"How has your day been, father?"
Sarah dutifully asked her father the question before she pecked him on the cheek. He was stood in his private quarters, preferring to dine alone than with his brothers for the evening. He had ordered for Sarah to stay with him, deeming it necessary to keep her from prying eyes.
Robert had complained to his brother, telling him that Sarah would never find a suitor if she hid away with her father. Stannis replied by telling him that she would never find a suitor if she was drunk all the time.
It was safe to say that both brothers refused to agree on what was best for the girl. Of course Stannis won that round. He was her father.
"Eventful," grunted Stannis, shaking his head back and forth as he thought of what Jon Arryn had told him. There was a small part of him that did not think it possible for his beliefs to be correct. Stannis doubted himself for a moment. That was until he looked at Myrcella as she passed by in the Red Keep.
He'd looked at her flowing blonde hair and green eyes. Her pale skin and her prominent features. Nothing looked like Robert. The girl had no trait of his. Joffrey and Tommen both suffered the same. It was leading Stannis to wonder whether he truly was right.
And if he was right then he wanted to know how he would tell Robert. The drunken fool would never believe him.
"Oh," Sarah said, sitting across from him at the table. There was not much more she could say to his one worded response.
Stannis sat in silence, cutting the meat on his plate as his daughter chewed on it delicately. She kept her eyes on the plate and her posture straight; much like her mother had taught her to do. Stannis tried to think of something to say to her; something to begin a conversation. She was his daughter, for God's sakes, this should be easy.
"What have you done today?" Stannis suddenly asked; startling Sarah from the beef she was chewing on. She looked up and rested her knife and fork on her plate. Finishing off the final bite, she nodded once and smiled at her father.
"I took a walk through the castle walls and the gardens. They really are exquisite. I've never seen anything like King's Landing before," Sarah explained to her father as he held his goblet to his lips. "I wrote to mother and Shireen and finished sewing a gown which had torn."
"You have maids for that," Stannis reminded her.
She nodded at him and shrugged, picking up her own goblet of water. "I preferred to do it myself. It gave me something to do."
Stannis grunted a response and finished the last piece of meat as they lapsed into silence again. A knock on the door saved him from racking his brain for something more to say to her. He stood up and opened it himself, preferring to live alone in his chambers. He didn't need people waiting on him twenty four seven.
"My Lord, forgive me for interrupting your dinner."
"Not at all, Lord Arryn," Stannis said, backing away from the door and holding it open.
He let the old man pass, scurrying with haste into the room before he noted Sarah still sat at the table. He forced himself to smile as he walked over to the young woman, his hand held in front of him.
"My Lady," he said. "Your father said that you were coming to King's Landing."
"Sarah, this is Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and the Hand of the King," Stannis said, extending his arm and motioning to Jon. "And this is Sarah, Jon, my eldest daughter."
"How do you do, my dear?" Jon wondered, taking hold of Sarah's hand and pressing his lips to the back of it. She smiled graciously at him, curtseying as he kept hold of her hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my Lord," Sarah said. "My mother taught me about the Eyrie. They sat its defences are impenetrable."
"Oh, they are," Jon said with a quick nod, a sad smile on his face as he did so. He hadn't been back there in so long. He supposed being the Hand had many responsibilities that came with it. "Of course...I would love to tell you more one day in the future, if you have the time."
"I would love that," Sarah beamed, simply happy that someone had bothered to declare her worthy of speaking to.
"Excellent, my dear," Jon said before looking to Stannis.
The Lord of Dragonstone knew that Jon wanted him to excuse Sarah from the room. He held a large book in his hands, the title hidden against his side as he stared at him. Stannis coughed awkwardly before glancing to his daughter.
"Sarah, why don't you retire for the evening?" he asked of her. "I would like to speak to Jon in private."
"Oh, of course," Sarah said, curtseying in front of Jon again. "A pleasure, my Lord."
"Likewise, dear girl," Jon said with a curt nod.
