ASOIAF: Lord of Nature

(Olenna Tyrell, Highgarden)

At first, she didn't lend much credence to the rumors that had been spreading like wildfire recently.

Giants, magic, and castle-engulfing waves appear over the skyline. It was preposterous to believe such tales. But, when every single one of her spies reported the same damned events, her opinion changed.

These weren't like the failures of the past. Unlike when dealing Mudd or his Banners, placing a spy in the Braavosi forces was child's play in comparison.

The old thorn had even cheered on that ambitious snake of a Sealord. If he could rid them of the monstrosity that was Erlend Mudd, then she could finally sleep better at night, not having to fear the downfall of her House at every turn.

Unfortunately like all schemes before it, this one failed, and tragically at that. The Sealord hadn't just been stripped of his title, his dignity, and his reputation. He had also given the Mudd all the justification required to take back Braavos from the grasping hands of its supposed leaders.

She was surprised just how deep this conspiracy went. A cabal intent on curbing the Mudd's influence since its inception, centuries at that. Shame they failed to wipe out the Mudds before they became her problem.

Glancing at the girl in front of her, Olenna felt a mixture of admiration and disgust. "How long are you going to continue this Mummer's farce?" Her words were more scathing than she intended.

Her pride is still smarting over the fact that she'd been fooled for so long. Decades had gone by and she had never suspected that vapid actions were little more than a lie put on to fool her.

"How did you find out?" Instead of answering her, the girl audaciously demanded of her.

Rolling her eyes at the obvious deflection, "Your emotions have got the better of you girl. At least my Oaf of a son finally made himself useful for once and broke your mask."

"Well, I wasn't intending to maintain it any longer. I suppose Malora had the right to it, you still have some skill." If Olenna could be bothered she would've slapped the bitch right there.

Instead, she made do with what she had and lightly tapped her cane on the Hightower's shins. Ignoring the glare she received in turn.

"Don't act smug, girl. It does not suit you at all." Olenna rebuked her good-daughter.

Perhaps at any other time, she would have had the Hightower discreetly killed, but now she was aware any action against the Hightowers would bring nothing but ruin to her family.

As much as she liked to think of them as nothing more than tools to advance her station, Olenna knew very well that, unlike Luthor, she could never do the same with her remaining kin.

Those foolish children would never forgive her if they realized she had their mother put down, enough to tear apart everything they achieved in a bout of emotional stupidity.

There was also the issue that Alerie was their main connection with the Mudd King, she adored her granddaughter, but even she knew where that silly girl's loyalties truly lay.

"You do realize with the recent revelations, Chaos will soon engulf the Sunset Kingdoms." Seven help her. She was already going along with Mudd's propensity for pomp.

That man sure loved his ceremonies and symbolism.

"Oh they will jabber and talk the ears of anyone willing to listen, but it will ultimately come to nothing. Erlend's grip is far too strong to be so easily shaken off." Alerie pointed out the glaring issue.

Everything the King had done so far, had been aimed at cementing his rule and that of his House. The Kingdom's pillars were being built right now and none of the Great Houses could do anything to put a stop to it.

"Indeed. We should've united with the rest of the Kingdoms to throw him out when he landed a decade ago."

"I suppose you would've met with Stannis personally to convince him to fight alongside the Kingdom that starved him throughout the rebellion. Maybe the dwarf whose kin you encouraged to usurp him, whilst the Old Lion breathed his last, or the Dornish Snake whose sister and only tie to a defunct throne were in the hands of Mudd…"

Left unsaid was the fact that the Hightowers would've turned on them, even if they managed to convince the other Kingdoms to put their differences aside.

"We should have tried nonetheless."

Alerie didn't bother to answer her, knowing full well that Olenna was just ranting at this point.

Ever since Mudd had conquered the Seven Kingdoms, Olenna had been off her game. She hated to admit it, but she felt like she was losing her touch. Frustration and anger dominated her mind recently.

The spat between the Tyrells and the Lannisters was only getting worse and even threatened to spill over to the rest of the Reach.

"I will give some advice dear mother, you should focus on cleaning up your failed schemes. As much as I despise you and your methods, I care about our family more." Pausing for a moment, and making sure they were eye-to-eye, "Undermining the Crown has gotten you nowhere, you admitted previously the need for reconciliation, it's time you make true to your word." Alerie ended, reminding her of the words she once spoke to Willas.

Olenna went silent, her good-daughter had a point, this was not the time to squabble among themselves.

Mudd's reveal of just how far his power went sent a jolt through her body. The realization that she was no longer dealing with a normal man if the reports of her spies were of any indication.

That god walked amongst men once again, and she had no interest in earning his ire anymore than she already had.

