IC
To understand this situation, you must be fully aware of the backstory. It takes place right where ADWD left off. Queen Daenerys is still missing from her city, but little does her retinue know, she is in the Dothraki Sea, Drogon at her side, encountering a massive khalasar led by Khal Jhaqo. Across the sea, Aegon Targaryen has landed in Westeros with the Golden Company, and has set about conquering the Stormlands at an alarming rate. Aegon, Jon Connington and Captain-General Harry Strickland set their hungry eyes in Storm's End. Up north, Jon Snow has just been stabbed to death by Bowen Marsh and several other mutineers after Jon pledged to march south and aid Stannis Baratheon after receiving a threat from Ramsay Bolton (otherwise known as Ramsay Snow). The Night's Watch is leaderless, and it's status unknown. In the capital, Lord Regent Kevan Lannister has just been slain by Varys, but not before making it clear that he was doing it for Aegon. The method of assassination (via crossbow) is sure to stir trouble between Queen Cersei Lannister and the Tyrells. As Ser Jaime Lannister attempts to bring peace to the Riverlands, he is encountered by Brienne of Tarth, who pledged to find the Stark girls and protect them. Little does he know, Brienne was captured by the mysterious Lady Stoneheart (the late Catelyn Stark) and pledged to serve her in order to save her young squire, Podrick Payne. Unfortunately, Lady Stoneheart only wants the worst for Jaime. In the high mountains of the Vale, Lord Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish has murdered Lady Lysa Arryn after revealing it was he who plotted everything, from Jon Arryn's murder to the war in and of itself. After using his wits to outsmart the lords of the Vale, he keeps his true secret weapon hidden away. That weapon is Alayne Stone, an alias of Sansa Stark. Back across the sea, Ser Barristan Selmy, allied with Grey Worm, the Meereeneese freedmen and Skahaz mo Kandaq, defends the city in the Queen's name. With the help of the Tattered Prince, Ben Plumm, Ser Jorah Mormont and last but not least, Tyrion Lannister on the other side of the battle, Ser Barristan looks to emerge victorious. However, Ironborn raiders under the command of Victarion Greyjoy are landing in the bay. With a mysterious Valyrian dragonhorn, it is unknown how they will play a role in the battle.
As Daenerys prepared to expect the worse from her husband's former ko, he eyed the dragon, who seemed to be keeping her as a master. Instead of risking himself, Jhaqo instead opted to kindly escort her to Vaes Dothrak, where she could present herself to the dosh khaleen. Daenerys feared Jhaqo; and rightfully so. Before she spoke the memory of Eroeh rushed back into her mind, and in that moment she made her decision. Before she could say anything however, twenty dothraki descend on her and Drogon, lead by Mago. The dragon was surprised by the men, and was slashed by their blades before he could take flight, fleeing from his attackers. Jhaqo attacked Daenerys as the dragon ran, throwing her to the ground and jumping on top of her. He laughed as he looked over her body, still bare from being burned from Drogon's fire. He then told her of Eroeh's pleas as his blood riders raped her, and that she will do the same. As he began to mount her, Daenerys grabs one of the bones on the ground and drives it through Jhaqo throat. As he spits up blood Drogon descends on the men, bathing them in dragonfire. Dropping to the ground by his mother, the dragon looks into the eyes of the dying Jhaqo, and at Daenerys's orders, rips him apart with his claws. As this happens, Daenerys turns to watch as Mago burns to death, his flesh melting from his bones. Turing to face the massive Khalasar, she is amazed to see them all bowing to her. One of the women steps forward, saying that the Khalasar believes Drogon to be the "Stallion that will mount the world". Daenerys, now Khal, gives orders to her new ten thousand warriors. Riders are to be sent to Khals Zekko and Motho, along with Vaes Dothrak. She will lead the Dothraki to Slaver's Bay, and with that army crush those who have wronged her.
Back in Meereen, the Windblown and Second Sons' betrayals were enough to cripple the Yunkai, who were left with the incompetent slave soldiers and the Company of the Cat. The Tattered Prince slew Bloodbeard and freed the Meereenese prisoners. Meanwhile, the Second Sons (who declared they were always Queen's men) used their position to utterly destroy the Yunkish by sabotaging the siege equipment and decimating the slave soldiers. Ser Jorah Mormont volunteered to remove the supreme commanders, and using a few mercenaries and Tyrion's wits, Ser Jorah used the confusion to sneak in the camps and kill the Yunkish leadership. However, Lady Melessa (the Girl General), the Perfumed Hero and the Clanker Lords were all taken for hostage. Within a few hours, the Yunkish host was annihilated and the day was won for Daenerys by Ser Barristan. Little to their knowledge, however, the Ironborn who stormed the bay had other plans; Victarion planned to sacrifice the dusky woman and use here sacrifice to bring the dragons under his control. However, his plans were foiled when the dusky woman drove a blade through his neck, revealing herself as one of Euron's spies. She planned to report back to Euron, however, Moqorro then killed her, fulfilling the necessary blood sacrifice. Moqorro then blew the horn, draining the life out of himself. Just as Moqorro died, he transferred his life force into Victarion's lifeless body, bringing life back to Victarion. Just as Victarion rose, he saw that Rhaegal and Viserion flew right to him, and waited patiently for further commands. As it turned out, the flaming arm Moqorro gifted to Victarion was actually a complicated dragon handling spell used by earlier dragon conquerors. As Victarion took the dragons under his will, Meereen watched in horror.
At Winterfell, the battle raged. After the Manderly host turned against the Boltons before engaging with Stannis, they relied only on the Karstark's betrayal. Little did Lord Roose know Stannis had caught on and forced them to cooperate. However on the eve of the battle Ramsey and twenty men snuck out of Winterfell, and sabotaged the Baratheon camp. Provisions, siege equipment, and the horse stables were set ablaze and in one night the battle turned. The next day the Bolton forces, supported with more cavalry, smashed the Northern-Baratheon army which was forced to retreat to the Wolfswood. Five days later Stannis Baratheon prepared himself in a field within the woods, the Bolton-Frey army having marched after them ready to do battle. Stannis was outnumbered 3-1, and had near no cavalry save his personal guard which was formed from Knights, but he was prepared to die in battle if need be. The Battle of the Wolfswood raged as the two forces clashed with one another, Roose keeping a large portion of his men in reserve, letting the other Northern lords and Freys battle it out in the mud. However halfway through the battle there rose a great roar of warhorns coming from the rear of the Bolton’s reserves, and thousands of Wildlings descended upon the Bolton host. As Roose attempted to rally his army with his son Ramsey, Ramsey was flung from his horse. Upon getting up he met eyes with someone he never thought he would; Jon Snow. Except this wasn’t the Jon he had heard about; Jon’s skin looked dark, his hair cut short on his head. Jon drew Longclaw, and then without a word engaged Ramsey. As Jon threw a blow at Ramsey, the Bolton deflected it and slashed at Jon with his Falchion, cutting his side with the blade. As Ramsey turned to kill Jon he felt Longclaw drive through his chest, and Jon jam a knife through his throat. The last thing Ramsey saw was his father riding away from him, fleeing the battle. Roose did not get far however, as Tormund chopped at legs of his horse which sent Roose flying into the ground. Reaching for his sword, his head was split in two with a single swing from Tormund. With their leaders dead, most of the Northern forces surrendered, the Freys attempting to surrender only to be killed on Jon’s orders. Jon found Stannis, his leg badly wounded. As he was about to thank the boy Jon asked for Stannis’ surrender, and abdication from the throne. Stannis was in disbelief, almost laughing at Jon until Melisandre stepped forward, telling Stannis the truth.
After Jon had been killed by Bowen, the Nights Watch set his body upon a pyre to be set aflame, not allowing him to turn to a wight. Before they could however, Melisandre said a prayer over his body, giving him a kiss on his forehead as a tear rolled down face and landed on his. As she stepped away and the brothers lit the pyre aflame, she saw in the flames a vision. She saw a Dragon, three heads upon it, fighting back ice with its fiery breath. She watched as one head was felled by the ice, and another was wounded. As the third head was pinned down by the great form of ice, the figure of a golden lion threw itself upon the ice, its blood warming the ice and melting it away. As this vision passed another was bestowed upon her; it started with a man and woman in bed, the man with hair as white as snow and the woman’s as dark as night. As that faded she saw another vision, this of the same woman with a different man above her, holding a babe. As this vision gripped her, Jon jumped from the flames, Longclaw in his hands. The blade was red hot, Jon’s long hair aflame as he rolled in the snow. As he stood, smoke rolling off him Bowen charged Jon, swinging to kill the “wight” as he saw it. Jon blocked his blade, and spinning cut off Bowen’s head. As this happened Tormund, along with other wildlings and those loyal to Jon, launched an attack against Bowen’s supporters. Within the day, the Nights watch was under the control once again of Jon. Receiving word of Stannis being in the south, and Melisandre telling him what she saw, Jon knew he had to march south; not as Lord Commander of the Nights Watch, but as Jon of the House Targaryen, Heir to the Iron Throne by the blood of Rhaegar Targaryen, the son of Ice and Fire. He informed the Watch that he had indeed died, meaning he was free from his vows. As his last act of power he named Dolorous Edd Tollett the First Steward and named Ser Denys Mallister Lord Commander until they had time to elect a new one. Jon Snow said goodbye to the Watch, leaving behind his black cloak and his life in the watch. He marched south, taking with him an army of Wildling volunteers, Ghost, and Melisandre.
As Stannis listened to this story, his face became paler and paler. He had done so many things for the red woman, only to the thrown to the wayside by her. After hours of talks, Stannis submitted to Jon, his wounded keeping him from marching south at the moment he was taken to Winterfell to help in rebuilding the north while Jon took the remains of the armies from the Battle of the Wolfswood and marched south to his first target; the Twins. However, before he left Stannis first showed Jon "Arya", but he immediately recognized her as Jeyne Poole. Stannis then informed him that he held Theon hostage, and that he claimed that he didn't lay a hand on Bran or Rickon, that the whole idea had been Ramseys. Stannis told Jon that Rickon was being sought after by one of the best men he knew, and to that Jon was happy, but demanded that Theon still be punished for his betrayal. Stannis refused to do it, leaving it up to Jon. After seeing what Theon had become however, Jon decided not to; that Theon had paid enough. With Asha they both agreed that she could be used to win back the Iron Isles, and so she was spared as well.
In the Riverlands, Jaime followed Brienne to the lair of the Brotherhood Without Banners, expecting to find Sansa Stark in Sandor Clegane's clutches. Instead, he was attacked and captured by Lady Stoneheart. Still spiteful to the knight, the late Catelyn planned to hang Jaime. However, Brienne, feeling guilty over the betrayal, pleaded with Thoros of Myr, who seemed to be apprehensive with his support for her. Thoros agreed to help. He told her that Lady Stoneheart could not be killed by conventional means. Thoros took Oathkeeper and immolated it in a holy flame. Just before the execution was to take place, Brienne drew her sword and plunged it into Catelyn's breast. As Catelyn died in Brienne's arms, the latter, tears in her eyes, pledged to find the girls. She would keep her oath, no matter what. Thoros took command of the Brotherhood, while Jaime, Brienne, Podrick and Ser Hyle Hunt departed for the capital.
