William Baratheon: The Tale of a True Kings Struggle

Summary: I am William of House Baratheon, Second son of Robert, First of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm. And if I am to believe Lord Stark and my uncles I am his one true heir.

Disclaimer: The Song of Ice and Fire series belongs to George R.R. Martin, I am simply playing in it.

Authors Note: For the reader context William Baratheon is the second 'child' of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister. However unlike the other children William is a true son of Robert. For the purposes of this story it has been 17 years since Roberts rebellion, Joffery is 16, William is 15, Robb and John are 17, Sansa is 14, Margaery is 15, Arya is 11, Bran 9, Rickon 6, Theon 18.

Warning: This story is rated M for a reason, this is Game of Thrones, Sexual content, profanity, graphic violence, all that nice stuff.


Chapter Two: King's Landing I

William stood at the gates of Highgarden beside Tyrion, Renly and Ser Loras as the final preparations for their departure were being wrapped up. When William saw several of his uncles guardsmen approach on their horses flying the Baratheon banners he knew it was time to leave. He saw Margaery approaching with tears in her eyes, William wrapped his arms around her and asked "my lady why do you cry?"

Margaery looked up at him tearfully "When will I see you again my prince?"

William smiled "if my father accepts our betrothal I will see you in King's landing when you are presented to court. Do not fret my queen I will see you soon enough."

Margaery kissed him softly on the lips, "Don't forget about me with all those Crownland Ladies."

William smiled "I never could." And with that William leapt onto his horse, nodded to his uncle and there party began to set off leaving a tearful Margaery behind.

As they passed through the gates and began heading up the rose road William rode up beside his uncle and asked him "Why did my father call us back?"

"The Hand of the King is dead; The Master of Laws will assume his responsibilities until a new one is chosen. You are my ward so you go where I go, and we will have to see your father about your betrothal anyway." Replied Renly

William couldn't help but grin on the thought of his success, the blessings of Lord Mace for his marriage plans, his knighthood, and a tourney win under his belt, a return to King's Landing will be interesting. Three Years William thought Three years since I was last in King's Landing, for Joffery's 13th name day tourney. I remember watching that spoiled little shit kill Tommen's fawn and suffer no punishment. The cold looks of his mother, but it was good to see my father again getting fatter every time. Stannis was moaning as usual, but William did love his uncle despite his gruff and distant nature. Williams's thoughts went with him on the long trip to King's Landing.


It took over a week to reach Kings Landing down the rose road, the inns and holdfasts along the road happy to host a Prince and the Lord of Storms End. The whole party knew that they were close to King's Landing when they smelt it, the smell of an overcrowded population, five hundred thousand people contained in a set of walls that had not been expanded on since they were built. They rode up threw the King's Gate, William and Renly donned their helmets before entering and the sight of two men in full Baratheon armour riding in on huge stallions with Baratheon banner men was a majestic sight to the people of King's Landing. They rode past the great sept to the Red Keep on the hill, as William came through the gate he could see the honour guard waiting for him, his family and half the court were all there to see him. William halted his horse beside Renly's and slid off , removed his helmet and walked up with his uncle to his father where they both took a knee before him.

Robert looked at William and said in his gruff voice "You don't have to knell before me boy." William stood up and was engulfed in a crushing hug from his father "It's good to see you again boy" said Robert with such pride "My you've grown into a real man now" His father turned to Tyrion, Loras and Renly. William looked over to his other family; he looked at his mother, her face a mask of absolute coldness "Mother it's good to see you" William said curtly

"William" his mother said with a nod and the coldness that William could never fathom the reasoning behind.

"Is that your helmet William?" asked the shy voice of his younger brother Tommen.

William turned with a smile and took his helmet out from underneath his arm and handed it to Tommen "Indeed brother, I won a tourney in that helmet" said William with great pride.

"You won a tourney" said Tommen in awe of his brother as Tommen put William's helmet on his head and began trying to walk around under the weight and instead bumped into Myrcella to the amusement of them both. William turned to his sister "And how are you good princess?"

"I am well brother I trust your journey went well?" said Myrcella

"Indeed the hospitality of the reach could not have been better." Replied William before noticing that someone was absent "where's Joffery?" William's question went unanswered as there was a sudden crash as Tommen tripped and fell to the ground face first, luckily he was wearing Williams's helm, but that did not stop him from beginning to ball his eyes out crying. Cersei rapidly ran over and ripped William's helm from Tommen's head and threw it at him, William caught it luckily avoiding any damage to it, his mother gave him a look as though this was all his fault. He father turned looking somewhat unconcerned before turning to him and motioning him to follow saying "Come on boy, we're having a private lunch in my quarters, you can talk to your siblings at dinner."

