King's Landing came into view three weeks after they'd left Storm's End.
He'd been once before, for his brother's wedding to Cersei Lannister, but he hardly remembered it, so the sprawling mass of buildings that greeted him took him by surprise. Even from this distance he could see the red-washed stone walls of the Red Keep atop Aegon's Hill, a massive fortress that perhaps even rivalled the size of Storm's End. He caught a glimpse of other landmarks, the Great Sept of Baelor's marble, slightly delicate-looking, construction contrasting with the hulking dominance of the Dragon Pit on the hill next to it. Thousands upon thousands of buildings, both large and small, surrounded these great structures, connected by cascading clusters of small streets and brimming with hundreds of thousands of people.
"Quite a sight," he commented to Ser Nestor Mallery beside him.
"As you say, my prince." The salt and pepper haired knight said blandly.
Jasper sighed. He'd not managed to make the man smile once. He couldn't help but think Renly would've been able to.
They approached the city at a trot. The Kingsroad was packed full of people making their way towards the capitol of King's Landing, many leading animals and carts likely headed for one of the city's markets. All parted before them, some looking at the brother of the king and his entourage with fear, some with amazement, a few with resentment.
The closer they got to the city, the stronger the acrid stench assaulting his nose got. Jasper had never smelt something so awful. The stink was so overpowering he feared he might faint by the time they got to the River Gate. He coped by holding a dirty rag over his nose as they properly entered the city, after being waved in by a few gold cloaks. Ser Nestor had handed it to him; the man might be as dour as a doorknob but at least he was prepared.
The ride up to the Red Keep, through narrow, cobblestoned streets, was slower than Jasper would've wanted, but eventually they arrived at the large gates of the Red Keep.
"Prince Jasper Baratheon, brother to the king!" Ser Nestor announced to the captain in charge of the gate.
The old man atop the wall ordered the gate lowered, before descending stone steps to meet them on the other side of the wall.
"Welcome to King's Landing, Prince Jasper," the gold cloak captain bowed his head, as Jasper rode up to him, across the wooden drawbridge. "Captain Jacor, at your service."
"Nice to meet you, captain." Jasper smiled, clambering of his horse. A groom suddenly appeared at his shoulder and he handed the reigns of his horse over, giving the creature that had carried him hundreds of miles a fond pat as he did so.
"Lord Stannis asked me to have you escorted to a visitor's chamber as soon as you arrived, my prince." Captain Jacor told him. "I believe he is in a meeting of the small council currently but should be available to see you after that concludes."
"I see," Jasper said, wiping his sweaty brow with the sleeve of his tunic. "Thank you for your help, captain."
"Of course, my prince," the grey-haired man bowed once more. "If you'd follow me..."
Jasper nodded dumbly, more concerned with looking around at the chaos of the Red Keep's main courtyard. Servants rushed this way and that on their assigned tasks and a squadron of Lannister guards drilled under the watchful eye of a knight with a bushy moustache on one end, even as a group of guardsmen dressed in the gold-yellow and black livery of House Baratheon marched passed. Another section of the training yard rang with the clash of steel on steel, as a group of knights practiced with one another. Storm's End could have been a library in comparison.
Captain Jacor caught him looking.
"That's not even the main yard," he told the prince. "The training fields lie beyond, behind the Holdfast."
Jasper grinned; he couldn't wait to see the spars and jousts. But not now.
"Lead on, captain."
The twisting corridors of Maegor's Holdfast were extremely confusing, and Jasper knew he'd never be able to find his way back to the main courtyard. Captain Jacor led him up several flights of stairs, then through a series of turn and across a long corridor, before finally stopping in front of a large, steel-studded door.
"Your chamber's for the duration of your visit, my prince," the captain said, opening the door.
Jasper entered and found a similar chamber to his in Storm's End, if a bit smaller and with a small balcony.
As Captain Jacor left, Jasper realised he Ser Nestor had not followed them up and that he was alone. With nothing to do and no way of knowing how to get anywhere, he sat on the bed with a sigh. Suddenly, he was thankful he'd only be staying here for less than a week.
Hours later Stannis finally arrived.
His brother looked as severe as always, his mouth set in a firm straight line. He was still as tall and broad-shouldered as Jasper remembered him from his last visit to Storm's End half a year ago. Already balding, the Lord of Dragonstone looked older then his years with his face creased with wrinkles. The lines around his Baratheon blue eyes softened ever so slightly as he looked upon his youngest brother, though he still bore a grave expression. Still, Jasper was happy to see him.
