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( LANGUAGE OF THORNS )

Z E R O | STAG MEETS ROSE

She hugged her brother tightly, arms around his neck while he gripped her waist tightly. She pulled away, resting her hands on top of his steel plated shoulders. She would be riding for Kings Landing today, alongside her sister, grandmother and father. Margaery was to declare her love for King Joffrey, in order to become his queen and one step closer to the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

It had be a little while since her late husband, Renly, had died. Loras was already situated in Kings Landing, after him and the majority of the Tyrell army fought beside the Lannister army in the Battle of the Blackwater. He waited for his family a few miles away to arrive, the journey was long, but thankfully not over seas.

"I'm going to miss you sister. I wonder when we will next see each other" Now, Margaret was saying goodbye to her elder brother Willas, and her younger brother Garlan. Willas looked over to his left to see Garlan and Margaery exchanging words between each other.

"Maybe when Margaery's wedding comes around, I'm positive that you'll be in that city for that" Margaret replied, pulling her shawl closer to her body. Her grandmother was already seated inside their cart, while her father stood beside his horse.

"Well whenever it is, I hope you have a safe journey sister" Willas told her as she glanced up at him and smiled brightly "Write to me as soon as you arrive, let me know that my brother and sisters are safe"

"Not grandmother or father?" she teased as Willas chuckled. The southern air around them was warm, but not for Margaret. Unlike the rest of her family, Margaret was not lucky enough to feel the warmth like her siblings were.

"Grandmother can handle herself, I have no doubt she'll make it safely to Kings Landing" Willas stated "She isn't called the Queen of Thorns for nothing" with his response, she let out a sweet chuckle before pulling him in for one last hug.

A few moments later, she was hugging her younger brother Garlan, her and Margaery switching places. It wasn't long after that that she stepped into the cart where her grandmother was impatiently waiting. She admired the scenery of Highgarden once more through the small window, as she did not know when the next time would be when she saw it with her own eyes.

She scanned the white stone walls with her eyes. She would miss the stretch of golden roses and the fruit that the handmaidens would bring to her room. Beautiful and juicy peaches and fire plumbs, along with some sweet melons that were perfectly ripe. She doubted that they had food like that in Kings Landing, despite the richness of it. Highgarden was different though, nothing screamed summer like the warm sun that hit the castle walls.

The cart began to move forwards, and she looked out the window once more to see her two remaining siblings returning to the castle they called home. She leant back, hearing the sound of horse hooves pulling the cart on the Roseroad.

"Seems a bit foreign if I'm honest.. seeing you outside Highgarden walls"  Margaret snickered to herself hearing that all too familiar voice of her grandmother.

Her eyes scanning the scenery that they rode past. The Queen of Thorns was sat across from her, the elder woman brushing the knees on her dress. She spoke to her granddaughter across from her, and Margaret could agree, her being outside of the Highgarden castle walls was different to her.

"Yes well, it's all down to father really" she replied, looking at the elder woman "You know how he likes me inside the castle walls. I'm not exactly sure why though, I'm not the one who will be the next Wardeness of the South"

"That title will go to Willas" her grandmother told her as Margaret sat silent, her eyes looking through the small window beside her "But if anything was to happen to Willas, Garlan and Loras, you would be named Wardeness of the South"

After her father passes, the title of being Warden of the South will go to her elder brother, Willas. He will become Willas Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Warden of the South, Defender of the Marches and High Marshal of the Reach. That title did not belong to her, but her father made her study for it like she would be next. She would only be next if all three of her brothers were to pass.

They continued their journey towards Kings Landing. Their route did not change, they continued on the Roseroad until they reached the Bitterbridge, passing it without a struggle.

She wasn't sure how long they were travelling for, and her cart was silent the whole time which did not help her pass the time. When they reached the Kings woods, she knew that they were close to Kings Landing.

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The white horse rode down the great hall with a lion on it's back. The prey of any lion would be terrified, but the roses amongst the room were not. The marriage that was about to be offered would put them out of harms way, out of the danger zone and out of the lions jaw, at least that's what they hoped would happen.

A rose has it's thorns, just like a lion has it's teeth and a stag has it's antlers. The Prince that was promised was held in front of her, a grin on his face as the Battle had been won.

No one said a word, until the stag that sat above everyone else finally broke the shuddering silence. The boy that sat upon the throne, all eyes on him. The eyes of a Direwolf, watching his movements carefully and observingly. Watching and waiting for the right moment, but no moment would be the perfect one. They could befriend a wolf, perhaps break a wolf, but no wolf can ever be tamed.

"I Joffrey of the House Baratheon, first of my name. The rightful king of the Andals and the first men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and protector of the realm. Do hereby proclaim my grandfather - Tywin Lannister, the saviour of the city and the hand of the king" The lion had now reached the stag, a golden hand pinned onto his armour as he bared his teeth with a smile.

The rose stood patiently, waiting for the opportunity where her plan would officially fit into place. She glanced to the side, the brunette by her side nodding slightly to her. The handmaiden beside her had been trusted by the rose, trusted with her life. But the highborn could not tell her about the plans that her and her sister had. The lion had bowed to the stag, thanking him deeply and no longer showing his teeth. The lioness that sat by her son watched as her father on the white horse soon left the great hall, which meant that there was now only one lion in the den.

"Lord Peter Baelish, step forward" from her sisters side stood the mastermind himself. Her mind flicked back to the night in the tent, when the youngest stag had fallen.

Yes, the rose knew littlefinger, as did everyone in the Seven Kingdoms. His mind tricks were what made him the most dangerous man in Westeros, and it would take a great mind to outsmart him "For your good service, and ingenuity in uniting The Houses of Lannister and Tyrell, I declare that you shall be granted the castle of Harrenhal, with all it's attendant lands and incomes. To be held by your son's and grandsons, from this day - until the end of time."

The bald man glared and the rose didn't miss it. The spider that was also in the lion's den that knew just as much as littlefinger. Varys was a quiet man, but he had spies everywhere. He didn't trust littlefinger, but then again, only a fool would trust Lord Peter Baelish. The betrayer stepped forwards and thanked the King in only a way that Peter Baelish could. A smart and clever remark that only made the hall burst into laughter.

The man returned back to his place beside the youngest Tyrell member, the girl glancing at him before looking over at the man that she was desperate to marry. Her brother, the knight of the flowers, was called up by the Prince that was promised and the rose then knew that this was where it would all begin.

"Your House has come to our aid, the whole realm is in your debt none more so than I. If your family would ask anything of me, ask it. It shall be yours"

"Your grace..." the knight spoke as the stag and the lioness watched him carefully "My sister Margaery, her husband was taken from her before-" he stopped before he could explain. The eldest rose watched carefully, Loras trying to explain to the King that she hadn't been deflowered in a non awkward manner. She knew that he was in love with Renley, that much was true. But Loras needed to do this, to unite the Houses of Baratheon and Tyrell, otherwise all would be lost.

"I would ask you to find it in your heart to do us the great honour, of joining our houses" Gasps were heard, but it only made the older rose smile. The smallest rose beside her was glancing down at the floor, embarrassed that she would get rejected.

"Is this what you want, Lady Margaery?" the stag asked, as he leant forward in his chair. The direwolf still stared. Stared at the stag, stared at the lion, stared at the bird and stared at the roses that were already taking her place. The younger rose stepped forward, smiling at the Prince who was promised before her voice sang melodies into the hall.

"With all my heart your grace. I have come to love you from afar, tales of your courage and wisdom have never been far from my ears.. and those tales have taken root deep inside of me" The stag was impressed. He was impressed by the little rose, her words and her voice coursing through him as he had never been spoken to before so softly.

But then he got distracted by the other rose in the room. She was much different to her sister, that was obvious. Perhaps it was the fact that she was dressed in a darker blue than Margaery — but Joffrey definitely noticed the difference between the hair details. This new princess was more proud of her house, at least that's what he observed. The golden roses that were threaded through her braids definitely made it seem like she was.

"Forgive me Lady Margaery, Ser Loras..." The stag began as the older rose didn't look over at him "But why is it not your other sister that I am not being offered? I mean she is the oldest one after all, isn't she?" The stag was clever. The lioness smirked, but the roses didn't. The direwolf still stared and the bird watched carefully.

"My sister, she—"

"Your sister... has a voice of her own, does she not?" He interrupted her brother, embarrassing him in front of everyone. Loras and Margaery both looked over to their sister, one their protectors, and looked at her with desperate eyes. It was in her hands now, the stag was watching her as he relaxed backwards.

