Thanks for the comments, and yes I still remember the idea of Robert making Orryn heir to Storm's End.
It was never confirmed by the crown but the idea was always in the air, it will even be commented on later.
Dragonstone
Davos
The news came fast, the death of King Robert, Lord Stark arrest for treason, Joffrey's forthcoming coronation and Orryn's escape from the capital in a blaze of confusion.
"You disobeyed my order, Orryn". Stannis said dryly to his son. Orryn had grown in the time he'd been away. Kept his back straight as a mast, not daring to move, not daring to look sloppy under his father's iron gaze.
"I thought it was a better option to help Lord Stark, Uncle Robert would listen to him and the kingdom could change for better." Orryn said in a low voice.
"And look how it all turned out, huh?". Stannis said, clenching his jaw. "Your uncle is dead and bastard sits on the throne."
"Is it true then Father? Joffrey is a bastard?".
"Yes, I got suspicious and gave my suspicions to Lord Arryn, he died when discovered the evidence, what it was I don't know, but it was there."
"The Book I mentioned to you, it says that all the children of the great houses of Westeros and from what it says, all the Baratheon marriages with Lannister had Baratheon appearance. 'The seed is strong', were Lord Arryn's last words". Orryn said with a frown.
"Everyone except Joffrey and his brothers". I finished for them and decided to go ahead with my advice. "Lord Stark intended to support your father's claim to the throne, I suppose?".
"Yes, that's what he told me, but he's in prison now, probably betrayed by the Golden Cloaks. I helped him change the leadership of the cloaks, but it's impossible to get all the bad apples out."
"Bywater was the new commander, wasn't he?". I asked and the young lord nodded, it had been a good choice. "Apparently he was killed in a riot, as you might expect."
"I thought all the way here, Lord Stark mentioned money... Littlefinger must be behind it,
and Lord Stark, no matter how many times I told him not to trust in that man, must have fallen
for it anyway, must have thought he had the bigger hand against him."
"It doesn't matter anymore, the kingdom will see and know who the true king is, they will
follow the law." Lord Stannis said with his jaw clenched and I wasn't too sure about that,
but I didn't comment.
"I know the book that contains the evidence father, we can send letters to the kingdoms
stating the case. I've managed to smuggle some of Uncle Robert's bastards out of the capital too, that'll be great evidence." Orryn said and I smiled at that, the boy was clever.
"Have you brought Lord Stark's youngest daughter too?" Stannis asked.
"Yes." Orryn replied with an embarrassed look on his face. "I promised Lord Stark to remove his two daughters from the capital and send them back home. Unfortunately Lady Sansa was captured during the escape and only Lady Arya managed to escape with me."
"Sad news indeed, the poor girl must be suffering right now." I replied reassuringly and Orryn looked at me expectantly.
"When can we send her back to White Harbor? I hope to fulfill that promise as soon as possible."
"She will return, when it's appropriate and not a second before." Stannis answered harshly and Orryn's face darkened.
"Father, I made a promise, honor dictates that I keep it with Lord Stark."
"And she will return when her brother comes and bows his knee to me, as his honor also dictates. Until then, she will be our guest of honor."
"That's not right! She must be sent home! The Starks should be marching with an army right now, returning Lady Arya will bring goodwill with the young Wolf." Orryn said excitedly and Stannis stood up at once as he pushed his chair back.
Father and son stared at each other, a storm in their eyes. "It doesn't matter what they've taught you in the time you've been away, I hope you remember what's really important, what I taught you, and I didn't teach you to be such a fool." Stannis' voice was cold and Orryn's face hardened even more.
"Yes sir."
"This pathetic demonstration must not be repeated, or there will be punishments. Is that clear?" Stannis said, coming around the table and standing face to face with his son. The height difference was still there, but it had diminished a lot since the last time they had been close.
"Yes sir." Orryn said, keeping his back perfectly straight.
"You are dismissed and ordered to return to your quarters."
"May I, sir?".
"No, I don´t allow".
"I'd like to see my sister."
"And you'll see her during the dinner, and not one second before."
Knowing that it was impossible to argue with his father, Orryn bowed and left the solar. I sighed internally and massaged my temples. This display was not what I would expect from a father and son who had spent so much time apart.
"Orryn's words have value my lord, getting good will is very important."
"The loyalty of the Starks is owed to us. And learn Davos, never count on it from others, I have a perfectly good reason for making them follow me and I intend to keep it as long as possible."
"How long do you intend to keep the girl here?".
"As I said, for as long as necessary, even if it's to marry her with Orryn."
"The age difference is too great, my lord... I think we'd have... better options."
