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- "When I was born, I caught a fever the moment I opened my eyes. Maester Pycelle said I wouldn't survive the night. But I'm a Baratheon of the Stormlands, and I fought to live like my father did before me. Twelve years on, I'm still alive."
- ―Ryam Baratheon
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Prince Ryam Baratheon is the second son (later discovered as the only child) of King Robert Baratheon and Queen Cersei Lannister. A member of House Baratheon of King's Landing, his half siblings are Prince Joffrey, Princess Myrcella, and Prince Tommen. In the television adaptation Game of Thrones, he is played by Adam Zaidet-Blanum.
Appearance and Character[]
- "When you saw that you had black hair and they didn't, why is it that you never questioned it? Not once did it cross your mind?"
"King Robert was father. Queen Cersei was my mother. Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen, were my family. If any of them were albino, that wouldn't have changed a thing. Tommen is cheerful, Myrcella is sweet, and Joffrey was a prick, looking like a Lannister never made me think any different of them." - ―Aegon Targaryen and Ryam Baratheon
Unlike the rest of his siblings, he is very tall, exceeding Joffrey by a couple of inches since the age of eight. He has thick, black hair like his father. Broad shouldered and muscled, he is described as Robert in his youth, looking every bit a Baratheon. He has one dark blue right eye, and one left eye that "often changes between Baratheon blue and Lannister green" depending on what he wears. He displays "a good amount of intelligence" and has a "natural talent for warfare and fighting".
His notable differences to his siblings have compared to the late children of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, where his daughter, Princess Rhaenys had Martell amber eyes and brown hair and his son, Prince Aegon had Targaryen sliver hair and violet eyes. Maester Pycelle and others have commented that the nature of climate had been an attribute to his more unique features as despite both he and his older brother being born in the same year, Joffrey was born in the early part of the year while it was still summer, while Ryam was born at the beginning of winter, which is why he is "dark and strong" compared to Joffrey's "golden and fair" features.
After the Battle of the Blackwater, Ryam gained two scars across his right eye, which developed into Haemolacria, causing him to cry tears of blood in moments of extreme stress. His left arm also suffered a spontaneous reaction with grafted the Valyrian steel he was wearing into his skin, which causes sever amounts of pain, resulting in him regularly taking painkillers to numb it.
After his successful campaign to Recapture the Stormlands for the crown, Ryam displays an unusual amount of arrogance, as shown when he recklessly confronted his brother in the public eye and even managed to shoot down all of his attempts to have him arrested for treason using his wits. He also gained a scar above his left eye from an assassination attempt while sieging Storm's End.
He receives a stab wound in the back between his shoulders during the mutiny in the Narrow Sea, and became thinner as a result of his capture in Myr. A greyscale plague left his left scar noticeably cracked, but the infection caused his left eye to be stained green permanently, and the sclera to turn inhumanly black. His personality also changed again, becoming a hardened commander by demonstrating a combination of youthful rashness and seasoned planning, which he utilises against various sellsword companies in the Disputed Lands.
Abilities[]
- "I see. Is this Nightingale before me real? Or perhaps she is the Stranger in disguise. Maybe? No. Perhaps this is no disguise, and this is the beautiful face of death itself that has before me. I can understand the feeling of wanting to die with this image being your last."
- ―Ryam Baratheon
After suffering severe mental scars following the Battle of the Blackwater, Ryam began displaying signs of Dragon Dreams, a form of prophetic enlightmentment acquired during his sleep. A trait passed down through the Targaryens via his great-grandmother, Rhaelle Targaryen. Though they are cryptic and he never truely deciphers them nor does he take them into further account other than his vision of his future wife.
History[]
Early life[]
- "King Robert was my father, but I was a son to Jon Arryn. I would have happily traded in my stag blood to be a falcon under a moon. I loved my father and King Robert loved me, he just never showed it. Neither did my mother, the Queen. Her claws were already hooked into Joffrey's hide, and he's insane"
- ―Ryam Baratheon
Born in 286 AC, the second born son of King Robert Baratheon and his wife, Queen Cersei Lannister, Ryam's birth was met with complications; He caught a fever and was taken away immediately. Though he was almost certainly expected to die, he survived the three days of illness and brought back to his mother and father on the fourth day.
As the second son, he was not expected to inherit, so he took up learning fairly young from Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, and also brief periods from Lord Stannis Baratheon, his uncle and Master of Ships, so that he could find use possibly in the future small councils. However, his biggest passion was sword fighting, which he was unsurprisingly talented at from an early age. Being younger than Joffrey, he endured his elder brothers earlier abuses, until he finally out grew him in which Joffrey switched his attention to their younger brother, Tommen. Ryam felt protective of his younger sibling to Joffrey and did what he could to keep them apart when necessary.
At the age of eleven, he became a squire for Ser Jon Gaunt, and squired for him during the Tourney of Joffrey's twelfth name day. Ser Jon unhorsed two of Lord Walder Frey's bastards and a hedge knight who defeated Thoros of Myr, but lost in the semi finals to Ryam's uncle, Ser Jaime Lannister who would later lose to Ser Loras Tyrell, the former squire of his uncle, Lord Renly Baratheon.
The following evening, Jon Arryn was reported ill, and he within the fortnight after enduring terrible stomach and bowel pains, while his wife and son retreated back to the Vale immediately after his death. Stannis Baratheon also retreated back to Dragonstone shortly after. Ryam would accompany his family to Winterfell where King Robert would meet with Lord Eddard Stark.
Recent Events[]
A Game of Thrones/Season 1[]
- "When I am king, I will have your head! You won't be able to mock me anymore when your smirks are resting on a spike!"
"When you're king, you'll still be my brother. I am a Baratheon and so are you, that will never change. Ours is the Fury, not yours, but both of ours" - ―Joffrey Baratheon and Ryam Baratheon
Ryam and the rest of the royal family take the kingsroad to Winterfell after Jon Arryn's death. He rides in after Joffrey and waits with of his family as Robert walks with Eddard to the crypts beneath the castle. Before the feast begins, Tommen is escorted to the hall by Lord Eddard's youngest daughter, Arya, Mrycella by his eldest son, Robb, and Joffrey by his eldest daughter Sansa, whom had been betrothed to him as part of a marriage pact. Ryam was escorted in by Beth Cassel, the daughter of the Stark's master-at-arms, Ser Rodrik Cassel, at Ryam's insistence so Tommen could take in Arya instead. Though Joffrey mocked him for taking a low born girl, Ryam was ok that he wasn't bulling Tommen instead.
The following morning, Tommen spars with Lord Eddard's middle son, Bran with wooden swords, but is easily knocked down. Ser Rodrik, calls Joffrey to spar with Robb, but Joffrey starts making excuses that its beneath him to fight a Stark with practice swords and suggests real swords, to which Robb also accepts. Given blunted tourney swords, Joffrey makes more condescending remarks to enrage Robb. He yawns and pretends to leave, until Ryam mocks him for being a wimp, saying a nine year girl could beat Joffrey. This forces Joffrey to prove himself, only to be easily beaten by Robb. Joffrey leaves and Ryam spars with Robb. Ryam loses against Robb, but put up a much longer fight that earns him Robb's respect. Robb wishes that Ryam would be king instead of Joffrey, but Ryam answers that he just wasn't born first.
Later, he goes along on the hunting trip with the majority of the men to hunt boar. When they all return, they hear that Bran Stark had fallen from the broken tower and was in a coma. His direwolf, who had no name at the time, howled all night, which kept most everyone up. The next morning, Ryam gets up earlier and eats breakfast alone in the guest room before everyone else. He then makes his way to the practice yard, but stops when he notices that Joffrey is up as well. He and his bodyguard, Sandor Clegane, the Hound, discuss the situation of Bran Stark, contemplating that he should dead than a cripple which really offends Ryam, however he doesn't get a chance to act when his uncle, Tyrion Lannister appears behind him, he had also heard of the conversation and walks over to Joffrey. He proceeds to tell him of his princely duties, and then slaps Joffrey across the face when he makes excuses for not doing it. Joffey relents and Tyrion Leaves for breakfast.
Before leaving Winterfell, Ryam makes a visit to Bran's bedside to offer his condolences to Bran's mother, Catelyn Tully. He leaves with the rest of his family south down the kingsroad. He is not present when the incident between Joffrey and Arya Stark occurs, but laughs with his uncle Renly about how his older brother was beaten by a nine year old girl. When they arrive at King's Landing, Ryam spends the next few weeks squiring with Ser Jon in preparation for the Hand's Tourney, in honour of Lord Eddard's appointing as Hand of the King. On the day of the Tourney, Ser Jon unhorses Lord Yohn Royce, Lord Jason Mallister and Thoros of Myr, but meets an unfortunate end in a final round before the semi-finals, when Ser Gregor Clegane spears him off his horse, killing him.
No longer able to squire, Ryam takes the seat next to Sansa Stark, previously occupied by her friend, Jeyne Poole before she left after witnessing Ser Gregor kill Ser Hugh of the Vale. He watches as his Uncle Renly is knocked from his horse by the Hound. Ryam is also present when he watches Ser Loras presents Sansa with a red rose, and Lord Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin, getting too "acquainted" her similarities to her mother that unsettles him, and her as well.
Later at the feast, he sits with the other squires, contemplating with them that he is no longer able to squire for the rest of the tournament. The other squires all start making suggestions for upcoming knights, or even suggesting that his father will just give him a knighthood anyways. The discussions are broken by King Robert's drunken outbursts, arguing with his mother about fighting in the tournament and then pushing over Jaime, boasting. Eventually Ryam just walks out, but remains unseen to the lords and nobles, and retires for the night to his room.
The next day, Jeyne has not returned to her seat, so Ryam sat down in the same place to watch the semi-finals unfold, preferring it than with the rest of his family where his father was yelling for the finals to start. Before the first match, Lord Eddard arrives around the same time King Robert also arrives, which Ryam is glad to see him without his armour on. Ryam also overhears Littlefinger makes a bet to Renly over a bet that Ser Jaime would unhorse the Hound, which he loses on the second pass. Next comes Ser Loras to joust with Ser Gregor. Ryam skeptical that the Mountain could be beaten, is hopeful that he is at least knocked off his horse, or better killed by accident like what he has done to many riders before. To his surprise, Ser Loras knocks him off, and despite witnessing an attempted killing by Ser Gregor, which lead to his brother Sandor intervening, he is sent away. Ser Loras concedes the final round to the Hound in gratitude.
Weeks later, and King Robert goes hunting, but is injured and maimed by a wild boar, after drinking too strong a wine for his taste. He rots in bed for several days, but then passes after taking Milk of the Poppy. He was with his mother and siblings when he heard the news. Tommen and Myrcella wept, Ryam was saddened, but not distraught. He did however notice that neither Joffrey or Queen Cersei were at all shaken, even swearing that he saw his mother smile. Joffrey is immediately moved to take the throne, but Ryam never questions the haste.
Ryam is present when his elder brother is seated on the Iron Throne. Joffrey's first act is to summon the small council to swear fealty to him. Pycelle, swears first as he is already there, as does Ser Barristan Selmy, whom Cersei sends to retrieve Eddard Stark. Littlefinger arrives as well, then leaves hastily. Varys arrives and does so as well. Renly Baratheon is said to have already fled the city, to which Joffrey immediately denounces him as a traitor and demands his head. Last to arrive, is Eddard Stark, to which he presents a parchment from King Robert that named him Protector of the Realm. Cersei rips this up despite being sealed with Robert's seal. She then orders Lord Stark to bend the knee to Joffrey, but he refuses, stating that Joffrey is not the legitimate king, but is ultimately arrested when he is surrounded by the City Watch, and Littlefinger holding a knife to his throat.
Joffrey and Cersei begin to reorganize the small council to compensate the recent changes in government. Varys, Littlefinger and Pycelle remain at their posts, while Cersei is named Queen Regent. Their grandfather, Lord Tywin Lannister is named Hand of the King, which Ryam agrees, seeing as he had previously served in the best years of Aerys II's reign. Ser Janos Slynt is given Lordship of Harrenhal,and a seat on the council, a confusing act, but noted by the allegiance to the crown he displayed. Then controversially, Joffrey strips Ser Barristan Selmy of his post as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, giving instead to their uncle, Ser Jaime. Ryam notes that this is more likely for hesitating to arrest Lord Eddard when he was ordered to. After Ser Barristan storms out, Joffrey orders him to be seized, but he is never caught. Last, Ryam is called up. Surprised, Ryam was more likely expecting death or humiliation, but when his mother spoke, he was noted for having studied under Lord Jon and Lord Stannis, and so is given the position of Master of Ships and is named Lord of Storm's End in name, stripping the crowns recognition of the position residing with Lord Renly. He thanks Joffrey, who is less pleased with him getting a lordship and a seat on his small council. He later witnesses Sansa pleading for he father's life. Joffrey agrees to be merciful, if he confesses in public.
The following day, the small council meets. Ryam uncomfortably sits in Stannis' former seat, between Lord Janos Slynt in Ser Barristan's former, and Renly's unoccupied seat. Cersei takes Joffrey's seat, who couldn't be bothered to attend at all. Varys brings forth information that Lord Tywin has already mobilised onto the Riverlands, ready to engage with Lord Eddard's son, the now Lord Robb Stark, attempting to break Ser Jaime at Riverrun. Renly is heading for Highgarden, so the Tyrells are most likely siding with him. Stannis is also reported to have doubled his navy over the year, possibly in preparation for invading. Then he also brings up information that the exiled, Daenerys Targaryen has lost her husband, Khal Drogo, and is most likely to not survive as a threat. The discussion then rolls over to the matter of how to handle Eddard Stark. Janos Slynt says that he should be executed, but many members agree that killing him would then bring Robb Stark running to their gates, as well as any lords that may support him in the Riverlands. Varys makes the suggestion to send him to the Wall to take the black, stripped of all influence, power, and honour. The motion is passed and Cersei leaves to tell Joffrey of the councils decision.
Ryam takes his first steps into Stannis' old room, with all of his documents. He looks around as a lot of documents are on the floor or piled up on the tables. He inspects the fleet pages that haven't bee touched in almost a year. He then comes across a letter while tidying. Written in Lord Jon Arryn's handwriting, he finds only four words: "The Seed is Strong". Not knowing what significance it meant, Ryam folds the paper into his pocket and leaves.
On the day of Lord Eddard's confession, he does so, and then Joffrey orders for his head. Everyone is shocked, but no one steps forward to stop Ser Ilyn Payne drawing Lord Eddard's Valyrian Steel sword and executing him in front of all witnesses. Ryam, like everyone, did nothing, but stand their and watch as his brother smiled to see Eddard Stark's head roll.
After the trial, Joffrey retires to the main hall, to sit back on his throne. Ryam follows him alone and confronts him on how stupid he acted. Joffrey orders him to be silent, but Ryam refuses as what Joffrey did not only went against the small council's wishes, and alienated the Starks and Tullys, but it has now only going escalate the rebellion into all out war. Joffrey issues death threats as a punishment for disobedience, but Ryam acknowledges that Joffrey has no idea of the laws of the realm, citing the reforms that Jon Arryn had made that decreased the King's power, and that he can only get them undone by majority vote from the small council. He points out that while Joffrey was playing king, Ryam learnt what it meant to rule; As he was underage, he cannot rule as absolutely as he thinks, nor can he make any changes to the government, including removing Ryam from the council. The kingsguard enter, with Sandor Clegane leading them in. Joffrey makes on last desperate attempt to scare Ryam with death, but Ryam just walks away, with the last words "You are the King. But I am your brother, and I will serve. And tell you when you are wrong . . ." He leaves, but then whispers ". . . like Ned Stark did."
Ryams confrontation with Joffrey infuriates him so much, that it eventually leads to him taking Sansa to the ramparts to stare at her father's head, as a response.
As the war escalates now, the small council gather again; with Joffrey's thirteenth nameday arriving, the crown is still in debt and need to prepare the city for a siege from either Renly or Robb Stark. Robb Stark has recently won his first battle at the Whispering Wood, and captured Ser Jaime Lannister. Without Lord Eddard to trade or bargain with, they only have Sansa and Arya Stark, to which Varys reports that Arya is gone and he doesn't know where, not even his "little birds" know. In the meantime, Ryam settles to handle the navy and keep the Blackwater Bay under moderate control to prevent a possible naval landing from Stannis.
A Clash of Kings/Season 2[]
- "Who do you serve dear nephew, truly? I am curious as far as I can tell why you persist on helping a brother you clearly have no regard for."
"My family, mostly. Though my other family is trying to kill us, so that cannot be true. The city, no. It's people, would be noble, but a lie. Myself? That would be the best answer I can provide. I think that the real answer you're looking for is why I am still here? This is what I know, and I can hardly leave without being captured, maimed, or killed. More than half the realm would like nothing but my death, the rest would sell me off the best opportunity they had. As a prince, they would want a high ransom, a king's ransom, that the king would never agree to pay." - ―Tyrion Lannister and Ryam Baratheon
A month passes, and Ryam is set about un-mothballing the fleet, and commissioning the construction of some new vessels. While going through Stannis' previous notes, he comes across the construction blueprints for 200 rowman dromons. He puts it to one side and goes to sort out the trade routes and supply lines between the Westrosi and the Free Cities. With the war, the only supplies coming in are from the occupied territory in the Riverlands, and anything the Westerlands can supply. Dorne is still importing wine, the Iron Islands are maintaining some exports of salt, and the Vale is continuing to supply stone. The trade between King's Landing and the Free Cities are being taken by Stannis' fleet that encircles the Blackwater Bay from Claw Isle to Massey's Point. He tries to sort through it all when Ser Meryn Trant comes with summons for him to the small council. Ryam is relieved that it wasn't an invitation to Joffrey's tourney, but worried about all the work he has.
The small council gathers, which immediately fall onto the matter of lack of money. Despite Littlefinger being able to find an enormous amount of cash out of thin air, Ryam explains that all supplies are running dry and trade is being pirated. Without proper support from the Reach or the Riverlands, the city will starve. Janos Slynt attacks him on why the ships are not doing their jobs, to which Ryam answers that there are no people to man them since they have all been conscripted to the City Watch, and the craftsmen who should be building the ships are building defences, which leaves all other vessels isolated and prone to attacks. With Robb Stark, and Stannis and Renly Baratheon all now proclaiming themselves kings, support for the crown is being plucked from underneath them. Just as the tensions are escalating, Tyrion enters the room with his sellsword, Bronn and a Vale clansmen, Timmet One-Eye of the Burned Men. When questioned by his entry by Cersei, Tyrion pulls out a parchment naming him acting Hand of the King on behalf of Lord Tywin. He then requests the small council to leave him and Cersei, which they all comply to.
Returning back to his office, he finds a new papers lying on his desk. He picks through the first five, most are just reports about the movements of shipping from any ships that have made the journey back. He finds an order from the White Hart which is carrying an unauthorized cargo holding of weapons and armour. Upon further inspection, Ryam deduces that the weapons are being exported, not imported. He has time to worry about this, especially since a new ship called the Moondancer has been built illegally by Pentoshi traders without authorization. Looking through several ships going missing and sailing with Stannis' new fiery stag banners was worrying enough, and then he stops when he thinks that there was someone at the window. He goes, but finds no one there. He goes back to his desk, but a lot of the documents he was sorting through are not where he thinks he left them.
The information turned out to have been observed by a few of Vary's "little birds", who would later use this information to gain Tyrion's trust.
The next small council meeting comes with a massive shock, when waves of propaganda from Stannis accuses his mother Cersei of birthing Joffrey, and by definition all of King Robert's children were conceived by incest with Ser Jaime Lannister, and are therefore illegitimate. The letters were sent originally to Maester Frenken at Castle Stokeworth and to Lord Gyles Rosby. Cersei is furious wanting everyone of the letters burnt, but Tyrion points out that they have probably been sent all over the realm. She is more infuriated that she is being accused of incest, adultery and treason above all. The letter ends with mentions of Stannis' new affiliation with the religion of R'hllor, of which Ryam has no knowledge of. As a desperate attempt of counter propaganda, the council start discussing to make rumours of Stannis' daughter, Shireen also being illegitimate, with her father being Patchface, the fool of Storm's End as the similarities in facial disfigurement would be all the same with the smallfolk. All this talk starts to make Ryam feel very uncomfortable as he watches all of them smiling and talking of such things that he wants to get up and walk away, but finds he cannot bring himself to. As Tyrion eventually takes his leave, Ryam does so after.
As exits, Tyrion is there waiting for him, with his sellsword. Tyrion noticed that Ryam was looking very uncomfortable in the room, which Ryam agrees, because this is not what he thought the small council did. Tyrion just assures him that politics always gets vicious at wartimes. Ryam excuses himself to return to sorting out the navy. Tyrion stops him for one more point, asking him who he serves, to which Ryam answers himself, because he has no where else to go, since his family is at war with themselves.
He returns to his office, to find that Joffrey is already waiting their for him. Joffrey orders all the guards to leave the room, and the door closes behind. Joffrey starts showing off the new crossbow Tyrion had given him for his thirteen nameday. Ryam thinks that it is a typical weapon for Joffrey, who cannot kill anyone with any form of skills. Joffrey asks how the navy is doing, to which Ryam replies that ships are being built, but with the crown already in debt and men being conscripted it is getting increasingly hard to get them a float. Trade is down with the war and the blockade over Blackwater Bay. Wood, Metal, Cloth, Stone, all of it is running scares and all of it is from the other regions which they cannot get. Joffrey starts complimenting how effective the crossbow is, showing how easy it is to reload, and fire straight through the stacks of paper on his desk. Ryam pulls up the bolt, seeing how many papers it flew through and is impressed by how far through it went. Ryam is weary of him, but he is not that scared, knowing that without just cause, Joffrey will just be a kinslayer to add on the illborn claims, and that will be the end of him. Joffrey makes subtle threats, but Ryam shakes them off. Joffrey then leaves, and Ryam exhausts in relief.
A week later at court, Ser Cleos Frey, son of Ryam's great-aunt Genna Lannister, arrives with Robb Stark's terms. Robb's terms are not accepted, but Tyrion makes counter proposals, and send Lord Eddard's bones to him as a sign of good gesture, adding that his Robb's sisters will be returned when he releases Jaime, and their ancestral greatsword, Ice, will be given back when they bend the knee.
Ryam pays a trip down to the harbor as the smiths are down their. Ryam demands to know why they are not at their forges, in which they answer that they were ordered by Tyrion to build chains. When he asks what he wants the chains for, they reply that its a plan to raise it above the harbor when Stannis' eventually lands his fleet. When Ryam thinks how Stannis' is fighting Renly in the Stromlands, he wonders if it will actually be Renly using those ships instead.