In King's Landing, following the discovery of the crossbow bolt-strewn bodies of Kevan Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle, Cersei took her seat back and gave in to intense paranoia. The Tyrells were distanced farther, until Cersei attempted to remove them from the small council and annul Margaery's marriage to Tommen. Lady Olenna, taking advice from Varys, prepared to start a coup, but Rowan had returned to Kings Landing, speaking of great creatures and an army being led by a Targaryen boy. With the Iron born also threatening the Reach, Mace decided to split his men, himself marching back to the Reach while he sent Tarly and Rowan back to take Storm's End from Farring and this "dragon prince". A small force was left in King's Landing, along with the expanded City Watch and the Lannister forces under Cersei, who controlled little outside the Red Keep. It was also in this time that news came to the capital that Marcella had died in Sunspear; poison on her lips. Many blamed the Sand Snakes, namely Tyene, however there was no proof of this and Tyene had left for King’s Landing by the time any blame could be cast. With the death of her daughter, Cersei redoubled the guard for Tommen, and fell even further into madness.
As Jaime approached the capital, he heard the news of Cersei’s madness, and immediately spurred his horse and rode faster than he ever had. When he reached the capital he found that Lady Olenna had attempted her coup, even without the forces of her son. The Watch had split, and the Faith joined the Tyrell’s in their fighting along with Loras who had returned from Dragonstone, his wounds all a feign to make Cersei think he was no longer in play. Jaime and his group fought their way to the Red Keep, Lannister men letting them in. Inside Jaime found Cersei in the throne room, and he immediately pleaded with her to stop. They could forget thrones and live out the rest of their lives at Casterly, where they could be together and they could raise Tommen as a son. Cersei brushed him off and continued her plans, which sent Jaime into a frenzy when she spoke them out loud. Cersei planned to throw Wildfire from the battlements, and burn her enemies from the city. Jaime knew what needed to be done and drew his sword once again on a regent who threatened the Kingdom and King’s Landing. He first slew Hallyne, who was now Hand of the King to Cersei and was going to ignite the wildfire just as the Mad King had planned. When Cersei saw the man she loved kill Hallyne, she lost her mind fully, ordering Robert Strong to bring her Jaime’s head. Robert charged Brienne and Jaime, Brienne side stepping the massive knight’s first attack. The blade missed her but knocked Jaime down as she drove her blade through the knee joint of Strong. Robert then spun around, smashing his massive mailed fist into Brienne and sending her flying into the wall. As he approached her, he knelt down and smashed his fist into her four more times, the sound of bones snapping echoing in the room. As Robert started to stand Tommen raced at the giant, screaming for him to stop. In instinct Robert turned and slashed, slicing the boy in two with a single blow. As Cersei screamed, Robert bent his knee to Cersei as she screamed for him to stop, but he did not see that Jaime had risen and was running at Robert; and in one move he drove his sword through Roberts side which caused the monstrosity to roar. As he did, Jaimse drew Oathkeeper from his knee, and cut off Roberts head. As Cersei looked up at her brother she saw only hate. Quickly Jaime fell upon Cersei, his hand grabbing her by the throat. As she choked, she threw her hands against Jaime and scratched at him, until passing into unconsciousness. Once she stopped fighting, Jaime let go, and drove Oathkeeper through her heart, killing her and putting her out of her misery. As he pulled the blade from her, he approached the bloodied Brienne he could see her still in pain, her face broken with one of her eyes hanging out. Taking Oathkeeper he stabbed her, giving her mercy; but not before he gave her a vow—to find the Stark girls.
Aegon forces kept the siege on Storm's End, with a Tyrell host bearing down on them. Before they could assault the castle or attack the Reach army however, a messenger from Dorne arrived. Arianne Martell was sent to see if this Aegon was in fact a true Targaryen. After witnessing his power, Arianne put forth Prince Doran's marriage proposal. Aegon, with the encouragement of Jon Connington agreed to the marriage. With that, Dorne was to declare war for Aegon. As Raven's flew from the besiegers camp an army of Dornish men in Wyl, who had been gathered there by Doran to either join Aegon or crush him, marched to join with Aegon and take back the Seven Kingdoms. Other forces were mustered in Starfell as they prepared for an invasion of the Reach.
As Aegon prepared to attack Storm's End he was now welcomed first hand to the true nature of warfare from Randyll Tarly. The Reach General had spurred his men towards Aegon, and in a massive sneak attack he broke the siege of Storm's End. The Golden Company, shattered from the Reach attack, retreated towards the Rainwood with their tails between their legs, Connington and Aegon leading them. As his Dornish reinforcements arrived, Aegon readied to march on Storm's End, only to find the Reach army having vanished. With the threat of Iron Born and Dornish attacks, Tarly had ordered his men back to defend the Reach from invasion, a costly but smart move. With this Aegon left a force to starve out the defenders of Storm's End, but with a bulk of his men, marched on Kings Landing and the Crownlands.
Back across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys made her way back to Meereen with a massive host of her new Khalassar and Drogon. She was greeted by Ser Barristan and Skahaz Shavepate, who were also accompanied by several unexpected allies. Tyrion (who made a good impression on the queen right off the bat for his wit and honesty), Brown Ben (who told Daenerys he only turned cloak to analyze the Yunkish), and (surprisingly) Ser Jorah. Most importantly, however, was Victarion Greyjoy who seemed to be controlling the two other dragons. Victarion told her that he wasn't who he seemed. The Iron Fleet was there to abduct her and bring her back to Euron. He also revealed to her that he was brought back to life by the red priest Moqorro, who had opened his eyes and made him see the truth. He had slaughtered of the Euron supporters and would lead the Iron Fleet for her. Her riders returned with word from Zakko, he was willing to do as the mother of the stallion demanded. With men from Matho's Khal, which had been dissolved at her bidding as Matho was old and most of his men were, joining Zakko’s Khal they would defeat Pono if he ever came towards slaver bay and would rule as her Khal in the east. With that, Daenerys had her fleet, had a great army, her dragons were under control, and her position and power in the east was secure. She could go home.
The Unsullied, Ironborn Raiders, Sellswords, and a small contingent of Dothraki screamers were loaded onto the Iron Fleet and were ready to land in Westeros. She decided to reintroduce Ser Jorah (who was much more cynical at this point and proved his loyalty to her by travelling back) into the Queensguard and she took Tyrion as an adviser. They planned to land in Dorne, though, news struck eventually. Aegon Targaryen, her long-dead nephew, had taken the loyalty of Dorne and was marching on King's Landing. Barristan was skeptical, but Daenerys saw it as an opportunity. They would land in the Blackwater and with her nephew capture the Iron Throne and with it the Seven Kingdoms. She was warned that he may think himself the king, to this she replied "He may have the blood; but I have both Fire and Blood". Daenerys appointed Skahaz Lord of Meereen and Slaver's Bay. She also pledged that if her Queendom was threatened with slavery, her Dothraki would raid and pillage and she would return on dragonback, bringing fire and blood with her. That fear was enough for most of the Ghiscari. The Iron Fleet sailed off into the sunset, three large dragons overhead, and the largest of them ridden by Daenerys. Their first issue came up almost immediately as they set off; over 300 ships from Volantis who had come to join against her. Upon seeing her dragons and the fleet she had at her command, the fleet allowed her to pass and followed her until she had passed Volantis. They would later stop in Pentos, where, with the support of Illyrio, the Tattered Prince got his payment in a bloodless coup.
News traveled fast. Westeros was terrified of Daenerys. "Aegon the Conqueror with teats" was invading at last. Aegon was worried, he had made a claim for the throne but with dragons backing her, he had no chance against her. He worried that Dorne would throw itself into her camp if the conditions were right, and as such he married Arianne that night, in the glow from the war camp. He sealed in marriage the armies of Dorne to him, and hoped his aunt would not push him for the throne.
In the Vale, Littlefinger made his first move. He swayed the Lords of the Vale with honeyed words about Robb Stark, and the need for vengeance. He spoke that Lysa was too weak, and that she should of rode against the Lannisters and joined with her father and sister. The Lords of the Vale, who had once stood against Baelish now agreed with him. Within a week the armies of the Vale poured out of the Bloody Gate, and marched towards the capital screaming for the blood of Lannisters. First, however, Baelish marched a select group of his men towards Riverrun, and gained the support of many River lords. With their support, he defeated the Freys and Lannisters still in the Riverlands. He also arranged a marriage of Harold Hardyng and Sansa, still incognito. With himself and a sizeable force marching on King’s Landing and another on Riverrun, Baelish was now one of the most powerful men in the Seven Kingdoms; Lord Protector of the Vale, some saying Lord Paramount in the Riverlands, and having a secret claim to the north.
As the Iron Fleet made it's way to Westeros, Dany set out on a personal quest. She flew ahead of her army and flew right towards Dorne. After finding Sunspear, she landed there with the bones of Quentyn Martell. She approached Prince Doran and gave an apology for his son's death at the hands of one of her dragons. Doran was upset at Dany for the reveal, but knew he could not be angry at her for long. She came with a massive army, and he knew that she was as strong a ruler as any. He talked with her, and convinced her to lay aside who would sit upon the throne until the kingdoms were once again under the throne. Daenerys agreed, and with her fleet now in tow once more sailed towards the Blackwater, and home. Trystane, who was still wreaked by the death of Myrcella, was sent along with Dany as a squire for Tyrion, but as well a spy for Doran and Arianne.
When they arrived in the Blackwater, the massive fleet headed first to Duskendale. Upon arriving, the people of Duskendale were so terrified of the dragons that they surrendered, and as they unloaded their men an army approached them. At the head of this army was Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and it was said he and Tyrion shared a hug as they prepared to march on King's Landing. Tyrion however made a great find among the shops of Duskendale, there he found a boy willing to serve him within the commoners. Tyrion was ready to pass the boy by, but saw who he was and immediately had him brought into his service. It wasn’t every day that a bastard of Robert fell into your hands.
As Dany marched from the North, and Aegon from the south, King’s Landing sat in the middle. Without the Tyrell’s, all was lost in the city. The city watch threw open the gates for the Targaryen’s, hoping that they would not slaughter them all. As they marched on the Red Keep they found the castle gates open, the Lannister men throwing down their arms and as they stormed the great hall Jaime was found sitting in the room with a handful of guards around them. Little is known about what happened in the throne room, but Jaime was sparred although losing his position in the Kingsguard, some believing Jaime claiming to take the black. Before the siblings could fight over the throne, Baelish arrived at King’s Landing with his men, wishing to pledge loyalty to the new monarch. However, when he entered the throne room a different voice spoke, that of Sansa Stark. She had hid among the women of the Petyr’s army, and told a tale of his treachery. She told the whole court of how he had killed Jon Arryn, and started the war. Lord Royce drew his sword, and within the hour Baelish was in the dungeons. As the two siblings sat at opposite sides of a great table, they knew that peace was needed to be made. Margery was still in the castle, and with her in their control they knew that Mace would bend the knee to them. Loras was sent to send word to his father, and surrender to the Iron Throne. Jaime sent out raven’s, calling for the Westerlands to stop their fighting and for the Frey’s to give up the lands they claimed in the south and retreat to the Twins, and if they did not agree than the Westerlands attacking would be their smallest problem. With all those in the room together, all the Kingdoms were recognized. Daenerys, as the oldest and the one with the dragons, pushed her claim for the throne. She had the support of Sansa who spoke for the North and Vale; as well as Jaime who held the Westerlands. She also had the support of Victarion, which meant little for the Iron Islands but much for their fleet. Aegon however already had the Stormlands under his control and was married to the heir of Dorne, and he technically had the backing of the Crownlands. The shouting could be heard from all around the great hall, the two kept from each other’s throats by Varys as he negotiated between the two. Together they decided to all a great council to choose who would take the throne, which could only take place once all Seven Kingdoms were once again under their real command. With this pact sealed, the battle lines were drawn.
