#a dragon never yields or whatever

[mintae-chii]

fuck it (doodle dumps all over you)

[cosmictheo]

𝐎𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐒 | 𝐟𝐞𝐲𝐝-𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐧

(gif credits to @pascow)

— summary: feyd-rautha was used to have whatever he wanted, it was well known, but so were you; what you desired, was already yours. and what you crave right now, is him. —pairing: feyd-rautha harkonnen x female!reader —word count: 1.5k —warnings: death, mentions of killing, blood, fighting (yk the usual feyd), just the reader and feyd-rautha being horny and a slut for each other.

writer’s note: english is not my mother tongue, so please forgive me if there is a grammatical error. hope you like it!

yes, i'm finally back!! dune part 2 has dragged me out of my cave and has given me inspiration like never before.

Feyd-Rautha was psychotic. Everyone knew it, perhaps the whole galaxy was aware of his very eccentric... preferences and appetites. He was well known for his immaculate and animalistic way of fighting, of destroying anyone who dared to present themselves as his enemy, of anyone who would dare to challenge him. But he was also honorable, proud and loyal to his beliefs, perhaps too self-confident for your own liking.

But every strong man had a weakness, a weakness that could bring them to their knees, to yield, to be left vulnerable. You were Feyd's weakness, rather, his strength, his fortitude, the fire in his veins, the beating of his heart. And it was quite strange and utterly unimaginable to think that someone like Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen would have any feelings at all, there were those who firmly believed that he didn't even have a heart, not even a soul, that he was a demon in human form, a ruthless and bloodthirsty beast, the worst of the worst.

But there you were to prove otherwise.

It had been your idea to actually take him as a husband. Your parents disagreed, of course, for they thought you would be better off alone, after all, you were one of the strongest women alive, you didn't need any man or woman by your side. They called you the Golden Dragon, someone with too much power for this world, you had abilities that the world could not really understand yet, connections with the universe that could not even begin to be explained, the last descendant of one of the most ancient Houses, one that had vanished in time, detached from battles and senseless wars for power, a House that was recognized by that flag with the roaring and menacing red dragon on a golden field. That ancient beast that many thought extinct... until you came to Giedi Prime riding one. 

And you had arrived just on his coming of age day, where his favorite ceremony was battles, of course.

You watched him fight the Atreides men from your seat, your mother and father sitting at your sides, watching him as well, all in silence. Your eyes followed his every move, not even pausing for a second to watch the other poor men being annihilated, no, for your attention was solely on Feyd-Rautha, noting the predatory nature of his steps, his precise and powerful movements, eyes darkened with delight, eager for more death and blood. 

"He is a good warrior" Your father commented looking at him in awe as well.

"Too much so, I'd say" Your mother added in a naturally stern voice, distrustful dark eyes, observing the gory spectacle.

"He was born for it" Your father continued to comment, turning his head so he could look at you for a few seconds "For slaughter and death. Only to bring that."

"I think he's cute" you finally stated your opinion, voice low and serene, not even having the audacity to look at your parents, for you didn't have to look at them to know that they were both giving you horrified and scandalized looks now. 

Your father muttered your name in a warning tone of voice.

"He would look good in our home. He's built for fighting and protect, just like us." You explained, finally detaching your eyes from Feyd-Rautha, who had just killed the last Atreides standing, unleashing a wave of applause, praise and cheers from the audience. "Don't you think so, father?"

Your look was almost defiant, and yet composed, and your father took it as a challenge, but he would never be so foolish as to show any disagreement with you, for what the dragon princess desired, she had.

So, after sharing a short glance with your mother, he gave you a short nod of his head.

"I do."

And so it was settled.

Feyd-Rautha, for his own part, saw you and knew you were meant to be his.  He had heard of you, of course, his uncle used to insist that he must behave himself once your family arrived, for you were worthy of having the full respect of House Harkonnen, and that losing you as allies was not an option at all. So behave he did... or at least he tried to.

"I dreamed of you last night." 

Was the first thing he said to you, both found in one of the large, dark halls of his home, just a couple of hours after his victorious fight in the arena. The Baron and your father were in an important and pending meeting in which neither your presence nor Feyd's was required, because the whole focus of it was the two of you, and a possible marriage to ensure the alliance and heritage.

His eyes were barely distinguishable with the all the thick blackness surrounding him, his pupils dilated with desire, hands clasped behind his back, as inflexible as ever. He had put his all into making a good impression, his uncle had ordered him to, and Feyd was quite obedient when it came to the Baron's wishes. He was so loyal to that foul man that you thought it was something no better described than adorable. 

The thing was that, as powerful and menacing as he was, he was just another man, another pawn into this colossal game of power and thrones. And you felt rather pity for him.

"Na-baron." You greeted him somewhat pragmatically, turning fully towards him, golden eyes gleaming even amidst all the darkness through your gold mask. "It was a good dream, I hope."

"(Y/N) Pazuk, princess." He just took the satisfaction of deliciously savoring the name of your House, pronouncing it in that husky, deep voice of his. He also had the courage to move closer to you, rising from the wall and stepping cautiously, holding your gaze, looking down on you as if you were prey, a small helpless animal under his looming shadow. He then reflected, thinking about choosing the most suitable words... and the most appropriate ones "It was a very good dream."

You were in his territory, his planet, you knew it well and so did he, you were walking straight into the mouth of the hungry beast. Everything that was there belonged to him, he controlled it all and saw it all. 

And everything he was seeing now was you. And he was intrigued, captivated even. Because he usually encountered boring and vulgar people, people who were nowhere near his level, people who he liked to torture and make bleed to death. And the thing was, you happened to stand on his level, and even higher.

"Tell me more." You had the courage to order him in a soft tone of voice. He knew instantly that you were testing him, he was smart and knew how to read people well... but you, you were different, he could see it too, you were much more complex than other people. And he was delighted.

A hint of a phantom smile tugged at the corner of his lips just as he stood in front of you, posture rigid and dominant. "You showed me the way. The right way. The way of victory, the way of life."

You swallowed spit slowly and he noticed it, for his eyes descended to your throat for a few moments before rising again to your face, analyzing every expression that passed through your gaze, every gesture of your lips, every sign you allowed him to see.

Then he twisted his head slightly, face turning somewhat mischievous. "You think I'm scary, princess?"

Now it was his turn to test you.

He watched as your lips parted before responding, raising your voice with pure confidence, naturally, holding his dark gaze. "I think you're quite the opposite really, Feyd-Rautha."

He was silent for a few moments, long moments in which he simply gazed at you intently, with his full attention on you, on your body, almost as if he was looking at your pure soul.

"You are my destiny." He finally uttered, you could hear how his voice had wavered more for softness than harshness this time. "Show me the way, my princess."

You managed to feel the warmth of his body against yours. For someone so cold and distant, his body was hot and warm like fire.

"Are you going to ask for my hand?" You ask in a small voice, feeling suddenly intimidated by his closeness. There were very few who dared to stand so close to you, yet there he was, threatening your personal space. "Because here I am, na-Baron."

Before I could answer you anything, you spoke again, twisting your head slightly, barely narrowing your eyes. "You think I'm scary, my lord?"

He had never been so profoundly proud and thrilled by his title as he was at that moment, when you slowly modulated it with your tongue like a purr, your voice tastefully savoring it.

"I think you are beautiful." He immediately responded. "And I want you to be mine."

And so, fate had done it's work.

[finalfrontierpublishing]

So it's been a while since i posted any books - mostly because i've been hiding my progress like a little sneak.

I just finished this bind last night of The Desert Storm by @blue-sunshine-mauve-morning, or really it's volume 1 out of like ??? 15, maybe. Please take whatever i say with a pinch of salt (I have had 0 sleep for more than 24 hours, and that tends to make me a little very sleep-deprivation drunk a.k.a. unhinged). Okay, on to thoughts! The Desert Storm was foisted onto me by @celestial-sphere-press who told me under no uncertain terms that I WOULD FUCKING LOVE THIS SHIT. Well, I did. This more than 1 million word epic about Ben Fuckin' Kenobi is pretty much god-tier fanfiction. It reads like a goddamn novel. I can never think of canon again without thinking that this good shit should be canon. I read it and then consumed half of it within a week, and I have zero regrets. @blue-sunshine-mauve-morning, i absolutely love you and love your writing. It is the best thing since sliced bread. It is better than sliced bread.

I also had the benefit of @celestial-sphere-press saying, hey would you want to use the typeset? MY GOD, i am grateful. I love this fic, i would have typeset it if it hadn't been typeset but Des did such a beautiful job that i am absolutely in awe and thankful that she and the author allowed others to use it. Look at it - it's so beautiful. I only had to think hey, i just gotta design the cover and et cetera and so the book happened.

Please also check out @celestial-sphere-press 's amazing post here and here, who is the only person i know who's started and is almost complete in fanbinding this epic, and is also making an author a copy of the entire series.

Some stats, if you will.

96215 words || 380 pages

Title font: Ghaomiec

I took some inspiration from starblight bindery's lovely desert scape as well as this amazing cover of Dune which i own. I love that the landscape emanates Dune vibes while being oh so Tattooine - just sand and heat, relentless loneliness and melancholy. This fic centres around Obi-Wan Infinite Sadness Kenobi so it needed SAD VIBES TM, which i tried to deliver in desolate landscape form.

Also thank the heavens for Renegade members, who in a masterful stroke of Group Buy Saves Money, managed to source extra-out-of-production colours of Colibri and help a fair number of us get really cool limited edition versions of bookcloth. I am now a proud owner of a lorge stash of Duo and Colibri of which i am now sitting on like a shifty dragon with a hoarding problem. Good luck getting your bookcloth now, Folio Society, ha ha (gloating)! This particular bookcloth is Colibri Copper which has been wholly stashed for The Desert Storm series. I am leaning on transitioning to Malachite for Rise and Fall when I get to it.

The front cover design was done with a stock image and converted to a PNG, which i then fiddled with and did some HTV magic with. It was remarkably easier to weed than expected. I tried something new and ironed the design on the naked bookcloth first before gluing it to the boards, which was a new challenge in making sure everything was aligned.

Endpapers are marbled endpapers (Renato Crepaldi) which I got from Hollanders, which perfectly fit the colour scheme of the bind. The only hiccup was as I was cutting, I realized the sheet was running in the opposite direction of his usual papers and half the size, and only yielded 3 A5 size endpapers and so my heart went noooooooooo. oh well. i guess i will use it for quartos.

Endbands are my favourite - silk in 3 colours in the french doublecore style (as i was binding this i did not have the mental capacity to handle the difficulty of 4 strands). the truth is i usually only can do 4 when I have higher brain function and am willing to spend 80% of my time unraveling it from getting tangled.

I also forgot to mention I had mild fuck-ups, I got glue on the front endpaper which I had to hastily remove with wet cloth, and the back square is preposterously bad but I'm ignoring it for now.

Anyway, i've actually managed to complete a few other binds which have not been mentioned here as they've all been gifts/ surprises or event books in some form. I am SO EXCITED, also because I am travelling in the latter half of July to San Diego and L.A. and I get to meet some bookbinding friends in the flesh. Renegade is fucking amazing y'all. I am ready to embrace these crazy lads who have enabled me for the last 1 year, even when i'm the solitary (1) weirdo from my country of origin in the server. Also... potentially bookbinding trip early next year??? I am enthused.

[lovelykhaleesiii]

Pretty plz can we get dom!aegon wedding night breeding smut. They r definitely not attending breakfast (or lunch) the nxt day and no one can look them in the eye. Thx & love u

apologies for the wait nonnie, hope you enjoy this x

Union of the Dragon & the Wolf.

PAIRING: King!Aegon ii Targaryen x fem!Stark!Reader

WORDS: 4,764.

WARNINGS: dom!Aegon, swearing, breeding kink to the maxxxx, mentions of dub-con.

A/N - please I keep getting carried away in the plot, and I rushed the ending a little with some time jumps, but I fully support and am in love with dom Aeg. he can dick me down anyday idc.

Historically and in the lifetimes that would follow, unions had been forged between a man and woman, since the dawn of time. For a plethora of reasons, destined or compelled, such unions were established regardless of circumstance or consequence... For the most part, such marriages had been strategically arranged accordingly, the greed or pride of families whom endlessly sought political, financial, or hierarchical means, with the intention to gain some precedence, was unfavourably common. However for some rather fortunate souls, although in rarity, love would quintessentially blossom.

And yet, the latter could not yet be said upon your circumstance..

"Brother- brother, please-"

Hastily sprinting towards him, your meek body blocking his taller, cloaked mass from exiting the familiar door to your private chambers, latching yourself firmly onto his arm. You refused to dismiss nor allow him leave so suddenly without even an attempt to refute. Taking a stand against the laws of men.

“Please, I beg before you brother, before the merciful eyes of the Old Gods, d-do not ask this of me. I have done and will do anything you ask of me, anything except this.”

A mere, defeated sigh escapes your elder brother's agape mouth, bested against your pleas. There was no point in quarrelling with you, you'd presumed as he remained still in a neutral, stoic state. You’d never witnessed your elder brother bested: whatever the words that had been so methodically exchanged in King’s Landing, you would remain oblivious to, and yet it was your life that was destined to change.

"I-I am truly sorry, my sweet sister... We ride at the crack of dawn in the morrow, get some rest."

"Cregan!" You helplessly call out, although your arms with a mind of their own loosen their grip, as the older brunette flees your side. A haste betrothal in the midst, your King husband-to be awaits for your gracious hand...

****

The journey was tiresome and gruelling, yet the moment you'd stepped foot in King's Landing, the arrangements had been swift and thoughtless.

And as infuriated as Cregan had become, huffing and puffing as he disembarked from his trusted stead to your side. Failing to be discrete with his annoyance of the King's absence, you whisper calmly as to yield his fury, in return he reassuringly holds your smaller hand in his, aiding you out of the carriage. Your Northern party had been welcomed and greeted by the Dowager Queen, herself, and his royal Grandsire, the Hand, and a few other golden cloaks of the Kingsguard. No King in sight before you, your deviant, wandering eyes, having mindlessly grown deaf to the conversation at hand, you kept yourself busy, gazing over the strange, concrete monuments that would eventually bound to become your new "home". As your curious eyes scanned the stony scenery, it was only when you backtracked, catching a faint glimpse of someone, intently peering down from an above watchtower window: some man you could only make out, with the peculiar, moonlight tinged hair. Uncertain if it was Aegon himself, there was no crown bestowed on the stranger's head, not that you could definitively decipher from such a great distance, and yet with great certainty you knew they belonged to someone with the blood of Old Valyria coursing through their veins...

Much to your favour once more, the unsettling tension that had been churning in the pit of your stomach throughout the wearisome ride, had finally resided. Allowing yourself to breathe whatever 'fresh' air the city had to offer: unlike the crisp, chill air you'd grown to admire of the North, this foreign place held a pungent, damp smell you could only fathom time would ease your distaste for it. This had been your first venture to King's Landing, only having heard of its reputation, your expectations were not grand however, and based on the reason for your visit, you felt an even deeper reluctance to be here. You did not wish to see him so soon, hopeful in buying any ounce of precious time to acclimate to the changes, at the very least...

