Delicious seafood was scattered across the tables: whitefish and river snails, crabs and mussels, as well as clams, herring, cod, salmon, lobster, and lampreys.
Accompanying them were mountains of turnips, sweet corn and peas, apples and pears.
"Long live Storm!"
"Long live Storm!"
"May the Golden Rose flourish forever!"
"May the Golden Rose flourish forever!"
People crowded shoulder to shoulder, celebrating both victory in war and the marriage alliance between the Tyrell rose and the Martell spear.
Seated on the dais were the most distinguished lords and ladies, the king and queen.
"Flourish forever. Whatever else you might say, the roses certainly stick together." Gendry looked at the members of the rose family seated together. The roses were a sprawling family, with relatives both close and distant.
At least the roses worked together, whereas the three stag brothers had each gone in a different direction.
"All that remains is to choose an auspicious day. I can hardly wait."
"We already have a septon on hand, and Arianne can hardly wait either."
The Queen of Thorns and the Red Viper were both smiling on the dais. Anyone who did not know better might truly have thought the two were the closest of friends.
Lady Alerie, Duke Tyrell's tall, imposing wife, wore jeweled rings around her long silver braid.
Lady Alerie's expression was a little awkward. Grandsons and granddaughters with a Dornish flavor might soon be on their way.
"These are all my relatives and companions." Margaery introduced the others to Daenerys and Sansa: the little rose's three cousins were also her attendants-Megga, Alla, and Elinor. All were around Sansa's age, roses from the lower branches, distant Tyrell relations.
Another companion, Lady Bulwer, was still a girl of eight.
Menedis Clyne, meanwhile, kept smiling.
"Your Grace, Lady Sansa, we are roses from