Chapter Twenty-Seven: Sleepovers and Surprises

Loras's Point of View

My weekend with Robb was fun. We planned a Christmas party. I drew Sansa's name as the person I am supposed to get a gift for. I know exactly ehat I am getting her. There is a $100 spending limit, but what I am getting her won't cost me a thing.

I am giving her dresses made from the finest silk. I am hiring my designers to make them. If there was no spending limit I would have bought her jewelry.

I am giving Robb and Renly gifts too, but just because I want to. I stayed up late thinking about what to get Robb. I still have no idea. Renly's gift was easy. I made it last night.

Robb is cooking breakfast. I am a little curious about his cooking. Even Grey Wind looks skeptical. I wait patiently. It smells delicious, but you never know.

Robb burns breakfast. I poke at whatever it is with my fork. I look up at Robb. He seems disappointed. He rolls his eyes and throws it in thr trash. He grabs his keys and we go out for breakfast.

After we eat, we go shopping. Robb is trying to find a gift for the person who he drew. I have no idea who it is. He refuses to tell me. I find velvety antlers. I put them on and make reindeer sounds. Robb laughs.

"I think I want to wear these to the party."

"Are you serious?"

"Oh yes."

I buy the antlers. Robb buys a cooking pot for this person and a cook book. That does not seem like a gift you would get another person, but who am I to judge.

"Are you getting me a gift?" Robb asks.

"Yes, of course."

"Could you make it something for Tor?"

"I already got Tor's gift."

Robb and I shop for our sisters. I buy Margaery the most beautiful earrings ever. They cost about $7,000. The gold and the diamonds are real. Margaery will love them.

"Mags, doesn't seem like the material type," says Robb.

"You should see her tiara. Its gorgeous. The diamonds sparkle like stars."

"I've seen it. She wore it at the ball."

"Why are you upset?" I ask.

"I'm not upset."

"Yes you are."

Robb walks over to a display of engagement rings. I follow him. The sales girl is waiting for me to pay for the earrings. What's Robb's problem.

"I don't see why Mags needs more jewelry."

"Princesses always need jewelry."

Robb scoffs. I wish he would tell me what's bothering him.

"Maybe you could get her a book."

"What's with you?"

"I just get sick of seeing you flaunt your riches around. Not all of us can afford to buy our sisters diamond earrings or buy someone a house."

Robb carries on for a bit about how I wad dealt a lucky hand. I feel bad. I decide not to get the earrings, but Robb's mood never changes. I wish there was more I could do for him.

We go to a book store and I pick out a couple books I think my sister will enjoy. I buy a couple for Sansa. This lifts Robb's mood a little. He takes a picture of us together.

The rest of the weekend with Robb is a blast. We watch movies, eat junk food, talk about sex, and we pretend we are in a rock band. I go to bed about midnight. Robb sticks his head in to say goodnight. Grey Wind jumps up on the bed to sleep with me since he knows I do not like sleeping alone.

I fall asleep with my arms around the dog. Around three in the morning, I hear a noise coming from down the hall. Grey Wind starts barking. I throw off the covers and open the door. I run to Robb's room, he is thrashing in his sleep.

I try to wake him. He punches me in his sleep as I shake him. I slap his face and he wakes almost violently. I sit on the side of his bed and stare at him.

"Are you okay?"

"I was having a bad dream."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Robb shakes his head. I just notice its raining. Lightning lights up the sky. I freeze. Robb rubs his face. He tosses the covers off himself.

"I'm going to make some tea."

"Wait," I say getting up. When thunder roars I grab Robb's arm shaking. I follow him into the kitchen. He turns on the light as another drum of thunder sounds. I jump in Robb's arms.

"Get off me."

"I would that I could?" I say shaking. Robb tries to peel me off him. I hug Grey Wind and sit on the floor. Grey Wind licks my face.

Robb hands me tea and a blanket. He sits on the floor with me. When did the bad weather start?

"You died," Robb says sipping his tea.

"Excuse me?"

"In my dream, you died. I couldn't save you."

I sip my tea and choose not to respond to Robb. When the ground shakes I find myself in Robb's lap. It stops shaking.

"You really are scared of storms."

"I usually cuddle with Renly or Margaery. I'm sorry."

The storm settles down enough for me to sleep. Robb helps me to bed, and then leaves for his own room. Grey Wind climbs in bed with me. I put my arm around him and burry my face in his fur.

"Good dog."

After another thunder clap I take a pillow and book it to Robb's room. I try to climb in his bed without waking him, but he opens his eyes.

"Can I sleep with you?"

