A meeting between brothers

[Lord Dread]

After the coronation, guards informed both Renly Baratheon and Stannis to meet the king inside the Red Keep on the room of the former Small Council.
Even though it was now empty and the meeting was hold during evening after the festivities, a few guards stood outside of it. Among the knights, inside the room were Ser Ormond Lannister and Ser Barristan Selmy.

[Pericles of Athens]

Stannis came as bidden. He looked thin and gaunt, thinner and more gaunt than usual, but he was looking better everyday since the siege had been lifted, when he came to Kingslanding he looked half a skeleton. Color was returning to his cheeks in good order and the bags under his eyes were gone now, his dark blue eyes had never changed though - stir and burning as ever. Robert, its been a long time since we spoke. Just us brothers.

****

Ser Barristan stood beside his new King, proud, silent, and clad all in white, hand resting on the hilt of his blade. Only two men to protect his grace, and only one of them a true Kingsguard, there was much and more work to be done to restore the order and the burden rested on his shoulders now. He missed his friends, the Sword of the Morning, the White Bull, even Whent and his dark humor.

[Lord Dread]

Robert nodded, greeting his younger brother as well.
"I heard about your success at Storm's End", he said after a while with a warm smile, glad that he was at least able to speak with his family in private, "If it wouldn't endanger the unity of the realm, Rors Martell and his minions would suffer for their attack upon the fortress. On the other side, it is good that you are both alive."
He made a short pause before continiueing.
"We have to talk about all our future...", he then said, "Since I will rule from the capital and both Dragonstone and Storm's End need to be controlled."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ser Ormond stood quietly on the other side of the King. He stood proudly and silently in his Kingsguard uniform. He was most grateful for the King's offer of pardon and his continued service as a Kingsguard.

[Pericles of Athens]

He thought of the siege the horrors, how many men died at Storm's End, at Blackhaven, at Nightsong, at Stonehelm - defending the Stormlands for him and for Robert. Bile rose in his throat at mention of the Dornish, scavengers, opportunists, liars all. We will have to take Dragonstone before anyone can lord over it, Stannis thought as Robert made mention of the predicament the three brothers would soon find themselves in, three holdings for the three brothers - a fine coincidence. Speak of our future than Robert, you are after all the King - and the eldest besides.

[Lord Dread]

"True", he agreed monotonous, before he looked into the round, "Age normally doesn't qualify a man in my opinion of inheritance, but since not all of our vassals would follow every member of our proud family, my decision fell on you, Stannis, when it comes to inheriting the seat of our father. Renly shall become Lord of Dragonstone, once it is conquered."
He made another short pause, before explaining the reasons.
"I would have rather prefered it to name an experienced man like you to the High Lord of the Narrow Sea, Stannis", he said strict and honest, "but I don't trust Prince Rors. Neither do I trust his vassals after what they did to our vassal's keeps. And the Stormlands need a valuable commander. A man, whom they can trust and for whom they would sacrifice, no matter the costs.
It will mean that Lord Andrew Estermont will overtake the office of the Master of Ships upon the Small Council, since House Estermont is known for their naval experience and they are cousins in blood towards us - otherwise I would have chosen one of you for the office."

[Pericles of Athens]

Storm's End is mine by right, for once Robert had not attempt to get under his skin, had not slighted him in favor of Renly or Stark or one of his drinking buddies - but even when Robert wasn't slighting him he had to make mention of how he wished he was slighting him, typical. Fair enough, I shall take the seat of our forefathers and Renly the seat of the Dragon Princes - if our cousin can take it. Is there anything else of importance that you wish to speak of?

[Lord Dread]

Robert nodded.
"I got marriage offers from both House Tyrell and House Tully towards our House", he said after a while, before looking upon both his brothers, "Since you are both old enough and Lords of my royal House I don't want to decide for you necessarily, whom to choose - I even could recommend a marriage between a daughter of Lord Lannister as the new Lord Hand for one of you for political reasons. But so far we have to consider if we should completely focus on pleasing the subjugated regions and the Westerlands, whom we have to owe the fall of the capital or if we bind Tully closer towards us."

