Your personal bodyguard- reposted and revised

[Boaz]

Off the list, Drogon. Apparently he's taken to eating people.

Drogon and Biter would get along famously.

JDP, I love someone playing Devil's Advocate. But I don't think going against Barristan is a good idea.

Barristan was not present when Aerys II was kidnapped by the Darklyns of Duskendale. Yet, it was Barristan, even though the Kingsguard consisted of men like Prince Lewyn, Arthur Dayne, and the White Bull, who went in and rescued Aerys singlehandedly.

Barristan Selmy slew Maelys the Monstrous, the last of the Blackfyre pretenders, in the War of the Ninepenny Kings. This ended a major threat against the Targaryens that had plagued them for a hundred years.

As was stated before, Selmy was not Lord Commander of the Kingsguard when Aerys II was slain. He was hundreds of miles away, critically injured, and a prisoner. He swore loyalty to Robert after Hightower was dead and Lord Darry had fled to the Free Cities with Viserys and Daenerys.

Barristan was not serving Viserys (who was thousands of miles away) when Drogo murdered him.

Barristan was the one to tell Robert the truth about the melee in the Hand's Tourney. I don't think he knew that there might have been an attempt on Robert's life, but he's the one who got Robert first thinking not to do it.

If I recall correctly, Barristan was the first over the walls of Pyke. He led the assault in ending Balon Greyjoy's rebellion.

Barristan's only mark on his record as far as I can see, was standing aside to let Robert hunt boar. Robert had a history of hunting. Barristan had seen him hunt a hundred times.

In Qarth, Barristan did save Dany from the manticore.

Outside Merren, Barristan prevented Mero, the Titan's *******, from assassinating Dany.

In my opnion, out of all the possible choices, it's hard to beat Barristan.

I don't think that lords or kings should be seriously considered. How could Drogo be a bodyguard when he's the greatest Khal the Dothraki have ever seen? If he was your bodyguard, who would that make you?... the Emperor of the World?

Jaime actually earned his nickname... The Kingslayer. He also confessed that he'd have murdered Robert, if push had come to shove. He's out.

Sandor deserted Joffrey. He's out.

Arthur Dayne, Gerold Hightower, Oswell Whent, Prince Lewyn? In JDP's reasoning, they have the same flaws as Selmy, but they did not save Aerys from Duskendale. They're out.

Arys Oakheart was seduced to betray Joffrey/Tommen. He's out.

Balon Swann and Loras Tyrell are the best of the current Kingsguard, but they are not Barristan Selmy with a sword.

Aggo, Jhogo, and Rakharo are loyal and fierce, but in Westeros they'd be completely out of their element.

Bronn's a nasty piece of work, but you'd never convince me of his loyalty.

Syrio Forel is a duelist and a master teacher... I don't think he's cut out to be a bodyguard.

The Ironmen think they're all kings aboard their ships and the Wildlings refuse to bend the knee, so none of them would qualify.

I think the best choices are Barristan Selmy, Arthur Dayne, and Areo Hotah.

 

[Barristan]

Hehe, good to see so many of you have faith in me!

I am truly humbled


Seriously though, Barristan 1st, but I think that i'd have Ser Bronn as a close second, he too is devious and uses his mind to fight as well as his blade. If were against me, i;d be pretty worried.

 

[TheHedgeKnight]

Biter????Eeek i dont want to have that near me!Id say the Clegane brothers if only they wouldnt hate eachother!

 

[JDP]

BWAA-HAA-HAAA!!! Let me get my Spoon of Righteousness out for a little more stirring...


Selmy = Badass

This must we know to be true.

Ok, Selmy was not leading the Kingsguard at the time of Aerys' demise. This was an aside which I was not sure about, hence the (?) in my post, made in addition to the fact that Aerys was slain.

Ok, perhaps Viserys was not really Selmy's problem. I stated in my closing argument that discounting this would not sway it enough for me.

Granted, Selmy was off in mid-badassery when Aerys was killed. On his liege's orders, no less. He's certainly a bold and adept fighter. But for me, a top bodyguard is one you keep around, however much good they may do elsewhere. My bodyguard would subtly let me know when they should be kept around because keeping ME around is their job and they should know it better than any other. Battles are for soldiers, and Selmy is a fine soldier. I'm looking for a bodyguard.

Granted, there are examples Selmy fulfilling his role and doing it well. But it only takes one mistake for a liegelord to die. I wouldn't fly with a pilot who has two fatal catastrophic failures under their belt, not matter how many successful flights they've had. Nor would I choose a bodyguard thus.

Granted, Robert liked to hunt boar. Hunting boar is dangerous. Robert liked to drink. Hunting boar whilst drunk is REALLY dangerous. But let's not forget that this was no accident. Robert was given enough rope to hang himself in a concerted and successful attempt upon his life. An attempt that Barristan Selmy not only failed to thwart, but was utterly unaware of (as were other members of the Kingsguard. They're not on my list either).

Switching sides when you've been fired and had assassins sent after you is still switching sides. It's just way more justifiable. I'm not saying that Selmy is disloyal, but that circumstance made him switch sides several times. I don't trust circumstance.

Nor am I saying that Selmy would be a bad bodyguard. I'm just saying he'd not be near the top of my list for the reasons stated.

Syrio Forel would let me know when I ordered him to do something that might put me in danger. I would trust his calm wisdom enough to listen to him and know that he had my best interests at heart.

Syrio Forel would see the big picture and recognise any attempt on my life, no matter how subtle. He's a subtle guy. He would not make assumptions about anyone's fidelity.

Syrio Forel would give his life to defend his charge, as has been proven.

Syrio Forel is a badass.

I rest my case, m'lud.



Come to think of it, I'm a bit bored of Syrio now. I'm bumping Howland Reed to the top of my list.

 

[Boaz]

But didn't Syrio already change sides at least once... I mean he left the Sea Lord of Braavos. I don't want a bodyguard quitting on me, Selmy serves for life... he renounced his lands and girl to serve.

 

[Bayou Boy]

Granted, Selmy was off in mid-badassery when Aerys was killed. On his liege's orders, no less. He's certainly a bold and adept fighter. But for me, a top bodyguard is one you keep around, however much good they may do elsewhere. My bodyguard would subtly let me know when they should be kept around because keeping ME around is their job and they should know it better than any other. Battles are for soldiers, and Selmy is a fine soldier. I'm looking for a bodyguard.

Let's look at what happened, though. Rhaegar decided to keep Jaime in King's Landing. We know why he did it. It was because Aerys, crazy as he was, was convinced that keeping Jaime around would keep Tywin from attacking.

I fail to see how this collossal misjudgment of the situation and circumstances is somehow an indictment of Selmy's competence as a bodyguard.

Granted, there are examples Selmy fulfilling his role and doing it well. But it only takes one mistake for a liegelord to die. I wouldn't fly with a pilot who has two fatal catastrophic failures under their belt, not matter how many successful flights they've had.

Robert got drunk and ordered Selmy to stand aside. At some point, the guy you're guarding bears at least some of the responsibility for his own stupid decisions.

Syrio Forel would let me know when I ordered him to do something that might put me in danger.

Based upon what? His training sessions with a little girl? Do you think Robert would have put down the wineskin because Syrio told him to ''see with his eyes"? Come on.

Syrio Forel would give his life to defend his charge, as has been proven.

Barristan took an arrow in the chest to bring Aerys to safety. They both made it out of Duskendale alive.

Syrio bought Arya time to escape. He's dead and she still hasn't made it back to a safe environment.

I'm going to have to give the edge to Selmy on that one.