Westeros and Essos {Game of Thrones Roleplay} discussion

WELCOME TO HIGHGARDEN!
Remember you are in TYRELL territory!

Alana watched as Stefan starred in amazement from the open-topped carriage, as it wound its way toward Highgarden. When Alana had first arrived at Highgarden for her wedding, she saw that the Tyrell’s castle was unlike many of the other major castles of Westeros. Surrounded by gardens, vines with colorful flowers crept up its thick walls, the pathways lined with blossoming trees; Highgarden lacked the militaristic feel that Storm’s End or Winterfell held. Alana had fell in love with Highgarden, and had her own solitary garden in the grounds when she resided her with Landon, where she had spent many days watching Stefan run round the flowers and bushes chasing butterflies.
The memory of those days made Alana warm inside. Stefan however wasn’t observing the famous Tyrell rose gardens. The grounds beneath the Tyrell walls had become a mud filled encampment, thousands of men and horses had tore and churned up the gardens’ famous all over the seven kingdoms. The clash of steel, the yelling, the bray of horses was brash to Alana causing her to wince, her son she observed was in awe as the carriage rolled by however. Highgarden could house nearly four thousand men-at-arms, and their horses not including the normal household guard of a thousand men and staff, with enough food to last a siege for a year, yet Alana could see at least another eight thousand dug in around the castle’s outer wall. Alana tried to identify the raised banners and colors of the tents to the house. Rowan, Peake, Tarly flags she could see, even the odd gold lion.
“Will there be any Tolands here?” Stefan asked searching the mass of encampments.
“No, Dorne hasn’t raised its banners yet.” Alana assured him. Disappointment crossed Stefan’s face Alana saw, but hoped Dorne wouldn’t have to commit it anyone’s cause.
One her mounted escorts held his hand up stopping the coach, Alana leaned forward to see what the hold was up. Three horses and two riders approached. Immediately she recognized the taller one. Ser Landon stood tall on his horse, clad in full plate armor, in colored metal the Tyrell crest was engraved bold on his chest. He rode a large warhorse, not the smaller, fleeter breeds Dorne knights rode, a dark red brown hide, it too wore the Tyrell arms on it armor, as its hooves thundered towards her.


Alana remembered this was how she first saw Landon, when he rode to Ghost Hill to escort to her wedding, it was how she had always imagined Westeros knights to look, and still she couldn’t help but be impressed by it. He reined his horse to a stop next to the carriage; Alana stood up in the carriage to greet him. Clean shaven, short dark hair, he had the Tyrell blue eyes. Handsome, he had a rugged cold look which hid an affectionate character; he smiled at her, showing his one flaw it his looks, a missing front tooth, knocked out in a tourney. Alana smiled back genuinely “If you yearned to see me again husband, you could have returned home rather than make me cross the Narrow Sea.”
“If I did that I may never return to Highgarden.” Landon said teasing; he leaned forward in his saddle as Alana balanced her self in the carriage, as Landon embraced her with one arm. Alana smelt the sweat and dirt on him, as she lightly kissed his cheek she quietly said in his ear “That perhaps would not be such a terrible task.”
Changing the subject Landon said “I hope your journey’s been pleasant.” Stefan rushed up to his mother’s side “The ship ran through a storm, mother was terribly sick, and the captain allowed me to steer the ship into port” he answered excitedly.
“It’s good to see you Stefan.” Landon said, Alana seeing the true affection in his voice toward her son. Alana’s father had warned her, that Landon would probably never accept her son, that Stefan would be placed out of sight as an embarrassing basterd. Landon embraced Stefan, making him sit at the high table with her and rest of the highborn Tyrell’s, not banished to the lower tables like the rest of the Tyrell basterds, teaching him to ride and use a sword. For that Alana would always have a high admiration for Landon. Landon held out his to greet Stefan, when Stefan took it, Landon pulled Stefan towards him, making Stefan unevenly balanced between the carriage and Landon’s horse, giving him a strong, affectionate clinch. “Perhaps I could get you a commission in the Redwyne fleet, end up as a captain.” Suggested Landon playfully, he let go and Stefan wobbly regained his footing. “Besides, why are you being carted round? Your age, you should be riding your own steed.” Landon said leaning back in his saddle as if inspecting the carriage. Before Stefan could answer, Landon bellowed “Sam bring up the horse.”
Sam, Landon’s squire had been a skinny with pimples when he left, now eighteen years he had bulked up and looked more like a squire. Alana addressed him “Greetings Sam. You look well” In young gruff voice “Greetings Lady Alana, thank you” Sam responded.
