Stannis I (ACOK)

The stronghold of the House Baratheon, which was meant to belong to him, but it was given to Renly, his thieving brother and a false king, trying to steal his rightful throne.

King Stannis brought his host, and those bannermen who were loyal to him near the walls of the stronghold, in which he seeks to claim, in hopes of using Robert's known bastard son, as a way of proving Cersei's incestuous crime.

He looked warily at his son Prince Jacob, who looked sullen and sad all of a sudden, maybe because the king was too harsh on the boy.

"No, he needs to learn his place, even though he is my son and heir. Jacob is too clever for his own good; it will be his downfall, if he is not careful."

Nevertheless, the war was a continuous strain on the King, as the search and acclimation of allies was an even harder task than thought out.

It didn't matter because the Onion Knight was on his mission to declare the king's claim for the Iron Throne and maybe, some of those dishonourable would come to his side.

"Foolish hopes and whims, Jacob was more suited for this job, but I need him with me, in case negotiations with Renly went south and a battle is to be had."

The king had no choice to leave his wife Queen Selyse and his daughter Princess Shireen on Dragonstone, as Ser Axell was the castellan of the island, while he was on his path to seizing his rightful stronghold.

Men were bustling about, as they gathered for camp and were preparing to take the castle, any means necessary, but Ser Cortnay Penrose holds the castle in Renly's absence and if the man was good and true, then he would surrender.

The Lady Melisandre was instructed to accompany the king on this voyage, as she has had more of her visions, involving king's blood and promises of victory in his hands.

Stannis knew his son didn't believe in Melisandre's babblings, because he was logical and knew such things were all fairytales and nonsense.

He can admit he had been too harsh and blunt with Jacob, but he had a lot on his mind, with the war, gaining allies and his quest for the throne.

Stannis had to realise is son was no longer a boy, but a man of six and ten and was ready to fight his first war and to kill people, whom he used to see as friends.

As a king in need of assets, the rightful king didn't want to lose his son's trust, over a misunderstanding of opinions about religion.

His son approaches him, in the colours of his new sigil and his Reach made sword at his side, it seems Jacob was more ready for battle, than the king was.

"Ser Cortnay will know what is good for him and surrender the castle." Prince Jacob started to speak.

"He is loyal to Renly and will die defending the castle and Robert's bastard son." King Stannis replied grimly.

"Such a waste of an average knight, only to die for a pretender, who now likes to sleep with flowers in his hair and to service a fat lord, who wants a grandson to be king." Jacob muttered, causing his father's lip to curl into a short smile.

Stannis was not a man for jokes and laughter, but his son must have inherited Robert's accursed ability to insult others, but without dishonouring himself.

"Renly will be here soon, with his army of Stormlords and Reacher lords by his side, like the mummer's king he is."

"Uncle Renly wouldn't be so foolish to bring his whole army, but only a sizeable host if he wants to see Storm's End again." Prince Jacob mentioned.

"About the Council meeting the other night, I admit I was harsh and didn't consider you to be well versed in religious politics."

Jacob's face didn't seem so sad and sullen, but now was serious and was ready for war. He had the face of a battle-hardened warrior, even though this was his first war.

"It's alright to admit you are wrong sometimes, father. A king must have flaws, if he is able to win the support of his people. I was wrong for speaking out of turn, especially when religion is a sore subject for you." Jacob apologised to his father. "And I agree with what you said about Robb, being a false king."

"I thought you would fight harder for your northern friend." Stannis said, in a bemused tone.

"After having the sea voyage to think. He maybe winning battles, but what will he do after, he cannot claim the Iron Throne, since it's ours by rights. What will Robb do if he gets his sisters back?"

"You have finally come to your senses."

"Like I said, father. I had time to think and weighting up the logical options. Robb Stark did this to himself, he could have refused the crown and fought with us, but he then instead accepted the crown of a false king, even though you are the rightful king."

"Will Renly surrender his mustered power or will he fight us?"

Prince Jacob started to laugh, as it wasn't a laughing matter. The possibility of kinslaying weighted on the king's shoulders, as he didn't want to be cursed by the gods he had allowed statues of to be burned on Dragonstone.

"Uncle Renly wouldn't be so foolish to fight us, we are his kin and if he kills us, then he is cursed of being a kinslayer."

