#and Finally coming to a point where he can deny stannis and say i have a name. being satisfied with being a snow bc it does not matter

[hellgram]

also with all the damage the show did to jon's reputation as a good northern lad and wildling i hope germ comes out with like. yeah he's rhaegar and lyanna's son and the name she gave him while bleeding out on the birthing bed alone but for her big brother holding her hand in a tower with no way to know that baby aegon had been murdered leaving the title of Egg 6 up for grabs was like. howland.

[mrsjadecurtiss]

Another ask, if you have the inclination: I've just been rereading Reek III with all that entails, and Theon thinks about 'the son is just the shadow of the father' re Roose and Ramsay. Do you believe that Roose can actually be as bad or worse than Ramsay at this point? He's got to be worse than average and his morals very lacking, but it's hard to imagine us being made to abhor him more than Ramsay in the remaining books. Is it just Theon's terrified paranoia, or do you think it can pay off somehow? 🤔 Or am I misinterpreting that line do you think?

Do you believe that Roose can actually be as bad or worse than Ramsay at this point? He's got to be worse than average and his morals very lacking [...].

This is a trap, he is playing with you, the son is just the shadow of the father. Lord Ramsay played with his hopes all the time. - Reek III, aDwD

This is no man to jape with. You had only to look at Bolton to know that he had more cruelty in his pinky toe than all the Freys combined. - Reek III, aDwD

I believe quotes like these refer to the effect of the cruelty they enact, rather than the specific crimes.

Ramsay is vile and cruel, enacting heinous violence upon people like a slasher movie villain. We do not have any evidence that Roose personally inflicts the same degree of crass violence upon people, as even in his presumably candid retelling of the miller's wife story, while a horrifying and inexcusable crime, he does not reach the extreme level of violence Ramsay inflicts upon smallfolk on the regular with his hunts and torturings.

"Roose Bolton's cold and cunning, aye, but a man can deal with Roose. We've all known worse. But this bastard son of his … they say he's mad and cruel, a monster." - Davos III, aDwD

The point, i believe, is not who produces the worst feats of violence, but rather another facette of grrms criticism of feudalism:

Would Ramsay even have a chance to do these heinous crimes if his father, who knows about everything, had an ounce of morality in him?

[Roose:] "All you have I gave you. You would do well to remember that, bastard." - Reek III, aDwD

Everything Ramsay has, his high position, the freedom to do all the crimes he wants, the protection from law that would have otherwise sent him to the wall in no time, he has because of his father's selfishness. Roose could have stopped these crimes from happening, he could have given Ramsay the appropriate punishment, instead he keeps Ramsay around because he feels like it...

Roose is at the top of his society, answering to barely anyone except his overlord and his king; so much power is at his fingertips, and yet he uses it for selfish reasons, commits crimes, allows crimes to happen in full knowledge, and everything is handled as it benefits him instead of abiding to morality or law. Every crime Ramsay does is Roose' responsibility as feudal lord and thus his crime.

"When soldiers lack discipline, the fault lies with their lord commander," his father said. - Tyrion VIII, aGoT

Roose is called the leech lord, and indeed he is a leech upon society, bleeding his people dry to his own benefit while not lifting a finger himself. While he is not a literal vampire, obviously parts of his character are a play on vampire myths, and the aristocratic bloodsucking vampire is frequently used as a metaphor for critique of the ruling class (i hear Fever Dream by grrm plays with this, though i have not read it). He might not commit a Texas Chainsaw Massacre in person, but that doesn't make him any less morally bankrupt and despicable, and he still has the same blood on his hands.

There is a tendency where Roose tries to lighten his crimes in conversation - here are three examples showing different facettes:

"The arrogance of it! They do not expect the north to believe their lies, not truly, but they think we must pretend to believe or die. Roose Bolton lies about his part in the Red Wedding, and his bastard lies about the fall of Winterfell." - Davos IV, aDwD

[Roose:] "Tell me, my lord … if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when one son slays another?" - Reek III, aDwD

[Roose:] "The maesters will tell you that King Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the first night to appease his shrewish queen, but where the old gods rule, old customs linger. The Umbers keep the first night too, deny it as they may. Certain of the mountain clans as well, and on Skagos … well, only heart trees ever see half of what they do on Skagos." - Reek III, aDwD

1. Denial of involvement - Roose frequently either escapes blame completely (for example for Duskendale), puts blame on someone else (like blaming Ramsay's bastard blood for Winterfell), or lies about his crimes to evade blame.

2. Selectively invoking law - using the kinslaying law, he pretends his hands are tied when it comes to Ramsay, even though he could for example also send him to the wall as punishment. He frequently breaks laws as he pleases and also took part in breaking sacred contracts such as guest right (red wedding), so him invoking law in this instance is likely a tool to absolve himself of blame during the conversation.

3. Comparing himself to others to lessen his own acts, after failing to escape blame - by bringing the Umbers etc into the conversation, he tries to make himself look less bad; "look, everyone's doing it, and the skagosi are probably even worse than me!"

As opposed to Ramsay, he is aware of how the severity of the crimes he is doing would be received by others. He likes to present himself as a rational and civilized man, and thus has an interest to downplay his criminal actions, even if he does not see anything wrong with them as he did them for his own benefit.

"No tales were ever told of me. Do you think I would be sitting here if it were otherwise?" - Reek III, aDwD

"That annoyed me, so I gave her the mill and had the brother's tongue cut out, to make certain he did not go running to Winterfell with tales that might disturb Lord Rickard." - Reek III, aDwD

As the Mormonts were bannermen to the Starks, [Jorah's] crime had dishonored the north. Ned had made the long journey west to Bear Island, only to find when he arrived that Jorah had taken ship beyond the reach of Ice and the king's justice. - Eddard II, aGoT

The foolish Ramsay tries to pride himself in his crimes; Roose however knows of the importance of optics. He is aware that he frequently breaks the law, and tries his best to keep his reputation intact as to not attract unwanted attention; especially with an overlord like Ned Stark, who would not handwave any crime and would make sure justice is served.

From what we can observe, in my opinion the difference between Roose and Ramsay is that Roose doesn't see anything wrong with comitting violence as long as the result is of a benefit for him, while Ramsay additionally also commits violence because he merely finds enjoyment in inflicting it, violence for violence's sake. This is why Roose is able to control himself and always gives Ramsay the advice to be restrained, but Ramsay is unable and unwilling to do so and his acts are much more extreme. Roose is likely starting to realize this difference by aDwD.

Is it just Theon's terrified paranoia [...]?

I do also believe Theon's statement is fueled by paranoia, if you look at the entire context:

"I mean you no harm, you know. I owe you much and more." - "You do?" Some part of him was screaming, This is a trap, he is playing with you, the son is just the shadow of the father. Lord Ramsay played with his hopes all the time. "What … what do you owe me, m'lord?" - "The north. The Starks were done and doomed the night that you took Winterfell." He waved a pale hand, dismissive. "All this is only squabbling over spoils." - Reek III, aDwD

Roose is not necessarily tricking Theon here since it appears to be a correct statement; And he does have an interest to be on friendly terms with Theon (offering him fresh clothes for example) because he wants to make use of his position as heir to the iron islands, a goal he expressed as early as a Storm of Swords.

"Flaying Theon will not bring my brothers back," Robb said. "I want his head, not his skin." - "He is Balon Greyjoy's only living son," Lord Bolton said softly, as if they had forgotten, "and now rightful King of the Iron Islands. A captive king has great value as a hostage." - Catelyn VI, aCoK

"Serve us in this, and when Stannis is defeated we will discuss how best to restore you to your father's seat," his lordship had said in that soft voice of his, a voice made for lies and whispers. Theon never believed a word of it. - The Prince of Winterfell, aDwD

Note that here Theon does not believe him either, any trust he has shattered by Ramsay as well as Roose' unlikable personality. Still it seems likely Roose was really somewhat trying to be nice with Theon, because as he tries to teach Ramsay there's value in it:

"Power tastes best when sweetened by courtesy. You had best learn that if you ever hope to rule." - Reek III, aDwD

Do you think it can pay off somehow?

This is speculation, but i believe Roose' story is likely headed in the opposite direction - A Storm of Swords featured his greatest villainous feat, the Red Wedding, a showcase of cruelty and treacherousness. I do not think it will be followed up by an act of even greater cruelty; instead i think he will finally reap what he has sown.

Roose Bolton said nothing at all. But Theon Greyjoy saw a look in his pale eyes that he had never seen before — an uneasiness, even a hint of fear.

That night the new stable collapsed beneath the weight of the snow that had buried it. - a Ghost in Winterfell, aDwD

I believe the line about the stable is meant as a metaphor for his regime collapsing, as it is put directly after the line where he realizes the situation is growing dire for him.

It all seemed so familiar, like a mummer show that he had seen before. Only the mummers had changed. Roose Bolton was playing the part that Theon had played the last time round, and the dead men were playing the parts of Aggar, Gynir Rednose, and Gelmarr the Grim. - a Ghost in Winterfell, aDwD

Roose is likely going to continue the parallel with Theon as his arc goes steadily downwards. He is a foil to Ned; where Ned died but his legacy lives on, Roose will likely live to see his legacy crumble.

There is of course a possibility that he, when cornered, starts expressing more cruelty as a last-ditch effort. We saw the stable used as a metaphor for his rule in Winterfell; but there is another interesting detail about the reconstruction of the burned Winterfell:

Serve well, Lord Bolton told them, and he would be merciful. Stone and timber were plentiful with the wolfswood so close at hand. Stout new gates had gone up first, to replace those that had been burned. Then the collapsed roof of the Great Hall had been cleared away and a new one raised hurriedly in its stead. When the work was done, Lord Bolton hanged the workers. True to his word, he showed them mercy and did not flay a one. - the Prince of Winterfell, aDwD

Aegon the Conqueror had commanded [the Red Keep] built. His son Maegor the Cruel had seen it completed. Afterward he had taken the heads of every stonemason, woodworker, and builder who had labored on it. Only the blood of the dragon would ever know the secrets of the fortress the Dragonlords had built, he vowed. - Catelyn IV, aGoT

This is a crack theory, but perhaps Roose has something up his sleeve when it comes to the newly constructed roof of the Great Hall (a location that features extremely prominently through all of Theon's aDwD Winterfell chapters). Maybe he could make it crash intentionally to bury his treacherous allies or something like that...

I doubt however that he will do Ramsay-style extreme violence, i can't really see a reason and it doesn't appear to be his style. He seems more about cunning than flashy displays.

As always these are not PoV characters, so as long as we don't have a view inside their heads we can never say anything with 100% certainty.

[tacitwhisky]

Feeling the blues now Game of Thrones has wrapped as a series? Don’t worry, I’ve got your jonsa recovery fic list right here. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the great fic out there, just the best of the best I’ve read. If there are any other fic you think should be on this list that I missed reblog and tag them.

Season 8 Fix Its (Pt 1 / Pt 2)

In Love and Death We Don’t Decide [Link] | @pardonmymannerssir | Her siblings arrive like leaves carried on a sudden breeze, alighting upon the placidity of her life and casting wide ripples before being swept away again. Their movements are cyclic, changing and shifting like the seasons, but one thing will never change: Winterfell is home.

Come out of hiding (i'm right here beside you) [Link] | @noqueenbutthequeeninthenorth​ | After the death of Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow goes to live beyond the Wall, while Sansa Stark, the newly-named Queen in the North, marries a Dornish prince. Three years later, when Jon finally gathers the courage to return to Winterfell, he finds that while many things have changed, one hasn't: he's still in love with Sansa.

We are buried in broken dreams [Link] | @snowsinthenorth​ | Prompt: Sansa and Jon sleeping together before he goes to Dragonstone and when he comes back he finds out she is pregnant. A full on s8 fix-it fic at this point.

Essential Reading

The Cold Inside Our Bones [Link] | @xylodemon | 1,904 | The Wall is no place for a woman, but Jon looks at Sansa's gaunt cheeks and hollow eyes and knows he will not send her away.

At a Funeral [Link] | @justadram | 5,231 | There's something about the funeral that makes Sansa need Jon more than ever. Too bad she threw it all away.

What a Disappointment [Link] | @justadram | 7,836 | Sansa Stark and Jon Targaryen are married and neither of them is pleased about it. Set in a world where Rhaegar lives and Jon was raised in King's Landing as a legitimized bastard.

Tree of Hearts [Link] | @uchihabat​ | 7,239 | It was a secret, shameful thing. The more he denied it, the more unruly it had become within him: a sleeping dragon, around which he tread carefully. There was nothing good about his half-sister, he told himself, but her beauty. "I am not beautiful anymore," she told him through teeth clenched. "It is ugly inside my heart. I am ruined."

Subject: La Bamba [Link] | @ghost-of-bambi | 16,441 | Trust Margaery Tyrell to turn Sansa Stark's 21st birthday party into an exercise in matchmaking.

More fics under the cut.

Canon Divergent

From the fire we rise [Link] | TheEagleGirl | 2,367 | In another world, perhaps Jon would have been the heir to the throne. In this world, his father died on the trident, his mother in childbirth, no witnesses to their union. In this world, Jon is just the bastard prince, and in this world he still wants more.

Brine on the Tongue [Link] | @orangeflavoryawp​ | They pause, afternoon light shifting in through her window like an accusation – a slant of clarity against their panting forms. “Then leave.” (He doesn’t.) - Jon and Sansa. What breeds in a house of wolves.

Found In Forbidden Nights [Link] | @alienor-woods | 16,777 | In which Robb Stark still refuses to trade Jaime Lannister for his sisters, but Jon Snow decides if being an oathbreaker means he can tell strategy and politics to fuck off, then it's worth it to take matters into his own hands.

Jon of the Kingsguard [Link] | @tacitwhisky | Jon goes to Kingslanding instead of the Wall, there’s no war, and he becomes a knight of the kingsguard even as Joffrey marries Sansa. As Joffrey’s true colors inevitably show Jon is forced to choose between the vows of a knight and the duty of a Stark.

Southern Wolves [Link] | @tacitwhisky | Jon leaves the Wall to save Sansa from Joffrey. Together they wander the war ravaged Riverlands to try and return home.

Missing Scenes

A Cartography of Vulnerability [Link] | @subjunctivemood​ | 1,720 | Jon is the only one Sansa trusts to do this for her.

Stitch Up All Your Hopes [Link] | @subjunctivemood | Sansa is sick, but she refuses to rest.

'Cause I know that it's delicate [Part1 / Part2] | @noqueenbutthequeeninthenorth | 4,865 | Set during "Book of the Stranger," immediately after Sansa arrives at the Wall. Jon goes to build the fire back up, and for a few minutes he stays silent, kneeling at the hearth, not looking at her. Finally he clears his throat. “I know,” he begins, “it’s not exactly what you’re used to.”

We can brave the dark [Link] | @thatgirlnevershutsup | 2,320 | When Arya dares Sansa to spend the night in the crypts, it’s Jon who comes to her rescue.

Modern AU - Short

Caught [Link] | @jonnsansa | 4,055 | The first time they sleep together, she's on a break from Joffrey and they're both a little drunk.

