#theon greyjoy 02

[writers-potion]

What IS a redemption arc? 🤔

It's a type of character development in which a negative character goes through a process of realization and learning to become good in the end, often culminating in an act of atonement.

Step 1: A Sin Worthy of Atonement 👿

In the beginning, it is important to find a good balance between likeability and a flaw that warrants true redemption.

If your character is truly heinous, readers may not want them to find atonement. On the other hand, if the "sin" is too insignificant, the development arc will fail and seem hypocritical.

Ideally, your character's backstory should make them empathetic, despite distinct flaws that will eventually push them to change.

Step 2: Building the Redemption Arc 🌈

01. 💥 The Catalyst

This is the inciting incident that starts the character on their realization track. It can be:

losing a loved one

witnessing an inhumane act

suffering a near-death experience

losing a job/home/life's savings

being forced into something by an external force

It is important to emphasize the motivation for the change. Perhaps your character changes unexpectedly along the way as they try to fulfill a different purpose. Or, they actively try to change after a shocking experience that shakes their worldview.

02. 💣 Include internal and external conflict

Internally, your character might struggle with arrogance and unwillingness to accept their own flaws.

External conflict can be other characters who wish to maintain the status quo for their own benefit or doubt the character's ability to change.

Conflict, and how your characters resolve it, will make the redemption feel earned. The larger the flaw, the bigger and harder the conflict has to be.

03. 💨 Don't Rush!

The decision to change may come in a flash, but the process requires effort and time.

Show your character constantly fighting themselves, even unconsciously.

Step 3: Redemption Completed ⭐

Reward your character (and your readers) for struggling through various conflicts and growth pains!

Just remember three things:

It must be fair and earned, based on the groundwork laid

Try to make it unpredictable

DON'T remake your character altogether. If the protagonist is unrecognizable, the arc will feel forced and readers will lose touch.

Examples of Good Redemption Arcs 💡

01. Ebenezer Scrooge from <A Christmas Carol>

In the Beginning: Scrooge is a cold-hearted, miserly individual who doesn't care about being kind to his colleagues or family. He's a ruthless employer who cares nothing for Christmas festivities.

Then, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future take Scrooge on a journey through his life. This make Scrooge realize the consequences of his past actions.

In the End: Scrooge achieves internal growth. He lives the rest of his life as a kind, charitable man.

02. Gru from <Despicable Me>

In the Beginning: Gru is an evil thief who wants to steal the moon.

Then, he encounters three orphan girls and comes to love them.

In the End: He rescues his adopted daughters from the other villain and saves the world. He becomes a loving father.

...and others:

Gilgamesh in The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Evil Queen in Once Upon a Time

Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones

Boromir from Lord of the Rings

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

🖱️References

https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-compelling-redemption-arc/#:~:text=What%20exactly%20is%20a%20Redemption,that%20atones%20for%20their%20past.

https://prowritingaid.com/redemption-arc

[clickedbait]

Under the cut is a bio for Rodrik Grey.joy - inspo from book/show.

01 .  BIRTHRIGHT  .  Born to Balon and Alannys Greyjoy, Rodrik was the first of three sons and by right the heir to the Iron Islands. His mother loved him, through and through. She found him and his blue eyes a comfort to look into after a long day serving beside Balon. Alannys coddled him as a child until Maron was born, her attention suddenly split and her focus on the newborn. However, it did not change who he was and his father would not let him forget it. By the age of eight he had a sword in hand and was learning how to wield it. By the age of twelve he was commanding ships under his own captainage. He found ease in the latter as he had never been soft of heart and found enjoyment in the battles his crew would seek out. When he turned sixteen he was commanding a fleet of thirty ships under his father’s name. It wasn’t until he was nineteen that his loyalty and sense of battle were truly put to the test.02 . 

02 . REBELLION  .  Eight years after Robert took the throne, Balon rose against the king to become one of his own.  Declaring the Iron Islands as their own Kingdom. They found success in their battles at sea, but it was Rodrik’s men and his own actions that brought on their first defeat. They had laid siege to Seagard where they fought valiantly for two days before Rodrik was struck down by Jason Mallister. He was barely dragged out of there alive and when he returned home he was not welcomed with loving arms by his father. Instead he was ridiculed for his failings and locked away to his chambers. His mother had remained vigilante by his bed until the Iron Throne made its final move. With their fleet destroyed and their men outnumbered ten to one-- the battle raged on on the Iron Islands for three days. Up until a tower was laid to wreck and Maron with it. Balon was losing and he knew the only way to remain alive was to bend the knee to their King. In exchange for their peace he was allowed to keep the Islands and his titles, but Theon would become ward to the Starks. 

03 .  THE GREY  .   In the years that followed the Rebellion, Yara stepped up in the place of Rodrik as both a sword and a captain. She commanded his vessels like they’d always

been hers. It took longer than he had hoped to heal from his wound and by the time he could return to sea, he had nothing to return to. His father kept him landlocked for quite some time before eventually bestowing him with a vessel to captain. It would be another five years before he was given a fleet of his own and the promise that there would be thought into who was the rightful heir to the Salt throne. Yara had proven herself worthy of it while he was unable to and their father was a regular to picking favorites among his children. To add to all of this Alannys had fled the Islands after the Rebellion only to succumb to a sickness that took her life. Her family kept her remains.

04 .  NORTH & SOUTH  .  When war broke out between the Lannisters and the Starks, the Greyjoys kept to themselves. It was not their war to fight. Rodrik wished to be among the fighting, but his father did not want to raise loyalty to either. It was then that Theon arrived home for the first time in a decade. The boy now a man but tainted by the very wolves who raised him. He spoke of an allegiance to Robb Stark, spoke of raising their bannerman to fight alongside the proclaimed King of the North. Rodrik had been present in the room for the ordeal but excused himself as soon as Yara arrived. He had been in agreement with everything his father was saying up until he was being reminded of how Yara rose up when no one else did. However, he was made well aware of his father’s plans and was quick to lay down his loyalty to the old Greyjoy despite the lack of faith in Rodrik. When plans were being made about who would go where, Rodrik had bit at Theon with a retort that he was a landlocked scav and that he would never stand as tall as them again. The comment earned him his twenty ships and the right to secure a keep not far from Dragonstone. Or at least his father made it seem it was what he said. On the day that he was to cast out, his father joined him on the docks and reminded him that he was the eldest son. Reminded him that he was the Kraken of the Iron Islands. And not to fail him.

and so the fleets sailed forth and rodrik conquered with the weight of a kraken’s crushing grasp .

05 .  EURON  .  All good things must come to an end and that included the Islands' attempt at a war of their own. Or at least under the fist of Balon Greyjoy. Rodrik had not been present during the killing of his father nor the crowning of Euron’s place at the Salt Throne, but it was sent by raven that he was not welcomed back on the Islands as long as he laid claim to the throne. Not long after his uncle’s crowning, his siblings fled the Islands and met with him in the Narrow Sea. From there the three devised their own plan, their own ways to gain back what was theirs by birthright. But in order to take back the Iron Islands they would need the help of someone that was neither Stark nor Lannister. They would need a dragon. 

thusly they swore their ships and swords to daenerys stormborn, first of her name  !