"Your uncle never earned anything he had, only had the privilege of being on Robert's small Council. Never took his title of Master of Laws seriously, only wanted to be in court to prance around like the ostentatious fool he was."

"There are rumours father, of Lady Catelyn riding from the Riverlands to Bitterbridge, it's where Uncle Renly and his army are stationed. Robb cannot be serious in throwing his weight behind a false king and not us."

"If Robb Stark wanted to prove himself a man and a king, then why send his mother to do his work."

"I'm not sure father, but I have a feeling it's not going to go well. Poor woman, having lost her husband by a false beheading, one of her daughters imprisoned by the Lannisters and the other one lost in the realm. Grief and vengeance is a dangerous toxin, but women can hide it well, beneath the courtesies and dimness of being noble lady."

"What are you suggesting, son?" The king prattled.

"Robb is a young man, a warrior for the battlefield and doesn't know politics and court intrigue, but it means his mother is his political voice in his council. It's a good chance to delude Lady Stark from Uncle Renly's side and onto ours."

"Not a terrible idea, but her stubbornness and being blinded by her emotions was what caused this mess in the first place."

"The kingdoms were going to hell anyways, at least the war is on and we can fight it with troops on the ground and not in court anytime soon."

The king caught on the Lady Melisandre making her way to the king's side, as she was important to his cause and the mystery of her power interested him.

His son looked bristly at the Red Woman with good reason; he still clings onto his faith of the Seven and will defend those of the king's men, who keep to the faith.

Nevertheless, the Lady Melisandre was willing to earn Jacob's trust, but the king knew it wasn't going to work, with Jacob being as headstrong, as Robert was.

"The false contender will arrive soon, my king. And his armies will be soon delivered into your hands." The Red Woman said.

"Only if the head of the army is dead, as you saw it in your visions, my lady." Prince Jacob replied.

"Yes, I have. Do not mistake the lord of light and the visions he gives me, Stag Prince. Your father is the lord's chosen and he will take is rightful throne."

"The only way my father will win the throne is by allies with gold and men to fight our enemies, not by a magic sword. The winter will arrive soon; my lady and we need to survive through it."

"The lord will assist your father to the throne."

Stannis didn't see what was going on, but he understood clearly. His son Jacob knew how to play games, and to assure his good intentions, even though they were the opposite.

After riding through the Stormland fields, the king caught his sights on Lady Stark, on a horse of her own and with three men by her side.

"The northern usurper sends his mother to parley with me, pathetic." The king thought sourly, as he brought his son Prince Jacob and the Lady Melisandre to this meeting.

The Red Woman stood in, as his standard-bearer. Stannis knew his brother will arrive soon, but he is surprised to find Lady Catelyn here near Storm's End.

"I am surprised to find you here, Lady Stark. My condolences towards Lord Stark, but he was no friend of mine." The king mentioned.

"He did you a service, my lord. He broke the siege in Storm's End and saved those inside the castle." Lady Stark replied.

"Eddard Stark only broke the siege under my brother's command. Regardless how I feel about Stark, you will have your justice for his murder."

"Lord Renly promised me the same thing."

"You shouldn't place your hopes in having the Lannisters killed on my uncle's shoulders, my lady. Uncle Renly is not much of a killer, but my father will do it, being a seasoned battle commander." Prince Jacob responded.

"I would rather have my daughters back."

"Your daughters will be found, when I take King's Landing."

"Father, only one of her daughters is being held in the castle.

The other one Arya escaped, as I would know because I have sent three men of mine to find her and to have her smuggled into the Vale, under a false disguise. The Riverlands is a war torn place and not suited for a child, as she will be protected by a few friends of mine in the Vale, who are not fighting for any of the kings in the land."

Stannis saw the hope and emotion on the face of Lady Stark, it seemed she drew a breath of relief, and of finding out his son did a considerable deed, even though he disliked Lord Stark.

"Thank you, my lord. I do not know how I can be thankful for this good deed." Lady Stark said kindly.

"I shall reveal her location in decrees secrecy, my lady. After I deal with my meddlesome uncle." Prince Jacob replied.

Lady Stark, then turned her attention to King Stannis, as she still wanted to discuss something of importance to the king.

"King's Landing is closer to Dragonstone than Storm's End, is it not my lord?" Lady Stark questioned.

"I need the power of the southorn lords to take King's Landing, and I must take them from Renly, who owes me obedience and loyalty, as his elder brother."

