This was a tougher chapter to write than most. The anticipated buildup to Stannis and Olyvar meeting made me think that something big needed to happen in this chapter. But I didn't like the idea of putting it in Olyvar's POV, since I feel like a third party observer would be better suited. So, here comes the Onion Knight.
I'm having a tougher time establishing chronology these days, it's so tough to measure out exactly when something happened. I do know that this chapter does take place before 'GOT Sansa III', where Eddard has his epiphany about the Baratheon children, as well as happens before Tyrion's trial in "GOT Catelyn VII'
Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim any ideas, places, or characters from the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series. Cheers
Fifteen years. Davos Seaworth thought to himself as he stood on the beach of Dragonstone, clutching the pouch around his neck that carried the tips of his fingers. They were chopped off by the man that Davos owed everything to; Lord Stannis of the House Baratheon. He had given Davos a life that the former smuggler could only have dreamed of. Lands, knighthood, and a name. A legacy for his family to pass on as sworn swords to the Stag.
It was because of these gifts that Davos had so readily answered the call of his lord when Stannis had summoned him to service once more. But when he had stepped foot on Dragonstone, apparently the last out of those Stannis had summoned, another raven had arrived, forcing Stannis to postpone the meeting. It had brought word that the new Lord of the Eyrie, Olyvar Arryn, would be making a visit to the holding of his old mentor.
Two days later, Davos now stood on the beach, watching as a ship hoisting the moon and falcon of the Vale approached their shores. Beside him was Stannis, serious and stone faced as he usually was, his dark blue eyes focused on the ship as well. He had told Davos that he was not aware why his disciple was making a visit, but was pleased nonetheless.
As the boat made port, a tall boy jumped out onto the dock enthusiastically, striding over towards them. The lad had the matching brown hair and eyes that Stannis had described him as having, with broad shoulders on a lean body. He wasn't as big as Stannis, but Davos thought that Olyvar would eventually outgrow him once the boy became a man.
"Lord Stannis." A boy of higher rank still calls him 'Lord'. Davos was amused. It seems the tales of the boy's devotion to Stannis Baratheon are true. Davos watched as teacher and student shook hands, the boy beaming at the stern face of the Stag. How he could keep a wide smile on when met with the cold gaze of Stannis was a mystery to Davos.
"We only received your letter two days ago. I thought you would be back in the Eyrie by now." Stannis questioned his former ward with a stone voice.
"Well, that was the plan. But I missed the capital so much, so I decided to extend my stay for a while longer. Besides, aren't you happy to see your dear ward once more?" The boy responded with a great amount of sarcasm, drawing a rare smirk from the Lord of Dragonstone. "I figured as much."
"Enough of your jests. Olyvar, this is Ser Davos Seaworth, the-"
"The famous Onion Knight." The awe in the boy's voice brought Davos to laughter. He had never had such a look like this thrown his way before. It was different for a former smuggler to be regarded with much amazement outside of certain circles.
"I am honored to be held in such high favor by a Lord Paramount. Thank you, Lord Arryn."
"Now that you two have been properly introduced, it's time we head inside. We're lucky that you have visited at the time you did, Olyvar. Come, bring your bannermen along with you. They will want to hear this." Olyvar gave a quizzical look at Davos, who merely shrugged. The Lord of the Eyrie motioned for an old man, introduced as the famous 'Bronze' Yohn Royce, before the party followed Stannis into his keep, leaving the smell of the sea behind them.
Never had Davos encountered a more intimidating and dark castle than the one of Dragonstone. Even in Storm's End during the Rebellion, where he had seen men feasting on the corpses of rats and the skin and bones of the starved, did not compare. The black stone the castle was built of, said to be crafted by Valyrian magic, had a frightful appearance.
"I never did get used to walking these halls." Lord Arryn said a tad apprehensively, Davos noticing that he was taking in the environment of the castle he had likely called a home once. "Lord Stannis, where is Shireen? I would like to see her while I'm here."
