What if Mad King Aerys Gave Rickard Stark a True Trial by Combat

What if Mad King Aerys Gave Rickard Stark a True Trial by Combat Discord:   / discord   YT:    / @threeeyedtheorist   Voice Acting & Narration: Steven Waters @bobablackfly602 What if Mad King Aerys Gave Rickard Stark a True Trial by Combat? Let's explore the depths of it in the video. Rickard: I demand a trial by combat. The words echo across the throne as the court goes silent. All eyes stare at the Lord of Winterfell, fierce and defiant. There is a wildness in his gaze that leaves many breathless. Then, they slowly turn to the Mad King, who remains silent. Aerys leans forward on his throne, watching the Lord. His lip quivers in anger while his gaze flickers at the lord, looking like he wanted to order him cut down. However, as much as he would like that, even he recognizes the legitimacy of his demand. No man can deny another a trial by combat, not even the king. Aerys: Very well, you shall have an hour to prepare yourself. Lannister! Jaime straightens and steps forward from his position in the side of the room. He approaches the dias and bows before the Mad King. Aerys: The wolf wants to die by the sword. You shall be my champion; see to it he does. Jaime: Of course, your grace. He is already armored and armed. All Jaime needs to do is strap on his shield and unsheath his sword. As that happens, he stands in the center of the throne room. He can feel the eyes of the king, his sworn brothers, and the rest of the court staring at him. The hour it takes for Lord Rickard to prepare himself is one of the longest in Jaime’s life. But at last, the doors open and the wolf steps out. He is dressed in plate and mail. He lifts his visor up to glare at Jaime. Rickard: You stand between me and my son, boy. Jaime: I stand for my king. Rickard: You will die for him. He snaps his visor down and lifts his greatsword up in a downward cut. The battle begins without announcement. Jaime lifts his shield and pushes the sword aside, but Rickard lashes out again, blade sweeping diagonally. This time, Jaime’s sword halts the attack and pushes it down. He follows by sweeping his shield against the older man’s side and leaves him staggering. Rickard stumbles, but refuses to yield. When Jaime slashes at him, his greatsword sweeps up to parry it. Their blades clash several times. Despite being almost three decades older, Rickard remains strong and nearly as fast. He manages to bruise Jaime’s stomach with a strike from his sword's crossguard. Still, he doesn’t stop Jaime from landing a cut across his thigh. The kingsguard closes for the kill, but his opponent sweeps his greatsword when Jaime tries to attack, forcing him to retreat. The weapon's superior length prevents him from getting close and gives Rickard a chance to recover. From beyond their little world, the other people are watching all the jeers and curses. The Mad King’s voice rings louder, shouting for Jaime to kill him. Taking a deep breath, he steps forward yet again, keeping his shield raised in front of him. From above its rim, he watches as it sweeps towards his right. Jaime watches until the last second before jerking his shield up and forcing the blade to skid up the rim. This leaves a small opening as Rickard tries to correct the court of his weapon, but it is enough. Jaime rushes forward and rams an armored elbow into his opponent. The Northman gasps and falls to his knees, the blade slipping from his hand as his head snaps upward. As it does, Jaime buries his blade right under the man’s helmet. Rickard’s body shudders and twitches, blood slowly pouring out from under his helm onto his gorget. It’s followed by a low gasp as he lifts his visor up and gasps for air. Rickard levels one hateful look at Jaime before dropping face-first into the ground. With that, the trial by combat is over. The entire court lets out a nervous cheer as they watch the Mad King. Aerys sits on his throne, slowly rising up and making his way down. The only one who makes a sound is Brandon, who lets out a scream, calling for his father. It requires two men to force him to his knees and prevent him from rushing forward. When at last the Mad King stares at the body, he places a hand on Jaime. Aerys: Well done. It seems the gods have spoken. The Stark boy dies! Jaime hears him struggling, trying to fight off the attackers. Two more men kick his legs from underneath him. A fifth man approaches him with his sword in hand and, with a single cut, silences Brandon. His head drops onto the ground and rolls to Jaime’s feet. #gameofthrones #gameofthroneswhatif #whatif