As the Dragons hatched their plans, Jon and his army had marched through the neck and finally reached the Twins. Walder Frey, knowing well that Jon was leading the army, kept the gates closed. Jon was not a fool, and knew that to capture the Twins would be costly and possibly unwinnable. He planned to leave a small force to keep the Frey’s in their castle, and protect his rear as he marched down the river. However, late into the night, a lone soldier approached his camp. Olyvar Frey, distraught over his families slaying of his friend Robb Stark, went to Jon’s camp with a plan. He could lead a small contingent of knights into the Twins and hopefully open the castle gates. Olyvar showed the knights a way in, ice allowing for crossing on parts of the river and small passages allowing the men access to the castle. Once inside fighting broke out when a patrol of Frey men at arms spotted the intruders A few of the knights took the fight to the Frey's while Olyvar and the others attempt to raise the gates. All of the men with Olyvar are struck down by crossbow fire, Olyvar himself taking two bolts as he raised the gate. As Baratheon and Northern men at arms storm the castle, Olyvar slumped to the ground whispering he is sorry to Robb. The Massacre at the Twins takes a majority of the night as most of the Frey's who were not killed in the north are either put to the sword or drowned in the river as they attempt to escape. Lord Walder is known to have had over thirty bolts put into him by Stormlanders before Jon stopped them. Even to his brother’s killer he could not be dishonorable. With the Twin's secure, Jon planned to march on Seaguard, and from there upon Riverrun.
As Jon marched south, Dany and Aegon split their forces between the Riverlands and the Reach, hoping to pincer the Ironborn back to their islands. Dany had sent Victarion around Dorne with the fleet in hopes of smashing Euron at the shield isles or at the arbor. Dornish men launched attacks from Starfell into the Reach to capture the south, and Dany’s Dothraki attacked the northern reach. Mace, who had been a Targaryen supporter during Robert’s rebellion, quickly bent the knee to Aerys’s daughter and grandson; some saying Willas forced him to. With their Targaryen allies, the Iron Born invasion of the Reach was quickly pushed back and in a massive naval battle, Euron was ambushed by his brother and his entire fleet destroyed. After this battle however she received a letter from Aegon in the north, saying she had to hurry to Riverrun, they were to meet the third head of the Dragon. Upon arriving Dany came face to face with Jon, her nephew. It is said that the two fell in love in that moment. Jon told stories from the north, of white walkers and wights that would soon invade the south, and that they had to make it north before they made it over the wall. Aegon was skeptical, feeling that this could not be true as the walkers died out ages ago, and he attempted to keep the talks on who would take the throne. However Melisandre stepped forward, telling those there of what she had seen. The talks lasted days, going from where they would march next to who would be King/Queen. Finally a letter arrived by raven from the North. Stannis sent a message to Jon, telling him that the wall had been overrun by the wights. Reports had come in that the white walkers had arrived, but were stuck on the other side of the wall, waiting. Winterfell was under siege, and he needed reinforcements. With this the armies of all the kingdoms marched north, at its head three dragons.
The march north was slow, hampered by driving snows and low food stores the army of man was suffering heavy attrition loses as they marched north. Upon reaching the Neck they learned horrific news, Winterfell had fallen to the armies of the dead. Stannis had pulled his men back from Winterfell, retreating back to White Harbor where the remainder of the Manderley forces had gathered to defend the north. Using the multitude of bardges in the Manderley force, the Northmen were able to flee the city and make it to Moat Cailin, but Stannis and his guard did not make the crossing. Not wanting to continue running, Stannis had made a last stand with his men in the New Castle, having held the dead long enough for a majority of the Northern Forces remaining to retreat. With the stories from the Manderley forces circulating in the army, many grew terrified of what was coming and in one night over five hundred men deserted. The dragons however knew they needed to press forward; that to stay put would end their army. Upon reaching Moat Cailin the army of the living came face to face with the army of the dead. The army of the dead was countless, and the army of the living was what was left of those in Westeros. In a massive battle, over 20,000 men were slaughtered by the wights, but the dragonfire burned the dead to ash as the three dragon riders, Daenerys, Jon, and Aegon, burned rank upon rank of wights. As the army was defeated, the men cheered as victory was theirs. For another month they marched north, recapturing Winterfell from the dead, and finally arriving at Castle Black. As they approached they saw members of the Nights Watch waving at them, and as they drew closer they realized it wasn’t waving, it was a warning. Around them rose thousands of wights, having buried themselves under the snow. Pulling what they could into the castle, they soon realized that there was an army of wights and walkers on the other side. As the army on one side attacked, the men on the walls reported wights as far as they eye could see scaling the walls, but in the center, right in front of the gate to castle black, stood an army of White Walkers with a chained up ice dragon, being ridden by a different walker; one who seemed to lead them.
Soon those who had made it into Castle Black realized what was needed, and those with Valyrian steel blades were gathered for an assault. All of the Valyrian steel in the Kingdom formed at the gates of Castle Black, and charged forth towards the Walkers with men at arms and knights supporting. Above; Aegon riding Viserion and wielding Blackfyre, Jon riding Rhaegal and wielding Long Claw, and Daenerys riding Drogon and wielding Dark Sister, all dove upon the enemy and the Ice Dragon was released by the walkers. As the three dragons dove, the one rose from the ground and collided with Viserion. As the two locked in combat, Aegon was thrown from saddle due to his inexperience. As Aegon landed on the ground, he felt his leg break, but was able to stand and draw his sword. As he battled with the Walkers on the ground, Viserion was badly hurt and thrown to the side by the Ice Dragon, who was then engaged by Rhaegal and Jon. Daenerys flew high above, diving on the Walker’s army and causing massive damage against the army of the dead. As Rhaegal too was wounded by the Ice Dragon, which seemed to not fall to any wounds, Drogon dove on him but Daenerys was thrown from his back. On the ground she drew her blade, finding Jon at her back, Aegon dead a few paces away. As the battle seemed to sway against them, they were shocked at what happened next. Suddenly large amounts of wights started fighting each other, and the walker army fell into disarray. As one walker charged the group, an arrow hit him, his body falling to ice. As the group looked to where it was fired from, they saw Bran on top of Summer, with a small army of children of the forest around him. As some of the children charged forward, a small portion kept their position; holding the spells they were using to control the dead, and some even causing massive portions of the wall to come crashing down, crushing thousands of wights and walkers alike. The children were armed with dragonglass weapons, which killed walkers and destroyed wights. Although armed, they were few against many. As Jon and Dany fought with the other warriors a walker stabbed Jon in his leg, sending him to the ground in pain. As Dany turned to face him, the walker knocked her down and slew Lyn Corbray as he attempted to save the young Queen. As the walker raised his ice blade to finish her, she heard a roar from behind her. Weilding Oathkeeper, Jaime leaped at the walker and drove his sword through his chest, turning him to ice. As Jaime regained his composure his blood turned cold when he saw the next walker before him. Unlike the others, all of whom looked dead, this walker was different, looking as alive as Jaime was. The walker cocked his head to the side, a smile appearing on his face. He spoke to Jaime, his words like a howling wind in the night. He spoke of his father, a man of black, and his mother a woman of white. He was the child of both living and dead; and he would be the destroyer of the world. As he drew his sword, Jaime smiled, and charged. The two crossed swords, pushing against each other as the walker wielded a bastard ice sword and Jaime grabbed his blade with his golden hand. The Walker side stepped Jaime, who overstepped but ducked under the walkers blade as it was swung at his head. As the walker regained his composure from his swing, Jaime charged but the Walker swung his blade downwards, cutting Jaime’s leg and side. Jaime attempted to block the walkers following jab, but the blade stabbed Jaime. As he felt the blade go in him, Jaime knew what he needed to do. Pushing himself up, and driving the blade through him, he drove Oathkeeper through the walkers heart. Unlike the others that turned to shards of ice, the walker king started bleeding and his blade disappeared as it melted. At the moment Jaime stabbed the walker, the Ice Dragon was diving on Dany and Jon; but it turned to a shower of small pieces of ice. As Jaime fell to the ground, the walker kings body turning cold beside him, he smiled knowing that he had done one good deed, possibly the one he would be remembered for. Jaime died moments later, his wound open and bleeding.
As the walker king died, winter’s grasp on the land was loosened and within a year the snows had all melted and summer came again. With Aegon dead, and Daenerys and Jon one, the selection of who would rule the realm was made easy and clear. Within the year both were crowned in King’s Landing as King and Queen, and all the lords bent the knee. However not all was happy in the land, as many had died in the war and with winter many houses were extinguished; even the greatest of houses were not spared.
With Stannis dead, and Shireen his only heir, Tyrion made his move with Edric Storm; showing the boy as the legitimate ruler of the Stormlands by blood. Daenerys and Jon agreed, as many were unsure if Shireen would live much longer due to her sickness. Edric was legitimized as a Baratheon the year after the snows melted, and made sure his cousin lived a good life. His line remained strong, and flourished to this day, however he often found that he was not warmly welcomed to court by the Queen.
On the Iron Isles, Asha and Theon returned to a broken land, having been smashed by the combined might of the remaining houses of westeros during the war. Their fleet lay at the bottom of the sea, their warriors now rowing for the Drowned God. Quickly declared Lady Paramount by the other lords with the support of her Uncle who had the only remaining ships, she set to rebuilding. She quickly found out that Theon had fathered a boy with the captain’s daughter when he had returned, and the child helped heal Theon. Theon however would die a few years later, having fallen from one of the rope bridges; his body was never found. Asha would never bear any children, naming Theon’s son, Robb, her successor.
With Trystane Martell having fallen during the Battle at the Wall, Arianne and her unborn child were the only heirs to Sunspear, and so when she bore a boy he carried the name Martell, rather than Targaryen. There were whispers later that Aegon was in fact a Bloodfyre, and not a Targaryen as he claimed. Arianne put down the rumors, and continued to claim “My son is a Matrell”. Arianne would not have any more children, and her son would grow up to be Prince of Dorne after her death. With the blood relation to the Targaryen’s still strong, Dorne has been a constant ally of the Crown, however many say that there is some bad blood between the throne and Sunspear; as they are not only possible contenders to the throne, but contenders from the line of Blckfyre.
In the Reach, the Tyrell’s also suffered deaths. Garlan was killed fighting the Iron Born in the shield isles, and Margaery had “changed too many hands” for her to be considered for marriage. Willas took over the family after his father died during the winter, and after summer came he made sure that the Reach was one of the strongest realms. Although the Arbor fleet needed rebuilt, the lands of the reach were mostly untouched which allowed to be the first realm on its feet.
In the Westerlands Tyrion took over Casterly Rock, with Jaime and all his heirs dead he was the last of the “Lannister” line. Although his rule was shaky, as he was a kinslayer, and all the realm knew it. Multiple backroom deals were made between lords, but every time Tyrion was there to stop it. He eventually married, and his wife brought him an heir to continue his line. By the time Tyrion was old, the Westerlands have rebuilt themselves, and once again were one of the strongest kingdoms.
The Riverlands were destroyed in almost every war, and in the War of the Five Kings it was no different. Edmure Tully had his hands full rebuilding, with so many lords killed and the land decimated, it took his entire life to bring stability back to the Riverlands. With strong alliances both in the North, Vale, and on the Iron Throne, he was able to command great respect among his vassals and keep dissent down.
With the Vale out of the clutches of Littltfinger and now in the hands of Sansa and Harold the resistance that the lords had given to Littlefinger turned to support not only for the new rulers but for the Iron Throne. For the years to come Vale troops would nearly wipe out the mountain clan resistance, subjugating them. Vale Knights also served the Iron Throne in defeating its enemies in war, and earned a place in Westeros as some of the best soldiers in the land.
In the North, the land was shattered. The wight armies had smashed the north to pieces, than winter and frozen it over. Bran went north with the remaining children of the forest to hunt down the remaining walkers, and find what he said was “the truth”. Rickon was put up as Lord Paramount of the North by his cousin, now king, with Manderly as his Regent. It took all of Wyman’s life and nearly all of Rickon’s to rebuild what once was, and even to this day the scars of the past haunt the north as all remember the flayed men along the roads. Many of the Wildlings joined the North, helping repopulate it after its decimation; but some still went back far to the north.