"Has Robb thrown his lot with my uncle?" Prince Jacob asked.

"No, my lords. He is King of the North by the will of his lords and people, and only holds your father's hand out in friend."

The king's son cleared his throat, and said loudly, as the men would hear him. "The will of those loudmouth northmen more like, my lady. If you see Robb again, consider our friendship dead, like my Uncle and all my enemies, when this war is over."

"My lord, you shouldn't be so hasty, Robb may have spurned your offer of an alliance. My husband has been nothing, but loyal to you, Lord Jacob. He did send the late king's pendant; you wear around your neck and believes you can save the seven kingdoms from the Lannisters."

Jacob's eyes changed, with them being still and sunken. He held onto the grey horse he named Misty, as it was a nameday gift from Robert long ago.

"Kings have no friends or attachments, only subjects and enemies." King Stannis said strongly.

At this point, the king and his heir turned around to see Renly's party arrive with a mixed host and Stormlords and Reach men in his vanguard, as the flag of green and gold was waving in the air.

Stannis saw Jacob roll his eyes, and exhaled a breath out, as he knew Renly was short of being here and seeing his nephew on the opposite side of the war.

Then, he saw his younger brother outfitted in green antlered armour, as Stannis didn't see the warrior fitting his brother nor was he capable of leading an army to claim a throne, which didn't belong to him.

"You've changed your sigil, brother." Renly said, mocking the king's new sigil.

"It's the fiery heart of the Lord of Light." Lady Melisandre replied.

"If we had been under the same banner, the battle would be confusing."

"I hope no battle can come from this." Lady Stark refuted.

"The Iron Throne is mine by rights, and those who deny it are my enemies."

"This is folly, my lords. With the Kingslayer's host reforming at the Golden Tooth, another Lannister host gathering at Casterly Rock and Lord Tywin at Harrenhal with 20,000 men, and Lannisters holding King's Landing.

"Bend the knee to me, brother." Renly said arrogantly, showing off his pretender strength.

"Never, as I am the older and you the younger, and I denounce you as a usurper." Stannis argued.

"The Targaryens called Robert a usurper and he was able to take the shame."

"The difference is uncle, the king was a madman and the Crown Prince was a fool. You seek to take my father's throne, and you are not a true king. A true king would not betray his kin to further his own ambition." Prince Jacob spoke.

"Please, my lords, be reasonable." Lady Stark tried to convince the three men, but they would not listen.

"Your son is no less than a traitor to me than my brother, my lady. And I will deal with Robb in due time."

"How are you the rightful king, when your brother has two sons?" Lady Stark asked.

"It seems, Lady Stark. You have no seen my brother proclamation." Renly laughed.

"Joffrey and his siblings are not of my brother's seed, but are bastards born of incest between Cersei and her brother." Stannis foretold.

"Why have you kept this knowledge to yourself?" Lady Stark asks.

"I approached Jon Arryn with the knowledge, knowing Robert would listen to the man, who he loves and cares for, and would be more likely to believe than me, from whom such accusations would have seemed self-serving."

"Jon Arryn is dead, brother."

"His death was not by happenstance, and it was Cersei who poisoned him." The king stated.

"You may have the greater right to the throne, brother, but I have the bigger army." Renly said, reaching under his cloak.

It caused Stannis to reach for his sword, along with Jacob, but his brother brings out a peach. "Fool."

"A peach, brother. My nephew is all too familiar with the tastes of the Reach and it's harvest." Renly offered.

"I did not come here to eat fruit." Stannis resorted.

"A man should never refuse a peach, because life to short and, as the Starks say, Winter is Coming".

"Are you trying to threaten us, uncle?" Jacob shouted, as the men in Renly's vanguard paid attention.

"It's not a threat to you or your father, nephew." Renly states. "And I never liked you, or your father for that matter."

"I despised you for years, uncle. I know Cressen said having such hatred for family was an evil in itself, but I had no choice. You took away my father's right as Lord of Storm's End, and envied me because I was politically smarter than you and was close to stealing your council seat from you, and now you steal his throne because you want attention and those lords, to praise you with flowers and gold." Jacob gritted between his teeth.

"You are my blood, despite our differences. If it's Storm's End you want, then I will give it to you." Renly offered.

"It's mine anyways." Stannis replied.

"You refused a peach, a castle and you nor Jacob didn't even come to my wedding."

