Chapter 12: Tea with the Roses

The next morning at breakfast, the King was nowhere to be found.

"The King's decided to take breakfast in the privacy of his solar," was all Rhaenys said on the matter. It was a somber affair, though Arianne looked amused, playing with her food and telling them how much she loved a good breakfast. Jae's annoyance with these Dornishmen grew – they seemed unable to explain what they found so damn funny.

"Jaehaerys, I was hoping you could take care of welcoming the Baratheons to the Red Keep. I shall take care of the Lannisters and we can welcome the Arryns together," Rhaenys said when he stood up to leave.

"What about the King?" laid on the tip of his tongue but he held back. Rhaenys seemed to understand what he wanted to say. "When are they arriving?"

"They should be here within the hour. You should get ready."

Jae nodded and left, returning to his chambers. It pleased him to see Ser Jaime detached himself from the wall. "I see you are to remain my shield, Ser."

They fell into step. "Indeed, my Prince. It has become clear to all that you would be inconsolable without me, so Ser Gerold decided to show some mercy."

"Strange, I've never found myself wishing a man would be a bit crueler." That got a laugh out of the knight. "Looking forward to reuniting with your family?"

"To be certain. I can't wait to see how Tyrion's doing," he said with a familiar warm smile. "And you, my Prince? Looking forward to meeting the honorable Lord Stark?"

"Couldn't say. I'm curious, to be sure. I don't know what to expect."

"Annoying honesty and a revolting amount of good intentions, no doubt." Ser Jaime grimaced at the thought of it.

"Look at you." Jae laughed. "You're not even good at acting cynical anymore."

"My Prince, I assure you, I have never been anything but realistic."

"Whatever you say, Ser, just don't let me catch you hugging your brother in public." They exchanged looks and snorted in unison.

"Welcoming Baratheon should be interesting," Jaime commented. "They say the last time he smiled was when you fooled Connington into lifting those trade restrictions he placed on the Stormlands." Ser Jaime laughed at the memory.

Jae shot him a look of warning. The plot couldn't be described as subtle. They arrived to his chambers and whereas normally a knight of the Kingsguard would wait outside, Jaime didn't even hesitate before following right into his rooms.

"What was it again? A casual remark during a session of Court that couldn't be refuted by Pycelle?"

"Well, of course not, he was too busy shitting his guts out." Bringing it up again had them both in stitches. Jaehaerys had been eleven and a novice at playing people. Only sheer luck carried the day.

"Do you know anything about the rest of the Baratheon family?" Jae asked when they stopped laughing.

"Not much more than you do," Jaime said. "I've heard his son is quite the terror with a sword."

"Yeah?"

"Mmm, earned his knighthood by knocking Ser Loras Tyrell on his arse a couple of moons ago at a Tourney."

That got Jae's attention. People called Ser Loras the finest young sword in the kingdoms. Jae had never seen him fight personally, but there had to be some truth to the rumors.

He picked out his finest doublet, quickly buttoning it up and making his way out of the chambers. By the time they reached the city walls, along with a squad of Goldcloaks, an hour had nearly passed and they didn't have to wait long before the Baratheon party announced itself in the form of a rising cloud of dust in the distance.

All the major Houses of the Stormlands had followed their liege lord to the capital for the King's coronation. Houses Swann, Caron, Cafferen, Grandison along with a number of sigils he couldn't remember. Maester Alwyn will be pissed if he ever finds out.

He nodded to them as they came to a halt before him, since Crown Princes bowed to no one but the King, and said, "Welcome to King's Landing, my Lords! We are honored by your presence. His Grace King Aegon also extends his welcome and is looking forward to greeting you at the Red Keep."

"An honor to be here, Your Grace." Lord Baratheon bowed in his saddle and every single person in his retinue followed his example. Jaehaerys spotted a young man who had to be Stannis' Son and Heir by his side.

"If you don't have any more pressing concerns, I shall lead you to the Keep so you can get properly settled after your journey."

"Lead the way, Your Grace," Lord Stannis replied.

Jaehaerys gave a quick whistle and the squad of Goldcloaks parted, allowing the retinue to pass. He mounted his horse and rode at the head of the party, Lord Stannis riding up to his side.

"I trust you've had a smooth journey, my Lord?"

"As smooth as can be," Stannis replied, gazing about the city with those stormy blue eyes.

"And you must be Ser Orys, correct?" Jaehaerys asked the young man riding behind Stannis.

He looked Jae right in the eyes. "Aye, Your Grace, 'tis a pleasure to meet you," he said. Orys had broad shoulders he hadn't quite grown into, a crooked nose that could have only come from a blow, and a mop of coal-black hair.

"I hear congratulations are in order. Even in King's Landing, we have heard of how you earned your spurs. Can't be certain about the specifics, but I hear tell it involved a certain flower being knocked on its arse."

