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duxbelisarius · 2 years ago

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The Dance of the Dragons: A Military Analysis (Pt. 8)

The first battle of the war for the Westerlands was the Battle at the Red Fork; although it was a victory for the Lannister forces, it required four separate attacks for the numerically superior Westermen to carry the crossings, while Jason Lannister was killed. The only reason given for these difficulties is that the Riverlanders, consisting of forces of House Piper and House Vance, ‘knew the ground.’ Not only does George contradict his own writing from ASOIAF in this assessment, I maintain that even without this it still makes no sense that the Lannisters would have encountered the difficulties that they did.

Accepting the premise that knowledge of the Red Fork leveled the playing field for the Riverlords vis-à-vis the Lannister forces, requires us to make some untenable assumptions: That no attempt was made to analyze accounts of the numerous conflicts fought between the Lannister Kings and the River Kings in the almost year-long period between Viserys’ death and the Battle at the Red Fork; that no information on the Red Fork was sought out from merchants who traded in the Riverlands or lords and knights that had traversed the area for tourneys and other such pursuits; and that no effort was made to reconnoiter the Red Fork after the Lannister host began it’s advance. This premise also fails to acknowledge that the Red Fork begins in the western hills inside the Westerlands’ borders, and that House Brax of Hornvale over looks the headwaters from their own seat.

We also have to assume that Pinkmaiden was the only choice of crossing, even though crossings also exist at Sherrer and Riverrun, and the forces of Tywin Lannister attempt crossings at a dozen different fords during the Battle of the Fords in ACOK. Crossing at Riverrun would allow the Lannister forces to utilize the River Road, and would bring them close to Stone Hedge and possibly Atranta, presenting the opportunity to raise more troops from Aegon’s allies there. It also would give Jason Lannister the chance to treat with Grover Tully, a known supporter of Aegon, and convince Elmo Tully to declare for the king; contact could also be made with Aemond and Cole, so that Vhagar could be employed to influence the Tullys decision.

Finally, we have to assume that Jason Lannister was completely ignorant of the location of the western hills, between the headwaters of the Red Fork and Blackwater Rush. It’s doubtful he could have sent all 8000 of his men through this area to by-pass the Red Fork, but a smaller force could likely have done so, especially if they were familiar with the terrain. House Brax as well as House Lydden of Deep Den would have been the obvious choices to provide such a force, since their lands are within the hills near the Riverlands/Reach border. We know from ACOK that Robb was able to use a goat path in the western hills to bypass the Lannister forces at the Golden Tooth, prior to the Battle of the Oxcross. Daeron I made use of similar paths to secure the Boneway during his invasion of Dorne, according to TWOIAF; we should expect similar tracks to exist in the western hills astride the Gold Road, which is near to Deep Den and Horn Vale. Sending a raiding force through the western hills in this fashion would allow the Lannister forces to threaten the crossings of the Red Fork from both banks, and could divert Riverlord forces away from the main Lannister crossings by threatening their rear areas.

The previous section demonstrates that knowledge of the terrain should not have given the Riverlords such an advantage against the Lannisters, but we can prove this even without the aforementioned analysis by simply looking at the main books. Doing so reveals that George forgot his own description of the Red Fork from ACOK, one that would have made lords Piper and Vance think twice about defending it given their ‘knowledge of the ground.’ In Catelyn VI of ACOK, Riverrun’s master-at-arms, Ser Desmond Grell, states that the western bank of the Red Fork is higher than the east and is heavily wooded. Edmure Tully uses this to his advantage during the Battle of the Fords, using archers and scorpions behind cover to inflict heavy losses of Tywin Lannister’s men, preventing them from crossing back into the Westerlands. It’s clear from this description of the terrain that Lords Piper and Vance were the ones who did not know the ground, as the high, heavily wooded western bank would protect Jason Lannister’s troops as they assembled for the attack and prepared their river craft. Archers on the western bank and any artillery the Lannisters brought with them would also be able to shower the defenders on the eastern bank with fire, to cover the progress of their own troops. Had the Riverlords actually known the ground (or had George remembered his own books), they would have left only a token force to observe and harass the crossing and withdrawn to their castles, conducting scorched earth measures to deny forage and shelter to the Lannister host as it marched towards Harrenhal.

The Battle at the Red Fork cost the life of Jason Lannister and untold numbers of Westermen, who fell during the three failed and successful fourth attempts. Tristan Vance, Lord of Wayfarer’s Rest, fell during the fourth attempt, after Ser Adrian Tarbeck led a picked force of 100 unarmoured knights on a swim up river, crossing the Red Fork and attacking the Vances from the rear. Under Tarbeck’s leadership, the Westerlands army marched on Acorn Hall, the seat of House Smallwood, and defeated the Riverlords twice in four days. Ser Adrian Tarbeck and Petyr Piper, Lord of Pinkmaiden, are killed in these battles alongside the hedge knight Ser Harry Penny, who led the Riverlords forces during the second battle.

George’s writing becomes extremely suspect after this point, if it was not so already; having been commanded by a landed knight since the Red Fork, the Westerlands army comes under the command of Lord Humfrey Lefford, described as an aged man who was forced to command from a litter due to his wounds from battle. As discussed in Part 7, a swift advance by both hosts would be crucial to prevent Daemon and the Riverlords from concentrating against either force in isolation, so the choice of Lord Lefford as commander makes no sense on this basis alone. We’re later told that Lords Swyft and Reyne were notables among the Westerlands army, as were Ser Clarent Crakehall and Ser Emory Hill, the Bastard of Lannisport, so clearly there were better candidates within the Lannister host. Crakehall and Emory Hill are especially significant, as there was clearly no issue in following the command of a landed knight when Adrian Tarbeck was in charge; virtually every description or depiction of House Crakehall we have in the books portrays them as proud warriors, while Ser Emory is likely to have been a bastard of the Lannisport Lannisters, a status that would surely have supported his case for command.

The Humfrey Lefford situation becomes even more bizarre in the lead up to the Battle of the Lakeshore; despite Aemond and Cole being delayed in their march to Harrenhal by rain and mud, Lefford’s ‘age and infirmity’ is blamed for slowing down the Lannister host, begging the question again of why he was given command to begin with? The location of the Battle of the Lakeshore is also unclear, as we are only told that the Westermen encountered the Freys and the Winterwolves after ‘nearing’ the western shore of the God’s Eye. When Criston Cole’s forces set out from Harrenhal to march south towards Ormund Hightower’s army, they encounter the remains of dead Westermen after a 4-day march along the western shore, and still more at a town called Crossed Elms, after which the proceeded south from the lake towards the Blackwater. Somewhere around the location of Crossed Elms as given on this map is likely where the battle took place, meaning that Lefford’s host marched eastward directly towards the God’s Eye, even though a northeastward march would have brought him to Harrenhal without having to make an about face at the lakeshore to march north.

The impression one gets is that George concocted Lord Lefford as a means of defeating the Lannister forces, and this becomes more likely when the circumstances of the battle are considered. Even assuming that the Westerlands army lost 1000 men up until this point, Lefford would still have 7000 men under his command, from an original force of 1000 Knights and 7000 men-at-arms and archers. Archers appears to be a catch-all term for George to denote longbowmen and crossbowmen, as we’re told at Rook’s Rest that, “drums beat out a command, and archers rushed forward, longbowmen and crossbowmen both....” Against this force, the Winter Wolves under Roderick Dustin consisted of 2000 men who seem to have fought on foot despite arriving at the Twins mounted; Forrest Frey, Lord of the Crossing, brought 200 knights and 600 foot soldiers, while ‘Red Robb’ Rivers brought 300 longbowmen on behalf of House Blackwood. Normally c.7000 versus 3100 would be favourable odds for Lefford, but we’re told that Pate of Longleaf (the ‘Lionslayer’ who killed Jason Lannister at the Red Fork) brought with him survivors from earlier battles alongside Lords Bigglestone, Chambers and Perryn. More troops arrived the following day under Ser Garibald Grey, Lord Jon Charlton, and Benjicot Blackwood, the 11-year old Lord of Raventree; based on the estimates discussed in Part 4, the combined host of the Riverlords and Winterwolves would have been just over 9000 men.

Despite having numerical superiority initially, the battle fought on the third day at the Lakeshore saw the Westermen outnumbered and pushed back into the lake, the entire 8000 man host having been destroyed within a matter of weeks. Lefford’s actions before the battle were clearly intended by George to place the Westermen in an unwinnable position, and his decisions during the battle bear this out. We’re told that on encountering the hosts of Pate and Lord Frey, Lefford put his back to the Lake and tried to contact Harrenhal for aid; this latter fact is remarkable, as we’re never told prior to this that Aemond and Cole had been in contact with the Lannister forces. The knowledge that Daemon was gone and the Riverlord host was at large should have influenced the pace of the Westermen’s march and their scouting efforts, but we have no indication that this was the case, and the information is once again dropped into our laps without any set-up. Given the fury with which Aemond greets the news of the ‘Fish Feed,’ it also makes no sense why he never sought to make contact with the Westermen using Vhagar; had he done so, the Riverlords forces could have been easily destroyed, and that seems to be the answer. George’s narrative has a set end point and a set means of getting there, and anything which would get in the way of that is simply ignored.

