Magic, Power and Glory (Game of Thrones)

Old Friends and New Allies

Sun shone through my window and hit my face, waking me up. I groaned and went to turn over so my face was not in the sun, but I ended up on the stone floor. That woke me up, so I went to my wardrobe, where my new clothes were.

I had no idea how they were delivered so fast, but they were. Steel and Ice sat by me as I slowly changed into the dark blue dress that had armour sowed into it. Surprisingly, it was quite a comfortable dress.

Most would not expect me to wear the dress, which was my main reason for putting it on. I had to brush and braid my hair after that. Then I walked out of my chambers, leaving Steel and Ice behind. Their food had been brought in as I slept. If anything, I was surprised that I had not woken up.

Queen Cersei had requested that I eat breakfast with her, so that was where I was headed. Guards led me across the Red Keep, into Cersei's dining hall. When I walked in, everyone was taking their seat. I was fortunate, as I was not late for once. Maybe I should change that.

When I took my seat, everyone turned to face me. I had no weapons with me, so they must be surprised that I am here and wearing a dress. Cersei, Margaery, Loras, Tommen, Sansa, Tyrion Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Joffrey and Olenna Tyrell were all here.

I sat down between Sansa and Ser Loras and directly across from Cersei, who had invited me here for some reason. Our food was already on the plates in front of us, so I began to eat when Joffrey did. After quickly looking around, I relaxed a little. 

No one really spoke as we all ate. They would speak to one or two people, but not all of us. I spoke to no one and just enjoyed my food. It was so much better than what we would eat at the camp when war was still going. This was actual, properly cooked food.

When everyone was finished, they were talking amongst themselves. Someone would turn to look at me every few seconds, but it was a different person each time. Either they feared that I was going to kill them all or they knew that I was so emotionally destroyed that I no longer cared.

"Valyria, would you like to join me in the garden?" Olenna Tyrell asked me.

"Of course, my lady," I said politely.

You did not get a title like the Queen of Thorns for no reason. I have heard that Olenna was witty and sarcastic and often made mean comments. Surely she was a negotiator for her house and someone to work with.

An alliance with House Tyrell was exactly what I needed. House Lannister now had to work with us, or I would end the marriage between Tyrion and Sansa, but if House Tyrell joined us then I could get my house back to the top.

Everyone left the room and I went with Margaery and Lady Tyrell. They led me to the gardens, but we did not speak as we walked there. None of us had anything to say, or so I assumed. I had something to say, but now was not the best time.

I was led over to a table at the very back of the garden. It looked out onto the sea and was quite a nice place to sit. We all sat down and I looked at both Lady Olenna and Lady Margaery. They seemed to be relaxed and calm.

Olenna Tyrell was an old woman who wore a bonnet-like hat. She had intense blue eyes and pale, wrinkly skin. Her smile was a charming one, but it could easily become grim or angry.

Margaery was as pretty as I had heard. She had organised, curly brown hair and blue eyes, which was not a common pairing. She had a short nose, but a pretty face and a confident smile that matched her calm, kind look.

"Lady Stark, I am truly sorry about what happened to you and your family," Olenna said, carefully. "What kind of beast would kill someone at a wedding? If you ever need something because the Lannisters will not leave you be, you can come to me."