Storm's End

"I still can interfere in the succession of Griffin's Roost as is my right. Connington has no heirs and I can use any flimsical excuse to get rid of them all"

Said Stannis with a frown.

"You have a task at hand. The Stormlands suffered much during this rebellion. You're my uncle, you will act on my behalf. I have much to do, fetching my bride from Riverrun and taking my brother to Highgarden"

He remains silent for a moment.

"You will act as my castellan and govern the land in my absence, making sure the realm is well administrated. And, you might send one of my kinsmen to the castles of those who fought Robert, making sure they're loyal. I'm duty-bound to leave the Stormlands for a time, and I need this taken care of"

"He was a good man. But too old. Not a single maiden gladdens when hearing about marrying a man of seventy. They say she is still a virgin"

Said Stannis without emotion, flatly. He did not care much if Arryn had spilled his seed into Lysa, for there had been no conception.

"To make him a lord might incur in the ire of the throne. I will proceed cautiously. First we have to make sure any of the lords, big and small, stand again with Storm's End, and not against it"

He added.

"My cousin is able and quick, he might be able to bring to the fold any disaffects"

Baratheon nodded.

"I shall depart in two days to Riverrun, in the meanwhile, you sit in the Stormlords' seat and make sure Justice is uphelp, uncle, as Lord Steward and Castellan"

"Fine them"

Said Stannis.

"Coin comes first. Then, further along the way of arrogance they shall lose honors and appointments, as well as customs and taxes and privileges they hold on my name"

Added Baratheon.

"If any of those lords and their kin refuse, we shall enter litigation with them, enforcing a law suit for refusal on swearing fealty to their traditional liege. It won't come further than that"

"I will do as you say, uncle. I hope I will find you in good health at my return"

Said Stannis.

"Send a raven if anything arises that might need my seal and say on the matter"

He added.

"Soon there might be another Steffon to prowl the corridors of Storm's End"

---

Royal Joker

A bright morning, with birds singing and a thin layer of snow covering the rugged hills, a large number of horses, carts and carriages are seen on the road. Fluttering on the wind were the black stags on a golden field. Lysa Baratheon arrives in fashion, traveling in a large covered carriage, adorned with the arms of her father and husband, and acompanied by a number of ladies of her choice, daughters of the Riverlands that were to serve their lady in her new home. The portcullis was raised and drawbridge lowered and Storm's End offered a placid welcome with gates openned and trumpets singing. Stannis rode before Lysa, wearing a cloak, in checkered black and gold, lined with fur, and a hat made of soft leather. Maesters said Lysa might be with child, but it was soon to ascertain for sure.

Lysa's pale blue eyes took in the scenery as the procession travelled south along the kingsroad. After passing the devastated King's Landing, where the ladies did their duties with prayer and handing out food to the refugees, most of their journey passed through the Kingswood. It was quite different from the woods of the Riverlands - the brush was thicker, darker. She could easily imagine the legendary brigands hiding in these woods from the law, preying on innocent merchants and damsels. Lysa could also imagine gallant knights and lords hunting said bandits, or hunting regular game in the company of the king.

After passing Bronzegate they were on the last stretch before arriving at her future home. The road passed between the unforgiving mountains and the raging coast. A beautiful white blanket of snow covered the mountains, castles and moss-covered cottages that they stopped by to allow the smallfolk and highborn to pay tribute to their liege lord and lady. Lysa's impression of the people mostly matched their reputation - hearts on their sleeve and unashamed to show their feelings. So unlike her husband, though Stannis was not an emotionless statue - it took some work to peel off the layers.

The carriage pulled into the courtyard of Storm's End and Lysa Baratheon stepped out after her ladies-in-waiting. Dressed in a turquoise dress under a fur-linned cloak, her auburn hair flowing freely in the chilly snow wind. Even from within the massive castle, she could hear the waves thrashing in Shipbreaker Bay. Storm's End indeed, she thought to herself as her entourage made their way inside. She put a gentle hand on her own belly. She would not know for sure for at least a few weeks, but she recognized some of the signs already. She prayed that this child would bring her joy. She turned to Stannis.

"My lord, perhaps we could hold a feast? To celebrate our safe return home, and our marriage. Most of the guests at Riverrun were my father's banners, sadly I don't know most of House Baratheon's bannermen."

Hoster Tully had brought most of the lords and ladies of the Riverlands under his roof, and Lysa knew most of them by name. The Stormlands was a foreign land, with foreign people who spoke quite weirdly compared to how they did in the north.

Lysa turned to the castellan when he spoke to her. She was a bit taken aback, unsure of what to say. She almost curtseyed on instinct, but stopped herself and simply nodded solemnly.

"Thank you, ser. I'm Lysa Baratheon. What's your name?"

Seaworth came out with the rest to greet the newlyweds, having ridden up from his holdfast in the south especially for the occasion. The former smuggler was sweating through his silks in the summer heat; he could feel a swell in the air that surely presaged a particularly vicious storm. He could not help but grin from ear to ear when he saw Allard at Stannis' side, looking equal parts dashing and ridiculous in the prancing stag raiment.

"Welcome home, m'lord Stannis. Good to see you, Lady Lysa." He executed a very well practiced bow. "Congratulations. A fine couple you make." Stannis looked as if he might even grin. The thought of it frightened him it seemed so unnatural.

"Then I suppose I should call you uncle as well, Ser Eldon. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. You are too kind."

Lysa's cheeks blushed at Estermont's words. She was not used to be the center of attention, with her elder sister Caitlyn often the more popular of the auburn-haired Tully sisters. She then nodded and smiled at Davos Seaworth - a lowborn man and a smuggler, but raised to knighthood by Stannis for his faithful service, as was proper reward. She did have to contain a giggle, though - his personal arms of an onion on a black ship was an oddity, for sure.

"Thank you, Ser Davos."

She turned to her lord husband with a gentle smile, grabbing his arm for support. She felt a little mischievous.

"Ser Davos and I have met before. He accompanied you to my father's keep the first time we met, gallantly aiding you in wooing me."