The True Baratheon King
Chapter 2 - The Road Home Mason's P.O.V

You never really understand stories about a place that you never been to, cause our minds create a picture if we have never seen it. My first thoughts were like this as we came upon the castle, Winterfell. The castle was large but had no real town surrounding it, simple I loved the idea. Once we got off the King's Road, we meet the members of house Stark. Looking as King Robert described him, his children looked like their father and mother. His oldest daughter was supposed to marry Joffery, it's a shame she would have been a happy wife and mother. Poor girl, hopefully she will find the lavish food and people funny in the capital. I got to that thought and I felt a firm hand on my shoulder.

"This is a boy from an old noble house, they have been loyal to me for a long time. I present Lord Mason, of house Wylde. The future Lord of Rain House. He is staying with us to learn how to lead and manage lands, his studies should finish soon," The king told the Starks, mostly from all the puzzled looks they sent my way as I got off my horse behind James. They must have not recognized my sigil, a blue-green maelstrom, or a sea hurricane, on gold. Lord Eddard Stark stepped forward and knelt. This puzzled me i should be kneeling to the Warden of the North. But there he was kneeling to me, as if I was His Grace the king.

"Ah very nice to finally meet you. His grace speaks highly of you and your house. I pray to the Gods that you can raise it past its former reputation. My family and I welcome you to our home of Winterfell," he said. He stared at me for a few seconds noticing my features. I was roughly six foot, I had light brown hair and dark eyes, a giveaway if you ever seen a member of my house. My skin was mildly tan from walking around on the beaches at Rain House. My sword hung at my side, a gift from my father. Also I was in black and brown furs covering my armor to keep me warm. Since it was covering my noble armor that carried my sigil for my house, all you saw was the chest plate but he did not see the Baratheon sigil on my left sleeve. I nodded as my acknowledgement to show him I heard his welcome.

Now being from a loyal noble house is a gift I could have been a peasant but it is especially good when your house has no Lord currently, but I will be Lord soon. Lucky me, I had to leave my home to come to the city of s*** and wine. Not to mention I can't leave the Red Keep without 6 Lannister royal guards making sure the lower class folks try to kill me, because I am so hated and important. It was a waste of manpower, I'm honored that the King wants me to be safe, but I believe there is a higher purpose I am not aware of, maybe a big loyal house to the King, who knows I am sure I will know soon.

After entering the courtyard of the castle, we had a feast in their great hall with Northern food and capital food. I loved the Northern food, well I love any food as any growing teenager does. James seemed more interested in everyone around him and not his food. For awhile he was staring at his brother and Sansa Stark. Then he glared at the Hound as if he did something. Probably wanting to show off his bodyguard, but the Hound could protect the royal family, especially with the 20 kingsguard and Ser Jaime Lannister.

Following the feast, there was another highlight in my day. James decided to pick a fight with the eldest Stark, Rob. He was stepping in to fight in his brother's stead. Honorable, unfortunately Joffery can't swing a sword, lead men, or drink without help from his mother, Queen Cersei. Although I am not allowed to talk like that to anyone, the King and I speak of everyone in our war studies. Back to the fight, Rob was swinging a sword that he would have to grow into, James' speed counteracted Rob's size and strength. I didn't care to pick on the Starks, I could relate to them. I may live in the capital but I like to keep my distance from the capital. My house's seat was far south from King's Landing, I liked it that way. After James beat Rob he was challenged to beat the best of the brothers, Jon Snow. I was sparring him, he was helpful but stern when he was teaching. Once he put the sword down, he turned into a laid-back guy. The visit to Winterfell had been very exciting and enjoyable. Except from when there was an accident to one of the Stark children.

The day before we were preparing to leave, there was a commotion erupting in the courtyard of the castle. Jon Snow and I were arm wrestling he was obviously beating me cause he was 2 years older than me. Once we heard the uproar and shouts crying out for help we rushed over there. His brother was lying on the ground eyes shut, but breathing slowly. The healers rushed him into the castle to his room, Jon and the rest of the Starks following behind. I walked up to the tower, only one explanation came to me. The kid fell out of the tower, or fell off the tower I had seen him climbing around the castle walls and such. Jon walked out after about five minutes, he instantly approached me.

"Is he going to make it?" I asked him. His face seem to grow more in concern as he thought about the question.

"Bran seems to be unconscious, they have no idea if he will wake up," he muttered.

"You have my condolences, it has been fun though, maybe you could come visit us in King's Landing," he started to laugh when I said that. "But i would prefer to come back here, maybe you could show me the Wall or something."

"Not likely I can't stand that place, come back though and I can show you more of what the North offers, besides ice," I started to laugh after that, we could on agree on hating King's Landing. While we were still laughing, James and Joffery came around and interrupted our conversation.

"Say goodbye, thank you for your hospitality Lord Snow. We are going Mason, Father wants to go as soon as possible so saddle up. Lord Eddard Stark and his daughters are coming along. He has been named Hand of the King," Joffery turned and left me standing with James and a shocked Jon.
XxX James P.O.V
"James! Tommen stole my doll again!" Myrcella banged on my door, yelling at me as if I was going to do something. Of course I can't sleep on the day before we ride out back to the capital.

"Go away, tell mother. I don't care about your doll let me sleep," She continued to pound on the door.

"Mommy's not here. Get up and get me my doll!" The thuds were getting louder.

"James just get her the doll," I looked over to see Mason covering his head in blankets. She wins...again. I rose out of the bed, instantly froze from not having furs or clothes on my body. I dressed myself, opened the door and pushed her out of my way. Walking down the hall, I barged into Tommen's room found the doll, shoved him onto the bed, and gave the doll to Myrcella.

Apparently I missed something after returning the doll, I scurried out of the way of 4 healers carrying a child in their arms, then all the Starks passed me. I bumped into Joffery as I went outside, he strode over to Mason and Jon Snow who were talking. It was one of those, this is only going to end one way kind of things. But I had no choice, I followed my brother.

"Say goodbye, thank you for your hospitality Lord Snow. We are going Mason, Father wants to go as soon as possible so saddle up. Lord Eddard Stark and his daughters are coming along. He has been named Hand of the King," he told us. Well that was more polite than I thought it was going to be. Joffery is never that polite to anyone except mother.

We saddled up inside courtyard, Father said his goodbyes and condolences about the boy, then Uncle Jaime took two guards and lead us out. The Hound was riding next to Joffery and I, we followed Uncle Jaime down the road. Mason and a personal Lannister guard were behind us, they seemed to be discussing a sea storm and something about Watchers. The Starks followed.

James has black hair like the Baratheons but green eyes like the Lannisters. Also I like to thank Shawn Graham-our great co author!