CHAPTER 8. OURS IS THE FURY
PART 1. KING'S BLOOD
As Cassana predicted her Grandfather Tywin Lannister called his banners and invaded the Riverlands. Even though Tywin had no great love for his son Tyrion he saw his kidnapping as an insult to his House. Lady Catelyn is a Stark, but she is also a Tully and House Tully had to suffer for her impertinence in his eyes.
He had sent her a reply saying as much. Her uncle Renly sent a Raven asking that she return to King's Landing and help settle the unrest. Cassana had no intention of doing that. The message said that the Hand of the King Lord Eddard Stark had renounced Ser Gregor Clegane and demanded that Tywin Lannister come to the Capitol and answer for the crimes of his Bannerman.
Cassana is preparing for Gendry's name day; which will take place in the next five days. Arya had become close to Gendry so she is helping Cassana. All their preparations are covert, but Gendry has a habit of learning Cassana's plans. She is in the wine cellar speaking with the chief steward. Ser Courtney enters the Wine Cellar. "Princess your Uncle Renly is here…"
She frowns, "What?" When she enters the Great hall Renly is pacing, "Uncle what are you doing here?"
"Cassana I am so sorry…Your father…Your father is dead…"
"What! What did you say?"
"He was hunting and a boar…"
Arya is present, "I'm sorry…" She says.
She shakes her head, "No…No…My father…" She walks up to Renly and grabs him by the shoulders, "My father is not dead…You are lying!"
"I wish I was…He's dead…"
Cassana shoves him and walks away, she goes to her room and locks the door. Not long after Edric comes to the door and knocks, "Cass it's me Ric…Open the door…"
Then she hears Gendry's voice, "Cass open the door…Arya told me…Open up."
She ignores everyone that comes to the door and sits on her bed remembering the good things about her father. The hours pass by and Cassana ignores her meals as well. She falls asleep, crying into her pillow. The next morning she lays in bed; she stays in bed all day allowing the world to pass her by. Cassana turns and sees something on the floor; curious she gets up and walks over to the door. It is a letter with her father's seal on it. She breaks the seal, opens it and reads.
To my beloved daughter Cassana
If you are reading this then I am no more…I hoped I died during one last battle or war…However I died I want you to know that you have been my pride and joy. I know I wasn't a good father…When it comes to you I have many regrets in life…I know that many people saw me as drunken man whoring fool…and a bad King…
I can't blame them either…But I am not…I know you have been protecting me from many things my daughter…and I love you for it…That being said I know that you and you alone are my blood…I know that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are all the bastards of Jaime Lannister…I have known for some time now…
I have known since the day I visited you at Storm's End for your thirteenth name day…That was the day you asked me to teach you how to hunt…Edric and Gendry came with us…That day I realized how so much like me the three of you are…I also realized how much Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are not like me…Even with the dyed hair…
When I found out I wanted to strangle Cersei…What held my hand back was the fact that she is your mother…That and I took a sick pleasure in seeing how unhappy the bitch was…
Cassana laughs when she reads that part.
Yes I loved another woman, but that love was no reflection on you…
Cassana as your father I have one last thing to ask of you and I ask this because I know you will make a better Queen than I as King…Do not allow Joffrey to sit the Iron Throne…I will not rest peacefully in one of the seven heavens or hells most likely if that sniveling little bastard follows me on the Iron Throne…If you have to go to war then go to war…Do whatever is necessary to secure the Iron Throne…Another thing…I don't know how, but the Targaryens Dothraki or no Dothraki will cross the Narrow Sea and try to take the Iron throne…Do whatever you must to stop them…Marry for love if you can my daughter…But be a better Queen than I was King…
With all my Love
Your Father Robert Baratheon
Cassana carefully folds the letter up and wipes the tears from her eyes and face. She walks up to the door to find Brienne. "My Queen…"
Cassana smiles, "You heard about my father?"
"Yes…I also know that you are the only true heir of Robert Baratheon…Anyone with a brain and a pair of eyes can see that…What are your orders Your Grace…"
Cassana nods, it was time to be a queen, "Summon the servants I need a bath drawn and some food…"
She nods, "Right away…"
Cassana closes the door, but leaves it unlocked. Soon the servants come back with hot coals for the bath. When the water is proper temperature Cassana bathes herself, then she dresses and eats. She summons the small council of her house to the Great Hall. Before the meeting Cassana talks with Renly and he tells her how her father died. Arya, Gendry, and Edric are present as well. "Your father sent me that letter with the instructions to give it to you after his death." Ser Penrose says to her privately.
"What news from the Capitol?" Cassana asks handing the letter her father left her to her Uncle Renly.
Maester Colwyn holds up two raven messages, "Message from your brother demanding that you come to King's Landing and swear fealty to him…One from your mother as well…"
Cassana takes both messages and tares up the one from her half brother. She reads the message from her mother, "This is a time for our family to come together…Nicely worded…" Cassana says balling it up.
