4

Summary:

Margaery deliberates her family's plans and meets some strangers who may help make House Tyrell's ambitions reality or destroy them.

Notes:

Sorry for the wait. I kind of struggled with the start of this one. Once I finished, I just could not find the motivation to proofread this for nearly a week.

Once again this starts with a mental monologue of sorts, I'm trying to get away from doing so every chapter but it helps me form a better understanding of the character.

Also I should note that in the children's future the accusations against Margaery by Cersei are unfounded and she eventually loses her maidenhood to Jon.

I haven't watched the series in a while and I have not yet gotten to the Tyrells in the books so hopefully they are not too out of character.

So in my mind I pronounce the name "Laerra" as "Lay-era" or just "Lyarra" as that is what the people of the North refer to her as.

Also I am not using the inaccurate classifications of swords that is used in the books and show. Longswords are two handed swords bigger than bastard swords(hand and a half) but smaller than greatswords. Arming swords are what I'll be calling one handed swords in this fic.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Quite frankly Margaery was absolutely livid. Not that she let her family know. They were the reason for her anger. She was nearly fifteen and they wanted her to be the king's whore. Anything that made her queen they would be willing to do or at least consider. 

Learning the king was heading north made her possibility of being queen drop tremendously. Everyone knew of King Robert's love for Starks. There was little or no chance that the prince did not get betrothed to Lord Stark's eldest daughter. That left her family with only one option to make her queen. Seduce the king into giving up the lioness. The king would never favor any children Margaery might give him over his son and a Stark, it was an impossibility her family refuses to see.

Having seen the king, Margaery can safely say she would rather not be his queen. The Baratheon was nearly as old as her father and even fatter. Unlike her father the king was in a perpetual state of drunkenness and sweats himself soaked. 

Seeking peace and quiet she ventured to the area of the gardens that most of the keep avoided. Only the gardeners visited this area as they were required to maintain it. The three faces of the weirwoods unnerved most everyone. Anger, surprise, and happiness were the emotions of the carved faces. She was thankful for the gardener's fear as it gave her some privacy in the populated keep. The canopy of red leaves creates a lovely shelter from the scalding sun of summer and the shallow pool a sweet salve for anger. 

Kicking off her slippers and peeling off her stockings she sat at the edge with her legs knee deep in the water. Gods, was it a nice feeling. The peaceful presence of the trees just had a way to balance emotions. It allowed her to actually think over her family's discussion without feeling overwhelming anger. 

She wanted to be queen as much as they did. The goal had the benefit of giving her family the honor they deserved. Seventeen kings and more princes and princesses, yet not one has married a Tyrell. Even her mother's house has had two queens and another marriage though they were not a great house like the Tyrells. Margaery was confident she could be a better queen than many. The only queen to make a real difference had been the Good Queen Alysanne. She could have been Good Queen Margaery if only she had the chance. But to be a good queen required a good king, she would not find that with King Robert.

Currently the king hated her house for siding with the Targaryen in the rebellion, which is fair since her father did nearly starve King Robert's brothers to death. Oh how it would have been different if her father or Dorne had committed more men to the cause. Would she have been betrothed to Prince Aegon? Even if he was as fat as King Robert it least he would be her age. 

Margaery was willing to do a lot for her family. She didn't quite know the line she would draw that she would not willingly cross. Her wardrobe certainly wasn't her own choice, the deep cuts of the neckline were far lower than any lady outside Dorne. The gowns made her feel ashamed, to be a lady of the second richest house and be dressed nearly to the promiscuity of a prostitute. Other beauties needed only their face and figure to have tales told but Margaery must nearly bare her growing breasts to the realm. How was she to become like the Good Queen if all the realm talked about was how much skin she showed? Ideally the realm would see her as the intelligent woman she is rather than a womanly living object they visually undress. But her clothes forwarded her grandmother's ambitions so she wears them.

If her family wanted this for her then she would do it no matter her disgust. Something would be needed to keep the contents of her stomach in her stomach but she is sure such a thing exists. The thought alone sickens hers, Robert a bear of a man atop her… A very round, jiggly, sweaty, drunk, large and hairy bear. The song The Bear and the Maiden Fair came to mind though she doubts Robert to be so selfless as to drop to his knees for her though. 

