310 AC
Ser Barristan Selmy
"A number of ravens have arrived, Prince Regent." Rattled off Grand Maester Gormon
"No doubt from Highgarden, my Prince."
The Small Council chambers were full. The entire council, minus the King himself of course, was seated. Despite Stannis Baratheon being both the Hand of the King and the Prince Regent, he still decided against sitting himself on the seat meant for the King. For over a year, that seat has sat empty.
Ser Barristan remembers the day that Robert had announced his small progress around the realm. He had sat on the Iron Throne. His yellow tunic matching with the golden crown of antlers. Gasps and whispers of worry filled the air of the great hall of the Red Keep. Some courtiers had muttered words of crisis and others of succession. But, despite the words said, King Robert calmed them down by appointing his brother and heir, as the Prince Regent.
Robert I Baratheon had left King's Landing the next day.
Since then, Prince Stannis worked from dawn 'til dusk, never a moment of relaxation. When the Princess Myranda had tried to have him take a leave of relaxation, he refuted her. The Prince Regent had worked tirelessly for the realm. And a number of offices were created. In reality, according to grand maester Gorman, most of the offices had previously existed, under Aegon I and Aenys I Targaryen. However, the young realm had no need for such officers at the time. Now, in its third century of existence, the realm now needed the previously abolished offices.
Most of these were under the Master of Laws, or the Master of Coin. However, one office in particular had been created from the ideas of Lord Tarly and the Prince Regent.
It wasn't until the Lion's War that the Small Council realized the importance of a unified military commander. And so, a decree by the Prince Regent no longer allowed the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to sit in the council as the King's commander. Rather, a new post called the 'Captain-General of the King's Forces' was appointed. The four high wardens still held their own authority, however, in a time of war, the Captain-General would lead all the forces raised by the Iron Throne itself. And should there be a time when two or more wardens were on the same field. Then instead of sharing command, the Captain-General would assume the higher command.
Originally, Prince Stannis had…ironically, offered the position to himself. The Prince Regent had explained it; the Lord Commander was the chief knight to the King, but nothing more. A royal officer, but not a royal office; a distinct, yet important difference. As such, the Lord Commander was able to hold a position that was a royal office.
He had accepted the position, on a temporary basis, until a more permanent individual could be appointed.
The words of the grand maester pulled him from his thoughts. "No. The raven does not come from my cousin. One bears the seal of House Royce of Runestone, another the seal of House Stark of Moat Cailin. The last bears the seal of House Tully of Riverrun."
"Read them." Prince Stannis mirthlessly ordered.
Cracking the first scroll, Gormon eyed the contents. "Lord Yohn Royce says that he is honored to be offered the new position, however, due to his responsibilities advising the young Lord Arryn, must decline."
Stannis simply ground his teeth.
"My Prince, perhaps if were to offer it to Lord Tywin then this could be resolved." Varys suggested.
It had been brave of him to do so. Prince Stannis was not his brother. He did not erupt at the mere mention of those he despised. But Stannis Baratheon was infamous for holding a grudge.
"You would advise me to appoint a man who only a decade ago, raised his armies against the Crown?"
"Prince Regent, despite his past indiscretions, few can argue the capabilities of the man when it comes to warfare."
"A number of them can, actually." Lord Tarly countered.
"The northern campaign of the Lion's War did nothing but show the realm how much Tywin lives by reputation alone…and reputation does not protect you on a field of battle."
"No, quite right my lord. However, are we at war now? Perhaps he is not the most capable commander as previously thought, but he is certainly capable of raising and preparing hosts. After all, on the onset of the war, the Westerlands were the only kingdom who were prepared to march at the first word of war. Prior to the stipulations issued by the Prince Regent's predecessor, Lord Stark, Tywin Lannister had trained his levies once every two months. That is far more than most nobles."
"As much as I am loath to agree with the spymaster here, Lord Varys makes an excellent point."
"Don't call him that."
"My Prince?"
"Call him Varys, the man doesn't hold any noble titles that I know of." Others looked wearily between the regent and the spymaster, but Varys seemed not to be even interested in the verbal spar.
"Apologies…Prince Regent, nonetheless, the Master of Whisperers makes a good point."
"You forget that another of the peace's demands was that Tywin Lannister was barred from leaving the Westerlands if not otherwise summoned by the King himself."
"Or by the Hand of the King, Lord Eddard Stark. Lord Stark also added that includes any of his lawful successors. As you are one, my Prince, you are legally able to call on him to leave the Westerlands." Lord Tarly, as the Master of Laws added.
"And yet this is fruitless as I will not. Tywin Lannister shall remain in the Westerlands."
