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The Rise of Dragons
Between 275AC and 279AC, a great flurry of weddings and political moves happened. Prince Rhaegar had been told he needed to find a wife by King Aerys II. There were many suitable brides available for the Prince including Cersei Lannister, the Light of the West, who was said to be one of the most beautiful women in the realm, but two years earlier the King had denied Lord Tywin this wish at the Tourney celebrating the birth of Prince Viserys at Casterly Rock, stating “You are my most able servant, Tywin, but a man does not marry his heir to his servant’s daughter.” There was also the two daughters of Hoster Tully, Lysa and Catelyn, the Princess Elia Martell of Dorne and some even whispered he may wed the Lady Ashara Dayne, the sister of his closest friend, the knight of the Kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne. Prince Rhaegar instead went North to the wall to visit his old relative, the Maester Aemon, who had been the son of King Maekar I and the brother of King Aegon V, the great-grandfather of the prince. It is said by many that not even Dragonstone had been far enough away from the intrigue of court for the Prince, but a handful of maesters believe he went there with purpose.
Nonetheless, he returned south and visited Winterfell on his way to White Harbour. Rhaegar left with a bride, the daughter of the Lord of Winterfell, the Lady Lyanna Stark. Some say the Silver Prince made an agreement with Lord Stark for his full support in his reign and other plots, while many say the Prince fell in love with the Lady during his stay. I am inclined to believe it was both from given accounts of the time and as such, the newly wed couple returned south to Dragonstone. The King was furious, while he had given Rhaegar leave to find a bride, he had wanted it to be one he had approved of beforehand. After arriving at Dragonstone, the Prince was given a letter with the seal of the King, summoning both Rhaegar and Lyanna to court. No answer was heard from Rhaegar for weeks before finally the Prince travelled to King’s Landing alone, leaving his new wife at Dragonstone. When Prince Rhaegar arrived, the King was enraged. As Rhaegar stood before Aerys who was on the Iron Throne and with Lord Tywin at the base of it, the king ordered the arrest of Prince Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark for treason, also summoning Lord Rickard Stark who was also accused of treason. While Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Oswell Whent had gone with Rhaegar north and had been left on Dragonstone with Lyanna Stark, two of the five Kingsguard that were with King Aerys, Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Gerold Hightower, the Lord Commander, hesitated as the King ordered the Kingsguard to grab Rhaegar. The following events would change the history of the Seven Kingdoms forever.
Accounts tell us that the bells of the Great Sept of Baelor rung out. The court including the King froze, as when the bells were tolled, it was usually on the death of a king or if the city was being attacked. It is said moments later, a Goldcloak of the City Watch burst into court announcing that an enemy force had been let in to the city through the Lion Gate. Knowing he had been betrayed by someone, Aerys flew into a fury, ordering the head of his hand, Lord Tywin Lannister and of his son and heir, Prince Rhaegar. While Lannister Retainers that had been at court fought off the guards of the Red Keep which allowed Tywin to escape, Prince Rhaegar fled out of court with those loyal to him, including Jon Connington towards the oncoming army. Aerys, in his frenzy, was carried away by his loyal Kingsguard to the White Tower. An hour later, Rhaegar stormed the Red Keep, leading the invading army which composed of the levies of Lord Denly Thorne of Blackwater Rush, Ser Gilbert Farring of Farring Cross and of the men that the Prince had brought from Dragonstone. After two hours of fighting, King’s Landing aside from the White Sword Tower had been taken by the Prince. The five knights of the Kingsguard - Ser Gerold Hightower, the Lord Commander, Ser Barristan Selmy, Ser Jonothor Darry, Prince Lewyn Martell and Ser Harlan Grandison were holed up with the King in the tower.
