Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

xix. Highgarden

Lucien Tyrell

I woke up to the smell of golden roses and the sound of people running around in the courtyard and out in the hallway. That was followed by someone slamming my chamber doors shut. I did not even bother lifting my head from my pillow, nor did I let the intruder know that I was even awake.

As I heard them approach my bed, I gripped the dagger that I keep under my pillow. Once I knew the person was close, I spun and sat up, pressing the dagger right to their throats. That was when I found out it was my father, Lord Mace Tyrell, who had decided to enter my chambers. He could have knocked or something.

"Sorry father," I apologised, putting the dagger on my nightstand. "People do not often enter my chambers unannounced, so I feel the need to be prepared for anything. What brings you here so early?"

"There is a tourney coming up in honour of Lord Eddard Stark becoming Hand of the King and both you and Loras are going to attend," he told me. "Now get dressed and meet me in my solar to discuss some plans as soon as you finish breaking your fast with your grandmother."

With that, the Lord of the Reach and of Highgarden - Mace Tyrell - waddled out of the room. My father is an obese man who has a yellow moustache that matches his beard. His face sags and he often lacks emotion in his blue eyes. His hair is both balding and greying, showing his advancing age. He is not the brightest man either, but he is still my father.

I am the heir to Highgarden, so of course I am being told that I am attending this tourney, and of course I get no choice. Although I am a strong fighter and jouster, I see no point in showcasing skills that I may have to use on the battlefield one day. It is better that no one knows what you are capable of. Still, I have been told that I am attending the tourney, so that is what I must do.

Getting dressed is never that difficult. I chose a green doublet with gold flowers and matching plain breeches. My sword was on it's belt and sat next to a dagger that was more for show then for actual use, as it was quite blunt upon proper inspection. I just doubt that anyone is going to get close enough that I am going to need to use that dagger on them.

When I stepped out of my chambers the noise from the nearby courtyard became louder. There were swords clashing as guards trained in the morning and as the young sons of the men and women who worked here ran around. The girls would be sowing with my younger sister, Margaery. Usually Loras would run around with the boys and entertain him, but he is at Storm's End with Renly Baratheon.

Amongst my family and I, the fact Loras is in love with Renly is not a secret. We all found out when I let myself into Loras' chambers and found him kissing a naked Renly. I do not care that Loras is in love with a man. They both love each other and share more love then most in arranged marriages, but I do hope they find a way to silence the rumours about them soon.

The gardens of Highgarden are by far the most impressive part. Although the castle itself is beautiful, the gardens are filled with singers, pipers, fiddlers, and harpers, and there are groves and fountains everywhere. Just outside the castle is the Roseroad and Ocean Road, as well as fields of golden roses that stretch as far as any man can see.

One of my favourite places is the Briar Labyrinth, which is between the outer and middle wall. Near there is the godswood, which contains three weirwoods called the Three Singers. The sept is beautiful and matched only by the Starry Sept and the Great Sept of Baelor. Marble colonnades run around most of Highgarden and in the courtyards there is often quite a lot of places with shade.

My grandmother, Lady Olenna Tyrell, was waiting for me in one of the sitting areas on the side of a small courtyard. She is known as the Queen of Thorns because of the fact that she is witty and often openly insults people. It also helps that House Tyrell's sigil is a golden rose on a green field. She is old, wise, small with white hair, and is not as frail as she seems.