The rest of the council replied in affirmatives. One lesson they learned very quickly, was the different styles of leadership between their last Hand, and this one. Though stern and decisive, Eddard Stark listened, and requested, good counsel from the members. And, although empowered to unilaterally rule during the War in the absence of King Robert, still made an effort to make all his decrees seem to have been agreed to unanimously. Stannis Baratheon on the other hand, ruled much more strongly. He too requested wise counsel, but at the end, it was his decision, and his alone. Whether or not others agreed with him.
"Very well my Prince. If that's the case, then I advise offering it to the man who actually defeated Lord Tywin." Ser Wylis, the Master of Coin offered. "Robb Stark waged a brilliant campaign against Lord Tywin. A man many decades his senior, with a fiercer reputation, and larger host."
No one spoke after him. Because although Robb Stark was young, none could argue the points that were offered. And yet…
"A wise choice good ser." Varys cooed. "But to have two Northerners sit on the Small Council is unheard of. No doubt the High Septon would argue that they will try to corrupt the mind of the Prince Regent with you, excuse my language, 'religion of barbarism,' pardon the words."
Ser Barristan could feel all the eyes in the room roll over. Even the normally collected Lord Seaworth.
The current High Septon, who the Small Council began to refer to as the 'Moron,' to tell him apart, was a man of bluster. The High Septon was undoubtedly from the Reach. Constantly going on about holy wars, the pious, and so much more. From the Varys' little birds, word from the Most Devout actually pointed to more moderate septons holding the true power.
Prince Stannis spoke up then. "It is a good choice. And the son of Lord Stark is a man I'd trust more than the snakes in the capital anyways. Gormon-" The Grand Maester gave the Regent his attention. "-send a raven to Winterfell. Offer Robb Stark the position of Captain-General. Explain the details."
The maester bowed from the neck. "It will be done as soon as this meeting concludes."
"Good. What does the next raven state?"
Once more, the grand maester cracked the seal and examined the parchment. "This scroll comes from Lord Edwyle Stark of Moat Cailin. He begins with an explanation. He reports that many of the heirs and younger sons of the North will ward with him at Moat Cailin."
Though it was not required, it was custom for lords to inform the Iron Throne of important wardships and other interactions between nobles. That the second son of Lord Stark will ward many heirs to the North, is certainly important enough to give notice to the Small Council.
"What else does he write?"
"He also extends an offer to you, my Prince Regent." One or two heads turned to pay closer attention. "Lord Edwyle offers to have Prince Raymont foster at Moat Cailin."
The grand maester handed the scroll to Prince Stannis. He was silent as he read the scroll himself. He set it down and looked around the room.
"Thoughts?"
He spoke for the first time. "It is genuine. I had the chance to meet Edwyle Stark long ago very briefly, before the Lion's War erupted. A second time for another brief moment before he marched the Stark force home. If Edwyle Stark is anything like Robb Stark or Lord Stark, then he means it genuinely."
Varys spoke up. "I would agree to this, my Prince. However, a word of caution. Prior to Lord Stark's appointment as Hand of the King a decade ago, only two Northmen ever sat the Small Council; Cregan Stark as the Lord Hand for less than a sennight, and Torrhen Manderly who also served briefly."
"Get to the point Master Varys." Stannis ground out.
"Apologies my Prince. Regardless, only two, brief, appointments in two hundred years. And suddenly, in only a little over a decade, a Stark as the Lord Hand, another possible appointment to a Stark as the Iron Throne's chief military commander, and now, a Stark hosting a Prince of the Blood."
Varys turned to look at Ser Wylis.
"I do doubt that the Starks are honorable and genuine, however, the rest of the kingdoms will begin to grumble. In a very short time, the Starks have amassed immense power."
Again, no one could refute the advice of the royal spymaster.
"No one can change the past. Lord Stark served capably as Hand, no matter those nobles who attempt to argue otherwise. Which means we arrive at an impasse." Lord Seaworth added.
"Which means that either we offer the captaincy-generalship to Robb Stark…or we send Prince Raymont to Moat Cailin."
"We do not have to do either." Stannis curtly cut in. "He is my son; he will need to learn how to rule the Seven Kingdoms."
Ser Barristan pressed the issue. "Yes, of course my Prince. But the Prince is still young. There is time for him. I believe it would be good for the young Prince to make friendships with other young lordlings. If not for companionship, at least for future alliances."
"But according to this, it will only be those lords of the North."
"Then order Lord Edwyle to open his castle to more young boys from the rest of the realm. Send him a stipend from the Treasury to supplement the cost of raising so many boys."
Stannis rubbed his chin. "Robert always made friends."
