Renly V

The news he was reading from the piece of Parchment that the raven had delivered from Pyke, raised a lump in his throat. Lord Eddard Stark was killed. No one saw the killer, but they believed a lone raider killed him. This would leave a large void to be filled, Eddard was the only person apart from his Lord Commander who offered completely unbiased views and always the right and honourable choice and strong contrast compared to the others. He needed someone who would do that again but he couldn't think of anyone really. Looking at all his high lords, there wasn't really anyone, Robb Stark and Edmure Tully were to in experience, Edric Baratheon was still just a boy, the Martells were untrustworthy, Mace Tyrell is incompetent, he hadn't heard anything from the Vale and Tyrion Lannister, although he was rather intelligent and knew how to play the game, he wouldn't ever during his reign ask a Lannister to be his hand.

He needed someone like Eddard, who cared about the people, and there weren't many of them about, Brynden Blackfish was a possibility but he was already a member of the Kingsguard, and there had been issues in the past with that. There were lords that Eddard had always spoken highly of, maybe one of them could work. Lord Umber was a leader in battle but not in the court, Lord Jason Mallister was dead, Lord Yohn Royce was a possibility but contact in the Vale was difficult at this time. Maybe one of the Stormlords, they were loyal to him still. Thinking though the lords he remembered one whom Lord Eddard had trusted enough to go an protect the people of the Riverlands, whom when all seemed lost kept fighting to protect the people. Lord Beric Dondarrion would make a fine replacement.

He would make the announcement later along with his new master of ships but first he had some more important business to attend too. Robb had asked him to break the news to Sansa and Arya before they heard it some other way and tell them he was on his was to Kingslanding to see them before heading North to up his duties as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.

The mood in the keep was a buzz as many people had heard about the Iron Islands defeat but none had heard about Eddard Starks death yet that he knew of. He sauntered down the halls flanked by Brienne of Tarth and Ser Perwyn Frey, as they plus the Lord Commander were the only ones left in the capitals. Greysteel was now dead, Brynden and Balon were heading back here and Ser Robar Royce was in the Vale. He would need to choose another one but there were limited choices now. He would have to talk to the Lord Commander, the only man he really trusted anymore.

He found Arya where he thought she would be, up in the tower of the hand. She was standing in the large room doing twirls and jabs with sword as her teacher Syrio Florel looked on. Also there were 2 of Oberyn's daughters Elia and Obella who were fighting each other, Elia was easily besting her younger sister, being quicker and more aggressive with her sword, pushing Obella back and ventually as he stood watching sweeping her legs making her fall over.

"Haha, I win, Arya you dare to challenge me," she turned, pointing her sparring sword at her.

"I dare, the amount of times I've beaten you, you should be afraid," smirked Arya wilfully, then she turned and saw him standing there, looking grave and dejected.

"Ah Your grace, what do we owe such a surprise," asked Syrio Florel concerned.

"Forgive me for intruding on your lesson but I must speak to Arya on her own, you are more than welcome to wait outside, if Arya wants to continue afterwards."

They respectfully left leaving Arya there standing looking curious and worried. She had only recently been told of her mother's death which for some reason she had taken rather well maybe bause she knew she was already injured and may have been expecting it whereas Sansa had cried her heart out when Lord Rickard had had the unpleasant job of telling her about her mother. Maybe Arya was just stronger than her older sister, she was certainly more wild and spirited, Eddard had often spoken of how she reminded him of his sister Lyanna.

"Arya, I'm sorry, I am so very sorry, It is with my deepest regrets that I must inform you that your father Lord Eddard Stark. He was murdered duting the siege of Pike, someone snuck into his tent, I am deeply sorry. Your brother Robb asked me to tell you that he is on his way here to see you and your sister and he loves you very much!" he finished waiting for her to start crying but instead she shouted.

"Are they dead?"

"Who?" he asked confused, was she refusing to believe that her mother and father were dead.

"The people who killed them, are they dead?" she demanded louder growing angry, screaming in his face with her ear piercing voice, "I want them dead I want them all to be killed. What are their names? What are their names?"

"Your brother Robb has beheaded Asha Greyjoy in my name, she killed our mother, also Balon, Aeron and Victarion Greyjoy have all been slain. We don't know who killed your father, it happened during the battle, no one saw the person as your father was in his tent right messages, and commanding the battle from the back. We know it was one of the Iron Born." He hadn't waned to tell her all this but she obviuisouly wanted, no needed to know.

"Then Kill them, kill all the Iron Born, they deserve it," she shouted furiously, pointing her sword in the air, "They will die, by my blade, all of them, " and with that she turned and ran out the other door not looking back.

Elia and Oberra burst through, they had obviously been listening at the door and ran after her but to no avail, Arya had already disappeared she knew this place better than anyone with all the exploring and chasing cats she had done.

