#BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION

[robertmcknight2359]

Can you promote portable breast pumps on Instagram?

Hello friends, In today's world, sharing valuable parenting products online is a fantastic opportunity for many. I want to showcase the amazing benefits of using portable breast pumps, especially from the brand Momcozy, on social platforms like Instagram. If anyone has experience with promoting these products, I would love to hear your insights and tips! Thank you so much for your support.

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur Women's University Hosts Awareness Campaign for World Breastfeeding Week

Jamshedpur Women’s University’s Home Science Department organizes slogan and poster competitions for World Breastfeeding Week. Jamshedpur Women’s University, through its Home Science Department, launched an awareness campaign for World Breastfeeding Week, beginning with a slogan competition themed "Closing the Gap: Supporting Breastfeeding for All." JAMSHEDPUR – To mark World Breastfeeding Week,…

[relacto]

What food helps breast milk production? | Relacto

One of the biggest worries of a woman who has just given birth is her milk supply. So, to kickstart breastfeeding, it is recommended for a mother to start nursing as soon as she can after giving birth and to do it frequently for the baby to learn how to latch on properly.

[maaarine]

'We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine (Megan Twohey and Mike McIntire and Julie Tate, The New York Times, Dec 21 2024)

"Last summer, as the release of “It Ends With Us” approached, Justin Baldoni, the director and a star of the film, and Jamey Heath, the lead producer, hired a crisis public relations expert.

During shooting, Blake Lively, the co-star, had complained that the men had repeatedly violated physical boundaries and made sexual and other inappropriate comments to her.

Their studio, Wayfarer, agreed to provide a full-time intimacy coordinator, bring in an outside producer and put other safeguards on set.

In a side letter to Ms. Lively’s contract, signed by Mr. Heath, the studio also agreed not to retaliate against the actress.

But by August, the two men, who had positioned themselves as feminist allies in the #MeToo era, expressed fears that her allegations would become public and taint them, according to a legal complaint that she filed Friday.

It claims that their P.R. effort had an explicit goal: to harm Ms. Lively’s reputation instead.

Her filing includes excerpts from thousands of pages of text messages and emails that she obtained through a subpoena.

These and other documents were reviewed by The New York Times. (…)

Mr. Baldoni was best known for the CW satirical romantic dramedy “Jane the Virgin.”

Wayfarer provided the resources for bigger ambitions. It was bankrolled by the billionaire Steve Sarowitz, who is co-chair of the studio with Mr. Baldoni.

They and Mr. Heath, the chief executive, are all deeply involved with the Baha’i religious organization, which promotes unity, peace and gender equality.

Mr. Baldoni has presented himself as an ally to women, writing books, co-hosting a podcast with Mr. Heath and giving talks on toxic masculinity. (…)

She claimed Mr. Baldoni had improvised unwanted kissing and discussed his sex life, including encounters in which he said he may not have received consent.

Mr. Heath had shown her a video of his wife naked, she said, and he had watched Ms. Lively in her trailer when she was topless and having body makeup removed, despite her asking him to look away.

She said that both men repeatedly entered her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including when she was breastfeeding. (…)

As the film release neared, Ms. Lively and other cast members informed Sony and Wayfarer that they would not do any appearances alongside Mr. Baldoni.

So did Ms. Hoover, the author, who had her own dissatisfactions with him and had become more upset after he told her about Ms. Lively’s allegations, according to text messages from Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath.

By the first week of August, Wayfarer and Mr. Baldoni had retained Ms. Nathan, who had worked with high-profile clients including Mr. Depp, whose ex-wife, Amber Heard, accused him of physical abuse. (…)

Three days later, Mr. Baldoni texted Ms. Abel, flagging a social media thread that accused another celebrity of bullying behavior and had generated 19 million views. “This is what we would need,” he wrote.

Ms. Nathan soon floated proposals to hire contractors to dominate social media through “full social account take downs,” by starting “threads of theories” and generally working to “change narrative.”

“All of this will be most importantly untraceable,” she wrote. (…)

When Ms. Abel wrote to her Aug. 4 that “I’m having reckless thoughts of wanting to plant pieces this week of how horrible Blake is to work with. Just to get ahead of it,” Ms. Nathan replied that she had spoken off the record to an editor at The Daily Mail.

“She’s ready when we are,” Ms. Nathan wrote.

A flurry of articles followed the Hollywood Reporter piece. Many made it seem as if the only rift was over creative control.

Some journalists had gotten wind of complaints about Mr. Baldoni’s behavior, but none of the most serious ones were published.

“He doesn’t realise how lucky he is right now,” Ms. Nathan texted Ms. Abel. (…)

It is unclear exactly how Mr. Wallace operated.

There are references in emails to “social manipulation” and “proactive fan posting,” and text messages cite efforts to “boost” and “amplify” online content that was favorable to Mr. Baldoni or critical of Ms. Lively.

“We are crushing it on Reddit,” Mr. Wallace told Ms. Nathan, according to a text she sent Ms. Abel on Aug. 9.

The next day, one of Ms. Nathan’s employees texted, “We’ve started to see shift on social, due largely to Jed and his team’s efforts to shift the narrative.”

Ms. Nathan wrote to Ms. Abel: “And socials are really really ramping up. In his favour, she must be furious. It’s actually sad because it just shows you have people really want to hate on women.” (…)

On Aug. 16, Ms. Nathan shared the Daily Mail article headlined “Is Blake Lively set to be CANCELLED?” with references to ‘hard to watch’ videos and a ‘tone deaf’ promotional Q. and A.

“Wow. You really outdid yourself with this piece,” Ms. Abel responded.

“That’s why you hired me right?” Ms. Nathan replied. “I’m the best.”"

[djarinsyndulla]

I really wish you all would let the “Blake Lively promoted that movie terribly” talking point go already considering we know Blake Lively was made a REAL LIFE victim due to the production and filming of this movie. Justin Baldoni and his buddy Heath repeatedly violated Blake’s space and entered her trailer while she was nude and/or breastfeeding, they showed nude photos of their spouses to Blake and other cast members, they repeatedly brought up their pornography addictions, they allowed their friends not associated with the movie on set during nude scenes with Blake, Justin and Heath pressured Blake to film the birth scene nude and the guy Justin got to play the OBGYN was just his friend, the studio didn’t have COVID insurance so they kept a covid exposure a secret which resulted in Blake AND her infant getting covid, Baldoni repeatedly would tell Blake he talks to her dead father, and Baldoni straight up admitted to Blake there’s been times he didn’t ask for consent and wouldn’t listen to his sexual partners who told him “no”.

This isn’t even close to being all the things mentioned in that sexual harassment and retaliation complaint and I didn’t even get into how the studio specifically told the cast to promote the movie the way Blake did, but people are still stuck on how this stupid movie was promoted. Y’all care more about a fictional story than an actual real victim like that’s crazy.

[jymwahuwu]

I just learnt what a nursing mother eats affects the taste and color of the breast milk they produce. My brain went into the galaxy upon learning this and my immediate thought was; what hsr men would give their wives what to eat so her milk would taste different.

My take: Jing Yuan would make his wife eat strawberries so the milk will be pinkish and taste like strawberry.

😹Your first reaction is so true lmao I searched for related keywords and found out that it is true- this really brings brainrot. (combined with the description i found in the game lol. i said wanted to write it before but just didn’t have the inspiration)

According to the Lifitide magazine, General Jing Yuan has to drink a large bowl of freshly squeezed puffergoat milk every morning. The Seat of Divine Foresight has denied this report.

CW: pregnancy, lactation kink

Jing Yuan pays attention to the wife!! You are now taking care of the baby and breastfeeding the baby at home. After hearing this from the doctor, some 💡✨💫 thoughts immediately came to his mind. The General has rearranged your daily meal menu, of course there is still a need for nutritious meals, but why not add some sweet and delicious food? For example, peaches, strawberries, mangoes!! The baby has had enough to drink, and appropriate sharing is normal, right?

Before starting work every day, Jing Yuan drinks the milk from your bud, and the milk can’t wait to flow into his throat. And you put the back of your hand on your lips, holding back your moans and blinking, enduring the surge of pleasure. He licked his lips- drinking some milk that was sweeter and thicker than ever really refreshed him.

One day, you went to the Seat of Divine Foresight to visit your husband and saw Qingzu sighing at the screen. You asked her what's going on, and she showed you the news. One of the recent rumor that general drinks puffergoat milk every morning. She muttered, wondering why people liked to create such gossip.

"Hmm…haha, maybe it's just business promotion. If General Jing Yuan drinks it, it will definitely be a good product."

You laughed a few times and stood uncomfortably, feeling the breasts on your chest swell and wet some fabrics.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive (Daily updates!)

Under 1s account for 64 per cent of all childhood hospital admissions with Covid, study finds

By Tom Bawden

Under 1s account for 64 per cent of all childhood hospital admissions with Covid, study finds

Covid is almost as bad for babies now as it was in the early days of the pandemic, while the risk of serious illness among all other age groups has sharply reduced over time, a study has found.

