Storm's End
Orys Baratheon's march to Storm's End saw the submission of every single lord he came across. All along the way the common folks lined up along the road bowing their heads in submission as the Targaryen battle standard marched past. Lords eager to demonstrate their newfound loyalty donated troops to add to Orys' growing force. By the time his army camped outside of the walls of Storm's End, it was totaling about ten thousand.
Storm's End was even more impressive than Orys imagined it would be. A single massive drum tower shaped like a fist rose into the sky, as if it was defying the gods themselves. The tower was decked in battlements and surrounded by walls so powerful it was said that not even the wind can pass through it. Orys was well aware of the tale of Storm's End construction and he wondered by Argilac didn't await siege with such an impressive fortress in his control.
"No doubt we would've lost had Argilac stayed here," Balion Qoherys remarked as they neared the castle.
Orys ordered his men to camp a short distance away from the castle walls, just outside range of their archers. Even with her lord father dead and her vassals deserting her, the daughter of Argilac still had an impressive garrison defending Storm's End. And with the sea route still open, Orys was well aware he could never take the castle by force. Aegon and the dragons were nowhere near here and so far the only thing keeping the lords from rebelling was the shock of Argilac's death. Orys knew he needed the daughter of the Storm King to bend her knee quickly before the smaller lords realize the weakened position Orys was in.
"What is your command general?" a captain asked as Orys dismounted from his war horse. A soldier took the horse by its reins and pulled it away.
"Tell the men to rest," Orys replied as he pulled his gauntlets off his hands and handed it to another soldier. "I've already dispatched a messenger to Storm's End. All that is left to do is wait for their response."
"Of course sir," the soldier bowed and retreated.
"And make sure to tell Balion Qoherys not to let our guard down!" Orys shouted after the soldier.
Elena stood on top of a watchtower, looking down at the army camped below the castle. There were probably ten thousand men down there, possibly more. By comparison she had less than half that amount. But she held Storm's End, a fortress that has never fallen ever since the first Storm King Durran raised it centuries ago. The sea passage was still open, which meant she could hold the castle and continue to resist. But who would help her?
Her father's arrogant behavior has isolated many of the nearby vassal lords, who jumped onto Aegon's boat as soon as Orys Baratheon came. The other "kings" didn't look upon him kindly either. The lords of Crackclaw Point had always been hostile and now there was news that King Mern of the Reach has gathered his banners to march on the Stormlands. The truth was Elena was trapped and isolated here in the one fortress she still commands.
"My lady," Maester Aeolred said as he joined Elena on the watchtower.
"They vowed to serve my father," Elena said bitterly as she looked down on all the banners that were flown in the enemy camp. "They vowed to serve the Storm King. Yet when the invaders come they betrayed him."
"The Storm King is dead my lady." Aeolred shook his head sadly and sighed. "These lords only follow the strong."
Aeolred had a point. Argilac had died without a male heir but by the rules of succession, Elena was supposed to take his place and reign was the Storm Queen. But she had so far refused to do so. "What should I do Maester? Should I bend my knee to Aegon or should I fight until the end?"
"The answer to your question lies within the heart, not the mind," Aeolred replied. He smiled and added, "But I think you already know the answer."
"How many men do we have?"
"About five thousand, but most of them are peasant spearmen we levied before the Targaryen forces arrived. They will break as soon as they sense defeat."
"But these walls will hold them back. Not even the gods broke Storm's End."
"Circumstances change my lady. With these forces the Targaryens can't hope to win. But if Aegon decides to bring his dragons south, then it might be a different story."
"And what does the court thinks?"
"With all due respect my lady, I am the court now. The others have fled before Orys Baratheon arrived."
Elena sighed. "Then it doesn't seem I have a choice does it?"
Aeolred smiled. There was sadness in his eyes.
Just a day ago Orys Baratheon was worrying about his lords deserting him in the face of a long siege against the remaining forces of Argilac. But favor fortunes the bold and later that night he received a message from the castle stating that Elena, Argilac's heir, was willing to surrender. And now Orys sat on top of Argilac's throne in Storm End's massive court with all the lords and ladies of importance kneeling before him. His guards were position around the court, making sure the surrender process went smoothly.
Orys stood up and unfurled the proclamation Rhaenys had given him before he departed King's Landing. He cleared his throat and read out loud, "By orders of Aegon Targaryen, True King of Westeros, Orys Baratheon is hereby proclaimed the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and will rule the region in my name." His voice echoed around the hall.
