From his place at one of the lower tables, Davos Seaworth picked at the food on his plate, distracted by the onion pie in front of him.

No doubt one of the serving boys thought it a jape to place a large onion pie in front of the Onion Knight. Davos did not care. The pie smelled good. Uneasily, he glanced up at the high table, meeting the eye of his grim lord, Stannis Baratheon. Stannis hated pomp and festivities as much as Davos did – even if it was for his own wedding. When Stannis's uncle, Lord Eldon Estermont congratulated him on his betrothal to the beautiful and wealthy Cersei Lannister, he wagered that even he, Stannis, would fall in love with her.

Stannis had looked at his uncle coldly and said, "Even if the king betrothed me to a hideous beast of a woman, I will still wed her out of duty. Who I marry is for the good of House Baratheon, not for my personal desires. If I fall in love with the lady, so be it. If I despise the lady till my death, so be it."

Davos swelled with respect towards him. If there was ever a man who was as bloody stubborn as a mule, determined and just, that man was Stannis Baratheon. There were many honourable and just men in the Seven Kingdoms, but the Lord of Storm's End was indeed one of a kind. Davos blinked as his wife Marya tapped him on the arm. "Lady Baratheon is breathtaking," she whispered, staring at the Lannister lady admiringly. Davos nodded. "Aye," he agreed, pushing a small bowl of creamy chestnut soup towards her. "I doubt she will be happy as the Lady of Storm's End as Stannis's wife."

"Poor lady," sighed Marya, shifting uncomfortably in the silky black dress with the edges trimmed with threads of silver. As the daughter of a carpenter, Marya had never worn silk garments before – neither had Davos. Even after she became Lady Seaworth, she was not attracted to silks and jewels. In fact, the only piece of jewellery Marya adorned was a single pearl threaded through by black string. It was a pearl Davos found in his smuggling days.

"I am glad you can come," said Davos, pouring her a cup of warm ale. "I know you'd rather be at home with the children-"

"It is Lord Stannis's wedding," interrupted Marya. "He is milord as much he is yours and I will not leave you here alone. Lord Stannis views you so highly he'd given you a place at the table with his vassal lords. How many knights are given that honour? We owe everything to Stannis Baratheon and as your wife, my place is here with you. I love our children, but I wish to tell Lord Stannis how grateful I am for his kindness. Do you think Lord Stannis will have time to listen and speak to us in his busy time?"

Stannis Baratheon does not like praises. "Stannis disdains flattery," Davos said to her gently, "and even grateful words may offend him slightly. For the price of a few finger joints, you are now Lady Seaworth and the mistress of a keep on Cape Wrath, I can hunt deer in our own woods, our sons have bright futures, Dale is a squire for Stannis and there is talk of one of the Swanns agreeing to take Allard as a page in the coming year. Stannis never forgets his friends and loyal servants; I am always welcome at his table and I captain a war galley now, not a smuggler's skiff. The best way to please Stannis Baratheon is to continue serving him loyally and honestly." He instinctively touched the leather pouch – carrying the bones of his first finger joints from his left hand – that hung from the leather thong about his neck. Everywhere he went, he carried that pouch for luck.

"Onion Knight," a passing lord with large ears said distastefully. "You should not be here, Onion Knight. You don't look like a knight even in that silk you wear. You are naught but a smuggler!"

Davos snorted. Onion Knight. He quite liked the name. Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight. "And you ser?"

The man puffed his chest out and said proudly. "Ser Imry Florent."

I thought I recognised those large Florent ears, Davos wanted to retort, but he held his tongue. "Ser Imry." Davos nodded slightly. "I have Lord Stannis to thank for placing me here with my wife, Lady Marya Seaworth. Marya, this is Ser Imry of House Florent." His lips tightened as the arrogant Florent knight gave her one look of disgust before wrinkling his nose and sauntering away. Davos shrugged. He loved his plump Marya and would never trade her for anyone – especially for a slim lady with her head in songs. What use would a silly woman like that be to a man like Davos? Marya felt hardship with him and would never swap her old and comfortable woolly and practical dresses for elaborate gowns of silk nor waste money on minstrels and jewels when it should be spent on food.

"Father!" Davos's eldest son Dale, waded towards him and Marya through a sea of dancing lords and ladies, The Seaworth sigil of a black ship-and-an onion on the sails on a field of grey stitched on the breast of his simple tunic. Dale was proud to be a Seaworth and the infamous Onion Knight's son. "Father!" Dale said again. "Mother! Lord Stannis wants a word!"

