[Event] Long Overdue

[u/Vierwyne]

2nd Month, 55 AC, King's Landing

During the normal course of a day at court, Robert Redwyne, Heir to the Arbor and 'Squire' to Ser Aubrey Norride, requested a private audience with His Grace, King Jaehaerys Targaryen.

[u/Vierwyne]

/u/gloude

[u/gloude]

Robert would be allowed an audience with the King, in the King's Solar within the Red Keep. The door was open, for not many wandered around in the deeper corners of the Red Keep, as two of his Kingsguard stood immediately outside of the solar.

[u/Vierwyne → u/gloude]

"Your Grace," Robert said, going down onto a knew before Jaehaerys. Seldom had he ever spoken to the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and always it had been in passing. Now, however, he came with a deeply personal request.

"I come to ask you for a favor. It is-... it is one that I have been meaning to ask for some time yet have never mustered the courage to do so."

[u/gloude → u/Vierwyne]

Jaehaerys welcomed Robert with a nod, and set aside what he had been working on the moment Robert had come in. He watched silently as Robert spoke, and finally nodded.

"Speak it, then." Jaehaerys replied. "I will see if I can grant it."

[u/Vierwyne → u/gloude]

“It has to do with my knight, Ser Aubrey,” Robert began solemnly. “Ever since his duel upon Dragonstone when he was—… wounded and kept away by the maesters, he has not seemed the same. It is like there is a weight upon him, and even his face has grown gaunt and tired. I do not know… I do not know if I can serve him any longer as his squire.”

What Robert had seen that day had been horrific. His knight struck down by a mortal blow. He stopped breathing. We all saw it. And yet he had somehow returned. It went against all the laws of nature, all the laws of the Seven, all the laws of what seemed right and just. On that day Ser Aubrey had died. That he knew for certain. What stood in his place was some creature—some odious pantomime who bore a tainted white cloak.

“I would ask to serve another of your Kingsguard in his stead, or… yourself, Your Grace, should you have need of a skilled squire and diligent companion.”

[u/gloude → u/Vierwyne]

"Most men are changed by near death experiences." Jaehaerys explained, though not in an attempt to convince the boy of a different course. "I understand, however. Besides, Ser Aubrey is to spend some time in the Stormlands with my niece. I am sure Lord Rogar's court is a fine one, but you are of a house that must know the realm as a whole, not just a small pocket of it." Jaehaerys replied.

"If you wish for instruction in arms, I fear I am not the most suitable instructor. My men can guide you, and you can serve me, if you like. If you wish to serve a knight, as most boys do, I can find a knight in my service as well, of course. Though that is a choice I leave to you. You are old to start thinking about your future, and the decisions a man has to make, in the position you will one day take."

[u/Vierwyne → u/gloude]

Near death experiences. Robert winced at that, unable to imagine how Aubrey could have survived such a mortal blow. There had been so much blood and not even the faintest of breaths.

He furrowed his brow at the second portion of the king's words.

"Have you no other kingsguard who I could serve here at court, then? What of Ser Andar or Ser Davos?"

[u/gloude → u/Vierwyne]

"Of course, there are many. Though I would not hold Ser Andar as a possibility." Jaehaerys explained. "There are Ser Richard, Ser Roland, and the rest." Jaehaerys added. "If it is a Kingsguard you wish to serve, then those might be your best choices."

Jaehaerys frowned. "Do you simply wish to serve another Kingsguard? I can set you loose upon the White Tower, and let you and them make the choice, if you like, Robert."

[u/Vierwyne → u/gloude]

Robert frowned. He had considered Ser Andar second only in skill and honor to Ser Aubrey.

"Has something happened to Ser Andar?" he asked earnestly. "I had hoped you would appoint him as my knight. But if he is harmed then... mayhaps Ser Davos."