This is the final chapter of The Dove and the Lion II: Reborn. The story will continue in The Dove and the Lion III: The War of 3 Queens

Dove has ruled the Seven Kingdoms for one year, to celebrate Lady Olenna throws a lavish ball inviting all the noble Lords and Ladies in the Kingdoms, including Lord Tywin Lannister. Tywin has returned to Kings Landing for one reason only, to win back his Queen. But war stands in the way of Tywin's plan, and Dove finds herself fleeing the capital as a usurper claims her throne, and Daenerys Targaryen lands her army in Dragonstone.

Set back in the Game of Thrones time period but keeping all events, characters etc. from Reborn. Which is why it will be a separate story because of the time setting change. It will follow the Season 7 and 8 time frame.

As always thank you for your reviews they mean so much to me, even just a few words letting me know you're enjoying my story, shout out to CLTex for your constant reviews and support, and a shout out to Merida Rowle who made me chuckle with #TeamBrove.

Are you #TeamDovewyn or #TeamBrove?

Dove wasn't sure if it was the morning light that woke her or the hard cock digging into her back. She sighed contently as a pair of hands began to caress her body, slowly, teasingly.

"Good morning my Queen."

"Good morning." She said and rolled over.

Bronn smiled briefly at her before his lips claimed hers, she released a soft moan and opened her mouth so his tongue could begin its familiar dance with hers. He kissed her harder and more urgently before climbing on top of her, his knee nudged her legs apart and in one swift thrust he filled her.

A hiss escaped his lips as he basked in the feel of her, he knew he would never have his fill of her no matter how many times he had her. Dove's mouth was parted in a perfect 'o' as she adjusted to the sheer length of him.

He began to thrust in and out of her until she was trembling beneath him, her hands gripping his shoulders for support. Bronn swore and unable to stop himself came hard inside her.

He laid beside her as they both panted a sheen of sweat over their bodies, he reached out and trailed his fingers across her beautiful face.

"You're so beautiful," He said and he could see the conflict in her eyes as she tried to accept his compliment, her confidence had taken a knock since that fool Tywin had abandoned her, and Bronn had slowly been building it back up over the past year "And smart, and funny, and you snore terribly." He added and jumped out of bed before she could hit him.

"I do not snore." She said indignantly.

"You do." He said pulling on his trousers.

He just managed to duck out of the way as she hurled a pillow at his head.

"I don't snore."

Bronn jumped on the bed and grabbed the arm that was about to throw another pillow at him.

"No you don't snore but you do talk, and very occasionally sing." He said smirking down at her and kissed the crease between her brows that appeared when she frowned.

"What do I talk about?"

"Lots of things," He said but was then distracted by the sensual look in her eyes "Don't look at me like that."

"Why?" She asked letting her voice change into a sultry purr.

"Because I'll fuck you again."

"Is that a bad thing?" She asked batting her eyelashes innocently at him.

"No but I have many things to do, I'm very busy and important." He said smirking at her.

"As captain of the Queensguard I do believe your place is at the Queen's side."

"Well if my Queen commands." Bronn said with a shrug and playfully pounced on her.

Lady Olenna had organised a ball to celebrate Dove's first successful year on the throne, every house had been invited therefore including Tywin and Oberyn, the latter on behalf of Dorne after his brother was too ill to attend.

Dove stood alone on the balcony in the Queen's chambers, Bronn had left earlier to organise the security with Jamie Lannister, who at Tyrion's request had become one of her Queensguard. Dove was not thrilled at having a one handed man as one of her personal bodyguards, but Bronn had been training him, and she had the feeling Jamie was slowly warming to her.

"You look beautiful." Stafford said joining her on the balcony.

She wore a stunning dark purple gown, with a long train and an off shoulder bodice embroidered with gold. Her dark chocolate hair tumbled in soft curls down her back with a golden tiara nestled on top.

"Thank you," Dove said giving him a tight smile "Grandmother has told me Lord Tywin has arrived."

"He has I saw him earlier talking to Ser Jamie," Stafford said and wrapped an arm around her waist "Will you be ok seeing him again?" He asked.

"I'm always ok." She answered, but in truth she felt as if a block of ice had surrounded her heart, and it was slowly thawing thanks to Bronn.

"You've made me a very proud father." Stafford said offering her his arm.

"There was a time when I never thought I'd hear those words." She said taking his arm.

"One year of peace, a booming economy, no homelessness and virtually no unemployment," He listed "You should be proud you were born to rule, maybe it's that distant Targaryen blood of ours." He said in a teasing voice.

