The Rise Of A Dragon - Chapter 17: The Beginning

277 AC, Storm’s End  

Stannis flinched when he heard another of his mother's screams echoing through the halls from her chambers. 

At this moment, Cassana Baratheon was in labor, trying to give birth to her third child. 

Stannis had known that his mother would soon give birth, but that did not stop the shock that moved through him when Cassana's water broke as they broke their fast, watching stiffly as Steffon ordered his wife to be carried to bed and for the maester to be summoned. 

Now Stannis sat in the library of Storm’s End, trying to distract himself, but he was unable to focus on the words on the page. 

Mother will be fine; this is a woman’s duty. She will face it strongly and stiffly, and I will soon have a new sibling. Stannis thought to himself. 

But Stannis knew how treacherous childbirth could be, his mother’s life would be in the Gods' hands. 

Stannis blinked when he heard the doors of the library swing open, and when he turned around, saw the large form of his older brother walking inside. 

Robert was completely soaked, a trail of water following behind him. He pushed back a few strands of wet hair from his face as he walked towards his brother. 

“Brother, it seems I have not missed anything.” Robert grinned, sitting in the chair across from Stannis. 

Stannis pursed his lips, “No, you have not, mother went into labor only a few hours ago. I thought you were not arriving until tomorrow?” 

“Father sent a runner who told me that mother was in labor, so I decided to speed ahead.” Robert answered. 

“Even through the storm outside?” 

Robert grinned, “I am a Stormlander, a little rain and wind is not going to stop me from going anywhere.” 

Stannis scoffed, “Don’t start complaining if you eventually become sick due to this.” 

“I have never gotten sick!” 

Stannis knew that was a lie as he could remember a time when he was five and Robert caught the shivers. Robert had been bedridden and delirious with a fever, the illness progressing to the point that the maester was not sure that Robert would survive it. Steffon and Cassana both stood vigil over Robert, praying, and hoping for a miracle. 

Stannis remembered not being allowed near his brother, for fear of him catching the illness and not having a body strong enough to withstand it due to being so young. 

But despite all odds, Robert lived and returned to perfect health, moving about as if he had not come so close to death. Stannis had always found it strange and irritating just how nonchalant Robert could be about most things, and that incident only cemented this in Stannis’ mind. 

It would be another couple of hours before Cassana’s labors would come to an end and the two Baratheon siblings were allowed into their parents’ bedroom to meet their newest sibling. 

Steffon grinned as he held the wrapped newborn in his arms, his smile growing as he looked up and saw his older children coming closer. “Come, meet your new brother.” 

Stannis and Robert stood on either side of their father, looking down at the newborn. The babe had sparse black hair, his skin was still flushed red, and when he opened his eyes, they were a watery blue, one that everyone knew would darken over time and take a more solid blue color. 

“Does he have a name yet?” Stannis asked. 

Cassana smiled from her place on the bed, looking at her husband and children lovingly, “We have named him Renly.” 

“Would either of you like to hold him?” Steffon asked as he looked at Robert and Stannis. 

Robert’s face briefly became one of discomfort before he masked it with an easy smile. “I would rather not, father. He looks... droppable.” 

“Droppable he says. I am sure that if you can hold that warhammer of yours so easily than a babe would not be much of a problem, but I will not force you.” Steffon laughed before looking at his middle child, “Stannis?” 

Stannis held out his arms, standing straight and rigidly as Steffon placed Renly into his arms. Renly squirmed in the new pair of arms he was put in, whimpering for a few moments before relaxing, staring at Stannis wide eyed. 

“Be sure to support his head, my dear.” Cassana said softly. 

Stannis moved his arm, placing it under Renly’s head, still staring at the newborn with a blank expression. Renly gave Stannis an open-mouthed, gummy smile as he began to squirm in Stannis’ arms again. 

Steffon chuckled, “He likes you it seems.” 

Stannis glanced at his father before looking back at Renly, finding it strange to now be an older brother, to no longer to the youngest member of the family. 

He wondered what kind of person Renly would grow to be, if he and Renly would have the same relationship that he had with Robert or if they would be closer and kinder to each other.

~X~

Three Days Later  

Robert watched suspiciously as the King’s messenger handed his father a letter from Aerys. 