06 .  FINALE  .  When Euron took his sister captive, Rodrik remained at the queen’s side leaving Theon to remedy what he had done wrong. When he got word of her safe return it was around the time they were to march on the army of the Undead. He fought valiantly in the Battle of Winterfell and lost only a few dozen men. But in their mourning of Theon, a true Ironborn, he and his men sailed to King’s Landing the day of siege and laid waste to the shores. He boarded his Uncle’s ship and took it in the name of the rightful heirs to House Greyjoy, but did not find Euron. It will be learned later that his Uncle fell in combat to the Kingslayer. With Daenerys on the throne, Rodrik remained in King’s Landing while Yara returned home as Lady of the Iron Islands.

WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE  .

[tybaltsjuliet]

current status of my ASOIAF lifeboat:

01. theon greyjoy

02. the rotting corpse of viserys targaryen

03. petyr baelish, clinging to the side, while i beat him upside the head with an oar

[stagbled]

#STAGBLED     :         the    BLACK HERETIC,        general kirigan,        the    starless saint.     make me your villain.   an    independent,        private,     head-canon   based,   low   activity     &      mutuals        only      ❛❛     ALEKSANDER MOROZOVA, AKA THE DARKLING       ❜❜    of    shadow & bone:        a    study    in    dark versus light,        loneliness,    power & the temptation in the dark,  martyr & sacrifice,        redemption,      koschei the deathless,        and    the byronic hero.    18+    and triggering themes.      affiliated with stagflood.     dissected   by   syl.  BLOG IS A WIP. CARRD COMING SOON. INTEREST TRACKER.

other requestable muses include: will graham from nbc's hannibal, bunny corcoran from the secret history, glenn rhee from twd & more below.

rules (carrd tba) 01. just don't be a dick. if you don't like the nuance of a villain that showcases both morally grey actions plus the exploration of humanity within that, then don't follow! this goes without saying but muse does not equate mun. the darkling is a villain and all his relationships will be affected by that. his beliefs and trauma do not justify his actions - he is interesting because he thinks they do.

02. low activity. mutuals only. plot-heavy. duplicate friendly. multi and oc friendly as well. canon-divergent.

03. i will explore the ship darklina - including all the abusive and toxic elements that shroud it. it's important to the darkling and an interesting relationship to explore, as alina is his foil and obsession. i do not expect anyone to reciprocate shipping or desire it - just that i am simply open to exploration of a complicated relationship, wherever it may go. otherwise, chemistry is the must for anything. will tag '/darklina' and '/nsfw' in any posts that contain it. i am open to shipping with other charactres/ocs/the like as long as there is something there worth exploring.

04. that being said: dark topics will be explored. i do not support the idea of censorship of any form of art. however, i do ask that you tag anything that has to do heavily with grooming/csa/domestic abuse. if something i write needs a tag, just hop in my ims. i'm pretty easy to talk to and willing to accommodate those that ask.

05. still getting through the books so please be patient with me! that being said, alot of what i write will be headcanon, canon-divergent, and influenced by personal interpretation. some influences that will incorporate will be general gothic tropes of the byronic hero and being enticed by the dark. the tale of koschei the deathless may also be present and a reoccurring motif.

06. i reject the ending given to aleksander. while i am fine with his death (though, consider that null here) i do not follow the events of him being resurrected at all unless redeveloped via plotting. i will instead be following a canon-divergent path to be fleshed out soon. though the general idea is that aleksander lives and chooses to do so, facing his loneliness, wherever that leads him.

mun: hi, i'm syl! i'm a twenty-six year old literature and classics (greek focus) major. i adore tragedies, gothic horror and fantasy. i collect moth taxidermy and i love morbid things.

this is a tentative list of muses that will also make occasional appearance on this blog. feel free to request any of them: allison argent from teen wolf. adrian ivashkov from vampire academy. *bunny corcoran from the secret history. daemon targaryen from house of dragon/asoiaf. dorian gray from the picture of dorian gray. *glenn rhee from the walking dead. hannibal lecter from nbc's hannibal. jem carstairs from the infernal devices. love quinn from you. *maggie greene from the walking dead. patroclus from mythology + a song of achilles. *theon greyjoy from game of thrones. *will graham from nbc's hannibal. * = high muse. verses to come for aleksander: tlou, modern, canon divergences, twd, asoiaf, shadowhunters, vampire.

[vanaglori-ah]

thanks for tagging me @mercedesdecorazon

(i also didn’t get the notification for some reason? i got it in my emails but not on the actual tumblr app/website)

Rules: List eight shows for your followers to get to know you better.

i don’t really watch tv shows 😅 but here are some of my faves

---

honorable mentions: what we do in the shadows (2019), the boys (2019), peacemaker (2022), paper girls (2022), ms. marvel (2022), star wars: the clone wars (2008), the mandalorian (2019)

08. swarm (2023) - would be higher, i just finished episode 4. it’s really good so far and it will most definitely move higher on the list once done! (i also don’t get how the show is confusing so far? like the story is pretty straight forward)

07. what we do in the shadows (2019) - big fan of mockumentary stuff. also i never laughed so hard at certain things.

06. a league of their own (2022) - here for the gays and the theys. it’s such a shame that it’s only getting a 4-episode second season to wrap everything up. some bs if you ask me.

05. doom patrol (2019) - brendan fraser made me SOB during this show. it’s weird asf like the comics, but i’m absolutely in love with it. and it’s such a shame that it’s on its last season.

04. game of thrones (2011) - despite the shitty 8th season (and like slow descent into trash), i love this show to death. tyrion lannister and theon greyjoy will always have my heart.

03. house of the dragon (2022) - only higher than got because it has potential to not end in a dumpster fire. i have faith in it! (but i also have my own issues with this show too and its fandom)

02. abbott elementary (2021) - i don’t think i need to explain why this show is so good. i especially love s2 because of ava’s character growth. she was really frustrating for me in s1 because of how she treated the teachers and it’s great to watch her grow to appreciate them in s2.

01. reservation dogs (2021) - quiet sobbing in the back

tagging: @certified-anakinfucker @shynmighty @afabficbeach + basically anyone else that wants to do this

[mauvaisxander]

Fanmix Stats

So I have put all my old tumblr fanmixes on Spotify, and categorizing them. I will be reposting Spotify links here, and I want to start making new ones so if anyone has any requests, please let me know!

I am gonna put some stats under the cut, bc I doubt anyone else is interested lol.

My first fanmix was posted on 08/02/12

I have 324 unique playlists. I did merge all fanmixes about the same subject into one playlist.

My character with the most songs was Theon Greyjoy with 69 songs (nice)

My ship with the most songs was Garak/Bashir with 117 songs

Fanmix Focuses

I had 14 mixes that focused on a piece of media as a whole

Platonic relationships - 14

Single character focused - 97

Of those 59 were for a female character and 38 for a male character.

By far the majority of mixes I made were focused on a romantic relationship 193 in total.

Out of those 29 were F/F ships, 45 were M/M ships, 9 were poly ships, 1 was a NB/F ship, and 109 were M/F ships.

