Renly I

Everything was going as he planned, for once.

Atop his favorite horse, riding along the Kingsroad, he smiled to himself as he read the raven's letter, satisfaction spreading warmly through his body. Mace Tyrell had finally decided to send his daughter for her formal coming out in court escorted by her older brother Garlan and Loras.

At fifteen, the Maid of Highgarden already had an astounding reputation as an incredible beauty. And with the added benefit of his brother formally betrothing his "son" to the Stark girl, she was at little risk of making a royal match too soon at court, though he doubted it would matter to his brother. Still, unattached, Maid Margaery made a fabulous prospect as someone for the King to lust for guiltlessly.

Renly sighed, for once excited to return to court. It would not be as torturous he imagined, not when he was the center of a great and scandalous ploy. Beside him, his older brother grimaced.

"Why do you look so happy?" Stannis asked, jaw clenched.

"Why, brother, what cause is there not to smile. I've just had word that Loras and Garlan are awaiting us in King's Landing, eager to present their sister to the King."

Stannis grimaced again. How difficult it had been to convince his brother of this duplicity. So concerned with honor, Stannis had wanted to go the direct route of simply telling the king their brother of Cersei's deceits. As if he'd survive such an accusation against a Lannister, especially when there was nothing to entice the king enough to want a reason to set aside his queen. It would look as if Stannis wanted to disinherit the queen's children in order to put himself farther up in the line of succession.

No, Renly thought, the king was want to rid himself of the Queen, really want it, if they were to prevent Joffrey from remaining heir and the queen from continuing to cuckold their brother.

And what better thing than a lust for an unattainable maiden to stir Robert into action.

"I like this game not," Stannis stated seriously, "I have suffered too many slights for this, and for what, the longer we wait, the less our evidence will matter."

"Are you so quick to reach your grave, brother? Our evidence, a word a bit too strong in my eyes, is a stupidly dense books of descriptions of lords, and a few baseborn brats whom we cannot actually prove are Robert's curs. Tell me, how will that evidence fair again the power of Casterly Rock?"

Stannis pursed his lips into a thin line but said naught. They'd had this argument more times than Renly cared to remember, and each time Renly had won. "Forget your slights, real and imagined. Imagine how grateful Robert will be when we deliver him from the lions into the arms of a rose."

It seemed like years before his brother finally decided to hold court. Renly was like a boy eager to take up his first sword. All he wanted was to put Margaery in Robert's path, to start his ploy. He had a terrible suspicion that his brother was not long for this world, there was only so much Cersei would handle, with his brother's tempers and behaviors worsening every day. And the death of Jon Arryn told Renly that the Queen was not afraid of murdering the realm's second most powerful man if it meant protecting her brood.

When the day finally came, Renly felt both nervous and relieved. Everything in his plan rested on Margaery catching Robert's eye before Cersei caught wind. She was standing at his side now. Everything about her had been meticulously planned. Her soft chestnut curls were tied in an elaborate curl about her head, giving the illusion that it was incredibly thick. She was dressed in the colors of her house, a low cut gown of green and gold. The green bodice revealed enough to draw the eye but not so much that she could be seen as a harlot. Her skirt was cloth of gold ingeniously embroidered with roses of green and black, marrying the colors of Baratheon and Tyrell clearly enough to draw the eye but subtly enough that no one could question it. Just then she looked up at him with her large doe eyes, "Do you like my dress, my lord?" she asked meekly, batting her lashes.

He smiled at her, he knew the girl well enough to know that she was not such an innocent maid, but she pulled off the act so believably for a second he bought it himself, "Very much, my lady, and I'm sure the king will like it as well."

Her voice was dreamy and breathy in reply, "That is all I could want, my lord," she said, with not a hint of insincerity. Renly's confidence increased suddenly.

He turned an ear to the proceedings of the court, some dull argument about a debt the crown owed to the Iron Bank. He could see Robert dosing on his throne. Perfect, Renly thought, if he calls an end before I've had my chance…

The envoy finished his business, and the Herald called, "IS THERE ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT WITH AN ORDER OF BUSINESS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE KING AND HIS COUNCIL?"

Finally, it was his chance. With a quick and light step, Renly stepped before the throne and council table, bowing amiable, "I have an important order of business."

"LORD RENLY OF HOUSE BARATHEON, LORD OF STORM'S END, MASTER OF LAWS WISHES TO ADDRESS THE KING AND COUNCIL!" the Herald called.

Robert stirred at that, "Lord Renly, you didn't attend council this morning."

Renly smiled up at his older brother, "My apologies, your grace. I'm sure the skills of your other councilors caused there to be little reason to miss me," he smiled at the small council, all of whom regarded him suspiciously, "However, the business that kept me away from you this morning is what brings me before you today."

The king sat up straighter, his interest piqued, "Is that so? And what business could that be?"

"Well, as you may know, your grace. Mace Tyrell has sent his daughter, the Lady Margaery, to be presented at court to your royal person, in hopes of finding a good match for the maid. Unfortunately, despite all assurances that she could be received most graciously by your grace, the girl had such a fright of being a disappointment that neither of her brothers could coax her out of her room this morning. Thus, they begged my help to convince the girl of your kindness."

The king leaned forward just a bit, "And is she here now?"

"She is, your grace, and as it please you, she would like to have the honor of making your acquaintance."

Robert smiled genially, "Well then, send her out, I promise I don't bite."

At that, with a hush creeping over the entire court, Margaery Tyrell emerged from the crowd, flanked by her two brothers on either side. It seemed, even the gods were on their side, as the light hit her in such a way that it turned her light brown eyes almost gold, and brought out a shine in her hair. When they reached Renly's side, the three Tyrell siblings dropped to their knees with heads bowed gracefully.

"You may rise," the king said gently, "You are most welcome in my court, my lady."

"Th-thank you, your gr-grace," Margaery replied in a small voice, head still bowed.

Robert squinted, "Only, might you take a few steps closer, these eyes of might don't serve me as they used to, and I'd like to take a good look at you."

Margaery, ever the timid maid, threw a worried glance at her brother Garlan, who nodded gently. With that, she took a few steps closer to the king. Everyone in court seemed to lean forward to take a good look at her, everyone but Ned Stark, whose gaze was fixed intently on the king. He then looked at Renly, who smiled and gave him a small nod. Stark's brow furrowed, but Renly sensed that, when the time came, Stark would be on his side. His love for Robert and desperation for honor would not abide the queen's treachery. Renly's only hope was that he would not find out the truth too soon, lest he ruin his plans.

The King noticed nothing of this, of course, for he was too busy drinking in the sight of Margaery. There was a serious, thoughtful look on his face and everyone in the hall seemed to hold their breath. After a moment, his great face broke into a smile, and he laughed that great wheezing laugh of his, "Well I do declare, we won't have trouble at all finding a husband for this one!"

Renly smiled, we won't indeed, brother. He looked to his other brother at the small council table, and for once, Stannis had the barest hint of a smile on his lips.