When Ashara saw her elder children again, she had not imagined they would meet in Highgarden. Robb had looked more like Ned, Lyarra more beautiful, Bran was much taller and Arya…she had not changed much at all.

Ashara was slightly surprised when she saw Daenerys there. She is still a girl, she decided. Targaryen or no, she is still a girl and like all girls, she will no doubt want to witness a tourney before returning to Winterfell where tourneys rarely occurred. She almost frowned. Daenerys was no longer a child; Ned would have to find a suitable match for her and soon. It would have been safer to wed her off to Jon, but as he too was part Targaryen…

"Mother!" said Lyarra, running up to her in delight. Ashara embraced her. It'd been years since she hugged her daughter. She released her and Arya jumped in her arms like she did when she was a little girl. The others walked up to them, all smiling and grinning. Jon was already there and observed the wedding – Ashara had elected to travel to Highgarden with the Dondarrions. She sensed the ride to Highgarden would be the last she would see her sister. Allyria was no longer the little girl she once was; she was a mother and a wife, the Lady of Blackhaven. She was needed at Blackhaven, Ashara at Winterfell. As each year rolled away like a tide, Ashara had delayed her return to Winterfell. Why? She did not know. She'd spent two years in Dorne instead of a few months. Of course she missed Ned and their children, but something…something pulled her closer to Dorne.

"Children," said Ashara with a smile. "Meet your aunt, Lady Allyria Dondarrion. None of you but Jon have met her yet."

"Lady Dondarrion," her sons and daughters chorused together.

"Where is Gwenysse?" asked Lyarra.

"Prince Doran and I thought it would be better if she stayed in Dorne," Ashara answered. "Gwenysse had settled in Dorne and if we took her here, I doubt she'd be willing to return south after she sees you." She caught sight of Bran gaping at Beric Dondarrion. "Bran, what is it?"

"You are the Lightning Lord!" Bran said excitedly, his eyes widening to the size of dishes. "You almost won the jousting tournament at King's Landing but lost to Thoros of Myr who was then defeated by Ser Jaime Lannister!" Ashara bit her lip to suppress a rising giggle. The Lord of Blackhaven had lost more tourneys than he had won, yet he still enjoyed participating in them. Ashara was not surprised that Lord Beric went to King's Landing for a jousting tourney, but was astonished at Bran's reaction. Surely Thoros of Myr would be more memorable in a jousting tournament or a melee than Beric Dondarrion! The red priest Thoros of Myr was well-known for winning many melees using his favourite weapon, a plain sword set aflame with wildfire.

Beric Dondarrion smiled dryly. "That was not one of my finest moments eh? I hear you are squiring for Ser Barristan the Bold! That must be exciting."

"It is!" As Bran continued chattering away, Ashara turned to the boys. "Ser Jon Snow," she stated, smiling at Jon. "How did you get here so fast?"

"A good stallion," Jon answered. "Along with knighting me, Prince Oberyn gave me a Dornish sand steed. I tried to refuse him, but he insisted. He said something about having too many horses and not enough riders."

"Prince Oberyn is a very generous man Jon. Have you thought about changing your last name?"

Jon shook his head slowly "There's only one name I desire."

Stark.

"Father can ask the king to legitimise Jon can't he?" inquired Robb as Ashara headed towards Renly and Margaery. "Father and King Robert are good friends – it is only a small favour to ask."

Ashara stopped. "Small favour?" she said quizzically. "Robb, acknowledging a natural child is one matter, but legitimising him? Have you not considered what the impact could be on you?"

"No…"

"Jon is older than you. If the king legitimises him, do you not think Jon might consider himself the rightful Lord of Winterfell due to his age? He is indeed your father's eldest son but he bears the last name of Snow. Besides, your father loves Jon – if there was not a problem, don't you think he would have already implored King Robert to legitimise Jon?"

"Why didn't he?" Robb pressed.

Ashara sighed uncomfortably. "Not now Robb. We are at a wedding, not having supper at Winterfell." Robb nodded and said impassively, "Yes Mother." Ashara smiled at him. For a split second, she wondered if he would foolishly ask the king to legitimise Jon as a wedding gift. From what she heard, Robert already thought Robb his own good-son.

"Is that Walder Frey?"

Distracted, Ashara glanced to where Theon had pointed to. By the Seven, the ancient Lord of the Crossing was actually invited to the wedding at Highgarden – why would the new Lord of Dragonstone and his Reach bride do so? The weasel-faced Lord Frey sat with his army of sons and daughters on either side of him, his weaselly face marked with the smuggest grin Ashara had ever glimpsed. The only reason he would smile that smugly is if one of his offspring is engaged to a Tyrell, thought Ashara as she hurried past him.

