#Ser Edric Storm

[autumnillustration]

Lady Joanna - by Sunryder (Ao3)

With HotD trailers dropping everywhere, my GoT obsession has grabbed me by the neck and won’t let go. I feed my obsession by reading fanfic, naturally. And then we see the results from caffeine-fueled, GoT-soundtrack-powered, fanfic-focused art frenzies.

The Lady Joanna series by sunryder over on Ao3 is a definite favourite of mine, hands down. All hail the strangest friendship in all the Seven Kingdoms.

We’re given an anti-social Lord and a young noblewoman who desperately wants to become a knight. I just love the unconventional nature of their friendship (and its a nice parallel to the complimentary nature of Jon and Stannis’ little-explored dynamic in the show). Both dutiful and honourable, but one’s more likely to bend first before breaking. And I just love how sunryder tackles both Stannis and Joanna; their dynamic is so well written.

There’s only two parts to Sunryder’s Lady Joanna Series so far, but I’ve loved every word of it.

... And the stories have been left at such a point that one can’t help but think of how this version of asoiaf could go… so naturally, my imagination got the better of me, and we have this little fan art series to explore that.

[forgaeven1]

now that years have passed and i’m looking at the reality within the series without the rose-tinted glasses as much, suffice to say, gendry’s legitimisation would have led to a succession crisis within storm’s end for sure.

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

From the Ashes Pt.17

Pairing(s): Pairing(s): Rhaegar Targaryen x Lannister!Reader, one-sided!Jaime Lannister x Lannister!Reader, Jaime Lannister x Cersei Lannister

Warnings: slow burn fic, changing povs, Selmy & Tyrion POV

Words: 2262

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 3.5  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6  Part 7  Part 8  Part 9  Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 16 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35

Book Two of Dārilaros hen ōrbar se perzys (Heir of Ash and Fire)

Lady Ashara Dayne was as beautiful as the day Barristan had first met her. The most beautiful woman in the entire world, at least in his eyes. There was an undeniable flutter in his chest as his palms began to develop a film of sweat. And it wasn’t due to the Dornish heat. Even little Tyrion gazed at the mistress of Starfall with enchanted eyes. Their journey through the Red Mountains had been long and excruciating as the glare of the sun bore down on them. Only to be relieved when they neared the shores of the cooling Summer Sea.

Playful lilac eyes that reminded him of the Targaryens, Ashara welcomes them with open arms. “This is quite the surprise. To what do I owe the honor of this visit? I hope it doesn’t have to do with my brother.” Her smile falls. “Arthur is okay, right?”

Barristan purses his lips in uncertainty. “To be honest I do not know, my lady. I have heard no news on Rhaegar’s front.”

Concern filled her pretty face but she relented with a nod. “I see. Knowing Arthur I can only assume that he is doing okay. . .”

“He is one of the best knights in all of Westeros.” Tyrion happily points out.

“Ah, I see you have acquired yourself a young squire.” Ashara smiles down at Tyrion. Nothing on her face showed displeasure at the sight of the dwarf which surprised Tyrion.

“Yes. This is Vaiko Hill.”

“A strong name.” Her long dark hair falls over her shoulder like a silk curtain. It made Tyrion perk up and shyly blush.

“My lady, I’m afraid this visit isn’t one of leisure.” Solemnly, Barristan breaks the news of their mission and shows Ashara the chest they are to deliver to Essos.

She examines it, running her hands over the worn out wood and metal trim. “You have not mentioned to whom you would be delivering such an important package to. If it were for anyone normal surely you would have just left through Blackwater Bay, yes?”

Barristan became all too aware of Tyrion’s presence. “I have been given instructions not to say the recipient’s name. It’s a rather delicate situation.”

Ashara was smart. Much smarter than Barristan gave her credit for. “You must understand my hesitation to let you board one of my ships. You have still allied yourself to Aerys, the man my brother is trying to overthrow. What if this item is meant to destroy the efforts of Arthur and the rest of Rhaegar’s army? I can’t let that happen. My family comes first, Ser. I will not take part in my own brother’s undoing.” There was no need for a sword to make Ashara fierce. One of many reasons why Starfall was left in her care since her nephew Edric was too young to rule. When she wanted, she could emanate fear. It reminded Selmy of the young Cersei Lannister; lovely yet there was a terrifying aura about them.

It made Barristan swallow back the immediate nerves that had surfaced. “This matter has nothing to do with the war, I swear on it.”

His words do little to convince her as she stands her ground. “Then you won’t mind if I join your company to Essos.”

Gawking now, he stammers over several excuses. “My lady, I assure you-”

“Your assurance means little to me. Not when I know that you are still loyal to the Mad King.”

Tyrion squirmed beside his knight as he felt the storm of tension brewing over head. A fact that Tyrion had forgotten was that Selmy was indeed still loyal to the current crown. If the rumors he heard were true, then Aerys had a hand in (y/n)’s death. He felt the tips of his ears grow warm as anger settled in. The man he had been traveling with for weeks was in charge of protecting a monster. His sister was dead and Barristan was shielding the murderer. How could he have forgotten? Truth be told, Tyrion quite enjoyed traveling with the older knight. They got along fairly well and Tyrion was enthralled by the stories he told. Barristan was the father Tyrion never had. How could he continue to follow this man though when his liege possibly murdered his beloved sister? It would be a dishonor to her memory.

He couldn’t say any of that out loud. At least not in front of Ashara. He wasn’t Tyrion Lannister. He was a bastard with a name of a hero he had read about in a Valyrian story. Even though it pained him, Tyrion kept his mouth shut and glared down at his leather boots.

With a grimace and a reluctant sigh, Barristan agreed. She would find out sooner or later who he’d be traveling to. As would Tyrion.

Satisfied, the smile returns to Ashara’s face. “It’s settled then. We leave for Essos tomorrow morning. Oh! Both of you must have had quite a long journey. Lets get you some food and a comfortable bed.”

“How long will you be gone for?” Allyria asks her older sister. Young Edric Dayne had attached himself to Vaiko like a lost duckling. Vaiko didn’t seem to mind too much as he entertained the lordling with tales of his journey while his master washed up. The sisters watched them as they spoke quietly to one another.

A few of Starfall’s knights, when hearing Vaiko tell Edris how Selmy was teaching him the art of the blade, wanted to test the dwarf’s skills. Unafraid, he wielded a makeshift sword made of wood. He showed off the stances that Barristan the Great had showed him, earning a stare of admiration from Edric.

“I don’t know. A month possibly.”

That causes Allyria to groan. “Why did you have to insist on going?”

Ashara crosses her arms in front of her chest. “I am doing my part in protecting our brother. We can’t trust him if he still allies himself with Rhaegar’s enemy.” Then in a softer tone she adds “I don’t want to lose another brother, Allyria. I won’t be able to survive. . .”

Allyria’s heart melted and she wrapped her arms around her sister. “I know. Adriyan died too soon.”

Returning her sister’s embrace, Ashara sighs. “I can’t do much, but at least I can keep an eye on Aerys’ most trusted knight. Make sure that he truly won’t do anything that could make the war end in Aerys’ favor.”

She nods, lavender eyes cast to their clasped hands as Allyria ran her thumb over one of Ashara’s rings. A shiny opal in the shape of a multi-pointed star, the same one she had on her pinky. “It can be a dangerous journey.”

That didn’t deter Ashara as she lets go of Allyria’s hands. “The world can be a dangerous place. However, it can also be an exciting one filled with adventure.”

“At least try to be careful. I know you can be reckless at times.”

It makes her older sister laugh. “Of course. I intend on returning to Starfall. Make no mistake about that, Allyria.”

Returning to observing the two young boys, Allyria finds herself frowning. “Is that really Ser Selmy’s squire?”

“Vaiko? Yes.”

“Is he. . .”

Ashara already knew what her sister was thinking. “Yes. That doesn’t seem to stop him though. I quite admire little Vaiko. As far as I know, there has never been a dwarf squire let alone a knight. I’m eager to get to know him better.”

“I hope the boy prospers under Selmy’s tutelage.”

