#denys mallister

[lego-asoiaf-fan-minifigs]

Cotter Pyke (left), commander of Eastwatch-by-the-sea, and Ser Denys Mallister (right), commander of the Shadow Tower

Here's my LEGO adaptation of alexandrokayart's Cotter and Denys fanarts, linked below:

Cotter:

Denys:

[wpmorse]

The wine was sweet, and Ser Denys listened to Sam's plea with grave courtesy, unlike Cotter Pyke. But when he was done, the old knight shook his head. "I agree that it would be a dark day in our history if a king were to name our Lord Commander. This king especially. He is not like to keep his crown for long. But truly, Samwell, it ought to be Pyke who withdraws. I have more support than he does, and I am better suited to the office." Samwell Page 1084

Sam starts doing a little bit of backroom politicking with several of the leading candidates. Having had no luck with Cotter Pyke, he moves on to Denys Mallister, with whom he at least shares a lordly background.

I wasn't that happy with this one. It's just Sam and Ser Denys standing there. On top of this, this was the first time I've ever drawn Denys Mallister and I don't think I have his appearance down. Finally thanks to the monochrome fashion sense of the Night's Watch, people tend to blend in monochrome.

[asoiafreadthru]

A Game of Thrones, Tyrion III

“I tell you, my lord, the darkness is coming.

“There are wild things in the woods, direwolves and mammoths and snow bears the size of aurochs, and I have seen darker shapes in my dreams.”

“In your dreams,” Tyrion echoed, thinking how badly he needed another strong drink.

Mormont was deaf to the edge in his voice.

“The fisherfolk near Eastwatch have glimpsed white walkers on the shore.”

This time Tyrion could not hold his tongue. “The fisherfolk of Lannisport often glimpse merlings.”

“Denys Mallister writes that the mountain people are moving south, slipping past the Shadow Tower in numbers greater than ever before.

“They are running, my lord…but running from what?”

[a-song-of-art-and-fire]

Ser Denys Mallister, Commander of the Shadow Tower

“We are the sons of great lords, you and I. We know the importance of birth, blood, and that early training that can ne’er be replaced. I was a squire at twelve, a knight at eighteen, a champion at two-and-twenty. I have been the commander at the Shadow Tower for thirty-three years. Blood, birth, and training have fitted me to deal with kings."

Rounding out my winter's worth of cold themed minis - the Commander of the Shadow Tower. This is going to destroy any credibility I had, but... despite loving House Mallister and loving Denys Mallister, I had somehow never consciously connected that Denys Mallister is... a Mallister. It actually fits very well with his rivalry with Cotter Pyke as an ironman vs Mallister rivalry, but until I was painting those little eagle pauldrons, I'd never considered him as a Mallister.

It also fits with GRRMs pattern of using the Mallisters in particular as a stand in for "The Nobility" - Will was arrested for poaching in a noble's woods - Mallister. There's a rough lowborn commander vs a hoity toity noble commander - Mallister. Catelyn realises she can hide in plain sight because nobles who have known her her whole life won't look twice at an apparent commoner - Lord Mallister, even though he's in a tournament in Kings Landing at that time.

The mini is pretty straightforward, classic Nights Watch colour scheme, but I'm fond of the details - his breastplate and especially those eagle pauldrons. Honestly if I'd noticed them before starting painting, I might have repurposed him into Jason Mallister, my bizarre minor character crush.

[dreamfyre01]

Historia de la Casa Mallister - CDHYF

[eonweheraldodemanwe]

Preview of the new models for the upcoming skirmishes game A Song of Ice and Fire Tactics

But why is Lynn Corbray along the guy he killed?

[daenystheedreamer]

all volunteer nights watchmen especially the nobles are gay till proven straight. literally why in the fuck would anyone, especially south of the neck, go to the fucking frozen ass of westeros except for the ass. waymar royce gay. denys mallister gay. bowen marsh gay. jeor mormont... bear. gay. benjen has the hypothetical excuse of having gone north to keep his mouth shut about r+l=j but we all know that's flimsy. gay.

[thelustybraavosimaid]

Ngl it kind of annoys me when people read Jon as a character who rejects power.

He absolutely does not.

He was angry because he wasn't made a ranger and only relaxed at being a steward because Sam suggested he was being groomed for command,

He expressed his dream to be a conqueror like his hero the Young Dragon,

He wanted to be the Lord of Winterfell and have Ice,

Also,

Jon Snow ran his burned hand through his hair and wondered once again what he was doing. Once the gate was opened there would be no turning back. It should have been the Old Bear to treat with Tormund. It should have been Jaremy Rykker or Qhorin Halfhand or Denys Mallister or some other seasoned man. It should have been my uncle. It was too late for such misgivings, though. Every choice had its risks, every choice its consequences. He would play the game to its conclusion. (Jon XII, ADwD)

What part of that says "I reject power"?

[thenorthsource]

"One day on a ranging we brought down a fine big elk. We were skinning it when the smell of blood drew a shadow-cat out of its lair. I drove it off, but not before it shredded my cloak to ribbons. Do you see? Here, here, and here?" He chuckled. "It shredded my arm and back as well, and I bled worse than the elk. My brothers feared I might die before they got me back to Maester Mullin at the Shadow Tower, so they carried me to a wildling village where we knew an old wisewoman did some healing. She was dead, as it happened, but her daughter saw to me. Cleaned my wounds, sewed me up, and fed me porridge and potions until I was strong enough to ride again. And she sewed up the rents in my cloak as well, with some scarlet silk from Asshai that her grandmother had pulled from the wreck of a cog washed up on the Frozen Shore. It was the greatest treasure she had, and her gift to me." He swept the cloak back over his shoulders. "But at the Shadow Tower, I was given a new wool cloak from stores, black and black, and trimmed with black, to go with my black breeches and black boots, my black doublet and black mail. The new cloak had no frays nor rips nor tears . . . and most of all, no red. The men of the Night's Watch dressed in black, Ser Denys Mallister reminded me sternly, as if I had forgotten. My old cloak was fit for burning now, he said.

“I left the next morning . . . for a place where a kiss was not a crime, and a man could wear any cloak he chose."

[asongofstarkandtargaryen]

ASOS JON VI: OBSERVATION SKILL

This is one chapter before the Battle of the Night's Watch and we witness Jon manifesting his good observation skill once again- despite the fact that he's seriously injured and has a fever.