"Targaryen blood?" She said raising her eyebrows curiously.

"Yes there was a rumour one of our ancestors had an affair with a Targaryen princess, but it was never proved."

"Just think it could have been us with dragons instead." Dove joked but her smile slipped as they reached the Great Hall doors.

"Smile the whole kingdom is celebrating because of you." Stafford said and kissed her cheek.

"Shall I announce you, your grace?" One of her favourite guards Markos asked.

"Please." She said as Stafford helped arranged her train.

"Her majesty Queen Dove Redwyne, Queen of the Andals and the First men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, and the People's Queen." Markos announced in a clear ringing voice.

The Great Hall doors swung open and hundreds of guests fell silent at the appearance of their Queen.

"Ser Stafford Lannister, Father of the Queen and Master of Coin." Markos announced and Stafford grinned and offered Dove his arm again.

Tywin caught his breath as Dove walked in on Stafford's arm, he'd forgotten how truly stunning she was. Silently Olenna appeared at his side and handed him a glass of wine.

"I'm surprised you came." She said ignoring any pleasantries.

"I was invited." Tywin said, he had been very surprised to receive an invite, after all he'd abandoned Dove when she needed him most, a decision he could only admit to himself had been a mistake.

"She's healing so try not to do any damage in the few hours you are here tonight." She said before giving him a warning smile and leaving him to chat with other guests.

Tywin had been surprised at Olenna's revelation, he'd heard whispers that Dove had taken her captain of the Queensguard Bronn as her lover, which he thought meant she had moved on. His surprised turned to annoyance, obviously his last words to her had done more damage than he'd realised, he didn't dare to hope it was because she ached for him as he did for her.

Dove slowly made her way through the guests with a slightly strained smile on her face, she hadn't seen Tywin yet but she knew he was close almost as if she could feel his eyes on her. Subtly she glanced over her shoulder and sure enough their eyes met, her breath caught unexpectantly in her throat due to the intense look on his face, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away fighting down the embarrassment.

"Your grace." A familiar Dornish accented voice said interrupting her thoughts of Tywin.

Dove looked up and met the warm brown gaze of Oberyn Martell, he was still as devilishly handsome as ever, but unlike the last time they spoke he had a smile on his face.

"Prince Oberyn." Dove said in greeting and his smile widened.

"I'm sorry about the things I said when I was last in the capital, I can never take back what I said but I hope one day you can forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive Oberyn." She said, she missed his friendship dearly and she knew he hadn't meant those angry words he'd hurled at her a year ago.

Without warning Oberyn pulled her into a hug.

"I've missed you," He whispered against her hair before pulling back to look at her "There is someone I would very much like you to meet." He added and released her.

He pulled a beautiful Dornish beauty from the crowd, she smiled warmly at Dove and curtseyed.

"May I present my paramour Ellaria Sand." Oberyn said proudly.

It was then Dove noticed the swelling belly that meant Ellaria was carrying Oberyn's child.

"A pleasure to meet you Ellaria, I assume congratulations are in order?" Dove asked gesturing to her very pregnant belly.

"Yes only a few months to go now."

"I'm so happy for your both," She said but for some reason her voice had gone an octave higher "Would you please excuse me." She said to her relief noticing the doors open out of the corner of her eye.

Bronn walked into the Great Hall, to Dove's surprise in Queenguard's armour. She'd been trying to persuade him all year to wear it and he'd always refused saying it wasn't practical for killing people. He looked very handsome in the golden armour and white cloak.

"I have something for you." He said with a grin and stepped to one side.

Harvey stood behind him and Dove squealed in delight, he had been in the Reach being educated with other young lords his age for the past sixth months.

"Mother." Harvey said formally and bowed to her.

"How have you been?" She asked and broke the formality by hugging him.

"Good, Uncle Loras has been taking care of me."

Loras had left for the Reach with Harvey to act as his personal bodyguard, as if hearing his name he marched through the doors with a huge grin on his face, looking very gallant in his shining silver armour.

"Sister." Loras said with a huge smile and pulled her into a bear hug.

"I've missed you." She said once he had put her back down on her feet.

"And I you but I must admit it was nice to be back in the Reach." He said before abruptly his handsome face twisted into a look of loathing.

"It's good to see you again Prince Harvey." Tywin said interrupting them.

Understanding Loras' reaction Dove spun around her skirts swishing in the awkward silence that had fallen because of Tywin's interruption.

