dahlia-coccinea · 3 years ago
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Are the second generation really meant to mirror the first? I'm helping my sister revise for her end of unit test on it and it's mentioned quiet a bit in her notes but from what I've read (though tbf though- I'm reading certain parts for revision) I'm not really getting the vibe of that tbh. Can you help me understand why people may think this. Thank you.
Disclaimer: I'm certainly not an expert on the book and the criticisms about it - I read about it purely for my own enjoyment and there are many interpretations I’m probably not aware of. 
First, I would say they aren’t exact replicas or mirrors but are more like echos or perhaps extensions of the first generation. Certainly all the baggage of the previous generation is placed on them. Catherine Linton and Hareton Earnshaw are much easier to connect to the first generation then Linton is, in my opinion, but some critics have tried to do so - mostly in asserting that there is a love triangle between them similar to Heathcliff/Catherine/Edgar. There are a number of connections that critics make between Hareton/Cathy and Heathcliff/Catherine and some have been told a million times but I’ll try to cover the ones I remember. Let me see if I can keep this organized and not get too off topic. 
The similarity of their characters: At first glance you have the repetition of names - “C” and “H” appear repeatedly. Most apparent is that Catherine Linton is named for her mother. Hareton, although obviously an old family name since its been carved above the threshold of the Heights, it does feel intentional in furthering the connection between “C” and “H.” I’ve always found it interesting we have this scene from Cathy II and Linton in Chapter 14, that seems to directly call out the C & H connection:
“We found two in a cupboard, among a heap of old toys, tops, and hoops, and battledores and shuttlecocks. One was marked C., and the other H.; I wished to have the C., because that stood for Catherine, and the H. might be for Heathcliff, his name; but the bran came out of H., and Linton didn’t like it.”
Funnily I don’t think the H is for Heathcliff, I think its more likely meant for Hindley, but of course Heathcliff has been semi-assimilated into the Earnshaw family by being given the name Heathcliff, which was the name of a deceased child. To me at least, none of these feel unintentional, it feels fated since we have these repetitions noted by the characters themselves.
Cathy doesn’t only share a name with her mother, she lives in her shadow. We know from Nelly that, “On the anniversary of her birth we never manifested any signs of rejoicing, because it was also the anniversary of my late mistress’s death.” Edgar seems to cherish her in part because she is a remnant of her mother, even displaying many similar characteristics, although Nelly is quick to note Cathy is softer and more genteel - which makes sense considering she grows up with a loving father in a calm environment that lets her do as she pleases. She doesn't grow up with the harshness of the Earnshaw family, and Joseph's ranting, and it also seems that Nelly may have softened and become more maternal as years have gone by. I’d say she does become more and more like her mother after living at Wuthering Heights though. 
Some really great parallels between the two Catherine’s dialog have been made by Ann Dobyns - I’ve posted a few excerpts from her essay here if anyone is interested, it’s a bit more in-depth than this needs to be though.
Hareton has many parallels to Heathcliff as well - this is intentionally done by Heathcliff who, upon Hindley’s death, speaking of his plotting says, “And we’ll see if one tree won’t grow as crooked as another, with the same wind to twist it!” Heathcliff and Hareton have such an odd fated destiny, from the moment Heathcliff saves his life by catching him as his father dropped him over the bannister of second floor. Hareton from the start fears his natural father, “squalling and kicking in his father’s arms,” Nelly even fears Hindley will “frighten the child into fits.” Worlds different the description of a scene of very typical father/son affection described by Nelly during Hindley’s funeral when she says little Hareton, “played with Heathcliff’s whiskers, and stroked his cheek.” Or earlier when she had asked Hareton if he liked Heathcliff and he says:
“Ay!” he answered again. Desiring to have his reasons for liking him, I could only gather the sentences—“I known’t: he pays dad back what he gies to me—he curses daddy for cursing me.
In Hareton’s mind Heathcliff is more a protector than his father, and I suppose in many ways he is better than Hindley’s random obscene violence. As wrong as it is that Heathcliff denies Hareton his inheritance and an education, I think it does say something (not entirely sure what) that he is never physically abusive to Hareton in the way Hindley was with him. Hareton doesn’t ever show any real fear of Heathcliff. 
Heathcliff has his own complex feelings towards Hareton, definitely preferring him to his own son - he tells Nelly, “Do you know that, twenty times a day, I covet Hareton, with all his degradation? I’d have loved the lad had he been some one else.” So it seems we have the daughter of Catherine and the wished for son of Heathcliff. Lockwood even mistakes Hareton to be Heathcliff’s son momentarily in Chapter 2.
Some other parallels - Heathcliff notes the similarities between them later on in a discussion with Nelly:
“He’ll not venture a single syllable all the time! Nelly, you recollect me at his age—nay, some years younger. Did I ever look so stupid: so ‘gaumless,’ as Joseph calls it?”
“Worse,” I replied, “because more sullen with it.”
On other occasions Nelly talks about how Heathcliff liked to induce horror from those around him and “he contrived to convey an impression of inward and outward repulsiveness.” Hareton behaves similarly - in one scene after being taunted by Linton and Cathy, he throws Linton from the room to the disgust and fear of Cathy in Chapter 23:
...Earnshaw burst the door open: having gathered venom with reflection. He advanced direct to us, seized Linton by the arm, and swung him off the seat.
“‘Get to thy own room!’ he said, in a voice almost inarticulate with passion; and his face looked swelled and furious. ‘Take her there if she comes to see thee: thou shalln’t keep me out of this. Begone wi’ ye both!’
“He swore at us, and left Linton no time to answer, nearly throwing him into the kitchen; and he clenched his fist as I followed, seemingly longing to knock me down. I was afraid for a moment, and I let one volume fall; he kicked it after me, and shut us out.”
Similarly, when sitting next to him, Lockwood says, “My neighbour struck me as bordering on repulsive.” Even Nelly, who I’d say is typically biased towards Hareton, upon seeing him says he “seemed as awkward and rough as ever.”  Lockwood also describes him as being “almost haughty,” similar to Nelly’s repeated references to Heathcliff’s ego and “proud heart.” 
Heathcliff further casts light on their parallels when he says he sees Hareton as the “personification of my youth,” adding that, “Hareton's aspect was the ghost of my immortal love, of my wild endeavours to hold my right, my degradation, my pride, my happiness, and my anguish.” 
The love triangle:  I know some critics have said the dynamic between the Linton/Catherine/Hareton is similar to Edgar/Catherine/Heathcliff - I don't particularly see this. Cathy II is forced into marriage with Linton and at that point doesn't have notable feelings towards Hareton, compared to her mother who knows she loves Heathcliff more and still does have a choice to make even if it isn’t an easy one. 
Still, there are similarities in their relationship in that both men (Heathcliff and Hareton) end up feeling the need to better themselves because for their respective Catherine. Nelly says of Hareton, “He had been content with daily labour and rough animal enjoyments, till Catherine crossed his path. Shame at her scorn, and hope of her approval were his first prompters to higher pursuits.” I think this is similar to Heathcliff deciding to run away after years of abuse and to risk everything, including his life, after hearing Catherine says it would “degrade” her to marry him. Hareton does seem to show some jealously over Cathy’s attention and regard of Linton, and again with the presence of Lockwood so I suppose it is sort of love triangle-y? 
I also think Hareton shows signs of a growing devotion, similar to what Heathcliff felt towards Catherine. He certainly seems to be enamored by Cathy from the very first time they meet - Nelly says he, “stared at her with considerable curiosity and astonishment” and was, “too awkward to speak; though he looked as if he did not relish my intrusion.”
Something I’ve mentioned before is that Lockwood says about Hareton and Cathy, “Together, they would brave Satan and all his legions,” which feels like a direct parallel to Heathcliff’s assertion to Catherine that, “misery and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have parted us.” 
Also Heathcliff seemingly attempts to play the role Hindley played in his youth when he tells Cathy, “Your love will make him an outcast and a beggar.” It seems both Catherine and Heathcliff knew their love would result in the same situation as Catherine relays this to Nelly when she says, “did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars?” 
There is also, of course, the similarity of social stature - when Cathy first meets Hareton, he has nothing to his name and lives almost as a servant at Wuthering Heights, similar to Heathcliff’s position while Hindley was master. Cathy, similar to her mother, is better educated and has more opportunities - there is no socially accepted reason that she would choose Hareton, seeing as he can’t give her money, status, or respectability. 
The circle of events and “The Butterfly:” It does feel, in my opinion at least, that it is no accident that our happy ending is the union of Hareton and Cathy. It couldn’t happen with just any couple or in any other way. It does feel that they are made into the semi-proteges of Heathcliff and Catherine, and the elements of the Linton’s allows for there to be peace between the two families. There is a kind of resolution and unification of their energies. 
This is probably the most common narrative of the connection between Hareton/Cathy and Heathcliff/Catherine, and that is rather than just a parallel, critics have noted that the story of Catherine comes full circle with their marriage. The first Catherine wrote out her possible futures on her window sill in the names: Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heathcliff and Catherine Linton. Her daughter ends up reversing these different identities being born a Linton, marrying a Heathcliff, and finally an Earnshaw. That can’t be merely a coincidence.
Critic Dorothy Van Ghent deemed Catherine and Heathcliff the “original two” and she said that with the civilizing of Cathy and Hareton, "the great magic, the wild power, of the original two has been lost.” Others say that while poetically it makes sense within the repetition, Catherine and Hareton’s relationship is “improbable” but I disagree. I really liked Carol Ramsden’s take on this that incorporates Emily’s essay “The Butterfly,” and makes the parallel between the 1st and 2nd generation - I have posted this before but to save myself the time of rephrasing it I’ll just post the quote:
In Wuthering Heights, we encounter a destructive principle at work in the love between Catherine and Heathcliff. The principle is manifested fully in Catherine’s mental collapse and Heathcliff’s vindictiveness. However, the love between Cathy and Hareton is allowed to flower and they are both, in their own ways, products of the first lovers. The principle of destruction, as in “The Butterfly”, is transformed into a creative energy. Ultimately, Catherine and Heathcliff are also not deprived of this creative energy. Instead of representing a pessimistic view of life, their love, too, comes to suggest that all things work together towards good.
I think that’s an interesting take, besides just a happy ending for Hareton and Cathy it almost feels like a happy ending for Catherine and Heathcliff? In some ways they burned up only to transform into something better. Not saying that is how it is meant to be read, but I do like it (probably because I like a happy ending). 
I feel like there are other points that I’ve forgotten? But these are what I remember at least. 
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jonlovessansa · 6 years ago
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THE SUMMERWINE
DISCLAIMER: In light of the recent leaks, and some consequent worry, I decided to reveal one of the clues I found in the books that confirms Jon/Sansa and at the same time PoliticalJon. It is neither the biggest nor the sweetest to me... but it is the first one I found, the one that allowed me to discover all the others, and since it basically does nothing but confirm the theory that we all supported in the past months, plus some recent spoilers, I think I won't ruin anyone's party by revealing it. Now, for those of you who rightfully prefer to watch the new season for confirmations, I'm going to put a wall here, you decide whether to look beyond to see the burning candle…
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As we all probably know by now, GRRM loves his symbolism, and that often results in wondering what he is really talking about most of the time, what he’s hinting at, even if the answer is right there in plain sight. I’d say confusion is the main key for GRRM!
That's what happens with the wine and the scenes that involve the wine, by which we learn some important things that I think are no news for many of you. The show made some changes, but remaining in the books, I’m going to tell you briefly.
Starting with the ARBOR GOLD, that we find it’s linked to LIES. We’re informed directly by Littlefinger:
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“We shall serve him lies and Arbor gold, and he’ll drink them down and ask for more, I promise you... You see the wonders that can be worked with lies and Arbor gold?” (AFFC - SANSA I)
And thanks to him, Sansa learns it too:
“Lies and Arbor gold, she thought. "I am Alayne, Father. Who else would I be?" .
But the examples are numerous: Baelish serves arbor gold while scheming and lying to his guests; Illyrio offers it to Tyrion while telling him the fake story of fAegon; fAegon says Varys gave a jug to fdeadAegon’s father for the hypothetical switching; Sansa and Tyrion drink it during their unconsummated wedding night; it’s the wine of Ramsey and fArya wedding… and so on.
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Then there is the ARBOR RED, which is used to hide poisons and poisonous intentions: Joffrey drinks a poisoned cup before dying, Tyrion uses it to drug Cersei, Maester Cressen tries to kill Melisandre with a poisoned cup of it, only to be the one who ends up dead instead...
There’s still so much more to say, but let’s move on to the precise topic of this post.
The SUMMERWINE
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RED. DORNISH. SWEET. SUMMER. WINE. 
Don’t you think it’s pretty clear what we’re talking about here just by reading that? But in AGOT King Robert spills the truth, GRRM way, to convince Ned to go to King’s Landing:
Flowers everywhere, the markets bursting with food, the summerwines so cheap and so good that you can get drunk just breathing the air. Everyone is fat and drunk and rich." He laughed and slapped his own ample stomach a thump. "And the girls, Ned!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. "I swear, women lose all modesty in the heat. They swim naked in the river, right beneath the castle. Even in the streets, it's too damn hot for wool or fur, so they go around in these short gowns, silk if they have the silver and cotton if not, but it's all the same when they start sweating and the cloth sticks to their skin, they might as well be naked." The king laughed happily. (AGOT - NED I)
The reference is clear for me: in King’s Landing you can find in every corner the easiest version of LOVE, the kind that you can find in one of the many brothels the city seems to be famous for...
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With this important symbolism it’s interesting that in the books we have very few mentions of the SUMMERWINE, and only three times they are significant, all in A GAME OF THRONES: JON I, SANSA II, DAENERYS VI.
In both Jon and Sansa’s chapters the setting is very similar: there’s a feast (Winterfell’s Great Hall for King Robert / in King’s Landing for The Hand’s Tourney), the music of the singers (playing the high harp and reciting a ballad /filling the dusk with music), a knight (Jamie, the Lion of Lannister /Loras, a true knight), an uncle (Benjen /Jaime), a dog (the Hound/Ghost) and a fool (Robb, grinning like a fool /Moon Boy, the king's own fool). Among all these common ingredients, the best part is that Jon and Sansa both get drunk on summerwine for the first time. 
“(Joffrey) raised his hand to summon a servant with a flagon of iced summerwine, and poured her a cup... The servants kept the cups filled all night, yet afterward Sansa could not recall ever tasting the wine. She needed no wine. She was drunk on the magic of the night.” (AGOT - SANSA II)
Sansa is drunk on summerwine even if she doesn’t actually drink it, which means that she is only drunk on the promise of the beautiful life in front of her, like probably every sweet romantic child in her position. She’s not in love with Joffrey, she doesn’t know him at this point, she doesn’t know what a monster he is. She is in love with the idea of being in love with the Prince, being betrothed to him, becoming a Queen, of all her dreams of princesses and knights coming true. She is only drunk with the idea of summerwine!
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But do you know who is realllllllly drunk in love on summerwine? Jon is! 
”He settled back in his place on the bench among the younger squires and drank. The sweet, fruity taste of summerwine filled his mouth and brought a smile to his lips... Down here on the benches, there was no one to stop Jon drinking as much as he had a thirst for. And he was finding that he had a man’s thirst, to the raucous delight of the youths around him, who urged him on every time he drained a glass... Jon had started drinking then, and he had not stopped... He swallowed another gulp of wine... Benjen Stark straddled the bench with long legs and took the wine cup out of Jon’s hand. “Summerwine,” he said after a taste. “Nothing so sweet. How many cups have you had, Jon?” Jon smiled. Ben Stark laughed. “As I feared. Ah, well. I believe I was younger than you the first time I got truly and sincerely drunk.” (AGOT - JON I)
The show, again, hid some important clues by not having Jon attending the feast, but what remains the same is his request to uncle Benjen to go with him to the Wall and so have a chance to be a knightly kind of honourable man (like Lord Royce son Waymar, just to pick someone at random...) even if he’s a bastard.
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It’s also useful to point out that in this occasion, we see FOR THE ONE AND ONLY TIME IN ALL THE BOOKS, jealous Jon flourishing:
-“Joffrey, younger than Jon or Robb, but taller than either, to Jon’s VAST DISMAY”;
-“Sansa looked RADIANT as she walked beside him”; “Prince Joffrey had his sister’s hair and his mother’s deep green eyes. A thick tangle of blond curls dripped down past his golden choker and high velvet collar… but Jon did not like Joffrey’s pouty lips“; but what he thinks of Jaime, who looks exactly like the young Prince? He was “tall and golden, with flashing green eyes and a smile that cut like a knife… Jon found it hard to look away from him. This is what a king should look like” (if Joffrey looks like Jamie and Jaime looks like a king, then Joffrey looks like a king too... just saying!)
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From other POV we also learn that: 
-  while there’s a hunt with the king to provide a very wild boar for the feast, “Jon and his wolf were nowhere to be found”; “Jon seemed to be angry at everyone these days.” (BRAN) 
- when Jon gives Arya “Needle”, he explicitly tells her: “And whatever you do...” Arya knew what was coming next. They said it together “Don’t... tell... Sansa!”. But talking with Sansa about Prince Joffrey Aria says: “Jon says he looks like a girl”. (ARYA) I think he forgot to tell her to shut up this particular time!
