The year was 283 of Aegon's Conquest.
Eddard Stark, the Duke of Winterfell, personally led a great army to lift the siege of Storm's End.
After a brief stay at Storm's End, the Northern cavalry continued south, crossing the border of The Reach, their forces aimed directly at Dorne.
There were only three routes to enter Dorne from the south by land: The Boneway, Prince's Pass, and the pass on the eastern side of the Red Mountains, near Oldtown.
The Northern army consisted primarily of cavalry, so they didn't choose The Boneway, which was a difficult road. Instead, they marched directly toward Prince's Pass, the most direct route.
With the Duke of Winterfell leading his army south, Dorne naturally became highly vigilant and prepared for war.
However, a raven arrived, resolving the misunderstanding. Eddard Stark, upholding his honor, positioned his army outside Prince's Pass.
Eddard, along with six companions – Ethan Glover, Martyn Cassel, Theon Wull, Howland Reed, William Dustin, and Mark Ryswell – had, with Dorne's permission, crossed the border and ventured deep into Dorne in search of his sister, Lyanna Stark.
Later, Eddard and his party found Lyanna and the three missing Kingsguard at the Tower of Joy, near the Tower of Joy.
A fierce battle erupted between the seven men and the three Kingsguard. The details of this fight remained a secret, known only to the ten who participated.
All that was generally known was that the Duke of Winterfell was victorious, but at a terrible cost. Only one companion and Eddard himself survived.
Afterward, Eddard went to Starfall to return Dawn, the legendary sword of Arthur Dayne. Then, carrying his sister's body and the surviving companion, Howland Reed, he departed from Dorne.
The Robert's Rebellion, which began in Aegon's Conquest 281, finally concluded in Aegon's Conquest 283 with the battle at the Tower of Joy.
The Targaryen family was completely overthrown from the Iron Throne. With the exception of a few survivors, the family was almost entirely wiped out.
Robert, the leader of the rebellion, finally ascended the Iron Throne and completed his coronation ceremony in the Great Sept of Baelor, anointing himself with holy oil and reciting the oaths. He was crowned King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, Robert Baratheon I.
The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, with the exception of Dorne, were finally reunited under the new king's banner.
Dong—
The peal of bells echoed melodiously throughout King's Landing.
The new king stood at the top of the towering steps of the Great Sept of Baelor, his imposing figure casting a shadow like a mountain. The assembled courtiers knelt, offering their congratulations.
"My esteemed Lord Jon Arryn!"
The new king, a man with dark hair and in the prime of his life, spoke. His voice, undeterred by the tolling bells, resonated throughout the Sept.
"I hereby name you Hand of the King, my chief advisor."
Then, King Robert himself bestowed the 'Hand of the King' badge upon his foster father, Jon Arryn, the Duke of the Eyrie.
"Your Grace, I fear my abilities are insufficient for this position."
The old Duke, his hair already streaked with gray and nearing sixty years of age, bowed slightly, intending to decline on one knee. However, King Robert laughed heartily and helped him back to his feet.
"Hahahaha, by the Seven!"
"Lord Arryn!"
The young king's voice boomed, his laughter infectious.
"If you are not suitable to be Hand of the King, then there is no one in the Seven Kingdoms who is."
However, though he laughed, the mention of the Seven Kingdoms caused Robert Baratheon's smile to falter slightly.
The Seven Kingdoms were not entirely united. Dorne had not submitted willingly to the Iron Throne's new ruler, and Dorne remained a remarkably difficult nut to crack.
This also became a major concern for Robert Baratheon. If Dorne insisted on supporting the Targaryens, then Westeros would likely be embroiled in war for decades to come.
Therefore, the first task of the new Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, after taking office was to travel to Dorne, the southernmost region of Westeros, to negotiate and attempt to quell the anger of Dorne caused by the deaths of Prince Lewyn and Princess Elia Martell.
"I will do my utmost."
Great Sept of Baelor.
Under the gaze of the Seven Gods, the old duke coughed violently, then finally nodded in agreement.
And at the new king's coronation ceremony, Robert's younger brother, Stannis, naturally appeared.
The young man, not yet thirty, was already starting to show signs of a receding hairline. Stannis's expression was, as always, stern, his lips tightly compressed.
His Storm's End fleet wasn't yet complete; the construction of warships and the training of soldiers all took time.
However, Robert had run out of patience. He had been in a good mood, but the smile vanished from his face when he saw his brother, who was as foul and stubborn as a stone in a latrine.
At the same time, he couldn't bear the thought of the 'Dragonspawn' still breathing.
Thus, the new king, during his coronation, ordered the newly-pledged Paxter Redwyne, the Earl of Dragonstone, to lead his fleet in an immediate attack on Dragonstone.
March of the year 284 of Aegon's Conquest.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, Viserys had spent over six months on Dragonstone.
Queen Rhaella's belly grew larger and larger, and the servants in Dragonstone Castle had begun to speculate whether it would be a new prince or a new princess.
Meanwhile, Viserys was practicing swordsmanship with Ser William and also studying with the old Maester to increase his knowledge.
However, accidents always came unexpectedly.
Sickness comes like a landslide.
Maester Daniel, already in his eighties, suddenly fell ill just as he was about to see out this long 'warm winter'. In an age with underdeveloped medical care, reaching this age was quite a feat.
The old maester's body couldn't withstand the torment of this serious illness. His face was ashen, and he was emaciated. Finally, on his deathbed, he made his last wishes and then, holding Viserys's hand, breathed his last.
The lamplight in the room flickered, and outside, it was pitch black.
The night was deep.
Queen Rhaella wept aloud. This was another blow after the successive deaths of her eldest son and her husband. Already frail and sickly, and pregnant, the depression within her deepened yet another layer.
Ser Davos, the steward, also stood in the room, his eyes flickering slightly. Beside him stood the Red Keep's instructor, whose injuries had healed.
Although Ser Willem Darry's injuries had healed, there were still lingering problems. After all, he had been severely wounded at the time, and then he had been placed on horseback and traveled for a long time while gravely injured. He was already satisfied to have his life back.
This long, warm winter had been just as difficult for him, the old wounds flaring up and causing him excruciating pain.
Viserys, holding the old maester's hand, stood before the bedside, watching the old man breathe his last, remaining silent the entire time.
And then.
Dong—
A long, mournful bell sounded from the Dragonstone lighthouse, echoing far into the silent night.
....
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