Chapter 18: Dragonstone

Author's note: MERRY CHRISTMAS everybody. Apologies for the wait, this chapter may be a little slow but rest assured next chapter things will get a lot more interesting. Anyway read, and review.

Cersei

It didn't take long for the news to spread like wildfire. Soon, all of King's Landing knew of Prince Roland's flight. Joffrey was absolutely furious.

"I DON'T CARE," Joffrey screamed as he threw a goblet of wine across the room. "I WANT MY BROTHER FOUND, AND I WANT HIM FOUND NOW." All around him the small council remained silent throughout Joffrey's tantrum. Aside from her son, Cersei noticed that Lords Baelish and Varys were particularly troubled by the news.

"My men have been searching the city, your grace," Lord Janos Slynt spoke up. "But we found no sign of Roland."

Cersei rolled her eyes, annoyed at the man's stupidity.

"That's probably because he's not in the city Lord Janos." Lord Baelish replied. If you looked in the harbor you will find that one of our ships is missing."

"Which ship did the prince steal?" Asked Pycelle in his usual sleepy voice.

"The Stormrunner, " Lord Varys replied. "Actually he didn't really steal it. The Stormrunner belongs to Roland so he can do what he wants with it."

"Then we need to sent ships to pursue him quickly," urged the old Maester.

Lord Varys shook his head." That is easier said than done my friend. The Stormrunner is a well-built ship. Very swift and very agile, it can outrun any of our lumbering war galleys.

"We should send the Seaswift after him then." Lord Baelish suggested. "It's the fastest ship in the fleet. If any ship can catch the Stormrunner. Surely the Seaswift can."

The other council members nodded in agreement. Joffrey was still seething with anger and mumbling something. Eventually, he consented to the idea. "Very well," Joffrey said, his fists still clenched and turned to Lord Janos. "Send the Seaswift after my brother and bring our best troops with them. They are not to return without my brother in chains under pain of death." Lord Janos bowed and rushed to the docks.

After a moment Lord Baelish spoke up. "What I would like to know is how in god's name did Roland get out of the Red Keep, let alone the city. There were soldiers at every entrance and aside from the men guarding the hostages, there doesn't seem to be any other signs of fighting."

No one seemed to have an answer. But Cersei noticed Lord Varys holding his finger to his chin in thought. "It is possible that Roland had found another way out of the castle. The boy has always been resourceful."

"Well that no longer matters now does it," Joffrey snapped. My Brother is gone along with the Starks and any other hostage I had." Joffrey paced impatiently across the floor before turning on his councilmen again his voice barely above a whisper. "When I get my hands on Roland, I'm going to make him wish he never existed." Joffrey rubbed his temples before speaking again." This meeting is over, I've had more than I can stand from you buffoons."

After the council meeting, Cersei headed towards Joffrey's chambers. Honestly, she wasn't quite sure what to say to him. But one thing was sure she needed to talk to him about Roland. She knocked on the door and after a moment Joffrey opened it.

"What do you want mother?" He asked in an annoyed tone.

"Joffrey," Cersei replied weakly. "I came here to talk to you."

"About what?" He asked boredly

Cersei hesitated for a moment before saying, "Roland."

Joffrey turned away and signed in irritation. "What about that degenerate traitor."

"Ser Meryn and Ser Boros tried to kill him last night."

Joffrey paused for a moment. "Clearly they failed, what of it."

Cersei walked over to Joffrey and put her hands on his shoulders. "Joffrey, please tell me you didn't order it. Tell me it's not true I will believe you." She was practically pleading with him. She wanted him to deny it, to give her something else to believe in besides the harsh truth."

Joffrey looked at her for a moment and sneered. "So what if I did. It doesn't matter anymore. Ser Meryn and Ser Boros failed and they paid the price for their incompetence."

Cersei back away in horror. 'He didn't even deny it, in fact, he seemed proud of his attempt.' The shock of it got the best of her and without thinking, Cersei raised her hand and struck Joffrey across the face. Joffrey let out a small cry and stumbled back. his hand holding his reddened cheek. he looked at his mother, shock, and disbelief was written all over his face.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ROLAND," Cersei screamed. "HE IS YOUR BROTHER."

