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MattSR30

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Aug 8, 2014
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  • Crusader Kings II
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PRELUDE

The Sun was not halfway to its peak when the prince entered his chambers in the capital, clutching a large, ancient-looking book in both hands. The silver-haired man laid it on his desk with a monstrous thud. The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, With Descriptions of Many High Lords and Noble Ladies and Their Children, By Grandmaester Maellon, the cover read. The prince opened the book, and began running his hand through the pages within, maneuvering his way to certain points within the sea of letters.

House Targaryen, Lord and Heir:
AERYS TARGARYEN, second of his name, born to JAEHAERYS TARGARYEN, second of his name and CYRENNA TARGARYEN in the 242nd year after Aegon's Landing. Silver of hair, purple-blue of eye strong of jaw. Wed to RHAELLA of the House TARGARYEN in his seventeenth year. Crowned king in his twentieth year upon the death of his father. Father to two sons, their names being RHAEGAR and VISERYS.

RHAEGAR TARGARYEN, first of his name, born to AERYS TARGARYEN, second of his name and RHAELLA TARGARYEN in the 259th year after Aegon's Landing. Silver of hair, purple-blue of eye, round of shoulder. Wed to ELIA of House MARTELL in his twenty first year. Father to one son, his name being AEGON and one daughter, her name being RHAENYS.

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House Baratheon, Lord and Heir:
ROBERT BARATHEON, first of his name, born to Lord STEFFON BARATHEON, first of his name and Lady CASSANA BARATHEON at Storm's End in the 263rd year after Aegon's Landing. Black of hair, brown of eye, strong of bone and sinew.

STANNIS BARATHEON, first of his name, born to Lord STEFFON BARATHEON, first of his name and Lady CASSANA BARATHEON in the 264th year after Aegon's Landing. Black of hair, brown of eye, round of shoulder.

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House Stark, Lord and Heir:
EDDARD STARK, first of his name, born to Lord RICKARD STARK, second of his name and Lady LYARRA STARK at Winterfell in the 262nd year after Aegon's Landing. Dark brown of hair, grey of eye.

BENJEN STARK, third of his name, born to Lord RICKARD STARK, second of his name and Lady LYARRA STARK in the 265th year after Aegon's Landing. Black of hair, blue of eye, thin of body.

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House Arryn, Lord and Heir:
JON ARRYN, second of his name, born to Lord JASPER ARRYN, first of his name and Lady MERGARETA ARRYN at The Eyre in the 225th year after Aegon's Landing. Gold-brown of hair, green-brown of eye, strong of body. Wed to JEYNE of House ROYCE in his twentieth year and ROWENA of House ARRYN in his fourtieth year.

DENYS ARRYN, first of his name, born to Lord DONNEL ARRYN, first of his name and Lady JYANA ARRYN in the 252nd year after Aegon's Landing. Light-brown of hair, brown of eye, round of shoulder, broad of chest. Wed to IRYA of the House WAYNWOOD in his twenty second year. Father to one son, his name being JON.

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House Lannister, Lord and Heir:
TYWIN LANNISTER, first of his name, born to Lord TYTOS LANNISTER, sixth of his name and Lady JEYNE LANNISTER at Casterly Rock in the 243rd year after Aegon's Landing. Gold of hair, green of eye, broad of shoulder. Wed to JOANNA of the House LANNISTER in his twenty third year. Father to two sons, their names being JAIME and TYRION and one daughter, her name being CERSEI.

TYRION LANNISTER, fourth of his name, born to Lord TYWIN LANNISTER, first of his name and Lady JOANNA LANNISTER in the 274th year after Aegon's Landing. Black-gold of hair, black-green of eye, dwarf in height.

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House Tyrell, Lord and Heir:
MACE TYRELL, first of his name, born to Lord LUTHOR TYRELL, first of his name and Lady OLENNA REDWYNE at Highgarden in the 256th year after Aegon's Landing. Brown of hair, green of eye, round of shoulder. Wed to ALERIE of the House HIGHTOWER in his twentieth year. Father to three sons, their names being WILLAS, GARLAN and LORAS and one daughter, her name being MARGAERY.

WILLAS TYRELL, first of his name, born to Lord MACE TYRELL, first of his name and Lady ALERIE TYRELL in the 277th year after Aegon's Landing. Brown of hair, green of eye, thick of body.

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House Martell, Lord and heir:
DORAN MARTELL, second of his name, born to Prince TRISTEFER and Princess OBERA MARTELL at Sunspear in the 248th year after Aegon's Landing. Black of hair, brown of eye, dark of skin, thin of body. Wed to MELLARIA of the House NORVOS in his twenty eighth year. Father to one daughter, her name being ARIENNE.

