#Jayne Castle

[sandythereadingcafe]

#REVIEW:

PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES (Harmony) by #JayneCastle #JayneAnnKrentz at The Reading Cafe:

'an exciting mysterious and romantic story line'

[thereadingcafe]

[lizabethstucker]

Sweetwater & the Witch by Jayne Castle

4 out of 5

Ghost Hunters 15

Ravenna Chastain had expected her life to become more normal after leaving her job as a criminal profiler with the FBPI, becoming a matchmaker instead. She's successful at her job until her latest client, engineer Ethan Sweetwater. Ethan has been on nine of his contracted ten dates, all of which were unsuccessful. She's willing to give him a refund if he'll end the contract. Ethan refuses.

They soon come to an agreement. Ravenna will accompany Ethan to a business reception and evaluate his dating moves. In return, Ethan will go with her to the Chastain Family Reunion. But it appears that danger is still part of Ravenna's life, with murder attempts and a CEO with increasingly erratic powers.

While I enjoyed the story, there were parts that almost seemed like outlines or highlights to be addressed in regards to the mysteries. The chemistry between Ravenna and Ethan was better portrayed, but still could've used more exploration. However the author did a decent job of giving just enough backstory and/or explanation of the threads that she weaves through the books to allow the book to be read as a standalone.

This squeaked to 4 stars, but barely. I'm sorta sad as Harmony is one of my favorites in her various series. Still a decent read and will probably only disappoint some of JAK's hardcore fans.

[yourleastfavoriteguyinthechairr]

i just kinda love how

castle makes so many references to firefly in it

castle’s halloween outfit being a space cowboy (it’s basically mal’s main outfit)

in the bomb episode(s) when martha takes alexis to the spiritual retreat, the Ocean of Serenity

in Much Ado About Murder when jewel staite makes an appearance

ETHAN SLAUGHTER’S WHOLE CHARACTER AFJDNAJSHS

and so many more things !!!

i just kinda like it :)

[divinesolas]

Unexpected Surprise

Summary: While attempting to gain the support of the vale, jeyne arryn has plans of her own for the prince.

r.q: Everyone forgets house Arryn😔🤘🏻 baddies of the vale Can you write something w Jace and an Arryn maybe lady Jayne’s little sister or daughter or something? Not a totally unreasonable alliance !! They have the coolest castle and knights also Ms Aemma Arryn ™️ like hello!! (I’m impatient as hell for more Vale coverage in season 2)

w.c: 900+

c.w: baela and jacaerys are not betrothed, arryn!reader jenye’s daughter, FLUFF, just a very cute fic, drabble, not proofread

a.n: IVE HAD THIS DONE SITTING IN MY DRAFTS FOR NO REASON OMGGGG but with the recent jeyne content i felt inspired to write this !! just something super simple <3 HOPE YOU ENJOY !! LOVE UUUU GUYS

masterlist - requests open

“Im sorry, what my lady?”

“I wish for you to marry my daughter.”

This is not how jacaerys thought this would go. When he arrived in the vale he thought he thought he would have to make simple small talk, present some of the benefits, hells even throw some complements her way in order to convince her. This however had not been in his cards.

“I'm sorry my lady i do not understand.”

“My daughter, y/n remains unmarried, around your age, a sweet girl, agree to wed her and me and my men will bend the knee.”

He blinks. He has no clue what to say to her. Jeyne stands after a moment, “I shall go fetch her.” He watches as one of the guards tries to stop her and tells her he will go retrieve the girl but Jeyne seems determined to go herself and he moves letting her leave. Jacaerys stands awkwardly in the middle of the room unsure of what to do.

He is not too sure he can just flat out agree to a proposal without his mother position, it is not like he is a second son, he is the heir to the queen. The next king, his wife to be the next queen. Yet when he sees you walking into the room, wearing a long dress in your house colors with your mother trialing behind with a pleased look on her face he finds himself wanting to agree to the marriage right away.

You are stunning. Easily the most beautiful women he’s ever seen, sure he hasn’t seen that many women but it doesn’t matter. He watches as you bow and mindlessly nods in acknowledgment, unable to take his eyes off you.

Jeyne looks between the two of you with a satisfied look. “Why don’t you show the prince around?” She gives you a pointed look to which you nod, “Of course i would be happy to.”

He walks over and offers you his arm with a smile on his face and you graceful take it before you begin to walk off with him. Jeyne stays behind and smiles to herself.

“My mother is very forward i apologize to you.” He simply shakes his head, he finds himself look at you instead of the halls he’s supposed to be looking at. “It is not an issue my lady, I rather appreciate it.” You look at him curiously but turn away once you notice he is already looking at you. “Whatever do you mean?”

“Many people speak in riddles, not saying what they mean or truly want, your mother is a rare gem.” You smile at the praise of your mother, “She truly is.”

You lead him outside and begin to tell him about the different plants and different sculptures around the courtyards. He is so charmed by you. The way you light up when you spot something and you begin to tell him of a memory you have, like how your mother scolded you for jumping around in the fountain, or when you almost fell out of one of the window's when you fell asleep.

“You truly love this place.” He can tell. The way you smile at the guards as they walk by or the way you know every detail about everything in the walls. But he sees the way you falter slightly at his words, “Am i wrong?”

You shake your head vigorously, “no no i do, its just i have never been away from here. My mother is a very protective woman, she waves away any suitors, she never even lets me leave the eyrie it is ridiculous!” You realize you're letting your emotions show too much and bow your head, “i am sorry that was out of line.”

He grabs your hands and you look at him with wide eyes. “I understand my lady, my mother is similar, i have truly never traveled to far, i wish to explore, once my mother has her rightful throne i believe i will take the time to see westeros a little bit,” He pauses before he speaks again, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly, “I could take you with me? if that is what you wish my lady.”

He watches as your eyes begin to glow and you beam at him, “truly? oh nothing would make me happier.” He nods and grips your hands tighter, “I shall take you everywhere.”

He does not expect you to throw your hands around his neck and pull him into a hug. He wraps his hands around your lower back, pushing his head into your neck and breathing in your scent. “I will accept your mothers propsal at once. You will fly with me to winterfell.” You pull back and give him an eager look. “Winterfell? Truly?” He nods, “I am to go meet lord cregan stark.”

You can barely contain your excitement at the thought of seeing something that was not the eyrie, especially a place as grand as winterfell.

Jeyne watched you two smile at one another from a window above with a small smile on her face. She does not hear the guard approaching her from behind, “You seem pleased my lady.” She says nothing to him for a moment, simply continuing to stare at the two of you. “Tell my men to ready themselves for war. It seems he will accept my proposal.”

perm jacaerys taglist <3

@tyronesien @itsbookworm987 @cruelworldlana @smurfelle @ireneispunk @hxtd @venmondiese @urmomsgirlfriend1 @aegonswife

[jammed-out]

Hypnovember Day 13 - Mind Fucked Out

(CW: dick growth, breast growth, ear penetration, magic transformation, light monster fucking)

Cold metal armor plates bounced against each other with each step as the Jayne made their way through the abandoned fortress. The sound echoed off of the cold stone walls that their singular torch did nothing to heat. The dampness hung in the air like a cold blanket clinging to every bolt and stone. They shivered, the torch’s heat not even managing to penetrate the cold metal armor that they wore.

They had found the abandoned castle while on a scouting mission for their guild and made note of it. However when nobody seemed to care to visit it, Jayne made a point to come back on their own time. So now, in the middle of the night, they ventured through the main tower. The grounds were clearly touched by a curse, whereas the rest of the wasteland swamp had been dead and decaying, the fortress sprung up rich verdant plants that grew along the walls, not a single leaf outside of the damaged walls. Even still, the wasteland was growing on the castle, cracks had formed in the walls, death and decay slowly stretching inward. Jayne knew it was better to not linger here, best to get in, get any magical items they could find and get out before the place came in.

The step beneath their right foot gave out, crumbling slightly. Their leather boot slid off the broken rock causing them to stumble. They slammed into the wall on their right to avoid a larger fall, metal plated shoulder slamming against it. The sound echoed off the silence. Jayne took a deep breath and steadied themselves using their free hand to push off from the wall. The cold seeped in through their glove chilling them to the bone. They quickly recoiled pulling their hand away.

Slowly they continued deeper down. The air felt colder the deeper they went but smelled less damp. It actually smelled sweeter, more like a ripe fruit. Jayne wondered what could be making such a smell in a place like this. They raised the torch higher above their head hoping to see further into the darkness.

As they rounded the last few steps, they came upon what seemed to be an antechamber. The close stone walls of the stair well expanded outward into large towering archways that stretched up above. Jayne raised the torch, the light barely illuminating the curved ceiling. Each archway formed into a bulbous domed roof. They let out a soft whistle, the sound bouncing around the room.

Jayne peered into the darkness, the arches seemed to stretch on and outward forming a large networking hallway. They sighed, it would take hours to search something this large. Instead they tucked one hand onto the hilt of their sword stashed on their left hip choosing instead to follow the sweet smell. It led them forward before sharply veering off towards the right, then to the left, then back to the right. Jayne was surprised, the scent seemed to be moving around the room. They made a mental note to remember each step. It would be harder to leave if they couldn’t, especially if there were dangers here.

“Sssssuch a pretty little adventurer. It has been ssssso long sssssince we could induct a new sssservant to the Velvet Fold.”

The voice echoed off of the ceiling. Jayne spun, sword raised in one hand, torch in the other. They waved it back and forth trying to illuminate the darkness. They couldn’t see anything but every so often they could sense shapes moving in the shadows. A brush of air. The smell would grow stronger flowing with it.

“The Velvet Fold welcomes all who wish to join it. Would you welcome its embrace?”

The second voice was different. It was softer, smaller than the other. Jayne didn’t know if it was further away or just from a smaller creature. There was definitely more than one thing here.

“Adventurer must welcome Fold. Must join us.”

That one was big. Possibly an orc or half giant. Jayne’s hand shook slightly. They shouldn’t have come here alone. They were very outmatched. Not only that but the Velvet Fold was extremely dangerous. They were a cult of savage worshippers that kidnapped and enslaved any who could be used as breeding stock. They ran across the lands reigning terror, or at least they had until they had been wiped out. Jayne had heard stories of the things they did. Suddenly they were terrified of what would happen if they were caught.

They turned quickly running. Their feet slammed against the ground thudding as they sprinted for dear life. They had to get out of there as fast as possible. They just needed to retrace their steps and they could escape. They wouldn’t go out adventuring alone. That’s why you have a guild to protect you from things like thi-

Their thoughts were cut short as their foot caught on something. Suddenly they were flying through the air, tumbling forward. Their chest slammed against the ground with a thud knocking the air from their lungs with a quick thud. Their sword slid across the ground into the darkness, the torch bouncing away. It dimmed with each thud, only a few embers burning gently in the darkness. Jayne scrambled forward, clawing with their hands to grab it. The fingers wrapped around the hilt, quickly coiling around it before suddenly feeling it slide away. Their metal plates scraped against the ground as something wrapped around their right leg, quickly pulling them backwards into the darkness. The light disappeared, swallowed up by the darkness as everything went black.

Jayne screamed and tried to kick at whatever was wrapped around their leg. It responded by twisting them sideways rolling them across the ground on their back. There was a flash of red light to their right and suddenly they found their wrists pulled together on their chest. An invisible chain wrapped around them tying them tightly together, a binding spell. It quickly pulled their wrists upward pulling their arms taught. It pulled tighter still dragging their arms up above their head. Slowly their body followed, pulled by their arms and the invisible string. They were tugged upward, stretching their body towards the ceiling. Their feet stood on the floor, just enough to prevent them from relaxing or dropping down.

