STANNIS

DRAGONSTONE

Stannis Baratheon is the second son of Steffon and Cassana Baratheon. He was with his brother watching from the ramparts of Storm's End as their parents' ship sunk beneath the waves near Storm's End. While Robert went to Ward with Lord Jon Arryn of the Vale Stannis went to Ward with his mother's family the Estermonts of Greenstone. Renly the youngest remained at Storm's End with his mother's Handmaidens. At the age of 17 when war broke out Stannis returned to Storm's End and with his brother fought the Targaryen loyalists. In that battle Robert was accredited for defeating three armies in one day.

As the eldest Robert commanded Stannis to stay at Storm's End and defend their home. Defending Storm's End was very costly as Mace Tyrell showed up with his army and lay siege to the Castle. If not for a smuggler named Davos Seaworth who smuggled food into the castle; and Eddard Stark who showed up with his army to relieve the siege. The castle would have been lost. When the war was over Stannis married his betrothed Lady Selyse Florent.

Stannis and Robert were never close and they grew even farther apart as Robert had named Renly Lord of Storm's End and bedded a woman of nobility in Stannis wedding chamber. Stannis was made Lord of Dragonstone and his wife lost their first son in childbirth Three years later they lost another child. Then the Iron Born rebelled in the seventh year of Robert's reign. Stannis commanded the fleet that defeated the Iron Born on the sea and carried the majority of Robert's army to the Iron Isles.

After three still born children Selyse gave birth to a daughter Stannis names Shereen. As a baby Shereen is infected with Grey Scale but the Maester was able to save her. Stannis had left King's Landing awaiting his time to be King. As his brother was a blind drunken man whoring fool. Uninterested in ruling the seven Kingdoms. Stannis is in his solar trying to maintain the Royal Fleet as Master of Ships.

There is a knock, "Come in..." He coldly commands.

"My Lord you have guests..."

"Who?"

"They would not identify themselves...They are high born but they wish to speak with you directly..."

Stannis follows the soldier to the main hall where six men are waiting. "Who are you all supposed to be?"

"Jon Stark at your service My Lord..."

He nods, "Ned Stark's bastard...I heard you had been legitimized..."

"These are my companions Donovan, Arnold, Martlyne, and Able..." He looks at the ship captain, "And this is Captain Pennigast of the Jade Runner..."

He looks at Sam, "Samwell Tarly My Lord..."

"I heard you ran away from home..."

"I am not the son my father wanted..."

"So what brings the two of you to my doorstep?"

"Adventure..." Jon says answering. "We both wanted to see the legendary castle of Dragonstone..."

"Two young Lords. One ran away from home and the other a bastard legitimized. Both running all over Westeros wasting their time. If you were my sons I'd box your ears in." Jon was about to speak but Stannis stops him by raising his hand, "Don't bother. The hospitality of Dragonstone is yours. I warn you both to cause no mischief while here."

"We won't my lord we swear."

"Good. How long will you stay?"

"Two days no more."

Just then Stannis' wife enters the main hall, "Ah just in time. My wife Lady Selyse Baratheon."

"What is all this?" Stannis introduces them and tells her why they are at Dragonstone, "This is the King's brother...Remember your upbringing while here."

"Yes My Lady..."

"Diner is promptly at six...If you are late don't show up at all." She looks at Stannis, "My Lord may I speak with you in private."

"Excuse us. Mathos show these men to their rooms..."

"Yes My Lord."

"How long do they intend to stay?"

"Two days I believe..."

"What of Shereen? You know how she likes to wonder the castle. What if they see her?"

"At least she will have some company."

Later they gather to eat evening meal. Selyse serves fish, potatoes, corn, bread, and water. "I do not drink wine or ale...I never acquired a taste for it, but I always keep some for guests..."

"It is fine my Lord I am not a heavy drinker."

"I'll take a goblet." Sam says.

"So will I." Some of Jon's men says and Captain Pennigast.

A redheaded Woman enters the hall, "This is the Lady Melisandre a Priestess of the Lord of Light."

