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The fate of Westeros was sealed when Aegon Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone, sent out ravens to the seven kings of Westeros, declaring himself the one true king, ordering the other monarchs to kneel or die. The rulers of Westeros reacted with bewilderment- Mern VI Gardener, Loren I Lannister, Queen Regent Sharra Arryn and Torrhen Stark ignored the letter entirely, Harren Hoare was said to have laughed, and Meria Martell offered alliance as an equal, not as a vassal. In Storm’s End, Argilac Durrandon’s fury was said to have been a sight to behold. Not only had Aegon rejected his daughter Argella as a bride and offered a bastard for her hand, he dared to claim the Stormlands.

Of the seven kingdoms, the most powerful was the Kingdom of Isles and Rivers, under Harren Hoare. The Hoares had made enemies out of all their neighbors in addition to their vassals, resulting in Harren choosing to raise a new castle on the shores of the God's Eye. Harrenhal, the largest castle ever built, was meant to be an impregnable fortress against rebels, as well as a centrally located capital from which Harren could launch future conquests, in particular that of the Stormlands. The Stormlands had been in a perpetual decline since their loss of the Riverlands to Harren's grandfather Harwyn, and while Argilac's victory over the Reach at the Battle of Summerfield stayed the decline, it was only for a time. Argilac's only heir was a daughter, and it was expected civil war would erupt upon his death. Looking to seize his lands was Harren, alongside the Dornish who sought to seize the Marches, and Mern VI Gardener who sought to avenge his father's death at Summerfield and retake the historic Gardener territories of Nightsong and Harvest Hall. Knowing how desperate his situation was, Argilac needed an external alliance to ensure Argella's ascension, and decided Aegon, whom he had fought alongside in the Disputed Lands, was the perfect choice. Of course, matters did not turn out how Argilac hoped.

Aegon landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush. Under the Storm Kings, a thriving city had sprung up among the three hills, but now as a borderland between Harrenhal and Storm’s End, the city had been abandoned, and its structures had been used to raise the Ironfort on the highest hill. Harren Hoare’s youngest son Harlan was in command, and his refusal to surrender was met with death by dragonfire atop the palisade. To the north, Lords Durran Darklyn and Benedict Mooton gathered their armies, hoping that Aegon’s defeat would earn them great honors in Aegon’s court. They would be proven wrong, as both would succumb to dragonflame outside Duskendale. Durran’s son Geremy and Benedict’s brother Jon bent to Aegon, followed by the lords around Blackwater Bay, whose territories formed the future Crownlands. From there, the Targaryens split their forces- Aegon marched against Harren, Rhaenys and Orys against Argilac, and Visenya against Sharra.

Aegon led his men north to the God's Eye, where Hoare soldiers ambushed their camp in the Battle of the Reeds. Harren used the defeat to issue a call to arms. However, it went unanswered by the ironborn, who saw Harren as a Greenlander rather than an ironborn. Of the Riverlords, Lord Edmyn Tully actively chose to declare for Aegon, and was quickly followed by Mallister, Blackwood, Bracken, Piper, Frey, Strong, and both Vance branches, for the Riverlands despised Harren's harsh rule and high taxes used to pay for Harrenhal's construction. Faced with a general uprising, Harren was forced to barricade himself in his castle, refusing to surrender as stone could not burn. In response, Aegon burned Harrenhal into a smoking ruin, wiping out Harren and his sons Harmund, Harras and Hammond. The last Hoare left was Harragad Hoare, Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, who wisely chose not to challenge Aegon. Edmyn Tully was named the Lord Paramount of the Trident in recognition of his loyalty.

Rhaenys and Orys marched their forces into the Stormlands, where Lords Errol, Buckler and Fell ambushed their host as they crossed the Wendwater. Argilac marched his armies north, even as the Tyroshi and Dornish attacked the south. Having fought in the Disputed Lands, Argilac knew the power of dragons- he fortified his troops on a hill overlooking Bronzegate, and took advantage of a storm that blocked visibility for Rhaenys. In the battle known as the Last Storm, Argilac seemed to be winning against Orys's troops, which were faced with having to attack up a hill- until the storm broke, and Meraxes lit the hill aflame. Argilac led a mad charge down the hill, where Orys slew him in single combat. Storm’s End came under siege after Argella declared herself Storm Queen. Her soldiers were not so eager to die, and opened the gates to Orys, who swiftly married Argella and adopted the Durrandon sigil and colors for House Baratheon, the new lords of the Stormlands.

Visenya led the Velaryon Fleet against the Vale, but Lord Lucos Grafton managed to defeat it in combat, killing Lord Daemon Velaryon. However, Visenya burned the Arryn Fleet and killed Lord Grafton before retreating. Sharra Arryn ordered for the Bloody Gate to be heavily fortified. Leaving the Velaryon fleet to sail back home, Visenya flew to the Eyrie, landing in the courtyard. The young king Ronnel V of the Mountain and Vale proved quite taken by the dragon, and requested the queen for a ride. When Sharra and her retainers arrived, Sharra quickly gave up his crown, and Lord Ronnel got his dragon ride. For the Lords of the Vale, the idea of submitting to the same Valyrians who conquered Old Andalos was a betrayal, and they turned on Queen Sharra. Under Sharra’s regency, her relatives of House Corbray had filled in the administrative apparatus of the Eyrie, and many a fool japed the Falcon’s Nest was now a roost for ravens. Growing angry with this state of affairs, now the Lords of the Vale took action- Lord Allard Royce of Runestone led an army to the Eyrie, forcing Sharra to name him Regent. Lord Royce took custody of young lord Ronnel, and expelled the Corbrays and their allies from the Eyrie. Wanting to maintain peace with the Corbrays, he allowed Lord Gerold to foster Ronnel’s younger brother Jonos. As for Queen Sharra, the rather healthy queen passed away within the year, and it was whispered throughout the Vale that Allard had her poisoned. Allard quashed those rumors, but they survived in Heart’s Home, where they reached the ears of Lord Jonos.

Mern VI Gardener and Loren I Lannister had already formed an alliance to combat Harren Hoare's expansionist ambitions- Loren was keenly aware of being surrounded on two sides by ironborn, and allying with the Reach to secure their borders had been policy since the ironborn conquest. Said monarchs of the Reach had rejected it, seeing a chance to weaken their historic northern enemy, until the death of Garse VII Gardener at Summerfield- Mern VI was a different man to his father, and sent his agreement to Loren. With Harren's defeat, they turned that alliance on Aegon. The combined army arrived near the Blackwater Rush, only to be burned by the three dragons in the Field of Fire. King Mern was among the dead, along with his sons Edmund, Gawen and Loras, his grandsons Garth and Willas, his brothers Leo, Theo and Thaddeus, and his nephews Rycherd and Mace. His last nephew, Garlan, died some days after of his burns. Aegon flew to Highgarden, where Steward Harlan Tyrell opened the gates. Aegon named Harlan the new Lord Paramount of the Reach- this was fiercely opposed by the Lords of the Reach, especially Lord Alester Florent who had married Mern’s niece and thus had the best claim, but dragonfire cowed them. Approaching Oldtown, the High Septon counseled Lord Manfred to open the gates, fearing the city’s destruction. Aegon knelt before the High Septon in the Starry Sept, where he was crowned king. As for Loren, he was swiftly captured and made to bend the knee.

