56 Discussions And Offers
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~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Courtyard, Highgarden, The Reach, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
Sitting across the elegant table are the people who carry the name Tyrell. An Ancient House that rose to prominence during Aegons Conquest. Taking the seat from the then-ruling House Gardener. My eyes drift to the young Lady of House Tyrell.
The woman is who I've come to loath in many respects. So many are pushing for a marriage between Margaery and my brother. While Aegon had two wives and Maegor several more. I don't like the thought or feeling of sharing Raenon.
Not with someone who isn't family. If I had another Targaryen sister, then perhaps I'd share my brother. Margaery isn't Valyrian, and she's not winning me over.
"I'm glad you've decided to help us, King Raenon. Tywin and his armies are marching here as we speak, and we don't have enough to beat him. While our numbers are superior, Tywin knows we can't beat his soldiers or him in the open field."
The late morning sun is shining down on the courtyard. It's warm in Highgarden, but not hot. The one speaking is the fat ugly one. Mace Tyrell. Oberyn taught us about all the Lords and Ladies of Westeros. He said there was no one more incompetent than Mace.
Not that I care much for the Lords and Ladies of Westeros. Information is information, though. Rae runs his hand along my thigh under the table. I don't know why he's doing this. It's not in a sexual way, only in a calming and reassuring manner.
"Varys is the one you should be thanking. He's ensured I'm informed about everything going on in Westeros, as you already know."
My brother's eyes drift to Lady Olenna, and the old woman gains a small smile. We know Varys is talking with Lady Olenna. Why do we know? Varys told us. He's been transparent in his goals to marry Rae to Margaery. Gaining a second wife.
Varys knows that if he keeps secrets and plots regarding us to himself is dangerous. That he'd die if we found out. He's made the decision without us warning him always to keep us in the loop.
"The Spider knows that our families need each other. While you'd easily conquer Westeros, you will not win it. The hardest part when winning a war is easing the people you conquered into your rule. The Smallfolk hate you here."
Loras Tyrell has fallen behind the underlining conversation a tad bit. The boy is a knight and not a mastermind. Rae remains silent for a second; he then leans slightly in my direction.
"Se hāeda tresy hen lentor Tyrell iksos paez..."
Rae tells me the young son of House Tyrell is slow. There is a nervous energy that spikes from the other side of the table. When Rae and I speak in our mother tongue, it causes a small disruption. No one in Westeros among the Lords and Ladies speaks it.
Not since The Rebellion.
A small smile forms on my lips as I prepare my response.
"Skori gaomagon ao pendagon pōnta'll maghagon bē se dīnilūks?"
I ask my brother when he thinks they'll bring up marriage. It's a topic I can see is on the minds of Olenna and Margaery. As much as I hate it, I know we'll discuss it. Either now or later. Tywin is a few days away from what Olenna has told us.
Being left out of a conversation is annoying and rude. The effects our tactics have are beginning to show. Having the ability to have a private conversation right in front of someone makes plenty of people upset.
The frustration of Lady Olenna is growing.
"You're in Westeros; speak out tongue."
Her words have a firey edge as she's tired of our blatant actions. This is fun, more than I thought it'd be. Rae leans back in his chair slightly and takes on a relaxed form.
"Varys knows a lot about our families. But yours needs mine far more. We already have two children. A King and Queen after us. I know what you really want to talk about is marriage. Why do you want it when any child born now will inherit nothing except our blood?"
The thought of Margaery having one of Rae's children sends bloodlust through me. I hide everything I'm feeling. This is a conversation that needs to happen, and my pregnancy hormones will not get in the way.
Along with my jealousy.
"Surely all your children can't be from Daenerys? Putting so much pressure on one woman is unfair. If you have two, that's twice the amount of kids."
Olenna immediately responds to Rae, and she brings up a great point. While Queen Alysanne had several children, many Queens after her didn't. She was the reason House Targaryen grew so powerful. It was her giving birth to so many babes.
My nails are digging into my palms under the table. My face, however, remains calm and neutral. The way I need to act is a mighty and confident Queen. Not a jealous little girl who can't and won't share.
As much as I want to be that right now.
"Say I do take on Margaery as my second wife. Any children born between us will belong to House Targaryen. They will marry each other, either from my and Dany's lines or from my and Margaerys' lines. No child will be raised in Highgarden."
Using my nickname in front of them is a small slip of the tongue. But I don't mind it. It shows how close we are. I'm talking about this because I don't want to address anything else he said.
"If that's how it'll be, then so be it."
Lady Olenna must really want his marriage.
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Courtyard, Highgarden, The Reach, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
This discussion is going as Oberyn said. He told me one tactic I could use to see how serious they are about this marriage. It's a rather brilliant but cruel way to do so. Dany doesn't know about it, and I'm a little scared to say anything now.
But this is the perfect opportunity to do so. A test to see how much they're willing to risk. A slow and deep breath enters my lungs as I prepare a response to the conversation Olenna just ended with the acceptance of terms.
"If Margaery and I are to wed, I must ensure something."
There is silence from the other side of the table and a tense silence coming from the woman next to me.
"Well?"
The elderly woman grows impatient at my lack of continuation.
"When we're finished repelling Tywin and his attack on The Reach, Margaery will return with Dany and me to Essos."
I can already tell there will be a lengthy discussion with Dany later. But right now, I need to focus on this. Oberyn said if I don't want Tyrell interference, I should take Margaery back to Essos with me. If they accept, then they'll be giving up any sway and power.
It's the purest form of control I can have. Judging from the reactions, they're not happy with the offer. Everyone except for Margaery. Before Lady Olenna can reject it outright, Margaery herself stands up. Getting everyone's attention.
"I look forward to leaving for Essos with you."
Her eyes land on her distraught father and angry grandmother as she finishes saying that.
~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Highgarden, The Reach, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
"I'm not speaking to you right now."
Rae is on the bed next to me. After our conversation with the Tyrells ended, we were given some rooms. While I don't like sleeping in the rooms of a family that could kill us, it's not like Rae will let any harm come to us.
He can wake before something attacks us. He said it's one of his abilities in magic. I witnessed it back in the Qohor Forest. It's a handy trick.
"I'm sorry, Dany. Oberyn said if I wanted to have true control over House Tyrell after accepting their offer, I'd need to separate Margaery from her grandmother. I honestly didn't think they'd go for it. But Margaery herself threw that plan in the shit."
Ever since that discussion, I've had a pit in my stomach. I feel his hand run across the back of my shoulders, and I shove his arm away. But I'll admit the touch was something I needed. But I want to be mad at him right now. No matter what.
But he tries again, and I shove him away. Only weaker this time. He can tell. After a third time, I give no resistance. He brings me into a hug and kisses my lips.
It only takes a moment for me to sink into the familiar and wonderful action. My arms wrap around his neck. I want to be mad at him... I want it... But I can't... Not at Rae...
We pull away, and he leans his head against mine. Our noses touching. Eyes peering into one another.
"It's not set in stone yet, Dany. Margaery won't be let go without her father's permission. Which I doubt she has."
That's true. Maybe this won't turn out the way I fear it will.
