Dragonstone, 298 AC

Loras places a light knock on the door, waiting for Stannis to allow him in. Since Robb Stark has joined them, he has started harassing the Lannister army, and Stannis has been impressed with his strategic intelligence, and his bravery in battle. He is seconded by Lord Bolton, Lord of Dreadfort, who gives him precious advices. For now, Stannis has not decided to attack King's Landing yet. He provides men and food to Robb, but has not engaged yet. Aistan is still a prisoner of the Lannisters, and he cannot risk his life. As Loras hears him telling him to come in, he leans on the handle of the door, and steps in the Painted Table's room. Stannis is here, standing by the edge of the room, staring at the sea. Ser Davos is by his side, but faces the young man, smiling warmly at him. Loras nods and bows respectfully to Stannis, even though he is not looking at him. The King ends up turning around and stares at him a few seconds. Stannis has heard rumors about him and Renly, and, even though he knows about his brother's sexuality, he has trouble accepting it. He needs allies in this war, and allies are won over marriage.

"Ser Loras", Stannis greets him. "I needed to see you to discuss something important with you."

Loras nods, swallowing hard. He fears the words which are going to blurt out of Stannis's mouth.

"I intend to betroth Robb Stark with your sister, Margaery. What do you think?" he asks.

Straight to the point, Loras thinks. As usual. He holds back a smile and nods at him:

"I think they would make a very gorgeous couple, your Grace."

Stannis seems suddenly irritated and clenches his jaw:

"This is not what I am asking to you, Ser. Will your sister agree to this marriage?"

Loras seems puzzled and looks at Davos, trying to know what the King wants to hear. Davos stares back at him, still. The young knight mutters:

"Your Grace… If it is your will, she will obey you of course."

Stannis sighs silently, and gets closer from him:

"I have learnt from my own experience that a marriage which is wanted is a stronger marriage than one which is compelled. This is why I am asking you, Ser, if your sister would be willing. Robb is young, and handsome. We would find easily another bride for him. But I must say I would be relieved to see him marrying Margaery. Two of the greatest houses allying, and forgetting about the past to build a new Westeros."

"I will consult my father and ask my sister", Loras nods, "and let you know about their advice about this marriage", and he bows respectfully.

Stannis nods approving and Loras takes a step backwards:

"One more thing. Talking about marriages, do you have an idea about who could marry Renly?" Stannis asks again.

With his words, Loras feels like he is thrown off a cliff. His mouth suddenly dry, he feels like he is going to be sick. Renly, married. The thought of this is too awful to him. He feels Stannis's eyes upon him, and Davos's ones as well. He knows they are watching for his reaction, and that they would not miss how pale he suddenly gets, and how nervous he seems. Loras tries to keep his composure, and thinks about a name, any name.

"Why not Arianne Martell, your Grace?"

Stannis gives him a surprised look, and Davos says:

"Are the Martells going to support us in this war?"

He has been taught about the history of Westeros, and remembers the Martells have supported Aerys during the Rebellion, and that they hold Tywin Lannister responsible for Elia Martell's death. Loras turns to Davos:

"They could, if we give them a good offer."

"The Martells will not support us, not as long as a Targaryen is alive", Stannis slowly states.

They have learnt about Daenerys targaryen's wedding to the leader of the Dothrakis, Khal Drogo. Her brother Viserys intends to take the throne back, and the Dothrakis are reputed as excellent warriors. But Stannis knows he has way more men than the Dothrakis, and that they cannot build a fleet. He has ships, though, and knows how to use them.

"Your Grace, the Martells want to avenge Elia's death. Promise them you will give them the heads of Tywin Lannister, Ser Gregor and Ser Amory, and I am sure they will support you. Betrothing Arianne to Renly would just add interest to the offer", Davos says carefully, and he notices how Loras looks down at the end of his sentence.

Stannis stays silent for a second, and the creaking of the fire and the sound of the waves licking the cliff are the only ones breaking the silence. He chews on his tongue, staring at the Westeros map in front of him. He ends up slightly nodding and looks at Davos:

"Cressen will send the letter. It is all, Ser Loras, you can leave. Davos, you stay."

Hastily, willing to hide his tears, Loras walks out. When they are alone, Stannis serves a cup of water to Davos, and to himself.

"What do you think?" he asks the previous smuggler.

Davos tilts his head:

"It seems obvious he loves your brother, your Grace."

Stannis nods slowly and sips water:

"Renly cannot stay single. He has to marry a highborn woman. It is his duty."

"But what about love, your Grace?" Davos cannot help asking.

"What do you mean?" Stannis frowns.

"You are always talking about duty. Is there no love in your life?" Davos retorts.

For a moment, Stannis does not know how to answer this:

"Of course there is. You know I love the Queen."

Davos plays with the knuckles he keeps around his neck:

"Your brother should be allowed to be happy as much as you are, your Grace."

He does not care that Stannis scowls at him: the King asks him honesty and loyalty, and that is what he is willing to give him. But Stannis cannot choose when Davos has to be honest or not. As a believer, Davos does not like the idea of homosexuality. He does not condemn it, but he believes it to be sinful. Loras and Renly love each other, probably since the time Loras was sent to Storm's end as a page. He imagines himself being deprived of Marya, and the thought of it is unbearable. It is difficult enough to be far away from her because of the war. Davos keeps looking at Stannis, impressed by his look, but not willing to show it. After a moment, Stannis clucks his tongue and waves, annoyed.

"I do not wish to talk about my brother with you. I made you stay for another business. Aistan needs to be smuggled out of Casterly Rock."

Davos almost gasps with surprise:

"And how do you intend to do this, your Grace? I have seen Casterly Rock… not with hundreds men you could get in secretly…"

"I do not need hundreds men. I need the son of a smuggler. The son of the best smuggler I know", Stannis looks at Davos.

Holding back a proud smile, but still worried with what he is asking him to do, he stammers:

"Why not me?"

"You are my Hand. I need you by my side."

Davos's jaw drops wide and he stares at the King, his knees suddenly frail, his mouth wide open in surprise. Stannis notices, and frowns.

"Oh. Maybe I should have been more formal. On your knees."

Last time Stannis has said this, he was skinny, almost dead. In his hand, a cleaver was gleaming. Davos can sometimes feel the pain again, the smell of blood, and his joints laying there in the mud. A shiver runs up and down his spine, and Stannis sheathes his sword. Without even realizing it, Davos has knelt in front of him, and his brown eyes stare at Stannis's blue ones.

"I, Stannis of House Baratheon, the first of my name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, name you, Ser Davos Seaworth, Knight of Cape Wrath, Lord of the Rainwood and Admiral of the Narrow Sea, hand of the King."

As the King's shining sword touches his shoulders, a tear falls down on the smuggler's cheek.