“If anyone can make Vaiko a true knight, it’s Barristan Selmy. The only other man who could possibly beat Arthur in a duel.”

A sly coil of a smile sneaks up on Allyria. “Oh? What about your northern lordling?”

She refuses to meet Allyria’s teasing grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Chin atop the back of her hand, Allyria knew she had cornered her. “I suppose you wouldn’t be interested then in Ned’s most recent act of bravery.”

Try as she may, Ashara couldn’t keep up the facade of disinterest. “I’m sure its an enthralling story.”

A handmaid shortly came in to announce that supper was ready.

Watching the dock hands load the cargo onto the ship, Ashara gazes at the horizon of the Summer Sea. Seagulls wailed above, pestering fish below as they dove into the blue water. A small layer of fog covered the dock in the early morning, bringing a slight chill to Ashara’s bare shoulders. Her intent gaze watched as Selmy carried the chest he had showed her. What was in there? From when she had examined it, there was no latch or even padlock.

An excited Tyrion follows close behind Barristan, the thumping his boots made against the wooden deck sent tremors in his chest. He had never been on a ship before. Whenever he did travel it was always by carriage, to keep him hidden from public view. The vast ocean ahead of him looked daunting at first. Deep breaths soothed any fear he had. Tyrion would prove to his father that he could do this.

A pat on his shoulder startles him and Tyrion quickly turns to find Barristan. Behind him, Ashara is making her way aboard with a few Starfall knights that would be accompanying her for safety.

“Are you sure it’ll be okay that Lady Dayne is accompanying us?”

Not liking the idea much either, Barristan sighs. “It shouldn’t make much of a difference. From here it will be a straight voyage to Volantis. She’s rightfully suspicious.”

The question was out of his mouth before Tyrion could reel it back in. “Why are you still in the Kingsguard?” Aerys is a bad man. Everyone knows how unstable he is.” Resentment was laced in there and looking at Tyrion’s cold eyes made Barristan feel uncomfortable. The real question was ‘why do you still protect my sister’s murderer?’

“I took the oath before Aerys became king. Under his father Jahaerys. A lifelong vow of loyalty. As long as I am alive, I am to defend and protect whoever sits on the Iron Throne. No matter what. . . To do otherwise would be treasonous.” He tried to explain to Tyrion, but even Selmy knew how pathetic it sounded. He resented himself for still serving Aerys, what could he do though? If he were to go back on his oath, Selmy would possibly be stripped of his knighthood; even executed.

“Your vow is more important than your morality.” Flatly claimed Tyrion.

Irked, he glares at the young boy. “What do you know of morality? You’re just a boy.”

“That may be so, but I know the difference between right and wrong.” Briefly he remembers Cersei’s voice talking quietly with another. Scheming and plotting. That is what Tyrion heard throughout Casterly Rock when he was left to his own devices. Supporting a man that killed innocent people on a whim was definitely wrong.

Before Selmy could even come up with a reply, Ashara interrupts them. “The captain says the weather bodes well for us. If the winds are kind we should be there in a week or two.”

Barristan stiffly nods. “Thank you, my lady. We couldn’t do this without you.” From the dock he could make out Allyria Dayne and the pale haired Edric who happily waved at the ship’s passengers. “Will Starfall be okay without you?”

“Do not worry about Starfall. It is in good hands.”

The yelling of the dockhands up to the crew alerts them that the ship is about to set sail. A childish sense of wonder seizes Tyrion as he watches the sailors hurriedly get to work. The hubbub of commands was enthralling as they stood off to the side.

“Is this your first time sailing, Vaiko?”

“Yes my lady.” His glittering eyes are still trained on the busy crew. The joy of a child was infectious as both Ashara and Barristan enjoyed gazing at Tyrion. Another painful reminder to the knight of the boy’s restricted upbringing. He was experiencing so much; things that anyone else at that age had already experienced.

“Why do you look sad?” Her question makes Selmy jump partially as he had been stuck in his own melancholy thoughts.

He tells the partial truth. “Before becoming my squire, Vaiko didn’t have a good life. His father resented him due to his dwarfism and hid him away from the world.”

Brows furrow looking at the happy boy now. “How terrible. Some people are so small minded, especially in Westeros.”

Not disagreeing with that statement, guilt starts to ebb at him; recalling how Tyrion had glared at him accusingly moments ago.

Sailing away from Starfall’s docks, it soon becomes but a small blur behind them. Now for the difficult part of their journey. Sitting and doing nothing for a week. It’ll at least give Tyrion a good opportunity to practice his sword play and maybe Selmy could teach him how to properly utilize that small knife of his as well. In a fight, a knife wasn’t completely useless, just tricky and possibly dangerous if one doesn’t know what they’re doing. The most important thing was adapting to Tyrion’s height and teaching him how to utilize it to his advantage. Barristan prided himself on his patience that helped greatly in figuring out a proper training lesson for Tyrion. He would not fail this boy like his father had. When they returned to Westeros, Tyrion would have everything he needed to survive on his own.

Taglist:

@boywivlove

@esposadomd

@domoron

@yentroucnagol

[wpmorse]

"Think of this as an adventure, my lord." Davos tried to sound hale and cheerful. "It's the start of your life's great adventure. May the Warrior defend you."

"And may the Father judge you justly, Lord Davos." The boy went with his cousin Ser Andrew out the postern gate. The others followed, all but the Bastard of Nightsong. May the Father judge me justly, Davos thought ruefully. But it was the king's judgment that concerned him now.

Davos Page 862

Davos sends Edric Storm on an "adventure".

[alyshiba]

Lilagon hen zaldrizoti

Part seven: Storms gathering

Read on Ao3

Summary: AU where Visenya, Rhaenyra's only daughter lives and is born as her eldest child. To all of Westeros she is seen as the only trueborn child of Ser Leanor and Rhaenyra, but in truth her father happens to be Deamon.

Warning: mention of violence

Prequel | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11

Visenya hated the feeling of clothes glued to her skin, or how sweat made her palms slippery, and most of all, she hated when she wasn’t good at something. So after Ser Edric parried another one of her blows, as if she had hit him with a feather, she threw the wooden sword on the ground with all of her strength and groaned in frustration. &lt;<It is useless attempting to overpower me, Princess>> said the knight, lowering his own training sword. She hummed in response, not caring for what he was saying, and strolled towards the waterskin that lay forgotten on the sand. The Princess didn’t realize how dry her throat was until she tasted the fresh water, so she started gulping it until she was out of breath. <<Your body won’t grow strong like a mans>> He began, gaining frustrated and angry glares from the girl. Her whole life she had been told that she would never be as capable as a man in everything she did, and knowing that this time she didn’t have any chance to prove the Queensguard wrong enraged her terribly. <<But you can be much quicker and agile>> He must have read her emotions, for this time when Edric addressed her he was more cautious with his words, dancing around the subject. <<You are wasting your energy in landing those blows, use it to dodge, parry and strike only when you find an opening>> What he said made sense, and it also would save her from the terrible feeling of her very bones vibrating from the backlash of his parries: every time it was as if she had slammed her wooden sword against the stone walls of the keep.

She was about to pick up the sword again, considering Edric’s suggestions, when she saw the familiar vast shadow of Balerion approaching. She let a frustrated huff escape her lips when she realized that yet another lesson had finished without her landing a single blow on the knight.

Every morning they used Balerion as an excuse to disappear for a few hours without interruption, Visenya would pretend to go flying, or tend to her dragon, so they walked down to the sandy beach where he laid, waited for him to fly off hunting and trained until he came back. No one dared question or follow them. In fear of the great black beast, he was the perfect excuse.

When Balerion landed with a thud, signaling the end of the lesson, his rider approached and patted him on his snout. She wondered if he could even feel her hand on his scales considering how vastly huge he was than herself. The Princess then turned towards Ser Edric, whom in the moons since he had become her sworn protector hadn’t warmed up to her dragon at all, and proclaimed they were to return to the castle, defeated once again.

