THE LORD OF HORN HILL

HIGH GARDEN

SAM

No matter how many times he visits the castle, Sam is blown away by it's beauty. The Reach has the most beautiful land in Westeros. As he rides through the gates with his brother and sister, an escort of fifty men, and some servants he bought with him. Sam enters astride his horse, locking eyes with Margaery.

After guest rights are observed and Sam gets settled, he goes to the main hall to make his oath. "I Samwell Tarly Lord of Horn Hill do hereby vow before gods and men to serve House Tyrell. Lord Tyrell's enemies shall be my enemies. I so swear to answer the call whenever it is given."

"I accept your pledge my lord. And vow I shall ask no service of you that will cause you dishonor. You shall always have a place at my table and at my hearth."

The people clap and then they feast. "My Lord I bought something to show you if you will indulge me."

He nods, "Of course." After the feast, they go to the archery field. "What kind of weapon is that?" Mace asks as they take out six weapons.

"My own invention my lord. I call them bolt casters. My Maester came up with the name." The men fire six arrows in a row. Then one of the men shows Mace, his sons, Captain, and Man at arms how they are loaded and fired. "As you can see my lords and ladies. This weapon will make our forces unstoppable."

"How much?" Willas asks.

"Two hundred gold dragons a piece. As we speak a factory is being built, which will be dedicated to producing these weapons. If my calculations are correct the building will be done in three months. And I understand that you have four thousand archers. We can have four thousand weapons ready in forty days."

"Two hundred gold dragons times four thousand..."

"Eight hundred thousand my lord." Sam replies immediately with the answer.

"So, it is."

"Does that include the bolts?" Loras asks.

"That includes four quivers of twenty bolts. Extra cost fifty gold Dragons per bundle. For a thousand gold dragons I can show you how to make your own bolts."

"Come to my solar, my lord and we shall work on the deal."

After the deal is done the payment is sent by land with a guard of a thousand men and letter from Sam to his mother. Later Sam is summoned by Lady Olenna. "My lady."

"That is quit the weapon you've made. You're going make a fortune."

"Yes ma'am."

"Your father, may the gods rest his soul. asked me to consider his son for my granddaughter."

"But I am lord of Horn Hill, and I am not what you had in mind for your granddaughter."

"No, you are not. Do not be offended Sam, it has nothing to do with your size. Mace, Allerie and I are hoping for a Prince."

"What about Margaery's happiness? If I can make her happy don't, we deserve to be together? Also, I remember my mother telling me how you were betrothed to Prince Aeron Targaryen, but married Luthor Tyrell."

She smiles, "Well...never let it be said that I stood in the way of happiness...I'm convinced, but it's my son you will have to convince. I will handle him."

Before leaving High Garden, Sam is able to spend time with Margaery. Dickon and Talla return to Horn Hill, while Sam travels up the rose road. After two weeks on the road, he and his men stop at Bitterbridge. Lord Caswell welcomes Sam and his men, giving his condolences and hosting a feast in Randyl's name. As he travels Samwell works on an idea.

RED KEEP

After another two weeks of travel Sam and his company make it to the Capital. They are greeted by Hand of the King Jon Arryn. Sam is allowed to relax the rest of the day before going before the King. "Samwell Tarly Lord of Horn Hill." The herald announces the next day at court.

Sam takes a knee, "Your Grace King Robert Baratheon...Long may you reign. I Samwell Tarly Lord of Horn Hill swear fealty to the King of the Andels and the first men, lord of the seven kingdoms and protector of the realm."

"Rise Lord Tarly."

To his surprise the King hosts a feast to honor Samwell's father. "My condolences Lord Tarly. Your father and I were close friends." Ser Barristan says walking up to him.

"Ser Barristan an honor to meet you."

"Give your mother my regards when you see her."

"I will my lord." Only a few of the people he meets at the feast seem to be genuine. People like Barristan, Varys, Renly, and a few others. Both the Queen and the crown prince looked down their noses at Sam. "If he is the King's son, then I am the father's son." Sam says to himself staring at Joffrey.

The next day Sam breaks his fast with the King and bids him farewell. Four weeks later he returns home. Another month and the factory will be finished. Even though the building isn't finished the people training to make the bolt Casters start making them under close supervision of Maester Atkyns.

By the time the building is done, the order for House Tyrell is finished and they have two orders, one from Old Town for two thousand bolt casters and the other from Cider Hall for fifteen hundred. The profit from these two deals gives, Sam seven hundred thousand gold dragons. The piping of the castle would cost him two hundred and fifty thousand gold dragons not including labor cost.

"How long will the piping take?" His mother asks in his solar.

"About six months. I have workers engaged in several projects at once mother. But coin is coming in and more coin will as well. We may have to convert a few rooms into vaults in the family wing."

"Why not build new vaults?"

"I will, but it will take time." Sam starts his day off with his morning oblations, breaking his fast is next, a walk to keep up his health, he trains with the bow and the bolt caster to keep up his skills, then he reads a book for an hour, and lastly, he tends to business. After evening meal Sam spends time planning his next project to earn his family more coin and power.

When he is alone in the drawing room or one of the other private rooms, Sam thinks of the pain he caused his family. He cries for his mother, brother, and sister. He fears what they would think of him, if they ever knew the truth. But then he remembers how his father treated him and the threat he made.

Sam has another meeting with his family and household advisors. "I was thinking, that before we start selling bolt casters in Essos, that we should build a factory in Braavos. Make a deal with the Iron Bank and no one would dare steal from us. Shipping would be easier and so would collection of gold."

"We should invite a banker here." Maester Atkyns says speaking up, "Demonstrate the weapon and have them as a silent partner."

"An excellent idea. We can send a message by courier. I also want to start producing Amorite weapons for the reach and to sell across seas."

They discuss other matters, before Melessa brings up marriage, "How are things progressing with Lady Margaery?"

"Lady Olenna has given me her blessing. Now I or we have to win over Lord Mace Tyrell." Sam replies.

She looks at Dickon, "And you, young man we need to..."

He raises his hand, "Mother please...I am still young and..." He sighs, "At this time I am not thinking about that. Let me find love in my own way or let it come to me."

"Promise me you won't father any bastards."

"Father..." He takes a deep breath and smiles, "...Father taught me well. My wife whoever she may be, will be my one and only. When the time comes."

"I think we should allow Talla to find love for herself as well. Perhaps when she is ten and five, we host a ball." Sam says before his mother can say anything. With the factory completed Sam has his workers build a device that will make them even richer, provided he can convince a certain someone to make the deal.

The device he designed and had built is collapsible. It can be taken apart and put back together again for transport. Sam sits in his solar writing a detailed letter.

To Tywin Lannister

Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West

My Lord I write this letter to make a business proposition that will be mutually beneficial to us both. Your reputation my lord is well earned throughout Westeros. I speak of the Rains of Castamere. I know how you completely crushed the Reyne, Tarbeck rebellion. I am also aware that you have been, without much success trying to remove the water from the castle and make use of the gold.

You have spent large sums of money on Maesters to figure this out. I ask as payment for my services, that I be given two of the ten vaults in Castamere with all the gold and treasure within. And in return I will remove the water from the castle. You will have access to the gold and mines of Castamere. I await your reply, my Lord and if you are agreeable, I look forward to working with you.

With regards and deepest respect

Samwell Tarly

Lord of Horn Hill

After writing the letter he seals it with his sigil and sends for a courier, "Take this letter to Casterly Rock and give it to Lord Tywin and no one else. I will have ten men go with you. If Lord Tywin agrees wait for me at Casterly Rock, if not then return to Horn Hill."

"I shall leave at once m'lord."