A Different Course of Action

by Dovah-wolfbear64

(Canon divergent AU. No Others/White Walkers. Some characters OOC) Jon Snow does not take the black after being selected as a steward, so leaves the Wall. Robb meanwhile marches past the Twins to engage Tywin Lannister head on, thus ignoring the Freys. How will the game of thrones go with this different course of action? [ON HIATUS, READ PROFILE FOR MORE INFO]

9. The Declaration

Author's Note: Warning for some smut later on. So in this chapter we get to see what is going on with Margaery and Cersei, as well as getting another POV from a character whose family we will see some more of later on. Enjoy.

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Chapter 9

The Declaration

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Horas

It had been months since Horas and his twin Hobber had been home. The Arbor was the seat of House Redwyne, one of the more powerful Houses of the Reach, and sworn to the Tyrells of Highgarden. Horas and Hobber had left to take part in the Tourney of the Hand, which the late King Robert had organised to honour the appointment of Lord Eddard Stark as his new Hand. Horas had been unhorsed after beating a couple of opponents while his younger twin got a little bit further. After the tourney had ended they both stayed in King's Landing for a little bit longer, and then King Robert died on a hunt. After that the two of them were held as hostages after the arrest of Lord Stark. Hobber believed what they were told about the Lord of Winterfell plotting to remove King Robert's son and take the Iron Throne for his own family, but Horas was not so sure about that allegation; it was well known that Lord Stark and King Robert were close friends as children, and therefore Horas could not find the allegation believable. Then the impossible happened; Lord Stark had escaped from the black cells where he was being held for his supposed treason. King Joffrey was in uproar, demanding that the Gold Cloaks find him and deliver his head to him. What made it even more amusing (to Horas anyway) was that Lord Stark's daughter Lady Sansa had also escaped from right under Joffrey's nose.

While the city was under lock down after the escapes Horas and his twin planned their own escape which involved boarding a ship called the Moonrunner, a Pentoshi trading galley that Horas had learned was going to sail for Oldtown down in the Reach, which would take them close to home. Horas was able to get a message out to a man that he had befriended during the tourney, a lowly hedge knight who had disgraced himself during the tourney when he accidentally killed the horse of Lord Dondarrion of Blackhaven. With the promise of gold and ale the man was able to get the Pentoshi merchants to agree to accept them onto the ship, which was a plan that nearly ended in disaster when Hobber decided to rescue some poor lass who had run from one of Littlefinger's brothels.

It was six days after Lord Stark's escape when Horas and Hobber had lured their guards into the room they were kept in and knocked them out before tying them up and gagging them, then they hid the men in their room and stood outside, wearing their armour and posing as their guards. Barely a couple of minutes had passed before two guards came to relieve them, which allowed them to leave. They had left the Red Keep in their disguise at night time and were halfway to the docks when the dark haired girl had burst out of the brothel screaming, in floods of tears and wearing only a simple dress that one usually finds worn by a whore. She was being chased by a couple of rough looking men, one with a club in his hand, and Hobber chased after them. Horas cursed his brother as he followed after him, yelling at him that they did not have time, and after running for five minutes they eventually caught up with the two men who were pinning the girl against a wall. Horas watched in horror as they spread her legs and got ready to rape her, and before he realised what he was doing he had his sword drawn and had killed the first man while Hobber killed the other. The girl was afraid of them until Horas took off his helm, then the girl recognised him saying that she saw him compete at the tourney. The three of them walked away from the alley and eventually got to the Moonrunner just as it was about to sail away.

For the last couple of weeks they were onboard the ship, standing idle as they waited to arrive at their destination. Horas spoke with the captain of the Moonrunner and learned that they were sailing to the Arbor first, which Horas was thankful for. The journey was uneventful until eight days in when a pirate vessel sailed up to attack. Horas and Hobber both had their swords drawn and fought the pirates, killing several of them when they both came face to face with a tall muscular built man with a blade that Horas realised was made of Valyrian steel. The man had the ebony skin of a Summer Islander, and Horas thought that the man was good looking enough to draw a woman's attention. He had also been a vicious fighter, and had wounded Horas after only half a minute of fighting. Hobber put up a good fight, but the pirate captain thrust his sword into Hobber's leg, putting him out of the fight. Horas got back onto his feet and fought back, and was able to get the advantage when the captain was distracted by another man charging at him. The pirate cut the man in half, and Horas swiped his sword through his legs, sending him screaming onto the deck. Horas picked up the man's Valyrian steel sword and thrust it into his throat, killing him. After their captain's death the pirates fled back to their ship and sailed away.

After the pirate attack the rest of the journey was quiet. Hobber was patched up by the healer on the ship while Horas looked over his own cuts and bruises. The girl had come up to help with putting Hobber's bandages on, and that was the first time that they had seen her since they boarded the Moonrunner. The ship was now only a couple of hours away from docking at the Arbor, and Horas was standing on the deck, breathing in the sea air. His shield arm was bandaged up, covering the cut on his forearm where the pirate's blade had sliced into him. They said that a cut from a Valyrian steel blade hurt a lot more than the cut from a blade forged from any other metal; Horas found himself agreeing with that saying. Still, I got a trophy from that fight, he thought with a grin as he ran his fingers over the edge of the blade. The sword was a hand-and-a-halfer, or a bastard sword as they are more commonly called. It was longer than the blade of a longsword but not as long or as heavy as a greatsword. Horas had never seen a blade of Valyrian steel before, and was mesmerised with it.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" a voice asked from beside him. Horas looked to the side and saw Jeyne, the girl he and Hobber had saved. She was looking at him with a sad face, which she has had since they saved her. Horas had wondered what had happened to her while she was at the brothel, but he did not ask her.

"Yes, it is beautiful," Horas agreed as he looked back to the Arbor. "My father's fleet will become clearer to see when we get closer. The Arbor is separated from the mainland by the Redwyne Straits, and produces the best wines in the Seven Kingdoms, better than the piss you get from Dorne," he said absent mindedly. He was about to apologise for his language when Jeyne giggled. It was a lovely sound to Horas's ears. He looked back at her and looked into her brown eyes, which despite the giggles were full of sadness.

"I wasn't talking about the Arbor Ser Horas," she told him. "I was talking about the sword." Horas chuckled as Jeyne sat down on a barrel that was beside him. She was wearing a simple green dress that suited her better than the rags that she had to wear when she was at the brothel, and she looked better than she did as well. "I've seen Valyrian steel once before, back home," she said as she leant forward and propped her chin on her hand. "My best friend's father has a sword of Valyrian steel. We both went into the godswood once after he had returned from some business and saw him cleaning the blade by a pool in front of the weirwood tree." Horas looked at her as she spoke, and saw her eyes brighten up at the talk of her past.

"You've not spoken much about where you're from my lady," Horas said after a few moments of silence. "Where is your home?" Jeyne looked down at the deck, her face falling as a lone tear ran down her face.

"Winterfell," she said quietly. "My father is..." she stopped herself as she fought back the tears that were threatening to erupt from her eyes. "He was the steward at Winterfell. I'm his only living child. My best friend is the eldest daughter of Lord Stark." Horas looked at her with wide eyes. He vaguely remembered seeing Lady Sansa Stark at the tourney, a young girl with lovely auburn hair and dazzling blue eyes that caught his attention. She had pale skin and a warm smile, but seemed out of place in the hot south. As he thought of her he also remembered seeing a dark haired girl sitting beside her, who had left after the Mountain had killed that unfortunate knight from the Vale. At first he had thought that girl to be Lady Sansa's sister, but now...

"You were at the Tourney of the Hand sitting beside Lady Sansa, weren't you?" he asked her. Jeyne looked up at him and nodded her head. "I... I'm sorry, at the time I had thought that you were her sister." Jeyne looked up at him sharply before she burst out laughing. Horas watched her as she laughed for quite some time before she got herself under control.

"I'm sorry," she said, "but that's just the funniest thing I've heard in a long while." She got herself under control, taking a deep breath before she continued. "Arya, Sansa's sister, was not at the tourney at all, but if she was she wouldn't have gone away at the sight of a little drop of blood."

"Blood doesn't frighten her?" he asked. Jeyne gave a weak smile as she stood up.

"Arya's not a normal girl," she said. "She prefers to run around wearing boys shirts and breeches rather than a dress, and prefers swords over needlework. She's actually pretty cute despite her behaviour." Jeyne trailed off then, her face becoming solemn.

"What's wrong?" Horas asked her as he noticed another tear slip from her eye. She looked back at him and took a shuddering breath.