****

Not a single person had asked for your input in the elaborate plans for your wedding, for all the details had been discussed and devised accordingly, before your anticipated arrival. Including your wedding gown: it was beautiful needless to say, immediately catching your eye as you'd been led to enter the compartment of your private, royal chamber. [Separate from Aegon for the night undoubtedly, as Alicent decreed in tradition of the Seven.] Adorned with brilliant, clear crystals from what you could only presume had been sourced from far away lands, the fine details of the profiles of a dragon sigil and that of your own house, entwined artistically together on the bust of the gown, embodying the royal union to follow. Despite the vanquished feeling that swallowed you whole since departing home, there was relief in not having to shed a single thought in such plans. You had much doubt that Aegon had taken part in such arrangements either, for his reputation much like his Kingdom, was notorious.

The young King although struck with sorrow of the great losses incurred during the war between himself and his past elder sister, Rhaenyra Targaryen, for the rightful claim to the throne, he had mounted victorious, nonetheless. And although the North had initially and solemnly declared to side with the elder Princess, it seemed whatever transgressions had been spoken and seemingly forgiven between Cregan and Aegon, you, the younger sister of a former traitor house, was chosen fit to be Queen, by the King himself. And although Cregan was adamant that you remain home governing and supporting those left behind in the North during the war, you'd heard from the honest mouths of returning Northmen soldiers of exploits of the battles. Earnestly you would listen to the drunk and somber whispers that the King was left charred and scarred, wounded from active battle, yet had miraculously survived to return to his throne. Some had exaggerated their words, exclaiming that the King was left brutally disfigured, that only the copious supply of whores he had sought and so generously paid, would bid him a night full of pleasure, since his sister-wife has passed.

Lonesomely left to ponder over endless, fretful thoughts, of how this union came to be and what would become of it, you felt that perhaps there were some potential grounds that Aegon and yourself were not so unalike. Both stricken with the concept of grief, perhaps something could be salvaged of this ransom union.

****

After a slight quarrel with your elder brother, begging to be excused from the dinner tonight, Dowager Queen Alicent, surprisingly had granted you leave. You did not refute her dismissal, nor did Cregan wish to contend with her. She knew the strains such arrangements could bear it seemed, although guaranteed you "commit to the bedding ceremony thoroughly."

"My eldest and only living son, he requires an heir. Jaehaera, although his blood, is much to timid and grief stricken, let alone, a girl... It would not be wise for her to be heir, Aegon knows this. Prove yourself to be a good wife, and bear him many children, preferably sons, if the Gods are good."

Her final, daunting words, leaving you no seconds to spare to muster a response: although regardless, no words came to your mind. Perhaps the weight of the crown, needed to be dispersed, and Aegon deemed you fit to sovereign with him. Nonetheless, the expectations from the Crown and his council of you were made clear. Children, heirs... That was all that was required of you in principal. That familiar, perturbed feeling began to toss and churn in your stomach once more, gaining little sleep before the monumental day.

****

The preparation, carriage ride and the haunting walk down the aisle leading into the decorative, grand Dragonpit, upon the watchful, eager eyes of the realm, was nothing but a blur. Your disconsolate eyes remained fixated, anxiously fleeting between the cheerful crowd and the guarded path before you, you did not sight your awaiting husband before you. Attentively watching you from the podium above, as he did the day you had arrived [or so you had convinced yourself it was him to be]. Your mind solely occupied with controlling your breath and its pace, soothing the pounding beat of your thudding heart, you swore would at any moment it would simply tear through your chest, ending it all right then and there. Although, the feelings had ceased to numbness, the moment you'd reached the stony steps to the stage. A black gloved hand stretched over towards you from above, signalling you to take, which you instinctively took, unaware of whose hand you held. Careful of each step, it was only when you'd come to a sudden halt beside the King himself, that you'd noticed Aegon moment Aegon unveiled your face to his. For a few moments his stunning, lilac eyes remained transfixed onto your own. Your breath hitched in your throat, as you took in his face: as you'd suspected the words of your fellow banner-men were greatly false. The King, although, his stern face partially scarred, burns somewhat healed, he remained handsome nonetheless, and looking upon you, you'd momentarily noticed his gaze soften before your eyes flashed to the ground before you. Feeling your cheeks grow scarlet, and a flustering heat trailing through you, you felt clueless as to why.

Sacred vows had been said and made, your hands binded by a precious cloth of the faith, signatures signed on lawful papers, and finally, custom rings exchanged sealed with a simple yet passionate kiss: Aegon did not protest against the proceedings of the ceremony, and nor did you find yourself tempted to run either.

Although, he recited deeply and firmly of said vows, no words had been exchanged between either of you, on the return carriage to the castle, nor during the feast. Sat meekly beside your newly appointed husband, you remained quiet as did Aegon, unless his fellow guests and subjects approach to wish the King and his new wife well wishes. Most of the time, Aegon occupied his mouth with swirls of wine and ale, and the platefuls served to him. With your elder brother by your opposing side, with whom you refused to engage in conversation with throughout the entirety of the day.

Look at the position he had forced you into, how hopeless you had become, and how they belittled you. Was Cregan so blind to the intentions of such a brutal institution, or was he simply being cowardice for his past grievances?

Regardless, the plans that had been lucratively discussed were now executed accordingly, and the thing you'd been dreading the most was finally upon you. Alicent had granted you approval to leave once more, planting a tender kiss on your forehead, bidding you farewell and "best wishes."

"Do us proud, and please... Make it easier for yourself and do as you are told, dearest. If anything I've learnt in my years or wished to have been told, is the only man you need to sate is that of your husband. No one else matters."

Chaperoned with a few, entrusted maids, and Cregan himself, you reluctantly turn to look back at Aegon, who still remained seated at the dining table. Much to your astonishment, however, you'd been met with his own stern pair of eyes, fixated on you solely once more, you could've sworn, you'd caught a haste glimpse of a slight smirk strewn across his face. That unsettling feeling grew more intense by the thought, had he found this amusing? Only the Gods, would know what ill thoughts and intentions he had with you for the night, yet you would soon find out.

****

Swiftly changed out of your wedding garments, and into a white silk bedding gown instead, you were left in an unfamiliar room, grander than the one you'd previously slept in. Aegon's you'd presumed.

A sudden, booming knock on the door had startled you with fright, although followed by the familiar tone of Cregan's voice, naturally you felt a warm reassurance wash over you, placing a robe over you in modesty, before opening the door to his friendly, lean face.

"My dearest sister, I did not wish to interrupt you-"

"Have you come to save me from this wretched night then?"

You firmly interrupt, although you teased, Cregan could not bear to look at you, defeatedly turning his guilty gaze towards his shuffling feet.

"I-I had yet to apologise, Y/N. F-for all of this. I truly am sorry, little sister but I-I had no choice. H-He would've sent us all to the Wall, or worse to death, and you-you would've been all alone-"

"Cregan, it is alright. I-I may struggle to understand it now, but I know you did what was best for us. You always do."

No other words had been exchanged, except for a nod and a final goodbye for the night. Like the Queen before you, Cregan planted a final, loving kiss to your forehead, before bidding you well. He knew what was to come, what was expected between a man and woman on the night of their union, and he refused to venture. Closing the door before him, you were left once more alone, the muffled music of the feast beyond the bedroom walls could be heard, and the congenial celebrations of the rest of the realm below the castle walls echoed across.

It seemed everyone was pleased with this union, expect yourself... And Aegon, perhaps. That you had yet to decipher. Enraptured in your deep thoughts, you had not realised Aegon's entrance into the room, before the sound of the wooden door closing once more, jolted you back to reality, snapping towards his direction. The room had been romantically set, candles spread and lit across the room, with an open fire stoking at the fire pit to provide some warmth in the chill night air. A slight, cool breeze blew from the window, blowing the satin, white fabric against the curves of your body.

"Lay on the bed."

The silence was tense, although cut with his command, Alicent's words echoed in your mind relentlessly, however your body moved and did as it was told. Aegon remained at some distance, heading to a table where a flagon [full of more arbour wine as you suspected] and cup was placed prior to his arrival and yours.

"So did my dearly beloved mother tell you what to expect? What is to be expected of you?"

"Y-Yes."

"Hmm, I am, however, curious as to hear your thoughts. Truthfully or else, what do you think of our arrangement?"

Caught by surprise to his direct enquiry, you felt perplexed as to whether he was seeking to relish in amusement of taunting your vulnerable position, or simply seeking some vain type of validation only a King could provoke.

"I-I confess I was taken aback by your choice in me, my King. For there are plenty of other maidens in the realm. However if this is the King's command, then House Stark remains loyal to the word of their sovereign."

"I said the truth, Y/N. Mayhaps, you should, however, lecture your older brother about loyalty to the rightful sovereign, next time one dares to usurp me."

A painful gulp tore through your throat, quivering to his words. You shouldn't have responded that way, Cregan would be livid if he had heard Aegon's stinging words.

"Forgive me, my King. I did not mean to antagonise you. I-I simply have just been struggling to come to terms with your choice in me a-as y-your-"

The final word was a tough one to say aloud, and yet the final ounce of courage you had left, you'd managed to blurt it out.

"... Wife."

"Hmm, wife."

He tauntingly mimics, granting himself a deep, low chuckle, as he carefully poured himself a cup of the liquor that filled the flagon, skulling it before forcefully placing it back down against the hard, wooden surface.

Despite his continuous drinking during the night, Aegon seemed sober and sharp-witted.

"Steadfast, my liege council kept pestering me to wed, for I apparently require more heirs. Your brother, although his past transgressions would prove him disloyal, I had heard that the wolf himself, of having a pup sister... The Baratheon girls, although plentiful are far too eager, and ugly. Those in the Vale, said to have amazing tits, often I find are far too disciplined and boring for my liking...But now the Northern girls, I've heard... Can be fierce and yet-"

Finally, turning to face you directly, you remained steadily quiet, your grip on the bedsheets tightened in anticipation, for his mouth remained agape almost as though a word lingered on his plump lips.

"Beautiful."

Again, a scarlet blush flustered across your softened face, and you felt yourself yearning for more, tender words from him.

"Alas, I took my chances."

Aegon heartedly exclaimed, before unbuttoning his garments, losing his gaze once more, you felt a desire for him to simply look at you. You felt somewhat ashamed of this sudden lust you'd begin to sense in these intimate moments, and could not bring yourself to discourage such emotions.

"Spread your legs."

As obedient as a septa in the making, you obeyed. The gown remained hovering in between your thighs, modestly covering your bare entrance. Aegon now completely shirtless, his pants unbuttoned yet remained on. He had this menacingly hungry look in his eye, an appetite that the feast it seemed, did not quash, as it lingered between your thighs. Licking his lips, he slowly crawled atop, one arm stretching beside your hip, whereas the other began to lift the garment above, exposing your naked cunt [the maids had not provided you to wear any undergarments beneath, as per the Dowager Queen's orders].

"Already wet for me, my wife. Deny it all you want, although it seems you are not entirely against this unity, after all."

Your breaths now shaky, as his fingers lightly traced over your folds. A natural tease he was, it seemed. Your eyes nervously flicking from his hand beneath to his hardened face, you could just make out the outlines of faded burn marks saturated across the left side of his face. You felt an ounce of pity favouring towards him, as you knew these were remnants of the war that would forever remain with him, a constant, agonising reminder of what he had endured.

He noticed you glaring, although did not question it as you fixed your gaze directly unto his eyes: now growing a sense of familiarity to those lilac orbs.

"A good wife you will be. Dutiful, you will do as I say, when I ask of you. I need not to remind you I am your husband, but foremost I am your King. Disobey me and I will see fit to punish you... Accordingly."

Just as you were about to address your Grace in humble agreement, Aegon impatiently shoved two thick, long digits roughly into your folds. Causing you to jolt upright, earning a loud, sensual moan to harshly escape your lips. Pumping his hand in slow, sloppy motions, before gaining some speed to his pace, your head remained lunged back, as your back arched, your pelvis slightly thrusting forward, yearning for more.

"Look at you, look at how you clench and ache at my fingers. Hells, I can feel you throbbing-"

He deeply chuckles in between, a growling sound: you could feel the burning gaze of his eyes prowling on you, as though you were the fresh prey captured by the eager predator. Dragons no doubt would feast on the likes of wolves. Mesmerised by the sight before him, seeing you helplessly squirm and breathless, vulnerable to his touch. You'd never been with a man like this before, hoping to save yourself for the one, and it seemed, like his historical ancestors, Aegon had conquered that too.

"The Gods have finally granted me favourable, securing me a wife I know will take me well. Will take my seed and give me as many heirs as necessary."

"A-Aeg. My-My King-"

His pudgy fingers stretching and encircling your folds, grazing over your clit, attempting to assert some pressure to your sides as if to 'open' you up. Feeling your wetness pool all across, lathering his fingers and clenched fist, you felt bashful, for he knew his way around a woman's body, your body, more than you did your own. Back in Winterfell, in the privacy of your confinements, you had occasionally exerted some pleasures unto yourself, although frightened or lazy to finish, you could not say. It was not at all the same to this precise moment, however.

"Fuck, when you call me that. I am certain you were destined for me, my sweet, sweet pup. I heard Stark women bear children well. To see you swell with my child in a few months time, Gods be good, I'll fuck another one in you as soon as you birth the first."

Although you rocked gently back and forth mindlessly, muffled moans escaping your tender lips, you were attentive to his words. There was truth to his words, however: Stark women were notorious amongst the realm to bear and carry children to full term, birthing healthy, thriving babes.

"Argh-I will waste no more needless time-"

Aegon hastily removing his soaked fingers away from your clenching walls, shoved his larger mass between your thighs, adjusting himself at your entrance, as he unbuckled his pants down. For the few spare seconds granted that you regained full consciousness, you managed to sneak a glimpse of his member, and you anticipated that it would hurt: as you'd been informed it always would the first time.

"Is the whore ready?"

He teasingly growled, his cock just etching and gliding over your moist entrance. You could feel his hardness, how rigid it felt against your soft, sensitive skin, as he toyed with your cunt. He felt big to say the least, feeling his pulsating veins across his cock, the tip beginning to push in.

"Be a good wife and scream for me. I want to see you beg for me, for my cock."

Without notice as before, Aegon hastily shoved his cock deep into your cunt, burying his hard mass into you, adjusting and asserting himself into a more comfortable position before he began to slowly pace his thrusts. Just as he earnestly wished, you painfully yelled out his name in the dead of the night, hopeful your cries remained mute to whomever stood guard outside [yet you doubt it would]. Aegon himself let out a breathless "fuck" and low groans, feeling your tight walls tensing against his cock, as he continued to stretch you out even more. He knew you a virgin, no doubt, for you began to bled onto the clean, white sheets below. The deed done and consummated, it was now only a matter of time that he would spill his seed inside.

"F-Fuck, Y/N. Gods you feel so tight for me. Suffocating my cock, you needy little thing. Are you that desperate for me to fuck a child into you, little one?"

