Cirilla
"What makes a king's blood a king's blood?". Orryn asked the red woman and I watched the conversation with curiosity.
"I think that's pretty clear, don't you, my prince?". Was the red woman's vague answer and Orryn smiled.
"You want to burn Theon Greyjoy for his 'royal blood'. I say House Greyjoy has never had a single damn king and not even Balon has that right." Orryn retorted.
"It's not about the men's right, it's about R'hllor's decision to allow them to become kings."
"But you know that one king is not the same as another...". Orryn said, and Lady Melisandre didn't have a ready answer.
"No one is exactly the same... some are worth more than others."
"So the suggestion isn't bad, but we've come up against quantity and quality. Tell me, Lady Melisandre, House Stark ruled for 8,000 years, they knelt at 300. That's a vast difference, don't you think?"
"Indeed..." She nodded a little reluctantly.
"And though the Greyjoy house of Pyke was old, very old, they weren't the kings, the Harrens were. But the Boltons...".
"They were the Red Kings, as Shireen said. Bending the knee, but never quite, always
wanting to return to rule in the north." I answered and received a smile from Orryn.
"Your father will not accept this exchange, my prince." Lady Melissandre said with a
curious expression.
"He doesn't need to know, nor do the Lords of the North. They saw Theon Greyjoy on the stake and they saw Roose Bolton beheaded." Orryn replied with hard eyes, not happy to deceive his father.
"The Red King goes up in flames, but who loses his head?"
"Some criminal in the cells. I know very well that you can do that... make them look like each other." Orryn insisted.
"Are you sure of that, my prince? What do you need from Greyjoy?"
"I'm not sure of anything, and I never have been, but I'll never stop needing allies. Even if I'm the first Red Knight in the kingdom."
She always got on my nerves, especially when she touched Orryn and kissed his forehead.
"So it shall be, my prince," she almost sang with her melodic voice. "I will give you and your Swallow time before the wedding."
She walked away with slow steps and even though she had been gone for some time, we were still silent.
"We knew this would happen, Ciri... we always knew." Orryn spoke first, taking my hand.
"I felt better when was a noble cunt like Margaery Tyrell, not a wildling like Val." I said a little frustrated.
"I know that." Orryn said guiltily and hugged me, his fingers running freely through my hair and I hugged him back. "But I'll never push you away, or our boy, and even less... I'll never stop loving you."
I felt a few tears, which I immediately wiped away. "I know, I know." I replied quickly.
We were hugging for a while, Orryn already dressed in a beautiful black and yellow suit with the Baratheon stag and a heavy fur cape. His hair was combed back and I knew he would cut it if he had the chance.
"You say you're looking for allies, including the Greyjoys. I've seen the way the 'princess' looks at you. Do I need to worry?" I asked, still in his embrace, and felt Orryn stiffen.
"Orryn..." I said menacingly, pinching his ribs.
"Ouch! My ribs hurt from the last fight!". He said, squirming in pain.
"Answer my question...".
And I pinched him again.
"No, you don't have to be careful with Asha. It just happened between us and it's over... nothing more will happen." He replied, rubbing his ribs.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. "You're stupid, you know... how can you be so stupid?"
"Ciriā¦"
"Lucky for you, Orryn, I'm here to take care of you. Without me, you'd be eaten alive." I snorted before standing up. "You know I can't stay any longer...".
"You can go, Ciri... I just hope you come back to me." Orryn said softly before giving me a small kiss and I smiled sadly at him.
I hurried out of the room, trying not to cry. I went to see Shireen and Arya and found them with Val.
The next queen, the wild princess Val, she will be Orryn's wife. God, she was beautiful, with strong blonde hair and pale blue eyes. Her breasts were large, her body well chiseled, and her face... it was a royal face, beautiful and striking.
"You're going to be my sister now, Val. It's a good thing I've already told you many stories about our family. I'm sure Orryn will enjoy hearing yours as well." Shireen said as I entered, and the bride's eyes focused on me.
"Girls, can I have a moment alone with Cirilla?" Val said as politely as ever. In
mannerisms, she acted like a damned noblewoman, no one would deny that.
Looking at each other, Arya and Shireen began to throw all the maids out of the chamber and would certainly block whoever was outside.
"I'm well aware of your situation, Cirilla, you were stolen by Orryn a long time ago, you bore his child, and if it weren't for the obligations you Southerners impose, he'd still be with you." Val got right to the point, I liked that about her if nothing else.
"I know you're also marrying him out of obligation, for the good of your people." I spoke, diplomatically as I could and Val smiled.
"I'm marrying him because I want to. What you said is true, I am thinking of the survival of my people, but I'm the one who chose him." Val replied as she stood up, her white dress dragging on the bedroom floor.
She stood face to face with me, Val was tall, almost Orryn's height, although I knew he would grow more in a few years, I wouldn't grow much more. Still, I wasn't intimidated by her or the bloody bone knife the wildling still carried at her waist.
