Why did it take so long to assault Dragonstone?

[Lord Lannister]

As we all know Robert and his rebel forces won the rebellion and overthrew the Targaryen dynasty in 283. Afterwards Stannis was tasked to build a royal fleet to capture the last Targaryen stronghold at Dragonstone and capture their heirs. As we all know, the day Dany was born a great storm wiped out the remnants of the Targaryen fleet and allowing Stannis to capture Dragonstone virtually without resistance while Darry barely escaped with Viserys and Daenerys.

My question is, why did this take so long? I know Stannis had to build a Royal Fleet but it wasn't as if there weren't other forces available. The Lannisters were always stated to have a large fleet as were the Greyjoys who joined in the rebellion at the very end. Even if they were on the other side of the continent bargaining with Tywin and Balon's father for the use of their fleets would've been more quick than building a whole new fleet from scratch.

But that wasn't even the only fleet available. Right there at Storm's End there was another one that Davos had to smuggle those onions past. The Redwyne fleet was part of Mace Tyrell's army that had been laying siege to Storm's End. Mace had lowered his banners and called it a day, but demanding use of his fleet would've been a small concession being he got out of siding with the Targaryens virtually scot free.

So right there at Storm's End they have Ned Stark's army, which is known to be loyal and they have a fleet that's beholden to the new Crown or else the Reach suffers. Why didn't they simply attack right away? Having to build a fleet from scratch does explain the time gap, but as I've stated that wasn't necessary really. Stannis could've taken that army that lifted the siege to Dragonstone almost immediately on the Redwyne ships.

There's the remaining Targaryen fleet sure, it was always described with the words remaining or remnants as I recall so I don't imagine they'd be very considerable. Sure building a royal fleet is necessary in the long run, but not for that single objective. You'd think how obsessed Robert was with destroying "dragonspawn" given how angry he was with Stannis when Viserys and Dany escaped, he'd have considered other options for the operation.

Furthermore, had Stannis managed to capture the pregnant Rhaella and Viserys right away, what would you imagine Robert's reaction would be and the outcome of that? I would guess nothing good. Ned nearly broke with Robert over the murder of Rhaegar's children, I couldn't see their friendship surviving a second helping of that cold dish.

[TallTyrion]

From what I understand the Lannister fleet is mostly for protecting Lannisport and has very little capacity to exert force elsewhere. The Iron Born quite simply aren't reliable and only supported Robert at the very end.

The Redwyne fleet could have been used but it may have been a hard sell for the Tyrells. Bending the knee is one thing. Fighting on Robert's behalf against the Targs is another. Also they had just spent more than a year besieging Storm's End and probably wanted to go home. Add that to their loyalties not being certain at the time.

[GallowsKnight]

The Lannister Fleet is small and needs to protect Lannisport. The Redwynes are of dubious loyalty. Are you really going to risk them turning coat at the sight of Dragonstone? The Ironborn are of dubious loyalty and far away. They're also less of a match for the Royal Fleet which had not been prepared.

Davos had a single smugglers boat. No mighty fleet.

So Stannis built a new fleet.

[Bluetiger]

Targaryen fleet ( probably some from King's Landing, Velaryon's and from Narrow Sea lords) was at Dragonstone. We don't know how many but probably 30-40.

Lannister fleet is at the other side of continent, it has to protect Westerlands from Ironborn.

Ironborn wouldn't agree, and even if they did it's not smart to bring this pirates near your main city.

Tyrell, Hightower and Redwyne could not be trusted. What if they declare for Viserys, join Targaryen fleet and some loyalists and sack King's Landing?

Also Tyrells ( who were attacked by Quellon Greyjoy since he declared for rebels) needed fleet to protect their own lands.

Stormlands, Vale, North didn't have enough ships. So Stannis built new fleet.

