Barristan II
Barristan Selmy had to guard the royal children today during King Robert's hunt, and while Prince Joffrey was away with his father to catch the boar the party had spotted last night. Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella were playing inside the royal tent; dolls and wooden knights shattered across the ground. Ser Jaime and Ser Meryn were with the king and the crown prince, while Barristan and Ser Preston were guarding the tent. No one would dare attack them now; he knew that for sure. A thousand men, at least, all around the edge of the Kingswood. Three lion guards for every stag one, banners of Lannister, Rosby, and Staunton. But Selmy would never slack in his duties; only the Seven knew what dangers lurked even here. Ser Mandon Moore slacked; I will not.
Where Joffrey Baratheon had an unchecked sadistic streak, Tommen and Myrcella had an unnoticed gentleness. They were sweet children, but neglected. Myrcella was courteous and delicate, while Tommen was more shy but a tenderhearted lad. All three children had inherited their mothers looks, with curly golden hair and emerald green eyes. But only Joffrey had inherited his mother's or father's personality. Quick-tempered and strong-willed, none of which could be seen in the two latter children. Robert Baratheon's fury was well known in court, and Queen Cersei had a quick temper—that much Ser Barristan knew, but she kept it well hidden. Joffrey, however, did not shy away from his temper; sometimes it looked as if he relished it. He is still young, and he strongly requires guidance. Fostering is what the crown prince needed—from a man the boy could look up to. Like Stannis Baratheon or Eddard Stark. But none of that was Ser Barristan's duty; his duty was to protect and guard, not politicking like some of his predecessors had done.
As a kingsguard, Barristan Selmy had not only mastered the art of the blade. But the art of closing one's eyes to things one would rather not see was something he also had mastered well. And he has been mastering it ever since he was guarding King Aerys' wife, Queen Rhaella, listening to the beatings she endured and the coupling against her will. His expression darkened at the memory of it. He did his duty, guarding her from all enemies, but he could not guard or protect her from the king himself. Being a kingsguard to a mad king took a lot from one's heart.
King Robert's entourage soon arrived at the camp, Robert himself and the crown prince at the front with Ser Meryn Trant and Ser Jaime Lannister. Behind them were a dozen men and a cart, dragging a dead boar. Joffrey looked bored, while Robert was looking like the wrong word could set him off. The king had been like that for some time now, ever since they had finally caught the cutthroat who murdered Renly Baratheon.
As soon as he was dragged to the throne room, seriously bruised, the thin man had quickly confessed the deed. Confessing that it had been done on Viserys Targaryen's orders. Robert's face had turned red in anger, demanding his head right there and then. Ser Meryn Trant had quickly obeyed, slitting his throat right there in the throne room. Then the king had called an emergency small council.
''I want him dead! All of them! Every single fucking one!'' Robert roared.
''Your Grace, you cannot mean to sail and invade Pentos. It is pure madness.'' Jon Arryn said firmly.
''He has murdered my brother! I will have his head!''
''Your Grace, if I may. Viserys Targaryen needs to die, yes. But we need not declare a war. A cutthroat ended Renly's life, and I fail to see why a cutthroat could not end Viserys'.'' Littefinger said carefully.
''Do it then! Send a bloody army of them! I want him dead!''
''A wise choice, Your Grace. I will see to it.'' Littlefinger said.
''Jon! Order the Spider back to the Capitol. Damn the Three Whores! I need him here, now! Before another damn cutthroat arrives for my neck!''
Judging by the look Robert had on his face now as he struggled to climb off his horse, he had yet to receive any word or any silver-haired head. Barristan did not know how many assassins Petyr Baelish had sent across the narrow sea, but he knew for sure that Viserys' life was forfeit.
''Ser Barristan, Is it my father? Has he arrived?'' Myrcella asked kindly when Barristan stepped inside the tent.
''Yes, Princess. He and your brother have brought a boar with them.''
''Is there a lot of blood?'' Tommen said worryingly.
Barristan smiled at the prince reassuringly. ''I don't know, my prince. But the blood won't hurt you, I promise.''
The day and night passed quickly; the only thing of note happening was a servant who had been responsible for giving Prince Joffrey new clothes had returned beaten for a reason Barristan did not know. And the fact that they spend the night at the edge of the Kingswood at all. Queen Cersei was quite against the idea, but it seemed that Robert wanted to. Mayhaps to escape it all. The Seven knows that he has no interest in ruling.
