King Matarys I Targaryen
Spring had come at last to Westeros, removing the last vestiges of winter. The snow in King's Landing had melted some four days past and the birds had returned from their hibernation, chirping and tweeting. With the melting of the snow, the colours had returned to the city, Matarys had watched from atop the battlements of the Red Keep as his people displayed their colours, bright yellow, orange, green, blue even purple and red and black. A cheery atmosphere had returned to the city, and to the kingdoms as a whole his council told him. The people, noble and common alike praised the gods for the ending of one of the longest winters known in living memory, and now the fields were being tilled, and food was being produced once more. It was all for the good.
What's more good news had come at home as well, for his wife Daena was with child, and though Matarys knew that Grand Maester Godrick did not truly approve, of that, as he was a good decade older than his wife and cousin, it was still joyous news. After so long without an heir, he had gotten Daena with child on the first attempt, on their wedding night his wife insisted, and he was prone to believe her, though considering how many times they made love it could have been any of those nights since his wedding four moons ago. He was not complaining though, Daena was fire brought to life, truly she was so wild and courtly at the same time, sometimes Matarys found himself hard with just the thought of his wife, even though she was not truly an adult, but a child still. He knew he was falling for her, in a way he had never fallen for Jaehara, and though he knew that on some level he should feel something about that, he could not. Daena was lively and she made him feel whole, in a way nothing had since he was a child, Jaehara, she had been a sweet girl, but she had been simple minded, and he had never truly been fond of her, truth been told, had resented her towards the end, no matter how much he tried to change his opinion he couldn't.
That was all in the past though, his wife was some way in her pregnancy, and soon enough he would have an heir that was good and true, but there was other things that had caught his attention since then. His uncle and Hand of the King, Prince Viserys had pointed out that his eldest son and heir Aegon was still unwed, and at his age that was an anomaly. As heir to the princedom of Summerhall, Matarys knew his cousin should have had marriage offers coming in left, right and centre, and yet for some reason this was not the case. It seemed as if the Lords of Westeros were fearful of giving their daughters away to a prince of the blood, something that Matarys would not normally be able to understand had it not been Aegon. As it was Aegon, he found he could understand full well, why the lords of the realm might be reluctant to give their daughters away to his cousin. Aegon was a good looking man there was no denying that, but he was a greedy and gluttonous man beyond question, who used the fact that he was a Prince of the Blood to get whatever it was he wanted, whenever he wanted. He drank, whore and fought his way through most days, and Matarys knew his uncle Viserys despaired of the boy, wondering what he had done to be cursed with such a son as an heir. Matarys knew beyond doubt that his uncle deeply wished that it had been Aemon and not Aegon who had been born as the first son and heir, Aemon was a level headed lad, with a keen mind for strategy and court and on top of that was one of the finest swordsmen in the realm. He had also wed Matarys cousin and his sister Naerys, a love match, for it had been blindingly obvious even when they were children that Aemon and Naerys loved each other deeply, they so far had one child, a boy named Daeron after their cousin Daeron Arryn, he was a sweet boy, and whenever he saw him Matarys felt a keen yearning for a child of his own.
There was one other thing that had been keeping Matarys preoccupied as of late, with the realm in a state of peace, the royal treasury full and trade booming, all was well and yet there was but one thing left for Matarys to fix, the issue of Dorne and its continuing independence. To Matarys it was the one thing that represented unfinished business for his family, they held six of the seven kingdoms securely now, it was just a matter of bringing the seventh in. And according to the reports that Aelix Stonefyre, Matarys master of whispers had presented to him in council meetings, it seemed as if now would be the right time to try and conquer Dorne once and for all. They had a greater number of dragons than the conqueror had had or they had ever had at any point since the conquest, Matarys himself rode the oldest and largest of the Targaryen dragons Crimson Fury, a red monolith the size of some of the mountains in the Vale according to Daeron. Dorne was also a land divided, it appeared that the previous Prince of Dorne had promised to aid the Usurper during the Dance, something that most of the Lords of Dorne found unacceptable, and rightly so considering how much aid the Iron Throne had given them in the Pirate Wars, and as such the current Prince of Dorne, one Olyvar Martell was weak and sickly, and apparently viewed as desperately weak by his lords.
