myshadowsandmybones

[myshadowsandmybones]

PSA for the girlies butthurt about Darklina shippers.

1. It's fictional. It's a pair of characters in a book/show.

2. WE KNOW the Darkling is the embodiment of the stinky water at the bottom of a rubbish bin that hasn't been washed in centuries.

3. Some of us are just horny babes on ovulation, whom have watched one too many Benny Barnes thirsty Tiktok's. We may have some kind of variation of a disease called 'daddy issues' so we enjoy looking at pretty, mostly age inappropriate men.

4. Some of us enjoy something called Dark Romance. We don't judge your tastes so you don't judge ours. It's a preference.

5. WE ARE REASONABLE HUMAN BEINGS who know how to differentiate between fiction and real life.

6. FICTION IS NOT REAL LIFE.

7. We are NOT abuse/predatory behaviour/manipulation apologists just because we enjoy a character with a skewed morality. Again, FICTION IS NOT REAL LIFE.

8. Please stop making mountains out of molehills. Educating and giving your opinion is perfectly fine. I encourage it actually. But don't force your opinions on other people who want just to escape and lose themselves into a universe that DOES NOT EXIST.

Thank you for your time.

[myshadowsandmybones]

I am going to lose it if the writers of the series are going to make the Darkling lose his mind for no reason aka last season Daenerys. He's the villan. Everybody gets that. I see no need in adding even more abusive characteristics to him or to bastardise the original needlessly. The book version does more than enough.

Part of the Darkling's charm is that despite him being the "bad guy", he is still likeable and at rare times relatable. Which, in my opinion, serves to prove the point of him being a manipulative predator even more than any outward expression of the fact (physical violence for example).

[myshadowsandmybones]

Am I the only one who watched Shadow and Bone after reading the books and felt personally insulted when Archie Renaux made me actually enjoy Mal's character?

[myshadowsandmybones]

TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Chapter 1 - Our start of forever

Alina never second guessed her decision to forsake her name and life at once with the Fold. As she watched her body burn along with the Darkling, the sweet smoke stinging her nose, Mal’s warm hand holding hers, she knew she made the right choice. The people had their martyred Sankta and she - finally, finally – had her peaceful and ordinary life, with her love, away from wars, schemes and magic of any kind. A perfectly exceptional, ordinary life.

Genya, David, Zoya and Nikolai understood Alina’s wish for a quiet existence, maybe even envied her a bit for having it become a reality. And while Nikolai and Zoya offered both her and Mal positions of influence in the ravkan court and the Grisha Triumvirate, they understood when their proposition was refused. Nikolai, however, could not accept his friend’s refusal, when he offered them both a monthly stipend for their efforts in stopping the Darkling and took it upon himself to rebuild the orphanage of Keramzin. Albeit reluctant, Alina and Mal accepted, knowing life would be difficult and caring for and orphanage even more so, when they had nothing to their name.

Such the day has come for them to leave Os Alta. The group of six said their goodbyes in the Little Palace courtyard, teary hugs and promises to visit exchanged. The last to hug her, Genya held onto Alina a moment longer and embraced her a fraction tighter - a part of their life was over for good.

As their farewell ended, Zoya approached with a box, tightly wrapped.

“Open it later. And know we mean it.”

A nod of her head and another poignant smile later, Alina sits next to Mal in their carriage, hands tightly held, watching the world pass them by and their future come to them. As they have always wanted it to be.

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That day, in a small, ravaged chapel from a small, ravaged village, a young couple stood in front of each other and promised their lives and loves to one another. The priest, their only witness heard none of the names the young hearts whispered to each other. He heard those written on the license. And then forgot them fast.

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The construction of the orphanage took less time than expected. Things tend to move along way faster when a ravkan prince commissions the building. Not that the village of Keramzin was aware of that.

