GAME OF THRONES
HOUSE ROMYN
HOUSE ROMYN (Pronounced Rowmen)
Ceasar Romyn – Founder of House Romyn Age of Heroes
Justyn Romyn – Head of House during the time of Aegon the Conqueror
Caster Romyn Head of House during the reign of the mad King/Wife Constance Romyn nee' Reyne died giving birth to son
Octavian Romyn – Younger brother of Caster Lord of Crakehall
Julian Romyn The Tiger of the West – Betrothed to Bethany Tarbeck
Jordan Romyn 17 – Born at the close of Robert's rebellion Julian's heir
Jon Romyn/Prince Aegon Targaryen VII 17 - born at the close of Robert's Rebellion Julian's ward
Catalyna Romyn 16
HOUSE ROMYN
Strength and Honor, these are the words of House Romyn; their sigil is a white tiger running across a silver sword on a blue field. House Romyn was founded by Ceasar Romyn during the reign of House Casterly. The Romyns rule the Western Expanse, a rich stretch of land that extends out to sea and lies in between Crakehall and Old Oak; it is over 41,000 square miles. The Romyns have always ruled the Expanse from their seat of power Castle West Point.
Then came Lann the Clever who took Casterly Rock and declared himself King of the Westerlands. Phillip Romyn the son of Ceasar Romyn reigned during this time and refused to bend the knee or acknowledge the Lannister King of Casterly Rock. A bloody war ensued that lasted five years and ended with Phillip Romyn killing Tyrus Lannister. The Lannister armies disbursed and House Romyn took Crakehall, the Crakehalls were driven from their castle and they built Stonehill castle on the other side of the forest.
Down through the generations the two Houses have warred, assassinated, insulted, burned and pillaged one another to vie for dominance over the West. It was during the reign of King Tyrion Lannister that Lord Hector Romyn built a fifty foot wall that stretched across the borders of the Western Expanse. Then he had all the smallfolk in his domain build a city around his castle and constructed a wall. Over the years additions were made to West Point and eventually it became the largest castle in the West.
When Aegon the Conqueror came to Dragonstone Justyn Romyn went before the great Dragon King and bent the knee to him. He added forty thousand troops to Aegon's army and aided him in conquering the seven Kingdoms. When the wars ended Aegon rewarded the Romyns Wardenship of the West. The Lannisters were forced to pay tribute to House Romyn. Down through the years the Romyns maintained their loyalty to House Targaryen. It was during the reign of Aerys Targaryen that Wardenship of the West was handed back to the Lannisters. Tywin Lannister had befriended Aerys Targaryen.
CASTER ROMYN
Caster Romyn is the current Lord of West Point and the Western Expanse. A recent widower as his wife Constance Romyn nee' Reyne died giving birth to their son Julian Romyn. As much as he mourns his wife and misses her; Caster doesn't blame his son for her death and sees his son as his pride and joy. When the Lannisters were made Wardens of the West, Caster (so named to honor the Casterlys who once ruled the West), had the colors of his house sigil changed to mock the Lannisters. The sigil of House Romyn is now a white tiger running across a golden sword on a red field.
He is summoned before Aerys Targaryen and after bowing he is bidden to rise. "My King…House Romyn has always been faithful to the Targaryens and will continue to be so…I recognize you as my King and you have my undying loyalty…But I will fall on my own sword before I call any Lannister Lord…"
Tytos Lannister is present with his son Tywin Lannister, "My King so long as the Romyns keep the King's peace I will not press the issue…"
"So be it…" Aerys replies in a manner that said I do not care. Tywin of course is furious and wants blood, but his father talks him down.
The enmity between the two houses has only gotten stronger over the years. The only reason there is peace now, is because of Tytos Lannister. Caster sees Tytos as a fool and has no respect for him, not that he or any member of his family or his ancestors ever respected a Lannister. But the words of House Romyn are Strength and Honor, so Caster keeps the peace on the outside, but inwardly he is plotting to take back wardenship of the North.
