Stannis III

King Stannis had awoken from his slumber this morning. Days after spending almost a moon or two trekking through the harsh snowstorms from Deepwood Motte to this small encampment, which is where his southorn soldiers and his northern allies were stationed. The watchtower he slept in was warmed by the morning fire started by his new squire, after Bryen Farring died from scumming to the cold. It had not been the same, since Devan was left behind at Castle Black, even though the boy had been his son's squire. There were other boys in the barracks, willing to replace him in serving the rightful prince and the king whenever they were of use to them.

The northmen and the southorns had to make their own tents for the duration of their time here, as there was not enough room in the watchtower for all of them. It was a practical solution to a niggling problem Stannis had solved in a fortnight. He was a rational man, never one to second guess anything. He was absolute in all the decisions he made and stuck true to his words, even though there are those in his army that disagreed with his choices as of late.

"The Battle at Deepwood Motte is nothing to boast about. There were minimal Ironborn soldiers garrisoning the castle, as the rest of them and their ships were commanded by the returned exiled brother of Balon Greyjoy. The Ironborn woman is my hostage, and she will be of use to whatever I see fit for her."

Retaking Deepwood Motte was almost bloodless, with only a few losses in comparison to the Ironborn, who were killed by the men led by his son Prince Jacob in the Wolfswood. Many of this southorns thought his son was Robert's shade back from the dead to smash the thieving iron bitch and all her remaining men, and it was true. No matter who exaggerated the rumours were. It bothered the king deeply, to know his son was gaining glory for himself and did not care for the consequences of his actions. It was the fury Jacob inherited from his side of the family, and he unleashed that fury upon the Ironborn men and the coward Ludd Whitehill's men at Highpoint.

Stannis had no use for glory himself; he was a middle-aged king with more important things to focus his attention on, but for the younger men in his ranks, it was all they thought of. It was truly foolish when they would cheer for their own triumphs, even though he had victories at Highpoint, Deepwood Motte and the Wall; they were minimal in comparison to the great victory he was seeking when Winterfell was retaken and the Boltons and Freys were only rotting corpses in the snows.

The king noticed his son was gone. Being alone in the watchtower gave Stannis time to prepare for the war meeting later. Stannis was used to Jacob being gone for long periods of time, because he had responsibilities to handle, in terms of keeping the men of R'hllor and the Seven from fighting each other and making sure Asha Greyjoy stays in her place. The capture of the woman was not hard, as Jacob fought her in her middle of the Wolfswood and his sword slashed her cheek in the middle of the duel, causing her to slip and almost be killed before the horn was sounded, ending the battle.

Stannis was not blind to the attention the Greyjoy woman was giving to his son, as told to him by the Greyshield knight. It confirmed his reasonable doubts about whether he made the right choice in marrying Jacob off to the Karstarks for an alliance. He knew his soldiers had camp followers and whores in their tents, for the men to relieve themselves of the stresses of war and being a solider.

On the other hand, an Ironborn woman, a Greyjoy giving his son the same look whores give to his soldiers before they end up bedding them. It was a sign of trouble and it needed to be stamped out right now. The king had no time to be dealing with his prisoner, when he had to prepare for war on Winterfell, which was guarded by the forces of Roose Bolton and his northern traitors. Stannis kept his thoughts of the Karstarks at the forefront, as Lord Arnolf and his sons were coming to discuss the marriage arrangement in more detail and what would the benefits of their alliance bring to his cause.

As a man of considerable pride, Stannis would not admit to Jacob's face of him being right about the Manderlys being better allies in the long term, because of their considerable coin and capability in helping him survive the winter and the dowry offered by Lord Wyman would be better than the one offered by the Karstarks.

"I am surrounded by fools and fanatics. The only ones with brains are the Greyshield knight and the son of Lomas Estermont. The northmen tire of arguing with the Queen's Men every day and are close to declaring war on them. It's good Jacob is there to stop the disputes between both sides and become a mediator between them. My son is the reason why the King's Men and the Queen's Men have not fought each other, during the war. Of fear of disappointing their rightful prince and future king. It was that fear that kept them in line."

The king's deep-seated envy towards his son was not at the centre of his attention, until after the battle of Deepwood Motte. Stannis knew it was wrong for him to be jealous of his own son, but it was the same jealousy he held towards Robert as a child. It was not Jacob's fault; he was an exceptional warrior and leader. It was his duty to be a leader as the future king of the Seven Kingdoms and this was great preparation for Jacob to learn how to be a commander and leader.