Orys was a bit stunned by this but he kept his surprise to a minimal. "I accept the surrender of all lords who had previously served Argilac and will forgive all crimes you may have committed against me. I accept your oaths of fealty and you will continue to rule your lands in my name. You have my guarantee that your possessions, lands, and families will not be harmed. Those who serve me well will be rewarded and those who still dare to go against me will feel my wrath."
Orys finished reading and handed the proclamation to a guard. The lords standing below drew their swords and laid them before Orys. They each took a bow then slowly filed out of the room. Elena, the daughter of Argilac, bowed too and Orys nodded, indicating to her that she may now leave. As she walked out a pair of guards followed, a precaution Orys had took to make sure she stayed in line. Although Orys allowed her to keep her room and maids within the castle, he nonetheless needed to make sure she doesn't try to do anything foolish.
"Oh what I am going to do with you." Orys sighed. On the battlefield Orys was second only to Aegon yet when it comes to a single woman, Orys wasn't sure what to do. He wished he would rather be incompetent on the battlefield - at least there would be people to advise him. But who is going to advise him on women? He shook his head, trying to throw the thought of Elena out of his head.
Orys coughed and fidgeted uncomfortably on the large granite throne. He felt more comfortable in a simple wooden chair or on horseback. The life of a ruler doesn't really suite him much. I better get used to this, he thought to himself. I'm going to do this a lot more in the future.
"My lord?" a young page asked.
"Hm?" Orys replied, breaking out of his thoughts and looking up at the young man.
"What should we do with these swords?" Orys looked down and saw nearly a hundred swords laid down below.
"Send them to King's Landing. His Grace the King will know what to do with them."
"And what about you my lord? Would you prefer some food or perhaps a bath?"
My lord. Orys had always been a general and was commonly known as "ser". But now suddenly he was lord of the Stormlands. That might take some time to get used to. "No. I think I'll have a walk around."
Elena was very well aware of the guards following her but she paid no mind to them. She would prefer that they didn't follow her everywhere she went but she didn't have a choice. She was now a prisoner in her own home and since Aegon has granted Orys Baratheon control of the Stormlands, Storm End would now become his home. She quickly entered her room and closed the door tightly behind her.
Orys Baratheon was an interesting person. His handsome features aside, he seem to exhibit the innocence of a military man who had never touched politics. How well that would serve him in the future Elena could only guess. But there was something else. Elena could never guess him. He seems to be the type of person who wouldn't let anyone guess his plans. No matter how hard she tried, she can't figure him out or what he is trying to do. She had always considered herself good at reading people, but he was the exception.
There was a sudden knock on her door and one of her handmaidens entered. "My lady lord Baratheon wishes to see you."
"What does he want?" she whispered to herself. She sat up straight on her bed and said in a loud, commanding voice, "Send him in."
Moments later Orys Baratheon, still in his battle armor, walked into the room.
"My lady," Orys said.
"What can I do for you my lord?" Elena pretended to be very interested with her nails and did not make eye contact with the general.
"I was just checking to see how you were doing," Orys replied hastily. "I hope you are well."
"How can I not be? After all you were gracious enough to provide me your escorts." The sarcasm was clear, even a military man like him should be able to notice.
"Your safety is my utmost concern," he replied with a grin. Elena wasn't sure if he was too dumb to understand her sarcasm or if he's playing her game.
"This is my home; I think I know it better than you," she said defiantly.
"Was your home," Orys corrected. "If I recall just this morning I read a proclamation by the King that named me the new owner of this castle. I was just about now pondering the thought of my new sigil and words."
"I'm sure it must be really difficult for you."
"On the contrary I already have something in mind."
"Really now, do share."
"I'm adopting the sigil and words of your family as my own."
"You're mad!" Elena gasped. She wasn't expecting this; what game was he playing at? "What do you think you're doing?"
"Legitimizing," was his only response.
Suddenly she understood. "Whatever you're thinking of doing, don't. I won't allow it."
"You don't have much of a choice."
"You put killed my father and put his head on a spike!"
"It was war. He would've done the same thing to me."
"That's not going to convince me to change my answer."
Orys chuckled. "I don't need to convince you," he said playfully. "You already convinced yourself."
Elena blushed, how did he guess? "How dare you!"
"Face it, it's the truth. You know what I'm offering and you know what is at stake. As long as you don't try anything foolish, everything will stay the same. I'll even let you run the affairs of the Stormlands. And you will be able to prevent your family line and your family's legacy from going extinct. Better give me your answer soon, I'm only going to make this offer once."
"Everything will stay the same?"
"Everything."
"I want a proper burial for my father."
"Done."
"And you must construct another throne, side by side with the one already there."
"Does that mean you accept?"
Elena smiled. "Do I really have much of a choice?"
