(Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire nor its characters. Those all belong to George R. R. Martin, aside from my OC.)

(Firmridge, the Riverlands)

As they traveled through the Riverlands she noticed the changes made over the past few years.

Both the Kingsroad and parts of the Roseroad had been improved, their quality now consistent throughout it. Inns littered the way, looking far better maintained than it had been in the past.

They had only managed to view one of the infamous fortresses that surrounded the capital kingdom and it made quite the intimidating sight. Olenna dreaded the thought of having to take the damned thing.

To think that there were four more of them.

Patrols could be regularly seen throughout the roads and the people looked like well-fed. A stark contrast to what she had seen in the past.

Passing through the lands that had been previously under the Reach had been awkward, to say the least. Lord Roxton had acted quite insufferable much to her family's irritation, thankfully his wife's presence had kept the fool from taking it too far.

The fools had benefited from the Mudd's reforms, making them a hefty sum. She wondered if he ever realised the true reason the crown took him as a vassal.

It also helped that the Banners kept banditry to a minimum within the Riverlands, allowing trade to flow smoothly throughout it.

Due to the most recent fight between her son and Alerie, they had been delayed for quite a while. Olenna had wanted to make it to Firmridge sooner, in hopes that her grandchildren could befriend the Royal Family, even the bastard falcon would've done.

It had taken Leyton himself to convince her daughter-in-law to come and only because he used the fact that little Margaery would be heartbroken if her mother didn't come to visit her.

They would be joined by Paxter shortly after the arrival of the Hightowers and began making their way to the Riverlands.

Thankfully, It was a peaceful if boring trip. Her grandchildren kept themselves entertained by playing among themselves, whilst the adults watched over them.

There had been a few hiccups along the way, but their household guard made quick work of them.

Baelor had boasted about how close Malora had become with the King, not wanting to be overshadowed, Mace did the same. It came to a point where both argued on whether the King preferred Malora or Janna.

Neither Mina nor Alerie appreciated the fact that the two oafs were using their sisters to stroke their egos. It was safe to say they kept their mouths shut after that.

Honestly, if that mudd boy wasn't so popular, he would have been hailed as the second coming of the Unworthy.

The damned man wasn't even bothering to hide the fact that he took lovers. Hell, what made it worse was that the trout didn't even bat an eye to it and the man had a bastard with her own sister no less.

It was baffling to Olenna, though she wouldn't have minded a go at him if only she was a few decades younger. The words Janna used to describe him in her letters certainly had her thoughts running wild.

She couldn't become his wife, as the blasted gigolo had been adamant about securing the Riverlands above all else.

At least it proved that the blood of the first men still ran strong within him at least. His stubbornness would have made his ancestors proud she had no doubt.

Shockingly the faith remained silent as ever, last she heard they were still debating on who to name High Septon. She suspected that many of the most devout had purposefully delayed the choosing.

Those old geezers had gotten quite powerful now that there was no singular figure to curtail their influence.

Interrupting her thoughts was a group of horsemen who rode towards their party. She noticed a short figure with blonde hair so pale it almost appeared white leading them.

The imp of Casterly Rock.

"Greetings my Lords and Ladies, a pleasure to see you here."

"Well met Lord Tyrion, it's a pleasure to see you too," Mace responded first. The oaf was trying to seem in charge.

"We noticed your party close by our own, it would've been rude of us to just ride past you."

Mace beamed "Much thanks to your consideration."

"Think nothing of it, my lord, We Great Lords should be setting an example for our men to follow."

The frantic nod of her son embarrassed Olenna. She ignored the byplay between the two as she turned her attention to the other members of the pride. Kevan and Genna were keeping a stern eye on her party.

She could practically feel the lack of trust coming from them.

Both parties ended up riding towards the capital, Baelor and Gerion seemed to get along far better than she expected.

The City was a sight to behold, far larger and more prosperous than she had expected it to be for a new city.

The dwarf and her oaf of a son did seem to get along somewhat but it was strained by the fact that her son kept putting his foot in his mouth.

There was some talk about a potential betrothal between Janna and Tyrion, one she had been entertained by for a few moments, before deciding to put her foot down.

"That's enough Mace."

"Mother?"

Ignoring her son's confusion, she kept her attention on the Lannister Lord "Are you willing to ride against a Dragon for Janna my Lord?" she asked raising her eyebrow at him.

The visible confusion on his face brought a smirk to her own.

"I don't understand Lady Olenna."

"You're a smart man, Lord Lannister, it's not that hard to figure out."

The smirk on her face did not let out as his gaze switched to her son, clearly wanting an answer to what was going on.

It would be Genna Lannister who first understood the implications of her words, "He's taken another lover!" she said in shock.

They were interrupted by an outraged shout, "That's… That's PREPOSTEROUS!".

In response, Genna Lannister made some sort of excuse she couldn't quite make out, before making her way to the wheelhouse where the shout came from.

That brought the dwarfed lion up short quite swiftly. The man turned apologetically towards Mace, "I'm quite sorry Lord Mace, but I am not looking for a wife at the moment."

The lack of shame and clear nervousness in his tone didn't fool anyone.

"An honor to meet you my Lady." the dwarf said.

"At least you're better than your father," She said to the boy.

"You knew him?"

"Who hasn't, I certainly drank to his death."

"MOTHER!"

"Oh… come off Mace, it's not like he hasn't heard this before."

"You still can't just say that."

"If he took offense to it, he would've said something."

The young Lord hadn't said anything to her words, unsurprising if the Old Lion's attitude of him had any truth to them. Though Kevan looked like he wanted to bore holes into her head.

Gerion merely looked amused while Baelor looked on disapprovingly.

Not that it mattered, she disliked the old lion just minutes after first meeting him. Shuddering at the thought of having to live with that ruthless bastard. How Joanna fell in love with him she would never understand.

"So are you offended or what?"

"No, my Lady, but I advise you to keep your comments to yourself."

Amused by his audacity, "A threat, how refreshing."

The glare she received made for a disturbing sight. His mismatched eyes made it more so. The Boy clearly didn't care for his father, so why was he so offended by her comment?

"I'll keep that in mind for the future, Lord Tyrion"

"See it that you do." was all he said in response.

Mace did his best to distract the Lord of Casterly, showing he had some tact in him by bringing up some mundane topic or other.

Olenna for her part frowned in thought. The threat from the lordling had rubbed her the wrong way. Were her spies discovered?

Perhaps she'd have to have them checked or pushed some of her plans ahead to make sure nothing was awry.

At the moment She listened as her grandchildren curiously asked the Lannister party questions. Something about comparing Westerland Knights to Reach Knights.

This trip was beginning to look far more troublesome than she had expected.