Stannis knew his son was more content than before, due to the Lady Melisandre being commanded to stay at the Wall and having to part with his squire Devan Seaworth. Jacob knew not to get attached to people because of the circumstances of the war and how betrayals can happen so quickly when loyalty is thrown to the side for a grasp of power.

It was power and disloyalty that sealed the fate of Alester Florent for his treason against Stannis and his family. He never regretted the man's death because it was what he deserved for what he had done; writing letters to Tywin Lannister in selling both his children Jacob and Shireen to the Lannisters as hostages and nearly ruining his cause. The man was disowned by his brother, his niece, great-nephew and condemned by the very king, whose banners he went over to after Renly's death.

Stannis had not seen the Karstark girl for himself, but he expects Lord Arnolf and his sons to bring the girl over after they have recaptured Winterfell from the Boltons. It was better if he had seen her for himself, so he could inspect whether the girl was good enough for his son or not. The thoughts of Ser Davos plagued the king day and night. Of why the onion knight was still absent from his side? Did he succeed in following his son's plot to supplant his already planned arrangement with the Karstarks to do what Jacob asked of him? Ser Davos has known Jacob, since he was a babe and would never refuse any order his son gave to the knight.

At least, with the northerners in the war council, things could get interesting with the conflicting opinions and thoughts on what they will do about this stormy weather. Stannis does not have the patience to deal with the Queen's Men stirring trouble between themselves and the northerners, who worship their Old Gods as deeply as Jacob does with the Seven. The new squire was not as slow as the Farring boy, who perished out in the storm. The boy was not even a knight, and most of his men would not give a damn about him, even though many others died in the snowstorm as well.

The king could see the tents outside of the watchtower window. Most of the tents were covered in a sheet of white snow that men had to dig their way out from being trapped inside. He intrusted the Mormont warrior woman to keep an eye on his prize and keep her leering eyes away from him son. Stannis would not think of it, his son wedded to Ironborn scum like her and the rest of her kind; it could be the reality if he is not vigilant in not paying more attention to Jacob's day to day activities.

It has been too long. Jacob has been unmarried, since the war began, and time was running out. If his lady wife Selyse had her way, then their son would settle down to a southern bride of her choosing and not marry northerners at all. The king expected it at the beginning with his wife and good family, the Florents being southerners and valuing their own over all others. He understood they all wanted Jacob to settle down to someone, who would do what is expected of a highborn bride and birth the next generation of Baratheon progeny. The last thing Stannis would want to see before his eventual death is to meet his grandchildren before the stranger takes him.

The rightful king was capable in doing things for himself, but the gauntness in his features suggested he was feeble and haggard. They were the symptoms of being out in the elements too long and was what caused Stannis to be more tired more often. He never told anyone apart from Jacob. Staying in the watchtower was good for the king's recovery from trekking through the storm and leading a pack of fools, who do not know where left and right were most of the time.

Having the northerners on his side improved things. The northmen were accustomed to the cold and were able to march through the storms better than the king's southorns. Stannis looked out of the window of the watchtower, to glimpse the winds blowing in the direction of the minimal campfires being lit in the night. He suspected the Queen's Men were starting the fires and using the flames to pray to the Lord of Light for whatever favours he could bestow on his most faithful in these times.

The king made his way to the bigger of the tents put up in the middle of the encampment. It was one belonging to the Umber forces brought by Mors Crowfood. It was larger than the other tents and the banner of the great giant in chains was flapping in the cold winds. Stannis was grateful for the new additions to his slow, expanding army. To the right of the king, the banners of other northern houses were flapping in the winds as well. The bear of House Mormont, the fist of House Glover, the black bullmoose of House Hornwood, the green sentinel trees of House Tallhart and the white tree of House Forrester were among the smaller northern banners, whom have joined the king in rebellion against House Bolton.

The gathering of the northmen and the king's southorn men were amassed inside the tent, as the king entered with his Penny squire standing behind him, with a frightened look on his face and it made the king grit his teeth in silence. Stannis was not wasteful of the potential skilled workers within his army and only hired the most competent boy to replace the squire that died days ago. The prince was present amongst the men and stood at the right side of the head of the table; he had the Greyshield knight and Lomas Estermont's son next to Prince Jacob. Stannis never cared to ask what the red-haired boy's name was for it was not important, even though the boy was one of his many cousins from his lady mother's maiden house.

