Chapter Text
Sansa Stark could not control the tiny internal tremors setting her heart and stomach aflutter as she and her mother made their way across the crowded dock toward the massive sailing ship, the Fury. Her insides were a jumble of anxiety and excitement. She had been looking forward to this day for months and it was finally here! The two women would set sail on the ship that would take them from King’s Landing to Sothoryos. There, they would be reunited with her father and brother again, and soon after, Sansa would be wed to her handsome fiance, Joffrey Baratheon. It had been nearly two years since she had seen him last, a lifetime it seemed.
Six months earlier, father and Robb had sailed ahead to help with the trading company that Uncle Robert had established on the northern coast of the far away continent. Robert Baratheon wasn’t really her uncle, but he was father’s best friend and he insisted that Ned’s children call him that. It seemed silly now, at her age, but she had reason to humor him. Soon, she would call him her father by marriage. The thought of her wedding made her stomach clench even more, a feeling that she assumed every expectant bride must endure. She forgot all about it as soon as they reached the ship.
Boarding the enormous schooner, sails billowing in the breeze, Sansa’s attention was immediately drawn to the tall officer standing at the top of the gang plank. Her first thought was that the dour looking Captain Baratheon bore little resemblance to his brother. They shared the same dark hair color, but while Robert Baratheon had a thick mane, Stannis’ hair was cropped shorter than the fashion, and appeared to be thinning on top, though it was difficult to tell with his impressive, feathered, captain’s hat covering his head. Robert had a full beard, while Stannis was clean shaven. Admittedly, Stannis did have a jaw that was as straight as chiseled marble, which may have been considered attractive if he hadn’t been scowling the entire time. While Robert always greeted her with a friendly smile and a kiss on the cheek, Stannis barely mumbled a brief welcome aboard to Sansa and Catelyn before returning to his duties.
Before Sansa could remark on the difference between the two men, Catelyn quietly explained that Stannis had always been standoffish like that, probably because he had to compete with Robert his entire life, but that he was the finest captain in the fleet, which was why Robert had entrusted them unto his care. Sansa could understand that at least. Nobody could compete with Uncle Robert, what with his financial successes and his larger than life personality, though that still did not excuse his brother’s lack of manners.
After Captain Baratheon’s perfunctory greeting, the steward escorted the ladies to their quarters below deck. Sansa’s face fell when she saw the austere and cramped conditions that they would find themselves in for the next few weeks.
“Don’t wrinkle your nose like that, young lady,” scolded her mother. “We’re lucky to have a cabin at all. Think of all the poor passengers who are less fortunate, forced to sleep on the deck or wherever they can find room!”
Sansa felt a twinge of guilt. Catelyn was right. The Fury wasn’t a regular passenger ship, it was a military vessel. Uncle Robert had explained that this was a special charter that he’d arranged for them and a few dozen others. She wasn’t expecting luxurious accommodations. At least she had her essentials in her valise, which had been delivered to their tiny cabin. Unfortunately, the remainder of their luggage was stowed in the hold with the rest of the cargo and she would have to do without the majority of her wardrobe until they reached their destination. She opened her bag and took out her ivory-handled comb and her silver mirror ─ her most prized possessions. She attempted to corral the long strands of hair that the wind had sent into disarray, despite her bonnet.
“Mother, can’t I have the suitcase with my new dress so that I might be presentable at the captain’s table tonight?” Sansa pleaded.
It wasn’t as if she needed to impress the rude Captain Baratheon, but there were many handsome young officers aboard the Fury and she wanted to look her best.
“You are presentable Sansa,” Catelyn replied with a bemused expression. “You look lovely. You don’t need to parade about in your finest clothes on a month long voyage at sea. Save them for the balls you will surely be attending in Sothoryos.”
“Do you think there will be many parties?” Sansa asked hopefully, her smile betraying her excitement.
“If I know Robert, and I do, the answer is yes. Robert Baratheon is nothing if not extravagant,” she replied, frowning slightly.
“What’s the matter, mother?”
Sansa knew that her mother had never approved of Robert’s excesses, his drinking and rumored dalliances with disreputable women, but surely he had been good to their family and soon the Baratheon and Stark families would be joined through marriage.
“Sothoryos is still untamed. Even though there is an established colony, populated mostly by Westerosi citizens, I don’t want you to get your hopes up. It will not be anything like King’s Landing. Your life with Joffrey will be difficult there.”
