Last Storm

## The Last Storm

Conquest of the Stormlands

Founding of House Baratheon

Factions|  House Targaryen |  **Kingdom of the Storm**/House Durrandon* House Morrigen
* House Dondarrion

The Last Storm was a major battle during Aegon's Conquest. It resulted in the fall of the Kingdom of the Storm and the foundation of House Baratheon.

## Prelude

Argilac Durrandon, the aged Storm King, sought to use Aegon Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone, as a shield against the threat of Harren Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers. Argilac clumsily offered Aegon the hand of his maiden daughter, Argella, with a dowry of consisting of the lands east of the Gods Eye between the Trident and the Blackwater Rush. Although once controlled by the stormlands, this territory in the riverlands was now ruled by House Hoare.

Aegon refused and instead made his own counter-offer, asking for the additional cession of Massey's Hook and lands between the Blackwater, the Wendwater, and the Mander, territory long held by the stormlands. This would be sealed with the marriage of Argella to Orys Baratheon, Aegon's childhood friend and champion, who was also rumored to be Aegon's bastard half-brother. Enraged, Argilac had the hands of Aegon's envoy cut off and sent to Aegon with a message: *"These are the only hands your bastard shall have of me."*

Argilac's response sparked Aegon's intentions to conquer Westeros and unify the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros under his rule. After landing at the mouth of the Blackwater, Aegon was crowned by one of his sister-wives, Visenya. He then received the allegiance of the riverlands by slaying the Hoares through the burning of Harrenhal. Meanwhile, Aegon sent Orys and his other sister-wife, Rhaenys, to conquer the stormlands. Argilac refused to die in the same manner as Harren and called his banners to Storm's End.

Lords Buckler, Errol, and Fell attacked Orys's van in an ambush on the Wendwater and then fled into the kingswood. Rhaenys responded by burning the forest with the dragonflame of Meraxes. The Stormlands were also troubled by pirates attacking Cape Wrath from the Stepstones and Dornishmen raiding the Dornish Marches from the Red Mountains.

## Battle

Atop Meraxes, Rhaenys Targaryen scouted Argilac Durrandon's movements while Orys Baratheon fortified a strong defensive position in the hills south of Bronzegate. As the two armies closed on each other, a massive storm broke out, with the rain blowing against the Targaryen host. Argilac, knowing he had almost twice as many men as the Targaryens and four times as many knights and heavy horse, decided to press the attack.

Initial charges by Argilac's horsemen were slowed by muddy ground and steep slopes. His spearmen had greater success on foot, however, and the Durrandon host conquered two hills.

Argilac's fourth charge broke through the enemy centre only to meet Rhaenys atop Meraxes, with the dragon grounded because of the storm. The queen unleashed dragonflame on Dickon Morrigen and the Bastard of Blackhaven, who commanded the Durrandon vanguard. Argilac's personal guard were burned as well, and the Storm King was thrown from his saddle in the confusion. Argilac slew six men and held off another six as Orys rode down the hill and dismounted. When Argilac refused Orys' offer to yield, the pair began single combat. Each took a wound, but soon Argilac would get his wish and die fighting. His death ended the battle, as the stormlanders yielded or fled.

## Aftermath

After her father's death, Princess Argella Durrandon barred Storm's End and declared herself Storm Queen. Her garrison, however, feared to share the fate of Harren and revolted against Argella after a few days, delivering her to Orys, chained and naked. Orys treated Argella gently, removing the chains, covering her with his cloak, and giving her food and wine. Afterward, Orys married Argella and became Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. He took the sigil and words of House Durrandon for his own family, the newly-founded House Baratheon.

After the submission of the Stormlands, Rhaenys flew from Storm's End to support Aegon at the Field of Fire.