“Mina still misses you, and asks for you” Alana teased. Mina was a one of their servant girls who had fallen for Sam. Sam’s face turned red, embarrassed. Landon piped in “He still writes her poems” looking at Sam who hung his head “instead of training.”
“Rhaeger wrote beautiful poetry, and still was a great knight.” Alana said sympathetically.
With a huff “Look where that got him” said Landon.
In Sam’s hands, were the reigns of another horse, a younger colt, white with dappled brown spots, Alana saw it as a high quality horse, from the Tyrell’s main stables. Taking the harness, Landon passed them to Stefan “All aspirant knights must first have a horse.”
Clumsily Stefan climbed from the cart over onto the horse.
“The captain of the guard and I have trained her, yet she’s still young, so you’ve got to break her in.” instructed Landon, as Stefan trotted around Alana’s carriage.
“Does she have name?” Stefan enquired.
“Willow” Landon shrugged his shoulders “Mary chose the name.” The mention of Landon’s youngest basterd daughter caused Alana irritation. Unlike his eldest daughter, Mary mother wasn’t some blacksmith’s daughter, but from a lower Tyrell banner lord. Some of Landon’s family weren’t hesitant in saying that Mary should be Landon’s heir, instead of any of her children, and some had got louder since Alana hadn’t bore Landon any. Alana hoped she had successfully hidden her displeasure from Landon, more than once Mary Flowers had caused quarrel between them.
“Sam, race Stefan back to the stables, and teach him to unsaddle the horse.” Landon called out.
“Yes Ser” Sam called out. In a thundering of hooves and dust, Sam spurred his horse towards Highgarden. Without encouragement, Stefan followed, racing up the path. Alana felt concern grow in her stomach, as she watched her son gallop off, she barely heard Landon speak “He’ll be fine Alana”, as he urged the driver to carry on. Watching Stefan vanish in the distance, she changed the subject “How goes the war?”
“Intermittently” Landon explained wearily. “No great battles, no sieges. Just raids, night attacks fuelled by gossip and rumor”
“Who’s winning?”
“No one” was Landon’s simple reply. Alana reached over and soothingly took his hand “How’s the war found you?”
“Fortunate so far, besides a few skirmishes across the Trident, I’m not out to cover the Tyrell name in victorious war ballads.”
“How many have you lost?” Alana enquired.
“Just fifteen thank the Seven. I just wish for the war to end so I go back to Pentos with you.” Landon heaved in a sigh.
“Who ever wins? Even if it’s Joffery Lannister” Alana asked.
“You mean King Joffery Baratheon?” Landon said. They both gave small knowing smiles to each other.
“How long have you been back at Highgarden?” Alana said.
“Less than a week, Lady Olenna sent a message ‘a husband should be there greet his wife’, so I rode straight back.” Landon explained.
A little stunned Alana said “so you didn’t know I was returning until I was already half way?”
Landon nodded “and I’m going back in two days.”
“Why have I been summoned back?” Alana felt a looming sense of uneasy suspicion.
“I have no idea Alana. Lord Mace told me when I asked that the Tyrell’s must present a united front.” Landon’s voice vibrated with disdain “the queen of thorns said the matter was between you and her.” Shaking his head, Alana could feel her husband’s fury under his breath. “They plan to employ my wife in one their plots, yet consider her husband unworthy to be involved drawn in.” Alana for a moment got distracted as her gaze lifted to the main gate of Highgarden, two huge towers cast shadows over her as the carriage proceeded on, and the gateway was wide enough to allow three carts to pass abreast each other. The thick drawbridge lay open, as Alana’s carriage rolled over, wobbling over the broad oak planks. Landon took Alana’s hand, getting her attention, gripping it firmly he looked into her eyes. Alana could read the intensity on his face as he spoke “Don’t let them intimidate you or force into their own game of thrones. They’ll watch half of the seven kingdoms burn, including you for an advantage. You’re the most intelligent woman I’ve met Alana, trust your intuition. I’m a Tyrell, but as your husband you come first I will champion your decision.” The trust that Landon spoke reassured her, yet as she passed through the monstrous gatehouse, Alana couldn’t loosen the unnerving chill settling inside.