As was Westeros after the snows had melted, and as the years went by Daenerys and Jon ruled fairly and effectively. The dragons were not chained away, and were instead given free roam near Dragonstone. Ser Barristan died a couple years after the Long Night after a wound he suffered then reopened. Daenerys was devastated, but Barristan was happy that he died a knight in service to a queen he believed in. Ser Jorah was offered to take his place as Lord Commander of the Queensguard, but he refused. Instead, he honored his father by joining the reformed Night's Watch. He eventually earned a position as Lord Commander. Longclaw was kept by Jon, Jorah seeing it as his blade now. Oathkeeper and Widow’s Wail were returned to the Starks; in Jon’s words “where they belonged”. Blackfyre and Dark Sister stayed with Jon and Daenerys, and all three were distributed to their sons and Grandsons.
After about a year after they took the throne, Daenerys gave birth to the first of her and Jon’s children. He was given the name of Rhaegar, after his grandfather. Their marriage did not sit well with many in the Kingdom as once again there was incest in the bloodline, and the Sparrows of the Faith had to be calmed with backroom deals. However, with constant threat coming from the Faith Militant who had refused to disband after Cersei allowed them to be recreated, Jon was forced to create the Dragonguard. Also named the Black Cloaks, they were the replacement for the Gold Cloaks within the Red Keep and numbered five hundred strong. The Gold Cloaks, although not completely destroyed, were put only to gate duty and policing the streets of Kings landing, their commander under the Black Cloaks. Daenerys and Jon had a second son after Rhaegar, naming him Robb after Jon’s cousin. Rhaegar and Robb grew up in a time of relative peace, learning both statecraft and swordcraft. Rhaegar was the politician whereas Robb was the swordsman. The complemented each other, always by each other’s side; models for the Kingdom. Robb would eventually join the Kingsguard, making sure that no war could be fought in his name for the throne but still keeping him by his brothers side. When Jon died in 332 from a war wound reopening and becoming infected Daenerys had her son crowned king at the age of 32; Daenerys passing a year later. Years prior at the age of eighteen Rhaegar had been married to the than seventeen Olivia Tyrell, bringing two of the most powerful houses together. Later that year Rhaegar and Olivia’s first son, Jacherys, was born. Five years later Rhaegar followed his parents in having another son, this one named Aegon. He followed this with two daughters, named Visenya and Daenerys, but when his mother and father passed it was said that Rhaegar was put into a depression that drove him from Olivia’s bed. However just after Daenerys death the east broke into turmoil which would lead to Rhaegar and Jacherys marching to war.
While Westeros saw peace after the long night, Essos was put into a bloodbath. Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh reformed the Three Daughters in an attempt to fight back against the power of Volantis. The two Kingdoms fought bloody wars up and down the Rhoyne and in the Disputed lands with Volantis having the advantage but unable to finish off the Daughters. New Ghis, still attempting to liberate the Queendom from Daenerys, formed a shaky alliance with the people from Lhazar. Although they had no army, the Lhazari people were used as a decoy for the Ghiscari. As the Dothraki descended on sheepherders the Ghiscari used this chance to attack the Queendom. Using there massive fleet, the Ghiscari encircled slavers bay and cut it off. The ex slaves turned lords attempted to fight the Ghiscari in open battle, but were slaughtered without the help of the Dothraki. Once the Dothraki loyal to the Targaryen’s returned, they found Pono’s successor waiting for them. The two hordes battled each other, and by the end of it the horde loyal to Daenerys was destroyed. Pono’s successor then attempted to march his new horde down to Slaver’s bay, but he too was destroyed. The remaining Dothraki retreated into the Dothraki sea to return to smaller hordes and grow once more. With no hope the ex slaves sent multiple ships out try and alert Daenerys of the situation. One ship finally made it to Kings Landing, only to find Daenerys had passed and her son now sat on the Throne. Still grieving, Rhaegar and Robb took up the sword to defend their mothers claim. Not all of the lords in the Realm joined in the battle, many still rebuilding from the long night. However Rhaegar created a new order of knights, calling them the Dragonknights. These were men who pledged themselves to House Targaryen, to protect its members and their lands. Sons of minor lords, great houses, and hedge knights joined the band where all were equal to their metal. With levies from different lords, the Dragonknights, and the royal navy Rhaegar set sail for Essos and Slaver’s bay. Jacherys was taken with his father as a squire to learn. The longest part of the war was sailing to Slaver’s Bay, where once they finally arrived they realized what was arrayed against them. The first battle was a naval engagement in the Gulf of Greif where a fleet from New Ghis engaged the forces headed for Slaver’s Bay. Although outnumbered, the Ghiscari fleet dealt considerable damage to the supply ships within the ranks of the Westerosi before fleeing. Upon reaching the sands of Slaver’s Bay, Rhaegar unleashed his one weapon that could not be matched, Dragons. He had brought with him his mother’s three dragons, in his own words his “brothers”. He rode upon Drogon’s back and slaughtered the first expedition sent against him to see how strong his forces were. Sal’Haran, the Ghiscari commander, sent a large host against him but his forces were beat back by the superior strength of the Dragonknights and the dragons. Seeing no chance for victory on the open field Sal’Haran pulled his forces into the cities where Rhaegar could not use his dragons for fear of harming those he sought to liberate. A standoff between the two forces started, but the Ghiscari fleet blockaded and forced a retreat from the naval commanders of the Westerosi, so supplies to Rhaegar ran low quickly in the harsh lands of Slaver’s Bay. Eventually a truce was drawn between the two sides where Rhaegar and his people were allowed to return to Westeros along with many of the main supporters of the Targaryens in the Slaver Cities. The defeat was a humiliating one for Rhaegar, and created some unrest back at home for him with the lords of Westeros. Rhaegar had won almost every battle he had fought in, but failed to win the war. Rhaegar’s rule than suffered a small rebellion, however he was able to easily suppress it and quickly dealt with the rebels.
As the Ghiscari settled into their new land, they quick set about consolidating their power behind their new leader, Sal’Haran. As this happened, the Volantese approached the Ghiscari, offering an alliance. Although Volantis claimed to be the children of Valyria, who were the Ghiscari’s moral enemies, the Volantese were an ally that they needed with their new position. Drawing a line from Valyria up, Volantis claimed everything west, New Ghis everything east. Both also made the pledge to help the other in their conflicts, which was put to test almost immediately. Volantis restarted their conflict against the Three Daughters in 340, three years after ending the war against Westeros. As the war broke out, and young Jacherys pleaded with his father to join with the Three Daughters. Braavos sent money to help with the defense of the Daughters, but no troops. Pentos stayed out of the conflict, many believing that they would join with Volantis to eventually throw off the supremacy of Braavos in the north. After the first year of conflict the Volantese/Ghiscari fleet had defeated Lys, and were sailing on Tyrosh and the Stepstones with the Volantese army marching on Myr. Finally Jacherys disobeyed his father and rallied the Dragonknights, along with a few lords from the realm including the Tyrell’s and Martells who feared the Stepstones being a jumping point to the south of Westeros. After forcing his father to war, using the council, Jacherys set sail with a sizeable force and the royal navy in the Crownlands and on Dragonstone. Combined he rallied over 10,000 men to him, along with another 15,000 in the Stormlands and another 5,000 from Dorne. While sailing to the south the pirates of the Stepstones joined the Volantese, and shortly after Tyrosh fell while the Volantese army with Ghiscari support besieged Myr. Taking a majority of the army, Jacherys landed near Tyrosh, his ships moving to blockade Tyrosh; the Volantese ships having moved to face off with Aegon Targaryen in the stepstones Aegon, a young man at the age of seventeen, was given command by his brother of the supply ships and a small force of ships; being told to wait for the Redwyne fleet. However Aegon soon realized he was facing a Ghiscari fleet coming from Lys, as well as a fleet coming from Tyrosh. In a very risking tactic, Aegon sent almost all of his galleys towards the oncoming Ghiscari, leaving his supply ships virtually undefended. As the Volantese saw an undefeated fleet, their bellies which were near empty spoke loud. They moved to capture the ships, rather than burn them, and soon found Aegon’s treachery. Having taken all of his marines off of the military ships, and a majority of the sailors, as the Volantese ships tied themselves to the Westerosi to capture them they were overwhelmed when they threw open the hatches and they Westerosi streamed out. In a single night over fifty ships were captured, another fifty were burned when the galleys returned, having turned around to help end the battle. By the time the Ghiscari arrived, the Redwyne fleet had come and was helping bring troops across the Stepstones and bringing much needed ships. Shortly behind the Redwyne was the Iron Fleet, bringing the full strength of Westeros on the waves to the Stepstones. With Aegon controlling the waves, Jacherys made a push to Myr. Wining minor skirmishes, he pushed his army towards the main host. Jacherys however, overestimated himself as Sal’Haram was commanding the Ghiscari at Myr. A massive melee broke out, the Westerosi cavalry unable to break the lockstep legions, and the elephants of the Volantese wreaking havoc on the Westeros infantry. Although Jacherys had to pull back, he dealt a heavy blow while riding on the back of Rhaegal. Sal’Haran than marched to chase Jacherys, but found him supported by his brother Aegon, along with the armies from the Stormlands and Dorne; along with Aegon atop Viserion. Seeing himself outmatched, Sal’Haram retreated and gathered his forces with the men of Volantis. However Sal’Haram did not face off against their army on the field, but across the table. Aegon forced his brother to the table, as in a small skirmish Jacherys was wounded by a poisoned arrow and was bedridden. Aegon brought an end to the war, having the Volantese end their occupation of Tyrosh and the siege of Myr, but they would keep Lys. As well there forces would leave the Stepstones. However in the last days of the deal making Jacherys returned to the helm, and after signing a treaty that no Westerosi would stay in the Disputed Lands nor in the Stepstones, he also gave a captive to the Ghiscari to prove their willingness to the deal; his brother Aegon. Many speak that this was done as Jacherys was afraid that Aegon, who had become known around the realm, would rival him for the throne and this was the easiest way to get rid of him. After the treaty was signed, peace came to both east and west, and Jacherys returned to Westeros a defender while Aegon was taken away in chains.
As the years passed to the current day, Jacherys was known around the realm for his hot head and his tendency to fight before talking. Rhaegar, 54 now, is growing old and soon to pass the crown to his son. Two years ago Aegon returned, being released by Sal’Haram as his dying wish, after spending nine years in the service of the Ghiscari. He talks little of his time in the east, but many know that he had travelled as far east as Asshai and the Saffron Straights with his master. Jacherys is the Crown Prince, while Aegon sits as the Master of Coin on the council; still unmarried. After the war in Slaver’s Bay Rhaegar had one more son, Daemon who is a skittish child, quiet and not in the mix when talk of the throne is made. As the realm prepares for a great tourney and feast in Kings Landing to celebrate a new year and the seventh year of summer, dark clouds cover many as talk begins to who will be the next king.