"The wedding is a farce, considering you married a woman you were scheming to make one of Robert's whores a year ago, but years earlier Robert was considering making her my son's wife, as Jon Arryn and I were the only ones, who knew of it."

"I was going to make Margaery Tyrell his queen, but Robert was killed by the boar, and so I have her now," Renly said arrogantly. "However, I plan to have a son with her within a year."

"Unless, you live to see that day, Uncle." Jacob muttered bitterly.

"How many sons do you have, brother?"

"One more than you, that's for sure."

"It's a shame; the poor girl was to marry my dour and ugly nephew, who had never lain with a girl."

Stannis had seen the fire and anger, in the way Jacob glared at Renly, as if he wanted to throw him of his horse and have him beaten up.

"If I had a wife, who looked like yours, then I would send the fool to service her as well." Renly sneered.

If there was one thing Stannis would not tolerate is the disrespect and dishonour of his wife Queen Selyse and the mother of his children, it seemed his son's eyes were wider and had his sword out.

Infuriated with the dishonour, Stannis drew his sword, as it shines strangely having been picked from the pyre of the burning seven idols.

On the other hand, a broadly built woman stood in between the king and his brother. Prince Jacob gripped his blade tightly, waiting to kill those who stood in the king's path.

"That is my mother, you honourless monster. You will regret the day you insult my mother and sister. Will you truly get a son on the Tyrell girl, if you think so then you are a bigger fool than I thought, especially marrying someone so late in the game, dear uncle." Jacob smiled wickedly, as Renly's eyes struck with fear.

"I have said nothing of a sort, dear nephew." Renly said, cowering with fear of what Jacob's wicked tongue would spill out.

"Ned Stark wrote to me, saying you insulted my sister, calling her ugly, knowing well the greyscale is no fault of hers."

"Robert and Ned Stark both preferred you to me, I'm disappointed in you nephew, using foul language in my presence and threatening me, it's terrible how that Onion Knight's influence has rubbed off on you."

"You insulted my mother and sister, seeking to take my father's throne and you worrying about what might come out of my mouth. This is war, uncle and I don't have time for pretend games, surrender now or else you won't live to see the winter coming." Jacob foretold, in a threatening tone.

The lords and knights in Renly's vanguard were wary, as they should because they have seen the anger and seething coming from Prince Jacob, and it was to be noted, he did not tolerate insults towards his mother and sister.

"I will not kill you with Lightbringer, and I will give you one last chance until dawn to pledge your loyalty to me. In return, I will grant you a seat on my council and name you my heir, only if Jacob dies on the field and a grandson is not born to me. If you do not bend the knee, then I will destroy you." Stannis said, giving the ultimatum.

"With what little army you have, brother. I have the power of the prominent houses of the Stormlands and the Reach behind me, even your wife's House Florent have pledged their loyalty to me. What is present is only the vanguard, but 100,000 are still on foot and will arrive soon enough."

"If those soldiers can make it, without being immobilised by Dornish spears or the Lannisters nearby, uncle." The prince suggested.

"It's unfortunate, you couldn't pledge your loyalty to a better king, nephew. It is sad we have to meet each other this way, and to potentially fight each other. The ship Lady Cassana would be great for my sea voyage, sitting in Oldtown and the Hightowers will not give it to me."

"The ship is mine, uncle. Old man Leyton gave it to me for my nameday, and he will not give it you. First, you steal my father's throne and you want my ship, see Lady Stark. Ambition corrupts people from the inside and a man or woman will forget all his ethics and morals, just to get power."

"Nephew, I know you have ambitions as well. I can use a political mind like yours in my court, unless you are willing to leave your dour father's side in favour of a better contender for the throne." Renly offered, hoping to persuade his nephew to his side.

"Betray my father and soil my honour, no way." The prince replied, to his meddlesome uncle.

"Under your father's rule, you will never be able to marry your Redwyne girl, as your father declares everyone his enemies and sees everything in black and white. No room for forgiveness or penitence for anyone. Side with me and you will be able to be happy, nephew. It's something you should think about."

"No, thanks. I'd rather keep my honour than give it away for some girl, who will be married to someone else anyways." Jacob said, rearing his horse and started to gallop away behind his father and their small host.

Lady Melisandre looked back, staring at Lord Renly in a gaze. "Look to your sins, Lord Renly." She said, in a melodic tone, as she followed behind her king and prince.