iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 236 Low branches and high branches

Seeing the two people talking and laughing in front of them, Margaery could only stand aside "alone".

There was a gentle smile on Margery's little face, and she couldn't get into it.

After chatting for a while, Duke Mace stroked his beard and said with emotion: "I can only say... Duke Tywin is not as good as when he was young."

Green nodded slightly and said: "I heard that after Robb Stark defeated and captured Jaime Lannister, Seaside City and Twins City have declared their support... Stark."

The Duke of Metz murmured solemnly, "Stark has obtained the services of all the great lords of the Riverlands..."

He added: "Green, what do you think of the Lannister war in the Riverlands?"

Green mused: "The Lannister Lion still has claws. I think they are likely to lose both sides."

Sighing lightly, he continued: "But if the Lannister army in the Riverlands cannot support King's Landing in time, the result will be that Stannis Baratheon will sit on the Iron Throne."

Duke Mace touched his beard and murmured: "Baratheon..."

Green nodded and said: "Duke Metz, I once served as the commander-in-chief of the King's Landing Guard, and I have the combat power of thousands of gold robes... I can only say that we cannot hope for them."

After a pause, he continued: "Besides, Stannis leads tens of thousands of elites. King's Landing cannot resist it unless the dragon is resurrected."

A flash of anger flashed in the eyes of Duke Metz, and he murmured: "Tens of thousands...tens of thousands..."

After stroking his beard for a moment, the Duke of Metz suddenly asked doubtfully: "Green, didn't the King and the Royal Council request the troops from the Crab Claw Peninsula to support King's Landing?"

Green hesitated for a moment and then said: "Duke Metz, if the king and the Royal Council give the order, I will follow the tradition of the Crab Claw Peninsula and mobilize tens of thousands of troops to fight for the Iron Throne, but..."

He sighed softly: "In the current situation, they won't do this..."

In the doubtful eyes of Duke Mace, Green said: "Duke Mace, the Mad King opened the gate to King's Landing for Tywin Lannister's army more than ten years ago. So, at least with the current situation, they Won’t do that.”

At the end of the Usurper's War, Mad King Aerys listened to Grand Maester Pycelle's advice and allowed Lord Tywin's Lannister army to enter King's Landing, which directly declared the destruction of the Targaryen dynasty.

Stannis's army is about to attack the city, and the Lannister family never wants the scene like that to happen to them again.

…………

After a pause, Duke Mace reached out and patted Green on the shoulder and said: "Green, I don't like Stannis of the Baratheon family, but I don't have a good impression of the Lannister family either."

In the last tourney, his favorite youngest son was killed by the Lannister Mountain, and his second son also lost an arm because of this incident.

The Lannister debts must be paid, but their debt to the Golden Rose has not yet been repaid, and it was a blood debt.

Thinking of his son, the Duke of Metz couldn't help but sigh.

Green raised his eyebrows slightly. What is most important to the nobles of Westeros? The interests of the family come first.

Under the Duke of Metz's true feelings, there is another, more important thing hidden. Talking about those things... is to give the Golden Rose more initiative in the upcoming negotiations.

To be honest, Lord Green doesn't really care about these things.

…………

There was a hint of comfort in Green's tone: "Duke Metz, Miss Margaery, I represent the King and the Royal Council with full authority this time. To be precise, I come with Lannister's sincerity."

Margery gently held Duke Metz's arm and comforted him: "Father, the gods will bless our brothers."

The Duke of Metz patted the back of Little Rose's hand and said, "My Margery, I'm fine."

Margaery nodded slightly and said, "My father, your vassals are all watching you. Stannis not only invaded the Riverlands, but also killed Lord Randyll Tarly."

Green echoed from the side: "Duke Metz, you are the supreme leader of Hewan, and we have a common enemy."

Margaery smiled like a flower: "Father, Earl Green, please take a seat."

The Duke of Metz touched his beard and said: "Green, take a seat. You must be very hungry already. I remember when I was young..."

…………

The "dinner" for three people began. The Duke of Metz sat at the head of the long table, Margaery sat on his right, and Green sat on his left.

The crisp bell rang, and the waiters and maids brought the food in an orderly manner.

First came pears poached in strong wine, followed by delicious little fish boiled in salt and fried to a crisp, and a rooster stuffed with onions and mushrooms.

Then came huge loaves of browned bread, turnips, sweet corn, and peas, prime ham and roast goose, and wild venison stewed in beer and barley.

Desserts are: rose-shaped lemon cake, spiced honey cookies, blackberry pie, apple crisp, butter cheese and more.

Green raised his glass and took a sip of Qingting Island's golden wine. He "read" the passion and strength of the Golden Rose family from the sumptuous food.

Is tonight the first round of negotiations? !

Lord Green smiled and raised his glass... He was thinking about how to make the negotiation process more "difficult" and how to make it less difficult to reflect his great contribution in it, cough!

Seeing that the powerful Stannis army is about to advance, and the situation in the Riverlands, the Red Keep and the Lannister must be eager to promote an alliance with the Golden Rose.

On the other hand, the Golden Rose family seems to be calm, but aren't they in a hurry? They are more worried about Stannis sitting on the Iron Throne, which is definitely not a good thing for the Reach.

From the family's perspective, the personal feud between Golden Rose and Golden Lion can be put aside for the time being.

Hmm... He himself is quite anxious. He is anxious to return to Seagull Town to prepare for the war. This is related to Kleib's future.

In short, everyone is eager to promote this alliance.

So... he planned to be a little less anxious... After all, the negotiation matter must be considered in full. After all, Lord Green is the messenger who has high hopes for the Red Fort.

…………

With a smile on his face, Green felt Little Rose's gaze moving towards him. He tilted his head slightly, then curved his lips and smiled.

Little Rose responded to him with a charming smile, but her fingers under the table flexed. The look on the face of the person opposite made her vigilant instantly increase.

She had "fought" with him many times and was familiar with this feeling.

Margaery Tyrell's brown eyes moved slightly, and she glanced at her smiling father uneasily.

She immediately sent Greenclab's account to the High Court using a messenger crow. Such a major event was inseparable from her grandmother's wisdom. Her original intention was also to have her grandmother personally preside over this "transaction".

But the grandmother refused outright, saying that the old woman could not ride a horse, and she was worried that by the time she finally arrived at the Long Table Hall, Stannis would already be holding a banquet on the Iron Throne.

She knew that this time her grandmother had left full control over the future of the Golden Rose to her father...and her.

[Little Rose and Old Rose have different understandings of the power game, which is reasonable]

The slender hand under the table clenched into a fist, and Margery raised her glass to Green.

Green was recalling the "malice" in Margaery's eyes, and the joyful voice of Duke Metz sounded: "Green, come, for the health of King Joffrey."

Putting down the wine glass, Duke Metz added, "I heard that you once served as King Joffrey's sword skills teacher?"

Green nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Duke of Metz."

Duke of Metz touched his beard and asked: "Green, do you think Joffrey is a good king?" Green replied: "Duke of Metz, my knowledge is limited, I can only say that he will be a decisive king. "

After thinking about Green's words, Duke Metz glanced at his daughter and said: "Green, my good boy, I hope you can be honest with me, will Joffrey be a good husband?"

"Father..." The corners of Margaery's eyes suddenly turned slightly red.

Duke Metz stared at Green and said seriously: "This is very important."

Green's gaze first stayed on Little Rose for a short while, and then he met the gaze filled with fatherly love.

After pondering for a moment, Green said slowly: "Duke Mace, Joffrey Baratheon is still a little boy."

…………

That night, in a dormitory in the Long Table Hall.

There was a knock on the door. After receiving Green's response, Brienne pushed the door open and entered.

"Lord Green, we have a visitor. She said her name is Errol Tyrell."

Green's eyes moved slightly. He rubbed his dark hair and said, "Brenny, you're ready. Please invite her to the small hall."

Not long after Green arrived in the small hall, he saw Errol Tyrell, who looked haggard.

Green took the initiative to greet him: "Good night, Miss Tyrell."

After the ceremony, Ella sat on the wooden chair next to the fireplace at Green's invitation.