William followed his father into Maegor's Holdfast the great red castle within a castle. William remembered his childhood running through these red halls as he slowly ascended the castle to his father's quarters. Robert turned to him as they walked and nodded to his helm "I see your helmet; I hope you killed the stag yourself."

William immediately replied "of course father, nothing less would be accepted, the stag we hunted in the plains to the east of Highgarden, I shot him in the leg with my bow and then cut his throat, he was a big one, tasted great too."

His father laughed "they always do my 'boy, they always do. Well at least you can accompany me on my hunting trips now; your other brother never seems to want too always hiding behind his mother's skirts that boy is, more Lannister than Baratheon."

"It would be my pleasure to accompany you father" Said William with great pride at the thought.

They entered the Kings quarters, the most elaborate bedroom in the whole palace, William saw a freshly roasted lamb's leg, breads, cheeses and fruits were waiting for them. William saw his cousin Lancel Lannister who he presumed was his father's squire filling their goblets with the wine vase in his hand. His father told Lancel to leave the vase and give them some privacy; they both began tucking in to the great food. After several mouthfuls William spoke up "I won that squires tourney father."

His father looked at him confused "What tourney, I wasn't told about any tourney or I would have been there in a snap."

William's eyes narrowed "I did send a raven inviting you to Highgarden, you sent back saying you had other business to attend too."

His father's eyes narrowed as well both of them knowing exactly what had happened "That accursed woman" he growled "I have no idea what she has against you, her own flesh and blood. It is no matter we should not be focusing on the intrigues of your mother, this is supposed to be a happy reunion, you said you won, how?"

William grinned "I won the melee trouncing a spear welding Dornishmen and a Hightower boy." His father smiled "I got third in the archery, but I was never good at that." Robert sniggered, William continued. "I won the early tipping's, my second last one was a killer though, took a lance straight to the gut, it has been over a week and it's still painful."

His father laughed even harder than that and said "I remember when I was in the vale back in the day when me and Ned decided to practice jousting he got me straight in the gut, blew me clear off my horse, I was pissing blood for a week." Robert said cracking up about it "those were the days."

"I'm sorry for your loss father, Jon was a good man." William said sorrowfully

"That he was my boy, but that's no matter now. Tell me more about the tourney."

"well" William began "my final opponent was a Martell boy, the same Dornishman I trounced in the melee, I knew I had to take him out in the first round or I'd be on my ass cause of my guts, so I charged him down and threw him off the horse, but not before he got me in the guts again, I nearly fell off but luckily I hung on for dear life and won."

His father grinned with pride "and who did you crown queen of love and beauty boy?"

William looked at his father with great pride "Margaery Tyrell."

"Margaery Tyrell" his father muttered "I was wondering why Lord Mace changed his tune. Tell me boy what think of this woman?"

"I crowned her Queen of Love and Beauty father, I think it should be quite clear" William said.

"Don't play coy with me boy, what do you really feel about her?" His father asked more firmly this time.

"I love her" William admitted somehow ashamed as if this was a bad thing "She is the most beautiful woman I have ever met, I have known her since I was eight years old, I would not want to think of life without her."

Robert looked back at William with a serious expression on his face "Love, I was in love once, it was a great thing, but I lost my love to that Targaryen scum, and I would not want to deny you the chance at love. However she is a Tyrell, they were enemies of House Baratheon and besieged Storms End your likely future holding for a year. Stannis would say they are as bad as the Lannisters, but Maces betrothal offer did come with a significant dowry, which could help pay off the crowns debts." Robert mused "I am not sold on it boy, but I will think about it."

"That is all I ask father" William said with a hopeful expression on his face

"What else happened then boy?" Robert inquired

"After my victory Renly knighted me" Said William with great pride.

"HA, my boys a knight" said Robert with the most pride he had ever heard from his father as he slapped him on the shoulder from across the table "Your turning out well boy, better than your brother, did you know he was too lazy to greet you this morning, considered it below his status, no doubt told that by his mother" His father said angrily. "The boy expects respect but does not earn it; he will be a terrible king, if only you had been born first, you would be a great heir to the House Baratheon legacy"

William listened to his father's lamentation and knew he had to change the topic for he knew his father would go on for hours "Why did you call me and Renly back father?"