One question remained in her mind, with all these powers appearing out of nowhere, what was the use of the dragons? Were they merely an intimidation tool or was there more to their existence than previously assumed?

A sudden clang broke her focus, raising her head to see the embarrassed figure of her good-brother Gormon standing next to Alerie who stared at him with befuddlement.

Taking a visible deep breath, "Someone tried to assassinate the Crown Prince." He finally managed to let out.

"Well… Fuck." Her good-daughter could not have put it better.

…

(Arianne Martell, the Water Gardens)

Pale pink marble paved her surroundings. Terraces overlooking numerous pools and fountains of what she considered the most precious resources within her kingdom.

Under the shade of the blood orange tree that was planted, Arianne Martell did her best to stave off the awkwardness in the air around them, her younger cousins nervously giggling to each other whilst peeking at the pile of parchment that lay beneath her father's feet, when they thought he wasn't looking.

The tension was palpable for all to see, the cause of it; the numerous reports that had reached their private retreat and breaking the former festive air.

"Are you going to sit there in silence or are you going to say something, Father." She snapped, breaking the oppressive silence.

Sending her a pointed glare, "What would you have me say, Arianne? That you're right, that I should have avoided antagonizing this… Sorcerer King." He rebuked.

Rolling her eyes at her father, who she both loved and hated in equal measure. "Exactly! Aunt Elia and Rhae and even Uncle Oberyn gave us the perfect opportunity to ingratiate ourselves with the Crown and what did you do with it? You spat on it in pursuit of some half-assed ambition our ancestors only vaguely dreamt about. He isn't even Valyrian!"

That seemed to get through his stubborn head, as he refused, rather failed to respond to her venomous words.

The Martell princess was by no means stupid, she would never have sharply admonished her father had the people present not been trustworthy. As his heir, she took her duties as seriously as she could, yet for reasons she could not fathom, he wished to make Quentyn his heir.

Was she not good enough? Had she not remained chaste when so many ladies her age had already lost their maidenhoods in 'riding' accidents? Proving that she wasn't the airheaded flighty princess he persuaded her to be.

Yet, still, he persisted in this foolish assumption that boorish Quentyn would somehow make a better Heir than her. What a ridiculous notion.

"I understand your frustrations, but you do not seem to realize the gravity of our situation." He said, gazing at her with the typical disappointment he usually had.

Sneering at the hypocrisy, "Tell me the truth, father. Are you speaking to me or yourself?" She responded scathingly.

Rising from her seat, Arianne gave her father the same patented look of disappointment he loved to give her. "I do not know why you're so insistent on antagonizing a man who could bury Sunspear in mere seconds, nor will I pretend to. If you continue to do so, then I will be forced to take drastic measures, I beg you not to force my hand." She pleaded one last time, before making her way to her chambers.

She needed some time alone.

…

(Doran Martell)

By nature, Doran was a cautious man.

But like all men before him, he was prone to making mistakes. Denying Mudd and subtly undermining the Conqueror was something he regretted deeply for a while now. Especially when he was fully aware of just how vindictive and unforgiving his perceived enemy tended to be.

Finding out that the man wielded mysterious powers that made the so-called Magicians, wizards, and warlocks of this world look little more than charlatans deeply unnerved him and for the first time in decades put the fear of god into him.

Dragons were enough of an issue on their own, adding magical abilities into an already overflowing pot was all but a sign from the gods to put a stop to his schemes.

So he hatched a plan, one that would see his family survive and perhaps even thrive in the new era.

"Are you sure this will work, my Prince?" His trusted guard questioned, looking pensive at the thought of what was to come.

"It is the only way to satisfy Mudd's desire for vengeance. In all honesty, I cannot claim I do not deserve what is to occur soon." He assured the man, confident in the significance of his latest scheme.

Not that the previous ones were successful.

Giving him a look of disapproval, "You have placed too much pressure on her, and too soon at that, no doubt the lordlings will not hesitate to take advantage of the situation." His confidante wasn't enthused by the plan.

Only Areo would dare speak out of turn, his honesty and loyalty to his House was one of the main reasons the Prince trusted him so much.

"Giving her much-needed experience and knowledge of what she can expect in the future." Doran continued the unspoken words.

"What of Quentyn? The boy expects to be made Prince after you. You filling his head with it all has not helped whatsoever." Areo pointed out.

"I would not do such a foolish thing, despite his sensible and dutiful behavior, he is too easily influenced by Anders. I would not hand the keys to my Kingdom to those ever-grasping fools."

"True."

They didn't continue their conversation, both of them preferring the silence as the Prince of Dorne pondered his next actions. 