On his way home Caster stops at Castle Castamere to speak with his late wife's family. He meets with his brothers by law Lord Roger Reyne, Ser Reginald Reyne, and their sister Ellyn Reyne. Walderan Tarbeck is also present. "I say we strike now!" Roger yells hitting the table with his fist.
Caster shakes his head, "Soon brother…" Family is very important to Caster and despite his wife's death he still refers to Roger as brother. "…I am training men everyday…Soon my forces will number eighty thousand strong…But you must be patient…"
He sighs, "How did your meeting with the King go?" Walderan asks changing the subject.
Caster takes a drink from his goblet before answering, "As I suspected, Tytos was present and brushed the affair aside…So I will not be dusting my knees up before the Lannisters…" He looks each of them, "We must be cautious…Tywin Lannister is a volcano waiting to erupt…One false move will cause that eruption…"
"Does this mean that I am still required to marry Tion Lannister?" Ellyn asks.
"No you will marry Lord Romyn's brother…" Roger replies.
"And you…will you allow your daughter Bethany to Ward at West Point?" Caster asks. He can tell that Tarbeck is reluctant, but eventually he agrees. A few weeks later the betrothal of Tion Lannister and Lady Ellyn Reyne is called off. Tywin Lannister screams bloody murder, but Caster gives Walderan gold to placate the Lannisters. Not that Tytos Lannister needed Placating.
A weeklong feast and tourney is held to celebrate the wedding of Octavian Romyn and Ellyn Reyne. Invitations are sent to all in the realm, but the Lannisters. The wedding is held in the orchid fields near West Point. Lords from all over attend, including those from the North. After the feast Lord Caster shows his young ward Bethany Tarbeck around the castle of West Point. The castle is massive; almost as big as Harrenhal.
"One day you will marry my son…He is seven and you are six name days old…" They are in the east wing.
"Please sir I want to go home…"
He sighs and kneels down in front of her, "I know dear child…But your father and mother has promised to visit often…In fact they will return next month…" Over the next few months Caster gets his young Ward settled in and sparks the friendship that will lead to love between his son and his ward. Planning a rebellion against the Lannisters is time consuming and exhausting. Caster is always trying to reign in his allies Lords Roger and Walderan who insist on taunting the Lannisters at every turn.
"I have business in the east…" Caster says to his brother Octavian, "…I am leaving my family in your hands while I am away…"
"What about Lords Roger and Walderan?"
"Stick to the plan no matter what…" Caster says goodbye to his son, who is eight name days old and his ward Bethany who is seven name days old. He rides off with a thousand men to take a ship to Braavos. The journey to Pentos takes him around the southern coast to the Arbor to restock water and food. After two days the Black Stripe sails on sticking close to the shore in case of pirates. Caster has the captain stop at Sunspear so that his men could buy the pleasure of a woman and to change ships. Afterwards he sails on a merchant ship called the Sea Maiden, the Black Stripe returns to the Expanse just in case they are being spied on.
After leaving Sunspear they sail in between the Stepstones and the Broken Arm entering the Narrow Sea. They do not stop until they reach Pentos. They are immediately taken from the docks to the home of Illyrio Mopatis. Caster is in negotiations with the Spice Lord to build a fleet for House Romyn. Through Mopatis slaves are purchased and given their freedom on the condition that they learn sailing and sea combat. They must also swear an oath to House Romyn.
"Your fleet is ready…Three hundred ships and the men to crew them…" Mopatis says.
"Good…" Caster signals with his hand and his men bring in the chests of gold, "One million gold Dragons as promised…And the other business venture…"
"Will be complete in six months…" Mopatis hesitates, "Would you like to inspect your fleet…"
"Yes, but there is another matter I wish to discuss…" Justyn stands up, "I will tell you on the way to the docks…"
"Yes…"
They are taken by paladin to the docks. "I would like to fund an expedition to Old Valyria…"
"Really…"
As they inspect the fleet and the men Justyn and Mopatis discuss the details of the expedition to Old Valyria. The fleet is very impressive, there are two flagships, 48 heavy transport ships, 100 long-ships, and 150 heavy war galleys. The war galleys are armed with both catapults and heavy scorpions. Caster had convinced his father before he died to have the fleet built in Pentos; as in the past the Lannisters would destroy any fleet under construction around the Expanse.