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How can I say it simply: 
JON HAS ALWAYS HAD FEELINGS FOR HIS SISTER
and that’s it! I know many of you don’t like the idea very much and I really wanted to make a post about it to get everyone on board because in the books there are interesting things on the matter (I still have hope for a flashback of little Jon and little Sansa). I didn’t for lack of time and some specific spoilers... (if you want you can read HERE and HERE where I explain it a tiny bit), but remember that they were children, both in love with the stories of chivalry and heroism, it’s easy to think that sweet little Sansa was his precious jewel to protect, like she probably was for Robb; in the purest way, the same way your older brother is your hero when you’re a baby girl.
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But then the “bastard” word came in and everything changed: Jon, already rejected from Catelyn, the only mother he’s ever known, was forced to distance himself from both of them, and probably started to develop not less pure but different feelings, born primarily from an instinct of love and protectiveness that he couldn’t possibly satisfy. That’s when it all became muddled. And, well, he has Targaryen blood in his veins…
But let’s see what happens in DAENERYS VI so I can close this case. I sum up the important part because it is too long:
At the WESTERN market Dany comes across a wine merchant: a small man from Lys (known as LYS THE LOVELY and THE PERFUMED SISTER), slender and handsome, his flaxen hair curled, who has a sweet red from Dorne that sings of plums and cherries and rich dark oak; he says: “A cask, a cup, a swallow? One taste, and you will name your child after me”. “I will try your summerwine,” she says. But then the merchant realizes that she is THE MOTHER OF DRAGONS and responds to her: “That? Dornish swill. It is not worthy of a princess. I have a dry red from the Arbor, crisp and delectable. Please, let me give you a cask …there is no finer drink.” She accepts: “You honor me, ser.” But Jorah stops her and says “I have a thirst” and sniffs the wine, frowning. It turns out that the wine is poisoned because King Robert wants her dead: “No. He cannot have my son.. The Usurper has woken the dragon now” she told herself, and her eyes went to the dragon’s eggs resting in their nest of dark velvet… Was it madness that seized her then, born of fear? Or some strange wisdom buried in her blood? Dany could not have said. She heard her own voice saying, “Ser Jorah, light the brazier.”  
Sooooo…..
A SLENDER and HANDSOME man with CURLED HAIR and SMALL of stature,
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who comes from THE LOVELY and PERFUMED SISTER
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offers Daenerys a swallow of his sweet red Dornish wine, i.e. SUMMERWINE, i.e. LOVE, promising her a child named after him. 
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But knowing she’s the MOTHER OF DRAGONS
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what he really intends to give her is a poisoned ARBOR RED, which comes FROM THE REACH. 
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She has no reason not to trust the courteous man, she is HONORED that he thinks she deserves his most precious load
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So she accepts his offer. But Jorah, who has A THIRST like the man’s thirst Jon had the night of the feast when Sansa looked RADIANT and he was jealous,
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senses that something is wrong. He is right. So she goes berserk: “HE WON’T HAVE MY CHILD” (I let you decide if she is symbolically speaking of a baby or a dragon), a MADNESS seizes her… and so she decides it’s time to LIGHT A PIT...
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Sounds familiar?
Enjoy the new season guys...
Thanks for listening!
P.S. All the gifs are from GOOGLE
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apiratecalledav · 5 years ago
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Sandor Clegane: Champion for the Innocent aka Cleganebowl Was More Than Just Revenge
In a series like this, with a culture so very different from our own, we mostly stop judging characters by what they do and instead focus more on why they do them.
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Character’s motivations and rationale are a driving force in this series. The ones who are acting out of love or other noble intentions are the ones the audience roots for.
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Despite what Sandor tells Arya and Ray about hate, we know that it’s actually his paternal love for Arya that lets him be reborn into a second, (comparatively) happier life: He finds a true home with Ray and his flock and has peace for a time.  When they are taken from him, he is still able to make friends with Beric and reunite with Arya and help save Westeros from the Army of the Dead.
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Speaking of the war against the dead, let’s look at who our biggest heroes are and WHY I think they were successful:
Beric and Melisandre. Two people who aren’t particularly close to anyone still alive, so they’re not really fighting for their loved ones’ futures. They also don’t believe there’s any kind of afterlife, so they’re not looking to have their souls redeemed or get rewarded. Their actions are purely for the good of humanity.  
Theon, who didn’t believe he could ever make amends for his mistakes and even told Sansa once that he didn’t want to be forgiven, didn’t come to Winterfell for redemption. He is not motivated by revenge either because the Night King hasn’t done anything to him. He’s there because he loves Sansa and Bran. Even though you can tell that every nerve in his body is screaming for him to bolt when the Walkers arrive and you can practically hear Ramsay whispering “Reeeek!” in his ear, he stands his ground. Because Bran needs him and Theon is going to do anything to protect him.
Edd, who once ran from the Walkers and left Sam behind, saves Sam’s life this time. Now Gilly, who has suffered so much, still has her husband (shut up, they are married) and the father of her children.
Lyanna Mormont, though but a child, is the leader of her people and she felt it was her duty to stand with them.
Jorah literally does not allow himself to fall while Dany is still in danger. He only succumbs to his wounds once he sees that the threat is eliminated.
And of course, Arya. Arya, who didn’t even really like Beric much, fights tooth and nail to save him and when she can’t, tries to ease his passing the best she can. And then when Mel gives her a bit of hope, Arya runs to save her baby brother and the rest of humanity, making sure Beric’s sacrifice won’t be in vain.   
If I were some kind of deity, that kind of selflessness, love, and loyalty would be the reason to decide that the human race is worth saving.
Sandor had a really hard time during the battle and struggled with PTSD and felt worthless. Even though he managed to keep fighting for Arya’s sake and helped save her, I think he was very disappointed that he didn’t do more or have some grand epiphany that explained why he survived for so long.
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He looks more broken than relieved when he realizes that it’s over. At the victory party, he’s still clearly depressed. He pushes Gendry and Tormund away. He snaps at the girl trying to proposition him. And he drinks. A lot.
Like Theon, there’s a lot that keeps Sandor up at night. He is haunted by the things he’s done and by the horrible things he has seen and experienced and so has never let himself get really close to anyone. The way he is and the life he’s led are easily the result of growing up around someone like the Mountain. Violence and fear. His innocence shattered as a small child when his own brother shoved him face first into a fireplace and their father did nothing to stop Gregor, before or after.
There’s a lot of self loathing and guilt and regrets:
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He’s talking to Beric but there’s definitely some projection up there.
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From across the room, Sansa sees that Sandor is suffering and she reaches out to him. As they start catching up, Sandor has a lot of mixed emotions. He’s proud of her and impressed but he’s also devastated for her, too. If anyone understands the loss of innocence through cruelty, it’s him.
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In his way, he tells her that he wishes he could have spared her from it and that he really wanted to do so. Even though he often derided and pitied her childish innocence, it was also something that he cherished and envied.  
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I know a lot of people criticized Sansa’s line about how she’d have stayed a little bird all of her life without Ramsay and Littlefinger and believe me, I understand and it’s certainly possible that the writers are just insensitive jackasses. But within the context, I think it does make sense. When you don’t have a real concept of mental health, never mind psychology or therapy, I imagine that rationalizing trauma would be a coping method. 
And unfortunately, this is also all Sansa has ever seen: you stay naive and sheltered or you randomly get shoved out of the nest and the only thing you can do is pray that you’ll fly.
However, we shouldn’t forget that Sansa was not once a little bird solely because she was sweet and innocent. She was also very, very much in a cage:
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Being able to use the connections she got from Littlefinger and Ramsay (the Vale, being close enough to reach Jon), she got to take back Winterfell and have a real home again. Then she got to make sure that those two got what they deserved.
Sandor spent most of his life building a wall around himself but Sansa found a way to make herself free. She may have a better poker face and she may be more cautious, but she’s still the same kind and caring person she's always been. She saw Sandor was hurting and tried to comfort him and didn’t let him scare her off. She even puts her hand on his and I think that might even be the first time we’ve seen anyone touch him out of affection.
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When she leaves, he seems to be doing a lot of thinking and looks a lot less miserable.
The next we see him, he’s on his way to King’s Landing and is joined by Arya. They seem to wordlessly agree that Sandor will hold off the Mountain while Arya kills Cersei. Neither expect to survive but it will end the war and it will save lives so they’re willing to make the trade.
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However, before they can reach Cersei and Gregor, it rapidly becomes apparent that it’s too late and that virtually everyone in King’s Landing is doomed.
Sandor points this out to Arya. But her chances of leaving safely probably don’t look all that good to her anyway and she’s so close to the last person alive she hates most. The person who is, in a lot of ways, the catalyst for all of her suffering. It’s natural that she’d want to take Cersei down with her.
It has some interesting parallels to her reunion with Melisandre. Beric, Sandor, and Mel were all once on her list but she forgave them and phased them out. Sandor and Beric ended up saving her life. But I think it’s likely she put Melisandre back on her list when she found out what happened to Gendry. She looked pretty pissed:
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Even though it looks like she’s only a few moments from death, I could see her thinking “At least I can avenge Gendry before I die.” But Melisandre tells her she might be able to end this and it’s not even a question. Arya leaves her to focus on saving the people she’s cares about. But it’s different in King’s Landing. She’s not home. None of her family is nearby except for Jon and he’s probably okay. Her friends and family aren’t counting on her, at least not in the same way.
Cersei is going to die, it’s just a question of how. So Arya has to decide what really matters: Revenge or Justice? If Arya has to be the one to kill Cersei, then it’s just about revenge. If it’s just about stopping someone cruel in power, then Arya can go.
Now Sandor’s speech about how he’s only wanted revenge feels a little clunky (I personally believe that bit is pulled from Lady Stoneheart) but I think it’s easy enough to see it as Sandor not knowing how to explain all his feelings of guilt and purposelessness and loneliness that stem from Gregor to Arya, even if he had enough time.
It’s certainly clear from the way he gently cradles Arya’s head like a parent does for a baby, that revenge is not all he cared about. I also think he’s kind of mimicking how Sansa took his hand to comfort him and add sincerity, hoping to do the same for Arya.
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Arya decides that revenge isn’t worth dying for and she’d rather have the chance to live. And considering how Cersei faced death with such a raw and pitiable fear and bone deep anguish, I think it’s more than fair to say that killing her wouldn’t have brought Arya any satisfaction anyway. Arya calls to him by name for the first time and she thanks him.
What I liked best about this scene though is how the Hound, on Cersei’s and Joffrey’s orders, brought the first bit of darkness to Arya’s world by killing Mycah. But with this scene, Sandor gives Arya a bit of light that (hopefully) will never go out. Kinda like giving back the last piece of Arya Stark that started splintering once she left Winterfell.
So why does Sandor still go after his brother?
Because he’s had a very difficult and sad life and he’s done a lot of things he wishes he could take back. And then on top of all of that, despite all odds, he manages to be brought back from the brink of death. And it must be for a reason, right? What makes him better than Mycah or Ned or the farmer and his daughter?
Now maybe it was some kind of divine intervention that gave him the idea, but I think it’s more likely Sandor just straight up decides that his purpose was to free the world once and for all from the Mountain. Unlike Cersei, who is a small and fragile mortal, the Mountain definitely is not. How many (more) soldiers would have to die trying to get to him before the dragon could? If it even could. 
I saw a lot of people decrying the eye squish as pure gore or shock value but not at all! It was a call back to the Mountain’s fight with Oberyn. Oberyn, who could have killed the Mountain years ago if he hadn’t wanted revenge more than he wanted to stop the Mountain from brutalizing, torturing, or killing anyone else ever again.
But stopping him is what Sandor wanted most, so much that he could even overcome his worst fears. Sandor had a lifetime of the Mountain maiming and murdering countless people: Ripping dozens of daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons, and brothers from their families; widowing who knows how many husbands and wives; and no one had been able to properly do anything about it for years and years. It’s why he stepped between the Mountain and Loras all those years ago. Only this time, Sandor has the strength and ability to stop him for good.
That’s why he succeeds where Oberyn failed.
Near the beginning, it seemed like the Hound was introduced as a method of instigating Innocence Lost. But throughout the series, we see him become a champion for the innocent, such as Sansa and Arya and even Loras. In the end, Sandor takes out one of the most vicious and murderous characters (which is saying something) who is practically synonymous with the loss of innocence through brutality.
Yeah, he did it for himself but he also did it for his sister and father and their missing servants, for Elia and her babies, the prisoners at Harrenhal, and so many others. He did it for everyone who could have come in contact with Gregor in the future. The knowledge that the Mountain would never harm anyone again is probably what gave Sandor real peace.
He just saw it as a bonus that Gregor got what he deserved and that Sandor--not the Hound-- got to give it to him.
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hopelesstvaddict · 5 years ago
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The Last of the Starks - Random thoughts on Episode 4
It started so promising though
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This fourth episode opened with the aftermath of the Battle of Winterfell and a tearful funeral to bid farewell to the departed characters. Ramin Djawadi offers some more of his genius to score the scene… and that’s about his only meaningful contribution to the episode. What a shame after the mastery he displayed in the previous episode. The rest of this one is underscored with reused bits and pieces that sometimes work (Brienne and Jaime were scored by an unreleased cue that worked - but strangely previously accompanied Tyrion, Shae and Sansa at their wedding and later during Tyrion’s trial; Littlefinger’s theme reappears as Sansa makes the decision to tell Tyrion about Jon’s parentage) and frankly sometimes are total misses. Take the scene where Cersei and Dany’s forces face off at the gates of King’s Landing. It’s scored by a mashup of a cue that was previously used for the Boltons and a snippet from The Spoils of War intertwined with I Choose Violence. And to top it off the credits that roll right after a scene that should be deemed as tragic are accompanied by Shall We Begin, the same that ended Dany’s arrival at Dragonstone in 7x01. Hardly fitting, right ?
