House Icefyre
Highgarden – 300 A.L
Four moons later…
Daenerys rode up alongside Jon who glanced at her as they rode over one of the lush green hills until the stronghold that formerly belonged to the Gardener Kings of the Reach and now belonged to the Tyrell Kings of the Reach stood tall and proud.
Highgarden itself sat at the top of a large lush green hill surrounded by steep rocky surfaces and lush green trees with a single gravel road leading up the hill towards the castle. The ancestral seat of the Kings of the Reach was a large cream/brown walled castle roughly the same size of Winterfell. The base of the castle and the surrounding courtyards were surrounded by high walls manned with battlements and watchtowers that would contain archers and crossbowmen in times of battle.
At the base of the hill below the castle was a small campsite with more than two dozen tents bearing the sigils of some of the Houses in the Reach where the nobility who would not be granted chambers in the castle would be staying.
Even though the Tyrells crowned themselves as Kings of the Reach at the start of the year 2 A.L they faced many uphill battles in establishing themselves as the rulers of the Reach. Even though King Aegon had given them control over the Reach when they surrendered Highgarden to him that did little to quell the growing anger from the other Houses in the Reach who sought the throne for themselves claiming that they had better claims than the former stewards.
Their claim as Kings of the Reach would have been short lived had they not been smart in making alliances to keep their newfound power. Or more specifically the alliances Lady Eleanor Tyrell made through marriages for her children which helped secure their position as self titled Kings of the Reach.
She and her Lord Husband Robert Tyrell chose their alliances well by marrying their three eldest children Roland, Martyn and Desmara Tyrell to Selyse Hightower, Megga Fossoway and Rodrik Tarly respectively. Marrying into three powerful Houses of the Reach including two of the most powerful military Houses in the Hightowers and the Tarlys.
When the other Reachmen burned on the field of fire and were further butchered during the Northmen's attack at the Trident the Hightowers were the only House who did not suffer the fate of so many of their countrymen. Taking the advice of the High Septon at Oldtown, High Lord Manfred Hightower decided not to join in his King's attack on the Targaryan's and neither did he join his forces up with the Tyrells after they bent the knee to King Aegon.
Winning their allegiance had proved to be difficult as they were adamant about pressing their own claim to the throne planning to make Oldtown the royal seat of the Reach with themselves as the Kings of the Reach. After several hours of negotiation an agreement was reached stating that Roland Tyrell and Selyse Hightower would immediately become the King and Queen of the Reach after their wedding passing over Robert and Eleanor Tyrell in the process while other Hightowers would also be given positions of power at the royal court.
Winning the allegiance of Houses Tarly and Fossoway proved to be far more simple though perhaps that was due to the fact that the Tyrells had gained the allegiance of the most powerful House in the Reach first. While the Tyrells were strengthening their own position as Kings and forging alliances to help them keep their new titles other Houses in the Reach were vying for power with some of them launching their own attacks to try and seize Highgarden for themselves.
The Florents of Brightwater Keep were the first to attack them and were easily defeated by the combined Tyrell, Hightower, Tarly and Fossoway army and driven into a retreat while High Lord Addam Florent was taken prisoner. Further attacks from Houses Merryweather of Longtable and Oakheart of Old Oak followed each ending in victory for the Tyrells and their allies while prisoners were taken during the battles.
More than two years after the Tyrells crowned themselves Kings of the Reach the remaining Kingdoms combined their forces for one last attack in an effort to defeat the Tyrells in the fields outside Highgarden and crown High Lord Jason Redwyne as their chosen King owing to House Redwynes significant wealth, military and naval power as well as their close blood ties to House Gardener as High Lord Jason Redwyne's great grandmother was Gardener by birth.
With the lengthy and bloody battle raging on for hours resulting in great losses on both sides King Roland Tyrell brought the battle to a halt challenging by High Lord Jason Redwyne to single combat to decide who would rule as King of the Reach.
The challenge was accepted and after a long fight lasting nearly ten minutes King Roland Tyrell beheaded High Lord Jason Redwyne ending the conflict after two long years and firmly establishing the Tyrells as the Kings of the Reach through rite of conquest and blood.
Oaths of fealty were sworn to House Tyrell right there on the battlefield by the head of each House in the Reach with the heads of each of the ten Great Houses of the Reach being invited to sit on the Kings Council as a reward for their fealty.
As such the Reach continued to prosper to this day boasting the largest army of all Eight Kingdoms as well as producing most of the food through their lush and fertile fields.
Normally Jon and Daenerys would be riding to Highgarden but had carried on their journey to Highgarden without the Starks after being invited by Rhaenys who asked them to arrive before the rest of the Guests for the royal wedding with the Starks due to arrive at Highgarden two days from now. The reason for their delay was Catelyn's insistence that the Starks visit Riverrun for a short while before travelling to Highgarden.
