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The Histories And Wars Of Westeros, Presented By The Orders Of The Maesters:-----
(((((Today's Topic, The War Of The Five Kings)))
The War Of The Five Kings is considered the bloodiest War ever fought, in Westerosi history.
According to historians and maesters of Old Town. More than an estimated three to four million lives, most of them being smallfolks, were lost in this year long conflict.
While much of the events has been diluted by passage of time and many sources destroyed over the courses of history, it is theorised that most of the Smallfolk casualties occurred during Robb Stark's brutal and devastating military campaigns in The Westerlands and The Reach.
While Tywin Lannister's campaign in The Riverlands is nothing sort of brutal, it still pails in comparison, to the devastation Robb Stark unleashed on The Westerlands and The Reach.
Some accounts claim, that the Northern Army depopulated more than a quarter of The Westerlands during their invasion and occupation.
While many Historians claim, that the numbers are exaggerated, some historians say that there can be some grain of truth in this claims. For the Northmen despised the men of The West for the destruction and chaos they caused in The Riverlands, and many in the Northern Army, Robb Stark, included will no doubt wanted retribution for the crimes committed against their Riverland allies.
There are even accounts of how Robb Stark's army destroyed and massacred entire villages and cities, like the Sack Of Ashemark in 299 AC. So the claims of The Westerlands losing a quarterr of their population, can be true.
Robb Stark's campaign in The Reach is less destructive than his campaign in The Westerlands, but by no means it was less brutal than The West.
The accounts claimed, that the Northern Army destroyed almost all the fishing villages and other settlements, lining up the banks of The River Mander. This caused scarcity of food in some regions of Stormlands and Dorne, as this Kingdoms, buy most of their fish and other food sources from The Reach. And the destruction of this fishing villages lining up The Mander, caused some food scarcity, for a time.
According to records, The Reach lost an estimated total of 300,000 men, soldiers and small folk included. While it was far less than The Westerlands and The Riverlands, it still affected the neighbouring Kingdoms as most of their food source comes from The Reach.
Dorne and Vale remained neutral and relatively untouched by the fires of war, even though House Royce joined the war just before the Battle Of God's Eye and House Martell called its banners and fortified the Princess Pass, for the duration of the War.
Even though The North, fought the war since it officially began in 299 AC, it surprisingly remained relatively untouched, except for the light raiding in Bear Island by Victorian Greyjoy.
It is estimated that The North lost only less than 15,000 men, small folk and soldiers combined. Making it one of the lowest affected Kingdom in the war.
Excerpt from the book History And Wars of Westeros by Archmaester Zarabelo.
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300 AC
RIVERLANDS
RIVERRUN
MYRCELLA BARATHEON
She was scared. Ever since she saw the army leave Riverrun, she felt insecure.
Not that, she thought, anything could happen to her personally, because if her Grandfather won, then she will be free and even if Robb won, then she will still be safe.
But Myrcella was scared, terribly scared, perhaps more than ever. She was scared for Robb, the only boy, she can truly ever love.
She knew that what she was thinking, was treason, knew that her family would despise her if they knew about her love for Robb.
But She didn't care.
Her Uncle Jaime had once said that we always follow our heart, no matter how painful it is. Because we we can’t help who we love.
And she loves Robb with all her heart, and she will not change it, even if her family hates.
Two weeks after the army left Riverrun, a messenger came with news about the battle, fought in God's Eye.
The messenger is covered with blood and mud, his clothes were torn and his armour covered in scratches. No doubt he had travelled all the way from Harrenhal, without rest or a bath.
The messenger entered the main hall of Riverrun and went to the main table, where Robb's mother, Lady Catelyn was waiting with Kyle Condon, the man who had been in charge of guarding the castle and especially the king's mother in case the battle was lost.
The messenger had a letter in his hand and Myrcella realised, that the man was a Northmen, evident by the sigil of Direwolf on his breastplate.
The silence on the Great Hall was evident. As everyone was nervous about the news of the battle.
Finally Lady Catelyn broke the tension by offering the soldier some water before asking him about the outcome of the battle.
"Tell me Ser, what news did you bring about my son?" The Lady of Winterfell asked politely, with an emotionless face.
