86This one will have some story-breaking changes starting with one, the Targaryens. I will have it where Stannis had sieged Dragonstone and found a dead Rhaella and Daenerys. Having her be done effectively kills the temptation to pair her with Joran who will keep his name. Viserys still escapes with Ser Willem Darry and goes into exile and Stannis is still thrown to Dragonstone for not being quick enough.
His pairing will not be Margaery or Arianne, possibly Arya or Sansa and I know Arya's been overdone but I hope to make it fresh, unless I choose Sansa then I will make that fresh too.
I am indeed keeping the greyscale and his devotion to the Red God, his greyscale will only be going from his hand to his shoulder and just a bit up the neck where his face will remain somewhat charming to see, he won't favor the big ears like his mother who will still be Selyse because I want to see Shireen. Oh, and Shireen's pairing was going to be Jon in the last one so we'll keep it like that.
Hope everyone enjoys the story
Chapter 1: Birth of the Stag
279 (almost 280) AC, Storm's End
Stannis Baratheon was fuming as he was celebrating a new year at home, he is fuming because not a short ten or eleven months ago had his elder brother took his wife's cousin in HIS bed, taking the mood of the night away from him in one 'rousing' grunt. In that time he and his wife have had troubles conceiving a child.
Selyse was a dutiful wife and tried to forget the slight on them by Robert, she fell pregnant a fortnight after the wedding a lost it the month after. They conceived again and again the child had been miscarried, his wife slipped and tumbled and hated herself and cursed the gods as he did. It was the gods that took his parents on Shipbreaker Bay, he's hated the gods since then and hates those who pray to them.
He had thought he would never father a child until Selyse fell pregnant once again, he took special care for her every whim and in some moments he shared tender kisses with his wife. He held his breath after a week, then a month and then before he knew it, it was eight months into the pregnancy and just some time ago his wife went into labor since then he's been at the birthing chambers door and has not moved a muscle.
He didn't care much for the child's gender, he only wanted the babe to be alive.
Maester Cressen is in there with her, six more servants to help her when she needs it, even if she doesn't. He had also sent Renly off, out of the castle for a day so the servants can tent to his wife.
"Robert... " He grits his teeth, this is still Roberts fault. He even had the bastard that came from his brother's loins sent away, his presence is an omen to his child's arrival to the world. He gripped the hems of the cloak he was wearing, feeling desperate and in a hurry for the child to come into the world. Three hours would pass before the door was opened and a wore out Cressen came out drenched in sweat, "Selyse, my child... " He didn't want to ask, too scared to. Thankfully Cressen smiled brightly and stepped aside, ushering him into the room.
"Congratulations, my Lord. You have a healthy baby boy." A boy? It cannot be, He nodded to the Maester and went inside and the place smelled of sweat, and blood, but that was overcome by the cooing his wife was doing to a child held in her arms.
"I hope I haven't disappointed you, I don't want you to hate me... " His wife said weakly and for the first moment since his parents had left for Volantis he broke out a smile, a kind smile he sent to his wife and child. He seated himself closer to her, to look at them.
His boy had the brightest of blue eyes, a tuft of black hair and was a big boy for his age.
"What should we name him, it's your first child after all." He was thinking of several the moment his wife asked, but none seemed right.
His family wasn't known for using the same name twice, lest they forever are reminded of their fathers or mothers. Steffon came to mind and he struck that, he won't name his son this. Lyonel and Orys didn't feel right at all, his son giggled and played with his thumb, despite how tired the child must be and Selyse had fallen asleep so he was alone in this. He sat there for an hour before coming up with a name, a good name, a Baratheon name.
"Joran... Your name will be Joran Baratheon."
282 AC, Storm's End
Every man wanted to kiss the Onion Sailor who brought him and his men and family something to ear. Salted pork and onions, some other things but it is enough to keep his people fed for the time being until Robert comes to lift the siege, then and only then will he ever lift those gates for anything because if Mace Tyrell wants his home then he will have to take it like any other army would, by storming his walls.
This silliness started over a man and woman, Rhaegar kidnapped his brothers betrothed and took her elsewhere but what really began this farce was the deaths of Rickard Stark, Brandon Stark, Elbert Arryn and two hundred other men both noble and lowborn, that began the war or Roberts Rebellion as Stormlanders have been calling it. His brother came home and had to fight his people before riding off after the Battle of Ashford.
