The day of reckoning for Margaery Tyrell had arrived. With her life and freedom at stake, the would be queen sat in her cell extremely worried. She had heard rumors from her guards, rumors of the strength of the men representing the faith, one guard calling them “The Greatest Collection of Fighters in the History of Westeros”. Lady Margaery had even heard that the team assembled by the faith contained multiple members of the Kingsguard, and she worried of which members those could be.
Later in the afternoon, outside of the Great Sept of Baelor, the High Septon came out to introduce the seven that would be fighting the faith. First, the High Septon introduced the Hound, Sandor Clegane. One of the greatest fighters in Westeros today, albeit slightly unorthodox, the newly religious Sandor Clegane will lead the faith’s team. Next, representing the Iron Isles, Ser Harras Harlaw. Wielding his Valyrian Steel sword, Nightfall, Ser Harras is another strong fighter representing the Faith. Then, the Darkstar Gerold Dayne is introduced. With him, the Darkstar brings the Longaxe of Areo Hotah, the Spear of Obara Sand, and the Red Mountain Armor of House Yronwood. The fourth fighter representing the faith is Brienne of Tarth. Sent by the Lord Protector of the Eyrie, Petyr Baelish, Lady Brienne not only wields her own Valyrian blade Oathkeeper, but also House Corbray’s Valyrian blade Lady Forlorn.
Then, the remaining three members on the side of the faith were all members of the Kingsguard. First and foremost, Ser Robert Strong, the Mountain. Having been the victor of Westeros’s most recent trial by combat, the Mountain will reunite with his brother fighting together. Next, Ser Balon Swann, an unheralded but more than competent member of the Kingsguard. Finally, the last member selected by the High Septon, Ser Loras Tyrell. Lady Margaery’s worst nightmare had come true, her brother is being forced to fight on the opposite side. As he was being introduced, the Knight of Flowers looked over towards his shackled sister. Holding back tears, Ser Loras could not believe what he was about to do.
Then, it was time for the champions from House Tyrell to be announced. There had been rumors that House Tyrell would be unable to field a full seven fighters, but many did not believe that Lord Mace Tyrell would just let his only daughter die. However, when seven Tyrell generals were expected to ride in, only one man on a horse came. The man introduced himself as Martyn Mullendore of Uplands, and that he was here to fight in the trial. When questioned who else would fight for Lady Margaery, Mullendore said he was there alone. With him, Mullendore brought Vigilance, the ancestral sword of House Hightower. With the participants in the trial now fully announced, the High Septon announced that it would begin in 1 hour.
Taking this time to reflect on what he had gotten himself into, Martyn Mullendore returned to his quarters. Minutes later, the door opened, and on the other side was none other than Ser Loras Tyrell. At first, Mullendore was alarmed, as this is one of the men he was about to face in the trial. But, soon he realize Ser Loras had only come to talk. Loras asked the question that everyone was wondering, why Mace Tyrell had only sent 1 man, not a renowned fighter, to go fight for his daughter’s life. Mullendore explained that Lord Tyrell had sought assistance from many, but no one was willing to risk their fighter’s lives for the life of Lady Margaery. Knowing that it would be almost impossible to win the trial with just Reachmen, Lord Mace had to make the difficult decision to only send Mullendore so as to not risk the entire future of House Tyrell.
At first, Ser Loras was aghast to hear this. He could not believe that his father would do that. He could not believe that his father would not do everything in his power to save the life of Margaery. But then, Loras his hypocrisy. He was criticizing his father for not sending a competent force to fight for Margaery, yet he was about to fight for the death of his sister. And then Ser Loras said why, why I am doing this? Since he was told he would be fighting in this trial, Loras had told himself that he could not break his vow to King Tommen, as he knew what the consequences could be. But, after seeing what his father had done, Loras decided that he could not be part of the cause of his sister’s death. Loras looked at Mullendore and said: “I will not be fighting against you today, I will be fighting will you”. Ser Loras was decided, no vow is thicker than blood, and if he was to die for his blood today, so be it. Mullendore reached down and unsheathed Vigilance, handing it to Ser Loras. “You will use it better than me”, he said.
Just then, the church bells tolled. It was time for the trial to begin.