[h2] [i][b]Stormlands; Storm' End, Helia Caron [/b][/i][/h2]

[In collab with [@MrDidact] ]

Many Lords and a handful of Ladies had all been gathered in Storm' End at the request of Lord Borros Baratheon. What else? Namely the fact of which side should they throw their support behind, or if they should do it at all.

Many were speaking for the greens, some for the blacks and some advocated neutrality in this as well. It was difficult to get any words in - at the current situation. Since men of the Stormlands, liked a good ale before they got talkative. It also made some more brash and hostile than others.

"For Aegon! Never a woman on the Throne!" 

"By your King! You farmer-loving dog!" 

"For Baratheon! He shall choose, by our honor we follow!"

It some time, ordered to calm down - since the noise was getting too loud to understand anything. As Helia Caron looked around her, before she started speaking. "May I offer my word?" she asked, not bothering to wait for a reply - as a few gave her some dirty looks, while others nursed their tankards.

As she stood up, not to be 'looked-down' by the other Lords and to utilize some of her charms this way - Helia soon opened her mouth, and showed why she was called sometimes 'Nightingale'. "My dear lords...which amongst you has daughters? Or your' sons? Or your brothers?" she asked, the rhetorical question being directed mostly at Borros Baratheon.

"Since when, was being a woman - our mothers, grandmothers, sisters - a crime or judgement of weakness?" she said, indicating that some of them should be slightly ashamed of they had spoken. "Now, now...I can understand your worry...but we must also thinking about the consequence..."

Helia let that thought settle - namely, so many of the men, would start thinking as well 'what consequences'. "This 'declaration' if one can call it that - is much dangerous. The Small Council declaring that Princess Rhaenys' claim is null, void? How can this be?"

"Think about it. These men - were elected by our previous King Viserys I. By what right, do they have to disclaim his order - when he was the first to elect them there? One might ask - what claim does this Aegon have over, say Rhaenyra? Because the Small Council says so? So does the Princess. The claim of the heir, said by the King - many times and heard by us. Or the claim of the Small Council elected by the previous King....whom we heard, hours after the king died..."

"This is nothing more than a grab at power...are we really going to follow the words of some 'merchants''? Hightowers? Whom aren't even a Great House? Are we supposed to bend knee - since they thought - since they were on the Small Council, they had the 'authority' to dismiss the ruling of the King?"

"Some of you say, Rhaenyra is a woman? A Queen on the Iron Throne. She is married to a man. King Daemon. She isn't sitting on the Iron Throne alone...." spoke Helia, before she stopped to address them again. "I know, I know...I sound like I am defending a fellow woman. Honestly...I might sound like that...I don't deny it...but I am more worried about the consequence of this act..."

"How long...until the Small Council declares who is heir of what House? How long until they come after us? Our heirs? What if your daughter, is the only heir you have left? Due to cold or disease or war? Do you wish for your name to die out? No...many times in our history the woman, has carried the name, until her son and then his sons have carried the heavy weight on. If not for a cold...my father or my eldest brother would be speaking here...not me..."

"How long, before they start giving your House lands and titles to rivals, enemies? Other kingdoms?" she asked, letting the fear set in. "Why not? They have done so, to the most powerful House in Westeros. And why wouldn't they...the Hightowers now have the opportunity to do it...."

"Now...you might ask - well, why not join them....demand seats of our own on the Small Council and dictate our will on our enemies?" asked Helia, before she calmly stopped. "No man, rules forever. It might be years, decades or centuries...but one day, we might not sit on this Small Council anymore...but our enemies, rivals will have remembred everything...and they will turn all of our power against us...doing the same, what we'd do to them..."

"For the sake of our future, tradition...I suggest, we support...the creed of King Viserys I...not out of the want of a female ruler...but only, so the Hightowers can't use their gained power, to rob our kingdom of our wealth and power...." stated Helia. "Or...better yet...let us just wait. It might not even come to war. Both Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenyra might be debating about this as we speak...let us wait and see - how will our 'future rulers' come to us. With peace or with threats of war....I thank you for listening..."

Stated Helia, before she sat down - and let her powerful speech, be debated amongst the various gathered lords of the Stormlands.

Helia's impassioned speech rang throughout the Great Hall of Storm's End, where Borros' bannermen crowded on the benches or leaned against the walls. The rowdy Storm Lords were uncharacteristically quiet as the Lady Caron made her plea, though just as many traded sour looks or chuckled dismissively as those who nodded in agreement. 

The Evenstar, one of Borros' great lords stood and the nobles turned their attention to him. Lord Tarth was bedecked in a rich blue doublet with the Tarth crescent on the breast, a crimson half-cloak draped over one shoulder. 

