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asoiaf: sword of storms starters

❝ why would the stars want to look down on one such as me? ❞ ❝ sometimes i think everyone is just pretending to be brave, and none of us really are. maybe pretending is how you get brave. ❞ ❝ come, curse me or kiss me or call me a liar. something. ❞ ❝ some battles are not won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens. ❞ ❝ old stories are like old friends. you have to visit them from time to time. ❞ ❝ still, night falls for all of us in the end, and too soon for some. ❞ ❝ and i tell you truly, there is no man in all the world who will ever be half so true to you as me. ❞ ❝ there are fights no swords can win. ❞ ❝ nothing will happen to you. nothing. i could not stand it. ❞ ❝ in such troubled times, it is hard to know friend from foe. ❞ ❝ you hide behind courtesy as if it were a castle wall. ❞ ❝ why do i enrage you so? i’ve never done you harm that i know of. ❞ ❝ it seems to me that a ruler who trusts no one is as foolish as a ruler who trusts everyone. ❞ ❝ love’s not always wise, i’ve learned. it can lead us to great folly, but we follow our hearts…wherever they take us. ❞ ❝ only lies offend me, never honest counsel. ❞ ❝ it was never my wish to sow enmity between us. ❞ ❝ best you were taken to your bed for a long resting, until you are stronger. ❞ ❝ even brave men blind themselves sometimes, when they are afraid to see. ❞ ❝ no harm will come to you, you have my word on that. ❞ ❝ the worst is behind us. don’t be frightened. ❞ ❝ silence. have you forgotten who i am? ❞ ❝ there is something we must speak of. will you walk with me? ❞ ❝ you shall rise again, i am sure. a man like you. ❞ ❝ i am not a cruel man. you know me. ❞ ❝ the world grows a little darker every day. ❞ ❝ i have need of good counsel, and you never gave me less. ❞ ❝ you are a treacherous old rogue, but a good friend all the same. ❞ ❝ madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. ❞ ❝ if you love me all so much, why are you still dressed? ❞ ❝ you’re mine. mine, as i’m yours. ❞ ❝ wars need not be fought until the last drop of blood. ❞ ❝ one voice may speak you false, but in many there is always truth to be found. ❞ ❝ when it comes to battle, discipline beats valour every time. ❞ ❝ sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing. ❞ ❝ it is too late for ifs, and too late for rescues. all that remains is vengeance. ❞ ❝ only blood can pay for blood. ❞ ❝ why do you hesitate? kill him, and be done. ❞ ❝ i will fall into those eyes and drown. ❞ ❝ harsh justice is still justice. ❞ ❝ i am cleverer than most, surely wits count for something. ❞ ❝ there’s a storm coming. a bad one. ❞ ❝ men will read all sorts of things into a knowing smile if you let them. ❞ ❝ the greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them. ❞ ❝ all these kings would do a deal better if they would put down their swords and listen to their mothers. ❞ ❝ you were made to be kissed, often and well. ❞ ❝ i walk alone with no true companion but tears. ❞ ❝ there is a savage beast in every man, and when you hand that man a sword or spear and send him forth to war, the beast stirs. ❞ ❝ there are fights no swords can win. ❞ ❝ here you are my guest, and safe from harm at my hands…this night, at least. ❞ ❝ i love the smell of you. i love your hair. i love your mouth, and the way you kiss me. ❞ ❝ i am alive, and drunk on sunlight. ❞ ❝ we look up at the same stars and see such different things. ❞ ❝ let them kill me. so long as i die fighting, a blade in hand. ❞ ❝ they are still behind us. they are taking us one by one. ❞ ❝ cry if you must. in your place, i would likely rip my hair out. ❞ ❝ would you wake me, please? i’m having this terrible nightmare. ❞ ❝ i know what it is like to love so greatly you can think of nothing else. ❞ ❝ if truth be