Davos
It had hardly been a year since the last one and yet already it was time for another Baratheon wedding. This time for Stannis Baratheon and his bride to be Selyse Florent.
The King and Queen rode with Stannis to Brightwater Keep. If Stannis was happy about the arrangement he had a funny way of showing it. He hadn't smiled the entire trip, not even at the mention of his new bride. Robert was as jolly as a boy on the day of his own wedding even when the bedding hadn't gone as planned.
Lord Alester Florent was a curtious host. His other family members were just as curtious or less. Ser Axell Florent was the most sour of his brothers, but the younger boys and girls were all pleasant. Lady Selyse's brothers were happy to meet Stannis although he didn't seem so to meet them. Most of all the Florents were happy to host the new King and Queen in their halls.
Davos knew little of politics. But he knew the Lords and Ladies of Westeros played their games with each other while the small folk like Davos often paid the price for it.
His eldest son Dale was with them, already beginning his duty as Stannis' squire. And while the son learned what being a squire meant Davos had to learn what it meant to be a Knight at court.
Tonight was the night. Stannis Baratheon was in his room dressing himself for the occasion while Ser Davos watched on. He stood by silently, handing off the black and gold tunic and cloths to Stannis when he motioned for them. There was silence for the longest time as Stannis dressed and shaved himself. King Robert had a thin black beard along his face, almost in defiance Stannis kept his face clean.
"Have you seen her?" Stannis questioned." Lady Selyse?"
"Yes m'Lord." He nodded. Davos had once called Stannis by the title of 'Prince' given his Families new royal treatement but ever the simple man Stannis preferred to be called "Lord".
"And?" Davos was quiet a moment, musing over what he might say.
"She seems a kindly girl." He admitted, he could not say much else. She wasn't very attractive as compared to some of her younger cousins. Thin with sharp features and namely the trait of large ears." I hope you'll be happy with her."
"This marriage is for political purposes only." Stannis told." With this marriage we'll weaken Mace Tyrell should he ever try to rise against us." Davos still had much to learn about the ways and customs of Lords. He was part of that world now. And in time he would have to do the same for his own sons when they came of age.
"Is that worth it, my Lord?"
"Yes." Stannis answered almost immediately." We must all do our duty Ser Davos. You to your Liege Lord, I to the King. And the King is my older brother."
As if right on cue the door opened behind them and the King himself walked in, twice the size of Davos and even taller than Stannis. Alongside him his Queen, by comparison small and slender but with a fierceness in her grey eyes. Davos quickly went to one knee.
King Robert hadn't seemed to notice him and instead went right for Stannis.
"HaHa!" He laughed putting one arm around Stannis' shoulders." You're looking well brother. Fresh cloths and a nice shave." He ran his hand along Stannis' chin." Smooth as a baby's ass. HaHa!" Davos didn't know if he should say anything or let the King continue. Unsure he kept silent.
"Rise." The Queen commanded, standing before him.
"Thank you, your grace." Davos nodded to her.
"Come, come Stannis." Robert said pushing him towards the door." We don't want to keep your bride waiting."
The wedding at King's Landing had been much bigger. Nearly half the country had turned out to witness the event, attending were over a hundred Lords and Ladies from as far North as Last Hearth and as far South as The Arbor.
All of House Florent was in attendance, excluding Melessa Florent who was at Horn Hill recovering from Child birth. King Robert and Queen Lyanna. Their Kingsguard of the Lord Commander, Ser Lyle Crakehall, Ser Jory Cassel and Ser Balon Swann. Ser Davos of the newly formed House Seaworth and of course Stannis himself. But there was a surprise guest of the evening.
Mace Tyrell, the Liege Lord to the Florents.
"Your grace." He laughed happily upon seeing the King and Queen. What a pleasant surprise.
"Lord Tyrell." King Robert said." What a pleasant surprise indeed." He took Mace Tyrell's hand and shook it, although Lord Tyrell kept the handshake longer than it had to be.
"Indeed it is, indeed it is." He laughed." I heard you were coming down and just had to see you. Will you have a drink with me your grace?" And King Robert could never say no to some good wine.
"Certinaly!" he laughed with him.
Davos could remember to his own wedding day. He couldn't have been much older than Stannis was now, Marya even younger. She'd been so shy and so timid. But she was a kindly girl, willing to overlook Davos' trade and start a family with him. And when he'd been raised to knighthood she was even happier. And while Davos was away working with his Lord she stayed in Cape Wrath with their younger sons.
