| Note: The title of this article is conjecture and may be subject to change. |
| Warning This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change. |
| Taking of Storm's End | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict | War of the Five Kings | ||||||||||||
| Date | 300 AC | ||||||||||||
| Place | Storm's End | ||||||||||||
| Result | Golden Company victory | ||||||||||||
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The taking of Storm's End occurs in the aftermath of the landing of the Golden Company in the stormlands. According to Haldon Halfmaester, Storm's End is taken by Prince Aegon Targaryen and Lord Jon Connington.[1]
Prelude
During the War of the Five Kings, King Stannis Baratheon takes Storm's End after the death of its castellan, Ser Cortnay Penrose.[2] He appoints Ser Gilbert Farring as the new castellan, with Lord Elwood Meadows as Gilbert's second.[3] After his defeat in the Battle of the Blackwater, Stannis sails for the Wall to aid the Night's Watch against Mance Rayder,[4] leaving Storm's End and Dragonstone lightly held in the south.[5]
After the wedding of King Tommen I Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell in King's Landing, the bride's father, Lord Mace Tyrell, travels south with half of House Tyrell's strength to besiege Storm's End.[6] After learning of Margaery's imprisonment by the Faith, however, Mace abandons his siege and returns to the capital.[7] Mace leaves a token force[8] under the leadership of Lord Mathis Rowan to maintain their siege of Storm's End.[9]
The Golden Company sails on Volantene ships from Essos to Westeros as part of their plan to crown Prince Aegon Targaryen, widely thought to have been killed during Robert's Rebellion, in opposition to Tommen.[8] At Griffin's Roost, Haldon Halfmaester informs Lord Jon Connington that Lord Tyrell has returned to King's Landing. Jon tells the captains of the company that capturing Storm's End would give them a secure base and boost Aegon's prestige. When Jon informs Aegon four days later, the prince agrees with the plan but surprises Jon by stating he wants to lead the attack himself.[8]
The small council of King Tommen I Baratheon hears reports of the Golden Company marching on the castle with Jon and the pretender Aegon.[10]
Battle
While Princess Arianne Martell travels from Mistwood to Griffin's Roost, she overhears Chain talking about Storm's End. Once at Griffin's Roost, she is told by Haldon that Storm's End has fallen and that Lord Connington awaits her there.[1]'
Aftermath
An army from King's Landing, assumed by Ser Daemon Sand to be led by Lord Tyrell, is descending on Storm's End. Haldon claims that Aegon means to meet this army in open battle. Daemon privately advises Arianne against traveling to Storm's End to meet with Jon, but she insists upon going.[1]
Quotes
Jon: Our best chance is to strike hard and fast, before King's Landing knows who we are. I mean to take Storm's End. A nigh-impregnable stronghold, and Stannis Baratheon's last foothold in the south. Once taken, it will give us a secure fastness to which we may retreat at need, and winning it will prove our strength.
Brendel: If Storm's End is still held by men loyal to Stannis, we will be taking it from him, not the Lannisters. Why not make common cause with him against the Lannisters?
Jon: By guile.[8]
Jon: Stannis is Robert's brother, of that same ilk that brought down House Targaryen. Moreover, he is a thousand leagues away, with whatever meagre strength he still commands. The whole realm lies between us. It would take half a year just to reach him, and he has little and less to offer us.
Malo: If Storm's End is so impregnable, how do you mean to take it?
Pycelle: And now we have reports that Connington is moving on Storm's End.
Randyll: If it is Jon Connington.
Mace: Storm's End. He cannot take Storm's End. Not if he were Aegon the Conqueror. And if he does, what of it? Stannis holds it now. Let the castle pass from one pretender to another, why should that trouble us? I shall recapture it after my daughter's innocence is proved.[10]
Doubt, division, and mistrust will eat the very ground beneath your boy king, whilst Aegon raises his banner above Storm's End and the lords of the realm gather round him.[10]
—Varys to Kevan Lannister
Storm's End. This griffin is a bold one, it would seem. Or else a fool.[1]
—thoughts of Arianne Martell
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The Winds of Winter, Arianne II
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 73, Jon X.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 19, Davos III.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Mathis Rowan.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.