The men of the Kingsguard held off the forces of the Prince for three days. The Prince did not want anyone else to die, especially those who he had considered friends and who had protected him all his life. The King had become a writhing mess, it is said he scratched at his face until it was bloodied and that he had pulled out hair on his head and from his beard. Fearing for the health of the King, knowing that it was over and that Rhaegar was the best hope for the realm, the Kingsguard laid down their swords to Prince Rhaegar. The King was locked in his chambers under the protection of the Kingsguard and Rhaegar proclaimed himself regent and the Hand of the King. During the chaos, some of those loyal to King Aerys had successfully fled the capital including Lord Dylan Rykker, the Master of Whisperers and Lord Qarlton Chelsted, the Master of Coin. Lord Lucerys Velaryon and Lord Symond Staunton were not as lucky, being kept practically as hostages at court for the time being. Lord Tywin, who had fled court during the coup, had not known what the Prince had planned as Rhaegar feared that Tywin would use it against him, especially since Rhaegar had not wed Cersei. He returned to court to speak to the Prince.
In the following days, ravens were sent out to each corner of the Seven Kingdoms. Having secured the backing of Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord Hoster Tully, Lord Jon Arryn, Lord Robert Baratheon, Lord Rickard Stark and Princess Loreza Martell (many suggest this was due to her brother being in the Kingsguard and within the grasp of Rhaegar), Rhaegar proclaimed himself King Rhaegar of the House Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. The new King had a slight fear of a rebellion from House Tyrell in the Reach but the Lords of the Realm held no love for the Mad King while much love for Rhaegar and as such, accepted Rhaegar as their new King. King Rhaegar brought Lyanna Stark to King’s Landing and on the thirtieth day of the first moon in 279AC, King Rhaegar was crowned by the High Septon alongside Queen Lyanna in the Sept of Baelor during a Grand Ceremony with many of the Great Lords of the Realm in attendance.
Before, during and after the events of the of King’s Landing in 279AC, many marriages arrangements took place. In Dorne, Princess Elia Martell married Ser Baelor Hightower, the heir to Oldtown, a match which had been planned for some time but Princess Elia died in 282AC from her poor health. When news of Prince Rhaegar’s antics of marrying Lyanna Stark reached the ears of Lord Tywin Lannister, he arranged the marriage of his daughter, Cersei, to Elbert Arryn, the heir to the Vale. He also arranged a match between Jaime, his son and heir, and Lady Lysa Tully. When multiple ravens arrived in the Eyrie, the seat of House Arryn of the Vale, one addressed to Lord Eddard Stark from his father and one addressed to Lord Arryn from the Capital, plans were set in motion. Lord Rickard requested his son Eddard seek the support of Robert Baratheon, his closest friend and Lord Arryn, who had helped raise them. Eddard convinced the two lords to back Rhaegar as their King. Robert Baratheon rode out for Riverrun after offering his hand for Lady Catelyn Tully. Robert needed a wife, a highborn lady and this match would solidify the support of House Tully. Lord Eddard quickly rode out from the Vale with around 5,000 Men towards the capital in support of the new King Rhaegar. Upon arriving at Riverrun, Lady Catelyn and Lord Robert were found to be a good match and they were married. With all these marriages, the realm was secure and a few of the Great Houses now had strong relations with one another. During the coronation of the new King, the Lady Ashara Dayne and Lord Eddard Stark met one another and fell in love. They were married a few months after the coronation. Lord Quellon Greyjoy also died and was replaced by his son, Balon Greyjoy.
King Rhaegar sent his father away from court to the home of Robert Baratheon, the fortress of Storm’s End, to avoid his father being used against him. He also sent his Lady Mother as she wanted to leave to get away from the politics and intrigue of the court of the Red Keep. The King named his new small council:
He also took Edmure Tully, Jaime Lannister, Renly Baratheon and his brother, Prince Viserys as his wards. King Rhaegar wanted to strengthen the bonds of the Great Houses with House Targaryen as they had grown weak due to actions of his predecessors. He wished to restore the glory of the Dragon Kings and to heal the realm with a peaceful reign. King Rhaegar was known for his melancholic tendencies due to the nature of his birth during the Tragedy of Summerhall and for other reasons unknown at the time. The smitten royal couple gave a much more kinder air to the Red Keep, compared to the intensity and unrest felt in the court of King Aerys II. Months after the coronation, the King announced the Queen’s pregnancy and on the twenty eight day of the eight moon in 279AC, Princess Visenya was born. In the North, Brandon Stark, the heir to Winterfell, married Barbrey Ryswell who had been a rumoured lover of the young lord for many months. The couple would have a stillborn son within the year.
