randomosity | [For Hannibal] Alliance of Fire

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[For Hannibal] Alliance of Fire

Renly Baratheon was dead, leaving his claim to the throne empty and his wife Margaery Tyrell a widow. Roose Bolton, of course, could spy an opportunity a mile away. He sent a raven to Highgarden, to Lord Mace Tyrell. Roose proposed that his youngest son and only legitimate heir be married to Margaery. Mace agreed, rather quickly as well - likely out of fear for the Bolton name.

But of course, Olenna Tyrell wasn't about to let that agreement happen. At least not on any terms but her own. So the agreement was made, but a time for delivering her to Winterfell had not been determined, and Olenna was not about to agree to one.

Ramsay Snow, wanting to be useful to his father and acknowledged as a true Bolton, decided to take action on his own. He took a small band of Bolton men and rode to Highgarden - he knew Margaery was there, after her day-long marriage to the late King Joffrey had ended. He kidnapped the Tyrell heiress and rode back to Winterfell. When he arrived, he dragged Margaery in with no amount of mercy or delicacy. He found his half-brother and father in a sitting room going over charts and battle strategies. Margaery, clad in a light dress with a keyhole opening at the front showing her cleavage and wrapping around her lower back, showing off the curves of her back and the lean muscle beneath her skin. Her skin was cold and covered in goosebumps, her lips slightly dark and a light shade of blue. But all the fire and anger was in Margaery's eyes. She wrenched herself free of Ramsay's grip and pulled her lips back to bare her teeth.

"Unhand me, mongrel!" she hissed.

"Dear father, brother - see what I've brought? We'll not have the Tyrells welching on their agreement any longer," Ramsay grinned. "The flower is a little frosty, but only because she did not appreciate my generosity of allowing her to ride in the carriage."

"What I did not appreciate was a bastard snatching me from my ancestral home and dragging me with no proper clothes into the North," Margaery snapped.

She so badly wanted to shift towards the fire, but she was bound and determined to stand tall and tough. Ramsay obviously thought her weak, she would prove him wrong.

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Hannibal looked around the table before speaking to the High Septon. "How are the preparations for our coronations proceeding?"

The high Septon bowed his head. "Everything is on schedule my Lord Bolton. Everything is being done according to the law and no living lord would have the ability to dispute your rightful claim to the iron throne."

Hannibal gave a nod of approval before looking at the sand snake. "How have the people taken this change? Are there any that are truly displeased?" He asked.

She chuckled and shook her head. "None that are willing to openly say so." She said.

Hannibal gave his nod of approval. "Ser Willas, have all of the Lords sworn their fealty or been arrested? Any word on if those I have extended the honor of being a warden have accepted?" He asked. He suspected both Sansa and the Blackfish would accept the honor as would the remaining Sand Snake. He was not certain of his warden of the east.

Rhys and Reina watched, following the conversation and who spoke with their eyes. Margaery smiled and remained quiet. When Willas was addressed, the twins looked to him with reverence.

"They have, my lord," He replied. "The men of the North are prepared to re-swear their fealty to the new King when the coronation is made official. The proposed Warden of the North has accepted, the Blackfish, however, hesitates. He sent his sincere thanks, but that he wished to reflect on the proposal, as he wishes to remain at Riverrun with minimal disturbance."

Margaery could hardly blame him. The poor man had been ripped from his home and only recently reclaimed it. Being a Warden meant that there would be times when he would have to leave.

"Have you thought to name a Warden of the East yet, my lord?" Willas asked.

Hannibal gave a nod. "Send him a raven to give suggestions for a replacement if he chooses to decline. I understand he has a nephew that is still able bodied. As for the East, there does not remain a family I find fully trustworthy in the area to offer. I am not certain of who runs the Eerie. I would need to summon the current Lord of the Vale to determine if they have the ability to handle such a position." He said.

Willas nodded obediently. He drummed his fingers on the table when he discussed the Warden of the East. But it was Margaery who spoke up.

"Might I suggest someone for the position, my lord?" She asked. "The young lord of the Vale is not yet old enough to be making suggestions, much less handle the position. Might I suggest my father? Clearly he cannot be Warden of the South, but his army is well-known and respected, obviously."

Willas nodded and pointed to Margaery. "My thoughts precisely."

Hannibal had known of their combined proposal, but he looked to the young girl from bear island. "What say you Lady Mormont?"