This is the chapter where Jon returns to the Night's Watch injured after he abandoned the Free Folk. He notices that most of his black brothers are missing and Donal Noye confirms that Bower Marsh (the temporary leader of NW until they'll elect a new one) has sent the garrison all over the Wall to defend it from Wildings ' attacks. As Jon correctly notes, this is exactly what Mance wanted to happen (and it's one of the many reasons Bower Marsh wouldn't make a good Commander):

Jon swallowed a goan. Feints. Mance wants us to spread ourselves thin, don't you see?" And Bower Marsh has obliged him. "The gate is here. The attack is here".

He's correct as we'll find out on the next chapter once the attack on Castle Black begins.

Jon's next question is who Bower Marsh named castellan until he returns and the answer - Ser Wynton Sour - seems disappointing to both Donal Noye and him ( add this to the list of Bower Marsh's bad decisions)

Jon's observation about Bower Marsh's leadership skills ( or his lack of them) is spot on:

The Old Pomegranate was amiable and diligent First Steward, but he was woefully ill-suited to face a wilding host.

While Maester Aemon removes the arrow from his leg, Jon continues to think about who is gonna be the next Lord Commander ( you never gonna guess it, boy!) and his thoughts are very perceptive:

A choosing. With Qhorin Halfhand and Ser Jaremy Rykker both dead and Ben Stark still missing, who was there? Not Bowen Marsh or Ser Wynton Stout, that was certain. Had Thoren Smallwood survived the Fist, or Ser Ottyn Wythers? No, it will be Cotter Pyke or Ser Denys Mallister. Which, though? The commanders at the Shadow Tower and Eastwatch were good men, but very different; Ser Denys courtly and cautious, as chivalrous as he was elderly, Pyke younger, bastard-born, rough-tongued, and bold to a fault. Worse, the two men despised each other. The Old Bear had always kept them far apart, at opposite ends of the Wall. The Mallisters had a bone-deep mistrust of the ironborn, Jon knew.

[westeroslive]

highgarden's  first  kingdom  wide  tournament  in  years  begins  with  the  presentation  of  the  knights  of  the  realm,  their  armour  holding  their  house  sigils  along  with  the  drapery  of  their  steeds.  their  safety  stands  in  the  gods  hands  now,  for  even  the  finest  of  armour  might  be  pierced  should  the  hit  land  true.  the  excitement  of  the  crowd  is  profound,  their  cheers  and  revelry  filling  the  space  as  the  knights  ride  in,  one  by  one  -  the  crowd  naming  their  favourites  early  on,  bags  of  coin  tossed  from  hand  to  hand  as  bets  are  made  young  and  old.  as  the  last  knight  is  presented,  before  they  stand  in  line  upon  their  horses,  the  crowd  grows  quiet  as  the  requesting  of  favours  begins:

daemon  celtigar :  requests  the  favour  of  the  lady  cersei  lannister,  claiming  her  charm  incomparable  among  the  ton.  the  lady,  upon  her  mother's  approval,   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗.

desmond  mallister :  requests  the  favour  of  lady dyanna marbrand. the lady, with great delight   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗.

gwayne  florent:  starred  down  his  rival  among  the  reach's  nobles,  before  requesting  the  favour  of  the  lyseni  beauty,  lady  shaera  rogare.  even  as  her  touch  lingered  upon  his  rival,  the  lady  shaera  herself  blushed  as  she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗.

jessamine  hightower:  failed to request a favour.

alaric  mormont:  requests  the  favour  of  the lady myranda, referring to her as his dearest. the lady. myranda claimed she would not dare deny him as she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

pearse  sunglass :  requests  the  favour  of  lady alyssa, declaring her deserving of such praise for her generosity as a most wonderful friend. the lady alyssa   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

viserra  targaryen :  requests  the  favour  of  their cousin, the lady dovasary as her dearest companion. despite being seemingly irritated at the request, lady dovasary   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

theon  stark :  rode directly to his lady wife, the lady shirei, and requested  her  favour. with their child giggling upon her lap, the lady shirei tied a ribbon of her own to their daughter's and   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

calyx  targaryen :  with  his  brother's  permission,  requests  the  favour  of  his  good  sister,  the  princess  catraena,  insisting  it  would  be  unthinkable  should  the  beacon  of  grace  and  devotion  herself  not  be  named  the  queen  of  beauty.  with  happiness  the  princess   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗.

elias  baratheon :  charms his would be queen as he requests  the  favour  of  the lady helaena zalyne. helaena blushed as she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

aelyx  targaryen :  requests  the  favour  of  his long time betrothed, the lady alysane, with practiced words. the lady alysane approached the stands as she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

kit  moraqos :  failed to request a favour.  

matthos  redwyne :  rides through cheers as he approaches the lannister stand, approaching the lady lucretia and speaking in hushsed tones as he requests  her  favour. the lady lucretia herself held little gentleness in her gaze as she considered him before she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

elowyn  harlaw :  requests  the  favour  of  her sister, the lady gysella lannister, in an act of blood over bond. lady gysella asked the younger show the crowds what a harlaw is made of as she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

shyra  hornwood :  requests  the  favour  of  liege naerys paege, claiming their camaraderie will bring them strength upon the field. naerys pressed a hand upon their heart, speaking of camaraderie to victory, before they   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

dantae  dagareon :  requests  the  favour  of  his sister, the princess malaya - stating he would like to see that each of his sisters have a crown. with a smile, the princess malaya  𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

amos  tully :  with some bravado requests  the  favour  of  his lady wife in both her name and that of their unborn child. the lady syrena, despite placing some jest - filled conditions,   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

theodore  baratheon:  sparks some whispers among the crowd, along with the narrowed gaze of her grace, as he rides not to the royal stand but the liege arwyn mallister and requests their favour. the stands were silent as they waited - until finally liege arwyn   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

antony  arryn :  brought whispers to the crowd as he approached the lady rhaenys, seemingly about to request her favour, before requesting  the  favour  of  his own wife. with some pause, the lady adrienne   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

daeron  targaryen:  requests  the  favour  of  the lady laina. she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

arya  stark:  requests  the  favour  of  her brother, the lord martyn stark, claiming she hoped his support would see her steal a victory over their elder brother. lord martyn happily  𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

