GENDRY POV:
Storm's End:
"Could you at least go outside and let yourself be seen by the common folk?"-
"Uncle they know I am here, the whole realm knows my every move. What difference does it make that I choose to stay in my room?"
"The difference is that rumors will begin to run around about you! Specially living with your depraved uncle!"-
"I don't care about stupid rumors let alone about people talking about you Uncle, you are one of the most caring and loyal persons I know"
"Those are very kind words nephew but you forget that you are the crown prince, you should care if people start to believe that you take after me and very much like men"-
After the dissolution of his engagement, a heartbroken Prince Gendry had spent an entire month in Storms End under the company of his Lord Uncle Renly Baratheon... Well that was the official statement, the truth was the Gendry slipped under the castle guard watch and left the Red Keep as soon as he could to avoid another wave of potential brides thrown in his face. He didn't even want to get married in the first place so he dutifully thanked the Gods every night that his brother Joffrey had found his fiance Margaery Tyrell fucking not one but two men in her bedchambers. So as his Father stripped the Reach of everything they had, Gendry slept his days away, read and rode his horse to his whim as he relished on the freedom of being outside of the court room.
"I don't think I'd mind that; people talking I mean... You and I know that I like women and do I really need a Queen? I am more than capable of ruling by myself"
"The King must have a Queen so he can further the line, a needed fact for the Baratheon since Stannis only has Shireen and I'm well; not an option. You and Joffrey have the future of this family in your pretty little cocks, specially you. And since we are having this conversation do you? Really like women? Because I have seen women delivered to your room completely naked yet you don't give then a glance. Even I am beginning to worry about you Gendry"-
"People talk about honor yet when I show I have some they think something is wrong with me!" Gendry spat. He was tired of the whole dating game, whatever happened to love? Renly seemed to catch on his line of thinking.
"Royals don't have the luxury of love dear nephew but for what is worth I will talk to your father so you at least have a say in who you shall spent your life with... Now get yourself presentable and for God's sake take a bath! I have to go to town, you can go to the smithy to do whatever it is that you like doing there so much..."-
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JON ARRYN POV:
Kings Landing:
"All I am saying is that it would be wise to reconsider the match, maybe say that she was forced t..."- Pleaded Baelish.
"FORCED?!"- King Robert's voice boomed over the room "Nothing is being forced when you're screaming... what was it boy?"-
"And I quote 'fuck me harder, ram it up so I can feel you on my insides, oh Baby - baby' end quote"- Chuckled Joffrey.
The Small Council was reunited to debate yet again who should be the future Queen and Jon's head was about to explode. Everyone seemed to have their own agenda. Varys suggested Arianne Martell although the Martell's had been absent in court since the fall of the Mad King, Baelish was fixed on Margaery Tyrell while Pycelle favorited anything Lannister. Poor Gendry didn't have a say in the matter, other than his mother Cersei who couldn't participate in the council; only his brother and Jon himself wanted what was best for him. Robert only wanted a bride... soon.
"Robert why don't we leave the matter to rest for a while. We don't need the Tyrell's anymore since you stripped them of their lands and food supply"
"I wont leave the matter Jon because I am dying, I am dying as I speak. Each day I get older and I need to secure my legacy!"-
"You're dying because all the alcohol"- Joffrey muttered under-breath but not enough to avoid his father from hearing.
"Shut your smart mouth child! You are also of age so as soon as your brother is married you are the one we'll be sorting out"- Joffrey paled at the thought. Gendry was the physical image of Robert but it was Joffrey who had inherited all his philandering ways.
"Nice to know you at least came to show your face"- Robert said to his brother Stannis as he walked in the room.
"Are we talking about sending troops to the North?"- He asked already knowing the answer.
"The North has no need for troops, the war ended years ago. To hell with Eddard and his paranoia! We are discussing your nephew's betrothal. Any ideas?"-
"I am only here to discuss important maters. If anyone should decide who to marry is the boy! Gendry is already two and four and has proven more than capable of assuming the crown. Just because he doesn't whore his life away does not mean he doesn't know anything about women, he'll settle down when he is ready!"-
"I want a pretty one... who else is available?"- Robert asked completely ignoring his brother.
"Well the Frey's have a female army of their own, I'm sure we can find someone pretty enough"- Pipped in Pycelle.
"Frey's aren't pretty, that is a fact... who else?"- Robert was getting impatient and that often lead to terrible decisions. Jon needed to act fast.
Whenever Robert was about to do something foolish Jon would discretely signal his squire to come and say that boars, stags or whatever you could kill was seen near Kings Landing, Robert would not hesitate in leaving whatever he was doing and go hunt.
"Joffrey where is your brother? He should be here already!" Jon said once the room was cleared.
"I've written him more than ten letters but I haven't heard from him back! Only a raven that came in the middle of the night with a letter that said 'fuck off'"-
"Tell your mother to write him, he never says no to Cersei. He needs to come here and see what 'pretty' bride is coming his way"
"I'm afraid my stubborn son is beyond my reach Jon"- Said Cersei walking in the room looking beautiful as ever. "I was the one who helped him sneak out of the castle. I don't like him being treated like a puppet"-
"What else can we do? If he doesn't want to marry he at least needs to be here to convince his father otherwise"
"Leave Gendry with Renly for a while, if he comes here we will only have a shouting match and before we know it war hammers are being swinged in the air"- Said Stannis startling them. He sat on the table and invited them to do as well.
