Lewys Dondarrion

Ser Lewys Dondarrion is the second son of Lord Guyard Dondarrion of Blackhaven, and has served as a Knight of the Kingsguard since 420 AC, having replaced Ser Justin Mallister after the knight's suicide.

Appearance and Character
Whilst muscular, Lewys Dondarrion is built thinly, and uses it to his advantage, being both a strong fighter and an agile one. However, his lack of broadness does not affect how imposing the man looks, standing at six foot and two inches. His hair, much like many of his ancestors, is red-gold, cut to a medium length, and his beard, whilst thinner than his locks by far, is similar. Lewys wears the white armour of his order at all times save for sleeping, and wraps himself in a white cloak, clasped with the white lightning-bolt of his house, gifted to him by his uncle, Lucas.

Early Life
Lewys was born in the sixth month of 399 AC, in the castle of Blackhaven, to Lord Guyard Dondarrion and his wife. During his infancy, both Lewys' father and his uncle, Lucas, were absent, fighting alongside the Stormlander fleet in the War of the Three Thieves, leaving the life of the young Dondarrion to his mother. With her eldest son under the service of a Blackhaven knight, Lewys was the object of her affections, and for the first few years of his life, was spoiled greatly. Growing quite large as a young boy, the young Stormlander had not even thought about picking up a sword once in his life.

That would all change upon Lucas Dondarrion's return to Blackhaven. The War of the Three Thieves had been over for three years by the time the brother to the Lord Dondarrion appeared at his home, and he had changed greatly. Scarred and experienced, yet with a brighter outlook on life, Lucas asked his brother for permission to whip young Lewys into shape. Whilst Lord Guyard had not neglected his son - far from it, in fact - he had not cared for him, and had little time to devote to both his education and his wellbeing. And so, Guyard trained the boy in the basic skills of life, his mother attended to him, and Lucas introduced him to a strange new world, of knights, battle, and war.

Lewys did not take to it well. Initially happy to sit and rest, the young lad had no interest in his own strength, and enjoyed the idea of eating and reading far more. Lucas decided to humour him. When he decided to sit and eat, Lucas would do the same, and this persisted through every action the young boy took. And yet, when Lewys did nothing, Lucas trained. He would make a show of it, as well, and, deep into Lewys' seventh year, his tactic finally worked. With goading and encouragement from his uncle, the young Dondarrion got up from his seat, and headed to the training yard. Slightly overweight, and unfit, Lewys did not do well in his training, but the approving smile of Ser Lucas Dondarrion drove him forward. And so began the path that carries Lewys to this day.

To War
Whilst Lewys had the drive to train, he did not enjoy it, not at the start. As only a page, he lacked many of the responsibilities that came with being a squire, and so saw his tutoring as a long, drawn-out process with little reason or excitement behind it. One year into his training, however, and war erupted across the Seven Kingdoms. Her Grace, the Queen Visaera, was beset on all sides by rebels. On one, Maekar Targaryen, the Prince of Summerhall, fought to depose the Queen for her son, Rhaegar, and on the other, Maegor Waters, son of Prince Aenys Targaryen, fought for his own claim to the throne. For the first time in his life, Lewys' training took him from the black basalt walls of his ancestral home.

Lucas was placed in command of the Dondarrion forces sent to join with the greater Stormlander army, and Lewys went alongside him. Whilst the men under Gwayne Baratheon's command did not see combat, the young Dondarrion learnt the ways of camp life, and watched his uncle command the men of his homeland. Lucas held a strange way of command, being intimately familiar with his men, inspiring them, and tearing them apart personally for disobedience. Whilst initially confused by this, having read of great commanders with impersonal ways of leading their men, Lewys eventually was inspired by his uncle, adopting this way of leadership in his own, brief stints as a commander.

After a long march, to Highgarden and back, Lewys' experience of a "real" war had grown, although the lack of battle had almost saddened the young boy. His reluctance for combat that had been ever-present a year before was entirely absent, replaced with a zeal and wish for bloodshed that would not be tempered until his first kill, years later.