Aegon now laid atop of you, breathless, huffing and puffing in between each sloppy attempt of a thrust, feeling his hot, alcohol scented breath on your dampened skin. His plump lips hovered above the crook of your neck, only to gently lap at your skin, suckling on the concoction of sweet, floral fragrances you'd dabbed yourself with and sweat your body naturally exude. His teeth often bit at the soft flesh, certain he'd left tender, red bite marks and bruises in the morrow to come.

"Your pretty little cunt was made just for me. You will definitely take my dragon seed well, no doubt. Fuck-"

His cock remained still deeply buried inside, you'd tried to spread your legs out even more, yet, the painful, striking feeling remained coursing through your body. Aegon's arms rested against each side of your body, lifting himself up, onto his knees, lifting you from the hips up with him as he rested you on his lap, he eagerly ripped the sheer, light fabric off you. Exposing your tender, bouncy breasts the cool night air striking your skin, caused your nipples to react viscerally perking them right.

"And these- These will swell greatly and pour tremendously with sweet, sweet milk, for the babe and perhaps some for me. Seven Hells, Stark, you were fit to be a mother of heirs."

"T-Tell me more, my King. Tell me how bad you want it. Ask and I shall give you a whole litter of pups and dragons."

His eager mouth now nibbled at the flesh of your tender, soft breast, the other free hand flicking at your sensitive nipple, causing you to arch your spine instinctively, pushing your chest further against his head. Endless moans escaped your sinful mouth, words and swears, pleaing for Aegon, begging for more.

"Careful wife, I'll take your word for it. I will fuck you from this night and all the nights to come, until I see your stomach grow lavishly with my child. Even then, I shall fuck you s'more."

Now handled and positioned atop of his lap, Aegon's sturdy, strong arms supporting your back, one firmly gripping the back of your neck, he began to pound you once more from beneath. Your body jolting and bobbing viciously up and down, as he finally spilled his thick, warm load inside of you, feeling the endless pour coating your walls all over. His pulsating bulge inside, you could feel growing tenser in the pit of your stomach, certain it could be seen and felt from the outside.

"Fuck Y/N-"

Earning a craven, mindless moan of his name, Aegon laid you back, promptly propping a large pillow beneath your bottom and hips, as he kept your legs elevated.

"This-This will help. Stay there-"

He breathlessly encouraged, as he stood himself off the bed, heading to the water basin, as he ringed a wet cloth, washing away the hard earned work of sweat.

Ringing it once more, he walked back over towards you, seating himself down by your side, as he gently tapped the dampened cloth, wiping away the sweat beads across your forehead. Lustfully watching over you, his eyes lingered towards your stomach, placing a gentle hand over the swell where his cock was buried itself, a faint half-hearted smiled glowed across his handsome, ruggard face.

"Our babe shall grow cosily inside, I am certain. I have made a right choice in making you my wife, sweet pup."

****

The following, bright mane, Aegon and yourself remained retired in bed. Not wishing to be disturbed after the endless amounts of fucking that followed the first. There was a dull ache between your thighs, although Aegon was intent on impregnanting you with his rightful child. Eventually, you were determined also.

Although, his Mother was eager to examine the sheets, you'd both had grown hungry and weak, eager for nourishment, intending to attend a luncheon together. She ceased the opportunity and welcomed herself in, once you'd both been bathed and dressed accordingly.

Much to her satisfaction, the entire bed was a wreck.

****

The Gods had been good, working again in Aegon's favour and true to his word, you began to swell immensely with child in the short coming months to follow. In the initial stages of the consummation you prayed to the Old and the New Gods, hopeful they'd bless you to be a fruitful wife, and not long after, you'd began to show the common signs of being with child. Even Aegon had taken to notice how swollen and sensitive your breasts had become to his touch, let alone your appetite was crazed.

He became even more possessive of you and his unborn child, yet you relished in his unrelenting attention.

****

A beautiful, baby boy was born in due time: kicking like a goat and much larger in size than most babes. He shared the uncanny dark, black hair that resembled most Starks, however, also earned his father's genes, having been blessed with his own set of brilliant Valyrian, violet eyes. Your son was deemed the perfect fit to be Aegon's future heir by the realm, and was loved dearly.

Aegon did not think such joy existed after the torment and gruelling war he had endured just a year ago, yet he thanked you day and night simply for your mere existence in his.

general taglist - @evenstaris @chompchompluke @fan-goddess @malfoytargaryen @ilikeitbetterangsty @bibli0thecary @m1ndbrand

Aegon taglist - @who-told-you-this-was-butter @bucknastysbabe

[beyonddarkness]

Sauron Unchained

Remember when Sauron mentioned "THAT first sunrise," on the raft in the Vision? (Not THE first sunrise. The sun already existed. He's talking about THAT first sunrise, after Morgoth was defeated.)

"When Morgoth was defeated, it was as if a great, clenched fist had released its grasp from my neck. And in the stillness of that first sunrise, at last! I felt the light of The One again. And I knew, if ever I was to be forgiven, then I had to heal everything that I had helped ruin" (1x08).

That sunrise was a pretty big deal.

Let's review this moment Sauron describes from The Silmarillion.

(Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath.)

Before the rising of the sun Eärendil slew Ancalagon the Black, the mightiest of the dragon-host, and cast him from the sky; and he fell upon the towers of Thangorodrim, and they were broken in his ruin. Then the sun rose, and the host of the Valar prevailed, and well-nigh all the dragons were destroyed; and all the pits of Morgoth were broken and unroofed, and the might of the Valar descended into the deeps of the earth. [...]

Then Morgoth was bound.

[...] Thus an end was made of the power of Angband in the North, and the evil realm was brought to naught; and out of the deep prisons a multitude of slaves came forth beyond all hope into the light of day, and they looked upon a world that was changed.

Those slaves who emerged were not the servants of Morgoth (like Orcs, Balrogs, etc.), but rather Elves, the likes of Gwindor, who were captured, imprisoned and enslaved, sent deep into the mines to dig.

But Sauron described his experience from their perspective.

Sooo... why?

"When Morgoth was defeated, it was as if a great, clenched fist had released its grasp from my neck. And in the stillness of THAT first sunrise, at last! I felt the light of The One again."

Some complain:

Why did the writers make it seem like Morgoth made Sauron evil, against his will?

-----They didn't.-----

Why did they change Sauron's character from liking Morgoth because of efficiency, to loathing him?

-----They didn't.-----

Why did they make it so Sauron only allied himself with Morgoth in order to survive?

-----They didn't.-----

They didn't change anything. They didn't even have to add anything. None of this came out of the clear blue just for fun. It's not even just for the sake of making the show.

Sauron manipulated Galadriel, but he did so with the TRUTH, making it easier for her to pity him than if he flat-out lied.

["And in the stillness of that first sunrise..."]

(Meanwhile, he talks about forgiveness.)

Galadriel: "No penance could ever erase the evil you have done."

Sauron: "That is not what you believe." [...] After our victory, you said that whatever I'd done before, I could be free of it now. [...] I told you the truth! I told you that I had done evil, and you did not care! Because you knew that our past meant nothing, weighed against our future. :D"

What is this 'trauma' he allegedly experienced? Sure, he was wary of the consequences of crossing Morgoth, but I mean ... he was the guy--Morgoth's #1--his right hand Maia--his most devoted servant. He would never do anything in disobedience or rebellion. Else how would he achieve such a status?

The implication of his tale is not that he was FORCED to Morgoth's allegiance, giving him this general fear that was finally lifted when Morgoth fell.

Something happened.

He made ONE mistake.

(And since Patrick said they're not in the business of pure Easter eggs, there's a REASON they showed this.)

In Sauron's most humiliating moment, being in the jaws of Huan, Lúthien told him "that he should be stripped of his raiment of flesh, and his ghost be sent quaking back to Morgoth; and she said: 'There everlastingly thy naked self shall endure the torment of his scorn, pierced by his eyes, unless thou yield to me the mastery of thy tower.' (The Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien).

Before that, Sauron had it all. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he already had Beren (who had a price put on his head by Morgoth) IN HIS PRISON. But hearing Lúthien sing to Beren in the hour of Finrod's death, he sought great reward for bringing her to Morgoth. When his dying servant told him that Huan was there, he was like, Oh. I got this.

Things went sideways, and he had no choice but to yield to Huan, or face Morgoth's wrath... so he let them go.

As a result, Beren and Lúthien waltzed their way into Angband, stole a Silmaril (eventually) and escaped.

So, um...?

Charlie referenced what Lúthien told Sauron, when speaking about the 'clenched fist' line. His paraphrasing is quite unnerving, given that he knows what backstory we are going to see next season... and I don't know... but I would like to... and it makes me wonder.

"You can go whimpering back to your master and tell him that you've let me in. You've failed. You haven’t defended your kingdom." [...] I read from that this thing that Morgoth is so powerful and so scary, that it would've meant consequences for Sauron. - Charlie Vickers

Where exactly was Sauron after his failure? He dwelt in Taur-nu-Fuin for a while, but a lot of time passed between then and the end of the War. So...WHERE DID HE GO? Wouldn't the most devoted and powerful of all the servants of Morgoth be actively involved in the defense against the host of the Valar?? One might say things were trending upward for him...

...until Finrod, Beren, Lúthien, and Huan came along.

How long would it have taken Morgoth to find out that everything was Sauron's fault? How long would it have taken to hunt Sauron down, as he fled?

Not very long, I reckon.

[...] there must have been an element to their relationship where Morgoth was someone he feared at times, or someone that would punish him when he failed. [...] there must have been some truth in [the clenched fist] line. - Charlie Vickers

No wonder he described the end of the War as if he had been among the slaves who emerged from the deep prisons..."beyond all hope into the light of day"...reminiscing the first sunrise after the overthrow of Thangorodrim, and the great, clenched fist that released its grasp from his neck as a result.

In the Great War, he wasn't just sitting in a tree, or even in a back-up tower, watching from the side-lines.

He failed Morgoth.

Miserably.

And was punished for it.

No wonder he was missing during the War of Wrath.

"What do you know of darkness?"

[fanfictionfangirl]

My take on Amaya and Magnifico as a Villain Couple:

Because why did they not get to be the villain power couple in this??????

I can totally see Amaya as a power hungry and ambitious woman that wants status and prestige more than anything else, and uses manipulation as her main tactic.

Or for Magnifico, he could either always have been self-centered, or every wish he denies gets absorbed by him, thus making all those wishes made with bad faith or malevolent emotions part of him, and over time turning him into a narcissist. That would work as both a metaphor for how power changes a persona and an interesting element to how the frick his powers work, because what was that???

And personally, I think he should have had the power to see people's intentions, a bit like colors or a feeling or whatever, with which he could know if someone wished for a knife to cook in the kitchen or if they were planning murder. Because that's a massive flaw I think. Though the canon orbs could work too, but I just think that it would be cooler.

And Magnifico would be clear that wishes can be dangerous and as such has iron rules when it comes to wish granting. Like that he will never do anything involving life and death for example. You wish for a kitty? Go to the local animal shelter. You want to resurrect your dead wife? Forget about that. You want a fire breathing dragon? That's a safety hazard, go home and become a firefighter. It would make so much sense.

And Asha could be wrong. You know, a protagonist who believes that they are right but actually aren't? I know, revolutionary. In her quest to make sure everyone gets their wish granted, she would accidentally cause both wonders and chaos, putting the people into a frenzy. Like in the film, they would start questioning Magnifico, who would then try to bring back stability to his kingdom. And then 'this is the thanks I get' would get to be an actual villain song!!!! He sacrifices so much time for his people, he brings balance and peace, makes sure that everyone is provided for and yet the moment something isn't perfect, they question him. Which would be where either his ego, or the negative emotions he's absorbed from the wishes come into play. He needs to get rid of this disturbance, so that things get back to normal. But it fails and people get agitated and he slowly loses his cool, becoming more and more aggressive with his approach, until it can't be justified anymore and is now purely about revenge. He's now a full villain. His background isn't, but his actions are. Now, Amaya sees a threat and she tries to get rid of Asha through manipulation. They are a duo, one working as her enemy, the other pretending to be her ally. And it would be glorious!!!! Because they'd be a freaking VILLAIN COUPLE!!!! Do you know how awesome that concept is!!!!!!!!! And I've been deprived of it!!!!!

How Magnifico and Amaya got together is a mystery in the film (except if I just never heard of it) and I think that would be fascinating if they were villains.

For their Villain Backstory, this is what my brain came up with:

When they were young adults, and Magnifico came into power, he spent hours every day harnessing wishes, deciding what to grant and what not to, and defending his decisions to the people who were still coming to terms with this new change. Wish granting was something new and coveted, but also something looked at with sceptism. One day, after the "wishing hours", a young woman come to him. Magnifico told her that the time for wishes was over and to come back the next day, but she wasn't deterred.

She told him that she was here for a wish not meant to be heard by others. He answered that he wasn't interested in such a thing, and that people should witness whatever he decides to grant to others, so that they too could judge his decisions. Seeing that he would not yield, she introduced herself as Amaya and that her wish was to marry him. Surprised, he looked at her, but shook his head and told her that he refuses. She told him that it could be true love, he told her that there was no love.

Amaya demanded to know what it was if not love, to which he answered; Greed. Ambition and desire for power was what pushed her to him like that. Unhappy, she agreed, but pushed on. As the king of Rosas, a country so new and so unstable, he did not have the strength and endurance to leader them in the long-run. One day he would collapse under the weight of the wishes and this country would fall with him. Magnifico tries to disagree, but she interrupts that if there was someone else, a partner who would talk to the people and stand by his side when he made the necessary decisions, then he would have the support needed to move on.

Conflicted and weary, he states that she wants the power of his eyes. Amaya confirms. She wants the power to see into people's heart and feel their intentions, which in turn is a burden to him, who has to feel them and yet make rational decisions over whether to grant their wish or not. More than that, she adds, is that whenever he has to reject a wish, he absorbs it and is saddled with the weight of its emotions. It's true, every wish he reveals and cannot grant becomes part of him, and a weight he has to carry. But the young woman is also a risk; she has very high ambitions. If Magnifico were to make her queen, Rosas would find itself with a leader who looks out for herself first. Seeing his indecision, Amaya says that in exchange for the title of queen, she will grant him a wish too. That surprises Magnifico, people don't grant him wishes. She tells him that she would learn to love him.

While he is flabbergasted, she explains that she will always see for herself first, that is why he is so uneasy around her, but when she loves him, she will look out for him as a priority too. And when he is a priority, so will all of Rosas be, because without Magnifico, there will be no Rosas. With this deal in front of him, where he gives Amaya the power to leader a country and gets what is needed to keep it together, Magnifico accepts. And with their wedding, Amaya is granted the title of queen and the sight to see people's intentions.

Is this flawless? Absolutely not, but I'd honestly give anything for them to have been a villain couple, where Amaya resorts to emotional manipulation as easily as breathing and Magnifico actually has good points.

[suzukiblu]

Zuko?

