The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 46

Even as 132 AL began coming to a close, the war began expanding further. Clashes in the Riverlands were brought to an end as Prince Daemon took Stone Hedge and forced the submission of the Brackens. In the Reach, Lord Hightower's attempt to march on Horn Hill was met with defeat after he walked into a Tarly ambush.

All sides began moving to their first major clashes. Criston Cole marched with seven thousand men from King's Landing, heading for Duskendale. As for my father, he was marching on Ironoaks. House Waynwood had declared for Rhaenyra, and Eldric was rallying his forces there.

The Battle of Ironoaks was to be the first major battle my father fought. Though many songs have been written of it, the reality is that it might've gone the other way had it not been for Prince Daeron and Ser Joffrey.

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Outside Ironoaks

Daevar, Kermit and Corwyn were seated on horseback opposite Eldric, Lord Waynwood, and Gunthor Royce. It had been some time since Daevar had seen Gunthor, but that was for his own reasons. The man had never been able to abide that Runestone had passed to Daevar's mother instead of himself, and he'd all but abandoned Gerold in a fit of pique at his brother.

"You have our demands. You can bend your knees and live, or fight and die." Daevar said. "Any survivors will be imprisoned."

"We are sworn to Queen Rhaenyra." Eldric said, a thin smile on his face. "She has acknowledged my father as the true Lord of the Eyrie, and me as Regent. It's more than you ever did."

"You're committing treason against your liege lady." Ser Corwyn said.

"And you're committing treason against your Queen." Eldric replied. "You can be the judge of which is more severe."

"Your mother's debt to me is still to be repaid!" Gunthor said. The man was in his late 60s with a bald head, but was still built like an aurochs. His heavy plate armour only seemed to add to his fearsome appearance.

"Your debt does not exist, Ser Gunthor." Daevar snapped. "My mother was acknowledged as the Lady of Runestone decades ago. Your son accepts it, so why can't you?"

"Gerold has been a disgrace of a son." Gunthor spat. "Where is he? Too much of a coward to show his face?!"

"Peace, Gunthor." Eldric replied. "You have two options now. Either you bend your knees to Queen Rhaenyra and hand over Prince Daeron for judgement, or you can die. We'll expect your answer within the hour." He turned his horse around and rode back towards his army, fifteen thousand strong with the addition of the Waynwoods. Daevar's army was outnumbered, but not significantly.

"Would you believe I once called Lord Waynwood a brother?" Ser Corwyn asked. "Now he's declared against you." He said as they turned around to ride back to their own army.

"We are outnumbered." Kermit said.

"We don't need to withstand them forever." Daevar said. "Daeron has gone to guide Ser Joffrey towards us. With a bit of luck, he'll hit them in the flank after battle is joined."

Kermit nodded. They didn't need to hold the line forever, just until Ser Joffrey arrived with the Arryn soldiers, then they could send Eldric's army scattering to the winds and focus on taking the strongholds of his supporters. Of course, the whole plan relied on Eldric being the one to attack, and then him being pinned in place long enough for Daeron and Joffrey to attack from the side.

"A lot could go wrong, Your Grace." Corwyn said.

Daevar simply nodded.

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