Peace and Boredom
After the Mummer's War, life slowed back to a crawl for the Dondarrions. Whilst trade increased as a result of workers travelling to work on the expansion of Summerhall, there was little for Lewys and his knightly master to do. Whilst the young boy's training still kept up its intensity, it was the same regimen, day in, day out. Little variety was present in his life, and so Lewys went to his father. Where Lucas Dondarrion was a swordsman, Lord Guyard's tongue was his weapon, and the young boy, now a squire, wished to learn how to use his voice in a similar way. Whilst not as strong as his elder brother, Guyard was well-liked by his subjects, and by everyone else around him, and in his younger years, had a tourney following of his own. And so, whilst Lucas taught his squire how to carry himself in combat, Guyard taught him how to carry himself out of it.

Balancing himself between the two studies, Lewys began to shape himself. In the same year as the birth of Prince Aegon Targaryen, the young squire was finally old enough to train with those who were not his uncle. Sparring with both the men of Blackhaven, and the other youths, Lewys presented himself as a valiant opponent, and won the respect of those he fought.

It was in 416 AC, eight years after his first taste of true war, that Lewys would receive a great honour, beyond those he had ever seen before. Waking early in the morning, a note from his father was slipped under his door, asking for his presence in the great hall. When he arrived, a great crowd had gathered, and the ageing Lord Guyard stood in armour that had not been seen in years, with an ornate sword in his hands. Beside him stood Ser Lucas, smiling. After a few quick exchanged words, Lewys was upon his knees, and Lucas Dondarrion had taken the sword from his brother's hands, and tapped it upon his squire's shoulders, seven times.

Ser Lewys Dondarrion, knight of Blackhaven, stood, a purple cloak draped about his neck. With dreams of grandeur, the young man discussed his plans with his father and his mentor. Knowing he would not inherit Blackhaven, Lewys decided he wished to serve the Queen directly, in the fabled order of the Queensguard. Proud of the man he had helped shape, Lucas suggested applying for a position as an officer in the City Watch of King's Landing, under Commander Zachary Moreland. With a heartfelt farewell to his family, and a bold comment about his success to his elder brother, Ser Lewys left, his ambition firmly in his heart.

From Gold to White
Lewys' arrival at King's Landing was in no way overstated. After connecting with other Stormlanders in the Goldcloaks, the young knight was able to secure a strong position in the Watch, as a Serjeant underneath Ser Davos Peasebury of the Old Gate. Recognising the Dondarrion's prowess in combat, the Captain placed him as head of the patrol behind the gate in the city proper, where he was more likely to get a taste of action.

Whilst not greatly dangerous, Lewys' time in the Goldcloaks was well-spent, and the Dondarrion was recognised as a reliable member of a not so reliable company of men, with much of the city's peacekeeping done by the men of the Golden Company. However, Lewys' district required little Company intervention, a rare spark of competence in the corrupt City Watch. One year into Lewys' service and this corruption came to light, with Commander Moreland losing his position and his head. Expecting a possible restructuring of the command chain, due to a possible promotion of his own Captain, Lewys was disappointed when Lord Rodrik Connington assumed the position himself.

However, he did not let his disappointment carry into his effectiveness. Where many of his colleagues would perform their own, perverse form of justice on criminals, Lewys was famous for his objective stance on everything. He would judge men himself, before sending them upwards to the Master of Laws and his justiciars, accompanied by a note or a more extensive summary of the crime in question. When he was required to kill, however, he did it with ruthless, and unquestioning efficiency. Whilst not stupidly obeying orders that would get him killed, Lewys did not hesitate in moments of danger, and did not rethink his orders. And so, he built up a reputation as an obedient man, and a picture of knighthood.

When Alesander Staedmon ascended to the position of Commander, Lewys once again held his breath for a promotion. Staedmon, like himself, was a Stormlander, from a similar place in their home kingdom, and another second son to boot. However, little came once again, and Lewys was forced to settle for his main renown being his own personal performance.