told, i’m bored with your company. ❞ ❝ i am tired of fighting you. what say we make a truce? ❞ ❝ no man grows rich by kindness. ❞ ❝ it is well you did not lie to me. i would have known. ❞ ❝ the blood of my enemies i will shed gladly. the blood of innocents is another matter. ❞ ❝ i do not know who you are, and it may be that’s for the best. someone important, i fear. ❞ ❝ is every word you say a lie? ❞ ❝ why should i tell you my name? you haven’t told me yours. ❞ ❝ you are weak as a child, and no warrior. ❞ ❝ if i look back i am lost. ❞ ❝ if you lie to me, i will have your tongue. ❞ ❝ you’ve grown more amusing since last we met. ❞ ❝ i wonder if i might have a few private words? ❞ ❝ i dreamed a dream, no more. go back to sleep. ❞ ❝ this is a bad place, is it not? a dark place, and foul. ❞ ❝ i did not intend to give offence. forgive me. ❞ ❝ you have never feared to speak the truth, why do you lie to yourself? ❞ ❝ the music’s still playing. might i have this dance? ❞ ❝ your eyes give the lie to your tongue. ❞ ❝ let me go now. for our friendship, wish me luck and let me go ❞ ❝ a wise man never makes an enemy of a king. ❞ ❝ this must be our last time together. the danger is too great. ❞ ❝ some day try thinking before you speak. ❞ ❝ i have a dragon’s temper, that’s all. you must not let it frighten you. ❞ ❝ you must not be saying such things, even in jest. ❞ ❝ what we want is not always what we get. ❞ ❝ put up that sword now, unless you want to be hurt. ❞ ❝ sometimes a man knows more than he says. ❞ ❝ when i don’t fancy a man’s eyes, i put an arrow through one. ❞ ❝ my heart is full of doubts. ❞ ❝ in times like this, we must make do as best we can. ❞ ❝ i never dreamed how quick the sweet would turn to sour. ❞ ❝ my skin has turned to porcelain, to ivory, to steel. ❞ ❝ the stink of death is fresh on you. ❞ ❝ you have repaid betrayal with betrayal, let it end. ❞ ❝ the higher the man climbs the farther he has to fall. ❞ ❝ i was hoping one look at this sweet face of mine would be enough to persuade you all of my innocence. ❞ ❝ after all the storms we’ve suffered, you should trust me better. ❞ ❝ you can kill your enemies, but can you rule your friends? ❞ ❝ could there be honor in a lie, if it were told for a good purpose? ❞ ❝ i am the monster they all say i am. ❞ ❝ pray excuse me, i need to hit someone very hard with a sword. ❞ ❝ you did your best to kill me. perhaps i ought to return the favor. ❞ ❝ you do, don’t you? you take me for a fool. ❞ ❝ we’re all just songs in the end, if we’re lucky. ❞ ❝ there is a long league’s worth of difference between wilful and stupid. ❞ ❝ you…a man like you brings blood with him. ❞ ❝ when did i make so many enemies? ❞ ❝ i must be strong. if i despair, my grief will consume me. ❞ ❝ give me sweet lies, and keep your bitter truths. ❞ ❝ i know what it is to be betrayed by men you trusted. ❞ ❝ all my victories turn to dross in my hands. ❞ ❝ it is a pleasure to look on you again, even in such trying times. ❞ ❝ are you scared? have you lost your belly for fighting? ❞ ❝ you were so long, i feared something had gone amiss. ❞ ❝ any man who must say ‘i am king’ is no true king at all. ❞ ❝ always keep your foes confused. if they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. ❞ ❝ small men curse what they cannot understand. ❞ ❝ if you’re lying to me again, you won’t be leaving here alive. ❞ ❝ it all goes back and back to our mothers and fathers and theirs before them. we are puppets dancing on the strings of those who came before us. ❞ ❝ when you know what a man wants you know who he is, and how to move him. ❞ ❝ a pure world. i do not belong here. ❞ ❝ you make me sorry that i am not the monster you would have me be. ❞ ❝ i crossed a thousand leagues to come to you, and lost the best part of me along the way. don’t tell me to leave. ❞ ❝ my big mouth will be the death of me, i