"Spit it out." Stannis ordered me and I cleared my throat, this would be a delicate matter to deal with.
"Orryn is a young man, so it's likely that he wanted to consummate his marriage soon, as every young man does. The Tyrells have a daughter of suitable age and with a famous beauty."
"Overrated...".
"Pardon?" I asked confused.
"Beauty is overrated. And if I take that away from this Reach girl, what's left?". Stannis said with venom in his voice, and it didn't go unnoticed that he avoided the name Tyrell like a plague.
"Food for his kingdom, money and almost 100,000 men." I answered immediately and Stannis just stared at me before laughing a dry and humorless laugh.
"Wrong, very wrong." He answered me and folded his hands behind his back. "I only see them for what they really are, traitors, opportunists and conspirators. How long, Davos, after I accept them, before I fall down on the stairs? Until I choke on wine? Will it be after I agree to marry Orryn to that whore? After her belly swells a millimeter with the suspicion of a child? Maybe she's even opening her legs to every black-haired, blue-eyed young man right now, just waiting to get married pregnant."
"Without them we won't win...".
"The Storm Lords supported me, Renly will do because he knows the right is mine. The
North will come together with the Riverlands and probably the Vale. Even the Lannisters and Tyrells won't be able to resist."
"You're counting on your brother's goodwill, my lord, and that can't be expected of
anyone." I returned his words and Stannis remained silent.
"Summon my banners Davos, the throne will be mine even without the help of this traitors."
"My lord...".
"You forget something Davos. Orryn's grandfather, Lord Alester Florent is influential and
the only one to command a faction against the Tyrells."
"Should I send a call to the Brightwater Keep?".
"Yes, as well as all seven kingdoms. The true king of the seven kingdoms will dethrone
and purge the bastard Joffrey Waters and all his descendants."
"As you wish, my lord." I replied by bowing and left to prepare the letters with Cressen. He would know what to write to be polite.
High Garden
"The capital is a mess... apart from stinking of shit, they're trying hard to turn it into
this". Lady Olenna said in her usual sharp way.
"Loras is going back with Renly, what are we going to do, grandmother?". Margaery asked in a sweet, well-rehearsed way, looks were everything, and for her? She was always convincing, always perfect.
"We should have had more time, put you in the capital. Loras became friends with the Baratheons that was something, but not enough".
Clearing his throat, Mace Tyrell made himself known before he spoke. "Stannis has the
best claim… if we consider Joffrey a bastard".
"I know who the eldest of the Baratheon brothers is, thank you Mace." Olenna said sarcastically.
"Now the only way to force that man to marry his son to Margaery would be if the boy in question cooperated. If he dishonored our young flower or married in secret, his father would accept it because it's the law."
"Lord Stannis would accept those terms indeed, but Orryn is in Dragonstone, somewhat inaccessible." Willas commented, shifting his weight on the sofa more comfortably.
"If we don't choose Stannis, the door will close forever, but I ask you, isn't it already closed?". Willas continued. "I don't see Stannis forgiving our house for what it went through at the time of the rebellion."
"May the gods help us with this fool." Olenna sighed. "Mace, have Garlan call up the banners and get the troops ready, or whatever the big boys do in these situations. Our side is taken, and we mustn't forget something, let's talk to our good old vassals from the Brightwater Keep".
Dragonstone
Orryn
I looked out of my bedroom windows and saw the waves of the sea. I looked at the walls and the dragon ornaments that frightened me as a child were still there, untouched. My books, my scrolls, my clothes, the banner of the crowned stag of Baratheon, all the same as I had once left it.
After so long, honestly, my room was the last part of the castle I wanted to see, but I didn't dare disobey my father. He must have been at his wits' end right now, with all this going on and not knowing who would support him, not knowing who to trust.
I sat on my bed and continued meditating. 'The Lannisters won't accept this. The Riverlands burn but the Starks will come to the rescue. The Vale... the knights of the Vale would be essential, but with Lady Lysa in command? I don't think it's likely that anything will make them march.
And no matter how much my mind wandered, I knew where the danger lay and so did my father. Uncle Renly and the Tyrells.
The Stormlands followed the Baratheon name, they kissed the ground Uncle Robert walked on, but it wouldn't be the same with my father. They had to be conquered, and in that we were already behind.
A knock on the door snapped me out of the thoughts that were tormenting me. "Come in". I said simply and stood up to welcome the unknown guest.
Lady Melissandre entered with graceful steps and I bowed respectfully to the woman.
"Lady Melissandre, I didn't expect to see you before dinner."
Smiling at me, the red woman placed a long, warm kiss on my forehead, just as she had done ever since I was a little boy.
