Chapter 11 - Long Live the King

Storm's End
Lord's Solar
After the Duel

"How did you do it?" Steffon Baratheon crossed his arms, his gaze pinned on his eldest son.

"Well, when you are as strong as me, anything is possible" Robert shrugged off his fathers question.

Naturally, his father didn't accept his answer "What you did to Clegane can not be explained by strength alone"

"Does it really matter? I won, they are dead, and what's more Tywin's furious" Really, the look on the Lion's face was priceless.

His grandmother stopped stroking the dragon on her lap "We are merely curious, no one cares about what happened to those two monsters"

Robert sighed "There is this explosive black powder in Yi-Ti. When you light it on fire or squeeze it tight enough it explodes and launches everything surrounding it really fast. I just filled a hollow hammer head with it and stuck spikes on the front. When I hit Clegane I used the in-built mechanism to lit the powder"

He was lucky that day, finding a merchant selling a small keg of gunpowder, apparently having bought it off from a smuggler. He had two Claymores made with it, though he used the first one on a Dothraki Khal.

The result was more impressive than what happened to the Mountain, as the man's head and upper chest became a bloody smear with a single hit.

His father just reached to the drawer and pulled out a thick stack of letters, tied with a rope and threw them at him.

"What is this?" Robert pulled out a letter and began to inspect it. The seal on the letter was that of House Florent?

They weren't offering Selyse Florent as a bride were they?

His father's grin was almost malicious "Marriage offers" and he pulled out two more stacks of letters.

He pulled the top one from one of the stacks " This is from the Hightowers, they are offering to foster Renly, allow Stormlanders to be the one of the first ones to learn in their new medical branch as they call it and building trade routes with us"

"I am against fostering but sending Renly to learn medicine should he be interested when he
is old enough is a good idea. As for trade, well, who would say no to more wealth?"

"Will you consider any of the marriage offers?" his mother asked with a hopeful tone.

"No" he said, after all he wasn't going to marry just because they wanted grandchildren.

"Great, then have fun writing the refusal letters to all these Lords. Also, Maester Cressen can't assist you as he is busy with other things" Without even explaining what he was so busy with, his father fled out of the room, followed by the rest.

Robert pinched the bridge of his nose, annoyed. He got up, took the letters as well as ink and parchment and left.

He wasn't going to write a bunch of letters stuck inside a room, and it just so happened he knew a place.

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Top of the Drum Tower

Robert sat on the seat he took from the rookery and began to write the letters, the wind gently caressing his face while watching the narrow sea, making him feel at peace.

He had barely finished half before voices came from the rookery. Thinking it might be Cressen he ignored it and kept writing, but stopped when he heard Arthur Dayne's voice.

"My Prince should we not have this conversation in a more secure place like your quarters?"

Rhaegar shook his head "One of the servants kept following me. I think Robert is keeping an eye on us. We should be safe here"

Robert frowned, "No I'm not" he thought, but if it wasn't him, then who was having Rhaegar followed?

"Then what should we do my Prince?"

"He will have to be disposed of but in a way that will not bring the fury of House Baratheon on us, otherwise the consequences will be dire" Rhaegar's tone was grim, knowing the whole situation wasn't in their favor.

"I will do it my Prince, I will kill him" Arthur was ready to sacrifice his life for his friend and prince.

"No, everyone will think it was my father or me who ordered it"

Arthur was resolute "I will claim I did it by myself because your father was too weak to do anything about it. If I insult him so publicly and earn his ire, they will think I acted alone"

"If you do this then" Arthur nodded before Rhaegar could finish his sentence.

Rhaegar closed his eyes and nodded, clasping Arthur's shoulder " I won't let your sacrifice be for nothing my friend"

Robert narrowed his eyes, almost getting up to go and throw them off the rookery but stopped himself.

He had a better idea.
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Robert was walking to his room with quick steps, annoyed at Rhaegar.

The inbred moron thought his boyfriend could kill him? He was so going to get it.

He stopped, almost bumping into Stannis in his distracted state.

"Brother, are you well?" Stannis looked concerned.

"Yes, yes, I am fine, just distracted. What were you saying?" said Robert, noticing the maid behind Stannis bowing her head.

"She saw Jon Connington enter your room, thinks he might have stolen something" Stannis was gritting his teeth, tell tale sign he was furious.

