The Duel at Bronzegate

[Lucius Malfoy]

And so, after riding at top speed with only 9,000 troops at his back, Rhaegar Targaryen enters the Stormlands and makes best speed for Bronzegate, the location of Robert Baratheon. Its high rampants and the banners revealed the standard of the upstart that Rhaegar desired to meet in battle. Once his troops were arrayed in formation, the Dragon rode up to the gate, prepared to fight his most mortal foe to death.

First Royal Army of Rhaegar Targaryen: 9,960 troops
2,000 Heavy Infantry
2,000 Light Infantry
2,000 Polearm Infantry
2,000 Archers
1,000 Light Cavalry
960 Heavy Cavalry

[Lord Dread]

After being informed about the arrival of the Prince's host and the quick mobilisation of his own troops, Lord Robert looked down from the walls upon the host in the distance.
With a short nodding towards his commanders he turned away and went down in full armour into the courtyard of the fortress, his heavy infantery host already awaiting his orders.
"Jon, my hammer!", he demanded towards the young boy, who served the Stormking as a squire, before he yelled over the place, "Get ready for this battle, the Dragon has finally come to await his slayers! Let's show him and his warriors, that the Stormlands won't kneel upon the Iron Throne, even when being threatened by all of his minions! Show no fear, this foul is ours! As ours is the Fury!"
Jon gave him his huge warhammer and with both hands, the Stormlord held it up under the roaring shouts of his vassals.
"Open the gates!", he demanded before leading a mixture of several infanterists out of the fortress, "For Lyanna!"
The front gates opened as the army marched out slowly to welcome the Dragon.
The Stag, armed with his antlers and hooves, was ready to await him.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Rhaegar sat upon his horse silently. His horse snorted and neighed as the armored knight sat upon it. His armor had the Targaryen symbol upon his breastplate, his sword a dragon's hilt and a helmet that resembled a dragon's head. He was indeed a Dragon to many; an improvement among the Targaryen Dynasty in the past few rulers. Many wished he had been King instead; today would decide that. Today, Rhaegar would kill the man who rose up against his father and who coveted a jewel he desired.

He pulled on the reins of his horse as Robert Baratheon came forth. He was a giant of a man, a giant Stormlander with brute strength. Rhaegar was a skilled and agile fighter. So both had their advantages in this duel that the Crown Prince so desired. The Targaryen looks to a squire next to him who holds the horse as Rhaegar dismounts. The Silver Prince then proceeds to walk towards the center between the two armies.

==================
(There will be a metaphorical battle involved with this duel between a great Dragon and bold Stag)

Westeros was like a forest, a grand forest that had long been disunified. The fish wanted to rule here; the krakens there, the lion elsewhere, and the falcons above. It was until one day that three great dragons landed upon Westeros that all of them were silenced and bent the knee to these mighty creatures. As the years went on however these dragons began to become smaller and sickly; weak and feeble. The dragon that resembled Aerys II was aged and crippled; paranoid and cruel. But from his loins came a beautiful egg that hatched to reveal a great silvery dragon. Today that dragon came to the field.

Loud booms were heard in the forest as the silvery dragon walked towards an opening in the forest where the stag awaited him. Out of the shadows of the trees came this mighty dragon. Its blazing dark eyes gazing menacingly at the stag. The creature extended its wings; a span unlike anything before. And from within its long neck, a great roar echoed across the forest. The dragon had been challenged so it would come to defeat that challenger.

[Lord Dread]

Seeing that Rhaegar has come alone,he gave his men the sign to stop with the one hand and went silent into the duel with the Dragon Prince. He knew that the man wanted a fair fight, man against man - and Robert had no problem in giving him this honor. It made his revenge upon the man, who kidnapped his love idol and whom he had sworn to kill a lot easier. Neither it would be his foster father, Tully or Stark, who would kill the dragon - it would be spoken justice by his own weapon. The desire of seeing this man dead was, what had driven Robert during all his battles. Now he had the chance to end his nightmares once and for all. With Rhaegar's fall nothing would stop him to get back Lyanna.