He moved to place the book on the table before Sarah moved over to her father. Stannis rested his hands on her shoulders and kissed her on the forehead, the motion mechanic as he did so.
"I shall see you in the morning," he told her.
"Goodnight, father," Sarah replied, leaving the room dutifully.
Jon turned to watch her walk out the room before the door closed and Stannis locked it.
"She's a sweet girl," Jon told Stannis, the trace of a smile hitting his lips. "Why did you bring her to King's Landing? To ruin her innocence?"
"To find her a husband," Stannis said, pouring Jon a glass of water into a goblet. "The Gods know that there aren't any suitable on Dragonstone."
"She has your eyes," Jon commented.
"And her mother's nose and ears, yes, I've heard the same thing over and over again," Stannis promised Jon. He placed the goblet in front of the old man as he sat down at the table.
Stannis pushed the plates to the side, making room for the old book to sit in the middle of the table. He took the seat which Sarah had just vacated, sipping on his water for a moment before he licked his lips.
"What's this old thing?" Stannis wondered.
"Proof," Jon replied solemnly. "I traced the Baratheon family line as far back as possible. I looked into the history. You would never guess what I have found."
"What's that?" Stannis wondered, knowing that he was finding himself in dangerous territory. So was Jon.
"No Baratheon has married a Lannister and given birth to a child which has had golden hair or green eyes."
The statement rang true with Stannis. He'd never heard of it or seen it. Even his distant cousins carried some of the Baratheon characteristics with them. Stannis said nothing for a moment, placing the goblet down as Jon flipped to the relevant page of the book. He pushed it across to Stannis, showing him what he meant. The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms.
"You're treading dangerously, Jon," Stannis mumbled, his tone grave. "You know that there are spies around here."
"I've made sure that I was careful," Jon said. "You know as well as I that there is something not right. You were the one who brought it to my attention. You wanted me to investigate this."
"Aye, I did," Stannis said. "But I didn't want you to carry it around down corridors where anyone can see it."
"What does it matter?" Jon wondered. "We need to tell Robert of this. Your claim to the throne is the best thing which Westeros has. The Queen's children are not her own. It cannot be, can it?"
"You know what we are accusing?" Stannis checked. "If it is true then the Kingslayer is their father. This goes beyond her mothering a few bastards. This is incest. What do you think Tywin Lannister would do if he heard that?"
"We have the proof," Jon reminded Stannis. "We have all that we need. We have seen his bastards. They all resemble him, but his own children do not. We just need to tell Robert."
"We do," Stannis nodded. "We just need my brother to believe it. He would never believe me if I told him."
"When do we strike?" Jon wondered. "Arrangements must be made before we do anything."
"What sort of arrangements?" Stannis wondered; his brow arched as he did so. "We have all that we need, do we not?"
"We have," Jon nodded, "but I have my fears, Lord Stannis. My fears concern my son."
Stannis recalled the few times he had seen Robert Arryn. He had always been with his mother. The boy was sickly and spoiled beyond belief. Stannis could barely believe that he was the son of Jon.
"What of him?" Stannis gruffly asked.
"I want him to be sent to Dragonstone," Jon declared. "I want him to be your ward there. Him staying here...nothing good can from it. You know that as well as I. He is to be Lord of the Eyrie soon enough. What would people think of him? He is sick and spends too much time with Lysa. She can't let him go, and I need him to become a man soon enough."
Stannis took a few moments to think of what he had just heard before he nodded in slow agreement with the Hand of the King. One ward at Dragonstone would not be a hassle for Stannis. He could ship him onto someone else. Stannis didn't need to look after the boy himself. He barely looked after his own daughters.
"Consider it done."
"What of your girl?"
"What of her?" Stannis wondered, standing up and moving to grab hold of the jug of wine. He suspected that his pallet was in need of a much stronger liquid than water.
Jon frowned. "If the Queen hears wind of this, do you think that she is safe in King's Landing?"
