Episode 1 - Dreams of Spring
-5 Chapters
Chapter 1: The Death of Gods
When the Valyrians first arrived, Westeros was a land of Kings. Kings of Isles & Rivers, of Mountains & Vale, Bronze Kings & Red Kings, Storm Kings & Kings of Winter... The Kings fought eternally, one was on top, then another. They were the blood of the First Men, then the Andals, and lastly the Rhoynar.
When the Valyrians first arrived, they weren't Kings. They were Gods. The blood of the Dragon, the heirs to the Valyrian Freehold - an Empire that spanned the corners of the world. And they came, because of a dream. A girl, a child had dreamed that the Freehold would end. That the gods would die. So her father crossed the Narrow Sea.
When House Targaryen broke the rule of kings, when Aegon the Conqueror made all the Kings of Westeros kneel & exchange their crowns for lordships & deliver their swords to be burned into the Iron Throne - it was Dragons, that allowed Aegon to break Westeros, as his ancestors had broken the world, and forge it again, as he pleased.
It has not been a hundred years yet, when the Dragons danced, when House Targaryen fought itself & killed most of them. Then, after that dance, they grew frail. The last Dragon perished a hundred & fifty years after the conquest.
They were gods. Then, all at once, they became men.
& the Rule of Men
The blood of the dragon ruled as men did. One of them, Aegon IV. sired bastard children whom he legitimized. They formed the House of Blackfyre & warred against their kin
until fleeing east. He was named "the Unworthy".
His true son arose to the throne. Daeron II. united Westeros with Dorne, reconciliated the rebellious lords & brought stability to the realm. He was named "the Good".
He sired a truly enviable heir. Baelor was just, honorable, kind. They called him "Breakspear" & he perished at the hands of his brother.
So the spare climbed atop the throne.
Aerys Targaryen, the first of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar & the First Men, long may he reign.
Aerys the childless. Aerys the spare. Aerys the reader. Aerys the maester. Aerys the dreamer... Many doubt the king. Many more doubt what will happen to the blood of the dragon, now that they rule as men.
Chapter 2: Protector of the Vale
Amidst the mourning at the Giant's Lance,
ravens fly to the distant corners of Mountain
and Vale - Proclaiming the titles of the newly
dutybound.
"Keeper of the Gate" - the honor of guarding
the Bloody Gate, the winding path up the
Highroad into the Vale proper. It is bestowed
upon - Kurt Arryn.
"Knight of the Gate" - the defender & castellan
of the Gates of the Moon, the Arryn's winter
seat & stronghold. Its duties are entrusted
upon - Rossard Grafton.
"High Steward" - the steward tasked with the
Arryn household, its attending lands, its Gates
& the keep of the Eyrie. This station will be
upheld by - Mildred Arryn.
"Protector of the Vale" - the leader of the Knights of the Vale. Who rides at their helm against the Clans. The lord regent to all matters of chivalry & the knight superior to all other Lords of the Vale.
The man honored with this sacred title is our Lord, Ser... Rufus Stone. Well may he serve.
Chapter 3: The Lions Awaken
A New Season in the Westerlands.
A new season dawns upon the Westerlands.
The golden hills remain prosperous, the mines
continue to yield their riches, and the roads
between the great keeps once again fill with
merchants, soldiers, and messengers. Yet beneath
the familiar wealth of the region, something
appears to be changing.
Across the west, several lords have begun
discussing closer cooperation. Rumours speak
of a possible supply union among the western houses, an arrangement that could see the great keeps
trading their resources among themselves rather than allowing precious supplies to flow beyond the
Westerlands. Whether such a union will truly be formed remains uncertain, but the idea has already
begun to spread. At Silverhill, the vassals of the Westerlands gather to meet with House Lannister,
where matters of mutual interest are brought before the assembled lords.
Nowhere is this new spirit more intriguing than between House Lannister and House Reyne.
