"I´d be more than happy to entertain an alliance between House Tyrell and House Bracken." I said, and Olenna smiled.
"Good, now tell me. What do you think, of this King?" She asked, as we began walking to one of the balconies found in the gardens.
"He's a fool, and if he does not change anytime soon, his reign will not last." I said simply, and somehow, even Olenna Tyrell was slightly shocked.
"Ha! It's seems you're not a man for plays, but I agree. Joffrey was not made to be King." Olenna said and I nodded along.
"But I'm confident that Margaery will turn him around, she´s quite good at manipulating people." Olenna said, and I could see the pride of her grand daughter was quite potent.
"So you're quite fond of your grand-daughter?" I asked and she smiled.
"She takes after me, at such an early age." Olenna said.
"I suppose the realm will have another master politician enter the game, and from the roses again, I fear for Joffrey." I said, and Olenna laughed at that.
"Oh, they will fear us, soon enough. But anyhow, let's get back to the matter at hand, what's your current grain situation?" She asked me.
"Well, House Bracken personally owns the more fertile lands in the Riverlands, and since we took over them, we've seen a remarkable production speed. I believe we can gather enough grains to last us for a year and a half, 2 with rationing." I said, and Olenna smiled, likely not anticipating that amount.
"The lowborn often say, a long summer, means an even longer winter." She stated, as if she wanted me to buy out her entire grain-stocks.
"I am aware, which is why I want to ensure we can last through a 5 year old winter, at the very least." I said, and she nodded slowly.
Now, I knew that according to the show, the Winter barely lasted over a year, ending when the Night King was killed.
But I wanted to stack up a lot, for the future as well, and I was just using the Long Night as an excuse, for it was not long at all. And I wanted to ensure that I had enough, even if the Winter longer than in the series.
"Very well, we shall sell you enough grain to last you half a year, every month, with say. 30% lower than the market value, is this acceptable?" She said, and I nodded.
"That's acceptable."
"Good, well, I´ll have to take my leave now, Lord Alexander. Perhaps we shall speak more another time?" She said as she stood up, and I followed her example, standing up as well.
"Of course." I said, and she nodded. Walking off.
However, as soon as she rounded a corner, and disappeared. Another Tyrell appeared, Lady Margaery Tyrell. She approached me, her hands on her back as her eyes locked with mine.
"Lord Bracken, I must congratulate you. The tales of your victory in the Vale have already reached even the softest ears at court. I dare say the realm owes you much."
"You honor me, Lady Margaery. I only did what was necessary for the realm's stability." I said, a standard response.
Margaery tilted her head slightly, but still kept them locked with mine, looking upwards slightly, due to the height difference.
"Necessary, perhaps, but few can claim such feats in one lifetime, let alone within the same season. To rule both the Riverlands and the Vale? Surely, you must have the gods' favor." She said.
"The favor of the gods is fleeting. I find steel and loyalty to be more reliable." I said with a firm tone, but a smile on my lips still found its way there.
Margaery laughed slightly before addressing me again, "How practical. And yet, loyalty can be as fragile as spring's first bloom." She said, as she stepped slightly closer.
"The lords of the Vale are known to be... proud." She said.
"Pride can be put down, Lady Margaery. A firm hand and strength, is all that is needed." I said.
"A firm hand, yes. But even the firmest hand benefits from a gentle touch at the right moments. The sharpest thorns protect the most delicate flowers. Wouldn't you agree, my lord?" She said, as her hands directed my eyes towards some roses.
"Indeed. Though I suspect the roses of Highgarden rarely need such protection, after all. Your Grandmother is fulfilling that task quite dilligently." I said and Margaery chuckled slightly.
She held her arm up for me, and I took it, and she begun directing me through the garden.
"You are quite the bold one, walking hand in hand with another man. While your wedding is being held next week." I said, and Margaery chuckled.
"Let that young fool believe what he will, he's far too smitten with me to act against my wishes." Margaery said, her expression turning cold for a split second.
"Ah, so the flower of Highgarden shows her thornes. I never believed I´d see your thornes." I said with a chuckle, and Margaery responded with one.
"You are much different from most others, and I consider you somewhat of a friend. You play the game in your own style, and it's quite the sight, instead of fighting for a position, like the Hand. Or a Small Council position for your friend, you take leave, to launch a campaign of conquest across the Vale." She said, as she was genuinely intrigued.
"The Vale is the only region untouched by the war, but yet you choose to attack it, at its peak." She said, and I smiled.
"You'd be a fool if you considered that the peak of House Arryn, the Vale was ruled by a Regent, a Regent gone mad for her son, and she had long lost the loyalty of the Vale Houses. The Vale could likely have raised a much larger cavalry, even though she disbanded many of them. The Houses could likely draw out of a pool of tens of thousands of cavalrymen and knights, yet only the Arryn Cavalry fought." I said, and Margaery listened intriguingly.
"Houses, your social status and position, is what calls Lords to raise their banners for you, but your authority, charisma and strength, is what determines how far the Lords are willing to stretch themselves and their lands, for you." I said, and she listened intently.
"Good thing our dear King has all those then." Margaery said sarcastically, and I couldn´t help but burst out laughing at that.
After gathering myself, I turned back to Margaery.
"At least you have some semblance of humour, unlike your Grandmother." I said, and Margaery smiled.
And with that, we began walking through the gardens, making small talk.
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