Like real people do [Link] | @thatgirlnevershutsup | 2,749 | For the Twelve Days of Christmas project, have an AU Sansa Stark and Jon Snow doing one of those “first kiss” videos.

Beans [Part1 / Part2 / Part3] | @justadram​ | Jon and Sansa never seem to be on the same page about their relationship.

Never knew I had it all [Link] | TheEagleGirl | 3,130 | Sansa feels bewitched. She’s never noticed Jon before last month. He was Robb’s silent shadow, outshined by Robb himself, or his friends Theon and Dacey.

Trust & Control [Link] | @jonnsansa | 4,444 | Sansa first sees him at the Tyrell fundraising gala. In a sea of drunk, happy people, he is the singular solemn one, standing as still as a statue against the far wall with a glass of untouched champagne in hand. Or: the 50 Shades AU no one asked for.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside [Link] | Tate | It starts at one of Robb's Christmas parties, with Harry Hardyng and a kiss Sansa's avoiding. The two that follow are another story altogether.

Modern AU - Long

Happiness throws a shower of sparks [Link] | @pardonmymannerssir​ | 14,115 | “I didn’t have anywhere else to go,” Sansa Stark says through a swollen, bloody lip, a pair of sunglasses perched on her nose that don’t completely hide a black eye.

Battlefield [Link] | @uchihabat | 17,264 | “God, we might as well just start a family together,” she blusters, half-joking but of course not joking at all. “We both want kids and we both don’t care how. We’re both single. We’ve known each other all our lives. It’s like a movie.”

I'm Feeling Younger, Every Time That I'm Alone With You [Link] | Tate | 19,872 | Jon's got a crush on Sansa, Sansa's got no idea; it's kind of about a production of "Florian and Jonquil" but it's also just kind of about Jon and Sansa.

Tipsy in a Red Push Up Bra [Link] | @tacitwhisky | 21,320 | Of course the first time Sansa Stark sees Jon Snow in God knows how long, the first time since they lost the house and she’d come to live with her aunt Lysa, it would have to be at a house party where she’s already tipsy on schnapps. And of course it would have to be the one time she’s wearing the ridiculous red push up bra Margaery talked her into buying.

Alternate Universe - Crossover AUs

The Seasons of My Love [Link] | @noqueenbutthequeeninthenorth | 48,275 | Months after Ned and Robb are murdered, Sansa returns to Hogwarts for her final year of school. Far from home, she finds she must rely on family friend Jon Snow, now an Auror, to help keep her family together -- and perhaps to help solve the mystery of her father and brother's deaths.

Put a spell on me [Link] | TheEagleGirl | 2,346 | Somewhere along the line, this became less about release and more about him. Or, a Hogwarts au with lots of making out, saving the world from the Dark Lord, and feelings

Saskatoon Berry Pie [Link] | @justadram | 23,179 | When Sansa loses her family in a rail accident, she makes her way to Saskatchewan in search of sanctuary with her cousin, Jon Snow.

As Long As We're Going Down [Link] | @alienor-woods | 37,096 | Four years after Stannis Baratheon wins the Battle of the Blackwater, Sansa Stark finds herself summoned back to King's Landing to serve as a bridesmaid at Crown Princess Shireen's wedding. When King Stannis tries to marry Sansa off to his illegitimate nephew, Edric, she thinks quick and tells him she's already married-- to her bodyguard, Jon Snow.

Post Series

With the Wild Wolves Around You [Link] | @redbelles | 3,782 | Jon finds Sansa at the Vale after his Targaryen lineage is revealed.

And the Geese Are Headed North Again [Link] | @yekoc | 13,316 | In the dark and honest part of her that Sansa is no longer afraid of, she had thought that Jon would die, and she was no sadder than she was relieved. Seeing him now, she notes the absence of the relief and joy that marked her first glimpse of him at Castle Black. Instead, she feels a too-familiar grief: my brother is gone.

The world is still round, my compass is true; each step is a step back to you [Part1 / Part2] | @dialux | 3,655 | Endgame fic, where Jon goes south and he returns to Sansa only after the Long Night. Trust isn’t easily built after all that’s happened, but Jon and Sansa manage it well enough.

Jonsa Fic Lists:

Season 6 Fics  |  Season 8 Fix-It Fics (Pt 1 / Pt 2)  |  Jon in the South AUs  |  Kink Fics  |  Flash Fics  |  Bastard Sansa  | Crossover AUs  |  Married  |  Jon/Val

Follow me @tacitwhisky for jonsa fic recs, meta, and fanfic. I swear I’m good at at least two of those.

[itsediadmlove]

Reconciliating Westerosi fandom

Alright folk, first of all I am writing this post for 2 reasons: first of all because I’ve come to like this kind of shit (I thought it to be a nuisance 1 year ago), secondly because I’ve had enough of Reading 3 kind of posts this week; post saying the episode was shitty, posts saying Daenerys is a bitch, posts saying Sansa is a slut. I’ve had enough of people being biased or judging the episode from a ship perspective. Dame of Thrones and D&D don’t give a fucking damn about wich ship we stand or our expectations, we are going to watch the whole season anyway. And them giving us the chance to come here every day every week since the beginnig of the season, being unsure about the outcome, speaking to each other, arguing with each other because we expect different things how everything should end is amazing enough. And being wrong about where the story is leading doesn’t make the deliverance any less majestic.

 Episode 4 was amazing, shit is hitting the fan and the fans and we are back to what game of thrones should be: ‘bout the game of thrones. This season is being far superior to season 7, which in comparison felt plain and predictable (even Starkbowl being a fake was predictable). I have previously wrote a post about this episode in particular and I am going to take my time explaining why both Sansa and Daenerys were awsome this episode. Maybe I’ll repeat myself at some points, but I want the people to stop shitting about what other people believe to be right and take some serious insight on what those characters are doing.

 The last thing I want you to keep in mind before I get started is that I’m pretty aware that I am not a native speaker, and my english can be messy. So if anyone feels like wanting some kind of deeper explanation about what I mean at some point, I invite them to talk with me whenever they want, no matter the ship they stand or whatever; this is not about ships this is about characters understanding so we can enjoy the show without biased or shitty mindsets. I am also aware that I am not a great writter and I believe there is people around far better at exposing themselves.

 -        Daenerys: Amazing episode, the Dragon Queen is finally playing the game herself. Personally I reconciled with her this very episode. I doubted she was able to play the game, this very episode prove me wrong. First we got the Gendry legitimation; clever, as Tyrion pointed out it provided her a loyal (at least theorically) lord of Storm’s End, but it also allowed her to send a message to Sansa Stark about her claim to Winterfell which she could at least jeopardize just by doing something as simple as that. The chamber’s stuff was another amazing display. It allows us to see her concern about Jon’s claim to the Iron Throne. Being fair to her she was right about almost everything. Jon not wanting the throne doesn’t matter at all; even if he never pushed his claim, it will always be an excuse for every single lord around to contest her right to rule over them forcing her to take action making her a tyrant. She was right on the crypts as well (ep2); Jon’s right to the IT will always be shitty, his only prooves are his brother visions and a book anyone could have written, but it doesn’t even matter if it is true. Remember Stannis people, he was right all along about being Robert’s heir, and yet no one gave a damn just because they never wanted him as King. Now we got to the controversial part, her badmouthing Sansa. Yes It is true, but well, there is a throne at stake. For me at this point Daenerys has been thinking about the parentage reveal consequences and being true, the only way to prevent all the shit to come through is having Jon murdered, because even as looking for a way out, once she doesn’t need him anymore and Cersei is done for, she would have to spend all her life out of fear that someone learned the truth. I really believe she loves Jon. During the war council she was in a rush to leave, and I believe that she is actually trying to prevent Jon to tell his family and not because she gives a fuck about her people, after all, she is the very same person that in the books had a huge amount of ill people under her protection in Meereen just because they needed it. In all she is trying to manipulate him while lying herself. Before people start splitting on her (or me)   because of it, if at some point you have been invested in Pol!Jon  theory it seems unfair towards Daenerys to blame her to do exactly the same thing to him. Because what she is really trying here is to keep him safe. As I said before, at this point she should have already contemplated the possibility of murdering him, but she doesn’t want this to happen. Yet, we have to admit that she has already invested to much in Westeros, she has already sacrified to many things and people in her quest, to just back off. She has a responsability to all that people who have died in order for her to get there, and if she risked just because of a hot guy, it would feel to me as a betrayal to all those people, Friends and lovers she has sacrified, she wouldn’t deserve to be a queen while killing Jon would turn her into an usurper. Maybe I don’t like her as a Queen, yet I admire the character, it would be shitty for her to turn mad just because she wants power. If I should describe Daenerys in just one Word it would be passionate; in her way to fight, to rule, to believe on herself and, finally, to love. I don’t know how it is all gonna end, but, if she had to turn Mad, I would feel very displeased if she turns so just because she is ‘’POWER HUNGRY’’, it should be because of love. At some point Daenerys has to stop lying to herself and accept she can’t protect Jon, each death she suffers should push her to the edge, not because she is too sensitive, that woman has crossed the world fighting her way out doing great and terrible things, she isn’t weak, but because she has a duty to all those who believed in her, and for a queen, let a man just take it all away, even the very risk of it happening, should be out of question. And the more she lose, the more she feels endebted to her people and the more she understands, that at the end, she will be forced to kill the man she loves, admires, trusts and considers worthy of being a King. It should be heartbreaking, unfair, saddening and Shakespearian.

 -        Sansa: As always since the sixth season, her character was brilliant this episode. It is true that this episode was far more focused on Daenerys and yet Sansa always get the chance to be outstanding. I loved the political dance between her and Dany this episode. I will go straight to the point; the battlement scene with Tyrion. Sansa isn’t happy there, so much is evident. For some episode now she had been shown around people that were essential in her past (Theon, Tyrion, Sandor). All of them are people that tried to protect her one way or another, the problema is that all of them are related to some piece of her past she doesn’t want to remember. The only reason why Dany made reference to her in her convo with Jon is because she has realised how important he is for her. Everyone can believe if there is any romantic feeling or not, I’m not here to talk about what you all should believe, bute ven if it is just platonical sibling love, Jon is the only male character related to all of her good memories; from her childhood in Winterfell to the present, while being innocent or unrelated  about all the bad ones. This means he is very important to her, important in an extent that is even hard to understand. It is true that he asked something from her and she betrayed such trust; and so? You all antis go around speaking about how she betrayed him without giving a thought about why she did so. Right now, denying Sansa being one of the smartest characters around is just plain and simple denial and her scene with Tyrion was key this episode. There are two emotions in her in such scene: anger (for Jon to leave south) and fear. Anger was pretty easy to get, Tyrion realised, she was unhappy, now, fear shows u when Tyrion ponted out Jon not being a Stark, because this is the very reason that makes him going south dangerous. Sansa is brilliant and she has been thinking ‘bout the parentage reveal as well. And her conclusion is just the same as Daenerys: Jon is going to die because Dany needs him to die. Why she broke the promess: as I see it she has gotten the picture, Dany can’t kill Jon yet, as long as Cersei remains in the throne she needs him to keep the North and the Vale, so if she is going to do something about it, it needs to be now, so she plaid her move, not because she is power hungry, but because she wants to protect him just as much as Daenerys.

 It would be nice for us to be able to stan a character without disrespecting others, or at leasst other fans. The last thing that I want to tell all of you is that I had enough of people throwing the mysoginist bullshit over other people. I really believe GOT is full  of amazing females characters to putt he blame on that. Sure, the world of ASOIAF is unfair with women, welcome to middle age fuckers. If it wasn’t like this we couldn’t relate to such a period. Yet a pretty lot of people needs to defend their faves by pushing the mysoginist bullshit over others, it is pittysome and annowing, the very fact that such a large extent of our faves are females you speak against D&D being such a thing; females characters are amazingly complex here. The very same persons needing to pull such a vague and wrong reasoning over others are the very same people that go saying this or another female character is ‘’POWER HUNGRY’’. I will tell you a secret both Daenerys and Sansa are ambitious (fuck what a revelation) and I find it disgusting that is have to be a guy like me who has to tell you that women being ambitious (doesn’t matter it being Sansa or Dany) is perfectly right thing and they don’t have to love each other just for both of them being women.

[argentvive]

Jon Snow: Reconciling Opposites

In Jon II of ADWD, Aemon Targaryen, tells Jon (alchemically) to “kill the boy and let the man be born.”

In Jon III, Jon starts to put that advice in practice.  He starts to play the central alchemical role of peacemaker.  The hero, the Principle of the Work, must reconcile opposites.  In this case the “opposites” are Stannis’s party and the wildlings as well as Stannis’ party and Jon’s own men.

His first test is the execution of Mance Rayder.

Jon watched unblinking. He dare not appear squeamish before his brothers.

This does not mean that Jon has hardened his heart against mercy, however.  He had arranged for four men, at his signal,  to loose arrows on Mance.  (In the show Jon fires the mercy arrow himself.)  Jon starts as he means to go on--be firm and unyielding when he must, but show mercy when he can.

This chapter is where Jon first sees the sword Lightbringer, and we have it described.

The sword glowed red and yellow and orange, alive with light....Lightbringer was the sun made steel.

The imagery confuses me here.  “Red” and the “sun” are obviously propitious descriptions alchemically, but “yellow” and “orange” are not.  And we know from later on that Lightbringer does not bring Stannis victory, only an ignominious death.  Would there be a happier result if Jon wielded the sword?  I don’t know.

As the wildlings kneel and pledge their allegiance to Stannis, we learn of Jon’s earlier conversation with him.

It’s too cold for this mummer’s show, thought Jon. “The free folk despise kneelers,” he had warned Stannis. “Let them keep their pride, and they will love you better.” His Grace would not listen. He said, “It is swords I need from them, not kisses.”

So here is Jon the diplomat, Jon the reconciler, Jon the realist.  Jon understands instinctively that the best rulers are loved, that a ruler should strive to win his people’s affection.  

Instead we get this fanatic line from Melisandre:

“One realm, one god, one king!”

It’s not an exact translation, but it’s pretty close to the Nazis’ “Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Fuehrer.”  I think GRRM meant us to make that association.

Jon remains focused on his central mission.  He tells Bowen Marsh:

“We have seen the face of our real foe, a dead white face with bright blue eyes. The free folk have seen that face as well. Stannis is not wrong in this.  We must make common cause with the wildlings.”

When Marsh argues that the Night’s Watch would be safer if the gates of Castle Black were sealed and the wildlings kept beyond the Wall, Jon replies carefully but carries the argument.

...what Bowen was suggesting went against all of Jon’s instincts. “If we seal the gates, we cannot send out rangers,” he pointed out. “We will be as good as blind.”

An alchemy hero, the “heart” character, always has empathy.  And this empathy is inborn--instinctive--not learned.   (I gave up counting the number of times Harry Potter is described as acting “instinctively.”)

Jon’s next test comes from his own men, his best friends in the Night’s Watch.  He goes to join them for dinner, but they are mocking Melisandre and her religion. Pyp says,

“The night is dark and full of turnips....”  His friends laughed--Grenn, Toad, Satin, the whole lot of them.

