Chapter 116: Killing Rhaegar
A/N: Hey guys,
Here's today's second chapter.
For every two new pàtreons, I will upload one more chapter the next day.
Thanks for your support.
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https://www.pàtreon.com/Gnanaa
Enjoy.
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"You have your duel. Come." Said Edward while taking Rhaegar to the open fields. He sent a message to his men to spread the news about Rhaegar's death and prepare the Fork formation that he planned to use in this battle. Once he killed Rhaegar, they would launch an all-out attack. Of course, Ned tried to talk him out of it because their victory was much likely already decided by their numbers and Edward's leadership, while Robert wanted to kill Rhaegar himself. Edward declined their requests and insisted on fighting Rhaegar himself.
Edward decided to use the sword and shield this time. There was no need for him to use the spear against Rhaegar. Rhaegar was not Arthur Dayne's opponent in a melee fight, not to mention him. Although this was the case, Edward still decided to put down his arrogance and fight Rhaegar seriously.
After both sides were ready, the duel started by Rhaegar initiating the first attack. He thrust his sword forward while Edward used his shield to barry the attack. Edward followed by using his shield to bash Rhaegar, who used his shield to stop Edward.
Both of them swung their sword left and right, attacking each other. Edward, who was holding back from the start to judge Rhaegar's ability, decided that it was time to end this battle. When Rhaegar made another thrust with his sword, Edward trapped Rhaegar's hand between his shield and the hand carrying it and pushed his sword as fast as he could deep in Rhaegar's throat, who was looking at him with surprise. He did not expect to die just like that, in one move.
Before anyone could say anything, even before Rhaegar fell on the ground, Edward's army started to move. His men got his signal and began the march.
The Fork formation was like this. The war-chariots speed in front of the center while the horseriders were concentrated on the left and right-wing. The advance of the three units would go simultaneously while the infantry marched at a slower rate. With this, the Targaryen's army would get divided into two portions trapped between the army's wings and the center.
The panic that spread among the Targaryen's army after Edward killed Rhaegar made the operation much easier for Edward and his army. The river was to their back while Edward's army was to the front. They tried to cross the river back to the other shore, but the whole army could cross before Edward's army caught up.
Two hours later, The battle was over. The Targaryen suffered more than twenty thousand casualties in that battle, and another six got captured by the rebels. It was a disastrous defeat for the Targaryen, and the end of their rule was coming soon. As for Edward's side loses, they lost nearly two thousand men because they cornered the enemy, but Edward did so for the above reason and another reason. He wanted the rest of the houses to suffer a little as well.
After the battle, everyone suggested moving south as soon as possible to take King's Landing, but Edward told them they would rest for two days before marching south. The reason was that Edward just got the news that Tywin took his army in King's Landing's direction. It seemed that he was late because he did not expect the situation to escalate this much in this short time. Plus, Edward ended the battle much faster than he thought. So Edward decided to give Tywin the chance to perform and take blame and hate of everyone.
It did not take long before the news reached everywhere in Westeros. Rhaegar got killed on Lord Edward Baratheon's sword while another twenty thousand of his army got killed in the battle turning the river's water into a deep red color in the process. Everyone knew that the way to King's Landing was open for Edward and his men to take it and were surprised to see Edward wait and not attack at once. It was a perfect opportunity.
Before the news about Tywin's movement reached the rest of the army, Edward decided to march one day later. The reason was that he was afraid that Ashara might know that he was the reason that Tywin took King's Landing first. He moved fast after calculating that Tywing would still reach King's Landing before them.
King Aerys sent Queen Rhaella and his son to Dragonstone but refused to let Elia go with them. In the middle of this mess, Varys had managed to replace Rhaegar's son with another child and sent him to Pentos this time. He would never let Edward be responsible for the Realm's hope. But he did not save Allyria as he decided to hold Allyria in his hand to threaten Edward if he thought of doing anything to the little princess.
A week later, Tywin reached King's Landing but this time with twenty thousand soldiers instead of twelve like the canon. Tywin had prepared for a long time. He sent the message to the king saying that he was here to express his loyalty and asked him to open the gate. Varys advised otherwise, but the madking believed Twyin and ordered to open the gate.
The Lannister soldiers took their chance and started to kill the Smallfolks and the loyalist to the crown. Due to Edward's actions of killing most of the Targaryen's loyalists in Battle of the Trident, it did not take the Lannister a long time to kill them all. Aerys ordered the wildfire plot and got killed with Rossart by Jaimie Lannister. Many soldiers witnessed him killing Aerys this time, and the rumors spread more quickly.
Tywin did not know or hear about Edward's deal with Robert, Jon, and Ned and thought that killing Elia and her children would prove his loyalty to Robert. So he still ordered Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch to kill Elia and her children.
After leaving for their task, it did not take Edward's armies long to stand before King's Landing. After seeing the Lannister army killing the Smallfolks, Edward decided to turn into a hero. He ordered an all-out attack on the Lannister soldiers who were attacking the Smallfolks. Edward as well kicked his horse and started killing the Lannisters. Ned did not stop him as he saw the Lannister's action, but Robert, who did not get injured this time, tried to stop him. He got lectured by Jon in the past few months and knew that Tywin was important for their plan. But would Edward listen to him? Edward only gave him a cold look before going on with his plans.
It did not take long before Tywin heard about this and gathered all the army to meet Edward and his men. Tywin's army was not on the same scale as Edward. He did not think that Edward would attack his men. He came here this day to be on their side. That was the reason why he did not gather his banners and only took his men to King's Landing. They could not stand a chance against Edward's.