Highgarden was in bloom all year round. The warm sun tickled the blossoms of thousands of flowers and lovely plants all through the gardens and fields of The Reach. The temperature was always mild, the water tasted wonderful, and there was a pleasant smell in the air. The people lived a happier existence because there were less troubles.

This was what brought Katherine Baratheon to The Reach for most of the year. She truly appreciated the company that being at Highgarden brought her. Margaery Tyrell was great company to keep and her grandmother, even better. Katherine and Margaery had very similar personalities and the exact same view on people at court, so they got along famously.

Another similarity was the close relationship their brothers had.

Loras Tyrell and Renly Baratheon certainly spent a lot of time together. When the girls were a bit younger they thought nothing of it, but as they became more mature, it became quite apparent to them that they boys were more than friends. No matter though, in Highgarden social rules weren't quite as stringent. Olenna Tyrell surely didn't say anything, though they were all certain she knew.

These were among the many reasons Katherine and her brother Renly found themselves spending more time in Highgarden than they ever did at their house seat at Storms End. Renly wasn't quite the most responsible lord in the Storm Lands, but he was young and charismatic so no one ever seemed to mind when he left his seat to be ruled over by the castellan Ser Cortnay Penrose.

Renly was a young man in his early 20s and lived a very carefree life after being named the lord of the Storm Lands. His sister Katherine, now 16, had been born at Storms End during Robert's Rebellion. Their mother died in childbirth while the keep was laid siege to, and their father had been killed by the Mad King earlier in the year. When the Rebellion was over and Robert marched his troops, victoriously, from Storms End to the Red Keep he did so with his youngest sibling in tow

The Baratheon brothers had been joined by a sister. Renly was a child of 5 himself at the time, Robert was a young man in his 20s, and Stannis was already nearly 30. While Stannis was sent to Dragonstone to hold that ancient seat of the Targaryens, Storms End was promised for Renly when he was old enough.

This left the child, Katherine, to be raised in King's Landing by Robert. He always had a soft spot for the girl, even as a drunken bastard in the later years. In fact, he cared even more for her as the years went on. She was tough in comparison to Renly. Robert saw his younger brother bested by their sister many times at the archery range.

But the children were close, and this meant that when Renly was old enough to be sent back to Storms End, Robert sent the girl with him.

Now, almost 7 years later, Renly and Katherine Baratheon were quite pleased to not have to be present at court. They enjoyed their time in The Reach with their close friends the Tyrells, and even managed to pass the time during the few months of the year that they were required present at Storms End.

This leisurely lifestyle suited the two siblings, and they had no intention of changing it.

That unfortunately was about to come to an end. Robert had a different plan for his siblings.

While his older more serious brother brooded angrily at Dragonstone, and his younger, carefree siblings enjoyed their time between Highgarden and Storms End, Robert grew angry at Kings Landing.

He was more than fed up with his life at this point. The rebellion and war seemed so far away. 16 years had been a lifetime ago. He had been at his prime, his best form. He was feared by all men and desired by all women. Now he spent his days drinking and whoring in the capital, though it didn't quite satiate him.

Every day he had to return to his Lannister wife, and be surrounded by all of her Lannister siblings and cousins. Even his wretched good-father Tywin was ever present at court. Had he known what his life would be nearly 2 decades later Robert surely wouldn't have married the young beautiful Cersei all those years ago.

Robert missed the days of excitement and laughter when he and Eddard Stark had first gone to war. He missed his eldest brother's support and encouragement. He missed seeing his youngest brother's pride and naïve hero-worship. He even missed his sweet sister's laughter filling his throne room as she ran through the halls.

He gulped at his goblet for more wine. Sitting in on another small council meeting listening to total nonsense he finally made his mind up. Interrupting Petyr Baelish the king finally spoke, to everyone's surprise. The king was usually more likely to be asleep at the meetings or not present at all, than to actually speak.

Naturally when he spoke it had absolutely nothing to do with what the council was discussing. Once he was sure they were all listening he barked out his order simply.

"One of you useless leeches send for Renly and Katie. I'll have them at court now."

It was Lord Varys the eunuch who spoke. "Certainly your grace… how long shall your siblings be joining us at court?" Robert snorted, "as long as I want them. They should be here before the new moon. I'm tired of looking at all this blonde hair."

Varys nodded, "certainly your grace, I'll have the message sent out to The Reach today." Robert nodded. As his councilors continued discussing how to rule his kingdom he continued brooding in his own thoughts.

At least I'll have some reasonable people here soon. If I can make it another month I'll finally have some peace and happiness in this godsforsaken place.