[The Small Council meet after learning of Daenerys's pregnancy]
You're speaking of murdering a child.
I warned you this would happen. Back in the North, I warned you, but you didn't care to hear. Well, hear it now! I want 'em dead. Mother and child both. And that fool Viserys as well, is that plain enough for you? I want them both dead!
You will dishonour yourself forever if you do this.
Honour?! I've got Seven Kingdoms to rule! One King, Seven Kingdoms! Do you think honour keeps them in line?! Do you think it's honour that's keeping the peace?! It's fear! Fear and blood!
Then we're no better than the Mad King!
Careful, Ned! Careful now!
You want to assassinate a girl because the Spider heard a rumor?
No rumor, My Lord. The princess is with child.
Based on whose information?
Ser Jorah Mormont. He is serving as adviser to the Targaryens.
Mormont? You bring us the whispers of a traitor half a world away and call it fact?
Jorah Mormont's a slaver, not a traitor. Small difference, I know, to an honourable man.
He broke the law. Betrayed his family, fled our land. We commit murder on the word of this man?
And if he's right?! If she has a son?! A Targaryen at the head of a Dothraki army! What then?!
The Narrow Sea still lies between us. I'll fear the Dothraki the day they teach their horses to run on water.
Do nothing?! That's your wise advice?! Do nothing till our enemies are on our shores?! You're my Council, counsel! Speak sense to this honourable fool!
I understand your misgivings, my lord. Truly, I do. It is a terrible thing we must consider, a vile thing. Yet we who presume to rule must sometimes do vile things for the good of the realm. Should the gods grant Daenerys a son, the realm will bleed.
I bear this girl no ill will, but should the Dothraki invade, how many innocents will die? How many towns will burn? Is it not wiser, kinder even, that she should die now, so that tens of thousands might live?
Renly BaratheonWe should have had them both killed years ago!
When you find yourselves in bed with an ugly woman, best close your eyes and get it over with. Cut her throat and be done with it!
I followed you into war. Twice. Without doubts, without second thoughts. But I will not follow you now. The Robert I grew up with didn't tremble at the shadow of an unborn child.
I will have no part in it.
You're the King's Hand, Lord Stark. You'll do as I command, or I'll find me a Hand who will!
[Ned takes off his badge of office and tosses it onto the table in front of Robert]
And good luck to him. I thought you were a better man.
Out! Out, damn you! I'm done with you! Go, run back to Winterfell! I'll have your head on a spike! I'll put it there myself, you fool! You think you're too good for this, too proud and honourable?! This is a war!
Renly Baratheon
Lord Stark, a moment... Alone, if you will? [Eddard dismisses his guards] He [Robert] named you Protector of the Realm?
Renly Baratheon
She won't care. Give me an hour, and I can put a hundred swords at your command.
And what should I do with a hundred swords?
Renly Baratheon
Strike! Tonight, while the castle sleeps! We must get Joffrey away from his mother and into our custody; Protector of the Realm or no, he who holds the king holds the kingdom. Every moment you delay gives Cersei another moment to prepare; by the time Robert dies, it will be too late for the both of us!
Renly Baratheon
[incredulous] Saving the Seven Kingdoms from Cersei and delivering them to Stannis?! You have odd notions about protecting the realm!
Stannis is your older brother-
Renly Baratheon
This isn't about the bloody line of succession! That didn't matter when you rebelled against the Mad King, it shouldn't matter now! What's best for the Kingdoms? What's best for the people we rule? We all know what Stannis is; he inspires no love or loyalty. He's not a king... I am.
Stannis is a commander. He's led men into war twice, he destroyed the Greyjoy fleet.
Renly Baratheon
Yes, he's a good soldier, everyone knows that; so was Robert! Tell me something, do you still believe good soldiers make good kings?
I will not dishonour Robert's last hours by shedding blood in his halls and dragging frightened children from their beds.
Lady Stark, I had not thought to find you in the Stormlands.
I had not thought to be here, Lord Stannis.
Renly Baratheon
Can that truly be you?
Renly Baratheon
When I saw your standard, I couldn't be sure. Whose banner is that?
Renly Baratheon
I suppose if we use the same one, the battle will be terribly confusing. Why is your stag on fire?
The king has taken for his sigil the fiery heart of the Lord of Light.
Renly Baratheon
Ah, you must be this fire priestess we hear so much about. Ah brother, now I understand why you found religion in your old age!
Renly Baratheon
No, no, I'm relieved. I never really believed you were a fanatic; charmless, rigid, a bore, yes, but not a godly man.
You should kneel before your brother. He is the Lord's Chosen, born amidst salt and smoke.
Renly Baratheon
"Born amidst salt and smoke?" Is he a ham?
That's twice I've warned you.
Listen to yourselves! If you were sons of mine, I would knock your heads together and lock you in a bedchamber together until you remember you're brothers.
It is strange to find you beside my brother, Lady Stark. Your husband was a supporter of my claim; Lord Eddard's integrity cost him his head. And you sit beside this pretender and chastise me?
The Iron Throne is mine by right. All those who deny that are my foes.
Renly Baratheon
The whole realm denies it, from Dorne to the Wall. Old men deny it with their death rattles and unborn children deny it in their mothers' wombs. No one wants you for their king. You never wanted any friends, brother, but a man without friends is a man without power.
For the sake of the mother who bore us, I will give you this one night to reconsider. Strike your banners, come to me before dawn and I will grant you your old seat on the Council. I'll even name you my heir, until a son is born to me. Otherwise I shall destroy you.
Renly Baratheon
Look across those fields, brother. Can you see all those banners?
You think a few bolts of cloth will make you king?
Renly Baratheon
No. The men holding those bolts of cloth will make me king!
We shall see, Renly. Come the dawn, we shall see.
Look to your sins, Lord Renly. The night is dark and full of terrors.
[Renly and Catelyn watch them leave]
Renly Baratheon
Would you believe? I loved him once.
Game of Thrones · 356 quotes
