Last Storm

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The Last Storm
Orys vs Argilac.JPG
Orys Baratheon slays Argilac the Arrogant, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley
Conflict Aegon's Conquest
Date 2 BC
Place south of Bronzegate, the stormlands
Result Targaryen victory
Conquest of the stormlands
Foundation of House Baratheon
Combatants
House Targaryen House Durrandon
Commanders
Orys Baratheon
Rhaenys Targaryen
Argilac Durrandon
Strength
unknown near twice the Targaryen host
Casualties
unknown Argilac Durrandon
Dickon Morrigen
Bastard of Blackhaven

The Last Storm was a major battle during Aegon I Targaryen's war of conquest. It resulted in the fall of the Kingdom of the Storm and the foundation of House Baratheon.[1]

The Prelude

In a clumsy attempt to use House Targaryen of Dragonstone as shield against the threat of Harren Hoare, the King of the Isles and the Rivers, Argilac Durrandon, the Storm King of the stormlands, offered Lord Aegon the hand of his maiden daughter, Argella, with a dowry of lands currently belonging to House Hoare.[1][2] Aegon refused and instead made his own offer, to be sealed with the marriage of Argella to Orys Baratheon, Lord Aegon's childhood friend and champion, who was also rumored to be Aegon's bastard half-brother. Enraged, Argilac had the hands of Aegon's envoy cut off and sent them to Aegon with the message “These are the only hands your bastard shall have of me.”[1]

This sparked Aegon's intentions to conquer Westeros and unify the Seven Kingdoms under his rule. Aegon landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush and was crowned by one of his sister-wives, Visenya. He then received the allegiance of the riverlands by slaying King Harren Hoare through the burning of Harrenhal. Meanwhile, he sent Orys alongside his other sister-wife, Rhaenys, atop of her dragon Meraxes, to conquer the stormlands. Argilac refused to die in the same manner as Harren and called his banners to Storm's End to meet Orys's host.[1]

Battle

Atop Meraxes, Rhaenys scouted Argilac's movements and Orys fortified a strong defensive position in the hills south of Bronzegate. As the two armies closed on each other, a massive storm, that would give a name to the battle, broke out. Argilac, knowing he had almost twice as many men as the Targaryens and four times as many knights and heavy horse, decided to press the attack.

Three charges by Argilac's horsemen were slowed by the mud, although his spearmen had greater success on foot and the Durrandon host conquered two hills. Argilac broke through during the third charge, but encountered Rhaenys atop Meraxes, who slew Dickon Morrigen, the Bastard of Blackhaven, and Argilac's guard. In the confusion, Argilac was thrown from his horse and found himself face to face with Orys Baratheon. Both took a wound but soon Argilac would get his wish and would die fighting. His death ended the battle, as the stormlanders yielded or fled.[1]

Aftermath

After her father's death, Princess Argella Durrandon barred Storm's End and declared herself Storm Queen. Her garrison, however, feared to share the fate of Harren and revolted against Argella after a few days, delivering her to Orys, chained and naked. Nevertheless, Orys treated her gently, removing the chains, covering her with his cloak and giving her food and wine. Afterward, Orys married Argella and became Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. He took the sigil and words of House Durrandon for his own family, House Baratheon.[1][2]

Rhaenys then flew from Storm's End to support Aegon at the Field of Fire.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  2. 2.0 2.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.