FOUR : OLENNA (I)

It had been four years since the end of Robert's Rebellion. Each one seemed to add another wrinkle to Olenna's once beautiful face. Every day she found herself shrivelling up more and more like a bloody grape left out in the sun.

Now she had something else to focus on, besides her vanity; Margaery, who was already as beautiful as a rose — as beautiful as Olenna herself had been all those ages ago. She would train up this clever girl, she would point her in the right direction: away from foolishness.

Even if it meant she ended up an old shrew someday.

Currently her granddaughter was stood in front of her idiot son, Mace, with his wife Alerie and their other three children; Loras, Willas, and Garlan. The boys were all restless, shuffling and bouncing and giggling, like jumping beans.

Alerie encouraged them to stay still, gentle but firm. Olenna had to say that, aside from being an occasional numbskull, the woman had a way with the little ones that even she herself admired. Immediately they quieted and her good-daughter smiled.

Through the front gates of Highgarden, up the grassy path, came a wheelhouse and several mounts. They paused in the centre of the castle, horse hooves echoing on the cobblestone ground. Atop a white horse was one of the most charming women Olenna had seen in a great many days; with black curled tresses and purple eyes.

Ashara Dayne.

Originally she had thought her son an imbecile to invite this disgraced woman and her bastards to Highgarden itself, with a foolhardy plan to marry off one of his children to her own, but now Olenna saw that her beauty almost made up for it.

If the children were comely as well...

Ashara Dayne slipped off her horse and landed with grace, beaming at the sights around the lot of them and peeling off her gloves. "Lord Tyrell!" She called, seemingly delighted. An ignorant man would be convinced, but Olenna saw that she was slightly uneasy.

Mace approached her and bowed his fattening body to kiss her hand. "My Lady Dayne," he returned in kind. "It is a pleasure to have you within the four walls of our home."

There are more than four, you dunderhead, Olenna thought wryly. She kept her smile affixed upon her face, however.

Alerie went to them, skirts sweeping and braided hair swishing. "Ashara!" She exclaimed. Olenna knew that her happiness upon seeing this woman was true. "Oh, how wonderful it is to be in your company once more!"

"You are too kind," Ashara said. The two hugged and kissed as the wheelhouse was emptied. To Olenna's surprise, only two were inside it; a girl of about eight and her nursemaid. So where where the other children?

And then, as soon as her mind wondered, she was given an answer as a little girl and boy, who looked just alike, walked up to their mother. They had been riding?

"Lord and Lady Tyrell, may I introduce my children?" Ashara smiled politely at them and put one hand on each shoulder of the twins. Mace and Alerie nodded accordingly. "This is Alysanne, and her brother, Jon. And here is my sister Allyria."

The girl of eight smiled pleasantly and held out her hand to be kissed, hesitantly. Olenna knew that it wasn't the customary greeting in Dorne.

"It is a great honour," Mace simpered, the fool.

"And here are our own brood," Alerie announced. "Our oldest son, Willas — who is eight, bearing on nine — and then Garlan, who is seven, and Margaery, who is nearing on five, and Loras, who is in his last days of his second year."

Ashara nodded. "You all look so sweet and kind," she said to the lot, and they blushed. "Seven above, it is hard to believe Margaery and my two are of the same age!"

There was a slight accusation in that tone, Olenna noted with a dry smile. This woman was no idiot; good genetics on her part, then. A fine match for any of Olenna's grandchildren, if they were not baseborn. A shame.

"May I introduce to you my Mother, Olenna?" Mace gestured to where she had been standing behind them all.

Ashara smiled, but it was false. Oh, yes, she had taken a liking to Lady Dayne already. Olenna leaned forward and kissed both of her cheeks with an admonishing look to her son, who went a bit red but managed to cover it up with a smile.

"You must be exhausted," Alerie said. "We have chambers prepared for you, and assistance for anything should you need it."

Ashara nodded thankfully. "You are most kind, My Lady," she said, and then looked down at her twins. "It's past time the both of you had a proper bath."

They both made noises of protest and the boy — Jon — winced a little. Ashara ruffled his hair kindly.

"Would you mind terribly if Margaery and Loras joined them?" Alerie asked, smiling. "We could catch up while our children get to know one another?"

Ashara brightened. "Absolutely," she said. Her children sent her heated glares that Olenna appreciated.

Soon enough Olenna had been dragged along by Alerie to the guest chambers which had been set up for Lady Dayne and her children. She was to, apparently, watch over the children whilst Alerie and Ashara reacquainted themselves with one another.

Am I a grandmother or a nursemaid? Olenna wondered, as her good-daughter knocked on the door.

It swung open, at first Olenna thought on its own until they looked down. Alysanne Sand was staring up at them. "Ladies of Tyrell," she greeted, pushing the door open wider. She was a pretty little thing, Olenna thought; near on par with Margaery — though she could be biased.