The role of the Winterwolves in the Lakeshore battle presents even more problems for the narrative; we’re told that Roderick Dustin arrived at the twins shortly after the Battle at the Red Fork with 2000 ‘experienced warriors,’ all of whom were mounted. Even if we assume the North has experience from constant warfare with the Wildlings (and that presents a problem all it’s own), low-intensity warfare of this kind against opponents mostly using bronze weaponry would not qualify as adequate preparation for combat against regular, Westerosi forces. To make matters worse, the tactics of the Winterwolves appear to be little more than launching wild charges against the enemy and hoping for the best, as we’re told that five such charges were made against the Lannister spears. We do know that almost half of the Riverlord army consisted of archers, so it’s likely that these helped to break-up the Westermen’s formation; but such a state of affairs would be ideal circumstances for a cavalry charge, so the fact that the Winterwolves lose over two-thirds of their force in this single battle is bizarre. This is compounded by the fact that the Riverlords losses are listed as 2000 dead; assuming that the Winterwolves accounted for c.1400 of those losses, this would mean that the Riverlords themselves only lost c.600 men, implying that five charges by the Winterwolves was all it took to defeat c.7000 Westermen. Most of the losses suffered by the Lannisters are attributed to the melee itself or to drowning within the God’s Eye, which suggests that George’s later assigning of 3300 archers to the Riverlord host at the ‘Butcher’s Ball’ was almost an afterthought.

This concludes my discussion of Aemond’s campaign in the Riverlands; the writing is contrived and outright nonsensical, but this should come as no surprise to those of you that have been following these analyses. Unfortunately there’s no letting up in that regard, as the next parts of my analysis will cover the culminating point of George’s shoddy writing: Tumbleton.

ADDENDUM

I apologize for having taken some months to work up the motivation to finish part 12 and the conclusion of my analysis. In the mean time, I thought I’d add to my analysis of the Lannister campaign in the Riverlands, to further underline how poorly conceived and written this plot is. The circumstances of the Battle of the Lakeshore make no sense, starting with how the Black and Green armies find themselves on the western shore of the God’s Eye. Since Aemond receives word of the disaster at the Lakeshore at Harrenhal, and Lord Lefford sends ravens to Harrenhal requesting support when he is encircled, this begs the question of how the Winterwolves and the Riverlords were able to assemble a force only a few days march from Harrenhal, without being discovered. Even without Vhagar patrolling the skies, we would surely expect that small folk living by the Lake or plying it’s waters would have spotted the Black army, esp. one with so many horses to feed and shelter given that the Winterwolves were all mounted.

Then we have the issue of why the armies encountered each other where they did, and why Lord Lefford allowed himself to be hemmed in against the lakeshore. According to F&B, the Westerlands host “found a huge new army athwart their path,” as they neared the western shore of the lake, which begs two questions. Firstly, based on the maps we have previously used, this would suggest that there is no route from Pinkmaiden to Harrenhal that does not require one to go out of your way to the south and march northward along the western shore. There is no good explanation why the local roads of the Riverlands are this way (we have no map of Westeros’ local roads, only the Royal ones), esp. when the roads would be crucial to House Hoare’s control of the region from Harrenhal, which is not connected to any of the major river. This leads to the second question: how could the Westerlands host stumble upon the Blacks in this way? If they were on the only expedient route to Harrenhal, then why was there no vanguard to inform Lefford of such potential threats in his path, allowing him to prepare for combat more quickly or to try and re-route his march? We might assume that the Blacks were harassing the march of the Lannisters, but Lefford’s age and infirmity is the only explanation given for their slow pace. If the Winterwolves and the Riverlords were athwart their path, a vanguard of sufficient strength could have engaged them immediately, to prevent them from interfering with a march away from the area, or to allow Lefford to deal with Pate of Longleaf’s forces when these appeared. Forrest Frey and the Winterwolves had only 3100 men, and while the size of Pate’s force is not given, these hosts combined could not have been more than just over half the size of Lefford’s army. Unlike his foes, Lefford’s forces were undivided and could have sought to defeat the Blacks in detail, engaging one army while delegating forces from his own vanguard to delay the others. Instead, there seems to have been no vanguard at all let alone reconnaissance or scouting, and Lefford’s handling of the situation is so disastrous, it begs the question as to why he was placed in charge to begin with.

#house of the dragon #hotd #team green #team black #grrm critical #fire and blood critical #asoiaf critical #asoiaf

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hollowwhisperings · 1 year ago

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Frey Civil War: The Many Walders & Waldas Frey

1. Lord Walder Frey of The Crossing (92 y/o), Patriarch of House Frey. Has outlived 7 wives & married an 8th. Hosted the Red Wedding.

2. Walda Frey (9 y/o), daughter of Janyce Hunter. 2nd in the Frey line of inheritance, as the assumed heir of Edwyn Frey (eldest son of Ryman, the eldest son of Ser Stevron by his 1st wife, Corenna Swann: Ser Stevron was Lord Frey's eldest son, by his 1st wife Perra Royce, & was found dead in his tent after the Battle of Oxcross).

3. "Black" Walder Frey (20~42 y/o), 2nd son of an unnamed spouse & the late Ryman Frey (a key conspirator of the RW, later found hanged by outlaws near Fairmarket). He is the younger brother of Edwyn & the elder half-brother of Walton. Black Walder was a key conspirator in the Red Wedding & the killer of a Vance.

4. Walder Vance (9~29 y/o), eldest son of Ser Dafyn Vance & the late Maegelle Frey (only daughter of Ser Stevron, born of his 2nd marriage with Jeyne Lydden). His exact relation to Houses Vance of Atranta & Wayfarer's Rest is uncertain, as is his relation to the Vance slain by Black Walder at the RW.

5. Walton Frey (32~52 y/o), 3rd son of Ser Stevron & his only child by his 3rd wife (Marsella Waynwood, died in childbirth). He has only appeared in appendices, thus far.

6. "Fair" Walda Frey (18 y/o), only daughter of Deana Hardyng & Walton Frey. She was one of many Frey women who danced with King Robb Stark at the Red Wedding.

7. "Red" Walder Frey (15 y/o), 4th & youngest son of Genna Lannister & Emmon Frey (2nd son of Lord Frey by his 1st wife, Perra Royce). He is a squire at Casterly Rock.

8. "White" Walda Frey (11 y/o), only daughter of Jeyne Beesbury & Rhaegar Frey (2nd son of Ser Aenys, Lord Frey's 3rd son by his 1st wife). Her father is currently MIA.

9. Walder Haigh (5 y/o), eldest son of Ser Harys Haigh (eldest son of Perriane, Lord Frey's eldest daughter & his last child with Perra Royce). Knights of House Haigh participated in the RW massacre.

10. Walder Goodbrook (10 y/o), eldest son of Ser Garse Goodbrook & Kyra Frey (daughter of Ser Jared, 4th son of Lord Frey & 1st by his 2nd wife, Cerenna Swann). Knights of House Goodbrook participated in the RW massacre.

11. "Fat" Walda Frey (16 y/o), daughter of Mariya Darry & the late Merrett Frey (9th son of Lord Frey & the 4th by his 3rd wife, Amarei Crakehall). She was one of the many Frey women to dance with King Robb at the RW & was then wed to Lord Roose Bolton.

12. "Little" Walder Frey (9 y/o), only son of Mariya Darry & Merrett Frey. Found dead at Winterfell.

13. Walda Frey (5 y/o), 2nd daughter of Leonella Lefford & "Lame" Lothar Frey (12th son of Lord Frey & 1st by his 4th wife, Alyssa Blackwood). Her father, alongside Lord Roose Bolton, was one of the primary engineers of the RW.

14. "Big" Walder Frey (9 y/o), eldest son of Sallei Paege & Ser Jammos Frey (13th son of Lord Frey, 2nd by his 4th wife). He has been a ward at Winterfell for most of the series, alongside his late cousin Little Walder.

15. Walder Brax (6 y/o), 2nd son of Ser Flement Brax & Morya Frey (3rd daughter of Lord Frey, 1st by his 4th wife). Knights of House Brax participated in the RW.

16. Waltyr Frey (10 y/o), 21st son of Lord Frey & 3rd by his 7th wife, Annara Farring. He & the other children of Annara Farring are alleged as being bastards of Black Walder.

