(Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire nor its characters. Those all belong to George R. R. Martin, aside from my OC.)
(Firmridge, the Riverlands)
Stannis clutched the reigns of his horse as they arrived in the Capital. The small settlement that used to surround the keep was now a fledgling city in its own right.
It had taken some time for them to enter the city, as a large flow of merchants, travelers, and migrants entered the city, only made worse by the Tournament as men from all over the realm came to witness or participate in the first Grand Tourney since Harrenhal.
Much to his surprise the city was a stark contrast to King's Landing or even Lannisport, for one there were no slums in sight. Another would be the casual air around the smallfolk who did not bat an eye at the presence of his party, something practically unheard of in the former capital where peasants would flock to nobles in the hope of coin.
The air not stinking of shit certainly helped, not to mention that a majority of the smallfolk were dressed in clothing that felt greatly similar to what a minor noble would.
It was quite the sight and clearly, he wasn't the only one surprised by it. Many of his party were staring in shock at their surrounding, taken aback by how prosperous the Capital seemed to be, despite it being only a few years since it was first built.
Steffon looked star-struck, his son seemed enamored by the sight around him. If the occasion wasn't so important, he wouldn't be surprised if the lad ran away to explore the city.
Both his son and wife sat in a small wheelhouse, while he and the rest of the party either behind it or next to it.
"I take it that you like what you see, my Lord?" His guide asked.
The man, a minor noble from the Riverlands he assumed, alongside a team of guards, had been sent to escort them to the castle once their identity had been confirmed.
Whether it was protection or to prevent him from sending any spies around the city, he didn't know.
"It's quite the improvement from my last visit," Stannis answered, not giving the man an inch.
"With the projects being completed all around the Riverlands, much focus has been placed onto the Capital." Their guide explained.
"Do you mean to say that developing the capital hadn't been His Majesty's primary goal!" Jeyne looked taken aback by that revelation.
Stannis barely kept his reaction in check at that revelation. If they could build what was quickly becoming a major city within Westeros without much focus, what had they managed to achieve in the projects Erlend actually cared for?
Steffon who was riding alongside his mother, looked at the guide with curiosity "Is it true that the curse of Harrenhal vanished when King Erlend claimed the haunted castle?" he asked.
"No one really knows, many say the gods themselves cleansed these lands once His Majesty made these lands his home." the Guide said with a smirk.
Stannis inwardly scoffed at such nonsense, while the Harrenhal had been quite grim and a depressing castle on its own, he assumed it was the vast resources and wealth that had allowed the King to finally be rid of the so-called curse.
If faith was all it took, then the Whents would have gotten rid of the curse swiftly on their own, they were some of the most pious nobles in Westeros after all.
Sure they had gained immense wealth from holding some of the richest lands on the continent, but it was barely enough to maintain the castle.
Fools, the whole lot of them. The king was aware of the sheer cost of maintaining such a behemoth would have been. Tearing down the castle and building a new one was a far more practical move.
Jeyne glanced over at him with warmth in her eyes while she fussed over Steffon. His wife knew what was on his mind and certainly assumed the same.
"But I heard there were lights and bright figures made of light surrounding the castle." Steffon protested.
The guide nodded to his son's words, "Ah yes… I too heard of that, some say it was the King's ancestors congratulating him on his reconquest of his fatherland."
"The king was out ridding the land of the bandits and deserters that plagued it while on his way to the vale, he wasn't even there at the time the storm occurred." Stannis pointed out.
"You think it was a storm, my Lord." the guide said.
"What else could it have been, likely drunkard's words might have been taken too seriously."
"If you think so my Lord."
The man was skeptical of Stannis's reasoning but maintained his silence on the matter. It would not do to offend a Lord Paramount, especially one who was trusted by the King.
"Do you think that the king and queen will meet us?" Steffon wondered.
"I've heard that King Erlend has been busy making sure the settlement of the refugees is at hand, So it's unlikely I'm afraid," Jeyne answered her son gently.
"Indeed, his Majesty has prioritised the well-being of those hit worst by the wars, he's, unfortunately, unable to greet you at the moment." Their guide confirmed Jeyne's words.
Stannis nodded his head in understanding, whilst Steffon looked put out at being unable to meet the King.
