The sound of the waves crashing against the formidable, thick walls of Storm's End oddly comforted Davos Seaworth. There was no war or ongoing siege – only a brief respite from court. Knowing Stannis Baratheon, the short stay at Storm's End would last naught more than a week, a week and a half the longest.
In truth, Davos was grateful for a rest from courtly intrigue. Even though he'd been declared the Lord of the Rainwood and was more or less a Storm lord, other nobles at King's Landing still treated him with the faintest signs of contempt and disdain – unless they were attempting to curry Lord Stannis's favour via him.
"Father! You have returned!" Davos found himself surrounded by his wife and their three younger sons Devan, Stannis and Steffon. It felt like years since Davos had last laid eyes on them – by the Seven young boys grow fast! Devan no longer looked like the uncertain squire he once was; young Stannis in better health than he was before; and Steffon more than ready to be a page at the ripe age of eight. I am quite fortunate to have so many happy sons, Davos thought as he listened to all three of them chatter rapidly and excitedly. Lord Frey has over a dozen sons, the majority of them unhappy and other lords have no sons at all. He absently touched the pouch around his neck again. Those bones were indeed lucky.
"I thought you would be with Lord Baratheon," said Marya, her eyes twinkling brightly. "I saw him in his solar earlier today."
"Lord Baratheon does not require my assistance today," Davos replied. "Last I heard, he is meeting with his maester and other prominent Storm lords."
"You are a prominent Storm lord now."
Davos chuckled. "So it seems. How is our castle in the Rainwood?"
"Waiting for its lord," Devan spoke with a grin. "Father, since King Robert had named you Lord of the Rainwood, you only set foot in the castle once – or could it have been twice? Anyway, Mother named Dale the acting Lord of the Rainwood. I thought it was a good idea as Dale is your heir. Is it true that Lord Stannis himself chose Allard and Matthos to be captains of two of his ships?"
"Allard has been appointed Captain of the Lady Marya and Matthos is to serve as one of the crew of Black Betha, one of the galleys Lord Baratheon placed under my command." He paused thoughtfully. "Both highly commendable places, aye. It will not be long before Matthos captains a galley of his own. Were you aware that Lord Stannis also gave your brother Maric a post in his fleet? Apparently Maric is now an oarmaster of the Fury." He looked at Devan. "One day soon you'll join the three of them too."
Devan nodded without a trace of enthusiasm.
"Do you think I will be Lord Stannis's squire one day too?" said Steffon eagerly, snatching Davos's attention away from Devan. "Dale was and so was Matthos and Maric and Devan is now." Davos was more than grateful for Stannis to voluntarily have agreed to take Dale, Matthos, Maric and Devan – each in turn – as a squire. It was not the Lord of Storm's End's duty to, yet he did. Allard was lucky enough to have squired for one of the Swann knights – a tremendous feat as not many lords or knights were at all interested in squiring a Seaworth.
"Perhaps," said Davos vaguely. Surely Lord Stannis would have his ward, Lord Robert Arryn, squire for him soon? At least after two years of fostering had done the Arryn lord some good. Over supper, Davos had noticed that the boy no longer cried or sulked – an immense improvement judging by Lord Stannis's silent gaze at him. Though it was not a nod of approval, Davos had long understood that just a quiet glance was the closest to praise Lord Stannis physically showed.
"Davos," said Marya softly. "A raven arrived a few days ago. It bore the seal of House Frey of the Crossing. Here." She handed Davos a still-sealed letter. "It was addressed to you," she said helpfully. "Dale told me before I arrived here." Davos looked at the waxed sigil of House Frey – two blue towers, united by a bridge, on a silver-grey field – and broke it. He did not even need to read the words to know why the weaselly Lord Walder Frey would write to him.
"Will you read it Father?" said Devan casually. Davos pocketed the letter. "Not now," he muttered. "Lord Frey can wait."
"Did you see her, Father?"
"Devan!" Marya snapped, which was uncharacteristic of her.
"What's it?" said Davos with a frown. "Who's this woman Marya?" Marya's lips were pursed and she said nothing.
"The Red Woman!" Steffon chimed in. A chill crept up Davos's spine. "The Red Woman?" he repeated. His youngest son nodded. "That is what all the guards and Lady Baratheon's maids call her," he explained to Marya's chagrin. "I heard that a year ago or less, they were quite respectful to her and addressed her as the Lady Melisandre. Now, they call her the Red Woman. Behind her back of course." They all say that she likes burning people…for her god." Steffon wrinkled his nose. "It's horrible, burning people. So horrible. I wonder why Lord Stannis hadn't ordered her to be banished yet. Some say Lady Baratheon had fallen under her sway. She hasn't had she?"