17. "Bastard" Walder Rivers, eldest of Lord Frey's bastards. He lead the charge on those camped outside The Twins for the RW.

18. Walda Rivers, daughter of Bastard Walder & a Lady Charlton.

19. Walda Rivers (5 y/o), daughter of Ser Aemon Rivers (son of Bastard Walder) & niece of the other Walda Rivers.

Just For Fun:

the average age of a Walder "Frey" is 19½ years old. this does not take into account Walders whose ages are vague estimates.

with Lord Walder (an outlier who should not have been counted) Excluded, the average Walder is 9 years old.

the average "Walda" is 10/11 years old.

in addition to those named above, ASOIAF has four other "Walders": 2 historic Ser Walders from the reign of Daeron II, of Houses Woodmere & Stackspear; the last known Lord of House Tarbeck, Lord Walderan; and the Objectively Best Walder in the series, Walder of Winterfell (16~ y/o).

#house frey #the many walders frey #valyrianscrolls #there is foreshadowing hiding here somewhere i'm sure of it #lord walder alleges that all these walders & waldas are named to curry his favour #this generally rings true but then you get fair walda & the complete absence of her father walton from any house gossip #which instantly made walton my 2nd favourite frey (to speculate on)#poor walder of winterfell did not deserve his name to be so besmirched by association #the one true walder is not even a frey #red wedding mentions #winterfell murder mysteries mention #just for fun trivia

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alsethwisson · 2 years ago

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Some Tully fanon

Kermit Tully was married to Sola Paege, a sweet blond girl known as “Young Lady Piggy” for her rosey cheeks and general pudgyness. It was a relatively happy marriage, despite lady Sola’s capricious nature and Kermit’s obstinate character. Together they had seven kids, but only three survived into adulthood: their eldest daughter, Yde, and two sons: Edmure and Medgar.

Lady Yde, or Uppity Yde as she was also known, was greatly loved by her father but caused him great trouble. She grew up a wilful, beautiful and smart young woman. It was said she was in love with a young Vance from Atranta who promised her to win a tourney held in her honor. Yde promised her hand to the winner and when a hedge knight named Gerbert the Heron won, she married him that very day. Furious, lord Kermit exiled both from his land, and Yde was forced into the life of a wanderer. But she endured, and when her brother Edmure was lord, he gave Erenford to her and her husband. The coat of arms of the newly established house Erenford depicts a heron with a fish in its beak, and its words are “Of skillful men and proud women”.

Edmure Tully, much unlike his sister or younger brother, was a calm and humble man, quick to laugh or cry. Still, he was a good warrior and a seasoned knight at barely twenty, distinguished at tourneys both in Riverlands and elsewhere. He took Elene Pyper to his wife, saying that redness of head is a treasure worth strengthening. He made himself a name at the Dornish War and became good friends with Rickon Stark, naming his firstborn after him. Being also the king’s good friend, he was slaughtered along with his friends by treacherous Dornishmen,

It is said that if Yde was uppity and prideful, her brother Medgar was thrice as bad. In his youth he dreamt of a white cloak, but lord Kermit made him marry one Ellis Frey, a cunning young woman. It is said she was the one to push him to try usurping his brother’s heir, but Ellis was long dead when Maegor Tully, as he became known, continued his unworthy quest. Medgar demanded young lord Rikon Tully, barely two years old at the time, be deposed and his title given to him, a man grown and a father of three. Most lords were in favor, but his sister Yde who threw her glove in his face and demanded a trial by combat. Her husband was her champion, and Medgar was beaten almost to death. The Blessed King ruled him guilty of petty treason and confiscated his lands for the Crown, while his wife and kids stayed in Riverrun as hostages.

Lord Rikon was raised by his aunt lady Yde, a good friend to his half-Frey cousins and a bright young man. His wife was Lede Lefford from the Gold Tooth, an equally bright and bubbly young woman, known as Lede Brightsmile. Their only child was Peregrin, or Pepe. When young lord Pepe was six, both his parents perished in a hunting accident, and he himself survived only through cunning of lady Yde. For several years they had to seek refuge at Stonehedge, Raventree and even Winterfell, until King’s Justice found lord Medgar and he was send to the Wall. Both Medgar’s sons were killed in a siege, and his daughter took the veil. That was the end of Maegor Tully’s vile deeds.

Lady Yde became a subject of many songs. One is about her witty retort sent to the Unworthy King; another tells a story of a certain Blacktyde Ironborn, who chanced upon the lady and decided to kidnap her. Not only did she survive her captivity, but shamed said Ironborn into swearing fealty to her nephew Rikon. Which may be even true, since one ser Blacktyde was indeed Rikon’s sworn shield....

Lord Peregrin “Pepe” Tully married Catelyn Blackwood, daughter of Quentyn Blackwood and princess Gwenys. “Cat of Many Sorrows” was she called among smallfolk, and indeed her sorrows were many. Born prematurely, a litlle child of poor health, at the day of her father’s death she lost her mother not two years later and was brought up at King Aerys’s court by her mad uncle until Prince Maekar took pity on the three sisters and sent them to the Summerhall to wait on his daughters. It was there she met lord Pepe, a dashing squire of six and ten years, and they fell in love at first sight. Sickly as she was, she barely survived the birth of her firstborn, twins Celwyn and Celia, and had no more children. Still she and her husband enjoyed their marital rights with the help of the herb lore passed on lady Catelyn by her uncle. Those were the happiest seven years of her life, spend with a loving husband and beloved children in the castle she came to call her true home.

Seven years later a new sorrow struck poor lady Catelyn. Her dear husband was dead, claimed by short wasting sickness. But still she endured, her son Celwyn now lord Tully. For his wife she chose Jeyne Bracken, Otho’s grand-daughter, hoping to mend the rift between two great houses. Otho himself came to Riverrun to give away his daughter and to ask lady Catelyn for forgiveness. To further stress the reconciliation, lady Catelyn named her first grand-son Hoster, after Aegor Rivers, and her second was named Brynden.

Lord Celwyn and his wife were pretty close, and if they lacked love his parents had, they certainly were good friends. Lady Jeyne was respected, lord Celwyn was loved, and their children grew up in a peaceful home. But it was lady Celia whose fate doomed that family. Lady Celia was a nice young woman promised to Prince Jaehaerys; but when he went back on his promise, the King stripped him of his titles and elected Maegor the Gentle as his heir. Celia the Silver, as people called her, was Maegor’s beloved wife for ten long years until she finally had her first child. She wanted to give birth in Summerhall, surrounded by the royal family, and perished there with her son and her husband.

Lord Celwyn was broken by the sudden death of his twin, and his mind deserted him. Soon he took his own life. Lady Catelyn still endured, for her family’s sake, but it is told she has never smiled anymore nor has she laughed. She died peacefully in her bed being eighty and three years old.

#asoiaf fanfic #asoiaf fanon #house tully #my own fire&blood

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soyboywenzie · 10 months ago

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you act like the amount of people who supported her overall changed when Helaena died and it didn’t. Fleabottom is not the realm because the realm was…

“When Prince Daemon sent forth his call to arms, they rose up all along the rivers, knights and men-at-arms and humble peasants who yet remembered the Realm's Delight, so beloved of her father, and the way she smiled and charmed them as she made her progress through the riverlands in her youth. Hundreds and then thousands buckled on their swordbelts and donned their mail, or grabbed a pitchfork or a hoe and a crude wooden shield, and began to make their way to Harrenhal to fight for Viserys's little girl.”

“The lords of the Trident, having more to lose, were not so quick to move, but soon enough they too began to throw their lots in with the queen. From the Twins rode Ser Forrest Frey, the very same "Fool Frey" who had once begged for Rhaenyra's hand, now grown into a most puissant knight. Lord Samwell Blackwood, who had once lost a duel for her favor, raised her banners over Raventree. (Ser Amos Bracken, who had won that duel, followed his lord father when House Bracken declared for Aegon.) The Mootons of Maidenpool, the Pipers of Pinkmaiden Castle, the Rootes of Harroway, the Darrys of Darry, the Mallisters of Seagard, and the Vances of Wayfarer's Rest all announced their support for Rhaenyra. (The Vances of Atranta took the other path, and trumpeted their allegiance to the young king.) Petyr Piper, the grizzled Lord of Pinkmaiden, spoke for many when he said, "I swore her my sword. I'm older now, but not so old that I've forgotten the words I said, and it happens I still have the sword."