The messenger was a young man, a few years older than Robert himself, and with of nervousness and unease on his face he waited for Steffon to read the letter. 

Is it my father’s reaction that scares him or the King’s? Robert thought. 

Steffon had a small smile at first, but it slowly fell the longer he read the letter. When he was done, he looked at the nervous messenger for a few seconds before he reached across his desk, grabbing a piece of parchment and beginning to write a response for his cousin. 

Steffon did not take much time to write his letter, quickly finishing it and folding it before handing it to the messenger. 

The young man looked relieved over Steffon’s lack of reaction, giving the lord a deep bow before leaving the chamber. 

“What was that about?” Robert asked, once he and his father were alone. 

Steffon contemplated telling his son the truth, reluctantly doing so with a sigh, “The King gave his congratulations on Renly’s birth, he says it is a gift from the gods to be blessed with three healthy sons.” 

“That isn’t bad.” Robert said knowing that this should not have been enough to ruin his father’s good mood. 

Steffon sighed again, “He also asked if your mother and I were planning on having more children once she recovers enough from this birth.” 

Again, Robert did not see what about this could be making Steffon so upset. 

Does father not want more children? It would be understandable, with me, Stannis, and now Renly, the succession of Storm’s End is more than secure, so why bother trying for more when he doesn’t have to?  

Steffon shook his head, seeing the confusion still on Robert’s face, “Have you not been paying attention to the gossip, Robert? Have you not heard of how much Aerys has been praising your mother and I since he first learned that she was pregnant? How he claims this to be a blessing for our two houses?” 

“You are his cousin, we are blood. Would it not make sense for the King to praise us, especially with how much he favors you?” 

“Aerys has given me praise and he does favor me above most, yes, but he has never acted this way during your birth or that of Stannis. He was never disappointed or enraged when discovering you were both boys like he is with Renly. And do you know why?” 

Robert shook his head, waiting for his father to tell him the reason. 

“Because Renly is not the girl he has been waiting for. The one he can use as a wife for Rhaegar, and who will birth him plenty of Valyrian grandchildren.” 

Robert’s eyes widened at this, “But, but Rhaegar is eight and ten. Even if Renly was a girl, Rhaegar would be far too old for them. 
Steffon let out a sardonic chuckle, “Wide gaps between ages exist for many a married couple. Just look at Walder Frey; he gets older, and his wives stay the same age. Rhaegar could be eight and forty and it would not matter so long as the girl he weds has bled.” 

“So, will you and mother keep trying for more children? Until you have a girl?” Robert asked. 

The idea of marrying any sister of his to Rhaegar Targaryen disgusted Robert, but he could see the merit in such a match. 

“No, we won’t. Your mother and I are done having children, but I’m sure my cousin will try to convince us to have more.” Steffon answered. 

He was being completely honest, to him there was no reason to keep having children and he and Cassana were not getting younger. He had three sons, so why continue to risk Cassana’s health and life? 

And there was also the Aerys of it all. Steffon loved his cousin, he truly did, but he would be foolish to say that becoming King of Westeros has not changed Aerys from the idealistic young man he once was. 

Steffon felt some guilt seeing how Aerys had begun to treat others, especially their shared friend, Tywin, and doing nothing to stop it. 

But what can I do in the face of a King? Everything he is doing is within Aerys' rights as King. Steffon thought, but deep down he was afraid of being on the receiving end of Aerys’ cruelty for speaking out. 

And the thought of having a daughter and that daughter being so close to Aerys sickened Steffon to his core. Would Aerys’ fondness for him be enough to keep that daughter safe?  

But Steffon knew this would not be the case as he started to think about Aerys’ treatment of Rhaella. It only strengthened his resolve to not give Aerys what he wanted. 

I have been a selfish man for so long, the world won’t end if I continue to do so. Aerys will just have to choose some other poor girl for Rhaegar’s bride, he will not be getting one from me, no matter the glory.

~X~

A Few Days Later, King’s Landing  

Aerea looked at the instrument in her hands with a confused expression. 

The princess had jokingly complained to her brother that he had gotten so busy that they were not spending much time together. 

And this comment somehow led to Rhaegar deciding to teach her how to play the harp while he and his friends did their usual research in the castle library. 

