14

Chapter Text

Loras stood with Garlan and Willas, looking over the castle walls at the army that was camped outside. A formidable host that would soon march to war. They will take the throne from the Lannisters and make them pay for their crimes, the murder of Lord Eddard in particular.

Garlan turned to Loras. "How is he?" his brother asked in a concerned tone.

For the first few days, Jon was almost out of it; he barely ate or slept, spending most of his time in his room with only the wolves for company. The wolves only allowing Margaery and him into the room. Now it's been weeks since the terrible news about the fate of Jon's father, and his friend was taking it as you could expect, he returned to his duties as a Kingsguard, but everyone could see that he wasn't well. "He's hurt, angry, he is blaming the Lannisters but also Renly for it. He lashed out at Renly yesterday, telling him that only a coward waits this long to step in a fight.

"How did Renly react?" Willis asked.

"Renly just had him excused from the room."

"He is not angry at one of his Kingsguard lashed out at him?"

"A bit, but he knows it is not easy for someone to lose a father; Renly lost him when he was a boy and grew up without him. Jon needs to blame someone for his loss."

"It won't get easier from here," Garlan said.

"We received word that Robb Stark had defeated and captured Jaime Lannister and freed Riverrun from the siege," Willas said.

"When?" Loras asked.

"Around the time of lord Eddard's execution. The reports say that he was around twenty thousand men with him," Willas answered. Robb Stark captured Jaime Lannister that gives him an option of trading him for Jon's sisters. He is probably tempted to kill the Kingslayer to get back at the Lannisters, but he will not do it if he is smart. Robb must be feeling the same way Jon does, even worse because, unlike Jon, he spent his entire life with their father.

"We cannot change what has been done, but we can make sure it does not repeat again," Garlan said.

"If Robb manages to continue with his victories, he just might cripple Tywin for good," Willas said.

"Aye, maybe. Let us hope that the gods hear it and grant our wish this time," Loras said.

Loras finished his talk with his brothers and went inside the keep looking for Jon. He first went to Jon's room but did not find him there, next he went to see if he is in the great hall, but Jon could not be found there either. Loras ran into his father and mother and asked them if they saw Jon, but they said no. Then he finally remembered where his friend could be the Godswood. Jon always spent more time there than anyone else in this castle; that was the Northman in him.

His instincts proved him right, and he found Jon sitting next to the Three Singers, both wolves at his side, Lady laying on the ground while Ghost sat next to Jon, who ran his hand through the wolf's fur. The look on Jon's face was sad, hurt; he stared at the ground like he was not even there.

Jon must have heard Loras approach him because he lifted his head and looked at him.

"Hello," Loras said.

"Hello," Jon replied.

"How are you holding up?"

"As well as the last time you asked."

"I'm just checking up on you. Can you blame me for being worried?"

Jon sighed, "You are right, thank you."

"You are welcome. How long have you been here?"

"Long enough. It soothes my heart," Jon paused. "I remember back in Winterfell when father would take Ice and go into out Godswood, sit next to the weirwood tree and polish the blade; he said the silence there helped clear the mind."

"And does it?"

"A bit, but not much."

"I know it's hard, but you have to move on; you can't let this consume you."

"It's not me I think about; it's Sansa and Arya; they had to watch as their father was executed. I'm old enough to cope with the hurt, but they are just children. What if Joffrey decided to kill them too?"

"I don't think he will now," Loras answered.

Jon looked at him, confused, "What do you mean?"

"For once, I brought you some good news. Your brother has freed Riverrun and has taken Jaime Lannister as his prisoner."

Jon jumped up, both wolves looking at him as he did. "You lie."

"Why would I lie about that? With the Kingslayer in his custody, your brother has leverage over the Lannisters. If Cersei and Tywin want to keep Jaime alive, they must keep Arya and Sansa alive. If something happens to them, his head will roll, and Cersei would lose her lover and Tywin, his firstborn son. Their best option is to demand a trade."

"Even if that happens, the war will continue; Robb will not rest until he has Joffrey's head. There is a saying in the North, the North remembers, they never forget."

"Well, the war has started well for everyone but the Lannisters; your brother just might defeat and capture Tywin next," Loras said reassuringly. "If that happens, Joffrey would have to surrender; he would not have anyone left to fight for him."

