The Birth of Dragons

Benjen Stark

"Now that we know that the girl is with child, we need to plan accordingly. Her husband will need to be dealt with." Benjen states, wiping his chin of food stains.

"I agree, though, the eunuch has sent out his men to do the deed. Perhaps they will do the deed for us." Renly responds.

Benjen snorts. "Do you truly believe that? Come now Renly, we both know that Varys's men are nothing more than hired knives, meant to lure the King into a false sense of security. They will do nothing."

He can tell his friend does not quite want to admit it, but still does. "That is true, but how are we supposed to explain what it is we are doing, without it looking as if we are undermining him? You know what Robert is like."

Benjen nods, he only wishes Ned could agree with that, it seems his brother is still in denial about the King. "I have men in place in Essos who could track them down and deal with them. Deal with the baby, and then the boys, and bring the girl over here."

Renly seems uncertain about this. "Do you think this is wise? After all the boy is not here, and we do not know whether or not he will come south."

"Unless we do something about it, nothing will happen. We have waited for far too long, for us not to do something about it. We cannot allow this to go on, we must act." Benjen responds adamantly.

"And what if the boy is not ready? What if he himself, decides to thwart the plan." Renly questions.

"He will not question it, he has wanted to do something for himself, his entire life. He will not deny himself this opportunity." Benjen states.

Renly seems to be considering his options and then he nods. "Very well. Do what you need to do Benjen. I will need to speak with the Tyrells."

Interested, Benjen leans in and asks. "Tell me Renly, where have you sent off your toy to? He has not been seen around the court for some months now. One might think you had had an argument."

At this, Renly Baratheon laughs. "Oh, I do not think you'd want to know where he's gone. Nonetheless he has gone away on some important business for the crown. I do know that the Tyrells have taken some convincing to accept the changes in the plan."

"And they will muster their armies and bring them home to fight, when the time comes?" Benjen asks.

Renly nods. "I believe so yes. I believe that they are determined to overthrow the Lannisters at court, and as such are seeing this as their one chance."

Benjen nods. "Good. We shall need them and the Redwynes in order to fill the gap that will come up once the lions are gone." Benjen pauses for a moment and then asks. "Speaking of which, what is happening with the City Watch, you are the master of laws, and yet Baelish continues to use them for his own games."

At this, Renly shifts slightly, uncomfortably. "Our arrangement is slowly coming to term."

Benjen looks at him curiously. "And what arrangement is this?"

Renly shakes his head, winking as he does so. "Ah, now, now Benjen, I cannot tell you that, that would give away too much. I am sure there are many things that you have planned, that you are not telling me."

Benjen does not say anything in response to that, as he knows it is true, instead he says. "And do you think that the members of the Watch under Littlefinger's pay are really yours? The man has a way with words, and with coin."

Renly looks at him with that same smug smile, that Benjen has come to love, and his response is one of confidence. "Littlefinger has money that is true, and yet I am the one who has noble blood, and the one who is of royal blood. Littlefinger is nothing in the grand scheme of things. They will side with the man who they will need, not the man who pays them."

Benjen tilts his head and asks. "And you are certain of this? This is not just some sort of over exaggeration on your part, considering as it is, you own nothing but the few Gold Cloaks you claim are your allies."

He can tell the prodding of his friend, he can tell is starting to anger Renly, and yet there is a hint of cheekiness in his friend's eyes as well, when he replies. "The name has the power here my good Ser. After all, a Baratheon sits the throne, not Baelish, a Baratheon holds the law in his hands, Baelish simply controls the purse strings, and yet, one word from me, and his head is on a spike."

Benjen looks at the man before him, and smirks. "Quite the speech. Now tell me, how exactly do you plan on dealing with Baelish, when the time comes."

At this, Renly seems hesitant to respond, but eventually, he cracks under the pressure and speaks. "With the temptation of the people he wants the most."

Benjen stands up then, and throws Renly against the wall. "We said we'd leave them out of this Renly. Now do not make me remind you why we said that."

Renly looks at him pressed up against the wall, a slight grimace on his face. "Sometimes things need to be offered, that does not mean that it would actually be done. I am not such a fool as that Benjen."

Benjen tightens his hold over Renly for a brief moment, then he replies. "Make sure that it does not come to that. Otherwise, we shall have trouble, you and I."

Renly nods. "Of course. I would not dream of doing anything to hurt our alliance, nor our friendship."

Benjen sighs, then lets go of Renly, saying as he does so. "I will hold you to that, Renly. We are running out of time, and my patience is thinning."