It was almost time for lunch when the Princess and Ser Edric passed the main gate of the keep and entered the yard. It was still full with many people, mostly spectators eager to get a glimpse of the princes sparring. She spotted Aemond’s long silver hair in the far corner of the train yard: he was sparring with one of the Cargyll twins, which one was impossible to tell, but it was the crowd right in front of her that got her attention.

Everyone immediately parted to let her through when she made her presence known, and once Visenya reached the center, her heart skipped a beat: her little brother Luke was sparring with Aegon. Their uncle was older, taller, and bigger in form than Luke, and he had much more years of practice with the sword. That meant that she had to watch as her brother struggled to parry Aegon’s powerful blows. Her uncle was laughing and mocking, showcasing his skill and torturing a boy half his size. It made Visenya’s blood boil, her hands started itching, and the knowledge that she couldn’t stop the fight angered her even more. She was physically restraining herself, trying to control her anger and the flames she felt in the pit of her stomach, all to avoid reckless and stupid actions. She knew all too well that if she interfered, she would tarnish Luke’s reputation forever, for he would become the boy who had to hide behind her sister’s skirt from a fair fight.

Her control went in flames the moment Aegon pushed Luke flat on his back. Her uncle then struck a blow that hit the ground inches from Luke’s shoulder. If he hadn't rolled out of the way, it would have shattered the bones. It was enough for her.

Visenya’s hand went on the familiar weight of her dagger, ever hidden between all the layers of her clothing, &lt;&lt;Ser Edric>> she called, loud enough for all to hear, her tone betraying her boiling anger <<I think my uncle needs someone closer to his size to practice his skill>> the knight nodded and lazily walked over to the two contestants. Edric helped Luke back on his feet and pushed him in her direction and then turned towards the older Targaryen.

Once Luke was close enough, Visenya grabbed him by the shoulders and looked for any injuries he might have suffered. &lt;<Are you out of your mind? >> she whispered angrily, <<he would have killed you given the chance>> Luke simply shut his mouth, stared at his feet and refused to speak, embarrassed. When she turned her attention back on the Queensguard and her uncle, she saw Aegon raising his hands in defeat, clearly not wishing to have any part in a spar with one of the most renowned warriors of Westeros.

Her blood burst into flames again when she saw Aegon walking in their direction. This time Visenya gripped the hilt of the dagger with the intention of unseating it, if he dared come closer. The more steps her uncle took in their direction, the louder her brain screamed for her to push the blade into his flesh.

The moment she started to unseat the blade, a strong and muscular arm enveloped her in a tight hug, blocking her arm and all of her movements. &lt;&lt;My beloved wife>> said Aemond’s overly sweet voice. Her husband was standing right behind her, blocking her between his arm and his solid body, as if he had sensed her anger and intentions from the other side of the yard. Visenya felt him as he grabbed her right hand with his free one, slowly dragging it to his lips to kiss her knuckles, <<calm>> he whispered against her skin for her only to hear.

&lt;&lt;Husband>> She felt torn between annoyance and gratefulness for his action. She glanced at Luke with the corner of her eyes, the way he was biting his lower lip and swallowing down his distaste for the scene wasn’t lost on her, &lt;<my Lord Strong>> mocked her husband, he had barely noticed her younger brother’s presence for he had his sight fixed on Aegon, <<you should learn how to pick your fights>> was all he said to Luke. Visenya felt relieved when neither man gave the other any more attention, for they were all too busy waiting for the former King’s next move. <<Brother>> he shouted, opening his arms in greeting. She couldn’t say whether he was really pleased to see Aemond or if he was mocking him. Either way, his voice was enough to cause her stomach to turn. 

Her husband simply hummed in response to the greeting, and tightened his grip on her, making her retreat a few steps. &lt;<I merely tried to gift you the eye you weren’t man enough to take yourself>> Said Aegon. Behind him, she saw Edric slowly making his way towards them with his hand on the hilt of dawn. She felt Aemond’s body stiffen at the insult, but he didn’t make a sound. Aegon inched closer, close enough as to run one of his fingers on Visenya’s side of the face. She turned her head on the side, attempting to make him stop, for his touch on her skin felt like the cut of a blade. The more his finger lingered on her skin, the more her stomach threatened to spill its contents at that very moment.

It was Aemond that saved her from that torture. He grabbed his brother’s wrist and held it firmly away from her skin. &lt;&lt;She is a beauty>> Aegon lewdly said, laughing despite his brother’s glare. <<You should fuck a child into her before someone else will. I trust you know how to, or else I can show you>> If Aemond wasn’t holding her so tightly, she would’ve carved his tongue out of his mouth already. She did notice, however, how tight her husband’s grip was, how Aegon’s hand was slowly but surely losing all color as the blood was failing to reach it.

Visenya breathed in and out slowly, calming her nerves, as her grandmother had thought her long ago. She had to be smarter, to allow her fury to get control of her thoughts. She knew that word of this would spread like wildfire, and if a brawl would ensure between her, or her husband, and Aegon in a matter of hours all would whisper about the new Queen’s lack of control over her own daughter and house, about the rift she wasn’t able to mend between her family. And if she couldn’t even control her children and brothers, how could she hope to hold the realm together? Why should Lords listen to her, when her own blood did not?

&lt;<I wonder what your wife thinks of the bastards you fathered on the whores of the street of silk>> She began locking her gaze in Aegon’s eyes, <<it was there, in a whorehouse, they found you the day Viserys died, no? >> She might have taken it too far, for she saw the jolt of fury in her uncle’s eyes. Visenya will never know how Aegon would respond to her insult, if he would’ve just brushed it off or even raised his hands on her, for Aemond basically dragged her away. <<I wish to have lunch with my beloved wife>> He simply said, releasing his brother’s hand and turning away without another glance.

&lt;<Antagonizing him like that will only cause you harm>> Aemond said as soon as they were alone, without any other ears present. She was beyond furious, at Luke for putting himself in such a situation despite knowing of fragile the ground on which the peace they had bargained for stood on, at herself for letting it happen, at Aemond for dragging her away like a rag doll, and mostly at Aegon, just for the reason of his existence. In that moment, though, there was only Aemond to be the target of her wrath, <<and what was I supposed to do? Be a spectator when he almost mutilated my brother? >> The words poured out of her mouth without control. She had to spit out all the anger that had built inside of her, like a wave that needed to crush on the shore, and even if her body was small and tiny, it could hold all the fury of the world.

The mouth of her stomach shut as if someone had pushed a hand in her belly, grabbed her guts, and held them tight when she looked in her husband’s eye. For the first time since she had seen him in Storm’s End, Visenya saw an emotion written on his face. It was clear as day: Aemond was hurt, not by her or her words. What had hurt him so, she realized, was the knowledge that she would have stepped in and take the blow for Luke, that despite the rumors and the possibility of them not being full siblings, she showed him such devotion and brotherly love that he never got from Aegon, especially on the night he lost his eye. She swallowed down, but her stomach refused to let even her saliva pass, &lt;&lt;Aemond>> she uttered. Visenya had never been good at comforting, or at fixing anything, really. She was hotheaded, highly flammable, restless, chaotic and so stubborn she never stopped until she had reached her goal. She was her father’s daughter. So when she looked at Aemond, she didn’t know what to do. She felt responsible, bad, and she hated it. &lt;;<What happened to you was unfair>> She began, not knowing what to say, how or why, she only wanted to go back to feel normal, to free the mouth of stomach from the tight grip it was in <<I know nothing could erase or truly repay that, or whatever you had to go through in the years after>> Visenya was choosing her words more carefully now. She didn’t really know what had happened the night Aemond lost his eye, sure she was in the hall of the nine after, and heard the story told by her sisters and brothers. But she had always trusted her eyes and heard more than the words of others, even if they were her own blood.

