A war had begun. They called it the War of Five Kings. It had been little less than a year since Joffrey was crowned, and already there were people who wished to take his throne.

There was Renly Baratheon: he claimed that despite rights of succession, he should be the ruler of Westeros.

Stannis Baratheon: the throne fell to him by right if Cersei's children truly were illegitimate.

Joffrey Baratheon: for now the throne was in his hands, and he was not going to give it up.

Robb Stark: he was not a contender for the Iron Throne, but he had declared himself the King in the North.

Finally, there was Balon Greyjoy: the Greyjoys always were ones to cause trouble, and a war where no was sure who belonged on the throne was something of great interest to the lord of the Iron Islands.

Eddard Stark was dead. Beheaded for treason at Joffrey's command.

Dyana was correct in her thinking that Renly would need a queen. When Margaery arrived at Storm's End, he had a choice of the two Tyrell sisters. Dyana had no wishes of being a claimant queen, but, nonetheless, Renly chose her. She supposed it was because she was the younger of the two sisters. Because the people of Storm's End liked her and the people of Highgarden called her a princess.

Tourneys were held often. Loras often won these, much to Dyana and Margaery's delight.

But today's tourney was an exception.

The person that sparred Loras today was large and surprisingly quick. Margaery was sat below the King and Queen, and she stood and cheered for her brother. "Loras! Highgarden!"

"He's going to lose," Dyana warned her older sister, letting out a laugh when Loras went stumbling backwards.

"Have faith in our brother, Ana," Margaery replied.

Dyana and Margaery were dressed similarly. Margaery had chosen a lovely blue dress for the day. But Dyana's was a shade of lilac purple. Her pale pink undress barely showed through. She truly was the Princess of Petals. The only difference in the sister's attire was Dyana's crown. Renly's was a design made to look like a stags antlers. Dyana's was a simple iron circlet, hammered into the shape of twining vines. The centerpiece was a curling design of a rose, with a bright sapphire in the center.

When Loras fell, Margaery let out a gasp. "Told you," Dyana said. "I should've bet on it."

The competitor drew a dagger, aiming it at Loras's throat. "Yield!" Loras stated. "I yield."

Margaery lowered back down into her seat. Renly broke into applause. "Well fought," he congratulated the large figure. "Approach."

Loras got to his feet, taking off his helm and shaking out his blond curls. He sneered at the figure as it approached Renly, Margaery, and Dyana, kneeling. "Rise," Renly said. "Remove your helm."

The figure did as told, and Dyana was surprised to note that it was a woman.

She had short, blonde hair. Her eyes were bright blue, the same color as the sapphire in Dyana's crown. She had a rather square face, that held a stoic expression. "You are all your father promised and more, my lady," Renly said. "I've seen Ser Loras bested once or twice, but never quite in that fashion."

"Now, now, My King, Dyana's and I's brother fought valiantly for you," Margaery offered, trying to ease Loras's growing annoyance.

The elder girl looked pointedly at Dyana, who caught on quickly. "Yes, my love, my brother did his very best."

Renly smiled. She reached for his hand in an attempt of appearing closer, but he moved it away quickly and continued speaking. "But there can only be one champion. Brienne of Tarth," he addressed the woman, "you may ask anything of me you desire. If it is within my power, it is yours."

Brienne knelt before him once more. "Your Grace," she said, "I ask for the honor of a place in your Kingsguard."

"What?" Loras muttered, as hushed speaking broke out amongst the crowd.

Brienne continued. "I will be one of your seven, pledge my life to yours, and keep you safe from all harm."

Loras shook his head, trying to make Renly refuse. But Renly only smiled broadly. "Done," he said. "Rise, Brienne of the Kingsguard."

He started applauding once more, and everyone joined in quickly. Brienne stood.

It was then that a man stepped up toward Renly. "Your Grace, I have the honor to bring you Lady Catelyn Stark, sent as an envoy by her son, Robb, Lord of Winterfell," he said.

"Lord of Winterfell and King in the North," Catelyn said.

Dyana looked Lady Catelyn over. So this was Sansa's mother. This was the source of the beautiful red hair. Of the bright blue eyes. She felt a pang of sadness for the lovely girl she'd left in King's Landing.

"Lady Catelyn," Renly smiled. "I'm pleased to see you. May I present my wife Dyana of House Tyrell?"

Catelyn nodded respectfully to Dyana, who offered a nod as well. "You are very welcome here, Lady Catelyn," the Tyrell girl said. "I'm so very sorry for your loss. Lord Eddard was an honorable man."

"You are most kind," Catelyn answered.

"My lady, I swear to you I will see the Lannisters answer for your husband's murder," Renly stated. "When I take King's Landing, I'll bring you Joffrey's head."

Cheers rose up from the crowd.

"It will be enough to know that justice was done, my lord," Catelyn said.

"Your Grace," Brienne corrected. "And you should kneel when you approach the king."

"There's no need for that," Renly eased. "Lady Stark is an honored guest."

"Has your son marched against Tywin Lannister yet?" Loras suddenly asked Catelyn.

She turned to face him. "I do not sit on my son's war councils. And if I did, I would not share his strategies with you."

"If Robb Stark wants a pact with us, he should come himself, not hide behind his mother's skirts."

"My son is fighting a war, not playing at one."

Dyana couldn't help but smile at the fierceness in Catelyn's tone. She offered a kind smile to the older lady. "My apologies, Lady Catelyn. My brother should learn how to bite his tongue," she said.

Loras shot his sister a glare.

Renly let out a chuckle, standing and staring down at Catelyn. He smiled, walking up to her. "Don't worry, my lady. Our war is just beginning."

He waved his arm, leading her away from the crowd and into the camp, leaving Dyana with Margaery. Renly's Kingsguard followed them.