Disclaimer: I do not own Games of Thrones. I only own my OC.

A/N: After many years of reading Game of Thrones fanfics here I am finally releasing my own after saying I wouldn't. As you can probably tell I'm rather nervous about this story. But House of the Dragon has reawakened my love for Game of Thrones. Also wolfanddragon98 on Tumblr gave me the motivation to finally start working on it after all the edits she's done for this story :)

So here it is!

This is a Robb Stark/OC and the OC is a Tyrell reader. Florence Pugh is my face-claim for Maeve. If you've seen her in the movie Outlaw King that's how I picture her in this story.

I haven't really read many stories where Robb is paired with an OC who's a Tyrell. I think I can make it work and I have already a few things planned out for the future. Obviously things change because Robb lives. So I won't follow the show's story line but I don't think that'll be an issue. I mean I love Game of Thrones but after around season five the show started going downhill. Season 8 will forever haunt me. I assure you my story won't follow what season 8 did. This is still Game of Thrones, so expect angst.

Even though this is just the first chapter, Maeve Tyrell has already become one of my favorite OCs. She goes through quite the journey and I'm excited for you guys to read about it.

The story for now is rated T but it'll change when I get further into it.

Warning for this chapter: Child birth.

"A rose is still a rose, even if it has only one petal left." ― Matshona Dhliwayo

Chapter 1: The Youngest Rose

Alerie Tyrell, formerly known as Alerie Hightower before her marriage to Mace Tyrell, had already birthed four healthy babies by him.

Three boys and a girl.

Willas, the oldest of her children, was now at the age of eleven. Her eldest son enjoyed horse riding as much as he enjoyed his studies. If he wasn't speaking about his love for horses and his preferred bird, the hawk, he would happily talk about the books he read.

Her second oldest, Garlan, was nine. He was a plump boy in his youth compared to his two other brothers. This did not stop him from wanting to be a skilled swordsman when he got older.

Loras, her third oldest, had just turned six. He inherited the same adventures spirit as Garlan, but was even more determined to become the greatest swordsman in all of Westeros.

And her youngest child for now, Margaery, was four. Her daughter, already a proper young lady who walked elegantly throughout the golden roses and green fields at Highgarden and spoke eloquently to others. With each passing day Alerie was beginning to see more of Olenna in Margaery.

Alerie didn't know what to think about that at first, but Olenna's sharp wit and intelligence did bring her this far in life. Perhaps it was a good thing her daughter was taking more after her grandmother.

As far as birthing all four of her children, the pain and blood had been there, but never did she feel such agony as she did now. Alerie felt like she was being ripped apart.

Maester Lomys warned throughout her pregnancy that the birth would not be an easy one. She had shown signs of weakness all throughout it. Signs that she didn't show in any of her previous four pregnancies.

So in fear of the baby's safety, and hers, Alerie was put on bed rest by Maester Lomys for the majority of her pregnancy.

Alerie tried not to think too much of it because she didn't want to add any further distress to the pregnancy. It certainly wouldn't have helped. She was smart to keep a calm disposition in front of her family. Especially her husband.

Mace Tyrell was a good man, although maybe a bit too whimsical. There'd also been times when under stressful situations where he acted like a chicken with its head cut off.

His mother Olenna may think him an oaf but Alerie didn't think so. Not entirely. Although he did have his moments. Like him insisting on staying with her as she gave birth despite knowing very well looking at his wife in that position made him woozy.

Mace insisted then, as he did now, on staying with her as the pains worsened, hour by hour by her side. However once Alerie started pushing and screaming, blood staining her thighs, Mace almost fainted as she expected. Mace excused himself, stuttering his words from feeling lightheaded.

Alerie was relieved when he left. She had a baby to bring into this world, and as much as she loved her husband she didn't have time to fret over him.

Whatever relief her husband's leave gave her was quickly forgotten at the sharp pains that struck her. She'd never been stabbed before but surely getting stabbed must have felt like this, or at least a similar feeling.

When she gave birth the last four times the pains she felt were more like she was going through one of her monthly bleeds. There was cramping in her stomach followed by an unsettling feeling going up her backside.