"Lady Stark!" said Renly pleasantly as she approached him and Margaery. "I'm delighted you are here! You know my bride, Lady Margaery?"

"Of course," answered Ashara. Who had not heard of the beautiful Margaery of Highgarden? "I hope the both of you will be happy."

"We will," said Margaery, flashing her a beam. "I have been betrothed to Lord Renly since I was a child – I am glad we finally wed. Last year, I wept with dismay when Lord Stannis broke my betrothal with Lord Renly. Even now I pray thanks to our good king for reinstating our engagement."

It was odd that Robert Baratheon insisted for Renly to marry Margaery; it was even odder that after all those years he finally relented to Lord Mace's demands and give Renly Dragonstone. Apparently the Fat Flower requested Storm's End for his now good-son – it was met with such uproar by both the elder Baratheon brothers and Tywin Lannister. Ashara could not help but wonder if it was one of the rare times both Stannis and Robert agreed on anything.

"Will you leave for Dragonstone after this?" asked Ashara.

Renly wrinkled his nose. "Oh by the gods no, Lady Stark. Why would I take my lovely wife to that dull and wet place?"

Ashara frowned. "Lord Renly…you are the Lord of Dragonstone."

Renly shrugged. "I am needed at King's Landing by my kingly brother's side. I will have Ser Loras escort my men to Dragonstone though."

"New men?" Ashara was lost. Surely Lord Stannis would have installed many good men at Dragonstone. "Lord Renly, forgive me, but when your brother Lord Stannis was Lord Protector of Dragonstone, I am certain he would have placed an army of loyal Baratheon men there. Last I heard, he sent his old maester there as castellan or something." Lady Margaery's brown eyes widened in horror. "Do you not think that cruel, Lady Stark?"

"Cruel, Lady Baratheon?"

"Lady Stark!" Margaery looked shocked. "Lord Stannis is cruel for sending his old maester to Dragonstone! Dragonstone is often rainy and must be horrible for the old man's health." She turned to her husband. "Lord husband, please assure me you will take good care of the old maester. Please send him to the Citadel for a full recovery, my lord, if it isn't too late. Request a more fit maester."

Renly nodded. "I intend to," he assured her. "Maester Cressen taught me when I was a boy; it was indeed wicked of Stannis to send him to Dragonstone. Before we leave for King's Landing, let us visit the rest of the Reach together. Ser Loras can accompany us."

Ashara bit her tongue as Margaery cooed something sweet in response. "Again I offer my congratulations," said Ashara hastily. She quickly walked away. A smile broadened on her face as Queen Catelyn gestured for her to sit on the empty seat beside her. "Ashara," said Catelyn warmly. "Good to see you again. Why is it that you hide from me either in the North or in Dorne?"

"Catelyn," said Ashara, sitting down. "Good to see you again. It had been quite some time since we last met. Seeing you is so different from reading your letters do you not agree?"

"Indeed. You are well?"

"Quite. You? If you do not mind me saying Ashara, you look very well – almost as if you are glowing in good health."

Ashara blushed. "Thank you my queen. I must have spent more time in the sun than I thought." She studied the Tully queen swiftly. Catelyn Tully Baratheon was as beautiful as she was the last time they'd met. Slightly older of course, but with the same bright blue eyes and abundant locks of auburn hair. Today, her hair was clipped back with a silver trout pin. On her head nestled a simple silver circlet. It was surprising as Catelyn did not like wearing crowns.

"You are wearing a crown," Ashara commented.

Catelyn touched the silver circlet on her head. "It was a gift from Edmure. He'd said that I should wear a crown more often and what better time than now? Look at the rope of emeralds around Lady Margaery's neck!" She shuddered. "I would not wear that. The size of those emeralds! The necklace Robert gave me – the one with the onyxes – was half the size of Lady Margaery's. I do worry Lady Margaery will grow ill at Dragonstone."

"She has no desire to go there Catelyn."

"Oh? She is the Lady of Dragonstone!"

"Indeed, but it seems the Lady Margaery and Lord Renly have other ideas like touring the rest of the Reach." She hesitated. "Catelyn, I know it is not my place to ask, but why did the king finally give Lord Renly Dragonstone? Why did he break Renly's betrothal to Arianne Martell and reengage him to Lady Margaery Tyrell? Forgive me my queen, but he couldn't have done that just to irritate Stannis." Did I speak out of place? Ashara wondered as Catelyn pursed her lips. Catelyn rarely pursed her lips – unless King Robert's bastards were present.