“You will join the Velvet Fold. You will be welcomed in with warm and loving.” A voice whispered just behind their head. Jayne tried to turn but felt their arms strain at the effort.

“Do not sssstruggle. We would not like to ssssseeee you hurt yoursssself.”

“Please. Just let me go. I won’t tell anyone you’re here.” Jayne whimpered struggling against the invisible bonds.

“We would rather you did. We have been so lonely. Our lady in lust craves new followers. You shall be the first of many.” A pair of hands wrapped around Jayne’s body slowly sliding down their sides before coiling around their waist. “You will make a fantastic incubator.”

“Please. I don’t want this.” Jayne whimpered knowing that it was futile to fight them. It was too late for them. The monsters would have their way with them.

“Do not fear. We are gentle.”

“Yessss….Allow me to eassse your fearssss…” Jayne could make out a naga slithering into view. They slowly mouthed something, their hands glowing a soft green. They reached up and gently traced the edges of Jayne’s clothing and armor, the seams and pins decaying. The pieces of metal and fabric fell to the ground in shambles piece by piece. Jayne realized they were undressing themselves. The cold air slowly pushed into their skin causing their hair to stand on edge. They suddenly felt so vulnerable.

“You will be part of the Fold. Welcome the embrace of the goddess.” Jayne felt something cold press against the curve of their ass. It slid over the smooth flesh pressing between their two ass cheeks. It was slimy and squirmed against their flesh as if it was searching for an entrance. Jayne squeezed their eyes shut crying softly.

The object or creature, they couldn’t be sure slithered down, pressing against their asshole. It squeezed, forcing its way into the opening. Jayne felt something pop like a bubble. They felt fluid gush inside of their ass. It bubbled and gurgled, fizzing. Jayne could feel something in their stomach, like a bubble building. It grew, stretching upward. They felt so full as if they were going to burst. They tried squeezing to push it out and were rewarded with a loud pop. Something warm dripped out of them sliding down their legs. The air suddenly smelled sweet, like fresh fruit right after the harvest.

The snake person’s hands slid up caressing Jayne’s sides before sliding up onto their chest. The scales, surprisingly warm clasped their small chest, fingers toying with sensitive nipples. Jayne’s eyes rolled back in their head, pleasure radiating through them. “Are you sssssure they will be an incubator? I would perhapssss rather they breed me. It hassss been sssssooooo long ssssince I have been taken by the lady of lussssst.”

Jayne was barely aware of the conversation happening around them. Their nipples were radiating such pleasure thought their body. It was as if every nerve was suddenly connected to their chest. Each brush of a scale’s edge sent a shock through their body causing them to writhe in pleasure against the restraints. They could feel the wetness along their slit slowly build up into a single drop that fell down their legs.

“Need….” Jayne whined bucking their hips in the air. They needed to be touched. Their body was aching in a way that had never been felt before.

“They are ready. Prepare the crown of our lady. May it bless you with your true purpose.”

Jayne could feel a cold piece of metal place on their head. It thrummed with magical energy. Slowly it fit snuggly around their head. It pulsed, each vibration sending a wave of pleasure into Jayne’s body. They could feel it, like a heart beat. Their vision flashed with pulses. With each wave they could see in the darkness for a brief second. The vibrations creating a sort of outlined echo. There were dozens of shapes in the darkness, all looking at Jayne, all waiting for them.

Jayne cried out as they came, body shaking. They could feel the crown shifting, feeding off of them. Energy radiated out from it wrapping around them. Tendrils of magic snaked down caressing the sides of their face. They curled up trading around Jayne’s ears. Jayne wanted to protest but all that came out was a low whimper of pleasure.

The tendrils took it as approval and slipped inward. Jayne could feel their ears stretch as the phantom tendrils pushed deeper, stretching their head. Their eyes rolled back as they shook. Spit dripped out of their mouth as they gasped, their entirety suddenly penetrated. They felt a loud squelch as the tendrils popped in quickly smashing against their brain. Jayne groaned head falling forward as their legs spread. There was a magic building within them.

Signals of energy traced down their nerves, coiling, wrapping like energy. Their ass swelled, bulging, curving outward. Had they been wearing clothes, they would have exploded into shreds of fabric. Instead the flesh bounced, rising and swelling outward, muscle and fat forming and stretching outward. Their chest heaved, small flat breasts surging forward with momentum. Jayne could feel liquid swelling within them as they grew larger, heavier, pulling their chest forward. Small arms suddenly grew rich with muscle. Their wrists swelled to match, the magic ropes shattering instantly as their arms fell to their sides with a thud. They stumbled forward tumbling into the embrace of the naga.

Jayne’s mouth fell open as they slid down the body of the snake person. The scales left small cuts on the skin that quickly mended themselves. Their tongue shot out, quickly stretching longer. Jayne didn’t know how they knew, but they knew exactly what to do. Their lips quickly pushed the scales apart revealing the sensitive flesh hidden beneath. The naga hissed, their body shaking. Jayne’s tongue plunged deeper surging into the sweet depths within.

Deep inside their mind, Jayne was being overloaded with pleasure. They were aware of what their body was doing but had no control over it. It moved as if puppeted by their own desires or the crown’s. It was hard to know where Jayne ended and where the lady of lust began. Jayne could feel her voice, her touch as it guided her, awakening Jayne’s true potential. Jayne never know they were destined for such greatness, how so many were, their desires twisted and manipulated instead of allowing the Velvet Fold to run freely, embracing all who needed freedom. Jayne would help the lady of lust spread, the Velvet Fold spread once more, and in return, they would be free to embrace their pleasure.

The crown curled, wrapping around Jayne’s head, pulling. Something surged along the tentacles of magic. Pink magic surged out of Jayne’s head, pulsing up into the crown. The crowd cheered as Jayne felt a longing within themselves. They felt themselves stretch, swelling below. They could feel their insides twist, pushing outward, swelling forward. They leaned back gasping as from deep within their fold something burst out. A large throbbing cock, tapered at the head yet flared at the base. Jayne could feel more, horns, small ones bursting out of the top of their skull. The tentacles swelled brighter, rich pink energy pulling out of their head.

Blind lust filled them. Jayne became lost in the waves. It surged inside of their head, blind obedience, the Velvet Fold wrapping around their brain, flooding it with what was desired. Jayne gave into the desire. Lost within they would do what they must for the lady of lust. They would be the lady’s arch priest. They would do it with eagerness. They were the bearer of the crown, they must serve.

Jayne came, cock twitching wildly as cum erupted from the head. They could feel the crown merge with their horns, cold metal merging with flesh. The magic swirling into their very cells. They were the conduit of magic, they were their lady of lust’s vessel. They were the Velvet Fold, and the Velvet Fold was them. They could feel every orgasm from the crowd, their bodies shaking as they came.

Jayne smiled. The Velvet Fold must grow. They must spread their lady’s pleasure across the world.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hope you enjoyed that. I’ll be following @h_sleepingirl prompt list for the entire month because I really like a couple of the prompts on the list. You should also definitely check out and support them.

You’ll also be able to find all of my writings under the tags on my page. Hope you enjoy and see you tomorrow!

[nostalgiclittlespace]

Spotify Suggestions for Little Space!

Some of my personal favorite songs (and their artists) from my agere playlist! Anything with dashes (/) means there are numerous versions I listen to. Almost everything is clean, but I did mark the ones that are explicit (if I missed any pls let me know!)

Feel free to add your join suggestions in the comments! Hope this helps someone!

Little Space (of course)—SXYE

Million Dreams, Lullaby—Music Box Lullabies

Pure Imagination—Dream Easy Collection

Dearly Beloved—Video Game Music Box

Treehouse—Alex G, Emily Yacina

safe place—Tony22

Boys will be Bugs—Cavetown (TW: Explicit)

Coconut Mall, Mario Kart Wii—Arcade Player

Hikari—Video Game Music Box

Build a Bear—Maggie Brewer

FNAF Security Breach: Daycare theme—Dario D’Aversa/Saccharinne

This is Me—The Greatest Showman

Bubblegum K.K—Qumu/Jayn

First Date—Frad

The Strawberry Cafe—IllustratorJake

UWU—Chevy

Zelda’s Lullaby—Amy Turk

Strawberry Milk—Fluffy Fluff

Flying Strawberry Cow—FroggyChair

It’s a Small World, Lullaby—Hamasaki vs Hamasaki

Face My Fears—Ralpi Composer

Winnie the Pooh—Melody the Music Box

K.K Love Song—Kazumi Totaka

Shadow Bonnie Music box—b1n4ry

Jump Up, Super Star! (Music box version)—Boxyboard

I See the Light, music box version—James Strange

Stars in the Sky—Kid Cudi

Welcome to Wonderland—Anson Seabra

King—Lauren Aqulina

I’m Cute—Animaniacs

Rainbow Connection—Weezer,Haley Williams

Mii Channel—G4M1NG

Fur Elise, Reimagined—Alexander Joseph

Animal Crossing New Horizons Theme—Lullaby Legends

Twinkle, twinkle little star— Sabelia Robles

Wrap Me In Plastic—CHROMANCE, Marcus Layton

Lovely Date—NomnomNami

Gay Fairytale Music Box—Saccharinne

Brahms Lullaby—Lullaby Time/Elliot Gordon

A Thousand Years—Christina Perri/Jade Facer

Try Everything—Shakira

I’m Still Here—John Rzeznik

Nobody—Faith Marie

Flying Stars—Celestaby

putting a spin on big girls don’t cry—egg

putting a spin on love you so—egg

The Court Jester—thquib, FUKASE

Reach for the Stars—Sega Sound Team

Get you to the Moon—Kina, Snow

More than Anything—Hazbin Hotel

Peter Pan Was Right—Anson Seabra

Keep your Head Up Princess—Anson Seabra

The NeverEnding Story—The Birthday Massacre

Any Disney soundtrack (Disney Princesses, Disney Channel themes, Pixie Hollow Fairies, etc)

Music box versions of Disney soundtracks—Melody the Music Box

Sugar Crash!—ElyOtto (TW; Explicit)

Cry Baby (Album)—Melanie Martinez (TW: Explicit)

K-12 (Album)—Melanie Martinez (TW: Explicit)

House Song—Searows

I’ll Always Remember You—Hannah Montana

Bunny, Bunny, Bunny—The Golden Orchestra

Goodbye to a World—Porter Robinson

Liminal Space (Album)—mxmtoom

All We Do—Oh Wonder

You Might Not Like Her—Maddie Zahm

you not the same—TileKid

Kids—Current Joys

Change my Clothes—Dream, Alec Benjamin

I Bet on Losing Dogs—Mitski

Cardigan (TikTok Best Part)—Luke Willies

Disney Classics on Classical Violin (Album)—Matthew Castle

Disney Serenade on Classical Violin (Album)—Matthew Castle

Classic Pops on Classical Violin (Album)—Matthew Castle

Lon Lon Ranch—Super Piano 64

Alice—Avril Lavigne

[safely-in-vhagars-belly]

SNOW FALLS: DARK! AEMOND X OC/READER CHAPTER 31: The Hopes of Winter 18+ MDNI

🔷Summary: (for this chapter only) Aemond became your husband and now you are having his child. Helaena returns from her revenge at the North, and you expierence and learn to know the man you married all too well.