Word started going around from the moment the two young newlyweds - that bought Duke Keramasov’s ruined lands - arrived at the only inn in those grounds. People did not decide to settle in Keramzin by choice – they were either born and raised and too old to leave or young but too poor to go. No one chose to stay in Keramzin and make a life out there. Especially after the war, after the Darkling and after what was to come. Yet this couple came in and took the market by storm, buying homeware, furniture and clothes for dozens of people, in all sizes. The butchery, grain and vegetable vendors and the live animal merchants were very happy those days, making quite hefty sales and the promise of contract for monthly merchandise delivered to the old Keramsov’s grounds. Such abundance has never been seen in Keramzin. So, they took the coin with a dose of skepticism. But they all understood when the baker, Dima, took courage to talk to the young man.

“Say, lad…aren’t you storing a few too many breads and beds for the two of you alone? And your woman is a slight lass at that…” He asked, shifting his eyes over the small frame of the woman.

“We’re making sure we have enough for when the children come.” Answered Mal with a smile, knowing how they attracted the attention of the villagers, albeit unwillingly.

“You’re too young to have grown children.”

“Not ours.” Interrupted Alina smiling. “We are opening the orphanage again; we’re preparing for when the children come.” She knew the whole village would find out soon anyway, and maybe this would help stump the mistrust of the people

The baker released a grunt, clearly not interested in a warmer response now that he had his answer. He packed the bread and send the pair on their way, their goodwill not thawing his frigid reaction.

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Chapter 2

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Thank you to all of you who have showed interest in this little project of mine. I truly did not expect anything when I first posted so knowing that someone is actually reading what I write was a bit demoralizing. Add a severe bout of depression into the equation and you have me :)

I will make no promises regarding posting schedule and chapter lengths because I might change the way I do things along the way. Right now I am going to try and post smaller chapters, more often. I am also hoping this will help with my excessive overthinking.

Again, thank you for your time and good day. O.

[myshadowsandmybones]

TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT ALONE

PROLOGUE

Moans, weeps and cries could be heard for miles around. Supplicants, friends and soldiers were crying for the short life of a martyred Saint while fire and sickly-sweet smoke carried their prayers to the Heavens. “Sankta Alina. Sankta Alina! Sankta…”

In the middle of everyone, the girl breathed a lone whisper. A name. A boy’s name, given up. Almost forgotten.

“Aleksander.”

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There is a newly built playground in Keramzin.

One in the shape of a mansion. There are sitting rooms and drawing rooms where the floors are scattered with pillows and throws for the nights when stories are spun by the light of the fireplace. Settees and armchairs pushed to the side, nothing that could break in sight.

There are kitchens where during cold falls and winters, hearty stews are bubbling in pots and during springs and summers, the ovens are blooming fruity pastries and juicy pies. In those kitchens there are also shadowed corners where little hands find hidden bowls full of sweets and chocolate. The little ones think a Sugar Fairy keeps leaving gifts for them.

There are bedrooms with little beds and walls adorned with paintings of forests and meadows, stags made of light and birds with plumes of fire. Sculpted horses and soldiers made of wood, colorful fabric dolls and sets of marbles are neatly arranged on each bed, by the pillows of their owners.

There is a Room of Tales at the heart of the playground. The walls of the room are covered with rows upon rows of fairytales, legends and adventures in written form. Fantastical chronicles of heroic acts, tragic stories and love conquests, that enchant ever soul, young or old. Between them sit pieces of science, big or small, history, languages, treaties on ethics, art, geography, wisdom on the body and mind, all bound with thread. All these magical tales and bits of science become portals for those who only know the playground of Keramzin and not the world. There are also tables and chairs, of all sizes, covered in notebooks, paper, pencils and charcoal that wait to be used to etch numbers, letters and answers to questions. Then, in a corner, in front of the large windows that let powder gold cast itself over the room, there is a smaller table, of russet wood just like the others. Next to it a rocking chair, cushioned with pillows. It is known the Sun is its only claimant.