"Tell me Stannis, how are things in the North?"- Cersei asked now that Robert was gone. After the war everything that had to do with the Stark's was practically forbidden to speak in presence of the King. A shame Jon thought, if you wanted to secure your reign you needed the North by your side.
"There have been more attacks. Nothing that Eddard can't handle but still, I would feel more secure if the Wall had more men"-
"Are the stories true Uncle? Of white walkers and giants walking in the snow?"- Asked Joffrey like a child, both he and Gendry had seen the world but not the North.
"I haven't seen them with my own eyes but Benjen Stark says they are true and Starks don't lie. I hope to leave with a good amount of men when I return to the North."-
"Don't worry Stannis, I'll do my best to persuade Robert but please, tell me about Eddard, how is he?"
Although he had a son, a young thing with his wife Lysa, Jon had always considered Robert and Eddard as his sons. After the war Eddard became the prodigal son and left to Winterfell never coming back, severing ties with anyone who dared harm his family. Southerners were careful to travel North for they were not welcomed. It wasn't official but the Starks were considered the royal family of the North, independent from the rest of Westeros.
"Old just like Robert...but peaceful alongside Catelyn. The eldest just had his firstborn, they had a feast before I left and the girls name-days are near so that will be another celebration coming."-
Jon wanted to ask another question but Joffrey beat him to it...
"What about the dragon spawn? What's he like?"- It wasn't ill intended, of course he could have used another word other than spawn but Joffrey didn't know better. He wasn't a bad person but curiosity tended to get Joffrey in more trouble than necessary.
"He's a fine lad that one. Groomed to royalty just like his forefathers. He reminds me of Gendry actually... shame there isn't a war so we can see those two in action."- Jon Targaryen was the reason Eddard broke his alliance with Robert. He refused to kill his sister's babe so when Robert arrived at the Tower of Joy a gruesome fight ensued that resulted in many death of valiant knights, the lost of the King-slayers hand, Robert himself almost died from a wound that tore his stomach open and Eddard ended up with a limp leg but with Rhaegar Targaryen's son on his arms. That was the last time Jon saw him.
"If you're looking for pretty I can't help you but if you want a queen you need to look no further than Winterfell"- Said Stannis definitely getting everyone's attention.
"Both girls are beautiful and smart, none of them have time for small talk so I think Gendry would enjoy meeting them"-
"Not that I like to gossip but one of my handmaidens told me that the eldest is like a winter queen, poised to perfection but cold and standoffish"- Said Cersei.
"Well I heard that the other one is more of a wildling than a girl. That she is hideous and likes to role in the mud"- Said Joffrey.
"Those are fabricated stories to warn southerners from seeking the girls, both are very much loved by the whole land and Eddard has let them chose who and when to marry. Sansa can be cold but only if you are new to her presence, the Stark's are a very tight family... as for the youngest she's the one that people like the most. The say she is the most hideous girl in all Westeros because they want to scare off suitors if she doesn't scare them off herself. She's the spiting image of..."- Stannis seemed wary of his words.
"Lyanna?"- Asked Cersei "It's ok Stannis for I don't fear the dead and have been blessed with a safe marriage and two wonderful sons. Please continue"- She said in a reassuring tone. Cersei was considered second best when Robert married her. Although they weren't in love they had a good marriage. Cersei managed to tame Robert's ways as he remained faithful to her but when he was in his cups he always told anyone that had ears that his heart belonged to another. Cersei didn't care for as a lady she assumed her role with grace and dignity and chose to worry in raising her sons as best as she could. That was why she strongly opposed a fixed marriage for Gendry.
"Yes...she is Lyanna reincarnated! If Robert wants pretty he'll fall on his knees once he sees Arya"- Added Stannis.
"Interesting..."- Cersei said with all eyes on her. Although she wasn't on the council she was the smartest of them all, Robert would often excuse himself and seek her opinion in the privacy of their bedchambers. They could see the wheels turning in her head.
"My Queen?..." Jon asked, it was always better to be with Cersei than against her.
"Well it seems that both Brothers needs something that the other can give. Stannis needs men for the North and Robert needs a bride for his son."-
"Mother that could start another war! Going after Eddard Stark's daughters is practically repeating what Rhaegar did... even so, it doesn't guaranty that Gendry is going to like either of them"- Said Joffrey.
"No, but with all the diplomacy that has to be done to even go to the North we will give him enough time to at least get to know them. Worse case scenario? He doesn't like them but we still have Robert and Ned talk to each other. Robert wont admit it but he misses Eddard dearly and the boy doesn't seem like a threat, or he would have risen already yet. How old is he?"-
"Two and five"- Said Stannis
"A grown man that was raised by Eddard so I don't doubt he has a good head on his shoulders no matter how much dragon blood he has in him. We go meet the girls and you'll take many men as you want once the matter is settled." Cersei said proud of her plan.
"Ok...but how do you exactly think we are going to get to the North? We cant just go around unannounced, a whole army will be waiting for us once we set foot on their lands and we cant exactly send a raven saying 'we come for one of your daughters'. Stannis already said Eddard gave the girls their own choice in who they marry, if they don't want to see us we don't stand a chance"
"Actually I think I have the perfect solution for that"- Replied Stannis.
"And that would be?" Said Jon.
"Another wedding. The King has to attend the wedding if it's his only niece"
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