The year 191 AC is forever etched into the annals of Westeros as the beginning of the Second War of the Dragons, also known as the War of the Fate of Flames. This civil war, born from the simmering tensions between House Dragaryan and House Targaryen, would engulf the Seven Kingdoms in a bloody conflict that would reshape the political landscape and decide the fate of the dragons.
The Duel that Sparked the Flames
The war's origins can be traced to a duel over possession between Rhaena, daughter of Rhaenyra I Targaryen, and her niece, Rhaenyra II. Rhaena, a formidable and proud woman, was challenged by her younger and ambitious niece in a bid for control over a significant inheritance. The duel ended in tragedy, with Rhaena being slain by Rhaenyra II. This act of kin-slaying ignited the long-simmering tensions between the Targaryens and their Dragaryan cousins.
Baelon II Dragaryan, discontent with his position and the ever-growing influence of his cousin, Aegon II Targaryen, saw this as an opportunity to challenge the Targaryen supremacy. Gathering his forces, he declared war, thus plunging the realm into chaos.
The Sides Take Shape
As the war began, the realm split into factions. On one side stood Aegon II, supported by Rhaenyra II and the majority of House Targaryen. They were aligned with **Daeron of Blackfyre**, a staunch Targaryen loyalist, who was eager to prove his worth and uphold his family's honor.
Opposing them were the Dragaryans, led by Baelon II. He was supported by Shiana Dragaryan, his daughter, and Valarr Dragaryan, a knight known for his cunning and ambition. Baelon's forces also included Daemon of Pentos, a powerful ally who controlled significant resources in the Free Cities. Additionally, Lady Taria and Lady Siane Tully, both prominent figures within their respective houses, pledged their support to Baelon's cause.
With the sides drawn, the Dragaryans marched on King's Landing, leading an army of 100,000 strong. The city braced for the inevitable conflict, and when the Dragaryan forces arrived, the battle that ensued was one of the most destructive in the history of Westeros.
The Battle of King's Landing
The Battle of King's Landing was a brutal and bloody affair, with both sides committing their full might to the fray. The clash was marked by intense street battles, dragon fire, and the devastation of the city itself.
A pivotal moment in the battle occurred when Baelon II Dragaryan, mounted on his fearsome dragon Luciferion, took to the skies. As the battle raged below, Baelon flew towards the Dragonpit, the ancient stronghold of the Targaryen dragons. In a devastating attack, Luciferion unleashed a torrent of flame, reducing the Dragonpit and the castle to rubble. The destruction was catastrophic, and many Targaryens were caught in the inferno.
Vaegon Targaryen's grandson, Valaena Targaryen, along with Gaemon, the grandson of Aegon II and his designated heir, perished in the flames. Maenar and his son Nearys, descendants of Daenerys, also met their end in the blaze. This left Vaegon and his son as the only surviving members of the Daenerys branch of House Targaryen.
The attack on the Dragonpit led to the release of several dragons, who, now unbridled, wreaked havoc across the city. Among the casualties was Valarr Dragaryan, who, in a cruel twist of fate, was devoured by one of the freed dragons.
The culmination of the battle saw Daemon of Pentos and Daeron of Blackfyre facing off in what would be known as the Duel of Kings. In a fierce and evenly matched combat, Daemon ultimately emerged victorious, slaying Daeron and striking a significant blow to the Targaryen cause.
The Dragon Duel: Baelon II vs. Aegon II
The climax of the war came with the much-anticipated dragon duel between Baelon II and Aegon II. The two leaders, atop their respective dragons, Luciferion and Sunfyre, clashed in the skies above King's Landing. The battle was a terrifying display of power and ferocity, with both dragons unleashing their full might against each other.
The skies burned as dragon fire illuminated the battlefield below. The two dragons tore into each other with savage ferocity, their riders desperately trying to gain the upper hand. In a decisive moment, Luciferion clamped his jaws around Sunfyre's neck, and with a final, devastating burst of flame, Baelon II's dragon consumed Aegon II and Sunfyre both.
With the death of Aegon II, the Targaryen forces were thrown into disarray. The Dragaryans, though battered, emerged victorious. King's Landing was a smoldering ruin, and the war, though not yet over, had taken a decisive turn.
The Aftermath and End of the War (192 AC)
Despite his victory, Baelon II was gravely injured during the dragon duel. For a year, the war dragged on with skirmishes and smaller battles, but the heart had been torn out of the Targaryen cause with the loss of Aegon II. In the year 192 AC, Baelon II, weakened by his injuries, finally succumbed to his wounds. His death marked the end of the war and the return of Dragonstone to Dragaryan control.
Helaena Targaryen, Aegon II's daughter, was crowned as the new Dragon Queen. She ascended the Iron Throne after the death of Daenerys, securing her position as the ruler of Westeros. The once-great city of King's Landing was left in ruins, a testament to the destructive power of dragons and the cost of civil war.
In Blackfyre, the young prince Maenar, son of Daeron, was crowned king. The Blackfyre line, though diminished, continued under his rule.
As 192 AC drew to a close, the Dragaryan line also saw changes. Rhaegal Dragaryan took over as King of Dragonstone at the age of 22, following his father's death. The year ended with the birth of Aelinor Dragaryan, the fifth child of Rhaegal, signaling the continuation of the Dragaryan bloodline.
Legacy of the War
The War of the Fate of Flames, or the Second War of the Dragons, left an indelible mark on the history of Westeros. The death of so many key players, the destruction of King's Landing, and the near-extinction of dragons were a stark reminder of the cost of ambition and the perils of civil war. The Dragaryans, though victorious, were left to rebuild in the shadow of the devastation they had wrought. The Targaryens, now led by Helaena, would have to find a way to restore their fractured house and reclaim their former glory
The years following the War of the Fate of Flames marked a period of significant upheaval and transformation for House Dragaryan, House Targaryen, and the newly founded House Silverwing. These decades were filled with wars, political intrigue, and the slow decline of dragonkind, culminating in the year 300 AC, where the histories of these once-great houses intertwine in a final chapter.
The year 192 AC marked the conclusion of the War of the Fate of Flames and ushered in a new era for the dragon houses of Westeros. The events that followed would see the rise and fall of kingdoms, the end of Targaryen rule, the emergence of new dynasties, and the gradual decline of dragonkind. The turbulent history of House Targaryen, House Dragaryan, and House Silverwing from 192 AC to 300 AC is a saga of ambition, betrayal, and the enduring struggle for power.
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A Historical Recount of House Dragaryen From the years 136 AC to 300 AC
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