Margaery walked down the Sept hand in hand with Joffrey. They were dressed head to foot in gold, Margaery's dress was magnificent with its intricate dark gold lace detailing and two metre long train, it was certainly a dress fit for a Queen.
As they stood ready before the High Septon to be anointed as the new King and Queen, Oberyn Martell crept up behind Dove who was watching the proceedings with a calculating gleam in her green-silver eyes.
"Can we talk?" He hissed in Dove's ear.
Dove jumped slightly unaware that Oberyn was there, her eyes flickered over to Tywin whose gaze was fixed on them.
"Later Oberyn" Dove said lowly returning her attention to the ceremony.
The Septon put Joffrey's crown on his blonde hair and announced "I give you King Joffrey of the Houses Baratheon and Lannister, first of his name"
The crowd applauded and Oberyn caught sight of Tywin's smug expression as he applauded and something inside him snapped.
"No we need to talk now Dove" Oberyn snapped and he seized her by the arm.
Dove forcefully pulled her arm free and gave Oberyn a furious look "Not now" She hissed fiercely and returned her attention to the ceremony.
Oberyn glowered at Dove but she was now ignoring him, she was too busy observing her sister with anger bubbling in the pit of her stomach.
It was now Margaery's turn to be crowned, her grand gold antler crown was placed on her head and the Septon declared "I give you Queen Margaery of the Houses Tyrell and Baratheon, first of her name"
The applause began but this time it was louder, Margaery turned to face the crowd as the Kingdom's new Queen. Margaery's eyes found Dove and she smirked triumphantly at her. But instead of Dove frowning as Margaery hoped, Dove grinned wickedly at her before she began to laugh.
Margaery's smirk vanished and the crowd's clapping slowly began to stop, all eyes were on Dove whose laughter had become louder.
"Congratulations little sister, I'm so happy" Dove called
Margaery smiled tightly knowing everyone was watching her and Dove. The applause resumed many believing Dove was actually congratulating Margaery, but the look in Dove's green eyes said differently.
As Joffrey and Margaery walked back down the Sept's aisle toward the exit, Oberyn rounded on Dove.
"Now can we talk?" He asked sarcastically
"Not here" Dove replied and calmly took Harvey's hand in hers "We shall speak later" She added and gave him a meaningful look.
Dove walked toward the exit with Harvey who asked "Why did you laugh Mum?"
"To wipe the smirk off your Aunt's face Harvey" Dove answered honestly
Dove sat beside Loras and Harvey laughing at a joke her brother had just told. They were sat in the palace gardens, hundreds of people were gathered for the coronation feast which was an elaborate event.
Tables were decked out in luxurious red silk cloths, every plate was made of solid gold and the crystal champagne flutes had been imported from Asshai. All together the coronation's dining set alone had cost the crown millions.
"It just screams wealth doesn't it?" Dove mused admiring her crystal champagne flute
"Yes but in a bad way" Loras replied and helped himself to one of the hundred exotic dishes available.
Dove on the other hand ate little, bread, cheese and a few grapes sat barely touched on her gold plate. She felt sick at the sight of Margaery and Joffrey glowing with happiness, but she reminded herself that she simply had to be patient. Tywin and Olenna had told her their plans were in place, all they wanted Dove to do was wait.
"When will the entertainment begin?" Harvey asked Dove after he finished his food.
"Shortly I think" Dove answered and affectionately tugged on one of his curls "Your hair has grown so quick, we'll have to cut it soon" She declared
"What do you think the main entertainment will be?" Harvey questioned
"I don't know" Dove frowned and the fact she didn't know, plus the fact Joffrey was grinning with barely contained dark glee, made her feel uneasy.
Oberyn lightly touched Dove's shoulder and she turned.
"Might I have a word?" Oberyn asked, his voice was calm but there was a storm brewing inside his dark eyes.
Dove debated a minute. She had been dreading this moment, knowing Oberyn would be furious with her because of her relationship with Tywin. But she knew he deserved an explanation, therefore she nodded her head in answer and stood up.
"I won't be long" Dove reassured Harvey and Loras before walking away with Oberyn.
Oberyn was bristling with anger but he waited until they were in a secluded spot, away from prying eyes to pounce of her.
"I think you owe me an explanation. Why Tywin Lannister? You could have had any man in the Seven Kingdoms, you could have had me-" Oberyn said quickly, his anger and confusion pouring into his words.
"Oh I could have had you, could I?" Dove laughed interrupting him "The man who fucked off to the other side of the world without even telling me" She hissed
"That's not fair" Oberyn retorted although guilt distorted his handsome features
"Not fair, no Oberyn what isn't fair is finding out from your brother that you had left me" Dove said lowly, hurt shining in her green-silver eyes "You've been gone for over two years Oberyn, did you honestly expect me to stay at home waiting for you to return?"