Two more years of service came and went, with little change coming in the knight's direction. Growing to and passing, his twentieth year Lewys had grown from a young upstart officer to an experienced man, and a well-respected one at that. Whilst he had not performed any extraordinary acts, word of his reliability and skill had spread throughout King's Landing, and wormed its way up to the upper echelons of Westerosi society - the Small Council, and more precisely, Lord Commander Daeron Targaryen.

And so, in 420 AC, when Ser Justin Mallister committed suicide, in the wake of Queen Visenya Targaryen's death, a letter arrived at Lewys' residence in the city. It read rather simply, that his presence was required by His Grace, Rhaegar II Targaryen. It was then that the reason he had come to King's Landing returned to him, in full force.

An Oath
His arrival at the Red Keep was troublesome. When he arrived, his gold cloak upon his back, he was accosted by the guards. Questions flew at him, rather disparaging ones for a man of his birth. However, with his own, calm words, he managed to hold back the onslaught of the guards, until Daeron Targaryen arrived to put down the situation. It was then that the Dondarrion realised that he had been tested - and he had passed. His calm demeanour, combined with his unweathered resolve, were perfect qualities for a Kingsguard. Combined with recommendations from Ser Lucas Dondarrion, and knights within the City Watch, Lewys had a strong draw to the Kingsguard. And so, the knight was brought before the royal court, and before Rhaegar Targaryen.

When he entered the great hall, he was made to kneel before the Iron Throne, the hulking metal seat that held His Grace. His gold cloak was unclasped, and fell to the floor, leaving him without allegiance. Lord Commander Daeron stepped before him, and spoke the oath that Lewys was to repeat. After the customary ceremony was performed, it was Rhaegar Targaryen's time to act. He personally accepted the Dondarrion into the order, as he would do for every other Kingsguard to join the White Swords under him, as Prince Daeron draped the white cloak about the newest man of the order's neck.

Ser Lewys Dondarrion, serjeant of the City Watch of King's Landing, knelt before His Grace, Rhaegar II Targaryen, and rose as Ser Lewys Dondarrion, Knight of the Kingsguard, on that day.

Peace-time
Whether due to Lewys' presence or to simple lack of action from any of the King's enemies, the first five years of the Dondarrion's time in the White Swords was uneventful at best. Whilst in the Goldcloaks Lewys had a degree of freedom to do what he wished with his resources, in the Kingsguard he had very little agency to do anything. And yet, for a man who distinguished himself in the City Watch of King's Landing for taking innovative approaches to situations, Lewys Dondarrion was very skilled at standing perfectly still. Outside of the Small Council Chambers, outside of the White Sword Tower, or at the bridge to Maegor's Holdfast, Lewys held himself in the manner that a Kingsguard was expected to. Threateningly. Even in times of peace, like the early third of King Rhaegar II's reign, Lewys did not break his intimidating ways. Even when the very few threats to the King did occur, in the form of wild peasants or angered merchants, Lewys did not crack, simply dealing with them in an appropriate manner.

This intimidating, daunting exterior did nothing but benefit Lewys Dondarrion's position at court in King's Landing. Especially coupled with the Stormlander knight's behaviour off-duty. The Kingsguard and his companions were often found in the city when permitted, drinking and making merry with nobles and locals alike, cementing the man's position as what could only be described as a champion of the people, something that would come to the forefront even more in future years. However, Lewys managed to keep his two lives rather separate. When one of his drinking companions came to the Red Keep, they would not act the way they did to Lewys Dondarrion the Stormlander, but how everyone else would to Lewys Dondarrion the Kingsguard.

Lewys' time to develop his reputation as a member of the royal court suddenly came to a stop when the five year peace collapsed. Lord Commander Daeron Targaryen, uncle to His Grace, had died, and Ser Reynard Tarly, a veteran in the order, took his place. In the years after Tarly's ascension, however, the political situation to the east would begin to collapse, and the Kingsguard was forced to raise its watchfulness, leaving the Stormlander very little time in the city to relax.

