Game of Thrones: Fanfic: By rights

[m_findlow]

Title: By rights
Fandom: Game of Thrones
Characters: Stannis, Davos
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 704 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for gehayi's prompt "Game of Thrones, Stannis, a feeling of injustice" at fic_promptly
Summary: The Iron Throne belongs to one man only

The view from atop Dragonstone's highest towers was, on a day as grey and stormy as today, the most miserable he could remember in his life. And that was saying something. He'd battled in some of the most dirty and difficult conditions imaginable, yet the view over the Narrow Sea made even his gruff demeanor sag just that little bit deeper into depression.

The scroll in his hand rankled as he crushed it a little more, never able to let go of that tiny scrap of paper, however he tried. Word of his brother's death had come not as bad tidings, nor a surprise. Robert had always been such a fool. No, it was the words of his most loyal companion Ned Stark that filled his stomach with a churning, like bad wine.

"King Robert is dead. He has declared me Regent until Prince Joffrey comes of age. I have proof that neither Joffrey, nor his siblings, are Robert's true heirs. They have been born of incest between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime. I beseech you to come to King's Landing at once to claim the throne which is yours by right."

Claim the throne. Hah. Ned Stark might have been loyal, but he was no less a fool than Robert. His accusations, however true, had lost him his head.

Lannisters, he seethed. Always hungry for power. Should it come as a surprise to discover Joffrey was a bastard? Had this been Tywin Lannisters's plan all along, or was the forbidden relationship out of his control? Just the thought of Tywin knowing what his children had done filled him with a sense of amusement. Perhaps there was some small amount of justice in the world, to have your children shame your house just so. He'd despised his nephew, the spoilt little git, and now usurper to the crown that was rightfully his.

And where was Renly in all of this? His younger brother, who should have stood at his side and brought enough force to bear to take King's Landing by force. Instead he had wed that harlot of Highgarden and now commanded all of their forces to fight in his name. Not for Stannis, their rightful king and lord, but for his own claim to the throne. What a joke. Renly? What claim did he have? None. He should be begging Stannis for a place at court. Instead he was too busy cavorting with that idiot Knight of Flowers and his sister.

Filth, all of them. The Seven burn them for their treason. No, not the Seven. There was only one god, Red R'hllor, and the red woman from Ashai had promised him glory over his enemies. 'You will be king, My Lord.'

'Not Your Lord. Your Grace,' he corrected her.

What would he be king of? This godforsaken rock? Last hiding hole for the Targaryens who had fallen before him? This was an accursed place. Robert should have handed him the throne when they'd first cast down the Mad King. What claim did Robert have? They had all been there at the end. Ned Stark could have taken the throne, only he was too gutless and honorable. Only Robert had the gumption to take it in his name, instead of in the name of their great house.

There was a knock at the door.

'Your Grace?'

Ser Davos. Another loyal fool, but his fool at least.

'Word from the south, Your Grace,' he said, handing him the scroll.

Renly come to bend the knee? Not likely, he thought, tearing at the golden stag seal.

"Brother, bring your banners to Storm's End and let us take King's Landing for House Baratheon. I would name you my Hand once we are victorious. Come at once and end your exile upon the stones of enemies long dead.
Your dear brother, Renly, rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms."

Insolence! Rightful heir? He would bring his banners and crush Renly's ridiculous little rebellion, before taking his army, and that of Highgarden, to the capital to put an end to this Lannister farce. There was only one true heir to the throne and he would have his crown, no matter how many false kings stood in his way.