ARIANNE MARTELL, first of her name, born to Prince DORAN and Princess MELLARIA in the 277th year after Aegon's Landing. Black of hair, brown of eye, dark of skin.

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House Greyjoy, Lord and Heir:
BALON GREYJOY, third of his name, born to Lord QUELLON GREYJOY and Lady ELVIRA GREYJOY at Pyke in the 250th year after Aegon's Landing. Black of hair, black of eye, thin of body. Wed to ALANNYS of the House HARLAW in his twentieth year. Father to three sons, their names being RODRIK, MARON and THEON and one daughter, her name being ASHA.

RODRIK GREYJOY, first of his name, born to Lord BALON GREYJOY and Lady ALANNYS GREYJOY in the 267th year after Aegon's Landing. Black of hair, black of eye, thin of body.

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The young prince closed the large book after a while. So, he thought. These are the men that will decide the fate of the Seven Kingdoms. With that, Prince Rhaegar turned and made for the door to his chambers, and called his squire in.
"Fetch me my armor, and send word to my commanders to prepare their men. We ride at noon."
 
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Is the hiding screenshots in 'spoiler' becoming more popular with a different generation of Paradox members? I've seen a small number of AARs that like to do that rather than just post the screenshot (or any associated image) just right in the middle of the text!

Why ride at noon when it is hottest, don't you care about your valuable steed underneath you! :p
 
Is the hiding screenshots in 'spoiler' becoming more popular with a different generation of Paradox members? I've seen a small number of AARs that like to do that rather than just post the screenshot (or any associated image) just right in the middle of the text!

Why ride at noon when it is hottest, don't you care about your valuable steed underneath you! :p

I would not normally use the spoiler tag like this, but I felt it was justified for two reasons:

1- The post is basically entirely screenshots, so it makes it easier to digest this way, at least in my opinion.
2- And more importantly, I felt as if it fit in the context of the passages being extracts from a book. To click a spoiler tag is not unlike the turning of a page in a book, only once you do can you read the information written inside. :)

As for riding out at noon... Uh... Dramatic effect? :rofl:
 
Well good luck with this one my friend.
 
The same effect would have been accomplished with just the posting! :p

Yeah, I'm pretty sure PETA is upset with deciding to ride out at noon on your poor horses!
 
CHAPTER I - THE SILVER KING

The bells tolled high above the Sept of Baelor as the news was trickled out to the masses of King's Landing, from the Street of Sisters to Cobbler's Square. The king was dead. Aerys Targaryen's death came in a manner befitting of the man: Cruel and unpredictable. The Mad King was never one for riding, and met his death atop a horse, or rather, underneath one. It remains unclear what caused the horse to frenzy as it had, but once it begun, it would not stop. The king's steed threw its rider from his back and trampled the already-frail man for what seemed an age, though in truth it was no more than a few seconds.

Aerys' Kingsguard dismounted their own horses as fast as they could, and ran to the aid of their king. Jonothor Darry was the first to arrive at the side of his king. The knight showed no hesitation, charging the stallion head-on, throwing his body against it's larger frame, launching the beast from atop its master. Barristan Selmy and Arthur Dayne ran to Aerys, who now lied motionless on the cobbled streets of the capital. It was neither the cuts nor bruises that ended the king, but the way in which his skull sat strewed across the stone road. The horse had come down hard on Aerys Targaryen's head, crushing it beneath the weight of its hoof. The Mad King's crown was cracked and malformed from the indecent, and the assortment of gems lay scattered across the ground. What was once the Street of Steel, would now forever be known as the Ruby Road.

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This series of unfortunate events had delayed the departure of the royal host from King's Landing, as preparations were made for Prince Rhaegar's succession of his father. The Silver Prince, or rather the Silver King now, seemed largely unaffected by his father's passing. The young king-to-be grieved in his own way, as all men do, but did not show it. He grieved for the man that once was, not the man his father had become. In his last years, Aerys Targaryen grew twisted and full of contempt for the world around him, caring not even for his own son and heir. To the king, Rhaegar was a means to an end, a continuation of the fire that had ruled the Seven Kingdoms for three hundred years.

In his madness, the king had grown to love the flames as the Brightflame, Aerion, once had. It consumed Aerion, and so too did it consume Aerys. The culmination of his obsessions helped start this folly the kingdoms found themselves in. After Rhaegar's presumed kidnapping of Lyanna Stark, her brother, and heir to Winterfell, rode to the capital, demanding justice. Aerys had the brash lord imprisoned, and sent for the Lord of the North, Rickard Stark, to personally answer for the crimes of his son. Rickard was burned alive, and Brandon choked to death by the cruelest of devices, while attempting to save the life of his lord-father. Noting the crimes committed by their king, Jon Arryn, Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark rallied their banners, and called for war.