Researchers found that 6,300 babies less than a year old were admitted to hospital, either wholly or partially because of Covid, in the year to August 2023.

As such, infants accounted for 64 per cent of all child admissions for Covid for that year, according to the new study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

The study shows the rate of hospital admissions among infants has hardly changed as the pandemic has progressed, with a total of 19,790 under-ones admitted between August 2020 and August 2023 (an average of 6,596 a year) – representing 43 per cent of all child admissions over that time.

Meanwhile, during the period when Delta was the dominant variant, from May to December 2021, infants made up less than 30 per cent of children’s admissions.

Taken together, these figures show that while serious cases fell sharply among children aged one and older, they are little changed among the under-ones.

The continuing high rate of hospitalisations among babies is largely because babies are born with no immunity to Covid and weak immune systems more generally.

This is in contrast to many older children, who have built some immunity from Covid infections and vaccines.

Most infants are only in hospital for a short time – about two days – but about 5 per cent needed intensive care.

“The pandemic is as bad as it ever was for babies. Under-ones are the only age group where admissions have not gone down over time,” said Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London.

“As children over one year old gained some immunity from infection or were vaccinated (with vaccination mostly in teens), their risk of needing hospital fell. But this doesn’t help infants in their first encounter with the virus.”

She expects the picture among infants to have been “about the same” in the year to August 2024 as they were the previous year, “as we’ve continued to see waves of Covid and immunity in newborns remains low”.

This is the first study to show that UK Covid hospitalisations among babies have hardly fallen during the pandemic.

Although a vaccine has been developed for children aged six months to four years, these are only given to those who are clinically vulnerable.

As such, the best protection a baby can get is if the mother is vaccinated during pregnancy – ideally in the third trimester, scientists say.

The baby builds up some protection from the mother’s vaccination “in utero” and boosts this further after birth from breastfeeding, when antibodies are passed on through breast milk. The vaccine also reduces the risk of the mother catching Covid and passing it to her baby.

Professor Pagel points out that vaccine uptake in pregnancy is quite low, at about 40 per cent, and urges more pregnant women to get vaccinated.

“Not enough infants are being offering the protection of a vaccine – from six months – and the benefits of maternal vaccinations aren’t be promoted enough,” she said.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a vaccination during pregnancy reduced risk of hospitalisation for Covid among infants under the age of six by 61 per cent.

Analysis by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that Covid hospitalisations in babies under 6 months old are higher than any other age group apart from over-75s – although the difference is that hospital admissions among that age group have fallen sharply over the course of the pandemic, even if they are still higher than for babies.

Dr Simon Williams, lecturer at Swansea University, who was not involved in the research, said: “The findings of this new study are very concerning and help to debunk the myth that Covid is harmless in children. Although a majority of children will not be seriously ill from Covid, this study shows that in some cases it can be serious, and particularly in babies, who are vulnerable and with low immunity.”

Sheena Cruickshank, professor of public engagement and biomedical science at the University of Manchester, who was also not involved in the study, said: “Young babies are exceptionally vulnerable to Covid as their immune systems are still developing.

“This paper shows that even while older children are being hospitalised less, this is not the case for younger children. If mothers are able to breastfeed and have been vaccinated during their later pregnancy, then their maternal antibodies can protect the baby.”

“However, takeup of these vaccines has not been quite as good as it could be leaving a lot of mums and their babies vulnerable,” she said.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UK Health Security Agency, said: “The Covid vaccine for pregnant women is offered during a relatively short window during Autumn [October to December], so we advise them to take it up when it’s offered this year and not delay.

“This way the vaccine can protect more pregnant women and newborn babies, whatever stage of pregnancy they might be in and if they were to deliver prematurely.

“The Covid-19 vaccine is already offered to ‘babies over 6 months of age and children who have certain long-term conditions’, who are among those most at risk of severe illness.

“For other babies and children, Covid-19 will generally be a mild illness. Our surveillance shows that whilst infants under 6 months of age currently have the highest rates of hospitalisations, the number requiring intensive treatment remains relatively low.”

“As with all vaccination programmes, the JCVI keeps the Covid-19 vaccination programme under review and informed by best available evidence.”

Study: www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(24)00473-6/fulltext

[cowthrine]

I think it’s a good time to do the stereotypical about me pin I’ve seen everywhere.

Hello dears, it’s your favorite feeder mommy

If you don’t want to call me mommy you can call me Cat or Cathy

Some simple things are mostly what I feel my babies and pets should know

Obviously minors DNI this is an 18+ exclusive blog

Please don’t ask to be mine, not really what I’m looking for

This also means I won’t be your feeder

Not really an Roleplayer more of a roll player *ba dum tss*

Please ask before sending photos

Some kinks that you’ll find here:

Feedism

Mommy

Pet play

Weight gain

Hucow

Immobile

Occasional blueberry

And

Mentions of breastfeeding

Mommy’s inbox is always open to everyone, I want to foster my own little community of cuties, but I’m busy and may not always respond quickly, and though my inbox is open there are some things that will get you blocked such as

asking for money, this doesn’t need explanation

Trying to promote something to me, I don’t want to buy something don’t bother

General weirdness, I am a real person not a sex object

Begging for pictures, if I want to post them it will be public for all of my babies

Note: this post will be updated as I see fit, if it changes I may have added something

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur Club Hosts Breastfeeding Awareness Program

Inner Wheel Club educates women and girls on benefits of breastfeeding at Beldih gram basti Inner Wheel Club of Jamshedpur organized an awareness program on breastfeeding benefits for women and young girls at Beldih gram basti. JAMSHEDPUR – At Beldih gram basti, the Inner Wheel Club of Jamshedpur held a lactation Week awareness event to inform women and girls about the significance of…

[coochiequeens]

Another example of someone facing possible fines or even prison over expressing gender critical views, in this case questioning the impact of letting men on hormones "breastfeed" on the babies being fed the chemical cocktail.

By Reduxx Team December 6, 2024

A gender critical activist in Iceland is under police investigation for seven posts he made to Facebook and X in which he criticized male breastfeeding and teaching “gender diversity” to children. Eldur Kristinsson, who also stood candidate in the recent Icelandic elections, informed Reduxx that he was reported to police by a LGBT rights organization that has accused him of violating the country’s hate speech laws.

Kristinsson is the chairman of Samtökin 22, a gender critical organization that supports single-sex spaces and opposes the medical transitioning of children. In the recent Icelandic parliamentary elections, which took place on November 30, Kristinsson stood as a candidate in the centre-right Democratic Party for the Northwest constituency.

During the election cycle, RÚV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, ran an interview with the leader of the Democratic Party, Arnar Þór Jónsson. During the episode, the interviewer interrogated Jónsson on Kristinsson’s membership, and repeated an unsubstantiated claim that Kristinsson had once been removed from a school by police for making rude comments about a transgender person’s genitals and photographing pupils and staff. Speaking to Reduxx, Kristinsson noted that not only were the claims completely false, but that the state broadcaster had refused to issue an apology beyond affixing a small “correction” to their coverage.

In an effort to further prove RÚV‘s comments defamatory, Kristinsson went to his local police station to request a copy of his record to prove he’d never had any interactions with police beyond a 2001 speeding ticket. It was at this time he learned he was under investigation for hate speech.

Within 24 hours of visiting the police station, Kristinsson was told he would be required to submit to a criminal investigation surrounding social media posts he had made criticizing gender ideology. The investigation had been launched after Samtökin 78, a member organization of the International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association, had filed a formal complaint against him.

In total, seven of Kristinsson’s posts dating back to November of 2022 were under investigation. Kristinsson provided Reduxx with a copy of the complaint Samtökin 78 had filed, which listed the dates and text of the posts they believed violated Article 233 of the Icelandic Criminal Code.

Some of the comments made by Kristinsson that are currently under criminal investigation. Document translated to English from the original Icelandic by Reduxx.

Among them were a comment Kristinsson made about Pride Month, in which he wrote that corporations “alter their logos to appease all the little führers in the cult of validation and we will hear nothing else than trans, trans, trans, translesbians, girl dick this and that.”

In another comment, Kristinsson noted that some trans-identified males have autogynephilia – in which males are sexually aroused at the thought of themselves as women. Further posts include Kristinsson saying that “people who give birth to children are called women,” and suggesting that Samtökin 78 was “grooming 10-year-old kids in the 5th grade.” The group’s activities have included lecturing on “gender diversity” to children of that age in Iceland’s elementary schools.

Two of the seven posts which were reported to police involve Kristinsson condemning news outlets promoting trans-identified males who induced lactation for the purposes of “breastfeeding” children.

Two of the posts under investigation.

In their complaint to police, Samtökin 78 said that Kristinsson “actively participated in criminal hate propaganda against gay people because of their gender characteristics and/or gender identity,” and that he should be “charged and sentenced to punishment for that behavior according to the law.”

Because his comments were “serious, grossly hurtful and prejudicial,” the group claims that they “cannot be considered to add anything relevant to the social debate,” and therefore would not be protected under freedom of expression. If found guilty under Article 233 of Iceland’s hate speech laws, Kristinsson could face either a fine or up to two years in prison.

In a statement on the lawsuit given to Visir News, Bjarndís Helga Tómasdóttir of Samtökin 78 said the organization “will not sit by idly while individuals continue to perpetuate lies about queer people and trans people.”

Tómasdóttir continued: “He claimed in one comment that Samtökin 78 is grooming or seducing children. In other comments, he calls trans women pedophiles. We believe such comments are indefensible and simply endanger the safety of our staff, volunteers, and the entire queer community.” A second article published by Visir the following day claimed Kristinsson had a “long history of inflammatory remarks.”

Ironically, Samtökin 78 had previously come under fire after it was learned that one of its board members had been sexually harassing children.

As previously reported by Reduxx, Þórhildur Sara Sveinbjörnsdóttir, a trans-identified male who was chairman of the group’s Community Council, was forced to resign after allegations emerged that he had sexually harassed children online and raped a man with cognitive impairments.

According to the victim, Sveinbjörnsdóttir had asked him to come with him to the washroom, at which point Sveinbjörnsdóttir held him down and raped him orally and anally.

Sveinbjörnsdóttir was also accused of having inappropriate communications with children, with one young girl coming forward to allege that the man had sexually harassed her when she was just 13.

[fanficapologist]

Of Dragons and Maelstroms

Themes and Warnings: slow burn, enemies to lovers, blood, violence, explicit language, sexual violence, period-typical misogyny, sexual themes, smut, tension, marriage, jealousy, pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, attempted sexual assault, breastfeeding, major character death, divergent timelines

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the House of The Dragon/Fire & Blood/Game of Thrones characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used nor do I claim to own them.

Chapter Seventy-Six

In the late afternoon, just outside of Harrenhall, a small lavender field bloomed in all its glory. The air was infused with the delicate fragrance of lavender, carried by a gentle breeze that rustled through the rows of purple blooms. Bees buzzed lazily from flower to flower, collecting nectar as the sun cast a warm golden hue over the scene. The lavender plants stood tall and proud, their slender stems adorned with clusters of vibrant purple flowers that swayed gracefully in the breeze. Each bloom seemed to dance in the sunlight, their petals glistening with dewdrops from the morning's light rain.

As Maera walked with Ser Arryk through the flowers, the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the scene, illuminating the rows of purple blooms. With a basket in hand, they strolled leisurely along the fragrant pathways, surrounded by the soothing scent of lavender. Just an hour before, Maera had visited Maester Cain to check on her pregnancy, relieved to hear that all was progressing as it should. The Maester had assured her that the babe was growing steadily and that there were no signs of complications.

He had recommended using lavender oil for its soothing properties and to promote relaxation, which had led Maera to decide on a walk to the lavender field. Wandering among the flowers, Maera plucked a few stems of lavender, carefully placing them in her basket whilst chatting animatedly to her protector about the morning’s meeting.

"You should have seen her face," she chuckled to the knight, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not a single soul in the room supported her idea of sending me back to the capital."

Ser Arryk's smile mirrored Maera's joy as he listened to her recount the events. "Would it be too bold of me to suggest that the Prince has finally grown a pair?" he quipped sarcastically, his tone teasing.

Maera gasped in mock astonishment, playing along with the banter. "Why, yes, Ser, I do believe it would be," she replied with exaggerated surprise, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Then I shall refrain from saying it," Ser Arryk declared with a laugh, the sound echoing through the tranquil surroundings as the two shared a moment of lighthearted camaraderie.

As Maera bent down to pick another stem of lavender, she was interrupted by Ser Arryk's voice, his tone suddenly serious. "Princess," he uttered, his gaze fixed on something across the field.

Puzzled, Maera straightened up, her hand instinctively resting on her growing bump as she followed her protector's gaze. Across the field, she spotted Alys amidst the blossoms, her figure hunched over as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Good, Maera thought. For all the pain and suffering the witch had caused, finally it was being reflected back to her. And yet… the Princess was unsure if it was due to her own pregnant state, or concern for the child within Alys’s womb, but something compelled her to go over to her.

With Ser Arryk close by her side, she called out to the weeping witch, her firm voice cutting through the somber air. "Do not cry so, Alys," she urged, her steps careful as she navigated through the fragrant lavender blooms. "It is not good for the child."

When Maera finally reached Alys's side, she observed the tears upon the witch's reddened face, her gaze drifting down to the prominent swell of Alys's pregnancy bump beneath her faded green dress. Despite her emotional state, Alys offered a quiet acknowledgment of Maera's presence with a subdued "Princess."

Sensing the tension in the air, Maera broke the awkward silence, her tone both empathetic and assertive. "You're upset because of the meeting this morning," she observed, her words carrying a subtle hint of triumph. "The Lords and my husband would never have supported your idea. My place is by my husband's side, and that will never change."

Although it may have been somewhat cruel to confront Alys so directly, Maera knew it was necessary to assert her position. However, when Alys remained silent in response, Maera sighed softly, her expression softening with a hint of compassion. "How are you faring? The child, I mean," she inquired, gesturing delicately towards Alys's swollen stomach, her concern genuine despite their strained relationship.

The witch wiped her eyes on her sleeve before offering a subdued reply, her voice tinged with weariness. "The Maester says a few more weeks, then he will be here."

Maera couldn't help but roll her eyes at Alys's insistence on referring to her unborn child as a "he," knowing full well that such knowledge couldn't possibly be accurate. The delusion stemming from Alys's supposed prophecies frustrated Maera to no end. The witch then attempted to stand but struggled due to her advanced pregnancy. Maera glanced at Ser Arryk, his hazel eyes staring back at her as they exchanged a knowing look. Despite her reservations, Maera nodded, and the knight stepped forward, offering his arm to help the heavily pregnant witch to her feet.

As Alys rose to her feet, she gestured towards the field of lavender surrounding them, her voice carrying a tone of authority. "The lavender will help you ward off any infections and prepare you for the pain of labor," she advised Maera, her hand instinctively moving to her own swollen belly. "At this stage, the plant is also known to induce labor. At least it did for my other children."

Maera and Alys began to walk side by side among the fragrant flowers, Ser Arryk steadfastly at Maera's side. Despite the unusual camaraderie between the women for the moment, there lingered an unspoken tension between the princess and her protector, both sharing suspicions about the witch's intentions, even in her current state of distress.

As they walked through the lavender field, Maera couldn’t help but inhale deeply, the scent of lavender reminding her of the birthing rituals her stepmothers performed using the flowers. Memories of Rain House flooded her mind—the stormy weather, the laughter of her younger siblings echoing through the halls. Despite the turmoil of war, Maera longed for the comfort of her family’s home. She made a silent vow to visit them once the conflict had ended, curious to see how her younger siblings would react to her dragon companion.

Lost in her thoughts, Maera momentarily forgot about Alys's presence beside her until she re-focused on their conversation. It occurred to her that Alys had been a wet-nurse, but she hadn't made the connection that the woman was also a mother herself. Alys didn't strike Maera as a maternal figure, so she found herself curious about her companion's experience with motherhood.

In an effort to ease the awkward atmosphere, Maera initiated conversation. "How many children do you have?" she inquired, her voice softening with genuine curiosity.

A note of sadness crept into Alys's reply as she spoke of her past. "I had four," she confessed, her gaze momentarily clouded with sorrow. "But none of them lived. Each were stillborn."

The weight of Alys's words hung heavily in the air, stifling further conversation. It was Alys who eventually broke the silence, her voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "You are most fortunate, Princess," she remarked sadly.

Maera's response was swift, her frustration evident in her retort. "Fortunate?" she scoffed, her head shaking in disbelief. "I am here walking with my husband's whore, who is also carrying his child. How is that fortunate?" Her words dripped with bitterness as she grappled with the complex emotions swirling within her.

"You are high-born," Alys declared, her demeanor unwavering despite Maera's evident disdain. "Your child will receive the best care and live a healthy life." Maera remained silent as the witch pressed on, her tone taking on a softer, more contemplative quality. "Your status gives you power, Princess," she insisted, her gaze steady as she met Maera's eyes.

With a resigned sigh, Maera admitted, "It is a gilded cage," her hand drifting instinctively to her pregnancy bump as the child within stirred.

As they walked, Alys came to a sudden halt, causing Maera to pause and regard her with curiosity. "Low-born women have little options, particularly bastards," Alys explained, her words tinged with a hint of bitterness. "You do not have to sell your body or talents to gain some semblance of power. It is born within you."

This was true- low-born women had few prospects in life, often at the mercy of their circumstances. And though Alys spoke of lack of power, her words struck a chord with Maera, but in a different way than perhaps intended.

Despite her highborn status, Maera had felt utterly powerless in the face of Alys’s manipulation and promise of prophecy. The witch’s influence, bolstered by her supposed visions, had cast a shadow over Maera’s life, leaving her feeling vulnerable and disregarded by her own husband. It was a bitter realization that even those with privilege could be at the mercy of those who wielded power in subtler ways.

