Building an Empire in Game of Thrones (REWORKED VERSION)-Chapter 86: The Game of Queens

Hovering above Storm's End, a massive new airship had just arrived. This airship was made specifically for Maximus and could be used as a mobile fortress that had everything the palace would have and then some. Maximus put this request in whenever the first airships were created. The dwarves had to customize the airship and redesign it multiple times before they came to an agreement on which design to use.

Once that was done, the construction started a few years ago and didn't get completed until a few weeks ago.

On the ground, Margaery was being escorted by a few Imperial guards as she had been freed from her captivity. She was being taken to airship where Maximus resided. Though, she didn't even know that she was no longer married so everything she was going to hear from Maximus would come as a surprise.

Ascending on one of the mini transport airships, Margaery's expression shifted from anxious to awestruck. The vessel was like nothing she'd ever imagined. Intricate halls with gold and silver inlays, tapestries depicting mythical creatures draping the walls.

A massive door opened to reveal Maximus himself standing in a luxurious room. Beside him, Hela leaned against a pillar, arms crossed with a grin on her face.

"Margaery Tyrell," Maximus said, his voice smooth and controlled. "Welcome." She hesitated just a moment before speaking. "Your Excellency," she replied bowing her head.

Maximus gestured toward a seat across from him. "Sit," he offered. "We have much to discuss." She took her place gracefully, gazing around at the lavish surroundings. "I owe you thanks for my rescue," she began.

"Your gratitude is not necessary," Maximus replied coolly. "Stannis's arrogance sealed his fate long before we arrived." Margaery smiled, intrigued by his confidence but cautious of his power. "My grandmother," she ventured, "spoke highly of your... diligence."

Maximus leaned forward slightly; Lady Olenna knows how to play the game better than most." His tone softened. "And so do you." Margaery paused, choosing her words carefully.

"I know that I was a pawn in this... this war of kings." Hela chuckled from the corner. "You were a queen to another man just days ago," she said, teasing the young Tyrell. "It's amazing how quickly crowns change hands." Maximus continued.

"Your marriage to Renly has been ended by your father as he is no longer a king. In exchange for this your now betrothed to me and will become part of the Imperial Harem as one of my Queens." The news was a surprise to Margaery who never expected such a thing. Her eyes widened but she quickly masked her surprise with a smile. "I see," she responded.

Hela walked closer, examining Margaery. "You seem pleased," she said.

"Should I not be?" Margaery replied, not hiding the excitement she had. While it wasn't widely known, Renly had a lover who was Loras Tyrell, the Lord Commander of the Rainbow Guard. Renly wasn't interested in a relationship with Margaery and only married her to gain the support of House Tyrell. On their wedding night, when they were supposed to consummate their marriage Renly refused to lay with Margaery.

Margaery wasn't blind and knew about his lover, so she tried to work with him, but Renly refused to lay with her. So, now that she was no longer married to him and was now betrothed to Maximus who in her opinion was a much better husband to have then Renly.

"Do you know how suspicious it makes me? First Renly, now you."

Maximus smiled. "And yet you don't seem worried."

"I'm glad to have a husband who looks at me like a woman," Margaery said boldly, as she saw Maximus's eyes linger on her. Her beauty was not overstated. She carried herself with confidence and grace that would rival any queen.

"I'm going to enjoy having you around," Hela said with a grin.

"She is," Maximus replied. "Arianne will as well. Welcome to your new life."

Margaery watched him steadily, recognizing sincerity when she saw it. The Tyrells were masters at playing the game, but she could see that Maximus did not play games with the empire he built. He didn't need to.

"Then I'll pledge myself to you with more than just words, my Emperor," she confessed. "One marriage never mattered much to me before now."

It was then that Maximus truly knew he had made the right decision to break her from Renly. He rose from his chair and held out a hand as Hela opened the door to leave them alone.

———

Catelyn Stark rode through the camps along the riverlands where the Northern Host had gathered. Hundreds of tents dotted her path, with cooking fires and horses tied up to horse posts.

She pressed forward, eyes scanning the swarm of men. "Lady Stark," called a young bannerman. "You're looking for the King?"

"Yes," Catelyn said. "Where is my son?"

"At the front lines," he replied. "They're awaiting Lord Bolton's forces to join before their assault on Lannisport."

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"Thank you," she nodded. "Inform my husband that we need to speak when he gets a chance." The soldier nodded and ran towards the tents. Catleyn moved her horse through the camp until she reached Robb's command tent.

