Chapter 6: Robert’s Rebellion Part 6
The declaration of intent from Lord Tywin Lannister sent ripples of concern through the ranks of the rebel lords. The lion of Casterly Rock, a formidable and unknown adversary, posed a threat that transcended their conflict with House Targaryen. As they convened in the captured town of Duskendale, the Rebel leaders faced the daunting challenge of navigating a treacherous path between the looming Westermen threat and their continued struggle against the Targaryen loyalists. At the meeting, Lord Jon Arryn, Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Hoster Tully, and Lord Eldon Estermont took stock of the shifting dynamics on the war-torn chessboard. Three major factions had emerged: the Rebels, the Loyalists, and the Westermen. Lord Tywin Lannister's letter made it abundantly clear that he would not easily align with the rebels, posing a formidable challenge to their unity.
Despite the rebels boasting the largest force, they had suffered significant losses. The Battle of Largetree had taken a toll on the Valemen, and the Stormlanders had been severely depleted in their efforts. Lord Hoster Tully, recognizing the vulnerability of the Riverlands, had to allocate forces to protect against a potential Westerman incursion. The North, however, remained a stronghold, possessing the largest percentage of the rebel forces. With the Northerners comprising a significant portion of the rebel forces, it was Lord Eddard Stark who held the greatest sway in the decision-making process. Lord Stark asserted that, for the immediate future, Rhaegar Targaryen should remain the primary focus, not the Lannisters. The ruins of King's Landing, abandoned after the defeat at Largetree, now lay in the hands of the Loyalists, providing them a crucial staging ground for new banners to coalesce.
Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Lord Paramount and Warden of the North
Lord Eddard Stark proposed a bold strategy to press their advantage before Rhaegar could amass additional forces. The rebel forces would be split into two contingents, each numbering roughly 24,000 men. Lord Stark would lead one force, primarily composed of Northmen and Stormlanders, taking the coastal road to King's Landing. Simultaneously, Lord Jon Arryn would lead a force consisting mainly of Valemen and Rivermen, crossing the Blackwater Rush and swinging around to Farring Cross, thereby cutting off any potential escape routes for the Loyalists. As the rebel leaders agreed to the strategic plan, a sense of urgency pervaded the war council. The fate of the rebellion hung in the balance, with the looming threat of the Lannisters adding a layer of complexity to an already intricate conflict. The rebels, bound by a common cause, prepared to execute a risky gambit that would shape the course of the war and determine the future of Westeros.
As the first week of the year 284 AC unfolded, the Rebels set in motion their march towards the formidable host of King Rhaegar Targaryen. Rhaegar, having assembled a force of 40,000 men primarily comprising Crownlanders, Reachmen, and Dornishmen, fortified his camp known as Mummer's King's Landing to the North of the ruined city. In response to the advancing rebels, King Rhaegar Targaryen convened an emergency war council at Mummer's King's Landing. The Loyalists devised a tactical plan centered on engaging Jon Arryn's force swiftly and decisively. Rhaegar's intention was clear: defeat the first rebel army and then pivot to face the second, minimizing losses in the process. However, the king acknowledged the potential risks, understanding that if too many men were lost in the initial engagement, the Loyalists would have to adopt a defensive strategy, fortifying key areas in the Reach to withstand the rebels until reinforcements could be mustered.
Mummer's King's Landing
The stage was set 15 miles north of Farring Cross, as the Loyalist forces, commanded by Rhaegar Targaryen, faced Jon Arryn's rebel host. The Loyalists adopted a strategic formation, with Lord Randyll Tarly leading the left flank comprising Reachmen, Lord Oberyn Martell commanding the right with the Dornish banners, and King Rhaegar himself leading the center, which included Crownlanders and forces from loyal houses such as Darry, Connington, and Grandison. Jon Arryn took charge of the rebel host, supported by Lord Hoster Tully on the left flank and Ser Brynden Tully commanding the right. Outnumbered by 10,000 men, the rebels faced a daunting challenge. Concern rippled through the rebel leadership as they chose a defensive stance, opting to withstand the Loyalist onslaught.
King Rhaegar, sensing an opportunity to exploit the numerical advantage, initiated the Battle of Farring Cross. The battlefield would become a gruesome theater of war, with both sides locked in a fierce struggle for supremacy. Wave after wave of Loyalist attacks crashed against the rebel defenses, and the clash would persist for nearly eight grueling hours. The rebels, though outnumbered, displayed remarkable resilience. Repulsing each Loyalist assault, they stood firm in defense of their cause. However, the toll on the rebel forces was undeniable, and the attrition from the relentless attacks began to take its toll.
As the battle raged on, the casualties mounted on both sides. Out of the 24,000 rebels, 2,200 had fallen in the bloody fields of Farring Cross. Among the Loyalists, 6,300 had met their end. The wounded and captured numbered in the thousands, leaving both armies scarred and depleted. Sensing the impending collapse of his forces and recognizing the heavy blow dealt to the Targaryen host, Jon Arryn made a strategic decision to withdraw. The rebel forces, though bloodied, managed to disengage and retreat North towards Harrenhal, ceding the field to Rhaegar. The cost of the rebel defence had been high, but the field was now in Loyalist hands.
Despite the victory, Lord Oberyn Martell pressed for an immediate pursuit of Lord Stark's force before news of Jon Arryn's defeat reached him. Rhaegar, with some misgivings, acquiesced, and the Loyalists began their march back towards King's Landing, seeking to press their advantage and secure a decisive victory over the remaining rebel forces. The bloodied fields of Farring Cross set the stage for the next chapter in the struggle for the Iron Throne.