Davos looked at the high table again and found four pairs of eyes staring back at him. He stood up and offered Marya his hand. The two of them made their way to the raised platform, Dale in the lead. Upon arrival, they dipped their heads and murmured, "Your Graces" to the king and queen before turning to Stannis and his bride. "Milord," said Davos quietly as his wife repeated him softly. "Milady. My son Dale said you wished to speak to us?"

"So this is the infamous Onion Knight," said King Robert, leaning forward with interest. "I have you to thank for saving Storm's End. If you had not smuggled my brother and his men those onions, I would most likely have lost two brothers and an ancestral home! Stannis did well in knighting you." He nodded appreciatively at an impassive Stannis. A few seats away from the king, an older man with broad shoulders also nodded approvingly. Noticing his glance, Stannis informed Davos that the older man was Jon Arryn, the king's Hand.

"Lord Stannis is a just man, Your Grace," said Davos, as the king requested to see his left hand. "He knighted me for my services to House Baratheon and cut off my finger joints for my crime of smuggling."

"I do not see that as just," commented Lady Cersei Baratheon, twirling a curl of golden hair around one of her slender fingers. Davos could not help but notice a band of rubies glistening from her hair. Each ruby can feed the a poor family or two in Flea Bottom for weeks.

"It was more than fair, milady," Davos told her. She flinched as he showed her his left hand. "I never met a more just man than Lord Stannis. I paid justly for my past crime of smuggling – and Lord Stannis cleaved my finger joints off himself. The man who sentences also executes." Stannis looked uncomfortable. Lord Ned Stark, who sat beside Jon Arryn, nodded vigorously. "Aye," he agreed with a final nod. "Wise words, Ser Davos. Very wise indeed."

Davos inclined his head. "Thank you Lord Stark."

"I think Stannis did not reward you enough!" decided Robert, raising his wine cup for a refill. "Stannis, only a knighthood for this brave man who aided you in the siege? Not enough. Onion Knight, what say you to a lordship? Rainwood is an available lordship if you fancy it." He drank large gulps of wine before getting it topped up again. The king must be in a great state of drunkenness to go around offering lordships. Davos glanced at Stannis who looked astonished. "It is a great honour," said Davos carefully. "However, I was born a child of Flea Bottom and I will be content with my knighthood, Your Grace."

"Nonsense!" declared Robert. "I have decided you will be Ser Davos Seaworth, Lord of the Rainwood! I will have my Hand arrange all the papers and details and what not. You will be a lord by the end of the month, Onion Knight." He grinned at Davos as if he was pleased with himself.

"You planned for Renly to be Lord of the Rainwood when he is of age," Stannis reminded him bluntly.

"You should be pleased I have decided to honour one of your knights," Robert growled at him menacingly. "Renly is still a boy. Besides, I have decided to grant Renly lands from the Crownlands once he reaches manhood. I would have given him Dragonstone, but Jon convinced me you were a better choice." He grunted a little grudgingly. "Something about you being a seasoned soldier and commander and what not." He finished another cup of wine.

"Lord husband," said Queen Catelyn gently. "Do you not think you have drank enough tonight? Why not a cup of water?"

Robert glared at her. "I drink as much as I want!" he snapped. "Do you think I am Stannis, my lady? Water, bah! MORE WINE!"

Catelyn did not even flinch at his outburst. "Indeed, lord husband," she said soothingly. "You are certainly not Lord Stannis. Why not ale then? The lords and ladies all love you as their war hero king. If you keep drinking, they will think you as nothing but a drunkard. Is that how you want to be remembered, my lord? As a drunk king or the war hero?"

Grumbling to himself, Robert shouted, "Ale! NOW!"

Davos saw Ned and Jon exchange relieved smiles. So our Baratheon king has a drinking problem, thought Davos.

"You look lovely, Lady Seaworth," said Catelyn kindly. "Are you wearing your husband's House colours?"

Marya flushed with delight. "Aye, my queen," she answered joyously. "Black, white and grey of House Seaworth. You look magnificent, my queen." The queen nodded back kindly. Davos's smile froze as he heard what sounded like a snicker from the direction of Lady Baratheon.

Davos boldly stared at the Lion of Lannister's daughter as Marya and Catelyn spoke more. Fair haired, Cersei Lannister was dressed in a gown of red silk with long, billowing sleeves. Embroidered on it were swirls of gold. She was beautiful, but not to Davos Seaworth.

Seeing him stare at her, Cersei cocked her head with a sly smile. "Do you wish to say something, Onion Knight?" she asked.

"No, Lady Baratheon," said Davos shortly. She winced slightly. "Is something amiss, my lady?" he inquired.

