𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 | Meddling

{ Lyra }

✧✦✧

𝕵offrey looked peaceful in the early morning light, Lyra had decided. She had been awake for no more than ten minutes, staring at her new husband, in awe that they had somehow managed to make it through all of the trials and marry one and other.

His tanned skin glowed in the sun, and even in his sleep, the man kept a protective arm wrapped around Lyra's waist. She traced the scars on his arms lightly, before leaning forward to press a kiss against the largest, that was situated on his shoulder. 

She remembered when he had got it, after fighting in the Battle of the Blackwater. He shifted, pressing their bodies closer, as Lyra continued to trace her hand over his scars, the small ones that littered his chest and back from fights, before finally reaching up to rub her thumb across the scar under his eye.

"Lyra..." The girl glanced up at the deep growl of Joffrey's voice, humming in acknowledgement. "It's too early for you to be awake. Let us just go back to sleep."

"I didn't mean to wake you," He opened one eye lazily, as she continued to trace the scar on his cheek. "You can go back to sleep."

"Are you not tired from last night?" A blush ran up her neck, covering her face, as Joffrey chuckled quietly, the deep sound reverberating around the room. "I'm teasing you, My Love."

"I know," He tightened his grip on her, as she rolled over and pulled the pillow back towards her. "Can I not admire the handsomeness of my husband?" 

"Maybe when it is a later hour, but I'd prefer to sleep with my wife," Joffrey replied, tightening his grip on her waist once more, as his breath tickled her neck. Lyra hummed in response, her eyes fluttering closed. "Good."

✧✦✧

Lyra looked her up from her plate as Cersei barged into the room, Tylar behind her looking vaguely annoyed. He shot her an apologetic look, as Lyra waved him off with a smile.

"Sansa Stark is missing," The woman growled, as Lyra raised an unamused eyebrow, before glancing at Joffrey. The king continued to eat his breakfast, ignoring his mother's words. "on the same day that you are almost killed."

"Careful, my dear mother in law," Lyra hissed, as Elia sat down besides her. "It sounds like you are accusing my sister of trying to have me and my husband murdered."

Joffrey placed a hand onto Lyra's arm, before looking up at the woman with cold eyes.

"You're interrupting my time with my wife," Cersei fumed at those words, raising an eyebrow at her son. "Lyra and I have business to attend to. If there is a matter that you would like to bring forward, do so in court, or wait until are Small Council meeting in two days time."

"Joffrey!" He looked up at the woman, who's face was covered in shock.

"If you don't have anything new to say, then please leave our chambers," Cersei fumed, before storming out of the chambers, slamming the door behind her, as Lyra turned to her husband. Joffrey was running a tired hand down his face, as Lyra reached over to touch his shoulder gently.

"Are you all right?" Joffrey sent her a half-smile.

"Of course," Lyra could tell that he was lying about what was on his mind, but she didn't need to push him further. He would tell her when he was ready to. "What is your plan for the day, My Love?"

Lyra sat down on the arm of his chair, humming as she held onto his shoulder gently. His hands found her waist, keeping her upright as she thought.

"I am going to see Lady Olenna and Margaery in the gardens, then I shall try and seek out Prince Oberyn to ask about Myrcella," Lyra replied with a smiled, before looking down at her husband. "Then, I shall come back and hope that my husband is not too immersed in his work so that we can spend some time together."

"I am never too immersed in work for you," Joffrey replied, leaning up to press a kiss to Lyra's lips, rubbing his thumb along her jaw, before pulling away. "Now go, spend some time with your friends."

✧✦✧

Lyra rolled her eyes at the large amount of guards surrounding her, waving them off as she stepped into the pavilion that Olenna and Margaery Tyrell were waiting for her in.

"Please don't curtsy," Lyra called, glaring at Margaery, who was performing an overly theatrical curtsy. Margaery grinned at the sour look on Lyra's face, both of them sitting down as they waited for Olenna to say something.

"So, how is the queen?" Olenna asked, her eyes sparking as she stared at the woman in front of her.

"Bored to death with talk of a potential trial," Lyra replied before looking over at Margaery, who mirrored her bored face. "How about you, Margaery, how are you?"