Jae saw Ser Jaime hide a smile as the entire Baratheon party erupted in laughter. Ser Orys ducked his head, looking both pleased and embarrassed. Jae could've sworn Stannis cracked a grin but it disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Your son is a credit to you, Lord Stannis." He felt somewhat foolish for saying it, considering he couldn't be more than a couple of years older than him.

Stannis looked over his shoulder. "Aye, he does his House proud."

Ser Orys flushed at the praise.

"And how are Steffon and little Anna doing? She should be, what? Four by now, correct?" Jae had made sure to refresh his memory on all the members of various families over the last couple of days.

"Steffon is doing well, already the best rider out of all of us." A soft smile transformed Stannis' features. "And Anna is getting bigger by the day and turning up her nose at anything that sounds or looks lady-like."

He chuckled at his words. "Sounds like a proper Baratheon to me."

There was a chorus of Aye's from the rest of the men as they rode through the gates of the Red Keep and the party dismounted in the courtyard. Servants came forward to lead the Lords to their chambers but Jaehaerys made sure to hold Lord Stannis back for a moment.

"Lord Baratheon," he said in a low tone, standing by the side of the courtyard. "There will be a great many discussions held in the coming days and a great many decisions made. If you don't mind, I would very much like it if we could have a conversation about the state of the Stormlands so that I know how best to help you achieve your aims."

"That would be appreciated, Your Grace," Stannis said as he pulled off his riding cloak and handed it to one of his grooms.

"Very well. I shall make sure to call upon you before the coronation." Jaehaerys made his way from the courtyard with Ser Jaime in tow. The Lannisters had obviously already arrived judging by the number of men in red cloaks running around. Ser Jaime noticed too.

"Go on, go find your brother," Jae told him. "I'll be alright."

"Ser Gerold would have my head if I left you alone."

Jae rolled his eyes. "Alright, find someone to replace you, and then go find your brother. If anybody asks, tell them I ordered it."

"Thank you, my Prince," Jaime said, bowed, and left.

Cynical my arse, Jae thought with a smile as he watched him hurry down the corridor. Jaehaerys intended to return to his chambers when he was coincidentally come upon by Lady Olenna and her beloved granddaughter, Margaery.

"Your Grace!" Margaery exclaimed in surprise and curtsied. The doe-eyed Lady in her satin dress had her hair in an intricate braid, two golden earrings glinting as she moved.

"Lady Olenna." Jae inclined his head. "Lady Margaery. Where are you off to on this marvelous day?"

Margaery giggled and said, "Grandmother and I planned to have some tea in the gardens. Care to join us?" She batted her eyelashes at him. Poor girl. Everyone knew she was up there with the best of them when it came to the games of the court, but as a woman, she had to act the part of the innocent maid, awed and delighted by the most mundane of things. A shame, really. Jae felt an honest conversation with a woman like her could be highly entertaining.

Still, he had nothing better to do and he'd yet to gauge what the Tyrells were thinking. He could endure some giggling in exchange for some clues to their perspective on the coming ordeal.

"I would be honored, my Lady," he said and followed the two through the corridors of the Red Keep. Margaery babbled some nonsense about the coming Tourney and all the shining knights who would compete in it. It came to an end when they entered the garden and made their way to a terrace overlooking Blackwater Bay. Tyrell servants and guards kept the perimeter, ensuring they could have a private conversation.

"That's quite enough, darling," Lady Olenna said as they sat down. "Prince Jaehaerys is hardly one to be fascinated by blushing maidens and half-wits wielding sticks."

Well, that's one way to put it.

He meant to savor the following conversation. Lady Olenna's advanced age meant she could afford to say things others couldn't. If Margaery tried it, she'd be considered improper and discourteous. Olenna had no suitors with fragile egos she had to act unintimidating for and so could say whatever she bloody liked.

"Grandmother!" Margaery exclaimed. "Your grandsons are one of them!"

"More's the pity." Olenna turned her attention to Jae.

A servant girl approached, interrupting Olenna before she could utter a word, and asked, "Care for some tea, Your Grace?"

"Yes, thank you."

She poured him a cup and quickly made herself scarce after one look from Lady Olenna.

"Now that we've all been properly served, shall we discuss the enchanting aromas and intoxicating flavors, or shall we get down to it?" Olenna looked at him expectantly as she took a sip.

"How crude of you, Grandmother." Margaery shook her head with an apologetic look.

"Perhaps," Olenna conceded. "But it's not often I'm sat across the table from a man who's not an utter idiot and I mean to take advantage. Do you know why we've asked you to join us for tea, Your Grace?"

"For the pleasure of my company, I should think." Jae grinned, only because he didn't know why they'd ask him to join them. Not for certain, anyway. There could be so many explanations.

"That too, yes, but I'm more interested in your plans for the coming days."

That one took him off-guard. He took a sip of tea to buy himself time. "My plans, my Lady? I might be the Crown Prince, but I only serve at the pleasure of the King. It is his plans you should be more interested in."

