Chapter 18
Disclaimer - All characters belong to George RR Martin and HBO
Robert Baratheon
Robert sparred against Ser Barristan Selmy. He was amazed by the old kingsguard's skill and stamina even after all these years. He parried a blow with his practice sword and swung low to the Kingsguards legs but Selmy quickly countered and landed a flurry of blows which pushed him back.
He was not as quick as Fifteen Years ago but his recent weight loss allowed him to match the old Kingsguard in speed and using his height and strength he manuevered the Kingsguard's sword aside and shouldered him hard which made Selmy lose his balance. But before he can take advantage the Kingsguard used his sword and slashed vertically towards his Ribs. He barely blocked the blow as Selmy used a feint to draw him to his left.
He over reached to pummell the Kingsguards arm but missed him completely. Before he could move Selmy's practice sword was at his neck and he shouted "Yield".
"I Yield" he said before shaking Selmy's hand and moving to remove his armour and wash himself. "Gods Ser Barristan, I remember our training sessions being long and bloody. When did I become so bloody slow" he asked the Bold. "Your Grace should not be so hard on yourself. You have improved over the last Two moons. Continue the training and you will be your former self soon" said the old knight said.
Ser Arys Oakheart and Ser Mandon Moore followed them as they made their way to the counsil chamber. On the way he saw Arya Stark and Jon Stark talking to Lord Edmure Tully and the Blackfish. Gods Ned's son looked so much like Ned when he was that age. The girl has a likeness to Lyanna. Even thinking her name upset him but he controlled himself and walked to the Small Counsil room.
He along with Ser Barristan entered the Counsil chamber to see the High Septon and a tall woman who could be none other than Lord Selwyn's daughter. The woman kneeled infront of him as the high septon greeted him.
"Rise Lady Brienne , you have done a great service to the realm and the faith by saving his Holiness and foiled an evil plot to drive a wedge between the Hand and the Faith. The crown is in your debt for keeping the peace" he said. The woman stood up and looked surprised .
"Your Grace is too kind" she answered shyly. Robert saw that she is more a girl than a woman. "You can ask of me any Boon and if it is in my Power I will grant you" he said in a booming tone.
"Your Grace, I wish to join the melee for the Kingsguard spot and if I wish to Serve as one of your Grace's Seven and protect you with my Life" the girl asked. He can Ser Barristan wince beside him and look surprised by the Girl's wish.
"Your Grace , Lady Brienne is not a Knight. The tradition of the Kingsguard has always been Male Knights. Also Lady Brienne is Lord Selwyn Tarth's Heir. She should not be allowed to compete against men" said Selmy in a serious tone.
Brienne looked hurt and had a sad look on her place. "ser barristan" said Brandon Stark "There had never been a female Kingsguard before as there are no worthy women who could challenge the likes of Ryam Redwyne, Aemon the Dragonknight, Arthur Dayne, Yourself and Ser Duncan the Tall. But she can be allowed in the Tourney to prove her worthiness". His hand actually spoke sense as the Ladies of Bear Island are all warriors and Wildling Spearwives always Raid with their men. 'Why shouldn't the south have Strong woman warriors ?' he mused. His hand nodded at him.
"Lady Brienne I will allow you to enter the Melee only if you prove your mettle against Ser Barristan the Bold" he boomed and saw that the old knight glaring at him. "Ser Barristan you do have a chance to teach Lady Brienne a thing or two about Knightly Skill".
"Your Grace I cannot fight or hurt a Young woman much less the sole heir of Lord Selwyn" said Selmy impatiently.
"Come now Selmy this will be just a friendly Spar which will take place tonight in the godswood in the presence of the Hand, myself and the high septon" he chided and Selmy reluctantly agreed.
Suddenly they are interrupted by the arrival of Varys, Pycelle ,Renly and Lord Yohn Royce. They all bowed to him and sat down. He saw that the worm was missing. He wanted to crush that scum when he found out that he tried to kill the high septon but Bran said he will be dealt with at the Annual meeting. Brienne bowed to them and left the chaamber.
"Your Grace" greeted Yohn Royce. He hugged the man who was one of his best generals in the rebellion."Good to see you again Yohn. If you were not the Lord Protector and regent of the vale I would have asked you to be my commander of the city watch. I need more good and competent men about me these days" he said noticing Renly glaring at him.
"The Vale is in a frenzy your Grace, the lords declarant are running things until lord Robert and I return to the Eyrie" said lord Royce. He wanted to speak to Lord Royce seperately regarding Baelish but he could not risk Bran's plan.