Torrhen Stark, having heard of the defeats, had brought his army south, crossing the Trident near the crossroads. Wisely, he chose to bend rather than see the North doused in dragonflame. The Iron Islands had been embroiled in civil war ever since the fall of the Hoares, and Aegon led his fleets into the Sunset Sea. Qhorin Volmark was slain by Aegon himself, while Lodos and his followers walked into the sea to be with the Drowned God. Despite calls to partition the islands, Aegon had the lords call a kingsmoot, and they elected Vickon Greyjoy of Pyke as the new Lord of the Iron Islands. With the islands’ submission, Aegon had control over six of the seven kingdoms of Westeros.

The arrival of winter in 2 AC caused the conquest of Dorne to be put on hold. Due to the harshness of winter, it had long been tradition for all wars to end with a ceasefire, and resume once spring arrived. Once winter abated in 4 AC, Rhaenys flew to Sunspear, demanding submission from Princess Meria Martell, The Old Toad of Dorne. Meria refused, and Aegon had his armies gather in the Red Mountains. The Dornish had prepared for him however- the Boneway had been rendered impossible by rocks and mud, forcing him to march through the Prince’s Pass. The Dornish host launched repeated ambushes, culminating in the Battle of Skyreach where Aegon’s host was shattered, at the cost of many Dornish knights. Many lords, including Orys Baratheon were captured, and others like Harlan Tyrell were killed. Aegon was forced to turn back, and for the next few years the dragons burned the castles of Dorne, while the Dornish launched counter raids into Nightsong, the Rainwood and the fields east of Oldtown. The crimes committed by the Dornish during this period have been well told in other sources, so there is no point in dwelling on them in this text. The Free Cities, terrified of a united Westeros, sent the Dornish money and supplies. In 7 AC, Rhaenys led a new campaign, only for her and Meraxes to be shot down at Hellholt. In a rage, Visenya burned Hellholt and other Dornish castles, and the fertile lands of the Brimstone were burned, permanently decreasing their agricultural yield. In contrast, Aegon chose to favor peace, as the death of a dragon had sent shockwaves through Westeros, and threatened to topple Aegon's fragile regime. Meria had died the year before, and her son Nymor sent his daughter Deria with a peace delegation. The Treaty of Pentos ended the war in Dorne’s favor, but the Martells had to pay reparations to the noble families whose members they took prisoner, as well as release the prisoners. With the treaty, the conquest had ended.

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Aegon’s key policy was solidifying Targaryen rule. To that end, he let the former kings continue on as they had before, as long as they paid their dues to the Targaryens. He also sought to remind the lords of Westeros who they served, and continuously went on royal progresses all throughout his reign. It is said that even the richest lord, seeking to impress, found himself impoverished and his serving girls pregnant with bastards. Aegon would hold court at his vassals' castles, passing judgement according to their local laws. Aegon made visits to the great capitals of the Lords Paramount at least twice, with Winterfell getting a rare third visit upon the death of Torrhen and ascension of his son Roderick.

When Aegon was not on progress, he held court at the Ironfort, which was renamed the Aegonfort. The capital of King’s Landing had sprung up around the keep, as an ever growing collection of shops and houses as more and more people moved to the new city. To aid him in the governance of the realm, he established the Small Council- Aethan Velaryon as Master of Ships, Crispian Celtigar as Master of Coin, Triston Massey as Master of Laws, and Orys as Hand of the King. The Hand of the King was considered subject to no one but the King. Following his freedom from Dorne, Orys chose to resign in shame and returned to Storm’s End. Edmyn Tully served until 9 AC, when his wife Marilda Vance died in childbirth with their only son Prentys, and he begged leave to be with his children. Tully was replaced by Alton Celtigar, son of Lord Crispian and Lord of Claw Isle. Celtigar’s death of a chill in 17 AC saw him succeeded by the able Osmund Strong. Aegon also sought the advice of the learned maesters of the Citadel, requesting an Archmaester to serve on his council as Grand Maester. The first two Grand Maesters, Ollidar and Lyonce, died quickly, and the third Grand Maester, Gawen, was much younger than the other two when he was selected to serve. Aegon also made sure to keep good relations with the Faith, making regular visits to Oldtown and raising the Sept of Remembrance on Rhaenys’s Hill.

Aegon’s queens, to the surprise of many, were also involved in governance, oftentimes sitting the Iron Throne themselves. Before her death, Rhaenys utilized marriages to knit the realm together. Torrhen’s daughter Branda was married to Ronnel Arryn, Loren Lannister was wed to a Redwyne, and a double marriage was held between the Blackwoods and Brackens, healing the feud for a time. Of Edmyn Tully’s three daughters, the eldest Sedianna was wed to Quenton Qoherys’s eldest son Daemon, Cerelle was wed to Theo Tyrell, and the youngest Myranda to Addam Florent, Heir to Brightwater Keep, to tie Tyrell and Florent together. Visenya was noticeably less involved in diplomacy than her sister, preferring swords to ensure peace. She was responsible for the creation of the Kingsguard, and the appointment of the first seven to serve- Richard Roote, Addison Hill, Gregor Goode, Griffith Goode, Robin Darklyn, Humfrey the Mummer, and Lord Commander Corlys Velaryon.

Aegon declared that all lords would bring their conflicts before the king, rather than engaging in local conflicts. This was put to the test in 8 AC. Loren Lannister had turned bitter and sullen after his submission, handing the functions of government over to his council and living just long enough to sire an heir and a spare on his Redwyne wife. Lord Alton Reyne immediately challenged Florys Redwyne for control over the regency of young Lord Tywin, while also challenging Targaryen authority in the wake of the First Dornish War. Ser Tywell Tarbeck, Knight of Tarbeck Hall, gathered Florys’s supporters to confront Alton. Aegon flew to Castamere on Balerion and forced Alton to recognize Florys’s authority. In thanks for Tywell’s aid, Florys elevated the Tarbecks to lordship and betrothed Tywin to Tywell’s daughter Jocasta.