Jon has to reprove them several times before they stop:

“Making mock of another man’s prayer is fool’s work, Pyp. And dangerous.”

“You have your gods and she has hers. Leave her be.”

“Lady Melisandre is not part of my command. You are. I won’t have bad blood between the king’s men and my own.”

So again we see Jon attempting to reconcile opposites.  The men finally calm down and Grenn invites him to dine with them.  But Jon has “killed the boy” and realizes that the days of easy companionship are over.  We get this paragraph that sums up how Jon now realizes and accepts his new role.  

No, he had to tell himself, those days are gone. The realization twisted in his belly like a knife. They had chosen him to rule. The Wall was his, and their lives were his as well. A lord may love the men that he commands, he could hear his lord father saying, but he cannot be a friend to them. One day he may need to sit in judgment on them, or send them forth to die. “Another day,” the lord commander lied. “Edd. best see to your own supper. I have work to finish.”

This is the only time in the chapter when Jon thinks about the advice of his very first alchemist, his father.  

Once he’s alone, Jon reflects on his choice to reject Stannis’ offer of Val and Winterfell.

Instead he had chosen a black cloak and a wall of ice. Instead he had chosen honor. A bastard’s sort of honor.

So here is the word honor again.  In AFFC we saw Jaime Lannister choose honor and stick to it in his dealings with Brienne and Riverrun, among others.  Now Jon has done the same, consciously and deliberately.  Jon thinks to himself, “I should be walking the ice. The Wall is mine.”

Jon, as the Mercury/Argentvive of the story, is water and earth.  Here we have an explicit statement of his mastery of water, i.e., ice in this case.

Ghost appears at Jon’s side, and Jon’s warg sense detects the “taste of hot blood.”

No, he thought. I am a man, not a wolf.

The obvious meaning of the words is that Jon is denying his animalistic, warg self.  But there is a strong alchemical meaning too.

When I first started my blog I wrote about how Jon’s association with a white wolf doesn’t just mark him as White (the Stark sigell does that too).  It marks him as the prima materia, the raw material that is being transformed.  The prima materia used by the alchemists of history was an ore of antimony, and antimony was called the “wolf of metals.”  So in alchemical illustrations, the prima materia was often symbolized by a wolf. (Michael Maier, Atalanta fugiens)

For the prima materia to be transformed, it must be “killed”  in the alchemical process of solve et coagula.  So in Jon’s declaration that “I am a man, not a wolf,” he is saying, in a different way, that he has killed the boy and let the man be born.  

Only Jon, Daenerys, and Jaime are associated with animals that symbolize the early stages of the alchemical process:  Jon with antimony, the prima materia; Daenerys with dragons, the symbol for Mercurius; and Jaime with the green lion, another symbol for the prima materia.  

So yes, logically, we could expect Ghost and the dragons to die at the end, as their masters achieve full transformation to the Philosopher’s Stone.

Jon finally finds someone to talk to--Clydas, the 60-year-old steward.  Jon reveals that he has obeyed Aemon Targaryen’s other instruction, to read the Jade Compendium, a history of Westeros.  It’s quite an odd title, but I suspect it’s GRRM’s play on the legendary founding document of alchemy, the Emerald Tablet.  

Here is where the Lightbringer/Azor Ahai/Nissa Nissa prophecy is laid out.  Jon explains how the original Lightbringer was always warm to the touch, while Stannis’ Lightbringer is cold.  So it’s not just the wrong colors but the wrong temperature!

The chapter ends with Jon’s rueful comment about his fate:

This is my lot, he realized as he undressed, from now until the end of my days.

And of course he’s wrong.

[dahvangogh]

Read this terrific and amazing threat on Twitter about Daenerys, her character both in the show/books, and thought it would be good to post it here on Tumblr after this past episodes. 

All credit due to @ terrible_help, so please go there and RT and like it because it is a very well thought and explained one.

I really need to talk about a scene from last night's episode of Game of Thrones. This is one of the most shocking pieces of dialogue that the show has ever offered up. I'm talking about Dany's willingnes to commit genocide:

I feel I need to preface this thread by saying that I think Dany is probably the best character on GoT. She's not my favourite, but very few of the others are as beautifully realised as she is. The last two seasons have not changed that view. They have just reinforced it.

She's pretty unique in all the fiction I've read, and I think she'll be considered GRRM's greatest achievement long after he's gone. Not because she's the hero of the tale but precisely because she isn't. Dany's story has always been destined for a great tragedy.

There has always been the foreboding feeling that her motivations for wanting the iron throne never quite made sense, but for a long time that worry was secondary to her own survival; something that didn't need to be addressed while assassins and kings were trying to kill her.

We need to address it now, however. Part of the reason we tended to overlook the darker implication of her ambition was because she was forced rise up against her enemies just to survive, but at some point you need to examine the choices and the allies you've made along the way.

Was there really ever any justification for setting the dothraki, a culture of enslavers who acknowledge only power, and rape and pillage their way across the world, onto the path to Westeros just to take the throne?

There's a scene early on in the books where she sees the dothraki raping a young woman whose family they have just murdered, and she silently thinks to herself through tears that this is the cost of war. And she accepts it.

Was there ever a throne to rightfully take back, considering her father tried to burn the country alive before being cast down, or that her ancestors conquered the continent and forged the throne to force the seven kingdoms into servitude?

Dany doesn't know these facts because of Viserys's lies, but she learns them during her journey, and still she persists. The irony is that she had everything in Meereen. She had a people, a man who loved her, a purpose that was purer than her reasons for conquering Westeros.

Freeing slaves is easy when you have the power to do so, but in Westeros her family were the masters who rode in on their winged warheads and burned people with impunity until they submitted. Invisible chains are still chains.

Her birthright is no longer valid on account of her father being replaced, and evils committed against innocent children in her family do not justify other evils committed in the name of taking back a throne that is nothing but a tool of oppression.

If A Song of Ice and Fire is a reference work to Lord of the Rings (and it is) then the throne itself is the ring. It's the absolute power that corrupts absolutely. It's the wheel Aegon built, which Dany once claimed she wanted to break but now wants to put back up on its axis.

Her comment was taken by Tyrion as a desire to build a better world, but it must be seen by the viewers in light of Dany's motivation to grab and hold power. And it is increasingly clear now that she meant to ensure no one else will ever be powerful enough to rise up against her.

This is why Jon's parentage has been saved for a final confrontation: it's not because he has a better claim on account of being ahead in the line of succession to a cast down king. It's because it invalidates Dany's pretext for wanting to rule. This season finally unmasked her.

Without it she is a conqueror who wants to grab power because she can. She prides herself on ending slavery, but her family enslaved Westeros for centuries. You can't on one hand be the breaker of chains and on the other force people into submission under threat of death.

This is something Cersei, Stannis, Tywin and Roose Bolton would also have done. But they are antagonists in this story precisely because of their willingness to view human lives as expendable in their quest for power and validation.

… Which brings us back to the original post. Dany was ready to level King's Landing long before Missandei got beheaded. The conversation between her and her advisors on a ship headed for King's Landing, towards the end of 8x04, makes that abundantly clear:

(pic above, that dialogue of ep. 4)

She's literally saying: ”Let's offer Cersei a deal she'll obviously never take just so people know it's her fault when I slaughter them by the thousands.” There is no other way to interpret that comment, and the silence of her advisors speaks volumes. They're horrified.

Dany is not turning into her father. She's turning into something different, beyond madness. She believes herself to be righteous because she answers to no one else but herself, and everything she does is demanded by destiny. The hubris of her character has come full circle.

Tyranny can't be ended through more tyranny. A better world can't be built through conquest, it just can't. And it can't be built by someone who thinks that genocide is a small price that others should pay in order for her to acquire what she perceives as rightfully being hers.

A friend commented that this is a real life parallel to how people are stanning and cheering on military acts of utter horror, and it sums up one of the most important lessons of aSoIaF. This is not a story about restoring the lineage of kings.

Evil is a banal act by nature, but the path leading up to committing it is complicated. People aren't born wanting to murder children. They don't set out to kill or maim or to dole out biblical justice everywhere they see fit.

Dany once wanted a life in peace and it was denied her by people who feared what she could become instead of having compassion for what she was. They forced her out on a journey that made her see the world in terms of sheep and dragons.

And if a better world will ever be built, this worldview will have to be discarded. It's not the solution to the plight of Westeros. It's very much a part of the problem.

– by Carl from Twitter. (https://twitter.com/terrible_help/status/1125442845010219016)

[leoofredkeep]

Rooting for Cersei

From the outset, the story has disguised its villains as the good guys and the other way around. The author claims he writes "grey" characters with both qualities and flaws but a closer look shows that the "nice guys" or those who claim to be "rightful" are consciously causing the most horrendous things while the "selfish villains" are doing minor direct damage when they are not merely defending themselves. The audience is consistently misled into accepting "heroes" whose decisions unleash the most evil activities like war, human sacrifice or foreign invasion, all under seemingly "honest" or justified pretexts, hiding a blatant disregard for life or freedom of choice.

Ned Stark is the first of these disguised villains. Presented with a genetic secret of no consequence, he decides to reveal it to the world in full understanding of the war it is about to start. He says "there is no other choice", denying himself and the world any freedom in the matter, not showing a second thought about the cost in utterly innocent lives and the disruption it is bound to represent. By the time this happens, it has become obvious that Joffrey is a dubious candidate for the throne but so was Robert before him and the realm was peaceful and prosperous. Ned will never take this into consideration anyway, Joffrey's personality plays no role in his decision. Ned Stark values principles more than the people they are meant to benefit. He has the cart before the horse and the result is a war no one needs. "Winter is coming", we'll hear the fool mumble a few times, but righting a petty wrong is more important to him than preparing for it.

Learning his father was arrested, Robb reacts by "calling the banners". The Starks are implicitly presented as good people and good rulers but the son reacts just as his father would and immediately calls the armies of the whole North to serve his personal family matters. He doesn't question his father nor does he attempts at negotiating anything. He marches south with battle plans and his first one involves sacrificing 2000 of his own men in a decoy move. Conscious of the price, he will prepare the rest for more and consciously send terms he knows are unacceptable. He will tell his mother once he only means to apply pressure to get his sisters back but will never act on this.

When he meets a nurse on the battlefield, his only plan is to kill Joffrey and he needs her to open his eyes on the misery he causes. Robb wil remain blind to danger and common sense, though. His last plan will be to get help from the man to whom he made a false promise in order to attack a psychological objective. "Show them how it feels to lose what they love" will be his mother's words and he'll go for it.

Stannis thinks of himself as "the rightful king". He doesn't really want the position but thinks he has to take it because he dislikes choices. His ideal world is one of regulated certainties in which people do what they must, not what they want. He will deal "justice" rigidly, without compromises, will not ally with anyone not fitting his views. He will bend them by force instead, fighting the world if he has to and sacrifice his own daughter for a purpose which is not his or anyone's, really. Stannis values nothing more than his own concept of order. As Ned Stark, he fails to see it as a means to an end and will always prefer the rules to the ruled.

Renly does not like his brothers, does not think they should be king. He thinks he should be because he is a nicer person, because he is more popular. As nice as it is for people to like their rulers, it is a serious stretch to present war as a justifiable price for them. Renly does this, however, and abuses his popularity to start a war of his own. He will be king because he can, because his lover's family is rich enough to provide him with a large army and sustain the war effort. There is no telling how he will rule, this is not part of his program. His only promise is to offer a nicer smile than the fat drunk before him. We see him reproach Robert his taste for war then start his own. Renly is a certified hypocrite.

Margaery is Renly's queen and all about business. After he dies, she'll want to be Joffrey's queen, even though her former husband wanted Joffrey's head. At this point, it is safe to say she will do whatever it takes to get where she wants. Cersei married Robert after he became king and their union helped keep the realm at peace. Margaery married a pretender in order to better fuel his private war effort. But Margaery smiles at people and pretends to care for them so people like her more. She knows how to use people's desires or beliefs and will do so whenever she gets a chance. That doesn't make her a villain, after all she is not the one initiating aggression. She willingly sides with it without much scruple, whether it is Renly's war or Joffrey's urges. Of the various potential rulers this story proposes, and Margaery is one in that she attempts at taking over to some extent, she remains one of the most acceptable.

Starting off as sold, abused and kind, Daenerys takes her brother's role when he dies and turns into the epitome of power seen as personal property. What once belonged to her mad father, she will take back whatever the cost, even if it means bringing savage hordes and weapons of mass destruction to the place she calls "home" but really considers as nothing else but her private backyard. "I will take what is mine. With fire and blood!" This is what Daenerys really is about and she only stops on her way to practise the skills she knows she will need, abandoning the people of Meereen to the hands of a sellsword without scruples once she thinks she's done. Like Stannis, she is all about getting people to "bend the knee" to her but where he felt he was following some universal rule, she does it out of pure sense of entitlement. Trying to listen to advice at first she later admits she never wanted to. She is "the Dragon" and will take what dragons take, the way they do: by burning it down first. Realising her "property" is about to be invaded by some undead army, she turns to defend it as anyone else would. Daenerys is the classical tyrant: someone who decides to take power unasked and wield it entirely based on personal judgement.

Jon Snow is a good guy. He is even a conciliator, one who finds reasons to unite opposites rather than choosing sides but he is tragically incompetent. He was surprised by Craster, captured by wildlings, failed to convince anyone but Maester Aemon or those he saved from something. Elected Commander, he was such a terrible leader he was assassinated by his own men. Warned of Ramsay's personality, he ran head on into is trap. Finally, his last blunder gave the Night King a dragon and the means to bring down the Wall. Without it, White Walkers and their army of dead men would have remained confined to the empty spaces north of the Wall as some weird tourist attraction.

So seriously, who would want to root for the man who always makes a mess of everything?

Cersei is not a nice person. She is not loveable, she does not care for others and will occasionally over-react to threats, like direwolves around her children or manipulation attempts on her sons. Yet, she never actively tried to take advantage of people, advised her son against going to war against the North and objected to Jaime giving the Dornish cause for conflict. She is utterly reactive, married the king to become queen after rebellion had ended and put up with him for 17 long unhappy years for the sake of peace. She is not a conqueror taking armies of slaves and savages to a place she calls hers together with tyrannical demands. Threatened of denunciation by Ned Stark, she still found the nerve to offer him a way out twice, again for the sake of stability in the realm. She has made a few mistakes on the way, of which she has learned, and remains the most realistic ruler at hand. Of all the proposed "solutions" to the question of power, she is by far the least problematic choice.