And yknow also doing so after her death…

“This campaign proved a grave mistake, for it only served to harden the hearts of the late queen’s men against the king. Reports soon reached King’s Landing of warriors gathering in great numbers at Winterfell, Barrowton, and White Harbor. In the riverlands, the aged and bedridden Lord Grover Tully had finally died (of apoplexy from having his house fight against the rightful king at Second Tumbleton, Mushroom says), and his grandson Elmo, now at last the Lord of Riverrun, had called the lords of the Trident to war once more, lest he suffer the same fate as Lords Rosby, Stokeworth, and Darklyn. To him gathered Benjicot Blackwood of Raventree, already a seasoned warrior at three-and-ten; his fierce young aunt, Black Aly, with three hundred bows; Lady Sabitha Frey, the merciless and grasping Lady of the Twins; Lord Hugo Vance of Wayfarer’s Rest; Lord Jorah Mallister of Seagard; Lord Roland Darry of Darry; aye, and even Humfrey Bracken, Lord of Stone Hedge, whose house had hitherto supported King Aegon’s cause.”

sorry to tell you this, but…just because Helaena was liked doesn’t mean Aegon was, especially when her being “liked” only revolved around Kings Landing, and even the people didn’t try to save her from her imprisonment nor other lords who swore oaths to Aegon.

Even more so, considering the people who “loved” her celebrated her husband’s death and the Realm was still fighting for Rhaenyra even after her death. Rhaenyra was way more liked than Helaena overall. The Realm gave no shit about Helaena yet gave all the shits about Rhaenyra and her son.

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myfandomprompts · 2 years ago

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𝐀𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 | 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞 - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏

Warnings: possessive behaviour, talk of violence, angst

Summary: The Red Keep is facing a crisis, the royal family is busy taking care of things while Aemond creates havoc again.

A/N: It has been a little slow lately but I promise the tea is coming. Masterlist (Part 10 - Part 12)

It was bad, you heard. Over the night half of the Green fleet had been sunk by the Blacks on the Black Water Bay. Now the remaining navy was returning to King's Landing and a strategic meeting was to take place this afternoon.

Your father attended while you were tasked to accompany Helaena and the children to the Great Hall where an announcement of the King was to be held afterwards, a gesture meant to reassure the court's minds.

Aegon seemed to have fully recovered from his previous wounds, his speech was brief and firm, speaking of retaliation over the Blacks' attempts at pushing into the Bay. He next resumed ignoring his wife and children as was his habit, asking for a cup to the nearest servant he could find while the other lords spread all over the great hall and the annexe to converse about the recent events.

You managed to make your way across the crowd, following Helaena who was stopping each time a lord showed interest in the new heir, greeting him and his mother with respect, while you held his sister Jaehaera in your arms slightly behind, followed closely by the midwives who were keeping a close eye on the twins.

"You are really good with children."

Addam was smiling at you, looking at the girl who was now playing with your necklace.

"Quite the opposite, this is the twins that are really good with me," you smiled in return, taking Jaehaera's hand to shake it in a tender manner. "They are a delight when they want."

"And the other times?" he asked, playfully.

"The other times apparently occur when I am absent. Maybe there is something to conclude in this as I always find them happy in my presence," you bragged.

You have not seen him since the day before, when he had left you in the gardens after your talk. However, your father had not spoken a word to you of the entire day, therefore you were still in the dark regarding what had been agreed between them. You were about to ask but Jaehaera cooed and drew both your attention back to her, letting the question pending.

"We are to depart soon." Addam stated firmly. "My House was assigned to hold the harbour if Duskendale as long as possible and protect the population there. I am to lead half of my father's forces once we make land."

"Oh I see... Do you know when you will be returning?" you asked, a little disappointed at the news.

Addam sighed knowingly. "Unfortunately, I fear that we might hold our position there for a while. The ships we lost tonight are restraining our movements and it now takes longer to move our troops."

Helaena called your name at that moment, so you were forced to excuse yourself to Addam.

"It is quite alright. In fact, I should go to the aid of my father who is now discussing with yours about the proposal I made him yesterday, after our talk," he smiled, a happy glow in his eyes. "I believe he intends to further convince your father of the fine match you and I would make."

You couldn't help but smile in surprise as you precisely noticed your father standing in a circle with both Denys Vance and little Hugo, the Lord speaking with your father in a passionate manner. You wished you could go to them but your duties to Helaena didn't leave you time to linger as you bowed to Addam in haste and made your way to her, hoping that your father would make the right decision for you.

Over the night you had realised that Addam's proposition would not please your Lord father, considering that House Vance of Atranta was not fighting for the side he secretly supported. However, his desire to avoid drawing attention to him might force him to make drastic choices about your betrothal, even marrying you to a Green. You will see soon enough.

Wine was served to the assembly as ladies and lords were conversing here and there, sometimes about the close victory over the cursed Queen and sometimes of the glory of King Aegon. You and Helaena made your way across the hall, often stopping to greet some ladies you more or less appreciated, and finally heading towards the open courtyard where most of the crowd had spread in order to enjoy the cool air, the twins following close by with the help of the midwives.

As you were taking in the outside atmosphere of the afternoon, you suddenly sensed Helaena stop in her tracks and harden her grip on your intertwined arm, her face becoming anxious. You knew that look, it was the one she harboured when she was... sensing things you couldn't, things nobody around her understood.

She didn't let go as you inquired about her well-being, answering you only with silence, eyes looking straight ahead of her. When you decided to follow her gaze, your heart skipped a beat.

In one corner of the courtyard was standing Addam, back turned toward you as he talked to none other than Aemond. The Prince was standing not far from Otto Hightower, and was visibly more interested in staring daggers at Addam than taking part or even listening to the conversation his grandfather and Denys Vance were holding.

You couldn't hear any words exchanged between them due to your far position, and Helaena's stiff body was preventing you from moving. You heard her whisper something in an agitated manner but you didn't have the chance to ask her to repeat as you couldn't detach your gaze from the two men, definitely feeling uneasy.

Aemond was now harbouring his cruel smile you knew so well, and you feared for the worst. You saw Addam rest his hand anxiously on the hilt of his sword hanging at his belt as Aemond smiled wickedly, obviously enjoying Addam's reaction to words you could not hear. You swallowed as you took a step forward, ignoring your friend's panicked look as you focused and managed to hear Aemond's words from afar.

"... I am only sharing my concern for your well-being my Lord, as you have taken part in only one battle before. It would be unfortunate if you were to fall, many ladies, I'm sure, would be very upset."

Aemond's voice was calm as he watched Addam's anger beginning to surface, unphased by whatever was happening around them.

"It is kind of you my Prince but do not worry, I trust my men and they trust me. What little experience I might have, it will not prevent me from leading our armies to victory, as my father finds me fully capable."

"Oh I do not doubt your father finds you capable of ordering your men to go to their death while you are hidden comfortably behind two rows of archers. It does not require much swordsmanship after all, as I am sure you lack of it."

Addam's ears were becoming alarmingly red, you saw his grip tighten around his sword at the clear insult.

"At least I am with my men, not miles above them, arriving and departing as I please like one would come to a party. Maybe my Prince should sell his armour, as he has so little need of it."

Aemond nostrils flared and his smile disappeared at once, replaced by a dangerous glare in his eye. His hand shot to his dagger to draw it expertly, startling both you and Helaena, apparently the sole witnesses of the scene.

"If my Lord doubts of my courage and ability, I would be glad to demonstrate my skills, right here and now, if you only dared to take on the challenge," he had talked louder, in threatening defiance.

You sensed Helaena pull your sleeve slightly as you took a step closer to them. Addam had straightened and you feared he would take the bait, knowing full well that Aemond did not lie about his ability, and you did not have the slightest idea of how Addam would fare in a one-on-one combat.

"That is enough!" Otto Hightower said as he was finally made aware of the conversation going on between the two young men, half of the eyes of the courtyard were now on them. "I will not have rivalry between allies at times such as this! Stand down, Aemond."

But the Prince continued to stare at Addam while the latter slowly let go of his sword, his own father urging him to calm down.

He finally excused himself to his father and the Hand before turning around and taking his leave, visibly still upset but willing to put distance between Aemond and himself.

He passed near you on his way out, stopped in his steps to promise you to visit before his departure to Duskendale, kissed the back of your hand and left. It was there that Aemond noticed you for the first time, realising that you had witnessed the whole scene and that the boy he just confronted had dared to talk to you, even touch you.

His look became much more murderous than before, now hesitating between chasing Addam and kill him right now or make him beg for mercy in front of everyone, not having a care in the world for the consequences.

However you only served him an indignant look before taking Helaena by the elbow and leading her back inside, wanting to escape the multiple stares the crowd was now giving you.

Shortly after, Helaena has been asked away by Alicent, and so you were left alone, wandering the hall in search of faces you knew. You found your father, who was much more agitated than usual to your taste, and you wondered if it was the coming of the Blacks that made him this tense. You didn't have the chance to ask him anything as he quickly ordered you to attend your afternoon studies in the library, making you leave the great hall. You refused for a while, asking about House Vance's proposal, not wanting to leave until you knew more about the life decision your father was making in your stead.