"He knew…" Renly says, "He always knew…"
"Knew what?" Edric asks.
Renly looks at Cassana and she nods, so he hands Edric the letter. "Your father had no rightful male heirs…The Iron Throne goes to you…"
"Right, but first I want to give my mother a chance to do the right thing…Second we need an army…"
"Allies!" Renly says, "House Tyrell…"
"Is strong…Especially if we can get Lord Tarly to lead their forces…"
"Ser Loras is unwed…" Renly says.
Cassana shakes her head, "I have my eyes on Robb Stark or Trystan Martell…"
"The Martells will never join us…They hate us as much as they do the Lannisters…"
"Doran Martell is a reasonable man…All the same I wish to make an offer…"
"What about my father and sister?"
They all exchange looks, "Well answer her." Cassana commands.
"Your father has been arrested for treason…" Renly says, "…and your sister…Well Lord Stark broke off the engagement…He arranged a marriage with Lord Berric Dondarrion…Then the Lannisters invaded the Riverlands and he sent Lord Berric to deal with Gregor Clegane…"
"My sister agreed to that?" Arya asks shocked.
"She was the one who asked your father to call off the betrothal…"
Cassana looks at Ser Davos, "Ser Davos do you think you can get in and smuggle them out…"
He shakes his head, "Too dangerous…Better to wait and lay siege to the city…"
Cassana looks at Arya, "We will get your father out…Joffrey would be a fool to harm him…He is too valuable…"
Cassana sends the following letter to her mother.
To Cersei Baratheon
I…Queen Cassana Baratheon the one true daughter of King Robert Baratheon…Give you this one chance to do what is right…You will tell Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen the truth…You will convince Joffrey to renounce the throne and spare everyone the horrors of war…Do this and I will allow you to live in peace with your bastards…Disobey this command and you will suffer…
Ours Is the Fury
Queen Cassana Baratheon
She addresses the next letter to all the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms
To all the Lords and Ladies of Westeros
Let it be known that I Cassana Baratheon am the only true heir of King Robert…Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are all bastards of Ser Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer…Let all high and low born now declare for their one true Queen…
With regards
Queen Cassana Baratheon
PART 2. THE STAG QUEEN
KING'S LANDING
CERSEI
Cersei reads the letter with a shaky hand. She balls it up as Sansa enters the solar. Varys, Petyr Baelish, and Pycell are present. "Ah Sansa…I need you to write a letter to your brother…What is his name?"
"Robb…" Varys says.
Sansa stares at them, "I want to see my father…I demand to see my father…"
"Your father is a traitor…" Cersei says.
"My father is no traitor…He loved King Robert like a brother and King Robert loved him…The only traitors I see are standing beside you…"
"See reason my girl…"
"I will not write any letters until I see my father…" Sansa stands up and leaves them.
"Not the naïve little girl who left Winterfell…" Petyr Baelish says.
"Robb Stark has summoned all the North to war…As we speak they march on the Riverlands…" Varys says.
"My father has more men and a larger army…He will destroy that boy and end this before it begins…"
"Your Grace…Perhaps if we sent Sansa Stark home…It will go a long way to insuring peace…"
She looks at him, "Never mind that…What of my daughter Cassana? What news from the Stormlands?"
"The Stormlords are mustering an army to Storm's End…They are calling Cassana Baratheon Queen…Stannis Baratheon is stirring on Dragonstone…He intends to support his niece…"
"Leave me all of you…Lord Baelish you stay…" She waits until they have all left, "I have need of your services again…"
"I am always ready to serve my Queen…
"Good! We need allies…My father always said know your enemies…The Tyrells…"
He interrupts her, "Begging your pardon your grace, but I wasn't aware that House Tyrell was an enemy of House Lannister…"
"Anyone who is not a Lannister is a potential enemy…However I wish to make House Tyrell an ally…I am offering my son the King to their daughter Magaery Tyrell…The Tyrells will accept because they are an ambitious family…"
"What if your daughter offers herself to their son?"
"She won't…She is looking for love and it will be her downfall…" Cersei allows Sansa to see her father on the condition that he she write the letters to her brother afterwards.
STORM'S END
From all over the Stormlands the banners of House Baratheon come to support the true heir of the late King Robert. Cassana had sent her Uncle Renly to make an offer of marriage to the Tyrells. Edric Baratheon to be married to Margaery Tyrell, meanwhile she makes an offer of Marriage for herself to Prince Trystane. Now all Cassana can do is wait.
"You wanted to see me?" Arya asks entering the solar.
"Yes…We have had word from the Riverlands…Your brother Robb has had a victory against Tywin Lannister and he has captured Jaime Lannister…"
Arya smiles, "Does this mean the war will be over soon?" She asks excited at the news.
Cassana sighs, "I'm afraid it's not that easy…The Lannisters still hold your father and sister…Your brother has the Kingslayer…I figure Tywin will counter attack…We will just have to wait and see how your brother continues to fair in this war…"
"What about you? What is House Baratheon doing?"