🔷Author's note: DARK dead DOVE DO NOT EAT OK

Wordcount :6092 

WARNINGS: Aemond is dark, Aegon and Aemond are woman-hating shits (calling rhae-rhae awful things) Birth, childbirth, blood, gore, children dying (not oc's second child!) and fucking, rawdogging and aemond being a asshole for 6000 words straight! FINAL ONE: This is my second darkest fic. BE WARRY!

You have endured a lot of pain. Both mental and physical. You have been tattood against your will feeling every bit, you lost your first born baby, you were stabbed, tortured, raped, defiled, enslaved and abused. Yet it all seems nothing to the pain that is childbirth. You are laying in your husband’s bed, your legs wide as you try to push out your child. Aemond is nearby still, but you can tell he is not with you. He keeps eying the skies for the return of his brother or his sister. It's been a while since Helaena left the castle on Dreamfyre, and according to spies she has headed North to burn the ancestral seat of House Stark and to avenge her child. She should be heading to Dragonstone, you think. Cregan is not innocent and deserves to suffer for what he did, but the real villain is at Dragonstone. You know so.  ‘’Any sign of your sister?’’ You ask between grunts and groans.

Aemond folds his hands on his back as he stiffly turns around, looking at you as you try to give birth to your child. He needs a split moment to think before he walks away from the window, and instead joins your side, grasping your hands so firmly. ‘’Don’t you dare think of that right now. You focus on our babe.’’ He tells you instead of answering your question. You give a nod.

The wetnurses and midwives do their best as you try to give birth but truth be told it's much more complicated than you imagined. And much more painful. You don't understand how anyone could ever endure such torture. You are close to giving up, and you only just started. ‘’My lady, you must push. This child needs to get out of your body.’’ The midwife known as Jayne speaks as she tries to help you. Aemond turns his head away respectfully to the window and you can’t help but feel this is all your fault somehow.

Helaena was furious with her own loss, but you talked with her which inspired her to get her dragon and to do something about it. You know from history books how well those stories end.

You hear your midwife scream in your ear and you can’t help but flinch. “Push, my lady, Push!” The midwife helps. You think back of your first child that also died. Of your family that endured the same fate. Of your mother who lied. Even of the pain Aemond caused you. And the pain you caused yourself.

You need to push.

In more than one way.

You need to stop being this weak girl. You need to grow up. You need to start living your life. You brace yourself and give a final big Push with an ungodly cry that could rival any warrior. You focus on a painting on the wall, the painting of the castle of Harrenhall as you finally hear the most precious, breakable, and wonderful sound you ever heard.

A baby crying followed by relieved sighs of the women in the room. The baby is plucked from your body and wrapped in silk green with gold blankets. You notice tiny dragons embroidered on the fabric. You reach out with your arms, eager to hold your bundle of joy. The midwives walk away with your baby instead, and they only have eye for Aemond from that moment on. Your smile dies, and you quickly cover your belly with your arms, hiding that you ever wanted to hold what is rightfully yours.

Aemond is standing as a guard nearby, his face unreadable and stoic until they put the baby in his arms. At first, he seems lost and confused with the crying creature in his arms. He even tries to put the child back in the arms of the lady who gave him the baby. But she simply steps out of reach and bows. “Congratulations, your royal highness. You have a healthy baby girl.” Aemond’s good eye blinks at the crying creature still swaddled in blankets.

A girl.

You think back of what Aemond once told you. How a girl would and should never inherit. How a girl is only good for alliances. How a girl's only value is to bring her husband children.

You expect him to scream in rage and to throw a tantrum and a vase or two or perhaps to kill the midwives for their failure.

You aren't quite prepared for what happens however. Aemond's lips begin to fall in a gentle smile as he softly and gently unravels the baby a bit so he may reach her head. He gives her a gentle kiss on her forehead. He speaks in high Valyrian and although you can't understand a word of what he says, you understand that he is praising her. He is happy with her despite her gender. You even dare say that you see his good eye become watery as he looks at the precious gift that the gods bestowed upon you both. You see a man that looked for his place in the world and that finally has found what he always wanted: A family. A true family that loves him no matter what.

‘’Is she healthy?’’ You ask, your voice still strained from the screaming you did. Jayne nods, and your worst fears vanish.

‘’As healthy as can be.’’ You cry of relief, of the pain and the stress of the situation. You did it. The baby is healthy.

Aemond walks to you, offering you the baby as he takes place next to you on the bed.  “I was just saying; I said she is as beautiful as her mother.” He kisses your sweaty forehead. You would have advised against that but its too late now. You take the baby from him, finally holding your child. Your baby.

And it's the most precious thing in the world to you. You understand why you suffered now. You understand it so well. To feel her heartbeat in your arms and to see her tiny hands and fingers. It's all so precious. So unlike this cold-blooded world. It feels as if you were drowning for years in sea, looking for your own wooden plank to hold, to survive. And now you have reached the shore.

“How are they both doing?” Aemond asks, to be certain. He knows they can't lie to him.

Jayne checks your bleedings one final time to make sure all is well before she informs Aemond. “Her Lady is doing well and so is the little Princess. I have never seen such a fierce baby, my prince.” She tells him with a chuckle.

You assume Aemond would hate her comment, as women aren’t supposed to be fierce. Women are submissive, women are mothers, not warriors. But instead he softly touches the cheeks of the baby with his finger, gently not to hurt her.  “She'll be a dragonrider for sure.” Aemond hums. “A fierce warrior.” He says, pride taking over. “She'll be like her father, and her ancestor. She'll be the terror of the skies and her enemies will weep blood.” Blood.

You remain with your child in bed as worry grows. Your mother told you she would soon be there. But what does that mean? A physical visit? You doubt Aemond would even let her set foot in the capital. Your husband notices your change of behavior. ‘’Everyone out.’’ He says, clapping his hands. ‘’I wish to be alone with my wife.’’ He adds, his voice taking a sinister tone when they don’t obey his command at first.

The crowd slowly walks to the doors and soon you and Aemond are alone with your baby. You place your head against his chest and let him hold you as you softly begin to exhale. ‘’I am worried.’’ You begin.

Aemond sighs, but admits that he feels the same. ‘’I am too. But that witch will have to wait. We first need to see how and what Helaena did.’’ You look at your baby, feeling guilty as Jaeheyres had just been found dead. Murdered at the hands of the senseless, cruel and unholy Black fraction of the Targaryens. Things you cannot think of right now, but things that haunt you all the same.

‘’What do you think of the name Sansa?’’ You ask, smiling. You were in love with that name long before you had met Aemond. The name is Northern and classic, beautiful and elegant. It is perfect for the young Princess.

But to think that Aemond would even like such a simple name, that was too much to ask. Aemond frowns as if you suggested something disgusting.  ‘’A Northern name? She’s a Targaryen.’’ He chuckles as if he finds your idea silly. ‘’She needs a powerful name, one that will introduce her before people meet her.’’ You wonder long about the answer.

He chuckles, plucking the child from your arms as you let out a confused whimper. He carries her to her crib, where a dragon egg awaits her. ‘’You don’t need to think of it alone, luckily. I will be here and my opinion counts too. Now, shall we go? I am sure we can give her to a wetnurse for now.’’ He is impatient to get rid of her. You can tell. But why?

You expected more time with the baby but you didn't protest. This is how ladies do it. How a princess consort does this apparently. You need to fight every impulse to cling to your child. To stay with her. To defend her from the evils in this world. Because you know better than most what the world does to kind and innocent creatures. It burns them until there is nothing left to burn. It eats out the soul of their bodies until no soul remains and it smashes dreams and kills hope. It's a cruel cruel world and for a moment you regret birthing your precious child because you know she will be just another challenge.

Not to you, obviously. 

But to your enemies.

And to Aemond's especially.

You dress in a green with golden dress and make your way downstairs to the throne room with your husband. He walks in front of you and you have trouble keeping up, as his legs are longer and he walks quicker. As you pass by servants and nobles they all nod to you and bow for Aemond.

When you enter the throne room, there is a chill of change in the air. King Aegon no longer inappropriately hangs on the iron throne, as you saw him many times before. He sits now, his crown properly on his head, no more tilted. And his expression haunts you. Jealousy and anger is written across his face, and nothing can erase that. He smiles at you, but you feel threatened regardless. 

Aemond greets Aegon formally and you do the same, barely looking into Aegon’s eyes, still mad that he wanted you, a pregnant woman, punished. Aegon’s neck snaps and you watch as he sits up, taking in your new gown. ‘’Finally dressing as if you are one of us, little Fox.’’ He uses Aemond’s nickname for you, but you aren’t happy with that. You aren't happy with something else either.

“As IF you are one of us.”

So that implies you aren't one of them at all. That you'll be nothing but a guest and a consort here. You read Aegon's attention in his eyes as he challenges you to speak to him, the King and your brother in law. You bow your head.

“Do we have news about Helaena?” You listen in subtly when Aemond begins this conversation. “Surely she is spotted somewhere. We have eyes and ears in all the Kingdoms. I can take Vhagar, we can look for her.’’ Vhagar, the dragon. It’s been years since you married him and you still pray for him everytime he climbs on that beast.

Aegon does not respond at first, toying with his rings and a small council ball made of a yellow stone. He keeps staring at you, at the ball but never says a word. ‘’Your Grace?’’ Aemond asks, trying to get his attention. But that does not do anything.

‘’I want them all dead.’’ His voice is barely a whisper, his eyes in a haunting state as he gazes at the ball in his hand. ‘’I need them all dead.’’ He continues, whispering still. Some nobles present share a look and you even see Lady Ereya chuckle at the display. You glare at her, finding it highly inappropriate not to mention dangerous.

Aegon rises from the throne suddenly, pulling the sword Blackfyre as he screams in pure rage and heartbreak, the way only a parent can. ‘’I want them all dead!’’ He screams, surprising you with his rage. Aemond subtly pushes you behind him, to protect you.

Aemond approaches the throne as Aegon covers his face with both his hands, dropping the council ball for just a brief moment. Aemond kneels to pick up the ball and hands it to his king. Aegon tries to take the ball back, his eyes wet with tears and his breath shaking. But Aemond does not let go of him just yet. Their eyes meet and you see the reflection of Aegon’s rage in Aemond’s eyes. ‘’We will feed that whore, the slut of dragonstone, and all her sniveling unworthy bastards to the dragons. We will make her name an insult, her legacy a mockery, and no one, no one will stand in our way. We will rain fire and blood down upon her, her bastards and that coward that she married. And that husband of hers, I want his head cut off and used as a drinking cup.’’ Aemond promises his king. Aegon nods, and you can tell he puts comfort out of those words, as he lets go of the council ball and holds onto Aemond instead. A touching display. You would almost forget that Aemond threatened to kill Aegon so few moons ago. 

Aemond’s words are morbid and full of hatred. He looks at you as if he promises you the same vow, to see the Queen and King of Dragonstone die for your unborn child. Aegon lets go first, adjusting himself back to the role at hand. The role of the King. ‘’To answer your question: I don’t know where she is. She is in the North. But the North, as your wife can confirm, is massive. Even a dragon cannot be spotted that easily. Never mind it’s enemy territory.’’ 

You can see the worry on Aemond’s face increase. ‘’If Rhaenyra sent someone down there, she could be in danger. What if Jace is there?’’ You remember meeting with Prince Jacaerys and Lord Stark in the tavern. And so does Aemond.