[janiedean]

Meta question: If Cersei and Robert both died very young (may the gods be thanked) and left the trio orphaned young, how would Jaime as the next of kin be as their guardian/dad? Canon and Modern AU meta welcome, I just simply want a universe where Jaime can actually be a dad to his children for once. IDM

hmmmmmmmmmmmm WELL let’s count that all of the kids have to be born before the parents sadly leave this world and the ages - there’s four years between joff and myrcella and one between myrcella and tommen.

now, before I go into it, canon-wise I honestly don’t know if he’d be given a chance to parent them FULLY anyway because he’s in the kingsguard and unless someone appoints him as joffrey’s hand (doubtful given that the one before was jon arryn and everyone bar the conspirators was fine with jon arryn) at most he could like BE NEAR THEM and shit but not fully get custody or anything unless he wants them all to die. I would suppose that given a scenario in which cersei/robert die when tommen is idk ONE (let’s spare him and myrcella trauma), myrcella two and joffrey six people would appoint jon arryn as a regent or co-regent with stannis or something until joffrey comes of age and at that point one would think that if he was six there’d be time to, er, deal with whatever issues robert and cersei’s parenting had created at that point (I mean at thirteen he’s what it is EXACTLY because he’s the kind of person who’s never been told no in his life but at six I suppose that if you take that away immediately you can still put a remedy to it). at that point I guess he’d do what he tried to do with tommen in affc and he’d have been a lot closer to them than he is in canon but like, in that sense. I don’t really think there’d have been a way to do it even if he gave up the KG and got married, because as far as everyone knows they aren’t his kids and they’re heirs to the throne, you can’t just raise them somewhere else.

now, MODERN AU would be a lot more interesting because he could actually ask for custody as next of kin without people knowing he’s the father and if no one on robert’s side is interested they would most likely go to him. since at this point we’re in full-on fanfic territory let’s go with two scenarios.

scenario one: the one stated above where he has a one year-old, a two-year old and a six-year old on the way to become a little asshole in training. I think:

in this case tommen and myrcella would actually get spared a lot of shit because tbh they wouldn’t even remember robert/cersei at that age, which means that bar the fact that going from living alone (or with your girlfriend lol) to HAVING TWO KIDS THAT YOUNG AT ONCE would cause him endless sleepless nights and to completely renew the house (you need toys/beds/supplies and shit) he’d be fairly good with it because hey they’re not even old enough to go to kindergarten, he doesn’t exactly have to break out any special parenting skills

(that said: if he lives with brienne she’d go like ‘WELL FINE I FIGURE THAT DISCUSSION WE HAD ABOUT KIDS SOMEDAY IS SETTLED’ and they’d split 50/50, if he lives with idk BRONN that’d be about the most hilarious shit ever but nvm)

joffrey would be way more complicated because again, young enough to still avoid major damage but not enough to have not absorbed cersei + robert’s Bad Parenting TM so while jaime tends to be the good cop he’d end up having to play the bad cop for a while ie giving the kid some limits, actually not justifying everything he does and telling him no and cooperating with the teachers and so on

(joffrey’s teachers weep in joy when he shows up at school like ‘oh yeah my sister was terrible we need to make sure he doesn’t think being an asshole to other kids is fine LET’S COOPERATE’ because until then they just got cersei absolutely denying that her kid couldn’t be Perfect TM)

EVENTUALLY he’d manage that after like months of trying eventually joffrey turns out not the best person ever but way better than canon all praise

(this with brienne playing the extra bad cop, bronn going like ‘kid my parents broke my nose when I was twelve you should think about how HORRIBLE you say jaime is to you’ and tyrion getting calls at random times with jaime ranting like HOW DID I EVER SEE ANYTHING IN MY SISTER SHE WAS TERRIBLE AT PARENTING TOO)

scenario two, slightly more complicated:

if we make them slightly older (idk four/five/nine) you get the Possible Angstiest Scenario because obv. joffrey would have had time to cement his bad habits and to be terrible to the both of them, which means that the moment they change environment and the responsible adult(s) side with tommen/myrcella rather than him it’d make AN INTERESTING SITUATION

(in which if brienne or bronn or anyone else is involved it becomes even more tense *violin music*)

because of course joffrey wouldn’t take well to suddenly being in the minority or being told no or being given limits while those other two poor souls couldn’t believe someone’s finally sticking up for them in the house damn it

tbh this one situation would end up with family counseling or smth especially if the other two have issues tied to either the bad parenting or joffrey or both but as far as jaime’s concerned he’d suck it up and go because he’s doing this seriously damn it

(obv. tommen/myrcella are like NEW FAVORITE PERSON [if brienne’s around most likely she’s the second new favorite person], joffrey’s like I HATE YOUR EXISTENCE)

so that would be more angst fodder X°D but anyway 100% he’d try to step up to the game and when in three years he realizes he totally has this parenting gig down however it goes he’d be like ‘WELL LOOK AT THAT I MADE IT’ ;)

[thousandeyesand-one]

Hey anon,

Thank you for your question! There is a common misconception people have about targ restoration that it is going to establish another era of Dragon Lords resuming rule in the Red Keep. Thats not atleast what I think is going to happen I'd like to think there's more people who understand this. 

Stark Restoration was just as important as Targaryen Restoration is for the future of this story. House Targaryen has a very bad reputation when it comes to rule or just in general. Almost like each & every single one of their mistakes were remembered by the history & maybe even exaggerated in some cases.

"The Targaryens have always danced too close to madness. King Jaehaerys once told me that madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land".

                      - Ser Barristan Selmy (ASOS)

There are so many accounts of the Targaryen's cruelty most of them true but one should wonder if before Targaryen's came to Westeros, before Aegon's conquest was Westeros really all that hunky dory at all? It is said in TWOIAF that even before aegon conquered the Realm the seven kingdoms fought amongst each other. Black harren terrorized the riverlands always in a fight with Argilac the arrogant whose name alone gives you the idea of what he was North forgot their were 6 other kingdoms, after the age of heroes. In short the war, destruction & internal conflicts are not House Targaryen's legacy alone in Westeros. 

"Because of the Long Night, these early wildlings were then pressured to begin a wave of conquests to the south. That they became monstrous in the tales told thereafter, according to Fomas, reflects the desire of the Night’s Watch and the Starks to give themselves a more heroic identity as saviors of mankind, and not merely the beneficiaries of a struggle over dominion."

          -Archmaester Foma's Lies of Ancients (TWOIAF)

Brandon the Breaker is said to have joined forces with joramun to overthrow the Night's King who according to Old Nan was a Stark. That is why Brandon the Breaker broke the horn of winter & is said to have wiped any record of the Night's King or any knowledge of such instance from Night's Watch history or Stark's records. I am not comparing but Targaryen's have never tried to wipe anything mostly because they didn't care about anything or anyone.

"Like their dragons the Targaryens answered to neither gods nor men."

"Treachery was a coin the Tragaryens knew well"

"What did a Targaryen ever knew about honor?"

Almost every POV we get speaks of Targaryen's in a derogatory manner. Neither has the history written by Septons or songs sung by singers have been dealt with by Targaryens in their favor unlike the Starks who behave way too good to have kept power for 8,000 years. Specially when it is widely believed that Valyrians are First Men just like the Starks.

So both Starks & Targaryens are descendants of same civilization but separated by land & time & later on religion. First men in westeros became the Kings of Winter & First men in essos became Valyrians. Both these families don't have clean records when it comes to their history. Starks defeated the children, killed the marsh kings & barrow kings of the old taking their women into marriage & making their reign formidable & long-lasting without any contests left in the north & Valyrians decimated their enemies & the leftover they enslaved. The oppressed children created White Walkers an army that literally fights & perpetuates death & those enslaved in the caves of 14 flames in valyria created the faceless men who also worship death. Point is both these families have their hands in the dirt but one (stark) were cunning enough to clean the board but Targaryens were too proud & idiotic to care about hiding their mistakes.

"Their must always be a Stark in winterfell" people say has something to do with the Kings of winter & Lords of Winterfell being buried down in the crypts that they'll wake before the endgame being the literal representation of "Winter is coming" as in the dead Kings of winter are coming. That is the true might of Winterfell. Before the Long Night comes again a Stark must be there in Winterfell to fight the army of the dead that brings the storm with them. That is why the stark restoration  happened. I understand we as viewers are very emotional when it comes to Starks because the story started with them & they have been the victims of the books+tv show that we've been following but the stark restoration had a much more deeper meaning behind it than just merely giving them a safe place in this cruel world.    "Everyone is where they are & what they are for a reason.. "  Starks are needed before the endgame that will be the final twist in the show regarding the Night King.

Likewise, Targaryen's are needed to Break the Wheel they created at King's Landing because quite simply nobody else can or will. When Aegon conquered the 7k he offered mercy to the Lords who bent the knee & granted them the land with the title of Lord Paramount but the ones who rebelled & fought him he decimated House Hoare wiped out, House Durrandon wiped save for a daughter who married Orys Baratheon, House Gardener also wiped out. Rest of them bent the knee. Aegon showed mercy to House Stark, House Lannister & just about everyone who begged for it. While House Tully he instilled as Lord Paramount of Riverlands, House Baratheon he gifted his Bastard brother his own house name & a castle, House Arryn also shown mercy to & house Tyrell were stewards of House Gardener who bent the knee to Aegon & he named them the Lord of Highgarden. Even though Martells very much like the Starks had no interest in the power outside of their kingdom they just wanted independence but they never bent the knee whatsoever. Point being all the other houses after the conquest were no less than common folk to the might of House Targaryen, they were sort off elevated to a level of lordship by House Targaryen kinda like how house clegane was elevated to Lordship with their own house sigil by Tywin Lannister, like Ser Davos Seaworth was knighted for his deeds even after being a smuggler by stannis. Back then the fear of Dragons & the might & wrath of Targaryens kept any & everyone under control. so when time came they rebelled against them not only that but are now vying for the very power the Targaryen's created playing the game of thrones.     

"Varys: give us common folk one taste of power we are like the lion who tasted blood.. nothing is ever sweeter"

"LF: Do you know what the realm is? It's the thousand blades of Aegon's enemies, a story we agreed to tell each other over & over till we forget that it's a lie."

"Varys: Power resides where men believe it resides. It's a trick. A shadow on the wall."

Ever since Robert Baratheon died all the people who say they have the claim or want the claim joffery, cersei, Renly, Stannis, Robb, Little Finger, Tyrells etc everyone of these people are trying to chase that shadow on the wall it's like they're trying to catch smoke with bare hands it's too treacherous & volatile causing the destruction it did in the War of the Five Kings. Only the most erroneous of the lesser people will be able to tame it like Cersei who fought to win to save her children & now after losing all of the 3 she's fighting for her own skin, her family. She doesn't care about the greater good or anything she did what nobody had the the soul to do, she stopped at nothing! She tames the shadow on the wall because she stepped into darkness & shadows don't exist in darkness.

"... to reach the light you must pass beneath the shadow"       -Quaithe

Maybe this is the shadow that dany has to pass beneath to find the light, to pass beneath the shadow of power to find the light of wisdom & courage to break the wheel. (Although am not completely denying the possibility of dany going to asshai & passing through the shadow lands as a lot of people theorize). The Targaryen Restoration is just as important as Stark Restoration is.

[christcrofts]

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[ladywolfmd]

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year for Gifts and Paybacks

A Stannis x Sansa fic gift for the best fandom mom ever @yourtommyginger and also part of the Stannis x Sansa Christmas Collection. (I never thought I’d write a Stansa fic, but it’s Christmas and you give lovely people what they like. My shot at this, only for you my dearest mom <3 Also, all credits go to her for the Joffrey revenge prompt )  

Sansa couldn’t stop grinning as she put the finishing touches of her makeup. She had much to celebrate tonight, starting with her date.

Speaking of date…

She smiled wider when she heard him enter, giving a sigh as he stood behind her, knowing exactly why she was happy. Sansa giggled before leaning up and giving him a kiss on the cheek, earning her a half-smile.

Not only was she attending this year’s Governor’s Yule Ball with a date, she was going with Stannis Baratheon.

And more than that, Joffrey was there, the more devious voice in her head whispered.

Another sigh behind her.

Sansa bit her lip, stood up to face him before wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry, I’m just really happy.���

Not one to hold any annoyance long for her, Stannis placed a hand on her hip while the other he used to trace a side of her face gently that she relished. He was getting better at this, affection. “I know. But the reason for it is still vague to me,” he arched a brow.

She pouted then. “You know I’m excited because this is our big debut.”

Stannis chuckled and gave her forehead a kiss. “That…and you plan to make my nephew mad out of his mind.”

Her frown just deepened. “You said you were okay with it. And…you know it’s always been more than that,” she said pleadingly.

Stannis gave her one of his rare soft smiles and her hip a squeeze. “I know, sweetheart. I know. Now come on.” He extended his arm.

Continue reading here or on AO3.

Still not smiling, Sansa took his arm and nodded. Did he really mean that? Or does he still think I’m using him? I thought we’ve long past that.

All her worry melted as soon as Davos, Stannis’ bodyguard and personal assistant, opened the door of his limousine and there waiting for her was a large arrangement of winter roses.

She looked up at him with an indescribable expression that made him laugh softly and kiss her cheek. Stannis was never overtly affectionate, nor remotely romantic in the traditional sense. He was romantic in a way that was thoughtful and subtle. Just like how they’ve been for the past three months of under the radar dating. It wasn’t like they kept their relationship a secret, but they weren’t being obvious either. And this ball was the first major event they would attend as a couple.

But tonight, he was giving her the princess treatment and this thought made her eyes water and his own almost roll.

He coughed and helped her inside and Sansa just kept sniffling as she admired the flowers.

The third sigh of the night and Sansa saw him tap his fingers on his knee, his uncomfortable tell. “Do you like them?”

Sansa beamed at him as she dabbed the corner of her eyes. “I love them. You shouldn’t have.”

He smiled faintly then. “I wanted to be thorough.”

Sansa giggled then, shaking her head. “Of course you would be.” She gave him a look then. “Tell me the truth, it was Shireen who told you what to do.” She poked his chest, making him crack a smile. “She may have…given me pointers. But it's mostly me. Surprisingly.�� Shireen was staying with Selyse for the Holidays but Sansa would make sure she’d get another gift sent to her as he admired the small touches she had a hand in with her father tonight. It warmed her heart to imagine father and daughter bonding over making this night special.

Sansa felt his thumb brushing her cheek and felt his lips on her temple. “Hush now, you wouldn’t want to be nothing short of being the most beautiful in the ball. We have a two-fold plan, after all and I expect perfection.”

Laughing, she leaned up and kissed him softly and wiping off her lipstick before settling back on her seat.

She was buzzing with excitement but now that it was really happening, she was nervous too. Stannis must’ve felt that because she felt his hand stilling over her fidgeting ones and taking one and holding it firmly.

She blushed and looked out the window, immediately relaxing. Sansa didn’t need to look to see that though he was likely looking at the road instead of her, she knew he was thinking of her.

"Relax, you look exquisite by the way."

“You can stop what you’re doing, Ms. Stark.”

Sansa kept her mouth shut as she sat rooted in one of Stannis’ office chairs.

When she didn’t answer, he sighed and went to sit back down behind his desk and leant back, drumming his fingers on the table.

Her heart was racing knowing that she’s been caught but if she was being honest, it stopped being a game to her fast in a way that she never expected.

“I know what you’re doing,” he said firmly but not reproachful, just stating a fact.

She tried anyway. “What do you mean?”

His brow quirked and Sansa knew that it was taking a lot for him to reign in his impatience or annoyance or both.

He leant forward then and steepled his fingers. “I get why you’re doing this and I even see the merit of the plan. However,” he leant back and rested his face on his palm and gestured with his other hand. “You don’t need to do this to get back at my idiot nephew.”