He was left with his family and some five hundred men to hold Storm's End if his brother's seat would fall then that would give much cause to doubt their allegiance. Yet he held it and there were those to tried to flee, to open the gates and let the enemy in but he had those men hung over the battlements to serve as a reminder to those inside and out that he will not surrender his home, he will fight tooth and nail for it.
He wanted to send his brother, wife, and son away but the Redwyne fleet had arrived when a ship was found and was sunk so they were alone. When all food was gone they ate the horses for they weren't going anywhere, then the cats and dogs, he would bring down the seagulls that came overhead just to feed his family. Soon enough they were going to eat those that have already fallen, then Davos came to save them.
"Father... " He turned and smiled at his son, three name days old now and is growing well, even walking now and talking a little. He hoisted the boy up and began walking towards the great hall while everyone ate what Davos had brought for them, "I'm hungry, father." His son said to him.
He had the servants make some soup, he didn't eat much and only took enough to keep his strength up. Thankfully they didn't lack for water, the rains been coming by a lot since the war had begun and should keep going until it ends.
"We'll live, I know we will." His wife whispered to him that night, he wanted to make love to her in his bed one last time if he doesn't survive tomorrow. He grunted a response and thrust a few more times, then spilling his seed into her. He fell on top of her, breathing hard but soon he turned to his side, "My Lord... I love you... " She whispered and snuggled close to him and though he wanted to say it back, he didn't.
It would a few months before the war ended and Eddard lifted the siege, the Northerner then left south for someone. Weeks later his brother would be named the new King on the Iron Throne. Two months after that he was sent to Dragonstone to end the last of the loyalists and instead found Queen Rhaella holding her stillborn daughter in her arms, Viserys was missing and his brother in his rage exiled him to Dragonstone.
Maybe he should have died with his family, then he might not have suffered such humiliation. But after hearing his wife had fallen pregnant once more and in a year they would give birth to a daughter, he let her name the babe Shireen of the House Baratheon, he then felt content.
Until a month after his sons fifth name-day, when he got him a wooden knight.
284 AC, Dragonstone
His wife was sobbing and he was struck with grief, gritting his teeth at the trader who left the moment he bought that wooden knight.
It was tainted with greyscale, a disease that covers the body in terrible black scales and makes the infected lose their minds. Now his son has this disease, just three years ago he fought a war for Robert, just a year ago they brought Shireen into the world but he might be trading a son for the daughter.
It was this place, wet and cold and no place for a growing child. They should be at Storm's End, his birthright, and real home but Renly was given it by Robert after he failed to kill Viserys Targaryen. Worse was that he had given him a seat on the council, Master of Ships, the thought made him scoff since it was the sea that took his parents and Robert would have him manage and build them for his fancy.
Robert wanted him in King's Landing but he won't leave his son, won't leave and hear from a damned raven that he lost his life because the disease had deteriorated Joran's mind. He will remain here and have every Maester, every apothecary, every healer come to Dragonstone to save his son. He and his wife should be in there, but Cressen said that it would be dangerous because the infection could very well spread.
"My Lord," He turned and saw Davos coming towards him, his bag of fingers around his neck from the punishment the man received for smuggling because a good act does not wash out the bad, nor a bad the good. "A visitor has come to see you, another healer it seems." He furrowed his brow and hesitantly turned from both his wife and son who was crying out to them from outside the door.
In the throne room of the castle stood a woman, he didn't care much for beauty but noticed she was. Silk red hair falling to her back, a gold choker with a ruby around her neck and fiery eyes. She knelt once and rose to her feet, "My Lord." She said, her voice sounded very foreign.
"What do you want? I am busy." He said rudely, usually he is more cordial but right now is, she smiled kindly and approached him.
"I have come at the behest of the Lord of Light, my Lord. I will save your son from the affliction he has."
He asked if she was a healer and she told him that he was, in a way but he wasn't going to turn away help. He allowed her into his son's room and brought out the others when she asked, too desperate to save his boy to care. His son screamed louder, it went on for some time until everything became silent, so silent that it was dead.
In a haste and ignoring the protests of Cressen and others, he and Selyse marched inside the room, to see what the red woman had done to his son. What he saw, what he is seeing at this moment had him in awe for he not only saw his son was in no pain, but was awake and smiling.
