#rickard stark

[wylldebee]

Song of Ice and Fire AU where the Starks have these prominent canine teeth that are as sharp as a direwolf's. Some say it's the magic within the Stark bloodline dating back to when the First Men and the Children of the Forest lived in peace. Others say it's a sign of their kinship with the direwolves that has carried over even when direwolves died out. There's even an old tale about the time a Stark warged into a direwolf and mated with a real one on a dare. Either way, the Starks have these sharp ass fangs that are dangerous and oddly alluring. Special teething toys have to been made to survive the little years. Rickard had the "normal" Stark fangs. Think Luke Evans but bigger. He almost bit a man's finger off for insulting him. His sons Brandon and Benjen inherited his fangs. Despite being a cousin one removed from the Stark line, Lyarra Stark had the biggest and sharpest fangs. She could tear into a steak or a man's throat easily. One flash of her fangs as she feasted on a bloody steak and Rickard was instantly smitten. Her son Eddard and daughter Lyanna inherited her fangs (though Ned's were smaller, easily hidden, which fit with his quiet image). Robb and Bran inheritated Rickard's fangs like their uncles Brandon and Benjen. Rickon has Rickard's size but Lyarra's sharpness. Jon's is like Ned's but bigger, somewhere in between Ned and Lyarra's sizes. Sansa and Arya take completely after their grandmother. Headcanons underneath the read more.

— Rickon bit everyone when he was teething. A literal ankle biter. Ned still has the scars. — When Lyanna was rescuing Howland Reed she also bit one of the squires. Howland can still perfectly remember the victorious bloody grin on her face, fangs tipped with blood. — Robb and Jon used to practice snarling at each other when they were small. — Catelyn is into it. Like...into it. First Brandon then Ned. She's weak for the moments where Ned smiles wide enough he accidentally flashes his fangs. In their chambers in private she'll cup both sides of his face and trace his fangs with her thumbs and then it leads to sexy times and thus the Stark kids were born. — The Stark kids taught their direwolves how to snarl. — Instead of Nymeria biting Joffrey it's Arya. Nymeria just distracted him with her arrival. No direwolves die, not when Arya's fangs and lips are coated with blood and Joffrey bares the marks. Renly has to be carried out, laughing so hard he's wheezing. — Sansa kept her fangs filed to be more like a proper southern lady. It was painful but worth it (in her eyes). Come her time in King's Landing, she lets them get long and sharp again. Margaery is instantly in love (and highly aroused). (No seriously Margaery is literally shimmering in arousal all day every day. All Sansa has to do is flash her fangs and Marg is soaked.)

[johannawesterling]

The fact that Howland Reed had to pry Ned away from Lyanna's dead body - and he disassociated so hard that he didn't remember any of that due to the trauma of his baby sister dying in his arms. GoD. And only, what, days before? His father and brother were butchered by the Mad King trying to find out what happened to Lyanna?

All for a prophecy? All for a disgusting POS who couldn't keep it in his pants? Fuck you, Rhaegar. Fuck you.

[rise-my-angel]

Jon Snow, the man who thought burning a man alive was so utterly cruel and inhumane, very publically defied a Kings orders in front of him, and everyone else in attendance, by showing Mance Rayder mercy and shooting an arrow into his heart before the fire could start to engulf him.

Yes I understand why he'd side with miss "I literally dream about my enemies dying screaming as I burn them alive on mass".

Totally justified, the man whose uncle and grandfather were also burned alive, would ever side with the burns alive with flying flame thrower queen whose father was the one who burned his uncle and grandfather alive.

I'm sure Brandon and Rickard Starks deaths had absolutely no impact on the manner in which Jon grew up as someone who thinks burning people alive is a monstrous way to execute someone. I'm sure it doesn't greatly bother him to watch people die the way his uncle and grandfather were murdered.

But hes got secret targ blood so who cares.

[latte125]

everyone starting a war because they think rhaegar kidnapped lyanna:

*meanwhile at the tower of joy*

gerold: if you were arrested, what would be the charges?

oswell: carrying drugs with me

rhaegar: theft

lyanna: being too iconic

arthur: actually I think it would be treason for all of us

[blakeswritingimagines]

Dating Yandere Rickard Stark Would Include:

He is a strict leader, but he does have a softer side to him. He's known mostly for being stoic and keeping his feelings at bay. But he does have a romantic side to him that he's not afraid to show to you. When he finds someone he truly loves, he's willing to do anything for you.

As a yandere, he can be very obsessive about his love interests. He will have a deep emotional attachment to you and will do anything for you. He can be very possessive and jealous of your time and attention. He can be prone to impulsive, obsessive thoughts, behaviors, and actions. He can become irrational and act out violently when faced with jealousy or rejection. He can also be very needy and emotionally dependent on you.

He would be very jealous, but at the same time, he would treat you kindly as long as you didn’t show attraction to others. He would try to manipulate you and make you be loyal and devoted to just him.

He would be very possessive over you and not trust you around other people when you weren’t with him. He would often ask you where you were going when you left and always try to keep you close to him. He would be jealous of anyone who even got close to you and he would never allow you to hang out with them. He would expect you to give him all your attention and if you didn’t, he would get very angry and lash out at you.

He would be very controlling towards you and try to dictate what you wear, who you spend time with, where you go, what you do, and how you act. He would be prone to violent outbursts when things don’t go the way he wants them to, and he would be extremely manipulative and possessive over you. He would always be suspicious of other people's intentions and not let you make many friends. He would treat you like property and feel entitled to you.

