Disclaimer - All characters belong to George RR Martin and HBO
Chapter 12 - Renly
The King's large Royal procession have reached the Capital after a slow journey. Due to the delay at Darry as the Crown Prince locked himself in a room of the castle after having a Nightmare and refused to come out. Finally Robert ordered the door be broken. The Hound broke the door to find the rince hidden under the bed and started crying that the wolves are going to get him. The Queen consoled his youngest and convinced him to ride with her in the Wheelhouse. The story of how Joffrey shat his pants upon seeing a Wolf did the rounds in the camp and people laughed behind his back.
Renly laughed and laughed till he felt tears upon his face. As they neared Aegon's High hill , he could see the Red Keep with it's high walls and make their treck through Shadowblack Lane. He could see the Stark procession attracting attention as the boy hand Brandon had ordered to build a makeshift carriage pulled by large Aurochs he found in the Crownlands. But the Hand himself was atop his horse with his 'Wolfsguard' surrounding him.
The Three Direwolves walking among their party has attracted a large crowd and children were competing with each other to see them. Brandon Stark stopped once on the road and took a flower from a Little Girl and gave her a ride on his Direwolf Summer which excited all the children. The new Hand smiled at the peasants and started giving copper pennies, stars to the beggers and old women. He started distributing fruits and bread to starved looking people. Suddenly the people of Kings Landing started chanting "God Bless your Handship" , "Brandon the Pious" and "Long live Brandon Stark".
Renly was taken aback by the love for the new Boy Hand. There were rumours that the smallfolk believed that he is 'Baelor the Blessed Reborn' , this is a sign from the Seven that a Child be given power again after the Boy High Seton and other ridiculous rumors that 'Robert became Pious and the Seven visited him and asked to make the Boy Hand'. Renly did not put any weight to this rumours but judging by the Crowd's reaction he want to find out who is sppreading these Rumors.
Once they reached the Red Keeps Courtyard Robert dismounted and asked the kneeling lords to Rise. He announced an Emergency Small Counsil Meeting in a couple of hours and nodded at his Hand who also dismounted along with Jon Stark and Arya Stark. The Direwolves followed their masters as their entourage walked towards the 'Tower of the Hand'. Renly felt weary after a long journey and went to his chambers and found a hot bath drawn for him. He cleaned up and dressed nicely he walked towards the small counsil chamber.
Renly took his seat as 'Master of Laws' and looked at the Others , he saw that varys was cautious and Baelish was serious. The Chamber door's opened as Brandon Stark dressed in a Grey and Black Tunic with a doublet having a flying wolfves stiched on them. His Surcoat has his personal sigil of a Flying Direwolf near a Heart Tree with Raavens on the branches' and a 'Blade' was attached to his hip. Beside him walked his Direwolf almost as big as the Largest Hound in the Kennels. Ser Barristan Selmy followed behind the Boy as he made the way to the Table.
"My Lord Hand congratulations on the appointment , we are worried that the office would be a burden on one so Young but you are proving to be an excellent choice" mocked the Spider with a Fake Smile. The Boy smiled back "Thank You Lord varys, I expect we can work together to bring Prosperity to the Realm" replied the boy ignoring the Jape. "Of Course Lord Hand, I serve at your request" bowed the eunuch again.
"Lord Brandon it feels very good to finally see you. I am a close friend of your Mother , I guess she has mentioned me ?" Littlefinger quiped. "Yes of course Lord Baelish she is fond of you my Lord but my Father's oinion of you is more Harsh" the boy replied which caused a slight frown to appear on Bselish's face before dissapearing. "My Lord hand anything you need you only call for me aand I will see it done" said Baelish before he sat down. The Boy nodded and wished me with a curt "Lord Renly" and then the Old Maester soke slowly "I have never thought a Young Mind such as yourself will ever be given power again in my LifeTime . It brings Joy to my old self to serve a wise hand such as your Handship" groaned the Lickspittle.
Suddenly the King opened the door and burst in followed by Ser Jamie Lannister 'The Oathkeeper'. What a redemption the Lannister had thought Renly. "Lord Hand let us begin" boomed the King. Brandon Stark stood straight and in a serious tone asked "Lord varys how goes the search for the Wild Fire Caches" . "We have rounded up the Alchemist guilsd's Novices and Acolytes Lord Hand , but none seems to know the exact Locations." Said the Eunuch. "Ser Jamie where do you want to start the search First ?" asked Brandon Stark. "The Dragon Pit your lordship I will take the acolytes and help them to search for any underground tunnels" "Good Ser Jamie, but be careful only pick boys who are surefooted and good catcher. Take bags of sand with you to store the Jars carefully." Said the boy Hand.
"Lord Baelish how fares the Treasury" asked Brandon. "Which Treasury is that ?" mocked Baelish. Bran closed his eyes and oened them again saying "How much does the Iron Throne owe to the Iron Bank of Bravos ?" "Two Million Golden Dragons with Interest Lord Hand" said the Money Grunbber. "We owe Casterly Rock some Three Million Gold Coins, A Million Gold Pieces to the Tyrells and of late I an taking loan from the Faith as well"continued Baelish. The boy hand paused and said " Lord Baelish I need all the receits and books of all the Trades that took place in the last Five Years in my Office by Tommorow. I will check them and see if we can come up with a new system for Transparency". Baelish looked shocked but pied in a "Consider it done Lord Hand".
The boy hand then nodded at Robert who stood up and said in a Booming Voice "My Lords in Two weeks time all the Lord paramounts will come to 'Kings Landing' to attend the First "Annual General Meeting" which will happen every year starting this year. Any or all grieviences of these other Kingdoms can be brought up in this meeting and the crow will settle these issues. Each lord paramount can bring three of his vassal lords to attend this meeting. It will be connected in the Throne Room Itself." He looked at Brandon Stark and asked "Are all of them coming ?" the boy said "All but Balon Greyjoy your Grace". "Ah the Damn Squid, I should have crushed his head" raged Robert. He looked at Pycelle "Grandmaester send your fastest Raven to Pyke and tell him the King Decreed if he will not come to Kingslanding the crown will take it as a sign of Rebellion and will Raze his Islands to the ground". "yes you r Grace"moaned Pycelle weakly.
The Boy Hand added "Ser Barristan , a request". "Anything lord hand" said the old knight. "My Brother Jon is an able Swordsman, he wants to become a Knight before he becomes a Lord please can you train him as your Squire ?" The old man looked unconfortable "Isn't he too old to be a squire your Lord hand ?" "he is eager to learn Lord Commander. Will you spar with him atleast to get a feel for his skill" "I will lord hand " said Selmy.
"If there is nothing else my Lords this meeting is Over" said Robert. As the lords started to leave Renly saw Baelish looking strangely at the Lord Hand.
"Almost Forgot" said Pycelle before giving Bran Stark the Golden chains of hands to mark it official.