Daeron
283 A.C
Essos
Daeron tapped his aching back with his knuckles. By the gods how long had it been when they were young men fighting in Essos gathering power to regain their birth right? Years too many to count and many mroe bloody fights with his brother to care. He needed to constantly cool his brothers head to remind him what happened to their ancestor. What Rebellion meant when not done properly! Had it not been for him they would have thrown their lot with the now infamous Band of Nine all those years ago. Look what that got them, without the Golden Company their efforts fell through. Melys was furious of course and went into one of his "hunts" as he called them. Always came back a fortnight later bloodied and with a few men less in his party. Daeron long decided it was pointless to ask him his whereabouts.
"M'lord!" One of his soldiers came in panting and sweating from the Essos sun. He looked half rattled and about ready to keel over. With a calm expression, as ever Daeron poured the man some water from his skin into a cup. He drank it greedily some spilling on his leather.
"Go on," Daeron muttered, his attention on the map at hand. Pentos had some grievance or other with Tyrosh and a contract was in the works.
"Wonderful news! Something has happened in Westeros, here!" The man eagerly handed him parchment, the seal was from his contacts in the West. Daeron plucked it from the man's grasp and read it. His light purple eyes widened, his mouth went dry as his lips parted ever so slightly. It was time, the gods rewarded his patience, their patience!
"My brother and the captains call them quickly! I care not what they are doing this is matter is of most importance!" Daeron set quickly to writing letters to inform the necessary people in Westeros.
"Yes m'lord!" He clearly felt Daeron's own energy and sprinted out to do as he was commanded. Not two hours later, the command of the Golden Company arrived at his tent. At their their head stood his brother Maelys with his arms crossed and a sour expression on his face. Oh, brother I shall wipe such a look from your face Daeron smirked, his teeth all there still he thanked the seven. With him Myles "Blackheart" Toyne his second in command and a soldier if there ever was one. Their sons, Aegon Daeron's son and Valerion Maelys son.
"The time is now, friends and brothers in arms. Westeros is finally ripe for the taking. Aegon read this for me, my son. This old man might die of happiness if I do so again." Daeron handed the parchment to his son.
His eyes scanned it eagerly before his mouth went agape and a smile spread across his lips. "Aerys Targaryen has executed Brandon Stark and Rickard Stark. In response to Rhaegar Targaryen the Crown Prince abduction of Lyanna Stark sister to now Lord Eddard Stark and betrothed to Robert Baratheon. The Vale of Arryn has risen in Rebellion to protect Robert, and Eddard who in turn raise their banners in Rebellion." Aegon could not help it, he laughed a hearty laugh and his Cousin Valerion turned and hugged Aegon excited. Maely's once sour face cracked with a hearty laugh. His old age hardly slowing him down he picked up both boys with immense strength. The two clad in mail and leather, no less. He tossed them around cackling. Myles Toyne simply let a small smile at the display.
"Shall I ready the men then?" Myles clapped his hands once rubbing them together.
"Yes, we must move quickly our time is short and we must contact the Rebels. This can only end with House Targaryen being removed from the throne." Daeron moved around his brother and son set to work as well. There was a war to win, and Daeron planned to win it with Blood and Steel.
Aegon
283 A.C
The Vale
"Father's contacts are amazing!" Aegon gripped the rails of his ship, The Black Dread named after his ancestor's dragon. Like the times of ancient he was as his namesake, a conqueror and from a young age Aegon was bred to be a king. Though unlike his ancestor it was not a dragon but a ship he sailed. From Volantis to Braavos ships built with gold from their contracts and contacts made by his father Daeron. He was, despite his father and uncle being twins, born first. His uncle Maelys hadn't been the happiest. Yet he remembered as a child his uncle put him on his shoulders and point him to Westeros. Their home, the place they belonged, Aegon would rule he would make sure of it his counterparts the Targaryen's had finally made a mistake. A big mistake that would cost them their rule. Aegon gripped Blackfyre at his hip, the sword long thought lost was in Volantis waiting its master, thanks to Aegon's father it had found it. First his uncle wielded it, then he was gifted it on his eighteenth nameday. A sword fit for a king, and he planned to be the best Westeros saw since Aegon the Conqueror.