While she could understand the challenges Alys had faced, she refused to let the witch’s victimhood diminish her judgment of Alys’s character. The resentment and mistrust Maera harbored for Alys ran deep, and no amount of sympathy for her past could erase the harm she had caused.

"I have never felt more powerless in my life than being here," Maera sneered, her frustration palpable.

Alys chuckled softly, her laughter tinged with a hint of irony. "You wish to talk of powerlessness?" she retorted, her gaze unwavering. "I came to be because a Lord of House Strong raped my mother." Maera blinked in surprise at Alys's revelation, her resolve faltering slightly in the face of the witch's vulnerability. Yet Alys pressed on, her voice filled with quiet determination. "My children came to be because the Lords of House Strong forced themselves upon me too.”

The Princess froze, that familiar sense of dread gnawing at her insides. It was a sensation she knew all too well—the icy grip of fear that tightened her chest and sent shivers down her spine. Memories of her own encounter with Aegon came flooding back, vivid and unwelcome—the crushing weight of Aegon's strength as he pinned her down, the sound of her own desperate pleas falling on deaf ears, and the overwhelming sense of powerlessness that had consumed her.

Glancing at Ser Arryk, Maera was reminded of the pivotal role he had played in her life. It was his intervention that had saved her from a fate she dared not imagine. The witch’s declaration hit home and Maera began to struggle to maintain her composure, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her cloak as she listened to Alys’s anguished confession.

"But that was not the worst of it," Alys continued, her voice thick with emotion. "After losing each of my babies, I was forced to feed the nobles' children," Alys revealed, her tone heavy with anguish. "You cannot imagine the pain. How your body cries out for its child while you provide their milk to a stranger in your arms!"

The story Alys painted was too difficult to even think about. The love Maera already felt for her unborn child surged within her, and the thought of losing that child whilst having to care for another was crushing. Despite her loathing of the witch , Maera couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the woman before her.

The intensity of her own pregnancy had perhaps softened her resolve, allowing her to recognise that they both had something in common- they loved their children. Tears threatened to spill from Maera's eyes as she struggled to maintain her composure, her lips pressed tightly together in a silent show of strength.

Rubbing her stomach tenderly, the witch continued, her voice trembling with raw emotion. "The Gods promised me a child one day, a child of great importance. And here he is, almost ready to be born." Her gaze locked with Maera's, burning with a fierce intensity. "But the Gods' path is being desecrated, and I fear I will lose another child."

"Enough," the Princess interjected firmly, her voice cutting through the emotional turmoil.

Maera was no monster. The struggles and hardships Alys had endured were undeniable, and it was clear that she had fought tooth and nail to ascend to her current position of power. Maera couldn’t help but sympathize with the pain and desperation that must have driven Alys’s actions. The child in her belly was innocent as well, and had not asked for any of this. The babe was probably like a beacon of hope to the witch, her chance to a mother once again.

However, Maera also recognized the inherent danger in Alys’s lack of attachment to what was happening around her. With nothing left to lose, Alys posed a significant threat, capable of unpredictable and potentially destructive behavior. And as dreadful as everything Alys had been through must have been, it did not excuse what she had done and the choices she made.

And though moved by Alys’s story, Maera remained steadfast in her determination to assert her own position of authority, not only for herself but also for the sake of her trueborn child. She couldn’t afford to appear weak or vulnerable, especially in the face of someone as unpredictable as a witch.

"Your child is a bastard, nothing will change that. My husband will not legitimize them, nor give them the dragon egg we found." Alys swallowed a sob, her features contorted in a mixture of grief and resignation. Maera let out a heavy sigh, her own heart weighed down by the weight of the conversation. "But your child will be provided for, and never go hungry or sick," she promised, her voice softening with empathy as she placed a comforting hand on Alys's arm. "I swear this to you." The witch did not reply, instead sniffling and nodding in response, acknowledging the Princess’s vow to her.

As Alys and Maera reached the end of the lavender field, the tension between them lingered in the air, but there was a newfound complexity to their dynamic. Alys offered a small curtsy before they parted ways, leaving behind a sense of unresolved tension mingled with a hint of mutual understanding. Walking with her basket of lavender and Ser Arryk by her side, Maera found herself reflecting on her conversation with Alys. Despite the lingering tension, Maera couldn't deny that she now had a deeper insight into what drove the witch's actions, and to comprehend the motivations of one’s enemy was a valuable insight.

On that quiet night at Harrenhall, the castle seemed to hold its breath, enveloped in a serene stillness that draped over the ancient stone walls like a comforting blanket. The moon hung high in the sky, its soft silver light filtering through the windows to cast gentle patterns on the polished floors. Within the chambers, the air was hushed, disturbed only by the faint crackle of the dwindling hearth and the occasional rustle of fabric as the night breeze whispered through the curtains. Shadows danced silently across the walls, painting fleeting images that seemed to sway with the rhythm of the night.

Nestled against her husband’s chest, Maera’s breathing was slow and steady, her features softened in the gentle glow of the moonlight filtering through the window. Aemond’s arm draped around her, offering both warmth and security, as if he were a steadfast shield against the uncertainties of the world. Beneath the surface, the child in Maera’s belly seemed to rest as well, its movements gentle and subdued, lulled by the soothing rhythm of its mother's heartbeat. In that moment, all was calm and still, as if the world itself had paused to catch its breath.

As the peaceful silence of the night enveloped the chamber, it was abruptly shattered by a sudden commotion echoing from the corridor outside. The tranquil atmosphere was shattered by the clamor of men shouting, the sharp sound of blades being unsheathed, and the resounding banging against the heavy wooden door.

Aemond's senses sharpened in an instant, his instincts roused by the unexpected disturbance. With a jolt, he sat bolt upright in bed, his movements swift and decisive. The sudden motion startled Maera awake, her eyes snapping open in alarm as she grasped the gravity of the situation. In the dim light of the chamber, Aemond's hand darted beneath the bed, fingers closing around the hilt of his sword with practiced ease. With a determined grip, he withdrew the weapon, the glint of steel reflecting the urgency etched on his features.

Wide-eyed and alert, Maera shifted closer to Aemond, her heart pounding in her chest as they both fixed their gaze on the door, anticipation mounting with each passing second. The sound of running footsteps drawing nearer only served to heighten the tension, their presence an ominous harbinger of the danger lurking just beyond the threshold.

With a thunderous crash, the door burst open, sending Maera's heart into a frantic rhythm as she braced herself for whatever threat awaited on the other side. Relief washed over her as she recognized Ser Arryk's familiar figure entering the chamber, his presence momentarily easing the tension coiled within her.

“My apologies my Prince, Princess. But we have a situation.”

Her breath caught in her throat as Maera listened intently to Ser Arryk's words, the gravity of the situation dawning upon her with each passing moment. The panic etched on the knight's face and the urgency in his voice shattered the fleeting sense of relief, signaling that something was gravely amiss.

Without hesitation, Aemond sprang into action, his movements swift and purposeful as he hastily donned his tunic, pants, and boots. With sword in hand, he wasted no time in leaving the room, his departure leaving Maera with a sense of helplessness as she watched him vanish into the darkness beyond.

Restless and unsettled, Maera found herself unable to find solace in sleep after the harrowing interruption to their peaceful night. With a heavy sigh, she slipped out of bed, the soft fabric of her nightgown enveloping her as she moved with a sense of urgency. Pulling on her black robe for warmth, she made her way to the hearth, drawn to the comforting glow of the dwindling flames.

With a furrowed brow, Maera tended to the fire, adding more wood to stoke the flames and bring renewed warmth to the room. As the crackling fire grew brighter, Maera settled into a chair before the hearth, her thoughts consumed by the tumultuous events unfolding outside their door. Anxiety gnawed at her insides as she contemplated the cause of the commotion that had shattered the tranquility of their night. The uncertainty weighed heavily on her mind, fueling a sense of unease that refused to be quelled by the flickering flames before her.

Maera’s gaze drifted to the iron pot nestled next to the flames, cradling the large black and green dragon egg above the hot coals. The sight of the egg, bathed in the warm glow of the fire, stirred a mix of hope and trepidation within her heart. She pondered the uncertain fate of the egg as half of them never hatch, she reminded herself, a sobering reality that tempered her optimism.

Alys’s vision of Aemond’s future son as a dragon rider lingered in her mind, casting a shadow of doubt over the true meaning behind the prophecy. Why would Alys’s child, this supposed son, be the great rider of a dragon? The ambiguity of the vision only added to the uncertainty surrounding their situation. A sense of dread crept over Maera as she contemplated the tangled web of fate and prophecy that seemed to entwine their lives. With Alys’s impending childbirth looming on the horizon, she knew the complexities of their situation would only intensify in the days to come.

“Ooof!”

A sudden sharp kick from the child in her stomach jolted her out of her reverie. She gasped, hand instinctively flying to her belly, before a smile spread across her face as she remembered the source of the sensation. The child’s movements were becoming more pronounced, and Maera couldn’t help but marvel at the tiny feet that seemed to press against her skin from within.

