ofstones-blog1

[ofstones-blog1]

                              echoes   of   scattered   footsteps   sound   into   the   dark   ,   a   terrible   idea   for   meera   to   be   out   on   her   own   so   late   at   night   .   the   moon   beams   down   upon   king's   landing   ,   and   with   it   brings   exposure   .   after   all   ,   people   are   far   more   frightening   than   any   lore   sung   by   wet   nurses   to   put   children   to   bed   .   once   in   lys   ,   a   lady   embellished   RED   from   head   to   toe   had   told   her   that   the   night   is   dark   &   full   of   terrors   .   with   her   hands   desperately   grasping   onto   loose   scrolls   ,   mind   preoccupied   ,   she   is   caught   by   surprise   when   a   dark   figure   turns   the   corner   too   fast   for   her   peripheral   ,   a   s c r e a m   bubbling   in   her   throat   .   IS   IT   A   GHOST   ?

001   .   OFTARGARYENS   !

[ofstones-blog1]

                             in   no   way   does   meera   wish   to   offend   the   lady   of   winterfell   ,   but   perhaps   now   may   not   the   ideal   time   to   be   near   a   stark   amidst   CHAOS   .   as   much   as   politics   bore   her   to   death   ,   this   much   she   knows   .   anxiety   paints   her   face   .    ❛     uh   . . .   fun   ceremony   ,   was   it   not   ?   u - until   the   end   ,   of   course   .     ❜    oh   c r a p   .   the   last   thing   she   wants   to   bring   afresh   is   how   lord   umber   opened   his   big   fat   mouth   and   ruined   everything   .

001   .   WINTCRSONG   !

[ofstones-blog1]

                              it   is   rare   ,   very   RARE   ,   for   a   handmaiden   to   loiter   in   princess   elia's   substitute   chambers   (   more   or   less   ,   it   looks   like   a   shack   in   comparison   to   the   one   back   in   dorne   )   without   asking   permission   first   ,   but   after   all   of   the   commotion   that   took   broke   loose   during   the   celebration   ,   an   ambience   of   restlessness   looms   over   frail   shoulders   ,   and   she   seeks   a   familiar   face   to   keep   her   horrid   thoughts   grounded   .    ❛     ——   princess   ?     ❜    she   calls   softly   ,   awaiting   the   same   kind   voice   she   loves   so   dearly   .   no   response   .   all   that   greets   her   is   an   empty   bed   &   a   b e a u t i f u l   dress   sprawled   across   satin   sheets   .   meera   ,   as   curious   as   one   can   be   ,   steps   further   into   the   room   and   picks   the   dress   up   delicately   .   opposite   of   her   stands   a   mirror   with   a   freshly   polished   metal   surface   ,   reflecting   a   blurred   image   of   a   girl   who   once   dreamed   of   wearing   something   so   EXTRAVAGANT   .   she   presses   the   dress   to   her   figure   and   sticks   her   chest   out   proudly   ,   lips   pouted   .    ❛     my   name   is   elia   of   the   house   martell   ,   ruling   princess   of   dorne   ,   mother   of   benevolence   .   UNBOWED   ,   UNBENT   ,   UNBROKEN   !     ❜

001   .   SUNSRULE   !

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    CRESSIDA   GRAFTON.

        FOR A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT, Cressida believes she’s dreaming because those wide, brown eyes that meet hers are achingly familiar. She digs her nails into her palms, draws blood. This isn’t a dream. Meera’s … HERE. In Westeros. Flesh and blood and more beautiful than in Cressida’s memories. How long has Cressida thought of this moment? How many words has she dreamt of saying if they met again? Yet now, her tongue lies flat, thick in her mouth as if she’s afraid the barbs she’s grown in the years that’ve past will scare Meera away. A noblewoman passes, scrutinizes as her skirts brush against theirs’. Cressida glares at the woman before she quickens on her way.  ❛ Please— ❜  Too many eyes are watching, wandering. Cressida doesn’t want to share this moment with anyone.  ❛ Follow me? ❜  It’s spoken like a command, sounds like a question; choked full of need and longing because Cressida—gods, she’s MISSED her. 

                              fury   boils   within   like   never   before   .   tenderness   disappears   from   soft   features   ,   quickly   replaced   by   a   fire   that   burned   long   ,   long   ago   .   she   learned   to   control   it   as   a   young   girl   ,   keeping   it   dim   underneath   the   surface   where   no   one   can   see   ,   but   cressida   had   always   accepted   her   flaws   with   not   a   single   complaint   .    ❛     NO   .     ❜    meera   raises   a   quivering   hand   to   silence   her   friend   ,   if   they   are   even   that   .   they   both   have   grown   so   much   —   does   she   even   k n o w   her   anymore   ?   cressida   feels   like   a   stranger   in   her   eyes   .    ❛     leave   me   alone   .   you   are   as   DEAD   to   me   as   my   mother   .     ❜

[ofstones-blog1]

like   this   post   for   a   starter   yall   !!