"We're leaving," Jet tells the dragon the night before they're set to leave, and it stares at him with too-intelligent gold eyes, not at all like an animal's. "You can still hide here, though–the Fire Nation never found us here. Meet yourself a pretty girl, maybe? Lay some eggs? I don't know, whatever it is dragons do."

The dragon keeps staring at him, and Jet grits his teeth.

He almost . . . he almost doesn't want to leave the thing, but that's stupid. Also, suicidal. Also, fucking crazy. What bigger "come kill us!" sign could he possibly paint on Longshot and Smellerbee's backs than bringing a dragon along?

He's only had it around what, a week? Two? So what that it follows him everywhere. So what that it keeps him company and keeps him warm.

So what that it's an orphan and a survivor and everything that every one of his has always been?

So what if it can fly.

Jet talks to it for a little while, stroking its scales like he's seen people do with wolfdogs and catrabbits and other pets, but not really meaning it the same way. He watches his fingers slide back and forth across them time and time again, and the dragon makes that weird pleasure-noise that Jet still can't help thinking of as purring. It's not quite right, but there's not much else that could describe it either.

The dragon shifts; Jet's nails drag a little harder without meaning to, low against its belly. Not that it matters–even on the underbelly dragonscale is hard, harder than the best piece of his scavenged armor. Jet rakes his nails down again, and the dragon shifts again, and its tail ripples. Another rake, another ripple; and again, and again, and–

The dragon purrs so loud the floorboards creak.

Jet blinks, and almost stops petting it out of surprise, but the tip of the dragon's tail curls around his ankle and tugs insistently. He drags his nails harder again, and the dragon uncurls and stretches out as long as it can across the floor of Jet's little treehouse, big enough for a teenage boy but not quite big enough for the dragon's wings and tail to stretch out full-length.

"Sorry, but we kinda built for humans, not extinct Fire Nation species," Jet murmurs wryly, grinning faintly, and the dragon's eyes slit open up at him and something in them–for an instant, Jet panics at the sight of that something, but it's an instant too late.

And then his nails are digging into soft, yielding, naked flesh, and the dragon opens a suddenly very human mouth and moans.

Jet stares.

"Jjjjet," the dragon pants underneath him, speech awkward and clumsy and hips canting up. Jet buries his face against its ribs, trying not to shake, and drags his nails down again. It’s pretty. It’s . . . it’s beautiful. Dark hair and lean muscle and pale survivor-scarred skin and its eyes are–its eyes are–

Jet’s first thought is I can take it with us after all, and as soon as he's thought that he knows he'll never be able to kill it no matter what kind of human it looks like.

[claymoresword]

The Queen And Her Knight | Chp: 4

Alicent Hightower x Knight Fem!Reader

Summary: Alicent Hightower against her better judgement, falls in love with her sworn protector. Can she bear to fight her feelings or will she finally just give in?

Pairing: Alicent x Reader

Wordcount: 2.5k

Warnings: smut(?),so much fluff, y/n is not the step parent but the parent that stepped up!

Note: gonna be honest with u guys i had no idea where i wanted to go with this story and that is why this chapter took so long but i think i've got it figured out now! thanks so much for being patient

i was initially going to follow show canon but i'm not really feeling it anymore so now we're just going with the flow and see what happens :)

either way i loved writing this chapter i hope u enjoy it as much.. let me know what u think <3

"Very good, my Prince."

Aemond beams with pride at your compliment, lowering his guard.

You take the opportunity to maneuver your sword out from under his. You step forward, pointing it at his neck.

The Prince frowns.

"What is the first rule?" You ask, lowering your sword and Aemond resumes his defensive stance.

"Never let my guard down."

"Aye, my Prince. Not for a moment, not even with me."

Aemond nods, determined expression.

A large swing of his practice sword, you step to the side, deflecting it.

He swings again and you duck, causing him to shuffle out of balance.

Aemond recovers quickly, bringing his sword up he clips your shoulder before you could deflect.

You attempt to retaliate but Aemond is quick. He sweeps his leg underneath yours, causing you to fall flat on your back.

The wind is knocked out of you for a second but a grin spread across your face.

The young prince steps forward, pointing his sword by your chest. His expression now mimicking yours.

"I yield."

Aemond offers his hand, helping you up.

"Well done my Prince. I worry your abilities will soon far surpass my own."

"The Queen may no longer require my protection with you by her side." You jest and he shakes his head, his smile hasn't faltered.

"That is nonsense My Lady, these days you are more than just my mother's protector."

You fail to hide your confusion and Aemond explains.

"I do consider you a very good friend. Your duty requires you to remain in King's Landing but I can only hope you'd stay simply for my company– and my sister's, ofcourse."

"And Prince Aegon's." You chimed in.

"Sure." Aemond says, his expression nothing short of abhor and you let out a laugh.

Ser Criston is seen walking towards you and you both turn to look at him.

"My Prince, I relay a message from the Queen. She requests your presence immediately."

"Ah, perfect timing Cole. The Lady y/n and I were just finishing with my practice for today."

"I will see to my mother shortly."

Ser Criston bows his head and gives you a nod before walking away.

The both of you begin walking out of the yard, removing your armor and setting away the weapons.

"Glad to know my mother has finally agreed to speak to me again."

Aemond's referring to the mess of last night. A family dinner gone horribly wrong.

"If you don't mind me asking my Prince, what is your grievance with the Princess Rhaenyra's sons?"

You watched as Aemond purses his lips, almost like the mere thought of them vexed him.

"Aside from the fact that they are arrogant and delusional, they simply irk me."

You nod but remained silent, allowing him the space to vent.

"In our shared youth, they were never kind to me."

Aemond admits and you hear a faint tremble in his voice. Your face contorts sympathetically and he notices.

He grabs the strap on his eyepatch, taking it off.

"Do you know how I got this?"

You studied the scar on his face for a moment, whatever happened to him it must have been incredibly painful.

You shake your head.

"This is the work of Lucerys Velaryon. I was 10 years old and had just claimed Vaghar."

"I don't understand my Prince. He slashed your face because you claimed a dragon?"

Aemond glanced at you, unsure if he should continue.

"He's a bastard you see. All 3 of her sons are."

You eyebrows furrowed. You had heard of the Princess' indiscretions but assumed it was baseless rumors. An attempt to weaken her claim for the throne.

"They were born out of wedlock. Illegitimate."

"Ser Harwin Strong is the true father to those boys. Anyone with a working set of eyes could attest to that."

Harwin Strong. You've heard that name before, it was all beginning to make sense now.

"Prince Lucerys cut out your eye because you told him he was a bastard?"

Aemond stops walking and you follow suit, settling next to him.

"Not my finest moment I will admit." The Prince sounds embarrassed and you were quick to reassure him.

"You were a child. Besides, that is hardly reason enough to gouge somebody's eye out."

"Was the boy punished? What did the King do?"

Aemond begins laughing but there is no humor behind it.

"Absolutely nothing. My father made it his priority to protect Rhaenyra ofcourse. He will always take her side."

Aemond's voice cracks and you worry he is about to cry. Your heart shatters.

He avoids eye contact and you reach out, a gentle hand on his arm. A gesture he seemed to appreciate as he finally meets your gaze.

"I am very sorry my Prince. A lack of love from a father is something I am too familiar with."

"A parent's rejection is a pain so agonizing sometimes you are incapable of ever feeling anything else."

Aemond places his hand on top of yours, giving it a quick squeeze.

"You deserved better, Aemond."

He gives you a smile in gratitude before you began walking again.

"You are right y/n, but truly it is not all bad."

"My mother has always been there for me."

Your heart flutters at the mention of Alicent.

You smile before answering.

"The Queen is an extraordinary woman."

--

You were in the Godswood. Laying down with your head in Alicent's lap as she read to you.

Alicent finishes reading the last line of the book and closes it. You both sit quietly before Alicent breaks the silence.

Her hand stroking your hair as she speaks.

"Tell me about your parents."

You open your eyes for a moment, peering up at her.

Alicent only raises her eyebrows as she smiles at you warmly, and you shut your eyes once more at an attempt to appear relaxed. Truthfully, the subject of your parents was not something you enjoyed discussing.

"What would you like to know?"

"What are they like?" Alicent continues, her fingers getting lost in your hair.

"Well, let's see. I am a woman grown and my father remains to be the worst person I have ever met."

Alicent's eyebrows knitted together, her hand now roaming elsewhere. She explores the details of your face with her fingers, absentmindedly.

"Is he unkind?"

"He's violent. He has laid his hands on me more times than I can count."

You feel Alicent tense up and for a moment you wonder if you should have lied instead.

"I'm so sorry." Alicent says empathically and you sit up to look at her.

"Do not apologise on his behalf, Your Grace."

"I hold no affection nor have I any respect for him. I don't even think about him when I'm here."

Alicent reaches out, running her fingers through your hair again and you visibly relax this time. You grab her hand, placing a kiss on her palm.

The Queen takes it a step further, leaning in to capture your lips into a long kiss. Tender and sweet, almost like she's assuring you that she'd never hurt you.

"What of your mother?" Alicent asks, her voice low as if afraid to offend you.

"I rather not talk about her, if that's alright."

She stares at you for a moment, a shared regard. You knew the Queen had also lost her own mother in her youth, same as you.

"I understand." Alicent pushes on the topic no further.

You knew the Lord Hand was not a good man. This you did not have to ask Alicent.

However, there was someone you wanted to know more about.

"What is your relationship with Princess Rhaenyra?" You blurt out and Alicent winces as if she had just taken a blow.

The Queen doesn't speak for a beat and you prepare yourself to apologise but she responds to your question before you could.

"We do not have much of a relationship anymore, in truth." Alicent says without looking at you.

She's nervously fiddles with the ring on your finger.

"Were you–" You hesitate and Alicent looks up at you, expectant.

"Were you lovers?"

You watched as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Alicent shakes her head, you notice tears well up in her eyes and your shoulders slumped.

Oh.

Maybe they weren't lovers but Alicent loved the Princess, no doubt.

You take Alicent's hand in yours, intertwining your fingers.

"What happened?"

Alicent let's out a sigh, she shifts her position to rest her head against your shoulder.

"My apologies Your Grace, you do not have to tell me if it distresses you."

"No, I assure you it's alright. I want to tell you things."

"It's just that nobody has asked me about Rhaenyra in years."

You nod, urging her to go on.

Alicent goes back to fiddling with your fingers.

"We were very close, in our youth. We did everything together. We told each other everything."

"It all shifted when I married Viserys."

You understood now.

"I see."

The Queen moves her hand up your arm, she's now clutching your bicep.

You lean your head on top of hers, enjoying the closeness.

"How old were you when you married the King?"

"5 and 10." Alicent answers simply.

You fail to conceal your disbelief. Shifting your body, forcing Alicent to lift her head off your shoulder.

The Queen notices the look on your face and she grows concerned.

"You were a child." You state.

You knew Alicent had a tough life but you didn't realize just how bad it must've been for her.

"Yes, I was."

The coldness in her voice was unsettling.

Your dearest love, utterly desentized to the severity of what she has been put through.

"Alicent, that's terrible." You clutch her hand tighter and she takes it as a sign to pull you close again.

Resuming your previous position she speaks quietly.

"It was terrible.. for awhile but when I had Aegon my purpose became clear. I never wanted to be queen of the seven kingdoms. I never wanted to be his wife."

"But I am a mother. That I could learn to live with. The rest came easier with time."

You suddenly felt the urge to cry. Alicent is a prisoner in her own life. The notion of being Queen only sounded good in theory, the reality is that she has lost and endured a great deal to get to where she is.

The thought makes you ill.

She doesn't deserve this.

You could murder Otto Hightower.

You'd slit the King's throat as he slept. He is a horrible father and an even worse husband.

You don't tell Alicent this.

Instead you lean down, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

"I just hope you know how incredible you are."

Alicent let's out a chuckle like you've just told the most ridiculous joke.

"My love, you know not what you say."

"Alicent, I speak the truth. I have met many Knights in my day and yet your strength transcends them all."

Alicent giggles again and a smile threatens to form on your own lips.

The queen lifts her head once more and you take the opportunity to hold her face in both your hands.

Alicent had no choice but to stare directly into your eyes.

"You are remarkable."

Her gaze softens. She looked like she was about to burst into tears or laugh in your face, you could not say for certain.

You watch her eyes shift to your lips before leaning in, she quickly closes the gap between the two of you.

"Thank you. Thank you for your kind words."

She whispers, you feel her breath against your lips.

"I only speak the truth, my Queen."

It was your turn to lean forward this time.

The kiss grows heated in a matter of seconds, Alicent's hand gripping the hem of your shirt tighter. You pull her impossible closer by her waist.

Your tongue enters her mouth and the noise that leaves Alicent's lips only urges you on.

Your hands roam the Queen's form, settling on her lower back. Disconnecting the kiss for a moment you take Alicent's bottom lip, sucking on it slightly before resuming the kiss. She chokes out a moan as she pulls you closer.

Your full weight inevitably on her, Alicent falls backwards onto the grass and you manage to catch yourself with your forearm before you could fully land on top of her.

You were both out of breath, perplexed at how she ended up flat on the ground.

"Are you okay?" You ask with genuine concern and the Queen merely laughs.

The look of worry on your face only made her laugh harder.

Your own face contorts in amusement as you waited for Alicent's laughing fit to subside.

You wonder how long it's been since she's laughed this hard. How long it has been since she has let herself go like this.

You soon find yourself staring at her with incredible fondness and longing.

You are so in love with her.

Alicent peers up at you, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

"What?"

Your reach down to move a strand of hair out of Alicent's face.

"You're just so beautiful."

You whisper and immediately noticed the heat travelling up to the Queen's face.

You want to tell her she's beautiful every second.

Everyday.

Until your final days you want to remind her how perfect she is.

How you'd do anything in your power to ensure she never has to feel sad again.

The tint on Alicent's cheeks now almost matching the redness of her hair.

"Shut up." She mutters.

Pulling you in by your collar, she kisses you again.

--

You were stood outside the Queen's chambers for a few hours now. Alicent has long gone to bed. Normally you would join her but tonight your post would be taken over by Ser Criston. Much to your dismay.

A few moments pass before you noticed a figure walking towards you down the dark hallway. Too short to be Criston you thought, it was definitely a woman.

You quickly made out who it was as she rushed towards you.

Alicent's handmaiden Talya, seemingly out of breath and frantic.

"Is the Queen in her chambers?" The shorter woman asks and you nod.

She moves forward at an attempt to enter but you stepped in between her and the door before she could.

"Her Grace is asleep, Talya."

"Lady y/n you don't understand, I have to speak to the Queen urgently. It is a matter of utmost importance."

Taking note of the desperation in her tone you questioned the poor woman no further. Stepping aside, you let her in.

Several moments of quiet passed before you heard a loud noise coming from inside of the Queen's chambers. You rushed in without another moment's thought.

You're met with the sight of Alicent on the ground, clutching her chest. Talya by her side as she tries to help her up.

"Your Grace–"

Growing increasingly worried you quickly make your way over to Alicent.