Beneath the fabric of her nightgown, the outline of the child’s movements was visible, a gentle swell indicating each kick. Maera tenderly stroked the spot where the child made its presence known.

“It’s ok. We’re ok,” she whispered, unsure if she was trying to calm the unborn babe, herself, or both. Her gaze shifted to the door, her heart heavy with worry and anticipation. With each passing moment, the uncertainty of the situation outside weighed heavily on her mind.

After some time, the Prince returned, his face etched with rage, causing Maera’s heart to clench with concern. Reacting instinctively, she rose from her chair and moved to his side, reaching out to grasp his arms as he held hers. Their connection was palpable, a silent reassurance amidst the tumultuous emotions swirling around them.

“What has happened?” she inquired softly, her voice laced with apprehension.

Aemond’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with restrained anger. “When you patrolled today, did you see anything out of the ordinary along the border?” he questioned, his tone clipped with urgency.

Maera furrowed her brow in concentration, mentally retracing her steps from earlier. She remembered the tranquility of the Riverlands beneath them as they flew, Ēbrion seemingly at ease without any signs of imminent danger or threats. She remembered the lush green trees, towering mountains and the cloudy sky. On the ground, she remembered tiny dots, which she assumed were people, going about their day. Families travelling, or merchants transporting goods, just as usual.

"No, nothing out of the ordinary," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Aemond nodded curtly before pulling away from Maera's touch, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames in the hearth. "More of my cunt sister's rats," he muttered under his breath, his words heavy with disdain.

Sensing her husband's agitation, Maera's nerves heightened, her hand instinctively drifting to her pregnant belly. "Aemond, what is going on?" she pressed, her voice trembling with worry.

The Prince turned to face her, his features hardened with resolve. "Men have broken into Harrenhall, planning to assassinate us," he revealed, his tone low and ominous.

Her heart stopped. Fear gripped Maera’s heart like icy tendrils as the gravity of the situation sank in. Men had dared to threaten her husband's life, her own life and by extension, their child's. In that moment, fear and protective instinct surged within Maera. Her own safety took a backseat as her maternal instincts roared to life.

She felt an overwhelming sense of dread for her child's well-being, a fierce determination to shield their unborn babe from harm at any cost. The gravity of the situation sank in, and she swallowed hard, struggling to find her voice amidst the chaos of her thoughts.

"It seems my uncle prefers dishonorable schemes rather than an honest death on the battlefield," Aemond growled bitterly, his fists clenched at his sides as he looked into the flames of the hearth.

With a fierce gleam in her emerald eyes, Maera confronted her husband, her voice laced with tenacity. "Where are they now?" she demanded, her tone sharp and commanding.

Aemond's expression darkened, bitterness coloring his words as he responded, "The guards are escorting them down to the dungeons," he explained, his gaze fixated on the dancing flames before him. "They will be dealt with on the morrow.”

Her resolve unwavering, Maera shook her head adamantly, her determination shining through. "No," she declared firmly, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. Aemond snapped his head up to look at her, confusion etched across his sharp face.

Summoning her strength, Maera closed the distance between them, her gaze never wavering. "Order everyone to wake. We will deal with them now. Together," she commanded, her voice unwavering.

Aemond's gaze softened as he looked at his wife, a silent understanding passing between them. He reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear before his hand came to rest on her pregnant belly. With a nod of agreement, he turned and strode purposefully out of the room. As her husband departed, Maera rang for her maid, her mind already racing with plans and preparations for what lay ahead.

At the hour of the bat, the once-quiet halls of Harrenhall were abruptly filled with the clamor of hurried footsteps and anxious voices. Every inhabitant, roused from their slumber, was summoned to the main hall by urgent decree, the echo of worried chatter reverberating off the cold, stone walls.

In the flickering light cast by the hearth, a large table was hastily brought forth and positioned at the center of the hall. Seated around it were the members of the war council, their faces drawn with tension and anticipation. At the head of the table sat Maera and Aemond, both clad in resplendent attire of black leather, their expressions stern and unwavering.

The attention of the room was fixed upon the three figures bound in chains, positioned in the middle of the hall under the watchful gaze of armed guards. These men, their faces masked by shadows, were the would-be assassins who had dared to threaten the lives of the Prince and Princess. Despite their predicament, they maintained an air of defiance, their eyes meeting those of Maera and Aemond with a mixture of fear and resentment.

Rising from his seat at the end of the table, the man who had supported Maera in a number of council meetings, Lord Unwin Peake, addressed the assembled crowd with authority. "My Lords and Ladies, people of Harrenhall," he began, his voice carrying across the hall. "There has been a threat to the lives of our Prince and Princess."

With measured steps, Lord Unwin moved to stand beside the first man, kneeling and isolated from the others. He pointed accusatorily. "This man broke into the castle a few hours ago, with the intent of assassination," he declared, his words echoing in the hushed hall.

Then, gesturing towards the two men shackled together, Lord Unwin continued, his voice unwavering. "And these two were waiting for his return on the other side of the Gods Eye, prepared to assist the would-be killer in his escape."

The room erupted into a cacophony of gasps and murmurs as Maera's gaze swept over the trio of assailants, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief. As the clamor subsided, the Lord of House Butterwell rose from his seat, his voice laced with skepticism. "How do we know this was their intention?" he challenged, his words met with murmurs of agreement from some of the onlookers.

It was then that Ser Arryk, the stalwart knight, stepped forward, holding up a small scroll for all to see. The crowd fell silent as they awaited his revelation, tension hanging thick in the air. Ser Arryk presented the parchment to Aemond, who accepted it with a tight grip, his expression darkening with each passing moment. "A written order, in Prince Daemon’s own handwriting. I know it well," Ser Arryk declared loudly, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere of the room.

Aemond's gaze remained fixed on the scroll as he silently read its contents, his breath quickening with each passing word. Maera, sensing his distress, leaned in closer, her voice laced with concern. "What does it say?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for answers. When he didn't respond, she pressed further, her tone growing more urgent. "Aemond?"

Ignoring her, Aemond pushed the scroll away, his jaw clenched with barely contained rage. Without a word to her, he moved to address the assassins, but before he could speak, Maera rose from her seat with a determined expression. The scrape of her chair against the floor echoed through the hall as she reached for the scroll, her hands shaking slightly with emotion.

Unfurling the scroll, Maera read its contents aloud, her voice steady despite the horror of the words she spoke. "An eye for an eye, a son for a son," she began, the weight of each syllable hanging heavy in the air. “Carve…” She stopped, the words catching in her throat at the sheer brutality of what she was revealing. She paused briefly, looking around the room. If there were any traitors amongst them that could support the people who wrote the order, Maera hoped the Gods would deliver justice.

Gathering her composure, she cleared her throat before forging ahead, her voice ringing out with authority. "Carve the babe from his whore wife’s belly so that he may feel a fraction of the anguish our rightful Queen felt when Prince Lucerys was taken from her- Daemon Targaryen, King consort."

The hall erupted in a cacophony of outrage and disbelief, the shock and horror evident on the faces of those gathered. Guards rushed to contain the chaos, grappling with onlookers who attempted to reach the assassins, their shouts and cries filling the air with tension and unrest. Seated amidst the chaos, Maera watched with a mixture of satisfaction and apprehension, knowing that the revelation of the scroll had unleashed a storm that would have far-reaching consequences.

Aemond then stood from his chair, tall and imposing, and the room fell silent. “I shall feed them to Vhagar and Ēbrion myself,” he proclaimed, his voice resonating with determination. As the crowd erupted in cheering, Aemond strode confidently around the table, his words ringing out. "Let these traitors experience firsthand the power of dragons."

Maera sat motionless, her gaze fixed ahead as a numbing sensation washed over her, a stark contrast to the heightened emotions that had gripped her moments before. Amidst the gruesome details outlined in the scroll and the chilling realization of the peril she had narrowly escaped, she found herself overwhelmed.

She watched as the guards attempted to pull the three men away, their faces twisted in fear. In the midst of her turmoil, Maera’s attention was drawn to one of the two men who would aid in the escape of the assassin, his desperate gaze locking with hers. He appeared no older than herself, with short auburn hair and pleading blue eyes. It struck her deeply that this man, a stranger to her, had conspired to end her life.

As the guards began to drag him away by his chains, the young man called to her. "I plead mercy, Princess," he cried out, desperation evident in his voice.

Aemond's expression darkened as he approached the man, seizing him by the hair and forcing him to meet his gaze. "Mercy? And what makes you think you deserve that, hmm?" he growled, his voice dripping with contempt.

Despite Aemond's intimidating presence, the young man managed to divert his gaze to Maera once more. "I am wed to your sister Wynnifrid," he confessed, his voice trembling with fear.

The Prince glanced at Maera, who was now alert and staring right back at the red-haired man. Wynni. Gods, Wynni. A thousand memories of her little sister stirred in her head, memories of a sister she had not seen nor heard from in what felt like an eternity. Reacting on impulse, Maera raised her arm to halt the guards from dragging the men away.