Days later, word spreads around of Robb Stark's continued victories, and Ryam notices for days that Joffrey's temper is getting worse. One of these days he is in his office, when he gets a knock on the door. He opens it to find Tyrion waiting for him. He ask about the ships, to which Ryam openly says that it is too difficult, with trade being cut off, ships being sunk, and money not being around to fill in where necessary. Tyrion comments that being the Hand is no different, except he has to deal with every problem in the city. Ryam apologises, but Tyrion insists that a thirteen year old should have to be managing the navy by himself. Ryam says that he's only here because no one else can, which Tyrion agrees with. Bronn enters saying that he just spotted a dog leading a wolf to the lion's den, to which Tyrion knows exactly wheat he means, and rushes off to intercept. Ryam picks up his sword, Red Water, and follows behind, making very accurate guesses on who's who.
They arrive at the great hall as Ser Boros Blount is ripping off Sansa's dress in front of an audience. Tyrion demands to know what is happening as the crowds turn towards him, with Ryam, Bronn and Shagga following him. Several exchanges are thrown between Joffrey and his kingsguard against Tyrion. Ryam intervenes in some points, pointing out that Joffrey would sooner act like a king than do things himself, which Joffrey rebukes that the King does as he likes, when Tyrion makes a comparison to Aerys II. More exchanges fly until Tyrion puts Joffrey in his place and takes Sansa away.
While initially thinking about taking Sansa to the Tower of the Hand, but fearing that it is too far to take her, and that it would be the first place they would look for her, they take her to Ryam's office, as the bedroom remained largely unoccupied since Ryam has his own room. Sansa is tended to by Maester Frenken, while various serving girls clean her up. When she falls asleep, Tyrion talks with Ryam, both very concerned about Joffrey's brutality. The way he's acting is not making him a popular king, and with a war, there are easily four other kings that would fill his role better, and possibly a fifth on another continent. Ryam asks what can be done, to which Tyrion replies that as long as Joffrey avoids the small council and all matters of concern, then maybe they can keep his reign a float while the regency still exists, the only worry is when he rules himself or seven forbid that he starts taking on matters himself. Tyrion leaves Chella behind as he departs, while Ryam sits down to get on with more work. Chella stays with Sansa, and Ryam sits through the papers, but they are the same as he had been reading through since he was "gifted" the office.
He falls asleep in his chair, but is awakened when Sansa's pain in her legs act up. He overhears the conversation between Sansa and Chella, and contemplates his own situation; Ryam feel into his pockets and pulls out the piece of papar he found on his desk. "The Seed is Strong", Ryam continues to wonder what it means, he also thinks about Stannis' claim, wondering if the two are connected somehow. He falls back asleep shortly after. The next morning there is a knock at the door. Ryam gets out of his chair and opens the door as Tyrion had sent for breakfast for Sansa, but she refuses it. Ryam tells her that she needs to eat, but Sansa doesn't want to. Ryam sits back down and starts talking knowing that she was in earshot of him. He says that he named his sword after King Robert's victory at the Battle of the Trident, not after the river since it was the Green Fork, but after the Rubyford where Robert killed Prince Rhaegar and secured his victory. He says that the last words he ever heard his father say before he went hunting was that "[he] never wished to be king. The only thing in the world [he] wanted was taken from [him], and Seven Kingdoms, could not fill that hole". This was an obvious lie, but he felt that it might ease the tension in the room.
Tyrion later arrives to check on her, to which Ryam tells him about her current state, but leaves out the private details for her safety. Tyrion then walks over to her, going into detail about Robb's victory and correcting the misinformation about it. He then asks if she loved Joffrey, in which she answered yes, but Tyrion caught out her lie. He goes into more details, and eventually cuts into asking if she wanted Chella as a bodyguard, but she declined the offer. Tyrion asks if she would like to go back to her chambers, to which Ryam offered to escort her, putting his sword back on before leaving.
Walking with Sansa was awkward, despite having the entire length of the Red Keep to walk. Ryam kept one hand at his side to unsheathe his sword, and he always kept his eyes on the windows, every since he had the wierd feeling he had the other day. Sansa takes a stumble, but Ryam only just manages to catch her before she fell fully on the ground. However, two members of the Lannister Guard arrive around the corner. Ever since Tyrion banished Lord Janos to the Wall, the Hand had control of the City Watch, so Joffrey started relying more on using their mother's household guards for maintaining order on his behalf. When they notice Sansa, they request that she comes with them. Ryam steps in front and explains that he is escorting her to her chambers, to which they answer that they will take over. Ryam objects as he is doing it, but they persist. Ryam attempts to move, but they reach for their swords. Ryam tells them to back off, and if they have a problem, they can take it up with his brother, mother, uncle, and grandfather. The guards sheathe again and walk away. He takes Sansa back and looks behind in case someone was watching. As he turns back around, she leans in a kisses him on the cheek, before closing the door. Feeling slight flustered, he walks back to his office.
When the next small council meeting is summoned, Varys reports that Renly is dead, though how is still a mystery, but all sources point towards Stannis having involvement as he stood the most to gain, as Tyrion put it. The Lords of the Stormlands and House Florent from the Reach have now flocked to Stannis' side without the two armies battering each other as many thought. Ser Loras has pulled the majority of the Reach army and has not switched allegiance to Stannis, which lends the opportunity to marry Joffrey to Loras' newly widowed sister, Margaery and get House Tyrell to side with the crown, which would mean breaking his engagement to Sansa, and despite Cersei's protests, the Tyrells bring more to the crown than the Starks, whom are in open rebellion with them. Littlefinger volunteers to offer the proposal, since he is only a minor lord. It is agreed, and he also to bring Horas Redwyne back to his father, Lord Paxter Redwyne to bring them with the Tyrells, and then to give him the other son, Hobber Redwyne. The small council disbands shortly after.
Ryam decides to pay Sansa a visit, he knocks on the door, but finds she's not their. Remembering hearing about her going to the godswood often, he walk straight there. He catches her there, but she is alone. Deciding to leave her, he instead waits for her outside the boundaries. He waited for a while before she emerged, and when she did, he tells her that her proposal to Joffrey has been broken, which brings much joy to her. Ryam is quite surprised by her open emotions, which she attributes to the confort of the godwood, in the sight of the many nameless Old Gods of her family. Out of curiosity, Ryam asks her why the Northerners would choose to worship gods that have no names and no roles, and the only images they have are faces with bleeding eyes carved into trees. Sansa replies that this is the Northern Way, and this what the First Men agreed upon when they signed the pact with the Children of the Forest, then adds that perhaps this is how gods should be, silent and present, but never interfering because gods are wiser than men, and know better than to play the game, or at least that's what her father told her. Ryam thinks that it's true about the Seven also, since they have never interfered since the time of Hugor of the Hill. Feeling an uncomfortable tension in the open space, Ryam vies to leave her be, excusing himself and returning to his duties.
Running through his daily reports, Ryam is alarmed by the number of increasing arrivals of sellswords directly into the city, paid for by Ser Osmund Kettleblack. Curious as the weekly report all bear the same numbers for the same price under the same name for days, he goes directly to his Uncle Tyrion directly to ask if this was his doing, since the crown appears to be paying directly to the sellswords through House Kettleblack. Tyrion assures his nephew that this is all for the war effort and that . Ryam leaves apparently satisfied with the answer, but believes that his uncle has lied to him.
Tyrion later uses this information to outbid Cersei's attempts to raise a sellsword army under her command, and has Bronn pay for Ser Osmund's loyalty (unknowing that he is loyal to Lord Petyr Baelish).
Over the course of the coming days, Ryam hears rumours of marriage proposals being organised for his sister, Myrcella to Prince Trystane Martell of Dorne, but pays no mind since he thinks he misheard. He visits his younger siblings after organising his days affairs earlier than expected. Tommen is playing with his kittens, and Myrcella keeping to herself after her friends had left the room. Noticing new holes in the walls of their room and their more clingy nature, Ryam suspects their eldest brother had paid them both a recent visit. After exchanging few words between themselves, Myrcella looks at him and asks him if it's true that they are bastards, like Stannis had been claiming. Ryam asked her where she heard it, hearing that her friends had been gossiping about it all through their lessons. Ryam assures her by reminding her that he has Baratheon features, so the rumours cannot be true, even shooting down the prospect that he might be someone else's son (possibly Renly's or even Stannis), stating there was no way their mother would let anyone crawl into bed with her, reminding her that their mother is not a lion that can be so easily tamed. He hesitates leaving them alone again, but is forced to do so when their mother enters and asks him to return to his duties.
Late in the following evening, things go from bad to worse; as Ryam finds that trade into the city by sea stops all together, despite the blacksmiths having finished construction of the chain and where back to work on the ship construction. Slumping into his chair over the predicament, musing that at this rate, they would only be able to muster a force of thirty five ships to challenge Stannis' hundred, plus whatever number more he manages to acquire additionally by blockading the city of all importing vessels. He receives a knock at the door, which startles him and hoists himself within reach of Red Water before allowing his visitor to enter. To his surprise, it turned out to be Myrcella and Tommen, who had been waiting in his room after sneaking out of their rooms. Realising the desperation in their eyes, he puts down his work and walks back with them to his room, with all three of them huddling in his bed. Ryam remembers they used to do this when they were much younger, after Joffrey has ceased sharing a room with him, and Tommen replacing him, until their father King Robert insisted Ryam was too old to be sharing a room. He eventually drifts off to sleep, wondering why he feels like this will be the last time.
At the next small council meets is smaller than usual, comprising of only himself, his uncle the Hand Tyrion, Varys, and Tyrion's sellsword Bronn, and Ser Jacelyn Bywater, the new Commander of the City Watch (Janos Slynt being dismissed and sent to the wall almost a few months before, Pycelle imprisoned on grounds of spying, Littlefinger absent on account of his mission to Highgarden, and Queen Regent Cersei, his mother, who is inexplicably missing). Varys reports on the movements of Stannis, Robb Stark, Tywin Lannister, and also brings to light disturbing news of all ships ceasing travels between the continent and the Iron Islands, citing the possibility of Balon Greyjoy rising in rebellion once again. Ryam brings his reports on the cut in imports, as well as the projected number of available ships, adding that conscripting the remaining ships and several shortcuts could muster a hopeful fifty or so ships at best. Tyrion lays out the decision that Myrcella is going to be sent to Dorne to secure the allegiance of Dorne through House Martell. Tyrion concludes the council meeting by asking of Ryam could step out so he could speak with Varys alone. Ryam rebukes by asking if his mother knew of this, which Tyrion replies that it was for that reason she has not attended, before asking again for Ryam to leave, which he complies to.
Eight days later, after the Dornish ship arrives in port, the Royal Family and their retainers watch from the docks as Myrcella is sent out to depart with them aboard the Seaswift, along with Bold Wind, King Robert's Hammer, Lionstar, and Lady Lyanna for her protection. Tyrion assures Ryam that her safety is secured, citing that Stannis' naval commanders are weary enough not to challenge Dorne while they lack a secure base of operation on the mainland, and even if they did, the Seaswift is designed to outrun any opposing ship that may cross paths with them.
Trouble brews on the journey back to the Red Keep after an angry crowd member flings a handful of dung directly into Joffrey's left cheek, prompting him to order Sandor Clegane to execute the man responsible, which ignites a riot in the streets, forcing Tyrion to order a mad dash to the Red Keep on horseback in order to escape. Unable to keep up with the host as the crowds close in, Ryam splits off with some of the nobles lagging behind. In an attempt to regroup at the red keep, Ryam leads the splinter group down Muddy Way after the Hook was barricaded. Though successful in reaching the Maegor's Holdfast, he notices that many in his group had not made it, including the Master-at-Arms, Ser Aron Santagar, and his own first cousin, Tyrek Lannister. Ryam hears that Joffrey had again been slapped for his insolence and inconsideration by Tyrion, which Ryam notes would have been the only good news he'd hear all day.
In the days following, the reports of many deaths and/or missing persons become document all throughout the Red Keep. Word of mouth speak of Joffrey's cruelty that insinuated the riots and whispers of Ryam's 'bravery' leading the splinter group to safety. The talking dies again, and a new head is found mounted on the battlements.
Weeks after the Riot had been successfully quenched, Ryam later hears of Tommen's plight to Rosby, but hears two conflicting accounts of either Lord Gyles Rosby or Ser Jacelyn Bywater being in charge of the escort, but cares not as long as Tommen is safe and away from the city, knowing full well that the city wouldn't be safe forever, especially when the food has begun to run dry even for the nobles. Ryam also notices that Ser Balon Swann has started wearing Kingsguard armour, guessing Ser Boros Blout lost his post after the incident with Tommen.
Days after Tommen's flight, Ryam later hears that Storm's End has fallen to Stannis, and that the Steward, Ser Cortnay Penrose had been assassinated. Rumours spread of Stannis' use of the Dark Arts, citing that he also used the power of shadows to slay Renly in his tent. Ryam is torn between believing in the godless and just Uncle he grew up with, and the fire-worshiping demon that the counter propaganda has been circulating in King's Landing.
The same day, Varys pays an unexpected visit to his office, asking if he could spare some time, which Ryam agrees to since the blockade has significantly reduced his workload, which is making him consider taking up the Master of Law position instead. Varys asks him if he is at all aware of the Ser Cortnay Penrose's demise as a result of the capture of Storm's End, to which Ryam replies that it's the talk of the Red Keep, since Stannis no longer had any challengers in the Stormlands, thus is a more immediate threat to King's Landing. Varys continues asking if he was aware of a letter that was delivered to the Rookery weeks ago, concerning Ser Penrose's acknowledgement of Ryam's succession as Ruling Lord, offering to surrender the castle to him if he could bring an end to Stannis' siege. Ryam demands to know why this is only brought to him now, to which Varys said he never saw the letter, only hearing "the twitters of my little birds", and that only few people have the authority to withhold this information; King Joffrey, Queen Regent Cersei, Hand Lord Tyrion, Commander Jacelyn Bywater, or even Maester Yandel who is in charge of the documents in the Red Keep but highly unlikely. Ryam asks him why he would bring this up, which is received by another question; what would Ryam had done if he had been the first to hear of this?
Ryam jumps straight to the obvious answer; he would have taken troops out into the Stormlands to relieve Storm's End. Varys cites that while an admirable gesture, the most he could sum up during these troubled times is 1200 if he included diverting 400 members of the City Watch. He continues saying that even if Stannis had the smallest army, 1200 men will not make him break, let alone bend, not to mention that the Stormlords have began to rally to his banner one by one ever since Renly met his end, not to mention the men and supplies he is receiving from House Florent even as the Reach has pulled away from the war. Ryam is quick to counter that the Stormlords only rally to Stannis because he is a Baratheon, not because it's what they believe in his right to rule. Ryam believes that if he had at least made himself present in the Stormlands before Stannis' could win then there was still a chance for him to win, possibly be the beacon needed to bring the Stormlords to their side again, believing that his host could have at least summoned three houses to join them before the battle. Varys asks whether he could truly be a match for a seasoned commander like Stannis Baratheon, to which Ryam says no, but he can at least play to make Stannis making the first move since having a second host coming from the rear is not a good situation for a siege, which means he would either have to run, fortify or attack, either way he breaks the siege and he fulfilled his promise.
Varys compliments him on his honesty, knowing full well that defeating Stannis in battle is not a feat for a first time commander, but also notes whether he considered the other factors in this War of Five Kings; Robb Stark for instance could use this opportunity to strike King's Landing after Ryam's taken the better half of the troops out of the city. Ryam points out that its the same situation; Robb Stark cannot siege King's Landing if Tywin Lannister will be following him at the heel all the way down the Goldroad. Varys states his surprise (but Ryam feels he's starting to get too comfortable in this conversation), only to further ask what he would have done about about Storm's End's current "guest" should he have succeeded in repelling Stannis at the very least. Ryam is caught of guard by such a more personal question. He answers that Ser Penrose is just the Steward, and that he was only fulfilling his duty to the Lord of Storm's End. The fact also that he would rather surrender to the Crown than to Stannis means he's already aware in the difference between the two evils which are his brother and his uncle (though he does doubt whether Ser Penrose even truly realised what he meant putting Joffrey as the lesser evil).
He is commented on favorably for his answer, but unfortunately Varys informs him he was referring to his father's baseborn son, Edric Storm, since in Stannis' own words would give Edric a better claim to the throne than Ryam himself. Ryam hesitates more on his answer, but answers that as long as Edric committed no treason, there was no reason for him to die. Varys notes the change in tune, but questions him no further. Ryam calms down momentarily, reliving the question in his mind; He remembers the first time he heard of Edric Storm, the bastard his father conceived from his uncle Stannis' wedding night, when King Robert was howling with laughter after receiving a letter from him. He never met him in person, but he was described to have all the Baratheon features, with his mother's large ears. Neither Stannis nor his mother liked the idea of his existence, and Ryam himself acknowledged that he may hate him also, not for being a bastard, but having felt a bit jealous of Edric for receiving King Robert's attention. He returns to his work, but is quick to notice a sheet of paper appears to be missing from the construction layouts.
The information gained from that sheet was actually crucial in later suppressing the Antler's Men, who were receiving aid from the merchants, traders, and even blacksmiths, like the Master Armourer, Salloreon, whose dwindling production rates were among the reports gathered by Varys and provided to Tyrion.
With the coming battle almost reaching its entrance, preparations are being met beforehand such as the burning of structures outside the wall, the chain being set ready across the mouth of the Blackwater. Arriving to inspect the small fleet of forty-nine ships (which Ryam believes they were lucky in obtaining that many), Ryam is surprised to see that one ship has been left mothballed, the White Hart (a ship which had been discovered importing weapons to Stannis' camp at the beginning of Ryam's term as Master of Ships). He demands to know why this vessel is not in the bay, which he later learns that the captain had been among the missing from the Riots that occurred recently, and all the other crew members have been conscripted into the other ships.
Returning to his quarters, he searches through all his documents, looking at any oversight he may find, but concludes that there are no available men. Resorting to seek his uncle Tyrion's aid in the matter, he is halted by a small child running in the corridors after the stray cat, Balerion, who is known in the Red Keep to be particularly vicious. In an attempt to stop her, he gives chase, but is quite shocked at her apparent speed as he continues running after her but never gain ground between them.
He loses sight of her, but finds Balerion curled up under a wooden desk at the entrance to the Black Cells. The undergaoler of the third level, Rugen is also there, sitting at his desk. Ryam is initially weary of him since he had heard rumours of his unusual behaviours, and makes preparations to return to the upper floors, until Rugen talks about Balerion and how he was just a kitten when he was given as a present to Princess Rhaenys, the daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen and how she used to pretend he was a dragon, very much how he has turned out now. He talks some more about the most random of things afterwards (The unusual features of Queen Rhaenyra's children, the death of Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, and the first Hand Orys Baratheon), all of which surprisingly catch Ryam's attention and keeps him down there. Rugen lastly mentions one interesting set of prisoners; Myrmen from Myr, who committed no crime but were ordered by the Queen to remain in the cells, due to the fact their ship had been hired by Lord Eddard Stark before his arrest. This last statement catches Ryam's attention when he leaves the cells.
The following day, much to Ryam's surprise, the Myrmen are finally brought to the throne room for judgement. Present are his brother King Joffrey, his mother Queen Regent Cersei, his uncle Lord Tyrion, Lord Varys, Ser Jacelyn Bywater, Bronn and himself, as well as other members of the court. After all the thieves had been killed, the black cells were being cleared out of people who could possibly aid the enemy, including foreigners like the Myrmen. They number to about fifty able men and women as far as Ryam can see (some of which had already died in the black cells and other too malnourished to be of use). When the trial begins, the charges of treason to the crown and attempting to aid and abet an enemy to the crown, which they plead innocence. Joffrey proceeds to order their execution, only to be halted by Cersei to at least let the evidence be presented before the sentence. Varys procures a letter written by Lord Eddard Stark to the captain, Qos, to take his daughters Sansa and Arya to White Harbour the day of his attempted coup. Satisfied with the information provided, Joffrey orders their heads removed from their bodies by the Kingsguard.
Quick to keep them alive, Ryam offers an alternative to his brother, stating that one ship in his navy has no crew, and that if he would allow it; Ryam would take command of them and have them sail the ship in the coming battle with him. The court gasps at his proposal, even shocking members of the council, only for silence to be made when Joffrey begins laughing, declaring it was aimed at the notion that his brother was asking something of him instead of kneeling down and begging. Cautiously, Ryam walks down the steps in front of the throne, lays Red Water in front of him and kneels before Joffrey, again stating his terms. Ryam keeps his head down the whole time, but notices the silence was too great. A crossbow bolt shoots through the gap between his right arm and leg, sharply piercing the ground. Ryam remains still as the sound of Joffrey's footsteps walk down the throne. Only when Joffrey reaches the floor does Ryam notice a dripping sound, looking to his right and noticing bolt had grazed his clothes and was bleeding.
Joffrey raises his crossbow again, but then lowers it again, deciding to allow Ryam's request, but adds the condition that Ryam must take full supervisional responsibility of them, and should any of them step out of line, his head will also join theirs as punishment for being an oathbreaker. Though Tyrion and surprisingly Cersei speak against the condition, Ryam proclaims loudly that he agrees to the terms, asking for more prisoners for the vessel also since a War Galley needs a minimum of a hundred men to get it in fighting condition, which Joffrey swiftly allows before calling the trial to an end. Though Ryam is aware of Joffrey's devilish smirk, he later learns his mistake.
With the organisation of his own crew being organised by the City Watch in cooperation with the gaolers, Ryam is immediately summoned to the Tower of the Hand. Upon entry and seated, Tyrion profoundly slaps him across the face, pointing out the idiocy in what he was thinking, and then saying he would slap him again for even thinking of begging in front of Joffrey. Both Ser Jacelyn and Bronn also comment on the stupid move he made all to save a handful of tradesmen and travelers from a quicker death. Ryam counters that it was inevitable he would captain the fleet since he was Master of Ships, but Tyrion said that he was stupid for accepting without knowing the plan for the defense.
Ryam is clueless until he is shown a glass jar containing a greenish liquid, which he is told is wildfire, and that this was their answer to Stannis' fleet, and that they have enough to fill ten ships and ignite the entirety of Blackwater Bay into a greenish image of the Seven Hells. Ryam is left speechless for the rest of his lecturing, until he realises that he cannot back down now since it would mean death regardless. Since there is nothing that can be done, Tyrion suggests he get some good armour and a bodyguard for the battle ahead, even saying there is plenty of good metal in King Robert's vault.