"I've just realised that that was the nicest thing I have ever said about her," she said, her voice taking on a guilty tone. "I... I've always been mean to her, calling her Arya Horseface and other nasty names, but not once have I been nice to her, and now she could be dead for all I know." Jeyne broke down into tears and hid her face behind her hands. Horas sheathed the sword and walked over to her, kneeling down next to her and gently gripping her arm.

"Come on, just let it out," he said softly. "We've all been rotten to people growing up." As he said that he remembered a few years ago when Lord Tarly sent his son Samwell to serve Horas's father as a page. The brief time Samwell was at the Arbor Horas and Hobber picked on and humiliated him over his weight and lack of courage.

"It's not that," Jeyne said, her eyes puffy and red as she looked at him. "The last thing I said to her after she had upset Sansa was that I hope something terrible happened to her. I haven't heard anything about her since Lord Stark was arrested by King Joffrey's men. What if she was killed? Or what if she... what if she suffered like I did?" Horas felt a surge of horror as Jeyne began to weep even more. He had suspected that Jeyne had suffered, but now he wished he could have remained ignorant of it. "I thought knights were supposed to be good," Jeyne said, her voice quiet. "But Lord Baelish's knights... did things to me..." No, I don't need to hear this, Horas thought as he stood up and wrapped his arm over the poor girl's shoulder.

"Hush my lady," he interrupted. "Whatever you've gone through, it's over now." He looked down at Jeyne as he spoke, looking into her brown eyes. "Once we are on dry land I'll get my father to send the Maester to see you. I'll ask my mother and sister to be with you as well if it makes you comfortable." Jeyne gazed at him with wide eyes before she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whispered. Horas rubbed his hands over her back, holding her gently as if she were made of porcelain.

It had taken him a short while to calm Jeyne down, but when he did Horas took her below deck. There he stayed sitting beside Hobber who was looking dreadful; sweat was pouring from his forehead, his skin looked very pale, and he looked like he was staring off into the distance. He had been looking ill for the last few days, looking worse with each passing day. His wounded leg was wrapped up in fresh bandages just this morning, and the wound looked beyond vile. The healer on the Moonrunner said that if Hobber did not see a Maester soon then he would lose his leg. Looking down at his twin now made Horas want to choke up.

"Ho... Horas?" Hobber rasped weakly, his voice full of pain. "Horas, are you there?" Horas reached over and grasped Hobber's hand.

"I'm here brother," he said trying not to start crying.

"Are we home yet?" Hobber asked, his voice strained. Horas tried to smile for him, even though Hobber probably could not see him clearly.

"Almost Hobber," Horas told him. "You just hang on for a little bit longer. It won't be long until we dock at the Arbor. Then we'll be back with our parents. We can tell Desmera all about our adventures." Speaking about their sister brought a smile to Hobber's face.

"We'll be in trouble with her once we get back," he said as he laughed. "We've missed her fifteenth nameday." Horas laughed along with Hobber, both laughing until Hobber began to cough violently.

"Hobber?" Horas spoke worriedly. Hobber nodded his head, still coughing. Horas was about to call for help when the healer walked in calmly and got Hobber to drink something. Soon the coughing ceased, and Hobber slipped into unconsciousness. "What happened?" Horas asked the man who looked at him.

"Your brother's health is deteriorating fast milord," he said. "We must take him to your lord father's Maester as soon as we dock, or I fear Ser Hobber shall lose more than just his leg."

"MILORD!" a shout came from the deck above. Horas ran out of the cabin where Hobber was now sleeping and ran to the upper deck, just in case it was him being called for. He ran up and walked quickly to the port side where he saw a familiar looking ship sailing close by. Horas stopped at the side and looked over to see his distant cousin Ser Desmond Redwyne standing on said ship.

"IN THE NAME OF LORD PAXTER OF HOUSE REDWYNE, LORD OF THE ARBOR AND LORD ADMIRAL OF THE REDWYNE FLEET, STATE YOUR BUSINESS!" he bellowed out. Horas smirked as he pushed his way up to stand beside the captain of the Moonrunner and waved at Desmond.

"HEY COUSIN!" he shouted loudly. "IS THIS ANY WAY TO GREET THE HEIR OF THE ARBOR?" Desmond squinted his eyes as he looked at him, before shouting to his men. Horas looked along the ship and noticed that the men-at-arms onboard the ship began to lower their bows which he had just realised they had been aiming at the Moonrunner. Just as well that I came up, he thought. A few minutes later the ship got close enough to allow Desmond to board with a handful of guards. Horas watched as his older cousin walked over to him, his face serious.

"Horas, it's good to see you," Desmond said. "Last we heard you and Hobber were being held by King Joffrey and his mother." Horas smirked at Desmond.

"We were, but we managed to escape," Horas said. "We need to dock now Desmond, Hobber's badly wounded." Desmond's eyes widened slightly.

"How badly?" he asked him.

Horas told Desmond of what had happened a few days ago with the pirates. As he spoke he showed Desmond to Hobber, who looked shocked at the sight of him. Desmond assured Horas that they would dock soon and then he left, walking back to his own ship. It took thirty minutes for the Moonrunner to arrive, and when it began to dock Horas saw a small group of men standing by. When the gangplank was lowered Horas saw his twin carried off and taken by those men who immediately took him to the Redwynes castle. He knew that if anyone could help Hobber, then Maester Ballabar can. Soon after Horas left the ship, thanking the captain and promising to get his father to pay him for the voyage. As he left he escorted Jeyne, keeping her close. During the walk up to the castle that Horas has called home all his life he noticed that Jeyne was quite nervous around the knights that were escorting them. Poor girl, he thought. What kind of knight harms a young girl? As they reached the door of the castle Horas was greeted by a thin man with stooped shoulders and a balding head with only some tufts of orange hair left.

"My son," the man said.

"Father," Horas greeted him. Paxter Redwyne looked at him with relief, his smile reaching his eyes. The two men met halfway and embraced each other.

"Your mother has been worried sick," Paxter said when they separated. "I saw Hobber being taken to Ballabar. What happened?" Horas swallowed before explaining the pirates attack and the fight he and Hobber had with the pirate captain. After he had finished speaking his father nodded his head. "I'll go and see the captain of the Moonrunner then and pay him for bringing you back here. In the meantime you'd better go and see your mother and sister." As he began to walk away Paxter looked at Jeyne and frowned. "Who's this?" he asked. Horas looked at Jeyne and noticed that she seemed to shrink under his father's gaze.

"This is Jeyne," Horas answered. "Hobber and I saved her as we escaped King's Landing." Paxter bowed his head to her and walked off. Horas took hold of Jeyne's arm and escorted her inside the castle, where a servant took them to where his mother and sister were. When they entered the room Horas saw his mother, Lady Mina, standing by the window with a sad look in her eyes, and his sister Desmera sitting on a seat doing some embroidery. Mina was born a Tyrell (the sister of Lord Mace Tyrell in fact), and had their curly brown hair and brown eyes, while Desmera had golden eyes and her hair was a brighter shade of brown than their mother's, and like most Redwynes she had freckles on her face. Desmera looked up from her embroidery and was the first to notice him.

"Horas!" she yelled, her voice laced with excitement. She ran up and threw herself into her big brother's arms. Horas chuckled, returning the embrace as his mother turned to look at him, striding over to them.

"My boy," Mina said as she enveloped her arms over both Horas and Desmera. They stood like that for a moment or two before they stepped apart. "Where's Hobber?" his mother asked. Horas sighed and put his hand onto his mother's shoulder.

"He was taken to Maester Ballabar," he explained. "The ship we were on was attacked by pirates. We killed a few of them, including their captain, but Hobber was wounded by this sword here." He pulled the blade out of its scabbard slightly, showing the Valyrian steel to his mother. "The pirate captain held this blade, but I took it from him after killing him. A pirate shouldn't hold Valyrian steel."

"Will Hobber be alright?" Desmera asked him. Horas looked at his sister and patted her on the head before ruffling her bright brown hair, much to her annoyance.

"He'll be fine Mera," he said, using her nickname. "If anyone can help him it's Ballabar. He can heal just about anything." Horas took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder to Jeyne, who looked very uncomfortable, possibly feeling like an intruder. "Mother, Mera, this is Lady Jeyne," he said as he waved the Northern girl over. "She'll be staying with us until we can get her back to the North. Mera, can you keep her company for a little bit while I talk with mother?" Desmera looked up at him and gave him a wide smile.

"Of course," she said happily before part walking part skipping over to Jeyne. As Desmera began to talk to Jeyne Horas turned to look at his mother who had a stern look in her eyes.

"We couldn't leave her there mother," he said before she could speak.

"Why? What happened?" Mina asked quietly. Horas looked over his shoulder to make sure that Desmera and Jeyne were occupied before he looked back at his mother.