The lady-in-waiting led Alana through the passageways of Highgarden, Alana quietly following. Alana knew where she was being taken; she’d been there many times but remained behind her guide. The door was open; the lady stopped inside the door, and allowed Alana to enter first. The scent of a hundred flowers crossed Alana as she entered the garden, her vision hit by a gallery of colors from the blossoms all around. The faint trickle of water she could hear from the small pool and fountain, light glistening on its surface and fishes scales. There were bigger gardens within Highgarden’s walls, more magnificent in scale, but Lady Olenna’s own private garden was the most exquisite.

Immaculate, with flowers from all over Westeros and beyond, people who had glimpsed it had tried many times to duplicate their own, yet none came close.
Lady Olenna sat in the shade under a veranda that was woven with flowering vines and branches as intricate as a fine tapestry. Stood behind Olenna was another lady-in-waiting, ready to pour the wine that was on the table. As Alana approached, her feet tapping on the worn, spotless cobbles, Olenna twisted round, her face lighting up into a smile. Alana was almost certain the smile was genuine, but you couldn’t always tell with the queen of thorns, whether it was sincere or an act of strategic theatre. Alana gave a heart felt smile back, despite her scheming, Alana had always had a good relationship with Lady Olenna and they had spent many days here in her private retreat.
Standing up, Olenna held her arms out “Alana, it is so good to see again.” Alana stepped into the embrace “You too Lady Olenna.”
Pulling back Olenna inspected her “My dear you look more beautiful than ever.”
“So do you Lady Olenna” replied Alana.
“I don’t need false platitudes Alana” Olenna said jokingly, glancing at her ladies-in-waiting “I have enough of that from these.”
Ushering her into chair “Sit, Sit, would you like some wine?” Alana nodded as she sat down “Yes please.” As one of Olenna’s ladies went to pour the wine, Olenna snatched the bottle herself and snapped “I’ll do it.” Alana watched as she wavered her hand at the two ladies-in-waiting “go on you two shoo, leave us in peace.” The young women heads bowed, gave small curtsies “Lady Olenna, Lady Alana” they said softly, before quickly walking out the garden. Olenna sighed as poured the wine “useless girls. All these lords furnishing me with their foolish daughters, all desperate for favor or a rich knight to marry.”
“Like I was” commented Alana before she took a sip of wine.
“I would never call you stupid Alana” said Olenna as she lowered herself into her chair “you have one of the sharpest minds I’ve met.” Alana smiled at the compliment but knew these were to soften her resolve. The taste of wine instantly reminded her of home, the Strongwine filled with flavor.
“I thought the best wine from Dorne would be a nice welcoming gift” Olenna said seeing her reaction.
“A very sweet gift, thank you.”
“And how is Stefan?” Olenna asked. Alana took another sip before answering “very well. He’s turning from my sweet little boy into a boisterous young man.” Alana placed her goblet down before finishing “unfortunately.”
Olenna nodded sympathetically “We can’t keep them swaddling clothes forever and keeping making their decisions.”
Knowing how the queen of thorns operated “You do.”
“Well I try.” Olenna said with a sly grin. “Is he wishing for day to become a knight like all boys?” Olenna carried on saying as she refilled their cups.
“Yes, against my concerns.” Alana said a little exasperated by Stefan’s desire to be a knight.
“All boys hear are tales of swords, courage and rescuing fair damsels, while their mothers fear their cries and spilled blood, yet they do not listen to a mother’s concerns.” Olenna’s words heavy with melancholy. Alana noticed a small hushed silence grow after that, until much chirpier Olenna spoke again “Enough of that how is Braavos?”
“Beautiful, infuriating, fascinating. I hope you’ve thought well of me with the trades of have accomplished?”
“My dear, all of the Reach is delighted with the goods that now flow through Oldtown, Men don’t have to spend their last penny of the finest cloth for their lovers, and women have colors brighter than these flowers.”
“You should visit Lady Olenna.” Alana said honestly.
Alana saw a little regret in her eyes as she replied “I always wished to travel the Free Cities in my youth, yet” shrugging her shoulders “marriage came, then children.” A slight pause before Olenna continued ruefully “and now the war.”
Alana felt the mood change, the air seeming to grow still and cool. “Is that why I was summoned back to Highgarden?” Alana said coolly.
Olenna calmly nodded “The war is dragging took long Alana. The kingdoms are in threat of collapsing under a hundred small cuts.” She lent forward in her chair towards Alana “It will need sharper minds to win these battles.” Olenna slowly took a drink then resumed “Minds like yours.”
Carefully Alana responded “What can I possibly do?”
