Stannis sat outside of the tent waiting for news. He was glad that they had decided to bring a healer with them rather than just relying on the resources at Winterfell. Stannis knew some men would die in battle- that was inevitable and unpreventable- but he needed to survive and so did his loyalist, and most able bodied, allies.
"Your grace," Selyse said, as she passed Stannis a hot beverage, "How is our daughter?"
"Good," Stannis replied gruffly, before taking the drink, "Thank you."
Stannis sipped the drink, finding it bitter and a little vile, but reminded himself that they didn't have vineyards in the north and that he would never be seen dead in a tavern. He needed to keep warm and their measly rations would have to do.
"And the Lady Melisandre?" Selyse asked in a tone that reminded Stannis of when Shireen was curious about how something worked.
"Imprisoned," Stannis replied, "I killed my brother, betrayed you, imprisoned Davos and lead his son to his death at Blackwater. I let her get inside my head, a fanatic, after years of turning my back on the gods of all the religions in Westeros and beyond. I let her corrupt me and I… I nearly killed…"
Stannis' eyes were blurred with tears but he refused to cry. He was a practical man- instead of crying and being distraught with guilt and pain he had set to work immediately. He had sent a boy to Castle Black with a request for a healer and horses and carts. He had called his soldiers and sellswords together to announce that they would be returning to Castle Black where they would wait for a fortnight before marching out again- and that they would be expected to train every day and prepare better than they had before. He had created a new rations system- insisting that he be given the same as any other soldier. And most importantly, he had made every man swear in blood to never harm his daughter and to recognise her as the one true Queen of Westeros if he was ever to die in battle.
Now as he watched them pack up their belongings and dust of the snow from tents he felt lost. There was nothing more to do except wait until the boy and Ser Davos returned with horses and carts and food. Then they would travel as soon as it was safe for Shireen.
Stannis sighed deeply. He had completely failed in raising his daughter, and was glad that Davos had stepped in. He wondered how Shireen had turned out so well- so sweet and intelligent, not at all a fanatic, not a cruel bone in her body. In fact she had turned out too well, she hadn't at all suspected that Stannis could be capable of doing something so… awful. She was his one true heir and they had not raised her like an heir should be raised. Stannis had heard a rumour that Arya Stark, Lord Eddard's fourth child and second daughter, had been taught the Bravossi water dance, and she was as far from being his heir as they were from Winterfell.
Shireen would be raised as an heir, girl or not. She would have to learn politics (she had already made a reasonable attempt at that), and sword fighting (she seemed enchanted by the men of the nights watch during training). At least she was good at horse riding- a natural it seemed since she hadn't been riding more than a handful of times in a her life and had handled the road to Winterfell with ease.
And of course, she would learn sailing from Davos. All the men on Dragonstone knew how to sail and many of the women too. If Stannis had been more firm with Selyse then Shireen would have already learnt how to sail- although she would have never been allowed to take part in the siege of the Blackwater.
"I found this," Selyse said, passing Stannis the little stag toy that Davos had made from Shireen, "It's hard to believe it's almost intact."
Stannis nodded, regarding the toy with some confusion, it was charred and the antlers had been damaged but it would be easy to prepare and with the correct paints you would never be able to tell it had suffered so badly, "It's symbolic. If I killed Shireen the soldiers would have abandoned us, I would have had no heir. House Baratheon would have died out whilst that Lannister woman would still be one step behind the throne. It's almost as if Shireen was trying to tell me that."
"Smarter than either of us," Selyse said, "She wasn't at all taken in by Melisandre. In fact Melisandre told me that after she talked to her- that night when we burned my brother- she felt a little lost at what to do. She too felt that Shireen was too stubborn and wilful and even suggested sending her to one of the faith schools for her protection."
Stannis laughed haggardly, "Stubborn and wilful. When used rightly they can make a good leader. We thought Melisandre was our route to victory. It looks like Shireen might be instead."
Selyse instantly understood what Stannis was suggesting, "She is no Azor Ahai. She is frail after spending so long inside. She is bookish- she could be the first female Maester. The best option is for you to take Devan Seaworth as your heir. Betroth Shireen to him- she already loves him, if only as a friend. The boy is good and follows yours and his father's words like they are sacred vows. He is only two years older than her. There is no better match- would you rather her marry a child of incest or some half wild Stark boy?"
Stannis shook his head, "I'd rather her marry a civilised Stark boy. No offense to you or Devan."
Selyse frowned, "The Lord Commander. But men of the night's watch vow to take no wives and father no children. And he is so much older than Shireen!"
