Disclaimer: I don't own the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Author's Note: Thank you to anyone who read, reviewed, favourited or followed the last chapter. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter, and please feel free to review.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Highgarden

The Reach was beautiful, Alyssa decided. The lands were green and easy to ride through, and it seemed as though there were wildflowers everywhere. The rivers, those they passed anyway, were clear and lazy, so it was easy enough to get as much fresh water as they needed. In short, the journey to Highgarden was a pleasant one, made even more so by her friend's presence at her side.

After the disturbing dream she'd had, she'd found herself a little on edge at times. The dream came back to her when she closed her eyes, and it made sleeping difficult.

"Are you well, Alyssa?" Domeric asked from beside her. They were less than half a day's ride from Highgarden now, so Alyssa hoped that she did not look quite as tired as she felt.

"Quite well," She murmured. "Thank you for your concern, Domeric, I just found I could not sleep again."

"The dream?" He asked, looking over at her.

"Yes," She admitted, sighing softly. "It was not a pleasant one, and it weighs on my mind."

"Mayhaps you should ask the maester for dreamwine when when we arrive then," He suggested. "I find that it helps me get to sleep more easily in these situations."

"Yes, perhaps I will do that," She said. "Thank you, Domeric."

He looked at her, confused. "What for?" He asked curiously.

"For your advice, and for coming with me on this journey. You did not have to."

"No," He admitted, smiling slightly. "But there's no need to thank me. I was happy to come with you."

"All the same," She said, smiling back at him. "I'm thankful that you did. The trip would have been dull without you, I think."

"You honour me," He replied. "I'm sure that the trip would have been just as pleasant were I not here."

"Oh, not at all," She said lightly. "Who else would play the harp in the evenings?"

It was true, actually. He'd brought his harp with him, and he did play it sometimes at night. He really was a natural with it, better than most people that Alyssa had heard playing one.

"I suppose you're right," He said after a moment.

"I am." She said, and they both smiled, falling into a companionable quiet. A while later, their horses plodded along beneath them, and as they summited a small rise, she saw it in the distance.

"Highgarden." She whispered, awed. The castle was ringed with high white white walls, and its slender towers seemed to touch the sky. The fields around it were full of flowers, so many different kinds of them. The flowers blew gently in the breeze, and she noted that the most prominent ones were the golden roses like the one on the Tyrell sigil.

"I don't think I've ever seen so many flowers in my life." Domeric muttered beside her. "How many flowers do you think there are in all those fields?"

"Gods be good, flowers beyond counting," She laughed. "It would likely take moons to count them all, and more would have probably appeared by then."

Domeric laughed quietly. "It's little wonder this place got the name Highgarden. A garden is exactly what it looks like."

"We had better not say that to the Tyrells," Alyssa told him. "They are very proud of their castle, I hear."

"I've heard the same. Oh, look," He gestured ahead of them. "It seems that they have sent someone out to welcome us."

"Must be our guides," Alyssa murmured. "There's a thorny maze between the outer walls, we'll need help navigating it."

After that, she fell quiet as the riders approached, their Tyrell banner waving proudly overhead. There were half a dozen of them, all knights wearing gleaming plate armour. Alyssa had never same most of them in her life, but she certainly recognized the rider in front.

"Lady Alyssa," Ser Loras Tyrell greeted her as he pulled up. "Welcome to Highgarden. My lord father sent me to see you safely through the maze."

"I thank you, Ser Loras for the escort and for your welcome. You have a beautiful home, I must say." She gave Loras a polite smile, before glancing at Domeric beside her. "May I present my companion, lord Domeric of house Bolton, heir to the Dreadfort."

Ser Loras, to his credit, did not act afraid of Domeric as some other lords did when they heard what house he came from. Instead, he inclined his head, offering Domeric a charming smile. "Lord Domeric, an honour to meet you. Highgarden is pleased to welcome you as well."

"I thank you, Ser Loras, the honour is mine." Domeric said, smiling in return.

"Now, if you would follow me, my lord, my lady." Ser Loras turned his horse, and Alyssa and her party followed after him.

It took little time to reach the gates, and with Loras's men leading the way, they got through the maze easily enough. With the maze out of the way, they were soon in the courtyard, where the rest of house Tyrell's main branch awaited them.