"As Hobber and I were leaving King's Landing we saw her running out of a brothel, screaming and being chased," he replied. "We followed them and stopped them just as they were going to rape her."

"Gods, poor child," Mina responded with a gasp.

"As it turns out Jeyne's father was the steward of Lord Stark, the Hand of King Robert," Horas continued. "They are minor nobility from the North, and Jeyne is the best friend of Lord Stark's oldest daughter." He sighed as he walked over to a seat and sat down. "I want you and Mera to stay by her while Maester Ballabar... does what he'll need to to make sure that she is healthy." Mina looked back at Horas sharply then, a look of horror in her eyes.

"Are you saying that she was..." she began a little bit too loudly, prompting Horas to raise his hand. He looked over to where the girls were and was thankful that Desmera had started a long conversation that only young noble girls can enjoy.

"I don't know for certain mother," he said when he looked back up at her. "She started to explain what she endured, but it was too difficult for her and I didn't want her to be thinking about it." He took a deep breath before looking over to the door to see his father walking in.

"Desmera, can you give this young lady a tour of our castle while your mother and I speak with your brother?" Paxter asked in a voice that told Desmera not to argue, though the look in her eyes told Horas that she did not need telling.

"Of course father," Desmera said as she took Jeyne's arm and walked out of the room. "Let me show you the view of the vineyards from one of the upper balconies. Do you get Arbor gold sent up to the North?" Desmera's voice became quieter as they left the room, and Horas could not hear Jeyne's answer.

"So Horas," Paxter said as he took a seat opposite him. "What in the Seven hells happened while you were up there?" Horas sat up straight in his seat and told his parents everything about their time in King's Landing. He told them of how he and Hobber had taken part in the tourney and explained everything that happened after, from the King's death to Lord Stark's escape from the capitol to his and Hobber's own escape. He told them everything, including what happened with Jeyne. When he was done his mother looked between both her husband and son.

"With our sons back Mace will want your support for Renly," she said to Paxter. Horas frowned at that, leaning forward in his seat.

"Why Lord Renly?" he asked. "I thought that it would be Lord Stannis, or perhaps Prince Tommen that we would try to put on the Iron Throne." His father looked at him and sighed.

"A lot has happened while you and Hobber were held by the Lannisters," Paxter answered. "Renly, with my cousin's backing, has been named as the King. He has married your cousin Margaery, making her his Queen. Much to my surprise they both consummated the wedding." Horas did not ask why it was a surprise for Renly to consummate his wedding; it was a poorly kept secret that Renly was rumoured to have a relationship with Horas's cousin Ser Loras. "Anyway, Mace asked for my support to put Renly on the throne, but with you and Hobber as hostages I did not declare for anyone. I was not willing to risk your lives. If the two of you had returned home as you both promised that you would then I might have summoned my own banners and ordered the fleet to set sail. But as it is we have other things to consider." Horas scratched his bearded chin as his father spoke, irritated by the unfamiliar sensation of facial hair.

"What do you mean?" he asked. Paxter nodded his head to Mina who cleared her throat.

"I received word from my mother, your grandmother Lady Olenna Tyrell," she said as she rose from her chair and walked to a nearby desk. "During the wedding feast of Renly and Margaery a letter arrived from Lord Stark's son, young Robb Stark. He has taken Tywin Lannister captive, and was calling for various lords to gather at Riverrun." Horas nodded his head at that.

"I know about him taking Lord Lannister prisoner. We heard about it just before Lord Stark's escape," he said with a smirk. Mina gave a gentle smile as she sat down on her chair again with a letter in her hand.

"Just yesterday we got another raven from my mother," she said. "She wants us to open dialogue with Robb Stark and make some arrangements to enter a formal alliance with them. She said that she wants us to make preparations in case anything should happen to Renly and Margaery does not fall pregnant with his child. I don't know why she asks this of us, but knowing my brother he would probably do or say something that would insult the Starks if he treated with them." Horas looked at the letter in his mother's hand while his father chuckled.

"My cousin is a complete arse," Paxter said. "I love him as my cousin and obey him as my liege but he really doesn't know how to deal with the likes of the Northmen. Aunt Olenna is right to ask us to treat with them." Horas turned to face his father.

"Wouldn't Uncle Mace be angry that we spoke with the Starks behind his back, which I am assuming that my grandmother wants us to do?" he asked.

"You're right," Mina answered, "but my mother will sort him out though, so it won't cause us too much trouble." Paxter hummed in agreement.

"Also I think your grandmother wants us to ally with the Starks to keep the Reach on good terms with someone who stands against Joffrey," Paxter said as he looked at Horas. Horas shook his head in annoyance; all of this political scheming of his grandmother's did nothing but give him headache after headache. It makes him glad that he lives on the Arbor, away from Highgarden and the Queen of Thorns as his grandmother is often called. "I think that regardless of who calls themselves king House Stark and their allies would demand a Great Council to determine who sits the Iron Throne, and a part of me thinks that is what Aunt Olenna is hoping for. With the Lannisters crippled as they are that gives the Reach one less House to turn to should things go awry for Mace."

"And we'd be fools to ignore whatever the Young Wolf offers," Mina put in. "An alliance with the North would be good for the Reach. We trade food in exchange for furs and timber, which will be beneficial when the winter arrives." Horas sat back into the chair he was on and let out a deep breath.

"Why doesn't King Renly treat with the Starks himself?" he asked, to which his mother shook her head with an amused smile on her face.

"Because my brother has proven himself an idiot," she said. "My mother told me in her most recent letter that Mace has sent an answer to Robb Stark telling him to ride out and meet Renly himself, and to not summon Renly as if he were a servant and Robb Stark a king." Mina scoffed in annoyance, no doubt cursing her elder brother. "Renly has allegedly written his own response, although my mother doesn't know his words. In any event it would do us all good to reach out to the Starks and enter an alliance with them."

"And how do we enter said alliance?" Horas asked with a frown before rubbing his forehead.

"Marriage has been suggested," Paxter said, and Horas's eyes widened in alarm. As in use my little sister as a bargaining chip? No, not on, he thought as he clenched his fist. "But it was made clear to us to do so as an absolute last resort," Paxter added quickly, and Horas calmed down.

"Well it doesn't matter at the moment," Mina said as she stood up. Horas looked up towards his mother. "Our sons are back Paxter, and we have no need to do anything just yet. We can send a message to my brother and let him know that Horas and Hobber are back and that we can support Renly's claim while asking my mother for advice on how to deal with the Starks. I'll send her a letter and see if she can suggest something." Horas watched as his father grimaced at that, standing up from his own seat.

"Well, I'll leave that to you Mina," he said. "I ever try to make sense of Aunt Olenna's messages I just feel like my head will burst." Horas chuckled quietly at that as his father made his way to the door. "Anyway Horas, you'd better go and take a bath before you do anything else, and then once I've checked up on Hobber we'll meet and have dinner." Paxter looked over to him and smiled. "It's good to have you back son," he said before leaving the room. Horas turned to look at his mother who walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Welcome home again," she said.

Horas did as his father said and had a nice long soak in the bath. The bath was nice and soothing, and allowed him to forget about the conversation revolving around the Starks. As good an idea as it was to ally with them Horas did not wish to know the particulars about forming such alliances at the moment. After his bath Horas got changed and met his parents and sister for dinner. Jeyne had joined them as well, sitting beside Desmera. The two of them seemed to get on quite well, which Horas was glad for. During dinner Maester Ballabar entered to inform them that Hobber would live and keep his leg, although he would not be taking part in any fighting for the time being. Knowing that his twin was going to be fine cheered Horas up immensely. After dinner he showed the Valyrian steel sword to his father, who looked quite impressed with the blade and decided to let Horas keep it.

"You earned it in blood son, so it is yours to keep and pass on to your son when that time comes," he had said. Horas now had to decide on a name for the weapon, and he was stumped for ideas.

The next few days passed by quite quickly; the Redwyne fleet assembled around the Arbor ready to sail out, the knights and men-at-arms prepared their arms, armour and (in the case of the knights) horses, and grandmother sent her response with advice on how to deal with the Starks. It had been nine days since his return to the Arbor, and Horas was now sitting beside Hobber as they both shared a jape with Jeyne and Desmera. They were all laughing hard at the poor jape when Horas saw his mother and father enter Hobber's room. They all became very serious when Paxter said that they were going to set sail soon, and that he was going to go to Highgarden to personally kneel before King Renly, leaving Horas behind to defend their home. As he spoke Maester Ballabar entered the room holding a scroll.

"My lord," he spoke as he held out the message. "A raven from Highgarden." Paxter took the scroll and looked upon the wax seal, frowning as he looked at it. He broke the seal and read the letter's contents, his eyes moving fast. As he read his eyes widened.

