(A.N: Reviews and Comments make me write faster!)
Chapter III
Stannis Baratheon, the young and dutiful son of Lord Steffon Baratheon, rode with his father towards the grand and fabled Casterly Rock. The Baratheon entourage had left behind the comforts of their home in Storm's End about a moon ago, embarking on a long journey across the land to attend a tourney that Lord Tywin Lannister was hosting in the honour of the birth of prince Viserys. And the young lordling had hated every waking minute of it.
He hated the long hours of riding, he hated the uncomfortable nights spent in strange inns, he hated the tedious small talk with his father's knights, he hated the plain stupidity from the other boys in the entourage, he hated the heat, the dust, and the flies that seemed to plague them at every turn. He missed his mother and maester Cressen, he missed his history books and he missed Proudwing.
Yet, he never uttered a complaint. He had vowed not to do so. And if he was about to do it, he would force himself to remember what he once heard his father say to his mother.
"…I swear it Cassana, the only thing that he does is complain…"
For the twelve-year-old, the thought of disappointing his father was worse than enduring the discomfort of the journey.
His thoughts were interrupted by his father's voice. "We are about to reach Casterly Rock. Are you excited, son?"
Stannis looked up at his father, he boasted a great smile. "Yes father," he said, trying to sound as excited as he could.
But it wasn't enough. It never was. The smile on his father's face faltered, and his brow furrowed in annoyance. "Why do you always act so serious?" his father asked with a tinge of frustration. "We are about to arrive at one of the most impressive castles in all of Westeros if not the whole world. You should be thrilled!" The smile had completely disappeared from his face, replaced by a grimace filled with exasperation. "If Robert..." Steffon started but quickly cut himself off. Yet Stannis knew exactly what he was going to say.
"If Robert was here, he'd be leading the entourage."
Disappointing his father was one of the worst things he could imagine. But what was worse, was to be compared to Robert. Stannis gritted his teeth as his father's words echoed in his mind.
It was not fair. Robert is not perfect! He is an idiot! Why did everyone want Stannis to be like him?! Robert was reckless, impulsive, irresponsible and often acted without thinking, unlike him who was always measured, who was always dutiful, who was always studious.
Yet his father did not seem to appreciate that from him. Father only seemed to appreciate whatever stupid thing Robert would do. Even now that Robert wasn't with them, he still found his way to be the first in his father's mind. Whatever he did, Robert had done first and better, and no one in Storm's End would shut up about it.
Soon after, their entourage arrived at a cliff where they could see the northern horizon ahead of them. Stannis couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder washing over him. The view stretched out before them, with Casterly Rock standing tall in the distance. The rocky outcrop on which the castle stood seemed almost like a mountain itself, towering over the surrounding landscape like a beacon. He knew of the immense wealth and power of House Lannister, but seeing their ancestral seat with his own eyes was something else entirely. It was a reminder of just how powerful the Lannisters truly were.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Lord Steffon said, reaching Stannis' side with a smile.
Stannis was awestruck by the sight before him. "It's huge!" he exclaimed. "Storm's End looks minuscule in comparison."
His father chuckled, a good-natured expression on his face. "It certainly does, son," he agreed. "The Lannisters are so damnably rich. And there is just so many of them. Tywin must have an army of cousins running around Casterly Rock."
Stannis couldn't help but chuckle at his father's comment.
Steffon's smiled widened a bit. "It's a good thing that you only need to know the names of Tywin's kids."
He nodded. "The twins, Jaime and Cersei, who are ten, and the dwarf, Tyrion, who is three," he recited. "Right?"
"Aye," his father mumbled, then fell silent for a moment. "I hope that you and Jaime will get along, just like Tywin and I did when we were your age. It would be good for you to have friends, Stannis."
Stannis nodded, though he couldn't help but feel a twinge of inquietude at the mention of friendship. In his twelve years he had never had a friend... other than Proudwing and Cressen.
As they entered the gates, Stannis could feel the eyes of the people around him on his person. He was dressed in his finest clothes, a black doublet with the golden stag of House Baratheon embroidered on it. His hair, the same black as his father's, was neat and cut short, and his face was set in a serious expression Stannis thought most appropriate for a Lord Paramount's son.
At the centre of the yard stood Lord Tywin; proud and golden and every inch what a king should look like, with the twins at each side.
