Lady Sansa, it is my honor to present my grandmother... the Lady Olenna of House Tyrell.
Olenna Tyrell Kiss me, child. [Sansa does so] It's so good of you to visit me and my foolish flock of hens. We're very sorry for your losses.
And I was sorry when I heard of Lord Renly's death, Lady Margaery. He was very gallant.
Olenna TyrellGallant, yes. And charming and very clean. He knew how to dress and smile and somehow this gave him the notion he was fit to be king.
Renly was brave and gentle, Grandmother. Father liked him and so did Loras.
Olenna Tyrell Loras is young and very good at knocking men off horses with a stick. That does not make him wise. As to your fathead father--
Grandmother! What will Sansa think of us?
Olenna Tyrell
She might think we have some wits about us. One of us, at any rate. It was treason. I warned them. Robert has two sons and Renly has an older brother. How could he possibly have any claim to that ugly iron chair? We should have stayed well out of all this if you ask me. But once the cow's been milked, there's no squirting the cream back up her udders. So here we are to see things through.
Olenna Tyrell
Are you frightened, child? No need for that. We're only women here. Tell us the truth. No harm will come to you.
My father always told the truth.
Olenna Tyrell
Yes, he had that reputation. And they named him traitor and took his head.
Joffrey. Joffrey did that. He promised he would be merciful and he cut my father's head off. And he said that was mercy. Then he took me up on the walls and made me look at it.
I.. I can't. I never meant... my father was a traitor. My brother as well. I have traitor's blood. Please don't make me say anymore.
She's terrified, Grandmother. Just look at her.
Olenna Tyrell
Speak freely, child. We would never betray your confidence, I swear it.
Olenna Tyrell
Ah. That's a pity.
Please, don't stop the wedding.
Olenna Tyrell
Have no fear. The Lord Oaf of Highgarden is determined that Margaery shall be queen. Even so, we thank you for the truth. Ah, here comes my cheese.
Olenna Tyrell
[about the prospect of Loras marrying Cersei] Impossible
Olenna Tyrell
My grandson is the pride of Highgarden, the most desirable bachelor in the whole Seven Kingdoms! Your daughter...
Is rich, the most beautiful woman in the whole Seven Kingdoms, and the mother of the king.
Olenna Tyrell
Old.
Olenna Tyrell
Old. I'm something of an expert on the subject. Her change will be upon her before long. I'll spare you the details of what will happen then. You men may have a stomach for bloodshed and slaughter, but this is another matter entirely.
Oh, the years punish us as well, I promise you that. My stomach remains quite strong, however. The only thing that might turn it are details of your grandson's... nocturnal activities. Do you deny them?
Olenna Tyrell
Oh, not at all! A sword-swallower, through and through.
Well, a boy with his affliction should be grateful for the opportunity to marry the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms, and remove the stain from his name.
Olenna Tyrell
Did you grow up with boy cousins, Lord Tywin? Sons of your father's bannermen, squires, stableboys?
Olenna Tyrell
And you... never...
Olenna Tyrell
Not once? Not in any way?
Olenna Tyrell
I congratulate you on your restraint! But, it's a natural enough thing, two boys having a go at each other beneath the sheets.
Perhaps Highgarden has a high tolerance for unnatural behavior.
Olenna Tyrell
I wouldn't say that. True, we don't tie ourselves into knots over a discreet bit of buggery, but... brothers and sisters... where I come from, that stain would be very difficult to wash out.
I will not breathe further life into a malicious lie by discussing it.
Olenna Tyrell
Lie or not, you must admit that many people find it quite convincing. Convincing enough to put swords in their hands and send them off to kill Lannisters and Tyrells, thanks to our new affiliation.
I don't care what people believe, and neither do you.
Olenna Tyrell
As an authority on myself, I must disagree!
Now, if the rumors about my children were true, then Joffrey is no King at all and House Tyrell is throwing it's prize flower into the dirt.
Olenna Tyrell
And if Cersei is too old to give Loras children, we are throwing another "prize flower" into the dirt. It is a chance we simply cannot take!
The uncertainty makes you uncomfortable? All right, I'll remove it for you. If you refuse to marry Loras to Cersei, I will name him to the Kingsguard. And, I'm sure you're familiar with the Kingsguard's vows. He will never marry, he will never have children, the Tyrell name will fade and Highgarden will go to the children of Joffrey and Margaery.