While it was agreed upon by the Small Council that the eve of war was not the time to crown Rhaegar, his rule as king began nonetheless. His first decree was a plea to the Lord of Stormlands to meet him in single combat.
"Robert does not care for the throne, he cares for Lyanna", the young king said. "He can avenge Lord Stark's family, save the lives of his men, and win back Lyanna. He will accept."
With that, Rhaegar's army made for Robert's seat of Storm's End. If by chance, Robert was to refuse the king's offer, the Iron Throne had to be prepared for battle.

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The army from the Crownlands never reached the ancient seat of the Storm Kings, instead finding themselves facing a host of similar strength, just west of the Wendwater. A black stag on a field of gold adorned their banners. There stood the armies of House Baratheon, no doubt led by Robert himself. King Rhaegar assembled a small host of three men- one to carry the banner of the House Targaryen, another to carrier the white banner of parley, and Ser Gerold Hightower. Ser Gerold Hightower, known as 'the 'White Bull', was Lord Commander to Aerys' Kingsguard, and now that of his son Rhaegar. He was an old man, having served already as Lord Commander for two decades, but cast an imposing shadow still. The four men rode out into the field in hopes of convincing Robert before battle ensued. The riders had not yet made twenty strides when a large man stepped out of the mass of Baratheon soldiers.
"War!" The man bellowed, so that all could hear his voice. The army behind him roared in approval and with not another step, the Silver King turned his mount and returned to his lines.

The roaring man, had of course, been Robert Baratheon and what a man he was. Rhaegar was adored throughout the kingdoms for his beauty, but Robert was of a different make. He was not freakish tall, but freakish large. His width at the shoulder was enough to make even the largest man around him seem small. The sigil of House Baratheon was a stag, but it was not a stag Rhaegar saw in Robert. He stands more like a bear than a man, the king thought. It was an intimidating sight. Nonetheless, Rhaegar was saddened by Robert's cry, as it signaled the start of the war and the deaths of many good men. Perhaps if the two met in single combat, Rhaegar might fall to Robert. Perhaps the kingdoms might have lost their second king in as many months, but the war would have been over. Rhaegar's father was already dead, no vengeance could be pried from the paws of a dead man. Were Rhaegar to fall at the hands of Robert himself, what grievance would there be then? The Stormlanders could return home, the Crownlanders could return home. The Northmen, the Rivermen, the Valemen, everyone. But it was not to be. The armies were to meet here in the Kingswood. The War of the Usurper had begun.

The king sat atop his steed, as black as the armor he bore into battle. He lowered his visor, until only the violet of his eyes could be seen of his face, and similarly lowered his lance. He kicked at the sides of his mount, and the beast began to trod forward. This trot quickened into a canter, then into a gallop, and before long, the king had was charging directly towards the lines of Stormlanders across the field, his entire host in tow. With minimal cavalry in their ranks, Robert's forces held their ground, preparing for the onslaught of horse and steel that was to come crashing down upon them. Their pikes were extended, but Robert was not among the front lines. The man did not ride a horse in battle as Rhaegar and most other lords did. Robert stayed with his men, fighting side-by-side with even the lowest-born he had. He was both feared by his enemy and loved by his friends for this. He lived for fighting, and the best fight he could wish for would be on his own two feet. His hammer would be of no use against a cavalry charge and so the Lord of the Stormlands remained back, awaiting the mass of crown royalists that would soon be upon him.

Rhaegar was the first to meet his enemy, setting an example for all those that followed behind him. His lance met its mark, knocking the life from a pikeman in an instant. He continued his stride, thicker into the melee, landing another strong blow to the head of a Stormlander. From then on, his lance would be useless, as he no longer had the speed nor distance to use it effectively. The king threw down the weapon and drew his sword. The blade shimmered in the sun, its edge shining bright white, while its hilt shone red from the ruby adorning it. It would taste much blood before the day was done.

The fighting dragged on for hours, with each side suffering significant losses. It wasn't until Rhaegar's plan was enacted that the tide of the battle turned. Before the fighting had begun, Rhaegar's host had set up camp on the crest of a hill, overlooking the field they now found themselves fighting in. Robert's scouts had indicated to their liege lord that Rhaegar had brought with him ten thousand men. What they failed to see was what lied behind the crest of the hill. Another two thousand men, mostly cavalry led by Ser Oswell Whent of the Kingsguard, had remained behind and passed around the woods, onto Robert's flank. Whent's arrival sent Robert's forces reeling. Under attack from two fronts, their courage faltered and many began to flee the field.