anika  moraqos:  was late in requesting  the  favour  of  the princess malaya, for their favour had already been granted.   𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗗

victarion  greyjoy:  requests  the  favour  of  his good sister, sylaisha of pyke, drawing muttering throughout the crowd for the fear of seeing a lowborn as their queen of love and beauty. as the crowd grew rowdier, sylaisha   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

otto  beesbury:  following the slight of the queen in the case of her lord commander, lord beesbury - a lord of eight and twenty name days with bronzed skin and dark curls - approached queen rhaena with head bowed and act of devotion prepared as he swore his sword to her, claiming that none among the crowds was so deserving of the title as she. the queen considered this lord with interest, for how he charmed her so. nodding in approval, and sending one of her ladies to place a laurel wreath upon the lord's lance, her grace   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

jocelyn  dondarrion:  requests  the  favour  of  her long-time betrothed, the lady olyvya dalt, on the grounds that should she win - she'd see them married in the fortnight. her beloved only laughed as she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

otto  serrett:  the  lord  takes  this  as  his  chance  to  profess  his  affections  for  the  lady  sofya  as  he  asks  for  her  favour,  claiming  to  have  loved  her  from  the  first  moment  he'd  laid  eyes  upon  her  and  that  he  would  be  lost  without  her.  after  a  few  moments  of  awkward  silence,  the  lady  sofya  quietly    𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗗

altan manwoody:  nearly falling off his horse before the matches have yet begun, lord manwoody is thick with drink as he approaches not his wife, but his long - rumoured lover, before calling even her by the wrong name as he demands her favour. needless to say, without a second thought she     𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗗

baris  tarth:  grits his teeth at the actions passed, and halts before his lady wife - the lady rhaenys - requesting  her  favour  with words of adoration. the lady rhaenys claimed none to be more deserving of her favour as she   𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗗

[galacticwildfire]

Sad, Beautiful, Tragic | Alicent Hightower

Two

Alicent Hightower x Targaryen!oc

Their fathers sworn enemies, Viserra and Alicent should never have been as close as they were, yet it was a connection neither could fight. What began as an innocent girlhood companionship becomes something scandalous, with the bastard daughter of Daemon Targaryen showing her true colours. As the dance begins she finds herself torn between her loyalty to her house and her love for her father. Yet neither hold a candle to her forbidden love for the new queen, a love which threatens to destroy them both.

Word count : 4.8k

A/N: wow, I never expected this much interaction with this story, thank you so much!

~

~

~

The sky is crackling with thunder as I fly higher and higher into the clouds and above on Darkfyre, Rhaenyra following on Syrax. An almost daily occurrence. It's the only time I feel truly alive.

When we're forced to return to the ground Alicent stands there, waiting for us as she does every day. Despite our attempts to bring her up with us she insists she is happy as a spectator.

Yet she does not seem happy as Rhaenyra and I walk over to her arm in arm.

"Another pleasant ride?"

"More like a chase," Rhaenyra exclaims, her voice heavy from the exhilaration, no one having tested her as a dragonrider until I came along. "That was fun."

"I don't know about your definition of fun, but we should get inside," Alicent says looking up at the sky and tells us "Rhaenyra, I believe you're required in the small council chamber."

"Right," Rhaenyra says, and quickly goes to ready herself, meanwhile I turn to Alicent.

"Would you like to come with me to the dock to watch the ships come in from Pentos?" I ask her but she merely shakes her head, and I recognise the look in her eyes. "Now?"

"Yes, now," she says, unable to say no to her father, and especially not a king.

~

Once Rhaenyra returns from the council chambers she asks me to accompany her in choosing a new member of the kingsguard.

Otto stands behind us as we peer over the balcony, standing on stools to see properly. It's quite boring for the most part, but we're both pleasantly surprised to see Ser Criston Cole. It's only when Ser Harrold announces him we're truly paying attention.

"Ser Criston Cole, son of the steward of the Lord of Blackhaven."

Most knights I'm accustomed to are the sons of lords, a noble enough standing, but the son of a steward is almost nothing. Yet he bested my father in combat.

"Be welcome, Ser Criston," Rhaenyra says and we share a glance before she asks "You saw combat in the Stormlands?"

"Dornish marches, princess," he replies, impressive for a man who is so young compared to the other men standing here. "I fought for a year as a foot soldier against the Dornish incursions. Ser Arlan Dondarrion knighted me after we razed two of the watch towers along the Boneway."

Rhaenyra nods, and it's clear her decision is being waited on so I add "And princess may I add although we both remember it well, that he bested my father Daemon Targaryen at the heir's tournament."

I look down to Criston Cole, a handsome man there's no denying that, one who somehow feels like a match. A man of low standing and yet one with remarkable skill in combat. Rhaenyra and I share a look, both knowing her decision.

"I choose Ser Criston Cole."

I'm smiling to myself as Otto immediately warns "Let's not be too hasty, princess. There's no doubt Ser Criston is a fine warrior, but houses such as Cracknell and Mallister are important allies to the crown-"

"Well Lord Hand, considering you believe my father to be the greatest threat to the king's life you should be glad the princess has chosen a man who bested him in combat," I interrupt much to his displeasure, having found joy in being a thorn in his side.

"Yes," Rhaenyra agrees. "My father should be defended by a man who has known real combat, should he not?"

Begrudgingly he agrees "Of course, princess."

"Well let us plan Ser Criston's investiture then."

We're both smiling as we walk away arm in arm, yet only she is oblivious as to where Alicent is at this moment.

~

That night I find myself sitting in Alicent's chambers, waiting for her. Unable to deny the discomfort the thought of her alone with Viserys brings me. My uncle is a good man, likely taking the opportunity to show her his model city, glad someone to have someone that listens. But still, it's never sat right with me, and with each day that passes it only worsens.

The heavy door opens and her voice is stiff as she sees me, walking past me to pour herself a cup of wine as she asks "How did it go with Rhaenyra?"

"She chose Ser Criston Cole."

Alicent only sighs. "Of course she did."

"Does that bother you?" I ask, perplexed.

"Aside from the obvious reason he was chosen?"

It seems she's seen her father before coming here. "Because he bested my father in combat?" Her lips purse together, having forgotten that. "Why are you in such a sour mood lately?"

