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CHAPTER SIX; THE FAMOUS TART-TOUNGE

Rey had only been to Highgarden once, and that was when she was a child the mere age of seven. It was vast and beautiful, full of life and promise. She didn't remember many details about the place, only how breathtaking it was. Long ago, she had met Mace Tyrell and his two children, but now it was only Loras she had gotten used to being around frequently. She had probably met the matriarch, Olenna Tyrell once when she was incredibly young, but she had no recollection. From what she had heard, the elderly woman was feisty and clever, which was fascinating, but also terrifying.

"You look beautiful, M'lady," Elise smiled as she finished fitting a brand new dress onto Rey's body. The girl was exhausted still, but she was thankful to have finally reached the castle in her homeland. It was refreshing, almost, to smell the fresh air and the floral scents, as well as feel the light drizzles of rain every so often. It reminded her of home, of where she was meant to be. The desirable weather in the middle of being too cold or too hot, it felt perfect. 

It was far better than King's Landing, that was for sure.

Rey smiled slightly as she patted down the lovely material that sat against her skin. It was the nicest state she had been in over the past three weeks, she had to admit. She felt presentable; she felt worthy of standing up for House Marigot. Well, as worthy as one could be when standing up for House Marigot.

"Lady Olenna would like to see you in the Great Hall within the hour," Elise reminded her, reaching for a comb on the dresser and brushing through Rey's soft locks. The lady looked perfect, yet both her and the handmaiden shared a similar swirling feeling in their stomachs at the idea of representing the family. "King Renly has spoken with Lord Tyrell and Lady Margaery about the marriage, which they have consented to."

"That's good," Rey responded softly. She was genuinely happy for Renly, he deserved a kind wife such as Margaery. From what she had heard, the Tyrell woman was incredibly loving and intelligent. "They will make a sweet couple. Perhaps she shall bring an heir to carry on Renly's legacy."

"Perhaps," Elise repeated, humming a little. The two fell into a comfortable silence, the birds chirping outside and putting them both at ease. They felt safe, they felt like they finally belonged somewhere. Before long, there was a knock at the door, and the handmaiden stepped away from Rey to answer. "Ah, Ser Hogarth. You smell a lot better today."

"Thank you," Hogarth grumbled irritably, before allowing himself inside the large room. It was decorated with beautiful flowers and there were plenty of books to divulge in, which made Rey's heart flutter a little bit in delight. She loved reading, she tried to do as much as she could in the large library in the Red Keep, though the Grandmaester Pycelle wasn't entirely lenient on allowing her to borrow many at a time. "Aurelia, a raven from your brother."

Rey's eyebrows quirked in surprise, taking the small scroll from the knight. She felt a twinge of excitement in her chest -- she hadn't heard from her brother in a while, considering how his weekly letters turned into yearly ones. "Why did you bring it to me?"

"Couldn't stand listening to Ser Loras talking about himself much longer," Hogarth said flatly, clearly not amused with the Knight of Flowers. Rey chuckled lightly, before breaking the bumblebee seal and unravelling the scroll.

Dearest sister,

I have been informed of your arrival in Highgarden. I am thankful you are safe and under the protection of the Tyrells. They are an incredibly generous house, so please make an effort to extend our gratitude. We are anxiously awaiting your return, though I feel that it is my duty to notify you that upon your coming, mother and I have arranged a betrothal for you. 

Wishing you a safe and happy return,

Lord Irvin of House Marigot.

Rey felt her stomach drop to her feet. She pursed her lips and quickly averted her eyes to the ground, allowing the scroll to recoil in her hand. Hogarth and Elise were watching her expectantly, so she looked up at them and forced a smile to her face, holding in a deep sigh. "Irvin and my mother have arranged for me to be married."

Hogarth watched the girl carefully, knowing how hard she was trying to be happy for herself. This was her duty, she knew that. It was up to her to help with alliances and ensure the survival of the people of her home. She couldn't be a coward, she couldn't put herself first. It was not ladylike to put herself before the wellbeing of others. 

"This could be splendid, you know," Elise tried to brighten the mood a little bit, stepping forward with a hopeful grin. "Do you know who your betrothed is?"

"Irvin didn't say," Rey shook her head, her eyes flickering back down. Her eye caught on Gendry's ring, and she blinked a few times, her heart thumping in her chest. Hogarth noticed this, and exhaled softly. 

"He's a lowborn, Aurelia," the man muttered, and Rey lifted her hand to wipe her eyes. "Your father and brother would never have allowed it."

"Who is a lowborn?" Elise asked, looking between the two in pure confusion. 

