❝LOOK LIKE THE INNOCENT FLOWER, BUT BE THE SERPENT UNDER IT❞
in which Ashara Tyrell is entered into the great game left to fend herself against the claws of opportunistic traitors
[previously called young rose]
[season 4- ??]
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(THE RED KEEP, 301 AL )
The heat of the sun glistened down on Ashara Tyrell and a cool breeze swept by her light brunette hair as she read her book, sat next to her grandmother Olenna. A History of Aegon the Conqueror and His Conquest of Westeros, it was called and the book was as rightfully as long as it's own title. Despite this tedious name, Ashara's mind was worlds away from Westeros as she intently read the lengthy book, personally recommended to her by Tyrion Lannister himself this morning at the library in the Red Keep.
"Do put the book down for once in a while dear" Ashara's mind snapped away from the book immediately hearing the gentle voice of her grandmother and she put back her book at once as she noticed her older sister Margaery and Sansa were approaching them.
A smile sat on Margaery's lovely face like it always was as she said softly "May I introduce my grandmother, Lady Olenna of House Tyrell," she said to Sansa, who looked miles happier than she usually was, "and I trust you have already met my younger sister Ashara?"
"Yes, we've become fast friends since we came to the capital," she smiled, "good morning Sansa." King's Landing was a terrifying and suffocating city filled to the brim with liars and untrustworthy people, therefore the girls had bonded easily and naturally, being of close age and both hadn't seen their homeland of Winterfell and Highgarden for a long time. Since the Battle of Blackwater where the Lannisters reigned victorious, Ashara was to reside in King's Landing until her sister was wed to King Joffrey.
She truly hated King's Landing, but good people like Sansa made the city a little more bearable to live in. For now, Ashara was counting down the days until she could return back to Highgarden and escape the city full of opportunistic traitors.
"It's so good of you to visit me and my foolish flock of hens," her grandmother quipped, "I'm so very sorry for your losses child."
"And I'm very sorry for Lord Renly's death, Lady Margaery, he was very gallant" replied back Sansa, and her grandmother huffed. The Queen of Thorns, her grandmother was known as throughout the kingdom and she could see why, as her grandmother never held back retorts and was always quick to put people back in their place. Ashara giggled, hearing her grandmother's humorous slander towards Lord Renly, Margaery's recently deceased husband. From the start, King Renly seemed to have shown more interest in the company of men, especially her brother Loras.
"And as for your fathead father-"
Ashara interrupted this time immediately, "Grandmother!" She exclaimed, trying not to hold back a laugh, "what will Sansa think of our family!"
Her grandmother rolled her eyes "Sansa might think we had some wits about us," Ashara noticed her grandmother glancing to the heavy book placed next to her on the table, "some of us here do, anyways."
Before she could blush, Ashara got up "why don't we have some lemon cakes, Sansa, I know they're your favorites. I've got the cooks to make it especially for you" she said excitedly to her best friend, who took a seat next to her.
-
Ashara was back at the only place in King's Landing she didn't truly despise and the only place in the city where no lion claws could harm her, the gigantic library in the Red Keep which also hardly ever had visitors. The musky smell of the forgotten books smelt miles better than the odor of sour milk and excrement that the rest of the city always smelt of. The bibliotheca was sure to be ten times the size of the library back at Highgarden Castle. She examined the books intently, looking for another exciting read that she didn't hear small footsteps just a few feet behind her.
"Back here so quickly," she gasped, hearing the familiar voice of Tyrion Lannister, "I could've sworn you were here this morning. Did you not enjoy reading the book I suggested, my lady?"
She chuckled lightly, turning to face him "Your grace, I finished that book only an hour ago. It's absolutely fascinating! The stories about the Targaryen dynasty are so morbidly captivating... I hope I don't trouble you by asking for more recommendations?"
The short man knew exactly what to give her, "A Dance of the Dragons, a novel about the Targaryen civil war. I have a feeling you shall enjoy it greatly," he handed it to her, "Read well, child. I remember reading this myself when I was your age, it was gifted to me on my fifteenth name day."
She took the book, "thank you, my lord," Ashara glanced at the blurb of the large book, A Dance of the Dragons: A True Telling it was called, a factual book written by Grand Maester Munkun. She was very thankful her peculiar interest to the history of the Targaryen bloodline was shared with Tyrion.
As he was about to leave the room, she stopped him suddenly. "Wait! I was wondering if the rumors are true, about... the Dragon Queen in the East? I've- I've heard many hearsay about this surviving Targaryen queen," A long awkward silence filled the room, and Tyrion debated in his mind whether or not it would be right to tell the child the truth, "I-... forgive me, if I'm intruding on private matters-" she stuttered nervously. She wasn't sure if he was going to ignore her completely, or if he was about to shout.
Tyrion sighed "the rumors are true," he informed after the pregnant pause, "Daenerys Targaryen is alive." The imp left the library at once, and Ashara stood still in shock. The Dragon Queen is real, she thought.