"Very good…and all made of Ironwood…" Mopatis had purchased the Ironwood from House Forrester of the North in Westeros to keep down suspicions. House Romyn now has one of the strongest fleets in Westeros.
Caster returns home to bloodshed and war. Roger and Walderan hoped to force Caster's hand attacks Golden Tooth. He had not told his allies about the fleet that had been built. Tywin against his father's wishes summons the banners of House Lannister and breaks the siege of Golden Tooth. Then he marches on Castamere. Roger along with all his family and servants are killed and placed on pikes; the castle is burned to the ground. Then Tywin marches on Tarbeck Hall, Walderan out of fear surrenders on the promise that he and his family would be spared. The promise is not kept and the Tarbecks are slaughtered as well.
"Fools!" Caster screams in the great hall of West Point, "The damned fools…I told them to wait!"
"I told you brother we should have told them about the fleet…"
He nods, "Yes I should have told them…"
"Our scouts say that Tywin is marching on Crakehall…"
Justyn is about to lay out his plans to his brother and advisors when Ellyn bursts into the hall with the children. "My brothers and their children are all dead! What are you going to do about it?" Octavian grabs his wife.
"You should not be here woman!"
"My family is dead! They trusted you!"
Caster walks up to her and tries to hug Ellyn, but she shoves him away, "I swear on my life that your family will be avenged…"
"Is it true?" Bethany asks in the innocent voice that only a child could produce.
"Yes little one…" he looks at his son, "Julian take Bethany back to her room."
Instead of marching his army to Crakehall which is what Tywin Lannister wants Craster to do he sails his army to Lannisport smashing the Lannister fleet. Craster divides his army into two groups. One group is led by the Captain of his guards Ser Pyas Axel. Ser Axel attacks the city from the south while Craster attacks from the docks. As they enter the city the smallfolk flee in terror, some head to Casterly Rock, while others head north or east away from the fighting.
"Port Castle…The seat of power for Lannisport…" Caster says walking through the castle.
"My Lord we have captured Tion Lannister…"
They torture him into telling them all the secret passages into the city then they hang Tion from the city gates. All the servants are put to death as well. The prisoners are freed if they swear an oath to House Romyn and after three days the city is ready for any counter attack from the Lannisters. Tywin and his army arrive at Lannisport a week later. Two times Tywin attacks the city and twice the attacks are repelled.
Five days pass then a man from King's Landing arrives, "Lord Jon Connington Lord Commander of the royal army…" Caster's squire announces.
"Lord Connington…It has been awhile…"
"Yes you unseated my cousin at the tourney in High Garden…"
"What can I do for you?"
"The King grows weary of this war between Houses Lannister and Romyn…"
"What does the King command of me?"
"King Aerys recognizes that Houses Reyne and Tarbeck were allies through marriage…"
"They were my family by law…"
He nods and takes a drink, "And this is war…The King will allow House Romyn to maintain rule over Lannisport…Both Houses will pay fines for disturbing the King's peace…"
Caster takes a drink, "I did not disturb the King's Peace…"
"No your allies or as you say your family did…And do not assume the crown was not aware of the fleet you were building in Pentos…"
"I assume nothing…"
"The King requires that you hand over half your ships to the Lannisters…"
"I would rather pay to have them built…"
"Are you disobeying a direct command from your King…"
Caster is fuming on the inside, but as angry as he is his honor would not allow him to disobey his King. "Half my fleet…Is there anything else?"
"All trade and commerce that comes into the city will be divided evenly between your Houses…A representative from the King will be appointed to oversee the accounting…"
"I will agree to terms, but tell me…why is Tywin so willing to let go of the city?"
He sighs, "You will find out soon enough, the King has released his old Hand and has named Lord Tywin Lannister Hand of the King…"
With terms agreed to the documents are signed by Caster and Tywin separately as neither man wished to be in the same room with the other. Then Tywin is allowed to choose the ships under Lord Connington's supervision. The bloodshed and loss of so many lives takes a toll on Lord Tytos and he dies of a broken heart. Soon people all over Westeros start calling the fall of Houses Reyne and Tarbeck the Rains of Castamere. A song is sung in this fashion…
One night, I hold on you
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, you
Castamere, Castamere, Castamere, Castamere
A coat of gold, a coat of red
A lion still has claws
And mine are long and sharp, my Lord
As long and sharp as yours
And so he spoke, and so he spoke
That Lord of Castamere
And now the rains weep o'er his halls
With no one there to hear
Yes, now the rains weep o'er his halls
And not a soul to hear the ghosts in the halls
Caster returns home to an angry Ellyn, "A city! Is that the worth of my family's life a city?"
"What would you have me do woman? Make war on the Targaryens…Every House from the South to the North would descend on us…"
"Ellyn please…" Octavion begs.
"You swore to me that the Lannisters would pay…"
"They have paid… Their fleet has been smashed…Thousands of their people are dead…Tion Lannister is dead! Tytos is dead!"
She stands up with tears streaming down her face, "And now Tywin Lannister is Hand of the King…He has more power and they sing that retched song all through the west…"
He stands up, "Then we shall sing our own song…" Justyn summons his House Minstrel to write a song of his victory at Lannisport.
The Lion roars the Lion roars
But the Tiger hunts tonight
In the deep the Tiger sneaks
With tooth and claw spread wide
See how the blood will flow
To the Port we go
Into the streets
oh how it will flow
Look how the Lion bleeds
When the Tiger Roars
Oh how the Lion will run
Oh how they will weep
The Tiger's Roars will be heard throughout the land...
Every minstrel that passes through West Point, Crakehall, and Lannisport are paid to sing the song. It spreads throughout all of Westeros until the Hand of the King places a band on the song. Time goes on and people live on speaking of the Rains of Castamere and the Taking of Lannisport by the Romyns. The city is renamed into Port Romyn, Tarbeck Hall is rebuilt and Ser Pyas Axel is elevated to Lord as a banner of House Romyn, he names his castle Axel Ridge and takes as his sigil a ram standing on his hind legs atop a mountain.
The Mad King is what they call Aerys Targaryen now. He began his rule as a fair minded, level headed individual. But ten years after his coronation Aerys became paranoid and irrational. He began torturing people and burning prisoners at the stake. The slightest thing would set him off into a blind rage. His son Prince Rhaegar spends most of his time apologizing for his father.
It was announced throughout all of Westeros, a great Tourney is to be held at Harrenhal by Lord Walter Whent. The prize offered to the winner of the tourney is the largest ever seen. Jullian Romyn is now sixteen name days old and enters the tourney beside his father. As they ride through the camp grounds the sigils of Houses from all over Westeros blow in the wind.
The servants, squires, and soldiers set up the tents for Lady Bethany with her long black hair and green eyes. Julian and his father share a tent, Octavian and his wife are also present with their three children, Ceasar, Hector, and Camile. Ceasar is of age and is listed in the Tourney as well. "Begging your pardon m'lord…" Xander says entering the tent. "A man handed me this and said give it to you…"
Caster takes the letter and reads in silence, "What is it father?"
"Stay here I shall return shortly…" Justyn takes a twisting route through the camp to the east side of Harrenhal. He is met by Ser Author Dayne of the King's Guard.
"Lord Romyn welcome…"
"My Prince…" He replies dropping to one knee.
"Please rise…"
They are joined by Mace Tyrell and Randyl Tarly, "Lord Tyrell…Lord Tarly…" They greet him. The door opens again and they are joined by Prince Doran.
"My Lords…I called you all here because of all the Lords in the Realm…You four are the most loyal to House Targaryen…As you all know my father has become…irrational and paranoid…I intend to remove him from the throne, but I need your help and support…"
Caster smiles, "You gave Lord Whent the gold for the prize of the tourney didn't you?"