I have read that Missandei’s death reminds the viewers of Ned’s death. Well, Ned’s death was followed by Goodbye Brother, a sorrowful and quiet variation of the Stark theme - proper for mourning. Finishing here with this triumphant variation of the Targaryen theme removes any occasion to mourn for Missandei; some other episodes even finished off without any music at all. And if they really wanted a triumphant cue, the triumph is all for Cersei here so a variation of The Rains of Castamere would have worked better than Dany’s theme. This is absolutely not a victory for Dany here
Please do yourself a favor and go listen to I’m Sorry For Today by Ramin Djawadi. Then tell me this is not a better cue to end this episode. Wanna know something else ? It’s Greyworm and Missandei’s love theme. So… I just want to say a big no-no to whoever was in charge of music here
And then it spiraled down
Time constraints are back and it makes everyone worry about the rest of the season. The show already struggled during its entire seventh season with these problems of days/weeks spanning within minutes of an episode not to mention characters maddeningly being able to teleport literally anywhere they were needed to be. Well, it’s back on and it hurts everyone from the audience to the story to the characters themselves. While the first three episodes seemed to have learned from the previous mistakes by allowing the gravity of the situation at Winterfell to be really felt - giving the battle against the dead and the loss of characters much more impact - this installment reverts to what drew audience away from S7 by trying to pack too much in an episode that suffers from the lack of impact these developments should - in theory - have on viewers. In previous seasons, this episode would probably have been divided into two or even three episodes. I’ll say it again, I still don’t understand why HBO allowed the seasons to be shorter when 10 episodes per season was clearly a good rhythm. This decision to cut S7 and S8 down did nothing good to the show
Anyway we lose more characters here and that’s the big problem. It seems that the previous episode pulled back its punches and restrained from killing too many just to create an effect of surprise and shock in this one. But that’s just about it. There’s shock but no lasting emotional punch. We lose Rhaegal and Missandei but we hardly feel anything other than pure shock. There is no sadness, no real emotion. They’re just gone and on we move. It’s like the whole Viserion situation all over again only worse. Losing Rhaegal so soon and in such an unceremonious way serves in theory to create shock. Except the fact is, it only comes off as writing off an asset that is not needed anymore. And very poorly at that. What use was Rhaegal then apart from having Jon fly him for a few cool scenes ? In this case I’d have preferred him to die in the Battle of Winterfell
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Since Dany lost Rhaegal, I don’t really see any point in her losing Missandei as well. Her dragon is largely enough to make her tip over the edge. Unless Missandei’s death furthers Greyworm’s story instead. Dany is already on her way to end up completely alone, having lost Jorah, most of her army, now her confidante and it remains to be seen how her commander will react to the death of his love. That was even confirmed by the producers as something very intentional. Varys is also lost to her and on the verge of taking Tyrion with him. On a positive note, Lena Headey continues to shine but I think Emilia does a tremendous job as well in portraying Dany’s descent into darkness
Jon and Dany are sinking and drag everyone with them
In any case, Dany and Jon seem headed for disaster. He still cannot say I love you back and what little faith I have left in Jon compels me to think he at least will not participate in the mass murder Dany seems to be leaning into. This at least is an aspect I am glad was not rushed over. The gradual transition of Dany from hero to tragic and morally questionable protagonist (to avoid the V word) is not - as some claim - too sudden to be credible; we have seen the seeds planted firmly in S7 and even earlier. Dany has my sympathy because I can still recognize her story as a tragic one and I feel for the losses she suffered. But in terms of ruling and politics, she’s no match to Sansa whom the remaining players still seem to take no notice of, as one of the best fitted rulers around (if not the only one)
Notice that Jon and Dany’s one-on-one scene is silent. There’s no music there, no Truth variation (thankfully!) to underscore it, a big contrast to the Jaime/Brienne scene. There was no romantic context to read here. Another observation : she uses touch as a means to get to Jon, just like Sansa did
Then there’s the Jon problem. I don’t know what to say about him because I hardly recognize the character. Who is this man who doesn’t even pet his direwolf ? Now I’m happy that Ghost gets a better ending than Rhaegal but this is a big disservice to a character that used to be much more important not just for the story but to Jon as well. Plus he keeps pushing his allegiance to Dany on his siblings and I bet Sansa was THIS close to blurt out loud that this was HIS allegiance, not HERS
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And I can’t even begin with Jon still constantly shutting Sansa down. Anyone can literally understand the benefits of letting soldiers rest. And it’s not ‘provoking’ as Tyrion later states. It’s basic human concern mingled with a touch of military savvy. I wonder why everyone misinterprets literally what comes out of her mouth. It doesn’t take an A++ military strategist to come up with this kind of suggestion. Yet BOTH Dany and Jon shut down this basic guideline from Military 101. Sansa can’t even be bothered to argue with Jon anymore and honestly I don’t blame her. It’s up to Arya to call him on his bullshit
On a positive note, once again, Arya and Sansa synchronize themselves by holding their hands behind their back at the war council - a nice way to present a united front. Notice however that this time around, Arya is better at hiding her displeasure at Dany than her sister when in S7 she was pretty vocal about the Northern lords. Usually Sansa is the more diplomatic one, yet this season she can’t help but speak up to Dany. One then remembers Sophie Turner’s comments on a ‘more passionate fight’ this season than a political one. Sansa ‘loses it’ because she is triggered about Jon and Dany
And for an episode called The Last of the Starks its pivotal scene feels a lot underwhelming. First let this fact sink in : this is the FIRST AND ONLY time that all the Starks share some screen time alone and speak as a family. Yes these kids have never interacted onscreen before. Anyway, Arya and Sansa finally learn the truth of Jon’s parentage. Yet we’re denied the actual telling and their reactions. Jon doesn’t even do the deed himself; instead Bran does it. Was Jon ever really needed then ? I’ve seen speculation that Jon specifically refrained from telling them himself so that he could technically keep his word to Dany. Why not but still frustrating
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The next time we see Arya, she’s on her way south. So is Jon. Only Sansa seems really affected by what she has learnt. And for a house that places so much importance on the pack as family, you have once again a family that is not only divided because of Jon’s parentage, his allegiance to someone all of his siblings haven’t praised a single time but also geographically as two head south - possibly to never return - and two stay home, one of whom is not really part of the family anymore. So what happens to 'The pack survives’? Are they even a pack anymore ? Were they ever ? Sansa alone seems to still cling onto this futile notion. Jon leaves everything that ties him to the North behind, from Ghost to Sam and Tormund, not to mention his cousins. And yet, there’s still NO GOODBYES
I’d speculated before that Jon and Sansa might argue more over his Starkness. That seems unlikely now since the two haven’t had any one-on-one scene since the first episode. Given how Jon treats her I kind of stick by my point that he doesn’t deserve her. With only two episodes left, even if Jon magically reveals that he was playing some kind of game, this late in the endgame would feel cheap and effectively rendered less impactful
And on Sansa, again the time jumping does a great disservice to her - but that’s not the only time her character is dealt a poorly with. The framing of this installment makes it like Sansa couldn’t wait to snitch on Jon to Tyrion. Instead, a lot of time has passed per the producers who told us that this was a very thoroughly thought decision on her part. Well, that wasn’t what transpired on screen and if really some time has passed, then her onscreen upset appearance is not even a reaction to Jon’s secret
Anyway Tyrion asks her if she is alright. She is not. Cue the parallel to Littlefinger’s ‘what do you want that you do not have ? Why aren’t you happy ?’ This episode clearly points out Jon as the answer. And it’s not just her protectiveness over him - also, wasn’t HE supposed to be the one who protects her? - it’s the look of pure unaldultered adoration and fondness she shoots at him during the celebrations only to be tarnished by what everyone interprets - rightly - as jealousy over Dany. Notice that when she’s had enough and goes, Jon notices. Why she keeps being so faithful to him is a bit beyond me honestly but hey I don’t have Sansa’s patience with everyone else’s bullshit
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On Jaime and Brienne : I was happy they got together and then mad at Jaime for going but I can’t blame him really. Sitting out the rest of the war was never a viable option for him and I like to think that Sansa subtly prompted him to go with her comment on Cersei
Logics fly out of the window
As many pointed out, the logistics of I-Can-Magically-Teleport-Myself -And-My-Fleet-Euron are all but credible and the odds of hitting a flying dragon not once, not twice but three times in a row and then miraculously miss one dragon with a dozen simultaneous arrows are downright ridiculously low. But then again… a flying Dany could not spot the Iron Fleet when she was airborne. So let’s just not dwell too long on this one
Sansa did not catch on PolJon. When Arya tells Jon she respects his decision to kneel in order to bring Dany’s forces north, Sansa is stunned. But previously, we thought that she had understood why Jon did it when she was conversing with Dany. Apparently not
Not a bad episode really. But clearly, the lesser of S8 so far and one that’s very worrying over the final two that have so much to wrap up.
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thejustmaiden · 5 years ago
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Jaime&Brienne Ending Has Got Me Literally Heartbroken 😭😭
It's just nothing really makes sense anymore. (I apologize, this will be rather long.)
I feel so betrayed. Like what the hell was really the point?! So much time and effort was put into showing Jaime's character development over the years, all that progress he made and the major impact Brienne had on helping him regain his former more knightly self, how they kept saving each other time and time again, I could go on and on! The mutual respect and deep understanding that grew between them, and that, mind you, continued to grow into something more..... and no one can convince me that it wasn't pure love and admiration in the end. (You'll never be able to pry that from my cold dead hands so don't even bother! 😤)
Only they two knew each other like no one else did- the good, the bad & the ugly- and still had each other's backs no matter what. Their journey really was one of both true friendship and romantic love.
Let's not forget that the show version of Jaime and Brienne had extraneous scenes written for them that never happened in the books (i.e. Brienne/Cersei showdown at PW, Tarthgasm scene, Tent of Feels), all of which the show could've just well left out if they never meant for them to be endgame. Why so carefully build up a beautiful relationship with not so very subtle romantic implications over the years if all it was gonna be used for in the end was as a cheap means to give Jaime the final push to go back to his sister?? How fucking dare you use Brienne like that, and then subject Jaime to having to cause her that kinda pain when we all know the real Jaime would never. How about be fucking consistent with Jaime's actions instead of trying to throw us for a surprise of the stupidest proportions?! How can anyone have such a nihilistic way of looking at the story after everything they've already given us with Jaime and Brienne from all the way back in the end of season 2 to the last 3 episodes in the entire series???! Please tell me, how can you be so cruel to not only your characters but to this fandom that has been so loyal?!!
Yet D&D, you kept up the JB charade because you're apparently sadistic fucks and wanted us to suffer more knowing their bad ending would be that much more "successful" and "shocking" after everything was said and done. My ass! Of course before any of us knew what was really in store for Jaime and Brienne, D&D sure made up for lost time with episodes 1-3 and the first half of 4 in season 8, and it was GLORIOUS!! Finally, us JB shippers had all our dreams come true and we rejoiced! But it didn't last for long.... our beloved ship sunk before it ever really had a chance to set sail. There are a lot of messed up things that have come out of this show (as we are all very familiar with), but I never thought I'd see the day they could ever eff these two up.... never ever in a million years would I have believed you if you had told me that was where their story was headed all along. But why, you ask? Well, who really knows, because literally nothing- NOTHING- in the narrative was pointing us in that direction!!
It's hard to fathom that this was what D&D and possibly George had planned from the beginning, but damn, who can say for sure, right? One thing is for sure though: literally no one, and I mean NO ONE, else on the cast and crew saw this coming, and you can tell by their commentary over the years. Everybody was rooting for these two to get together for fuck's sake. And D&D knew it too and played us like a fiddle!! How fucking dare you lead us on to only go and break our hearts because "shock value." 🙄 AND how fucking dare you hurt these characters and completely ignore their arcs and what they mean to each other- TO YOUR FANBASE.
Gods, poor Nikolaj! He hasn't spoken out much since Jaime's death, and my heart is breaking for him, because we all know in our hearts he's the captain of our ship and wished for the exact same thing we did in regard to Jaime. I just pray he's not getting a lot of hate, and that, yes, he eventually does speak out more about Jaime's ending. I need to hear from him, to know his actual personal views on his ending. I only hope he's more open about his true feelings on the matter too and isn't so diplomatic about it all like he was in that EW interview. I respect that you've come to terms with the ending, my beautiful man, but that doesn't mean you need to pretend you loved it either. We all know you didn't, so why try and hide it anymore? I adore you, Nik, but it's important to us Jaime and Jaime x Brienne fans that you're completely honest now. Emilia was about Daenerys' ending, and if you weren't satisfied either, just please come out and say it already. Besides, I think you'll find it rather cathartic to let it all out. You've been holding way too much in anyway and you need some release. 😉
I hate to put that pressure on you, because as an actor you were just doing your job, but dammit, we deserve answers! We were robbed, and you know it! Since the show isn't giving it to us, maybe we can find some solace in what you have to say about it all. I've always trusted your take on Jaime since the very beginning, and I truly believe it when I say that nobody else could've brought my favorite character to life quite the way you did. Despite the injustice your character was served in the end, I'll never forget that.
I'm getting emotional as I'm writing this because the pain is still so fresh. That and because these two have been such a big part of my life the past few years. I started reading the books for them for God's sake! You can laugh or mock me if you want, but I saw a lot of myself in each of these characters and needed to believe their love for each other was real and would/could actually be realized. That they could embrace their love for each other regardless of appearances, past deeds, family/duty, conflicting oaths, and other obstacles. You name it, nothing ever stopped them from being there for the other. Yes, even when they were on opposing sides, which is why their "break-up" made no sense whatsoever. Jaime always picked Brienne over Cersei time and time again (for example, turning back to Harrenhal for Brienne instead of getting to Cersei, going behind Cersei's back and sending Brienne to find Sansa, & more!), but all of a sudden now you're telling me he never really did any of those things for Brienne and/or his bloody honor in the end and this was just one big ruse??! You got us alright, D&D, but only because your trick was stupid and you cheated us. No one saw it coming not because of your clever writing but because it was so beyond mediocre and no one really thought you capable of such a lackluster imagination. So you should feel bad because you clearly didn't think any of this through concerning these two beloved characters.
What the show gave me instead was some shit reason that completely negated everything it had been telling us this whole time and up until the very end: that, in fact, healthy loving relationships based on deep trust and respect between an ugly/unconventional woman and a very attractive man don't actually and can't probably ever exist and you should know better to wish for such ridiculous happily ever afters. I have faith the books will be kinder to them and give them an ending they deserve. It's okay if it's not a happy one, per se, I just ask that it does their characters justice and keeps them true to themselves and up to their last moments. So obviously, not like we got in the show, especially in Jaime's case. They should've just sent him to the slaughterhouse and even that would've been a more merciful death. At least he still would've died the same Jaime we grew to know and love. I suppose as long as Brienne knew who he really was in the end and why he left that's all that matters, but the show could've at least made his intentions clear for clarity sake. Fans deserved some closure from both Jaime's sudden 360° character flip and his death. Can't forget Brienne either, because they could've at least had Tyrion or Bran acknowledge his love for her. For her sake, yes, but for ours, as well.
I've never invested so much of myself into a fictional pairing before, and I was so sure that once they went canon (because there was never a doubt in my mind), that it would be the real deal. Maybe one or both would die, but there would be some kind of love declaration before, and their ending wouldn't leave such a bitter taste in my mouth. I'll accept a bittersweet one, sure, but never just a bitter one. Nah, I trust George ain't gonna do them that dirty.
Expect the worst and hope for the best... Well, the worst has already come, so it can only get better from here, right? It better, ya hear me, George buddy? In George We Trust. 🙏
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astreetcarnamedwynn · 5 years ago
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the fire that burns (1/3)
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Yuri on Ice, Yuuri/Victor, Game of Thrones AU, Rated T
The songs will sing of them, the starlight King and the Lord Commander who watches the night. They will sing of their love, of their separation at the cruel hand of fate, and of their triumph over all obstacles, both living and dead.
It is not night, though the days grow shorter as summer dies and winter finally comes, yet Yuuri still stands in darkness as he waits, the Wall casting a long and deep shadow across Castle Black.
He watches the gate to the Castle creak open. Behind him stand his men, few in number, fewer than they need with the threat looming beyond the Wall, but there are few who are crazy enough to abandon all hope of a warm and happy life for one of cold service and brutal death. Only criminals seeking a path from the executioner’s sword, or the sons of the whores in Mole’s Town seeking a life from the brothel, or Northern boys seeking vengeance on the Free Folk for their desperate raids. At times, the second or third or fourth son of a notable lord in a notable House make their way to the Wall seeking some scrap of glory, believing in the songs as Yuuri believed, and they bring the training Yuuri needs, Minami and his archery or Seung-Gil and his skill with medicine.
There are none, though, like Yuuri, who fled to the Wall for love.
Beside him, Minami shifts in place. His excitement is palpable, though singular. The rest of the man stand silent and surly and still, too cold and tired and worn from the past year to generate any enthusiasm, not even for the King.
It is not the King that charges first through the open gate. Yuuri had foreseen this, had even warned his men, but most still scatter at the sight of the massive direwolf pounding through the gate. Even Seung-Gil, ever stalwart and stoic, retreats.
Yuuri does not.
He remains where he stands, and he smiles.
Makkachin yips as he sights Yuuri and barrels forward. Yuuri braces himself for impact, but he still stumbles back when Makkachin reaches him. He’s bigger than the last time Yuuri saw him, chest high now, all rippling muscle and soft, sandy fur. All rippling, wiggling muscle as he squirms and wags and circles and nudges and licks and pants and whines before Yuuri. He goes still as soon as Yuuri touches him, as he soon as he starts scratching behind Makka’s right ear, his favorite spot if Yuuri recalls true. And he must for Makkachin burrows into him, head rubbing against Yuuri’s chest, nose nuzzling into his arm. Old endearments slip forth then, praises that declare Makkachin to be the best boy in all of Westeros, the most beautiful, the wisest and the strongest.
The words tremble. Yuuri trembles. Four years. He had been sure that Makkachin would forget him, perhaps even hate him, the link between him and Viktor more than simple pet and master. He is of my soul, Viktor had said once. As are-
A flash of white snatches Yuuri from the past. A white horse, too pure and bright for the dull expanse before the gate, but then Viktor always had been brighter than any vista, day or night, his long hair like starlight and his eyes the color of the sunlit sky.
Yuuri closes his eyes and prepares himself.
“Y-Your Grace,” Minami stutters a few feet to his right. “W-Welcome to C-C-Castle Black.”
“Thank you.”
Viktor says nothing else. Neither does Minami. Neither does anyone. The silence stretches, the moment pulled taut. They are waiting for him, Yuuri knows. His men and Viktor too. They all wait for him, wait for the Lord Commander to officially greet the King of Westeros. Yuuri pries another few seconds from them, shielding himself in Makkachin as he tries to gather both peace of mind and heart.
When he feels he has claimed all he can, he opens his eyes and steps back from Makkachin. His hand falls by instinct to his sword, his strength and salvation time and again in the long dark of night.
He only realizes his error when he hears a soft catch of breath, and though it has been four long years, Yuuri still knows exactly to whom the breath belongs.
Foolish. He’d been so foolish. He’d had years to change the pommel, to ask Bran the blacksmith to hew him a new one, one less burdened by memory. But he hadn’t. Yuuri had left the sword as it is, as Viktor had ordered it made, Valyrian steel capped by a wolf, a white wolf, a direwolf, the sigil for House Nikiforov, for Viktor himself.
Makkachin moves then, circling around Yuuri, weaving between him and Viktor. Another second slips by. Yuuri hears susurrus of shuffling feet, his men baffled by his hesitance, and this cannot be, not now, not with what lurks beyond the Wall, so Yuuri draws in a breath and lifts his head and-
He cut his hair.
Viktor cut his hair.
Yuuri gapes. Viktor sits as regal as always, and as beautiful, but less ephemeral now, less ethereal than when his stardust hair flowed long behind him and gleamed and gleamed and gleamed. Now it ends in a sharp line beneath his eye, sword sharp, formidable and bold. Then all Yuuri sees is blue, the blue of the sky above them, and of Hasetsu, of the surrounding sapphire sea, as Viktor lifts his eyes from the sword and its traitorous pommel and looks, finally, at Yuuri.
His breath catches again as he does, but Viktor gives no other reaction to the scars that mar Yuuri’s face. Seung-Gil had tried his best, but nothing could mitigate the damage. The White Walker had held on too long, too intent upon slaying Yuuri as he had the late Lord Commander, and his icy touch had burned. Two fingers, two slashes, two ugly marks extending from Yuuri’s left temple and across his cheek, and then a third, the bastard’s thumb, cutting in from there and ending at the bow of Yuuri’s lips. Yuuri’s beard hid nothing either, the touch of the White Walker deadening his skin and preventing any concealable growth along the scars.