Robert opened the door and immediately went to the drawer where he kept his decoy diary, only to find out it was gone.

"Did he take something?" Stannis was ready to go and bring the Lord of Griffin's Roost to justice, preferably by taking a hand or something for daring to steal from the family of his liege lord.

"Yeah, he took the decoy diary" Robert couldn't help but laugh. He loved it when things went his way.

"Decoy diary?" Stannis was understandably confused. Why would someone have a decoy diary?

"It has false information on how to hatch dragons. I just hope Connington gives it to Rhaegar" Robert turned to the maid " What's your name again?"

"Melisa, my lord" she bowed her head. Her eyes went wide when Robert reached to his pocket, pulling out a handful of gold dragons and handing them to her.

"You didn't see anything about Connington, understood? In fact, you weren't even here" she nodded mutely, clutching the gold dragons.

Robert ushered them out of the room, changing clothes.

He needed an audience with the King, and he wanted to look his best.

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Robert had dressed in a simple outfit of black trousers and a black tunic over a gray shirt, and made his way to King Aerys' quarters, who was busy brooding these days apparently. He approached Arthur Dayne, today's door guard,

"I need an audience with King Aerys regarding our previous talks of cooperation against the Others"

Dayne narrowed his eyes but knocked on the door, entering and coming out in a short order

"The King will see you"

Robert entered with a flourish, giving a shallow nod "Your Grace"

"What do you want, boy? You refused all my offers and now you wish to talk of cooperating again?" Aerys was rude as always, and Robert felt like slapping some manners to him but decided not to.

He was going to die anyway.

"I am aware my refusal might appear as unwillingness but it is not, I just did not like any of these offers, so I came with one of my own"

"And what is your offer boy?"

Robert moved closer to the window, away from the door, lowering his voice "Well I am going to give you a dragon"

"What do you want in return?" Aerys leaped out of the bed, finding the idea of having a dragon too enticing.

"Nothing" Robert shrugged.

"You want nothing in return for giving me a dragon?" Aerys narrowed his eyes, not believing him.

Then again, not many would have.

"I don't want to marry Shaena, or have one of your kids squire for me, nor do I want gold or valuables, it would be as if I was selling my dragons for gold"

It wasn't his fault they didn't have anything interesting to offer him.

"How will this work then?" Aerys was still suspicious, but also intrigued.

"Tomorrow, at the courtyard I'll help you claim Slifer, in front of everyone, just to ensure there is no foul play"

By him at least.

"Just like that?" Aerys sat back down, still not believing him.

"Just like that, although… no, never mind, you couldn't carry it anyway" Robert wanted to say something but changed his mind last second, just to reel the King in.

"What is it? Tell me now" Aerys might not be batshit insane like in the cannon, but that didn't mean he was sane, and still had his usual arrogance.

Telling him he couldn't do something was a good way to get him to do it.

"Well, dragons recognize family through scent, and I just thought it would make things much easier for you if you were to wear my armor, that way my scent would be mixed with yours. The dragons would recognize it as friendly and you could bond with Slifer easier but I don't think you are strong enough to wear my armour" Robert raised his hands to the sides in a "what can you do" manner.

"Why can't I wear your clothes and just cover my face?" Aerys wasn't that dumb but he wasn't finished yet.

Robert pushed himself off the wall and walked back towards the door "Well, I will be leaving tomorrow and all my clothes were cleaned because of that"

"And what about the ones you are wearing right now?"

"I used perfume and the dragons don't really like it" Aerys sniffed the air at the remark, recognizing a distinct smell.

"Well, I will see you tomorrow in the courtyard" Robert moved to leave, waiting for Aerys to take the bait.

"I can wear the damn armor"

Hook, line and sinker.

"Are you sure? It is rather heavy" Robert asked with an innocent tone, leaning on the door again to block as much sound as possible. The walls were thick enough to keep the noise down anyway.

"I am not a child, I fought in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, I know how to carry myself in armor!" Aerys spat out, obviously feeling insulted.

"Well, alright. I will find you tomorrow, though you should keep the whole thing a secret" Robert raised his hands in surrender.

"Why a secret? Everyone should know about this!" exclaimed Aerys, like a petulant child.

"Simple, because I believe you about people coveting your power and position, and what do you think they would do if they learnt you were going to have a dragon?"

Using Aerys' own words against him was fun.