Olenna Tyrell
You would have your grandson protected by someone who disgusts you?
I would have my grandson protected by a skilled warrior who takes his vows seriously. So shall I draw up the order or do you consent to this match?
Olenna Tyrell
It's a rare enough thing- a man who lives up to his reputation. [plucks the quill from Tywin's fingers and snaps it in half]
Uncle. Where are you going? You're my cupbearer, remember?
I thought I might change out of these wet clothes, Your Grace.
No, no, no. No, you're perfect the way you are. Serve me my wine. Well, hurry up. This pie is dry. [He hands the cup to Joffrey, who gulps at it] Mm, good. Needs washing down.
If it please Your Grace, Lady Sansa is very tired.
No. [coughs] No, you'll wait here... [coughs again] un-- [continues coughing]
[short of breath, he takes a gulp of wine to try and alleviate his coughing] It's nothing.
Olenna Tyrell
Help the poor boy. [Joffrey staggers away from the table, choking frantically.] Idiots, help your king.
Move away! [He pushes his way through the crowd and runs towards Joffrey as he collapses, choking and vomiting.] Joffrey! Joffrey!
Help him! Someone help him! Joffrey!
[in the confusion, court fool Dontos Hollard appears behind Sansa]
DHDontos Hollard
[to Sansa] Come with me now.
DHDontos Hollard
[to Sansa] If you want to live, we have to leave.
Don't touch him! Joffrey. Please, Joffrey. Joffrey, what is it? Help him!
[Joffrey begins to bleed from his nose and eyes; after managing to point at Tyrion inspecting the cup, he wheezes out his last breath and finally dies.]
MMan
He's gone. Our king is gone!
[turning to glare at Tyrion with rising anger] He did this. He poisoned my son, your king. Take him. Take him! TAKE HIM! TAKE HIM!
I can't believe you're going. Leaving me with these people!
Olenna Tyrell
The time has come, my dear. There's nothing more tedious than a trial... except perhaps these gardens. If I have to take one more leisurely stroll through the gardens, I'll fling myself from the cliffs. Have you been to see Tommen yet?
No. Have they even agreed to the match? No one tells me anything.
Olenna Tyrell
I wasn't originally engaged to marry your grandfather Luthor, you know. He was engaged to marry my sister, your great-aunt Viola. I was engaged to marry some Targaryen or other. Marrying a Targaryen was all the rage, back then. But the moment I saw my intended with his twitchy little ferret's face and ludicrous silver hair, I knew he wouldn't do. So, the evening before Luthor was to propose to my sister, I got lost on my way back from my embroidery lesson and happened upon his chambers. How absent-minded of me.
Olenna Tyrell
The following morning, Luthor never made it down the stairs to propose to my sister, because the boy couldn't bloody walk. [Margaery laughs] And once he could, the only thing he wanted was what I'd given him the night before. I was good. I was very, very good. You are even better, but you need to act quickly. Cersei may be vicious, but she's not stupid. She'll turn the boy against you as soon as she can. And by the time you're married, it'll be too late. Luckily for you, the Queen Regent is rather distracted at the moment, mourning her dear departed boy. Accusing her brother of his murder, which he didn't commit.
Well, he could have done.
Olenna Tyrell
Oh, he could have done, but he didn't.
You don't know, Grandmother.
Olenna Tyrell
[gives her a direct look] But I do know. [Margaery stares at her in shock] You don't think I'd let you marry that beast, do you?
What? I don't understand...
Olenna Tyrell
Shhhh. Don't you worry yourself about all that. You just do what needs to be done.
OOlyvar
Yes. Very well. He is Ser Loras Tyrell out of Highgarden.
How did you come to meet him?
OOlyvar
I squired for him. He took a liking to me. He summoned me to his chamber the first day we met.
And what occurred in his chamber?
OOlyvar
We engaged in intimate relations.
OOlyvar
That night and many others.
LTLoras Tyrell
[hoarsely] Liar! He's a liar!
Is there anyone else who can support your claim?
OOlyvar
Yes. Yes, Queen Margaery. She walked in on us once, not long ago. She didn't seem surprised.
This testimony is an insult to a Great House. Why should the Faith or anyone else take the word of a squire over the heir to Highgarden?
