Chapter III - Andrian's Reign, Part III (AC 293)
Chaos in the Crownlands
Lord Andrian Targaryen returned to Duskendale, embittered and disillusioned. King Robert had ignored the oath Andrian had made all those years ago, and despite his escape from King's Landing, his niece was still a prisoner of the King.
However, Andrian hoped that now cooler heads would prevail, and he could ransom his niece Daenerys from Robert's cells. After all, conflict was in neither man's best interests, as Andrian now had something to lose: his wife, Arianne Martell, and his son, Aemon.
This hope was not to last, as Monford Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, and Master of Driftmark, rose up against Stannis Baratheon, brother of the King, and Lord of Dragonstone, surprising him, and taking him and his castle by treachery. Monford declared that he was restoring the castle to Daenerys Targaryen, but that, in her absence, he would rule as regent.
When word reached King's Landing, Robert was furious and began discussing plans to attack the islands and restore his brother Stannis to power. However, many lords urged a more cautious approach, as Stannis was a prisoner of House Velaryon, and an open conflict might have resulted his death.
And so the matter almost seemed to quiet down through the long middling months of the year, as both sides found themselves unable to pursue military means to end their stalemate. Robert, however, grew tired of these charades and took decisive and extreme action later in the year.
On the day Daenerys Stormborn's execution was scheduled to take place, it is said that the world itself revolted against killing the Targaryen princess. A terrible storm ravaged the capital, and many called on Robert to call off the execution, and postpone it for better weather. Robert refused, fearing a secret conspiracy might carry off the girl at the last second, and ordered the executioner to go through with Daenerys' execution.
Thus, King Robert took the head of a 9 year-old child.
The fallout was immediate, and immense. Condemnation reached King's Landing from Highgarden, Sunspear, and, most interestingly, Winterfell. Eddard Stark immensely disapproved of the gruesome death of Daenerys Targaryen, and warned Robert that there were those who would see that he was punished for this.
In the Crownlands, Andrian's council barely managed to restrain the Lord's anger, the man furious at the gross overstep of the King's power. Monford Velaryon must've agreed, as he sent a raven to Duskendale hailing Andrian Targaryen as Lord of Dragonstone, calling on him to sail to the island immediately, for a meeting with the lower lords.
The "Great" Duel
Arriving ten days after Daenerys' death, the Lord of Duskendale and Dragonstone spotted ships of the royal fleet, and several members of the Kingsguard. Gathering his courage, Andrian entered the hall and found no other than King Robert Baratheon standing before him. Spotting Baratheon bannermen throughout the hall, and hearing the doors of the hall closing behind him, Andrian suspected treachery that would be followed by his demise.
However, Monford Velaryon spoke up, announcing to all those in presence, "Today, we are gathered for the trial of Stannis Baratheon, who stands accused of tyranny and misrule of Dragonstone. Stannis has demanded trial by combat, which I, acting in my capacity as regent, accepted. A time had to pass before Stannis' champion arrived, but now, Stannis' champion has arrived in this hall..."
"King Robert Baratheon, will you stand for your brother in this trial by combat?"
Lord Andrian's face darkened at these words. The King on the Iron Throne, Ruler of Westeros, would risk his life in a trial by combat. No doubt this was part of a greater ploy, and as Robert spoke in affirmation and defense of his brother, Andrian Targaryen knew what he must do.
"Very well, King Robert. As the Lord of Dragonstone, and Stannis' accuser, I shall fight in this trial myself."
Robert grinned, no doubt having counted on Andrian's response. After all, Lord Andrian's honor was on the line, and before him stood the one person responsible for all of his misery in life. Everyone knew by reputation that King Robert was the better fighter, and all watching were ready to see the King finish off another Targaryen.
Taking up his sword, Andrian, too, must've known that he was yet again outclassed by his opponent. This time, however, he knew he could not count on outpacing King Robert, who was about his age. Instead, Andrian took a deep breath, and with all his strength, charged straight into King Robert's defense.
Alas, for King Robert, he was no longer in his prime. He had fallen out of practice with combat, and he had gained much weight since the Greyjoy Rebellion. Andrian quickly broke through Robert's defense, shocking all in attendance. Robert stumbled backwards, still on his feet, but now wide open for attack.
Summoning another charge, Lord Andrian ran towards the King, intending to knock him off his feet and force him to yield. However, the blade was more true than Andrian had intended, and it pierced the King's chest, impaling his heart. Robert was dead within seconds of hitting the ground. Andrian Targaryen fell to his knees in shock, and the entire hall fell into an unearthly quiet.
Monford Velaryon declared the Lord of Dragonstone the victor in combat, and pronounced Stannis Baratheon guilty of his crimes, and that Stannis' sentence would be decided the next day.
Lord Andrian, meanwhile, could only see the blood, pooling all around him, knowing that he had just brought war upon the Seven Kingdoms. And yet, he pondered the words of Monford Velaryon.
What was one more life claimed in the chaos?
The deaths of Daenerys Stormborn and Stannis and Robert Baratheon heralded a period of instability lasting for a decade.