"Then at least my family should know"

"Even in Storm's End there are spies, why, I heard how one was trailing Prince Rhaegar, do you really want to risk it by not keeping the whole thing a secret for a day?

Aerys frowned, but eventually agreed. Robert left the room, giving one last shallow nod to the King.

As he was going back to his quarters, he turned back, facing Arthur Dayne and walking backwards till he was out of sight "Do tell Rhaegar I will be leaving the morning after tomorrow and he should ask any question he has by then"

Arthur nodded, his eyes narrowing.

Tomorrow was going to be fun.


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Soon as his duty was over Arthur rushed to his Prince's side, informing him of what he learned.

So it was decided that they would go forward with their plan tomorrow.

All the while Robert added padding to his armor to make it easier for Aerys to wear it.

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Next Day
Courtyard

Arthur listened, hidden in the corner as the King and Robert Baratheon conversed. He couldn't hear what they were talking about from where he was hiding, but decided to move as he heard a single set of footsteps moving away. He peaked, watching as Robert Baratheon, in his armor, was moving to Courtyard, though he looked strange?

He shook his head, he needed to do this before Robert was too close to the dragons and he lost his chance forever, as the dragonrider was going to leave tomorrow.

Arthur unsheathed Dawn, stalking his target and just as the unaware man walked into the courtyard, he ran.

Robert turned back clumsily, alarmed by the shouts but before he could say or do anything Arthur Dayne, Sword of the Morning swung his sword right at his neck, decapitating the Father of the Dragons.

Screams and shouts permeated the whole courtyard, the guards rushed, slamming him to the ground but Arthur offered no resistance. He did what he had set out to do, what happened to him from now on did not matter.

The dragons watched the whole scene, before huddling together and laying down, ignoring the screaming humans.

The most heart wrenching part was watching Lady Cassana, frozen in shock as her son's head rolled away. She took a step towards the head, shaking as she knelt to touch it.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Steffon Baratheon ran to the courtyard upon hearing the screams and shouts, stopping in shock at seeing the severed helmet of his son, leaking blood.

"You bastard!" he thundered over to the knight held down by the guards, his hands finding their way to the Kingsguard's neck and lifted him up, squeezing the life out of him.

"Who told you to do this?!" Steffon roared at the gasping knight.

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"Why is everyone screaming?"

Everyone who heard the familiar voice turned to the speaker, watching as Robert Baratheon, the one they all thought dead, sauntered into the courtyard, alive and well.

Arthur was taken back, his eyes wide.

If he was alive then who did he kill?!! He began to struggle, trying to break free but Lord Steffon threw him back to the guards, who proceeded to slam him down again.

Steffon Baratheon took hold of his son's shoulders, inspecting him, making sure he was fine.

"Thank gods for your doubles" he breathed a sigh of relief.

Robert blinked "Oh, he wasn't my double" he shook his head.

"Then who was he?" His father was worried now, wondering what his son did, but before he could get an answer "What is this commotion?" came in Rhaegar, followed by some of his usual lackeys.

Seeing the scene- Arthur Dayne held down by guards, a decapitated armored body and a head covered by a helmet on the ground and the said owner of the armor standing there on the side- Rhaegar was quick to understood they were tricked by Robert, who likely had his body double wear the armor.

Robert shook his head in disappointment "I can not believe you would do something like this Dayne, truly, where did the honour of the Sword of the Morning go? Did your oaths mean nothing to you?"

"My Lord, I want to assure you we had nothing to do with this and we will ensure there is justice for your man" Rhaegar sold Arthur out, as they had agreed upon.

Robert furrowed his brow " Justice for my man? You should seek justice for your House, not my body double"

"What do you mean?" Rhaegar was suspicious at Robert's lack of care.

"That was King Aerys in the armor, not my double" Robert looked down, appearing sad "You have my condolences" he looked meaningfully at Rhaegar, his eyes telling a different story.

The crowd went deadly silent, and someone fainted with a thud.

Targaryen Quarters
1 Week Later

In an age where things like media, TV and internet did not exist, rumours were a good way to manipulate public opinion.

And rumours that Rhaegar ordered Arthur to kill his own father so he could take the throne spread like wildfire at the Storm's End and beyond, as traders and peddlers came and went.

Rumours that Robert had started.

