g a r l a n . t y r e l l

though  the  bulk  of  his  waking  hours  had  been  spent  within  the  mines  of  dragonmont,  rubbing  soot - covered  elbows  with  the  common  folk  that  laboured  for  a  light  purse  of  silver  dragons  and  warm  broth  to  fill  their  bellies,  edmure  had  some  insight  on  the  current  shift  for  power  in  the  vale  ─  both  due  to  his  close  relationship  with  the  hardyng  champion  and  by  his  relations  to  the  current  ruling  lord  of  the  vale.  if  he  had  been  slightly  bitter  at  the  lack  of  assistance  from  the  valemen  to  their  riverland  neighbours,  no  one  would  know  any  better.  (  the  upwards  curl  of  his  mouth  grew  ever - so - slightly  in  an  effort  to  conceal  the  harsh  grimace  that  would  have  otherwise  found  home  upon  his  features.  it  was  still  strange  to  speak  of  sweetrobin  and  lysa  in  a  detached  manner  though  he  would  strive  to  seem  as  unaffected  by  lost  as  lord  garlan  seemed  to  be.  )  ❝  i  will  be  sure  to  do  so,  when  we  travel  up  north.  i  do  not  doubt  we  will  be  here  for  much  longer  and  the  vale  is  within  the  path  to  winterfell.  i  can  only  hope  that  the  lords  of  the  vale  with  rally  to  this  great  cause,  if  not  for  anything  else.   ❞

there  was  a  cleverness  to  the  tyrell  lord  that  made  edmure  feel  quite  foolish  in  comparison  ─  as  though  garlan  tyrell  was  privy  to  a  secret  that  no  one  else  knew,  as  though  he  was  laughing  at  the  tully  lord  beneath  a  guise  of  politeness.  perhaps  it  was  his  own  discomfort,  his  own  insignificant  feelings  when  compared  to  his  royal  nephew  that  left  him  in  such  a  position  with  suspicion  upon  his  mind.  he  would  not  think  unkindly  of  lady  margaery’s  brothers,  especially  not  if  they  were  still  expressing  civil  courtesies.  ❝  the  misfortune  that  has  befallen  lady  margaery  is  a  terrible  thing  indeed  …  i  have  only  known  your  sister  for  a  mere  few  weeks  but  she  deserves  a  gentle  match.  ❞  after  such  horrendous  husbands  ─  though  that,  he  wisely  keeps  unsaid.  one  was  a  king  of  frivolous  desires  and  the  other  was  rumoured  to  be  a  beast  alongside  being  a  bastard.  if  the  tyrells  were  looking  for  another  king,  surely  robb  would  outrank  both  renly  and  joffrey  baratheon.

❝  ah,  well.  i  did  say  that  i  am  biased.  ❞  a  burst  of  controlled  laughter,  as  though  he  means  to  give  the  impression  of  a  composure  he  did  not  possess.  ❝  though  a  man  of  the  sword  may  not  call  this  a  fault  …  my  nephew  has  had  prospects  for  marriage  before.  ❞  the  dreadful  outcome  of  such  arrangements  with  the  freys  were  better  left  unsaid.  ❝  he  has  declined  all  of  them  in  favor  of  focusing  on  the  battlefield.  i  suspect  he  would  never  cease  to  fight  for  the  north  till  freedom  is  obtained  and  while  admirable,  it  would  not  make  for  an  attentive  husband.  ❞  to  even  speak  of  it  seemed  wrong  and  edmure  shifted  from  one  foot  to  the  other  in  minor  discomfort.  ❝  the  northern  part  of  the  realm  is  rather  …  harsh  and  singularly  minded.  it  is  both  a  blessing  and  a  flaw.  ❞

The sooner that the Vale was out of the clutches of Littlefinger, the better off all of them would be. That, Garlan was certain of. Yet he could not bring himself to care in a personal manner. There was little lost in the Vale and his family had given the Royces enough of their gold for Loras’ follies. But speaking of family matters was none of his business and the custody of Lord Arryn would fall under family matters even if it was also of a political curiosity. “Has a new Lord Protector been named?” he asked, curious as to who held the power. It would make sense if Robert Arryn’s guardian were such, though he could not imagine the lords of the Vale allowing an outsider to wield such influence. He shook his head. “The men of the Vale are men of honor. They might have been influenced by others in rallying to your nephew’s cause, but hopefully that hindrance no longer exists. They will rally to the cause in the North; their honor will demand it.”

