The Unyielding Stag (Game of Thrones AU/Invincible)
Chapter 22: Challenge Accepted

A/N: The challenge comes to Renly Baratheon.

-x-X-x-

He'll never admit it out loud, of course, but Renly Baratheon isn't really a martially minded person. He finds the thought of hauling himself down to the training yard to spar day after day thoroughly exhausting. Fortunately, as a Lord Paramount, he's never really had to worry too much about that.

Oh certainly, there are appearances to be kept up. He knows how to put his armor on and how to hold a sword both in a sheath at his side and in his hands. But beyond that… well, he preferred not to bother.

In fact, one might even say he's a bit rusty… but it doesn't matter because you don't need to be the greatest knight in the realm in order to lead an army… or even to lead the realm itself.

Still, for all that Renly himself didn't much like crossing swords of the steel variety with his fellow knights, he had to admit that he was a sucker for watching others do it instead. He'd always loved how much Robert enjoyed tournaments, because it allowed him to indulge that favored pastime to his heart's content.

Of course, there were no tourneys right now… they were at war after all. However, they were also quite frustratingly in a stalemate at the moment. Renly's forces had put King's Landing under siege, but for now he couldn't take the city. Meaning he was forced to sit on his ass and wait for something to change.

Hence sitting on a slightly raised wooden stage with his Queen seated to his right and Loras stood to his left as all three of them watch two of his Rainbow Guard, Lady Brienne of Tarth and Ser Parmen Crane, duke it out for his pleasure.

Renly knew that many, even among his own men, questioned Lady Brienne's appointment. The woman was… everything a noblewoman should not be. She was tall, muscular, and altogether homely. Her mouth was too big and her nose crooked from being broken and set more than once.

He still remembered the first time he'd met the large woman, all those years ago. Even back then, Brienne had bucked every trend imaginable, and she hadn't remotely comported herself as a noble lady should. This, in turn, had led to no small amount of scorn being heaped on her by her peers, especially when her ugly appearance was combined with her caustic attitude.

… But what did Renly care what others thought? He was the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, and she was as much one of his vassals as anyone else. Besides, even at that point Renly had known he was just as different as she was. His 'affliction' and 'abnormality' was merely easier to hide than Brienne's.

So yes, he'd treated her with courtesy… and in turn, she'd apparently fallen in love with him. Brienne did not know that Renly knew this, of course. She'd been sent to Storm's End by her father, Lord Selwyn Tarth, with a sealed letter for his eyes only that she had never read.

Lord Selwyn's letter had been clear… Renly was the only man who Brienne had ever loved and she would likely never be wed due to not just her appearance, but also her unwillingness to put down her sword and comport herself as a proper noblewoman.

The Lord of Tarth had begged Renly to take Brienne into his service as an extra sword, and to treat her with the same respect that he'd treated her the first time they met.

Here they were, all these years later, and Renly had to admit… Brienne was probably one of his most loyal, steadfast warriors. She wasn't a knight of course, because women couldn't be knights… but she was still a member of his Rainbow Guard, and she'd more than earned her title 'Brienne the Blue' in Renly's eyes.

Case in point, the fight in the grass comes to an end as Brienne manages to knock Ser Parmen Crane in his ass. Renly makes sure to smile and clap and Margaery does the same at his side, even as Brienne offers Ser Crane a hand to help him stand. It pleases Renly when the knight actually takes the hand and lets Brienne assist him.

Before he can speak up and congratulate both warriors on a hard fought battle, however, there's a commotion from off to the side that draws his and everyone else's attention. Renly blinks as a good half dozen of his men escort what looks to be a messenger into the clearing. He leans forward with interest when the messenger is then announced to be from King's Landing.

Bowing at the waist, the messenger straightens back up and clears his throat.

"I bring word from Axel Baratheon, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."

Loras takes a step forward, no doubt to say or do something inadvisable, but Renly cuts him off with a raised hand that stops him in his tracks and keeps him quiet. Smiling gently, feeling the weight of his crown upon his brow, Renly tilts his head to the side.

"And what word does my bastard nephew have for me? Is he ready to meet and discuss the terms of his surrender?"

There's a flash of anger in the messenger's eyes… mm, completely loyal to his nephew then. A shame.

"No, my Lord. The King-!"

