The Third Man

"You let them get away? That pregnant bitch, and her son?"

"The Queen died in childbirth. Viserys and the babe were smuggled out before we even arrived."

"What queen? She was no queen. I am the King now!"

Robert's voice boomed louder. Trust Robert to berate me in front of everyone. In front of Jon Arryn. In front of Ned Stark. His true father, and true brother, flesh and blood be damned.

"What's important now is that your brother has taken Dragonstone for you. The Targaryens have no seat to plot a rebellion. And it must stay that way. You must appoint a strong lord to rule over Dragonstone."

He heard Jon Arryn's calm but insistent voice. Probably the only person in the world who could make Robert see sense, he thought. And then thought better of it. No, not the only one. He is one of two.

And I am not the other one.

The man who is the other one chimed in. "Jon is right. This is no time for blame. We must move forward."

Blame, he scoffed. Is that the consensus? That I am to be blamed?

"Besides," Ned continued, "Stannis is not at fault. We should have planned better, foreseen that the Mad King would have sent away his pregnant wife and child to Dragonstone."

He saw Robert's anger visibly receded, after Ned's words. The sight only made him angrier. I do not need you to defend me to my own brother.

"It's obvious, isn't it? Dragonstone should be ruled by the man who took it for me."

He did not understand Robert's words at first. Surely he does not mean for me to rule over two castles? The other lords will view it most unfavorably. His position as King is tenuous enough as it is now. I must warn him not to ...

"Storm's End will go to Renly as my next heir. You will find defending and ruling over Dragonstone a hard enough work, brother."

He met Robert's gaze unflinchingly. The King was the first to look away.