Annotations from item #46265328:

Princess Daenora Targaryen was a daughter of Prince Rhaegel Targaryen and Lady Alys Arryn. She had an older brother and sister, the twins Aelor and Aelora. Daenora was married to her cousin, Prince Aerion.

History

Daenora was the youngest child of Prince Rhaegel Targaryen and his wife, Lady Alys Arryn. She was married to her cousin, Prince Aerion Targaryen, at an unknown point in time. Together, they had one son, Prince Maegor, who was born in 232 AC, and whose claim to the throne was disputed by the Great Council of 233 AC.

Family




Annotations from item #46265329:

Daenys Targaryen, called Daenys the Dreamer, was the daughter of Lord Aenar Targaryen, a nobleman from the Valyrian Freehold.

Contents

History

When Daenys was still a maiden

Daenys was married to her brother Gaemon. Their children were Aegon and Elaena Targaryen.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

By the time of the War of the Five Kings, it is believed that visions written down by Daenys before the Doom of Valyria were in a book called *Signs and Portents, that is now lost. Archmaester Marwyn claims he found three pages from it in his *Book of Lost Books.

Family




Annotations from item #46265330:

Daeron can refer to:




Annotations from item #46265331:

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Daeron II Targaryen, known as Daeron the Good, was the twelfth Targaryen to sit the Iron Throne. Daeron brought Dorne peacefully into the realm, uniting all the lands of Westeros south of the wall.

Contents

Character and Appearance

Daeron was dignified. He was round-shouldered, with thin legs and a small pot belly. His kind thoughtful face had a certain quiet strength, though, and his eyes were clear and full of resolve. He wore the elaborate dragon crown of his father, Aegon IV Targaryen.

Daeron the Good was seen as wise, just, and kind-hearted.

History

Early life

Born on the last day of 153 AC during the final years of the reign of his great-uncle King Aegon III, Daeron was the eldest son of Prince Aegon and Aegon's sister and wife, Naerys.

After the failed conquest of Dorne during the short reign of Daeron the Young Dragon,

Prince of Dragonstone

When his father became King Aegon IV Targaryen in 172 AC, Daeron became the heir to the Iron Throne and the Prince of Dragonstone. Daeron challenged much of Aegon IV's behavior. He became an obstacle to many of his father's schemes, most notably Aegon's plan to start an unprovoked war on Dorne. The king ignored Daeron's protests, built a massive fleet, and sent it to invade the Dornish coastin 174 AC. Daeron was relieved when the fleet was scattered and destroyed by a storm en route.

At about the same time, Daeron's mother, Queen Naerys, was suddenly accused of adultery and treason by Ser Morgil Hastwyck, trying to cast doubts on Daeron's parentage. The matter was settled when Prince Aemon the Dragonknight defended his sister's honor and slew her accuser in a trial by combat.

Late in Aegon's reign, after the deaths of Aemon and Naerys, Aegon began to make thinly-veiled references to Daeron's alleged illegitimacy, insinuating that Daeron was not his son, but the product of an illegitimate union between his wife Naerys and their other brother, Aemon. It was also rumored that Aegon planned to disinherit Daeron in favor of a bastard son, Daemon.

Aegon never formally disowned Daeron. Accounts differ as to why, probably because to do so would have meant civil war. Chief among Daeron's supporters was House Martell, due to his marriage to Princess Mariah Martell of Sunspear.

On his deathbed, the spiteful Aegon legitimized all his bastards, with those born to noble mothers being called the Great Bastards.

Reign

Upon learning of his father Aegon IV's death, Daeron departed Dragonstone for King's Landing. He chose to crown himself with his father's crown to quell the doubts and rumors about his parentage. Mindful of his duty to the realm, Daeron acted swiftly to put to right many of the wrongs of his father's reign. He replaced the small council with his own men, typically selecting wise and capable councillors. It took a year to repair the City Watch of King's Landing, whose officers were just as corrupt as Aegon had been.

Daeron II and Prince Maron Martell pay their respects to the statue of the late King Baelor the Blessed at the Great Sept of Baelor.

Daeron could not undo the legitimization of his father's bastards, but he treated them honorably and continued the incomes bestowed on them. He paid the dowry Aegon had promised the Archon of Tyrosh for his daughter, Rohanne of Tyrosh, to wed Daemon Blackfyre when Daemon was thirteen.[N 1] On Daemon's wedding day, Dareon granted him a tract of land near the Blackwater Rush so Daemon could build a keep.

Because of Daeron's marriage to Mariah Martell, many noble Dornishmen and women flocked to Daeron's court, which served to give life in the Red Keep a foreign flavor, but this also alienated many of Daeron's other nobles and courtiers. Daeron and Mariah's marriage was happy and fruitful.

Daeron began negotiations with his good-brother Maron Martell, Prince of Dorne, to unite Dorne with the Seven Kingdoms. After two years of negotiations an agreement was finalized. Maron was wed to Daeron's sister, Princess Daenerys, in 188 AC and, a year later, the Prince of Dorne swore an oath of fealty before the Iron Throne. At the Great Sept of Baelor, they placed a golden wreath before the statue of King Baelor the Blessed and stated, "Baelor, your work is done."

To celebrate the peaceful joining of Dorne to the realm, Daeron founded Summerhall, a new palace in the Dornish Marches lightly fortified to represent the new peace. However, other Great Houses resented special privileges and rights which were allowed to House Martell. Maron was allowed to keep the royal title "Prince" and could collect taxes for the Iron Throne with less oversight from King's Landing.

The king became known as Daeron the Good by smallfolk and lords alike. While he was more scholar than warrior, two of his sons were skilled at arms. The eldest became known as Baelor Breakspear for the incident at the tourney to celebrate the wedding of Daenerys with Maron of Dorne, in which Baelor unhorsed Daemon Blackfyre in the final tilt. Daerion's youngest son, Maekar, also proved a formidable fighter.

First Blackfyre Rebellion

See also: First Blackfyre Rebellion

The First Blackfyre Rebellion broke out in 195 AC and engulfed most of Westeros, but had been years in the making. Some lords, especially marcher lords, still hated the Dornishmen as King Aegon IV Targaryen had, and the peaceful Daeron was disliked for his ties with House Martell. Some nobles instead looked to Daemon Blackfyre, a Great Bastard who had been granted Blackfyre, one of the Valyrian steel swords of House Targaryen, by Aegon for his martial skill.

Daemon's, half brother and fellow Great Bastard Aegor Rivers, known as Bittersteel, motivated Daemon to finally make his claim. With the late King Aegon's rumors of Daeron's parentage in mind, some rebels, such as Ser Eustace Osgrey, saw Daemon as falseborn and a usurper of the Iron Throne.

The Blackfyre rebellion broke out with battles in the riverlands, Reach, Vale of Arryn, and westerlands between those who supported the Black Dragon and those who supported the Red Dragon. Daeron was supported by another Great Bastard, Brynden Rivers, who was known as Bloodraven.

Later Reign

After the First Blackfyre Rebellion, Daeron took lands, castles, and hostages from those lords who fought for House Blackfyre as punishment. The rest of Daeron's reign was peaceful.

Daeron and Myriah Martell had four sons: Baelor, Aerys, Rhaegel and Maekar. Daeron's eldest son and heir-apparent, Baelor Breakspear, the Prince of Dragonstone, served as his father's Hand of the King during the later portion of his reign. Baelor served ably as Hand and many saw in Baelor a great man who would become a great king after his father. However, tragedy struck at the tourney at Ashford Meadow in 209 AC when Baelor was accidentally slain by Maekar during a trial of seven involving Ser Duncan the Tall.

King Daeron II died the next year in the Great Spring Sickness, along with two of his grandchildren, Princes Valarr and Matarys.

Quotes about Daeron

He was a good king, everybody says so. He brought Dorne into the realm and made the Dornishmen our friends.

Aegon V Targaryen to Duncan the Tall

A king's mercy is a poisoned gift. Daeron Targaryen left me life, but took my pride and dreams and honor.

Eustace Osgrey to Duncan the Tall

The whole realm knew that the girl loved Daeron's bastard brother Daemon Blackfyre, and was loved by him in turn, but the king was wise enough to see that the good of thousands must come before the desires of two, even if those two were dear to him.

Doran Martell to Balon Swann

Family

Ancestors

Descendants

Notes

  1. Daemon's birth seems to have occurred in late 170 AC, as Baelor died in 171 AC following the forty-day fast which he had started following Daemon's birth. Daemon's marriage occurred early in 184 AC, as his eldest children were born that same year.



Annotations from item #46265332:

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Daeron I Targaryen, known as the Young Dragon*.

Contents

Character and Appearance

Young Daeron was handsome, being clean-shaven with long hair.

Daeron has been considered great by some but mad by others.

Daeron wore the crown of Aegon the Conqueror and owned an elaborate suit of gold and black plate.

History

Youth

Daeron was born in 143 AC as the firstborn son and heir of King Aegon III Targaryen and Queen Daenaera Velaryon. He had a younger brother, Prince Baelor, and three younger sisters, Princesses Daena, Rhaena, and Elaena. When his father died in 157 AC, the prince was crowned King Daeron I in 157 AC at the age of fourteen. Daeron kept his uncle, Prince Viserys, as his Hand of the King, as his uncle had held the position for Aegon III as well. Viserys did not insist upon a regency for the young king.

Conquest of Dorne

Daeron had long felt that the continued independence of Dorne represented unfinished business for the Targaryens, and upon his ascension he vowed to rectify his ancestors' mistake. Viserys and other councillors objected to the young king's plans, however, reminding Daeron that Aegon the Conquerer and his sisters had failed twice in trying to conquer Dorne with dragons, and that the Iron Throne now had none. Daeron famously replied, "You have a dragon. He stands before you."

Daeron planned his conquest of Dorne with the aid of Lord Alyn Velaryon. The campaign showed great promise as Daeron went over and revised the mistakes that were made in the First Dornish War. Daeron split his army into three for the invasion and personally led the army down the Boneway. Learning from the mistakes made by Lord Orys Baratheon in the first war, Daeron used goat paths located in the pass to avoid traps and ambushes which Dornishmen usually implemented to repel invaders. A second army led by Lord Lyonel Tyrell marched down the Prince's Pass. The third army was a naval assault by Alyn Oakenfist along the Dornish coast, and the royal fleet broke the Planky Town.

After several battles, the Prince of Dorne and two score Dornish lords bent the knee in the Submission of Sunspear in 158 AC, within a year of the invasion's beginning. Daeron became the first Targaryen king to conquer Dorne and unite all Seven Kingdoms for the first time, despite the loss of ten thousand men in taking the peninsula.

Daeron spent some time in Dorne to consolidate his conquest and eliminate rebels. An assassination attempt on the king was prevented by the actions of his cousin, Prince Aemon Targaryen, who threw himself in the path of a poisoned arrow meant for Daeron. Aemon the Dragonknight survived the poison, however, and was sent back to King's Landing to recover.

Rebellion and Death

Although the Dornish nobility had submitted to House Targaryen, the Dornish smallfolk continued to resist. Daeron's steward in Dorne, Lord Lyonel Tyrell, attempted to stamp out rebellion, and forty or fifty thousand men are said to have died in the next three years..

The Young Dragon achieved victories along the Boneway while Lord Alyn Velaryon dealt with the Planky Town and the Greenblood.

Daeron was succeeded by his brother, Baelor I Targaryen, and the Dornish hostages in King's Landing were thrown into the dungeons by Prince Viserys, the Hand of the King.

In the city of Oldtown, there is a statue of King Daeron I astride a tall stone horse, his sword lifted toward Dorne.

Quotes

Jon: Daeron Targaryen was only fourteen when he conquered Dorne.
Benjen: A conquest that lasted a summer. Your Boy King lost ten thousand men taking the place, and another fifty trying to hold it. Someone should have told him that war isn't a game.

Jon Snow and Benjen Stark

King Daeron wrote with an elegant simplicity, and his history is rich with blood, battle, and bravery.

- Pylos to Davos Seaworth

Family

Behind the Scenes

According to George R. R. Martin, Alexander the Great is an inspiration for the character of Daeron.




Annotations from item #46265333:
Annotation #1 for item #46265333: Wiki: Daeron Targaryen

The name Daeron Targaryen can refere to the following members of House Targaryen:

Annotation #2 for item #46265333: Wiki: (son of Aegon V) Daeron Targaryen

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Prince Daeron Targaryen was the youngest son and fourthborn child of King Aegon V Targaryen and Queen Betha Blackwood.

Contents

History

When both were nine years old, Prince Daeron was betrothed to Lady Olenna Redwyne in 237 AC, a betrothal arranged by his mother, Betha. After his three older siblings had broken their own betrothals—Duncan to marry Jenny of Oldstones, Jaehaerys and Shaera to marry each other—Daeron broke his betrothal to Olenna as well when he was eighteen years old, in 246 AC.

While his brothers had broken their betrothals for other women, this was not the case for Daeron. He preferred the companionship of Ser Jeremy Norridge, a young knight whom he had befriended when they were squires together at Highgarden.

In 251 AC, Prince Daeron led an army against the Rat, the Hawk and the Pig. Though they managed to quash the rebellion, Daeron was killed in battle, as was Jeremy, who died by his side.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

When speaking with Sansa Stark in King's Landing, Lady Olenna Redwyne tells the tale of how she had once been betrothed to a Targaryen prince. Olenna claims that it was she who had not wanted the marriage, and that it was she who had "put an end to it".

Family

Annotation #3 for item #46265333: Wiki: (son of Aerys II) Daeron Targaryen

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Prince Daeron Targaryen was the secondborn son of King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen. He lived for only half a year.

Family

Annotation #4 for item #46265333: Wiki: (son of Maekar I) Daeron Targaryen

For other articles sharing the same title, please see this disambiguation page.

