The sounds of horses and the rattle of armour…Renly woke uneasily, rolling over to find a single red rose in the place of his knight. It wasn't fresh, he noted as he picked it up. It wilted slightly, petals holding on for dear hope. But it was beautiful, tragically beautiful. He winced, as a thorn pricked his finger. The flower dropped back to the bed as he examined the fresh bead of blood blossoming at the tip of his finger, and watched as it rolled down his palm and fell with a slight tick onto the sheets. Grimacing, he stared down at it for a moment, comprehending the meaning behind that tiny drop of life fluid. Heart pounding almost audibly in his chest, Renly pulled his eyes away and stood, beginning to dress with a preoccupied mind. He was lacing up the top of his jerkin when a cry went up outside the tent, and a head appeared at the flap.

"The young wolf has arrived, your grace" said a voice. Renly didn't reply, but walked over, wrapping a cloak quickly over his shoulders and placing his crown precariously atop his brown locks. He should really have a place to put it, but most nights it just ended up on the floor by Loras' hands anyway. He exited the tent, seeing the camp alive with activity. He stood a still for a moment, watching the crowd come closer and trying to shake off the feeling of comprehension gripping him. Loras was the first to come into sight, face glowing with glee. oh, my sweet… he thought with an internal sinking of his heart. It wasn't hard to smile however, as the king in the north came striding into view. Renly strode forward, catching the young man in an embrace with a few well earned claps on the back.

"Robb!" he exclaimed. The other king pulled away, also grinning.

"Renly" he nodded, hair falling across his eyes from under his own bronze crown, in such a seductive manner he had a sudden suspicion there was more to this man than he had first thought…

"Indeed! How about your dear mother?" a look of irritation shrouded his features for a moment and from behind one of his banner men stepped Catelyn stark. Renly flashed Robb a knowing smile before stepping forward to embrace his mother. "Cat!" he pulled back, a hand placed comfortingly on the top of her arm. He reconfigured his face into one of sympathy, another thing he didn't have trouble doing. "I was sorry to hear of your sons, Bran and…"

"Rickon your grace and I thank you" she forced a smile. He could see the grief in her eyes, in the way she held herself, in the way her eyes held Robb's each time hers met with his own. Renly understood, he knew what it would be to lose everything you hold dear. There was naught much left to him, but Loras and what after today? Gods, what have I done… he let his hand drop and stepped back. "shall we council in my tent?" he asked, clapping his hands together, as though nothing would please him more than to sit and chat of war until it was time to go and slaughter men he had once known. Loras stepped forward

"Will you need help with your armour, your grace?" all trace of the Loras he had seen last night was gone, the look of a man of his rainbow guard etched across his features. Renly shook his head, transforming his knight's face into one coherent with someone who had just been slapped across the face with a wet fish. He looked around, eyes falling on Brienne. He nodded towards her and she stepped forward to join the train. He tried to shoot an apologetic look over at his lover before making his way to his tent, but the man seemed adamant at looking anywhere but at him. With a growing feeling of unease, he made his way back through the tent's flap. Once inside, both kings abandoned pretence, leaving crowns placed on a side table near the bed. Robb took a chair at the round table the tent contained, followed swiftly by his mother. Renly himself made his way to the tall mirror and allowed Brienne to begin to armour him. While she worked, he looked over his shoulder at his companions.

"I will be riding in the Van, Robb, you are welcome to join me" he felt a pause as his temporary squire stiffened, and noticed a similar stiffening in Lady stark. He smiled, trying to look as reassuring as possible. "Do not worry, dear Cat" he said as Brienne resumed "your son will be safer with me than anywhere else. I will have the majority of my kingsguard about me" Brienne stood

"Will I be riding with you, your grace?" she could be dull at times, he thought, but there was no doubting her loyalty. He considered for a moment, and then turned to her. She was a giant, stood next to him like she was. Renly surveyed her for a moment and then turned to Lady Stark

"I Believe you two have met" Lady Catelyn turned her head toward Brienne and smiled.

"We have" Brienne's eyes narrowed.

"Well then" he turned back to her "you will guard Lady Stark with your life. If I hear that any harm has come to her during the duration we are away, I will personally hold you responsible, is that clear?" She looked confused, and Renly could hardly keep back a smile.

"Of course…I suppose your grace…"

"Good" he made his way over to Robb's mother, raising her with both of her hands in his own. "you will be in safe hands, my lady, Lady Margaery will be under guard with you as well, so you will not lack company. Please try and rest assured, your son will be safe, I swear it, by the old gods…and the new" He leaned forward and kissed her on both cheeks, just as Loras' voice drifted through the tents entrance, and Margaery stepped in, followed by his knight, who kept to the shadows at the edge of the tent.

"I will take my leave. Brienne?" she turned to embrace her son. Renly looked away from the exchange, knowing what it was to fear to lose someone, as Lady Catelyn may well do her young wolf, as much as Renly swore to keep him safe. Things could go badly today. He turned at the feel of her hand on his arm. She looked deeply into his eyes.

"Keep him safe" He nodded and watched as she strode past his wife with a nod, Brienne close in her wake. He came forward and took Margaery awkwardly in his arms. She pulled away, smiling sadly.

"Stay safe, my love, I cannot bear to lose you" she said before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his own. He stiffened, but tried to hold pretence in the young wolfs presence. He heard Loras' uncomfortable shuffle behind them. When she pulled away, he smiled, though inside his heart was sinking even lower.

"I will" he replied "Now after Brienne, she will keep you safe" With one final peck on the cheek, she was gone, leaving Robb, Loras and himself alone in the tent. He made his way over to the mirror again, as the silence stretched on. After a few moments, Robb cleared his throat and stood;

"My men will want to see my face, I'll await you at the front" and with that he made his way from the tent, a knowing smile spread across his face. Renly stared suspiciously after him in the mirror, and as soon as the man was gone he felt Loras' hands at his waist, his lips at his neck, his face in his hair…
"Loras…" he tried to pull away, but his knight's arms wrapped around his chest from behind locking them together…and the feeling was so sublime. With effort, he managed to extract himself. He turned, seeing the look of rejection smeared across Loras' face. The look did not suit him. Renly raised a hand to his lover's face, sighing as he nuzzled his face into it. He stood there and looked at him, seeing his plain, apart from the rose holding his rainbow cloak at his throat, armour, but underneath seeing the kind, honest man he loved.

"You're beautiful" Loras smiled modestly at the ground "and you know it." He stepped forward and Renly was surprised to feel wetness sliding over his hand. He frowned. With a sigh he pulled his lover's head down into his chest, nestling his face in his hair, along with his fingers letting the smell of him engulf him. "Kiss me Loras" he whispered "Kiss me"
He pulled back and then Loras' lips were on his own and it was all he could do not to pull his clothes off right there and then. He was lost, until the sound of heralds yanked him back to reality. He clutched at the hair in his hands more desperately. But with dread and a sinking heart, he pulled away. One last time, he looked into his Knight's eyes and then stepped past him, turning to look back over his shoulder. He smiled.

"Come, Ser Loras, I believe Dragonstone awaits us."