randomosity | [For Hannibal] The Raid

[For Hannibal] The Raid

Since the Lannister execution and the overthrowing of Tommen Baratheon, Hannibal had settled into the Iron Throne rather comfortably with Margaery at his side. The Bolton reign had begun. And having already amassed a strong brood of children, the dynasty looked as if it would be set for some time.

Of course there were those who opposed their new King. Remnants of those loyal to the Lannisters, or the true Targaryen loyalists who considered Hannibal an unworthy successor in comparison to Daenerys. There were minor uprisings, which were put down with ease between the Bolton and Tyrell army.

But a raven arrived one morning from Winterfell.

The royal family sat at the breakfast table. Rhys and Reina were bickering over the last biscuit, while Aenar crumbled his food between his tiny fingers, and Margaery held Lorys to her breast to feed her. A servant brought the note, addressed to Margaery, which Margaery took with her free hand. Her expression turned grave as she looked to Hannibal.

"It's from Sansa. She says a few days ago a messenger from the Dreadfort arrived and told her that there was activity stirring on the Iron Islands..." she was nervous. The Ironborn were a salty, devious lot. Her grandmother had always preferred the quasi-savage Dornish to the Ironborn.

No sooner had she read the message, then the signal horn sounded and Gold Cloak rushed in. Black sails bearing the golden kracken were approaching Blackwater Bay at top speed - faster than any ship they'd yet seen. Margaery went pale.

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Margaery agreed and followed Hannibal to the main hall. Olenna looked up from the twins when the door opened and shot up. She bolted for Margaery and wrapped her arms tight around her, though she was careful of young Aenar.

"My sweet girl, thank the gods you aren't hurt," she looked Margaery over and frowned at the bruises. But they all sat down all the same.

"I'm fine grandmother, thanks to my husband," Margaery smiled. "Were Rhys and Reina well behaved?"

"They were," Olenna replied as the main courses were brought out.

Hannibal gave a glance to Olenna when she spotted the bruises. He hated that they were there too, he wanted her to know that. He smile dto his children as they began eating breakfast. "Good job. Now, make sure you eat well in preparation for your studies today." He said. Both Rhys and Reina nodded their head in obedience.

Olenna shook her head, furious that Margaery had been handled so harshly. But time enough for that later. Margaery stroked Reina's hair and smiled as they ate.

"What are you studying today, little loves?" She asked.

"History!" Rhys proclaimed.

"And art," added Reina.

"Be sure to pay attention and do your absolute best," Margaery insisted. "Make Mama and Papa proud."

Hannibal nodded his head in agreement. Soon Rhys and Reina weee collected by their tutors. The maids came for Aenar and Loerys. Hannibal kissed each child on the top of the head before they left. He watched as all four of them left. He held a hand up as the rest of the room cleared out. Brienne came in to signal that the three of them had absolute privacy.

Hannibal pulled Margaery close in his protective hold and kissed her temple tenderly. "Take your time my love. I am here for you." He said softly. His eyes flashed to Olenna as a warning to not push too hard.

Margaery had no doubt that Rhys and Reina would do well at their studies, especially after their rescued mother had asked it of them. Only when the babies were gone and Brienne signalled that they were alone did Margaery let herself feel and look vulnerable. Olenna's eyes were fixed on her granddaughter."

"Margaery? Come, child, tell me what happened," she insisted softly.

Margaery bit her lower lip and looked up to her grandmother. "Obviously you know that I was taken by Euron Greyjoy when the Ironborn attacked King's Landing. He took me back to the Iron Islands. After that...." Margaery shook a little and had to pause before continuing. "He took me into his chamber..."

This is when tears began to form in Margaery's eyes. Again she felt overwhelmed with a sense of guilt. How could she not have fought harder to keep him at bay? How could she not have resisted her fate?

Hannibal could feel Margaerys apprehension growin as she spoke. He pulled her tighter against him even more when she paused. "It is not your fault my love. I did not provide proper weapons for you to use to defend yourself and get away." He said.

She might not have considered it before, but Hannibal felt guilty that she had been taken Ms trussed up like she was. He should have given her hidden blades up the sleeves of her dress to get away. Her dress was well armed if they had tried to retaliate. Hannibal wished he would have put Margaery in a hidden box as well.

Margaery may not have considered it, but Olenna did. She looked to Hannibal as he spoke and nodded as though it were obvious. But she would wait for Margaery to finish before continuing. Margaery steeled herself and took a deep breath before she kept speaking.