Prince Daeron Targaryen, sometimes referred to as Daeron the Drunken, was the eldest son of King Maekar I Targaryen and his wife Dyanna Dayne.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Daeron had sallow skin, sandy brown hair and a blonde beard.

History

Daeron was born the eldest child of Prince Maekar Targaryen and his wife, Lady Dyanna Dayne. He had three younger brothers, Aerion, Aemon, and Aegon, and two younger sisters, Daella and Rhae.

Ashford Tourney

Daeron and Dunk, by Mike S. Miller

Prince Maekar sent his sons, Daeron and Aegon, to the tourney at Ashford Meadow, hoping they would outshine the sons of his brother Baelor Breakspear. Stealing away from their escort, Daeron shaved the head of Aegon, his squire, to hide his Targaryen features. Drinking at an inn, incognito, he encountered Ser Duncan the Tall and told him he had dreamed of him, ordering Dunk to stay away from him. Aegon, who wanted to participate in the tourney, stayed incognito as "Egg" and asked Dunk if he could be his squire. Though Dunk denied him then, Aegon left the inn and followed him to Ashford.

Maekar sent Ser Roland Crakehall of the Kingsguard in search of Daeron and Aegon, then left Ashford to search for them himself. When Daeron was found, he told his father that a huge robber knight made off with Aegon and that he spent the whole time pursuing them. This lie added evidence against Dunk after he was arrested for assaulting Aerion Targaryen.

Daeron apologized to Dunk for lying, saying he had not noticed Aegon was gone. He also said he had dreamed a great dragon would fall on Dunk, dead, but the knight would walk off alive. Daeron did not know what it meant, but that his dreams came true and that he was frightened of Dunk. Daeron also told Dunk that he would not fight, and after the first charge in the trial of seven he would stay on the ground and would also withdraw his accusations.

In the trial, Daeron was unhorsed by Ser Robyn Rhysling, and did as he had promised, staying on the ground. His own horse stepped on him, possibly breaking his foot, but otherwise he was uninjured. Nevertheless, it turned out that Daeron's dream was a true prophecy, as Prince Baelor died in Dunk's arms.

Later life

Daeron's father Maekar ascended to the throne in 221 AC after the death of King Aerys I Targaryen, who had no other living heirs. This made Daeron the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne, though he preferred to be called Prince of Summerhall as he considered Dragonstone "such a gloomy abode".

Daeron married Kiera of Tyrosh, the widow of his cousin Valarr Targaryen.

Daeron died some time before 233 AC, reputedly from a pox he caught from a whore.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont tells his steward, Jon Snow, that Maester Aemon and his oldest brother Daeron, together with their other brothers, had been summoned to court when their father Maekar had been crowned king. Daeron, as the Prince of Dragonstone, was joined by his second brother Aemon, who had served as Daeron's maester. Jeor tells Jon that Daeron died of the pox, leaving only a feeble-witted daughter behind as his heir.

A Feast for Crows

During one of his last good days, Maester Aemon wonders if he will be reunited with his siblings, Daeron amongst them, when he dies.

Quotes by Daeron

Aegon: My father is going to join the seven accusers. He says it is the only way to redeem Aerion's honor, and Daeron's.
Daeron: Not that I ever asked to have my honor redeemed. Whoever has it can keep it, so far as I'm concerned.

- Aegon Targaryen and Daeron

My brothers have my measure when it comes to fighting and dancing and thinking and reading books, but none of them is half my equal at lying insensible in the mud.

- Daeron to Duncan the Tall

My dreams are not like yours, Ser Duncan. Mine are true.

- Daeron to Duncan the Tall

I'm doomed to some hell, I know. Likely one without wine.

- Daeron to Duncan the Tall

Quotes about Daeron

Baelor: Daeron has done this before. You should never have commanded him to enter the lists. He belongs on a tourney field no more than Aerys does, or Rhaegel.
Maekar: By which you mean he'd sooner ride a whore than a horse.

- Baelor Targaryen and Maekar Targaryen

Someday the dragons will return. My brother Daeron's dreamed of it, and King Aerys read it in a prophecy. Maybe it will be my egg that hatches. That would be splendid.

- Aegon Targaryen to Duncan the Tall

Family

Annotation #5 for item #46265333: Wiki: (son of Viserys I) Daeron Targaryen

Prince Daeron Targaryen, also known as Daeron the Daring, was the third and youngest son of King Viserys I Targaryen and his second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower. He was a younger brother to King Aegon II Targaryen. Like his siblings, Daeron was a dragonrider, and rode the dragon Tessarion.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Daeron had the coloring of the blood of the dragon.

Daeron grew up in the shadow of his brothers, and therefore became more accustomed to following orders than giving them.

Young Daeron, by Douglas Wheatley, as depicted in *The World of Ice and Fire*

History

Early life

Late in 114 AC, Daeron was born to King Viserys I Targaryen and his second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower. He had two elder brothers, Aegon and Aemond, and an older sister, Helaena, as well as an older half-sister, Rhaenyra. Daeron was born only shortly after his sister Rhaenyra's eldest son, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon. However, Rhaenyra did not get along with Daeron's mother, Alicent. Trying to prevent a similar enmity between his youngest son and eldest grandson, Viserys had the two children share a wet nurse until they were weaned, hoping that them being milk brothers would make a difference.

The king's hope was in vain, because just as his older siblings, Daeron grew up to be a bitter rival to Jacaerys and his younger siblings, Lucerys and Joffrey. While Daeron and his older siblings were forced to spend time with their cousins (i.e. attending the same feasts, and occasionally training at arms or studying with a maester together), it is said that this only increased the enmity.

By the age of six, Daeron had a dragon of his own, Tessarion, though he had yet to ride her.

The Dance of the Dragons

In 129 AC, after the death of Daeron's father, King Viserys I Targaryen, the Dance of the Dragons began as Daeron's older brother Aegon claimed the Iron Throne, despite the fact that their half-sister Rhaenyra was Viserys's declared heir. Daeron was still in Oldtown, squiring for Lord Ormund Hightower.

Ormund marched an army to war, but found himself cut off from Oldtown. During the Battle of the Honeywine, Ormund faced defeat until Daeron arrived on Tessarion, saving his cousin and his army. For this act, Daeron was feasted by Ormund, who knighted him with the Valyrian sword Vigilance, dubbing the young prince "Daeron the Daring".

After King Aegon II was injured in the battle at Rook's Rest, their brother Aemond took command. Aemond saw his uncle Daemon Targaryen, Rhaenyra's husband, as the biggest threat to their rule, and was determined to defeat him in battle. Wanting sole glory for defeating Daemon and considering Daeron too young, Aemond did not ask Daeron for help when preparing an assault on Harrenhal.

After Rhaenyra took King's Landing, Daeron was considered the greatest threat to her rule. He remained with Lord Ormund's army, and scouted ahead for them on his dragon. Ormund died during the First Battle of Tumbleton, however, and command was taken by his ineffectual cousin, Ser Hobert Hightower. Though First Tumbleton had been won due to two dragonseeds, Ulf the White and Hugh Hammer, these Two Betrayers refused to join any attack on King's Landing if their demands were not met

With Aegon II missing after the fall of King's Landing and with Aemond killed in the Battle Above the Gods Eye, Prince Daeron became the first in line for the throne, and Lord Unwin Peake insisted Daeron should be proclaimed Prince of Dragonstone immediately. Others, who believed Aegon II to be dead, wished Daeron to be crowned king instead. The Two Betrayers disagreed on crowning Daeron, and crowned Hugh instead. Offended by the arrogance of the Betrayers, the lords and knights of the Reach, later known as the Caltrops, began to plot their executions. While Daeron was not a member of the Caltrops, the men did not wish to proceed without his consent, which the prince gave swiftly.

Two days later, the Second Battle of Tumbleton began. Prince Daeron died during the battle, though it is not known exactly how he died. Multiple accounts exist regarding the manner of his death. The story most often told claims Daeron was cut down by Black Trombo with a morningstar whilst stumbling out of his tent with his clothes on fire, after the attacks of the dragon Seasmoke had begun. Another claims the same, except that the prince was slain by a man-at-arms with a sword, who was unaware of the identity of his victim. The third account states that Daeron's burning tent collapsed on top of him.

Legacy

Prince Daeron's death is regarded as mysterious, and his body was never identified.

Quotes

My Lord is kind to say so, but the victory belongs to Tessarion.

– Daeron responding to Ormund Hightower's praises after the Battle of the Honeywine

Family




Annotations from item #46265334:

Daeron Vaith is Lord of the Red Dunes and head of House Vaith.




Annotations from item #46265335:

Daeron Velaryon was a member of House Velaryon, a cousin to Lord Alyn Velaryon. He was the father of Daenaera, who would become the queen of King Aegon III Targaryen,

Daeron died fighting for his cousin, Lord Alyn Velaryon, in the Stepstones.

Family




Annotations from item #46265336:

Princess Daeryssa is a character in a song. According to the song, she was once saved by Serwyn of the Mirror Shield from Giants.




Annotations from item #46265337:

Ser Dafyn Vance is the husband of Maegelle Frey. They have three children, Marianne, Walder and Patrek Vance.

Family




Annotations from item #46265338:

Dagger is an ironborn longship and a member of the Iron Fleet. Its captain is Daegon Shepherd.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Dagger accompanies the rest of the Iron Fleet when they sail for Slaver's Bay.




Annotations from item #46265339:

Dagger Lake

Western Essos and the location of Dagger Lake

A galley in Dagger Lake © Fantasy Flight Games

© Fantasy Flight Games

Dagger Lake is a large lake formed by the confluence of the rivers Rhoyne and Qhoyne in western Essos.

Dagger Lake is full of islands where pirates lurk in hidden caves and secret strongholds, such as Urho the Unwashed and Korra the Cruel on *Hag's Teeth*.

Contents

History

The War on Dagger Lake was one of the Rhoynish Wars between the Rhoynar and the Valyrian Freehold.

During the Century of Blood, Qohor and Norvos broke Volantene power on the Rhoyne in a battle involving fire galleys on Dagger Lake.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Dothraki from Motho's *khalasar* have been reported north of Dagger Lake.

The *Shy Maid* passes Dagger Lake by night, unseen and unmolested by pirates.




Annotations from item #46265340:

Daggerleaf is a plant found on the road between Yunkai and Meereen in Slaver's Bay on the continent of Essos.




Annotations from item #46265341:

Dagmer, better known as Dagmer Cleftjaw, is the ironborn captain of the longship *Foamdrinker* and the master-at-arms for House Greyjoy of Pyke..

Contents

Character and Appearance

See also: Images of Dagmer

Dagmer has snow white hair, and a hideous scar. A longaxe blow nearly killed him as a child, splintering his jaw, smashing his front teeth and leaving him four lips instead of two. He has a shaggy beard, but the hair does not grow where the scar is. Dagmer wears many rings, gold and silver and bronze, set with sapphire and garnet and dragonglass, all of which he won by the iron price.

Dagmer is proud but not prickly. He often smiles to show approval.

History

In his youth, Dagmer Cleftjaw was the most dreaded warrior of the Iron Islands. Dagmer once spent a summer reaving in the Stepstones with a young Balon Greyjoy.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Dagmer Cleftjaw leading a large crew of House Greyjoy warriors, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games

Lord Balon Greyjoy sends Dagmer to Old Wyk to raise the Stonehouses and the Drumms.

When Theon returns from the scene of the massacre, he convinces Dagmer to follow his plan to take Winterfell, playing on the old reaver's lust for glory. Aeron will take six ships, excepting Theon's *Sea Bitch* and Dagmer's *Foamdrinker*, and continue raiding the coast of the north. Dagmer is to attack Torrhen's Square and draw out the garrison from Winterfell when its castellan, Ser Rodrik Cassel, learns of the fearsome ironborn warrior. Dagmer objects that sieges are not the Old Way and he would have not enough men to storm Torrhen's Square or defeat Rodrik's garrison, but Theon says he intends to slip in and take the under-manned Winterfell while the garrison is away.

Dagmer loses the fight at Torrhen's Square and leads the survivors back to the Stony Shore,

A Storm of Swords

At some point after Rodrik and Leobald Tallhart, the castellan of Torrhen's Square, depart to retake Winterfell, Dagmer returns and his ironmen take the sparsely defended keep at Torrhen's Square.

A Dance with Dragons

Dagmer continues to hold Torrhen's Square with his force of ironborn.

Quotes by Dagmer

The day is won, and yet you do not smile, boy. The living should smile, for the dead cannot.

—Dagmer to Theon Greyjoy

These old knights are more cunning than you think, or they would never have lived to see their first grey hair.

—Dagmer to Theon Greyjoy

Quotes about Dagmer

He gave me more smiles than my father and Eddard Stark together.

Theon Greyjoy's thoughts

His hair is white and his teeth are rotten, but he still has a taste for glory.

Theon Greyjoy's thoughts

If I had a man like you in my service, I should not waste him on this child's business of harrying and burning. This is no work for Lord Balon's best man...

Theon Greyjoy to Dagmer




Annotations from item #46265342:

Dagon is a male name in Westeros, especially common among the ironborn. It may refer to:

Characters

Ships




Annotations from item #46265343:

Dagon's Feast is an ironborn longship and part of the Iron Fleet.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Dagon's Feast accompanies the rest of the Iron Fleet when they sail for Slaver's Bay. It sinks along with *Red Tide* when both ships crash into one another during a storm on the voyage.




Annotations from item #46265344:

Dagon Codd is an ironborn and a member of House Codd.

Contents

Appearance

He is described as a big man, wide mouthed and pop eyed with pale skin.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

According to a guard at the Siege of Moat Cailin, Dagon found only two ironborn left alive in the Children's Tower. Because they were eating corpses, he killed them both.