=======

With a loud bellow the Stag answered the dragon's call. With a grim look he watched the predator while he ran with his sharp antlers in the direction of his opponent. He remembered when his ancestors once strifed through the calm forests, proud and without any fears about the other animals. The stag ruled upon his forests once during this time and felt himself like a king.
Yes, a king he was indeed.
But as the dragons came, the forests were burnt to ashes and the proud stag fell under their claws. Only his children survived and were forced to mate the dragon's family, if they didn't want to get hunted again.
Those times were now over.
Running with fury in his eyes against his opponent, the young Stag has learnt that he still had weapons, while the dragons had become weak. He knew, that he would face his strongest natural enemy, his predator, who will hunt him down till death.
But armed with sharp antlers, hooves like steel and the incredible speed of his legs he wasn't willing to give up the fight.
Instead, he would now do, at where his ancestors failed.
He would now change the roles
and hunt the predator!

[Lucius Malfoy]

Seeing that Rhaegar has come alone,he gave his men the sign to stop with the one hand and went silent into the duel with the Dragon Prince. He knew that the man wanted a fair fight, man against man - and Robert had no problem in giving him this honor. It made his revenge upon the man, who kidnapped his love idol and whom he had sworn to kill a lot easier. Neither it would be his foster father, Tully or Stark, who would kill the dragon - it would be spoken justice by his own weapon. The desire of seeing this man dead was, what had driven Robert during all his battles. Now he had the chance to end his nightmares once and for all. With Rhaegar's fall nothing would stop him to get back Lyanna.

=======

With a loud bellow the Stag answered the dragon's call. With a grim look he watched the predator while he ran with his sharp antlers in the direction of his opponent. He remembered when his ancestors once strifed through the calm forests, proud and without any fears about the other animals. The stag ruled upon his forests once during this time and felt himself like a king.
Yes, a king he was indeed.
But as the dragons came, the forests were burnt to ashes and the proud stag fell under their claws. Only his children survived and were forced to mate the dragon's family, if they didn't want to get hunted again.
Those times were now over.
Running with fury in his eyes against his opponent, the young Stag has learnt that he still had weapons, while the dragons had become weak. He knew, that he would face his strongest natural enemy, his predator, who will hunt him down till death.
But armed with sharp antlers, hooves like steel and the incredible speed of his legs he wasn't willing to give up the fight.
Instead, he would now do, at where his ancestors failed.
He would now change the roles
and hunt the predator!

Rhaegar planted his sword into the ground, some yards away from Robert Baratheon. He lifts the guard of his helmet to look upon Lord Baratheon for just a moment and to speak.

I, Rhaegar of the House Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone and Prince of the Iron Throne, hereby come to challenge you to a trial by battle. For you stand accused of betraying your oaths to the Iron Throne and defying the will of His Grace, Aerys the second of his name. I stand as his champion and I shall make you bleed.

With that, Rhaegar lowers his visor and clamps it shut. The Crown Prince then raises his sword to prepare himself for combat. A silence fell for a moment before the Crown Prince swung into action, aiming straight for Robert.

===================

The great dragon gazes upon the stag that charges at it. A massive gust is felt as the gargantuan beast rises off the ground and hovers in the air. Its massive wings flapping slowly, its claws drawn and gut starting to burn a bright red. The bright red color begins to rise from the gut up the throat. Smoking withering out of the dragon's jaws. Then it twists its long neck and opens his jaws, revealing a torrent of fire forming in its mouth. A roar is heard from it.

DIE ENEMIES OF MY KINGDOM!! BURN LIKE YOUR ANCESTORS, STAG!!

A torrent of fire releases from its mouth, a jet that poured out in great speed. The ground is scorched by this jet of dragonfire. It hits the ground and began to burn a path straight for the charging stag.

[Lord Dread]

Robert nearly had to laugh as he lifted the guard of his helmet as well with a smile, before holding his hammer ready for a fight.
"I accept your challenge, kidnapper!", he said towards him loud, "I will bring you down for your own crimes and the crimes of your dynasty upon House Stark."
He shut down the visor as well, before blocking the attack of the Prince with the handle of his hammer several times, before he had enough time to swing the fearsome warhammer against his foe. Lord Grafton didn't survived it, the Hightower knight had luck that he was only knocked out by it - this time, however, Robert swore himself, that he wouldn't let his opponent alive.