In the west in 281AC, the Lannisters of Lannisport rose against their kin in Casterly Rock, a small revolt which the Lord Tywin quickly smashed before sending Lord Rollam Lannister to the Night’s Watch and giving Lannisport to House Lanny, a cadet branch of the Lannisters. Lord Robert Baratheon sailed east and went on a tour of the Free Cities of Essos. During this timeframe, the lands of the Reach were quiet and prospered greatly, feeding the realm and preparing for the inevitable winter to come. In 282AC, Lord Harmen Uller of Brimstone revolted against House Martell in Dorne after Prince Oberyn Martell ‘the Red Viper’ slept with his wife, for which he was furious and to make matters worse, received taunts instead of apologies from the Red Viper of Dorne. He was defeated in battle at Nymerwell and was imprisoned for his crimes. He died in the dungeons of Sunspear and his daughter was allowed to retain the Uller titles. In King’s Landing, Lord Jon Arryn died of natural causes and was replaced by Ser Gilbert Farring as Master of Coin, the man who had helped Rhaegar storm the Red Keep. Prince Lewyn Martell of the Kingsguard died in his sleep, replaced by Ser Brynden Tully, the brother of Lord Hoster Tully. While reaving near Lorath in Essos, Lord Balon Greyjoy was slain by a Lorathi Mercenary as he tried to claim the mercenaries wife as his own salt wife and was succeeded by his son, Rodrik. There was worry that on the death of Balon, his brother, the feared Euron ‘Crows Eye’ would try and usurp his nephew but Euron was sailing the Jade Sea and therefore well away from Westeros. A few months after, the former King Aerys II died in his sleep at Storm’s End. His body was returned to King’s Landing and was cremated like his forefathers before him. The Dowager Queen Rhaella stayed in Storm’s end instead of attending the ceremony. It is rumoured that she had been taken as a lover by Lord Robert Baratheon but it is known as just a rumour. In 284AC, Lord Hoster Tully contracted Gout and it became so severe, he had to resign from the Small Council, replaced by Lord Robert Baratheon as Master of Laws, and he had to retire to Riverrun where he became bedridden. His courtiers began to mockingly call him “The Fragile Fish” behind his back and throughout RIverrun.
A plague struck the lands around Storm’s End in 285AC. The Bloody Flux spread across the Stormlands west towards Highgarden before reaching Oldtown and also north towards the capital. It lasted for months and killed many people. In the capital, Lord Tywin caught the disease and survived, but it weakened him greatly. After the plague passed, Lord Alyn Cave of Crackclaw Barren and Lord Eustace of Crackclaw Point had a squabble over land which was resolved by King Rhaegar. In 286AC, Lord Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King to Aerys II and Rhaegar I died for poor health as a result from the plague the previous year. He was replaced by Lord Alyn Hayford as Hand of the King. Lord Jaime Lannister succeeded his father as Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and Warden of the West. It was during this time that rumours began to spread. Whispers from the Red Keep slithered across the realm with a few courtiers saying that the coin flip for Princess Visenya landed on the side of madness. The girl was a kind soul but certain behaviours worried the King and Queen. But there was to be an even larger scandal.
Lady Lysa Tully, wife of Lord Jaime Lannister, was accused of adultery by her husband and was put on trial. This was a massive shame to House Tully, as Lysa was sent to the silent sisters after being found guilty. Lord Hoster was enraged but could do little from his bed and with his gout. The bond between House Lannister and Tully had been hurt badly but Lysa had given Jaime a male heir. It is said Lysa began the affair after the death of Lord Tywin, as she feared doing so when he still lived. Lord Tywin, known in death as ‘The Sage Lion’ for his wise long years of service to the crown, was ruthless in ensuring the power of House Lannister. The King hoped the bonds would be restored as to avoid later conflict but he worried little when great news came from his birth place of Summerhall. Two years prior, the King has ordered the reconstruction of the palace after it had been left destroyed for twenty-five years since the Tragedy there. A worker during construction found a white scaled egg in the rubble. This was a dragon egg. This confirmed Maester Gyldayn’s accounts that King Aegon V burned down the palace by accident in an attempt to hatch dragon eggs with wildfire.