When Ramsay Bolton sends Theon Greyjoy to give peace terms to the ironborn, Dagon is the only one of the garrison who does not wish to surrender. Because of his resistance, he is slain by Adrack Humble via a thrown axe. Despite Ramsay's promise of safe passage, however, the remaining ironborn who surrender, including Adrack, are flayed.




Annotations from item #46265345:

Dagon Drumm is a legendary ironborn raider of House Drumm who supposedly lived during the Age of Heroes. He was known as Dagon Drumm the necromancer.




Annotations from item #46265346:
Annotation #1 for item #46265346: Wiki: Dagon Greyjoy

Lord Dagon Greyjoy was Lord of Pyke and the Iron Islands during the reign of King Aerys I Targaryen. He last sat in the Seastone Chair "almost a hundred years" before the events of *A Song of Ice and Fire*.

Contents

History

By 211 AC, Dagon and his ironborn were raiding along the Sunset Sea and the western coast of Westeros. They raided as far south as the Arbor, attacking and burning Little Dosk and carrying off half the wealth of Fair Isle and a hundred women.

After Dagon's time the ironborn would not raid the Reach until 300 AC.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Victarion Greyjoy recalls his ancestor Lord Dagon while sailing to Meereen.

Quotes about Dagon

In Dagon's day a weak king sat the Iron Throne, his rheumy eyes fixed across the narrow sea where bastards and exiles plotted rebellion. So forth from Pyke Lord Dagon sailed, to make the Sunset Sea his own. He bearded the lion in his den and tied the direwolf's tail in knots, but even Dagon could not defeat the dragons.

- Victarion Greyjoy

Annotation #2 for item #46265346: Wiki: (Drunkard) Dagon Greyjoy

Dagon Greyjoy, also known as Dagon the Drunkard, is a distant cousin of Asha Greyjoy, more distantly related to her than than her cousin Quenton Greyjoy. He is named after the legendary Lord Dagon Greyjoy.[*citation needed*]

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Dagon sails with Asha Greyjoy and her other supporters to Deepwood Motte, where Asha contemplates her next move. Dagon was killed in the battle in the Wolfswood.




Annotations from item #46265347:

Dagon Ironmaker is a member of House Ironmaker and a grandson of Erik Ironmaker.

Contents

Appearance

Dagon is very large and strong.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Dagon is one of his grandfather Erik Ironmaker's champions at the kingsmoot.




Annotations from item #46265348:

Dagos Manwoody is the Lord of Kingsgrave and head of House Manwoody.

Contents

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Lord Dagos, accompanied by his brother, Ser Myles, and his two sons, Mors and Dickon, were part of the entourage of Prince Oberyn Martell when he came to King's Landing to claim the seat Tyrion Lannister had offered the Prince of Dorne, Doran Martell.

Lord Dagos was present when Tyrion came to see Prince Oberyn on the day of his trial by combat, helping his Prince don his battle armor.

A Dance with Dragons

He is present at the feast when Ser Balon Swann arrives in Sunspear to deliver the head of Ser Gregor Clegane. He refuses to drink when Ricasso raises a toast to King Tommen I Baratheon.

Family




Annotations from item #46265349:

Daisy is a prostitute working in the brothel owned by Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in King's Landing. The character was created specifically for the TV series and is played by Maisie Dee. She replaces the unnamed maid from the books, who is in bed with Grand Maester Pycelle, when he is arrested by Tyrion.

Contents

Game of Thrones

Background

Daisy is originally from Haystack Hall, in the Stormlands.

Season Two

Daisy is a new prostitute in the brothel and she learns about the brothel from Ros. She is impressed by the upmarket decor, and thinks that Armeca is beautiful. She is present when the infant Barra is killed by Lord Janos Slynt in front of her mother Mhaegen.

Daisy is sleeping with Grand Maester Pycelle when he is arrested by Tyrion Lannister for espionage. Tyrion pays her for her troubles.

Tyrion later hires Ros and Daisy as a present for his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon. They wait for him in his chamber. When he arrives Ros wishes him a happy name day and then reaches for his crotch. He flinches and then instructs Ros to touch Daisy. He asks if Ros can hit Daisy and she spanks her gently. Joffrey asks if Tyrion sent them and Ros says that Tyrion chose them himself. Joffrey takes off his belt and gives it to Ros to use. He forces Ros to hit Daisy hard enough to make her scream. He hands Ros a stag’s head sceptre and she protests that too much pain will spoil the pleasure. He loads his crossbow as Ros warns him that his uncle might find out. He tells Ros that he wants Tyrion to find out and orders her to take Daisy to Tyrion’s chambers to show him what has happened or she will also be beaten. It is unclear if Daisy survives.




Annotations from item #46265350:
Annotation #1 for item #46265350: Wiki: Dake

For the guard, see Dake (guard)

Dake was a peasant who served House Osgrey.

History

After being trained by Eustace Osgrey's sons with other peasants, Dake went off to fight for House Osgrey during the Blackfyre Rebellion. Lord Osgrey considered him an expert forager, and Dake was able enough to provide for the whole group as they marched. He was one of only four men who came back, the others being Lord Osgrey, Pate and Lem.

He was caught stealing sheep by members of House Webber. He was put in a sack with rocks which was sewn shut and drowned in the moat of Coldmoat.

Annotation #2 for item #46265350: Wiki: (guard) Dake

Dake is a guard in service to House Lannister.

Contents

Appearance

Dake is fat, and Arys Oakheart estimates that they are of similar height.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Dake is one of the guardsmen who goes to Dorne with Princess Myrcella Baratheon. When Ser Arys Oakheart sneaks Myrcella out of Sunspear, he intendss to dress Dake up in his armor, but Dake is too fat.




Annotations from item #46265351:

Dalbridge, called Squire Dalbridge, is a veteran ranger of the Night's Watch stationed at the Shadow Tower.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Dalbridge is an older man, regarded as a great archer.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Dalbridge is part of the one-hundred men reinforcements from the Shadow Tower to arrive at the Fist of the First Men.

When the group is discovered by the wildlings, Dalbridge stays behind to hold them off while the others make their escape. It is there that he is killed.

Quotes

It's always pretty women in my dreams. Would that I dreamed more often.

- Dalbridge to Jon Snow




Annotations from item #46265352:

Dale can refer to:




Annotations from item #46265353:

Dale Drumm, known as Dale the Dread, was a member of House Drumm.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Dale is mentioned at the kingsmoot by Lord Dunstan Drumm as an example of House Drumm's great history.




Annotations from item #46265354:

Dale Seaworth is the eldest son of Ser Davos Seaworth. He is the captain of the *Wraith*.

Contents

Appearance

Dale has a square plain face with brown eyes and thin brown flyaway hair.

History

Dale was married. He and his wife had been praying for a child.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Dale is present with his father and brothers when Melisandre burns the sept on Dragonstone. He is sent by Stannis Baratheon past Cape Wrath and the Broken Arm, all along the coast of Dorne as far as the Arbor to distribute Stannis's claim concerning the legitimacy of Cersei Lannister's children with King Robert I.

Dale fights at the Battle of the Blackwater with his ship, the Wraith.[*citation needed] Dale dies when his ship is destroyed and sinks during the battle.[citation needed*]

Family




Annotations from item #46265355:
Annotation #1 for item #46265355: Wiki: Dalla

For the serving woman at Dragonstone, see Dalla.

Dalla is the wife of Mance Rayder. She has a sister, Val.

Contents

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Dalla is present when Jon Snow is brought to Mance Rayder. She advises Mance and always gives him good counsel. She dies giving birth to their son during the battle beneath the Wall.

A Feast for Crows

Dalla's son, the so-called wildling prince, is given over to the care of Gilly.

Quotes

We free folk know things you kneelers have forgotten. Sometimes the short road is not the safest, Jon Snow. The Horned Lord once said that sorcery is a sword without a hilt. There is no safe way to grasp it.

– Dalla, to Jon Snow

Annotation #2 for item #46265355: Wiki: (Dragonstone) Dalla

Dalla is a serving woman at Dragonstone. She is in service to House Baratheon of Dragonstone.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Dalla tells rumors about the comet and Melisandre's interpretations to Matrice.




Annotations from item #46265356:

Dalton Greyjoy, known as the Red Kraken, was Lord of the Iron Islands, Lord Reaper of Pyke, and head of House Greyjoy during the final days of Viserys I Targaryen and then the Dance of the Dragons.

Contents

Character

Dalton was a daring and bloodthirsty man.

History

Youth

The wild young son of the heir to Pyke, Dalton rowed at age five and reaved at ten, sailing with his uncle to plunder the pirate towns of the Basilisk Isles. By fourteen, Dalton had sailed as far as Old Ghis, fought in a dozen actions, and claimed four salt wives.

Dalton claimed a Valyrian steel longsword, which he named Nightfall, off a dead corsair. While fighting in the Stepstones as a sellsail, the fifteen-year-old Dalton avenged his uncle after watching his death. Because Dalton emerged from the fight drenched in blood from a dozen wounds, men began calling him the Red Kraken. Later in the same year, Dalton returned to the Iron Islands to claim the Seastone Chair after hearing of his father's death. Immediately he began to build longships, forge swords, and train fighters, citing that "the storm is coming" as the reason.

The Dance of the Dragons

The Dance of the Dragons began after the death of King Viserys I Targaryen in 129 AC when Dalton was sixteen.

The greens of Aegon II Targaryen offered Dalton the position of master of ships and the admiralty to replace Ser Tyland Lannister, who had been made master of coin, if Dalton would bring his ships around Westeros to battle Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake. Instead of leaping to the offer, Dalton waited to see what the blacks had to offer.

The Red Kraken chose black over green, deciding to attack the nearby westerlands, vulnerable with Lord Jason Lannister campaigning in the riverlands. His wife, Lady Johanna, barred the gates of Casterly Rock but was unable to protect the rest of the west. Dalton burned the fleet of House Lannister and sacked Lannisport, carrying off gold, grain, and trade goods. Hundreds of women and girls were taken as salt wives, including the favorite mistress of Jason and their natural daughters. Dalton led the capture of Kayce, and after the fall of Fair Isle Dalton claimed four of Lord Farman's daughters as salt wives, giving the fifth, the "homely one", to his brother Veron.

For the better part of two years,

Death

While sleeping in Lord Farman's bedchamber at Faircastle, Dalton was killed when the girl Tess cut his throat with his own dagger before throwing herself into the sea. As the Red Kraken had never taken a rock wife, his closest heirs were his young salt sons, and within hours a bloody struggle for succession broke out among the ironborn.

In 134 AC Jason Lannister's widow, Johanna Lannister, avenged Dalton's raids by having her men-at-arms sail to the Iron Islands with the fleet of Ser Leo Costayne, the lord admiral of the Reach. One of Dalton's salt sons was taken captive, gelded, and made into Casterly Rock's new fool.

Quotes

He loved three things: the sea, his sword, and women.

- writings of Hake

A fine fool he proved, yet not half so foolish as his father.

- writings of Haereg regarding Dalton's fool son




Annotations from item #46265357:

Ser Damion Lannister is a cousin of the main branch of House Lannister. He is married to Shiera Crakehall. They have two children, Ser Lucion and Lanna Lannister.

Contents

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Damion is named castellan of Casterly Rock by Queen Regent Cersei Lannister to spite Ser Kevan Lannister, who refused the office of Hand of the King when Cersei refused to name him Lord Regent.

Family




Annotations from item #46265358:

Damon, known as Damon Dance-for-Me, is a man-at-arms sworn to House Bolton. He is one of the Bastard's Boys.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Damon is fair-haired and boyish.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Damon is present in the great hall of the Dreadfort when Little Walder and Big Walder bring "Reek" before Ramsay Bolton, who is joined by Arnolf Karstark and Hother Whoresbane.

Quotes

Lord Ramsay means to cut your lips off when all this is done.

– Damon, to "Reek"




Annotations from item #46265359:

Damon Hightower was a head of House Hightower and Lord of Oldtown.

History

Damon was a grandson of Lord Dorian Hightower, the first Hightower to wed an Andal princess. Damon was the first Hightower to convert to the Andals' Faith of the Seven, building the first sept in Oldtown and six elsewhere in the Kingdom of the Reach. When Damon prematurely died of a bad belly, Septon Robeson became regent for Damon's newborn son, Triston.




Annotations from item #46265360:
Annotation #1 for item #46265360: Wiki: Damon Lannister

Damon Lannister has been the name of multiple members of House Lannister:

Annotation #2 for item #46265360: Wiki: (lord) Damon Lannister

Damon Lannister, better known as the Grey Lion, was Lord of Casterly Rock and head of House Lannister during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen..

History

Damon, who was not lord at the time, was unhorsed by Ser Arlan of Pennytree in a tourney at Lannisport.

Lord Damon participated in the tourney at Ashford Meadow in 209 AC, beginning the tourney as a challenger. In his first tilt, he challenged Lord Leo Longthorn. He yielded after Leo ripped his helm off with a well placed lance.

Lord Damon died of the Great Spring Sickness in 210 AC and his eldest son Tybolt succeeded him as Lord of Casterly Rock.

Family

Annotation #3 for item #46265360: Wiki: (son of Jason) Damon Lannister

Damon Lannister is the son of Ser Jason Lannister and his first wife, Alys Stackspear.

History

Damon is the only son of Ser Jason by his first wife, Alys Stackspear. Alys died giving birth to Damon. Damon himself is married to a Lannister cousin of unknown relations, Ella Lannister, and has one son by her, Ser Damion. Through Damion's marriage to Shiera Crakehall. Damon is the grandfather of Lucion and Lanna Lannister.

It is currently unknown whether Damon is still alive in the main series.

Family




Annotations from item #46265361:

Lord Damon Marbrand is Lord of Ashemark and head of House Marbrand in the Westerlands. He is the father of Ser Addam Marbrand.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Damon's seat Ashemark is taken by King Robb Stark during the latter's campaign in the Westerlands.




Annotations from item #46265362:

Ser Damon Morrigen, called Damon the Devout, was a pious knight from House Morrigen who was a devout member of the Warrior's Sons. He became Grand Captain of the Warrior's Sons, and led the chapter in King's Landing based at the Sept of Remembrance early in the Faith Militant uprising.

History

After Maegor I Targaryen was crowned and flew to Visenya's Hill to raise his standard, his mother Visenya challenged those who questioned her son's right to rule to prove themselves, a challenge that the Warrior's Sons accepted. Ser Damon proposed a trial of seven, as had been done in Andalos. A trial of seven took place with Damon and six of his Warrior's Sons against Maegor and his six champions.[*citation needed*]

Ser Damon and his comrade Ser Willam the Wanderer were the last two of the Warrior's Sons standing against Maegor, whose champions had all been killed. Badly wounded, Ser Damon fell to Maegor and Blackfyre.




Annotations from item #46265363:

Ser Damon Paege is a knight of House Paege. His squire is Hoster Frey.




Annotations from item #46265364:

Ser Damon Shett is the Knight of Gull Tower and head of House Shett of Gull Tower.




Annotations from item #46265365:

Damon Teague was the last monarch of House Teague. He was the younger brother and champion of King Humfrey I Teague, who instigated a massive uprising of Riverlords by attempting to suppress worship of the old gods. In the campaign's final battle, Humfrey I perished, passing the crown to his heir Humfrey, only for the latter to be killed. The bloody crown then passed to Damon's second nephew, Hollis, who died shortly after, thus making Tyler Teague, the youngest of Humfrey I's sons, the new king. However, Tyler was also killed. And so, the crown passed to Damon, who also perished in battle. Thus by the end of the day, House Teague was extinct.




Annotations from item #46265366:

Ser Damon Vypren is a knight of House Vypren, the son and heir of Lord Lucias Vypren.

Contents

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Damon is introduced to Lady Catelyn Tully at the Twins on the eve of Lord Edmure Tully's wedding.

Family




Annotations from item #46265367:

Damon the Devout refers to:




Annotations from item #46265368:

This article is about the Targaryen war of succession. For the fifth book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, see A Dance with Dragons. For the song, see "The Dance of the Dragons". For the episode of the TV show, see "The Dance of Dragons". For the book written by Grand Maester Munkun, see The Dance of Dragons, A True Telling.

The Dance of the Dragons was a civil war during Targaryen rule of the Seven Kingdoms. A war of succession between Aegon II and his half-sister Rhaenyra over their father Viserys I's throne, the war was fought from 129 AC to 131 AC. It saw the deaths of both rival monarchs, and the crowning of Rhaenyra's son, Aegon III.

In early 2013 George R. R. Martin announced that the anthology Dangerous Women, previously expected to include the fourth *Dunk and Egg* story, would instead include the novella *The Princess and the Queen*, which Martin described as "(...) the true (mostly) story of the origins of the Dance of the Dragons."

Contents

Prelude

King Viserys I Targaryen had three children by his first queen, Aemma Arryn, but only one, Princess Rhaenyra, survived to adulthood. Lacking a son to succeed him, Viserys began to train Rhaenyra to be his heir. Young Rhaenyra was included in discussions of the affairs of state, and was allowed to participate in meetings of the small council. Many of the nobles took note, and Rhaenyra soon acquired a clique of adherents and supporters. After the passing of Queen Aemma in 105 AC, Viserys named Rhaenyra his heir and hundreds of lords and landed knights paid obeisance to her..

In 111 AC, a great tourney was held at King's Landing on the fifth anniversary of Viserys's marriage to Alicent. During the opening feast, Queen Alicent wore a green gown, while Princess Rhaenyra dressed in the red and black of House Targaryen. Note was taken, and thereafter it became the custom to refer to "greens" and "blacks" when talking of the queen's party and the party of the princess, respectively. Wearing Rhaenyra's favor, Ser Criston Cole unhorsed all of Alicent's champions in the tourney, including two of her cousins and her youngest brother, Ser Gwayne Hightower.

Viserys I strengthened Rhaenyra's place in the succession by marrying her in 114 AC to Ser Laenor Velaryon - who himself had Targaryen blood through his mother, Princess Rhaenys. The marriage caused a falling out between Rhaenyra and Criston. Rhaenyra gave birth to three sons—Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon—during her marriage, although there were rumors that the father of these princes was not Laenor, but Ser Harwin Strong.

After Laenor was murdered in Spicetown in 120 AC, Rhaenyra married her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother to Viserys I. Her sons by him were Aegon the Younger—called so to distinguish him from his uncle, Alicent's Aegon, who on occasion was called Aegon the Elder—and Viserys.

The relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent declined early in Alicent's marriage to Viserys, since both ladies had been trying to be the realm's first lady, and there could only be one. As a consequence of their bad relation, Alicent's sons did not take to Rhaenyra's sons. Alicent's father, Ser Otto Hightower, had also disliked Rhaenyra's second husband, Prince Daemon, since the beginning of Viserys's reign, though the exact reasons are unknown.

The Dance of the Dragons

1. Aegon's coronation; Fall of King's Landing; Battle of the Kingsroad 2. Dragonstone 3. Driftmark, including Hull and High Tide 4. Storm's End 5. Dance over Shipbreaker Bay 6. Battle of the Burning Mill; Stone Hedge; Battle at the Red Fork 7. Duskendale 8. Rook's Rest 9. the Eyrie 10. Battle of the Gullet 11. Battle of the Honeywine 12. Battle by the Lakeshore 13. Butcher's Ball 14. First & Second Tumbleton 15. Maidenpool 16. Assault on Harrenhal; Battle Above the Gods Eye

The Small Council Meeting

Upon the death of King Viserys I Targaryen, Queen Alicent and Ser Criston Cole sent out the Kingsguard to summon the small council members. During the gathering, the conversation quickly stirred towards Rhaenyra's coronation, but Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, told those who had gathered that Prince Aegon the Elder would be crowned, whilst Lord Lyman Beesbury, the master of coin, insisted Rhaenyra should be crowned a queen.

Several other council members countered him. Ser Tyland Lannister argued that the oaths made to Rhaenyra in 105 AC had not been made by them, since it had been twenty-four years. Lord Jasper Wylde mentioned that the Old King Jaehaerys I twice chose a male heir over the female heir and her descendants, and Ser Otto argued that Rhaenyra was married to Prince Daemon, who would become the true ruler, should Rhaenyra gain the crown. Both Hightower's argued that not only they, but also Alicent's children would die should Rhaenyra become their queen. It would later be said that Prince Aegon only reluctantly accepted the crown because his mother, brothers, sister and children would otherwise be killed by Rhaenyra.

Grand Maester Orwyle predicted a war, believing that Rhaenya would never be willing to give up her birthright, and had dragons at her disposal. When Lyman declared that he was not willing to listen to people plotting to steal her crown and attempted to leave, Ser Criston killed him. This made Lord Beesbury the first casualty of the Dance of the Dragons.

After Beesbury's death, the green council made their plans, vowing their loyalty to their new king, and arresting all those in King's Landing who could be loyal to Rhaenyra. To all those who might be loyal to Aegon, ravens were sent. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra remained on Dragonstone, unaware of what had happened.

Coronation of Aegon II

Prince Aemond was sent to Storm's End to betroth himself to one of Lord Borros Baratheon's daughters, so House Baratheon might fight for Aegon II. By the time he left, the smell coming from Viserys I's room was all over Maegor's Holdfast. Seven days after Viserys had died, his death was announced to King's Landing and the silent sisters were sent for.

Aegon's coronation was hastily prepared. The Dragonpit was chosen as the site for its towering bronze doors, strong roof, and thick walls made it easily defensible. Ser Criston Cole crowned Aegon, while Alicent Hightower crowned Aegon's sister-wife, Helaena. The night before, however, the first defection had taken place. Ser Steffon Darklyn of the Kingsguard had left the city, with, amongst other things, the crown worn by kings, Jaehaerys I and Viserys I.

On Dragonstone, Rhaenyra had learned about the death of her father and the betrayal of her siblings. Anger had made her go into labor, which lasted for three days and brought forth a stillborn, deformed girl, whom Rhaenyra named Visenya. Rhaenyra, in answer to Aegon's betrayal, swore revenge.

The Black Council and Coronation of Rhaenyra

Rhaenyra made her own council at Dragonstone, the black council. Participants were, amongst others, her uncle-husband Daemon, her three eldest sons Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey, Lord Corlys Velaryon, and his wife, Princess Rhaenys.

During the council it was resolved that while Rhaenyra remained at Dragonstone to regain her health, Prince Daemon and Caraxes would travel to the riverlands, to make Harrenhal their base and rallying point for those loyal to Rhaenyra. House Velaryon would close off the Gullet blocking all shipping from Blackwater Bay. Princess Rhaenys was convinced that Storm's End would declare for Rhaenyra, since Lord Boremund Baratheon, the deceased father of Lord Borros and Rhaenys's uncle, had always been a supporter of Rhaenys. Prince Daemon also was convinced that Lady Jeyne Arryn, the Maiden of the Vale, would bring her support to their side. Though they believed the north to be too remote to play an important part in the war, messages were to be sent to those lords nevertheless.

Rhaenyra was crowned queen, using the crown her father and great-grandfather had worn, thanks to Ser Steffon Darklyn, who had arrived from King's Landing. Prince Daemon placed the crown on Rhaenyra's head himself and was named Protector of the Realm, and Jacaerys was officially named Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. Declaring Ser Otto Hightower and Queen Alicent traitors, Rhaenyra allowed for her half-siblings to be forgiven if they would bend the knee.

Upon hearing these developments, King Aegon II declared Rhaenyra and Daemon traitors as well. After being persuaded by his mother, Alicent and sister, Helaena, Aegon dispatched Grand Maester Orwyle to Dragonstone with a retinue under a peace banner, offering Rhaenyra generous terms, but was refused. Not long after but not before swearing on the Seven-Pointed Star to go only as messengers, not knights did Rhaenyra's sons depart. With the eldest Jacaerys visiting the Arryns of the Eyrie, the Manderlys of White Harbor, and the Starks of Winterfell. Rhaenyra's second son, Lucerys, traveled to Storm's End.

Assault on Harrenhal

Main articles: Assault on Harrenhal, Battle of the Burning Mill, and Pact of Ice and Fire

Prince Daemon led the blacks' attack on Harrenhal, which was conquered without bloodshed in 129 AC. The castellan, Ser Simon Strong, yielded when Caraxes landed on Kingspyre Tower. This conquest led to victories of the blacks at the Burning Mill and Stone Hedge and allowed the river lords, such as House Blackwood, to gather at Harrenhal.

In the meantime, Jacaerys gained Lady Arryn and the Lords Manderly, Borrell and Sunderland, and Cregan Stark to Rhaenyra's cause,

The Dance over Shipbreaker Bay

Arrax washes up beneath Storm's End by Ashley Hunter Rice

Lucerys flew to Storm's End, arriving before a gathering storm. He found Prince Aemond and his dragon Vhagar already present. Aemond tried to goad Lucerys into a fight, insulting him, calling him a Strong bastard, but Lucerys, sworn not to fight, refused him. He delivered his message to Lord Borros Baratheon, but was refused and told to leave.

Borros prevented Aemond from attacking his cousin in the castle, but did allow for the prince to follow him. Mounted on his dragon, Aemond caught up with Lucerys during a raging storm. The fight between the two dragons did not last long. Vhagar, being five times bigger, had the advantage, and Arrax fell broken. His head and neck washed ashore three days later, along with the corpse of Lucerys.

Blood and Cheese

Rhaenyra collapsed when learning of Lucerys's death. Prince Daemon, at Harrenhal, sent a raven to his wife, promising that her son's death would be avenged.

Using one of his friends from King's Landing, Daemon enlisted the help of a former serjeant in the City Watch, known now only as Blood, and a rat-catcher from the Red Keep, known now only as Cheese. The two sneaked into the Red Keep, using secret tunnels and hidden doors, which brought them into the Tower of the Hand. There, Queen Alicent was bound and gagged, and her bedmaid strangled. When Queen Helaena and her three children appeared, Blood and Cheese barred the doors and told Helaena to choose which of her sons would die. Helaena reluctantly chose Maelor, but Blood did the opposite and killed Prince Jaehaerys instead. The two fled with the prince's head, leaving the others unharmed.

Duel of the Cargyll Twins

Main articles: Kingsguard, and Queensguard

Not even the Kingsguard were unaffected by the Dance. The seven sworn brother's split upon the death of King Viserys I with Ser Lorent Marbrand and Ser Erryk Cargyll already at Dragonstone defending Rhaenyra and her blacks. Later being joined by Ser Steffon Darklyn, the three forming the core of her new Queensguard. While the other four; Ser Criston Cole, Ser Arryk Cargyll, Ser Rickard Thorne, and Ser Willis Fell, sided with Aegon II and his greens at King's Landing.

After the deaths of Prince Lucerys and Prince Jaehaerys, Ser Criston, the Lord Commander of Aegon II's Kingsguard, tasked Ser Arryk with infiltrating Dragonstone in the guise of his twin, Ser Erryk. It is uncertain whether he was to kill Rhaenyra or her children, as accounts differ. But the twins happened to come upon each other in one of the halls of the castle's citadel and fought to the death. According to songs, the brothers professed their love as their swords clashed, dying in one another's arms after fighting for an hour with duty in their hearts. However, the account of Mushroom, who claimed to have witnessed the duel; they condemned each other a traitor and were both mortally wounded within moments.