Her voice is tough. "You know why."

And so I walk over to her, taking her hand in mine and lacing my fingers with hers. "Then come forget it for a little while."

The tension slowly leaves her body at my touch, neither of us knows quite why we keep these nights secret from Rhaenyra, but we do. Nights where it's just the two of us.

I hold her close, her touch easing the loneliness inside. It's innocent, but something about it feels like it's for us only to see and no one else. Nights where we lay together, our fingers laced and bodies touching, just to feel some type of comfort.

We lie down on her bed atop the blankets and when I see the tears staining her face she doesn't need to explain why. I wipe them away and touch my forehead to hers. These past months have been difficult for her. Too difficult.

"Every time my father sends me to the king, I'm worried he'll ask things of me I don't want to give," she confesses to me, her voice shaking. "And whenever he sees me his eyes say it all, that I'm not doing enough."

"Then he does not know Viserys," I say quietly. "My fathers told me in his youth the two of them may have made their way through the street of silk but through his marriage to Aemma he never took a mistress, never desired to. He is not that type of man."

"I know, but my father-" she cuts herself off. "He wants me to make a whore of myself when I've never even been kissed. I wouldn't know what to do."

It's then I realise "Now I think of it I wouldn't know either."

She almost laughs at that. "You're you, Viserra Targaryen, of course you'd know."

I know better than her the things that happen in brothels, even if I've never partaken.

"I know I may behave like a man but I've never touched one," I tell her in all honesty, something that somehow surprises her. "I'd much rather ride my dragon." But as I look at her lips I can't help but ask "Have you ever wondered what it would feel like, to kiss someone?"

"Haven't we all?" she replies. "You're free to do whatever you wish, I must remain perfectly chaste."

I raise an eyebrow. "Would anyone know if you weren't?"

"I would," she replies, flustered. "I'd know."

Sex is something I've found myself thinking of often these past months, but it's something I haven't sought out. Perhaps it's guilt, knowing I can do so without consequence whilst for Alicent and Rhaenyra such a thing could destroy their prospects. When I think of it I often think of Ser Criston, wondering what a man's hands would feel like on my body, how rough they'd be opposed to when I'm in Alicent's arms, how chapped a man's lips would feel as opposed to my own lips, a woman's lips. How they'd feel. 

How hers would feel.

I find my eyes fixed on them, perfect like the rest of her, and murmur "Is your chastity truly worth more than taking what you want?"

She blinks at me, confused. "What I want?"

I meet her eyes and ask "What is it you want?" She opens her mouth and I follow up. "I don't mean what your father wants, or what you should want. What do you actually want?"

She opens her mouth but struggles for words. "I-" for a moment I swear I see her eyes look to my lips before sitting upright, leaving me without her warmth. "I need a glass of water." She gets up and reluctantly I sit up, watching as she pours one for each of us and stiffly says "Since you're here would you like to help me finish the embroidery on my new dress."

It's the last thing I want to do, but to have an excuse to stay here I agree. 

~

The following morning three of us come to the sept, Alicent and I listening to Rhaenyra's frustrations, but my head is still caught up in last night in Alicent's room and the strange feeling that's lingered like perfume.

"It's only been half a year since my mother died, and already they try to marry my father off and replace me as heir. I know those men and how they plot in their secret councils when I've been sent away."

Alicent and I share a look, Rhaenyra none the wiser. We'd hoped that Otto's attempts would fail, that the visits to Viserys would fizzle out into nothing, but I was wrong. We both were.

"You cannot worry at the matters of lords and kings Rhaenyra," Alicent says, secretly becoming defensive. These past months she's been racked with fear at the thought of Rhaenyra finding out, even to the point I've tried to convince her to tell her herself. But here we are. "What if your father were to remarry?"

Now that catches my attention, it is one thing to entertain a king, it's another to marry him. Alicent struggles to meet my eye and I know this plot is quickly growing stronger, and far more dangerous.

Those words visibly upset Rhaenyra and so I say "Six months is hardly even an appropriate period of mourning. The king lost his beloved wife, no one wise should ask him to even consider it for a long time to come."

Rhaenyra still doesn't speak, while my logic doesn't comfort her, Alicent's words do. "The king loves you. He chose you for his heir."

Rhaenyra's voice is harsh. "He didn't choose me he spurned Daemon." She quickly looks to me in regret. "I'm sorry, I'm not the only one who has lost a parent."

"I haven't lost him," I sigh, having hardly spoken of it. "Your mother died in the childbed and brother in the cradle, my father laughed about it in a brothel and got himself exiled to Dragonstone where he is living with his whore without even the decency to send a letter."

A lie, but not completely. I know very well my safety and the council's trust in me is dependent on my loyalty to Viserys and Rhaenyra, and of no contact with my father. There has been none, except for my fifteenth nameday several months ago. There was no letter, nothing, except for a ring bearing the sigil of our house. A reminder from him that despite my birth, despite the fact at barely sixteen he'd impregnated my mother and yielded a bastard, I'm still his daughter, I'm still a Targaryen. And most importantly not to forget it.

Her voice is as gentle as it gets. "But he is still your father."

It's then Alicent, feeling we are all grieving something guides us over to where the candles are lit to pray. "Kneel with me."

It's a command we do not refuse, each of us kneeling on either side of her, being in a holy space so strange to us, and engaging with it even stranger.

Alicent's voice shakes a little. "I find this is a way to be with my mother. Here in the quiet of the sept I feel close to her." She backtracks knowing neither of us have faith like she does. "I know it sounds foolish."

"I don't think it's foolish," Rhaenyra says and I quickly follow.

"It isn't, it's sweet," I say, giving her a small smile and she nods, returning it.

"Good, because I thought you both might try."

She passes us each a stick of incense, and notices our hesitation.

"If not for me, then for them," she says and looks to me. "For all our mothers."

My mother, Jeyne, daughter of Lord Egan. A man of a small house sworn to House Arryn and the Vale, although they disowned her when she fell pregnant. Yet she grew up companion to Aemma, and it was her love for my mother that spared us both from ruin. It was her love that kept me cared for when my mother died in the childbed until my father came, a young man of sixteen tempted to let me bear the fate of the bastard. He'll never admit it, but I know it was by Aemma's insistence that he claimed me as his.