Also travelling south with the Starks were Houses Manderly, Cerwyn, Mormont, Stark of Moat Cailin, Reed and Frost to attend the royal wedding. Meanwhile the rest of the Northern Overlord and Noble Houses along with some of their sworn Minor and Paladin Houses would instead be travelling to the Arbor three weeks from now for Minisa's wedding to Horas Redwyne.
Following behind Jon and Daenerys were Lord Derrick Whitewater, his youngest Brother Martyn Whitewater, Merrick Ryswell, Ser's Duncan, Devon, Denys, Patrik and Robert, Paladin's Benjicott and Mark Blackrose, Thorgen Colt, Edric Ironsmith, Rickon Manderly and Anguy. Behind them was a large eight wheeled wheelhouse being towed by two Northern Shire Horses that was designed to seat at least 16 people comfortably as well as two wagons full of chests behind them along with around forty mounted Guards from Houses Icefyre, Colt, Whitewater, Blackrose, Manderly and Ironsmith with the latter House having sent Guards to Greygift several weeks before the start of their journey.
Jon, Daenerys and the others riding with them led one of the wagons and the wheelhouse up the hill towards the castle while Ser Robert led the other wagon towards the campsite along with half a dozen Guards to begin setting up their tents.
The ride up the hill took nearly ten minutes before they rode through the gates into the large courtyard finding three Men of House Tyrell waiting for them ready to welcome them to Highgarden.
The eldest of the three Men was King Mace Tyrell's 46 year old Cousin Ser Luthor Tyrell, Luthor's eldest 27 year old Son Theodore Tyrell and Ser Leo Tyrell aged 30 who was a distant Cousin of King Mace.
"Welcome to Highgarden Magnar Icefyre… chambers have been prepared for you" said Ser Luthor Tyrell.
Jon bowed his head slightly to them.
"Thank you" said Jon.
"And what about our Companions?" said Daenerys.
The Tyrells glanced at each other for a few moments before Ser Leo Tyrell stepped forwards.
"We do have a spare set of chambers next to yours for your Handmaidens to use Magnara Icefyre… but we cannot spare you any more chambers" said Ser Leo Tyrell politely.
Jon and Daenerys dismounted their horses before walking over to the large wheelhouse which one of the Guards opened the door and placed some steps next to it.
"At least they got our titles right" whispered Jon to Daenerys.
Daenerys managed a small smirk.
"You can thank Rhae for that" whispered Daenerys as Leyla Massey handed Brandon to her.
Daenerys stepped to one side allowing Leyla Massey to climb down from the wheelhouse.
Following her out of the wheelhouse were Princess Valaena Blessfyre, Sarra Weepmont, Lady Ysilla Whitewater, the 3 year old Sharley Manderly who was the eldest Daughter of Paladin Rickon Manderly while his Wife Sarra had decided to remain at Greygift with their 3 moon old Son Torrhen Manderly. Also in the wagon with them were Ysilla Colt, Lyra Blackrose and her 2 year old Son Dorren while her 4 moon old Son Martyn had been left at Greygift with his Aunt Morgana Blackrose as was Morgana Blackrose's 1 year old Daughter Dalla. The last people to exit the wheelhouse were Myra Ironsmith and her three Sons Derrick, Rickard and Arnolf Ironsmith.
The only sworn bannermen who had not accompanied them to Highgarden were Lord Manfred and Lady Alarra Colt who had remained at Greygift with their only Grandson Ondrew Colt with Lord Manfred Colt serving as Castellan in Jon's absence.
Once the wheelhouse was empty Lord Derrick Whitewater called over a dozen Guards and led the wheelhouse out of the courtyard along with the Guards so they could go and set up camp at the base of the hill.
Daenerys turned to Princess Valaena.
"You, Leyla, Sarra and Merrick can have the spare chambers next to ours" said Daenerys softly as Jon started organising the Guards who were unloading the wagon.
"Thank you Magnara Icefyre" said Princess Valaena softly.
Daenerys placed her hand on the Blessfyre Princess's shoulder.
"You know you can still call me Daenerys Valaena" Daenerys softly.
Princess Valaena smiled and squeezed Daenerys's hand.
After a few minutes Jon walked over to Ser Leo Tyrell.
"Could you have someone show us to our chambers… and my Wife's Handmaidens will take the spare chambers next to ours" said Jon.
Ser Leo Tyrell bowed his head.
"Theodore… show them to their chambers" said Ser Leo Tyrell turning to face Ser Theodore Tyrell.
