ironlamb

[ironlamb]

NOTHING STAYS THE SAME . it is a particular lesson that daenya is learning the hard way . in the past she had once longed for excitement . for the new , and the changing , and the unexpected . it had been all she wanted to see more , to do more , to experience more . and yet daenya had not realized that with that wishing such things that things that she liked would change too ; things she longed to hold on to . she did not miss her mother . one would have to long for someone to miss them , no ? and she did not long for her mother . her love for her had settled like a bruise long ago , one that ached if pressed ; one that aches now even . but that tenderness did not speak of affection . it just spoke of a wound . and yet that wound reminded her of an absence . and it was not the only one . maegor . xaerys . corwyn . sheira . the list goes on with every death foreseen , every one felt . the wound was grief . daeny knew it . she understood it . and yet she tried to run from it . even knowing such a thing was impossible . knowing that it would follow her still . and it did . her whole journey with soryn it followed her like a hound , relentless , and begging to be seen . sometimes it would rest in her shadow , hidden , and for a moment daeny would have hope that it might have departed entirely . but then that tenderness would return ; then that ache would come back anew . on that particular day it had been gone for near three days . while there was a certain level of melancholy with the journey , daenya enjoyed soryn's company . it made things easier , such company . it bled out the shadows with a bright light that near chased the grieving dog away . shaera's presence does the same as she storms in . daenya can feel it the moment she sets her eyes on the strikingly familiar silhouette her sister makes . she is grateful for it in ways she's not sure how to express . " shaera !" her tone is coloured with her surprise , the sight of her sister's smile provoking a beaming one of her own . all daenya is able to get out is an excited exhale before her sister is bounding into her , until they are connected into an embrace that daeny returns tightly . the warmth of that bright light envelops her near entirely . she basks in it . " of course i have missed you ! there is no need for any falsehood in that , i have missed you terribly ." daeny squeezes her sister tight in response , tucking her chin into her shoulder and somehow feeling herself fill with a familiar contentment . " did you miss me ?" daenya can't help but ask excitedly , giving shaera one last squeeze before she forces herself to pull back enough to meet her sister's eyes . " or were you much too busy having fun with hel and emir ?" she moves to take both of shaera's hands in her own , interlacing their fingers to jokingly say , " you can tell the truth if you were , i'll only be slightly wounded !"

╰ * closed starter ⧽ @ironlamb

THE  RED  KEEP  STILL  FEELS  HAUNTED.   its  bones  remain  unchanged:   great  stone  walls,  twisting  corridors,  shadows  that  stretch  long  in  the  light  of  a  hundred  torches.   but  to  shaera,  ghosts  cling  to  every  corner.   despite  its  grandeur,  the  castle  reeks  of  memories  buried  beneath  the  weight  of  time,  things  she  would  rather  erase  from  her  mind.   she’d  longed  for  her  family  while  in  oldtown,  yet  standing  within  these halls  once  more,  she  wonders  if  she  has  made  a  mistake  by coming  back,  if  she  shouldn’t  have  mounted  dawn  and  flown  as  far  away  as  she  could.   when  she  hears  that  her  sister  has  returned  as  well,  however,  all  her  uncertainty  is  forgotten.   she  does  not  walk  to  daenya’s  chambers     —     she  runs.   silks  flutter  behind  her  like  banners  in  the  wind,  her  heart  pounding  against  her  ribs.   by  the  time  she  reaches  the  door,  her  breath  is  ragged,  but  she  never  pauses  to  compose  herself,  a  wide  smile  already  curving  her  lips.   her  fingers  curl  around  the  handle,  and  she  pushes  it  open  without  hesitation.      ❝      daenya!      ❞      the  name  escapes  her  as  an  abrupt  exhale,  half-formed,  terribly  excited.   the  princess  drinks  in  the  sight  of  her  little  sister,  who  looks  exactly  the  same,  though  she  is  somehow  taller,  prettier,  maybe  wiser.   she  has  changed  in  ways  that  make  shaera’s  chest  tighten.   a  thousand  words  rise  to  her  tongue,  questions  and  confessions  and  a  sharp  scolding  for  not  seeking  her  out  first,  yet  they  wither  and  die  before  she  can  say  them.   instead,  she  moves.   in  a  heartbeat,  she  is  across  the  room,  arms  curling  around  the  other’s  form  to  draw  her  as  close  as  possible.      ❝      tell  me  you  missed  me.      ❞      she  murmurs  against  her  hair,  unable  to  help  the  joyful  laughter  that  follows.      ❝      lie  if  you  must      —      i  will  not  allow  for  anything  else,  byka  zaldrīzes.      ❞

[ironlamb]

DAENYA IS QUITE NATURALLY STUBBORN . she tries her best to remind herself of that now , even as it seems to become quite an effort . because she was cross truly . and it felt quite important a moment ago and so it should feel quite important now no matter — the warm familiarity of having rickon before her once more . her eyes follow him as he moves to close the door , and it is with hands finding her hips that she begins to grasp for her own indignance again . " well , you've been — " a fumble for words that furrows her fair brows . " you've been — ... cold to me ." the frustration rises again anew as her brows knit closer together . " and avoiding me as of late as well , and — " rickon's concern catches her off guard . daenya has to stop mid sentence to blink , and it is with an instinct that she moves to sweep her fingers underneath her eyes , the pads of her fingertips swiping across the purplish hue there as if she could remove the stain of her exhaustion with just the right amount of friction . her mouth opens and closes before she settles on a , " it — was successful ." the words feel inadequate , as if they're somehow wrong . the trip certainly didn't feel successful . daeny swallows before she drops her hand to cross her arms over her chest , shrugging to say , " we found what the dreams meant ." it was nothing good but was it ever ? the words echo in her mother's voice . daeny has to swallow hard to keep her eyes from getting hot . her eyes look over him and see the worry there , and it is with a straightening of her back that she tries to convincingly say , " ... you need not worry . i am well ."

It was easy to enforce distance with the actual distance in place. He could keep his letters short, he could find distractions, he could pretend not to care -- pretend that distance did not, in fact, make the heart grow fonder. But as she stood before him, and he watched her expression twist and melt away whatever feelings she'd harboured beneath, Rickon was reminded just how much of a lie his convictions had been. And how much more difficult pulling away was yet to become. A soft chuckle escaped his lips at her words, and his brows rose. "Aye? You're cross with me?" he says, shutting gently the door behind. "Tell me." arms cross over his chest, and he leans against the tall wooden closet not far from where she stood. Giving her a proper look at last, a wave of guilt washed over him so sudden and violent, he could no longer maintain a smile. Or an even breath. She looked tired. "Your trip with Soryn..." his throat clears, and he can scarcely hold her gaze. "You never did say how it went?"

[ironlamb]

DAENY WASN'T QUITE SURE WHAT SHE DID . or rather she thought she did nothing . but could she truly have done nothing when rickon seemed to have no desire to see her ? or speak to her even ? or she suppose the correct description would be write to her . at first daenya thought his cold responses might be due to things outside of her . after all , there was much happening . and despite her upbringing , daenya was aware that not everything was about her . she truly was . but when the coldness seemed to persist all the way until now when she was quite sure her closest friend was avoiding her , well . she was less than entirely sure it wasn't about her . because it had to be didn't it ? what had she done wrong ? daenya's mind is racing to answer the question even as she storms her way to rickon's chambers , her heart hammering with nervousness even as her cheeks feel warm with frustration . after all , this is not her first visit to rickon's chambers . daeny isn't even sure that it'll be the last . and yet unexpectedly when she finds herself at the threshold he is here . for just a second the actual sight of him leaves her somewhat startled enough to forget the half speech she'd been reciting in her head for days prior . " i — " daenya's eyes flick over him . " hi —" the embrace is unexpected . of the many ways that daenya predicted this exchange going , an embrace to start was not it . and yet she finds herself almost instinctually relaxing into it regardless , her arms moving to wrap around rickon in return in surprise . she feels caught off guard enough to be uncertain how to proceed because it is rickon and he is the same , so at the very least there's that . " i am — " daenya's expression twists as she tries to remember her frustration of before , but it feels like it has all melted out of her before it could truly be realized . her are weak as she says , " cross with you , you know ?"

