The Dashing Stag
''This... is unprecedented, nor is this a matter of the crown.'' Pycelle said with as much conviction as a man of his old age can. And despite his ill feelings towards the Grand Maester, Renly Baratheon could not say that he disagreed with him. Matters between the Blackwoods and the Brackens, however hostile they have turned, have always been the responsibility of the Tullys, as the Lords Paramount of the Trident. But if rumours are to be believed, Lord Tully's health has been failing. And the heir to Riverrun seems to have not inherited his uncle's courage nor his father's wisdom.
''The cost of war is greater,'' Stannis said through gritted teeth.
A tiny smile adorned Varys' face. ''I assure you, Lord Stannis, that this... complication will not turn into an open war. My little birds bring whispers saying that Lord Tytos has yet to call his banners, awaiting word from Riverrun, no doubt.''
''Then we best make sure that the matter stays that way.'' The Hand of the King paused and turned his head towards Pycelle before continuing. ''Grand Maester, send a raven to Riverrun. Ask Lord Tully what steps have been taken to ensure peace in the Riverlands and insist that this matter be solved sooner rather than later.''
Grand Maester Pycelle nodded, obeyed, and was soon out of the room. Renly was not convinced that a rather small incident such as this could escalate to war, but he had heard the talks at court. Of Edmure Tully's indecisiveness. And any nobleman of the Seven Kingdoms knows about the blood feud between House Bracken and House Blackwood.
The Blackwoods of Raventree Hall and the Brackens of the Stone Hedge have an old and bitter feud in the riverlands, dating from the Age of Heroes, when both houses ruled as kings. According to the Blackwoods, the Brackens were petty lords and horse breeders who hired swords to usurp the Blackwood kings. The Brackens, in contrast, claim the Blackwoods were vassals who betrayed and usurped the Bracken kings.
''Now, my Lords, is there any other matter that we should discuss? Something that hopefully is the crown's burden?'' Jon Arryn sounded fatigued.
Varys did not hesitate, however. ''My little birds also bring whispers from the North and beyond the Narrow Sea. The Free Cities, to be exact.''
''The Targaryen children?''
''No, my lord hand. The Golden Company has broken its contract with the Free City of Myr.''
The shock was plain to see on Jon Arryn's face, his eyes widening. While his brother gritted his teeth even harder than he normally does at the news. Littlefinger looked indifferent at the news. Whether that was because he was already aware of the fact or because he thought it mattered little, he knew not. But Renly Baratheon did not welcome this news. The Golden Company has never broken a contract before. They pride themselves on it. 'Our word is as good as gold,' as they like to say; what could make them break a contract?
'Beneath the gold, the bitter steel.' Could they have made common cause with the Mad King's son?
''The Beggar King has finally lived up to his name?'' Renly asked in an amused tone.
''Perhaps. But according to sailors here in King's Landing, the Golden Company is making its way towards Volantis, and Viserys Targaryen was last seen in Pentos as early as half a moon ago.''
''What does this mean for Myr?'' Littlefinger asked.
''It is not certain; the fighting in the disputed lands between Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys has all but ceased.''
The fact that fighting has apparently stopped in the disputed lands seems to be of little consequence. That has happened before, and Renly had no doubt that the fighting would be reborn again. But he still could not help but think that Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys putting their swords aside could also only mean trouble for them. The Beggar King has frequently been seen in these cities along with Pentos and Braavos. But he quickly shook that thought aside; by all reports, Viserys Targaryen was as mad as his father. He had a hard time picturing a madman somehow being able to convince these cities to unite behind him.
The Hand of the King sighed, his blue eyes looking solemn on his ever-ageing face. Probably thinking about how he is going to tell his dear brother the king about this.
''Keep observing for now, Lord Varys; his grace will want to know what the Golden Company is up to.''
Renly did not doubt that, during the fourteen years of his reign, King Robert had only attended a small council meeting a handful of times. Preferring to hunt, drink, or whore. And when he did show up, it was because of the Targaryens. Although he did suspect he would attend soon to organise the planning for the big tourney at Harrenhal. He had talked loudly about it for some time and how it was going to surpass all the other tourneys before it. Renly was also excited about it; the love for tourneys was probably the one thing he shared with his king. He had planned to introduce the lady Margaery to his brother then; he and Loras had planned for some time to have Robert set Cersei aside for her. To push back the growing Lannister influence and replace it with a house that would be beholden to him.
''What about the North?'' Jon Arryn asked Varys.
''Lord Eddard's younger brother Benjen has gone missing beyond the Wall. Along with fifty other Black brothers during a ranging, all but one man have returned to Castle Black. Bringing disturbing reports of a wildling army, a hundred thousand men all united behind a King-Beyond-the-Wall.''