I also categorized them by how I feel about them, and 2 were hated ships, 7 were disliked ships, 33 ships I feel neutral about, 69 (nice) I like, and 82 I consider OTPs

Fandoms

One mix

There were 34 fandoms that had one mix

Two mixes

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Community

Durarara

iZombie

Kill La Kill

King Falls AM

Mass Effect

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Parks And Recreation

William Shakespeare

Star Trek: Enterprise

That 70's Show

The Newsroom

Welcome To Night Vale

Three mixes

Bully

Cinderella Phenomenon

Downton Abbey

Marvel Netflix

Orange Is The New Black

Psycho-Pass

Star Trek: The Original Series

The Office

The West Wing

Four mixes

Person Of Interest

Princess Tutu

Shadowhunters

Star Trek: Discovery

Five mixes

Firefly

How I Met Your Mother

Six mixes

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Seven mixes

Playchoices

Shameless

Eight mixes

Agents Of SHIELD

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Nine mixes

Les Miserables

Ten mixes

Harry Potter

Eleven mixes

Friday Night Lights

Fourteen mixes

Dollhouse

Star Trek: Voyager

Fifteen mixes

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Sixteen mixes

Pretty Little Liars

Twenty mixes

Angel the Series

Twenty-One mixes

A Song Of Ice And Fire

Thirty-Three mixes

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Also 16 mixes involved my OC's and 6 were non fandom

[rainhalydia]

Modern AU Theon and Asha walking in the beach. Up to you if it’s a platonic sibling walk or if Theon is making an embarrassing mistake again :)

[anxelasstuff]

Thoughts about GoT 8x02

Loved that Brienne stood up for Jaime

I am really happy that Sansa trusts Brienne so much and accepted Jaime(kind of)

Not only that but Sansa is damn smart. When Daenerys went to her to talk and then they laughed a bit about the men but then Sansa asked the true questions "what about the north"

The little reunion scene of Jaime and Tyrion

*Tormund*

The group chat infrint if the fire

Brienne and Jaime

Brienne finally becoming a knight, she truly deserves it

*Tormund*

Sansa and Theon reunion

I think Arya's and Gendrys love scene was really in character for them and I wouldn't have it any other way

The song Podrick sang reminded me of Pippins song in Lord of the Rings and I really loved it

Lady Mormont and Jorah Mormont talking

The little girl that wanted to fight was really amazing

*Tormund and Sansa*

All in all I really liked that episode and even if nothing "really" happened it was quite nice regarding that I will probably cry next episode.

[tatouchantilly]

Hey, brother Do you still believe in one another ?

Hey, sister Do you still believe in love, I wonder?

Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you, There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do.

[nitewrighter]

Ten Characters, Ten Fandoms, Ten Tags

Tagged by @stealingpotatoes

1. Theon Greyjoy--A Song of Ice and Fire

2. Raven-- DC

3. Mina Harker-- Dracula

4. Alistair Theirin-- Dragon Age

5. Genji Shimada-- Overwatch

6. Carswell Thorne-- The Lunar Chronicles 

7. Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury-- Sailor Moon

8. Kanan Jarrus-- Star Wars

9. Cornelius Hickey-- The Terror

10. Rogue/Anna Marie LeBeau-- Marvel

Tagging: @parker-of-loxley, @rennskye, @macko-99, @46hasu, @sttron534, @froggo-02, @grainypicofthemoon, @ca314159bara, @apocryphist

[forsomereasoniexist]

I posted 827 times in 2021

126 posts created (15%)

701 posts reblogged (85%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 5.6 posts.

I added 331 tags in 2021

#a song of ice and fire - 61 posts

#game of thrones - 61 posts

#asoiaf - 58 posts

#got - 51 posts

#anon - 36 posts

#asks - 24 posts

#my art - 11 posts

#theon greyjoy - 11 posts

#jon snow - 11 posts

#robbert stark - 7 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#if jon comes back as a fire white and he goes all knights king and hooks up with a ice white then wouldnt that be the real song of iceandfir

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Shipping dynamics innit

See the full post

118 notes • Posted 2021-02-20 08:01:48 GMT

#4

Jaime Lannister be like "hot wench summer" and everyone around him is just like "winter is literally coming"

136 notes • Posted 2021-05-02 19:57:08 GMT

#3

Hot take: what if arya doesnt grow out of being a tomboy becouse some people just arent very feminine

145 notes • Posted 2021-05-03 02:07:42 GMT

#2

Its fun when people criticize sansa or robb in a way that shows that theyve never had siblings

199 notes • Posted 2021-03-27 05:53:39 GMT

#1

Direwolves rating?

Grey Wind: 10/10. A good boy. Can do tricks. Retrieves stuff from the fridge. Good at finding things.

Lady: 10/10. A good girl. Very well behaved. Beautiful. Always has very soft fur. Wears the prettiest collar.

Nymeria: 10/10. Also a good girl. Always greets arya when she gets home. Good judge of character.

Summer: 10/10. A good boy. Therapy dog. Walks his owner. Protect but also attack.

Shaggy dog: 11/10. The best boy. Is shaggy dog. Will fight other dogs at the park. Takes no shit. Surprisingly fluffy. Eats homework on purpose. Will chase anything that moves.

Ghost: 10/10. Another good boy. Doesn't bark at night. Adopted by the entire nights watch. Likes to be fed under the table. Sheds on the carpet but the carpet is white so it actually makes it look cleaner.

575 notes • Posted 2021-06-25 20:20:51 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[pendragonfics]

us against the world

Paring: Jon Snow/Reader

Tags:  gender unspecified reader (could be read as neutral; female or male), alternate universe - high school, alternate universe - modern: no powers, not actually unrequited love, crushes, first kiss, fluff without plot

Summary: Apparently, the whole school knew about the massive crush Jon Snow had on you before you did. The kicker? He's your best friend.

Word Count: 1,652

Current Date: 2021-02-11

It was around mid-afternoon when you realised that you were in love with your best friend. There had never been any reason to not call it friendship. He and you would be inseparable. If he got detention, so did you. When you watched every lacrosse practice, he never missed a violin recital of yours. He considered your Mom his own, and you practically lived at his house, play-fought his siblings, and slept on their couch more than your own bed.

So when this morning, when Jon didn’t show for homeroom? It took much longer than the initial half an hour roll call and daily announcements for the realisation to sink in. Mr Targaryen — while somewhat crazy for his age — didn’t mind your lack of attention. He droned on about the new parking rules and something about a charity event.

But your thoughts were only on Jon.

He had never been absent before. The only sick day he’d ever had was that winter when everyone in his house got chickenpox. Or the time he drank the expired milk instead of Samwell to stand up to the bullies (it hadn’t worked. Food poisoning isn’t a remedy to schoolyard oppressors). So when his name — Snow, Jon — had come and gone without remark, it weighed heavy on your mind.

Across the classroom, you watched as Joffrey flirted clumsily toward Missandei, who seemed more interested in carving her initials into her desk. It was then, looking at the ill-fated match made in first-period math, your mind flickered back to Jon.

And how every time he showed off, you smiled. How every time you passed a note, he pocketed it. How if you weren’t in a class together, the whole ordeal of it all would stretch on too long, and you’d feel so much better when you next laid eyes on each other. It was as if he was the question, and you were the answer, or you were the chooser, and he was the choice. As no matter what, he came to the forefront of your mind. Whether it was in school or out, at your group’s weekly Dungeons and Dragons night or the ice skating pond near the grocers, no place was complete without Jon.

The bell released you all, and Mr Targaryen resigned himself to his desk, and you all piled out and into the halls. Your usual quips and remarks are held in your mouth, as there is no partner in crime to utter them to. Until, of course, someone knocks into you; sending you and your books across the way.

Theon Greyjoy was no joy at all. The guy could take the happiness out of anything, and he prided himself on it in a sick way that made anyone wonder if he got off on it. A sneer crossed his face as he stared down at you.

“Well?” He prompted lazily. “Where’s your goth to protect you?”

“Go away, Theon.”

“Oh, are you sad? What’re you gonna do? Cry?” He taunted.

You gathered your things quietly, ignoring him despite his proximity. However, just because he was out of sight, it didn’t mean that he was no longer in existence. Books in hand and still crouching, you feel his off-brand sneaker connect with your ribs.

