So it was finally over, after a day of illness, in which Stannis quietly organised a few affairs, knowing of what was to come, Lord Jon Arryn, Lord of the Vale, Warden of the East and Hand of the King died. The man had not suffered, yet in the end, he had still died. The Lannister's had made him pay for investigating.

Robert had raged when he had heard pf the passing of the man who was a father to him.

"Gods!" He had screamed at the Small Council as they convened following the announcement of his death. "Just what I need. Ready the horses and men. We ride for Winterfell. I will have Ned Stark as my Hand with the loss of Jon Arryn."

"Your Grace, is that wise?" Varys ventured, with Stannis sneering internally.

All of these rats, they had all betrayed his brother and himself, especially Renly, that ponce, wherever he was. He hadn't bothered to turn up today, only being an advisor rather than having an actual place on the Council. All of these would get one chance if Robert died like the last time, if they didn't bend the knee, their necks would bend under a blade.

"Damn you Varys!" Robert roared. "Ned is more trustworthy than every man here! I will have him as my Hand or I will have no Hand!" Robert decreed, with Stannis noting the lack of expression from Varys and Baelish especially. The two men were undoubtedly plotting how to turn this to their own agendas, knowing Baelish was aiming to claim the Vale, Stannis had a few ideas of how to counter him already, but with Varys, who knew what the eunuch truly wanted? The man had scarpered from King's Landing only after Stannis had arrived at the Wall, and Stannis had heard no word on him before his death.

"Brother, what of the Targaryen's?" Stannis asked. He knew this would bring Robert's ire out, and turn it on himself, but it was essential they deal with the girl before she became a threat, and if they could remove the mad taint that was Viserys in the same stroke, one less threat to the Baratheon line at least.

"You tell me, brother. After all, you let the dragon spawn escape." Robert growled. "I hear that the bastard Beggar King seeks allies in Pentos, and seeks a fucking Dothraki army. THE DOTHRAKI, STANNIS! Filthy horse savages. He'll get it through marriage, according to Varys' sources."

"Yes, Your Grace." Varys inserted. "I've heard that he plans to wed his sister, Daenerys, to the fierce warlord, Khal Drogo."

"SEE! THE WHORE WILL BE MARRIED! If she becomes pregnant…," Robert let the thought and the threat hang in the air for all to hear as Stannis stared at his brother. He wouldn't let Robert try to unnerve him. He had seen far more than Robert could believe by now, and he would destroy the Targaryen cancer.

The Small Council meeting quickly broke up following this, Stannis watching as Robert strode from the room, the Kingsguard quickly following him, with Varys and Baelish nodding to Stannis before they too slunk from the room, deep in conversation with one another.

'No doubt plotting against each other, myself, and the King.' Stannis sneered as he too left the room.

There was much to do before the Court departed for Winterfell. Firstly, Stannis himself would be going to Winterfell this time. Secondly, Robert Arryn had gone to the Vale with Lysa Arryn, with the boy gone, and a likely Littlefinger plot with Lysa having succeeded, Stannis would have to let the boy go for now, but he would have to watch Littlefinger and counter any moves the minor lord made to try and overtake the Vale. Finally, Stannis would have to get his own spies in place in Essos, to remove the threat of Daenerys Targaryen before she could become a threat this time.

There was much to do, so such little time to do so. The raven informing Lord Stark of the death of Jon Arryn was already flying, and the King planned to begin the month long ride to Winterfell on the morrow.

It was time for House Stark to enter the Game of Thrones.