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[In Kings Landing we see Ned Stark walking with his guards, while Renly approaches.]
"Lord Stark, a moment. Alone if you will."
[Ned dismisses his guards.]
"He named you Protector of the Realm. He did. She won't care. Give me an hour and I can put a hundred swords at your command."
"And what should I do with a hundred swords?"
"Strike! Tonight while the castle sleeps. We must get Joffrey away from his mother and into our custody. Protector of the Realm or not, he who holds the King holds the Kingdom. Every moment you delay gives Cersei another moment to prepare. By the time Robert dies, it will be too late for the both of us."
"What you suggest might incite a conflict between House Lannister and House Stark" JonArryn pointed out coldly.
"But am I wrong? Do you trust Cersei to not do something drastic to consolidate power?" Renly challenged.
The Hand of the King remained silent, disgruntled but silent.
"What about Stannis?"
"Saving the Seven Kingdoms from Cersei and delivering them to Stannis? You have odd notions about protecting the realm."
"What do you mean by that brother?" Stannis asked, sharp eyes cutting to Renly.
The man remained silent.
"Stannis is your older brother."
"This isn't about the bloody line of succession. That didn't matter when you rebelled against the Mad King. It shouldn't matter now. What's best for the Kingdoms? What's best for the people we rule? We all know what Stannis is. He inspires no love or loyalty. He's not a King. I am."
"You? A King?" Stannis snorted the outrage and insult clear on his face and in his tone. "You've never given a sound counsel in your life!"
"I have been the Master of Laws!"
"And you've allowed unlawfulness in our brother's kingdom" Stannis cut in sharply. "All you've done as master of Laws is appoint questionable men in important positions and leave them to their devices. You do not go to meet the prisoners, nor do you take part in dispensing justice because watching men lose a finger, or an arm or a leg makes you sick!"
"And what have you done as Master of Ships?!" Renly asked in outrage, face red and nostrils flared.
"Fought in the Greyjoy Rebellion and destroyed their fleet" Stannis said evenly. "Made sure the Royal Navy did not lack in any way and were always prepared for a war if one to ever break out."
"Enough both of you!" Rober slammed his hand on the arm of his chair. "You will both remain silent and you will both watch. I make the decisions of who succeeds me on the throne and if I have to hear you two bickering like women I will sit Ned on it and be done with it!"
The two glared at one another but remained silent.
"Stannis is a commander. He's led men into war twice. He destroyed the Greyjoy fleet. Yes, he's a good soldier. Everyone knows that. So was Robert. Tell me something: Do you still believe good soldiers make good kings?"
"They make better Kings than pompous men who think they deserve something instead of earning their place" Shireen had spoken up to the surprise of many, including her uncle who was too stunned to speak. "Viserys I tried to make everyone happy and ended up causing a civil war!"
"A-are you saying I'm no better than him?!"
"You both share too many similarities" Shireen shrugged.
"Why you-"
"Renly" Robert glowered with a warning look.
Renly wisely kept his mouth shut. But he did glare at Shireen, who turned away from him.
"I will not dishonour Robert's last hours by shedding blood in his halls and dragging frightened children from their beds."
[Ned walks off to his chamber, while Renly is left behind agitated. Entering Ned Starks chamber, we see him writing a letter. Giving orders to Tomard.]
"You will sail to dragonstone tonight. You will place this in the hand of Stannis Baratheon. Not his steward, not his Captain of the guard, and not his wife. Only Stannis himself."
"Yes, My Lord."
Stannis sent the man a thankful nod, which Ned returned with a small smile.
[Littlefinger enters the room]
"Now leave us."
[Tomard follows Ned's command and leaves his chamber. Littlefingers starts off the conversation.]
"My Lord protector."
"The King has no true-born sons. Joffrey and Tommen are Jaime Lannister's bastards."
"So when the King dies..."
"The throne passes to his brother Lord Stannis."
"So it would seem. Unless..."
"Am I surrounded by nothing but opportunist plotters?!" Robert roared his disapproval. Robert turned to his Hand, "Jon what the fuck?! You vouched for this man!"
"I did... But I might come to regret it."
"Petyr only means to give my husband other options, my Lord. Surely he means nothing else" Catelyn argued in favour of her friend.
"There are no other options but Stannis" Ned spoke.
Catelyn bit her lips. "Of course, my Lord."
"There is no "unless". He is the rightful heir. Nothing can change that."
"And he cannot take the throne without your help. You would be wise to deny it to him and to make sure Joffrey succeeds."
"Do you have a shred of honour?"
"You are now Hand of the King and Protector of the Realm. All of the power is yours. You need only reach out and take it. Make peace with the Lannisters. Release the Imp. Wed your daughter to Joffrey. We have plenty of time to get rid of Stannis. And if Joffrey seems likely to cause problems when he comes to his throne, we simply reveal his little secret and seat Lord Renly there instead."
"We?"
"You'll need someone to share these burdens. I assure you, my price would be modest."
Yes, Jon Arryn was regretting ever bringing that man to court.
"What you suggest is treason."
"Only if we lose."
"Make peace with the Lannisters, you say. With the people who tried to murder my boy."
"We only make peace with our enemies, my Lord. That's why it's called "making peace"."
"No. I won't do it."
"So it will be Stannis and war?"
"There is no other choice. He is the heir."
"Ned."
"Catelyn?"
Catelyn stared at her husband before shaking her head and looking away. How could she tell her husband to listen to her friend now? It was not like she liked hearing it either, but to start a war and put their family in danger as her husband was so bent on doing?
Truth be told, even Catelyn was a little conflicted. On one hand, it was the honourable thing to do. On the other hand, there would be war, there would be death and she did not want her family in any danger.
"So why did you call me here? Not for my wisdom, clearly."
"You promised Catelyn you would help me. The Queen has a dozen knights and a hundred men-at-arms. Enough to overwhelm what remains of my household guard. I need the gold cloaks. The City Watch is 2,000 strong and sworn to defend the King's peace."
"Look at you. You know what you want me to do. You know it has to be done, but it's not honorable so the words stick in your throat. When the Queen proclaims one King and the Hand proclaims another, whose peace do the Gold Cloaks protect? Who do they follow? The man who pays them."
Stannis made sure to not pointedly look at Renly for this. It was he who appointed the captains of the City Guard as Master of Laws, or at the very least oversaw the appointments. He put those corrupted men there. And he thinks he is fit to be King.