Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope that you liked the last chapter and will like this one as well, as always I own nothing.
With the battle ended the fleet broke up, some ships remaining to aid in the securing of the islands while others, including the one carrying Sansa, returned to the where they had launched from. The sun was setting when they disembarked, but it was clear that word of the victory had already reached those who had remained behind. Bonfires had been lit and a feast was underway. As Sansa and Sir Massey came ashore people approached them pressing them for details as to what had occurred. Sansa let Massey do most of the talking while she considered what she had seen.
While not as powerful and terrible as the first dragons had been, it could not be denied that these dragons were formidable foes. Just one had routed both a fleet and an army in a single day. She did not even want to think what would happen if the Queen managed to get the other two to join her in battle. It was not in the least bit pleasant to contemplate.
The Queen did not return till the next day, along with some of the ships which had remained behind the day before, from these more news emerged. From the few captives taken the Queen had learned that Euron Greyjoy, the new king of the Ironborn, had ordered the occupation of the Shield Islands. Though the islands had been seized by the full strength of the Iron Islands Euron had left shortly after. Those he had been left behind had mostly been of House Codd, a house not well-regarded on the Iron Islands, the others had been those who had spoken against him during the kingsmoot, the gathering of Ironborn lords which had made him king. Those Ironborn on the islands had been promised reinforcements, but they had never come and they had decided to die fighting and so had rushed into the battle.
The Queen did not allow Sansa and Sir Massey to leave, simply saying that there was one more thing that they needed to see before they returned to Stannis. Sansa did not know what this could be, but she had little choice in the matter. A week after the battle she was again awoken by the sound of a commotion in the camp. As she rose she heard the sounds of cheering. As she rushed out she beheld an astounding sight. A band of riders were entering the camp and with a start Sansa realized that she knew all of them. Sir Barristan, Prince Oberyn, Tyrion, Lord Varys and with them were Margaery and Loras Tyrell. What was shocking was not just that they were here, but there appearance as well.
They were dressed simply, indeed they all were, but that was not what drew Sansa's attention. Margaery and Loras looked different, Loras in particular, they looked haggard, drawn and…broken. There was a lifelessness in his eyes that was painful to look at and when his grandmother seized him in a fierce hug, all dignity temporarily forgotten, he looked at her as if not entirely certain that what he was seeing was real. While not as bad Margaery looked worse than Sansa had ever seen. She looked worn and the spark of life had dimmed in her eyes. Sansa was considering whether or not to approach her when Tyrion came up to her.
"Lady Sansa, might I impose upon you? I feel the need for drink and the Queen has likely taken all the wine from my tent." Sansa showed him into her tent, where he headed straight to the wine and poured himself a full glass, drained it and filled it again.
"Gods, I needed that. Between the Queen and this task I haven't had a drop of anything stronger than water in over a week. That is torture which no man deserves."
"What assignment?" Sansa asked.
"Why, to fetch the Tyrell children. Highgarden would never join the Queen while King's Landing, or rather the Faith, held its lord's children. You may not know this, but Sir Barristan has rather a reputation for rescuing people held in dungeons. So when the Queen of Thorns said that her grandchildren must be returned to her before her son would bend the knee, Her Grace sent him to fetch them. Varys was sent because he knows every secret way into every building in the city. I was sent because I am a genius and someone with brains had to go, and Prince Oberyn…I honestly think he just wanted to go along because he thought it would be fun."
"So Highgarden is for the Queen?" Sansa asked. The King would not be pleased to hear that if it were true. Tyrion nodded.
"Between the Shield Islands and the Tyrell children I should not be surprised if the Reach does not swear its loyalty to the Queen by morning." Here he paused and gave a sigh.
"I suppose I should prepare for the onslaught."
"Onslaught?" Sansa asked. He nodded.
"Aye an onslaught, an onslaught of weddings. The Queen has become quit the matchmaker since we arrived in Dorne and recent events have made her more so. She shall marry Prince Oberyn, further securing the alliance with Dorne." Sansa was not particually surprised by this, it was a politically sound match. Never the less, her mind went to Daario and Ellaria Sand. Something of her thoughts must have appeared on her face, as Tyrion smiled.
"Fortunately, I do not think either is averse to sharing.
"Before we left some other arrangements were made. Loras shall marry Princess Arianne Martell, which will strengthen the Queen's position and bring an end to the feud between The Reach and Dorne. To that end, it was decided that I shall marry Margaery." Sansa looked at him in shock.
"But she is already married!" He shook his hand dismissively.
"Oh, we shan't marry right away. But when this war is over my nephew shall no longer be king and we shall be in need of a new High Septon. I am sure one can be found who will be able to find some obscure rule or other which will enable the marriage to be put aside. Thus shall Dorne, Reach and Rock all be bound to the Iron Throne and one another through marriage and I shall have another wife I must stare up at." He chuckled, but he did not sound overly enthusiastic about the prospect.
Sansa was not sure what to think of that for a moment. It was not jealousy, but it was something she did not know what. She was not sure what Margaery felt about this, but she did remember what she had told Sansa before her own marriage with Tyrion. She also remembered how the other woman had looked when she arrived and how Tyrion had treated her during their marriage.
"I think it will be a good match." She said, surprising them both. "You are kind and she needs kindness now." He smiled ironically as he filled his glass again.
"Oh yes, I am the very soul of kindness."
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, a bit short but I hope you still liked it. What did you think of the battle being really more of a purge by Euron? I know sending so many of her councilors on such a mission may be unwise, but can you imagine a commando team of those guys in action? What did you think of the marriage proposals? All shipping aside, do you think that they made sense politically, the way its looked at in this world? Let me know what you think in the reviews. Till next time please pray for those on a ferry which capsized, persecuted Christians and all who need it. Bye and may Jesus bless you.