Ryam takes his leave, taking an escort of two Goldcloaks with him to speak again with Rugen, only to find him absent. The Goldcloaks tell him that Rugen is mysterious and that he comes and goes at his job when he likes. Balerion the cat is still there though, but Ryam doesn't dare disturb him.
The Myrmen are taken to the Old Inn on Eel Alley (while the remaining prisoners would be kept in the Blackcells prior to the battle) in order to grant them accommodations. Though they are skeptical of Ryam's lenience, and there is mistrust between the sailors, prompting Ryam lay his offer to them; one hundred golden dragons each upfront, all accommodations and armament paid for, and their freedom after the battle is over. Though the traders take the offer, the Bravo (travelling swords) claim they won't be bought for their loyalty like sellswords, throwing a glove at his face. Halting the City Watch from drawing their swords, Ryam picks up the glove and accepts the Bravo's challenge.
Taking the fight outside, Savayio (the one who threw his glove) draws his estoc, while Ryam unsheathes Red Water. Though Ryam puts up a noticeably decent fight for a thirteen year old, he receives too many small cuts against his limbs to fight back. He yields, only to then be offered a hand by his challenger, who states that he and his men are always willingly to fight for the right sword, accepting his offer, minus the dragons.
Ryam is bandaged up by the Myrmen's Yi Ti herbalist, Sai Ri, before he makes his way to Tobho Mott's blacksmith in the Street of Steel, to purchase some armour. While rummaging through his current works he finds an entire left arm guard from gauntlet-to-couter-to-pauldron with chainmail wrapped beneath it, and the metal is decorated with swirls designed to resemble flames. Tobho explains he was commissioned to create a costly set of full armour by some lord (he believes it was the Hand, but doesn't remember which one) years before, but at the end he was exiled and never paid for the rest. It was part of a set of a cuirass and a right arm guard, but they were sold off piece by piece or melted down again to be reused. Ryam ask how much it is, to which he is told fifty five thousand golden dragons, stating that despite it being second-goods and incomplete, the metal is Valyrian steel. Offering a trade in confiscated iron and other metal ingots, taxation exemption for five years, twenty Valyrian steel daggers from King Robert's vault and ten thousand dragons, plus another fifteen thousand dragons for a cuirass (upper torso armour), right arm guard, two greaves (shin guards) and an open burgonet (helmet), which is agreed upon.
Ryam also makes a visit to Johkasidy's tailors in the the Street of Silk, in order to obtain a tunic to be worn under the armour he recently purchased. He chose against using the new red and yellow tunics bearing the lion and stag of the King's Landing Baratheon's since Stannis' Dragonstone Baratheon sigil is also red and yellow due to the addition of R'hllor's burning heart. He ends up choosing a white stag on black, since his ship is called White Hart (a semi-legendary prophetic stag) sailing over Blackwater Bay.
He spends the remaining days until the battle running over the plans for the defense with the Small Council, as well as spending every evening at the Inn on Eel Alley with the Myrmen, learning of Myr, and of the Bravo Code, in which they challenge any man with a sword after dark and the winner takes the purse. He also hears many times of a beautiful "Nightingale" the Bravo all worship, but can never get a straight answer.
On the eve of battle, Ryam visits the Sept in the Red Keep in full armour with Red Water hanging by his side, and lights a candle under every statue (including one of the few to lay one before the Stranger). Many of the nobles of the city also pay a visit to this Sept, while the common populace visit the Great Sept of Baelor during these times. Joffrey arrives dressed in full red and gold coloured armour, holding out his new sword Hearteater for all to see before forcing Sansa Stark to kiss the blade whilst promising to kill Stannis with the same edge. She told him that her brother Robb was always in the thick of the fight. Joffrey replied that he will kill Robb as well, before taking his leave. Ryam thinks to himself that the day Joffrey kills Stannis and Robb Stark is the day the Stranger pulls over its cloak to show its face.
Walking out through the River Gate and onto the White Hart, Ryam prepares the crew for sail. He informs them to jump into the sea as soon as crash. To the Myrmen, he tells them that as soon as they hit the water, they are free and their debt is paid, but asks them to at least stay for the "fire show" if they can since they have the front row. He feels his hands shake for the first time in his life, and realises how scared he really is, opting to grab the hilt of his sword as tight as he can for support.
As the ship leaves port and enters Blackwater Bay, Ryam finally asks Savayio who the "Nightingale" is, to which he replies that she is their goddess, of song, dance, healing and death. She is so beautiful that you may only dance with her amidst the "Song of Night" (the fight after dark), but should she ensnare your heart, you will die and never dance with her again. Should they win this fight, she will grant them an entire ballroom's celebration, and if they die, then she will finally kiss them and send their souls to the land beyond the waters. Ryam finds strange comfort in those words, more so than the prayer books.
As the battle takes place, and the Stannis' fleet reach the bay, the White Hart sails at the forefront of the Royal fleet, until it crashes into the Black Bertha and immediately engages in battle. As the crews battle on the water, many of the Myrmen jump into the water, except for many of the Bravo who remain to "dance for the Nightingale". It is a losing battle for Ryam's crew despite how bloodied they get, but the fighting stops as the crew of the Black Bertha overtake his ship.
The captain, Ser Davos Seaworth asks for the captain, in which Ryam steps forward, telling his men to jump overboard immediately which they do. Davos asks for his identity, which Ryam tells him "I am Prince Ryam of the House Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, Master of Ships and Captain of the White Hart." One of the men wants to kill him, but Davos stops him, citing that King Stannis wants justice not murder, and he had already surrendered so killing him is out of the question. Ser Davos takes a good look at him, noticing how pronounced his Baratheon features are.
All turns to hell which the Swordfish (one of the ten ships stocked with Wildfire) is rammed by Ser Imry Florent aboard the Fury, causing the jars to ignite and engulf the bay. Ryam and the crew of the Black Bertha only catch a short glance at the green coloured inferno before the flames sweep the water's surface and cause explosions and swallow every ship it touched. He is blown overboard by the explosions, however the wildfire catches his left arm before he drops into the water, causing an unbearable pain to engulf his entire arm before passing out below the water.
Watching the fire in the Bay, Joffrey makes large complaints about the ships they had to sacrifice in order to pull this trap off, as well as having Bronn pull the chain to cut most of the fleet off from their escape route. He also reminds him that they had to sacrifice Ryam in order to keep it a secret. Joffrey shows no consideration as he goes to prepare the catapults.
Ryam dreams under the surface of the water; he sees a beautiful woman and imagines her kissing him as a baby, which unleashes a soothing cold flush that broke his fever. As his baby self vanishes, the woman pulls off her veil and grabs both his hands starts dancing with him, making him believe that this is the Nightingale. Just as she leans in to kiss him, and Ryam believes that he is about to die (welcoming it since the pain in his arm has scarred his memories), but she then put her two fingers over his lips, and speaks to him, but while he understands her, her words are like wind and cracking ice. She then pulls a gold dragon with King Robert's face on it and flips it in their air, when she catches it and reveals a silver stag with the face of Aegon the Conqueror on it. She catches him by surprise when she straddles him and then pushes on his chest, causing him to feel sick and the scene vanishes while he feels the water being choked from him.
He wakes up in a bed, but feels terribly numb, except his right eye is sticky. He is surrounded in a room by Maester Eldon, Kuristo (a Bravo, Savayio's older brother), Sai Ri, and Ebius (a merchant), as well as four Lannister and three City Watch guards in the room. The Maester leaves after to confirm that Ryam has awoken in order to tell the Hand. Ryam thinks he is talking about his Uncle Tyrion, until the Maester informs him that Lord Tywin has returned to the city and is resuming his true role as Hand of the King before leaving the room with the City Watch guards.
Ryam tries to sit up, but realises his left arm is in a sling. He notices a lot of bloodied cloth and assumes it's his arm until he feels his eye water and wipes it away only to discover it's blood. The wounds he received under his eye and across his eyebrow scar over, but also caused him to develop Haemolacria through bacterial conjunctivitis, which causes him to cry tears of blood. The Bravo claim that it's because he is weeping for every man he killed in battle, which makes him smile despite this new inconvenience.
He then asks about his arm, which instead of being told, he is shown when they remove the cast from it, revealing that his entire arm is stained blackened silver and smooth as all his hairs have been burnt off. He notices several patterns that look like scales and flames, which seemed to have enveloped his entire left arm up and around his shoulder, leading to the conclusion his armguard had melted into his skin, with speculation drawing on the ancient magic welded into the metal. While his arm is still skin like soft to touch, the Valyrian steel have made it difficult to cut. Ryam asks what the downside is, only to be told that he's numb because he's on a very strong painkiller.
Ryam asks what happened to their comrades, which Kuristo informs him that the majority of the merchants and traders are either dead or missing, having found most of their bodies washing up charred or bloodied. Twelve of the twenty Bravo aboard his ship are still alive because he told them to jump overboard, having managed to reach the South Bank out of reach from the wildfire. Savayio and three others however died on the bank from their injuries sustained in the battle and were killed as soon as they crawled onto the banks. Ebius explains that any of the merchants that fled too early were killed as well. From one hundred and one to nineteen, that is all that remains.
Ryam tells Kuristo that he saw the Nightingale, and she truly is the most beautiful in the world. Kuristo replies saying that after escaping the Blackwater, Savayio had given Ryam the name "Silverarm" after the Legendary Rhoynish Prince Nouathu, who had his hand replaced in silver-cast fighting Valyria.("Rȳham Nuagdan Ardjogelimt" (from Myrian Valyrian "Nuago hin Ardjomemis Gelinta", from High Valyrian "Ñōghe hen Ajomemēys Gēlenka" meaning "Arm of Raging (Wildfire) Silver"))
He rests the rest of the day, but is escorted back to the Red Keep (having been recovering in the Old Inn where the Myrmen took him.
The next day, though Ryam is heavily injured and keeps his arm in a sling (having been moved onto a weaker painkiller made from ginger, turmeric, and holy basil, which now make his arm barely bearable), he attends the ceremony where the Small Council are to grant honours and rewards to the survivors. He carries a small piece of cloth to clean his bleeding eye when needed to. He also wears a leather glove over his newly sharpened arm to cover the shocking new development.
Lord Tywin Lannister is named "Saviour of the City" and takes his seat as Hand of the King. Lord Mace Tyrell will join the council as Master of Ships (which Ryam takes some relief from, but feels slighted since he was stuck in the job due to Stannis' blockade), and Lords Mathis Rowan and Paxter Redwyne join as advisers. Ser Kevan Lannister is to take Master of Laws. Ser Loras Tyrell is to join the Kingsguard to replace the deceased Ser Mandon Moore, while Ser Boros Blout rejoins to replace the Hound. Ser Garlan Tyrell is to be made Lord of Brightwater Keep to replace the rebellious House Florent. Ser Lancel Lannister is to be made Lord of Darry after the extinction of House Darry. Lord Petyr Baelish is to be made Lord of Harrenhal and Lord Paramount of the Trident.
Many people are granted knighthoods for their participation and bravery in the battle; Bronn for raising the chain and trapping Stannis' fleet. Lothor Bune for killing Sers Bryan and Edwyn Fossoway, and the capture of Ser Jon Fossoway. Josmyn Peckledon for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more. Osfry and Osney Kettleblack are also raised, but Ryam doesn't pay attention after the scores of people.
Ryam's name is called up as well, which surprises him. Facing his grandfather Lord Tywin sitting on the Iron Throne (a right only allowed to the King and his Hand), Lord Tywin grants Ryam knighthood for his efforts in leading the fleet to directly confronting Stannis to allow the wildfire to destroy most of the ships in the bay, a noteworthy sacrifice. In addition, he is to bear the title Prince of Summerhall until a second son of Joffrey is born (the first will be granted the title Prince of Dragonstone as in Targaryen tradition) and granted the right to command two hundred troops plus an additional five hundred under his personal command.
And lastly, the engagement of King Joffrey to Margaery Tyrell is publicly announced to be taking place in little over a month to celebrate the three hundredth anniversary of Aegon's Conquest. Ryam expresses a little bitterness since it will overshadow his fourteenth nameday.
A Storm of Swords/Season 3-4[]
Part 1 - Steel and Snow[]
- "Who are you, boy? Truly? You tell me you are Ryam of the House Baratheon. I know the raven within your words, but not in your voice."
"I am the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, and I am the Second Prince of the Realm."
"I am sad to hear that all the truths you know, are naught but lies and echos." - ―The Old Woman of the Storm and Ryam Baratheon
Ryam dreams of a family of lions eating a stag's carcass, except that three lion cubs are wearing deer hides. He dreams of a white stag swimming out of a sea of black only to get tangled in a bed of rose thorns and red vipers, before the lions pounce on it. Then a black dragon dives into the sea and emerges dripping bloodied red.
Within the few months since the failed invasion of Stannis', a lot has taken place; The Old Inn on Eel Road is renamed the Blood Tear Prince Inn after Ryam since he had stayed there, which has seen more popularity with Ryam's Bloodied Tears (or also known as the Silver Cloaks, which they wear to signify their allegiance to Ryam, as well as equipping an armguard to their left arms only). They gain a small notoriety due to them being survivors of the Blackwater, and that they relate more with the smallfolk of the city. The Silver Cloak's minstrel, Tarmhino composed four songs about the Battle; Seven Sisters, My Moonlight Dance, The Cloak of Many Colours, and Silver Arm (the later of which is sung in Myrish Valyrian, but also has a version in Andalosan, but keeps it a secret from the lords).
Ryam has been receiving marriage proposals from every direction after his decoration at the Battle of the Blackwater. His recognition as Prince of Summerhall seems to have given the lords that he was still second-in-line and heir apparent behind Joffrey since his lordship of Storm's End was taken as to believed of depriving him of his place in succession. Tommen returns from his safe haven in Rosby since the city was safer now, but was kept under heavy watch by their mother due to Tyrion's earlier intervention.
Among the small council, Grand Maester Pycelle was reinstated to the council and freed from the Black Cells after the Citadel offer to instead send Maester Gormon (the uncle of Lord Mace Tyrell). Two more seats have been opened up for advisors, one for the High Septon to quell the religious, and another offered to Prince Doran Nymeros Martell (who in tern sent his younger brother Oberyn in his place who is to arrive in the month). Tyrion has been reassigned to Master of Coin after Lord Petyr Baelish was sent to the Eyrie to bring the Vale on the side of the crown.
Despite Lord Mace Tyrell having been granted Master of Ships, Ryam is eventually roped back into taking on some of the responsibilities; it started after Ryam was called to sort out the paperwork as the Lord was unused to it, which then led to him having to give a thorough explanation on the job, until eventually Ryam started taking papers with him to finish on his behalf. Ryam comments that most of the reports are mundane and deal with the most trivial of things, such as merchants demanding compensation for the ships conscripted and destroyed in the Blackwater.
Ryam is called up to the small council after the days procession has been finalised, Ryam seats himself next to his great-uncle Ser Kevan Lannister on Lord Tywin's right side (though because it was his seat previously anyways). Ryam asks why Joffrey wasn't called instead of him, Tywin replies "This is a matter of politics and war, not for your brother", citing that as Lord of Storm's End, he has a duty to be involved directly in politics, also citing that should Joffrey die without an heir, the crown will belong to him and Tommen will get Storm's End. Speaking on the subject, Tywin asks him if he had taken any consideration for marriage, which he replies that he hadn't, only to be reminded that it is is duty not only as a prince, but as the new Lord of Storm's End to continue his line. Lord Tywin assigns him to take an army to retake Storm's End as well as surmount the authority of the crown upon the entirety of the Stormlands. He is immediately dismissed afterwards, which Ryam does so.
Ryam visits Tommen, who is being kept under guard by Ser Osmund Kettleblack on their mother's orders. Ryam explains his trip to the Stormlands, which makes Tommen sad since Myrcella isn't here anymore and now Ryam was leaving, which meant that he still had to deal with Joffrey. Ryam assures him that their grandfather, Lord Tywin would make sure Joffrey is kept at bay, since it wouldn't be smart of Joffrey to offend his Hand, nor the man who is winning his war for him. Ryam tries to cheer him up by asking him what he would like him to bring back. Tommen asks for a dragon, one that will keep Joffrey away from him, which Ryam promises he will try his best.
After over a week of gathering men and supplies, Ryam begins his march and leads an army of one thousand and two hundred, including Lord Arthur Ambrose, Ser Loras Tyrell and Lord Philip Plumm, as well as Ryam's one hundred Bloodied Tears to retake Storm's End from the remainder of Stannis' forces. Lord Alesander Staedmon the Pennylover, Lord Eldon Estermont, Ser Donnel Swann the Constant, Lord "Red" Ronnet Connington, and Ser Bonifer Hasty the Good are released and made to join the retaking of the Stormlands after bending the knee to the Iron Throne.
They take the Kingsroad down to the Stormlands, but Ryam sends Arthur Ambrose and Philip Plumm to secure Bronzegate along the Kingsroad while the remainder travel to the ruins of Summerhall via Fellwood at the crossroads connecting to the Roseroad. Ryam states he felt safer with the Kingsguard with him than Lords of other regions, and that Loras was to be his goodbrother and it be better if they got along.
Ryam's host reach Fellwood, currently being held Ser Mychael Fell, better known as Silveraxe. Offering to begin the siege, Ryam demands an audience with Silveraxe, who allows him to enter with Kuristo, Ser Loras, Red Ronnet, and Ser Bonnifer. While Silveraxe is a stubborn man, he was one of the most loyal men to King Robert, which Ryam hopes to utilise in the negotiations. While Silveraxe is persistent not to support the likes of Tywin Lannister, nor to "a little shit like Joffrey". After being reminded of King Robert's personality that made him loyal to the late king (which he sees in Ryam), Silveraxe willingly yields the castle, not to the crown, but to the Lord Paramount instead, which Ryam accepts.
After parting ways (having given a letter to allow them safe passage past Fellwood), Ryam and his host arrive at the ruins of Summerhall. He ventures around while the men make camp, looking for the room where Aegon V, Prince Duncan and Lord Commander Duncan the Tall perished in the Tragedy. He meets and old woman, who claims to be a woodswitch, having made a home in the weirwood tree that remains in the Godswood that survived the flames.
Ryam asks her if she is in need, which she replies that she wouldn't mind a song. Ryam sings The Dragon's Last Dance, which she appreciates. Ryam asks her why she chose this place, which she answers is because this place is empty and alone, and that it still has it's purpose relating to magic.
The Old Woman of the Storm says that the Gods that once occupied the Stormlands know him, since he bears the blood of their Princess Elenei and that her husband, the mortal Durran Godsgrief. They recognise only three who bear the name of Orys Baratheon, the true successors of the Storm. One has been claimed by the shadows, one by stone, and one more by salt. Ryam is confused, until the old woman says black of hair and blue of eyes; black for the storm and blue for the sea, the proof that the blood of gods runs in your vein, stronger than the gold of Casterly Rock and their green envious eyes. Ryam gets angry pointing out his left eye is also green, which the Old Woman says that the sea appear green depending on how the light appears on it.
The Baratheon's and their true descendants are all doomed to meet their ends except one, until the price of blood has been paid. One brother has been claimed by beast, one by demon, and the last shall die by human hands. Only when two are left will the gods ask for the final price; a final act to proclaim their promised prince. One will die so the other will live.
All false creatures, these horned ones, they will all die before their time because they would ignorantly mock the gods. The King of the Storm will conquer the Beast from the Deep and his Queen will envelop his heathen follows back below the waves where they belong. The false god of many faces will also lose their ground on this sacred places. Their ministry torn by the storm and swallowed by the sea as well.
Six-and-Ten victories and Three defeats are in store, but each defeat will inflict a mortal wound that will never heal. Ryam asks what the Blackwater was then; a win or lose? She replies, a defeat, because he had lost two precious things; touch in his left arm, and untainted vision in his right eye, but worse was that the False King sits upon the Seat of Swords still. Only blood pays for blood, and king's blood will pay for a king's death. The Dragonlord was wise to build a throne of his enemies weapons, because one who cannot realise it's purpose of a king's duty will be rejected.
Ryam dreams of the white hart again, this time it's dripping red with blood after losing its sights and front legs to a glowing eye in the fire. The rain comes down as the sea crashes over the cliff to sweep it away. Lightning strikes and a tree with a bleeding face emerges, and its red leaves shower the hart in red leaves, which heal its wounds. The hart then wanders away only to stumble into a purple lake with a mockingbird singing overhead before flying away.
Making their way up the Boneway to Storm's End, Ryam's force rejoins Arthur Ambrose and Philip Plumm's force, who have slightly decreased after fighting their way through an ambush between Bronzegate and Storm's End. Ryam apologises that they had the harder route, which is met with rebuttal since Silveraxe would have been a stronger foe than the rabble they fought on the Kingsroad.
Ridding to meet with the current Castellan; Ser Gilbert Farring, along with the second-in-command, Lord Elwood Meadows (who served under Ser Cortnay Penrose before his death). Ryam attempts to parlay with them, offering their freedom for their surrender, but Lord Elwood refuses saying that no threat the Iron Throne could bring would be worse than what Stannis' new black magic could do. A shadow was the assassin that threw Ser Penrose's corpse over the battlements. Ryam offers a new proposal; come to the field tomorrow at dawn and they will kill them on the same field Orys killed Argilac and will retain their honour and life for the captives, or he promises to bring the storm over the castle, and they will die cowering from the rain and wind before being butchered like livestock instead.
Late that evening, Ryam is wiping the blood from his right eye. Meeting with the commanders to plan a siege, but ultimately an assault since not even Mace Tyrell could end a siege with a blockade, so an assault is their only option. The camp is set a light and several men break in to kill him, but Ryam kills the men, with only his right arm suffering dislocation grabbing his sword, and a cut over his left eye with his mishandling of it. Sai Ri relocates his arm, then applies a new painkiller only after the pain has caused his left arm to go limp and the stress to cause more bleeding. Ryam states he feels like a corpse caught between life and death.
A storm starts brewing throughout the night. The new painkillers cause an allergic reaction, with vomiting and more blood crying, resulting in his body temperature decreasing amidst the cold of the weather, resulting in Sai Ri needing to warm him in bed to break the fever. The following morning, ships have been wrecked across the shore, and one of the walls is loosened by the storm. Ordering the catapult to hit the loosened wall, the gatehouse comes crashing down, and the Crownland forces storm the keep, taking victory as Ryam had promised.