They had had overtures from some of the Dornish lords led by Lord Yronwood about an alliance between the Iron Throne and their party in order to enable a much better invasion of Dorne, something Matarys had been very keen to see happen. His uncle had urged caution, the Dornish were not known as snakes for no reason he had said, and so they had looked at the terms that Lord Yronwood and his fellow lords had presented. In exchange for allying with the Iron Throne and allowing the throne's armies easy passage into Dorne, Lord Yronwood and his allies wished for more prominent positions within Dorne, with Yronwood himself wishing to be named Prince of Dorne, and for there to be a betrothal between one of his grandchildren and one of Matarys own children when the time came. In return, Lord Yronwood promised to bring 10,000 Dornish spears to their cause, and he would deliver them Sunspear as well. When the terms had been read out, Prince Viserys had been silent for a moment before saying. "He asks for much, but promises little how do we know he is being serious?"
To which Lord Aelix had replied. "He is being serious my prince. Lord Yronwood is a proud man, who knows how the other Dornish nobles think. He knows Prince Olyvar is weak and feeble, he knows the prince will do nothing first and so he is proposing the first move. He will deliver us Vulture's Roost and Prince's pass, preventing any bloodshed and allowing us to unleash the dragons in full force should Dorne resist."
"Who are those who would stand beside Lord Yronwood though? The Houses of Dorne have been loyal to Sunspear since the days of Nymeria." His uncle had asked then.
Lord Aelix had smiled wanly and said. "That was in the days of old my Prince, when the Prince of Dorne was not a feeble man whose own wife prefers his twin to him. It is said that the man's children are not his but are his twin's. No one knows but still, behind House Yronwood, there is the strength of House Gargalen, House Manwoody, House Jordayne, House Vaith, House Wells and House Uller. They are all formidable houses Your Grace, my lords. They alone can muster some 10,000 spears and be enough to take down this garrison at Vulture's Roost."
"What of the Daynes of Starfall, High Hermitage and the Fowlers? They will all remain loyal to Sunspear, and Lord Damon Dayne is a proud man and strong and capable commander if what Ser Garse is to be believed." His uncle had asked then.
Lord Aelix had grimaced then, the man was proud Matarys knew and his uncle was asking questions that would test his very knowledge, whether he would be a worthy successor to Lord Larys Strong. "Aye they shall stand behind Sunspear my prince. Lord Dayne's sister is wed to Prince Olyvar, he will not abandon his sister for Yronwood, High Hermitage live in fear of his wrath, and they will do what he says. The Fowlers have never been friends to the Yronwoods they will stand behind the Martells to the bitter end."
It was then that Matarys had spoken, his voice hard as iron, his tone solid. "So how many men can these three houses raise Lord Aelix? If Lord Yronwood says he can raise 10,000 men with the aid of the houses you mentioned, how many men can Houses Dayne and Fowler raise?"
Stonefyre had hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Around 3,000 Your Grace. Most of it will come from Starfall and High Hermitage. There are some 1500 in Vulture's Roost Your Grace under the command of a bastard knight. But they grow hungry and weary."
"I care not if they grow hungry and weary. Uncle," Matarys had said then, his uncle turned to look at him his eyes sunken and weary. "Write to Lord Yronwood and tell him I accept this offer of alliance, he is to start mustering his men now, and I shall send the ravens out to the Kingdoms, we shall have Dorne now." And so the ravens had flown, to Storm's End where his brother Laenor had mustered the might of the marcher lords some 5,000 men, to the Eyrie where his cousin Daeron had mustered some 6,000 men who had sailed down from Gulltown and arrived in King's Landing, to Casterly Rock where Ser Jonn Lannister had called together some 12,000 men who were now sailing toward Dorne from the West, to Winterfell where 3,000 men under Lord Cregan Stark would join them at the Prince's Pass, to Highgarden where 8,000 men had come under Ser Lewyn Tyrell to King's Landing.
The armies of Westeros had come to King's Landing and now Matarys found himself holding a war council with his lords and bannermen, before they began the march for Dorne. His uncle, Prince Viserys would remain behind to see to the defences of King's Landing and the Crownlands. Matarys spoke first. "My lords, thank you for coming. We are here to discuss tactics and the news we have had from our sources in Dorne," at that there was some murmuring, but it soon was stopped when Matarys spoke once more. "There has been fighting already my brother Lord Laenor has led his men against the garrison at Vulture's Roost and has managed to defeat them, killing Ser Gorgon Sand himself, he holds the Roost now. It appears Lords Dayne of Starfall and High Hermitage as well as Lord Fowler are marching for the Prince's Pass to give challenge to my brother's hold on the Roost. Lord Lannister's men will soon be near Starfall in itself. I would hear your views now my lords."
