Crisis of the Crescent

The Crisis of the Crescent was a series of events that culminated in 382AC, when Alaric Arryn and his companions - members of the reformed Lords Declarant - engaged Roland Arryn in a battle on his wedding day. When the dust had settled, Roland and his loyal Winged Knights were slain; leaving Alaric to inherit the Eyrie and the Vale.

Background
The Crisis found its roots in the years prior to the birth of Alaric Arryn, when Prince Aenys Targaryen and his newly betrothed wife, Lenore Blackwood, visited the Eyrie along with the royal court. The young couple were the talk of the Vale, word of their sudden betrothal having gone ahead, and though Oswin the Osprey was rather annoyed to find a Blackwood promised to the royal heir before his own daughters had even been considered, his anger could not burn long in the face of their obvious love. The royals were feasted in Gulltown and in the Eyrie, where Oswin presented to them his children.

First among these was the young falcon, the heir to the Vale - Roland Arryn, a dashing boy of only twelve, fair-haired and gallant if somewhat awkward. Prince Aenys greeted the youth personally, and Lenore graced him with a smile -- together, the young pair stole the heart of the boy, who watched them thereafter with eyes wide and filled with wonder. Theirs was the first romance he had ever truly been exposed to, and Lenore stole his heart with naught more than a grin. At once the Arryn was smitten, and as the feasting went on he hung about the hall, drinking in every moment and word he could steal from the loving, new-betrothed pair.

In time, of course, the royals left the Eyrie; but Roland was forever changed. He had been a dreamer in his youth, prone to flights of fancy and a deep-set desire for adventure and story-book tales of valor. In Aenys he had seen the possibilities of a good, true knight; and in Lenore, a fair maiden worthy of defending. Roland committed himself at once to becoming the sort of man who could stand tall in their company; scholarly, clever, light on the feet, skilled with sword and lance and bow. Oswin watched proudly as his young heir soared to new heights, even if he did not fathom from whence the boy’s ascent had come -- and, to the side, young Alyssa Arryn watched as well, and in her own breast felt the first stirring of love.

Roland Arryn would come of age in the year 364AC, and wed his young cousin, Alyssa Arryn, two years later.

The Warhawk's Son
In 370AC, Lord Oswin Arryn died quietly in his sleep; the old Warhawk knowing peace for the first time in his life. As Lord Roland Arryn sat the weirwood throne for the first time, he did so with the promise of peace everlasting; peace between the men of the Vale and all fellow Andals, between the men of the Vale and all who came in good faith -- between the men of the Vale and the men of the Mountains, he declared, who had for too long been treated with the wrath of the Warrior, when in truth they were as worthy as any other.

Many murmured at this proclamation, but Roland was well-known and well-liked throughout the Vale. A chance, most decided, would be given to him. Perhaps he was not as foolhardy as he seemed to be suggesting; and his wife Alyssa was known for her cool head and clever tongue. She would curb him, if nothing else; the Arryns had never lacked in powerful women.

As time went on, however, Roland proved a man of his word. Raids into the mountains were cut back entirely, and a series of restrictions were levied upon those who wished to fight Clansmen in the valleys. Many knights grumbled against these barriers, disliking their forced inaction. But Roland was the Lord of the Vale, thus his will was law. Conflict with the Mountain Clans drastically declined, whilst raids ticked upwards - slowly, at first, but faster and faster and faster.

By this time young Alaric Arryn was growing into his own; five years into his cousin’s rule he was a tall, long-limbed youth. Black-haired like his mother, many thought him comely. He practiced with sword and lance.

As time passed, Roland’s measures did see a degree of success. Though many clans continued the raids, some grew more open to discourse and diplomacy, working with the Eyrie to ensure better lives for both peoples. The Redsmiths were the chief among these amiable tribe, their chieftain often visiting the Eyrie. He became a regular sight, and trade increased between the two groups. Many lords and nobles muttered, angered by this treason. Roland continued as he wished, however, blind to the demands of his people.

The Kingswood Tourney
In 379AC the Kingswood Tourney drew many Valemen, including the young Alaric who was not yet knighted. Roland Arryn attended with all his host, but left his young - and heavily pregnant - wife at home in the Eyrie.

During the Kingswood Tourney Roland won small renown, besting several lesser knights in the joust. In a particularly hard-fought match he accidentally slew his competitor; the lance shattering and sending a jagged shard straight into the man's throat. Horrified, Roland resigned from the lists and retreated into his tents, assuaging his pain with wine. Rumour soon spread that in his drunken state the Lord of the Eyrie found other distractions as well - bedding his serving girl that very night. The disrespect to Lady Alyssa inflamed her hot-headed younger brother, and Alaric Arryn at once departed for the Vale. Upon arrival at the Bloody Gate, he received news that had been waiting from the Eyrie; Alyssa Arryn had given birth - another girl - and now lay in a terrible state. Ravens had already departed to bring the Lord of the Eyrie and his retinue home - no doubt they would soon be following behind. Alaric at once departed for the Eyrie and his sister, but he would arrive just days too late. Alyssa Arryn had passed, weak and bloodied, alone save for the castle's maester.