And the twins… It would not be an understatement to say that Cersei and Jaime Lannister looked exactly the same. If it weren't for the fact that the girl wore a dress and the boy a jerkin, Stannis would have thought them to be identical.
As Stannis and his father approached the Lannister family, a herald announced their arrival. "The Lord Steffon of House Baratheon," the herald cried out. "And his son Stannis, of Storm's End."
Stannis dismounted his horse and stood beside his father, feeling a mixture of awe and nervousness as he looked upon the Lord of Casterly Rock. He was Hand of the King and the richest man in the realm.
"Tywin, my old friend," Lord Steffon said, stepping forward to embrace the Lannister lord. "It's good to see you again."
Lord Tywin returned the embrace, awkwardly. "Steffon," he said curtly. "It's been too long."
Stannis watched in silence as the two men exchanged pleasantries. He couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension as he stood before the powerful Lannister lord. The way his eyes studied everything before them unnerved him.
"This is my son, Stannis," his father introduced him to Lord Tywin, breaking Stannis' thoughts.
Lord Tywin turned his gaze to him and looked him up and down.
"Young Stannis," Lord Tywin said, his voice deep and authoritative. "Welcome to Casterly Rock."
"Thank you, my lord," Stannis replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"These are my children," Tywin Lannister said and, as in on cue, the twins came forward. "Jaime, my heir, and Cersei, my daughter."
Stannis looked at the Lannister twins with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Jaime and Cersei were ten, two years younger than Stannis, but almost as tall as him to his vast dismay. The boy bore a disdainful and bored look, but the girl's face remained impassive as she simply stared at him, giving no indication of what she might be thinking.
"A handsome pair!" his father commented.
Turning his attention to his children, Lord Tywin commanded. "Jaime, show young Stannis around the castle. Cersei, see that he is properly settled in his chambers." Jaime grimaced at Stannis.
"This way, Baratheon," he said, leading the way towards the castle's inner keep. Cersei followed behind them, her steps silent as she kept her eyes fixed on Stannis. He could feel her gaze on his back as they made their way through the castle's labyrinthine hallways. It was an uncomfortable feeling, and Stannis found himself wishing he was back at Storm's End.
Like father Like Daughter, the boy mused
As they reached the guest's chambers, the girl stopped in the doorway. "The feast won't start until a couple of hours," she said, her tone neutral if not slightly hesitant. "If you need anything, feel free to ask the servants." Stannis stared at her, unsure of what to say, and nodded.
If she didn't look so much like her brother he would think she was pretty, he reflected and felt himself flush for a moment.
With a final nod, the girl turned and disappeared down the hallway. Jaime, meanwhile, was already poking around the room. "Not bad," he said in a standoffish manner, looking around with disinterest. "You'll have a good view of the sea from here." Stannis looked out the window and saw that the Lannister boy was right. The view was indeed impressive, but it did little to ease his unease.
Stannis took in his surroundings. The bedchamber that they assigned him was more lavish and decorated than his own bedroom back in Storm's End. The room was grand and imposing, with ornate tapestries hanging from the walls and plush velvet curtains framing the tall windows. The bed was large enough to accommodate two people comfortably, with soft pillows and covers made of the finest materials. A marble fireplace dominated one wall, crackling with warmth and providing a comforting glow to the room
"Is this bedchamber really meant for––"
"How old are you?" Jaime interrupted, rudely.
He couldn't help but feel annoyed by the younger boy's interruption. "I'm twelve," Stannis replied curtly.
"Shouldn't you be taller?" the blond boy's tone was aloof. "Your father is much taller than mine. And yet, at ten, I am almost as tall as you."
Stannis felt his jaw clench in anger at Jaime's comment. He wanted to retort, to put this brat in his place, but he knew better than to stoop to his level. "I am still growing," Stannis said, trying to keep his voice calm.
Jaime shrugged, not appearing to care one way or the other. "Whatever. I am going to train." He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Stannis seething with frustration. Father wants me to be friends with this little prick… he thought vexed.
Stannis let out a deep breath, trying to calm his temper. He couldn't let some stupid child get under his skin, much less when said child's father was his and his own father's host.
The boy sighed, and decided it was best to rest before the feast.