As for the other Lords Paramount appointed by Aegon, Lady Argella Baratheon largely avoided public life similar to Loren- she and Orys Baratheon had three sons, Davos, Raymont and Endrew, all three of which she shunned. It is said she never forgave her father’s killer, and when she died a bitter, broken old woman in 38 AC very few shed tears for her. The Vale was locked in conflict during the entirety of Allard Royce’s regency, and when he came of age, Ronnel Arryn found himself the target of many Vale lords unhappy with the new order. Torrhen died bitter after his daughter’s marriage, leaving his sons Roderick and Brandon to pick up the pieces. Edmyn Tully would pass shortly after Prentys’s eighteenth nameday, and Vickon Greyjoy would pass on Aegon’s last progress in 33 AC, succeeded by his son Goren. Aegon would outlive all his appointees except for Orys and Ronnel.

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Aegon took both his sisters to wife. It is commonly said that he wed Visenya for duty, and Rhaenys for love. The match was ordered by his father Aerion, who wed his two eldest children together in the traditional manner of Valyrians. Aerion was known to keep a strict household- only after his death did Aegon take Rhaenys to wife and bring Orys, up to then unacknowledged, to his court. Despite being wed last, it was Rhaenys who bore Aegon’s heir, and Aenys was born in 4 AC. Being born so soon after the coming of spring, his birth was seen as a sign of prosperity.

Any joy quickly faded, as Aenys was born frail and sickly. Some dared to suggest that Aegon was not the boy’s true sire, and instead was born of one of Rhaenys’s favorites. When the queen died in Dorne, the boy was inconsolable- he had stopped eating and even forgot how to crawl. He only came back into full health when he was presented with the hatchling Quicksilver. Nonetheless, pressure was placed on Visenya to produce a spare for the Iron Throne, and it was thought that Aegon might put her aside.

All speculation ended when Visenya produced a son, Maegor, in 11 AC. The sudden pregnancy made people whisper the boy wasn’t Aegons, and others went as far as to say Maegor was conceived by some foul dark magic. Aegon himself didn’t spend much time with the boy, focusing his attention on his heir Aenys. The rearing of Maegor was left to his mother Visenya. Maegor took to the sword at once, quickly becoming a master swordsman- at 13, Visenya bestowed upon him Dark Sister. This was in comparison to Aenys, who was never particularly notable in the training yard and favored his books over the sword. However, Maegor also proved well read in some aspects, being knowledgeable about theology and philosophy, and was exposed to esoteric texts on Valyrian blood magic.

Lacking sisters for him to marry, Aenys was wed to his cousin Alyssa Celtigar, daughter of Alton and Alarra Massey, in 22 AC. The Celtigars were one of the two Valyrian families that settled in Westeros in the aftermath of the Doom, alongside the Velaryons. Both were members of the Forty whose dragons were slain in Lys and Tyrosh, and it was only the generosity of Gaemon “The Glorious” that saved them, granting them Driftmark and Claw Isle but barring them from riding dragons. From the beginning, both houses fought each other for the position of being the favorite of the Targaryens, and for a time the Velaryons had come out on top. This came to an end thanks to the actions of Lady Jaenara Targaryen. When Jaenara mothered a bastard rather than wed her brother Daemion, she was quickly wed off to the ancient Lord Aemond Celtigar, who already had two sons. Within the year, the sons were dead, and Jaenara gave birth to the twins Crispian and Valaena. When Daemon died without giving his son Aerion a sister wife, Valaena was seen as the best choice, and the Celtigars eclipsed the Velaryons in court. As such, Alyssa marrying Aegon was seen as cousin marrying cousin. The marriage proved fruitful, as the couple’s first child, Rhaena, was born the following year.

Queen Visenya was also pleased with the birth, publicly proposing that Maegor marry Rhaena once she came of age, and that the marriage would be followed by Aenys recognizing Maegor as his heir. However, Visenyas’s ambitions were ruined by the High Septon, who criticized the incestous betrothal, and proposed Maegor wed his niece Ceryse Hightower, daughter of Lord Manfred(not to be confused with his grandfather and namesake). Aegon, who prioritized keeping good relations with the Faith, accepted, and Maegor wed his bride in the Sept of Remembrance in 25 AC. Despite being ten years his senior, it seems Maegor was quite taken with his wife, boasting that he had given her a hundred sons on their wedding night. For her part, Ceryse also seemed happy, speaking well of her husband’s interest in philosophy and theology.

Any questions about the succession were ended by the birth of Prince Aegon in 26 AC, to the joy of everyone but Visenya. Despite being pushed from the throne, Maegor didn’t seem to mind, declaring that Aegon would make a worthy husband for any daughters he might have. In 29 AC, Alyssa bore a second son, Viserys, and Maegor, in a marriage of four years with no children to show for it, had slowly lost his luster for his wife. Increasingly, he became distant and took separate chambers. When Ceryse announced her pregnancy in 34 AC, Maegor seemed to love her anew, spending all his time with her and boasting he would soon have a strong heir and future king… only to be presented with a daughter, Alysanne. Despite this, both Maegor and Visenya were taken with the girl, something that soon faded after Alyssa had a third son, Jaehaerys, later that year.

While Maegor certainly did not despise his daughter, he did not spend much time with her, instead choosing to focus on fighting in tourneys or other martial activities. Maegor’s relationship with Alysanne was complicated further by the lack of a dragon- Maegor had failed to claim any of the drakes in the Dragonmont, and his cradle egg, a traditional Valyrian practice, had failed to hatch. In comparison, Rhaena claimed Dreamfyre and Jaehaerys's cradle egg hatched into Vermithor. The final straw came when Alysanne's cradle egg hatched into Silverwing- it seems like the humiliation of his daughter claiming a dragon before him was too much for Maegor, who threw himself into martial pursuits instead. As such, Alysanne’s rearing was left to her mother and grandmother, who had very different ideas on who Alysanne should be. Certainly, Ceryse’s iron will and piousness, which she wielded like a man did his sword, clashed with Visenya’s general apathy towards the gods. Visenya herself was considered a woman to be avoided, and many a servant feared catching her ire. In that sense, Ceryse’s seeming fearlessness of her domineering goodmother made many jape that Ceryse “was born a man until Lord Manfred prayed to the Seven for a girl” and that “to avoid the wrath of Queen Visenya, one must simply hide behind Lady Ceryse’s skirts.”