Aerea pulled a single string, causing a discorded sound to reverberate through the room, and she winced as the sound reached her ears. 

“You must be more gently when using the strings, as if you are carting your fingers through someone’s hair.” Rhaegar said, not looking up from the large tome in front of him. 

“You this was not what I meant when I said we should do more things together.” Aerea murmured, “And why are we participating in your hobbies and not mine?” 

“Because your hobbies involve training excessively, running around the castle, taking food from the kitchens, all things that I do not enjoy.” Rhaegar answered, barely glancing at his sister. 

Aerea stuck her tongue out at him, “That’s because you don’t know how to have fun. And why can’t you just get me the person who taught you since you’re just sitting there reading.” 

Rhaegar lifted his head, looking at Aerea confused, “Person who taught me?” 

“You know, your music teacher, the one who taught you how to play the harp.” 

“I did not have a teacher, I am self-taught.” 

Rhaegar remembered the first time he had picked up a harp, he was five years old and had since a minstrel playing a harp in the gardens of the Keep for a group of nobles and found himself captivated by the gentle and soulful music. 

The next day, Rhaegar had asked his mother for the instrument, much to Rhaella’s surprise as she had never heard her son being so adamant about something, to want something so reverently. 

“Rhaegar.” 

“Yes.” 

“I hate you, so much.” 

These words coupled with the look of disgust on Aerea’s face, caused Arthur, Myles, and Richard to laugh. Even Jon was amused, a smile on his lips at seeing the confusion on Rhaegar’s face as the prince did not understand why Aerea would say that. 

Of course, Rhaegar could just pick up an instrument and just know how to play it. Aerea thought, and as she tried to play the small harp again, two of the strings snapped. 

Richard let out a snort, “Perhaps you should learn an instrument that can withstand a great deal of force?” 

Aerea put the harp down on a table, “I think Richard might be right. We’ll have to come back to this when I come back.” 

“I’m still surprised that father is allowing you to go to Storm’s End.” Rhaegar said, “He has been in terrible mood for days now.” 

Aerea had asked Aerys if she could travel to Storm’s End to see their Baratheon cousins after news had reached them of Renly’s birth, and to everyone’s surprise, Aerys had allowed it. But only if she went with a group of guards and Ser Barristan. 

Aerea grinned, “And yet you have been in a good mood for the same reason why father is so angry.” 

Rhaegar stared at his sister blankly, “Excuse me for being relieved our new cousin is a boy and not a girl almost two decades younger than me that father would force me to marry.” 

Aerys had been rather obvious in his belief that the child in Cassana Estermount’s womb was a girl, and it was obvious to all why he would be so interested in another man’s child, even if said man was his cousin. 

Rhaegar knew that if Renly had been a girl, Aerys would have moved to betrothed her to Rhaegar as the only girl in Westeros, besides Aerea, with a recent enough Valyrian linage. 

But once again, whether it was luck or the will of the Gods, Rhaegar had avoided having to marry a female family member to ensure the blood of House Targaryen remained relatively pure. 

“If the King does desire a bride with some Valyrian blood, there is Elia Martell.” Arthur said, “I know from my siblings, that Prince Doran is not of agreement with Princess Myria over Elia’s engagement to Jaime Lannister.” 

Jon scoffed, his face twisting into a vicious scowl, “As if some sickly girl would be a good match for Rhaegar. She has nothing to offer him but bad blood.” 

Arthur frowned, hearing the undertone in Jon’s voice, “And what do you mean by that?” 

Before Jon could respond, Rhaegar spoke, “My father would not try to break up Elia and Jaime’s betrothal. Not that he could, Tywin would not allow him to do so easily, and the kingdom would not look too favorably upon my father for trying.” 

Aerys was a proud man, since the betrothal between the Lannisters and the Martells has been long since finalized, if Aerys did succeed in destroying it and betrothing Elia to Rhaegar, it would be like admitting that what is good for a lord’s son is good enough for a King’s. 

Not only that, but it would send a message to the rest of Westeros that Aerys, or any King could have a say in what marriages for nobles are permissible. Although Rhaegar was not sure if his father had thought of this being a problem or was only focused on how such an action would affect his ego. 

“I still do not see why we must be focusing on a topic such as marriage.” Jon said stiffly. 