“Oi! Fuck off, you snake,” a familiar voice intoned. Looking up, Arya stood above you, her fists balled, and teeth bared. “Or I’ll smack you over my skateboard like the creep you are.”

“Ooh," he sneered, "you’ll like that, wouldn’t you.”

You stood up at the same time her punch landed. Theon recoiled; his nose was at an odd angle. “What are you gonna do, cry?” She parroted back. Arya puffed her chest out, stepping toward him. Intimidated, Theon grasped at his nose and ran off.

“He’s gonna tattle.” You groaned. Though your books were in hand, you cradled your side. That was gonna leave a mark. “You shouldn’t have done that, Ari…”

“Well, snitches get stitches,” she announced. Starting to walk down the hall, she navigated expertly through the swathes of students as a creature in their element would. “I’m sure you’d do the same for me if Mrs Mordane accused me of cheating in Spanish, wouldn’t you?”

“You’re right…” you trailed off. Blinking, you snapped back to focus and looked to her. “Hey, Arya? Is Jon okay?”

She frowned, stopping mid-step. “You mean in the head? Or in the looks department?” Arya winced. “Y’know, the jury’s still out on both.”

“No, I mean like, is he sick?” You ask, hurriedly. Some part of you feels ashamed for asking so pointedly. Another feels righteous, wanting answers. “I mean, he seemed fine when we talked on the phone yesterday…it’s just, Jon never misses homeroom.”

“Maybe…he poked his eye out with his guyliner and Rob had to drive him to the ER?” Arya shrugged, entering the classroom behind her. “See ya!”

----

By the time fourth-period art rolled around, you felt somewhat disparaged. Apart from the fact that your phone battery was dead from checking your last texts so often, there was no word from anyone in your social circle about Jon. Even Samwell was as worried as you were, and if that meant anything, your worries were valid. But as with everything in art class, the bad energy was left at the door, and inside, you began to sketch out the line art on your freshly primed canvas.

“Don’t look now, but I’m pretty sure ____________’s gonna paint their boyfriend.”

You looked to the voice. Really, of all people? It was none other than Renly Baratheon. You had tried to befriend him in middle school, but it didn't work out. When became King of the rumour mill, it was hard to find peace in his company. He sat beside his friends, bedazzled as always, with his holier than thou expression that made you so very mad.

You looked to the sketch on your canvas. An oval face, chin-length hair. Morose expression, bushy eyebrows, and baggy clothes. Jon. But by the time you looked up, ready to defend yourself, you noted that Cersi had swooped in to bully him. Such luck couldn’t be bottled, but then again…you hadn’t denied the statement.

At the next table, Margaery laughed softly. You noticed that her project, a clay vase, looked somewhat like something the teacher would discourage the boys from crafting.

“What’s so funny?” You asked, innocently.

“Oh…” she moulded at the mound she had pinched into existence, “it’s almost like you’re the last to know.”

“Look, I’ve already seen that video Daenerys shared.”

“Oh God no —,” she gave a quasi-yelp, too low for the teacher to hear over the general hubbub, “I’m not talking about that scandal.” She shook her head, “See, ____________, I’ll be kind about it, since nobody else will be. It’s clear as day that you’re into that emo Jon Snow.”

“He’s my friend.” You bit back. Quietly, you added, “He’s punk, not emo.”

“Yeah?” She cocked a perfectly plucked eyebrow in amusement. “Well if we’re telling lies, then I’m a virgin.”

Exasperated, you focus back on your desk. But before you is your canvas, the sketch of Jon’s face, and it makes your face heat beneath the skin with a cocktail of embarrassment and shame.

Under your breath, you ask, barely looking to Margaery, “…does everyone know?”

“Oh, just about everyone…except him. If I know anything about boys — and trust me, I do — that boy likes you.”

----

You had never been so glad to get off the bus, but then again, no other days in your life had been so strife-filled as this one. You follow the Stark siblings home. It’s the same as usual. Sansa pushes Bran’s chair, and Arya as she kicks rocks at cars. You’re almost past their front yard when you realise they’ve stopped walking, and you nearly collide with Sansa’s back.

“What is it?” You ask. “What’s —”

It’s then you see. Spelt out on the front lawn of your family’s house with white garden rocks is a message. It’s hard to decipher since it's so big, but you frown, concentrating on it. WILL YOU GO TO…

You furrow your brow, looking to the Stark siblings. Bran shrugs. But the only answer you receive, upon walking closer to the misspelled word (when had it ever been spelled DARNCE??), you see him leaning against the inside of your parents’ front doorframe. He’s wearing a nicer black tee than usual, and his jeans have fewer holes, but he still looks as cool as ever. In Jon’s hands, there’s a single flower — that you suspect was picked from across the road’s garden — and he holds it out to you.

“What are you doing?” You ask, eyes wide. “I — Jon, what are you —?”

He pushes off the door, walking toward you down the path. He kicks one of the rocks from the misspelled word on accident, the stone tottering toward the mailbox. “____________, I’ve known you since we were both in diapers and watched Rugrats reruns. We’ve been good friends for years and years and it’s taken me so long to realise it but I know what it is I am to you. You’re the best part of any day. Hands down. It’s been years, but you’re more than a friend to me.”

“Stop being so corny,” you whine.

“____________, I like you more than anyone or anything. More than —”

You close the distance between the pair of you. In the motion, you knock the flower from his grasp, nearly bowl the boy over, but finally, after too many years and too many confusing thoughts and feelings, you do it.

“Gross,” Bran mutters, near the gate.

Jon breaks from the kiss. “I — you like me back?” He looks bewildered.

You nod, and peck him on the cheek before picking the lost flower up, and continuing on toward the front door. “Of course I do, dummy.”

[awordwasthebeginning]

the midwife’s secret - sorta liveblogging pt. xii

22:02: will I ever finish this thing? there is half an hour left, and I do need minutes to type this rant, so I need twice the time, and I dunno if I have the patience for that.

22:05: Randolf’s miners (amateurs/evil) and Chris’s miners (professionals) get into an argument. Lukas fetches Chris, who then for dramatic purposes fights some of the evil miners one-on-one on a narrow wooden bridge over some body of water, not the river, fuck knows where that came from.

22:08: everyone watches, and ofc Randolf goes “they’re allowed to dig wherever they want”. Chris is like “there’s silver everywhere here, can you maybe dig a few metres further left?” His chest is hurting. The right side. Not his heart. Marthe is worried.

22:12: Randolf goes back to his men and once again proves to be the most interesting and well-developed character here (apart from Hedwig): His men are like “let’s fight!”, he says, “don’t be stupid, we mustn’t cause trouble, Chris is hurt and can’t fight properly but he will challenge me eventually”. Sounds like a solid plan. Really, Randolf -

Excuse me, it’s raining.

22:26: - Randolf’s actor is the best actor round here and doing the best he can with the role he was given. Meanwhile someone fancast Chris’s actor as Rainer von der Steuerfahndung and I can’t unsee that anymore. He can swing a sword, but he could also know about e-mails. Right, back to the show now!

22:30: a nuntius messenger appears and tells Chris that he is wanted in Meißen. He didn’t even have time to let Marthe look at his wound!! And Marthe apparently doesn’t have time to put on a cap in the morning, or at least a headscarf. I thought she was married? Anyway, Chris saddles Drago (no, I won’t let you forget that that’s what the stallion is called) and the messenger was paid by Randolf, of course.