Not wishing to make a scene, he led you to a quiet corner of the room, and announced you that he had no intention of marrying you to Addam, as he had already made commitments to House Qorgyle, the Scorpions' House remaining the most secure choice of betrothal, and for you.

You weren't able to say anything else as it dawned on you that you might be doomed to suffer the harsh weather of the desert for the rest of your life. At least with Addam, you would've had the chance to stay here, in King's Landing, near your father as long as the war kept on, but your father's desire to put you away from harm was undeniably greater than his own discretion. You could not fight it, not in your current situation.

Your mind was blank as you entered the library to pick a book or two, settling on a table to pretend to study as your breathing was becoming more and more unstable. You were glad no one had chosen to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the library, leaving you alone in your thoughts and distress, the others certainly too busy worrying about the ongoing conflict beyond the castle walls.

You felt stupid, how could you have believed that marrying Addam would be a possibility? Your father was a man of his word, and if he had decided to marry you to House Qorgyle behind your back, it was for a reason. Because you would have refused. The only way you could escape this now would constitute a drastic idea, either running away or to lose your honour in some other manner, both ideas being the last thing you wanted.

But what had happened to you? Barely a month ago, you were a girl who wished to return to her House, to the Westlands, your true home, taking your family with you in order to distance yourself from the war and the inevitable bloodshed. But all you had managed to do was to be brought back by Aemond of all people and put right in the middle of the most wanted place in all of the Seven Kingdoms, the ultimate prize, the Iron Throne.

And now, you didn't want to leave. What changed so much that you desired to stay in that place and wish that your father was not so loyal?

You sighed and took your head in your hands. You knew why and you didn't want to admit it, now that the prospect of staying close to him diminished as more time passed. Aemond was the reason. He was the object of your daily and nightly thoughts, the reason you hated this place and the reason you loved it, he was why you wanted to run away, even if it was to someone you didn't know, and why you wished your father was Green and immoral, like most of the Lannisters' bannermen, just so you would not have to choose.

You heard the door open and close, and when you turned to see who entered the quiet place you stood to your feet at once, Aemond advancing toward you.

"How did you find me?" you asked, unable to hide your surprise.

"This was once one of your favourite places growing up," he simply said, his lips curving at the memory. "Mine too. It was the only place I could watch you without being scolded."

You felt your cheeks warming up and you grew too anxious to talk.

"Aegon and I are departing in an hour with the rest, we are to prevent any ships from advancing too far into the bay," he said following your silence but not leaving his eye from your form. He was stalling.

"I see. Take care not to take allies for enemies then, you seem to have difficulty telling them apart these days." You really shouldn't taunt him, but you could not help yourself, your restless state of these last few days taking a toll on you.

But his face remained unreadable. "I am sorry you saw this, it was certainly not for your eyes to witness," you snorted.

"And to whose eyes then? The whole court’s? If your aim was to humiliate innocent men under your roof you are quite succeeding, me being a witness or not."

You didn't know why you were so angry with him, but you didn't like his previous behaviour, and you were tired. So tired.

"This boy is nothing but a low Lord who sees himself as the next hero of war, who pretends to have seen battle while he did nothing but send his men to their deaths," he said loudly, and you realised that he was making great efforts not to let his anger burst out. "He is a boy who takes pride in reaping the accomplishments of others."

"How so? Did he steal something from you, accomplishments? Vhagar perhaps?" your voice was humourless. "Now that I think about it, I can see her bowing to a boy like him as she did with you."

Aemond narrowed his eye.

"Do not, mock me," he said warned. "He thinks he has the right to claim what's not his. However it seems that you have the final choice. So what will it be? Qorgyle? Or Vance of fucking Atranta?" he said, letting his furious tone out.

"How do you-?"

"It does not matter how I know. You do not get to defend him whilst he tries to steal what is already taken."

"So this is what I am? A fruit to be reaped by the first who lay hands on me?" you said, not expecting this turn of conversation and attempting to remain unemotional.

"You are mine. I told you as such. No lords of other Houses have a claim on you and you should understand that, as your father did."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I am the only reason your family was not hanged the day my father died, you and yours might do well to remember that!"

You gasped silently at his words, feeling tears forming into your eyes.

"Do you hear yourself? What gives you the right to say such things? My father only wishes for me to be safe and sound when you, on the other hand, only acts as if everything was own to you! I cannot do this any longer!"

"Because your solution is to run to the arms of this boy for protection? Or another nameless lord who doesn't deserve you?" he had closed the gap separating you and you were stuck between him and the table. He inhaled sharply as you said nothing, too taken aback by his words. "On second thought, you did good in securing two choices of marriage, as for when I murder the first one, you will already have a second to comfort you before I take him from you as well!"

You were shocked. You knew deep down that he didn't mean it but it frightened you nonetheless. Or were you afraid because you believe him capable of such actions after all?

"You are mad Aemond! Why do you say such things to me? You of all people should understand my situation! I am to be married, as you are too, we cannot stop this, this is not up to us, not any more."

"It could be! It could be if you married me," he finished in a whisper.

You looked at him, dazed. It sounded so sweet to your ears, but at the same time it made your heart ache."Aemond this is too late, you know it is." You let your words sink in as he looked at your neck, barely containing his previous fury. "You broke my heart."

You had talked only in a breath, voice breaking. You weren't even sure that Aemond had heard your admission until you saw him stare at you with a look on his face that you did not recognise, a mix of stupor and guilt. You didn't want to witness this.

"I think you should go," you said in a breath.

Your voice was weak, and you lacked the force to even cry, although you wanted to. He raised his hand to you, touching your cheek as to prevent tears from falling, but you refused to lean into his touch. Outside loud voices were heard, people were preparing to leave for war, it was time. You didn't want to. You regretted what you had just said already. You were so very tired.

Aemond blinked, as if exiting a trance state. He tilted his head to the side, as made aware of the voices outside at last. You saw his pained expression being replaced by determination as he looked back at you.

"We'll see."

And with that he turned away and left, his warmth leaving your cheek, and when the door closed tears finally fell

-0- Part 12

A/N (Addendum): You are in luck, I was in a writing mood and let me say that you are not ready. Jealous Aemond stans: hold on to your seats. Fluff stans: I do not forget you.

@let-love-bleeds-red @crazylokonugget @jeyramarie @ephemeralninon @mrswhitethornbelikov @dudfahsn @missusnora @queenofterrasen418 @honeytrapsblogp-graham @heathclifftragedyy @discowizard88 @ivartheblessed @xceafh @bubbletae7 @omgkatherine97 @tzipora-art @signyvenetia @ml0103 @nsainmoonchild @lonadane @skythighs @bietchz @samnblack @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @projectcampbell @ripdragonbeans

#aemond #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen #aemond imagine #aemond x oc #aemond x you #smut #angst #prompt #fanfiction #aemond one eye #house of the dragon #hotd #aemond x original character #aemond x female original character #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen x you #ywawm

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iceandfirehq · 3 years ago

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anonymous asked: where can you see sebastian de souza, saadet aksoy and nadia parkes fitting in ?

i would love to see sebastian as a son of house lefford , or perhaps houses brax or marbrand from the westerlands ! he’s also giving me strong bastard of the north vibes, if that appeals to you , and he could be from houses bolton, reed, or umber ! saadet could be the sword of the morning from house dayne ! i also think she would work well from the riverlands or crownlands as a member of houses bar emmon , gaunt , terrick , vance ( of atranta or wayferer’s run ) , or wendwater ! for nadia, i think i’m getting very strong stormlands and vale vibes, so i definitely think she could work as a lady of houses dondarrion, elesham, morrigen, pryor, or wylde !