Virginity seemingly meant little to the King. Robert whores and was potentially willing to still marry Lyanna Stark despite believing Prince Rhaegar forced himself upon her. It made Margaery half tempted to lose her maidenhood and experience the good side of the act before she cannot. Marriage to a maiden was the ideal in Westeros. It was an unnecessary danger to one's rule not to. A woman with previous lovers, especially living or known lovers brings rumors, disgrace, and questions of legitimacy to her husband's court. But Robert was not wise enough to see that and Margaery would make sure it was done secretly if she went through with the idea. 

"Oh! Good afternoon my dear grand master of laws!"

The voice startled Margaery and she nearly kicked her foot out of the water potentially creating plenty of noise. Fortunately for her she did not as the words were not intended for her. Margaery partially wished to run away but another part of her was excited by the thrill and was curious just who else visits her sanctuary. 

Standing in Margaery's sight was a woman, she was turned perfectly so where Margaery sat the woman was blind to. How the woman got there she did not know. The only path leading to the near island that was home to both the three weirwoods and the woman was right next to Margaery. Though she could possibly have walked through the knee deep pool that formed the letter C around the trio of heart trees.

"Highgarden? Did you have me sedated the whole ride here, Lya? At the very least I would have been unconscious for nearly eight days. That is not healthy!" The words came from behind the three merging weirwoods.

Scoffing, the woman crossed her arms. "No Brother, I did not bring you here as a prank. That would be an abuse of the queen's power, would it not?" She tapped the side of her head to bring attention to the crown or circlet that adorned her head, Margaery could not tell which but questioned why she was wearing such a thing and called herself a queen. "Father would frown upon me so." The woman accompanied her words with expressive gestures to make it all the more dramatic.

The brother did not seem as amused as Margaery however. "Then how and why exactly am I here? You are correct that Father would not support this, neither would Muña or Uncle Egg so how did we get here so fas-" He was cut off by a loud yelp and many screams coming from the weirwood.

"I saw a SPIDER!" A new female voice came from the location of the screams.

Both brother and sister moved behind the trees to investigate. "Hae?" Whether the male, female or both asked was a mystery.

The spider fearing woman did not answer their question. "Help! Breasts were not made for this!" What in seven hells was happening behind those trees?

"Where did you come from? I was just in there and you certainly were not." The poor man was confused and just wanted answers and was not getting them.

The second woman was pacing and on both turns of the woman's pathing Margaery could see her. Hae was curvier than the first woman and very buxom. Marg would best compare the woman's breasts to her aunt Janna, so they were large. Wavy silver hair whipped with each of her harsh turns. Hae's voice even in panic made Margaery jealous. "I was in my garden! What if I had been bathing?"

Lya the first woman backed away from the panicking silver headed woman and returned to her original spot. Even from behind she was beautiful, though more slender than the other woman Lya was still very womanly. Dark brown hair nearly black made the gold headpiece stand out. The golds, dark greys, and white accents of the woman's fine clothes completed a beautiful look. "So you had nothing to do with bringing us here?"

"Oh, of course I brought you here to feel just as inferior at gardening as I do when I am at this place." The sarcastic reply was also bitter. Highgarden's gardens were the best in the realm if not the known world so the silver haired woman was rightfully envious.

"Be serious Haella," the yet to be named brother commanded.

Haella turned on him. "I am serious. I had nothing to do with this. Unless I somehow learned magic and my latest song transported me to Highgarden then I have gone mad and would appreciate a lethal dose of milk of the poppy." 

"If you are in the market of death then I present to you: wolfsbane! A rather poetic end if you ask me for a silver wolf singing to the moon to meet." Lya lifted an arm to point at the plants that produce the poison. This area of the garden was used more for practicality than beauty but was still a pleasing sight. The woman's dark humor was surprising but not as much as Haella's response.