Aegon does not fear Jace or pretends to not fear him. He doubles over laughing despite his tears. ‘’Then I will celebrate two of my siblings becoming Kinslayers.’’ He says. “Helaena is like a chameleon. She can adjust and hide and cloak herself very well. I have been searching since the morning and it's evening now. I don't suspect we will find her until she wants to be found.”

The doors of the throne room are thrown open as a smaller lady approaches, her riding gown blackened with dried blood and ash. As she approaches the throne, men quickly bow, women curtsy and all lower their eyes as their Queen, their rightful queen walks past them. Aemond is the last one to bow to her, taking his distance so Aegon may greet his Queen. 

Helaena does not speak. Her face is blackened with ash of fire. Her once beautiful hair is now an ungodly mess, with streaks of blood in it. She united her hair messily with a bun, eager to get on her dragon to bring destruction and justice. 

There is nothing left of the Sweet princess, of the mother that she was. All of that is burned to ashes. She no longer cares about appearances. Not anymore.

Her eyes used to be full of life and sparkling, in a way. Now you see an emptiness no word could describe and no riches could fill. A void left by the loss of a child that has marked her forever. Helaena takes off her riding gloves and gives them to a nearby servant, ignoring the crowd watching her, judging her in silence. You feel as if you must say something, anything. 

Helaena’s enemies were untouchable, so she went after yours. She killed innocent Northerners because of you. She did so, for you. She has brought a bag with her, that she proudly empties in front of both her brothers. You watch as an unfamiliar head comes rolling out of the bag, staining the red keep tiles with blood, gore and shock. ‘’There was something waiting for me when I arrived in the North.’’ She reveals, her voice soft and still the same. ‘’But I took care of it. I thought it’d make a wonderful token for the Bitch Queen at Dragonstone.’’ You are looking at the serving head of a mere child, if you can even call him that. A child that had its whole life ahead of him. Barely six years old, if you had to guess. 

Aemond and Aegon do know who this is, and judging by the bloodied white streaks of hair that the child's head has, you assume that he must be related to them somehow. Aegon is at first disgusted, then overjoyed as he begins to chuckle. ‘’My wife! My lovely wife!’’ He grabs Helaena by her bloodied hands and gives her a kiss on her forehead. It is more the kind of kiss a brother would give his sister, not the way a husband would kiss a wife. Aemond has another reaction. 

‘’Where’s the rest of his body?’’ He asks, and you judge him and his siblings silently for these actions. ‘’We must be careful with what we do with the body, but I have a few ideas. We can send his limbs to Rhaenyra’s bannermen. Let her collect her son piece by piece.’’ 

That feels as if he slaps you across your face.

‘’Like what you did to my own family members?”’ You whisper, hurt by his description and eagerness. You feel your tears sting behind your lashes. Aemond tilts his head at you and waits for the tears to fall. You thought he had changed. You were wrong.

Helaena ignores your whispers as does Aemond. ‘’In the bag. I took it all with me. As all his toys he had at Winterfell. I left Rhaenyra a note as well.’’ She brags, grinning as the rest of the court watches in stunned silence.

You feel like you are going to throw up. Can’t they see this just as wrong as killing your own child, as killing Jaeheyres? No. They can’t. ‘’Who is this?’’ You ask, your voice soft.

Aemond gives the head of the child a soft kick, so you may see the massive cut on his neck. You are forced to watch it, as Aemond remains by your side, holding you. ‘’Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaenyra and Daemon, who killed your son, and my heir. Who killed the Crown prince-’’

‘’He was innocent!” You shout, breaking free from his grasp. ‘’He was a child! What crimes did he commit? Not his parents, but him?’’

Aemond does at first not meet your eye and sighs. ‘’I thought you understood the cost of war, Willa. I must say you disappoint me.’’ He says, as if this is somehow your fault. You huff, preparing yourself to leave this room at once. But he blocks your path right away, reminding you are in this now whether you like it or not.

‘’A son for a son they said.’’ Helaena pauses to glance at the head. ‘’Well I agree. A son for a son, indeed.’’ She empties the sack and toys, stuffed plushies covered in blood come out. Toys like dragons made of wood, and fabric, as well as seahorses, and eventually a small ring worth a fortune. Rhaenyra’s ring, you assume.

‘’How did you capture him?’’ You manage to ask, sickened by the sight of the decomposing stinking body. Worms crawl over his head, into his eye socket, and out of it with the same pace.

Helaena does not acknowledge you at first. She stares into the distance. ‘’I had to pretend I was his mother. I snuck into his bedchamber, prepared to behead him the same way they beheaded my son. The boy woke up, however.’’ You wonder if her own son did the same thing.

‘’And he looked into my eyes and said ‘’Mommy.’’ I never knew I could miss hearing that word from the mouth of a boy.’’ She shivers, her eyes watering. ‘’He thought I was Rhaenyra. He thought so, until I cut him open and silenced his screams with a pillow.’’ A horrible description for a horrible world.  What of the Northerns? Surely they noticed their guest missing?

‘’They put Viserys somewhere else, sadly.’’ She continues. You can tell she is relieved at that, however. She could not take another life. ‘’I took the bag, disguised myself as a servant and left Winterfell.’’ That does not explain why she is covered in blood and ash. 

She stops her eyes telling enough and too much. ‘’I left for King’s Landing after that. I burned seven villages when leaving. I burned seven-’’ She takes a shaky breath. ‘’I burned seven villages and none of it will bring back my son!’’ She covers her ears with her hands, her bloodstained hands as she takes the one after the other heartbreaking deep breath, almost a whimper. 

Helaena calms herself in a moment, understanding she must act now or mourn for the rest of her life. ‘’We must attack Dragonstone. Daemon has set out for Harrenhal." Aemond perks up by those words and you don’t like where this conversation is going. ‘’Vhagar, Sunfyre and Dreamfyre. Together we can do it.’’ She says.

They plan to kill the Queen.

You harbor no love for Rhaenyra, none at all.

But this feels like a mistake.

A deadly one.

Aemond is not that enthusiastic either. He knows better than most what that would be mean. He thought of this plan often too, you can tell. ‘’That is a risk. Not with Moondancer, Syrax, whatever reptile Jace flies and Rhaenys being there. We must wait for them to split so we can take them out, one by one.’’ A clever strategy.

Aegon is also doubting this new plan. “A dangerous plan. We must discuss this with the council first-” Helaena laughs in his face, getting closer to her husband and brother, lecturing him as if he is a little boy.

She snarls. “The same council that allowed my son to get murdered? I would rather jump out of a window!” You feel a sharp pain in your stomach and briefly double over. 

‘’May I be excused?’’ You asked, as the pain only increases and builds.

Aegon shakes his head. ‘’So you can write to your friends? No. You’ll stay.’’ You don’t want to write to anyone. You want to see your daughter and go to bed. ‘’How will-’’ Your cries interrupt the King’s words as you scream out in pain, clutching your stomach as blood comes pouring out of your gown again. You don’t understand. You had your baby.

Disgusted, the King backs away. Aemond forgets about his revenge for a brief moment and grabs your hands, worried. ‘’Someone get a maester! Now!’’ He yells at the servants and crowd. One of the noble ladies rushes to your side, her black locks dancing in your face as she kneels by your side.

‘’Take deep breaths, my Lady.’’ She whispers. ‘’You are having your afterbirth.’’ After what now? You look at Aemond as the lady begins to caress your belly with her mere fingers. It instantly feels…better somehow.

You back away, as you feel a familiar tingle in the air. The same tingle whenever your mother touched you or hugged you, held you or comforted you. This woman is a witch.

‘’Come, I think you want to go back to the bedroom.’’ Aemond lifts you and carries you with him as a sack of potatoes. You and him leave behind the smirking woman, who tilts her head at you and simply waves. Even though she does not say it.

You just know…

You will see her again.

—-

You are in bed again, holding your daughter and feeling much better. You are still mad at Aemond, however. “I am sorry.” He says. You nod, you hoped he would be. 

He continues, watching you nurse your baby and letting her feed at your breasts. “It's my fault, in truth. The wetnurses tell me that this is not an uncommon thing. They knew this was coming and wanted you here in this room so you could have it…properly and with dignity and I took that from you.�� You sigh. You had hoped he would apologize for something else. But you know him too well to hope that.

So you ask a totally unrelated question. “Why does she scare you?” You tilt your baby’s head so she may see her father who keeps his distance from her.

Aemond chuckles, scoffing and denying it. ‘’I am not scared of a mere baby.’’ You lift your brows. He sighs, allowing himself to admit it.  “She makes me feel things. Things I don't understand. Things I can't understand.”

“Can't or want?” You ask sharply, done with his deflections and lies.

He sighs, sitting by your side at least.  “She makes me feel..vulnerable. She is another weakness. Another soul for me to protect. Another light to be snuffed out by enemies.” You hear him. You do. You are facing familiar fears. He is afraid he will lose her. You give him the baby.

And slowly his smile returns, as he holds her. ‘’Aemond, I know our relationship is far from perfect. And I know war is brewing all around us. But know this: I will do whatever is best for my child. You can deny us and forsake us and doom us but your responsibility for this child, to me, won’t vanish because of it. You will only look as a coward for it.’’

‘’Aren’t you scared?’’ He asks, genuinely.

You nod. You are. ‘’I am granted a gift, Aemond. I rather know her and lose her than not know her and lose her in another way entirely.’’

You see he needs another push. No, you feel he needs another push. “We will do this together.” You whisper caressing his locks. “You will be a great father. I know it.” You whisper. 

Aemond nods, and allows himself to sit back with the baby in his arms. He takes the baby blanket from her, showing it to you with a proud smile. “I had the servants work on it. The dragons are on just one side, if I may..”

He turns the blanket inside out so you may see the other side. Foxes. Little foxes in orange and white. You tear up. Your house colors and your sigil. “Our child should know her mother's house.” He whispers as he caresses your face. 

You nod speechless. One house, at least. Your father’s house. Your husband puts the blanket back around your baby and he seems more at ease. Still clumsy and nervous but more at ease. ‘’How about…Darya?’’ He asks. You at first are confused. Who is Darya? Until you see him nod at the baby.

‘’Darya?’’ You repeat, after him, testing the name as you look at the little one who is now peacefully napping in her father’s arms. ‘’I don’t know, Aemond.’’ Isn’t it too early to name this child?

‘’It means Queen in Valyrian.’’ He says. ‘’A well chosen name. And we can, if we must-’’ He takes a deep dramatic breath. ‘’Even spell it with a Y instead of the classic I if we must.’’ He looks at you expectedly, knowing he offers you a great gift.

You look at your baby. You know how well the Valyrians act to outsiders. You were a Northern, once perhaps. But that was before you married a Southern prince. ‘’No.’’ You say, surprising both him and yourself. ‘’I want her to have a proper Valyrian name. Daria is fine.’’ You kiss his cheek, confirming your choice and you aren’t sure who you are lying to. Him or yourself.

Aemond begins kissing you back, his kisses mirroring the hunger he feels inside. ‘’I wish to lay with you, and give you thousands of my children.’’ He whispers. ‘’But the maester said we had to be careful, my fox. So until we are certain, we must be contempt with kisses alone.’’ You wouldn’t lay with him anyway. He hurt you today. More than he seems to know.

—-

The next morning you are feeding Daria when there's a knock on your door. You didn’t bother to dress or to do your hair. ‘’In.’’ You say.

