King Aerys II: His days in captivity, and his death

## 1st of the First Moon, 277 after Aegon Targaryen's conquest of Westeros.

The relations between the crown and the Darklyn's tightened after Denys Darklyn withdrew his support and refused paying his taxes to Aerys II, demanding a new town charter and certain rights for citizens. The king was outraged. Aerys II decided that it was time that Denys was put in chains, by force or not. Force was not the most optimal way though, since his arrogance only allowed him to take a small band of men and a knight of the kings guard, Ser Gwayne Gaunt with him.

It was at the gates of Duskendale where Denys ordered his men to clap King Aerys in iron and send him to a dungeon. Denys's men had little problems with the task, cause of the small number of men Aerys brought with him. A duel commenced between the knight Gwayne Gaunt and Ser Symon Hollard. In the end, Ser Symon was towering over Gwayne Gaunt's limp body and Aerys was rotting in the dungeons of Duskendale.

## The Defiance

The news traveled through the realm, by whisper or raven. Once the news reached Dragonstone, Rhaegar Targaryen, the son and heir of the rotting *king* took the reins and began his travel for Kings Landing, where Tywin Lannister was running the kingdom in Aerys's absence. He was welcomed by Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord Rickard Stark and other members of the small council. Rhaegar assumed his position as regent and called an urgent small council meeting. Rickard Stark, the master of war suggested that they stormed the gates by force. Tywin was strangely cool headed, whether he cared to rescue the king, he showed no sign of it. Tywin suggested to have Rhaegar pretend to peacefully negotiate with Denys while the kings guard sneak past the garrison and rescue Aerys. Rhaegar, never met Tywin before, but knowing how Tywin had dealt with rebels in the past, he approved the plan. He commanded Rickard Stark to gather a force strong enough to sack the castle, if all didn't go well. Rhaegar started his travel to Duskendale with Barristan 'The Bold' of the kings guard and Oswell Whent with a smaller host. Rickard Stark managed to muster about 15 000 men of the crown and the military support of lords Rosby, Hayford and Symon Gaunt. He marched a day behind Rhaegar Targaryen.

That evening came a raven from Storm's End, stating that Steffon 'The Heathen' Baratheon has summoned all his might and is traveling for Duskendale with haste.

The gates of Duskendale were shut tight, with men on the battlements, arrows nocked and drawn. A fortnight had passed with only few sights of Lord Denys Darklyn's head peaking over the battlements. Lord Symon Gaunt had become impatient and sent his knight bodyguard to make a deal with Denys. He received him and vowed no harm would come to him. They baked a deal, Symon Gaunt would pay a 100 gold dragons to Lord Darklyn in exchange for his son's body and armour. He left the siege that same evening after receiving his son's remains. Rickard, under the command of Rhaegar Targaryen had blocked all travel in to the city and castle.

Rhaegar Targaryen sent Barristan Selmy to the gates to announce that they are willing to negotiate a deal. "Should you stay holed in your keep, you will keep the title of a traitor and be treated as such." Were the words said. Barristan was turned back at the gates and sent back to their camps. During all that a servant or a knight or a commoner slipped a note to Barristan.

It is not common knowledge what was written on the note, but all the speculation leads to the conclusion that Denys Darklyn wanted to secretly meet with Rhaegar in the Darkhurst forest. Rhaegar went to confer with Rickard Stark to tell him that he would meet with him, hear him and after that, imprison him. Rickard, still keen on storming the castle, hesitated but eventually succumbed and vowed to help Rhaegar. He also entrusted Barristan Selmy with a letter, that stated that Rickard would be named regent for the young Prince Viserys, should Rhaegar be caught in a trap. The meeting was set to commence in in 7 moons. Rhaegar's plan was set. Word came that Steffon Baratheon was closing in on Duskendale.

While the siege was storming outside the walls, Aerys II fell in to a hot fever, it gnawed through his strength and mental ability. Denys had sent his brother Jon Darklyn to warn Rhaegar that should he attempt any form of assault on the keep, Aerys would be critically hurt.

At the eve of the meeting Rhaegar snuck out of the camp with the burly Rickard Stark. Lord Denys was waiting in the woods as promised. Rickard separated from Rhaegar and he would eventually take Denys from behind. Denys pleaded and pleaded for his life, blaming his myrish wife, 'the Lace Serpent', a devout follower of R'hollor. Blaming his wife for all that happened angered Rhaegar and it was then that Rhaegar waved his hand and Rickard Stark would tackle him to the ground, clap iron on his wrists and take back to camp.

The next morning Rheagar rode to the gates of Duskendale with Rickard Stark, Oswell Whent and some men at arms. He declared that his grace must be released in three moons, or Lord Darklyn would be executed. It was Denys's wife who attended and she refused, swearing the same that Denys's brother had sworn before. During the parley, Steffon Baratheon came with a force of 20 000 men on his back and the storm that commenced after, was fatal. Steffon was dumbfounded to find any type of negotiations happening. Steffon and Aerys II have been friends for the better part of thirty years at that point. Mad, he blew his horn and the war drums pounded. He descended on Dunfort like the stag his ancestor Argilac 'the Arrogant', and arrogant he was. Rhaegar was caught off guard and sent Rickard Stark to stop him with his own host, but it was too late. The castle fell under Steffon's hand, and in the process, so did King Aerys II Targaryen.

After the assault. Aerys was declared dead, by Serala 'the Lace Serpent'. Rhaegar was full of sorrow. Steffon heard what happened and the very next thing he did, was go to Rheagar and plead for mercy. Rhaegar offered Steffon to take the black and join the watch, and he accepted. He was sent straight to the wall from Dunfort. That evening Rhaegar executed Lord Denys Darklyn but spared his daughter.

Duskendale is now ruled by the young Lady Alysanne Darklyn. With only 12 years of age, will she bring the house of Darklyn back to respect, or will she go down in history as a nameless lady?