While the men celebrate their victory into the night, Ryam slips away and visits the remains of the Godswood, seeing nothing but a smoldering ruin of ashes. Brushing against the charcoal to clear some of it away, he scratches his right hand against something, causing some small bleeding. While initially pained, he notices a small seedling among the blackened earth. Touching the seedling, he can hear voices speaking directly to him, as well as those speaking to each other.
The men spread legend that Ryam had broken the wall himself with his metal arm, or that he called upon his ancestors, the gods of storm and sea, to aid him. Tarmhino composes three more songs for the campaign; Knight in Summerhall, Morrow and Maker, and For Elenei.
Ryam returns to King's Landing on his fourteenth nameday, to the roar of the city, but he feels a thousands eyes staring at him among the half a million, and knows that they want him dead rather than alive. He feels a few in particular coming from the Red Keep, and wonders if Joffrey is one of them.
Part 2 - Blood and Gold[]
- "Out of the . . . most unfortunate of curiosities; if you were to become King tommorow, what is it that you would set about accomplishing first."
"If I were the King? For starters, the very first thing I would do is throw away that ugly gold thing they wish to put on my head. Daemon Targaryen's Stepstone crown was made of Valyrian Steel and Obsidian, sterner stuff. We are a country at war, and the crown of the King should reflect that this is not a man the enemies of the realm should be treating without caution. Or perhaps King Maekar's crown, since it's iron spikes would send the same message regardless." - ―Oberyn Martell and Ryam Baratheon
Several weeks pass by, and there is a small tourney being held in celebration of Ryam's nameday. While it is not a glamorous as the ones held in King Robert's day, or Joffrey's last tourney held for his own nameday since most of the crowns funds are being spent towards the Royal Wedding, Ryam is pleased that the city is actually excited for his nameday, whereas he had been over shadowed by Joffrey for most of his life, and now he was suddenly rising in popularity.
In secret, he has taken Sai Ri as his paramour after several more nights of "bed warming", but has still been pressed by the matters of marriage. Out of many of proposals from lords, only seven have been formally considered, but not by his choice. The letters had been handed directly to Lord Tywin, who took to sorting them personally (with or without the rest of the small council is unknown to Ryam).
With only a melee tournament (archery and jousting too expensive due to the need for arrows and horses, which are all put towards the war effort, whereas everyone brings their own armour and swords to a melee), the tourney ends rather quickly, with the prize being awarded to Red Ronnet Connington, who thanked the Seven he wasn't fighting Brienne Tarth or Loras Tyrell as he had in the melee of Bitterbridge during Renly's brief reign in Highgarden.
Ryam overhears of the deaths of Robb Stark and Balon Greyjoy, leading the Iron Throne to proclaim victory in the War of the Five Kings. Ryam, as well as a few of the noble lords are disgusted with the Freys and the Bolton betraying the Guest Right in order to rid themselves of the Starks. When reminded that Stannis remains a threat, his only holding on Dragonstone makes them consider him extinguished like the Blackfyres.
With little to do in the city, Ryam attempts to quell his new found boredom by practicing his dueling, asking if any of the knights around would be willing to spar with him. When no one take up his offer, which confuses Ryam since the knights before the war were considered friendlier men, he orders Ser Osmund Kettleblack to spar with him. (Ryam confided with himself that he's disgusted he had to order someone to fight him.) Despite Ser Osmund having reportedly having fought in the Disputed Lands, where he was knighted by a late Ser Robert Stone, Ryam can feel little to no skill in his attacks, and easily disarms the kingsguardman after blocking a poor swing with his silverarm. He excuses himself from the field on the account of sickness to avoid having stick around.
On his way back to his room, Ser Loras asks him to accompany him to meet his grandmother, Olenna Redwyne. Upon their first meeting, Ryam finds her sharp tongue to be both an unpleasant shock, and a more comfortable reassurance that she isn't trying to hide anything from him. She asks him to confirm what a "pretty canary" had told her about his brother Joffrey, which Ryam says that Joffrey is cowardly, cruel and an overall "entitled shit". Olenna is curious how he can hate his brother so, but Ryam says "I love my brother, of course I do. I just don't like any part of him or any side he shows." When mentioned that talking like that could get him killed, Ryam replies that if everyone killed someone because they said something bad about them, there would only be one man left in this world, and he would be King of Ashes and Corpses.
Two days later, he is called into Tywin's office at the Tower of the Hand. He has begun to thin out the flock with six names already; Myranda Allyrion, Krista Rogare, Jeyne Lannister of Lannisport, Alys Payne, Joanna Swyft, and Mariah Gargalen, all of whom will be at court for Joffrey's wedding along with their Lord fathers and Lady mothers. He also mentions that he is also considering an Essosi bride like one that Steffon Baratheon intended to retrieve for Rhaegar Targaryen.
Another day passes, and while at the Blood Tear Prince Inn with his Bloodied Tears, the party is joined by Prince Oberyn Martell and a few of his retainers. They end up drinking together for a while, with everyone enjoying themselves. Oberyn asks Ryam what he would do if he was king, which Ryam replies he would get a new crown, saying a gold crown was the sign of a bad king. Oberyn adds that looking at Ryam, he can clearly see King Robert's seed was indeed strong. After about an hour of drinking, Ser Meryn Trant demands that Ryam be summoned to the Red Keep by Joffrey himself. Oberyn comments that he will join; "Let's see how this, boy king, does his ruling."
Those words Oberyn mentioned, would later continue to haunt Ryam for a good while.
At the throne room, Ryam enters to find the halls packed with nobles and the small council sitting around the throne. Joffrey asks if Ryam knows what was said about him (hinting he knows what Ryam said to Olenna about Joffrey). Ryam complies and repeats every word he said, saying he thought of Joffrey as craven, vicious, and a down right prick. Having said it in front of the whole court, Joffrey attempts to exercise power by sending the gold cloaks to kill him where he stands, but is spurned off by the High Septon citing the blasphemy in kinslaying, as well as many pointing out Ryam hasn't committed treason, nor is he armed. Tywin also exercises he has greater authority by telling the City Watch to stand outside since the Kingsguard is here.
Tywin, acting as the voice of reason, asks if Ryam is aware of what he is saying, which is refuted by Ryam saying that he was only complying to the king's orders, and he repeated every word he said as best he remembered. The grievance display ends up splitting the throne room, with many taking either side, until they are called to order. Joffrey points out that it is treason to insult the king, which Ryam replies that he wasn't insulting the king as a vassal, he was insulting his older brother as the younger brother, as brothers do, which Joffrey complies to unintentionally by calling Ryam names like "brute", "beast" and others.
As the escalation rises, Ser Osney Kettleblack (the youngest of the three Kettleblack brothers) disrupts the room by saying that his brothers dead and they failed. Joffrey orders Ryam's execution, which Ryam asks for what charge, as Joffrey replies that his men had been the ones who had killed Ser Osfryd. Ryam retorts that his men are at the Blood Tear Prince Inn in Eel Lane, and also two are stationed in his bed chambers, so why does he assume that Ryam's men had anything to do with it. Joffrey blurts that he had attempted to seize his "slut" from his room while he was here. Ryam says that's why he had men in his bedroom, also adding that the last time Joffrey took something that was his, he broke it before he ever saw it again.
As the two brothers argue, with Ryam even losing his cool and demanding Joffrey to "get off [his] arse and fight [him] with [his] own two hands like when [they] were little instead of hiding behind a thousand swords". The High Septon asks them both to stop what they are doing, citing they shouldn't repeat what occurred between Viserys I and his brother Daemon Targaryen, which gives Joffrey an idea; he orders that Ryam is to invade the Stepstones, since they have long been independent and should be serving the Iron Throne. Ryam states that he will miss the wedding, which Joffrey retorts that he should conqueror it quickly then, as he expects a very large gift in return. Ryam displeasingly bows and makes his exit.
Initially going to his room, he makes a detour to his old Master of Ships quarters (which Mace Tyrell has yet to seat himself in because he wanted a grander room). He sits back down at his desk and pulls out a sheet of paper, a quill and ink, and a copy of The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and Madness and Greatness, the Two Sides of Every Coin the Gods Flip. Doing what Jon Arryn, Stannis Baratheon and Eddard Stark had done years before, he records every union between the Baratheons and the Lannisters (noticing black hair in each union), and also records every name with the same mad ailments as Joffrey (citing that the inbreeding had been prominent in many; namely Maegor I, Helaena Targaryen, Jaehaera Targaryen, and Aerys II, even a small note about Viserys Targaryen which was meant to be added). Realising what he had been doing, he stuffs every sheet into an evelope and seals it immediately. Contemplating late, he starts writing down a plan for the future, which he then wraps the first envelope in, then stuffs both into a second one and seals that as well before stuffing it on his person.
Before departing, Ryam makes three visits; one to Tommen, giving him a stuffed yellow dragon made of leather and velvet to give it a realistic look, but tells him to make sure the cats don't tear it apart with their claws. He hugs his little brother and promises him something even better the next time he comes back.
His second visit is to Sai Ri, who he asks to stay behind. He also tells her that if something were to happen to her while she was gone to go to Silveraxe, saying that while he was away, she should never trust the people in court; not Lannister nor Tyrell. He also points out that if the situation gets dire in King's Landing, run for Storm's End for protection. This kiss one final time, before Ryam leaves.
His last visit is to Varys, whom he presents a letter to him, telling him to burn it if he should die. Varys asks him what's stopping him from simply reading it or passing it along to the King or to the Hand. Ryam replies that the letter is the ultimate tool to destroying the realm if placed in the wrong hands, which is why he is trusting the only man who can keep secrets in the city with this letter. Ryam also explains that Joffrey has proven in two years he is not fit be king, and cannot be reigned in or made to see reason.
Varys asks if he would be king instead, since he talks of deposing Joffrey. Ryam replies that he would, not that he every wished to be king. He cites that Tommen is too young, and Stannis has lost the realms trust consorting with red priests. Varys says why not give the crown back to Daenerys Targaryen, but Ryam refuses strongly, saying that she has never learnt to govern, never had to take responsibility for others when they are suffering and you're not, and she should be ruling because people need her to and not because she believes it's her right. If he let Daenerys Targaryen take the Iron Throne, she will burn the Seven Kingdoms before she can rule it. Ryam leaves with a final word; "If there was someone with the right claim, right name, and was the right man for the role, then I would certainly bend my knee to them. My lord grandfather is a good hand, but as long as Joffrey remains king, the realm will never be at peace."
The boat journey is made on twelve loaned ships while the new fleet is being constructed. The journey takes several weeks until they pass Shipbreaker Bay. Ryam is joined by his entire company of the Bloodied Tears (excluding Sai Ri and Ebius the Merchant who remained in King's Landing with two other Bravo). There are also mercenaries and a few spare troops collected from the Crownlands, Stormlands and Westerlands.
While on board the ship as a storm rolled in, and Ryam was in his cabin, Kuristo reports of a mutiny aboard the fleet prompting Ryam to take action, only to be stabbed in the shoulder the moment he climbs to the deck. As his wound continues to leak and the mutineers make provocations of killing the Prince, the ship is struck by lightning, causing it to burst into flames. The ships is then smashed against the rocks, turned over by the rising tides, and promptly sink below the waves.
It is presumed after this event that Ryam and all aboard the fleet are killed in the storm.
Varys reports to the small council a week before the wedding of Joffrey and Margaery of Ryam's presumed demise at sea as well as the destruction of the expedition fleet. The bodies of recognizable men, such as Kuristo and other notable Bravo have washed up along the coasts of the Stormlands and Dorne, but Ryam's body has yet to turn up.
The multiple reactions of notable characters are as followed;
- Joffrey Baratheon: He shows no remorse for his brother's death, even makes jokes about him openly after the report of his death. One such quip was how his body would never be found since that "hideous monstrosity of an arm was too heavy for him to surface".
- Cersei Lannister: She does nothing after hearing the news, but walks out of the room upon hearing the news. "The one thing that reminded me everyday that I had let Robert inside of me is finally dead. I should feel sorrow for the death of my son, but I felt nothing for the black haired boy. It's sad in it's own twisted way."
- Tywin Lannister: He first sets about quelling the Stormlords and pushes placing Tommen as the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands as the legal heir to Ryam (which mean having to halt his plans of making Tommen heir to the Westerlands.) While he never shows any open emotion, in one private conversation he says "If only Cersei had all four children coloured like Baratheons, we might of actually had a dynasty to be proud of instead of this meaningless war. My late grandson would have been a poor ruler as his father was, but one would have doubted he would have made a decent king for the common people to fawn over."
- Tyrion Lannister: Tyrion is saddened by the news of his nephews death, but expresses more rage that no one else seems to be batting an eye. He exclaims "the Gods are the cruelest bastards of them all; We try to rebuild the realm, and they pluck away one of the foundation stones, and it had to be the one stone that was supporting most of the weight. It's like they are cursing us for trying to do some good."
- Tommen Baratheon: Tommen mourns his death, closely clinging to his kittens and to Ryam's last gift to him. He is forced to attend Joffrey's wedding, but remains quiet and doesn't eat a bite.
- Sansa Stark: Having already mourned her own brother and mother, she is conflicted whether she should be sad that Ryam is dead since he is technically part of the Royal family who killed her own, but he wasn't like the rest of them. She sums up her own thoughts as "the good men always die, while the monsters survive."
- The Tyrells: While the news doesn't particularly upset many of the Tyrells, they are expected to express certain sadness towards the news as are many of the other nobles. Ser Loras comments "he was kind and thoughtful. One of the few people who made me proud to be wearing the white cloak." Olenna Redwyne shows more frustration than concern about the news but no one particulary knows why since she barely knew him.
- The Stormlords: Many are openly enraged by news of his death, with many lords considering rejoining Stannis or rising in rebellion again. While Tywin attempts to quell them by putting forward Tommen as the new Lord of Storm's End, many lords including Mychel "Silveraxe" Fell, "Red" Ronnet Connington, Arthur Ambrose, Bonnifer "the Good" Hasty refuse to accept it.
- The Dornish: Like the Tyrells, they remain neutral to the manner, but do not believe that it was a coincidence that he ended up dying after embarrassing the king as he did. Many are suspicious that they chose not to hold a funeral despite the fact he was a Prince of the Realm.
- The Smallfolk: The atmosphere of King's Landing goes into mourning while the people carry on with their daily lives. Many singers take advantage of the news to perpetuate songs dedicated to him, which only creates more sentiment towards the crown grow after one of the songs The Mite and the Mighty, makes accusations that Joffrey had deliberately had Ryam killed because he was too brave and noble, while another song Walking Seven Ways promotes support for the Faith, even prompting the a few septons to have him venerated to regain support for the crown.
Sai Ri, Ebius and the two remaining Bravo have disappeared from the Red Keep and from King's Landing as far as Varys can tell, and most likely heading to Storm's End.
At his own wedding, Joffrey has a black haired youth presented to the feast, having dressed him up and had heated metal plates pressed into his arm, openly stating "it's like he's still here." Many of the guests feel it's in severely poor taste, more so than the jousting dwarves. The lad later died the following day of sever infections that made his arm rot before killing him in agony.
After Joffrey chokes to death from poison, rumours spread about the killer, one of which is the Ghost of Ryam, since the wine Joffrey had specially ordered was from Myr, and drank exclusively that vintage the entire feast. Other more logically believe the remainders of Ryam's Bravo who survived. Either side believe that it is Ryam taking revenge against his brother for his death as sung in The Mite and the Mighty. Despite some logical explanations, Tyrion Lannister is nonetheless considered the main culprit.
The day of Joffrey's funeral is twinned with a ceremonial burial for Ryam as well. While Joffrey's shroud is gold, Ryam's is silver to denote his place as second-in-line. Since Ryam has no body, he is buried with fourteen "Valyrian steel" daggers (for his age), and a large sword of regular steel with a stag pommel. It was to be a present from Lord Tywin for him for his own wedding, and it remains half finished, with round shapes at the cross-guard meant to be lions, indents where jewels would be placed for eyes, and only the words "Hear Me" carved visibly into one side of the blade. The sword is nicknamed "Voiceless", due to the humourous carving. Instead of a stone table, he's laid on a wooden one brought in, which was built hastily and is shorter in height and rocks a bit. As someone who had served on a ship, some think it appropriate, while others feel that comparing it to a ship to be in bad taste also.
At Tyrion's trial, one of the "witnesses" said that Tyrion had been plotting to kill all the royal family, having made deals with Blood Mages to kill Ryam at sea, and then Joffrey at his wedding. Another says he had made Ryam lead the fleet in an effort have him killed with the wildfire. Tyrion is disgusted that they would throw Ryam's death on him as well.
With Joffrey dead, and Ryam presumed to have demised also, Tommen is crowned the King of the Andals, and of the Rhoynar, and of the First Men. Margaery Tyrell is betrothed to him. Olenna confides with her granddaughter that she had intended her to be married to Ryam instead after Joffrey's death, but since his death, she would still be the Queen by marrying Tommen.
A Feast for Crows/Season 5[]
- "This war has been naught but a feast for the crows it would seem."
"Aye. Five kings are dead, three hands are dead, and every fucker who has any real metal is dead."
"How do you feel this boy king will fare? For richer or for poorer, how will the future bring fortune upon us?"
"It's his brother the people wanted; their romantic hero with all the stories and all the songs. He made friends with the right people and enemies of the wrong ones. And now he's dead like the rest of them."
"Who do you mean? You can't be talking about Renly, surely?"
"Of course not, you stupid oaf. I mean the golden king's brother, the silver prince they called him. The one who died at sea." - ―Two unnamed murmurs, performing the "The Bloody Hand"
Ryam's memory is continued to be venerated by the Small Folk, some even claiming him a Saint of the Seven. The Sparrows deny his place as an onerated man, but bless his memory as a devout man regardless.
Instead of burning the letter, it is revealed that Varys had handed the letter to the Stormlords, who were very quick to tear it up, until Mychael Fell declared he would raise the 'true stag' banner over Storm's End. When many question if Silveraxe means to declare for Stannis again, he spits at the ground.
- "I declared for Renly because he was my liege lord, and he is dead. I declared for Stannis because he was the enemy of my enemy, and he is defeated. I declared not for Joffrey or his golden toddler of a brother, it was Prince Ryam I declared my support for. He came to my home not for war but for a word. He reminded me of what it meant to believe in my liege lord, as I saw Robert in his face and in his eyes and in his words. You Arthur, you were there at Storm's End, you told me yourself. The prince offered the men holding it a chance to walk away from battle and still retain their pride in the face of that Red Witches magic. The Seven blessed him and the snake pit in the Red Keep cursed him. He was the only Baratheon I chose to follow in this war. Fuck to King Tommen, Fuck to King Stannis. If he is going to be killed, they will find him defending the true King whilst he awaits his birth at Storm's End."
- ―Lord Mychael "Silveraxe" Fell
The Stormlords start leaving the capital in large numbers, with many going straight to Storm's End. Qyburn, the new Master of Whispers, reports that the Stormlands are revolting again, this time claiming their own independence. Mychael Fell has claimed the title of Lord Protector, declaring that their new king is the babe growing inside Ryam's paramour's stomach. Cersei dispatches Lord Mace Tyrell and Lord Randyll Tarly to retake the Stormlands.
The army of the Reach are caught fighting a war with the Stormlords, who use the rocky lands to launch guerrilla tactics and the storms that constantly brew keep the armies slowed by several days at a time. There is a figure called the Shipwrecked Ghost, who appears before the armour in white armour and antlers, apparently riding a Stag. Many believe it's Ryam's ghost, while more belive it to be one of the Stormlords employing the same trick Lord Garlan Tyrell pulled at the Battle of the Blackwater with Renly's armour.
Mace Tyrell is forced to return to King's Landing after word of his daughter's imprisonment in the Great Sept reaches him, talking half of the remaining army with him. Randyll Tarly continues to march down the King's Road, setting a base at Bronzegate.
There are talks of a man in Essos called Nuagdan Ardjogelimt, who has become prominent in the Disputed Lands, even calling himself "King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea". They say he has a knack of inspiring fear among both his enemies and his allies, that he has made wives of every daughter of the Magisters of Myr and that he is the Storm God incarnate.
There is also rumours that he has a prosthetic metal arm that moves as if it was a real one, and that he has two different coloured eyes, having been given a new one by the Stranger and that looking upon it is looking into death itself, and that once the eye starts bleeding, its a sign that someone has died.
In Braavos, Arya overhears two murmurs practicing for the new play by Phario Forel: "The Bloody Hand", where one of the lines make a reference to Ryam's death, while his character apparently never appears.
In the Vale, Sansa (as Alayne Stone) . Littlefinger comments that how easily people are swayed by a good story of a hero dying at the incompetence of a foolish king. When Sansa asks what the realm would have been had Ryam survived and succeeded after Joffrey's death, to which he replies;
- "Oh, this world would not have been any different, I am sure of that. The birds would still sing and the people would cheer for his coronation. This war was never going to end as soon as a new boy sits the Iron Throne. I doubt many in court would have liked him, but I think they would have preferred him over the previous brat giving them orders. He was a different sort of man. A man more like the King Robert many knew in his youth. Not so much a king, but someone who could make friends as easily as he could crush them."
"So you're saying he would have been the better king than Tommen."
"For me, gods only know. I only know what I can see and what I can learn from a man. I know that the prince was a popular man. The ones that has all the singers writing songs about him for the ladies of the court to swoon over. But really, what can I say about him. Would he have neded the war? Would he have ruled for many years to come, sired my new princes and princesses, and ensured the realm prevailed till the end of his days? I don't know. I only know what I know, and what I knew at the time was that he would have definitly made some changes to the realm. Changes that would . . . not be in my benefit, so we should say."
"What are you telling me?"
"My dear Alayne. While you have nothing to be frightened of me. I must tell you, that it is what I am not willingly to share with you is what you should fear." - ―{{{2}}}
Though Sansa says nothing more, her mind wonders if maybe Littlefinger is hinting to her that he had a hand in creating Ryam's demise.
A Dance with Dragons/Season 6[]
Part 1 - Dreams and Dust[]
- "I know only two things; how to fight and kill, and how not to die. Am I a wizard or simply a madman. I let everyone else decide that. I let everyone else make the decisions for me. I'm done trying to do what I think is right. There is no longer a world for that kind of thought no matter how many people sing to its tune. I'm good at killing and I'm good at not dying. If winning wars will get me a comfortable life at the expense of doing the only thing I ill ever be needed for, then so be it. I am Nuagdan. I am a soldier."