We light the incense, and I stare through the smoke at the flames. Yet it is not my mother I mourn, but my father. He's had stints like this over the years, but not this long, not without me. Even if that part is my own fault. Yet I cannot regret it when I have Alicent and Rhaenyra beside me. Rhaenyra is my sister but Alicent... Alicent has become my confidante and I her's.

I come out of my daze to see Rhaenyra in tears. "I want him to see me as more than his little girl."

Alicent tries to assure her "Mine own father does not know the language of girls either."

"Well you both know mine so that should go without saying."

I manage to make them both laugh a little, but in truth I wish that my father would just see me as his little girl. Not as his dragon rider or heir to nothing or fighter. Just his little girl. If he did then perhaps he wouldn't do the things he does.

It's when Alicent speaks that I go quiet. "When I wish to talk with him, I know that I must make the effort."

I'm quiet as they continue to pray, something Alicent notices for that night she comes to my rooms, just her.

Again I'm looking through incense into a candle flame, as if I could be a dreamer, but I'm not, unfortunately I inherited my fathers mind for realism.

"You were quiet earlier," she begins. "I know you didn't want to say anything since Rhaenyra was already upset..." she comes over and sits beside me on the long armchair. "You can talk to me."

I shake my head, the irony of it all making me mad. "You and Rhaenyra, despite the difficulties with your fathers you can speak to them... my father has so many enemies here at court that if I spoke with him they'd twist it into something ugly, a conspiracy."

"Is that what you want?" she asks me. "To speak with him?"

"I want him here," I say, my voice strained as I look at her. "I have everything I could need except for my father. He- he's all I've ever truly had. I never had my real mother nor her family, the closest thing to that was the queen and now she's gone that leaves my father, who is also gone. Banished."

Alicent offers "I could speak with the king-"

Immediately I reach for her hand, shaking my head. "No, don't do that."

She's confused. "Why not?"

"Because it is a dangerous thing to do, what you do now is dangerous enough but to involve yourself in such matters could put you in harms way."

While I'm worried she dismisses it. "My father has already done that."

I look down at our joined hands, a strange ache in my heart, a rage barely hidden. "I hate him for what he's done to my father, for what he's done to you."

I've never said it so frankly before, but it's hardly a surprise to her. "The king must remarry, he's merely put me in his sight."

I still at her resignation which has become almost acceptance. "Except you do not want it." She doesn't say a word as she looks down at her hands, her nails bloodied. "Tell me you don't want it."

She opens her mouth, but struggles with words. "I-" She stumbles over them and I let go of her hand and get to my feet, standing over her. "Viserra."

"You'd be betraying Rhaenyra," I say, having supported her in this until now. "You came to me half a year ago in tears because your father wanted you to comfort the king, and now- now you're telling me if he were to take a new wife you would want it to be you?"

"No," she quickly says, jumping up. "I never said that."

But something's changed in her eyes since that night. "But your father has."

She purses her lips together, picking at her nails until she blurts out "He doesn't have to."

I look down at her hands and grab them, holding them tight in my own. "It's me Alicent. I know you don't want this, I know you're trying to accept your fate but there's still a way out of this."

She blinks at me confused. "How?"

That is the question I hoped she wouldn't follow up with. "We'll find a way."

Now she's the one to shake her head at me as she rips her hands away and steps back. "You would sooner get yourself exiled trying."

"Then I'll get myself exiled," I say without hesitation, not understanding this feeling which I can only label as fear, not fear of exile, but fear of losing her.

"No-"

"I would."

"You wouldn't."

"I would," I insist, knowing it's the truth but she stares at me with wide eyes as if I'm mad. "You know I would."

"I know you're reckless," she says, stepping closer to me. "I know you pretend not to be, you pretend to be a lady to keep everyone happy but I know what you are. I might be the only person who does."

I step closer, challenging her. "And what's that?"

She's as angry as I've ever seen her, and I could almost smile at having brought it out, brought out what I know is beneath her pretty face but I could not expect the words that come from her mouth "I know you're in love with Rhaenyra."

She catches me not just off guard, but leaves me utterly stunned. "What?"

She stands her ground. "Why else would you stay here when your father was exiled?" I'm that blindsided I cannot even think let alone form words as her voice shakes with what I can only call jealousy. "I see how you look at her, I see you two together when you fly on dragonback, I've been a witness watching for months-" She pauses, as if questioning if she's going too far but she knows she's already crossed whatever line there was between us. "My father... he warned me long ago that you- that you favour women."

I blink at her, the mention of Otto waking me up "Well then he must know my heart better than I for that is news to me."

She just shakes her head at me. "Don't deny it, we both know it to be true."

Except I don't. "I-"

She cuts me off again. "I've seen how you look at Rhaenyra and she at you, is this the reason you're so adamant about me not marrying the king? Because you cannot bear the thought of betraying her?"

Again, an accusation that is news to me and I cannot help the disgust that edges my words. "You- you think I'm in love with Rhaenyra?"

She just looks at me as if I'm an idiot. "I know it." I open my mouth, unable to even begin to find the words to tell her how wrong she is, but again she speaks in my place. "I'm not blind, I saw it long before my father ever did."

"Otto," I begin, my voice thick. "Otto decides to slander me by painting me as what? Some heinous girl who seduces her friends?"

It's then I see panic cross her face. "No- I didn't mean-"

"And to accuse me of being in love with Rhaenyra," it's that part that truly bewilders me. "She is a sister to me, an annoying sister who I fight with but love dearly as kin, I could never see her as anything but that." I look at Alicent, who's turned pale. "How could you think that?"

"I-" it's only now she stumbles over her words. "I shouldn't have said anything."

Before I can reach for her she's running towards my door and I'm calling out her name "Alicent!"

She runs out, but if she thinks I won't follow her she's dead wrong.

I chase after her, calling out her name as she runs down the hall in the dead of night but I'm faster and catch her wrist. "Alicent!"

She looks back at me with tears in her brown eyes, something which only bewilders me more. "I shouldn't have said anything, I'm sorry, please- please forget it."

But I just stare at her with wide eyes and exclaim "How? How can I possibly forget that?"

"Please, I'm asking you- I'm begging you Viserra please-"

It's then a shrewd voice rings out and we both see Otto walking towards us. "Let go of my daughter!"

