Editing Stannis Baratheon (section)

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:Joshua Cairosstannisbaratheon.jpg|thumb|350px|Stannis Baratheon by Joshua Cairós © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Stannis expects to be named the new [[Hand of the King]] after the sudden death of Lord [[Jon Arryn]],{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} but King [[Robert I Baratheon]] instead leaves for the [[north]] to offer the position to his old friend, [[Eddard Stark]], [[Lord of Winterfell]] and [[Warden of the North]].{{ref|ACOK|2}} A resentful Stannis leaves for [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|AGOT|18}}{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} not long after with much of the [[royal fleet]].{{ref|ACOK|41}}

Stannis plans his next move,{{Ref|AGOT|20}} believing that Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] poisoned Jon.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Rather than have young [[Robert Arryn]] fostered with Stannis as planned, Jon's widow [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] flees back to the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale of Arryn]] with her son after Jon's death.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Since Maester [[Cressen]] has become ill after his fall the previous year, the [[Citadel]] sends [[Pylos]] to Dragonstone, with the young maester arriving mere days before Stannis closes off the isle.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Eddard wonders why Stannis left [[King's Landing]], believing it was due to the discovery of whatever secret Jon was allegedly murdered for, although not realizing that Stannis was also slighted by Robert's selection of Eddard as his new Hand. Ned Stark, via Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], sends a [[raven]] with a polite letter requesting Lord Stannis to return to his seat on the [[small council]].{{ref|AGOT|33}} Stannis does not attend the [[Hand's tourney]] in King's Landing.{{ref|AGOT|30}}

During Eddard's investigation of Jon's death, he discovers that Stannis and Jon had spent a great deal of time together. When he is told Stannis and Jon visited [[Chataya's brothel|a brothel]], when Stannis is normally so righteous to the point of prudish, Eddard gets closer to the truth.{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Stannis does not attend the [[Hand's tourney]] in King's Landing.{{ref|AGOT|30}}

Robert is mortally wounded by a [[boar]] while hunting in the [[kingswood]], and the dying king wants Eddard to rule as [[regent]] for his son, [[Joffrey Baratheon]].{{ref|AGOT|47}} Since Joffrey is not actually Robert's son, Ned alters the phrasing of Robert's will without his knowledge and plans to bring Stannis to the [[Iron Throne]] instead of Joffrey. Lord Stark tasks [[Tomard]] with personally delivering a letter to Stannis on Dragonstone when the ''[[Wind Witch]]'' sails north.{{ref|AGOT|47}} Ned rejects Lord [[Renly Baratheon]]'s recommendation to take Cersei's children into custody, and Lord Stark instead allies with Lord [[Petyr Baelish]], who warns that raising Stannis to the throne will bring war.{{ref|AGOT|47}} Eddard is outmaneuvered by Robert's widow, Queen Cersei, and betrayed by Lord Baelish, and Fat Tom is slain by [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]] during the [[arrest of Eddard Stark]] in the [[Great Hall (Red Keep)|throne room]] before he can depart the capital.{{ref|AGOT|49}} Cersei shows the letter which would have been brought to Stannis to Ned's captive daughter, [[Sansa Stark]].{{ref|AGOT|51}}

[[War of the Five Kings|War breaks out]] in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] after Robert's death.{{ref|AGOT|55}} During Joffrey's first court session, Stannis, his wife [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]], and daughter [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]] are listed by Grand Maester Pycelle among those required to swear fealty to the new king.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Rather than allowing Eddard to join the [[Night's Watch]] after confessing to treason, Joffrey has Lord Stark publicly executed at the [[Great Sept of Baelor]].{{ref|AGOT|65}} Eddard's eldest son, [[Robb Stark]], is declared [[King in the North]] at [[Riverrun]] after the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}

Lord [[Varys]] reports that Robert's youngest brother, Renly, has been crowned at [[Highgarden]], and that Stannis is said to be building ships, hiring [[sellswords]], and bringing a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]] to Dragonstone. Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], Joffrey's Hand, thinks that Stannis is a greater threat the boy king's other rivals.{{ref|AGOT|69}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Stannis Melisandre Lightbringer Dragonstone.jpg|350px|thumb|Stannis holding [[Lightbringer]] with [[Melisandre]] at [[Dragonstone]], by Amok ©]]