Little is known of what the Conqueror thought of this, for he had increasingly withdrawn from his family in favor of governing the realm. Once Aenys came of age, he started joining his father on progresses, even accompanying him to Sunspear for the twenty year anniversary of the Treaty of Pentos in 27 AC. The invitation had been sent by Princess Deria, who had her own motivations for peace. Never giving up on his dream of conquering Dorne, Aegon imposed an economic blockade, banning all trade with Dorne. All the luxury goods traditionally imported from Dorne were now imported from the Free Cities, and to avoid unrest over higher prices Aegon had the Iron Throne subsidize the goods, so that it cost the same as it would have cost if imported from Dorne. Dorne, which had been hit hard by the war, found its economy in tatters as it now was dependent on the Free Cities for trade, which allowed them to impose punishingly high tariffs on Dornish goods, something the Martells had no choice but to accept. Deria sought to convince Aegon to lift the blockade, which she failed to do. For the next century and a half, Dorne would remain impoverished, and the Martells would face the price of independence.

Aegon went on his final progress in 33 AC, after which he retired to Dragonstone and let Aenys and Alyssa take on his duties. He turned his attention to the Aegonfort- by that point, King’s Landing had grown into the third largest city in Westeros, and the Aegonfort no longer served as a seat fit for a king. In 35 AC, Aegon ordered the keep torn down and began the construction of the Red Keep, built from stone. Queen Visenya and Hand of the King, Alyn Stokeworth(who replaced Lord Strong following the latter’s death on the Stepstones in 31 AC), were ordered to oversee its construction, while Aegon retired to Dragonstone(it was rumoured that he sought to avoid Visenya’s presence). Aegon passed away in 37 AC surrounded by his grandchildren. Aenys was quickly recalled from King’s Landing for the funeral. Grand Maester Gawen handed Aenys’s Aegon’s crown and proclaimed him King of the Andals, Rhoynar, and the First Men. The lords present said their farewells to the late king, and when Maegor completed his eulogy, Aenys presented him with Blackfyre, saying “You are the warrior, brother, and I am the scholar. Let it be you that wields Blackfyre in my name.” As later events would prove, this bequest would prove unwise. Aenys would fly to Oldtown and be anointed by the High Septon. All along his routes, crowds would come out to see their new king. “It is a sign of a new age,” Aenys is said to have proclaimed to Lord Theo Tyrell while at Highgarden. However, the events that would follow would almost see Aegon’s legacy undone by his sons.

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Aenys started off his reign with a grand progress, marching through the Reach and into the Riverlands. However, the realm was filled with sons who had grown up on their father’s stories of a Westeros filled with seven kingdoms, and resented the Targaryens. With Aegon’s death, the time was ripe for an uprising.

The first of these was at Harrenhal, when an outlaw known as Harren the Red, claiming to be Harren Hoare’s bastard grandson, led his men into the keep to kill Gargon “The Guest” Qoherys, who was infamous for making liberal use of the Right to First Night. Gargon was gelded and left to die and Red Harren put his servants and garrison to the sword. Lord Prentys urged the king to burn Harren but Aenys, remembering his mother’s death, chose instead to order the banners to gather at Riverrun. By the time the army reached Harrenhal, Red Harren had fled with his men.

When Aenys reached King’s Landing, the news had become worse. Tensions in the Vale had boiled over- Jonos Arryn led a coup, overthrowing his brother Ronnel and declaring himself King of the Mountain and Vale. In the Iron Islands, a man claimed to be Lodos reborn, walking out of the sea, having returned from visiting his father. In the Red Mountains, a Dornish rebel named the Vulture King rallied a massive army to avenge the destruction wrought on Dorne by the Conqueror. Though Princess Deria denounced him, it was suspected that she was secretly aiding him, trying to force Aenys into lifting the blockade, which had impoverished the Red Mountains especially. Lord Harmon Dondarrion wrote to the king that a “smallfolk army can be put down in one night” only for that same army to storm Blackhaven and cut out his eye.

In the capital, Aenys struggled with the best way to defeat the rebels. Believing the smallfolk loved him, he initially sought to send out messengers to forge a peace, but this was opposed by the council, who like Lord Tully, advocated the use of force. In his notes, Grand Maester Gawen wrote that the king was confused about what was happening. Aenys then commanded his hand, Lord Alyn, to sail to the Eyrie to put down Jonos, only to rescind the order in fear of Red Harren attacking King’s Landing. He then resolved to call a Great Council to decide what to do.

While Aenys was left to indecision, the Westerosi lords took action. Lord Goren Greyjoy marshalled a hundred longships and sailed on Old Wyk, putting Lodos and his followers to the sword. Lodos’s pickled head was sent to King’s Landing. Prince Maegor sailed to Dragonstone and claimed Balerion, proceeding to fly to the Vale and rally Ronnel’s supporters, chief among them Lord Allard Royce. Besieged in the Eyrie, Jonos resorted to violence, throwing Ronnel, his wife Branda Stark, and their children through the Moon Door. However, all this vile act of kinslaying did was cause his supporters, including his uncle Leowyn Corbray, to abandon him and open the gates for Maegor. However, Maegor denied them the clemency they sought and had them executed, with Jonos and his noble supporters hung by noose like common brigands. Matters turned to succession, with Lord Royce suggesting Hubert Arryn. Hubert was the cousin of Ronnel and Jonos, sharing the same grandfather- he also happened to be married to Lord Allard’s daughter Alayne, with whom he had six sons. Having been at Runestone with his family when the coup took place, Maegor named him Lord Paramount of the Vale.

The largest of the revolts was undoubtedly the Vulture King’s. The king’s host had swelled massively, to the point where the Vulture King chose to split the host in half- one half was sent to take Nightsong, and the other was sent towards Stonehelm. Lord Orys Baratheon rode out of Storm’s End for the last time, smashing the Dornish beneath the walls of Stonehelm. Lord Baratheon died of his wounds on the way back, but his son and successor Davos said that he died quite content, holding his sword that had gone red with Dornish blood. The Vulture King himself found no luck at Nightsong. During the First Dornish War, Lord Gerold Fowler had slain Lord Garth Caron and his sons, and taken his wife and daughters captive. The eldest of those daughters, Ellyn, was the Lady of Nightsong, and was eager for vengeance. Joining with Lord Samwell Tarly of Horn Hill and the mutilated Lord Harmon Dondarrion, their combined hosts smashed the Vulture King’s in battle, with Lady Ellyn riding out in armor and loosing the arrow that killed the king.

The first of the rebels was ironically the last to be defeated. Aenys finally ordered Lord Alyn Stokeworth to attack Harren’s position in a village on the east bank of the God’s Eye. Harren slew Lord Alyn and Lord Commander Corlys Velaryon, only to be slain in turn by Alyn’s squire Bernarr Harroway. A grateful Aenys named Bernarr a knight, and Harrenhal and its incomes were given to Bernarr’s father Lord Lucas Harroway. Lord Davos Baratheon, Lady Ellyn Caron, Lord Goren Greyjoy, Lord Samwell Tarly and Lord Harmon Dondarrion were given gold and honors. Ser Raymont Baratheon was named to the Kingsguard, and Addison Hill was named Lord Commander. For Prince Maegor, Aenys reserved the greatest honor of all- he was named Hand of the King, and Alysanne betrothed to Aegon.

