In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Blackhaven is a stout keep that has a long history as a defensive fortification against attacks out of Dorne to the south. According to legend, the castle was granted by the Storm King to a loyal scout who avoided Dornish patrols to bring him warning of an impending attack. At one point the scout was ambushed, but his attackers were killed in a freak lightning strike. As a result, the scout, who was the founder of House Dondarrion, adopted a lightning bolt as his symbol. Blackhaven is the home of Lord Beric Dondarrion.