#answered.#mw.#asoiaf rp #got rp #mumu rp

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dwellordream · 4 years ago

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THE H/H APPENDIX VOL. II

THE KINGDOM OF THE RIVERLANDS

HOUSE TULLY OF RIVERRUN:

EDMURE TULLY, King of the Riverlands and the Trident, son of Lord Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun, and his wife, Lady Minisa, of House Whent

His wife, QUEEN ROSLIN, of House Frey

His son, PRINCE HOSTER

His daughter, PRINCESS CATELYN

His wards:

DELLA, of House Frey, daughter of Benfrey and Jyanna Frey

OSMUND, of House Frey, daughter of Benfrey and Jyanna Frey

HOUSE FREY OF THE CROSSING:

PERWYN FREY, Lord of the Twins, son of Lord Walder Frey, and his wife, Lady Bethany, of House Rosby

His wife, LADY WALDA, of House Frey

His daughter, ARWYN

His son, BENFREY

His sisters:

PERIANNE, LYTHENE, JEYNE, MORYA, TYTA, MELLARA, and SHIREI

His brothers:

LUCEON, MELWYS, WILLAMEN, OLYVAR, COLMAR, WALTYR, and ELMAR

His nieces:

MAEGELLE, MARIANNE, WALDA, PERRA, WHITE WALDA, KYRA, ZIA, JEYNE, RYELLA, HOSTELLA, ELYANA, ALYX, AMEREI, FAT WALDA, MARISSA, CYNTHEA, SERRA, SARRA, CERSEI, WALDA, EMBERLEI, LEANA, MERIANNE, and DELLA

His nephews:

WALDER, PATREK, RED WALDER, WILLEM, ROBERT, JONOS, WALDER, ZACHERY, WALDER, ANDROW, ALYN, ALESANDER, BRADAMAR, SANDOR, ROBERT, MALWYN, JAIME, TYWIN, BIG WALDER, DICKON, MATHIS, HOSTER, ROBERT, WALDER, JON, and DONNEL

HOUSE PAEGE OF SNAKE’S DEN:

HALMON PAGE, Knight of Snake’s Den

His wife, LADY MURIEL, of House Grey

His son, GARRETT

His son, MALCOLM

His daughter, JANNA

His daughter, PIPPA

His sister, SALLEI, widow of Ser Jammos, of House Frey

His sister, SYLWA, widow of Ser Whalen, of House Frey

His nephews:

WALDER, DICKON, MATHIS, and HOSTER

His nieces:

MERIANNE and DANELLE

His brother, DAMON

His goodsister, MELLARA, widow of Ser Robert Paege

HOUSE BLACKWOOD OF RAVENTREE HALL:

BRYNDEN BLACKWOOD, Lord of Raventree Hall

His wife, LADY CATELYN, of House Bracken

His son, ROBB

His brothers:

LUCAS, HOSTER, EDMUND, and ALYN

His sister, BETHANY

His mother, LADY ELLA, of House Butterwell

HOUSE BRACKEN OF STONE HEDGE:

BARBARA BRACKEN, Lady of Stone Hedge

Her husband, SER LUCAS, of House Blackwood

Her daughter, DONELLA

Her sisters:

JAYNE, CATELYN, BESS, and ALYSANNE

Her mother, LADY LUCINDA, of House Smallwood

Her cousin, SER HENDRY

His wife, TYTA, of House Frey

Her nephew, DONNEL

HOUSE DARRY OF CASTLE DARRY:

MARIYA DARRY, Lady of Castle Darry, widow of Ser Merrett Frey

Her daughters, AMEREI, FAT WALDA, and MARISSA

Her sister, JEYNE, widow of Ser Cleos Frey

Her nephews, TYWIN and WILLEM

HOUSE MALLISTER OF SEAGARD:

JEFFORY MALLISTER, Lord of Seagard, son of Lord Jason Mallister, and his wife, Lady Meredyth, of House Shawney

His wife, LADY BESS, of House Bracken

His sister, ALICENT

His brother, WILLEM

His mother, LADY MEREDYTH, of House Shawney

HOUSE MOOTON OF MAIDENPOOL:

ELEANOR MOOTON, Lady of Maidenpool, son of Lord William Mooton, and his wife, Lady Perra, of House Piper

Her husband, LORD DICKON, of House Tarly

Her mother, LADY PERRA, of House Piper

Her sister, MARJORIE

HOUSE PIPER OF PINKMAIDEN:

MARQ PIPER, Lord of Pinkmaiden, son of Lord Clement Piper, and his wife, Lady Melissa, of House Bracken

His wife, LADY ALICENT, of House Mallister

His daughter, CLEMENTINE

His brother, LEWYS

His mother, LADY MELISSA

HOUSE SMALLWOOD OF ACORN HALL:

CARELLEN SMALLWOOD, Lady of Acorn Hall, daughter of Lord Theomar Smallwood, and his wife, Lady Ravella, of House Swann

Her husband, SER LEWYS, of House Piper

Her mother, LADY RAVELLA, of House Swann

HOUSE VANCE OF ATRANTA:

RONALD VANCE, Lord of Atranta, son of Lord Norbert Vance, and his wife, Lady Dorothea, of House Perryn

His wife, LADY ROBYN, of House Hawick

His son, NORBERT

His daughter, ALYSSA

His daughter, MARA

His brother, SER KIRTH

His goodsister, ALYX

His nephew, HUGO

His nephew, ELLERY

His brother, JON

HOUSE VANCE OF WAYFARER’S REST:

LIANE VANCE, Lady of Wayfarer’s Rest, daughter of Lord Karyl Vance, and his wife, Lady Araminta, of House Terrick

Her mother, LADY ARAMINTA

Her sister, RHIALTA

Her sister, EMPHYRIA

#haunt/hunt #appendix

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lady-of-ladies · 4 months ago

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Sabitha wasn't fond of any maester, except probably her brother Robin. He felt their home and traveled all the way to the Citadel when Sabitha was only fifteen, but he sent letters every week and over time it became a ritual to open them alongside her mother. « Sometimes I wished I could go with him. » Her husband on the other hand, he'd listen if a maester told him anything. « Probably more than he listens to me. »

—A letter from any maester would help dearly. I appreciate the help, thank you.

When Lady Calla presented her the letters, Sabitha read them and noticed the words were rather distancing. She opted to add some personal words for each of the Ladies, something less political and more comfortable. Keeping Ladies on her good graces was Sabitha's talent, so she started writing.

For Lady Morya Darry, she told her they should drink tea once they meet again. She sent her best wishes for her daughters who recently took the vows as novices of the Faith and for Morya herself to send any letters she may need to the Red Keep, Sabitha gave her word to respond as fast as she could. Their friendship was slowly straining but they still had time to mend it.

To Lady Violet Moonton, Sabitha had fond memories of her as they often dance together in secret during the nights. Their fathers forbade them to talk to each other after Sabitha's mother found them pressing their lips together and no excuse of practicing or curiosity was enough to calm their anger. But that happened years ago, when Sabitha was still a maiden of House Vypern and Violet a girl of House Goodbrook. So she wrote with a smile as she recall each other's company, hoping they could keep in touch once again.

For Lady Celia, who recently married the Lord Petyr Piper, Sabitha wrote congratulations for her wedding. She remembered the news of Lady Celia expecting a child so she added her wishes for an easy and pleasant pregnancy as well as some advice she found helpful.

To Lady Ryella Smallwood, she wrote words of encouragement for her youngest son who recently healed from grayscale as well as prayers for their family's overall health. Sabitha recommended they take extra care for the child's meals for a while, his body was still recovering and the boy had always been known for having fragile health.

Finally, Lady Amabel Vance of Atranta, she sent her condolences for her brother's sudden death. The man died at sea, attacked by the ironborn. Sabitha could only imagine how suffocating the news was for Lady Amabel. Everyone at the Riverlands knew how close the siblings were. She also apologized for not being present at the funeral a second time, in case her original letter didn't reach Atranta.

As she returned the letters to Lady Calla, so she could read what she added before sealing the letters. Sabitha smiled softly, hoping her additional paragraphs didn't bother her.

—Simple letters will never be enough to make the Brackens content. If there's no space for a new lady-in-waiting, maybe we could offer to take one of her sons as company for one of the Princes; they could be squires or playmates. —She said firmly. —If the Brackens are offended for any reason; imaginary or real, they will continue to feel insulted until the issue is fixed.

The Red Keep, 129 AC. With: @calla-celtigar

Two weeks since King Viserys' funeral feast had elapsed. Those days now felt like a fever dream. Sabitha was named as one of Queen Rhaenyra's ladies in waiting just two days prior to the event and she had used the opportunity to frame her own reputation under a new light. Even though her preferences were closer to becoming an open secret as time passed, Sabitha hoped her elegant gowns and demeanor would turn the perception of herself as masculine around to a more neutral place.

If her plans were working during the night, she would never know. As soon as she heard the screams of poison on Queen Rhaenyra's cup, all her attempts were forgotten. She rushed to her youngest children and kept them safe and under her care for the night. She tried to distract them with songs and reading stories, but the children were rightfully anxious and kept asking for their mother. Sabitha wasn't even sure of the Queen's health herself and insisted on staying in the young princesses and prince side the whole night.

Sabitha only managed to speak for a few seconds with Lady Calla after the feast. She asked her about the Queen's condition and received a neutral « She's making progress » on return. It wasn't enough to calm her. It wasn't enough at all.

After the Queen's sudden collapse, Sabitha focused her energy on managing the Queen youngest. They were close in age to her own son so Sabitha knew how to take care of them. Theo became their unofficial playmate as Sabitha took him with her almost daily.

Today, all the children were in charge of their nannies. Sabitha walked towards one of the Red Keep's many chambers. Except this one belonged to Lady Celtigar. Sabitha entered, smell of paper and wax filling the room. She saw a table with two chairs, one already used by Lady Calla, who was surrounded by paperwork.