It can be said that conflict between the two brothers was inevitable- Aenys was weak willed and eager to please, seeking to resolve conflicts with diplomacy, while Maegor was a talented knight and favored steel over words. However, no one could have expected where the conflict would erupt. In 39 AC, Queen Alyssa gave birth to a daughter, Vaella, who died in the cradle. Perhaps angered by the queen’s continued fertility while his own wife had only given him a daughter in close to 15 years of marriage, Maegor announced he had taken a second wife in Alys Harroway, Lord Lucas's daughter, marrying her in a Valyrian ceremony presided over by Queen Visenya. It was impossible to tell who was more angry- Aenys or the Faith. Aenys offered his brother a choice- put Alys Harroway aside, or lose all titles and suffer exile. Maegor chose the latter, departing for Pentos in 40 AC, taking the sword Blackfyre with him. Alysanne’s betrothal with Aegon was broken, and Ceryse took her daughter back to Oldtown in humiliation. The king named his goodbrother and Master of Ships Lord Edwell Celtigar his Hand, and Aegon Prince of Dragonstone- this last decision caused Visenya to depart the hall and retire to Dragonstone for the rest of Aenys’s reign.

Even despite Maegor’s exile, there were many who still spoke ill of the king, and of House Targaryen’s queer practices. Aenys remained ignorant of the discontent, focusing on the construction of the Red Keep. It was his wish that the red sandstone castle be a worthy seat for his descendants. Needing a new bride for Aegon after Alysanne was rejected, in 41 AC he announced the marriage of Aegon and Rhaena.

Prince Aegon was known to be charming, and his years of squiring for Lord Orys Baratheon had sharpened him into one of the best jousters of the realm. His attention was very eagerly received by the serving girls, and Grand Maester Gawen worried over the possibility of bastards challenging the royal succession. Rhaena was free spirited, taking long rides on Dreamfyre, often accompanied by Samantha Stokeworth. Out of all her ladies, Samantha was the first of many favorites, and was dearly saddened to part with Rhaena later in life upon her marriage to Endehar Darklyn. There were also more unseemly whispers about the pair, and these whispers might have encouraged Aenys to wed her off. The two siblings were rather similar in temperament, and Gawen wrote that they were quite pleased about the marriage. However, the Faith and the common people were not- the Starry Sept condemned the marriage, declaring that the people had no obligation to kneel to abominations. Lord Hightower demanded that Aenys marry Aegon to Alysanne. Faced with such fury, the normally indecisive king was surprisingly firm. Queen Alyssa arranged to have the marriage held in the Red Keep for fear of the erupting riots- on the wedding day, the castle guards had to join the City Watch to put down the riots, leaving the keep dangerously vulnerable. For his part, Aenys did not seem to comprehend that the realm had risen against him, and sent his children on a progress in the hopes that their generosity would reconcile the smallfolk to the marriage- hoping to appeal to them, he banned Rhaena from taking Dreamfyre. The progress went poorly- Maidenpool and Pinkmaiden barred their gates, and Lord Harroway barred his unless they recognized Alys as Maegor’s lawful wife.

Upon the coming of the new year, the High Septon excommunicated Septon Murmison for performing the marriage. When Aenys begged for them to reinstate him, the High Septon responded by calling for the faithful to “rise up against the demons.” The people listened, and a fortnight the Poor Fellows later tore apart Murmison while his litter crossed the streets. The Riverlander Chapter of the Warrior’s Sons seized the Sept of Remembrance, and the Poor Fellows stormed the Red Keep, nearly slaying the king in his bed. It was only the sacrifice of Ser Raymont that saved the king from death. The royal family, the Kingsguard and their Small Council fled that same night to Dragonstone. Visenya was famously cold to the king upon his arrival, all but demanding the king send her out to burn the militants. Aenys called her a “mindless dragon” and sent her to the Sea Dragon Tower. The militants took control of King’s Landing, and the Captain of the Riverlands Chapter, Lyle Bracken, called on the various chapters to form a massive army to oppose the Targaryens. The Captain of the Westerlands Chapter, Joffrey Doggett, led his army to besiege Aegon and Rhaena in Casterly Rock. Elsewhere, men of the Warrior’s Sons roamed the roads and killed any traveler, nobleborn or not, that declared their fealty to the Targaryens. In this way did Lord Davos Baratheon and his wife Teora Swann meet their end, torn from their carriage and slain personally by Gyles Morrigen, Captain of the Stormlands Chapter, while visiting Stonehelm.

Aenys, upon hearing of the siege, collapsed and died three days later. His funeral was held in the private courtyard of Dragonstone, and his body was burned by Vermithor, Jaehaerys’s dragon. As the body burned, the realm was in open revolt against the Targaryens. Less than a day later, Visenya flew to Pentos to recall her son, and Maegor’s return to Dragonstone heralded a new period of conflict that would see the continent burn.

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Maegor stayed on Dragonstone only long enough to claim the crown, choosing to wear his father’s crown rather than the plain ornate crown that Aenys favored. Maegor claimed his right to rule on the old Valyrian succession laws- if you had the largest dragon, or was directly named heir by the previous head of the family, you would be head. Thus, Maegor argued, his claim to kingship was equally as valid as his nephew’s. Only Grand Maester Gawen objected, speaking up for the rights of Prince Aegon under Andal law- he swiftly lost his head for his troubles. Queen Alyssa and her younger sons were not present; within hours of Maegor’s return, Alyssa had fled with her sons to Claw Isle, probably accurately guessing at his usurpation.

Maegor flew first to King’s Landing, under the rule of Lyle Bracken. He quickly set the Sept of Remembrance alight during morning prayers, burning Bracken and his men inside. Ser Emmon Butterwell held the Red Keep, and ordered his men to flee the city, “for any leal servant of the Seven must act with wisdom.” While many Warrior’s Sons and Poor Fellows disobeyed and stayed to fight Maegor, they got burned for their defiance. Others hid in the city, and Maegor, unwilling to burn his own capital, sent for the Kingsguard and soldiers from Dragonstone to fight street by street, in a campaign lasting a moon, that ultimately won back control of the city. The Dowager Queen arrived in the capital, accompanied by Alys Harroway and another woman, Tyanna of the Tower, who some said to be Maegor’s concubine.