The young girl seemed pleased to be called upon. "I think the Lord of the Vale is a spoiled brat who should not be Lord of the Vale. He stayed on his mother's teat for far too long and he is far too soft for such leadership. I say this only die to his character not to his age." She said bluntly.

Hannibal was amused at the boldness and gave her a nod of approval even though some of the other lords seemed uncomfortable with the suggestion. "Very well, send a raven to the Vale and 'invite' the young Lord here to swear his fealty. If he seems to threaten ththe peace of the realm he will be removed. Send word to Lord Tyrell that his presence will be required and send him an invitation to be Warden of the East." He said.

He knew Willas was eager to remain in Highgarden, but that would leave him without a hand. He would search for a substitute should Willas finally request permission to retire.

Margaery smiled at Lady Mormont's response and kissed the top of Reina's head. She hoped that her baby girl would have that same energy and boldness.

Willas would never dare insult Hannibal by retiring from his post. Unless his father passed and he, as the only male Tyrell heir, would have to take over at High Garden. Begrudgingly, he would serve as Hand. It gave him a chance to be closer to Margaery and the twins, at any rate.

He nodded and looked to Margaery. "Would the lady care to craft the message to our Lord father with me?"

"Indeed I would," she nodded with a smile.

Hannibal was pleased with the proceedings thus far. He looked out over his small council. "Is there any other business that needs to be discussed?" He asked.

The Maester cleared his throat as he held up a message. "My Lord Bolton, news from the wall. There is a new Lord Commander and he has made a peace treaty with the wildlings and allowed them to settle in the gift."

Hannibal tilted his head at that. That was an unusual report. "Who is this new Lord Commander? Did he mention why he allowed them through the wall?"

The Maester nodded slowly. "It is the Bastard Jon Snow. He claims that the dead come back to life as white walkers and that he needs as much support as he can get to prepare for the greatest battle the night's watch will ever face."

Hannibal's face grew dark at this report and he requested the message to look it over. "Continue advertising my pension plan for those who volunteer. Add that those with military training or who can beat a gold cloak in a sparring battle will get a bonus to the pension." He said. He was not concerned about running out of gold, he knew those who got the pensions would spend them and the taxes would return ten fold to the royal treasury.

Margaery visibly stiffened when the White Walkers were mentioned. She had never given them much thought in her youth. But now, with her babies in her arms and potentially another on the way, she was terrified. Nothing could kill a White Walker. What could she do? How was she supposed to protect her children when she knew not how to kill a White Walker?

Margaery looked to Hannibal in fear. Were they safe this far south? She kissed both babies and sighed against their heads.

Willas looked at his sister abs then to his brother-in-law. He too was concerned, but he knew Hannibal would take care of the family, of his sister.

Hannibal was worried and he had been secretly researching how to kill a white walker. He had sent his men to capture one and secretly experiment how to kill it. They had found a way, but it would not be practical to use if there was an army of them.

"Send a raven to the Lord Commander and inform him of the new recruits I am working on sending him. Also tell him that I desire him to travel here to give a full report." He said. He did not want to travel that far north with his family, not did he want to leave them alone in King's Landing.

Margaery cuddled the babies in close and tried not to let it show that she was worried. But in truth she was terrified, and made it a point to note herself that she would write to her grandmother.

"Is it wise to bring the Lord Commander from the Wall?" Willas pointed out. "He is not well liked, I'm told. His treaty with the Wildlings has made him unpopular. If he leaves the Wall, it may give his enemies the incentive to usurp."

"What alternative is there?" Margaery replied. "The king is in no position to travel himself to the Wall."

"No, perhaps an envoy could be sent - do we know where the loyalty of the Stark bastard lies?" Willas pointed out. "Would he swear fealty to the son of the man who murdered his brother? His sister may be forgiving, but Jon Snow is stubborn."

Margaery nodded a little. It was a fair point.

Hannibal considered that idea. "The fresh swords I send him along with how I restored what remained of his home back to his half sister will speak far louder than our families past history. However, an envoy is a good plan."

The Sand Snake stood, "I will go in this envoy. I have never seen this Great Wall and am curious."

Hannibal gave a slow nod in agreement. "You can travel with the first group of volunteer soldiers to the North. I know you do not need them, but a small core of gold cloaks will accompany you." He said. She was going to be surrounded by a lot of men.

Margaery tipped her head in thanks and recognition to the Sand Snake. "You have our thanks," she would be curious if Jon Snow could truly be trusted. Some questioned the legitimacy between him and Sansa as to who should rule Winterfell. But that was not Margaery's problem.