Duskendale and Rook's Rest

Main articles: Sack of Duskendale, and Battle at Rook's Rest

Harrenhal and the Burning Mill made the young king, Aegon II realize his situation was severe. While House Hightower of Oldtown and House Redwyne of the Arbor stood firmly behind Aegon, Lord Owen Costayne of Three Towers, Lord Mullendore of Uplands, Lord Alan Tarly of Horn Hill, Lord Thaddeus Rowan of Goldengrove and Lord Grimm of Greyshield declared for Rhaenyra, as did the Vale of Arryn, White Harbor, Winterfell, the Blackwoods and other riverlords, who were assembling at Harrenhal.

Sunfyre by Ashley Hunter Rice

Ser Otto Hightower believed that Daemon was Rhaenyra's greatest weakness, and reached out to an old foe of Daemon's, the Kingdom of the Three Daughters across the narrow sea, hoping to use them against Corlys Velaryon. Aegon II was running out of patience, however, and removed Otto as Hand. Ser Criston Cole was named in his stead, and decided quick actions were necessary. Aegon acted by sacking Duskendale, and having Lord Darklyn beheaded for supporting Rhaenyra. Criston then turned his attention to Rook's Rest, for House Staunton had pledged their support to Rhaenyra as well.

Lord Staunton defied his attackers and dispatched a raven to Dragonstone. Princess Rhaenys arrived on her dragon, Meleys, but Criston's men attacked the dragon with scorpions, longbows, and crossbows in the Battle at Rook's Rest in 129 AC.

When Sunfyre and Vhagar also appeared, the dragons fought a thousand feet above the ground. Meleys's jaws closed around Sunfyre's neck, and Vhagar fell upon them, causing all three dragons to crash. From the ashes, only Vhagar rose again. Sunfyre had one wing half torn from his body, whilst his rider, King Aegon II, suffered several broken bones and severe burns. Rhaenys was found completely burned next to Meleys. After the battle, Prince Aemond and Criston took Rook's Rest and put the garrison to death. The head of Meleys was brought back to King's Landing, inspiring fear amongst the smallfolk and causing thousands to flee the capital until the gates were barred by Dowager Queen Alicent.

Aegon was brought back to King's Landing, where maesters attended his severe wounds while he slept under the influence of milk of the poppy. Sunfyre was too large to be moved and was unable to fly. The dragon remained at Rook's Rest, where guards were posted to keep him safe and fed. With Aegon unable to rule, Aemond assumed the style of Protector of the Realm.

The Dragonseeds

Netty and Sheepstealer by Ashley Rice

Lord Corlys Velaryon, upon learning of the death of his wife Rhaenys, threatened to leave Rhaenyra's cause, until Prince Jacaerys named him Hand of the Queen. They sent Prince Joffrey to the Vale of Arryn with Lady Rhaena and three dragon eggs and Joffrey's dragon Tyraxes. Prince Aegon the Younger and Prince Viserys were sent to Pentos on the *Gay Abandon* to be fostered with the Prince of Pentos, a friend of Daemon's, until Rhaenyra had secured the Iron Throne.

Jacaerys wanted to attack the capital with as many dragons as possible. With six riderless dragons present on Dragonstone, Jacaerys called out to dragonseeds, promising knighthood and wealth to anyone who could master a dragon. Many were injured or died (amongst them Lord Commander Steffon Darklyn), though four people eventually succeeded. Vermithor was claimed by Hugh Hammer, Silverwing by Ulf the White, Seasmoke by Addam of Hull, and Sheepstealer by a girl named Nettles. Corlys asked Rhaenyra to remove the taint of bastardy from Addam and his brother Alyn, making them true Velaryons, and he named Addam heir to Driftmark.

Battle of the Gullet

Main article: Battle of the Gullet

Meanwhile, ninety warships sailing from the Stepstones chanced upon the *Gay Abandon* carrying Prince Aegon the Younger and Prince Viserys in 129 AC..

Aegon managed to make it to Dragonstone, and Prince Jacaerys on Vermax flew to the Lysene galleys, quickly followed by the four dragonseeds. The warships tried to flee, but in the fighting Vermax flew too low and crashed into the sea. Jacaerys leaped free, but was pierced by quarrels.

The twenty-eight Lysene ships that survived sacked Spicetown on their way back, and butchered men, women, and children. High Tide, containing all of Lord Corlys Velaryon's treasures, was consumed by fire, one-third of his fleet being destroyed.

Battle of the Honeywine

Main article: Battle of the Honeywine

A fortnight later, Lord Ormund Hightower found himself stuck between two armies: Lord Thaddeus Rowan and Tom Flowers, from Goldengrove and Bitterbridge, came down on him from the northeast, while Ser Alan Beesbury, Lord Alan Tarly, and Lord Owen Costayne were cutting off the retreat route back to Oldtown. They closed around him, but Prince Daeron and his dragon Tessarion joined the battle. Tom Flowers died, Lord Rowan fled, the Alans were captured, and Lord Costayne was mortally wounded. The victory in the Battle of the Honeywine in 129 AC

The Red Fork and the Fishfeed

Main articles: Battle at the Red Fork, and Battle by the Lakeshore

Meanwhile, Lord Walys Mooton retook Rook's Rest but died attempting to kill the wounded Sunfyre. When some of his men returned, Sunfyre had disappeared. They found no tracks, suggesting Sunfyre had taken wing again despite his wounds. The dragon would not be seen for another half year.

While the north assembled forces, Prince Aemond believed Daemon and his host at Harrenhal to be the real danger. Aemond and Ser Criston Cole rode from King's Landing with a host of four thousand and the dragon Vhagar into the riverlands. Daemon knew of their plans before Aemond had left the capital, however, and he hastened south on Caraxes, staying well away from Criston's line of march. Aemond and Criston found Harrenhal abandoned after a nineteen-day march, believing themselves victorious.

An army of greens from the westerlands defeated the western river lords in the Battle at the Red Fork early in 130 AC. Their leader, Lord Jason Lannister, was mortally wounded by Ser Pate of Longleaf during the battle, however. which marched east with the intention of joining Criston and Aemond.

At the western shores of the Gods Eye, the westermen came across Lord Roderick Dustin with his Winter Wolves, who had combined his forces with Lord Forrest Frey and Red Robb Rivers. From the south, Pate the Lionslayer and Lords Bigglestone, Chambers, and Perryn locked him in. Lords Garibald Grey, Jon Charlton and Benjicot Blackwood joined with the northmen and other rivermen the following day, while Lord Lefford's ravens were shot down. The day after, they began their battle, which would become the bloodiest land battle of the Dance. Hundreds died that day in the Battle by the Lakeshore, also called the Fishfeed, which destroyed the Lannister host.

Fall of King's Landing

Main article: Fall of King's Landing

The death of Jacaerys Velaryon filled Rhaenyra with anger and hatred, and she decided to use her dragons.

With Criston Cole, Aemond Targaryen, and Vhagar away from King's Landing, Daemon Targaryen and Caraxes joined with Rhaenyra on Syrax above the capital, while Corlys Velaryon's ships sailed into Blackwater Bay. Grand Maester Orwyle, trying to dispatch ravens asking for help, was arrested before any letters could be sent. Riders bearing messages were arrested at the city gates, and the seven captains commanding the gates we killed or arrested, all by those gold cloaks still loyal to Daemon, who had once commanded them. The city gates were opened for the men arriving with the Velaryon fleet. King's Landing fell in less than a day.

Lord Larys Strong fled with King Aegon II, Princess Jaehaera, and Prince Maelor. Larys dispatched Jaehaera with Ser Willis Fell to Storm's End, and Maelor with Ser Rickard Thorne to Lord Ormund Hightower.

All from the green council remaining in King's Landing yielded, and Rhaenyra took her place on the Iron Throne. Dowager Queen Alicent was spared, but her father, Ser Otto was beheaded, as was Lord Jasper Wylde. Ser Tyland Lannister was given to the torturers, in the hopes of regaining some of the gold he had hidden. Princes Joffrey and Aegon the Younger, Rhaenyra's remaining sons (Viserys was believed to be dead) were called to King's Landing.

Aemond and Criston at Harrenhal could no longer agree on a plan of action. Criston wished to withdraw south to join with Lord Ormund Hightower and Prince Daeron Targaryen, while Aemond wished to attack the capital. Criston led the greens' army south, while Aemond remained to ravage the riverlands, hoping that Rhaenyra would send a dragon after him.

The Red Kraken

At the beginning of the war, the office of master of ships had been offered to Dalton Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, by the greens. Rhaenyra's council offered Dalton something more to his liking, however, and so House Greyjoy declared for the blacks. With Lord Jason Lannister dying after the Red Fork, his Lannister army destroyed at the Fishfeed, and the green armies of the Reach marching east to Tumbleton, the coasts of the westerlands only had skeleton defenses. For several years, Dalton and his ironborn raided and pillaged the coasts of the westerlands and the Reach. Dalton captured Kayce and Fair Isle, and though the ironborn could not force entry into Casterly Rock after Jason's widow Johanna closed its gates, they sacked Lannisport.

Butcher's Ball

Main article: Butcher's Ball

Prince Aemond burned Darry, Lord Harroway's Town, Lord's Mill, Blackbuckle, Buckle, Claypool, Swynford and Spiderwood. Ser Criston Cole, going south, found everything in front of him dead: forests, villages, horses, men. His scouts found scenes where armored corpses sat beneath the trees, rotting away, a mockery of the fallen throwing a feast. Seeing multiple “corpse feasts” during their march, Criston and his men grew accustomed to the sight. At Crossed Elms, however, the corpses were actually disguised blacks who attacked Criston and his men when they were riding past.

Criston's greens were ambushed by river lords and Roderick Dustin between the Gods Eye and the Blackwater Rush. Criston challenged them to single combat, but was refused. The battle was the most decisive in the Dance, and after Criston died, his men were killed by the hundreds in the rout. The massacre became known as the Butcher's Ball, and it marked the high point of Rhaenyra's fortunes.

Prince Daemon took residence at Maidenpool with Nettles, while Aemond terrorized the riverlands, striking at Stonyhead, the Mountains of the Moon, Sweetwillow and Sallydance, and many more. Each day Caraxes and Sheepstealer unsuccessfully searched for Vhagar from Maidenpool.

News of King Aegon II's children reached King's Landing as well. While Princess Jaehaera Targaryen safely arrived at Storm's End, Prince Maelor was discovered by a mob of Rhaenyra's supporters at Bitterbridge. Men and women clamored over the three-year-old boy, each trying to claim him, until the boy was torn to pieces. When the Hightower army worked its way up the Roseroad to Bitterbridge sometime later, it razed the castle to the ground in revenge.

First Tumbleton

Main article: First Battle of Tumbleton

The army of Lord Ormund Hightower, accompanied by Prince Daeron and his dragon Tessarion, slowly advanced on King's Landing, defeating Rhaenyra's loyalists wherever they went, as her armies fled before the dragon. To defeat them, Ulf the White and Hugh Hammer flew to Tumbleton.

Rhaenyra's forces at Tumbleton greatly outnumbered the Hightower army. Some people fleeing into the city for safety from Lord Hightower's army were secretly greens, however, and infiltrated the ranks of the blacks' defenders. In addition, Ulf and Hugh, since then known as the Two Betrayers, changed their allegiance to the greens. Though Ormund and his cousin Ser Bryndon died in the First Battle of Tumbleton, killed by Roddy the Ruin, who himself was mortally injured, the Hightower army kept the advantage. The dragons Vermithor, Silverwing and Tessarion let loose their flames upon Tumbleton, which was savagely sacked.

Upon learning of Tumbleton, Queen Rhaenyra ordered the gates of King's Landing closed and barred. The Two Betrayers made the black council question the loyalty of the other dragonseeds, Ser Addam Velaryon and Nettles. Despite Lord Corlys Velaryon speaking in their defense, Rhaenyra ordered Addam and Nettles arrested. Addam, who had been guarding the dragons at the Dragonpit, was warned by Corlys and escaped on Seasmoke, causing Corlys's arrest.

There was chaos in both King's Landing and Tumbleton. Ser Hobert Hightower presumed to take command of the leaderless green army. Prince Daeron commanded him to stop the sacking, but Hobert was ineffective. Ulf the White, dreaming of Highgarden, became angry upon being granted Bitterbridge. Hugh Hammer began to dream of a crown of his own. With the Hightower army leaderless, desertions caused the army to shrink every day.

Fall of Dragonstone

Main article: Fall of Dragonstone

Around the time of First Tumbleton, the merchant cog *Nessaria* made a stop at Dragonstone for repairs and provisions, having been driven off course by a storm. They spotted two fighting dragons while passing the Dragonmont. Inspired by the story from those of Volantis, local fishermen took their boats for a look the next morning, and they reported the burned and broken remains of the Grey Ghost. Ser Robert Quince, Dragonstone's castellan, named the Cannibal as the killer.

Lord Larys Strong had disguised King Aegon II during the fall of King's Landing and smuggled him to Dragonstone, where Aegon was later found by Sunfyre. It had been Aegon's dragon who had actually killed the Grey Ghost, not the Cannibal. Rider and dragon went out flying again, regaining strength, while Aegon's supporters found locals willing to betray Rhaenyra, due to mislike for her.

Poorly-defended Dragonstone fell easily, with Robert being slain by Ser Alfred Broome, who was angered at not being named castellan by Rhaenyra. Lady Baela, Prince Daemon's daughter, escaped her attackers on her dragon, Moondancer. Sunfyre blinded Moondancer with fire, however, and eventually killed the younger dragon after they crashed to the ground. The burned and battered Baela was taken captive, and King Aegon the Elder now held Dragonstone, although he broke his legs in the fighting.

Battle Above the Gods Eye

Daemon and Aemond, fighting on top of Caraxes and Vhagar, with Dark Sister in Daemons hand.