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As it was expected from the richest family in the Seven Kingdoms, the feast hailed by Lord Tywin in the honour of their arrival was nothing but grandiose. The great hall of Casterly Rock was vast and impressive, with high ceilings and intricate decorations adorning the walls. The long tables were laid with the finest goldware, and the food was sumptuous and plentiful.
His father and Lord Tywin sat at the head table with other lords and knights, including all of Lord Tywin's siblings. Meanwhile Stannis was seated at a separate table with other highborn boys too young to seat with the adults. Other than the three boys from their entourage, the table teemed with westermen, each more obnoxious than the last.
There was a large, boisterous and brutish boy named Dennis who reminded Stannis of Robert, a pimpled squire named Gerold who kept regaling them with boring tales of his knight's prowess, a pudgy boy with an overbearing cackling of a laugh who kept interrupting the conversations with his own unfunny jokes, and a red-haired boy who talked non-stop about hunting.
Stannis found himself mostly ignoring the other boys and focusing on the food in front of him. He was trying to eat politely and not draw too much attention to himself. As he finished, to avoid the chance of exchanging words with the other boys, he averted his gaze towards the other side of the raised platform, where Cersei Lannister sat with the other girls and ladies.
She was looking at him intently, her green eyes piercing through him, and Stannis felt a jolt of surprise at her direct gaze. Then, she smiled at him! He quickly looked away, feeling a rush of heat rise to his cheeks. No girl had ever smiled at him before, much less a pretty one. It made him uncomfortable; he didn't know how to react.
To distract himself, the young Baratheon turned his attention to the chatter of the boys at his table, even if it was difficult to drown out the incessant noise.
"Has anyone here ever been to King's Landing?" Stannis heard one of the boys ask.
Dennis let out a snort, pigeon pie spilling out of his mouth as he spoke. "Why would I want to go to that filthy cesspool? It's infested with rats, whores, and thieves," he said, his manners leaving much to be desired.
Seemingly insulted, Gerold shook his pimpled head. "My lord father believes it's a place of great opportunity." The pimpled boy said something else, but Stannis could not comprehend it because of the noise. "He thinks I'll become a knight of the Kingsguard one day and protect the king himself," he said with a hint of pride.
The pudgy boy laughed. "And I will be the Hand of the King! Ha!" he mocked and began cackling manically once again.
At that Stannis grinded his teeth, wishing that the boy's obnoxious laugh would drown in the noise. It never did.
"Jaime has been to King's Landing," the red-haired boy said.
Stannis turned his gaze to the Lannister boy and found him glaring at him with a strange intensity that made him uncomfortable. It was as if he was looking at something with disbelief, disgust and despise. Stannis frowned. Why is he looking at me like that?
Apparently, he wasn't the only one who noticed. "What has you sulking, my lord?" Dennis asked Jaime, his mouth dripping with grease.
"I am not sulking," Jaime Lannister spat with anger. "And learn how to eat, you animal."
The large boy flushed a deep red at Jaime's rebuke, and even if he thought the Lannister boy an arrogant prick, he couldn't help but feel a slight feeling of satisfaction at seeing the brutish boy put in his place. Stannis wished he could do that to Robert one day. To put him in his place… to get the upper hand, for once.
Suddenly, the great hall fell silent. Tywin Lannister rose from his seat and addressed the room in a commanding voice. "My lords, ladies, and honoured guests," he began. "We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the arrival of our esteemed guests, Lord Steffon Baratheon, his son and his sworn knights."
As Lord Tywin continued his speech, Stannis felt his attention drift away. The endless courtesies and flattery that were expected from lords were grating on his nerves. He couldn't bear the thought of having to sit through such insincere speeches in the future. It was all so pointless, so fake. For once he was glad that Robert was heir. He would never have to play this mummer's farce.
"…which is why I am pleased to announce that a hunting trip will start tomorrow," Lord Tywin declared, his voice effortlessly booming across the hall.
Cheers erupted from the boys table. They were all so thrilled by the prospect. All but for Stannis. If there was something he hated more than forced courtesies, it was hunting. He never saw the appeal in chasing animals just for the sake of it. He could get behind the practise if it was for need, but for sport?
He would rather eat glass.
Stannis shifted uncomfortably in his seat, longing for the comfort of the guest room. As his father and Lord Tywin exchanged more pleasantries, he wondered how long the feast would last. The desserts had lost their appeal, and Stannis couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. Bored and without anything else to do, he turned his head to see if Cersei Lannister still staring at him. She was not.
