Chapter 16: Storm's End
(Rhaegon's POV)
"I should bash your head in where you stand, Stannis!!!" Father bellowed, "How dare you bring that woman here!!"
I walked towards the throne room and saw as Father sat in his throne, shouting at Uncle Stannis and his red priestess. I imagine he has finally decided to come and petition for branching himself off from the main House and start his own.
I merely walked to lean against one of the pillars, crossing my arms as I silently watched this unfold.
Stannis sighed, "Brother, I humbly come here to request of..." He started
"Nothing." Father said with a scowl, "You defy your religion, our House's religion, and become seduced by this woman's....fucking pussy, I bet! And not just that, you change your fucking sigil without consulting me?! That is an insult I will not tolerate, Stannis!!"
"My faith is the only thing that keeps me from doing something as foolish as committing treason, My Lord Brother." Stannis said, "As your Brother, I expect you to consider this request. Would you please hear me out."
I noticed that Renly, who was still here and standing next to Father's seat, leaned in towards him, "Hear him out Robert." He said
"Hear him out?" Father said, "Hear him out?! He started a fucking cult in my lands, Renly, the fuck do you mean hear him out?!"
"If I may, Lord Robert." Melisandre spoke up, "The Lord Stannis is merely a believer of-"
"Shut your mouth, woman." Father snapped as he stood up, "I have heard of your kind, Red Priestesses. Nothing but seducers of men to sway them to your Lord's side. I will not have this, do you hear me Stannis? I will not fucking have this!"
"Brother." Stannis said sternly, "I did not come here to argue with you. I have many men-at-arms who are also believers of the Lord of Light. Thousands-strong. Considering that their beliefs will conflict with our bannermen, I suggest branching out is the only course of action."
"Bah!" Father said, "Another Faith-Militant, Stannis? Are you blind? This is this fucking woman's goal, you fucking imbecile! To gather strength through a Noble House."
Renly sighed, "Stannis, Lord Robert is correct." He said, "I don't think the Crown can ignore this. King Rhaegar has just announced Princess Daenerys's wedding with Robb Stark. Do you seriously think that the rise of a religious group opposing the Faith of The Seven will be taken well?"
"I have fought, endlessly, over the years, for King Rhaegar." Stannis said, "I have shed blood, sweat, and tears for him. I have lost and sacrificed good men for his cause. The least he could do is grant me this favor, Brother. Both you and he. I demand the seat of Summerhall."
I saw as Father burst out into laughter, "Buhahaha!!!" he buckled over and sat down on the throne, "S-Summerhall? Are you fucking mad?! That is the place of the Dragon's Rebirth! What makes you think that King Rhaegar will give it to you? You fucking idiot."
"Summerhall is the place where the Lord shared his heat and warmth with Aegon V's dragon eggs." Stannis said, "As Lady Melisandre has explained it to me, it is the location where I could be the most connected to him."
I let out a sigh, "Fucking zealouts...." I muttered
The Red Woman turned to face me, "Oh, Ser Rhaegon." She said, "How good of you to join us."
Father looked at me, "Rhaegon! Come here to my side, boy!" He said, "Tell me what your thoughts on this are."
I walked over to Father, walking past Uncle who merely looked at me, "I think it is stupid." I said, "Summerhall is Targaryen property, and last I checked, the only Baratheons with the Dragon's Blood are myself and the Lady Monica, my sister. If Summerhall is to be gifted, it will be to us, not Stannis."
I stood next to Father as I looked at Stannis, his face devoid of emotion. I could see it in his eyes, though, it bothered him greatly.
"Lord Robert, if I may speak." the red woman said
Father waved her off, "Speak, I suppose." He grumbled
"Ser Rhaegon here violated your commands and took his dragon to where Lord Stannis and I had our ritual." She said, "He threatened us with dragonfire."
"Aye." Father said, "What of it?"
"For him to disobey his Lord Father's command, that warrants punishment." She said raising her eyebrows, "Does it not? Then there's the Flea-Bottom Incident. Such a loss of temper can be quite....incriminating to your House."