His father looked up at him "I forgot I didn't include that in the letter, we are journeying to Winterfell in a moons time, I expect you to accompany me."

William looked confused "Winterfell father?"

"In the north boy, it due time I paid a visit to Ned, he will take over as Hand of the King" Robert said gruffly.

William suddenly had a brilliant idea "Father, perhaps to help you with your decision on my betrothal I could invite Margaery to come with us, she did tell me she wanted to see the north at some point."

His father mused "All right, send a raven, she has one moon to get here or we leave without her, tell her to pack something warm, its cold up there."

William could not be more pleased, he was going to be reunited with Margaery sooner than he expected "Thank you Father you will not regret it."

He father just grunted before ordering "Go get out of your armour and get into court clothing, I expect to see you at court this afternoon."

William bowed to his father and left.


William returned to his rooms for the first time in three years, he looked around them, reds everywhere No doubt my mother's been here, trying to make me believe I'm some lion cub. William summoned one of his servants and ordered them to begin the process of redecorating his room "Baratheon yellow and black" he ordered "I am a stag, not a lion" before adding "and help me get this armour off." William finally managed to get out of his armour throwing on a black shirt and breaches made of leather and silk and then taking a silk House Baratheon banner as a cape. The banner itself was a gift from Renly for his 13th name day he hadn't yet had a chance to use it and this seemed appropriate tying it around his neck and then throwing it over his left shoulder. He grabbed his sword and scabbard and wore it on his right hip.

William realised he had one last thing to do before he went to court, write a letter to Margaery.

Margaery

I have arrived in King's landing and spoken to father, he is interested in your father's proposal, His Grace requests that you accompany me and the royal party to Winterfell so he may think more on the proposal and meet you.

I hope to see you soon

Ser William Baratheon

Prince of the Iron Throne, Heir to the Stormlands

William ordered a servant to have it sent to Highgarden immediately, while he left for court.


The Great Hall of the Red Keep was awe inspiring to any, a hall capable of seating a thousand with the Iron Throne at the end. Today it was packed with the return of Lord Renly and William bringing many to attend, William's father was sitting upon the throne with Cersei at his left while Renly stood at his right side as the acting hand. William saw his father curtly nod to him when he saw him enter with his bright yellow banner. As the petitioner finished and his father delivered his ruling William heard Renly begin "Your Grace, Ser William Baratheon does request and audience before you at this court." Robert nodded his head signifying his approval, and William stepped forward to the murmuring of the court, mostly due to his title of Ser at such a young age, he even heard one commenter mention that his brother was not a Ser much Williams amusement and his mother's dismay.

"Your Grace" William began "I have returned to King's landing this day having one the Highgarden squires tourney, and request Your Graces permission to re-join the court and accompany you to Winterfell."

Robert lent forward to look at him "William of House Baratheon I welcome you back to my court, you have proven yourself worthy being knighted at such a young age, and tourney win. You have brought prestige to House Baratheon and pride to me for having such a son. I welcome you back to the court." William bowed his head in thanks and preceded off to the and out of the hall having done his part and stirred up the court to no end, he decided he'd better go supervise the redecoration of his room.

When the evening came William went to the family dining room where Tommen and Myrcella were already waiting. William walked past his brother and ruffled his hair "Feeling better?" William looked at his brother who had a large bruise on the front of his face and a few cuts Tommen nodded, back to shyness William thought. Myrcella turned to him "I saw the servants running in and out of your room, what were you doing?"

William laughed "Mother was of the opinion that I like Lannister Red, I've spent far too much time in our ancestral lands, yellow and black are my colours. I am a stag, not a lion." Robert strode into the room and took his seat at the head of the table, while William discussed with Tommen about his kittens. Then finally his brother and mother arrived, Joffery walked into the room with all pompousness as though we should all kiss his boots, when he saw William a sneer came across his face and he turned and said with a laugh "So my brother returns, has Renly tired of you already."

Robert looked up from his plate and angrily shouted "you'd do well to show your brother some respect boy, he returns to me with a Tourney win, a Knighthood, and a marriage offer. What have you brought home to me boy, dead cats hmm." Joffery suddenly fell very silent.

Cersei looked to Robert "You did not tell me of any marriage proposal Robert."