"I do not know," said Davos honestly. "I have not seen Lady Baratheon in quite some time. She did not attend last night's supper. A sore belly I think."
Marya's lips tightened. "We will leave you in peace for an hour or so," she said, ushering their sons to the door. "Will we see you at supper tonight?"
"Aye. It will be just us," Davos promised. "You, me and our sons." Not all of our sons. Davos looked at Devan. "Write to Dale," he instructed, knowing Devan was far more literate than he would ever be. "Tell him to join us at once."
Supper had been a quiet affair. Quiet, yet cosy. As Stannis still hadn't called for Davos's blunt opinions, Davos was free to dine with only his family, which he had not done for a long time. Throughout the meal, Davos found himself chuckling at japes uttered by his sons and he enjoyed listening to them recount exciting tales of their lives at either Storm's End or the Rainwood. It was not long before Davos even told them stories of his own rather uneventful time at King's Landing. After supper ended, Davos returned his attention to Lord Frey's letter.
"Devan," Davos said quietly. "Can you read this for me please? It seems Walder Frey had forgotten that I cannot…read."
"You must learn to read and write, Father," said Devan encouragingly.
I do not have the time or the courage to ask, Davos thought regretfully. "I'll try one day," he said uncomfortably. Devan smiled and broke the wax seal quickly. It did not take him long to read it and return the letter. "Did you agree to accepting a Frey girl as a good-daughter?" he questioned.
Davos frowned. Did he? "I might have," he admitted. "Now I think of it, I do ah, recall Lord Walder suggest a match. I cannot remember if I agreed to it or not. I'd be foolish to have refused wouldn't I?"
Devan looked at him, his brown eyes revealing apprehension. "Well, um, a few of Lord Frey's many sons and grandsons are journeying here now with a number of their female Frey relations for well, an obvious purpose do you not agree? The Lord of the Crossing wishes to join his House with those of Storm lords."
Why? Lord Walder Frey was a River lord – would it not benefit him better if he allied himself with other River lords or lords of the Westerlands or the North?
"His second wife was a Swann," Devan reminded him, "and his heir's first wife had also been a Swann."
"When did knowing Lord Frey's wives become part of your education?"
Devan grinned. "It didn't. Have you not heard, Father? There is a new, popular song circulating around the guards' quarters."
"Lord Frey will be most displeased." However, Davos was curious. "However I am in the mood for a new song. How does it go?"
Obligingly, Devan sang:
"The Late Lord Frey,
The Late Lord Frey,
A husband of eight
…and more!
The Late Lord Frey,
The Late Lord Frey,
Husband of a Royce,
…who is dead!
The Late Lord Frey,
The Late Lord Frey,
A Royce and now a Swann,
…who've both died!"
Devan continued singing. He's quite a fair singer, Davos contemplated. I didn't know he was taught singing. He knew very well that Devan had learnt alongside a few of Lord Stannis's own children when it came to letters and numbers. Singing? Davos had not expected that. Though many noble boys learnt music, Davos could not imagine the grim-faced Lord of Storm's End assigning his children and wards a singing tutor. For the girls perhaps, but surely that would be Lady Baratheon's duty? Then again, knowing Lord Stannis, he wouldn't want anyone interfering in his plans. Truthful, blunt interference maybe, but the sharp words of his wife? No. It was highly unlikely Lady Baratheon had a say in her children's education apart from her daughters' sewing sessions.
"When will the Freys arrive?" Davos inquired.
Devan shrugged. "Soon I guess. Does Lord Stannis know?"
"No doubt he does. If what you read was true, our sly Lord Frey seems to want more than just a Seaworth good-son. He would die of happiness and glee if one of his daughters become the next Lady of Storm's End." It was more surprising that the ancient Lord of the Crossing was still alive. "I will speak to Lord Stannis still," Davos continued. "It's better he's aware of it. The Freys'll expect a welcome party when they arrive." With a sigh, he left Devan to search for Lord Stannis who had been holed inside his solar since his arrival. What could be so fascinating to him? Most certainly not a woman. As he climbed up a set of stairs, his eyes had slid to the window. That was when he caught sight of a familiar sight.
Though now a maiden of fourteen, Lady Shireen was running quietly through the godswood. Davos smiled sadly. Poor girl. On impulse, Davos turned and made his way to the Storm's End godswood. When Lord Stannis was merely the Lord of Storm's End, Davos had spent some of his time with her. Lady Shireen had been a clever child and had once asked him, "Lord Davos, why does Mother despise me? She never smiles at me nor embraces me." It almost broke Davos's heart hearing those words. How was he to tell her-
"Lord Davos!" A smile spread on Lady Shireen's face as she noticed him. "So it is indeed true! You have finally returned!"