“You are daughter to one of the staunchest families to the Martells, you are by marriage to my great-nephew a Tyrell” Olenna slowly explained. “You can speak a number of different tongues; you know the workings of courts from here to all of Essos. The Tyrells and Martells were loyal allies together for the Targaryans. Who better to be my emissary?”
Alana was rarely stuck for words. She composed herself before speaking “Emissary? To whom and for purpose Lady Olenna?”
Olenna took Alana’s hands in her and clasped them together. Olenna looked deep into Alana eyes “To the courts of Sunspear and Dragonstone. We must create an alliance to smash the Lannister juggernaught from bringing the Iron Throne to its knees.”
Alana felt the color drain from her face, stunned she managed “Who would we crown?”
“Amelia Targaryen should be the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.” Olenna stated simply. Questions swirled around her head, leaving Alana stunned “Why don’t you break your alliance to the Lannisters now?” she forced out.
“If we break the pact now, the others opposed to us, the Northern Armies and Stannis may take the opportunity to attack” Olenna said simply. “Striking the Lannisters now without allies, would just prolong this dreaded war. With Dorne standing alongside us, we will be able to end this senseless killing quickly.”
Alana tried to grasp the situation. She knew she wasn’t being told the whole truth that the queen of thorns was playing the game of thrones, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she was mostly right. Olenna continued to press her point to Alana ““Dorne will join this war eventually Alana, but it will enter it to late to find its allies too weak and blooded to alter the war’s end.”
“How will I get Prince Doran to your way of thinking?” Alana said plots forming in her mind.
Olenna hushed, stood up and like a hawk, swept her gaze over the garden and towards the door before sitting back down sure no one was listening “Plans are already in motion my dear, I just need you to help me see them bear fruit.” Voice full of intrigue Alana pressed “What are they?”
“Lady Sybil Baratheon, stupid girl” Olenna spat “has found her way to Starfall.”
“How did Stannis’ daughter find herself in Dorne?” questioned Alana.
“She had been to Dragonstone” Olenna rolled her eyes “then her escorts guided her to Starfall.”
A puzzled look crossed Alana’s face “Why?”
“Lord Dayne found one of her men with a bag of Lannister gold” Olenna said plainly.
The connections for Alana were clear “Tywin’s trying to cause Stannis to attack by incriminating Dorne”
A broad kindly smile spread over Olenna’s face as she put a hand on Alana’s shoulder “No my dear, I did.”
Alana sat stunned open mouthed trying to form words; she managed “Why? How?”
“I have spies everywhere Alana, loyal to the rose or to gold makes no matter”
Alana saw the glee on Olenna’s face, which gave her a chill, as Olenna explained her plot.
“Dorne will cast accusations on the Lannisters that they are fermenting war between Sunspear and Storms End. The Lannisters will strenuously deny this” a smug Olenna finished “but who will take the lions word.”
Alana stood up furious, face turned red spitting “How dare you do this, you are bringing war to my home Olenna, all on lies!”
“Sit down Alana” said Olenna coolly, pick up her wine before resuming “Lies are a more powerful weapon in war than a legion of sellswords.”
Alana slowly sat back down, still too dumb-struck to speak.
“Dorne will fight if attacked.” Alana managed.
“Don’t be so naive Alana” huffed Olenna irritated “You think Dorne could stand up against any armies of the seven kingdoms? Tywin will lead his armies and sellsword across Dorne, raping and pillaging all the way to Sunspear, to forge his legacy as the man who brought the Martells to heel, that not even with dragons the Targaryen s managed.”
Alana gazed at the floor, Olenna reached over and twisted her gaze toward her strongly for an old woman “I need you Alana. Unite the Tyrells and Martells, so we don’t suffer another Lannister and Baratheon king.”
Alana felt hatred deep in her stomach, she hated Olenna for her conspiracy to force war on Dorne, and she also hated herself for understanding its need. Dorne couldn’t win a war by itself, and would be dragged into the war eventually, and allying with the Tyrells was the best worst option, even if Alana believed the queen of thorns motives were more for her family, than restoring the Targaryen throne. Heavy hearted Alana said “When do I depart?”
Olenna’s voice rang with chirpiness at Alana submitting to her plan “A ship will depart in two days.”
“Very well” was all Alana could manage, turning her stare to the garden.