A blow to his back from an angry Brienne sends the messenger to his knees. Unfortunately, the Maid of Tarth had been too close and moved too fast for Renly to step in like he had with Loras.

"You will address His Grace as King, not Lord!"

Sighing, Renly shakes his head.

"Brienne, please. We don't harm messengers. We're better than that. And the man can hardly deliver his message if we're smacking him around."

Eyes widening in surprise, Brienne steps back and bows her head in shame.

"I… forgive me, Your Majesty. I acted without thinking."

Renly just smiles and nods.

"All is forgiven. Right, my friend?"

The messenger slowly pushes himself back to his feet, eyeing Brienne with narrowed eyes and no small amount of derision. He doesn't bother acknowledging Renly's words either. In the end, he just straightens up and looks back up at the wooden stage.

"King Axel does wish to meet with you. But he does not intend to surrender, nor does he ask for you to surrender either. He has sent me here today to issue a challenge, Lord Renly."

Renly's brow lifts as those in the clearing stir.

"A challenge, you say?"

"Yes your lordship. The King challenges you to a Trial by the Seven."

The stir turns onto a full on rippling as everyone in the area reacts to those words, each in their own way. Plenty of wide eyes, a couple of sharp intakes of breath, and several shifting from foot to foot. Renly himself barely reacts at all outwardly, though inwardly his mind is racing as the messenger continues on, barely hesitating.

"It is King Axel's most fervent belief that no great amount of blood should be shed for what he calls a pointless war. That is why he offers you this opportunity to have your conflict settled before the Gods themselves. Let the Seven Who Are One see justice done."

At his side, Loras scoffs under his breath. Renly, of course, does not. But he does share his paramour's sentiment. He's never really cared much for the gods. Obviously, as a Southern Lord with Andal and Targaryen blood flowing through his veins, he'd been raised on the Seven Pointed Star and taught the Faith from an early age.

It just… hadn't really stuck. He knew better than to piss off the Faith, so of course he paid lip service to the Seven… but the idea that they would bless a Trial by Combat or a Trial by the Seven to make sure the ones most worthy of winning came out on top was… ridiculous to him.

No, such things were always won by those with the strongest sword arm. There was no question about that.

At his side, Margaery leans in close to him, whispering in his ear.

"They're desperate. They must not have enough food stores to last out the siege now that the Redwyne Fleet is coming into play. We have them right where we want them, a Trial by the Seven would only risk everything we've achieved so far."

The only one besides him to hear Margaery's words is her brother. Leaning in from his other side, Loras whispers into Renly's other ear.

"If you wish to accept, know that I would win the Trial for you beyond a shadow of a doubt. With Selmy and Jaime dead, I am the best swordsman on either side of this conflict. No matter who your nephew fields, they don't stand a chance."

Margaery, of course, hears her brother's words and sucks in a sharp breath before scowling mightily and whispering heatedly right back.

"But what is the point of risking it? For glory? Glory is no use to any of us if you die, Loras!"

Loras scowls right back, the two siblings basically having a heated discussion right over the top of Renly at this point as everyone else watches but can't quite hear what they're saying.

"It's not just about glory, Margaery. If Robert's bastard has sent this challenge, it means he's probably consulted the High Septon at this point. And if the High Septon has signed off on it, then all of King's Landing will have heard about it. From there, news will travel throughout the entirety of Westeros. Everyone will call our King a coward if he turns down a Trial by the Seven that has the Faith's backing."

Now that…that was a fair point. Cutting Margaery off from responding with a raised hand that causes both of the Tyrell siblings to pull back into their previous positions, Renly looks down to the waiting messenger. Why worry about 'what ifs' when they can just ask directly?

"Tell me… what does the High Septon say of this challenge? We are, all of us, devout adherents to the Faith after all."

Grinning, the messenger juts out his chin as he responds.

"The High Septon's been preaching that it's a blessed idea, your lordship. He says it's the best way to end this with the least amount of bloodshed and that the Seven will surely look down favorably on whichever side wins it."

And just like that, Renly is trapped. It's a beautiful maneuver on the part of his nephew, he has to admit. Either he rejects the challenge and further ruins his already somewhat tarnished reputation in the eyes of the Seven Kingdoms' Great Houses, or he accepts and gives Axel a chance to end this war without having to wait for the rest of his forces to arrive.