"What would she do?" Stannis wondered. "She can hardly do anything to Sarah. No, my daughter will be kept safe. I shall see to that. We will all be safe. Robert will listen to you. He will see that you speak sense. The Lannisters cannot deny the truth, can they? Cersei shall have no other option but to return to Casterly Rock with her bastards. I would have the Kingslayer dismissed too, for all the good it does me."
Jon stood up himself, picking the book up and holding it to his side. He inclined his head towards Stannis before slowly moving for the door.
"You should get some rest, my Lord," Stannis called, his back to Jon as he looked over the view of Blackwater Bay. "And stay hidden. Make sure no one knows of this."
"Aye, I will," Jon said. "Good evening, my Lord."
Stannis grunted back and Jon disappeared to leave the Lord of Dragonstone to his thoughts.
...
Stannis found Sarah the following morning. He had knocked on her chambers to no prevail. He'd silently moaned as he walked through the corridors, doing his best to locate his daughter. He finally found her in the gardens again. She was walking through the rows of flowers, looking at them as if they were the prettiest things she had seen.
He coughed awkwardly as he approached his daughter, snapping her from her daze.
Curtseying, Sarah smiled wanly at her father. "Good morning, father."
"Sarah," Stannis curtly replied. "What brings you out here this morning?"
"Oh, I was awake early and so I ate and decided to take a walk," Sarah replied, messing with the end of her hair against the blue gown she wore.
"Well you have been summoned by the King," Stannis spoke, his voice gruff. "I do not know what this is about; seeing as the last time I saw him he was with some whore."
Sarah winced at her father's language but bowed her head and latched her hand onto his waiting arm. Stannis kept quiet as he walked with Sarah towards the throne room, his mind wondering whether or not Jon Arryn would have told the King of his news. He doubted it just yet.
"Ah, Stannis!" Robert's voice boomed.
He was sat on the Iron Throne alone. A member of the Kingsguard stood behind him, and another one stood by the door. It didn't take Sarah long to recognise the golden lion's helmet on top of one man's head. Jaime Lannister was stood behind the king, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Stannis dutifully bowed whilst his daughter dipped into a curtsey, awaiting what news Robert had for them.
"You will be pleased to know that I have picked a suitor for your daughter," Robert drawled. "It is a match which I should have seen years ago. It is a match which will bring two great houses together."
For a moment Stannis felt his eyes flit towards Jaime Lannister. He didn't know why. Of course Robert wouldn't give his daughter to a Lannister. He couldn't be so cruel.
"Already?" Sarah's voice dared to squeak out.
"Yes, girl," Robert replied. "I've seen how King's Landing is not made for you. I should not have you stay here if it is not your will."
"And where would you send her to?" Stannis asked.
"Winterfell."
Stannis felt his chest sink then, his pulse increased as he shook his head back and forth, fully determined not to let that happen to his daughter. Stannis resented Eddard Stark. He had done ever since Robert had treated him more like a brother than he ever had Stannis. Stannis had been the one who had held Storm's End against the Tyrells. Lord Eddard Stark had lifted the siege, yes, but had Stannis been thanked for his hard work?
No.
Eddard Stark had been the one who had been loyally thanked.
Stannis would be damned if he sent his daughter to Winterfell.
"Ned has a son who is a year or two younger than your daughter-"
"-No," Stannis interrupted. "I argue against this, Robert. I do not want her sent North. I do not want her sent to Lord Stark."
Robert regarded Stannis with curiosity, his head cocked to the side. Jaime Lannister wore a smile of entertainment subtly as he stood behind the King, his eyes widening as he looked on to Stannis. Did the fool have any idea what he was doing at that moment in time?
"I have stood by you as a brother. I have done everything that has been asked of me, but I will not allow you to marry her to Robb Stark."
Sarah kept quiet as her father spoke, his voice growing louder as she meekly looked to the floor. She didn't want this. She didn't want to go North. It was miles away from Dragonstone. What chance did she see of ever seeing Shireen again? Not to mention the cold in the North.