The cool breeze made Alana shiver as it hit her bare skin, as she stood looking from her balcony over the sprawling army below, the camp fires of the army asleep under the castle walls, like nesting fireflies. Her mind raced with thousands of questions and fears, she tried to focus. What the queen of thorns had told her and what she agreed too, was making Alana uncomfortably nervous, a quickening heart and light head with a weight like a ballast stone on her shoulders. At the same time it excited her, the idea of being a major part in a plot to topple the Lannister and Baratheon grip on the Iron throne played to her sense of loyalty and Alana admitted secretly her ego. However Alana felt that if Dorne discovered it had been deceived, she could be banished from her family home. Or worse she dreaded to think. The thought chilled her more than the cold wind up in one of Highgarden’s towers.
“There are over seven thousand men down there who could be staring up at your naked body.” Landon’s voice made her jump, breaking Alana’s trance.
“If their sight is that sharp you would have the best scouts in the entire realm” Alana quipped.
“Your beauty shines like a beacon for all to see” Landon joked as he walked up behind her. Half-hearted she swung her arm to hit him in the groin. Landon caught it laughing before taking a gulp of wine from the cup in his other hand. Alana went back to looking out over the nighttime landscape. Landon followed her line of sight, towering over the fields that surrounding Highgarden. Landon’s naked body behind kept Alana warm in her nakedness, and it was also reassuring, a silence grew around them. It was Landon who broke it first “Do you feel pleased or apprehension on going back to Dorne?”
“Both” Alana said honestly.
“Are you certain you want Stefan to remain here?”
Alana solemnly nodded. Alana didn’t want to be separated from her son, but her mission hid too many perils for her to risk it.
“He would love going to Dorne” Landon said “and you family hasn’t seem him for over two years now.”
Alana had kept most of Olenna’s plans from Landon, just revealing her going to Dorne to try to establish an alliance. If she had told him of the secrets behind it he would have forbade her from taking the assignment.
“Another time perhaps” she said. Alana twisted her head up and around to look up to Landon “You won’t send Stefan away while I’m gone will you?” her voice thick with worry.
“He’ll still be here when you return” assured Landon “then you can decide who he should squire for.”
“I’m not sure becoming a squire for a Tyrell bannerman is the best path for Stefan.” Alana confided. She feared her son being treated as a foreign basterd like many at Highgarden thought of him, and dreaded that he would die in this war.
“He’s a basterd Alana” Landon said coldly. Anger rose in Alana before Landon carried on “people will always see him being a Sand, rather than son of the heir to Ghost Hill, loyal to the Prince of Dorne.” Alana held her tongue; she knew it to be true.
“If he was a squire to a powerful Tyrell house, and became Ser Stefan, perhaps the whispers wouldn’t be so loud.” Landon concluded. “If he became a knight perhaps…” Landon trailed off.
“Perhaps what?” Alana wondered.
“I was considering on betrothing Mary to Stefan.”
Confused Alana asked “Why would you want your basterd to marry mine?”
Taking a deep breathe Landon answered “That if I name Stefan as heir he would face less resistance if my daughter was his wife.”
This stunned Alana. She always had an unrealistic wish that Stefan would be something other than a basterd “You would legitimize Stefan?”
Landon nodded “He is a fine boy, I treat him like a son” Alana nodded in agreement. “And we have had no children since” Landon paused for a while “Goodwin.” Landon saying his name stung Alana’s heart sharp. Alana had given Landon a son, named after Landon’s younger brother who died after a fever. Goodwin had been born early, and Alana almost died during the birth that had taken Goodwin. Alana feared that the birth had also taken her chance for more children. Alana embraced Landon as she felt him heave on remembering their son. Landon took a gulp of wine, and then passed the goblet to Alana who finished the cup. “What would you family say?” Alana asked.
“I am the eldest son, who I name is my matter” Landon declared “Anyway Lady Olenna said she would champion my decision.” That my payment for agreeing to this venture, Alana concluded. Stefan’s future.
“What if the Gods’ do give us a child?”
“The marriage stands, and Stefan can take Ghost Hill.” Landon said bluntly. Alana then asked a question she had never asked Landon before. “Do you love me?”
Landon paused as if thinking it over before replying “I respect you Alana, trust you, your judgment is always wise and measured. You cheer my heart and make me laugh. I don’t write you poems, my heart doesn’t quicken when you are mentioned and I take others into my bed when you are away.” He looked down at her, cupped her face in his hands “Like I know you do. But our marriage is an honest one, and there isn't a woman in the seven kingdoms I would rather have as my wife.”
Alana kissed him. It was probably the most romantic thing Landon had ever said to her, and favored it more than all the poems minstrels had ever sang for her. She took Landon’s hand in hers at led him back to the bed. The trials and conflict could wait another night.