Robert's van held fast however, and clashed with Rhaegar's own. As most of Robert's forces had routed, the royal army began to encircle the remaining host from Storm's End and the fighting would soon be over. The Silver King spotted the Lord of the Stormlands as he threw a man over his shoulders, then proceeded to bury his warhammer in his skull. He charged at the stag, hoping to catch him unaware, but Robert turned to face him just in time. He side-stepped Rhaegar's advance, and sent his warhammer crashing against the hind knee of the king's horse. Now dismounted, Rhaegar faced down the giant of a man. Before the Lord of House Baratheon could take another step however, he was knocked from his feet by an oncoming rider from his rear. Too distracted by the King before him, he failed to see Ser Gerold Hightower barreling down at him. His horse met Robert's body, knocking him over and out cold. The blow would have been enough to kill an ordinary man, but Robert was no ordinary man.

The Baratheon lord awoke in chains, surrounded by whitecloaks and the man they swore to defend.
"Your forces routed, Robert." Said the king to his prisoner. "Without their liege lord to follow, they lost all hope and fled the field. It is over."
The look on Robert Baratheon's face said all there was to say. He gritted his teeth and furrowed his brow. His face was heavy with anger and sorrow for the men that did not survive to see the day's end.
"So... What now?" Robert asked, in a voice that paled in comparison to the one that had beckoned for war earlier in the day.
"We return to King's Landing, and you with us. We've called Lords Stark, Tully, Arryn and your brother Stannis, to the capital to discuss terms and adjourn over your trial."
"Ned? Coming to the capital to talk terms?" replied Robert, shocked at the words that fell from Rhaegar's mouth.
"It seems your friends hold you in high regard, my lord. Lord Eddard would not have you share the same fate of his brother and father, if it could be avoided."

With that, the king turned and beckoned to his Kingsguard to follow. They huddled close and talked with muted voices, as not to inform Robert of their musings.
"I will make for the Tower of Joy at once." Said the king. "I must see to Lyanna, I need to know that she is alright. The young king looked to two of his kingsguard. "Oswell, Arthur, you will accompany me. Lord Commander Gerold will lead the men back to the capital and Ser Barristan will head to Dragonstone to bring my family to the capital."
The men all nodded in consent to their king and before long were on their way.

Rhaegar mounted his new horse and with Sers Oswell and Arthur at his side, began his ride south into Dorne. It had been far too long since the king had seen his lover. He longed to hold her in his arms again, to feel the warmth of her body and the taste of her lips. Once there however, the king knew something had to be done regarding his Queen, Elia. He had betrayed and dishonored her by professing his love for Lyanna Stark, an act which would surely anger the lords of House Martell. There is time for that later, he thought to himself. My thoughts now are for Lyanna.

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Sweet, another RhaegAAR!
 
CHAPTER II - THE STAG AND THE DRAGON

There were no words for the grief the King was feeling. He had rode for days on end to reach the tower, only to be greeted by despair. Upon entering the tower, Rhaegar came to see Lyanna Stark lying in her bed next to the window. The room smelled of blood and of roses. At first the king had hoped for good news, knowing that his love had been pregnant for some time, hoping a son had been born to him. There had been a child born that day, but it did not live to see its first minutes in the world. The child lay motionless in the centre of the bed, with Lady Lyanna wrapped around him, not unlike a dog and her pups.

Her voice was weak, her eyes distant. Rhaegar knew there was no life left in his beloved, having fled her body at the death of their son. She spoke to him, quietly. It was hard for her to even muster a word or two from inside her, the she-wolf of the North had nothing left.
"Aerion. His name is Aerion."

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With that, Lyanna Stark breathed her last breath and passed from this world. The king was overcome with sorrow. It pained him from his feet to his scalp, clawing at him from the inside, ripping his body apart. The Kingsguard that were with him consoled him as best they could, but it was not enough. I risked everything to be with Lyanna, the king thought to himself. For what? A moment of love and happiness? I betrayed my wife, I betrayed my vassals and I betrayed my family. Robert went to war for her and I met him head-on for the same reason. Now she is dead, as is our son. It was all for nothing.