"Still not married," Margaery toasted in Lyra's direction, a small smiled on her face. 

"Well, yes, you might just have to wait for a bit longer with that," Olenna replied. "In any case, this would not be an opportune moment to press the issue."

"Yes, your wedding did take quite an unexpected turn, didn't it, Lyra?" Margaery replied, as Lyra nodded in agreement.

"At least nobody died. That would have been an interesting wedding," She could joke about it all she wanted, but Joffrey dying had been a major concern for the girl. The poison that they were using was especially deadly, and if something had gone wrong, that would have been catastrophic.

"The world is overflowing with horrible things. But they're all a tray of cakes next to death," Olenna told the two, reminding them that outside of the little bubble they lived in, the real world was not as pretty. "It was a good thing that neither Lyra, nor Joffrey died, your wolf proved how good she really was."

"She was a good girl," Lyra replied, stroking Elia's head, as the wolf leant into her side. "I don't think I want to know what would have happened if Joffrey died."

"They brought me your grandfather's body when he died, you know? Made me look at it."  

"What was it like?" Margaery asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Took me to the Great Hall and there he was. The man I married, and suffered, to father my children. A great doughy lump that I'd sat next to at endless dinners and tedious gatherings. There he was, lying on a table."

"My husband preferred the company of men and was stabbed through the heart," Margaery said.

"And my husband almost died due to poisoning at our own wedding feast. We make a fine pair, don't we?" Lyra finished, giggling with Margaery at the statement.

"We must be cursed," The girls laughed again as Olenna shook her head, smiling softly at their amusement.

"Nonsense. Your circumstances have improved remarkably. You may not have enjoyed watching them die, or almost die, but you enjoyed it more than you would have if you'd stayed married to that fool, Renly, I can promise you that," Olenna warned the two girls. They both turned to face the older woman, listening in to her words of wisdom.

"But I would have been a queen. No offence meant, Lyra," Margaery stated, leaning forward.

"None taken," Lyra smiled. She might have married the love of her life, but from Joffrey's tales, Small Council meetings were going to be the death of her. 

"Our alliance with the Lannister and the Baratheon families remain every bit as necessary to them as it is unpleasant for us," Olenna continued, drumming her fingers against the side of her wine glass. "You did wonderful work with Renly, the next marriage should be easier."

There was a silence that settled over the pavilion, before an attendee came over to tell Margaery that she had another appointment.

"Stay, Lyra," Olenna patted the young queen's hand, as she sat down once more. "We should also talk." 

"Of course," Olenna waited until the servant and Margaery had walked away, before speaking to the girl.

"Has everything gone well?" Olenna asked, quietly, looking around for hidden spies.

"Tyrion is the only one facing any backlash at the moment," Lyra told the woman. "But, Sansa is out of this city and away from Cersei which is all that I truly care about, as bad as that may seem."

"You were clever to think of the idea," Olenna praised her, patting her hand again. "But I fear for your safety; you are a lone wolf in the lion's den, my Dear, and that is a dangerous position to be in." 

"I know. But, Cersei will have trouble trying to kill me in the next couple of weeks, at least. I know that Tyrion's trial shall take up all of her efforts and time," Lyra continued to stroke Elia's ears, trying to keep herself calm.

"Take some advice from me, my Dear," Lyra nodded at Olenna's words, as the woman pursed her lips. "Get pregnant as quickly as possible. That was Cersei is unable to lay a hand on your head without being killed for killing the queen and the king's heir. Whilst she may not hold as much power as she once did, she is no less dangerous."

"Only a fool would think that Cersei Lannister was not dangerous," Lyra said, her eyes flashing as she thought of Eliza's most recent letter about her younger brother, Bran. "But, as the saying goes, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer still."

"I just worry for you," Olenna replied, tucking some of the girl's light hair behind her ears. "You may be able to handle yourself well, especially against the old lioness, but that doesn't mean that I don't fear for you."

"Thank you, Olenna," Lyra pressed a kiss to the woman's cheek, before smoothing her dress up and standing. "I will try to make sure that I don't worry you as much." 