Her grandchildren ran for the large bath that had been set up in the centre of the suite, surrounded by soaps and filled to the brim with pink suds that smelt of rose-water. Olenna seated herself on a comfortable chair as the four children stripped down — Jon Sand begrudgingly.

Margaery and Alysanne were soon plopping soap onto one another's hair, giggling at how ridiculous the other looked. Good friends already, Olenna observed.

Loras was fashioning himself a bright pink beard and the Sand boy was keeping to himself, playing with a wooden toy ship.

Ashara and Alerie poured themselves goblets of wine. Alerie passed one to Olenna, who politely refused. She planned on being perfectly sober by dinner. She listened in on the conversation between the two chatting ladies.

"Gods, it's been ages," Alerie said.

Ashara nodded. "I have missed you," she said. "It seems only yesterday we were in court together."

Alerie smiled. "Do you remember the day Cersei Baratheon choked on her pigeon pie? I thought you would never stop laughing!"

She laughed now, purple eyes brightening in a way Olenna had seen on many a Targaryen faces. Alysanne squealed suddenly, and every gaze was drawn to her. Margaery and she were sopping wet, covered in bubbles, and Olenna's granddaughter was giggling madly.

Ashara turned to Alerie. She looked sharp, suddenly. "Why have you summoned us here, My Lady? Aside from the obvious reasons?" She raised a brow. "What of the less obvious ones?"

"I suppose it is only fair you are warned," Alerie said quietly, leaning in slightly. "Mace intends to propose a marriage between a Dayne and a Tyrell."

"Oh?" Ashara blinked, though Olenna could tell that she was unsurprised. This woman had enough cunning to know why Mace had summoned her here. "My children are not legitimate, though."

"Oh, my sweet girl, do not be a fool," Olenna said suddenly, playing along, though she kept her voice low. "You know very well my son would have your children legitimised by Royal decree before anyone married."

Ashara pursed her lips. "Perhaps," she said, sipping her wine. "But not with the Stark name."

Olenna had almost forgotten that the two children sat before her in this claw-foot tub were the offspring of Lord Eddard Stark. Yes, of course, Mace would do something like this; an alliance with Dornish houses and, by default, the north itself. A powerful move. A difficult one.

"They could always take your name," Alerie reminded her, smiling. "The Dayne twins."

Ashara grinned a bit and leaned forward to scrub her daughter's hair. Margaery scrubbed Loras' and Alerie did Jon's for him. The boy scowled through the whole affair, but when Margaery blew a bubble in his direction his eyes lit up.

This was going to be very interesting.

There was no grand feast to welcome the Daynes, but a small gathering consisting of the Sand twins, their mother and aunt, and Olenna's son, good-daughter, and grandchildren. Conveniently and rather obviously Allyria and Willas had been placed together, though despite potential alliances Olenna thought that over the past few hours they had become quickly linked.

Jon and Garlan sat together by Loras, though Margaery separated Jon from his sister. Garlan was raving on about his horse and other such nonsense, but Jon Sand lapped it all up eagerly, and even grinned once or twice.

Margaery and Alysanne were already good friends. They spent the dinner talking and laughing over shared jokes and stories. Alysanne looked every bit a young beauty with her hair tied back in a style that matched Olenna's granddaughter perfectly.

Olenna helped herself to the food; roasted duck, cheesed potatoes, string beans, apples, grapes, and oranges, and baked bread with honeyed butter. She had no reason to hold back and merely observed the children and adults as they spoke.

When the candles around the table began to dim, Alerie suggested that the children retire to bed — so that the adults might speak.

Loras and Garlan and even Jon complained, but with a little influencing from Margaery and Willas they all left together.

"So," Mace began. Eloquently. "You must be curious, Lady Dayne..."

"I admit I was before," Lady Ashara swirled her Arbor gold and smiled into it's depths, "but some of my woes were smoothed over by your wife, my lord."

"And you know, then, that I intend to forge an alliance with the Daynes of Starfall?"

"Yes," Ashara confirmed, "one thing that irks me is, why? The Daynes are a noble House, it is true, but not a very prominent one. I assume, my lord, that you intend to forge an alliance with the House Stark along with House Dayne? I must inform you that your efforts will be for naught."

Mace raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"

"Yes," Ashara set down her wine with a bitter sigh. "Lord Stark has acknowledged my children, true, but he has not seen Jon or Alys since they were born. It has been four years since he was last in the south. They do not know his face or voice, and I am beginning to forget it myself." She paused with a purse of her red lips. "I believe it is Lady Catelyn's influence that is holding Ned back."

Mace nodded solemnly, but they all knew business was not finished. "He would not allow them to be legitimised?"