As Daenerys prepared to expect the worse from her husband's former ko, he eyed the dragon, who seemed to be keeping her as a master. Instead of risking himself, Jhaqo instead opted to kindly escort her to Vaes Dothrak, where she could present herself to the dosh khaleen. Daenerys feared Jhaqo; and rightfully so. Before she spoke the memory of Eroeh rushed back into her mind, and in that moment she made her decision. Before she could say anything however, twenty dothraki descend on her and Drogon, lead by Mago. The dragon was surprised by the men, and was slashed by their blades before he could take flight, fleeing from his attackers. Jhaqo attacked Daenerys as the dragon ran, throwing her to the ground and jumping on top of her. He laughed as he looked over her body, still bare from being burned from Drogon's fire. He then told her of Eroeh's pleas as his blood riders raped her, and that she will do the same. As he began to mount her, Daenerys grabs one of the bones on the ground and drives it through Jhaqo throat. As he spits up blood Drogon descends on the men, bathing them in dragonfire. Dropping to the ground by his mother, the dragon looks into the eyes of the dying Jhaqo, and at Daenerys's orders, rips him apart with his claws. As this happens, Daenerys turns to watch as Mago burns to death, his flesh melting from his bones. Turing to face the massive Khalasar, she is amazed to see them all bowing to her. One of the women steps forward, saying that the Khalasar believes Drogon to be the "Stallion that will mount the world". Daenerys, now Khal, gives orders to her new ten thousand warriors. Riders are to be sent to Khals Zekko and Motho, along with Vaes Dothrak. She will lead the Dothraki to Slaver's Bay, and with that army crush those who have wronged her.
Back in Meereen, the Windblown and Second Sons' betrayals were enough to cripple the Yunkai, who were left with the incompetent slave soldiers and the Company of the Cat. The Tattered Prince slew Bloodbeard and freed the Meereenese prisoners. Meanwhile, the Second Sons (who declared they were always Queen's men) used their position to utterly destroy the Yunkish by sabotaging the siege equipment and decimating the slave soldiers. Ser Jorah Mormont volunteered to remove the supreme commanders, and using a few mercenaries and Tyrion's wits, Ser Jorah used the confusion to sneak in the camps and kill the Yunkish leadership. However, Lady Melessa (the Girl General), the Perfumed Hero and the Clanker Lords were all taken for hostage. Within a few hours, the Yunkish host was annihilated and the day was won for Daenerys by Ser Barristan. Little to their knowledge, however, the Ironborn who stormed the bay had other plans; Victarion planned to sacrifice the dusky woman and use here sacrifice to bring the dragons under his control. However, his plans were foiled when the dusky woman drove a blade through his neck, revealing herself as one of Euron's spies. She planned to report back to Euron, however, Moqorro then killed her, fulfilling the necessary blood sacrifice. Moqorro then blew the horn, draining the life out of himself. Just as Moqorro died, he transferred his life force into Victarion's lifeless body, bringing life back to Victarion. Just as Victarion rose, he saw that Rhaegal and Viserion flew right to him, and waited patiently for further commands. As it turned out, the flaming arm Moqorro gifted to Victarion was actually a complicated dragon handling spell used by earlier dragon conquerors. As Victarion took the dragons under his will, Meereen watched in horror.
At Winterfell, the battle raged. After the Manderly host turned against the Boltons before engaging with Stannis, they relied only on the Karstark's betrayal. Little did Lord Roose know Stannis had caught on and forced them to cooperate. However on the eve of the battle Ramsey and twenty men snuck out of Winterfell, and sabotaged the Baratheon camp. Provisions, siege equipment, and the horse stables were set ablaze and in one night the battle turned. The next day the Bolton forces, supported with more cavalry, smashed the Northern-Baratheon army which was forced to retreat to the Wolfswood. Five days later Stannis Baratheon prepared himself in a field within the woods, the Bolton-Frey army having marched after them ready to do battle. Stannis was outnumbered 3-1, and had near no cavalry save his personal guard which was formed from Knights, but he was prepared to die in battle if need be. The Battle of the Wolfswood raged as the two forces clashed with one another, Roose keeping a large portion of his men in reserve, letting the other Northern lords and Freys battle it out in the mud. However halfway through the battle there rose a great roar of warhorns coming from the rear of the Bolton’s reserves, and thousands of Wildlings descended upon the Bolton host. As Roose attempted to rally his army with his son Ramsey, Ramsey was flung from his horse. Upon getting up he met eyes with someone he never thought he would; Jon Snow. Except this wasn’t the Jon he had heard about; Jon’s skin looked dark, his hair cut short on his head. Jon drew Longclaw, and then without a word engaged Ramsey. As Jon threw a blow at Ramsey, the Bolton deflected it and slashed at Jon with his Falchion, cutting his side with the blade. As Ramsey turned to kill Jon he felt Longclaw drive through his chest, and Jon jam a knife through his throat. The last thing Ramsey saw was his father riding away from him, fleeing the battle. Roose did not get far however, as Tormund chopped at legs of his horse which sent Roose flying into the ground. Reaching for his sword, his head was split in two with a single swing from Tormund. With their leaders dead, most of the Northern forces surrendered, the Freys attempting to surrender only to be killed on Jon’s orders. Jon found Stannis, his leg badly wounded. As he was about to thank the boy Jon asked for Stannis’ surrender, and abdication from the throne. Stannis was in disbelief, almost laughing at Jon until Melisandre stepped forward, telling Stannis the truth.
After Jon had been killed by Bowen, the Nights Watch set his body upon a pyre to be set aflame, not allowing him to turn to a wight. Before they could however, Melisandre said a prayer over his body, giving him a kiss on his forehead as a tear rolled down face and landed on his. As she stepped away and the brothers lit the pyre aflame, she saw in the flames a vision. She saw a Dragon, three heads upon it, fighting back ice with its fiery breath. She watched as one head was felled by the ice, and another was wounded. As the third head was pinned down by the great form of ice, the figure of a golden lion threw itself upon the ice, its blood warming the ice and melting it away. As this vision passed another was bestowed upon her; it started with a man and woman in bed, the man with hair as white as snow and the woman’s as dark as night. As that faded she saw another vision, this of the same woman with a different man above her, holding a babe. As this vision gripped her, Jon jumped from the flames, Longclaw in his hands. The blade was red hot, Jon’s long hair aflame as he rolled in the snow. As he stood, smoke rolling off him Bowen charged Jon, swinging to kill the “wight” as he saw it. Jon blocked his blade, and spinning cut off Bowen’s head. As this happened Tormund, along with other wildlings and those loyal to Jon, launched an attack against Bowen’s supporters. Within the day, the Nights watch was under the control once again of Jon. Receiving word of Stannis being in the south, and Melisandre telling him what she saw, Jon knew he had to march south; not as Lord Commander of the Nights Watch, but as Jon of the House Targaryen, Heir to the Iron Throne by the blood of Rhaegar Targaryen, the son of Ice and Fire. He informed the Watch that he had indeed died, meaning he was free from his vows. As his last act of power he named Dolorous Edd Tollett the First Steward and named Ser Denys Mallister Lord Commander until they had time to elect a new one. Jon Snow said goodbye to the Watch, leaving behind his black cloak and his life in the watch. He marched south, taking with him an army of Wildling volunteers, Ghost, and Melisandre.
As Stannis listened to this story, his face became paler and paler. He had done so many things for the red woman, only to the thrown to the wayside by her. After hours of talks, Stannis submitted to Jon, his wounded keeping him from marching south at the moment he was taken to Winterfell to help in rebuilding the north while Jon took the remains of the armies from the Battle of the Wolfswood and marched south to his first target; the Twins. However, before he left Stannis first showed Jon "Arya", but he immediately recognized her as Jeyne Poole. Stannis then informed him that he held Theon hostage, and that he claimed that he didn't lay a hand on Bran or Rickon, that the whole idea had been Ramseys. Stannis told Jon that Rickon was being sought after by one of the best men he knew, and to that Jon was happy, but demanded that Theon still be punished for his betrayal. Stannis refused to do it, leaving it up to Jon. After seeing what Theon had become however, Jon decided not to; that Theon had paid enough. With Asha they both agreed that she could be used to win back the Iron Isles, and so she was spared as well.
In the Riverlands, Jaime followed Brienne to the lair of the Brotherhood Without Banners, expecting to find Sansa Stark in Sandor Clegane's clutches. Instead, he was attacked and captured by Lady Stoneheart. Still spiteful to the knight, the late Catelyn planned to hang Jaime. However, Brienne, feeling guilty over the betrayal, pleaded with Thoros of Myr, who seemed to be apprehensive with his support for her. Thoros agreed to help. He told her that Lady Stoneheart could not be killed by conventional means. Thoros took Oathkeeper and immolated it in a holy flame. Just before the execution was to take place, Brienne drew her sword and plunged it into Catelyn's breast. As Catelyn died in Brienne's arms, the latter, tears in her eyes, pledged to find the girls. She would keep her oath, no matter what. Thoros took command of the Brotherhood, while Jaime, Brienne, Podrick and Ser Hyle Hunt departed for the capital.
In King's Landing, following the discovery of the crossbow bolt-strewn bodies of Kevan Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle, Cersei took her seat back and gave in to intense paranoia. The Tyrells were distanced farther, until Cersei attempted to remove them from the small council and annul Margaery's marriage to Tommen. Lady Olenna, taking advice from Varys, prepared to start a coup, but Rowan had returned to Kings Landing, speaking of great creatures and an army being led by a Targaryen boy. With the Iron born also threatening the Reach, Mace decided to split his men, himself marching back to the Reach while he sent Tarly and Rowan back to take Storm's End from Farring and this "dragon prince". A small force was left in King's Landing, along with the expanded City Watch and the Lannister forces under Cersei, who controlled little outside the Red Keep. It was also in this time that news came to the capital that Marcella had died in Sunspear; poison on her lips. Many blamed the Sand Snakes, namely Tyene, however there was no proof of this and Tyene had left for King’s Landing by the time any blame could be cast. With the death of her daughter, Cersei redoubled the guard for Tommen, and fell even further into madness.
As Jaime approached the capital, he heard the news of Cersei’s madness, and immediately spurred his horse and rode faster than he ever had. When he reached the capital he found that Lady Olenna had attempted her coup, even without the forces of her son. The Watch had split, and the Faith joined the Tyrell’s in their fighting along with Loras who had returned from Dragonstone, his wounds all a feign to make Cersei think he was no longer in play. Jaime and his group fought their way to the Red Keep, Lannister men letting them in. Inside Jaime found Cersei in the throne room, and he immediately pleaded with her to stop. They could forget thrones and live out the rest of their lives at Casterly, where they could be together and they could raise Tommen as a son. Cersei brushed him off and continued her plans, which sent Jaime into a frenzy when she spoke them out loud. Cersei planned to throw Wildfire from the battlements, and burn her enemies from the city. Jaime knew what needed to be done and drew his sword once again on a regent who threatened the Kingdom and King’s Landing. He first slew Hallyne, who was now Hand of the King to Cersei and was going to ignite the wildfire just as the Mad King had planned. When Cersei saw the man she loved kill Hallyne, she lost her mind fully, ordering Robert Strong to bring her Jaime’s head. Robert charged Brienne and Jaime, Brienne side stepping the massive knight’s first attack. The blade missed her but knocked Jaime down as she drove her blade through the knee joint of Strong. Robert then spun around, smashing his massive mailed fist into Brienne and sending her flying into the wall. As he approached her, he knelt down and smashed his fist into her four more times, the sound of bones snapping echoing in the room. As Robert started to stand Tommen raced at the giant, screaming for him to stop. In instinct Robert turned and slashed, slicing the boy in two with a single blow. As Cersei screamed, Robert bent his knee to Cersei as she screamed for him to stop, but he did not see that Jaime had risen and was running at Robert; and in one move he drove his sword through Roberts side which caused the monstrosity to roar. As he did, Jaimse drew Oathkeeper from his knee, and cut off Roberts head. As Cersei looked up at her brother she saw only hate. Quickly Jaime fell upon Cersei, his hand grabbing her by the throat. As she choked, she threw her hands against Jaime and scratched at him, until passing into unconsciousness. Once she stopped fighting, Jaime let go, and drove Oathkeeper through her heart, killing her and putting her out of her misery. As he pulled the blade from her, he approached the bloodied Brienne he could see her still in pain, her face broken with one of her eyes hanging out. Taking Oathkeeper he stabbed her, giving her mercy; but not before he gave her a vow—to find the Stark girls.