Joffrey stood up straight, His eyes once again burning with anger. "Why wouldn't I?" He shouted back. "First he stole my betrothed, now he would steal my throne as well. Now he's escaped and is likely crowning himself."

"Roland would never have usurped you," Cersei countered. "And he wouldn't have run away if you hadn't tried to kill him. You left Roland no choice that night, was he suppose to wait for you to try again?"

"I am the king," Joffrey growled. "I can do what I wish when I wish wherever I wish." He stepped forward until his lips were next to her ear. "What you just did is punishable by death. You will not strike me again mother, ever. Do you understand me?"

Cersei was horrified that her own son would say that. Without another word, she turned and fled the room. 'Roland would have beaten him senseless if he had heard that.' One thing confused her though. Roland has slapped Joffrey many times in the past, yet Joffrey never once threatened him with death. Cersei believed that it was probably because such threats didn't frighten Roland like they did her.

After thinking for a moment Cersei headed for the docks. there she found the Seaswift being prepared for the pursuit. She approached the captain who was shouting orders to the crew. As she came near, the captain then the rest of the crew stopped and bowed.

"Your grace," he said bowing, "I am yours to command."

"Good," Cersei nodded, "You and your ship are to remain in the capital."

The captain looked at her nervously before speaking. "What about pursuing the Stormrunner, your grace?"

Cersei shook her head. "You will never catch him before he reaches Dragonstone."

The captain looked cross at having his ship insulted. "You underestimate my ship, your grace."

"Perhaps," Cersei replied, "but I won't risk it. Stannis Baratheon has more ships than we do and if he manages to capture you it will be a heavy blow for us."

The captain began to protest "But the king ordered-"

Cersei's temper flared. "The king is not yet of age. I am the Queen Regent and the Queen Regent is giving you an order. You will stay here and defend King's Landing understood?"

The Captain backed away clearly intimidated before submitting. "Yes, your grace" he replied.

Cersei returned to her chambers and sat on the bed contemplating the day's events. After a moment. She looked out her window her eyes gazing at the seemingly endless blue of Blackwater Bay. "Ned Stark," she whispered to herself, "Forgive me for not listening to you. I know I don't deserve to ask anything of you. But please. look after my boy." Her hand went to her belly where a slight bulge was slowly taking form.

Roland

The captain entered the cabin were Roland was writing a letter. It had been almost a ten days since he fled King's Landing. Yet despite everything Roland found that he missed his home. He missed Tommen and Myrcella watching them play and sometimes joining them. He missed his mother's smiling face.

As he brooded in his thoughts the captain came in. "Prince Roland," the captain spoke up. "We are approaching Dragonstone, we will be docking shortly."

Roland looked up from the letter and nodded. "Very well captain." After finishing the letter, Roland exited the cabin and headed for the bow. A smile crept on to his face as he gazed up at the mighty fortress. Of all the castles in Westeros, Dragonstone was Roland's favorite. Wrought in black stone and dragon oriented designs, Dragonstone was a castle like no other. It wasn't the largest, strongest or most beautiful castle. But Dragonstone had one thing that set it apart from all the rest. It was the only castle in Westeros that was built by the Valyrians. The castle served as a surviving monument of the greatest civilization that ever was or will be. The building techniques of the Valyrians ensured that the castle was superior to those built by the Andals. It didn't need maintaining and most projectiles just bounced off the walls which were as smooth as marble.

'The castle suits Stannis, it's a pity he hates this place.' Roland thought. Though Tyrion was his favorite uncle, Stannis was the one he respected most. A hard but capable lord, Stannis was never one to shy away from responsibility. To Stannis justice was as precious to him as honor was to Eddard. Firm but fair when executing punishment. But the thing Roland liked best about Stannis was that Stannis' unyielding sense of justice made him incorruptible he would be bribed bullied or swayed in any way. Roland always felt that Stannis would have made one of the few men that would have made a great king.

As the Stormrunner docked in the Harbor, the group was approached by a protesting harbormaster. But he immediately back away as soon as he saw that Prince Roland was leading them.

Since they didn't know the island very well, Ned Stark and the others just followed Roland to the castle. When they approached the gate, the group was stopped by two guards.