Stannis declares himself king on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He sends Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] to gather support for him among the [[stormlords]], but none are willing to join him. His supporters from the [[narrow sea]] include Lords [[Ardrian Celtigar]], [[Monford Velaryon]], [[Duram Bar Emmon]], and [[Guncer Sunglass]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} Stannis hires [[sellswords]] from [[Myr]] and [[Lys]],{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} and he also has the support of the sellsails [[Salladhor Saan]], self-styled as the [[Prince of the Narrow Sea]], and [[Morosh the Myrman]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The older [[maester]] at Dragonstone, [[Cressen]], suggests to Stannis that he makes an alliance against the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] with [[Robb Stark]], who has been declared [[King in the North]], but Stannis objects to ruling only half a kingdom. Cressen then proposes that Stannis sends [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]], his only child and heir, to the [[Eyrie]], to make an alliance with Lady [[Lysa Arryn]]. Stannis's wife, [[Selyse Florent]], objects, stating that Stannis should not have to beg for help, and Stannis sides with her.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Selyse has converted to the faith of [[R'hllor]], the Lord of Light, giving [[Melisandre]], a [[red priest]]ess, a base of power on Dragonstone. Selyse tells Stannis that the [[red comet]] is a sign that Stannis's time has come, and that he must sail from Dragonstone now to conquer.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Selyse claims that [[Renly Baratheon]]'s men will join Stannis once Renly dies, and that Melisandre has seen Renly dead in her flames. Cressen is horrified by the thought of fratricide and objects, but Stannis dismisses him. Cressen attempts to poison Melisandre with the [[strangler]], but he does and she survives unscathed.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} [[Pylos]] henceforth serves as Stannis's sole maester at Dragonstone.{{ref|ACOK|10}}

Though Stannis is not a follower of R'hllor,{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} he renounces the [[Faith of the Seven]] for the Lord of Light. [[Queen's men]] ruin the [[sept at Dragonstone]], and statues of the Seven are publicly burned before Dragonstone's gates. During this sacrifice, Melisandre proclaims that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn, and has him pull a sword, [[Lightbringer]], out of the burning carving of [[Mother (the Seven)|the Mother]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}} In private, Sallador tells Davos that the sword is not the real Lightbringer. The pious Lord Sunglass renounces Stannis for having destroyed the sept, and he is imprisoned with the surviving sons of Ser [[Hubard Rambton]], who fought the queen's men in defense of the sept.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Stannis writes a letter announcing his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] and the [[bastardy]] of [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrecella]] and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], which he plans to send to the lords of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] by raven, and to the ports of [[Westeros]] and the [[Free Cities]] by ship.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Davos tells Stannis that he has no proof of the [[incest]] between Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] and her brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], but Stannis claims that Robert's [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]] is proof, though he does not have access to boy at [[Storm's End]]. Davos further informs Stannis that it would be unwise to declare for the Lord of Light, if he wishes to win over the followers of the Seven, but Stannis rejects the notion, as he believes Melisandre has power.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

[[File:Joshua Cairós StannisMel.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Melisandre]] and Stannis at [[siege of Storm's End (299)|Storm's End]], by Joshua Cairós © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Having already declared for the throne, [[Renly Baratheon]], Stannis's younger brother, slowly marches with a huge host on the [[roseroad]] from [[Highgarden]] toward [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|17}} King Robb Stark sends his mother [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] south as an envoy. When Catelyn meets Renly at [[Bitterbridge]], Renly tells her he will have Stannis's support against King Joffrey. Catelyn reminds Renly that Stannis has a stronger claim as the elder brother, but Renly scoffs at the idea of the unpopular Stannis becoming king. As Renly and Catelyn converse, Renly is surprised when a rider brings words that Stannis has [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besieged Storm's End]], which is held for Renly by Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]].{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