swear it. ❞ ❝ we have suffered much, and there is more peril and more grief ahead. ❞ ❝ i…i suppose i earned that. ❞ ❝ begging for help never gets you any. ❞ ❝ you’re not made to lie. you blush and squeak and stammer. ❞ ❝ one day you must tell me all. the good and the bad. ❞ ❝ and there is stands, miserable as it is. my ancestral home. ❞ ❝ whatever i do, all i make is death and horror. ❞ ❝ it is safer to walk in darkness here. there are things you would not wish to see. ❞ ❝ you have a certain cunning, but the plain truth is you talk too much. ❞ ❝ that might have hurt me once, when i still felt pain. ❞ ❝ we will fight a battle, and then we will rest. alive or dead, we’ll rest. ❞ ❝ every man must die. but first he must live. ❞ ❝ all night i have been making songs for you in my head. ❞ ❝ my blood, my body, my songs, you own them all. ❞ ❝ if you lie i’ll punch your face. ❞ ❝ what a fight that was, and what a foe. ❞ ❝ be quiet. i will tell you when you can speak. ❞ ❝ forgive me. you have to forgive me. ❞ ❝ never lie to me. never betray me. ❞ ❝ there are two sorts of people. the players and the pieces. ❞ ❝ the only thing i value less than my life right now is yours. ❞ ❝ perhaps i should leave you here to rot if you’re going to be so discourteous. ❞ ❝ i hadn’t forgotten, though i hoped you had. ❞ ❝ i can still bite and kick. i’ll die with the taste of blood in my mouth, that’s something. ❞ ❝ you bray like an ass, and make no more sense. ❞ ❝ you do not belong here. this is not your place. ❞ ❝ i’m not going back to sleep. my head is all a tumult. ❞ ❝ some doors are best left closed. ❞ ❝ it does not matter how brave or brilliant a man is, if his commands cannot be heard. ❞ ❝ a man who fears battle wins no victories. ❞ ❝ you’re not half bad with a sword, but you’re not good enough to take on two hundred men by yourself. ❞ ❝ that is a good color on you. it goes well with your eyes. ❞ ❝ if blood is what you wish, then let it flow. ❞ ❝ i liked you well enough…but i never trusted you. a man needs to earn my trust. ❞ ❝ it is good to see you know who i am. ❞ ❝ i have told you no lies. yet there have been truths i have withheld. ❞ ❝ pardon me if i do not weep for you. ❞ ❝ you’ll find nothing here but death. ❞ ❝ don’t…don’t talk like this. you’re scaring me. ❞ ❝ you must be very brave or very stupid. ❞ ❝ i gave you the truth. you owe me the same. ❞ ❝ that loose tongue of yours will be your undoing. ❞ ❝ i must have fire in my eyes when i face them, not tears. ❞ ❝ it will take more than an arrow to kill you. ❞ ❝ the sound’s inside, it’s in here with us, and it’s getting louder. ❞ ❝ see? we know each other too well. ❞ ❝ you meddle in matters you do not understand. ❞ ❝ i have no luck. i have never had any bloody luck. ❞ ❝ do all gods feel so lonely? ❞ ❝ you are strangely quiet. how do you feel, i wonder? ❞ ❝ stop trying to think up ways to kill me. none of it will do you any bit of good. ❞ ❝ all you need to do is take my hand, come on. ❞ ❝ we’re together, just as you’ve always wanted, just as we’ve always planned. ❞ ❝ wars are won with quills and ravens. ❞ ❝ if only i had my sword, nothing could harm me. ❞ ❝ a valiant deed unsung is no less valiant. ❞ ❝ there are wolves in these woods, and worse things. ❞ ❝ say nothing of what we’ve discussed here today. to anyone. ❞ ❝ you’d best go. you’re making me angry. ❞ ❝ fear cuts deeper than swords. ❞ ❝ an ill-omened name. i have asked you not to use it. ❞ ❝ you cannot hide from me. come closer, now. ❞ ❝ there’s no cause for all these tears. ❞ ❝ it is good that you have woken, but you must give yourself time to heal. ❞ ❝ there is no honor in hiding and sneaking. ❞ ❝ come with me. we have to get away from here, and now. ❞ ❝ kings are falling like leaves this autumn. ❞ ❝ you don’t know half as much as you think you do. ❞ ❝ you seem so sombre. is aught amiss? ❞

