Holding The Mountain: A King’s Order and the Kingsguard Response

In the world of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, an order from King Robert Baratheon to seize The Mountain could lead to a complex and dangerous situation. This article delves into the feasibility of such an order, considering the roles of Ser Barristan Selmy and his companions, as well as the broader political landscape.

Understanding the Battle Dynamics

The immediate challenge for Ser Barristan and the Kingsguard is the physical strength of The Mountain, played by Gregor Clegane. As a formidable figure who successfully struck Ser Loras Tyrell off his horse, The Mountain is no easy adversary. However, he is not solely reliant on his strength; among the many guards and knights on the scene, Ser Barristan would find himself vastly outnumbered.

It is important to consider that Ser Barristan alone would likely be overwhelmed. Even if a skilled knight such as Aemon the Dragonknight were present, seizing The Mountain alive—a task that even he may struggle with—would be an arduous task. Weathering the storm and outlasting The Mountain without other human support is essentially impossible.

Preparedness and Support

Thankfully, Ser Barristan is not alone. The presence of Ser Sandor 'The Hound' Clemings and other guardsmen and knights means that the number of opponents The Mountain would face is significantly increased. This collective force gives Barristan the upper hand, making it unlikely that The Mountain could prevail. Even if Gregor managed to harm or even kill a few of the guards, his efforts could be counteracted by a coordinated assault from the remaining forces.

Being outnumbered and having potential archers in the vicinity would make it virtually impossible for any one individual, including The Mountain, to stand against an organized group. Thus, it is highly probable that Ser Barristan would eventually succeed in their mission.

The Political Angle

While the physical prowess of the Kingsguard and other knights is crucial, the political ramifications of such an action cannot be ignored. If The Mountain were seized against his will, it would likely lead to significant political unrest, especially concerning tension with House Lannister, whose support is crucial. Whether or not Tywin Lannister would actively oppose such an order is an open question, but the best course of action would be for him to navigate the situation carefully. He might attempt to bargain for the life of Gregor Clegane, presenting it as a potential compromise to avoid open conflict.

Even in the absence of Ser Jaime—often the voice of reason and duty—Ser Barristan’s experience and loyalty to the crown would ensure that the mission is carried out efficiently. However, the broader political fallout could be significant, affecting not just the immediate situation but also the power dynamics in Westeros as a whole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Ser Barristan and the Kingsguard would be capable of acting on King Robert’s orders to seize The Mountain, the success of such an action would depend on the collective strength of the forces involved and the broader political landscape. The political cost of such an action should not be underestimated, and it would be wise for any involved to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.

Some key takeaways include:

Physical strength vs. the advantage of numbers The crucial role of Ser Barristan’s experience and loyalty Political ramifications and potential alliances

The decision to seize The Mountain would set off a chain of events that could drastically alter the political landscape of Westeros.