Alyssa got down from her horse, and Loras stepped forward to present her and her companion to the rest of his family.

"Father, may I present lady Alyssa of house Arryn, and her companion lord Domeric of house Bolton."

"My lady Alyssa, my lord, a pleasure," Lord Mace blustered. "We shall feast you tonight, and may I say my lady, you are more beautiful than all the roses in Highgarden."

Alyssa smiled, giving the lord of Highgarden a polite curtsey. "I thank you for your kind words, my lord, and for your hospitality. My companion and I are most pleased to be here."

"And we are most pleased to have you." Mace exclaimed. "Might I present the rest of my family? This is my son and heir, Willas."

Alyssa stepped forward towards the young man at Mace's right. He held a finely crafted cane, but Alyssa barely noticed it. He was handsome, she thought, and his eyes held genuine kindness as he took her offered hand, placing a light kiss on her knuckles.

"My lady, an honour." He murmured, and she smiled up at him.

"The honour is mine, lord Willas. I think you for inviting me here. I am only sorry that my brother could not attend your nameday celebrations also."

Before Willas could respond, lord Mace was moving on. "My wife, lady Alerie Hightower."

"My lady, thank you for welcoming me to your home." Alyssa said, curtseying once more.

"I am delighted that you could be here," Lady Alerie returned, smiling kindly.

"My second son, Ser Garlan." Mace went on, and Garlan greeted her politely.

"My precious daughter, Margaery."

Here, Alyssa paused. Margaery Tyrell was, without a doubt, the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. She had soft golden-brown curls, and matching eyes that sparkled as she gave Alyssa a beaming smile. Alyssa felt a slight blush colouring her cheeks, and she quickly curtseyed, hoping that no one had noticed her pause.

"Lady Alyssa, it's so wonderful to meet you," Margaery said, still beaming. "I just know that we're going to be the best of friends!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, my lady," Alyssa replied. "I too, hope that we will be friends."

"Yes yes, enough with the courtesies," An old voice grumbled, and Alyssa looked to see who could only be lady Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns.

"Grandmother," Margaery said, shaking her head. "What will lady Alyssa think of us?"

"She'll be thankful that one of us isn't so pompous, my dear." Olenna replied, looking at Alyssa. "Come here, child."

A little apprehensively, Alyssa did so, curtseying low. "Lady Olenna, it's lovely to meet you."

"Yes yes," Olenna said impatiently, her sharp eyes studying Alyssa closely. "I'm sure it is. You really are quite lovely, aren't you dear? It'll serve you well in your marriage, no doubt."

"Grandmother," Lord Willas said, sounding a little embarrassed. "Lady Alyssa and her companion have just arrived, you do not want to scare them away, do you?"

"Nonsense, Willas, I was only speaking the truth." Olenna insisted. "But, as you say, the lady has just arrived and is no doubt tired from her journey. Willas, why don't you be a dear escort lady Alyssa to her quarters. Margaery sweetling, you'll escort young lord Domeric won't you?"

"Of course, grandmother. Shall we, my lord?"

As Domeric left with Margaery, Willas approached Alyssa. Alyssa, feeling grateful to be getting inside and away from the seemingly endless courtesies, smiled and took his arm when he offered it to her.

"I apologise for my grandmother, my lady," Willas said as they walked through the halls. "She says what she thinks, and cars not for how others will react."

"There is no need to apologise, my lord," Alyssa assured him. "It is quite refreshing, in truth. Don't you think that sometimes, courtesies are all we nobles have? We are hardly ever able to be completely open, and the fact that your grandmother speaks her mid is...comforting in a way."

Willas actually chuckled at that. "Well, that is certainly a new way of looking at things. An interesting point, my lady, and one that I certainly agree with. I think that I will enjoy getting to know you, my lady."

Alyssa smiled in response. "Thank you, my lord," She said. "I do believe I will enjoy getting to know you, as well. I hear that you have an affinity for animals, is that true?"

"It is," He admitted. "I breed horses, hounds, and hawks as well. I always have liked animals."

Alyssa nodded, her smile growing. "As have I," She said lightly. "We don't have many in the Eyrie, though. I've always loved riding horses, you see, and if I want to do that, I have to go all the way down to the Gates of the Moon before I can. It was one of the few benefits of living in the capital, actually. I was able to go riding whenever I liked there."