@ironlamb || daenya targaryen

He'd spent the past two days avoiding his chambers, finding company instead with his nephews, his brothers, his family. They provided the only distraction solid enough to get her off his mind, even if it was scarce, only moments far and few in-between. Truth was, Rickon longed to see her, to speak with her, to laugh with her -- but his desires were of little relevance. He knew that now, he understood. As he entered his chambers, tired and in desperate need of some solitude, he'd recognised her by her step before his eyes ever set sight on her features. Heart sunk deeper into his chest, and he took a moment to still himself before turning to face the door. "Hi." is all he could muster, as he stepped closer to where she stood, rubbing the back of his neck. No further words came out, but a soft smile remained as he found himself before her, looking down to violet eyes he'd seen every time he shut his own. Without thought, or word, or hesitation, he pulled her against his chest, and wrapped her in his arms.

[ironlamb]

" WHAT OTHER PRIORITIES DO I HAVE TO ATTEND TO ?" ynys asks honestly , shrugging before she pauses to consider her words and amends , " or i suppose what other priorities do i wish to attend to ?" politics had little interest to ynys , and at the current moment there was no battle to fight . such circumstances left them with truly very little reason to even be in king's landing outside of what they are hoping might be a oncoming battle with the harbinger's followers . and so it is decisively that they say , " there is only you . that has been the case for quite some time now . half year to be exact ." a shrug . " however , if some grand important matter finds me you will be the first to know ." they meet her eyes to gently add , " however , i doubt that it will outrank you ." a shrug before they add , " the only thing that might have me departing is battle . until then i am yours ." at the question ynys' brows furrows , not hesitating to say , " of course ." she sits back into their seat to collect rhaena into their lap , softening at the kiss pressed into their skin even as their brows furrow a bit at the question . " i do not think you weak ." it is said with an honest confidence . ynys' head tilts , " you are strong in ways that i am not , in truth . i protect with armour and a sword but you protect in other ways . it is admirable ." the words are laced with sincerity . ynys considers before adding , " you also have the world's largest dragon , and that is quite a strength . but i believe morghos chose you for your strength . you are a shield as i am ." ynys studies rhaena as those soft hands trace their cheeks , their arm wrapping around her waist again to pull her closer as they say , " quite a few people need you and it seems like it could be a great weight ." it is an observation rather than anything else . her eyes flick over rhaena's features . " you can take from me . it is fine . you need not feel the need to return something . i do not provide with that expectation ." a beat before they're moving to rest their forehead against rhaena's , their voice softening to say , " this is not me saying that you are not needed ." they clarify gently before arching their brows to add , " just that i have no wish to barter with you for — whom has provided more or less . it matters not to me ." they meet her eyes for another beat before pulling back to lean back in their seat , their expression twisting thoughtfully say , " besides , must we be needed ?" the question is directed towards the ceiling as they consider . " is it not enough to want for someone ?" another moment of thought before they're looking to rhaena to say , " i do not even speak in terms of desire ." ynys moves to bring a hand to a stray lock of rhaena's hair , tucking it behind her ear as she says , " i quite prefer having you around . i find things lacking when you are not ."

@ironlamb || ynys yornwood. contd.

"I asked but, it did not feel right to assume you've not got more important matters to oversee." her safety was hardly a priority, in times like these, and being as presumptuous as she had been was starting to evolve into a pesky character flaw. Or so she thought, as she allowed herself to do it nonetheless. "You will?" her eyes soften at their reassurance, as their thumb passes gently over her knuckles and their eyes speak the truth for themselves. She smiles, something warm and gentle washing over her at the words. Rhaena sat back into her lap then, placing a gentle kiss at the corner of their mouth. "Do you think me weak, Ynys? You've always spoken to me plainly, I do not wish for you to start sparing my feelings now." she took a breath in, looking for something in their eyes as her hands traced across their cheeks. "It's just that -- well, it feels like...like I need you a lot more than you'd ever need me in return. I'm not...suppose, I'm not entirely sure I like that, you know?"

[ironlamb]

DAENYA IS DOING HER BEST NOT TO BE MELANCHOLIC . it is — an effort as of late . daeny wouldn't like to think of herself as naturally melancholic , but recent events had left her with little other choice . the guilt of the death of her mother , the weight of the eight , and —rickon . and yet even still , there was a silver lining . the feud between her family had ceased . they were all here in king's landing , together . daeny tried to find comfort in it . her efforts are eased by the sound of a voice that makes her perk up . " rhaena !" there is a blatant surprise that colours daenya's voice as she shifts to sit up , her smile wide in response to the sight of her cousin . daeny doesn't know how long it's been since she's seen rhaena . daella was in king's landing during the war , or at least some of it , but rhaena was another circumstance entirely . " oh , i — it is nothing ." daeny tries to shake her head at the concern , knowing that she likely can't hide the evidence of lack of sleep from her features . " i have been on many a journey as of late ." she tries to smile wider with the words . after all , journeys were meant to be fun weren't they ? or at least she always thought they were . she scrambles to her feet then , moving to take both of rhaena's hands in her own to say , " but you have surely woken me up ." she squeezes rhaena's hands then , bright as she says , " it is wonderful to see you . i sought you out during everything yesterday but i had little luck ." daeny tries to swallow her disappointment . after all , did it truly matter now ? " are you well ?" daeny tries tentatively , her eyes searching rhaena's face .

@ironlamb || daenya targaryen

She'd spotted the youngest Targaryen laying in the shade of a large godswood tree. It was no secret people came to these shades to seek solitude, and evade unwanted company. She approached in quiet step, smile gentle across her lips as she spoke. "You can open your eyes now princess, your prayers have been answered." she laughed, getting down to her knees to give her a better look. "You look tired, love."