The soldier smiled, and Myrcella felt some relief at that. A soldier loyal to House Stark would never smile, if something bad happened to their King.
"My lady" The soldier began "The royalist army has been defeated, nah they were decimated. Tens of thousands of men who fought for the bastard on The Iron Throne have died at the God's Eye".
Stunned silence engulfed the room as everybody processed the information. Seeing this the messenger continued.
"Tywin Lannister is dead, he is killed by our King, in single combat" The soldier continued "And many highborn lords re captured as prisoners".
Hearing the final words of the soldier, the occupants of the Great Hall, seemed to come out of their silence and they began to cheer for their King.
"STARK!!STARK!!!STARK!!" The occupants of The Great Hall cheered in jubilation.
Lady Catelyn smiled, for the first time since she had seen her after her capture, and graciously thanked the messenger.
"You have done us a great service, Ser" She thanked the messenger graciously, before turning to look at one of her servants "Please tell the maids to prepare a hot bath and a fresh meal, for him".
The soldier thanked Lady Stark and followed the maids, no doubt to take his first bath in weeks.
Myrcella sighed, relieved that Robb is safe, but she immediately gasped when she realised what she had just done.
Her Grandfather Tywin is dead. Thousands of men loyal to House Lannister and The Iron Throne, were slaughtered like sheep
And she just sighed in relief. Sighed in relief for her family's defeat.
She turned around and fled the Hall, to seek refuge on the Sept Of Riverrun. To ask the gods for help, to ask the Mother and Maiden for guidance against her conflicting emotions.
And ask the gods for forgiveness, for betraying her own family.
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300 AC
CROWNLANDS
KING'S LANDING
VARYS
The small council chambers is completely silence.
No one dared to speak, but they didn't need to. As there fearful expression said everything.
A messenger had just arrived this morning with the news of the disastrous battle, fought in God's Eye.
At first King Joffrey Baratheon had welcomed the messenger with a smile on his face. No doubt delighted on hearing the expected news of Robb Stark's death.
But the smile was wiped out of the arrogant King's face, when the messenger delivered the news of Tywin Lannister's death and his defeat at the hands of Robb Stark's army.
The King had been furious and he almost ordered the poor messanger's execution for delivering them supposedly false news.
But Lord Tyrion prevented that and managed to restrain his nephew from doing something foolish, in his anger. After that he dismissed court and immediately ordered a Small Council meeting.
And Now they are here to discuss how to asses the recent events.
Queen Cersei, Grand Maester Pycelle and Janos Slynt were pale with fear. And why shouldn't they, Slynt and Pycelle were Cersei's dogs and Queen Cersei is nothing without Tywin.
Tyrion was calmly sitting beside him, nursing his cup of wine while the King paced the room. His green eyes wide with fear.
"Well" Tyrion began slowly "It is all over. The war is lost, we placed all our bets on my father winning the battle, but it is over" he leaned back on his chair "We have to sue for peace now".
Joffrey stopped his pacing and looked at his uncle with murderous eyes, which held a healthy dose of fear.
"Peace!!" Joffrey spat with a trembling voice "The only peace, I will give the traitor is a spike for his head".
Tyrion slammed his hands on the table, "If you didn't hear the messenger clearly, then I will tell you again. Our army is destroyed, my father is dead and we have nothing to oppose Robb Stark's army. We don't have any important prisoners to compromise, while the Young Wolf holds all the cards" he glared before he softly added "We have host!".
"Then prepare the city's defences, Stark won't be able to breach the walls" Joffrey said confidently/stupidly "We will last them on a siege".
"You want to last Robb Stark on a siege" Tyrion said ridiculously and even Varys have to say that it is utter stupidity "The same Robb Stark who captured Casterly Rock and Golden Tooth, with ease if I may add".
Joffrey coloured in embarrassment and anger before he looked at the council "If I hear anyone, doing any sort of peace deal with Robb Stark without my contest, then I will have them executed, and that includes You too mother" he glared at them "This is my order" he declared before leaving the council chambers with a huff.
As soon as the King excited the room, Tyrion turned towards his sister.
"We have to sue for peace" Tyrion pleaded to her sister "Or we will all be good as dead".