"No, Onion Knight," Cersei replied, crossing her arms. "I am still…adjusting to being a married woman – and a Baratheon too. All my life I had been Lady Cersei Lannister. I still think I am!" She laughed.

"You are Lady Cersei Baratheon now," said Stannis harshly. He nodded stiffly at Davos and Marya. "Ser Davos, I expect you in my solar tomorrow morning to hear your thoughts of the matter of defence at Dragonstone. Lady Seaworth, your husband had told me you are a few months with child. My congratulations. After you have your child, you will serve Lady Baratheon."

"What?" said Cersei, a flash of outrage sparking in her emerald green eyes. At the same time, Marya uttered, "Milord?" in shock. Davos too, was taken back. He had never imagined his wife as Lady Cersei Baratheon's companion.

"Milord," Marya said again, "I am unfit to serve as a companion to your lady wife. I was naught but a carpenter's daughter before I married Davos. I am poor company for a noble lady. I cannot…" Stannis dismissed her protests with a wave of his hand. "You will serve Lady Baratheon when she is with child." He sipped his lemon water. "You have had four children successfully, yes? All sons too. You are more than satisfactory to help Lady Baratheon bring a bonny child to term once the maester confirms she is pregnant."

"That day will never come," snorted Robert. "Do you know how to give a good fuck, Brother? To me you are as much a maiden as Lady Cersei!" Stannis kept an impassive expression while Cersei blushed.

Davos was horrified at the king's bawdy words. "I doubt you know where to stick your prick," Robert went on, Catelyn as pink as a strawberry. "If you have a good-sized prick that is." He looked at Cersei. "My dear good-sister, try and not be offended if Stannis does not satisfy you." He guffawed. "A beautiful woman as yourself…all the true men in this hall will want their cocks buried in your cunt. It is a pity you married Stannis. His cock is probably as limp-"

Bang.

Stannis slammed his cup on the table, lemon water sloshing out. "I hope you're not encouraging my wife to shirk away from her marriage duties," he said frostily, his fingers on his right hand curling into a fist.

Robert sniggered.

"Come," said Catelyn grabbing Robert's hand. "Let us dance, lord husband. You promised you would dance with me." She shot an apologetic look at Stannis and Cersei before whisking Robert to the dance floor. "Tomorrow morning," Stannis said to Davos, grinding his teeth. "My solar."

Davos nodded. "Aye, milord." Taking Marya's comforting hand, they returned to their seats, Marya still horrified at Robert's uncouth words. "Must I be a lady companion to Lady Baratheon?" she said gloomily. "I have no desire to stay here for months without my children. Surely Lady Baratheon can have her own ladies here. Is there anything you can do to change his mind?"

"Once Stannis makes a decision," said Davos quietly, "nothing we do will ever change his mind. Nothing at all."


Davos entered Stannis's solar early next morning, his head still spinning with the events of Stannis and Cersei's wedding feast last night. The royal party and the other nobles were still lodging in guest chambers at Storm's End; the would prepare to leave in the afternoon.

"Milord." Davos found Stannis staring out the solar window grinding his teeth, his untouched cup of lemon water on his table. Davos tentatively joined him and looked out the window. The Lord of Storm's End's chambers and solar were part of the seaward side of the castle that stood proudly upon high white cliffs. Davos looked down and saw the sea; it was relatively calm today.

Surrounded by a massive outer curtain wall, about one hundred feet high and forty feet thick on its thinnest side and nearly eighty feet thick on its seaward side, Storm's End composed of a double course of stones with an inner core of sand and rubble. When Davos smuggled onions and other food into the castle, he had touched the walls out of curiosity and found them to be smooth and curving, so well placed and so perfectly together that even the strong winds could find no purchase. It was said that the castle was protected by spells woven into its very walls that prevented magic of sorts affecting or passing through it. Looking down at the sea, there was about one hundred fifty foot drop below the wall with no safe anchorage by the castle.

Davos remembered his first sighting of the castle in his small smuggler's boat during Robert's rebellion. From a distance, it seemed to be a single huge, spiked fist thrusting towards the sky in defiance. Closer, the castle consisted of one huge drum tower crowned with formidable battlements. The tower was so large that in his first few days there, Davos found himself helplessly lost in the labyrinth of rooms including the granary, barracks, armoury, feasting hall, library, solar and Stannis's privy chamber.

"Milord," Davos tried again. "You told me last night to come here and discuss the defences needed for Dragonstone."

He was answered by silence.

After what felt like hours, Stannis replied sullenly. "I did my duty."

"Milord?"