"Didn't I tell you, my boy? Didn't I tell you that you were a prince?". She spoke melodically and sat down on my bed, her hand pulling mine to sit beside her.
"I guess the Lord of Light's flames were right in the end...". I replied with a half-hearted smile and the red lady grimaced before running her hand over the scar on my nose.
"No matter what difficulties you go through, R'hllor's blessing is with you, Orryn. Did you remember to say your prayers?".
"I rarely do it." I replied even more ungraciously. Faith has never captured me, and I've never found it interesting. On the other hand, it never stopped me from knowing the ways of both the Seven and the Lord of Light.
"It can't be like this, it can't be like this, come on!". She pulled me towards the fireplace and we knelt before the flame, her hands cradling mine and her gaze almost… hypnotic.
"Lead us out of the darkness, Oh my Lord. Fill our hearts with fire, so that we may walk your shining path. R'hllor, you are the light in our eyes, the fire in our hearts, the warmth in our loins. Yours is the sun that warms our days, yours are the star that guard us in the dark of night".
She recited the prayer passage and I focused my eyes on the flames, my hands intertwined and my lips pressed together.
"We give thanks for the sun that warms us. We give thanks for the stars that watch over us. We give thanks for our fireplaces and our torches that keep the dangers of the dark out." I added when she stopped and even looking into the flames, I could feel her appreciation.
"Lord of Light, defend us. The night is dark and full of terrors. Lord of Light, protect us". Melissandre said with excitement in her voice and I repeated the verse.
"Lord of Light, defend us. The night is dark and full of terrors. Lord of Light, protect us".
"You still haven't accepted him into your heart, not completely, but the Lord of Light knows that nothing great will be easy." Pulling my hand to her chest, Lady Melissandre moved closer until she was almost touching me. "Accept him into your heart, Orryn, and you'll never have anything to fear again."
"Yes, my lady." I replied, inclining my head. Lady Melissandre was always like that, fanatical, a bit crazy, but loyal and convincing with those she wanted to convert.
She smiled and stood up. I followed her, stood with my head still bowed and quickly felt her hands on my head, pulling it up.
"Hold your head high, my prince, after today you will bow to no one." Lady Melissandre said with red eyes almost glowing the same shade as her ruby.
"I will bow my head as many times as necessary if it will help my father." I answered firmly and she smiled at me, the same charming smile she used to give me when she put me on her lap during my childhood and told me stories about the great heroes of the past, all of them chosen from R'hllor, of course.
"Always loyal, my boy, always loyal. And may that never change". She said, pulling my head in for another kiss, this time on the lips.
It wasn't long or lustful, but she had a smile after seeing my astonished face. "I've brought you a present Orryn, someone I know you'd like to see. I'll ask your mother to have your sister come too... but after a while."
Recovering a little, I nodded in disagreement. "I was forbidden by my father to see my sister before dinner."
"You have been forbidden to leave your room Orryn, the ban does not prevent Princess Shireen from visiting you." Lady Melissandre said with a mischievous smile. "But see who else you want to see first Orryn, your swallow awaits."
"My Lady! That...". I said in amazement, she shouldn't have known that, no one should have known.
Her enigmatic smile was the last thing she did before leaving my room and the door open. Ciri came in soon after, she must have been waiting outside the whole time.
I immediately noticed her swollen belly, her difficulty walking and her head down. "Ciri...".
"Orryn." She answered me simply.
"Ciri, that's...". I tried to say something but the words stuck in my throat.
Ciri walked over and sat down on my bed, tired from standing for so long. "That's what it is Orryn, proof that my husband works fast." She told me with a sad smile.
"What? Husband? Ciri, tell me... tell me something that makes sense!". I almost screamed, not knowing what to think, not knowing how to act.
"What do you want me to tell you, Orryn?". Ciri answered me in her defiant way, the way she always did. "Did you want me to stay here and grow a belly without a husband? Did you want everyone to know that you were the father when this child was born? Or worse, think it was your uncle's? Or your father's?
These words hit me hard and I sat down next to him, dizziness hammering my head and I was still at a loss for words.
"If I had a bastard in my belly, do you know what your mother would do? She would have sent me away, in fact she would have done that if the red woman hadn't interfered at the time."
"I'll take that child... I'll do it as honor dictates." I said, looking into her green eyes.
Ciri snorted in displeasure and pulled my hand. "I already have a father to take on that child Orryn, it will be worse for your honor to want to take on the child now."
"Do you think I'll accept another man touching you like that?".
"You will, just as you will come to accept many things, Orryn." Ciri challenged me once again. "Do you think I want to be touched by another man besides you?".
"So this... husband of yours." I said with venom in my voice. "Does he force himself on you? Does he do it against your will?".
