Storm's End

Robert was inspecting the guards, who were lined up infront of him. Why was he inspecting guards one might ask. To ensure the security of his home? Partially.

He was actually looking for a body double for himself for one very simple reason yet vital reason. His personal security.

He was fully aware that taunting the Royal Family was counterintuitive to his health, but it was too fun not to. Of course, he was always going to be in danger long as he didn't have a kingdom behind him.

Though this time he was more worried about the security of his cock. You see, in the House of the Dragon, Otto Hightower sent his daughter to the King Viserys' room, not to seduce him and have sex with - but he didn't think Otto would be against it- but to seduce the grieving King in a more emotional capacity to place his blood on the throne.

And there were many lords with unmarried relatives, be it daughters, sisters cousins or nieces, who wouldn't hesitate to do the same, perhaps even try to get one pregnant with his child if they were calloused enough.

So he needed protection from that.

"What is your name guard?" he asked to a candidate. He was tall, not as much as him and the features did not match but he doubted someone could tell the difference in the dark of the night in his own room.

"Davon mi'lord" replied the guard, standing at attention.

"Hmmm, with a shave and dressing up he might just be a good enough body double" he thought.

"Tell me Davon, do you have family?" he queried, trying to find an angle to work with.

" Just me mother mi'lord" answered the guard.

"No wife?"

"Dun't have the coin for mi'lord" with frustration creeping in to his voice.

"Really? It is a terrible thing to hear. Tell me Davon, how would you like to earn that coin and more?" he dangled the bait.

Davon's eyes shined and he took it, " I would like it very much mi'lord"

"It will be dangerous work, I won't lie, you won't die but you might just anger some nobles if what you did ever gets revealed"

Davon looked less sure but "I'll take it mi'lord"

"Wonderful" Robert clapped his hands.

"First of all, take this coin, get shaved and take a bath. Then wear these clothes and come find me, I'll tell your captain that you're running an errand for me" he handed out a pouch and a chest with clothes.

Davon bowed his head and took off.

Robert just wanted to laugh like a cartoonish villain.

Great Hall

The royals and nobles had gathered for breakfast again. Amongst most, the mood was somber, events of yesterday fresh on their minds.

Others were giddy about the same events, seeing a one in a lifetime oppurtunity for their houses.

All eyes turned to the door as the root cause of their mood came in.

"Brother!" rushed Renly Baratheon out of his seat next to his mother before anyone could stop him and latched to his brother's leg.

"Morning to you too kiddo" said Robert as he hefted his little brother. He did not have brothers before, and always thought the original was stupid for treating them as he did.

Said original grumbled in the depths of his soul.

"Can you take me dragon riding?!" he asked, excited like a puppy.

"Sure kiddo, sure. Let's eat first though, okay? I'm hungry." Robert replied as he put his little brother back on his seat. Giving his mother and grandmother a kiss on the cheek and a simple " Good morning" to his father, he went and sat to the empty chair next to Stannis.

"Morning little bro" he greeted Stannis, who looked confused at being called "bro" but replied " Good morning to you as well brother"

Breakfast was surprisingly a quiet affair, h though he did not miss his grandmother's amused looks.

Good to see he wasn't the only one to enjoy the whole thing.

It felt nice, having breakfast while chatting with his family.

Soon enough, Renly was badgering him about the dragons again " Okay, okay. Let's go you little hellion" he responded and lifted his little brother off his chair " Rest of you feel free to join for a ride."

"Robert, be careful with your brother" warned his father.

"Ehh, it will be fine pops, I've been doing this for years" he waved away the concerns.

Courtyard

The trio of dragons landed on the courtyard, coming up to their father. Robert gave them pats and mounted Obelisk with Renly, who was jumping up and down in amazement.

"Okay kiddo, you have to hold on tight to me alright? And don't try to get up or you might fall" he instructed his little brother, using a rope to secure him on the saddle.

Holding a handle with one hand and Renly with the other they flew.

Cersei Lannister watched as Robert Baratheon took his little brother on a flight.

She would never understood how he of all people brought dragons back to the world. But it gave her an idea, an oppurtunity to become the very thing she desired to be in this world.

The Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

The way she sees it, a conflict between the dragonlord and the Targaryens are inevitable. He had dragons, and unless he married a Targaryen, the Royal Family would never just accept that fact.

And she did not think he would marry Princess Shaena, not after everything he did to taunt the Targaryens.

Which gave her an oppurtunity. If she could somehow break the betrothal between her and Prince Daegon and marry Robert Baratheon, she would be the Queen at the end of that conflict, with her beloved brother at her side.

Of course, her father would never agree to her plan, as the King had decreed she was to wed Prince Daegon as soon as they returned to the capital.

She would not let this oppurtunity slip from her fingers.

Renly laughed in delight while wind rushed to his face. Robert just smiled at this.

This was nice.

Deciding to give the others a chance too, he guided Obelisk towards the courtyard, to the disappointment of Renly.

"Don't be like that kiddo, let others have turn too" he ruffled the kid's hair.

Gently sliding off the dragon's back, he put Renly on his feet, who then rushed to his mother, gibberishing excitedly about the ride.

"Stannis come on" he called out. Stannis looked unsure " I have errands to run" he simply said.

What a lame excuse.

"I am sure father can let you off for a little while" he responded.

"I am sure he will Stannis, now go and enjoy yourself while I wear something more fitting for dragonback " chided his grandmother, pushing Stannis forward.

Steeling his nerves, Stannis walked forward and took his brother's hand, pulling himself up.

Holding tightly to Robert's shoulders, they took off.

Obelisk kept climbing higher, and Stannis had to admit, the view was breathtaking. Flying amongst the clouds felt ... liberating to Stannis.

Robert glanced back, seeing the stern Stannis smiling. Well, perhaps not so stern, he hadn't watched his parents drown right infront of his eyes after all.
He decided not to comment on it and simply guided Obelisk.

Unlike the ride with Renly where he kept letting shrieks of joy, the ride with Stannis was quiet. He simply let the man enjoy the ride, seeing no need to start a conversation.

His grandmother had dressed in a riding attire, which would be unusual for a female other than a dragonrider, and was waiting for them. Stannis dismounted, still smiling, and escorted Rhaelle to Obelisk, helping her get on the dragon with Robert.

"Ready grandma?" asked Robert, latching the hooks on her.

"I was born ready for this my boy" she replied confidently.

Taking off for the third time, his grandmother let out an un-ladylike laugh.

She was the first person born to house Targaryen to fly on a dragon for the first time since the Dance of the Dragons.

Hah!

If only her father and siblings could see her now. The only Targaryen to bear her duties amongst her siblings, not seeking to bring back the dragons or breaking a betrothal for love.

Who had found love with her husband Ormund, and now was on a dragon.

The irony of it.

All because of her grandson.

"You have changed much" she commented. Perhaps too much.

Robert had prepared for this moment, when someone would inevitabely comment on the changes he had undergone.

"I simply decided to stop fooling around grandmother, nothing more"

Rhaelle hummed.

"Tell me how did you discover the way to hatch the eggs? More importantly where and how did you find the eggs?"

"Keep it a secret?" at her nod he continued "The way to hatch the dragon eggs is hidden in plain sight. It's Fire and Blood. All you need to do is to burn a creature and throw the eggs into the fire"

"So the words of House Targaryen is also the secret to hatch the dragons" Rhaelle wondered to herself.

Then began to laugh.
This truly was amusing. All this time it was hidden in plain sight but none had figured it out.

Eventually controlling herself " Then where did you find the eggs?"

Robert hoped this would work. He didn't want to lie to her, but this was for the best.

"Frankly, it was by accident. I found out this man in Pentos, Illyrio Mopatis, had objects related to Targaryens. I was hoping to find Blackfyre but stumbled upon the eggs instead."

"Why would this man have dragon eggs or Blackfyre?" she questioned him. If he wanted to sell them, he would have revealed himself by now. Perhaps he was just a collector of sorts?

"I think he loved the Valyrians a bit too much, I mean even his wife had the look of one. Perhaps he was hoping to hatch the dragons" he lied again.

"What of Blackfyre? Did you find it?"

