ALLIANCES

ELIA

Aegon's future is secure with both Houses Martell and Stark supporting his claim to the Iron Throne. But more allies are needed, so she meets in private with her brothers, her daughter Rhaenys, Daenarys, and a man known only as Longmouth. He is Lord Varys' second in command and a spymaster/assassin. "Lord Varys sent me to be a go between and to recruit the Targaryen loyalists spread across Westeros."

"Good I feel that I should be the one to approach the Tyrells." Elia says.

"You are supposed to be dead." Oberyn points out.

"No one recognized me when I went North and no one will recognize me when I approach the Tyrells."

"The person you want to speak with in High Garden is The Queen of Thorns, Lady Olenna Tyrell." Longmouth says speaking up. "She is the real power in the Reach."

After a week of preparation Elia leaves for Dorne while Longmouth travels the Crownlands. Elia travels by ship with ten heavily armed guards. After two weeks at sea she finally reaches the Mander River, which is wide and deep enough for the ship to sail up on. High Garden base touches both banks of the river. As the river goes through the arch and the River gate,

The castle is the second largest and most beautiful in the realm. High Garden's walls are white stone decorated with vines and flowers of all kinds. There are eight towers with vines carved in stone going around. Some are trimmed in gold and have jewels in the center of the flowers. With a thousand rooms five hundred to each of the east and west wings of the castle. This does not include the dinning hall, library, solar, main hall, vaults, armory, soldier barracks, kitchen and other rooms.

Elia is completely blown away and impressed. A messenger is sent to Olenna and Elia meets with her at night. "Thank you for seeing me Lady Olenna."

"I am usually asleep by this time. But your letter was too intriguing. Imagine my surprise at receiving a message from a dead woman."

"I am sorry for the hour, but discretion dictates it."

"So Princess, what can I do for you?"

"I will get to that My Lady, but first I must ask. What do you know of Rhaegar and Lyanna?"

The older woman takes a sip of wine, "From what Lord Randyl told me…He was a good man…As for Lyanna Stark she was of the North. A beautiful young lady who caught your husband's eye…"

Elia smiles on the inside at what she says about her dead husband and friend, "And the rumors about him kidnapping and raping Lyanna?"

"I was two minds on the subject. Randyl did not believe it."

Elia takes a drink as she is about to share some very private information. "Rhaegar and I fell in love…but after my second child I could not have any more without endangering my life. I suggested he find a second wife…The Targaryens of old did and the practice was not dismissed."

"You told Rhaegar to find a second wife?" She asks as if shocked.

"On the condition that I befriend whoever he falls in love with. After Rhaegar met Lyanna she wrote to me and I to her. We met face to face at the tourney of Harrenhal…I married them in the old way and a Septon married them in the faith of the seven…My husband and sister had a son…And I hear that your son has a daughter."

Olenna smiles, "Margaery by name…So if I take your meaning, then House Martell is ready to wage open war against the Usurper and all his allies. Do you think we can win?"
"It will take time and preparation, but yes."

"Where is the young Prince now?"

"Prince Aegon is in the North with his Stark relations. House Stark is with us and over time House Tully will help us as well…Plus whoever supported the Targaryens during the rebellion."

Olenna smiles and takes another drink, "I married for love. It is something I wish for my granddaughter…If she does not fancy your Prince."

"How about we arrange a meeting when she is older…We can spin as if she is going North to engage Robb Stark, but actually meet Prince Aegon."

"I like the way you think Lady Olenna…Hopefully they will fall in love…If not you will still have the support of House Tyrell…" They toast to their secret alliance, "One other thing…If it comes to war, House Florent will want to support House Baratheon considering the recent marriage between Lord Stannis and Lady Selyse."

"We will remove them from the board." With an alliance secure Elia returns home.

LONGMOUTH

Meanwhile Longmouth takes a ship to the Island of Driftmark, home of House Velaryon. The island is protected by a ring of archer towers on the beach. The towers are evenly spaced on the edge of the forest. There is one road from the west heading inland towards the beach. A wall protects the village and at the center of the village is Castle Velaryon.

The Velaryons share blood with House Tagaryen. The founder of the House was a bastard who was legitimized and formed his own House. The Sigil of the Velaryons is a silver Seahorse on a field of green. Their words; the old the true, the brave. The main gate has two stone seahorses on either side. The wall itself is fifty feet high with men patrolling it.

The castle is made of stone with seaweed growing on the walls. The castle has eight towers, two hundred rooms not including the library, the main hall, the privies, and other rooms and buildings both in and outside. The ship Longmouth traveled on is disguised as a merchant ship. Longmouth gives the Dock Master a note and some gold, payment for him to deliver the note to his Lord. More gold was promised when he returned with a reply.

Several hours later Longmouth was escorted from the docks to the Castle. He slipped the Dock Master the gold before leaving with the guards. From the docks he is led down a path to the town and is taken to the castle. In private Longmouth meets with Lord Daeron Velaryon ruler of Driftmark. "Jon Longmouth…I thought you were dead."

"Far from it my Lord."

"And what brings you to my door?"

"I come on behalf of House Targaryen."

Daeron smiles, "So Queen Rhaella survived."

"No she died giving birth to her daughter Princess Daenarys Targaryen."

"What of her son Prince Viserys?" He tells him about Viserys, Elia, the dead Prince Jaehaerys, and the son of Prince Rhaegar and his second wife Princess Lyanna Targaryen. "I never believed Rhaegar kidnapped that girl…Though I wish he had been more forthcoming with his plans…The Princess could have taken refuge with us."

"So can the Targaryens count on your support?"

He spits, "Fuck Robert Baratheon! As long as there is a Targaryen that breaths…House Velaryon will serve." They discuss the details and then Daron feasts Longmouth. "Where are you off to now?"

"The crownlands to House Crabb of the Whispers." The Whispers is named so because of the sound the sea makes as it crashes against the shore. Lord Gordon Crabb is Lord and he to agrees to support the Targaryens. Longmouth bypasses Rook's Roost, the Stauntons would never support House Targaryen.

Unsure of House Hogg, Longmouth visits them disguised as a servant. He drops rumors and then listens. Lord Hogg would not support the Targareyns so he leaves in secret. Longmouths journey across the Crownlands takes two months and in that time he secures the oaths of 27 Houses. There are 39 Houses in the crownlands.

When his work is done Longmouth meets with Elia back in Sunspear. "Twenty-seven Houses will support House Targaryen." He says to Elia, Doran, Oberyn, Arriane, and Rhaenys.

"We have the Tyrells, and the Stepstone Lords…" Elia says speaking up, "The Starks will work on House Tully…" She looks at her daughter and nods.

"In the flames I have seen Queen Cersei betray the Usurper…Prince Joffrey is not his son…Nor is Princess Myrcella or Prince Tommen. When the time comes we can use this information and make the Baratheons and Lannisters fight one another…"