"Well, this is interesting," he said when he finished reading, looking over to Jeyne. "It seems your friend is now royalty."

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Margaery

Margaery sat at the table beside Renly and her father. The atmosphere around the camp was mixed; most felt good that they were on the move again, while others felt angry that they were to march on Storm's End, the stronghold of House Baratheon. Word had reached them that Stannis had laid siege to her husband's home, and Renly had become very angry at that. They were going to wait for Lord Redwyne to arrive and declare for Renly when this news arrived, and now the army was marching for Storm's End.

Despite the current situation Margaery felt content. The initial frostiness between her and Renly had thawed out after their wedding night. It was another week before Renly slept in the same bed as her, and another three nights before they bedded one another. She couldn't call it lovemaking though; there was no love as far as Margaery knew, even though they did care for each other. Renly always seemed to have a sad look in his eyes whenever he looked at her. She knew about his and Loras's original plan to wed her to his brother Robert, but a part of her was grateful that that plan did not happen.

As she put her fork in her mouth to eat the food that was presented to her she heard her husband laugh loudly. It was a half-hearted laugh, but it was better than not laughing at all. Renly had been angry for most of the last few days, so to hear him laugh was encouraging for Margaery.

"Your grace," a knight who had approached the table from behind them said. Margaery looked over her shoulder to see Ser Robar Royce of Runestone, one of Renly's Kingsguard knights, standing nearby, his hand gripping his sword's hilt. She watched as the knight bowed low and whispered something into her husband's ear.

"Very well Ser Robar," Renly said before turning to face her. "It seems that I must hold a quick meeting, so I shall see you tonight," he told her with a smile. Margaery returned the smile before leaning closer to him. They kissed each other on the lips before Renly stood up and walked away with Ser Robar. The kiss was warm, not stiff like their first kisses. Margaery watched Renly walk away, leaving the tent with Ser Robar and two others. She looked behind her and noticed that Ser Bryce Caron stood behind her alongside her brother Loras and the newest addition to Renly's Kingsguard; a tall brute of a woman called Brienne Tarth. She is the only living child of Lord Selwyn Tarth, and she addresses herself as Brienne of Tarth. Among her detractors she is called the Beauty, as an insult to her as she is not a pretty woman; in fact one glance at her with her short straw coloured hair and her muscular frame and people would think her a man. Margaery likes Brienne though, and sees her as a strong woman. Loras on the other hand does not seem to like her much, but that may be down to her humiliating him by defeating him at the great melee held at Bitterbridge where she was named to Renly's Kingsguard, which he was calling the 'Rainbow' Guard. It seemed to go down well with the pious folk, as the rainbow is seen as something of a religious symbol by the Faith.

"So your grace," Margaery's father spoke up then, his tone joyous and warm. "Any chance of making me a grandfather yet?" he asked with a chuckle, and Margaery had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Bloody oaf, Margaery thought before smiling. Oh gods I sounded just like grandmother then.

"It's not been long enough yet father," she said with a smile. "We'll need time before we know for sure." Her father was opening his mouth to speak again when a messenger appeared.

"Forgive my intrusion your grace," the man said to her before looking at her father. "Lord Tyrell, you have a message waiting for you in your tent." Margaery noticed that her father's eyes widened with childlike glee.

"Most excellent," he said as he downed his drink quickly before turning to her once more. "Forgive me your grace, but I must take my leave," he said trying to sound apologetic. Margaery laughed despite herself and held her hand out to her father.

"It is quite alright father," she said as he took her hand and placed a kiss upon her knuckles. Mace Tyrell walked away with a wide smile on his face, and as he left Margaery breathed out a sigh of relief. As much as she loved her father he can be a right pain most of the time.

She stayed in the tent for another half an hour before retiring for the night. She walked back to her tent with Ser Bryce and Loras on either side of her, and Brienne behind them. The four of them walked for a short time before they reached her tent. She bid them goodnight before entering, with Brienne following her in to check the tent to make sure it is safe. After a quick inspection Brienne seemed satisfied and left. As Margaery undressed herself and put on her bed gown she thought about her brothers; Willas was still in Highgarden, governing the Reach in their father's name while spending what free time he had with his hawks, hounds and horses; Garlan was with the army, but Margaery has not seen much of him as he assisted with organising the training of the men-at-arms as well as the knights; Loras however was quiet most of he time. Loras's quiet behaviour had worried Margaery for quite some time now; ever since she and Renly had wed he had been distant. It upset her greatly to think that Loras felt awkward around them.

As she pulled the covers back and sat down on the bed Margaery heard the flaps to the tent open and saw Renly stride in, a frustrated look on his face. The frustration melted away however when he saw her, and he gave her a small smile instead. Margaery stood up and smiled back as Renly approached.

"A quick meeting then I trust?" she remarked, earning a chuckle from Renly.

"Very quick Margaery," he said as he closed the distance. Before she knew what was happening Renly had pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely on her lips, pressing his lips hard against hers. Margaery moaned as she felt her gown being pulled up from behind, and she struggled to help him remove her gown while kissing him back. It was the first time that Renly kissed her with such passion. Before long they had fallen onto the bed in a heap, their fingers fumbling with Renly's clothing trying to free his body. Once he was naked he climbed into the bed properly and pulled the covers over them before he pushed himself into her. Margaery gasped at the intrusion, but smiled quickly as she felt the familiar sensation of Renly's member moving within her. She moaned happily as Renly peppered her face with kisses, cupping one of her breasts with one hand while his other slid down to her thigh. Margaery found herself lost in the moment, losing all sense of time. Like the last time they bedded each other Renly spilled his seed into her three or four times, but this time Margaery felt herself coming down to her end each time he did. He's really getting good at this now, she thought with a broad smile as he kissed the soft skin on her throat, prompting a wanton moan to escape her. She brushed one hand through his black mane while her other was wrapped over his back, her nails digging in. Both of her legs were raised above his hips, and soon he began to pound into her at a fast rate, driving her wild with lust.

"Oh gods Renly!" she shouted out as she felt herself reach her peak, soaking her husband's member with her arousal at the same time as his seed flooded into her.

"Margaery," he groaned out before kissing her gently on the lips.

After they had finished that time Renly pulled out and lay down next to her, his fingers gliding over her body. She giggled at his touch, which tickled her body with every movement. Even though they were completely under the covers Margaery could see Renly smiling at her, his blue eyes full of a happiness that she had not seen in him before.

"You look very happy Renly," she said, to which Renly hummed in agreement.

"I just got some good news from our scouts," he said. "Stannis doesn't have a great deal of men, so hopefully we can persuade them to stand down without a single drop of blood being shed." He sounded confident, which made Margaery happy.

"That's great," she said. "Once you make Stannis bend the knee you can get him to help with taking King's Landing." Renly's smile got even wider at that before he sighed, taking on a serious look.

"I fear that there won't be any convincing Stannis to help me," he said as he brought a hand to cup her cheek. He leant down and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "I'm sure his men will bend the knee once I take him, but I fear that I'll have to send him to the Wall. I confess that I do not know what to do about his wife, but I'll raise my niece in King's Landing and see about brokering a good match if one can be found for her." Margaery smiled as she sat up and looked at Renly.

"Whatever you do I'll help you however I can, you know that," she stated firmly. "Some might call you weak for sending him to the Wall, but it will be the right thing to do to keep the Faith happy." Renly laughed briefly at that, touching her lips with the tip of his finger.

"As they say, no man is so accursed as the kinslayer," he said before reaching his hand around the back of her head and pulling her closer to him. Margaery smiled widely as she closed the gap to kiss him.

They pleasured one another for quite a while before they fell asleep. When Margaery woke up the next morning she noticed that Renly was still sleeping himself. She took the time to marvel his body, and found herself feeling a wanton desire that her grandmother once told her about. She looked Renly up and down, her eyes taking in every detail, but they halted upon landing on his member. It was quite big, and Margaery smiled as a very sinful thought entered her mind. She quickly dismissed it though; she had taken him into her mouth twice since their marriage became more intimate, but she preferred to be kissing his mouth and Renly made it clear that he does not like the taste of his own seed. She was not bothered though, as she still did not understand what the fuss was all about. As she moved to get dressed Renly groaned, drawing her eyes back to his face. He had some stubble growing around his jaw and chin, and she decided to brush her fingers against it.

"That tickles," Renly said, and Margaery giggled.

