A/N; What up invaders, MatthewStaffordLionsFan17 here, and today is letspromiseanuploadwednesdaybutwe'lluploadfridayinstead (otherwise known as No Clothes Family Day in the dark realm known as Venice Beach) day. I know it's been a long time since we uploaded, but I did not forget about y'all. I've been treating all you fans with the fan love recently, and have neglected to put in the grind into my stories. It saddens me to tell y'all that I had writers block for over TWO Weeks. Yes, two weeks of writing, but never getting the satisfaction from the product, that I really wanted. So this one was the chapter I am proud of, it is basically me breaking out of writer's block and telling myself, "You know what? Let's not doubt ourselves. This is a good chapter and you don't need to start from scratch, because you think it isn't good enough." Tbh, this was the fourth attempt at writing a chapter as the writer's block got me. I had a tough time trying to find out the direction of the story, but now that I have broken through writer's block, I have outlined the next seven chapters, so this is the last time there will be a long absence. The toughest thing about this chapter was trying to calculate how Stafford and his army would march to the Riverlands in under twenty days. The numbers may be wrong, but I tried, I took out them calculators, and I really tried to make this the most realistic depiction of an army march, but it might come out as unrealistic. This is why the previous three chapters, which were all just as long if not longer than this one were thrown out, and one special chapter was thrown out, because it would mess up the timeline more than I've already had to twist the timeline to make sure this story is possible. So yeah, I gave it my best shot, and even if it isn't exactly the best product, it will advance the story and life will go on. Thank you all for your patience, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Next Chapter will be Richard Madd-I mean Robb Stark, and you'll get his insights into the enigma that is Max Iro-I mean Stafford Baratheon
Stannisfan: I'll try to address some of the issues you presented in your review, and since I lost track of review responses, you'll be the only one I'll do for this chapter. First off, you are correct that the timeline is a bit off, but its like that on purpose, so we can set up this chapter. Because if Whispering wood and all those had already happened a month prior, there would hardly be any worthwhile action for Stafford to participate in. However, this chapter will undergo a non cannon battle in, which the Baratheon will capture Pinkmaiden Castle. The execution scene was the best I could come up with without Stafford literally just bursting into the throne room, taking Sansa, and then leaving Joffrey with the, "Look bro, it's been fun, but I'm a steal yo girl real quick, and try take the throne from you," While this would make an interesting tale, and a comical one, I really didn't know how to fix that. Anyway thank you for your kind critiques and all your advice has really given me something to consider in the future chapters.
Sorry for the long note. Hope you all enjoy!
Renly
The march through the Reach felt a lot longer than the twenty days. Apparently, twenty days was enough for Robb to recapture Riverrun from a Lannister siege. Rumors have been circulating that even the Kingslayer himself was taken during the battle. The march was long, and riddled with attrition. But it was to be expected. They had lost about two thousand, due to desertion and other forms of attrition from their ranks, because of the grueling pace of the march through the Riverlands. However, Renly felt as though their ranks were as strong as they could have been given the circumstances. The army plowed through the route, skipping the Kingsroad in favor for back country dirt roads through the Reach to reach the walled town of Stony Sept, which could have taken an army this massive a month or more to complete, however the army was able to march it in less than twenty days. Most days they had to march over eighteen hours, which seemed absurd, and unethical, but neither Stafford or Renly were willing to take risks. If Mace Tyrell decided to attack their troops in that shape in the Reach, they would both be done for. However, somehow in their grueling pace, they managed to get out of the reach and into the nearest town they could find. It happened to be Stony Sept of all places. If Renly recalled correctly, it was the same town Robert hid in during the Battle of the Bells. Renly was too young to remember all of the stories about all the battles, but to the armies surprised the Riverlords almost welcomed the Baratheon army as it entered. It felt fitting that Robert's son would one day return to the town of Stony Sept with a Rebellion of his own. Against his own half brother no less.
