The Lost Stag

A Golden Crown & You Win or You Die

Must have 10 comments and 20 votes for another chapter. Note:Ned, Barriston and Maester Pycelle have always know about Valen. Art by Juan Espinosa.

                    Valen stands alone before the iron throne. She slowly runs her fingers over the sharp blades. "I hear Aegon attended for it to be uncomfortable to sit upon so that his heirs would learn that no ruler should ever sit upon the throne carelessly. Just as they must not rule carelessly," a voice said from behind her. Valen turns around, seeing that it is Lord Petyr Baelish. He smiles at her reminding her of a cat cornering a mouse. But Valen was no mouse, and if little finger pounced, he would feel the sting of her antlers.

                    "Lord Baelish," she greeted.

                    "Lady Valen, it's an honor to finally meet....Renly Baratheon's 'bastard'. I hear you share your 'father's' weird taste's. If so, my door is always open," he offered with a sly smirk. Valen's domineer hardens at his words, but she doesn't call him out on it. Baelish wasn't surprised he knew Valen wouldn't give in to his disrespectful accusations. She might have Robert's looks and strength but not his stupidity. No, when it came to brains, she took after Cersei. The doors to the throne room open, revealing Renly Baratheon.

                    "Valen, there you are. The king has demanded that you join us for the hunt," he explained.

                    "Lord Baelish," Valen said with a bow, then walked past him and left with her uncle.

                    Hours later deep in the woods just outside of King's Landing. Valen follows her father, uncle, and Barriston, along with her cousin Lancel through the forest. Just like Robert, she carried a spear in hand while watching her cousin, who kept trying to drown her father in wine. "More wine, your Grace?" Lancel asked yet again.

                    "Is this a party? I thought we were here to hunt game, not drink to death," Valen said as she looked at her cousin, who cowered away at her harsh glare.

                    Robert chuckles, "Oh, what was I saying?" he asked.

                    "A simpler time," Renly said from behind him.

                    "It was! It was. You're too young to remember. Wasn't it, Selmy?" Robert asked.

                    "It was your Grace," Barriston agreed.

                    "The enemy was right there in the open, vicious as you like, all but sending you a bloody invitation. Nothing like today," Robert said.

                    "Sounds exhilarating," Renly said, but Valen could tell he didn't like the subject of conversation.

                    "Exhilarating, yes. Not as exhilarating as those balls and masquerades you like to throw," Robert said with a laugh. "You ever fucked a Riverlands girl?" he asked.

                    "Once, I think," Renly lied. Valen knew this conversation wasn't going to end well. She preyed for a boar to show itself.

                    "You think? I think you'd remember. Back in our day, you weren't a real man until you fucked a girl from each of the Seven Kingdoms and the Riverlands. We called it making the eight," Robert explained.