Elia and Oberyn would need to be contacted so that they would not be taken by surprise and in turn do something stupid to jeopardize his plans. While he loved his siblings, he knew for a fact that they were ruled by their emotions.

It pained him that he would have to force his only daughter to go through with this, but it was the only way to prevent ruin from falling upon the rest of his kin.

As the man who was responsible for this all, it was only fair that he paid for it. Still, that did not mean he would let the lesser lords make use of this opportunity that would no doubt come.

The rats and snakes need to be taken care of, especially Anders.

…

(Stannis Durrandon, ???)

Standing on deck while the men went about their usual duties, the Durrandon head kept a keen eye on his surroundings.

His Majesty had given him command over a sizable portion of the Royal Fleet, intending to seize control over the treacherous free cities that lay on the western coastline of Essos, Pentos was merely the first to go.

They were only commanded to take the Western cities, his Majesty having no intent to go further into the slaving continent. Something about how it was not time yet.

He didn't truly care, since the Sunset Kingdoms would have more than enough trouble stabilizing the newest gains. Some silent prayers were sent to the Council who would no doubt face the biggest burden in administering these new lands.

The audacity to attempt an assassination on the King and his dragons had rattled the usually composed Stormlander. These foolish endeavors of theirs broke so many treaties and agreements that it would be a miracle if the plotters came out of this unscathed.

Then again, he was part of the King's response to the audacious scheme of these flesh-peddlers.

"My lord, we've spotted several Yi Ti mercantile vessels close to our current trajectory. Should we pursue them?" One of the marine officers stated, a minor noble from the Heartlands if he had to guess.

Using a spyglass, Stannis searched for the vessels that the Officer had mentioned.

It was an impressive number of ships, no doubt once these vessels were fitted to suit the needs of the Royal Fleet, they would make for fine additions.

Giving the vessels a thorough look, "Have a part of the fleet break off and seize those vessels and their cargo. The King has made it clear that until the Imperial Court provides a sufficient explanation and recompense for their part in the plot, no ship bearing the colors of the eastern empire is to be allowed entry or exit of our waters." He said.

"As you say, My lord." The man did not hesitate to carry out the given orders, with signals being sent to the rest of the fleet as they spoke.

Watching the men get to work, Stannis pondered the events that had happened recently. He, more than anything, felt glad to have bent the knee and remained loyal to the King, knowing what he did now about the living legend only further cemented that idea in his mind.

While there was doubt in him about what had occurred, he knew that there had to be some truth to it all.

They were dealing with things beyond their understanding and now more than ever he could feel the necessity of showcasing House Durrandon's loyalty to the Crown. Well aware that there were more than a few short-sighted fools attempting to agitate and rile up their fellow nobles.

This expedition was the perfect way to do so. Stannis recognized the move for what it was. Aware that by giving him overall command of the campaign for Pentos, Erlend was showing him and the rest of the Kingdoms the trust he held in Stannis.

Otherwise, he'd just have sent one of the Lieutenant Generals as he tended to do.

Interestingly the faith had been incredibly quiet on the matter, not daring to sow discord as they tended to do.

He knew the King had all but taken control over the faith, but how he did it remained a mystery to the dutiful Stormlander, only the gardeners before them had come close, and even then, those stuck-up Reachmen had to act carefully around them.

Benjen had written to him, speaking about how the faith within White Harbour had begun to harp on about the connection between the old gods and the new, and how Erlend was the key to it all, bringing them the salvation they needed.

Whether anyone believed it or not wasn't important right now. Rather, who was spreading such ideas concerned him more. Something like this was bound to gain traction once the events that occurred in Essos became known to all, and that understandably worried him.

What did this person gain from raising the King to a higher pedestal? More importantly, can his House come out of this unscathed?

…

(Tyrion Lannister, Casterly Rock)

"The hag hasn't made any moves recently."

"Don't expect her to do anything drastic anytime too soon, she must be shaken by the news coming from the East." Uncle Kevan explained. The bags under his eyes told Tyrion that the Queen of Thorns wasn't the only one shaken.

Gerion slumped on his seat, "We all knew he was special, just not this special."

"I worry more about what poison that silly girl has been telling him about us. Her temper has never been the best and we did not part on the best of terms." Aunt Genna said, reminding him of the ungrateful bitch that he had the displeasure to call his sister.

To say he despised that girl would be an understatement, so much Lannister blood split, and for what? So that she could run to the arms of an outsider once she failed. It was an insult to the prestigious legacy his family held.

Yet, he dared not act against the Crown, one wrong move and everything his family had worked for would come tumbling down, and by his own hands no less.

These rumored powers of the King frightened the dwarf greatly, wondering if the Rock would be the next target for these unfathomable giants and those bloody dragons.