Willas glanced among the assembled council. "Then we are in agreement? Is there no more business to discuss?" He asked to the group.

Margaery shook her head, suddenly anxious to have her private time with Hannibal. She needed reassurance that they would be safe, and that their children would be safe.

Hannibal nodded before adjourning the meeting. He then stood up and led his wife and brother in law out towards a private area. "Send your letters. I have things to discuss with my wife this evening." He said.

Margaery and Willas followed after Hannibal closely. Reina and Rhys, both relieved the meeting was over, began talking - babbling mostly, softly to themselves. Willas bowed when Hannibal issued the order.

"I will craft a message to father, I'll let you read it and add more to it if you like later on sister," Willas addressed Margaery, who nodded.

Willas bowed and left. Margaery looked up to Hannibal in fear. "White Walkers?" She hissed.

Hannibal bowed before leading Margaery into the privacy of their chambers. He wrapped his arms around her and looked deep into her eyes. "I will not let them set foot over that wall. I will not allow such creatures to even approach the wall. That is far too close to you for my comfort." He said.

Margaery set the children down to play once they were in their chambers. She buried her face into Hannibal's neck and trembled in fear.

"What are we to do? How are we to stop such creatures from bringing winter with them?" She replied.

Hannibal pulled back to force her to look deep into his eyes. "Do you trust me? Know that I will not allow our family to be harmed." He swore to her with intensity. He was a fighter and a eve man, but he would indeed uproot his greatest allies and go to Essos if he did not see a path to victory.

Margaery looked fearful but nodded. "Yes, my love of course I trust you," she replied. She leaned in and buried her face against his chest. They could run, she knew, but surely the Walkers would follow until every last man, woman and child was murdered.

Hannibal held her tight and kissed her temple tenderly. "I have seen them killed, but it is not an easy task. I will have my men perfecting the techniques and all of the craftsmen working night and day to make new weapons that can fight and kill them more efficiently." He said.

Margaery pushed back to look into his eyes, shocked at his words. "What...what did you mean you've seen them killed?" She asked. Of course living so far North it would not surprise her if the threat of White Walkers was indeed more substantiated. But this was the first she was hearing of it? After having two children in the Dreadfort and having them so close to the Wall?

Hannibal always breathed easier whenever she had some fight in her. That meant she could think more clearly once she heard all of the facts. "When I was young my father had captured one and had it chained very securely. I watched as he went through a variety of methods to kill the creature. A few years ago, whilst my men were searching for the missing Stark boys to return to Winterfell, one group ventured through the wall to follow a trail briefly. They happened across a few white walkers. They managed to capture one and disable the other to return unharmed. I personally tried a few newer techniques before finding a way to kill them that was more practical than my father's method. Any blade dipped in Valerian steel or edged with dragon glass will kill the creatures. My men have been working on harvesting as much of that material as possible. It is very rare indeed. I suspect wildfire and dragon fire would also kill the creatures; however, I am not certain of that. I suspect these things because they do not do well with fire in general and the Targaryns seemed to have these creatures well in hand with the use of their dragons. My Maester's are intently searching the libraries for any recordings of interactions with white walkers from the old days when more than one dragon roamed the skies.

Margaery looked at him in shock as he revealed all this. "When was this? Why did you not tell me?" She exclaimed.

Margaery thought for a long moment. Dragons, dragons seemed to be the ultimate protection against anything. She wished Willas hadn't left. She made a mental note to speak with him and write their grandmother about dragons and where they had found Vhagar's egg.

Hannibal pulled her close and tilted her chin to look deep within her eyes. "You were not yet my wife when I did these experiments. I had just killed the creature the morning you first arrived at the Dreadfort. It did not seem relevant to tell you." He said.

Margaery pouted slightly but leaned into him. "Any potential threat is of concern to me. Surely you knew this." She looked into his eyes. "If you loved me then, why would you not share the threat of White Walkers with me? Up until today I thought them only legends."

Hannibal kissed her temple. "We had far more real things to worry about and destroy first. I had thought of them as fading out. I did not think their numbers were growing. This report comes as a surprise to me." There was a trace of anger in his eyes, but it was towards himself and not her. "I have misjudged an enemy. I will ensure it does not ruin what we have built." He said.

He knew she was worried, but he did not want her to feel betrayed by his secret. He had honestly thought that it was not a great threat. He had presumed that the wall was enough in and of itself. Perhaps that was wrong.

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