The words were said and House Baratheon of Dragonstone was united with House Florent of Brightwater Keep. Davos clapped and cheered along with the crowd but despite the cheerfulness of the mood Lord Stannis didn't seem the least bit pleased.
Not standing beside his wife, not kissing her, not ever during the feast.
"My brother doesn't look so pleased." Robert commented. The Queen looked across the room to see stone-faced Stannis sitting beside his new wife. Selyse seemed hardly pleased either, with a face as long and grim as her husband's.
"Neither does she." The Queen replied." Perhaps they deserve each other." Robert greatly enjoyed that, letting out a hearty laugh.
"Ah but just you wait." Mace Tyrell said inviting himself to the conversation." No man could be sour during the bedding." King Robert reared his head back and laughed with Lord Tyrell.
Davos was given a seat amongst the High Lords and Ladies of Westeros.
Dale having been relieved of his duties as a squire for the night enjoyed the entertainment of a Royal Wedding. And the Queen had been kind enough to accept his offer to dance when he asked. The King sat nearby continuing to drink with Lord Tyrell telling jokes and war stories. Lady Selyse's brothers Ser Imry and Ser Erren danced with several young ladies. Serving girls went back and forth bringing filling cups and bringing food. But all the time Lord Stannis and his new wife sat at the high table yet not at the center of attention.
Davos' attention was caught to Mace Tyrell chugging down another glass of wine.
"AH!" He said realived. And in his drunken slouch he turned his head over to Davos. "I love weddings, don't you?" He smiled.
"Ah." Davos agreed with a nod." I do." Lord Tyrell's eyes squinted as he looked him over.
"Pardon me my Lord." Mace Tyrell." Have we met?"
"No my Lord." Davos shook his head." I can't say that we have."
"But anyone who anyone is here." Mace told motioning to the crowd." So you must be someone of great importance."
"I am newly knighted."
"Ah a knight." Lord Tyrell said." What house are you from?"
"House Seaworth, my Lord."
"Seaworth? Seaworth?" Mace said tapping a finger to his chin." Ah yes, yes Seaworth." He smiled." Yes a very proud, old, noble house. Seaworth, yes haha." Davos continued his smile, although he knew Lord Tyrell was lying.
"I'm pleased to hear you know of it." He responded." But we are not very old I'm afraid. Only a few months." Mace Tyrell looked at him quizzically." Thanks to Lord Stannis."
"Oh." Mace Tyrell said finally realizing it." You are the smuggler."
"I was." Davos told.
"You slipped through Paxter's fleet at Storm's End."
"Yes." Davos nodded. He saw Lord Tyrell's brow narrow and his jaw tighten.
"What are you doing here?" Mace demanded." In my lands?"
"Is this not House Florents lands?"
"House Florent is sworn to me!" Mace exclaimed jabbing a finger into his chest." Their lands are my lands."
"Lord Stannis invited me here." Davos told. Mace's jaw tightened as did his hand into a fist. After mulling over his thoughts he finally spoke.
"The King's brother is too kind I think." He said rising to his feet." Rewarding someone of such low class so highly." With nothing more to say he turned and stumbled off, probably in search for more wine.
Davos let him go. Lord Tyrell had simple said what was on his mind and he most likely wasn't the only one to be thinking it. Other high Lords and Ladies all looked over the knighted smuggler with the Onion sigil with strange looks. Some saying he should have had his hands cut off or worse.
Luckily Davos did not have to deal with any of them but with Lord Stannis. By his judgement he raised a man born in the gutters of Flea Bottom into a noble house who's sons and grandsons would be knights and lords in their time. Davos owed much to Lord Stannis and would spend the rest of his life repaying him.
Jaime
The Kingslayer looked ahead of him and saw for the first time in months a friendly face.
"Ser Burton?" He questioned. Ser Burton Crakehall was the younger son of Lord SumnerCrakehall to whom Jaime had squired for as a boy. And during that time he remembered Lord Sumner's two strong sons, his heir Roland who had three strong sons each around Jaime's age. And Ser Burton a fiercesome knight. Like all Crakehalls he was big and tall with a barrel chest with strong powerful arms and legs, with a thin black beard.
