The Last Stag • Game of Thrones

7.

Chapter Seven.
Hunting Season

"Do you swear it?"

Renly raised his cup to his lips, taking a deep sip of his wine. Outside, the storm raged, men and horses alike crying out as they ran to find shelter.

"By the mother." Catelyn nodded sternly. "My son has no interest in the Iron Throne."

The King set down his mug, giving Catelyn a smile that did not quite reach his eyes.

"Then I see no reason for hostility between us. Your son can go on calling himself King in the North. The Starks will have dominion over all lands north of Moat Cailin." Renly tilted his head. "Provided he swears me an oath of fealty."

Catelyn pondered this, taking a glance around the room. It was a mostly bare tent, save for a large livestock crate in the far corner.

"The wording of this oath?"

"The same Ned Stark swore to Robert eighteen years ago." His face was stern, but his voice softened. "Cat, their friendship held the kingdoms together."

Catelyn bit her tongue. "And in return for my son's loyalty?"

"In the morning, I will destroy my brothers army. And I extend my niece's hand in marriage. Stark and Baratheon will be united, and when that is done, we will destroy our common enemies together. As we have done many times before."

Renfri's words rang clear in Catelyn's head. I could marry Robb Stark and create the most powerful political alliance Westeros has ever seen. She tapped her fingers against the arms of her chair.

"Renfri would never agree to it. Robb would never agree to it." She shook her head. "We can form an alliance not bound by law-"

"And open an opportunity for one to betray the other?" Renly laughed, standing from his chair. "There is nothing in this world more formidable than a bond by marriage. Your son would never betray his cause, and my niece would never betray mine."

I'm not too sure about that, Catelyn thought. But she kept it to herself. Renly moved to the mirror, watching as Brienne began to undress his armor.

"This alliance would be revolutionary. The only trueborn heir of Robert Baratheon becomes your daughter by law, all of her supporters flocking with her. The North and South would be united as one, can you imagine? Their sons would rule both ends. I'll drag Renfri down the aisle by her mane of hair if I have to."

"Our two houses have always been close," Catelyn argued, standing from her chair. "Which is why I am begging you to reconsider. Tomorrows' battle, the marriage alliance. Negotiate a peace-"

"Negotiate with Baratheons?" Renly laughed. "You've heard Stannis, you've spoken with Renfri. I'd have better luck debating with the wind." 

Renly turned to Catelyn, squaring his shoulders. "Please bring my terms to your son. I believe we are natural allies. I hope he feels the same. Together, we could end this war in a fortnight."

Something in the air shifted then. Catelyn turned, watching with a mix of confusion and horror, as the flaps of the tent blew open. Black smoke slithered along the ground, coming to a rest at Renly's feet and assimilating into the form of a person. 

Brienne cried out. The shadow dug a knife through Renly's back with such force that it lifted him off of the ground. Catelyn just watched, unable to do anything to help. 

Brienne knelt over his body as the shadow dissipated, searching for signs of life.

Guards, hearing the commotion, burst into the tent. They noticed Brienne, kneeling over Renly's body, her face a picture of shock.

"You'll die for this!" One guard cried, unsheathing his sword. Brienne scrambled to her feet, holding her sword over her head.

"No, wait!" Catelyn cried. "It wasn't her-!"

The guards shoved her to the side, parrying Brienne's swings. Brienne took out the first, whirling to the second and kicking him in the knees, shoving her sword through his throat. She heaved, staring at the bodies. 

Another person entered the tent. Catelyn looked up, mouth still agape.

Renfri, dressed in her night shift, stared in shock at the bloodshed before her. The Lady of Storm's End looked from Catelyn to Brienne, then back to Catelyn. Quietly, Goji began to growl lowly beside her. 

"What have you done?" She whispered, creeping towards Renly's slain body. "Did you plan this from the beginning?"

Catelyn stepped forward, her hands stretched out. "Princess, I-"

The dagger appeared in Renfri's hand seemingly out of nowhere. She gripped it with skill, holding it between her and Catelyn. Brienne moved to Catelyn's side, still holding her sword. 

"It was a shadow." Brienne breathed. "With Stannis Baratheon's face. It was here and then it disappeared into nothing."

Renfri just stared at them. 

"Do you take me for a child?" Renfri whispered. "I'm not some stupid little girl who believes in shadows and apparitions-"

"It's true, Renfri." Catelyn breathed. "I saw it myself."

The three shared a long, tense moment. The storm outside raged on, the hollers of men filling the air, but inside that tent it was so quiet that Catelyn could practically hear the gears inside Renfri's head turning. 

"Goji, K-"

Brienne moved like a lightning strike, hitting Renfri hard in the head with the hilt of her sword. Renfri tried to react, but her dagger met the hardest part of Brienne's breastplate, scratching the metal but leaving Brienne unharmed. Renfri's eyes rolled back and she crumpled to the ground. 

Goji roared, rising onto his hind legs at easily five feet tall, mouth stretched wide in a snarl, revealing rows and rows of sharp, dangerous teeth, whipping his claw and knocking Brienne's sword from her hand. Brienne tackled the beast, a move she had demonstrated in her earlier fight with Loras. The bear raked its claw down her leg, roaring out in anger. 

"Lady Catelyn, the crate!" Brienne cried. 

Catelyn did not need to be told twice. She pushed the livestock crate she had seen earlier across the room, flinging open the door. Brienne shoved the beast inside, narrowly avoiding losing her arm to Goji's angry jaws. 

Inside the crate, Goji rattled and banged, enraged at the attack on his mother. Catelyn heaved, praying to the old Gods and the new that the wooden bars would be strong enough to hold him. 

Brienne knelt down at Renly's body. Catelyn blinked.

"We need to go, Lady Brienne. We can ride North to Robb. He will keep us under his protection."

Lady Brienne pushed back Renly's hair, her face forlorn.

"You cannot avenge him if they kill you, Brienne. We must go."

Shakily, Brienne stood, limping from the scratches on her leg. 

"What of Lady Renfri?" Brienne asked quietly. Catelyn looked from the angry bear to the unconscious princess. 

"Bring her." Catelyn pursed her lips. "Robb will decide what to do about Robert's only stag."