A few moons ago she would have blindly picked her brother's side, but now that Aemond was her husband she vouched to remain impartial, for the sake of the balance they had found in their marriage. &lt;&lt;;But? >> Asked him, his usual mask of indifference back on his face, <<but you cannot ask me to stand by and not act in defense of my family>> he looked at her for a long instant, a question clearly on the tip of his tongue. She knew what he wanted to say, to ask, so she preceded him: <;<that includes my husband, even if he is old and big enough to defend himself>> Aemond smirked, and then proceeded to remove his eyepatch with a careful and slow movement, <<and what about my eye? Hmm? >> he teased slowly inching closer to her, like predator to prey. She did not completely understand her husband. How could he jump from one emotion to the other? Maybe he was insane, or maybe he had to learn to hide his human side behind a shield, a heavy thing made of all the sides of his person everyone feared or were attracted from. All so that they could forget he had a disability, or a weakness.

&lt;<You and Aegon do share some features>> She teased refusing to back off from their stare down, <<mayhap I can gift you one of his eyes on your name-day and settle both of our quarrels>> Aemond hummed, reaching his prey and gripping her waist tightly. His intentions were obvious, but the quiet corridor they were in would soon start sprawling with life as it was almost time to serve lunch, so Visenya unclasped her husband’s hands, looped her arm around his and ignored his frustrated groans. <<I am hungry>> She simply said.

—

When she entered the small council room, the air had cooled a bit. Sea breeze came from the windows, carrying again the foul smell of a big city with not nearly enough infrastructure.

She walked over to her place on her mother’s right and looked up at her father’s face. Daemon looked like someone with a hundred questions on his mind, all waiting to be asked, but none were voiced. She wanted to say something when the Queen entered the room, flanked by Ser Harrold Westerling, the commander of the Queensguard, and Ser Edric. Both knights stood at a respectable distance when Rhaenyra sat and placed her small orb into its place on the table. Everyone quickly mimicked her and sat.

&lt;&lt;;My Lords>> She began. Visenya knew her mother very well. She knew when she spoke with Rhaenyra, her loving parent, and when she had to address her Queen, when to speak up, challenge her, or when to shut her mouth and just listen. Today it was both and none at the same time. It was chilling. <<We still have no news of Casterly Rock and of the lady Johanna, the reagent of the Westerlands. We also seem unable to track the Lord of Harrenhall>> The Princess was not really worried about Larys Strong, but she understood the importance of having the Lady Lannister make the trip to King’s landing to swear fealty to them. In the moons after the execution of her husband, Lady Johanna had basically barred herself and her son in their fortress, refusing any contact.

Visenya turned to her father, reading his intentions: he was about to suggest flying to Casterly Rock himself and see if the Lannisters still refused the call, the Princess knew. She would have agreed with him. It would be the easiest and most effective solution, &lt;<but this is not what we should focus on>> her mother said, looking between them as if able to listen to their wordless conversation, <<a raven came from Dorne>> a small scroll appeared on the table, the seal broken. She allowed Daemon to grab it first, despite her urge to know what was written. His expression hardened almost immediately, and her mouth went dry. <<Qoren’s sentinels on the border reports of armed men gathering in Stormlands>> He said, throwing the scroll on the table with force. With the corner of the eye she saw as Edric, he looked at the gesture and then at her, smirking. She ignored him and chose to inspect the beautiful writing of the Prince of Dorne instead.

&lt;<I swore Borros that I would make another Harrenhall out of Storm’s End if he rebelled>> Visenya said, passing the scroll to Cregan Stark, her mother’s new master of justice. She heard Daemon’s laugh, <<I intend to stay true to my word>> She looked at her mother, waiting for any sort of sign of her approval, but Rhaenyra was busy studying the reaction of her council.

If Borros Baratheon was raising an army, he was doing so without the Crown’s permission, and not in response to any apparent threat to his lands or people. It only meant that he was ordered to do so. A chill went down her spine. Visenya knew she had to question Aemond about this, to grasp any information he might have on the subject, and most importantly, to know on which side he stood. But he couldn’t know the extent of the information they had.

&lt;<We will not strike first>> Rhaenyra said with a tone that left no discussions. The Queen looked at her and her husband in the eye before moving on, <<if Lord Baratheon has intents to rebel he will be dealt with accordingly. But we will attack only if provoked>> Visenya bit her tongue and looked at her hands, <<if I order an attack>> her mother explained to basically only the two of them, <<I shall be the tyrant who rules with fear, a monarch whose claim to the throne is so weak she must murder those who would oppose her. And I shall be the monarch who ordered the death of the hundreds of innocent people who live inside Storm’s End>> she could feel her mother’s anger in the way she was restraining herself. Visenya knew that the Queen was right. That striking first will only damage their reputation, but she couldn’t sit and watch as the Green’s plans to usurp them unfolded once again.

&lt;<So we just sit here and wait for Borros to raise his army? >> She contained her emotions when addressing her Queen, because that was the person she was facing. Monarchs were a different kind of creatures, they were like the flames: beautiful to look at, they made you feel warm and safe as long as you were at the right distance, but could incinerate you should you wander too close or become bold enough to touch them. <<We will keep watch over his movements, as well as those of whom were loyal to Aegon>> Rhaenyra spoke each word calmly and slowly, <<;Aegon himself will be watched even more closely>> the next part of the phrase was implicit: in the same way you must keep vigil about your husband.

—

When she found her way back to the apartments she shared with her husband, it was dark outside. The day that was about to end had tested her anger so much she felt the urge to just take off and disappear for a few hours.

&lt;<I wondered when my Lady wife would return. I felt quite lonely>> Aemond’s monotone voice came from somewhere in the bedroom, Visenya passed the table, where her dinner was still waiting for her, and reached her husband. She found him in the bath. He was neatly brushing his skin with the washcloth, washing away a day’s worth of dirt and sweat. <<This day had greatly tested my patience>> She said grabbing a stool and placing it behind Aemond’s back, <<I felt the need to clear my thoughts and regain my composure, so I took off upon Balerion>> Visenya started carefully brushing his long, silver hair, still damp from being washed. She delicately brushed away all the knots, taking care not to pull too harshly.

&lt;<What did he do to you? >> Asked Aemond, slowly turning to look her in the eyes. The pure hatred she felt towards Aegon didn’t go unnoticed. Visenya bit her lower lip and tilted her head to the side. <<;Does it matter now? >> he grabbed her chin, guiding her closer to his face. She started thinking about the council meeting, the Baratheon’s forces assembling, and Aegon's behavior. Something was happening, and she needed to know if she could trust the man in front of her. <<;He is going to rebel, isn’t he? >> Visenya changed the subject. She knew exactly what would turn Aemond on his own brother, what she had to do. But being with child meant staying on the ground, depriving her family of the greatest weapon existing.<<My mother only cares for the safety of her children>> Aemond said, <<she fears Rhaenyra will get rid of us eventually>> Visenya huffed and cursed under her breath at the idiocy of that woman, <<Aegon wants back what he now believes was stolen from him>> she had thought that with Otto gone, the machinations would end. That they would be left only with a hotheaded man and his barely adult dragon. <<And you now stand between him and the throne he wants>> Visenya said, again, <<my mother wishes not for her sibling’s blood. But I cannot say the same for Aegon>> Aemond turned back, closed his eyes and allowed his wife to finish her work on his hair.

Taglist: @hawsx3, @readsalot73 @tempt-ress @but-i-write-so-i-must-count @arignipanja574 @scaraxmouche @softyelfdragon If you wish to be added to the taglist, and notified as soon as I post any update, please comment!

[sigilsongs]

𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐬. + house words where there aren't any

ser quenton qoherys [ house qoherys: blood for honour ]

lady/queen rhaenys i targaryen

lord theo tyrell

lord edmyn tully

lord osmund strong [ house strong: our strength endues ]

lady lya baratheon

lady cassana estermont [ house estemont: tempered by the sea ]

princess helaena targaryen

mellario of norvos

lady ashara dayne [ house dayne: dispelling the darkness ]

lady sylva santagar [ house santagar: fiercer than our foes ]

edric storm [ house florent: the fox amongst flowers ]

jon snow

khal drogo

[west1rosi]

SER ARTHUR DAYN.E: THE SWORD OF THE MORNING, KINGSGUARD AND FAMOUS KNIGHT FROM HOUSE DAYNE.