"Call that revenge for tickling me last night," she said before leaning down and kissing him. As she kissed him she felt his hands grasp her waist and pull her over him. Margaery laughed loudly, struggling in his grasp before she felt his member pressing into her thigh. Margaery looked into Renly's eyes as she straddled him, rubbing his member with her hand before slowly lowering herself onto him. When she felt him inside her she began to bounce on his lap, which she did for about ten minutes before they were both done. After they calmed down they both disentangled themselves from each other and stood up from the bed, Margaery grabbing a simple gown as Renly called for a bath to be drawn for them. An hour later they were soaking in the bath tub, Margaery humming to herself as she rubbed her fingers into Renly's scalp. Renly enjoyed what she was doing, groaning in satisfaction as she washed his hair for him.

"You know, you should really think about growing a beard," she suggested to him. Renly huffed in annoyance, much to her surprise.

"Robert always said the same bloody thing," he said. "Personally I've never seen the need for a beard. Plus I feel that just having too much stubble can be uncomfortable."

"Oh, but I like it," Margaery pouted, making Renly chuckle. "It feels good I think."

"Would you really want to hear me complaining about my face itching all of the time?" he asked as he looked over his shoulder at her, a playful look in his eyes. Margaery giggled as he turned around and pulled her down a little bit into the bath, before he began to splash water at her.

"Renly Baratheon!" she laughed before trying to playfully slap him, but he caught her arm in his hand.

"Striking your king is treason," he said, trying to sound serious and failing thanks to his wide smile.

After another few minutes of playing and washing in the bath Margaery and Renly both got dried up and dressed for the day's ride. Soon they were both outside, the morning sun shining down on them. Margaery smiled as she walked beside Renly, their hands clasped together. They soon arrived at a wheelhouse that looked ready to leave, surrounded by a large party of guards with Margaery's brother Garlan at their head.

"Good morning Ser Garlan," Renly called out. Margaery waved at her elder brother who gave her a small smile. Margaery looked at her husband and saw that his face was very serious, his eyes filled with an apologetic look. She had an idea what he was about to say.

"You're sending me back to Highgarden," she stated. Renly hesitated for only a moment before nodding his head. "Why?"

"For your safety Margaery," he answered, his eyes boring into hers. "I do not know what Stannis might try and do, but I do not want to tempt fate by having you nearby should he get it into his head that harming you would break me, which it will." The way he spoke made Margaery want to comfort him, like the way she did at the start of their marriage. "He's my brother and I am sure that he won't do anything to you, but he has the Florents with him, and they have hated your family for years." Margaery felt a slight tremor of fear ripple through her body at the mention of House Florent, who are sworn to Highgarden but have always coveted the Tyrells position since the Targaryen conquest.

"Okay Renly," she said with a sigh. "I won't argue with you on this. If it helps you to deal with Stannis then I'll go." She did not want to leave him, but she knew that it was the smart thing to do. There was no way she could help him with dealing with his brother, who Margaery knows has held resentment towards her family for her father's part in the siege of Storm's End during the rebellion just over fifteen years ago.

"We'll be back together before you know it," he said as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. Margaery hugged him back and held him tightly, not wanting to let him go but knowing that she would have to soon. "I love you," he whispered into her ear, and it caught her completely by surprise. She has cared about Renly for quite some time, and she even desires him, but she never once thought about loving him. She had been sure that he would only ever hold love for Loras, but after the last few nights she was not so sure. Of course he could just be saying that for appearances sake, but whatever the truth, there was only one thing she could say in answer to that.

"I love you too," came her reply. They both stepped apart and looked into each others eyes. Margaery held her gaze for a moment before closing her eyes and leaning up to him, cupping his face between her hands and kissing him. Renly kissed back without hesitation, and before long they both broke the kiss. They stepped back from each other this time, holding their hands before letting go.

"I'll see you when this is over Margaery. I promise." His words carried a sincerity to them, a sense of truth that made Margaery's heart swell.

"I will hold you to that promise," she said. After a short moment Margaery turned around and walked up to the wheelhouse. A knight held the door open for her while another held his hand out. She looked over her shoulder and saw Renly looking back with a sad smile, with Loras just behind him with his helm over his head. Even at this distance Margaery saw the look in her brother's eyes; a look of heartbreak. Margaery smiled for them before she turned back around and took the knight's hand, and walked up into the wheelhouse. Once the door closed behind her Margaery let the tears escape. "I'm sorry Loras," she muttered to herself as the wheelhouse moved.

The journey back to Highgarden took many days. The journey was relatively safe, with the only possible threat to them being bandits seeing as the only organised enemies are either in the Stormlands or to the north of them in the Crownlands; the former preparing for Renly's host to arrive while the later were focusing on the Northmen and their Riverland allies. Fortunately the presence of the knights riding alongside the wheelhouse was enough to deter any bandits from attacking. After many days of travel Margaery found herself in Highgarden, where Willas and their mother Alerie stood waiting for them. Margaery left the wheelhouse and walked up to her mother and eldest brother with Garlan walking beside her.

"Welcome home, my Queen," Willas said in a teasing manner. Margaery smiled at him as she walked into his embrace. They separated and Margaery turned to her mother, who embraced her just as quickly. They all went inside the castle and walked up to a private room where Margaery's grandmother was sat with her cane in hand.

"Welcome back my dear," Olenna Tyrell said as she stood up on her feet. Despite her age Olenna moved as swiftly as she did ten years ago; Margaery was certain that the cane was just for show more than anything, even though her grandmother did use it.

"Hello grandmother," Margaery said as she embraced her, giving her a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"It's wonderful to have you back, isn't it mother?" Alerie said, earning a huff of annoyance from Olenna.

"If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times Alerie don't call me mother," Olenna said. "If I had pushed you out between my legs then I'm sure I would've remembered doing so." Alerie looked down at the floor looking suitably embarrassed.

"Grandmother!" Margaery chastised in a gentle tone. "That is no way to speak in front of your Queen now, is it?" Olenna fixed her with a smile before gesturing to the chairs around.

"Don't let it get to your head now Margaery," she said as she sat down. Margaery looked around as everyone else sat down, Willas with some difficulty due to his bad leg. In his youth Willas took part in a joust at some tourney and went up against the Red Viper of Dorne, Prince Oberyn Martell. The joust had ended with Oberyn as the victor and Willas with a crushed leg as when he fell his foot got caught in the stirrup and he ended up pulling the horse down on top of him. That had led to their father Mace bearing quite a grudge against Oberyn, but Willas has never held ill will towards the Dornish prince; instead he has garnered a good friendship with the man and has maintained a regular correspondence with him. Ever since that day Willas has been a studious fellow, taking his education seriously and focusing on his duties. Although their father is the Lord of Highgarden it is known that the real power of House Tyrell lays with both Willas and Olenna.

"Queen you may now be," Willas said. "But should the worst happen and Renly dies without siring an heir then you won't be a Queen for long. I trust that you have been trying to secure an heir?" Margaery shivered at her brother's question but she knew that it was one that needed to be asked.

"We have grown quite close over the last few nights before my departure," she answered.

"Intimately so I do hope," Olenna spoke up then. Margaery looked over to her and smiled.

"We have managed to please each other quite a few times now grandmother," she replied, noticing Willas's eyes widening.

"Well, in any case we should hope that Renly's seed quickens within you soon," Olenna said, earning a horrified look from Alerie. "Don't start Alerie," she said before Margaery's mother could speak. "You know as well as I do that this is our lot in life as highborn ladies. Everything else is secondary in the grand scheme of things."

"Grandmother," Willas said in a scandalised tone. "Despite the circumstances we should at least consider Margaery's feelings."

"It didn't sound like you were considering her feelings a moment ago Willas," Olenna retorted.

"Anyway!" Margaery yelled, cutting across the two of them. "Renly and I have grown closer despite everything. With the... frequency of our coupling I'm sure that I'll find myself with child soon." She looked at both her brother and her grandmother, the former looking quite apologetic while the later simply smirked.

"I have no doubt about that my dear," Olenna said. "Now then, let's put the serious business behind us for a short while shall we?" She then waved over a servant who was bringing in a plate of cakes. "We shall have cheesecake as well my good man," Olenna said to the servant.

"The cheesecake shall be served afterwards Lady Olenna," he tried to insist. Margaery watched her grandmother fix the poor man with a firm look that would make anyone feel small.

"The cheesecake will be served when I bloody well want it served," she stated. At that the servant bowed meekly before rushing off to find the cheesecake. Margaery brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she smirked.

For the rest of that afternoon Margaery sat with her family, eating and conversing with them. The day passed by quite quickly, and soon Margaery found herself walking into her bed chambers. She had not slept in that room since her wedding night, and that seemed quite a while ago now. How long will it take before I know I'm with child? she wondered as she sat down on the foot of her bed. As she was about to undress there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"It's Willas," her brother's voice shouted through. Margaery sighed as she stood up and wandered over to the door, opening it and showing Willas in. Her brother limped in, supporting himself on his cane as he walked. "How are you doing just now Margaery?" he asked her. She smiled at him, guiding him into the room and helping him sit on a chair.