His voice rose clear and strong, "Lady Caron has the right of it. King Viserys named Rhaenyra his heir. And the Queen Mother usurped Rhaenyra's rightful seat. This sets a dangerous precedent, and can only lead to greater ill in the years to come. We must either sue for peace or declare for the rightful queen." 

The hall was abuzz in murmuring and the Evenstar traded glances with the Lady of Nightsong, nodding at the woman as some of the lords were swayed. Lord Borros, sitting in the high chair, kept silent and listened to every word spoken. 

"I thank you for those words, Lord Tarth. He is right as well - don't be persuaded be these 'honey words of' peace and right and law. Even the name 'Queen Mother' seems desperate. And a desperate ally makes many promises that he might not even keep until the end of the war..." said Helia, namely this was aimed indirectly at Lord Borros. He had many daughters - the Greens might offer him the Throne itself...but likely at the end of desperation. Which was never as good as a man' honor of promise.

"Let us gather our men, our soldiers and ready ourselves. Hope for peace, but prepare for war. The Targaryens are at eachother' throats - we don't have to involve ourselves and have our lands burned...not unless, they are forcing us. Then we fight them back with cold-hard steel..." she spoke, before moving to a more practical term.

"We have for now, nothing...to do but wait and see...if they come with words and gifts...we can listen. If they come with fire and blood - then we shall answer in kind..." she finished.

"My lords, everyone knows that the Evenstar is a great man, and true," rang another voice. Everyone turned to witness Ser Orys Wylde step forward. He was a member of Ironrod's family, and glared at Lady Caron with no small amount of vitroil, "But why are we listening to this raving woman? What have the Storm Lords come to that we act on the leave of a woman? Aye, they're good for sport. But hysteric and frantic they are, the business of ruling is not theirs, rather the business of bedding." There were some chuckles across the hall, the Evenstar frowned. 

"As such, I will not have Lord Jasper belittled so. The law is clear. The precedent set forth by the Great Council clearly decided that no woman would inherit the Iron Throne before a man. And even by normal succesion laws, no woman shall inherit when there is a trueborn son. Aegon is the rightful king by the laws of the land and the will of the nobility. Letting Rhaenyra press her claims threatens our rights, it doesn't reinforce them. If we let every monarch to sit the Throne do as they please and ignore the law, then Lady Helia's paranoid visions are much closer to reality than if we support our true King. What will happen with a King Daemon close to the Iron Throne? Nothing good, I can assure you." There was a murmur of agreement from several lords and then the hall began to degenerate into spirited argument between the various strong-willed men gathered. 

Lady Caron for all that had happened, she merely shook her head - namely so Lord Wylde could see it happen. She allowed the arguments, to happen - before she placed two fingers in her mouth - and whistled. Loud enough to get their attention. "Please...we are all civilized here...no need for fists to be raised up...."

Helia sat calmly - unfazed by Ser Orys Wylde' words, looking at him, while seated. "Ser Wylde...such...words. I do hope, that when you have a daughter of your own - that it might, improve your manners," she replied. "And whomever you marry...I do hope, they won't mind your...brutish ideals...but what can you expect...."

As the mood of her, almost changed to that of a prowling hawk - having seen its prey of fresh kill. It was evidently able to be read on her face. "...from a simple knight. You don't have to worry much, just how to swing a blade...and which wench is cheapest...and not...dirty," she added, giving the men also some humor.

Orys gritted his teeth as those bannermen who were inclined to Helia's viewpoint laughed. He opened his mouth to say more, when another man stood. His tunic was half black, half white, two swans reposed on the breast. Lord Swann of Stonehelm smiled at the assembly and said, "Orys is a young man, and unused to the protocol of politics, and the manners a lord should compose himself with. And yet he has a point." 

He nodded to Lady Caron, "My liege lady makes compelling arguments, but they are all based on fears that are as of yet, unfounded. The fact of the matter is that Rhaenyra's claim rests entirely on the word of King Viserys, and while that counts for much, it was decided by our Houses at Harrenhal that the Great Council's will superceded that of a King's, even one as great as King Jahaerys. Ignore this precedent and what does the rule of law mean? Do we become a land of wildmen who bend to the will of the next strongman? I think not." He nodded at the lords and sat. 

Lady Caron nodded in reply, before she spoke once more. "That is true...but, from where does the law come from? The King of course. I am merely...advocating for the respect of our former King...if we don't follow that...how long before, we are breaking oaths to our own people?" she asked. "If Aegon was declared heir...and Rhaenyra fought against the claim, I would most certainly answer the call and fight for Aegon' right. Why would it be different now?"

There was a clamor from outside the doors as men shouted in surprise, and a dull boom rattled through the hall, shaking the tables and chairs. The doors of the Great Hall opened and Aemond One-Eye strode in. He was bedecked in night-black armor fringed with gold, and a black and gold cloak fell to the floor behind him. Underneath his arm he held a helm with dragon's wings on the top. 

