The Dove and the Lion
A week before the 'Purple Wedding', Dove Tyrell arrives at Kings Landing. As Margaery's older sister, she certainly wants to make sure her sister reign is secure. But Dove Tyrell has a few ambitions of her own.
Soon Tywin Lannister realises Dove is completely opposite her namesake, intelligent, cunning and beautiful. Have the Lannisters met their match? And will Tywin succeed in denying his desire to sleep with the enemy?
Deception, lust and everything typical of Game of Thrones is to be expected. Rated mature. All reviews are appreciated but please don't be too harsh!
Loras Tyrell burst into his sister Margaery's chambers and several of her ladies batted their eyelashes flirtatiously at the Knight of the Flowers.
"She's here!" He exclaimed with excitement etched across his handsome face.
Their elder sister Lady Dove Tyrell was arriving from Highgarden today in time for Margaery's wedding to Joffrey. Both of her siblings were excited for her arrival, as well as other members of the court who had gathered in the Red Keeps courtyard to see if the rumours of Dove's beauty were true.
Loras and Margaery joined the crowd just as the sound of horse's hooves became louder and their sister's escort party came into view. Instead of travelling in a wheel house like most ladies Dove came cantering into the courtyard at the front of her escort sat astride a beautiful bay mare.
She was a vision in green matching the Tyrell banners which were dancing in the breeze, her hair was unbound and the long dark brown curls tumbled perfectly down her back, but her most attractive feature were her eyes; they were a deep shade of green with slithers of silver coursing through them.
"Little sister!" Dove called and swiftly dismounted throwing her reins to one of her escorts.
"Dove" Margaery grinned and the Tyrell sisters embraced "I'm surprised you came I know how much you dislike court" Margaery whispered in her ear.
"And miss my little sister's wedding?" Dove laughed pulling away and taking Margaery's and Loras hand in hers "I've missed you both" She added and Loras pulled her into a hug.
Loras held his sister tightly against him their sibling bond evident to everyone. Dove pulled away and her gaze settled on the Red Keep.
"So this is our country's capital" Dove smirked.
"Yes isn't it dull" Loras chuckled linking his arm through Dove's free one.
"It's smaller than I thought it would be" Dove replied mischievously.
"Grandmother wants to see you before the feast tonight" Margaery informed Dove, trying not laugh at her comment.
"I am certain she does after all we have certain plans to map out" Dove stated and she and Margaery shared a look.
Before she entered the Red Keep Dove felt a shiver run up her spine, she turned her face to one of the Red Keep's windows and saw someone move away from it, she shrugged it off believing it be just another nosey member of court, not realising that her arrival had been observed by the most feared man in the Seven Kingdoms, Lord Tywin Lannister.
The Great Hall was filled with every Lord, Lady, noblemen and noblewoman visiting the Seven Kingdoms for the royal wedding. Music, laughter and compromising conversation floated through the air, along with the mouth-watering scents from the feast set out for those gathered.
Sansa Stark stood apart from everyone else not minding her isolation too much when Margaery, arm in arm with Dove, made her way over to her.
"Sansa may I introduce my sister Dove" Margaery said with a kind smile.
"Lady Sansa it's lovely to finally meet you, Margaery has told me all about you I hope we can be friends" Dove said warmly.
Dove stepped forward and embraced Sansa, who stood there shocked at the sudden forwardness of the Tyrell sister.
"I'm so sorry for your loss" Dove whispered in her ear.
News of the Red Wedding had travelled around the Seven Kingdoms like wildfire and was the week's most gossiped about event.
"My brother was a traitor" Sansa breathed quickly.
"But he was still your brother" Dove said gently and wiped a stray hair of Sansa's forehead "You don't have to pretend with us Sansa" She added.
Sansa smiled timidly at the Tyrell sisters, there was an honesty in their eyes which she badly wanted to believe.
"Joffrey's mother calls Sansa her little dove, now she might have to stop so not to confuse both of you" Margery informed Dove.
"I'm sure no one could possible confuse me with Sansa, she's far more beautiful than me" Dove said and gave Sansa a sweet smile.
"You flatter me" Sansa replied finding the statement kind but untrue, after all everyone's eyes were lingering on the Tyrell sisters.