"I am well Willas," she said as she sat on a chair next to Willas. He smiled at her before sighing.

"I'm sorry if I came across as a total fool earlier," he said. "With the way things are with this conflict we're all worried about our family's position." Margaery folded her hands over her lap and looked at Willas, frowning at his words.

"What do you mean?" she asked him. Willas looked at her with a sad smile before reaching into his doublet and pulling out a letter.

"Word from the capitol," he said as he passed the letter over to Margaery. She read it quickly, taking in every word. When she finished she looked back up to Willas.

"Is this true?" she asked. Willas nodded. She looked at the letter again, her heart fluttering with fear.

To Lord Mace Tyrell,

It has come to our knowledge that you have declared for the traitor Lord Renly Baratheon, the Lord of Storm's End and false claimant to the Iron Throne. I give you an offer that will allow you to keep your seat should you do your duty to His grace King Joffrey of the House Baratheon.

Renly is weak. I say this as a person who has known him on the small council. He is kind and fair, but not fit to rule. Should some calamity befall him before he reaches King's Landing then King Joffrey will personally see to it that you are rewarded properly on the condition that you bend the knee to him. Rewards will include a marriage to your House, seeing as the traitor Lord Stark's daughter has escaped our custody, thus ending her engagement to our benevolent King.

If you go further and help to bring to justice the traitor Lord Stannis as well then we can arrange for your own daughter to marry King Joffrey. If she has been wedded and bedded by Renly then we can make it seem to King Joffrey that she had no choice in the matter. If you go even further and help deal with the rebellious Northern lords as well then I know that His grace will reward you most handsomely for such service as it would prove your loyalty and help to convince the King to forgive you.

Your pardon has already been written my lord. All I need is your word and signature, and House Tyrell shall continue to Grow Strong.

Sincerest regards,

Lord Petyr of the House Baelish,

Lord of the Fingers and Master of Coin

on behalf of His Grace King Joffrey of the House Baratheon, the First of His name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

Margaery was furious after she had finished reading the letter. She had felt fear to begin with, but that fear was replaced by a fury that she did not know that she had.

"They dare?" she hissed. "They dare to plot against us, and to turn us against each other? This is..." Willas reached over and took the letter.

"They are desperate," he said. "Grandmother thinks the same. She and you are not so easily intimidated by such nonsense, but father is. He won't think properly if he reads this, and we both know how greedy father can be. If this Lord Baelish should give a better offer to father then he may very well take it." Margaery looked at her brother then.

"Would father really betray Renly so quickly?" she asked.

"Should you fall pregnant then we are safe so long as Renly lives, but if he falls..." Willas trailed off then, making Margaery uncomfortable. "Father would insist on you drinking moon tea should the worst happen. He wants nothing more than to put a grandson on the Iron Throne."

"He wants our blood to become royalty," Margaery said in a stern voice. "If Renly dies, and I hope to the gods that doesn't ever happen, and I should be carrying his child, boy or girl I will put it on the throne. If father wants us to be royal then that will happen, but he will never make me get rid of my child. Ever!" When Margaery finished and looked away she felt her hands shaking.

"Gods little sister," Willas said, his voice laced with shock. Margaery looked back at him and saw the raised brow, and the look of worry. "You've fallen for him, haven't you?" Margaery looked away from Willas then, her eyes beginning to water. Have I? she wondered, her heart beating faster than even she thought possible. She never thought that she might be falling in love with Renly, but now that Willas has raised it with her she could not stop the tears as the realisation hit her.

"I... I have," she replied. "Oh gods, Loras!" She brought her hands up to her eyes and began to weep. As she wept she felt Willas's hand taking one of her hands and giving it a gentle squeeze. "He'll hate me," she said. "Loras has always loved Renly. He'll hate me for this."

"No he won't," Willas said. "Our brother won't hate you. He'll be devastated, but he will not hate you at all." Margaery looked back at her brother and gave a weak smile. After a few minutes she calmed herself down and wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry Willas," she said. "It's just that... well, everything has been a little overwhelming recently. And this nonsense from Lord Baelish just reeks of trouble."

"I agree, but it is a rather clever move when you think about it," he responded. "Trying to convince us to betray Renly, even though he knows how close Loras is to him." Margaery looked up at Willas in shock.

"How can he know?" she asked.

"Loras told me that Baelish has always been smart enough to figure these things out," he answered. "Personally I reckon that Baelish would hope that father will try to betray Renly or if Loras heard of the letter then he would think that father would betray him, leading to mistrust and infighting. Anyway, apart from this desperate attempt which would only succeed if father got the letter first there is no way we will be in danger so long as the Starks don't side with Stannis."

"Would they do that?" Margaery asked, fearful of the answer before remembering something in the letter. "Wait, the letter said something about Lord Stark's daughter escaping. Does that mean that he has escaped as well?" Willas smirked at this.

"From what we can gather he has," came his reply. "So with Joffrey and his mother having no hostages..."

"The Starks can side with whoever they choose to," Margaery finished. She sat up and yawned, fatigue starting to take its toll on her. When she finished yawning she looked back to Willas who looked at her with a kind smile. "We have to try and reach out to them, convince them to support Renly instead of Stannis," she began before Willas chuckled.

"Yes we should, but we can worry about that tomorrow Margaery," he said as he struggled up from his seat. "For now you need to sleep. We'll speak of this after our breakfast tomorrow."

With that Willas walked out from Margaery's room, with her walking with him to the door and closing it behind him. Once he was gone Margaery walked over to her bed and undressed herself before going to bed. It felt weird to be sleeping in bed by herself, having spent many nights sharing a bed with Renly. She felt a touch of loneliness as she tried to get to sleep, but after a while she drifted off into a peaceful slumber. When she awoke the following morning she called for a bath and sat in it for a good hour with some of her cousins attending to her, including Megga, Alla and Elinor. After her bath Margaery got changed and walked outside to have her breakfast with her family. As they were settling down servants brought the trays of food over for them to enjoy, followed by a squire who looked to have been exhausted.

"Your grace," the squire spoke as he stopped by the table. "Many pardons, but there is a messenger from the North. He says that he bears an important message for all to hear." Margaery put on her best smile for the boy and spoke before her grandmother could chide the boy for interrupting their breakfast.

"Very well then. Have the messenger escorted here so he can tell us his message," she told him. The squire bowed to her and ran off. Margaery and her family and companions turned back to their breakfast.

"With any luck the Starks will be wanting to make an alliance with Renly," her mother said. Olenna scoffed at that as she picked up a strawberry from her plate.

"We shall see Alerie," Margaery's grandmother replied before putting the strawberry into her mouth. Half an hour passed before the messenger arrived, looking quite uncomfortable in the heat if the sweat rolling from his forehead was anything to go by. Margaery looked at the man as he bowed to them; he wore boiled leather for armour with a simple helm forged from iron that he carried under his left arm, a longsword hanging from his left hip, and his face was framed in brown hair that was quite shaggy.

"Welcome to Highgarden good ser," Margaery spoke in a warm, welcoming tone, smiling wide to put the man at ease.

"My thanks my lady, but I am no knight," he said. Before Margaery could speak her brother Garlan spoke.

"You are speaking to Queen Margaery Baratheon, the wife of his grace King Renly Baratheon. You will address her as 'your grace'," he snapped, his face stern. The Northman simply looked at Garlan with a stern face of his own, showing that he was not in the least bit intimidated by him.

"Oh for heavens sake Garlan, calm yourself," Margaery spoke up, trying to ease the tension that had built up. Garlan looked at her and opened his mouth to speak, but Margaery shook her head ever so slightly. Garlan kept quiet, taking his sister's hint. Margaery looked back at the messenger. "So, what does the North want then my good man? I take it that Lord Eddard has managed to get back to his family?" The man looked at her and nodded his head.

"Indeed he has your grace," he spoke, "and I come bearing King Eddard's declaration." Margaery's eyes widened then, her mouth agape at the messenger's words.

"I'm so sorry my good man, my hearing must be getting worse," Olenna said. "But I thought I heard you say that your King is Lord Stark." The messenger had a slight grin at Margaery's grandmother's words. Margaery looked around the table and saw that her mother and brothers were all quite shocked.

"You heard me correctly my lady," the Northman said as he pulled out a letter from his satchel. "These are the words written by his grace King Eddard of House Stark."

