12. What If Loras Tyrell Had Bested Brienne Of Tarth?
HBOShortly after Robert Baratheon died, his brother Renly was widely supported in his claim for the Iron Throne, in fact, people gathered from all corners of the seven kingdoms to support him. Brienne of Tarth was particularly fond of Renly, so much so that she fought in a tournament held in his honour, in hopes that she could be accepted into his kingsguard as a prize for her victory. Renly's days as self-proclaimed king are tragically short-lived, this causes Brienne to follow the orders and pledge loyalty to Catelyn Stark instead, but what if Loras Tyrell had bested Brienne of Tarth in the tournament? Had Loras been able to defeat Brienne of Tarth, then she'd never have become part of Renly's kingsguard. If she was not in the vicinity of Renly, she'd have not met Catelyn Stark, therefore she'd not have been in her service later on. Brienne doesn't seem the most crucial of characters at first, however, she is instrumental in Catelyn's plan to return Jaime Lannister to Kings' Landing. Ultimately, the plan caused upset in the northern armies and saw Robb Stark humiliated by his own mother, in turn, this caused doubt among the northern lords and arguably caused the start of Robb Stark's downfall. Had Brienne not been present, Catelyn would not have been able to commit the treason which weakened Robb's position.