The Final Straw
Alaric Arryn turned sixteen in the year 380AC, and was named the Keeper of the Gates of the Moon by his lord cousin. Some whispered that the move was intended to assuage the temper of the fiery boy, whose anger towards his cousin was a poorly kept secret. Others said it was to remove the lad from the Eyrie, so he would not be present during the course of what was to come next.

A year had not yet passed when Lord Roland Arryn announced the next step of his plans; he meant to marry Valla of the Redsmiths, in order to cement an alliance with their chief and begin the process of acclimating the Mountain Clans. At once the men of the Vale were in uproar - a wildling as their lady, the mother to the future Arryn heir! Riots broke out in Gulltown as news spread. Violent retribution against the Clans began in every corner of the mountains, and many knights whispered of riding into the hills to track down the Redsmiths themselves.

None, however, were so inflamed than Alaric Arryn, Keeper of the Gates of the Moon. The insult to his sister, hardly a year in the ground, along with the union to the very same folk who had wounded his mother and slaughtered friends and companions - this, coupled with his growing ambition and disdain for his lord cousin, conspired to ignite within him a wrath that would nearly consume. From his place in the Gates, Alaric would send riders to those Lords he was familiar with, asking them for their support.

Lords Declarant
Main Article: Lords Declarant

Those lords who accepted the young Arryn’s invitation - Belmore, his wife’s kin, Royce, his cousins, as well as Hunter and Corbray - met in the halls of the Gate. There they make an agreement, professing their plans to force Roland to cease his negotiations with the Mountain Clans. Taking on the name of the group of lords who defied Petyr Baelish during his forced regency in 300AC, the new Lords Declarant make their plans and go their separate ways. Some thought that Roland would be made to put away his wife, agreeing to marry a woman of proper Andal stock. Others thought the coward would simply abdicate his seat, heading off to live with the wildling peoples he seemed to favour so greatly. In the end, none were sure what the future might hold.

A full year after the announcement Lord Roland Arryn sent invitations to his wedding; meaning to hold the ceremony on the banks of the nearby lake. Many lords chose to abstain, but many more begrudgingly made arrangements to come; most especially those lords who had conspired with Alaric to remind Roland of his allegiances. They arrived and participated in the wedding of 382AC, each bringing a retinue of some fifty fighting men - some as guards, others disguised as servants and aides, and yet others slowly filtering in as knights and hedgeknights come to witness the occasion. For his part, Alaric brought ten men of his own, and took his place near the head of his cousin’s wedding party.

Oaths Taken, Oaths Broken
As the ceremony progressed, nearing its height, and the pair stood sheltered beneath a tree before the lake and the officiating septon, Alaric rose from his seat, before the crowd, and at once gave the order. Men burst into action from every corner, drawing shocked gasps and horrified shouts as they drew arms. The Brotherhood of Winged Knights folded in about their lord, their longswords silver in the light. Behind them guests were shuffled out of the clearing, and the sound of fighting could be heard across the plain - Roland’s guards and soldiers fighting against the men of the Lords Declarant, trying to break through to protect their liege. In mere moments there were but a score of men left upon the field - the eight of the Brotherhood, the Lord Roland himself, then Alaric and his ten companions. Roland pushed his wife behind him, telling her to remain where she was. He drew his own sword, and there by the lake, the battle for the Vale was joined.

Alaric and Roland never crossed swords in the fight, though Roland slew two men on his own. Marwyn the Candle, named for his quick wit and fire-bright red hair, at once came for Alaric - they fought back and forth across the field, until Marwyn slipped upon the grass and was slain. Osgood Hardyng and Petyr Stone were both felled in the fighting, though not before taking several of their opponents down with them - and as the numbers began to turn upon the younger Falcon, he locked eyes with a pair of his foes, and gave the word.

Alester Hersey and Rodrick Gullfeather turned upon their brothers in arms, their own hate for the Mountain Clans and the promises of young Alaric serving to convince them to betray their lord. Rodrick slew Yohn Royce from behind, whilst Alester advanced upon Roland. Alaric and Vardis, who led the Brotherhood, met sword upon sword in the meantime - but by then the men of the Lords Declarant had nearly secured the surrounding area, and began to take up positions nearby.

Seeing that hope was lost, Vardis broke from Alaric and fell back towards his lord, urging Roland to escape whilst he could. Roland turned to flee, leaving Vardis to fend off the remaining four attackers - the last of Alaric’s men met his end, even as Vardis’ whirling defense kept the trio at bay. Alaric turned, leaving Vardis to his once-brothers-in-arms, and gave the order at the nearby soldiers to fire.

