The Wolf and the Rose / Sequel to The Queen in the North

Thirty-seven: Before.

Before. 

(the battle of Winterfell chapter is coming, but ya gal has exams coming up and I'm busy as)

Garlan

Helpless anger and mounting for his home and family was about the only thing Garlan could think of. The Tyrell brothers stood in silence, breath condensing in the freezing night air as Garlan helped Willas and their party load the horse for the journey south. The war was like a distant memory now. They were rendered speechless from the shock of losing their home, but knew direct action was the only response left. Knowing that there was nothing other of them could do was a sinking realisation. The damage was already done and they couldn't save their home. After loosing so much, their father, Loras, Margaery this was just another blow that the Tyrell brothers had silently endured. After their siblings death there was the promise of revenge, that was never collected. And now, even more hopelessly the resigned to the task at hand. Fighting an enemy that threatened everything, more than their castles, and lands. But to their family, their people, and their lives.

They were also angered by Daenerys reaction, her disregard was frightening. As a leader of course she would be preoccupied but her irrelevance and lack of compassion with little remorse was worrying. Willas was angered to the point that he had decided to return to the south. Garlan, although he wanted to couldn't go home, he had to stay with El. Willas however, anxious about their future beyond the war wanted to construct defences north of Highgarden in the possibly that the dead might breech the north and make their way south, the Tyrell's needed that security.

Wars make people selfish and want to them loyal only to themselves. That was why they still have one hundred thousand men who protecting their children and other fortresses across the reach. Troops Garlan had neglected to declare in negotiations, they had to protect themselves in the end. Willas and Garlan understood that the preservation of their family was of the utmost importance and needed to be protected. As well as troops, the reach still have food stores and dragon glass buried under Brightwater Keep and other fortresses. Livestock and other supplies over the sea on the Summer Isles and in Tarth, there were well stocked and could sustain and survive the winter, and with the defences Willas would build they could defend too. When winter and the dead come south, House Tyrell will be prepared.

Garlan embraced his brother tightly as they said goodbye, "Go safely brother." He said firmly clapping him on the back.

Willas smiled, "I would have been little use in the fight anyway." He shrugged and Garlan knew he was right, Willas' injury meant that he could not walk far, and fighting tire him extremely quietly. He was a good swordsman, but a better rider. "Stay alive won't you? I can't bare the thought of this world without you and I would not have the heart to tell your children their father is dead so do me that favour and stay alive to save me that?"

Laughing he pulled his brother in once more hugging him tighter, "Likewise, I'll certainly put up a fight." At that Willas and the small party rode off into the darkness to avoid being noticed so there would be less questions asked. Not that Garlan was at all ashamed about what he and Willas had done. Just avoiding a question of their loyalty would benefit everyone, they had more pressing issues to be fighting over.

Before going inside, Garlan went to the crypt. At first he felt like he shouldn't be there, the corridor lined with Stark tombs felt like he was invading somewhere he shouldn't. It was only when he reached the grave of his children that he was reminded that he belonged. Years had passed but the numbness of losing their children still pained him. Souls he had never grown to known. Souls who were claimed too soon, ripped from his arms. The helpless he felt about the loss of his home was nothing but a dull ache compared to the stabbing that was remembering watching his children's lives fade away. Holding El while she cried and wanting nothing more than to sob with her was a burden he carried silently. Wishing for nothing more than to protect his children with his life, he knew why he had stayed in Winterfell and let Willas go home.