However painful, the grief was not enough to keep the king from his duties. The bodies of the deceased were loaded into a cart and the long journey back to the capital began. Aerion, while not even a day old, would be returned to the capital and burned in a pyre, as all Targaryen's were. With Lord Eddard riding to the capital to discuss terms and Robert's release, he would have the opportunity to return his sister to the crypts of Winterfell. Rhaegar despised the idea of burying his love in the cold, wet crypts of the North. She should be on a hill somewhere, with the sun and the clouds above her, he found himself thinking, but it was the right thing to do. Ned Stark was an honorable man. He rode to war to avenge his father and brother and to rescue his little sister. Rhaegar knew there was no cause more just and bore the Lord of Winterfell no ill will. With Ned's family all but spent, the least Rhaegar could do was return his sister to him, to be buried as a daughter of the North should.

King Rhaegar attended to the matter as soon as he arrived in the capital. The Lords of Winterfell, the Eyrie and Riverrun, as well as the heir to Storm's End, Stannis, had already arrived in the capital beforehand. They gathered in the king's council chambers, along with the current members of the king's small council. Robert Baratheon was brought in by a member of the city guard, and placed at the foot of the table, opposite Rhaegar himself. Rhaegar pondered for a moment, wondering where he might begin. Now is not the time for hesitation, he said to himself, as he turned to look at the Lord of Winterfell.
"My sincerest condolences Lord Eddard, but your Lady-sister Lyanna is dead. She died in childbirth a fortnight ago."
Eddard Stark widened his eyes and sat back in his chair. Rhaegar could see the same emotions in the man that had overcome himself earlier in Dorne. There was one however, who did not handle the news well.

"Dead!" Shouted the Lord of Storm's End. Robert stood from his chair and slammed his chained fists down onto the table as he shouted the word. The anger swelled in him, enough so that Rhaegar feared for a moment that he might break free from his iron chains and charge the King with his bare hands. "You killed my betrothed you sack of shit!"
"I loved her Robert!" Came the king's reply. The other lords in the room turned to stare at the king, taken aback by the admittance of his adultery. He was standing now too, though he had not noticed himself rising out of his chair to end up that way. He stared the Lord of the Stormlands directly in the eye. "I loved her as you do. I did not kill her."
"Fuck your grievances! I want justice!"
"Justice will be done, my Lord", replied the king. "You will stand trial for rebelling against the crown and then we shall discuss-"
"Fuck your trial! I want your head, pretty boy! I want your blood! I demand a trial-by-combat!"

A crowd of highborn lords and ladies had gathered in a plaza of the Red Keep, overlooking the Blackwater. The royal family and the high lords brought from the rebelling kingdoms sat in a covered terrace, not that it was of any use. The midday sun was masked by the clouds, casting a shadow over the proceedings to follow. Robert Baratheon emerged first onto the plaza, looking as monstrous as ever. A month in a cell had done him no harm at all, his imposing frame still wrapped in layers of muscle and flesh. He was clad in silver plate armor with gold trim and a large cloth sigil on his breastplate. His helm bore the antlers of a stag on either side. Not a traditionally fearsome creature, the stag had grown to be so emblazoned on Robert's banners. Ours is the Fury, their words said. Robert would no doubt bring these words to life today.

Rhaegar walked out next, to the crowd's delight. The men of Westeros wanted to be Rhaegar Targaryen, while the women wanted to be with him. Never had their stood a man quite like Rhaegar Targaryen. Not the brute that Robert was, the king was exceptionally handsome and a famed swordsman. Ser Barristan Selmy and Arthur Dayne, two of the finest swords the Seven Kingdoms had ever known, often claimed Rhaegar was peerless. Perhaps they flattered their king, but he was skilled nonetheless. Rhaegar wore his black plate armor into the plaza, the same he had worn in battle at the Kingswood. Its most prominent features were the three-headed dragon sigil of his house, encrusted upon his breastplate in rubies and the same dragon that sat upon his helm.

Robert had no desire to wait and listen to the official announcments. Instead, the wild stag charged Rhaegar, with his hammer held high above his head. The blow came down on what would have been Rhaegar's head, but the king raised his shield in time to block the blow. It left a notable mark on his shield and taught the king just how strong the man standing against him was. Even one of those to my chest and I'm dead.

Rhaegar had little opportunity to counter, with Robert's onslaught proving to be unyielding. The Silver King was knocked back a good ten paces from the volley of shots being thrown by Robert. Finally, Robert stepped back to recover but for a moment and an opportunity of Rhaegar's own came to be. The king hacked and slashed at the Lord of Storm's End with reserved ferocity. He had seen Robert tire himself from his own attack and would not fall victim to the same fate. Rhaegar's blade was of the utmost quality, as one would expect of a king, but it was still not enough to pierce Robert's thick plate armor. He would need to find his mark in one of the many openings between the plates of Robert's armor.