"Euron took me to the Iron Islands...and into his chambers..." She looked to her grandmother with tears in her eyes before breathing deep again. "...and He violated me..."

Olenna glanced to Hannibal with dark, vengeful eyes. "I told you to keep her safe. I told you to protect her, especially when you started this battle for the Iron Throne. Now look what's happened!!"

"Hannibal saved me, grandmother!" Margaery exclaimed. "He stopped Euron before he could finish within me!" Olenna heard the words, but did not respond.

Hannibal's eyes showed anger in them, but they were at himself and not only what had happened. He just looked at Olenna, but didn't argue with her that he had failed Margaery on this.

When Margaery swore that he had stopped Euron, Hannibal nodded. "I pulled him away and removed his cock from his body in time to stuff it down his own throat so that he could swallow his own seed. I ensured that he did not leave anything behind." He said with darkness in his voice and eyes.

He continued to hold Margaery tight. He looked up at Olenna. "He suffered greatly for how foolhardy he was. As did the scum that lived on those forsaken islands." He said darkly.

Margaery put her hand over Hannibal's, she didn't blame him in the slightest for what had happened. She wanted him to know that she loved him and nothing in the world could make her that upset with him.

Olenna still looked hardened. "Did they indeed?"

"As I told our son, they paid the Bolton price," Margaery confirmed. "They were punished severely, then the islands were burned to the water's edge."

She laced her fingers with Hannibal's and she leaned into him as she spoke.

Hannibal appreciated Margaerys comfort and kissed her temple to return the comfort to her. He looked at Olenna and saw that she still doubted his words. "I broke every bone in his body one by one at my wife's command. He was peeled open and his ribs pulled out to look like an eagle. Then my wife commanded the final part of his punishment...we dangled him over the water as a group of sharks tore him apart while he was still alive. Every last Ironborn that was present on the islands were slaughtered. The bastards he aired were freed from their heads and those have been placed on the likes around the Red Keep. We set fire to every building and the dragons tore into the castle to destroy the bridges that provided access along with the roofs. I have set a high bounty for the heads of any Ironborn that were not on the island." He said.

He didn't hold back on the details. He would allow Margaery to admit to her grandmother what part she took as she desired.

Margaery had said no secrets, but it didn't behoove them for her grandmother to know what she had commanded the assassins to do. So Margaery kept quiet. She let Hannibal explain as much as he cared to. Olenna didn't look put off by Hannibal's explanation in the slightest. She was happy, to know that the Ironborn scum had paid for hurting her Margaery.

After a long pause she softened and held her arms open to Margaery. The younger Tyrell cried before wrapping her arms around her grandmother and holding her tight. Olenna hugged her granddaughter and gently rubbed her back. "Shhhhh...it's all right child, it's all right. You're home and safe now."

Olenna looked to Hannibal. She could smell moon tea, but wanted to be sure. "You made certain she drank moon tea after her encounter? It won't due to have any remnants of that pirate running about."

Hannibal let Margaery go into that embrace. There was a question hidden deep in his eyes, but he did not leave it there for long.

He nodded at Olenna's question. "Before we went to sleep last night and first thing this morning." He answered.

It was then that Hannibal realized what had bothered him. Margaery hadn't cried in his arms about this. She had been upset and traumatized, but had not cried. He felt off balance about it...something about that didn't sit well with him and he couldn't place it.

Margaery sat back after a moment and wiped her eyes on a kerchief. She cuddled in close to Hannibal. Olenna nodded slowly as she understood what happened.

"You two could use time alone after all this," Olenna declared. "I'll summon a carriage and take the children with me to Highgarden."

"Oh grandmother, I don't want my children away from us with this open hunt on for more Ironborn," Margaery was clearly concerned. "They need to be safe."

"Is there any safer place than with their grandmother?" Olenna scoffed.

"Yes! With their mother!" Margaery protested.

Hannibal recognized the gesture from Olenna and gave a nod of his head. He looked to Margaery. "Highgarden is a safer place my love. No one would think the children are there. Brienne did an excellent job watching over them. With your brother there as well...I feel they would be plenty safe. Besides, Rhys and Reina have been among bout learning of the history of House Tyrell. What better place to learn it than Highgarden?" He asked her.