Main article: Battle Above the Gods Eye

Rhaenyra ordered Lord Manfryd Mooton of Maidenpool to send her the head of Nettles. According to Rhaenyra, Nettles had become the lover of her husband, Prince Daemon, and was thus guilty of high treason. Nettles was a guest beneath his roof, and killing her would mean breaking guest right and facing Daemon's wroth. Refusing Rhaenyra, however, would mean being attainted a traitor. Maester Norren suggested that they had never read the letter, and later that night informed Daemon of Rhaenyra's command.

Nettles and her dragon, Sheepstealer, departed Maidenpool for parts unknown the next morning. Daemon and Nettles spoke no word of farewell, but when Sheepstealer climbed the sky, Caraxes gave a scream. Daemon told Manfryd to spread the word that he would fly for Harrenhal, so Aemond could face him alone. Once Daemon was gone, Lord Mooton took down Rhaenyra's banners and raised the golden dragons of King Aegon II.

Daemon took Harrenhal from the few who still remained there, and waited for thirteen days. On the fourteenth day, Vhagar appeared with Aemond and his bedmaid, the pregnant seer Alys Rivers. With Alys on the ground, the dragonriders fought in the sky above the Gods Eye. Their fight ended as the dragons, locked together, tumbled towards the lake. According to tales, Daemon leapt from Caraxes to Vhagar and drove the Valyrian steel longsword Dark Sister through Aemond's blind eye. The dragons struck the lake half a heartbeat later.

Caraxes crawled beneath the walls of Harrenhal, where he died. Vhagar died in the water, and was found some years later with Aemond's bones still chained to the saddle and with Dark Sister in his rider's eye-socket. Daemon's remains, however, were never found, causing singers to claim he survived to spend his last days with Nettles. It was the twenty-second day of the fifth moon of the year 130 AC.

Storming of the Dragonpit

Main articles: Riot of King's Landing (Dance of the Dragons), and Storming of the Dragonpit

In King's Landing, the Velaryon fleet, counting more than half the army that had sailed from Dragonstone, abandoned Rhaenyra when they learned Lord Corlys Velaryon was in the black cells. Those who remained could no longer be trusted.

That same day, Queen Helaena threw herself from Maegor's Holdfast and died on the moat's spikes below. Smallfolk believed she had been murdered by Ser Luthor Largent of the gold cloaks, however. Her dragon, Dreamfyre, rose with a roar, snapping two of her chains in the Dragonpit.

Hobb The Hewer by Ashley Hunter Rice

That night a riot rose in King's Landing. Luthor and five hundred gold cloaks went to Cobbler's Square to disperse it, but Luthor and many of his men were killed by ten thousand rioters. A hedge knight, Ser Perkin the Flea, crowned his squire, Trystane Truefyre, declaring him to be King Viserys I Targaryen's bastard. Perkin bestowed knighthood on all who would support Trystane, so many fled to their cause. The next day, some order was restored to parts of King's Landing, but chaos remained in the rest of the city.

Having learned about Maidenpool's betrayal and the escape of Nettles, Rhaenyra sent ravens to Winterfell and the Eyrie, pleading for more aid. Perkin and Trystane gained strength the next night. The King's Gate and the Lion Gate were opened by rioters, the gold cloaks at the King's Gate having fled, and those guarding the Lion Gate having joined the rioters. With Perkin holding the River Gate, three out of seven gates were now open to enemies.

The people of King's Landing no longer believed Rhaenyra could protect them. A crazed prophet known as the Shepherd led an even larger mob to the Hill of Rhaenys to kill the dragons. Joffrey mounted Syrax to fly to the Dragonpit, Rhaenya's she-dragon was unaccustomed to the boy and he died after being thrown from her back.

Meanwhile, the rioters attacked the Dragonpit. Shrykos was slain by the woodsman Hobb the Hewer, while Morghul was killed by the Burning Knight. Tyraxes went into his lair and roasted many before dying. Dreamfyre slew more than the other three dragons combined, until a crossbow blinded one of her eyes. When Dreamfyre tried to leap free, the weakened dome crashed on both dragon and dragonslayers. Syrax descended on the survivors. Rhaenyra, watching from atop Maegor's Holdfast, held her remaining son, Aegon the Younger, until she saw Syrax fall.

Rhaenyra's councilors agreed that the city was lost. She was persuaded to leave the next day, slipping through the Dragon Gate for Duskendale.

Second Tumbleton

Main article: Second Battle of Tumbleton

News of unrest in King's Landing reached Tumbleton, making the Hightower army believe they should advance upon the city, but Ser Hobert Hightower doubted, and the Two Betrayers refused to join unless their demands were met.

With Aemond slain and Aegon II still missing, the greens found themselves without leaders. Prince Daeron was next in line for the throne and there were some who wanted to name him Prince of Dragonstone, or even king. Lord Hugh Hammer wanted to be crowned king by right of conquest. He had the oldest and largest dragon alive, Vermithor, thrice as big as Daeron's Tessarion. Ulf the White helped plot Hugh's coronation. Lord Unwin Peake and Hobert summoned eleven other lords and landed knights, who became known as the Caltrops, to plot the deaths of the Two Betrayers with Daeron's consent.

Before the Caltrops could strike, Tumbleton woke at night to find themselves under attack by Addam Velaryon, his dragon Seasmoke, and an army of four thousand blacks loyal to Rhaenyra. The great green host encamped at Tumbleton outnumbered their attackers, but had grown lax due to their long stay. Ulf slept through the Second Battle of Tumbleton. Hard Hugh was killed by one of the Caltrops, Lord Jon Roxton, who was then killed by Hugh's men in revenge. Daeron is said to have been killed by Black Trombo or an unknown man-at-arms, or thirdly died from a burning pavilion.

Addam and Seasmoke battled the riderless Tessarion and Vermithor, which ended with Vermithor ripping off the head of Seasmoke. Vermithor, due to his wounds, died next. Tessarion, after trice trying to fly, remained in pain. Lord Benjicot Blackwood had Billy Burley end her suffering. Addam also died during the fighting.

Though having won the battle, the rivermen had not been able to take the town. Tumbleton's gates were closed, and without a dragon or equipment, they could not start a siege, so the rivermen took all they found useful and left. Only one dragon remained at the town, Silverwing.

In order to rid the surviving greens of Ulf the White, Hobert drank poisoned Arbor gold with him to their mutual deaths. Without a leader or a rider for Silverwing, Lord Peake led the green army in retreat. King's Landing had been saved.

Rhaenyra's Death

Rhaenyra Targaryen is fed to Sunfyre.In supplemental Blu-ray content from *Game of Thrones* Season 5.

Rhaenyra Targaryen was refused entry at Rosby and was allowed to stay only one night at Stokeworth, half her gold cloaks deserted on the road, and attackers killed several of her knights. At Duskendale they were admitted, but not allowed to stay long. Refusing to part from her son, Aegon the Younger, and without ships, Rhaenyra sold her crown to buy passage on a Braavosi ship. She returned to Dragonstone, hoping to hatch a new dragon from the island's dragon eggs.

Ser Alfred Broome and his garrison killed Rhaenyra's remaining men and captured the queen, her ladies, and Aegon the Younger. Once inside the gates, Rhaenyra faced Aegon II Targaryen and the wounded Sunfyre. Aegon the Elder fed Rhaenyra to his dragon while Aegon the Younger looked on. With the chance that Rhaenyra's loyalists would continue the fight in her son's name, Aegon the Younger became a hostage. It was the twenty-second day of the tenth month of 130 AC.

On the ninth day of the twelfth month, Sunfyre the Golden died on Dragonstone. After this, Aegon started planning his return to King's Landing. Though Rhaenyra had died, her cause lived on. Aegon II would sit the throne again, but it would only lest another half of a year.

The Moon of the Three Kings

Main article: Moon of the Three Kings

After Rhaenyra's forces abandoned King's Landing, chaos took control of the city for several weeks, a period known as the Moon of the Three Kings.

The squire Trystane Truefyre, said to be a bastard of the late King Viserys I, was installed by Perkin the Flea in the Red Keep. Meanwhile, a second pretender king was the four-year-old Gaemon Palehair, who was claimed to be a son of King Aegon II Targaryen and was established atop Visenya's Hill, at the House of Kisses.

Lord Borros Baratheon seized King's Landing for Aegon. Gaemon was arrested and Trystane was executed after being granted the boon of knighthood. Lord Corlys Velaryon, who had been left in the dungeons when Rhaenyra fled the city, was freed and named to Aegon's small council. As Aegon II's only remaining heir was his daughter Jaehaera, the widowed king agreed to marry the eldest daughter of Borros.

Battle of the Kingsroad

Main article: Battle of the Kingsroad

With King's Landing secured for King Aegon II Targaryen, Lord Borros Baratheon led his armies against the riverlanders who were approaching the city on the kingsroad. These Lads were led by Lord Kermit Tully, Lord Benjicot Blackwood,

This left King's Landing with only meager defenses, with the Lads only a short distance away. Lord Cregan Stark and his forces marched south to reinforce them.

Aegon II's Death

When the black army of the Lads was a day's march outside of King's Landing, there were no significant green forces to stop them. Lord Cregan Stark was coming south, and other armies were coming from the Vale of Arryn as well. King Aegon II Targaryen refused to surrender, even when Lord Corlys Velaryon, now master of ships on Aegon's small council, advised him that the only remaining option was to surrender and join the Night's Watch. Instead, Aegon gave orders to have an ear cut off his nephew, Aegon the Younger, and have it sent to the Lads as a warning—if his bloodline died, so would Rhaenyra's. Aegon II was shortly found dead after, with blood on his lips from poisoned wine.

Aftermath

The False Dawn

With King Aegon II Targaryen dead, Aegon the Younger was crowned as King Aegon III Targaryen. Although Aegon II's host had been defeated and the Velaryon fleet once more served the Iron Throne, the period that followed was named the False Dawn.

The realm faced numerous problems. The cruel winter that had begun the year before on Maiden's Day of 130 AC would last until 135 AC. Much of the realm had been burned out by dragonfire - in particular, Aemond Targaryen's one-man war riding Vhagar, which had burned out most of the riverlands. Broken men and outlaws roamed the countryside in the hundreds and thousands, and public order had collapsed in many places. The ironborn, under the command of Dalton Greyjoy—who had only nominally sided with the blacks as a pretext to attack wealthy green kingdoms—now refused to acknowledge the boy-king Aegon III's commands to stop raiding.

Lord Cregan Stark and his northern army of childless, homeless, and younger men had marched to King's Landing with hopes of adventure. The sudden death of King Aegon II had robbed them of that chance, leaving Cregan furious. He had wanted to punish Storm's End, Casterly Rock, and Oldtown for having supported Aegon II over Rhaenyra, but upon his arrival, Lord Corlys Velaryon had already sent out ravens, suing for peace.

Hour of the Wolf

Main article: Hour of the Wolf

Lord Cregan Stark could not be dissuaded from punishing the betrayers and prisoners of King Aegon II Targaryen. He found the poisoning foul murder, and had twenty-two men arrested in the name of young Aegon III Targaryen, including Lords Larys Strong and Corlys Velaryon. He then made Aegon name him Hand of the King.

Cregan reigned as Hand during a day filled with trials and executions. Most of those accused chose to take the black—chief among them Ser Perkin the Flea—but Ser Gyles Belgrave of the Kingsguard and Larys chose death. Corlys was spared a trial thanks to the intervention of Baela and Rhaena Targaryen. The day after the executions, Cregan resigned as Hand and returned to the north, leaving many of his northmen behind in the south.

The Regency of Aegon III

Main article: Regency of Aegon III

With the war over, a council of seven regents was established for the young Aegon III Targaryen. This regency period was filled with many troubles as the realm struggled to rebuild from the war. Out of the seven original regents, only Grand Maester Munkun would serve the full term. The first seven regents were Lord Corlys Velaryon, Lady Jeyne Arryn, Lord Royce Caron, Ser Torrhen Manderly, Lord Manfryd Mooton, Grand Maester Munkun, and Lord Roland Westerling.

In 135 AC the harsh winter finally ended, and in 136 AC, when he came of age, King Aegon III dismissed his final regents and Hand.

Changed views on inheritance

The Dance of the Dragons further had influences upon the future Targaryen succession. Upon the death of King Baelor I Targaryen in 171 AC, the succession of the throne was unclear. Since Baelor had no children and had not appointed an heir, there were some lords and smallfolk who felt the Iron Throne should pass to the eldest of his sisters, Princess Daena Targaryen. However, other recalled the troubled time when Rhaenyra Targaryen sat the Iron Throne. The Dance was part of the reason why Prince Viserys Targaryen, Baelor's uncle, was chosen to ascend the throne over the wild Daena.

Historical sources

There are several main sources for historical information on the Dance of the Dragons, which are frequently at odds with each other. The first was written by Grand Maester Orwyle, who had served King Aegon II Targaryen on his council and was arrested by the forces of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen when she took the city.

Grand Maester Munkun's *The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling* was based on Orwyle's account.

The next major source was written by Septon Eustace, who served at the Red Keep at the time of Viserys I's death. Eustace wrote *The Reign of King Viserys, first of His Name, and the Dance of the Dragons That Came After* after the war had concluded. His account is biased, favoring Aegon II over Rhaenyra.

The fourth major source is the account of the dwarf Mushroom, the court fool at the Red Keep during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, who was with Rhaenyra on Dragonstone when the war broke out. Mushroom was believed to be a lackwit by the court, and thus people often spoke freely around him. His account, *The Testimony of Mushroom*, contains detailed descriptions of plots, murders, trysts, debaucheries, and more. Although Mushroom's account often differs significantly from Septon Eustace's account, there are some surprising points of agreement.

Archmaester Gyldayn wrote his work, *The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens*, about a century after the war, making use of the accounts that were written down before him, comparing them where needed.

Maester Yandel discusses the Dance in his book *The World of Ice and Fire*.