"My Queen." Tywin greeted and kissed the back of her hand.

Every guest in the great hall collectively held their breath. Dove's heart was hammering against her chest but she gave him a confident smile, desperately trying not to show how nervous she was.

"Lord Tywin." She replied softly.

"You look every inch a queen." He said with a hint of pride in his voice.

"Thank you." Dove said feeling her cheeks pinken at his praise.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked abruptly, strumming his fingers awkwardly against his leg.

"Sorry?" She asked not thinking she'd heard him right, a few guests in earshot chuckled.

"Dance with me." He said with more force.

She continued to stare blankly at him.

"But I thought…"

"I remember giving up the opportunity to dance with you at Margaery and Joffrey's wedding, I don't wish to make that same mistake again." He said and held out his hand for hers.

Dove was shocked at how much she wanted to take his hand, but she realised what it would mean if she danced with Tywin first over anyone else.

"Unfortunately, I have promised my brother the first dance Lord Tywin." She said and to his credit Loras played along perfectly.

"She has, after all she is Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, she doesn't want to give any of her suitors the wrong impression." Loras said and looped his arm through hers.

"I will have the next one then." Tywin said tightly.

"Sorry that one is mine." Bronn said taking a step closer to Tywin, he didn't like how assumed he could so easily return to Dove's favour.

"Would you still like to dance after then, my lord?" Dove asked trying not to smile at Tywin's thunderous expression, she had little sympathy for him, he would have been the first man she danced with if he had remained her husband.

"Perhaps a stroll around the gardens instead, I have not had time to see how they have changed under your instruction."

"Very well, I will join you in a little while." She said before Loras finally dragged her onto the dancefloor.

Bronn was left alone with Tywin as Harvey had gone running over to Stafford and Olenna who were taking it in turns to hug him.

"Did you think it would be that easy?" Bronn asked Tywin.

"I don't know what you mean." He answered, his voice as cold as ice.

"You fucked up and now you're regretting it."

Tywin turned and gave Bronn a loathsome glare a lesser man would have shrunk back at.

"So the rumours are true you're the one sleeping with the Queen." He said letting scorn drip into his voice.

"I am, I've fucked her twice today already." Bronn said proudly "Bet you wish you were me." Bronn chuckled and patted Tywin on the arm as he walked off.

Dove and Tywin strolled in an awkward silence through the palace gardens, they were truly magnificent now as Dove had commissioned Highgarden's head gardener to redesign them.

"Why did you ask me here?" Dove asked finally growing tired of waiting for him to speak.

"I have something I wish to discuss with you."

"Go on." She said looking at him curiously out of the corner of her eye, it was then she noticed he seemed nervous.

"I made a mistake last year leaving you."

Dove stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with shock as she stared into his trying to determine whether he was lying.

"You can't be serious." She said in disbelief.

"Have you ever known me to jest?" He asked and gestured for her to sit down on one of the garden benches.

"You called me a replacement, you said you didn't want me." She said suddenly grateful for being able to sit down.

"Of course I did, I was trying to hurt you." He said and sat down beside her.

"Why I was your wife?" She asked and Tywin was surprised to hear the raw hurt in her voice "You would have been my King." She added quietly.

"Dove." He said softly and reached out for her, but she leant away.

"No Tywin, you broke my heart that day." She said quietly, as if embarrassed to admit it to him.

They sat in silence for a moment before his anger at seeing her with another man finally boiled over.

"Is it because of that cut throat?" He asked, annoyed at how jealous he sounded.

"His name is Bronn and he makes me happy, which is more than you ever did." She snapped and jumped to her feet.

"You're right I can't guarantee your happiness, but I can give you the practical side of marriage," Tywin said grabbing her by the arm to stop her walking away "You're an intelligent woman you know you'll have to marry a man from a suitable family sooner rather than later, I am from the richest and most powerful family in the Realm, together we would be an unstoppable force."

"I married for you political reasons before Tywin, I won't be doing it again." She hissed.

He stared down into her fierce expression, he knew she wouldn't return to him without something stronger than politics, and before he even stopped to think about what he was doing, he kissed her.

She was still at first, he had surprised her, but suddenly realising what he was doing her hands pushed him hard in the chest. He reluctantly let her go.

"If you think one kiss will make me forget what you did, then you're not as intelligent as I thought you were." Dove hissed.

She shrugged herself free of his hold and stormed off to re-join the party without a backward glance.

"Did I hear right, Tywin Lannister wanted to dance with you?" Olenna asked as Dove came storming towards her "What's wrong?" She asked seeing her furious expression.