"Only, perhaps, under the name of Dayne. They will not be allowed to inherit anything of House Stark. I have come to accept this as fact."

Olenna popped her last bit of duck in her mouth and chewed. "Well, this is all very disappointing," she said, "but there is still the matter of Allyria and Willas?"

"Yes," Mace smiled. "Allyria is a legitimate Dayne. My son is a legitimate Tyrell. I propose a match between the two."

Ashara coughed. "My sister is a bit young for betrothal, don't you think?"

"On the contrary!" Mace smiled. "I have been getting marriage offers for my son since he was born. I wish to have the matter settled."

The Lady Dayne ducked her head. "Surely there are other houses? Better ones, for your son and heir?"

"Alas, I believe this would be better, my lady; my heir marrying your sister, who would live here in the Reach which is undeniably close to her home of Starfall. I plan to marry Margaery off to a higher house, such as Baratheon or Stark, and my son Garlan to either your daughter Alysanne or one of my bannermen."

"And Loras?" Ashara inquired.

"He wishes to be a knight," Alerie said with a fond smile. "Only two and his aspirations surpass that of his brother."

Ashara nodded. "It is a solid plan you have, my lord," she said. "But I am afraid I must take some time to consider. I would not so easily give away my daughter's hand, or that of my sister's."

Mace nodded, stroking his beard. "I did not expect anything else," he assured Lady Dayne. "You are welcome to stay in Highgarden however long it takes to come to a decision, my lady. You are wanted company, I assure you."

Lady Dayne nodded and removed her napkin from her lap. "I thank you, my lord," she bowed her head. "I will retire, now."

Olenna strolled through the gardens with Lady Ashara on her arm. The children were playing ahead of them; a game of maidens-and-monsters. They were coming upon the briar labyrinth, which Olenna figured would only delight the Sand children more.

Ashara was staring out at the orchards, from which all sorts of fruits grew. "Do you agree with your son's planning, Lady Olenna?"

"Parts of it," Olenna admitted, a bit startled at the woman's bluntness. She recovered swiftly, however. "Others... My son has a tendency to make rash decisions, Lady Dayne. Do forgive me, but a match between a bastard and a highborn? Audacious."

Ashara stiffened, as Olenna thought she would. "Hmm," she looked away, gaze drifting to her children. "And yet, they have noble blood; the blood of Houses Stark and Dayne, and Targaryen."

Olenna nearly faltered at the subtle reminder that Ashara was of Targaryen descent, and thereby her children were, as well. "Yes," she said, coming to a halt at a table and seating herself. She leaned back in the cool shade. "It is a shame they were born with the surname Sand."

"Would you permit me to speak freely, my lady?" Ashara's eyes were bright.

Olenna cleared her throat, and then nodded, rubbing at the bit of soft skin beneath her chin. "I would, my lady."

Ashara hummed. "This is all hypothetical, of course," she assured Olenna, who was not appeased, but remained silent. "If your house was in such a precarious position, for example... A war... Who would you side with, my lady? The Lannisters, who scheme and lie? The Starks, who are honourable no doubt but blind? Or would you declare yourselves independent?" She let the question hang for Olenna to consider, which she had to admit she had not.

Ashara shifted and went on, "None of this, of course, would be the advisable approach. No... The best action would be to remain neutral in time of warfare, until a more rightful heir to the Throne came along."

"Do you refer to Viserys Targaryen?" Olenna leaned forward, startled.

"Oh, no," Ashara smiled dazzlingly and ran a hand along the moist iron table. Her fingers came up wet. "I refer to someone else. An unknown. Hidden away, safe and sound."

Olenna was silent for a moment. Within, the gears were madly turning; pieces began to connect until finally, at last, she sat up straight with her eyes wide and whispered, "Seven hells..."

"Do not jump to conclusions, my Lady Olenna," she said hastily. "Remember, this is all hypothetical. I am only trying to sort out your true loyalties."

"My dear girl..." Olenna blinked. "The loyalties of House Tyrell have always been with those who conquer. Those who raze the world through the means of fire and blood."

Ashara's smile was like a knife in the afternoon sun. Perhaps, Olenna thought wryly, I underestimated this woman.

"This all must stay between us, My Lady," Ashara rose with the practised grace of a highborn woman and looked after her children. "I thank you for your time."

AN: Here's 4! It was such a pleasure to write Olenna, I absolutely adore it. I'm many chapters ahead, at the moment.

Also, about the ages: I am aware that Loras is meant to be older than Margaery, but for the purposes of this story, I had to change that. I've warned in the past that I'm tweaking with the timeline. This is an example of that, but I promise this change isn't drastic and won't really effect anything.

Please review; they give me so much inspiration!

Much love! xx