Sabitha wanted to do a good first impression to Lady Celtigar. From seeing her from afar, her love for pearls was obvious; Sabitha had a pair of pearl earrings gifted by her brother but those were saved in a jewelry box all the way back to the Crossing. Sabitha instead opted to decorate her hair with one of her many flower themed brooches. Her dark hair was styled in a bun. She was wearing an all black hanfu decorated with tiny lily pads on the sleeves. No jewelry except for her wedding ring; a silver band decorated with a sapphire and an emerald.

Sabitha did a simple courtesy. She walked until she was barely a few steps away from Calla.

—My lady, how can I assist you today?

#asoiaf rp #asongofgf&bb #asongofgoldenfireandblackblood #with:#calla celtigar

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beyondmistland · 5 years ago

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Everything wrong with Fire & Blood Volume I

Ø No maps

Ø No appendix

Ø No family tree for the Starks, Lannisters, etc.

Ø Targaryen family tree is incomplete (Viserys I's first child by Aemma Arryn)

Ø Mediocre and erroneous artwork (Viserys I does not lack two fingers, Aemond and Lucerys's hair colors are switched, Maegor I's death is way too cheesy)

Ø Individual chapters are way too long and bounce between subjects way too much

Ø Child-brides and death by childbirth for way too many interesting characters (Alyssa Velaryon, Alyssa Targaryen, etc.)

Ø Problematic characterization of POC and foreigners (Dorne, Summer Isles, Essosi)

Ø Fat-shaming (Gargon Qoherys, Guy the Glutton, etc.)

Ø Contrivances for the sake of plot (The Battle of the Gullet, the Battle of the Kingsroad, the Redwynes during the Dance, etc.)

Ø Persistent villainization of the same houses and factions (House Bracken, House Peake, and the Greens as a whole)

Ø Focuses way too much on salacious material (Intricacies of the Faith and its reconciliation to the crown? Detailed descriptions of Jaehaerys I's roads and legal reforms? Viserys I's foreign and domestic policies? The specifics of the New Gift? The rights, privileges, and incomes of queens? Political calculus behind royal weddings? Nowhere to be found)

Ø Typos, errors, plot holes, and repetition (The Great Houses ruled for millennia and yet never bothered to establish within their own borders a unitary tax system, a unitary code of law, or a decent road system (Bullshit!))

Ø No happy endings (Alyssa-Rogar (!), Jaehaerys-Alysanne (!), etc.)

Ø Meaningless tangents (Coryanne Wylde, etc.)

Ø Turns Alyssa Velaryon into a wilting flower, Jaehaerys I into an abusive hypocrite, Rogar Baratheon into an asshole, and Septon Moon into a lecher

Ø The Dance of the Dragons is poorly-written drivel

Ø Imbalance of presented material (Aegon I ruled for almost forty years and yet he gets the least number of pages, no material discussing Jaehaerys and Alysanne's time as fugitives at Storm's End, no discussion of the Targaryens before the Conquest, very little on Aenys and Maegor, the first twelve years of Jaehaerys I's reign are covered in six chapters and the other forty-three (!) in one, nothing regarding the actual politics of Viserys I's reign, nothing about Viserys and Daemon's childhood, Harwin, Laena, Laenor, and Aemma are all ciphers, nothing about Aemon and Jocelyn's relationship, nothing about the Vances of Atranta during the Dance, etc.)

Ø The Targaryen family tree is insanely compressed (Looking at you nine children and four grandchildren (seven if you include bastards))

Ø GRRM still can't math (The population doubled during the reign of Jaehaerys I despite an epidemic (!))

#fire and blood #volume 1 #house targaryen #asoiaf meta #asoiaf criticism

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game-of-style · 5 years ago

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House Vance of Atranta, sworn to Riverrun - Chrystelle Atallah

House Vance of Atranta is one of the two great branches of House Vance in the riverlands, the other being House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest. Armistead Vance was the mightiest of the Andal conquerors who defeated King Tristifer IV Mudd. In the century after the downfall of House Justman, the Vances were among the petty kings who disputed the riverlands. The Vances joined the rebellion of river lords against Harren the Black during Aegon's Conquest.

House Vance rules over wider domains and can field a much larger army than their overlord of House Tully and they supported Robb Stark until the Red Wedding.

#chrystelle atallah #green #mint #A Song of Ice and Fire #Game of Thrones #house vance #the riverlands

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goodqueenaly · 6 years ago

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1/2 Hello, I am not sure if this came from your blog, but since your the marriage-making guru of ASOIAF it probably did. Someone mentioned that Hoster Tully did not want to waste his son's hand on a mere bannerman. How wise is to have an attitude like that? That seems pretty contemptuous of his vassals. While he may have married a Whent, but for the rest of the Tully's he reached for the Starks, Arryns, Redwynes, Martells and the Lannisters. I don't think it's wise to alienate Riverland Houses.

2/2 The Riverlands are notoriously chaotic and getting a detachment from the nobles there seems bad. Also, for Princes/Princesses of Dorne, would marrying Essosi too much lead to big problems? Aside from love, would a huge dowry be enough incentive to not marry a noble from Dorne? Or are the Essosi matches more prevalent when Dorne was not under Targaryen rule and matches with Westerosi that weren’t Dornish may not have been as common. Thanks, and sorry for the long ask.

I maintainthat Hoster was very ambitious when it came to the marriage arrangements of his children, including Edmure. Having made one daughter Lady of Winterfell, and having turned Lysa’s pregnancy to his advantage (after coming close to make her Lady of Casterly Rock) by selling her to Jon Arryn on the promise of fertility (which, of course, his own actions helped destroy), Hoster was not going to do less for his only surviving son and heir. Alliances with non-riverlord families would give the Tullys not only political connections to other regions of Westeros, but defensive pacts to protect the Riverlands (given the inevitability in Westerosi warfare of the Riverlands becoming a major battle site, and the lack of obvious natural borders for the Riverlands). Too, I would say, high-ranking marriages for the Tully children might have seemed to show that the Tullys were of equal standing with the other great Houses; they might never have been riverkings in their own right, but now the Tullys would stand shoulder to shoulder with old royalty like the Starks, Lannisters, Redwynes, and Arryns (and current royalty in the Martells).

Moreover, to the point of being contemptuous toward vassals, I would say as well that there is more than one way for a Lord Paramount to develop a strong relationship with his vassals. Marriage is an obvious route, of course, but early ties of companionship can work effectively as well. Edmure Tully had a wide group of riverlord companions: Marq Piper, Lymond Goodbrook, the Vance brothers, Patrek Mallister, Lucas Blackwood, Perwyn Frey, Tristan Ryger, and Robert Paege. The Pipers, the Mallisters, and the Blackwoods are among the strongest and most notable Riverlands Houses, with the latter two ruling as kings during some periods of Riverlands history. The Vances of Atranta were also petty riverkings in the centuries after the fall of the Justmans, and while neither the Paeges nor the Freys were ever royal themselves, both Houses have certainly played active roles in the politics of the Trident. On the flip side, the Goodbrooks and Rygers sided with the Targaryens during Robert’s Rebellion (much to the cost of at least the Goodbrooks). Their presence among Edmure’s friends helped demonstrate that their Houses’ fealty to Riverrun had been renewed, and that the next generation of Riverlands leadership would be bound to the Tullys from the start.

As for the prevalence of Essosi-Martell matches, well, our knowledge of Martell marriages is woefully incomplete (to the point that we have, well, four in the entire princely history of House Martell).

#asoiaf meta #marriage making #edmure tully #hoster tully #the riverlands

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duxbelisarius · 2 years ago

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The Dance of the Dragons: A Military Analysis (Pt. 5)

At long last, we finally arrive at the battles of the Dance! A huge thanks once again to those of you that have been following from the start; if you’re just coming across this series now, I’ll direct you to the Master Post, which lists my previous analyses!

Part 5 will offer brief analysis of the use of intelligence in the Dance, but will focus primarily on the first campaigns of the war: Stone Hedge and Rook’s Rest. I will examine the strategic and tactical decisions made by the commanders of both factions, as well as assess logistics where pertinent. A definition of terms is helpful first, as I will be making use of the terms strategy and tactics; in the context of European Warfare between 1740 and 1813, Claus Telp defines strategy and tactics as follows:

‘Strategy’ is the art of war at the strategic level, concerned with political decisions such as the definition of the war aim, the mobilization of manpower and material, the planning and conduct of campaigns and the determination of the purpose as well as the context of battle. ‘Tactics’ is the art of war at the tactical level, concerned with fighting a battle in pursuit of the strategic purpose.