Aegon forces kept the siege on Storm's End, with a Tyrell host bearing down on them. Before they could assault the castle or attack the Reach army however, a messenger from Dorne arrived. Arianne Martell was sent to see if this Aegon was in fact a true Targaryen. After witnessing his power, Arianne put forth Prince Doran's marriage proposal. Aegon, with the encouragement of Jon Connington agreed to the marriage. With that, Dorne was to declare war for Aegon. As Raven's flew from the besiegers camp an army of Dornish men in Wyl, who had been gathered there by Doran to either join Aegon or crush him, marched to join with Aegon and take back the Seven Kingdoms. Other forces were mustered in Starfell as they prepared for an invasion of the Reach.
As Aegon prepared to attack Storm's End he was now welcomed first hand to the true nature of warfare from Randyll Tarly. The Reach General had spurred his men towards Aegon, and in a massive sneak attack he broke the siege of Storm's End. The Golden Company, shattered from the Reach attack, retreated towards the Rainwood with their tails between their legs, Connington and Aegon leading them. As his Dornish reinforcements arrived, Aegon readied to march on Storm's End, only to find the Reach army having vanished. With the threat of Iron Born and Dornish attacks, Tarly had ordered his men back to defend the Reach from invasion, a costly but smart move. With this Aegon left a force to starve out the defenders of Storm's End, but with a bulk of his men, marched on Kings Landing and the Crownlands.
Back across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys made her way back to Meereen with a massive host of her new Khalassar and Drogon. She was greeted by Ser Barristan and Skahaz Shavepate, who were also accompanied by several unexpected allies. Tyrion (who made a good impression on the queen right off the bat for his wit and honesty), Brown Ben (who told Daenerys he only turned cloak to analyze the Yunkish), and (surprisingly) Ser Jorah. Most importantly, however, was Victarion Greyjoy who seemed to be controlling the two other dragons. Victarion told her that he wasn't who he seemed. The Iron Fleet was there to abduct her and bring her back to Euron. He also revealed to her that he was brought back to life by the red priest Moqorro, who had opened his eyes and made him see the truth. He had slaughtered of the Euron supporters and would lead the Iron Fleet for her. Her riders returned with word from Zakko, he was willing to do as the mother of the stallion demanded. With men from Matho's Khal, which had been dissolved at her bidding as Matho was old and most of his men were, joining Zakko’s Khal they would defeat Pono if he ever came towards slaver bay and would rule as her Khal in the east. With that, Daenerys had her fleet, had a great army, her dragons were under control, and her position and power in the east was secure. She could go home.
The Unsullied, Ironborn Raiders, Sellswords, and a small contingent of Dothraki screamers were loaded onto the Iron Fleet and were ready to land in Westeros. She decided to reintroduce Ser Jorah (who was much more cynical at this point and proved his loyalty to her by travelling back) into the Queensguard and she took Tyrion as an adviser. They planned to land in Dorne, though, news struck eventually. Aegon Targaryen, her long-dead nephew, had taken the loyalty of Dorne and was marching on King's Landing. Barristan was skeptical, but Daenerys saw it as an opportunity. They would land in the Blackwater and with her nephew capture the Iron Throne and with it the Seven Kingdoms. She was warned that he may think himself the king, to this she replied "He may have the blood; but I have both Fire and Blood". Daenerys appointed Skahaz Lord of Meereen and Slaver's Bay. She also pledged that if her Queendom was threatened with slavery, her Dothraki would raid and pillage and she would return on dragonback, bringing fire and blood with her. That fear was enough for most of the Ghiscari. The Iron Fleet sailed off into the sunset, three large dragons overhead, and the largest of them ridden by Daenerys. Their first issue came up almost immediately as they set off; over 300 ships from Volantis who had come to join against her. Upon seeing her dragons and the fleet she had at her command, the fleet allowed her to pass and followed her until she had passed Volantis. They would later stop in Pentos, where, with the support of Illyrio, the Tattered Prince got his payment in a bloodless coup.
News traveled fast. Westeros was terrified of Daenerys. "Aegon the Conqueror with teats" was invading at last. Aegon was worried, he had made a claim for the throne but with dragons backing her, he had no chance against her. He worried that Dorne would throw itself into her camp if the conditions were right, and as such he married Arianne that night, in the glow from the war camp. He sealed in marriage the armies of Dorne to him, and hoped his aunt would not push him for the throne.
In the Vale, Littlefinger made his first move. He swayed the Lords of the Vale with honeyed words about Robb Stark, and the need for vengeance. He spoke that Lysa was too weak, and that she should of rode against the Lannisters and joined with her father and sister. The Lords of the Vale, who had once stood against Baelish now agreed with him. Within a week the armies of the Vale poured out of the Bloody Gate, and marched towards the capital screaming for the blood of Lannisters. First, however, Baelish marched a select group of his men towards Riverrun, and gained the support of many River lords. With their support, he defeated the Freys and Lannisters still in the Riverlands. He also arranged a marriage of Harold Hardyng and Sansa, still incognito. With himself and a sizeable force marching on King’s Landing and another on Riverrun, Baelish was now one of the most powerful men in the Seven Kingdoms; Lord Protector of the Vale, some saying Lord Paramount in the Riverlands, and having a secret claim to the north.
As the Iron Fleet made it's way to Westeros, Dany set out on a personal quest. She flew ahead of her army and flew right towards Dorne. After finding Sunspear, she landed there with the bones of Quentyn Martell. She approached Prince Doran and gave an apology for his son's death at the hands of one of her dragons. Doran was upset at Dany for the reveal, but knew he could not be angry at her for long. She came with a massive army, and he knew that she was as strong a ruler as any. He talked with her, and convinced her to lay aside who would sit upon the throne until the kingdoms were once again under the throne. Daenerys agreed, and with her fleet now in tow once more sailed towards the Blackwater, and home. Trystane, who was still wreaked by the death of Myrcella, was sent along with Dany as a squire for Tyrion, but as well a spy for Doran and Arianne.
When they arrived in the Blackwater, the massive fleet headed first to Duskendale. Upon arriving, the people of Duskendale were so terrified of the dragons that they surrendered, and as they unloaded their men an army approached them. At the head of this army was Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and it was said he and Tyrion shared a hug as they prepared to march on King's Landing. Tyrion however made a great find among the shops of Duskendale, there he found a boy willing to serve him within the commoners. Tyrion was ready to pass the boy by, but saw who he was and immediately had him brought into his service. It wasn’t every day that a bastard of Robert fell into your hands.
As Dany marched from the North, and Aegon from the south, King’s Landing sat in the middle. Without the Tyrell’s, all was lost in the city. The city watch threw open the gates for the Targaryen’s, hoping that they would not slaughter them all. As they marched on the Red Keep they found the castle gates open, the Lannister men throwing down their arms and as they stormed the great hall Jaime was found sitting in the room with a handful of guards around them. Little is known about what happened in the throne room, but Jaime was sparred although losing his position in the Kingsguard, some believing Jaime claiming to take the black. Before the siblings could fight over the throne, Baelish arrived at King’s Landing with his men, wishing to pledge loyalty to the new monarch. However, when he entered the throne room a different voice spoke, that of Sansa Stark. She had hid among the women of the Petyr’s army, and told a tale of his treachery. She told the whole court of how he had killed Jon Arryn, and started the war. Lord Royce drew his sword, and within the hour Baelish was in the dungeons. As the two siblings sat at opposite sides of a great table, they knew that peace was needed to be made. Margery was still in the castle, and with her in their control they knew that Mace would bend the knee to them. Loras was sent to send word to his father, and surrender to the Iron Throne. Jaime sent out raven’s, calling for the Westerlands to stop their fighting and for the Frey’s to give up the lands they claimed in the south and retreat to the Twins, and if they did not agree than the Westerlands attacking would be their smallest problem. With all those in the room together, all the Kingdoms were recognized. Daenerys, as the oldest and the one with the dragons, pushed her claim for the throne. She had the support of Sansa who spoke for the North and Vale; as well as Jaime who held the Westerlands. She also had the support of Victarion, which meant little for the Iron Islands but much for their fleet. Aegon however already had the Stormlands under his control and was married to the heir of Dorne, and he technically had the backing of the Crownlands. The shouting could be heard from all around the great hall, the two kept from each other’s throats by Varys as he negotiated between the two. Together they decided to all a great council to choose who would take the throne, which could only take place once all Seven Kingdoms were once again under their real command. With this pact sealed, the battle lines were drawn.
As the Dragons hatched their plans, Jon and his army had marched through the neck and finally reached the Twins. Walder Frey, knowing well that Jon was leading the army, kept the gates closed. Jon was not a fool, and knew that to capture the Twins would be costly and possibly unwinnable. He planned to leave a small force to keep the Frey’s in their castle, and protect his rear as he marched down the river. However, late into the night, a lone soldier approached his camp. Olyvar Frey, distraught over his families slaying of his friend Robb Stark, went to Jon’s camp with a plan. He could lead a small contingent of knights into the Twins and hopefully open the castle gates. Olyvar showed the knights a way in, ice allowing for crossing on parts of the river and small passages allowing the men access to the castle. Once inside fighting broke out when a patrol of Frey men at arms spotted the intruders A few of the knights took the fight to the Frey's while Olyvar and the others attempt to raise the gates. All of the men with Olyvar are struck down by crossbow fire, Olyvar himself taking two bolts as he raised the gate. As Baratheon and Northern men at arms storm the castle, Olyvar slumped to the ground whispering he is sorry to Robb. The Massacre at the Twins takes a majority of the night as most of the Frey's who were not killed in the north are either put to the sword or drowned in the river as they attempt to escape. Lord Walder is known to have had over thirty bolts put into him by Stormlanders before Jon stopped them. Even to his brother’s killer he could not be dishonorable. With the Twin's secure, Jon planned to march on Seaguard, and from there upon Riverrun.
As Jon marched south, Dany and Aegon split their forces between the Riverlands and the Reach, hoping to pincer the Ironborn back to their islands. Dany had sent Victarion around Dorne with the fleet in hopes of smashing Euron at the shield isles or at the arbor. Dornish men launched attacks from Starfell into the Reach to capture the south, and Dany’s Dothraki attacked the northern reach. Mace, who had been a Targaryen supporter during Robert’s rebellion, quickly bent the knee to Aerys’s daughter and grandson; some saying Willas forced him to. With their Targaryen allies, the Iron Born invasion of the Reach was quickly pushed back and in a massive naval battle, Euron was ambushed by his brother and his entire fleet destroyed. After this battle however she received a letter from Aegon in the north, saying she had to hurry to Riverrun, they were to meet the third head of the Dragon. Upon arriving Dany came face to face with Jon, her nephew. It is said that the two fell in love in that moment. Jon told stories from the north, of white walkers and wights that would soon invade the south, and that they had to make it north before they made it over the wall. Aegon was skeptical, feeling that this could not be true as the walkers died out ages ago, and he attempted to keep the talks on who would take the throne. However Melisandre stepped forward, telling those there of what she had seen. The talks lasted days, going from where they would march next to who would be King/Queen. Finally a letter arrived by raven from the North. Stannis sent a message to Jon, telling him that the wall had been overrun by the wights. Reports had come in that the white walkers had arrived, but were stuck on the other side of the wall, waiting. Winterfell was under siege, and he needed reinforcements. With this the armies of all the kingdoms marched north, at its head three dragons.