Littlefinger smirked at the last part while Renly heard himself laugh; Stannis, like always, did not find it funny. Instead frowning, clearly annoyed at his laughter.
''Stark, along with the North, has answered the plea from the Lord Commander, sending volunteers to the wall to combat this rising threat.'' Lord Varys continued, ''Lord Stark himself is planning to send a small force of his own beyond the wall to investigate and to find his brother.''
''Yes, I received a raven from him about it.'' Jon Arryn said with a heavy sigh.
''We should let the Night's Watch have the pick of our dungeons, and send volunteers of our own.'' Stannis said with assertiveness.
''And pray, dear brother, who in all this teeming city would forsake the comforts of hearth and hall, the sweet indulgences of life, to march beyond the Wall and meet their doom at the hands of wildling savages—or to chase shadows and fables of grumpkins and snarks?'' Renly said with a smirk.
Stannis answered with piercing blue eyes, staring daggers at his brother. ''We cannot stand idle while the realm faces a threat of a hundred thousand savages.''
''I agree.'' Lord Arryn conceded. "Ser Barristan, will you see to this?'' He reached out and pushed his hair out of his face. It was all white now, not like years ago when it was mostly grey.
Ser Barristan Selmy has said nothing during this whole meeting, seeming to prefer speaking only when he is spoken to. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was at age with The Hand. But despite his advanced age, Selmy looked strong and graceful when Arryn looked fatigued.
"Yes, my Lord hand.'' Selmy said simply. He rose from his seat and bowed to the Hand of the King before leaving the small council chamber to immediately start on this endeavour.
''If there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.'' Arryn rose from his seat, and Renly, along with the rest of the remaining council members, rose with him and bowed before leaving as well.
Renly made his way towards his chambers, Ser Mandon Moore following closely behind him. He did not like the man, nor did he like that he had to follow him like a dog. But he was Kingsguard, and his dear brother had insisted upon it.
Gods, I am exhausted. Renly thought. He had been unusually tired lately. Only a moon prior he had been bedridden for days, struggling to find the energy. And Renly dreaded that today would become one of those days. But he quickly got over his tiredness as he spotted a familiar figure standing by the door to his chambers. Talking to two of his many guardsmen from Storm's End, Ronnal and Dyke.
The Knight of Flowers had just moons ago received his knighthood, and after that he has carried himself differently. Loras's silver armour, which is decorated with sapphires and twining black vines, complemented well with his lazy brown curls and golden brown eyes. There were a lot of things Renly liked about Loras Tyrell; he liked that Loras always agreed with him wholeheartedly, his devotion to him was also something that Renly had never experienced but welcomed, and he loved the things he could do with his mouth. He was an accommodating lover. Renly was sure that Loras loved him; though he did not love him, perhaps he would in time.
''Ser Loras, to what do I owe the pleasure?'' Renly smiled weakly.
Loras smirked, ''I just wanted to say goodbye before I head off to Highgarden.''
''Right, your sister's name day. I have my gift for her inside my chambers. Renly said, amused.
The Dashing Stag dismissed Ronnal and Dyke, giving them a silver stag each to spend at a tavern and assuring him that Ser Mandon was enough protection. Ronnal and Dyke happily obliged, but Ser Mandon did not look happy. Renly was alright with that; he did not like anything about Ser Mandon Moore.
He proceeded to command the Kingsguard to stay guard outside his chambers as he walked inside; Loras quickly followed right behind and closed the door behind him.
Renly turned around and opened his mouth to say something, but before he knew it, their lips met. Once Baratheon got over the initial shock, he welcomed it and slid his tongue deeper, seeking entrance. Loras always complied, and soon their tongues battled. Their passionate kiss about to turn into something more before Renly pulled away and grinned.
''Now, now, if we continue this, I will have to command you to stay, and you are needed elsewhere.''
Loras breathed a happy sigh. ''You are right, like always.''
Renly turned away from Loras and made his way towards a cupboard in his chambers and opened it. He grabbed a beautiful small box and proceeded to hand it over to Ser Loras. Before making his way towards the bed, he was still tired. And now his belly has begun to ache. Loras must have noticed it, because as he leaned against the headboard of the bed, Loras' smirk turned into a frown.
''How are you?'' Renly could hear the concerned tone in his voice, and he did not want his lover to leave the Capital sick with worry. So he pulled himself together and put on a strong face.
''I'm fine; the small council meeting today went on for a long time.''
