King's Landing, 302 AC

When Davos tells him about Cressen, his voice shaking, Stanis just stares at him for a long moment. Cressen, dead? He does not even believe it. It cannot be true. He needs Cressen, his wife needs Cressen. Who is going to deliver the baby if not him? The battle in Dragonstone has been a loss of time: only five of Daenerys' ships have been destroyed, and the dragons killed many of Stannis men. Davos observes his king, slightly afraid: the news of Cressen's death has shocked many people. The old master was well loved. But he knows Stannis has been the closest from him, and Cressen has been like a father to the King. Just like when he has seen his parents sink, Stannis remains silent, his eyes staring at an invisible point. "Go back to Dragonstone", he orders Davos before leaving the room. Davos has not even time to protest. The king walks quickly to his chambers. Davos does not try to hold him back. Stannis sits behind his desk and tries to organize the battle. He manages to do it, even if most things are ready: the men, the battlements. Melisandre has thought about something for the dragons, which look like arrows, but 400 inches long and weighing two hundred pounds. Made in iron, they have been forged and sharpened to cut as much as a razor blade. Stannis has ordered that they would be placed all around the battlements. He works until it is too dark and that he needs to lighten a candle up. His eyes itching, he lays his head back and sighs wearily, closing his eyes. He imagines he is in Riverrun, he can almost smell the fresh grass, he can see the huge stones forming the castle, he can hear the grating of the drawbridge men would lower so he would come in. And, of course, he sees Aylis, on a white bed. She would wear a white nightgown, and her fists would be grabbing the sheets. He would walk by her and take her hand. He would reassure her and tell her everything will be alright. He sees himself glancing at the huge baby bump, checking on the maids, and he would smile when he sees Cressen coming in. In his chambers, he suddenly bites his lip hard, so hard it aches but it is useless. He cannot stop the tears from falling on his cheeks, burning his eyes and giving a bittersweet taste to his saliva. Here, in the middle of the night, alone, he allows himself to weep over Cressen. He lets his feelings go, he does not hold back the loud sobs, the shaking of his body, the pain in his stomach. He just leans down on his desk and hides his face in the crooks of his arms. He does not know how long he stays here, but he suddenly feels a hand, sweet hands on his hair, stroking it very gently. He looks up and, for a split second, he thinks it is Aylis. He can see her, smiling down at him. But it cannot be his wife: she is in Riverrun, miles away from him. He blinks, and stares at Melisandre standing by his side. He suddenly stands up, and spats "Can't you knock before coming in?!", moving away from her touch. Melisandre does not seem outraged, or shocked by the King's reaction. She walks behind the chair and stands back by his side, and strokes his hair again. Stannis cannot help but thinking it is very pleasant. He is tired, upset, and sad. He just wishes he could indulge in this moment. "You do not have to share this alone", Melisandre whispers in his ear, with her weird accent and her sweet voice. "I am alone", he retorts, not in a nasty way though. He sits back in his chair, or rather falls in it, exhausted. He ragingly wipes his eyes. He hears sounds of clothes and, suddenly, Melisandre sits on him. He looks at her face outraged then glances at her naked body before looking away, red with embarrassment. "You are not alone" she slurs and puts his hand on her naked breast. He gasps and takes it off.

"What are you doing? I am married. I am your King."

She smiles softly:

"And I love my King…"

She leans down to kiss his lips but he grabs her arms:

"You are a very useful and clever advisor but… no… not that."

He pushes her away, just enough so he can leave the chair quickly. He looks at her:

"Have you lost your mind? We are at war, your Queen is probably having my son right now, and you…."

Melisandre walks to him, still naked, her skin white as milk, her breasts full and gorgeous, her nipples sticking out to him. Stannis looks away: he cannot deny her beauty but he loves Aylis and he is a faithful man.

"Dress up now", he orders. "Or I chase you from the court", he threatens.

The red woman laughs heartily:

"So I run to Daenerys and tells her all about your secrets?"

Stannis pales and narrows his eyes:

"How dare you?!"

Suddenly, the words Aylis has used towards Melisandre come back to him and are as painful as a slap in his face: she has never trusted her, and, obviously, she was right.

He shouts:

"Guards!"

Melisandre hastily ties her dress back together and the door opens, not on a guard, but on Davos. He looks at Stannis, then at Melisandre, not understanding what she is doing here. Stannis spats:

"I have asked you to go back to Dragonstone. Have you become deaf, Ser Davos?"

"I was about to, my King", Davos protests. "But…." He holds two parchments in his hand.

Stannis reaches for him:

"What are those?"

"One is from Riverrun, your Grace… the other…. From the Night's Watch…."

His heart hammering in his chest, he snatches the two out of Davos'hands. He hastily takes the one with Aylis's handwriting:

"My beloved husband,

A healthy girl has joined our family last night. Cressen had not reached Riverrun in time but I am sure, as soon as he is here, that he will take good care of us. The children are delighted. We all miss you a lot.

Love,

Your wife."

He loses the smile that has appeared on his lips when she mentions Cressen. Poor child has not known about his death. He grabs the second one:

"Letter to King Stannis, first of his name, King of the Andals and the First men,, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.

The Night's watch implores you to heed our warnings. Winter is coming, but not as we have seen for hundreds of years past. Only one man has returned from North of the Wall, the only man left from my company of brothers with news of sights I never thought to report. The White Walkers have risen again and they ride through the northern lands beyond the Wall, taking our fallen and making their own kind. An army of the dead marches forth hundred, perhaps thousands, who can only be killed by fire. Prepare your defenses my Lord. They are coming."

The letter was signed from a shaking hand: Aemon, Maester of the Night's watch, Castleblack.

Stannis held back a loud sigh, gave the letter to Davos so he reads it, now he had learnt how to read, and turned to Melisandre as guards finally arrived.

"Lock her in the cells", he says, and Melisandre's eyes burn with anger and hatred as the guards take her away from the room.