OOlyvar
He has a birthmark, your Grace. Quite high on his thigh. Wine-colored and roughly the shape of Dorne.
[Loras lunges at Olyvar but two Sparrows rush in to restrain him.]
[They pull him away as two more Sparrows walk over toward Margaery.]
Olenna Tyrell
What are you doing? Let us pass.
The Faith is satisfied there is enough evidence to bring a formal trial for Ser Loras. And Queen Margaery.
Olenna Tyrell
What?
Bearing false witness before the Gods is as grave a sin as any, my lady. Take her.
[The Sparrows take hold of Margarey.]
No! Tommen! Tommen! [Tommen silently raises his hand to the Kingsguard, unwilling to attack the Sparrows.] You can't do this! I am the queen! Tommen! Tommen! I am the queen! How dare you...take your hands off me!
Olenna Tyrell
You there. Where would I find the High Septon or High Sparrow or whatever bloody fool name he's got?
[Olenna approaches a crouched man revealed to be the High Sparrow, washing the floor of the Sept of Baelor]
It's not as good a name as "Queen of Thorns", I'll admit.
Olenna Tyrell
You should have the decency to stand when you speak to a lady.
You should have the decency to kneel before the Gods.
Olenna Tyrell
Don't spar with me, little fellow. [the High Sparrow rises to his feet with a groan]
For me, it's the knees. You?
Olenna Tyrell
Hips.
Olenna Tyrell
A man of the people. Is that your game? It's an old game. Dull and unconvincing. A man of the people who does Cersei's dirty work for her.
The people always do the dirty work.
Olenna Tyrell
Spare me the homilies. I can smell a fraud from a mile away.
Olenna Tyrell
I'm here for my grandson and granddaughter.
Your grandson and granddaughter swore sacred vows and lied. The Father judges us all. Sons of high lords, sons of fishermen. If you break his laws, you will be punished.
Olenna Tyrell
Don't you walk away from me.
You don't give commands here, Lady Olenna.
Olenna Tyrell
What is it you want? Gold? I'll make you the richest septon who ever lived. What, then?
I imagine this is strange for you. Everyone you meet has a hidden motive and you pride yourself on sniffing it out. But I'm telling you a simple truth. I serve the Gods. The Gods demand justice.
Olenna Tyrell
How do they communicate their demands? By raven or horse?
By the holy text, "The Seven-Pointed Star". If you don't have one in your library, I'll give you my own.
Olenna Tyrell
I've read "The Seven-Pointed Star".
Then you'll remember the passages concerning buggery and perjury. Your grandchildren will be punished in the same manner as anyone who breaks the sacred laws.
Olenna Tyrell
Half the men, women, and children in this foul city break the sacred laws. You live among murderers, thieves, and rapists, and yet you punish Loras for shagging some perfumed ponce, and Margaery for defending her brother?
Yes. The Gods' laws must be applied to all equally.
Olenna Tyrell
If it's equality you want, so be it. When House Tyrell stops sending our crops to the capital, everyone here will starve. And I'll make sure the hungry know who's to blame.
Have you ever sowed the field, Lady Olenna? Have you ever reaped the grain? Has anyone in House Tyrell? A lifetime of wealth and power has left you blind in one eye. You are the few, we are the many. And when the many stop fearing the few...
The Small Council meeting is postponed, on the King's orders.
Olenna Tyrell
I would have thought we were perfectly clear the first time. You're not welcome.
You once spoke of your respect for our father, because he understood the necessity of working with one's rivals.
Olenna Tyrell
My dear, you have been stripped of your dignity and authority, publicly shamed, and confined to the Red Keep. What's left to work with?
Cersei is the mother of the King. She has the King's ear and his trust. And, the King has been speaking regularly with the High Sparrow about Queen Margaery, and Ser Loras.
The High Sparrow seized power, knowing full well we'd bicker among ourselves, instead of seizing it back. Here we are. Well done to us. Now, the future of the Seven Kingdoms rests in his dirty peasant hands. In a few days, he'll have a trial for me but, before that, Queen Margaery will make her walk of atonement. Yes. Margaery will repent her sins before the good people of the city.
Olenna Tyrell
Ohhh, no. That cannot happen. That will not happen.
You've got the second largest army in Westeros. You will bring them into the city, stop Queen Margaery's humiliation before it starts, and take her back into Crown custody.
