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Greyjoy rebellion part 2

Barristan POV

289 AL

Six years, it was six years since the last war, since the last rebellion, and now a new rebellion has risen, a new war started. The last war ended with Kings Landing sack by Lannisters, and now a new started by Lannisport sack by Greyjoys, oh the irony.

The Lannisters were pissed to say at least, I never liked them to begin with, so it didn't bother me much, even when the Queen demanded justice.

The King decided to deliver the justice personally, there was no need for anyone to ask him, he was all too happy to march to another war. In the six years that Robert I Baratheon become the King, he never was happier than right now.

In all my years as a kingsguard, only Jaehaerys deserved the title of the King, but alas he died too soon. Still, I served faithfully and will serve faithfully, as I had vowed, I only wish that Joffrey will be better than his father.

His rule was lacking to say at least. He didn't care for anything else but fighting, even whores didn't interest him these days. All he talks, on the way to the Seagard, is about his plans to crush the Greyjoys, how he was going to defeat them.

Finally reaching Seagard, we were greeted by Lord Jason Mallister, his son Patrek and a young man with auburn hair, after introducing him to me, I have found out that he was Edmure Tully, who was squiring at Seagard.

Our arrival was expected as a feast was already prepared. Lord Mallister has told them of the battle that happened here not long ago, the King has laughed at the Greyjoys defeat.

"Ser Barristan, could I ask you for a favor." At the feast for the King, Lord Mallister said to me.

"It would depend, Lord Mallister," I reply to him.

"As you see, I was injured in the battle last week, so I won't be participating in the battles at the Iron islands." He tells me, and indeed he has a hard time moving his arm.

"I understand, you want me to look out for your son," I say.

"No, he can be a reckless fool, but he will take care of himself." He denies my assumption. "It is my squire Edmure, he wants to prove himself in the coming battles, you understand, he is at that age."

"Indeed, I was even younger when I rode to the tourney, to prove myself," I say remembering the old days.

"Who doesn't know of the story of Ser Barristan the Bold." He agrees with me and laughs." Young Edmure is a good lad, but he's too headstrong, he will go to the Iron Islands with or without my permission, but if you could take him as your squire, it would lessen my worries."

"I understand, it wouldn't be hard for me to look out for him in the coming battles," I reply to him.

"Thank you, I will inform the King of my wishes." He says. "I just wanted to ask you first before the King."

…

The next morning, as we were preparing to board the ships, I met with the young Edmure, who politely introduced himself, and thanked me for the opportunity to fight on the Iron Islands. The King had decided to go to the Pike, where the Greyjoy throne was, and send me towards Old Wyk, where Drumm house ruled.

Not knowing if the King didn't trust me, to be by his side, or trusted me to take the Old Wyk, or if he at all thought about placement of his commanders. With young Edmure at my side, together with Patrek, the son of Lord Mallister, we sailed towards the Iron Islands.

As we neared the Old Wyk, I checked up with my squire who started to put his armor on, he didn't have full plated armor, but instead wore boiled leather which was on top of the chained mail. He put metal gauntlets on each hand, a helm on his head, took a longsword, a dirk, and a shield. Patrek put more protective armor, with full plate armor, and winged helm, carrying shield and longsword.

Once we were done preparing, we landed at the shores of the Old Wyk, on the beach I already could see Ironborn, ready for us. Once the ships got close enough we jumped out and went towards land, first we made a tight formation, to hold the Ironborn from breaking us, while we waited for others to have their footing on the ground.

Edmure POV

As the battle began at the Old Wyk, I could see the Ironborn running at us, with the orders of ser Barristan we formed a shield wall, to hold them. They hit us hard and brutally.

Holding my shield up, I could feel the axes and hammers hitting it. Stabbing with my longsword from the side of my shield, was the only option for me. If I let my shield down, even for a moment, I would be destroyed by their weapons.

It took a little too much time for all our forces to be on the land than I wished. It only started and I felt like my arm, holding the shield, would fall off at any moment.

This time, not running anywhere, I stood by ser Barristan, as he cut through the enemies like it was nothing. Blocking anyone who wanted to get him from the side of the back, was my job, well it was easier to stay there, than fight on my own.

"They retreating," Ser Patrek, how he liked to be called, yelled.

"Form up, don't chase them." Ser Barristan ordered and stopped anyone who wanted to run after the Ironborn. "Edmure, stay close to me and look out for ambushes, especially for arrows."

"I understand, ser Barristan," I replied, and fastened my shield.

We climbed the hill, prepared for a rain of arrows to fall on us, but what we didn't anticipate were rolling rocks. To avoid the rocks we had to disperse ourselves and that allowed the Ironborns to run down from the top on us. If they were more disciplined we would have lost, but as it stands we just fought them, one group, at the time. It seemed they were more interested in fighting us, than defeating us.

Blocking an ax with my shield and then cutting, the owner of an ax, stomach open, I saw as another Ironborn ran towards me, I just sidestepped and tripped him, he rolled down the hill, never to be seen again.

It might have seemed that the battle was even, but we already had started to form up and the Ironborn were in isolated groups. Hearing the whistle of the arrow, I lifted my shield above my head and felt an arrow striking it.

With ser Barristan orders to push forward, we started to cut the Ironborn once again, staying close to him, we climbed to the top of the hill, where we met another force of Ironborn. This time with better equipment and few horses, so this was the main force of Lord Drumm. It was too bad they led us to get on top of the hill, otherwise, it would be a problem to face them.

Ser Barristan got to the front and asked Lord Drumm to surrender, his answer was to charge at us. I held my shield again, waiting for an attack.