Sansa hated when her mother’s Tully practicality cast a shadow over her dreams of a sunny future. Of course she knew it would be hard at first, but Joffrey was Robert’s son, and he would see to it that they had all the comforts befitting a young couple of their social status. It wasn’t as if they’d be living in jungle huts!
“Father wouldn’t send for us if it weren’t for the best,” Sansa countered, knowing that this was the one truth that her mother couldn’t fault.
“I suppose so,” Catelyn agreed with a sigh and continued putting away her things.
“Mother,” Sansa asked, still thinking about her pre-wedding anxiety. “Is it true that you and father didn’t know each other very well before you were married?”
Catelyn raised an eyebrow. “You know it’s true, you’ve heard me tell it many times. What is it that you want to know? This is about you and Joffrey isn’t it?”
Sansa inwardly cursed herself for thinking she could get an answer from her mother without being interrogated in return. She may as well be honest or she’d never hear the end of it.
“How did you know that it was love? When did you know?”
Catelyn smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she contemplated her answer.
“Love takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight. Though I suppose I did know on my wedding night that your father was special. He didn’t rush, or force himself on me as some men might have done.”
“Mother!” Sansa’s mouth flew open, her cheeks flashing hot with embarrassment at Catelyn’s unexpected candor.
“Don’t act so modest,” Catelyn chuckled. “We’ve had out talk about what to expect. This is important. Your father was gentle and you should expect no less from Joffrey.”
Sansa nodded. “I know, I mean I won’t,” she replied quickly.
Ready to put an end to any serious conversation, she changed the subject. “May I go up on deck? I want to watch as we put out to sea!”
Catelyn studied Sansa’s face for a moment, and then satisfied that she’d answered her questions, she wrapped an arm around her and gave her a brief hug.
“Of course you can. I’ll come with you. Just take care and stay out of the sailors’ way.”
~~~
As they took their positions beside the other passengers along the ship’s rail, Sansa was fascinated by the movement of the sailors across the deck and aloft. Each one rushed to perform a task, coiling rope or trimming sails as the officers in their colorful uniforms barked orders. Once again, her eyes found the stern, Captain Baratheon, as he stood on an upper deck surveying the crew with a hawk-like gaze. She was surprised that he didn’t shout like the others, but conveyed his orders calmly to the officers who stood at attention beside him. His scowl was so fearsome that Sansa was glad that she wasn’t a man in his service. Studying him, she tried to decide once again if he might be handsome if only his expression were less sour. She suddenly wondered if he were married and if so, how a wife could stand living with such a sullen, obviously unhappy man. She was probably grateful when he went away to sea for years at a time, Sansa thought, stifling a giggle which came out as a soft snort and earned a curious look from her mother.
She learned the answer to that question, and more about the Captain that night at dinner. Due to their social status, Sansa and her mother were invited to dine at the captain’s table in the officer’s quarters located in the stern of the ship. Sansa was pleased to find that the junior officers were more well-mannered than their captain, bowing to the ladies and helping them to their seats. Captain Baratheon arrived late and merely offered a curt nod.
“Good evening, Stannis.” Catelyn began the conversation by ignoring protocol and addressing the Captain by his given name, since she’d known him for years, though not as well as Robert. “Thank you for inviting us to dine with you. We are most grateful for your hospitality and that of your men.”
Stannis appeared startled and a bit put off by her expression of gratitude.
“It is customary Lady Stark. I could hardly have allowed you to dine with the other passengers.”
Uncle Robert would hardly have allowed it , Sansa thought. She was irritated by the Captain’s tone, when she and her mother were trying so hard to be courteous, but chose to hold her tongue.
“It has been a good many years since I’ve had the pleasure of your company,” Catelyn replied coolly. “Tell me, how is Selyse these days?”
Sansa watched Stannis closely. Catelyn had explained earlier that Stannis did have a wife, but the rumor was theirs was an unhappy marriage.
Stannis’ eyes narrowed and his face darkened. He cleared his throat before answering.
“I presume she is well. I haven’t seen her in some months since she entered the convent at Oldtown.”
An uncomfortable silence followed as the junior officers feigned sudden interest in their food; all except the second mate, Massey, who looked as if he wanted to laugh but dared not. Sansa had been right after all, his wife had preferred the cloistered life to that of living with the Captain! She might have felt pity for him if he’d displayed even an ounce of regret.