She flushed beet red then while her mouth gaped open. “I don’t—I mean,” she stammered, cursing herself internally in panic.

He raised his palm up in reassurance. “Calm down, Ms. Stark. I’m not going to scold you or harass you.”

He stood up then and went to fetch her a glass of water. “Here. And don’t worry, I won’t tell your father or my fool of a brother.”

Sansa took a sip of water and held the glass with both hands, unable to meet him in the eye. “I’m sorry.”

She saw him wave her off from her periphery. “I admit that despite what I said, I still have half a mind to tell Robert but I assume he already had his words with his son for hurting his closest friend’s daughter. But if there’s something you’re not telling us, I can help you in another way that won’t have you resort to this,” he sighed but there was a tinge of something in his tone, like a cross between pity and disgust that made her redden some more.

That made her look up at him and though his face was serious, there was some softness in Stannis’ Baratheon’s eyes that she saw before though rarely during these weeks of their companies working on a project together.

“This?” she said weakly.

He rapped his fingers on the table then. “You are a beautiful, young woman, Ms. Stark. And on top of that, you are sharp. You don’t need to seduce your ex’s older uncle to get back at him.”

She swallowed and looked away in shame but lifted her head not that long when she caught the undertone of his statement.

“Am I allowed to speak now?” she said clearly, trying to maintain their gaze.

He nodded at her, smirking in confidence with the point he wanted to convey but Sansa had to speak her mind first.

“It may have started that way, I won’t deny it. But quickly, as I got to know you…know the powerful yet understated man you are, it wasn’t hard, Mr. Baratheon,” emboldened when he was still not looking at her, she tentatively placed her hand on top of his that was tapping the table, making his smirk falter a bit.

“It wasn’t hard to forget that reason and find a new one to get close to you,” she said in an almost whisper, hoping her eyes would be enough to show him her sincerity, she decided she just wanted to be truthful.

Sansa admired his passion. It wasn’t overt like Robert or as flamboyant as Renly. Stannis’ was quiet, subdued, like ember that once stoked would ignite to be an all-consuming fire that inspires loyalty, and belief.

She liked how no nonsense he was, and direct which she found refreshing. But most of all, he based everything on merits. It didn’t matter who you were, what you are, where you’re from. All that mattered was what you did with the work given.

She watched as he would pick out strengths and enhance them, weed out weaknesses and improve them. He was a master strategist, and everyone knew that without needing him to say it.

And soon enough, all Sansa wanted to do was to impress him. Be better. And she’s never felt more empowered in herself than when she started working with him. And later, the admiration, grew into something more.

She wasn’t blind. She knew she affected him, even a little. But she also knew that he would never be less than a gentleman and more than that, he cared about what his daughter would think. Which is why, when she finally admitted to herself that she wanted him for him and not for revenge, she started by trying to make an effort to have a good relationship with Shireen.

Stannis was still skeptical. “Suppose I believe you. What would your father think?”

She almost grinned. At least this was progress. “My father trusts that he and my mother raised me right and trust me enough to make decisions of my own.”

“Decisions that lead you to date Joffrey in the first place,” he smirked.

She frowned then and pulled her hand back, clenching them. “I’m a slow learner, but I learn.”

He raised his hands in surrender and shook his head. “It’s not your intelligence that’s in question. It’s your heart. It’s too big and trusting.”

Sansa said nothing and just stared at him.

He took a deep breath and leant on his elbows. “Sansa, you know I’m a practical man. I don’t like wasting time, and I don’t like investing in something uncertain. Most of all, I don’t like putting assets at risk. I rather like working with your family’s institution.  But you know what I invest on the most?”

“What?”

He gave a brief smile. “People.”

She swallowed trying to take in what he was saying and then suddenly she blushed. Behind all those was actually a compliment.

Sensing that she was still at a loss for words he decided to continue. “And your insight and output have been a major factor that’s benefitting both our companies. So Ms. Stark, draw me a contract. Make an offer. What is it that you want from me? If it’s just for revenge, maybe I can help you in a different way. If it’s for another motivation, be frank with me. Because once we go into an agreement, you know very well, how committed I can be.”

Never one to back down, Sansa leant forward and held his eye, smirking. “Okay, Mr. Baratheon. My offer, in plainest terms.”

He was smirking now. “Go on.”

“The pleasure of my company, for yours. No strings attached. Just you,” she nodded her head at him, “Just me,” she said softer while she leant back with a more genuine smile.

“No bullshit.”

Stannis swallowed then, uncharacteristically, but Sansa knew he was impressed and completely surprised at her callousness about this. “Very well. Seeing as ‘just you’ is a very generous offer, I’m going to throw in an interest from my side.”

Sansa’s heart skipped a beat as she nodded eagerly for him to continue.

He reached across and covered her hands with his own. “Myself, plus the added benefit of teaching my worthless nephew a lesson,” he grinned. “Would that be satisfactory, Ms. Stark?”

Sansa stood up then and stuck her hand out in excitement. “Deal.”

Stannis humored her, stood up, and shook her hand before using the same hand to pull her against him, stopping only when his lips were a breath away from hers. “Deal. Now why don’t we seal this contract?”

Sansa only complied easily as she closed the distance and wrapped her arms around his neck while they shared their first kiss.

Sansa was having the time of her life.

As expected, they were immediately flocked with reporters and the whole gamut of them, and the reception was insane, but not for the reason she expected.

Everyone wanted to know what took them so long instead of how they got to be in the first place, commenting on how they were always in sync when they worked together that they suppose they weren’t as discreet with their attraction as they thought they were.

It all went without hitch until of course, as expected, it all comes back to Joffrey.

She couldn’t help but smile devilishly then, her eyes flashing when she remembered his face when she walked inside in Stannis’ arm.

Oh his face.

He actually spewed his wine while his eye bulged before narrowing at her while Margaery Tyrell, his date, frowned at him before giving Sansa an almost envious smile.

Sansa let go of Stannis as they went about to briefly greet people. She went to Myrcella first who was ecstatic for her and then Margaery, until finally, she was met with Joffrey’s glare that despite the lividness in those puke green eyes she used to think she’d drown in, they raked across her figure-hugging backless gown the color of Stannis’ eyes.

“Joffrey,” she beamed at him. Eat it up, fuck face.

Margaery tried to break the tension by gushing over Sansa’s blue diamond pendant. “That is positively opulent!”

She couldn’t help but blush then because it was an early Christmas gift from Stannis that he presented the night before when they quietly celebrated their third month of dating. It was too much, Sansa knew, but Stannis never went half-assed with anything. The blue diamond was set as the eye of a white gold direwolf head he had made especially for her that she remembered crying over how touched she was that he really meant to have a partnership with her in everything. Unlike Joffrey who forced every family tradition of his on her while making fun of hers.

“It’s Stannis’ Christmas gift. He designed it himself,” she said proudly.

“Wow. Uncle Stannis does have great taste,” Myrcella winked at her making her giggle. “Don’t you think so, Joff?” She smirked at him.

Never one to miss a challenging look, Joffrey shifted into his winning smile. “Seeing as he took something I used to fancy yes,” he drawled before standing close to Sansa. “Well, I see you’re still trying to get with the family. What is it with you Starks, thirsty for any Baratheon cock?”

Margaery scowled at him from the side while Myrcella looked ready to slap him but Sansa continued beaming at him sweetly. “As long as it’s not yours,” she winked at him earning giggles from the other girls and ah there it is, the infamous eye twitch.

“I must say Sansa. Where did this confidence come from?”

“Nowhere near your dick, that’s for sure,” Sansa said as she arched a brow.

All charm left Joffrey then and he was turning more and more purple, his eyes glinting with that crazy temper of his that she used to be scared of. But no more.

She was a woman in charge now. But before either of them could say a word, she felt Stannis behind her, giving Myrcella’s cheek a kiss and shaking Margaery’s hand before looking at Joffrey in that deadpan look of his that was almost bored even though if Sansa would squint she could see the tiniest smile playing in the corner of his mouth.

Stannis said nothing, simply waited as he looked at Joffrey. And Sansa had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from screaming in glee, looking at Joffrey helpless in this staredown and squirming in his designer shoes his mother probably picked out.

Stannis cocked a brow then, signaling his impatience that as if from nowhere, Cersei Baratheon appeared and gave a simpering smile, touching Joffrey’s arm. “Joffrey, love, greet your uncle,” she said through gritted teeth while her eyes tried to bore into Sansa’s.

Joffrey gave his mother a look but once he saw the purse in her mouth he reluctantly plastered a pained smile and stuck his hand out to Stannis. “Uncle Stannis.”

Stannis stared at his offered hand for a score before taking it firmly and half-smiling. “Nephew.”

He then let go of Joffrey’s hand abruptly, looking bored once more and unimpressed and just as Joffrey opened his stupid wormy mouth, Stannis turned his back on him and offered his arm once more to her. “I see your father over there. Would you like to go over?”

Sansa gave him her brightest smile as she took his arm. “I’d be delighted.” She looked at the beaming girls, at Cersei’s scowl, and Joffrey’s annoyed frown and waved a hand at them. “If you’ll excuse us.”

Stannis nodded his head at them and began to steer her away. Sansa couldn’t help but look back over her shoulder and smile at them. Oh yes, she was going to enjoy this night and it had just barely begun.

The sit down dinner was even better. The main table had both families facing each other. The Starks had time to adjust to them as Stannis survived a complete family Sunday brunch with them already. Renly kept making lewd jokes that Robert laughed loudly at until her father gave both of them a frown. But before Ned’s show of discomfort, Sansa actually welcomed the innuendos if only to see Joffrey’s cycles of annoyance and regret. Yeah lap it up buttercup.  

Joffrey’s eyes were like hawks zeroed in on her every movement so she made well and full use of it, starting with small touches here and there, leaning closer, whispering, and laughing. Sansa flourished from every time Joffrey’s eyes would blaze, or his lips would curl—he was absolutely miserable. Especially when all though the night everyone praised and wished the new power couple well.

She felt bad for Margaery a bit because this was supposed to be their big societal debut but they easily overshadowed them. Though looking at Margaery who was stealing looks at Robb who was no better, Sansa figured she didn’t mind much. She’d have to find a way to make them happen.  Especially with how quick Margaery helped her tonight.

Margaery, bless her, caught on and probably fed up with Joffrey’s toxic cloud, decided to help her play this with her comments.

“Sansa, I must say, you are glowing tonight, my dear. Truly glowing! You have to tell me your secret,” she grinned.

Renly, ever the ear for chaos, piped in before she could answer, “It’s pretty obvious darling. Sansa is emitting the glow of a satisfied woman,” he wagged his brows and Sansa couldn’t help but blush making Renly and Margaery’s eyes flash brighter with mischief especially when Joffrey spat out his drink and started to choke.

Myrcella patted her brother’s back while biting her lip. “Are you okay, brother dear? The wine too ripe? Or aged? I forgot your preference.”

Ned spat out his drink then while Cat simply shook her head, smiling slightly while she helped her husband. Sansa knew then that they all got their sneaky side from the Tully side of the family.

Cat was absolutely beside herself when she found out that Joffrey publicly broke up with her, humiliating her in front of thousands of people. She wanted to have him drown in the Trident and great uncle Brynden was only too happy to help.

“I don’t care if he’s your best friend’s son, Ned. Family, Honor, Duty. Give us the boy and we’ll teach him to mess with a Tully.”

Sansa loved her mother so much then but agreed with her father to settle things peacefully. Anyway, this was better.

“I’m just really happy,” Sansa said dreamily, glancing at Stannis who was in deep discussion with Great Uncle Brynden beside him.

Sansa caught Arya with that look of hers and she knew, she just knew that she wanted in on this as well.

Arya pinched Gendry’s cheek then, “Well older Baratheon boys aren’t awful.”

“I second that,” Loras piped in, earning a wink from Renly. “Dark-haired Baratheon boys to be specific,” he smirked.

Cersei who was watching this exchange pursed her lips but said nothing though her eyes were flashing with hate directed towards her, Sansa was sure but she returned each look with a bigger smile.

“I don’t know, I think my golden-haired nephew is being quite gracious tonight,” Renly lifted a glass to Joffrey whose scowl was quickly becoming permanent. “Not a single tantrum or complaint, I’m proud of you.”

A rather loud laugh came from the other end as an alcohol flushed Tyrion Lannister lifted his glass to him as well. “My handsome nephew has grown up at last! I do wonder why.”

Cersei glared at him while Jaime just looked bored. The Lannister Patriarch wasn’t amused though as he gave Tyrion a reproachful look.

Tyrion just shrugged. “What? I keep waiting for him to say, the fish is too dry, the meat is too raw,” he paused and leered as he stared at Stannis’ hand which was at the back of Sansa’s seat even if he was still busy talking with Brynden. “But I think I heard something about the wine being too aged?”

Jaime spat out his wine at the same time as Theon, Gendry, and Renly while almost every third generation attendees were trying and failing to hold their laughter.

“Don’t we have any other better things to discuss other than my grandson’s improved behavior?” Tywin bellowed.

“What do we discuss then? Sansa Stark’s Baratheon upgrade?” Tyrion boldly retorted with a flourish.

More wine spitting.

Cersei swirled her wine and simpered. “Yes, what an upgrade indeed my dear. Why date an heir when you can go for another kingdom’s king at once?”

“Cersei!” Robert was red and kept glancing between her and Ned.

Ned’s jaw was clenched but he held Catelyn back, who in turn, held Brynden back while the rest of table save for Tywin, Joffrey and Cersei were tense. But not as tense as Sansa was.

She never thought it would escalate like this. Glancing quickly at Stannis, he was now staring at Cersei with that look of his.

Cersei simply shrugged. “My Joffrey is too young to be tied down anyway. He should be free to choose another fish in the river.”

The Tullys were more than livid now.

Tywin made matters worse. “While I respect that the families would prefer to keep within the families,” he glanced at Gendry and Arya before focusing on her and Stannis, “It’s best to branch out and explore those who are showing interest as well.”

The Tyrells were offended and silently seething then.

“And how is that working for you?”

All eyes turned to Stannis who was giving Tywin a level stare.

Everyone held their breath as Stannis and Twin had a stare down with Sansa both anxious and, if she was being honest, a little excited. It wasn’t often that Stannis would speak out like this, having no interest in joining petty issues but Sansa also knew that if it was really important, he would have choice words to say without hesitation.

And now she reddened, knowing he was doing this for her.

Stannis arched a brow and Tywin scoffed as he looked away, grabbing his wine and downing it.

Sansa’s heart was racing as she watched Stannis look at Cersei next. “A wise man said to his children, yes, marry someone who would enhance or improve the family. That is true.” He smiled at Myrcella and Tommen before smirking at Joffrey, tipping his glass to him and drinking while everyone waited for him to continue.

He swirled his glass after, weighing each and everyone’s expressions before Sansa felt his hand on hers and suddenly she was meeting his eyes making her gasp.

“Yet it is rare to find someone who could do both and more,” he dropped a kiss on Sansa’s forehead before smirking at Tywin and Cersei, leaving Sansa blushing furiously at a loss for words.