"You enjoy riding?" Willas asked, looking genuinely curious.

"I do," She confirmed. "I love to ride, and I love horses too."

"In that case, I'd be happy to show you around the tables. We have many fine horses here at Highgarden."

Alyssa beamed, this did sound like a good idea. Willas did seem pleasant enough, however Alyssa was beginning to think that she knew why she was here. The Tyrells wanted a marriage alliance...it was quite obvious, really. For now, though, she'd play along. It would be a good match, and she knew that she would be married soon, regardless. Lady of Highgarden was a good position, and if Willas was a good man then all the better.

"I'd be delighted, my lord," Alyssa said, realising that she had not yet replied. "I look forward to seeing the horses with you."

"And I look forward to showing them to you. Do you read, my lady?" Willas asked as they passed a pair of double doors.

"I do," She said, "But my companion lord Domeric reads a lot more than I do. Do you read as well, lord Willas?"

"Really, then I must make a point to speak with him as well," Willas replied with an easy smile. "And yes, I do. I enjoy reading quite a lot."

"Which books do you enjoy, my lord?" Alyssa asked him curiously.

"History, mainly," He admitted. "When I was younger, I liked to read about the Age of Heroes. All the magic, the things that happened back then...well, they fascinated me. I liked to read about the Targaryen dragons as well."

"My little brother Robert wants to fly on a dragon," Alyssa said, chuckling. "He was so disappointed when my brother and I told him that there were no more dragons."

"He always has his dreams, I suppose," Willas said lightly as they slowly climbed a set of steps. "These are your chambers, my lady."

Alyssa turned, and gave him a small curtsey. "I thank you for escorting me, my lord."

"No need for that, my lady, it was my pleasure. Would you do me the honour of allowing me to escort you to the feast tonight?"

"I would, my lord, I'd be most pleased."

"I will see you tonight then," He said, and he bowed slightly, before departing down the steps. Alyssa watched him go, and then she turned and entered her chambers. Yes, she thought, her stay in Highgarden would certainly be interesting.

Lord Domeric might be a problem to their plans, Margaery mused. The young lord had come with the lady Alyssa, did that mean that he was interested in marrying her also? She couldn't blame him if that was the case. Alyssa was beautiful, and of a great house, and lord Domeric was certainly good enough for her. He was of house Bolton, the second most powerful house in the North, so it was not out of the realm of possibility. With that in mind, it was clear what her grandmother would do. Margaery would distract Domeric, while Willas worked on wooing the lady Alyssa.

Now, as she escorted him to his room, she wondered how she would do that. She knew next to nothing about him so that was there she would start.

"Lord Domeric, I heard you fostered with house Redfort, is that true?" She asked, smiling up at him.

"It is my lady," He said. "I enjoyed my time fostering with them very much. Lord Redfort's sons are like brothers to me."

"Oh, that's wonderful," Margaery beamed. "You must miss them. Do you spend a lot of time in the Eyrie, also?"

"Not until recently," He admitted, smiling a little. "I went there for Ser Artys's wedding, and I was invited to stay a while. I'm friends with lady Alyssa you see, and her brother and I get along well also."

"Is that so? And what are lady Alyssa and her brother like? I'd like to be friends with her as well, of course, so I'd like to know."

Domeric frowned slightly, eyes wary. He was less oblivious to her little game than she'd thought he'd be, it seemed. That was interesting. "She is a kind and clever lady, and a wonderful friend. It is not for me to speak of my friends to a stranger, however. Meaning no offence, my lady."

"No offence was given, my lord," Margaery replied sweetly. Deciding to change the subject, she looked for something to ask. "Do you enjoy hawking, my lord?"

"I've rarely participated," He admitted. "But it certainly is an interesting sport."

"Oh, then you must come with us the next time we go," She said brightly. "Tomorrow, perhaps? My brother Willas breeds the finest hawks in the seven kingdoms, he'd be happy to lend you one I'm sure."

"That would be most generous of him." Domeric replied politely. "And I'd be happy to go with you, my lady."