Arthur Dayne, known as the Sword of the Morning, was a famed and legendary knight from House Dayne and a member of Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard. Many considered him to have been the most chivalrous warrior of the Seven Kingdoms.

Arthur was Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's closest friend. He was the brother of Lady Ashara Dayne and Lady Allyria Dayne. His nephew, the son of Arthur's unknown older brother, is Lord Edric Dayne.

Arthur was the champion in the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth in 276 AC, defeating Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Arthur broke twelve lances against Rhaegar in the tourney at Storm's End, losing to the prince. At the tourney at Harrenhal in 281 AC, he was defeated by Rhaegar once again.

After the end of the rebellion, Arthur, Oswell, and Ser Gerold Hightower were found by Lord Eddard Stark at the tower of joy. Arthur died there, fighting Eddard and his companions, but the exact circumstances of his death are unclear.

His House, pledged to House Martell and Princess Elia found him in conflict during the rebellion as he rode to aid his friend Rhaegar as well the reason why he was chosen to custody Lyanna Stark's at the Tower of Joy.

[istumpysk]

(Ashford Tourney anon)

Well, I’m not sure how you feel about the idea that Harrold Hardyng is a replacement for Robert Arryn because the five year gap did not happen, but myself and many others believe it. Again, it’s just speculation, but there’s a lot of weight to it.

This is important because it provides an explanation as to why Harry wasn’t mentioned before AFFC (I assume the FYG was scrapped around/after ASOS). One would think that the Heir to the Vale would at least be mentioned in the appendix, right? Nope, he’s never mentioned before Feast. Therefore, assuming that Harry is an invention of the FYG, that means that he was probably invented between 2000 (Storm’s release) and 2005 (Feast’s release).

The problem with this? The Hedge Knight was released in 1998, before Harry was allegedly invented. Therefore, the parallel to his ancestor Humfrey Hardyng does not work in reference to Sansa.

Okay, one could argue that Harry was invented earlier. But then why not just mention him once in Storm, or Storm’s appendix?

I want to make it absolutely abundantly clear that this is in no way an attack towards you or Jonsa—I actually think a Jon-Sansa marriage is a logical outcome to the story. Please let me know if I overlooked something!

>> Again, it's just speculation, but there's a lot of weight to it.

That's where you lost me. There isn't a lot of weight to it, it's purely an assumption, with no evidence to support it.

Why would you expect Harrold Hardyng to be introduced as Robert Arryn's heir in an appendix with no additional context? He's not even listed as Robert Arryn's heir in the appendix of AFFC or ADWD. He's listed as Anya Waynwood's ward.

Gendry and Edric Storm don't appear in AGOT's appendix, yet it's easy to infer that George has had plans for Robert's bastards from the beginning, yes?

Regardless of all of that, I can't pretend to know how the story has evolved or when George created certain characters, but what I can tell you is that you did overlook something.

You forgot a key event that takes place in A Game of Thrones (published in 1996), featuring a knight from the Vale competing in a tournament with Sansa watching, that foretells events that take place in The Hedge Knight and probably The Winds of Winter.

The most terrifying moment of the day came during Ser Gregor's second joust, when his lance rode up and struck a young knight from the Vale under the gorget with such force that it drove through his throat, killing him instantly. The youth fell not ten feet from where Sansa was seated. The point of Ser Gregor's lance had snapped off in his neck, and his life's blood flowed out in slow pulses, each weaker than the one before. His armor was shiny new; a bright streak of fire ran down his outstretched arm, as the steel caught the light. Then the sun went behind a cloud, and it was gone. His cloak was blue, the color of the sky on a clear summer's day, trimmed with a border of crescent moons, but as his blood seeped into it, the cloth darkened and the moons turned red, one by one. - Sansa II, AGOT

↓

Dunk did not know the colors, but Egg said they belonged to a knight from the Vale of Arryn named Ser Humfrey Hardyng. "He won a great melee at Maidenpool last year, ser, and overthrew Ser Donnel of Duskendale and the Lords Arryn and Royce in the lists."

[...]

At the last possible instant, Ser Humfrey's stallion reared away from the oncoming point, eyes rolling in terror, but too late, Aerion's lance took the animal just above the armor that protected his breastbone, and exploded out of the back of his neck in a gout of bright blood. Screaming, the horse crashed sideways, knocking the wooden barrier to pieces as he fell. Ser Humfrey tried to leap free, but a foot caught in a stirrup and they heard his shriek as his leg was crushed between the splintered fence and falling horse.

[...]

Ser Humfrey Hardyng had succumbed to his wounds only last night. - The Hedge Knight

↓

And may your horse stumble, Harry the Heir, so you fall on your stupid head in your first tilt. - Alayne I, TWOW

You're going to have a difficult time convincing me these things aren't connected.

Post: Ashford

[klaradox]

RENLY BARATHEON

Renly Baratheon is the Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. The younger brother of King Robert I and Lord Stannis, Renly serves as master of laws on Robert's small council.

Renly is described as a powerful man who is lean and lithe. He has a handsome, clean-shaven face. Renly greatly resembles a young King Robert I Baratheon, being near as tall as his eldest brother had been. Like Robert, Renly has an easy smile. He is taller and broader in the chest than Ser Loras Tyrell.

Renly's thick hair is described as black as jet and coal. His fine and straight hair currently falls to his shoulders, although Renly has sometimes kept it short or tied it behind his head with a golden ribbon. He always keeps his hair clean and combed.

Renly has been described as having laughing green eyes which match his armor, as well as deep blue eyes which resemble those of Robert. According to a semi-canon source, George R. R. Martin reconciled the difference by suggesting Renly has blue-green eyes which change color depending on what he wears.

Renly is a charismatic man, winning friends easily, but he also strikes some people as frivolous. Renly enjoys tourneys and hunting but is not driven by the passion for food, drink, or wenching as King Robert came to be. He is quite popular with smallfolk due to his good looks, friendly ways, and charisma. According to Maester Cressen, Renly is a bold man who acts from impulse. Queen Cersei Lannister dislikes her brother-in-law because of his mockery.

Renly wears expensive attire, such as a dark green velvet doublet embroidered with golden stags. He drapes a cloth-of-gold half cape over the doublet with an emerald brooch. Renly has a suit of enameled green armor with a helm adorned with a pair of golden antlers, which was made by Tobho Mott. He wields longsword and dagger.

Unbeknownst to the realm at large, and despite the many women who are attracted to him, Renly is homosexual. According to his lover, Loras, Renly disdains book learning, believing that books should only be read by maesters. Despite this, he owns books with "drawings that would turn a septon blind", implying some kind of pornography.

Born in 277 AC, Renly was the youngest of the three sons of Lord Steffon Baratheon and Lady Cassana Estermont. Renly's parent's died when their ship Windproud, returning from the Free Cities, sank in a storm in Shipbreaker Bay.

Renly grew up at Storm's End. Only a young boy at the time of Robert's Rebellion, he spent the war under siege in Storm's End, together with his older brother, Stannis, where he was witness to the desperation of the starving garrison.

As a boy, Renly loved bright colors and fabrics. He loved games as well, and would run laughing through the halls of Storm's End.

By his older brother, King Robert I Baratheon, Renly was eventually granted the seat of Storm's End and named Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, upsetting Stannis, who felt that, as the elder of the two, Storm's End was his by right.

When Renly turned sixteen, he made a lord's progress across the stormlands to mark his coming of age. During this progress, he also visited the isle of Tarth, where Renly courteously danced with Brienne of Tarth. Princess Arianne Martell recalls that Renly also visited Sunspear once. She had tried her best to seduce Renly, but remembers that he had seemed more bemused than inflamed by her attempts.

During his time as Lord of Storm's End, Renly took Loras Tyrell as his squire. Eventually, Renly and Loras became lovers. Although not widely known, various others at court are aware of their forbidden relationship.

Renly was eventually named to the small council, where he occupied the position of master of laws. While he is at court, his castellan at Storm's End is Ser Cortnay Penrose, who raises King Robert's bastard son, Edric Storm, for them. Brella runs Renly's household in King's Landing for him. Renly has thirty men in his personal guard at the capital.

