The Road North Awaits

Highgarden

It had been a few hours since Margery left Reynard in a whirlwind of curls and beauty. Not knowing what his best friend was thinking and having nothing better to do after eating and washing up he returned to his room and began to draw. His sketchpad held countless drawings depicting the beauty of the castle he was lucky to call home. The affectionately named Little fox was in the middle of drawing the famous maze of Highgarden when he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Quickly putting away his sketchpad and rushing to the door as the knocking became more pronounced. Swinging the door open there stood Garland Tyrell looking at him with a mixture of anxiousness and annoyance. " What did you do now little fox?"

Having no idea what the hell was going on the red head replied " Knowing me it could be a countless number of things. You'll have to be specific Gar."

" I was just summoned to my father's study, do you have any idea why that was?" Seeing his squire shake his head completely confused still, the young knight further elaborated his frustrations. " Me and my father had a little chat. Apparently my sister convinced our grandmother its was a good idea to visit our fellow wardens, the starks of Winterfell. Is that specific enough?"

The bastards mouth fell open in shock, " I didn't think she was serious!"

" Ha, I knew you would know something about this, I'm also sure that you somehow instigated my sisters decision making. I know what bullshit my grandmother fed my dad, something about needing to visit Winterfell to improve our relationship between wardens . However, we both know that's not the true reason for our visit! My ambitious little sister came up with this trip! It has her markings all over it. Plus, it must be one hell of a good reason for my ever pragmatic grandmother to so quickly support and facilitate a trip like this." Finding a comfortable spot to rest on his squires bed the knight continued. "So start talking little fox."

Being confronted by his friend, Rey started to pace back and forth before word vomiting answers to appease his irritated mentor. " I didn't give her this idea all I tried to do was make her feel better! You know as well as I do that Margery Tyrell is ambitious. She found out that Jon Arryn has died and the king was on his way to Winterfell as we speak. She assumed the most likely reason for the kings trip so soon after the hands death was to ask his best friend Ned Stark to be the new hand of the king. This will likely lead to a betrothal between the crown prince and Sansa Stark. I don't know what Margery is exactly planning but I'm assuming it's something along the line of preventing the joining of those houses and inserting herself in place of Sansa." Reynard took a second to catch his breath after rapidly getting all that information out.

Shaking his head the young knight stood up and placed a hand on his squires shoulder to prevent him from continuing his nervous pacing. " Relax Rey, I am not mad at you. I should of known it had to be something like this. Grandmother and Margery are playing a very dangerous game. Women!" Seeing his squire slowly calming down Garland rubbed his head. " Come on little fox we better get a little more sparing in before you settle in for the night. Your going to need all the practice and rest you can get."

"Wait what do you mean by that. The way you said that sound very ominous and not in the your just messing with me kind of way." Reynard questioned his mentor.

" As much as I love to mess with you little fox this is not one of those times. In that meeting I had with my father I was ordered to represent house Tyrell in this " Friendly" visit along with my sister and much to my displeasure, also Loras. However, what made me suspicious of this trip from the get go was how soon we are leaving and how small of a progression we're taking. It makes sense now, my grandmother wants a small party so we travel faster. Giving us the opportunity to beat the king to Winterfell who is likely taking a full detail of solders and servants making there travel much slower." Resting his hand on the pommel of his sword while slowly flexing his fingers around it. " the reason you need to be rested and ready is you are coming with us. I need someone I can trust to help protect my family. The road is not always safe for rich nobles and our small party will leave us vulnerable."

Understanding washed over the red head. " of course, let me get ready and ill meet you on the training grounds." Like the hero's he loved to draw and read about growing up the bastard of Highgarden promised himself to would be ever vigilant and let nothing happen to his adopted family.

"Okay good, Make sure you grab two practice swords from now on whenever you are training. Also before I forget mother wants to see you before we head out tomorrow"

Later that Night

The sore and bruised snow slowly walked to Alerie Tyrells room after a particular brutal training session with her son garland. Taking a breath and steading himself before knocking. Within seconds a handmaiden answered. She was a cute blond woman only a few years older than Rey. Her name was grace, she was one of the few personnel servants of Aleries that treated him with kindness. Most considered him a blemish on the image of their lady, especially with the rumors brought about by being close to bastard like himself. His lords wife's kindness was a gift to our young bastard, a gift he was sure he fully deserved.

Grace smiled at him before opening up the door further to allow him entrance. " Reynard, its good to see you. Lady Tyrell had been expecting you."

