Ronnet Connington

Ronnet Connington was once betrothed to Brienne Tarth when they were both young; he was six years older than her. They met at Evenfall Hall, and Brienne still remembers the rose he brought her the day they were introduced.

She could not meet his eyes or say the words of welcome she had been taught. Handing her the flower, Ronnet told her that was all she would ever get from him, since he had no real intention of marrying her.

During the War of the Five Kings, Ronnet served in King Renly Baratheon's host, camped at Bitterbridge. There he took part in the tourney held for the lords following Renly, and was beaten in the melee by his former betrothed, Brienne of Tarth.

He followed Renly to Storm's End and, after the king's death, switched to Stannis Baratheon's side along with other lords. He survived the Battle of the Blackwater and ended up swearing loyalty to King Joffrey and the Iron Throne; it isn't clear whether he did so willingly or was taken prisoner.

Jaime Lannister sees him training in the yard of the Red Keep, and when Jaime is sent north to end the siege of Riverrun, he takes Ronnet along as his banner-bearer. At Harrenhal, talking about the old engagement to Brienne, Ronnet makes no secret of his contempt for her; his words disgust Jaime enough that he ends up striking him.

Once the siege is over, Jaime orders him to escort Ser Wylis Manderly safely back to White Harbor by way of Maidenpool, and gives him command of the former Mountain's men.

When his uncle Jon Connington retakes Griffin's Roost, he learns that Ronnet is away, fighting in the Riverlands alongside Jaime Lannister; Jon is relieved he hasn't had to kill any kin to reclaim the castle.

Ronnet later arrives at Maidenpool and is taken from there to King's Landing, before Kevan Lannister, Mace Tyrell, Randyll Tarly and the rest of the small council, to determine whether he has any part in the Golden Company's attack on the Stormlands, led by his own uncle.

Ronnet swears loyalty to King Tommen and promises to prove it by bringing back the heads of Jon Connington and Aegon Targaryen. The council keeps him under arrest all the same, until the time comes to face the mercenary company; Randyll Tarly then suggests sending him, along with his men, to the Wall.