Davos chuckled. "You make me sound like a war hero milady, coming home at last! You've grown taller milady. More beautiful too." It was the truth. Though the scars of greyscale remained, Lady Shireen had bloomed into a pretty young lady, and looked every inch a Baratheon.
Lady Shireen blushed and laughed. It was nice to hear her laugh. She was once afraid of laughing, Davos remembered. She had said that her mother would thrash her if she heard her singing or laughing. "You are almost a woman grown milady," Davos remarked with a broad smile. "I am pleased to see you in good health. The fresh air agrees with you here?" Lady Shireen nodded, her blue eyes sparkling. "I heard you read everyday," Davos commented. "What books are you reading now Lady Shireen? Stories about Duncan the Tall again?"
"I have not read about Duncan the Tall in months," said Lady Shireen, leading him to the weirwood heart tree that had been carved over a millennia ago with a solemn expression rather similar to Lord Stannis's. "I've recently decided to read more about my mother's family, House Lannister. I wrote to Uncle Tyrion and he most helpfully sent me two books: The Lions of Casterly Rock and A True History of House Lannister. Uncle Tyrion said the latter was more factual and truthful but I might find the former more entertaining to read. It is an amusing book," Shireen added. "It reminded me a lot of Uncle Tyrion."
"Perhaps Lord Tyrion wrote it?" Davos suggested. Lady Shireen nodded with a thoughtful expression on her face. "It does seem my uncle's style," she affirmed. "I cannot imagine him settling down to write a book though."
"Neither can I milady." The thought of the Imp of Casterly Rock at a table with a quill and stack of blank parchments was hard to imagine. "If you don't mind me saying milady, you will always be more your father's daughter."
Lady Shireen smiled serenely. "Thank you Lord Davos. Are you looking for my father, my lord? He is in his chambers I believe."
"Thank you milady."
"I must thank you too, Lord Davos. Since you left to advise my father a couple of years ago, Devan had kept me company in his spare time. When he was not in the training yard or the schoolroom, he kept me company in my chambers and he was kind enough to fetch me books from time to time." She lowered her voice. "I must thank him too. About half a year ago, a couple of months more maybe, I met Steffon and Cassana." Davos's eyes widened in shock. "Mother doesn't know," she assured him hurriedly. "Only Devan, Cassana, Steffon and I – now you too – know about it. It was thanks to Devan that I met two of my siblings. The twins and I still try to see each other as much as we can, but with Mother always prowling…"
"Why must you ah, thank me for Devan?" asked Davos, puzzled.
Shireen looked at him, slightly confused. "You told him to keep me company of course! Didn't you?" Davos remembered telling Devan not to leave Shireen alone in complete isolation…did Devan do much more then that? Delivering books and even uniting siblings…that did not sound like the actions of a boy only following his father's orders. They sounded more like-
"It is my sister Myrcella's seventh name day in a few weeks' time," murmured Lady Shireen almost longingly. "Is it odd that in my fourteen years, I'd never once spoken to her? Her, Robert or Tommen? Am I a stranger to them? Do they know I exist? When I ask Devan if he knows – he sometimes trains with Steffon when he has time – he'd never answer. Neither would Steffon and Cassana." She hesitated. "Do you think I can attend Myrcella's name day celebrations? Amidst the crowds of course. Mother will never allow me to be part of the family when we watch the tourneys and eat in the name day feast."
"Ask your father," Davos encouraged. "He loves you. I know he does."
Shireen smiled. "Thank you Lord Davos. Will you stay here for long?"
"Perhaps. It depends how long Lord Baratheon plans to stay here milady. Once your lord father decides to return to office, I will leave with him."
Shireen nodded understandingly. "You are my father's most faithful man, Lord Davos. He is lucky to have you in his service."
For the first time since his arrival at Storm's End, Davos was summoned to the lord's solar. Why now? Davos wondered as he climbed up the flight of stairs. Why in the name of the Seven now? If he was a gambling man like Tyrion Lannister, he would wager that Stannis was in one of his brooding moods again and wished to complain more about his brothers. "Robert is an utterly bloody fool giving Renly Dragonstone." Davos could imagine Stannis grumble. It would be considered odd if Stannis Baratheon did not rant about at least one of his two brothers.