"Yes I did…" He looks at Mace Tyrell, "My brother is not promised to anyone…I hear your wife just had a daughter…"
"Margaery we named her…She just made one year…"
He looks at Caster, "I know your hatred for House Lannister…But I need Tywin Lannister…"
He shakes his head, "Do you think you can trust Tywin Lannister? Any of the Lannisters for a matter of fact…"
"I trust Jaime Lannister…"
Tywin Lannister's Eldest son had been made a member of the King's Guard. He sighs, "See how many Lords you can get to agree with you…If you get enough, you won't need Tywin Lannister…"
"My father already insulted him once by rejecting his daughter…"
"If your plan works allow me to go to war on the Lannisters…Turn a blind eye to us and let us settle our differences once and for all…"
Rhaegar nods and reaches into his coat, "Take this letter…Ser Finnly is an agent of mine…He will give this letter to Tywin Lannister…After this is over both you and Tywin will chose a champion…The two will face in single combat the winner will take all on behalf of his Liege Lord, the losing side will bend the knee and that will be the end of it…"
"You will make a wise King Prince Rhaegar…"
The door opens and in walks Ser Hightower, "My Prince your father is here."
"What!"
They discreetly leave the abandoned room one by one. The Tourney lasts all week. The final match is between Julian Romyn and Prince Rhaegar. The Romyns hold strength and honor above all things. So Julian trots his horse forward raising his lance upright ending the match. The crowd is disappointed, but disappointment turns into shock and scandle as Rhaegar names Lyanna Stark the Queen of Love and Beauty by placing a crown of blue winter roses in her lap.
Caster leaves the tourney immediately to deliver his Prince's letter. He is tempted to not deliver the letter, but every heir and son of House Romyn is taught honor. Caster takes two hundred of the one thousand men he bought with him. When they reach Port Romyn Caster meets with Ser Finnly, "Prince Rhaegar gave me this to give to you…You are to give this to Tywin Lannister…" Justyn takes a bag of gold from his squire and hands it to Ser Finnly.
"What is this for?"
"I want you to pay attention to Tywin's reaction and tell me how he responds…" Things do not go the way Rhaegar had planned. Lyanna Stark had been kidnapped or that is the rumor going around. "Are you sure?" Caster asks to Ser Daryl who had recently returned from King's Landing. Ser Daryl is a spy and agent for House Romyn in the Capital.
"Lord Stark and his son came to King's Landing demanding that the King have his son return Lady Lyanna Stark…"
Caster shakes his head disapprovingly, "How could he have pulled such a stunt?"
"I am sorry father if I speak out of turn, but if Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna Stark honor demands that we denounce the Targaryens…"
He looks at his son Julian, "You do not speak out of turn my son…"
"I'm afraid it gets worse…" Ser Daryl says speaking again, "…The Mad King has executed Lord Rikard Stark and his son. He burned the father alive with wild fire and made his son Brandon Stark watch with a rope around his neck…"
Caster starts pacing, as Bethany speaks up, "My Lord…You can't truly believe that Prince Rhaegar would kidnap and rape a maiden of the realm?"
"Perhaps he has gone mad same as his father…" Octavian says.
Caster has his back to them facing the great heart, "If it is true I cannot support Rhaegar…Perhaps his brother Viserys should be King…"
"Father!" Julian says getting up and walking over to Caster, "You always tell me to never put faith in rumors to always seek out the truth…Before you make a decision speak with Prince Rhaegar…"
Caster looks at his son Julian and pats him on the shoulder, "The student has become the teacher…"
"I only say words that you have instilled within me for years…"
Caster looks at Ser Daryl, "Where is the Prince?"
"No one knows my Lord…But this much is evident war is brewing all over Westeros and sides are being chosen…"
"My Son…Brother…I want the two of you to prepare the army for war…Thirty thousand should be enough…Arm the reserves to defend the Expanse…I want scouts posted throughout all of our lands and all roads in the south…Find Prince Rhaegar!"
