Kapitel 18: Chapter 18
Steffon sat in a small cabin on the ship back to Dragonstone. He'd failed. More than that; he'd created a propaganda opportunity for his brother. He'd failed not just to rescue Lord Stark, but had done in a truly spectacular fashion. So far, he hadn't spoken to anyone; immediately after the failed raid, he'd locked himself in the cabin and stayed there. He couldn't even bear to look at Arya; he'd let her down, and he hated that feeling so much. H didn't like letting people down, but now, he'd done it to the person he cared about the most.
Someone knocked on the door, interrupting his musings. "Steffon, it's Jon. May I come in?" He asked. Steffon sighed before unlocking the door. "You have us worried, Steffon. You haven't spoken to anyone at all since we left."
"There's a reason for that Jon."
"Steffon, Arya is inconsolable. The one person who might be able to calm her is you, yet you're sitting in here moping!"
""I'm not moping Jon!"
"Then what are you doing!?" Jon shouted. Steffon went silent at that. Maybe he was moping, but he had reason to do so. He let down Arya. "You need to put your self-pity aside for now Steffon. We're at war. Robb will have marched south by now, your uncle Renly has apparently fled King's Landing for Storm's End, and Stannis will have to raise his own men to defend you. This is war now Steffon, and because of your birth, people will be looking to you to lead them."
"I CAN'T JON!" Steffon shouted. "You saw what happened in King's Landing. The great Steffon Baratheon, battle strategist on par with Tywin Lannister, fails in his first military operation. I can't lead; I'm not meant to." He said, the last sentence coming out quietly. Stannis, who had heard the commotion, headed to the cabin himself. Despite his exterior, he did care for his nephew, and obviously, the failed raid had affected him badly.
"Steffon, this is the reality of command. I've led before, and it hurts to not be able to save your men. Sometimes though, sacrifices are necessary. I know that sounds callous, but it's true. The best we can do now is make sure Lord Stark did not die in vain. Like Jon said, there is war on the horizon. Your betrothed's brother marches on the Lannisters. Renly will gather the Reachmen and Stormlanders loyal to him, but for what purpose I do not know. We will have to raise men to defend ourselves after the raid in the capital. And Jon is right; people will be looking to you for leadership. You may not want that responsibility, but like it or not, you have it. Can you promise us here and now that you will do your best to lead?" Stannis said. Steffon was mildly stunned; he wasn't aware his famously stone-cold uncle had this side to him. Had he once been like Steffon? Had the men lost during the Siege of Storm's End all those years ago affected him that badly?
Reluctantly, Steffon nodded. Jon then led him to the cabin Arya was in. Steffon knocked.
"Arya? It's me, Steffon. Can I come in?" He asked. The door opened almost instantly and Arya's arms locked around him in a tight hug. She sobbed quietly into his shoulder. as Steffon rubbed her back. "I'm sorry Arya. It was my fault and-" a sharp crack echoed through the small corridor. Steffon raised his hand to a stinging right cheek.
"That was for all the self-loathing you did after we got back on the ship, you idiot." Sh said through her tears. Then, abruptly, she pulled him by his tunic into a kiss. "And that was for coming here." She said. She was still crying, but Steffon being here made her feel better.
"Arya, I'm-"
"Don't you dare say you're sorry! It wasn't your fault, Steffon. It was your brother's fault. Not yours." She said. She hugged him again, and this time, Steffon's dams broke. Tears flowed from his eyes. He had never really known Lord Stark, but the man had been kind to him; understanding, too. Now he was gone.
The two cried together lying on the bed for a while before the tears dried.
After, Steffon headed to the door of the cabin, about to leave, when he felt Arya clasp his hand. "Stay with me, please?"
"Arya, it's not proper; it wouldn't be right." Steffon said.
"I need you here Steffon." She said. Relenting, Steffon laid down again, wrapping his arms around Arya. She settled her head into his shoulder. "Steffon?"
"Hmm?"
"If you tell anyone about that earlier, I will kill you."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein