An Agreement

Olenna sat comfortably in her chair, once again looking down upon the beautiful castle of Highgarden as she did most days. The castle was unusually active what with the soldiers and gathered lords arriving with every passing day.

The decision to ally with the Starks had been agreed upon mere days ago, but luckily, many of the lords of the Reach had yet to have returned their own lands after they stopped supporting Renly. Many had imagined that they would change their decision soon and so had not left, others had simply stayed because of those that stayed behind.

It was a good thing really, with this they could make a good impression upon their new ally, the Starks. Especially with Lady Catelyn now on her way here being led by her grandson, Garlan.

The sight of the army, only a few thousand – a fraction of the true might they could muster – would impress upon Lady Stark that the Reach were a valuable ally and a terrible enemy to have. Though she would have to be careful, as honourable as the Starks were, they were also prideful.

Just like every other lord from the North.

They could be counted to give just rewards to those that have earned them, but they would also not give in too much to demands from their allies.

Ensuring a good balance.

Olenna would just have to ensure that House Tyrell did enough to deserve the rewards they needed. The first was ensuring that Robb Stark would take the Iron Throne. As rich and as powerful as he would be with just the North, Riverlands and Reach, it was not enough. Not for them.

Her eyes panned across the room, passing over her son, Mace, and her grandson, Willas to land on her dutiful granddaughter, Margaery Tyrell. A beautiful girl and with an intelligent mind to boot. It would her job to ensure House Tyrell's rise amongst the new King's court. Marriage was a possibility, but once again, the northern Lords would not accept another marriage south without proper reason. As much as Olenna knew that the Reach would be helpful, she also knew that Robb Stark would always choose the North first, then the Riverlands and then the Reach.

Loyalty was rewarded with loyalty, and the North and Riverlands had been nothing but loyal. No, marriage would have to wait, till they had proven themselves invaluable.

Hearing the clinking of armour outside, the group inside patiently watched as the door opened and in stepped Garlan followed by three others. "Father, may I introduce Lady Catelyn Stark and her two guards, Ser Brienne of Tarth and Ser Robar Royce of Runestone." There was momentary look of interest as they looked upon the two people in question.

Brienne as a woman drew a few curious gazes but was entirely dismissed soon after. Robar Royce on the other hand attracted far more attention, they remembered full well that he had served in Renly's Kingsguard, or Rainbow Guard as he had fancifully called it.

To see him beside Catelyn was a curious sight indeed.

"Welcome, Lady Stark, please have a seat." Lord Mace pompously spoke, a large welcoming smile on his face, one that Catelyn only returned with a small courteous upturn of her lips. It wasn't something that could be called a smile, but it was at least an attempt at one. Olenna imagined that it was due to the uncertain fate of her husband and daughters as well as the fact her son was fighting in a war.

"Thank you, Lord Tyrell." Catelyn's voice was equally as courteous as she took a seat, both Ser Robar and Brienne standing behind her.

"We heard that you were there, at Storms End, do you know who killed Renly?" News of his death had quickly spread across the realm much to the shock and horror of many. Despite his many faults, Renly was beloved by many.

Catelyn paused in answering.

As she watched Lady Stark struggle to answer, Olenna hid her growing smile by sipping on a glass of wine. Skilled she maybe at not revealing anything through body language, but Lady Starks eyes were so active and so very easy to read.

"We do not know; I find myself hard pressed to explain what I saw." Catelyn answered reluctantly. "When I entered Renly's tent, I saw what seemed to be a shadowy mist in the shape of a man. But I believe this was my eyes playing trick on me, the shock of the entire event and the stress of the war getting to me. But I do believe that the person behind the killing was Stannis." Catelyn admitted, but both her guards tensed and while Ser Robar nodded his head slightly, Brienne looked like she had swallowed something particularly sour.

As this went on, Olenna took it all in and made sure to take notes. There was obviously something more to this story than what they had been told, but whatever it was seemed to still be disputed by them. No doubt the so called, shadowy mist in the shape of man, understandable, it sounded absurd.

"That's horrible." Margaery gasped, and Olenna once again had to stifle the smile on her face. She had trained the girl well, even Lady Stark by the look on her face was fooled into believing her favourite grandchild was no different to any other highborn daughter with nothing between their ears. Just the way they wanted it, so long as Margaery was believed to be a simple airhead, the more it worked in their favour.

"It truly is." Mace concurred. "But we are happy to see that you escaped unharmed, my lady."

Lady Stark frowned, noting the overly friendly way in which Mace was acting. It was obvious to her he had ulterior motives and no doubt they were to do with her son.