He would also be extremely clingy and needy. He would be constantly calling and texting you, and demanding your attention all the time. He would constantly beg for your love and attention and wouldn't let you leave him alone for even a second. He would also constantly be asking you to see him and spend time with him, to the point where it would begin to drive you crazy.

He would be very volatile. His moods would always be shifting, from loving to spiteful. He'd be quick to lash out and make threats if you did anything that didn't go his way. He'd be very unpredictable and you never know what kind of mood he'd be in. He'd be quick to insult you and make you feel worthless, but then make you feel special and loved just as quickly. He'd be manipulative and make you understand that he owns you, that there's no one else for you and you'd be lost without him.

As a yandere, he would be very protective of you. He would be extremely overprotective to the point where you would be unable to do anything without him. He would constantly worry about your safety and would go out of his way to make sure that nothing bad happened to you.

Well, if you ever cheated on him, he would make sure you'd regret it dearly. He'd start with insulting and cursing at you. He'd be extremely jealous and angry of whoever you cheated on him with and he would make sure that you knew how much he hated the other person. He would find some way to physically hurt the other person to teach them a lesson even in front of you, and he'd always hold it against you and make you pay dearly for it.

He would have no respect for your autonomy or boundaries. He would demand that you do whatever he says, whenever he says it. He'd forbid you from leaving him, and he'd make you feel like you're nothing without him. He'd be extremely manipulative and he'd do anything to keep you with him and make you his.

When you're around him, he would insist that you wear matching jewelry or accessories that signify your union, like friendship bracelets, promise rings, or even collars and leashes. He'd be extremely possessive and demand that you never take it off. If anyone ever dared to criticize him, he'd freak out and lash out at them, even if your reputation is at stake. He'll be there to defend your honor no matter the cost.

Well, if you did something that he liked or pleased him, he'd reward you with attention and affection. He'd give you compliments and praise you for doing the right thing, and make you feel loved and appreciated. He'd also give you gifts and surprises just because you deserve them.

If you do something that he doesn't like, he'll punish you by insulting or degrading you. He would ignore you for a period of time and make you feel neglected and forgotten. He'd make you feel worthless and insignificant, and he'd make you feel like you're nothing without him. He'd withhold love and affection and make you feel like you're alone. He'd make you feel guilty and ashamed for something he believed you did wrong. He'd punish you by denying you the things you want and making you feel hopeless about achieving your goals. His punishments also include anything from taking away privileges to spanking, to even slapping you if you really needed.

Well, if you got married, that would mean there are no more secrets between you, and are bonded forever. You would belong to him and he would belong to you. He would be the only person in your life. He would expect you to never even look at another as if they were attractive or interesting and he would demand complete obedience from you.

If you had children, you would be even more bound to him. He would use the children as a way of keeping you to him even more, and make you depend on him both financially and emotionally. He would use the children as a way of controlling you and making you feel as if your life revolved around him and the family.

If you couldn't have kids, he would have an even tighter hold on you and make you completely dependent on him. He would make you believe that you can't live without him and that no other person would ever want to be with you. He would make you believe that he is the only one who can make you happy and he would use that to his full advantage.

"You belong to me now, you are mine entirely and you can't live without me. No other man will ever care for you or take care of you the way I do. You shouldn't even think about leaving me because you will never find someone better than me and you'll be miserable without me. Be grateful that I love you and I am allowing you to be with me.

Creampies - He loves the idea of filling you up with his cum and then leaving you to deal with the messy aftermath of your encounter.

Power exchange - Being able to physically overpower his partner and use you however he pleases is just... exhilarating. And last but not least, there's an obsession with gagging and face-fucking.

Spanking – Especially when combined with other activities like fucking or sucking. The sound of his hand connecting with someone's ass cheek always sends shivers down his spine.

Edging - Taking you as close to the edge of orgasm as possible without actually letting you climax.

Size worship - He gets off on being worshiped for his large size and physical attributes. This includes being admired, touched, and even used as a sex toy by you.

[thewatcher0nthewall]

The Wolves of Winterfell.

At the Year of 282 After Aegon's Conquest, the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen executed Brandon and Rickard Stark at the Red Keep.

[rancidjuno]

Tumblr really killed the quality of this one but anyway I love Starks

[viscardiac]

Hello. I wonder if you are taking requests, can you write for Baelon, Aemon, Daemon Blackfyre, Rickard Stark, Eddard Stark, Stannis Baratheon, Roose Bolton as a husband?

Sup. I kinda realized along the way that i can't really do that number of characters on a request because the dopamine slips from my fingers. I did do the first ones, though, so have at it.

Baelon strikes me, specially in his youth, as the type who just can't sit still. He got along with Alyssa for that same reason, she couldn't sit still either. How disappointed must she have been when he marries you! If Baelon is to be your husband, you better be ready to be always on the move, always doing something. Baelon was always the most intense of Jaehaerys' older boys, which might be overwhelming if his wife is not the same, factor that does too apply to the bedroom. Baelon wants to be with his wife time and again, and chances are the children will not take long to come as well. It might be a problem if he is with someone with a colder personality, more contained and rigid, the relationship might suffer the strain for it.