"Stannis!" he yelled, running forward to greet his brother with a hug.
Stannis coughed awkwardly and patted him on the back hesitantly. Jasper saw the two Baratheon guards who had entered with his brother share an amused glance.
"Jasper," the older Baratheon replied in a deep voice. "You've gotten taller."
"I'll be almost as tall as you soon!" Jasper grinned up at him and was awarded with an uncertain half-smile. He counted it as a victory. "Is Robert coming?"
Stannis' face darkened. "No," he said plainly. "He is… otherwise occupied. You'll be able to see him tomorrow."
"Oh." Jasper frowned, disappointed. "What about today?"
"I have the rest of the day free. I can sure you around." Stannis took a step back, looking unsure. "That is, if you want to. I'm sure you'd prefer Rob-"
"That would be great!" Jasper interrupted him, beaming.
Stannis blinked, looking a little surprised, which seemed odd to Jasper. He didn't dwell on it, however.
"Can we go to the training yard first?" Jasper asked, excited. "Captain Jacor said it was huge! I want to see the sword fighting and the jousting. I know they're just practicing, but they are hardly any knights at Storm's End."
Stannis tilted his head. "If you want we can began there," he said, then frowned. "As frivolous as most of these knights are, it might do you good to see some proper training before you arrive at Runestone."
"Then let's go!" Jasper said, taking his older brother by the hand and pulling him towards the door.
"Patience, Jasper," Stannis warned. "We have plenty of the day left."
"Fine." Jasper muttered, sullenly. They left the room at a slower pace, the two guards falling into step behind them. "Why can't I see Robert until tomorrow?"
"He's… busy." Stannis shifted uncomfortably. "Many matters require a king's attention, a boy your age could hardly understand."
"Hey!" Jasper raised his little voice in anger. "I'm eight namedays old now!"
"So, you are," Stannis agreed, a little amusedly. "A veritable adult, I'm sure. Don't worry, you'll see our illustrious brother tomorrow. A midday meal is planned to welcome you to the capitol. He'll be there, along with the Queen, the Hand and some fawning lords, desperate for attention."
By the end of his comment Stannis' voice was bitter and Jasper decided he needed to cheer his brother up.
"Race you to the bottom of the stairs!" Jasper called over his shoulder, already racing forward to take the large stone steps in front of them two at a time.
"Jasper!" Stannis' irritated voice shouted after him.
Stannis didn't quite race him, but he did have to jog to keep up with his younger brother. It was probably the closest he would get to cajoling Stannis into racing him, so he considered it a job well done. Stannis glared at Jasper when he caught up to him but when Jasper only gave a cheeky sigh in response, Stannis sighed and led the excitable boy to the main training field.
It was just what he'd hoped for. Several groupings of guards- in a mix of Baratheon, Lannister, Arryn, Bolling and Wendwater colours, the latter two likely part of the household guards of Lord Horton Wendwater, the Master of Laws, and Lord Arthur Bolling, Master of Coin. Elsewhere knights and guards alike were sparring, separated into twos with each pair in various stages of combat. Four barriers were set up towards the far end of the field and more than a dozen knights were practicing their jousting there, or else awaiting their turn. The thundering of their warhorses could be heard from all around the yard, mixing in with the clanging of weapons and armour, and cries of pain as injuries were inflicted in the spars. You could almost taste the sweat in the air.
Jasper loved it.
"Where are there so many?" He asked his older brother. "Is there to be a tourney?"
"As much as our brother loves them, no," Stannis told him. "King's Landing never has a shortage of glory-seeking young knights and hangers on. During a tourney most must train outside the city, near the tourney grounds themselves there are so many knights."
Jasper gaped in wonder.
Renly had always loved watching colourful knights, and colourful knights jousting in particular, but Jasper wasn't really picky. He just wanted to watch people fight.
He would've stayed there for hours- he was particularly engrossed in a duel between Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard and a knight with the brown bear paw of House Brune of Brownhollow on his chest- but Stannis managed to drag him away eventually.
Next the Lord of Dragonstone took him to the great hall. The Iron Throne was extraordinary, for sure, but Jasper thought it looked terribly uncomfortable. Stannis showed him the Godswood, the Maidenvault, the White Sword Tower and, finally, the Tower of the Hand. All were incredible in their own way, but Jasper still felt that the training field was his favourite part of the Red Keep.