“Because we are growing men. It’s a topic all must have at some point.” Richard said. 

Jon raised an eyebrow, “Last I checked, you have had no women paraded around you.” 

“Jon, I’m a member of a cadet branch of a one of the Stormlands’ middling noble houses.” Richard said with a laugh, “With how impossibly far down I am in the line of succession, no lord would wish to marry one of their female relatives to me. And this also gives me no need to marry as our house is in no danger of collapse.” 

Richard was a descendant of the current Lord Lonmouth’s great grandfather, coming directly from that lord’s youngest brother. Not only that, but Richard himself was the fourth son of a third son, who was the second son of that aforementioned fifth son. 

Unless everyone in my family dies at this very moment, I would never be in an important enough position to warrant having to get married and produce children. Richard thought, but he had long come to terms with his place in the world. 

And it was hard to be too upset with his unimportance in his house when unlike his brothers, cousins, nephews, and uncles, he had become good friends with the future King of Westeros. 

“He’s not wrong.” Myles said, “I mean my father has gotten a few offers made for me by some lords, but with William already betrothed and going to be wed next year, they have been pushed to the side due to wedding planning.” 

“So, will you have to marry? After William’s wedding?” Aerea asked. 

Myles shrugged, “I don’t believe so, my father did not push me on any matches. And like Richard, I have so many cousins and other relatives that even if something happened to William and me, our house would survive it.” 

Myles did not have much interest in getting married, while he knew it was a way to gain alliances and resources, the idea of spending the rest of his life with a woman he had never met and having children he did not want, in no way enticed him. 

“Being a second son does give you some benefit of choice when it comes to marriage.” Arthur said passively. 

Richard grinned, “Ah, Andren is not hounding you to get married yet?” 

“No, my brother is not, and I don’t think he ever will.” Arthur said with a huff, “According to him and my sisters, I am more married to my sword than I ever will be to a woman.” 

This caused the others to laugh, which only cemented the idea to Arthur that his sibling were not the only ones who thought this about him.

~X~

The Next Day  

A small council meeting was held after Aerea left with her entourage, and the councilors and Rhaegar breathed a sigh of relief when they noticed that despite the now absence of his favorite child, Aerys was no longer raging with anger as he had been the last few days, finally returning to his normal temperament. 

Standing before the council was the Lord of Duskendale, Denys Darklyn, a man of average height with long flowing brown hair and beard, pale skin, and a drooping face, dressed in red, gold, and black. 

“What has brought you to seek an audience with me, Lord Darklyn?” Aerys asked the man standing at the other end of the table. 

Denys stood straighter, “Your Grace, I have come to ask for a new town charter on behalf of Duskendale.” 

“A charter? What for?” Aerys asked. 

“For Duskendale to be given more autonomy and to increase the amount of trade that comes to us.” Denys answered, “I believe that having less direct oversight from the Crown will be beneficial 

The Lord of Duskendale had wanted to increase the wealth of his household and his vassals, having grown tired of seeing his fellow Crownlands noble houses enriching themselves, and being on the receiving end of their growing pride and self-importance. 

And the best way to ensure that House Darklyn became more powerful was to turn his small port town into a proper trading city, akin to Gulltown or Lannisport. 

The ruler of Lannisport and Hand of the King was of a different opinion. Tywin recognized that if Duskendale was allowed to become a port city, it would severely dampen his own house’s income from the Westerlands and from the rest of Westeros and beyond. 

There was already enough steep competition among the prominent trading cities of Westeros; Lannisport, Gulltown, King’s Landing, White Harbor, Oldtown, Planky Town, and Seagard. 

Duskendale was in a prime position, resting off the coast of Blackwater Bay, close to both King’s Landing and Rosby, and was surrounded by strong walls. 

A charter would only serve to embolden the Darklyns, and make them into a powerful contender amongst the Crownlands houses, catapulting them truly into the game of politics. 

Instead of saying his true feelings on the matter, Tywin took a different approach when he saw Aerys consider Denys’ proposal. “I believe that Lord Darklyn should be given his charter, Your Grace.” 

Every other member of the small council looked at the Lannister with shock, all having expected Tywin to disagree and refuse Denys’ demand, knowing that Tywin would have understood the possible outcome of such a decision. 

