Ninth Month of 281 A.C. Storm's End/ Summerhall

Lord Steffon Baratheon

So it had come to this then, after all of his efforts to try and prevent the breakdown of relations between the Iron Throne and its lords, war had been declared. Even if he had not wanted to admit it for the longest time, even he had finally had had to acknowledge that things had gotten too far under Aerys. The deaths of Brandon Stark and Ashara Dayne for some sort of treason had meant that Lord Rickard now sat in a dungeon in King's Landing and for all intents and purposes Eddard Stark was now Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. No one knew where Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen were and to be honest Steffon found that he did not care.

As it was he was now holding a war council with his most trusted bannermen, Lords Estermont, Tarth and company were all gathered in Storm's End. "My lords," Steffon began. "It has been sometime since we last met under the banner of a war." He paused many of the lords before him had been too young to fight at the Stepstones, they had only ever known peace. "We are here because the tyranny of Aerys Targaryen has gone on for far too long. It is time it was ended and justice was had for Brandon Stark and Ashara Dayne."

There was some murmuring at that and then Lord Dondarrion spoke. "What of Prince Rhaegar? Has there been a word as to where he is?"

Robert spoke then his voice a growl. "The silver dragon remains in hiding. Away somewhere far from where he should be. He will come out eventually."

Lord Caron asks. "What word has there been from Gulltown?"

Steffon speaks then. "The loyalists led by Marq Grafton have been defeated, Gulltown is now a rebel city. Jon Arryn is marching towards Riverrun to meet the northmen under Eddard Stark. I suggest that we prepare to do the same."

"Lords Cafferen and Fell have not deigned to come here though my lord. And we all know Cafferen has held a grudge against your house since before you were born." Ser Matthew Foote says.

"What of it, Cafferen is one man, Fell is another. Combined they can only must a thousand men. Not enough to pose a serious threat." Robert says dismissively.

"That would normally be the case, but new information provides that Lord Grandison and some of the more rural marcher lords have joined them. Animosity towards rebels runs deep in those families still closely connected with the throne." Steffon says. "They are gathering at Summerhall to try and force a march on Storm's End."

"Then we should head out and meet them in the heat of battle. They might think they can beat us if we remain here, like sitting ducks." Robert says loudly.

A score of the younger lords and knights present voice their agreement, and Steffon waits for the noise to die down before he gives his response to his son. "We shall be riding out to meet them Robert. For now though we must wait for them to get to Summerhall before we strike out and ride for battle."

"But by that point it might be too late for us to make a visible impact on the course of the battle and the war." Robert protests.

Steffon smiles at that. "And that is why you shall be leading the vanguard onto Summerhall to greet them when they get there. They shall not be expecting that."

There is some stunned silence at that before, Lord Eldon speaks. "Whilst I can see the merit in sending the vanguard up and before the main host to Summerhall, is it not a bit risky sending Ser Robert up ahead in command? After all he is your heir."

Steffon knows his goodfather has something of an interest but still he merely says. "Robert will one day be leading these very same men. It is time he saw what war is, instead of merely learning of it. Robert shall command the vanguard."

Lord Caron speaks then. "Aye, what Lord Steffon says makes sense. After all Ser Robert shall be the one leading the charge in most battles. No offence to you my lord, but you are not exactly young anymore."

Robert begins to bluster his way through a retort, but Steffon merely smiles and says. "Indeed I am not my lord. That is why Robert shall be the one leading the vanguard."

Lord Swann speaks then asking. "And what of Ser Stannis will he be marching with us to Summerhall?"

Steffon shakes his head. "As I and Robert shall be marching to Summerhall and to war, it is best if Stannis remains behind to hold the castle. After all there must always be a Baratheon in Storm's End."

There is some general murmuring at that, when Lord Selwyn Tarth his old friend asks. "And what of the rest of the alliance, what news is there on them?"

Steffon nods. "Lord Eddard Stark is to wed Catelyn Tully in his brother's place in order to cement that alliance. And I do believe Elbert Arryn will be wed to Lysa Tully as Jon Arryn's heir, once the Valemen have reached the riverlands."

"And what of Tywin Lannister what will he do?" Selwyn asks.

"Tywin?" Steffon says. "He will remain in the Rock and bide his time to see who will come out on top and who will not."

"Man always too cautious by half. Perhaps we wouldn't be in this mess now if he had just allowed Aerys to die at Duskendale. Perhaps the whole realm would have been better off." Lord Terrence Toyne says.

Steffon grits his teeth and then says. "Perhaps, but it might have been worse off. Either way who are we to say of the past and possible changes? We have a war to fight and win now. Robert I want you to leave tonight."