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At that moment, Robert threw his hammer down on Rhaegar, but the king rolled from underneath the monstrous weapon and landed on his feet behind his foe. He slashed at the back of Robert's leg, cutting him just above his knee. The man made no indication of his pain, but surely felt the sting of the wound instantly. His stance buckled for a moment, before the high lord rose again to his full height. He repaid the king almost instantly, catching him on his side. Luckily for Rhaegar, his sidestep dampened most of the blow, but it dented his plate nonetheless and dealt a significant bruise to his side. Both men now bearing the marks of the battle, the fighting intensified and the end was not far off.

The Stag and the Dragon continued to attack, block, dodge and parry for some time. It was a spectacle to behold for those in attendance, but that was not on the mind of either man at the time. Robert sought blood and Rhaegar sought an end to the war. The fight took a turn in favor of the king when Robert swung his large warhammer at Rhaegar's side once again. This time, Rhaegar stepped forward to avoid the head of the hammer and was struck by its hilt instead. Acting quickly, Rhaegar locked Robert's arm between his body and his shield, threw his sword high above his head and slammed the pommel of the blade directly into Robert's helm. What happened next was extraordinary.

With all his might and only the arm locked between Rhaegar's, Robert began to lean backwards and lift his warhammer to the sky. Rhaegar, not yielding, held tight and was lifted into the air by the much larger man. Robert then grabbed the hammer with his second hand and threw the weapon backwards and the king with it. Rhaegar thudded to the ground, but shook of the impact and rose quickly. Robert had been left dazed by the blows to his head and the Silver King had his one chance.

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Rhaegar hacked at Robert's already injured leg. The second cut was enough to ruin the Baratheon Lord's leg. He fell to his knees and Rhaegar quickly disarmed him. The king removed his enemy's helm and stared him in the eye. He kneed the downed lord with all his might in the chest, then proceeded to ask him a question.
"Do you yield?" It was a simple question, one that required only a nod of the head or a single word to end the fighting. But Robert was never one to yield, especially not to a pretty boy dragon lord.
"To hell with your yield", came the lord's reply. With that, he buried his forehead into the breastplate of Rhaegar. The rubies turned his forehead read with blood in an instant, but it knocked his silver-haired opponent back for a moment, which was all he needed.

Robert reached down for his hammer, swiped Rhaegar's feet from beneath him and swung his hammer down at the king's chest. Had Rhaegar lied there for but a second longer, the day would have been Robert's, but it was not to be. The king rolled quickly to his side, jumped to his feet and without looking and swung his sword in a sideways motion behind his back. The blade found its mark: Robert's neck. The king released his hold of the blade, but it was held in place by the flesh of Robert's neck. Rhaegar did not turn to look at the damage done, but merely stood a moment, listening to the gargled last words of Robert Baratheon.
"Lyanna..." He said, then collapsed forward onto his face, dead. The day belonged to Rhaegar.

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Interesting very interesting.
 
Oh dayum. Loving the writing of this

Thank you. This is only my second AAR and my first one went quite fast. Chapter VII or VIII covered roughly six years or so and so I decided to slow things down a bit and try and write in a bit more detail. Nice to hear that its paying off, even if only for you. :D

Interesting very interesting.

Just you wait! :happy:
 
Interesting how the fate between these two men was shifted from the Trident to a courtyard, and with VERY different results than the canon encounter.

A pity Robert couldn't have lived...it would have been interesting to see him continue on, and observe his character unaffected by the temptations of high court living.
 
Interesting how the fate between these two men was shifted from the Trident to a courtyard, and with VERY different results than the canon encounter.

A pity Robert couldn't have lived...it would have been interesting to see him continue on, and observe his character unaffected by the temptations of high court living.

Agreed, on both accounts. I wanted to keep some elements of the Trident included, such as the minor significance of the rubies in Rhaegar's breastplate, but tried to make a different fight and obviously the outcome was. :D

I too wish Robert had lived. The Stormlands being so close to the capital and Robert having complete hatred for Rhaegar would have made for some interesting interactions in the future. Stannis wont be too hard to deal with, the man has his honor. I'm also glad that the war didn't drag on and obliterate Westeros, so having Robert die to save the realm, in a sense, might be the better outcome. :)
 
CHAPTER III - TEMPERED IRON

Robert's death signaled an end to the war, a war that had never really began. A single battle in the Kingswood and a trial-by-combat had started and ended a war within two months. After Rhaegar's battle with Robert, he met again with his small council and the heads of the rebellious houses. Stannis Baratheon, now lord of the Stormlands, was a loyal man, not unlike Ned Stark. He spoke of his musings with Robert about raising the banners of Storm's End against the crown, citing treason as an offence of the utmost dishonor. But, blood runs thicker than all and the younger brother followed the elder brother into war nonetheless. Robert's death changed that and if Stannis could set things straight with the royal house of Westeros, he would.