Tywin ignored them as he turned to Aerys, “I think it would be of great benefit to not just Duskendale, but to the realm at large.” 

Denys had a confused expression on his face when Tywin had asked that he be given the charter, having also expected a mercurial man like Tywin to refuse, but his expression soon turned to one of horror when he saw the angry look Aerys was giving both him and Tywin. 

Denys tried to pivot, “Your Grace, I-” 

“Your proposal , has been rejected, Darklyn.” Aerys spat, “No such charter will be given to your lands.” 

“Please, Your Grace-” 

“I do not make a habit of repeating myself. Now leave, Darklyn.” Aerys scowled. 

Denys’ shoulders dropped, and he gave the King a swift bow before dejectedly leaving the small council chamber. 

Aerys glared at Tywin from the corner of his eye, seeing through Tywin's attempt to undermine him. 

Giving Darklyn the charter could have led to some type of benefit for Tywin and his house. He said it himself that it would have benefited the realm, what a load of shit! Aerys thought. 

Eventually, Aerys looked away from his Hand, “What is the next matter if business?” 

Over two hours later when the small council meeting ended, Rhaegar had a contemplative look on his face as he left the small council chamber. 

Tywin was far too quick with his opinion, especially as it was not the opinion a man like him should have given. Rhaegar thought. 

It was not hard to see that Tywin had purposely agreed with Denys Darklyn in order to turn Aerys against the charter. But it baffled Rhaegar that his father could not see how obviously he was being manipulated by Tywin. 

Rhaegar knew that Aerys’ jealousy and hate ran deep, but to be this blinded by his emotions made Rhaegar feel ashamed, more than he usually did, to have Aerys as his father. 

Would I end up just like father when I become King? So jealous over the success of someone I call my friend that I would act so pathetically? No, I won’t, I will never allow myself to ever become like Aerys Targaryen.

~X~

Ten Days Later  

Aerea smiled as she held her newborn cousin in her arms, staring at Renly with care and joy. 

She had just arrived in Storm’s End, having spent the majority of her journey excited to once again being able to travel, enjoying every moment of it. She did not mind having to camp outside between the journey from King’s Landing to Bronzegate and then from Bronzegate to Storm’s End. 

“Why do I get the feeling you are happier seeing Renly then you are me?” Robert asked, watching Aerea hold his newest brother. 

“I might just be. At least Renly does not slap my back or use his knuckles to mess up my hair like you do.” Aerea teased before looking down at Renly, “Isn’t that right, Renly?” 

Renly gave Aerea a smile, wiggling around in her arms and causing Aerea’s smile to widen. 

Robert scoffed, crossing his arms “You won’t be thinking he’s so darling when he vomits on you. I’ve already lost a cloak to the little beast.” 

Robert then let out a shout as someone slapped the back of his head, he rubbed the spot and saw his mother’s disapproving gaze when he turned around. 

“Do not call your brother a ‘little beast,’ Robert.” Cassana admonished. 

“Yes, mother.” Robert murmured, glaring at Aerea and Stannis from the corner of his eye when he heard her laughing and saw him smirking. 

Cunts. Robert thought. 

“He is truly beautiful, Cassana.” Aerea said, looking back down at Renly. 

The newborn reminded her of Viserys, in a way that made her miss her brother despite not having been away from Viserys for long. 

Should I write to Viserys? Mother could read the letter to him if I do. Aerea thought. 

Cassana smiled, “Thank you, Aerea. I hope he will grow as his brothers have.” 

Despite the disappointment of not having a daughter this time around, Cassana was proud of and loved her sons. 

And she could see Renly’s birth as the good omen that it was as she looked at Aerea, knowing what the girl’s father had intended if Renly had been a girl. 

“How long will you be staying here with us, cousin?” Stannis asked as Aerea handed Renly back to his mother. 

“At least a few weeks. I did not tell my father when I would be returning to King’s Landing.” Aerea answered. 

Robert grinned, “Then you can come with me when I go back to the Eyrie. You can see Ned again and I can finally introduce you to Jon.” 

Aerea and Jon Arryn had seen each other from afar and in passing over the years but have never had the opportunity to speak. 

