King Brynden I Targaryen

The sea was roaring in the background, the battle was in full flow. It had taken them longer than he would have liked to reach the Stepstones, ships had been lost and they had had to stop off at Tarth, but they were finally here, finally able to end the Blackfyre threat once and for all. Before battle had begun he had given his lords and their men strict instructions, kill Maelys Blackfyre and his sister, neither one was to be left alive. At this moment in time, as he hacked and slashed his way through row after row of the Golden Company, Brynden was confident he'd soon be facing up against that two headed monster.

The same two headed monster who had evaded capture when his father had invaded ten years ago, would not escape capture and death this time around. Aegon had asked him how he had known Blackfyre would be here, and well the truth was that he had dreamed it, had seen it in a vision, a similar vision to what Edwyle had had, and so they had planned the battle and their tactics accordingly. A man came rushing towards him wielding an axe Brynden ducked the swing and then thrust Blackfyre through the man's exposed under arms and put his sword in deep, pulling out and then blocking another axe swing before quick as a flash burying Blackfyre deep into the bastard's armour and chest.

When he pulled his sword out, it was covered in blood. The fight went on, he spurred his horse on, hacking and slashing. Men fell down before him their bodies torn with cuts and bruises a plenty, those that were not dead when they fell were soon killed by the time Brynden moved on, either because he had cut them down himself as they tried to rise or they were ridden down. Another axe wielding bastard came charging towards him on a black warhorse, the bastard swung his axe and Brynden just managed to swerve to the side and miss the swing. The man was soon cut down by Ser Oberyn Dayne of the Kingsguard, as he tried to rear around and go at Brynden once more. Brynden moved on spurring his horse on, hacking down men who came in his path.

Where is the bastard? Brynden thought, Maelys Blackfyre was the key to this, kill him and the whole skirmish would be done. The Golden Company always lost heart when its leaders were slain, and Brynden planned to do just that. The fight waged around him, he could hear the screams of the dying, men in their death throes, men yelling at one another, the clash of steel on steel. It all echoed through his helm, seemingly magnified because he was king, and these were his people dying. An arrow went whizzing past his head, and brought him out of his reverie. He swore loudly and bellowed for the archers to unleash hellfire. They were over the ridge, having been left for a moment like this.

Brynden brought his horse back toward the ridge Blackfyre still drawn, as the arrows came reigning down from above. They looked like a dragon's fire, set alight as they were, they came falling down with great speed, and the screams of the men who were hit would haunt Brynden for many years to come, still it did the job, and soon enough there were fewer men for him to have to kill. "Over the bridge men. We must cross the bridge!" Brynden shouted, and spurred his horse on toward the Bridge of Blood, followed by Ser Brandon Stark and Ser Gerold Hightower.

More men came into his way, and they soon learnt what it meant to cross the path of a true dragon. Hacking and slashing as he went on, Blackfyre sung with each new conquest, each new drop of blood that was spilt and ended up in its cover. On and on, the men came not learning their lesson, men from the Golden Company, Blackfyre's own lackeys, and men from different sellsword companies, the Second Sons and the Company of the Cat amongst them. They all came rushing towards Brynden and his men and they all ended up dead, cut to a million tiny little pieces.

The last man Brynden slays seems to be the last defender of the Bridge for when he falls none come to stop Brynden or his men from crossing, and as such he begins to feel the nerves flutter in his stomach, so close now. "Find me Maelys Blackfyre!" he bellows whether to his men or to the hawk that he knows is fluttering above him, like the shadow it was meant to be, he knows not all he knows is that this will only end when Blackfyre's head adorns a spike.

The land over the bridge is strangely deserted, and Brynden feels his nerves begin to get to him, perhaps this is a trap, an elaborate ploy perhaps? Brandon Stark seems to share his concerns. "Where are they Your Grace? I thought they would be here?" Stark is a good knight, one of the best if not the best swordsman in the realm, but he is still a boy still despite being twenty and four.

"He will be here soon enough Bran, never worry. Blackfyres have more brawn then sense." Ser Gerold replies.

Brynden snorts, it is true. Those Blackfyres he has met of the male variety often seemed to have more strength and skill at weaponry than actual sense. Well apart from the exception of Maegon Blackfyre, but that man was half mad, as well as being a genius. The sound of battle drifts over the bridge and Brynden draws his sword as do Ser Brandon and Ser Gerold. "Ser Gerold go and find out what has happened. I want to know where my men are." Ser Gerold bows his head and trots off. Meanwhile, the rest of the men who came over the bridge with them pant and relax, though there is still some weariness amongst them, suspecting a trap. After what seems like a lifetime Ser Gerold appears, his face a grim mask, and Brynden briefly fears for the worst. "What has happened Ser?"