- ―Nuagdan Ardjogelimt
Ryam is revealed to have survived the shipwrecking, but was half dead when he was brought to shore. He landed near the shores of Myr ironically of all places.
He mentions a dream again about the Nightingale; In this dream, the black dragon-made red appears again, picking up a white stag from the sea and taking it home. A storm strikes lightning at a stone which destroys the keep by the one stone survives covered with electrical static which he picks up, hearing it call him father. The rain kills off the roses and the lions retreat to their den. He is then shown a blue winter rose growing in the wall wither and die, but then spring back up covered in frost turning purple as a large shadow emerges from the ice. Then a red dragon, larger than the first appears over a golden crown with an army of half-men split vertically down the middle, who then blasts fire at the stag and the dragon, turning both into black as they survive. As the black and red dragons fight, a white dragon with purple eyes flies over as the winter follows wearing a crown of ice. The Nightingale invites him for a dance, but Ryam refuses only to be kissed on his upper lip which results in a flame burning in his chest as he awakens.
He discovered himself to be in a dungeon cell in a large empty room with several high windows illuminating it. He had discovered that he was considered dead and that the rumour of Joffrey killing him results in Ryam deciding to rescind his old life and abandon Westeros altogether. He mentioned he was captured and placed in imprisonment after many rich men tried to cut his arm off to take the Valyrian Steel for themselves, but couldn't as his arm was resilient to restraints.
He also recalls that a small plague of Greyscale entered the castle, and Ryam survived, but it left his scarred eye a permanent green with blackened sclera after the open wound above his eye festered and poisoned it. When he was brought to the Magisters of Myr in an attempt to sell him as a slave, they had heard the songs of the Westerosi prince with a silver arm and crying bloody tears and was released to their custody. He mentioned he was treated like any noble was, even being offered the daughters of many Magisters, but ended up choosing the five of the Five Major Families (Amelya Gyza, Serena Lyphia, Hali Karnarsus, Aemma Babillyn and Alysanne Xandryn) and a sixth from one of the rising Families (Myra Rohades) as his official concubines.
He speaks of a siege of Myr by the Lysene mercenaries after they broke through the main lines. Remembering the Battle of the Blackwater well, Ryam waits till the night and waters the grounds in flammable liquids (high percentage alcohol, kerosene, oils, and a prototype basis akin to wildfire. Using the new moon, the plan is put forward without being noticed on the ground in front of the city for as far covered as possible.
In daybreak, when all the mercenary armies line up to meet with the Myrish guard at the front of the city, the guards retreat and the mercenaries advance in full ranks to keep the gates open. But, a round of arrows keep them pinned, so they end up watching the skies, until a volley of fire arrows sets the trap. A fire that consumes the armies until the only ones left were the smart and small in numbers. They chose to cautiously wait it out for another day rather than advance again, by which time, the next supply of mercenaries hired by Myr had them surrounded.
He reminisced about his father's dream of giving up his titles and fighting in Essos, which prompted him to found and lead a mercenary company formed from multiple parties, renaming them as a collective army called the "Children of the Silver Bloods", but retain the nickname "Burnt Cloaks" after being assigned to wear cloaks of silver at the base, black across the centre and green at the tips. (originating from the remnants of Ryam's old silver cloak, where it suffered burn damage, and the replacement silver coating he applied to it ended up staining in green from rust due to a bad pot.)
He wins many battles in the Disputed Lands against the mercenary armies of Lys and Tyrosh, and even manages to create a permanent holding called "The Wreckedfort". He never tells anyone outside of the magisters his real name, and is known as Nuagdan Ardjogelimt to his men and his enemies. He wears the crown of Daemon Targaryen which he looted from an abandoned Tyroshi outpst, and is later nicknamed "the King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea".
Due to his significant efforts in the three-way war with Lys and Tyrosh, Ryam gains a lot of influence in the Magistrate. He is able to exercise enough authority to give commands to other mercenary companies on behalf of their contractors. Having cut off most of the supply lines from the southern region, the city of Lys has signed a non-aggression treaty for three years, while Nuagdan moves west to seize the advantage on the Tyrosh with the remnants of the Lyseni sellswords willing to be hired by Myr.
Part 2 - After the Feast[]
- "I should have died after my body was dragged below the waves that stormy night. The crabs should have eaten my flesh, and the sharks my bones. But they didn't. I washed up in Essos half dead with no life to return to. I woke up as Nuagdan, not Ryam. I didn't need to be Ryam Baratheon anymore. I needed to be strong as iron, as steel. I need Nuagdan Ardjogelimt."
"That's where you are wrong; I need Ryam Baratheon. The Stormlands will only ever belong to the Baratheons, as they have done for 300 years."
"Then I'm telling you, you have the wrong Baratheon."
"And I am telling you, I have found the right Baratheon. The only difference is, the one I found is wrong to turn his back on his countrymen like so many exiles have done before him." - ―Ryam Baratheon and Aegon Targaryen
When word reaches Nuagdan that the Golden Company are breaking their contract and are making a rush to Volantis, Nuagdan takes half the total men and chases after them. Due to the companies known policy of never breaking their contracts, Nuadgan hopes to recall them without having to kill them first. Intercepting them in Volon Therys, Nuagdan enters their camp under a flag of negotiation.
Meeting with the current Captain, Ser Harry Strickland, Nuagdan requests that they return to their contract, even promising them double their contracted pay as well as an annual sum every month, When Ser Strickland says they cannot, since they are responding to an earlier contract they made seventeen years ago; to join up with Daenerys Targaryen and sail to Westeros for conquest. Nuagdan calls the man a fool if he thinks he will get home on the back of a Targaryen.
When he starts getting angry replies, he informs them that the Seven Kingdoms will never accept a Targaryen again after Aerys II. If a Targaryen came back with the intent of burning people, no one would support them. Even with dragons, the Dornish proved easily how Scorpion artillery can bring one and it's rider down. Daeron I conquered Dorne without dragons, proving how much they overestimate the power of a savage beast compared to human ingenuity. Nuagdan offers them another chance, this time telling them that he intends to kill them if they refuse, offering them a glorious battle so their memory won't be sullied by their betrayal.
As the Golden Company set their swords against the envoys, a young man steps forward from the crowd. Nuagdan notices as some of the men lower their swords to this blue haired boy (who is actually older than him), and then hears him speak; the boy claims that it has always been the Golden Company's mission to return to their homeland in Westeros. Nuagdan calls it a fool's dream, since only a claimant to the throne can bring them home, and even then the lords will only revolt since they have no legitimate leader. The boy laughs and reveals that he is Aegon Targaryen, the son of Crown Prince Rhaegar, but also reveals that he knows that Nuagdan is the son of King Robert, Ryam Baratheon.
Before he can be arrested by the men, Aegon stops them. He asks for his fealty, which Ryam continues to deny, stating he is no longer Ryam, but Nuagdan since Westeros has killed Ryam, but Aegon persists. Ryam is shown a letter from a report about the Stormlords rising in rebellion, crowning a new Stormking independent of the Iron Throne, which shocks Ryam when he learns it's his own unborn child. Ryam wishes to go home, but refuses to swear fealty on the grounds that while he is reluctant to be King, there is no better person for him to serve, using the excuse that Aegon has never won victory in battle, and the Golden Company are an untrustworthy force since they are abandoning their contract to join Daenerys.
Aegon flips this around by rousing the men to abandon Daenerys, since she clearly cannot rule or tame her dragons, and that she will meet them in Westeros after they have conquered it. As he is crown Aegon VI, and mobilises the men to take ships to Lys. Ryam says he will not go as he is contracted to fight and defeat Tyrosh. He leaves the camp and takes his men away to regroup at the Wreckfort.
After a week of planning and a letter of resources from the Magisters, Ryam prepares his attacking force to sail and siege the City of Tyrosh. He launches a naval attack against the Tyroshi, managing to land a force against the shore, but a surprise ambush by a second reserve fleet threaten to cut his forces off and leave them stranded at sea. Fearing he has no choice but to retreat before he and his men are stranded. He calls his men to pull back to the ships, but is even more shocked when a second fleet engages the Tyroshi's, and manages to put them into retreat.
As the ships then land against the shore, Ryam is shocked to see the Golden Company landing with Lyseni sellswords in their ranks also. Joining in the attack, the two companies manage to force the city into surrender. The Archon of Tyrosh accepts the demands of supplies, horses and ships for the Golden Company, trading rights and a non-aggression pact for five years to Myr, and the Archon's daughter to wed a Westerosi noble of Aegon's choice.
In the camp outside the city, Ryam enters Aegon's tent with no prior summons. Fearing he will attack the King, his appointed Kingsguard draw their swords, only to be told to stand down. Ryam walks over to Aegon's side and tells him that a king is three things: Lawful and kind to his subjects, able to bring justice when necessary. A strong leader, able to wage war and enforce the use of force in order to placate the security of the realm. And, a good judge of character, choosing men to serve by merit and not by wealth or non-concerning matters. He says he has known only two kings he has followed, but it was never because he believed in either of them but out of duty and family loyalty, but now he has found a king he is willing to follow. He removes the crown of Daemon Targaryen from his head, kneels before Aegon and offers the crown to him. Aegon takes the crown, and Ryam's loyalty, stating that the Stepstones will have to wait until after they have won the war.
Ryam joins in Aegon's invasion of the Stormlands, taking only one third of the Children of the Silver Bloods with him after many return to their original companies, or return home or alternative services since the war was on hiatus for three years until the Lyseni could attack again. Others are prepping for a sequential war with Volantis or Pentos should Myr choose to fight. Ryam also sends an envoy to Myr, explaining the end of war for a time and his plans for an invasion of Westeros. He leaves before he can receive a reply.
Landing at Griffin's Roost, Ryam arrives first to placate his authority as Lord Paramount. While Red Ronnet Connington is concerned with the return of his cousin and predecessor, Ser Jon, he acknowledges Ryam's authority, and accepts Aegon as his King after a talk with Ryam and the king. A raven arrives telling of the Tyrell siege on Storm's End. Rallying the remaining Lords of the Stormlands, the Stormlords, Golden Company and Silver Bloods march to lift the siege. Aegon sends an envoy with the enemy, declaring his claim to the throne, but returns empty handed. The next day the two face in battle, with Aegon leading the attack. The victory is swift thanks to the weather and the poor conditions of the Tyrell army. Randyll Tarly and others escape, but most of the army is scattered.
While Aegon meets with the Dornish envoys led by Princess Arianne Nymeros Martell, Ryam climbs the keep to reunite with Sai Ri. However, it turns out that she had died in the storm the day before the battle, having given birth to a daughter before passing. Ryam looks upon his daughter, with her black hair and blue eyes (which makes him smile since he can affirm she is his), and smiles as he cries real tears as well for Sai Ri.
He takes his daughter out of the castle to meet with the various gathered lords, introducing them to his daughter, whom he names Elenei after his ancestor, the wife of Durran Godsgrief. After being surrounded in a crowd of cheers, Ryam asks for King Aegon to legitimise his daughter. He explains "my father was also the father of many children so I am told, so many that he probably never knew and they never knew he was their father either. My father is dead, my uncle is dead, and my other uncle and cousin are as good as dead. I am the lone Baratheon, but I do not wish to be the last of my house. If I should die, then someone of Durran's blood must sit at Storm's End to keep the storm at bay. Please, I ask this of you, make my daughter a Baratheon. Let her rule after me in my stead should I fall in the coming battles." Aegon accepts, and legitimises her in the presence of the the Dornish, Stormlords and the sellswords from Essos present. He also announces that he will wed Arianne and the united forces with take the Iron Throne.
In private, Aegon asks to speak with Ryam, with Arianne, Jon Connington, and Ser Rolly Duckfield, his only Kingsguard also present. Aegon asks Ryam what he did to win so many victories in Essos, in which Ryam replies that he often acted rashly at first as every opposing commander expected, but then they fell into his trap when he started cutting off various troops from the main army until he was fighting with superior numbers and the best positions on the battlefield. The tactic he later employed involves increasing his own notoriety by inventing mythical facts about himself, such as saying his arm was a fake that acted and flexed like a real arm, and that his hetereochromia was a gift from the Stranger to allow him to kill his enemies with ease. Arianne is amused by his stories, while Jon is uncertain by his presence.
Aegon asks Ryam what he himself should do to help in his victories. Ryam replies that as king, he will be ruling, so he cannot use inhuman fear as a tool in this war, so they should focus on him being the benevolent king as opposed to the actions of Joffrey, Stannis and Balon. He suggests being lenient with his foes and caring for settlements he captures and treating with hostile lords before attacking. He also says that to prove he is of Targaryen blood without Daenerys or her dragons, he should enter a battle in front of a large crowd by charging through a raging wall of fire to come out unburnt. He ends the conversation by saying that in times of trouble, people need something to believe in, even if it's not the gods but a man who can appear to do anything.
Ryam leaves the tent to return to his room. He cradles Elenei while she sleeps before putting her to bed, before he himself falls asleep.
The Winds of Winter/Season 7[]
- "The throne is my by right. I am the blood of the Dragon. I am the Queen!"
"The last time I heard someone say "I am the King", I had a big falling out with him. He was undoubtedly the worst king in the history of the Seven Kingdoms; Crueler than Maegor, unworthier than Aegon IV, and even more insane than Aerys II. If Fire and Blood are all you are willing to offer, then I will not support your claim. I support Aegon not because of his claim, but because it was his duty to rule rather than his right." - ―Daenerys Targaryen and Ryam Baratheon
With the campaign in the North of the Stormlands running smoothly thanks to the anti-Lannister and Tyrell sentiment shared by the Stormlords, the war is going in the right direction for Aegon's camp after the defeat of Randyll Tarly at the Siege of Storm's End. With the Stormlands secured, and the Martells holding Willas and Garlan Tyrell, among the many reserved forces of the Reach at bay, the planned attack on King's Landing is underway.
Aegon's war council show concern when reports of Daenery's victory in Meereen and subsequent mobilisation west brought about the destruction of Slaver's Bay and Volantis soon afterwards. Aegon is not so concerned, expressing gratitude that she has finally mobilised, and that she is merely taking vengeance on the cities responsible for disrupting her forces. Aegon, wielding the ancestral sword Blackfyre declares that Westeros will belong to the Targaryens again.
When Rya inquires Arianne about his sister Myrcella, she informs him that she is dead. When he asks how, she simply says that Ser Gerold "Darkstar" Dayne is the one responsible (without telling him she herself had tried to press Myrcella's claim to the Iron Throne by declaring war on King's Landing). Ryam asks is his sister was at least avenged, but finds that she wasn't as Darkstar is still alive. Ryam curses that he is losing family members quicker than the trees were losing leaves, as the first snows in the Stormlands begin to fall.
Ryam reminiscences that he was born in the Winter, one of the reasons he never before questioned why he looked Baratheon while his other siblings looked Lannister. Pycelle had been the one to note the change in weather as the reason, but thinking now it's a stupid and illogical reason. With Joffrey and Myrcella dead, his only family left is Tommen.
On the south bank of the Blackwater, Aegon's camp is set up within view of the city, but too far to be reached by the catapults from the city walls. The navy is brought around to blockade the port and seize any and all goods coming by sea, while the havoc in the Reach has cut the food from Highgarden being sent and anymore being captured also. With the city starving, it would only be a matter of time before the Tyrell army is forced to come face them in battle or lose the war starving in the city.
Aegon's demands, as discussed by the war council, are as followed:
- The Surrender of King's Landing and acknowledgment of King Aegon VI as King.
- The usurper, Tommen Waters, is to lose all claim to the crown, but will be put into the custody of his elder half-brother, Ryam Baratheon, and married to a subordinate of the crown when he is of age.
- The traitors, Mace Tyrell and Kevan Lannister will be revoked of their status as Lord Paramounts of their regions, and sent to the Wall, as will all lords who refuse to submit.
- The treasonous Dowager Queen Cersei Lannister, and her brother, Ser Jaime the Kingslayer will be tried for murder and deception.
- Withdrawal of all Tyrell and Lannister noble and forces from the capital, and to bar them entry for twenty years.
No one expects them to actually abide by these demands, but they hope it at least forces their hand to act brashly. Ryam explains that King's Landing is near impossible to attack since it is built to be the ultimate city for the entire country, and that a thousand men could defend it from a million, but that was during the days when Aegon I had Balerion.
After four days, the second Tyrell army headed again by Randyll Tarly, as well as the remaining garrison of King's Landing (excluding Lannister forces). With both sides on the south side of the Blackwater, the battle commences, with Aegon's forces showing more advantage in numbers and morale. While neither side willingly commits troops, volleys and projectiles are exchanged at the start. Before the battle can even engage in close combat, two black shadows fly over head. At the sight of the two dragons, both sides cease their attack.
As the two armies set their sights on the dragons, the city on the north bank of the Blackwater becomes engulfed in flames when the archers and artillery let loose on the winged beasts. As the fires consume the city, everyone is shocked when explosions of green flames detonate in and around the city walls and all the buildings in site. The Great Sept of Balor collapses into the inferno, and the Red Keep in swallowed into the seven hells. By the end of the assault, nothing but smoke rose from the city in ashes.
Deciding to call the battle to a truce, both sides return to their respective camps to wait out the coming storm. The ship masters are sent word to allow the Meerenese Targaryen fleet to pass into the Blackwater.
At Aegon's war council, there is debate whether Daenerys' arrival is an omen or a disaster; while many feel that their enemies have been crushed in one swoop, the fact that King's Landing is not even a city anymore is of major concern. The reflections of Slaver's Bay and Volantis, and later reports of Pentos also erupting in fire. Aegon remains optimistic that Daenerys has arrived as support, but Ryam voices opposition, and has the men construct more Scorpion Launchers. When Aegon confront him angrily, Ryam reminds him that he has the better claim, and yet what is he suppose to tell a mad woman with living fire arsenals at her command. Aegon persists that this is not a concern and that she isn't mad. Ryam shakes his head, reminding Aegon that half a million people are dead or injured because she let two dragons torch the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, and she hasn't even sent any word out to them declaring her intent. Neither army has moved and all their fighting has been put on hold until all affairs are settled.
Words spread that Queen Margaery and Lord Mace Tyrell are both confirmed dead from flames, while Ser Kevan Lannister was already murdered in the city along with Grand Maester Pycelle. Dowager Queen Cersei and King Tommen's bodies have not been found, but are presumed to be dead. Varys is still missing, and so has Qyburn.
After a week left clueless, a message is finally sent to both camps, requesting the leaders of both parties to swear allegiance to Queen Daenerys. Many in the camp take it as an insult since they have been fighting the war and now she comes waltzing in late.
Aegon, along with Ser Daemon Sand, Ryam, Jon Connington, and Harry Strickland, as well as Lords Randyll Tarly, Paxter Redwyne, and Mathis Rowan for the Reach camp, both parties enter the ruins of the city, to see nothing but black and shadows. Ryam calls it disgusting what she has done, reminding himself that this was the Mad King's daughter they were seeing, so the worst outcome is the most likely outcome. Inside the remains of the Red Keep, Drogon is draped around the melted blob that was the Iron Throne where Daenerys is sitting, and Rhaegal is laying around the right side of the hall.
At the head of the throne room, Ryam is surprised to see his Uncle Tyrion standing to her right, along with Victarion Greyjoy, an Unsullied Captain (Grey Worm), a ten year old with dusk complexion (Missandei), three Dothraki bloodriders (Aggo, Jhogo and Rakharo) and a red priest (Moqorro).
Daenerys announces her welcomes to the leaders of both camps, while the green dragon Rhaegal starts reacting to Aegon's presence. Daenerys, who is surprised by the change in her 'child's' attitude, saying that he obviously recognises the blood of the dragon flowing in his veins. While Aegon takes the compliment, welcoming his aunt to the capital and to their rightful home, until Daenerys declares that she doesn't recognise Aegon as kin of hers. She declares that she heard from the mouths of both Illyrio Mopatis and Varys that Aegon is no Targaryen, but one of the descendants of House Blackfyre, and thus no true kin.
While everyone is physically shocked, and some of the lords gathered are angry at these 'lies', but are shot down by the presence of the dragons in the room as they start snarling. Despite Aegon's protests that he is who he claims to be, but many of Daenerys' supporters turn against him, with only Tyrion trying to voice reason that she still needs an heir so having one with affinity to a dragon is the best choice. Listening to Tyrion's words, Daenerys agrees that she will pardon all lords present if they acknowledge her as Queen. She even agrees to allow Aegon to be her heir, but not her husband (despite Aegon already being married to Arianne).
Before any of the lords could step forward, Ryam is the one who makes the first move, not at all intimidated by Drogon's terrifying gaze. While everyone is thinking he is going to declare his support for Daenerys, he instead talks to his uncle, completely ignoring her presence in the room, discussing how his time had been and what he had been up to since they last saw each other, even telling him he had a daughter now which surprised Tyrion greatly. When he finally finished the conversation, he said goodbye to his uncle, saying that he will miss conversations like these again.
Finally turning to Daenerys, he refuses to kneel since he wants answers before he even considers such an option;
- "Where have you been, Princess? The Kingdoms were bleeding because the wrong person was sitting his arse too comfortably on that same throne, and four other wrong people said they should also be king. Why did you not come back to take it when it was still a chair to be sat upon?"
"You dare to speak to your Queen that way? After I have taken the capital for the good of the realm, you wish to speak to me so poorly."
"That depends on your answer, doesn't it Princess?"
"You will treat me with respect, Lord Baratheon. I have taken only what has been rightfully mine since the day my brother died. The Iron Throne is mine by all that is right. You would risk your life just to defy me. Are you at all sane?"
"Do you see my eye? Do you see my arm? This isn't the first time I have ever risked my life, and with the responsibilities I bear, I will have to risk it more till the day I finally cannot outrun death. You may be older than I am, but I have seen the seven hells just as you have, except I wasn't smiling when I saw people dying in the flames. Only a monster could love the sight of people dying before their eyes. No. I stand corrected; only something inhuman, neither man nor beast, a demon would love the sight of people both good and ill dead at their feet."
"How dare you call me a demon. You are speaking out of term, Lord Baratheon. Your Usurper of a father smiled when he saw the bodies of Princess Rhaenys and Prince Aegon brought before his feet, bashed and bloodied by Tywin Lannister's orders. The whole of the realm knows the story, even as far as across the Narrow Sea do they speak of such villainy."