[agentrouka-blog]

I think people forget that Gendry in show got Edric Storm plot. Gendry in books is a tertiary character. If Ary@ is going to meet him in books, it will be at Riverrun. But I don't think he would go to WF with her. Also like him, Mya Stone is introduced to Sansa story. Both Baratheon bastards befriended Stark girls in disguise.

Yes, it’s sad that they turned Gendry into this carricature. :(

The most interesting and significant thing about her friendship with Gendry is that they have genuine classist conflict. Which is why I also believe that they will likely meet again, and in a different universe with a time skip may have explored that with a vaguely romantic angle. As it is, it’s still waiting for another confrontation on the subject of class conflict and respect.

When Arya wants to escape Harrenhal, Gendry is not enthused. He is, in fact, deeply sarcastic. 

"And if we did escape, where would we go?"

"Winterfell," she said at once. "I'd tell Mother how you helped me, and you could stay—"

"Would m'lady permit? Could I shoe your horses for you, and make swords for your lordly brothers?"

Sometimes he made her so angry. "You stop that!" "Why should I wager my feet for the chance to sweat in Winterfell in place of Harrenhal? You know old Ben Blackthumb? He came here as a boy. Smithed for Lady Whent and her father before her and his father before him, and even for Lord Lothston who held Harrenhal before the Whents. Now he smiths for Lord Tywin, and you know what he says? A sword's a sword, a helm's a helm, and if you reach in the fire you get burned, no matter who you're serving. Lucan's a fair enough master. I'll stay here." (ACOK, Arya IX)

She considers Gendry her pack, but Gendry has a very different outlook on life. She is a “wolf” because she has a house sigil, she is ultra highborn nobility, while for Gendry the lords are like the clouds that come and go far out of his reach. They are not the same.

That's not to say he's right in thinking that who rules makes zero difference to the smallfolk, but Arya is essentially viewing him as a transferable good. Her father allowed her to bring her swordmaster Syrio along to Winterfell, why can't she just bring along her blacksmith friend? His perspective is entirely secondary to her own, and his lack of agreement, his invocation of their status difference doesn’t cause her to respond with even a reasonable counter-argument. Just anger at his lack of cooperation.

This conflict is not resolved from either end. 

One of their last exchanges before being separated features a return to the class divide and how it shapes their priorities.

Gendry joins the Brotherhood for very deliberate, political reasons. He chooses his own group, based on his own sense of justice. He willingly accepts the risk to his life, answers the question he asked a book earlier. Why wager his feet for the choice who to serve? Because it does matter. He has evolved in his priorities.

“At the hollow hill, what you said about being King Robert’s men, and brothers, I liked that. I liked that you gave the Hound a trial. Lord Bolton just hanged folk or took off their heads, and Lord Tywin and Ser Amory were the same. I’d sooner smith for you.”

Arya has no evolved yet at that point. All she hears is:

Arya bit her lip. He means to leave me too.

Her reaction is to lash out to cover up her hurt feelings, as she usually does:

As Arya was cinching her saddle girth, Gendry came up to say that he was sorry. She put a foot in the stirrup and swung up into her saddle, so she could look down on him instead of up. You could have made swords at Riverrun for my brother, she thought, but what she said was, “If you want to be some stupid outlaw knight and get hanged, why should I care? I’ll be at Riverrun, ransomed, with my brother.”

She dismisses his personal convictions and frames them in contrast to the privilege of serving her family, she clings to her own status as a highborn lady worth of ransom, from up on her horse. 

This becomes an uncomfortable stance to take later. Their final exchange before her kidnapping is about this:

“Did the Lannisters kill the people who lived here?” Arya asked as she helped Anguy dry the horses. “No.” He pointed. (...)

“Who did it, then?” asked Gendry.

“Hoster Tully.” Notch was a stooped thin grey-haired man, born in these parts. “This was Lord Goodbrook’s village. When Riverrun declared for Robert, Goodbrook stayed loyal to the king, so Lord Tully came down on him with fire and sword. After the Trident, Goodbrook’s son made his peace with Robert and Lord Hoster, but that didn’t help the dead none.”

A silence fell. Gendry gave Arya a queer look, then turned away to brush his horse. (ASOS, Arya VIII)

That noble lord killing smallfolk is her grandfather. Her people. Killing people like Gendry. They are not the same.

Their relationship is begging to be revisited. To show Arya having grown beyond viewing lowborn people through the lens of her personal attachment or her own sense of justice, but within the context of her own privilege. To make room for their perspective even if it doesn’t include her. To actually be a lady, own her privilege and answer it with duty. 

There is a theme of comparing their hands. “She has the hands of a blacksmith”. He laughs at her dainty hands and says she couldn’t wield a hammer, yet she has calluses from training with a sword. Swords are made by blacksmiths. Her weapon is made by his hands.

If Gendry represents the smallfolk, and Arya the nobility, then she needs to become worthy of carrying a sword, of being handed that privilege by people like him. Not because it’s “a shade more fun than needlework”, but because it represents power and justice and needs to be tempered with duty and responsibility. 

Arya’s sword needs to serve the people, not herself.

Sadly, all the show saw in them was an opportunity to get Maisie naked. :(

[isefyres]

new added muses found in my carrd. not all have their bios up but some do!

ser daven lannister. warden of the west (canon).

jayde slynt. daughter of janos slynt. disputing the recuperation of harrenhal. (semi- canon.)

tessaria velaryon daughter of monfred, eldest daughter, put aside for her brother as new lord of driftmark. named after one of the valyrian gods and a she-dragon. (oc).

calypso upcliff of witch isle. from the vale. being isolated and with a reputation of witchcraft, the upcliff are a matrilineal family, mostly isolated from the war. (oc).

drusilla kenning formerly drusilla hill. a former bastard and only daughter of lord kenning, she was legitimized at age 12 by her father. currently at war with her uncle who claims to be the new lord of kayce castle (oc).

gerald gower. a knight at service of stannis baratheon and a lord of the stormlands. gerald is among those who question the new faith that Stannis Baratheon has joined. he smuggles edric storm out of dragonstone. (canon.)

lady alysanne lefford. the new lady of the golden tooth after the death of her father. currently locked away in her castle for fear of the riverlords retalliation. asking the lannister armies for support defending golden tooth, as the taken of it would mean the taking of the westerlands.

layna estermont. cousin of robert baratheon, from his mother's side. in her childhood, she played with the young Robert Baratheon, she lost her husband and father during the rebellion. During one of robert's visit, he consoled the young widow and bedded her.

[hollowwhisperings]

"Targaryen Exceptionalism"

beginning in Old Valyria, Targaryens were but a minor House of dragonlords. yet the Valyrian Freehold was built with the blood of those enslaved beneath its nine volcanoes, ever digging for greater riches, and the horrific inventions of Valyria's sorcerers who tested their theories on the conquered to twist the natural into the supernatural.

(yes, i'm one of the theorists who take House Targaryen's "blood of the dragom" quite literally)

Upon surviving the Doom, House Targaryen was a dormant threat during the Century of Blood: then came Aegon, Visenya & Rhaenys who decided to found a new empire for themselves by "uniting Westeros"... at dragonpoint.

CW: Old Valyria, its hobbies of enslavement and eugenics, anti-imperialism, Targaryen-skepticism, Stark-skepticism, critique of historic Targaryens, critique of Prince Rhaegar, potential spoilers for The Dragon Shows.

There is no good justification for conquest, the genocide of entire families, for destroying holy sites, for dragonbombing civilians (Aegon & Visenya took out their vengeance for Rhaenys on the entirety of Dorne, who dared to defy the Targaryens just as Nymeria defied Valyria's efforts to destroy her people after leaving their home a toxic wasteland). A (hypothetical) prophecy of ice & fire was assumed by these dragonlords as an entitlement to an entire continent "united" under THEIR rule.

if Aegon truly cared about the future, about a threat to humanity, he could have proposed alliance with House Stark and the other Kingdoms of Westeros. marriage, trade, mutual ceasefire: there are many methods of peacibly uniting peoples for a future problem. no, any service for "a greater good" should come at the cost of smaller, everyday acts of goodness. Ser Davos said it best, when his king Stannis proposed the sacrifice of one child (Edric Storm, his own nephew) to secure a hypothetical victory for his army: the sacrifice of one child means everything, in the context of war & kingship.