It was nearing sundown when they descended the steps of the Tower of the Hand after a short talk with Lord Arryn in his solar. The old man had been kind to him, asking how his journey was and whether he was excited to go to Runestone, but he'd seemed tired, the mounds of papers piled on his desk testament how much work he needed to do, and they had left him in peace quickly. Stannis looked mentally exhausted, but Jasper was still as enthusiastic as he had been at the start of the day.
"Do you think the soldiers will still be training in the yard? Can we watch them again?" he asked Stannis, eyes wide with excitement.
Stannis closed his eyes, as Jasper looked at him with anticipation. He waited with bated breath for several moments, while his brother remained silent.
"Fine," Stannis finally bit out between gritted teeth.
"Yes!" Jasper cheered, as Stannis groaned.
o-O-o
Jasper arrived at the king's personal dining hall, smaller than that of the great hall and used for more intimate affairs, excited to see his eldest brother for the first time in a year and a half, when Robert had visited Storm's End- and that trip had barely lasted a week.
After eating with Stannis the previous evening, Jasper had slept well. He'd woken up that morning not long after dawn, desperate to look around once more, though this time Stannis had been too busy to be with him. Instead Alrik, one of Stannis' guards who had been tasked with guarding Jasper for the remainder of his time in King's Landing, had shown him around some of the lower tunnels in Maegor's Holdfast and had also shown him the armoury. Afterwards he'd once again visited the training field, but he hadn't had long there until it was time for the midday meal.
Alrik announced him to the Ser Preston Greenfield, the Kingsguard outside the door. Ser Preston stood aside and opened the door for him, bowing ever so slightly as he did so.
Within Jasper found a lavishly furnished room, bursting with golds and reds. A long, dark wood table stretched from one end of the room to the other. On it fine silver platters, goblets and cutlery were laid out carefully and servants lined the walls with jugs of fine wine, standing as still as statues. Comfortable, cushioned chairs were arrayed around the table. Most of them were full, but he only recognized a couple of them.
Lord Jon Arryn stood up from his chair and beckoned for Jasper to come forward, with a welcoming smile on his face.
"Welcome, my prince," he said, as the others around the table also stood, many of them looking at him with penetrating, curious eyes; it made him feel uneasy. Jasper swallowed and began to approach slowly.
"You have been given the seat of honour, my prince," Lord Arryn informed him as he got closer. "Next to your brother, King Robert himself."
Jasper tried to smile, but it came out more as a grimace. He'd never had so many powerful people examine him like this before and he didn't know what to do. No doubt Renly would make some brilliant joke and charm them all. He'd seen his older twin do it with Stormlords before.
Jasper sat down in his intended seat and listened as Lord Arryn introduced him to the attending guests. There was Lord Horton Wendwater, the Master of Laws, a small, plump man almost as old as Lord Arryn and his much younger wife. Lord Arthur Bolling, the Master of Coin, sat a few seats down. He was dressed richly, wearing robes of deep purple sewn with gold seams that matched the gaudy rings on each of his fingers. Others were introduced- thin and hawkish Lord Hayford, the scowling Lady Harte and the enormously fat Lord Chyttering, among others, though most of the names went in one ear and out the other.
Jasper did his best to smile politely at each and engage in small talk, but the chatter soon turned to matters he didn't understand. Land claims, rising debt, city watch reforms- it all baffled him.
Thankfully, Stannis entered soon after and took a seat opposite him, which settled him some.
"All hail His Grace, Robert of House Baratheon, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, and his Queen, Cersei of House Lannister," a herald announced a few moments later.
His eldest brother was just a he remembered him. Big and black bearded, Robert slouched in, a half empty cup of wine already in his large hands. His shoulders were far broader than Stannis', but, unlike Stannis, he now had a slight potbelly which Jasper didn't think he had before, though despite this he still looked fit and fierce. A true king, Jasper thought.
Beside him was perhaps the most beautiful woman Jasper had ever seen. Thin and slender, Queen Cersei wore a gown of red and gold that complemented her figure perfectly. Her face was almost inhumanly gorgeous, with high cheekbones and almond shaped eyes the colour of emerald. Long, golden hair framed her face.
The two did not come in arm in arm, in fact they seemed to walk in as far away from each other as they could without making it too obvious for the courtiers at the table.