Perhaps he should have mentioned them in his official report, but he hadn’t, succumbing again to foolishness, to the need for Viktor to remember him as he was. But now Viktor knows and, more than that he sees, he sees how Yuuri had failed, how he had almost died.
Heart pounding, Yuuri averts his gaze. He hides his cowardice in the bow he should have given the moment he lifted his head. “Your Grace. Welcome to Castle Black.” The words come steady, moreso than Yuuri thought they would, moreso than the rest of him is. He rises from his bow and turns swiftly toward Minami, who still gawks at the King. “Minami, please show his Grace to his chambers and provide him anything that he needs.”
Then coward that he is, that he’s always been, Yuuri flees.
- Continue Part One on AO3.
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dykedteach · 6 years ago
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okay here we go, episode 2 second watch
(I think this is my longest liveblog I’ve done, but then again I feel like this is the most emotional a tv episode has made me since I finished Black Sails so like?)
so uhhh they’re really gonna hide all the valuable people in the crypts huh, they’re really following through on that
“women and children first” to DIE??? I M EAN
i’ve been thinking about this non stop since i first watched the ep and my growing dread is nigh unstoppable, if i had any doubts that the winterfell dead might rise, their whole repeated thing of “everyone will be safe down there” shot them straight down
i’m lowkey annoyed we missed out on what would have been an incredibly awkward introduction scene between jaime and literally everyone, but i’m glad his “trial” didn’t drag out
i want sam’s opinion on dany’s bloodthirst vis a vis avenging her father BC LIKE????
“i’d do it all again” honey be QUIET 
L O Y A L T  Y 
loyalty
l      o   yal     t e  a
lmao daenerys’ look of anger and disgust at brienne hopping to jaime’s defense alone makes me want her dead tbh
sansa being a better strategist, ruler, negotiator, and peacekeeper than both of her parents combined, is my weakness tbh
also He R  aRmOuR drESs !!!!! what a LOOK! 
d: “what does the warden of the north say about it?” j: [has dissociated solidly through the past six hours, is only now just realising it’s daylight and he’s in the great hall] uhhhhhhhhhhhh cool i guess?
tyrion finally breathing after daenerys lets jaime live is ridiculously endearing, i love the brothers’ relationship so much
baeworm death-glaring jaime is also ridiculously endearing tbh
i dig the gendarya love theme, i do i do i do
everyone keeps saying that the fact they had sex means one of them will die next ep but honestly? out of all the non jonerys pairings (missandei/greyworm, sam/gilly, jaime/brienne) i think they’re most likely to live through the battle, and the fact they have their own theme makes me doubt as well that they’ll end next episode
that poor guy who got in the way of arya and gendry’s dragonglass throwing foreplay, so close yikes
i can’t believe that out of everyone who bran has been weird to, jaime was the one to take his weird shit best
“how do you know there is an afterwards?”           sd;kjlas
djkasljdak;lsd
                        asjd;lsakdla;sd
        bran
                               bran stop
   please be fuckin w us bran
this brotherly love scene is great and it hurts me to think it might be their last solo scene
although the way they keep talking about how sure they are they’ll die....idk? and with bronn on the way with his crossbow? to have both, or either, die at winterfell with the battle seems a waste. plus, one of them needs to be the valonqar so?
i’d be satisfied seeing a dead tyrion rip cersei apart though, i’ll admit that
JAIME GAZING AT BRIENNE INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO HIS BROTHER
pod has come so far in his fighting i love him so much i love brienne’s proud mama expression hes. he’s 100% going to die. for sure. 
“we have never had a conversation that’s lasted this long without you insulting me, not once” KJASDKLASJDKALSJDALKSD 
“i came to winterfell because...” Y OU LOVE HER DUMBASS
i still ship jorah with dany more than jon, fight me
i love the confirmation that all the bad blood between them is under the bridge, i love that he convinced her to make peace with tyrion and sansa, i love that he’s made peace with tyrion taking up his position, made peace with his house, with his relationship with his father...........
he’s absolutely toast and i hate it.
he’s going to die for dany with one last “khaleesi” and it’s going to break my heart
“we have other things in common” yeah you both have jon in your immediate family trees lmao
i’m confused by the “someone taller” comment, who’s she talking about? everyone else hurt her or betrayed her at some point. is it barristan? is it baeworm? it should be baeworm
ok so. i don’t need or want sansa to end up with anyone. 
that said
if it had to be a man
my heart almost jumped out of my chest when she and theon hugged, i didn’t expect her to get this emotional at all, shit i didn’t expect MYSELF to get this emotional
HER TEARS
THEY BOTH NEED HUGS IM GLAD THEY GET HUGS
soup dad can’t die i forbid it
let’s talk about gilly for a second, how far she’s come, from a scared abused girl to a strong, caring, confident woman and mother, i’m so emotional please protect her
DAVOS ADOPTING CHILDREN LEFT RIGHT AND CENTRE
THE SHIREEN THEME PLAYING OVER THAT BIT IM ASJDKASDJ
i’m super surprised edd and beric survived the hearth, i thought there would be more of a fight there
LITTLE CROW
i know people crack ship them, but like, they’d almost be better suited than jon and daenerys
while i adore the idea of theon making amends for taking winterfell from bran by defending winterfell and protecting bran from the night king, i know in my heart that all it’s going to result in is a very dead theon (and probably a dead bran)
why do i feel like while well intentioned, having dragons near the godswood is.....a mistake
i’d love for bran and tyrion to both survive, i’d love to see them talk more as equals because they’re so similar intellectually (i know they had scenes when bran was a kid, but that doesn’t count)
missandei and greyworm are too good and pure for this earth, i want them to leave, i want them to go to naath and never come back, i want them to find a little house by the water and eat fruits and find missandei’s family and take in some stray children, some street cats to lay lazily on the stones of their porch, maybe missandei teaches the children of their village every morning under the rising sun, maybe greyworm becomes a tradesman, makes shoes or ale or binds books for the locals, they grow old and content together and the children they took into their home, now grown adults with their own children, bury them side by side underneath carved stones, i want them more than almost anyone to have a happy ever after because if anyone deserves it it’s those two
but there are dreams that cannot be
and greyworm is almost certain to die next episode
maybe missandei too, but i’m not sure
until then, i will live in my fantasy.
i love my nights watch boys, i love that they talk about grenn and pyp, i miss those lads
sam being the playful, banter-full, confident guy he is, i love him so much i’m so happy for him he better fucking survive (and maybe become lord of horn hill who knows? he has a wife and a son so ? 
honestly the idea of tywin knowing jaime and tyrion are defending winterfell is so wonderful
ha ha h ah ah  ah h a i love tyrion and jaime so much that i. i forget. temporarily. about tyrion’s first wife
brienne stopping pod from drinking and then tyrion just.......fuckin pouring a large one out for the lad
please, let him drink, it’ll be his last
davos is such an old man i love him
jaime looking between brienne and tormund with amusement is the best thing ever
davos’ concern over ten year old tormund hopping into bed with a giant is incredible. dad mode. always on dad mode.
hound’s not gonna die yet, not until cleganebowl, he’s safe next ep for sure. so he’s allowed to be a grumpy old git for a bit
beric is straight up gonna die tho
“might as well be at a bloody wedding” g o d i dont like that foreshadowing
beric is so cheery and amicable im gonna miss him
i’m so glad that they gave arya agency, and a sweet, un-sexploited, in-character sex scene, there’s so few really good sex scenes in this show and i’m glad she got one of them
(no matter how long i spent the first time around watching through my fingers and cringing, i KNOW she’s an adult and maisie is an adult but god she’s still such a kid in my eyes)
as soon as the gloves started coming off i screamed
he is a sweet sweet boy and i wouldn’t want my murdering badass fave to be with anyone else
i appreciate them showing her scars as part of it, i can’t quite put my finger on why but it was nice to see that
i feel like once i get over the weirdness of like, “hey that’s arya”, it’s probably one of the hotter sex scenes in the series? just for passion and use of consent and stuff
i can’t even begin to elaborate on how perfect brienne’s scene is
it’s immediately one of my favourite scenes in the whole show, i honestly don’t have the words
it’s better than any marriage vows that have been taken in the whole series, and to see brienne proud and happy is just...incredible.
the mormont scene i wanted!!!
this is such a touching scene between two of my faves, i want jorah and sam to be pals forever but i know its just....not happening
the fact that sam starts in the crypt but i know he ends up on the battlefield is....concerning to say the least
god. that song. that song is everything
im too in my feelings to care about jonerys, sorry
i can genuinely believe that jon loves her, and doesn’t care about the iron throne or any titles really for that matter. but the other way around? i’m not so sure.
ok so my survival list: dany, jon, sansa, tyrion
everyone else is at risk please pray for me
oh also i bought the download of Jenny and already cried to it three times this evening, so the credits are making it a round four
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emmelfish · 6 years ago
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Alright team, we’re in this mess together. 
So last time on The Only Way is Pleasantview, we found out that Darren had impregnated Brandi with her fifth and sixth bebs around the 20 second mark of entering her trailer (NOT A EUPHEMISM), and they hadn’t even spoken yet, let alone kissed or anything. Any number of things may have happened – they’re that attracted to one another, they both lost their respective spouses to pretty awful deaths as deaths go and that kind of raw grief makes you hella horny, they’re not getting any younger and don’t want to die alone, the LTW of 6 married children fills Brandi with determination, or any and all of the above.
And now they dance in their underwear, which, I’m not gonna lie, is toothachey sweet. I think I like these two.
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Beau: Hello. I thought you hated painting.
Dustin: Can you not tell by my face that I do? I need a stupid creativity skill point to get a stupid promotion in my stupid career.
Huh, what on earth is that in their bedroom?
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Why, it’s teenage townie royalty Sophie Miguel and Princess of Strangetown Erin Beaker in her gardening gear having a dance-off! I don’t even remember anyone inviting them in. Probably because I was too busy fixing pasties for Brandi’s nekkid bewbs.
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Beau: Yippity hoooo, now THIS is what I call a party! Come on Dusty, you know you want to!
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Dustin: I don’t want to want to, but I sure do! It goes against every fibre of my being, and yet that smustle is infectious!
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Suse has that Worried Broke Eyebrows thing down to a tee, yet she somehow manages to make even that look menacing.
Susie: Hello, Mother. Where have you been? Finding me a new stepfather I hope?
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Susie: TELL ME WOMAN! Don’t sugarcoat it! Is he pretty? Rich? It’s Armand DeBateau isn’t it, OH I CAN’T TAKE IT!
Brandi: Armand DeBateau? Yeah in a parallel universe seven years ago maybe, Watcher’s long over that ship.
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Brandi: Presenting Queen Susie, as she gracefully glides through the ornate castle arches to greet her grateful subjects!
Darren: And what a beautiful sight she is to behold, some say her face has launched ships and triggered wars!
Susie: ... Yes. Yes.
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Skip Jr. on the other hand couldn’t give a shit less about Operation Stepdaddy and proceeds to throw blocks all over the activity table.
Skip Jr: CHAOS! ANARCHY! YAAAAEEEERRRGGHHHH!
(Seriously Bran, are you sure you and Loki Beaker didn’t meet in a club one night and make the beast with two backs in a toilet cubicle? Because I’d wholly rename your twins Atom and Ceres if so. Oh who am I kidding. Loki in a club?)
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Susie: YOU! What do you do for a living? How much money do you have? How many days until you become an elder? What are your prospects? Are your intentions with my mother honorable?
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I learned something today, and it’s that if Dustin sits on the floor and does his homework in the doorway of the bathroom, Brandi has to hold in her vomit and it never actually comes out. 
(Note to self: use this trick on Circe Beaker, the most morning sickness prone sim I’ve ever encountered. Seriously, at one point I thought she’d glitched because every time she sat down she ran to the toilet again.)
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Oh they look so happy. They have not yet spoken a single word to one another, but the couple that does autonomous romantic interactions together every three seconds, stays together. Just look at the Burbs!
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Beau: You. What do you do for a living? How much mo –
Susie already covered all that, Beau. The answer to said questions was... inconclusive.
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Oh hey! Whatcha doing, Suse?
Susie: Being Godzilla. I eatin all th’people.
Sure, that’s normal completely standard dollhouse behavior. Good. Do carry on. *Calls child psychologist*
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Darren you’re about five hours late for the bedroom dance-off.
Darren: And I’m furious about it too!
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Dustin rolled a want to purchase an mp3 player, and so took Beau out of what had become a somewhat unwholesome environment dominated by Darren walking around in his boxers. However, there were no mp3 players to be found on this particular lot. TRAVESTY
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There was townie Komei Tellerman of Extreme Jawdom judging Veronaville’s Cornwall Capp though, so not a totally pointless experience.
Komei: I have a glandular problem. What’s your excuse?
Cornwall: Excuse for what? Existing? I’ve never been sure, really.
More importantly, why the hell is the cash register outdoors?
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Beau: Achhh Dustin! This car smells of booze, dashed hopes and crime.
Dustin: Be grateful that I took you anywhere at all – hopefully by now he’s put some pants on. Speaking of which, did you not get the memo about switching into your summer getup?
Beau: ON IT LIKE GIN AND TONIC
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Beau: You there! Random fellow kid! That shirt... where did you get it? I must have it, despite it being outside my limited wardrobe boundaries of white, beige and blue.
(Beau’s cassette tape T-shirt to represent his love of music & dance FOR THE WIN)
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Benedick: Oh, I must be in a place where nobody knows who I am. Not my choice actually – I’m from Veronaville, and we’re going with the whole Baz Luhrmann aesthetic. Quite frankly I kind of envy the Capps with their sharp suits.
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Beau: Wow, I’m sure what you’re talking about is super interesting but DO YOU LIKE TOMATO SOUP?
Benedick: I DO like tomato soup!
Beau: Frieeeeeeend!
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Brandi: Lookin’ good Dusty! Hey the family that creates art together stays togeth –
Dustin: Chill out, I am so sick of telling people I just need a creativity point before work and am loathing every minute of this.
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Brandi: Son, when you and I open our art gallery together, you do all the economics, ’kay?
Dustin: Mom, did you not hear – *sigh*. Can you at least get him to put some pants on?
Darren: Lovely leaffffffs 🍃
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Beau: See, when the truth walks away, everybody stays ’cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay. Our bills at least. But that’s what’s wrong with the universe, right?
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Beau: Oh hey Dustin I wasn’t talking about you I was talking about a totally different criminal have a lovely time at work make sure you eat healthy snacks like almonds and dates love you byeeeee
Dustin: Pfft.
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Beau: HEY BENNY LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!
Benedick: That’s impressive! I mean I live in the same town as actual fairies, and my family’s mortal enemies are friends with like a clan of vampires or something, NBD... but aw yis!
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Benedick: You do you, Beau!
The walk-bys are getting better all the time here. It’s Cassandra Goth’s parallel universe Riverblossom Hills opposite, Sandra Roth, in her speed-racing suit!
Sandra: ... I’ve never experienced summer. It’s new. It’s interesting. It’s different. My polyester is chafing me suddenly.
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Oh my good grief autonomous child huggling. I can’t take it. It’s so pure. They’ve known each other for like three minutes. Beau, is it inappropriate to start shipping you off yet?
Beau: Never!
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Whatever on Watcher’s green sim earth is going on here, I’m all for it.
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Benedick’s face! Protect these boys. PROTECT THEM
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Like from supernatural wolves that might savage them.
Hardimos: This house has many children and foliage, my pack will do well here.
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Dustin: What the hell is going on here? Why are you still out on the sidewalk after three hours? Why is there a wolf here? Who’s the enthusiastic chick in the nylon suit? Where is our mother?
Beau: Never mind all that, did your creativity point get you a promotion?
Dustin: It did! Bestowed upon me now is the honor of lifting people’s belongings directly from their person.
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Meanwhile inside, Skip Jr. is finally getting on the Find a New Stepdad train. And he didn’t even have to do anything, he didn’t ask for attention, Darren simply picked him up autonomously. Hey Daz, you have a hidden Family aspiration token?
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Darren: Nope!
Family secondary?
Darren: Possibly? Seemingly you can never remember what you give us.
Enough of the sass mister, I remembered giving Nina Caliente a freaking grilled (Daiya or Violife) cheese secondary didn’t I?
Well you’re great with kids... let’s hope you don’t have a nervous breakdown at the prospect of dealing with baby twins just when you thought you’d be settling down to focus on your art with your firstborn off to college soon.
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Darren: Well, I was all set to try to steal Cassandra away and she’s got baby fever so I’ve been preparing myself for my second fatherhood for years. Plus they’re easy aren’t they, they just fall right asleep.
Yes but firstly, Cassie wasn’t already saddled with four. Secondly, I’m not sure you’re remembering early parenthood correctly. Or maybe you are, Dirk’s pretty much the perfect sim all-round, he was probably a dreamy baby.
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C’mon Brandi, right all those wrongs you did Beau and get your toddlers all trained up long before their childhood transition! Although frankly, the prospect of a kid with Susie’s personality up on her feet is terrifying.
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Susie: It’s okay Mommy, I’d never murder YOU in your sleep. You’re my best friend.