"Who goes there," the lead guard demanded.

"The nephew of Lord Stannis, Roland Baratheon. These people are my companions." The prince replied with a smirk. "Now stand aside Ser."

"Prince Roland is in King's Landing," the guard snapped." How do we know you are who you say you are?"

Roland 's eyes flared at being questioned in such a matter. Shadow began to growl lowly. But before he could say anything a familiar face came forward. "At ease," a kind voice called out. the guards turned around and saw Maester Cressen descending the stairs. "I would recognize Prince Roland anywhere, you should remember your manners ser."

The Guards tensed up and backed away. "Apologies my prince," Cressen said. "Ever since your uncle returned here, security has been significantly tightened."

"That's understandable," Roland replied.

"Who are these people with you?" The old maester asked.

"My apologies were are my manners. This is Lord Eddard Stark, his daughter Sansa my betrothed. The Redwyne twins Horas and Hobber, and Jeyne Poole."

Cressen greeted them all warmly before the group split. Roland and Ned went to see his uncle while Sansa, Jeyne, and the Redwynes were shown to the guest rooms.

"I won't be long," he told Sansa Kissing her cheek before departing. At Roland insistence, Cressen didn't tell Stannis of Roland's arrival. Roland and Ned reached the Chamber of the Painted table and Roland pushed open the doors.

The Chamber of the Painted table was a massive room taking up the entire top floor of the Keep. It had windows overlooking every side. But the most noteworthy feature was the Painted Table itself. The table itself was, in fact, a detailed map of Westeros. It included every forest, mountain range, river, road and castle in Westeros. every detail was painted to accuracy (hence the name).

As he entered the room, He found that Stannis was not alone. also with him were his closest advisors. Lord Davos Seaworth and Lady Melisandre. All three were now looking at the unexpected visitors with shocked looks on their face."

"Nephew," Stannis finally acknowledged after a moment.

"Uncle," Roland replied with a sly smile.

Stannis turned and noticed his companion, "Lord Stark."

"Lord Stannis."

"The last I heard you were rotting in a blackcell under the Red Keep."

"I was but Prince Roland got me out along with my daughter and most of the hostages the Queen happened to have."

Stannis nodded grimly. "I'll have our guest chambers properly prepared."

"Thank you, uncle," Roland replied. "I must see Maester Cressen about my injury, and after that, we have much to discuss."

That was when Stannis finally noticed Roland's arm in a sling. His eyes widened but the rest of his face remained stern. "Very well Roland, Lord Stark and I must have a talk."

Roland gave a curt nod and left the room. he went to Sansa's chambers and took her with him to visit his cousin Shireen. Roland was very fond of his younger cousin considering her as a second sister. Mainly because he and Shiren shared the same hair and eyes. Unlike most people, he wasn't bothered by her greyscale scar. Admittedly he was troubled when first meeting her, but as time went on he had grown used to it to the point where he hardly acknowledged it. Despite her mother's disdain, Shireen was a sweet and cheerful little girl.

As he and Sansa ascended the stairs, Roland begins to hear a soft voice singing. Quietly Roland entered the room and removed the sling. Looking around he saw that the walls were covered in various drawings of dragons and birds. He saw Shireen lying on the bed drawing in a book and singing

"It's always summer

Under the sea

I know I know oh-oh-oh.

The birds have scales

And the fish take wing

I know I know-."

"Oh-oh-oh," Roland finished.

Shirren whirled around to see who spoke. "Roland," she cried out happily. She leaped off the bed and launched herself into Roland's arms. In response, Roland lifted Shireen off the floor and began twirling her around. This caused Shireen to squeal in delight. Despite the pain in his shoulder, he ignored it for the brief moment. He set her down and stroked her hair affectionately.

"You've grown a bit little fawn." He told her as he put back the sling.

Shireen smiled. "Father says you were a prisoner in the capitol."

"I was," Roland replied cheerfully. "but no lion can hold a Baratheon forever."

Shireen's smile faded when she saw Roland's injury. "They hurt you," she exclaimed.

"Don't worry too much about me little fawn," Roland assured her. "I'll be fine once Cressen takes care of it."

Shireen's smile returned and she rushed over to her toy chest. "Look what the Onion Knight gave me," She said holding a small toy version of the Black Bertha.