Demeanor completely changing Haella went from freaking out to bouncing on her toes excited. "Oh! That would be a great song! A beautiful and tragic song of ending one's own life or perhaps of a lone wolf's desire to reunite with their pack through any means necessary or a woman so beautiful but as poisonous as wolfsbane…" She continued to mutter song ideas to herself for a while. Evidently songwriting is a passion of the woman. 

"Why must all of the songs you and Cailin write be so dreadfully depressing?" It was ironic it came from the serious brother who seemed to milk the excitement away. 

Looking utterly affonted Haella scoffed before turning her nose up at the man. "I have a wide range, far more so than Cailin! I can do bawdy, she limits herself to romance, tragedy, and history. Must I remind you I wrote, Mother's Milk, Silken Sheets, and Lady Waterfall. Plus my collection of songs insulting those who have wronged our house: the Bare Lioness, the Stranger's Sparrows, Fat Stag's Gold, Lion's Legacy." No song listed had Margaery ever heard of but perhaps they are private.

Sounding as unhappy as ever the man sent a verbal jab at the silver-haired woman. "Your perverse songs send half your listeners away to the brothels."

The insult had the opposite effect as intended as it made Haella even more puffed up. "Exactly the idea! I have no desire for the company of men." 

Lya chose then to rejoin the conversation. "But you do want Lady Webber's company. How the realm doesn't know your taste by now I do not know." The Webbers were a Reach house, not particularly large but not small either. She also spoke as if the whole realm should know who Haella is. Curious.

"And you do not wish for her? Have you seen her rear? Mmm. I have…" Haella wiggled her hips and half swooned. Margaery would bet a gold dragon the woman was biting her lip as well. The silver haired woman's attraction to females was also noted.

Before the conversation could continue on its way a second male voice came from the tree. "How am I supposed to get out of here in armor?" The voice while clearly male was of a higher pitch and was a youthful whine. Were these people appearing in between the three trees?

"Lorys?" the first man called. The name made Margaery think these may be some of Loras' friends from the Stormlands but already knew it to be untrue. "Try climbing perhaps?"

The whiny voice returned, "If you wanted to surprise me you could have done so without putting me to sleep. Could have removed my armor too, saved us both the effort. I have a tourney I need to practice for. Can you imagine Father's face when I crown him." The young man or boy could not help but laugh at his own idea. 

The others joined the laughing but Lya was the one to speak, "You are truly going to crown Father if you win?"

"Of course! I'm not crowning you! You already have a fancy rose crown and crowning you wouldn't get a story told around the realm but Father that will spread like wildfire. We all know Mother would not let him give it to Maenara or Aerea until he wears it for at least an hour." This Lorys had as much of a love for being the center of attention as Margaery's Loras or her father. Eventually he jumped down from one of the limbs of the trees and landed on his feet. Shockingly this Lorys had the same brown curls as Margaery and her Loras. 

By the time Lorys had made it to the ground a silver-gold haired girl maybe three or four name days younger than Margaery had appeared out of nowhere. "What is going on?" This was likely one of the girls mentioned earlier, Maenara or Aerea. She was in a beautiful white gown with blue and gold flowers depicted near the hems.

"We don't know Nara but if pattern has set any precedent then Aerea should come crawling between the trees any moment now." The unnamed man answered. 

The group stayed silent as they waited and some paced. None noticed Margaery yet.

"Boo." 

To say Margaery screamed would be an understatement. She did scream but she also flailed kicking up a lot of water at the thing hanging from the overhead branch. There was no way the group did not know she was there after that.

Hanging upside down from the white branch with her legs was a dark haired little girl. She had pout and was half soaked from Margaery's kicks. This must be Aerea, the girl was young, perhaps five or six. Strikingly the girl had Margaery's gold-brown eyes. "Hello." She was adorable. The pout turned to a smile and it was contagious.

Margaery could not help but smile back and giggle at her own reaction. "Sorry." 

"It's okay! I scared you good!" Aerea giggled back.

A chorus of "Aerea!" sounded from the girl's family as they rushed over to her.

The girl bent her back to look at them and turned her head like one of the pups Willas breeds. "Hello!"