22:38: As soon as Chris is gone, Randolf starts trouble: He asks Theon Greyjoy Jonas the smith for new horseshoes. When Jonas (stupidly, but understandably) demands payment, Randolf is like “bish I’m your master, I needn’t pay you”, and knocks Jonas on the head. Karl, Jonas’s...apprentice?...and Wiprecht’s son (and thus Marthe’s stepson) wants to help. As a result, Jonas and Karl are tied to a post with 30 lashes waiting for each of them. Everyone is terrified. Randolf is evil but still pretty. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[popculturesymposium]

ASOIAF Symposium - A Game of Thrones - Chapter 1 (Bran I)

In this episode, Nav and Harmat discuss the first chapter of A Game of Thrones... extensively. There's puppies, there's confusion about Jon Snow, but thankfully, there's no cereal.

Art: "this one belongs to me" by NanFe (http://fav.me/dcoj0t7)

LISTEN HERE: 

https://popculturesymposium.buzzsprout.com/1123610/4356680-a-game-of-thrones-chapter-1-bran-i

SHOW NOTES:

Chapter Markers:

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:07 30-Second Summary

00:03:17 Jon Snow Confusion

00:06:53 Chapter Discussion

00:33:25 Predictions

00:36:05 Next Chapter Title

00:38:23 Outro

Harmat’s Predictions in this episode:

Mance Rayder is King north of the Wall

Jon is an outcast here because he was born north of the Wall

Something bad is going to happen with the wolves; they’re going to end up attacking someone, either in the family or someone who’s harming the family

OR the wolves are going to stay with the kids throughout the series like Hedwig

Jon vs Robb is going to be a thing. They might duel. There will be conflict.

Someone’s gonna die soon; maybe Lord Stark will die and that will lead to conflict b/w Jon and Robb

Lord Stark will die because Theon Greyjoy will betray him

Catelyn could be one of Bran’s sisters or his mom or someone from another noble family

OR, since this chapter was from the perspective of a noble family, the next one would be the opposite; Catelyn is a little girl north of the Wall

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[arabian-bloodstream]

I am just in a complete state of I can't even over people saying that killing the Night King was too easy. Like bitch, please! Or that it should have been Jon. I don't think so. Lemme explain!

Too easy? Thousands of people died, pretty much all of the Dothraki died. Most of the Unsullied died, Many, many Northerners died. Winterfell was close to destroyed. Every single one of their plans fell through. It took not one, not two, but three tries to bring down the Night King... including literal dragon fire to kill him, and THAT did not work. Theon Greyjoy--one of the series' main supporting characters from episode one from season one--died trying to kill the Night King.

It literally (as in the LITERAL definiton of the word 'literally') took Arya Fucking Stark--someone who has has spent six of the previous seven seasons *again* LITERALLY training for this very moment--being in the exact same spot where the Night King was created and stabbing him through the exact spot where the Dragonglass was plunged into his heart to create him to kill him.

Six of eight seasons, Arya spent training.

Season 01: Jon has a sword especially made for her. Ned approves her keeping that sword and getting her lessons from the first Sword of Braavos, Syrio Forel. She's chasing cats, learning to be swift and silent and still in King's Landing.

Season 02: She continues to train while on the run with those lessons taught by Syrio. Interacts with Jaqen H'Gar of the Faceless Men and impresses him enough that he gave her the Faceless Man coin, teaching her the phrase Valar morghulis.

Season 03: She continues to train with a bow/arrow, and meets the Red Woman, who recognizes a sense of destiny about Arya Stark.

Season 04: She continues to train upon retrieving Needle, continung her dancing lessons, she also learns more lessons about death from the Hound.

Season 05: She travels across the Narrow Sea to Braavos and begins training with the Faceless Men.

Season 06: She finishes her training with the Faceless Men.

So anyone saying that Arya being able to do kill the Night King was NOT paying attention to her story. It's been there ALL ALONG. This is what her story has been. And anyone saying that it should have been Jon's story was not paying attention to his story. Jon's story wasn't about killing the Night King it was about rallying people to get the pieces in place. Which he did. Everyone played the part they were supposed to play.

And people thinking that the people who died not being "main" characters or that none of them mattered really, I don't think so.

- Theon Greyjoy... He's been there since episode 01 and was a main supporting character. - Jorah Mormont... Same, he's been there since episode 01 and was a main supporting character. - Lyanna Mormont... She was supposed to be a one-off character, but was so phenomenal, she stuck around and was a huge fan favorite. - Delorous Edd... He's been there since season 01, and was a big fan favorite. - Beric Dondarrion... He's been there since season 03. - Melisandre... She's been there since season 02 and is an important recurring character.

Now, sure, maybe only Theon and Jorah were main supporting players, but they were important and were there from the first episode, and the others who died were varying degrees of fan favorites and they played important parts to the story.

Plus, if anyone thinks that Edd dying didn't mean anything to Jon and Sam, they have not been paying attention to their scenes throughout the series.

If anyone thinks that Jorah dying didn't mean anything to Dany, and Grey Worm, Missandei and Tyrion, they haven't been paying attention.

If anyone thinks that Lyanna Mormont dying won't mean a helluva lot to the remaining of the North they haven't been paying attention to the North.

If anyone thinks that Theon's death didn't matter to Sansa, to Jon, to Arya, to the Iron Born--with their ships still available--they haven't been paying attention.

If anyone thinks that Beric's sacrifice meant nothing to Arya and the Hound, they have not been paying attention.

The director of this episode, Miguel Sapochnik, said that episodes 3-5 are all connected, so if you think this was the end of what's happening... you have not been paying attention.

I wanted to do 3, 4, and 5 and there literally just weren’t enough days because we shoot two units. Then I said "4 and 5" and they said, "No, you have to do 3 and 5." What I really like about 3, 4, and 5 is they’re a complete piece with a beginning middle and end.

Pay attention, people, just pay attention to the story on the screen instead of rushing so quickly to the internet to complain.

[snowstcrm]

The Young Wolf and The Last Dragon

Summary:  Daenerys spent her years growing up in the Water Gardens palace of Dorne, hidden away from Robert Baratheon’s wrath and the world. The usurper is dead however, and kings have begun to rise across Westeros to partake in the game of thrones. One lord in particular has been sweeping every enemy in his path in order save his father in Kings Landing, something Doran Martell sees as an opportunity to finally place the Targaryen princess in his care on the Iron Throne. For the first time in her seventeen years of life, Daenerys sails away from her pools and lemon trees in order to marry the Young Wolf in the north and redeem her family’s tarnished name.

Pairing: Robb Stark x Daenerys Targaryen (Robberys)

01 <- 02 -> 03

Chapter 2 - The Young Lord Stark

She had wished Oberyn, Obara, and Nymeria well when they along with two dozen of their men were dropped off a day’s travel to Kings Landing. That had been almost two weeks ago and the ship was still sailing north. It was an exhausting journey to make and perhaps it was a bit childish of her but she had never imagined Westeros to be as large as it was. She studied the maps of course, but to actually travel it was a different experience.

“That must be White Harbor,” Elia Sand’s voice broke the silence as she walked up to the railings to stand beside Daenerys. Elia was merely a year younger than her so they had grown up together, Oberyn’s daughter often coming with him during his visits to the Water Gardens and many times letting her stay there for weeks. They would splash in the pools or run wild on their horses as children, much to their caretakers dismay.

“I understand why now. Everything is made with white stone.” It was an odd experience to see the colour slowly fade from the land, buildings, and the sky the further north they went. Gone were the beautiful summer flowers and trees and colourful birds… “It almost looks like snow.”

