Chapter 6: Big Waves
Renly
When the three of us find the throne room already empty, it's with frustration that I realize Stannis must have started without us. The Tarth girl has been nearly as silent as a statue since I picked her up at the docks and I'm getting desperate for the entertainment my drastically changed brother has promised.
"I hope you know what you're getting into," I caution Brienne as we head towards to garden Stannis claimed.
His idea about getting Robert to name his two bastards as our heirs was at first an insult. Slowly I've been picking up on his hints aimed towards myself and Loras and realized he's trying to do me a favour.
Not the insults and condemnation I expected, but genuine love I haven't felt in years.
"Last month my brother would have loved this silent protector for Shireen." The buck toothed girl pauses and frowns in confusion as I explain. "Ignore whatever your father said about just staying out of trouble. This new Stannis will be far happier if you involve yourself in his strange new games."
And maybe it will keep those love struck eyes of yours away from me.
"Father was just pleased someone saw reason to give me a chance," It's barely above a mumble when she finally does get her words out. "I'll do whatever is required of me to serve Lord Stannis and his family with honour."
With a child's impatience, Edric interrupts with what I'd almost call a whine. "Where is everybody? You said I was going to meet Gendry today."
"And you will Edric and we'll speak to Robert about making things official when the time is right."
Loras and I had worried Stannis was making his own plays ahead of schedule. But it really seems like he's giving me all the good cards and keeping the Lannisters focused on him.
Echoing footsteps announce the arrival of a smirking Loras and Samwell. Kind of pudgy and looks like even a dark shadow would spook him. Glancing between the two heirs he requested with slowly dawning understanding, I start to think about Edric potentially being a match for Margaery instead of myself.
"About time you got here!" teases my always gorge's lover, his smile as hard to resist as it always is. "You aren't going to believe what your brother came up with for this feast of his. But let me just say..." He leers at me in a way that promises a good time tonight. "I love his sense of style."
"Well now I'm curious."
Stannis has never been big on fashion, so if Loras is pleased it must be incredible.
We get lead out into the garden to the sound of laughter and cheering, punctuated by the occasional splash. Some of the children are smacking coloured balls through some rings with a mallet, while on the other side of the pool I notice some people wearing very little.
"See what I mean?" Whispers Loras low enough that Edric doesn't hear him. "He calls them swimming suits. Says the make you swim faster and Robert insisted the style was sticking around once the ladies came out wearing them."
He's right, I can actually see Robert ogling his won wife right now as she stands at the shallow end with her ladies in waiting. "He convinced Robert to wear so little?"
How?
"Told the King that between the three brothers," Stannis heard me and stops before me with an amused grin that still seems out of place. "I'm the ugly brother and still have the stones to wear one." I sputter at how blunt Stannis says it and let my brother handle the introductions.
"It's good to see you again Eddie, you're really starting to look like a Baratheon." My brother watches me at that comment, with me barely nodding enough for him pick up on. "And you two must be Samwell and Brienne. It's so nice to finally meet you both, but we just need a few seconds to deal with some family business."
The two confused heirs watch as Stannis turns and yells out at Robert. My blubbery brother's belly is on full display from his place on top of the bouncing plank of wood and I only hope it doesn't snap in half.
"What is it?"
Robert doesn't even sound that drunk and it's getting close to suppertime already.
"Renly is here with Edric and I know you hate wasting time with the boring meetings." Our eldest brother scowls at Stannis' words and agrees firmly.
"Damned straight. I already sit on that throne all day and I don't need to waste anymore time listening to people talk."
"Well then let me do you a favour and get this out of the way fast." Stannis actually winks at me and I'm left stunned for the rest of the conversation. "Me and Renly both need a male heir and we conveniently have two right here with us."
With a wrinkling brow, Robert glances at Edric and Gendry shaking hands. "Is that all you want? Because if so, consider it done." He barks instructions at Jon to make sure it's written down officially and then shrugs off the thought for later.
"You may have done some fancy flips, but let's see someone beat this!" Roars the boisterous Robert as he charges down the board and jumps.
Like a swan he leaps into the air, his arms and legs spreading out like wings as he crashes down in the pool. Landing belly first and soaking anyone within ten feet of the pool, Robert emerges to a roaring of cheers from the gold cloaks.
Glancing back at the men off to the side, I find myself intrigued by the simple act of lifting weight. the barrels are connected by a single bar and seem to be filled with a variety of heavy things.
"That should keep the two safe enough for the foreseeable future." Mutters Stannis as he finally gives his invited guests his full attention.
"Now you're both probably wondering why I wanted you here."
That's an understatement.
"Everyone does I'm pretty sure."
I know Loras and I have discussed it a few times.
My 'ugly' brother just raises an eyebrow and glances at me. "Well why didn't you just ask?"
"Would you have told me?"
The old Stannis never took me seriously as anything but an annoyance. But the man my brother's becoming is still a mystery.
"I told Shireen she was going to have some friends and I meant it." It's a simple statement and contrasts with this more elaborate Stannis. "So I had the spymaster look for people who could also use some."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Brienne finds her courage and actually has a bit of bite to her tone.
"Just that the two of you need this as much as Shireen and Gendry will." Admits Stannis with a quite voice as only Gendry leads Edric and Shireen away. "You two should talk get to know each other while you're staying with us." He vaguely implies with a wave of his hand.
"You don't have duties for us Lord Stannis?" Finally too confused to remain quiet, Samwell adds his won squeaky voice to the conversation. "I want you to help Gendry get up to speed with his lessons and I want Lady Brienne to protect Shireen."
With a startled gasp Brienne interrupts. "You do? Truly?"
"Varys is rarely wrong." Counters Stannis with a soft smile. "And he spoke highly of both of you, so I needed to snap you up before someone else saw your true value."
Well... he's just gotten them both to be loyal for life.
The looks in both heirs' eyes is desperation mixed with devotion and I'm starting to get relieved Stannis and I will not be competing for the crown.
He might have actually won.
"Now go have some fun and just try to stay out of Joffrey's path. He's promised me he'll be nice to Shireen and the boys..." Stannis gives our 'nephew' a sad look and shakes away whatever thought was filling his head. "But the rest of you are still fair game."
"Take heed of that warning you two." My own words slip out in support and I glance around for listeners when I remember where I am. "He's got a temper and you two are acceptable targets for his lesser cruelties."
"It's probably for the best if you stick to the games in the garden." Stannis points over to a pair of sandpits with a metal pole embedded in each one and clarifies. "Horseshoes is free right now or you can get in line for shuffleboard, it should be free in a few more throws."