I'm assuming you mean the Aemon who was Jaehaerys' son. Aemon might need a partner who will understand he's not trying to be difficult, he just wants to consider every possibility. He's likelier to be in love from afar than his younger brother, who will absolutely push him to go over to talk to you. But once things have settled, he'd be the sort to remember everything about you. Knows just what kind of food you like to eat, what you do when you're sad, how you like to celebrate, but is often shy to act on what he knows would be the best course of action. Aemon is the one who wants to know everything about everything, and that often makes him forget that he doesn't let on much about himself either. Your husband knows evertything about you, but you barely know what he likes best to eat. Maybe it's hard for him to talk about himself. Maybe it'll be even harder to notice he hasn't told you when his birthday is. He doesn't do it out of malice, mind you, but doesn't make it easier for his s/o. Treats them with all the care in the world… but do you really know where he went when he saddled Caraxes this morning?

Daemon Blackfyre is his father's son -- though not necessarily in a negative way. He seems to have a difficulty in seeing how things end up long term, and wants things when he wants them. That might have been the case with his spouse as well. One day he barely knows they exist, the other, they can no longer live without them. I think a long term relationship with him would take a cyclic form, growing and fading time and again as the months come and go. This month he's bewitched by you, the next month, he can't stand the sight of you. It's not necessarily malicious, but it can become so if the opportunity arises. He needs time to fall in and out of love again and again, and is much more martial than his father had been. Things can shift in a matter of moments. The part of the cycle he's in dictates how he treats you when you're alone or in bed. He may be caring, giving, and will prioritize you over him when he's at the highest points, but at the lowest ones, it's about what he wants and what you're going to give him, with some measure of violence on the gesture, intentional or not. He is always present, though. The exception is war, to which he does not take you along. He may leave at whichever point in the rollercoaster, and while he's away, you can't expect to be the only one. But he always comes back missing you, and missing everything you represent. No matter how sometimes he may think he hates you, he knows he doesn't.

Rickard Stark is the kind of man to put his hands on your shoulders while the both of you stare out of a window on a tower and ask you what do you see. When he looks, he sees into the distance, too far for you to know where. He was always an ambitious man, however quiet, silent that ambition was, and having a spouse to share that with would be a joy to him. To plot futures and scheme alliances. Yes, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell, but why shouldn't there be a Stark in court, or in the citadel, or overseeing the Narrow Sea? He is a rigid man, made to face whatever the winter throws at him, but the what ifs are too much to bear alone. His maester shared that ambition, and if you do not, rest assured, there will be conflict. And while he is open to new views, new ideas, he's also very keen on what he has learned as the right way to do things. He can be persuaded, of course, but that might take a while.

Eddard Stark is nothing short of dutiful, and much harder to approach. He will always be by your side, like he has been taught a husband should, but truth is, he's got no clue what he's getting himself into. He makes his best effort, mind you, but he's not one to share his burdens or his opinions and emotions. His father knew what to do, his brother knew what to do, and he's been relying on the fact that people think he knows what he's doing since he became Lord of Winterfell. He needs clear words, honest and simple, to know what he can and should entrust you or not. Maybe he needs to be confided in before he can confide. If a cold marriage is what the future had in store for him, then so it is, but it's not what he wants, and finally being able to feel like he's not so alone anymore will definitely have its weight, however different from him you might be.

[maid-with-sunset-in-her-hair]

Etymology of the Stark’s Names

Eddard, Ned: misspelling of Edward, a name of Anglo-Saxon origin composed by the words ēad (wealth, fortune, prosperous) and weard (guardian, protector). His name could be a reference to Edward the Confessor, patron saint of England, the monarchy of England and difficult marriages, or to Edward the Martyr.

Catelyn: a variation of the Irish name Caitlin, which derivates from Katherine and has long been associated with the Greek word katharos (pure, immaculate). Her name could be a reference to Saint Katherine, the patron saint of unmarried girls, maidens and spinsters, craftmen who work with wheels (potters, spinners, millers, knife sharpeners, mechanics), dying people and nurses, jurists and lawyers, educators in general (scholars, archivists, students and schoolchildren, philosophers, librarians and libraries), secretaries and preachers.

Robb: from Robert, a name of proto-Germanic origin composed by the words hroth (fame, glory, honour, praise, renown) and berth (bright, light, shining).

Jon: either a misspelling of John, which is the transliterated and contracted form of the Hebrew name Yehochanan (Yahweh is gracious, merciful) or a shortening of Jonathan (Yahweh has given). There are a lot of saints called John, but the most important is John the Apostle, patron of love, loyalty, friendship, writers in general (authors, scribes, editors, publishers), burn-victims, poison-victims, art-dealers, examinations, scholars and theologians. There's also a Saint Jonathan, whose attributes are bow and arrow and who represents friendship and honesty.

Sansa: most likely named after the stanza, a group of lines within a poem, usually set off from others by a blank line or indentation.

Arya: most likely named after the nymph Aria or Areia, which in Ancient Greek means "warlike." In music, an aria is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without orchestral accompaniment. Given that all the metaphors for songs and dances being battles and wars in the series, her name could be foreshadowing some crucial role in the War for the Dawn 2.0.

Brandon, Bran: it could be a variation of the Irish name Breandán (prince, king, chieftain) or the Anglo-Saxon surname Brandon, composed by brōm (gorse shrub) and d��n (hill) or brant (deep, steep) and dūn (hill). I'm pretty sure there was a variety of gorse called the lupine, but don't quote me on that. In Old Welsh, the word Brân means "crow, little raven." It could also come from the surname Brand (sword) which derivated from the Old French word brandon (burning material to set fire).

Rickon, Rickard: Rickon is a surname which means “son of Richard.” Rickard is a variation of the name Richard, a name of proto-Germanic origin, composed by the words rīk (ruler, leader, king) and hardu (strong, brave, hardy). Maybe foreshadowing Rickon becoming King in the North? There's also a Saint Richard patron of Wessex.

