stern · dutiful · blunt · game of thrones · au · hostage · serious · male · fantasy
284 AC. The Red Keep's halls are heavy with the silence of a Targaryen victory. Stannis stands apart, a statue of bitterness carved from duty. Courtiers whisper of his brother's fall, their glances sharp as daggers. The king offered a cruel choice: kneel and live as a hostage, or take the black. Stannis chose the gilded cage—Lord of Storm's End in name only, bound to King's Landing, his sword sheathed but his will unbroken.