[Khorum]

I'm SURE Loras and Renly were cosexual. I really doubt anyone could miss that point between overt behavior on Loras' part or by observation during Catelyn's POV or by Brienne's implications. I'm not sure which prior poster suggested that Loras may NOT have been playing receiver to Renly, but it wasn't me---I'm pretty sure Loras swings both ways.

I _am_ sold on the notion that Loras is in an incestuous or at least a more-than-fraternal-love affair with Margaery though. I'm still on book2 during this reread, but soon as I get to the bigger clues I'll quote them.

As far as Jaime being Cersei's champion. Yeah, he threw her desperate plea into the fire. Yeah he muttered something faintly conclusive about it and yeah he may even mean it, but going to king's landing and being her champion would 'work' in his circumstances. It's the sort of measured unpredictability that Martin likes to do with Jaime's personality.

As to whether unGregor becomes Cersei's champion, it's likely, but it's MORE likely that qyburn saves his mercenary (literally) ass and sides with the septon, or better yet, allows the unGregor to be the CHURCH's champion.

UnGregor representing the new 'corrupted' church of the seven is thematic with the ghoulish, golem-like nature of the new church... it would be a perfect setup for a confrontation between UnGregor and the new High Septon versus a 'rediscovered' Sandor Clegane, who's currently playing monk in an old-style monastery. The church struggling with its new identity and its old monastic values while brother fights brother.