Lords Stark, Arryn, Tully and Baratheon agreed to lay down their arms and bend the knee to Rhaegar Targaryen. In return, the king bore them no grievance, understanding why each family had marched into war and reassuring them that all was forgiven and forgotten. Stannis Baratheon was given clearance to return Robert's body to their ancestral seat, to be buried alongside his fathers. Lord Eddard returned to the North with Lyanna's body, to similarly lay her to rest beneath Winterfell and Jon Arryn stayed in the capital due to a sickness that had arisen in him. Hoster Tully was pulled aside by King Rhaegar and informed of some news.
"Lord Hoster, all past grievances are forgiven and I would name you my Master of Laws. Do you accept?"
"Of course, your grace." Came the reply from Lord Tully. "But what of your wife, Elia?"

It was true that Elia Martell had been the Master of Laws to her husband, but Rhaegar had plans of his own regarding her. After the death of Lyanna Stark, Rhaegar crawled back to his wife and begged forgiveness of her. While she would not forgive him, she would also not leave him. Elia despised Rhaegar for his actions against her and was intent on staining Rhaegar's legacy for as long as she could. Lady Elia swore celibacy from that day forward, promising to never bear Rhaegar another child as long as they both lived. With only one son to his name, Rhaegar could not permit this. One son was no foundation to build a house upon, let alone the royal house of the Seven Kingdoms. Rhaegar knew that he must incur the wrath of Dorne and request a divorce from the High Septon, in hopes of finding a new wife, one that would bear him children.

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Rhaegar had two letters prepared, one to be sent to Lord Tywin of the Westerlands, the other to Prince Doran of Dorne. Rhaegar had a proposal for Tywin Lannister, offering to name him his Hand of the King, as he was under Aerys, in exchange for Cersei Lannister's hand in marriage. Cersei Lannister was still a girl, but one of the most beautiful maidens in Westeros. Her hair was said to have shone like the very gold beneath Casterly Rock and a marriage with her would ally the crown with the Lannisters through blood. Such an alliance would strengthen the Iron Throne considerably, ensuring any future rebellious lords would think twice before marching against the crown.

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The letter to Dorne was of both a different and similar sort. Rhaegar was informing Prince Doran that his divorce from his sister Elia was granted by the High Sparrow and that she was to return to Sunspear immediately. Yet, the king too had a proposal for the Lord of Sunspear. He offered him the position of Master of Whisperers. For some reason still to be discovered, the Prince accepted. Rhaegar had personally slighted Doran's house, yet he still accepted the offer from the king. Perhaps he understood that being called to King's Landing would put him closer to the king, allowing for an easier move against him, should the need ever arise.

Before the war began, the bloody flux festered in the streets of Flea Bottom and spread from there. Months later, much of King's Landing was infected by the disease, even those residing within the walls of the Red Keep. Of those to die, the most notable were Jon Arryn of the Vale and Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard. Jaime Lannister was a fantastic soldier and worth heir to Tywin Lannister. He gave that up to become a whitecloak, for reasons that are still unclear to this day. He would be sorely missed in the tourneys and even more so on the field of battle. Ser Nestor of House Royce was chosen to take his place and swore his oaths upon his arrival at the capital.

Jon Arryn was not such a soldier, but a brilliant diplomat. Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark viewed him as a father, as he viewed them as sons. He was loved by his people and showed tremendous bravery and loyalty to defy my father and stand by his foster sons in war. However, with no son to his name, the rule of the Vale passed to House Waynwood, with Lady Irya gaining dominion over the realm. Lord Arryn's death with no heir reminded Rhaegar once more how vital his marriage to Cersei Lannister would be and so he had his councillors start the preparations for his wedding. The king also commissioned a tourney to be held during his wedding, to celebrate the crown's victory in the rebellion, his upcoming wedding and eventual coronation.

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A few notes to make:
1- Sorry if this seems short. Knowing what happens for the next little while, this was the logical place to end the chapter, otherwise I would have had a mega-chapter on my hands.
2- Not that anyone cares, but if for some strange reason you're wondering what the chapter title means, it's supposed to be a play on words. The chapter revolved around strengthening Rhaegar's rule, i.e. the Iron Throne. Tempering iron makes it stronger, i.e. tempered iron = a stronger rule.
 