Oberyn ran a hand exasperated through his inky black hair, thinking about how he would explain or for that matter justify his actions. The moment he had seen Dove at Margaery's ball after years of being apart from her, he had realised leaving her had been a grave mistake and he bitterly regretted it.
"Dove I thought about writing to you so many times to explain" He paused drawing a shaking breath before continuing "Elia's death has damaged me beyond repair, I couldn't stay in Westeros where everything around me reminded me of her"
"Did I remind you of her, is that why you left me behind? When you looked at me were you reminded of the times the three of us spent together? I loved Elia too she was like a sister to me, and when she died I lost not only her but you as well" Dove looked up blinking away tears, the memory of the loss was still painful "I loved you Oberyn and you just left me" She added her voice trembling slightly
"And I love you, I still do, please Dove leave Tywin and come back to me" Oberyn implored and took Dove's hands in his.
"No Oberyn it's too late, you had my heart once and you broke it. I won't be giving you it ever again" Dove snapped and roughly pulled her hands free.
She stormed off away from Oberyn and the memory of the pain he'd caused her. She remembered what her grandmother had taught her and quickly pushed the pain aside, took a deep breath, lifted her chin proudly and made her way back to the heart of the celebration.
As Dove made her way back to her seat she noticed Tywin and Olenna had returned.
"Where have you been?" Tywin asked and Dove's stomach twisted uneasily, feeling as if Tywin's green-gold eyes saw straight through her.
"I was talking to Oberyn" She replied honestly, mainly because she didn't want to openly lie in front of Harvey. However she knew it would cause Tywin's wrath, after all it was a well-known fact Oberyn hated him.
"Why?" Tywin questioned his tone dangerously cool.
"It's personal" Dove retorted fearlessly holding his icy glare.
Tywin was clearly about to responded when Joffrey interrupted. Everyone turned their attention to their new King who was grinning from ear to ear. Dove shifted closer to Harvey, whatever Joffrey was going to say next she knew she wouldn't like.
"My people, it is time to celebrate our new reign. A reign that will be completely different from the disastrous reign of the Targaryen's. Today is a victory for us all, it is a victory for peace, prosperity and change. Therefore to remind us of our triumph over the Targaryen dynasty, the Seven Kingdom's best actors are going to react that moment in history" Joffrey announced and sat back down beside Margaery
Dove looked sharply at Olenna whose expression informed Dove she had no idea what was about to happen. Tywin wasn't looking at them instead his eyes were focused on the actors who began to appear.
An actor clearly dressed as Robert Baratheon charged at another actor who was portraying Rheagar Targaryen.
"The mighty Robert Baratheon faced Rhaegar Targaryen in battle, the Targaryen had kidnapped Lyanna Stark, Robert's betrothed and he wanted him to pay for carrying out such a despicable crime" The narrator began
The actors fought one another as other actors rushed onto the stage, a battle began and many in the audience clapped.
"Whilst war raged between Targaryen and Baratheon, in King's Landing the feared Tywin Lannister and his men began to sack the city. Tywin Lannister had fooled the Mad King into believing he was there to help, seeing this his son Jamie Lannister plunged his sword into the Mad King's back ending his deadly reign"
This scene was acted out but Dove wasn't watching it, her eyes were fixed of Joffrey who was smirking at Oberyn.
"Something bad is about to happen" Dove hissed "It involves Oberyn" She added and looked panicked at Loras. Without hesitating Loras stood up and made his way over to Oberyn, and just in time.
"Once King Robert defeated Rheagar, there was the matter of his fair wife Elia Martell and her children"
Time stood still for Dove as the actor playing Tywin yelled "KILL THEM!" and pointed at a beautiful actress who was cradling a baby in her arms as well as being accompanied by a child.
The actress look eerily like Elia, with her long jet black tresses, olive skin and wide dark eyes that were full of fear as a huge man portraying the Mountain advanced toward her. The actress screamed and held the baby protectively against her chest as the actor playing the Mountain lifted his sword.
Dove was shaking with horror, a red mist descended over her mind as her eyes found Joffrey who was laughing at Oberyn, as he was having to be restrained by Loras and two other men.
Dove briefly closed her eyes, the actress screams echoed in her head and Dove fought back tears as she knew this is what Elia would have sounded before she died. Dove's eyes snapped open and a rage like she had never known before exploded within her.
CRASH!
Everyone froze as Dove's table hit the floor, plates clattered, glass shattered and hundreds of pairs of eyes fixed on Dove.
"HOW DARE YOU!" She roared her whole body trembling with anger.