"You are right, but my brother is new to war as we are; one victory does not make you a conqueror."

"Maybe not, but it's still better than a defeat, and with the Riverrun secure, the Riverlords will join your brother, and then his host will outnumber the old lions considerably."

"You are right there, but we can't underestimate Tywin; he knows war all too well and will do whatever it takes to keep his blood on the throne."

"Aye, that is true, "Loras said and looked at the wolves. "Come, I think you been here for far too long; by the looks of it, you almost left a handprint in Ghost fur how much you were petting him."

"Let's go," Jon said. As they were making their way through the castle corridors with the wolves behind them, a thought came across Loras's mind. "I meant to ask you something."

Jon looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "What is it?"

"You have taken the vows of a Kingsguard, and with it the vow of celibacy. Are you still going to be with Margaery?" Loras asked, and Jon gave him an odd look.

"I'm a knight, and I always take my vows seriously, but I can't just leave Margaery; she means too much to me, and considering that Caron is still the lord of Nightsong and a Kingsguard, I think our vows are rather flexible."

"Whatever you do is up to you but considering what I heard from Garlan, Margaery would probably kill you after a week if you went celibate," Loras said with a grin.

Jon growled, "I should really tell Garlan to keep his mouth shut or take a room on the other side of the castle, as far away from him as possible."

"Just be careful, she is queen now, and even more eyes are on her now."

"I know, no need to worry about us; we have been careful so far."

"Yeah, and pretty much the entirety of Highgarden knows it."

"So, four people know our secret, so what?"

"When more people know a secret, it's not a secret anymore. Its information." Jon looked at him, surprised.

"From whom did you steal that quote?"

"Why does every time I say something smart you think I stole it from somewhere?"

"Because I spent my life with you, and I know you too well. So, tell me, who was it, your grandmother, some Maester?"

Jon stared at Loras, and after a moment, Loras gave in to the cold stare. "Willas, it was Willas," Loras said, admitting defeat.

"I knew it," Jon said with a small smile. It was good to see him smile again. Ever since they were children, it was always like this, Jon would get upset over something, brood it the corner, Loras would come to him, talk to him, manage to cheer him up somewhat, and soon he would be back to normal but Loras knew that Eddard's death would haunt Jon for quite some time.

"Hey, have you been having those dreams again?" Jon told him about strange dreams that started shortly after he got the Direwolves. He would see himself running through the woods, hunting, and would even sometimes feel the taste of blood in the mouth.

"Not in a few days. I don't know what they are, but I'm certain they aren't normal dreams."

"What, you think you are becoming a wolf?" Loras asked jokingly.

"Maybe, but not exactly that. I remember Old Nan telling us stories about wargs and greenseers."

"And you believe in those bedside tales?"

Jon looked at the two wolves. "I don't know, but Direwolves were a myth not so long ago, and here they are now, in Highgarden of all places."

"Just tell me when you start seeing the future; we could use that to place good wagers," Loras said, and they both laughed at the thought.

"We should probably stop with those; it's getting unhealthy."

"But it is fun, and plus getting coin from watching someone who annoys you get thrown into the dirt is a good thing."

King Renly

The news of Robb Stark marching south to free his father did not surprise him but what did surprise him was that the lad managed to win two victories against the Lions, capture Jaime Lannister, and wholly destroy one Lannister army all in several days. What infuriated him somewhat was the news of Robb Stark declaring himself the new king in the North, which does pose a problem; the best solution for that would be to keep to this original plan to let the Starks and Lannisters deal with each other, and when they are at their breaking point he will swoop in with his vast army and deal with them for good.

The other thing that concerned him was about to be resolved as soon as Jon Snow arrives. He had his suspicions about Margaery and Jon at the tourney, but it was not until Loras drunkenly hinted at their relationship one night after the Tyrells left that his suspicions were confirmed. Loras is a good man and lover, but he does tend to let his tongue roll when he has one too many drinks.

Renly heard a knock on the door, "Enter," Renly said, and Jon Snow made his way into the room.

"You asked for me, your grace," Jon said.

"Yes, I did, come, sit. I wish to talk to you."