Ser Theodore Tyrell made his way over to them before leading them inside the castle followed by Merrick Ryswell, Daenerys's three Handmaidens and half a dozen Guards carrying the chests containing all of the belongings for the people staying in the castle.
Half an hour later…
Daenerys was sat on their large bed with Brandon in her lap while Jon had left their chambers a few minutes ago to help their Guards and sworn bannermen to set up their campsite when there was a knock at the door.
"Yes!" Daenerys called out.
"Princess Rhaenys to see you Magnara Icefyre!" came the voice of Ser Duncan from outside the door.
"Let her in" said Daenerys.
Ser Duncan opened the door and stepped to one side outside of Daenerys's line of vision before Princess Rhaenys walked through the door followed by Ser Martynn Hightower of the Kingsguard.
Once she had walked through the door Rhaenys turned to her assigned member of the Kingsguard.
"You can wait outside" said Princess Rhaenys lazily.
She turned away from the Kingsguard as he bowed his head to her before walking out of the chambers where the door closed behind him.
Once inside Princess Rhaenys made her way over to Daenerys and Brandon with a soft tender smile on her face.
"Your making me jealous now" said Princess Rhaenys softly as she sat down next to Daenerys tracing her finger on Brandon's cheek causing him to fidget slightly.
"You could have had one by now if you had not pushed back your wedding this far" said Daenerys softly with a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Yes well… Father told me I was being difficult and selfish for pushing the wedding back, he said he would not delay the wedding any more than it has been and that I would be a married woman before the next year" said Princess Rhaenys with a sigh.
"Do you want to marry Willas Tyrell?" said Daenerys questioningly.
"I have no problem marrying him… but by the Gods this place is boring me, everyone here just schemes and plots to get their own way, and some are less subtle about it than others" said Rhaenys in a bored tone.
"What about Princess Margaery, I heard she does a lot for the poor" said Daenerys glancing at the door for any indication that Ser Martynn Hightower overheard them from outside.
Princess Rhaenys let out a small chuckle before leaning closer to Daenerys.
"Do not be fooled by that innocent little doe act, that Princess is a schemer just like her Grandmother, no doubt she will wind up marrying a Prince… probably after she seduces him first, and she might do kind things for the poor… but she makes sure she is seen doing those things, it might do some good for those people, but I doubt that she actually cares about them" said Princess Rhaenys sarcastically.
"And what is the Queen Of Thorns like then?" said Daenerys.
"Sharp minded and rude… but she controls House Tyrell even though she is no longer Queen, she continuously insults her Son the King as well" said Princess Rhaenys.
Daenerys glanced down at Brandon who had fallen asleep in her arms wondering what sort of Mother could insult her child so openly.
"At least you and Egg got the good end of the stick when it comes to marriage… poor Vissie says living at Casterly Rock is hard" said Princess Rhaenys with a weary sigh.
"She never mentioned that to me" said Daenerys in slight shock.
Princess Visenya Targaryan had been living at Casterly Rock for the last five moons having been invited to stay there by Prince Jamie and Princess Elia Lannister.
"That is because I am her big Sister… we tell each other things that no one else hears" said Princess Rhaenys.
"So what did she say then?" said Daenerys adjusting her hold on Brandon.
Princess Rhaenys crossed her legs.
"That her intended Prince Loren spends most of his time having private lessons with his Grandfather King Tywin… she spends a lot of time with Princess Elia and Princess Joanna instead" said Princess Rhaenys.
"Did she say how long it would be until her wedding?" said Daenerys.
"Father wants her married by the end of next year, after she turns 18" said Princess Rhaenys dryly.
"And is she like you, is she fighting Rhaegar about it?" said Daenerys testily.
Princess Rhaenys sighed.
"Not as much as I fought him, the only thing she did was refuse to be married until after her eighteenth Name Day, and he relented in the end, even if it angered King Tywin" said Princess Rhaenys flatly.
The two carried on talking for the next ten minutes or so before Princess Rhaenys invited Daenerys on a tour of the castle accompanied by Ser Martynn Hightower while Daenerys dismissed Ser Duncan giving him the rest of the day to do as he wished.
Meanwhile…
Jon walked back through the gates into the courtyard with Paladin Benjicott Blackrose at his back acting as his Personal Guard.
"I have been looking for you!" called out a familiar voice to Jon from across the courtyard.
Jon turned in the direction of the voice and smiled when he saw the now 16 year old Minisa walking towards him with a warm smile on her face at the sight of him while her 16 year old Handmaiden and close childhood friend Jeyne Poole walked beside her and her Direwolf Black Aly who was now the size of a mature pony walked in front of them with cautious, watchful eyes.
He walked towards them meeting them halfway where Minisa wrapped him in a hug having not seen him for nearly a year.