Stannis sighed not knowing where to start, "You think Shireen was happy at Castle Black because it was dark and gloomy and filled with rapists and killers. You think Shireen was watching the men fight because she interested in sword fighting, or helping Tarly and that wilding girl just because she is good natured. Shireen is smart, she's likely worked out that Devan and Jon are her only options for marriage. She knows I would approve of a match between her and a former Lord Commander of the Night's watch, made Lord Stark by myself. Devan may be her friend, and true born but the Seaworth's don't have the same influence as the Starks."
"You think Snow is worthy?" Selyse asked with some doubt, "He is a bastard. Who on earth might his mother be? I want to know how my grandchildren will turn out, what blood through their veins. And do you really think Shireen is capable of making such a tactical decision? She's only fifteen."
Stannis half-smiled, "The Stark boy is more than worthy. He has proved himself good and loyal, but not a pushover. I know our grandchildren's blood will be good and strong- a decent mix of Baratheon, Stark, Florents and the Targaryeans blood of our ancestors. As for age, Shireen is smart enough to figure this out, she is fifteen, more of woman than a little girl- despite her looks. The Lord Commander is what? Twenty, twenty one, there have been worse matches made."
Selyse began to speak, but stopped. It seemed as if Stannis's mind was already set.
The healer appeared at the entrance of the tent, smelling of some acrid chemical mixture, his robes dirty with soot.
"How is she?" Stannis asked, "My daughter, will she live?"
"Despite her young looks and her perceived frailty," the healer began, "She is as strong as any lad her age. I have no doubt she will live, your grace. Though as for the repercussions of her injuries, it is too soon to say. I have no doubt she will be much changed both physically and mentally."
Stannis nodded grimly, "Thank you."
"You may see her now," the healer said, "Your grace."
"Thank you," Selyse echoed smiling with relief.
Stannis put a hand on the man's shoulder, "Make sure you eat your fill. We are indebted to you and you are a true ally. I will not forget your kindness."
The healer smiled, "Thank you, your Grace. "
Stannis watched as he walked towards a group of soldier huddled around a tiny campfire.
"Do you think he heard us?" Selyse asked, putting a hand on her husband's arm.
"Probably," Stannis replied, "And so what if he does? No doubt he will realise that Jon is a man of the Night's watch and that it is just speculation."
Stannis pushed on the canvas of tent before walking inside. It was far warmer than outside and a tiny fire glowed in the centre of the tent. His daughter was fast asleep, covered in several layers of furs, she mumbled a little but not in a feverish madness. One bandaged hand lay across the furs. Stannis paused briefly looking at the five or six thick books that Shireen had piled on a makeshift desk. He didn't realise how much of the day Shireen spent reading, and how difficult it would be to tell her that she wouldn't be able to read as often now that she had other duties to attend to.
Selyse sat on the edge of the bed, stroking Shireen's dark wavy hair away from her face and tucking the stag toy under Shireen's arm.
"She is just warm," Selyse said, "Not feverish. Is that a good or bad thing?"
"I don't know," Stannis admitted, "A fever would be a sign of infection. But fevers can also rid the body of infection. We should expect her to be a little feverish in the next few days… with injuries like those."
Selyse nodded but remained silent. She watched as Stannis walked over to the fire in centre of the room and stared at the flames venomously.
"Fire is just fire," Stannis replied, "It kills, it maims. It destroys. There is nothing good that comes from it. I was an agent of fire. So was Melisandre. I almost…"
Then something rare and shocking happened. Stannis staggered a little before reaching the edge of the bed and collapsing next to it. He took Shireen's hand delicately in his, feeling the rough bandages, and he began to sob uncontrollably. He hadn't cried since his parents had died and even then nothing like he was now. Selyse knelt beside him, hugging him to her side.
"Our daughter… our daughter…" Stannis mumbled repeatedly.
Selyse was crying too, she felt so guilty for being cruel to Shireen. For never telling her daughter than she loved her. For not realising that Shireen tried to bring out the best in her. She was reminded of when Shireen was just five and had tried to style her hair by herself for the first time, copying her mother's design. Selyse had been angry that the little girl had tangled her hair so badly but now the memory made Selyse cry. Shireen, her little girl, had wanted to be like her- not cruel and callous or fanatical, she had seen something in Selyse and her father that they had not seen in themselves. A softer, caring side. Something Selyse and Stannis both never believed they had.
She is so much smarter than we ever thought, Selyse thought, to see that we were capable of such emotions. We overlooked her.
It dawned on Stannis and Selyse that Shireen was more than just a pawn in a game of thrones.