Targaryen Exceptionalism became "codified" into the Faith of The Seven during the reign of King Jaeherys I: he sent seven speakers to walk Westeros, praising and preaching the goodness of the new king & the exceptional nature of Targaryens in the eyes of the divine. Dragons raise Targaryens from the laws of mortal men, Valyrian tradition supercedes common sense and human taboo. The speakers, at the orders of Jaeherys I (& Vermithor, Alysanne & Silverwing) Targaryens rule Westeros but were not of it nor subject to its rules.

After the last Targaryen dragon died, the case for Targaryen Exceptionalism was rendered hollow: by this point there had been some intermarrying of House Targaryen with the other houses of Westeros and its members were far removed from the memory of Valyria beyond romanticized legend & its language (also spoken and used by peoples of Essos, descendants of escaped slaves & those once-conquered).

By the timeline of the main series of ASOIAF, the views on House Targaryen are polarizing: King Robert Baratheon saw any Targaryen as an abomination, laughing at the horror wrought unto Princess Elia's children and Princess Elia herself (again Dorne is considered an "acceptable target" by wider Westeros), demanding the death of pregnant 13 yr old Daenerys in AGoT; Ned Stark finds the murder of children horrific, like any sane person would, despite being the most wounded (surviving) party of House Targaryen and the actual rallying point of Robert's Rebellion; Daenerys, on the childhood memories told to her by her brother, by her hatching dragons... Daenerys renders herself Exceptional.

Targaryen Exceptionalism OUTSIDE of the ASOIAF books & shows is more questionable: the POVs we are given and the presentation of dragons & valyrian steel as a natural means of opposing Winter Personfied results in a fanbase who have bought into Valyrian exceptionalism almost entirely. Secret Targaryens are found or made because it is Assumed that, because past Targaryens claimed & proved themselves exceptional, because Daenerys Stormborn is exceptional... only those with dragon blood can be exceptional. This is not unique to House Targaryen: Stark blood and First Men heritage is also of much ado, based on the likes of Robb, Bran, & Arya Stark (Tully-Starks).

Brynden Rivers, Euron Greyjoy, Vladymr Six-Skins, & Jojen Reed demonstrate the magic in First Men blood; House Dayne's ancestral sword, Dawn, & their purple eyes draw theories of Valyrian exceptionalism several thousand years prior to the Freehold's existence; the black stone castles found throughout Westeros also kindle theories of anachronistic Valyrians (despite dragons existing throughout the histories of Westeros & Essos well before their becoming so intimately linked with Valyria or Targaryens).

Then there are the Sons of Ice & Fire: Brynden Rivers, a Targaryen bastard of a Blackwood mother, currently a tree wizard freezing beyond the wall; Jon Snow, of R + L = J. There was That Dragon Show, which romanticized such a Song by skipping over that whole "15 year old disappears without word, Kingsguard keeping her in a distant tower & attempting to murder her brother"; "Lord Rickard and his heir being tortured & burned to death, Aerys II subsequently calling for the heads of several other Lords Paramount"; "Prince Rhaegar's abandoning his wife & small children in his father's court, sparing a lone hostage-kingsguard for 4 royals & a city", etc. There was the "romance" between an undead king who sought a desperate alliance & his, unknown to them, young aunt who ditched her existing subjects in Essos for a pointy chair in a home she knows nothing of.

No one came out of That Dragon Show looking any good, the characters at its end being shadows of themselves by its end.

The NEW Dragon Show is set in the "Golden Age" of House Targaryen in Westeros: their game of musical chairs bloody and cruel, forced unto each generation by the fears & ambitions of those before them (children parenting children, grandfathers & second sons seeking power greater than the might they hold already).

I worry over The Sowing of Seeds: will Targaryen Exceptionalism be codified as true? will the Hiccup Method, nurture revealing itself as mattering more than nature?

I hope for the latter: any victory that belatedly justifies the horrors of Old Valyria, the cruelties of House Targaryen on its own children, the celebration of feudal monarchy as something heroic & inspirational... these things would sully the primary themes of ASOIAF: the hypocricies demanded of chivalry, the futility of war, the struggles of those rejected by songs & storybooks. eugenics is setdressing, not an ideal (both targaryen & stark exceptionalism awkwardly based within that concept, however innocently-intended).

[waitingforwinterwinds]

ASOS; Steel and Snow: 10 DAVOS II (pages 133-145)

Davos reunites with Salladhor Saan, who catches him up on the post battle report, then Davos heads off to see Stannis and Kill Melisandre, only to find himself arrested by the queen's men before he can do either.

-

The great fire that burned atop the Sharp Point watchtower at the end of Massey's Hook reminded him of the ruby she wore at her throat, and when the world turned red at dawn and sunset the drifting clouds turned the same color as the silks and satins of her rustling gowns.

ruby = 🥛

He insisted that Davos share his provisions as well, though that turned out badly. His stomach could not tolerate the snails and lampreys and other rich food Captain Khorane so relished, and after his first meal at the captain's table he spent the rest of the day with one end or the other dangling over the rail.

I am so glad D&D weren't allowed to get their hands on this scene, they would have made it "haha, look a poop joke, lol, so random"

Davos is so freaking lucky he didn't end up with refeeding syndrome and die. He's had basically nothing but a few raw tiny crabs for several days.

That was before the onion ship, before Storm's End, before Stannis shortened my fingers.

Actually, while he's bringing it up, cause, Davos kept his fingerbones in a pouch around his neck to remind him of Stannis' justice, that there was mercy, fairness, but it was still upheld.

But he lost those bones during the Battle of Blackwater. He mentioned it in his last chapter.

I wonder if that's GRRM's way of saying "this is the point that starts going. Here is where we're going to see Stannis has crossed a line and he can't come back from this anymore. That Stannis no longer exists."

Or if this is the point from which Davos realises that Stannis is gone.

(because obviously, using magic to create shadow babysassins is definitely a line crossed, or the slippery slope he falls from.)

... I like Salladhor Saan. It feels like he and Davos are genuinely some kind of friends, that there's real concern and care for Davos in Salla's fussing for his health, and not just some manipulation. Of course he wouldn't say no is Davos went looking for new employ, though.

... well done to this gate guard. He'd do well at a bottle-shop. Customer: *is clearly 60+* Guard: can I see some ID? No, but seriously, good on him for not trusting someone who is claiming to be someone all but confirmed dead. He would not be fooled by a vampire pretending to be the Avon lady.

...SHIREEN!!! hi sweetie.

Hopping from foot to the other, he sang, "Fool's blood, king's blood, blood on the maiden's thigh, but chains for the guests and chains for the bridegroom, aye aye aye."

Hmmm, prophecy or nonsense? Clearly ("bridegroom") about a wedding, but which?

Sansa and Tyrion's? Fool's blood, king's blood could mean Tyrion, he is of Joffrey's blood, thus king's blood, but he's treated like he's not a true member of the bloodline by his father, like fool's gold...

blood on the maiden's thigh could mean Sansa's newly 'blossomed' status.

And it is an act made to chain the couple to Tywin and Cersei's will.

Or I might be reaching and it could be about one of the other fun (sarcasm) weddings lined up.

... !!!! EDRIC!!!! He's alive!!! ... for now... Melisandre! Stay away from the small child!

...Ummmm, just to... Does Gendry in the show, by chance, take up a role that belongs to Edric in the books? Like, say... a sacrificial one? Or does he just also have sacrificial purposes?

It'll be interesting to see, because Edric was cut from the show, so I don't know if he was cut completely, or if his story lines were passed off piecemeal to someone else. (Like how Jeyne had a cameo in the pilot but then was erased until D&D gave her plot-line to Sansa because they can't write political intrigue without someone smart holding their hand/writing it for them.)

"Ser Davos, and undrowned. How can that be?" "Onions float, ser. -"

Ehehehehe.

