A/N: What can I say? You guys are absolutely amazing, I can't believe how many of you have taken to this story already. I can only thank you so, so much, and hope that you continue to enjoy it!

Here's the next chapter - enjoy!

:)

III

Tipping Point

"You've been quiet these last days," Renly said, looking at Margaery concernedly.

"It's all this travelling," she sighed. "I'm tired, that's all."

"Funny," Renly eyed her. "You seemed happy and full of life enough before your grandmother arrived."

"Oh Gods," she groaned. "Am I really that obvious?"

"Not to everyone, I don't think," he chuckled, offering a full cup of wine out to her.

She took it from him with thanks and he watched as she gulped several mouthfuls down in one. He raised his brows, it was usually him drinking copiously during their evenings together – not her. Something was clearly wrong, and he hoped she would tell him. While he did not love his wife in the conventional sense, he did care very much about her happiness. It was alright for him, he could enjoy a friendship with her while still maintaining his relationship with the one he truly loved, and all with his wife's blessing. That was why he had suggested she take a lover, so she could be as satisfied in their marriage as he was.

"You can tell me anything, you know?" he coaxed her, taking the seat opposite and laying a hand on her knee until she looked up at him.

"Grandmother thinks -," she began, then stopped and shook her hand.

"Go on," he prompted. "Whatever your grandmother thinks is usually accurate, as she is always quick to remind me."

"She thinks that – that – Robb -," she stuttered.

"Is completely enamoured with you?" Renly suggested with a chuckle, and Margaery blushed.

"She didn't put it quite like that," she said quietly.

"Well, however she put it, she's right," he said, and she stared at him with wide eyes. "Oh, my sweet little queen," he laughed again. "He can barely keep his eyes from you, and despite having the pleasure of my company he is so often seeking out yours. You must be alluring indeed, I so wish I knew how to appreciate it."

"It's not funny," Margaery pouted.

"It's a little funny," he countered and she scowled at him.

"That expression does not become you, my dear," he said lightly.

She said nothing to that, clearly preferring to turn her attention back to the wine. Renly rose up after a few moments and moved to the side table to bring the flagon to the low table between them. Something told him he would be calling his squire for more soon enough. Margaery seemed determined to drink all of her troubles away.

"You know," he began tentatively, wondering how best to phrase it without offending her. "When I suggested you could seek company with another, there were no restrictions on who you could choose. Perhaps, for a time, you and Robb could make one another happy?"

"For a time," Margaery snorted before draining her cup. He leant over to refill it as soon as she banged it down on the table.

"He will have to marry eventually. That is the trouble with choosing a king," he said calmly.

"I haven't chosen anyone!" she said heatedly.

"But you could," he said gently.

"Would you not even mind in the slightest?" she asked him incredulously. "I am your wife. Your maiden wife! It should be you taking me to bed, you are the king that I am queen to, not Robb Stark!"

"Hush!" he gestured for her to keep her voice down. "I am merely suggesting it for your own happiness, your own desires. Mine are satisfied, it seems only fair that yours are."

"Gods, if your council could hear you," she sneered, throwing more wine down her throat.

"My council aren't stupid," he said.

"Maybe not, but I wonder about you sometimes," she said scathingly and he sighed.

He supposed he deserved that. It was clear that Margaery wanted and needed a proper husband, one who could do his duty by her. She had been born and raised to be a proper lady and wife, and now he had elevated her to the role of queen and she was thriving, publically, at least. Privately she was nowhere near as serene and unaffected as she liked to pretend to be.

"I will try and be better," he told her gently and her features softened.

"You keep saying that, Renly," she said in a pained voice. "But when?"

"When we take King's Landing," he said.

"And when we take King's Landing, there will be even more for you to do, even more excuses for you to make," she sounded exhausted. "I will never be what you want, Renly, but you have to realise that if you don't take me, then taking this throne will be pointless."

"Just…just leave it, for now," Renly told her patiently.

"I give up," she laughed without humour. "I cannot keep doing this. I cannot keep coming here and trying to entice you only to have to push me away and tell me you cannot do it yet. I give up. I will not try any longer. When you finally come to your senses and realise that being with me is the only way you will secure your reign then you know where I will be. Waiting, just like a dutiful wife."

With that she drained her cup again before slamming it down on the table and getting quickly to her feet. He opened his mouth to try and get her to stay but the look on her face had him closing it again. All he could do was sigh then as she threw him one final look of contempt before striding from the tent and pulling the flap furiously closed behind her. He sighed again, draining his own cup before placing it down and staring at it. She was right. He knew she was right. That didn't make it any easier though. Looking at her, kissing her, touching her. It did nothing for him. Stirred nothing within him. It had always been men. Been Loras. He tipped his head back and let out a roar of anger.