"And friends are important, my Prince." Lord Seaworth spoke. Only Davos Seaworth was able to command the attention of Stannis Baratheon like no other. Some of the other councilmembers were even making wages on whether or not Stannis would eventually appoint Lord Seaworth as the Hand of the King. "After all, the Riverlands, the Vale, and the North all marched for His Grace during the War because of their childhood friendships with him."
"They answered the call because it was their duty."
And this was the most poignant weakness of Stannis Baratheon. He was not blind to the actions of snakes and other traitors or ambitious lords in the realm. Despite this, he still could not see past the reality that was the power of lords. Because they bent the knee and swore, Stannis believed they answered…Tywin Lannister had also bent the knee to Robert Baratheon.
But Lord Seaworth could not be deterred. "They answered because they wanted to. They saw an injustice against who they believed was their friend. And they answered."
Whether or not Stannis was convinced, or simply grew tired of the discussion, he did not know. Regardless, the Prince Regent waved the Master of Ships away. "Very well, very well. However, that once more opens the discussion of who to offer the captaincy-generalship to."
And Ser Barristan heard a number of groans under their breathes.
Ser Wylis cleared his throat. "Let us make it easier on all of us my lords. Already, we know of a number of qualifications; they cannot be of the North, they cannot have fought against the Crown during the Lion's War. Already, this narrows it down to someone either of the Riverlands, the Vale, or the Stormlands."
"Or the Crownlands…or Dorne" Lord Tarly commented.
"True my lord, but no Crownlands lord fought in this most recent war. And as for the Dornish, the same is true. However, they do offer more opportunity. Lords Yronwood, Wyl, or a member of House Martell are all fair options." Ser Barristan opined.
Varys spoke in his soft tone. "If fairness is what this council is after, than we can narrow down the list even further. Lord Seaworth here is himself of the Stormlands. Already, they have enough representation."
"So either the Riverlands or the Vale?" Ser Wylis confirmed.
"If a lord from the Riverlands were to be chosen, I would advise either Lord Blackwood, Ser Imry Erenford, Lord Mallister, or Ser Damon Roote. All were capable commanders under Robb Stark. As for the Vale, the only nobles I am aware of that possess the skill are either Ser Harrold Arryn, or Ser Morton Waynwood."
"Lord Mallister resigned from the Small Council to help rebuild the Riverlands. He will not accept if offered, no matter how capable he is." Stannis muttered.
"Ser Damon is one of only two blood relatives to the young Lord Lucas Roote. He will not leave his young cousin to come to the capital." Varys advised.
Lord Tarly offered. "Despite his experience from the War, Ser Harrold his still quite young, not to mention he is the heir to the Vale and is still attending lessons under Lord Royce alongside Lord Arryn."
"Which leaves us Ser Morton, Ser Imry, or Lord Blackwood."
Stannis spoke, interrupting whoever was about to speak. "I shall offer the post to Lord Blackwood. Ser Imry is a vassal to House Frey. I don't care how different they are under Lord Stevron. I shan't trust one of them. As for Ser Morton, I know not much about him. I respect Lord Blackwood's abilities." He turned to the grand maester. "Send the raven to Blackwood Hall instead of Winterfell."
Gormon nodded and made a note on his parchment. Another small sigh could be heard. Another issue addressed and dealt with.
"The last scroll, grand maester?" Stannis asked.
Taking the last scroll before him, Gormon broke the seal.
"Only a report on His Grace, my Prince. Lord Tully writes that after spending a number of moons traveling throughout the Riverlands, His Grace has left to ride north. Lord Tully reports that the King wishes to visit Lord Stark once more."
Stannis nodded.
It was becoming a custom in the small council to make bets on where the King was. He almost never sent ravens himself, the news always coming from one lord or another who hosted him.
Stannis stood from his chair. "This meeting is adjourned. I shall see you all at tomorrow's meeting." Without another word, Prince Stannis turned and left the room. Ser Barristan quickly followed after him.
King Robert had insisted that only Ser Guyard and Lady Brienne join him on his progress. As such, this left himself at the capital. So, the next senior royal family in line for the Lord Commander to guard was the Crown Prince.
Stannis Baratheon.
*Much like the previous work, this piece will move slower and pick up later. If I were to guess right now, I would estimate this story numbering about 40 - 60 chapters?
**I write my stories as such; I begin with almost all research. Going into wikis and other sites to build up houses and castles and other stuff. For example. I started my previous story in the summer of 2022. I didn't post the first chapter until December of 2022. I have a general plot on how I wish my story to go, and I allow my inspiration to fill in the space in between...of course with some guided stories. Regardless, the point is, I have a general idea on how I want this story to go, but the time it will take depends on how I can fill the 'in between.'