The King has ordered me to take no action against the High Sparrow, or the Faith Militant- out of fear for the Queen's safety.
You will take no action at all. When the Tyrell armies come, you will stand down. Were you expressly forbidden from standing down?
No. But, if the King should call...
The whole thing will be over before anyone can call upon you to do anything. When the High Sparrow's back in custody or dead, preferably, and Margaery's back at Tommen's side, do you think the King will be angry at the outcome?
You hate these fanatics as much as we do. You hate what they've done to your son. Do you want Lancel back? Or have you given him up for good?
Of course I want him back.
Then, stand aside. And let the people that took him from you be destroyed.
If it doesn't go as planned the Sparrows have many friends in this city. We'll have civil war. Many will die.
Olenna Tyrell
Many will die, no matter what we do. Better them than us.
Sorry to interrupt. We're here for Queen Margaery and Ser Loras Tyrell. Give them to us, and we'll be on our way.
I don't have the authority to give them to you. And you don't have the authority to take them.
I speak for King Tommen of House Baratheon, first of his name.
The Gods don't recognize his authority in this matter.
You've already insulted one Great House. It won't happen twice. Every last Sparrow will die before Margaery Tyrell walks down that street.
To die in the service of the Gods would please each and every one of us. We yearn for it. But, there is no call for it today. There will be no Walk of Atonement. Queen Margaery has already atoned for her sins, by bringing another into the true light of the Seven.
[the Sparrows open the doors of the Sept, and King Tommen walks out followed by his Kingsguard, whose armor are now embossed with the Seven-pointed Star.]
Together we announce a new age of harmony. A Holy alliance, between the Crown and the Faith.
TBTommen Baratheon
The Crown and the Faith are the twin pillars on which the world rests. Together, we will restore the Seven Kingdoms to glory.
[the crowds cheer]
MTMace Tyrell
What's happening?
Olenna Tyrell
He's beaten us! That's what happening.
I heard you were leaving King's Landing.
Olenna Tyrell
That is hardly your concern.
Your grandson is still a prisoner - you'll leave him rotting in a cell.
Olenna Tyrell
Loras rots in a cell because of you. The High Sparrow rules this city because of you. Our two ancient Houses face collapse because of you and your stupidity.
You're right. I made a terrible mistake. I carry it with me every single day.
Olenna Tyrell
Good.
I delivered an army of fanatics onto our doorstep. And now we must fight them together. We need each other.
Olenna Tyrell
I wonder if you're the worst person I've ever met. At a certain age it's hard to recall, but the truly vile do stand out through the years. Do you remember the way you smirked at me when my grandson and granddaughter were dragged off to their cells? I do. I'll never forget it.
You love your granddaughter. I love my son. It's the only truth I know. We must defend them.
Olenna Tyrell
I'm leaving this wretched city as fast as I can before that shoeless zealot throws me into one of his cells. If you're half as bright as you think you are, you'll find a way out of here, too.
Never. I'll never leave my son.
Olenna Tyrell
What'll you do, then? You have no support. Not anymore. Your brother's gone. The High Sparrow saw to that. The rest of your family have abandoned you. The people despise you. You're surrounded by enemies, thousands of them. You're going to kill them all by yourself? You've lost, Cersei. It's the only joy I can find in all this misery.
Olenna Tyrell
The last time a Tyrell came to Dorne, he was assassinated. A hundred red scorpions, was it?
You have nothing to fear from us, Lady Olenna.
Olenna Tyrell
You murder your own Prince, but you expect me to trust you?
We invited you to Dorne because we needed your help. You came to Dorne because you needed our help.
Olenna Tyrell
What is your name, again? Barbero?
Olenna Tyrell
Obara. You look like an angry little boy, don't presume to tell me what I need.
Forgive my sister. What she lacks in diplomacy, she makes––
Olenna Tyrell
Do shut up, dear. [Glances at Tyene] Anything from you? No? Good. Let the grown women speak.
The Lannisters have declared war on House Tyrell. They have declared war on Dorne. We must be allies now, if we wish to survive.
Olenna Tyrell
Cersei stole the future from me. She killed my son, she killed my grandson, she killed my granddaughter. Survival is not what I'm after, now.
You're absolutely right. I chose the wrong words. It is not survival I offer, it is your heart's desire.
Olenna Tyrell
And what is my "heart's desire?"