If Edmure thought Garlan was clever, it was only because Garlan felt as if he had the upper hand in their conversation. He enjoyed a nice jape, though this one was going on longer than he’d thought. Perhaps Lord Tully would be an acceptable match, he thought to himself as they continued to converse. “That she does,” he said politely, his eyes narrowing upon the other man’s expression. “She has seen much more than most people her age.” Garlan sniffed. “And has unfortunately been matched to those who are less than worthy.” Lips thinned. “But now that the decision is left to Willas, that mistake will not be made again.”

Edmure’s laugh elicited a smile from Garlan and he shook his head in amusement, acknowledging Lord Tully’s words for what they were. “That you did,” he drawled, knowing he’d been warned early on regarding the other man’s bias. Lips flickered in a smirk, though there was little amusement in it. How could anyone show amusement toward the Red Wedding? In a way he supposed he could not blame the Freys for feeling slighted, though of course the actions of such emotions were of the most horrific he’d heard of in his entire life. Garlan threw the thoughts from his mind as he listened to Edmure, nodding his head. “Aye, I can see where that is problematic,” he agreed. “I would not wish for my sister to be an amusement or always second-best. She is the jewel of our house; Willas and I would have her appreciated for her mind more than her political power.” He shook his head again. “It is that. It is rather insular, I’ve heard.”

Garlan wondered, as they spoke, if Lord Tully had any idea of how much he was having him on. Honestly, the idea of Margaery marrying the North? Such a thought was beyond his comprehension.

CLOSED STARTERS / ACCEPTING

@garlanofroses / ❝ She will go down in flames and blood. ❞

the hand that clutches at her husband’s arm flexes then as her teeth begin to gnaw anxiously at her lower lip. a habit that had only worsened since they had departed dragonstone. it would seem she had traded her worries of a dangerous political atmosphere for a closer march to death. and yet still conversation seemed to turn toward their allies amongst the tyrell camp. “the queen regent has sent thousands of men from the westerlands and pledged lannister forces.” leonette points out, making great efforts to keep her voice lowered to avoid the chance of any prying ears about the camp overhearing.

“perhaps she has seen the light, and wishes to fight for the living?” so wilfully optimistic it near bordered on naive and yet the lady of spring couldn’t help but long for it all the same. was it so strange for her to hope the queen they had sided with possessed a hidden heart? wide blue eyes look up at her husband then, almost as if pleading for good news. “i just want to believe that we’ve sided with the right queen. that it doesn’t have to end in fire and blood.”

He could understand his wife’s anxiousness and Garlan patted her hand as she squeezed his arm. It had been strange to leave the idyllic refuse that Stonedance had become and he was not pleased to be traveling further from home yet again. He inclined his head as Leonette spoke, acknowledging the truth in her words. “She has,” he responded. “Though we hardly know that she will follow through. A pledge means different things to different people.”

Garlan raised a brow as he looked over at his wife. He loved her, more than life itself, but her ability to see the goodness in people never ceased to amaze him. A lesser man would call her naïve, but he knew better and the smile he gave her was fond. “I suppose anything is possible, but I find it unlikely she would fight for anything except the Lannister coffers.” It was, perhaps, not the nicest thing he could have said, but Garlan also knew that his family had grown weary of being in bed with lions. “I believe it will end in fire and blood either way, my love,” he said as he lifted Leonette’s hand to his lips and kissed her palm, keeping his voice quiet. “The only question is which side we’ll be on when the time comes.”