Dowager Queen Alicent finally enters your room, her eyes glued to the child in your arms. ‘’Look, it is your grandmother.’’ You say to Daria. ‘’You must say hello.’’ You hold out your child for Alicent to touch but she does not allow herself to come even near your child.

She is not here for good news. You are worried.

‘’Aemond told me you named her Daria.’’ You did.

‘’We did.’’ You say, correcting her. ‘’We named her together.’’ You smile recalling how happy you were last night.

Alicent is here for something else. She finally speaks, informing you of facts. ‘’Aemond is out today. Your daughter’s name day has been postponed.’’ You feel stress take over.

‘’Why?’’ You ask, paranoid. ‘’What has happened? Where is Aemond?’’

Alicent sighs. ‘’I don’t know how to tell you this, Willa.’’

‘’Tell me what?’’

‘’There has been a fire. At Wylde Crest.’’

Your heart sinks. Your home. ‘’The flames swallowed the gods' woods. And the people in the keep. Something locked the doors. They either burned to death or suffocated.’’ You cover your mouth to stop the sobs.

‘’My people…’’ You whisper to yourself.

Alicent joins you on the bed, rubbing your back. ‘’I know you feel a great responsibility to them. But you must think of yourself and your child now. Aemond is already investigating.’’ That is exactly what worries you.

—-

You later are walking past the small council chamber. You hear the voices of Aegon, Helaena, Alicent and Aemond. ‘’What did you tell her?’’ Aemond’s voice rings out. You know he speaks of you. You halt.

Alicent’s voice response is in anger. ‘’A lie.’’

‘’A lie? She must know the truth.’’ Aemond says. ‘’She must know what kind of people she offered refugee and housing.’’ He sounds so hateful. ‘’If you plan on exposing my crimes, at least add the proper motivation!’’

‘’People you killed, no?’’ Your blink confused at her words. He? Aemond?

Aemond’s voice becomes an annoyed growl. ‘’Yes, because they were traitors. I had the entire castle killed when we left for King’s Landing. But Willa does not know that. If she knows they were traitors, she understands.’’ How long ago did you leave? Moons ago. You sink to the floor, covering your mouth so they cannot hear you. You whimper as tears burst from your eyes. Aemond slaughtered your household, your friends and servants.

‘’And if she does not?’’ Alicent remarks. ‘’How long do you plan to keep it from her? Now that a survivor of your crimes has begun telling the horrors of what happened there-’’

She is interrupted by council members speaking. You focus on only Aemond’s voice. ‘’We have a child now. Willa must let go of her pity childhood feelings and now become a woman. She cannot afford to care about some stones with a roof anymore. She is a Princess. It is time she acts like one.’’ Your heart does not break because it can’t break any further. Yet you weep and stand up. ‘’And if she does not, I have no choice but to put her in her place, as any husband must do for his wife.’’

—

When Aemond returns it is storming.

‘’Why did you kill them exactly?’’ You ask the moment he has entered. You can see he knows what you are talking about. He sighs, expecting this conversation.

‘’They were a threat to the realm.’’ He says. You don’t believe that.

‘’Why did you kill them?’’ You ask again, less patient.

He growls, losing his temper. ‘’Because I wanted you here with me. Not there. You had to be separated from your home. One way or another.’’ There it is. He was worried you would leave him one day. That is why he destroyed your home. So you have no home to return to.

‘’You killed my friends.’’ You whisper, your eyes filled with hatred.

To that he laughs. ‘’What friends, Willa? They hated you the moment you became my wife. They helped those assassins get in and get away too. You never have been their lady.’’

You break, believing every word. For it the truth. What did they even do for you? You've never been a Northern girl. Not truly. And now you never will be. Aemond wraps his arms around you, hushing you. ‘’It is alright, Little Fox. I will never leave you. I will never not act in your best interests, no matter if you can’t see it yourself.’’ You don’t even try to break free anymore from his grip.

You allow him to kiss you, and kiss him back. You first take off his eyepatch. Then, you bend on the bed.   You don’t see it as punishment or hate. You need to feel things. Good things. Happy things, anything but the suffering. Aemond’s mouth sinks to your entrance as he begins sucking, pleasuring you orally as he pins your hands above your head. ‘’Going to fuck you, to show you how much I love you, little Fox.’’ He rasps. ‘’You’re going to be heard all the way in the North.’’ He adds, firing himself up. You are glad your daughter is with her nurse at the moment.

You consent by kissing his lips and taste yourself on his lips. You allow Aemond to bend you on your knees and to hold your hips as he slams his cock inside of you with a war cry, fucking you. ‘’Just as good as I remember.’’ He whispers, kissing your shoulders. Your moans become cries and your cries becomes screams as you finish with your husband fucking out his frustration on your body. 

You force him to take you harder, throwing back your hips as you reach the one after the other pleasure point and your breath quickens as you feel Aemond’s perfectly erected cock slam inside of you, pushing you to the limits. You claw at his hands that hold your hips as he fucks you savagely, certain you are pregnant again. ‘’Harder.’’ You hiss, wishing to be taken away from the misery.

Aemond happily obeys, fucking you so rough that you are sure there is blood on his member. He slides in faster and harder, and you can barely take it. It is too rough and too much but you want to feel better. ‘’Going to come, little fox.’’ He whispers in his strained voice and he grabs your back, pulling your body near him as if he is steering a pig in a stable. He slams inside of you again, groaning and grunting as he finishes with a satisfied little groan, filling you with warm seed.

You are now pinned under him and pleasured again, fucked and fingered as you try your best to come for him too. Your husband tries but your anger and disappointment is big. But eventually, by closing your eyes and pretending today was just a bad dream, you too come.

You feel better.

Aemond wraps his arms around your body, pulling you closer. ‘’If it counts, I am sorry. I am sorry you don’t have that sweet innocent man you always wanted. But you would be bored.’’ He kisses your forehead and then he goes to sleep. You allow yourself to fall with your heads in the pillows and stare at the ceiling. Hating yourself and him a bit more than you did before.

---------

A/N

Not them having hate sex-

I can't with these two.

Therapy is not strong enough we need something else xD

Special thanks to friend for the name Daria and the idea to Kill off little Aegon instead of Jace:)

[thetreestumptherapist]

🎵YOU CAN'T TAKE THE SKY FROM ME!

So, I finished Firefly the other day and am just now getting to posting about it. I had started a draft while I was on like episode 8, but never got to publishing it.

My thoughts on and related to Firefly:

NATHAN FILLION

So, this is the show the internet is mad about. WELL, ME TOO!

Theme song ingrained in my brain within 3 episodes. Like, I felt like I knew it from a past life and couldn't remember the words but I knew it with my soul, type of ingrained. I studied the theme hard so I could sing along with it during the short time I watched the show.

(At episode 6) I like this show. Mentally I know this show is short. Emotionally I am just now getting deeply invested and setting myself up for heartbreak.

I need to go back and watch all the other Nathan Fillion things I have watched and look for all the references to Firefly that I missed.

(On the last episode and after the show) Gorram you Fox! Even Swiper has more decency than you!

In examining my own preferences of steampunky themes and apparently cop shows (Can't wait for Rookie season 7), I now need a steampunk cop show.

Having watched Warehouse 13 and The Librarians directly before watching Firefly, and seeing how well Fillion plays the aloof, loyal, caring, can't-keep-his-hands-off-the-really-cool/shiny-and-probably-dangerous-artifact type characters, I now need an Indiana Jones type adventure, but with Nathan Fillion. Infinite bonus if it has Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres, Adam Baldwyn, Jewel Staite, and Morena Baccarin starring in it. I would also love if Sean Maher, and especially Summer Glau could also come back. I really want to see Summer in a not mentally ill role, but she mostly does bit parts in stuff that I am not really interested in.

Individual thoughts *SPOILERS*:

Jayne needs to start thinking with his brain, and not the thing between his legs.

I absolutely LOVE when Mal threatens Jayne after he tried to sell River to the Fed's. "You turn on any of my crew, you turn on me" and "Next time you stab me in the back, have the guts to do it to my face" are beautiful quotes that I will be making a part of my personality despite not having a ship, crew, or having been stabbed in the back

It's interesting to see what aspects of Fillion's personality go with him from character to character. From Mal, to Castle, Cayde-6, and John Nolan. They all care deeply about their crew even if they aren't really good with showing affection, and I can tell that Nathan cares about his people too.

I haven't watched the movie yet. I have it, I just haven't watched it. I've also heard bad things about it. But, I plan to watch it anyway. If it ends poorly I will absolutely be making a headcanon.

I wish so bad that it had lasted longer, but alas, 14 fantabulous episodes, a movie, and our imaginations is all that we have.

Also, does anyone know of any good Firefly fanfics? I would love to read them.

[elegantsplendour]

Of Blossom and Betrayal

Summary:

AU: Green victory, the realm called for a new queen after Queen Helena's demise

Seraphina Tyrell did not belong to the worldly realm of Westeros; a lone child conceived of loyalty, love and devotion. A beacon like her attracts the darkest of souls, in the darkest of times.

💌 Aegon II Targaryen and Aemond Targaryen

Warnings: manipulation, abuse of power, mentions of rape, slight underage, dub con, violence. Specific warnings will be added at the beginnings of each chapter.

Cast

Chapter 1

Prologue: Highgarden

Tag list: @purple-writer8 @vhagarswar @femmechaotic

Other friends: @boundlessfantasy @arcielee @qyburnsghost

Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

Lord Lyonel Tyrell was a man of honour, loyalty and vigilance. Succeeding in remaining neutral, assuring his family’s survival and maintaining the influence of his house in one of the bloodiest war since Aegon’s Conquest, if not of all of Westerosi history, was an accomplishment that many of his position had dreamt of.

Loyalty? He laughed bitterly at the memory of the bright and confident smile on his long gone brother Bryan’s departing figure to King’s Landing to serve under Prince Daemon Targaryen.

Be loyal to no one but his family, his loved ones.

It was the code he had lived by since Bryan’s unexpected tragic demise at the hands of Rogue Prince himself, a man his poor brother, the innocent messenger sent by King Viserys, admired and sworn loyalty to, fourteen years ago.

Lyonel remembered the day the news of his demise reached his father, the former lord of Highgarden.

People sing that there were six stages of grief.

Shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

But when it came to a devoted seventy two year old father, the grief ended in the very first.

Two days later, Lyonel, the second son, whose ambitions never surpassed the allure of marrying Lady Jayne Lannister and sampling the finest wines and sugary with his beloved, inherited the legacy he had never been prepared for.

The Targaryens will always do what’s best for the Targaryens.

Those were his late father’s last words.

To survive the Targaryen rule, Lyonel played by their rules. Schemes, betrayals, deceptions and bloodshed? He did not shy away from them. He bore the burden so his family, his people, didn’t have to.

With his hands on the cold balcony, Lord of Highgarden bathed the fresh air of flowers, the peaceful chirping of insects, the giggling of young maids and the distant melodies from the small folks returning to their homes after a long day of labour.

This was his empire he defended.

One of loyalty, honour and love.

His beloved Jayne, her arms wrapped around his waist.

Seraphina, his precious jewel, his sweet little rose, the one and only fruit of his and Jayne's love's many attempts at blooming.

His Lancel, Bryan's illegitimate offspring, whom he had taken under the Tyrell bloodline, a fierce and honorable knight, a fine protector, his heir.

“Lord Ormund has written again,” Jayne rested her head on his shoulder, her golden curls soothing his skin as much as his mind, “The letter touched me, the words he’s chosen, the sincerity of his voice. He truly desires a betrothal between his first born and Seraphina.”