Up close Margaery had a much better view of the family. The unnamed man followed Lya but moved ahead of her at her quiet command. He had silver-gold hair, grey eyes and was dressed in dark grey, black and red. Overall he looked like a Targaryen excluding his eye color. Both of them carried a sword but neither made a move for them, instead the man walked into the shallow pool underneath Aerea and counted down with his arms out. "Three, two, one, drop!" 

Aerea followed his commands laughing and was swiftly caught by presumably her eldest brother. "Aemon!" she giggled as she hugged him. Embroidered on the back of her black riding dress was a white Targaryen sigil surrounded by gold roses.

The others too had depictions of dragons or the Targaryen sigil on their attire and Margaery did not know if she should groan or rejoice. On one hand this destroys any chance they have with King Robert or Prince Joffrey if word gets out of loyalists in Highgarden but on the other hand it destroys any chance they have with the king or prince. 

Lya, despite looking as confused as Margaery felt, stepped forth. "Uh, I am Queen Laerra Targaryen as you may know. We apologize for disturbing you, I believe we have an impromptu meeting with Lord Willas now. Enjoy your peace." The headpiece up close was clearly a crown, a gold band with eleven roses shaped from gold on the front bend. She gave Margaery a slight nod and a curious look with her dark violet eyes before moving past the lady. 

"Wait!" Margaery was confused to all hells. "I can escort you to my brother." Or more accurately her grandmother and brother but she wasn't lying. She would rather not have this group wandering Highgarden getting spotted by everyone to gossip about. The King would be at their gates if she let that happen. Her grandmother can deal with this mess, maybe use it to their benefit. 

After sharing a look with Aemon, Laerra nodded to Margaery before speaking a command to her family. "Cover up any dragons you can." 

The group followed the command. Aemon removed his surcoat. Haella removed her bracelets, necklace, and earring. Lorys had to remove all his armor and stash it by the weirwoos. Maenara turned her sleeves inside out and folded them to her elbows. Aerea instead of being forced to remove her riding dress was simply going to be carried by Aemon while facing forward. Laerra removed her crown and was forced to put it around her arm and hang it on her shoulder as some odd shoulder piece. The effort to hide the sigil was very appreciated by Margaery. 

When not a single dragon was visible they began moving towards the Tyrell tea room. Not that the room was used for tea, they had another room for when they had guests and had to actually have tea with other ladies or entertain them. 

Margaery went over everything about them on their travels through the garden. They are siblings, Targaryens, wear the gold roses of her house, blue roses as well, wolves, a queen. The names were Valyrian but only two of six had been used before. Laerra or Lya sounded similar enough to Lyarra, a name of the North and Lorys was a Valyrian version of Loras. Their appearances both suggested Targaryen and Stark but also Tyrell… Their ages were a problem. If they were of the line of Jacaerys Velaryon and Sara Snow and they were secretly married as Mushroom claimed then their line would have had a claim to the throne but to call themselves 'queen' before others in a hostile keep seems odd. Tyrell blood seems odd as well but it is possible but doesn't add up. 

As they walked the halls, Laerra gave her siblings a quick reminder. " Remember your courtesies." Beyond the slipup with her introduction the woman and her family gave no more information. 

Left and Right were still guarding the door which means they made it before her grandmother departed to her own doings. Margaery nodded and Right or was it Left gave two raps to the door.

After a moment her father answered the door and was surprised by not only her return but her guests. "Dear, who are your guests?"

"That is what I wished to discuss." Even her father seemed to understand her cryptic reply but seemed hesitant to let them in. 

Her grandmother's call moved her father faster than anything else. "Let them in, you fool." 

The guards let her in but stopped her guests and motioned to the swords at Laerra, Aemon and Lorys' sides. Despite being nearly a foot and a half shorter than the two giant guards Laerra glared up at the two. "I shall only disarm myself if my blade and his blade are in Lady Margaery's hands." She gestured to Aemon to say who's blades she was referring to.