"Provided he has any in the first place." Most would mutter, better yet whisper such a thing. Olenna said it openly and observed Jae's reaction.

"I couldn't possibly comment on what the King does or does not plan to do, my Lady."

"Well, then, let me put it this way; what do you wish to happen in the coming days?"

"Regarding what?"

"The King's policies, his appointments and even, dare I say it, his intentions in entering alliances." Olenna sipped her tea, eyeing Jae over the rim of her cup.

Fortunately for her, Jae meant to do everything in his power to see Aegon married to Margaery.

Three hundred years ago, Aegon the Dragon, in a political master-stroke worthy of legend, gave his descendants a powerful family they could call on at any time. He'd been acutely aware of the Reach's power. By raising up the Stewards of Highgarden, he'd divided the Reach, which in turn weakened it and made it easier to control. It served as a prime example of how a ruler could place a subject of the Crown in a position where they have no choice but to be loyal.

And to think Maester's still claimed Aegon did it on a whim. As if the man who united all of Westeros did anything on a bloody whim. Then again, the notion of Targaryens being warriors and madmen first and foremost had been propagated by the Citadel for a long time.

Now came the time to collect on the benefits of Aegon's wisdom. They had to provide the Tyrells with an infusion of Royal blood and cement their claim on Highgarden, ensuring the Crown had a powerful ally few would dare challenge.

Jae could admit it might prove to be a short-sighted move. Giving the Tyrells complete power over the Reach meant they'd be able to do anything they like in a generation. We have to survive this generation first, though, and it's not as if we have many other options.

Martells were already on-board, Baratheons had no girl of a proper age to offer and neither did the Arryns. That left the Tullys, the Lannisters, and the Starks. The Starks already had Jae, so no need to make Eddard Stark's daughter Queen, the Tullys were about as useful as a chastity belt in a brothel, and allowing Tywin Lannister a family bond with the Crown would be akin to asking for trouble.

Thus, Margaery Tyrell.

"I am sure the King shall weigh the matter of alliances carefully and choose a House who's long proven itself a leal servant of the Crown, worthy of the honor and the recognition."

Lady Olenna blinked and put down her cup. Message delivered.

"I understand," she said.

Margaery tried her best not to appear too gleeful. Her mindset presented another problem entirely. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

"And your ideas of how to handle the former rebels?" Lady Olenna asked.

"I shall have to defer to the King on that matter once he makes his opinion known."

"Oh, come now, Your Grace. We both know there are certain... ways a man such as yourself might come to exert influence."

Jae smiled lazily and picked up his own cup of tea. "And how exactly would you like me to exert this influence you speak of?"

"House Tyrell would like nothing better than to reestablish somewhat closer bonds with the other kingdoms, especially considering our potentially closer ties to the Crown." The look in her eyes concerned him. Was she threatening him? Telling him she would support any plans for peace if Jae made Margaery Queen and undermine them if he did not?

"Somewhat closer bonds?" Jae repeated. She wanted to eradicate causes for resentment among the former rebels but she didn't want to compete with them for favor with the Crown, the sneaky twat. "How benevolent of you."

"Many sons of the Reach perished fighting the rebels during the Rebellion, Your Grace," she said.

Jae raised an eyebrow. The Tyrells better not mention the cost of the rebellion to the Starks. "How many men can die feasting outside Storm's End anyway?"

 The two Ladies paused at that, thrown off to such a degree they even exchanged a look. Margaery met his eye and swallowed, saying, "My Lord—My Lord father was the only one to defeat Robert Baratheon in battle, besides King Rhaegar of course."

 Jae tilted his head. "And you consider the cost of this service to the Crown was too high?"

"No – of course not, Your Grace," Margaery replied. "House Tyrell has always been willing to make any sacrifice in service of the King."

"I believe you." Jae brushed some invisible lint from his sleeve. "I do hope the rest of the Royal family is as free of doubts as I am."

Lady Olenna had regrouped and returned to the fold. "And you would be the authority on what the Royal family does and does not doubt, would you?"

"No, of course not." Jae shook his head, allowing his amusement to show. "All I can do is make assumptions, and the opinions of these Dornishmen are not hard to predict, as I imagine you know yourself."

Lady Olenna drummed her fingers on the table and Jae felt that the moment swiftly approached – he'd undervalued their position enough to earn himself the right to dictate terms.

Lady Olenna said, "House Tyrell is committed to peace and prosperity throughout the Realm."

"An admirable sentiment," Jae replied. "Especially considering the fact that the level of your commitment might very well define the nature of your ties to the Crown.

He watched them take his words in, exchanging another quick look.

"You're in no position to make any guarantees," Lady Olenna put an end to the obfuscation.

Jae shrugged, a smile blossoming. "I suppose you know someone who is?"

Well, even the Queen of Thorns had no answer to that.