But something possesses me and I pull her behind me, defiant. "No."

He stops in front of us and threatens "Let her go before I call the guards."

I just laugh dangerously, something which unnerves him. "Is that what you think I am, a heinous bastard who seduces noble lords daughters?"

"I know you are."

Without thinking, without even a shred of sense, I reach for her face and bring her lips to mine. It's brief yet everything I dreamed it would be, the feeling of a woman's lips on my own, but overshadowed by the realisation that in a single moment I know I've thrown us both into the flames.

She stares at me, wide eyed and speechless as it dawns on me what I've done and I look to Otto who gapes at us in pure disgust.

"I will-"

"What?" I taunt, calling his bluff as I let go of Alicent to challenge him. "Tell the king? I think we both know you wouldn't dare."

He'd never risk his daughter's reputation, never risk her chances of becoming queen for his own hatred for me, no matter how tempting. Without looking back at Alicent I push past him, blood pumping and head light as I march back to my chambers. The moment the door closes behind me it's as if a wave has come over me.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I curse under my breath as the weight of what I've done hits. I'm trembling, not out of fear of repercussions from Otto or the king. But of Alicent. Of what this means for us.

My first instinct isn't self-preservation, but escape.

I'm leaving tonight.

Quickly I change into my riding clothes, leaving my crimson dress discarded on the floor as I grab my dagger, securing it around my waist before making my escape from the castle and to the dragon pit. The dragon keepers don't question me as I bring Darkfyre out and mount her, going the only place I've ever gone when in trouble. To my father.

Before I even know what I've done Dragonstone is in the distance, and I land atop the bridge leading to the castle, climbing down from Darkfyre, unable to hear the sound of my own feet running in the darkness over the pounding of my heart.

Knowing there's no such thing as a quiet entrance with a dragon I run inside calling out for him despite the hour. The Goldcloaks don't dare to stop me.

"Father!" I cry out, and it's only then the tears come to me, a scared girl longing for her fathers assurance. "Father!"

There's a hand on my arm and I look to see Ser Harwin. "Princess?"

"I need to see my father," I say, suddenly aware of my current state and how I must look, and he quickly guides me through the throne room where goldcloaks have summoned my father. 

It's there he runs in, utterly bewildered to see me here but he doesn't ask questions as the goldcloaks vacate the room, taking me into his arms making sure I'm not hurt. 

"I fucked up," I cry into his shirt, knowing those words I've always been able to say to him if no one else. "I've ruined everything."

He pulls back, hands on my shoulders, voice firm "Did you kill someone?"

I look up at him, struggling for breath as I confess "I kissed Alicent."

His eyes roll that far into the back of his head as he lets me go, muttering "You wake me up at this hour..."

"Father, this is serious," I insist, biting back my tears. "Otto Hightower thinks I'm a heinous seductress determined to corrupt his daughter."

I watch as he simply sits back on the throne, forehead in his hands. "Otto, what the fuck does Otto have to do with it?"

"I had a fight with Alicent and Otto found me running after her and accused me of trying to seduce his daughter so I- I kissed her."

He looks up, hiding a smile behind his hand. "Well are you?"

"Of course not!" I exclaim and he raises his hands in his defence, amused. "Why are you laughing?"

"So, Otto accuses you of seducing his daughter, and you go and prove him right by seducing his daughter."

My body is stiff as I insist. "I did not seduce Alicent!"

"Why not, if everyone's accusing you of it why not do it?"

"Because I don't-" I cut myself off but he just waits for me to finish. "I don't have those predispositions."

He scoffs "Bullshit."

I gape at him. "What do you mean bullshit?"

He chuckles. "Must I point out the obvious?"

I glare at him which only makes him laugh more. "Stop it."

"Stop what? You're the one that's arrived here on dragonback in the middle of the night screaming bloody murder because you kissed a girl," he remarks. "And I'd almost forgotten you were fifteen. So to clarify, you kissed Alicent in front of Otto."

"Yes-" he laughs, enjoying this too much.

"Oh to see the look on his face, well done."

"Well done?" I repeat. "Is that truly all you have to say?"

"Well what else is there?" he asks me. "You finally realised you want to fuck Alicent Hightower and half succeeded whilst pissing off that old cunt so well done."

"I don't want to-" I cut myself off, more frustrated than upset now at least. "I don't want to fuck girls."

He just sighs, shaking his head at me as if I'm an idiot. "Yes you do, don't deny it. If you stopped arguing with me for five seconds you'd see it."

And so I shut up, and indeed it does only take five seconds for me to realise just what that strange feeling I've been harbouring all these months is.

"Shit."

He just watches on amused as it finally dawns on me after all these months, after all these years of craving a woman's touch, craving hers. But- but I've always found men attractive, just none have ever managed to hold a candle to her. 

All this time I've asked her what she wants, without ever stopping to consider for a moment what it is I want. Perhaps it's because whenever the words have left my tongue she's been right there in front of me, already there.

Until now.

I look at my father, realising what I've just revealed about myself and ask "You aren't- you aren't angry?"

He just raises his eyebrows at the question. "Do you think I'm Otto? Of course not. I'm just glad it's not Ser Crispin you're crying over."

"But I- I still think I like men," I say, confused but certain of that much and he curses.

"So close." 

It's then we're interrupted by his whore.

"Has it been done?" Daemon asks her and she nods. "Good. Time you properly met my daughter. Viserra, this is Mysaria, Mysaria, my daughter Viserra."

"Princess," she says, her voice foreign, and excuses herself as quickly as she came. She's still here with him after six months, that alone shocks me.

"Do you love her?" I ask my father, and he merely shrugs.

"I like her company enough."

I never understood his animosity for Rhea Royce, I always admired her, and she was always kind to me. But I can say now I've never understood love, never understood what it must be to be forced into another's heart until I saw Alicent being forced to the king's chambers.

It's then I confess to my father "Otto is plotting to make Alicent queen."

He pauses, taken aback. "They're plotting to replace Aemma already?"

"With Alicent," I say, needing someone to share my anger. "Otto wants his daughter to be queen, he's had Alicent visiting the king for months now."

He stews on it. "Otto that bastard, of course he has."

"How do I stop it?" I ask him and he looks up at me in surprise. "I don't care about the consequences, she doesn't want this, so tell me how I can stop it."