[ofstones-blog1]

tbh   life   has   been   pretty   hectic   recently   &   my   mental   health   is   so   so   important   to   me   !   pls   bare   w   me   while   i   get   myself   back   on   track   .   i   have   replies   still   in   my   drafts   that   i   will   definitely   try   to   work   on   this   weekend   .

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    NIKOLAI   HIGHTOWER.

        HE WOULD NEVER DARE ADMIT how his heart feels like it nearly stops when she reaches out for him. her touch is soft but electricity must spark from her fingertips; there is no other way to explain how the touch almost burns but in the most pleasant way possible.          “ that sounds like any excellent idea. ”          away from wandering eyes that, while he does his best to ignore them, prevents them from speaking openly. he has never enjoyed the rigid propriety of court, but in moments like these his distaste for them is tenfold. what does rank matter when it comes to the heart? it is the person beside him that makes his heart race; that should be enough.          “ lead the way, my lady. ”

                             ❛     if   it   pleases   you   ,     ❜    smile   never   feigning   ,   meera   pulls   him   from   the   garden   ,   away   from   people   that   wish   them   nothing   but   fail   ,   and   into   an   emptied   hallway   where   festivities   cannot   reach   .   she   is   almost   afraid   to   let   go   of   his   arm   at   first   ;   he   was   made   for   her   touch   .    ❛     there   ,   that   is   more   like   it   !     ❜    a   heartbeat   ,   a   flutter   ,   a   brush   .   perhaps   it   is   impulsive   on   her   part   ,   his   too   ,   to   engage   in   such   secrecy   ,   however   it   FEELS   right   .   he   feels   right   .    ❛     we   are   alone   at   last   .     ❜    she   presses   her   back   against   the   cold   wall   and   faces   him   with   doe   eyes   ,   waiting   for   his   next   move   .

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    NIKOLAI   HIGHTOWER.

        “ YOUR WORDS ARE A KNIFE to me! how ever will i survive?! ”          laughter falls from him lips. it is true that nikolai has been in the company of many noble woman in his life, but even the memory of them pale when he looks upon or so much as thinks of meera. and lately thoughts of her seems to be all that fill his head. he looks for her whenever there is a moment to spare, hoping to catch even a glance of her. the pull is a foreign one but he does not dislike it as long as it pulls him to her. leaning closer, he mimics her whispers,          “ but if i am so drunk then you mustn’t leave my side. we wouldn’t want a drunk lord wandering about the keep alone, now would we? ”          he his wits are about him, let no one doubt that, but any excuse he has to remain in her company he shall take. when she is at his side the rest of world fades into the background; there is only her and the feeling she awakes within him.

                              ❛     well   ,   that   does   not   sound   like   a   very   wise   idea   ,   my   lord   ,     ❜    she   teases   ,   words   light   as   a   feather   .   without   a   second   thought   ,   meera   slides   her   hands   around   his   arm   in   a   moment   of   weakness   ,   burning   skin   touching   .   perhaps   it   is   SHE   who   is   intoxicated   ,   though   not   on   wine   ,   forgetting   about   the   plethora   of   eyes   possibly   watching   them   ,   stalking   their   every   move   ,   anticipating   for   the   theme   of   their   next   table   side   prattle   .   it   is   not   illegal   to   touch   a   lord   ,   as   long   as   it   remains   only   that   —   a   TOUCH   .    ❛     shall   we   find   someplace   more   . . .   private   ?     ❜

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    MARIELA   DAYNE.

“edric,” mariela hissed, reaching forward and pulling the little one back, — eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “we discussed this, no? we do not pull on others clothes. no matter how enticing the option.” she shook her head, pushing him gently in the direction of other children, sighing heavily. a moment passed before she turned towards that whom her son had interfered with: offering an apologetic look. “my apologies. he gets such inclinations from both his father and mother. i’ve… yet to break him of the habit. your garbs are not too ruined, are they?”

