A/N: Nope, this would not be the "revelation" chapter that I'm referring to the previous chapter... It would be the next.

But this, is actually one of the most surprising write-ups I've ever written in the whole TGWLTW. I never expected this chapter to just... flow, you know what I mean? There's a mix of the series and me in here, as well as the typical Rory humor-ish drama that I've missed while writing this story. And this is one of the better chapters I've written lately (yes, I've been comparing my season 2 chapters from the season 1 and everything is just... ugh, can't explain it on one sentence), especially the ending part. You'll see...

All aboard the choo-choo train.

Chapter 21

The Smell of Salt-Air By The Sea

Renly's encampment was quite a bit different than that of the Starks. His was more airy and open, while Robb's was more nature-y and hidden. It was like Renly's inviting every person to wage war with him… like he doesn't have any fear, especially with the enormous amounts of people flocking under his banner.

The area space was bigger. A LOT bigger. When we went downslope by the overlook, I never really noticed the density of people until we eventually got there. It was like going on a mall in Black Friday. But with bulkier men. Wearing chain mails. And axes.

And if that wasn't bad enough, we eventually paraded ourselves in front of the motley crew. The emissary began blatantly announcing our arrival of lady Catelyn Stark, and eventually heads started to turn. And I'll have you know, I'm the person who sits waaay over at the sidelines in the party, instead of some others trying to stick out like a sore thumb.

Good thing the rest of the attention was given elsewhere. Looking ahead as we unmounted our horses, we were able to see a gathering almost by the seashore. Faint sudden shouts of entertainment were heard from our end, and when our guide led the way, it became more and more vivid.

That was when we had reached the arena-like assemble and saw two people fighting each other off. The crowd were cheering and "oohing" at the sight of it. I paid little attention as of the moment. Across that were two diases on top of a wooden platform, and saw nothing but the Lord Renly Baratheon and his wife.

…

Okay, you know that moment when, somehow, you got this first sight at a guy who's incredibly handsome in some weird way, that somehow, you can't seem to count the fact on how gorgeous his face looks like, and then later finding out that he's actually… you know, rooting for the same team? I mean, I meant no offense whatsoever, I can deal with it and soon be on my way, but us girls all have to go through that "bummer" stage before we finally get over with it.

And that guy was Renly Baratheon for me.

Sure enough, at first glance, he seemed to resemble a very striking personality. The way he graced his seat with jubilant eyes as he watched the players battle each other on the center was nothing short of how a Lord should act. And it made him… very regal. Almost like he had a charismatic aura around him.

And then there was Margaery. Natalie D. Oh Natalie… She almost looked like a literal queen bee of junior high. Except, with a literal crown and all. And she was really vibe-ing the "damn, I'm so jealous of her" angle. She practically exudes confidence. And ain't nobody gonna sass her unless you wanna get sassed back.

My attention panned to the fighters as the crowd went on a hooplah. I never noticed it until it was almost over, as the bigger knight in helmet slashed off the little dude's sword in half. Talk about brute strength…

I smirked at the revelation this has brought me.

Gathering the situation, I finally realized that I ain't got much time left. Now, I'm not sure of the "when" part of the events would take place, but I'm pretty much confident that I have a window of opportunity to do something right for once.

Yes, folks. This might be the moment where course of history might change.

Ooooh hot momma, I'm getting all tingly just by thinking about it!

Wooh. Okay. Plans.

Okay. So, the gist of it is basically entitled Operation: Save-Renly's-Butt. And I'm sure as hell that if I get this thing right, I might be able to end this stupid war a little bit sooner than usual. Of course, with Robb Stark at the winning side.

So, if Renly survives the shadow-y thing by Melissandre, then Renly would still continue to ally with Robb, and then the forces would now outnumber the Lannisters almost two to one. Lannisters goes boohoo, every one of them dies (except, maybe I'll try to save Tyrion), Renly would seat on the Iron Throne, and then Robb goes back to Winterfell. Poof. Everyone's happy.

Yeah. That's a good plan.

Only, the most crucial thing we have to worry about would be the Melissandre thing. God, I'm not so sure about killing shadows and demons of the netherrealms or whatnot. Maybe they'll get burned with light? Exorcism, maybe?

"This has been going on for way too long." Catelyn mumbled, breaking my train of thought of my ultimate plan.

Looking towards the ring, I saw that big-knight had already pinned Loras to the ground, blade already tipped on his neck.

Surprisingly— I mean, to their surprise, the crowd was already at a swirl of mixed emotions; one would be cheering for the knight who just plainly beat the ass out of Loras, and then the other was like WTF-ing the whole thing and murmuring if it was a rigged fight. I heard one couple telling that Loras was never often beaten before, and it was a rare sight for one such as him to fall on the ground.

That's when Loras yielded, and the crowded went eerily silent.

Of course, eyeing the other Tyrell, she was highly disappointed, but you would never see it beneath all the perfect lopsided smirk of hers.

And then the scene played out exactly like how I remembered it… almost.

Renly clapped with enthusiasm, amongst the crowd that felt very awkward. "Well fought, well fought! Come forth, knight!"

Brienne, who was only moments to be uncovered, stood up and approached the king, bowing down very gentlemanly in front of her king.

"Rise. Remove your helm."

And so she did. We were quite on the sides were we could see her face, and a mixture of shock and gasps mumbled over at the crowd. Oh yeah, a girl can beat any guy's ass just as well. Hurray for glimpses of minimal sexism in an unjust fantasy world, people.

Now I don't know why what the fuss is all about, or maybe I'm just seeing it wrong, but Brienne didn't look too much of a hulking mass of ugliness. She was… much like the one who played her in the series. And she didn't look too bad herself. I mean, I'm pretty sure I don't attract princes and kings to my side, but I know how to put a dab of make-up on and I know the certain concepts of self-consciousness when there's a need to, so that's probably saying something.

"You are what your father promised, and more. That's quite an amazing feat actually. I've only seen Ser Loras bested once or twice, but never in this fashion." Renly spoke.

"And you've put on a good show. One that is… unexpected, but at the same time rewarding." He then continued. "Brienne of Tarth, you may ask anything of me you desire. If it's within my power, you shall have it."

Brienne kneed proudly and clasped her iron-bronzed gloves to her chest. "Your Grace, I only ask honor of a place in your Kingsguard."

Everyone's face became "WTF, are you serious?" And I could even see the dismay in the two Tyrells as Renly sat there on his throne, timing for the perfect chance to answer the inevitable.

"Done."

I pumped my fist into the air and shouted a quick "whoop!", and I may have attracted a bit of an attention, only to slowly cower away in my shell when people started to look at me. Even the King himself cut his eyes towards mine for a bit. Even Catelyn gave me a mom's pinch-of-embarrassment while I was at it. Oh crap.

Nevertheless, it was ignored, and Renly just started clapping, the rest continued, as if he hadn't had an ounce of care in the world if this woman in front of him would have some sort of plot to betray him. Though it's not in Brienne's nature to do so, it seemed that every other player in the Games have a decent motive or two.

Sooner, I noticed to my side that Cately gave an affronted nod to one of our caretakers, and the soldier stood in front of the King, bowing down in respect.

Catelyn soon moved with grace, and I kind of fumbled in with my dress, lifting it up an inch or two as I was slipping mud down my slippers. Urgh, of all the places—

"My Lord and Lady, May I have the honor to present to you Catelyn Stark, sent as an envoy of Robb, Lord of Winterfell—"

"Lord of Winterfell and King in the North." She interrupted the guard, as if to make a point that he was wrong.

Renly was all too amused, and none too soon his perfectly brown-shaded eyes clipped into mine and curved his lips upward as a nobleman-like gesture. Oooohhh, my legs are getting wobbly. You stop that right now, my King, or I'll be forced to ransack your tent tonight.

Oh God, where did that came from?

Shaking my head, I bowed down like a lowly maiden I am and let them do the conversation.

"I am very pleased that you have graced us with your presence. I'm all too eager to expect this to happen, but I'm surprised that it happened sooner than I had anticipated… May I present to you my wife, Lady Margery of House Tyrell?"

Catelyn bowed her head shortly, and then Margery started speaking.

"You are welcome here, Lady Stark. I'm so sorry for your loss."

They glared at each other, and it was as if they knew what the other is thinking about. Like everything was just a pious game they were seemingly forced to play. Save the true shit for later, so to speak.

"You are most kind." She replied.

And then it was Renly's turn to speak and he stood up, his face now worn somberly. "My Lady, I swear to you that I will exact justice and vengeance to the Lannisters for your husband's murder. When I take King's Landing, it will be our turn to bring you Joffrey's head."

An eruption of shouts and chants emitted throughout the field, their pints and ales raised as a sign of toast. I felt a weird rumble in my belly and it sent shivers through my skin. It was slightly motivating, and it really felt like we could storm through Red Keep's gates without fail.