"You decided to marry a prince? I think half the girls in the kingdom have done the same." I scoffed.
"I think so, many of my people had eyes for him as well. They just couldn't show themselves to the right person..." Val shrugged.
"Your Grace..." I replied through clenched teeth.
"He was the one who decided, wasn't he? I made a valuable ally." Val said. "But rest assured, I will respect Orryn, I feel like lying with him. I'll also allow him to keep you... as long as he shares."
"How?" I asked confused and Val smiled at me before moving forward and stealing a hard kiss. She quickly pulled away and I stepped back, my eyes wide.
"I liked you, Cirilla, from the beginning and more every day I spent with you." Val said,
smiling mischievously. "He'll accept it, I'm sure. And in time, I think you will too."
With a wink, Val left the room when there was a knock on the door, leaving me standing there, unable to think straight.
'This woman, she's going to eat us alive'. I said to myself, if I looked in the mirror I would certainly see my face flushed.
Stannis
I stood before the Godswood Heart Tree, Selyse by my side, and we waited for Orryn to arrive.
The fire was ready, and I could see the look of displeasure on some faces, but they would get the execution they were looking for, they had nothing to complain about.
Then Orryn marched in, her back straight, her gaze hard. Her clothes were fine, the Baratheon stag, in black and yellow stood proud on his chest, a heavy cloak in his shoulders and a simple silver diadem on his head.
Shireen leaned on her arm, accompanied by her brother, also wearing a beautiful dress.
Selyse said she should impress the lords with her beauty.
Shireen also had a serious look on her face, I knew my daughter didn't want to be there.
"We are all here to move forward. Punish the traitors harshly and reward the allies. Make the North a united land again." I spoke simply and motioned for one of the guards to drag Roose Bolton away.
The lord was in rags, barefoot and cold, so cold he was shaking like a leaf. It was more than he deserved.
When they placed him before the tree, I drew Lightbringer and it roared in flames.
"Roose Bolton, you have been judged guilty of treason, guilty of plotting the downfall of House Stark, and guilty of allying yourself with the false kings who occupy the Iron Throne."
Bolton was forced to his knees, his face on the block, and he looked at me with his pale eyes and said nothing, and I didn't ask for his last words. I didn't care.
"For the Lord of Light." I said and grimaced, forced to continue the sentence. "By the Old and New Gods, I, King Stannis Baratheon, first of my name, King of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, sentence you to death."
The sword was lowered quickly, the head rolled, and there was silence in the forest.
Shireen didn't look away, neither did Arya or the little Stark boy, that said a lot about his future as Lord of the North, his vassals would certainly notice.
"Take his body and let him be buried with the dignity he didn't show those he killed."
I hadn't meant to be solemn, but the words still weighed on me. As they removed the body, I motioned for Greyjoy to be carried out to the block.
Melisandre had convinced me to burn him. I didn't care what she did, as long as her power grew as she claimed, as long as her visions became clearer and more reliable than she claimed.
They were silent as Greyjoy was tied to the stake. A gag was in his mouth, probably to keep him from screaming too much.
I nodded and the fire was lit. Melissandre began to sing and the flames roared even harder at the man. Greyjoy tried to fight, with more strength than he seemed to have for someone so broken.
She danced, too, the flames seeming to accompany and it was... mesmerizing to me and many others. A tongue of flame crawled from the fire to the ground and opened a trench where it settled refusing to go out even without fuel.
Alys Karstark was brought before the flame, followed shortly by Sigorn, and the ceremony began. It was simple, ordinary, like many weddings I've seen. When the bride and groom jumped over the fire, everything was complete, the bride and groom kissed and the wedding was over.
Lady Dustin was next, married, with obvious displeasure, to Ser Richard Horpe.
The woman's eyes were teary, surely she was afraid of her new husband, but I didn't care about the treacherous woman and what would become of her, that is... as long as she walked the line.
"Prince Orryn, come to the flames!" Melissandre called, and Orryn walked obediently.
The red woman stroked his cheek lovingly and motioned for him to kneel.
"Today we carry out a great work of the Lord of Light. Here in this Godswood, where the powers of the old gods are still strong, we wed ladies and gentlemen by the vows of R'hllor."
Melisandre placed her hands on Orryn's shoulders and motioned for me to come closer.
"We will also marry a warrior prince of royal blood and chosen by the Lord of Light." She said feverishly before stepping aside to make way for me.
"I bless you, Prince Orryn, First Red Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Defender of the Faith".
"I urge you to be fair." I spoke as my sword touched his shoulder.
"I urge you to protect the flames of life for those who cannot".
"For the union of the old and the new, I urge you to light the way, because the night is long and full of terrors."
Orryn stood, showing his 'pride' in his title. Of course I would make other Red Knights, Sigorn would be one of them, Ser Richard, Ser Justin, Ser Rolland and whoever else would accept. But Orryn had something special for this moment and I didn't refuse, he would bear the consequences anyway.
"Is there anything else, my lord? Besides your own wedding of course...".