He wasn't sure as to why, but he felt somewhat disappointed.
After a while, the feast came to an end and the guests began to retire to their chambers. Stannis followed his father and their retinue back to their assigned quarters in the keep, feeling relieved that the night was over. As he walked, he couldn't help but think about the hunting trip that was planned for the next day.
As they reached their chambers, Lord Steffon turned to Stannis and asked, "Did you get along with Tywin's son?"
"He hates me," Stannis replied bluntly, not bothering to sweeten his answer. "He glared at me throughout the feast."
Lord Steffon frowned. "What did you do?"
"I did nothing." Stannis said, feeling defensive. "He just kept staring at me for no reason."
His father sighed. "Stannis… Could you at least try to be friends with him?"
"No, I don't want to." He knew he was being difficult, but he couldn't help it. He despised the insincere politicking and the expectation that he had to befriend everyone he met. It was all a farce! A game of pretend that he had no interest in playing. "He is a smug, spoiled, arrogant and stupid brat. I don't want to be his friend"
"Dammit Stannis!" Lord Steffon exclaimed in frustration. "It's always the same thing!"
"But it's not my fault he's a prick!" He shot back stubbornly.
"Then explain me why are you here and not in Felwood," his father retorted.
Stannis fell silent, remembering the incident. He clenched his jaw. Six moons ago he had insulted Lord Fell's son so gravely that it had almost caused a feud between their houses. His father had planned to foster him with him so he could become friends with the swaggering brute of a son that Lord Fell had. He never got along with Robert, why would his father think he would befriend such oaf?
"If you only were more…" his father started but quickly cut himself off. Yet Stannis knew exactly what he was going to say.
"If you only were more like Robert…"
Lord Steffon looked at him with a mixture of frustration and disappointment. He sighed and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Just… Let's go to rest Stannis. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
He nodded and went to his bedchamber and got ready for bed; his mind still restless from the evening's events. As he lay in bed, he thought about what his father had said. Maybe his father was right. Maybe he needed to try to make friends. But it was hard for him to pretend to be polite with people that did not deserve it.
The boy sighed and rubbed his face.
Maybe he was the problem.
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The next morning, Stannis of House Baratheon decided to do something he had never tried to do before in his life.
Make peace with an imbecile.
It was not a notion that came easily to him, but he knew that he had to try. At least for his father's sake. As he dressed in his hunting gear, he steeled himself for what he knew would be an uncomfortable conversation with Jaime Lannister.
After climbing countless of stairs within the entrails of Casterly Rock, he found the young heir training in a hidden chamber alone.
Stannis watched for a moment as Jaime parried and thrust with his sword, his movements graceful and fluid. It was clear that the Lannister boy had spent countless hours honing his skills with the blade.
Taking a deep breath, Stannis stepped forward. "Lannister," he said, his voice cold and distant. "May I have a word with you?"
Jaime paused in his movements and turned to face Stannis. "What do you want?" he asked annoyed.
Stannis clenched his jaw. But he took a step closer, trying to keep his tone civil. "I wanted to apologize for any offense I might have caused you yesterday at the feast," he said, his eyes meeting Jaime's. "I realize that I might have come across as rude, and that was not my intention."
The boy's Lannister green eyes studied Stannis coolly. "Is that so?" he asked slowly.
Stannis felt a knot form in his stomach. Something about the boy's reaction made him uneasy. He cleared his throat and tried to sound sincere. "Yes, it is. I shouldn't have treated to you the way I did at the feast."
Jaime continued to stare at him, his expression inscrutable. For a moment, Stannis thought he might be rejected. But then, to his surprise, Jaime sheathed his training sword and walked towards him.
"Oh, please," he said, his tone lightening. "It was my behaviour that left much to be desired." He flashed a sharp smile. "Come, Baratheon, accompany me to the stairs." Stannis looked at the Lannister boy, puzzled by his sudden change in demeanour. But he followed Jaime out of the training chamber, curious to see where this conversation would lead. "Be careful, the steps can be quite slippery."
Stannis was about to turn to look at him when the little shit shoved him hard from behind, sending him tumbling down the stairs.
A.N: (Looks at Bran) Yeah... So this is not out of the realm of possibilities when it comes to Jaime's reactions.
Anyways, thanks for all of the reviews! I am glad that you are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it.