"If this is about the lashing out, I'm sorry about that, your grace, I-I was angry."

Renly looked at the man in front of him with pity. "No, it's not that, but I do understand that it's not easy for you; I wanted to talk about something else with you."

Jon looked at him, inquisitively. "What is it?"

"You and Margaery, "Renly said, and Jon immediately tensed.

"How do you…,"

"Know?" Renly interjected, "When you spend as much time in King Landing as I did, you tend to notice small things," Jon looked at him with a hint of fear in his eyes.

"What do you intend to do?" Jon asked.

"As you know already, Loras is the one I love; I married Margaery to ensure the support of House Tyrell and their bannermen; I will not pry into her business, it's her decision with who she is with, but there is one thing that I will make clear," Renly said, the last part in a much severe tone.

"Which is?"

"I don't want you fathering a child with Margaery. I will not have a bastard pretending to be my heir. Also, I'm quite certain that after this is over, people will pay more attention to how the royal children look, and having a Stark like a child with a Baratheon father would immediately raise questions. The queen having someone else's children is what caused all of this to begin with," Renly leaned across his desk. "Have I made myself clear?"

"You have my word, your grace," Jon sighed. "I promised myself that I would never father a bastard as my father did, and I intend to keep that promise," Jon said, and Renly could see that his words were genuine, that he genuinely meant it. Renly felt pity for the man; being the bastard son of the most honorable man alive must take its toll. But if Robb Stark refuses to bend the knee, he could easily legitimize Jon and make him the true heir to Winterfell and the North. Then he would have a lord of Winterfell that would be solely loyal to him.

"I take it she had been drinking moon tea so far?"

"She has your grace."

Renly nodded, "Good."

"Would that be all your grace?" Jon asked.

"Just one more thing, if you ever disrespect me like that again, you will lose your place on the Kingsguard."

"I understand your grace; it won't happen again."

Renly motioned his hand to allow Jon to leave. "You may go."

"As you wish your grace," Jon said and left the room. Renly was pleased by what he heard; he knew that Jon's honor would stop him from having a bastard with Margaery, but he wasn't so sure about the other thing, that worm Baelish did say that the Starks had quick tempers, and it seems he was right about that. Maybe he could use that in some way.

Time passed, and he was ready to move out; with the Reach and the Stormlands, his army numbered around a hundred thousand, more than enough to conquer Westeros all over again. Now all that remained was for him to pick the time to strike. If Dorne joined him, that would be a great boon, but he knew that the Martell's had no love for his family and that their chances of joining him were small.

Jon

Jon hated the waiting; Renly took his time with tourneys and feasts while the real war was being fought by his brother Robb in the Riverlands. "Maybe he should join him," Jon thought but quickly dismissed that idea; his brother was fighting Tywin, and to reach the capital, Robb would first have to go through the Lannister line. Renly also had a much larger army than Robb.

His days became a routine, guard the king or queen, spend time with Loras, Garlan, Willas, and if he was lucky to spend some private time with Margaery, which was getting more difficult with all the people that are now occupying the castle. They spend the most time with each other when he is guarding her, which did surprise him a bit after the conversation he had with Renly, the king did say he would not intervene, but Jon did expect at least to be put away from Margaery, which did not happen.

It was an afternoon, and he was guarding Margaery when she asked him to come into her room. Margaery sat in front of a looking glass and started brushing her hair.

"Nothing yet?" Margaery asked.

"No, still nothing," Jon said as he sat in a chair next to the window.

"It just a matter of time; you will be on the march soon."

"I would love to believe that, but considering what Renly was done so far, I'm more certain he just wants to rule the Reach and not the seven kingdoms."

"Well, the war will come to us eventually."

"Scared?" Jon asked.

"No." She replied.

"No? "Why is that?" Jon asked, intrigued.

Margaery put her comb down on the table, got up from the chair, and walked up to him, sitting down in his lap. "Because I have a brave Kingsguard to protect me," Margaery said with a sweet smile; her smile could always brighten his day.

"A Queensguard then," Jon said with a smirk.

"That would be nice, to be the sole ruler of the seven kingdoms," Margaery said jokingly.

"What if you could be?"

"To be like Rhaenyra, I wish."

"If you would be, I would be your fateful guard."

