Chapter 6: A lion and a rose

Jaime

His father was dead. He had never imagined he would see this day. Tywin Lannister was the strongest man he had ever known and now he lay lifeless in front of him with stone on his eyes.

Only House Lannister was allowed in the sept, for now, to say farewell to their Lord. After that, the gates would be open for everybody else. Lords and ladies from all the seven kingdoms had come to "pay their respects".

"He is dead. My brother, your father," said Aunt Genna standing by his side. "You have to take his place now. You are the future of our house."

"I don't know if I will ever be like him?" asked Jaime.

"You will never be like him. You are the least like him among all of his children. I think Tyrion is the one most like him. I once told your father that."

Jaime laughed at that. "I can only imagine his reaction," he said.

"He didn't speak to me for half a year. He wasn't happy with that."

"He wasn't happy with anything. Nothing any of us ever did would be up to his expectations. I have always disappointed him," he said feeling a pang of pain in his chest that he could never make his father proud. He could never make him happy.

"People said he never smiled. I know that was wrong. He smiled my brother, he smiled when he was truly happy. He smiled when Aerys made him his hand. He smiled the day he wed your mother. And he smiled the day you were born. He had the biggest smile on his face when he held you in his arms. So you can live your entire life believing that you never brought your father happiness or that he only cared for you as his heir but I know that he loved you the most in the world. I think this is because though you were least like him yet you are the most like your mother. Tywin loved Joanna with all his heart and he loved you even more if it was possible. Everything he built was for you. Yet you never wanted it. Your father is dead now. It is time for you to stop behaving like a child and be the man you were meant to be. Be the son he wanted you to be because that is the only way you can honor him. For he was always there for you whenever you needed him."

Jaime could only nod at her. His aunt was right as always. She pinched his ear like she always did and left. He was soon joined by Cersei and William. His son. He looked like Joffrey sometimes but was completely different from him in all manners.

"How are you holding up Uncle?"

"I am fine. He is dead but what he built, it's ours. He built it for us. He meant it for us. They're going to try to take it away. All of it."

"They?" asked Cersei.

"All of them out there. Our enemies. They're waiting in line to make sure he is really dead. And as soon as they see the stone in his eyes, they'll set to work on tearing us apart."

"Then we have to make sure to protect it," said William. "Has anybody had a chance to write to Uncle Tyrion. He should be informed so that he can mourn his father."

"Mourn? Celebrate more like it. I pity the whores for…" began Cersei but was quickly interrupted by Will.

"Mother, please. Not now. We cannot be divided right now. We have to stick together. All of us including Uncle Tyrion. Varys hasn't been since the night of grandfather's death. He left the capitol. He isn't looking to stand by idly. He will offer his services to someone else. Someone he thinks now has a better chance of winning the war. He thinks we are weak now that grandfather is gone. Everyone in Westeros is thinking it. We have to show them they are wrong."

"First we have to find out who was behind his death," said Jaime.

"Call a small council meeting. We have urgent matters to discuss."

William

"No word of Varys or Baelish?" asked mother. They were in the small council chambers. The meeting had been going on for about an hour and he was getting angry as they had yet made no progress.

"No, your grace. Lord Varys overlooked the birds. Without him, things would be a little difficult. The first order should be for the King to appoint a new hand and a new master of whisperers," said Pycelle.

"What exactly is your job here Grand Maester?" asked Will. He was tired of Pycelle speaking the obvious things, providing no valuable insight and acting like he was an essential part of his council.

"The Grand Maester offers advice to the king In matters of governance. On several occasions in history, the Grand Maester has served as the hand of the king."

"So you want me to make you the hand?"

"Your grace I was merely suggesting that…"

"Get out. Now. You are no longer a part of my council you fool. Come to me when you have grown some balls," he screamed. Everyone at the council was taken aback with his sudden outburst. Nobody had seen him like this before.

"Prince Oberyn will serve as the master of whisperers. I have not yet made a decision about the hand of the king. Prince Oberyn please find out about my grandfather's assassination and also about Baelish and Varys," said Will and he nodded.

"I think we should move the wedding as close as possible. Times are tough. Let us seal our alliance with House Tyrell for the realm to know. Show the world that Houses of Lannister and Tyrell are together," suggested Uncle Jaime.

"We have no issues with this proposal, your grace," said Lord Tyrell

"Alright then. Let us prepare for the wedding. Mother see to it that it happens as fast as possible. The next time we meet will be after the royal wedding. Uncle Jaime, I want you to make a complete plan of attack on Vale. Prince Oberyn I want the man behind my grandfather's murder."

Daenerys

"It is done," said Lord Baelish. They were sitting in her council chambers. Ser Barriston was there with them.

"I am not sure yet that I agree with your way," she replied. She had always thought that when she would take her crown it would be by defeating her enemies in battle, not by hiring assassins.

