Game of Thrones: Of Lions and Roses

Chapter 1 of a new Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Well, here we go, we're now onto story 3 of my Reunions series, just a note with this one, don't expect to see much of the Starks; only three chapters are set in their part of the North; the focus this time is on other places.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Davos

Davos sighed as he stood on the deck of their ship. Their escape from Dragonstone had been close; having almost failed. Yet now, here they were, almost at their destination; White Harbour, in the North. He wasn't alone either; apart from the men who he had brought with him, the King's Men; there were currently two others with him on deck. His son Devan and Princess Shireen, the daughter of his deceased King Stannis.

Princess Shireen was still slightly wide-eyed and her expression still slightly vacant from being drugged by the Red Woman; but she had recovered consciousness and was alert enough to move on her own.

"We're nearly there father." Devan stated. "We'll be coming in to dock soon."

Davos nodded. "Indeed, and it seems we have company."

Sure enough, there on the docks, was a contingent of Manderly troops; having clearly seen their ship, waiting for them. Davos nodded; he had expected this; he quickly gave the orders and soon their ship was moored at the dock. Everybody assembled and Davos spoke carefully.

"Now listen; we're going to go ashore now; just remember…This is a diplomatic mission; keep your swords sheathed." He made sure they all agreed to that before then turning to his son. "Devan, I am charging you with the Princess' safety."

Devan nodded and together, they all disembarked.

They soon stood on the dock, surrounded by the Manderly troops.

"Hold; who goes there!?" A man, who seemed to be the leader of the troops, demanded.

Davos stepped forwards and spoke. "I am Davos Seaworth; these men all follow me; we come in peace. We need to speak with Lord Manderly."

The soldiers talked quietly amongst themselves, suspicious, but finally acquiesced and began to escort them to the castle. Davos bit his lip; hopeful that things would turn out well enough. He glanced around at the men with him; they were wary but thankfully had taken his warning to heart. They kept their hands well away from their swords.

One of them caught Davos eye and he nodded in approval; he then turned his gaze to Devan who was walking alongside Princess Shireen; he looked apprehensive, wary. Thankfully however, there was no incident and they were soon presenting themselves to Lord Wyman Manderly in his castle's great hall.

"So, Davos Seaworth; the Onion Knight." Lord Manderly remarked after the formal greetings were over. "I've heard of you; for what reason does a knight of Stannis Baratheon seek me out?"

Davos shook his head sadly. "Former knight, King Stannis is dead now."

Wyman nodded slowly as he considered this. Davos did not want to interrupt, but he had to ensure that their proposal was heard.

So he acted quickly and chose his moment.

He began to speak. "My Lord; I must speak; we came here as your domain was the closest we could land our ship to our intended destination."

Wyman glanced at him curiously. "Is that so; and where would that be, what are your intentions?"

Davos hesitated briefly before replying.

"We seek an audience with your King, the King in the North; it is to him I must explain our intentions." He explained.

Wyman considered this for a moment. "What you say has merit, you are an honest man; but still…It is hard for me to trust you after all, your King refused to accept mine."

"I understand that." Davos replied at once. "However; I am here at my King's last request; I must…"

However at that moment, Devan spoke up. "Father."

All eyes turned to him; he cleared his throat and spoke again.

"I know you have charged me with protecting Princess Shireen; but I must ask you to release me from that duty. That way, I can you with this."

Davos was shocked by this, as were the others with him. "How…?"

Devan stepped forwards and announced. "As proof of my father's sincerity Lord Manderly; if you let him and his men go on to Winterfell, I shall remain here, in your custody."

Davos gasped, shocked by this; even Lord Manderly seemed surprised.

"Why would you do this, Lord Devan?"

"I am no Lord, I'm just a squire." Devan replied. "Consider this a token of my father's faith."

Davos was still shocked by this. "Devan…"

Wyman Manderly however agreed to Devan's suggestion; all the same Davos was still worried.

As such he turned to his son.

"Are you sure about this Devan?" He asked cautiously.

