A GAME OF KINGS
ROBERT
He hadn't slept with a woman since Cersei's words during her trial and her assassination. He still drank, his dreams of uniting his House with House Stark was dead. He asked Ned to consider marrying Sansa to Renly, but Catelyn and Sansa expressed that they had no wish to do that. Ned had also refused and Robert did not push the issue.
"You summoned me Your Grace?" Renly says entering his solar.
"None of that your Grace shit…We are brothers are we not?"
"We are."
"And I am sorry I wasn't a better brother to you…" Renly couldn't believe it and did not know what to say. "Anyway I called you here to inform that I have rewritten my will. I am naming you King in my place."
"Wow…I…But Robert what about Stannis?"
"Fuck him…We have never gotten along…And well I messed things up with him when he came to make it right between us. Besides Stannis the Stern has no male heirs."
"And you know what he will do when he learns of this."
"Which is why you will have to make, an alliance with the Tyrells…Gain an ally."
"I thought you hated the Tyrells?"
"I do, which is why you will approach them. The Tyrell girl may come to King's Landing, but you will court her and gain them as allies."
"What about Lord Stark?"
He gets emotional when he hears his friend's name and all that went along with it. Lyanna, he hides his emotions and takes a drink. "Ned is too…He won't support you if Stannis causes trouble…But if I ask he'll stay out of it."
"The Tullys?"
"You'll have to feel them out for yourself. But with Edmure's reputation he'll be itching for glory on the battlefield."
"And the Lannister boy?"
"I know not. Son of Bitch sent me a message. Said he would forgive the debt of the 2 million I owe House Lannister if I officially named him Warden of the West."
"I heard he had taken Casterly Rock…And that House Arryn aided him against Tywin Lannister when he lay siege against his own Castle."
"Not only that the new Lords and heirs of their respective families have sworn allegiance to Tytos Lannister."
After meeting with Renly Robert sends for Ned and tells him his plans. He does not like it and suggests making Stannis King and naming Renly his heir, they argue for a while and then Ned agrees to stay out of it if it comes to war. "Thank you Ned…I can always count on you…Now tell me true. There is something I've been wondering since my former wife's speech at her trial. Lyanna…" He sighs, "How did she take it when she learned that her betrothed fathered a bastard in the Vale?"
Now Ned takes a drink, "Uh oh!" Robert jokes.
"I'll not lie to you Robert. My sister did not take it well."
"You left and went to Winterfell to tell her."
"Yes what of it?"
"Rhaegar…Didn't he go to the wall during that time to visit his Uncle…"
"Yes." Ned says after clearing his throat.
"Did he and Lyanna speak?"
He shakes his head, "No…Lyanna stayed in her room those few days he was there. Upset about what you did."
He huffs, "Now that I think about it." He shakes his head, "Maybe I did not love Lyanna as much as I claimed."
VARYS
"You wanted to see me Lord Varys?"
They meet in his office, "Yes I did." The Spy Master replies. "So I know that it was you who whispered into the Mad King's ear all those years ago about Rhaegar's plans."
"Yeah so what. Why are you bringing this up?"
"Because I think King Robert would be very interested to learn that Cersei came to you for moon tea whenever she was carrying, the King's child."
He can see the fear in his eyes, "I don't know where you hear these things my Lord, but you are mistaken."
He points to a chest, "Cersei's private things. I had them all stored in there. There is a vial of moon tea in there with some potion still inside it. Shall I show it to the King?"
"What do you want?"
"I have friends…Many powerful friends. One of them told me of your secret…Now he requires your services…"
"Who is this friend may I ask?"
RENLY
To his Grace Prince RenlyMaster of Laws
We have received your message and will be honored to come to the Capital. My daughter Margaery is also overjoyed.
With Kindest Regards
Mace Tyrell Lord of High Garden
He is on top of the world. When his brother died or even retired he would be King. Stannis wouldn't like it, but the Stormlords loved him and he has another ally in the works with the Tyrells. He had convinced Robert to name him Lord of Storm's End. To his surprise Robert agrees. "We must be careful from now on." He says to his lover Ser Loras Tyrell.
"My sister already knows about me and you, So does my Grandmother."
"What of your father?"
"He knows but refuses to acknowledge it."
Just then a woman bursts into his solar, "I am sorry My Lord she insisted on seeing you."
"Its alright Raymond…" The girl is one of Robert's servants, former lover, and spy for Renly.
"My Lord…The King is dead."
The bells start ringing as Maester Pycell examines Robert's lifeless body. "Well Maester, how did he die?" Eddard Stark asks.
"The King suffered a heart attack My Lord."
"Heart attack?"
"His excessive eating, drinking, and other activities…is the cause."
Ned shakes his head, "No…Robert was a strong man."
"He was and well…his sexual exploits kept his blood flowing, but when she slacked off his heart…"
"Lord Stark." Renly calls, "May I ask your intentions?"
"About what?"
"The King's death."
"Why do you ask?"
"I would like to secure my power before informing my brother…I also ask if you would remain in the Capital for my coronation and to swear an oath to me."
"Your Grace…I will swear an oath now."
"Yes…But I would also like your military support…Especially if Stannis makes a move against me and I intend to remove Tytos Lannister as Warden of the West and name Lord Kevan."
STANNIS
To Lord Stannis of House Baratheon
I write this letter to you my Lord at risk of my own life. Your brother King Robert is dead. But before he died he named your younger brother Renly King after him and you Lord of Storm's End. Your brother cannot be King. His proclivities for men make him weak choice as King. Such a man will bring ruin upon the Realm. A strong man such as yourself is needed as King. Do what you must My King to secure the Throne from your brother. He has already secured House Tyrell as an ally…Dozens of Stormlords have already pledged themselves to him…I will pass on any information of pertinence when I can…
Your humble servant
Grand Maester Pycell
Stannis has his Squire Mathos Seaworth read the message out aloud to him, his wife, Ser Axel Florent, the Lady Melisandre, and Matthos' father Ser Davos Seaworth. "Can we trust Pycel?" His wife says, "He has always been Tywin Lannister's man."
"And Tywin Lannister is dead…" Ser Axell says.
"We need more information and more importantly the realm needs to know of my brother's deception to usurp my right to the Iron Throne."
"Your time has come my King." Melisandre says, "The Lord of light wills it…You will be King and you will save us all from the Long Night." Ravens are sent to the Stormlords. Only a few answer the call. Houses Estermont, Florent, Dondarrion, Selmy, and Seaworth. Giving Stannis an army of 21,000 men, including his own House Guards. Then messages are sent to all the other Great Houses of Westeros. The War for the Iron Throne was brewing, lines were being drawn and soon blood would be spilled.