"Nobody," Rey whispered, before turning away and dropping the scroll on her bed. She then looked out the wide window and saw the beauty of the Highgarden courtyard before her. She just needed to breathe. She needed to come to terms with the fact that she couldn't marry who she wanted, she couldn't love who she wanted, she could only be who she was born to be.

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"Young Aurelia Marigot," muttered Olenna Tyrell as Rey was ushered into the great hall by Renly. It was in no way as intimidating as the one in the Red Keep. Here, there were open windows with plants crawling across the walls, as well as beautiful paintings and sculptures. It was far more welcoming, which put Rey at ease. The elderly woman sat at the end of the room with Margaery and Loras behind her, their expressions warm and inviting. Rey anxiously brushed out the creases in her new dress, dipping her head in greeting. "The little bumblebee with a heart of gold. That's what I've heard, anyway."

"Thank you for your hospitality, my lady," Rey said clearly, forcing confidence. She needed to make her father proud. As hard as that was. "I am incredibly grateful."

"How old are you now?" Olenna inquired, and Rey swallowed nervously. Her eyes darted across the room, wanting to look anywhere but the matriarch. Gods, why was she so terrified?

"Fifteen," Rey replied. The room was silent as the elderly woman assessed her. She didn't appear to be capable of any harm, only sharp of words and wit. Rey had heard several times that she had been called the famous tart-tongue.

"Your father was always a coward, just like the rest of your house," Olenna called out abruptly, and Rey faltered a little, her eyes flickering towards Renly momentarily before back at the old flower before her. Confident. The woman hummed softly, having observed the girl's actions. "But him sending you here was the wisest thing he's ever done. Quite noble, too. We will grant you passage to Dewacreage to be with your brothers, or you may stay here."

"Thank you," Rey curtsied, before stepping back behind Renly, who smiled at her. She had done it. It wasn't much, but it appeared to be the first step to earning an ounce of respect from the Lord Protectors of the Reach. 

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"Lady Aurelia," a soft voice appeared from the entrance to Rey's bedroom. The girl glanced up from where she was seated by one of the windows, closing her book and standing up at the sudden company. She was quite surprised to see Margaery Tyrell, standing in her true beauty like some sort of angel. Her light brunette locks tumbled down her shoulders and her heart shaped face was kindly. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Not at all," Rey responded politely, placing her book on her desk and brushing herself off as Margaery approached her. The woman continued to smile brightly, pulling Rey into a warm and tight embrace. "It's lovely to see you again, My Lady."

"I remember when you last came to visit, all those years ago," Margaery's voice was so smooth and silky, Rey was instantly comforted. The women in King's Landing seemed to have such a venomous tone of voice; like they always wanted something. It was as if Margaery didn't want anything from the girl, which was refreshing. "You were so little and sweet to everything you touched, it was lovely to watch. And you've grown into such a beautiful young woman."

"As have you," Rey said softly, and the woman laughed, linking their arms together and leading her out of the chambers. 

"Let's take a stroll around the gardens, and you can tell me about yourself. I've heard some interesting things about you from Renly," Margaery beamed, and Rey dipped her head, flushing a little. What was there to hear about her? She wasn't overly interesting -- she liked to read, she liked to learn swordplay (though no one but Hogarth knew that), though that was about it. She wasn't funny or good at playing any instruments, she was just a Lady of House Marigot. 

The two wandered the large estate, talking about anything that came to mind. There was no scheming or poisonous jeers, just two people appreciating each other's company. 

"His name is Gendry," Rey said, her cheeks red. She couldn't believe they had reached this topic already, hardly anyone knew about the blacksmith. "He's an apprentice in King's Landing. He's lowborn, I know, but he understands me in a way no one else has before."

"And he made this for you?" Margaery touched the bumblebee ring with her index finger. Rey nodded, a smile unconsciously appearing on her lips. "It's beautiful."

"Part of me wishes I never met him," Rey admitted, swallowing a little. "It would make getting married to someone else far easier."

"I suppose you're right," Margaery agreed in her soft voice. "But it is our duty to bring honour to our families. When you meet him again, invite him to Highgarden. He will be treated like the Lord he is deep down. And besides, the man you are to wed may be just as kind and loving."

Rey didn't want to admit it, but the Tyrell woman was right. Gendry was her best friend, one of her favourite people in the entire world. But nonetheless, she was to be married, and she had no say to who. She prayed Margaery was right, though. She hoped her betrothed was someone caring of heart and soul. 

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heyyyyyyyyyyy long time no seee

this took me a hot minute to write cause uhh ideas and stuff

while i was gone, though, the wonderful antigalactic made these GORGEOUS MANIPS OF REY AND GENDRY AND I'M SO IN LOVE WITH THEM!!! i posted them in my misc. book 'teenage icon' when i first got them, if you'd also like to check that out! thank you so much for these liv!! xx