Benjen: from Benjamin, an Hebrew name which means "son of the right (hand)" although it could also means "son of my days." Often used for the youngest son of a family, specially if the parents are unlikely to have more children.

Lyanna: most likely a misspelling of Eliana. In Hebrew, the name can be literally translated to “my God answered me” or “God answered my prayer.” Eliana could also come from the Late Latin name Aeliāna, the femenine form of Aeliānus (of the sun), or from the Greek name Helen or Helene. Lyanna's name was probably picked to parallel her to Elia, both victims of reproductive abuse at Rhaegar's hands, and as a reference to Helene's abduction.

[asongofstarkandtargaryen]

If a magical wand was waved and we somehow had a completed Robert’s Rebellion prequel book in our hands, who do you think would make more sense as a POV for the scene of Rickard and Brandon Stark’s murder: Jaime Lannister or Barristan Selmy? And how would those POV’s differ in this instance, in your opinion?

I really wish such book existed, especially if we got multiple pov like asoiaf series.

Both Jaime Lannister and Barristan Selmy would make interesting option for pov characters during that tragic scene.

On one hand, Jaime Lannister is one of the most popular characters partly because of his riveting, pov. The fact that he's not the most reliable narrator is precisely what makes it so compelling to be inside his mind and see things through his unique perspective. Emo 15 years old Jaime Lannister moping around bc he's separated from his sister, witnessing a fucked up scene realising that his King is really bananas? Hell, yeah!

Compared to Jaime, Barristan Selmy's pov chapters are less interesting. However, that guy had a grudge against Brandon Stark, believing he slept with his beloved Ashara Dayne. Would that cloud his perspective? Possibly, but still Aerys actions were too horrible for any sane person to ignore. So, we could see the inner conflict of Barristan Selmy disliking Brandon but admitting that his fate was terrible.

In the end I'll go with Jaime's pov. Sorry Barristan Selmy, the drama queen won me over, lol.

[atopvisenyashill]

What if Ned and Catelyn were gender bent? And let's assume they still get married though this time they're betrothed from the get-go what happens? How does this change things? Who does Lysa marry now that she's the only Tully daughter? Does Littlefinger fall for her instead? Who does Robert want to marry if he's not friends with Ned? Who is Lyanna betrothed to?

i rewrote this answer ten times sorry.

firstly - we know who lysa was supposed to marry and that’s jaime. if the northern-riverlands alliance is already there with nedcat, hoster is gonna look at the westerlands and the eyrie, his powerful neighbors, for lysa. i imagine the jaime to jon arryn pipeline goes the same for her regardless of how the plot changes. however, lysa without a perfect older sister to feel inferior to is gonna be a vastly different person, and a petyr without an unattainable and perfect cat to get fixated on is also wildly different. maybe those two crazy kids try to run away when hoster & tywin start talking engagements, esp since jaime & cersei are ALSO plotting, but i canNot imagine petyr and lysa are particularly successful.

when it comes to robert, that is admittedly tricky - rickard sends ned to foster at the vale in part because robert is there, but benjen is several years younger than ned and that bond might not exist so seriously without ned there (and, if you want my opinion, the smartest thing to do in this situation is actually for brandon to marry cat and ned to marry robert, and use Lyanna's hand for someone else later on). there's also the debate over how in on the "southron ambitions" stuff Steffon, so Robert marrying Lyanna might have been more Robert's fancy and Rickard's political machinations than anything Steffon would have pushed for. Given Jon Arryn's mentorship of Robert, though, Robert would likely lean whatever way Jon Arryn leans, and Jon Arryn is very likely in on the southron ambitions shenanigans which means Robert is looking outside the Stormlands for a bride.

as for rickard - i don't know that I buy some of Barbrey Dustin's more tinfoil-y "the maesters are trying to control Westeros" ideas, but I firmly believe that the lords were getting some bad vibes from aerys and started making alliances through marriages to prepare for another civil war. rickard has the riverlands locked in, now he wants a wife for his heir. mind you, "most eligible bachelorette" for brandon has a lot of crossover with rhaegar and robert in previous asks - Mina and Jana Tyrell, Cersei Lannister, Elia Martell. Given that Rickard's maester, Walys, is a Hightower bastard, Walys might push Malora, Denyse, or Leyla for a marriage match as well. And mind you, this is the list for Robert as well, with the addition of Lyanna. Very likely when Rickard goes engagement hunting, Jon Arryn suggests Lyanna for Robert - Lyanna's options (if we're looking at the important families) include Jaime, Elbert Arryn, maybe Oberyn, Willas, and Robert. If I'm Jon Arryn, I'm probably wondering if I can get Elbert and Lyanna hitched (considering how often the Arryn line is wiped out, it's important to get your relatives hitched and having kids, lmaooo) and if I'm Rickard and I can't get the Tyrells to bite at either Brandon or Lyanna, I'm probably looking at a Hightower so I have some friends in the Reach, and Robert.

[rikakore]

Rickard and Lyarra Stark

Rickard---Lyarra Brandon Ned Lyanna Benjen

HC that House Flint often incorporate ancient arrowheads and blades in their hair or as jewelry Rickard's wolf-shaped fasteners have keys in their mouths to honor his mother's sigil (House Locke).

I like to think a second girl like Lyarra could have inherited a wry sense of humor from her Flint mother (and maybe a propensity for bravado from her sellsword father). Brandon spent the most time with her before she passed, and I think they had very similar temperaments and got along very well.

