THE SWORN SHIELD

The journey throughout Stormlands was a calm one. They easily reached Bronzegate within a week. They were travelling via Kingsroad. He could easily say that Stormlands had best roads in Seven Kingdom only matched by the ones in Reach and Westerlands. Even if they did not have as many roads as in Stormlands. Balon was happy to see his home prosper. It only due to his Prince that Stormlands were getting its due. Other Kingdoms often looked down on Stormlands due to its size and population.

Ser Balon Swann was happy with his life. Despite being second son of Lord Gulian Swann, one of the more powerful Stormlord he did not have many aspirations in his life. He was a calm and blunt man. He did not have mind for intrigues or political machinations. That was his father's forte. He was a man of his word.

So when he was named the sworn shield of eight year old second Prince, he vowed to protect his Prince. He was a Prince's man through and through. If his Prince commanded, he would die happily with a smile on his face. He had failed to protect his Prince once he would rather rot in seven hells than to fail again.

He still remembered carrying the bloodied form of 10 year old Prince through corridors of Red Keep shouting for Maester. Light in Prince's eye becoming duller by moment. He was begging the gods for Prince's survival.

He was broken out his thoughts as most of the great hall dissolved in laughter. It looked like Lord Buckler made a rather funny jape. He could easily spot his Prince smiling beside Ralph Buckler. Only those who knew him well enough that could tell you that the smile was a fake one.

They were at rather large feast thrown by lord Buckler in honour of the Prince. He was one of the lords who got rather rich due to Prince's reforms. His son was also one of Prince's squire alongside young Edric. He was a man in his early thirties who had fought in both rebellions. While by no means a coward, he was rather opportunistic man.

" I must thank you for such a great feast my lord. But I am afraid I must retire for the night. We have to leave tomorrow." he heard his Prince saying.

" Are you sure my Prince. After all Royal family has already departed for Winterfell. They might have already crossed Riverlands by now." questioned the host.

" Yes I would have to be there for the return of my family with our new Hand." The prince replied.

"So you are sure Lord Stark will accept. "the only hint that Prince Hadrian heard his question was small twitch of his lips. He got up and started walking through ranks of many knights and men who were drinking and dancing and enjoying themselves. Many of them even shouted towards the Prince to stay but he just walked out of the hall ignoring them.

He followed behind the Prince as was his duty. On the way he asked

"Are sure about bringing this many men to capital?"

He was of course talking about the men they were taking with them to capital. There were 200 men at arms and about three dozen Knights with them. There were of course many servants with them. All in all it was a rather large party . He had asked this question about a dozen times but always got a vague reply.

The Prince just nodded. So Balon asked," Do you think we'll need them?"

" Maybe, Maybe not who knows?" He looked at the Prince with sceptism

"Where will they stay?"

"Knights and a fourth of our men will stay in the Red Keep. Not many people know bit I own quite a few inns in the city which can easily accommodate rest of our men." The Prince replied. He said nothing knowing that his charge probably had some plan in mind.

" I thought You would be more worried about my family's reaction to my return. " The prince looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

He tensed at the mention of the family and replied coldly" I will not fail you again my Prince."

The Prince smiled softly ay him and said," You never failed me Balon . You didn't know he would go that far. Stop blaming yourself." he just stayed quiet.

Soon they reached the guest chambers. The Prince looked towards him and said," Go rest my friend we have another long day of riding tomorrow. Thats a command. " He just nodded watching the prince go into his room.

No matter what the Prince said he had failed had vowed to protect him from everything even his family. He would never fail again.

Instead of going back to his chambers. He started roaming Lord Buckler's halls. Bronzegate was one of the largest castle in Stormlands. It was named after the large gate of bronze at the entry of the castle. There were near hundreds of runes carved into the gate which had been there before the coming of Andals .The gate has never been breached. While could still get in through other gates,this one was unbreachable.

There was also a large town near the castle. It had grown in recent years with merchant from all seven kingdoms stopping often especially on many who were on their way to godsgrief and Weeping town. He walked out of the castle towards where he knew where their party had made A large castle, the prince did not want to burden Lord Buckler.

When he reached the camp he heard music and shouting coming. It looked like men were having their own feast he joined in and just sat there looking at people enjoying he asked one of the maids where food and drinks came from , she told him about how prince bought them before the feast and told them to enjoy themselves. He even stayed for a while.

He smiled softly at that. That was Hadrian Baratheon for you. He inspired loyalty among men and women both highborn and lowborn alike. All of these were his men and women because he treated them kindly.

He was someone worth following and they all would follow him wherever he lead them

belle hawk- I know it's been done but this one is is not canon harry. Therehave been harry stark fics also and a few lannister ones. But in my opinion Tywin won't give any of his son or grandson any power.I can't think harry will be suitable for any other great house and harry potter cannot make that much impact, he has magic but he is only one man.

orionastro-bran needs to fall for whole three eyed raven for ned you'll have to find out

ol-11jrw- I am a fan. Actually your mage of the storm with Third Dash's Sorcerer Prince inspired me to write this.I agree with you Stormlands is is a non entity on the show and books make them weakest kingdom even if they are said to have strongest infantry . They have to have something if they were always close to the crown as it was mentioned.

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