Harlen I

"Your Grace? A letter has arrived from a rider." Harlan Tyrell was forced to present himself for the King again. Mern had always proven himself to be ineffective in tough decisions, and this is the most difficult situation a King of the Reach had ever faced. "From Casterly Rock."

Harlan saw Mern's eyes shot up at the mention of the Rock. The Tyrells and the Lannisters were known to be bitter rivals, often competing for lands which bordered each other. It was rare for communication to occur between the two, especially personally delivered by a rider.

"He wants to invite you to his court in Casterly Rock. To meet with him and his liege lords to discuss a response to the Dragonlord." Harlan was always careful how he phrased anything. The choice of words used was just as important as the meaning conveyed.

"I will not go to the damned Rock. Loren is a fool if I will fall for that trick." Mern was not an unhandsome man, yet he was aging quickly now. His fortieth nameday had passed and his brown and blonde hair of the Gardeners was streaked with grey. His once pale skin was now beginning to droop and he wouldn't admit it, but he was tiring more easily with each passing day.

"Your Grace. I understand that it is a sensitive diplomatic issue, however, Aegon has already taken over lands in the Riverlands. It is said that Edmyn Tully hangs the banner of the Targaryens above Riverrun and has summoned his men to march on Harren. It is also said that an army is heading for Storm's End. We cannot sit here and idly hope that Aegon will get bored when it comes to taking the Reach. We are a bountiful kingdom, full of fruit, harvest and wealth. See what the Lannisters have to offer. If we could beat back the Targaryens maybe some of the lords previously sworn to Martells or Durrandon will join us, adding to our Kingdom." Harlan hoped that his plea would work. He wanted nothing more than to send Mern to battle. He knew it would end one of two ways, either they would overpower the Targaryens and they gain prestige, or the more likely scenario of them dying by dragonfire, allowing House Tyrell to grow strong and claim the Reach for themselves.

"You make a good point Tyrell. I knew there was a reason you were here. I will see this lion and his liege lords, but tell him I ride also with all of my liege lords with me, and that whilst negotiations occur no weapons will be within the sight of a Reachman. You will remain here and command with the King's voice, but only smallfolk will remain, your speciality. You will write to every major lord in the Reach and command them to accompany me to Casterly Rock. Use the argument you used on me, but ensure that none of them refuse." Mern was clearly determined now. Harlan would have to do little else to ensure that Mern committed to this arrangement, but it bothered him how he would be left behind to deal with the smallfolk, when his King had ridden off."

"An excellent plan, Your Grace. May I amend something though?" Harlan hoped that Mern was in a favourable mood. Harlan had already pushed him once, but this would truly test Mern.

"What is it Tyrell?" They were commanding words, yet not unkind. Harlan still had a chance.

"I would wish to accompany you. Leave your wife in command and take me to be your official envoy. I can ensure that all of your demands are set before your official arrival and I can use my stewardship to gain insight into what the commoners of the Rock think, rather than the High lords." Harlen studied Mern for any chance of a change in facial expression, Mern however, remained stone-faced.

"You have been a good steward to me Harlen. Few know more about Highgarden or the Reach than you. I will permit you to travel, but you will ride a day ahead of me to ensure that from the minute I arrive, all of my demands are made." Harlen hoped that his face did not betray his emotions. He felt ecstatic, but knew that Mern could not see this. It would look improper, and as an official envoy decorum is needed.

"Thank you, Your Grace. You are most kind. One last thing, Hightower. What should I with Oldtown?" Harlen knew that if anyone would refuse it would be the Hightowers. Despite claiming to be allied with the King of the Reach, you wouldn't know it if you visited. The Citadel still send maesters to all of the Seven Kingdoms and the people are from everywhere, even mystical places such as Qarth and others from unspoken places. The Hightowers did not care for the goings on of House Gardener, even if they were sworn to them.

"Send him a letter, as with the rest, but do not trouble me, or yourself, if no reply comes. The Hightowers are a strange family, but are important to the Reach. Do not let the others get away with it however." Mern gave Harlen a stern look he had only seen rarely before.

"Of course, Your Grace. Would you require anything else?" With a shake of the head from Mern and a small bow from Harlen he left the throne room and immediately headed to his chambers. He hoped that his dangerous ploy would work, but it required more careful planning than just getting Mern to go to war.

Once arriving in his chambers he got his quill and began to get the summons for the rest of the Lords. The first would be sent to Lord Tarly. Mern's close friend Domeric Tarly was always called upon first, and Mern always knew he could depend on the Tarlys. Whilst writing the tedious letters, his thoughts returned to how he could rule the Reach, and how he could claim it. He would need to ensure that his family never directly took up arms against the Targaryens, but the close claimants did, so as to show the Targaryens loyalty to their cause. He would need to remain at Highgarden and for castle to be empty, but for himself when the Targaryen arrives. And finally he would need his quick wit to immediately play Aegon and ensure that he was made Lord of the Reach. Lord Tyrell still seemed funny to him.

After the monotonous task of writing all of the summons had been completed he carried the stack of papers to the maester's tower, to send them all off. Most of the high lords would simply make the maester's write all of the letters, but Mern had always insisted that royal decrees be written by the official steward of the King. On his journey, he met with Queen Alysanne.

"Harlen, a moment please." Alysanne was everything he husband was not, politically shrewd, a good judge of character and not afraid to poke the hornet's nest. "I don't approve with your most recent plan."

"With respect my Queen. It was Mern who issued the decree, not I. I merely told him about the letter I had received from the Lannisters." Harlen knew it would be difficult to play the Queen, but not impossible.

"Don't kid yourself, Harlen. You and I both know that this was your plan. Sending the King of the Reach into the lion's den. You're more of a fool than I thought." Alysanne was practically shouting now. She had never agreed with Harlen, seeing him as power hungry.

"If it was my plan, why am I arriving a day before Mern does. Your Grace, my allegiance and soul is placed in Mern's hands. I merely live to serve and serve I shall, in the way that Mern orders me to." Seeing that Harlen had won, he merely bowed to the Queen and continued to the maester's tower. Mern gave the order, but Harlen put the words in his mouth. After all, a choice of words can be more important than what is actually said.