[Pericles of Athens]

Stannis didn't like politicking, he wasn't the kind of man to be bribed with flesh or coin - and never had a liking for those who attempted either. The Reachmen burned our lands the same as any Dornishmen, I will never take one into my bed. I suppose the answer is do you trust you're adoptive brother Stark, if you do the Tullys are already bound to you through their marriage to him. I wouldn't want a Tully in my bed, their lord Hoster sent a letter speaking brides and his wish to see his daughter as Queen.. I find his motives and actions suspect.

[Lord Dread]

OOC: Stannis doesn't know so far about the letter, as the time of the discussion is at the coronation evening - therefore I won't mention Arryn's depart as well.
I would tell him about it, since he is my brother, but for now he would be unaware.

[Pericles of Athens]

OOC I was making reference to the letter Tully sent to Stannis.

A highly secret message arrives for the Lord of Storm's End, for his eyes alone.

--

Lord Hoster Tully, Lord Paramount of the Trident, Lord of Riverrun, to Lord Stannis Baratheon, greetings.

My good lord Stannis, I write to you having in mind your reputation for being a wise, cautious and temperate leader of men. I have offered my daughter Minisa to your brother for his consort, in a move intended to bind closer than ever the new regime with those who shed so much blood to see him crowned. I offered with her a royal dowry, 300,0000 golden dragons increased to half a million golden dragons, to help him rebuild the capital and realm. Alas he seems dedicated to alienate all who sacrificed greatly to see him made King and is eager to take a wife from the Reach. While I do not expect you to champion my daughter's cause, I must ask, for the good of all that we have worked so diligently towards, that you use whatever influence you have with him to stop him from causing greater offence to his friends. I fear he may pursue a path which will lose him all his true friends to recruit half their number in uncertain and untrustworthy friends - friends bought with gold and honours, not affection and loyalty.

By my own hand,
~H. TULLY

[Lord Dread]

OOC: Oh, nevermind. Curse my vassals - one more rotten than the other!

"Tully bribed you as well?", Robert said, raising an eyebrow, "I will adress this matter towards the Lord Hand and ensure that the Riverlord has to see that he fights for a lost cause. So Tyrell is left and Lannister might have a daughter as well. If we can't pacify Tully, since it is quite an insult for me to think that he can buy their king for money we should consider at least to strengthen our alliances - or do we know High Lords, who would be good allies and not blame us for our decisions?"

[Pericles of Athens]

You know I'm not the man to ask about political alliances and marriages, brother. Robert doesn't know what they put us through - not really, Stannis gritted his teeth, everything was so complicated now. I will make one thing plain, I will not marry a girl from the Reach or from Dorne. I would rather go through all seven hells. Tullys, Tyrells, Lannisters - he never thought marriage could be near as dangerous as the war had been.

[Lord Dread]

Robert nodded understanding. He could share the hatred towards the Dornish men, who raided in majority over the Stormlands' coasts and still hold Stonehelm.
"Don't worry about Dorne, brother", the king said after a while, "I have seen the Prince and judging his behaviour, I wouldn't even mind it if he gets replaced by another House. Mobilize your forces, while Lord Estermont will bring us Dragonstone and take Stonehelm with my permission if Lord Mors' garrison doesn't surrender. I will secure that both the Lannisters and the Crownlands will aid you in case Dorne declares war upon us."
He made a slight pause before continiueing.
"As about Tully, I would recommend you to marry Minisa", Robert finally replied after a while, "I feel that we might lose a mighty ally, if we don't secure the Riverlands for our cause. We have already enough enemies, hidden and in huge number. In theory I controll the whole realm - nevertheless I want to secure the largest side under our controll."

[Pericles of Athens]

Fine, it will be as you request. Though as the eldest and a freind to the Tullys, I request that you make the arrangements - I have no stomach for making wedding plans with a family I find difficult to trust.

[Lord Dread]

"I will inform you, when I decided about this matter completely, brother", he said after a while before standing up, "That's all I wanted to discuss for now with both of you."

[Pericles of Athens]

Stannis stands to leave. I would only request that you consult me before you make any such arrangements, brother. I am not a child, and I'm a lord in my own right besides now - I am no bargaining chip to be married off for profit, and I can make my own decisions in this matter.