The room fell into an eerie silence as Maera left her seat, a determined yet composed figure amidst the tension. With measured steps, she navigated around the lengthy table, her demeanor exuding an air of regal poise. Despite the turmoil roiling within her, Maera maintained an emotionless facade, her hand resting protectively on her swollen belly as she advanced.

As Maera approached the assailants, her presence commanded attention. The onlookers watched in muted anticipation, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene. Without a word, Maera halted before the man who had called out to her, her gaze piercing yet inscrutable.

The one-eyed Prince forcefully threw the man on the floor before Maera, the sound of the chains binding him clinking as they hit the stone floor. Aemond’s expression was resolute, his features etched with disdain for those who had threatened his family. Standing by his wife's side, Aemond stood as a formidable presence, a silent sentinel guarding Maera against any further harm.

"You are Lord Tarly," Maera stated evenly, her voice betraying no emotion.

The young man, now identified as Alan Tarly, nodded, his eyes pleading for clemency. "Please, I beg you. Release me, I will tell you everything I know," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

Maera stood over the man, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Doubt gnawed at her, questioning the authenticity of his claims. Was this a desperate attempt to elicit sympathy? A ruse to manipulate her emotions? Yet, beneath the layers of suspicion, a flicker of longing emerged—the longing for her sister.

Ser Adrian Tarbeck's voice cut through the tension in the hall, his accusation directed at Lord Alan Tarly. "Your House has just turned cloak, have you not? Why should we believe a word you say?" he challenged, his tone laced with skepticism.

Lord Alan Tarly's voice quivered as ignored the comment and looked up at Maera, his revelation catching her off guard. "Wynni is with child," he muttered, his words sending a shock through her.

The revelation struck Maera like a blow to the chest. Wynni, pregnant? The realization pierced her heart, stirring a tumult of anguish and regret. She hadn’t heard from her sister in ages, hadn’t known if Wynni’s marriage was one of happiness or sorrow. And now, to learn that Wynni was to become a mother, it was a revelation too overwhelming to comprehend.

The Princess took a deep breath to steady herself as she saw the man kneeling before her shaking his head. "I should never have agreed to be part of this plot. Never. I thought I was doing right by my House," he confessed, tears welling in his blue eyes.

Aemond scoffed with disdain, his voice laced with mockery as he addressed the assembled crowd. "Doing right by your House," he muttered, shaking his head in disgust. "Behold, my Lords, what Rhaenyra will do to take power."

Maera fixed her gaze on Lord Alan, her expression steely as she urged him to speak. "Start talking," she demanded, her patience wearing thin. Leaning closer to him, she delivered a warning in a low voice. "I am a lot less desperate than you are in this moment."

Lord Alan hesitated, casting nervous glances around the room before finally speaking up for all to hear. "The Queen has enlisted the help of Targaryen bastards, promising knighthood and wealth when the war is over," he revealed, prompting exchanged glances between Maera and Aemond. "She will use them to fly the riderless dragons and win the throne.”

As news of Rhaenyra’s plan sank in, Aemond's expression darkened, his frown etched deep upon his face. With a heavy heart, he stepped away from Maera, his mind undoubtedly consumed by the implications of this newfound knowledge.

Maera's gaze followed her husband, sensing the weight of his thoughts. The numbers didn't lie—while the Greens boasted five dragons, including the formidable Vhagar and Ēbrion, the Blacks had six, albeit mostly juveniles. Yet, even in their youth, these dragons possessed formidable power.

The realization hit Maera like a thunderbolt. She knew all too well the strength of the dragons. There were many known wild dragons on Dragonstone, but also many unknown in the dragonmount, just like Ēbrion. If Rhaenyra had acquired additional riders and dragons, it would tip the scales of the war irreversibly in her favour.

“You cannot win this war,” Lord Alan stated with desperation. But it fell on deaf ears as Maera clenched her jaw, her eyes flashing with resolve. She turned to Aemond, seeking strength and solidarity in their shared determination.

With a steely gaze, Maera spoke softly but firmly to her husband, her words resonating with unwavering conviction. “Morghon ondoso zaldrīzes tolī adere.” Death by dragon is too quick.

Aemond’s expression hardened at his wife’s words, a silent agreement passing between them. He moved to once again stand beside her, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the chaos unfolding around them.

Turning his attention to the other two assailants, Aemond issued a harsh decree, his voice cutting through the air with authority. “Those two are to be hung, drawn, and quartered. Let their bodies serve as a warning to all who dare defy House Targaryen and its rightful King.”

The condemned men protested vehemently as they were dragged away, their cries echoing through the hall in vain. Aemond glanced at Maera, searching her face in order to get a glimpse at what she was thinking they should do with her supposed brother-in-law.

The Princess bent down again, her gaze softening momentarily as she addressed Lord Alan, her concern for her sister evident in her voice. "Is my sister well?"

Lord Alan nodded eagerly, relief flooding his features. "Very much so, Princess. She is looking forward to becoming a mother," he assured her.

A small smile tugged at Maera's lips as she acknowledged the reassurance. "Thank you, good-brother," she said, her gratitude evident in her tone. With a solemn nod towards her husband, Maera stepped back, her hand instinctively resting on her swollen stomach, a silent reminder of the life growing within her.

Her green eyes remained fixed on Aemond as he unsheathed his dagger, a glint of steel in the dim light of the hall. In one swift motion, he cut the man's throat, crimson blood spurting forth in a gruesome display. The sound of the body hitting the stone floor echoed through the hall, a grim punctuation to the grim act.

Notes: this was a big chapter so I’ve split it. Alys’s death is coming, don’t fucking worry 🤣 gotta get that lore in though. So chapter seventy-eight we will see the last of the witch. You guys can wait till then it’ll be worth it 😉 also I will not be taking questions about the assassination attempt and if this had anything to do with Alys, I would like to watch you all debate each other in the comments 😏

Tags: @0eessirk8 @magicseahorse @blue-serendipity @abecerra611 @saltedcaramelpretzel @marvelescvpe @watercolorskyy @shesjustanothergeek @thelastemzy

Thank you so much for reading! Comments, feedback, likes, and reblogs are greatly appreciated 🖤

[annaphoenix1994]

Preparations

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

»»-------¤-------««

"How're you feeling?" Simon asked as he entered the nursery, smiling down at Kiera as she had been breastfeeding Jacob after putting Evie into the crib for a mid-day nap. 

"Still sore," She huffed. "My right boob hurts so bad; I still can't feed them at the same time." 

"I'm sorry, love," He frowned, adjusting the strap of his holster as he was about to depart for his shift. He now worked for the local SWAT team - something that he didn't imagine himself doing, but he was proud of his work after sincerely missing his military life, having something that was "the best of both worlds" as he was able to participate in military-style work as well as come home every night. "I have to leave in a half hour." 

"Okay, babe," She smiled, looking up at him as he granted her with a loving kiss. I really can't wait until I can be intimate again. He's killing me wearing his uniform, she huffed to herself. "When you get back in the morning, I want to go out and get your birthday present." 

"You don't have to get my anything, Kiera-"

"I want to. Don't argue with me," She giggled. "When you get back and go to sleep, I'll wait until you're up so I can go into town." 

"I don't like that you're planning something, love. Those gears get to turning and I'm expecting some surprise that'll startle me." 

"Me? No..." She scoffed. 

"I know you better than that," He chuckled. "I'm going to go pack my lunch before I leave-"

"I already got it packed for you, babe." 

"Kiera, you didn't have to do that." 

"I wanted to. Especially since I'm being promoted to housewife soon. Might as well get started now." 

He chuckled as he walked towards the crib that held his daughter, peering over at her perfectly sleeping form, admiring how he was able to help create something so perfect. Slowly, he curled his index finger against Evie's cheek, admiring how soft her skin was compared to his rough finger. "Be good to your mum, yeah?" 

He stood to sear another mental image of Evie in his mind before turning back towards Kiera, grinning as she rocked Jacob against her chest as he fed, her head lulled back at an attempt to relax against the chair, desperate to ignore the constant ache in her breast. "Do you need any help with anything before I leave?" He asked her, his heavy hand gentle on her shoulder, pulling some of her hair behind her ear. 

"I've got the fort grounded for now, babe. Thank you." She smiled up at him. He could see how tired she was, the bags under her eyes the same as since they'd first come home with their babies. 

"I'll see you soon, yeah?" 

"Lord willin'." 

He hummed, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips, chuckling at Jacob's groans and moans as he fed from Kiera's breast, his fingers curled against her warm skin, his eyes lulling closed. "I love you." 

"I love you too," She smiled against his lips, giggling as he returned his lips to hers for another kiss. "I'll be here when you get back." 

"I was hoping so." He chuckled, taking another glance over his shoulder before exiting the nursery, grabbing the lunchbox Kiera had packed for him from the counter before exiting the house, sighing as he hated leaving her, but also relieved that she was safe. 