Robert put down the chicken leg he was holding "Mace Tyrell has offered his daughter Margaery's hand for our William with a significant dowry; speaking off which did you write to Highgarden boy." He asked William

"Of course father, It does normally takes two days for a raven to get there, I will come and find you as soon as there is a reply." William replied

Robert nodded his acceptance as Cersei piped up "I though Mace Tyrell was offering Margaery's hand for Joffery, a fitting match for a crown prince."

Robert turned and gave her a death stare "As I have told you time and time again woman, Joffery will marry a Stark girl, not a Tyrell, GET THIS INTO YOUR HEAD." He roared "William will be the Lord of Storms End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, the seat of House Baratheon, William crowned Margaery as the Queen of Love and Beauty and so Mace has changed his mind."

William knew this was a dire room to be in and excused himself.


Several days past as William waited for a reply from Highgarden, he spent most of his days training with Ser Barristan Selmy and tried to avoid his elder brother and mother, he tried to spend some time with Tommen and Myrcella. It was five days after his arrival that he was summoned to the small council chamber and handed the reply by Grand Maester Pycelle.

William

I would be most pleased to accompany you and your family to the North and Winterfell. By the time you receive this I should no doubt be less than a week away with a small party of Reachmen.

I will see you soon my Prince

Lady Margaery of House Tyrell

William thanked the Maester and went immediately to his father chambers. When he entered his father was sitting at his table signing and stamping the many papers that come with being a King.

"Father" said William in formal tones "I have received a reply from Highgarden, Lady Margaery shall be happy to accompany us.

His father grunted "sit boy I need to discuss something with you." William took a seat opposite his father "I am going to accept the betrothal offer when lady Margaery arrives at court."

William was utterly surprised and beamed "Thank you father I cannot thank you enough for this."

Robert looked at William with a small smile "I did this to deny your mother, she sought to have you named to the Kingsguard" William looked at his father confused at the notion "Your mother wanted to ensure Lannister dominance at court and avoid Tyrell influence, she no doubt intends to marry Joff to some Westerland lady to insure her houses dominant position. That is what our trip is for, to get a new hand, and to get a betrothal." William nodded his understanding "Hopefully this trip will man your brother up, because he is turning into a piss poor heir, if only you could have been born first, you would have been a great king" Robert mused to himself "No matter, your wedding will be held one we return from Winterfell, is that acceptable?"

"Of course Father, I cannot thank you any more for this."

His father smiled "run along then, go prepare yourself for you ladies arrival"

William bowed to his father and ran out of his chambers jubilant with happiness.


The week went by slowly for William, waiting for his beloved to arrive up the rose road, as much reading and training he did time did not speed up for him. When scouts finally reported that Margaery's party had been sighted on the rose road William nearly leapt with joy and immediately summoned his guardsmen to accompany him as an honour guard. On the back of shadow flanked by four Baratheon guards men welding the Baratheon banners William rode down the road until he met the Tyrell party a small group of banner men guarding a green carriage lead by white horses with roses engraved throughout the frame. When Margaery saw the Baratheon banners on the horse men riding alongside she knew exactly who was leading her party into the city.

As her party came to a stop in the red keep she saw her brother Loras standing beside Lord Renly as she stepped out of the carriage wearing her green travel gear she saw a black stallion with a man wearing a yellow Baratheon banner left shoulder come around behind Renly and Loras before he slid off and she recognised him instantly My love she thought. She walked up to William and reached up on the tips of her toes to kiss him on the check before greeting him "My prince."

William smiled with joy "Milady, Welcome to King's Landing, if you'll follow me to your rooms."

Margery followed William inside to her quarters, as she looked around her rooms these were some of the grandest rooms she had seen in her life with an incredibly large bedroom and bathroom with all the luxuries one would expect of a royal palace.

"My rooms are just down the hall" said William "My father granted me this wing of the palaces I have two other bedroom, a dining and sitting room."

Margaery was amazed with all of this she turned to William "it's everything I always imagined?" she said in awe

"Everything that is traditionally granted to a future princess." Margaery looked at him bewildered "My father has will declare our betrothal at this afternoons' sitting of court, as the wife of a prince you will become a princess, we are to be married after we return to Winterfell. I suggest you send a raven to your family after court to inform them of the good news, but for now get changed and prepare to attend to the king court" said William with a smile as he left for his rooms. Just as he was about to pass out the door Margaery grabbed him by both side of his face and planted a kiss straight onto his lips and whispered "I missed you, and thank you."