All the hall went quiet as the dragon prince came into the hall, scanning the room with his sapphire eye before he stopped before Lord Borros' seat and bowed to the Storm Lord, "My lord, thank you for receiving me. It has been an ardous journey and the hospitality of your hall provides great comfort." Many of the lords whispered their surprise, none had predicted that Aemond would come here. 

None save Lord Borros. The Lord of Storm's End inclined his head, "It is the least I can do for a prince. Now, why don't you tell my bannermen why you're here?" 

Aemond smiled and locked gazes with as many of the lords as possible, including Helia, "My lords, my ladies, I am here on behalf of my brother, King Aegon, Second of his Name, the Lord of the Six Kingdoms and the rightful ruler of the Iron Throne. I come to ask you all to declare for the true king." 

Borros stroked his jaw in thought, "And what do you offer for this vow?" 

Aemond grinned, "Many things, my lord. One of which is my intention to make one of your daughters a princess." That caused a stir among the nobles, the buzz reaching a clamor as Lord Borros sat back in his chair and looked enigmatically at the One-Eye. 

Aemond continued, "King Aegon reassures all the lords and ladies of the realm," he said this with a glance at Lady Caron, "That he will respect the integrity of their lands and titles. No woman will be stripped of their titles simply because they are a woman. The law only pertains to the royal succession, a different matter entirely, in which we are in the right." 

"Furthermore, in addition to a marriage between our houses, King Aegon wishes to name you to his small council. A new office will be created, and you will be the first Master of War, charged with matters of the military and defense for all of the kingdom. Such is the King's esteem for your lordship." The lords of the Stormlands seemed pleased by that declaration, though a few, such as the Evenstar and the Knight of Skulls seemed more reserved. 

Borros nodded his head in thought, "A kingly offer to be sure. I must surely think on this." 

Aemond smiled, "Take all the time you need, my lord. I am your faithful guest, and hopefully soon, your son-in-law." 

"Wonderful words..." replied Lady Caron, the same one - that Aemond had once thought of making a good cupbearer. She looked far different in person - slightly more toned around the arms, than most women - and wearing leather instead of silk.  "You say the King will respect our rights...what about the Small Council? They overruled one King' will - why not that of another? Especially after a long, brutal and harsh war? Followed by the coming cold?"

"Tell me this Prince Aemond. What about the rest of us?" she asked - bringing her weight to bear. While a woman - her House namely had control of most of the Dornish Marches - barring the small lands in the Reach and near Dorne. Her weight would mean half of House Baratheon' bannermen would either fight or not.

"Last I heard, the debate was still going. In declaring? Do you expect us to fight for Prince Aegon, right now? Or do we have the option of remaining neutral? Do we still have that choice? Or did the dragon you arrive here - gives us the simple illusion of choice?" asked Lady Caron - it was a rather straight...but decent argument. He came here on a dragon - which was a very forceful show of force. Plus they hadn't heard yet what the Blacks would offer to them. As it also reminded - that if they were offering such concession - it was good. Almost too good to be true. Plus, if one thought about it - the concessions were for House Baratheon, not for the rest of them.    

Aemond did a good job of suppressing a glare and instead smiled politely at the Lady of Nightsong, favoring her with his sapphire eye, "The Small Council followed the will of the Great Council, the will of the Lords of Westeros. The will of the Old King in deffering to that council. The will of all the laws of our land. The Small Council lives by the laws. My father's will was sadly, not legal. My brother however is in the right. And so the Council abides by his will. Besides, I rather doubt my grandfather and mother would much disagree." There were some snorts and chuckles of amusement. 

"The rights of the lords of Westeros are in no danger, so long as the law is followed. That is why your lands and titles are safe. My request is simply that, a request. A request for the valiant Lords of the Stormlands to follow their rightful King. But if you have reservations, there is no hurry in deciding. King Aegon will respect neutrality, as he understands the dilmemma you all face. He simply hopes you will all make the right choice and declare for the rightful king. As for the reason I took a dragon... well it was much faster than horseback, and these matters are urgent after all." 

Outwardly the Prince smiled as many of the lords nodded in approval, inwardly he was fuming. Who was this woman to challenge him? It was lucky for her that his brother gave him a direct order to leave her alone. For now at least. Aemond inclined his head to Lady Caron and turned back to Borros. 

Borros said, "This talk tires me, and I'm sure all my lords are tired as well. Break out the wine, break out the food, let us feast in honor of our royal visitor and leave these matters of politics alone for the night." The lords all shouted their approval and the tables were soon filled by vittles, Aemond watching Lady Caron and winking his one good eye at her before turning back to speak Lord Swann and members of Houses Wylde and Dondarrion.