Devan stood waiting at the solar door as Davos approached. Now that Stannis was back, no doubt Devan would return to his squire duties. As Stannis's squire, Devan should've went with him to King's Landing, but for some queer reason, he didn't. Stannis had not offered a reply either. Apart from Devan, Lord Stannis had a number of other squires and pages who did accompany Stannis to Storm's End from King's Landing. What are their names? Ah yes. Bryen Farring was one Lord Stannis collected from King's Landing. House Farring was a noble House from the Crownlands and from what Davos heard, had only sons. A blessing or a curse? He only knew of one Farring girl, the seventh Lady Frey according to the song Devan had sang for him earlier. Regardless, she had died after birthing her husband six children. What was House Farring's motive in asking Stannis to squire Bryen? In hopes Stannis would be most pleased with Bryen and wed him to one of his three daughters? Even if Stannis was satisfied with Bryen as his squire, Davos doubted he would want him as a good-son. All in all, Stannis would wed his children off to benefit House Baratheon, not to reward a squire.
Another of Lord Stannis's squires that Davos knew was Horas Redwyne, elder twin to Hobber Redwyne and the heir of the Arbor. Even now, Stannis grasped to the eighteen year old grudge against the Tyrells and Redwynes. The only reason Stannis would take Lord Redwyne's heir as a squire seemed more to be the act of reassurance than the task of mending bridges between the two Houses.
"Father," Devan greeted with a tinge of unease. "The…Lady Melisandre is with Lord Baratheon in his solar."
Davos frowned. "What is she doing there?"
Devan shrugged. "I am just Lord Baratheon's squire, Father. Well, one of them anyway. Maybe Horas would know more." Highly unlikely. Lord Stannis wouldn't reveal a great deal of information in front of a Redwyne – any Redwyne. "Would you like me to announce you?" asked Devan.
"Do you always announce those summoned?"
"Yes." Devan blushed. "You see, I usually do not announce visitors but a couple of days ago when Lady Baratheon came, she was furious I did not announce her. I thought it would be better now to announce everyone. Lord Baratheon didn't tell me to stop when I first started."
"I see."
Devan tapped on the solar door and pushed it open. "Lord Davos Seaworth of the Rainwood is here my lord," he announced. Davos bowed once he stepped into Lord Stannis's solar. The lord's solar was a familiar sight to Davos. The weirwood table was still there near the window; Stannis's chair remained without a plump cushion for comfort (neither were the two other chairs present); and the shelves remained stuffed with books and scrolls that were solely for the eyes of the Lord of Storm's End. Stannis himself stood gazing out the window, something that was done often at King's Landing too. Everything would have remained the same if it was not for the beautiful and slender woman sitting on one of the chairs in front of the table. She turned her head gracefully and glanced at Davos, a smile slowly appearing on her heart-shaped face framed with abundant long locks the colour of burnished copper. "Lord Davos," she spoke with an exotic accent that he could not place. "The Onion Knight. We meet at last."
"You must be Lady Melisandre milady," said Davos stiffly, nodding at her. The Red Woman's smile only broadened. "I must be," she affirmed. Davos returned to look at Stannis. "Milord, you summoned me?"
"If I did not you would not be here," came Stannis's blunt response. Davos said nothing. Stannis walked back to his seat and table. He gestured for Davos to sit in front of him. "You must be wondering why Lady Melisandre is still here," he said to Davos gruffly. "If I had my way, she would've been banished from Storm's End. However, she had brought me disconcerting news." He picked up a massive book from his neat stack on the side of his table and pushed it in front of Davos. "Read it," he ordered. A lump formed in Davos's throat as he stared at the long string of characters on the leather cover in front of him. "I cannot read milord," Davos said at last. "I never had-"
"The book is called The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms," said Stannis, impatiently. He opened it and flipped to the middle and ran his fingers down the page. "It lists all the Baratheons of the past and also now in the present," he said shortly. "Other noble houses too of course. The book also provides brief descriptions of each lord and lady's features. Every lord and lady born in House Baratheon were black of hair and blue of eyes. I am, Robert is and so is Renly and the majority of the children." His voice tightened. "Also, according to this ponderous book, even the offspring of a Baratheon and a Lannister would too result in a child black of hair and blue of eyes. It seems Lord Seaworth, my lady wife has some explaining to do."
I'm glad you enjoyed reading Howland's POV! I love writing POVs from minor characters and currently I enjoy writing in new POVs rather than old, so I hope you can bear with me for a while! I thought it would be nice to return to Storm's End and you can consider this chapter a reintroduction if you like. Any POVs from Storm's End you want to read in? I'm happy for suggestions.
