark-Lannister war.

"Who would have thought the old lion—famous for his cunning—would be outmatched by two boys?" Olenna said, her tone sharp yet calm. "His heir captured, himself scurrying back to Harrenhal with his tail between his legs."

"Now that the Lannisters have lost, will the Northerners march on King's Landing unopposed?" Margaery asked, glancing down at the letter in her hands.

"Not a chance," Olenna shook her head. "This defeat hasn't broken the Westerlands. Tywin Lannister won't let his grandson—or grandson-in-law—be torn from the Iron Throne without a fight."

"And it's not just Tywin. Your father—my fat, foolish son—would never allow it either."

"Of course," Margaery nodded. She was the Little Rose, after all—her wit and shrewdness had long won Olenna's approval. It was a sad truth: the brightest star of House Tyrell was a daughter, not her eldest son Willas... and Willas was a cripple.

"Your father has already heard of the Lannister defeat," Olenna continued. "He's meeting with your brothers now, planning to throw Highgarden's full support behind Renly's claim to the throne. It seems my son fancies himself Hand of the King." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Father acts for Highgarden's sake," Margaery said, looking up at her grandmother. "With the Reach and Stormlands allied, we hold all the cards."

"We hold cards, yes—but your father is short-sighted," Olenna replied. "He dreams of being Hand, but he hasn't thought to secure a queen for Highgarden. Still, I've spoken to him. If Renly wants our support for his crown, he must marry you. Only then will Highgarden fight for him with all our strength." She smiled, her eyes warm with affection for Margaery.

"You mean... make me queen?" Margaery asked, surprised.

"Exactly. If Highgarden is to take part in this struggle for the Iron Throne, we must gain something lasting. Gold and titles are nothing. House Tyrell may never sit the throne itself—but your children could. A queen's crown, and Baratheon kings with Tyrell blood... that is true power."

The Queen of Thorns spoke with quiet resolve. "The men of House Tyrell lack wit. It falls to us women to keep our family strong. A sorry state of affairs, but so be it."