Olenna Tyrell
In a short span of time, Olenna managed to speak with many people. It seemed the Lannisters had firmly taken power into their hands. They had made a successful move by driving Cersei away—Olenna believed that, despite her famed intelligence and beauty, she had always been the weakest link in their golden chain.
Now, without Cersei, Kevan was the one in charge of everything. Tyrion was held in high regard and wielded considerable influence as well. There was another figure who earned her respect—Genna Frey, who in many ways reminded Olenna of herself.
Old Pycelle was utterly useless, while Qyburn, the new Master of Whisperers, piqued her interest. She spoke with him several times, exchanging seemingly simple and inconsequential words, and fairly quickly concluded that he was deeply loyal to the king. Hm—loyalty was a relative concept, but for now, Olenna decided not to pursue that line of thought.
Lord Mathis Rowan was a loyal vassal and an intelligent man—she had spoken with him more than once. She was also intrigued by the newly formed Crown Guard, but even with all her talents and resources, she had been unable to learn much. It was all commanded by a knight named Harald Orm, who seemed to have no desire to speak with anyone except the king.
She had tried to arrange a meeting with him, but this Orm had refused, as though the invitation had come not from her—the Queen of Thorns and grandmother of the queen—but from a common servant. It seemed that Orm was entirely indifferent to titles and wealth.
When her irritation faded, she realized she had made a mistake. The king would undoubtedly learn of her attempt.
Her son, Mace Tyrell, had recently returned to the Red Keep. Two victories—and he claimed to all who would listen that, in addition to Storm's End, he had also defeated the Greyjoys at the Feastfires—had, in Olenna's view, only made him even more vulnerable and easier to read. Worse still, and particularly irritating, Mace seemed convinced that it was Joffrey who had helped him gain his glory and now considered himself in the king's debt.
There was also a rather interesting circle of young ladies forming at court—Margaery herself, Sansa Lannister, Myrcella Baratheon, and Roslin Tully.
Olenna knew her granddaughter perfectly well and understood the role she played among them. Myrcella was everyone's favorite—a bright, charming, intelligent girl without whom the fragile friendship among the girls would quickly fall apart.
Sansa had recently given birth and appeared relatively happy. Yet Olenna quickly realized that this did not reflect the true state of affairs—dress a wolf in a lion's skin as you might, it remains a wolf.
Roslin Tully, however, caught her interest. The girl turned out to be unexpectedly clever and openly supported Margaery, which pleased Olenna.
They endured two very difficult days when news arrived from the north that King Joffrey's army had been defeated and the king himself wounded.
Margaery was beside herself, and the court itself was like a beehive that had been poked with a stick.
In the end, everything turned out to be not nearly as dire as it had first seemed. What followed was the "Stand at the Ruby Ford." During all that time, Randyll Tarly had been relentlessly pressing and crushing the Golden Company. Olenna watched her vassal's successes with alarm. She was concerned about the reward that Lord of Horn Hill would inevitably demand.
Her conversation with the Hand had not brought clarity. Kevan was cautious and hinted that it was still too early to speak of a new betrothal for Myrcella. Olenna had expected that he would be able to resolve the matter himself, by his own authority, but for some reason Kevan either did not wish to—or could not—do so. Such behavior from the Hand suggested certain conclusions.
One week followed another. The Lannisters did not sit idle—they acted with great energy. The Hand handled both major and minor matters. Tyrion successfully managed finances. Genna Frey tirelessly sent out letters claiming that Petyr Baelish had betrayed the former Hand—Lord Stark—that he had attempted to kill Joffrey, that he had been the one to suggest the Red Wedding to the Freys, that he intended to usurp power in the Vale, father a new child with Lysa, and ruin Robert. Sooner or later, such news—even if partially fabricated—were bound to have an effect.
And finally, the day came when the king and Jaime the Kingslayer returned to the capital.
The king was greeted as a hero. A crowd of many thousands lined the road from the Dragon Gate all the way to the Red Keep. Nearly everyone who lived in the castle longed, in one way or another, to catch the king's eye and demonstrate their loyalty and dedication.
Olenna herself deemed it unnecessary—and tiresome—to take part in the reception. She would see the king at the evening feast; he wasn't going anywhere.
In the few months since they had last seen each other, the king had changed. With her experienced eye, she noticed not only the obvious differences—like his light stubbleand the fact that he had grown even taller and broader in the shoulders—but it was clear that during that time, Joffrey had become a real man, albeit still a young one. The thin scar across his face did not mar him; rather, it lent him an air of masculinity and confidence. He had taken after his grandfather in stature and was already taller than many around him.
But that was not what struck her most—though it was notable. Far more significant were the changes within him. He had become calm, almost composed—perhaps even wise, though applying such a word to a youth would be foolish. In a strange way, he now combined an approachable simplicity with royal dignity, spontaneity with grace. He laughed openly and sincerely, yet his gaze could be deeply penetrating.
Olenna found herself thinking—he really did remind her of Tywin Lannister, a man often called the most powerful lord in Westeros. And yet, Joffrey lacked his grandfather's cold detachment. He was different.
Olenna noticed many things—the devoted looks with which many lords and knights regarded him. Yet just a short while ago, at the wedding feast, they thought he was nothing but a pompous jerk. And she also saw the looks from numerous women—yes, Margaery would have to put in considerable effort to keep the king's interest.
(End of Chapter)
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