In a surprise move, the townspeople allowed for a the quarter of the troops, but there was nowhere near enough beds to accommodate an army of fifty thousand, so some of the soldiers still had to put up tents near the town to accommodate such a high number of people. Renly had suggested Stafford build his base of operations in the town, so he could be a little more comfortable, but apparently he preferred prefered to stake his tent closer to where the main camp was, which was outside of the town of Stony Sept. Renly knew their army was a major force be reckoned with. If a hastily thrown together army of fifteen thousand could wreak the amount of havoc against a Lannister army, an army of fifty thousand would be able to do work. However, this army was tired from the forced march that they had to undergo, because of time constraints. Many soldiers were complaining to the nurses, and field doctors about aches from their feet. But that's what marching about thirty two miles a day would get you. It was uncomfortable for anyone without a horse. Luckily, Stafford and Renly had horses, and so did their cavalry, so they suffered a lot less than the foot. Most of the attrition were from the foot in fact. Poor saps, maybe they could get some horse next time.
Stafford called in a war council in the main army camp with all of his advisors there to plot out his next move. The next move would be a crucial step in what their army planned to do for the future. As far as Renly was concerned, they needed to be aggressive. Not as aggressive as force marching an entire army almost three hundred leagues to Stony Sept, but still. The other advisors might have different plans for the army, especially the new commanders of this mostly Stormlord army that was gathered. Fifty thousand men was a force to be reckoned with and the fate of this massive army relied on the decisions made by a boy of sixteen. Renly thought it was funny, but he had full faith in his nephew that he would be able claim the throne, and this ordeal would be done with.
"So here's the situation, after the in the whispering wood, and the breaking of the siege of Riverrun, the remainder of the forces besieging Riverrun have fled towards Golden Tooth. Lord Tywin is in a precarious position. We have appeared almost from nowhere towards the south with an army of close to sixty thousand," Renly began. Stafford nodded, and the rest of the commanders in his army nodded, "Robb Stark has decided to make his move, he is now pushing the aggression against his opponent, but with the small size of his force, he isn't going to last in a prolonged exchange with the Lannisters."
"The boy hasn't been defeated in battle yet," Lord Estermont stated, "My intuition states that with his troop movements, he's planning on advancing on the Westerlands themselves."
"Hold on, before we get into anything I can't even understand, why would he want to advance on the Westerlands? Shouldn't he gather more troops, buy more time, and maybe assault the Joffrey directly," Stafford responded
"That's a naive viewpoint, Stafford. He doesn't have the time or the men to advance. And on top of that our friend, Lord Tywin is too far for us to advance further," Renly stated pointing at their armies position in Stony Sept, "The remainder of the broken force your uncle, Jamie are within striking distance as Golden Tooth is the only place they could run,"
"So we assault Golden's Tooth and take the fight to them!" Stafford proclaimed.
"Again, Stafford that wouldn't be the best move. Yes, the Lannisters are vulnerable in the Westerlands, but our armies are in no shape to make an aggressive push through the Westerlands. If we didn't have to march through the Reach at such a forced pace, maybe we could do that," Renly once again stated, "I'm no strategist, and as much as you and I both want Stannis here to point out the best move we could make, that's not possible. He's busy doing his job threatening your dear brother Joffrey from Dragonstone." Stannis rode south to a better port than Storm's End to go back to Dragonstone. Stannis in a brilliant move is managing to prevent the Lannister's from overcommitting themselves, and launching their own attack on Storm's End while Renly and Stafford helped out in the Riverlands. He only had about twenty thousand, while men were still gathering at Storm's End bolstering the reserve in case things turned sour in the Riverlands.
"So what are we going to do? Sit here and wait?" Stafford asked. Renly knew that his nephew wanted to end the war quickly, and return stability back to Seven Kingdoms. However, with the amount of factions already involved in the war, Renly knew this war would probably drag on for some time. The introduction of a Baratheon host in Stony Sept only made things more complicated. Lord Tywin was a brilliant tactician, and he wasn't someone to take lightly. However, if they lose their advantage, or the surprise they have caused after appearing literally out of nowhere, they might begin to lose effectiveness. They had already spent a good five days of rest without march, and as much as Renly favored a slow methodical march towards their goal, they had to be aggressive and push their advantage in manpower.
"There is another option. Although it's really just a move to show our might," Lord Eldon stated. Lord Eldon was near Seventy years old, and he was his mother's brother. He came alongside, and was the commander of the rear flank of the army. He was supposed to be the commander of the reserve back at Storm's End, but Stafford insisted on bringing the old knight along, because of he was in desperate need of commanders for his host. One weakness of the army was that they lacked experienced commanders. Most of the commanders of the army were just the Lords, who decided to accompany the force the sent to answer the call to Storm's End. It got so bad that Ser Cortnay, a newly minted member of the kingsguard needed to serve as one of the commanders, because of his experience in the field. Renly wondered what Lord Eldon could possibly suggest.