With approval, Margaery received the two blades which were even lighter than she was expecting and she knows swords are not as heavy as many ladies believe. She was able to hold both in a single hand with their scabbards comfortably. Lorys seemed displeased with having to depart with his own blade but made no complaint. 

When the door closed the room was silent and secure. Her grandmother, mother, and eldest two brothers sat at the table. There were fortunately twelve chairs at the table though usually they remained unmoved. Margaery's father returned to his seat and scanned the group curiously.

"Margaery, who have you brought here?" As always the Queen of Thorns had no time for nonsense and went straight to business.

"They appeared by the Three Singers. I don't know how they got there and from what I overheard neither do they. They are siblings, this woman introduced herself as 'Queen Laerra Targaryen.' They also wear the Targaryen sigil though personalized. I felt you would wish to meet them and decide how to deal with them. Their names from who appeared first which I believe to be eldest to youngest would be Laerra or Lya, Aemon, Haella, Lorys, Maenara, and Aerea." Margaery's briefing covered most of what she knew and their appearance and apparel reveal the rest. "You may uncover your sigils." Taking Loras' seat by Garlan she handed the swords to him to inspect. 

Of the group Aerea being so young was happy to turn around and proudly show the sigil on her back to the Tyrell family. The others more leisurely put back on their apparel. They all took seats as well.

While Olenna, Alerie, Willas and Garlan looked skeptical at the claims they were surprised by the finery of the group. The Targaryens' clothes and jewelry were fine but simple in design but still very beautiful, far finer than most nobles. Even Mace was skeptical and that was saying something.

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard all year and I have this fool as a son. There are only two dragons alive and you are not them nor can you even claim to be any child of Rhaegar's. Some stupid merchant's children is what you must be." The Queen of Thorns said what most were thinking. 

Garland was not often one to speak up in these types of meetings so his interjection was odd but odder yet was it almost came to the defense of the claimants. "Grandmother" He unsheathed one blade and laid it on the table then the next. "These are Valyrian steel blades."

"I don't care whether they are Valyrian steel or whether they are Blackfyre and Dark Sister. It does not change that they are not Targaryens, some swords, a crown, and a drop of Valyrian blood don't make a king, queen or whatever, legacy and power do." Olenna was not entirely wrong but swords have decided kings, crowns have, and Robert in part was named king because he had the nearest Targaryen blood outside the Mad King's line. 

Inspecting the blades Willas commented, "These may actually be the blades, a single handed blade with a slightly thinner handle to better fit a woman's grip and a hand and a half blade though this may be better classified as a longsword. It seems too long to be a bastard blade. The rubies and dragon motif seems consistent." The comment got an approving nod from Garland.

 Their father seemed to be in love with the idea of owning the two most renowned blades in history. That glory alone may be enough for him but not his mother.

"Regardless, we shall be commandeering the blades as price for trespassing and for publicly wearing that sigil in our keep. Doing so endangered our lives and reputation." If the group had been part of an actual house rather than nameless fakes, Olenna may have let them keep the blades to prevent ruining House Tyrell's reputation. Stealing not one but two Valyrian steel blades would result in conflict and the Throne wasn't likely to aid the Tyrells unless the Targaryen claims were made public.

Seeing the angry face of Aerea in particular made Margaery try and stand up for them. She had not yet forgiven her grandmother for trying to make her the king's mistress. Besides, the girl was so adorable and her face reminded her of Loras' when angry. "Grandmother, they still may be true Targaryens. They wear wolves and refer to one another as a wolf as well. They may be of the line of Jacaerys and Sara Snow. Mushroom's testimony could be correct and they were married. That would give them a claim."

Olenna gave Margaery a disappointed look. "Yet, who sits on the throne, Robert Baratheon. Even if they are, their claim is as good as the Martell's, worse perhaps. Robert has the Stormlands, West, North, Riverlands, and Vale. Their only guaranteed support might be the Velaryon but that is doubtful. It would be to our benefit to take the swords and be done with them. They will only hurt our house."