“Only a fool would let such gift leave his grasp,” he added in a calm voice before taking another slow sip of his wine, his other hand squeezing hers carefully.

“A fool indeed,” Tyrion agreed merrily. He always was Joffrey’s biggest enemy. “But one can learn from mistakes, I believe. So best continue your stellar behavior dear nephew. There’s one more eligible Stark left to steal your beautiful rose,” he winked at Margaery while both she and Robb shared a look before blushing, Joffrey’s eyes widening and narrowing as he saw the exchange.

“Oh dear, maybe some fools don’t learn at all,” Tyrion and everyone save Tywin, Cersei, and Joffrey laughed. Jaime simply rolled his eyes as he tried to engage his wife Brienne who was cracking up and Sansa would bet all her money it’s because of Cersei’s face.

“Don’t worry uncle Tyrion. I’m often called our family’s only hope,” Myrcella chirped up.

“Shut up you middle child opportunist. It’s the youngest who will save the failings of the elders,” Tommen piped in earning high fives from Renly, Bran, and Rickon.

“Middle children are the silent achievers. Just look at Uncle Stannis and Uncle Ned. No offense dad,” she beamed at Robert who only laughed and clapped Ned’s back.

“Myrcella, a little more humble next time, my genius daughter,” he playfully narrowed his eyes at her.

“I just want it to be known today, that I, Myrcella Baratheon, am most certainly not the black sheep of my family, so jot that down.”

Cersei faked a laugh. “That is quite enough my dearest, you’ve made your point.”

The tension was broken then until suddenly Joffrey stood up and threw a fit, knocking his glass off the table, the sound of glass breaking made everyone look at him in shock.

He stood there breathing heavily, his cheeks flushed, his eyes blazing and no wonder he was quiet. He was drunk.

With Joffrey there were stages of his drunkenness. First was contemplative Joffrey. Next was rage Joffrey. And if she was a lucky girl, luckier than how she’s been lately, she was going to see whiny bitch Joffrey.

Cersei was quick to stand up beside him as was Margaery who tried to be polite as his date.

“Joffrey, darling, sit back down,” Cersei tried to pull him back down.

“Come on Joff, listen to your mother,” Margaery added.

He brushed both women off and glared at Sansa.

“You think I don’t know what everyone has been doing? I will not be made fun of. I will not stand by this mockery. But most of all, I will not be made a fool over this obvious fake relationship to get back at me! Yes! YES! I dumped Sansa Stark. The perfect little princess of the perfect Starks—

“Joff enough—

“No! I’ve had enough!

“Joffrey Baratheon!”

“NO! You want to know why I dumped you, Sansa? It’s because you’re too—

Joffrey couldn’t continue because Stannis stood up, walked in front of him, crossed his arms, and glared. “Go on.”

Sansa tried to rush to him but Arya and Robb held her back.

“Let him handle this,” Renly sidled up beside her too.

Joffrey was purple and trembling with anger as he looked at Stannis. “Of all the women, why did you have to have her? I know it’s fake! It’s to get back at me.”

Stannis looked at him before searching Robert’s expression which was a mix of anger and embarrassment but seeing as they’re letting him handle it, he turned back to Joffrey.

“What if it was?” Stannis said, making Sansa’s hands fly to her mouth as some gasps were heard.

Joffrey gaped at him then, unbelieving.

“What are you going to do about it?”

Joffrey didn’t look like he was breathing. Who would? Stannis was giving him his best Lord Stannis look. It wasn’t a glare but it was always enough to make you feel like one false move and you’re dead on the spot.

“I’ll-I’ll—“

Robert’s large arm went around Joffrey’s shoulder then. “That’s enough son. You’re drunker than me and your uncle Tyrion. Time to go take a break.” Cersei gave them a glare before following after them.

Tywin stood up as well and smirked at Stannis. Probably asking in silent question if he was serious or not.

Stannis sighed before arching a brow once more. “If you honestly believed I did then you disappoint me Tywin.”

Tywin’s smirk faded and he actually colored before forcing a sardonic smile and turning back to his seat.

Stannis waved a waiter who handed him a new glass of wine before turning back to face her and this was where Sansa realized that everyone but them were back to their seats and went to business as usual, giving them some privacy.

Stannis took in her expression and broke into a smile. “How was that?”

Sansa gasped and poked his chest. “You had me going through a rollercoaster old man!”

He just shrugged and smirked at her. “So it’s back to old man, is it?”

Sansa crossed her arms and sniffed once.

Stannis stroked her arm. “Come on, you got what you wanted. Don’t tell me that wasn’t the least bit satisfying.”

That softened her a little. “Well…”

“Or do you want me to go for a more public declaration. Tonight’s your night after all,” Stannis tried to give a bigger smile than he was used to.

Sansa was incredibly touched at how he was trying. Despite the warm reception, they both knew that the fact that she first dated Joffrey would always be used against them, most especially on her as the seducer. He knew how hard it was for her especially with him not being publicly affectionate at all yet here he was, touching her, standing up for her, only for her.

She smiled at him then, reaching for his hand. “So if I ask you to make out with me or grab my ass right here like a horny teenager when he comes back, just to rub it in, you’d do it?”

He gave her a challenging look. “Are you really asking me or is that an actual request?”

She shrugged playfully. “Does it matter?”

He ran a hand down his face then and mumbled something but Sansa knew there was a yes in there.

She decided to give him a break. “I’m just joking. I wouldn’t want you to lose your famous composure.”

He sighed but didn’t say anything else, his eyes telling her enough that he was serious that tonight was her night.

She bit her lip then and decided that as tempting as it was to humiliate Joffrey some more, she wanted this night to be about them more than anything as she’d always intended. Humiliating Joff was always the easy side objective anyway.

So she squeezed his hand and looked up at him sweetly. “How about you just save me one dance?”

That surprised him. “Just one dance? Shall we wait until he comes back?”

Sansa shook her head. “No. I want to show off my Baratheon upgrade. I don’t care if the reject watches. I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate and love my choice of family enhancement and improvement,” she cocked a brow.

Stannis gave an impressed but soft smile and shook his head. “Very well.” He offered his arm then.

Once Sansa was in his arms, she reached over and gave him a kiss. “Happy Holidays Mr. Baratheon. My best investment ever. Pleasure doing business with you.”

“And to you, soon to be Mrs. Baratheon,” he whispered after he spun her around and dropped to his knee, presenting her with a blue diamond engagement ring that matched the necklace he gave her.

The music stopped and everyone was paying them even more attention.

Sansa stared at him in complete shock, not from the engagement, but more on the proposal which was incredibly romantic and utterly out of character.

“I already told you, I’m a practical man and unlike my dimwit nephew, I hold on to a good thing. So what do you say, Ms. Stark to a permanent partnership?”

Sansa laughed then while not caring that her tears were probably ruining her makeup as she stuck up her hand. “Deal.”

But instead of Stannis shaking her hand, he slipped the ring on her finger and kissed it to the applause and hollering around them.

Stannis cradled her face and smiled. “I promised you thorough.”

Sansa couldn’t help but laugh then and grin at him.

“What are you thinking?” He asked.

“I’m thinking I should get Shireen another present.”

For the first time that night, Stannis laughed heartily. “So we should. Now how about we finish that dance of ours?”

“I’m going to need more than one to save me from the inquisition.”

He sighed as he twirled her around on the dance floor again.

“That makes two of us.”

Sansa laughed before resting her head on his chest. “Thank you for going out of your comfort zone tonight.”

“Thank you for acknowledging the effort. It was no easy task but it was worth it.”

She beamed at him and Stannis just smiled back smugly.

When Joffrey found out later on and that he had a part in their wedding, his eyes screamed bloody murder but his lips had to plaster a fake smile.

Sansa couldn’t help but thank the old gods and the new for her luck with Stannis.

Baratheon Upgrade indeed.

[sankta-arya]

Not All That Glitters Is Gold (8)

Just realized I hadn’t updated this one on here... Hoping to post a new chapter the following week!

Jon and the other Northmen ride north early the next morning. She meets him in the Godswood shortly before he's set to leave.

She takes his hand and he offers her a small smile.

She almost asks "May I kiss you again?" but then she sees the focused look in his eyes. It wouldn't do to distract him. So instead she just squeezes his hand and asks: "Promise?"

He squeezes hers back and says: "Promise."

***

She stands on the battlements, watching him ride away, staying long after he's disappeared behind the horizon.

Her face and hands have gone numb when Jaime Lannister comes to retrieve her. He sighs repeatedly and loudly on the way to the keep.

"Is there something you wish to share, Ser Jaime?" she asks offhandedly.

"Perhaps," he starts, pausing as if he's reconsidering. "Perhaps it would be better for you if your brother doesn't return, Your Grace."

"Perhaps you're being too bold, Ser."

"I swore an oath to protect you," he points out.

She comes to a halt, turning to study his face. "From my own brother?"

He doesn't answer, just holds her gaze for a couple of moments before raising an eyebrow.

"You also vowed to keep my counsel," she reminds him, continuing down the steps.

"Oh, and I shall," he promises, hurrying to keep up. "But I've learnt keeping my mouth shut can be a great dishonour. I do have your best interest in mind, My Queen."

"Your concern is touching, Ser, but completely unnecessary," she tells him before picking up her pace to indicate the conversation is over. Besides, Jon is not my brother.

***

The days grow shorter and the nights become darker and colder. Not long after Jon has left, a letter arrives. Maester Wolkan brings it to her in her solar.

"Where did this raven come from, maester?" she asks when she sees the seal.

"Casterly Rock, Your Grace," he informs her.

After she's read it, she calls her brother and sister into the room and tells Jaime to find his brother.

When everyone's present, she hands the letter to Tyrion, who reads it to the others.

Dear Little Dove

I believe congratulations are in order. You can finally call yourself Queen. I can't say that pleases me, but it does offer some comfort to know you were wise enough not to bend the knee to the Mad King's daughter.

I have terrible news for you. Our Good Queen Daenerys has burned King's Landing to the ground. I can't bear to think of all the poor unfortunate souls who lost their lives in this tragedy.

Winter has come, as your dear papa always used to promise, and so has the time to band together against our common enemy. We both know any agreement with the Targaryen bitch is pointless, but I'm willing to make the same offer to you that I once proposed to your brother. I will agree to a truce between House Lannister and House Stark, if you agree to stay neutral in this conflict between me and the Dragon Queen.

I'll even sweeten the deal. In return for your help, I'll grant the North its independence. Ponder your decision wisely, Little Dove, but don't take too long.

Give Tyrion my regards. Tell my other brother his child died in my womb after he abandoned me and that I'm set to wed Euron Greyjoy upon his return from Pyke.

Cersei of House Lannister, First of her Name, Queen of the First Men, the Andals and the Rhoynar, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

"Do you think it's true? Do you believe Daenerys would do such a thing?" she asks when he's finished.

Tyrion rubs his beard, looking over the letter again. Jaime is pacing the room and Arya's nails are digging into the armrest of Sansa's chair.

"Maybe Cersei did it herself," she offers.

"Possibly," Tyrion admits.

"It was a trap," Bran says.

Suddenly Jaime stops pacing, thrusting his golden hand into the wall, and shouts: "Of course it was a trap!"

Sansa flinches and Arya veers up.

He looks down at his brother, rage in his eyes and panting.

Tyrion's eyes grow large and then he nods. "Of course... The Mad King Aerys had hundreds of caches of wildfire hidden in the tunnels beneath the city."

"But you used those to fight off Stannis in the Battle of the Blackwater," Sansa objects.

"Not all of them. We had the Pyromancers produce more of it, just in case."

"And Cersei found more of Aerys' stash, which she used to blow up the Great Sept of Baelor."

"Apparently she still had enough left."

It's horrible to even imagine all those people being burned alive, but she can't deny that it's brilliant. Only Cersei would be able to come up with such a plan and be ruthless enough to see it through.

Who would want a Queen who destroyed the capital of the kingdom she wishes to rule, who wiped out its entire population in one stroke? Who would be left to point out that Cersei must have tricked Daenerys into attacking the city, while she'd fled to the safety of Casterly Rock?

"We can't trust Cersei," she decides, "and we can't trust Daenerys either."

"Cersei can't win," Tyrion points out. "Even with the help of her sellswords, she's no match for the Dothraki and the Unsullied."

Arya nods. "And she still has two dragons."

"Just the one," Bran disagrees. "Rhaegal has flown North to Jon."

All eyes in the room fly to his face, and Jaime and Tyrion exchange questioning looks.

Jaime shakes his head. "I came here riding up the Kingsroad and never met any trouble. If Daenerys sends her armies North again, the weather might slow them down, but there will be no one to stop them until they reach Winterfell."

"I'll take care of her armies," Arya says calmly.

Sansa clasps her hand, but she retracts it gently.

"You?" Jaime scoffs. "I've heard what you did to Walder Frey, but you can't hope to kill an entire army!"

"I'm not going to kill them," she corrects him. "I'm going to lead them."

Another look of disbelief passes between the Lannister brothers. "And how exactly were you planning to accomplish that?" Tyrion asks.

Sansa already knows the answer.

Arya shrugs. "It's easy. All I need is her face."

***

Dany walks through the wasteland that used to be King's Landing just days ago. It's eerily quiet, apart from the sound of her dragging her wounded leg and the few fires that are still burning.

Her face is glowing hot and her head feels too large for the rest of her body, spinning out of control, almost making her forget how to put one foot in front of the other. Perhaps this is another nightmare, she muses.

Jon Snow was standing alone in the middle of a frozen lake. She ran to him, but he drew his sword and pierced her heart in one swift thrust. They both watched with fascination as the blade came out clean, only to melt away in his hand. She turned her back on him, not even turning around when he called out her name.

If I look back, I am lost.

The wound in her chest started to smoke and sizzle, tearing itself open until she shed her human flesh and the dragon erupted from the empty shell that had once been Dany.

If I look back I am lost.

The dragon flew over the masses who called out to her, the slaves she'd freed in Meereen, the people of King's Landing and the wights she'd seen beyond the Wall. She opened her mouth to tell them dragons plant no trees, but flames erupted from her throat and they were all consumed by the fire.

She blinks to shake off the memory of the fever dream and continues on. She sees the remnants of a bakery, the baker's skeleton lying next to the oven. Two charred bodies are still entangled in what must have been a passionate coupling. A mother is clutching a babe to her breast, even in death.

If I look back, I am lost.

Snow and ash drift down around her, coating her hair and skin in a grimy film. At last she reaches Aegon's Hill. She doesn't even know why she came. There's nothing left for her here.

But then a voice whispers: "To go forward, you must go back, and to touch the light you must pass beneath the shadow."

She decides to start climbing. She enters through the remnants of the gates. The skeleton of the throne room is still standing. Snow and ash have already invaded it and when she crosses the room she can see that there is snow on the Iron Throne.

She's close enough to touch it, but then Drogon screeches overhead. I've seen this before.

She turns, almost expecting a gate to appear and open, the way it did in the House of the Undying, but instead she can see a figure stumbling toward her.