With those words he looks at me with a newfound pride. "You'll likely get yourself exiled."

"I don't care," I say as quickly as I did when Alicent said those same words. "I- I can't watch her marry him."

I won't. I won't watch Alicent marry my uncle, I won't watch her be forced to have children that would replace Rhaenyra. It's always been the three of us, we swore allegiance to Rhaenyra. I won't let Otto destroy everything. No matter the cost. 

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[magnificentsapcaddy]

Something I've been thinking about that's a perfect encapsulation of why Stannis is my favorite Baratheon - when he brings the contenders for Lord Commander to get their shit together and elect someone TONIGHT even though traditionally it can take months or years, among the likes of Cotter Pyke, the seasoned Ironborn fighter who rules Eastwatch-By-Sea and Ser Denys Mallister, the courtly old knight who's been waiting patiently for sixty years for his chance at the position, is Dolorous Edd, who received a single vote from his friend Pyp as a joke.

Like, Stannis isn't perfect. He's brusque and stubborn and gods help you if your plans don't align with his. But he genuinely doesn't mess around with his principles. He wants the candidates to settle things TONIGHT, and when he tells them that, he tells ALL of them, even the pessimist son of a no-name house who doesn't want the position and was put forward as a joke. Because if he left him out, then it wouldn't be fair, even if it wouldn't really matter in the end

[jackoshadows]

The day had come. It was the hour of the wolf. Soon enough the sun would rise, and four thousand wildlings would come pouring through the Wall. Madness. Jon Snow ran his burned hand through his hair and wondered once again what he was doing. Once the gate was opened there would be no turning back. It should have been the Old Bear to treat with Tormund. It should have been Jaremy Rykker or Qhorin Halfhand or Denys Mallister or some other seasoned man. It should have been my uncle. It was too late for such misgivings, though. Every choice had its risks, every choice its consequences. He would play the game to its conclusion. - Jon, ADwD

I like how GRRM goes meta here and speaking through Jon’s character, making his oft argued point that the characters are doing their very best as leaders, hindsight is 20/20 and often there is no getting around the consequences because the circumstances are beyond their control. Was the Old Bear a bad leader? Is that why he is dead? Were Rykker and the Halfhand bad leaders? Every choice these characters make comes with their own risks and consequences and that’s the burden of leadership. This is not a fairy tale of perfect endings and ideal leadership.

And whether it be Ned Stark or Tyrion Lannister or Tywin Lannister or Daenerys Targaryen or Cersei Lannister trying to deal with the real challenges that affect anyone trying to rule the 7K or even a city like Meereen and it’s hard. You know, we can all read the books or read history and say oh, so and so was stupid and made a lot of mistakes and look at all these stupid mistakes they make. But these kind of mistakes are always much more apparent in hind sight than when you are actually faced with the decision about, oh my God, what would I do in this situation. How do I resolve this thing? Do I do the moral thing? But what about  the political consequences of the moral thing? Do I do the pragmatic, cynical thing and kind of screw the people who are screwed by it? I mean, it is HARD. And I want to get to all of that - GRRM

Even Cersei comments on the ‘what ifs’ in AFfC:

It came to her suddenly that she had stood in this very spot before, on the day Lord Eddard Stark had lost his head. That was not supposed to happen. Joff was supposed to spare his life and send him to the Wall. Stark's eldest son would have followed him as Lord of Winterfell, but Sansa would have stayed at court, a hostage. [...] If Joff had only done as he was told, Winterfell would never have gone to war, and Father would have dealt with Robert's brothers. Instead Joff had commanded that Stark's head be struck off, and Lord Slynt and Ser Ilyn Payne had hastened to obey. It was just there, the queen recalled, gazing at the spot. Janos Slynt had lifted Ned Stark's head by the hair as his life's blood flowed down the steps, and after that there was no turning back. - Cersei, AFfC

Ned Stark is often labelled a bad politician for dooming his family, and yet no one could have foreseen what Joffrey did. As Cersei says - ‘This was not supposed to happen’.

I also love the blatant, right in front of our face foreshadowing here:

Every choice had its risks, every choice its consequences. He would play the game to its conclusion. 

He rose and dressed in darkness, as Mormont's raven muttered across the room. "Corn," the bird said, and, "King," and, "Snow, Jon Snow, Jon Snow." That was queer. The bird had never said his full name before, as best Jon could recall. - Jon, ADwD

From Jon thinking that he would play the game to it’s conclusion to the raven calling him King Jon Snow!

[greenbloods]

Janos Slynt's Powerful Friends

so janos' "powerful friends" are pretty much a joke meant to show what a blustering oaf his character is, right? but theres also an undercurrent of something deeper beneath. because before hes executed by jon he says this:

“No,” Slynt cried, as Emmett half-shoved and halfpulled him across the yard. “Unhand me ... you cannot ... when Tywin Lannister hears of this, you will all rue—”

so we know exactly who his 'friends' are. but why does he put so much faith in tywin, half a realm away? and what exactly are he and allister thorne plotting, that jon is so afraid of the two of them?

lets take a look at alliser's part in the scene again.

“Lord Janos,” Jon said, “I will give you one last chance. Put down that spoon and get to the stables. I have had your horse saddled and bridled. It is a long, hard road to Greyguard.” “Then you had best be on your way, boy.” Slynt laughed, dribbling porridge down his chest. “Greyguard’s a good place for the likes of you, I’m thinking. Well away from decent godly folk. The mark of the beast is on you, bastard.” “You are refusing to obey my order?” “You can stick your order up your bastard’s arse,” said Slynt, his jowls quivering. Alliser Thorne smiled a thin smile, his black eyes fixed on Jon. At another table, Godry the Giantslayer began to laugh. “As you will.” Jon nodded to Iron Emmett. “Please take Lord Janos to the Wall—” —and confine him to an ice cell, he might have said. A day or ten cramped up inside the ice would leave him shivering and feverish and begging for release, Jon did not doubt. And the moment he is out, he and Thorne will begin to plot again. —and tie him to his horse, he might have said. If Slynt did not wish to go to Greyguard as its commander, he could go as its cook. It will only be a matter of time until he deserts, then. And how many others will he take with him? “—and hang him,” Jon finished. Janos Slynt’s face went as white as milk. The spoon slipped from his fingers. Edd and Emmett crossed the room, their footsteps ringing on the stone floor. Bowen Marsh’s mouth opened and closed though no words came out. Ser Alliser Thorne reached for his sword hilt. Go on, Jon thought. Longclaw was slung across his back. Show your steel. Give me cause to do the same. Half the men in the hall were on their feet. Southron knights and men-at-arms, loyal to King Stannis or the red woman or both, and Sworn Brothers of the Night’s Watch. Some had chosen Jon to be their lord commander. Others had cast their stones for Bowen Marsh, Ser Denys Mallister, Cotter Pyke ... and some for Janos Slynt. Hundreds of them, as I recall. Jon wondered how many of those men were in the cellar right now. For a moment the world balanced on a sword’s edge. Alliser Thorne took his hand from his sword and stepped aside to let Edd Tollett pass. —A Dance with Dragons