"My brave knight of love," Margaery said and kissed him.

"I took my vows; I'm not allowed to have a relationship," Jon said.

"A relationship is based on emotions; if you truly love someone, you will overcome any obstacle to be with them," Jon looked her in the eyes and smiled softy; it never ceases to bring him joy whenever she says something like that. It truly made him believe that they would be together forever. "And you are also good in bed."

Jon chuckled. "What would you do if I went celibate or left?" Margaery gave him an odd look.

"Where is this coming from?"

"I told you I took a vow," Jon said smugly, and she laughed.

"Like you would last a month without me."

"You would not fare better."

"Well, I know that won't happen because we will stay together; celibate or not, I would love you either way," Margaery said.

"Me too," Jon responded. Jon heard the clanking of armor coming towards the door, and he and Margaery quickly got up, Margaery sitting in the chair. Moments later, the door opened, and in came Ser Robar. Jon and Robar became decently acquainted since he joined the Kingsguard.

"Your grace," Robar said and bowed to Margaery, then he looked at Jon. "See, Jon, the king requests your presents."

Jon nodded, "I will be there," he looked at Margaery, "Your grace."

"Ser Jon," Margaery said, and he left with Robar to the kings solar. There he was met by the king, lord Mace, Lord Tarly, and Loras.

"Your grace, my lords," Jon said as he bowed to them. Renly and lord Mace both had smiles on their faces while lord Tarly gave him a strange look as if he were looking for something.

"Ser Jon, right on time," king Renly said.

"You asked for me?"

"I did," Renly said, "I wanted to personally inform you that we will be moving out tomorrow," Jon's eyes went wide.

"Finally," he thought.

"We will move out and meet up with the rest of the forces at Bitterbridge and will move out for the Stormlands from there," said lord Tarly.

"Excellent," was all Jon would say, his excitement getting the better of him.

"The lord commander will lead the vanguard with me," the king said, "the center will be commanded by lord Tarly and the rear by Lord Estremont. Lord Mace will stay behind with ten thousand men to guard Highgarden in case of an attack.

"A solid plan," Jon said.

"It is," lord Mace said.

By the next day, the army departed Highgarden and was on the march towards Bitterbridge. The sheer size of the army did make them travel slower, but that was not an issue. It took ten days to reach Bitterbridge; there, Renly decided to set up camp. More lords and their bannermen joined them, and they now had sixty thousand infantry and thirty thousand cavalries at their disposal. Without the Redwyne fleet, their naval capabilities were almost nonexistent, but the king did not care much about that; the strength of his army was more than enough.

More men were named to the Kingsguard, now called the Rainbow guard, men like Emmon Cuy and Guyard Morrigan; the final spot was always intended for Ser Barristan Selmy, Renly hoping that the veteran knight would join him as other of his countrymen did, but he didn't, the old knight simply disappeared.

Jon sat with Loras, Margaery, and king Renly in the royal tent, eating their diner and listening to Renly and Lora's talk.

"Are all of the bannermen here?" Margaery asked.

"Yes, they are," Renly said as he took his wine cup and took a sip from it.

"Ninety thousand, no one had seen such host since the days of Aegon, the conqueror," Loras said.

"Aye, but you remember what Aegon did to that host as the field of fire," Jon said.

Loras scoffed, "The Lannisters don't have dragons, armies win wars now, and we have the largest one."

"You are right, Loras. With all my bannermen here, I have decided to honor the occasion by throwing a tourney in their name," Renly said. Jon looked at the king, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you think it's such a good idea, your grace? I mean, we are at war; you would risk getting your fighters hurt before any real battle even starts," Jon pointed out.

"Jon does have a point," Margaery said.

"It will only be a melee, and you have nothing to worry about. I assume you will be participating, ser Jon," Renly said. Jon thought about it for a moment; he usually would never decline an offer to join a tourney but considering what happened the last time and the fact they were marching into battle, he decided to go against the king's wishes.

"No, your grace, I will not," Renly looked at him disappointingly.

"Why not?"

"As I said, we risk getting hurt just before the battle; I wish to be at my full strength once we face against our enemies."

Renly leaned back in his chair. "Shame, I truly wanted to see you fight again, but I will respect your wishes."