The march north was slow, hampered by driving snows and low food stores the army of man was suffering heavy attrition loses as they marched north. Upon reaching the Neck they learned horrific news, Winterfell had fallen to the armies of the dead. Stannis had pulled his men back from Winterfell, retreating back to White Harbor where the remainder of the Manderley forces had gathered to defend the north. Using the multitude of bardges in the Manderley force, the Northmen were able to flee the city and make it to Moat Cailin, but Stannis and his guard did not make the crossing. Not wanting to continue running, Stannis had made a last stand with his men in the New Castle, having held the dead long enough for a majority of the Northern Forces remaining to retreat. With the stories from the Manderley forces circulating in the army, many grew terrified of what was coming and in one night over five hundred men deserted. The dragons however knew they needed to press forward; that to stay put would end their army. Upon reaching Moat Cailin the army of the living came face to face with the army of the dead. The army of the dead was countless, and the army of the living was what was left of those in Westeros. In a massive battle, over 20,000 men were slaughtered by the wights, but the dragonfire burned the dead to ash as the three dragon riders, Daenerys, Jon, and Aegon, burned rank upon rank of wights. As the army was defeated, the men cheered as victory was theirs. For another month they marched north, recapturing Winterfell from the dead, and finally arriving at Castle Black. As they approached they saw members of the Nights Watch waving at them, and as they drew closer they realized it wasn’t waving, it was a warning. Around them rose thousands of wights, having buried themselves under the snow. Pulling what they could into the castle, they soon realized that there was an army of wights and walkers on the other side. As the army on one side attacked, the men on the walls reported wights as far as they eye could see scaling the walls, but in the center, right in front of the gate to castle black, stood an army of White Walkers with a chained up ice dragon, being ridden by a different walker; one who seemed to lead them.
Soon those who had made it into Castle Black realized what was needed, and those with Valyrian steel blades were gathered for an assault. All of the Valyrian steel in the Kingdom formed at the gates of Castle Black, and charged forth towards the Walkers with men at arms and knights supporting. Above; Aegon riding Viserion and wielding Blackfyre, Jon riding Rhaegal and wielding Long Claw, and Daenerys riding Drogon and wielding Dark Sister, all dove upon the enemy and the Ice Dragon was released by the walkers. As the three dragons dove, the one rose from the ground and collided with Viserion. As the two locked in combat, Aegon was thrown from saddle due to his inexperience. As Aegon landed on the ground, he felt his leg break, but was able to stand and draw his sword. As he battled with the Walkers on the ground, Viserion was badly hurt and thrown to the side by the Ice Dragon, who was then engaged by Rhaegal and Jon. Daenerys flew high above, diving on the Walker’s army and causing massive damage against the army of the dead. As Rhaegal too was wounded by the Ice Dragon, which seemed to not fall to any wounds, Drogon dove on him but Daenerys was thrown from his back. On the ground she drew her blade, finding Jon at her back, Aegon dead a few paces away. As the battle seemed to sway against them, they were shocked at what happened next. Suddenly large amounts of wights started fighting each other, and the walker army fell into disarray. As one walker charged the group, an arrow hit him, his body falling to ice. As the group looked to where it was fired from, they saw Bran on top of Summer, with a small army of children of the forest around him. As some of the children charged forward, a small portion kept their position; holding the spells they were using to control the dead, and some even causing massive portions of the wall to come crashing down, crushing thousands of wights and walkers alike. The children were armed with dragonglass weapons, which killed walkers and destroyed wights. Although armed, they were few against many. As Jon and Dany fought with the other warriors a walker stabbed Jon in his leg, sending him to the ground in pain. As Dany turned to face him, the walker knocked her down and slew Lyn Corbray as he attempted to save the young Queen. As the walker raised his ice blade to finish her, she heard a roar from behind her. Weilding Oathkeeper, Jaime leaped at the walker and drove his sword through his chest, turning him to ice. As Jaime regained his composure his blood turned cold when he saw the next walker before him. Unlike the others, all of whom looked dead, this walker was different, looking as alive as Jaime was. The walker cocked his head to the side, a smile appearing on his face. He spoke to Jaime, his words like a howling wind in the night. He spoke of his father, a man of black, and his mother a woman of white. He was the child of both living and dead; and he would be the destroyer of the world. As he drew his sword, Jaime smiled, and charged. The two crossed swords, pushing against each other as the walker wielded a bastard ice sword and Jaime grabbed his blade with his golden hand. The Walker side stepped Jaime, who overstepped but ducked under the walkers blade as it was swung at his head. As the walker regained his composure from his swing, Jaime charged but the Walker swung his blade downwards, cutting Jaime’s leg and side. Jaime attempted to block the walkers following jab, but the blade stabbed Jaime. As he felt the blade go in him, Jaime knew what he needed to do. Pushing himself up, and driving the blade through him, he drove Oathkeeper through the walkers heart. Unlike the others that turned to shards of ice, the walker king started bleeding and his blade disappeared as it melted. At the moment Jaime stabbed the walker, the Ice Dragon was diving on Dany and Jon; but it turned to a shower of small pieces of ice. As Jaime fell to the ground, the walker kings body turning cold beside him, he smiled knowing that he had done one good deed, possibly the one he would be remembered for. Jaime died moments later, his wound open and bleeding.
As the walker king died, winter’s grasp on the land was loosened and within a year the snows had all melted and summer came again. With Aegon dead, and Daenerys and Jon one, the selection of who would rule the realm was made easy and clear. Within the year both were crowned in King’s Landing as King and Queen, and all the lords bent the knee. However not all was happy in the land, as many had died in the war and with winter many houses were extinguished; even the greatest of houses were not spared.
With Stannis dead, and Shireen his only heir, Tyrion made his move with Edric Storm; showing the boy as the legitimate ruler of the Stormlands by blood. Daenerys and Jon agreed, as many were unsure if Shireen would live much longer due to her sickness. Edric was legitimized as a Baratheon the year after the snows melted, and made sure his cousin lived a good life. His line remained strong, and flourished to this day, however he often found that he was not warmly welcomed to court by the Queen.
On the Iron Isles, Asha and Theon returned to a broken land, having been smashed by the combined might of the remaining houses of westeros during the war. Their fleet lay at the bottom of the sea, their warriors now rowing for the Drowned God. Quickly declared Lady Paramount by the other lords with the support of her Uncle who had the only remaining ships, she set to rebuilding. She quickly found out that Theon had fathered a boy with the captain’s daughter when he had returned, and the child helped heal Theon. Theon however would die a few years later, having fallen from one of the rope bridges; his body was never found. Asha would never bear any children, naming Theon’s son, Robb, her successor.
With Trystane Martell having fallen during the Battle at the Wall, Arianne and her unborn child were the only heirs to Sunspear, and so when she bore a boy he carried the name Martell, rather than Targaryen. There were whispers later that Aegon was in fact a Bloodfyre, and not a Targaryen as he claimed. Arianne put down the rumors, and continued to claim “My son is a Matrell”. Arianne would not have any more children, and her son would grow up to be Prince of Dorne after her death. With the blood relation to the Targaryen’s still strong, Dorne has been a constant ally of the Crown, however many say that there is some bad blood between the throne and Sunspear; as they are not only possible contenders to the throne, but contenders from the line of Blckfyre.
In the Reach, the Tyrell’s also suffered deaths. Garlan was killed fighting the Iron Born in the shield isles, and Margaery had “changed too many hands” for her to be considered for marriage. Willas took over the family after his father died during the winter, and after summer came he made sure that the Reach was one of the strongest realms. Although the Arbor fleet needed rebuilt, the lands of the reach were mostly untouched which allowed to be the first realm on its feet.
In the Westerlands Tyrion took over Casterly Rock, with Jaime and all his heirs dead he was the last of the “Lannister” line. Although his rule was shaky, as he was a kinslayer, and all the realm knew it. Multiple backroom deals were made between lords, but every time Tyrion was there to stop it. He eventually married, and his wife brought him an heir to continue his line. By the time Tyrion was old, the Westerlands have rebuilt themselves, and once again were one of the strongest kingdoms.
The Riverlands were destroyed in almost every war, and in the War of the Five Kings it was no different. Edmure Tully had his hands full rebuilding, with so many lords killed and the land decimated, it took his entire life to bring stability back to the Riverlands. With strong alliances both in the North, Vale, and on the Iron Throne, he was able to command great respect among his vassals and keep dissent down.
With the Vale out of the clutches of Littltfinger and now in the hands of Sansa and Harold the resistance that the lords had given to Littlefinger turned to support not only for the new rulers but for the Iron Throne. For the years to come Vale troops would nearly wipe out the mountain clan resistance, subjugating them. Vale Knights also served the Iron Throne in defeating its enemies in war, and earned a place in Westeros as some of the best soldiers in the land.
In the North, the land was shattered. The wight armies had smashed the north to pieces, than winter and frozen it over. Bran went north with the remaining children of the forest to hunt down the remaining walkers, and find what he said was “the truth”. Rickon was put up as Lord Paramount of the North by his cousin, now king, with Manderly as his Regent. It took all of Wyman’s life and nearly all of Rickon’s to rebuild what once was, and even to this day the scars of the past haunt the north as all remember the flayed men along the roads. Many of the Wildlings joined the North, helping repopulate it after its decimation; but some still went back far to the north.
As was Westeros after the snows had melted, and as the years went by Daenerys and Jon ruled fairly and effectively. The dragons were not chained away, and were instead given free roam near Dragonstone. Ser Barristan died a couple years after the Long Night after a wound he suffered then reopened. Daenerys was devastated, but Barristan was happy that he died a knight in service to a queen he believed in. Ser Jorah was offered to take his place as Lord Commander of the Queensguard, but he refused. Instead, he honored his father by joining the reformed Night's Watch. He eventually earned a position as Lord Commander. Longclaw was kept by Jon, Jorah seeing it as his blade now. Oathkeeper and Widow’s Wail were returned to the Starks; in Jon’s words “where they belonged”. Blackfyre and Dark Sister stayed with Jon and Daenerys, and all three were distributed to their sons and Grandsons.
After about a year after they took the throne, Daenerys gave birth to the first of her and Jon’s children. He was given the name of Rhaegar, after his grandfather. Their marriage did not sit well with many in the Kingdom as once again there was incest in the bloodline, and the Sparrows of the Faith had to be calmed with backroom deals. However, with constant threat coming from the Faith Militant who had refused to disband after Cersei allowed them to be recreated, Jon was forced to create the Dragonguard. Also named the Black Cloaks, they were the replacement for the Gold Cloaks within the Red Keep and numbered five hundred strong. The Gold Cloaks, although not completely destroyed, were put only to gate duty and policing the streets of Kings landing, their commander under the Black Cloaks. Daenerys and Jon had a second son after Rhaegar, naming him Robb after Jon’s cousin. Rhaegar and Robb grew up in a time of relative peace, learning both statecraft and swordcraft. Rhaegar was the politician whereas Robb was the swordsman. The complemented each other, always by each other’s side; models for the Kingdom. Robb would eventually join the Kingsguard, making sure that no war could be fought in his name for the throne but still keeping him by his brothers side. When Jon died in 332 from a war wound reopening and becoming infected Daenerys had her son crowned king at the age of 32; Daenerys passing a year later. Years prior at the age of eighteen Rhaegar had been married to the than seventeen Olivia Tyrell, bringing two of the most powerful houses together. Later that year Rhaegar and Olivia’s first son, Jacherys, was born. Five years later Rhaegar followed his parents in having another son, this one named Aegon. He followed this with two daughters, named Visenya and Daenerys, but when his mother and father passed it was said that Rhaegar was put into a depression that drove him from Olivia’s bed. However just after Daenerys death the east broke into turmoil which would lead to Rhaegar and Jacherys marching to war.