"My good-brother never forgave the Tyrells for their role in Robert's rebellion all those years ago," Catelyn said quietly. "Robert forgives and forgets; Stannis is one of the few who will never forgive and forget. It is wise of Lord Stannis to ally our House with the Martells of Dorne – now Robert made two enemies: the Martells and his brother and Hand."

"Why?"

"Robert did not tell me Ashara. When I asked, he said that I shouldn't concern myself with it. He said what he did was for the good of the realm. I honestly don't see how Renly and Margaery's wedding is good for the realm."

"I see. It is very odd though. I do feel sorry for Renly. He was first betrothed to Margaery, then Arianne, and now he married Margaery!"

"That happens Ashara. I was betrothed to Brandon Stark and ended up being queen by marrying Robert."

"Why Dragonstone?" Ashara pressed. "That was the seat of the Targaryen heir. Some would say it is a sign the king wishes to favour Renly and his descendants over Stannis and his progeny."

Catelyn paled. "By the Seven, I haven't considered that. Robert should've given Renly the Rainwood as he said he would. Ser Davos would have been more than satisfied with his knighthood and keep. By the gods, what has my husband done to the realm?" She and Ashara glanced at Robert Baratheon, who was snickering at a jape Renly uttered. He didn't seem at all concerned. This wedding seems to be for the worse of the realm, not the good.

"It is too late to deprive Renly of his new lordship," said Catelyn grimly. "It will cause too much uproar. I suppose all we can do is enjoy the wedding and worry about the consequences later, or not at all."

"There will be a joust I hear."

"Yes, that was what all the young knights talked about all day. I heard there'll be grand prizes for the victors of the archery contest, the joust, the melee and uh, the hammer throwing competition."

"Hammer throwing?"

"A new game Renly invented with Ser Loras I believe. It seems all you have to do is throw a hammer and the one who throws it the furthest wins. It seems that Lord Tyrell plans to outdo the tourney at Harrenhal." A knot formed in Ashara's stomach. "It would be too similar if Margaery is Queen of Love and Beauty at the beginning of the jousting tourney do you not agree?"

Ashara nodded, a lump forming in her throat. She had not thought about that fateful tourney in years – since Robb's third name day in fact. Why would she? It was in the past…

"It'll be much harder to oust Lady Margaery from that position," Ashara heard herself say. "There are plenty more Tyrells willing to fight for their lady's honour, and there is Renly of course."

"Lord Whent's daughter had the White Bull and he lost."

"True, but Lady Margaery has Ser Loras, the Knight of Flowers and Ser Garlan the Gallant, both excellent jousters. Will your uncle joust again? I remember once – in honour of Lyanna's name day I believe – he crowned you the Queen of Love and Beauty. It would be delightful if you are crowned again."

"I think my uncle plans to compete in the melee this time as well. Will there be any Northerners jousting? I am eager to see if their will be a Northern victor. You have not been to Lannisport have you Ashara? The Lannisters had held a tourney there once and your Lord of Bear Island won – Ser Jorah wasn't it?"

"One of the rare tourney victors from the North." Ashara smiled. "There hadn't been a tourney in the North for decades and I'm certain there are plenty of young and old Northerners itching to joust or participate in the melee. I know Domeric intends to joust as does Robb, Theon and perhaps Jon. Theon might participate in the archery contest as he is a fine archer. I know Lady Mormont will be wielding her spiked mace in the melee as will Greatjon Umber and his huge broadsword. I suspect many others will compete too." She suppressed a chilling shiver. With all these lords from the different regions of Westeros here at Highgarden…it almost felt like the tourney at Harrenhal all over again.

"I have kept you long enough," Catelyn said suddenly. "How selfish of me. You should go and talk to your husband. Have you seen him yet?"

Ashara shook her head guiltily.

"Go," Catelyn urged. "You have more too speak about to your husband than I do to you. Go!" Ashara nodded and hurried to her husband who was absorbed in a conversation with the king.

"Lady Stark!" King Robert said jovially, noticing her at once. "You are here at last! Have you eaten yet?"

"A little Your Grace," answered Ashara.

"The food here are delicious, do you not agree? The Tyrells know how to host a grand feast, eh? Splendid!" He reached for his cup that was filled to the rim with Arbor gold. Ned cleared his throat and stared at the wine goblet pointedly. "Eh? Cat does not need to know," Robert sniggered. "This is a wedding! Be merry Ned! Can't a man drink at a wedding? Sit down Lady Stark, sit down. You and Ned have much to discuss."