The smell of King's Landing started to creep up on Ser Barristan's nose as they neared the capital; he was on his horse besides King Robert. It was his turn to guard him during the ride home to King's Landing. The horse looked like it struggled to carry him as they trotted from the hunt. Ever since Robert had taken the throne, he must have gained ten stones, completely unrecognised from his time at the Rebellion.
''Ser Barristan! Do you remember us after the battle of the Trident?'' Robert asked in his loud manner.
''Aye, Your Grace.''
''Gods, you must've cut down a hundred men before you went down. I have yet to see such a display in battle again.'' The king said, laughing.
''Thank you, Your Grace. I'm glad we did not meet in battle, or you would've been a dead man.'' Barristan answered, and Robert roared in laughter. It was at moments like this that Barristan truly understood how Robert had managed to turn so many former enemies over to his side during the war. The man had a certain charisma, a charisma neither Jaeherys nor Aerys ever possessed.
''Yes, I'm sure that would've been the case! In truth, that's why I spared you. Even when lords such as the Leech lord were whispering in my ear to have me cut your throat. Any king would've been fortunate to have The Bold as a kingsguard.'' He paused for a moment, his smile somewhat disappearing as both of them saw The Red Keep's huge towers on the horizon.
''I spared you, and let you join my Kingsguard. Because you were a great knight and a good man, serving a bad cause.''
Ser Barristan could not help but frown at his wording. Rheagar was not a bad cause. I believed in him; we all did. Selmy had been there when Lord Tywin brought the bodies of Rhaenys and Aegon, and if Robert would've been smiling at the sight, nothing would have stopped him from killing the man.
But he had not; instead, he had looked... ashamed as Eddard Stark berated the massacre. Barristan had considered going into exile and seeking out Viserys Targaryen when he was presented with the choice of staying or leaving after the Rebellion, but by then he had already shown signs of the 'Targaryen madness'.
King Jaehaerys II had once told him that madness and greatness are two sides of the same silver coin. And every time a new Targaryen is born, the gods toss the coin in the air, and the world would hold its breath to see how it would land. A madman and a little girl are all that is left now of the most powerful dynasty this world has ever known.
''You have served me well, Ser Barristan.'' Robert continued, unusually sombre. ''Even when Ser Arthur Dayne chose to leave the kingsguard, you chose to stay and serve me. Why?''
''I swore an oath. The Kingsguard is for life.''
''Yes, that it is. You swore an oath. To my dynasty, to House Baratheon.''
''I have not forgotten, Your Grace. And I never will.'' Barristan said definitively. Something happened to Robert when he heard those words; his sombre expression was gone in an instant and was replaced with a huge grin. Does he think me a dragon loyalist? That I would kill him in favour of Viserys Targaryen?
He wondered if he thought the same about Jaime Lannister. He had killed his king, stabbed him in the back. And even after Ser Arthur's request, even after Lord Tywin's pleas, Robert had let him stay. Barristan thought it only logical that the Kingslayer would leave the order then; he could not be trusted; if he would break one oath, he could do it again. The Kingslayer should thank the Mother that he even wears any cloak besides a black one.
''Good man!'' Robert roared, laughing.
As they reached the King's Gate, he could hear shouts from the Janos Slynt to open the gate. They trotted to The Red Keep, passing commoners roaring for the king, holding their babes for the prince to bless, while some were simply screaming for food.
''Thank the gods, we are back; I could not stand another second in those woods.'' Joffrey said, vexed, as he climbed out the royal wheelhouse.
''I really liked it! Father, I saw a stag! It was enormous!'' Tommen squealed excitedly.
Robert laughed at his son's antics. ''Oh!? Why did you not say anything? I would've brought you it's pelt myself!''
''No!'' Tommen answered, ruffled. IT made Robert laugh even more.
''Of course you don't like it! You should start wearing a dress soon, the way you swoon over the sight of blood.'' Joffrey sneered.