"Bad time?"

He snapped his head round to see Loras stood there with a slight frown and a raised brow. Just looking at him stirred something within him. Gods, why could it not be so easy with Margaery? They looked so alike that they could be twins, but with her it just felt wrong.

"I saw Margaery," Loras continued, slowly walking closer to him. "Leaving, I mean. She didn't look very happy. Has something happened between the two of you?"

"No," Renly said dully.

"I suppose that is the problem," Loras said astutely.

"She's given up on me," he said. "Not that I can blame her. I just can't, Loras. I know I must, for the good of my claim and for the good of the Kingdoms. I know Margaery must have a child, but I don't know how in the seven hells I am supposed to put one in her. I have prayed and prayed to the Gods. I have tried with her, I have, and she is more than willing but I – there is just nothing. Nothing."

"You can't just give up," Loras told him, taking Margaery's recently vacated chair.

"I don't know what else I can do," he said. "If she is no longer going to push me for it then I am hardly likely to go in pursuit, am I? I don't want her, Loras. I never will. It's you I love. I married Margaery because I could not marry you and I needed the support of your family, but I do not want her. She is a dear, sweet friend to me, but I cannot…I just cannot…" he trailed off, shaking his head.

"Then what?" Loras asked him expectantly.

"I don't know," Renly said honestly. "I just don't know."

Robb had watched Margaery storm from Renly's tent as he had been approaching his own. Despite him being stood in the light of a torch she had not noticed him, her blazing eyes seemingly only seeing her own tent, which she had disappeared inside a few moments before. Robb was still stood just outside his own tent, torn between entering and leaving her well alone, and crossing the short distance to her tent which was pitched next to Renly's, a reasonable gap between them. The last thing he wanted to do was intrude, but at the same time she had looked upset. Could he just put that out of his mind? He doubted it. If he wanted to get any sleep at all then he was going to have to go over there and just make sure she was alright.

He glanced around him before he set off for her tent. His visit was, of course, an entirely innocent one, but he wasn't stupid. People talked, and some people would make up malicious gossip if they caught him heading towards Renly's queen's tent after nightfall. He was half expecting Margaery to just tell him to go away anyway.

"My queen?" he asked uncertainly as he came to the entrance to her tent.

"Now is not a good time," she sounded muffled, and he imagined her crying.

"I just want to know you're alright," he called softly.

"I'm fine," she said in a strangled manner, and he sighed.

"I'm coming in," he said. It was a reckless thing to do, and he risked the displeasure of both her and Renly by entering without her permission but he didn't care. She was upset, and he needed to see her and try and offer her come comfort. He tried not to think too much about why he had that need, knowing that it could lead nowhere good.

"You shouldn't be here," Margaery told him as he slipped inside, her face pale and streaked with tears.

"But I am," he said defiantly, moving closer.

"The Gods are truly testing me today," she shook her head, laughing shakily.

"What do you mean?" he asked her with a slight frown.

"Nothing," she said, furiously brushing the tears from her cheeks and standing herself up a little taller. He admired her instant composure. Renly had done well in choosing her as his queen. Not only did she bring him valuable allies and plentiful coin, but she also brought an effortless beauty and grace. She would be a most popular queen. Never had he been more envious of any man than he was of Renly Baratheon in that moment as he gazed at Margaery.

"Has something happened?" Robb pressed her gently, moving closer again despite himself.

"Don't," she whispered so quietly he wondered if he had imagined her saying it.

"Margaery?" he coaxed softly, his hand reaching out to touch the back of hers. She looked up and met his eyes and it took every ounce of strength he possessed to stay still.

"It was a stupid argument," she moved away from him, approaching her side table and pouring two cups of wine. He watched her in silence, noting how her hand shook slightly.

"With Renly?" he asked as she turned.

"Who else?" she returned, bitterness lacing her tone as she offered him a cup.

He took it with thanks, wondering what else he could say. Perhaps naively he had assumed that she and Renly were happy in their marriage. They had always appeared happy, and no one could deny that they were a handsome match as well as a prosperous one. It seemed now that he had assumed wrongly. Margaery looked upset and more than a little frustrated as she gulped down her wine.

"I am sure whatever it is can be fixed," he offered awkwardly and she snorted.

"You really believe that, don't you?" she said, a sad half smile on her face.

"You are husband and wife, bonded for life. There must be some way for you to fix things, I do not think either of you will be content to be miserable," he said.

"Renly is not miserable," she snapped.

"But you are?" he frowned, and she shook her head at him.

"By the Gods," she was laughing in the next moment and he was bewildered. "How long have you been here now? How can you not know?"

"Know what?" he was well and truly confused now, but his confusion only seemed to amuse her more.

"Renly doesn't want me," she said slowly.