The men began to sit in their place, even though there were not enough wooden chairs for all. At the head of the table opposite the king sat Mors "Crowfood" Umber, with most of his men by his side. The man was old with a ruddy face and a shaggy white beard. His lost eye looked to be hidden with a stained white leather eye patch. He was a strong and powerful man, as he was adorned a cloak made from the skin of a snow bear, with its head worn as a hood. This was the man, who agreed to join Stannis, if his brother, the Whoresbane was pardoned for fighting under duress for the Boltons.

The king knew the Umbers were staunch northmen, with a strong hatred for wildlings and prissily southorns, who cannot keep up with them. Stannis had to tread carefully, as the Queen's Men could ruin everything with a stroke of a sword. The king sat with his son to right and the Ser Richard Horpe to his left side. The man on his left was obedient to the king and followed his orders without a question, but he was a queen's man, which made him an adversary to the King's Men.

"Your Grace, if it be prudent for most of us to go back to Deepwood Motte or some other keep for warm shelter, until this terrible storm passes." The lording Robin Peasebury was the first to speak, and his eyes were shifting, and fingers were shaking.

"And what come all this way for nothing? You southorns have no sense of honour or bravery." Artos Flint replied.

"It was your savage tree gods that brought this storm upon us. How long can we sit here until Bolton's soldiers come out and slaughter us." Corliss Penny said, in defiance of the northman.

"My lords, please. We must remain level headed. We are fortunate to have the forces of Hornwood, Umber and Mormont on our side. This settlement is only temporary until Lord Arnolf and his forces arrive to our side." Prince Jacob interjected.

"How are we going capture Winterfell, when we are stuck with the Greyjoy slacker, who contributes nothing?"

"The Iron bitch should burn, we should give her to the Lord of Light. Get the wench of our backs so we can focus on the Boltons and them damned Freys." Ser Godry Farring demanded, slamming his fist on the table.

"Why not use her as bait for the Boltons?"

"And lose the prize of our victory in the Wolfswood and devalue the prince's bravery in fighting the ironborn scum." Hugo Wull said, in a gruff tone.

"What of you, Mors Crowfood. You say would join us and our rightful sovereign in fighting the Boltons, but your brother fights for them and that makes you a traitor." The Giantslayer said.

"Aye, it is true what you say, giant man. My brother only fights for the Boltons because the damned Freys have the Greatjon and much of the Umber strength in dungeons. I would advise you to think before you say anything else." Mors Crowfood said, in an iron tone. Similar to the tone Stannis would use when talking to his own men.

"It seems Ser Godry, you allowed the slayed giant to cloud your mind, to where you think you have the audacity to disrespect our northern allies, especially ones who have risked much to join us." The king's son argued back at the Giantslayer.

"I am only looking out for the best interests of your father, Your Grace. We do not need skimping traitors in our ranks, we already have that sworn shield of yours, a Reachman in our ranks."

The king listened to the sentiments of the Queen's Men loud and clear. His fingers were crossed over each other, as he watched his son's eyes glaring at Ser Godry for his comment. It was typical of the Queen's Men to do when it came to having close-minded views on everything. The men, who worshipped the red god were more under control, when under the leadership of Ser Axell, but the man was at the Wall with his lady wife Selyse and daughter Shireen. It would have been better to send the Reachman there as well to keep watch over his daughter. The man being here did not ease Stannis's doubts about him. The knight became more of an emotional pillar for his son, when the king had not been the supportive father he should have been for Jacob. It had been Stannis's own pride that lead him to becoming slightly envious towards his son and his shield.

"Ser Sorrell is a valuable knight and has done more for the king's cause, than you flame worshipping sacks have done." The Estermont boy said, addressing Ser Godry to his face.

"Anyways, the Lord of Light demands a worthy sacrifice for the storms to clear out. The Greyjoy woman has king's blood, a false king but king's blood nonetheless. One burning could benefit the rest of us long term." Corliss said.

"There will be no burnings today, nor will the Greyjoy woman be your fodder. She maybe Ironborn, but she is highborn and will be my hostage for the time being." The king interjected, with the Queen's Men shrinking back and were not bold enough to speak against the king.

"How are we going to survive here, Your Grace. The fish in the lakes are running out and our food rations are not enough." Lord Robin complained.

"We will make do with what we have, unless Lord Arnolf arrives with more food in his stores and more furs to keep us warm." Ser Justin Massey replied.

"Staying in the encampment will do us ill, it would be better if we discussed how we will defeat the Boltons with the Freys and other traitor northerners on their side."

