Barristan's POV
He had watched the whole fight and from the beginning he knew Jamie would win. Even weak from imprisonment he was a formidable warrior and had been in many battles.
Where Loras was still a green boy by comparison, he may have trained since he was a young boy and won many tourneys and competitions but he hadn't been in many fights to the death like Jamie had. He Renly had chosen him, sure he was older, but he knew how Jamie fought, where his weaknesses' were, he could have bested him.
Alas it was not to be, he was now on his way to see the kingslayer, the knight who had once squired for him and had been knighted by one of the greatest knights to had ever lived, Ser Arthur Dayne. Now he was only known as the knight who had broken his oath and stabbed the person he swore to protect.
He found him in what was once his old quarters, he was clearing out his stuff, getting ready to leave, wherever he was planning on going.
"Have you come to arrest me again," Jamie laughed, as he turned around to face him, where he was standing in the doorway, "Is he still missing his boy?"
"Enough, show some respect, he put up a fight proved his worth and you mock him, what kind of knight are you."
"A failed one obviously," Jamie spat back, turning away.
"No!" he boomed, "I don't believe that for a second, I saw greatness in you when you were first knighted by Ser Arthur Dayne, we all did. Yes you were eager and young but we all were once."
"Well you were obviously wrong, I couldn't protect the weak, or the women in my life, my mother is dead, my father is dead, my sister is dead, even one of me so… nephews is dead."
"Yes you have made mistakes, everyone has. You once asked me what did it mean to be true knight, and I replied…."
"You must be Just and honourable," Jamie finished smiling, "Yeah a lot of good that does my now."
"Jamie, all your life you have weaselled out of punishment or responsibility never turning to face your mistakes always running away. You were granted life by the seven getting out of your responsibility again don't waste this second chance," he turned around and walked out the door leaving Jamie standing there.
2 days after the death of Ser Loras, they were once again in the grand hall for a more joyous occasion, knighthoods and rewards to house for the war. He knew he would be doing a lot of the knighting today along with the rest of the kingsguard.
He looked behind to where King Renly was sitting majestically on the Iron Throne, as majestically as anyone could, on a seat made out of sharp swords, but he still had a sullen demeanour, still affected by the death of Renly.
First Renly called up many people to get knighted for their bravery and acts during the war, at least 200 maybe more were knighted, some of noble or masterly families, some minor branches of lordly families or other knighted houses others just up jumped sellswords or freeriders.
All of Robb's remaining personal guards were knighted including Smalljon Umber, Patrek Mallister, Robin Flint and Owen Norrey. Also Robb's stark personal squire Olyvar Frey was knighted; his face could not have been redder when the Blackfish knighted him.
Then King Renly spoke up, "Robb Stark, heir to Winterfell, step forward."
He watched Robb nervously approached the steps looking at his father, who was sat on Renly's right side.
"Robb Stark, you lead the Northmen into battle, captured the kingslayer, lifted the siege of Riverrun, destroyed the Lannisters forces at Oxross, captured Ashemark and the Crag, you have done extremely well for a boy of 17 who had not tasted battle before, for that you will be knighted, Ser Barristan would you do the honours please."
The young wolf as people were calling him now was the last to be knighted, next came the allocation of land, it was tedious and boring announcements, he as the lord commander remained on high alert, constantly gazing out into the court scanning for threats to the king.
"Lord Mace Tyrell, for your welcome allegiance to us and your capture of Crakehall, I grant the Reach Crakehall and all its lands and income."
At this Lord Mace Tyrell smiled smugly and thanked the king, bowing before slumping back down on one of the seats to the Kings left.
"I also wish to once again present my condolesences to you over the death of you son Ser Loras, he was a true friends and a truer knight, I also grant Crakehall to your second son Ser Garlan Tyrell and suggest that he marry Alyx Frey, the granddaughter to Amarei Crakehall."
He knew that Lord Crakehall and his immediate heir perished in the war, Ser Lyle , his second son has taken the black, and his third son was too young and his uncle had fled. Anyway it was within the kings right to seize lands as punishment for treason.
"Ser Ryman Frey, You came here in your grandfather's place to confirm your allegiance to me, I wish to offer you my regrets at the death of your father Ser Stevron Frey in the Battle of Oxcross, and in return I grant your Uncle Ser Aenys Frey the seat of Harrenhal and all its lands and income," announced King Renly, keeping a straight unemotional face.