Robert reached down and pulled one of the swords out of it's sheat, where they were tied to Obelisk's neck, and held it out. Rhaelle took the Valyrian Steel blade, marveling at it. She had not seen one this close before, much less hold it.

It was a bastard sword, with a length of hand and a half, of legendary Valyrian Steel, with a black leather grip, and a pommel with intricate golden engravings.

"Stormbringer? Not the most creative of the names" she sounded amused.

Anyone else, he would have been insulted, but since it was her he decided to ignore the comment. "And Blackfyre was? Stormbringer is a much better name for it" he replied proudly.

Rhaelle blinked, looking at the sword and then at her grandson and back at the sword.

"Robert, are you telling me you renamed the ancestral sword of the Targaryens?" with an exaspareted tone.

If the Royal Family, or rather Aerys learned this he might finally lose it.

"Not exactly, I had it reforged then renamed, you know, as a sign of it having a new owner" he replied with a wink.

Shaking her head with an amused smile " Of course you did" she whispered to herself.

Robert took the sword back and sheated it again, while Rhaelle noticed the other sword.

"What about the other sword?" she asked, if it was kept with the newly named Stormbringer, it must be important.

Robert unsheated Nightblood and held it out to his grandmother.

It was a great sword, reminiscent of the Ice, with a longer hilt and the same engravings, though this time in red.

Only reason Rhaelle didn't drop the sword was because it was Valyrian Steel.

"Two Valyrian swords Robert? What is next, Valyrian Steel plate armour?" she sounded impressed.

"Maybe in the future" he replied with a cheeky grin.

Rhaelle gave it back, much less she starts laughing again and drops it.

"Where did you find that one?"

"I found or bought Valyrian Steel pieces here and there. Accessories, hand held statues that kind of thing. When I had enough I went and had them reforged into a sword."

"Is that why you were attacking the Dothraki?" Everyone had heard the dragon lord destroying the Dothraki Hordes, though not many cared enough to ask why.

"Not really, I did that for gold, after all feeding three dragons is not easy, and neither is having Valyrian Steel reforged."

"So the rumours about Pentos paying you to destroy the Dothraki is true?"

"Partially" he replied, remembering the good old days.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Well, Pentos was paying me to destroy the Dothraki, though so were the other cities threatened by them. Of course, they were pissed when they found out they were all paying me, even though I was already being paid to wipe out the Dothraki and they didn't need to."

Multiple paydays for doing the same job? Count him in.

She snorted at first, trying to contain her laughter, before deciding to seven hells with it and began to cackle.

"Of course, they were even more angry when they found out I was going to destroy them anyway to sell their horses to Braavos." he chuckled at the memory.

Rhaelle was howling now, and it took her a good while to calm down.

"How much did you earn then?" she asked between sniggers.

"About four million after my expenses" he replied nonchalantly, as if the amount wasn't anything important.

His grandmother abruptly stopped laughing when she heard the amount, making sure she didn't mishear.

"In gold?" she asked tentatively. If so that was a massive fortune, the likes of only possessed by the Royal Family or the Lannisters with their gold mines and Tyrells with being the bread basket of the realm.

Even then she didn't think they could simply gather that much gold in five years.

"What else would it be in, copper?" he asked as if insulted.

Their ride took a lot longer than the others, as the pair talked about a variety of things. He talked about his adventures in the Free Cities as well as his trading ventures while she talked about why his father decided to pass him over for Stannis.

Appearantly, while Aerys wasn't the bat-shit insane person he was in the canon, did not mean he was sane. He had made comments (read threats), about how terrible it would be for him (his health) and his family (anyone but Steffon and Rhaelle) if he were to become the Lord Paramount of Stormlands one day.

His father chose to not risk his eldest son's life when it came to Aerys.

Naturally, the King was going to be dragon food for those comments. Along with his family if they got in his way.

Soon it was time for lunch so Robert steered his dragons back to the courtyard. He dismounted first and helped his grandmother off, who thanked him with a pinch on his cheek, then rushed off to change.

Robert ,on the other hand, just stayed with his dragons for a bit, giving them scratches and pats again, when his eyes caught the glare of King Aerys.

