2nd Month of 278 A.L. Highgarden

Lady Olenna Tyrell

As Olenna looked at her daughter and goodson dancing on the floor of Highgarden's great hall she could not but help thinking of what her daughter had told her of the man. When they had met at Pink Maiden, Janna had told Olenna that Brandon Stark was a charming and handsome young man who was also quite smart, though he often let his emotions cloud his better judgement. Olenna had expected nothing more from a man whose manner reminded her more of his grandfather Edwyle Stark than of his father, and as such when she herself had met Brandon she had found that he was indeed quite smart if a little to rash and vulgar for her liking. And yet Mace was charmed by him and was often found jesting and joking with the man, and the various other Tyrell relatives that had come for the wedding had quite enjoyed his company, and more importantly Janna liked him as well, and was certain she would be able to wrap the man around her Littlefinger once they were finally wed.

Her brother by law, Rickard Stark Lord of Winterfell was a grim man, but Olenna had enjoyed a good many conversations with him when he had come to Highgarden some three moons ago. They had discussed where the wedding would take place and had agreed that there should be two, one happening in Highgarden which would soon be concluded and one in Winterfell. This was to allow both of their bannermen to attend the wedding and celebrate in the revelry and the joining of their two houses. It had also been during the man's visit that Olenna had spoken to Lord Rickard about the possible betrothal between Willas and Lady Lyanna and they had both agreed that it would be too risky to have their eggs in one basket and as such Lord Rickard had decided to have his daughter betrothed to Jaime Lannister, a betrothal that was yet to be finalised, but once it was would give them a very strong voice at court. They had also discussed increasing trade between their two regions, with timber and wool being brought from the north and exchanged for more wine and grapes and such from the Reach, a deal that would help benefit them as would the possible dealings with Pentos and the other free cities that Lord Rickard was exploring.

Her son leaned in and his breath smelt of wine when he spoke to her. "Are you okay mother? You seem awfully quiet and solemn."

Olenna crinkled her nose and said. "Well someone has to be on their best behaviour now that half the hall is drunk of their faces, and your sister and goodbrother are both drunk as well. Someone must make sure that all goes according to plan."

Her son's face turned down at that. "Must you always be scheming mother? It is your daughter's wedding, and there will be another one in Winterfell that you cannot go to. Surely you might just be able to enjoy this one today, if not for your own sake then because Janna is happy and Brandon Stark is a good man. Why must you think of the games that you play?"

Olenna looked at her son and sighed. "Because those who would see us fall, will not stop playing their games even now. There are people in this hall who would see us fall and fall majorly. It is time that we made sure that the benefits that come from this marriage and our position are fully exploited we can never rest easy when we have men like Alester Florent plotting gods alone knows what."

Her son looks her then and asks. "You think Florent is plotting something? That man is only good for one thing and that is sticking his cock into his wife and turning out fox faced children at regular intervals and spawning bastards all over the Reach. What could he possibly be plotting?"

Olenna sighed and said. "The man might have a lot of passion inside of him, but do not think for a moment that he is a fool. Why do you think he wed his daughter Melessa to Randyll Tarly, he wants something and more than likely he believes Randyll is the way to get it. Sooner or later he shall play his hand and when he does we must be ready for him."

Her son took a deep swig of his wine and then said. "Well I shall leave you to your plotting mother. I must needs go see where Alerie has gotten to." And with that her son got up and left.

Lord Rickard soon filled the seat vacated by her son. He looked grim and tired, and when he spoke his voice was soft. "All seems to have gone well my lady. I must congratulate you on organising such a good wedding. My bannermen have been complimenting it and your daughter all day long."

Olenna nods and says. "Thank you my lord. I must say I have deeply enjoyed having you and your bannermen over. And I must say I do believe that Lady Lyanna will make a very charming bride for Jaime Lannister. Your son Brandon is a very charming young man as well, he was raised well."

"As was your daughter my lady." Lord Rickard says before he looks out into the hall and says even softer. "Now, why don't we skip the flatteries and get on with business. The second wedding shall take place in three weeks time and though I know you cannot attend, will your son be trusted enough to carry out a few tasks for us?"

Olenna turns and looks at the man and asks. "What sort of tasks my lord? After all he will be at Winterfell for the second ceremony and after that I do believe he was intending to return to Highgarden to spend time with his family."

Lord Rickard is silent a moment and then whispers. "There has been word from King's Landing, it appears King Aerys continues to grow more and more unstable. Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys are spending more and more time at Dragonstone, and it seems Prince Rhaegar means to move against his father. If your son could make some sort of overtures with the Prince we might be able to get a foot into the door quicker than if we wait for Aerys to die naturally."

Olenna looks at the man then and asks. "And how reliable are your sources that this is what the Prince is plotting? After all our alliance is likely causing quite a few shock waves in King's Landing."

"Very reliable. There are whisperings that the King is growing more and more paranoid by the day, and that the disappearance of Lord Brune was no disappearance but a burning. Of course Prince Rhaegar would be more receptive to some of what we have planned. It makes sense for us to go forth that way. There is also the fact that the Prince is unwed."

"Do you mean to propose your daughter as a future Queen my lord? When she is to be wed to Jaime Lannister?" Olenna asked intrigued.

"At present, the betrothal has not been finalised and there is indeed word that Tywin means to see his boy betrothed to Catelyn Tully. Whatever happens we must keep an eye on Prince Rhaegar." Lord Rickard responds.

Olenna is about to respond when calls for the bedding begin, and soon enough both her daughter and goodson are being carried off to bed by their respective friends and colleagues. She looks at Lord Rickard and whispers. "I shall think on it." And with that part 2 of her plan has begun.