"You will see me fight, on the battlefield but not on the tourney ground," Jon said, determent.

Renly took another sip from his cup. "I look forward to that."

The melee started two days later; the participants included everyone from Loras to Ronnet Connington. The fighting was fierce; Jon was not there to back Loras up as they usually did, but his friend was doing great, using a long axe instead of his usual sword. In the crowd of men fighting, he could make out a tall figure in heavy armor wielding a Morningstar, bashing everyone who stood in the way. The king cheered Loras on during the whole thing.

Jon and Bryce stood guard next to the king and Margaery watching as the fighting went in, with every second less and fewer participants remained. The knight in blue armor wielding a Morningstar went for Ser Ronnet. Jon knew that the knight in blue armor was not a man, but a woman, Brienne of Tarth; he met her briefly when they were still at Highgarden. There was some commotion involving her, which Lord Tarly settled. Jon felt pity for her; it was not her fault that the gods decided to make her as they did. Ser Ronnet fought valiantly but was unseated at the end.

Now it was Loras against the tall woman. Loras fought, but Brienne's ferocity won her the day, Loras yielding in the end. As a reward for the victory, she asked to join the Rainbow guard. To Jon's surprise, Renly granted this and gave her the final spot on his Kingsguard. "She is a good fighter, that much no one could deny," Jon thought as he looked around and saw that the knights were not too pleased with the king's decision.

"Your Grace!" a knight said as he approached them. "I have the honor to bring you the Lady Catelyn Stark, sent as an envoy by her son Robb, Lord of Winterfell." Jon looked at the king, who had a look of interest on his face, while Jon could only feel surprised.

"Lord of Winterfell and King in the North, ser," Lady Catelyn said as she came from behind the knight. She has not changed much from when he saw her last, the Tully red hair and blue eyes he remembered all too well. The king exchanged pleasantries with lady Catelyn before he offered her to refresh herself. Jon was almost glad that she had not paid any attention to him until she turned her gaze to Bryce and him. Lady Catelyn stared at him, eyes wide like she just saw a ghost. The king looked at her and then to him, an amused look on his face.

"Quiet the resemblance, don't you think, my lady," Renly said. "A spitted image of his father."

"Jon," Catelyn said, and Jon could hear the disgust in her voice.

"Jon has been among the first knights on my Kingsguard; he has proven more than capable fighter. You could say that we are Robert and Eddard come again, to unseat a vile king and bring peace to the land." Lady Catelyn did not say anything. She just nodded to the king and took her leave.

That night he sat beside Robar and Bryce; Lord Caswells keep was small, but it did not need to be big to have an abundant feast. People were drinking and eating, the bards were singing, and Bryce had talked Robar into juggling knives. Men were swearing vows and telling how they would be the first through the gates of Kings Landing. Lady Catelyn sat with the king between Lord Mathis Rowan and Ser Jon Fossoway. He could see her talking with them and the king, and every so often, she would look in his direction.

He had to give it to Renly. He did a good job pretending to truly love Margaery, even feeding her a morsel or kissing her on the cheek, and she was as good at the mummery as Renly was. Soon Renly and lady Catelyn left the great hall. When they returned, Renly had a look of fury on his face.

"Marshal the men, we ride for Storms End at once," Renly shouted.

"What has happened?" Loras asked, concerned.

"My brother is besieging Storm's End; a rider just came with the news."

"It will take time for the whole army to march there, your grace," said Brienne.

"That's why I will be taking only the cavalry; the footmen will remain here until I deal with my brother."

"As you wish, your grace," said lord Tarly and left to get the troops ready. Soon they all went to prepare for the ride ahead. Each member of the Rainbow guard put his armor on and met the king at his pavilion. When Randyll Tarly arrived with the news that all twenty thousand riders were ready to depart, Renly and Loras said their goodbye to Margaery and left with the other royal guards leaving him with Margaery. He could see it in her eyes, the fear, the uncertainty. He took her hands.

"I will return, me, Loras, Renly, we will all return safely."

"How can you say that with certainty when you are riding into battle," Margaery said.

"I'm not certain of anything, but I know that I will take more than some wannabe king to keep us apart."

"Don't risk yourself; stay behind if you can," Margaery pleaded.