"Where is your Son?" said Minisa as she let go of him.
"With his Mother in our chambers?" said Jon.
"Can we see him?" said Minisa.
Jon nodded and allowed her to take his arm so he could lead her into the castle followed by Jeyne Poole, Black Aly and Paladin Blackrose.
After a few minutes of walking through the castle Jon saw Ser Duncan walking down the hallway towards them.
"Ser Duncan, you are supposed to be guarding Magnara Icefyre" said Jon sternly.
"She dismissed me Magnar Icefyre… took your Son and went for a walk through the castle with Princess Rhaenys" said Ser Duncan dutifully.
"And who is guarding them?" said Jon sternly.
"One of them Knights of the Kingsguard Magnar Icefyre" said Ser Duncan.
Jon sent him a small nod.
"Alright, go back to camp and make sure your tent is set up" said Jon.
Ser Duncan bowed his head to him before walking past them.
As he walked away from them Minisa turned to Jon.
"Come on, I will show you the gardens instead" said Minisa softly.
She gently pulled on Jon's arm leading him through the castle in the direction of the gardens located in the centre of the castle.
One week later…
Jon and Daenerys took their places with the rest of the Starks and their bannermen in the large Sept at Highgarden in preparation for the Royal Wedding of Prince Willas Tyrell and Princess Rhaenys Targaryan.
Prince Willas Tyrell looked like a proper Prince dressed in the finest silk tunic and breeches along with a white cloak bearing the golden rose sigil of House Tyrell.
The wedding itself was taking place in the early afternoon with the traditional gift giving ceremony taking place that morning in the large floral gardens of the castle where they would also be celebrating the wedding feast later on.
After several more minutes of waiting everyone's attention was drawn to the entrance to the magnificent Sept where Princess Rhaenys appeared on the arm of King Rhaegar.
Princess Rhaenys's wedding dress was styled the same way as other wedding dresses from the Reach. The dress itself was lavender and white in colour and was slightly revealing showing off a small amount of cleavage as well as the sides of her chest just above her hips. Tied around her shoulders was the black cloak bearing the red three headed dragon of House Targaryan while various jewels adorned her wrists with one expensive looking necklace adorning her neck.
"Your Royal Highnesses, my Lords and Ladies… we are gathered here today, in sight of Gods and Men to bear witness to this union between Prince Willas Tyrell of Highgarden… and Princess Rhaenys Targaryan of the Dragon Isles" said the Septon in a clear voice that had all of the Guests hanging onto his every word.
Jon and Daenerys kept their eyes on the soon to be married couple as did everyone else in the Sept.
"My Prince… you may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection" said the Septon.
Using the aid of his cane Prince Willas moved behind Princess Rhaenys removing her House Targaryan cloak which Prince Garlan Tyrell took from him.
Using one hand he unfastened his own House Tyrell cloak and draped it around Princess Rhaenys's shoulders while Princess Rhaenys tied the cloak herself to make it easier for him.
After moving back to his original position opposite her the two turned to face the High Septon with his free hand on top of hers.
The Septon proceeded to wrap a gold silk ribbon around their joined hands three times until their hands were loosely bound together as they were about to be bound together by marriage.
"If you would now look upon each other and swear your holy vows in the eyes of the Seven" said the Septon.
Prince Willas and Princess Rhaenys turned to each other.
"Father, Warrior, Smith… Mother, Maiden, Crone… Stranger… I am his/hers… and he/she is mine… from this day, until my last day" said Willas and Rhaenys simultaneously.
Once they finished swearing their vows the Septon removed the gold ribbon from their hands.
"Prince Willas Tyrell, Princess Rhaenys Tyrell… in the eyes of Gods and Men, you are now bound to one another, from this day until the end of your days… you may kiss your bride My Prince" said the Septon proudly.
Jon and the other Guests applauded as Prince Willas shared a kiss with his new Wife.
Jon, Daenerys, the Starks and the rest of the Northerners remained at Highgarden for the next four days before beginning their journey to the Arbor along with the Tyrells arriving on the island two days later.
The rest of the Northerners including Lord Theon Greyjoy and some of his Ironborn arrived at the Arbor two days after them.
(Talk about Minisa's wedding at the Arbor, Jon and Daenerys visiting the Golden Tooth and Casterly Rock for Visenya's wedding, Joffrey and Cersei's deaths at the hands of a mob)
Princess Minisa's wedding to Ser Horas Redwyne on the beautiful island of the Arbor famously known for its many wines that were popular all over Westeros took place after the Northerners and Reachmen had been on the island for four days with a jousting tournament though only knights could enter it.
After remaining at the Arbor for another three days Jon and Daenerys departed the island with the rest of their countrymen.