"Tywin just suggested marriage and then kissed me." She told her and seized the glass of wine Olenna was holding and downed it in one.

"From your expression I assume you told him no."

"Of course I did."

"Come with me," Olenna sighed and took her arm "And smile."

Dove did as asked but inside she was in turmoil. She couldn't believe Tywin had the audacity to kiss her or propose marriage when he was the one who had left her. Olenna led her through the throngs of guests before stopping at a couch that was in a relatively private section of the Great Hall.

"Now you know I didn't approve of Bronn but he's grown on me, he is an excellent Captain of the Queensguard, he stays out of the politics, he doesn't resent you being above him, and most importantly he makes you happy," She said and sat down "But you are a Queen and a Queen can't marry for her happiness."

"I don't want to marry anyone." Dove said quietly aware that many guests were still looking in her direction.

"But you will, you need a powerful marriage alliance and more heirs than Harvey if we are to secure the Kingdoms," Olenna said knowing no one could overhear them "Besides you shouldn't carry the burden of the crown on your own."

"I'm not on my own I have you."

"And you always will my dear but you need a husband whether you realise it or not," She said and Dove opened her mouth to protest so she quickly added "If you want Bronn then make him yours, if you want Tywin then accept his proposal, remember you hold the power, you can make the people love any suitor you choose."

"I thought you said I can't marry for happiness?"

"Not happiness alone but you're smart enough to know that yourself."

They were quiet for a moment as Dove mulled over what she had said, before she sighed knowing Olenna was right.

"I can't believe you're leaving for Highgarden tomorrow and leaving me to suffer through the Sept ceremony alone." She said changing the subject.

The High Septon was hosting a ceremony to 'thank the gods' for their Queen after one year of peace and prosperity, Dove thought it was ridiculous, but her advisers said it was a useful political tool. Olenna was leaving for Highgarden to oversee the harvest, therefore escaping the torture of a drawn out religious ceremony.

"Sorry my dear but I have to ensure harvesting the crops goes smoothly," Olenna said a little too cheerfully "Oberyn is leaving tomorrow too so he said he would join me on the Kings road."

"I wish I was."

"You should make time to visit Highgarden now everything has stabilised," Olenna said knowing how much she missed it "I will bid you goodnight my dear before the wine starts getting to your guests heads."

"Goodnight Grandmother." Dove said, after some debate they had agreed that she was to call Olenna grandmother in an informal setting like she always had, mother didn't quite fit.

Olenna kissed her forehead in goodnight, stood up and walked away. Bronn appeared at Dove's side soon after she left.

"Are we retiring for the evening?" He asked as Dove got to her feet.

"Yes." Dove sighed, and not caring who saw she took Bronn's hand in hers.

Dove was running late for the ceremony at the Sept, she walked quickly through the streets smiling and waving at the crowd who were throwing flowers at her feet.

"We are going to be late." Stafford said.

"A Queen is never late." She replied but picked up the front of her red silk Highgarden dress so she could walk faster.

"Don't worry they can't start without you." Bronn called over his shoulder, he was at the front of their group which included him, Stafford, Harvey, Loras and Dove.

"Where is Tyrion?" Dove asked unimpressed her Hand wasn't with them.

"Hungover he sends his apologies." Stafford answered.

"And Jamie?"

"I don't know he didn't show up for his rotation this morning, so I sent young Markos to look for him." Bronn answered, he wouldn't normally send one of the other guards to look for another, but Jamie never missed a rotation.

"Lannisters." Dove sighed under her breath.

The Sept came into view and Dove was so focused on getting there she didn't notice the grate until it was too late, and the heel of her shoe wedged itself into the gap. She would have landed flat on her face if Stafford hadn't noticed and caught her arm.

"Seven Hells." She snapped, her shoe was well and truly stuck.

"You three go ahead and tell the Septon the Queen is on her way." Bronn said and crouched to try and prise her heel out.

"We will." Loras said and placed a swift kiss on Dove's cheek in goodbye.

Dove waved to Harvey as Stafford and Loras escorted him up the Sept steps.

"Are you fond of these?" Bronn asked.

"They're new." Dove said warily.

"I'll buy you another pair." He said as his dagger chopped off the small heel.

"Bronn!" She yelled but he ignored her.

"Come on let me even out the other one." He said and before she could stop him, he pulled it off her foot and did the same to that one.

Dove was about to retort when a blast of green fire shot up into the sky and blew the Sept to pieces.