Sister's Keeper
Edited by xXFallenSakuraXx52
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Chapter 65: The Rock and the Garden
Alysanne's POV
The following days that followed after my meeting with King Snow remained the same. I tried to talk with my allies in postponing the invasion until I get better intel of the Crown. Sadly, Lady Olenna, who seems to be in charge of the War Council, is determined to get Cersei Lannister off the Iron Throne. She reminded me of my promise, and therefore, I have no choice but to continue to keep my promise. If we can get the invasion going as soon as possible, then we have a chance of increasing our forces.
Let Jon Snow focus on the preparation for the Great War, provide him with the men and resources needed when the time comes. If what his friend says is true, then there should be enough dragonglass. Already the Unsullied and Dothraki were assisting the Northern company into the mines. After the first day, he returned, placing a sample of obsidian on the table. An extrusive igneous rock. Basically, volcanic glass. A shiny black stone that is too brittle for war and too sharp for building.
I picked up the sample, "Zīrtys perzys."
"What does that mean?" King Snow asked.
"Frozen fire," Daenerys answered.
Jon Snow nodded as he gave his report about the mines. For Daenerys and I want to know the status of the mind and the safety of our men. As I stated before obsidian can be sharp. The last thing we need is our men losing fingers.
Anyway, I stood in front of the Painted Table with my Small Council. Around this time the Unsullied should be reaching the Sunset Sea. However, we have another issue on the matter as the War Council joined in on the conversation. We lost one of our allies that were the Greyjoy siblings, which Varys knocks down their totem of a golden Kraken. Captain Euron Greyjoy is someone we underestimated. Then again, Yara disobeyed a direct order to take the Leviathan Trail and took the coastal route which exposed her to our enemies. Now the Dornish will have to march to King's Landing and make a few stops at Harvest Hall and other locations in the Reach.
"We need to find Euron Greyjoy's fleet and sink it," Daenerys said.
"Your highness, he's destroyed a good portion of our fleet," Varys said. "To send our remaining ships after him –"
"I'm not talking about sending our ships after him," Daenerys interrupted.
All eyes stared at her. Was she recommending that she goes in burning the Iron Fleet? It sounds like one plan the problem is, we don't know what sort of ballistics the Iron Fleet has. They could have catapults and trebuchet and it only takes one lucky shot to knock her down. If not, what happened to Meraxas three hundred years ago, it took one long arrow in the eye.
"Would you have to go yourself?" Tyrion asked.
Daenerys gave him a look.
"Euron's ships could be anywhere or in more than one place. You'd be flying around the open seas alone for who knows how long," Tyrion reminded.
"I wouldn't be alone," Daenerys said, crossing her arms. "I would have Drogon and Rhaegal. What can anyone do to them?"
"They can still do something to you," Missandei joined in on the discussion. "It only takes one arrow."
"And if they are using ballistic weapons, one projectile can knock you into the ocean," I added.
"It's too great of a risk. You're too important as a Khaleesi and your sister's heir," Ser Barristan reminded.
True, I am not married nor do I have a child to be my successor if I were to die. Therefore, Daenerys is currently my heir. I need my sister safe and prepared if I were to die from another assassination attempt or from battle. For if I die a second time, I will remain dead. As much as I do not want to die. I need to make sure the Realm is in good hands. Although Tyrion asked me to consider a third option if anything were to happen to us. If I go by bloodline, the next successor of Targaryen blood would be Doran Martell, since he is descended from Princess Daenerys Martell nee Targaryen. The sister of King Daeron II Targaryen, and who dealt with the Blackfyre Rebellion. Otherwise, my other option is what I have left in Meereen of a political council. Either way, House Lannister will not sit on the Iron Throne. I rather have Viserion burn the Iron Throne before letting Tywin Lannister's legacy rule over the Seven Kingdoms that my ancestors fought hard to obtain.
Changing the subject on the line of successions, I looked at Tyrion and Ser Barristan, "What about Casterly Rock?"