From Bitterbridge, Renly rushes to Storm's End with ten thousand{{Ref|ACOK|33}} of his host to meet Stannis, claiming that he has another hundred thousand on their way.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis and Renly parley, and Renly offers Stannis a chance to swear him his fealty, which Stannis angrily rejects. He calls Renly a traitor, as well as threatens [[Robb Stark]] to his mother, Lady [[Catelyn Stark]]. When it becomes clear that Renly, who does not care about Stannis's letter and is confident in his own strength, will not swear to him, Stannis leaves, promising a battle at dawn.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} 

Catelyn informs Renly about [[catspaw|the murder attempt]] on her son [[Bran Stark|Bran's]] life, which she blames on the Lannisters. Catelyn now believes that Bran saw Cersei and Jaime having sex. She asks leave to go to Stannis to tell him of her suspicions, suggesting that Stannis, Renly, and Robb all cast aside their crowns to call a [[Great Council]], but Renly refuses. As the would-be king prepares for battle, [[shadow child|a shadow]] kills him; Stannis's shadow, according to Catelyn.{{Ref|ACOK|33}} Most of the forces Renly had brought with him to Storm's End join Stannis, though Ser [[Loras Tyrell]], and Lords [[Randyll Tarly]] and [[Mathis Rowan]] do not.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Following Renly's death, Stannis is troubled by terrible nightmares, and only Melisandre, who now shares his pavilion, can soothe him to sleep.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} He confides in Davos that he sometimes dreams of Renly's death, but that he is innocent, as he had been in his bed when Renly was slain, and that his [[squire]], [[Devan Seaworth]], had been unable to wake him. Stannis is vexed by Renly having offered him [[Renly's peach|a peach]] during their parley.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}

Stannis has surrounded Storm's End by land and sea, and he promises that the garrison might go free unharmed is the castle is yielded up to him in a fortnight.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} The castellan, Cortnay Penrose, continues to refuse, however, even during the last parley a fortnight later, as yielding requires giving the boy Edric to Stannis. Cortnay challenges Stannis to single combat to decide the matter, but Stannis refuses. Melisandre tells Stannis that she has seen Cortnay's death [[nightfire|in her flames]]. Unwilling to leave Storm's End untaken out of fear that it will be viewed as a defeat, and determined to get a hold of Robert's bastard to prove the incest, Stannis orders Davos to land a small boat beneath the castle, unseen in the black of the night, without anyone else knowing about it, taking Melisandre with him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Davos rows Melisandre beneath Storm's End, where she gives birth to [[shadow assassin|a shadow]] which resembles Stannis and enters the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} That same night, Cortnay falls off a tower of the castle to his death,{{Ref|ACOK|44}} and his lieutenant, Lord [[Elwood Meadows]], yields the castle to Stannis,{{ref|ACOK|45}} who subsequently burns the [[godswood at Storm's End]].{{Ref|ACOK|49}} It is said that Cortnay threw himself off the tower, and his guards could not find anyone else in the room, nor had they seen anyone else enter. However, Lord [[Varys]] believes Cortnay to have been killed with [[magic]].{{Ref|ACOK|44}}

[[File:Stannis Baratheon with Lightbrighter at Blackwater by WillHarrisArt.jpg|380px|thumb|Stannis at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], by Will Harris ©]]

With Storm's End fallen, Stannis is free to march for King's Landing, which has been preparing for his arrival.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Stannis's bannermen convince him that Melisandre should not join him on the campaign, as a battlefield is no place for a woman and she might get credit for his victory as a sorceress. Stannis sends Melisandre and Edric to Dragonstone, and he begins marching north from Storm's End toward the [[kingswood]] and the southern shore of the [[Blackwater Rush]]. Meanwhile, Ser [[Imry Florent]] leads Stannis's fleet north along [[Massey's Hook]] toward [[Blackwater Bay]].{{ref|ACOK|58}}

To prevent people in the city from joining Stannis, [[Tyrion Lannister]], the acting [[Hand of the King]], has the [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|High Septon]] spread the news that Stannis means to burn to [[Great Sept of Baelor]].{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Tyrion has his [[Vale mountain clans|Vale clansmen]] light fires to burn the grass which would be consumed by Stannis's [[horse]]s, while killing his scouts and raiding his baggage train. In response, Stannis's vanguard sets the kingswood afire, to smoke the clansmen out.{{Ref|ACOK|52}}