"Talya what happened?" You practically shouted.

Her handmaiden takes a beat too long to respond so Alicent answers for her.

"The King is dead."

[aladaylessecondblog]

Severed Destiny, pt. 9

"Now, what have we learned?"

Haj-deek took a deep breath.

"The spear is not a weapon--" and then, correcting herself, "The spear is not only a weapon. It is...an extension of my body and will. With it, I can both bring order and sow chaos. It is not an evil thing but in the hand of one meaning to do ill, it can become a symbol of evil."

"Very good," Vivec said, "A thing on its own is not evil. But imbued with and surrounded by it, it cannot help but become so. Good and evil leave their echoes upon mind and object alike."

Haj-deek had, as she'd had many times over the past weeks, a distinct feeling that Vivec was trying to say more than he was saying. Most of his lessons were like that, presented as one thing and coated in two more. Knowledge she'd take in and then unwrap to discover something else at the core...usually while eating or doing something else.

This, he said, was why he tried not to impart very much each day. "Wisdom takes thought, and thought takes time."

(Sometimes she was unsure how serious he was about things. Was he trying to be thorough in his teaching, or was he jerking her around? Maybe it was a combination of both...that thing he had given her, too, they did not speak of. He'd said she'd know when to use it, but how could he be certain of it?)

Weapon training was almost easy by comparison. She did best with her fists, but Vivec insisted on her becoming familiar with the spear and longsword as well. Her fists and a dagger were hardly enough, considering her lack of ability to maintain her own magicka. Alchemy could only carry her so far.

"Is that why you were able to...kill Nerevar?"

Such questions were ones Haj-Deek only ever asked when she was certain she was alone with Vivec.

Vivec was silent for a moment.

"Nerevar was grief-stricken," he said, "And so comforted by his queen, he did not notice my approach."

"So the story of robes and candles some of the books talk of...?"

"We made that part up ourselves. Consider in the future, if you are in a situation which may yield conspiracy theories and lurid accusations, it is good to have a hand in crafting at least one of them yourself."

Haj-deek thought for a moment before nodding.

"He intended fully to pray to Azura to gain some wisdom, and it seemed a likely enough thing to happen had I not..."

Her father's name almost slipped her lips at that point, but it didn't feel right to say the word.

"I remember hearing him say...Azura abandoned...me...us...whatever this is. When you'd all proceeded to the Heart, I mean."

"That is the very thing that I intended not to be," Vivec replied, "The sort of god who abandons those who need him most."

"And it worked...for a long time. But V...my father woke up."

"I think it would be best not to speak those words just yet. That he is what he is to you. But...yes. It did work. Regrettably we could not stop Tiber Septim, but...let me let you in on a secret of my own. We never thought that using the Numidium would go so well for him. It had a tendency to...well...kill those who used it."

"And cause dragon breaks."

"Dragon breaks. Laziness, more like." Vivec huffed, in a very ungodly way, "What an excuse."

"Laziness? Excuse?"

He suddenly sat up straight, and pivoted. "Do you feel ready to begin the trials of the Nerevarine?"

"I'm not sure I ever will," Haj-deek gave up on the subject as clearly Vivec wouldn't respond and settled for saying quietly, "But I guess I shouldn't waste too much time. Not that the training you give is wasting my time! It's just...."

"A reasonable point of view. Though I do wonder how long you would choose to stay, despite my...eccentricities."

"I don't know if I want to go north to the tribes just yet, or Red Mountain either, but...maybe there might be something else for me to do first."

Vivec seemed to brighten at that.

"Correct. To go to Red Mountain now would be disastrous...but I need not go on about that, you are bright enough to know the reasons even if your youth tells you that you may overcome them."

"So is there anything I might do first?" She wanted to leave the city for a little while, put to use these fighting skills Vivec had insisted she train herself in. What was the point of learning to fight if she wasn't going to actually fight anything?

"You can go to Tel Fyr," he replied, after a minute or so of consideration, "Your blood may be of interest to Divath Fyr - he is studying corprus, you see, and you are the first person to be born with it. And since you are clearly immune - he will want to study you."

"I don't want to be STUDIED!" Haj-deek burst out, "I'm not a test subject!"

"If you would let me finish--"

"No, I don't think I will. I'm not going to go get blood taken and...and who knows what else."

Vivec's face sunk into his palm for a moment. "Unfortunately he is the premier expert on corprus. I'm not asking you to take up residence in his tower. The opposite, actually. I want to see if your immunity may be passed on to others, and the only one who has the expertise to gauge that sort of thing is Divath Fyr. And...there's something else."

"What?"

"You wish to...correct certain things, yes?"

"...yes." She spoke with some hesitation, unsure of what he was getting at.

"Speak to the dwarf," Vivec replied, and noting the presence of someone in the far corner, lowered his voice as he went on, "In his corprusarium, the bowels of his tower, Divath Fyr tends the last living dwemer. This dwarf is...was...familiar with certain relations of yours. Go to Divath Fyr with the story that you are immune to corprus, and speak in secret to the dwarf."

"And you think that will help?"

"It is a lead. And the trip will be an excellent way to test the training you have received so far."

Haj-deek huffed slightly. The idea was a good one, and she hated having to admit it. Something of Nerevar kicked about in her head. Or maybe it was her own thoughts, or a combination of the two, or--regardless, she felt something, and that something was a grudging admission that Vivec was right. And he hated to think it.

"Fine," she replied, "I'll go."

"Excellent." Vivec brought his hands together, and when they saw the visitor was in fact Archcanon Saryoni come to ask some sort of question, he added, "Then go, with my blessing."

-----------------------

It had not been terribly difficult, getting along in Vivec City. Certainly she had to mind her manners around the Ordinators, but Haj-deek felt a lifetime of holding her tongue and making nice in Ebonheart had prepared her very well indeed for the problem. She found herself doing little chores for the Temple - to soften them towards her, Vivec said. Privately she knew it was to establish a sort of cover for her among Temple faithful - see, the Nerevarine is a devotee! See her dedication to the Tribunal!

At the same time...

...it'll get back to HIM, and that'll make anything I want to do...harder than it already is...

He wouldn't give the time of day to someone dedicated to the Tribunal. She would be lucky to even get in the door.

After getting supplies together, she found herself needing to duck the same sleeper as had greeted her on arrival to the city. Haj-deek moved toward the Hlaalu Canton - and on rounding one of its corners tried to back away instantly on sight of who was walking along the opposite side.

Orvas Dren, flanked by a couple of his Camonna Tong guards, was walking down the pathway. He saw her immediately, and though momentarily surprised made right for her.

"And what might you be doing here? Did the lizards put you out now that you are old enough to shift for yourself?"

"No," Haj-deek crossed her arms, "Better odds of getting work here that doesn't...well, they don't really know about the--the argonians here, and that hindered me in--"

Orvas's eyes traveled ever so slightly down and for a moment Haj-deek had the uncomfortable feeling he was ogling her - until she realized the hand with the moon-and-star was frontmost and the ring itself was clearly visible. She saw his expression shifting in the time she watched his face - confusion, anger, thinking, then a sink back into his usual bland interest.

"Well, well, well, little Haj-deek, wearing the moon-and-star. But, that being the case," his tone darkened, "I should think you would be smarter than to put yourself under the Tribunal's power."

"I didn't have much of a choice," she replied quickly, "I left Ebonheart and one of the ordinators all but herded me into the city. Lord Vivec - ah - wants to direct me himself, I think."

"Of course he would." Orvas huffed, "I imagine he will have you locked away in Baar Dau before too much longer has passed...re-education, that is his aim with most who dare to disobey his direction. You're fortunate I was in the city on business."

Haj-deek played along, and lied, "He's been training me, so I've had to pretend I actually want to be here. Around him. It's not that I believe what he says."

She wasn't sure how to phrase this, and from the way she saw Orvas's face working she felt she'd already tripped up.

"Well, you've always been intelligent in that way, you're quick minded. Learning the ways to fit in among those who don't have your best interests at heart. But there is something I'm curious about."

"What's that?"

"The ring. Did you already have it in Ebonheart? If you had gone to some forsaken place in a long pilgrimage to get it I'm certain you would have a different look about you. Sleep deprivation is a close bedfellow with anyone who takes a long journey and you look as if you have never been deprived of rest a day in your life."

"Well, I--"

"Perhaps you found it somewhere? Lifted it from the lizards who knew not what it means? Or you--"

"It was my mother's--" Haj-deek burst out and shut her mouth the next instant. Her eyes widened. he realized her mistake almost immediately, but definitely too late.

"Your mother's?"

Orvas's face went through a shifting series of expressions again. Surprise, thoughtfulness, and then focus as he went on, "The ring belonged to your mother? So she was the previous Nerevarine?"

The wheels were turning. He was working something out, she could see it from the way his eyes darted back and forth at nothing, but what?

"I--yes. Please, I have to get going," Haj-deek went on, "I'm...on my way to see Divath Fyr. A way of--proving my identity, you know, since I've--"

There was something sharp in Orvas's expression then, and another look like he was thinking deeply, or as deeply as one could when trying to be quick. "You've always been a healthy child. Go. Speak to your Telvanni wizard. But do remember I always have need for someone of your talents."

Orvas gave her an ironical sort of bow and an accompanying smirk then. He'd gotten enough out of her and it seemed to satisfy him, but why she couldn't figure out. She was too eager to get on, and hurried past him to finally exit Vivec City.

-----------------------------

Besides the expected attacks from wild cliffracers (Sunchaser had to be healed up from several, while trying to defend her) and other dangerous Vvardenfell fauna, and sneaking by various hideouts and caves, Haj-deek had only one incident of particular note on the five-day journey she took to Tel Fyr.

While passing Dren Plantation, she happened to pass an Argonian slave who promptly dropped one of the apparently heavy sacks he was carrying. When she stopped to help he thanked her and introduced himself as Hides-His-Foot, and she returned with her own name, which surprised him, but he said nothing more until she spoke up.

"I am sorry to see you in chains," she replied, "I would free you, if you could but tell me--"

It is our duty, Im-Kilaya's words, frequently spoken to her as a young child, echoed again in her head, To help those still shackled by slavery, in whatever way we can.

"Go free?" Hides-His-Foot shook his head emphatically, "No, I am old and could not make it on my own."

He would say no more to her, and as she watched him go she told herself she would be back. He couldn't go now, and where would she take him, anyway? Perhaps if she freed a few slaves during her journey some of the other Twin Lamps members might trust her enough to tell her where she could take older slaves like Hides-His-Foot.

The sea breeze persisted as she passed Telasero, and even at Molag Mar where she sold a bundle of cliffracer plumes for more food and to repair her spear and dagger, as well as buy a lengthy hooded cloak . She glanced only briefly at the slave market, hearing again what Im-Kilaya had said.

I will be back for you. All of you. I swear it, she thought. If I'm Lord Nerevar returned I can do whatever in oblivion I want, and what I want is the slaves freed.

(There was a tug in her chest, and whether it was Nerevar or the Hist she couldn't be sure. But something was definitely pleased by her declaration.

It was a struggle to make herself move on, but she managed it.

----------------------------

Haj-deek turned north, and the land began to darken along with the animals. Past the Maesa-Shammus egg mine, a blight storm started to kick up, and Sunchaser wedged herself beneath the cloak to hide from the ashy winds, her beaked face protruding from the hood beside Haj-deek's, her usual high-pitched calls now completely silent as her wings hugged at shoulders. When the blighted kagouti and cliffracers began to appear she wouldn't emerge to help in the fight, merely tremble and kept her head down as if to avoid seeing them at all.

"It's alright, it's fine," she said, reaching up to try and pat at the beak by her ear, "I've got you."

If not for the map she'd have gotten entirely lost, and for a stretch she was afraid she had, but on having to hide from a couple passing Ashlanders Haj-deek realized the gathering of Dunmer she could dimly see through the red winds was the Erabinemsun camp.

Okay, so I'm close. Good. Good.

Her feet hurt, ash was everywhere, and she was ducking ashlander hunters but at least she was nearly to Tel Fyr. That was something.

Finally, she hit the shoreline. Thankfully, just as the blight storm was beginning to let up--and not wanting to waste the magicka, she removed the cloak, shoved it into one of her bags. After, of course, making sure there weren't any ashlanders watching her back or hiding nearby.

Sunchaser complained, but Haj-deek shrugged the cliffracer off. "Come on, I have to get in the water, you can fly that far."

She had learned to swim so early she couldn't fully remember when it had happened, and was almost pleased to dive into the water, even with the bags weighing her down and messing with her pace.

It was half an hour later that a waterlogged Haj-deek made it to the front door of Tel Fyr. She ducked behind a rock and changed from her damp armor into the darker clothes that still smelled faintly of skooma. Once she was changed Sunchaser took her perch up once again, and they entered the tower.

Five days, she thought, five days it had taken her, and finally she was here.

Haj-deek was greeted by a Dunmer woman who said, "Are you here to plunder the dungeon? Have you got corprus disease? Did you want to talk to Divayth Fyr?"

"No, sort of, and yes," Haj-deek answered all of her questions, and on receiving a strange look she went on with, "I didn't even know there were dungeons here. And I do have corprus, but I...don't, at the same time."

She lifted her right hand to show the moon-and-star, and said, "I'm the--newest Nerevarine."

"I see. Well. You'll be wanting to see Lord Fyr, then."

"I was told I should offer some blood," Haj-deek replied, shifting uncomfortably, "I hope he's not going to ask for any."

"I doubt he will bleed you like a vampire, but I won't tell you that he won't. He does surprise people now and then."

"He's up there, then?" Haj-deek gestured to the hole in the ceiling, and the dunmer woman nodded.

"I hope you know how to levitate, or you shan't be able to see him."

"Oh, I know, I just don't like to use the spell if I can help it. We Atronach signs have to be careful with our magicka supply, miss...?"

"Beyte Fyr," the woman replied.

"Nice to meet you, then. I'm...Haj-deek."

She cast the levitate spell and moved up, stumbling about lost for only a minute or so before literally running into Divath Fyr. She stumbled back, groaning in pain, and apologized quickly, "I'm so sorry, Lord Fyr, I--I'm not familiar with your tower."

Divath Fyr was fairly tall, and now she could see why it had hurt to run into him. He was wearing a full set of daedric armor - she'd only ever seen it in art! It was hard to imagine that it existed at all, given how rare it seemed to be. After allowing her a bit of gawking, he spoke up.

"Well! What a pleasure! A visitor! An entertaining diversion!"

It was more cheery than she expected, and it stunned her that Divath Fyr was that overtly friendly.

"Come to consult the great Divayth Fyr? You have the divine disease?" He seemed perfectly at ease, and all she could think was she was missing something. Telvanni weren't this friendly to outsiders, this wasn't how things worked.

"Well--well, yes...and no."

Divath's head tilted just slightly to one side. "I don't imagine you've come here before, which is the only way I've ever seen someone cured."

"No, I haven't," she replied, "That--that person you talk of, that you cured. That was my mother...and I guess I've inherited her immunity."

The wizard (she hesitated to think him one, with such armor on his person) leaned down a bit, and stared her directly in the eye, completely ignoring Sunchaser's fixing one of her eyes on him in turn. "You've no sores? No rashes, no memory loss, no strange intrusive thoughts?"

Haj-deek took a step back, a little unnerved by the stare Divath was giving her. "No. I've had the dreams, but...nothing more. No sores, no rashes, nothing. I've never even had so much as a sniffle."

"Strange...very strange. Of course I've heard of mothers passing their resistances to certain diseases, but corprus...this..."

"Lord Vivec suggested," she went on, hesitating to speak, "That I might give you a sample of my blood."

It was a disgusting idea, and she still would rather do anything but.

"An agreeable idea..." Divath seemed to be thinking on something, and went silent.

"I'm not cutting my hand if I can help it," she started quickly, "Even if it's just a trifling sort of cut and I don't lose much blood--"

"Oh, there's no need for that. You thought I take blood by way of a dagger? Unrefined, that. Inclined to infection...not that you would need to worry about that, but it is a concern for the rest of my patients. No, there's a tool I've invented that makes drawing blood much easier, and safer for the would-be donor. I simply stick a vein, and let your body pulse out the blood all on its own. Then heal it as you please. For my patients, I...install a permanent one, which makes studying their blood much easier."

"That's--" The idea of being bled was still gross, but the idea of not having to cut her finger like she was doing some sort of secret vow made it just a little bit less so. "I'll want to see how it works before I let you do anything, though."

"My oldest patient, he'll have a set of them handy. I've some things to tend to up here - you go and fetch the blood-drawing tools from him in the corprusarium, and I'll be more than happy to display how they work. But I warn you - do not attack my patients. They're mostly passive but some may attack you."

"I have a pet cliffracer," Haj-deek said, "There's nothing they can do to me that cliffracers haven't done worse."

That prompted a laugh. "Ah, to be young and arrogant again. Go on then, off with you. You've presented me with a very interesting prospect and I want to prepare for what I'm to see in your blood. Or not see."

Haj-deek moved off quickly, not really understand most of what he said next.

----------------------------------

The first person she met was the so-called "Warden" Vistha-Kai, an argonian.

"Ruheeva," she said speaking first the Jel greeting for a stranger, "I'm not a new patient, but...Divath Fyr says I have to talk to his 'oldest patient' to collect some blood-drawing tools. Which of them would that be?"

"You want the dwemer," Vistha-Kai said, "You cannot mistake him for anyone else. Yagrum Bagarn is his name, and he is in the bowels of the Corprusarium. Pass through the gate and go straight across to the next door. He rides in a four-legged cart. He's not as dangerous as the other corprus victims. I doubt he'll give you any trouble."

"Thank you." She paused, took a deep breath, and then looked up to Sunchaser. "Stay here. I don't want you getting in trouble for attacking them."

Sunchaser gave one of her cries.

"No. You could get hurt, and I--I don't want that to happen. Stay here." She reached up to gently tug the cliffracer forward, and set her down on the ground. Then she pulled out a chunk of dried fish she'd been carrying in one of the bags. "Here. Eat."

She looked up to Vistha-Kai.

"If you can help it..."

"You do not want her attacked. You need not worry, I believe we understand each other. Though...I would not tarry in speaking to Yagrum Bagarn, if you can avoid it. These are devilish, temperamental beasts at the best of times."

"I've had to fight so many on my way here, I can't say you're wrong." Haj-deek gave a brief laugh, and stepped through the door. She readied a healing spell, in preparation for the corprus patients. As she walked ahead, she saw one at the end of a stony corridor--and it made straight for her. She ducked off to the side of the path, waiting, ready to bolt past it once it got close enough.

But it didn't attack her.

The thing before her, enormously bloated and half-limping, dragging the more swelled of its two legs with a great effort--it stopped short of where she intended to let it get.

And just stared, groaning as it swayed in place. Its eyes focused on her but she felt something more from it - pain. It, no, HE, was in pain. But given the horrible state of his corprus infection, it only made sense.

Are you sure you want to make the attempt, if this is what he does? The thought drifted across her mind, whether hers or someone else's she wasn't sure. It was uncomfortable to the extreme. You want a father. They don't want to be like this. Kill him, and let them receive the only mercy they are now capable of accepting. Let their suffering end.

She shuffled around, but the corprus victim turned to keep his gaze locked on her. She half-expected it to chase after her, but it didn't, merely stood in place.

The next she encountered did nearly the same thing, with some difference. This victim was smaller, or at least not as bloated with corprus as the first had been, but he stared at her as she passed him just as the first one had. It seemed to shake, and then groan in some unseen agony. A moment later it coughed--sending a wretched looking (and smelling) black fluid from its mouth. She stopped--

It groaned, and lurched forward, clumsily grabbing at her, and she ran off before it could close a hand around anything. It wasn't until she rounded the next couple of corners that she realized she'd gotten turned around and had made a whole loop right back to where she was.

Another turn, ahead to the (correct) door this time, another set of victims, another set of sick eyes that fixed too keenly on her. It was almost worse than them attacking her, to have them simply watch. What was happening?

This is what he has done. He thinks it is helping them? He thinks this a gift? How can he not SEE?

Haj-deek wondered if her mother had thought the same thing.

On passing another corprus victim she thought, I have to make him see.

The absurdity of it made her laugh. Blood or not, who could make him do anything he didn't want to? For a moment she despaired of the thought - what made her think she could do anything about this? If her mother couldn't change his mind, how could she expect her own effort to be any different? And she hadn't even SEEN the man yet!

She saw another Dunmer woman, who seemed to take notice of her but said nothing as Haj-deek approached.

"Voryn?"

The voice was thick, muddled, like someone with a terrible cold or a tongue too thick but it was distinctly male.

"You're new here, aren't you?" the dunmer woman spoke, "My name is Uupse..."

"I'm here to see Yagrum Bagarn," she said quickly, "I...I was told Divath Fyr wanted to sample my blood, and that this...dwemer had the...the tools to get it out of me without injury."

She felt entirely wrong here, out of place. Everything felt sick here, even the air.

A heavy tk tk tk sounded off, and from out of the corner of her eye she saw a shadowed figure moving.

"No...my mind is playing tricks on me again...my weak eyes..."

Before her now appeared Yagrum Bagarn, bloated with corprus and entirely situated within what looked more like a contraption to give him spider's legs than anything else.

He stared at her, as the others had, but he had words to go along with the motion.

"I'm sorry, I thought for a moment you were someone else."

"You thought I was Voryn?"

Her father's name. Yes. And this dwemer, riddled with corprus, his mind blighted as all hell, had picked her face out just as Vivec had warned her might happen. Perhaps ten people in Morrowind that knew her face--her father's face.

"The resemblance is extraordinary," he said as he squinted at her, "Truly, I thought you...well. I heard you say you're here for the blood-collecting tools. I've got them here somewhere...Uupse. I hate to ask, but could I...have dinner a little earlier? I'll want to ask how this turns out with Divath Fyr and I know once I start speaking to him it'll last half the night and I won't want to eat."

Uupse nodded, and then looked to Haj-deek. "You--if you harm him, you will have ME to deal with."

"I won't!" she burst out, "I swear, I won't."

Uupse gave her a suspicious look, but moved away. Not until she was firmly out of earshot did Haj-deek speak to Yagrum again. And too eager for answers, she couldn't help but ask the most burning question in her mind at the moment.

"You knew my father?"

"Your FATHER!" Yagram burst out, and devolved very quickly into a fit of coughs that lasted a minute or two. "Now I know my senses fail me! Voryn has no--never had any children! And never a chance to do it, either!"

But after squinting at her a bit longer, his suspicion cleared.

"I suppose I MUST believe you," he said, "For that face - it is uncanny, how closely you resemble him. But I warn you, it is best not to spread such information around. You think those with corprus are treated poorly outside of Tel Fyr? You have seen nothing of what they would do to a natural daughter of one who blighted the land with the disease to begin with. Why are you really here, young one?"

"To see if there might be a way to..." Haj-deek gulped slightly, "To save him. Vivec said you knew him...well...before..."

"That I did. He was the first friend I ever made, your father. Brilliant man. Is that why you come to me? You want me to speak of him so you might know the man you will fell?"

"No, no, I--" she worked quickly, stumbling over nearly every word as if something were holding her back, "I--I want to--if it's possible, I want to fix him. Help him."

Another laugh. Another hacking cough.

"Excuse the laughter. How very like a Dagoth to tackle the impossible! But if anyone can help you, I can. Whatever you think you may get out of this..."

It was a spot of good news. It was something.

It was a start.

[blodgmonster]

Kingdom of Ash reread commentary. That no one asked for.

-- it hurts. Right from the very beginning. SJM starts out swinging and does not let up.

-- Life got the better of me and I didn't read for like a week. I'm back!

-- this magical academy near the border of Adarlan sounds like excellent spin off material. Devellin.

-- God, Aedion. Get OVER IT. Lysandra did what she did to protect Terrasen. She's following orders from her Queen. Your queen. Stop being a dick to her.

-- On the other hand, I completely back Elide's grudge against Lorcan. He was an absolute PRICK selling them out to Maeve. I know he did it to try to protect Elide or whatever. And I do love them together but God damn. What an epic fuck up.

-- Gavriel and Elide are a cute little friendship.

-- Aelin and Fenrys coming up with the blinking code. My poor loves.

-- Lorcan STILL cutting up his shirts for Elide's pads though...

-- again, OBVIOUSLY Aelin and Rowan need to have kids to continue the line of succession. And their kiddos would make for good spinoff material. But FIVE kids? Ugh. Brother ugh.

-- See, Rowan feels ashamed for the way he treated Aelin when they first met. Rhys never expresses shame for the crap way he treated Feyre Under the Mountain. All he does is defend his actions. Rhys might be hotter but Rowan is the better male.

-- Yrene is pregnant. GAG. Why would a HEALER heading into a WAR not take precautions?

-- it's sad that there's no dragons.

-- having Connall kill himself is a wild move. Poor Fenrys.

-- Fenrys and Aelin crying together as he removes the glass from her legs.

-- welcome back to the plot, Nox!

-- Aelin seeing her mother. "You do not yield." And it giving her strength to fucking fight. Oh my God. And then THAT reaches Rowan. Oh GOD.

-- love that the Chrochans are a Fleetwood Mac reference. Rhiannon. Perfection.

-- "how many of those beasts might have been like Abraxos, had they good riders who loved them?" Good fucking question, Dorian.

-- Manon's father was named Tristan. Is it too much to ask that her mother be named Isolde? Lothian. What a mouthful.

-- Crochan is pronounced CROCK-IN?

-- "Let it kill him, wreck him. He would not serve. Not another heartbeat. He would not obey. He would not obey. And slowly, Fenrys got to his feet."

-- Aelin and Lorcan running for each other. The RELIEF he feels when he sees her. Gaveiel running beside her, shielding her. "The sob that came out of Aelin at the hawk's bellow of fury cracked Lorcan'd chest." And Lorcan pulls her along to safety.

-- "Rowan wrapped an ice-kissed wind around the tent, blocking out all sound, and began." GET HIS ASSSSSSSSSSS

-- "Take it off, take it off, take it off!"

-- All her scars are gone. All new skin to replace what they destroyed. Jesus. Dark as fuck.

-- Aelin saving Fenrys with the blood oath. Fenrys getting to live, to serve a queen and a court that are the opposite of Maeve. Good old Fenrys.

Aelin is free. Fenrys is saved. I feel like I can breathe again but we're only a third of the way through the book and it gets worse for our heroes before it gets better. Stay tuned for more commentary.

[nccarrcws]

❛❛   hestia carrow .  ❜❜   ― 💫 ― your same eyes staring back at you, silent conversations held where no one else can hear (it’s a twin thing)... a coldness that sneaks its way into your every word, cruelty is genetic it would seem (carrows do not do kind)... superiority is in your blood, the evidence in its purity and the high regard with which your family is regarded in the correct circles (the only ones that matter)...

BASICS.

full name : hestia desdemona carrow

name meaning :

hestia : greek | “hearth, fireside”

desdemona : greek | “ill-fated, unlucky”

carrow : welsh | “dweller at the fort on the hill”

nickname / alias : hes, titi (flora only)

title : miss

gender / pronouns : nonbinary (closeted) / she/they

sexuality : lesbian (closeted)

date of birth : november 9

age : 21

zodiac : scorpio

place of birth : london, england

accent : posh english

languages : english, latin

species : witch

APPEARANCE.

faceclaim : jenna ortega

height : 5′1″

eye color : dark brown

hair color : black

glasses : n/a

MEDICAL.

mental : anxiety, some narcissism

physical : asthma

PERSONALITY.

positive traits : ambitious

negative traits : callous

hobbies : vocally judging others, silently judging others, tormenting muggleborns and halfbloods, reading, generally being just the fuckin worst

RELATIONSHIPS.

parents :

amycus carrow; father

eleni carrow, née rowle; mother

siblings :

flora carrow; younger twin sister

extended family :

alecto carrow; paternal aunt

children : n/a

pets :

toad [chocolate brown cat]

MAGICAL.

blood status : pure-blood

hogwarts house : slytherin

wand : blackthorn wood with a dragon heartstring core 10" and slightly yielding flexibility

patronus : nightjar

boggart : her father

amortentia : tba

BACKGROUND.

quick facts :

hestia is aware of voldemort's return

would be a death eater if she was old enough

she is a potions prodigy, and in the fifth year potions class because of this

early history :

tba

first year :

tba

second year :

while she didn't care much for the majority of the triwizard tournament, the ending was quite the spectacle in hestia's eyes. she will never forget the pure fascination and whisper of fear that ran through her at the sight of cedric's body sprawled across the pitch.

summer before third year :

idk, she didn't really do much over the summer except hang with other purebloods at society events. mostly lingered at home reading or helping her father with his work.

CONNECTIONS.

crush : hestia is a closeted nonbinary lesbian. meaning she would do whatever it takes to hide the truth of this crush's existence. most likely a pureblood, as she doesn't pay much mind to anyone else, but open to the angst of a 'lower class,' as she would call them ➢ 𝐎𝐏𝐄��

[alumbianchronicler]

EctoberHaunt - Oct. 9 Magic - Dragons

Summary:

Few ghosts reach the tertiary stage of Core Development that marks an Ancient, but those who do must learn to harness their Primordial power and the draconic form that comes with its development.

It's a good thing Danny has a way to get out of the Sol system, because apparently he's going to turn into a dragon. A dragon with a black hole at his Core.

Warnings: Ecto-hunger (only ecto-weenies were harmed in the making of this fic. And a star system). Eating non-food items.

Crossover: n/a

Danny felt like he was starving.

No matter how much he ate the last few weeks, it never seemed to be enough.  Even ectoplasm-laced food wasn't satiating for more than an hour or two, as the destruction of the entire Ecto-Weenie colony could attest to.  Or... couldn't, since it had been eaten.