Two months pass before Rhaegar appears at Harrenhal. When Caster receives the news he rides hard for Harrenhal to meet with the Prince. "Lord Caster you are here!"
"May I speak with you in private my Prince?" Rhaegar agrees and they go to a private room. "With all due respect I must ask…Did you kidnap Lady Lyanna.
Rhaegar is usually a level headed young man not easily given to violence or anger. In fact he only uses violence as a last resort. "You dare ask me such a question?" The anger in his voice is evident.
"Yes…My honor will not allow me to support a Prince who kidnaps a Lady of the realm against her will…If you are becoming your father…Then kill me now!"
Rhaegar sighs, "I did not kidnap her…" He replies staring into his eyes.
Caster nods, "I see the truth in your eye…And I ask your forgiveness…I have no place questioning my King…"
Rhaegar sighs, "No you…I handle all of this so wrong…And if not for that damned Varys I would have gotten the support I needed…"
After Rhaegar tells Caster what happened, he summons his troops to fight. During the two months Rhaegar was missing Robert Baratheon had defeated three armies and Jon Connington. Eddard Stark had married Catalyn Tully in his brother's place and Jon Arryn marries Lysa Tully. The Baratheons, Starks, Tullys, and Arryns are now all united against the Targaryens, the Tyrells, the Matrells and the Romyns. The Lannisters remain neutral and Greyjoys sit and wait to see the outcome.
Rhaegar and his allies gather in the great hall of Harren Castle. The Martells have sent 10,000 spears, House Tyrell 20,000 under the command of Lord Redwyne, and House Romyn has 30,000 men in the field. Rhaegar himself has 8,000 men of the royal army. These forces do not include free riders, knights, and sell swords. "My scouts report that the rebels are gathering on the trident…" Lord Alliser Thorne says. "Twenty thousand Knights of the Vale…15,000 riverrats…18,000 shits from the North and 40,000 men of the Stormlands…"
"We are outnumbered!" Lord Redwyne declares.
"There is still hope…The Lannisters may yet come through for us…" Rhaegar says.
Caster wants to say something, but he doesn't want to lower the moral of his allies with his hatred of House Lannister. He doesn't trust Tywin Lannister, but if Tywin did show up he would welcome him to the battlefield. "My Prince My Lords…In war you should never do what the enemy expects…or go where they lead you…The enemy has superior numbers, but they haven't advanced on any of our positions…I say we draw them away from the Trident…"
"How?"
"This is distasteful, but I say we smash every village, town, and castle between here and the Stone Mill…No killing or raping…We burn crops and destroy homes…"
"Where is the honor in that?" Ser Barristan asks.
"Homes can be rebuilt and crops replanted…People cannot be bought back to life…The honor lies with Lords Hoster, Arryn, and Stark…They will insist on coming out to face us…"
"If we do this My Prince and win the smallfolk will hate your reign…"
He sighs, "As much as I would like to charge Robert Baratheon on the Trident…We will do what Lord Caster suggests…"
After the meeting ends Caster pulls his son on the side. "Son I have always taught you that in war one should prepare for the worst and hope for the best…"
"Yes father…"
"I have a mission for you…You will take two thousand of our men and ride for King's Landing…When you arrive take the King and place him under House arrest…Kill all those loyal to that mad fuck…"
"What about Prince Rhaegar?"
"Better to ask forgiveness than permission…"
"And Ser Jaime Lannister?"
Caster stares at his son, "I leave his fate in your hands…"
"I was looking forward to fighting at your side Father…"
He grabs his son and hugs him, "So was I…" When Caster releases his son he removes his sword belt. "This is Tiger's Breath…This sword has been in our family for generations…Here take it…"
He hesitates, "Father…I can't…"
He shoves it into his hand, "Yes you can…It will be yours one day…Take it…Tiger of the West." Julian removes his sword and hands it to his father then he belts the Valyrian made sword. "Go…Strength and Honor!"
Julian strikes his fist across his chest, "Strength and Honor!"