[Varys enters]
If you want the Iron Throne, take it. We have an army, a fleet and three dragons. We should hit King's Landing now, hard, with everything we have. The city will fall within a day.
If we turn the dragons loose, tens of thousands will die in the firestorms.
It's called war. You don't have the stomach for it, scurry back into hiding.
I know how you wage war. We don't poison little girls here. Myrcella was innocent.
She was a Lannister. There are no innocent Lannisters. My greatest regret is that Oberyn died fighting for you.
That's enough! Lord Tyrion is Hand of the Queen; you will treat him with respect. I am not here to be queen of the ashes.
Olenna Tyrell
That's very nice to hear. Of course, I can't remember a queen who was better loved than my granddaughter. The common people loved her; the nobles loved her. And what is left of her now? Ashes. Commoners, nobles, they're all just children, really. They won't obey you unless they fear you.
I realize you're here out of hatred for Cersei, and not love for me. But I swear to you, she will pay for what she's done. And we will bring peace back to Westeros.
Olenna Tyrell
Peace. Do you think that's what we had under your father? Or his father, or his? Peace never lasts, my dear. Will you take a bit of advice from an old woman? [Daenerys nods] He's a clever man, your Hand. I've known a great many clever men. I've outlived them all. You know why? I ignored them. The Lords of Westeros are sheep. Are you a sheep? [Daenerys shakes her head.] No, you're a dragon. Be a dragon.
[Jaime Lannister confronts Olenna Tyrell in the aftermath of Highgarden's conquest]
Olenna Tyrell
It's done?
Olenna Tyrell
"And now the rains weep o'er our halls." Did we fight well?
As well as could be expected.
Olenna Tyrell
It was never really our forte. Golden roses, indeed! Your brother and his new queen thought you would be defending Casterly Rock.
The truth is Casterly Rock isn't worth much any more. Well, it is to me, but my fond childhood memories won't keep Cersei on the Iron Throne.
Olenna Tyrell
So you just let them take it?
For now. They won't be able to hold it. Euron Greyjoy's navy burnt their ships, we emptied the larders before we left. Eventually, they'll be forced to abandon their position and march all the way across Westeros.
Olenna Tyrell
And you took your army, your real army and went where they weren't.
As Robb Stark did to me at Whispering Wood. There are always lessons in failure.
Olenna Tyrell
Yes. You must be very wise by now.
My father always said I was a slow learner.
Olenna Tyrell
If he was so clever, why didn't he take Highgarden the moment your gold mines ran dry? I suppose I'll be able to ask him myself soon enough. No more learning from my mistakes, eh? How will you do it? With that sword? That was Joffrey's, wasn't it? Not that he ever used it. What did he call it?
Olenna Tyrell
He really was a cunt, wasn't he? I did unspeakable things to protect my family, or watched them being done on my orders. I never lost a night's sleep over them; they were necessary and whatever I imagined necessary for the safety of House Tyrell, I did. But your sister has done things I wasn't capable of imagining. That was my prize mistake; a failure of imagination. She's a monster. You do know that?
To you, I'm sure. To others as well. But after we've won, and there's no one left to oppose us, when people are living peacefully in the world she built, do you really think they'll wring their hands over the way she built it?
Olenna Tyrell
You love her. You really do love her. You poor fool. She'll be the end of you.
Possibly. Not much to be gained from discussing it with you, is there?
Olenna Tyrell
What better person to discuss it with? What better guarantee do you have that the things you say will never leave this room? But perhaps you're right. If she's driven you this far, then it's gone beyond your control.
Olenna Tyrell
She's a disease. I regret my role in spreading it. You will too.
Olenna Tyrell
How will it happen?
Cersei had several ideas. Whipping you through the streets and beheading you in front of the Red Keep. Flaying you alive and hanging you from the walls of King's Landing. I talked her out of those. [Jaime pours a vial of poison into a wine glass]
Olenna Tyrell
Will there be pain?
Olenna Tyrell
That's good. [she drinks the poison] I'd hate to die like your son. Clawing at my neck, foam and bile spilling from my mouth, eyes blood-red, skin purple. Must have been horrible for you, as a Kingsguard, as a father. It was horrible enough for me, a shocking scene. Not at all what I intended. You see, I'd never seen the poison work before. Tell Cersei. I want her to know it was me.
Game of Thrones · 356 quotes