For generations, their rivalry has shaped the politics of the Westerlands. The Golden Lion and
the Red Lion have rarely stood together without suspicion, pride, and old grievances standing
between them.
Several of the region's great houses are called to gather beneath one roof, including both Lannister and Reyne. Is this the first step toward a genuine brotherhood between two ancient rivals? Or is this merely a carefully arranged display of unity, hiding ambitions yet to be revealed?
For now, the Westerlands watch and wait.
The new season has begun, and the lions are stirring.
Ser Julius Lannister
Heir to Casterly Rock
Chapter 4: Revels on the Trident
The halls of Riverrun are bursting with celebration as the Riverlords gather at the Tully home.
Never has the castle seen such attendance as the bannermen of the Trident enjoy festivities to honor a union under the eyes of the gods.
A union of the Trident, created by unions between its Rivermen. Lord Kermit & Lady Peggy prowl the halls, ingratiating & negotiating ties of kinship.
Many still remember the Spring Sickness & the pale hand of the Stranger, so many great houses laid low.
Now a "Maidens Ball" is to alleviate the wounds of loss inflicted upon the Riverlands. Soon, all the land will be swept up by weddings galore.
Ser Kermit Tully
Lord of Riverrun &
Lord Paramount of the Trident
Lady Peggy Tully
Lady of Riverrun
Amongst the betrothals & promises lay many a Riverlord. Even the Tully's
own are to be wed soon. Lady Atia promised to Ser Raymund Bracken & her brother Ser Oscar already betrothed, to be married soon to Lady Elena Blackwood. Just the first in a long line, three weddings grace the Riverlands soon.
The daughter of Raventree Hall joins House Tully at her ancestral estate. The daughter of Acorn Hall is to lead her family, her consort joining her from Harrenhal & a daughter of Pinkmaiden is to join House Mooton at Maidenpool.
Chapter 5: Gathered, United and Strong.
In times of change & anticipation like these, the lords of the realm tend to prefer closeness in the face of uncertainty. All across the land, gatherings are heralded. At Silverhill & Riverrun, and at Sunspear, the Watergardens fill with the whispers of negotiation as the Dornish lords pay homage to their prince.
As celebrations commence & the dornish red flows, vows & promises are exchanged alongside company & drink.
As more & more lords arrive at the tourney grounds, the contests of spear-throwing & riding that filled the first few days give space to a cherished Andal tradition: the champion's joust. Many favorites & villains come forward. Lords Fowler & Wyl ride ferociously. Many a Hedgeknight has traveled far east to earn their keep. And a late arrival graces the tourney grounds as the Baratheon sisters, Lady Lily & Victoria join the dornish, the latter donning armor to ride in the joust.
Another favorite is Anthon Rogare, a younger son of the current Magister of Lys whom happened to conduct trade at Sunspear when the opportunity arose.
Prince Arron Martell
"The Summer Prince"
Prince Paramount of Dorne
Vitoria Baratheon
"Thorn"
Lady of the Stormlands
So rider after rider go. Each time the crowd cheers, each time a prize is won. When, eventually, Lord Rogare rides against Lady Victoria Thorn.
Three passes they make & three lances they break.
Until Lord Rogare falls, thundering to the ground.
As Lady Baratheon rides back through, she watches her opponent brandish a sword & she unhorses to meet him.
The melee is first met by thundering applause but the crowd sours as the hits begin to become more violent. The onlooking lords & ladies, expecting a fight for submission, begin to notice blows landing between plates. Victoria lodges a dagger over Lord Anthon's hip. He brings his shield down on her visor. A first time, then a second, a third - the clattering of steel, their tabards soaked in blood, as a shout stops the brutality on display.
The Prince of Dorne, alerted of the situation, has stepped in to end the contest. Knights pull the two contenders off each other.
The Andal lords believed in chivalry but rarely would a tourney pass without any loss of life. Here at Sunspear however, it could be prevented.