========================
Impressed by the strength of his enemy, but not surprised, the stag jumped aside, dodging the wave of flames before taking up speed again on another route.
He knew that the main weapon of the dragon was the flame, but he was aware of it's weaknesses. Compared with him, his enemy was armoured in scales, but huge in size, making him slower than the small, but still powerful stag.

Before the dragon was able to throw another wave of deadly fire upon him, the stag aimed for a flank attack upon his side, building up enough speed to hit the dragon with his sharp antlers. If aimed correctly it would be a deadly attack.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Robert nearly had to laugh as he lifted the guard of his helmet as well with a smile, before holding his hammer ready for a fight.
"I accept your challenge, kidnapper!", he said towards him loud, "I will bring you down for your own crimes and the crimes of your dynasty upon House Stark."
He shut down the visor as well, before blocking the attack of the Prince with the handle of his hammer several times, before he had enough time to swing the fearsome warhammer against his foe. Lord Grafton didn't survived it, the Hightower knight had luck that he was only knocked out by it - this time, however, Robert swore himself, that he wouldn't let his opponent alive.

========================
Impressed by the strength of his enemy, but not surprised, the stag jumped aside, dodging the wave of flames before taking up speed again on another route.
He knew that the main weapon of the dragon was the flame, but he was aware of it's weaknesses. Compared with him, his enemy was armoured in scales, but huge in size, making him slower than the small, but still powerful stag.

Before the dragon was able to throw another wave of deadly fire upon him, the stag aimed for a flank attack upon his side, building up enough speed to hit the dragon with his sharp antlers. If aimed correctly it would be a deadly attack.

Rhaegar saw the thrust of the warhammer coming. This mighty weapon of choice for the Baratheon was deadly. A single good blunt from this weapon could cave in a man's skull or chest. The Targaryen quickly planted one foot and propelled himself out of the way, the warhammer scratching the surface of the armor that covered his right leg. Rhaegar landed on his feet, but nearly stumbled. Baratheon had strength, so he would be slow. Rhaegar just had to keep up the pressure and his speed.

Once more the Targaryen lunged forth straight at his foe, then with his foot, pushed himself to the side. His blow aiming right for Robert's leg that was open from the last strike by his warhammer.

=================

Ignorance...

The dragon speaks lowly as its tail comes into view and wipes outward, aiming to knock the stag aside. The dragon was all too aware of the stag, since his ancestors ruled them for three centuries. The antlers were deadly, it was best to keep the stag from mounting a straight on attack. If the dragon could do this, the creature would win and this rebellion would be over.

As the tail swing into visual, the dragon turned one of its clawed hands and swing in from the other side. The mighty creature sought to smash the stag between his tail and claws, ending the stag's life in an instant.

[Pericles of Athens]

Ser Barristan Selmy - Barristan the Bold - stood among the Crownlander men. He'd marched long and hard to link up with his Crowned Prince, Rhaegar Targaryen. He was covered head to toe in the white armor of the Kingsguard, his white cloak fluttering in the wind. His expression was obscured by his helmet, but one could assume he was solemn, his Prince rode off to battle alone and there was nothing he could do to protect him. His fist clenched, if the gods were good Rhaegar would win..Rhaegar had to win.

OOC Ponti gave him leave for the final battle, but since their wont be one he'll just be an observer here. And get stabbed in the back trying to rally the Crownlanders after the Prince dies, leaving him at Robert's mercy.

[jacb547]

Lord Andrew Estermont, Bronzegate


The Lord of Estermont stood at the walls of Bronzegate, his armour was donned and his men were getting ready in the yard but there would be no battle today at least not yet. Estermont's liege and cousin had ridden out of the gate to face the prince, Stag and Dragon in a fight to the death, for good or for ill today ends the war. A pious man might have prayed but Andrew was not one such so silently he stood in vigil over the walls waiting, hoping that Robert's hammer would claim the lives of the Last Dragon today.

[Lord Dread]

He felt the pain, as the sharp steel hit his leg. It felt sharp, like the day when his shoulder was slightly injured by a Reachmen knight, even though the dragon's hit felt more painful.
With a shout of rage upon his lips, he nevertheless ignored the pain for the moment, as he always did and rather concentrated on smashing his enemy with the brutal force of his hammer.
His opponent laying directly in front of him was the ideal target - and Robert decided to aim upon the heart, protected by the steel of the chest plate.
But steel can still be broken.