"Your concern is greatly appreciated, Lord Tyrell. Though I would like to return to my son soon." There was a not-so-subtle hint there to stop playing games and get right to the crux of why she was all but summoned here. Olenna couldn't help but nod her head in agreement, as much as she did like word games, she equally liked to get right down to business.

It was Willas who took charge of the conversation from here, Olenna wouldn't trust her son with such a delicate task. He was a buffoon and an oaf who would more than likely give away the Reach without getting anything in return. "Your son has admittedly surprised many with his actions in the Riverlands. He has, as of now secured the entirety of the Riverlands except for Harrenhall and its surrounding lands. Is keeping Tywin Lannister well-occupied and defended and has since secured a foothold in the Westerlands."

The list of the accomplishments was no small feat and a testament to the Young Wolfs talents. But Olenna knew that if the boy King were anything like his father, his greatest weakness would be in politics. Even Lady Stark, for all her pretences of being in control, was a very poor politician, she didn't have the mentality for it.

That meant there was a weakness to be exploited, both for the Tyrells and his enemies. But House Tyrell wouldn't need to exploit it, instead they could help provide the Young Wolf a shield to protect him from attacks in that area.

It would prove to make them more invaluable than their soldiers, agricultural and monetary wealth could be. Not that they weren't also incredibly valuable.

"He has since been besieging both Ashemark and Hornsvale. If he secures those two castles, he will have a very secure foothold in the Westerlands, one that will be difficult for the Lannisters to remove. And while in the North, the Greyjoy's have already secured most of the western shore, Lord Jon Stark of Moat Cailin has since retaken Deepwood Motte and was seen sending reinforcements to Mormont Keep and marching south into the Wolfswood."

Catelyn's face twitched at the mention of Ned Starks newly legitimised bastard. Twisting into slight look of anger before it quickly disappeared.

"With the way things are going, your son will need support." A lie, well, not a complete lie. Both Willas and Garlan had agreed that even without their help, Robb Stark had a very strong chance of victory, it would just be a very long and difficult and bloody road. However, Lady Stark wasn't as politically astute as she thinks, something they planned to take advantage of.

"And you are offering your support?" Catleyn asked dubiously. "From what I'm aware you promised to support Renly, but then quickly rescinded that support not a day later."

Mace winced and the other Tyrell's went still. It was no lie that what they had done reflected badly upon their house, it was one reason Olenna silently cursed Mace's foolish decision. It was a good idea, but poorly executed and had, as a result backfired on them. Just like many of her son's ideas.

"Yes, well we do apologise on that account." Mace said, a sought flush of embarrassment coming onto his cheeks at Catelyn's cutting words. "However, decisions were made too quickly and without proper consideration. But we have had time to think and consider our options more wisely."

Olenna could admit that despite being an oaf, Mace was gifted with a silver tongue. He had a way with words that almost made her believe he really was her son, almost.

"And you chose my son?"

"We do." Willas stated firmly. "It's a choice between the supposedly Mad King incarnate, Joffrey Baratheon who if the rumours are to be believed, is a product of incest between the Queen and the Kingslayer. Or Stannis who holds no love for the Tyrells due to our actions in Robert's Rebellion and again, if the rumours are also true, is a man who burns people as sacrifices to his new god."

"They are true." Catelyn spoke up, stopping Willas from carrying on and her words caused a ripple of shock between the Tyrells, even Olenna paused in what she was doing. "I was there when Stannis and Renly parlayed, he threatened that if both my son and Renly didn't bend the knee and recognise him as the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms and renounce the Old Gods and the new, he would burn us alive as sacrifices."

Willas didn't even pause.

"Well, it makes our decision all the better. The Starks are honourable, that is well known and out of the Kings in the world, Robb Stark is the only one that is worthy to be King."

"My son has no desire to be King of Westeros. He only fights for revenge and for the independence of the North and Riverlands."

Olenna thought this was a foolish belief to have. Robb had made enemies of all three remaining Kings and he would have to defend himself against said kings. Either the Young Wolf will die, or his enemies will, and House Tyrell would ensure it was the Stark King who remained standing at the end.

When that happened, Robb Stark would be the only recognised King left. If he didn't take the Iron Throne a vacuum would be left behind in which every power-hungry fool would attempt to seize power, thousands more would die.

The Starks were an honourable bunch, purely to ensure that a situation like that would not happen, Robb would take the Iron Throne. And if he was still unwilling to do so, then Olenna was sure that doe eyes, a pair of tits and a beautiful smile would be able to change that quite easily.

After all, Robb Stark was still a man.

"Nonetheless, your son will need allies to ensure he wins the war, and we wish to ally ourselves with a man who will not burn us alive as a sacrifice nor will we have to worry he will kill us at any moment on a whim." Willas continued.

And Catleyn sat there silently, unable to answer properly.