[ironlamb]

DAENYA ALLOWS HIS BELIEF TO SWELL UP IN HER . it straightens her spine and raises her chin . she swallows at the thought of rickon seeing her in such a light ; in a light so similar to the way she sees him . it fills her with an inexplicable pride ; she knows such a feeling will make it impossible for her to fail . she leans into his touch to her hand , sighs at it as her thumb strokes back and forth over the hinge of his jaw . at this point she's not sure if the touch is meant to sooth him or herself . daenya allows him to tug her down to sit , resting on the hay even as her expression begins to twist at his words . an offense rises up in her in his defense and it perhaps bleeds into her tone as she says, " that is not true ." the words are insistent as daenya's expression sours at the thought of her mother , or how other noble houses might see rickon , or the karstarks . daenya had never quite liked the order of things . it felt deeply unfair as of now especially . " and if that is all she sees she has need look again . there is value in you beyond that of your house ." daenya knows this to be true especially , but her mother must see it too , shouldn't she ? after all , there was at the very least the possibility that rickon might bend the knee despite his family . from what she's heard there are a few who have done that . and yet daeny could never ask rickon to do the same . could never exercise that selfishness once again . after all , her selfishness was near directly the reason rickon was in these circumstances in the first place . her head snaps in his direction at the mention of her brother , her expression twisting as the list goes on . " yes , well , i told my mother that you had nothing to do with it and i will tell my siblings the same . or anyone else who asks !" daenya's hand gestures with her frustration, her expression scrunching as she snaps a low but firm , " you are not a kidnapper and i will not have you accused of such things when the fault lies with me ." surely her voice must hold weight . as a princess . as a targaryen . surely someone will listen to her . and yet rickon's words deflate her anger as they soften her . the wrinkle between her brows near melts away with it . " i agree ." daenya says then as she moves to take his hand and squeeze it . she meets his eyes then and her gaze is unwavering . " we will not ." daenya leans in to listen to rickon's words , nodding along as she takes mental note . her eyelashes flutter at the brief kiss to her forehead . it is after a swallow of resolve that she squeezes his hand again . " i will ." she meets his eyes then , nodding once more before she adds , " i will be right back with everything . okay ?" with that she moves to reach into the pocket of her cloak , reaching into the depths of it to pull out a roll of bread that she places firmly into rickon's hand . it is with a quickness that she places a swift kiss to the heel of his palm before she's getting to her feet .

it is with a deep breath that she dusts off her skirts , that she moves towards the doors of of the dungeon with a straight back and hard eyes . she bangs at the door with a closed fist , looking directly into the eyes of the first guard and arching her brows as she points to rickon to say , " are the chains truly necessary ?" daenya allows her expression to twist as if she is unimpressed . the guards blink at her . " he is but one man , and not even a particularly formidable one at that !" she gives but one mental apology to rickon before continuing , moving to let her hands wrap around the bars of the dungeon as she adds , " and there is already a locked door ! do you think him a witch ?" a head tilt as her brows arch , as she insists , " or do you mean to tell me that multiple of you cannot handle one man ?" the guards begin to look disgruntled and daenya can only hope that means it is working . in truth , acting like she knows what she's talking about at least usually does when her title is involved . she internally crosses her fingers as she looks between all of them before adding , " well ! what are you waiting for ? unchain him !" the exclamation at least provokes some scrambling . daenya has to keep her relief internal as the door is unlatched and a guard seems to move towards rickon with purpose . " whilst you do that i would like one of you to escort me to my chambers briefly ." the guard before her looks ready to protest . daenya makes her eyes wide and round in response . " i am not finished with my visit but i have some ladylike business to attend to . it is very ... private ." the guard still doesn't look quite convinced . daenya subtly holds her breath until her cheeks go a bit red with it . luckily , she is pale enough that the warmth comes quickly . " please do not ask me to elaborate . would you ask such a thing of a princess ?" the guard looks flustered enough at the implication that daenya is flustered for hope to rise in her chest anew . it is with an awkward bow that he turns to lead her and daenya can't help but sigh in relief . she looks to rickon briefly as she goes , just a glance as she turns to follow and she feels a relief at at least knowing she will see him again in , hopefully , mere minutes .

Her attempt to tease is enough to lift a heaviness off his chest. His hand reaches for hers, as it passed gently over his jaw, and he'll place his own on top of it pressing it firm against his skin. Her eyes draw him in, her nod of certainty pulling forward one of his own. Rickon believed her. He believed in her. And with that, there was nothing to fear. Not anymore. "I know you won't." his eyes fall to her lips, only a moment before flicking up once more. "You've never failed me Daen, it'll be no different this time." The shake of her hands is followed by a low sigh, and he'll pull her along to sit by his side atop the low stacks of hey. His brows furrow at her words, "A noble house, a vassal house. We were never much higher in status than the common folk to begin with." as he was consistently reminded. Especially when it came to his affinity for her. "Karstarks were stripped of their titles Daenya. I may not have bent the knee to Corwyn Velaryon, but my family did. Traitors. That is all your mother sees." he'll rub the back of his neck once again, glancing up at her now and then. "Even Vaegon thought I'd kidnapped you, you know? Helaena, Soryn -- we are safe to assume that sentiment is widespread. Our words are enough defence for those who know us but, I should think them of little value to those who do not." and with his brother betraying not only the crown, but the Queen directly -- if he was to stand trial, it would not go in his favour. So he opted not to think on it. Instead he'd smiled once again, nodding. "Aye, together." he says, eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope as his heart warmed at the words, as courage birthed from that warmth like a seed out of watered soil. "The winter stole enough from us as is, I will not let this war do the same." Silence followed his words, and he let his mind divulge them. Her voice, a hushed whisper, pulls him instinctively forward. "Parchment and quill." he'll say, "My sister will recognise the writing. If it's not mine she will wonder why. She'll worry." likely she would worry regardless. "Be careful, alright?" he'll look over at the door, where the guards stood facing the other way, and once he ensured they were not looking he placed a quick and passing kiss upon her forehead. "You get caught they won't let you near me again."

[ironlamb]

SOMEHOW DAENYA FEELS HER HEART SQUEEZE TIGHT AND LIGHTEN ALL AT ONCE AT OF RICKON'S WORDS . at the playful tone of them contrasted with the bleakness of the situation , at the sight of him shackled before her . what a thing it is to be believed . daenya quite nearly believes herself as a result . " you say that only because you would not attempt it yourself ." daenya tries her best to tease , even with the heaviness of the situation . she is not sure how well she succeeds but she tries all the same . and perhaps that is truly what matters . her thumbs stroke over rickon's jaw then , gentle as she says , " but truly , rickon ." the words are firm and they are accompanied by an even firmer nod . " i will not allow anything to happen to you . i promise it ." somehow binding herself to the vow only gives her more strength , because she would not fail it . could not . after all , had rickon ever failed her ? daenya can't help the way her expression tightens are rickon goes on . daenya truly could not think of someone less deserving of such treatment . after all , not only was rickon innocent . he was only in this situation because of her . her head shakes . " rickon ." her sigh is low . " you deserve better . no matter the circumstances you are from a noble house and you are not a criminal ." daenya hated to think of things this way . status should not matter in truth . and yet they did . perhaps she should be grateful for it now that such a thing as silly as blood and upbringing might save rickon's life . " and as adorable as rickon the second may be , you should not be forced to share a room with him ." a beat as she tries to think of how she might better this situation . surely she could at least get him a room in the keep ? perhaps with a locked door like her own until she could truly get him free , but he need not be here in the dungeon must he ? truly ? " really ?" daeny feels somewhat of a relief at the news that helaena had come with a meal . after all , all she was able to stash in her cloak was what was travel friendly of her own meal . unfortunately , soup didn't journey well in pockets . " well , i am gladdened to hear that ... " daenya allows her expression to soften even as worry shadows it still . " i knew you two would get along well if given the opportunity ." daeny is surprised by the embrace but she participates in it eagerly nonetheless . her arms scramble to tighten around him in return , to hold him close as she rests her face on his shoulder . despite herself rickon's words soothe her . even if she thinks they have perhaps more than earned it already . even if she thinks that perhaps rickon is more deserving of it than anybody . her arms tighten around him . " ... okay ." daeny's voice is quiet but firm . she nods into his shoulder as she blinks away the last of her tears . " okay , you are right . this is only — " a swallow . " a bump in a very long road ." she nods again as she pulls back enough to meet his eyes , as she tries to allow hope to fill her anew . a stretch of good . it must be before them somewhere . she knows it must . " and we will surpass it , this bump ." daeny moves to take rickon's hand between her own then, to squeeze it . " together ."

daenya is nodding the moment the words are uttered , her head bobbing with it in understanding . there is no hesitation in her gaze , her eyes meeting his as she insists . " do you wish to write the letter or should i ?" daenya is sure to keep her voice low with the question , as this was likely not something that would be overheard . after all , things likely wouldn't go well for perhaps either of them if this was found out . and yet , daeny would do it all the same . for rickon to trust her enough to ask her was already an honour . daenya could not let him down . " i could bring you parchment and a quill later today ." daenya whispers as her eyes scan his face for even if she was not permitted to visit him later , she would find a way surely . " or you can just tell me what you wish to say and i can send the raven tonight ."