"I don't know if I can; my place is with the king. If he is in the vanguard, that's where I would be."

"Just...just come back to me alive."

"I will, I swear; Jon said as he tugged a stray lock of her hair behind the ear, and she gave him one last kiss before he departed, hoping that this would not be the last kiss they share.

Catelyn

Catelyn went with king Renly's host towards the Stormlands and Storms' end. If she manages to persuade him to ally with her and her son, the Lannisters will lose quickly, and they would avenge Ned and bring her daughters back to her. Having the bastard around only increased her hurt; every time she saw him, she would see Ned, the boy looking more like Ned now than any of her children. She knew he would be with the Tyrells, but she never expected him to be on Renly's Kingsguard.

She could catch the bastards throwing glances at her, but she just ignored them. After a long and hard day or riding, they decided to stop and make a camp for the night and continued in the morning. Her tent was set up, and Ser Robar was assigned to be her guard. So far, the bastard stayed away from her, so when he came into her tent that night, she was more than a little surprised.

"Lady Catelyn," the boy said in a respectful tone and bowed.

"What do you want?" Catelyn asked.

"I came here to talk to you." It was only then that she saw the wolves behind him. One was large and white, the runt of the litter, but the other she recognized instantly; it was Lady.

"Why is my daughter's wolf with you?"

"Lord Eddard and Sansa agreed that I should watch over the wolf while they were in the capital, and once I arrived, both Ghost and Lady were given to me."

"She doesn't belong to you; I will bring her back with me where she belongs," Catelyn said in a raised tone.

"Forgive me, my lady, but I can't, Lord Eddard and Sansa entrusted me with her safety, and I intend to give her back to Sansa personally once this is over," Catelyn could see the stern, determined look on the bastards face, the same look Ned had every time someone tried to persuade him against some decision he thought was right.

Catelyn knew she would not win the wolf back, so she decided to ask what he wanted. "Talk about what?"

"You wish to make allies out of the North and south, you wish to free Sansa and Arya, and I wish the same thing. I could help you with your plan."

Catelyn looked at him, "Do you?"

"They are my sisters as much Robb is my brother; I wish nothing more than to see them safe again and to see those responsible for our father's death punished."

"Why should I listen to you?"

"Listen to me or not, know that I love my sisters, and I will do everything in my power to protect them." Catelyn looked in the bastard's eyes; they looked so much like Ned's, hard as iron, cold and judgmental.

"Renly is one with the army and with the capabilities to wage war; what can you do?"

"I serve as his guard; he will listen to me."

"Kings rarely listen to anyone boy, why would one listen to a bastard?"

"Because I'm loyal, I swore an oath to King Renly and, on my honor, I will keep it," Jon said, and Catelyn dammed him; he even sounds like Ned. She could not bear the hurt any longer.

"Leave," she said in a stern and sad tone. "Leave now."

He looked at her with a cold expression on his face. "Fine," Jon said and took his leave. He stopped at the entrance. "I gave Sansa a promise that I will be there for her when she needs me the most, and I intend to keep that promise," Jon said without even turning to look at her, and once done, he left. A part of her hated the bastard and wanted nothing to do with him, but she also hoped that what he said was true and that Renly would genuinely listen to him.

Robar

They rode as fast as they could to reach and relieve the siege of the seat of House Baratheon. Ser Cortnay Penrose was the commander of the garrison there, and the king was sure that the man would never yield to Stannis in which he was proven right when the keep finally came into view, the crowned stag of House Baratheon waving proudly over the ancient walls.

Lady Catelyn managed to persuade King Renly and Stannis to parley, but that did not do anything, both brothers refusing to back down. Blood will be spilled tomorrow, and the victor will be decided; the logical assumption was that Renly will win due to the strength of numbers.

He and Emmon were standing in front of the king tent when they heard a scream from the king tent. Soon they and some men at arms came to see the king died in the arms of Brienne and drenched with the king's blood; Ser Robar gave a cry of horror. "Wicked woman!" screamed Ser Emmon. "Away from him, you vile creature!"

"Gods be good, Brienne, why?" asked Ser Robar.