The Palace of Summerhall burns in 259AC, killing King Aegon V 'the Unlikely', Prince Duncan 'the Prince of Dragonflies' and Ser Duncan the Tall, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who had saved the Princess Rhaella, later Queen Rhaella, who would give birth there to King Rhaegar I 'the Restorer' amidst the tragic events.
The egg was given to King Rhaegar who was part in wonder and in sadness, seeing an ancient dragon egg and seeing what caused the death of many of his kin. It is said for many moons the King summoned many maesters and those knowledgeable on dragons to court, in hopes of unlocking the secrets within to restore the unmatched might of his house. It is rumoured he one day exclaimed he could feel the heat from within, believing he could hatch dragon from stone. The king, along with his beloved wife went on a tour around Westeros for many months, visiting at first Harrenhal, then Summerhall, Oldtown and returning at last to King’s Landing, where there was announcement where the Queen was pregnant again. She gave birth a few months later to the new heir to the Iron Throne, Prince Aegon. Both the royal children had the looks of their father, with the signature valyrian look of silver hair and violet eyes. In the next few days, the greatest event in many centuries was about to occur. The King hosted a private gathering in Maegor’s Holdfast within the Red Keep with only his Kingsguard, the new Grandmaester Garizon and few others. No other member of the royal family attended. The next morning, the news was announced at court. The King had hatched a dragon. Magic had returned to the world with the new birth of dragons. King Rhaegar was hailed as ‘the Restorer’. The dragon was named ‘Valyrion’ by the King in honour of Old Valyria, the ancient empire and people he was descended from. The dragon had gleaming silver scales with razor sharp white teeth. After seeing the dragon for the first time, Princess Visenya shrieked, petted the dragon and compared it to her father’s silver hair, much to the amusement of court. The King then ordered the reconstruction of the Dragon Pit atop Rhaenys Hill to the cheer of court.
Moons later, it was revealed that the former Master of Coin to King Aerys II, Lord Qarlton Chelsted had plotted to kidnap Prince Aegon and crown him as the new king to depose King Rhaegar. His plot failed miserably as the Master of Whisperers alerted the Small Council almost immediately. Lord Qarlton was immediately arrested, put on trial and found guilty. Queen Lyanna pleaded with the King to send him to the Night’s Watch instead of executing him, to which the king listened. He was sent to the Wall and granted mercy by the King. An announcement was made from Sunspear and Casterly Rock, announcing the betrothal of Princess Arianne Martell and Lord Jaime Lannister, who had needed a new wife since the betrayal of Lysa Tully. At the same time, the King announced the Queen was pregnant with another child. The Queen was immensely happy but she was heart-broken when the news reached her that her brother, Eddard Stark, was killed in a joust by Ebbert Whitehill. He left behind his widow, the Lady Ashara Dayne and two daughters. In response, Benjen Stark was summoned to the Red Keep by the King as to make sure the Queen had her little brother near she so was happy. Lady Barbrey Ryswell, now the Lady Stark of Lord Brandon Stark, had two stillborn children before finally giving birth to a living son who could carry on the Stark line. At the same time as Benjen Stark arrived in the capital, so did Prince Oberyn Martell, known as the 'Red Viper of Dorne'. He was one of the children of the Princess Loreza Martell, who was now the age of 75. It was rumoured that they would also become members of the Kingsguard upon the opening of two spots in the sacred order. From these events over the past twelve years, the might of House Targaryen had been brought back by King Rhaegar ‘the Restorer’ and the realm had prospered under their King and Queen who were kind and just to all nobles and commoners alike. The realm had become stronger than ever in this peaceful reign and the people of the Seven Kingdoms looked forward to the bright future to come.