The warmth of hands against his skin eased his nerves. Even now, beneath the ground, she felt like the sun. And what was moments ago feigned courage, was now turning into a sense of genuine relief. He believed her words -- that she would look after him. That she would find a way out. Rickon did not know if he'd wanted it more for his own sake, or for hers. "I am in good hands then." there is playfulness, to his tone. "I pity the person bold enough to tell you no." and while he had no idea if he was perhaps the only one who could not utter such a word her way, he was still convinced Daenya was the strongest and most capable person he'd ever met. If she wanted to find a way -- she would. She may have been the sweetest of them, but she was still a dragon. As her eyes scanned the walls around them, he spoke to pull her focus once more. "It don't seem like much but -- it is better than sharing a cell, I'd say. Royal treatment -- I must be...very important. If you squint it is almost like the room at the tavern. Even Rickon the second paid me a visit." perhaps the mention of rats at this point was not the brightest idea, but he never pretended to be wise. "Your siblings came around too. Helaena brought food, you know? You were right --" he chuckled then. "Suppose we are getting pretty close. Go figure." it was not entirely the truth. But it was not so far off either. Without much warning, or any thought, Rickon pulled her into a hug once again. This time, it was he who had needed it. His heart fastened and he let the smile cease as his breath evened. "I do not want you to worry." he says at last. His words soft, calm. "Remember how you said there will be a...a long period of good? That we must be ready?" there's a gentle nod to his head, waiting for a recall in her gaze. "There will be. This is just...another stop on the way. We cannot have good without first -- e-earning it, I suppose? Good things must be earned, isn't that so?" and while he was certain they had earned more than their fare share of good, he needed to hold onto something. A belief. Better would come. With a nervous rub of his neck, his eyes diverted from hers a moment. "I wish to send a word to my sister, my brother. They will worry. I want them to know I am good and...alive." Rickon knew Alecor was likely searching for him, that Cait was grey with worry. "I will not tell them I am kept here just that -- that I am good. I promise I will not...make matters worse." throat clears, and had it been anyone else he'd not dare ask of them such a thing. "I know it might be...difficult for you to do so...at this time but, d'you think --"

[ironlamb]

DAENYA'S EYES TIGHTEN AT THE CORNERS TO SUPPRESS A WINCE . the firmness in helaena's tone feels like something she should listen to and yet daenya feels a stubborn resistance rising up in her all the same . and yet she still finds her eyes meeting helaena's as she takes her arms , still finds herself leaning into the touch even with the words weighing heavily on her tongue ; even with the weight of her guilt . " but you would have done the same for me !" daenya insists then , because she knows it to be true . and helaena likely would've done a better job at it too , in truth . perhaps actually succeeded . daenya has to wonder for the umpteenth time why the gods bestowed this curse upon her . was it a punishment or a tool ? daenys certainly seemed capable of wielding it as the latter . and yet she , her descendant , couldn't do the same . daenya is sure helaena would be able to . or vaelora or jaehaerys or shaera or vaegon or her mother — and yet she could never wish this upon them . she simply wishes that perhaps she was better at it . perhaps more deeply she wishes that she didn't have it at all . " but i don't want for you to die !" the words are insistent as they burst out of her , as daenya's expression twists with them . her hands curl into fists as she exclaims , " maegor and xaerys and then you ? i don't wish for that !" a hitch of her breath as her chest tightens , as her eyes tighten at the corners to say , " i am the youngest ! if i just sit here and let everyone older protect me to death then i will have to watch as i end up alone !" the very thought is enough to make her feel ill , the panic of seeing helaena in the first place resurfacing and rising like bile in her throat . " i did nothing with maegor and he died for it ." the words are laced with pain . it still feels like a failing . perhaps it always will . " not xaerys either , and — " a fumble for words . " i tried to warn you , and i told soryn to watch over you , so that you'd be safe ! and i took rickon !" daenya stomach twists as she utters his name and yet it was the truth . she had tried to take precautions . or at least her own equivalent of them . and yet they did not seem to be enough . or at least perhaps weren't see as she had meant them to be . she deflates . " but perhaps i could've said more ... "

whilst maegor, vaelora, and jaehaerys were the pillars of helaena's life, vaegon, shaera and daenya were the jewels of her heart. daenya, specifically, had made a nest inside the tenderest spot of helaena's insides. her baby sister, her littlest dragon. and to even have to entertain the fact that daenya risked her life, her reputation so she could save her older sister's life, was unbearable for her. it was supposed to be the other way around.

"why would you ever do such a thing like that, daeny?" helaena finished the unbuttoning and helped daenya out of the garment. her voice firm, but not unkind. she moved to face her sister, leaning down so their eyes were on the same level and grabbing her sister's by her arms. "daenya, you don't risk your life for mine. you don't, you hear me?"

helaena held her sister in place despite the tears welling up in her own eyes. her baby sister, face crumbled in pain and regret, was more precious to her than her own life. "if i die, i die. but you don't risk your life for me. i'm the older one, i am supposed to protect you."

she knew it was useless to say such a thing for she knew them and their shared reckless sacrifice. but how could she not say it? how could she let her sister embark on such dangerous journey for her sake?

but she understood what rickon said about daenya's need for clarity and what daenya had just disclosed about her need to do something. they, helaena and daenya, were too alike and it scared the older princess. "i know, i know, i know you needed to do something. but please don't do it all alone again. i know you weren't alone, but let us know next time. let me know."

[ironlamb]

IF DAENYA WAS GRATEFUL FOR ANYTHING IT IS THAT WHILST THE GUARDS SEEMED TO HAVE PARTICULAR RESERVATIONS ABOUT ALLOWING HER OUT , these reservations did not seem to fully extend to allowing others in . perhaps it was her fault in truth , for telling her mother that she was not in fact kidnapped , that she went of her own free will . perhaps it was a logical result of that . even still , daenya was at least allowed visitors . she finds herself particularly thankful for this when ryella bursts into her chambers , distracting her from the meal she was disinterestedly picking at in the depths of her thoughts . it is between one blink and the next that daeny finds something warm filling her at the sigh . it only amplifies at the warmth of ryella's embrace . even her own mother wasn't so happy to see her . it is a simple fact . daenya feels it settle somewhere in her rib cage between the time that ryella pulls away and curtsies . " oh , you — you need not curtsy , ryella ! truly !" daeny tries her best to insist at the sight , and yet it is already over before she can get such protests out . despite herself daeny finds her eyes softening at ryella's good mood in wake of her return , even as her melancholy sinks her heart at the notion of finding what she was looking for . daeny forces a smile on her lips anyways . " ... thank you , my lady . for being believing in me ." daeny replies first , and the words are heartfelt . after all , ryella may have truly been the only one . most seemed to think that daeny was on the path to death the moment she was gone . perhaps ryella is the only one who thought that she might fend for herself . daenya can't help but appreciate the confidence . " and i was not harmed !" another attempt at that smile even if it does not reach her eyes . " i am well . thankfully i was very well protected . no harm could've befallen me in the company i kept ." daeny says as she moves to pull out a chair for ryella , using the one beside her at her desk to do so . " i hope that you are well as well ?" her eyes find ryella's then and daeny feels guilt once again for what she has missed during her absence . " i mean , with the war and all ... "