»»-------¤-------««

Once returning home the next morning from his shift, he was borderline exhausted. Having gone on a very hazardous call within the early hours of the morning, he had shut himself off for the remainder of his shift, constantly anxious with adrenaline and the bitter thought of I could've lost my life, and Kiera would have to do this all on her own. 

After arriving home, he was greeted with the warm smell of clean cotton coming from the wax warmer that sat on the kitchen counter. Cursing under his breath that Kimber's barking awoke one of the babies, he immediately rushed to the bedroom to cease Kimber's barking, letting the dog know that he was not an intruder before hastily walking towards the nursery, smiling at the sight of Evie in her crib but frowning that she had been the one crying. 

"It's alright, sweetheart. I'm here," He whispered to her, reaching to remove his vest and holsters before grasping the baby with a soft grasp, holding her against his chest in an attempt to calm her down. "Why're you crying for, huh? Nightmare? I have those too." 

Her eyes were clamped shut, loud wails leaving her mouth as Simon moved to sit in the rocking chair he had built. "Let it out, love," He frowned, feeling her tears and saliva bleeding through the black shirt he wore under his uniform. "I wish I could take your nightmares away. I'd hate for you to have them too." He whispered, reaching his thumb up to wipe the tears staining her cheeks, relieved that she began to calm down by feeling his calm heartbeat. "There you go. Let's not wake your mum this early, yeah?" 

Evie whimpered, her brown eyes opening to look around curiously as she recognized her father's voice, Simon unaware that her curious gaze was on the exposed dog tags that hung around his neck, the chain catching her attention. He looked down at her, grinning that her eyes were identical to his, except he thought the concept of brown eyes were more beautiful considering his daughter carried them. He took notice that she was looking at the exposed chain of his dog tags, reaching up to reveal them completely as the tags clung together, chuckling at watching her eyes widen at her new discovery. "Like these, yeah? I can't tell you much about them yet, but just know I fought so badly to be able to be back and take care of your mum, you and your brother. I'll tell you more about them when you get older. But for now, you can look at them as much as you like." He explained, pinching one of the tags between his index finger and thumb, watching Evie's little hand crawl up to wrap her hand around the chain as he felt the indention of the stamped letters on the tag. 

LIEUTENANT SIMON "GHOST" RILEY

TASK FORCE 141

He looked down at her as she continued to toy lazily with the chain of his tags, her brown eyes bright with curiosity as a light strand of saliva left her bottom lip, her complexion looking like she hadn't been crying continuously for the past ten minutes. He was amazed at how she began to hold her head up on her own, frowning at the thought that she was growing too fast as well as being excited that she was learning new things as she got older. I don't think I can handle watching you get older. I want you to be small forever. 

He leaned his head back against the rocking chair, using his foot to gently rock him back and forth slowly and calmly, enjoying the comfort of his child laying calmly on his chest, closing his heavy eyes as she distracted herself with his tags, feeling her weight shift as he took notice that she was becoming restless, her eyes wide with life and curiosity as his eyes held the same life, except his were masked with exhaustion. 

In an instant, his head shot up at the feeling of a warm liquid bleeding through his shirt followed by a subtle gargle. 

She had thrown up the milk Kiera had fed her two hours prior before Simon arrived home. 

He sighed as he looked at the mess she had left on his chest, reaching up to wipe the excess from her chin before he couldn't help but chuckle, "That's one way to tell me that I need to shower." 

Her eyes met his, her face looking as if she got caught with her hand in a cookie jar, her expression alone making his heart swell. 

Especially when she smiled. 

"You've got your mum's smile," He chuckled. "Let's get you cleaned up, yeah?" 

Desperate to keep her away from her own mess, he slowly stood to his feet and made his way to his and Kiera's bedroom, stopping at the door as Kimber was pressing her nose against the crease of the door as she was excited to return to the confines of being snug under the blanket with Kiera, something Simon didn't like as he wasn't too keen on a dog sharing the same bed as him, knowing Kiera let Kimber sleep with her while Simon worked during the night. 

He looked at Evie as he rested his hand on the knob, "Try not to make a peep, lass. Can't be waking up your mum this early, okay?" 

Although Evie wasn't at the age to respond, he assumed that she agreed by how her head rested against his shoulder, a little whimper leaving her lips as he opened the door, the sound of Kimber's paws hitting against the floor before she jumped up onto the bed, which was impressive to Simon as she was able to jump the height considering she was a Corgi. 

His steps were silent as he carried himself and Evie into the bathroom, setting her down into the bouncing seat that Kiera had put into the bathroom before he removed the stained shirt from his torso, tossing it to the floor to remind himself that he needed to put it into the washer instead of in the hamper. 

He turned on the shower, using his hand to test the warmth before dampening a cloth to tend to Evie's skin, freshening up her face before reaching onto the counter to retrieve the pacifier in hopes that she would take it and fall back to sleep. 

The bathroom door was still slid open, Simon aggravated that Kimber decided to be restless as well and jump down from the bed to absorb any attention she could get. "Not this time," He scolded after she had put her front paws on the baby chair, pushing her nose towards Evie as Simon had held the pacifier towards her mouth. "Go to bed with your mum. This is my time and I don't want to spend it with you right now." He said to the dog. 

Kimber didn't listen. Instead, she tried to jump up onto the chair with Evie only to be stopped mid-jump by Simon grabbing her with a steady grip, standing to his feet to put her back onto the bed next to Kiera, pointing his index finger at the dog as if he were disciplining her, "Rude. Don't be a slag."

Although the context of the word was for different intentions, Simon couldn't deny that it was fun to say. 

Arching his brow at her as if he were challenging her to jump off the bed, he slid the bathroom door to where it was nearly shut, smiling down at Evie as her eyes began to grow heavy again, indicating that she was about to fall asleep. "There you go. Get some sleep while I clean up. Then I'll put you back in bed, yeah?" Simon, she doesn't know what you're saying, he grimaced to himself. 

He brushed his teeth as he waited for the water to warm up, looking over his shoulder to see Evie's eyes closed before he rid himself of his clothes before enveloping himself under the warm water, sighing in relief at the sensation. 

He was never the type to take as long of a shower as Kiera did, especially considering he didn't have as much of a routine as she did judging by the amount of various body scrubs, hair masks, and shampoos that lined her section of the shower, leaving only his shampoo and body wash in his own corner. 

Once finished with his elite five-minute shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist before exiting the shower, relieved that Evie was still sleeping as he applied his deodorant before gently picking Evie up from the rocker, clutching her close to his chest as he exited the bathroom, glancing towards Kiera to ensure she was still sleeping before returning Evie to her crib, smiling at how she was continuing to nurse on the pacifier before he stepped to the other crib to check on Jacob, seeing an exact copy of himself within his son - a head full of thin blonde/brown hair and the same nose as his father. 

Slowly, he reached down to adjust Jacob's blanket, reaching for the pacifier that fell from his open mouth, slowly bringing it up to Jacob's lips in hopes that the infant would expect it, but he too took more of his mother's traits than Simon's because he slept nearly as heavy as Kiera did. 

Before he returned to the bedroom, he ensured that the baby monitor was working before he left the infants to sleep, checking on the monitor that was on his bedside before laying himself down on the bed after changing into a pair of sweatpants and fresh underwear. "Kimber. Off." He whispered, pointing towards the dog bed that was on the floor. The dog tilted her head at his words, her brown and blue speckled eyes looking at him as if she were begging. "I know you understand English, you brat. Off the bed. My turn to cuddle with mum and unlike you, I have a job to attend to while you live here rent-free. Go."

He was thankful that she followed his orders, jumping down from the bed and looking back at him as if she were expecting him to change his mind. But with one more glare, she curled herself onto the dog bed that had been empty the entire night. 

"I think you gain pleasure by ordering our dog around." Kiera whispered with a giggle. 

"Our dog?" He scoffed. "That was your decision, love." 

She giggled, feeling him move closer to her on the bed, spooning her and absorbing her warmth that he had desperately craved. He placed a kiss behind her ear as his arms wrapped around her. "Sleep well?" 

"Somewhat," She sighed. "Got up a couple of hours ago to feed her and had to pump the rest. My boobs were so swollen. Ended up getting sixteen ounces of milk to use when I have to feed again. My nipples are so sore." 

"I'm sorry, love," He frowned, rubbing circles against her skin with his thumb. "Are they still hurting after all of that?" 

She nodded, a playful smirk toying at her lips, "Yes, which means you're still off limits for a while." 

He chuckled, "Eh, I'm sure I'll have to unclog one of them before long."

"Simon!" She giggled, playfully smacking the top of his hand. 

"You keep forgetting I've done my research, love." 

"I don't doubt it, babe. Did more research than me unfortunately." 

"Probably," He teased. "But you have it handled already. You're an amazing mum." 

She blushed, turning her head to look at him, his brown eyes reminding her of her favorite craving: chocolate. "Thank you. I don't feel like it sometimes." 

"Take the credit for once in your life, love. I couldn't do it without you." 

"Definitely not," She teased. "Especially since you'd have to resort to formula and your daughter is picky." 

"She gets that from you." 

She scoffed, "You won't believe it, but your daughter takes more from you than from me." 