---

Cersei

Cersei was worried. The events of the last few weeks have rattled her. Her father and cousins taken prisoner by the Northmen, her Uncle Kevan killed by Robb Stark, and still no word from Jamie. Stark's escape was also bad enough as well as Sansa's disappearance, but Cersei was certain that Varys was responsible for that. The eunuch has not been seen since the Starks escape, so it made sense to her that he was responsible. Right now though she had other matters to deal with. She walked into the throne room, trying to not look too angry. People bowed and curtseyed to her, mumbling 'your grace' or 'my Queen' as she walked by. Cersei did not respond to any of them. They are sheep, she reminded herself. And lions do not concern themselves with the opinions of sheep.

Cersei stood in front of the chair set to the right of the Iron Throne, where Joffrey was walking up to. When Cersei watched her and Jamie's son she smiled as her golden boy took the last couple of steps up to the throne in a single leap before sitting down. When he sat everyone else took their seats, apart from the Kingsguard who all stood around the throne. With Barristan and Jamie gone there were only five knights of the Kingsguard to protect Joffrey; Ser Meryn Trant, Ser Arys Oakheart, Ser Boros Blount, Ser Preston Greenfield and Ser Mandon Moore. Barristan was replaced with Joffrey's sworn shield Sandor Clegane, but of course he was not a knight. Cersei's other two children, Myrcella and Tommen, were standing beside her. She was not so sure about having them in court at the moment, but Joffrey had been insistent. The herald announced Joffrey's presence and spoke his usual drivel before falling silent, giving Joffrey time to speak.

"As your King it is my duty to punish the traitors and reward the loyal," he began, speaking the way that Cersei has taught him to speak in court. "However the one traitor that I could have had punished has escaped our custody along with his traitor daughters, helped by another traitor on my very own council." There was mumbling in the room then as the gathered nobles spoke amongst themselves. Joffrey held up his hand for silence, and the nobles obeyed. "As such I must question the loyalty of my own small council. With Lord Varys having disappeared, as well as my uncles Lord Stannis and Lord Renly having named themselves king, the positions of Master of Ships, Master of Whisperers, and Master of Laws are now available. That leaves my loyal servant Lord Janos Slynt of Harrenhal and my loyal tutor Grand Maester Pycelle, whose loyalty I cannot question. Would the Master of Coin Lord Petyr Baelish step forward!" Cersei smirked as Littlefinger looked over his shoulder, a stunned look on his face as he began to walk over to stand before the throne. My clever boy, Cersei thought as she thought back to her conversation with Joffrey yesterday.

"Your grace," Baelish said as he knelt before Joffrey, his head bowed low. "I am your humble servant and yours to command." So you would like us to believe, Cersei thought snidely. She looked at her son who looked over to her and inclined his head. Cersei smiled at him and stood up, noticing that Tommen and Myrcella were looking up at her with confused looks.

"Lord Baelish," Cersei began. "You claim to be loyal to our good King Joffrey, yet we have evidence that refutes your claim." Littlefinger looked up at her with a slight look of fear in his eyes.

"Y... your grace, I can assure you that whatever evidence you have is a falsehood," he said. Cersei smiled at his words, feeling a little satisfaction at making him squirm.

"Is that so?" she asked. "A loyal informant of mine had come to me two nights ago my lord, with an interesting letter." Cersei clicked her fingers and a Lannister guard walked forward with a letter. "Is that letter written with your handwriting my lord?" she asked as Littlefinger took the letter and looked at it, his eyes going wide and his face going pale. The letter he was looking at had been given to Cersei two nights ago by her informer who she had rewarded yesterday by having one of her men slit the man's throat; the informer had worked for Varys before she persuaded him to work for her instead. After taking the letter she asked her cousin Lancel to pose as her informer, which was easy for her to do. Although he was not Jamie he did the job ably enough.

"This is..." Baelish began but stumbled, clearly unable to think of something to say. Joffrey turned to look at Cersei then.

"Mother, do tell us how this informer of yours came across this letter," he spoke in a commanding tone. Cersei smiled as she looked at him.

"I do believe that my informer would speak of this himself your grace," she said. In the next moment Lancel walked forward, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword while he kept a stern face.

"Ah, Ser Lancel, my mother's cousin," Joffrey spoke. "So tell me, how did you come across this letter?" Lancel looked up at them then and cleared his throat.

"While I was enjoying an evening stroll a couple of nights ago I ran into some urchin who looked like he was up to no good," Lancel said, reciting the lie that Cersei had him go over with her last night. Cersei smiled, a twisted and cruel smile that she directed at Littlefinger. "I approached him and challenged him, but he ran off, dropping the letter that Lord Baelish now holds."

"Who was this urchin?" Cersei asked him, locking her eyes with his. Lancel seemed to grow more confident at that. Good, I need you to remain confident until Littlefinger is dealt with, she thought.

"I chased after him once I picked up the scroll, and when I caught up with him he told me that he was rummaging through the personal quarters of Lord Baelish," Lancel answered. "The boy claimed that he could not read, but I doubt the truth of such a claim if he made off with such an important letter." Baelish looked around at the gathered nobles, looking for someone but Cersei did not know who. The nobles were all chattering loudly now.

"Ser Lancel, would you tell us what you read from the letter?" Joffrey asked.

"Of course your grace," Lancel replied. "I read the letter three times, and it was a letter between both Lord Baelish and Lady Arryn in regards to the murder of Lord Jon Arryn." Nobles gasped in shock at this. Cersei looked around the room and saw that everyone seemed to be genuinely shocked and not feigning shock to please Joffrey. Lord Arryn was popular with a lot of people, so this is good. "That letter in Lord Baelish's hand is his unsent message to Lady Arryn informing her to dispose of the poison that she had used to kill the noble Lord of the Vale." Joffrey stood up quickly, his face contorted with anger. He looked back at her, and for the briefest of moments Cersei felt uncomfortable.

"This only came to our attention over the last few days mother?" he asked. Cersei bowed to Joffrey.

"Yes you grace," she said. "I was quite sceptical about this letter thinking it might be a forgery, so I asked Ser Lancel to investigate Lord Baelish's quarters."

"You did what?" Littlefinger sputtered. "That's outrage-"

"No Lord Baelish!" Joffrey snapped, turning quickly to look at him. "This is an outrage. Your correspondence with Lady Arryn about the death of my father's Hand, a man who helped my father to run the Seven Kingdoms." Cersei looked back at her cousin, who looked quite sheepish at Joffrey's outburst.

"Ser Lancel, did you find any further evidence of Lord Baelish's guilt?" she asked.

"Indeed I did you grace," he answered. "Myself and men loyal to the King searched Lord Baelish's quarters quite quickly, a task made much easier by his absence. Inside we found numerous letters regarding loans taken with the Iron Bank that were not made with the Crown's permission, among other things." Nobles began to shout in outrage at Littlefinger, who looked ready to drop dead. After a few minutes Joffrey called for silence. When the room was quiet Joffrey snapped his fingers angrily.

"You will pay for your treason Baelish," Joffrey spoke, his voice hard. Good my boy, you're learning. "Guards, take him out of my sight. Throw him into the black cells. I'll execute him in a couple of days once we have heard all of the evidence."

Cersei had to resist the urge to laugh as Littlefinger was seized and dragged away by two Gold Cloaks, struggling in their grip as they hauled him away. Once the little man had been dragged away Joffrey called upon Pycelle to read out further decrees that he and Cersei had discussed. For the next hour Joffrey sat looking dreadfully bored as Pycelle droned on. His voice is enough to make anyone fall asleep, Cersei thought with a slight smirk. As Pycelle spoke she looked around the room, scanning the faces of every man. Eventually her eyes found the green orbs of her cousin Lancel, who had a smirk of his own. He did well, so I suppose I'll have to 'reward' him in my bed tonight, she thought with some apprehension. When Pycelle finally finished speaking the doors opened and a man walked in. People stepped aside as the man walked forward, and that allowed Cersei to see another cousin of hers. The man had the features of a weasel and a weak chin, as well as stringy brown hair. Cersei groaned with annoyance when she realised that this was her Aunt Genna's eldest son, Ser Cleos Frey. He was not a smart person, in fact he was as stupid as he looked, and he was a cowardly man. How he was born from my Aunt Genna's womb I'll never know, Cersei thought.

"Who approaches his grace King Joffrey?" Ser Meryn demanded. Cleos jolted at the sound of Ser Meryn's voice.

"I... I am Ser Cleos," he spoke. "Of House Frey. I come bearing a message from the Starks." Cersei stood up from her seat and looked at Joffrey who was looking very bored as he slouched on the throne.

"Mother, do you know this man?" he asked.

