Ninth Month of 279 A.L. Storm's End

Stannis Baratheon

Storm's End was strong and had stood through the test of time, it had lasted through the raiding that the Reacherlords were subjecting the rest of the Stormlords through and it still had enough food to last it through any potential siege. Not that was ideal thinking as far as Stannis was concerned, no there was a great deal of resentment on Stannis's part that his brother Robert had not even bothered to emerge from the Vale when all of this had started to help sort it out, Robert was sixteen a man and a lord in his own right now and yet he had remained in the Vale with Eddard Stark leaving Stannis to face the thunder. As for their family, well since mother and father had died that long ago day they hadn't been a family more sort of a unit that functioned when needed and otherwise did not operate on the same page. Robert was loud and boisterous and popular, Stannis was shy and rigid and did not make friends easily. Renly, Renly was too young to know anything else but the lavish attention that was given to him by all and sundry, Stannis had to play the bad guy to make sure his brother did not become spoilt or rotten like Robert. It was a hard struggle but one that he did nonetheless.

And right now, he had to deal with the various members of Storm's End breathing down his neck telling him what to do. Maester Cressen spoke his voice soft and reassuring but annoying nonetheless. "It is good that Lord Randyll has finally come to discuss terms to ending this pointless raiding and pillaging. It shows that he has finally seen sense and realised the futility of what he has been doing."

Ser Gawen Wylde the master of arms snorts and says. "Tarly has only stopped pillaging because Prince Rhaegar sent him a strongly worded letter implying what would happen to him and his should he not stop. The Lords of the Stormlands still want blood and I say we give it to them."

Maester Cressen speaks then his voice worried. "No, no that will not do at all. Allowing this conflict to go on for any longer would do nothing but anger the throne. King Aerys is unpredictable at the best of times and we all know that Prince Rhaegar has his own interest in ensuring this conflict over and done with. We must make sure that we discuss with Lord Tarly whatever terms we think best and have done with it. But we must make sure we speak with him peacefully."

"Aye speak with him as peacefully as you want maester. It will bring peace aye, but the Stormlords will not forget nor will they forgive. A grave insult has been done to our people by this invasion and it is time that we end this and show them that we are not a kingdom to be messed with." Ser Gawen replied.

"Lord Dondarrion and Lord Ashford are both dead. The new lords who have come in their place are a boy and a lady who is eager to make sure that the wounds done to the two kingdoms are healed and all is set to rights between us. I say we take that attitude into this meeting." Maester Cressen says.

Stannis has heard enough and he speaks then. "You two shall not be joining me when I go to speak to Lord Tarly. I shall do the negotiating myself and I shall set the terms that I believe to be fair."

Maester Cressen speaks then. "My lord, you are too young to go up against a man such as Lord Tarly and come away with fair terms. The man knows politics, and if you will forgive me for saying so, you are a bit too young to be dealing in such things. It would be better if either myself or Ser Gawen or both of us went to speak to the man."

Stannis shakes his head and stands his ground. "No, I might be young but Tarly is not all that older than me. Besides with Robert in the Vale I am the eldest Baratheon and head of the house until he returns. And anyway Prince Rhaegar asked that I deal with this, and I shall. It is my duty to go and speak with the man and end this threat to my people."

Maester Cressen looks as if he might protest some more but then Ser Gawen speaks. "He speaks sense Cressen. If he is to learn to rule someday he must do so by experience and what better way than to speak to the evil himself."

Cressen sighs and then says. "Very well but I suggest that you take guards with you my lord. Just to make sure you are safe."

Stannis nods and then soon enough he finds himself riding out flanked by some twenty men from the Storm's End garrison, he meets Lord Randyll Tarly an imposing man his twenty men. "Lord Tarly welcome to the Stormlands I trust you have found the place to your liking?" Stannis says dryly, before saying. "We are here to discuss terms. I would state some of the terms I wish to put forward and hope that you find them agreeable."

Lord Tarly nods and says gruffly. "Aye go ahead my lord."

Stannis speaks then. "As per the orders from the Iron Throne, for this peace to go ahead and not be brought into question. I would hereby ask that the forces from the Reach currently in the Stormlands withdraw back to the Reach and cease their looting and pillaging. Furthermore, I ask that Lady Ashford pay her share for the damage done to the lands done near her keep in the Stormlands."

There is silence for a moment then Tarly speaks. "Those seem like reasonable demands Lord Stannis. But I have a few of my own to make. This conflict started when there was an offer of a bastard as a groom for one Lady Dondarrion, given that it was House Dondarrion that started all of this I believe it is only fair that they accept this marriage and that it go ahead. I also believe that there should be an exchanging of wards, your brother Renly shall foster in Horn Hill and Lord Mace's son Garlan shall foster with Lord Dondarrion in Black Haven."

Stannis grits his teeth then the terms Tarly has come up with are fair, but he does not wish to part ways with Renly, he already does not know Robert he does not want to know his younger brother. Sighing he shakes his head once and says. "Very well then. I consent. Now shall we have this all written down and signed?"

And soon enough it is all written down on three documents one for Stannis, one for Tarly and one to be sent to King's Landing. Once the documents are signed and sealed, Stannis shakes Tarly's hand and then waits for Tarly to turn his horse around and ride out of the meeting place. Once the man and his party are gone, does Stannis rides inside and gives the document over to Cressen. As the month roles on, the forces of the Reach eventually filter out and return back to their own homes and peace and normality return to the Stormlands though he senses that Robert's bannermen are increasingly resentful of Robert, he cares not he has done his duty and that is all that matters. When a raven arrives from King's Landing asking him to attend court he grows worried, for all know of King Aerys paranoia now.