Brienne looked up from her king's body. The rainbow cloak that hung from her shoulders had turned red where the king's blood had soaked into the cloth. "I . . . I . . . "

"You'll die for this." Ser Emmon snatched up a long-handled battle axe from the weapons piled near the door. "You'll pay for the king's life with your own!"

"NO!" Catelyn Stark screamed.

Everything was happening so fast, Emmon attacked, but Brienne took the king's sword and fought back against Emmon and the men at arms. He stayed back, not knowing what to do. As he as reaching for the hilt of his sword be was stopped by lady Catelyn.

"Robar, no, listen." Catelyn seized his arm. "You do her wrong; it was not her. Help her! Hear me, it was Stannis." Robar looked at the woman. Stannis, how could Stannis be responsible for this?

"Stannis? How?" Robar asked.

"I do not know. Sorcery, some dark magic, there was a shadow, a shadow." Lady Catelyn said, and for a moment, Robar thought she was mad but then remembered that Stannis had a sorceress with him. Could she be responsible?

He looked at Brienne once more, who was still fighting; he could not think of any reason why she would do this thing.

"She is innocent, Robar. You have my word, on my husband's grave and my honor as a Stark!" Robar looked at Catelyn once more and saw it on her face, she was telling the truth. Soon more men came into the tent, all coming for Brienne.

"I will hold them," Robar said. "Get her away." He turned, took his sword, and joined the fight. Lady Catelyn took a brazier and knocked Emmon out. The two women managed to leave while he bought them time. Once the lord commander and Ser Jon arrived, he stopped, Ser Loras looking at the king's body in horror.

"No!" Loras shouted. "No!" Loras went to the body and took it into his arms.

"What happened?" Jon asked.

"That whore killed the king," Emmon said as he got up.

"Who?" Jon asked.

"Brienne," Emmon answered. Jon looked at him, not believing Emmon.

"Are you certain?"

"She stood with the body, blood all over her hands."

Jon looked at Robar. "If this is true, then why did you defend her?"

"Because Brienne wasn't capable of doing this, Lady Catelyn claims that a shadow made out of some sorcery killed the king, and I believe her."

"Sorcery?" Jon asked.

"Stannis," Robar said simply. Robar could hear sobbing coming from Ser Loras.

Jon looked at him and Emmon, not knowing who to believe.

"It was the whore, I swear it," Emmon said.

"Your duty was to protect him!" Loras shouted angrily.

"Lord commander we..." Robar started.

"You were supposed to keep him safe!"

"It's the bitches' fault," Emmon said.

"You failed, so it's your fault," Loras said as he let go of the king's body, took out his sword, and attacked Emmon. Emmon did not have time to react before he was cut down by Ser Loras. With his final breath, Emmon still claimed that it was Brienne that killed the king.

"Loras, stop!" Jon shouted.

Robar managed to pull his sword out just in time to block a strike aimed at him. He tried to defend himself, but the fury of Ser Loras was too much, and before he knew it, he lost his weapon and was on the ground, Loras's sword coming towards him. At that moment, he thought that this was it, this was how he was going to die by a blow from Loras Tyrell, but the finishing strike never came; instead, it was blocked by a sword belonging to Jon.

"Loras, stop this madness!" Jon shouted. Loras did not respond. He only pulled his sword back to attack Jon. Jon defended himself but did not attack. "Stop this!" Jon said, once more. They fought, swords clashing; the expression on Loras's face was one of pure fury and hatred. Jon tried, but he was holding back too much, and that proved to be a mistake. Like he did, Robar Loras disarmed Jon and kicked him to the ground, lifting his sword over his head for the finishing move.

"Loras," Jon said with terror on his face. Loras looked at Jon, lying there on the ground defenses. At that moment, clarity seemed to have been restored in the lord commander.

"Jon," Loras said with barely a whisper. Loras looked at Robar and then to Jon once again. "What I'm doing?" Loras said and lowered his sword dropping it on the ground, falling on his knees soon after. "Jon, I'm sorry," Loras said with tears in his eyes.

Jon lifted himself off the ground and loved to Loras, "It's alright."

"I-I almost killed you, how can you say that?"

"Because I know how it is to lose someone you care about."

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Loras said, through his tears. Jon did not say a word and embraced Loras, the lord commander crying on his friend's shoulder.