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
 
CHAPTER IV - LIGHT OF THE WEST

Weeks went into the preparations for the wedding and tourney of the king. Performing acts from the free cities were hired, musicians from Highgarden came down to the capital and an assortment of silks and flowers were bought to lavishly decorate the proceedings. Early on in the preparations, Prince Doran arrived in the capital and Rhaegar immediately put him to work to build a network of spies loyal to the crown. Robert's rebellion had no doubt stirred dissent throughout the kingdoms and although none stood in defiance at the time, the king could stand idle and let a second rebellion fester.

It wasn't long before the Prince of Suspear, or 'the serpent' as some now called him, uncovered a plot against the Throne.
"There are some in the kingdoms who wish to unseat you, your grace," he said. "They plan on supplanting you and naming Aegon in your stead."
"Do they have a leader?" The young king asked.
"Of course, your grace. The High Septon."
Shocked by the news, Rhaegar took a moment to collect his thoughts. Lyanna and I helped start Robert's war. No doubt some of the other lords still bore my family ill will, but we've moved on from that. Are there really those who seek to rebel against me still?

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Rhaegar knew then why the High Septon had been so quick to grant him a divorce from Elia Martell weeks ago. There was no doubt that the divorce greatly angered the man sitting across from Rhaegar, Prince Doran. Should the other lords look to oppose him, Prince Doran might now count himself on the side of the rebels. Rhaegar knew that if the High Septon had co-conspirators, there would be at least one from House Tully, Stark or Baratheon, but he asked anyways.
"Who is helping him? What have your spied heard?"
"There are... rumblings, your grace. Rumblings that Lords Eddard and Stannis are aiding in the High Septon's plans, but I have no conformation as of yet."
"Very well, have the High Septon arrested and tried for treason. Keep your eyes fixed on Winterfell and the Stormlands, I will not have another rebellion so soon after the last."

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The trial did not last long for the High Septon. The king presided over the trial personally, with Tywin Lannister and Hoster Tully serving as the other two judges. Prince Doran had provided ample evidence of the Septon's treason, while little could be mustered in defense of the man. After two days, a verdict was reaching and King Rhaegar banished the old man to Castle Black, to serve as a brother of the Night's Watch until the end of his days. The king hoped that with their ringleader disposed of, a message had been sent to Lords Stark and Baratheon. Should they rebel, they could put fifty thousand men at their back, thought the king. Here's hoping this serves as message enough not to cross the Iron Throne.

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With the trial concluded, preparations for the celebrations resumed and were completed shortly thereafter. The tourney began in the later months of the year and lasted a week. Thirty two knights, lords and nobles from across the Seven Kingdoms competed in jousts to crown an eventual winner. Notable tilts included Tywin Lannister's first round loss to Willem Darry; Arthur Dayne's victory over Gerold Hightower in the second round; Valarr Sarwycks surprise run to the semi-finals and Barristan the Bold's unseating of Randyll Tarly early on in the proceedings. On the seventh day of the tourney, Ser Jorah Mormont faced off against Lord Lymond Lychester in the final tilt. After several runs, A well placed lance to the side unseated Ser Jorah, crowing Lord Lymond the victor. A courtier of the Reach was named the lord's Queen of Love and Beauty, for the resemblance she bore to his late wife.

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Full tourney ladder:
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With the conclusion of the tourney, the wedding ceremony began. Red was the natural choice of color for the proceedings, given its appearance in both the Lannister and Targaryen sigil. The Great Sept of Baelor was strew with silk tapestries of red and silver, roses adorned almost any spot left untouched by some other decoration and the banquet table was overflowing with delights from the farthest reaches of the kingdoms. Rhaegar, the Silver King, stood at the end of the hall, draped in the finest garments money could afford. Cersei Lannister, the Light of the West, entered soon after, led to Rhaegar's side by her father Tywin. Not to be outdone by anyone, Lord Tywin had similarly dressed his daughter in a gown that could probably feed Flea Bottom for a month. The beautiful Lady of the Rock stood smiling next to the king. She seemed infatuated by him, as most girls where and counted herself blessed to be wed to a man of such nature, let alone the king.
The new High Septon began the proceedings and shortly thereafter arrived at the conclusion of the ceremony.
"You may now cloak the bride", he said, his strong voice echoing through the halls of the Sept, "and bring her under your protection."
Rhaegar grabbed the cloak, emblazoned with the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen, and draped it over the shoulders of his new wife. He turned then to the crowd gathered in the hall.
"Let the feast begin!"

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