It was like that now only with sharp pains instead. It was as if a thousand knives were stabbing her as she brought a new life. Alerie desperately wanted this to be over but she wasn't quite there yet.

None of the midwives that were aiding her by bringing her water to drink and using a cooling cloth on her brought her comfort. Not even the soothing words of Maester Lomys.

Alerie's cries never ceased as the blood kept pooling beneath her. The pain continued to spread all over her body. She began to feel a kind of fear she never experienced before. The fear of death. She birthed four healthy children but it was this birth that finally made her think that she just might not make it.

And if she didn't make it before pushing out her child, what then? Would he or she be able to be saved by Maester Lomys?

This thought remained the more she forced herself to push again. Not doing anything didn't make the pain stop. She wanted the pain to go away, or at least lessen and she knew the only way for that to happen was for her to push out her baby.

Alerie gripped the sheets on the bed, gritting her teeth at the same time and pushed. She felt tearing down there, and it made her let out a horrid wail. Even with the tears in her eyes she was able to catch a glimpse of the midwives lowering their heads.

She felt a spark of anger. What did they have to be embarrassed about? She was the one in an uncomfortable position, experiencing severe pains they probably wouldn't even be able to handle. Their screams would have been as thunderous as hers, perhaps even louder.

Birthing a child was something never to be taken lightly. Alerie never had but she realized how lucky her previous births had been. The Gods looked out for her then, and for whatever reasons not now.

No, it appeared her luck had run out. She was suffering greatly as many women before her had suffered.

Maester Lomys telling her to keep pushing wasn't inspiring motivation. She was determined to have this baby but the aching she felt worsened. Whatever energy she had was diminishing, and she hated herself for not being strong enough.

Someone suddenly grabbed one of her hands with their own. Alerie didn't know who the hand belonged to but she dare not refuse it. Her eyes were way too blurry from all her crying to even attempt to look or ask who it was. Perhaps it was one of the midwives. Whoever they were, their kindness was enough for her to gather strength again.

Her eyes closed tightly. She screamed at the exact moment she gave a big push.

There was ringing in her ears at the exact moment a familiar sensation passed through her. The baby had come out. Alerie's eyes were still closed from exhaustion, and her breathing was ragged. The ringing ceased, only there was no crying from her baby.

Alerie almost shouted, thinking the worst. She stopped when she heard it. A feeble cry. With her eyes closed she attempted to release a smile. It was a strained smile. Alerie finally let go of the hand she had been holding onto. Her consciousness soon followed.

When Olenna had been informed by one of the midwives about what was happening with her daughter-in-law she rushed to her side. This wasn't intended. Like with her other pregnancies, Alerie had insisted before the birthing bed that she didn't need anyone in her presence except for Maester Lomys and the midwives. The less people the less awkward I'd feel, Alerie would tell her.

Her daughter-in-law was rather shy. Olenna had wanted her to grow out of it when she had married her son but the shyness lingered. As well as her stubbornness.

Olenna reluctantly agreed to Alerie's requests. Very reluctantly. But every time a grandchild of hers was born Olenna would come to visit afterwards. And baby after baby there had never been any issues with the births.

Until this one.

It shouldn't have come as a shock. Olenna silently expected the worst because of the signs Alerie had shown. But when Olenna was told that Alerie was struggling with pushing out the baby, she forgot about the agreement she had with Alerie. She didn't go looking for Mace. Her son was a man but he'd fainted more than she ever had in her life.

As for the rest of her grandchildren they were running around the gardens, collecting roses to give to their mother and new sibling. Olenna was glad the children were distracted because they certainly wouldn't have wanted to see their mother in her current condition.

When Olenna arrived she kneeled beside Alerie, grabbing hold one her hands. She allowed Alerie to squeeze as hard as she wanted. No amount of pain caused by her squeezing could compare to what Alerie was feeling.

Olenna didn't keep in mind how much time had passed. Alerie kept holding onto her hand until her baby was born. She soon lost consciousness after. Olenna thought the worst until Maester Lomys hastily looked Alerie over. Moments passed before he assured her that Alerie still lived.

"Her heart is still beating. It's not as strong but the beat is there."

Olenna nodded her head. That was good news. Not the best but certainly not the worst. At least when it came to Alerie. "And the baby?" She asked, voice somber. She walked over to where the baby was currently being cleaned and taken care of by a midwife. When out the baby's cries could hardly be heard. They were practically nonexistent and it made her feel as if she were sinking.

Maester Lomys sighed. "Alive but not without complications."

"The baby lives?" Olenna questioned. She needed him to say the words.

"Yes, she lives."

Olenna had forgotten whether the baby was a boy or girl. She'd been too preoccupied in trying to offer comfort to Alerie. Now that she knew she had a granddaughter she felt her heart become weightless. "She?"

"Lady Alerie has given birth to a girl." Maester Lomys informed.

A girl. Olenna repeated in her head. Margaery was now not the only girl. She had a little sister to look after and as did her three grandsons. It was good news but now was not the time to celebrate.

Olenna's pregnancy from years ago lasted a whole nine months, not seven like Alerie's. That didn't mean she didn't know the horrors of birthing a child. Bringing her son Mace into the world hadn't been an easy task.

Seeing the aftermath of the birth on the bed again was taking her back to the past. She was still able to present herself earnestly. "Tell me the truth. Will they survive?" She asked the Maester Lomys when he walked closer. Her eyes looked from where a sleeping Alerie was being attended by the midwives to another midwife who held her new granddaughter.

As if an unconscious daughter-in-law wasn't already bad enough, her granddaughter's cries were weak sounding. Her granddaughter's voice didn't have any strength, and was proving to Olenna she was as fragile as she looked. Even from where she stood she could see her tiny form. She looked like one of Margaery's dolls.

Maester Lomys appeared grim as he delivered the solemn truth. "As I mentioned, there were complications. Alerie has lost a lot of blood, and the baby was born earlier than expected. Two months too soon." He paused, a thoughtful expression passed over his face. "I do have experience with births like this. If they can get through the dangerous time that follows in these next few days then they should be fine. They'll have to be closely watched."

It wasn't a complete death sentence. Olenna, however, expected the worst. By now she'd been through all sorts of tragedies. Only two years have gone by since her husband Luthor had fallen off a cliff. He died such a ridiculous way. She thought he was an oaf, and would still say that he was to this day. When she was brought his dead body though she had cried. She mourned him. She really had come to care for him in her own way. The funny thing is she didn't realize how much until after he died.

She was a stern woman, not completely heartless but she was emotionally prepared for the worst. Although being emotionally prepared didn't make the thought of losing members of her family any easier.

Admittedly Olenna didn't have the closest of relationships with her daughter-in-law Alerie. Over the years though they grew accustomed to each other to the point where there was respect. She'd rather have her around than an unknown person.

And as much as Olenna called her son Mace an oaf like she did with his father, that didn't mean she didn't love him. Her only son's suffering was not something she found entertaining in the slightest. Truth was she would've hated to see him mourn over a wife he loved dearly and a newborn daughter.

But the two of them dying was a possibility. Olenna would need to tell him, and the rest of her grandchildren about what may happen after she left these quarters. She didn't make her leave immediately.

Olenna ordered the midwife that was holding her granddaughter to carefully hand her over. "Did Alerie give her a name?" She asked Maester Lomys without even looking his way. Her youngest granddaughter safely secured in her arms held her attention.

"Before the pain took over she was saying that she liked the name Maeve for a girl."

Olenna softly whispered the name. "Maeve." She stared down at the baby. The more she looked at the bundled up baby, face pink, and eyes closed, the more the name seemed fitting for her.

Not many things could awe Olenna anymore at her age of fifty-three. She was proved wrong when looking at her newly born granddaughter. Not only was she awed by the tiny baby, but her heart began to soften. Any pessimism was momentarily forgotten. Alerie and Maeve could survive, and wouldn't that be a surprise?

If asked she'd deny it but Olenna always loved surprises. Especially when the surprises never affected her or those closest to her badly.

And this might be a good surprise.

Olenna gently ran her fingers down Maeve's cheek. Maeve still hadn't opened her eyes but she let out a low gurgling sound. It was almost as if she was trying to say a greeting to her. Olenna smiled down at her youngest granddaughter.

Yes, you might surprise me just yet.