☠ - angry/violent headcanon

perhaps she wouldn’t find herself so upset by the remarks that had been aimed her way since the day they wed, if she weren’t so intent on being liked. more than anything she longed to be accepted by her new family, to have them proud to see her bear the grand sigil of house tyrell. every pointed insult or veiled mockery only served to show her she was still a way off yet. “you musn’t say such things.” soft reprimand leaves her lips, though she is internally grateful for his constant support. always could she count on garlan to come to her defence, ever her gallant knight. “you’ll be sorry for it when she’s gone, she’s still your family my love.” though olenna had often been a thorn in her side, it was in her nature to see the good she had done for her family. the day she was gone from this world would be sad indeed.

she can at least take some comfort in his words, knowing he was likely right. as persuasive as the queen of thorns could be, it was indeed willas now that they all must answer to as lord of highgarden. and she doubted very much that he would be sending his little sister into the wolf’s den anytime soon, no matter how cosy an alliance it made. “oh you would now, would you? then perhaps i ought to warn dear willas of the threat.” leonette’s brows arch playfully, a pretty laugh leaving her rosy lips. she is satisfied with the promise that their son will see the dragons soar as he so desires, and a small part of leonette too who still finds childish wonder in their magic. “it is certainly a once in a lifetime chance for us all to see.”

the process of losing one’s family was a painful one, something she was keen for her husband to avoid if possible. though there were cracks in his relationship with loras, she preferred to be of the mind that they could still be fixed. “what did you argue over? nothing too serious, i hope.” the gentle lady’s voice grew sad as her attention is offered to him completely. “i know he vexes you, but i think it would do you both some good if you were to see the other is eachother’s shoes. do not be too hard on him, he does adore you so very much.” either way, she believed wholeheartedly that having loras join them in their new home would be good for them all. her hand remains clasped in his, finding comfort in having him so close after weeks of an empty bed. “margaery busies herself with the mining efforts, i’ve hardly seen her. in truth i worry for her, she works herself so hard but i know she does so half out of distraction. so as not to think on her grief too long. you and your brother will go a long way to helping her.” a half smile touches her lips, “you needn’t worry for me, i’ve been well, all the better now you’re here.”

Though he nodded at her words, Garlan had little intent of truly following through with being quiet. “If my grandmother can dish it to others, she can certainly learn how to take criticism within the family,” he pointed out, lips twitching at the corners. “And it is the truth. She will be gone sooner rather than later, unless she chooses to hang on for pure spite.” Garlan would not put that past her, he supposed, yet he kept that thought to himself. “I may miss her, it’s true, but you are my family now. You and the children mean more to me than my grandmother ever could.”

He chuckled. “Willas knows me well enough to know it would hardly be a threat so much as an eventuality,” he drawled, his lips curving as his tone moved into a tease. He nodded as he looked at the children playing on the floor; it was the first moment they’d all been together in quite some time and Garlan would enjoy as much of it as he could, for who knew when things would be like this again? “Aye,” he agreed. “I will speak to some of the captains in the dragon queen’s retinue and see if we can find a time when it would be agreeable for Gareth to see the dragons.” See, not touch; he imagined he’d need to pick his wife up off the floor if Gareth were to ever touch one of the beasts.

At his wife’s question, Garlan shrugged one shoulder. “The past,” he stated, keeping his eyes anywhere but on Leonette’s. He did not think he wished to see the disappointment in them he knew he deserved. “We discussed how some of his decisions have led our family to where it is today and it did not end well.” Truthfully, it had ended worse than simply not well, though Garlan saw little reason to tell her that just yet. “Aye, he does.” He ran a hand along his jawline, feeling regret at his actions not for the first time. He and Loras would need to reconcile at some point; he knew this and yet he continued to provoke, to rise to other provocations. A quick inhale and exhale left him with a harried look upon his face and he squeezed Leonette’s hand as she explained what his sister had been keeping occupied with. “It will be good for us to be together,” he acknowledged. “I hope she does not work herself too hard for the good of others.” With a shake of his head, Garlan leaned over to press a kiss to the corner of his wife’s mouth. “And I am pleased to be here with you,” he mused with a soft smile. “Perhaps we shall take a few moments to retire. I could use a nap; do you not agree?” His lips quirked and his eyes darkened as it became clear a nap was the furthest thing from his mind.

Their family had always been stronger together and she would always be grateful to have been born a Tyrell when the affection they held for one another seemed almost entirely unrivalled by other Great Houses. As such she took great comfort in both their presence and their words, a smile tugging at her lips with her brother’s promise, her own light words following after. “Then I shall believe your words as much as I believe all of us will do our utmost to ensure it.” Some called the ambition that their house held unseemly but the rose had always seen little wrong in wanting to secure a better, more secure future for their family.