"The Unsullied will be there soon," Varys reported.
"And what will they face?" Missandei asked, the concern being heard in her voice.
"A difficult situation," Varys answered. "They know we're coming."
"Yes. Cersei believes my sole purpose in life is to destroy House Lannister," Tyrion said, as he stared at the Painted Table of his childhood home. "She will be ready. No one has ever taken the Rock. The Lannister Army is still the army my father built. Well-trained and well-provisioned. 10,000 men at least. They will see us coming. They will be ready. The gates of Casterly Rock are impregnable. The fight up the walls will be hard. We will be at a disadvantage. Many men will die. Just as my father said they would." He looked up, staring at me. "Interesting thing about my father – he built our house up from near ruin. He built our army, he built Casterly Rock as we know it, but he didn't build the sewers. That was beneath him, so he gave the job to the lowest person he could find—me. He was right, I was low. The company I kept, low. Women, mostly. They weren't welcome at the Rock. Father disapproved of that sort of behavior. Couldn't walk them through the front gates, I couldn't have them in my chambers, so in the process of building the sewers I threw in something for myself. It was a passage that began in an out of the way cove by the sea and ended beneath one of the main guard towers. No better place for low pursuits than beneath the ground. Casterly Rock is an impregnable fortress. But as a good friend of mine once said, 'Give me ten good men and I'll impregnate the bitch.' And so, it begins. They will face the bulk of the Lannister forces. They will be outnumbered. They will have less armor and fewer weapons. But my sister's armies fight for her out of fear. The Unsullied will be fighting for something greater. They will be fighting for freedom and the person who gave it to them. They will be fighting for you. And that is why they will triumph."
Must give him credit, he is good at giving a speech.
"Does anyone else knows of this secret passage?" I asked.
"Yes, my brother Jaime," Tyrion answered.
"That is why Casterly Rock will be the diversion," Ser Barristan spoke out. "Ser Jaime will anticipate this, but he will not anticipate an attack on Lannisport. Last time Lannisport was attacked by sea was the start of the Greyjoy Rebellion. There our forces shall siege the city, confiscate their artillery, and hold the remaining of House Lannister hostage before marching East."
"How many Lannisters are there?" I asked.
"Cersei, Jaime, and I are the last of the Head of our family. Then there is my uncle Kevan last remaining child Lady Janei who is a young maiden, then there is my Aunt Genna who's married to Emmon Frey and has taken residence in the Riverlands, my cousin Tyrek son of Ser Tygett, Gerion illegitimate daughter Joy hill. They are the last of Tytos bloodline. Along with ten other cousins."
"So, we don't have to worry about the extinction of House Lannister," Daenerys muttered.
"Who is in charge of the Rock as we speak?" I asked.
"Ser Damion Lannister. He is named Castellan of the Rock since Cersei refused to take her position as Warden of the Westerland since Ser Jaime was still sworn to the Kingsguard, and Tyrion as your Hand," Varys informed.
"Hopefully the other Lannisters are wise enough to surrender before the attack begins," I said.
"He will, as will the others when seeing your numbers," Tyrion promised.
The plan was simple, we may have lost the Greyjoy siblings from an unexpected naval fleet, and giving Cersei and Jaime Lannister a false victory with Casterly Rock as we take Lannisport. Let alone the preparation for when the Lannisters siege Highgarden. Varys received word a third of the Lannister army, and the Tarly army has been seen marching through the Reach. No doubt heading to Highgarden. Once we get confirmation of their taking over, the Dothraki will march over meeting their armies halfway. Luckily Lord Willas and Ser Garlan have evacuated Highgarden and the villages surrounding it. As the brothers took residence in Oldtown with their fortune. Along with Ser Garlan handling a portion of the Redwyne fleet for there has been sighting of the Iron Fleet at the Sunset Sea. Varys has genuinely proven himself lately with the reports of where our enemies are located.