Sitting the Iron Throne, Maegor ordered the Faith Militant to give up arms and present themselves to the king for judgement, in direct violation of Aegon’s own laws that allowed the Starry Sept to try their members in ecclesiastical courts without royal interference. The High Septon grew even more incensed and called for the faithful to end Maegor. For his part, Maegor had already anticipated this outcome- he had sent ravens to Winterfell, Pyke and Raventree Hall, calling for their armies to put an end to the Faith Militant, playing on their fears of a holy war without the Targaryens keeping the Faith in check. At the same time, he called upon the still loyal lords to assemble their armies. Ser Endrew Baratheon, eager to avenge his brothers, answered the call, alongside Lord Lucifer Massey of Stonedance, Bernarr Brune and his clawmen, and others. Battle was first joined at Stonebridge, where Dickon Flowers, the Bastard of Gardener, had formed an army. Dickon was the bastard son of Prince Edmund Gardener by a Caswell noblewoman, and had never forgiven the Targaryens for the destruction of his family. He rallied men to march on Highgarden and depose the untested Lord Bertrand Tyrell, who had succeeded his father, the ailing Lord Theo. Maegor caught the army as they tried to cross the Mander, and Dickon was cut to pieces as the army collapsed in the face of a charge and dragonfire. So grievous was the slaughter that the river ran red, and from then on the town was known as Bitterbridge. However, Maegor’s senior command- Endrew Baratheon, Lucifer Massey and Bernarr Brune- were all slain in the fighting, and his surviving men were left leaderless as Horys Hill, Bastard of Castamere, formed a massive host during his march on King’s Landing. With Horys rode many Poor Fellows and multiple Warrior’s Sons, among them Jon Lynchester, Rupert Falwell, Lyonel Lorch, Alyn Terrick, and many others. However, Horys’s choice to wait until his army gathered proved fortunate for Maegor, as it gave his own allies time to gather- to the north, the dual assault by Lord Artos Blackwood and Lord Goren Greyjoy upon Seagard sent the Faith Militant fleeing, only to be picked off by the forces of Roderick Stark, Lord of Winterfell. It was this host, known as the Great Heathen Army, that descended upon Horys Hill’s host at the Blackwater Rush and saw them slaughtered.

Triumphant, Maegor returned to King’s Landing, rewarding his supporters with positions in his Small Council. Lord Roderick was named Master of Laws, while Daemon Velaryon, grandson of the original Daemon, was named Master of Ships, replacing Edwell Celtigar. Lord Goren Greyjoy declined a position, preferring Pyke, and his brother Gorold was named Master of Coin in his stead. Gorold had a keen eye for finance, and under his guidance Lords Vickon and Goren had enriched the Iron Islands. Ironborn raids targeted lands as far as Yi Ti, and Gorold sponsored trade caravans sailing to Asshai and Ibben. Lucas Harroway was named Hand of the King. Maegor also appointed his Kingsguard- Lord Commander Robin “Darkrobin” Darklyn, Olyvar Blackwood, Helman Botley, Trenton Manderly, Rogar “The Red” Bolton, Raymund Mallery and Quellon Harlaw. Later, Queen Ceryse sourly termed it “the Kingsguard without knights.” Queen Alyssa would deem it “the cockless kingsguard, for there are no true knights, just heretics and turncloaks.”

43 AC saw ravens flying warning of the coming of winter. The High Septon declared that if Maegor wished for a winter peace, he would come to the Starry Sept and beg forgiveness before the eyes of gods and men. While rejecting the High Septon’s offer, Lord Harroway counseled Maegor to call for a winter ceasefire, to allow for the last harvests to be reaped. Maegor refused, seeking to crush the rebels before winter. While Maegor remained in the capital overseeing the construction of the Red Keep, the Dowager Queen Visenya set the Riverlands and Westerlands aflame, burning the Faith’s castles and those of defiant lords. Ser Joffrey Doggett ordered an end to the siege of the Rock and his army dispersed into the hills. Lord Artos Blackwood marched upon Stone Hedge, seizing the castle after it was lit aflame. The Blackwood-Bracken rivalry is as old as time, with the last serious conflict in 8BC being crushed by the annoyed Harren Hoare, who slew the lords involved and seized their lands- this led to the families uniting against him when Aegon came. Under Rhaenys, the warring families engaged in a double marriage, with the heir Edmure Blackwood marrying Shiera Bracken, and his sister Lysa Blackwood marrying Lord Benedict Bracken. Artos had opposed his sibling’s marriages, and it was whispered that not only had he killed Edmure, he had poisoned Shiera with moon tea and was responsible for her mysterious disappearance. In contrast, Benedict and Lysa had a fruitful marriage, only for them and their children to die at the burning of Stone Hedge, earning Artos the name “Kinslayer.” The last member of House Bracken was Benedict’s niece Kenna- her father Lyle had joined the Warrior’s Sons and annulled his marriage, and her mother Lady Roslin Paege had remarried to Lord Darnold Darry. Lord Darry swiftly gave up his ward to avoid dragonfire, whereupon Artos took Kenna as a mistress, and Maegor attainted the Brackens and granted their lands to House Blackwood. Gyles Morrigen marched on Storm’s End, but Maegor burned him and his army alive in the Red Mountains. Soon enough both Balerion and Vhagar turned upon Oldtown.

The citizens of Oldtown panicked, and the city descended into chaos as it seemed certain the city would burn. Even the city watch deserted their posts, with the Citadel locking their gates and storing as many books as they could in their subterranean vaults. Lord Manfred Hightower died, some say of fright, and his son Martyn called for his niece Alysanne, in the hopes that the presence of the princess would save the city from Maegor. Maegor and Visenya flew to the city, calling for the High Septon to greet them, only to learn he had been murdered the previous night. The killer was never found, and Visenya didn’t waste any time, appointing a new pliable High Septon by name of Pate, who swiftly crowned Maegor in the Starry Sept. Pate also ordered the disbanding of the Faith Militant and its members in Oldtown were convicted of treason and executed, with only Ser Morgan Hightower, Ceryse and Martyn’s brother, being pardoned. The Citadel selected Desmond as the new Grand Maester. At the urging of Visenya, Maegor made a public reconciliation with Ceryse, renewing their vows in the Starry Sept, and naming Alysanne his heir( under the influence of Visenya, who sought to secure her beloved granddaughter’s place). While Visenya flew back to King’s Landing, Maegor held court at Oldtown for half the year, making judgment from the Lord Hightower’s chair. Seeking to win the Faith over with theological arguments, Maegor issued the Doctrine of Exceptionalism, declaring that because the Targaryens were higher than normal men, they had the right to marry brother to sister. To support his argument, he gave a long sermon in the Starry Sept citing passages from the Seven Pointed Star. Needless to say, many didn’t accept his argument, though after his death, some Faith scholars admitted it had validity.