"Is there ale in your ears Davos? Must I repeat myself? I did my duty. I planted my seed in that Lannister woman."

Davos did not know what to say. "I did not ask…milord. Whether you had ah, impregnated your wife last night or no is none of my business."

"Damn Robert and his foul words! Do you think he had boasted to the other guests of his army of lovers, prostitutes and whores while insulting my honour and reputation?" He grinded his teeth. "He had all night to do so."

The king slunk away, drunk, with Lady Delena Florent beside him and they did not reappear during the festivities. "The queen would speak kind words about you," Davos countered. "She always stood up for you."

Stannis nodded. "A good woman our queen." Silence fell. "Queen Catelyn Tully is a model wife," he remarked, to Davos's surprise. "Mine own wife will have to curb her expenses speedily. I won't tolerate her owning thousands of gowns and jewels. Two or three will be quite enough. Did you see all attendants Cersei had with her yesterday? They all must go."

"Lady Baratheon will not thank you for it."

Stannis shrugged. "I am the Lord of Storm's End, not Lady Baratheon."

"Milord, do you still wish to discuss defences at Dragonstone?"

"Aye. I plan to journey there in a few days' time and inspect the fortifications and strengthen the garrisons again. From now on, I plan to replace the soldiers at the garrisons fortnightly rather than monthly. A good idea, Davos." He nodded at Davos respectfully. "I will handpick the men to guard Dragonstone tomorrow at dawn. I will not have potential traitors and turncoats manning the walls. I expect you in the courtyard with me tomorrow."

"Aye milord."

"Eh? Nothing else to say?" Stannis looked at him suspiciously.

"It is Dragonstone's defences I am concerned of, milord. If you continue adding men from the Stormlands to man the garrisons at Dragonstone, there will not be enough men to guard Storm's End…in case of invasion. Now that Cersei Lannister is your wife, surely you can ask for a small squad of westermen to aid strength to the garrison at Dragonstone."

"I do not trust westermen. Too greedy and extravagant. I suspect all they will do is eat and drink from the stores at Dragonstone until food runs out."

"Ask for men from the Crownlands then. The king appointed you the Lord of Storm's End and Lord Protector of Dragonstone. He should send you more men if he expects you to administrate both Dragonstone and the Stormlands."

"Bah. Robert cares naught about Dragonstone. It is nothing to him but a final victory against those Targaryens. The capture of their ancestral seat; Robert will never forget that." Stannis scowled. "He was not even there at the assault. A few good men died that day in the storm."

Davos only nodded. "Allard suggested we name the newest vessel after your lady wife," he informed him.

Stannis snorted again. "Name it whatever you want." He paused. "You have a number of fine sons. Dale is hardworking and honest. You must be proud to have such an excellent son. He will be a fine sailor one day. If I am graced with a son, I will put him under your care. You will teach him all he needs to know about ships and the sea. Lady Baratheon may protest, weep, beg, plead and shout as much as she likes, but she will do so in vain. Her uncle, Ser Kevan Lannister spoke to me last night. He wanted me to foster his son, the four year old Lancel."

"Did you agree, milord?"

"No. The Lannisters did not fight until victory was in our view. When old Lord Tywin was finally roused to fight, he sacked King's Landing and on his orders, his men murdered Elia Martell and her children. What he did secured Robert on the Iron Throne, but I despise child killers. At the king's command, I am now married to a child murderer's daughter. I will not suffer the presence of more Lannisters here at Storm's End."

"Milord, your wife was supplied with a rich dowry. Surely showing gratitude will strengthen the Baratheon-Lannister alliance."

"A rich dowry! Bah! Do you know where the dowry went once I wedded and bedded the Lannister woman? Straight into the royal coffers for my royal brother to squander away." Stannis grinded his teeth again.

Davos sensed it was almost time to leave. "Milord, there is no point dwelling on what is now in the past. It is time to move on. Have faith in the gods. They've already planned out your future."

Stannis's expression hardened. "I have no gods. I do not pray to the trees, the Drowned God or any other god and I lost faith in the Seven the day they decided to drown my lord father and lady mother in front of me at Shipbreaker Bay. Nay, Davos Seaworth. I have no faith in gods. They mean nothing to me."


Second last chapter of Part 1! I thought it would be nice to have Davos's POV for Stannis and Cersei's wedding. I definitely plan to have many different POVs in Part 2 :D I'm more than happy to jot down any particular person's POV you want me to write for Part 2. I have a nasty feeling that there'll be a splat of a dozen or more new characters in Part 2, so I'm creating two separate appendices for Parts 1 and 2.