Game of Thrones: Of Lions and Roses

Chapter 7 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Well, apart from one character, that's all the POV characters made their first appearance.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Yeah, he sure does :)
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Cancer-Chris: Um, thanks, although truthfully I have to disagree with Jon's chapters being boring.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; yeah, he certainly is.
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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Margaery

Margaery stood alongside Joffrey; she was still pondering on her plan. She agreed with her grandmother, it was essential that she remain Queen; but to have her married to Joffrey, was that truly necessary. Especially since, for all the control she did have on him, there were some things that she couldn't control.

There were other options; her grandmother had given her the means to ensure she could open them up too. She just needed to bide her time; wait for the perfect chance. She instead focused on the current event, observing as Petyr Baelish said his last goodbyes, preparing to depart by boat for the Vale.

"Your Grace, I bid you farewell." He said, addressing Joffrey, bowing as he did so. "I hope to present you with good news soon."

Joffrey smirked and replied. "I am sure of it Lord Baelish; I know if anyone can ensure the Vale's loyalty to us, it is you."

He bowed again, before bowing to Margaery and departing for the boat. They remained watching as the boat left; as they watched Margaery pondered quietly on what she knew of Lord Baelish and how he affected their plans.

'So, he leaves for the Vale now…I wonder; will this truly make things easier for us, or more difficult.'

She carefully considered this as she returned to the Red Keep with the others.

Later she was making her way to her grandmother's chambers; she knew she needed to discuss things with her, regarding the recent changes. She needed to ensure she had all contingencies planned out before her grandmother returned home. On the way however, she found herself almost running into someone.

"Oh, Lord Varys; what a surprise." She said as calmly as she could when the man appeared.

Varys smiled at her. "Your Grace, such a delight to see you."

Margaery smiled gently; her face betraying nothing. "I do apologize for nearly running into you Lord Varys, were you in a hurry?"

"Not especially…So, Lord Baelish has left us." Varys replied. "I wonder how Lord Tyrion will fare as our new Master of Coin."

Margaery shook her head. "We can only wait and see. He is a Lannister so; I daresay he will do well."

Varys smirked and nodded. "Indeed; the Lannisters always seem so handy with gold."

Silence fell briefly; as Margaery then noticed something, a strange, tightness around the Eunuch's eyes.

"Are you alright Lord Varys?" She asked; trying to sound casual, but her curiosity was too much. "You seem a little…drawn?"

Varys shook his head. "I am perfectly fine Your Grace; do not fear. Please excuse me."

With that he bowed and left. Margaery continued towards her grandmother's room, pondering what she had just seen.

Soon she was seated with her grandmother; who had been sitting waiting for her, calmly sipping a cup of tea.

"What troubles you, my dear?" Olenna asked, unflappable as always.

Margaery considered for a moment, trying to decide what the more important detail was, what to discuss first?

Finally she made up her mind and spoke. "I must admit grandmother, I am still concerned. Regarding that issue with Littlefinger I mentioned before. Unlike here; we can no longer anticipate his movements, with him away in the Vale."

Olenna sighed but nodded. "I understand your worries; but we will do what we can. Lord Baelish is not that hard to predict."

"I hope so…" Margaery replied. "Oh, there's something else too…"

She detailed her brief encounter with Varys; mentioning what she had noticed about him.

"So, you think the Eunuch might be ill?" Olenna queried.

Margaery nodded. "It's possible, though I cannot fathom the source…If it's a real illness."

Olenna nodded slowly. "True, for all we know, he could be faking, as part of some scheme, we have to move even more carefully. I hope you are ready my dear."

Margaery nodded; of that at least, she was certain. Following her conversation with her grandmother, Margaery was once more walking through the corridors of the Red Keep. As she walked she came across someone else, walking in the other direction; it was Tyrion Lannister, who was muttering to himself about something. He then saw her and bowed.

"Your Grace."

"Lord Tyrion." She replied. "Settling into your new role?"

He sighed and shook his head. "If you can call it that."

"My Lord?"

"It is of little moment Your Grace, do not trouble yourself." He replied quickly.

With that he excused himself and left.

Margaery watched Tyrion go carefully.

She shook her head. 'Your troubles have only begun; I am afraid your intellect makes you far too dangerous, you'd be a threat to us.'

Shaking her head she left, heading for the battlements; looking to enjoy some fresh air and sun without the crowds. Her attempts for a peaceful moment or two were shattered the instant she stepped outside. She heard screaming and wondered what her husband had done now.

She approached the edge and looked over, her eyes widened; from here she could see quite clearly what was happening below. Several people were being burned to death, at the same time, other people were being drowned; nobody was doing anything to help them, making it clear these were executions.

She bit her lip as she remembered. 'It was just like this morning; when he had those people hanged from the Heart Tree in the Godswood.'

Just then she heard footsteps and turned, it was then she saw Joffrey approaching her.

"Ah, there you are my love." He said with a grin.

Margaery gestured to the carnage below. "What is going on Joffrey, all these people…?"

Joffrey grinned. "Well, what do you expect; they dared defy the true faith after all, followers of the false Drowned God and that R'hllor nonsense."

'Those this morning were followers of the Old Gods, now it makes sense.' She thought to herself.

It was just as feared; Joffrey had been serious this morning when he had issued a decree.

A decree that he hadn't clarified with anyone else, yet refused to listen to any protest, under pain of death, that declared that the Faith of the Seven was the one true faith and all other religions were false and heresy, being a follower of those religions was to be sentenced to death.

Margaery knew she'd have to make her move perhaps sooner, rather than later, before things got out of hand, before many more people died; simply for their beliefs.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.