Lady Lannister || Game of Thrones

The Stag Council

The council that belonged to Robert Baratheon sat around the table in the Small Council chamber. All of them were waiting for the King to speak as he sat in silence at the head of the table. Robert was not drinking which came as a surprise to them all but it also terrified them, he was taking this seriously which meant he could either be an asset or a liability.

"My King? Father?" Cassian asks softly with a glance to Otto Hightower who sat beside him. Ned glanced between them nervous not liking the new reliance the Crown Prince had for the Hightower. Since the Dance of Dragons the Hightowers did not have a good reputation even though they were respected.

"How many men do they have?" Robert asks as he sighs lowering his hands to the table as he looks around at his small council "And how many men can they get?"

"Well they have married into many houses, my King" Ned starts with a pause before he continues "The Lady Saera Targaryen married into the Velaryons so they would not doubt and has shown they are loyal to their mother's house. Daella Targaryen married and had the current Queen Johanna, so no doubt they have their loyalty. The Queen's sister married Lord Tommis Frey, his father's chosen heir, Saera's daughter the Lady Elaena Velaryon married the Lord Otto's own son Urrigon Hightower-"

At these words everyone turns to Otto Hightower who bows his head to Robert who looks him over "We are loyal to Crown, my King." Robert seems pleased but Ned could not help notice that Otto Hightower had not said which crown or which head that wore the crown.

"What else?" Robert asks Ned who looks at his friend. "Who else are they married to?"

"Lady Tyrin the cousin of Lord Otto's children, is married into the Vale with Jon Arryn's brother. And then her younger sister Melessa is married to Lord Joffery Strong the Lord of Harrenhal."

"Who have they declared for?" Robert asks swiftly "They have a son do they not?"

"Which House my King?" Otto asks with a frown as he looks at the King who looks back at him.

"House Florent, they have a son do they not? Lord Alekyne?"

"Yes they do my King but he is promised to his niece Lyra Arryn the daughter of Lady Tyrin Arryn."

Robert waves the Hightower lord off as he shakes his head "Break it and marry him to a cousin of House Baratheon. My cousin Rhaelle has a daughter with her husband Orlys Baratheon. She shall marry the Florent boy."

"That may not be wise," Ned puts voice to the thoughts the rest of the council had. "The Florent house is proud and they will not take lightly to being forced into marriage with a house they have never had an alliance before with a son."

Stannis nods to the Stark's words as he looks at his brother "It is true, my wife has said as much many times. They were not happy with my marriage to her since it was the first, but that wound was heal some what by the fact that you were my brother. With this coming war they would favour staying silent until the winner is sure."

"I am their King!" Robert slams his hands down onto the table with a roar that takes everyone aback. "They should be honoured to be marrying into my own House! Who do they think they are!"

"Maybe my marriage to Sansa Stark could be pushed forwards?" Cassian tries to make peace after sharing a look with Ned Stark who nods at his words as they look at the King who looks at his son.

"What?" Robert questions "No, we need allies and your hand is the only that might bring the High Garden into our ranks. Sorry Ned."

"Marry Margery to Renly. He is in need of a wife" Cassian tells his father who sits back down "If we break our word now to House Stark then we are showing that we are not oath keepers and we cannot afford that reputation right now while we are on the brink of war."

"Very well someone tell the girl she is to be married before the week is out."