"So I was told, but so was I told did your father laugh when he burnt his enemies alive. When he roast Lord Rickard Stark in his own armour so I am told. When he strangled Stark's son Brandon as he tried to free his father so I am told. When he killed his last hand after Rhaegar lost the Trident to my father and when he raped your mother to sire you, so I am told. Walls keep very little secrets, and people keep less than that. He was even laughing when my Uncle, Jaime Lannister cut him down and killed him. Smiling, and laughing, and singing; 'Burn Them All!', 'Burn Them All!', Burn Them All!'."" - ―Daenerys Targaryen and Ryam Baratheon
Despite her many protests, and declarations, she fails to sway Ryam, but also reveals her true feelings towards the Seven Kingdoms, which Ryam points out is not the kind of ruler Westeros needs. Daenerys continues to declare she is the Queen, but Ryam declares his support for Aegon regardless, stating that he has already had the bear listening to eight different kings before her say that they should rule when none of them are alive or qualified to be king. Dragons don't make a king, they make a conqueror. He would rather support the king who is willing to do whats right for the good of the country not their own interests.
- "There is my King. Right there, standing here among us. He has been learning for years what it means to be King. He won our loyalties and our swords, and he was there when we needed a new hope. That crown he is wearing, I gave him. He earned it from me. He didn't snatch it and place it upon his own head. So what if he isn't Aegon Targaryen, son of Prince Rhaegar and Elia Martell? So what if he doesn't deserve the right to fly a red dragon on his standard? He is my King, and he is Aegon VI the Re-conqueror. Aegon the True Dragon. Aegon of House Blackfyre, I do not know, but if he is, then you will see the black dragon flying over my castle, over my camp, over my banner men until the day I die. Good day to you, Princess Daenerys. Go home back across the Narrow Sea. Take your armies, take your dragons, and go back East. To Meereen, to Vaes Dothrak, or to Asshai, I don't give a fuck. If you stay, I swear by the Old Gods and the New, that you will die."
- ―Ryam Baratheon
Before Daenerys could order him dead, Tyrion stops her, telling her that despite his looks as a Baratheon, his mind is as sharp as any Lannister, and he wouldn't make a rash move unless he had the advantage. Sure enough, the moment Drogon made a move of aggression against Aegon, Rhaegal steps to block its path. Frustrated by this development, Daenerys orders their arrest, but Rhaegal's new hostility makes it difficult to approach, leaving them no opportunity to counter. With the situation secure, Aegon makes an open declaration of war against Daenerys, citing her own madness as a reason to depose her, as well as reasons as decreed by Westerosi salic law (putting females behind all possible male claimants). The two camps leave the Red Keep remnants, as Drogon attempts to kill the enemies outside the walls, only to be fired upon immediately by rains of Scorpion Launchers, which keeps it grounded after receiving an injury to its left front appendage.
Pulling both forces back to Tumbleton and await for reinforcements after declaring a truce between both forces. Willas Tyrell, the new lord marches up the Rose Road alongside the Reach and Dornish forces to meet with King Aegon. At the sight of the green dragon, many are in awe of it's size, but many know that the black dragon is bigger. Having heard the news of King's Landing's destruction and the deaths of Mace and Margaery, Willas declares his houses support to Aegon. At the council's suggestion, letters are to be sent to Casterly Rock and the Vale asking for their support also (as many Lannisters were also killed in the capital they believe). When asked what to do with Riverrun, Pyke and Winterfell, Ryam points out that the Riverlands have been sacked and destroyed, so asking for aid will be unfeasible even if some lords agree, also stating that the Freys currently hold Riverrun and the last Tully is prisoner. Pyke is still traitorous and will need to be dealt with immediately after. As for Winterfell, with winter already in the south, there is little chance they will recieve aid after Robb Stark's murder, and the civil war between Stannis and Roose still plaguing them.
In order to minimize the problems, every lord is brought to the meetings in order to evaluate their each individual skills (for future reference to Aegon's small council). The first meeting declares Aegon VI as the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms, which is recognised by the lords and septons present. Aegon also devises plans for their upcoming war against Daenerys, citing the new advantage they have with both Scorpion Launchers and Rhaegal in their forces. The united armies are to be divided into six combined forces;
- The 1st Army (Golden Crown) is under Aegon's direct command and armed with Rhaegal, the Golden Company and the Crownland forces. The main objective of his army is to directly confront Daenerys and Drogon, hopefully keeping her armies pinned down in the city. They hold base at Tumbleton, but have men planted in the Kingswood.
- The 2nd Army (Silver Sword) is under Ryam Baratheon, consisting of the Silver Blood remnants and remaining Westerland forces. His forces are support for Aegon's 1st Army and to hold the Goldroad, from both sides at the Stoney Sept.
- The 3rd Army (Orange Spear) is under Ser Daemon Sand, made up of the entire Dornish Forces. They are the direct reinforcements to Aegon's 1st Army, also stationed at Tumbleton.
- The 4th Army (Yellow Hammer) is under Mychael Fell, with the Stormland and remaining Narrow Sea Forces. They are to hold the Kingsroad from the south, setting up base north of Bronzegate. They are also support of the Kingswood scouts.
- The 5th Army (Green Arrow) is under Willas Tyrell, and the bulk of the Reach forces. They are the back up army holding the Roseroad from Bitterbridge, but have several camps closer to Tumbleton.
- The 6th Army (Red Axe) is commanded by Randyll Tarly, with the rest of the Reach forces, as well as other sellsword companies and some of the remaining Riverland forces. They are to be stationed at the King's road from the north from Maidenpool via Harrenhal.
Aegon has also created three separate fleets to maintain the blockade of Blackwater Bay:
- The 1st Fleet (Sapphire Sail) is holding the frontline by keeping the city encircled and the Meerenese fleet at port or at the bottom of the waters. They are under the command of Daerys Carrhonai, with the combined fleets of Dorne, the Gold Company and the Silver Bloods
- The 2nd Fleet (Ruby Hull) maintains a parameter that hold the middle guard of the navy shortly before Dragonstone, and are the reinforcements to the 1st Fleet. They are commanded by Paxter Redwyn and are made up of the Redwyne and other Reach fleets.
- The 3rd Fleet (Emerald Mast) holds the rearguard and seizes control of all importing ships and defeating any army that attempts to sail in from behind. They are commanded by Ser Aemon Estermont, consisting of the ships of the Stormlands, Crownlands and sellsword ships.
With Drogon largley out of action, Daenerys' forces have the hardest time pressing any serious attacks, with the six coming battles; First Tumbleton, Harrenhal, Duskendale, Maidenpool, Second Tumbleton, and Driftmark battles all ending in defeat. The Battle of the Kingswood was their only victory, but a Pyrrhic victory at best for such a small gain and very few kills of their own in comparison. While the Unsullied were a disciplined fighting force, they were very tactless and easy to eliminate, and their unwavering ability to stand their ground made killing them in greater numbers easier. Rhaegal was the biggest advantage to Aegon's faction, having been a great asset after the beast bonded with the king, allowing him to scout the areas and destroy his enemies in swoops and cut off escapes with fire. Though the enemy could have replicated the Scorpion Launchers to be used against the dragon, it was Daenerys' own orders that made it illegal as to prevent her 'child' from being killed in such a manner.
When word reaches that the Vale are supporting Aegon after hearing of the destruction of King's Landing, the 7th Army (Blue Shield) under Harold Arryn (the former Harold Hardying, whom succeeded the sickly Robert Arryn), is officially formed, and an additional 4th Fleet (Diamond Bow) was brought to replace the 2nd and 3rd Fleets after the Second Battle of the Blackwater saw the ruin of many ships on both sides. The caution of wildfire was duly noted after the first battle, but the storms that rolled in caused the battle to fall into disarray.
With the additional forces, Ryam and the 2nd army is to take Casterly Rock and rally the remaining forces to their cause. The 2nd and 3rd Fleets are to combine and smash the Iron fleet at Oldtown before they can make an assault on the city. At Deep Den, Ryam engages with the stationed Westerland troops after they refuse to surrender. The siege lasts a week, but are easily overwhelmed when the gate is brought to the ground by undermining. After passing through the gate and within sights of Lannisport and Casterly Rock.
He is met at the open hills by the remaining Lannister forces, led by the Ser Damion Lannister, the castellan. Ryam asks him for his surrender, offering pardons for all forces involved, but they must swear loyalty to King Aegon. Ser Damion says he cannot, because he is sworn to King Tommen, shocking Ryam that Tommen is still alive. Despite asking to see him, Ser Damion says that he must fight for his liege lord and king, as he is.
Ryam accepts this, and returns to the troops. Learning of the 2nd and 3rd Fleets victory at Oldtown and the fleeing Ironfleet returning north, Ryam hopes to use the incoming fleet to then hold Lannisport once he had entered Casterly Rock. He wonders to himself what he will do with his brother and his mother; he knows that Tommen is a claimant as a former king and that Aegon would need him dead or sent to the Wall in order to keep the Westerlands in check. While he wishes to keep his brother by his side, he is unsure how this will end. His mother on the other hand is another matter; Though she gave him Storm's End and Master of Ships, he was given nothing else from her after his birth, not even her milk when he was a child as she was still cuddling Joffrey. He will do his duty he tells himself.
On the eve of battle, he is brought word of another victory for Aegon's forces, and the death of the Storm Crows commander, Daario Naharis, as well as the Unsullied Captain Grey Worm, and one of the Dothraki Bloodriders. Lord Garlan Tyrell is being sent the Oceanroad with a combination of the 5th and 6th Armies while also still leading alongside Randyll Tarly, all the while Lord Willas being sent to aid Aegon directly. With the promise of reinforcements, Ryam intends to weaken the enemy in coming battles rather than trying to defeat them in a single day.
One the eve of the twelfth skirmish, the Reach forces arrive to the South, so the final battle commences, only to see fire in Lannisport, which then starts to rapidly spread. Forced to turn back to the city, the Lannister forces retreat behind the walls, only to then run back out after it becomes uncontrollable, along with all the residents living in both the city and the keep upon the rock. By dawn, the fire still burns, but much of the city is already gone. With the Lannister army's surrender, and the surrender of both settlements, Ryam takes a small force to Casterly Rock, only to find it deserted. Upon reaching the lord's hall, Ryam finds naught but the poisoned corpse of his half-brother resting on the chair, the strangled body of their mother Cersei as his feet, and the bleeding carcass of Ser Jaime on his back down the steps. When Garlan, Randyll and Damion arrive at the keep, Ryam orders the body of Tommen to be buried in the Lord of Casterly Rock's burial chambers, with Jaime at his feet. When asked what to do with his mother, Ryam replies he has none, saying they can toss the mad woman's corpse off the rock for all he cares.
As the snow showers the city of Lannisport in white to cover the blackened burns that had harmed it, Damion Lannister offers the unconditional surrender of both cities and the entire Westerlands. In return, Damion is kept on as Castellan. As the 2nd and 3rd Fleets enter port, Ryam organises the combined forces into a new formation; He intends to take the two fleets with their numbers replenished from the remaining Lannister fleet and take the Westerland army and the 2nd Army to take the Iron Islands, while leaving Garlan behind with Damion to hold the city with the 5th Army, and let Randyll Tarly return with the 6th Army to King Aegon.
There is a brief skirmish between the navies at the Battle of Fair Isle, but the Ironborn are weak and broken already, which made them sitting ducks to the larger Westerosi fleet. After finally seeing the islands in sight, there is only fire. Ryam curses the flame god for all this fire (after King's Landing and Lannisport/Casterly Rock), as he attempts to send the ships protect the bay, and to save all survivors. The estimated survivors from the entire Isles numbers less than a sixth in total, with many already dead from war, and others from Euron's pyres. When he hears rumours of him trying to hatch dragon eggs by sacrificing each island in a blood ritual, Ryam sends scouts to Pyke in an effort to retrieve them, as he sends the Ironborn to refuge near Seaguard and the surrounding areas with himself and his army.
The water levels rise and the islands collapse so badly that they start sinking as the last people that set foot on them describe it as the Downfallen. Ryam notes that there is no longer an Iron Islands for the Ironborn to return to, and intends to have them settle the Riverlands as they did before Aegon's conquest to replace the dead Riverman houses. The scouts return with only six of the eight eggs in Euron's charred possession at the time, which is more than was expected. Ryam half wishes to see them all sink to the Sunset Sea like the Isles, but knows that it is Aegon who will make the decision, whether they can be hatched or no.
Landing at Seaguard, he is shocked when the chain is brought over the port, cutting Ryam off from half his forces and all the Ironborn refugees are left stranded at sea as the cold air starts causing the waters to turn to slush with ice. Brought to the lord's hall, Ryam is surprised to see "Black" Walder Frey, second son of Ryman, first son of Stevron, first son of Lord Walder, sitting at the seat instead of Lord Jason Mallister.
With the information about Aegon's landing being withheld from this far north of the Riverlands, the Freys are clueless to the Encore of the Dragons (a reference to an earlier civil war, the Dance). Ryam attempts to reveal all that has happened, but is branded a liar and faces trial by combat. He fights bare against armed men, but withstands the worst of it thanks to his Valyrian steel arm. Though he beat three of the seven men set against them, even killing them with their weapons and their heads smashed in by his arm, Black Walder orders his death upon his defeat, placing the blame of hung Freys on him as an excuse to have his body thrown over the walls.
Before they can close in on him, a loud screech is heard from inside the castle, as the sight of a green dragon lands against the side of the walls, and brings down the gatehouse in flames, allowing the 1st and 3rd armies to storm the keep. Rhaegal rips the wall down, revealing Aegon's presence to the Freys, leading to their surrender at the sight of his dragon after two guards wandered too close to the beast.
Ryam remains bandaged at Seaguard for a full three weeks after that. Jason Mallister was restored to Seaguard, and swore loyalty to Aegon. Ryam hears many other news while under going care;
- Aegon destroyed the Crossing, leading to the Freys surrender. Lord Walder and many confirmed conspirators were tried for treason against their leige lord for the Red Wedding, with only Lord Walder hanging, and the others sent to the Wall.
- Alesander Frey was granted Lordship of the Western Twins, while Perwyn Frey was given Eastern Twins, because they were not involved at all in the Red Wedding due to their loyalty to Robb Stark. But neither are allowed to rebuild the bridge, nor are they allowed to enforce tolls upon travelers.
- Emmon Frey was forced to surrender Riverrun, but allowed to keep his life. Edmure Tully is returned to the Lordship and Lord Paramounty.
- The Ironborn are settled in Darry, which is granted to House Harlaw for the time being (as Alannys Harlaw was the wife of Balon Greyjoy, so Lord Rodrik is chosen as the new leader with the extinction of House Greyjoy).
- The 8th Army (Black Scythe) is formed from the remaining Ironborn warriors and some Riverland forces under the joint command of Edmure Tully and Rodrik Harlaw.
- The Battle of the Godswood is a defeat after the sudden appearance of Drogon, who is back in action quicker than anticipated. Aegon's haste to meet her forces her to fall back after the battle to Harrenhal rather than to the burning capital. Randyll Tarly was killed, as was over half of the 6th Army.
- Aegon is planning to strike from the north bank of the Trident, with the 1st, 2nd (under Lucion Lannister), 3rd and 8th armies, with the 4th and 7th armies to reinforce from the south once Daenerys commits her forces. He also orders the 5th Army to stay sheltered at the Stoney Sept for the time being, and to later hopefully take King's Landing after it's deserted.
Ryam cannot help but be impressed by the new king, and is glad to have pledged his sword to him. Ryam wonders for his daughter Elenei, whom he hasn't seen since he left Storm's End at the beginning of the year to fight. He comments how ironic it was that the same wet nurse that breast fed him is also feeding his daughter since Cersei had her removed from the city after his father King Robert started getting too close. Ryam almost wonders what would of happened, if he had a half-brother or sister from that result, and how it would of affected him. Now he feels he would welcome any remaining siblings. He heard that Lys was sacked recently and that Edric Storm had been found and killed with many high ranking officials. After hating him for so long, he is saddened now to hear the death of another relative. With Myrcella and Tommen dead, he has no living siblings anymore, and Elenei his only relative save for the Lannisters (his mothers house), the Estermonts (his grandmothers house) and the Targaryens (his great-grandmothers house).
Ryam doesn't hide that he had a few "bedwarmers" visit him in the nights after his initial recovery.
After Ryam's complete recovery, he begins travel to Harrenhal, where he hears of Aegon's decisive victory against Daenerys, surprised to the core after hearing of Drogon clipped wings and can no longer fly. Daenerys is crippled in the fall and has gone mad. Aegon blames the continued centralised incest in the family, as she was the product of two brother-sister relations (Jaehaerys II and Saera, and Aerys II and Rhaella). The war is officially closed, and the battles over Westeros ends. Ryam's only regret was he couldn't see the last battle between the two dragons.
After a large procession, and the confirmed surrenders of Daenerys' forces, Aegon is crowned in Oldtown as Aegon VI the Re-conqueror, the True Dragon, the King bearing the Sword, and other names. He keeps the name Targaryen, but combines the Black and Red Dragons of Targaryen and Blackfyre into his new house heraldry while keeping a personal heraldry of a green dragon against a field of black fire over red. He also has an official wedding with Arianne Martell in sight of the High Septon and the surviving lords. The Stormcrows are allowed to return to Essos, as are other sellswords whose contracts are up.
His small council is named:
- Hand of the King: Jon Connington
- Master of Ships: Paxter Redwyne
- Master of Laws: Ryam Baratheon
- Master of Coin: Tyrion Lannister
- Master of Whispers: Lysono Maar
- Grand Maester: Gormon Tyrell
- Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Ser Daemon Sand (sword sword of Queen Arianne and former squire of Prince Oberyn).
- Ser Rolly Duckfield (only kingsguard named from the Golden Company)
- Ser Balon Swann (only surviving kingsguard from Tommen's kingsguard)
- Ser Lucas Corbray (a knight of the vale)
- Ser Lucion Lannister (distant cousin)
- Ser Rickard Tyrell (distant cousin)
- Ser Olyvar Frey (younger brother of Lord Perwyn Frey, and former squire of Robb Stark)
Other matters are settled within the Grand Citadel:
- Aegon moves the capital and council to Harrenhal.
- King's Landing is to be rebuilt as "New Aegonfort".
- Daenerys is officially revoked from succession, and tried by insanity but allowed to remain on Dragonstone for the remainder of her days. The dragon eggs are also presented to her as they have a relaxing presence for her (but Aegon hopes she can birth dragons again). She bears the title Princess of Dragonstone.
- Rhaegal is kept by Aegon's side, given free range in the Vale, while many of the lords are at the summits of their mountains due to winter. Drogon, now unable to fly again, lives in the Dragon Pit, though has been seen swimming in Blacwater bay while hunting fish. It occasionally visits Dragonstone. The lords keep the dragons away from their holdings by using an aromatic mixture in large quantities that drives them away.
- Ryam Baratheon officially recognised as Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. Additionally, he is to maintain the title Prince of Summerhall, and the de-facto heir as Aegon's closest living relative.
- Willas Tyrell officially recognised as Lord of Highgarden and Lord Paramount of the Mander. Willas is also to wed to Heather Rowan, the daughter of Lord Mathis. His younger brother Garlan is to keep Lordship of Brightwater Keep.
- Trystane Nymeros Martell is officially recognised as the new heir to Sunspear and Dorne.
- Tyrion Lannister is named Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport and Warden of the West. His relative Damion Lannister is maintained as Castellan, and Tyrion himself cannot call the banners nor can he make any actions without council consent for the time being.
- Edmure Tully is officially recognised as Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident.
- Harold Arryn is officially recognised as Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East.
- Darry is given to House Harlawn, Oldstones is granted to House Blacktyde, Cape Wraith to House Goodbrother, Blackhaven to House Botley, Castermere to House Farwynd, Tarbeck Hall to House Kenning, Clegane Keep to House Merlyn, Whitegrove to House Saltcliffe, and Dustonbury to House Volmark. All other Ironborn are to be relocated under these lords or others, and to swear oaths of fealty to their new Paramounts.
- House Peake, Strong, Cole, Mudd and Connington of Harrenhall are created and assigned a tower each as their holding from the Golden Company.
As the ice finally settles in the City of Oldtown, a white raven flies into the Citadel, signalling the Wall has fallen, and the Others have returned.
A Dream of Spring/Season 8[]
- "I have done nothing but fight and struggle since my father's death; I struggled with court intrigue and public relations. I struggled with military responsibility and coordination. I struggled with the balance of power and my own hubris. I struggled with death and rebirth and then fought some more. I lost everyone in my family I cared about. Many people are dead and still they want war. I admit I have never felt more alive than killing someone else in combat. But I am tired, and I want to go home when this is all over."
- ―Ryam Baratheon
At the first official small council meeting inside Harrenhal (amidst reconstruction), Lysono informs the council of the reports about the Other's invasion and destruction of the wall, including the reports of the Snow King and his Ice Dragon. There are also claims he wields a Valyrian steel weapon as well. The Northerners that are not directly involved with either Roose Bolton nor Stannis Baratheon have begun a great migration southwards. This is a major concern, but with the lack of manpower after the several wars, more people are needed. Since the winter hasn't reached the Neck as of yet, it is decided to postpone any attempts to venture into the North until a brief period of recovery. All fleeing Northerners are to swear fealty to Aegon, and will be settle in New Aegonfort and the surrounding lands for the time being.
With the small council are also Lords Lorimas Mudd, Torman Peake, Will Cole, and Denys Strong, who along with Hand Jon Connington are Lords of Harrenhal. Arianne Martell also seats at the small council next to her husband, and all members of the Kingsguard are present. Due to the large number, a rounded table was brought into the lord's hall, with Aegon siting at the throne and everyone else (bar Arianne) sit on whatever chairs are available.
When asked if there should be attempts to bring the Iron Throne to Harrenhal, Aegon dismisses it as he doesn't intend to rebuild the Red Keep, nor restore the Iron Throne, but instead wishes to turn it into a memorial to remind the Seven Kingdoms of the disaster that occurs in war. As for the Throne, the answer is that the chair is a symbol of the old conqueror, so his throne shall be one fit for a new conqueror; built not on the swords of his enemies, but on the mettle of his allies, so wishes to build it of steel (hopefully, with the help of Rhaegal to make it Valyrian steel). But for now, the old stone throne of Harren the Black will suit him fine.
Arianne is with child, much to the joy of the people as the line is secure for the foreseeable future. Ryam has moved into Harrenhal, as many of the small council members have, but also had Elenei and her wet nurse Serena moved to court so he could be closer to his daughter. Having already grown bigger than when he left her, he intends to see her grow more within his reach. Maester Jyman is the castellan of Storm's End while he's away, while giving Mychael Fell the title of Master of War, to call the banners should their be an invasion while he's in the Riverlands.