The knight is silent for a moment and then says. "Good news Your Grace. Maelys Blackfyre has been slain, and his generals killed or fled."

There was silent for a long moment as the men let the words sink in and then a loud cheer went up, led by Ser Brandon, and the men joined cheering and banging their weapons off of their shields. Eventually, Brynden raised a hand and the men went quiet. "That is good news Ser. But I must ask how do you know? Who was the one to slay the monster?"

Ser Gerold, the White Bull as he is known breaks out into a smile then. "I saw the monster's heads myself Your Grace. They adorn two spikes. Ser Barristan Selmy of Harvest Hall was the one to slay the monster, he cut a bloody path through the Golden Company before he slew the monster."

At that there is more cheering, and Brynden nods. "Very well it is time we went to see this slayer of Blackfyres ourselves is it not men?" More cheering and then Brynden spurs his horse on, crossing the bridge and following Ser Gerold's directions stops at the place where Ser Barristan is said to be. There is already a large crowd gathered round him cheering him, they fall silent when Brynden dismounts from his horse and walks towards them. "Which one of you is Ser Barristan?" he asks.

The crowd parts and there in the middle of them all stands a tall man with dark brown hair, and suddenly Brynden remembers where he has heard the name, Barristan Selmy was knighted by Aegon at a tourney some years ago. He is bold as brass when Brynden stands before him, he gets to one knee and says. "I am Your Grace."

Brynden is silent for a long moment before he says. "You have done your king and the realm a great service Ser Barristan. We owe you a debt that I fear may never be repaid. Name what you wish and it shall be yours if it is within my power to grant it to you."

Selmy is silent and then he says simply. "I simply wish to be of service to you Your Grace."

Brynden nods and then declares loudly. "Let it be known from this day forth that Ser Barristan Selmy, truly has earnt his name the Bold. He is a hero of the realm; his name shall be celebrated across the realm from the wall to Dorne." More cheers and Brynden helps the man stand up, before turning to Ser Gerold and asking him. "Where is Ser Oberyn?"

The White Bull is silent and before he can respond, Ser Barristan speaks then his voice heavy. "Your Grace, I must apologise, but before I could get to Maelys, he had already slain Ser Oberyn, the Sword of the Morning died preventing the man from crossing the bridge."

The news hits Brynden hard, Ser Oberyn dead? That can't be possible, the man seemed invincible, he had been a knight of the Kingsguard since the beginning of Brynden's father- his uncle really- reign. The old man was supposed to outlive them all. Looking at Selmy's face though he knows the words he speaks are the truth. He merely nods and then leaves Selmy to celebrate with the rest of the men; he mounts his horse and then says to Ser Gerold. "Go and find Aegon, and tell him to come to my tent we have much to discuss."

Much later as night begins to settle over the Bloodstone Island, Brynden is sat in his tent looking over maps, when Ser Brandon Stark announces Aelix. Brynden tells him to enter, surprised. He greets his nephew, and then asks. "Aelix it is a relief to see you alive and well, but where are your father and older brother?"

Aelix's face contorts with barely controlled grief, and Brynden feels his heart plummet. The worst is confirmed when Aelix says. "Father and Duncan are dead Your Grace. Father was slain by some Strickland bastard, and Duncan was slain fighting Maelys Blackfyre. It took me till very recently to find their bodies."

The shock hits Brynden hard, so hard in fact that he has to sit down. He gestures for his nephew to sit down as well and then asks his voice choked. "Where was Ser Duncan the Tall when this was happening? Where were Ser Quentyn and Ser Harrold?"

Aelix sighs then and says. "Ser Quentyn was grievously wounded fighting off some Flowers bastard, Ser Duncan died defending him from the same bastard. Ser Harrold was slain as well."

Brynden sighs then and says. "Very well, the Silent Sisters are here yes?" His nephew nods. "Good make sure they do everything correctly and then we shall burn Aegon and Duncan's bodies so their ashes can be interred in Summerhall. Then we shall hold a meeting to see how things are going across the other islands."

It takes them two weeks before everything is settled, by that point news has come from the other islands, victory has been achieved, the remenants of the Golden Company have either been executed or have fled, Brynden allowing them to flee knowing they will not cause havoc for his people ever again. The other casualties of the fighting include Lord Tyrek Baratheon dead of his wounds, as well as thousands of other men. The fighting has been costly but it has ended a very serious threat.