While Maegor held court from Oldtown, another challenge would emerge. Aegon and Rhaena remained at Casterly Rock, where Rhaena would give birth to their twin daughters Aerea and Rhaella in 42 AC. Their host, Lord Lyman, was a cautious man- he had become Lord of the Rock after his elder brother Tywin, a notable whoremonger, had died of the pox, and had married his brother’s betrothed as well. While Lord Lyman refused to turn them over to Maegor, he also refused to support Aegon’s claim to the throne. Rhaena urged Aegon to cede the throne to Maegor and enter self exile, where they could raise their children in peace, but Aegon refused. With Maegor away from the capital, the two snuck onto Dragonstone, with Rhaena claiming Dreamfyre and Aegon claiming his father’s dragon Quicksilver. On Claw Isle, Queen Alyssa sent out ravens calling for the lords of the realm to rise up against Maegor by supporting Aegon. Of his Kingsguard, only a few remained- Ser Raymont had been slain, and Robin Darklyn and Raymund Mallery had gone over to Maegor. Ser Robin Darklyn had slain his brothers in white, the Goode brothers, in his treason, earning him the nickname Darkrobin. Only Lord Commander Addison Hill and his cousin Ser Aemon Celtigar remained true to him.

Aegon gathered his supporters at Pinkmaiden, where Lord Jon Piper had openly declared for him(though it was widely believed that this was due to the influence of his sister Melony Piper, Rhaena’s current favorite). The lords, few in number as they were, were largely westermen and rivermen- the lords Alyn Tarbeck, Jonothor Roote, Lewys Vance, Dagon Charlton, Alester Frey, Edwell Paege, Gerold Parren, Clement Farman and Gormon Westerling. Lord Lyman sent a host of men commanded by his bastard nephew Tyler Hill, keeping his own hands clean of the matter. Lord Hubert Arryn’s sons Corwyn and Morton rallied to Aegon alongside Lord Erich Connington of Griffin’s Roost. Queen Alyssa had done much for Aegon’s cause, communicating with lords great and small from Claw Isle. According to Tyanna, Maegor’s Mistress of Whisperers, Aegon planned to march on King’s Landing- he needed a victory if the great lords were to rally to him.

Maegor marched his troops to Harrenhal, intercepting Aegon’s march. Aegon commanded his troops on Quicksilver- but a small dragon like Quicksilver was no match for Balerion. Once Aegon fell, the rebels broke and fled. Among the dead were Tyler Hill, Melony Piper and three of her brothers, Addison Hill, Aemon Celtigar, and Corwyn and Morton Arryn. The only major loyalist casualty was Helman Botley of the Kingsguard, who’s spot was quickly filled by Ser Morgan Hightower as a favor to the queen. The rebellious lords faced executions and seizing of hostages. Upon hearing of his sons’ deaths, Lord Hubert Arryn jumped out the moon door, and Lord Darnold was forced to give up his younger brothers as hostages. The Velaryon fleet stormed Claw Isle- Lord Edwell was beheaded, his daughters Prudence and Prunella were sent to the Silent Sisters, and his son Rhaekar was made a ward of the crown. In this, he was joined by Prince Viserys, kept as a hostage to guarantee the good behavior of his mother and brother, kept under Visenya’s watch at Dragonstone. The one notable absence was Princess Rhaena- she had remained behind at Pinkmaiden. Whether willingly or not is not known, but what is known is upon hearing of the defeat at the God’s Eye, Lady Rhaena took her daughters and fled to Fair Isle to Lord Marq Farman(whose father and brother had been slain). Lord Farman promised her protection, and for a year the smallfolk watched the skies in fear of Balerion- but Maegor never came.

Winter arrived in the opening days of 44 AC. It seemed the stress of winter had convinced the Faith to lay down arms, if only until spring, and peace had seemingly fallen over the realm. Maegor could now turn his attention to conceiving a son, a task that seemed increasingly difficult despite laying with his queens every night. None of his three queens were particularly enthused to share the bed with each other, hating the others with varying levels of passion. Both Ceryse and Alys considered themselves Maegor’s one true wife, while Tyanna sought to prevent the others from influencing Maegor. Ceryse played politics, establishing a rapport with the Small Council despite their differing faiths, helped along by Alysanne, who all agreed was quite charming and would make a fine queen should Maegor not have sons. Alysanne had taken to spending her time flying Silverwing, as she had been denied such by the Hightowers while at Oldtown, for fear that the smallfolk would remember they had a Targaryen in their midst and kill her. Ceryse was also known to be kind and generous, treating the hostages kindly and taking the hostage women into her service. Alys was not happy with Ceryse’s rising popularity, especially with Maegor who realized Ceryse was the only queen who had given him a child. Maegor had even turned his attention to his rather neglected daughter- later on, Alysanne would write that “it was the only time she felt like she had a father.” However, Alys’s fortunes when she announced her pregnancy. Maegor was ecstatic, and as her belly grew Desmond confined her to the bed.

However, in the third moon of her confinement, Alys quickly lost the child, giving birth to a stillborn monstrosity with twisted limbs and no eyes. Maegor refused to believe the babe was his child, immediately executing Desmond and the septas who had attended to Alys’s care. Tyanna further declared that Maegor had been deceived- Lucas Harroway had never approved of Maegor’s polygamy, believing his daughter was the sole queen, and had her lay with different men each night to conceive an heir to secure her position against Ceryse. While Lord Lucas’s thoughts on polygamy are well known, the rest is almost certainly a fabrication. Maegor seized the twenty men who Tyanna had named, and all under torture confessed. Lord Lucas was thrown from the Tower of the Hand, all the Harroways in the capital were executed, and Alys herself was given over to Tyanna’s tender mercies. Maegor then marched on Harrenhal and Lord Harroway’s Town, where he executed any Harroways still surviving. Maegor proceeded to hold a large melee, the survivor of which would get Harrenhal. The melee was won by Ser Walton Towers… who died of his wounds the next fortnight, and his son Jordan inherited Harrenhal. Maegor returned to King’s Landing triumphant, only to learn his mother had died on Dragonstone. Moreover, in the chaos that had followed Visenya’s death, Alyssa and Jaehaerys had escaped, even stealing Dark Sister as they fled. After the funeral, Maegor had Viserys beheaded. The prince was only fifteen years old.