Behind them three Kingsguard knights followed closely- Ser Jaime Lannister, Ser Meryn Trant and the famous Ser Barristan Selmy. Jasper's mouth dropped open at the sight of one of the greatest fighters the Seven Kingdoms had ever seen. He had so many things he could ask the legendary knight, but he knew it wasn't proper, not right now. Perhaps he could pester Stannis to take him to the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard later.
"Robert!" Jasper cried happily. He couldn't help it; he hadn't seen his brother in so long.
"Jasper!" Robert boomed, boisterously. "What are you waiting for? Get over here and give your brother a damn hug."
Grinning, Jasper moved forwards quickly to hug the king around his large middle.
"Look how big you are," Robert declared, an easy smile, so like Renly's, on his face. "A true Baratheon!"
Jasper puffed out his chest proudly, as he stepped back from his royal brother.
"I bet you're a right terror in the training yard, aye," Robert laughed.
"Ser Cortnay says I am as skilled as you were at your age!" Jasper boasted.
"I'm sure you are." Robert said. He opened his mouth to continue but was interrupted before he could.
"As touching as this reunion is, my love, perhaps we could get started? I'm sure our dear guests here are dreadfully famished." Queen Cersei purred, her voice soft and velvety but Jasper fought there was an undercurrent of… something behind her words.
"Fine, fine let's get started," Robert said, moving forward to sit down, though none in the room missed the glare he sent the Lannister woman's way.
"It is so good to see you, good-brother," the queen said, turning to Jasper and offering him her hand.
"Your Grace," Jasper bowed, kissing the soft flesh of her hand unsurely.
She smiled dangerously at him and suddenly he wished he was back out in the training yard, watching the men spar and joust.
Despite this, much of the meal was enjoyable.
Robert, between large gulps of wine, regaled him and the attending lords and ladies with stories of the rebellion. Jasper was enthralled, particularly with the duel against Rhaegar Targaryen, the Last Dragon, on the shores of the trident, the final death knell of the Targaryen dynasty. The courtiers around them appeared engrossed, gasping and applauding at the correct times, though the majority of them must have heard it all before. Only three seemed immune to Robert's stories- Lord Arryn, who looked on in bemused exasperation, Stannis, who seemed derisive of the stories and courtiers both, and Queen Cersei, who looked around haughtily with her head held high, seemingly not paying attention to her husband's tales at all.
Eventually, while the main course was served, the larger conversation seemed to die down and was replaced with smaller discussions.
"You'll bloody love the Vale, Jasper," Robert rumbled, even as Stannis frowned at the poor language. "Best time of my life was there, fostering with Jon and Ned."
"Lord Yohn is a good man, my prince," Lord Arryn smiled at him. "You couldn't ask for a finer foster lord."
"Aye!" Robert agreed loudly, taking a huge bite out of a chicken leg. "Remember him at Gulltown and the Trident, Jon? Must have taken out a dozen men with that great sword of his!"
"More importantly," Stannis bit out, "he is an honourable man, who will teach you duty and respect."
"Oh, cheer up, Stannis!" Robert grinned. "The lad doesn't want to hear about that honour and duty waffle you love so much- it's about fighting! And Yohn Royce can teach you how to fight, little brother."
As much as he didn't want to let down Stannis, Jasper couldn't help but grin in anticipation.
"Now, now," Lord Arryn intervened in a grandfatherly tone, "your brother makes a valid point, Your Grace. The values that Lord Stannis mentions are just as, and in some ways more important, than fighting ability."
Robert groaned. "Come on, Jon! All an eight namedays old boy thinks about is battles and war and that's how it should be."
"Hmm, perhaps a balance of both is desirable?" Queen Cersei asked, pausing in her conversation with Lord Bolling.
"Yes, perhaps, Your Grace." Lord Arryn agreed half-heartedly, pursing his lips.
"In any case," Stannis turned to Jasper. "I trust you will represent House Baratheon adequately, Jasper."
"Of course," Jasper said quickly, with a smile. "I won't let you down!"
"You've already failed in that through smiling- we all know how our dear brother hates that so," Robert japed, to the laughs of many.
Stannis ground his teeth.
o-O-o
Robert said goodbye to him in the Red Keep main courtyard two days later. After telling him to train hard and cause as much mischief in the Vale as possible, Robert reached into his long cloak and pulled a small scabbarded dagger. It was simple but made of strong, castle-forged steel with the black stag of House Baratheon etched into its pommel.