I want still that paternity test because I’m pretty sure that’s what Loki Beaker said to Vidcund Curious before he metaphorically stabbed him in the back by stealing Circe Beaker. Never have those green smileys looked creepier.
Next time, we’ll head to the Dreamers’ pad for a little look at how Darren – thanks to time standing still when you’re not on a lot – essentially woke up with two kids on the way. Imagine that!
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jonsa-creatives · 7 years ago
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Hi could I please submit this prompt: "You're scaring me," she says quietly. "Please don't look like that. I wouldn't tell you you were if I didn't trust you."
Hi Anon!
Thank you for the prompt and yes we’re still filling prompts these days, we just have a lot of prompts in our ask box - which is a good problem so keep them coming - just bear with us as we fill them out. We have more prompts than we have fic ideas tbh so it does take some time lol! 
So thank you for your patience! Anyways, hope you like it! Enjoy!
Summary: Post-apocalyptic canon divergent AU, everyone dies but only fifty of them remain after the Long Night is over and the Night King defeated. Jon and Sansa survive and they are the only ones left to rebuild Winterfell. R+L=J revealed and they both explore what that means…
Mood music: House Stark theme by Ramin Djwadi (brilliant man!)
Rated PG-13 (unbeta’d)
~Mod Elle xx
We Are Home Now
It still stood tall and proud. And grey. Some of the stones were chipped off and obscene chunks strewn all over the snowy grounds, but the walls still held fast.
That was Winterfell. The castle had taken countless beatings and yet its towers stood defiantly, the battlements still heavily draped with tattered Stark banners flapping in the chilly winds. 
There was never any doubt to whom the castle still belonged to. Though it was no longer a domicile of proud Northern folk, most of them had perished in the Great War; a frightening war that lasted a year between the dead and the living. In its monstrosity, it had unleashed a great fear and dread never seen since tales of the Long Night were written. It had come as prophesied and it had come with a vengeance. Took with it every living person and creature, man woman and child. And the strong with the weak. Knights, squires and even Queens. 
It tortured him a great deal; their shrill screeches still awake him at night and sleep had turned into a threatening demon - ever vigilant to snatch the very life out of his fatigued body every time he tried to close his eyes. He knew he had not slept for ages and it weakened him, no matter how much he tried to remain his stoic self.
Fifty. Just fifty. That was all there was. Just fifty of them who fought and lived. Tormund and the few wildling men who survived had returned with bleak news and with sacks of bones, proof and a result of months ranging deep into the north of the Wall - that there was not one living human left for miles and miles. The Night King had been industrious in his enslavement, his subjects had numbered almost all of Westeros. Except just fifty of them. Whether they were fortunate or cursed remained to be seen but Jon was thankful he survived to see his family by his side. The Starks will endure, he remembered Ned’s words still.
Word had yet to come from the South, where Arya, Pod and Gendry accompanied by the remaining Knights of the Vale were tasked to bring news of the state of the Capital. Jon had prayed for the first time in his resurrected life that they would all return safely home soon and intact. He had doubts, for the gods were cruel but if the Lord of Light had restored him, he would have the faith that He would restore his people too. If not, Valryian steel would do. Arya had proven a better swordswoman than most men he battled with. 
At least he had Sansa by his side. Sweet Sansa, still shaken and bruised, her nightmares were every bit as real as his own. It had become somewhat a norm for them to be in each other’s company, sitting by the fire before they retired for the night. Words were rarely spoken but there was hardly a need, they were both comforted by each other’s presence. Though never acknowledged between them, Jon never felt more at ease with anyone, let alone a woman other than Sansa and there was no others that Sansa wished to spend her quiet time than with Jon. 
Conversation was almost naught, since the day he returned home to Winterfell with the Dragon Queen by his side and pledged his fealty to her. The riot and discord amongst the Northern Lords and their objections were short lived when alarms had sounded and they all realised the dead had come marching too close to home. The Wall, created to keep the Walkers out had crumbled to pieces and the War had begun. Just as Jon had warned them. 
The dead, the dead, the dead… 
It had seemed like ages ago, almost as if it had been in another lifetime entirely as Sansa recalled how her heart nearly stopped when a wight had her neck in its clutches, the bony chilly fingers wrapped around her throat and Sansa found herself staring into hollow icy orbs of blue. This was what death had looked like. Her nightmares did not come close to what had touched her. And all she remembered was shutting her eyes and screaming. 
It was within just a breath when she was yanked away forcefully from death’s own grip, one that made Sansa open her eyes despite her fears. Jon. How his warm body and familiar scent was suddenly over hers, shielding her from evil. That was the only word that played in her mind. Evil. Cold, pure evil. She watched in horror with her very eyes how the Dragon Queen fell, captured and torn to shreds by wights - as if she were a ragged doll, bloodied bits of her flying about and her magnificent dragons slain close by, failing to save their Mother, as each one was shot and bled to the ground. 
No creature was too great nor too formidable for the Night King to kill. It was a sight that would remain on her mind for as long as she lived. Jon was right. There was only one war and it was nothing like any wars known to man.
The memory made her flinch and a small whimper escaped her lips, alerting Jon who was sitting quietly reading a book by the fire.
“Are you all right, Sansa?”
There was no need to speak of the truth that ailed her. It was a quiet and peaceful time for both of them and she would cherish these moments as much as she could.
“A slight knot in my neck is all, I had been sewing all night, yesterday. I suppose I shouldn’t any longer. Silly me.”
“New dress?” Jon gave a little knowing smile as he glanced her way to meet her eyes.
“A new cloak wouldn’t hurt. I’m making one for you and Bran.”
Jon’s face lit up in pleasure as his eyes met hers. “Thank you Sansa. I’m sure it’s magnificent and I’m looking forward to wearing it.”
“You’re very kind, Jon. I doubt it will be. I try my best but… sometimes my hands tremble a little too much-” Sansa paused, realising she had said more than she should. Taking a deep breath, she shut her eyes for a moment.
A year was too little to escape from the horrors that replayed in her mind and a silence blanketed the room. A brief glance his way found Jon staring at her intently, as if willing her to continue and say her piece. 
It was unsettling how he had his eyes resting on her. She had caught his stares more than once now, and it lingered a little too long than she thought was appropriate. There were questions in his eyes and if he was looking for answers, Sansa didn’t have them. 
“I-I’m sorry. I meant the cold. This winter has gotten to me, I suppose.”
Jon broke his gaze and looked down. Sansa thought she saw a slight flush come over his cheeks, from the faint light of the flames. The silence was pregnant with unspoken need for seeking comfort. From their nightmares, obviously. What else could it be? 
“I tremble too. Sometimes, when I sleep, my body twitches and I jolt out of bed. And I never want to sleep again.”
“It’s not the cold,” Jon continued as his gaze returned to her. 
Sansa’s breath hitched and she almost clutched at her chest. 
“I can’t sleep either, Jon. It tires me but I could never sleep. I know it’s not the cold. But… We’ve never talked about it.”
Jon didn’t answer. Sansa stared again into the flames. Whatever the Lord of Light has brought upon them, Sansa hoped it was a brighter future. 
“Do you want to? Talk about it?” Jon’s voice wavered a little as the question finally escaped his lips. 
“It’s been a year, Jon. All that’s happened. Why are we still alive? I can’t sleep at night because my nightmares are memories and I’m still truly frightened. I don’t want to live like this. None of us are the same anymore.” 
“Aye, we’re still alive. We’re still standing. I don’t understand it anymore than you do and I wished I had answers, Sansa. But I don’t. I’m still Jon,” he said, his voice softening at the last few words, as if uncertain. No, you’re not, he thought to himself. 
“ Are you? Are you, still Jon Snow?”
Jon closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. The scent of burning embers was a constant source of comfort. I am a Stark. I am of the North. I have always been, he told himself. 
“Aye. Is that so hard to believe? When I say that I am truly a Stark?” Jon turned to Sansa who was now fiddling a tad too zealously with her handkerchief.
Sansa hesitated to speak her truth. She had known about Jon, or Aegon as Bran recounted to her. Sam Tarly was present to corroborate that, pointing out to a page in archived anecdotal records. Secret ones, no less. And there it was clear as day, as to who Jon really was. His birth and his parents. 
Perhaps, Jon realised she had known the truth. He wasn’t the same Jon anymore. Or at least she wasn’t certain.
“Will you hate me, when I tell you I know the truth? That I know who you are? We have to talk about this, Jon. About what it means.” The gentle, pleading tone in Sansa’s voice pricked his ears and it was unmistakable, her care and concern for him. 
Jon felt heat rising up his neck and settling on his cheeks. Anger, it was not. His eyes remained on Sansa but his body inched closer and soon, they sat only two steps away from each other, their hands would almost touch if any one of them shifted ever so slightly. Strangely enough, he felt at ease still. 
“Please don’t look at me like that. You’re scaring me.”
Jon quickly turned his head away, snapping back to his senses. Don’t, she’s still your sister. Half sister. Cousin. 
“How did you know? Was it Bran?” 
“Does it matter now? Please Jon, I wouldn’t tell you if I didn’t trust you enough not to hold that against me.”
“Do you? Trust me that is? Now that I’m no longer a Stark by name?” 
Sansa cocked her head slightly as she studied Jon. There was nothing different about him. He still looked the same. But there was a different air about him now that she sat in the presence of the true heir of the Seven Kingdoms. Or what was left of it. It was uncanny how she was always in the company of kings. Ominous, it seemed. Of what, she had little knowledge. 
“I am truly sorry you had to find out.. The way you did. And I’m sorry about Danaerys, I-” 
“No, Sansa. Please don’t,” Jon objected softly. “Please talk about everything else but please do not talk about her.” 
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to see if… If you’re all right, is all. With all that happened. I’m truly sorry for your loss, Jon.”
Jon sighed deeply. How he wished he could speak openly of his heart’s desires, his secrets, his fears. His shame and guilt.
“I am not. Aye, she was brave. She fought for the North but I shall be forever burdened with the guilt of her death it till my dying day.”
A familiar sense of home came over her and Sansa grabbed and squeezed Jon’s hand in his. “But she was your family, Jon. The only family you had.”
And I debauched her. I poisoned myself, my flesh mingled with hers. My own flesh and blood. I would live with the shame and have it burn deep in my bones till the day I die again. 
“No. You’re my family. You. Arya and Bran. You have always been. No others could change that. We are home now, ” Jon’s other hand clasped hers in his and he found himself staring into her pale blues. Sansa smiled as her eyes slowly welled up in tears. Jon is Jon. 
“Cousins,” Sansa corrected him, with a slight smirk. 
Jon chuckled. “Aye, cousins.”
As the dawn of Spring kissed the snowy dew..
“Touch me, Jon. I want you to.”Jon opened his eyes and they were met with a piercing blue eyed gaze full of longing. Oh, Sansa. 
“Sansa.. If I do, I’m afraid I will never ever stop,” Jon whispered into her mouth as their lips met again. This time with such fervent hunger, as she grabbed tightly onto his tunic, pulling him close. 
“Then don’t. There is only us now. The only Starks left. We made a promise, Jon. To each other, to our family,” Sansa said as she nuzzled into his firm broad shoulder. 
“Will you have me, then?” 
Sansa ran her palm along the curve of his chin and cupped the side of his head. There was little resistance from either of them as Sansa lovingly kissed the tip of Jon’s nose. 
 “Yes.. we are home now. You and me. This is our Winterfell.”
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everythingjonsa · 7 years ago
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MY FAVORITE MOMENTS IN EPISODE 4
We’re finally four episodes down, with only the final three remaining and there’s heavy foreshadowing for both targbowl and targcest. *Spoilers plenty*
 It seems pretty obvious that they’re headed the targcest way for it’s after a conversation about Missandei and Grey worm that Jon and D enter the cave that contains the dragon glass alone, without anyone else. They look way too much into each other’s eyes and all the fire that’s glowing in their faces, like burning passions and really we know where this is heading. But unlike the jonsa hand-grab, when Jon holds D’s wrist, the camera doesn’t pan on it, nor does D look at it. Again, in contrast with Jonsa, Jon initiates the physical touch while in his scenes with Sansa, except for the forehead kiss, Jon almost never initiates physical contact. (like he is scared of touching her??) Yet when he issues a threat to LF and promises to protect her from Ramsey, it’s always “TOUCH”.
D and Jon come out of the cave after almost looking like they are going to walk off together, hand in hand into the sunset. I’d like to point out here, that when D asks Jon if he is going to let his pride get in the way of saving thousands of lives I almost asked myself, but if she really wants to be queen of the seven kingdoms, and considers the north as one of them, shouldn’t she prove herself worthy by saving thousands first and then asking Jon to bend the knee. Isn’t she letting her pride come in the way of ruling over people’s hearts too?
Anyway they come out together and bad news hits D and here came my first favourite moment in the show,
SHE BLAMES TYRION AND QUESTIONS HIS LOYALTY IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.
Of course I felt bad for Tyrion. The hurt is reflected on his face. Here’s a man who planned the destruction of his own birthplace, his own family because he was loyal to his queen and his loyalty gets questioned in front of people who won’t even bend the knee. I get it. She’s angry that his plan did not go down as well. But shouldn’t a leader take responsibility for all the good and bad that happens? Plus, one plan fails and she’s already questioning Tyrion’s loyalty?? I found that a little extreme. Next came another moment that I loved.
JON TELLS D HOW HE FEELS ABOUT BURNING THE SHIT OUT OF EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF EVERYONE
They’re contrasting Dany’s urges and Jon’s urges for the viewer’s benefit, maybe even for Tyrion and Varys’s. At least that’s how I read it.
JON AND THEON
It was a small scene, YES. But it did it’s job. Jon would’ve killed Theon if not for his part in Sansa’s escape. No- you betrayed Robb, you betrayed House stark, nothing. It’s implied obviously but we know that the only thing that stop’s Jon from driving longclaw into Theon’s gut is his role in Sansa’s escape. I wonder if that is the exact reason why Theon brings up Sansa when he first sees Jon. Maybe he knows, that Sansa is his life boat when it comes to Jon.
Jon as usual, lets his instincts get the better of him. Goes straight for Theon’s collar. Again, we get a glimpse of how Jon forgets himself whenever Sansa’s name is mentioned. He side eyes Ser Davos observing this exchange and remembers quite what he’s doing. He lets go of Theon and we get a close up of Ser Davos viewing this whole exchange (with suspicion?? Curiosity??) Before we can ascertain if we imagined this, Davos asks Theon about Euron and that thought is lost.
CHAOS….. IS A LADDER
Bran effectively manages to get LF’s balls up his throat with this single line. I whistled and screamed! I am not kidding.
BRAN REALISES ARYA IS HERE
So the winterfell plot is increasingly becoming my favourite storyline. (Dragonstone is becoming boring with the “we already know who’s the rightful heir and who’s going to bang who” plot. Citadel-“Please show us something other than BARF” plot ) So After that highly emotional scene with Meera where we do get to understand that Bran is the stark who has changed the most and probably will never be the same again, we see him look outside towards the window because he knows who’s coming home dearies. YES, it’s Arya fucking Stark!!
ARYA AND SANSA
What a moment that was? Sansa, beautiful Sansa, knows exactly where to find her little sister.
Should I call you Lady Stark now?
Yes. You Should
I wish Jon comes back soon. (AWWW Sansa, so do we! SO DO WE!!!) He was so happy to see me. I think if he were to see you his heart would stop.
See what Sansa did here people? She realises and recognises the fact that Jon and Arya shared a closer relationship that she ever did with him. She’s telling Arya how much Jon loves her and it’s graceful, unselfish and totally kind of her to do that. Again, we as an audience are probably being told that Jon and Arya shared a closer relationship as siblings than Jonsa. And once again we have Sansa wishing Jon were here. (My Jonsa heart is very happy)
THREE STARKS IN WINTERFELL
Arya wheeling Bran in and Sansa walking by their side entering the gates of Winterfell, a proud Brienne looking at them SIGH, I could watch that scene everyday and yet never tire of it. It was beautiful, emotional and Brienne and Pod’s exchange was just perfect!! PERFECT
DADA DADA DA ….. DADA DADA DA….. DADA DADA DA
So this “I’m Arya Stark of winterfell” music is stuck to my head forever and won’t come off. Hats off to Maise Williams for so beautifully executing that duel scene with Brienne. It was priceless. And in the end when Brienne asks her, “Who taught you that trick?” (or something like that) and she says “NO ONE!” YES, I whistled and I wolfed and I’d do it again. I don’t know why LF looks so happy in the scene because looks like at this point everyone else other than him must know that Arya is going to chop off his B@lls! Some wise guy he is!!
DANY RIDES DROGON INTO BATTLE
Love her or hate her, but it’s impossible to not love this scene. Dany riding Drogon into battle with a look of pure intent to roast and that kickass music playing in the background is so spell-binding, that you can’t help but say “DRACARYS” with her at the exact same time that she says it. It gives you goosebumps. You know very well the minute she flies in that the Lannister army is fucked, so do they, actually. And the show runners have made a brilliant point of showing it by focusing on that Lannister soldier cowering and shivering with fear the exact second before Dany goes into full on destruction mode. She burns everything and everyone. You can feel it in your bones, that in spite of this looking like an  impressive sight, you are not meant to root for it to happen.
