I own nothing, the characters belong to George R. Martin

Catelyn sat with her escort as she looked over the army of the Stormlands. The soldiers were erecting tents and starting fires as they made camp for the night. It was organized chaos as captains walked to and fro yelling orders, horses where being tended, smiths worked to repair items broken on the march, squads of men drilled, outriders coming in and out of camp. She was drawn from her observation when a group of riders pulled alongside her group of Northerners. They were lead by Argilac Baratheon, he was wearing the same armour that he had worn when she had first saw him but he looked a great deal happier than before.

"Good day Lord Argilac." said Catelyn greeting him with a bow of her head.

"Good day to you as well Lady Stark. I apologise for not introducing myself properly sooner."

"No apologies needed, I know that the last few days have been rather hectic."

Argilac chuckled "oh you could say that."

After Renly had knelt he sent word for the Lord's that had followed him to meet them at Storm's End. Once they had gathered there he explained to them what had occurred. The Stormlanders accepted the change instride and knelt to Stannis. The Reachers required more persuasion, but they had given in after a prolonged debate. Margaery also talked her brother round to joining her in bending the knee. Though Catelyn felt that she wasn't as pleased with this turn of events as she seemed. After they swore their oaths, Stannis began to lay out the plan for their march to Kings Landing. He had ser Davis named his admiral and had him take the fleet to blockade the Blackwater. He also placed Randyll Tarly in charge of the Reach forces. Ravens were sent by Tarly to Bitterbridge telling the army there to march on Kings Landing and that he would join them on the way there. The Stormland forces, lead by Stannis and his family would go through the Kingswood.

"Lord Argilac, my I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why weren't you in Kings Landing or the Stormlands earlier?"

Argilac looked down the road a bit before answering.

"I was in essos, on behalf of my nephew. Well technically on behalf of Lord Arryn, but that's besides the point. I was negotiating trade agreements with various cities, I was on my way home after a meeting with some merchant guilds in Braavos when I was told what happened. After that I made it to dragonstone where Shireen informed me of what had transpired since the death of Robert. So I came back home, to keep my nephews from killing each other."

"Well you certainly have miraculous time my lord, had you been a day late there certainly would have been a battle."

Argilac sighed heavily "I suppose I'm partly to blame for that.

Catelyn looked at him "Why do you think that?"

"When my brother and his wife died I was grief stricken. I wanted to never see Shipwrecker's Bay again. So when I was asked by my cousin to partake in an effort to eradicate a particularly vicious group of pirates, I leapt at the opportunity. Leaving my nephews to be raised by other men. It was a pattern that I kept repeating, taking every chance to leave the Stormlands for months at a time. It wasn't till after the rebellion that I realized I had been a failing as a uncle. So I stayed a court trying to fix bridges. Robert was too interested in his cups and whores, so he ignored me. But I was able to reach Renly and Stannis. Evidently I should have worked on mending the bridge between them."

Catelyn smiled at him "It could have used some work, but you were here for them when they needed you most. You even managed to keep them from killing each other, so I think you have definitely improved on your role as an uncle."

Argilac let out a light laugh. "aye, I suppose that is one thing I've managed to do right for Steffon."

Their conversation was put on hold when a messenger arrived and addressed them both.

"His Grace asked that you both attend him, he has received news from the Riverlands."

Catelyn and Argilac both spurred their horses and followed the messenger. He lead them through the chaotic throng of men and tents to Stannis's which had been placed near the center of the camp. They had entered the tent and found Stannis sitting behind a simple table with Renly and Margaery already there as well as several other lords.

Stannis rose to greet them.

"Lady Stark, Uncle, I trust you were told why you were summoned?"

Argilac walked over and sat in the chair to Stannis's left, "We were your Grace. What have you heard?"

Stannis handed him a letter

"Word from Lord Stark, he has pledged his loyalty and says he is working with the river lords to keep Tywin in the Riverlands to prevent him returning to Kings Landing."

Catelyn was relieved to hear that, she had been worried that the Northern lords would have tried to crown Robb had she not sent word of Renly kneeling soon enough.

Argilac let out a grunt of satisfaction.

"This is good, Lord Stark has show an aptitude for war. With the Blackfish advising him, he should be able to keep Tywin off footed."

This was met with general murmur of agreement.

"We have another matter to discuss, that of my succession."

This statement was meet with silence as many glanced over to Renly.

"Begging your pardon your grace, but isn't Renly your heir?"

Stannis looked over to lock eyes with his good sister, the one who had asked. He held her gaze for a few moments before responding.

"No, my daughter Shireen is my heir. Should she die then the crown would go to Renly."

Renly stood up abruptly, confusion plain on his face. His uncle however spoke before he could utter a word.

"Sit down this instance!"

The delivery of the command was so forceful that Renly as well as four other lords sat down immediately. His wife spoke drawing the eyes of the room back to her.

"Lord Baratheon, you can surely see the hypocrisy of placing Renly behind his niece. It is against the law of succession which you condemned Renly for breaking."

Argilac fixed Margaery with a scowl.

"Do you actually care about the law or are you just trying to minimize the number of people have to kill to get a crown?"

Margaery looked taken aback by his question but responded smoothly.

"Of course not Uncle I wouldn't wish harm upon Shire-"

"Oh shut up, I've meet your family and I can say with certainty I'm not related to your blowfish of a father nor your featherhead mother. So don't call me Uncle. And I know your grandmother well enough to know she would do whatever was necessary to further your family."

Margaery looked like she was going to respond when Stannis interrupted

"Enough! I have named Shireen my heir because it would be in ill form to name my brother as heir after he tried to usurp me. This will also show the other kingdoms that I will not give special treatment to my family."

Renly then choose to speak up again.

"You do realize that you will need to decide who she is to marry? If not now, you should at least have a few options before we reach King's Landing."

Argilac nodded in agreement

"He is right, you should pick someone soon."

Renly looked over to Catelyn. "Lady Stark, how old is your youngest son?

Catelyn was taken aback by Renly's question.

"Rickon is 8 years old Lord Renly."

"Shireen is 11, I think Rickon the best option for her. The next option is Robin Arryn and given that the Vale has not lifted a finger to help the Tullys or us, I doubt you feel inclined to that notion."

He directed the ending portion towards his brother who grunted in agreement.

"You are correct on that Renly. Lord Arryn is a poor option, he and his mother haven't shown any reason to choose them. House Stark however has proven themselves loyal, to me and to House Tully. Lord Stark also died because he tried to tried to ensure the proper line of succession. I think that having our houses joined is the least we can do in return for the Starks dedication."

This statement was met with approval from their uncle and with shock from Catelyn. Stannis didn't stay on the topic and immediately began discussing plans for the siege of the city. She scarcely remembered the rest of the discussions. But by the time she left for her tent escorted by Renly and Margaery she realized that she now had to work to ensure her son would be safe in the coming years. Being the intended for the Princess would make him a target for those who would want to have their sons in Rickon's position. She would have to try to ensure that the Starks had allies in Kings Landing when he finally came south to help keep him safe. She glanced at the couple next to her. Renly might be a help in that regard, his wife however is another story. Even in the North the Queen of Thorns reputation was well known and she didn't doubt that behind the soft smile that Margaery often displayed was a mind that was as sharp as her grandmother. She bid the newly wed couple goodnight when she reached the tent her escort had set for her and planned to meet with Argilac in the morning to see what options there were available to help establish a Northern and Riverland presence in court.

Thank you everyone who had reviewed the story i appreciate you taking time to do so!