"Lord Royce during the excavations done in the dragonpit to retrieve the wildfire caches safely, we came across the bones of ser willam identified him by his rune engraved armour" he said and watched Yohn looked too stunned to reply.
Bran Stark stood up and pulled a long sword still in it's scabbard and gave it to Royce before adding "This sword was stolen by a commoner and gave to the faith after Ser Willam died. It was recently recovered and we wanted to return it to you". Yohn looked at the sword as if he is looking at a ghost. He slowly pulled the pommel engraved with a 'Runestone' and blue ripples can be seen on the smoky Grey valyrian steel the sword was made of. Yohn check the runes engraved on the metal and suddenly looked like he was about to cry.
"Lamentation returned at last" he croaked in a choked voice. He looked at Bran and the High Septon and said "I will be forever in your debt lord hand and your holiness for returning this invaluable heirloom of my family".
"It belonged to you Lord Royce. I just did my duty" continued Bran " You are vital in bringing back order to the Vale. I will meet with you and my cousin once the meeting is done my lord". Yohn nodded and sat down.
"Brother the goldcloaks had several run-ins with the Ironborn who are the main cause of strife everywhere they go. Lord Dondarrion and his men are currently helping Ser Jacelyn in controlling them but we may have to hire more men considering the clashes between the dornish and the Lannisters are ever increasing" Renly said impatiently.
"There wont be any need to hire new guards Lord Renly. I will give you fifty of my own men and Lord Royce can contribute another hundred guards to patrol and arrest anyone who is disrupting the king's peace" said Bran looking at Lord Royce who nodded.
"Prince Oberyn requests a meeting with me and his Grace as well as Lord Mace and Lord Tywin. I will talk with them seperately before addressing them in the Meeting tommorow" bran continued "I assume all the arrangements for the meetings are done" he asked Varys who looked nervous.
"Oh they are lord hand but the master of coin seems absent most of the time for the last week. No doubt mourning the death of his close friend Lysa Arryn which was a shock to all" quipped the eunuch.
"Yes my aunt's sudden demise did distress my cousin and my family lord varys. I hope she finds peace in the seven heavens" his hand replied with a sad face which made Varys wince.
"There is good news your Grace , Viserys Targaryan was killed by his own Brother-In-Law Khal Drogo in Vaes Dothrak. The dosh khaleen predicted that the princess will give birth to a boy" said Varys looking at him expectantly.
His hand has already predicted the event along with the stillbirth of the said son. He acted by laughing loudly and said "Good Riddance. Let this news spread in tommorow's feast before all the lords and boast of how the last remaining dragon became a broodmare of a Dothraki savage" he toasted the eunuch who looked shocked by his reaction but recovered to say "of course Your Grace".
For the next hour they discussed about the Seating arrangements as well as the feasting ceremony and the Melee to be conducted the day after. The meeting ended and after everyone left Brandon Stark has told him about Baelish's plot to create chaos in the meeting and escaping to Essos. He was enraged and was ready to kill the grubby bastard when Bran told him an idea to catch him in the act. He knew the plan was risky but understood the need to catch baelish alive.
He left the hands chambers with his Kingsguard in tow and on his way to the training yard when he saw something unbelievable. Arya Stark and Jon Stark talking to a tall and strong lad who looked exactly like him when he was the boy's age. He was stunned by the likeness of the boy to himself and Renly.
They saw him coming and bowed. He quickly looked at the boy and asked "What is your name lad ?". The boy looked tense before answering "Gendry your grace. I am a blacksmith's apparentice" the boy answered. Even Selmy was stunned by the boy "He looks like a younger version of you your grace" the old knight added.
"Are you related to the King" Arya asked the boy who looked frightened and rambled "No mi'lady. My mother died when I was little. She used to be a tavern wench. Don't know who my father was ". Robert then remembered a comely wench from a winesink in fleabottom one night after he had a heated argument with his bitch wife.
"Did she had golden Hair lad" he asked the boy. "I remember her hair looked like the colour of wheat your Grace. She sang to me when I was a babe. Tobho mott took care of me since I was a child" the boy answered.
"By the Seven, there is no doubt you are my son" he boomed startling everyone. Arya Stark was gaping at the lad who looked stunned at his proclamation. How he had wished for a strong son who took after him but all he got was yellow haired Lannister kids. He suddenly realized that the boys life will be in danger if he stays too long in the Red Keep which was filled with Lannister shits.
"Come Gendry, tell me more about your smithing skills while we go visit Tobho Mott" he nodded to Ser Barristan and led the boy towards the stables. He had a lot to talk with his son.
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