1 : An Unexpected Sequence of Events

It wasn't extremely uncommon for him to be running late, it probably happened once or twice a month due to either his cat getting out or some other event of life getting in the way of his leaving on time. His boss was always lenient, saying she understood that life was life and that Digital Marketing isn't going to go up in flames if he was late, but two hours today of all days was not going to go down well. He wanted to believe it wasn't his fault but he knew it was. He shouldn't have been up reading so late into the night right before his boss's boss was coming down for a presentation about how they'd be handling their new big client. Half of which he was supposed to help present. This was had been his first big project. So color him surprised when he woke up that day having slept through his alarms and four missed calls.

It was due to this that he was still buttoning up his shirt when he stepped out of his apartment complex. He was taking the last bite of a bagel , and stepping into the crosswalk when given the sign to walk, that the world got extremely confusing for him. One moment he had been seeing the world normally, a split second later it was spinning and blurred. He remembered hearing a thump and feeling nothing as the world finally came back into focus, but he was much lower to the ground now and could see underneath the cars around him.. Seeing an electric car crashed into another car parked on the side of the road told him what he needed to know about the situation. He had been hit by someone running a light, and he hadn't been looking like he would normally because he had been rushing, while he also hadn't heard anything thanks to the damn near silent noise those cars make. Funny enough, at least to him in a morbid sort of way, he couldn't hear anything anymore anyways. He smiled at the not very funny joke he had told himself in his head before everything faded to black.

_

Waking up was an odd feeling for me. It felt like everything, especially his brain and thoughts, was in jello. Things were not processing the way they were supposed to. I could hear two people speaking, but only some words came through. The first I could comprehend were from a man with a slightly higher voice than normal, and it sounded sad, "He has been … time now , your line is strong … fever broke this … of course ... " Then the other voice, one that sounded strong yet stagnant, as if few emotions ever were evoked through it spoke, " Let me … immediately, especially before … My wife will be by soon …" Then it was just darkness again for an indiscriminate amount of time.

I woke up again feeling much more normal, with only a vague feeling of the sludge inhibiting me and my thoughts. I opened my eyes to a strange colored stone ceiling, attempting to sit up was the wrong move however as my head immediately protested and throbbed fiercely. A hot knife had been wedged into the center of my brain and I immediately grabbed my head and closed my eyes. Involuntarily I groaned and my subconscious noted something off with it but the pain of the moment was too large a matter for him to concentrate on it. The other man seated nearby promptly placed a hand, which happened to be massive, on my chest and gently leaned me back while stating with a small amount of force, "No my lord! Do not try to get up, please, you are too weak yet and need more rest!" Laying back but propped up slightly by some pillows this other man had shoved behind me I opened my eyes again to look at this man whom I assumed was a doctor or a nurse. What was availed to me however was a man who I did not believe was either. The man appeared to be starting to get on in years due to the wrinkles on his brow and the beginning of a sag of what was once assumedly the man's smile lines . He was garbed in a brown robe and had a massive chain of many links, most of different colors. His skin was pale, and his hair was nearly fully white and looked like it was trying it's best to escape from the top of his head and find solace in the sides of his head. The main didn't appear massive i. n proportion to the room, maybe of middling height. The man was stooped over the bed I was laid upon and began to speak again, "Please my lord, drink some of this water, your fever only broke this morning and you've been bed ridden for a week now! There. That's good, small sips only for now if you would. I'll send a servant to go get some light broth and inform Lord Stannis of your awakening soon, but please do not strain yourself. It was a tough battle and I've seen a number of children your age fall to such an illness. Your new good-sister prayed frequently for your good health and stopped by constantly to check on you."

I could only stare at this odd older man in confusion as I asked, "Where am I?" Appearing slightly flummoxed the chained man responded, "Why, you're in your room in Dragonstone. Do you not remember arriving? It wouldn't be particularly rare of a side effect of the illness, but not common either for you to not remember." This last part the man seemed to say to himself.

"I do not, was I sick? What was it? I just remember the car and then nothing after." I said this while beginning to look around and was becoming more and more confused. The sun appeared to be either rising as falling as the beams of light came through the three trellised windows on the left side of the room. The massive bed I was on was positioned on the farthest wall from the door and appeared to have larger sides to the left and right. I was obviously in a room that was assuredly not mine. All the walls, the floor, and ceiling were made of a dark gray stone. There was a large rug of yellow and black on the floor between him and the door on the far side of the room. There were two large wooden stand dressers on the right side, with a desk and chair on the left near the bed. Farther along the left wall, past the desk, was a plain, microwave sized wooden chest with a small lock on it. To my immediate right was a small wooden end table where a silver pitcher, platter, and another cup were positioned.