His wolf was outside, watching all who came and went with sharp eyes. At her approach, Grey Wind sat up and growled low before recognizing her. "Good boy," she smiled, throwing him a scrap of dried meat before entering the tent. Inside, a map of the riverlands was set out on canvas across a table. Robb stood over it with several commanders and high lords crowded around him.

Among them was Hoster Tully who had recovered well after being left at Riverrun. He looked up sharply at Catelyn's entrance. "Daughter," he said, opening his arms in greeting. "Look at you! A woman among wolves!" Catelyn embraced him tightly before stepping back. "And you're here... strong as ever," she said with relief in her voice. "I can't believe Edmure let you ride."

"He did not," Hoster chuckled. "Your boy Robb sent for me, knowing Edmure would never break a king's command." Robb looked up from the table and turned to his mother. "We weren't expecting you so soon." Catelyn looked at him with fierce pride. Her son had grown into a man throughout this war, a leader commanding an army beyond what she thought possible when they set out. "Mother," he said affectionately, motioning for her to come closer, "we were just discussing our plans." Catelyn moved to join them, quiet but observant. The lords respected her presence and gave way as she examined the map.

"Well?" she asked after a moment, scanning their faces. One of Lord Karstark's sons spoke up first, "Once Roose Bolton arrives, my lady, we'll strike Lannisport."

"And take it," added one of the Umbers. Catelyn shook her head in disbelief at how confident they all seemed. "Then you've driven the Lannisters halfway across the continent."

"More than halfway," Robb replied with a grin. "If Tywin takes his forces west of Lannisport and leaves King's Landing poorly defended, then Uncle Renly..." "Renly is no longer King," Catelyn interrupted with an intense look. The men went silent at this statement. "What do you mean?" Robb asked. "The Tyrells have abandoned him," Catelyn explained. "They sent a raven. Renly's imprisoned, and the Tyrells have thrown their banners behind the Empire." The gathered lords murmured. Most of them feared that the Empire would come North next after dealing with Stannis.

"Gods save us," whispered Lord Karstark. "Are we to be next?"

"Maximus has not betrayed us," Robb replied, his jaw clenching in frustration. They thought if they kept saying this it would be false. "We need Lannisport now! Once we take it, the Crag, Casterly Rock, then it will be all over for the Lannisters." He turned back to his commanders and father. "We will not shy away from this now!"

Eddard, who had been quiet till now, decided to speak up on the matter. "The Emperor will probably not make a move on Kingslanding yet. He will probably seek justification as he has with his taking of the Stormlands. For now, he has no justification, but even then, if he wanted to he could just invade Kingslanding and then start heading North."

His words were strong, but all the Lords knew how powerful the Imperials were. "It is only a matter of time before the whole continent is under his thumb," said Lord Karstark. "Can anyone stand against him?" Robb slammed his fist onto the table, "I will not abandon the North or our cause." Catelyn watched him carefully.

He had always been spirited and rebellious, but now there was hardness in him. "Then we press forward," Robb continued. "To Lannisport!" The men took up the call and began ordering their soldiers into march formation.

———

In King's Landing, Tyrion received word that Stannis had been captured by the emperor. The news of Renly's imprisonment alongside Stannis created a shift in his thinking on what the next move should be. At first, he thought that Stannis would be able to fight off some of Imperial forces since they didn't know much about them besides being good at trade and expanding like wildfire into other territories.

Now it appeared that Stannis's was wiped out as quickly as the Vale agreed to join the Empire. With both Stannis and Renly no longer a threat, he knew what was coming next. King's Landing was only a matter of time, and it was just a question of when, not if. "We need to send word to my father," Tyrion said to Varys, who stood at his side in the council chamber. "Tell him that the storm is over for now, but a dragons' wrath will soon be coming."

Varys nodded and passed the message onto a scribe. He gave Tyrion a look then asked in his subtle way, "And do we have any plans ourselves?" Tyrion considered for a moment before answering. "We have two enemies left," he said quietly. "Robb Stark and Maximus."

Varys leaned in closer, "And which is the greater threat?" Tyrion tilted his head slowly. "Robb comes first, and more dangerously every day. But Maximus... well, even the greatest wall must crumble when enough hammers fall on it." He paused then whispered to himself, "I wonder how long that will take." Varys shifted slightly. "I suppose we shall see," he mused, though he had his own plans, and he didn't plan to go down with Lannisters.