"Yes my Lord. " He smiled." It's good to see you again Ser Jaime." This truly was a surprise. Finally a friendly face here in the last place he'd expect to see them.
"What are you doing here?"
"Following your Father's orders." Ser Burton told." Sent here to make sure you stay safe. And" He added with an even greater smile. "I'm not alone." He turned around and pointed behind him. There stood even more familiar faces.
Ser Elys Westerling, Ser Rupert Brax, Ser Peter Plumm and half a dozen more all here and all skilled fighters, all tested and seasoned knights. What a great joy this was, his father had spared no expense.
"Ser Amory Lorch was meant to join us." Burton told." But the King had him executed instead."
"Executed?" Jaime asked." What for?"
"The murder of Elia Martell and her children."
"Really?" Jaime asked unsure of the truth." I had heard the Mountain was the one who did it."
"I wasn't there myself, my Lord." Burton told." But it hardly matters." He took a step closer and laid a hand on Jaime's shoulder." All that matters is that we keep you safe."
"Is that what my Father commands?"
"It is." Burton nodded." He hopes that his continued support will one day lead to a pardoning for you."
"For me?"
"Yes." Burton nodded." You are Lord Tywin's son and heir. It is you he wants to rule after he is gone."
"That might be a hard sell once I've taken these vows." Burton shook his head with a smile.
"Don't worry too much, my Lord." He said turning Jaime aside and into the comfortable surrounding of the Westermen." Your Father has this all planned out."
Ser Alliser approached but of course he was not alone. With him was Ser Jaremy Rykker and Ser Jarmen Buckwell along with a few other men Jaime could hardly recognized, but they were all together an ugly group.
"Well Kingslayer." Ser Alliser hissed." Did you finally make a few friends?"
Ser Burton stepped infront of Jaime before he could reply, as if he was shielding him from attack. The other westermen moved up beside him, the sight of them closing in a terrifying one.
"Watch your tongue, Ser." Burton threatened." That is my Liege Lord you speak too."
"Liege Lord?" Alliser repeated." We have none of those here. The only thing he is now is the Kingslayer." But now Ser Burton was getting angry his fist shaking with rage.
"He is an anointed knight." He said." And if you say another comment like that I will strike you down." Ser Jaremy and Ser Jarmen moved towards the swords at their hips.
It felt good to have these kinds of connections, this kind of protection. With a smirk Jaime looked past his men to his confronters. Ser Jarmen and Ser Jaremy looked like frightened children before the Westermen. Alliser Thorne had a bitter snarl on his face aimed at Jaime, only causing the Kingslayer's smile to grow wider. And of course Ser Alliser and his men didn't feel like dying let alone fighting that day, so they turned and left.
Jaime could really get used to this. It sure was a delight to have his own personal guard. Day in and day out he had to deal with insults behind his back and snickers to his face. But with his fellow Westermen by him day and day those insults were few and far between.
The last few weeks passed and the day had finally come. The day that Jaime's time as a trainiee came to an end and his time as a man of the Night's Watch began.
"You came to us as outlaws, poachers, thieves, murders." The Lord Commander said." You came alone, in chains, without friends or honor." That part seemed to be directly related to himself, Jaime thought." You came to use rich, you came to us poor of both high and low birth. But starting now none of that matters." Qqorgyle shifted in his place as he began marching down the stairs to position himself right before them." Starting now you have joined a new House. The time has come to join that House. Say our words and think hard before you say them." Jaime's eyes began to wonder upwards to the Old Bear Jeor Mormont." The punishment for desertion is death." Jeor nodded in Jaime's direction. He didn't need that reminder." Bend your knees." Qqorgyle commanded." And take your vows."
The group did as they were told Jaime included. Benjen Stark was not there, he had gone beyond the wall to swear before his Old Gods. Jaime was not a religious man but he was named in the light of the Seven as most in the Seven Kingdoms were. Amongst the crowd he saw Ser Alliser beside Ser Jaremy Rykker. Closer to himself was Ser Burton Crakehall and the rest of his 'honorguard'.
So Jaime knelt and for the second time in his life he swore a sacred oath.
"Hear my words and bear witness to my vows. Night gathers and so my watch beings. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children, I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the night's to come."
Jaime would be lying if he said he didn't feel a slight tingly at the mention of the words. They were very dramatic, very solemn and still very boring.
"Now rise." Qorgle commanded." As men of the Night's Watch."