Aerea looked amused, “Rob, I don’t think my father would allow me to travel all the way to the Vale, especially not with the small retinue that I brought.” 

“You can’t know that without asking.” Robert argued, “Come on! Trust me when I saw that you wouldn’t have a better time!” 

Aerea laughed, “Okay, I will ask, but I’m telling you, my father will say no.” 

“I’m sure Aerys will permit the journey.” Steffon said as he entered the hall, “He knows what it was like to be young once. We all do.” 

You would think he would, but you never know when it comes to father. “I hope so, cousin.”

~X~

The Dun Fort, Duskendale  

Denys was unable to hide his disappointment from his family when he returned to his keep, making it more than clear how his meeting with the King and his council went. 

He ignored the calls of his family, locking himself in his study to be alone and sulking in relative silence for the past couple of days. 

He knew the possibility existed for Aerys to reject him, but he had built up his own hopes, expecting that the King would listen to him. 

What a fool I was. But to think, the King would refute me simply because Tywin Lannister wanted to agree with me, what kind of madness is that? Denys thought, his head resting on his desk. 

Denys did not lift his head when he heard the door of his study room open, “I said that I wished to be alone.” 

“I know, my lord, but it has been days. I and everyone else, only worry for your health and state of mind.” Denys sighed at the words of his good friend and the master-at-arms of his castle, slowly lifting his head to look at the other man. 

Symon Hollard was a stocky and well-built, middle-aged man with a head of gray hair and a thick mustache across his upper lip. He wore well maintained armor with the coat of arms of House Hollard emblazoned on the breastplate. 

“I tried and failed to obtain a charter for Duskendale. I do not wish to have my people lay witness to their disgraceful lord.” Denys muttered. 

“You are not disgraceful.” Symon said, walking to and stopping in front of the desk, “And even so, the battle is not yet lost.” 

Denys looked at him confused, “Not yet lost? The King said no! There is no other way to interpret that than as a loss.” 

Symon sighed, “Denys, I speak to you as a friend when I say this; you are being too small minded.” 

Denys narrowed his eyes, “Symon-” 

“I mean, that you are failing to see the power you hold as a lord. You could petition the King again, make it clear that you will not take no for an answer.” 

Denys’ expression became one of reluctance and disbelief, “Symon, you have never met Aerys, have never spoken to him, and seen his character for yourself. What he is capable of, I do not wish to ever experience it, and that is what will happen if he is pushed.” 

Symon did not relent, “Has Aerys ever directed his anger towards the nobility of Westeros? No, he has not, because he understands that he needs us. These are no longer the days of the Conquest or the Dance, the Targaryens no longer have their dragons to force us into compliance, yes, they possess a large army of men, but so do many other lords! Duskendale may not be as large as Lannisport, and we may not be as powerful as the Lannisters, but House Darklyn and House Hollard are still important to the realm.” 

Denys sat up straighter, Symon’s words washing over him and his depressive state leaving him completely. 

Symon is right; the Targaryens have been on the decline for decades, for nearly a century now. We follow Aerys because of our oaths sworn to him as King, but plenty of Kings have been challenged for unpopular decisions they have made. Just look at Lyonel ‘the Laughing Storm’ Baratheon, he may not have gotten his daughter as Queen with revolt, but he still obtained a princess as his son’s bride, and now the Baratheons are second cousins with the royal family.  

“You are right.” Denys whispered, a smile appearing on his face for the first time in days, “It is not over yet.” 

Symon smiled, “I am glad that you believe so as well, my lord.” 

For the knight, he was relieved to see Denys’ spirits lifted and that his hope had been revigorated. Denys had a habit of giving up on things far too quickly, and Symon would not wish to him do the same in a matter of this importance. 

House Hollard were vassal sworn to House Darklyn, the closest bannerman and allies since the Age of Heroes, back when the Darklyns were still petty kings. 

The success of House Darklyn affected everyone tied to them, so if they were to obtain a charter for Duskendale, then the lands the Hollards occupied would experience a trickle down of that wealth and power. 

We cannot give up now, not when we are so close. No longer will our houses be overlooked by the others of the Crownlands and Westeros and we cannot allow a King to keep us down in the gutters. We are just as noble and prestigious as any other. Symon thought, his hand falling to the pommel of his sword.