"Land!" Valerion cried with vigor, his helm fell from his grasp on the deck. He was held back by a marine as his brother leaned out too far on the railing for comfort. In his plate, he would sink in seconds, it certainly wouldn't do when home was close enough to taste. Aegon smirked, The Black Dread unfurled all its sails and below deck the rowers put their backs into it. Even over the noise of the sailors readying for landing the sounds of war reached Aegon's ears. Steel and men dying a symphony he was all too familiar from his countless battles in Essos. When their ships were close enough to spot their sails, the town's bell rang. A loud thunderous sound signifying their arrival.
"Let's respond in candor, drums!" Aegon bellowed. A rhythmic thump followed his command, from below deck the men of the golden company poured out filling Black Dread's decks with soldiers. Soon the whole fleet sung the rhythmic thumping. Gulltown's ports as their contact told were big enough to dock ships. The Black Dread, Lady Lys, Stranger and, Bess would take the ports. Aegon and Velarion would lead the foot into town to take the keep some two thousand strong. More men would follow on boat once near the docks. His uncle would take the rest of the fleet and make landfall with Calvary and make to unite with Jon Arryn's forces. The port was in sight Black Dread docked into a port Aegon drew Blackfyre and was the first down the boarding ramp. He donned his helm as he ran down the ramp, Myles in charge of his personal guard was second. The Garrison scrambled to meet them the Grafton Levies rushed to form ranks easily filled with gaps. The fumbling townsmen brought up spears scythes and hoes in an attempt to intimidate them.
Aegon took his sword in both hands, he breathed his first taste of Westerosi air with salt of the sea. He exhaled and roared as the dragon he was born to be. "Beneath the Gold, the bitter steel!" Aegon charged, his men smashed against the Gulltown garrison. Men were knocked down, to the right his men cut through the enemy's flank. Aegon slew any who dared try him, Blackfyre hacked through armor like exposed flesh. He pushed forward through the enemy's center, the Garrison split dividing itself into smaller easier to kill groups. The better trained and battle hardened Golden Company swiftly cut down the levies. No knight that was among the chaos could muster an effective rally. The garrison routed towards the frontal wall, Velarion eager and if a bit foolish made chase, his men following suit. Aegon was tempered, instead he regrouped the remainder and awaited further reinforcements. His brother took with him four hundred men. Aegon moved with the rest, to take the lighlty defended castle at the center of town. Taking it would be easy enough, the routed levies would have little time to warn the keeps defenders. Swiftly Aegon and his men cut a bloody swath through the streets a few knights tried rallying the routing force but Aegon was too quick. His men overwhelmed them and Aegon slew the knights foolish enough to try him. Among the dead knights a man with a tower on his surcoat died desperately trying to kill Aegon.
"Forgive me ser, you did your duty. May mother carry you and treat your wounds." Aegon stepped over the body, the Keep within sight. Aegon moved fast, but the portcullis opened and out on horseback a small force of mounted knights rode for their center. Aegon did not panic he stepped back, "spears forward!" His command was followed as quickly as possible. "Hold!" The Golden Company raised shields and between the gaps spears thrusted out when the riders were close enough. The horses were skewered as some of the riders in lighter mail coats only the first two ranks of his men fell to the weight of armored horses and men. The small force trying to take the commander scattered and tried to return to the keep. "Forward with me!" Aegon raised Blackfyre and charged the keep. His men followed suit, nearly sixty men made it inside in a bloody struggle. The first room was cleared in mere moments. The men-at-arms, though well trained, got caught unaware and it cost them their lives.
"The portcullis, open it!" Aegon's men did so quickly and efficiently the rest of his forces poured inside.
"Split here, your grace!" Aegon was nearly stunned to silence, but he recovered quickly. Your Grace, that was a first until they decidedly committed to this campaign.
