SER BARRISTAN
Ser Barristan the Bold they called him, for when he was just a Squire he disguised himself as a Knight rode in the tourney, unseated all his opponents and won the Tourney. He was only nine and ten name days of age and after winning the Tourney he was Knighted by King Aerys during his year reign. Selmy was made a member of the King's Guard by Ser Gerold Hightower. The only man Selmy could not match among his brothers on the guard was Ser Arthur Dayne.
Before the sun rises Ser Barristan is up to perform his duties. As Lord Commander of the King's Guard he posts assignments for his brothers. He makes a duty list every week. After breaking his fast Ser Barristan attends the King, a dreary task. Robert drinks, sleeps with whores and maidservants, a man unworthy of being King.
"We have to attend a small council meeting Ser Barristan."
"Yes Your Grace." The usual people attended, Jon Arryn Hand of the King, Grand Maester Pycel, Master of Coin Kevin Lannister, Lord Commander of the City Watch Janos Slynt, Master of Laws Prince Renly Baratheon, and Master of Whispers Varys. In addition the Queen is present. She had been coming to the small council meetings more often.
"You may begin." Robert says looking at Pycel.
"I have a message here from Lord Eddard Stark…" Pycel says and proceeds to read the message aloud.
To his Grace King Robert Baratheon
I write this letter to inform you that as Warden of the North I have made an alliance with the Free Folk and allowed them settle the Gift with permission of the Lord Commander…It may be hard to believe but the dead are coming for us all…And with the help of the Free Folk we will defeat them…
With Regards
Eddard Stark Warden of the North
"Wildlings!" Lord Janos said.
"Those savages allowed below the wall…If they want peace they must bend the knee." Cersei says.
"The Wildlings call themselves the Free Folk." Pycel says speaking up, "They will never bend the knee."
"An alliance between the Northern Houses and Free Folk. If they teach the Free Folk discipline the North will have the strongest military force in Westeros." Kevin says, "Either they bend the knee or go back beyond the wall from whence they came."
Everyone at the table is of the same opinion, but Ser Barristan remains quiet on the subject. Then Robert speaks, "Lord Stark would not have let them pass without some safety measures…The Wildlings are the North's problem."
They discuss other matters before dismissing. The rest of the day for Ser Barristan pretty much the same. When it is time to retire he undresses, bathes, and then reads a few reports. He lights the candles and puts out the torches. He is about to lay down, when the fire on the candle near his bed belches flame. He watches as the fire streams up whips around the room and forms into a ball of fire. Then the ball of fire takes the form of a flaming man.
"Ser Barristan…I apologize for the dramatic appearance. Do you know who I am?"
"You are Prince Aemon Targaryen…As a young man I saw your painting many times in the family wing of the castle."
"By fire and blood I am a young man again…The Targaryens are not finished…We grow stronger everyday…My nephew Prince Rhaegar had a son with Lyanna of House Stark. His second wife…She bore a son and named him Jaehaerys…His uncle Eddard Stark named him Jon Snow and claimed him as his own…I convinced Lord Stark to give Jaehaerys to me. Prince Viserys and Princess Daenarys are with me as well and many others…
Jaehaerys will be king again."
Barristan falls to his knees, "How may I serve my Prince?"
"Leave King's Landing. A ship name the Three Dragons is waiting to take you to Braavos…Ser Alliser Thorne will meet you…"
"Forgive me My Prince…But wouldn't I be more useful here as a spy or travel across Westeros gathering allies?"
"We have allies already and soon we will take Dragonstone…A war is coming and soon Robert will die."
Aemon disappears and the flame goes back to the Candle. Instead of going to sleep Barristan gets dressed in plain clothes, he takes his sword and leaves the White Tower. As said, the Three Dragons is waiting for him. He boards the ship and it sets sail.
JAIME LANNISTER
When Ser Barristan doesn't show up for duty, Robert commands that he be found and bought back alive. After many days of searching the King declares Barristan a traitor to the crown and places a bounty on his head. "Ser Jaime of House Lannister." King Robert says in the throne room before the court. "I king Robert…" As he speaks Jaime's head spins. Ser Barristan Selmy, one of the last of his brothers of the Old Guard that served under the Mad King was gone. After Jaime killed the Mad King Ser Barristan returned and thanked him for ending the madness that was Aerys Targaryen. All the whispers behind his back and the name he got Kingslayer; didn't matter because his brother, father figure and mentor called him a hero. What others said about him, didn't matter, all that mattered was what Ser Barristan thought of him.
"…I name thee, Lord Commander of the King's Guard." Everyone claps as he stands up. A hollow appointment, because his Sister the Queen had convinced Robert to name him Lord Commander. And it made sense, because Jaime was known as the best swordsman in the seven Kingdoms. He had bested Ser Barristan in the sword and the Joust at Robert's name day celebration. Ser Barristan was not a man to be taken lightly and despite his age he could make any man yield.
Still it bothered him that Ser Barristan left without saying a word. Jaime's first duty as Lord Commander was to find a suitable replacement for the Guard. There were always seven members of the guard including the Lord Commander. Willas Tyrell of High Garden would make a good choice, but he is heir of Lord Mace Tyrell. His second choice is Sandor Clegane, but would he accept it. Sandor hated knights because of his brother Gregor's reputation and what he did to him. "I will make the offer. All he can do is say yes or no." Jaime says. Sandor was serving as Prince Joffrey's Personal guard anyway.
"Yes…" Sandor says a few days later in Jaime's solar in the White Tower of the King's Guard. "But I don't want no fucking spectacle of it…I will be knighted here in private and not in front of those shits at court."
"Very well then."
BRAAVOS
After two weeks at sea the Three Dragons make it to Braavos. Ser Alliser is waiting for Ser Barristan as he disembarks from the ship. He is taken to the mansion to meet the Targaryens. "My King." Barristan says taking a knee before Jaehaerys, "I renounce my vow to the Usurper Robert Baratheon and offer my council, my sword, my life to you…I swear to keep your council and watch your back. I vow to give my life for yours."
"I accept your vow Ser Barristan. And I swear that you shall always have a place at my table and my hearth. I shall ask no service of you that will bring you dishonor. I name you Lord Commander of my King's Guard. Join your brothers, Sers Jory and Alliser. Rise Ser Barristan." He obeys, "My first command to you is to build my King's Guard…I want Walder to a part of my guard and also work with Connor as he desires to be my guard as well."
"I will not fail you my King."
After Ser Barristan is settled he starts his duties and Lord Commander.