No. She did not want to go.
"I am the King, am I not?"
"Yes, but-"
"-My word is final, is it not?" Robert's voice boomed. "Damn you, Stannis. You told me to find her a match and I did so. I found her a good one at that. The girl shall head North in the morning. Send some of your men with her and I shall send some of mine."
"You expect me to let her go alone?" Stannis wondered. "She is my daughter."
"And you are needed here on the small council," Robert clarified.
Aye, to do your work for you, thought Stannis.
"You know as well as I that this alliance will be good for us," Robert said. "You're just annoyed. You've never liked Ned because he's always been loyal to me."
"That is not the reason why I dislike Eddard Stark, and you know it." Stannis lowly growled.
"It is final, Stannis. I have done what has been asked of me. Your daughter will be sent North on the first rise of the sun. I shall make sure she is well protected, and you will stay here. I will permit you to travel for the wedding. You can even take your wife with you."
Robert said nothing more as he looked to his brother and the girl. She had been quiet so far, keeping her opinions to herself. Normally her father did the same, but he found himself unable to keep quiet.
"Nothing I do will change your mind, will it?" Stannis asked his brother.
"No."
Stannis frowned, grinding his teeth together before he inclined his head. "So be it."
Sarah felt her heart quicken as she caught her father's gaze and shook her head back and forth. Was that it? Was he not going to fight for her a little more? Was he not going to bother to try and stop this?
Apparently not.
Pride and duty always got in the way of Stannis Baratheon and his true thoughts.
"Come along, Sarah. There is nothing more to discuss."
"The Starks are a noble family. They will take good care of her," Robert called to Stannis as Sarah wrapped her arm through his, walking close by his side as Robert spoke to them.
"Aye, I hope you're right," Stannis muttered and led his daughter from the room.
Jaime coughed awkwardly as the door was shut behind the two from Dragonstone. He arched a brow and caught Ser Barristan's eye. The elder said nothing back to him as Robert took a moment to think. He supposed there was one way to get rid of one Lannister.
"Kingslayer," Robert snapped and Jaime rolled his eyes but moved down the steps of the throne to look up to the King.
"Yes?" Jaime wondered.
"Your vows...you take them seriously now, don't you? I mean, after what you did to the Mad King?"
A small tick came from Jaime's jaw before he slowly nodded.
"I assume so," Jaime said, wondering where this conversation was going.
"Good," Robert snapped. "You're in charge of taking Lady Sarah to Winterfell. You're sworn to protect the royal family. She's my niece and it is one less blonde face I have to look at for a while."
Jaime felt deflated. North? The King wanted him to go North with the daughter of Stannis Baratheon. That was not what Jaime had thought would happen.
"Surely my time would be best spent-"
"-Your time is best spent where I say," Robert reminded Jaime. "Why is everyone questioning me? You will take her to Winterfell. Gather the best men. Nothing can happen to that girl. I cannot be bothered to argue with Stannis further if some band of outlaws was to capture her."
Jaime could agree with Stannis for a brief moment. The King was infuriating. Jaime knew that he had no other option but to agree with what was being asked of him. What other choice did he have?
"How long will you require me to stay in that pile of cold shit?" Jaime wondered, unable to stop the bitterness from his voice.
"I'd send you there for life if I could," Robert promised him. "But I doubt Ned would keep you there for that long. You will stay until the men are fully rested before riding home."
Jaime nodded at that. He supposed it wouldn't be long in the company of dear old Ned Stark.
"You'd best get out of my sight and make preparations," Robert snapped at Jaime, a small look of glee on his face as Jaime left the room.
The door opened and Jaime left, only for Grand Maester Pycelle to rush into the room, his old form stumbling closer towards the King.
"Your Grace, I come with grave news of Jon Arryn. I believe he has been taken ill."
...
A/N: So thank you to Miss. Lori MacManus and Lesa for reviewing the previous chapter! I hope you've enjoyed so far and will let me know what you think!