It steps into the light and she can see the wight, heavy chains connecting the shackle around its neck to the ones around its wrists. It opens its mouth and at first there is nothing but a shriek, but when she listens more closely, she can hear it rasp: "Help me!"

It's only then she sees the Night King, whip in hand, staring at her. "Mother of Dragons," he whispers, and her blood turns to ice in her veins. "Breaker of Chains."

***

Davos clears his throat. "The trenches are ready, my lord."

Jon nods and pushes himself to his feet. "They've been filled?"

The grizzled man folds his hands behind his back. "The northernmost with branches and leaves, and the one closest to us with snow, as instructed."

"Command the men to retreat to the camp, I don't want anyone near the trenches tonight."

"But the fires still need to be lit," he objects.

"I'll take care of that, Ser Davos," he sighs. I hope you're right ,Bran.

His horse is already saddled, so he can ride east to Long Lake.

On the way there, he mulls over the course of the war so far to distract himself from what he's about to do.

The Last Hearth was lost and abandoned, but their forces managed to beat back the wights at the border of the Karstark lands. The wights have since crossed the Kingsroad, keeping to the west of it as they advance south, unable as they seem to be to cross the Last River.

He's had two wide, deep trenches dug between the mountains and the western shore of Long Lake, at its northernmost point, where the distance is smallest. The bulk of their forces are on the eastern shore of the lake, where they suspect the wights will be sent once the Others realize they're walking into a trap.

Once it gets colder and the rivers freeze over, the wights will be able to cross, so they hope to strike hard now, and reduce their numbers significantly.

A mile from the shore Jon dismounts, sending his horse back to the camp with a slap to its hindquarters. The beast would only get upset coming too close to the new inhabitant of the lake.

The water is steaming when he reaches the edge and at his whistle the originator of that odd phenomenon emerges from the lake in its green and bronze glory.

Rhaegal lands only a couple of feet away and Jon walks toward him slowly but steadily, showing no fear. He reaches out to pat his snout. "Ready to light the greatest fire the North has ever seen?"

The dragon screeches happily and lowers its long neck, so Jon can mount him.

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Hey!!! 😇 I have read like all fics on your coming out tag page, when you have time can you update them? Today It's my one year anniversary of coming out!!! ☺️☺️☺️ -B

Happy Belated Anniversary! Sorry it’s a little late but we’re so happy we could celebrate with you! Here’s the tag for everyone else. - Anastasia

Taking Bets by S_Horne

(1/1 I 406 I General I Sterek)

“Dad, Mel” Stiles started. “I'm gay.”

With a sudden boost of confidence, Stiles reached a hand out to take a hold of one of Derek's.

“And this is my Derek” he continued, turning his face to meet the other’s gaze.

/

Stiles has a confession for his parents, and they have one for him!

Dream a Little Dream of Me by 42hrb

(1/1 I 830 I Teen I Stanny)

Coach pairs Stiles and Danny in a hotel for a lacrosse trip, it turns out they have some stuff to talk about.

About Damn Time by fancyachatup

(1/1 I 903 I General I Sterek)

It's essentially Teen Wolf, except that there are such things as soulmates.

Deal? by fancyachatup

(1/1 I 921 I General I Sterek)

Only Peter is evil and it's for like 1 sentence. +Basically Sheriff answers a domestic violence call and Stiles hits on Derek while simultaneously coming out.

The Person He Loved In So Many Different Ways by QueenofCrazy

(1/1 I 1,136 I Not Rated I Sciles)

“Bro.” He whispered, hands gripping his knees and fingers tapping. “Bro you uh, you left your porn up on your laptop that I borrowed for my presentation.” Scott felt his face heat up. He knew what porn Stiles was talking about, how could he be so stupid not to check it before giving it to Stiles.

Sourwolves Do it Better by siao

(1/? I 1,406 I Explicit I Sterek)

In another time, in another place, but not exactly as the story still occurs in the much beloved town of Beacon Hills, Stiles Stilinski is a quirky (kind way of saying a walking disaster) teenager just trying to figure out his life in the wake of his parents uncommunicated separation, and being the perpetual third-wheel to his power couple friends Lydia and Jackson that makes him question if their friends because they happened to have playdates in the e-old age or because their parents gave them no choice but to be friends.

And yeah, maybe having sex with a complete stranger in the supply closet at school wasn't his brightest idea - sue him, but how was he supposed to know that his one time fling that he wanks since forth was his English teacher?

Throw in teenage werewolves, alphas, hunters and some kind of demon tree that may or may not be trying to seduce him into being evil and what you got is a whirlwind romance that's not quite legal but profound all the same.

Two Hearts in One Home by TheMipstaz

(1/1 I 1,851 I Explicit I Malia/Kira)

In which Kira bakes 11 pies.

Silver and Cold by inatshej

(1/1 I 2,044 I Mature I Steter)

Stiles admits to himself finally that it is cold, quiet and lonely. It didn't change when he met Peter, but at least he could forget about it. Somehow the thing with Peter ends up hurting him even more.

And The Oscar Goes To by 42hrb

(1/1 I 2,241 I Teen I Sterek)

Being publicly in the closet means Stiles can't go to the Academy Awards with who he really wants, but it's not like he's going to win so he doesn't have to worry about slipping up and thanking Derek in his speech... right?

Outed by smokesforsterek

(1/1 I 2,419 I General I Sterek)

Nancy O’Dell was standing on her chic set but in the background on one of the set pieces was a obviously zoomed in and blurry picture of Derek and Stiles kissing on the beach.Fuck.

or the one where Derek and Stiles are famous and secretly dating, and are caught. So naturally the only thing to do is pretend they're making a movie.

Heavy Is The Head by tragicama

(1/? I 2,574 I Explicit I Sterek)

Heir Prince of France, Derek Hale is tired of his royal life.

When he meets a palace servant named Stiles, everything changes.

Or, the one where Derek falls in love with his own Prince Charming.

Awake by reillyblack

(1/1 I 3,441 I Mature I Sterek)

Stiles was too goddamn old for a sexual awakening.

Never Been Subtle by totallyrandom

(2/2 I 3,886 I Teen I Sterek)

Stiles has something important to tell Scott, but Scott’s not making it easy.

Green Beer and the Howling Wolf by TVTime

(1/1 I 4,152 I Teen I Stisaac)

Stiles, Isaac, and Scott go out drinking for St. Patrick’s Day and Stiles discovers that his hopeless crush on Isaac may not be as hopeless as he thought.

Stiles-centric/Stiles POV, dialogue-heavy college AU story with no powers. Primarily humor with some fluff and Stisaac romance. Alternate character histories. Isaac is Scott's adopted brother.****Stiles held his arms out and turned around in a circle. “I look okay right?”

Scott’s face lit with understanding. “Ah, someone wants to get lucky on St. Paddy’s Day.”

Stiles didn’t deny it, just changed the subject – well, technically he didn’t change the subject, but Scott would think it was a change of subject. “So when’s Isaac getting here?”

Trust by live_laugh_murder

(1/1 I 4,436 I Teen I Steo)

Stiles always knew Theo Raeken couldn't be trusted. But he seems to forget that when the werewolf gets under his skin.

Out in the Open by inmydreams

(1/1 I 5,188 I Teen I Sterek)

Derek Hale, successful actor and Oscar winner, is ready to come out and where better to do it than on his boyfriend's chat show?

Indecent Proposal by lavieboheme0919

(1/1 I 5,432 I Explicit I Stetoper)

Peter and Chris have been married since they were in their twenties. Stiles is introduced to the mix after Peter meets him in the showers at the on-campus gym. All of them love the relationship they're in. Unfortunately none of them know how to explain said relationship to Stiles' dad.

This is the first of a series I'll be working on as I work on my other story, "Gods and Monsters." This one will be heavily focused on sex. If I missed any tags, please let me know. As always, comments welcome and encouraged!

Aparecium by GameCake

(1/1 I 5,446 I Teen I Sterek)

“Hey, Derek, look! Aquamenti!” Stiles yelled laughing.

His laugh though was short-lived as his hand tickled the same time as water shot out of the tip of his fake wand?

What?

“Whatever you did, wherever you found it, put it back!” Derek ordered flashing his alpha crimson eyes.

“Do you really think it is a good idea to leave it here unattended? What if a kid takes it? What if someone said ‘Avada Kedavra’” Stiles defended as he flayed his arms around.

That proved to be another bad choice. His hand buzzed again and lightning escaped the wand and stuck an innocent tree. Which immediately cracked and started decaying to the point that it looked sick and… well… dead.

There were a few bits of silence after that until Derek spoke up. “That’s it! Put it back now.”

*

Or the one where Stiles finds a wand that responds to Harry Potter spells, is apparently a mage and gets a boyfriend out of it.

Don't hate me for who I am by AnnSnape

(2/6 I 5,649 I Mature I Sterek)

It was Christmas when Stiles pack rejected him for being different and Stiles, who turned for the first time, had to run away from his own pack to survive.

Closeted by stilinski_wolf

(2/2 I 7,483 I Teen I Sterek)

Derek is part of a very rich, very conservative - and very homophobic - family, and so he has to hide who he truly is from them.

And then, Derek takes a liking to the new bartender working at the gay bar he frequents, and contemplates coming out to his family.

But his choice is taken out of his hands when his sister Cora follows him one night to the gay bar, changing Derek's life irrevocably.

wolf in the headlights by thedeathlyalpha

(1/1 I 7,581 I Teen I Scisaac)

When Scott finds out that Derek has added a member to the pack, he can't believe it.

When he discovers who it is, even worse.

As Scott becomes closer to Isaac, feelings develop and the lines blur, making everything just seem so confused.

Getting To Know Me Getting To Know You by alternativename

(3/? I 9,477 I Mature I Steter)

In an Omega verse where Stiles has never really felt comfortable in his own skin, he seeks out the company of other Omegas to help him make sense of the world they live in.

Meeting Peter Hale however was totally unplanned, and so was everything that happened from the moment they met.

And...Action! by defenselesswriter

(5/? I 9,632 I Explicit I Sterek)

"Not looking for casual hookups. Sorry, bro. Most codependent independent person you will ever meet. Part-time actor, full-time asshole who coincidentally preaches positivity. Worst bowler in the world after my best friend. Looking for a guy whose first thought isn’t ‘Can I put my dick in one of his orifices?’ Also super hella bi and might be down for a threesome.”

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes by huffleluff

(1/1 I 21,866 I Teen I Allydia)

If you had asked Allison Argent if she was straight two months ago, she would have said yes. Now, she isn't so sure.

On her eighteen birthday, she receives the name of her soul mate via a mark on her wrist: seventeen year old Lydia Martin. Her sense of identity suddenly gone, Allison must deal with her feelings for her best friend, her preacher father's homophobia, and learning to love herself for who she truly is--preferably before Lydia's eighteenth birthday in just one year's time.

There's Nothing That I Wouldn't Do (I Found My Way Back To You) by SuperMARVELous

(5/5 I 51,051 I Mature I Sterek)

Four times Derek and Stiles pass each other by and the one time they find their way back to each other.

The Payoff Pitch by Leslie_Knope

(12/12 I 83,974 I Explicit I Sterek)

Derek is on the cusp of his second season with the LA Dodgers, and as the reigning runner-up Rookie of the Year, the pressure’s on him to become the team’s star pitcher and lead them to the playoffs for the first time in five years. He’s trying to deal with the burden of expectations and really has zero desire to spend any extra time or energy on anything that isn’t baseball.

But then he meets Stiles.

Building a Better Chimera: Part Two by Uthizaar

(21/21 I 200,638 I Explicit I Steo I MCD)

Theo returns to Beacon Hills with the task of guiding and protecting Stiles as he becomes one of the most powerful chimeras alive...Well that was the Dread Doctor's plan. Theo has a different idea, and Stiles fits nicely into it, not merely as a fellow chimera, but as something more. Of course, Stiles not being aware of his abilities is but one small obstacle... 

[itsediadmlove]

JONSA; the instrumentality of R+L=J

I must admit, as a jonsa shipper that I really like most of your metas on the subject. First of all, I would like to apologize for my use of english; I am not a native speaker and I know my use of such language to be far from perfect so please, if you finally take the time to read the post I am about to write and the reasons to write it, feel free to make any reference to any mistake you can find, it will be in my personal interest.

As I implied before, this is a jonsa post, but i believe it to be kinda different from the rest because I won’t be using foreshadowing from the books ( I don’t even know how to do it properly) nor the show. Anyone can find that on other amazing posts there are around which were made by people able to do them far better than myself. What is really important here is the structure of the story and how I’ve come to understand ASOIAF (books and show). The second reason why I will do it this way is because I agree with a full lot of people out there that at the end, every ship, from Jonsa to Jonerys it is nothing else than a whish, and when we hope something strongly enough we begin to project it under every light, for any excuses, seeing any quote or any passage as foreshadowing something. Please don’t get me wrong, I’ve learn from a full lot of metas; some of them are amazing and have brought light to some events. But the point for me is that no one at this point (except the obvious ones) know how this amazing story will end, that doesn’t mean that they’re not right: I’ve found around there people posting about R+L=J in the books for years, and then asking jonsa meta creators to find a quote that proves their theory to be true. My answer for such arguments is that nowadays, as long as the books go, there is not a single solid proof that R+L=J, just foreshadowing, and as the TV show confirmed, that never meant they were wrong.

At the end of season 6 I was quite hyped about Jonerys options. Dany was finally moving to westeros with her army, dragons, Dorne and High Garden at her back and Jon had just be named King in the North with the Vale bonded to him to some extent. Dany had left Naharis behind in order to be able to forge an alliance through marriage, but there were just 3 bachelors politically worthy of her hand: Euron, Sweet Robin and Jon Snow. Euron was out of question since she choosed to support Asha’s claim, and Sweet Robin... Well... Jon Snow was the remaining and perfect match allowing her to become Queen in the North by marriage, and tie The Vale to her claim along Dorne and The Reach; leaving Cersei with the ravaged Riverlands which are not really loyal to her nor the Freys, Casterly Rock and its bannermen who had fought several battles and lost a huge amount of men since the war begun, the Iron Islands (which are poor and divided) and some support from the Stormlands. It seemed good, yet Dany suddenly forgot why she let her lover behind and started to make demands as a stupid and spoiled teenager. I never got to understand why the idea never came to her or Tyrion’s  (who should be smart enough and keen to Jon Snow) minds, it was stupid at best.

When season seven came to an end I was extremely dissapointed with the season and needing more I started to read the books, and I’ve come to read them all 4 times since then. Then I started to wonder about the endgame, coming to a vague yet huge realasation: it’s all about R+L=J. Some would say it is obvious yet most of  people don’t come to fully understand such a statement. It is not about Jon becoming King because he is the true heir of Aerys Targaryen, ASOIAF is not this kind of story (Stannis was right about his claim from the beginning yet no one gave a shit) in fact your best buddy and your crippled ‘’prophet’’ brother saying you are and then your father’s best friend (Howland Reed) confirming it doesn’t make it a claim, but a rumour: it is people accepting it which makes it a claim (like Renlie’s, who never really had one). The point of George foreshadowing R+L=J it’s not just poetical, it must be instrumental for his story; useful for the endgame, and what makes me feel that way is the fact that GRR Martin has been spending time on this plot from the very Ned’s first chapter (I mean Robert’s quote about kings hiding under the snow  in the crypts of winterfell). We all know how long George takes to write a book and it would be useless to develop such a plot for no reason and spending years trying to show and hide the truth at the same time, chosing the right words, where to put them... R+L=J is essential to his story and that feeling is what made us aware that Jon would come back from death.