The twang of bowstring echoed across the field, falcon-fletched arrows striking the Lord of the Eyrie in the back. He died upon the field, even as the rest of the Lords Declarant finished securing the perimeter and arrived.

At first there was shock, horror, and outrage - Lord Alaric was only to detain and speak with Roland, who he had professed would be more likely to listen to reason if it came from his cousin and brother-by-law. Roland, Alaric insisted, had grown white with fury, and before words of peace could be spoken set his men upon them. The battle had been self-defense, he insisted.

There were none among the living who could contest that statement truthfully - only Alester, Rodrik, and Alaric yet lived who had seen the battle’s start. Of course, there was also Valla of the Redsmiths - who by then, was long gone.

At once orders were given to ride out and find her, knights of the Vale scouring the nearby region for days. Despite their searching, it was as if the woman had never existed; they could find not a trace of her, and returned empty handed.

Rising
Other prisoners were taken; Joramun Redsmith, leader of their clan, as well as a half dozen notable warriors and raiders and a handful of lesser chieftains. All were imprisoned by the Lords Declarant, the rest of their men slain fighting.

With Roland dead, and his wife missing, there was the matter of succession now to consider. Roland had three living daughters, though the eldest was no older than eleven, and the youngest still a babe in arms. Additionally, he had a living brother; Jonos Arryn, whom men called Finch, on account of his singing voice. Few wanted a simpleton on the weirwood throne, however, and there was of course the obvious choice - Alaric. But with the slaughter on their hands, a few of the Lords Declarant were wary of naming the youth to the seat.

In the end fate would decide on their behalf - three days later, after securing the Bloody Gate and the Gates of the Moon without contest, Alaric began the climb to the Eyrie. He did so unarmed, accompanied by only three figures - one a septon, one an anointed knight bearing his standard, and the last was Teora Arryn, a child of eleven. They made their way up the steep mountain path, and stopped at each of the way castles; Snow, Stone, and Sky. Each time they stopped, Alaric would ask if any meant to bar their way. Each time, no man dared step forward.

At the summit of the mountain, Alaric arrived to find the gates of the castle open and unmanned. He walked into the holdfast, leaving his companions in the Crescent Chamber while he himself entered the High Hall.

Upon arriving in that room, he found the court of the Eyrie waiting for him; Maester Corwyn, Ser Ulric Templeton - the Captain of the Guard - and several nobles. Among these was Jonos Arryn himself, wholly engrossed in a new lute of carved weirwood. Beside him, standing firm and proud - and calm, were it not for the ferocity of the grip she had placed upon his shoulder - was Jonos’ wife, the Lady Aemma Hunter. Alaric surveyed the room.

“Have you no greeting for me?” He asked of them.

From maester to knight to noble, all gathered there slowly fell upon their knees. Only Jonos, frustrated with the lyre that seemed not to obey him, made any noise at all.

After a moment Aemma rose to her feet, and crossed the room to where Alaric stood. The question in her eyes was answered with a simple shake of the head, and she pressed her lips against his right cheek, and then his left, in silent thanks.

Aftermath
So it was that Alaric Arryn came to inherit the Eyrie and the Vale, though many still whispered of him as a kinslayer and a usurper. Word was sent to King’s Landing, informing them of Roland’s passing after he was mortally wounded during the fighting when a group of mountain clansmen quarreled with Vale knights during his wedding.

Though rumours would eventually reach the capital, there were but three men living who knew the full truth of the final fight, and less than a dozen in whom Alaric had confided his bloody plans for that fateful day. Roland’s daughters were kept in the Eyrie, guests in name and nearly in truth - each would be lightly guarded and watched from then on lest their father’s late wife come seeking vengeance, of course.

For indeed, rumours came from the mountains that Valla had in fact survived; and nine months later had borne a child - strong, fair-haired, and male.

Legacy
Though Alaric Arryn ruled the Vale since his rise in the year 382, there were those who were against his reign, and sought to overthrow him. Each attempt and plot were duly foiled, though few found great traction due to a simple truth; there were no other Arryns to seat upon the throne, for all were held firmly in Alaric's grasp. With the aid of Aemma Hunter, Jonos Arryn's wife, Alaric began to assauge those tempers that yet burned against him. In time, his rule came to be recognized. Whispers and rumours aside.

The slaughter of the Redsmiths and their chieftain reignited conflict with the Mountain Clans, sparking another decade of strife and war as raids increased during the years to come.

There are those who still hold that Roland Arryn's way was the right one, and others that yet believe his son has a right to his father's titles. Should such a youth emerge, there is no telling what could occur. But until that rumour is quelled, the Crisis lives on.