Stannis attacks King's Landing during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], with most of Stannis's ships entering the harbor to land soldiers and face the smaller fleet of King Joffrey. The Lannisters light [[wildfire]] and raise a giant iron chain to prevent ships from sailing out of the harbor, and most ships in both fleets are destroyed. Stannis's soldiers use the destroyed ships as a bridge to reach the gates of the city, however, and they come close to victory. The forces of Lords [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Mace Tyrell]] arrive unexpectedly, led by the "ghost" of Renly Baratheon (who is later revealed to have been Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], dressed in Renly's armor),{{Ref|ACOK|62}} and Stannis's soldiers are overwhelmed or surrender. Ser [[Richard Horpe]] and Ser [[Justin Massey]] convince Stannis to retreat.<ref name="theon1">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

===''A Storm of Swords''===
While Stannis is away, Melisandre and Queen [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] burn Lord [[Guncer Sunglass]] and Ser [[Hubard Rambton]]'s sons.{{ref|ACOK|10}} Defeated on the [[Blackwater]], Stannis returns to Dragonstone on the [[Lys]]ene ships of [[Salladhor Saan]]{{Ref|ASOS|4}} with the few men that remain to him, most of them [[queen's men]] from [[House Florent]].{{Ref|ASOS|10}} Stannis names Lord [[Alester Florent]] as his [[Hand of the King]], but refuses to see anyone but Melisandre, brooding in the [[Stone Drum]] instead. He does not eat, and tales are told claiming that Stannis and Melisandre go down into the [[Dragonmont]] to watch the fires inside.{{Ref|ASOS|10}}

After Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] is arrested for his plan to kill Melisandre,{{Ref|ASOS|10}} Melisandre visits him in the dungeon. The [[shadowbinder]] informs the Onion Knight that she dare not make another [[Shadow assassin|shadow]] with Stannis as his "fires burn so low" that doing so might kill him.{{Ref|ASOS|25}} Lord Florent, losing faith in Stannis's chances for success, prepares to offer peace to Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], now King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey's]] Hand. In exchange for giving up his claim to the Iron Throne and retracting all he said regarding the [[bastardy]] of [[Cersei Lannister]]'s children, Stannis would be accepted back into the [[king's peace]] and allowed to rule as [[Lord of Dragonstone]] and [[Lord of Storm's End]]. Alester wishes to seal the bargain by offering Princess [[Shireen Baratheon]] in marriage to Prince [[Tommen Baratheon]]. However, before Alester can give the letter to Sallador and have it secretly delivered to King's Landing, Lord Florent is arrested for treason and imprisoned with Davos in the dungeon.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}

[[File:Davos Kneeling King Stannis.jpg|thumb|350px|Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] kneeling before Stannis, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Melisandre asks Stannis to relinquish [[Edric Storm]], the [[bastard]] son of the late King [[Robert I Baratheon]], over to her, claiming that king's blood will allow her to wake a stone [[dragon]]. Stannis refuses, however.{{ref|ASOS|25}}{{ref|ASOS|36}} The priestess believes that Stannis is [[the prince that was promised]].{{ref|ASOS|36}}

Stannis has Davos released from the dungeon and brought before him. While escorting Davos to Stannis in the [[Chamber of the Painted Table]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] tries to make Davos tell Stannis that Axell should be named the King's Hand to succeed his elder brother, Lord Alester. When Davos sees Stannis, the king appears ten years older, shrunken and beginning to be grey-haired. Stannis agrees with Davos that Axell's plan to attack [[Claw Isle]] should be rejected, and he names Davos as [[Lord of the Rainwood]], [[Admiral of the Narrow Sea]], and his new Hand of the King. Stannis reveals that he has seen [[Fist of the First Men|a high hill in a forest]], where [[Night's Watch|men in black]] had made a ring of torches, and where [[wights|shapes]] were [[Fight at the Fist|moving through the snow]]. Melisandre again asks for Edric, but Stannis refuses, ordering her to use leeches which had been feeding on the boy instead. Stannis throws three leeches into a fire one by one, stating the names of the other three surviving kings ([[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Balon Greyjoy]], and [[Robb Stark]]) of the [[War of the Five Kings]].{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Balon falls to his death at [[Pyke]]{{ref|ASOS|45}} and Robb is killed in the [[Red Wedding]],{{ref|ASOS|51}} leading to a discussion among Stannis's counselors whether Edric should be sacrificed to wake a dragon from stone, as Melisandre claims will happen. Davos attempts to convince Stannis not to sacrifice Edric once they are alone, but Stannis admits that, should Joffrey die as well, he is willing to consider doing it.{{ref|ASOS|54}}

