Jasper was waiting solemnly just inside the gate of Storm's End for his father's body to arrive. His father had determined not to be buried in King's Landing but in Storm's End, the castle of his birth and Jasper would be the one to inter him in the earth. Everyone was in black, from Ser Courtnay and Arya to the stableboys and cooks, everyone of them had put down their tasks for the day and was waiting for the casket bearing the first Baratheon King to pass through the raised portcullis. The gods seemed to be marking the day as well, for a constant deluge of rain was drenching the courtyard, no one complained, not even Arya, they all waited patiently for his father to come, and for that Jasper was grateful. Arya had had to smack him over the head with his own scabbard two days ago, for he had learned that his elder brother Joffrey was not coming, nor was his mother, he had started to smash up one of the rooms but Arya beat some sense into him. Renly had not been heard of and Stannis could not come for the burial, apparently there were troubles on Dragonstone that required his attention, but he had sent Shireen with her uncle, Axell Florent to observe, the proceedings. Shireen was on his right hand side, with Arya on his left. Shireen had not known her uncle well, but she was saddened by his loss all the same. Some of the bannermen of the Stormlands, as well as many knights, had come to bid farewell to Robert. Bryce Caron, Rolland Storm, Guyard Morrigen, Balon Swann and others as well, all come to pass on their farewells to their king.

One of the knights accompanying the casket was Ser Hugh of the Vale, the former squire of Lord Arryn, who Beric had unseated in the tourney of the Hand. Jasper had always wondered if Lord Stark had gotten around to talking to him, he made a mental note to speak to Ser Hugh once the formalities were done. He would ask about the suit of armour and how the recently knighted boy could afford it. He would also recommend that the boy get a squire of his own, for his armour was fastened incorrectly, in battle that would be fatal.

The casket arrived and all heads bowed simultaneously. The knights bearing black banners that companied it all dismounted and bowed their respects to Jasper, who acknowledged them before placing his hand upon the glass, which was the closest he would get to touching his father again. He nodded, not wanting to delay and the casket was taken to the prepared burial site. As it was lowered into the earth, the High Septon, who had accompanied it, blessed it and prayed for the soul of Robert, a prayer that Jasper joined in himself, adding in a verse to the only goddess who had truly had his worship, Elenei. The party then silently marched to the great hall of Storm's End, where a last feast for Robert, with a primary dish of boar as he had requested in his last letter, would be held and Jasper would have to speak out about his father in a last speech.

The meal was both respectful and yet not outrageous, most of the guests came up to Jasper to offer their condolences, but also happily ate and drank in memory of Robert. When it was done, everyone looked to him. So he got up, cleared his throat and began his speech.

"My father, he did not die in the most graceful way for someone addressed as "your grace" should. Being gored by a rampaging boar due to being too drunk is not a song to be sung by the minstrels in recognition of great deeds. In his last years he ate too much, drank too much, whored too much, was fat, had no interest in running his kingdoms, leaving that to others, was irresponsible with money, was obsessed with vengeance for a past slight and was overall, not what you would consider the best of kings." People looked on in alarm, he knew that they were thinking that it was not proper to slander someone who had just died, but Jasper needed them to bear with him. So he continued. "However, let us not forget his greatness in earlier life, this is the man who won three battles in a single day at Summerhall, this is the man who slew Rhaegar Targaryen in the raging waters of the Trident, this is the man who brought an end to the reign of the Mad King who filled all with terror, this is the man who tore down the three hundred year old Targaryen dynasty, this is the man who forced Balon Greyjoy to kneel at Pyke, this is the man who gave us seventeen years of peace!" He paused for effect, "slightly interrupted by the Greyjoys but fuck them anyway", there was a smattering of laughter at that, for which Jasper was glad. "So I will ask everyone here to raise their glasses, to the first Baratheon King. To King Robert!"

"TO KING ROBERT!" Everyone echoed, downing their drinks before applauding Jasper's speech as he retook his seat.

The feast ended shortly afterwards and Jasper, remembering what he had planned to do, sought out Ser Hugh, finding the plain looking knight leaning against a pillar not far away. "Ser Hugh", he called out and the knight turned to him.

"My prince", he said solemnly, bowing his head.

"Walk with me Ser Hugh", Jasper said, indicating for Ser Hugh to join him, which the new knight did. "I was wondering Ser Hugh", Jasper said, "where did you get the silver for your armour, it could hardly be a cheap set, a suit that quality?"