"He is a cousin of mine your grace," she told him. "My Aunt Genna Lannister's son by her husband Ser Emmon Frey." Joffrey looked back at Cleos who seemed to shrink under his gaze. "Well go on then cousin," Cersei spoke. "What message do you bring?" Cleos held up a letter in his hand, and Cersei shook her head. I suppose I'll have to read it out for you you blasted oaf, she thought angrily as she walked to stand beside Ser Meryn. "Bring me the letter then Ser Cleos." Cleos stepped forward and handed the letter over to her. Cersei looked at the direwolf seal and broke it, huffing in annoyance. She unrolled the letter and read its contents, her eyes widening in shock and anger. No, this can't be...

"Well mother, what does the traitor Robb Stark say?" Joffrey asked. Cersei looked back at her son.

"This letter is written by Eddard Stark," she said, her voice a whisper. Cersei shook her head and took a deep breath, annoyed at how weak she sounded in front of her son as she handed the letter over to the herald to read out. The herald read the letter himself, his own eyes going wide as he tried to comprehend what he was reading. After a moment he began to read out what was written.

"To all the Noble Lords and Ladies of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros," the man called out, his voice loud as thunder. "During my time as Hand of the King I discovered a most shocking truth. The children Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen are not the children of my childhood friend King Robert Baratheon. They are in fact the product of..." The herald hesitated, looking at Cersei who nodded at him to continue. "They are in fact the product of incest between Queen Cersei Lannister and her twin brother Ser Jamie Lannister the Kingslayer." Gasps filled the throne room, and Cersei looked back at her children; Myrcella and Tommen looked shocked, even upset while Joffrey had an angry look on his face. "Upon discovering this vile truth I confronted the Queen who did not deny her crimes. Before I could tell my King of this truth he had been wounded by a boar while on a hunt and died from his injuries. The day after King Robert's death I was arrested in the throne room, my men slaughtered by guardsmen of the City Watch. I was imprisoned, and my eldest daughter held hostage. My son and heir Robb Stark marched out to battle and as you are all aware by now he had taken Lord Tywin Lannister captive, along with his son Tyrion and his nephews Willem and Martyn. I have recently been reunited with my family after being released from my false imprisonment by Lord Varys, who at great risk to his own life helped myself and both of my daughters to flee King's Landing." The herald paused then, reading further on before looking at Cersei again. Cersei nodded her head again to let the man know to continue. "After taking many matters into consideration and discussing with my lords bannermen the suitability of all claimants to the Iron Throne it has been decided that the North and the Riverlands shall no longer bow to King's Landing."

"WHAT!?" Joffrey shouted, his voice a mixture of anger and confusion. The nobles muttered amongst themselves before the herald continued.

"It has been... It has been decided that the Crown of Winter shall be worn again. No more will the lords and ladies of the North and the Riverlands pledge fealty to those who would bring harm to them. To all those who claim to be the King on the Iron Throne I give you a chance to bring about an end to this conflict between us peacefully. Accept our terms and peace can be met." The herald cleared his throat, looking around the throne room nervously. "Firstly, the remains of my entire household are to be returned to the North so that they may be respectfully laid to rest, and any who are still alive shall be released and returned to us alive and unharmed. Secondly, House Lannister will pay compensation to the Riverlords for the crimes committed against their small folk, paying in the form of coin and crops. Lords and knights whose crimes were not so heinous shall be allowed to take the black and join the Night's Watch, others however shall be executed due to the severity of their crimes." Cersei felt fear for her father and for Jamie, although Tyrion she did not care for. She knew that if the North won then Stark would kill her father and her twin, and she was certain that the Starks would give Tyrion Casterly Rock just to spite her family. "Thirdly, House Baratheon will recognise and respect the sovereignty of the Northern Kingdoms, which as of this moment comprises of the Riverlands whose lords have pledged their fealty to Winterfell as well as all lands north of the Neck. Winterfell and Riverrun, along with their bannermen shall never kneel to the south again. Accept these terms and we shall have peace. Refuse, and I will bring the wrath of winter down upon those who would bring battle to us." Cersei breathed out slowly, trying to stay calm as the gathered nobility gasped and muttered in shock and anger.

"They cannot do this," she heard someone say. "Those lands are ours."

"Who does that wolf bedding fool think he is?" Janos Slynt hissed. "Harrenhal belongs to my family, and I will never bow to that tree worshipping traitor!" Cersei rolled her eyes in annoyance at the Gold Cloak commander's blustering. The herald coughed loudly, gaining the attention of everyone in the throne room. The nobles fell silent and looked at him.

"The time of the Iron Throne's dominion over the Northern Kingdoms has come to an end. Take heed of these words, for winter is coming." Cersei noticed quite a few nobles shuddering at the herald reciting the words of House Stark. "Signed by His grace, Eddard of the House Stark, First to bear that name since the Conquest, Lord of Winterfell, King of the North and of the Trident, Defender of the Northern Kingdoms, and Shield of the First Men."

The throne room was deathly quiet after the herald finished reading out the declaration. Cersei looked around at everyone; most looked unsure, many frightened, and one or two looked angry. Cersei looked at the far end of the throne room and saw one man who was glaring at her. I need to say something, she realised. Before she could say a word though her son stood up.

"Mother!" Joffrey snapped. "Is there any truth to what Stark has said about me?" Cersei looked up at him and shook her head.

"Do not listen to these lies your grace," she said as she walked forward, her voice loud and clear. "My son, your father was Robert Baratheon the First of His name, the Demon of the Trident." Cersei felt some disgust towards herself for calling Joffrey Robert's son, but she could not let anyone know the truth. "Eddard Stark is a filthy traitor who only wants one thing." Joffrey looked placated by her words, but the anger was still in his eyes.

"I want him dead mother," he said before looking at the nobles. "I want Eddard Stark dead! I want Robb Stark dead! I want Brandon Stark and Rickon Stark dead! I want Sansa and Arya Stark given to our loyal men to do with as they please! I want Catelyn Stark and her father's family dead! I WANT THEM ALL DEAD FOR THEIR TREASON!" Joffrey's rage frightened Cersei more than she thought possible. She took a deep breath and looked at her son.

"And they will be destroyed," she said. "No one will dare to oppose you once the treacherous Starks have been crushed and their line extinguished..." Cersei would have continued but one of the Crownland lords cut in.

"We will fight for you your grace," the lord said. "I'll summon my banners and march out and meet the heathens in battle. They will fall before our righteous arms." A chorus of approval went up then.

"We will drive them back beyond the Neck your grace," another called out. "We will beat them bloody and sack their snow covered wasteland that they call home. We'll tear down their castles and sow their fields with salt, see how they survive winter then." Others began to voice their support of Joffrey. This is good, Cersei conceded. This will give us the support that we need to defeat them, but we need to worry about Stannis and Renly first. Hmm, I think I'll need to pay for sellswords to fight for Joffrey. The idea of using sellswords did not sit well with her, but even she knew that they needed the numbers. Her only real fear was what the Starks would do to Jamie when they began their pushback. Forgive me Jamie my love, but I need to put our son first.

As the nobles shouted out their willingness to support Joffrey a lone man backed out of the throne room, his eyes hardened. It was the same man who was glaring at Cersei earlier. As he left a guardsman barged past him and pushed through the crowd.

"Your grace," he yelled out, "Petyr Baelish has escaped!" Cersei narrowed her eyes before walking away shaking her head. Can this day get any worse?

---

Author's Note: Hope you liked this chapter as it was an absolute pain to write up. Baelish was never going to be dealt with that easily, he's got the likes of Lothor Brune to help him as well as one or two (dozen) Gold Cloaks in his pocket.

I apologise if the political aspects were not that great. Politics is not my strong suit. Horas's POV section was done to bring in his family as well as getting Jeyne Poole out of the capitol, plus with Tyrion and Varys out of the way it seemed the best way to get Horas and his brother out of King's Landing (in canon they tried to escape on the ship called Moonrunner, but Tyrion and Varys managed to stop them).

Margaery is starting to develop feelings for Renly, which will make things much harder for her later on. Her and Horas's family will feature later on in the story.

And Cersei... well I felt that we needed to see how things are in the Red Keep. The informer who gave Cersei the letter implicating Baelish's involvement with Jon Arryn's death was a man who worked for Varys, and he was being used by Varys to keep an eye on both Cersei and Baelish. Of course with Varys dead his little birds will soon begin to scatter. Anyway, before he left King's Landing with Ned and his girls Varys would have given some last minute tasks for his little birds who remained in the capitol, and this 'informer' of Cersei's was one of them. Just Varys causing some last minute chaos for his enemies, even though he is no more, hehe.

Well, hope you liked it guys, let me know what you think. No flames as usual please, but constructive criticisms are welcome.