Upon hearing the news of Joffrey's death at his [[Purple Wedding|royal wedding]], Stannis is willing to sacrifice Edric, though he still does not like the idea.{{Ref|ASOS|63}} Several knights and lordlings have greater loyalty to Stannis and the Faith than to Melisandre and R'hllor.{{Ref|ASOS|54}} These [[king's men]] are willing to help Davos smuggle Edric to safety from Dragonstone under the care of Ser [[Andrew Estermont]].{{Ref|ASOS|63}} Stannis is furious, but Davos urges Stannis to sail for the [[Wall]], claiming that "a king protects his people, or he is no king at all", and the Onion Lord presents his king with Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]'s letter asking for aid for the [[Night's Watch]], of which Stannis had been unaware.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

[[File:Donato Giancola Stannis Baratheon.jpg|thumb|350px|Stannis in the [[battle beneath the Wall]], by Donato Giancola ©]]

Melisandre sacrifices Lord Florent to R'hllor to gain favorable winds for the journey north,{{ref|ADWD|9}} and Stannis sails on Sallador's ships from Dragonstone to the Wall. He leaves Selyse and Shireen at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] while marching west with all his forces.{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Guided by [[Cotter Pyke]] and his men from Eastwatch,{{ref|ASOS|75}} Stannis's army arrives in time to defeat the [[free folk|wildling]] host gathered by [[Mance Rayder]], [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]], during the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{Ref|ASOS|73}}

Stannis occupies the [[King's Tower]] at [[Castle Black]].{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Though he plans to burn Mance, once a deserter from the Night's Watch, for treason, he is willing to allow the other free folk through the Wall if they swear to R'hllor, settling them in the [[Gift]]. He has [[Jon Snow]], the bastard son of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] and the half brother of Robb Stark, brought to him, and the king offers to legitimize the youth and name him [[Lord of Winterfell]] in exchange for Jon's help in winning the [[north]] to his side. Stannis allows Jon time to think about the offer, which Jon is reluctant to accept because it would require the burning of the [[godswood of Winterfell]].{{Ref|ASOS|76}}

As Stannis needs to negotiate with the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], he is displeased that after ten days of voting, the black brothers still have not yet chosen a new commander to succeed the late [[Jeor Mormont]], and calls several of the higher ranking men to him to inform them that he will choose a Lord Commander for them, if they do not come to a decision that same day.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Stannis informs Maester Aemon and [[Samwell Tarly]] that he has sent word to his castellan, Ser [[Rolland Storm]], to begin mining [[dragonglass]] at Dragonstone to fight the [[Others]], and he confirms that he is aware of Aemon's [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] ancestry. Aemon requests to see Lightbringer, and Stannis grants the request.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Thanks to Samwell's involvement,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Jon Snow is elected as Lord Commander,{{Ref|ASOS|79}} preventing him from accepting Stannis's offer.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[File:Stannis Baratheon by Bidonicart.png|thumb|350px|Stannis Baratheon, by Bidonicart ©]]
According to Princess [[Arianne Martell]], Stannis has been attainted by the Crown.{{ref|AFFC|13}}

Stannis, the self-styled [[King of Westeros]],{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}} remains at the [[King's Tower]] of [[Castle Black]]. He plans to use [[Val]], whom his men call the "wildling princess", to seal the peace between the [[northmen]] and the [[free folk]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]] has given Stannis food, shelter, the [[Nightfort]], and leave to settle some free folk in the Gift. Stannis sends ravens to the northern lords, demanding their fealty, but only [[House Karstark]] replies, swearing Stannis their allegiance.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