The crown prince did not dislike the sight of blood; that much was certain. Barristan could still remember when he had skinned a cat and presented it proudly to his father shortly after Robert had returned from one of his hunts. Both Barristan and Robert had been lost for words at the display; Barristan even more so when the king replied to his 'gesture' by hitting him so hard he thought the boy had lost most of his teeth. Queen Cersei had not allowed Robert to see his child for moons after that. Growling like a mother lion protecting her cub.
''Your Grace.'' The Hand of the King acknowledged with a bow once they had all disembarked by the entrance to The Red Keep.
''Jon! Any news?''
''No, Your Grace. But your brother is here; he arrived last midday.''
''Stannis? He finally showed up?''
''Aye.'' Arryn replied, grimacing as he said the next part. ''He did not arrive alone.''
Barristan walked towards the White Sword tower with Ser Jaime Lannister for a debrief; when they both arrived, he could spot the rest of the brotherhood except for Ser Meryn, who was currently guarding the royal family.
''Sers, I hope everything was peaceful here while we were gone.'' Barristan began.
''It was.'' Ser Boros replied, relieved that nothing of note had happened.
''As all of you already know, Stannis Baratheon arrived yesterday. And at King Robert's request, he requires one of us as a personal guard.'' Ser Barristan Selmy added. All of their faces grimaced; Ser Boros even stepped back a tiny bit. Of course, no one wants to guard him. He sighed, pulling at his beard slightly that had begun to grow again. I will have to shave soon.
''I will watch him for now, until I've found a new knight to join us and for the king to accept him. Ser Jaime and Ser Arys will guard his grace, while the rest of you continue in your duties to the royal family.'' Barristan said firmly.
''Sounds fun. I heard that he has his red witch with him; be careful you don't succumb to one of her fire spells.'' Ser Jaime said smugly.
''Any questions?'' Barristan asked, not bothering to reply to his jape. When he received no answer, he wished them good luck and made his way to Stannis.
The steward told him that he was currently in the Tower of the Hand, holding a meeting with the Lord Hand. So he had climbed all the steps to the tower and waited outside patiently. It felt like an hour had passed before the door opened and Stannis walked through alone. He stopped when his eyes met Barristan's and frowned.
''Ser Barristan. Do you seek an audience with the Hand?'' Stannis asked
''No, my lord. I'm here for you; I'm to be your personal guard for the foreseeable future.''
''I have no need for an escort. You're skills are better used protecting the king!'' Stannis answered, slightly ruffled.
''His Grace is much insistent on this matter, until such a time when the crown's threats have been dealt with.''
Stannis did not reply for a moment, though he observed him very closely, looking him up and down like you would inspect a newly forged blade.
''Did anyone else than you have any say on which kingsguard was to guard Renly?'' He asked suddenly.
Barristan frowned at his sudden question, a question he did not see coming. ''No, my lord. Queen Cersei was very insistent on which one was to guard herself and the crown prince; she always wanted her twin brother. But no man had shown any interest in which knight was to have to honour guarding your late brother.''
''Why did you choose Ser Mandon Moore to guard Renly?''
''My lord?''
''Why?'' Stannis grated his teeth, growing impatient.
That was a question he had never thought about; Mandon Moore had been a knight of the kingsguard, one of them who had greater skill with a blade than all his brothers. The man had no friend but his sword and no life but duty. ''I must say I have not given my choice about Ser Mandon guarding him much thought.''
''I see. Perhaps if you did, my brother would still be alive.'' Stannis said simply. Barristan did not answer him, somewhat shocked at this sudden confrontation. First Robert and now Stannis, every Baratheon seems to think of me some sort of mummer.
''Perhaps," Barristan said solemnly. ''I'm very sorry for your loss; I failed him.''
''Yes, you did. But he has not been the only one you failed, or am I mistaken? King Aerys, Prince Rhaegar, Princess Elia, and her children.''
Stannis closed the distance between them, his blue Baratheon eyes looking like a thunderstorm.
''If me or anyone else from my family is murdered in this place again, you better be lying dead as well, with a sword in hand. If it were up to me, you would've been dead already.'' He finished before walking away and down the stairs from the Tower of the Hand.
Barristan felt shame creeping up from his core; he was an old man who had seen and done a lot in his life, and for most of his life he had experienced a lot of feelings. But he had never known shame or regret until he grew old. I should have died on the Trident. Yet he had not; Robert had speared him. So he followed Stannis down the tower, and he would guard him and give his life for him if he had to.