"Serwyn?" Ciri scoffed. "Serwyn is a sword swallower, and we have our agreements. We just need to be discreet with our preferences."
"That's... that's unusual." I spoke in shock, the idea still not going down my throat but it was something.
"Your sister's idea. She was the one who suggested it to me."
"Does Shireen know?" I asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes." Ciri said simply and we were silent for a long time.
Words struggled like they had never done with me before, I didn't know what to say. I put a hand on Ciri's swollen belly and felt the warmth of the life we had created together.
I knelt on the floor in front of Ciri and saw her smile shyly at me. I cradled her belly with my hands and rested my forehead against it. Ciri's fingers ran through my hair and she spoke softly to me.
"I hope it's a girl... girls are less trouble and won't threaten your legitimate children."
I frowned at that sentence. "It doesn't matter at all, Ciri, this child will be raised properly. He'll be a lady with a good education, he'll be an anointed knight... just like his future brothers."
"We won't have any more children Orryn, making a mistake once was enough." Ciri grumbled and I picked myself up off the floor, ready to stroke her silver Valyrian hair.
"I don't know about that... I love you, you know? And when a man and a woman love each other...". I joked and was punched in the arm.
"Stop this nonsense!". She said indignantly but didn't hold back her laughter when I laid her down on the bed and started kissing her neck.
"How I've missed you, your smell...". I whispered before kissing her. "The taste of your mouth."
"Orryn, watch my belly." Ciri warned me and it was as if the fire had been put out with a bucket of water.
"I'm sorry...". I said gracelessly.
Just then the door opened and Shireen ran in, jumping up to hug me. "Orryn!".
I squeezed my little sister tightly and stood up to spin her in the air. "Shireen! You've grown up!".
"You too! You're almost as tall as Dad!".
"Not so much, maybe one day." I laughed and ruffled her hair, putting her down.
Shireen looked at Ciri and then at me, she was also looking for something to say, but I interrupted her. "Ciri has already told me about our... adventures. I thank you for covering for her, but I ask you to keep this between us, okay sister?".
"Yes." Shireen nodded seriously, but then smiled. "I can't wait to hold my nephew in my arms! What do you think he'll be like?".
"Him? Do you want it to be a boy?".
"Lady Melissandre told Ciri that the baby in her womb will be a great warrior."
"Of course, Shireen, if it's up to me, that boy will be a great knight." I said, smiling. "I brought you presents, you know. Gifts I took from the fortress before all the mess that followed."
"Really?" She asked me with her blue eyes shining.
"Yes, look". I replied, opening one of the chests I had brought with me. I took out a beautiful set of bone-carved figurines. "Here we have a beautiful tortoise! A magnificent horse! And a war elephant from Essos!".
"Is there a stag? Or a dragon?" Shireen said, curious and trying to look inside the trunk.
"Hmm... does that suit you?". I took the figurine from the stag and saw the charm my sister had when she cradled each of the presents I had given her in her arms.
"Thanks Orryn! I really enjoyed it!".
"Well, shouldn't I give you the last present then?". I asked, smiling mischievously.
"Well... that's all right Orryn! I don't need anything else."
"No, you can play with your figurines but there's only one thing you like better...". I joked with a smile before pulling out a thick blue-covered book. "It's a collection of stories about Yi-Ti and the islands of the Jade Sea."
"That... that... is wonderful Orryn!". Shireen sniffled as she picked up the book and hugged me once more. "I'll read all these stories and tell them to you! Just like I promised."
"I brought people with me too, Lady Arya Stark... she's a mischievous girl, and I hope you'll be friends."
"I don't know if... if I'll be a good friend. Does she like stories too?".
"Yes, and Shireen, I'll always have time to listen to your stories if she doesn't like them." I said as I kissed the top of her head. "I brought more presents, not just for my sister you know...".
"Orryn!" Ciri said wide-eyed at the sight of a jade pendant carved in the shape of a swallow
attached to a pure gold chain.
"There's no way I could have seen that and not thought of you." I said with a happy smile. "Use it, it's yours."
"That... that must have cost a fortune!".
"She's right Orryn, all that must have been expensive! The money Dad gave you wasn't that much!" Shireen said worriedly.
"Well... our kingdom is already in debt. It's up to us to pay it off, so let's just say it was an advance that Uncle Robert gave me, he liked to give me presents anyway."
Well, there's something interesting about this chapter.
Alaster Florent is originally Selyse Florent's uncle, not her father.
I made a mistake while writing it, and when I went to fix it I noticed something, Orryn would be Sam Tarly's cousin, it makes the story more interesting and that's why I kept it.