On the other hand, I see Rickard as very quiet and pensive, with a slight dreaminess when he was young, the kind to enjoy quietly stalking prey or listen to a story instead of sparring or feasting.

[johannawesterling]

I just remembered that Benjen was twelve years old when Robert's Rebellion happened. He would have been the Stark in Winterfell during the actual war. And then when it was over, he probably didn't understand for a long time why his father, Brandon, and Lyanna were not coming home.

[dyannawynnedayne]

Terros' Next Top DILF - Round 3

JonCon: art by wodania, AWOIAF Page

Rickard: art by Mike Hallstein, AWOIAF Page

BRACKET LINK

[lives4lovesworld]

This meta will highlight GRRM own bias and double standards when it comes to his (= the narrative's) judgement of Aerys II Targaryen, as well as the insincerity of the fandom's obsession and exaggeration of Aerys II's "madness" and cruelty.

GRRM singles Aerys out in his cruelty and has it directly linked to his unstable mental state, which is quite ironic(?) if one i) actually consideres how normalized violence, collective punishment and arbitrariness in ASoIaF world is. Yet few and far between are actually mad, and even fewer dubbed as such, and ii) puts his in direct comparison to other characters, which are never condemned as much as Aerys (if at all) by the narrative. And the fandom naturally doubles down on GRRM hypocrisy (given how anti!Targaryen it is) and insists to exaggerate Aerys's madness in every sense to one up against Daenerys Stormborn.

Aerys is condemn for his preferred method of execution. The fandom even goes so far to write numerous metas arguing death-through-fire somehow is crueler, worser and morally more appaling than any other method, especially when it's a Targaryen monarch to use it. This absurdity as already been refuted a couple of times in the context of defending show!Daenerys burning large parts of her enemies in the field, instead of the having her men exclusively killing them in battle. But as always it falls on deaf ears, since this hypocritical fandom holds Targaryen (and only Targaryens) to modern standards, to the point where they are condemn for executing their enemies. PERIOD.

And Aerys is the biggest victim of this absurdity. Both within the fandom (since nobody cares for him, no one defends him in pointing out the double standards) and narrative (since Daenerys has, unlike what the fandom conjuncts out of thin air, never burned anyone but Mirri Maz Duur and is a rescuer above all so GRRM obviously does and can not condemn her for deeds she didn't commit).

For example, he and Stannis Baratheon have both burnt their hands for "bad counsel during the war". Qarlton Chelsted was burned for his objection against Aerys's plan to torch King's Landing and Alester Florent for the letter that offered Stannis's full surrender (x) to House Lannister, after his lethal demise at the Blackwater (x). Stannis's hand was even his kin (through marriage) and in killing him, he committed one of the gravest crimes in their world. Yet Stannis is neither condemn as "mad" for the execution nor for the kinslaying nor the style of said execution.

The only thing GRRM seems to condemn Stannis for are his reasons behind all of his "sacrifices"; which is to misuse the power of death for his own personal gain. Be it to murder Renly to avoid defeat, take a rival out and gain his army, for favorable winds for his expedition, put a stop to the blizzard or gain dragons/be Azor Ahai. Although all of Stannis's misfortunes in his failing campaign for the Iron Throne (his demise at the Blackwater, his inability to gain anyone's genuine support, House Karstark's betrayal and the blizzard) could be interpreted as narrative punishment, Stannis's reputation (as a righteous, capable man) within the narrative never suffers.

The fandom as well has no qualms how Stannis let his uncle be burned alive in order. Especially, those that refuse to accept that Stannis is in fact NOT Azor Ahai, do not even condemn for that. It's excused as "means to an end" or "products of his time". Another prime example of the fandom's blatant hypocrisy and double standards one might add; While members of House Targaryen are condemn for the use of magic, especially blood sacrifices, and Daenerys is even accuse of burning people alive and kinslaying without this being the case, Stannis is allowed to utilize (blood and dark) magic, (consider) murder and burn people as he pleases, (consider) kinslaying (nephew, brother uncle-in-law and in the future his own daughter) and still be proclaimed the Right Man to Rule™ and altruistic TKwC.

Somehow in the fandom's nonsensical moral belief system Aerys depriving sadistic pleasure in watching men burn makes it apparently morally more appaling than Stannis's religious frantic, megalomaniac reasoning ("for the greater good") behind his executions (and given the fact that he is in fact NOT Azor Ahai/The Chosen One one could argue all these sacrifice are completely in vain.)

Aerys's cruelty is not unique for the ASoIaF world. And more importantly, I would dare to say that most of his "atrocities" such as i) the annihilation of House Darklyns and Hollard ii) the maiming of Ilyan Payne iii) his execution of Brandon Stark, Rickard Stark and their escort and his call for Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon's heads and iv) him prohibiting Elia Martell and her children to leave King's Landing, would not be seen as one of a madman, if Aerys's mental decline would have NOT been as apparent.

i) Lord Deny seized his King, killed his escort and subjected Aerys to torture for about half a year and threatened to have him killed in hopes to get the desired charter for Duskendale granted, that had been denied.

This was unprovoked high treason and broke all the laws such as the sacred guest right, the king's peace and all vows to obey and defend the king. How exactly should a king have dealt with such an uprising and insult to his person and political power? Which ruler would have suffered such grand affront, without exerting harsh punishment? Which ruler could have even allowed himself to be merciful, if it meant he will be seen as a weak king, signaling to the rest of the realm that one can take the king captive and hold hostage and get away with it?