His son nods and the war council comes to an end. Before Robert leaves though, Steffon calls a family council for one last time. His wife, and Stannis's wife are there as well as Steffon himself, Robert and Stannis. "When do you march father?" Stannis asks.

"Tonight. We shall need to give battle as early as possible. Otherwise Cafferen and Grandison shall progress forward far too quickly." Steffon responds

"You think that they shall move forward to the riverlands?" Robert asks.

"Not to the Riverlands no, Cafferen has had his eyes set on Storm's End since before I was born. He is old and remembers all the insults that were done to him." Steffon says.

"But he does not have the strength to take Storm's End with the men he has. You, yourself said as much in council today father." Robert says.

Steffon nods and says. "Aye with just those men with him he does not. But Mace Tyrell shall come calling soon enough and we must be ready for when he does. Now Stannis have you brought in all the supplies and foodstuffs as I asked you?"

His second son nods. "All foodstuffs were brought in a month ago, as were supplies. We have enough to last through a long siege. How long I am not sure, but long enough. So long as this war does not drag on we should be fine."

Steffon nods. "Good, that is very good. You shall need every bit of food and supply that you can get when the Tyrells come knocking."

"What makes you so sure the Tyrells will come father?" Jeyne asks.

Steffon looks at his gooddaughter then and says. "Because Mace Tyrell is cautious, he will want to play both sides and wait and see which comes out the more successful. He will lay siege to Storm's End so that he can say to Aerys that he has been doing something in the war effort. He will also lay siege to Storm's End so that he can say to us that he was not actively participating in the war."

"So he is playing both sides like a craven then." Stannis says derisively.

"Not like a craven, like a smart man. Mace Tyrell might appear to be a bumbling oaf, but there is some cunning there." Steffon says.

"And what of the situation then with the throne my love?" Cassana asks. "You have declared rebellion against Aerys, who is the lawful king, but no one will see him sit the throne anymore. Will you fight for Prince Rhaegar or for yourself?"

It is a tough question and one Steffon dreads, but he merely says "I shall fight to see Aerys tyranny end and to bring about more peace and stability to the realm."

"And what will you do if they crown you king?" Cassana asks.

"Then I shall accept and move forward from there." Steffon replies. There is silence for a long time and then Steffon says. "Very well then. We are done here. Robert have your men ready to march after evening meal." His son nods, and once evening meal has been had, Steffon is ready and armoured but he sees his son off and says "be well Robert. Fight true and may the gods look faithfully upon you. See you at Summerhall."

"Aye father, see you at Summerhall. Where we shall bathe in the blood of the traitors." Robert responds and then he rides off his men following at a quick pace.

Once his son has faded into memory, and the moon is at its highest peak, Steffon himself mounts his horse and dons his helm. Cassana comes up to him and says softly. "Be safe my love, and return home to me."

"I will endeavour to do so my love." Steffon says. Then aloud to his men he says. "Men of the Stormlands, we have rebels to kill!" with that his men roar and they are off.

They come to Summerhall as the sun is rising, his men are tired, but the battle they join is already in full pelt. Steffon keeps an eye out for Robert, but soon enough he himself is engaged in his own battle. Swinging his sword left, right and centre, hacking and slashing, cutting men down to size. Fighting through his own tiredness to kill the enemy one by one by one. On it goes, swinging, hacking, cutting, ducking and dodging, he keeps swinging his sword, bathing it red in blood.

The battle continues, the enemy pushes back and Steffon takes a fair few blows, here, and there. His armour digs into his skin, dents begin to appear, blows become more and more pronounced as his tiredness begins to set in. his reactions begin to slow down, and his armour gets dented, and blood begins to flow through from his wounds. On and on it goes, fighting and swinging, and blocking, swinging and fighting, on and on through the pain and the agony he fights on and the enemy fights on.

The battle comes to a slow close, Lord Cafferen is killed by Steffon, a swing of his sword and then a clean cut through the man's chest. Lord Fell is killed by Robert and his son Silveraxe surrenders. The rest of the enemy slowly surrender and soon are welcomed into the fold. At the council held to decide their next move, they receive news of the Tyrell host descending from Ashford, Robert volunteers to march out and meet them, Steffon reluctantly agrees, on the condition that Robert march for the Stoney Sept the moment defeat looks likely. Other issues are discussed backwards and forwards on and on it goes. And then a surprise comes when it is Lord Grandison who roars for silence and says. "I am done worshipping the Targaryens. Their dragons are dead, their king is mad, and their heir is a rapist. Who wants them as kings anymore? Not me! I say we have a perfect king right here before us. All hail the one true king Steffon of the House Baratheon." Others begin taking up the chant, and soon enough his lords have knelt and done him fealty. A crown is forged quickly and then they ride for the Stoney Sept. He can just imagine who Aerys will burn upon hearing this news. He hopes his mother can forgive him.