@ironlamb || daenya targaryen

Ryella rushed over to Daenya's chambers, as the news broke of her return. And the guards which stood planted before princess' door could not keep her from entering with equal amount of force and excitement. Lady Tully rarely smiled -- there was seldom any joy to be had. But as her eyes rested upon familiar features of the missing princess, a smile was all she could muster. Without hesitation, or a single word, she rushed to pull her closer in. Once her hug had ceased, she took a step back and curtsied as was proper. "I hope you have found what you were looking for, my dear. You have certainly caused quite bit of worry. Though --" her gaze softened. "I must say, I was always confident you'd return to us. I have watched you leave these walls countless of times. Tell me --" she finally looked upon her whereabouts, searching for a place to sit. "Are you alright? You were harmed?"

[ironlamb]

DAENYA FEELS ALMOST GUILTY TAKING STRENGTH FROM RICKON . if anything she should be the one inspiring such strength in him ; inspiring such confidence in him . and yet daenya as always finds herself absorbing his steadiness like a sponge as he holds her face , as their eyes meet . and some part of her knows it is perhaps bravado . after all , how was rickon to know it will all be fine ? daeny didn't even know such things and she was apparently the one with sight . and yet as rickon says it daenya feels reassurance anyways , her hands on his wrists where he grasps at her cheeks . she feels the coldness of those shackles under her palms once more and she has to force herself to take a deep breath at the sensation . her nod is sharp . she finds her head bobbing with it twice more . " they will ." she repeats firmly then as she swallows thickly . her eyes meet his squarely as she moves to bring a hand up to wipe firmly at her eyes with finality . " i will get them to ." the words are said with more confidence than she perhaps feels , but she can only hope that rickon can feel the determination that lines them . " okay ?" daeny has no idea how she will manage it , truly . and yet she will . the conviction surely must count for something , right ? right . her eyes shine with pain at rickon's insistence that he was fine because how could he be truly ? here ? like this ? she swallows thickly and yet she says nothing . for what was there to say ? so instead she watches rickon as he speaks , her eyes scanning his face until his eyes fall to her hands . it is then with a gentleness that her hand finds its way to his jaw , that she holds it as she pushes for their eyes to meet again . " we shall focus on having you released first . okay ?" daenya's eyes scan rickon's as her brows furrow . " take this one step at a time ." daenya knows it was more her ideology than rickon's and yet how can she not fall back on it now , as he stands here in chains before her ? surely this was the most urgent matter . daenya feels her nerves frayed beneath her skin at just the sight . and yet her eyes snap from the binds to rickon's eyes at his question . she is nodding before words even form in her mouth . " of course . anything ."

The state in which she'd approached rattled him. And he struggled not to let it show. She was fighting the tears -- and the crack in her voice made him step closer once again. "They will. Hey --" his hands reached for her cheeks, as his eyes searched for hers with a sense of newfound certainty. "They will." Rickon needed her to believe that. To believe this was nothing but a misunderstanding. That they would release him soon. That it would all work out in their favour. He needed her to believe that, so that he could believe it too. "I'll be fine. I -- I am fine." When things were bad, they could only turn good. Was that not what he had claimed? Not so long ago? He stepped back then, and leaned against the cold brick wall as his eyes passed over her. She was good. In one piece and, if anything had happened to any of her siblings -- he would surely have known it by now. So he relaxed, somewhat. "The queen is cautious. My family they --" Daenya knew what they did. And he could not bring himself to speak on it. Not after he'd heard the way they were spoken of. "I am not sure your mother knows what to do with me Daen." eyes dropped to her hands, but fear which brewed beneath mostly subdued. "Not sure I know what to do with me." words came out a whisper, a thought. If he was to be freed, unlikely as it was, what would become of him? A traitor; either to the crown, or his family. It seemed there was no right choice to be made. And for a moment, he was glad he had no choice at all. "I -- I need a favour."

[ironlamb]

IT IS ALMOST DIZZYING HOW QUICKLY THINGS HAPPEN . one moment daenya is begging to be released and in the next helaena is there . daenya has barely a moment to bask in the miracle that is her sister's presence . to register that the words she was told were truth . that despite it all helaena was fine and healthy . it feels somehow surreal . only the weight of helaena's hand in hers makes the concept feel concrete . even then daenya can't help but look at her sister like perhaps a strong gust of wind might whisk her away . the sensation briefly reminds her of her dreams . is this real ? of course it is . and yet this time the thought doesn't bring her to the depths of dread . instead this time , for perhaps the first time , daenya feels some semblance of relief at the thought of a dream being tangible . she finds herself mute with it . between the awe of looking upon helaena and the short journey to her chambers daeny doesn't find herself uttering a word . even as helaena orders her staff away , as she helps her undo the confines of her dress , daenya finds that she does not know what to say . it is helaena who speaks first , who breaks the silence , because of course she does . daeny finds her hands fisting in the fabric of her skirts . she can see the steam raising from her lavender bath . the sight blurs before her eyes . " i did not mean to worry any of you ." daeny can't help but say emphatically . her eyes tighten at the corners as she tries her best to clear her vision with rapid blinks . " ... i just wanted to help . to — " she fumbles for words . it is with a frustration that she moves to swipe at her eyes with the back of her hand . " to do something ." daeny was historically impotent . she was aware of it and yet she could not stop it . she could not stop anything . even in this she tried and yet — helaena was still taken was she not ? still put into the danger she had foreseen ? her sister could have died just as maegor did , just as xaerys did , and again she would have done nothing to halt that fate . daenya's face twists in a pain . " i thought i could stop it this time ." and perhaps that is the crux of it truly . daenya really did think that perhaps this time would be the one . that she could do something to change things , to make them better . and yet again her efforts were meaningless . " i did not mean to — to worsen things or to cause panic ." her voice cracks with the words . her hands twist in her skirts . " i promise i was just trying to — " a furrow of her brows as she stares hard at a point on the stone floor . " to save you . " the words feel inadequate in light of it all . perhaps it is because daeny does as well .

and helaena supposed this was what vaelora, jaehaerys, vaegon, and shaera felt when she was brought home. there was relief and joy. but there was also anger, tampered off by the desperate need for an embrace of her no-longer-missing sister.

and their mother's treatment of daenya's return was of the same vein as helaena's, down to the vicious berating of their recklessness and the loose imprisonment in their chambers. and when daenya screamed from the other side of her door, helaena was quick to free her sister. the guards dared not stop her now ever since she learned to meet them with her own deliberate, authoritative silence.

the sight of her sister filled her with guilt as rickon karstark's words echoed in her mind: we were trying to help you. the last time they talked daenya begged her not to embark on any treacherous roads, and then she came home to a missing princess -- the nature of her departure almost mirrored hers.

helaena was not going to subject her sister to the same imprisonment she only managed to narrowly avoid upon her returned. wordlessly, she took her youngest sister's hand and took her away from her chambers.