But of course, Lady Stark was brutally placid and she had only but to say humbly, "It would be enough to know that justice was done, my Lord."

"Your Grace," And off comes Brienne to re-iterate, as if she was already doing her duty for the Kingsguard. "And you should kneel when you approach the King."

"There's no need for that. Lady Stark is an honored guest." Renly objected. He stood up and went down the podium. Sooner I had to stand up again but still keeping my head down as not to attract any more attention that I need to.

"My Lady, we have much to talk about now. Come." He then gestured a way.

Out somewhere in the encampments, we were strolling along some pathway overlooking the sea. The place had an amazing view, really. It reminded me a bit about the beaches back in my world… it was bittersweet, the feeling. But at least there's still some memory etched after all these months I've been here already. I may have already been here for a year, only God knows when.

Catelyn and Renly were talking a few feet apart from Brienne and I, so I couldn't hear much of their talking. There were no other guards available (strangely at this time), but I felt weirdly safe when I knew that no other than the Brienne of Tarth was actually freaking at my side. Like six-foot-something of hulking mass of a lady. I was barely in her shoulders, and it felt like she would do a Ronda Rousey at me anytime if I inched dangerously closer to his King.

"I don't feel the need of you complimenting my accomplishment earlier."

I was taken aback when my mind slipped off to the reality, and realized that Brienne, the Brienne I tell you, was actually conversing with me.

The Brienne. Talk about fan-mode jiggles coursing through your body.

"Oh yeah, that. You saw that? I, uh, it was embarrassing."

"But you cheered for me, did you not?"

I blanked out for a second, trying to form up the words. "Well… not exactly. I mean, I kinda knew that you were already gonna win. Not the knewing-knewing that you're thinking of. No. It's just the way you pummeled his ass in—"

"A lady should not speak so improperly among other people."

Again, I was thrown off for a bit, and then I realized I was talking to a knight. A lady-knight. Chivalry-thing rules also apply to them. I giggled.

"What makes you think I'm one?" I then said.

"You're dressed like a lady. And you're serving for a Lady. But now when I think about the way you wobble under that dress and talk as if you're drunk, it seems that I'm having second thoughts." She then replied.

I laughed a bit too hardly this time, but not enough to attract attention again mind you. "I'd take that as a compliment." I lifted my skirt up, and she slightly backed away. Oh shi— no, I— I don't play on the same field.

Either way I just huffed in response and pointed at my leg. "Actually, see that?" Gesturing to her the huge scab wound on my shin. "That's why I can't walk properly. And I can't use my walker since Renly'll probably think that Catelyn's having a limp serving maid serve her. When actually, I'm really not. But everybody seems to think I am one."

"That's King Renly…" Though, it seems that wasn't entirely what she was about to say. Her eyes doubled the size or three. "You are not?"

"See how perfectly crude the judicial view of things here when just by being behind a Lady means that you're instantly her executive assistant?" I shook my head. "Nevermind. I'm also an emissary, if you must know. Well, sort of. I'm not really sure. But I'm certain I'm no bar wench in some drenched up tavern in the middle of nowhere."

No offense to bar wenches.

Our conversation ended when Cat's and Renly's ended as well. Almost a yard away from them, Renly turned his head and called out to his newest Kingsguard.

"Brienne, please send Catelyn and her maid to her tent, I do believe she is tired from all her travels."

I then gave Brienne the look and I smirked up to her. Funny that she could only look forward and went to ignore my gesture.

Hoh, but I bet you we've only recently slept about four hours ago. And by the way Catelyn's scrunching up her face, I'm not sure if eveything's working entirely to her plan.

"Well. Be seeing you, Brienne. I doubt this would be the last time we'll be seeing each other."

Her face was still impassive, but I could hint that she nodded only slightly in response, and then proceeded to follow Renly's orders. Sooner, we were already swept away to our tent for the rest of the day.

It was around the second night when we arrived that I was slowly growing bored. Thing is, even though I was sent as a second emissary, you know, just in case things get a little awry, I wasn't even invited to the meetings that Catelyn usually take with the King. Usually I just spend the rest of the day hiding off the tent completely undisturbed. But I really didn't know how to properly spend my time besides eating the plate that was sent out by the King's servants every now and then.

Good thing they were the only ones that goes in here. And they treated me like an invisible ghost once I actually caught them fixing the linens and scrubbing the tables when she was gone.