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[ is anyone else listening to the Game of Thrones Redux podcast? im a little obsessed and haven’t been able to convince anyone in my friend group to try it ]

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[ no thoughts, just an urge to use this smug ass icon in a thread NOW ]

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a starter for @lykosog

The godswood of the Red Keep was…underwhelming. It was decidedly less colorful and more somber than the other gardens within the castle walls. Not that she’d expected much else. Even in the south, godswoods were places of quite reflection and solitude. Even so, this particular little alcove was particularly dull. And perhaps predictably disappointing, if some of her experiences in the capital were anything to go by.

Even the great tree at the center of the wood was less than it should be. Large and grand, yes, but only an old oak. Weirwoods were eerie and unsettling but they gave their godswoods a sense of something more. The overall effect was of a sad, little courtyard that has been mostly forgotten by the castle gardeners.

But it was remote and Margaery, despite her apparent ease at court, was desperate for the quiet that would allow her to order her thoughts. Even her usual attendants waited in the connecting corridor, leaving her to pace the godswood on her own.

Disturbance came sooner than she would have liked. The sound of footsteps on dried leaves and cobblestone prompted her to look up, the beginning of a frown on her lips. Oh. Of course. The annoyance brewing in her chest dissipated at the sight of Robb Stark entering the godswood. Though her peace was thoroughly ruined, she did not have the right to complain. If this place belongs to anyone in the Red Keep, it would be him.

"My lord." She dipped her head respectfully, forgoing her usual curtsy so far from the eyes of the court. "Forgive me. I can take my leave if you need to--" Pray? What would that even look like, outside a sept?

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SARAH BOLGER in THE TUDORS s04e09

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a starter for @winterreigned

Her assistant had left the list of candidates on her desk, as requested. The young woman had been thorough, having included a brief summary of each candidate’s relevant work history and a labeled folder with containing their resumes. Margaery made a mental note to increase her bonus before reading through the selection. Most were familiar names, expected. Those often seen trailing after incumbents and directing elderly MPs from the wings. No one of any particular interest—save one.

Sansa Stark.

She knew this name, too. Rather than boring professional encounters, it brought forth vague memories from her school days. Of a young girl a few years her junior—quiet, sweet, and watchful. More perceptive than most. Margaery had barely skimmed the attached resume before shooting off a text to her assistant with instructions to schedule an interview at Ms. Stark’s earliest convenience.

So it was that she found herself in the corner of a busy little cafe. A low hum of conversation filled the space and the air was tinged with the richness of coffee, the earthiness of brewing tea. It was a favorite setting of hers: not too quiet, public but allowing for some much needed anonymity. And conducive for what was sure to be an engaging interview.

A flash of copper hair in her periphery prompted Margery to look up.

Lovely. The thought came to her without deliberation or feeling. A simple fact. a clinical observation. Not that it mattered either way. Lovely or not, Sansa Stark would not pose any particular distraction to Renly for the duration of the campaign. A benefit, surely.

"Ms. Stark--thank you for coming," Margaery said, offering a smile and a hand. "Sit, please." Another gesture to the seat across from hers. "I appreciate your agreeing to meet on such short notice--and your discretion, as well. This campaign is not yet common knowledge and we'd like to maintain control over its narrative from the start."