Margaery glared at Hannibal for not siding with her. She looked between them and sighed in a huff.

"Very well, since you all have decided what would be best for my children," Margaery snapped. "When will you be taking them?"

"Today," Olenna replied.

"What?! But I've only just returned home!" Margaery exclaimed.

"And you need rest," Olenna answered, flatly.

"I need my children!" Margaery countered.

Hannibal was debating what would ultimately be best. He did need time alone with Margaery, and the children would distract her from getting the horror of what happened outnif her system. However, they were soothing to her and she was still very sensitive from the whole ordeal.

He frowned for a moment. "Today is a bit early. There is not enough milk for young Loerys set aside. It is true that we have begun to limit how much she feeds from Margaery, but she still requires some of her milk. Tomorrow would be better."

He then recalled something Willas had told him. "Perhaps a different alternative is possible. I recall hearing of a luxurious little castle tucked away behind all of the expansive gardens at Highgarden. What if we all went there today? The children can sleep in Highgarden while Margaery and I stay in the small castle. We will be close enough to make certain they are more than safe, but leave them in your care while we spend some time away. What do you think of that my dear?" He asked.

He had not said it aloud, but all of this was for Margaery's sake. Something he was not certain she had pieced together yet.

Margaery considered the option Hannibal proposed. Her brow furrowed and she looked to him.

"Are you certain that leaving King's Landing so soon after an attack is a good idra?" She tilted her head. "Does that not leave us open to ridicule? Will people think us weak?"

Margaery didn't want to endanger the strength of the crown. Hannibal couldn't afford to run away. Not now, not even for her.

Hannibal knew that was a risk, but he glanced to Margaery with softness in his eyes. "I will suffer that loss if that is what you need." He said as he held her tighter. "I have no intention of letting you out of my sight again." He swore.

He knew he could save any loss of face quickly if Highgarden would be better for her recovery.

Margaery tilted her head. She wanted to go back to Highgarden, but she didn't want to show even the slightest weakness to their enemies. She shook her head a little and looked up to Hannibal.

"No...its not just you who would suffer the loss. Our children would suffer too, Hannibal. We can't afford even the slightest weakness, not now," Margaery protested.

"Then stay here with your husband and I'll take the children with me," Olenna shrugged and began to walk out to give then privacy. "Discuss it amongst yourselves then."

Olenna cast a look to Hannibal to convey to him that he needed to talk some sense into his wife. Then she was gone.

Hannibal waited for Olenna to leave. He knew Brienne would maintain their privacy. Hetirned Margaery to face him. "You need time to recover my love. I will be by your side every step f the way....but the children don't need to be here to distract you from tending to yourself." He said bluntly.

Theee was nothing but love in his eyes as he looked at her.

When Hannibal addressed her, Margaery gave him a shocked look. "They're our children! They're hardly a distraction! It's my duty as their mother to be here for them and protect them."

Sge did not yet realize that Hannibal had been slightly put off by how she'd cried I her grandmother's arms.

"Forgive me, but I think our place is here," Margaery insisted.

Hannibal sighed softly as she spoke. "It's my duty to ensure that you and our children are happy, healthy, and whole. Our children are all of those things....I can no longer say that I have been as successful with you. I love our children and I don't truly want them away right now. However, I need to spend time with you. Just you and I. This encounter has obviously shaken your trust in me and I need to rebuild what was lost." He said. That was the only thing he could think of that would cause her to fly to Olenna's arms and cry.

The last time Margaery had cried in his arms was when they had discovered poor Loras.

Margaery looked into his eyes, feeling guilty again. "I trust you! I love you!" She took his hands in hers and looked into his eyes. Perhaps her subconscious was saying otherwise, but she truly did trust him.

She leaned into him and kissed him softly. But she reflected in his words and considered the possibility. Margaery sighed and looked defeated.

"I truly don't think we should leave...but if you think the children will be safe in Highgarden..." She relented.

Hannibal didn't want her to feel guilty, but he knew that this guilt opened her eyes to the fact that he had been affected by this as well. He kissed her forehead tenderly. "If there is any living person in all of the seven kingdoms who I trust completely to keep our children safe....it is your grandmother." He said honestly. Her craftiness could not be discounted for her amazing survival skills.

Margaery nodded slowly, agreeing even if she was reluctant. "Very well. What do you suggest we do then?" She asked. "If you're sending my babies away you had best have a plan to put into place to address these issues."

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