“I’ve never seen snow before, but I don’t think that’s what it looks like.” The Sand Snake gave a short bark of laughter before crossing her arms. “Get used to it though. The north is cold and grey. I pray it won’t be your home for long, for my own sake.” Elia had taken the position of being Dany’s secret guard, disguising herself in peasant robes that could pass her off as a servant, and as much as the girl quipped about her duties Daenerys knew that her friend had volunteered herself for the job.

They docked at the harbor, the princess wearing a large grin as her feet touched solid ground for the first time in weeks. Curious violet eyes dashed over the fishermen and merchants milling about on the docks, noticing that they all carried a heavy air around them. It seemed that it wasn’t just cities or nature that lost their colourful life in the north. Her observations of the northmen were cut short when she saw that Silver was being guided down the ramp and onto the dock, Daenerys running up to her mare and petting the horse’s cheek. “The journey must have been rough for you most of all.” She murmured, smiling as she mounted onto her saddle. “You’ll stretch your legs soon enough.”

While the ship left to sail to Kings Landing, the Dornish group escorting Daenerys made their way through White Harbour with no intention of staying in the city. Their focus was reaching the Stark camp as soon as possible. They had not heard word of Oberyn yet, but she suspected he would set whatever plan he had into motion soon and she needed to be in the right place for her to respond and play his advocate to their allies.

They travelled for days, the refreshing feeling of a horseback journey fading as Dany’s thighs and palms became chaffed and sore from riding. She began to appreciate the weeks of their travel by ship, a luxury in comparison. The journey was tedious but they were finally close to arriving at Moat Cailin where she would meet Robb Stark for the first time.

She felt unimaginably nervous as Elia brushed and braided her hair for her on the day that they would be arriving at the castle, the black dye almost completely faded and her Valyrian silver shining through. They would reach their destination that afternoon and she had no way to properly prepare herself with a bath, only able to do the best with what she had taken with them on horseback which was a wash rag and her finest perfume. She stained her lips a sweet red and wore a violet gown she had brought from Dorne with her riding leathers underneath and a heavy black cloak to keep her warm during the ride to their meeting point. She supposed it would have to do. Nothing would help that she was a Targaryen stepping foot into an army full of northerners who would be cautious of her regardless.

Moat Cailin as expected was surrounded by marshlands that held an unpleasant odour, the castle and the lands around it all carrying that same grey tone as the rest of the north she had seen so far. The Dornish travelled up the dirt path to the gates and Daenerys could see a small group of soldiers waiting for them, and even more heads popping up from behind the tops of the walls to scout out the supposed Targaryen princess that had been hidden away from the world.

Their horses came to a stop at the gates, Dany’s heart caught in her throat as her eyes roved across the northmen, her gaze landing on a younger man that finally spoke out in greeting, “It’s good to see you’ve all made it here alive.” He stepped forward, “I am Theon Greyjoy, ward of Lord Eddard Stark. Lord Robb Stark has been waiting for you… Your Grace.” The form of addressment took a moment to slip from his lips, as if he wasn’t sure if it was the right choice to make in regards to her.

“Thank you My Lord. We’re in good health.” She replied, quick to speak up before any of her own guards might step in and shield her from the interaction. He had not given them a welcome, but she would not return the coldness. “By your words I assume that Lord Eddard is still alive. We have not been able to receive word during our travels, so I am most pleased at the news.” She smiled softly, hoping the polite charms would ease the northmen into getting used to her presence. “I hope I have not kept the young Lord Stark waiting for long. I’d be honoured to finally meet the man that has raised his banners against the Lannisters and the Baratheon king.” She felt a shift in the air then, as if there was an understanding that passed through the small group standing in front of her. We have the same enemies, is what she had told them.

She felt the eyes of Eddard’s ward wander over her before meeting hers once more, “And I’d be honoured to guide you. Your men may keep their weapons, but if one draws their blade there will be bloodshed.”

Daenerys nodded, “Of course.”

Silver had been placed in the care of the couple Dornish men that stayed down in the encampment to tend to the group’s horses. Dany’s heart had not calmed down since they arrived at the gates and it only pounded harder when they passed by the many tents, soldiers leering or gawking at the newcomers. They kept walking until they arrived to one of the only tower’s still standing, a large wolf sitting in guard at the entrance. The beast’s eyes were sharp and intelligent, regarding the group before stepping aside to let Theon and the rest of them pass. Her fingers began to tremble with each step they took up the dilapidated building, walking down a dimly lit hall and then finally entering a large room that must have been used for council meetings.

Chairs skidded backwards as the group entered, the sound bouncing off the cold stone walls as the northern lords stood at their arrival. All eyes were on her as Theon led her to stand in front of a long table before he turned to bow his head and removed himself, walking around to stand behind… Robb Stark.

She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting, but it wasn’t the young man with the curly auburn locks and fair eyes standing across from her. His features were young and handsome, the beginnings of a man’s beard growing on his fresh face. He was not much older than her which was something she was aware of before their meeting, but it was still an unusual sight for her to see a teen boy leading an army to war against the king of Westeros.

Robb’s eyes did not leave hers as they all waited in silence for him to speak. His gaze was heavy and intimidating, cold, but she would not bend no matter how unnerved she felt. A dragon did not cower away from a pack of wolves. Instead she smiled while offering him a small bow of her head in respect, and to her relief he finally spoke, “A larger part of me believed it all to be a lie and yet there appears to be a Targaryen princess standing before me.” He kept studying her as he sat back down, all the other lords following suit. “And still it seems almost impossible, that a Targaryen could have survived Robert Baratheon’s wrath.”

His suspicions of her were fair so she parted her lips to reply, taking a moment to word herself well, “My mother died while smuggling me to Sunspear. Almost all the ships were destroyed but Ser Willem Darry brought me the rest of the way to Prince Oberyn Martell who then gave us sanctuary at the Water Gardens. I’ve brought my mother’s crown if you still seek evidence that I am who I say I am.” Whispers spread across the room at the mention of the late queen’s crown, Daenerys only raising her chin at the discomfort she felt. “I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, and I have just as much reason as you to destroy our common enemies.”

The corner of his lip quirked upward in what could almost be a smirk, his hands interlocked and resting in front of his face. “I imagine so. You’d have many reasons to want vengeance against those that rose in rebellion against your father, and yet you’re here, agreeing to an alliance with a Stark.” He raised an eyebrow, head shifting an inch to the side. “You have no desire to destroy the Starks like the Lannisters and Baratheons?”

She swallowed at the mention of her father. She had spent weeks preparing what she would say for these sorts of question, already aware that they were coming and that they were vital. “It’s true, that the Starks and their bannerman rose up with Robert Baratheon, but it’s also true that my father executed Rickard and Brandon Stark. It’s also true that my brother Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna Stark.” She paused, taking a sharp intake through her nose as blood pounded in her ears. Every eye in the room turned sharp and cold, as if every man was more than willing to slit her throat for speaking the Stark family’s names. You are the blood of the dragon. Be brave. “My father and my brother Rhaegar were cruel men and I can only ask for your forgiveness and for you to not judge a daughter by the crimes of her family. The Mad King may have been my father, but the good queen Rhaella was my mother, and the sweet prince Viserys was my brother, and the innocent Rhaenys and Aegon were my niece and nephew.” Her brows furrowed, a hint of the pain and frustration she felt peeking through her strong expression, “Sharing someone’s blood... is not a sin in itself. I can’t imagine that you agree with the brutal murders of Elia and her children by Lannister henchmen. From my knowledge Lord Eddard took no part in the cruelties against the innocent in my family, so I want to believe that the stories of how honourable he is are true. The relationship between the Stark and Targaryen houses has been deeply scarred. All I ask of you is to give me the chance to show you what we could achieve together.” She took a small step towards the table, violet eyes solely on blue, “Forgive me if I’m wrong my lord, but I think you believe the same. You wouldn’t have taken Dorne as allies into consideration otherwise. You knew what they were asking of you in return.”