At first, we had the mistake of rushing things without giving his little birds time to gather information. Now the month has given us enough information to play the game. The Dragon and the Lion are playing chess, and I made the mistake of making the first move. It cost me a hundred ships, and what I'm planning for the Westerland coast might cost me a few more. But the original plan is to have the Unsullied take over Lannisport and march their way east, stopping at the Twins. Reports came in that Lord Walder Frey, and the majority of his male line is dead by an unexpected massacre. Based on the reports, a woman wore Walder Frey's face and gave poisoned wine to his sons and grandsons who had participated in the Red Wedding. When the men were dead, the assassin revealed her face telling the widow, 'The North remembers. Winter came for House Frey.'
However, not all the Frey's had perished, as the women who were the daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters along with the young boys remain. The Current Warden being Waldron Frey a boy of age fifteen, except Lady Arwaya is appointed as regent until her brother comes of age. They were given orders to keep Lord Edmure Tully a prisoner. So, when the Unsullied marches east, they will make a stop to rescue Lord Edmure Tully and reinstate him as Warden of the Riverlands, as long as he bends the knee. I don't hold the actions of the father against the children, but House Tully did rebel against my family. If he complies, then I have another ally for the Great War and another Kingdom. Thus, leaving the Vale, who is currently holding allegiance to House Stark. A discussion with King Snow and Lord Petyr Baelish who is presently Lord Protector of the Vale until his stepson comes of age. Varys informed me to be careful about Lord Baelish, as the eunuch states, 'Littlefinger is the second most devious man in the Seven Kingdoms'
The meeting ended there as we waited to receive word from Grey Worm and Black Scarab on their reports of taking Casterly Rock and Lannisport.
.o0o.
It would be a few days later when Varys came up to me with his latest report that Highgarden has been sacked. The volunteered soldiers were killed, outnumbered while the servants were spared. Currently, Ser Jaime Lannister and Lord Randyll Tarly were having their men ransacking the castle confiscating any valuables to give to the Iron Bank to pay off the royal debt. I thanked my Master of Whisperers and headed to Lady Olenna's chambers to provide her with the update.
I knocked on the door, which she granted me access. Entering her chambers, I found Lady Olenna sitting near the balcony that had a view of Aegon's Garden. She sat by a table, still dressed in her mourning clothes. One I would deeply understand, losing her only son and her two youngest grandchildren. House Tyrell still remains with her two eldest grandsons, along with her daughters who were married to other houses, yet the point of losing a member of your bloodline is heartening. It reminded me of the time I miscarried and the ache I felt of a child who never got a chance to live.
"It's done," She said as if knowing what I was about to say.
"It is," I confirmed. "Highgarden has been taken by Ser Jaime and Lord Tarly."
"And now the rains weep o'er our halls." She sighed, nodding her head. "Did we fight well?"
"I can't say since I don't know your armies' skills. All the men who volunteered to stay died for a cause," I replied.
"It was never our forte," she said. "Golden roses, indeed."
I went over to the small bar collecting two goblets and a pitcher of Arbor wine and brought it to the table. I hardly drank, but I had a feeling the Queen of Roses would prefer a hard drink over a cup of tea right now.
"Your Hand thought Ser Jaime would be defending Casterly Rock." She commented.
"There was that possibility, although Lord Tyrion's one entrance was known by Ser Jaime. Therefore, we are taking Lannisport as well, capturing the remaining Lannisters and holding them hostage until further notice." I said, coming over placing the goblets on the table and sat across from her. "Although, Tyrion, one for talking, states that Casterly Rock isn't worth much anymore. Well, other than the sentimental values and history."
"So, Ser just let you take it?"
"Apparently, yet taking Lannisport ruins their trade."
"And he took his army, his real army, and went where they weren't."
"As I predicted. There are always lessons in history, including those that were failures. And history tends to repeats itself."
"Yes. You must be very wise by now. But I must give Ser Jaime some credit, even though he is predictable as his mentor and brother would say. A slow learner."