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[ like for a starter? ]

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[ like for a starter? ]

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Sarah Bolger as Mary I

The Tudors 3.04 (2007-2010)

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First Loves | Elissa Rowan

Lady Elissa Rowan. Daughter of Lord Mathis Rowan of Goldengrove. One year older than Margaery herself, she was a tall and willowy young girl with honey-gold hair and blue-green eyes.

Elissa was sent to Highgarden in 292 AC to become one of Margaery’s companions following Loras’s departure to Storm’s End. Though she was the oldest of the group by a year, Elissa was the shyest by far. It took her longer than the others to grow past the homesickness but she warmed to Margaery first. 

Once opened up to the other girls, Elissa’s personality came out in full. While reserved in mixed company, she had a sharp sense of humor that never failed to make the group laugh. Even as they grew older, Elissa remained the most easily frightened of the group and was decidedly less bold than the others. She had a particularly lovely voice and liked to sing. (Margaery would prefer to listen to Elissa sing hymns rather than attempt them herself). She loved horses and was as proficient a rider as Margaery at a given age. Elissa was fond of Willas’s hounds and forever envious that Margaery had been gifted a pup of her own. She was less fond of birds, though, and preferred to stay behind when the others went hawking.

Of the three companions, Maragery was closest with Elissa. When social hierarchies were still being established among the girls, they would confide in and stand up for each other. Margaery herself would eventually come to command the envy and respect of their little group but Elissa was content with a more background role. Not particularly fond of the spotlight but always eager to be the object of Margaery's attention. Before long, the two girls were nigh on inseparable. Elissa was the person she was always most eager to see each morning. The person she wished to speak to first and with whom she would share her secrets, such as they were.

In 296 AC, their relationship shifted and the underlying feelings between them became decidedly romantic. For Margaery, it was unexpected and exciting yet the most natural thing in the world. That the person who knew her best also held her heart was only right. The months and weeks that followed were full of laughter and joy and eager kisses around quiet corners. Given Highgarden's comparatively lax attitudes towards same-sex relationships, the shift between them went relatively unremarked upon by those around them. If anyone took notice, they remained silent or feigned ignorance. And so, they lived out their fledgling romance both in the full light of day and the quiet behind closed doors.

It was not always bliss between them, however. They were both young and immature and learning the boundaries of love and desire. And they would test those boundaries, sometimes without the soft touch required to protect the other's feelings. As a group, all four girls would often giggle and speculate on the sort of men they would someday marry. Following the beginning of her relationship with Margaery, Elissa seemed less and less enthusiastic with such conversation. Often, her mood would sour and she would find herself snapping at the others with less provocation than usual. Desmera and Elinor did not seem to make the connection but Margaery certainly did. And she would quickly soothe her love with sweet whispers and soft kisses when the others weren't looking.

The feelings of discontent and conversations long avoided finally came to a head in early 297 AC. A visit to the Arbor was an exciting prospect for all four girls though it was perhaps most memorable for Margaery herself. It is there that she strikes up a flirtation with Addam Rhysling, a younger son to one of Lord Paxter's vassals. It was by no means a serious thing but it would mark her first experience with a traditional sort of courting--clumsy and doomed though it was. For Elissa, watching Margaery accept and return the flirtations was equal parts confusing and hurtful. In her excitement, Margaery was either unable or unwilling to consider the other girl's feelings on the matter. For the duration of the visit, their conversations were peppered with sudden snaps and sharp jabs.

Even after returning to Highgarden, their air between them remained cold. With Desmera having remained behind at the Arbor, it fell to Elinor to keep the peace and attempt to coax them out of their quarrel. While they were no longer openly angry with each other, they refused to speak to each other directly--preferring to talk to Elinor, servants, or really anyone but each other.

The stalemate lasted several weeks, until Elinor came down with a stomach sickness that left her bedridden and unable to keep much down. All of this happened just as the young people of Highgarden were readying for a long hunt and hawking expedition—planned long in advance for Willas' nameday and scheduled so it could coincide Loras' short visit.