Seeing that Ello seemed to be hesitant about how to speak, Green smiled and said, "Miss Tyrell, if you need help, I'm happy to help."

Ello Tyrell has long, almost black brown hair and a pair of big, smart eyes.

She has a slender figure, but she seems to have grown taller and wider than the last time we met.

In Green's impression, she is a sweet-looking little girl with a lively personality.

"Please forgive my presumption..."

Ello Tyrell raised her chin and said, "Mr. Earl, I love you, and I am obsessed with your tongue... Of course, this is just one of them."

Green added mentally: Quite brave.

He replied directly: "Miss Tyrell, I already have a fiancée."

Ello Tyrell nodded slightly and said: "I heard about this from Miss Margaery..."

After a pause, she looked directly at Green with her big eyes, and continued: "I took the liberty of visiting tonight. I just...just..."

Green said in a gentle voice: "You want to confirm again, right?"

He poured a glass of wine, handed it over, and said, "It's absolutely true. I can swear on it if necessary, Miss Tyrell."

After hearing Green's answer, Ello Tyrell's body trembled slightly, and she took a sip of wine with a sad expression.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly walked up to Green, tapped Green on the face, and said, "Green Kleb, a girl named Erlo Tyrell once fell in love with you."

Then she said goodbye, and Green politely stood up to see her off.

When he walked to the door, he saw that the little girl's face became even more haggard. Green sighed secretly and said: "Miss Tyrell, you are a noble member of the Golden Rose, and my territory is full of savages, and my wife will be raped." They call it Mrs. Chief, so that’s a good thing and I hope you’re happy.”

Ello Tyrell stopped and paused. Said: "Count Kleb, you can call me Elo. Also, I am just a rose on a low branch."

After saying that, she left without looking back.

…………

…………

The next day, the second round of negotiations began.

On behalf of the King and the Royal Council, Green negotiated with the Duke of Metz and Miss Margery for a whole morning, but failed to reach an agreement on many alliance conditions.

For example, the scale of the Golden Rose's troops and the command authority of the coalition forces.

For example, the issue of the number of seats in the Royal Council.

For example, the supply of grain and grass.

For example, the issues of Stormlands and Dragonstone.

For example, the problem of the royal fleet.

For example... the Golden Rose also made a marriage request to the Lannister family. They hope that the Lannister family will choose someone to marry to Highgarden to consolidate the alliance between the two families.

…………

On the second day, the results of serious negotiations were almost the same as the day before.

The third day was like a repeat of the previous day, except that before parting, the Duke of Metz vaguely mentioned Princess Myrcella.

On the night of the fourth day, according to the report of the spy stationed near Green's residence, the Duke of Metz and Miss Margaery received information: several of Kleb's blue robes were secretly inquiring about the shortcut to Dorne.

On the fifth day, the atmosphere at the negotiating table became tense.

On the sixth day, the two sides got angry at the negotiation table and ended up unhappy.

On the seventh day, taking a day off, Green met with several horse dealers.

On the eighth day, Green requested to continue rest citing physical discomfort. That night... he and Miss Margaery talked about the situation in the valley in a pleasant atmosphere.

On the ninth day, Green continued to practice.

On the tenth day, in less than half a day, the two sides negotiated the terms of the alliance. Signed and sealed, the Red Keep and the Tyrell family have reached an alliance.

They agreed that Lord Matus Rowan of the Riverlands would lead 20000 troops to support the Lannister army in the Riverlands, and the command of the coalition forces would be given to Lord Tywin Lannister.

They agreed that Duke Mace Tyrell would gather at least 50000 troops in the Long Table Hall, with Golden Rose leading the army alone.

They agreed that after Stannis's army was defeated, Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell would be engaged within a month, and the wedding would be held within six months of the engagement.

They agreed that after Stannis's army was defeated, Lannister and Tyrell would decide within a month who Lannister would marry to Highgarden.

They agreed that House Tyrell would have two seats on the royal council.

They agreed that within a period of time (no specific time limit was set) the Tyrell family would provide free food for King's Landing.

…………

Although the Duke of Metz kindly requested to stay, in order not to delay the war, Lord Greene left the Long Table Hall on the night after signing the alliance.

(End of this chapter)