"If Tywin was so clever, why didn't he take Highgarden the moment the Lannister gold mines ran dry?" Lady Olenna asked then scoffed, "I suppose I'll be able to ask him myself soon enough. No more learning from my mistakes, eh?"
"And what mistakes were those?" I asked.
"I did unspeakable things to protect my family. Or watched them being done on my orders. I never lost a night's sleep over them. They were necessary. And whatever I imagined necessary for the safety of House Tyrell, I did." She answered. "But Cersei Lannister has done things…I was incapable of imagining. That was my prize mistake – She's a monster, you do know that?"
"So, I've been told."
Lord Tyrion, Lord Varys, and Ser Barristan informed me of the destructive actions that Cersei Lannister had committed over the years. Not the basics of adultery, fornication, incest, and treason. She committed regicide by poisoning King Robert Baratheon with potent wine to dull his sense, impairing him in the boar hunt. She placed her illegitimate son Joffrey Baratheon on the throne, killing Lord Eddard Stark and the Northern company, attempted assassinations of Lord Tyrion, abuse of power on the nobles in court, giving the fanatics control in the faith militant, the arrest of Loras Tyrell on his sexuality to avoid marrying him, along with Queen Margaery who defended her brother, if not countless men beaten and killed due to their sexual encounters. But what she did in the Sept of Baelor, was far worse than a massacre, she committed genocide to avoid being trialed knowing the evidence found her guilty. She used wildfire, blowing the sept up and killing thousands of people. If not the resting place of my ancestors and family. However, avoiding justice still comes at a price, karma as the people of Essos calls it, which…Young King Tommen died. The cause of death is undetermined, only that the young man died from falling out from a window. Either he was pushed, or he committed suicide, and I pray for his soul being a victim of his mother's vicious game.
"She's a disease," Lady Olenna added. "I regret my role in spreading it."
I nodded, taking a sip of wine, "You are welcome to stay here in Dragonstone until the war is over. I would offer you a ship to the Arbor, but I fear for your safety if any of Euron fleet is still out there. Unless you wish safe passage to Braavos or Pentos?"
"As much as this island is dreary, I will remain here a bit longer," she said. "I've been told of what Cersei wanted to do with me."
"So I've heard. Whipping you through the streets and beheading you in front of the Red Keep. Flaying you alive and hanging you from the walls of King's landing. And many other imaginable deaths," I listed frankly. "As long as you are here in Dragonstone, you are under my protection."
Lady Olenna nodded as she took the wine, taking a large gulp of Arbors Red. "I'd hate to die like her son. Clawing at my neck, foam and bile spilling from my mouth, eyes bloodred, skin purple. Must have been horrible for Cersei, as a mother. It was horrible enough for me. A shocking scene. Not at all what I intended. You see, I had never seen the poison work before."
My eyes widen, realizing what she was confessing. It had been a mystery in who killed Joffrey Baratheon. History will forever remember Tyrion Lannister being the one who killed his royal nephew. As the trial by combat under the gods' judgment, between Prince Oberyn as Tyrion Champion and Ser Gregor Clegane as the Crowns champion. Only the Mountain crushed the Red Viper, declaring guilty of the crime of regicide on Tyrion. However, it was not the dwarf who killed the Bastard King of Madness, it was the Queen of Thornes.
"One day, I want to tell Cersei before her execution. I want her to know it was me." She murmured.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked sharply.
"So you can understand how the game works," she answered.
I stood up and excused myself, unable to look at her for a moment. Out in the halls, I made way to my chamber, feeling the phantom burn of the poison the warlocks gave me. Feeling my throat constrict, mouth going dry except I was still able to breathe and wide awake. I have a Kingslayer in my council who framed Tyrion on the crimes of regicide and nepoticide. Now I am stuck with this information and torn if I should inform Tyrion of this or not. Right now, he has been clever with the assistance of Lord Varys and Ser Barristan on battle strategy. If I tell him the truth…will he fumble with rage or not?
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