Family Tree of House Targaryen during the Dance




Annotations from item #46265369:

Bran Stark riding his chestnut filly Dancer. © FFG

Dancer is a horse at Winterfell. She is a two year old filly with a chestnut coat.

Contents

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Dancer is trained by Joseth especially for Bran Stark after he becomes crippled. She is taught to respond to touch, sound and the reins due to Bran's inability to use his legs.

A Clash of Kings

Bran rides Dancer into the harvest feast of Winterfell. She is later killed during the sack of Winterfell.




Annotations from item #46265370:

The dancing plague is a disease common in Sothoryos.




Annotations from item #46265371:

Dancy is a whore at Chataya's brothel in King's Landing.

Contents

Appearance

Dancy has a pug-nose, freckles and long, thick red hair.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Dancy makes a bet with Marei, another whore employed by Chataya, that she could bed Tyrion Lannister or lose her black pearls. She attempts to convince him to take her upstairs, but Tyrion is faithful to Shae and refuses her advances.

A Storm of Swords

Tyrion suggests Dancy to Prince Oberyn Martell.

Anguy reveals he spent the small fortune he had won at the Tourney of the Hand on girls from Chataya's brothelJayde, Alayaya and Dancy—roast swan, and Arbor wine.

Quotes

She's good but I'm better, don't you want to see?

- Dancy to Tyrion Lannister




Annotations from item #46265372:

Danelle Lothston, known as Mad Danelle, was Lady of Harrenhal and head of House Lothston.

Contents

Appearance and Character

Danelle had long red hair and wore tight-fitting black armor.

History

When Lord Brynden Rivers, the Hand of the King to Aerys I Targaryen, marched on Whitewalls to quash the Second Blackfyre Rebellion, Lady Danelle was among the river lords who come in support, marching in great strength.

Lady Danelle turned to the black arts during the reign of Maekar I Targaryen, causing chaos and the downfall of the Lothston line.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Upon returning to Lady Lothston's former home of Harrenhal, Ser Jaime Lannister recalls hearing stories about her bathing in blood and presiding over feasts of human flesh.




Annotations from item #46265373:

Dannel is a steward of the Night's Watch.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

When Dannel and Ty search for wildlings along the kingsroad, they find Alys Karstark, who seeks Jon Snow. Dannel offers the girl one of Hobb's sausages.




Annotations from item #46265374:

Danny Flint was a girl from House Flint who dressed up as a boy to become a member of the Night's Watch.

Contents

History

Danny was raped and murdered at the Nightfort. She is remembered for being brave and young.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Upon arriving at the Nightfort with his companions, Bran Stark recalls the tale of what happened to Danny Flint.

A Dance with Dragons

In Winterfell, during the wedding banquet held in honour of Ramsay Bolton to "Arya Stark", Lord Wyman Manderly requests a song about brave young Danny Flint to make everyone weep.

As three thousand wildlings pass the Wall at Castle Black, Lord Commander Jon Snow notices that two of the boy hostages are girls in disguise. Jon asks Tormund Giantsbane if Mance Rayder ever sang a song about Danny Flint. Tormund says he does not think so and asks who he was. Jon tells him about Danny, saying that her song is sad and pretty but what happened to her was not.




Annotations from item #46265375:

Danos Slynt is the third son of Lord Janos Slynt. He is a page.

Contents

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

When his father, Janos Slynt, is named Lord of Harrenhal, Danos is officially decreed to be among those who shall hold the honors bestowed upon Janos after his death. but it is unknown whether Danos is among them.

A Clash of Kings

When Tyrion Lannister, acting Hand of the King, sends Danos's father Janos to the Wall, he promises that Danos and his younger brother Jothos will be fostered out as squires.

A Storm of Swords

Danos is now a page.

Family




Annotations from item #46265376:

Ser Danwell Frey is a knight of House Frey, the eighth son of Lord Walder Frey, the third son born of Walder's marriage to Amarei Crakehall. He is married to Wynafrei Whent, with many stillbirths and miscarriages.

Contents

History

Ser Danwell rode in a tourney held in King's Landing in 298 AC. He was unhorsed by a hedge knight, which embarrassed his father.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Danwell attends the Hand's tourney in King's Landing with five of his brothers.

A Clash of Kings

Danwell has been captured by House Lannister. possibly including Danwell.

A Storm of Swords

Danwell serves with Lord Roose Bolton at Harrenhal during the War of the Five Kings. He urges Roose to ransom the captured Ser Jaime Lannister back to Riverrun.

Danwell attends the Red Wedding where he plays a drinking game with Marq Piper, who is later captured by the Freys.

A Feast for Crows

After the war, Danwell is at Darry. During dinner the conversation concerns the whereabouts of the outlaw lord Beric Dondarrion. Danwell thinks it possible that the Reeds gave Beric shelter.

Family




Annotations from item #46265377:

Dareon is a recruit of the Night's Watch, known primarily for his excellent singing voice. Ser Alliser Thorne refers to him as Lover.

Contents

Character

During his training at the Night's Watch, Dareon is described as "quick, but afraid of being hit" by Jon Snow.

History

Dareon was an apprentice singer in the Reach, before being caught in bed with a daughter of Lord Mathis Rowan. Though Dareon maintains that she was waiting for him naked and helped him into her room, under her father's eye she named it rape. For this Dareon was sent to the Wall.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Dareon is a recruit with Jon Snow. He is an excellent singer known to sing for the Watch at dinner.

A Feast for Crows

Jon Snow, after being named Lord Commander, names Dareon as a replacement for Yoren, a missing wandering crow. He sends Dareon south with Samwell Tarly, Maester Aemon, and Gilly, with the idea that his singing could bolster recruitment to the Night's Watch.

Aemon's condition worsens in Braavos and they are forced to spend their coin on a healer and an inn. With their money running low, Dareon is sent to sing for coin, with which to buy food and passage. Instead, he becomes increasingly distant and desultory, and sings largely for wine and trade from the city's whores. He performs at the Inn of the Green Eel, the Black Bargeman, and Moroggo's.

Sam finds Dareon in a whorehouse called the Happy Port, where Dareon has wed a whore called the Sailor's Wife, who only beds the men she weds. Sam confronts him for this and accuses him of breaking his vows, and Dareon responds by throwing his cloak in Sam's face and renouncing the Night's Watch. Sam punches Dareon

After his desertion, Dareon is successful for a time as a singer in Braavos, visiting the Cattery, the Happy Port, and the House of Seven Lamps, and bragging that in time he will be playing in the Sealord's Palace. He is known to Arya Stark, who, under the guise of her most recent identity Cat of the Canals, sells oysters for the Braavosi fishmonger Brusco in the same areas where Dareon sings. Recognizing him as a deserter of the Night's Watch, Arya lures Dareon into an alley one night and slits his throat as punishment for his desertion. She dumps his body into a canal, though she keeps his boots.

Quotes by Dareon

Dareon: The stewards are fine for the likes of you and me, Sam, but not for Lord Snow.

Jon: I'm a better swordsman and a better rider than any of you. It's not fair.

Dareon: Fair? The girl was waiting for me, naked as the day she was born. She pulled me through the window, and you talk to me of fair?

- Dareon and Jon Snow

I'm done with you. I'm done with black.

- Dareon to Samwell Tarly

Quotes about Dareon

You should hear Dareon. His voice is sweet as mead.

- Samwell Tarly to Gilly

Dareon was supposed to be his brother. Ask him to sing, and no one could be better. Ask him to do aught else ...

- thoughts of Samwell Tarly

The whores called him the black singer, but there was hardly any black about him now. With the coin his singing brought him, the crow had transformed himself into a peacock. Today he wore a plush purple cloak lined with vair, a striped white-and-lilac tunic, and the parti-colored breeches of a bravo, but he owned a silken cloak as well, and one made of burgundy velvet that was lined with cloth-of-gold. The only black about him was his boots. Cat had heard him tell Lanna that he'd thrown all the rest in a canal. "I am done with darkness," he had announced.

- thoughts of Arya Stark

Dareon had been a deserter from the Night's Watch; he had deserved to die.

- thoughts of Arya Stark

Behind the scenes

Dareon may be a reference to Daeron, an Elvish minstrel from *The Silmarillion* by J.R.R. Tolkien.




Annotations from item #46265378:

Dark Sister, as depicted by Velvet Engine in *The World of Ice and Fire*.

Dark Sister is a famous Valyrian steel longsword, one of two ancestral swords of House Targaryen, the other being Blackfyre.

History

Visenya and Dark Sister, by Amok©.

The sword was in the possession of House Targaryen since before Aegon's Conquest.

Queen Visenya Targaryen was skilled in the use of Dark Sister, having trained beside her younger brother, King Aegon I Targaryen, since childhood. During the First Dornish War, the Targaryens were attacked on multiple occasions by assassins sent by Dorne,

Visenya bestowed Dark Sister on her thirteen-year-old son, Prince Maegor Targaryen, in 25 AC.

Prince Daemon Targaryen was knighted at sixteen, and King Jaehaerys I gave him Dark Sister for his prowess.

Prince Aemon Targaryen, the Dragonknight, was the greatest jouster and swordsman of his age, a knight worthy to bear Dark Sister.

Lord Brynden Rivers bore Dark Sister, though his favorite weapon was a weirwood longbow. The sword's current whereabouts are unknown.

Quotes

Dark Sister was made for nobler tasks than slaughtering sheep. She has a thirst for blood.

Daemon Targaryen to Corlys Velaryon




Annotations from item #46265379:

"Dark Wings, Dark Words" is the second episode of the third season of the HBO medieval fantasy television series *Game of Thrones*, and the 22nd episode of the series. Written by Vanessa Taylor and directed by Daniel Minahan, it aired on April 7, 2013.

Bran dreams of the three-eyed raven again and meets new allies. Ravens bring dark tidings to Robb at Harrenhal. Sansa is introduced to Margaery and Olenna Tyrell. Shae asks for Tyrion's help protecting Sansa. Jon Snow meets a warg in the wildling army. Sam struggles to stay alive. Arya crosses paths with the Brotherhood Without Banners. Cersei and Margaery try different approaches to controlling Joffrey. Jaime provokes Brienne into a duel, but finds himself recaptured.

The title of the episode alludes to an ancient Westerosi proverb about messenger ravens, because urgently delivered letters often contain bad news. In this episode, ravens bring Robb Stark news of both his grandfather's death and the Sack of Winterfell.

Contents

Plot

Beyond the Wall

Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) joins the wildling army on its march south. Mance Rayder (Ciarán Hinds) reminds Jon he will not hesitate to kill him to protect his people. He explains that his army is made up of ninety clans, who speak seven languages and have numerous tribal rivalries. He only united them all by telling them the truth: they will all die unless they get south of the Wall.

Mance takes Jon to visit a scout named Orell (Mackenzie Crook), who is in the midst of an out-of-body experience. Mance explains that Orell is a warg who can enter the mind of animals and is using his power to scout ahead. Ygritte (Rose Leslie) is surprised Jon has never met a warg before. When Orell comes back into his own body, Mance asks what he saw. Orell replies that he saw the Fist of the First Men covered with "dead crows."

Meanwhile, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) collapses from exhaustion on the retreat from the Battle of the Fist of the First Men. Rast (Luke Barnes) blames Sam for hiding instead of fighting and insists they should leave him because he is slowing them down. Grenn (Mark Stanley) and Dolorous Edd (Ben Crompton) try to get Sam up, but Sam only mopes that they left him behind at the onset of the battle, even though they refuse to leave him now. Lord Commander Mormont (James Cosmo) returns to sternly forbid Sam to die and order Rast to keep Sam alive on pain of death.

In the North

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) dreams of the mysterious three-eyed raven again. Reliving old memories, he shoots an arrow at the bird but misses. Then a boy appears to tell him that he cannot kill the raven because he is the raven. Awakening suddenly, Bran explains his dream to Osha (w:Natalia Tena|Natalia Tena]]), but she insists they have enough problems without adding dark dreams and insists they continue on their way north to the Wall.

Later, the boy from the dream approaches their camp unarmed. Osha comes up behind him with a spear, but the boy's sister surprises Osha and puts a knife to her throat. Osha points out that Bran's direwolf Summer will tear them apart, but Summer only sniffs the boy's hand and turns away. The boy introduces himself as Jojen Reed (Thomas Brodie Sangster) and his sister as Meera (Ellie Kendrick), claiming they have come a long way to find Bran.

Continuing their journey, Bran and Jojen discuss their dreams. Jojen explains that Bran is a warg and with practice he can consciously enter his wolf and control his actions. Bran asks if his dreams of the three-eyed raven are part of being a warg, but Jojen explains that is different. The raven brings the related ability known as "the Sight," which allows one to see the past, present, and future. He confirms that Bran's dream when his father died was an example of the Sight, and Jojen himself had a similar dream the same day. Jojen explains that when he told his father, Lord Howland Reed, about Lord Eddard's death was the first time he saw his father cry. Bran recalls that Howland Reed saved his father's life in Robert's Rebellion. Jojen replies that his father never speaks much about the war.

At King's Landing

While King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) is being fitted for new clothes, his mother Cersei (Lena Headey) presses for his opinion of his bride-to-be Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer). Joffrey says she will make a good match and secure their power. Cersei points out Margaery dotes on the poor, dresses provocatively, and married Renly Baratheon for a reason, but Joffrey insists Margaery only married Renly because she was told to, as a good woman should. Cersei attempts to connect with her son, but he brushes her off immediately.

While dressing Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner in her chambers, Shae (Sibel Kikilli) cautions Sansa that Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen) has offered to help her for nothing, which means he must be after something. Sansa naively thinks his childhood friendship with her mother should be enough, which Shae interprets to mean Baelish is sexually attracted to Sansa. This disturbs Sansa, since Baelish is so much older. Shae explains that men often do not see it that way and urges Sansa to come to her if Baelish asks her for anything or does anything to her.