" Its good to see you too Grace, I wish I could speak with you more but I fear I have kept our lady waiting long enough as it is. I'm trying to avoid a lecture."

A small smile graced the handmaidens face before leading him further into the room, " of course I wouldn't want you to get in any more trouble. We both know you are more than capable of getting into trouble without anyone's help but your owns. She's waiting for you in her study"

Reynard chuckled and whispered in the cute servants ear, " You're not wrong there Grace." Immediately the girl blushed at Rey as he walked towards his lady's study. Knocking before entering the young fox arrived. Sitting in a plush cushioned chair with a glass of wine in one hand and book in the other was lady Alerie Tyrell illuminated by the soft glow of candles. Reynard could clearly see where Margery received her beauty from. " Lady Tyrell, you summoned for me?"

Looking up from her book and taking in who was speaking to her, the former lady Hightower face brightened into a beautiful smile. " Yes I did my young fox and by your slightly worse for wear appearance I can see my eldest son was the cause of my wait. I guess I'll have to forgive your tardiness this time. Please tell me you at least gave my cocky son at least one good wack."

Rubbing the back of his red head sheepishly, " I'm sorry to say that the only one getting wacked was myself. However don't you worry I'll ring his bell one of these days!"

From what garland tells me that may actually be much sooner then Reynard even realizes. The blood of his father runs strongly in him. A twinge of sadness always invaded her whenever thoughts of Reynard's father entered her mind. " I believe you will. Now for the reason I summoned you. I know of your future journey north and the reason why my daughter and her grandmother have concocted it. My daughter doesn't fully realize the danger or potential consequences her actions have. For that simple reason I would have the oath of my sons squire that he'll protect my only daughter."

Taken aback it took a few seconds to register what she was asking of him. " Of course but my lady you have many seasoned knights who are much more capable or deserving of the task of protecting Margery."

" I have watched over you since you were a just a small babe. That's why I know the type of man you will become. I know you, Reynard Snow down to your marrow. That's why I also know, there is no one in this world I would trust more than you to protect something he loves!" Authority and love radiated from Alerie Tyrell.

Emotion washed over Reynard. Struggling to suppress the tears welling In his eyes. Dropping too one knee while placing a hand over his heart, " I will never be worthy of the kindness you have shown me lady Tyrell." Taking a deep breath to steady himself before continuing, " I Reynard Snow squire to Garland of House Tyrell gives his solemn oath that I shall protect Lady Margery of House Tyrell from this day till my last day."

Tears escaped from the beautiful noble woman's eyes. I'm so sorry to put this burden on you my young fox but it is necessary. My daughter needs to be protected and you need to be kept away from ever finding the truth about your heritage. Little did she know that oath would cause Reynard more pain then any mortal man deserves.

Same moment in the Slavers Bay City of Astapor

A slave girl with light brown skin and curly hair was sleeping fitfully. Sweat was dripping down her body, partially from the dry heat of the city and partially from the images that had entered her dreams

Fire was all around her no matter how fast or how far she ran the fire would follow her. After what felt like forever a cold wind passed through her and gave her a clear path through the flame. Hope took the place of dread inside her body as she sprinted though the pass. However that hope soon turned into ash when she reached the end of road. A huge wall of ice was blocking her path that even the fire all around her couldn't melt. The fire that she was so scared of a second ago now gave her a sense of warmth and safety. As this dream has shown so far any feelings of hope or safety are soon dashed for a loud screeching noise could be heard above her. When the slave girl looked up she saw a gigantic golden harpy rushing towards her with pure fury in its eyes. The last shred of fight gave way in the girl. Crumpling up and closing her eyes she waited for her inevitable death however her death never came. Courage finally built up enough inside her body to open her eyes. Standing in front of her protectively was an animal she had only seen in pictures. A blood red fox with vines and rose thorns wrapped around his body so tight it caused the beast to be bleeding from all over giving its coloring. Whatever pain the creature felt it still stood protectively between her and the harpy. Warmth filled her body once more. All of a sudden the wall of ice started to crumble the same time the harpy started to charge at them. The bloodied fox let out a fearless growl of challenge.

That fearless growl still rang in the slave known as Missandei's mind long after she jolted awake from her nightmare. Everything was so vivid in the dream she remembered every little detail of it, including how she felt. No matter how hard Missandei tried she couldn't forget. Little did she know she would never forget the foxes growl or the smell of blood and roses mixed together.