"Father. Mother."
His son was saved, and the Red Woman did what others could not.
289 AC, Lannisport
Stannis snorted, this was just silly.
Not only had his brother defeated Balon Greyjoy and his brood, but he allowed them to keep their titles, lands, and heads. He would have had every Lord of the Iron Islands heads taken, their sons and daughter would learn from this and remain loyal to the Crown.
Robert wasn't finished however, he had the great lords sail to Lannisport for a tourney just off of the campaign. He simply wanted to return to King's Landing and to his children and wife, but instead, he was here and forced to endure another expensive tourney after an equally expensive war but Robert never cared for such things, he only wanted to fight and eat and fornicate with wenches.
Eddard looked equally irritated by this, he sent the Greyjoy boy home with an escort and a message.
Lord Tywin wasn't here, most likely sulking over being the first to fight and lose against the Greyjoys. He didn't, he came with the royal fleet and the Redwyne ships and smashed the strength of the Iron Islands and defeated Victarion, killing the man in battle and sent him to that god of theirs. It was the Battle of Fair Isle that cemented Balon's defeat and it came after a month of fighting.
"Enjoying yourself, brother!" Robert asked him and he grunted, Robert scowled and gulped down another cup of ale, the mans already had more than six already. "Ah, I and Ned had ourselves a good fight. Felt good to hold my Warhammer again." His brother added and had his squire fill another cup, "I don't like this quire of mine; A golden shit like my son, I want a strong boy to be my squire." He paled a little, knowing what his brother was hinting at.
"My son still has to heal from his- " He tried to say but Robert cut him off, and he gritted his teeth for it. Damn, he hated his brother for this, cant he leaves him out of his games in insulting his wife and his wife's family of lions.
"Piss on that! Your boy is tall, strong and the greyscale only made him stronger, heh heh," Robert drank some more before continuing, "And besides, he can help my son act like a Baratheon instead of a whimpering cub. You know he hides behind his mother's skirts at all times? How can that possibly come from my balls?!" His brother never lacked insults to House Lannister or even his own children for that matter.
He cant refuse, his brother could demand it then and ensure he suffers for it. Robert, you are a Lannister in spirit, all spite and cruel, He tensed and rose from his seat, giving his brother a hard stare for his efforts.
"I'll have him brought to King's Landing, now I will retire for the day." He uttered and stomped off, far enough away he punched a wall in anger but a lingering thought came to his mind, what Robert had said back there and why would Robert think that he composed himself and walked away.
He'll have to look into this.
298 AC, King's Landing
He was rushing to leave, his brother had just left for the north after mourning Jon Arryn, taking his son with him in the process and that angered him.
What angered him more was what he'd learned in those last few years since the Tourney at Lannisport, his brother's children of Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen are not Baratheon, they are bastards born from Jaime Lannisters seed. The very thought of making him sick, he'd thought they ended the practice of brother bedding sister.
He'd have told Robert the truth but the man wouldn't listen to him, he only see him vying for the throne by accusing the royal children of being bastards no matter the evidence. He would have had Jon do it, Robert always listened to him but the Lannisters acted first, Jon was murdered with poison and he might be next.
His son would be going with him, but he doesn't want the Queen to suspect anything so he begrudgingly let his boy go but not without an escort of guards to care for him, and Joran's friends of Matthos Seaworth and Aurane Waters. Be safe, son, just be safe, He thought as he finished packing the last of his things, his household has done the same despite being in the dark about why they are leaving.
He can only hope Eddard does what he cannot, and maybe the realm won't be forced into another war.
A/N: This is it! no more re-writes or deletions, I vow that if I dare wane from my duties of finishing a Stags Tale that I: Hail King Cerion will bow my head to the executioner's sword with the utmost dignity!
The actor for Joran during this one is Jonathan Rhys Meyers in his season 2 appearance from The Tudors, he's about the age I set with Joran being born in 279 to the current which is 298 making him 19 when the story begins.
The rebellion was in 282-283, making Robb 17, Theon and Edric are 19, Shireen is 16, Sansa and Joffrey are 14, Arya and Myrcella are 12, Tommen and Bran are 10, Rickon is 6. All the older ones are basically the same as the books in their mid thirties.