Robb makes room. Grey Wind sleeps between us. He takes up a lot of space. I snuggle in and try to sleep. Everytime lightning flashes I gasp.

I sleep off and on throughout the night. Before dawn I get up and take out my laptop to make the invitations to the Christmas party. I personalize all of them.

I fall asleep at the computer. When I wake up there are pancakes and a full spread of breakfast on the table. I put on my glasses and see Meera standing over the stove. A blanket falls off me onto the floor.

"Good morning, Loras," says Meera.

"Where's Robb?"

"In the shower."

"When did you get here?"

"About an hour ago."

"Meera, I need you to pick a name."

I explain what it is for. I finally notice Tor in his carrier napping. I smile at him. Meera smiles at the name on her card. She eats a slice of toast. Robb joins us.

He shaved. I like him clean-shaven. Meera does too. She kisses him on the cheek. Their height difference makes them adorable. Robb turns his attention to Tor.

"Did you get any sleep?" Robb asks.

"About four hours."

"That's good."

I eat Meera's breakfast. Its so good my mouth waters. She is almost better at this than Renly. She is as good as one of the mansion chefs. I want to hug her the more I eat.

As I am on my third helping my brother Willas arrives to pick me up. Sansa is with him. She hugs her brother and picks up her nephew. I watch them. Willas rubs my head.

"Loras, ready to go?"

"No."

"Robb, thank you for putting up with the kid."

"It was fun."

"Come on, little brother. We have a meeting with some foreign man."

"Who?"

"I don't know but he has blue hair."

"Why is his hair blue?"

"Who knows, little one."

Sansa walks my brother to the door. I know they would kiss if Robb was not watching. Robb puts his arm around Sansa in a territorial way. Willas gets the idea and keeps his hands to himself. He winks at Meera and leaves.

"I will see you at school tomorrow."

Willas and I are stood up by this politician. We head back to the mansion where Margaery is waiting for us outside. She is disheveled and holding her left arm like a baby. Aegon takes off his coat and puts it around her.

"What's going on?"

"I was in a fight."

"With whom?"

"Cersei Lannister. That woman is a bitch."

"What is she doing here?"

"Meeting with Illyrio."

"About what?" Willas asks.

"Joffrey. She wants him to represent our country now that his grandfather has been removed. I called her a crazy bitch and she pushed me down the stairs."

"Willas, you have to do something," I say.

"I will."

When Willas leaves to handle things Joff appears. My heart pounds in my chest. I shake uncontrollably. I try to move, but I am immobilized by fear.

"Loras Tyrell, remember me?"

"Y-y-you l-look w-we-ll."

"Who is this angelic beauty?" He asks about Margaery. Margaery shows no fear. She turns on every courtesy. Aegon on the otherhand looks suspicious. He moves into a position to protect Margaery.

"Margaery Tyrell."

"You're quite beautiful, my princess."

"Thank you."

Margaery leaves with him. I try to protest but I cannot move. I reach out to my sister. She should not be alone with him. Suddenly, my fear is gone and I get my sister away from Joff.

"Stay away from her."

"Don't talk to me that way, peon."

"Peon? I'm your superior, bitch," I say punching him in his stupid face. I take Margaery's hand and run like hell. I climb in the front seat of a limo. Aegon joins us. I see Joff coming for us and I shut the door there is no driver. Aegon gets in the passenger seat.

"Go, Loras," says Aegon.

"I can't drive."

"Well someone should," Aegon says. Joff is getting too close for comfort. I start the limo and drive out. I nearly hit the gate. I do everything I can to stay on the road.

"Where are we going?" Margaery asks.

"To the hospital," I suggest.

"They would know," Margaery suggests.

"But your arm is broken," I say.

"Go to Renly's he will help," Margaery says.

I shift gears and nearly hit another car. I pass the turn to Renly's apartment and have to go around the block. I knock over a mailbox. I will pay for that later.

I pull in the apartment drive. I try parking but fail. Instead of fixing it I let it go. By now Illyrio must be looking for us. I pull my hood up to block the wind.

I get into the building and the three of us take the elevator up to Renly's floor. I look for his apartment number and knock on the door. Renly opens up to us.

"May we hide here for a while?"

"Come in," says Renly.

He great thing about Renly is he never asks too many questions. He invites us in. Gendry and Arya stop playing videogames and get us towels ans hot coco.

Renly helps Margaery with her arm. Aegon and I sit on the sofa with a cute little cat between us. Aegon relishes telling Gendry and Arya how I punched Joff in the face. Aegon is more fun when he is not being formal.

"Why is Joffrey back?" Renly asks.

"To ruin my life," I answer.