"You had the twilight fever my lord, a common enough illness, expecially in fall. So named for its prevalence to be especially harmful to those at the twilights of their life. Both young and old. It swept through the ship you were riding on from king's landing to Dragonstone upon leaving the king's wedding festivities reaching their end. A few other members caught the illness, afflicted with aches, coughing, fever and the whatnot. They fought through it within a few days as they were all grown men and women." While stating this the man, with a sturdy gait, walked over to the door, opened it, and called into the hallway saying, "You there! Go inform the Lord that his brother is awake, then go to the kitchen and have a broth brought up." A short barely audible reply from what was probably a young boy said, "Yes Maester Cressen, right away!"

While trying to rack my brain, scattered memories of another lifewere assaulting me. From swinging a small wooden sword around a field while a man stood nearby, to praying in a church with seven different statues. I also couldn't help but notice that my frame was significantly smaller than I remembered and the realization came swiftly that I was, in fact, now in the body of a young memories being broken and dissonant and jumbled was not helping. Memories were coming faster and integrating into my brain but the order of them felt odd. There were two combatting for the same slot of memories for the very beginning of my life. That combined with the clues already given by the robed man and what I assume was a servant told me all I needed to know. I was somehow in Westeros, and oddest of all, I am a brother to Stannis Baratheon. This, of course, made me related to the current king, Robert, and the Lord of Storm's End, Renly. I was youngest of them all, being just over a year younger than Renly.

Walking to the foot of the bed, which was quite large and had many blankets stationed around it, the robed man who was now obviously Maester Cressen said, "Now, as I was saying young Lord Markas, please try to remain steady. I also implore you to stay awake long enough to drink some broth so you have something in your stomach before going back to sleep. Lord Stannis should be here before then and I know he will be happy to see you awake, even if it is only momentarily." With that being said he went back to the chair he was probably sitting at before hand and looked down into a book sitting on the desk. 'My desk, I need to think of this as if its, and i'm now this Markas Baratheon and not the old me. That this is all real and not a dream, crazier things have surely happened.' he thought.
Having been left to my thoughts, I began to formulate a very brief outline of a plan I needed to go through if I were to be successful. Atleast, successful in not being slain by wights, eaten by a dragon, poisoned, trampled by a horse, beheaded and having my head paraded on a pike, or avoiding death in any other various form not unheard of in Westeros. Well, I guess right now dragons weren't a thing so that'd be a surprise. But I knew they would be. Most likely at least. As long as I didn't muck up the timeline that badly. Then the thought came to my mind whether or not I should mess up the timeline. I mean, eventually i would have to, but when and how much was the question. It was apparent it was already skewed in some form by me being, well, alive. But other than that none of the old, or was it new? brain's memories showed anything surprising.

Robert had become king after leading a revolt against Aerys the Mad. Stannis was now lord of Dragonstone and also whom he was living with, as Robert was too "busy" running the kingdom for a small whelp like him. Renly himself was a young boy whose lands were run more by his Castellan. All the normal things fit. Of course, I didn't have nearly the information I wanted to have but I was working off of the memories of a five year old boy so it should do for now. First up on the list was learning martial skills. It would always be of use. I had some years before I was expected to be adequate, but I knew that was one of the most important things to do. Second, avoid King's Landing at all costs. It is the veritable fire upon which I would roast. I know next to nothing about weaving political machinations or how to avoid the webs of others. Third, learn all I can about strategy, logistics, and tactics. I do not want to lead others into battle. With what was coming however, from both a human and non-human point, I know it would be necessary. Those were the main things I gathered. I added a point 4 to the mental list but it was heavily based on circumstance because I had no idea how to achieve it. That was to make allies. It had the same issues as going to King's Landing. I was not politically savvy.