"Your Grace.." she stepped forward, a smile on her face as her handmaiden wanted to cower up after not having the rose there to protect her "Like my sister said, tales of your wisdom and courage have traveled to us on many occasions. It would be my honour to marry you, to join our houses and to bear your children, but I am afraid that I do not love you as much as my sister Margaery has come to love you"

The stag glared, looking over at his mother. The lioness said nothing, just stared at her son before looking down at her lap and swallowing harshly. The Prince that was promised looked back over at the oldest rose who was now standing in front of her younger siblings, as if she was the thorn protecting the stem.

"Lady Margaery.. I, too have heard tales of your beauty and grace. The tales do not do you justice, my lady" the stag began, as the eldest rose moved aside for her younger sister to be more visible again. The younger girl smiled, her teeth baring white as her cheeks flamed red hot like the rose burning in the summer sun "It would be an honour to return your love. But, I am promised to another, a King must keep his word"

"You mean the Stark girl?" The eldest rose chipped up as Margaery looked over at her. The stag on the iron throne shifted uncomfortably, as if that name gave him chills whenever it was spoken "The girl is a traitor. Her father, if I'm not mistaken – plotted to kill you, your grace. Her brother is currently at war against the Throne. The girl has traitors blood. Do you wish for your children to be born as traitors?"

The direwolf stared again. The oldest rose began to look like good prey for her. Perhaps she would add her to a list of people who had angered her in the first five seconds of meeting them, but that would be a long list. Take Joffrey away from her, get her out of Kings Landing — she would like any of them to happen. But calling her traitor and speaking of her innocent dead father goes beyond the girls anger.

"Your Grace, in the judgement of your small council... it would be nor proper or wise for you to wed the daughter of a man beheaded for treason" the lioness finally spoke "The rose is right. A girl who's brother is in an open rebellion against the throne as we speak. For the good of the realm, your council has begged you to set Sansa Stark aside"

The attention was now on the wolf, who stood there like a statue. But the wolf's eyes were on no one but the elder rose who stood with her back straight and hair shining gold from the roses threaded through it. The rose smirked, it was small but it was there. Sansa had never felt more anger and relief pass through her in one second. The stag stood, all attention on him again as he looked down at the Tyrell siblings that presented themselves in front of him.

"I would like to heed your wishes and the wishes of my people but... I took a holy vow" he turned to the lioness who just stared at him, no emotion in her pointed face at all. The stag had hoped that he would hear the sweet voice of one of the roses, but instead he heard the low rumble of Grand Maester Pycelle.

"Your Grace" he spoke as the stag moved his attention to him "The gods do indeed hold betrothal solemn, but your father... blessed be his memory, made this pact before the Starks revealed their falseness" Traitors blood, traitors family. The Starks were no good, all talk about honour and loyalty but they plotted to kill the one good King that the Seven Kingdoms had ever had.

"I have consulted with the High Septon" Grand Maester Pycelle continued. The older rose made eye contact with the lioness, and wasn't afraid to send a successful smirk into her direction "He assures me, that their crimes against the realm... free you from any promise you have made to them in the sight of the gods"

"The gods are good" The stag began, a smile on his face as he stared down at the three roses in front of him "I am free to heed my heart. Ser Loras, Lady Margaret... I will gladly wed your sweet sister. You will be my queen and I will love you from this day... until my last day"

The roses and the wolf had managed to look over at each other. The two sisters, staring at the wolf as if she was now their prey. They had won. They had won the battle, they had won the Kings heart. Now they would win with their plan. A plan to get Margaery on the iron throne, where she belongs. Everyone clapped, except for the old rose and the little rose. The little one was grabbed by her arm as she watched the wolf walk away.

"Leave the Stark girl to me" she whispered into her younger sisters ear. Margaery glanced up at her sweet sister and smiled successfully before hooking her arm through her sisters. This was the beginning. This was the start of their victory, but nothing can get in their way if they wanted to achieve their plan.

"I was planning on it, sweet sister"

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Authors note: [Rewriting] Okay so, I've began to read the books of Game of Thrones and I can say that I think we were well and truly robbed of Willas and Garlan in the show.

I've decided to include them in this story, but my story will still follow the shows story line. Some things I will take from the book but not a lot. I may adjust a few things along the way, to make my story line make more sense but I really wanted to include Willas and Garlan in this story.

The first chapter of the rewrite, I haven't changed much, just added a little part in the beginning but you might notice some major changes later on in the book.

Also, I know I said that Language of Thorns Wikia would still be up, but I wanna make some adjustments to it and I'm going to add Willas and Garlan to it, because I have some pretty good (popular) faceclaims.

See you in the next chapter :)

— KMIKAELSXN