"Gathering troops…I have the full support of all the Stormlords…and I am hoping House Tyrell and House Martell will support me as well…" They talk for many hours and Cassana does her best to reassure Arya. The Stormlords gather in the Main hall to pledge their support to Cassana's crown. Gendry fashions a gold and silver crown with a Stag's head on the front with its antlers. Its eyes are two sapphires. "I name as Commander of my Queensguard Lady Brienne of Tarth…Serving under her I name…Ser Robar…Ser Emmon…Ser Armon…Ser Dory…Ser Harold Swann and Ser Wylde…As Hand of the Queen I name Ser Davos Seaworth…"
She names her Uncle Renly Master of Laws, Stannis is named Master of Ships and Lord Admiral of the Royal fleet. Cassana Knights Gendry and legitimizes him, then she names Ser Courtney Penrose Lord Commander of the Royal army. She names Axel Florent Master of Coin. As Cassana names her appointments Catelyn Stark shows up and is announced by Ser Harold Swann of the Queensguard. A wave of whispers cross the Great Hall as Catelyn is bought forward.
"Silence…" Brienne yells
"You stand before Cassana Baratheon the Second of her name…Rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms…the Andels and the first men…Protector of the Realm…"
"Welcome to Storm's End Lady Catelyn…"
"Thank you for having me Your Grace…"
Ser Imry steps forward, "Your Grace if I may…This woman's son calls himself the King in the North…She is open rebellion against your crown…"
Cassana stands up, "Enough! I will speak with Lady Catelyn in private…" As the Lords and ladies disburse Cassana is joined by Brienne, Ser Dory, and Ser Swann. They take up positions behind their Queen.
"Lady Catelyn…It is good to see you again though I hoped under better circumstances…"
"Yes…My husband is dead…"
She sighs, "I know…I am so sorry…I underestimated how big a fool Joffrey is…"
"My daughter how is she…"
They leave the main hall and walk through a hallway towards the courtyard, "Safe and sound…I did not tell her…I could not tell her…"
"Is she your prisoner…"
Cassana stops and looks at Lady Stark, "My Lady your Lord Husband asked me to take Arya on as my ward…That being said…I am disappointed that the North has broken faith with the true heir to the Iron Throne…But I will not use a little girl as a bargaining chip…Especially considering what my father and your husband were to each other…"
"Apologies I did not mean to offend you Your Grace…"
"I am not offended…A little mad you would think so little of me…Your son has beaten my Grandfather three times in battle…His banners asked him to be King…The respect my father had for your late husband is the same I have for House Stark…"
"Thank you for saying that…I must ask what you know of my son's fall from the broken tower…"
She sighs, "I am so sorry about that…Your son caught my mother and Uncle at their folly…I confronted her…" Cassana sighs, "She is my mother…and I have tried to be a daughter to her, but she…She killed my father…Turns out he always knew about her…I will protect her no more…When I take King's Landing I will turn Cersei over to your son to face whatever justice the North deems appropriate…"
"Thank you…My son asked me here to negotiate…Unfortunately he is already promised to one of Walder Frey's daughters…"
Cassana frowns, "The Late Walder Frey…and what did that old goat do to earn such a boon?"
"He allowed us to use his bridge and gave us a large portion of his army…He also wants Arya to marry his son Orsan…Or Willas I forget…He has so many…"
Cassana shakes her head, "If he were my Bannerman I would have stripped him long ago…" A guard opens the door to the courtyard.
"MOTHER!" Arya screams when Syrio pauses in his instructions.
They hug, "I'll allow the two of you some privacy…" As Cassana is walking back towards the main castle she is approached by Ser Davos. "What is it?"
"A Raven from High Garden…The Tyrells have accepted our offer…"
"Good summon Lord Paxter and Lord Tarly to Storm's End…It is time we made our move…" Lord Paxter and Tarly arrive at the same time. Lord Tarly informs Cassana that the wedding of Margaery and Edric will take place after they take King's Landing. Cassana agrees, as for Prince Doran he will accept Cassana's terms if she can take the Iron Throne. Catelyn Stark reluctantly agrees to leave her daughter with Cassana.
"Tyrion Lannister has been named acting Hand of the King…" Ser Penrose says causing everyone to laugh.
"The Imp! Victory is ours for sure…" Ser Imry says.
"My Lords…The one thing you should not do is underestimate Tyrion Lannister…Imp he may be to you, but he is very intelligent…He talked his way out of the Eyrie…He convinced the Hill Tribes to fight for him…If I learned anything from the Lannisters is to never underestimate an enemy…The Redwyne Fleet will sail to Lannisport and take the city…Lord Tarly's forces will march on the blackwater rush and hold the Golden Road. I will lead the main assault from the sea and attack the mud gate with only half our forces…"
"Your Grace…May I ask why only half?" Lord Tarly asks.
"As I said Lord Tarly I will not underestimate the enemy…Only half our forces will attack…" She looks at Stannis, "You will hold the rest at Dragonstone…"