[The porn of the morning]

I definitely agree that both lannister and ironborn were outta the question cuZ of sheer distance alone. Might b faster to just build some ships. However, i don't see y stannis would need the tyrell permission to simply commandeer some a their ships. They had plenty of dudes to staff them, so they wouldn't need tyrell men to man the ships. Just a portion of the fleet itself. And I thin they would HAVE to give em up or be punished. I got nothin. I dunno y it took so long. Buty guess is basically cuz the narrative required it To take that long lol. Simple as that. Grundle Martin himself says he hates doin precise timelines cuz he hates Bein questioned about them

[Petyr's Little Finger]

The Lannister fleet is too small. The Redwynes have just fought for the Targaryens, so using their fleet is silly, and I think the Ironborn would have went back home after Robert took KL.

[Bluetiger]

And even if someone agreed to attack Dragonstone, Robert would still need to have some warships of his own. Stannis would still have to build it (sooner or later).

[devilish]

Just because Tywin sacked Kingslanding when the war was nearly over that doesn't make him a loyal subject. For all we know Robert may not be satisfied with such 'late' show of loyalty. Same with the Tyrells who fought alongside Rhaegar and needed to be lured back to the fold, the Greyjoys who remained neutral throughout the war and the Martells who had suffered the death of Elia and her children. Robert may have managed to place his arse on the iron throne but he needed time to negotiate with these lords to give them a dignified exit route while they needed to trust him enough to let their guards down and start contributing positively to his project. If he failed to do so then rebellion would have been imminent with Tyrells, Greyjoys and Lannisters still enjoying near full force as opposed to his force who were severely depleted. Such trust need time and killing Targ innocent children would have dented it. It was therefore wise to seal the necessary alliances and allow his armies to recover before attacking the targ children.

[Bluetiger]

Just because Tywin sacked Kingslanding when the war was nearly over that doesn't make him a loyal subject. For all we know Robert may not be satisfied with such 'late' show of loyalty. Same with the Tyrells who fought alongside Rhaegar and needed to be lured back to the fold, the Greyjoys who remained neutral throughout the war and the Martells who had suffered the death of Elia and her children. Robert may have managed to place his arse on the iron throne but he needed time to negotiate with these lords to give them a dignified exit route while they needed to trust him enough to let their guards down and start contributing positively to his project. If he failed to do so then rebellion would have been imminent with Tyrells, Greyjoys and Lannisters still enjoying near full force as opposed to his force who were severely depleted. Such trust need time and killing Targ innocent children would have dented it. It was therefore wise to seal the necessary alliances and allow his armies to recover before attacking the targ children.

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But Greyjoys were also weakened. Quellon died at Mander and many longships were destroyed.

[Universal Sword Donor]

This↑

But Greyjoys were also weakened. Quellon died at Mander and many longships were destroyed.

Greyjoys did lost Quellon but only lost a dozen longships. Biggest problem is that longships aren't very big and aren't ideal for moving large numbers of troops, horses, or siege equipment.

Also bear in mind that the Targ fleet, nominally under the command of Rhaella and Viserys, was still there until Dany was born. Stannis simply lacked the strength to assault dragonstone until a new fleet was built, as the other options were not really viable or a wise idea.

[Ser Leftwich]

Uhhh Redwyne fleet mainly.

But mostly so that George had time for the Davos/Stannis storyline with Edric. It needed to happen after Stannis had left for the Wall.

So mainly just plot.

Talking about two different assaults on Dragonstone.

[Lord Lannister]

I'll concede the point about the unreliability of the Ironborn, and even the Lannister fleet even though I think sailing around a continent is quicker than building a fleet from scratch. But the Redwyne fleet? They may not like it, but I think they would go along with it. If they ended up betraying Robert and declaring for the Targaryens, their lands in the Reach are undefended and open to retaliation by Robert's armies. That alone would keep them in line. Otherwise yes, if they got too prickly, Stannis is exactly the type I could see just commandeering their fleet.