As expected Ser Lewyn spoke first. "Well if the Dornish are marching for the Prince's Pass I say that is where we should go first Your Grace. Though Lord Laenor has a dragon, the Dornish have brought down dragons before, they will know how to deal with one, but not five or six. That would confuse them. I say we march out soon, and take them by surprise."
Matarys cousin Daeron agreed with Ser Lewyn. "Aye Your Grace, what Ser Lewyn says rings true. Cousin Laenor has fought before, but his dragon will not stand against the scorpions and whatever other foul means the Dornish vipers use."
There was another round of discussion and then it was eventually decided that they would set out for the Prince's Pass later in the week, the armies of Westeros would converge on the Dornish and leave them with nowhere to go. Matarys announced there and then. "Daeron you shall hold the reserve on Stormcloud, Aegon shall hold the left on Murath, Aemon shall hold the vanguard on Baltizar, and I shall command the right. Ser Lewyn you and the forces of the Reach shall follow cousin Aemon in the Vanguard on the ground, whilst the Vale forces shall follow Daeron on the reserve on the ground, and Lord Stark's men as well the Lords of the Crownlands lead by Orys shall follow Aemon on the ground."
And so they marched later that week, Matarys saying farewell to his wife and uncle, his mother asking to come with him as he flew off, for as she said. "I was not made to sit and do nothing all day long Your Grace. Let me fight and see your father's dream accomplished." Matarys was only relieved that because of her pregnancy Daena could not join him, for he was sure that had she not been pregnant she would have come as well. Lady Rhaenys Velaryon came as well, leading the Velaryon forces in the air whilst Lord Alyn led them on the ships, the royal fleet and the Velaryon fleet would sail for Sunspear to subdue the city, and cause chaos amongst the Martell's forces.
It took them three weeks to reach Summerhall, where they met some 2,000 men commanded by Matarys cousin Prince Aegon who was dressed in silver armour, looking smug at the chance to command in battle. The dragons who had come with them from King's Landing included Matarys own Crimson Fury, Daeron's Stormcloud, Matarys mother's Moondancer and Valarr Stonefyre's Saphira. The dragons that joined them from Summerhall included Aegon's own Murath, Aemon's Baltizar and Matarys sister Serenei's Hrurax. His cousin spoke then that night, with news from the war in Dorne. "A raven came from Velaryon Your Grace, it seems as if the Dornish port of Planky Town has fallen along with God's Grace and Vaith."
Matarys nodded pleased, so Velaryon had listened to him along with Ser Bryce Lannister and had sailed up the Greenblood then. "What else does he write?"
Aegon spoke once more his voice cocky. "He writes that Lady Allyrion and the old crippled lord of the Vaith have been captured, and are being held on the royal fleet."
Matarys nods and he hears his lords chatter excitedly at the news. Aemon though seems grim and slightly despondent. "What is the matter coz?" Matarys asks.
"There was more in the letter Your Grace. Lord Alyn writes that his grandmother Lady Rhaenys was killed during the fighting brought down by arrows fire atop Dornish warships during the battle on the Vaith. Her body was littered with arrows when found." Aemon says his voice grim and solemn.
Matarys sighed at that, grim news indeed, Lady Rhaenys had been a formidable women, his own great grandmother, a kind woman but fierce as well. Her loss would be keenly felt, as Matarys looked towards his mother he saw that she was feeling the loss keenly as well, though her face was expressionless, underneath the table he grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "What of her dragon Meleys? Did Velaryon see fit to write what had happened with her?" It would not do after all for the Dornishmen to get a dragon of their own.
Aemon sighs then as well and says. "She is with the Velaryon fleet, wounded but still strong according Lord Alyn."
"Good, she should stay that way." Matarys said. "Now we shall need to discuss the formation of the troops when we march for the Prince's Pass."
And so discussion waged long into the night, with each lord and prince voicing their opinions. Ser Lewyn wanted the Vanguard to be the first force through on the Prince's Pass, an age old grudge with Dorne Matarys suspected would be the prime reason for such a bold move, and his downfall. "Good Ser, a bold move, but not necessary. The left shall move in a pincer formation with the right." Matarys declared finally when discussion had become to tedious, and it was declared they would march off the next morning. Once the other lords had left, Matarys asked his cousin to stay behind. Aemon seemed tense when Matarys looked at him, his cousin was a fine dragon rider and swordsman, but their dragons meant they themselves would not need too much fighting. "Cousin, I would hear your views on something that pertains to the Martells."
"Your Grace?" He heard Aemon ask.