                              only   l i g h t   laughter   is   presented   to   the   woman   ,   head   shaking   to   assure   no   harm   has   been   done   .    ❛     children   are   curious   by   nature   ,   no   need   for   apologies   .     ❜    meera   smoothes   out   the   wrinkle   from   her   gown   and   offers   a   smile   .   nothing   brings   warmth   to   her   heart   more   than   a   BOND   between   a   mother   &   her   child   ;   she   dreams   of   a   future   where   she   has   one   of   her   own   someday   .    ❛     adorable   little   thing   ,   your   son   .   how   old   is   he   ,   if   i   may   ask   ?     ❜

[ofstones-blog1]

                              MEERA   HAD   BEEN   IN   LOVE   ONCE   ,   before   the   death   of   her   mother   &   the   ugly   hardships   that   followed   suit   quickly   after   ,   before   rich   men   defiled   her   ,   painted   her   (   b l a c k   )   ,   killed   the   shell   of   a   girl   she   used   to   be   .   she   had   been   in   love   ,   and   it   nearly   destroyed   her   .   after   all   of   these   years   ,   wounds   healed   and   thicker   skin   emerged   ,   but   oh   ,   the   pain   ?   it   remained   FRESH   ,   reminding   her   every   once   in   a   while   of   the   betrayal   committed   by   the   one   she   held   so   dearly   .   but   when   she   sees   HER   ,   sees   the   familiar   dark   hair   brushing   inches   from   where   she   stands   ,   an   overwhelming   sensation   washes   over   like   a   tide   crashing   against   a   small   ship   .   chestnut   eyes   go   wide   ,   heartbeat   feral   .    ❛     cre   ——   . . .     ❜    she   loses   her   voice   .

001   .   OFCRESSIDA   !

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    ISLA   SNOW.

           SOMETIMES SHE SURPRISED HERSELF ,       she , a whore , in kings landing , sure that was nothing special , there were many in the capital , but a whore attending the name day celebration for princess visenya , well , who would of thought she’d be here ? then again , she didn’t think she’d ever leave the north as a child but many years on , she was here . blues and golds draped almost perfect porcelain skin , a salacious smile perched across her lips as she played her part , she was a guest , but it was doubtful you could guess her occupation , after all , she wasn’t always a whore .     ‘     oh , forgive me , i seemed to have lost myself for a moment , please continue , i’d love to hear more .      ’

                               ❛     oh   ,   i   —   !     ❜    meera   hasn't   noticed   the   presence   of   the   lady   at   first   ,   her   mouth   running   laps   from   discomfort   ,   feeding   into   what   she   feared   the   most   about   traveling   to   king's   landing   where   bloodlines   remain   precious   &   critical   .   her   place   here   feels   mislaid   ,   and   she   is   HOMESICK   for   dorne   .    ❛     never   mind   that   .   i   was   only   r a m b l i n g   to   myself   ,   silly   me   !     ❜

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    NIKOLAI   HIGHTOWER.

        FREE HAND ROSE TO HIS chest as he feigned injury.          “ you wound me! do you truly think so lowly of me that you think i would jest about such an important matter? ”          how light he feels! the teasing words fall from his tongue effortlessly and his feet feel as if they barely touch the ground. she must be an enchantress sent to seize control of his very heart. the catch? he believed he would give it to her willingly if she asked. perhaps even if she didn’t. why, he would do anything to keep the smile on her face, to hear her melodic laughter, and to watch her blush, which only added to her beauty.          “ it is everyone else who suffers from poor eyesight if they question your beauty. ”

                               ❛     YOU   ARE   MAD   ,     ❜    svelte   fingers   tuck   strands   of   hair   behind   her   ears   ,   visage   not   foreign   to   modesty   that   often   takes   root   when   flattered   .   he   is   a   lord   —   surely   he   has   been   in   the   presence   of   beautiful   women   before   ,   from   princesses   to   ladies   in   waiting   ,   all   of   whom   would   be   a   perfectly   fitting   paramour   for   someone   highborn   .   meera   ,   on   the   other   hand   . . .   a   pretty   face   ?   perhaps   so   ,   pretty   enough   for   a   whore   at   the   very   least   .    ❛     no   more   W I N E   for   the   good   lord   ,   he   is   seeing   visions   !     ❜    hushed   whispers   dissimulates   into   a   giggle   .   it   is   sporadic   for   her   to   be   this   playful   ,   especially   during   dire   times   for   house   martell   ,   but   he   allows   certain   comfort   ,   and   she   forgets   that   they   are   not   alone   .

[ofstones-blog1]

Courtney Eaton in Newness (2017)

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    NIKOLAI   HIGHTOWER.

