The Kingsguard
Jon POV
It has not been a week since my wedding with Margaery, and the capital city of Westeros has entered another festival—a tourney to choose the new Kingsguard. It was almost a more significant event than my wedding. At first, it was meant to be scheduled just after my wedding, but too many wanted to attend that we had to postpone it for a week.
It hasn't been long since lord Edmure Tully disappeared with Ser Patrek Mallister, but it felt like an eternity. Lady Arianne still worked hard to contact all her informants. Lord Mallister and she thought that Lord Tully was mostly likely in Essos, as no information was given yet. It took time for information to go from across the narrow sea. So, we could do nothing but wait.
The work has been steadily increasing. Even with Lord Mallister as my Hand, I barely had time for myself. And after this tourney, I had to send a host to the Stromlands to break their lords and put this war to an end. But even then, the rest will not find me. Robb has already informed me of his expedition north of the Wall.
Robb had written me that he plans to gather five thousand men and join the men of the night's watch to travel north and break the wildling army. At least that was the pretext, but he would investigate the Others. It would do no good if the smallfolk started hearing about the appearance of the Others and started panicking. So, for now, only the most trustworthy lords knew about it.
I only informed lord Mallister, lady Arianne and lord Tarly of this information. I could not risk the word spreading further, for I didn't know what the others would do knowing it. Most probably wouldn't believe it even if they saw the still-moving severed head. Lady Arianne had cautioned me that some might start calling me a madman. Others might blame me for the calamity, saying I brought the Other back. It would be mostly faith, but faith had far-reaching power to influence people.
I had too much on my hands, but the Wall still stood tall and strong. Stronger than ever, so I had nothing to fear for now. They would have done it if the White Walkers could cross the Wall. I had to focus on stabilizing the realms and ensuring people were prepared for the winter, for it would be long and cold.
"My dear, please at least try to pay attention to the tourney," My dear wife, Margaery, patted my hand to gain my attention. "They have come from all over the realms to prove their worth to you."
"Hmm, the melee has not ended yet?" I asked, looking at half-dozed knights still in the ring.
"My brother seemed to have trouble fighting the Yronwood knight," Margaery commented.
"Ser Archibald Yronwood," I said. "He is pretty big and looks strong. His skill with the Warhammer is quite excellent."
"It is indeed," Margaery agreed, seeing that her brother had trouble dodging the Warhammer. "What do you think of Ser Tarly?"
"Hyle Tarly?" I asked and looked at the other side of the ring. "I heard he had served house Tarly for a long time, yet he doesn't look old."
"Samwell had said that Ser Hyle was captain. From what I remember, he had nothing but good to say about the knight," Margaery commented. "Gallant, eloquent, and even though he was quite stubborn and languid, he had a kind heart."
"But who is he fighting?" I asked. "His opponent doesn't look like he lacks skill."
"Hmm, I don't know, but if he lasted that long, he must be trained well."
I waved my hand for a servant. I was sitting on a platform built for me and my wife. Neither my Hand nor Lady Arianne took their seats for today, and only Mace Tyrell sat with us. While I wished to focus on my other tasks, I had to be here. I had to look regal, wave, and smile at everyone. Clothed in a red and white overcoat, I wore grey beneath it.
"Yes, your grace," A young girl came at my calling, bringing some snacks and wine.
"Would you kindly ask around whom Ser Hyle Tarly is fighting against?"
"Of course, your grace," The girl blushed lightly and soon disappeared.
"What about Ser Balon Swann?" Margaery asked.
"Didn't he serve the Lannister?" I countered her.
"You can't hold it against him," Margaery pouted her lips. "He only did his duty, and his skill is unquestionable."
"But it seems he is struggling with Ser Gerold Dayne," I commented.
"I don't like that one," Margaery said. "He calls himself Darkstar. How pretentious can one be?"
"He is from house Dayne, isn't he? Even if he is lacking compared to Ser Arthur Dayne, I wouldn't dismiss him so easily."
"I still don't like him," Margaery frowned at the knight as he parried another strike from Ser Balon Swann.
"Your grace," The servant returned just in time to see the mystery knight managing to parry one of Ser Hyle's strikes and batting the sword away from his hands. "He is Ser Rolland Storm."
"Wasn't he serving Stannis?" I asked.
"He was with his brother, Bryce Caron," Margaery confirmed. "Both have since pledged themselves to you, my dear."
"All six of them are good enough," I said. "But still, I rather have Ghost by my side than any of them."
"Please, my dear," Margaery frowned at me, and I surrendered.
"We shall see after the tourney."
"My brother will gladly choose to protect me," Margaery said.
"And stab me in the back," I added.
"Dear!" Margaery slapped my hand. "He has let his grievances out; please don't hold it against him. He wasn't in the right mindset previously."
"Fine, fine," I could only nod at Margaery. "But he will have to make peace with Ser Robar Royce. I think he is the only one most suitable so far. Yet, I worry that they are all quite young."
"You are younger than them," Margaery stated, and I had no defense against her words.