Ser Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones) invites Sansa to meet Lady Margaery and their grandmother, Lady Olenna Tyrell (Dianna Rigg). As they walk, Loras cannot seem to recall giving Sansa a rose at the Tourney of the Hand, and he leaves immediately after introducing her to Margaery. Lady Olenna proves a very blunt and cunning woman, who declares her son Mace Tyrell a fool for supporting Renly's very tenuous claim to the Iron Throne. Olenna asks Sansa what Joffrey is truly like, since he is to marry Margaery. Sansa is reluctant, but when Olenna mentions her father's reputation for truth Sansa's eyes blaze and she angrily recounts how Joffrey promised mercy, then beheaded her father and made her look at his head. Sansa immediately backtracks, but eventually the Tyrells get her to call Joffrey a "monster." Olenna is disappointed but unsurprised, and Margaery only shrugs. Sansa worries they will call off the wedding, but Olenna assures her Margaery's father is too intent on a royal marriage.

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) returns to his new chambers to find Shae has sneaked in. He warns her that his father will kill her if she is caught, but she seems unconcerned. She asks Tyrion to protect Sansa for Petyr Baelish. Tyrion points out that he no longer has the power to interfere, and Sansa's great beauty and old name will draw many suitors. Shae accuses Tyrion of being attracted to Sansa, which he struggles to deny. Shae plays jealous and they playfully bicker she begins to undress him.

Joffrey summons Margaery to his chambers, ostensibly to ask if she needs anything before he goes hunting. Perhaps influenced by Cersei's words, Joffrey quickly brings up Margaery's previous marriage to Renly. Margaery insists she only tried to do her duty as a wife. When Joffrey points out such duties would include sex with a known traitor, Margaery feigns demure shyness and delicately uses Renly's known homosexuality to paint herself as a dutiful but frustrated bride. Margaery then skillfully diverts the conversation to Joffrey's exquisite new crossbow and quickly deduces that Joffrey is excited by sadism. She uses this to flirt with him by asking if he would like to watch her kill something, which Joffrey admits he would.

Undisclosed

Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) awakes in a dungeon after being knocked out before the Sack of Winterfell. Without even asking a question, men in ironborn clothing begin torturing him by prying his fingernails off with a knife. Later, they progress to slowly twisting a screw into his foot, repeatedly asking why he captured Winterfell. First, Theon tells the truth (that he wanted to rule the North), then a half-truth (that he wanted to bring honor to his father and House Greyjoy), then a frantic lie (that he wanted to hurt the Starks), but they do not seem to care what answer he gives. When the guards finally leave, a servant boy (Iwan Rheon) unwinds the screw and says Theon's sister Yara has sent him to rescue Theon, but they must wait until the castle sleeps, so he leaves Theon alone again.

In the Riverlands

At Harrenhal

King Robb Stark (Richard Madden) is having a tender moment with his wife Talisa (Oona Chaplin) at Harrenhal when Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) interrupts with bad news from Winterfell and Riverrun. Robb's maternal grandfather, Lord Hoster Tully, has died after a long illness, and Ramsay Snow reports that Winterfell has been sacked and Bran and Rickon (Art Parkinson) are missing. When Robb tells his mother, the news reduces Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) to tears. Robb assures her the boys may have escaped or been kept as hostages, though he has not received any demands yet.

Leaving Roose Bolton to garrison Harrenhal, Robb rides to Riverrun for his grandfather's funeral. Lord Rickard Karstark (John Stahl) declares the march a distraction, but Robb rationalizes that his uncle, Lord Edmure Tully, will provide reinforcements. Karstark argues that the Lannisters and Tyrells still outnumber them two-to-one. When Robb asks if he has lost faith, Karstark insists he still believes in revenge but thinks Robb lost the war the day he married Talisa, breaking one marriage alliance and throwing away any opportunity for another.

Meanwhile, Talisa notices Catelyn making a prayer wheel and offers to help, but Catelyn insists only a mother can make one for her children. Catelyn reveals she has made them only twice before: when Bran fell and when Jon Snow was deathly ill. Catelyn explains that she felt guilty for praying that Jon would die because she was jealous of his mother, so she promised the gods she would raise him as her own. However, when Jon recovered, Catelyn could not keep that vow and now she blames all her family's misfortune on the gods' displeasure.

North of Harrenhal

Travelling north from Harrenhal, Arya Stark (Maise Williams), Gendry (Joe Dempsie), and Hot Pie (Ben Hawkey) run into a small party of the Brotherhood Without Banners led by the red priest Thoros of Myr (Paul Kaye) and Anguy the Archer (Phillip McGinley). Thoros is amiable and claims he only wants to talk, but is very insistent they come with him. Hot Pie recognizes the Brotherhood as the outlaws the Lannisters were hunting around Harrenhal and resists, but Anguy intimidates him with his impressive archery.

Thoros treats them to food and drink at the inn at the crossroads. When asked how they escaped Harrenhal, Arya says Gendry used his position as an apprentice smith to steal them weapons. Thoros asks where Gendry trained, and Gendry admits he worked for Tobho Mott in King's Landing. Thoros recognizes the name and declares that Tobho charged twice as much as anyone else, but Gendry claims the work was twice the quality. Thoros praises his salesmanship, but remains doubtful they fought their way out of Harrenhal, so Arya sets out to prove her swordsmanship. Amused, Thoros quickly disarms her despite being quite drunk. Satisfied enough with their story, Thoros permits them to leave, but as they head for the doors, Anguy returns with Sandor "The Hound" Clegane (Rory McCann), whom the Brotherhood have captured. Arya attempts to edge past while Thoros taunts the Hound, but the Hound stops her and reveals her true identity to everyone.

Elsewhere

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) bicker while making their way across the riverlands to exchange Jaime for the Catelyn Stark's daughters. Brienne remains wary of Jaime and keeps him on a short leash. When Brienne angrily denies supporting Stannis, Jaime deduces that she served and fancied Renly. He points out Renly was not attracted to women, which Brienne calls a foul rumor. Jaime insists Renly's sexuality was a very open secret, but when Brienne gets physical he admits he does not blame anyone for who they love. Their argument is interrupted by a farmer with a heavy-laden mule, who realizes they are avoiding the kingsroad to avoid detection. Jaime urges Brienne to kill the man to keep their movements secret, but she refuses.

Later, the pair are forced to choose between fording a turbulent river or risking detection by taking the bridge. Brienne decides on the bridge, but halfway across Jaime sits down and refuses to move. When Brienne tries to haul him to his feet, Jaime steals her spare sword and cuts his leash. The pair enter into an extended duel on the bridge. Initially, Brienne is hard-pressed by Jaime, who is a master swordsmen. However, Jaime lacks armor and his manacles restrict his mobility, allowing Brienne to wear him down with body checks, kicks, and punches. Soon, the malnutrition and dystrophy from a year spent in chains saps Jaime's strength and he slumps to the ground in exhaustion.

Just then, riders from House Bolton arrive, led by a man named Locke (Noah Taylor). The farmer Brienne chose not to kill appears to confirm their identities (since he remembers Jaime from a tourney) and is rewarded with silver. Jaime glares a Brienne before offering Locke a bribe. Locke asks if it will be enough gold to buy him a new head when Robb found out, and his men move forward to take the pair prisoner.

Casting

"Dark Wings, Dark Words" introduces seven new characters into the series: Lady Olenna Tyrell, the matriarch of House Tyrell, played by Dianna Rigg; Thoros of Myr and Anguy of the Brotherhood Without Banners, played by Paul Kaye and Phillip McGinley respectively; Jojen and Meera of Greywater Watch played by Thomas Brodie Sangster and Ellie Kendrick; Orell the warg, played by Mackenzie Crook; and the "Boy" who helps Theon, played by Iwan Rheon.

After two seasons as a recurring character, Joe Dempsie (who plays Gendry) was upgraded to the main cast for his first appearance in Season 3.

Main cast members Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister), Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon), Jerome Flynn (Bronn), (Aidan Gillen (Petyr Baelish), Iain Glenn (Jorah Mormont), Conleth Hill (Varys), and Carice van Houten (Melisandre) do not appear in this episode and are not credited.

Character List

Locations

Differences from the books

The episode is primarily based on material from chapters 1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 21, and 29 of *A Storm of Swords. In addition, the introduction of the Reeds is taken from chapters 21 and 28 of *A Clash of Kings.

The following scenes do not appear in the books:




Annotations from item #46265380:

A dark eye is mentioned by Benerro, the High Priest of the red temple in Volantis, in reference to something watching Daenerys Targaryen. It is not known who or what the dark eye is or if it is merely a figure of speech.

Contents

Recent Events

A Dance With Dragons

Benerro preaches that Daenerys Targaryen stands in peril and that the dark eye has fallen upon her. After listening to Ser Jorah Mormont's translation, Tyrion Lannister realizes that the red priest speaks of an ancient prophecy which foretells the coming of a hero to deliver the world from darkness..

Sailing on the *Selaesori Qhoran*, the red priest Moqorro warns Tyrion of something with one black eye which is seeking Daenerys.

The Winds of Winter

Theon Greyjoy recalls that his uncle, Euron Crow's Eye, uses an eyepatch to hide a black eye shining with malice.

Quotes

Tyrion: What is he saying?
Jorah: That Daenerys stands in peril. The dark eye has fallen upon her, and the minions of night are plotting her destruction, praying to their false gods in temples of deceit ... conspiring at betrayal with godless outlanders ...

- Tyrion Lannister and Jorah Mormont

Moqorro: Others seek Daenerys too.

Tyrion: Have you seen these others in your fires?

Moqorro: Only their shadows. One most of all. A tall and twisted thing with one black eye and ten long arms, sailing on a sea of blood.

- Moqorro and Tyrion Lannister




Annotations from item #46265381:

Darkdell is the seat of House Vyrwel in the Reach.




Annotations from item #46265382:

Darkwash

Western Essos and the location of the Darkwash

The Darkwash or Darkwater.

Gold and amber from the Axe flow into Dagger Lake by way of the Qhoyne and its tributary, the Darkwash.




Annotations from item #46265383:

Lady Darla Deddings was a member of House Deddings during the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

History

During the riots of King's landing, rioters attempted to rape Lady Darla. Her brother Davos Deddings was stabbed in the eye defending her.




Annotations from item #46265384:

Lady Darlessa Marbrand is the widow of Ser Tygett Lannister..

Family




Annotations from item #46265385:
Annotation #1 for item #46265385: Wiki: Darry

Darry

The riverlands and a possible location of Darry

For the river, see Darry (river)

Darry

Contents

Location

The location of Darry has not been published in *A Song of Ice and Fire*, but it is near the ruby ford.

Darry is mentioned as half a day's ride south of the Trident in *A Game of Thrones*,

Castle

Plowman's Keep

Plowman's Keep is the central building where the Darrys have their apartments. The lord's bedchamber, which contains Myrish carpet, sits at the top of the keep and its window overlooks the godswood. The lady's bedchamber adjoins the lord's with a servant's cell between.

Great Hall

The Great Hall is not very large. The trestle tables are packed between the walls.

Sept

The sept is just off the castle's inner ward. It is a half-timbered, seven-sided building with no windows. It has carved wood doors and a tiled roof.

History

House Darry traces their rule to the days when the Andals cast down the First Men.

Darry and its fields were burnt by Prince Aemond Targaryen and his dragon, Vhagar, during the Dance of the Dragons.

The lands ruled from Castle Darry once extended as far as the inn at the crossroads,.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

When King Robert I Baratheon's entourage travels north to offer the Hand of the King to Lord Eddard Stark, they stay at Darry both en route and returning. On the outbound stop, Tyrion Lannister finds tapestries depicting the Targaryen kings which had been taken down and hidden away in the cellars for the duration of Robert's visit.

A Clash of Kings

Castle Darry is captured by House Lannister at the opening of the War of the Five Kings. It is recaptured by forces of House Darry, but this lasts only a fortnight before Ser Gregor Clegane descends upon them and puts the castle to the sword. The last of the male line of House Darry, Lyman Darry, is killed there.

Northmen led by Ser Helman Tallhart retake the castle after a short siege. They are ordered by Lord Roose Bolton to put all captives to the sword and the castle to the torch.

A Feast for Crows

Because Castle Darry is occupied by broken men after the northmen's departure, Ser Kevan Lannister sends Ser Harwyn Plumm, called the Hardstone, to expel them.

During his riverland travels, Ser Jaime Lannister, Lancel's cousin, visits Darry and notices soldiers from Houses Frey and Lannister, as well as armed "sparrows". While practicing in the godswood, Jaime recounts to Ser Ilyn Payne that he had slept with his twin, Queen Cersei Lannister, in Raymun Darry's bed when Robert's retinue returned south from Winterfell.

A Dance with Dragons

Lancel renounces his lordship over Darry It is unknown who currently holds Castle Darry.

Quotes

Arya was glad to hear that the castle of the Darrys would be burned. That was where they'd brought her when she'd been caught after her fight with Joffrey, and where the queen had made her father kill Sansa's wolf. It deserves to burn.

- thoughts of Arya Stark

Darry had changed hands several times during the fighting, and its castle had been burned once and sacked at least twice, but Lancel had seemingly wasted little time setting things to rights. The castle gates were newly hung, raw oaken planks reinforced with iron studs. A new stable was going up where an older one had been put to the torch. The steps to the keep had been replaced, and the shutters on many of the windows. Blackened stones showed where the flames had licked, but time and rain would fade those.

- thoughts of Jaime Lannister

Chapters that take place at Darry

Annotation #2 for item #46265385: Wiki: (river) Darry

The Darry is among the feeder streams that flow into the Trident. It presumably lies somewhere between Harrenhal and Riverrun..