Jayne traced her fingers on her husband’s cheeks, “He wishes to introduce them in King’s Landing.”

“King’s Landing?” Lyonel frowned deeply, “It should be fit for them to present themselves to Highgarden, especially when Phina was the one who treated their wounded bodies in the woods, risking the slaughter of the ruthless Northerners.”

Jayne swallowed hard as she recalled the turbulent times of the war.

Although negotiations, strategies and armies kept the castle away bloodshed and dragon fire, the walls were not impenetrable to whimpers of loss and screams agony from the highborn’s well acquainted soldiers calling the Rose without Thorns to their rescue, even at the interdiction of her parents.

Every time the Rose sneaked away from safety, the Lord and Lady of Highgarden sobbed while the peasants and soldiers rejoiced. Her empathetic smile, attentiveness to their wounds and of course, the herbs and food she had carried with her ignited the flicker of hope in the darkest times.

One fateful day, Seraphina stumbled upon two injured knights bedecked in green armor, hidden in the woods—Ormund and Daryn Hightower, gasping for air, on the brink of death from the Battle of Tumbleton.

As Seraphina returned with the blood stained figures of the castle, Lyonel and Jayne’s anger and fear exacerbated.

Highgarden had remained unharmed because of its neutrality that their naive daughter had just broken.

Yet, the gods seemed to show them mercy, perhaps in honor of the lives House Tyrell defended. The Blacks remained oblivious to this act, which could be seen as a declaration of allegiance. Instead, Seraphina’s uncalculated move of benevolence eaned House Tyrell a favourable position in the new Targaryen court: an intimate alliance with the most influential house beside the new king.

As Lyonel contemplated the offer in silence, Jayne squeezed his hand, “Daryn is a handsome, brave and honourable young man. I recognized the look on his face when Seraphina brought him back from the wild,” she pressed a kiss on cheek, “It’s the same way you looked at me years ago, lord husband.”

Lyonel’s gaze softened as he enveloped his wife into his arms with a light chuckle, “Your jest on formality never cease, my love. If the young Hightower truly feels the same about our daughter as I did to you twenty five years ago,” he cupped her cheeks, “Then, perhaps, that boy deserves her hand.”

Jayne held her husband tightly, relishing his scent and warmth. In a world cruel as this, she thanked to the gods everyday for granting her a man of his devotion, wisdom and strength.

“To King’s Landing then?”

“To King’s Landing,” Lyonel nodded before rolling his eyes, his never dying youthful side emerging, “Where the drunken king will be holding a foolish lavish pageant while his people starve. Seven bless the poor girl he will choose as the new queen.”

Jayne laughed wholeheartedly before tending to his arm, returning to the warmth of the interior, “You know, fate favoured us immensely,” she whispered with a mixture of gratitude and anxiety, “If we had agreed to the Kinslayer’s proposal in marriage-“

Lyonel suddenly gripped the touch of her hand, “Thank the wisdom my father and brother had bestowed me. Never trust a Targaryen. The rumours of…” disturbance and disgust written all over his face, “Lady, now a Princess, Cassandra Baratheon’s screams of pain echoed through the Red Keep on her wedding night. I cannot imagine-“

He buried his face in his hands as he sat down with his wife next to the fireplace.

Jayne brushed his hair with adoration, “Don’t overthink about the past, my love. Phina is about to marry a good man.”

The lord smiled as he lifted his head to face his beloved, “Everything I risked, I fought for, it was worth it. For you, for her, for Lancel, and for our people.”

Jayne kissed him passionately before whispering, “You are too good for this world, Lyonel Tyrell.”

As the stars gracefully pirouetted around the moon in the embrace of the night's darkness, and with the imminent date of embarking on the journey to King's Landing drawing near, the wheel of fate began its inevitable revolution once more.

[dhampiravidi]

make me your villain, Miss Holt...

All Jayn knew was that one moment, she was being fired for pretending to be a man (they didn’t exactly let women work at shipyards), and the next, she had a new job. Well, she knew that her father had used his connections to help her. (She’d hate to see the look on her mother’s face when she came home unemployed and failed.) A noble like him, Ravkan instead of Fjerdan, wanted help cataloging his things before he moved. She’d managed the supplies and salaries at the docks, so he considered her qualified. It was better than the other "help" her father had given her, which was an arranged match with a Matthias Helvar. There was no way Jayn was giving up her life to live in a freezing cold country amongst misogynists. She'd find reasons to put the wedding date off until she had enough footing to properly decline.

So she took a ferry from Kerch, a sandskiff through the mysterious Shadow Fold, and a train into Ravka’s mountains. The people in the eastern part of the world were easily the most superstitious. Those on the train had prayed to their Sankts before the journey had begun, and the Suli people who had agreed to take her to Count Morozova's door had unsuccessfully offered her a number of protective charms before they left.

Jayn told herself that there was nothing to worry about. She'd learned how to fight at the shipyards, with her fists or with whatever was on hand (no pun intended). But even in Novyi Zem, they told cautionary tales about the zowa Ilya, a man who dabbled in forbidden mystical arts to create something out of nothing. He had died a tragic death, and one of his descendants had used the same magic to create the Shadow Fold. It was said that enemies of Ravka were targeted by monsters who lurked within. In reality, Fjerda had only dared approach Ravka from the Fold once during the war decades ago, and it had only resulted in deadly failure.

She approached the doors of the Count's ornate, yet intimidating castle, and knocked on them with a shivering hand. Her luggage sat next to her, almost like an obedient puppy waiting to accompany her inside.

@starlsssankt

[world-of-wales]

─ •✧ WILLIAM'S YEAR IN REVIEW : JUNE ✧• ─

1 JUNE - William and Catherine attended the Marriage of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan with Miss Rajwa Al Saif at the Zahran Palace. Afterwards, they attended the State Banquet in Hussein and Rajwa's honour. 2 JUNE - William held a Meeting with Jack Beeton, a crash survivor he helped save while he was with the air ambulance. 3 JUNE - William attended the Men's FA Cup Final between Manchester City & Manchester United. 6 JUNE - William held a Meeting to mark Pride Month. 7 JUNE - He received the Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP (Leader of Opposition). 8 JUNE - William was received the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London as he opened the Oak Cancer Centre at the Royal Marsden. 10 JUNE - He took the salute at the Colonel's Review of The King's Birthday Parade. 13 JUNE - William was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London as he opened Centrepoint's Reuben House housing development. Afterwards, he held a Meeting with Dr. Jayne Brady (Head of Civil Service, Northern Ireland) via telephone. Subsequently, he was joined by The Duchess of Edinburgh for the Screening of "Rhino Man". 14 JUNE - William held a Meeting with the Rt. Hon. Humza Yousaf MSP (First Minister of Scotland) via telephone. Later, he had a telephonic Meeting with the Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS (First Minister of Wales). 16 JUNE - William and Catherine attended the Senior Colonels' Conference and Dinner at Clarence House. 17 JUNE - William took part in The King's Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade. Later, he appeared on the Balcony along with Catherine and their children for the RAF fly-past. 18 JUNE - William appeared in Father's Day Portraits released by Kensington Palace with George, Charlotte and Louis. 19 JUNE - William and Catherine attended a Chapter of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the Throne Room at Windsor Castle. Afterwards, they were present at the Luncheon Party for the Companions of the Garter. Subsequently, they attended the Order of the Garter Installation Service at St George's Chapel. 20 JUNE - William visited St George's Park and was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire. He wrote a letter to Oscar Burrow congratulating him for his fundraising efforts. 21 JUNE - William celebrated his 41st Birthday. To mark the day, Buckingham Palace released a Birthday Portrait featuring William and The King. He visited Eton College with Catherine and George. 22 JUNE - William received Ms Hannah Jones (Chief Executive, the Earthshot Prize). Afterwards, he held a Meeting at Windsor Castle. He appeared in a video message marking Windrush Day. A special documentary - 'Pride of Britain: A Windrush Special' with an appearance from Willliam was announced. 23 JUNE - William and Catherine attended the Ascot Races. Later, they were spotted at KOKO. 25 JUNE - William launched 'Homewards' and held a Meeting with Homewards Advocates. 26 JUNE - William appeared in a video for Homewards. He embarked on a 2-Day Homewards Launch Tour and visited Mosaic Clubhouse in London, where he was received by the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. Afterwards, he was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset at St John's Church Hall in Poole. Subsequently, William visited Maindee Primary School & Hill Street Housing Development and was received by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent. 27 JUNE - William visited East Belfast Mission in Belfast and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast. Afterwards, he was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen at the Tillydrone Community Campus. Finally, he visited Verdon Recreation Centre in Sheffield and was received by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire. 28 JUNE - William held an Investiture at Windsor Castle. 29 JUNE - He was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk at the Royal Norfolk Show. 30 JUNE - William appeared in a video for Pride Month along with Michael Lister, Alexis Caught and Sharvari Patil discussing mental health in the LGBTQ+ community. He also appeared in a video message for the 2023 Diana Award.

[wonder-worker]

For Elizabeth (of York)’s personal needs, as might be expected, she lavished funds on clothing, jewels, silver, and gold ... Also interesting for insights into her reign are the entertainments for which she paid and the loans she requested from her acquaintances. At wages of £3, 6s. 8d., annually, she employed three minstrels, Richard Denouse, Jayn Marcazin, and Marques Loryden. Members of the royal family seem to have shared each other’s minstrels since she rewarded those of the king and her two eldest surviving children. Evidence of this royal sharing seems to be supported by entries in the accounts of John Heron, Henry VII’s treasurer of the chamber. In them are several references to the king’s rewarding the queen’s minstrels and fiddlers in amounts ranging from 10s. to 40s.

... Returning to evidence of entertainments in Elizabeth’s privy purse accounts, she paid for the construction of an arbor in the little park at Windsor Castle so that she could hold an outdoor banquet there, and she later compensated the king’s painter, John Reynold, for drawings of beasts and other pleasures at the castle. The only entries referring to her gambling appear in October, which indicate she spent 13s. 4d. twice “playing at dice.” In addition, she owned greyhounds, for the upkeep of which she paid 2d. per day. The queens not only possessed greyhounds and hunted with bows and arrows during the summer progresses but also had lapdogs for their amusement. Finally, just a few weeks before her death, she rewarded a maid from Spain, who danced for her, with 4s. 4d.

-Retha M. Warnicke, "Elizabeth of York and her Six Daughters-in-Law: Fashioning Tudor Queenship"

[istumpysk]

Operation Stumpy Re-Read

TWOW: Arianne II

The Peregrine made port at the Weeping Town, where the corpse of the Young Dragon had once lingered for three days on its journey home from Dorne.

Could be relevant.

The Dornish prince was three days dying. - The Queen's Hand, ADWD

+.+.+

The town was large enough to support three inns, and all their common rooms were rife with rumors. Arianne sent her men into each of them, to hear what they might hear. In the Broken Shield, Daemon Sand was told that the great septry on the Holf of Men had been burned and looted by raiders from the sea, and a hundred young novices from the motherhouse on Maiden Isle carried off into slavery. In the Loon, Joss Hood learned that half a hundred men and boys from the Weeping Town had set off north to join Jon Connington at Griffin's Roost, including young Ser Addam, old Lord Whitehead's son and heir. But in the aptly named Drunken Dornishman, Feathers heard men muttering that the griffin had put Red Ronnet's brother to death and raped his maiden sister. Ronnet himself was said to be rushing south to avenge his brother's death and his sister's dishonor. That night Arianne dispatched the first of her ravens back to Dorne, reporting to her father on all they'd seen and heard. 