Ned smiled as Ashara sat on the empty chair beside him. "At last," he stated. "I wondered if you would miss the wedding feast."

"It seemed I arrived just in time."

"How is Lady Dondarrion? Is she well?"

"Very. Happier now that she is a mother I believe."

Ned nodded uncomfortably. "What is it?" said Ashara, noticing it at once. Ned was never good at keeping secrets…well, apart from the one about Jon.

"My lords are not pleased at you," Ned muttered. "Two years in Dorne…there were rumours that you planned not to return. It is false, I know, but a few of my bannermen have voiced their ah, concerns." No doubt the Greatjon was one. "I do know how difficult it was in your position," Ned went on. "Edric was still a boy at the time of his father's death and as the eldest Dayne of Starfall, it was your duty to aid him and settle affairs at Dorne. That I understand. You also wanted to be a part of your sister's wedding, that too is usual. My lords grew…restless with their Lady of Winterfell at Dorne. Some wanted me to demand for you to return. That I would never do Ashara.

"What I do not understand is what the Martells wanted. Lord Umber was most offended at the prospect of Gwenysse being fostered at Dorne, but by then, it was far too late to end negotiations."

"You have every right to be angry Ned. I did not plan to stay at Dorne for two years, but something…something kept me from leaving."

"What was it?"

Ashara bit her lip. "I cannot explain it Ned. It was just…I was afraid of leaving Starfall with Edric still Lord Dondarrion's squire. When I left as your wife, Edric was not yet born and my brother was the lord. Now it is Edric and he is just a boy. There is always the threat of the Daynes of High Hermitage launching an attack at Starfall – they always wanted Starfall."

"Why did you not say that earlier?" Ned questioned. "You could have written me a letter about it! If you did, Lady Dustin would not be saying that you were no longer faithful to me and sleeping with other men at Dorne."

Ashara's mouth dropped open. "What?"

Ned shrugged. "We all assume the worst of each region. Southroners think we of the North are savage; we think southroners have no bone for winter; those of the Iron Islanders are seen as rapists and thieves; the Dornish are viewed as the bane of the Seven; and Reachmen are seen as flatterers. It happens."

"I…I did not sleep with other men!"

Ned looked faintly amused. "Two years Ashara…"

"Two years I remained faithful," said Ashara fiercely. "I would do anything for those of my blood and you would too, I know you would. Was what I did wrong? Edric and Allyria needed me and with our brothers both dead! Every day I was at Dorne, I missed you, the children, Winterfell…every day Ned! I am not a Tully, but family will always come first to me. Always. It killed me not to bring Gwenysse to the wedding but I held firm. I still hate myself for it. Ned, I know I have a duty at Winterfell to you, the North and our children, but I am as much a Dayne as I am a Stark. I am the first from Dorne to wed into a Northern house – do you not think it cruel for me to remain at Winterfell without seeing my sister and nephew once in a while? Previous Ladies of Winterfell have all been Northern or from the Vale. Their homes were all close. Mine? So far away Ned, so far away. You Northerners are all about loyalty and family to survive the winter – how in the Seven's name can they blame me for missing my family?"

"It is difficult," agreed Ned. "We are married, Ashara. Why did you not tell me that you missed your family so much?"

"I didn't know I missed them so much…until I was at Dorne."

"My lord bannermen will forgive you – in time. Some are still displeased that Gwenysse is Doran Martell's ward. Greatjon Umber complained that when she is older, she will be more Dornish than Northern." Alarm tingled in Ashara's mind. It was instantly quashed when Ned grinned.

"Do you know why King Robert gave Renly Dragonstone?" said Ashara, swiftly changing the subject. Ned frowned. "I did wonder about it," he admitted. "It does not make sense, but I will find out. It might not be anything but a foolish decision on Robert's part. Did the queen say anything?"

Before Ashara was able to respond, Renly and Margaery both stood up. "Your Graces, my lords and ladies," Margaery announced, "I am pleased to declare that the tournament will begin this afternoon! Competitors, please ready yourself for the melee and the archery contest; the jousting tourney" – she paused for what appeared to be dramatic effect – "will begin tomorrow morning."


What do you think of the Season 6 finale last week? :D There will be a Ned chapter shortly (the next chapter is in Daenerys' POV) and I'm aiming to wrap up Highgarden by Chapter LV. I'm trying not to have too many time jumps these days haha. For those of you who are hunting for stories to read, I highly recommend Our Blades Are Sharp written by Spectre4Hire and Glory For Traitors written by Eduardo Aranha :) Both are excellent ongoing stories I would definitely read a second or third time.