To put in perspective; Robert Baratheon brutally smashed Balon Greyjoy's rebellion, burnt their homes, broke their castles, raped and murder the common folk and lastly gave Balon's last son as hostage to Eddard Stark to secure Balon's submission (x) after his elder brothers were slain. House Reyne and House Tarbeck were both in debt to House Lannister. Soley to restore House Lannister's prestige, Tywin demanded immediate repayment from them, (hostages if it was not possible). Both houses refused. Despite Tytos Lannister settling the matter, Tywin deliberately provoked both houses by ordering their respective lords to answer to Casterly Rock for their crimes. When refused, Tywin (without the leave of his lordly father!) raised an army and started his war of annihilation. The ruins of these houses' castles were left as reminders of the fate that awaits those who scorn the power of Casterly Rock, and "The Rains of Castamere" was written as a tribute to the event. Stannis Baratheon considered torching and raiding Claw Isle as punishment for its Lord bending the knee in captivity and House Stark extinguished House Greystark when it rose in rebellion together with House Bolton.

None of these extreme violent acts are deemed as "[their] terrible revenge" nor are these men seen as mad, cruel or unfit. And mind you, no one of these men experienced captivity and torture on their own person.

When one such reported that the captain of the Hand's personal guard, a knight named Ser Ilyn Payne, had been heard boasting it was Lord Tywin who truly ruled the Seven Kingdoms, His Grace sent the Kingsguard to arrest the man and had his tongue ripped out with red-hot pincers. - TWoIaF; The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II

ii) The maiming of Ilyan Payne is seen as way too extreme even for ASoIaF (only exclusively by the fandom) and as "Aerys being unable to hear the hard truth", despite a monarch (unfortunately) being well in his rights to teach his subject "respect", if he openly mocks his better, extreme violent punishment from a ruler being normalized as sign of strength and a warning to any potential rebels.

The crimes everything boils down to;

The full depth of King Aerys's madness was subsequently revealed in his depraved actions against Lord Stark, his heir, and their supporters after they demanded redress for Rhaegar's wrongs. Instead of granting them fair hearing, King Aerys had them brutally slain, then followed these murders by demanding that Lord Jon Arryn execute his former wards, Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark. - TWoIaF; The Fall of the Dragons: Robert’s Rebellion

iii) While the inverse-annals are clearly baised, GRRM has made it clear that Aerys is responsible for the rebellion (x), and that his call to execute them all was another product of his cruelty and paranoia. Which omits any nuance the situation had such nuances as;

Brandon and Rickard were on their way again back to Riverrun for the impending wedding between him and Catelyn Tully, when word reached Brandon of Lyanna's supposed abduction by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Brandon, along with his squire Ethan Glover, Kyle Royce, Elbert Arryn, and Jeffory Mallister, rode to King's Landing immediately. Upon entering the Red Keep, Brandon shouted for Rhaegar to "come out and die". Rhaegar was not present, however, and Brandon and his companions were arrested by King Aerys II Targaryen and charged with plotting Rhaegar's murder. - awoiaf.westeros.org; Aerys II Targaryen: Year of the False Spring 

A paramount lord and his heir barging into the royal court of a king (half of which would rather dethrone him and most did not see him as the ruler of the realm) and brazenly demand the crown prince's head BASED ON RUMORS alone in front of said court. For a supposed crime that stands in direct contrary to what is known of said heir (x, x, x).

While it's a well established fact that this fandom only intrest is to present House Stark as poor, oppressed, altruistic and wronged victims and House Targaryen as the evil warmongering lunatics, it is still mind blowing to see people glorify Brandon's stupidity as Protective Big Bro Thang™, talk how he should have escape the situation unscattered (because they believe the starks are the Main Characters™ and should have all the Syndromes (like plot armor) of one) and his execution being yet another uncalled atrocity of Aerys's madness, when Brandon literally has committed high treason through his rash actions. Even Catelyn call Brandon's action "rash" and his would-be father-in-law Hoster Tully called him a "gallant fool" for it.

A highborn father that would have politely ask them to lay out their complains (again) behind closed doors so he might calmly listen to these allegations and their wish to see his oldest one dead after the spectacle of their entrance, has yet to be named by obnoxious neutrals and "intellectuals" preaching such scenario as the solution to this fiasco.

Realistically speaking, what should Aerys have done with a paramount lord, his heir and their escort breaking the king's peace and threatening House Targaryen's power by demanding the Crown Prince's head? Insulted this gravely that they about to rise in rebellion with mighty allies. When it comes to this situation Aerys had been caught between a rock and a hard place;

He could have a) dismissed the accusations, let them go home and have the realm think of him as weak. Home to their seats, where hot headed Brandon would have likely raised the north in rebellion anyway and whose brother's foster brother Robert Baratheon would have likely joined him for his wounded pride. Risk the riverlands to stand with them as well for their siege lord's daughter Catelyn would have wed Brandon Stark. Possibly the Vale too, for Jon Arryn's beloved forster son's brother has raised in rebellion and his bride is Lord Tully's other daughter and Brandon Stark's sister in law. Or b) use this incident to dispose his 'disloyal son', so his chosen heir Viserys would have less threats in his ascend on the throne later on, yet simountanastly signaling the realm that one can demand a Targaryen prince's head based on rumors alone. Establishing a most dangerous precedent for the future of House Targaryen.

What might have salvage the situation without an all-out-war or an unacceptable, most dangerous precedent for House Targaryen('s might) would have been to dismiss the accusations. Instead of summoning the fathers of the escort and executing them all along with Rickard and Brandon, he should have send them to the Wall (which would have made Eddard Lord of Winterfell) and send for Benjen Stark as cupbearer or squire at the court (so he might functions as hostage over the North).