Fall of the East, Winter in Westeros, and Springtide
When news of the coup in Myr, and the fall of Aeryn Targaryen in the Stepstones, reached the capital, the Kingsguard reacted swiftly. Guard details apart from the seven white cloaks were increased, thanks to cooperation with the Commander of the Goldcloaks, and the eyes of the Kingsguard were placed upon the shadows of Maegor's Holdfast. As winter enveloped the city, many of the Kingsguard were taken ill by the Blue Winter Fever, Lewys included. However, the order continued their duty, stopping any potential assassins from reaching the royal family, and dealing with... less dangerous problems.

Three years of winter and strict regulations for the castle would be followed by the event of the decade. Aegon Targaryen, Crown Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, had come of age, and his betrothal was about to take a step further. As was customary in the Kingsguard, one man took up the responsibility of representing the Kingsguard in each event. Due to his already-existing popularity, Lewys was a sure selection for his preferred event, the melee.

And so, in the middle of 428 AC, the Stormlander stepped forth onto the field, surrounded by famed duelists and glory-hunters. Lewys received great support from the crowd, cutting his way through the ranks with great skill. It would be the relatively young Jaime Rosby who would be Lewys' greatest challenge. The two danced in the centre of the arena, with Dondarrion's agility allowing him to dodge his way around Rosby's attacks. After a long, gruelling fight, Lewys was able to knock the Mistress of Whisperer's son to the ground, claiming his victory in the great tourney.

In one tourney, the Kingsguard had restored the fame that he had lost over the years of chaos during the Blue Winter, and once more became a favourite of spectators and courtiers alike.

Two years after the great wedding, tragedy struck the Kingsguard once more. Reynard Tarly, Lord Commander, perished, and Sybassion Spicer was appointed into his position, as the most senior member of the Kingsguard, and one of the greatest fighters in the order. However, Sybassion's takeover was less wracked by disaster than Reynard's, and so the White Swords recovered efficiently.

It was good that they did, as the next great event in Westeros was greatly controversial. Aegon Targaryen, who had married his sister, Rhaenyra, only three years prior, had great ambitions. His other sister, Visenya, was recently widowed, and, unlike Rhaenyra, was proven to be fertile. Polygamy, an act last seen in the reign of Maegor, was deeply disputed by the nobility, and so the Kingsguard was forced to be on lookout for any suspicious activity, preventing the Dondarrion from competing in the melee to defend his title.

Loyalties Tested
It was one year later that the already fragile peace fell apart entirely. Ser Duncan Hammer, son of the famous rebel, Brynden, followed in his father's footsteps, and rose in rebellion against the crown, seizing Oldtown and the Hightower. With the great number of rebels all across the realm, Lewys shared the opinion of Lord Perceon Vance, Septon Bryce, and Visenya Silvermoon, although for a separate reason to the three advisers. However, as he did not sit upon the Small Council, his opinion could only be given through Sybassion Spicer's mouth, and the Lord Commander's opinion was the opposite to his own.

However, as much as Lewys stood by his king loyally throughout the Second Hammer Uprising, he could not side with him, and Septon Bryce, now the High Septon, in their decision to resurrect the Faith Militant. Lewys despised the Golden Company enough, as a second peacekeeping force in the realm alongside the men of local lords, but at least they swore loyalty to the King directly. But Rhaegar had established what was essentially a separate army to do the bidding of the High Septon. Even though the force proved effective in the early war, Lewys' fears were confirmed after the burning of the Red Temple in Flea Bottom, that the Faith Militant could not be trusted.

It was in the middle of the four-hundred-and-thirty-fourth year after Aegon's Conquest when Lewys finally felt the Uprising's weight upon him, personally. The stress of protecting the King more fervently had hit the Stormlander, but not even that prepared him for the news from his homeland. Lady Ravella Swann had seized the Southern Stormlands, and Ser Meryn Swann had taken Griffin's Roost from House Connington. But the greatest news came from Summerhall, the Targaryen stronghold in the south. The palace had been stormed, its garrison overwhelmed, by none other than Ser Lucas Dondarrion, uncle to Ser Lewys Dondarrion of the Kingsguard, and the man who had trained him.