"That's madness!" he protested. "How could he not? You're -" he made himself stop, blushing furiously.

"Thank you," she said wryly. "But it matters not. Renly doesn't want me. He doesn't want any woman."

"What…?" Robb was bewildered.

"Do men not lay with other men in the North?" she asked him sarcastically and his cheeks burned.

"I – don't -," he stammered.

"I'm sorry," she sighed. "It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault, not really. I was fool enough to agree to it. Fool enough to think that I could change him. I can't, though. I have tried. The Gods know I have tried but I cannot make him be a proper husband to me."

"You – mean?" Robb had never been more embarrassed in his life.

"I am a maid," she said with a shrug. "Married near three weeks and my husband cannot claim me."

"Then the marriage can be ended," he blurted out without thinking.

"And who would do that?" she asked him with a raised brow. "Will Renly do that and watch my father's men and fortune ride away from him? Will I do that and give up on being queen? I will be a good queen, Robb. I know I will be."

"I believe you," he said softly, sadly.

"Renly is good to me, he treats me well," she said. "He would even allow me -" she cut off, shaking her head. "Forgive me, I almost said too much."

"Have you not already?" Robb questioned her. "You have told me that Renly will likely die childless. What will happen to the kingdoms then? Will the North expect an invasion from whoever succeeds, or can I rest easy knowing they will uphold our agreement?"

"Oh, Gods," Margaery almost moaned, putting her hand to her mouth. "I am so stupid. I should not have said anything. I know better than this, what am I doing? What in the name of the Gods am I doing?!"

"Margaery, stop!" he took another step forwards, placing his cup down on the table before moving both his hands to settle on her upper arms.

She moved her own hand from her mouth then, hesitating for a moment before she seemed to move it incredibly slowly towards his chest. His heart pounded against his ribcage and his eyes could not move from hers. He opened his mouth, as though he would warn her, but closed it again as she leant an inch closer to him. She was too close now, far too close. Rationality was seeping from him as quickly as blood seeped from a wound. He swallowed hard, inwardly begged the Gods to forgive him, and then crashed his lips against hers.

Thundering hooves dragged him back to his senses after seconds that felt like lifetimes. Somehow, he wrenched his lips from her soft sweetness, seeing her wide eyes and ragged breath as he did so. There were shouts outside the tent now, and Robb knew he had to get out there. Something had clearly happened, and he ought to find out what. He swallowed hard, trying to find the right words to say to the woman before him. The vision before him who was another man's wife and queen. By the Gods, what had he been thinking? She had kissed him back though, hadn't she?

"There is a back entrance, no one will see you, they will be too busy seeing what news the messengers have brought," she told him evenly, and he blinked stupidly.

"Thank you," he said, feeling even more stupid, and she inclined her head politely to him.

He had no choice then but to walk to the back of her tent and find the small slit in the canvas where he could sneak away. It was near pitch black now, no torches lit here behind the queen's tent. He crossed the gap between her tent and Renly's, skirting around his tent until he could round the corner and look as though he had just come from the main encampment of men.

Renly was stood outside his tent with Loras as the small party of scouts approached him. Robb quickened his pace and Renly turned, clearly sensing his approach. He felt a wave of guilt crash through him as Renly offered him a smile, albeit a slightly strained one. Clearly he had not been expecting this party, and that usually meant bad news.

"You have impeccable timing," Renly commented as Robb came to stand beside him.

"It appears so," Robb agreed. "Were you not expecting them?"

"No," he confirmed, looking troubled. "What news?!" he called as they drew closer.

"Your Grace," the lead man dropped to one knee for a moment before straightening up and fidgeting with his hands. "We have news from Storm's End, your Grace. Stannis has – has – laid siege to Storm's End, your Grace."

"Storm's End?" Renly repeated incredulously.

"Yes, your Grace," the messenger confirmed.

"Then it is lucky we are on our way there!" Renly clapped his hands together and exclaimed in what Robb could only assume was a falsely jovial voice. "Rest tonight, we will be leaving at dawn tomorrow."

"Yes, your Grace. Thank you, your Grace," the messenger bowed again before backing away several feet before he and his companions turned and scurried off into the darkness.

"How far away are the rest of your Northmen?" Renly asked as they disappeared.

"My last note from the Greatjon estimates them only a few hours behind us," Robb told him, and Renly nodded, his expression thoughtful.

"We are only two days ride from Storm's End, if we halt earlier tomorrow evening then your men ought to be able to catch up with us," Renly said, and Robb nodded his agreement.

"I will write to the Greatjon and make sure of it," he assured the older man.

"There is always the chance that Stannis doesn't know the Northmen have joined us," Loras spoke up.