"And what is that?" Renly asked.
"The closest castle to us is Pinkmaiden Hall. There is a remnant Lannister force there, but they won't present much of threat to our forces. If we secure a victory there, it will give us momentum and capturing it could possibly allow the River Lords to see that we are here to help them by reclaiming one of the castles sacked by Gregor Clegane," Not many people really had much to say about the opinion. Renly believed it was a safe plan, as Pinkmaiden hall wasn't at all far from Stony Sept. In fact, it was only a day's march from their position, so they could even stay in Stony Sept for a couple days to recuperate. It's not like Lord Tywin was stupid enough to try to challenge an army of sixty thousand. Sixty thousand men, no matter how tired, was still sixty thousand men. No matter how tired a soldier is, if their life depended on a battle, they would fight even harder than they would be if freshly prepared.
"Alright, so when do we do we march for the castle?" Stafford asked with a gleam of excitement in his eyes. It was clear that he had been itching to fight ever since they left Storm's End. It's all he talked about, and since Renly was the one he frequently heard all his remarks about fighting. Stafford, much like his father, wasn't exactly someone you could keep quiet about things concerning fighting. Renly noticed that the two seemed to be drunk, sometimes quite literally drunk, on the notion of battle and war. No matter how many times you reminded the both of them that there are consequences to action made in times of war, or how many times you decided to enlighten them about the struggle and reality of how wars are fought, they would continue to obsess over battle and the fighting that comes with it. Stafford Baratheon was someone who charged in with his battleaxe, and feared nothing as he charged into them. And although he was relatively inexperienced in real battle along with youth, Renly knew that he would make an instant impact on any battle he participated in. He was equipped with all the natural talents of a warrior, tall, strong and although not the sharpest or smartest, he was adaptable to any scenario. Most of all, Renly knew giving up wasn't in Stafford's vocabulary, and even with his major shortcomings, as Renly believed Stafford had major flaws that he needed to correct lest he end up like his father, he would indeed be a respectable king when he got older.
"While haste is necessary, we will spend an extra day here in the town. Let our troops prepare themselves for their first battle. However, it is imperative that we march at the break of dawn towards Pinkmaiden castle. That way, there might be daylight when we arrive to capture the castle."
"And what if the attackers prepare for a siege?" Renly asked, knowing that a drawn out battle was not what he wanted.
"Pinkmaiden castle is not defensible in it's current state. A majority of the castle was put to the torch by the Clegane. Rumors are also saying that we may receive help from House Piper, as one of their knights left to help drive off the remainder of the Lannister invasion force," Lord Eldon stated. Renly nodded in agreement, knowing that almost all of the advisors simply wanted to end the council as most of the actions have been decided. The rest of the plan would be drawn up before they began the storming of the castle, which Renly was thankful for. He knew plans were important to a success of a battle, but he didn't really enjoy or look forward to discussing strategy.
The council ended shortly after everyone had agreed upon the assault on Pinkmaiden castle. Renly felt it would be an easy operation, and it would help them extend their presence inside the Riverlands. It would let the Lannisters know that this Baratheon host was here to do battle. Renly accompanied his nephew as they both rode alongside one another to survey the condition of their men. As they rode through main army camp together, Renly noticed Stafford had been glancing down at a locket while looking over the condition of the army. When an opportunity to look at what the locket was presented itself to Renly, he took it and managed to see what it he was looking at.
"Ah, it seems being away from your lady has taken quite the toll on you, nephew. How many times do you look at that locket in a day?" Renly joked. Startled and little flustered, Stafford quickly closed the locket, which had portrait of the Stark girl, and quickly shoved it into the small satchel he had attached to his armor.
"What? Umm…" Stafford struggled to find a word to say. When the normally loud and outspoken Stafford Baratheon is reduced to stumbling, it was a sight to see.