The final two comments sparked a flaming rage in the Targaryen Lorys. "You can't do this, you old hag! Your stupid plans not only ruin the reputatition of House Tyrell but also get your son and my namesake killed!" He had to be physically pulled back into his seat by Aemon. It was scary how similar he was in appearance to the Tyrell's Loras though perhaps a year or two younger. 

Everyone was mildly shocked by the outburst though it was expected with the rising tensions at the table. Most disturbed by the rage was Alerie and by the words: Mace. Her father's face was a mix of horror and confusion at the realization he was Olenna's only son.

Instead of being intimidated by the boy Olenna thought through all that was said in the blind rage. "You speak as if you know the future, boy. You know nothing, much less of this house. Watch your tongue."

Struggling against his brothers hold again Lorys glared at the small grandmother. "I know plenty of your damn plans because I do know the future, I am from it! Gods, I am happy about it since I never had the displeasure of knowing you. You damn crone." 

"Lorys! Shut up." The command and glare came from Laerra. Her brother's outburst gave away the Targaryens' biggest bit of information. Lya had her head down and was pinching the area between her eyes. But the clench of her other hand gave away her annoyance at Olenna.

Though the claim was nearly impossible Margaery recognized it explained some things about the group. Laerra seemed a bit too intelligent to proclaim herself a Targaryen queen in a Baratheon ruled Westeros, you would have to be stupid to do that. How they arrived in the garden was also curious, Aemon said he was at least seven days away. Perhaps Margaery just wanted to believe Lorys' words because he looked so alike to her absent and favorite brother.

Her grandmother however did not believe a word of it. "You certainly are as mad as a dragon."

The comment earned the elderly woman glares from the Targaryen claimants. Little Aerea's angry face nearly made Margaery break out in giggles.

"Say you are truly from the future, how about you give us information to prove it." Willas thankfully had the sense to at least treat their guest somewhat kindly and give them the benefit of the doubt. It might also be useful to their house to have insight into the future. They would not get that being enemies.

Aemon observed the Tyrells. "I assume the year is 297 or 298 after conquest?"

Garland provided the quick answer, "298."

"So Jon Arryn has likely been poisoned already?" At nods from the Tyrells, Aemon continued. "Robert Baratheon goes to Winterfell to make Eddard his hand and secure a betrothal between Joffrey and Lady Sansa."

Willas at this point interjected, "We just got the raven about the death of the hand and the king's departure northward this morn." He left that no one else in Highgarden should already know that unsaid. So was the fact they were not aware poison was the cause of death.

Nodding in appreciation Aemon carried on, "Eddard accepts both propositions. During his handship he discovers that Cersei's children are bastards of incest between her and her twin." Aemon gave them time to comprehend his claim.

If the claim was true that made their ambitions much more acquirable. Would Olenna use the information to marry her to Robert or would Margaery get a better fate? Either way it would come to war between The Baratheons and Lannisters. Margaery could not imagine that Tywin would not fight back as his daughter and ideal heir are threatened or killed. 

"The claim is not something we can confirm and could be entirely fabricated. If you have nothing of substance then we shall treat you as such." It was unlikely that there was anything of substance that Olenna would find as acceptable proof.

After exchanging a few looks among each other Lya spoke for her group. "Margaery has a small dagger hidden in her skirts for defending herself. She has a birthmark on her thigh. Willas used to read and draw the stars for her." 

Margaery was absolutely stunned. Her mother and ladies were maybe the only one to know about the mark and were unlikely to talk about it. The dagger and Willas part could have been learned by spies but the mark would only be known if one of her ladies was a traitor. She glanced at her mother who shared her frown. Confirming the claims to her family Margaery nodded. "How do you know such things? None would be publicly known even in the future."

Laerra gave her a knowing smirk. "A mother tells a daughter a good many things that she would not inform the public of. Especially if they have commonalities."

Everything came together with the divulgence. The group's appearances, Laerra had her lips and nose, Haella had most of Marg's face, Maenara and Aerea had Tyrell traits, and Lorys looked nearly identical to Loras. He was named after her brother, the namesake he claimed was killed... These were her children.