"Ser Corliss, the reason why the traitors are fighting for the Boltons is the same reason why Hother Whoresbane is on their side. Fear and having much more to lose than the rest of us. The others will abandon them, unless Roose Bolton is dead and their frontlines are broken." Prince Jacob said.

"We have an advantage over the Boltons. Experienced commanders and men fighting for us. Roose Bolton relies on his Frey good family to lead his armies and we have veteran northmen, who have fought in these conditions before. Only the foolish would poke the Leech Lord into an open battle and will die for it." Ser Sorrell announced.

"What right do you have to speak amongst us, Reachman? Your family is sworn to the Tyrells, the king's true enemies." Lord Robin said accusingly.

"I have as much right to be on this table than most. I have been fighting alongside the king, since I brought his son back from Oldtown. I was there when we forced the wildlings to run back to their pitiful tents, and I was there when we pushed the Ironborn and took the lands of Highpoint. I am more capable of being on the king's side than some of you."

"Sorrell is right, Lord Pea. We have to strategize, this battle will be like no other. It will be the battle that makes us or that battle that we will fall on. The Karstarks will give us more men to fight for us and we will have enough to break through Bolton's lines." The Estermont boy said, in a confident tone.

Prince Jacob stood up, as he was on the king's right side. "The storm may delay us for a while, but we have to make do with what we have. The extra food stores will arrive soon, we have enough men, weapons and horses brought from the northern houses, who have declared for us."

"The rest of my forces will start building the trenches, and the Frey bastards will not know what hit them, when they fall and break their feeble bones." Mors Crowfood said, in a booming tone, eliciting cheers from the northmen.

The king may have led the war councils at the beginning of the War of the Five Kings, but he was more than willing to sit and observe how his son was controlling the situation. It was a test for Jacob to see whether he could handle the pressure of talking amongst many men. Stannis may have not taken notice of the Estermont knight, but the boy had more brains than half of his southern forces.

"My son has done well to keep control of things. He has to learn to keep these men in line, if he ever thinks about ruling seven kingdoms when I depart from this world. I trust the Estermont boy to be a friend to my son rather than the Reachman, who has been protecting him."

The king was surrounded by idle fools and fanatics, but he was fortunate in having most of the King's Men with him on this journey south from Deepwood Motte. On the other hand, the Queen's Men were the minority amongst the various northmen and southorns brought from Dragonstone and the men he had left from Blackwater battle. Stannis knew it was not enough to fight the Boltons, who had the Freys, the Whitehills, the Ryswells and the Dustins on their side. The king knew his son had a talent of persuasion, as it was something Jacob learned from his time with the Tyrells and perfected the skill of deception better than the faltering Jon Arryn or the limbering Ned Stark.

The war meeting was disbanded, and the men began exiting the tent in their respective groups, according to their regional loyalties. It was almost time for the midday meal and to eat whatever was left of the food stores from Deepwood Motte. This war council was different to the others Stannis had been a part of in the past, because it was more about Jacob taking the reins and proving himself to have become the man he was meant to be for his house.

The war meeting had been over for a long period of the day. King Stannis had finished his evening meal with his son Prince Jacob present, alongside the knights Luthor Estermont and Sorrell Grimm. The two of them had the privilege in sharing meals with the king, as Luthor was kin to Stannis through his mother's maiden house and Sorrell being one of his more trusting of the King's Men and being Jacob's sworn shield. The long table was made of wood and not of great finery, as the watchtower was made to be an outpost for northerners to see their enemies in the distance.

The meal for the night was roasted venison, with the leftover vegetables that were not ruined by the long trek through the north's worst snowstorm in decades. To Stannis, food was a means to survive and was not for pleasure; he saw that gluttonous eating had turned Robert into a complacent king, with no regards for his kingdom and keeping his wife's despicable family under control. There were not many servants that travelled south with them, only ones brought by the highborn lords that joined him and ones for himself and his son, being the king and the prince on the road.

"So uncle, will you face the hideous Roose Bolton in single combat or will he be too much of a coward to face you in an open battle?" Luthor asked, in a tone laced in arrogance.

"As I said, I am not your uncle, but your cousin once removed." Stannis replied, in a bitter tone.

"Bad idea, Luthor. You know how father gets when people get proper titles and things wrong. The constant need to correct people can irritate you all the time." Jacob said, in a more cheerful tone.

"With your brother all the way in Braavos and the rest of your family being cowards. There might be some hope for you yet."

"Who is more hideous, Jake? Walder Frey or Roose Bolton?" The Estermont knight said, sniggering t the thought of his redundant question.