As if reading his mind, "You need not worry much, nephew. The Queen has made it clear that as long as we remain sincere to the crown, nothing would befall our House." Kevan reassured him.

"How do we show our sincerity? The only connection we have to the Crown is that vapid viper and you know just how well that has gone." Gerion retorted.

"A betrothal. One between Tyrion's son and King's daughter."

"Rhaenys is engaged to the Crown Prince. Danaerys and Saera's hands are impossible to grasp. Don't tell me you plan to wed Tytos to a bastard?" Gerion said incredulously.

"Myrcella is the only blood-daughter the King has had so far, and she has a strong claim to the Rock." Tyrion spoke for the first time, breaking his silence.

"She's a bastard," Genna said, without much heat.

"The realm is already filled with legitimized bastards ruling all over, what's another?" His eldest Uncle realized what he was getting at. "It's not a terrible idea per se. If the King knows that you intend to let your son and his daughter share equal power, then he would be far more favorable to our House."

If there was one thing everyone in this room understood about the King. Then it was the sheer love and affection he had for his family. Willingly handing over power to his only daughter was one way to get in his good graces.

"This would be unfair to Tytos, he does not deserve to lose so much just so he can keep what is rightfully his." Gerion frowned, disliking the idea on principle, he feared the thought of a version of Cersei getting ahold of power.

"My son's claim is already on shaky ground due to my condition. Having him marry Myrcella could change that. Not to mention I doubt the King or the Queen for that matter would let her become anything like Cersei." Tyrion admitted bitterly.

Even now, despite everything he had done for the Westerlands, there were still many naysayers. Unable to get over the fact that he was a dwarf and even more were still bitter over the losses his late father had caused for the prosperous Kingdom.

His Uncles and Aunt gave him varying looks of pity. Well aware of just how difficult the young Lord's position was.

"What of the assassination attempts on the royal children? Surely they'll begin targeting Tytos once a betrothal is announced." If there was a figure more silent than Tyrion in this conversation, then it was his Uncle Tygett.

Now that he'd spoken, the Dwarf frowned. His grizzled Uncle had a point, those madmen who foolishly attempted to assassinate the royal children would not hesitate to turn their blades on the 'easier' target.

"We wait. Wait for the King to return and deal with these upstarts and whoever is behind these attacks." Tyrion decided, there was no need to hurry.

The only other candidates for a betrothal were the Durrandons and Starks. Neither of which had shown any indication that they desired a marriage pact with the Crown.

"You don't worry about those fools for long. The Crown Prince has shown his hand." Kevan interrupted, handing Tyrion a parchment.

Once he'd read the contents, Tyrion could only hope that the lion princess was not as ferocious as her protective brother.

Seven save them all, the heir was just as dangerous as his father.

…

(Benjen Stark, Winterfell)

He felt it.

Something both familiar and yet so foreign at the same time. His blood cried out in fear at what lay north.

Those ice-cold eyes haunted his mind and fueled his sleep with nightmares. Nightmares that would put the fear of the gods in any sane person. Benjen had no idea why he had to suffer through this all and he despised how weak it left him.

Eyes that were painfully similar to his own and that of his siblings. Eyes that had no right belonging to that… thing. There was a sense of wrongness in them that made his soul cry out in pain.

There was hope, hope that he could understand what was happening to him.

So when word reached him of the King's unnatural feats, the Stark Patriarch knew that if he wanted answers, then only his liege could provide them. 

Even if it proved pointless, he'd still need to discuss with the King the matters concerning the odd turn the faith had recently taken within the North. It wasn't that he was opposed to breaking the tension between the two major religions, he just wanted to avoid plunging his Kingdom into religious turmoil.

"Are you sure of this, my love?" His wife looked at him anxiously, whilst Jon stared at them with evident worry.

"If the rumors are true, then I believe that only the King can provide the help I need. Even then, I'll still need to travel south to discuss the matters beyond the wall." He said gruffly.

"Be careful father. Winter will soon be upon us, the Maester says that it will be nothing like what had been seen before." Jon fretted.

"That's what I fear, son. That's what I fear more than anything else."

Giving his wife a chaste kiss, and his son one on his forehead, the older Stark swiftly made his way to his horse. There was no time to waste, for Winter would soon be upon them.

He just hoped that they would be able to get through it in one piece.

======

Note: I wanted to get all the Great House's thoughts on their current situation, and this felt like the appropriate time to do so. As always, the Starks are the first Great House to notice signs of the coming danger, how much good that will do them heavily depends on Erlend not dragging things out. Don't worry I won't nerf him, I'm sure we all had enough of that. I kinda wrote myself into a hole with how paranoid I made him, some of it is justified, this is Planetos after all, but damn is it aggravating once I look back and think about it more.