        THE FEELING SHE AWOKE WITHIN him was a foreign one. the mere sight of her made warmth flood through his veins and he could not erase the smile from his face even if he wanted to. her words made the warmth grow. to his eyes, she was the sun and all he could do was admire her light. he wanted to ask her to dance. someone as beautiful as her shouldn’t be hidden away on the outskirts of the party, but nikolai knew he couldn’t, not where everyone could see. a handmaiden and the lord of the reach? the sight would cause quite the scandal. instead, nikolai placed a hand on meera’s back and began to lead them away from the crowd.          “ you are a vision, meera. not even the queen herself rivals how beautiful you look. ”

                              this   feeling   is   like   no   other   .   he   speaks   ,   and   she   radiates   .   he   smiles   ,   and   she   melts   into   a   pool   of   nothing   .   he   must   know   ,   has   to   know   ,   the   effect   he   holds   over   her   .   a   cruel   twist   of   FATE   that   she   can   never   belong   to   him   ,   for   the   odds   are   against   them   both   ,   and   the   gods   have   made   their   decision   long   ago   .   it   can   only   be   a   childish   crush   ,   nothing   more   .    ❛     you   jest   !     ❜    laughter   bubbles   from   her   throat   ,   hair   falling   on   her   face   to   cover   rose   cheeks   .    ❛     best   hope   that   nobody   overhears   you   .   they   may   have   you   examined   for   POOR   EYESIGHT   !     ❜

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    LADY   MYRIAM.

            A FESTIVAL IS NO excuse for her to cease working. in fact , times like these are the most productive for ALL of her business ventures. men loosened their tongues & their belts around wine , and she was sure to reap the benefit of it.  it is for this reason that she does not shy away from the messenger boy that comes with a scroll in his hand , but merely ushers him away from the FRAY.  ❝ were you seen ? ❞ a small , emphatic shake of his head. she nods her approval before placing coin in his outstretched palm.  ❝ hurry home now.   ❞  she does not read the message in great length before tucking it in her bodice. away from PRYING EYES. she realizes too late that she isn’t so alone , but makes no real sign of distress. instead , she narrows her eyes. 

            ❝ surely your mother taught you that staring is poor manners. ❞

                              HER   MOTHER   HAD   TAUGHT   HER   A   FEW   THINGS   —   tears   of   lys   is   not   as   beautiful   as   it   sounds   ,   people   can   be   unkind   ,   life   will   never   be   just   &   fair   .   what   meera   did   not   learn   from   her   mother   was   how   to   grow   up   an   orphan   .   when   to   keep   her   mouth   shut   .   what   to   do   when   she   is   all   alone   without   a   place   to   call   home   .   no   ,   the   pleasure   house   had   taught   her   that   .    ❛     i   wasn't   !     ❜    she   squeaks   ,   clearly   shaken   from   deep   thought   .    ❛     at   least   ,   i   didn't   mean   to   !   i   saw   n o t h i n g   ,   lady   myriam   ,   swear   to   the   gods   old   and   new   !     ❜    except   she   did   .   another   thing   she   never   learned   (   how   to   LIE   )   .

[ofstones-blog1]

`   *    NIKOLAI   HIGHTOWER.

        NORMALLY AN EVENT SUCH AS this would capture nikolai’s full attention for even though the talk could be dull at least there was good wine and food. and sometimes dancing, which he often enjoyed. today, however, his attention was elsewhere. there was only one person he wanted to see and spend time with. eyes scanned the crowd, passing over familiar and unfamiliar faces until they found the one he was looking for. a smile pulled at the corners of his lips. there she was. he made his way through the crowd as quickly as possible without drawing too many eyes until he was at her side.          “ my lady, may i steal a moment of your time? ”          words were spoken quietly for her ears only.

                             ❛     OH   !     ❜    her   heart   reacts   to   his   voice   far   more   quickly   before   her   body   can   ,   and   she   finds   herself   swooning   .   silk   fabric   caresses   silhouette   ,   long   dark   locks   flowing   over   shoulders   .   today   is   a   CELEBRATION   ,   and   she   must   play   her   proposed   role   —   silent   as   a   mouse   ,   in   the   backdrop   .   never   did   she   expect   nikolai   hightower   to   spot   her   ,   of   all   people   ,   amidst   the   vast   crowd   of   kings   &   queens   .   alas   ,   how   beautiful   he   looked   !   adorned   from   head   to   toe   in   lavish   garment   .   meera   almost   feels   like   a   little   c h i l d   playing   dress   up   in   comparison   to   him   .    ❛     what   is   mine   is   yours   ,   my   lord   .     ❜    a   sly   smile   stretches   her   lips   .

[ofstones-blog1]

MEERA   VALAERIS   at   PRINCESS   VISENYA   TARGARYEN'S   FIRST   NAME   DAY   CELEBRATION.