"Both of them will get what is coming to them. Old Walder sent many of his sons, nephews and grandsons to Winterfell with a sizeable force. Most of them will be dead by the time the battle is over. Lord Bolton is married to one of Walder Frey's many daughters, and she might make a good hostage next to Asha Greyjoy."

"What do you suppose we do with her, when we defeat the Boltons and Freys. I hope you have some rational ideas underneath those idioms of yours." The king muttered.

"The Greyjoy woman will stay wherever you see fit. She is known to be the king's prize, even though I was the one, who defeated her in single combat and captured her in the Wolfswood."

"Is it praise you want or is it recognition for a victory that was rightfully yours?"

"Men died for me to secure that victory in the Wolfswood. You were right about the Ironborn not being underestimated. They are hardened warriors, who will never kneel, especially to us greenlanders."

The Estermont knight placed a hand on Jacob's shoulder. "Come on, Jake. We won the battle and the Ironborn have been expelled from the North. We have to focus on fighting the Boltons and their Frey friends at Winterfell in a few fortnights."

"Ser Luthor, did you flee from Greenstone to join your rightful king, even though others of your house have bowed to the Lannisters?" The king asked.

"I never regretted running away from home. There was nothing for me in Greenstone anymore. With my brother, Ser Andrew gone, I cannot see myself betraying my own kin. I only joined this war to see my cousin again and to fight alongside him, Your Grace."

"And not for personal glory and honour. Good fighters are in short supply and I am fortunate to have one, such as yourself on the field."

Ser Luthor began pushing Jacob playfully, and the prince smiled at him. "What is she like, Jake? The Karstark girl you have to marry."

"Lord Arnolf and his sons will come to discuss the arrangements in due time. A sufficient dowry was offered in the original agreement in the exchange for his house's fealty to me."

"Still it's sad, Jake. Being forced to bed a girl so cold, so northern and does not even believe in the same faith as you."

King Stannis sensed Luthor's humour to come as insulting to him and his authority. He was the one, who decided Jacob to be married to Lord Rickard's daughter and he was not going back on his agreement with the lords of Karhold. The Karstarks have blood relations to the Starks, which is the reason why Stannis choose the Karstarks over the Manderlys for the marriage alliance. The marriage would have complications, due to his son and the bride worshipping different gods. It reminded the king of how Robert was to marry Lyanna Stark and he built a godswood in Storm's End to win his betrothed's affections.

The words of Ser Luthor were most convincing to Stannis. He believed the boy to be true to his word, of fleeing from the Stormlords to join him and his son in fighting the Boltons. The king also believed Luthor was hungry for glory, like most young men at war. It did not matter because Stannis was not wasteful and good fighters were needed for his cause and having someone from his mother's maiden house on his side might make things better for the short term. The king had no niceties towards House Estermont for bending the knee to Joffery when the Blackwater was lost, and they bent the knee to the boy king Tommen, cementing their disloyalty to their kin and their rightful king.

"Ser Luthor, you and Ser Sorrell are excused to take your leave. I would prefer to speak to my son alone and uninterrupted." The king said, in a clear tone.

The Estermont knight and the Greyshield man left the watchtower after the evening sup was over.

The table and utensils were cleared away by two servants, who were stationed here. Stannis sat on the crooked wood made bed with his arms folded. He was curious to know why Jacob's behaviour has changed over the years and how what happened at Wull's keep could have ruined the alliance with the mountain clansmen for good. The king expected this kind of rebellious behaviour from a boy just growing into manhood, but Jacob was a man of eight and ten and there was no excuse for this kind of conduct. He had to approach this with tact, to be nimble and to the point. The king cannot afford to alienate Jacob from his side, as he needed him more than he wanted to admit.

The prince sat opposite to his father with a neutral look on his face. As a father, Stannis could tell what emotions this son was displaying, without even asking him. It was the ability to read people from seeing how they act and how they present themselves to him. It was how Stannis was able to decipher the despicable from the people, who might not be too bad, compared to the schemers he has come across from his time in court. Jacob's head was lowered, and he was fidgeting with his fingers moving within his hand. He was less than interested in paying attention to whatever Stannis had to tell him.

"How long have you known about the plot between Davos and I, father?" Prince Jacob asked, with his arms folded.

"I have known, since I sent him away to White Harbor. I do not blame Davos for wanting to assist in finding you a wife, but you need to understand how vital this alliance with the Karstarks is to our cause and to your future as king."

