HOUSES OF WESTEROS

HOUSE TYRELL

OLENNA

Each House reacts to the news of Tywin Lannister's death differently. While the Queen of thorns respected the Old Lion, she saw him as a threat, the same as he probably saw her and her family. With him now dead, House Tyrell could take its place as the richest and most powerful House in Westeros. While House Lannister depended on its mines for its wealth, House Tully depended on its agricultural development. The Reach had the most fertile land in Westeros and often many of the other Kingdoms and Houses turned to them in lean times for food.

The words of House Tyrell were growing strong, but how could it grow strong with the King denying them a seat at the table. The Tyrells wanted Margaery Tyrell to be matched with Prince Joffrey. Problem is that Robert had his eyes on Lord Eddard Stark's daughter. A girl many say is a red headed beauty in her own right.

A few weeks after Tywin's death a messenger came to High Garden with a message. Olenna looks at the man who delivered the message. "Did you read this?"

"No My Lady."

Olenna calls her family together. The members of House Tyrell are Mace the Lord of High Garden and the Reach, Warden of the South, his wife Alerie Tyrell nee' Hightower, Willis the eldest and heir, Garlan, Loras Tyrell, and Margaery. "The Mountain and Ser Lorch are dead." She announces to her family.

"About time if you ask me." Alerie wife of Mace Tyrell says and the Lady of High Garden. "Two Knights of the realm, killing those innocent children."

"How did they die?" Willis the eldest and heir asks.

"Lord Jaime stripped Ser Lorch of his titles and then after some words were said, the Young Lion killed the Knight. Then the Mountain met his end at Lord Jaime's hand as well."

"Without Tywin Lannister, the Lannisters are lost." Mace says.

"We shall see…In the meantime we must look to our own future…Growing Strong are our words…But how can we when Robert stands in our way."

"You have a plan mother?"

"Yes…I have recently learned that Prince Viserys and his sister Daenarys Tagaryen are alive…If we can find them and give them our support…"

"You want Margaery to marry Prince Viserys. What about Princess Daenarys?" Willis asks.

"She can marry Prince Doran's son Quentyn Martell…"

"Still that is two houses against seven."

"Not if we get the Greyjoys to fight with us."

"You would align our House with those savages?" Mace asks.

"I would do must be done to win…If they accept and I believe Balon Greyjoy would…We could add the Golden Company to our forces and then we would have a chance."

HOUSE MARTELL

After Robert's rebellion Dorne cut itself off from the Iron Throne and the rest of Westeros. But Dorne had always been independent of the Iron Throne. Even when after the Targaryens failed to conquer the country on three different occasions. They did align with themselves with the Targaryens through two different marriages.

First King Daeron II married Princess Mariah Martell and her brother Prince Maron married Princess Daenaerys. Then many years later Prince Rhaegar married Princess Elia of Dorne. She was raped during the sacking of King's Landing and then killed along with her children. Hence Dorne's hatred for King Robert and House Lannister.

The members of House Martell are Prince Doran the current ruler of Dorne, his brother Prince Oberyn, Princess Arianne Doran's eldest daughter and heir, his son Prince Quentyn, and his youngest son Prince Trystane. Prince Oberyn has many children by his wife and his Paramour and also his many lovers over the years of his life.

Prince Doran is in the courtyard training with his daughters the Sand Snakes. The Sand Snakes are his bastard daughters Obara, Sarella, Lady Nym (Nymeria), Tyene, Obella, Dorea, and Loreza. Obara and Nymeria have different mothers. All the rest were mothered by Oberyn's Paramour Ellaria, but she loves Obara and Nym as if she had given birth to them herself. Obara faces off against her father while the rest stand off to the side watching.

Like her father Obara's weapon of choice is the spear. They fight back and forth, using their practice spears like staffs and sometimes a sword. They lock weapons pushing against one another. Oberyn is the stronger and shoves his daughter down, but she sticks her leg up and kicks his weapon from his hand. Then she rolls forward pointing her spear into Oberyn's throat.

"Do you yield father?"

He smiles, "This time I yield little snake."

Everyone claps and congratulates Obara on her win. It is the first time she bested him. "My turn!" Lady Nym announces.

Oberyn takes a drink of water offered by Ellaria. "So you think because your sister bested me you are ready."

"The gods grant me strength, then yes Father you shall yield to me."

"My Prince!" They are interrupted by Oberyn's Squire Daryn Sand.

"What is it?"

"Your brother Prince Doran wishes to speak with you."

Oberyn goes to the Water Gardens with Ellaria, Obara, Nym and Daryn. "Brother." He says kissing him on each cheek.

"And what mischief have you been up to today?"

"Only training with my daughters the Sand Snakes…Obara made me yield today."

"A pity I missed that…"

"Niece." He says acknowledging Arianne.

"Uncle."

"Trystane."

"Uncle."

"What is so urgent?" Doran hands him a letter.

"Read it out loud brother."

To the Princes of Dorne

By now you have heard that my father is dead. So rulership of the Westerlands falls to me Lord Jaime Lannister…I know you and all of Dorne hate House Lannister. Had I known what my father intended I would have done things differently. I thought Princess Elia and her children safe after I killed Aerys…

No words could take away my failure…Or redeem me or my House in your eyes…But I hope this is a step to a mutual understanding…And for the crimes they committed against your family I present you with the heads of the Mountain Gregor Clegane and Armory Lorch…

With Best Regards

Lord Jaime Lannister Warden of the West

"He killed his own Knights." Ellaria says as Oberyn reaches into the wooden box and removes Gregor's severed head.

"While it swells my heart that this monster is dead…It enrages me that he did not die at my hand…"

"And that I did not give the order that robbed these bastards of their lives." Doran says.

"Perhaps we should lift our spirits with a feast." Arianne says.

"And spread the news throughout Dorne the Mountain has fallen and Lorch is dead." They held a feast that lasted all week. On the fourth day Doran calls a meeting with Oberyn, Arianne, and Trystan. "I have received conformation from my spies in the East. Prince Viserys and Princess Daenarys are alive."

Oberyn smiles, "You want to use them to overthrow the Usurper?"

"Yes…But not Varys…he is his father reborn."

"Then the girl." Oberyn says.

"Father she cannot take the Iron Throne over Prince Viserys." Arianne says.

"I have sent for Quentyn. When he arrives…Quentyn will sail a ship East and find them. As they sup together Quentyn will slip something into Viserys' food."

"Cursed is the man who becomes Kinslayer brother." Oberyn says.

"What do you suggest brother?"

"Hide him away from the world. Fake his death…She becomes Queen and take the Iron Throne…Your son can sit beside her."

"Dorne alone cannot stand against the Usurper and those who support him." Trystan says.

"That is why I will offer you Arianne to the Tyrell's son Garlan."

Oberyn shakes his head, "Old Olenna will not take that deal. She will want Princess Daenarys for her son Willis…But perhaps I can speak to Willis. He is my friend and with him on our side we can make the Tyrells see reason."