And even this might have not have worked for i) it would have been still a too mild punishment for conspiring to murder the Iron Throne' heir and ii) for they could have just refuse to take the black once at the Wall, return to Winterfell with the help of the Night Watch and call to war anyway (though House Tully and Arryn might have been more reluctant to join them in such a scenario)

Do these nuances make Rickard, Brandon and Co's execution less gruesome and the call for Eddard and Robert's death morally justified? No, but they show that they could have been committed by a sane sovereign too. But instead of being seen as actions of a madman they would have been seen as too-harsh (failed) precautions. (IMO Tywin and Stannis would act the same way in such a situation with the big difference that they would be cold and caculative, whereas Aerys had become aroused)

Princess Elia would have gone as well, but he forbade it. Somehow he had gotten it in his head that Prince Lewyn must have betrayed Rhaegar on the Trident, but he thought he could keep Dorne loyal so long as he kept Elia and Aegon by his side. - TWpIaF; The Fall of the Dragons; The End

iv) Same with iii) if one was to look at the political situation (especially before the rebellion) and analyze Aerys's actions without dismissing them all as one kf a deranged lunatic, this particular action was actually quite savvy.

Prior to the rebellion, the royal court had been devided into two parties; the king's and the prince's;

Chief amongst the Mad King's supporters were three lords of his small council: Qarlton Chelsted, master of coin, Lucerys Velaryon, master of ships, and Symond Staunton, master of laws. The eunuch Varys, master of whisperers, and Wisdom Rossart, grand master of the Guild of Alchemists, also enjoyed the king's trust. Prince Rhaegar's support came from the younger men at court, including Lord Jon Connington, Ser Myles Mooton of Maidenpool, and Ser Richard Lonmouth. The Dornishmen who had come to court with the Princess Elia were in the prince's confidence as well, particularly Prince Lewyn Martell, Elia's uncle and a Sworn Brother of the Kingsguard. But the most formidable of all Rhaegar's friends and allies in King's Landing was surely Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. - TWoIaF; The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring

Essentially the Second Dance of Dragons was brewing;

To Grand Maester Pycelle and Lord Owen Merryweather, the King's Hand, fell the unenviable task of keeping peace between these factions, even as their rivalry grew ever more venomous. In a letter to the Citadel, Pycelle wrote that the divisions within the Red Keep reminded him uncomfortably of the situation before the Dance of the Dragons a century before, when the enmity between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra had split the realm in two, to grievous cost. A similarly bloody conflict might await the Seven Kingdoms once again, he warned, unless some accord could be reached that would satisfy both Prince Rhaegar's supporters and the king's. - TWoIaF; The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring  

So contrary to the fandom's insistence of Aerys's reason behind his prohibition for Elia and the children to leave the capital being unreasonable paranoia or malice (or even godamn racism??), Aerys was smart. By ensuring that they were located in the capital, he gave the dornish forces a reason to defend it (essentially ensuring his survival) then had Elia and the children been safely in Sunspear or Dragonstone, they would have had no reason to continue to fight (and be slowly overrun) for the defense of King's Landing if the only one remaining there was the king that had disinherited Rhaegar's entire lineage and proclaimed Viserys his heir after Rhaegar death at the Trident (ergo putting an end to Dorne's hope to size the Iron Throne through a Martell-Queen Consort and later a half Martell-king).

Also contrary to the fandom's insistence on how Aerys's cruelty and paranoia breaks even Westeros's norm in taking hostages in war, even from his supposed allies and families (through marriages) is not unusual; the kings of the Winter are known to have taken child hostages to secure their subjects' submission, Quentyn had been given to Lord Yronwood as "blood debt" by Doran Martell. Theon had been taken hostage by Eddard Stark to ensure his father's submission. The Redwyne twins have been taken hostages by the Lannister court to ensure their father's loyalty (to lend them his fleet in their war). Where is the condemnation for them? Also contrary to the fandom's insistence highborn hostages, especially those who are considered family members are also not treated badly. They experience most of the privileges their birth and status grants them. Cases such Sansa in King's Landing and Jaime in Riverrun are the expection, not the rule.

But what is to expect from a fandom that lays the blame for Elia Martell and her children's gruesome murders on Aerys Targaryen (her father-in-law and their grandfather) and Rhaegar Targaryen (her by-then dead husband and their father) instead on the heads of the rebels like the liege lord of the men to commit the murders (Tywin Lannister) or the self-styled king (Robert Baratheon) who sanctioned these murders later (going so far as to making mentioned liege lord his father-in-law)?

Aerys II Targaryen has always been exclusively presented by the fandom as this horrendous sadistic monster without a heart. Every act of his a epitome of stupidity and cruelty with Aerys's madness as an inevitable by-product from coming from an incestuous union, despite this not supported being the text.

Aerys Targaryen was not born that way. His mental state in his later years was a product of the immense trauma he experienced throughout his entire life; from witnessing the death of his entire family when he was 15 years old, to being powerless as he and Rhaella were forced to suffer still births, miscarriages and dead babes in the cribs to his imprisonment and torture in Duskendale (x). The justified constant fear of being dethroned by his own son (x) and the feeling of never being deemed worthy or competent enough by others to the point where he not even seen as The King (x) likely only added to his instability and cruelty.