Dove was dressed in an exquisite emerald green Highgarden dress with silver Tyrell roses embodied in the silk, bringing out the silver in her eyes. Margaery also wore a dress fashioned in the Highgarden style however it was in her traditional blue and gold colours, nevertheless both sister's looked exquisite.
"Now excuse us Sansa but I must introduce my sister to my soon to be new family" Margaery said brightly and pulled Dove away from Sansa.
"It was lovely meeting you" Dove called as Margaery practically dragged her toward where Tyrion and Tywin Lannister were stood.
"My lords, may I introduce my charming sister Dove Tyrell" She said introducing her sister.
Dove curtsied respectfully but as she did her eyes fixed on Tywin. Tywin was becoming bored with this feast to celebrate the arrival of yet more Tyrell's for the wedding, but he found himself returning Margaery's sister's intelligent gaze.
"Aren't you quite the Tyrell rose" Tywin said coolly.
Dove's eyes flashed warningly before she responded.
"I thank you my lord, but I'm sorry to disappoint you by saying that you don't look nearly as fearsome as I anticipated" Dove retorted her voice equally as cool as his.
Tyrion choked on his wine surprised at someone daring to speak to his father in that manner. Margaery tried to hide her grin and squeezed her sister's arm in warning not to push Tywin further.
"Dove is it?" Tywin asked fixing Dove with a piercing stare.
"Yes" She replied returning Tywin's stare.
"Was your mother soft in the head when she named you?" Tywin said dismissively hoping she would take offense and leave him in peace.
Everyone froze except Dove who smiled slowly, revealing perfect white teeth.
"She may have been, my lord. It confused many people to begin with, however I do believe that the moment I was born a white dove flew past the window and so I was named after a pretty pigeon" Dove replied her gaze never wavering from Tywin's.
"I like her" Tyrion grinned
Tywin had heard that Dove Tyrell was pretty, but no one had informed him of her smart tongue.
"Forgive my father's grumpiness my lady he's like it with everyone, now I have to find my wife before my darling nephew tries to torment her" Tyrion declared before he waddled off crashing drunkenly into tables as he went.
Tywin watched Tyrion walk away disgusted at the mockery he was making of himself whilst Margaery and Dove shared a look and Margaery unlinked her arm from Dove's.
"I should find my soon to be husband, would you look after my sister Lord Tywin?" Margaery asked.
"I doubt your sister needs looking after" Tywin snapped indifferently, after all he didn't want to be saddled with a Tyrell let alone one who clearly had no respect for him.
Dove smiled amused at Tywin and allowed Margaery to make her reply.
"True my lord but still many men here have had too much wine tonight, and I would like to see my sister safe next to the Hand of the King" Margaery replied.
Tywin hesitated, Margaery was right he was very aware of the prolonged gazes of the drunken lords on Dove, he believed it was her own fault really for wearing a Highgarden dress as they were very revealing. However she was still the future Queen's sister no matter how little material she wore, and he knew if he cooperated with Margaery now he would perhaps have more influence over her when she was Queen.
"As you wish, Lady Margaery" Tywin said mildly.
"Thank you Lord Tywin" Margaery beamed at him before lightly kissing Dove on the cheek and walking away.
Tywin was left alone with the Tyrell beauty who was watching the other lords and ladies dance.
"Do you dance, my lord?" Dove asked breaking the tense silence between them.
"Do I look like I dance?" Tywin drawled.
Dove smiled unfazed at Tywin who in return regarded her with an unimpressed expression.
"I was merely making conversation. Now I started the mindless chatter therefore you need to respond with something equally mindless, then we can end the pleasantries and begin to talk business" Dove said and confidently linked arms with Tywin.
Tywin assessed this Tyrell flower on his arm, surprised at her boldness.
"You wish to talk business do you girl?" He inquired coolly.
"Perhaps I am concerned for my sister's sake, after all being Queen isn't the safest place to be" Dove replied her eyes twinkling mischievously.
Tywin knew she had a point, yet he knew looking into those mischievous green eyes Margaery's safety wasn't the only issue that interested Dove Tyrell.
"How old are you, girl?" Tywin asked.