"Just make sure you're focused on the battlefield, nephew. The more battles we win, the closer we get to getting stability of the realm in order. And when the realm is stable, you will have plenty of time to spend with her." Renly stated. Stafford was young, really young. He was only a boy of sixteen. Most boys that young don't understand what love truly is. Most high born ladies like Stafford's lady, Sansa, didn't really get what that emotion was anyway. Most of the time, they were mere infatuations, and most of what they felt for one another would fade faster than the passing of a fortnight. That was what Renly thought about Stafford's little interest in the Stark girl, which he witnessed for the first time at the Hand's tourney. He thought his interest in her would fade rather quickly, and nothing more would become of it. However, this quickly changed when Stafford literally risked his life taking her out of King's Landing and taking her to Storm's End. On top of all of that, he broke his own betrothal to another and most likely strained his relationship with a major faction in the war, if he ever found out the details. Renly knew Stafford no matter how brash, headstrong, and stubborn he was would not do all that for a lady he was merely infatuated with. The strange thing he thought about this was he how young the two of them were. And yet, Renly could already sense there was a sense of inseparability in the pair.
"The assault on Pinkmaiden castle will be the first battle I will ever be a part of. This will be much more important than any tournament I've ever been part of," Stafford told Renly. Renly smiled.
"The prize in this tournament is more than just a purse, or impressing a lady. We're fighting for our lives. Truthfully, while I haven't experienced true combat yet, much like yourself, I'm confident in we will stand upon our enemies as victors," Renly stated. He meant it. If he was going to be fighting in a battle, he was going to win the battle. And unlike tournaments where he and Stafford would be taking on squires and knights, the people they would be fighting would be from all kinds of backgrounds. However, in real combat, the blade of an axe or sword, or even the point of a spear would not discriminate based on the the background of the victim. All lives including Lords, Princes, commoners, knights, thieves, vagabonds, and even marauders would be at the mercy of the Gods as the battle rages on. And some part of Renly knew that he had to lay his life on the line for the good of the realm.
"I promised Sansa that I would return to her victorious. I've broke enough promises in my lifetime to know that I aim to fulfill this one. Because I know just one broken promise can ruin even the best of things,"
"I didn't join your cause for a philosophy lesson, Stafford. Because in the battle, you better be prepared. This story is as old as it gets. An ambitious house wants to lay claim to the Iron Throne that is not rightfully theirs. You can promise anything to anyone, and whether or not you deliver is irrelevant. What's important is that we win this war, so you could have the opportunity to say you fulfilled your promise. So, let's show those Lannisters what means to steal the throne from House Baratheon," Renly stated. Stafford nodded in reply. They hastily finished their rounds, and began to prepare their bodies completely for the battle. It wasn't a major battle that would sway the fortunes of the battle. They say that thrones are reserved for kings, and the jewels on their crowns are only meant for those who deserve them. But in reality, if you don't earn the crown in a respectable way. There will be resistance, and this resistance will be the fall of the false dynasty. Rhaegar, Aerys and the Targaryen dynasty fell at the hands of the very house that threatens the Lannister's attempts at corrupting the very good name the house was built upon. This was the chance Renly, Stafford and their armies would prove that in an event a realm is divided in war, the side with the greater courage, zeal and honor would win. And it would prove that war is just not an outlet for physical violence, but it was an art.
Before Renly knew it, the time for marching and preparation was done. All the gathering, all of the marching, and everything they had built up was for a war that they were entering today. Renly knew that in the grand scheme of things, this would just look like a small skirmish. A skirmish that regardless of whether or they won or lost would end up just being something their troops needed to increase their morale and give them experience that they need to achieve victory in other battles. When they storm the Pinkmaiden castle, it will not be remembered as a major battle that will be sung by bards in songs, ballads, and sonnets like the Trident. However, it will serve as a constant reminder to those who will serve in the battles to come as the place they began the fight. Only ten thousand men were involved in this skirmish, while the rest of the forces remained at Stony Sept.
Renly met in a preparation tent next to the engineering tents next to all the basic siege engines being constructed by the engineers they were able to gather. Although they did not have to make giant siege towers, they had to prepare some basic equipment like siege ladders and battering rams to assault the castle. Their plan was to assault the already compromised castle structure after the Clegane had set fire to the castle walls, and end the battle quickly before it turns into a siege. The last thing that the already tired army needed was a prolonged siege against a weak opponent. It will waste time and worst of all it will waste manpower. Now they were just making last minute adjustments to whatever plans they had left. Stafford looked disinterested in this whole thing, luckily Renly was able to drag him into the meeting or he might have skipped it completely. After long explanations from each of the commanders, Renly summarized the orders.