Devan nodded. "Yes father; I will remain here, as a hostage if needs be."

Wyman shook his head. "None of that boy, we're not the sort for hostages, in these circumstances. Consider yourself an honoured guest."

Devan smiled lightly and in the end the agreement was reached and they were soon on their way to Winterfell with an escort. As they rode along, Davos rode up next to Shireen.

"Princess…?" He began, concerned.

She smiled gently. "I am well, Ser Davos, thank you."

He nodded slowly. "Are you sure, we don't know exactly what it was the Red Woman drugged you with."

"I still feel a little dizzy from time to time, but otherwise I'm fine, it passes." She replied.

Davos sighed. "You're certain?"

She nodded and he decided to leave it at that; she was certainly looking a lot better; if a little cold, but then, so was he and all of those with him from the south. The rest of the ride was passed in silence until finally they reached Winterfell. Davos was surprised; he had heard of what had happened to Winterfell thanks to the Boltons, but now.

'It's still damaged but, already they are working on repairing it, and have already come a good way.' He noted to himself.

Before long they entered the castle and were soon taken through to the great hall and announced.

Davos noted that word of their arrival must have been sent on ahead; for many of those present in Winterfell were in the great hall, waiting for them. Amongst them were the entire Stark family; King Robb Stark, seated at the head of the table, observing him carefully. His young wife sat at his side; a hand gently resting on her slightly swollen stomach.

'An heir to the throne of the North.' Davos noted to himself.

He observed the rest of the family too; King Robb's siblings; his mother and a few other people seated at the high table.

Davos bowed deeply. "Your Grace."

Robb replied; calm yet clearly suspicious. "Davos Seaworth, I received word of your coming."

"Then, you know why I am here." Davos replied hopefully.

Robb nodded slowly. "We have heard of King Stannis' death."

Davos sighed sadly. "There is that; there is something else too however."

As he said this he looked around his gaze landed on him, the one he had been seeking. He was seated at the high table, next to the youngest Stark girl.

'That must be him, yes, it is…' Davos noted.

There was no mistaking it; his features left no room for doubt.

There was a pause before Robb spoke again.

"Ser Davos?"

Davos continued. "Yes Your Grace, the reason my King sent me to you. There are no…trueborn Baratheon male's left…But there is still at least one male in Westeros with Baratheon blood."

Robb nodded in understanding. "You want me, as King in the North, to legitimize him; and aid him in claiming his birthright."

"In return, I am certain he will recognize your claims of being King and respect the independence of the North and the Riverlands." Davos added.

Robb contemplated this for a moment; there was silence in the hall.

Finally he nodded and asked. "So, who is this man; where is he?"

Davos stood and spoke. "He is here in this hall; that is the young man there…"

He pointed to the young man seated beside the younger Stark girl, announcing the name as he did so.

"Gendry."

There were gasps around the hall; as well as murmurs, Gendry froze his eyes wide with shock.

"Wh-what, but…" He choked out.

"How certain are you he is the one?" Robb asked; clearly surprised too.

Davos turned back to Robb. "Positive; his father was King Robert; that is the truth, your father, Your Grace, uncovered that; as did Lord Jon Arryn before him as did my King."

With that Davos began to explain in detail about the findings of Gendry's lineage, as well as the other bastards Robert has sired; of which, only two others, apart from Gendry were known to be alive, yet Gendry was the only male currently in Westeros.

When he finished there was more whispering; Gendry shook his head.

"I…I can't, this is…I just…" He stammered.

Robb turned to him. "Gendry, I see no reason to doubt this. There can be no mistake; you are Robert Baratheon's eldest living son.

"I…Can't, I'm not…" Gendry tried to protest.

Davos watched as the girl next to him, Arya Stark turned to him.

"Gendry?"

He shook his head. "You're certain I am the one."

Davos nodded; Gendry seemed to deflate in his seat. With nothing else being said; the decision was soon made, to formally legitimize Gendry; making him now a true Baratheon.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.