THE DRAGON, THE ROSE, AND THE SNAKE
AEGON
During the trip from Volantis Aegon trained with Dany and his men. The two of them develop a really close relationship. The Dragons grow every day as they sail towards the Reach. They stop in Lys to pick up supplies, rest for a few days and sail on. Every now and then Aegon goes to visit Viserys and under guard he allows him to walk the deck of the ship.
"What are your plans for me?" He asks as they head up onto the main deck.
"I have spoken with Dany and you will be taken to the Maesters so that they can try and help you."
"And what if I don't want to go?"
He stops and looks at Viserys, "Would you rather be locked in a tower for the rest of your life?"
"I hate you and I will always hate you!"
"Hate me all you want. You are alive and had you continued on your path it would have led to the door of Ilyrio Mopatis…He would have sheltered you and then Dany would be married off to Khal Drogo of the Dothraki in exchange for his army…You would have done what you always did with past nobles only this time…Khal Drogo would have killed you."
Viserys stares at Aegon and he back at him, "You …you don't know that!"
"I am the Prince that was Promised. Born of Fire and Ice…I can see multiple possible futures…This is what would have happened, had you stayed on your path." He places his hand on Viserys' shoulder, but he shrugs it off, "You are my kin. Whether you accept that or not. And whether you believe me or not I mean you no harm."
In his spare time Aegon practiced his warging and fire sight alone, unless he was teaching Dany to see into the flames. Things across Westeros are moving along due to Arya's influence and magic. During this time Aegon had been watching Margaery Tyrell in the flames. The young Lady is a year younger than he is, flowered of ten and four name days. A very confident and cunning young woman of many tastes and talents.
Aegon had also been watching the other Tyrells. Olenna, Mace, Allerie, Willis, Garlan, and Loras. A few miles from the Island of Arbor the Captain hoisted a peace flag and since they sailed under no sigil. They sailed the Redwyne Straits and turned around the coast heading North towards the Mouth of the Mander River.
Up the river the ship sails towards High Garden. The lands of the reach are plentiful and rich. "It is so beautiful here." Dany says admiring the orange trees.
"Aye it is." The Dragons had to be kept below decks to their outrage and discomfort. To keep them calm Aegon and Dany spent the rest of the trip below and slept at their sides.
OLENNA
Olenna is making preparations for her grandson Willis' name day celebration. All of the Reach would come and many of the Great Houses of the South. She is in the kitchen with Allerie going over the menu. "My Lady!"
She looks at the young man trying to remember his name. "Mychal right?"
"Yes M'Lady…" He looks at Allerie, "Lady Allerie."
"Well what is it?"
"There is a ship on the Mander…A man came to the castle says he needs to speak with you."
"What is his name?"
"Harold M'Lady…He carries a message for your eyes only. He is to place the letter in your hand and your hand alone."
Olenna looks at Allerie, "Will you take over my dear."
"Of course I can handle this."
Olenna goes to her study and has the man Harold bought to her, "M'Lady thank you for receiving me."
"You have a message for me?"
"Aye M'Lady." He replies handing her the folded letter.
To Lady Olenna Tyrell of High Garden
Greetings My Lady…I hope this letter finds you well and in good health. I write to you because you are the foundation upon which House Tytrell currently stands and if not for you. It would have fallen long ago. I wish to meet with you and your family to discuss a mutually beneficial alliance. My name is Aegon Prince of House Targaryen. Son of Prince Rhaegar and his second wife Princess Lyanna…
I seek to take back my family's legacy from the Usurper. Of all the Houses yours was one of the few loyal. I seek an alliance with your House and to court your granddaughter Lady Margaery… By now you have guessed I have Houses Stark, Tully, most of the Crownlands, and the Step Stones. House Lannister is with me as well…If you are agreeable I wish to meet with you and your family…If what I have said is not enough I will bring proof of my name and heritage…
With Regards
Aegon Targaryen the rightful King of Westeros
Olenna smiles, a chance for her House to grow strong is dropped in her lap. Many questions needed to be answered. Should she tell her family first? Meet him in private first and why would Jaime Lannister go against his own family. "Go back to the man who gave you this letter and tell him I will meet with him in private first." She decided to meet with him in private just in case it was some kind of loyalty test cooked up by someone in King's Landing.