If Dany and Jon were about to rule together it wouldn’t matter whose claim is better; she holds the true power and not even the claim would matter if it isn’t his it whould be hers, so, if this was the outcome of all, why has GRRMartin spent his time in R+L=J’s plot; just to add drama to this couple? Just to add a little problem that they will eventually solve and live happily ever after? Sounds shitty and a waste to make it just a detail because if with this outcome you took R+L=J out of ASOIAF, there would be almost no difference but preventing an incestous romance.  

After realising this I started wondering how would it play out with Jon’s claim  being accepted. There are two possibilities: everyone respect him enough after the long night not to give a shit, or people would prefer him rather than the alternative. Right now, in the show Jon Snow is King in the North, but he is weak, He does not hold men of his own, nor a castle (Sansa is lady of Winterfell not him) he is king by deference, not by power but the wildlings and they were few enough before the battle of the bastards, he is a weak king and a king under the pretension that he is Ned’s Stark son, who he is not. R+L=J can do nothing but jeopardize his authority and once this happens he will be useless to Daenerys (even if she loves him). Then we have the southern lords, whose rights will be at stake if a military strong ruler would end at the Iron Throne (after all feudalism meant the power struggle of the local noblemen against the crown for their own rights and privileges). For them, someone like Dany is not a dream but a threat (she even admitted she wants to break the wheel). R+L=J gives them the chance to deny her claim in exchange for a king who holds nothing but respect instead of a foreigner who doesn’t respect anything but her own power and entitlement. You may think what you want but for me R+L=J being actually important makes Jonerys impossible, or better, making Jonerys the endgame makes R+L=J nothing but such a pairing creepy as hell.

In the other hand; King Jon could marry a lot of women (at least in the books); Margeary, Val, Cersei (I know it’s almost impossible but I am just listing), Myranda Royce, Arianne Martell... But King Jon being a weak king will need a strong political engagement in order to get support and strength, and those kind of fiances are not  common: Myranda Royce is from a minor branch of Royce family and doesn’t exist in the show, Val is not even a princess just a free woman who doesn’t exist in the show, Margeary Tyrell would make a great option as long as she lives and is unmarried (not in the show anymore) as Arianne (a crybaby more concerned for her own rights than for Dorne itself who doesn’t exist in the show). As far as the show goes there are just 2 women that are not Daenerys that fit the role: Cersei and Sansa (Lyanna Mormont is not a valid option since her house is to little and unimportant and she is a child).  Just those 2... 

Lot of people would say Sansa is his sister (to some extent), but the truth being said she is not, they’re cousins: why? Because R+L=J. If Jonsa would be endgame, a possibility no one can confirm nor deny, R+L=J would have a double instrumentality and this is why Jonsa is my ship instead of Jonerys, because it makes the most important hide plot of ASOIAF essential for 2 reasons instead of completely useless. Some can say that it is unlikely GRRMartin to write such a farytailed story, but from my perspective, no matter how cruel, cynical and unfair the world of ice and fire is, his story is still a song.

[lordofpinecrest-blog]

SEASON 7 EPISODE 1 DRAGONSTONE

The first episode of each season of Game of Thrones tends to be more a table setter for what is going to transpire the rest of the season. I know many did not like it, but you need to watch it more than once to appreciate it. While devoid of battles, I think Episode One did a fantastic job of wetting our appetites for what is to come.

ARYA STARK

We have two scenes with Arya. It opens with, in my opinion, the best opening yet. We are the at the Twins, with Walder Frey presiding over a dinner with, as he says he “gathered every Frey who means a damn thing and to tell his plan for this great house now that Winter has come.” At first it looked like a flashback, but it got strange as Walder was bragging about how brave his men are (as opposed to Jamie’s view of them last season) and how they killed the Starks at the Red Wedding,  killed a pregnant woman (Robb Stark’s wife) and a mother of five (Cat Stark.) Not what we would call brave acts. And also his statement that Winter has come. That never came up with him before. That is when it became apparent to me and my guest, Lord James Doddo, who guessed it first, that it was not Walder but Arya in a magical disguise. He nods to the servants to serve them all not just wine, but the best wine. It was also noteworthy that he didn’t drink any wine and told the girl next to him “not you.” A moment later we know why, the wine the Freys were drinking was poisoned. And just as Sansa did to Ramsey Bolton,  in one swift moment, the House of Frey was dead and its name will disappear forever. Didn’t Arya have the greatest lines? Leave one wolf alive, and the sheep are never safe! And then in a speech reminiscent of the one Tyrian gave in Meereen to the surviving master after Grey Worm killed the other two, “When people ask you what happened here, tell them the North Remembers. That Winter came for House Frey.” As she is leaving the hall where the Red Wedding took place, the Starks are avenged and we see a smile coming to her face. Again, just as Sansa did,  she walked away with that little smile after the dogs ripped Ramsey to death. Amazing how the two sisters have so much in common when in the beginning, they were such opposites.

Sticking with Arya, later in the episode we see her again. I think most of us presumed that from the Twins she would head north to Winterfell, but we discover otherwise. She is somewhere in the Riverlands heading south when we encounters a group of Lannister soldiers singing a song which included the lines “Hands of gold are always cold but a woman’s hands are always warm.” Whose hands we gold? The Lannisters! They invite her to eat with them-so un Lannister like!! That is because they are not Lannisters, just regular guys who got drafted into the Lannister army and who have a clear disdain for the Lannisters and King’s Landing. And when they asked what a nice girl like Arya was doing all alone and going to King’s Landing, she said to “kill the queen.” They laughed as if it was a joke, but  we know it isn’t. I just hope she leaves without killing them!

One more thing. In the coming attractions we see a snarling Direwolf. Could that be Nymeria and could Arya reunite with her long lost Direwolf in the Riverlands? Or could she meet up with the Hound? Either would be great but as you know, I always side with a Direwolf! And if Arya makes it to King’s Landing and confronts Cersei, what body will she shape into? Any guesses?

NORTH OF THE WALL AND THE WALL

We go from Arya’s life  storm to real one. A blizzard north of the Wall, too hazy to see what it is in until they get closer. It is the Night King advancing with his White Walker, the undead army.  And how scary is it that the army includes 3 giants?? How close are they to the Wall?? We will see, but it must be close.

Then we see Brand and Meera Reed finally arriving at the Wall where he is let inside by members of the Night’s Watch and its presumptive commander, Edd Tollett. Spoiler alert: The Wall did not crash down, at least not yet. But they do so only after Bran gives his warning “We have seen the army of the dead. We have seen the Night King. He is coming for us, all of us.” So chilly especially with dooming music playing.  

THE NORTH AND WINTERFELL

We stayed in the North and moved onto Winterfell. Jon is imploring everyone to hunt for dragon glass which as he knows, can kill White Walkers. Some balk at the silly idea of using women to help, but once again his support comes from the mouth of babes, Lyanna Mormont, who carries the day with another great speech. GO GIRL!

But the more serious issue is how to treat those who supported the Boltons against the Starks. Jon is willing to forgive and move forward, but Sansa wants vengeance and their properties forfeited to those who remained loyal to the Starks. Can’t blame her after all she went through. In the end, Jon has the younger Umber and Karstark bend their knees to him and they pledge him their loyalty. Who was right? Here, I think it was Jon because he knows they will need everyone and everything to fight the White Walkers. And who was smiling in the back as they argued? None other than Littlefinger. I thought the back and forth between Sansa and Jon when they were alone outside was very revealing. Sansa acknowledges that Jon is a good and respected leader but he has to be smarter. Smarter than Rob and Ned, both of whom died from stupid mistakes. And when Jon asks if he should be smarter by listening to Sansa, I loved her reply “Would that be so terrible?”

Their conversation is interrupted when they are advised that a raven has arrived from King’s Landing with Cersei’s demand–come to King’s Landing, bend the knee or suffer the fate of all traders. Let’s see-how did going to King’s Landing work out for the other Starks who went there? Not so well. Sansa’s reaction is a bit puzzling. She tells Jon that he has been so consumed with the enemy to the North that he has forgotten about the one in the South. Of course, Jon is right because he has seen the Knight King and his army and that the Lannisters have never ventured that far North. But Sansa is right, she knows Cersei, just as she knew Ramsey and that Cersei will never stop until she destroys and kills her enemies. Jon then says to Sansa that you almost sound like she admires her, Sansa replies “I’ve learned a great deal from her.” And so she has, in a good way. You either win or die in the Game of Thrones. Did you see the look in Sansa’s eyes?? If not, go back and look again.

KINGS LANDING

The beauty of the show is that from Sansa’s and Jon’s discussion of Cersei, we go right to King’s Landing. Cersei pacing over a map with Jamie looking on. Cersei asks what could be a foretelling question “Are you afraid to me?” To which Jamie replies “Should I be?” Here is the point-she doesn’t reply but changes the subject to tell him the Daenerys has named Tyrion Daenerys’ Hand of the Queen. I guess just like now, there are no secrets there! Did somebody hack Stormborn’s email?? She goes on to belittles Jamie, for loving his  brother whom he set free and who killed her father and according to her, their son.  Jamie correctly predicts that Daenerys will land in Dragonstone,  that they have enemies everywhere and are surrounded. And for those who were disappointed in the episode, the dialog here was some of the best with Cersei showing all she is. Win or die. And if they win, a dynasty for a 1,000 years. And as Jamie recoils saying all their children are dead so who is the dynasty for-Cersei makes it clear-for them, but really her. And weren’t you stunned when Jamie confronted the Queen about Tommen’s suicide when she said that her own son betrayed her!! Wow!! I thought Jaime’s was going to implode. Jamie says they cannot win without a strong ally to which the cunning Cersei says “Do you think I listened to father for 40 years and didn’t learn anything?” What is up her sleeve?

No surprise,  we learn right away. Euron Greyjoy and his Iron Fleet. We see Euron’s mighty navy which is huge arrive in King’s Landing.  Jamie is critical of Cersei’s decision to “invite” the Greyjoys as he looks at them like the Freys-treacherous lowlife. He does have a point. The Greyjoys did not take sides in Robert’s Rebellion and sat out the war. Years later, Balon Greyjoy proclaimed himself King of the Iron Islands and had early victories, including burning the Lannister navy. But King Robert had superior forces. The Crown’s navy was led by Stannis and they smashed the Greyjoy navy. On the ground. Ned Stark led the troops and he was joined by Robert as well as Gregor Clegane and Barrister Selmy. When they won, Theon Greyjoy became a ward of the Starks. Just a little history lesson.

And what did Euron come for? Cersei says a queen. Remember last year when Yara told Daenerys that Euron was coming to marry her so she would be his queen and her priceless reaction? Euron’s pitch is that all of each family’s  traitorous members are aligned with the Dragon Queen and that combined, they could murder them together. Not bad reasoning. And the meeting with Euron, Cersei and Jamie is fascinating.  Jamie points out the treachery of Euron burning the Lannister fleet and then how he was there to defeat the Greyjoys. Interesting point is that I could not find any reference to Jamie being there. But Euron, trying to get on Jamie’s good side, marvels at Jamie’s skill as a warrior as he sliced through the enemy. But then Jamie says but they were Greyjoys,  Euron doesn’t care. Could he be as evil as Joffrey? What does Euron want? To marry the queen which we have heard before. But he mocks Jamie as he is there with two good hands. Does anyone think it is a good idea to piss Jamie off? I don’t. Cersei denies the proposal because DUH-Euron is not trust worthy as he murdered his own brother. Touche when Euron says you should try it--most likely referring to Tyrion but Jamie is standing right there and again, look at his face. So how does Euron think he can win the Queen over? By returning with a “priceless” gift. What is that gift? Many have speculated that it is a dragon. But I say in his mind, the only priceless gift Cersei could want is Tyrion. And what if Euron is about to capture Tyrion? My theory is that Tyrion will escape by riding one of the dragons!! What do my squires think of that theory?

THE CITADEL

For me, they wasted a lot of time and could have been wrapped up in a few minutes. Do we really care that Sam has to do the worst chores? So a few things. One of the Grand Maesters believes Sam about the White Walkers but says throughout history, at the lowest point, people think it is it the end. Like World War One–the war to end all wars. But somehow, life goes on and impliedly, good prevails. Sam breaks into the forbidden area and make a discovery we should have all predicted–that a mountain of dragon glass is buried beneath Dragonstone. Was I right in my preview that Sam could be the key to defeating the White Walkers?? Give out a shout to the Lord of Pinecrest!!! He also says he has to tell Jon. Does this lead to the  meeting we have been waiting for?? Jon and Daenerys? Fire and Ice!

We also find out that Jorah Mormont is a “prisoner” there as his arm reaches out and asks Sam if Daenerys Stormborn has come there. Remember, the Dragon Queen sent him out to look for a cure.

BACK AT WINTERFELL

Sansa and Lord Baelish. Littlefinger has come out of the shadows and showing his true colors again. The key to this scene is when Brienne says to Sansa, “he wants something” to which Sansa replies “I know exactly what he wants.” My interpretation: That is what she learned from Cersei. Again, GO GIRL!!

THE HOUND

Again, while interesting, a little bit too much time. Did everyone recognize that the farm where the father and daughter died in each other arms was the one where the Hound, over Arya’s objection, stole their horse? The Hound shows real remorse, and along with Jamie, has any other character come this far from apparent evil to good? I liked the conversation with Thoros. After all, if his God is so all powerful, why the f____ doesn’t he just say what he wants? Same question all religions have. The Hound correctly points out that there is no divine justice and then looks into the flames the same way Stannis did at the direction of the Red Priestess. And what does the Hound see? The Wall and the White Walkers marching on the Wall. But there is also a subtle comment-he sees a mountain. Could that be his brother the Mountain?? And what do we make of the Lord of Light? This is the same God that guided Melisandre to burn Shireen Baratheon at the stake.  Is the Lord of Light a “good” God with followers just misinterpreting what he says? Sound familiar??

DRAGONSTONE

Daenerys and her fleet finally arrive at Dragonstone. She is breathing hard at the sight of coming home after all these years and her dragons fly to where their ancestors reigned the skies for centuries. Looked beautiful as Tyrian and the Spider looked on. She is overwhelmed as she implants her hand print in the sand. She is home. And how powerful did Dragonstone look? She walks through the castle, takes down Stannis’ sigil and sees what is left of her ancestors’ throne. She then goes to the war room where Stannis plotted with the Red Priestess his war on the five kings.   Tyrion look on as she says “Shall we begin?” Meaning the war to retake the Seven Kingdoms.

RECAP

While it might not appear that a lot happened, in fact it did. The table has been set. Who is hungry for next week? I am starved.

Please email any comments as the more input I get, the better I feel. And you certainly do not want to make me angry!

Until next week,

Eric, the Lord of Pinecrest