I had only graduated from college last year and doubted that the ability to match complimentary colors or create an eye catching advertisement would help. Then again, outside of marriage, Ned and Robert had a robust alliance strictly due to their friendship and sharing a wardship to Jon Arryn. Maybe I could become a ward to Ned Stark? That would put him into prime position at the beginning of the war of five kings should I manage to rescue Ned Stark. Then the North would have an even better chance. Not to hate on Robb but it is unlikely Lord Bolton would be so surly against the quiet wolf. Maybe I could become engaged to Sansa so she wouldn't have to be engaged to Joffrey too. But they already had theon and a full keep. I don't like the idea of marrying a young girl but it would certainly save her from a worse fate.
Changing gears, mainly to avoid the idea of marrying a teenager, I thought back to my immediate plans. The plan was simple and rudimentary, but worthwhile. First, Get healthier. Second, Train diligently, both in book and blade. Third, find some friends. Okay that last one sounded sad but I would need someone loyal and also an emotional outlet. I didn't plan on telling them I am from another world, but being able to complain to someone without them thinking it the ramblings of a madman would do wonders for my psyche. Plus, once again, loyalty starts early.
Oh no, I've only been in westeros for 15 minutes and already I was starting to think of people as being pawns instead of living breathing beings.

It was while I was having this mild shock that the door opened before Stannis came in. Stannis was tall and broad-shouldered, yet sinewy. Dark blue eyes and a heavy brow shadowing them, above those was a smattering of dark black hair. Across his jaw was a closely cropped beard that hugged his stern jawline. There was a sunkenness to his face, his lips were pale and thin and seemed to be forced out of a frown insead of in a smile. Few would call him handsome but he wasn't ugly. He said, "You're up. Good. We had been worried about you. Few would enjoy seeing the funeral of a five year old, let alone that of the younger brother of the king. I expect you to follow with what the maester prescribes you do to become hale again. Are you in need of anything?" With that he raised his eyebrow after i gave no immediate reply..

My reply came out weak and began scratchy, "No Stannis, and I will do as Cressen says." With that, he turned to the maester and said nothing. Maester Cressen, being wise enough to take this as his cue, spoke up with, "The servant who informed you should have gone to get some broth afterwards. With luck, some bed rest and some food should be all that is necessary for the young lord to better." Nodding once, Stannis turned to me and said, "I will visit you again tomorrow." Stannis then strode out of the room with his hands behind his back.

The Maester returned to his book and I returned to my mental planning while waiting for the broth. It was a simply affair of vegetable broth which I was sure to finish. Giving me a final check, the Maester left soon after I finished it telling me to get some rest. I sat up for a while longer as the sun went away completely and the only light was that from the moon streaming in the window. What a day.

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Authors Note : I have a general outline for this already created and plan on finishing this. I can't say it will be great, nor entirely consistent of an output. My current goal is a chapter every 2-3 weeks. However I expect to do the first 3-5 chapters more quickly. I will release them as they come along. I won't rush them but i also won't put this to the side before it comes to a good ending in my eyes. I do not do this full time, nor exceptionally well in my opinion. I'm very open to criticism in either my writing or to the plotline. This is the first draft of this and I will also be posting it to FFnet (for the FFnet readers, this is first posted to alternatehistory first, then when I get the time I move them to here). The description of stannis is heavily influenced from awoiaf . westeros . org. Props to them because i'm doing a bunch of research to try to lessen the amount of finagling of the universe i need to, especially when it comes to descriptions. Some characters will be aged up a year or slightly more, some will be aged down. Mainly out of my own confusion because the dates of births, marriages, and title allotments in the timeline are not always well fleshed out. Of course it's been a hot minute since i've read all the books, while I love the show, I never watched the final season out of fear from reviews and backlash and can't bring myself to restart it knowing the final season exists.
This is me trying to give to the community as I constantly read these and decided to give instead of consume for once. I am trying to keep most of it "realistic" to the westeros given what i remember of the books and show. but again, in regards to dates and age it becomes complicated. The Premise of this whole thing is for the Main character to try to explore Westeros as I would hope to should I be a better me. This will be not be a perfect story. I intend to write for some major characters to die. There will probably be some explicit content eventually but it will certainly not be the main premise, and will never be fleshed out in detail if its repugnant to a modern day person with socially normal morals.
side note: I read a reddit post about the naming conventions of GRRM and it was incredibly insightful for something I had never thought of. Truly a masterstroke of worldbuilding on his part. Just look up "Game of thrones naming conventions" and it should be the first one from reddit.

Thats about all i've got for this first note. I hope this is well received and you all enjoy.