"You are full of mercy. It is your biggest strength. It is also your biggest weakness. You are in the big game now and the big game is terrifying. Your enemies didn't hesitate to hire assassins to kill you then why should you feel guilty. You beat them in their own games. Now Tywin Lannister is dead. The people in Westeros now believe that the Lannisters are not invincible, that they can be defeated. He was the man who held the kingdoms together. Now you sit back and watch his children destroy all he built."

"Will they figure out it was us?"

"The works of faceless men is very clean. They cost a lot but you can always trust them to do their job well. The spymaster Varys has left the city as my spies in the Red Keep inform me. Without his birds, it will take them a long time to figure out it was us if they indeed figure it out."

"What happens if they figure it out?"

"They will attack Vale, try to get one up on us. They will try to remove all your allies before you land and all the allies you can have in the future."

"I believe you have a plan."

"I do indeed your grace. People who think small can always become single-minded. They will focus all their attention on Vale not thinking that while their entire attention is on the Vale, they could start losing other kingdoms."

"You seem to have given this a lot of thought Lord Baelish. What will they lose?" asked Dany getting intrigued by his plan.

"I'll tell you as soon as I am sure it will work. I wouldn't want to let you down my queen."

"You seemed to have everything planned Lord Baelish."

"Not yet, your grace. But give me time," said Baelish and with that, he bowed and took his leave. She took a sip of her wine thinking about their conversation. The man made her think like no one ever had before. She still had a lot to learn in the game of politics and Peter Baelish seemed like a very experienced player.

"Your Grace, a word?" asked Barriston Selmy and she nodded.

"I think you should get rid of Lord Baelish at once. He is a disease. He will bleed you from within and you won't realize it until it is too late."

"Why do you think that? He has been of great service to me. He has already got me closer to the Iron Throne in weeks than I had been in years."

"Your Grace, he is not trustworthy. He only serves himself. He will betray you as soon as it benefits them," explained the old knight but he was a naïve soldier, not used to politics.

"Who will he betray me too? The Lannisters want his head. Stannis Baratheon will never treat with him. Who will he sell me too? I am no fool. I know he isn't a man to be trusted but that doesn't mean that he can be of no use to me," she said. There was no way Baelish would betray her, she thought. Their interests aligned perfectly well. He had already proved to be very useful. He would continue to prove his worth.

Margaery

"You look lovely my dear. The king won't be able to take his eyes off you. You'll be the prettiest queen ever," said grandmother as she came out wearing her wedding dress.

"I hope so. The king rarely does pay me attention," she replied.

"The boy just lost his hand who was his grandfather. He has seven kingdoms to look after. He is a busy man," she replied.

"That is not what I have heard. I hear of his whore. His handmaiden. My future husband desires a servant girl more than me," she said. Her heart filled with jealousy, something she had never felt before. All her life she had always gotten what she wanted. This time was no different. She wanted to be the queen and she was minutes away from becoming one. In a few moments, she would walk down the sept, say her vows and become the queen of the seven kingdoms. Her childhood dream fulfilled. So why was her heart filled with the jealousy she did not know.

"Don't you worry about all that. She is a whore, you are the queen. You are far more beautiful and clever than that girl could ever be. You are my granddaughter. You will charm the king just like you have charmed every other lord. You, my dear, were born to be the queen. And for the question of that whore, you can do anything you want with her once you become the queen. Now get ready. You wouldn't want to be late for your own wedding would you?"

Grandmother was right. She was born to be the queen. The lords and ladies of Westeros adored her. The people of Kings Landing loved her. All the way from the Red Keep to the Sept of Baelor all she could hear was people chanting 'Queen Margaery'. Not Cersei or William, her name. She could not let her feelings get in the way of her destiny. She will figure out a way to control the King as she had for every man in her life.

"I am his and he is mine. From this day until the end of my days," said Margaery and the crowd burst with claps. She turned to face her husband now and he placed a sweet and quick kiss on her lips.

"I don't think there are words to describe how beautiful you look," said William taking her hand in his.

"You look handsome too your grace," she replies. They turn towards the people and the sept is once again filled with claps and whistles as the High Septon introduces them as a couple.

William

"That was wonderful," he said with his breath running out as he fell on his side of the bed.

"It was indeed," replied Margaery slowly as she was out of breath too.

They both laid still regaining their breaths. It was one of the best sex he ever had. Margaery had been amazing. She was clearly experienced at this, something he had not expected. He had expected that she would retain her maidenhood till her wedding.

He turned to look at her and she did the same. He smiled and pulled her over him. She was now lying on him looking him in the eye. He put his right hand in her hair and pulled her face towards him and gave her a long sensual kiss.

"Your hair smells so good. Like a rose," he said and she laughed. "Who was your first time with?" he asked thinking now as good time as any.

"Oh no, your grace. It wasn't anybody. When I was riding a horse…" she started but Will put his finger on her lips.

"Please, don't. It doesn't matter to me that you were with somebody before me. This was not my first time so I can't expect it to be yours first either. You are with me now and that is all that matters. I asked because I wanted to get to know you better. We are in this together now. I am yours and you are mine. I meant it. Let us not start our marriage with lies," he replied and at that moment he truly meant each and every word.

"Well, when I was young, I fancied this stable boy. One night when the castle slept, I sneaked out of my room and went to the stables where I knew he was waiting for me. That was my first time," said Margaery.

"Ooh, Lady Margaery of House Tyrell. Rolling in the hay with a stable boy. Think about the scandals you could have caused," replied Will spanking her lightly at which she squealed.

"My mother was livid when she found out. My father sent the boy away with his family. My grandmother made sure nobody ever found out."

"Well I do hope your father sent him long away from here," he said, his hands roaming all over her body and finally resting on her ass. She had started rubbing her hand over his chest in circles. Both enjoying this intimate moment.

"Who was your first time with?" she asked.

"She was a whore in Lys. It was late at night and my travel companions decided to visit the famous brothels of Lys. When we were there I had only planned on getting a drink, nothing else when she came up to me. I refused at first but then she asked why not. I couldn't think of anything. So I went ahead with it. It was weird and uncomfortable but she was very nice. She told me to take my time. She was very patient with me. I stayed with her for 2 days. She taught me a lot."

"It is her that I have to thank then for your incredible performance in bed," said Margaery and pushed her finger into his mouth for him to lick.

"You flatter me, my lady," he replied realizing that Margaery was trying to get control of him. He decided to let it go for now. It didn't feel right to ruin their wedding night.

"You are too humble my king. I had honestly never felt so good in my life before."

"Until now," said Will and flipped her over and made love to his wife again.

xxxxx

It was the middle of the night when he heard noises coming from the outside that woke him from his sleep. Margaery was still entangled in his arms, sleeping peacefully. He got up from the bed careful enough not to wake her and got dressed. When he stepped outside he saw Prince Oberyn arguing with his kingsgaurd.

"Prince Oberyn? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" he asked.

"I needed a word in private, your grace," he replied. His face giving William no clue as to what this was about.

"Come in," answered Will and took him to the study attached to his room.

"What was so severe that you came to me in the middle of the night?"

"I am leaving the city. I received word from my brother that I had to leave immediately for Dorne," he replied and Will's heart fell. If Prince Oberyn was leaving in the middle of the night that meant that the Dornish alliance had fallen. Dorne had chosen his enemies.

"Let me guess, the Targaryen girl?" he asked knowing fully that it cannot be Stannis. Dorne would never support him and if Prince Doran had a spine to rebel without anyone's support then he would have done it years ago.

Oberyn nodded and said, "I guess this is farewell then."

"You are leaving in the middle of the night, surely you meant for us to not know. Why are you here?"

"It was the faceless men who killed Tywin Lannister. My men found out that a payment was made to them from Mereen."

"Danaerys Targaryen. I didn't think she had that much gold to afford the faceless men."

"She doesn't. A new councilor was seen at her side when she made an appearance to the fighting pits in Mereen. The description provided could only match one person. Peter Baelish."

Idiot, Will called himself. He should have known that Baelish was too clever to just sit in Vale and wait for his punishment. Danaerys Targaryen had now the counsel of Peter Baelish. She was dangerous already, now she became unpredictable. He had to be careful now. He had to think through every step he was going to make.

"Why tell me this?"

"I gave you the information that will help you bring justice to the killer of your brother and your grandfather. I hope that you will reciprocate by helping me get justice for my sister Elia."

"I cannot officially give my loyal bannerman to you to murder. But, I am a Lannister and Lannisters always pay their debts. I will summon Ser Gregor Clegane to the capitol. If something happens to him on his way, then accidents happen. There will not be anything more to it."

"Thank you, your grace," he replied and turned to leave.

"Prince Oberyn, what of my sister now that our alliance will end?" asked Will. "I want her back in the capitol before you leave."

"You worry for your sister. Don't worry, I will send a raven to get your sister back in Kings Landing. Till then, I have some work here in the capitol. I have a mountain to kill."

"Is there any way that Prince Doran would reconsider his allegiance?" he asked. He had to ask even though he knew the answer. He had to try.

"My brother will never choose a losing side. She has 3 dragons and the unsullied. You very much look like the losing side," he replied and left. Will stood there for minutes taking in what had happened. He had lost another kingdom. He went back to bed and held Margaery tight waiting for sleep to take him but it never did.

The End.

Author's note:

So this is the sixth chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Thanks to those who read it. Special thanks to those who followed and favorited the story. Keep the reviews coming. They make me very happy.

Also, I have decided to answer every review now, so here it goes.

SunshineBubbles - Thanks for the review. Here you go, just like you wanted.

Br0kenTh0rn - I hope you had fun reading about William and Margaery having "fun"

toile grant - thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

alec-potter - Thanks, how did you like this one?

Star1X - You'll have to wait and see Dany's role, its a surprise. However, I will just say that every character will have justifiable reasons for the action he/she takes.

The Three Stoogies - Thanks for the review. What did you think of this chapter?

So thanks to everyone for reading. Until next time.