The hall was bathed in sunset orange when dinner was served, streaming in through large glass windows down the sides of the hall. Renly thought it all seemed rather lovely, but he didn't dare comment on it when they arrived as the sour look on Loras' face told him it might not be wise. From his place on the high table Renly could tell Loras' mood had not lightened. Renly could see him sitting with a couple of the other squires from his host, but he wasn't even making an attempt to speak to them. They were all chatting quite happily with some Dornish squires, but it was clear Loras wanted no part of that.
Meanwhile, Renly couldn't seem to catch a moment's peace in his seat. Between thinly veiled innuendos from The Red Viper, unnecessary compliments from Princess Arianne, and snide remarks from one of the Sand Snakes whose name Renly couldn't quite remember, he was starting to feel very tired. He didn't particularly mind the string of flattery from the princess, although it did make him wonder why he'd been invited to Dorne in the first place. She couldn't have been more then twelve years old, and seeing her making these attempts was almost pitiful. He tried his best to smile and nod along, answering politely whilst trying not to encourage her.
Prince Doran, however, seemed a man of few words. He'd been courteous and polite, but hardly talkative. But Renly did notice him watching how he interacted with Arianne. That was enough to put fear in Renly's mind over the purpose of his invitation. Even though Renly knew that at some point he'd have to marry, he could never tie himself to Dorne like that – not when he knew that a move like that would spell the end for everything he'd built with Loras. If this was what Robert wanted, he'd fight him to the ends of the earth not to have to go through with it.
He was glad when he could finally retire for the night. It had been more than tiring, trying to please everyone and make it appear like he was enjoying himself. Loras had long gotten bored and gone to his room, so Renly walked back alone. Or, at least he thought he was alone. He heard footsteps echoing down the corridor and realised quickly that his night was over just yet.
'Lord Renly.'
He turned around and plastered a smile across his face, as he found Oberyn Martell approaching him. Renly resisted the urge to sigh.
'You left so promptly that I didn't have the chance to tell you I'd brought you a gift.' The Red Viper continued.
'Oh… you shouldn't have. How kind of you.' Renly said, trying to sound more optimistic than he felt about this situation. He wasn't sure he was going to like a gift from The Red Viper. He watched as the Martell prince handed him a small vial. Renly stared at it.
'What is it?'
'Oil.'
Renly raised an eyebrow at him. 'What's it for?'
'Whatever you want to use it for.' Prince Oberyn answered with a casual shrug.
'Of course.' Renly said slowly, slipping the vial into his pocket, though he didn't actually understand the prince's meaning at all. 'Thank you. That's very thoughtful of you.'
The Red Viper flashed a smile that told Renly he had not masked his confusion well. 'You'll figure it out, my lord.' Prince Oberyn told him, slightly mysteriously. He walked away without another word, leaving Renly wondering what under the Seven had just happened.
There was no sign of Loras when Renly finally returned to his rooms. He placed the vial of oil on his dresser, before calling out Loras' name to try and locate him.
'Don't open the door!' Loras called back, clearly from the privy at the back of the room. Renly approached the closed door.
'Why?'
Loras sounded as though he was about to reply, but instead all Renly heard was retching sounds. He went to push the door open, hoping maybe he could comfort Loras since he was clearly still feeling unwell. The door was promptly kicked closed again.
'Loras, don't be ridiculous. Let me open the door.'
'No.'
'Why not? I want to help.'
'I'm fine on my own.' Loras insisted, coughing slightly. 'Besides… I don't want you to see me like this. It's… embarrassing.'
Renly rolled his eyes. 'It shouldn't be, you're not well, it's nothing to be embarrassed about.'
However, the door remained firmly shut. Renly spent another few minutes standing by the door, but he soon realised that Loras wasn't about to let him in. Instead, he poured a cup of water and left it on the table for whenever Loras reappeared.
After a short while Loras opened the door again, leaning against the doorframe for a few moments. He looked pale, and his hair was pulled back off his face, sticking up at odd angles.
'I'm planning to not eat until we leave Dorne.' Loras decided. 'Just to let you know.'
Renly offered a smirk in response. 'It's only because you were eating Dornish food on practically an empty stomach. It'll get better.'
'Not if I can't keep any food down.' Loras replied quickly. Renly could not fault that logic, even though he wanted to. Loras sighed heavily, taking a sip from the cup of water Renly had poured out for him. He crossed the room to where Renly was sitting at the table.
'What's that?' Loras questioned, nodding towards the dresser where the little glass vial was still perched.
'Oil.' Renly answered. 'Oberyn Martell gave it to me as a gift.'
Loras made a face at the vial. 'It's probably poisoned.'
'He gave it to me not you.' Renly told him with a smirk. Loras managed a small smile as he sat down opposite him.
'What's it for?'
'I don't know. He just said I'd figure it out.'
'That's ominous.' Loras decided, still eyeing the vial cautiously. 'What are you going to do with it? Just keep it until you work out what it's for?'
'Well, what else can I do with it? I can hardly leave it behind, he'd surely take offence at that.' Renly said, though quickly continued when it looked as if Loras was about to tell him to do just that. 'Besides, it might actually be for something useful.'
'I don't understand why he didn't just tell you what it's for.' Loras muttered, folding his arms across his chest.
'Does it matter?' Renly sighed, he was bored of discussing the mystery vial of oil. 'If I find out what it's for, then maybe I'll use it, if not… is it really such a problem? Maesters have crates of potions and salves and no one knows what they're for.'
'You're not a maester.' Loras said flatly. 'And I'm sure that the maesters know what every one of those potions does.'
'Fine.' Renly shrugged. 'If you want to know what it does so badly, you can find out.'
'Maybe I will.'
'Be my guest.'
Loras rolled his eyes, getting up from his chair and retrieving the vial from Renly's dresser. He took the lid off and sniffed it.
'It doesn't smell of anything.' He said, replacing the lid. 'Maybe it's for cooking with? Some kind of oil you need if you're cooking something Dornish?'
'And Oberyn Martell thought that would make a good gift for me?' Renly asked disbelievingly.
'I'm keeping this, then.' Loras declared. 'Until I find out what it's for.'
'That's fine.' Renly agreed. 'I don't know who you're going to ask to find out, but I wish you luck with it.'
'Tomorrow.' Loras said, placing the vial back on the dresser. 'I don't have enough energy to even think about it right now. Aren't you tired?'
'A little. But then again, I didn't spend most of my evening like you did.' He told him with a smirk. Loras returned a smile, leaning against the bedpost.
'No, you spent your evening with the little princess.' Loras told him, flashing a cheeky smile. 'She seemed very taken with you.'
Renly shook his head, unable to stop himself laughing. 'I know. I was trying not to encourage her.'
'I can hardly blame her, though.'
Renly had to smile at him then, getting up from his chair and gently pulling Loras towards him and into a hug. He ran his fingers through Loras' hair, dragging it off his face.
'How long until we leave?' Loras asked, mainly talking into the side of Renly's neck.
'It will go by quickly, I promise. Just take it a day at time, and we'll be leaving before you know it.' Renly assured him. Loras sighed, taking a step backwards and dropping himself onto Renly's bed.
'I hope you're right. I hate this place. The food is disgusting and it's too hot to even stay close to you for very long.' Loras groaned, lying back on the sheets with another sigh. He was right about the heat, though, Renly had been thinking the same thing.
'We can open a window?' Renly suggested. Loras raised an eyebrow at him, as Renly glanced at the window to see that it was already swung open as wide as it would go. 'Oh.'
'I hate this place.' Loras repeated, resigning himself to what was sure to be an uncomfortably warm night.