There are no adornments on the hallways. For this is a playground and in such a place there is no space for anything that can fall and shatter. A playground is for children to enjoy and to delight in. Such was the newly built orphanage in Keramzin. Younger children running around the house chasing each other, filling the air with laughter and the foyer with shoes. Older children joining them perhaps, had they finished their chores for the day and the readings for their lessons. The minders and the cooks scolding them whenever they would play Hide and Seek and use the kitchen cupboards or the wardrobe for winter clothes. And when a ball game or a round of Charades would get too rambunctious, the field in front of the house would become an adequate setting for running. But not too close to the clothesline, as dust on fresh sheets would be most unpleasant.

The constant laughter and joy of the children is what makes a playground out of the Keramzin Orphanage. That was the intention of the matron and of her husband when they opened it again, as they themselves were raised in Keramzin, along with many others whom were too young to be dealt the life lived during a war. The orphanage is an oasis where lost, alone, young souls can stop and heal their wounds and find solace. And what can bring more healing than a gentle hand, a warm smile, a vigorous embrace and advice spoken from the heart?

But that is not what the people of Keramzin thought. All they knew was that a young couple settled there after the Fold was taken down, had the orphanage built and started gathering all the children orphaned by war or by choice. Everyone was welcomed. The two were a peculiar pair, too eccentric and rich for a small village so close to the southern border. The woman was almost a child herself, in her demeanor and behavior, playing and spoiling the children, turning a blind eye when apples and pastries disappeared from the kitchen and admonishing them with a kind and tender voice when they did wrong. And her hair white as bone was most curious for a lass her age. Her husband, tall and handsome, was chief of the group when the older orphans wanted to learn the trade of tracking in the little forest behind the orphanage. He patiently taught them and took care of each in part. Once returned, often with a child on his back, too exhausted to walk on their own, the man kissed his wife with no delay and whispered secrets in her ear. She smiled. No one knew what those secrets were. His smile was open and enticing however.

Few knew their names. Those who did forgot them fast.

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Chapter 1 -  Our start of forever

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Few things to consider:

-This is my first time writing. I cannot promise quality writing or totally original ideas, as I AM doing this for myself.

-I am new to the world of fanfiction so I might make all kinds of mistakes. Should you see something like that, please let me know. I am more than happy to educate myself and right my wrongs.

Thank you!

[myshadowsandmybones]

TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT ALONE

After the ending of Ruin and Rising, Alina loses her summoning abilities and goes on to live her perfectly ordinary life with Mal and their children in Keramzin, leaving the Grisha world in the hands of her friends. Time passes and while her loved ones start to shown signs of it, wrinkles decorating their faces, grey painting their temples, Alina remained the same, perfect porcelain, frozen.

And time kept passing, and passing. Until it didn't, and Alina opened her eyes to face a world she knew dead for centuries.

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P.S. I suck at summaries and tagging.

Good day everybody!

You have found yourself a girl with a keyboard and the courage of anonymity. I have no clue where this journey will take us, as I am doing this mainly for myself. If you choose to join, I do hope you will enjoy the ride.

The end notes will be used for additional information or disclaimers.

All the best,

O

Prologue

Chapter  1

[myshadowsandmybones]

Thirsting over Ben Barnes. Part 1.

I might be exposing myself here but... THAT HAND. The way it slides over the saddle does something to me. I am respectfully watching and appreciating but I am also having some disrespectful thoughts about it and what it could do.

You know what I mean, ya' filthy animals.

[myshadowsandmybones]

I'll die on this hill: Darklina is one of the biggest examples of unfulfilled potential when it comes to fictional couples but also individual characters.

[myshadowsandmybones]

Sometimes the greatest mix of agony and fury is getting invested into a fanfiction and having it be deleted WHILE you are still reading it! Excuse me while I go cry and punch some pillows.

[myshadowsandmybones]

HELP! I want to find a Ben Barnes fic! It is a Ben x Reader one shot where they are castmates on Shadow and Bone. It is written as if it were a YouTube compilation video of moments between the two of them and the S&B cast and it ends with the reader watching said video while in bed, one morning. Please let me know if anyone remembers seeing it because I lost it after I read it and for some reason I keep thinking about it. Thank you!😍❤