XXIV: The Bear and The Maiden Fair

Pinkmaiden Castle was left in ruins after Ser Gregor Cleganes siege. But it was the closest stop the could risk to camp at as Casterly Rock rested in the far East. And the sunshine was obvious there, there was a casual breeze but no dark clouds hungover this land. Daenerys had left her dragons to fly on chains so they could adapt to the weather, they deeply enjoyed the warmth. And her men enjoyed watching them fly above and screech.

Daenerys and Robb sat on their thrones as Lady Margaery and Lord Loras Tyrell stood before them with their beautiful smiles and radiant looks. "Your family chose the right side, no doubt, My Lord and Lady. We owe you a great debt. A debt that is soon to be figured out." Robb told them but Daenerys already knew what she wanted to do.

"Lady Margaery, on my word you shall be married to my first son. You'll then be Queen of Westeros after my life. Lord Loras, you will be rewarded with a knighthood and named Ser Loras Tyrell. As debt to your families help and aid we will be naming your father, Lord Mace Tyrell, Hand of the King and Queen and your uncle, Lord Paxtor Redwyne, Master of Coin. Our houses will be joined until they cannot be joined anymore and the Throne will give you anything you desire." Daenerys said. Robb stared at her and then at the Tyrells who both smiled widely.

"This honour is great, My Queen. You're generous. Thank you." Lord Loras Tyrell bowed and Lady Margaery curtseyed.

"Your grace has returned a kind favour to my family, know House Tyrell will always be indebted to you and our bounty is your bounty and our home is your home." Lady Margaery said in almost a musical voice that rang around the tent.

"Thank you, My Lady." Daenerys nodded. She caught Roose Boltons eye as he grimaced to himself and looked away from the scene but as she saw Ser Jorah it reassured her to see him smiling. "What are you doing?" Robb leant over and whispered in her ear as the Tyrells walked away.

"They will win us the Throne, the Tyrells are the third most powerful family in Westeros and they've chose to aid our cause. We owe them, they owe us." She reminded him.

"I know that but, our son? Shouldn't I have a say?" Robb almost sounded hurt as he said these words which made Daenerys feel bad. "We will have more children, Robb. Plus, Lady Margaery is only sixteen and by the time our son comes of age she will be in her early twenties. Its a rough match but a match indeed. We need to play on what our allies want. She wants to be Queen, we give her a crown."

Robb moved away and stared at her with a hint of hurt but a hint of amazement. She owed that lesson to Ser Jorah at the most.

"My Queen, My King, a messenger from the South." A announcer called in a small boy into the tent, he walked through the small court of people and bowed. "My Queen and King. I have news of Lord Tywin Lannister."

"What is it?" Robb asked.

"His army have moved from Casterly Rock to Kings Landing. It seems they've left Casterly Rock unmanaged for the time being. Also, Sansa Stark and Joffery Baratheon are said to be married in the matter of a month. Lastly, Stannis Baratheon sits at Dragonstone unarmed and in low numbers of men. Some say he has taken his smuggler Hand back."

"Thank you." Robb nodded. "Casterly Rock remains unarmed and we sit a few leagues from it. Taking it could lead us closer and give us control of the South." He looked at Daenerys, "I think me and my Queen must be left alone."

The court filed out of the tent leaving Daenerys and Robb staring at each other with smiles. She knew what he was thinking. "So?"

"So." Robb grinned, "What do you think about taking the Lannisters home?"

The Night had dawned and Daenerys sat outside her tent with the dragons at her feet, resting as she ran her fingertips over their scaly bodies. "A defeat of Casterly Rock?" Ser Jorah asked, stepping out from the shadows where he ate a fresh apple.

"Do you not hire whores or visit brothels? Or do you find more satisfaction by lurking in shadows and watching me?" She asked, not looking back as she watch the stars twinkle above. Ser Jorah chuckled and watched her, "I'm not a man of various tastes." He admitted. "Do you really think you can take such a protected castle? Are you sure what the whisperers say are true?"

"No. But if we don't and we travel South I know that the Lannisters will reclaim the land we took and their castle will border the North, keeping us from travelling there. So if we take their home, they have no where to run. Do they?" She raised a brow.

"How does a girl go from knowing nothing to knowing so much?" Ser Jorah asked, impressed.

"I read books and met the right people," She glanced at Ser Jorah and smiled, "Luckily." She picked up her dragons chains and pulled them with her. They sleepily crept along to their cages in the corner, "They've grown extremely well!" Ser Jorah nodded. Daenerys locked the cage doors behind her dragons and pulled over the blanket.

"Yes, the size of a large dog. I read that one they reach the size of a pony I can start riding them. The book doesn't tell me how, but it can't be that hard. Can it?" Daenerys looked at him.

"It'll be difficult to teach them, they are dragons, My Queen. But their devotion to you will make it that more easier for them and you." Ser Jorah smiled and then sat down, "So, what is the plan of action for the sacking of Casterly Rock?"

"It's easy. It requires you." Daenerys said, "I need to know the people who claim to be loyal to me. I need to know if they will fight for me." She sat beside Ser Jorah, "I'll need you to send someone in, watch them and learn what they plan to do."

"Very well, is that all, My Queen?" He asked.

"No. Send a girl to Roose Bolton's tent. Give her this," She took out a large coin and place it on the table, "And tell her to make him talk." She shared a look with Ser Jorah and smiled. She then stood up and readied for bed before looking over at Jorah and saying, "Oh yes and whilst you're there, go get yourself a whore." They both laughed and he left to fulfill her wishes.