He had left Elia and Obella and Syrio to search for Arya as had to go find Sansa before she was told by someone else. His betrothed Margery had just told him she was in the godswood praying by the Wierwood tree stump. Those 2 had become good friends which he was glad of but saddened him as soon Wilas Tyrell would be coming to the capital to collect his betrothed and take her back to Highgarden and Margery would be staying here as their wedding would be taking place in a week. He had wanted to push it back due to this tragedy but her lord Father wouldn't hear of it and he didn't want to lose the much needed alliance with this mighty house.

Brienne and Ser Perwyn were following him closely behind as he approached a kneeling Sansa, as he got closer he could hear sobbing.

"Someone else in my family had died, haven't they, she whimpered quietly, not turning to look at him.

"Sansa, I'm sorry I wanted to be the one to tell you. I thought it should be my duty since he died in a war where I sent him."

Who is it, It can't be Bran but he's still missing, was it Robb or my uncle Edmure, are you going to tell me they die heroically fighting the Ironborn."

"No I will tell you the truth, It was neither of them," at that she turned around, realisation struck her face, maybe she had already suspected but had not wanted to believe it.

"No, no, no NO!" she wept uncontrollably, and for some reason he bent forward and hugged her trying to comfort her.

"I'm sorry Sansa, he was murdered while he was in his tent by an Iron Islander, They have been defeated and will pay for this I promise you. Your father will not be forgotten, he will be honoured he had done a lot for Westeros more than people know."

"Thank you."

"Brienne please escort Sansa back to the Tower of the Hand and make sure no one bothers her."

"Yes My Lord but I don't think it is wise to leave you with only one protector."

"Ser Perwyn is more than capable, Brienne, follow your yours."

"Yes your grace, she bowed and followed Sansa back to tower.

2 days later the court was convened where he announcing the new Kingsguard and new Hand of the King and Master of ships, all 3 knew whom they were and had already accepted.

He got off the uncomfortable seat which was the Iron throne and stood on the top steps.

"I King Renly of the Houses Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm regret to announce that my loyal Hand, Lord Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North had been killed in battle. He will not be forgotten. House Stark has given a lot to this kingdom and they have lost a lot and for that I deeply sadden for. Nothing can bring Lord Eddard or Lady Catelyn back for their children. In Lord Stark honour a statue will be commissioned in the grounds of the Red keep so all future hands will remember his honourable intentions and love of the people and the sacrifices he made for this Kingdom." He waited a minute to give everyone time to grieve before continuing, "My new Hand has already accepted the position and I believe that Lord Eddard would have been happy with my chosen successor for him, as I know he held much respect for this man, trusting him enough to bring in Ser Gregor Clegane. Lord Beric Dondarrion please rise and accept this great honour."

A round of applause sounded as the now one eyed and 3 times brought back to life Lord Beric Dondarrion kneeled in front of him and accepted the badge worn by the Lord Hand.

As Lord Beric took his seat, to his right and he continued making his announcements. "I also would like to express my condolensces to House Mallister for the loss of Lord Jason Mallister, my Master of ships. He led many victories in mine and my brother's name and I am grateful for his long service and counsel. I have chosen Lord Monford Velaryon , Master of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides to be my Master of Ships."

At that there was much muttering in the room and eh saw Mace Tyrell huff and grow red in the face. He had suspected that lord Tyrell would not be happy with this choice and many people would question it, as Lord Paxter Redwyne with his Arbor fleet and many victories in the recent war seemed the more logical choice, but both Lord Karstark and Lord Commander Selmy had advised against it as 3 powerful Reach Lords on the Small council would make it very one sided and may cause other lords from other regions slight as not being chosen. Lord Velaryon was from the Crownlands so it would be useful to have a loyal lord so close and with rumours of the Targeyen girl in Essos trying to raise an army and that she had 3 dragons, he wanted to keep all the former loyal houses to House Targeryen close to him.

Next came his announcement for the new Kingsguard, and he knew there would be more controversy, he wanted a Kingsguard from a different region, he already had 3 from the Stormlands, 2 from the Riverlands and 1 from the Vale. There weren't many knights in the North and none who would want to be in the Kingsguard, the reach had had already had 2 knights and had lost 2, the Iron Islands and Westerlands had just rebelled against him so that left the Crownlands and Dorne.

"Ser Dameon Sand, please rise and accept a white cloak from Lord Commander Barristan

Prince Oberyn had suggested it to him and the Lord Commander and Ser Daemon had reluctantly accepted as it was a high honour to be asked to join the Kingsguard especially for a Bastard

The final announcement was the decision about the new lord of Fair Isle, since Iron Born killed the whole family when they captured it.

"I hereby grant the Seat of Fair Castle with lordship over all its lands and incomes to Ser Gunthor Hightower, in honour of his older brother dying in the siege of Pyke."

He noticed Lord Tyrell looked rather pleased with that, he knew he would have to do something to please the buffoon.

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