As Master of Laws, Ryam has been dealing with rewriting the laws of Westeros for the remaining kingdoms, even throwing out local laws as a result. Dorne is still maintained by Prince Doran so it has been left untouched by personal laws that go against Rhoynish Tradition. The worship of gods have been reduced to the Old Gods and the Seven, but have allowed people to maintain personal beliefs. The Religion of R'hllor has been outlawed and anyone seen practicing it are to be killed on sight. The Drowned God is still allowed, but the Iron Price is outlawed also. All tax is paid directly to the King and the money is divided to each region's Lord depending on requirements (i.e. the Riverlands receives the most while the Vale and Dorne receive the least due to war damages). Guest right is reinforced, as is the new Prisoners right which states that criminals are the be treated as they treat their victims. State and religion are seperated from each other, but a new title Shield of the Gods is created to ensure the Crowns protection of the religion which is coupled with Protector of the Realm. The succession is changed from agnatic to male-preferred primogeniture like with all other houses except in Dorne, but also forbids the monarch to be of any religion except the Old and New Gods.
In the coming days, many of the lords have began sending messages for approving or settling marriages; Harold Arryn to Sansa Stark being one of them (though they were still married and already expecting, it had been done under a false name of Alayne Stone when Petyr Baelish ruled as Lord Protector of the Vale until Lord Robert's death). Martyn Lannister (Kevan's last son and Tyrion's heir) is to wed, as is Trystane Martell. In private, Aegon has been making arrangements for Ryam to be wed to Saedys of Tyrosh, the daughter of the Archon Kaatarr of Tyrosh (whom they had defeated in their war for the Disputed Lands on behalf of Myr). Ryam thinks it's a ridiculous idea since Tyrosh would never agree to it after what either of them did, but Arianne notes that Saedys had been fostered at Sunspear, even played with her at the Water Gardens when they were both younger. Aegon jokes that it would make it easier for him to conquer the Stepstones with Tyrosh on their side, plus Lys has been crippled by defeats, and Myr is now a smoking ruin from reports, so Tyrosh is the best city for an oversea alliance.
Jon Connington's "sickness" is getting worse, making him miss most small council meetings, which have prompted people seeking Aegon to select a new Hand soon. Only Ryam and Grand Maester Gormon are allowed to visit him directly when he's absent due to his greyscale (Gormon who treats him, and Ryam who already suffered is immune now). Only the small council know of his condition.
From Dragonstone, Maester Zaldry reports that three of the six dragon eggs coverted from the Iron Isle have hatched into living dragons so far. Daenerys has apparently named them after Valyrian gods; Abravys, Jaenogar, and Qojorraela. She has also named the three unhatched ones also in the same manner; Morulghyr, Aexion, and Ilimaegra.
From the North, a chilling warning about the Snow King and his Ice Dragon, reportedly more than one account name the Others Commander as the resurrected corpse of Jon Snow (now dark indigo eyed and stress induced silver haired according to descriptions) wielding his Valyrian steel sword Longclaw. Because the other reports are only based on single reports rather than multiple sightings with the same name (other suggestions being Bran the Builder, the Night King, Joramund, Bloodraven, etc.), it is the 998th Lord Commander who is accepted to being the identity. Gormon is forced to summon Archmaester Marwyn from Oldtown, due to his Valyrian steel chain and immense studies into the occult which are of grave importance.
A boy with a large black direwolf, accompanied by the former smuggler, Ser Davos Seaworth, along with a letter from Lord Wyman Manderly, is confirmed to be Rickon Stark. His identity was solidified further upon being recognized by his elder sister. Upon swearing fealty to Aegon, he was officially named Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North in name only as the North was still being conquered by the slow armies of winter.
Prepping for the incoming war, the remnants of the Northern Armies, the Wildlings and the Night's Watch also fleeing from the cold, and of Stannis' remaining forces are combined into the 9th Army (White Knife). Stannis is conformed to be dead, as is his wife Selyse, as well as Lord Roose Bolton and his bastard Ramsay Snow. Shireen remains in Wyman Manderly's care, and is to be sent to Davos' family at Cape Wraith.
In need of weapons for the coming war, Ryam himself goes to Dragonstone in order to see that the obsidian is mined in preparation. He leaves and heads directly to New Aegonfort, preparing to take a boat from the Mudgate. He is still in awe at the destruction of his birthplace, but is secretly glad the city is gone since it inspired nothing but misery since it was created. He spots the great black dragon, Drogon taking its dive into the bay as his own ships start setting off for the island.
Upon arrival, he is greeted by Ser Davos, who has taken up the role of Castellan of Dragonstone as one of the few men alive who know the castle well and how it should be run. Moqorro still lurks on the island, and his presence as a Red Priest haven't fallen on deaf ears, since he is part of Daenerys' entourage, he has remained untouched by the laws of Westeros much to Ryam's annoyance but understanding due to Aegon's wishes to keep Daenerys from causing anymore problems for his reign. Moqorro spews radical claims about the war of Ice and Fire, of how the Snow King (Jon Snow) is the Great Other's champion and the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, and that the Prince who was Promised and Azor Ahai are two different figures now, standing as mortal enemies in the Winter Lands. No one takes his ravings seriously, not even Ryam who hears Moqorro call him "half-alive", which Ryam corrects as being "half-dead".
Due to the long journey, Ryam takes up residence in Stannis' former room to sleep the night. He dreams of nine dragons adorned in Gold, Silver, Yellow, Green, Orange, Red, Blue, Black and White marching into a snowstorm, where a Bronze dragon thrice the size awaits them. The Coloured dragons lose their paints and reveal their true appearances (a stag, a rose, a viper, a lion, a falcon, a kraken holding unto trout and a direwolf) only to get bogged down in the cold. The Gold dragon fights on but is easily bruised and becomes red with rust which trinkles like blood. The Silver dragon pushes on only to become darker in colour like Iron and then walks through the fire to become Steel. With its wings it shields the Gold dragon until it too darken and becomes Brass. As the Gold dragon gets up, a raven blinds the Bronze dragon, causing it to lose size as the nine dragons get up again and attack. He wakes up in sweat, which he finds peculiar since winter has already come even on the volcanic lands of Dragonstone. Before getting up, he has a brief glimpse of the Nightingale again, but this time he sees her with blue-green hair and amber eyes, before opening his eyes again.
Despite wishing to avoid seeing Daenerys during his trip, he is compelled to visit as it is expected to pay respects to the Lord of the holding (in this case, the Princess of Dragonstone is Dany). Davos take Ryam to what was once Melisandre's room, where a large fire pit lurks that keeps the room at a nominal temperature. All the furniture has already been torn through by the baby dragons, and Daenerys pays little attention to her reality these days. The only ones who ahve her attention are her "children". Davos also asks what will be done with the dragons once they outgrow the room, which Ryam states that when they are too large to be pets, they will be weapons and hopefully find a rider who will keep them tame. Though Daenerys makes no recollection of him by appearance or presence, Ryam feels like she is uncomfortably attentive to his movements. He leaves after taking the traditional bread and salt offered to guests.
Upon landing at the Mudport, Ryam departs the boat to make immediate haste back to Harrenhal with the caravan of Obsidian already collected. Before he can make the plans however, he is rudely called for by a Tyroshi envoy with dark blue hair, who makes demands for Ryam to escort him to Harrenhal like a common sellsword. Offended, Ryam threatens to slap the envoy across the face with his left hand (which is covered by long sleeves and a glove which hides its metal properties), which doesn't go too well with the envoy until Ryam informs him that he is talking to the Master of Laws and not a common soldier. Wounded by this revelation, Ryam is disgusted by how easily he changed his attitude, finding it irritable and refuses to take his company to Harrenhal with them. When the envoy attempts to protest further, he is stopped by his escort, who apologies on his behalf and asks if Ryam would do them the honour of joining them bound for Harrenhal. Though Ryam is tempted to ignore them, he notices that the escort is a women with amber eyes and blue-green hair, which compels him to accept.
As the journey takes several days longer due to the addition of the caravan and the Tyroshi envoys, they end up making a stop at the east bank of the God's Eye one of the nights. Ryam takes a bath in the lake after dining, but is stopped when the escort arrives at the bank and sees his metal arm (recounting the general Nuagdan Ardjogelimt who had a metal arm and a deathly green and black eye), and becomes afraid of the sight of him. Ryam finds a little irony that she expects him to be ruthless despite the Tyroshi being well known for making the cruelest of torture weapons and their harsh treatments of slaves. Ryam attempts to break the ice by speaking Valyrian, but finds a large gap in vocabulary between Myrish Valyrian and Tyroshi Valyrian (where it is softer in Myr and harsher in Tyrosh). After failing in Valyrian, Ryam resorts to just speaking aloud about whatever came to head all the while changing back into his clothes and within reach of his sword in case.
Ryam asks for her name, but she refuses to give it to him. She eventually says that her father used to call her "Byqola" (which means "little star" in Tyroshi Valyrian, from High Valyrian "byka" and "qēlos"). When Ryam tells her his real name, she reacts slightly, but not enough for Ryam to take much notice. Ryam begins talking about Elenei, how she is approaching a year old now, regretting having never been with her for more than a month, which is equivalent to nearly a twelfth of her entire life, and that she is growing up so fast that one of these days she start talking and ask "who that man is that visits every so often?", a fact that scares him more than being a father while he feels trapped between childhood and adulthood. As the tension in the area cools down, Ryam notices that her killer intent also declined, but just a little.
The escort says that she is to married off to a lord as part of an agreement in order to keep the peace between the king and the archon. When Ryam asks who this lord is, she says that its meant as a secret only herself, her father, her future husband and the king and queen know, so he is unfortunately not to know until they've reached Harrenhal. She asks Ryam if he is married, which Ryam says no, but states that he is also to be married to the Archon's daughter Saedys. The escort is surprised, but Ryam suspects it's because she is of the highest class in Tyrosh, leading to Ryam asking if she knows anything about her. The escort describes her as very beautiful and what not, but Ryam changes his question if she knew what her character was like, not her person since as he describes it "a rose is pretty but covered in many thorns, whereas blossom is just a pretty without hiding its true appearance. When a rose wilts, it dies losing all beauty to hide behind, but blossoms return every coming spring to paint the world in colour year after year." The escort answers that she knows little of her, but can only say what is considered common knowledge, which Ryam relents to.
Ryam ends the conversation saying that he will not apologise for attacking and defeating Tyrosh and neither should they expect any less from Aegon as it was the job they were asked to do on behalf of the former city of Myr. But he adds that he hopes that they can turn a new blank page in the prospect that there may be peace for years to come after this. The escort agrees happily as the two depart seperatly to their tents. Ryam comments to himself that whomever she marries is lucky to have a nice girl like her, before residing himself to sleep.
Upon returning to Harrenhal, Ryam is asked to report to the small council immediately as the processions are to begin. Despite being exhausted from the journey, he complies willingly and makes his way up into the King's Tower. In the Great Hall, Aegon asks for his reports and the success of the mission, which Ryam replies was fruitful, but does worry that many of these orders will be lost before the Others can taste them in the coming war. He expresses the worries for the safety of Dragonstone now that a lot of the Obsidian has been mined in such rate as to make the landscape unstable should the volcano decide to become active again. After the meeting is over, Aegon asks Ryam to accompany him to greet the Tyroshi since he's still here.
When both of them arrived, Ryam is still surprised by the sudden summons, but more surprised to see the escort talking with Queen Arianne so casually. He is only more shocked to discover that the girl is his betrothed Saedys of Tyrosh when Arianne greets her.
Aegon reveals that he has concluded his plans, summoning Damion Lannister, Willas Tyrell, Harold Arryn, Trystane Martell, Edmure Tully, Rodrik Harlaw and Galbart Glover (on behalf of Rickon Stark as one of his regents (others being Wyman Manderly, Greatjon Umber, Maege Mormont, and Howland Reed) in order to prepare their armies for the march into the North. But because this is needed to be implemented immediately, any treaties outstanding must be settled while the people indebted are still with the living, and hence it was arranged for Saedys to come here with haste so they could be wed.
Ryam is married to Saedys in order to secure good relations with Tyrosh before they set off to war. Shireen is betrothed to Devan Seaworth, Trystane is married to Leona Tyrell, Martyn Lannister to Jeyne Lannister (of Lannisport), and many, many more also have preemptive weddings before the march up North, leading to the event being known as the "Blue Weddings" since many of the married couples would never meet again after the armies marched North.
The campaign to the North is made to stop at Moat Cailin, and also to refortify White Harbour with a proper garrison so they can retain a supply route. The next stop is at Winterfell, and then it becomes a matter of time before they face the hordes of Others.
The winter gets worse, and deserters from the Night's Watch (including many of the Freys) are among the bandits that make several attempts to hamper and steal and kill from the convoys as the journey begins to split the forces in order to conserve individual resources. Before even being able to reach Moat Cailin, many of the armies had already started peeling off and seeking alternate low level forts and homes including Willow's Watch (which is reoccupied by the 9th Army). White Harbour becomes the hold for the 4th, 5th and 7th Armies, while the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Armies hold Moat Cailin. The 8th Army is making it's way to Barrowtown.
Aegon is injured during an attack made by the wights on Moat Cailin, leading him to remain in bed for several days. With the weather clearing during these times, Ryam is insistent that this will be their only chance in several weeks for a clean march to Winterfell, but cannot get the other army commanders to move without Aegon, so proceeds to march on with the 2nd Army alone.
The weeks journey lasted smoother than any of the 2nd would have expected, but the ruins of Winterfell were something to be desired, so the ruins of the Winter Village were the best place to stay until they could attempt making Wintefell a working fort on the morrow. But the night grows colder and the snow falls again in blizzards, forcing an early morning rise to make haste into the walls of Winterfell. The attacks from wights become a nightly event which causes the numbers of the 2nd Army to slowly decimate, with bodies now being used to fuel the fires erected inside the castle. No one dares to desert due to the imminent death that awaits them beyond the walls. Ryam is surprised that no one has turned on him so far, and hopes to see better fortune favour him when the rest of the armies rejoin them.
Rhaegal ends up making base at Winterfell without his rider, which bodes well for the 2nd Army as the added firepower keeps them safer, with the dead also serving as meals for the green dragon. A message tied to it's neck tells that Aegon and the rest of the army will be on the move immediately. With this information, the 2nd Army returns to higher morale as they continue to wait out the storm.
During the long nights, Ryam recounts the only story about the Ice Dragon, about the girl Adara who befriended an Ice Dragon who eventually died fighting three Fire Dragons from the North and was reduced to a puddle. Looking up at the sky, the Ice Dragon is also the constellation with it's tail pointing north towards the Wall, where the Night's King had also married an Other as he is believed to have done.
The Snow King and his dragon become visible, Rhaegal's roars are intercepted by the great ice white beast with glowing blue eyes and undead corpse-like state. The two armies stare at each other for three nights before the Wights launch a major assault and killing a great many of the 2nd Army. Ryam barely survives the night, only managing to hold onto one third of his original force before the Wights cease fighting for another three days. On the fourth night, they attack again, but this time, Aegon arrives with the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 9th Armies just as the walls of Winterfell are about to be breached.
The Snow King calls for a retreat from the fighting as the numbers threaten to overwhelm his forces, which leaves the battle in favour of the living. With the relief of supporting troops, Ryam is prepared to ask for the retreat of the 2nd Army back to Moat Cailin due to the large number of internal casualties, fleeting morale, and for the lack of available supplies to support six individual armies. However, as a consequence, Ryam is asked to remain behind, and to allow the ill Jon Connington to lead the march back with the 2nd Army remnants. Ryam agrees, but feels that his illness will kill him before he can make it back to shelter.
In order to end the battle, one of the following conditions acquired is to "kill the Other, who is thus controlling the Wights by proxy, and thus would bring an end to the armies" as Archmaester Marwyn writes. Since the Snow King becomes the prime target, they formalise a strategy;
In accordance with various strategies, removing the Ice Dragon from the main battle is the prine objective, resulting in using Rhaegal as a distraction to keep the winged beast far from the main battle. As the dead cannot be killed without fire, it is necessary to keep an ample supply of it and to make use of every spark. To fufil this, following in the example of Thoros of Myr, every blade will be ignited in order to maintain a flame to use in battle. The Snow King on the other hand requires a Valyrian steel or obsidian blade to kill him, so pulling him into battle would only create more casualties since an obsidian blade doesn't make an inept warrior. The easiest solution would be to either strike quick through the middle and to break his ranks, or to deploy an elite team to swing around the battlefield and strike when he is least expecting.
While this agreed upon, Ryam knows how easily a battle can turn and that a complicated scheme such as this may not go as planned. He asks to formulate a secondary and tertiary plan in case the primary strategy should fail. While many of the less educated lords think of this as a waste, experienced commanders, and even Aegon himself approves of the idea. With the collaboration of various imputs, two main concerns arise; if Rhaegal is killed and the Ice Dragon returns to battle, and if the Snow King himself joins the battle. The first counter-strategy is to destroy the dragon. The easiest solution would be to douse it in fire, but with no artillery or catapults, makeshift fire arrows and other flaming hand-held projectiles will have to do since getting close is a suicide mission, and wildfire is an outlawed substance. The second concern is to isolate the Snow King, which requires the Ice Dragon to remain away from the commander, leaving the specially armed men to take him out.
Despite all these measures, there is little assurance in Ryam's mind that they will survive this storm. He cites his dreams as never advancing further, and is scared of this sudden lack of forethought into matters.
As the dawn breaks, the armies are awoken by a roar that sounds like the tumbling of icebergs into the ocean. As the wights make an open assault on the castle, the armies prepare for battle. Rhaegal manages to form a barrier with its flames. This momentary distraction allows the armies to exit the walls and fight in the field. After a temporary assault, the wights are pulled back to the other side of the field. Both armies form up across the plains, as the Ice Dragon take flight, with Aegon and Rhaegal ready to fight. Aegon dismounts and orders his dragon to battle, leaving the two winged beasts to brawl alone.
The snows start falling as both sides charge to the field. In order to keep the Snow Kings attention to the battle, many of the forces attempt to break through the ranks and straight at the enemy commander in order to keep him ignorant of the men sweeping from the right flank. Aegon stays amongst the fighting men as not to arouse suspicion on his disappearance.
As the two armies clash in the fields, Rhaegal is injured by the larger Ice Dragon, and is grounded in the Wolfswood away from battle. The morale of the army now reaching a critical low, many of the men prepare to flee from the enemy for the safety of Winterfell. With the treacherous snows now laying a metre in depth, the two armies become trapped in the padded down flatlands created by their repeated movements until it comes a bath of mud. With the army fot he living still holding advantage over the land, the Snow King redeploys the Ice Dragon into the fray.
As the Ice Dragon flies above the living and dead, promptly landing in the centre of the battlefield, the ground freezes solid by it's presence. The charging force is blocked by the behemoth's presence and prepare to execute the missile fire. The Ice Dragon however freezes the projectiles with its icy breath and then proceeds to put many of the men from both sides into a state of cryogenic freezing
As the dragon begins to take aim on Aegon and the piercing force, one of the men throws their dagger straight into the beasts hide, causing unfamiliar pain, which prompts the rest of the forces to do the same at the risk of getting close. As the dragon wallows in pain, it thrashes and kills many people in it's struggle. As Aegon proceeds to push further through now that the dragon has been wounded, he catches sight of the advance party making its way, but the Snow King knocks most of them aside, and gravely injures those it doesn't kill (including Edmure Tully, Howland Reed, Greatjon Umber and Tristan Rivers). Ryam manages to block a strike with his arm, and even managed to drive his dagger into the Snow King's left shoulder, but recieves a similar strike also, causing him to fall down into the snow.
As Aegon and his kingsguard make it through, they engage the Snow King. Aegon slays the him personally after he strikes down two of his kingsguard, bleeding onto Blackfyre. With human blood washing over the Valyrain steel, the Snow King utters "thank you, but i'm afraid I cannot stay your grace. For you see, my watch has already ended. And I would like to rest now."
With the death of their commander, the wights die on the spot, while the still breathing Ice Dragon breathes slower and slower until it is no longer struggling from its injuries. The snowstorm clears to the sound of victory for the Realms of Men. Aegon hold his sword up high above his head, declaring total victory, as his voice becomes drowned by the call of his name echoing throughout the fields of Winterfell.
The dragon, Rhaegal is revealed to have survived, returning to its master in good time. Among the confirmed significant dead include Edmure Tully, Howland Reed, Greatjon Umber, Yohn Royce, Balon Swann, Lucas Corbray, Tormund Giantsbane, Eddison Tollet, Randyll Tarly, and many more names are also included. But this Pyrrhic victory is one most welcomed by the survivors. To replace the dead knights of the Kingsguard, Sers Andrew Estermont and Edmund Blackwood are chosen to take their place.
A Song for Lya is written in remembrance for all those who died in the war. Strangely it takes it's name from Lyanna Stark, which makes Ryam wonder if this song was dedicated to her or to her son, Aegon's half-brother (since the only other name mentioned in the song is Robb, alluding to Robb Stark). The North is reestablished as a province of the crown, and Rickon Stark officially takes his seat at Winterfell. Some of the Wildlings chose to bend the knee to the crown after a oath was formed between the Magnars and the King and his Lord Paramounts to restore all the lands above the Neck in the coming years. Presented with the Horn of Joramun (in place of a crown), Aegon accepts his new subjects with open arms.
Aegon is renamed Aegon VI, First Emperor of all of Westeros, King of the Andals, and of the Rhoynar, and of the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and the Lands Beyond the Wall, Protector of the Realm and Shield of the Gods. As the recognized overlord of the entire continent, Aegon has truly solidified his hold on the realm, and with the reemergence of dragons, hopes to solidify his family for more generations to come. Aegon also becomes known as the King who conquered Winter, the Dragon Emperor, and the Hero of the Realms of Men.
The Wall remains mostly intact, but now has a large gaping hole where the ruins of Castle Black once were. The Night's Watch is reorganized as the maintainers of the remnants of the East and West Walls from the Nightfort and Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. The Nightfort is the new capital of the Lands of the Wall and the Gifts known collectively as simply Wall. Unlike ever other region, the Lord Commander remains the elective leader, maintaining the buffer-zone between the North and the Beyond. Defeated warriors and petty criminals are still sent to the Wall to take the Black, but worse criminals are either killed without an option or made to "white walk", which means shipping them to the Frozen Shore in semi-exile and only if they survive the journey back to the realm's lands on foot will they be granted mercy at the Wall.