✧✦✧

"Prince Oberyn," Lyra called, walking towards the man, who was writing letters in one of the many gardens. "I did not get to see you at the wedding, but it is a pleasure."

"Your Majesty," Oberyn Martell stood to bow to the woman, who held her hand out for him to kiss as custom dictated. "You look just as radiant as your wedding day. Would you like to sit?"

Lyra smiled, accepting the man's hand as he lead her towards a seat opposite him.

"I'm sorry about your wedding," Lyra smiled, and nodded her head.

"No one died and I got married in the end, so as far as I am concerned, it was a success," Oberyn laughed at the young girl, who reminded her slightly of his own daughters. She may not look all that dangerous, but only a fool would not see the calculating look in her eyes. The young queen seemed to be hiding many a thing from those around her.

"You would be correct," He nodded at the thought.

"I heard you studied poisons at the citadel,"

"I did," Oberyn replied, narrowing his eyes at the young woman. "You suspect me?"

"No," Lyra replied, matching the man's stare with a small smile on her face. "You may dislike my husband's family, but I am sure that you would know that if you killed him, all of the fingers would immediately be pointed at you. So, I am sure that you did not attempt to have us killed."

"You are as clever as you are beautiful." Oberyn replied as Lyra inclined her head in thanks.

"I also heard that you spoke with Tyrion when you came to King's Landing?" She asked, looking around her surreptitiously. You could never be too careful about who's spies were hiding in the bushes, ready to sneak back and whisper in their masters ears.

"You think he told me something?" Oberyn asked.

"I want to make sure that it is nothing incriminating. If this ends up with a trial, then I don't want Tywin or Cersei to use that against him."

"We talked about the death of my sister."

"For which you blame Tywin?" Lyra said slowly, trying to connect the dots in her head. 

"She was raped and murdered by the Mountain. The Mountain's follow Tywin Lannister's orders, of course I blame him."

"I understand," Lyra knew how repulsive some members of the Lannister family were, considering her own brother was pushed from the window by certain members.

"I would like to speak with the Mountain," Oberyn told the queen, knocking her out of her thoughts.

"I can try to arrange for this meeting. I'll talk to my husband tonight and see what we can do," Lyra nodded towards the man, before standing up and straightening her dress.

"You do not want something in return? This is a great task that I am asking of you," Oberyn reminded her, also standing up to finish their conversation.

"I wanted to ask you something regardless of the outcome of this conversation," Lyra smiled. "Tyrion is being held on trial soon, and as custom dictates, three judges will render the verdict, not including my husband, I am residing, as is Mace Tyrell. I would like you to be the third judge." 

"Why me? Why not your friend, Margaery Tyrell, or Jaime Lannister, your new uncle?"

"They are unfortunately too close to Tyrion and Sansa, as Tywin pointed out. I'm only residing because my husband commanded it," Lyra rolled her eyes as Oberyn chuckled. "Joffrey and I also wanted you to serve as a member of the Small Council, allowing for Dorne to become closer to the capital. Think of the trial as a sort of test run."

"Why do you need our help?" Oberyn asked, looking carefully at the woman who's mood had darkened.

"The king was almost killed, the Greyjoys are in open rebellion, a Wildling army marches on the wall, my brother now controls most of the North and in the east, a Targaryen girl has four dragons and is calling herself the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. I think you can understand our predicament and why we need you to help us. You are a fighter and you know what the people want in other parts of the world, that Joffrey and I have yet to even think about. We want to help Dorne and it's people." 

"I thank you for coming to talk to me personally and trust me with that information, not many would," Oberyn told her, reaching out to shake her hand. "I see your father in you."

"I take that as a great compliment. Hopefully next time we meet, we can discuss lighter topics, like my sister by law and how she is faring in Dorne," Oberyn bowed, watching as she strolled back towards the palace, the large wolf appearing by her side.

Hi guys,

12k and almost 700 votes is amazing so thank you to everyone who read, voted and commented. 

Margaery, Lyra and Olenna are my favorite trio and also, next chapter is up soon. Also, I didn't make a mistake, in this book, Dany does have four dragons (you'll have to read her book to know a bit more about that) and Joff and Lyra are very cute.

Love Li xx