Mace Tyrell – Kings Landing
After his son Garlan's defeat at the hands of Stannis Baratheon and his other son's treachery at siding with Renly Baratheon, the Tyrell name and power was getting weaker and weaker. Coupled with that two of his most powerful bannermen had betrayed him, Randyll Tarly and refused marching when he was ordered instead he fought side by side with the usurper Stannis.
Randyll's betrayal was all to do with his good-daughter, the wolf girl must have done something to drive Randyll and his son to Stannis. She would be punished severely when the war was over as would her recently birthed pups.
Paxtor Redwyne was the other traitor; he left Kings Landing near the eve of battle against Mace's orders. Mace didn't know if Redwyne meant to side with Stannis or simply defend his lands from the Iron Born but it made no matter he would be punished when the time came.
He put all these things out of mind and thought on something more positive. He and his army had been instrumental in destroying Renly Baratheons army of sellswords and was to be rewarded for it. Beating Renly's forces had been much easier than he expected the imps plan had worked perfectly. Garlan and Mathis forced the bulk of Renly's army to a spot on the tourney ground where it was easy for Mace and his cavalry to ride them down.
He lost many men in the battle but it didn't matter as it meant that there was one less king challenging Joffrey's reign. This meant in turn there was one less threatening his daughter and his family in general.
It was two days after the battle on the Blackwater as it was being called and he was once again fully armoured with Garlan by his side. They were walking side by side into the throne room to receive praise and if Margery had done her job a reward for their services in the battle.
Walking down the length of the Throne room hundreds of lords, ladies, heirs and knights stood aside as he and Garlan stopped and knelt in front of the throne. Looking up he was pleased to see Margery leaning over whispering something in her betrotheds ear which caused the young king to smile wide.
Mace could see the small council all standing to the side of the king. "Rise" he heard Joffrey say loudly. Rising up he watched as the King stood up from the Throne and looked to the packed room. "Lord Mace Tyrell you have done your king and the whole of the seven kingdoms a great service. Without your loyal service our city would have fallen to my uncle the usurper Renly Baratheon. As reward for such valour and loyalty I Joffrey Baratheon king of the seven kingdoms grant you the lands of the western Stormlands. Those lands that border with the Reach shall be here after be considered part of the Reach. All the incomes from these lands shall be forever paid to the Lord of Highgarden." When Joffrey finished speaking Mace could hear the shocked gasps of many throughout the room and he couldn't blame them for he himself was in complete shock.
Getting to one knee once more he spoke for the first time "your grace you are too gracious. I only did what any loyal subject would do." Getting back up he looked at the shocked faces of the small council and couldn't have been happier.
The rest of the day was spent anointing over 200 new knights and creating a dozen new lords including Garlan who was given Horn Hill for his services in the battle. There was only one thing of note and that was Daario Naharis being made the lord of Bronzegate in the Stormlands. The king had taken a liking to the sellsword for being the one to bring down Renly. Mace would need to ensure the man was brought onside soon before he tried anything against his plans.
By the end of the day his family were in a much stronger position then they had been previously. Once again his family were Growing Strong
Smiling now as he walked into the small council chambers the following morning he took his usual seat across from the queen. Looking around the room he looked closely at Pycelle, Varys and Baelish and couldn't help but think that men from the Reach should hold their positions. He was brought out of his thoughts when Tyrion and Garlan entered the room deep in conversation.
"My lords excuse our lateness" the hand of the king said before taking his seat at the head of the table while Garlan took his seat next to Mace.
"My lords Renly Baratheon is defeated he sits in the black cells now regretting ever rebelling but the war is not won. Stannis Baratheon is and always was our major threat now we can turn our full attention to the man. First things first what news of the kingdoms" Tyrion said slowly.
Mace upon instinct looked to Lord Varys hearing what news the master of whispers had to tell. "My lord hand there is much my birds have told me which the council should hear. Stannis Baratheon has completely secured the northern Reach and is preparing for an attack it appears he is waiting for the royal armies to come to him" the man said in his usual voice which made Mace curse internally. He had thousands more men then Stannis but he wasn't sure would they march upon their own homes if it meant the possible death of their families.
"My lord hand perhaps it would be wise for us to attack the Stormlands drawing Stannis out of my lands and into his own" he said loudly.
Before the small man could answer tho Varys spoke up once more "my lord I would not advice such a tactic. Stannis has dispatched several thousand men to the Kingswood should any army try to entry the Stormlands they would no doubt be bleed dry" the master of whispers said with a smile on his face.