He paced, trying to ignore the gnawing in his stomach, his tongue running absently along the fangs that had recently grown in, pushing out his human canines. The process had been awkward and mildly painful, but thankfully seemed to be over.

In his human form, at least.

His ghost form seemed to still be experimenting with dentition, fangs growing and replacing each-other, finally settling into some semblance of a predator's maw in the last two days.

He wasn't sure he liked it.

At least his ghost form was more malleable than the human. Stretchier and more prone to shifting instead of tearing, even if that meant that sometimes it moved in ways no human body would ever be capable of.

Honestly, he should go see Frostbite. This many changes, and being this hungry?  With his luck, he was gaining some new level of ghost power that he was going to have to learn how to control if he didn’t want to accidentally hurt everyone around him...

Ok. Snack first, and then off to Frostbite.

Danny slipped downstairs, not bothering to check for his parents, who were usually out on their own patrol around this time of the evening.

A search in the fridge yielded a few slices of leftover pizza, quickly consumed. The trip through the lab gave him a vial of ectoplasm which he downed as well before letting his transformation wash over him and flying into the Ghost Zone.

At least this time whatever was happening with him wasn’t quite literally freezing him from the inside out.

He flew through the vast space of the Ghost Zone, reveling in the feeling. It was freeing, flying like this, surveying the expanse of an entire dimension spreading out to infinity, much like space itself, right down to the distant ghosts of stars that twinkled impossibly far away.

Perhaps one day he would figure out how to fly that far…

To fly, and fly, and never stop. To thread his way through nebulae and around asteroids, to engulf the stars themselves in the singing void of his Core. He hummed, pitching his voice to match the distant thrum of the dead stars, listening to them sing back.

Danny abruptly stopped, coming back to himself in a shock of realization.

That was… weird, right? Those were some really weird thoughts.

He looked down at his hands, disconcerted to see that ghostly claws had extended, leaving them distinctly inhuman.

He needed to get to the Far Frozen.

Thankfully, he had flown most of the way there already, and it only took a few more minutes to finish the trip. Danny barely registered the greetings of the Yetis going about their business as he flew to Frostbite’s personal labs.

The Yeti chieftain was there, looking over some sort of computer readings, and he looked up with a wide smile as Danny landed.

“Great one! What brings you here today?”

“I think I’m going through another weird ghost growth thing,” Danny blurted out almost before Frostbite finished his question. “I grew fangs, and I’m always hungry, and on the way over here I kept spacing out and thinking about flying between the stars and eating asteroids and…” he paused to take a breath he didn’t need, “I’m kind of worried that I’ll just fly off into space for some weird ghost reason and never be able to find my way back.”

Frostbite regarded him for a moment, his cheerful expression morphing into contemplation. “I see. Let me get some readings, and we’ll see if we can sort out what’s happening to you.”

He guided Danny to a table and attached probes to his chest and his back to measure his Core’s energy outputs, turning his screen so that Danny could observe as well.

“When you say you are always hungry,” Frostbite started, tapping the screen to set the desired parameters, “is it for human food, or for ectoplasm?”

“Uh… both. And…” Danny ran a hand through his hair, embarrassed, “not always food. I kind of ate a handful of rocks the other day, just to feel like I wasn’t starving.”

Instead of looking worried by this, though, the yeti just nodded thoughtfully. “Curious.” On the screen, the gently oscillating hum of Danny’s Core was displayed. The dips and rises were a little stronger than last time it had been scanned, but otherwise, it looked fine.

Frostbite tapped a sequence into the screen, changing the display until it showed the elemental outputs of the Core. He stared at it for several long moments, then made a low, confused sound.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Danny commented, worried.

Frostbite shook himself and turned to Danny with a soft smile.

“It’s not bad, Great One. It is simply something I have not been able to study in person, myself. It is not often a ghost develops a Primordial Core, after all.”

“Primordial?”

“Indeed. As you have already experienced, some ghosts, upon becoming strong enough, develop Elemental Cores. This, however, is not the end of Core development. Rarely, a ghost will gain enough power and influence to begin developing what we call a Primordial affinity.  According to records, anyway.”

He closed out of the reading display and pulled up a diagram instead, showing the different types of elemental Cores. “The elemental ones are rather straightforward, usually aligning with the individual’s personality, surroundings, or experiences.”

A few more taps on the screen and a new display appeared. This one showed diagrams of several powerful ghosts. Danny recognized some as Ancients he knew. He guessed the others were either Ancients he had never met, or ones who had Faded or Ended.

“Primordial Cores are a bit more complex, and form around concepts,” Frostbite continued. “Time, Dreams, Weather, and so on. Unfortunately, much like Elemental Cores, they can take some effort to learn how to harness and safely ration one’s abilities, and many Primordials spend several centuries alone in the depths of the Infinite Realms, or in lifeless regions of the overworld, to learn how to control themselves.”

Danny stared at Frostbite, his Core thrumming sharply with anxiety.  “I can’t do that. I have… homework. School. Friends and family. I can’t just… disappear!”

“Phantom,” Frostbite said, sharply but not unkindly. “I believe I have an option for you. I have already spoken with the Timekeeper, and we agreed on a solution, should this development occur. Your Core has already begun developing Primordial traits, and so we can not turn back the clock on it, but we can send you somewhere, and somewhen, that you can safely test your limits and gain control over your form and powers.”

That was… somewhat reassuring. Of course Clockwork would have already seen this potential and made contingencies. And Frostbite had the Infimap. It could travel time as well as space. He could just go back in time a few centuries and…

“Wait, form?”

Frostbite nodded. “Indeed.” He tapped the screen, and the diagrams of the Ancients morphed from the familiar humanoid forms into new ones: long, curling bodies and large fangs, a few with vast wings blotting out the sky, some with horns and claws. All with a sense of immense, unrestrained power.

“I’m… going to turn into a dragon?”

“Yes.”

“What… what kind of Primordial Core do I have?”

Frostbite relaxed, apparently relieved that Danny was taking this relatively in stride, and tapped back to the Core Energy display. The usual cold temperature had plunged to near absolute zero, and the usual bright blue iciness of his Core now had a swirling impossible blackness at the center, the ice-blue light slightly bulging outward as it swirled around it.

Danny blinked. He recognized that sort of object.

“I have… a black hole. In my chest. Frostbite. What the actual heck?   My Core is turning into a black hole?!”  Well, that did explain why he was so hungry, right?  Was that hunger going to be permanent?  Was he destined to consume anything and everything he ever came near to??

“A Void, or Space, Core is exceptionally rare,” Frostbite explained calmly. “I believe Ghost Writer has records of some others, but most in the past, as I am sure will be no surprise, were exceptionally solitary. No one is sure whether those individuals have Faded, or simply lost themselves to the depths of space."

Danny rested his hand on his chest, feeling his Core thrum there. “Will I… lose myself to space, too?”  He had to admit, spending eternity flying among the stars didn’t sound terrible… but he had so many people on Earth that he cared about.  He couldn’t just leave them.

“Considering your half living status, as well as your other Obsessions and drives, I doubt you will seek such solitude in the next few millenia at least,” Frostbite replied, echoing Danny’s own thoughts.  He removed the probes from Danny’s skin.  “You will probably be relieved to know that, once you have learned how to control and regulate your Primordial Core, you will not feel the same hunger you do now, or at least, not with the same urgency, and your Core will still be bounded by your own intent. You will have to be careful interacting with your mortal loved ones, but you already do quite well interacting with them, and I have all the faith that you will manage.”

“Now!” Frostbite clapped Danny on the back, nearly knocking him off the examination table. “Let’s get you some food, and then we’ll send you off. The sooner the better, judging by your Core’s energy patterns.”

Food sounded wonderful, and Danny couldn’t help but feel relieved by the news that this was just… yet another power development.

Sure, he was going to spend a few centuries away from everyone he knew and loved (Did it really need to be centuries? Surely he could manage the powers in a year or two. How hard could it be?), but they would be waiting for him when he got back (from space!), and no time would have passed for them.

Of course, it would have passed for him…

Huh.

It was a long time to be away, alone…

But he didn’t want to risk harming anyone. It was better to stay away, at least long enough that he knew he wasn’t going to accidentally consume anyone with the black hole apparently seated within his chest.

Maybe when he got back, he could let some astronomers take a look and be included in a scientific paper!

The mood at dinner was jovial, as the word of Phantom’s new power development spread amongst the Yetis. They seemed relieved that he was leaving to learn this new power, instead of attempting to practice it there in the Far Frozen, memories of him learning his ice powers keen on everyone’s minds.

All too soon, the meal was finished and Frostbite was leading him to the cave in which he stored the Infimap. A slip of paper rested beside it, a string of numbers written on it in a sweeping script Danny recognized as Clockwork’s hand-writing. Beneath that, it read: “I will come meet you in due time to bring you home.”

Cryptic, but reassuring.  Danny would not be lost in space with no way back.

“The numbers are a set of coordinates,” Frostbite explained. “They will take you to the place and time we decided upon. There, you will be able to wander as you wish, and Clockwork will bring you home when he deems it Time.”

Danny nodded, reaching out to the Infimap. It hummed under his fingers, as if recognizing him.

Frostbite reached out as well, holding on so the Map would take both of them. “I’m going to bring it back after dropping you off this time.”

Danny chuckled. He couldn’t blame Frostbite, after the last time he had borrowed the Map. Holding up the slip of paper, he requested the map to take them to the listed coordinates.

Frostbite did not linger after the Map dropped them off. He gave Danny a hug, wished him well, and then asked the map to return him to his own home and time, leaving Danny alone.

Danny found himself in a star system that was not Earth’s. The star was the wrong color, for one, and the planets he could see were definitely not the ones he was familiar with.

The star itself was more red, large and heavy with the weight of higher elemental fusion.

He found his gaze riveted to it as he floated, watching the way its surface swirled and danced, tracing the movement of flares and slightly-cooler patches of relative darkness.

Danny flew closer, barely registering as the star, looming impossibly large next to him, seemed to reach out to him, a faint strand of hot gas and light pulled toward his Core.

He flew around the star, wanting to circumnavigate it. His body grew as he flew, absorbing stardust into the growing infinity within his chest.

Phantom danced as he flew, pulling a larger thread of light and matter from the star, testing how far away he could get and keep pulling the matter in a steady stream to his Core.

He spread great, nebulous wings after the second circumnavigation, soaring in a wider and wider orbit from the star.

The first planet was a tiny, scorched thing, not unlike Mercury, and the dragon curled around it a few times before devouring it and returning to his orbit.

The other planets were explored and consumed in turn, until finally Phantom turned back to the center of the star system.

He returned to the star, bathing in the heat of its atoms as the pulled strand of fire followed him, forming a swirling accretion disc and illuminating his vast, twisting, void-dark body beneath the nebulae of his wings.

Eventually, the star dimmed and destabilized, too much consumed to continue thriving, and the dragon coiled around it, pulling it into himself, and finally, the loose, swirling gas and dust that had been trailing around him collapsed inward as well.

What had once been a star system grew dark and still, and the dragon Phantom, sated, slept.

[totkdaily]

Day 67: The Mark of the King

It takes me most of the day to find a small crack in the rock below Lulu Lake which seems to lead to the king's hideaway. This can't be how King Dorephan got in here - there's no way he'd fit. 

Muzu is angry with me for breathing near him, as always. It's good to see him.

Dorephan… does not look well.

Muzu suggests that I'm lying about Zelda's disappearance, and I resist reacting. He says he saw the Princess here right after the Upheaval. I have a bad feeling about this… 

Dorephan says Zelda came from the sky with a sludge monster - and attacked him?? I am hit with thundering certainty that I was right - there is an imposter. Zelda would never even dream of such a thing. In any case, whoever or whatever this is was seen in multiple places at once. Is it a network? A collection of… wait. Who do I know who can disguise themselves, and works to bring down Hyrule?

The Yiga.

Could they have done this? Maybe this isn't an effect of the Upheaval at all, maybe they're just taking advantage of it - or maybe they're somehow working with the Demon King?

I remember that map of their bases I found at Robbie's lab. Maybe I should seek them out once I'm finished here and find out what they're up to. 

King Dorephan, bless him, is in hiding to save both his own reputation and Zelda's. Wounded as he is, he's considering handing the crown over to Sidon. In the meantime, he gives me some of his scales, the Mark of the King, to help with the riddle. 

Before I leave I look for another entrance - I was right. There's a much larger entrance behind the large waterfall into Mikau Lake. That's how the king got in. 

I return to Sidon to tell him the truth about his father. He agrees we must look skyward for answers. Now we just need to find the land of the sky fish. 

On a hunch, I glide across to a nearby waterfall emerging from a sky island. Murky brown as it is, it's still swimmable.

Floating Scales Island is shaped like a fish on my map - good enough. Now, a droplet. Maybe I'm looking for something like the dragon tears? The island is just covered in sludge, but I'm loathe to use splash fruit unless I need it…

The glowing floating rocks around the island are unusual - are they anything? I climb to the centre for a good view… wait, there is something. From here, some of the floating rocks form a teardrop.

"Through this droplet, shoot an arrow with the mark of the King."

Here we go. 

The scale flies into the reservoir, and emits a green beacon.

Well, here goes nothing. I glide across into the golden sunset, and drop into the brown lakewater. 

Nothing happens. Hmm. I tread water for a moment, thinking. 

I wonder if it needs to be a Zora who does the dive? I should go and find Sidon.

I take the easy route - Purah Pad to the tower and glide - to reach Mipha's Court again. It's only then that I realise I could probably clear the sludge on the shrine with splash fruit. 

Anyway. Chroma and Khira have taken over purifying the water so Sidon and Yona can talk.

I join them, and Yona says Sidon should come with me to investigate the beacon of light. Sidon hesitates - is he reluctant to leave his people in this time of crisis? That's fair, but there really is no-one else.

Before he can say, we're ambushed by a monster- a sludge like. Is this what ambushed King Dorephan? 

The sludge makes movement difficult, and it's a tough battle even with Sidon's water shield. Twice, I think it's all over. But we defeat the beast together. 

Yona resumes her conversation with Sidon as if there had been no interruption, encouraging him to investigate the beacon with me. He's reluctant to leave her. She says: "You are yielding to the fear of losing someone you love again." 

Wow. She and him must trust each other very deeply. He's clearly shared much with her. I'm glad he has her support. He's so worried to lose her, but she argues she can protect herself - and I'm minded to agree. She's formidable. He heads to the beacon. 

But before I follow him, I must see to this shrine. 

[wisedawn13]

#xiantober Day 2: Dragonxian

"I'm sorry sir, I really can't say what kind of egg that is. I've never seen anything like it."

Lan Zhan sighs, taking the egg back. "Thank you anyway."

Another dead end.

Carefully, he wraps the egg in a blanket, placing it back in his bag.

Lan Zhan never thought his quiet, mundane life would be upended by a mysterious egg, but here he is. His searches on the internet yielded nothing and no animal experts could figure out what species the egg belongs to.

All he knows is it's very clearly alive and was abandoned.

How does he know it was abandoned?