Burnt soldiers are shown, their bodies turned to dust, the dothraki massacre the ones who saved themselves from being burnt. It’s not a fair fight. It was never meant to be. We as the audience, reflect the sentiments playing so clearly on Tyrion’s face when he sees the barbecue party. You feel bad for him. You begin to wonder who the real enemy is. And then when Jamie rides with a lance in his hand, you echo Tyrion’s thoughts “NO, you fucking idiot”
But you know what, this was such a call back to the battle of the bastards. Jamie lance in hand riding fearlessly towards Dany and Drogon , Jon Long Claw in hand facing the entire cavalry. We knew it was a suicide mission then and now, yet we were rooting for both of them to survive in spite of the odds. And miraculously they did.
It left me with numerous thoughts, that battle did. Is Dany’s quest for the IT really different from Cersei’s? Is Dany even a good ruler? She burnt tonnes and tonnes of good food which she could have very well used wisely. Is Jamie going to be captured? What’s going to happen to Dickon Tarly, who seemed so reluctant to kill? Anyway, this was a thoroughly entertaining episode and I really hope the next one will not disappoint either.
BTW, HOUSE STARK ROCKS!!
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rey-kryze · 7 years ago
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THE LAST TARGARYEN: jonerys fic [ requested ]
YOU SAID YOU WERE TAKING REQUESTS: HOW ABOUT ANOTHER JON AND DANY FINDING OUT HIS TRUE PARENTAGE BUT INSTEAD OF JUST THEM LEARNING ABOUT IT, ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM REACT TO IT TOO. THE STARKS, TYRION, DAVOS, MISSANDEI, ETC. I JUST FEEL LIKE I HAVEN'T SEEN ENOUGH WITH OTHER PEOPLE FINDING OUT. THANKS SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FANDOM
I imagine that in show!canon he’s not going to learn of his heritage until after him and Daenerys have conceived a child ( and whether or not they’re even aware that they have, but it would be a cause of tension insofar as their newfound connection ). And I do believe when he comes back to winterfell, is when he’ll hear it .
What with Bran having SEEN the truth of it, and Sam heading north to where he believes Jon to be , so both people who’d have access to this knowledge will converge there. And Daenerys will sort of be an unwelcome bystander to the most of it.
fair warning : this got really, really long . 
    Hope was hard earned these days ; after the meeting in the Dragon Pit , and the word of a treasonous , murderous Queen -- it didn’t feel true, in banking on her support as anything other than a front to appeal to those that questioned her rule . Daenerys doubted severely that when called upon , any Lannister forces would rise to defend the North from the Long Night . Still, still she clung to that little glimmer of hope , however small a light it’d become underneath the oppressive force of Winter. 
      Eastwatch had fallen , the few men there ran to the Northern cities, sending out every last raven, to every family ; from Last Hearth, to Bear Island. The Wall had been taken down by a great beast ; rumors varied, some say it was a sea serpent made of pure ice, and others --- others say it was a dragon with haunting blue eyes. The boat ride north had proven uneventful , aside from whatever time she could spend with Jon, primarily filled with tactical speak, strategy, and long term planning of this unfathomable war. Though it was unmistakable now , that they two were very much in love : what a fools time for this, Jon had thought, while Daenerys kept quiet about whatever her opinions were regarding their relationship. 
      Tensions ran high as all the Silver Queen’s armies sailed for the Weeping Water ; it would be a safe ride to Winterfell, what with The Dreadfort housing only ghosts, The Great Keep of Winterfell was the last true fort that stood between the Night King’s armies, and the rest of the seven kingdoms. 
       Eight thousand Unsullied , one hundred thousand Dothraki, and two dragons do not go unnoticed ; the countryside had come alive , they looked to the Targaryen girl with as much reverence , as they did fear . 
        She wanted to help them , but would her massive forces not be a strain ? Resources are well kept, and rarely shared but this many men, horses, and winged beasts could not live on the idealism that led them there.  She cannot think of this , cannot lean on her doubt when already there was plenty enough reason to have it ; instead , she’s focusing on Jon, they both rode at the head of their forces ( their , a union of two separate beings ).
         Winterfell loomed in the distance , drawing nearer and nearer faster than she could adjust --- she knew Jon , King in the North , had sent word to his family and his men in the North to inform them of their arrival , but as the armies converged , it became clear to Daenerys that her soldier outnumbered the populace , a hundred to one. 
         They’re met by Sansa , the Lady of Winterfell, and a small shadow who she knew to be Arya, though only the Lady spoke , Daenerys felt the most of what was said, through the eyes of the younger sister. “ We welcome you to our halls.” Indifference colored Sana’s tone, though, she warms a great deal when she can finally look upon Jon , knowing he’d been unharmed and seeing it are two entirely different senses of comfort.  
           It took several weeks, but they’d all settled in ; from Tyrion, Theon, Missandei , Davos , and even Varys , all people who had , however unknowingly before now, lead their lives to this very purpose. To save their world, and all within it . Quite a daunting concept, but for now, within the walls of this keep, and fires chasing out the cold of Winter, it was easy to pretend, at the very least that the world wasn’t going to end tomorrow. 
           Jon had taken this brief respite to go down to the family tombs ; paying respect to the dead had a different tone now that he’d had them at his throat. However , he hoped to find solace here, in the dark, wet catacombs that smelled of old hay , and smoke. Standing before the statue of his father, Lord Eddard Stark, he’s left feeling small ... how could he hope to follow in his footsteps ? To lead these good men to their deaths ? He wonders what he’d have done , if the events of the past had not taken him away. 
            He’s not alone , that much he knows and while he feels the eyes burning into his back, he’s too stubborn to give them the satisfaction in seeing the worry on his face. “ What d’ya want ?” accent thick, it’s clear enough that he didn’t want to be disturbed and yet --- “ Father told you the next time you saw him, you’d speak of your mother.” A chill settled on Jon’s skin, and he turns to see Bran sitting, hands neatly folded and a grey look of indifference set like stone in his face . “ how d’you ---” Sansa had tried to warn him, that Bran, the three eyed raven ; saw things, knew things that only you, or no one could know. 
         Jon swallows back the taste of bile, but nods towards Bran all the same. He continues, “ Father is dead, he never got that chance to. But I know. I saw. I was there the day you came screaming into this world, covered in your mother’s blood. She died, you killed her.” Without emotional inflection , he looks past Jon, onto the neighboring statue of Lyanna, “ She was your mother, the Lady Lyanna Stark.” 
        He could see Jon means to cut him off , as if he were disgusted by such a notion : his father and his aunt ? But Bran’s hand lifts , a request that he let him finish, and as begrudged as Jon might be, he listens. “ Your father was not my father, nor Sansa’s, Arya’s, Robb’s , or Rickon’s . And you are not a bastard.” He pauses, wheeling himself nearer to the statue of his aunt, and Jon’s mother, “ Lyanna Stark, or more appropriately, Lyanna Targaryen conceived a child in secret, but only after a true marriage to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. You are their child, and your name was not to be Jon, but Aegon. I’ve needed to speak to you about this for a long while now , but a great many things stood in our way.” 
        Jon cannot believe him ; wants to call down the Maester and have Bran medicated for whatever lunacy had perverted his mind beyond the wall. But he sees it, sees the truth to his words and it leaves him feeling hollow. You may not have my name, but you have my blood . His father’s words echoed ; he’d meant his sister’s , but that made him no less a Stark , though , in knowing he carried the blood of a dead and dying house , filled him with something else : dread. He looks away from Bran , who can quite clearly see through him , Rhaegar had been Daenerys’ brother, and that meant he was her family in more ways than one. 
        He’s not so much bothered by their intimacy ; but she’d convinced herself that she was the last Targaryen, and if what Bran said was true --- his thoughts are interrupted , his brother wheeled past him and cast him a parting look, his final words hung like icicles waiting and wanting to pierce him through. “ You are the rightful heir to the Iron Throne Jon. More than your Queen would be.” 
         Jon cannot keep such truth to himself , he has no want nor reason to usurp Daenerys’ claim , and he has no intention on letting any such suspicion pervade his honesty. He’s called a meeting of all the lords, and ladies currently making base of Winterfell, as well as the Queen herself, and all her many advisors. He stands at the head of the table, he’s told no one, and was almost grateful that Bran had recused himself from this announcement. He doesn’t know where to start, and so he doesn’t , not really ; he tells the story that his brother had told him, and as he’d believed it, so should they. 
         And they did. All eyes are on their King, when Lady Lyanna Mormont speaks  , “ If what you’re tellin’ us is true. You are not the heir to Winterfell, not the eldest child, either trueborn or bastard.” It is non-confrontational, but the implication rings out above the murmurs of the crowd, and Jon nods, “ Aye, ‘m not the rightful King you all deserve. it’s a title that’d fall to Bran but he denies it.” his weary gaze shifts to Sansa, who sat by his side and had refused to react to the news. Jon steps down from his seat, and over to hers, setting the cloak she’d made him on her narrow shoulders, 
        “ Sansa is the eldest trueborn child of Lord Eddard, and Lady Catelyn Stark, and the rightful Queen in the North.” There’s a boisterous amount of cheering , but it’s quite clear that the news Jon had broken, was still being absorbed by most. His eyes pick up on a few noteworthy reactions ; Varys, looking as if he already knew, but there’s a glimmer of .. what was it, hope ? In his beady little eyes. Tyrion, who is smiling into his wine, and himself trying to read the crowd. Missandei , bows her head to him when their gazes meet. Arya, who is as unreadable as Sansa, they’re both staring at Daenerys herself, which is where Jon’s gaze settles last, and he feels his throat going tight.
       She’s excused herself, not that anyone was particularly interested in what she did , or what she said, aside from the select few who’d made it their life to do just that . It’s cold, when she steps into the courtyard but the brisk wind was sobering , it allowed her to breathe when the great hall, had not. Her hand is on her chest and its twin, her belly ; she’s reeling from the news. She was not alone , her eyes are filled with tears that cannot fall ; they’d freeze, she thinks , but it was by will alone that her pale lashes dam them up, she squeezes her eyes shut. 
          When she had watched her brother die , he had deserved it , but even in knowing that it was a fate he’d brought upon himself, she felt the pain of his death so acutely , she’s never sure if she entirely recovered. He was the last of her house , as she had been, and if their dynasty before had not fallen into ruin, he would have given her pure blood Targaryen heirs , to keep their family strong, their blood, true. Now , she thinks she knows , for whatever reason Mirri Maz Duur’s words ring out against the tide of her racing heart. Jon had been the one that would come back to her , as death’s grip had already attempted to hold him once and he’d slipped through it , when your womb again quickens with life . Her hand that’d instinctively fell to her stomach, grips the thick fabric that covers it, and her fingers quake.  
         This revelation , in the center of Winterfell’s courtyard somehow belays the worries of war , that Jon was the true born heir of the Seven Kingdoms , she remained unphased --- if what they had was worth all they’d been through, and every bit more to come , their union would be all the more significant and no less either of their birth rights . She’s walked rather quickly back to her chambers , located near enough to Jon’s that they could meet without rising suspicions, but not so close that it was obvious he’d wanted her there. Secrecy felt , poised, practiced , but now an unnecessary posturing ; he was her blood, her family, and it’s all come to light under the sharp relief cast by this knowing, this knowledge.
       The convergence of their respective paths, the lives they’ve lived not knowing ; it has all brought them two, the last Targaryen’s together and in that fire forged a new life, one that bloomed in her belly. How cruel had fate been , to keep them apart so long ? But how kind was it now, that they had a love , a bond of mind, body , and soul that not any other could claim ? She loved him, Jon , and a part of her always had.
          Blood of my blood, I am not alone anymore.  
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tereshkina · 7 years ago
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Tagged by: @youbuggingme
Rules: Answer the questions and then tag people
Yeah, I’m doing ASoIaF/GoT because that makes the most sense
the first character i fell in love with: Arya, actually! And Dany.
a character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Bran. He grew on me very gradually. He was probably my favorite POV for a solid month before I even realized it. And Arianne. I find her super relatable for some reason.
a character everyone else loves that I don’t: Hmm. I’m gonna go with Littlefinger. I know that not too many people like him anyway, but I just cannot stand him. He’s awful, and I hope he shits to death.
a character I love that everyone else hates: Melisandre. To be fair, she’s very misguided and her mistakes have awful consequences, but I feel like she has pure intent and is doing her best.
a character I used to love but don’t any longer: I’m gonna pick Dany for this- I don’t “not” love her, I just feel like she’s super overrated and the show hasn’t done her justice at all and there isn’t any solid integrity anymore as far as her character is concerned.
a character I would kiss: Show!Waif really floats my boat lmao (is that weird?) Oh, and Jojen probably. 
a character I’d slap: Jorah. Dude needs to get a hobby. (And Cersei and Littlefinger, but that kinda goes without saying.)
a character I’d want to be like: Missandei or Meera. They’re both such supportive, beautiful characters and I feel like they’re very well established in their respective skill sets.
a character who makes me laugh: Ygritte! And Stannis. God, what a sassy bitch.
a character i miss: Catelyn before she was Lady Stoneheart.
a pairing i love: Bran/either Reed sibling
a pairing i dont like: Sansa/old men
Tagging: @adaemdevine  @ladyflorence1215  @aryasmeatpies and anyone else who wants to do this!
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sheikah · 8 years ago
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What's your opinion on Jon Snow as a character? Stricly as a character, not count on his fans for obvious reasons.
Oh, wow. Thanks so much for this ask!!!!
Hoo boy. Here we go! Hold onto your butts because this is going to be a long one!
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Okay, my opinion on Jon Snow is that he is actual perfection and my favorite character–in any fandom–of all time. Full stop. 
I get that some people might be given pause by that statement. On the surface, Jon Snow isn’t all that unique. He’s a standard issue “Romantic hero” character trope and many people probably like him purely because of the unfairly handsome Kit Harington and his portrayal of Jon on screen. And to be fair, that’s definitely part of it for me. His big, sweet, brown eyes and that slight Northern accent do things to me, yall.
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But it is so much more than that for me, especially with recent season six developments. I love Jon Snow for a lot of reasons. So let’s break them down.
1. He’s loyal.
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Let’s start with his family. Jon is incredibly loyal to his family and loves the Starks. Sure, in the first book and season we see some petulance from him because he resents his outsider status. He is treated appallingly by Catelyn Stark (moreso by book!Catelyn, of course) and is constantly reminded that he is Jon Snow and not Jon Stark. But he still loves the Starks. He particularly loves his siblings, like Robb. One of my favorite Jon moments is the conversation Jon has with Sam in which he reflects on Robb’s character. He talks about how Robb was better than him at almost everything, and that he couldn’t hate him for that because Robb was so good. This is just one example of how even though Jon is pushed to the margins, even when he is outshone and bested by Robb (who gets to be Ned’s heir over Jon), and even Ned won’t tell Jon much about his past and his real family, Jon doesn’t bear them any ill will. He loves them without conditions or reservations.
Compare this with someone like Theon. (Before anyone gets angry, I actually love Theon lol). Theon is a lot like Jon in his upbringing. He is raised in Winterfell, treated generally well, but never allowed to forget that he was not truly a Stark. Theon, like Jon, grew up as something of a second-class man in Winterfell, and is constantly in Robb’s shadow. So what matters here is how both men handle this. Jon continues to offer love to his would-be family. His own quest for self-realization and acceptance take him to The Wall, where he hopes to make a name for himself in a humble but meaningful way. Conversely, Theon ventures back to the Iron Islands originally hoping to earn Robb’s favor. But his dedication to the Starks is thin. A little bit of taunting from Balon gets Theon to turn on the Starks–who are really his family–so that he can finally feel like he belongs, taking his place as a Greyjoy. Jon’s loyalty would never allow this sort of treachery.
Jon is equally loyal to the Night’s Watch. His first real test of this comes when Ned is taken prisoner in King’s Landing, then executed. He wants to abandon the watch to join Robb in his assault on the Lannisters. But Maester Aemon reminds him of the value of loyalty to the watch, telling him of his past as a Targaryen who had to watch his entire family die during Robert’s rebellion. This teaches Jon that everyone at The Wall is an individual with a complex life and motivations and loyalties just like his own. And when he starts to see his brothers that way he becomes unfailingly loyal to them.
His loyalty is, of course, tested again on the range North. When he meets Ygritte, Jon falters in his duty to the Watch because he falls in love with her. But he listens to Qhorin Halfhand, infiltrates the wildling settlement, and never forgets his brothers and the most important of his vows. When it matters, he leaves Ygritte and returns to The Wall–because of his loyalty. But what intrigues me most about Jon is that he isn’t just blindly loyal like say, Allister Thorne. He understands that loyalty to the Watch should have limits, and that needlessly killing wildlings when a greater threat exists reaches that limit. It’s his compassion that brings about reform in the Night’s Watch and changes their relations with the wildlings, which was unprecedented. Because Jon shows mercy to the wildlings after a struggle lasting millenia, he somehow (in my opinion) manages to maintain loyalty to Ygritte and her memory in the process of doing right by his brothers. Because he’s amazing. He’s so loyal to Ygritte’s memory that he refuses sex with Melisandre because his ideals prevent him from entering into that kind of relationship without meaning. I think this quality in him is rare and awesome.