“As this is my first voyage, I wonder what you gentlemen would recommend for entertainment on such a long journey at sea?” Sansa asked of no one in particular, delicately changing the subject.
She could tell instantly by the way the Captain stiffened in his chair that she’d said something wrong.
“Miss Stark,” Captain Baratheon snapped, shooting her a disapproving look. “My officers and I have no time for parlor games when there is so much work to be done. We are responsible for the safety of every passenger aboard this ship. If you find ocean travel to be so tedious, I suggest you make yourself useful and help with the cooking or laundering.”
Sansa’s cheeks reddened, partly from embarrassment and partly from anger. She was offended by his condescending tone. She had been trying to spare the Captain from the awkward question about his wife, but instead of being appreciative he behaved even more rudely than before. She felt her mother’s hand touch her arm, but she wasn’t going to be silenced this time.
“Perhaps you have no interests other than ships, Captain, but this isn’t a prison galleon. Surely, your officers are allowed some free time.” She tried to keep her tone light, but the tightness in her throat made the words sound strained.
“My officers spend what little free time they are given, writing letters to their families or reading, Miss Stark. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I must return to my duties.”
He stood abruptly, his officers standing in unison with him as protocol dictated. Captain Baratheon nodded once again in lieu of a proper bow, leaving the table with his supper barely touched.
Sansa fumed in silence, hardly listening as her mother struck up a conversation with the officers, as they returned to their seats. Stannis Baratheon was the most ill mannered man she’d ever encountered! How on earth would she bear his rudeness for an entire month? Already it seemed as if they’d been at sea for weeks instead of only a day. They would be forced to dine together, there was no other choice. She would simply have to make the best of it. With little enthusiasm, she offered a weak smile to her dinner companions who seemed eager to return to safer topics, such as the weather.
~~~
Stannis stood watch at the bow, oblivious to the warm summer breeze caressing his face. He stared into the night sky, its thousands of stars twinkling like diamonds, but he took no notice. The men didn’t need him here, they had the ship under full sail according to his orders, and all was well. He was here because he craved the salt air, and some private time for reflection. He was still seething from his exchange with the pampered Miss Sansa Stark and her mother. He didn’t know which was more embarrassing, admitting in front of his men that his wife had left him, or forgetting his manners and being openly rude to the two women. His momentary loss of civility was inexcusable and he knew it. Robert was certain to get an earful about his boorish brother, of that he was certain. This was all Robert’s fault, of that he was also certain.
Stannis was an officer in the royal navy. He had been commissioned to captain the Fury, to provide escort to a supply convoy across the Summer Sea to Essos, as there had been several incidents of piracy in the area. Instead, only days before setting sail, he was ordered to abandon that mission. His new assignment was to transport supplies and a few passengers to a settlement in Sothoryos. Robert’s letter arrived shortly thereafter, and Stannis realized that it was his doing ─ with his powerful connections and his business dealings. Oh, and while you’re at it brother, take good care of Ned’s wife and my future daughter-in-law or there will be seven hells to pay . Those weren’t his exact words, but Stannis could imagine his tone. Didn’t he realize the danger? Pirates? Weather? Disease? This was a military ship, not a floating hotel for society ladies!
To make matters worse, Miss Stark appeared to be just as spoiled as he’d feared, asking about entertainment as if her amusement was of any importance. He shouldn’t be surprised, any woman who would willingly marry Joffrey was a fool. He almost felt sorry for her, but then again she might be well aware of what she was doing. Maybe she was simply in it for the money. A woman as beautiful as Sansa Stark could have her pick of eligible suitors. Why would she choose one with a reputation for treating women, and everyone else for that matter, indecently? No wonder Robert had taken Joffrey to Sothoryos; one step ahead of the law no doubt. On the other hand, Miss Stark was quite young, and perhaps more naive than he’d assumed. Might Robert have kept the truth about Joffrey from her and the Stark family? Could his own rivalry with Robert have tainted his opinion of Sansa Stark? He hadn’t laid eyes on her since she was a child, and knew nothing whatsoever of her personality.
Stannis shook his head and forced himself to look at the stars ─ the glorious navigational chart stretching before him in the heavens. There was no use complaining about it now that they were underway, there was no turning back. This mission was his, and he would carry it out. He would be relieved when the Fury docked in Sothoryos and he could discharge the Stark women into Robert’s care. Only then could he exchange his duties as glorified nursemaid for those of a captain of the royal navy.