"I'm eighteen, my lord" Dove replied before she smiled at the lord and ladies watching them, who quickly turned away embarrassed. It wasn't every day they witnessed Tywin Lannister linking arms with a woman, let alone a beautiful, rich and unmarried one.
"So tell me, why are you not the one marrying my grandson considering you are the eldest?" Tywin asked mildly curious why the Tyrells had arranged it that way.
"Normal highborn ladies dream of being Queen; however I realise that true power does not come from a crown but from your pocket, as well as a decent army that is completely loyal to you. Wait a moment I do believe I'm describing you Lord Tywin" Dove said as lightly as if she was commenting about the weather.
"You're a smart girl I will grant you that" Tywin said vaguely impressed.
"That's high praise indeed" Dove replied sarcastically.
Tywin gave Dove a sharp look but she merely returned it with a playful grin.
"So unlike your sister you had no desire to be queen?" Tywin asked.
Dove laughed lightly.
"I would certainly not marry Renly when he came calling, everyone knew I missed certain anatomy to please him. As for Joffrey he's a bit young for me I prefer a man"
Dove's eyes fixed into Tywin's before she smiled flirtatiously at him. Tywin summarised she was a harlot just like her sister, but certainly a smart harlot.
"And what man do you have in mind?" He inquired raising an eyebrow at her.
"Hmm I can't tell you that Lord Tywin that would mean revealing all my plans" Dove answered and lent closer to him "Plus my lord we have too many spies listening to this conversation" She whispered in his ear and startled Tywin by brushing her lips against it.
Dove pulled back smiling at Tywin's slightly curious expression.
Tywin cleared his throat remembering himself.
"Perhaps you would prefer telling me in a more private setting, the Tower of the Hand tomorrow evening?" Tywin asked efficiently.
"Perhaps" Dove grinned.
"You either will or won't, girl" Tywin replied irritated as he hated indecisive people.
"I will make my decision in the morning, my lord no sooner" Dove said seriously "Oh and if you ever call me girl again, I'll have your tongue cut out" She finished, and smiled charmingly at him before walking away.
Tywin had to admit he liked Dove's spirit and made no effort not to admire her as she walked back toward her sister. Cersei seized her opportunity now the Tyrell had gone out of earshot and walked over to her father.
"And I thought Margaery was a problem" She hissed "But clearly her sister wants to play the game of thrones as well"
Tywin regarded Cersei's concern over two mere Highgarden tarts as slightly amusing as they both watched Margaery pull Dove into a dance. Every other dancer stopped to admire the sisters and Dove caught Tywin's eye raising an elegant eyebrow at him before Margaery distracted her. Tywin's amusement faded slightly, there was something untrustworthy about Dove perhaps Cersei was right to be concerned.
Tywin turned to address Cersei.
"Yes I will have to keep an eye on Dove Tyrell"
"Someone has their eye on Tywin Lannister" Margaery grinned at her sister.
Dove was sat on her bed plaiting her soft curling hair, Margaery had demanded for them to share a room as they had when they were little girls in Highgarden. Dove had been happy to go along with it knowing that here they would be able to speak freely, and Margaery had informed Dove it would only be a week before she spent most of her nights with the King anyway.
"You know me too well sister. Losing Sansa Stark to the Lannisters has cost us, we need a new plan and grandmother agrees" Dove replied.
"So you plan to wrestle with the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms?" Margaery asked naughtily.
"You know I like a challenge" Dove responded feeling a slight thrill from taking on the notoriously ruthless Tywin Lannister.
"Then we need to make sure you're successful, after all Tywin doesn't have mistresses. I need you to marry him, I know he's old, you honestly don't mind do you?" Margaery asked already knowing Dove's answer.
"What are sisters for?" Dove purred and waved her hand dismissively in the air.
"Just think if you somehow managed to marry him we'd be the most powerful women in the Kingdom" Margaery said pleased with that thought "I'd be Queen and you'd be Lady of Casterly Rock"
"Then no one will underestimate the Tyrells again" Dove said darkly before continuing "But first I need to assess how deep his love for his late wife was"
"Just simply remind him that living flesh is far more pleasing than the memory of it" Margaery said and raised her eyebrows suggestively at Dove.
Dove threw her brush at Margaery who ducked just in time, both of them were giggling.
"I missed you Dove"
"And I missed you Margaery"