By the end, it was a three-way battle with Ser Loras, Ser Rolland, and Ser Gerold. Neither tried to work with the other to defeat the last one. Loras handled himself quite well, but he was the least experienced, as it seemed that Ser Gerold would gain a victory here. Yet Ser Rolland surprised me again and knocked Ser Gerold with a good-timed kick to the ground before disarming Ser Loras.
I stood up and gave a quick thanks for the show and asked all three to have a drink with me. It looked like Margaery was right about Ser Gerold's character, as he didn't even bow to me before storming out of the tourney grounds. Even though I didn't mind it, it was pretty disrespectful.
"Please sit and watch the archery competition with us," I implored the two knights.
"It would be my honor, your grace," Ser Rolland accepted gracefully.
"As you command, your grace," Ser Loras was a bit redundant but didn't find it difficult to accept it.
Archery would soon enroll and end. Then I could return to work after having a feast to celebrate the winners and those whom I shall choose as my Kingsguard—at least we over with the joust. It took five days before a winner was announced. Ser Loras Tyrell took the last win against Sandor Clegane.
The archery was quite dull, but seeing one of the Northmen winning, made me smile. Ser Wendel Manderly was an immense man, not as fat as his father or brother, but he was still bigger than most men. It didn't seem to trouble him to win the competition with his excellent bow skills. And I had to wonder how many lost they bets against him.
"What do you think, my love?" I asked Margaery about Ser Wendel.
"You have to be joking," Margaery said. "He will make you starve by eating all your food."
"At least I will be secure from poisoning," I smiled.
"Don't come crying to me when you get hungry," Margaery replied. "I know how kind you can be. You will never refuse to give him your meal if he asks. And before you say anything, I know how crass the men from the North can be."
After the tourney ended, I stood up from my seat and addressed the knights and smallfolk here today. I got used to giving speeches. Most of the time, I don't even remember what I said. I was always instructed to provide kind words and make them short. People seemed to like it, so I continued doing it with a soft smile.
…
The selection of the Kingsguard has become a hassle. There were plenty of candidates, but only a few were satisfactory. Yet, they had to choose now, before the feast started. Lord Mallister and Lady Arianne were the ones who helped to weed out the selection. Margaery was close by to offer her thoughts. I found that Margaery was quite a good judge of a character, so I trusted her.
"Even though they are young men, they act mature enough and are well experienced for the position," Lord Mallister said. "Still, there is a question whom do we choose as a Lord Commander?"
"We need someone who can handle men well," Lady Arianne stated. "Someone who can look beyond their previous loyalties and origins."
"Yet we need someone experienced in leading," I added. "I think Ser Wendel Manderly suits all the criteria."
"He is from the North," Lady Arianne said. "You can expect some words coming from the faith about it."
"The ones who will try to spread rumors only will make fools out of themselves," Margaery commented. "We shall spread a word about the history of house Manderly. By the end, everyone in the city shall know the heroic tale of House Manderly and how they were banished from the Reach but received aid from House Stark and the North. And now, they are a great house with one of their knights serving as a Kingsguard."
"Songs shall be written," Lady Arianne stated.
"Then it is decided," Lord Mallister said, taking out the list of men we chose. "Those men shall be the new Kingsguard."
I looked at Lady Arianne, who nodded in agreement. Maegaery only smiled and caressed my hand. I had my doubts, but at this point, I had nothing to decline the men. Even though some were relatively young, neither lacked skill or capabilities. They seemed loyal and honorable. Some even were devout followers of the Seven.
…
The feast was boisterous, as I should have expected. Many have gathered to celebrate my wedding, as they didn't arrive on time. From all over Westeros, they came and participated in the fine tourney. It was time to congratulate the winners and announce the new Kingsguard. So, as the music quieted down, I stood up from my seat, and silence descended.
"Good people who are gathered here today, I have something to say," I took a deep breath and looked at them as they waited for my words. "Firstly, let me reward the courageous and tenacious knights who showed their skills to the whole realm. Please come forth, Ser Loras Tyrell, victor of the joust. Ser Rolland Storm, victor of the melee, and Ser Wendel Manderly, victor of the archery."
People looked at the three knights coming forward. They held their breaths as Ser Loras and Ser Rolland walked up to me and then laughed, seeing Ser Wendel's chin covered in grease from eating various kinds of meat. At least some tension was removed with that, but I started to doubt my new commander of the Kingsguard.
"The three of you have shown your capabilities and shall be rewarded with what was promised," I told them as they knelt before me. "But I would like to invite you to join my Kingsguard to protect me from the malice of the others."
"I, Loras Tyrell, gracefully accept the honor of serving you, my king."
"It would be an honor if I, Rolland Storm, could serve you, your grace."
"I, Wendel Manderly, would be delighted to serve for one and true king, his Grace Jaehaerys Targaryen, third of his name."
"I shall accept your pledges later, so please stand and enjoy the feast as it is held in your honor," I commanded, and they listened. "Now, after much consideration, with my loyal advisors, I would like to announce the rest who shall join these three brave knights. Please come forth, Ser Archibald Yronwood, Ser Robar Royce, Ser Balon Swann, Ser Hyle Tarly."
A.N. For those wondering, I am throwing us back in time. This happened about the time when Edmure woke up in Astapor.
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