For fourteen years, Lewys had served the King loyally, never doubting any orders he had received. He had won tournies for the glory of his brothers in the Kingsguard, and yet he felt himself slipping. The man he respected more than anything had taken up arms against the Crown, and Lewys knew that his uncle did nothing without good reason. Knowing that his uncle would be named a traitor to the realm, when His Grace announced that Crown Prince Aegon would fly south to the Stormlands, Lewys pleaded to be allowed to accompany him, to see if the knight of Blackhaven could be swayed back to the royal cause. However, Rhaegar denied Lewys' request, stating that he would be "far more useful in a royal army," to which the Kingsguard reluctantly agreed.

Along with most of the Kingsguard, save for a pair who were left behind to protect Rhaegar's youngest son Daemon, and Aegon's second wife Visenya, Lewys travelled to Bitterbridge, as part of the great royal host. Said host was filled with men of the Golden Company, who had ascended in the Kingsguard's opinion since the Defense of Duskendale, and the performance of the Faith Militant throughout the war, although he was still wary of the Crown's standing army.

On the march south to Bitterbridge, Lewys had his first encounter with Addam Hightower, who had spent a long time in the custody of the Warsmiths. He was rather quickly impressed by the young knight's escape from his captivity, and so was greatly in favour of the knighting of the boy, and eventually his appointment to the Kingsguard. Lewys would soon see Addam's prowess in person, as Lord Ormund Caswell had emerged from his castle, and the Battle of Bitterbridge had begun.

Bitterbridge was not a hard battle. The Warsmiths were outmatched and outnumbered, and Caswell was too ruthless of a man to counteract it. However, Lewys could not have foreseen that Caswell's ruthlessness would lead to a greater death than Lord Ormund's. His Grace, Rhaegar Targaryen was knocked from his saddle by one of the Reachman's dragonbusters and plummeted to the ground. The Dondarrion was helpless, simply watching as the man he swore his life to protect crashed to the floor, his duty failed. However, with the rallying cry from the woman who was likely to be Queen Rhaenyra, Lewys charged once more, vowing to bring the slayer of his charge to justice. With the reinvigorated royal host against them, Ormund Caswell's men did not survive.

When the Queen left Bitterbridge for Ashford, Lewys stayed behind at the castle, preparing for any potential assaults from Warsmiths in the area. Along with that, the Knight of the Kingsguard could not bring himself to show his face outside of the castle walls. His one duty, and he had failed. But, as news came to Bitterbridge of Rhaenyra Targaryen's slaying of Ser Duncan Hammer, Lewys realised that he had a greater purpose in the war.

As soon as the army made plans to set back to King's Landing, Lewys requested permission to send a letter by raven to the capital. In his missive, addressed to the Hand, Perceon Vance, who ruled in the King's stead, Lewys asked that the lower half of the letter was sent on to Storm's End. The letter to House Baratheon was simple. It did not beg, it did not plead. It stated, and it asked, that Lucas Dondarrion be allowed to return to his home of Blackhaven, as a request from a member of a loyal Stormlander house, and a representative of the Stormlands in King's Landing.

As the raven left, Lewys simply prayed it would be enough.

Aftermath
Upon his return to King's Landing with the royal host, Lewys was greeted by grand news. His uncle had been spared, thanks to his intervention and that of his father, though Lucas and his children had been disinherited, a punishment that was effectively pointless, with Lucas being far back in the line of succession anyways. However, whilst his uncle by blood had survived, many of his brothers in duty had not. Ser Arlan Waters, the man who had once trained Prince Baelor Targaryen, had perished at Bitterbridge, and others had fallen as well. It was in the war's tragedy that the Kingsguard found a friend. Sybassion Spicer had always held Lewys' respect, even when their views differed greatly, but after the news of the rebellion in the West, led by the Lord Commander's family, the two men grew to be more than just brothers, but friends. Lewys and Sybassion's shared betrayal from their family, and Lewys' position as the second-most-experienced knight in the Kingsguard gave the Dondarrion a position as the Lord Commander's second, a role that, due to Lewys' proven prowess in combat, was not disputed.