Notes:
"I apologize for the delay in updating this story. In the past few months, I've been swamped with work, and on top of that, I've been trying to finish reading the books. I promise that this story will not be forgotten, but my posts will require more time as I currently don't have the availability I had last year."
- VERY AU (Alternate Universe)
- Some characters are out of character.
This is a story based on the Game of Thrones books and TV series, but be warned, it's a very AU (Alternate Universe) story. If you're someone who doesn't enjoy a story that deviates a lot from canon, where certain characters may act out of character, or if you're not a fan of romance with a good amount of fluff, and a story that ultimately has a happy ending, then this may not be the right story for you.
HIGHGARDEN 298 AC
In the heart of Highgarden, Garlan Tyrell found himself teetering on the edge of unease. The recent tidings of King Robert's demise had draped Highgarden in an oppressive shroud, saturating the atmosphere with an unspoken tension that seemed to thicken with every passing moment. This disquiet had intensified since the morning, when he heard that two missives dispatched from Winterfell by none other than his father, Lord Mace Tyrell, had made their way to the castle. Destined for his elder brother, Willas, and his mother, Alerie, Soon after, he was urgently summoned by them.
Moreover, whispers of Stannis Baratheon's departure from King's Landing, closely followed by the enigmatic exit of Renly Baratheon, had also traversed the winds to reach the ears of Highgarden. This influx of unsettling news layered an additional stratum of tension upon the already fraught atmosphere.
"You must calm down, my love," said Leonette Fossoway at that moment, his beautiful wife who watched him with concern. "Let's wait to hear what your brother and Lady Alerie have to say."
As he and his wife entered Lord Mace Tyrell's Private Audience Chamber, they noticed that his elder brother and mother were waiting for them, gesturing to take a seat.
As they sat down, Garlan couldn't help but notice with curiosity that the chamber had a few additional adornments. Ancient Valyrian artifacts, which until recently had been stored in the Tyrells' private vault, now adorned the room.
"Has Father issued orders to prepare the army?" Garlan blurted out, momentarily forgetting all courtesy, unable to contain the tension coiled within him
"Hold, my son," Lady Alerie Hightower interjected, her voice a soothing balm in the midst of uncertainty.
"Although the news of King Robert's death and the arrest of Lord Jon Arryn is a matter we must discuss, and one of the things my husband requested in one of the letters we received this morning is indeed that we make preparations to have our army ready in case hostilities escalate between the Lannisters, Baratheon, and Arryn." She paused and noticed that Garlan and his wife, Lady Leonette, were watching her expectantly.
"There are other matters yet unknown to you," she continued "Matters that were once mere speculations from my mother-in-law, Lady Olenna, and my husband" she again paused, during which her eyes briefly lingered on the Valyrian artifacts "I must admit that I had my doubts about the veracity of that information until this morning. The letters that Mace sent us have confirmed the truth of what Lady Olenna said."
"What matter could be more important and urgent than the recent events in King's Landing, Mother?" Garlan said with a hint of incredulity.
"Brother," Willas, who had remained silent until that moment, interjected, "Why do you think our father changed plans regarding our sister Margaery a few months ago?"
Before responding, Garlan observed as his elder brother picked up one of the Valyrian decorative figures—a beautiful dragon made of gold and encrusted with precious stones—and placed it on the table.
"The motives guiding our father and grandmother's strategic shift elude me, Willas. Shifting from King's Landing to Winterfell seems like a head-scratcher to me," said Garlan, who noticed that, although his mother and brother were listening attentively, their gaze occasionally shifted towards the gold dragon.
"I have nothing against the Starks," Garlan continued. "They are a noble and honorable family, but I fail to see the political gain. The North is too distant and isolated from the center of power in the Seven Kingdoms."
"Things can change, little brother," Willas responded.
"What is going on in the North?" Garlan replied with a hint of frustration in his voice. "Mother, brother, please explain to my wife and me what is happening. What topic is more important than what is unfolding in King's Landing and the current tensions between the Lannister, Baratheon, and Arryn?"
"Dear son," Alerie began, her voice carrying a weight of grave importance, "Several months ago, your grandmother, Lady Olenna, received a missive sent from the Wall by none other than Lord Ryam Redwyne."
"Ryam Redwyne!" Garlan exclaimed with a touch of disbelief, "our kin who took the black due to Robert's Rebellion."
"Yes," Lady Alerie continued, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of the news, "and the information he sent to Lady Olenna was the reason for the change in our plans concerning my daughter Margaery."
"What tidings did the missive bear?" Lady Leonette Fossoway inquired, her curiosity etched across her features.
"It conveyed that Benjen Stark, the younger sibling of Lord Eddard Stark, had married a member of the Forty Families of Dragonriders from Valyria, " Lord Willas revealed. He observed as his sister-in-law Leonette gasped and his brother Garlan widened his eyes in astonishment. Both turned to Lady Alerie, who confirmed the truth of the information with a solemn nod.
"News that has already been corroborated by our father, indicating the presence of representatives from Valyrian families in Winterfell. Among them is Lady Aelora Balaerys, head of the mightiest Valyrian family, according to the missive," Willas concluded.
With a voice tinged with shock and a hint of trepidation, Garlan asked, "What directive does our father give?"
"He commands an immediate assembly in Highgarden, summoning all our vassals from every noble house in the Reach. We are to emphasize that the Reach shall remain neutral in the unfolding events in King's Landing and the looming conflicts among the Lannisters, Baratheon, and Arryns. Our allegiance will only be declared when both Highgarden and Winterfell stand united on a singular front," Willas declared, the urgency palpable in his words.
"Any additional information?" Garlan asked, still in shock as it reflected on his face.
"Yes," his mother responded, "Aegon Targaryen and his sister Rhaenys Targaryen, children of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell, did not die in the events at the Red Keep 15 years ago. They have been living in Valyria all this time."
"This alters everything," Garlan pondered in that moment, his gaze lingering in disbelief on his mother and brother. "The letter I received from Loras just days ago, urging us to receive Renly Baratheon in audience, now crumbles into insignificance."