==================

Too late the stag realized the attack and managed to dodge the attack slightly, hitting the stomach of the beast with the sharp antlers - but he felt as well the sharp pain of the mighty dragon's claw, which dealt him a serious fleshwound upon his own flank, the left leg. It was a good attack, but for what a price?

[Lucius Malfoy]

As Rhaegar's blade connected with Robert's leg, the Crown Prince felt death fall upon him. The Seven calling for him to join the heavens. His purple gaze slowly turned to see the great warhammer of the rebel coming down upon his unprotected body. Rhaegar sighed and knew his death had come. His hands slowly released the dragon hilt of his sword and then...darkness.

The Crown Prince laid beneath the towering body of Robert Baratheon. His movement still and a little blood trickling from his mouth. The brilliant silvery white hair sprawled among the grass and mud of the open field. His gaze looking upward at the blazing sun and open skies. Rhaegar was still alive, but only for a moment. In his mind, Rhaegar spoke some final words.

Aegon, my son, live. Live on and return someday to Westeros to defeat those who defied our will. Ly-...Lyanna...I am sorry we couldn't have a life that I so desired for us. And E-...Elia...I am sorry I failed you as a husband. I am sorry to everyone whom I failed today...

He coughs slightly. Blood specks coming from his mouth. Rhaegar could feel the cold touch of death approaching. The Targaryen slowly turns his gaze to Robert, hoping to speak once more before his death came.

I ask...of one thing, Robert Baratheon...burn my flesh. Cremate my body and let me rest among my ancestors in the Great Sept of Baelor the Blessed. Let none before us know how I died, only that you slew a great dragon with your warhammer.

Then he points at the large wound left upon Robert's leg.

Know however that you may have won today...but I leave this world knowing I will no longer suffer soon. But you, Robert Baratheon, will live long and suffer for it...

Rhaegar coughs and chuckles weakly. The Targaryen then slowly looks back at the flying colors of House Targaryen. He slowly opens his mouth, but no words come forth. And with that, the Prince fell to the ground, never to rise again...

================

The dragon laid beneath the small person of the stag. The mortal blow was once more an attack to the chest that ripped open the scales and revealed the soft flesh of the dragon. The mighty beast laid there, crippled from its great fall from above. And dead. Dead from the mortal duel it fought with the stag. Today, the Stag had triumphed and succeeded where others had failed before to overthrow the dragons.

[Pericles of Athens]

All around him men were making off to flee or attempting to surrender as some brave (or foolish) souls attempted to hold the lines. In the chaos Ser Barristan called out above the ruckus, Hold! He cried, For your King who yet lives and your fallen Prince! Hold!

And then it came a sharp pain in the back of his shin, a spear he thought after a moments hesitation, but the enemy couldn't be upon them so soon. He drew his sword and wheeled around slitting the assailants throat in one fluid motion, it was young Ser Renet Rosby third son of the current Lord Rosby, Selmy didn't know why he'd done it - to curry favor for himself or his family with the victorious rebels, for lands, for titles? He didn't have much time to ponder it either as another assault came, this time the cold steel of a sword plunging into the seam where back-plate meets breast-plate. He turned to face the assailant severing his head with one slice of his blade, the head belonging to an experienced and skilled knight of House Hardy. Another hit came this time upon his back he cut the man down without even making out his face, but another assault came slicing at his sword arm and another at his back and finally a war hammer struck the back of his head. And then he was falling, falling, and finally hitting the floor. As the blood and mud began to mingle it all went black.. I'm so sorry he mumbled.

OOC He's now at the mercy of Robert I suppose, you can talk with him, execute him, let him die of his wounds, etc., etc.

[Lord Dread]

Robert looked down at the man in anger, but now as well in pain, as he felt the wound he gave him. He gave no response at all to Rhaegar after he opened the visor, but watched him with mixed feelings. Admiration for his braveness but as well hatred for his deeds and his arrogance, even in death - Robert was unsure if he really wanted to burn his nemesis with honour or rather cut off his head and stick it on a pile. He considered, that he would grant him at least his last wish, even though he hated him.
With a look on the dead body he would have asked him where Lyanna was, shouted at him to finally give him the answers he desired - but the Dragon was already dead and no words would ever pass his lips again.