Anyway, I noticed that Catelyn was feeling a bit tired from all her activities today, so I handed her a cup of this insanely good tasting wine that I've been slightly sipping from time to time. She waved her hand though, refusing to drink, but I still placed the cup in front of her and continued with my drinking. Mmm.

"So, everything's perfectly fine?" I first said.

Catelyn scrunched up her face a little tighter and massaged her temples. "I do believe so, but we're still forging our conditions of our arrangement. One more day and we'll get back to Robb with a thousand men at his disposal." She said as if counting the able-bodied men was of no interest to her.

"We'll get them. I'll make sure of it." I assured her…

Though, a part of me was kind of scared into doing it. I knew what's about to happen, and I was getting anxious if everything would go according to my plan. If I had a proper plan, that is.

For the most part of it, my attempt was futile. I even couldn't get out of this place was because one, the hell if I know where I was going to. This place is actually big. Like, bigger than the encampments at Starks. Like, going through the largest mall, but only with smiths and stables in every inch and corner.

Two, I had no escorts. I know how this sounds uber sexist again, but I kinda realized with this a many people, the variables became a little more uncontrollable. Things could be easily overlooked. And women with no escorts were more probably viewed as whores for the taking. I was scared shitless.

Though, if somehow the luck of the Gods blessed me again one more time, it would still be probably nigh impossible to reach the King's trust alone. Not within three to four days. If I were somehow to ease him up to the "danger" situation, I might've had the chance, but just goes without saying.

"Okay!" I breathed out, trying to shake the pessimistic feeling off. "We have one or two more days here. It's probably best if we could seize this moment and take in the smell of the fresh sea-salt air. It's been literally months since I've last seen my fair share of beaches…"

I tried to up the mood a bit, only to be shattered again when in the middle of my babbling, the flaps of the tent behind me moved, and I noticed Catelyn reaching for the dagger underneath the table, and pointed directly behind me. Her eyes suddenly growing colder than usual.

I buckled in for the shitstorm to ensue, turned to my side, and saw him.

That face was familiar as the light in the sky.

Petyr Baelish.

"How dare you." She said venomously.

My heart stopped when the memory came flashing back again. Shit. This was a very dramatic moment, and I meant it in a serious way. I could feel the chill in the back of my neck slither across my skin. I felt like I want to cry.

Baelish was about to explain when he saw me, and noticed that this conversation again was not for my ears to be heard. "Leave us."

I looked at Catelyn, I begged her, pleaded her with my eyes, to let me stay. I don't want her to go through with this alone. I want to gut punch that stinking ass if Cat would let me, I would be so willing to…

She shook here head silently. It was a no.

I reined it in. I knew there were tears starting to form in my eyes. Catelyn saw it too, and she knew it meant that something terrible's going to happen.

I left the tent and ran off into the night. Tears then started to fall and I was already heaving. This time, I didn't even care if I was unattended. Most of the men were giving me strange glances, but did not bother with me. I found my way through a slope, heading down from the mountain path and into a rocky shore.

I reached the bottom and found the place empty. Completely devoid of humans. Good. I needed to vent out.

I sat near a tall rock by the shore and curled myself, watching the waves calmly sway back and forth. I let my emotions sink in and didn't control them one bit.

I remembered why Petyr Baelish was here. I was a fool. I'm so stupid. I didn't realize it sooner.

He was here because he was planning to release Jamie Lannister from Stark captivity. And here I was, and I forgot everything about it. Maybe it was because Robb hid him good, to make sure I didn't realize. Or maybe it was because of my sake, just in case I might've done something about it.

But I wasn't disappointed at that. It was nowhere near the sadness and pain I felt to Catelyn in this very moment. I could see it in her eyes. She's probably crying by now. Seeing her husband's face for one last time. It ached. It felt like the nightmares that I've already set at peace has come back to torment me again.

It was again another stark reminder that I was a failure. I failed.

I couldn't save him. And it was all my fault.

And then the memory of Jon's hateful eyes seethed into my brain. All the regret. The shame. All the lies. The betrayal. He was blaming it all on me.

And no one was there to ease my pain.

You lied to me.

You lied to me!

You LIED to me!

"I'm sorry, Jon… I'm really sorry…"

And on that point, how I wished my apologies would somehow reach him now.

A/N: I can't really tell how much this chapter sort of means to me, but I hope the end part would at least tug your heart just for a little bit on how important this one is to me and to Rory. *jerks a tear* Anyway *sniff* I missed JonRy already! And also please leave a review! Comment! I wanna know how you felt in this chapter! A follow/fave would mean that you miss our favorite pair as well!