"- Have you come to take me to the king?" "I have come to take you to the dungeon." Ser Axell waved his men forward. "Seize him, and take his dirk. He means to use it on our lady."

Ah. bugger.

[aegor-bamfsteel]

What happens to Myrcella if Stannis Baratheon wins at the Blackwater, in your opinion? What’s Doran Martell’s response when the command comes down to Sunspear, from Kings Landing? What do you think Oakheart would do?

If Stannis wins at Blackwater, Myrcella isn’t going to Dorne:

Tyrion nodded. If the worst happened, the little Seaswift ought to be able to outrun pursuit. A small ship with big sails, she was faster than any warship afloat, or so her captain had claimed. Once Myrcella reached Braavos, she ought to be safe. He was sending Ser Arys Oakheart as her sworn shield, and had engaged the Braavosi to bring her the rest of the way to Sunspear. Even Lord Stannis would hesitate to wake the anger of the greatest and most powerful of the Free Cities. Traveling from King's Landing to Dorne by way of Braavos was scarcely the most direct of routes, but it was the safest . . . or so he hoped. —ACOK Tyrion X

Meanwhile, she isn’t mentioned to have arrived in Dorne until well after the battle is over. If the Lannisters were to lose, an alliance with Dorne becomes mostly valueless to the both of them (with Joffrey dead and Lannister supporters rallying around Tommen), not that Doran ever meant for it to be a real alliance but a way to buy time to go get some Targaryen. Dorne wasn’t going to commit any troops into battle unless Stannis would attack, which I don’t think he would. I think Myrcella and Arys would be relatively safe in Braavos; Stannis didn’t pursue Guncer Sunglass’ brother nor Edric Storm when they fled for the Free Cities to escape him burning them. If Stannis wins, both he and Doran have bigger things to worry about than a little girl who the Iron Throne now officially considers “a bastard born of incest.”

[themockingpoint]

House Stark of King’s Landing

Formed after the final battle of the War of the Five King’s, the Battle of Liberation. After days of deliberation, Sansa Stark was declared Queen due to her blood ties and friendships that she had developed over the course of the War of the Five Kings. House Stark’s colors are Grey and Red (coming from Sansa Stark’s personal epithet ‘The Red Wolf’) Their House words are “We Endure”. House Stark’s blazon is a Red Direwolf on a Grey background.

Queen Sansa Stark/Prince Edric Dayne

Hand- Ser Brienne of Tarth

Master of Law- Lady Anya Waynwood

Master of Coin- Lord Willas Tyrell

Master of Ship- Lord Rodrik Harlaw

Master of Whispers- Prince Doran Martell

Kingsguard

Lord Commander Brynden “The Blackfish” Tully- vowed to protect her due to failing to protect her brother and mother.

Ser Oliver Frey- Her brother King Robb’s former Squire.

Ser Gendry of Hollow Hill- Her sister’s friend.

Ser Wallace Waynwood- A friend she made from her time in the Vale.

Ser Rolland Storm- A recommendation from her future good sister.

Ser Balon Swann- a carry over from the previous Kingsguard as to ease transitions

Ser Harrison Karstark- Took the white to clear the way for his sister Alys of Thenn to take the Ladyship of Karhold.

North- Prince Bran Stark/Lady Meera Reed

The North voted for Sansa because she is the sister of Bran, Arya and Rickon, and the daughter of Ned Stark

Riverlands- Prince Edmure Tully/Lady Roslin Frey

The Lords of the Riverlands voted for Sansa because she is Edmure ’s niece, and daughter to Catelyn Tully.

Vale- Prince Robyn Arryn

The Lords of the Vale voted for Sansa because she is Robyn’s cousin and helped solve the murder of their liege lord Jon Arryn and bring his murderer to Justice.

Westerlands- Princess Myrcella Lannister/Prince Trystane Martell

The Westerlands voted for Sansa because she was Myrcella’s aunt through marriage, her friendship with Myrcella from their time in King's Landing and promised to legitimize Myrcella and name her Lady of Casterly Rock.

Reach- Prince Willas Tyrell & Lady Talla Tarly

Lord Willas voted for Sansa due to the friendship between Sansa and Margaery and out of guilt for her being framed for Murder by Olenna Tyrell.

Stormlands- Princess Shireen Baratheon & Prince Rickon Stark

Shireen Baratheon voted for Sansa because she is sister to Rickon, and due to the numerous ties between House Stark and Baratheon including but not limited to the friendship between Mya Stone and Sansa herself, Ser Gendry of Hollow Hill and Arya, Ned Sansa’s father and King Robert, and the grudging respect between Jon Snow and Stannis Shireen’s father

Dorne- Princess Arianne Martell

Princess Arianne was hesitant to vote for Sansa but relented when she revealed she accepted Lord Edric Dayne’s offer of marriage. Having a Dornish Prince Consort on the Iron Throne, one from House Dayne who have strong ties to House Martell, assuaged some of Arianne’s doubt’s and allowed her to go back to Dorne to mourn the loss of her husband King Aegon VI Targaryen. Princess Arianne declined a advisory position on the small council.

Iron Islands- Princess Asha Greyjoy

Did not vote for Sansa but was outvoted. Only conceded it because Sansa agreed to make sure that her rulership over the Iron Islands was uncontested.

[asongofsilks]

ASOIAF FANCASTING --> EVERY NAMED FEMALE CHARACTER ABOVE THE AGE OF FIVE, PART XVII

Darlessa Marbrand (b. approx. 270 AC): Widow of Tygett Lannister, younger brother of Lord Tywin, and mother of his son, Tyrek, who is missing since the hunger riots of King's Landing. Fancast: Rhianna McGreevy.

Deana Hardyng (main series era): Wife of Walton Frey, grandson of Lord Walder Frey through his eldest son and heir, Ser Stevron. Fancast: Olivia Wilde.

Delena Florent (b. approx. 270 AC): A cousin to Selyse Florent, wife of Stannis Baratheon, Delena was impregnated by King Robert at Stannis and Selyse's wedding feast. She is the mother of Edric Storm, Robert's only male acknowledged bastard. Fancast: Jennie Jacques.

Delonne Allyrion (b. approx. 240 AC): The Lady of Godsgrace and Head of House Allyrion, she is the mother of Ser Ryon Allyrion and the grandmother of his bastard son, Daemon Sand. Fancast: Julianne Moore.

Denyse Hightower (main series era): Fourth daughter of Lord Leyton Hightower and wife of a knight of House Redwyne. Fancast: Polly Walker.

Deria Martell (b. approx. 20 BC): A ruling Princess of Dorne, she was the granddaughter of Meria Martell, who successfully resisted Aegon the Conqueror during the First Dornish War. When Meria died and her father became the ruling Prince, he sent her to King's Landing with an offer of peace for Aegon. It is not known why Aegon, who was opposed to Dorne's terms, accepted the peace. Fancast: Naomi Scott.

Desmera Redwyne (b. 283 AC): Daughter of Lord Paxter Redwyne and his wife, Mina Tyrell, who is the younger sister of Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden. Fancast: AmyBeth McNulty.

Donella Manderly (c. 250-299 AC): Wife of Lord Halys Hornwood of the Hornwood, and mother to one son, Daryn. After both her husband and son are killed in the War of the Five Kings, it sparks a crisis in the North regarding the inheritance of her lands. She is kidnapped and forcibly married to Ramsay Snow, after which he locks her in a tower and starves her to death. This act turns out to be House Bolton's first sally in their takeover of the North. Fancast: Alison Bruce.

Septa Donyse (main series era): A septa in King's Landing. She helps Brienne of Tarth find good clothing that fits her. Fancast: Molly C. Quinn.

Dorcas (main series era): A servant in service of Queen Cersei in King's Landing. Fancast: Amanda Hale.

Dorea Sand (b. 292 AC): Third-born bastard daughter of Prince Oberyn Martell, younger brother of the ruling Prince, Doran Martell, and his paramour Ellaria Sand. She owns a morningstar and currently lives at the Water Gardens. Fancast: Keisha Castle-Hughes.

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