All the men stand up as she comes to the table.

"So after you leave Dragonstone where do the two of you intend to go?" Stannis asks.

"Qarth…" Jon says answering, "...I have read that it is the greatest city in the world."

"Your father is the Warden of the North Jon Stark?"

"Yes My lady. Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell."

"And your mother?"

"She died giving birth to me."

"Who was she?"

"I am told she was a kind and very beautiful woman."

As they eat Stannis imagines that Jon and Sam are the sons he never had. He imagines that his daughter Shereen is at the table as well and had never been infected with Grey Scale as a baby. Oh how he longs for son to carry his blood into the future. Before retiring for sleep Stannis summons Jon to his solar. The Lady Melisandre is there. "You wanted to see me Your Grace..."

"Aye I did...Your father legitimized you after all these years. Why?"

"I was forceful in pursuit of my mother's identity..."

"And his wife?"

"Lady Catelyn has always been there when I needed her."

"I'm going to tell you a secret Jon Stark...My brother and I have never been close. By right Storm's End should be mine, but he gave it to our younger brother Renly. My brother's wife bore three children, but none of them are his...They are all bastards by Cersei's brother..."

"Then that would make you King after Robert."

"Yes...But the Lannisters will not give up their power so easily...I need allies when the time comes...Can I count on you to speak with your father."

"What is it you wish me to do My Lord?"

"Write a letter to your father and tell him what I suspect...If he doesn't believe you tell him to ask Jon Arryn..."

Jon sighs, "I have never been a fan of politics...May I think about it?"

"Of course..." After Jon leaves Stannis looks at Melisandre, "Well?"

"He is hiding something...And I sense greatness in him. That boy could make a powerful ally or a deadly enemy..."

PART II

JON

Stannis hadn't told Jon anything that he didn't already know. He is trying to decide whether or not to help Stannis. Jon goes to his room and as he walks he comes to a decision. With that in hand Jon turns his attention to the real reason he is at Dragonstone. At the midnight hour Jon sneaks out of his room and finds a secret passage that takes him to the lowest part of the castle. After an hour he finds the secret path to the vault. Jon takes a dagger and runs it across his left hand. He drops blood from the wound into the receptacle. Then he places a lit torch in the bowl. The three headed Dragon seal erupts in flames and the door opens.

Jon smiles as he enters the vault. Inside are fifty heavy chests of gold Dragon coins. Hundreds of bags of silver coins, jewels, and bars of gold stacked fifteen high, in rows of ten across. Four stacks each and there is a sword of Valyrian steel sitting on a stand in the center of the room. There is a letter, but it is written in Old Valyrian. Jon takes the sword and the letter, then he searches for the passage that leads to the east side of Dragonstone's beach. He leaves the sword and a bag of gold near the cave and returns to his room.

"Hello!" A little girl says from behind.

"Hello! You must be Shereen."

"And you are?"

"Jon Stark."

"Of Winterfell...I heard the servants talking about how cute you are..."

Jon smiles, "Yes I am from Winterfell..."

"A Dragon, a Dragon in a castle made by Dragons...See how they roar see how burn..."

"This is Patchface…"

"Hello Patchface…"

"The mother was a wolf the father a Dragon..."

"He talks in riddles...It's mostly non-sense..."

Jon understands everything that Patchface says, "You must not speak secrets Patchface…"

"Oh...oh I am sorry..."

"I must be getting back to my room Shereen...You will not tell anyone you saw me?"

"Oh no I won't..."

He gives her a gold Dragon and returns to his room. Before diner the next day Jon goes to see Stannis, "Have you considered my proposal?"

"Yes I have. My father is an honorable man and when he learns the truth of the Queen he will support your claim with no interference from me..." He can tell Stannis is disappointed, but Stannis sees the wisdom in Jon's words. Captain Pennigast excuses himself to prepare the ship to leave. That night Jon shows him men to the secret passage and the tunnel. While they load the gold Jon returns to his room. The next morning after morning meal Jon and Sam leave Dragonstone.