"i have a lavender bath in my room waiting for you," she murmured under her breath. "at least there won't be guards there to keep you locked inside and as long as you are with me, we can roam the keep."

her explanation was direct, as they left for her bedchamber instead. and as promised, a steamy scented bath the color of milk and lavender awaited her sister. helaena dismissed her maids and then silently started to help daenya out of the confinement of her garments.

silence reigned their atmosphere, helaena did not know where to begin. an embrace? a cry? or a tirade of anger and worry and frustration? or perhaps a confession of her recent visit down to the cells which held the one rickon karstark?

but what ultimately grounded her typhoon of feelings was daenya's very own fleshly presence before her. her baby sister, whole and unharmed. her fingers troubled slightly as she helped daenya with the buttons on the back of her dress.

she began to talk soon after. "i was worried, daeny. as we all were when we found about your disappearance."

[ironlamb]

DAENYA'S SURPRISE AT THE APPEARANCE OF HER BROTHER IS OUTWEIGHED BY HER RELEF . she can't help but blink at the question , not quite knowing where to perhaps begin with an answer . how was she feeling ? " i am — " a shake of her head as if to perhaps clear it . daenya flicks her tongue over dry lips . " physically i am fine , brother . well , even !" the words are said emphatically as she meets his gaze , as she brings a hand up to swipe at her eyes with an almost distracted hastiness . " and you — " daenya's expression twists . " you have my apologies for worrying you ." a bow of her head . " i did not intend to ." there is a beat then as daenya swallows , as her gaze falls for a moment in guilt . but it is not long until her gaze is lifting again , until she is making herself meet jaehaerys' eyes to say , " but — outside of the physical i am — harried , brother ." daenya tries to explain , her hands twisting before her as she takes a step closer to her brother to say , " mother has — forbidden me from leaving this room and she has imprisoned my only friend ." daenya's gaze becomes pleading as she searches her elder brother's face to say , " if i am unwell for anything it is due to these circumstances ." her skin around her eyes tightens . she brings both hands to grasp at his arm to say , " you must help me , brother . please ?"

Both of his sisters were back, safe and sound in the red keep. While he knew their situations had been somewhat different, Jaehaerys was glad that they were both back. The prince walked to his sister's chambers, even though he knew there were orders from his mother not to go there. He didn't care, he wanted to see his sister and he was going to.

When he neared the chambers, he could hear from a distance the banging and the shouting from his sister. Jaehaerys also noticed the two guards standing guard by the door, it did not surprise him, his mother wasn't going to take any risks. Approaching them, he looked at them with a calm demeanor. "I know you have orders not to let anyone in, but you would be wise to move." Jaehaerys moved his hand to rest on the hilt of his sword, both guards would be aware that they would be no match for the prince. He watched as they shared a look between them, Jaehaerys didn't want to make a scene and risk this getting to his mother's ears. "It will only be a minute, I only wish to see my sister." He told them once again.

As they moved slightly to the side, offering the prince a nod of their head, Jaehaerys walked to the door and opened it, coming face to face with his sister. "Daenya. How are you feeling? I was very worried about you." He walked into the room, closing the door behind him to give them some privacy.

[ironlamb]

THE SIGHT OF VAEGON AT HER DOOR IS ONE THAT FILLS HER WITH RELIEF . he is a more than welcomed sight in comparison to her mother , or a guard . but before she can do much more than develop the thought she is being pulled into his embrace . it is one that daenya allows herself to sink into without hesitation . the feeling of relief only grows . " vaegon !" daenya gives her brother a squeeze around his middle in return . the familiarity of the touch makes her eyes sting ." oh , thank the gods ." somehow just not being alone in this room was enough to sooth some of daenya's nerves . she would not be locked away forever , perhaps . her siblings surely wouldn't allow that . and if she is not to be a prisoner here , perhaps she might be able to help the person who actually is . daenya tries to let the thought calm her . " i —  i'm sorry for worrying you , i —" a swallow . " it was never my intention , i swear it . but i promise you i was fine ! more than fine !" an emphatic shake of her head as she says , " rickon and soryn protected me — no harm could befall me even if the gods willed it themselves !" and perhaps they did . the moment she was gone it seemed that the world had fallen into ruin . war and pain and blood , all within the short time she was away ? no wonder her dreams reflected it . " what of you ?" daenya swallows dry as she pulls away just enough to look over her brother . vaegon was unwell when she left . perhaps not physically , but xaerys' death was weighing hard on him , on all of them , and not all wounds were those you could see . her eyes scan him anyways . " are you well, brother ?"

the news of daenya's return had been kept between quiet from most of the keep, something vaegon was grateful for. he did not know what his sister had gone through while out there but she was sure that she would need rest and peace after it all. first he had gone to rickon, his friend, to try to get the truth out of him. he wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he had daenya's best interest at heart when he took her away. but it was hard to believe after everything that has happened in these months.

he want to daenya's chambers, against his mother's wishes. there were guards appointed at her door, just as they were when helaena had been returned. but where helaena's guards seemed to be protecting her, these seemed to be holding daenya back.

he could hear his sister's protest before he even walked up to them, her voice and bangs muffled by the thick wooden door. "stand aside," he says to the guards. they look at him before one speaks. "forgive me, my prince, but we have strict orders." "fuck your orders," vaegon spits back and pushes aside them, his hand going the hilt of his dagger, as if to show that he would not take no for an answer. they look at each other for a moment before sighing and letting him pass.

pushing open the door, vaegon sees his youngest sister and doesn't think twice before throwing herself at her, arms wrapping around her neck and pulling her to his chest. "daenya," he breathes a sigh of relief. "you have no idea how worried i was for you, sweet sister."

[ironlamb]

CLOSED STARTER FOR: targaryen siblings ! LOCATION: daenya's chambers !

DAENYA'S RETURN HAS THUSFAR NOT BEEN A PARTICULARLY HAPPY ONE . it was too heavy with strife for there to be particular joy in it . the war , her mother's sharp interrogation and rickon being stolen away in chains , daenya perhaps felt even worse than when she'd left . it is a feat she would've never thought impossible . and yet , as she stands here pounding rather insistently on the inside of her chamber door , she cannot deny that that is very much the case . " hello ?! i know that there is someone standing guard out there ! please , please let me out !" despite the volume of her voice there is no answer . daenya's expression twists as she bangs ever the harder . " despite my mother's orders you cannot keep me in here forever !" can she ? surely not . there is a hitch of breath before daenya bangs both fists harder . " i will not leave the castle, i swear it !" even as daenya says the words she cannot guarantee the truth in them . she won't leave the castle if she does not have to , but with the way things are currently looking, well —  " i just wish to — " daenya's pleading is interrupted by the door opening , and for a moment her stomach twists itself inside out , torn between the possibility that it could be her mother returning for a fresh scolding or perhaps the guard taking enough mercy on her to let her free . the answer , as it turns out is neither . the door opens and at the sight of her sibling daenya feels a near crippling wash of relief .