Loras did not seem too convinced, but before he could continue on with his worry, Renly quickly added. ''Something needs to be done about Cersei."
Loras looked confused at first, but quickly realised what he meant. ''Of course.''
''If I could get my fool of a brother to set her aside—we would need due cause, of course, but the proof of her incestuous ways seems almost certain now.'' Renly paused before sending a sharp look into Loras'. ''Is Margaery ready?''
Loras opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He looked lost in thought for some time before he spoke. ''She is... not sure about this, nor is my grandmother, if I am to be honest. They think it a safer wager to go for the crown prince.''
Of course, Olenna. Renly thought bitterly. He had already known she would be sceptical at best when he presented the idea of her precious flower marrying his brother. He did not blame her honesty. But this had to happen, so a meeting alone with the Queen of Thorns, a few nice words with a sprinkle of threats, seemed to do the trick. But she had not budged as much as he thought, apparently.
''Joffrey is no Baratheon! He is Ser Jaime's; I am certain of it. Robert will never see the truth of it, but it is only a matter of time before Stannis puts it together. We need to strike, and soon.''
''Margaery loves Highgarden," the Knight of Flowers said, almost sullenly, before he walked towards him and knelt beside him in the bed. "How can I ask her to leave it?''
Olenna won't go through with this.
It was not a realisation he welcomed. It was no small threat. How can she still defy me in this? King Robert may have welcomed them back into the king's peace after the rebellion, but they were kept at a safe distance. Their influence is all but nonexistent. He was certain that the Tyrells would jump at this. If she thought I was bluffing, she was about to find out. Just as he was about to curse him and his family in a fit of rage and make good on his threat by going to the king, another thought came to him.
''What if she were to marry me?''
Loras' eyes widened in shock. ''What?''
He looked to be lost for words. And Renly failed to hide the laugh that escaped his throat. As another plan formed in his head.
Yes, this could work. If Robert continues with his drinking and whoring, then The Stranger will be at his doorstep soon.
''But you're not—'' Renly interrupted him with a kiss on his lips.
''My brother is not going to rival the Conciliator in age; his eating and drinking will not allow that. And when the Kingslayer's bastard ascends the Iron Throne, the realm will plunge itself into war. He is not a king; I am.''
Loras did not reply, seeming deep in thought. So Renly did what he always did when his lover was uncertain; he kissed him again; their tongues once again battled, and when Renly pulled away, he saw that Loras' liquid golden eyes were full of lust.
''No one would wonder about me keeping you close then. It would be only natural for you to guard your sister.'' He smiled a wry and amused little smile and then drew back completely.
''Think on it. That's all I ask.''
I could marry her during the tournament next year at Harrenhal. Secure the Reach, and when Robert dies, I make my claim.
Renly did not know when he had fallen asleep, but when he woke up during the hour of the wolf, his stomach was aching horribly, and his throat was as dry as the deserts of Dorne. He noticed a flagon of wine and two cups lying at the small bedside table next to the bed. He did not hesitate and groaned in pain as he reached to pour himself a cup and quickly downed it, praying for relief in his throat. The gods obliged, to his gratitude.
His eyes grew heavy once more, and he closed his eyes yet again, welcoming the sight that he saw after a while. He saw himself in Highgarden's great hall, with a crown upon his head of soft gold depicting a ring of roses. On its front is a stag's head made of dark green jade, with golden eyes and antlers. It was a fine sight.
Then, he found himself in his chambers again.
He tried to pull himself off the bed to his feet, but his body failed him. His legs felt like jelly, which made him fall hard onto the floor. His back met the cold floor, which sent pain across his body. The flagon of wine at his bedside, along with a vase full of red roses, joined him on the floor. I'm unwell.
He tried to call for help, but he could not find the strength in his throat. Only a whisper escaped his lips. He looked towards the door to his chamber then and realised that it was slightly open.
Someone has been inside my chambers. Where is Ser Mandon?
The sound of his attempt to pull himself off the bed must have made a loud noise. Because not soon after Dyke opened the door and found him in what must have been some state, Dyke gasped, his eyes widening in pure panic.
''Don't worry m'lord, I'll... i'll get help!''
Dyke bolted through the door, screaming bloody murder. Renly tried to stand, but to no avail. His vision became blurry after seeing a figure standing beside him not long after. Its lips were moving, but no sound was escaping them. And when the figure punched him, he could smell the blood and even taste it. Darkness surrounded him; he tried to fight it and push it back. The pain was everywhere; he wanted to scream as he pushed back the darkness that threatened to cover him. But he found no energy to do so.
In the end, Renly Baratheon could not win against the darkness. It covered him fully, making him only feel the cold.