2. He’s a good brother.
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I guess this may seem similar to him being “loyal to his family” but I think it’s more than that. Jon is just a better-than-average brother to his siblings and it’s adorable. Our early example is Arya, and the scene with the gif above is one of my favorites in the show AND books. He is observant and kind to his little sister, and understands her uniqueness and her interests. He values them. Jon and Arya are like the black sheep of the family together and it is so sweet! The significance of him getting her a gift that would ordinarily have been for a boy just shows the depth of their relationship and how he wants the best for Arya while he’s gone.
Jon is also considerate and brotherly toward Sansa when they reunite in season six. He is tired–and understandably so. He has just died for god’s sake. He has faced betrayal of the worst kind and is questioning everything. He wants nothing more than to leave, and (as he put it) go someplace “warm.” But when he sees Sansa, his responsibility to his family returns and he is willing to go to war just to help his sister get her home back. He risks his life and that of his men for Sansa’s safety and happiness.
He’s also a close brother and friend to Robb, as I mentioned above, and risks Catelyn’s hatred and scorn to say his goodbyes to Bran before going to The Wall. When Ramsay has Rickon in season six, Sansa pragmatically insists that they can’t save him, but Jon refuses to give up on his little brother and risks everything to try to save him.
So even though they aren’t his full siblings, he’s very dedicated to them and selfless in his defense of and love for them.
3. He’s a feminist.
Okay. This may seem silly in a show that is set in a fictional version of medieval Europe, but it’s true. Jon Snow is down with feminism. How do I know? Look at his relationship with Ygritte. His first relationship ever is with a woman who holds most of the power. She is fierce, outspoken, and very aggressive, and Jon accepts these traits without judgment. It isn’t because he’s weak. He isn’t “whipped” (to use a modern term that I absolutely loathe, by the way). We know this because he is the one to leave her when he must. But he loves her without needing to possess or tame her. Her “wildness” is what he loves about her. He likes that she fights and swears and that she is comfortable in her sexuality. He doesn’t expect a meek, submissive, courtly lady who would gladly and quietly be a good wife. He respects Ygritte’s opinions and arguably is influenced and changed by them–to the point of convincing the entire institution of the Night’s Watch to alter its stance on wildlings. Additionally, he is aware of her colorful sexual history, and rather than being put off be it, he accepts it. Because he knows that women are not just sitting about lying in wait for their husbands. He treats her like an individual, like himself. Plus, he’s a giver in other ways. How about that “Lord’s Kiss?” Lol.
We can also see Jon’s feminism in his treatment of his sisters. He knows that Arya doesn’t want to conform to standard gender roles, and that she doesn’t want to be a delicate lady like Sansa. Instead of chastising Arya for this as the rest of her family does, he encourages her to follow her heart when he gives her a sword, so she can hone her fighting skills like she wants to. When he sees Sansa again, he agrees to fight for her and values her perspective. It’s true that he doesn’t necessarily ask her for advice on the eve of the Battle of the Bastards, and she is angry about this. But when she calls him out on it, Jon accepts her criticism and hears her out. The problem here is that she doesn’t trust him, and doesn’t reveal her alliance with Littlefinger. So her input ultimately amounts to nothing. But Jon is willing to hear what she has to say about a battle. That’s more than we can say for many Westerosi men.
What’s more, after the battle, when Lyanna Mormont declares Jon King in the North, he actually looks to Sansa–almost as if seeking her approval–before standing to accept the praise from the Northern lords. He knows that Sansa is the true Stark heir and he respects her authority, even as a woman. He puts that before his own gain, even when he is set up to receive what he has wanted all his life–a rightful place as the head of the Stark family. He considers her own wishes even when killing Ramsay–realizing that Sansa deserves that revenge. He is so intent on letting Sansa be the one in charge that he asks her to take the Lord’s bedroom once they have taken back Winterfell. But Sansa, like a gracious sister, seems just as willing to let Jon take the lead. They seem set up to share governance and power in the North very well and I love that he sees his sister (yes I know they are really cousins–they don’t know that though :P) as an equal.
4. He’s just.
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Jon’s compassion, loyalty, and general sweetness do not prevent him from displaying a strong, imposing character with a keen sense of justice. He has strong ideas of right and wrong and does not flinch on them, regardless of potential consequences. I have already outlined above how admirable I think it is that he defends the wildlings and brings them into the fold. But he can also be tough when it matters.
When Stannis is having Mance Rayder burned at the stake, Jon ends his suffering because he understands that a tortuous death is not fitting for a man like Mance who is not evil or dangerous. The scene is very Last of the Mohicans and really indicative of Jon’s strong character.
When Janos Slynt defies him in front of the other brothers, questioning Jon’s authority as Lord Commander, Jon executes him because it is necessary to establish his authority and maintain safety and order in the Watch.
After they assassinate him, Jon hangs Ser Allister, Ollie, and the other traitors even though it takes a serious, personal toll on him to kill a young boy. He knows that it is necessary and he values justice, as any good leader should. And like Ned, he understands that despite how hard it can be, he himself must always be the one to carry out the sentence and “swing the sword.”
5. He’s a total badass.
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There is something satisfying about a character who is a badass fighter. Jon is sort of like a younger, hotter Aragorn haha. One of my favorite moments in the entire show is when he kills the White Walker in “Hardhome.” It was such an intense bit of action that is hard to forget. Jon is so impressive that even the Night King is threatened. That’s saying something!
6. He’s a romantic.
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Jon’s dialogue with Ygritte, in both the book and the show, is some of my favorite dialogue in the whole series. It’s so sweet and one of the rare, meaningful ships we have had in the show. I love their relationship and how obvious it is that he loves her, and the whole “forbidden love” aspect–that he is willing to break this vows to be with her. That’s one of my favorite tropes, even if it is overdone. 
And it isn’t just while they are together, either. Jon’s continued dedication to Ygritte, as evidenced by him taking the time to give her a proper burial North of the Wall and his refusal to have sex with Melisandre, shows how enduring his love for her is, and how much love in general matters to Jon. I feel like since he spent a lot of his life feeling alone or left out, finding love and acceptance means more to him than it does to the average person.
This is one of the reasons why I am so excited for the potential he has with Daenerys in the future. I think that both of them could finally find the family they’ve always wanted in each other, and that it will be just as romantic and wonderful as his time with Ygritte. Probably even better :)
7. He is fucking sexy.
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Okay I mentioned earlier that this is superficial, but I don’t care. It’s still true. I love Jon Snow in part because he is so pretty to look at. He is a smol god among men, and his smile is a gift that must be cherished. You could grate cheese on his abs. Seriously, Jon looks equally tasty all grungy and bloody as he does clean-shaven and young in season one. Thank the old gods and the new.
8. He isn’t perfect.
This one is important. All of the things I said above are true and awesome, but Jon has done some questionable things. It was silly for him to try to run away from the Watch in season one. It was foolish for him to keep Ser Allister close despite his obvious aggression once Jon became Lord Commander. It was reckless for Jon to charge an entire army by himself to try to save Rickon, who would clearly die. These are just some “wtf, Jon?” moments. But they are important. A character is (to me) boring and unrealistic if they are “too perfect.” Take for example Steve Rogers/Captain America. When I first got into the MCU I didn’t understand the hype because I found Captain America to be boring and vanilla because he was too perfect–too pretty, too kind, etc. After taking some time with his character in the comics and in more movies my opinion changed, but the point stands. A character needs some flaws to be interesting. And Jon’s flaw is that he is sometimes compromised by his love for others. But that’s okay. I love him anyway.
Some final thoughts …
I am not sure why in your question, anon, you said, not to count Jon’s fans “for obvious reasons,” when asking my opinion of Jon. Most people I have met on tumblr who share my love for Jon Snow are great people! There are some exceptions, of course! But take for example the jonerys fandom. I probably made it pretty clear above that I am a jonerys shipper. I am in the #jonerysnetwork now and it is the nicest group of people I have met in any fandom. ASOIAF are big books–mostly read by intelligent, adult people. So I feel like a lot of people in this fandom are intelligent, adult people. Being intelligent and a grownup usually requires thoughtfulness and thoughtful people are, well, nice! I love Jon Snow and for the most part, I love his fans! There are things like ship wars and whatnot, and I do hate that. Particularly when antis post things and tag them in the jonerys tag, etc. But overall my experience in this fandom has been great and I cherish the friends I have made here. So, anon, I hope that soon you find that you feel the same way (if you don’t already and if I’m not misunderstanding the intent of your question).Anyway, long story short: Jon Snow is the truth and we fans of his are quality humans. 
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Thank you so, so much for asking about my hubby and absolute fave. Sorry for the essay!
P. S. I did add a cut to this so I apologize for the wall of text that shows up for some folks on mobile. Idk why that is. 
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entireoranges-creativity · 5 years ago
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A Promise Ten Years Old
Title: A Promise Ten Years Old Fandom: Game Of Thrones Ship: Braime Disclaimer: I don’t own, don’t sue
“Don’t forgo your promise. It is time.” Brienne read the raven delivered message over and over, hoping the message would alter or she would be able to find a different meaning in the words. It did no good. Promises, oaths, and vows were all things she took very seriously, she’d give her life willingly if it meant upholding one; which made the fact she was prepared to soon break one to the man she loved dearly; her father.
Brienne knew she was fortunate to have a father who saw his daughter as what she desired to be rather then what society imagined for her. He allowed her to train, he allowed her to leave home, he allowed her freedom. Though he had attempted three occasions to find her a match he never blamed her there failures. The fact did remain Brienne was his only child and the only one who could continue on the name; to Selwyn that was the most important thing. Brienne’s memories flash back to her goodbye walk to the vessel to take her to the Stormlands, away from Tarth and her father.
“I need you to be safe.” He had said to her.
“Of course.”
“It will not be the same without you my love.”
“I know.” She had not trusted herself to say more then two words at a time.
“Brienne I need you to make me a promise.” It was then she realized he had stopped walking, she retreated a few feet to return to his side.
“Yes father?” He took that opportunity to take a deep breath before locking his eyes deeply into her own. Brienne’s heart had begun to pound.
“You may leave, you may show all of Westeros the unstoppable force you are. In fact I want you to change the world.’ He paused once again before reaching to take ahold of her hands ‘But my love at some point when you are still of age I need you to marry produce an heir. Ten years should be enough time.” She stared at him in disbelief and feeling torn. Angry he was suggesting such a thing and understanding of why he’d make such a request.
“I promise.” It had been a promise she had intended to keep even though it felt like a knife in her chest.
Ten years and three months plus had went by. That promise was dead to her. No man would love her; not enough to marry. More then that being a wife and mother was not of an interest to her. And now being in the Kingsguard no matter her feelings upon either aspect Brienne couldn’t have them even if she wanted.
Father will understand. Everything comes to an end, even families. She keeps telling herself staring at the scroll. And it’s not enough he had never had the opportunity to marry once more and sire another child.
“He can’t have any more.” Brienne jerks around, hand on Oathkeeper as a reflux at the unexpected voice in the room.
“Your Grace.” She bows slightly at Bran.
“Your father is unable to have more children.” He repeats, she doesn’t want to know how he knew this or how he knew where her thoughts had been at.
“That happens sometimes.”
“Yes it does.” The Kings voice becomes softer and sadder for a moment and Brienne recalls the revelation Sansa had made about her brother.
“I’m sorry about...” She stops short unable and unwilling to say it; no matter what though he was already aware of her intentions of comfort and sympathy.
“You need to keep your promise to him.”
“I do not your Grace. My promise to you supersedes all others.”
“He has found you a match.” Great. Brienne rolls her eyes. No doubt this one would be the worst and most desperate suitors her father presented to her.
“I won’t be so quick to judgement Ser Brienne. You shall return to Tarth and either keep that promise or forsake it. I do think either way your father misses you?” Brienne sighs and nods.
“And I him.” Over ten years was far too long and the guilt of never having an opportunity to visit home always weighed at her heart. Even though it would end in breaking her father’s heart when she’d leave undoubtedly still unmarried. Brienne looks at the young king as he stares back almost clawing into her soul; the idea he already knew what was to happen and all decisions made always left her uneasy, more so when it involved herself. She stops herself from asking details. Had her father actually found a kind decent man who would allow her to live life as she wanted? She didn’t need green sight to answer that one.
“You will begin your journey tomorrow at day break. Ser Adrian will step in as Lord Commander while you are away.” “Aye good choice.”
“Yes.” With that the maneuvers his chair and leaves Brienne alone once more with the note.
If Pod insisted on his own to occupy Brienne on her journey or if Bran assigned him the task she could not say or did she asked, but she as always was grateful for his company; though she felt as if she was being rather inconsiderate and distant towards the young knight. Her mind these last few days had become a jumble of memories of home (good and bad) and anticipation of what or rather who was waiting for her. After a simple hmm, right, sure to everything Pod asked of her on the first day during the trip he had given up and simply enjoyed the ride towards a favorable destination and not towards some battle or seeking out someone whom didn’t want to be found. And the weather had been nothing short of a blessing.
“Ser...it’s beautiful.” Brienne turns slightly and gives a half smile watching Pod’s eyes go wide as he stares across the water at slowly approaching island. Apart of her knew all these islands looked similar, but this one, Tarth; shinned brighter and more beautiful then the rest. A tinge of pride not felt in years burned in her chest.
“It certainly is.” She then takes notice of a small gathering of people on the shoreline; nothing out of the ordinary Tarth after all did have a nice fishing industry with vessels and those in charge of said vessels coming in at all hours. What was unusual was the older man (Gods had he truly aged that much?) with pure white hair and simple beard standing slightly by himself staring at the boat; as if trying to stare at Brienne. Tears, a rare expression of emotion threatens to fall.
“Father.” She whispers. A feast that evening was held in her honor, something in which made Brienne quite uncomfortable with but her insistence that it be canceled or at least the cause of celebration altered fell on deaf ears. The worse part was hearing the generosity from those of her past who still remained on the island and thought prior to her departure she to be a vile, unintelligent, and ugly woman. Now it was almost a hero worship, she wasn’t worthy nor did she appreciate it. Still she forced a smile and answered questions in fewest words as possible. Her father’s smile allowed her to know he was taking great proud in this.
“The way they speak you’d think you killed the Night King, Daenerys, and Ja...’ Pod stops suddenly his eyes wide in horror. ‘I’m so sorry Ser! Too much drink I suppose?” Brienne puts her hand atop of his, smiling, a sad weak smile, but one nonetheless.
��It’s okay. Ser Jaime will always be apart of my history. I’d like to think some of my best parts. I mean he brought me to you. For that I’m incredibly grateful. I have made peace with his death. I have.” Podrick watches her for a moment trying to determine if she spoke the truth. When it came to things like this it took Brienne a long time (if at all) to reveal how she truly felt. Burying down, avoiding at all costs of anything emotional was her mindset. A fact Podrick accepted with little question. There was a peace in her eyes though. It was about time.
“Brienne my dear may we speak?’ Selwyn Tarth approaches the table meeting his daughter's eyes. ‘I hate to pull you away but I need my sleep soon.” There is a heaviness in his tone, she suspects her father had not stayed up this late in quite some time.
“Father we can talk in the morning.” She offers. He shakes his head.
“Now would be best.” He turns and walks away. With a nod to Podrick Brienne turns and follows her father out the hall, down the corridor, into one of the studies. Memories flash back to lessons and angry tutors who never had the patience to help a little girl who struggled time to time with the material.
“I know you are angry with me.’ She goes to protest but stops when he places a finger in her face. A gesture if almost anyone else she would bend it so far back it surely would have snapped. Instead she just stares at it, then focuses on his face; she can not recall a time in which he appeared this serious. 'As I said I am not a fool Brienne. You are furious at me for making you return to this shitty pla..."
"Father. I do not find Tarth shitty. I do not regret returning to visit. I wish I had done it far sooner." She stresses every word in hopes he would believe the sincerity she is telling him; his expression does not indicate either way.
"Be that as it may; besides that you are angry I have made you withhold your promise. Perhaps you were hoping I'd pass before that day came?" Selwyn spoke the second half softer, not so soft that Brienne couldn't hear. She selects not to acknowledge it. Because in her heart the thought had past her mind time to time.
"I'm not angry father. I do understand your reasonings. But father this life of being a highborn lady, producing children just for the sake of continuing on a family is..."
"Do you think that's all you are to me? To your mother?"
"Pardon?"
"Do you think we only had our children simply to carry on our name? That we did not love you? And when your brother and sisters died we grieved not one tear?" His words felt a slap to Brienne.
"Forgive me father. That is not what I meant. Having a family is a beautiful and a blessing. I acknowledge that is. And for a time I thought it was a life for me but alas the Seven did not have that path craved out for me." Selwyn reaches over and gently caresses his daughter's cheek. She really missed his touch.
"I want you to be happy."
"I am happy." A quiet fills the room as he takes a few steps from her until he is looking out the window, only able to see his reflection in the dark. Brienne begins to surmise the conversation has come to a completion and is about to call out a farewell.
"You spoke highly of him in your letters." Her heart surprises her by starting to pound. There was only one him in which she discussed with her father; at least in any way which would be interpreted as highly. She kept certain feelings and details to herself though.
"Yes. Ser Jaime was a good man. I'm honored to have known him."
"I suspect if he were alive still your feelings on this subject would be vastly different?" Her skin grows red with angry. How dare he ask that?!