we see alliser considering open rebellion to jons order, but thinking better of it. clearly theres a close alliance between the two of them, with common enmity against jon snow. on my first read i didnt spend too much time thinking of alliser and janos other than generally occupying the "antagonist" role in jons chapters. but i think theres so much more going on here.

The sound of voices echoing off the vaulted ceiling brought him back to Castle Black. “I don’t know,” a man was saying, in a voice thick with doubts. “Maybe if I knew the man better . . . Lord Stannis didn’t have much good to say of him, I’ll tell you that.” “When has Stannis Baratheon ever had much good to say of anyone?” Ser Alliser’s flinty voice was unmistakable. “If we let Stannis choose our Lord Commander, we become his bannermen in all but name. Tywin Lannister is not like to forget that, and you know it will be Lord Tywin who wins in the end. He’s already beaten Stannis once, on the Blackwater.” “Lord Tywin favors Slynt,” said Bowen Marsh, in a fretful, anxious voice. “I can show you his letter, Othell. ‘Our faithful friend and servant,’ he called him.” Jon Snow sat up suddenly, and the three men froze at the sound of the slosh. “My lords,” he said with cold courtesy. “What are you doing here, bastard?” Thorne asked. “Bathing. But don’t let me spoil your plotting.” Jon climbed from the water, dried, dressed, and left them to conspire. —A Storm of Swords

what is going on??

ok. so it seems like the senior members of the night's watch--othell yarwyck, bowen marsh, and alliser thorne in the scene above--are attempting to decide whether or not to put their support behind janos slynt in the vote for lord commander, in order to best navigate the future of the watch amidst the turmoil of the war of the five kings, and are considering their options between pissing off stannis or tywin. tywin is in active communication with men of the nights watch (!!) outside of the lord commander's knowledge (!!!) (not that there was one at this time). so it seems like alliser thorne's allegiance is ultimately to the preservation of the watch, but to achieve those goals he is allied with janos slynt, who is tywin's man. its interesting that alliser seems to be playing on the same side as tywin in all this, since tywin is the one who forced him to take the black after robert's rebellion. imo this is meant to show that alliser--despite being an asshole--is ultimately a man who puts his sense of duty first.

where does this leave us in our understanding of night watch politics? we know that there was backdooring, that tywin supported janos slynt for some some mysterious purpose to become lord commander, with othell bowen and alliser convincing each other to put their stones behind janos 'for the watch.' now we just have to figure out what tywin's goal is in all this. as far as i can tell theres two two possible explanations. either 1) he's swaying the watch to give him arms so he can secure the north 2) he's planning on assassinating jon snow to complete his campaign of exterminating the starks. for the second explanation we have to look no further than the red wedding, another major time tywin used "quills and ravens" to gain allies in the north who would win his battles for him, in the hopes of crushing ned stark's household. the first notion is a little subtler, because if theory #1 is correct it wouldnt be the only time in the series a lannister in kings landing schemed to assassinate jon snow

She let Lord Merryweather fill her cup once again. “Another problem has arisen on the Wall, however. The brothers of the Night’s Watch have taken leave of their wits and chosen Ned Stark’s bastard son to be their Lord Commander.” “Snow, the boy is called,” Pycelle said unhelpfully. “I glimpsed him once at Winterfell,” the queen said, “though the Starks did their best to hide him. He looks very like his father.” [...] “Snow shares Lord Eddard’s taste for treason too,” she said. “The father would have handed the realm to Stannis. The son has given him lands and castles.” [...] Qyburn leaned forward with a smile. “The Night’s Watch defends us all from snarks and grumkins. My lords, I say that we must help the brave black brothers.” Cersei gave him a sharp look. “What are you saying?” “This,” Qyburn said. “For years now, the Night’s Watch has begged for men. Lord Stannis has answered their plea. Can King Tommen do less? His Grace should send the Wall a hundred men. To take the black, ostensibly, but in truth . . .” “. . . to remove Jon Snow from the command,” Cersei finished, delighted. I knew I was right to want him on my council. “That is just what we shall do.” She laughed. If this bastard boy is truly his father’s son, he will not suspect a thing. Perhaps he will even thank me, before the blade slides between his ribs. “It will need to be done carefully, to be sure. Leave the rest to me, my lords.” This was how an enemy should be dealt with: with a dagger, not a declaration. “We have done good work today, my lords. I thank you. Is there aught else?” --Cersei, A Feast for Crows

cersei rightfully gets a bad rep in the fandom for making terrible decisions throughout feast, but people dont give her a lot of credit for being able to correctly pinpoint threats. the tyrells are a threat to lannister power bronn's loyalty to tyrion is a danger and jon's command of the nights watch is a thorn in her influence over the north. so in an attempt to lead like her father would, cersei plots to assassinate jon. maybe like cersei, tywin would have identified this threat too. only like his daughter, he would have been much subtler in his attempts to kill the lord commander, using key allies (like how he used the boltons and freys) as catspaws that receive most of the blame for the act itself.

this theory rly fits for me thematically because it parallels quite well with the Great Northern Conspiracy being cooked up by the stark loyalists down south, and because it interfaces nicely with the whole "nights watch takes no part" arc words jon struggles with throughout dance.

so in conclusion i think that janos' "powerful friends," although used to make a joke out of his character, also shows us that there were deeper things brewing beneath the surface of the nights watch

[weirwoodsugar]

good morning. denys mallister/cotter pyke old man yaoi is that anything