He woke up three days prior to the egg wrapped in a blanket and placed in a box on his doorstep. Why him? He has no clue. But Lan Zhan is determined to find out everything he can to best take care of whatever is inside this egg.

Unfortunately, he'd had to travel a number of hours to meet with the most recent specialist which means he has to stay in a hotel rather than his own bed. It is... not ideal, but he cannot risk driving all the way back so late.

Tomorrow he's going to see another "specialist."

He is iffy on this one. Where other professionals study specific genera and are quite scholarly, this person appears a bit eclectic if their shop website is anything to go by. The interest in mythology and the preternatural doesn't give Lan Zhan the highest of hopes.

But Lan Zhan is nothing if not thorough.

~

Yiling Laozu's Wonders and Oddities.

Lan Zhan stares at the sign of the shop before taking in the rest. Various crystals and animal skulls adorn the displays in the windows. He hopes the answers will be in there.

He enters.

The shop, while being filled with all manner of items, surprisingly feels quite cozy to Lan Zhan. He was afraid his senses would be accosted like they had been in other similar shops. He feels quite comfortable here.

It's when he's looking around that someone speaks to him.

"Ah, welcome! Is there anything specific you are looking for?"

Lan Zhan turns and feels as if he were struck by lightning. He is stunned by the beauty of the man smiling at him. It's almost otherworldly. Grey eyes shimmer in the light and he's sure they must be contacts.

The man tilts his head and Lan Zhan realizes he hasn't responded. He clears his throat. "Yes. I am here to speak with the owner over an egg that has recently come into my possession."

"You're talkin' to him!" The man winks, smile widening.

"Oh, my apologies, I hadn't realized—"

"Because I'm so young and handsome while most people in my field are old and withered?"

Lan Zhan feels his ears heat. While that is objectively true, that wasn't what he was going to say. "Shameless," he grits out.

That only makes the man laugh. "I'm Wei Ying."

"Lan Zhan."

Wei Ying's smile softens. "Lan Zhan... Beautiful name for a beautiful man." Before Lan Zhan can respond (by saying 'shameless' again) Wei Ying begins walking to the back of the store. "Come along!"

Lan Zhan does.

They enter a messy office where Wei Ying plops down on a chair.

Lan Zhan glances around the room before gently sitting on the couch across from Wei Ying.

"An egg, you say? Do you have it with you?"

"I do," Lan Zhan replies. He pulls the egg out of his bag and carefully unwraps it before holding it out to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying's eyes are wide.

Slowly, he reaches out. The moment his hand touches the egg he gasps. "Where did you get this?" Wei Ying asks, breathless, as he takes the egg into both hands and holds it close to his face.

"It was left on my doorstep four days ago. I do not know why or what it is."

"Dragon."

Lan Zhan blinks, sure he misheard. "Pardon?"

Wei Ying's grey eyes meet his. "This is a dragon egg." He laughs, the sound somewhat manic. He returns his gaze to the egg and brushes a hand over it. "I thought... I thought I was alone."

Confused and unmoored, Lan Zhan only stares.

He watches as Wei Ying rests his forehead against the egg and breathes shakily. "I thought I was the only one left," he whispers. "But here you are."

Lan Zhan feels something tighten in his chest. "Dragons are real?"

Wei Ying looks at him with wet eyes. "Yep."

"And you are..." he trails off.

Wei Ying nods. "A dragon, yeah. I never knew there were more than me, I thought I was the last one."

Lan Zhan's mind reels. "Can you prove it?" he blurts out suddenly.

Wei Ying blinks owlishly. "I don't have to prove anything to you."

"No. No, I apologize. I didn't mean to—"

"I'm teasing, sort of. If it were anyone else I wouldn't do this," Wei Ying says, standing up and handing the egg back.

"Why me?" Lan Zhan finds himself wondering.

Wei Ying shrugs. "Not sure, just feels right. You know?"

Lan Zhan nods. He does know.

Tenderly, he holds the egg to his chest as he watches Wei Ying closely.

"I can't change into my full form in here, but—" he closes his eyes and scrunches his nose until suddenly there's stunning red antlers on his head and a long tail behind him.

"Ta-da!" Wei Ying exclaims with a lopsided smile when he opens his eyes.

Lan Zhan is stunned. Not only has he met the most beautiful man today, but said man is also a dragon which means that dragons are actually real. Plus he has a dragon egg.

Big day.

Wei Ying shifts back to full human with ease and plops back into the chair. "So... you've got a dragon egg."

Lan Zhan nods. "I do."

"You don't know how to care for a dragon." It's not a question.

"I do not."

"And you were trusted with the care of the egg."

"I was."

Wei Ying stares at Lan Zhan silently for a beat. "Move in with me."

"Okay," Lan Zhan replies without thinking.

His shock must show because Wei Ying laughs lightly. "Are you sure? You don't have to."

Lan Zhan thinks it over carefully before deciding that yes, he is sure.

"I am," he replies. "It would be most wise for the dragon baby to be around another dragon, and I wish to learn how to care for a dragon as it is essentially my child now."

"We'll be co-parents," Wei Ying says with a smirk.

"Mn."

Lan Zhan secretly hopes to drop the 'co' someday.

----------

That's right y'all, A-Yuan is matchmaking before even being a true part of this world 😌 

Link to thread

[angelspigeon]

“I already have my own weapon.”

“Yes. Thanks to the Vidyadhara knowledge, I think I will be able to create something that use your power and help you to strike harder. This will ask me lot of work but… if I am correct, I think you could wield the light of your people, the water of the Azure Dragon and even the wind you love so much.”

“I…” Dan Feng leaned in further, pressing his chin over the shoulder. “I don’t need such a power. You should focus on…”

“I want you to be able to protect yourself,” Yingxing countered. “And I like to believe this is my way to protect the esteemed Yinyue-Jun, who certainly don’t need a mere short-life species.”

“I need you,” Dan Feng countered.

He pressed his hand over his mouth. Shit! It came out his lips.

Yingxing turned towards him while Dan Feng pulled away. His mouth didn’t even try to utter lies, try to pretend he hadn’t say that. He simply looked away. Those words shouldn’t have been spoken but they were those who lingered in his heart, desperately hoping that time could stop and, so, never take away someone who will die and disappear, be nothing but painful memories. Memories he would have to supress if he wanted to survive the Mara and not wilt like the previous Yinyue-Jun.

“What have you said?” Yingxing dared to ask.

“Please, pretend I said nothing.”

“I could.”

“But you won’t?” Dan Feng’s face showed a strong emotion and for Yingxing who knew it was hard to see them appear, he could only wonder if he shouldn’t simply yield to the request. “You should. This will only hurt.”

“Who?” Yingxing asked. “Me? I do not care to be hurt if it means I can be loved by you.”

Dan Feng’s hands reached for Yingxing. “And what if it meant to hurt me?”

“Then, I would pretend you said nothing,” Yingxing answered without a second thought.

“Loving you…” Dan Feng whispered. He brought one of his hands to his heart. “It hurt. I vowed myself to chastity and to never let emotions take over me. I could live without being chaste anymore and betraying my people.” What words did he say in the very land that saw him promise his purity? “But I can’t live without you.”

“You will have, Yinyue-Jun, whatever if you have uttered those words or not. I can live knowing I will never be allowed to touch you as I wish if it ease your heart. But will you be able to forgive yourself if you didn’t savour the little years you could have?”

Yingxing let out a broken sound as he saw tears roll over the perfect face. The lips shivered. And Dan Feng shook his head.

“I believed you were a trial. Proofing how powerful was my vow to not yield to loving you, but how could one be able to turn a blind eye to you? It would be criminal to renounce loving you.”

Yingxing cupped his face, scooping a tears with his thumb.

“I will always love you, my Yinyue-Jun, but you don’t have to do anything. Your choice is mine.”

“You are my choice.”

“So… may I have the honour to receive a kiss from you?”

Dan Feng nodded vividly, tears streaming down his cheeks even more. He didn’t even know if it was of joy, despair, or a mix of everything. He knew there was so little time left for their love, he knew he was doing something wrong, but didn’t love Yingxing the best thing? He would damn himself for even one second with Yingxing.

Yingxing leaned towards his elder, his lips brushing the one that he craved for so long. He took just a little taste of them. They were wet from the tears and so lightly salty but still so sweet and fruity. Dan Feng moved closer, eager for the taste of his lips against his once again. Yingxing smiled and captured the needy lips between his. He amused himself to those so old lips yet so innocents who let themselves touched and kissed by the younger yet more experienced ones. He wrapped his arms and his tail around Yingxing, bringing him so close from him, almost desperately. He didn’t want even one atom of oxygen to dare come between them. Yingxing brought his hand in the small of the back to caress it and help him supress the space between them. Their lips keep finding each other and he could hear Dan Feng slightly moan, begging for more of it. Yingxing was happy to provide because, to be honest, he couldn’t have enough of his lips.

It may become a little hard to breath for him, the draconic tail so tightly around him, but he didn’t shiver, his fingers even letting go of the precious cheek to come caress the strong rings, brushing the fur. He heard and felt Dan Feng panting of desire. Perhaps a life of chastity led him to have a poor control over his own body because Yingxing swore he could feel excitation against him. He growled but still let his tongue move in, caress the lip and the tip of the other one. Said tongue pulled backwards one second before coming in to meet the other one. Their tongue danced a secret ballet, lost amidst the nation of Vidyadharas, and it probably was nothing else but his old heart moved by love, but Yingxing swore he felt refreshed. He suddenly wanted to scoop up the Dragon, bring him over his lap, and although he had struggled to carry anything those last month, he could only chuckle when he managed to and Dan Feng let out a little squeak out of surprise.

The kiss broke.

Dan Feng caressed the place of the heart, beating so fast, and they stared at each other eyes for an instant.

“Do you… desire me?” Dan Feng asked.

Yingxing smiled and kissed the lecherous lips.

“Of course. I always desired you, from the first instant I saw you, my Yinyue-Jun, so beautiful and elegant. You stole my heart.” Yingxing brought one of the precious hand to his lips. “You stole my sanity. I’m mad for you. Mad in love.”

“Why me?” Dan Feng hiccupped.

“Why me?” Yingxing answered with a cheeky smile.

Dan Feng blushed. He leaned in to offer his lips again. Yingxing didn’t need to be asked twice to savour his lips once again. His fingers moved up to caress the skin exposed in the diamond amidst the white cloth. He brushed the pectoral there and looked at the face turning red.

“Is this what you truly want?” Yingxing asked.

“Yes! Yes!” Dan Feng desperately asked. “I want to be yours. Fully yours.”

His eyes were full of desire and need. Yingxing caressed further his pectoral, letting his fingers explore further. Dan Feng let out a little moan of desire. He closed his eyes when the callous fingertips brushed the flesh cherry hidden there.

If you want to keep reading, you can support me on Patreon or Kofi

For now I feel quite in a bad place so I will only update on AO3 fics when they are over or stopped in a way I can stop them. I do not want to be moved by people's wishes anymore.

Unless if they wanna commish me of course ~

[anneapocalypse]

WIP What day is it?

Thank you for the tag, @ishgard!

Tagging @farfromdaylight @rakshadow @ialpiriel @inquisimer @chocochipbiscuit @ecosystem-administrator @about2dance and anyone else who wants to share.

Posting a bit of a longer excerpt from "Harsh Light" today, because talking about Ariane's childhood in Mor Dhona had me thinking of it.

***

Mor Dhona was mostly crystal now.

Ariane's memories of those early years were fuzzy, the edges long-softened by time and by what had come after. But the land remembered, perfectly imperfectly.

Those few that could had fled early by aetheryte, but they were the privileged few. Most families, Ariane's included, had thronged to carriages and airships, because they or their children were attuned to no aetherytes where they might away quickly, or they simply lacked the requisite anima to teleport at all. Ariane had been twelve, her sister Gratienne eleven, and though Mother had long said that one day they would take them to see Gridania, they had never yet been outside Mor Dhona.

When they'd fled, it had been with the hope that they would one day return. That whatever ruin they might find of their homes and livelihoods could be rebuilt, that their village of Silvertear Falls with its cozy little strip of inns and shops, would survive.

It took mere days for the news to reach them, in the refugee camps on the outskirts of the Black Shroud, that there was no going back.

-

It was difficult even to pinpoint where their house had once been. Ariane had now spent considerable time in North Silvertear, in the days of the expedition to the the Crystal Tower, and always she had been strangely aware that she was not far from where she had grown up—where once had stood their old family home, with the herb gardens and hothouse and the little shop up front where Mother had sold their yield, and Father kept the books, pushing his spectacles absently up his long nose as he bent over the ledger by lamplight. Next door, her childhood best friend's house. A few doors down, the inn owned by a Roegadyn family whose daughter she went to school with.

All this she could still see, somewhat, in her mind's eye, but to map it exactly onto the crystallized landscape of the present was all but impossible. Even the shoreline no longer matched the one she remember. It may as well have been a different place. Only the wreck of the Agrius, rising from the lake as a spire entwined with the dragon's husk, stood as proof, pinning past to present.

There was a leathery flutter of dragonet's wings at her ear, familiar now.

"I remember you," Ariane said, not turning to face him at her shoulder, but nodding toward the sky. "From that day…"

"Thou art a child of the Lake. Aye. Thinkest thou I did not know?"

"Why would you? I was one child in the crowd. The sight of you in the sky was rather more memorable, I should think."

In typical fashion, Midgardsormr did not explain himself. Ariane supposed that when you were a great wyrm, you did not often need to explain yourself. "Thou hast come home, then, mortal child?"

"No," Ariane said truthfully, gesturing at the crystallized ground. "What home? There's naught left of it to come back to. There never was."

"Thou speakest true," the dragon mused. "Then why hast thou come?"

"To remember, I suppose," Ariane said, and after a moment added, "Just for a moment. To remember why I can't go back."

The dragon uttered a thoughtful rumble. "Aye, child. This I well know."

She was quiet for a moment. "I suppose you would." It was a sobering thought. Ravaged though it was by battle and by aether, still Lake Silvertear lay where it always had, even if its shorelines had shifted.

-

What Ariane remembered was red skies, and the shape of a dragon in flight—the first she had ever seen. Midgardsormr. Ariane had known the name; everyone in Silvertear Falls knew of the Father of Dragons, the Keeper of the Lake, whose name was invoked for protection in matters great and small.

But to see him—to see the great wyrm, the span of his wings broad enough to black out the sun when he swooped low—

No one is ever prepared to meet their god.

Ariane would only later understand that Midgardsormr had arisen, calling forth from Dravania a legion of his children, to drive back the Imperial forces that had invaded their home. At the time, only twelve years old, it had been a blur of horrors. Garleans, dragons, the sky burned red. A crowded carriage in which she and Grati had huddled with Mother and Father. The anxious kweh, kweh! of the draft chocobos, skittish with the noise and the smoke. The shouting of people demanding or begging to be let onto the airships that had closed their gates, unable to bear any more weight and still fly safely.

She thought of this, and of a lone dragon traversing the great expanse, carrying with him but seven eggs, and the hope of his people.