Matarys sighed once more, he felt tired now, always so bloody tired. "If all goes well we shall hold Dorne before the year is out, but there is one thing that I must do to make sure none try and reinstate the Martells or Dornish independence. I must propose a wedding to the Martells."
"A wedding Your Grace? Between whom?" Aemon asked.
Matarys looked at his cousin then and for a moment was tempted to say Aegon, instead he said. "Between your son Daeron and Princess Myriah Martell."
Aemon's face was almost comical, Matarys could have laughed, but he was tired and he had other business to attend to, before they marched. To his credit Aemon was silent for a moment before schooling his features and saying. "Why between my son and the princess of Dorne Your Grace? Why not between a child of yours and Queen Daena's?"
Matarys sighed once more and said. "Because, my child is promised to Lord Yronwood's grandchild. I will not break that oath, besides there is always a chance that House Martell might not last this conquest, it would do good for us to have a Targaryen in Dorne in case things with House Yronwood do not work out. And Daeron will make the perfect Prince of Dorne should it come to it."
Aemon was silent for a moment and then he merely said. "Very well then Your Grace I agree."
Matarys smiled then. "Good, I knew you would cousin. When this war is done, Daeron shall be betrothed to Myriah Martell and Dorne shall be part of Westeros, as it always was meant to be."
Later that night, as the rays of sun were fighting through the darkness, Matarys was sat in the rooms he had been given in Summerhall, his mother sat in a chair opposite him, a cup of wine in both of their hands. "I have asked Aegon to send word to Lord Alyn, Lady Rhaenys body shall be brought back to the Driftmark, and shall be given to the seas, to rest with Lord Corlys." Matarys said softly.
"Thank you sweetling that is a kindness."His mother said, sounding tired and weary.
"Are you well mother? Truly well?" Matarys asked, concern filling his voice.
"I am tired sweetling that is all. My grandmother was an old lady who had no business fighting battles as she did, but she was always very proud. Still I am tired and weary." His mother replied.
Matarys nodded then and said. "When we fight the Dornish, I want you to remain behind the lines of fire. I do not want to lose you mother, no matter that you fought in the Dance."
His mother looked as if she was about to protest but she merely sighed and nodded, and that scared him more than anything. Once she had bid him farewell for the night, Matarys stayed up looking at maps of the Seven Kingdoms, looking for ways in which to conquer Dorne without shedding too much blood.
It took them three weeks of quick marching to reach Vulture's Roost, and when they did arrive they found the remenants of a battle having fought, a new battle. When Matarys made camp for the night, it was his brother Laenor who gave him the report. Serenei was sat at Laenor's side holding tightly to his hand, and Matarys knew that Laenor would not thank him for bringing his wife here with them, but she had always been strong willed, they all had. Still Laenor was calm when he spoke. "Four thousand men came up the Prince's Pass Your Grace, commanded by Lords Dayne and Blackmont; they took the route through the mountains and attacked in the night. It was a bloody battle but we won in the end. Ser Marius Dayne of High Hermitage is dead as is Lord Blackmont; Lord Dayne led the battered remenants back to Starfall."
Matarys nods and then says. "What of Lord Manwoody and Fowler?"
Laenor smiles then, his eyes glinting as he does so. "Manwoody and Fowler are ours now Your Grace, they have added their men to ours, and we were waiting for your command before moving off."
At that there is much noise, and applause. Matarys himself feels rather overjoyed with the news, but bring himself back into reality and says. "All well and good, but now we must take the castles, we have Kingsgrave and Skyreach but we must get Starfall, High Hermitage and Blackmont. Laenor you shall go with Lord Stark and Aegon to take Blackmont and High Hermitage. Daeron you shall go and take Blackmont. I want them taken as bloodlessly as possible, if they will not surrender, kill the garrison and those in the castle. We shall make new lords if the current ones do not bend." His lords nod their acceptance and then he says. "Bring Lords Manwoody and Fowler here; I would formally accept their oaths of fealty."
When the two lords were brought before him, the sun was swelteringly hot and bright in the sky, they held themselves proudly these two lords, both fair of hair and skin. Lord Manwoody, was roughly forty, Lord Fowler twenty. Matarys looked at them and said. "You know why you are here my lords. Bend the knee and accept me as your rightful king, and you shall keep your lands and titles, and be remembered as heroes." He expected some fight from them, but it seemed they were broken lords and so their knees bent easily and their oaths came readily, but Matarys would not trust them, not until they had proved themselves, and they soon would have the chance to, for whilst his brother and cousins marched for the western coast to join the Lannisters, the rest of the army would be marching towards Sandstone, and then onto Sunspear.