After that, he fell quiet, and they walked in silence for the rest of the way. Domeric didn't seem particularly taken with her, Margaery noted with slight annoyance. No matter, she'd find out what made him tick, and she'd provide the perfect distraction for her brother to secure this alliance.

"Your chambers, my lord," She said, giving him her most charming smile. "I will leave you now. I will see you at the feast tonight, my lord."

"Of course, my lady. See you tonight, then." Domeric went inside his chambers and Margaery walked away, her head full of things to make sure that her family would continue to grow strong.

Standing outside lady Alyssa's door that night, Willas was feeling a little more confident than he'd been feeling that morning. Alyssa was as beautiful as the rumours said, and there was genuine kindness in her eyes. The fact that they also seemed to have some things in common helped as well, and he thought that he'd enjoy getting to know her a little better tonight. He was still feeling guilty though. Alyssa didn't know about her lord father yet, she hadn't even been given the raven scrolls that had arrived for her.

It wasn't right. He knew that, but his grandmother would not budge on the subject. She wanted this alliance, and having Alyssa Arryn rush home immediately had not been in her plans, even if it was what the girl should likely be doing.

Willas, deciding that his thoughts were not helping anyone, knocked lightly on the lady's door. A moment later, she called for him to enter, and so he did.

"Lord Willas," Lady Alyssa rose from her chair, and smiled at him. She didn't focus on the cane in his hand, he noted, not like other people did. No, Alyssa looked at his face instead, which he had to admit that he appreciated.

"Lady Alyssa," He replied, smiling back. "May I say, you look very lovely this evening." It was the truth, too. She wore a dress of sky blue, with delicate silver detailing on the bodice and sleeves.

"That is kind of you to say, my lord. You look very handsome also." She said, and her smile actually looked genuine.

"You're too kind, my lady." He said, holding out his free arm for her to take. "Shall we, my lady?"

"Of course." She replied, and after taking his arm they walked out of her chambers.

Their conversation on the way to the main hall was light. She asked him about the history of Highgarden, and he was all too willing to tell her about it. She seemed to actually be interested, and as they talked, his confidence in a match between them grew.

"Does your lord father hold feasts often, my lord?" Alyssa asked when they were almost at the hall's double doors.

"Yes, he does," Willas admitted with a small chuckle. "He loves playing host, I fear."

"And he is an excellent one, to be sure," She said politely. "As are you. These are your nameday celebrations, after all."

Not that I had much to do with them, Willas thought wryly. He didn't say that though, he only smiled as he and Alyssa entered the hall and made their way to the high table. Naturally, they were seated together, and Domeric Bolton, Alyssa's travelling companion, was sat a good way away down the table across from Margaery. Willas saw Alyssa catch the Bolton heir's eye, and the small smiles that they exchanged. They were friendly enough, he thought, but there didn't seem to be anything more than that going on there.

"What is the Vale like, my lady?" Willas asked, getting her attention back to him.

"It's a wonderful place, my lord," She told him. "And the Eyrie is beautiful."

"I have heard that," He admitted, smiling. "You are lucky to have such a beautiful castle to call home."

"I think we have that in common, my lord," Alyssa noted as the first course was served. "Highgarden is beautiful too."

"Thank you," Willas smiled. "I'm pleas that you think so. House Gardener definitely knew how to build a pretty castle."

"Indeed they did," Alyssa laughed lightly. "I heard that Highgarden still has a proper godswood here, is that true?"

"It is," He admitted. "The Three Singers...those are the weirwood trees. The Eyrie doesn't have one, does it?"

"There was an attempt to build one," Alyssa explained. "The roots wouldn't take, so there's a statue of my ancestor there instead."

"A pity," Willas said. "But at least your ancestors found some use for the garden."

"That's true," Alyssa smiled. "My father says that it's just as well, really. He's afraid that the tree wouldn't have lasted through a winter, anyway. The winds in the mountains can be very strong."

"Your father seems like a wise man then." Willas murmured, guilt washing through him once again.

"He is," Alyssa's eyes softened at the thought of him. "I admire my father very much. He's a wonderful man."

"Indeed." Willas nodded, unable to meet her gaze. He changed the subject once again, and they ate and talked and laughed for the rest of the night. He enjoyed getting to know her, he really did, and he quietly dreaded the next day when she would finally learn the truth.