"Yes…" Renly nodded distractedly. "Yes, you're right. There may be a chance. Call the lords together, Loras, now. Robb, when we reach Storm's End I ask that you take down your banners. Best Stannis doesn't know of our alliance."

"I agree," Robb nodded as Loras strode off into the night. "Would you have me stay for the meeting?"

"It will only be a short talk tonight," Renly said. "We will speak properly when we halt tomorrow. There will be much to plan while we wait for your men."

"Aye, as you wish," Robb agreed.

"I would suggest you get some rest," Renly said, clapping him on the back.

"Aye," he agreed again. "I would suggest you try and do the same."

Since Robb had left Margaery had only managed to sink into a chair, her leg jumping almost violently up and down. By the Gods, she was so foolish. How could she have been so foolish? It was not the kiss that had been playing on her mind, it was the fact that she had admitted to him that Renly was unable to bed her. What a stupid, stupid thing to do. Robb had been right, it undermined the alliance to say the least. His sense of assurance that the North would remain independent for his children and his children's children had been severely undermined, and all because she could not keep her big mouth shut.

Her grandmother would be furious. Renly would be furious. Just as she thought that the canvas entrance of her tent was pulled aside and her husband appeared. She looked up at him and swallowed hard. She could feel guilt welling up inside her and she was so angry with herself because she knew it was showing on her face. Her grandmother had always taught her to conceal her emotions, hide behind a perfect mask. She had been so sure she was good at it, that she knew what she was doing. Now she was questioning everything. Damn Robb Stark. Damn Renly. Damn all of them.

"What was it?" she asked her husband, irritated when her voice shook.

"What's happened?" he asked in return, ignoring her question.

"I said too much, to Robb," she didn't see the point in hiding it. Renly groaned.

"It doesn't matter now, we have more pressing matters," he said, surprising her.

"What?" she asked him, getting to her feet now.

"Stannis is laying siege to Storm's End," he told her.

"Fool," she almost hissed.

"Quite," Renly agreed. "He cannot hope to best me in the field, but he can diminish my numbers. I will defeat him if I must, but it would be best if he can be persuaded to go away. Given that we are riding into danger, I wonder if it is not best that you remain here where it is safe."

"No," she said firmly. "I will come with you, you are right, you outnumber Stannis and you have the northern army set to join you. You would have to leave men behind here to guard me, and anyone might hear of it. Best we all remain together."

"And are you eager to remain at my side, or Robb Stark's?" he asked her.

"Are you jealous?" she shot back.

"No," he sighed.

"No," she agreed. "As I am not jealous of my brother. We are all on the same side, Renly, now stop being ridiculous."

"Has something happened?" he asked.

"Why would you ask that?" she demanded.

"You told him about me for a reason, Margaery," he returned.

"I didn't tell him everything," she protested.

"But you told him enough, I imagine," he guessed astutely. "Enough for him to know that I do not share your bed."

"I didn't tell him about Loras," she whispered.

"But no doubt someone will, when he starts asking questions," Renly said bitterly.

"He's still here, isn't he?" she said defiantly. "Robb has not judged you. If he had he would be gone by now. He knows you are his best hope, and so he will remain with you."

"With me?" he raised a brow. "Or with you?"

"You said -" she began heatedly.

"I know what I said!" Renly snapped at her. "I gave you permission to take a lover, so long as you were discreet! Do you think it discreet to tell him of my preference?!"

"I didn't mean to!" Margaery protested. "I was upset, he happened upon me at a bad time and I said too much. I am sorry, Renly, please, would you forgive me?"

"I know what I am putting you through," his tone was softer now. "But you need to be more careful."

"I will be," she promised him, meeting his eyes and she saw in them that it was forgiven already.

"So," his lips quirked up slyly on one side. "What was he like?"

"It was just a kiss," she blushed, averting her eyes.

"There is much power in a kiss," Renly said teasingly.

"Yes," she agreed, swallowing hard.

"Oh, Margaery," he looked at her with such sympathy that she almost burst into tears right there and then.

"Don't," she bid him, her voice shaking.

"I have never regretted marrying you more than I do in this moment," he looked truly shamed. "Just remember what I said, about being discreet – and careful."

She could only nod. She was tired of denying it to him and herself that she wanted more. No longer did she have the will to protest his permission. Right or wrong she wanted more than Renly could give her and her husband had repeatedly given her his blessing. He smiled at her then, his eyes warm again despite his earlier moment of anger with her. For a moment they just looked at one another, then Renly came forward and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

Margaery clung to him for a long time, trying to take strength from him and regain the composure she had always been taught to maintain. Renly kissed her firmly on top of her head before releasing her, a sad little smile on his lips. "I am sorry," he told her meaningfully.

"I know," she nodded, and with that he turned on his heel and walked out of her tent.

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed the update! I'll get more to you ASAP.

:)