[ironlamb]

THE RETURN TO KING'S LANDING HAD BEEN A PAINFUL ONE . between her empty hands and the now empty place by her side daeny felt melancholy looming at the edge of her vision insistently . it was following her like a shadow with every step , coming behind each of her words like an echo . and she could not escape it . for while she found herself home among all the luxuries that came with it rickon was underfoot and suffering for it . it did not matter if there was a lock on her chamber door , if she was interrogated with a persistence , or if her movements were watched and restricted . beneath her rickon was chained . and yet no one would listen to her about undoing such an injustice . helplessness had crippled her all her life and it finds her anew again . she will not let it . she cannot . and yet her eyes burn with it even as she descends the stairs , accompanied yet again by guards who open the door for her with a coldness that only makes her feel more ill . and yet not as ill as the sight of rickon chained to the wall like some sort of horrific criminal . daenya's stomach turns . " what ?" daenya's tone is as horrified as her expression , her eyes scanning over the state of rickon as he pulls her in . her hands move to clasp over his wrists where the shackles lay and she is not sure if the touch is to perhaps attempt to undo the bind or if it was to gauge tangibility . but the chains are real and cold and rough under her palms . daenya feels her breaths hitching with it . she pulls . " this is — this is not alright , rickon , this is — " her stomach lurches briefly . her voice cracks with it as she looks to him in bewilderment at the question . " you worry for me while you are bound to the walls ? rickon this is — horrible ." of all the outcomes that daeny expected upon them arriving home this was not one . and yet perhaps it should have been . the worst had happened . the worst always happens . daeny pulls again . " they will release you ." despite herself there's an undercurrent of a tremble in her voice . she does her best to take control over it . after all , rickon is the one suffering . he will need strength . she must provide it . and yet her eyes sting even still . " i will make them do so , you are innocent and this unnecessary , you have done nothing — "

@ironlamb || daenya targaryen

Rickon failed to understand the need for chains, when he was already locked alone in a singular dark cell, deep beneath the ground. Two guards stood watch at his door, seldom breaking the deafening silence with quiet chatter. He'd tried to listen in, but between the cold brick wall, and a small wooden door with an even smaller opening -- he'd not had much luck. All he could hear was the sound of his stomach rumbling, echoing as it entered the empty space. But now that silence was broken anew with the sound of familiar steps. And Rickon jumped up to his feet, waiting for her to enter. It would be insufficient to say his heart fastened with relief, and mind eased as he spread out his chained hands as wide as he could to pull her in. He knew her well enough to know -- she'd feel much of this was her fault. And that she'd worry. "I'm alright. It's alright." he says with feigned confidence. "It is not so bad here, really..." voice trailed off as he pulled away gently, so his eyes could search for hers. "Are you alright? Y-your family?"

[ironlamb]

" AND I ADMIRE IT ." baelora replies with a playful raise of her chin , her lips twitching at the corners with it until her smile grows to broaden . her eyes twinkle as daeryssa continues, her steps smooth and slow before she adds, " you are much too kind to me ." her head tilts . " perhaps i will surprise you at sea one day ." the concept had merit ; to fly high on aegarax to meet daeryssa at sea . the mental image alone feels right . after all , they had already promised to go to old valyria together . it was perhaps only a matter of time . she squeezes daeryssa's arm gently where her hand rests on it . " excellent ." she nods . " i will give you another charm before you depart tomorrow . for your safety until we are reunited ." baelora adds as she meets daeryssa's eyes sweetly . her smile is warm as daeryssa's hand rests on her own . and yet the change of topic is a complicated one . baelora hums a sigh through her nose . " monterys is monterys , and he will always be monterys . as such i have yet to extend my own congratulations . they will only run off him like water on skin ." the words are said with a bluntness as baelora's steps continue . after all , for one to be congratulated should they not believe that the news was worth celebrating ? the gods tell her that monterys may not be inclined towards such a sentiment . and yet . " this is a great cause for celebration . our houses will be united as they are meant to . " a thoughtful hum before she simply adds , " ... and yet i would have thought the union would have been our own ." she flicks her eyes over daeryssa's features thoughtfully then . " ... there have been none who have inspired the desire for marriage in me until you , daeryssa ." baelora gives daeryssa another long look before her brows are arching to thoughtfully say , " perhaps the desire will leave with you too ."

"there are not many things that one can be certain of in life, but i am quite certain of my place in this world," daeryssa says with a nod of her head. her place was at sea, protecting and upholding the sea dragon's claim for the throne. she knows it now. daeryssa smiles at the young princess, her eyes locking with the mismatched purples before her. "you appeal to me as well," she replies with the same certainty baelora had shown her. the gods had brought the two of them together, there was no denying that so there was no use pretending like it wasn't true. "there is no need to request, i would happily welcome you even without warning," she says with a nod. it was as if they were on the same wavelength, they both wanted the same things. from the moment they met, it felt this way. fate was a lovely thing. "then it is settled, i leave on the morrow and i will excitedly await your visit," she nods her head, a hand moving to rest atop baelora's arm that was looped around her own. "how is your brother doing? i hear the king has finally announced his betrothal to my sister. i have been meaning to pay him a visit to give my regards." though, if she was honest, daeryssa was quite jealous of her sister for being the one to marry into the velaryon house. she wouldn't tell her, she loved her too much and did want this for her. she would be queen one day.

[ironlamb]

" THEY NEED AN IDOL OF FLESH AND BLOOD ." cersha replies simply , her brows arching with the words . in truth , cersha wasn't religious . she craved control too much to put her fate in the hands of an entity she could not see or trust . the very notion of leaving herself at another being's mercy made her skin crawl . due to such feelings she found it hard to relate to those who had been hooked by religion's pull . and yet even if she could not relate , she understood it . it was simple . she shrugs to say, " or perhaps a miracle ." cersha's expression is near innocent even with the words . " when a sign is accompanied by what was provided public opinion will sway ." to fabricate a few miracles truly could not be that difficult . while her connections in the church were perhaps disgruntled due to the mess with her idiot brother and the human thorn that is ashara dayne , she could mend such bristling quite quickly under the right circumstances . and considering the potential urgency of this she could create the right circumstances if need be . cersha hums in response at the mention of sarya , at the concept of moral panic . she takes a delicate sip of her tea . " perhaps ." is all cersha will allow at the mention of sarya , for collaboration was well and fine ( it was not truly , but she could stomach it ) as long as she was not outnumbered . currently she cannot foresee a reason that both tully sisters would turn on her and by extension vaelora , and yet she cannot rule the concept out all the same . after all , trust is not plentiful between them and if for some reason vaelora wished to turn her back on the two sisters , cersha would do without hesitation . is it a stretch to assume that they would do the same ? no . such relations require carefulness . cersha is sure to exercise it . " it will be easy ." cersha says decisively as the teacup is placed back down with a clink . " as you said people dislike change . and an eighth god is quite a change indeed ." discrediting will be simple . after all , lies were just as powerful as the truth if wielded correctly and cersha knows that quite a few could be put together with just the right information at their disposal . it would be a swift and brutal death , as it should be . she shrugs her delicate shoulders . " one could quite easily believe him a demon instead ." an arch of her brows . " a group following a great evil and doing his dirty work ." cersha moves to gently refill her teacup with a hum . " i have even heard that they wish the valyrians dead ." an arch of her brows . " such a concept would cause panic , would it not ?" the teapot is placed down as cersha simply asks , " after all , how does one know a god is a god in the first place ?" a benign smile and a light shrug of her shoulders . " what way is there to tell ?" in truth all they needed is a mouthpiece . such words coming from cersha perhaps wouldn't be as effective . the need to iron out her connections with the church becomes only more urgent . cersha begins to stir a spoonful of sugar into her tea to suppress a sigh .