Playful tut left her lips, almost reminiscent of the septa they’d had as children. “Come now, Garlan, you know I have to have some modesty.” Shoulders straightened slightly as her impersonation continued further with chiding tones. “It is quite unbecoming of a lady to boast. Even if it is of how many men have become enamoured enough with their vision of her to pledge themselves.” The mock gravity of her tone did not last long after she had finished before a grin spread across her lips at the moment of levity. Slim shoulders dropped once more and she rolled them smoothly into a shrug as airy words left her lips, doe eyes dancing slightly as she spoke. “I could not help but persuade a few that their vows would be better placed elsewhere as much as I appreciate their kind offers.”

At the mention of their mother, expression grew sombre, reminded of the loss that they had all suffered as well as the distance that remained between them. “How is she?” Words were soft and filled with a regret that she was unable to comfort her mother upon the loss of her husband and yet she knew Alerie would rather she stayed in the thick of it all. “I wrote to her once but it never seems quite enough. I fear she keeps things from me in her replies.” Doe eyes are cast down to the ground, taking in the stone of the mine as she collects her thoughts. Upon hearing his next words however, they immediately flick up to meet his, smile already glowing on her features. “The children and Grandmother? Oh that is wonderful news.” A laugh is allowed to bubble up from her lips before brow raises and mischief is clear. “I can imagine the journey though and I am afraid I do not envy you at all.”

The Tyrells were often called opportunists, their roots coming from stewards that had been in the right place at the right time to offer support to the eventual Targaryen king. While many of them disliked the moniker, it was something that Garlan found intriguing. He wore the label like a badge of honor, always eager to prove the other side wrong, to ensure that they realized just how much influence the Tyrell name truly had. The largest part of their success, however, was the unity that they displayed. “I do not doubt it,” he responded with a soft chuckle. “We have our plans; let the other speak of that which they do not know.” Shaking his head, he looked around them. “Is it always so dreary here?” he asked. “I’ll be pleased when we’ve left.”

He chuckled in response at his sister’s comment about modest. “You do,” he responded with a soft tease to his tone. He had always enjoyed teasing his sister, keeping it light so she knew it was a jest, and he wondered if she only had a small handful of admirers. “And are there any you’re looking back at?” he inquired with a raised brow. He had his own assumptions, of course, though Garlan was loathe to actually bring it up to her in such a public place. “I imagine Grandmother would have you wed to the Stark king if she has her way.” But that would happen over his dead body; his sister was much too valuable to be lost to the barren wasteland that was the North. He assumed that Willas agreed.

Thinking of their mother gave Garlan pause. He still felt some guilt over leaving her behind, over taking away the children that had become her reason to continue on, even though he knew she would be fine. He expected she had made herself rather busy, and he did not envy the women that would likely be brought out as possible future ladies of Highgarden. “I believe Uncle Baelor will be staying with her for some time now,” he said softly. “And for now, Willas is with her. He will likely need her guidance since Grandmother has chosen to be here.” Lips quirked at the corners and Garlan shook his head. “Aye, it is good news,” he acknowledged, inclining his head as he ran a hand along his jawline. “But you are not incorrect; the journey was rather terrible. It took nearly twice as long as it would have otherwise. I’d made plans for the children but Grandmother and her wheelhouse slowed us down.”

Garlan kept quiet as his brother spoke. In truth, his originally intent had been to calm Loras, though it seemed that his own words had the opposite effect. Loras might be somewhat correct at Garlan’s thoughts, but only slightly. [ Garlan, contrary to popular belief, knew that he had been rather hard on his younger brother, knew that he had expected more than he should have, knew that he needed to get over himself if they were to ever move forward. He’d just been unwilling to do so as of yet. ] If he was being frank, Garlan was used to the venom that flowed from Loras’ lips, was used to his brother becoming angry or wanting another to suffer.

What he was unused to, however, was having Loras’ ire directed at him.