Joffrey had paled obviously not expecting such a dramatic reaction from Dove.
"We are simply recreating history my dear sister-in-law, no need to flip tables" Joffrey retorted trying to appear in control
"This is not history! This is you tormenting your subjects because you're a twisted little boy. Family members died in this war and you pass it off as entertainment!" Dove yelled, her voice was filled with authority and Tywin smirked at how regal she seemed.
"It's the truth! Your lover sentenced Elia Martell to death yet you criticize me for displaying it" Joffrey retorted with a shrug.
"I did not sentence Elia to die" Tywin interrupted "To paint me in this light is frankly unforgivable. You were not a part of this war, how can you possibly know what happened" He added scornfully
Dove had reached the actors now who were looking fearfully at her "I don't care what he's paying you I will double it if you leave the stage right now" Dove informed them and they scattered
"Don't walk away" Joffrey called to the actors but they had already fled, far more afraid of Dove and Tywin than him "I am your King and I order you to come back!" He shouted
"You're no King" Dove spat her green eyes filled with contempt
Gasps came from the audience as they continued to listen to this intense exchange.
"You will not speak to me in this manner, guards arrest her!" Joffrey commanded
Not a single guard moved.
"Guards! Arrest her!" Joffrey repeated but they still didn't move.
Dove began to laugh, it was a dark cunning laugh that caused the hairs of the back Margaery's neck to stand up.
"Dove stop" Margaery instructed summoning as much authority as she could into her voice
"Oh no little sister I'm just getting started" Dove chuckled and turned to her audience "Is this the type of monarch you want? The kind that decides that the tragic deaths of those we loved are just entertainment. Elia Martell and her children's death were one of many tragedies in the war, but it is a personal tragedy for myself and my dear friend Oberyn. Forgive me for ruining your meal but I couldn't stand by and watch Joffrey laugh at Oberyn's distress as heard the actress scream like Elia would have.
As many of you may know I was hit by a car a few weeks back and it was Joffrey who organised this attempt on my life. My own sister sat back and let it happen, she endangered me and my seven year old son. If I had not rolled my boy out of the way, the car would have hit him as well. My son Harvey has nightmares now, as do I wondering if my sister will let her husband nearly kill my child again. I don't know about you but I don't want to be ruled by monsters who pray of young children, turn on their own blood and torment those around them, as they have tormented Oberyn and myself today"
"Dove is right, and you can have a say in who you want to rule this country" Tywin added and made his way over to Dove.
Dove smiled bewitchingly at Tywin and slipped her hand into his
"No!" Joffrey exclaimed realising their intentions "I am the King not you and I do as I please, I will torment who I please"
"Not while I'm here" Dove said lowly
"Then perhaps we should change that" Joffrey replied menacingly
Joffrey advanced toward Dove, his eyes burning with hatred and he drew his ceremonial sword. Tywin pushed Dove behind him but as he did Oberyn Martell broke free of the men holding him, and pounced on Joffrey.
Before anyone could act, there was a flash of steel as Oberyn plunged his knife into Joffrey's throat.
"The Lannisters aren't the only ones who pay their debts" Oberyn growled in Joffrey's ear.
Margaery and Cersei screamed in unison as Joffrey collapsed the floor, hot blood pouring from his neck. Dove was sprayed with blood but she didn't seem to notice, her eyes were on Margaery who was watching Joffrey die in his mother's arms, wondering if her sister believed she had intended for this to happen.
Tywin remaining cool and collected, turned to address the guards "Take Cersei and Margaery away" He instructed "And arrest Oberyn Martell" He added
"No" Dove gasped
Tywin gave her his most glacial glare and Dove flinched. The guards seized Oberyn, and Dove despite Tywin's warning stepped forward to defend him. Tywin grabbed her arm so harshly it took all Dove's strength not to cry out in pain.
"Do not intervene" Tywin snarled his fingers digging into her arm
Olenna appeared at Dove's side and leaned to whisper in Dove's ear "It's part of the plan Dove come away, Oberyn will be fine" She soothed
Dove looked over at Oberyn who was being put into handcuffs, his dark eyes found Dove's green ones and he winked playfully at her.
Confusion filled Dove's mind not understanding what plan Tywin and Olenna were brewing, it was then she finally noticed she was covered in Joffrey's blood.
"Come on let's get you in some clean clothes" Olenna said gently as if she was speaking to a child
Dove nodded her head and allowed Olenna to escort her away from the murder scene. Cersei was yelling threats for everyone to hear but the world had gone silent for Dove as she looked at the blood on her hands.
Please review! Thank you for your previous reviews. Sorry there wasn't much romance between Tywin and Dove in this chapter but there will be in the next few.