I'm going to laugh if she's sending him a bunch of gossip and hearsay.

"Send a raven whenever you have news," Prince Doran told her, "but report only what you know to be true. We are lost in fog here, besieged by rumors, falsehoods, and traveler's tales. I dare not act until I know for a certainty what is happening." - Arianne I, TWOW

For the record, Jon Connington didn't actually kill Red Ronnet's brother, or rape his maiden sister. However, he's currently holding his own family hostage, one of his men threw a maester from a tower, and only four of the castle garrison survived the attack.

Similar to Daenerys Targaryen in Slaver's Bay, sometimes knowing the truth of a situation doesn't bring much more reassurance.

+.+.+

Huge willows grew along the watercourses, larger than any that Arianne had ever seen, their great trunks as gnarled and twisted as an old man's face and festooned with beards of silvery moss. Trees pressed close on every side, shutting out the sun; hemlock and red cedars, white oaks, soldier pines that stood as tall and straight as towers, colossal sentinels, big-leaf maples, redwoods, wormtrees, even here and there a wild weirwood.

I don't think this is anything, but I get paranoid.

+.+.+

Arianne had once heard her father and Maester Caleotte arguing with a septon about why the north and south sides of the Sea of Dorne were so different. The septon thought it was because of Durran Godsgrief, the first Storm King, who had stolen the daughter of the sea god and the goddess of the wind and earned their eternal emnity. Prince Doran and the maester inclined more toward wind and water, and spoke of how the big storms that formed down in the Summer Sea would pick up moisture moving north until they slammed into Cape Wrath. For some strange reason the storms never seemed to strike at Dorne, she recalled her father saying. "I know your reason," the septon had responded. "No Dornishmen ever stole away the daughter of two gods."

It's astonishing to me that a priest lacks understanding of the scientific field of meteorology.

For some strange reason the storms never seemed to strike at Dorne

+.+.+

The princess lost another game of cyvasse to Daemon Sand, won one from Joss Hood, then retired as the two of them began to teach Jayne Ladybright the rules. She was tired of such games.

There ya go!

You better not be tired.

+.+.+

Nym and Tyene may have reached King's Landing by now, she mused, as she settled down crosslegged by the mouth of the cave to watch the falling rain. If not they ought to be there soon.

Yeah? Is that what you'd like me to believe, George?

Boy, I'm eagerly anticipating the amusing antics that will unfold between Cersei Lannister, the High Sparrow, Nym Sand, and Tyene Sand. That's definitely a plot you can count on happening, no shadow of a doubt.

+.+.+

Prince Trystane had remained safely back at Sunspear, after a tearful parting from Princess Myrcella. 

That moment you realize nowhere in Dorne is safe.

Reminds me of this one:

Steffon and Stannis were thousands of leagues from the fighting and safe from harm, but Devan was at Castle Black, a squire to the king. - Davos II, ADWD

Nope!

+.+.+

That accounts for one brother, thought Arianne, but where is Quentyn, if not with the griffin? Had he wed his dragon queen? King Quentyn. It still sounded silly. This new Daenerys Targaryen was younger than Arianne by half a dozen years. What would a maid that age want with her dull, bookish brother? Young girls dreamed of dashing knights with wicked smiles, not solemn boys who always did their duty. She will want Dorne, though. If she hopes to sit the Iron Throne, she must have Sunspear. If Quentyn was the price for that, this dragon queen would pay it. What if she was at Griffin's End with Connington, and all this about another Targaryen was just some sort of subtle ruse? Her brother could well be with her. King Quentyn. Will I need to kneel to him?

You are too old to be acting like this.

+.+.+

No good would come of wondering about it. Quentyn would be king or he would not. I pray Daenerys treats him him more gently than she did her own brother.

The irony of this thought occurring immediately after she ponders the absurdity of her own brother as king shouldn't be lost on you.

+.+.+

It was only as she settled down that Arianne realized Elia Sand had not returned from her explorations.  [...] The cave proved much deeper than any of them had suspected. Beyond the stony mouth where her company had made their camp and hobbled their horses, a series of twisty passageways led down and down, with black holes snaking off to either side. Further in, the walls opened up again, and the searchers found themselves in a vast limestone cavern, larger than the great hall of a castle. Their shouts disturbed a nest of bats, who flapped about them noisily, but only distant echoes shouted back. A slow circuit of the hall revealed three further passages, one so small that it would have required them to proceed on hands and knees.

Giving House of the Undying, House of Black and White, and Red Keep vibes.

+.+.+

And all at once she found herself in another cavern, five times as big as the last one, surrounded by a forest of stone columns. Daemon Sand moved to her side and raised his torch. "Look how the stone's been shaped," he said. "Those columns, and the wall there. See them?" "Faces," said Arianne. So many sad eyes, staring. "This place belonged to the children of the forest." "A thousand years ago." Arianne turned her head. "Listen. Is that Joss?" It was. The other searchers had found Elia, as she and Daemon learned after they made their way back up the slippery slope to the last hall. 

Wait a second, I know this scene!

Are you telling me that wasn't real?

Okay, but what about this?

↓ 

Might I ask about these corpses in the ice cells? They make the men uneasy. And to keep them under guard? Surely that is a waste of two good men, unless you fear that they …"

"… will rise? I pray they do." - Jon VIII, ADWD

x

"Thrice I flew Silverwing high above Castle Black, and thrice I tried to take her north beyond the Wall," Alysanne wrote to Jaehaerys, "but every time she veered back south again and refused to go. Never before has she refused to take me where I wished to go." - Fire & Blood

Shit!

Okay, but what about this?

↓

Mormont snorted. "Because I sent him, why do you think? He's bringing the hand your Ghost tore off the end of Jafer Flowers's wrist. I have commanded him to take ship to King's Landing and lay it before this boy king. That should get young Joffrey's attention, I'd think … and Ser Alliser's a knight, highborn, anointed, with old friends at court, altogether harder to ignore than a glorified crow." - Jon VIII, AGOT 

Shit!

Okay, but what about this?

↓ 

The Cinnamon Wind was spinning all around them and he could taste the rum on Gilly's tongue and the next thing her breasts were bare and he was touching them. - Samwell IV, AFFC

Shit!

Gosh, it's almost as if the creators of Game of Thrones pulled an entire season and romance from their ass.

+.+.+

Their passageway led down to a still black pool, where they discovered the girl up to her waist in water, catching blind white fish with her bare hands, her torch burning red and smoky in the sand where she had planted it.

That black pool sounds familiar.

Blind white fish swam in the black river, but they tasted just as good as fish with eyes once you cooked them up. - Bran III, ADWD

Where else does this river go?

+.+.+

"I caught two fish," said Elia Sand. "You could have died," said Arianne again. Her words echoed off the cavern walls. "… died … died … died …"

A bit ominous.

+.+.+

"Elia, this must end," she told her. "We are not in Dorne now. You are not with your sisters, and this is not a game. I want your word that you will play the maidservant until we are safely back at Sunspear. I want you meek and mild and obedient. You need to hold your tongue. I'll hear no more talk of Lady Lance or jousting, no mention of your father or your sisters. The men that I must treat with are sellswords. Today they serve this man who calls himself Jon Connington, but come the morrow they could just as easily serve the Lannisters. All it takes to win a sellsword's heart is gold, and Casterly Rock does not lack for that. If the wrong man should learn who you are, you could be seized and held for ransom–"

[...]

"You are a Sand Snake, and Prince Doran would pay any price to keep you and your sisters safe from harm." That made the child smile at least. "Do I have your sworn word? Or must I send you back?"

"I swear." Elia did not sound happy.

"On your father's bones."

"On my father's bones."

That vow she will keep, Arianne decided. She kissed her cousin on the cheek and sent her off to sleep. Perhaps some good would come of her adventure. "I never knew how wild she was till now," Arianne complained to Daemon Sand, afterward. "Why would my father inflict her on me?" "Vengeance?" the knight suggested, with a smile.

Later:

Arianne was on her way back to her own chamber when she heard muffled laughter from the adjoining room. She paused and listened for a moment, then pushed the door open to find Elia Sand curled up in a window seat, kissing Feathers.

[...]

"Feathers is a man." A serving man, but still a man. It did not escape the princess that Elia was the same age she had been when she gave her maidenhead to Daemon Sand. 

Lmao.

This is why I'm never having children. I would be cursed with raising another version of myself.

+.+.+

Mistfall's new sellsword masters called themselves Young John Mudd and Chain. Both knights, to hear them tell it. Neither behaved like any knight that Arianne had ever met. Mudd wore brown from head to heel, the same shade as his skin, but a pair of golden coins dangled from his ears. The Mudds had been kings up by the Trident a thousand years ago, she knew, but there was nothing royal about this one. Nor was he particularly young, but it seemed his father had also served in the Golden Company, where he had been known as Old John Mudd.

That's considered fAegon evidence.

Young John Mudd (Young Griff), son of Old John Mudd of the Golden Company, bears the name of previous kings in Westeros. However, it's clear there's no real ancestral ties to that royal bloodline.

+.+.+

At evenfall a fine supper was served to them in the solar, high in the Tower of Owls, where they were joined by the dowager Lady Mertyns and her maester. Though a captive in her own castle, the old woman seemed spry and cheerful. "My sons and grandsons went off when Lord Renly called his banners," she told the princess and her party. "I have not seen them since, though from time to time they send a raven. One of my grandsons took a wound at the Blackwater, but he's since recovered. I expect they will return here soon enough to hang this lot of thieves." She waved a duck leg at Mudd and Chain across the table. "We are no thieves," said Mudd. "We're foragers." "Did you buy all that food down in the yard?" "We foraged it," said Mudd. “The smallfolk can grow more. We serve your rightful king, old crone.” He seemed to be enjoying this. “You should learn to speak more courteous to knights.”

"If you two are knights, I'm still a maiden," said Lady Mertyns. "And I'll speak as I please. What will you do, kill me? I have lived too long already."

Princess Arianne said, "Have you been treated well, my lady?"

"I have not been raped, if that is what you're asking," the old woman said. "Some of the serving girls have been less fortunate. Married or unmarried, the men make no distinctions."

"No one's been doing any raping," insisted Young John Mudd. "Connington won't have that. We follow orders."

Chain nodded. "Some girls was persuaded, might be."

"The same way our smallfolk were persuaded to give you all their crops. Melons or maidenheads, it's all the same to your sort. If you want it, you take it." Lady Mertyns turned to Arianne. "If you should see this Lord Connington, you tell him that I knew his mother, and she would be ashamed." Perhaps I shall, the princess thought.

Might as well start the obituaries now.

+.+.+

That night when she told Ser Daemon what Chain had said, the Bastard of Godsgrace seemed as perplexed as she was. "Storm's End was still held by men loyal to Lord Stannis when last I heard. You would think Connington might do better to make common cause with another rebel, rather than making war upon him too." "Stannis is too far away to be of help to him," Arianne mused. "Capturing a few minor castles whilst their lords and garrisons are off at distant wars, that's one thing, but if Lord Connington and his pet dragon can somehow take one of the great strongholds of the realm …" "…the realm would have to take them seriously," Ser Daemon finished.

Including Daenerys!