"Keep it safe, use it well. And remember that its not a toy," Robert told him, unusually serious.
Jasper hugged him, bade goodbye to Lord Arryn and the few other lords gathered, and allowed himself to be led away by Stannis and his guards so that they could escort him to the docks.
It was rather a long journey by foot. Jasper, carrying his small pack of belongings, had to hurry to keep up with Stannis broad steps. A total of six guards, Alrik included, marched behind and in front of them, warding off the curious smallfolk. Most only cast them a few glances, save for a group of dirty-looking young boys who tailed them for several streets before one of the guards shouted at them to leave. Storm's End was a castle, not a city, so many sights were new to him; rag wearing beggars, so thin you could see their bones through the skin; thriving stalls, selling anything from simple bread and wine, to exotic spices, dyes and clothes from the far east; even the many inns and taverns- there had to be two to a street- were busy, though it was still the morning.
The docks, too, were hectic. All sorts of people, from olive-skinned Dornishmen and colourfully dressed Essosi to dark Summer Islanders and Jasper even spotted a small group of merchants that looked to of come from the far-off Yi Ti. Scores of ships floated in the harbour, some having just docked, others looking ready to set off with crew members shouting at one another and sails being raised.
Stannis led him to a large war galley flying the gold-yellow and black Baratheon sail. Painted on the side in flourishing gold lettering were the words Black Betha.
A man, presumably the captain, walked down the ships gangplank and met them on the dock. The man had a kind face and medium length brown hair that matched the colour of his eyes. He wore a blue tunic with old boots and brown breeches, covered by a green cloak gripped with a clasp depicting a black ship with a white onion on its sails. It was a coat of arms Jasper recognized but he couldn't quite place.
"Lord Stannis," the man bowed, speaking with a common accent. "It's good to see you again, my lord."
"And you," Stannis nodded at the man. "I trust Marya's labour went well? I have not yet received a raven."
"Aye, it did." The man smiled. "Suppose the ship was faster than the raven this time. Another boy it was, my lord. Maric, we've named him."
"Congratulations," Stannis replied.
The man nodded his thanks, scratching his head when he did so and that was when Jasper noticed it. The first joints of the fingers of the man's left hand were missing. He now knew who the man was.
"Jasper," Stannis began, "this is-"
"Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight!" Jasper named him, grinning in delight.
"I'm surprised you remember me," Ser Davos said, smiling back. "You and your brother were barely six namedays old when I last saw you, if I remember rightly."
"You saved my life, and that of countless others in Storm's End. You're a hero!"
The head of House Seaworth flushed. "I don't know about that, my prince. I simply did what I could to get the best price of my onions and save some people in the process."
"But you didn't have to." Jasper proclaimed. "And Stannis knighted you for it, so you must be a hero!"
"Yet he also lost the tips of his left hand," Stannis told Jasper, face stern. "For no matter how brave and noble he acted that day, he was still a smuggler. And he had to be punished for it."
"And I am forever grateful to you, my lord, for the knighthood and punishment both." Ser Davos bowed his head.
"I have no need for your gratitude, only your continued loyal service." Stannis told him. "Are you ready to sail?"
"Whenever you command, my lord," Ser Davos said. "We have the wind, for the moment."
"Then see to the final preparations." Stannis ordered the Onion Knight.
Ser Davos nodded and bowed, before turning around and walking up the gangplank, yelling commands as he did so.
"Ser Davos is taking me to Runestone?" Jasper asked his brother, excited.
"He is." Stannis said. "I needed my most trusted ship captains to escort the king's brother, and that is he. None in all the Seven Kingdoms can captain a ship as well as the Onion Knight."
A pause.
"I, uh, suppose this is goodbye then," Jasper muttered.
"Yes." Stannis said simply. "In truth I would've preferred you foster closer to King's Landing and Storm's End both. It had been planned that you would serve as a page and squire to a lord in the Stormlands before Robert interfered and insisted the Vale was at least made an option."
"I don't mind, really," Jasper tried to smile, sounding unconvincing even to himself. "It will be a new and exciting adventure, right?"
"In a way," Stannis said, tilting his head. "But be sure to conduct yourself with decorum first, learn second, and have… fun third."
Jasper grinned and shifted forwards to wrap Stannis in a tight hug. He buried his head in his brother's midriff, savouring his final moments with a family member for likely several years.
From now on he was on his own.