Before blaming her brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] for the murder of her father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] suspects Stannis's involvement. She recalls that she would have eventually dealt with Stannis and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], but Lord [[Eddard Stark]]'s investigations had forced her to kill  Robert first.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} Cersei is giddy as a maiden when she learns that Stannis has left Dragonstone, and she believes that Stannis has finally admitted defeat and gone into exile.{{Ref|AFFC|16}}

When news reaches King's Landing that Stannis is now in the north, Cersei is furious.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} She sends two thousand Lannister soldiers to [[Dragonstone]] to defeat the small garrison Stannis had left behind and take the castle.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Meanwhile, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], the new [[Warden of the North]], and two thousand soldiers from [[House Frey]] are to deal with Stannis and his few thousand soldiers in the north.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Cersei wishes to deal with the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] only after Stannis has been defeated.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} News reaches King's Landing that the [[Golden Company]] has broken its contract with [[Myr]], and it is being said that they have been hired by Stannis instead.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} The [[small council]] receives reports that Stannis's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], has traveled to [[White Harbor]] and that he had been arrested by Lord [[Wyman Manderly]]. Cersei orders him to execute Davos.{{Ref|AFFC|17}}

In [[Braavos]], Maester Aemon becomes convinced that Melisandre has misread the signs that had convinced her that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn.{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Allan Douglas Stannis Baratheon.png|thumb|350px|Stannis at the [[Wall]], by  Allen Douglas © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Stannis keeps his wildling prisoners [[beyond the Wall]]. He rides down the [[kingsroad]] almost as far as [[Queenscrown]], prowls through the empty hovels of [[Mole's Town]], inspects the ruins at [[Queensgate]] and [[Oakenshield]], and walks atop the [[Wall]] each night with [[Melisandre]], while selecting prisoners for questioning during the day.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} [[House Mormont]] has refused to join Stannis, whereas [[House Manderly]]'s reply to Stannis's letter only made excuses. [[Jon Snow]], the new [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], refuses to give Stannis ownership of the sixteen castles at the Wall that are unoccupied by the black brothers, and he asks Stannis for men instead to serve under the command of his own commanders.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}

Stannis sends Lord [[Davos Seaworth]] to [[White Harbor]] to treat with Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] on his behalf,{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{Ref|ADWD|15}} as well sends Ser [[Richard Horpe]] and Ser [[Justin Massey]] as envoys south.{{ref|ADWD|7}} Stannis approves of Jon's execution of [[Janos Slynt]],{{Ref|ADWD|7}} and he has [[Mance Rayder]] burned in sacrifice to [[R'hllor]] as punishment for having deserted the [[Night's Watch]].{{Ref|ADWD|10}} In reality, however, Stannis has unknowingly burned [[Rattleshirt]], whom Melisandre had used a [[glamor]] upon to look like Mance.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} Stannis offers the remaining [[free folk]] the choice between bending the knee or returning beyond the Wall to die. Most of the free folk bend the knee and are allowed south of the Wall.{{Ref|ADWD|10}}

Stannis wins the support of half of the forces of [[House Umber]], commanded by [[Mors Umber]]. The remainder of the Umber forces have marched for House Bolton, under the command of [[Hother Umber]], as the [[Jon Umber|Greatjon]] remains a captive of [[House Frey]] at the [[Twins]] after the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ADWD|17}} Stannis plans to march with the wildlings on the [[Dreadfort]], as [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] has marched south to [[siege of Moat Cailin|recover Moat Cailin]] from [[ironborn]]. Jon warns that the Dreadfort will learn of Stannis's approach long before he can ever reach the castle, and [[Moat Cailin]] will fall quickly, which means that Ramsay and his father, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], are free to march against Stannis with their entire force. Additionally, marching with wildlings will only serve to turn the northmen against Stannis. Instead, Jon proposes that Stannis visit the [[northern mountain clans|mountain clans]], including the [[House Flint of the mountains|Flints]], [[House Wull|Wulls]], [[House Norrey|Norreys]] and [[House Liddle|Liddles]]. Instead of the Dreadfort, Jon suggests marching against [[Deepwood Motte]] to fight the ironborn of [[Asha Greyjoy]]. In exchange, the wildlings remain at the Wall.{{Ref|ADWD|17}}