They return home to King's Landing to a hero's welcome with the small folk and the nobles lining the streets cheering and praising them all. The hawk that Edwyle had sent, that had pecked out various members of the Golden Company's eyes out flies up ahead. The cheering continues, the dynasty is secure, and when Brynden sees his wife and children standing on the steps of the Red Keep, he spurs his horse onwards, leaps down from his horse and then embraces all of them, kissing Rowena square on the lips.

The celebratory atmosphere continues for well over a month, with a grand tourney being held, which is won by Ser Brandon Stark, and several feasts being held. The nobles and the small folk alike do not seem to be in any hurry to want to end the celebrations, and Brynden finds that he is willing to acquiesce to them on this matter. For sixty years the black dragons have tormented his family and his people, and now their line is at an end. They can celebrate all year if they want to.

Eventually though real life comes back into existence, and it starts with the interring of Aegon's and Duncan's ashes. Jaehaerys is now Prince of Summerhall, his son Aerys his heir, Aerys a smart lad, a capable administrator though there is a screw loose somewhere there, and Edwyle has warned Brynden that the boy will cause more trouble in the future. Aerys was wed to his sister Rhaella for a prophecy their son Rhaegar was born some three days after the war was ended. Still there is some unease that Brynden feels about that whole situation, but now is not the time to think about that.

Ser Barristan Selmy and Brynden's own son Prince Aenar are raised to the Kingsguard replacing the dead Ser Oberyn Dayne and Ser Harrold Grandison. Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull is named as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Brynden also names his nephew Prince Aelix Targaryen as the new master of laws and names Mantarys Velaryon as the new master of ships.

The first council session of the New Year, begins with reports from the master of coin Lord Allem Dayne. "Your Grace, as you know the war effort was quite expensive. But as the pretender did not manage to get onto the mainland our gold reserves were maintained and we shall be able to pay for the war." Brynden nods and the Dayne goes on. "Furthermore, the lodgers at the Royal Bank have informed me that one Lord Baelish wishes to put in a request for a loan."

Brynden nods and then says. "Very well, then. Who is this Lord Baelish, and will he have the funds to repay the loan back?"

Dayne consults his papers and then says. "Baelish owns lands on the Fingers, some small pellets of sheep shit Your Grace. He fought on the Stepstones alongside Lords Arryn and Stark, he also met Lord Tully, and wishes to refurnish his holdings. He says with trade with the Vale he should be able to pay the loan off in roughly fifteen years."

Brynden is silent and then says. "Very well, but I want him told that if he fails to stay true to the repayment his lands will be confiscated." Dayne nods. "Now what more is there that needs discussion?"

Maron Martell speaks then. "My sources report that Aerion Targaryen's legitimate children have begun speaking with the captain of the Golden Company. They wish to expand their influence beyond Pentos, and want the rest of Essos."

"They are welcome to it. What is Essos but a land full of greedy money makers and savages? They can keep Essos, so long as they do not turn their eyes west, we need not fear them." Brynden says. Martell nods. With that the council meeting comes to an end. Brynden spends the next few days at court dealing with various things, and with his family enjoying the peace and quiet that peace time has afforded him. Eventually he gets round to speaking with his former squire, Ser Brandon Stark of the Kingsguard, known as the White Wolf, a fierce fighter and a loyal man, honest and true. Brynden calls him into his solar one day when the sun is beating down on them; he needs information about Rickard Stark and who better to tell him than his own brother.

Stark is of course reluctant to truly speak about his brother behind his back but he still does so, it helps Brynden supposes that the boy's father is in the room as well. "Rickard is a good man Your Grace. He is loyal and true, if a bit grim and solemn. He will serve you well as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North."

Brynden nods and then looking towards Edwyle asks his former squire. "Will Rickard answer a call to arms to defend the wall and the realm should the time come?"

Brynden sees his former shift uncomfortably, before he replies. "Yes Your Grace. I know Rickard will do all in his power to ensure that the Wall and the north are securely defended from all possible threats."

Brynden nods and then says. "Thank you Brandon, you may go." Once his former squire has left, Brynden turns to his friend and goodbrother and says. "What did you make of that then Ed?"

Edwyle smiles slightly and says. "Brandon is a good child. He spoke honestly and truly. Rickard will make sure that when the time is right the north shall be ready for what is to come. Though neither of them knows the true severity of what is going to hit them."

Brynden laughs then. "Ah what a pair we make eh Ed? The peace we have worked so hard for is finally here, and we sit worrying about something that will happen in many, many years when we are both dead and buried in the ground. Still, I suppose we must keep an eye on Pentos as well, Maron has told me of the cheesemonger's interest in Aerion's children. And of course Aerys will have to be kept under constant watch as well. That damnable prophecy will be the death of us."