Melisandre said jokingly and Orryn nodded.
Drawing his own sword, Orryn looked around. "Lady Brienne... please."
Brienne of Tarth was confused, but pushed herself in front of Orryn.
"Kneel, Brienne." Orryn said with a smile and the tall woman looked shocked. "It is my sworn shield, the sword that protects me and trains me many times over, if I am the first Red Knight Brienne, then you will be the second."
Many lords grimaced, but who would really speak out against Orryn in such a situation?
They might not think the woman deserved her knighthood, and they would certainly challenge her afterward, but Orryn guaranteed everything about her. He guaranteed that Brienne would make anyone who challenged her pay.
"I name you Lady Brienne of Tarth, Red Saint of the Seven Kingdoms."
After saying this, Orryn received a red cloak from Melisandre and placed it on Brienne's shoulders. She shook uncontrollably and tried not to cry.
"You will never regret this, my prince. I will be of great pride to you, I will serve you loyally and without question."
"You already have, Brienne." Orryn replied with a reassuring hand on her shoulder and helped her to her feet.
After that, the bride was finally brought in. I couldn't stand it any longer.
"He was beautiful, wasn't he? Our Orryn is a married man now." Selyse said beside me during the banquet.
It wasn't the biggest wedding I'd ever seen, but it was what we got in the nick of time. That didn't stop the northmans from laughing and celebrating like there was no tomorrow, like there was no war to fight.
"We're about to be grandparents." Selyse said again, casting a disgusted glance at Val, who was dancing with Orryn. "She's pretty, less than Orryn deserves, but it's what we have and what will guarantee him a throne. I'm sure they'll have beautiful children, too, and that will help in the future."
"It's natural for Orryn to produce heirs quickly, but I hope he'll focus on our cause." I spoke with my eyes on the hall below. Orryn had already changed partners, now dancing with an excited Arya Stark, while Val was with Ser Wendell Manderly.
"It is the duty of a king to have children, Stannis, more than one..." Selyse said, more suggestively than usual.
"We already have two children."
"Do you really think that if something happens... something happens to Orryn... these lords will follow Shireen? We need another son of Stannis." She said it somewhat softly, more than I had expected.
I gritted my teeth, not in anger, but because I had no adequate answer for her. Selyse took the opportunity to speak again.
"Look at our children dancing and laughing. I see what we've made, the two of us. The two awkward ones, the unwanted ones, we've made a beautiful family. We can have more than that".
"I'll come to your chambers tonight, my lady" I said, a little embarrassed.
"You'll come every night until my moonblood doesn't come." Selyse said, taking my hand.
"And the Lord of Light will bless us with a strong boy, a loyal knight for Orryn and his children."
I nodded, took a sip from the wine in my glass and got up to leave. A loyal son to his older brother, a sweet and kind boy. All this talk reminded me of Renly and the brother he once was. It also reminded me of my mistakes with him...
"Would you like some air, Your Grace?" Ser Axel asked as he approached. Selyse's uncle, he was the supposed Hand of the Queen and had been my steward at Dragonstone.
"I never liked banquets, but I must go back and stay until Orryn is taken to his room."
"Will you allow the bedding ceremony?" Ser Axel asked with a dirty smile, and I nodded reluctantly.
"It will please the lords, even if it annoys me."
"Take the chance to see that cute girl without any clothes on, I know I'll take the chance before she's all to your boy. A good grope can't hurt."
"She'll be queen one day, Ser Axel." I scolded him, but the man just shrugged.
"It doesn't change the fact that I would love to taste the sweet fruit she has between her legs... but that will be for Orryn, he deserves it after all." The old man laughed. "I told you to be hard on him, that would make him a real man, didn't I?
I was tired of the man, he had exhausted me more than the banquet itself. I went back inside and beckoned Lord Manderly to begin the final preparations.
"It's time for bed!" The man shouted shortly after, a chorus following his words, and the laughter was thunderous.
The women rushed Orryn, tearing at his clothes with great skill as they laughed. Most of them were blushing young women, giggling as they grabbed a piece of Orryn.
He laughed at everything and made jokes, but he laughed more stiffly than usual. I could also see the Greyjoy woman taking part in the chaos, and her touches were in more dangerous areas.
The only good thing was that Selyse had sent Shireen and Arya back to their rooms before all this. That kind of attitude wasn't good for them.
True to his word, Ser Axel was among the men who had undressed Val. In any case, Ser Richard Horpe was also there to calm things down; he was a strange man, but he would follow my orders.
I sat next to Selyse in the lounge, the two of us watching as Orryn was carried into the bedroom with his wife.
"I think we should retire as well, my lord...".
"Yes." I said simply, accompanying Selyse to her room. I waited at the door for a while, debating whether or not to go in.
The two of us create good things together, we only pass on the best of ourselves to our children.
Maybe it will be the same this time. I thought to myself before I sighed and walked through the open door.
Maybe it wasn't such an unbearable duty after all.