He couldn't help but smile, Renly wasn't a fool as some people thought or maybe it was Lord Eddard's or Oberyn's advice that had suggested this course of action. On the surface it looked like a reward but everyone with a brain could read the hidden message, this was a slight for charging such a high price for their help during the war. Harrenhal was a curse no family had held it for long, it was impossible to garrison as it is so large and to expensive to maintain although it's holdings contain vast stretches of fertile lands.
Petyr Baelish was the last lord to hold the land granted by King Renly for his help in seizing the throne, it was a slight in disguise of a reward then too but now a warrant for his arrest had been issued and he had been declared an outlaw.
"Lord Beric Dondarrion, I wish to thank you and your remaining men for staying loyal to my late brother through this turmoil and war even when all the odds were against you, thank you. This will not be forgotten I promise you."
Lord Beric had returned the day before last with about 30 remaining men, they had revealed that Lord Beric had died 3 times but Thoros of Myr ahd brought him back from the dead each time, they ahd been hiding out in a cave near Deep Den when they joined the forces attacking the castle.
"Ser Perwyn Frey," Renly called to a man sitting in the middle rows of the grand hall, "Ser Robb Stark has spoken highly of you and your skills in battle defending him on many occasions, I offer you a place in my Kingsguard if you would have it."
Ser Barristan had known this was coming, he had accepted this placement although his concern that he was a Frey did cloud his judgement slightly; they had a reputation in the kingdom. Ser Perwyn Frey gladly accepted the offer.
"Lord Stark," Renly spoke to his Hand turning to look at him, "For your loyalty and service and the wrongs that have been done to your family by the hand of the Lannisters, I grant the lands of the Golden Tooth to your second son Bran Stark, I want someone loyal and honourable in the lands that hold the main passage through to the Westerlands and I can think of no one more honourable then a Stark, I suggest you choose a castellan to help him until he comes of age."
"Thank you your grace, you honour my family."
"With regards to Hornwood in the North, I hear the lands are causing trouble amongst the lords, I hereby at suggestions of Lord Stark, Warden of the North legitimise the Late Halys Hornwoods bastard son, Larence Snow."
The court was now getting a bit restless but there was still more to come.
"I have offered the seat of Tarbeck Hall to Prince Quentyn Martell, but Prince Doran Martell refused instead Prince Trystanne will take the seat when he comes of age, and Castermere will be granted to Lucas Blackwood , the second son of Lord Tytos Blackwood, along with all its lands and income," Renly explained.
Both Oberyn Martell and Lord Tytos Blackwood thanked Renly.
"House Darry, was wiped out by Ser Amory Lorch and his raiding party, therefore I grant those lands to Lewys Piper, to thank his houses Bravery during the war and his elder brother's guerrilla tactics against the Lannisters, and finally I hereby legitimise my nephew Edric Storm, he has agreed to relinquish all claim to the Iron throne, in return he has been granted the Baratheon seat of Storm Ends along with all its lands and income."
As the king dismissed the court, he noticed out of the corner of his eye a young squire delivering to letters to the Lord Hand looking grave, and then Eddard went over to King Renly and showed him the 2 letters.
"Hold, there is important news," the king bellowed, and everyone stopped shuffling out and turned to see Lord Eddard shaking and a look of hatred in his eyes.
"This first letter is from Balon Greyjoy declaring himself King of the Iron Islands again, and vowing that the Starks will pay the Iron price for the deaths of his children. This other letter is from Wintrerfell, with 3 days old news. Deepwood Motte has been captured by the Ironborn, Torrhen's Square was laid siege to but it turns out this was only a distraction," the king bellowed grimly, over the noise of the whispering crowds, " Asha Greyjoy led a raid on Winterfell, killing many people before they were driven off by the garrison there, but they have kidnapped Rickon Stark, Catelyn Stark is seriously injured and Bran Stark, Jojen and Meera Reed are missing. I am sorry to have to say this again, We are going to war, call the banners."
Authors note, sorry it has taken a bit longer than usual, I will be moving in a week and then starting a new job so it will only be once a week probably maybe a bit more then. Please read and review.