Roland smiled as he looked at it, it was well carved and had great attention to detail. 'Fine work for a smuggler,' he thought. Roland then realized that at the moment, he had forgotten to introduce Sansa. "Shireen, this is Sansa Stark my betrothed."

Shireen curtseyed and Sansa returned the favor. "It's a pleasure to meet you Shireen," Sansa said kindly. "Roland has told me so much about you."

Shireen gave her a smile and whispered in Roland's ear. "She gorgeous, I can see why you want to marry her."

Roland smiled and handed back her toy. "I must go see Cressen about my injury and then attend a meeting with your father. But I will visit again afterward okay."

Shireen nodded. "Agreed."

Maester Cressen undid the bandages and looked at the shoulder wound. "Well, from what I can see, despite the lack of proper medicine. Your 'wife to be' did an excellent job dressing this injury."

"Thank you Maester Cressen," Sansa said with pride.

"How serious is the damage," Roland asked.

"Cressen continued to inspect it, "The wound seems to be healing alright, and you are still able to move it. So I think you will regain full use of the arm in another two weeks."

Roland nodded in approval. "Thank you Maester Cressen. Now I need to discuss things with my uncle and Lord Stark."

"Of course my prince." Maester Cressen said as he gave Roland proper medicine and new bandages. Roland left the healing quarters and straight towards the Painted table.

The meeting with Uncle Stannis and Lord Stark was tedious at the beginning. It mostly involved telling his things that Roland already knew such as his rightful claim to the throne. It was only until the events of the war came forth did Roland start to really pay attention.

"We don't have much in terms of resources." Stannis was saying, "Manpower, gold, harvest. Our enemies have more of all of those things."

It was now that the Red Priestess, Lady Melisandre spoke up. "We don't need all of those petty things, we have the Lord of Light supporting us."

Roland scoffed. "Tell me Melisandre, how many legions does your fire god command?"

"He doesn't need armies." She replied calmly.

"Of course not, he's a god," Roland said. "But they come in pretty handy down here in the mortal world. The gods won't bother with the likes of us. To them, we are specks of dirt beneath their toenails."

"I never knew you had become so cynical about the gods Roland," Stannis said slightly amused.

"Well, a father's death can do that to you," Roland replied grimly.

Stannis continued explaining the situation. "In any case aside from the Riverlords and Northmen. We have very little support at the moment."

This fact confused Roland, Surely the Stormlords would be on their side. "What about Lord Renly?" he asked.

Stannis and Ned looked at each other before continuing. "Your uncle Renly has forged an alliance with the Tyrells and declared himself king."

Roland slumped back into his chair and rubbed his temples. "I can't believe Renly has betrayed us. I would never have thought he could be so arrogant. We will have to deal with him soon, but at the moment we must focus on the events in the Riverlands."

Stannis nodded. "Ser Jaime defeated a few river land forces and laid siege to Riverrun. Robb Stark crossed the trident he distracted Lord Tywin with a token force and caught Ser Jamie's splintered force off guard."

So the Lannisters have lost nearly half their forces." Roland asked intrigued.

"Yes, Roland and apparently Robb Stark has managed to capture Ser Jaime in the process."

Upon hearing this, Roland practically leaped to his feet. His eyes wide and his mouth open in shock. "Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer is our prisoner?"

Stannis nodded.

Roland looked up to the heavens and ran his hands through his hair. Then all of a sudden, he started laughing. A bright smile spread across his face.

"Are you alright Roland?" Ned asked slightly worried.

Roland nodded, "Oh yes Lord Stark, in fact, I am perfect now."

"There is something on your mind, nephew," Stannis wondered.

"Yes uncle," Roland replied, "We have been given a rare advantage that may never come again. We now have something that Tywin values, nothing like gold but far-more-precious."

"I take it you have a plan for the Kingslayer," Ned asked.

Roland nodded. "Maester Cressen fetch a quill, ink, and paper."

For anyone wondering. I am going to use the Shireen from the tv series. I found her much more interesting than the book version. TV Shireen seems to have more bite and a more cheerful personality. Of course, I'm giving her black hair and blue eyes for obvious reasons.