But then to be fair, this is also a boon for Renly, in a way. What Margaery doesn't know because she hasn't been told is that Renly's latest scouts report his brother Stannis used the Royal Fleet to sail multiple shipments of food into King's Landing's harbor before the Redwyne Fleet could arrive. From all up and down the Narrow Sea, Stannis had brought in supplies to keep King's Landing safe.

Now, even a fleet of ships aren't enough to feed the entire population of King's Landing forever, especially with House Redwyne finally making it to the party… but they might allow Axel to hold out until the Vale, Riverlands, and North are finally able to make their way down South. At which point, Tywin Lannister might choose to stop dragging his feet and come join the winning side… which would no longer be Renly's.

In a way, Renly appreciated this offer because it took the power away from the Great Houses and put it squarely in the hands of him and his nephew. Only one side would emerge victorious, and the other would be forced to concede because to do otherwise would be tantamount to blasphemy in the eyes of the Faith.

And while Loras could be a bit boastful at times… Renly was inclined to believe that his Knight of Flowers was correct in his assessment of the relative skill level between their two sides. With Barristan Selmy and Jaime Lannister both dead, Loras truly was the best knight left in the region, if not the best knight in all of the Seven Kingdoms.

Not to mention the last Renly had heard, Axel hadn't even refilled his King's Guard yet. Meanwhile, Renly fully believed that his Rainbow Guard was made up of the best seven warriors in his entire army. With all of that in mind…

"I accept."

Loras grins a vicious grin while Margaery slumps a little in her seat. Leaning forward, Renly laces his fingers together as he gives the messenger a smile.

"Return to my bastard nephew and let him know I agree to his challenge. If the High Septon himself believes that a Trial by the Seven is the most blessed way to end this conflict, than who am I to refuse? Let it be known that I, Renly Baratheon, Rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms, will humbly accept whatever outcome the Gods deem most just."

The messenger bows and backs away. Renly watches him go, knowing that the actual details such as day and time will have to be hashed out through either letters or more messengers over the next few days. But one way or another, this is happening now. It's been set in motion and can't be taken back anymore.

As soon as the messenger is out of sight, Loras places a hand on Renly's shoulder.

"I won't let you down, my King."

Placing his own hand atop Loras', Renly smiles up at him and nods.

"I know you won't, Loras."

From his other side, Margaery lets out a disgruntled, unladylike noise.

"Please just tell me that you won't be so foolish as to fight in the Trial yourself."

Letting out a laugh, Renly shakes his head.

"Of course not, my Queen. Why would I when I have seven of the greatest warriors that the Seven Kingdoms have ever produced right here in front of me!"

Every member of his Rainbow Guard hears his boisterous words, just as intended. All of them straighten up, square their shoulders, and preen a little at his praise. Brienne in particular looks absolutely gobsmacked before a beaming smile spreads across her face, only matched by the one she'd had the first time they met.

Renly meets her eyes and the eyes of each member of his Rainbow Guard, smiling and nodding at them individually to show his faith in every single one of them.

It would hopefully help to quiet the discontentment among the Storm Lords when they themselves heard that he wasn't taking part. Renly knew his vassals well and while he had carefully cultivated their affection all his life, he also knew some of them would think him craven for not fighting in the Trial himself.

But if he framed it as him refusing to sideline any of his 'noble' Rainbow Guard, than they might be willing to accept it. No, they would accept it, especially when the Rainbow Guard won the day in the Trial and showed themselves all to be some of the best warriors that the Seven Kingdoms had to offer.

Of course… he wasn't JUST going to be relying on their skill at arms to carry this Trial by the Seven. No, even as he settles back into his chair and gestures for another sparring match to begin, Renly's mind drifts to a letter back in his tent. It's a letter he'd received over a week ago now… one he had honestly thought to ignore. But now that the entire war will be decided on one battle between seven of his champions and seven of Axel's, Renly can't help but think about it.

Is he really going to do it? Can he truly afford the cost of such a thing? But then again… can he afford the cost if he doesn't take the offer and his champions lose? If Loras died in this upcoming Trial, Renly would never forgive himself. No… he had to do whatever it took to make sure Loras came out on top.

-x-X-x-

A/N: And so the Trial is confirmed and Renly is scheming to make sure his side wins. But what does he have in mind? And what's this about a letter? Hmmm…

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