"To conclude, the first wave consisting of troops led by Ser Cortnay will storm the castle walls using siege ladders. While the men on whatever is left of the castle walls are distracted trying to keep defenders off the walls, Stafford and I will lead the main bulk of our troops in the second wave and batter down the main door. The third wave will hang back on reserve till the second wave breaks through that door," Renly stated.
"Understood. Now enough talk, let's fight," Stafford stated as he boldly walked out of the planning tent without another word. Ser Barristan followed him out of the tent.
"Looks like someone's eager to get started," Renly stated.
"We pray to the Gods that he doesn't do something stupid and get himself murdered on the battlefield," Ser Cortnay stated.
The assaults first wave had started to scale the walls as Stafford and Renly gathered their main assault force just outside the doors ready to bang it down. The host was prepared to storm the castle as soon as the battering ram team got done ramming it down. The clanging of the gate continued, as wood chipped away from the door. From the pressure against the battering ram, there were fighting men fighting actively against the battering ram.
"Surrender the castle now, or we'll continue banging, understand!" Stafford yelled with his booming voice. Renly realized that his voice carried so well in the battlefield. Even amongst the banging of the people ramming the door down.
Then from atop the castle walls, Renly heard a voice shout, "We're not giving up till our last breath. You may as well leave now, because you are not getting through our impenetrable WALLS!"
"I'm NEVER leaving!" Stafford shouted back as the men continued battering down the walls to make way for the advance. With great haste, the castellan began to get gather more men, as the doors began to start giving way. Renly knew that they had to batter the door down fast, or they might get large boulders, or any object the defenders could find to prevent from getting into the castle. The last thing Renly wanted was to have multiple boulders dropped on his head, and dying in his first battle. Renly was equipped with his normal green plate cuirass with matching plate greaves and boots. Stafford was wearing his regular half-plate to keep his mobility in a fight instead of his full plate armor. Stafford only rode full plate when riding or mounted. It was interesting as his fighting style required him to take some punishment from attackers. Yet he had some agility with him as well, and his quickness made it so he didn't need much armor to keep receiving blows and punishment.
Suddenly with a great sound the gates gave way, before the men from atop the castle walls could inflict any damage on the troops that had already attacked.
"To Arms!" Stafford stated as he brandished his battleaxe. With a mighty cheer, the men almost at a sprint flooded the castle gates. Only about ten men rushed to meet close to five hundred men in the first line of the the second wave of about six thousand men. Renly was surprised that they could all line up ready to attack the castle as they all crammed together the men necessary to flood the front walls. As the men continued pouring in, Renly, Stafford, and Ser Barristan and Ser Bolling, the only other member of Stafford's kingsguard, quickly joined in the rush of blades as the men engaged. Renly taking caution made sure to let the pawns do the dirty work, allowing the soldiers to take care of opponents that caused an immediate threat to him. He used swift blocks with his shield to keep them off him, and made sure that no spear got in between his guard. He was fighting for survival, not for heroism. Stafford did the exact opposite. While Renly stood back, Stafford relished the heat of the battle. His axe was like a counter to the song of blades as they continued to sing in the distance. Renly could not believe how he just barreled into the thick of the action, taking on multiple enemy soldiers at a time.
The defenders fought valiantly, but were no match for the sheer numbers, and the display Stafford put on for his men. For someone so young and inexperience, he was able to yell orders out to his men, when he noticed something he didn't like. His voice carried throughout the sounds of battle and as Stafford dispatched defenders as they began to try to stop the incoming flood of enemy troops. The soldiers got behind their leader, as nothing is more boosting to a soldier's morale than a fearless leader, who stood by his men. Stafford might not even be doing that on purpose to rouse the men's spirits. In Renly's mind his personality and the way he fought people with brutal efficiency, transcended anything he'd ever seen before. If this was how an experienced warrior, who got by through pure heart and courage, and a fighting style that was hard to analyze, then the man Stannis described as his brother Robert during the Rebellion must have been invincible. The amount of potential Stafford had in combat was astounding in Renly's mind. Renly could see Stafford dispatch foes using style that made his opponents believe they had the upper hand, but then experience a brutal counterattack like none had ever seen before. After Renly dispatched some of the men that had somehow gotten through the impenetrable offensive assault, he could see the men break out into a raucous cheer as enemy began to break.
