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ATP

The biggest mistake of his existence, no doubt. Throwing one rock into the water, he couldn't have foreseen the waves it'll create.

That experience was a milestone on Theon's path.


An old knight

"We'll march to the North and raze their castle to the ground. I'll take their heads and feed their wolves with their corpses." The King is shouting and Lord Tywin allows it longer than Ser Barristan expected of him.

It is only a small liberty though. The King has a say in few matters these days and is allowed to do even less. He spends most of his time in his chambers and only goes where his grandfather lets him – or orders him to – go to, and only talks whom his grandfather lets him talk to.

Something happened in Winterfell. Ravens came and went. The betrothal between the King and Sansa Stark was broken. Meryn Trant and Arys Oakheart died.

Ser Barristan does not know how or why, and he presumes he never will. His duty is to guard the King's secrets, after all, not searching for them.

"Forget the North," Lord Tywin finally cuts in. "Forget the Starks." He does not add 'Your Grace'. He has not done it for weeks. "We don't need them to gain the victory."

"The only one who can boast any victory is my uncle, Stannis," the King notes with malice in his voice. "He took Storm's End. And you did what, grandfather?"

Queen Cersei pales. Lord Tyrion clenches his jaw. Both of them are unusually quiet nowadays.

Any kind of lesson the King should have learnt, clearly he failed to.

"Even those traitorous Starks fought against the ironborn…"

"A wise man is able to be patient," Lord Tywin warns him. "And a patient man has the privilege to be able to choose the battle that is the most advantageous for him."

"What you consider wisdom and patience, I call weakness and cowardice."

"If so, child, be glad that I'm so weak and such a coward." Lord Tywin turns to him. "Ser Barristan, it seems there is no need for my grandson's presence. Escort him back to his chambers."


After he locks the door of the King's chamber and turns to go back to the council, he feels the weight of his age more than ever before.

He is old. Too old and useless, according to the King. But he is still a knight, still the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Joffrey cannot cast him aside.

He accepted a long time ago that he would not again serve a ruler who is worthy. Aerys was mad, Robert negligent and Joffrey… Joffrey is noxious, although, he did not have the chance to show them how much and in what ways.

Barristan Selmy, however, made an oath. Perhaps it was not a good one, nor a clever one. But he said the words before gods and men and even if every person in the Seven Kingdoms becomes oath breaker, he will not. He did not when Aerys tormented his family, his realm. He did not when the last Targeryens were killed and banished. He chose this vow over all the others and he remains loyal to it. He protects his king to the end.

But perhaps those who come after him will have more luck.