"Lady Arryn left me some silver my prince", Ser Hugh replied, and based upon his lack of movement in his face, and the lack of a tremor in his voice, he was telling the truth.

"Did she say why?"

Ser Hugh's eyebrows furrowed in thought. "No", he said slowly, "I do not believe she did."

"Well did you do anything for her?" Jasper demanded, rather inappropriately for someone in his position, and given why they were all here.

"I did fetch something for her", Ser Hugh replied, finishing the wine in his hand. "It was from a Lyseni merchant, I simply handed her some parchment and then got a small bottle in return." He then turned to Jasper fully, "if you will forgive me my prince", Hugh said solemnly, although he was clearly insulted by Jasper's lack of respect for his position. "I was only to stay for the first part of the funeral, I should return to the Vale." As the knight left, Jasper pondered what he had said. Did Lysa Arryn have something to do with her husband's death. It was only after Ser Hugh had vanished from sight, that he remembered he had not told him about his need for a squire, or asked if Lord Eddard had asked him something similar. Maybe he would send Lord Stark a raven the next day just in case.

Later, after had Jasper retreated to his chambers, lying on the bed staring at the canopy of it doing nothing. He wasn't thinking, he wasn't breathing, he wasn't trying to do anything, he was just… there. Then there was an unexpected knock at his door. "Enter", he called. The door opened and Arya came in, which surprised Jasper greatly. "What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I wanted to see if you were okay", Arya said, in a voice that sounded very unlike Arya.

"Are you?" Jasper asked in reply, "this isn't like the Arya I know."

"I haven't lost my father", she pointed out, sitting on the bed. Jasper sat up and swung his legs of so they were sitting next to each other. "I don't know how you are feeling, but I want you to be okay. You are my friend."

Jasper smiled and placed his hand on her leg. "I thank you Arya, for your concern, but I will be fine. I just need some… time."

Arya hugged him, which surprised Jasper so it was a few seconds before he hugged her back, holding her warm body close to his own. He kissed her cheek when she pulled away and, although she made a show of wiping it off with her sleeve, she smiled and did not complain. Progress, Jasper thought.

"Well time may be what you don't have", Jasper and Arya jumped as Beric barged into the room. "This just came from King's Landing", he held up a letter stamped with the Royal Seal. Jasper sighed, he could not be dealing with his brother now, his brother who had not even deigned to come to their father's funeral.

Jasper opened and read the letter.

Jasper

I am writing to you so that you may come to King's Landing and, as sworn Lord of Storm's End and the Stormlands, swear fealty to the King, Joffrey Baratheon, first of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. This is absolutely essential, we need your support now more than ever, Robb Stark marches south and Renly has raised the banner of rebellion in Highgarden, wedding Margaery Tyrell to press his claim on the throne.

We need you now my son, please, come swiftly.

Your mother

Cersei Lannister, Queen Regent

Jasper had to re-read the letter multiple times before he understood what was written there in the least. Renly raising his banners was a surprise, but with eight other constituent regions to contend with, even the Reach was no threat. But what Jasper did not understand is why Robb was marching south, had Lord Eddard summoned him, and if so for what reason, where was he, his mother had not said where he was. What reason was there for him doing so? "Beric, those knights who accompanied my father's body", he looked at his sworn shield, "they came from the capital didn't they?"

"Yes Jasper, they did", Beric replied.

"Bring them here", Beric nodded and left. Arya looked at him, questioningly. "My mother says that your brother is marching south, but she did not say why, I would have answers before I leave for the capital."

"Robb is marching south?" Arya asked.

Jasper nodded, "with a strong host too."

Beric returned after a short silence and Jasper stood up to question the knights. "I have only one question and I ask you to answer it truthfully. Why is Robb Stark marching south?" The knights looked at each other uncomfortably before one of them spoke up. "Have you not heard my prince. Lord Stark has been arrested for treason, he tried to steal the throne."

"WHAT!" Jasper roared. "Firstly, I don't believe that, secondly, why on this good earth was I not told!"

"We do not know my lord', another knight said, 'we just assumed you were."

"Well I was not and now I have questions, questions that must be answered. Ready your horses and equipment. Beric send word to the kitchens and rally another dozen knights, we ride for the capital at dawn."

"That would not help anyone my lord", it was the maester of Storm's End, Varwyn, a middle aged greying man with a pointed brown beard. "This letter just arrived. Lord Stark has been executed on the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor."