To gugadg: Jon only had Raynald Westerling killed. The rest of House Westerling are sort of being held until the end of the war.
Chapter 35
The Stormlands. The part of Westeros that had belonged to the Baratheons since Orys had slain the last of the Storm Kings, Argilac the Arrogant. This was the land that Robert Baratheon would have been lord of, had he not killed Rhaegar and taken the Iron Throne. This was now where Robert Baratheon's brother, Stannis, resided. Defeated by the Lannisters in the Battle of Blackwater Bay, he had retreated to Storm's End with his force of nearly one thousand.
Rhaenys and Daenerys had both wanted to kill Stannis Baratheon. They wanted to make him pay. It was almost laughable how similar the two women thought alike. Almost, but not quite. Jon had instead chosen to treat with Stannis; it was Robert that killed his father and started the war, not Stannis. By no means should Stannis have to pay for his brother's actions.
"Do you think he'll listen to us?" Robb asked, ridinng beside him. Daenerys and Jaime Lannister were a ways behind them, speaking with one another. Her dragons were nowhere to be seen. They had passed Summerhall, hardly bothering to stop despite the curiosity of both Jon and Daenerys. It was supposedly where Rhaegar had been born, and as both had heard, where it all began. But they had more pressing matters that concerned them; their goal was Storm's End, where Stannis had holed himself up.
Jon shrugged. "I don't know. He listens to the Red Woman, perhaps she can help convince him to surrender peacefully." He didn't mention that Melisandre would more than likely just kill Stannis if he refused to give up to them. The woman would do anything for her prophecy.
"I don't think we'll be able to do this without much bloodshed." His brother - cousin, he had to remind himself, although Robb would never stop being his brother - looked to him. "Not everyone can be saved, you know."
"I know. We can only hope he'll listen to reason. Superior forces, a better claim, a larger grasp on the country; what else does Stannis need to know that he's beaten?"
"He'll fight for what he believes in, and he believes he has the rightful claim to the throne. He's a stubborn man and an honest one, I think. Reminds me of someone else," Robb added, nudging Jon's shoulder.
"You're thinking of Rhaenys. She's the one who fought all those years. I'm just a front. She's the mastermind behind it all," he said, laughing alongside Robb. It felt good to laugh again; he'd almost forgotten what it sounded like.
Their conversation was interrupted by a rider, one of the scouts sent ahead. He reined up near Jon. "Your Grace," he began, "Lord Stannis has sent a group of men. They will be here soon."
"Thank you. Rest, you've done good work," Jon commanded the rider, who left with a nod. He turned to Robb. "What do you make of it?"
His cousin shook his head. "Could be Stannis has found his senses and is sending them to escort you. Or it could be that they are here to hopefully kill you. Either way, we won't know anything until we speak with them."
Melisandre wouldn't let him kill me. I'm too precious to her, he thought to himself. No, the riders were here to escort them or to warn them off. Stannis wouldn't act without Melisandre, and Melisandre wouldn't allow this.
Within some minutes, they could see the group in the distance. There were around six or seven men, carrying a stag in a fiery heart. Storm's End was still a few miles away, so it was a little strange to see them now. Some nearby archers drew back their bows, but Jon had them stand down. If Stannis wanted to talk peace, he wouldn't botch it up because of a misunderstanding.
They slowed as they approached, stopping completely in front of Jon. One of them brought his horse forward a little more, showing himself to be the leader. "His Grace, Kinng Stannis, offers to speak with Lord Stark and his half-brother, Jon Snow."
Robb bristled next to him, and Jon had to fight to contain his anger. Six of the eight kingdoms belong to me, and he still denies my claim.
"You will address him as King Jon," Robb growled, "and speak with more respect. Or are you so blind that you cannot see the army of ten thousand behind us?"
The man's face was red, though from rage or humiliation, Jon wasn't sure. He spoke through gritted teeth, "You may have an army, but Kinng Stannis has the one true claim. You will bow to him.."
A soft chuckle had most of them turning around to find the source. Jon didn't bother, he knew who is was. Daenerys led her horse over to them, her bloodriders following. "Stannis is a usurper. The dragon eats the stag. We will not bow to your false king."
"We are here to speak with the pretender and Lord Stark, not some whore that serves one or both of them." The man spoke as though just that disgusted him.
Daenerys' eyes blazed, but she grinned menacingly. "I am Daenerys Stormborn, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khaleesi of Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles, Mother of Dragons, and the second wife of King Jon Targaryen. Who are you?" Her claim wasn't the truth, but it wasn't a complete lie, either. They were betrothed, and they would be married probably as soon as they had the Stormlands under control.
The man's eyes had widened, and he tried to hide his surprise. "I am Ser Axell Florent, brother of the Queen Selsye."
"Well, Ser Axell, you would do well not to insult my nephew. Our army is much larger than whatever forces you have. And I have three dragons. We could just as easily burn you as we could speak with you. In fact," she added thoughtfully, "burning you might be easier."
Ser Axell looked uneasy, as did his companions. Whether they believed that she had dragons or not, they had an army right behind them, and a single word could have the envoy killed. None of them seemed prepared to die.
"Daenerys, that won't be necessary," Jon interrupted before his aunt could say anything more. She gave him an innocent smile. "We will go with Ser Axell Florent to Storm's End and hear what Stannis Baratheon has to say." Just to be sure Stannis's men did not become too confident, he added, "Then we will decide if they shall burn or not."
Storm's End was an impressive fortress. Its walls were massive and thick, surrounding it completely. The seaward side led to a drop into the water below. The tower accommodated many of the necessary rooms comfortably. Stored inside was enough food to last nearly a year. And if that wasn't enough, the castle had never fallen to a siege or a storm in all its history. It was obvious why Stannis chose to come here rather than Dragonstone.
Jon's army had been left outside the walls, uneasy with their king entering with little guard. Only Jon, Robb, Jaime, and Daenerys had been allowed to enter. Stannis refused to allow anyone else inside; he wanted to talk peace and that was it. Lady Melisandre had not shown her face yet, though the men spoke of her enough.
Axell Florent led them to meet with Stannis. The man was arrogant, boastful, incompetent - Jon was thankful Daenerys' dragons weren't there. They may have reflected her mood and decided to eat the idiot. It wouldn't have helped their cause in any way possible.
"Your Grace, I present Lord Robb Stark, Warden of the North, Lord of Winterfell, Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, and Jon Snow," Ser Axell announced. He smirked as he passed Jon, pleased that he could get away with naming Jon a bastard. He only glared at the man. Nothing could be done of it yet.
As it happened, Jon or his companions didn't need to say anything regarding what Axell Florent had called him. "He is Jon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar and Lyanna," Melisandre chided the knight. She stood from where she had been sitting at the head of the table, walking past a flustered Axell Florent.
She stopped before Jon. "Your Grace," she said in a low voice, bowing her head. The red ruby at her throat pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Lady Melisandre," he said in return. His eyes flickeered over to the figure at the table. Melisandre, without following his gaze, answered the unspoken question.
"Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End." Stannis was not exactly what Jon had been expecting. He was large, like his brother Robert, and had the black Baratheon hair. He had a beard on his jaw, and his skin was taut on his face. His eyes were dark blue, and watched Jon with mistrust.
There was silence between the two of them, broken only by the crackling of a fire. No doubt, Melisandre insisted on having it fed and alight at all times. Jon had stepped closer to the table, shadowed by his three companions. The only others in the room were Melisandre, Ser Axell Florent, Stannis, and a man they had yet to be introduced to.
Stannis was the one to speak first. "So you are Jon Targaryen, the man trying to take my throne from me." Jon had to send Daenerys a pointed look to keep her from speaking up against that. You'll have your chance.
"I am," he answered, "and you must be Stannis Baratheon, the man laying claim to the throne my family built." Stannis's lips formed a half-smile.
He gestured to the unknown man. "This is my Hand, Ser Davos Seaworth." Davos gave a nod of acknowledgment. "My sister's brother, Ser Axell Florent." Ser Axell gave Jon a look of hate. "And Melisandre of Asshai, a priestess of the Lord of Light."
"My Hand, Robb Stark. One of my Kingsguard, Ser Jaime Lannister. My aunt, Daenerys," Jon replied calmly.
Stannis looked at everyone of them, as if judging who they were. "Take a seat." They did as he bid them; it was his holdfast and they would listen to him for now. "Why are you here, Jon Targaryen?"
"To talk peace. There is no reason for the two of us to be fighting."
"There is plenty of reason. My claim is strongest to the Iron Throne, it is mine by right."
"That may be so, but the people of Westeros wish for me to be their king. Dorne, the Reach, the North, the Iron Islands, the Riverlands - they all support me. The Westerlands lay under my control. You barely hold Storm's End," he pointed out as inoffensively as he could. Stannis still clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together.
"I have the true claim."
"Does it really matter if I can just as easily defeat you in battle? My father had the true claim. Your brother killed him and took his throne. What is stopping me from doing the same?"
Instead of answering, Stannis changed the subject. "You are married to your half-sister, are you not? Why is she not here with you?"
"She remains behind in Casterly Rock, safe."
"Do you fear for her life then? Is that why she has not come with you? Because you do not think you can protect her?" Jon forced himself to remain calm. Stannis was only trying to provoke him.
"She stays because I think we would both prefer our son to be born somewhere as safe as Casterly Rock." His statement was met by surprise from most. Obviously, Melisandre had not informed them that Rhaenys was with child.
Jon continued on the original matter. "I have an heir, an army, and most of the Seven Kingdoms. Why do you still defy me? I was told you were a just man, a reasonable man. How is fighting against impossible odds reasonable?"
"I have the blessing of the Lord of Light," Stannis said, his voice practically a growl.
"Do you really believe that?" Jon asked, shaking his head. Stannis nodded.
"King Stannis is the Lord's Chosen. He is the one true king," Axell Florent declared, glaring at Jon.
"Melisandre visited me while I was on my deathbed. She healed me, then told me that the Lord of Light had chosen me to be the one that defeats the Great Other. I do not believe in R'hllor; my faith remains in the old gods. Yet, if she says that you are the one true king, why is it that the seven kingdoms have chosen me as their ruler?" His question was met with silence, broken only by the grinding of Stannis's teeth.
Stannis turned to Melisandre. "Is it true, what he says?"
Melisandre appeared completely unfazed by any of this. "Yes. I did not see clearly in my fires. I was wrong." She turned to Jon. "You are Azor Ahai, the Lord's Chosen. You will defeat the Great Other, and rule as the king of the Seven Kingdoms." She had walked over to Jon, her hand now resting on his cheek. He had an overwhelming urge to step away, but refrained from doing so.
The door burst open suddenly. They turned to see one of the guards rushing in. "Your Grace," he said, bowing to Stannis, "enemy ships have been spotted out in the sea."
"Lannister? Or Ironborn?" Stannis demanded, angry now. "Have you gone back on your word and betrayed us, Jon Targaryen?" Ser Axell drew his sword, taking a step in Jon's direction. Jaime and Robb unsheathed their own.
"We have done nothing. They are not our ships," Jon said quickly, trying to defuse the situation. His fleet remained in Lannisport, having no immediate use in the war.
"Your Grace." The guard regained everyone's attention. "They were not flying Jon Targaryen's banner. They only flew a three-headed dragon."
It all made sense now. Jon exchanged a look with Daenerys, and he could see the same expression of surprise reflected on her face.
"Aegon," they said together.