She didn't have to wait long as a handsome young man entered her study an hour later. He removes his hood. "Thank you for seeing me Lady Olenna." He hands her a wrinkled piece of paper. "A marriage certificate between my parents. My Uncle Prince Viserys balled it up. And this is my birth announcement…"
"These seem legal, but documents can be forged and faked. And you look nothing like a Targaryen."
"Right." He walks over to a candle and places his finger in the flame. Olenna slowly stands up as he does not make a sound or smell burned flesh, "I am the blood of the Dragon my Lady and if this is not enough proof. I have my Aunt Daenarys Stormborn of House Targaryen and two Dragons."
"I believe you my King."
Olenna gathers her family in the main hall along with her most trusted guards. Then Aegon is escorted into the hall with Daenarys. His men carry two large covered cages. "I am Aegon son of Prince Rhaegar and his second wife Princess Lyanna Targaryen…This is my Aunt Princess Daenarys Targaryen…And we have come to ask for House Tyrell's allegiance as we take back what once belonged to our family." He nods to his men and they uncover the cages revealing two Dragons. One the size of a dog and the other the size of large cat. Mace stands up and then he and his family bows.
MARGAERY
Margaery found Prince Aegon to be very handsome and strong. Everything a highborn lady would want in a Prince, but would he be good to her. "Between us my Lady…I find you beautiful and I look forward to getting to know you. Earning your trust and love."
"A man can say all the right things your Grace, but what if I come to conclusion that you are not the man for me."
He smiles, "I would pray we both part ways as friends and that we both find love." They walk through the Gardens, "Unless you are already in love my Lady."
"No…There is no one Your Grace."
"Please call me Aegon."
"My father wishes you to stay for my brother's name day celebration. I wish that I could…I need to keep moving and find a place for our Dragons to grow strong and thrive. If I asked your father and mother…and they were agreeable would you accompany me to Dorne and then North to my home."
She smiles, "I have always wanted to travel…Perhaps you should speak to my Grandmother on it. She would be easier to sway and she can convince my parents." He did and she agreed. Before feasting with the family Aegon meets with Mace in private. "I am most displeased with you my Lord."
"How so your Grace? And what may I do to win your favor?"
"During the war Lord Tarly and my father asked you to join him on the Trident and yet you disobeyed Your Prince, ignored Lord Tarly and claimed victory for his accomplishments on the battlefield."
"Your Grace I…"
"Silence! It is only because of your mother and his sense of honor that Lord Tarly has not risen against your family…You ask how to win my favor. Here is how. When Lord Tarly comes for your son's name day celebration. You will publicly thank him for his leadership and heroism during Robert's Rebellion and then you will ask for his daughter to your son as he has yet to promise her to anyone…"
"Yes your Grace. I will do as you command."
Aegon decides to stay since Prince Oberyn is coming to the name day celebration. At night when the moon is full and most people are asleep Aegon and Dany let the Dragons fly. Through his warging he urges them to hunt only fish from the river, as Rhodan is old enough and his fire strong enough to hunt larger pray. Lady Olenna makes preparations to send Prince Viserys to the Maesters of Old town.
PRINCE OBERYN
The Red Viper is the name Prince Oberyn is often referred to as. He is known for covering his blades and spears with poison. A well, traveled man of many tastes and pleasures. Oberyn had been long time friends with Willis Tyrell the heir of High Garden. There is nothing Oberyn would not do for Willis as he blames himself for Willis' injury during a tourney. Willis must walk with a cane as his leg was broken when he fell from his horse.
"You think it wise to bring me my Love?" His Paramour and lover Ellaria Sand asks.
"You know how much I enjoy annoying the high and mighty Mace Tyrell. Can you imagine the look on his face when he has to seat us at the High Table." They both burst into laughter as they ride side by side through the countryside. Their escort includes a hundred heavily armed men all mounted, twenty srvants, and two supply wagons. His daughter Lady Nym is with him along with his Squire Daemon.
After weeks of travel they finally make it to High Garden. As Oberyn rides into the rose court he is shocked to see Mace and the rest of the family waiting to greet him. "Welcome Prince Oberyn my son's best friend…The Hospitality of High Garden is yours."
"I thank you My Lord…" He greets Lady Allerie and then Olenna. "Willis…My good friend."
"Oberyn!" The two friends hug.
"Garlan."
"I look forward to a Spar my Prince."
"As I."
Afterwards Wills escorts Oberyn and Ellaria to their rooms. "There is someone I wish you to meet."
"Who?"
"Someone who has changed the fortunes of House Tyrell and if you have an open mind Dorne's as well."
After getting settled Oberyn and Ellaria are taken to Mace's study by Willis. Lady Olenna is there as well. Willis hands him documents of marriage and birth. Oberyn reads the crinkled wedding document and then hands it to Ellaria as he read the birth announcement. "Where did you get these."
Mace nods to Willis and a secret passage opens and from it a young man of fifteen name days comes out with a young woman of white hair. "Prince Oberyn our King Aegon Targaryen and his Aunt Princess Daenarys Targaryen."
Aegon is dressed in red and black garments of House Targaryen and carries a Dragon hilt sword at his hip. Daenarys is dressed in black and red as well with a gold dragon amulet necklace. She carries a sword as well. "Prince Oberyn it is honor to meet you."
He raises the Birth Document, "The seven kingdoms was torn apart by your Father's love for your mother."
He shakes his head, "They handled that wrong. But it was Aerys who tore the country apart and the Usurper who killed my Mother's goodsister-wife. Or shall I say Tywin Lannister."
"Oberyn!" Ellaria says speaking up, "The Lannisters! That is why Jaime Lannister killed the Mountain and Lorch…He has sworn to serve you hasn't he?"
Aegon smiles, "My Lady you are as clever as you are beautiful. I can see why Prince Oberyn favors you."
"I like him Oberyn."
He smiles, "I suppose you want Dorne's help?"
"House Targaryen and House Martell are bound by marriage twice over…We can take the Iron Throne without Dorne, but to do so we will have to rain fire and that I do not wish to do."
Oberyn frowns, "Rain fire?"
"Dragons My Prince…Dany and I have Dragons."
Oberyn looks at Mace, who nods and then Willis, "Is this true?"
"We have seen them Oberyn."
Without waiting they take the secret passage to the river and then row boat to the ship and are shown the Dragons Rhodan and Wendar. Oberyn and Ellaria stay for the feast and to Lady Nym's disappointment they are to leave in the morning. She and Garlan are in love, but Mace disapproves because she is a bastard. It is Daenarys who suggests that she be allowed to stay to represent House Martell.
AEGON
"Lord Randyl…May I speak with you privately."
"Of Course my King."
They walk through the Garden maze. All the Reach Lords had met and pledged themselves to Aegon's cause. "When the time comes you will lead the combined forces of the Reach and Dorne against the Stormlands."
"And Lord Mace Tyrell."
"Will remain in High Garden. I have spoken to him…Any Lord who wishes to surrender show them mercy…Those who do not offer them the wall…Only give them death if they refuse."
"Should not we wait until your Dragons are old enough?"
He smiles, "We will…For now get ready…Another year and a half maybe and I will be ready to move against the Usurper."
"I look forward to your reign my King."
Before Aegon leaves Loras asks to become a member of his King's Guard. He promises him a place when the time comes. Then he sends a Raven to his Uncle in Winterfell, telling him about his progress and whereabouts.
DORAN
He had sent men East to find Viserys and Daenarys, then he could make an alliance with House Tyrell and form an independent Kingdom separate from The Iron Throne. Over time the United Kingdoms of the South would eventually overpower the other Kingdoms. Doran thought in long terms and was a planner while his brother Oberyn responded with anger. His daughter Arianne was cunning and ambitious, one day she would outshine all those who came before her.
He also has two sons Quentyn who was promised to Daenarys before she was even born and his youngest Trystane. Quentyn is more like his Uncle and Trystane like him. Doran suffers from gout that riddles his body. As such he is confined to a wheeled chair. He spends most of his time in the water gardens watching Oberyn's younger children play.
"Brother!"
"Oberyn?" He walks up to him and kisses him on the cheek. He is not alone, "What are you doing back so soon? And who are these people?"
Oberyn introduces Aegon and Daenarys, and Aegon tells him of his plans. "I have seen the Dragons brother it is true."
He sighs, "War…In the last war I lost my sister, my niece and nephew. Many of my countrymen never came home. And here you are…The product of Rhaegar and Lyannas' love. A love that tore the seven Kingdoms apart. When the time comes, Dorne will fight. I wanted you Princess to marry my son…I will not push the issue, but I do ask that give my son a chance to win your heart."
"I have my own path to walk My Prince, but I shall give your son a chance." They stay for a week and then sail North to White Harbor. It was time to return to Winterfell.