"Aye! With me men. Find Lord Grafton's son and wife and win the day!" Aegon scoured the keep, his men clearing floors as they went the cramp halls of the keep made for a bad place to battle. Yet Aegon cut down the men-at-arms defending their liege Lord's family. Bodies began piling the halls, footing became treacherous as bodies obstructed his advance. The blood soaked the stone floor causing some men to fall. The fallen, no matter the side, trampled under the sheer weight of numbers. Near the Lords Solar another knight of house Grafton rallied the men-at-arms. Quickly Aegon Faced the knight, he was good and pushed Aegon back. They traded blows their footing loose, finally with a final thrust, Blackfyre pierced the knights heart. The man's fall clearly killed all morale the defenders threw their arms down, and gave way for Aegon. As he entered the Lord's Solar he found Lady Grafton. She held her son, a mere boy. "I am Aegon Blackfyre sixth of my name King of the Andals the Rhoynar and the First Men. Lord of the seven Kingdoms Protector of the Realm. My men and I promise your safety, but please yield the castle to me."
"We have little choice on the matter, enemies to our rear and our front, we tried to remain loyal, but it was not meant to be. I yield the keep to you if you guarantee the safety of my son and myself." Lady Grafton dignified in all manner betrayed no fear in her voice.
Aegon smiled and extended his hand, only briefly he noticed the bloody mess of his gauntlets. Thinking better of it he retracted it and bowed thankfully to Lady Grafton. Gulltown was theirs, the defenders just didn't know it yet.
Velarion
283 A.C
The Vale
"To the Battlements lads let's go!" Velarion was bred for this, every day when Aegon would be studying he snuck out to train with the men. He had been fighting with the Golden Company since he was fifteen, his brother started a year later on uncle Daeron's insistence. Velarion if he was honest didn't care much for kingship. His interest where battle, wine and whores a plenty to warm his bed, at nineteen he hadn't a care in the world and only lusted for the latter. Yet when the opportunity arose to go where his father constantly reminded them as theirs. He couldn't explain the happiness, he honestly thought he would never care, but he wanted this. He wanted home. He wanted to find a spot that he could return to that wasn't tents outside a city. With that conviction at heart, Velarion followed his brother, his king to war. His men climbed the battlements the ramparts were chaos who was fighting who was impossible to tell. Well until Velarion made head to the man brandishing a hammer on the battlements. To his feet injured a man with a Valyrian sword Defending him and keeping him from the enemy hands was Robert Baratheon. His surcoat held the black stag on a yellow field.
"To the gate lads! Ser Denys with me!" Robert Baratheon had a battlefield voice not unlike his father. When the man's helm looked to his and his inverted banner uncertainty yet fury seemed to set the mood.
"I am Velarion Blackfyre, I fight for my brother against House Targaryen, prey tell Lord Robert Baratheon who do you fight?" Velarion adjusted the grip of his sword pointing down yet ready to bring to bear should the worst happen. Their entire plan hinged on this, would the rebels fight with them? Chaos reigned and their intentions had been clear in their message to the Rebel Lords.
"Hah! I thought you were all dead!" Robert Baratheon lifted his visor a broad grin across his face. "When Jon told me, you were some bastard exiles I thought he was joking."
Velarion bristled at being called a bastard, his line was legitimized by Aegon the Unworthy. "We are the true heirs of the Iron Throne, legitimized by-"
Robert interrupted him. "I don't care if the Seven fucking legitimized you, if you're an enemy of the mad king you're a friend of mine! Come on then let's take this fucking town!" Robert bellowed, slapped his visor down. He practically shouldered his way through Velarion and his men. The Valemen hollered and followed suit. Before Velarion knew it he had a grin on his face. This man, Robert Baratheon might be a kindred spirit to Velarion. With a spin of his sword he followed the Bartheon Lord to battle, the Golden Company and the Rebel Venguard attacked the defenders at the gatehouse. Robert Baratheon was a fury of blows, his hammer crushed any man who dared fight him. Amid the chaos, Robert Baratheon found himself facing off against Lord Marq Grafton. The older man rallied the defenders around him and charged Robert's center. Any sane man with a sense for tactics would hunker down and dissipate the force of bodies against a shield wall. Robert instead yelled at the top of his lungs and charged right back! Both sides smacked into each other shields on shields, swords piercing bodies. Robert Baratheon smashed through shields with his hammer. Any blow getting past his defense he shrugged off in his armor. The loyalist, deseprate for victory put up a tough fight. One of Lord Grafton's knights pushed into Robert's left flank, seeing his chance Velarion charged the incoming men with his Golden Company. The counter attack soon turned from an organized charge to bloody melee. Formations began dissolving as men gave to primal rage and killed each other with whatever they could grab.
