Author's Note:

Sorry for the immense delay between chapters! I have had an incredibly busy weeka and have simply not been satisfied by the content I was able to produce in my limited spare time. Chapter 9 has been republished as I decided that it made no sense and was too convenient towards the plot. Please read the new version before continuing. Thank you all so much for your continued support. As a new writer I am utterly shocked at the overwhelmingly positive response I have received.

The afternoon air was cool and pleasant as the royal party ride down the Kingsroad. Storm's End could be seen in the distance, a small stone speck on a cliffside far away Eddard intended to visit the ancient keep of the Stormlords to restore friendly relations and settle a border dispute between the Stormlands and the Reach. The lands were quiet and deserted, and had not yet recovered from the war, as the occasional burnt farmhouse proved testament to.

Nine months ago, when the Tyrell host moved to besiege Storm's End, they burned half of the Stormlands to attempt to convince stubborn Stannis Baratheon to surrender the castle. His garrison ate their horses and the castle rats before they were prepared to surrender, and were saved by a rear attack from his forces just in time. Cersei rode up beside him on her white palfrey. He had offered her a carriage for the journey, but she had refused graciously.

"It is a pleasant day, is it not?"

"Well enough. The sooner we arrive at Storm's End, the better."

As they approached the towering walls and squat stone round-towers of Storm's End, a party of men in gold and black cloaks trotted out to meet them. At head the column was Renly Baratheon. He was incredibly young, with fair complexion and a shining mop of sleek black hair.

"Good day to you, your highness. We have been expecting you."

"It is a pleasure to see you once more, Lord Renly."

Renly turned to Cersei, smiling warmly.

"Good day to you, your grace."

He reached out and kissed each of her fingers in a slow and deliberate manner. Cersei only stared at him somewhat awkwardly.

"You no doubt know of the matters that I have come to speak of. We should begin our talks as soon as possible."

"Very well, your highness. Follow me!"

Renly lead the royal party through the massive stone gate of Storm's End, exchanging idle chatter with both his men and the King.

The great hall of the Baratheon keep was lined with rich tapestries depicting scenes of Nymeria's conquest of Westeros and the Dance of the Dragons. Above the throne at the rear of the hall flew a banner of a mighty sable stag majestically prancing on a field of pure gold. Mace Tyrell sat on a bench to the left of the throne, and rose to bow as he and Renly entered the hall. Ned's entourage had been sent to their temporary quarters, leaving him to settle this dispute alone.

"Your highness, we are greatly honoured by your immaculate presence."

Mace Tyrell may have had as much political sense as a fish, but he certainly had a way with words.

Renly ushered them to a small oaken round table as servants brought in cups of sour red wine from the Arbor. Ned began as they departed, addressing the Lords.

"My lords, it has come to my attention that you have required my presence to present a solution to a pressing matter, what might the nature of is matter be?"

Renly seized the chance to speak first.

"Your highness, it appears that the Tyrells have seen fit to lay a claim to the village of Stormhallow, a key holding of my loyal bannermen of House Gower."

"This is folly. Stormhallow has been a territory of my bannermen of House Ashford for over a hundred years."

Mace Tyrell sipped his wine in defiance, not going to give into the young Renly without a decent struggle.

The debate lasted for many long hours, before finally being adjourned by Renly's insistence that they should eat and continue discussions on the morrow. Mace, who had the upper hand in the argument after an old map was found indicating that the border village did indeed belong to House Ashford as he had claimed, was reluctant to pause discussions until the morrow, but was eventually won over. After all, the moon was already high in the dark sky by the time their talks had concluded for the day.

They supped on suckling pig and roast chickens in almost complete silence. Stormlands nobles occasionally exchanged courteous remarks but generally the feast concluded in a sullen and melancholy atmosphere. Having ridden for an entire day and talked late into the evening, Ned was incredibly weary.

"My Lords, I think it will be best if I retire for the night. I have ridden for the greater part of a day and wish to rest."

The nobles wished their king a polite farewell, returning to their cups.

He and Cersei strode to the royal chamber of Storm's End. Each great keep was supposed to maintain a royal chamber in case it was to be visited by royalty. Ned had suspected that most of them hadn't been cleaned or used for years, but was pleasantly surprised when opened the great door of his chamber, ushering his queen inside. The slightly airy room was furnished with rich Myrish carpets and ornate and colourful tapestries. A set of scented candles burned on a small sideboard at the rear of the large room.

Cersei undid the fine laces of her bodice, slipping her rich dress off and revealing her dazzling nakedness. Her perfect, subtle curves and the golden shrub between her legs. Ned felt himself growing uncomfortably hard.

'I have not had her properly since the night we were wed. But it would not be proper to bed her here as a guest.'

He slipped off his silken tunic and unlaced his britches, praying to the Old Gods that the dimness of the room would mask his stiff cock.

The two climbed onto the feather bed, welcoming its comfort after a long day's journey. Ned closed his cold grey eyes, prepared to let sleep take him. A few moments later, he felt Cersei's delicate hand fondling his cock, squeezing it passionately. He lazily threw out a hand to swat her's aside, but generally didn't resist her. She was whispering something endearing in his ear as well, but he was far too tired to even begin to comprehend what she was saying. He found sleep eventually, savouring the feeling in his cock.