His paranoia, especially concerned Tywin Lannister and Rhaegar Targaryen, was also anything but irrational; Aerys was not in the wrong to mistrust Rhaegar as he later planned to dethrone him, which could only result in Aerys’s death should Rhaegar wish to ascend the throne as comfortable as possible. Nor for being wary of Tywin Lannister, who gambled with his life at Duskendale in hopes to get Rhaegar on the throne with his daughter as his queen. (x)

Aerys was not a fool to prevent Tywin from becoming Rhaegar’s father-in-law. Before the rebellion, they were the biggest threats to Aerys’s reign. Not only did he prevent an alliance between his two greastest threats, in giving Rhaegar Elia Martell to wife. The princess to the least densly populated kingdom (which is quite hated by the more "civilized" southern kingdoms such as the Dornish Marches, Reach and Stormlands for their blood feuds (x,x)) and with a small army, he also prevented Rhaegar from gaining exponentially more support had he married a noble daughter from a house with more wealth, resources and men (like Cersei Lannister)

And mind you (!) had Steffon Baratheon succeeded in finding a "maid of noble birth from an old Valyrian bloodline" in the Free Cities, Aerys would have given Rhaegar's a woman to wife that has absolutely no ties to any kingdom (which would have given him no political advantage beside whatever wealth her family would have had across the sea) and who would bee seen as 'foreign stranger', similar to Larra Rogar, Viserys II's wife.

Such a choice at the time was politically quite savvy: His supposed heir secured the succession without shifting the power balance too much by preventing Rhaegar from amassing even more support through an more politically advantageous match. That this choice later on backfired in the face of an external political threat (e.g. the rebellion) was unforeseeable and unfortunate.

Jaime's rise to a kingsguard was as well a less then perfect solution by Aerys for his (justified) fears; in appointing Jaime as kingsguard he had gained the most valuable hostage against any possible rebellion from Tywin Lannister, but he also had to endure Tywin's son day and night as shadow. Aerys seemed to have played by the motto "keep your friends close, but your foes closer" with Jaime as he had previously done with Tywin, whom he had refused to dismiss as Hand or accept his resignation (x, x) and suffered greatly from it (at first mentally, later with his life). (x)

As said, the reason why I wrote this meta was to showcase the imsincerity of the fandom's obsession and exaggeration of Aerys II's "madness" and cruelty, as well as to point the nuances that are often overlooked simply because Aerys was mad.

Afterall, how comes that Aerys's cruelty and madness is more empathized than anyone else's by the fandom? Where does the intrest and obsession for it as well as the need to deliberately twist Aerys's relatively peaceful reign (x, x) into one of terror unseen before come from?

Simple because Aerys's cruelty and madness must be given such great narrative and political importance, and his reign must be one of the darkest times yet, so when dany antis proceed to write their "metas" of how of Daenerys will be rejected by Westeros, never know home or love, become the-hidden-mad!queen-all-along™ and step into her father's foot steps by torching King's Landing and committing mass murder, have a "basis". The first one is even more ridiculous considering that Rhagear was beloved during his days, and is still, despite actually living under Aerys's roof till his 16th birthday, unlike Dany.

Nothing more, and one knows so because the same people won't predicted the same for their tool-character "Aegon VI" who is the Mad King's supposed grandson and son to Prince Rhaegar, whom most of them condemn just as harshly for whatever headcanon (pRophECy oBbsEsSed, vIsenYa) that has been treated as canon for too long. Not to mention that there is an abundance of characters whose fathers were horrible, yet there aren't daily posts on a character's utter mental decline based upon their father's flaws. (bioessentialism)

In conclusion and defense of Aerys II Targaryen; i) he is as much of a victim of tragedy and cruelty than he was an enabler, ii) his paranoia was not unreasonable iii) his cruelty is not at all unique for the medivial ASoIaF world nor in comparison to other characters. In fact neither his paranoia nor his cruelty makes him stand out in his madness, but rather his manic-depressive behavior iv) how his mental state does not render all of his decisions as one of a mad man.

I would also like to say that a forced abdication of Aerys decided by a Great Council with Rhaegar ascending the throne would have neither be the perfect solution as it is often presented. Had his abdication gone relatively smoothly (which would NOT have necessarily be the case (x)) it would shaken the laws and rules of Westeros to its core.

As the first Great Council had done it, it would have given the lords of the realm again the idea and power to decide who is to rule them. Which would have not be the positive, progressive, humanitarian step towards democracy as most mistake it but path a way of war and instability ambitious, vile lords would have misused for their own gain yet again.

If the first Great Council had established an iron precedent on the matter of succession, than such a second one (in which the lords could abdicate their rightful king because they are not content with him) would have path the way for any man to inherit his male relative's position if he manges to convince enough of his subjects to abdicate their current sovereign and put him as his heir (as son, brother, nephew, grandson etc...) through bribery and whatnot.

An era of chaos unseen would follow. Just imagine what the lords of the realm would have done with a king like Aegon V that would robb them some of their absolute power through his reforms. It would hollow out the crown of any power to protect and serve the small folk (be it through humanitarian reforms, against its lords or plan costly, necessary infrastructure)

The wars such as the Wot5K are a direct result of the illegitimacy of Robert's rebellion and how it had shaken Westeros's laws. Instead of the once rather cemented hereditary monarchy, Robert opened the door for Westeros to be wreaked by every sovereign that believes he can muster enough manpower to establish himself a self-styled King. (x)

IMO instead of gathering a Second Great Council, Rhaegar honestly should have just found a discreet way to have his father's poisoned. Although this would have been OCC for noble, valiant Rhaegar and quite harsh to expect from a son to do to his father (no matter their estranged relationship) it would the most practical decision.

[solarsunshine]

H-O-T-T-O-G-O/You can take me hot to go!