Game of Thrones: Love and Duty
Chapter 1 of my new Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
AU story where Stannis claims the Iron Throne and the Red Wedding never happened, also in this Robb never marries Jeyne, or Talisa.
Main pairings in this story are listed below:
Rickon/Shireen
Robb/Myrcella
Sansa/Podrick
Arya/Gendry
Bran/Meera
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 1
'Misfortune piles upon misfortune.' King Stannis Baratheon thought bitterly to himself.
He was sitting in the small council chambers; listen to the latest report received from their most recent attack. Despite his victories, despite ousting the Lannisters and claiming his blood right, he still had no control over the North and the Riverlands. Those land were still under control of King Robb Stark of the North.
Stannis' eyes narrowed. 'Robb Stark; he refuses to yield; he shelters two of that whore Cersei's children, does he truly expect anyone to accept Myrcella as Queen of the North.'
Except, even as he thought this, Stannis knew it to be true. The North had accepted Myrcella and her younger brother too. A good number of years had passed; years spent first trying to claim the Iron Throne. Then once he claimed that, trying to subjugate the North and the Riverlands. Now he sat with his small council; listening grimly as the messenger delivered his report. A report of yet another failed attack against his enemies. It was becoming repetitive and was beginning to put a strain on his resources. He had sent an army, forty-thousand strong, to attack. Only a little over two thousand came back. He wondered if it was time to try and different tactic; one that wouldn't lead to such pointless waste.
'Gods save me; I'm actually contemplating this.' He wondered in disbelief. 'I'm actually contemplating giving up on the North and Riverlands, letting Robb Stark have and instead suing for peace.'
He shook his head; he would have to see how this played out, before he made a final decision.
The messenger finally finished his report and was dismissed. Almost immediately one of his small council spoke up.
"Your Grace, we must answer this. They cannot be allowed to get away with such acts." He cried. "We must avenge the deaths of these men and reduce these barbarians and those that follow them to nothing."
Another council member cut across him. "You speak madness! We have just been defeated and you expect us to fight again. You expect the result to be any different. We've tried time and time again to attack them, our men always come back as corpses."
Queen Selyse, who was seated on her husband's left, spoke sharply. "What are you proposing then Lord Caron? That we surrender and let those thieves take what is ours?"
That immediately set everyone arguing. One side favouring surrender; the other advocating more attacks. Stannis sighed and shook his head; only Selyse was close enough to hear his teeth grinding. Recognizing the danger sign she stopped talking, watching him carefully. Things were still tense between them after all. While he allowed R'hllor worship, her husband had somehow backtracked, refusing to accept it as the one true faith. As such the Septs still stood. The worship of the Seven was still practiced. It didn't make sense to Selyse; and she constantly tried to bring it up, without success.
Stannis did not raise his voice; he didn't see the point. Instead he simply raised a hand and the room fell silent. He watched them all with a withering stare.
"One group says one thing, the other claims something else…What am I to make of this, other than the fact none of you clearly have the best interests of the crown at heart."
They all bowed their heads while Stannis prepared himself for what was likely to come next. He hadn't missed the fact that those advocating continued attacks on the Starks were those that, like his wife, worshiped R'hllor. Stannis turned to the man on his right, the only person who hadn't uttered a word yet.
"Davos; I named you Hand of the King for specific reasons…One of them is being able to stay calm in a crisis. What do you have to say about our current situation?" He asked simply.
Davos sighed and examined the map on the table before him. After a long silence he spoke.
"I feel that we have simply been wasting resources and men, lives have been squandered and for what. Contrary to what you claim Your Grace; the North belonged to the Starks, long before the Baratheon's ever existed." He explained carefully; directing the last statement at Selyse. "I feel our best option is to stop these senseless attacks and, not surrender, but make peace. Forge an alliance with Robb Stark, maybe then we'll have a chance for peace."
There were some whispers from all those gathered and Stannis knew Davos' words had got through. There would still be some problems however, but it was clear that nobody seemed to think attacking the Starks would be a good idea anymore. Stannis guessed it had to do with Davos' admitted true statement about the North belonging to the Starks since even before Aegon's Conquest.
Davos waited; tension coiled within him. He could only guess what the reaction would be to what he was about to say.
He cleared his throat and began. "Your Grace, we must ensure that this alliance is as strong as possible. Therefore I suggest that…"
"No, never." It wasn't Stannis, but Selyse who complained. "You dare suggest that we have my daughter marry into that…that family of beasts. Besides, for your plan to work Davos; she'd have to marry one of the men in that family. In case your have forgotten, Robb Stark married that inbred Lannister girl and his brother is married to some filthy Crannog woman."
"There is another brother, Your Grace." Davos explained. "I believe it would be best for us to cement this alliance by having Princess Shireen marry Rickon Stark, Prince of the North."
Selyse looked outraged and then raised yet another concern of hers. "Oh, but let's not also forget that they refuse to accept the true God. You send my daughter there to becoming a wolf's plaything and have them force her to convert to their heathen ways. I…"
Davos spoke quickly. Trying to calm things down. "Your Grace; that will not happen; or do you forget that Queen Myrcella still follows the Seven."
Selyse geared herself up to complain again but then suddenly.
"Enough." Stannis said sharply. "I have decided on this matter."
Silence fell as they awaited their King's decision.
Twenty-three year old Shireen Baratheon sat in the gardens of the Red Keep, lost in her book. Books were the young woman's solace; it was the one time she didn't feel alone. That which had plagued her childhood years, still did so in her adult ones. She scarcely looked at a mirror anymore; not wanting to see that hard jaw, the too large ears, or worst of all, the mottled grey flesh that covered the left side of her face. She shook her head; determined to not let herself be driven towards sorrow, not on a day like today. She sighed as she contemplated what had been happening. It had been several days since her father's army had returned defeated from the North. Like Lord Davos and many others she had overheard, she considered the campaign wasteful.
"Princess."
Shireen jumped and looked up from her book, eyes wide. She relaxed when she saw it was Lord Davos.
"Greetings Lord Davos, is there something I can help you with?" She greeted him politely, smiling as she did so.
Davos sat down next to her and sighed. "Things have been very busy over these last few days. We may have finally reached a peace agreement with the North."
Shireen tensed, already she guessed what Davos was leading up to. Still she kept her suspicion out of her voice as she replied. "That's good; the fighting needs to stop anyway."
"Yes, well, we've reached our peace agreement, the Starks have agreed to our terms." Davos replied. "So I've been sent to inform you; as part of the agreement, you are now betrothed, to Rickon Stark, Prince of Winterfell."
Despite expecting them, the words still stunned Shireen.
Davos saw her expression and decided to clarify exactly what was going on.
"I know this comes as a shock for you Princess. You're being betrothed to a boy six years younger than you. But…"
She shook her head. "There is no need to explain Lord Davos, I understand. I just…never imagined I would be married; even if it ends up…"
She didn't finish, but Davos guessed what she meant. "I know you've never met him. I've only had the pleasure of meeting Rickon Stark at least three times. He's more a man of action than words. But I can assure you; this will work out well in the end."
Shireen nodded slowly; dubiously even. She couldn't see it, couldn't see why Rickon Stark would marry her unless he had to. How could he possibly love her, with her greyscale and all? Still, she would do it, she knew in her heart that, regardless of outcome, she wanted to marry him. She knew she would have to get ready right away; she would be leaving for Winterfell, tomorrow.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.