45 AC saw new problems emerge for Maegor. The winter was harsh and unrelenting, and the war left too few men to harvest their crops. Famine spread through the Riverlands, Westerlands and Stormlands. The smallfolk, facing a slow death from starvation, blamed Maegor. The Faith Militant reemerged, bolstered by smallfolk who sought to die in battle rather than being a burden on their families. Maegor, who previously was willing to try to win the Faith over with theological arguments, decided they could only respond to fire and blood- such was his thirst for violence and paranoia, increased after Alys Harroway’s betrayal and his mother’s death. In the Stormlands, Poxy Jeyne Pore emerged in the Kingswood. Lord Rogar Baratheon, faced with a potentially devastating famine and mass uprising, ordered the distribution of food to starving smallfolk, personally emptying Storm’s End’s granaries, and ordering his vassals to do the same for their castles. Won over with the offer of food, Jeyne’s followers turned her over to Rogar, who delivered her head to Maegor. To compound this victory, the year also saw the completion of the Red Keep and Maegor’s Holdfast- upon which Maegor massacred the builders. Maegor then started on the Dragonpit, which was to replace the Sept of Remembrance. Furthermore, the Faith Militant began losing support- the harsh winter caused them to raid the same smallfolk they claimed to protect, and the smallfolk quickly formed roving warrior bands, slaying Faith Militant and king’s men alike. Many attacked the Blackwood Vale, burning the local weirwoods. Artos Blackwood hunted these raiders with great prejudice, having them crushed to death with statues of the Seven. Artos Blackwood's bloodthirstiness was well known, as was his ambition- he even requested Maegor to name him Lord Paramount of the Riverlands and to burn down the septs and replace them with godswoods, something that Maegor wisely refused.

The coming of the new year still saw Maegor without a son, a fact that he blamed his wife's Andal blood for. He needed a wife of Valyrian blood, of which the only acceptable match was Rhaena. Unwilling to let Fair Isle drown in flame, Rhaena flew to the capital for her wedding. However, any dreams of defiance were ended when Tyanna brought in her daughters. Rhaella was sent to the Faith, while Aerea was kept as a hostage. As it was, it seemed Maegor’s hopes rang true- half a year later, Rhaena’s belly swelled with child, and she delivered a healthy son, Maekar, at the turn of the year. Maegor was ecstatic, officially disinheriting his rogue nephew Jaehaerys and declared Maekar as his heir… until the squalling and healthy babe passed away after only three moons. It was whispered the gods had cursed Maegor for his crimes. Others claimed that it was the work of Ceryse, who sought to secure her daughter’s place as heir, while some even whispered it was the fault of Princess Rhaena, who wished to deny Maegor his greatest desire. What is undeniable is that the babe was murdered, and that both women ordered their men to cut out the tongues of anyone who whispered such. Maegor had a different explanation, sending men to seize Tyanna and deliver her to the dungeons. Under heavy torture, Tyanna confessed to killing Maekar to spite her rival queens, and even killed Alys’s Harroway’s child in the womb, then framing her to get her out of the way. It would be the same with Princess Alysanne, she promised. It is said the king slew her himself. From there, the king turned on Corwyn Velaryon, heir to Driftmark. The man had been named as Princess Rhaena’s sworn shield, in reality meant to prevent her from escaping. Ser Corwyn was charming, and he and the princess had formed a friendship. Maegor decided that Corwyn had aided Tyanna in killing Maekar, in jealousy of Maegor. Maegor commanded his Master of Ships, Lord Daemon Velaryon, to arrest his son to prove his loyalty… and when Lord Daemon helped his son escape with Princess Rhaena and Princess Aerea, Maegor had him executed, and the Velaryon fleet abandoned him.

More and more rebellions had emerged by this time- Dennis the Lame, the newly appointed Commander of the Vale Chapter, marched on Raventree Hall with Ragged Silas of the Riverlands Chapter, declaring they would crush the infidels and bring the light of the Faith to the Blackwood Vale. A revolt erupted in White Harbor protesting the Stark alliance with Maegor, only put down when Lord Locke marched into the city. When Maegor sent a messenger to Oldtown commanding for Princess Rhaella to be executed, Lord Hightower sent back the messenger’s head. Spring abated in 48 AC, and the rebellions erupted into war. Lord Prentys Tully allied with the Faith Militant and marched on Stone Hedge. The Kinslayer was murdered by Kenna in their bed, and the Blackwood men at arms were slaughtered when Kenna opened the gates. Lady Kenna declared whoever could burn Raventree Hall’s weirwood would win her hand in marriage- while the tree didn’t burn, young Robb Tully cut off a branch when he stormed the castle, and Lady Kenna married him in Riverrun’s sept. Septon Moon gathered an army of followers and marched on Oldtown to remove Pate, backed by Lords Tommard Oakheart and Rycherd Rowan. The Lannister and Redwyne fleets sailed towards the Iron Islands, and Darnold Arryn ordered his ships into the Bite. The worst blow came from Storm’s End, where Lord Rogar proclaimed Jaehaerys the rightful King of the Andals, Rhoynar and First Men and Protector of the Realm, cheered on by the Stormlords. This last declaration had Maegor shut himself in the Throne Room, sending everybody out. Hours later, as dawn was breaking, Queen Ceryse and Ser Morgan Hightower entered the Throne Room, sending Olyvar Blackwood and Rogar Bolton away. They entered to find Maegor still upon the Iron Throne, impaled upon its spikes. Ceryse called the Small Council, declaring Alysanne as Queen and Jaehaerys as King, having Grand Maester Benifer send out ravens commanding for the lords and knights to come to King’s Landing and bend the knee.

To this day, many believe it was the throne that killed Maegor. No one else entered the throne room before the Queen and her brother. Among the more educated, it is widely believed that Queen Ceryse ordered her brother to push Maegor onto the spikes, paving the way for her daughter’s ascension. As it is, we will never get a clear answer, for all we know is that Maegor, a true warrior king for good or ill, fittingly died to a dagger in the back.

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So this is definitely not the news anyone wanted.

When I first published this, it was without any clear plan and wanting to simply publish a fic on AO3. Furthermore, I put myself under the stress of having to write chapters weekly, causing me to prioritize quantity over quality. The content of my current chapters are not at the level I want them to be, especially the first chapter on the Conquest, which was shoddily done. Furthermore, I found myself having to continuously go back and edit published chapters because of some crucial information I forgot to include, and in my rush to publish there isn't enough time spent on character interactions and fleshing out all these interesting dynamics. Furthermore, I'm going to be starting a one year masters program next week, which promises to be very intensive, and as a result there is no way I can keep up with a weekly posting, especially as dissatisfied as I am with my current work.

As a result, I have decided to embark on a massive rewrite. I plan to have the first chapter published in two weeks. After that, I cannot promise a specific update schedule- while there will be a schedule, as I have every intention of finishing this work, it won't be weekly. When the first chapter's up, I will post the link here on a new chapter. Hopefully by then, I'll have an idea of my college workload and thus can set up an update schedule.

Thanks to all those who have followed this work, and I hope to see you follow the rewrite. See you in two weeks!

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The rewrite, Chronicles of Dragons, is now up: https://archiveofourown.to/works/67224418/chapters/173625535

Hope everyone enjoys!