There was a heavy silence after she spoke, her fingers twitching at her sides as she held herself back from scouting out the reactions in the room. Robb Stark, just focus on Robb Stark. She reminded herself. She could win over the hearts of the other northern lords with time, but she wouldn’t get the chance if she did not win over Robb.

“This is utter nonsense! The Mad King’s blood has no place in the north!” A gruff voice shouted, many joining in chorus. She felt Elia step close to her, as if preparing to cut down a rogue lord that would charge at Daenerys.

“Leave us.” Robb finally said, loud and above the crowd, and for a moment her stomach dropped because she believed he was speaking to her. She gathered her wits when the northern lords fell silent and exited the room instead, leaving her and her group to stand before Robb and an older woman Daenerys could only assume was his mother. He shared the woman’s hair and eyes.

Robb stood up and rounded the table, followed by his mother who had been studying Daenerys since she first entered the room. He stood in front of her, about an arm’s length away as he began to speak in a tone that was a tad softer than the cold wall he threw in front of her before, “My father is still held prisoner in Kings Landing, my sister is held in the grip of Cersei Lannister and my other sister hasn’t been accounted for. They are my top priority. They are your top priority. We don’t have much time left and two Lannister armies stand in our way. I still intend to cut my way through them… but I don’t know how much time I have left or if my advance south will only trigger my father’s execution.” He stepped closer to her, steadfast, “If Dorne marches from the south and takes Kings Landing while the king’s forces are caught in the north and unable to turn their backs to us, we will win this war. Undoubtedly.”

Though she could tell that he wanted to sound stern and strong, she could sense the urgency and vulnerability of a boy that was forced to lead a war to save his family. She could sense it. “I understand. Oberyn Martell has already infiltrated Kings Landing and knowing my uncle it’s only a matter of time until he acts. I know you fear for your family and we will still march south on the capital, but I trust the capabilities of the Prince of Dorne, the Sand Snakes, and his closest guards more than anyone. They will return your father and sisters to you safely.”

A hint of… something was in his eyes but she could not decipher it. Was it hope? She couldn’t tell because he kept himself guarded when he had to perform the leader. “After- if we win and wed, I assume the Martells intend for you to be in a position to rule. It’d mean I’d have to take the throne. That’s their end desire isn’t it?” The messages the ravens carried had not detailed much, but it wasn’t difficult to put the pieces together. He was rebelling against the crown and the Martells had sent over a princess with bloodclaim to the Iron Throne he was overthrowing.  

“The Martells- Doran and Oberyn, they have no desire to rule the other kingdoms. One wants justice and the other just wants their peace and a king… or a queen, that will care for Dorne.” For the first time since they met, she was unable to hold his gaze, her eyes shifting towards his mother and then to Rhaella’s ring Dany always wore on her finger. “You do not have to sit on the throne, but we cannot leave it unclaimed after we remove Joffrey. It’s selfish and would leave the smallfolk with anarchy and make way for an even more terrible king to lay claim. You cannot wage war against a king if you have no intention of being king yourself. Even the Usurper did as much.” She willed herself to raise her head, looking up at the young Stark lord. She had not allowed herself to dwell on it before, but by the gods he was handsome. There was no denying it and she could only imagine how head over heels she would have been if there wasn’t the cold tension of wartime placed between them. “I am prepared to be queen, because that is my duty. What is your duty after Dorne helps you and we win this war together My Lord?”

His mother, Catelyn Tully if Daenerys’ knowledge was correct, turned to Robb as she said in a hushed tone, “You say you want to return to Winterfell, I understand.” She placed a hand on his upper arm, “But the northern lords will only kneel to another northman now. Who better than you, or your future own?” The woman glanced back at Daenerys, visibly wary of the Targaryen girl but interested in what the alliance could offer.

“Mother,” he almost scolded, much like a boy child shushing his oversharing mother. Whatever his opinions on the matter were, his expression made it clear that he’d prefer to talk about it later in private and not in the presence of their new allies. “Help me escort our guests to their sleeping chambers. They have had a long travel.” His gaze fell on Daenerys, challenged but grounded.

Lady Catelyn led Dany’s men down the tower and to the encampment outside where the soldiers would rest while Robb guided her further up Gatehouse Tower with Elia trailing behind them. The walk was quiet for the most part save for the heavier puffs of breath that passed her lips and Daenerys was glad for the much needed break from conversation to recuperate. She felt a bit frazzled as this was the first time she ever had to deal with such a high-stakes meeting all on her own. A feeling of pride swelled in her at the thought. Doran would be proud of her.

When they arrived, Elia stopped and leaned against the wall with her arms crossed as Daenerys and Robb entered the sleeping chambers. The Targaryen princess noted that it was gloomy and the few pieces of furniture were rundown and dusty. Still, it was nicer than sleeping on the cold hard dirt like during their travels here. Even better was the copper basin shoved off to a corner of the room, something she would certainly put to good use.

“These will be your chambers for the time being. Apologies if they’re not up to your standards Your Grace.” He said, not unkind but there was something biting in the way he had worded himself. He was prodding at her, she could tell and her eyebrows shot up in disbelief. Surely he was not teasing her?

“I’ve spent many a days playing in mud, climbing trees, and skinning my knees.” She stepped closer to him, only half a meter away now as her head tipped up to look him in those pretty eyes of his, a playful lilt in her voice, “Assuming you know me or my standards is rather familiar of you, but you are forgiven My Lord.” The small smirk on her lips grew into a smile as she tilted her head, egging him on. It was as if the wall placed between them had been knocked down a few stones with the exchange, and for the first time since she had met him she believed that this thing between them could be good instead of just necessary.

She saw it then, the first expression he had given her that was lighter in spirit-- there on his lips lay amusement and there was a glint in his eyes, “You’re far too kind Your Grace.”

One of her guards carrying her leather chest came into the room, walking up from behind her to place the chest at the foot of the bed before bowing to her and leaving her and Robb alone once more. He wasn’t truly gone, probably just waiting a few meters down the hall with Elia.

At the chest’s arrival she was reminded of her gift so she turned away from him, squatting down to unlatch its buckles to dig through her belongings as she replied, “So kind, that I have something for you in fact.” Her hands found the cloth-wrapped dagger and she stood up with it, revealing the ruby and gold encrusted weapon before holding it out to him with her palms. “For you.” She said, nodding her head to encourage him to take it after Robb had frozen at the sight of it. Daenerys knew that she had finally bested him in the tug-o-war they had been playing since they met when she left him speechless. He was not expecting this and was left unprepared. “I truly do appreciate your willingness to accept me Lord Stark. I hope that this alliance will be fruitful for both us and the people of Westeros.”

He reached out with a pensive hand, Daenerys going still when his fingers passed the dagger to instead brush against her wrist, sliding below to then cup her hand. His other moved, fingers wrapping around the dagger to pick it up. His hands left her all at once and allowed her to breathe. It had been such a small form of tentative contact but her face grew hot at the touch, an unexpected fire bursting forth inside her that she tried to quell. His eyes slid from the gift in his hands to her face, his thoughts deep and unreadable to Daenerys.