+.+.+

Near dusk on the fourth day, not long after Chain and his wagons had taken their leave of them, Arianne's company was met by a column of sellswords down from Griffin's Roost, led by the most exotic creature that the princess had ever laid her eyes on, with painted fingernails and gemstones sparkling in his ears.

Lysono Maar spoke the Common Tongue very well. "I have the honor to be the eyes and ears of the Golden Company, princess."

"You look…" She hesitated.

"…like a woman?" He laughed. "That I am not."

"…like a Targaryen," Arianne insisted. His eyes were a pale lilac, his hair a waterfall of white and gold. All the same, something about him made her skin crawl. Was this what Viserys looked like? she found herself wondering. If so perhaps it is a good thing he is dead.

(Please give yourself a moment to laugh at her discomfort at the sight of someone resembling a Targaryen.)

That's considered fAegon evidence.

It's another reminder that people from Lys have the Targaryen look.

"Your Grace is kind," said Waters with a smile. A wicked smile, the queen thought. Aurane did not resemble Prince Rhaegar as much as she had thought. He has the hair, but so do half the whores in Lys, if the tales are true. Rhaegar was a man. This is a sly boy, no more. Useful in his way, though. - Cersei VIII, AFFC

↓ 

"Serra. I found her in a Lysene pillow house and brought her home to warm my bed, but in the end I wed her. Me, whose first wife had been a cousin of the Prince of Pentos. The palace gates were closed to me thereafter, but I did not care. The price was small enough, for Serra." - Tyrion II, ADWD

Somewhat worrisome, because Aegon also resembles young Illyrio.

A naked boy stood on the water, poised to duel with a bravo's blade in hand. He was lithe and handsome, no older than sixteen, with straight blond hair that brushed his shoulders. So lifelike did he seem that it took the dwarf a long moment to realize he was made of painted marble, though his sword shimmered like true steel. - tyrion I, ADWD

↓ 

He was a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build and a shock of dark blue hair. The dwarf put his age at fifteen, sixteen, or near enough to make no matter. - Tyrion III, ADWD

+.+.+

"I am flattered. The women of House Targaryen are said to be without peer in all the world."

"And the men of House Targaryen?"

"Oh, even prettier. Though if truth be told, I have only seen the one."

That's considered fAegon evidence. The author made it ambiguous.

Lysono Maar is the spymaster for the Golden Company, it's possible he's met Viserys Targaryen.

Her brother Viserys had once feasted the captains of the Golden Company, in hopes they might take up his cause. They ate his food and heard his pleas and laughed at him. - Daenerys III, ADWD

+.+.+

"Do you play cyvasse, my lord?" asked Arianne. "My father has been teaching me. I am not very skilled, I must confess, but I do know that the dragon is stronger than the elephant." "The Golden Company was founded by a dragon." "Bittersteel was half-dragon, and all bastard. I am no maester, but I know some history. You are still sellswords." "If it please you, princess," he said, all silken courtesy. "We prefer to call ourselves a free brotherhood of exiles." "As you will. As free brothers go, your company stands well above the rest, I grant you. Yet the Golden Company has been defeated every time it has crossed into Westeros. They lost when Bittersteel commanded them, they failed the Blackfyre Pretenders, they faltered when Maelys the Monstrous led them." That seemed to amuse him.

That's considered fAegon evidence.

He might find it amusing if he knows they have another Blackfyre.

+.+.+

By midmorning a light rain began to fall, as they were making their way north through a land of green fields and little villages. 

x

The rain still fell, soft and steady. The sound of moisture dripping off the leaves was all around them, and every mile or so the music of another little waterfall would call to them.

x

They travelled to the music of steady, lashing rains beating at the treetops up above, though underneath the green great canopy of leaves and branches she and her riders stayed surprisingly dry. 

x

And finally Griffin's Roost emerged from the sea mists, on a grey wet day as the rain fell thin and cold. 

Rain falling from start to finish...

+.+.+

"Has no one told you?" Halden Halfmaester favored her with a smile thin and hard as a dagger cut. "Storm's End is ours. The Hand awaits you there." Daemon Sand stepped up beside her. "Shipbreaker Bay can be perilous even on a fair summer's day. The safer way to Storm's End is overland." "These rains have turned the roads to mud. The journey would take two days, perhaps three," said Halden Halfmaester. A ship will have the princess there in half a day or less. There is an army descending on Storm's End from King's Landing. You will want to be safe inside the walls before the battle." Will we? Wondered Arianne. "Battle? Or siege?" She did not intend to let herself be trapped inside Storm's End. "Battle," Halden said firmly. "Prince Aegon means to smash his enemies in the field."

Let's talk about a few things.

One.

Previously covered in ADWD's Epilogue.

There's two hosts in King's Landing, both belonging to the Reach.

Randyll Tarly and Mace Tyrell had both brought armies to King's Landing, whilst the best part of the strength of House Lannister remained in the riverlands, fast melting away. - Epilogue, ADWD

Mace Tyrell intended to deal with Aegon and the Golden Company after Margaery's and Cersei's trials.

"[...] we must destroy Connington and his pretender now, before Daenerys Stormborn can come west."

Mace Tyrell crossed his arms. "I mean to do just that, ser. After the trials." - Epilogue, ADWD

If Cersei carries out a massively destructive and violent act at that trial, causing significant harm to House Tyrell (and we have a lot of reasons to believe she will), then it seems logical to conclude that the host coming from King's Landing intends to join Aegon, not fight him.

"… as for Connington," Tyrell repeated, "what victories has he ever won that we should fear him? He could have ended Robert's Rebellion at Stoney Sept. He failed. Just as the Golden Company has always failed. Some may rush to join them, aye. The realm is well rid of such fools." - Epilogue, ADWD

Two.

"Battle," Halden said firmly. "Prince Aegon means to smash his enemies in the field."

Once again, the author is reinforcing the idea that Aegon is lacking necessary skills for this job.

In Jon Connington's last chapter, we learned the Golden Company does not currently have the strength to face enemies in the field.

The great beasts would be useful in a pitched battle, no doubt, but it would be some time before they had the strength to face their foes in the field. - The Griffin Reborn, ADWD

Now, at Aegon's command, they're going to ABANDON THE WALLS OF STORM'S END, and meet the King's Landing host in an open field.

That is unbelievably stupid, and the only reason it won't end in disaster is because the Tyrell host probably isn't coming to fight.

Regardless, what is it telling us about the future?

Ser Jorah considered that for a moment. "Robert should have been born Dothraki," he said at last. "Your khal would tell you that only a coward hides behind stone walls instead of facing his enemy with a blade in hand. The Usurper would agree. He is a strong man, brave … and rash enough to meet a Dothraki horde in the open field. But the men around him, well, their pipers play a different tune. His brother Stannis, Lord Tywin Lannister, Eddard Stark …" He spat. - Daenerys IV, AGOT

This is the problem with Jon Connington: he's dying, therefore he's no longer patient.

He will allow Aegon to be reckless, and use flawed strategy.

" … once we have Storm's End . . ."

The princess let that aside go without comment, though it gave her considerable pause. Storm's End. This griffin is a bold one, it would seem. Or else a fool. The seat of House Baratheon for three centuries, of the ancient Storm Kings for thousands of years before that, Storm’s End was said by some to be impregnable. Arianne had heard men argue about which was the strongest castle in the realm.

Three.

Has this girl lost her mind? Why would you voluntarily go to Storm's End when an army is descending upon it?

Catelyn Stark also found herself in the middle of a dispute at Storm's End, but Catelyn Stark isn't the heir to Dorne.

+.+.+

"Your brother is not at Storm's End, we know that now," Ser Daemon said, as soon as they were behind closed doors. "If Daenerys Targaryen has dragons, they are half a world away, and of no use to Dorne. There is nothing for us at Storm's End, princess. If Prince Doran meant to send you into the middle of a battle, he would have given you three hundred knights, not three."

Do not be so certain of that, ser. He sent my brother off to Slaver's Bay with five knights and a maester. "I need to speak with Connington." Arianne undid the interlocked sun and spear that clasped her cloak, and let the rain-soaked garment slip from her shoulders to puddle on the floor. "And I want to see this dragon prince of his. If he is truly Elia's son…"

"Whoever's son he is, if Connington challenges Mace Tyrell in open battle he may soon be a captive, or a corpse."

"Tyrell is not a man to fear. My uncle Oberyn–"

" –is dead, princess. And ten thousand men is equal to the whole strength of the Golden Company."

"Lord Connington knows his own strength, surely. If he means to risk battle, he must believe that he can win it."

"And how many men have died in battles they believed that they could win?" Ser Daemon asked her. "Refuse them, princess. I mistrust these sellswords. Do not go to Storm's End."

I think it's a little concerning that the designated Voice of Reason doesn't want her going any further in this journey.

+.+.+

"Ser Daemon, you squired for my uncle Oberyn," she said. "If you were with him now, would you be counseling him to refuse as well?" She did not wait for him to respond. "I know the answer. And if you are about to remind me that I am no Red Viper, I know that too. But Prince Oberyn is dead, Prince Doran is old and ill, and I am the heir to Dorne."

"And that is why you should not put yourself at risk." Daemon Sand went to one knee. "Send me to Storm's End in your stead. Then if the griffin's plans should go awry and Mace Tyrell takes the castle back, I will be just another landless knight who swore his sword to this pretender in hopes of gain and glory."

Whereas if I am taken, the Iron Throne will take that for proof that Dorne conspired with these sellswords, and lent aid to their invasion. "It is brave for you to seek to shield me, ser. I thank you for that." She took his hands and drew him back to his feet. "But my father entrusted this task to me, not you. Come the morrow, I sail to beard the dragon in its den."

Yeah, I don't have a good feeling about any of this.

I don't think the danger is the host coming from King's Landing. I think it's the decisions she makes after that.

Final thoughts:

What happens when Daemon Sand is the more likeable man in the love triangle?

Let it be known, I'm Team Bastard of Godgrace. I'll let you guys enjoy the one assuming the role of Joffrey.

Next chapter: The Forsaken (Aeron Dam-phair)

-> return to menu <-

[penna-nomen]

Bookworm asks!

Favorite science fiction book(s).

I could ramble on about this one, but I'll try to restrain myself...

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy gets an honorable mention. After an unfortunate reading assignment in 5th grade that was a bunch of dark, dystopian sci-fi short stories, I'd developed a distaste for the genre. In my last year of high school a friend set out to convince me that there is whimsy to be found in science fiction, and this was the book that did the trick

So in that light, the kind of sci-fi stories I wish I'd read in 5th grade include: Sal & Gabi Break the Universe and Fortunately the Milk (is it sci-fi or is it fanstasy or is it both? I don't care)

That takes us to the sci-fi that crosses the line into fantasy. I love this sub-genre. Often it involves people having special powers that kind of lean into fantasy. Books like Liar City. Series like the Harmony books from Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle. And The Extraordinaries series by TJ Klune. These are close to my heart because much of my own original fic tends to fall into this category, and seeing these works get love encourages me. (And maybe your recent White Collar wing-fic falls into this category, dear asker?)

The other sci-fi that has captured my reading heart recently has been stories about robots/clones/constructs who navigate what it means to be autonomous while still functioning as a member of a human or animal society. These include the Monk & Robot stories by Becky Chambers, the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, and The Wild Robot by Peter Brown -- I've read just the first book in that series so far. Also Defekt by Nino Cipri delighted me with characters that seemed be clones or otherwise manufactured.

Thanks so much for the fun ask!

And if anyone has other book recs that fit into these categories I love, let me know!