Had the Old Gods provided the solution to her problems when she mentally complained of them before the weirwoods? Margaery did not follow the religion and knew little of it, she only followed Faith of the Seven for appearance sake. Did the Gods themselves want her to wed a Targaryen over King Robert? Either way she is thankful for whatever intervened. 

The children were Targaryens wearing dragons, wolves, and roses of blue and gold. They surely have Stark blood in recent generations if they wore the sigil, and winter roses were blue and associated with Lyanna Stark. If the loyalists were correct and the girl ran away with Rhaegar perhaps they married and she birthed an heir. Margaery's eyes widened as she recalled her lessons on the end of Robert's Rebellion. Eddard Stark left Dorne with his sister's bones and a babe, one he claimed was his bastard. The man no one believed was capable of dishonor and yet they all believed it because he would not lie, but he did. Her king is in the North.

Her grandmother's soft chuckling broke Margaery away from her thoughts. Olenna was shaking her head. "Gods damn Eddard Stark." She had come to the same conclusion as her granddaughter.

Mace clearly had not. "Eddard Stark?"

"Yes, you empty headed oaf. Eddard Stark's bastard is not a bastard but a bloody dragon and the man to make your daughter a queen." Olenna's clarification caused her son, good-daughter, and Garlan to realize her meaning. 

A smile as large as he was fat grew on Mace's face. Everything his mother said was good in his mind. His daughter would be queen to a trueborn son of houses Targaryen and Stark. Not to mention that it is greatly preferable to a Targaryen-Martell son with Mace's anger at Oberyn Martell. "This is great news!"

Olenna snorted. "For once I agree. The Starks will surely be much easier to deal with than the Baratheons or Lannisters. Being raised as a bastard and of the North the boy is likely ignorant of court behavior giving Margaery more to work with."

"That is our father you speak of!" warned Laerra. Her threat was supported by the glares of her siblings. 

A bang echoed throughout the room. Willas stood holding the cane which created such noise. "I need to exercise my leg. We can regroup at supper. If we constantly insult each other we shall get nowhere. Then we can decide on how to proceed, hopefully with the aid of my displaced nieces and nephews. Marg can stay and get to know her future children personally."

Excluding Margaery, the other Tyrells seemed hesitant to follow her brother's suggestion. The idea of learning all the knowledge the time travelers had of the future was a tempting one. Olenna seemed to grumble at being a source of her grandson's ire but she knew had it not been for her insults they might not have learned the truth. Mace and Alerie appeared to have the desire to interact with their future grandchildren but still followed Olenna in standing. 

Garlan joined his family after pushing the two swords across the table to their owners. "I look forward to getting acquainted with you all. Perhaps if I am lucky you may offer me the chance to swing one of those blades." His words were said with a soft grin and a nod. 

Turning back to her grandchildren from the future Alerie addressed Haella in particular. "We share a color of hair." She smiled as twisted a lock of her long silver hair to emphasize her point. 

"That we do, Grandmother. A beautiful color but I might be smidge biased." Haella's words and wink made her grandmother's lips stretch even wider.

Margaery watched the other Tyrells leave. Now alone again with her future kids, there was so much she wanted to ask but could not decide what to start with. They had mentioned that Olenna's plans had gotten both Loras and Mace killed but perhaps that should wait until later. For now she should befriend them as that would be to everyone's benefit and if she acquired more information through that then Marg would not complain.

Notes:

There is still a lot to cover in Highgarden but we return to Winterfell next chapter.

I may have gone a bit overboard with the number of kids in this fic but I'll justify it as repopulation. 7 for Sansa, 6 for Margaery, 3 for Rhaenys, 4 for Val.

Next chapter will be Jon's perspective on everything and see everything that happened while Ned and Cat were having their talk. Some one on one Jon and Sansa conversations too.

I've been dying to get more into Jon's interactions with the women and hopefully the next chapter will satisfy that a bit. Then we should be picking up the pace as we are still day 1.

I had gone into this chapter expecting it to be possibly the shortest but once again it ended up the longest.

Upcoming Chapter POV Order:

Jon I

Val I

Multiple POVs I

Elia I

...