If nothing was available they'd smash men with their helms. If the helms slick with blood fell from their grips, their bare hands would do. Hell, Velarion even saw one man strangle a man who was stabbing him in the gut in return! The battle intensified and the gatehouse to right began to gave way to the battering ram outside. Through the carnage of death inside the walls he could hear the heavy thud against the gate. Velarion wished to act quickly, he wanted to get his men to the gatehouse and open it. To open the gate would win him quite a bit of glory, yet the gods seemed fit to shower Robert Baratheon with it. At the center of the carnage Robert faced Lord Marq Grafton in single combat. The older Lord was skillful and seemed experienced enough. Yet he was old, this prolonged battle left him tired and it showed as the younger Robert and much faster man smashed Lord Grafton's chest with the spike at the end of his hammer.
"Lyanna!" Robert's mighty hammer crushed Lord Marq Griftan right under the gatehouse to Gulltown with a woman's name at his lips. The defenders lost all hope, whatever loyalist remained threw their weapons down and the days was theirs. Velarion cheered with his men, as he looked over the carnage his armor stained with blood his red surcoat at the least hiding the stains well. He saw at the town center, the red banner with black dragon fly over the keep. While a man atop the highest tower waved the Golden Company's standard.
Daeron
283 A.C
Vale
Daeron felt his old bones cry out under the weight of his armor, his once flowing silver hair was white as snow. His brother led the Calvary around Gulltown the red banners and the Golden Company standard flew behind them. When the Rebel camp was within sight they were quickly met by the rebel forces. Leading them seemed to be Lord Yohn Royce, his Pikemen formed up four ranks deep. Their pikes down at the front and more through the gaps, the gleaming sun set an almost artistic picture Yohn Royce on horseback, his sword at his side. His men held firm at his back, Daeron raised his hand to tell his men to stand down. Maelys grunted and rode forward Daeron did so as well.
"Lord Yohn Royce I presume?" Daeron put his fist across his chest, a sign of one warrior to the other.
"Yes, you must be the "Black Dragons" that command the Golden Company." Royce swept his sword down and the pike line ceased to be. His men returned to file and rank, even the Golden Company was impressed at the sight. These weren't some levies with pitchforks but a trained army, the pikemen parted for Lord Jon Arryn. From there it was a simple matter of time, the Vale banners flew above Gulltown. Yet above the keep in the middle of town was the Black Dragon and the Golden Company standard.
The Rebels met within Gulltown's walls, much celebration was done by the victorious armies. The Golden Company men easily joined the Valemen. His nephew Velarion was out drinking and whoring again. Though Daeron tried to make him act more befitting their rank, it fell on deaf ears. Maelys wasn't much help on the matter. Still it was worth celebrating, Lyn Corbry was knighted for fighting bravely and honorably. He pledges his sword to Lord Arryn on the spot, though really there had never been a choice. Noteworthy Ser Mandon Moore was second only to Robert Baratheon on the battlements. Ser Mandon Moore killed some four knights atop the battlements and was given quite the congratulations. But the man's expression was blank and dead through it all, really, he lost the love he gained as quickly as he got it.
"My Lords, I come to you seeking what my family has fought for generations. Under Targaryen rule this country has suffered, but I plan to make sure my line makes no such mistakes." Aegon swept across the gathered lords of the Vale. Blackheart stood at his side arms behind him already people thought him the first of Aegon's Kingsguard. Not an entirely bad idea but he wondered if Toyne even desired a white cloak or his ancestral home returned. He supposed it was for another time, the gathered Vale Lords in Lord what was it now? Ah yes Lord Gerold Grifton's solar. The Lady Grifton was with her son though the lad had been told of his fathers demise. He held a quiet dignity to be admired for a boy his age.
"How would you do that?" Robert Baratheon without thought blurted out before them. Daeron closed his eyes sighing to himself, his son wasn't as… irritable as Velarion, but he could also be foolishly proud.
His son thankfully wasn't so hot headed as to retort in a manner ill befitting a future king. "First despite our family's great… pedigree, I plan to band that most noble of Targaryen tradition of sister fucking." A twist to his lips made the Lords laugh aloud Robert Baratheon chief amongst them banging his gauntlet fist on the table. The pieces on the map before them rattling with the force. Dearon wondered if the young Baratheon could match Maelys in strength. The duel between their cousin coming back to mind. A horrible display in strength, when his brother twisted their cousins head from his shoulders.
