Family: I will write a family-moment between our characters.
Ned will not say it, but he was glad that Renly extended an invitation to join him riding in the Kingswood for the day. The fresh air and the rustling of leaves above him was a welcome reprieve from the bustle and stink of Kings Landing. A very welcome reprieve.
He straightened in his saddle and slowed his destrier into a walk to wait for Renly and the rest of their party, which consisted mainly of his and Renly's household guards and the Knight of Flowers. When they caught up with him, Renly grinned, " Eager to be out of your office, Lord Stark?"
A faint smile appeared across his face despite himself, " The air is much freer here. I appreciate the change, yes,"
" No doubt you appreciate the escape from all the paper work, "
" Well, there is a bit of a trail here," Renly jerked his chin forward and Ned saw a dirt path winding through the forest, " Shall we race to the end of it?" He did not wait for an answer and kicked his dappled grey into a gallop and Ned quickly followed suit.
There was so much of Renly that reminded him of Robert. Physically, Renly was Robert 15 years ago. The same face, the same smile. Renly even had his brother's charisma and way with people, and perhaps that was why Ned felt so relaxed around him. The only difference was that Renly did not have any of Robert's vices or habits of drinking and wenching. And he was glad of that.
There were a several points on the path that was too narrow for two to ride abreast, so he was forced to maintain his pace behind Renly's courser, but he was not looking to compete anyway. But there were a few points where the shrubs were thin on one side of the path where Ned took the opportunity to urge his horse faster to overtake Renly who laughed whenever he did and made attempt after attempt to do the same to him. Twice, he succeeded, but as they came to the end of the trail, Ned was the one riding ahead.
He reined his chestnut in and slowed, letting out a breath, smiling, " You had the faster horse, Lord Renly,"
" But it would seem that you have proven to be the better rider," Renly replied, breathless and laughing, " For now,"
" What? You plan to race back to the other end?" He chuckled, taking a moment to draw a deep breath.
" Perhaps. But not so soon, Lord Stark," Renly said, patting his dapple grey's neck, " We still have half a day, at least, to spend, before returning to Kings Landing,"
They were trotting through the forest now and when Ned turned to glance over his shoulder, he could see the rest of the group riding some distance behind them. Once, they spotted a doe and her fawn dash through the forest, to which Renly said, " Even if we brought our spears, I will not hunt them," And Ned wondered if that compassion was another thing that separated Renly from the King, or if it was simply a matter of superstition or belief. He remembered that Renly was probably a small child when Lord and Lady Baratheon drowned in the sea. He never knew his parents.
" Do you ever wish that your brothers had loved you?" He found himself asking after a long silence.
" Hm? I suppose.. for a long time, yes, but i suppose i grew out of pining for it," His shoulders gave a light shrug, " I learnt to go through life without it,"
" Robert thinks you as his brother more than me or Stannis," He turned to him, smiling, " Please do not take that the wrong way, Lord Stark,"" You do not have to worry your self about that. I took no offence," He paused, waiting to see if Renly had anything to add, before continuing, " I never understood why Robert was never close with either of you. As boys, Brandon was my closest friend and even when we were fostered at different ends of Westeros, he always made it a point to send a raven or two every month. And so did i. Benjen as well, even after he has taken the Black,"
" You are fortunate to have such brothers," Renly turned his head away, " And I didn't really understand why either. For a while i thought he hated me, then i realised he never cared enough to hate me,"
That made him quiet for a moment as he tried to imagine himself in Renly's shoes. He shook his head, the thought made him feel horrible and made his heart twist in his chest, " If Robert is my brother, it makes you my brother as well," He said, quieter than he meant to, but Renly looked to him all the same.
" I suppose it does," He replied, his blue eyes smiling, " Then, I shall consider you my brother in spirit if not by blood, Lord Stark,"
" Ned," He said, " Friends and family call me Ned,"
" Allright then, Ned," He grinned, " I'll race you back to the gates. The last one to pass will have to treat the winner to supper,"
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