His jaw clenched as he looked over at his brother, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from fighting back before Loras was finished; it would do neither of them any good to interrupt when Loras was like this and as angry as Garlan could feel himself becoming, he had the presence of mind to keep himself in check. The tear down Loras’ face showed the source of the anger – or was it anguish – and Garlan let out a long exhale before he spoke.

“Do you have a preference with which assumption I should start with?” he inquired, his eyes narrowing as his voice grew taut. “I think you’ve made mistakes, but I am not so cruel to think you a traitor or a turncloak.” He clenched and unclenched his own fists to keep from swinging them. “And if I hated you, I would not try so hard to keep my thoughts inside my head.”

Sucking in another breath, Garlan continued, though in a different vein, unable to hold his ire incompletely. “Aye,” he drawled, his tone sarcastic. “Taking the black to avoid your family. Is there anything more craven?” He shook his head.

“you’re teasing me. are you trying to get me in trouble with your grandmother? you know she already finds me quite unbearable.” her delicate features wrinkle but a kiss from the man she adored soon smoothed them out once more, donning a pretty smile brighter than any sun. how could any cloud bother her for long when she had all she wanted at her side once more? “poor willas. though as far as women go she is certainly the most beautiful, i am not sure she would be of any use. i have heard whispers the targaryen will be the very last.” leonette knows she had been fortunate to marry for love when so many of her friends had their husband chosen for them. it saddened her to think that her tyrell siblings may face the same fate. “but surely she would not banish margaery to the north? she’d have such a miserable time there and it is so far away.”

a tender smile is offered to her eldest as a promise to behave leaves his lips. soon followed by excited chattering about the dragons that flew over the cliffs of dragonstone, beasts his mother had told him all about in a slew of letters. “if we don’t take him to see the dragons in flight he might never forgive us, i don’t think i’ve ever seen him so enthusiastic about anything.” before settling in entirely, she turns to the waiting lady and asks for their drinks and something from the kitchens to pick at before turning back to her husband. “was the journey really so tiring?”

leonette’s brows knit together for a moment, a frown passing across her features as she squeezes his hand in return. whilst she certainly saw no problems having loras with them upon their return to the reach, would their life really be enough to distract? “if it’s what your brother would like then of course he can join us. i must admit i am surprised to hear you, of all people, suggest such a thing. but i am glad to hear you are considering setting any differences you might have aside if this will help him.” the lady of brightwater was not as unobservant as she seemed, and she knew full well of the complexities between the tyrell brothers. thought it saddened her to think of any rift amongst them, she had thought there was little she could do to patch it up. “what does he say?”

Though he was teasing her, his lips twisted into a small scowl as Leonette mentioned how Olenna had treated her. In truth, Garlan cared little about his grandmother’s opinion of Leonette. He did not think she would have approved of anyone he’d married that was his own choice. [ Garlan had been lucky, he knew, that he’d been allowed to marry the only woman he’d ever wanted. It had been the only time he’d felt as if his wants had been taken into consideration by his father; for all of Mace’s bluster, Garlan had loved him that day. ] But there was part of him that grew more piqued each time a loaded barb was sent Leonette’s way, each time she was made to feel any less a part of their family because she did not share the blood of kings. “She will not be around to treat you as such much longer,” he stated, his voice belying the lightness of his expression. Though it would be just like Olenna to outlive them all, would it not? He was unsurprised by the information Leonette revealed and he merely nodded. “He is needed in Highgarden and we all know it. He would not do as a consort in King’s Landing.” Personally, if given the choice, Garlan would not return to King’s Landing either.

“It matters not what Grandmother would do with Margaery,” he admitted with a wry smile. “I do not believe Willas would send her to the North. And if he tried, I would remind him which of us is the better swordsman.” His lips twitched as he looked at their son and he nodded. “Aye, we will have to take him,” he agreed. “So long as he stays close to me, I do not mind showing him the dragons. They are magnificent, beasts though they are.” He shrugged at the question about the journey. “Loras and I had an argument on the way,” he admitted. “I was honest and he took it like the spoilt child he can be.”

