Lord Eddard Stark
They had landed at Cape Wrath and moved from there. The Golden Company proving once again why they were one of the best, if not the best sellsword company in the known world. Men from the Stormlands had joined them in their campaign, determined to remove Baratheon control. Griffin's Roost had fallen Connington claiming his family seat, then had come the big one, Storm's End, held by a garrison some three hundred strong, had fallen through trickery and guile. Ned did not know how to feel, he had been to Storm's End just once before, when he had come to relieve the Siege during the rebellion. Now here he was, aiding the Targaryen boy against the Baratheons, and the boy's own uncle as well. Things were chaotic. He had finally sent letters to his family, getting an emotional response from Cat, and nothing from Robb. Still, the war council prevented him from over thinking the silence from his firstborn.
Ned listens as Connington speaks to the King, that he has been allowed to attend this meeting at all shows just how desperate the King is to ensure northern support. "Storm's End, Griffin's Roost, Rainwood, Cape Wrath, Tarth, Estermont and the lords of the marches have all sworn their swords to you Your Grace, they promise arms and more for the venture to come. We all await your command."
"How many men do they bring?" the King asks, his voice belying his age.
"In total around ten thousand men. Half the strength of the Stormlands sits in King's Landing, at the side of your uncle, proclaiming him King." Connington replies, his mouth curving in distaste.
"And you have sent the letter to King's Landing, informing my uncle that his rightful King is here and is waiting for his submission?" the King asks, an air of authority in his voice.
"I have Sire." Connington replies. "A response has come. Your uncle it seems has forgotten how the succession works."
"He continues to claim the throne?" the King asks aghast. "But why?"
Here Connington shrugs wordlessly, and Ned speaks. "I believe it might well be because he feels he has earned that right Sire."
"What right? He is behind me in the succession, he should know this by now, unless his years in exile have dulled his senses." The King snaps.
"He took the throne through force, the same way your ancestor did Sire. Furthermore, he holds it now through the support of his dragons and his army. When Robert Baratheon took the throne through conquest, the line of succession became distorted, it is no longer a valid way to claim the throne. I believe that Aemon Targaryen knows this and as such is doing all he can to reduce the chance of someone stealing the throne from him." Ned points out.
"The throne is not his to have it stolen from him. It is mine and always has been." The King replies.
"If the rebels had not installed the usurper on the throne, perhaps this issue would not be there at all?" Connington questions sarcastically, glaring at Ned.
Fighting back the urge to snap back at Connington, Ned merely sighs. "But it is an issue now."
"So what do you suggest I do then, Lord Stark?" the King asks. "I have no desire to fight my uncle for the throne, I would rather make him see reason than force him into a position where more bodies will be lost to the throes of death."
Ned thinks for a moment, but no other possible solution presents itself, therefore, reluctantly he voices the only option he can see. "Whilst that is a noble sentiment Your Grace, I fear that it is too little too late. Prince Aemon, is his father's son, he will not move from the throne, not when he believes it is his right. You will have to force him from the throne by force."
The King seems saddened by his words but he nods all the same, asking. "How many men does my Uncle have?"
Connington is the one who answers that question. "He has some thirty thousand Dothraki screamers, the forces of the crownlands and the forces of the Stormlords in King's Landing. In total, he has more men than you do Sire, but he does not have the advantage."
The King looks surprised by this. "How so?"
"He does not possess a Baratheon child. The Stormlords in King's Landing might have bent the knee to him now, but they will think twice about fighting against you should you legitimise the bastard boy here." Connington replies.
"They would really support a bastard?" The King asks surprised.
"Yes." Ned says. "No matter how much you might wish it were otherwise Sire, Robert Baratheon inspired a lot of loyalty amongst the Stormlords. Legitimise his son, and they will fight for him and for you. Give him Storm's End, show them that you do not mean to hold the actions of his father against him, and you will earn his loyalty as well as that of the Stormlords."
The King considers this for a long time, before eventually consenting. "Very well, Haldon draw up the legitimisation documents, and we shall have this done before we march out for the capital." The King pauses for a moment, and then continues. "Lord Connington, what word has there been from Dorne?"
"Prince Oberyn comes to Storm's End with seven thousand Dornish spears, as well as the Princesses Arianne and Myrcella. No doubt he intends to negotiate a marriage between you and his niece." Connington replies, his voice distasteful.
"A marriage to Princess Arianne would be most useful Sire." Ned says cautiously. "It would help to heal the wounds that Prince Rhaegar started during the rebellion."
"The Princess is the King's cousin Stark, by right of their blood relationship, such a marriage should be unnecessary." Connington replies.
"This is not the pre-rebellion world, Connington, things are different now. The King must take alliances wherever he finds them." Ned responds bluntly.
Before Connington can respond, the King speaks. "Lord Stark is right; I shall treat with them and see which deal is sweeter and makes more sense."