Intelligence gathering and espionage in the Dance suffers from the same illogical events and poor writing by George (shout out to reddit users /u/Tribune_Aguila and /u/leonie46 for drawing attention to this). While Daemon, Mysaria and Larys Strong exert a sizeable influence on the Dance via their networks of spies and informants, their effectiveness depends on whether the plot needs them. Despite commanding the Gold Cloaks for a year and a half from 104 to 105 AC, after which he was absent for the war in the Stepstones and then was in exile from 112 AC to 120 AC, we’re to believe that Daemon’s standing in the unit is great enough to use the entire force as a fifth column in the taking of King’s Landing. Of course Larys Strong fails to detect this despite being Master of Whispers and former Royal Confessor, possessing knowledge of and contacts within the city that allows him to sneak Aegon II out of the city when it falls to Rhaenyra, and to seize control of the city from her during the Storming of the Dragonpit. Gyldan tells us that Daemon had a ‘mole’ within the Green Council, and this may well have been Larys Strong, but this information ultimately amounts to nothing and is never brought up again. This inconsistent use of intel underlines a major problem with how George writes the Dance: No matter how skilled or a effective a character or characters are portrayed to be, their quality varies considerably based on how they further George’s plot, so that their qualities are liable to deteriorate at the author’s convenience.

Referencing our timeline from Part 3, open hostilities only began a month or so after Viserys death, but the beginnings of the Stone Hedge campaign can be traced back to just after Rhaenyra’s coronation. On the 12th day of the 3rd Moon (March 12th; dates will hereafter be rendered in our calendar), Daemon and Caraxes captured Harrenhal and began gathering a host of Riverlords loyal to the Black cause. Gyldan states that Harrenhal was lightly garrisoned due to Larys Strong being in King’s Landing, implying that the bulk of the Strong household forces were with him at least. Even having lost territories during the reign of Maegor the Cruel, Harrenhal is still the largest castle in the Riverlands with substantial lands within it’s fief, but we are never told of any Strong forces fighting on Aegon’s behalf. House Bracken and Vance of Atranta are the only Riverlord houses we know of that supported Aegon, with the Tullys opting for neutrality and most of their other bannermen rallying to Daemon.

A glaring omission through most of the narrative at this time, is how the arrival of autumn affected mobilization efforts outside the North. Gyldan tells us that Jacaerys arrived in Winterfell with autumn well advanced, and based on our calculations in Part 3 along with a distance map, the journey Dragonstone-The Eyrie-Sisterton-White Harbour-Winterfell should have taken him three to four days at least assuming a journey of c.1000 miles at 30 mph plus time for stops in the Eyrie, Sisterton and White Harbour. This means autumn in Westeros would have begun within a week of Rhaenyra’s coronation (and would last until the first half of 130 AC), while fighting began in early April following the torture and execution of Blood for the murder of Prince Jaehaerys. There was already deep snow around Winterfell when Jace arrived, and even if the the climate further south was too warm for snow we should at least expect rain, sleet and cooler temperatures. Cregan Stark was already preparing for winter at that point, and we should expect this to have been the case in the agriculture-focused Riverlands; and yet Daemon seems to have had no difficulty raising troops, with many grabbing “a pitchfork or a hoe and a crude wooden shield” and marching to Harrenhal, according to Gyldan.

The opening blows of the Stone Hedge campaign were struck by the Blacks, when raiders of House Blackwood attacked villages on Bracken land, destroying septs and homes, crops and livestock. Amos Bracken, son of Lord Humfrey Bracken and heir to Stone Hedge, leads forces to retaliate; these are ambushed by Blackwood troops at a nearby mill, leading to the Battle of the Burning Mill. As alluded to in Part 2, George resorts to an absence of security repeatedly to justify the outcomes of his battles, and Burning Mill begins this trend. Amos Bracken and Lord Samwell Blackwood are both killed, and grievous losses are suffered by both sides; Raylon Rivers, Amos Bracken’s bastard half-brother, leads the remnants of the Bracken host back to Stone Hedge. While the Brackens’ forces were fighting at the Burning Mill, forces from House Darry, Piper, Roote and Frey captured Stone Hedge with the aid of Daemon and Caraxes, and Rivers is forced to surrender to spare the lives of Humfrey Bracken and his family.

Thus ended the first campaign of the Dance in the Riverlands, as we are told that Aegon’s supporters there followed suit with the Brackens and surrendered. We have little to work with in the way of tactical analysis, but the brief account we’re given raises serious questions. We know that House Vance of Atranta also supported Aegon, and that House Vance and Bracken controlled more land and could raise larger armies than House Tully. Even if that army was divided between Atranta and Wayfarer’s Rest in the case of the Vances, such forces should still have required time and effort to subdue. George has yet to show us where Atranta and Stone Hedge are located on in-world maps, but Atlas of Ice and Fire’s locations for them seems reasonable; despite their forces a likely close proximity, both houses are subdued without much effort and never again take up arms against the Blacks. Daemon makes effective use of Caraxes in forcing the surrender of Stone Hedge, but we only hear of Daeron utilizing his dragon in this way during the rest of the Dance, once again demonstrating the sub-optimal use of dragons by both factions.

The involvement of House Frey in the capture of Stone Hedge is by far the most questionable inclusion by George; we have no estimates for the forces available to the Darrys, Rootes or Pipers, but we do know that House Frey has the same advantages over the Tullys as Vance and Bracken. It’s more than likely that they would have been the largest component of Daemon’s forces at Stone Hedge, which begs the question as to how they managed to get there at all. A little over half a month passes between Rhaenyra’s coronation and the outbreak of hostilities, almost the exact amount of time it would take to travel from King’s Landing to Harrenhal, while House Frey’s seat at The Twins would take twice that time to reach. The Freys would need time to muster their forces and even if they conducted a forced march to Harrenhal, they would still then have to march the length of the Trident to reach Stone Hedge and would have to fight if need be. This is where George’s inconsistency with the weather is especially telling, as inclement weather would endanger the harvest and thus delay any muster by the Riverlords; we are also told later that rain and mud delayed Aemond and Criston Cole’s march on Harrenhal, with Aemond and the bulk of the army arriving there 20 days after setting out from King’s Landing.

The rivers offer an easy solution to this problem, though introducing river travel to the narrative of the Dance creates further problems as well shall see later. Maester Yandel’s Riverlands chapter in TWOIAF stresses the importance of the Trident and it’s tributaries; mile-long lines of poleboats are “not unknown” on the rivers, while the use of the Trident and it’s tributaries by the Ironborn longboats was crucial to the founding of the Kingdom of House Hoare. Traveling on the Green Fork means the Frey forces would only have to cross the Trident and make a short march to Harrenhal, making this the most likely outcome. The rivers are a solution to this issue but introducing them in such a way requires the narrative to be consistent in the role they play from this point on, which proves not to be the case.

This brings us to the final major campaign of 129 AC, Rook’s Rest; the goal of this campaign was to force the submission of Rhaenyra’s supporters on the mainland of the Crownlands. The impetus for the campaign came from a list assembled by Larys Strong of all of Rhaenyra’s Crowndlands supporters, which likely included Rosby, Stokeworth, Darklyn, Staunton, Crabb, Brune, Celtigar and Hayford. Lords Hayford and Harte were executed after refusing to renounce their support for Rhaenyra, but Harte is never mentioned again in the narrative, while only Rosby, Stokeworth, Darklyn and Staunton are attacked by Criston Cole. With 100 knights, 500 men-at-arms and 1800 Swellswords under his command, Criston Cole marched on Rosby and Stokeworth first, whose lords had sworn new oaths of allegiance to Aegon and so added their forces to Cole’s. Duskendale, the seat of House Darklyn, is taken by surprise and sacked, with Lord Darklyn being beheaded and his forces joining up with Cole. As with Burning Mill, we have no idea what constitutes surprise, especially not in the case of a 3000+ strong host attacking a castle; most likely they attacked during the night, or were able to secure the gates and prevent them from being closed. The Battle of Rook’s Rest itself is dominated by the battle between Rhaenys and Aemond and Aegon II, and part three addresses my issues with the use of dragons during the campaign.

From a strategic perspective, the Greens and the Blacks had essentially traded blows with the Stone Hedge and Rook’s Rest campaigns, although the end of 129 AC found Rhaenyra in a far stronger position than Aegon II. While Daemon had succeeded in securing the Riverlands and stamping out any of Aegon’s support there, Criston Cole had robbed the Blacks of many of their loyal houses in the Crownlands. Nonetheless, Rook’s Rest was a pyrrhic victory for the Greens owing to the injuries suffered by Aegon II and Sunfyre; while Rhaenyra continued to be cut-off from her allies on the mainland, Daemon’s actions in the Riverlands combined with the support of the North, Vale and northern Reach also cut off Aegon his allies in the Westerlands and Oldtown. The stage was set for a rapid escalation of the war in 130 AC, which would bring the Blacks to the brink of victory.

#house of the dragon #hotd #team green #team black #grrm critical #fire and blood critical #asoiaf critical #asoiaf

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