While Westeros saw peace after the long night, Essos was put into a bloodbath. Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh reformed the Three Daughters in an attempt to fight back against the power of Volantis. The two Kingdoms fought bloody wars up and down the Rhoyne and in the Disputed lands with Volantis having the advantage but unable to finish off the Daughters. New Ghis, still attempting to liberate the Queendom from Daenerys, formed a shaky alliance with the people from Lhazar. Although they had no army, the Lhazari people were used as a decoy for the Ghiscari. As the Dothraki descended on sheepherders the Ghiscari used this chance to attack the Queendom. Using there massive fleet, the Ghiscari encircled slavers bay and cut it off. The ex slaves turned lords attempted to fight the Ghiscari in open battle, but were slaughtered without the help of the Dothraki. Once the Dothraki loyal to the Targaryen’s returned, they found Pono’s successor waiting for them. The two hordes battled each other, and by the end of it the horde loyal to Daenerys was destroyed. Pono’s successor then attempted to march his new horde down to Slaver’s bay, but he too was destroyed. The remaining Dothraki retreated into the Dothraki sea to return to smaller hordes and grow once more. With no hope the ex slaves sent multiple ships out try and alert Daenerys of the situation. One ship finally made it to Kings Landing, only to find Daenerys had passed and her son now sat on the Throne. Still grieving, Rhaegar and Robb took up the sword to defend their mothers claim. Not all of the lords in the Realm joined in the battle, many still rebuilding from the long night. However Rhaegar created a new order of knights, calling them the Dragonknights. These were men who pledged themselves to House Targaryen, to protect its members and their lands. Sons of minor lords, great houses, and hedge knights joined the band where all were equal to their metal. With levies from different lords, the Dragonknights, and the royal navy Rhaegar set sail for Essos and Slaver’s bay. Jacherys was taken with his father as a squire to learn. The longest part of the war was sailing to Slaver’s Bay, where once they finally arrived they realized what was arrayed against them. The first battle was a naval engagement in the Gulf of Greif where a fleet from New Ghis engaged the forces headed for Slaver’s Bay. Although outnumbered, the Ghiscari fleet dealt considerable damage to the supply ships within the ranks of the Westerosi before fleeing. Upon reaching the sands of Slaver’s Bay, Rhaegar unleashed his one weapon that could not be matched, Dragons. He had brought with him his mother’s three dragons, in his own words his “brothers”. He rode upon Drogon’s back and slaughtered the first expedition sent against him to see how strong his forces were. Sal’Haran, the Ghiscari commander, sent a large host against him but his forces were beat back by the superior strength of the Dragonknights and the dragons. Seeing no chance for victory on the open field Sal’Haran pulled his forces into the cities where Rhaegar could not use his dragons for fear of harming those he sought to liberate. A standoff between the two forces started, but the Ghiscari fleet blockaded and forced a retreat from the naval commanders of the Westerosi, so supplies to Rhaegar ran low quickly in the harsh lands of Slaver’s Bay. Eventually a truce was drawn between the two sides where Rhaegar and his people were allowed to return to Westeros along with many of the main supporters of the Targaryens in the Slaver Cities. The defeat was a humiliating one for Rhaegar, and created some unrest back at home for him with the lords of Westeros. Rhaegar had won almost every battle he had fought in, but failed to win the war. Rhaegar’s rule than suffered a small rebellion, however he was able to easily suppress it and quickly dealt with the rebels.
As the Ghiscari settled into their new land, they quick set about consolidating their power behind their new leader, Sal’Haran. As this happened, the Volantese approached the Ghiscari, offering an alliance. Although Volantis claimed to be the children of Valyria, who were the Ghiscari’s moral enemies, the Volantese were an ally that they needed with their new position. Drawing a line from Valyria up, Volantis claimed everything west, New Ghis everything east. Both also made the pledge to help the other in their conflicts, which was put to test almost immediately. Volantis restarted their conflict against the Three Daughters in 340, three years after ending the war against Westeros. As the war broke out, and young Jacherys pleaded with his father to join with the Three Daughters. Braavos sent money to help with the defense of the Daughters, but no troops. Pentos stayed out of the conflict, many believing that they would join with Volantis to eventually throw off the supremacy of Braavos in the north. After the first year of conflict the Volantese/Ghiscari fleet had defeated Lys, and were sailing on Tyrosh and the Stepstones with the Volantese army marching on Myr. Finally Jacherys disobeyed his father and rallied the Dragonknights, along with a few lords from the realm including the Tyrell’s and Martells who feared the Stepstones being a jumping point to the south of Westeros. After forcing his father to war, using the council, Jacherys set sail with a sizeable force and the royal navy in the Crownlands and on Dragonstone. Combined he rallied over 10,000 men to him, along with another 15,000 in the Stormlands and another 5,000 from Dorne. While sailing to the south the pirates of the Stepstones joined the Volantese, and shortly after Tyrosh fell while the Volantese army with Ghiscari support besieged Myr. Taking a majority of the army, Jacherys landed near Tyrosh, his ships moving to blockade Tyrosh; the Volantese ships having moved to face off with Aegon Targaryen in the stepstones Aegon, a young man at the age of seventeen, was given command by his brother of the supply ships and a small force of ships; being told to wait for the Redwyne fleet. However Aegon soon realized he was facing a Ghiscari fleet coming from Lys, as well as a fleet coming from Tyrosh. In a very risking tactic, Aegon sent almost all of his galleys towards the oncoming Ghiscari, leaving his supply ships virtually undefended. As the Volantese saw an undefeated fleet, their bellies which were near empty spoke loud. They moved to capture the ships, rather than burn them, and soon found Aegon’s treachery. Having taken all of his marines off of the military ships, and a majority of the sailors, as the Volantese ships tied themselves to the Westerosi to capture them they were overwhelmed when they threw open the hatches and they Westerosi streamed out. In a single night over fifty ships were captured, another fifty were burned when the galleys returned, having turned around to help end the battle. By the time the Ghiscari arrived, the Redwyne fleet had come and was helping bring troops across the Stepstones and bringing much needed ships. Shortly behind the Redwyne was the Iron Fleet, bringing the full strength of Westeros on the waves to the Stepstones. With Aegon controlling the waves, Jacherys made a push to Myr. Wining minor skirmishes, he pushed his army towards the main host. Jacherys however, overestimated himself as Sal’Haram was commanding the Ghiscari at Myr. A massive melee broke out, the Westerosi cavalry unable to break the lockstep legions, and the elephants of the Volantese wreaking havoc on the Westeros infantry. Although Jacherys had to pull back, he dealt a heavy blow while riding on the back of Rhaegal. Sal’Haran than marched to chase Jacherys, but found him supported by his brother Aegon, along with the armies from the Stormlands and Dorne; along with Aegon atop Viserion. Seeing himself outmatched, Sal’Haram retreated and gathered his forces with the men of Volantis. However Sal’Haram did not face off against their army on the field, but across the table. Aegon forced his brother to the table, as in a small skirmish Jacherys was wounded by a poisoned arrow and was bedridden. Aegon brought an end to the war, having the Volantese end their occupation of Tyrosh and the siege of Myr, but they would keep Lys. As well there forces would leave the Stepstones. However in the last days of the deal making Jacherys returned to the helm, and after signing a treaty that no Westerosi would stay in the Disputed Lands nor in the Stepstones, he also gave a captive to the Ghiscari to prove their willingness to the deal; his brother Aegon. Many speak that this was done as Jacherys was afraid that Aegon, who had become known around the realm, would rival him for the throne and this was the easiest way to get rid of him. After the treaty was signed, peace came to both east and west, and Jacherys returned to Westeros a defender while Aegon was taken away in chains.
As the years passed to the current day, Jacherys was known around the realm for his hot head and his tendency to fight before talking. Rhaegar, 54 now, is growing old and soon to pass the crown to his son. Two years ago Aegon returned, being released by Sal’Haram as his dying wish, after spending nine years in the service of the Ghiscari. He talks little of his time in the east, but many know that he had travelled as far east as Asshai and the Saffron Straights with his master. Jacherys is the Crown Prince, while Aegon sits as the Master of Coin on the council; still unmarried. After the war in Slaver’s Bay Rhaegar had one more son, Daemon who is a skittish child, quiet and not in the mix when talk of the throne is made. As the realm prepares for a great tourney and feast in Kings Landing to celebrate a new year and the seventh year of summer, dark clouds cover many as talk begins to who will be the next king.
Daenerys eventually lands on Westeros. Cersei is killed by Jaime at Kings Landing. Jon, Aegon, and Dany join together to fight the walkers; where Jaime ends up sacrificing his life to kill the Night King. The Ghiscari capture Slaver’s Bay, and with Volantis fight the Three Daughters and Westeros. War ends in stalemate, and currently there are three sons for an elderly king; two of which are supported for the throne.
The Rules are fairly straight forward:
1. This is Game of Thrones, people die. And they die often. The Co-Ops and I will make rulings on deaths. Your characters are not death proof, but that also doesn’t mean that random villager X that’s Lord Y’s spy can assassinate Lord Z on a whim. These actions will take time, and if you truly think someone should die please bring it before myself and I, along with the Co-Ops in most instances, will determine what happens.
2. No Metagaming, godmodding, etc. Just because it was said, doesn’t mean you will always hear about it nor see it coming.
3. Respect other players. There will be disagreements, more than likely a few. Keep everything calm, and no attacks. Failure to act like adults will be dealt with.
4. Battles do not have to be planned out, but they will be moderated by myself or a Co-OP. If this becomes a problem all battles will be decided by myself, Co-Ops, or I will get an outside person to give a ruling.
5. Travel times will be accelerated so the story doesn't drag as it has previously. As such, a Walltofell (Wall to Winterfell) will be two weeks of marching or one week of riding. The creation of armies however is something that doesn’t take days, but weeks. We will determine the time it will take to raise an army as the Rp is about to start.
6. Reservations last 48 hours. After that they will be put up for grabs again.
7. Activity will be loosely enforced. After one week your house will be put under OP jurisdiction. After two weeks, someone else can claim your house. If something comes up (Let’s be honest, its life) please TG me.
8. I would prefer that all Great Houses in Westeros be filled before we look across the sea. If someone does want to play an essossi faction, TG me and we can talk about it.
9. Although its open season for the positions, I will try and limit a house to either one Kingsguard position or one Small Council Position, but if we don’t have enough slots I will allow multiple family members. Anything left open (Or I feel is not a fit/giving too much power to a single faction I will fill). There will be an app for characters wanting to be on the Small Council.
10. Dragons…. As of right now the only Dragonriders are the King, two of his sons, and his youngest is learning. All of these characters are mine, and I will likely leave the dragons out of combat as I personally see them as a GM at times. They are there and can be used, but the only real dragons of size are the original three from the books. Some maybe in the 20s, and if you wish to have a dragonrider/owner in your family TG me and I will debate on having dragonriders within the RP.
12: These rules/start info may change as we progress towards the start.
11. Have fun.
Items to understand for players at the start: - The Rp will start in Kings Landing for a massive tourney. If you are someone its likely you will be there, although you can have your characters absent. If you want characters of your family or house to be participants please note it in your app or send me a PM.
-On your app if you want someone to have experience in warfare or in command they will have to be older. The last massive wars were in 332 and 341. If you are claiming to have a 16 year old who is a master swordsman he maybe in a tourney but not in combat as he was three at the start of the last war.
-Your character cannot be the size of Gregor, the swordsmanship of Jaime, wit of Tyrion, and politics of Tywin…. Just no.
-Watch how much you claim to have changed your house. Yes there will be changes to the landscape, but if the Stark’s suddenly have the largest fleet in the world I will have you explain it.
-As stated in the rules; people will die. There will be a plot twist within the first in character month of the RP, so you are warned.
My App will be posted as soon as I have some time to get things at my home taken care of