"You will see her at dinner tonight. For now, we go to the Chamber." The party walked briskly up the stairs towards the Chamber of the Painted Table, where it was said that Aegon the Conqueror had planned his invasion of Westeros. Davos had been impressed the first time he saw the room, remarking how accurate the map of the continent was.
As the chamber door opened, it revealed the long map of Westeros along with a few men sitting around it. These were men that Stannis had trusted enough to summon, though like Davos, they too were kept in the dark as to the reason. Stannis had been quite adamant about waiting for Lord Arryn, or as adamant as a man such as Stannis Baratheon could be.
"My lords, may I present to you Yohn Royce, Lord of Runestone, and Olyvar Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, defender of the Vale, and the true Warden of the East." The last part had made the boy tense up ever so slightly. Stannis had informed Davos and the rest of the lords the night previous how his brother, the King, had denied the title to the Arryns, instead opting to hand it to his queen's brother, the Kingslayer. Perhaps the boy had now learned the truth as well.
"A slight that the King shall regret, I assure you." The bitter voice of Bronze Yohn responded in his lord's stead. Davos didn't have a great understanding of politics, but he was aware enough that people would take offense when they were denied what was rightfully theirs. After all, he had been witness to Stannis being slighted with the gift of Dragonstone instead of Storm's End. The only difference with Lord Arryn was that he had those who would appeal for him, where Lord Stannis did not.
"Lords Royce and Arryn, I must introduce you." Stannis began naming off the lords who were present in the chambers: Lords Guncer Sunglass, Adrian Celtigar, and Monford Velaryon, as well as the castellan of Dragonstone Axell Florent. Davos was more thankful for those missing than those who were present. He had no desire to see the red priestess today, or any day for that matter.
"We have answered your call, Lord Stannis, but we are still unaware as to what you have summoned us for." Lord Velaryon said as the four who had just entered took their seats around the table. Davos sat to Stannis' left, whist Olyvar sat across from him to Stannis' right. The boy had his arms crossed, but was observing with curiosity in his eyes.
"The true meaning of this is to be sure that those sworn to me are loyal. I am here to reveal a truth that very few could imagine possible. The truth of why Jon Arryn was murdered."
"Lord Arryn? Murdered?!" Lord Royce nearly sprung up from his chair, anger in his voice. "What proof do you have, Lord Baratheon?"
"My proof resides in the revelation of another horrid truth. A truth that the late Lord Arryn and I had taken great measures in researching the legitimacy of." Davos looked away from Stannis to see that the reactions of the Lords of the Vale different immensely. Whist Lord Royce had fury on his face, Lord Arryn only watched on, with sharp focus in his eyes.
"And what is this truth, mi'lord?" Axell Florent had now made his voice heard.
"The royal children are not of my father's blood. They are illegitimate and should not be considered in the line of succession." A collective gasp came from all except the young Lord Arryn, his only reaction being the widening of his eyes. "By that right, I am heir to the Iron Throne."
"What proof have you that this claim is legitimate?" Lord Velaryon asked suspiciously.
"Whilst researching, Jon Arryn came across a book that documented the lineage of every great house of Westeros. In it, we saw that every time in history, whenever a Baratheon had wed a Lannister, the resulting children were always with the same coal hair and blue eyes that are shared by my brothers and I. Robert's supposed children, however-"
"Green eyes, blonde curls. Each of the royal children posses them." The Lord of the Eyrie now spoke, drawing the attention of all away from Stannis' iron voice. It was a statement that was soft in tone, but hard on the ears. The children, bastards? Even Davos had been dumbstruck. "I remember this book. It had been on my father's nightstand many a night when I went to visit him." Olyvar spoke once more, looking over to his mentor.
"If Robert were to die, he would be without a legitimate child to succeed him." Stannis continued with iron in his voice. "Because of this, I would succeed him by right."