"She has my eyes, but her personality and looks is a spitting image of you, love." 

"We'll see in a few years, but you can count that I'll be right." 

He smirked, nuzzling his nose against her neck before placing a gentle kiss to her hot skin, his arm tightening around her waist as he pulled himself closer, "I'll let you think that. But for now, I can't help but think about keeping you as close as I can while I get some sleep." 

"Okay, babe," She whispered, catching his gaze with hers before she moved her lips closer to his, rewarding him with a craved kiss. "Happy birthday. I love you." 

He smirked against her lips, "Thank you. I love you too. Let's get some rest, yeah?" 

"You're going to need it. I have a big surprise planned for you." 

"Bloody fuckin' hell. You and your surprises." 

"You'll like it."

[boymosher-420]

Dandelion has been used for centuries in traditional medicine due to its numerous health benefits. Here are five key ways dandelion heals:

1. *Liver and Kidney Support*: Dandelion acts as a natural diuretic, flushing toxins from the liver and kidneys, and its antioxidants protect the liver from inflammation and oxidative stress.

2. *Nutrient-Rich Superfood*: Dandelion greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, and essential minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium, supporting immune health, bone strength, and overall wellness.

3. *Digestive Aid*: Bitter compounds in dandelion greens stimulate digestion, promote a healthy gut, and alleviate indigestion, bloating, and constipation.

4. *Anti-Inflammatory Properties*: Bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids in dandelions reduce inflammation, potentially easing symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

5. *Blood Sugar Regulation*: Dandelions may help regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, benefiting those with diabetes or at risk of developing the condition.

To harness dandelion's healing potential, you can consume it in various ways, such as:

- Adding fresh greens to salads

- Drinking dandelion tea

- Blending greens into smoothies

- Taking supplements (after consulting a healthcare provider)

Remember to start with small amounts and consult a healthcare provider if you have allergies or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - August 22-28

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1. Safari park welcomes flamingo chicks

“An animal park has said it is experiencing a "baby boom", including new flamingo chicks that have hatched. Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire has also recently welcomed rare Amur tiger cubs and an endangered cotton top tamarin monkey baby. [… Flamingos] live 15-20 years in the wild, however in captivity and safe from predators, they can reach ages of 70 years.”

2. Golf clubs fight biodiversity loss

“The project aims to help green-keepers create havens for wildlife, particularly bees and butterflies, as well as introduce mowing methods to protect rare chalk grassland and encourage wildflowers. […] “Clubs doing this are seeing significant increases in pollinators, such as butterflies, without impeding the game."”

3. ‘We’ve got baby owls again’: how farming policy is helping English wildlife

“[In Abby Allen’s] lush Devon fields native cattle graze alongside 400-year-old hedgerows, with birds and butterflies enjoying the species-rich pasture. [… The Environmental Land Management Scheme] pays farmers for things such as planting hedges, sowing wildflowers for birds to feed on and leaving corners of their land wild for nature.”

4. $440 Million to Support Pregnant and New Moms, Infants, and Children through Voluntary Home Visiting Programs

“Through this program […] trained health workers […] provide support on breastfeeding, safe sleep for babies, learning and communications practices that promote early language development, developmental screening, getting children ready to succeed in school, and connecting with key services and resources in the community – like affordable childcare or job and educational opportunities. […] In addition, the [CDC] announced a new investment of $118.5 million, over five years, to 46 states [and] six territories […] to continue building the public health infrastructure to better identify and prevent pregnancy-related deaths.”

5. Endangered leopard frogs released into the wild

“More than a hundred leopard frogs have been released into the wild at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state. Leopard frogs are endemic to North America but have been classed as endangered since 1999.”

6. Heat-based batteries are a surprisingly versatile tool

“[T]hermal energy storage [… is] expected to be more cost-effective than conventional lithium-ion batteries for storing cheap clean electricity over longer durations[….] Thermal storage systems take up less space per unit of energy stored than lithium-ion batteries do, [… and] can also deliver their stored energy without the efficiency losses that occur in converting electricity from [AC to DC and back].”

7. Dolly Parton is sending free books to children across 21 states — and around the world

“[In 21 states,] all children under the age of 5 can enroll to have books mailed to their homes monthly. […] Since the program started, books have been sent to more than 240 million to [sic] kids in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.”

8. Biden-Harris Administration Awards $100 Million to Navigators Who Will Help Millions of Americans - Especially in Underserved Communities - Sign Up for Health Coverage

“The grants are part of a commitment of up to $500 million over five years - the longest grant period and financial commitment to date, and a critical boost for recruiting trusted local organizations to better connect with those who often face barriers to obtaining health care coverage. […] Navigators offer free assistance to people exploring health coverage options through HealthCare.gov, from reviewing available plans to assisting with eligibility and enrollment forms, and post-enrollment services such as using their coverage to get care.”

9. ‘Ultra-Accommodating’ Hotel Concept Goes Beyond ADA Accessible

“The property […] will feature wider hallways, larger guest rooms, easy access to elevators and other modifications that exceed the standards required under the [ADA]. Staff will be trained in disability etiquette, how to assist with mobility devices and provide various accommodations ranging from hearing aid loops to sensory-sensitive lighting. […] The location in San Antonio is expected to be the first — not the only one — developed under this concept.”

10. Melbourne zoo welcomes rare southern white rhino calf to the world

“Kipenzi and the new calf have been closely monitored this week, with mother and baby being kept in a secluded area accessible only to keepers while they get to know each other and bond. […] The calf has already been showing a forthright personality, snorting and stomping around his enclosure[….]”

August 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[eternal-echoes]

“Or consider the wonder of breastfeeding. Many mothers experience an uncontrolled "let-down reflex" of breastmilk upon hearing their baby cry. Sometimes this occurs when the mother simply thinks about the baby. What's perhaps even more fascinating, though, are the physiological benefits of breastfeeding, which only a woman can naturally provide.

Some of the greatest threats to the health of infants are bacterial infections within the intestines. Some of these dangerous microorganisms attach to curved cells that line the digestive tract. However, some of the sugars in breast milk mimic these cells, and scientists have postulated that the bacteria mistakenly attach to the sugars and are excreted by the body, thus preventing infection. This may partly explain why formula-fed babies have twice the number of intestinal infections as babies who are breastfed.(53) Breast milk also contains fatty acids that promote brain development in the child. One endocrinologist explained, "Milk is not just a source of nutritional elements, some simple mixture of fats, sugars, and salts. It has a causal effect on the infant. It's really a vehicle by which the mother transfers information to the child."(54)

One of the ways that a woman's breast milk transfers information to her child is through the immune system. When a baby breastfeeds, a small amount of saliva will backwash into the woman's breast. If the child is sick, her breast can detect the infection and it will immediately trigger an immunological response. The chemical composition of her breast milk will change, and she will begin to transmit billions of white blood cells to the baby, specifically designed to boost the child's immune system to fight the specific pathogens. When the illness resolves, the woman's breast milk will resume its normal composition. One woman remarked, "So, the next time someone shames you for breastfeeding in public, just tell them you're performing a diagnostic test!"

-Jason Evert, Male, Female, or Other: A Catholic Guide to Understanding Gender

—

Work cited:

53) Cf. Blum, Sex on the Brain, 105.

54) Yitzhak Koch, as quoted in Deborah Blum, "Is Mother's Milk Key to Child's Growth, Future?" Sacramento Bee, July 8, 1996, A-1.

—

For more recommended resources on gender dysphoria, click here.

[tmwcs]

a heethan version of is he a girl dad or boy dad !!! 😚

Heethan can be both. I feel like if he had a boy and he resembled him, he’d find it adorable. I kind of picture his son (much like heelel and Helan) to carey his excessive yandere traits, but not with mommy reader. I picture his son to grow and be just like him to a girl he’ll meet in college or high school, and heethan will recognize it and just laugh it off. Like if the boy commits his first murder out of love for whoever his darling is, heethan will just be like “aww cute. I remember when I first killed a man for getting too close to your mother.”

Now if it’s a girl, and let’s say she looks like you, he’ll be somewhat protective. Not as much as he is with you bc…you’re number one. I see him teaching his daughter the vital points of the human body and making sure she knows where to strike. “Shoot to kill.” Type of method. He’ll enable and promote for her to be violent bc hit would make him feel a little better, like it’s comforting for him to know that his little mini-you can take care of herself. Bc that leaves more room for him to focus on you. I think heethan would be a good dad, but bc he is so obsessive with you and you’re everything, he might be a little bit neglectful. It wouldn’t matter that his own kids want their mommy, when it comes to you, he is selfish and will limit their mommy time bc “daddy needs mommy.” I would say after they reach the age of two or three, or whenever kids stop breastfeeding, he’ll kind of develop the ‘cut the cord’ vibe. From birth and the first year or so, he’ll really love seeing his baby being nurtured by you, it will make him more feral and possessive. “Yes, that’s my baby inside her. That’s my baby that’s feeding off her. I did that to her. My blood and flesh is living inside her. She is mine.”