It didn't help that Dayne couldn't tell the truth and had to lie about targeting Aerys "because he was weak and was going ot bring House Targaryen to ruin"

As a result, people both noble and commoner were wary of the soon to be crowned King Rhaegar, who had holed up in his room.

Gerald Hightower and Oswell Whent were standing guard at the door, protecting their new King from any threats as Robert approached.

"Do tell Rhaegar I need to speak to him" while smiling at the frosty white cloaks.

"King Rhaegar doesn't wish to be disturbed" Hightower emphasised the King, as if trying to remind him.

"I just heard the ghastliest of rumours concerning the death of King Aerys, and thought I should offer my support to my dear cousin"

Not mentioning who started those rumours of course.

"As I said my lord.."

"Just tell him, would you? I'll go if he is not interested" Robert cut off the Kingsguard.

Hightower just sighed and knocked on the door and after a short conversation opened the door.

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"You may enter, long as you are unarmed" Robert's brow rose and he couldn't help but take a jab at the Whitecloaks "Considering the Kingsguard killed more kings than I have, I'd say you should be the unarmed ones"

Boy did they not like that.

He entered the room and noticed the new King glaring at him.

It would be more impressive if he wasn't so haggard looking, with those eyebags and disheveled hair.

Robert closed the door behind him, leaning on it and crossing his arms as he watched Rhaegar.

"Of all the things you could have done for revenge, you chose to make my best friend kill my father" Rhaegar spat out, losing the calm and collected appearance he kept up so far.

"Revenge? For what? If you mean those other rumours about you ordering Dayne to kill me, then we both know you wouldn't do something like that because I would see it coming in my dreams. Then I would kill you and depose your family, and you aren't stupid enough to take a risk like that" Robert's glee was daring Rhaegar to come out and say otherwise.

"Why are you here?" Rhaegar wanted to say something, but thought better of it, instead choosing to ask Robert's reason for coming.

"The rumours about you being mad and ordering Dayne to kill your father are spiralling out of control and I just wanted to say I don't believe them for one second"

"Thank you for your support my Lord"

Sarcasm was strong with this one.

"Actually, I could be persuaded to make my voice heard to the masses, and clear up those rumours, for a price of course" Robert's inner capitalist was happy at the opportunity to rip off the royal family.

"And what would that price be?" Rhaegar was naturally suspicious, waiting for the hammer to drop.

"Just a show of your appreciation for my actions. Two million gold dragons should be enough, I think" said Robert, talking as if he wasn't asking for half of the Targaryen treasury.

"Get out" hissed Rhaegar,

"Oh well, though I should say my price will go up next time" Robert shrugged and left.

He would win either way.

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While tormenting the Royal Family was fun, they were keeping their guards up after the death of Aerys, so he busied himself with future plans.

He was going to build a trade empire.

Consumer goods, weapons and armor, luxury items, livestock, horses, ships and everything else worth money.

However, he needed a sailor with the knowledge of where to get those goods for the best prices.

And he knew just the man for it.

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One Week Later

It was finally the time for the guests to leave, though they, including Robert and his family, were going to King's Landing to attend King Aerys' funeral and Rhaegar's crowning ceremony.

The only reason he was going there was for business.

Rhaegar did not come to him for help, but he might just change his mind when faced with the rumours in the King's Landing.

The journey was boring for him, he had to match the speed of the people on the ground, which meant a lot of circling around.

At least he had time to make the business plan for his trade empire.

He had divided the plan into three phases.

First phase was to build the headquarters, and for that he was going to buy a sizable piece of land northeast of Bronzegate, building a port there, along with the infrastructure necessary for shipbuilding, as the storms the land is known for don't hit that area much, if at all.

Second phase was to recruit people with the necessary knowledge and experience in sailing, trade and information gathering, while training and equipping those with potential, all the while working with shipwrights to design and build larger and faster ships with more cargo capacity.

Who knew all those books and documentaries would be useful one day?

This phase also included recruiting artisans of all kinds, mostly the ones he saved from the slavers and dothraki to see if they would be interested, as well as people like Tobho Mott, who left the Free Cities for one reason or another. He would rebuild their workshops, using his knowledge to improve their efficiency and output.

Third was to forge necessary deals with the rulers of the places he intended to trade with, from the Lords of Westeros to the Sea Lord of Braavos and the rest of the Free Cities.

It wasn't going to be easy, but retirement sounded boring when there was adventure to be had.

Now if only the slowpokes below could move faster.