He rose an eyebrow at the man, who glared with even more anger. Aerys was taken back though, when his dragons turned their attention to him and snarled, taking a couple of steps towards the Targaryen.

"Stop" he muttered in Latin and his dragons obeyed. Sending them out to fly again, he didn't even glance at the King as he moved to the hall for lunch.

After the lunch he had also offered his mother and father a ride but they were too busy for it. Instead he went to the training area to find a sparring partner, taking his swords with him.

He had found Elbert there, sparring with Brandon Stark, while Jon and Rickard Stark were conversing at the sidelines.

Rhaegar was also there with Arthur Dayne and Jon Connington, watching the spars.

Surprisingly enough Stannis was also there, probably to keep the Prince company. He approached his brother, not wanting to interact with the others.

"Stannis come on, let's see what you can do" he challenged. Stannis looked like he was going to refuse but sighed "Very well brother" drawing his sword and taking a stance.

His brother's eyes widened when he pulled out Nightblood, twirling it in his hands.

"Valyrian Steel sword?!"

His exclamation caught the attention of the others and they turned to him.

"Don't get distracted in the middle of a fight Stannis" he warned and attacked.

Stannis raised his sword just in time to block his attack and pushed him off and tried to get close to negate the advantage of range Nightblood gave Robert.

Their spar continued like this for a while, Stannis trying to close the distance and Robert keeping him at bay.

Stannis overcomitted himself, his next swing carrying too much power and Robert deflected it to the side, causing Stannis to stumble and fall down as he pushed him with a kick.

Stannis turned around, ready to raise his blade, only to find Nightblood at his neck.

"I yield" gave up Stannis, seeing as he was beaten. Robert held out his hand and pulled Stannis off the ground.

Giving a booming laugh " Well done brother, you have improved much. Though don't overcommit to a swing like that unless you're absolutely sure" he patted him on the shoulder.

Stannis took the praise "Thank you brother"

Remembering all the shit the canon Robert put Stannis through, he unsheated Stormbringer and held it out to Stannis " Here, I am sure Stormbringer will serve you well"

Stannis' eyes widened and he took the sword " You are giving this to me?" A Valyrian Sword was a sign of prestige and power, even the Lannister's with all their gold and riches couldn't find anyone willing to sell their sword.

"Obviously"

"Why, I mean" he began but Robert cut him off.

"Stannis, you're my brother, you need a better sword and I already have one" he pointed at the Nightblood.

"Also If I wanted another Valyrian sword I would just discover how to make Valyrian Steel from scratch, not a problem for me really" with a dismissive wave.

Stannis looked doubtful.

"Thank you brother, I'll use it well" he said gratefully, taking the sheath Robert held out, tying it to his belt.

Throwing his arm around Stannis " Let's talk while we walk" he said, dragging him along. "Tell me, any ladies catch your eye, now that the whole thing with the Tullys fell off?"

Stannis sighed, somethings stay the same.

Robert spent rest of his day with Stannis, grilling him about the Ladies, not that he said anything other than "I shall marry whom father decides" and other brotherly talk.

When Stannis was called away for something, he went to find the guard, Davon.

The man had cleaned up nicely and shaved, his hair much closer in length to his. " Allright Davon, here is your new job. You see, I need a body double to sleep in my bed while I sleep elsewhere for security"

Davon looked unsure but he didn't want to mention it was the security of his chastity he was worried about.

"You will be paid about 100 gold dragons each moon's turn for your services."

The guards eyes widened, that was a lot of coin. He could get married and buy himself a nice home and retire early!

"Now, I can understand your worries, but this is Storm's End you won't have to worry about assassins. But, in the rare event that something happens to you I promise your mother will live rest of her life in comfort and won't have to worry about anything ever again." he could at least promise this much.

Davon just nodded, still thinking about all the things he could do with the gold.

Night came and Robert made himself comfortable in an empty guest room after sending Davon to sleep in his bed. He was lucky really, that there still was an empty room considering all the guests. Soon enough he was sleeping, dreaming of flying.
Next Morning

The inhabitants of the legendary castle awoke to the sound of a woman screaming out her lungs, and everyone who heard it picked up a weapon and rushed to the source of the scream.