"You may have accepted them as allies, but I don't. I know Arnolf and his sons are using this alliance as an opportunity to plot against us. Why would they support us, other than getting the rightful lord of House Karstark killed by the Lannisters and they can sell us to the Boltons?"

"You have remained unmarried far too long. It has been my greatest failure, since the war started. Your unmarried status tells our enemies, that you have flaws that make you an unsuitable husband to any woman, but it is my greatest advantage in this war."

"Is that what I am to you, a tool to be used to gain allies. I bet you do not treat Shireen this way." Jacob gritted between his teeth.

"The stakes are high in this game and there is a price to play. Jon Arryn and I made the decision to investigate the legitimacy of Cersei's children, by meeting and looking at Robert's bastards. The price of that decision was the Lord of the Vale ended up dead and I was lucky to be alive and escape to Dragonstone, when I had the chance."

"What does this have to do with the war now? The past failures will not help us beat Roose Bolton and his mad dog bastard on the field."

"I do not appreciate this behaviour from you, son. I expected this outburst of anger to have come from some unsettled issues from your past."

"It does come from the past." Prince Jacob shouted, standing up on his feet, glaring at his father. "I was humiliated by the incident that happened in the Arbor. It was an adolescent mistake that was turned into something it should not have become."

"You should have known interfering with a pre-made betrothal had consequences, why did you think Robert interfered. It was to preserve the honour of our house and to avoid a war with Houses Tarly and Redwyne."

"We should talk about it, father? Not pushing it aside when it's convenient for you. Why was I the one the be punished, whilst other actors of the plot got away with it with no losses to their names?"

"It was the only way to come to a compromise with Redwyne. I do not like Redwyne, for his crimes of starving your uncle and I during the Siege of Storm's End, but he has the second biggest navy in the Seven Kingdoms beneath the Ironborn. A king's nephew or no, everyone has to face the consequences for their actions. Renly's death was the consequence of his treason against us and Robert's death was the consequence of turning blind to how power-hungry the Lannisters were."

"I can't believe you are going through with the Karstark arrangement, after everything I told you about them. We should be cautious when Arnolf and his snivelling sons come to meet with us."

"Is that why you told Davos to find you a wife from House Manderly, knowing Lord Wyman bluffed my fealty spouting cowardice in my face. Is it because you still hold affection for the Redwyne girl, who spurned you?" Stannis said, in an iron tone.

"Desmera was betrothed, and I was foolish enough not to let go sooner. Had I thought through my actions, then things would be different? I should have put my pride to the side and be happy for her and Dickon, but the adolescent in me did not want to let go."

"You were only young, doing what foolish things young people do. You have grown from the boy raised in the Reach and became a man I am proud to call my son."

"As a man of few words and emotions. I means a lot to hear that from you, father. I thought all my life, you never loved me or appreciated all I have done for you. I should have been thankful for you, for even trying to help me, even though I acted ungrateful towards you." Prince Jacob said, with tears streaming from his eyes.

It was not what Stannis expected to see. This outpouring of emotional from his son was foreign to him, as an apathetic king. He could see how it meant more to Jacob to tell him everything, and to not feel the shame of hiding what he was feeling inside him for years. It hurt the king, to even think of his son feeling unloved and only saw himself as a tool to the king's cause. He never thought of Jacob's feelings and never considered them because they were an inconvenience to him as the rightful monarch of the Seven Kingdoms.

"You made mistakes, Jacob, but you have grown up, much during this war. Taking command of a host twice. You defeated the Greyjoy woman in single combat and constantly advise me against those, who plot against me."

"What if the Karstarks are playing us false? What if Arnolf is planning on selling Lord Rickard's daughter to one of the northern houses that support the Boltons?"

"We will execute them, if those claims are true and come to light. I had enough of traitors and bootlickers, but I must make use of what the Karstarks will offer to my cause. Never be wasteful of potential allies, Jacob, even when they are people you dislike deeply."

There was a sense of optimism within the king, as it was something strange and unlike what Stannis would do in the past. There was a long way to go, until he could sit on the throne he coveted, since this war began. There were also trials to go through to even stand a chance in take Winterfell from the Boltons and sealing an alliance with the North through the act of marriage.

As a king, uncompromising leadership was what Stannis always aimed for, but it cannot be at the expense of alienating Jacob from his side. It was what could have happened, if Stannis had not sat there and listened to what his son told him. It was better for the both of them to have some form of closure from the past and bury it where it should be. There was a battle coming, for the fate of the north and it could be the battle that can will make Stannis a legitimate threat to the Lannisters again.