It took Margaery a long time to get ready for court, trying to decide what to wear, she was tempted to wear one of her more revealing dresses but in the end she was supposed to become a princess and a betrothed one best to leave the revealing ones until after marriage she thought. Margaery decided it would be best to wear one of her more modest dresses choosing a light grass green dress made of silk she quickly changed and met Loras at the end of Williams's wing of rooms.

"Do you like your rooms' sister?" asked Loras as he locked arms with her

"Indeed brother, the luxury is astounding, how will this presentation work?" asked Margaery

"The king will call me forward, I'll present you, he will ask if you approve of the betrothal, he will ask William if he approves and that's it" stated Loras

"Not too hard then, typical court theatrics then?"

"Indeed sister." Concluded Loras

Margaery and Loras stood on the right side of the grand hall while waiting for the petitioners to finish, she saw William standing over on the right side appearing almost bored waiting for the court to hurry along. Finally the last petitioner wrapped up and Renly called them before the throne.

Loras came forward and spoke "Your grace I would like to present my sister Margaery of House Tyrell, and bring word from my father Lord Mace Tyrell, your most loyal vassal and Lord Paramount of the Reach." Margaery curtsied before the throne, Loras continues "My father offers the hand of his daughter for your son Ser William Baratheon." A murmur spread around the court as many began discussing such a match.

Robert turned to Margaery "Lady Margaery, are you pleased with this offer that your father has proposed?"

Margaery replied completely in court character "Of course your grace nothing would please me more, he is most handsome, he crowned me his queen of love and beauty and I would like nothing more to marry him and bear his sons."

An approving murmur went up around the court, Robert turned to William "William do you approve of such a match?"

William stepped forward and took Margaery's hand and said "Father I find this offer most pleasing, Lady Margaery is most beautiful woman that I love with all my heart."

His father spoke before the court could interrupt "Then it is settled" Robert turned to Loras "I ask that you return to your father and inform him I accept this offer. They shall be a married when we return from Winterfell.

Loras and William bowed and Margaery curtsied to the king and left.


After a week in the city the day had finally come to depart for Winterfell, the great many of carriages and the gigantic wheelhouse that had been assembled for the journey was an awe inspiring site. Margaery had chosen at least for the first leg of the journey to ride on her white mare alongside William on Shadow while they were waiting with the great train for the order to depart Margery though back on the week that she had here in Kings Landing.

After here presentation before the court a feast was held in celebration in one of the smaller halls it was there that she meet the queen and the crown prince. The queen was a conundrum to her; she seemed to hate her as much as she hated William which in itself was strange to her. Her hate of William she never understood he was her own son and yet she showed no love for him. Crown Prince Joffery was different, when he first saw her he looked all over her in an leery way that concerned her, she knew William saw it but could do nothing.

Myrcella and Tommen were sweet, Myrcella was a sweet girl who seemed interested in Highgarden and also was deeply excited for the wedding. Tommen was an adorable little boy loved kittens and reading, William had brought her with him to visit him, William interacted so well with his brother but she could see that Tommen was bullied by his oldest brother much to the anger of William. And then there was King Robert, the Usurper, a drunk by the best of terms. The man was in a perpetual state of drunkenness most of the time but William loves him and he loved William so she wasn't too concerned.

William was the most interesting, he was powerless to do anything about his older brother or his mother, and she had spent a lot of time in his wing of the palace. While she hadn't had another bath session with him like she did in Highgarden they did share many private kisses in there wing of the keep, William said that this wing would be there's even after they were married. The many lunches were also quite enjoyable in their personal dining room, they had had dinner with Renly and Loras one of those nights and she really felt like they were a couple. The dinners with the royal family were not so fun the queen and the king were in a constant state of fighting and Joffery would either be making snide arrogant comments or giving her leery looks, or on the nights that King and Queen weren't fighting Cersei would have some almost undisclosed fury at her and William. In all it wasn't that bad and William had said that they would take over as the Castellans of Storm's End when William was a bit older so it wouldn't be forever.

Margaery was roused from her thoughts by the shout of King Robert ordering the party to get moving she looked over to William riding beside her with a smile who said to her "Long journey ahead of us Milady are you sure you want to spend it on the back of a horse?"

"So long I spend it with you my prince I am not all that concerned." She said with a shy smile, Margaery looked at the road ahead it was going to be a long journey, but a good one with many stops as some of the more famous castles of Westeros along the way, and when she returned she would be married to that handsome Baratheon man she loved.


Authors Note: and the great train departs, thanks for the reviews, keep them up they give me reason to keep going.