"Ser Jaime and I were friends. Nothing more." The memories of that month with him in Winterfell race through her memories, the good, the amazing, and one of the worst in her life. Her father would not know of any of this; he actually seemed to respect the deceased Lannister there was no need to alter that.
"Right..." There is a hint of something in his words that Brienne can't read, nor can she fully see his face to decipher his face.
"Father it is getting late and after that bounding of food I'm rea..."
"A few months ago. Four to be exact a solider appeared on the island. Not that uncommon as you know, they get lost, need a break from whatever assignment they are on, and we allow them that relaxation for a few days and then they are on their way again.' Brienne nods, Tarth seemed for many a perfect place to vacation, but few cared to call it home. 'This man was different though. After the usual amount of time in which others would depart he still remained. He spoke of fighting in both the battle with the Night King; I still don't fully understand all that..."
"I don't either, Father. And I was there." She tells him with a soft smile.
"And for that I'm grateful. He also shared the fact he was present for the turmoil in which took place at Kings Landing. Never giving much details on either; his scars speak enough though."
"Understandable."
"Being the Evenstar I like to know my people, make them feel at peace."
"You have always been quite at that." She suspects that would be something she'd fail at it and end up turning people away by her lack of true social graces.
"Thank you my dear. I quickly stuck up a friendship of sorts with this solider."
"That's kind of you father." Her mind is quickly beginning to suspect where this conversation is slowly leading to.
"He is a very kind and decent solider. Good looking too."
"Father..." There it was. Bran had said her father had found her match, but it wasn't until this moment the prophecy arose into reality.
"Of good standing too." Selwyn ignores his daughter's protest.
"I'm sure he is as wonderful as you say. But father I'm not..."
"I told him about you. Your grand adventures. How you were the first female to become a knight. Have you told you how immensely proud that made me?"
"Yes you have. I know this is hard for you..."
"He loved hearing those stories, holding onto my every word. At first I assumed he was being polite and listening to an old man ramble on. It was more then that Brienne. He really seems to care for you."
"I'm sure he does. You likely told him I was the most beautiful woman in all the Six Kingdoms plus the North. And not only that but if got me he'd get all this!" She gestures dramatically around her.
"So what if I did? I like him. I have a feeling about him."
"You're a fool." It was a rare occurrence in which she would speak in such a frank fashion to him.
"I am only thinking of what is best for you!"
"No, you're thinking of what is best for Tarth!" She is nearly shouting refusing to swallow down her emotions for one more second.
"Brienne I promise that is not the case. I do love you. And I only want you happy. Anything that occurs will be a bonus from the Seven. Which is why when he asked me for his bles..."
"Wait? What?!"
"What?"
"He was the one whom brought up marrying me?" Brienne tries not to laugh.
"Yes he did. He sai..."
"You really are a fool father. He is taking advantage of you. Of all of us." Selwyn has stepped away from the window and back within arm reach of his daughter. The look he is giving shudders her more then any wight ever had; for a second she is certain he is about to slap her.
"Be that has it may I agreed and made me that promise before you left. I damn well expect you to keep it!" It might as well have been slap. Before she can respond he quickly departed the study in a fit of anger.
The next morning after a fairly unsatisfactory amount of sleep Brienne finds Pod having breakfast with a group who seemed to be near his own age. Laughing and having a joyful time; it seized for the knight when he spots his dear friend and quickly departs from their table.
"You did not need to leave on my account Pod."
"I am aware, I wanted to. Is everything good?" The corners of her mouth turn up. Dear Podrick was always way too pure and kind for this world.
"I honestly can not say. The conversation I had with my father...it was a draining one that is for sure."
"Is it true? About...?" Brienne nods.
"Yes he has apparently found the ideal man. Though I'm not sure if he's ideal for myself or for him."
"I don't follow Ser..." She chuckles. Before providing to him an edited variation the previous nights events. Watching Pod's face change and alter the longer she spoke was entertaining.
"Wow."
"Yeah. You're telling me. Oh Podrick what am I supposed to do?" He shrugs, seemingly deep in thought.
"Perhaps and hear me out...perhaps your father is right and this solider is a decent man deserving of you?" Brienne rolls her eyes.
"That's not possible. Things like that don't happen for anyone. Especially not for me!" She feels a tinge of guilt for snapping at him. He doesn't seem to notice or care.
"You weren't suppose to become a knight. You weren't suppose to become a lead commander of the Kingsguard. Yet you did. So why not this too?" Tears fill her vision and rather risk him seeing them she quickly departs, nearly running from the hall. She finds herself in the gardens, near the training yard where she seemed hours with father. No one wanted to train a girl in the art and the few in which had tired of the task quickly; telling father she was far too aggressive. Even now Brienne did not comprehend how that was something to be thought as negative.
She takes a seat on a stone bench, the same one in which she had the foggiest memories of her mother braiding her hair; at times she wonders if every memory of her mom is simply a dream breaking into the real world. Her mother was a topic she hardly approached even within the silence in her heart. There was no point in holding onto the past and those of it. She had a chest of dead written on that heart that forged her until the person she is. Still despite herself times like this in this place Brienne wishes she had more time with her. Wonders how different life for all of them would be different if she hadn't caught that fever; would she side with father on this? Or would she understand her daughter to be destined for another life?
"Brienne?" Her head snaps up to her father, thrown by the fact she failed to hear him approach.
"Father?" She tries not to come across as annoyed or even pissed, she is aware it was a failure.
"I wanted to apologize for my behavior last evening. My temper at times gets the best of me."
"Of that I can sympathize with. I too took things too far. And I am sorry." The anger dispates as she smiles at him.
"I was wrong to say you had to marry. I do have your best intentions at heart though."
"I know you do. And I wish I could be that daughter who would throw herself around your neck and praise you for hours for finding her a match. But..."
"But it's not you. I always knew that to be true. Still apart of me hoped..."
"I do love you father."
"And I love you Brienne.' He takes a deep breath as he takes a seat beside her. 'Could you do me a favor though?" A hundred if not more things collect in her mind of trying to figure out what favor he possibly could be preparing to ask.
"Yes, I suppose."
"Can you at least meet him?" Her eyes clinch shut. That had been one of things she imagined he'd say.
"I don't know father. It almost seems a shame to ruin the fantasy he has of me with the actual hideous monster I am."
"Brienne! You know I absolutely hate when you speak like that!"
"You're right. I'm sorry. Really though I don't know if I should."
"You should because it's the polite and decent thing to do. I am releasing you from your promise so don't worry about that. Still he deserves the pleasure of meeting you. My beautiful and amazing daughter." For the second time that morning tears attempt to cascade down.
"Fair enough father. Let him know when he has a..."
"He is waiting in the study for you." Selwyn interrupts her.
"Oh. Well I suppose I should not leave him waiting.' She stands up pulling down at her tunic. 'Are you not coming father?" He shakes his head.
"No, I have already meet him." Brienne smirks at his playful quip. Without anything further she departs, in fear if she didn't she would never move. The thought occurs to turn the opposite direction once inside to find Podrick and race to the next vessel leaving for the mainland. She would never forgive herself though.
The door is slightly a jar as she steps in, past the part where she stood just hours ago. She surveys the surroundings, eye brows crinkled in confusion; there was no one here but herself. Had father misunderstood where this solider was to meet her? Had he spied her at some point since her arrival and ...
"Ser Brienne." The voice. That voice was a ghost straight from the deepest chest in her heart. She turns slowly almost as if a force outside of her control is doing the moving for her. A gasp escapes as her knees stumble. He rushes to her side. A ghost. Surely this was ghost.
"Jaime?" It now feels foreign on her tongue.
"Yeah. Hi." Brienne reaches out and touches his face, for being a ghost he was warm and of flesh.
"I don't understand. You're dead." That was a statement of fact in her mind and nothing else.
"I'm sure it may come as a disappointment to many but I am very much alive."
"No. Tyrion saw you. You and Cersei."
"He saw her but not me. For the fragile peace to take place and more importantly stay that way the Kingdoms needed to believe me to have died as well. Look I really don't understand it; just when Bran says something you listen." She shakes her head, scrambling to her feet, with a helping hand from him.
"Bran. Yeah..."
"Gods Brienne I've missed you! These last ten months have been torture for me!" Jaime leans in for a kiss, she jerks away.
"No. No, you don't get to do that! You think I have forgotten or forgive you?!" She pushes him away.
"I'm so sorry. That single handily was the hardest thing I ever done! Do you not think I don't play that morning in my head over and over? That I don't wish I could've told you everything?!"
"Why didn't you?" Her words are soft.
"Because I couldn't lose you.' She looks up at him 'Bran told me if you knew the truth of I was heading for Cersei to in fact not save her, but kill her you'd insist as the noble knight you are to ride along side me. And...you would not have survived. Of that I could not bear." Jaime now as tears watering his face.
"Jaime..." So many things to still question, explanations wanting to be seemed out. Instead all she wanted to do was hold him and be held by him. She steps towards and engulf her arms around him as he follows suit and what feels like hours they just hold each other and cry.
"Oh by the way.' Jaime begins as he pulls away. 'I meant what I said."
"Said about what?"
"When I told the Evenstar I was interested in marrying his daughter." She had almost forgotten about that.
"Did he know who are you?" He nods with a grin.
"I mean come on not many knights are out there missing a hand! Plus your father is a smart man. I made him promise not reveal the truth. But what do you say Brienne Of Tarth will do you me the pleasure of allowing me to be your husband?"
"I never wanted to marry, not since I was a young girl. I never wanted to have children...' His face looks crestfallen and Brienne smiles 'that's until I meet you. Well not when I first meet you..." Jaime bursts out with laughter.
"Understandable. Now though?"
"Gods of course a million times yes." At last their lips meet again and joy she thought destroyed engulfs her.
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The Dragon and the Wolf / S7E7
So, 1 major death, 2 betrayals, and one Jon just cannot win no matter what.  OH… and boat incest. All previous predictions have come to fruition ;)
So, the show opens on King’s Landing the Unsullied forces lined up as a show of how powerful the army is. Jamie and Bronn preparing for defense if needed but both know they are out-numbered… but wait here comes the Dothraki horde ok now severely outnumbered. Jamie and Bronn take a moment to admire the massive army :p . but wait there’s more… here comes the fleet.
Tyrion, Jon and company arrive at King’s Landing sans Danni where they are greeted by Bronn, some soldiers and Brienne and Pod. Tyrion and Pod have a nice exchange between them as does Bronn and Tyrion. Brienne and the Hound talk and discuss Arya “the only person needing protecting is the one who gets in her way” Stark. The Company enters the Dragon pits as does Cersei and her entourage including Euron. Everyone notes Danni is not present. Suddenly Danni arrives on Drogon with Raegon behind making a more magnificent entrance than Cersei and showing the last part of her might. The Hound comes face to face with the Mountain but no Cleagan bowl last night =\
Euron proceeds to berate Theon and everyone pretty much tells him to sit down and shut up. A discussion ensues and Cersei is about to end the discussion and say there can be no peace when the Hound brings out the Wight which, like a trained dog, heads for Cersei. Anyone else realize that the whole thing with Cersei could have ended right there if they did not stop the wight? Anyway they pull him back on a chain and the Hound proceeds to chop him up until Jon sets fire to one piece and kills it with Dragon glass showing the only 2 ways to kill them. Euron turns tail and heads back to Pyke since the undead can’t swim. Cersei agrees but only if Jon returns to the North stays there and has the North not take sides in the war between Cersei and Danni, her reason being Starks are men of their words and will not break that pact. Being a man of his words Jon refuses as he already bent the knee to Danni. Cersei leaves and says there will be no peace.
Poor Jon can’t win, everyone beating him up for not being able to tell a lie and after all the “Bend the Knee” from Danni she chooses now to say why did you not agree and break your oath to me? He just can’t catch a break, she wants him to bend the knee, he bends the knee, he maintains that, and why didn’t you unbend the knee. Anyway, Tyrion goes like a lamb to slaughter to try to reason with Cersei. A lot of back and forth on how he destroyed their family and was looking like maybe she might give the order to kill him. He calls her on being pregnant and they finally come to an agreement, which including Tyrion living to see another day.
Cersei returns to the dragon pit and agrees to join forces and send armies to the north to assist. Has all her banners called to King’s Landing and they all part ways. Theon and Jon have a nice conversation remembering when they were young and Theon departs to save his sister.
Meanwhile back in Wintefell Sansa speaks with Little Finger about Arya and he continues to try to mess with her head and continue to make her doubt Arya and possibly kill her proving his real intents to Sansa.
We then come across Bran who is taking a break from spying on people and and Sam walks in They have a discussion and Bran reveals Jon is the Bastard of Rhaegar and Lyanna. Sam points out Jon is not a bastard but a legitimate Targaryen, so Bran goes off to the tree network to see for himself and sees their marriage, a bit put off that Rhaegar was the spitting image of Viserys after all the books always depicted him different and yet he looks like that whack-a-doo. While Bran watches the marriage, Jon and Aunt Danni get it on. While Tyrion stands outside the door… creepy? Bran comes back from tree life and reveals Jon is Aegon Targaryen and the legitimate heir to the throne.
We move on and find Theon on the beach with the Iron Born, then fights their leader and looked pretty much beat when the leader tried repeatedly to kick him in the one place you can’t hurt him. Theon gains the upper hand and wins… off he goes with Iron Born in tow to save Yara. I’m sure she will be happy to see him… not.
Back in King’s Landing Cersei betrays the pact and reveals she has no intent to send armies she will fight the winners of the battle instead, she also reveals Euron did not run but instead went to hire the gold company. Jamie is honor bound to go North and tries to get her to be reasonable looks like the Mountain might kill Jamie, order not given. Jamie leaves Cersei FINALLY. And Winter finally comes to King’s Landing.
Back in Winterfell Sansa with Bran besides her calls a trial in the main hall and summons Arya (important thing to notice here Arya has the dagger again). She proceeds to levy charges or murder, deception and betrayals but not on Arya on Little Finger. Little Finger over played his hand and is being called on it. He tries to use his deceptions to get out of it then claims you cannot prove any of that. Cue the 3 Eyed Raven I see all I know all and you once told my father not to trust you as you betrayed him. Baelish ends up crying and pleading for his life turns to the commander of the Vale who wants no part of him. Sentence is death and Arya with nothing more than a flick of her wrist cuts his throat.
We then get a nice sisterly love moment where they show mutual admiration for each other’s accomplishments and quote Ned, “when winter comes the lone wolf dies but the pack survives” the Starks are a wolf pack not lone wolves.
Back to Bran at the super white Weirwood tree needing to spy on the Night’s King… which takes us to Eastwatch
Here comes the Night’s King and his army sporting a shiny new… ok a bit ragged White walker Dragon… or ice Dragon which breathes either blue flame (extreme heat think propane) or ice so cold it burns. Undead Viserion proceeds to blast the wall and take the wall down while people flee for their lives. The wall comes down and now Winter is coming south. We do not know who died or lived at Eastwatch we saw Beric and Tormund there. Last we saw them they were running for their lives we never saw either dead or dying.
Predictions for Season 8 (not spoilers since nothing was leaked)
Jon… sorry, Aegon ...will get Danni pregnant yes she was cursed but few things here. They made far too many mentions of her not being able to have children this season and last mention of it was Jon saying who told you that? Are you sure she wasn’t just saying it? Too much foreshadowing about this.
The Night’s King will be defeated – I mean come on the story is the Song of Ice and Fire (Jon) not the story of the undead King. Last season Jon has to win.
Jon will become King as the rightful heir. Danni will marry Jon and be queen, before anybody hits on the “but she is his aunt”... Targaryens historically interbred to keep the Dragon bloodline pure so very likely to happen. And not like there is no precedent for it in the show with Cersei and Jamie.
Dragons will be killed at least 2 of the 3 will die. Viserion will die a second time for sure no way to win as long as he is alive, but I think he will take one of the others with him.
Sansa will be Queen of the North and Warden of the North. Jon can no longer fulfill this job as he is not a Stark. Since her marriage was never annulled she will have her husband Tyrion at her side :p
Bran will continue to mess up the world and eventually become the Night’s King.
Sam and Gilly will marry and Sam will be restored as Lord of Hornwood and head of the Tarly family
Arya and Gendry will be re-united and likely marry Gendry will be legitimized and become the heir to Storms End.
Jamie will be killed in battle and Arya will snag his face before he rises as a wight.
Arya in Jamie face will head south and kill Cersei.
The Hound will be killed and raised as a Wight and we will have Cleagan Bowl undead vs. undead winner takes umm death?
OK I painted a fairly happily ever after story there… this was written by George RR Martin notorious for killing off your favorite characters so likely most will die, including Danni, and Jon will have a bitter sweet reign as King without her at his side. Then again, the original manuscript for the first book outlined this as a story of Jon, Tyrion, Danerys, Bran and Arya so the only ones who would have the best chances to survive to the end.
Next season only 6 episodes, however some are rumored to be up to 2 hours long. Filming starts in October. Release date has NOT yet been confirmed although the start of filming has been. Based on this season from start of filming to release was 11 months that would put us at next November for release, not 2019. However, there can be delays and filming 6 feature films might be tough to get done in that time frame. So it could be 2019 but we can be hopeful of Nov/oct 2018.
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