He held the dagger, rotating it around to study the details and even partly unsheathing it to see the art engraved on the steel. He had been a lord all his life and he had not seen a weapon so ornate and valuable. “Thank you…” This was the type of blade people passed down as heirlooms in their family so why on earth-- then ah, he reminded himself that if things were to go in accordance with the alliance, her children would be his children. She would be his wife and the mother of his children. Was he even ready to be a father? No no, he could not think about that during wartime. It made his heart ache. “May it draw the blood of our enemies, Your Grace.” His words felt clunky and ill-fitting, but he didn’t know what else to say to her that wouldn’t come off as too… familiar, as she had put it. He slid the dagger into his belt and Daenerys nodded, that sweet smile Robb had discovered just moments before making its way back to her face again. He found that he had to keep catching himself from getting too drawn into her entrancing eyes. She was such a jarring presence in the north and to the life he had always known. Her hair was white as snow but there was a fire that was reeling him in, a woman that both held the political and witty tongue of the south and the steadfastness of a northerner.

Daenerys looked from him to over his shoulder where she caught movement at the door, her focus moving from Robb to his mother that arrived. She did not know what to think of the woman yet, but she knew that she must be kindest to her most of all. "My Lady," Daenerys addressed, "Thank you for for helping my men find their tents." She could see that the older woman still found it difficult to respond, but her efforts were clear.

"The pleasure is mine Your Grace." Catelyn smiled before turning her attention to her son. "Robb?" She called to him, wanting him to come along with her so they could finally speak alone.

He nodded before turning back to Daenerys, giving her a once over before saying in a quiet tone, "We can speak more of our war strategies in the morn."

"Thank you Lord Stark. I wish you a good night." There was a hint of laughter on the edge of her voice, amused at the the stiffness that returned to his shoulders at the presence of someone else with them.

His lips parted, sucking in a breath as if to reply but it never came. He could only watch her for a bit longer before he willed himself to simply nod and turn away, walking towards his mother and exiting the sleeping chambers together, leaving Daenerys to herself.

The silence of being alone only lasted for a few moments until Elia gave a knock at the already open door and letting herself in. “You know, this all went better then I thought it would.” The comment was said with a tilt of the head, arms crossing as the Sand Snake stayed stern, not allowing her guardedness to give way to ease.

Daenerys gave a light shake of her head as she removed her black cloak and tossed it on the bed, “The difficulties are yet to come. Creating alliances is easy. It’s winning over the opinions of those that follow Lord Stark that is my concern. You saw how they looked at me, how they defied my presence in their land. I imagine many aren’t pleased with me, and even Robb for his decision.” She met Elia’s eyes, gaze stern and telling, “Now we must find out what’s stronger: the northerners detest for House Targaryen or their loyalty to House Stark.” Daenerys moved to stand closer to the girl, placing a gentle but sure hand on her shoulder, “I find myself trusting Robb but I am wary of the northern lords. We can’t allow them to disrupt this alliance. Do keep eyes on them.”

The younger, but taller girl’s expression was hard as she nodded, “I know. I will.”

“Thank you. Having you here with me has made all the difference.” Daenerys let out a sigh, releasing Elia’s shoulder and making way for a lighter conversation. Her head turned to the basin and she gave a tired smile, “Our journey was long. Let’s have some water heated and wash away the grime of our travels. It’s been far too long since I’ve had a proper bath.”

Robb closed the heavy oak door to his chambers, taking a deep breath and letting his shoulders lax as he turned to face his mother. “I’m doing what I have to- to save father and the girls--” he defended himself, already prepared to hear his mother’s personal feelings on his decision to create this alliance. She had already voiced her concerns during the initial messages they received by raven.

“I know.” She was calm, reassurance in her words and eyes. “It was necessary. If what Doran Martell says is true, then you’ve more than doubled your men and now have an army stationed in the south.” She sighed, closing her eyes and taking a step backwards to sit on the edge of the bed, “To think a Targaryen heir had survived all these years.” Her head shook side to side, long auburn locks swaying. “There were rumours of the queen giving birth before dying but never any proof. Now a woman grown has appeared with her eyes on the Iron Throne.”

Robb’s fingers curled and uncurled at his sides, a pause hanging between him and his mother as he mulled over all that’s happened. “Dorne intends to make her queen. I am to wed her-- I’ll have to stay in Kings Landing.” What had his life become? Mere months ago he was home at Winterfell with his family at peace and now he was waging a war with no prospects of returning home in the end. It didn’t matter, he decided. Not now at least. He must save his family first, no matter the cost or sacrifice at his own expense. The war wouldn’t end once he uprooted the Lannisters though, that much he was aware of. Claiming northern independence would have still caused issues whether it had been Stannis, Renly, or Tywin that would eventually come to try and reconquer the north for the crown, but claiming the Iron Throne and becoming king of Westeros was a completely different beast. He’d have to crush every other man that opposed him as king… Robb would be at war for years to come. He wanted to pound his fists against the wall, where or where had his childhood gone?

Catelyn looked off through the window, keeping her heart distant as if to shield it from anymore grief. Robb taking the Iron Throne would be an achievement like no other for not only House Stark, but for all the north that felt wronged by the crown, and yet she knew that her son-- her little boy just wanted his family safe and his home in Winterfell. “You are a Stark but are also a Tully.” She looked to her son, reciting her house words, “Family, duty, honour.” There was a silence again as her mind drifted to the Targaryen girl, mysterious and stunning. Catelyn could not believe her eyes when she first saw her. “She’s very beautiful,” she commented, giving a half shrug as she tried to lift Robb’s mood. “It’s too early to say, but she seems gentle and well-mannered. It… would be easy for you to love her.” Never in her life would Catelyn imagine that she’d end up here, trying to encourage her son to warm up to the daughter of the man who killed her betrothed all those years ago. They all must do what they had to, and this was her part.

There was a hint of a smile on Robb’s face, but he looked conflicted and tired, “Aye it would be.” She’d be easy to love, but should he? Should he allow himself to fall into those violet depths and embrace their marriage when her family had harmed his beyond repair? He knew the history and he felt strong ties to the Starks he never had a chance to love, but it was hard to keep a cold heart over a generation past when a stunning woman showed up at his doorstep with an army prepared to help him win a war. He felt guilt for wanting to run his calloused hand over her silky wrist once more. He either disrespected the ghosts of his house by allowing himself to love Daenerys, or he unfairly gave her a loveless marriage because she shares a name with cruel men she never knew. “Love would be easy with her. Everything else is what worries me.” He walked over to the small window, raising his forearm against the wall and leaning his weight against it. “I do not fancy politics.”

Catelyn stood up and walked over to her son, the encampment coming into her view below them. “No, but perhaps there won’t be much of it at the end of all of this. We already intend to remove the Lannisters. If the Baratheons oppose the Targaryen girl then so be it. We’ll remove them as well. We will have the north, the riverlands, the Vale on account of my sister, Dorne, and the capital. The Baratheon brothers would have the Reach and the stormlands left and they’d still have to fight for claim amongst themselves.”

Robb’s fingers ran across the ornate hilt of the gifted dagger at his hip, mind going numb as he dived deeper into the intricacies of it all. No, a voice of simple clarity broke through the fog then, you conquer it all or you lose everything. Those were his only two options. His mother’s voice reminded him that if you lose… your father dies, your sisters die, we die.  

The answer was still as simple as it was before.

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