Cersei just slumped on her chair and said tiredly "Didn't you heard the king, we can't" She said her voice tired with grief about her father's death "Or We will die".
"And Robb Stark will do worse to us if we don't surrender now" Tyrion snapped.
It was true. Robb Stark had been known for his brutality towards his enemy, especially those who resist.
If they resist and the city was captured, then Robb Stark will no doubt order the inhabitants of the city to be massacred, just like he did on the city Ashemark.
Varys might not be a good person but he genuinely cared about the smallfolk of King's Landing. And he hopes that Queen Cersei will see sense to sue for peace.
"You didn't forget what he did to Ser Corley right" Tyrion questioned Cersei and Varys couldn't help but wince.
They have all heard how Robb Stark had poured molten silver on Ser Corley's throat, after the Castelian of Sarsfield refused to surrender.
"The same thing will happen to us all, if we don't sue for peace now" The halfman continued and Cersei visible paled in fear.
"What should we do?" Cersei whispered fearfully.
"Sue for peace" Tyrion answered immediately "Give Robb Stark The North And The Trident".
Cersei looked pained at the idea of forfeiting half of Westeros but she sighed and turned to Pycelle.
"Do it, send a raven to Stark and tell him that we recognise his claim as King, and the independence Of The North And The Trident" She said "And also tell him we offer him Princess Myrcella's hand in marriage in return of peace".
Tyrion turned to look at his sister in shock. Even Varys was stunned, how can this be. Cersei was many things but she loved her children the most and it shocked even the Spider to see the Queen barter her only daughter like livestock.
Seeing the shocked look, she addressed then "Robb Stark had provably raped my daughter by now, ruining her for any possible betrothal for her hand" She spat angrily "Hopefully marrying her to Robb Stark, will secure Joffrey's rule on the throne".
With those last words, the queen stood up and left the room and soon Tyrion adjourned the meeting after few finalized discussion.
With the council over, Varys walked out of the chambers, thinking about the events of the last year.
He couldn't help but laugh when he remembered that all the plotting and scheming he had been doing since Robert's rebellion had now been a waste of time all because of Robb Stark.
He had thought that the last battle will be end of Stark, but The Young surprised him once again.
He knows that the chance of peace is long gone. Robb Stark will not just be happy with The North And The Trident, now that he had won the war.
No, if Varys is right in his guess, then Robb Stark will take The Iron Throne.
He didn't wanted that. True he had no love for Joffrey, but under him Westeros would have been unstable.
With Robb Stark's devastating campaigns in The Westerlands and The Reach, it had weakened the power of Lannisters and The Tyrells, and even if Tywin had won, his rule would be weakened and shaky at best.
Perfect time for the Last Targaryens to reclaim their birthright.
And now Robb Stark had ruined it.
True he has confidence in Aegon and Daenerys, and why wouldn't he. One had three dragons and the other had the might of Golden Company and Dorne on his back.
But still he felt uneasy, because Stark had proven himself to be a very dangerous man.
Varys turned to look at the city of King's Landing, possible for the last time.
It was time for him to leave the city. And while he will miss Lord Tyrion's company, it was time for him to meet the boy he had been grooming for all his life, and help him to take the mighty Iron Throne as was his birth right.
After all The Targaryens are coming to reclaim what is theirs, and they are coming with, FIRE AND BLOOD.
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And Done!
Sorry for the short chapter guys, but it is just the conclusion for the Battle.
And as you can see I have started this chapter with a basic information about The War Of The Five Kings, from the perspective of the Maesters of Old Town and Historians Of Westeros.
Poor Myrcella still struggling with thoughts of love and treason.
The City of King's Landing is in turmoil.
Now Cersei battered Myrcella because she thought that Robb had raped her and that she was 'ruined' for any future marriages. So Cersei want to sell her off to Robb, as she had become a commodity. She believes that marrying Myrcella to Robb will secure Joffrey's reign on the Throne, and tie down The North And Trident by making a marriage alliance.
Well looks like The Spider had spinning his webs of deceit.(I hope you like Varys in this chapter and I hope I got his character right)
If you liked the chapter don't forget to leave a comment because remember reviews are food for a writer's soul.