With Elinor so ill, Marg hesitated to go even though it would kill her miss such a trip with her brothers. The night before the hunt, she and Elissa found themselves alone together in her rooms. They managed some small talk (mostly about how Elinor was doing) before an uncomfortable silence falls. After a while, Elissa tells her to go, that she will stay and keep Elinor company until she's well. Marg still wasn't sure until Elissa takes her hand and presses it to her chest. She insists, saying that she's still angry with Marg and needs a few days to think. Marg eventually agrees, determined to take the time to center herself and reconnect with her brothers.

Before they leave the next day, Margaery says a tentative goodbye to Elissa in her chambers and—though there's still tension—she was hopeful that the time apart will allow them to have a better discussion when she returned Elissa's small smile reassured her even further.

But the gods--and the men in power--could be cruel. Upon her return, Margaery found two things: Elinor, much recovered from her illness and Elissa not at all. It was explained to her that Lord Rowan had recalled his daughter, having deemed it was passed time she was courted and betrothed. Margaery was distraught and could not understand why it could not have waited until she returned. Worse, Elissa had not left so much as a note behind for her.

Margaery would not find out why for many months. The truth of it would change her and harden her heart.

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291 AC | Loras' Departure

The day Loras departed for Storm's End, Margaery spent some time in the morning watching the preparations in the courtyard from a high window--brooding. Her feelings were jumbled and confused, save a general sense of upset. While she knew that Loras would be leaving and why, a large part of her never truly accepted that her brother and constant companion would be gone. Reachable only by letter, which would never be enough and—knowing Loras—not guaranteed. The entire time, she assumed that someone—whether her father or grandmother or Willas—would put a stop to the plans, even up to the last day.

Once the family gathered in the courtyard and Loras himself started to load up, the panic set in. At first she refused to approach the horses to say goodbye, physically pulling back against Alerie as she was urged forward. It wasn't until she saw the fear and anxiety in Loras's face that she finally moved forward to hug him. Their embrace was desperate and neither of them knew what to say to each other. All they could do was hold on tighter, if only for a few moments.

After final goodbyes and reminders from the family, Loras and his guard finally turned their horses and rode out of the courtyard. Once the gate closed, Alerie reached down to lead Margaery back inside. Marg flinched away from her touch, angry tears filling her eyes. Her mother spoke softly to her, trying to soothe her, but Marg only slapped away her hand and ran back into the castle.

She pushed past all of them—Mace, Alerie, Willas, Septa Nysterica—and did not stop until she reached Loras's old chambers. Her sudden entrance startled the servants tidying up. She was almost enraged that someone was in that space, especially since she was so distraught. She screamed at them to get out and did not stop until they fled. Then the room was empty and silent, save for her heavy breathing. Tears were streaming down her face, blurring her vision. For a few moments, all she could do is just stand there, teeth clenched to stop herself from openly sobbing.

Slowly, she walked over to the dresser and pulled open a drawer. It waswhere Loras kept some of his old toys, including a collection of clay knights-on-horses. They'd been among his favorites, at least before he started his own training and was no longer satisfied with anything but the real thing. She picked one up. The paint had chipped in some places, faded in others, but the green and gold of the knight's armor was still recognizable. It was all of Loras's dreams made miniature and hand-held. It felt to her like a dream dreamed in vain.

Margaery held it in her hands for a minute or two and then, with a devastated shriek, whirled around and threw it as hard as she could. It shattered against the opposite wall, scattering pieces all over the floor.

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[ i'm just gonna start posting headcanons, see if that wakes my muse up ]

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[ having a lot of thoughts about show!alicent at the moment ]

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[ ...shut the fuck up ]

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[ the view between villages by noah kahan is a starks-returning-to-winterfell anthem, it’s all i can think of when it comes on ]

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Jade being unfairly beautiful  |  1x03

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[ 'to someone from a warm climate' but it's sansa/margaery cuddling/sleeping next to each other ]