Robert didn't realize all too much Selmy's uprising, as his guards already protected the wounded, but still standing king after he defeated the dragon. The Crownlanders had no chance at all against the Stormlands' host and surrendered immidiately, not only to the Kingsguard's surprise.
Nevertheless Robert saw the actions after a while and reacted, as he saw what happened.
"Enough!", he bellowed, pale as a corpse, but still with energy and loud enough for understanding, "The Dragon's blood has already been spilled, there is no need to continiue! Bring the man inside the castle and give him a chamber! And call the Maester before I get really angry and take another hundred men with me into death!"
With those words being said, two Stormlander knights helped up Selmy with grim looks and did as they were told, while Lord Robert retreated, more carried by his squire and loyal retainers than walking by himself, into the Citadel under the victory shouts of his host.

The audience with Ser Barristan would wait till the evening, when Jon, the personal squire of Lord Robert, informed him that the king wanted to see him.

[Pericles of Athens]

He heard the would-be king vagly as he went in and out, he was losing blood rapidly and he finally went out cold. The maester tended to Barristan's wounds, and he awoke later that day, his wounds were damaging but the maester informed him they would heal in time. The room he was given was acceptable - chambers fit for a guest of noble birth not a prison for an enemy.

Selmy was surprised to hear that Robert wished to speak with him. But he would rise to the occasion - break words with his capture. Barristan wore his white tunic and pants and though they had taken his armor he wrapped the white cloak of the Kingsguard about his shoulders, the very same cloak Ser Hightower had entrusted him with so long ago, the cloak was marred with blood and gore and mud but he wore it with pride all the same. Even injured without armor or blade Ser Barristan looked more a knight than most on either side of this war. He went to Robert so he could speak his part..

[Lord Dread]

Leant on a wood crutch, Lord Robert awaited him already, giving his squire Jon the sign to leave, so that only he and few Stormlander lords would watch the trial upon the member of the Kingsguard.
"Ser... Barristan Selmy, right?", Robert asked him after some pause, still mustering him, "I know your House and even remember to have seen you already, either at Harrenhall or at other occasions.
You decided to still fight against me, after Prince Rhaegar has fallen, even though only few warriors continiued to fight me.
Why?"

[Pericles of Athens]

He nodded, that was his name, though he had failed in protect his Prince and his King. You have seen me before, as I've seen you.. before all this. I fought because the King yet lived, because I'm a sworn brother of the Kingsguard, because our oaths are taken for life.

[Lord Dread]

Robert raised an eyebrow.
"Even though the King sentenced innocents to the death?", he asked him after a pause, "I assume you feared not for your life - or did you?"

[Pericles of Athens]

That stung, the King was mad and he would burn friend and foe alike. True enough in time Selmy himself may have burned, yet another victim of Aerys' madness. When I donned the White I sworn to protect and serve.. It is not the place of the Kingsguard to judge their King, right or no.

OOC I'll assume this is happening after the sack?

[jacb547]

Lord Andrew Estermont



The Lord of Estermont stood besides his cousin smirking, Rhaegar was dead and the war was won now came but the time to reap the spoils. He watched without much compassion this Knight of the Kingsguard, many men had died in the war Loyalists and Rebels what made this Kingsguard different? Andrew's thoughts on such a situation were simple, he would bend the knee and accept his new King or freeze his ass on the wall or die for all he knew it was pretty much the same My cousin will want new men for his Kingsguard not this loyalist scum I'm sure. How could a man be protected by someone who proposed to kill him on the field? Still he reckoned there was no precedent for dismissing Kingsguard so it left Andrew wondering this man's fate, he intruded for a moment:
"Ser Barristan you are of House Selmy correct? Are you aware that Lord Selmy was fighting beneath our banners today together with many of his Knights and sworn men? And that Ser Hobert Selmy was slain in the Battle of Grassy Vale in the Reach? Were you so willing to cut down your own kinsmen today?"

[Pericles of Athens]

My nephew rules in Harvest Hall, a good man from what little I know of him. I would not have relished fighting him and others of my kinsmen, but when you take the White you give up rights to lands and titles, and family ties as well, above all else we are sworn to serve our King. Those who join the Kingsguard pay a dear price, Harvest Hall would have passed to me if I hadn't taken the White - our duty cannot be casted aside.