Looking down at the table he cursed once more and remained silent. "Lord Varys have you any news on Highgarden has it fallen to Samwell Tarly and Steffon Baratheon" Garlan asked. Highgarden how could he have forgotten he whipped his head up then and looked at the bald man.
"My lord there is good and bad news I'm afraid. If my birds are correct then Highgarden has fallen to the two young knights and their army. But do not fret my lord your wife, mother, brother and grandmother managed to escape prior to the fall of your home. They escaped on a ship with nothing but the clothes on their back, from what I have heard they are heading for the capital as we speak" the man from Lys said sombrely.
His lords castles had fallen to Stannis, his lords and people had betrayed Mace for Stannis but this was the final straw the man had gone too far. Standing up he slammed his fist into the table and spoke loudly "Stannis must be punished, I will march my full force south I don't care how secure he has made the northern lands. Our numbers alone are enough to beat the man and destroy his army"
Looking to his side at Garlan for support he was upset to see his son was shaking his head. Getting his attention the hand of the king spoke up. "My lord I can understand your anger but you heard Lord Varys Stannis is preparing for an attack. No doubt he and Lord Tarly want us to commit to retaking the Reach perhaps they have a plan to destroy your army or perhaps he wants to draw you out leaving the city undefended. We cannot be certain we must hold off sending out full might until we know more"
His face was turning red he knew it, he was never more angry in his entire life. "You expect me to do nothing while my people are slaughtered and my own home is taken from me" he shouted angrily.
Tyrion Lannister remained calm all the while he shouted at him and appeared to be thinking carefully before he finally spoke. "My lord you are right we need to do something but we cannot leave the king and the future queen your daughter undefended. As such I have talked with Lord Garlan prior to this meeting and we have decided that he and Lord Rowan will take 20000 men south. They will harass Stannis's forces as much as possible and retake Tumbleton and other northern towns giving us a foothold to retake the rest of the Reach. It will also bring food back to the city and ensure the army doesn't starve"
When the Imp finished speaking Mace was still angry but for different reasons now, Garlan had made plans with the Imp without his permission. All he could do was nod and retake his seat glaring between Garlan and the small Lannister.
"Now my lords what other news is there" Tyrion asks looking to Varys.
"My lord the west is still as it was as we last met more and more keeps, towns and castles are falling to the Northern and Vale forces. Lannisport and the Rock still remain untouched as do your fathers southern lands but there is little opposition against the Rebels" Varys said in his usual musical tone.
Mace was satisfied as the imp let out a large sigh. "What of my father does he still sit at Duskendale doing nothing or has he decided to act "the queen asks angrily.
"Indeed your grace Lord Tywin is still there but I do not think he will be there much longer. His host stands at 30000 now half Westerlands and half Crownlands forces. There has been reports of more and more Vale men coming down the High Road joining the Rebels so your father will need to move quick before he doesn't have that option" Varys says smiling all the time.
"What Vale lords have joined the rebels" Tyrion asks calmly.
Varys looks at a piece of paper in front of him before speaking once more "none of significance my lord most minor lords with a hundred of so men each. The prominent lords still within the Vale have all listened to Lysa Arryn's command it seems"
Why Lysa Arryn had not joined the Rebels Mace didn't know but he was glad of it they were struggling with the enemies they had he wasn't sure what they would do if the full might of the Vale was against them also.
"Lord Baelish you have boasted on numerous occasions of your friendship to lady Arryn, you will leave within the week for the Eyrie bring Lysa Arryn on side and you will be rewarded greatly." Tyrion said which brought a sly smile and a nod to Baelish's face.
"Pycelle what news of Dorne has Prince Doran accepted the match of his son to my niece?" the imp asked the old maester.
The old man woke slowly after hearing his name and spoke softly "not yet my lord but seeing as the Dornish have not joined with Stannis I think we can assume they will remain true to King Joffrey"
The rest of the council session passed by rather slowly with nothing of note happening except for Varys informing the council that Daenerys Targaryen has taken up residence in Qarth. After her horselord husband died she had to flee east with some savages and had to sell one of her dragon eggs to simply gain entry to the city. Mace couldn't help but laugh when he heard that, how the mighty had fallen the Targaryens were once the most powerful family in all the seven kingdoms now they were nothing. Mace made a silent promise to himself that that would never happen to his family.
A week after the small council session Mace and Margery watched as Garlan rode out of Kings Landing at the head of a 20000 strong army. His son promised to gain the foothold they needed to retake the Reach. Mace prayed that his son would be successful as they had come too far to fail now.
Notes
As always I own nothing but the Frosts.
Just an FYI - The next chapter is going to be one which I think people will not like as it changes a major part of the OC but it's what I wanted in the story.
As always reviews are welcome.