"Aye that's a way to start, and the High Septon will be welcoming of you for the efforts your grace." Lord Jon Arryn nodded the only one who did not laugh along with his bannermen.
"I also plan to help you get what your family has dutifully deserves Lord Baratheon, and to Lord Stark as well." Aegon's tone conveyed respect and sympathy, the Vale Lords nodded silently.
Robert Baratheon stood and rounded the corner Warhammer in hand. Blackheart seeing the quick pace reached for his sword but Aegon stopped him. He walked before the Baratheon man easily inches taller than his son. "Rhaegar Targaryen took my beloved, the coward ran and remains in hiding yet. Promise me I will get to kill him, give me the chance to kill him. I don't care how symbolic it is for or your family to kill him he is mine. Do this and I will name you whatever you damn please." Robert stretched his hand out for his son. In a moment of insanity, Daeron thought if the gods flipped their coin and his son would say something to crush their dreams.
His son took Robert's hand and shook it firmly. "You have yourself a king then Lord Robert Baratheon."
A smile played across the Baratheon Lord, charismatic and infectious to all around even Daeron's lips twisted upward. Had we not come, had we never been, this man could have been a king. "Then here stands the only king I mean to bend my knee to." Robert stepped and knelt his war hammer pommel against the ground erect in pledging fealty. "To King Aegon Blackfyre!" In a chorus of movement and steel leaving scabbards. The vale Lords moved and knelt before his son, swords drawn they pronounced him king.
"King Aegon Blackfyre!" The Vale Lords declared firmly. Aegon drew Blackfyre for their namesake. Held high above Aegon looked noble, powerful he looked a king. He looked the hope for their families long years of ambition.
No, I did not start a new project, this is just an exercise I had to do, for battles. This is an interesting thought I had. What if scenario where the War of the Ninepenny Kings never happened the Band of Nine failed in the disputed lands. The Golden Company didn't join them. So, here's the changes made to the story. But mainly, this was an exercise on battle scenes, war scenes I will need for my stories. So give me your feedback tell me if the battles flowed well and if they have enough detail or too little detail. I feel it's enough to get the carnage across, while detailed enough to keep a cohesive battle. I do plan to perhaps add more scenery to make better sense of the battle. I don't know again tell me how you feel about the battle.
-Maelys didn't "consume" his twin and both were born, Daeron being the cunning quiet type while Maelys was the muscle.
-Both married into Volintian nobility and had sons, Being Twins I decided they were pretty close so Maelys didn't mind letting his brother's son take the throne.
-Velarion is boisterous and loves to fight, Aegon is calm and collected but is secretly a better warrior than Velarion. He just holds back for his brother sake as he loves him dearly.
- Aegon is married off to Catelyn Tully to secure Tully alliance.
-Ser Denys loses his family earlier on, so he's married off to Lysa Tully.
-Ned marries Ashara Dayne sparing her death and their mystery bastard lives. Yes, I believe Ned and Ashara had a thing instead of Brandon.
-Finally, things end just about the same, but instead Cersei is married off to Velarion. Not exactly as a reward but punishment for joining the war late. Everyone who fought for the Targaryens are pardoned. Also, Prince Lewyn survives but he is dismissed from the Kingsguard with him, Rhaegar's son survives as does Dany and Viserys sent across the Narrow Sea.
-Robert marries Lyanna as well on the condition that they kept Lyanna's son with Rhaegar. Robert agrees but the bastard is sent north to Ned who raises him with Ashara. Robert not being a king is a much better person and his marriage to Lyanna goes well for the most part. Robert stopped whoring but kept drinking. Lyanna beats him into better shape. They have two sons.
-For the hell of it, Ned has two sons and a daughter, she can Arya or Sansa never decided.
-Aegon and Catelyn have two daughters and a son.
-Cersei and Velarion have three sons, something Cersei flaunts at Catelyn.
-Ser Denys and Lysa have a son and two daughters, Lysa doesn't suffer from miscarriages.
Edit 8/4/2017: Shadowcrest Nightingale my beta, and additionally I will be adding a second chapter adding her help to see if it improves.