The Wildlings or Free Folk are granted leniency from certain laws along with certainly liberties shared by the Northerners. Beyond the Wall is renamed the Winterlands officially but is better known as the Beyond or Beyondlands and the Free Folk who have bent the knee are recognized as either Wintermen, Beyondmen or Far-Northmen. Hardhome is established as the Capital, where a council of Magnar are led by the Graw-Magnar (Great Lord), who is elected as the governing power by election. Because not all the Wildlings agreed to this, the Council handles the subjected Beyondmen, while a coalition of Beyondmen, Northmen and Night's Watch handle the renegade and independent factions. The two factions of Beyondmen call each other "Arlsh" (foreigners or enemies) and "Kneelers". As the lands beyond the Wall are barren, there is regular trade between the Wild Beyond and the Richer North.
With the The War Against the Night officially over, Ryam returns to Harrenhal with Aegon and the main host to the winter celebrations of the Kingdoms. The day of celebrations is recorded in history as the Frozen Mass or Frostmas as it was shortened to in later years and would always be celebrated on the nine days following the Winter Solstice, with the third day being designated as a holy day by the Citadel.
Ryam returns to Saedys and Elenei and resumes his duties as Master of Laws. Several weeks later, Arianne gives birth to the Crown Prince, Aemon Targaryen.
Later life[]
- "Though we wanted to have peace, it was never as easy as a scribble on a piece of paper. It was never achievable for more than a few more years in silence while players resume their great games and the whole plot restarts. The First Northern War, The Conquest of the Stepstones, The Diputed Lands Campaign, The War of the Pirates, The Second Northern War, The Broken Arm Battles, The Summer Isles Invasion, The Alliance of Seven Cities, The Great Dothraki Migration, The Return of Valyria, The Continental Conspiracy, The Third Northern War. All in twenty one years, with a few still ongoing or at ceasefire for the time being.
I have enjoyed my life thus far, and I have a family again. Saedys has been a good wife to me, even after all these years where I have been gone for years on end fighting wars to keep our realm prosperous and safe for our children. My eldest Elenei who is one-and-twenty was married at six-and-ten to the then twelve year old second prince Daeron, whom I bequeathed my holding of Summerhall to the both of them as well as their five children; Aenar who is approaching seven, four year old twins Elaena and Aemma, two year old Visenya, and newborn Daemon.
With Saedys my wife, we have our own six children; our eldest at nineteen Shaera, married to Olyvar Tyrell of Brightwater's Keep, the son of Garlan the Gallant. Those two are blessed with their own twins; Lynesse and Lyonel. Our second child and first son, as well as my heir, Mychel is six-and-ten now and already married as well to Dyanna Selmy, one of our own. Arlan, our second son is four-and-ten and squiring with Ser Balon Swann of the Kingsguard. Rolland is eight with a knack for swordsplay, while his junior Garin of seven years is showing promise in reading and has taken particular interest for military strategies. Haelys is three, and the youngest daughter Artemys who is one and a half, are both joyful children enjoying the freedom bestowed upon them in peace and security like children should at their age.
After the wars in the Stepstone, our treaty with Tyrosh ended up being made into an integration of the former Free City state into a region within the Realm. Saedys father, Archon Kaatarr has remained the leader. He retains his title, but is now also the Lord Paramount of the Narrow Sea which grants him governance over the Stepstones. Many of the new houses erected over the islands belong to the deposed houses of the former Iron Islands, who had gone back to their old ways, but now have a greater target against the Essosi and the Summer Islands now instead of their fellow Westerosi. Pirates still lurk in the islands, but the Ironborn are sturdy people and it makes for great hunting for them. As least it's them and not us is all I can say. As Saedys is his only child, and the city retains an elective succession, which we have successfully altered to agnastic which allows it to remain in the family means that it is quite possible for one of our children to inherit it which make me both joyful and also fearful for their safety in those dangerous lands. My wife and our children have often visited Tyrosh, but I myself have only ever gone a few times for political reasons as my previous actions have still warranted mistrust from the Tyroshi understandably. Bastards from the Stepstones are now called "Coves" after much debate and some discussion on the subject, but under Tyroshi-Ironborn law, they share a similar treatment as in Dorne.
Lord Jon Connington had died only two years within Aegon's reign sadly, leaving every would be lord offering themselves up as Hand after his passing. I myself served as Aegon's fifth and seventh hands following after Lord Tyrion Lannister who served eight years until he became bedridden after developing an infection in his liver from his drinking habits. After Uncle Tyrion, there was Lord Baelor Hightower, who ended having to step down after three years when his father Lord Leyton passed away. Next was Lord Harold Arryn who severed for less than a year before his incompetence proved his downfall. I served for the remaining year and another after until Aegon chose to appoint Nymeria Sand at the behest of his wife the Queen, which lasted for a good two months before she became bored and left one day, in which Aegon reappointed me as Hand. I served a total of eight years during both of my terms, and I maintained the King's peace while also leading armies in my own right. Lord Willas Tyrell serves now after I stepped down following the conclusion of the Dothraki Migration, and returned home to my family. Though Aegon wanted to keep me at court, I was a Hand meant for war, and with no war I wanted peace and to rule over my own lands.
Lord Mychael "Silveraxe" Fell, whom we named our eldest son Mychel after died this year having served loyally under my father as well as me for many years and I am saddened to see him go both as my Master of War and my closest ally. It was because of his passing that I chose to step down and return to Storm's End. I have no doubt that I will be recalled one of these days to serve at the small council again, but for now I remain content with my quieter life in the Stormlands where I should have been born all my life.
I have never lain with another woman since my marriage to Saedys, despite the Sevens attempts to tempt me during long campaigns away from home, but I have remained faithful with all my being, as I am certain Saedys also has. Because of the predominant Baratheon black hair, I have never needed to worry about whether my children were my own, and even when fairer haired Garin and Artemys were born, their deep blue eyes were enough to tell me they belonged with me. Elenei retains my Baratheon features, but inherited her mothers oriental face and figure thank the gods. Only the youngest Daemon has her black hair, but all have deep purple eyes, with Visenya owning indigo ones that blend well with her silver hair.
Amongst my other children are my three baseborn children; Jonnel aged nine-and-ten who was born to a farmer's widow I laid with in the Riverlands during the war between Aegon and Daenerys, Lucion eight-and-ten who was by one of my bedwarmers from my time healing at Seagard, as was eight-and-ten Kayley's mother. My two sons and daughter were black haired and blue eyed, which immediately stood out when Lord Jason Mallister sent a message to me one day in the form of a joke:
"Several days and several nights you slept under my roof, waking up exhausted every morning. And when you left and packed your things, you left two things behind black-and-blue and looking like you."
At my discovery of Lucion and Kayley, I later investigated and found Jonnel also had been born. Instead of leaving them with the bastard surname Rivers, I granted them the surname "Arjelint" (a more Westerosi sounding form of "Ardjogelimt") instead as a personal acknowledgement that they were mine. Jonnel was already walking by the time I found out about him, and was kept close by his mother who didn't want him to be taken from her, which left my hands tied about his education. Lucion and Kayley on the other hand were given training by the septon and maester of Seagard alongside Patrek Mallister's children at my behest, and even paid occasional visits to see them. Though Saedys acknowledged they had been born before our marriage and that she found no fault in their existences or my providing of care for them, I did always retain a certain fear that she would become distant if I started showing too much care for my baseborn children.
Lucion in particular did well thanks to my support; becoming the squire of Ser Patrek Mallister at the age of eleven as I had, before being knighted when he was seven-and-ten. He took a persona sigil reminiscent of the arms I had worn at the Blackwater, with a silver stag on black, and with a green gradient on the bottom half like the burnt cloaks my sellsword army wore. Lucion hopes to either become a landed knight or even a member of the future kingsguard if he cannot find a wife or a home of his own.
Kayley took her education seriously, but I fear she inherited mine and my father's womanising habits having taken to laying with other women very frequently from what I have heard. Jonnel continued growing up as a farmer with very little education much to my distress, but could do nothing for him as he approached manhood, although I have heard that he had taken up a blacksmithing apprenticeship at the Stoney Sept with a man named Ser Gendry Hollowhill, knighted by Lord Beric Dondarrion himself and married to a wife four years younger called Lyarra, whom he apparently calls "Arry" for inside reasons.
My right eye has begun losing its sight partially as a result of the infection all those years ago, but I have learnt to hide it by sharply turning my head right as if to have caught attention to something through sound alone. My left arm stopped aching as often after my twenty-third nameday, but due to the metal grafted around it, I have noticed it to be shorter than my right arm, not that anyone has noticed from appearance alone. I still cry blood on occasions, but I have thankfully experienced it during periods of stress rather than a continual situation. I am grateful that none of these ailments have hindered my ability to rule my domain and fulfill my duties to the Seven and to the King.
King Aegon's reign has been stable and has maintain great authority over the realm with or without me sitting at his small council. With Queen Arianne and the Princes Aemon, Daeron and Jaehaerys, and the Princesses Rhaenys and Alysanne, House Targaryen is firmly cemented at Harrenhal with the five most powerful lords in the realm, and the seven greatest knights on the continent. More dragons have hatched and Rhaegal has fathered more eggs also making the total dragons at thirteen including the ronin Drogon who continues his migration in Blackwater Bay. All five of my grandchildren through Elenei were given an egg at birth, but only the twins Elaena and Aemma, and Daemon were able to hatch theirs thus far, with Aenar expressing distress as his younger siblings having received theirs, but Visenya says her egg has begun to feel warm in her hands as of late.
With both our shared grandchildren, Aegon and I are referred to respectively as "Granddrag" and "Grandstag" respectively, which started a small joke by the Queen, but has thus become our monikers among our descendants, even children of the King's other children have taken to calling me the same after watching their cousins do so freely. It makes me embarrassed thinking about a being addressed as such by the royal family.
For the future, well let's just say that I won't be relying on my dreams to tell me reality anymore. My choices will carry me to my path, and I choose what I will make for myself." - ―Ryam Baratheon, 322AC
Quotes by Ryam[]
- "The Stranger lurks inside the smoke
inciting fear in all the folk
Awaiting wrapped in darkest cloak
it stalks the little children" - ―Singing the unpopular 'seventh verse' of the "Song of the Seven" hymn.
- "Is it because I possess the blood of Aegon V that I am going mad? Are these dreams as real as the gods of old Valyria had been when Daena the Dreamer prophesied the end? Are the Seven the ones to bless me or curse me? I would choose to sleep on it, but I fear that would only encourage them."
- ―Contemplating over his supposed prophetic dreams after experiencing them becoming true.
- "Do you expect me to fear you?"
"I don't expect. I demand. I demand you beg for forgiveness and maybe I'll let you keep most of your fingers."
"That is why I no longer fear you; ever since we were children, you would throw threats like these whenever you didn't like what I doing. I was scared, because you would be the king, and you were my older brother. But when such actions are thrown around for so long, they might as well be a myth. You will not take my fingers, or my tongue, or my eyes, or whatever thing you desire for decoration. We may be brothers, but sitting on that throne with a lump of metal on your head doesn't make you anymore intimidating."
"It seems that you've been hit in the head too many times; just to remind a luggard like you that what I wear is a crown of gold. Pure gold in fact. This gives me every right to exercise how much more powerful I will always be compared to you."
"Gold has always been weaker than silver." - ―Ryam and Joffrey arguing in the great hall.
Quotes about Ryam[]
- "The second prince is different from his elder brother, in many ways than one. When I first saw the boy, I never doubted that he was Robert's. But, that was then I started getting the query that all was not right in the line of succession as two more entirely blonde haired and green eyed babes popped out of my brother's wife's belly."
- ―Stannis Baratheon, contemplating his reasons for having started becoming suspicious.
- "But, your Grace. By doing so, by condemning the legitimacy of all of King Robert's sons, you are naming even the second prince a bastard."
"I will do what I must to ensure my house retakes what is rightfully ours. Even if I must slander the only legitimate offspring my brother ever sired. If I start making compromises in my goals then the lords are sure to pick at it even more than they already have. Making exceptions in all aspects is what leads to the downfall in our morals in the end." - ―Davos Seaworth and Stannis Baratheon
- "Had my fool of a grandson not ordered Lord Stark's head to be removed from his body, we wouldn't need to fight for your incompetence."
"You make it sound like all this is my fault."
"If you had done your duty and sired four children by Robert, we wouldn't be having the conversation, nor this war for that matter. Had he at least been the first, we may have even salvaged this situation before it erupted into war. But, he is not."
"What would you suggest doing instead?"
"It would have been easier to have the current king replaced by his brother. The one that everyone can attest is a Baratheon."
"You want to kill the king. Your own grandson. How shameless are you, father?"
"Don't ever question my motives again. If one grandson must die to ensure the survival of our family, then it is a price I would be more than willing to pay so long as stability follows." - ―Tywin Lannister and Cersei Lannister
Family[]
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ormund Baratheon | Rhaelle Targaryen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Renly Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joffrey Baratheon | Ryam Baratheon | Myrcella Baratheon | Tommen Baratheon | Shireen Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ormund Baratheon | Rhaelle Targaryen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Renly Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joffrey I Baratheon | Ryam Baratheon | Myrcella Baratheon | Tommen Baratheon | Shireen Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ormund Baratheon | Rhaelle Targaryen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Renly Baratheon | Margaery Tyrell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joffrey I Baratheon | Ryam Baratheon | Myrcella Baratheon | Tommen Baratheon | Shireen Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ormund Baratheon | Rhaelle Targaryen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Renly Baratheon | Margaery Tyrell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joffrey I Baratheon | Ryam Baratheon | Myrcella Baratheon | Tommen I Baratheon | Margaery Tyrell | Shireen Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ormund Baratheon | Rhaelle Targaryen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Renly Baratheon | Margaery Tyrell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joffrey I Baratheon | Ryam Baratheon | Myrcella Baratheon | Tommen I Baratheon | Margaery Tyrell | Shireen Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ormund Baratheon | Rhaelle Targaryen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Renly Baratheon | Margaery Tyrell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sai Ri | Ryam Baratheon | Shireen Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elenei Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Aegon V Targaryen | Betha Blackwood | Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jaehaerys II Targaryen | Shaera Targaryen | Rhaelle Targaryen | Ormund Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aerys II Targaryen | Rhaella Targaryen | Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rhaegar Targaryen | Elia Martell | Daenerys Targaryen | Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rhaenys Targaryen | Aegon VI Targaryen | Arianne Martell | Sai Ri | Ryam Baratheon | Shireen Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elenei Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Lyonel Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ormund Baratheon | Rhaelle Targaryen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steffon Baratheon | Cassana Estermont | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Renly Baratheon | Margaery Tyrell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sai Ri | Ryam Baratheon | Saedys of Tyrosh | Shireen Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elenei Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- italic = deceased, bold = reigned
| Robert I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Kaatarr of Tyrosh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sai Ri | Ryam Baratheon | Saedys of Tyrosh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elenei Baratheon | Daeron Targaryen | Jonnel Arjelint | Lucion Arjelint | Kayley Arjelint | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aenar Targaryen | Elaena Targaryen | Aemma Targaryen | Visenya Targaryen | Daemon Targaryen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olyvar Tyrell | Shaera Baratheon | Mychel Baratheon | Dyanna Selmy | Arlan Baratheon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lynesse Tyrell | Lyonel Tyrell | Rolland Baratheon | Garin Baratheon | Haelys Baratheon | Artemys Baratheon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Titles[]
Styles[]
- 286 - 298 AC: His Royal Highness, Prince Ryam of the House Baratheon
- 298 - 299 AC: His Royal Highness, Prince Ryam, Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands
- 299 - 301 AC: His Royal Highness, Ser Ryam, Prince of Summerhall, Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands
- 300 AC: His Royal Highness, Prince Ryam of the House Baratheon, Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, Prince Commandant of Myr
- 300 AC: His Royal Highness, Prince Ryam of the House Baratheon, King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea (Titular only)
- 301 - 317 AC: His Serene Highness, Ser Ryam of the House Baratheon, Prince of Summerhall, Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands
- 317 AC - present: His Serene Highness, Ser Ryam of the House Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands
From birth, Ryam was styled as "Prince" since his father ascended the throne three years prior. He became second-in-line to succeed after his elder brother, Joffrey, and later the heir presumptive after the death of his father in 298 AC. Despite being second-in-line, he never inherited the former crown prince title "Prince of Dragonstone" due to both that he was not the heir should Joffrey have borne a son later in life, and also because the title had been coveted to his uncle, Stannis Baratheon four years before his birth as "Lord of Dragonstone". Even when Stannis rose in rebellion following Joffrey's ascension, the crown never revoked nor transferred the title over.
After the Battle of the Blackwater, he was granted a knighthood for his service during the battle, and was also granted the title "Prince of Summerhall", which had been long defunct following the keep's destruction. The title formally acknowledged his place in succession, which had been questioned after he succeeded his uncle Renly as "Lord of Storm's End" and "Lord Paramount of the Stormlands" following his revolt and later demise.
Despite being first-in-line in 300 AC, he never succeeded his elder brother due to being presumed dead at the time of his possible ascension, which meant that the crown passed to his younger brother and second-in-line at the time, Tommen. But even after he returned to Westeros, he was never offered the crown again, even when the fact that his elder and younger brothers had been illegitimate and ineligible to succeed by law.
As the closest living relative to the new king, Aegon VI Targaryen, Ryam was again placed first-in-line to succeed and was allowed to continue to be styled as "Prince" and "His Serene Highness" despite being part of the previous dynasty, following the disinheritance of Daenerys. He remained so even after his was pushed further from the line of succession by the children of the new king, but the styling would not be passed to his children, except to his eldest daughter, Elenei, who married the second prince of the realm, Daeron Targaryen, who also succeeded Ryam as "Prince of Summerhall" as a wedding present.
Honours[]
Military Rank[]
296 - 299 AC: Squire- 298 AC - present: Lord Paramount, the Stormlands
- 298 - 299 AC: Lord Paramount (Titular only)
- 299 AC: Captain, White Hart
- 299 - 300 AC: Knight
- 299 - 300 AC: Lord Commander, The Bloodied Tears
- : 300 AC: Prince Commandant, Free City of Myr
- : 300 AC - present: Lord Commander, the Children of the Silver Blood
- 300 AC - present: Knight
- 300 - 301 AC: Ser Commander, 2nd Division Silver Sword
- 300 - 301 AC: Lord Admiral, 2nd Fleet Ruby Mast, & 3rd Fleet Emerald Hull
- 301 AC: Ser Commander, 2nd Division Silver Sword
- 307 - 308 AC: Lord Admiral, 1st Fleet, Sapphire Sail
- 308 - 311 AC: Ser Commander, 1st Division, Golden Crown
- 311 AC: Lord Admiral, 1st Fleet, Sapphire Sail
- 315 - 321 AC: Ser Commander, 1st Division, Golden Crown
- 317 - 319 AC: Lord Admiral, 1st Fleet, Sapphire Sail
Appointments[]
- 286 - 300 AC: Prince of the Realm, Baratheon Dynasty
- 298 - 299 AC: Master of Ships, King Joffrey's Small Council
- 299 AC: Assisting Master of Ships, King Joffrey's Small Council
- 300 AC: Prince Commandant, Free City of Myr
- 300 AC - present: Prince of the Realm, Targaryen Dynasty
- 300 - 318 AC: Master of Laws, King Aegon VI's Small Council
- 316 - 317 AC: Acting Hand of the King, King Aegon VI's Small Council
- 318 - 322 AC: Hand of the King, King Aegon VI's Small Council
Appearences[]
Books[]
- A Game of Thrones (1996)
- A Clash of Kings (1998)
- A Storm of Swords (2000)
- A Feast for Crows (2005)
- A Dance with Dragons (2011)
- The Winds of Winter (forthcoming)
- A Dream of Spring (forthcoming)
TV Series[]
| Season One (A Game of Thrones) | ||||
| Winter is Coming | The Kingsroad | Lord Snow | Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things |
The Wolf and the Lion |
| A Golden Crown | You Win or You Die |
The Pointy End | Baelor | Fire and Blood |
| Season Two (A Clash of Kings) | ||||
| The North Remembers |
The Night Lands | What is Dead May Never Die |
Garden of Bones | The Ghost of Harrenhal |
| The Old Gods and the New |
A Man Without Honor |
The Prince of Winterfell |
Blackwater | Valar Morghulis |
| Season Three (A Storm of Swords Part 1: Steel and Snow) | ||||
| Valar Dohaeris | Dark Wings, Dark Words |
Walk of Punishment | And Now His Watch is Ended |
Kissed by Fire |
| The Climb | The Bear and the Maiden Fair |
Second Sons | The Rains of Castamere |
Mhysa |
| Season Four (A Storm of Swords Part 2: Blood and Gold) | ||||
| Two Swords | The Lion and the Rose |
Breaker of Chains | Oathkeeper | First of His Name |
| The Laws of Gods and Men |
Mockingbird | The Mountain and the Viper |
The Watchers on the Wall |
The Children |
| Season Five (A Feast for Crows) | ||||
| The Wars to Come | The House of Black and White |
High Sparrow | Sons of the Harpy | Kill the Boy |
| Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | The Gift | Hardhome | The Dance of Dragons | Mother’s Mercy |
| Season Six (A Dance with Dragons) | ||||
| The Red Woman | Home | Oathbreaker | Book of the Stranger |
The Door |
| Blood of My Blood | The Broken Man | No One | Battle of the Bastards |
The Winds of Winter |
Trivia[]
- Ryam was named after Ser Ryam Redwyne, who served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard during the reigns of King Jaehaerys I and King Viserys I. He was considered the greatest knight of his day, but was also considered one of the worst Hands of the King the realm has ever seen and was dismissed from office in less than a year.
- In an effort to be better than his namesake, Ryam would take to learning general politics at an early age alongside his martial studies.
- With the exception of Haelys and Artemys, all of Ryam's legitimate children are named after important figures:
- Elenei is named after Elenei, the Queen of the first Stormking, Durran Godsgrief.
- Shaera is named after Queen Shaera Targaryen, the sister-wife of King Jaehaerys II.
- Mychel is named after Lord Mychael "Silveraxe" Fell.
- Rolland after Ser Rolland Darklyn, who was the youngest member of the Kingsguard in history until the ascension of Ser Jaime Lannister.
- Arlan is named after King Arlan I the Avenger who conquered the Blackwater Rush in the Crownlands, and his great-grandson King Arlan III Durrandon who won the Battle of Six Kings and extended the Kingdom to the Riverlands.
- Garin is named after Prince Garin the Great, the Prince of the Rhoynar.
- His bastard son, Jonnel is most likely named after Lord Jonnel Stark, who was also known as The One-Eyed.