Leonette was right – the thought of having Loras at Brightwater was a surprising one. He lifted his wife’s hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm. “I have not discussed it with him. It was a thought I had on the journey there and then we got into a stupid argument that wasn’t really an argument, I suppose. More Loras not liking what I had to say.” Garlan shook his head. “We will resolve it at some point, I know.” One side of his mouth lifted up. “How has it been here? How is Margaery? How are you?”

he  can’t  recall  the  last  time  he  left  the  reach,  and  it’s  that  unnerving  thought  that  brings  him  here  in  the  first  place  .  the  new  lord  was  growing  restless  in  his   home,  feeling  utterly  useless  in  his  seat  whilst  the  rest  of  the  seven  kingdoms  sought  out  solutions  in  the  crownlands  .  while  the  journey  from  the  reach  isn’t  the  easiest,  willas’  disability  only  adding  to  the  difficulty  of  the  trek,  he  ultimately  believed  it  would  be  worth  it  .  and  once  he  saw  his  garlan’s  face,  that  belief  was  confirmed  .

❛  garlan  !  ❜  he  echoes,  tired  eyes  brightening  significantly  at  the  sight  of  his  younger  brother  .  while  he  didn’t  come  all  this  way  for  a  simple  reunion,  willas  can’t  deny  that  the  thought  didn’t  spark  a  little  more  incentive  .  with  his  free  hand,  the  other  holding  his  weight,  he  returns  his  brother’s  embrace,  feeling  close  to  home  already  despite  being  so  far  away  .  

❛  it’s  good  to  see  you,  brother   .  ❜  he  takes  a  step  back,  grinning  from  ear  to  ear  .  ❛  i  hope  i  haven’t  caused  too  much   commotion  .  i  realize  now  i  probably  should  have  sent  word  ahead  of  my  arrival  .  ❜  he  eyes  his  brother’s  sword  amusedly,  raising  a  hand  in  feigned  offence  .  ❛  i  would  have  surrendered  .  ❜

It was good to see Willas. Garlan had missed his brother’s wisdom, his way of looking at the world, and truth be told, he had simply missed him. They had grown up close, nearly as twins, and it had been difficult for Garlan when life had taken them in somewhat different directions. While Garlan had expected Willas to join them at some point in time, he had not realized it would be so soon. There was a joy in his expression that Garlan reserved only for family and as he pulled back from his brother, he could not keep the smile off of his face.

“It is good to see you, too,” he responded, gesturing behind him for the master-at-arms to resume training with Gareth now that he knew the new arrivals meant them no harm. “Only some commotion,” he responded, lifting his shoulders in a facsimile of a shrug. “One can’t be too careful these days and I had no knowledge you were coming.” His lips quirked at the corners. “The children will be pleased, Loras included.” Garlan’s words were teasing, though he rather thought his younger brother could act like a spoilt child when it suited him.

Chuckling, Garlan shook his head and ran his hand along his jawline, pulling on his beard. “Aye, I’d have hoped you would have,” he jested as he rested his hand on the pommel of his sword again briefly. “But I’m pleased I’ve no need to run you through with my sword.” He tilted his head to the side, lips quirking in another jest. “I’d have hated to be pecked to death by your hawks, brother.”

Many days Garlan spent on Dragonstone, but at least every other morning, he took an hour to work with his son on swordsmanship as he’d promised his wife he would. Gareth showed promise and not for the first time, Garlan wished he had not waited so long to begin his instruction with the sword.

Today he was in the tiltyard with Gareth, critiquing his son’s form, when he heard a commotion in the keep’s courtyard. Unsure of what could be the cause, he gestured for Gareth to say with the master-at-arms while he traded his wooden sword for live steel, hand on the rose pommel in case he needed to draw his blade. What he saw, however, as he approached the courtyard was hardly anything nefarious and his hand instantly withdrew from his sword as a smile rose on his face.

What a welcome sight Willas Tyrell was – Lord Tyrell now – in the Crownlands.

“Willas,” he exclaimed, his smile growing into a grin at the sight of his elder brother. Thick as thieves they’d always been and it had been difficult in recent years for Garlan to spend so much time without him, having been in King’s Landing and all over the Crownlands in service to House Lannister. Even coming to Dragonstone to command the Reach forces had not made the separation easier and he hoped that his brother’s arrival meant he would be staying for some time. Garlan reached for his brother, giving him a quick embrace and clap on the back, before he pulled back.