The first to strike me was an old man, who yelled at me, as I blocked his attack, he didn't stop shouting at me, even when I stabbed him to the death. I give some credit to Ironborn, they are crazy bastards alright.

The fighting was at the boiling point, we only need one last push to defeat them, ser Barristan seemed to be ready to order us to push forward. Before he could do so, I saw Patrek fall to the ground, and above him was Lord Drumm. Without thinking I ran towards them, blocking the sword that was falling on Patrek, I managed to push Lord Drumm back.

"What do we have there, another boy thinking of being a hero." He says at me and swings his sword at me,

Blocking the sword, I released that it wasn't a normal sword, but made of Valyrian steel, as the sword cut through my shield. Managing to push him away before the sword could touch my arm, I dropped my shield and held my longsword with both hands. He came at me again, I knew that blocking him would be a mistake, so I stepped back to avoid the Valyrian sword.

"What is it, boy? Didn't you come to face me?" He asks.

Being quiet I raise my sword and swing it across his shoulder, he blocks it and as I was starting to step back again, he kicks at my leg. Falling to one knee, I see the red Valyrian sword decent on me. I managed to block it one time, but at the second swing my sword broke and I fall to the ground, drawing my dirk I managed to stab him in the foot, before rolling to the side and quickly standing up.

He pulled my dirk out of his foot, and seeing me without a weapon rushes at me with anger in his eyes. Next time I bring three weapons, I think dodging his right swing by stepping backward. Seeing no way ou. I did what I thought was the best, I went at him hugged him, not letting him swing his damn red sword.

"And what is this going to accomplish, boy?" He asks and hits my back with his sword hilt.

Looking at his unprotected neck where the artery was, I did something that he didn't expect, I bit at his neck. Feeling my teeth sinking through the skin and into the meat, I heard him scream. Forcing my teeth inside him, I then ripped back, feeling the taste of the blood in my mouth, I spit the meat and blood to the side and stepped back.

Seeing him trying to hold his bleeding neck, with horror and pain in his eyes, only then do I realize what I have done. Quickly picking up the sword from the ground, I cut his head off. Looking at the battlefield that has quiet down, and the fighting stopping at the moment Lord Drumm has died.

"Who else? Who else wants a piece of me." I yell, without thinking and point the sword at the rest of the Ironborn.

Their answer was to let go of their weapons and backing away, I looked at them, feeling the blood dripping from my mouth. Nobody cheered at our victory as everyone look at me with horror, it was quiet until Patrek raised his sword and yelled.

"The Redfish, the Redfish." Others started to yell with him.

Only then did I lowered my sword, and felt my knees go weak, I would have fallen if not for Patrek supporting me.

"It seems we are even now." He tells me with a smile and helps me clean my face of the blood.

…

After the end of the battle, nobody dared to take the red Valyrian sword from me, ser Barristan secured the surrender of the remaining Ironborn lords and the Old Wyk were ours. Gulping down the ale that Patrek somehow managed to find, I wash the taste of blood in my mouth. Afterward, ser Barristan found us drinking.

"What you did was foolish, young Edmure, you're almost cost us our victory." He tells me.

"Wait a moment, ser Barristan, he has won the battle, you have no right to criticize him," Patrek says defending me.

"It's alright Patrek, ser Barristan is right, we were pushing them back when I decided to leave on my own," I tell him.

"But you saved my life." He says.

"And what if he had lost? What if he was taken as a hostage? It would have stopped our momentum and give chance for Ironborn to counter-attack us." He explains to us.

"I am sorry, you are right, ser Barristan." I apologize. "But I did was what right, I couldn't leave my friend to just die."

"Good." He replies to me, I and Patrek look at him confused. "Knee."

Understanding what he meant I kneel in front of him, as he lays his sword at my shoulder.

"Edmure Tully, do you swear before the eyes of gods and men to defend those who cannot defend themselves, to protect all women and children, to obey your captains, your liege lord, and your king, to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you, however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?" Ser Barristan asks.

"I swear," I reply with determination in my voice.

"Then rise, ser Edmure Tully of the house Tully." He tells me after laying his sword on my other shoulder.

"Why" I couldn't help, but ask.

"I saw you fight someone who was better than you, I saw you fighting for your friend's life, not glory or something like that, but for loyalty to your friend." He explains to me. "Nowadays most knights are made because of their prowess in battle, but a true knight should be brave and loyal, you showed me that, you fought as a true knight should."

"Thank you, ser Barristan," I reply to him being thankful for his words.

…

After the cleaning up of the battlefield, we heard of other islands falling too, and Balon Greyjoys surrender. We were relieved and bid to go home to celebrate our victory.

"I hear that there will be a tourney at the Lannisport, let's go, show off our new knight," Patrek says to me.

"I want to go home, Patrek." I shook my head at him and reply.

"Home, not to Seagard, ah?" He asks with a sad voice.

"It's been a long time I was gone, I want to see my father, check how he is doing," I explain to him, but mostly I wanted to get away from there.

"You're right, the tourney would be boring anyway, filled with blond Lannisters everywhere." He tells me. "You know what? Let's organize our own tourney at the Riverrun, with ale and whores, it would be way better."

"My father would put us in the dungeons if he finds out, and yours probably send you to the Wall," I reply to him with a laugh.

"Bah, we just don't need to be found out." He says with a laugh.

"How about, we visit Dorne afterward?" I ask.

"Dorne? Now you speak my language, I hear there are the most beautiful women, we could have so much fun." He agrees with my idea instantly.