[[File:Stannis and his sword.jpg|350px|thumb|King Stannis with [[Lightbringer]], by Ming1918 ©]]

At [[White Harbor]], Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] arrests Stannis's envoy and Hand, Davos Seaworth, and fakes his execution. In secret, he promises to swear loyalty to Stannis if Davos can bring him [[Rickon Stark]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}}

Stannis follows the advice of Lord Commander Snow and marches west to the [[northern mountains]], although one of his squires, Davos's son [[Devan Seaworth|Devan]], remains at Castle Black with Melisandre. The red priestess later thinks that her bed has seen little use since Stannis's departure.{{ref|ADWD|31}}{{ref|ADWD|31}} The king wins over several of the mountain clans, gathering an additional three thousand men for his army. Stannis then [[fight by Deepwood Motte|recovers Deepwood Motte]] from the ironborn,{{Ref|ADWD|26}} returning the castle to [[House Glover]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}} Stannis is joined by the Mormonts, as well as by [[smallfolk]] fleeing from the ironborn and survivors from the [[battle outside the gates of Winterfell]], men once sworn to the [[House Hornwood|Hornwoods]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyns]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallharts]].{{Ref|ADWD|35}} Asha and [[Ragged nine|several ironborn]] are taken captive.{{Ref|ADWD|26}}

Stannis and his army [[march on Winterfell]], taking Asha with them, but they are slowed by heavy snows in the [[wolfswood]], and Stannis is forced to encamp at a small [[crofters' village]] three days west of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Arnolf Karstark]] and [[Mors Umber]] have begun to march as well, and plan to join Stannis near Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Arnolf eventually finds Stannis at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Many of Stannis's men succumb to the blizzard, including his remaining squire, [[Bryen Farring]]. When four [[House Peasebury|Peasebury]] men are condemned for [[cannibalism]], Stannis allows them to be burned by Ser [[Godry Farring]], with the queen's men believing them to be sacrifices to ward off the blizzard.{{ref|ADWD|62}}

[[Tycho Nestoris]], an emissary from the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]], arrives at the Wall. As Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] has ceased the Iron Throne's payments of loans, the Iron Bank wishes to broach the subject to Stannis. Jon Snow receives the banker and realizes that if Stannis gives in to the demands of the Iron Bank, the Braavosi will give him their support, which might win him the Iron Throne.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Alys Karstark]] arrives at [[Castle Black]] and warns Jon that her uncle, Arnolf, is only feigning loyalty to Stannis. In truth he sides with [[House Bolton]], and is planning to betray Stannis at the opportune moment. Jon sends a message to Deepwood in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Tycho travels to Deepwood in search of Stannis, and from there continues to the crofters' village as well. Near Winterfell, Tycho finds Mors Umber with a captive [[Theon Greyjoy]] and "[[Arya Stark]]" (actually [[Jeyne Poole]]), whom he brings with him to Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

Jon Snow receives a [[Bastard Letter|taunting letter]] at Castle Black from Ramsay, stating that Stannis was killed along with most of his army in seven days of battle.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

===''The Winds of Winter''===
{{Warning/twow}}
At the [[crofters' village]], Stannis prepares for the looming battle against the [[House Bolton|Boltons]]. He signs a contract with [[Tycho Nestoris]] and plans to send the banker back to the Wall for safety. Tycho brought a message from [[Jon Snow]] informing Stannis of [[Arnolf Karstark]]'s planned treachery, so Stannis has Arnolf, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons arrested and plans to execute them. The king sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to escort "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]" back to Castle Black to reunite her with Jon, in gratitude for the Lord Commander's counsel of gathering the [[northern mountain clans]]. Justin is to then travel to Braavos and use money from the Iron Bank to hire twenty thousand [[sellswords]] for Stannis. Stannis tells Justin that he may hear of Stannis's death in Braavos, but even if that news is true, the knight is to follow the orders as to seat his daughter, Princess [[Shireen Baratheon]], on the Iron Throne. Stannis next receives [[Asha Greyjoy]], and informs her that her brother [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]] must be executed, as showing him mercy would mean losing all of the northmen. Asha suggests that Stannis behead Theon with [[Lightbringer]] before a [[weirwood]] at a nearby isle.<ref name="theon1"/>