AN- Hey everyone, been a while hasn't it? I'm so sorry for the long time a way but life has not given me time to do much of anything for a while now. Anyways, remember to leave a review, and I hope you enjoy!
The Old Ways Must Give In
Stormlands- Atticus and his men road in silence towards Storm's End, as they had been for weeks now. The young Lannister had not been talkative, as his thoughts went back and forth between those he cared about. His father remained prisoner, his betrothed laid ill, and his country tore itself apart. All of this weighed heavily on his mind, much like the mist that clouded the road. Atticus was pulled from his thoughts by one of his soldiers, who pulled up beside him.
"My lord," the soldier who Atticus recognized as Henry spoke, "the castle should be in sight soon, some of the men are worried about how Renly will act at the sight of Lannister colors."
"If you are asking if we should strike our banners, the answer is no. Whatever people say about us, I am proud to be able to carry the Lannister name. I will never be ashamed of it." Atticus responded firmly. Henry nodded before turning his head to the men in the back, who looked slightly disappointed.
"As you say my lord," Henry responded. As the group of 11 men reached the apex of a hill, they were greeted by the sight of Storm's End, arguably the most impenetrable castle in Westeros. More than that, the sight of a large army was the more daunting sight.
"That has to be the biggest army ever!" one of the soldiers declared, while a few of the other muttered about the banner.
"Steady men, we're here to talk, not fight. Now, raise those banners high, show no hostility but no fear as well," Atticus advised as he led the men down the hill, though he himself was taken aback by the scope of the army.
"Let's hope we really are only here to talk." He thought to himself as they descended the hill.
40 minutes later- Atticus sat in Renly's tent, where he had been waiting for over half an hour. The reception he and his men had received was frigid to say the least. While Renly was negotiating with his brother Stannis, Lord Tarly had control of the camp. The older lord made sure that both Atticus and his men were constantly watched by at least three soldiers each. The only weapon Atticus was allowed to hold was Ice, which he had refused to part with. Atticus was snapped from his boredom by the arrival of Renly. The young man was clad in ornate armor, and followed by a large retinue, including Ser Loras Tyrell, a beautiful woman with a crown on her head, as well as a large woman in plate armor. Most importantly, Atticus saw Catelyn Stark, a sight that made his heart drop. Atticus rose from his chair, clutching Ice close to his body.
"Hello Atti… my lord," Catelyn said with a curtsey, never forgetting her manners. Atticus bowed in response.
"My lady, I present your family's sword too you. I'm so sorry I couldn't do more," Atticus said, choking on the words. Catelyn accepted the sword and gave the boy a smile.
"You have done plenty enough for my family, there is no need to be sorry. How is Arya?" She said, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"She is ill, but I left her with the best Maester I have ever met, she will be fine." Atticus replied. Renly cleared his throat, bringing attention back to him.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I believe it only polite to offer my guest wine." Renly said, pointing to a pitcher. The beautiful woman poured a cup and offered it to Atticus.
"Thank you, Lord Renly, my lady." Atticus said, receiving the cup and sipping.
"Lord Atticus, this is my wife Margaery. She is Ser Loras's sister, and I would wager the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms. Wouldn't you agree?" Renly asked, his wife giving a coy smile. Atticus thought for a moment, sipping his wine.
"That she might be, Lord Renly. I must thank you for your hospitality, but I believe my task here is complete and I have most certainly overstayed my welcome," Atticus replied, wishing to leave as fast as possible. He had seen the size of the army, and had delivered Ice, and was honestly feeling quite unsafe, what with the daggers nearly everyone was shooting at him.
"Nonsense," Renly replied as he walked closer to Atticus, "there is but a few hours till dusk, you should stay until morning. Besides, we have much to discuss," Renly finished, gesturing for Atticus to take a seat, though the young lion remained standing.
"And what do we have to discuss?" Atticus said matter-of-factly, his suspicion growing.
"I have no quarrel with you Atticus, and I believe you will be a fine lord of Casterly Rock. When I take King's Landing, I'd like to see you fill that position still. And I believe I know the best way for that to happen." Renly said, sitting down next to Atticus. The young Lannister scanned the faces of those in the room and noticed Catelyn's discomfort.
"And what does this entail?" Atticus replied, knowing damn well what Renly wanted.
"Simple, you control ten thousand men, all I need you to do is use them to prevent Tywin from marching back south to protect the capital." Renly answered, shocking Atticus and Catelyn.
"Surely you don't want him to march against his own grandfather!" Lady Stark protested. Renly waved her off and shook his head.
"Not at all, I simply believe he should prevent his grandfather from marching south, perhaps even convince him to abandon Joffrey's cause. I doubt he will be willing to fight his own heir." Renly responded. The room was quiet for a minute, before Atticus began to laugh loudly, surprising Renly.
"I'm sorry but you clearly do not know my grandfather. He would march through me in a second if I was endangering the family in any way. Second, there is nothing you could offer him or me that would make us join you against Joffrey." Atticus said, now stern in voice and face. Renly sighed and shrugged.
"I thought it was a long shot, still we have other busine…" Renly started, before one of his soldiers ran into the tent, appearing out of breath.
"Your grace! A large fleet has been spotted! They will be here soon!" the soldier exclaimed, as both Atticus and Renly jumped to their feet.
"Whose colors do they fly?" Atticus questioned.
"Targaryen my lord." The soldier replied, leaving the entire room frozen for what felt like an eternity.
"I… I'll rally the men your grace." Loras said before heading out of the tent with great speed. Renly remained in place, still in shock. Atticus, having regained his senses, went over to the claimant king.
"Renly, come on, your men need you." Atticus said, snapping Renly back to reality.
"Yes, you're right. Here, follow me Atticus, arm yourself and your men, I'll try to parley with the Targaryen girl, perhaps you and Lady Catelyn should accompany me, to represent Tywin and Robb." Renly said as he made his way out of the tent. Atticus nodded and followed, as he heard the camp erupt into chaos.
1 hour later- As it quickly approached dusk, Atticus could see the large host now located on the beach grow and grow as more men disembarked from their ships. Atticus looked back at Renly's army, and sighed at its pitiful state. While large, it took far too long to mobilize, and the fear the men felt was palpable. He could not blame them, as they were faced with the first ever Dothraki attack in Westeros, not a concept Atticus was comfortable with either. As the heir to The Rock was combing the Dothraki for weaknesses, Lady Catelyn and Renly approached him.
"My messenger has returned, he says Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo are willing to parley." Renly said.
"Good, hopefully we can avoid battle today." Atticus said, as he, Renly, Catelyn, and their combined personal guard made their way down to the beach. They were met halfway by the Targaryen delegation. Atticus was able to guess who most of them were quite easily. Daenerys was a beautiful woman with silver hair, Khal Drogo was tall, dark and heavily muscled, and Jorah Mormont wore his years on his face. Among them was an assortment of Dothraki, a handmaiden, and other soldiers, but also one more face that stood out to Atticus. Ser Barristan. As they approached, both parties dismounted their horses, something Atticus noticed the Dothraki did not look comfortable doing.
"You stand before Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Rightful Queen of the Andals and the First Men, and Mother of Dragons." The handmaiden declared in a rehearsed tone. Atticus almost rolled his eyes at the titles, and had to hold his tongue, lest he make a snide comment.
"I am Renly, of House Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. To my right is Atticus Lannister, heir to Casterly Rock, and to my left is Lady Catelyn Stark, who speaks for her son, Robb Stark. Welcome to Westeros." Renly said cheerfully, noticeably not naming himself as king. Daenerys smiled and extended her hand, which Renly kissed.
"It is good to finally speak to you in person Lord Renly. Your cooperation and loyalty are much valued." Dany said, giving a cheeky smile to the confused Atticus and Cat.
"Renly, what is this?" Atticus questioned, as his men drew closer to him.
"This is the fruits of a pact I have made with Queen Daenerys here. You see, I was promised not only to retain my place as Lord of the Stormlands, but also a place at her small council as Master of Coin," Renly answered with a smile.
"But your brother offered you essentially the same thing," Catelyn reproached him.
"True, but unlike my brother, I believe Queen Daenerys can actually win. Along with that, I like her more," Renly replied, "More than that, I was hoping you too might be willing to join me in this venture. With the power of the North and the Wealth of Casterly Rock, we would be unstoppable," he offered, extending his hand.
"Renly, you know I don't have the authority to agree to such terms, not under these conditions," Catelyn said.
"Fair enough, I give you leave to return to your son with these terms, invite him to return in person for our next negotiations. How about you Atticus? With yo…" Renly started before being interrupted by Dany.
"Atticus Lannister, your family has betrayed mine twice over. This may be your only chance to regain what honor the Lannister name has lost. Think about your decision hard," Dany added, directing the conversation to the young bastard.
"I could not agree to such a thing, your grace. While you have claim to the throne I would be betraying my family to join you." Atticus answered.
"I understand, and I am very sad to hear you say such a thing. Kill the men, take the boy alive." Daenerys said in common before saying something in Dothraki. Soon sell swords and Dothraki attacked Atticus and his men, who barely had enough time to draw their weapons. Atticus quickly drew Brightroar and struck down a Dothraki screamer that charged at him, and another caught the blade of another to his breast plate. Atticus skewered the man before quickly slicing through two sellswords. Atticus grimaced as one stabbed him in the leg with a dagger, was knocked to the ground from behind by another, where he came face to face with Henry, who's eyes were glassy as blood poured from his mouth. Atticus reached for his sword, but a sellsword boot crushed his left hand with an audible crack and scream of pain.
"Aww the little cunt lord got hurt." The unsavory character said kicking and stomping Atticus's legs, arms and head.
"Please have mercy the boy has done nothing wrong!" Lady Catelyn screamed in shock.
"Mero, that is enough! Chain him well, and we'll place him in a cell." Daenerys said, as two Dothraki picked up Atticus by his arms. The boy stared as he was dragged away, hazy from the beating, but the cold look still in his eyes, even as he faded to unconsciousness. Lady Catelyn turned away in disgust at someone breaking the sanctity of parley.
"My lady, I would like Brienne to accompany you, as both an extra protector to you and to represent my interests in the North." Renly said. Cat said nothing but nodded, and road back with her men, away from the camp very quickly, Brienne in toe.
"My lady, what are we going to do?" one of the men asked.
"First, we are going to Casterly Rock, the whole of Westeros needs to know about this. More than that, I need to see my daughter." Catelyn said as Brienne caught up, signaling and end to the discussion.
AN- And there it is, chapter 15 after all this time. Thank you to everyone who is a fan and has been waiting for this, your dedication is greatly appreciated. Remember to leave a review, and I hope you enjoyed!