Some of the men from the first wave had begun to join them, as he could see some of the men descend from ladders that were connected from the upper wall of the castle. Stafford, Renly, and the other men, who had joined them from the first wave began to aggressively drive back the remaining defenders, who had presided over the castle. Renly could not believe the fervor the men fought with. Even after the long march, he could see the men charge into battle like they had been fighting in a tournament. Renly even saw old Ser Barristan cut down a few men, who almost got too close to Stafford. This was also a benefit to Stafford. His Kingsguard was no joke. His reckless fighting had caused many openings for the opponents to sneak in a blow that would incapacitate him. If he is incapacitated, the tide of the battle would turn quickly and all the advantages that they had gained would quickly disappear into oblivion. However, Ser Barristan and his kingsguard would block out all of the assault against Stafford, dispatching archer's arrows with a swift shield block, or gutting any spearman, who dared try to sneak in a cheap blow while their King was busy pulling off miracle kills with his axe.
Quickly the defenders did the only thing that they could do, and that was to shut themselves into the main hall. However, this was an exercise in futility. Before the men could even shut the doors, and get the castellan inside to safety and prolong the battle, but a stroke of luck or a stroke of perception saved them.
"There trying to lock themselves in! Full charge on that door!" Stafford roared. The order was so loud that even Gods themselves might have heard it from the heavens. The men quickly saw that they were all withdrawing to try to take themselves into a safe position inside the castle. However, Stafford led a valiant charge. Arrows bounced off the plate of his armor, luckily not hitting his weak spots. Renly sighed as he dispatched some of the people left behind. Stafford manage by pure strength or sheer will to literally burst through the gates with his soldiers and prevent the people from shutting the gates down. However, this came at the cost of him receiving some sword cuts to both of his arms. Renly quickly ran to him, as he saw the pain in the boys eyes. Those two cuts weren't simple cuts either, they were deep enough to cause pain from what Renly saw. However, his kingsguard intervened just in time, before the defenders could cause major damage. Stafford, with some surprise energy right after getting gashed in the arm, literally swung his axe with such furiosity that when it hit a fully armored knight, he left the ground and hit it with a sickening thud.
And then it occurred to Renly. Stafford from the moment he had stormed the castle had made his first live kills as a warrior. This wasn't an accident like what he did to the Frey bastard in the tournament, he had meant to kill someone and so far, he had killed many of the opponents he had come across. The castellan knowing that he could save his own life and his men, quickly dropped his weapon as the Baratheon host surrounded him. He got down on one knee and removed his helmet. Stafford with a smile on his face lowered his weapon, and began to show some pain on his face as the wounds have probably just hit him as his adrenaline dropped. Quickly his kingsguard and some of the fighting men surrounded him and began to escort him out of the throne room, as the fighting had just stopped.
"Lord Renly, your grace, the defenders in the ramparts have surrendered," Ser Cortnay stated as he entered the throne room before Stafford could leave. For someone, who had just won his first battle, Stafford seemed like he was a little more in control of his actions. Stafford nodded as he stood next his kingsguard. The surrendering castellan left by the Lannisters knew defeat was finally at hand for him. So he just lowered his head.
"Excellent, I'll negotiate terms with our little friend here," Renly stated looking at the newly surrendered castellan of Pinkmaiden castle, "Also Ser Cortnay, let the scribe know of the deeds done here today, Stafford, and the rest of his men fought bravely today, and I would like it to be recorded," Ser Cortnay nodded as he left. Renly observed Stafford's face as he exited. Stafford looked at Renly and smiled, but Renly knew that the young boy from the tournament had finally tasted war. And while he realized that some of his misconceptions and recklessness may have hurt him, he had the face of someone, who wanted, no needed more of the fight. Now it was time to deal with the objects with the most undesirable part of capturing and winning a battle, negotiating with the defeated. Renly sighed knowing that fun was over, for now. On to next one.