"Hm, fair assumption." Father said, "But you forget one thing, Woman. This is House Baratheon and what is our Motto? Tell her, Rhaegon!"
"Ours Is The Fury." I said with a smile, "In this case, Morghul."
"Exactly." Father said, "Your zealots insulted my son. I care not if he went to threaten you with his blade or dragon, as long as you understand that nobody insults my blood without punishment."
Stannis looked at him, "I hanged those who said those words, Brother." He said, "That alone requires him to treat with us fairly."
"Did he kill you? Did he bathe you in flames, Stannis?" Father said
"No," Stannis said simply
"I think that is fair enough." Father said, "I refuse your petition to branch out. Burn your stupid banners to your god of light, Stannis. If I see any of your men wear them, the stupid flaming things, I shall offer them to their God.....through Morghul."
I smiled slightly, not saying a word.
Stannis took a step back, "Very well." He said, "Good day, Brother."
"And if I hear of anything....Scandalous....Stannis, between you and this woman..." Father leaned forward, "I shall throw you in a dungeon while she hangs from the ceiling, gasping for air. Do not insult your Lady-Wife and Daughter, my niece, with your...debauchery...."
Stannis didn't say anything, merely nodded and walked away, the red woman following.
"Quite ironic." Renly said, "Weren't you...one for debauchery in your youth?"
"Before I married Shaena, yes." He said, "If ever do something like that now, she'll kill me."
I chuckled, "I know." I said patting his shoulder, "So, are you mad about the whole Flea-Bottom thing?"
"What? No." He said as he stood up, "Fuck The Mountain."
I nodded, "I see." I said, "Anyways, I'd keep an eye on Uncle Stannis and his red priestess if I were you. Something tells me that the zealot army would prove to be troublesome."
"If my brother decides to rebel, let him." Father said, "I'll crush him and his red whore."
He then walked away, leaving Uncle Renly and I alone.
Renly cleared his throat, "So." He said, "New sword, huh?"
He gestured at my blade which was sheathed.
"Oh...Yea...." I said, "Did you know about it?"
He nodded, "I did." He said, "His Grace was contemplating it for a long time."
"That he was." I said, "Say, Uncle. How close are you to the Tyrells."
He frowned, "W-Why do you ask?"
I crossed my arms, "Why hasn't Father and Mother discussed marriage proposals with me?" I asked him, "I heard that the Martells, The Tyrells, The Arryns, and several other Houses have been offering their daughters. Marjorie Tyrell is Ser Loras's sister, am I right?"
He nodded, "Yes, she is." He said, "The thing is, Rhaegon, marriage proposals have always been a thing since you ever took flight on your dragon, long before the Greyjoy Rebellion. It is only now that my brother and good-sister are considering it."
"Have they mentioned it to you?" I asked
"Yes." He said, "I'm a member of the Small Council, they sort of have to."
"Did you know Prince Oberyn offered me his bastard daughters?" I said
"Yes, Brother knows." He told me, "He considered it. Mostly because they're fierce warriors. Also, the dowry Prince Doran offered is quite.....hefty....many lands in Dorne, and plenty of treasures gathered from their history. A profitable proposition. I've met them, they're quite lovely when you put aside their fierceness."
"Hm." I said, "I do like Prince Oberyn, he's a great man."
"But considering that you are also in line for the Iron Throne, it will be quite....well, frowned upon." He said, "Polygamy is still outlawed by the Faith of The Seven. Even if you are of Targaryen blood."
I leaned back and placed my hand on the blade, "Oh this whole ordeal is quite annoying, Uncle." I said, "How come they haven't bothered you with this nonsense?"
"They have..." He chuckled, "A Lady of The Reach from House Tarly, a niece of Randall Tarly."
"Ah." I said, "Here I thought it'll be the Tyrells....considering you....well, friendship with Loras."
I patted his shoulder as his face went pale, "What?" He said
"I know, Uncle." I told him, "Why I don't have that particular taste in food, well, I don't judge anyone who does. Love is love, happiness is happiness. You have no idea that stuff I saw in Essos and Dorne, Westeros is quite...limited in their tolerances...."
"That should change."