" yes , but haste in such circumstances can lead to the opposite effect ." cersha's tone is patient as she taps her spoon to the side of her teacup . " what of the followers when we turn the world on them ? when a group feels unfairly targeted they tend to become incensed for it . when people feel they are struggling , whether due to public reception or not , their faith tends to strengthen ." cersha tone is cool , thoughtful as she says , " do we know the numbers of this group ? if there are many to hang all of them would be quite an endeavor, especially if they were to scatter or go into hiding . and in that case what if they seek to riot righteously in defense of themselves and their harbinger ?" cersha's brows arch as she meets ryella's eyes , as she tilts her head to say , " aside from that i hear they have some equivalent of a high septon . he is like a god to them and unafraid of violence or pain ." the spoon is smoothly set aside . " say we incite a panic at the wrong time , and it turns to chaos . say the people turn to the followers of the eight with pitchforks and torches . say he dies , whether he is hanged or killed by the people themselves . we can very quickly have a martyr on our hands . and in such a case it will all backfire ." such chaos in the middle of a war ? cersha stifles the urge to tighten her expression . " the people will turn because death perfects such idols . he will become a saint ." the teacup is retaken as she smoothly says , "this must be done carefully . the timing must be exact . if we have the opportunity to cut this down without potential ... splatter, we should take it ." an arch of her brow as the teacup is brought before her lips as she says , " however , if we have no choice but to allow such messiness than that is another story and we must prepare accordingly ."

cersha is taking a sip of her tea when the words 'by any means necessary' are uttered . it is sheer control that has her not do more than briefly pause at the implication . it is not the implication itself that gives need for pause in truth . after all , cersha is many things , but an innocent is not one of them . fratricide , patricide , matricide , and what have you were not foreign to her . after all , it was she who suggested that jessamine arryn kill her husband when they first met , no matter how subtly the suggestion was brought forth . she never expected the interaction to birth a trust between them , to allow a friendship to bloom that she is still able to lean on even now . but it did . and cersha was grateful for it . and yet there was no abundance of trust between she and ryella tully . and they were not friends . so what in the world was this ? or rather , what was there for ryella tully to gain from it ? the answer was obvious , in truth . an extension of trust now after cersha had requested for vaelora's name to be sung through the streets . ryella must suspect the oncoming usurpation or at least the power that may be shifting in vaelora's favour , and she wishes to grasp at it , likely for the sake of the smallfolk . it does not necessarily seem like ryella to want such power for herself , but for the sake of those she seems so keen to protect it seems significantly more likely . after all , who is more likely to care for the smallfolk ? visenya or vaelora ? the answer is obvious . and if that is the case , and if both ryella and her sister are seeking to rectify the situation in the riverlands and if ryella has saw fit to tell cersha of the means with which they seek to use to rectify the situation , then one can assume , due to familial closeness , that sarya tully may very likely be aware of ryella is disclosing this information to cersha . it is an educated guess , truly . after all , other houses were closer than the lannisters . by extension in that line of thought there's a likelihood that sarya may also be aware of the shift in power towards vaelora's cause which , well , was not entirely unexpected once again considering closeness . cersha is adequately prepared for such an outcome but she supposes she at least now has confirmation . so , sarya and ryella tully likely at least somewhat suspect or at least hope for a shift in power towards vaelora . and based on this move they are supportive enough towards the notion to hitch their proverbial horse to it . she supposes she should be grateful towards the guaranteed addition to vaelora's cause . the riverlands was a great ally after all . but truly ? disclosing murder to solidify trust ? it is odd that this is perhaps the second time this has happened to her within the past six months . perhaps before the end of the year there will be a third occurrence to round it all out . the tea cup is set gently down . " ... i see ." cersha starts evenly , her tone smooth as she meets ryella's eyes . there is a beat then where she hums , the tone thoughtful as she says , " well , i thank you for your trust , lady ryella . and i look forward to what it may signify for the future of our partnership ." cersha's brows arch pleasantly with the half truth . she studies ryella for a beat before nodding firmly ." if you wish for my council i am more than willing to offer it ." she says pleasantly then , as if death were not the topic . after all , she did have some experience with such things through her father and cerion . there was a reason she had the means to dispose of the dayne bastard if need be . such means and ties still existed . her brows arch lightly as she clarifies , " for the good of the realm , of course ."

She listened carefully to Cersha's deductions; her intelligently crafted instructions. At certain times, she'd reminded her so very much of her sister. Some people were made to understand these games. To play them with utmost ease. Ryella never had much of a taste for politics. At least not until she'd grown old enough to realise there was no escaping its strings. And she would sooner be pulling the wrong ones herself than allow others to tangle them around her throat. "When people pray and we provide, they accredit our actions to the gods. And yet if we do not provide, the blame is ours entirely. So how do we combat this predicament?" her brows rise, for certainly she'd had many ideas. Some more...humane than others. "I believe Sarya can be of help. Her spiders could look into these self-proclaimed leaders of the harbinger. People who...advocate and attract the masses. The fanatics. Discrediting them should prove to be rather easy, I think." or it could prove difficult instead, it could truly go either way. "And fear, of course, as you so eloquently put. If we make the people perceive these fanatics as 'foreign' and 'dangerous' -- they will be sure to do our work for us. People are more likely to fear new things than they are to embrace them. So we create a moral panic. And at the peak of it our future Queen comes through as a saviour. The people are fed, the heretics are hanged and we all go on to struggle another day." It was a plan as good as any, and would certainly beat 'keeping an eye out'. For a thing such as this had to be pulled out by the root before it spread its weeds. "Discrediting the religion itself is much harder than discrediting its followers. Gods can be fashioned perfect, but people cannot. They will fail, and if we are wise and quick enough to catch them, we can accredit these failings to their religion. One follower beats their spouse, we colour the rest of them abusive. One indulges in too much wine, we colour the rest of them drunk. It is surprisingly easy to do, through a word of mouth. Only we must act quickly, before the ideologies spread out like the plague."

She'd washed down her words with tea and reached for another bite of cake. After a moment, her mind had shifted to the her family matters. "No, my lady you misunderstand me." she is uncertain now, but words are confident and direct. For once, Ryella does not hide. "I wish to stop my father from making this decision public. By any means necessary." there is a quick pause as she adds another cube of sugar to her cup, and a silver spoon rings as it hits the edges of the ceramic cup. "The Blackwoods and the Brackens are at war with one another, they split between the crown and the traitors at the first given opportunity. House Tully is all that stands between a full-blown regional war. House Tully is also the only hope we have at uniting our vassals once more under the Targaryen rule. If Brandon is announced as the new heir, and he flocks to the Velaryons -- the Riverlands will burn. Riverlords will shatter like broken glass and neither Brandon nor myself will be able to put them back together. We will lose the crops, and the resources and possibly the land itself. We cannot risk this mayhem." Ryella knew what had to be done. And now, so did Cersha. "Both my father and Brandon must die. Before the announcement is made. My father so the seat can never pass. And my cousin, so the news may never break and he may not challenge my claim." she sets the cup delicately aside and looks up at the other. She studies her expression, searches for possible thoughts. "If it was not for the greater good of the realm, the crown and most importantly, the people -- I would never consider such a thing. I hope you can understand." which leads her to her final point. "My sister and I are more than capable of handling this on our own, my lady. The reason I bring it up is two-fold. I wish to acquire some council, as I greatly respect your input. And to simply make you aware before it reaches you in a form of whispers." she's finished with her cake now, setting side the plate as she had no appetite for more food. "I understand the nature of our relationship very well, lady Cersha, as I am certain you do as well. And while it is one built upon the foundation of mutual benefit, for the most part, I would very much like to raise between us a certain level of trust. For it is my belief that, should we succeed, the entire realm would be better for it."