"You know Stef, you met the King already," Jeyne said to her son.
"I did!" was his shocked response.
"Yes, in fact, he even held you once."
"Father, is this true?" His son's stormy blue eyes looked at him expectantly.
Stannis shook his head at his son's excitement, "Aye, you were but a baby at the time." Confirming his wife's words.
"I hope he remembers me then, I bet Uncle Renly would be jealous."
Renly had been unable to attend the tournament, his poor brother had fallen ill just a few days before they left. Maester Cressen had confirmed that the lad would be fine in a moon's turn but would be unable to make it to the Tourney in time.
An unfortunate incident, but he couldn't delay the trip for him.
It would send the wrong message if Lord Paramount did not attend the tournament held by the King.
…
Finally, they arrived at the gates of the fortress, where they were promptly allowed entry after the Guide informed the keepers of their identities.
While Stannis and his family were the main members of the party, a smaller portion of the Stormlands nobility had opted to join their party, though mostly from the minor nobility.
They rode through the gate once the portcullis was raised and into the courtyard of the castle. He pulled his horse to a stop and swiftly dismounted.
He helped both Jeyne and Steffon step out of the Wheelhouse as they faced the entourage that stood ready to meet them.
Turning his head towards footsteps striding towards them. His eyes widened at the sight of a much younger version of Erlend moving towards them with a bright smile on his face. No… it should be the Crown Prince Edmund, his clear sapphire eyes were a quick giveaway of his true identity.
Other than his eyes, the boy looked like his father was reborn. Following behind him was his mother, Queen Catelyn, and the King's paramour, Princess Elia.
Instead of the glares or barely concealed hatred that many would expect. The two looked quite amicable and even dare he say on friendly terms with each other.
Not wanting to insult the Royal Family, quickly bowed his head in respect to them, Jeyne and Steffon following suit.
"Your Highness, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Stannis said.
"None of that Lord Durrandon." The young boy spoke with a wide grin on his face. "According to father, we're practically family."
This earned a confused glance from Durrandons, as they were unaware of any blood ties between the two Houses.
Catelyn seeing their confusion decided to explain to them, "My husband has decided that since His Uncle the late Lord Arryn raised both Eddard and Robert, House Stark and Durrandon by circumstance should be considered kin to us, even if not by blood."
While Stannis tried to make sense of this absurd reasoning, his son had no such qualms. "So does that mean we're cousins now?" Steffon wondered.
"What else could we be." Was the response from the crown prince.
The two boys showed no hesitation in grinning at each other, with what he felt were near identical mischievous grins. He could already feel a headache coming up.
Jeyne looked both wary and relieved that the two heirs got along well, though she was afraid of the chaos they might pull now that her son had a fellow mischief in arms.
"Edmund!" an annoyed voice rang out.
A beautiful young girl who was only a few years younger than Renly appeared. She had dark hair and piercing violet eyes that stared intently at the crown prince.
The young girl showed no hesitation in grabbing the younger boy by his arms and pulling him towards her. "You were supposed to wait for me," she said.
She could only be Rhaenys Targaryen, ward to the King and the poor boy's fiance.
"You were taking too long." the prince muttered, earning a chuckle from his son.
This caught the attention of the princess who simply raised an eyebrow at his son, unimpressed by his presence.
Puffing out his chest, "I'm Edmund's cousin." Steffon said.
Only to receive an unimpressed deadpan from the princess, who snorted at his words, and dragged Prince Edmund away.
"Hey wait, let him go!" Poor Steffon showed no hesitation in following after his friend, trying to save him from the clutches of the princess.
Stannis didn't know what to say at the scene that had just occurred in front of him.
Looking embarrassed by her daughter's actions, "I apologize for my daughter's behavior, she was quite put out when Edmund befriended Jon and has been very careful in keeping him in her sights." Clarified.
"Lord Stark's son?" Stannis questioned.
"Indeed, Lord Benjen and his entourage arrived a few days ago." This time the Queen was the one to answer. "Shall we head to the gardens while the servants move all your baggage to your chambers?"
"Ah… thank you, if that's not too much of an issue," Jeyne said.
As they headed towards the Gardens, Stannis couldn't help but ponder where the King was and what he was currently doing.