"Lord Stannis, you must understand that many would only see this as you attempting to take the Iron Throne for yourself." Guncer Sunglass now spoke. "And even if we presented the King with this information, he would only dismiss it on those grounds."
"I have seen them. Lived with the royal children for most of my life." Olyvar Arryn began again, still as soft spoken as he was with his first statement. "I can assure you, if the findings of my father and Lord Stannis are true, then they are not Baratheons."
"A Lord Paramount backing the claim would aid in your claim, Lord Baratheon." Davos now spoke for the first time, deciding it was time to make his voice heard. "If we had the support of the Vale, we could act to ensure your succession."
"No, Ser Davos, I'm afraid that it is not that simple." Olyvar spoke apologetically. "Even if the Vale interfered on Stannis' behalf now, our numbers are too little. And even with my support, should we introduce this treason diplomatically, there would still be very little chance we could succeed with deposing Joffrey as heir. Robert has it in his mind that Joffrey is his, and his stubbornness will cause him to refute us." In this last statement Davos could sense bitterness and venom in the boy's voice, especially when addressing the crown prince by name.
"The boy speaks the truth." Davos turned back to Stannis to see yet another smirk, aimed at his ward. "My brother is a fool who will not see reason."
"Then what course of action is there?" Lord Sunglass demanded. "We cannot simply stand around whilst this bastard readies himself to assume the Iron Throne."
"We don't have to." Olyvar now addressed Lord Sunglass. "There is only one who can break through the King's blindness. My uncle, Lord Eddard Stark, is Robert's Hand. Should I send him a coded letter, I believe that he shall find out this revelation on his own, and reveal it to Robert. Despite their differences, they are close enough to which Robert will believe my uncle."
"A risky strategy." Davos did not like it, there were too many risks involved for his tastes. And being a former smuggler, he knew something of risks, as he clutched the bag which contained the bones of his left hand's tips.
"There is no other option." Stannis declared before others could interject, his voice icy. "The boy must go back to the Eyrie to establish himself, thus he cannot go himself. Besides, should either Lord Arryn or I step foot in King's Landing, Lannister assassins will surround us. If either of us dies, the truth dies as well." Stannis now looked back in Olyvar's direction again. "I will have you write the message here and send it tonight before dinner."
"Yes, Lord Stannis." Utter devotion and loyalty. Amazing. Davos had never seen someone take to Stannis like young Lord Arryn did, save perhaps the red witch. He had felt apprehensive about taking action at first, but upon looking at the confident and serious faces of the mentor and pupil, Davos felt there was a good chance this plan of theirs could succeed.
"Then we are committed." Bronze Yohn said with confidence as well. The Lord of Runestone seemed to be just as devoted to his lord as Lord Arryn was devoted to Stannis. "My lords, I advise that Lord Arryn depart on the morrow as well. The sooner we can obtain the oaths of fealty from the other houses, quicker we can rally the Vale should something go awry."
"Agreed, Lord Royce. I must be established if I am able to call my banners should we fail." Olyvar Arryn said sternly, leaning back in his chair and looking at the table, Davos noticing that his eyes were specifically targeting the portrayal of the Vale. "Let us hope that it does not come to that."
A/N: And so the truth is revealed...for Olyvar, Davos and Yohn anyways. We will have to see how this plan works out in the end. Davos sure has his doubts. No Melisandre in this chapter. I don't have plans to include her until we get into ACOK territory anyways. You can just play her absence off as her and Lady Selyse being off somewhere, discussion whatever those filthy fire worshipers discuss :)
No real questions posted from the previous chapter, but here's something to think about. With this revelation, Olyvar now knows that not only Joffrey, but Myrcella and Tommen are bastards. How's that going to affect his thoughts about them? If at all? A certain betrothal comes to mind...
Thanks for the reviews guys. As always I appreciate them and am happy that you guys are contributing opinions and reviews. Hope to keep making great chapters for you all to read. Cheers.