[Ser Leftwich]

1) A combination of plot necessity (time for Dany to be born),

2) dubious loyalty of the Redwyne's (and they have all the sea power, what is Robert going to do to them) and Robert will need his own sea force at some point, and

3) the symbolism/importance of Dragonstone: the ancestral home of the Targs from before they were even kings of Westeros. Robert had to take it and take it with authority.

[Lord Lannister]

1) A combination of plot necessity (time for Dany to be born),

2) dubious loyalty of the Redwyne's (and they have all the sea power, what is Robert going to do to them) and Robert will need his own sea force at some point, and

3) the symbolism/importance of Dragonstone: the ancestral home of the Targs from before they were even kings of Westeros. Robert had to take it and take it with authority.

1) I think this is the main reasoning myself. No story if Dany doesn't get away.

2) Yes, but all the sea power in the world isn't going to threaten Westeros in of itself. It may take Robert some time to crush the Arbor but he could've done it whereas they gain nothing by holding true to the Targaryens. Not to mention their armies would still be around Storm's Landing as part of Mace's army most likely so some hostages are handy. I'll agree Robert needs a fleet and should've built one regardless, but that doesn't mean he can't expedite his taking of Dragonstone. It would've prevented Viserys and Dany from escaping his reach.

3) What's that have to do with using the Redwyne ships? They would seem to take it far more quickly and end any organized Targaryen resistance.

[Universal Sword Donor]

I'll concede the point about the unreliability of the Ironborn, and even the Lannister fleet even though I think sailing around a continent is quicker than building a fleet from scratch. But the Redwyne fleet? They may not like it, but I think they would go along with it. If they ended up betraying Robert and declaring for the Targaryens, their lands in the Reach are undefended and open to retaliation by Robert's armies. That alone would keep them in line. Otherwise yes, if they got too prickly, Stannis is exactly the type I could see just commandeering their fleet.

The Redwyne fleet had been sieging SE for months. Like the majority of the forces mobilized in RR, they just wanted to go home. Between the sailors not having been home for almost a year and most soldiers being thousands of miles from home, they'd have been hard pressed to 'keep' the band together. We hear about what kind of desertion losses Robb and Tywin's forces suffer during the Wo5K. The Targs weren't going to relaunch the rebellion from their side. They didn't have the manpower to do so but still had the royal fleet/ships to escape when necessary. Obviously the storm during Dany's birth put a kibosh on it, but it was by far the more prudent option to rebuild the fleet and re-raise manpower (or solicit volunteers) than force tired, lonely men to take DS.

The biggest issue is we really don't know who contributed troops and a lot more of the preparation information. Stannis could have commandeered the Redwyne fleet but he's a bit more methodical than that.

[Ser Leftwich]

1) I think this is the main reasoning myself. No story if Dany doesn't get away.

2) Yes, but all the sea power in the world isn't going to threaten Westeros in of itself. It may take Robert some time to crush the Arbor but he could've done it whereas they gain nothing by holding true to the Targaryens. Not to mention their armies would still be around Storm's Landing as part of Mace's army most likely so some hostages are handy. I'll agree Robert needs a fleet and should've built one regardless, but that doesn't mean he can't expedite his taking of Dragonstone. It would've prevented Viserys and Dany from escaping his reach.

3) What's that have to do with using the Redwyne ships? They would seem to take it far more quickly and end any organized Targaryen resistance.

It is not that the Redwyne's can threaten Robert. It is that Robert could not make the Redwyne's do anything. He stayed in KL. As soon as they bent the knee to Ned they left to go back to the Arbor. Trying to stay out of sight and out of mind. It would be very bad PR for Robert to be beholden to them. With Dragonstone still in not taken and Dorne/Oberyn at boiling point, there were bigger fish to fry than bullying the Redwyne's.

And there is a difference between the Redwyne's staying loyal to the Targ's and not doing Robert's bidding.

Is it really that big of a issue?