#Jeyne Mooton

[coldraindropsss]

Hi! I love your art and was just curious. Will you ever draw any of the maidens from the maiden's day ball from asoiaf? I would love to see them in your art style but it's perfectly fine if you don't. Make sure to drink lots of water and get a lot of rest 💙

Jeyne Smallwood, Jeyne Mooton, Jeyne Merryweather

Barba Bolton, Myrielle Peake, Moriah Qorgyle

[kckt88]

Take My Breath Away I

Summary:

The Dance of the Dragons is over and the Greens have emerged victorious.

A broken King sits the Iron Throne and in order to secure the succession, the last living daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen is summoned to the Red Keep to do her duty to the realm and provide the King with an heir by marrying her Uncle Aemond Targaryen.

Vaeryna answers the summons and willingly marries the man responsible for the deaths of her brother and father, but what are her motives for doing so and what other secrets is Vaeryna hiding?

Warning(s): Swearing, Angst, Mentions of Death.

Word Count: 3117

GREENS WIN - SLOW BURN - ENEMIES TO LOVERS.

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

Comments, likes, and reblogs are very much appreciated.

"With the King no longer able to sire children, an heir must be provided by other means."

"-And what means are those, Lord Westerling?" asked Aemond narrowing his eye.

"Vaeryna Targaryen"

"The girl is a bastard" sneered Manfryd Mooton.

“A bastard she may be, but she is the only living child of Rhaenyra and Daemon, her Valyrian blood is valuable” said Alicent firmly.

“If she were to marry Aemond and grant him a son, the boy could be named heir to the Iron Throne, we could also betroth him to Jaehaera, and secure the succession of the one true King” said Larys.

“There have also been rumours that Rhaenyra’s last act was to betroth her daughter, to Cregan Stark. We cannot allow that marriage to take place. There are still remnants that are loyal to Rhaenyra, we cannot have them and the entire North conspiring to put Vaeryna on the Iron Throne. The seven kingdoms cannot survive another war” exclaimed Alicent as she picked at her fingers.

“Where is the Princess now?” asked Aegon, grimacing in pain as he shifted in his chair.

“In the Vale with her Cannibal” replied Larys.

“Bit odd isn’t it. That Rhaenyra’s biggest asset in the war was sent away to the Vale”.

“Mayhaps, she thought to keep the girl safe” said Alicent.

Aegon sat silent at the head of the table, it was true that he could no longer sire babes and his only surviving child was his daughter Jaehaera.

He was the King, and he was without an heir.

Whilst indeed there were people who called him King, there were still those that called him usurper.

His claim to the Iron Throne was on shaky ground, and with no male heir, he was at risk.

If Vaeryna was their only salvation, then so be it. Bastard or not.

“Send a raven to the Vale, inform the Princess of her betrothal to my brother Prince Aemond and that her King commands her to come to Kings Landing by weeks end” ordered Aegon.

“Is he actually serious?” raged Jeyne.

“Is who serious?” asked Cregan furrowing his brow.

“That usurper cunt that sit’s on the Iron Throne, he has summoned Vaeryna to Kings Landing” retorted Jeyne angrily.

“For what purpose?”

“He has betrothed Vaeryna to the kinslayer” snarled Jeyne.

“Has he lost his wits?” said Cregan aghast.

“The rumours of the Kings inability to sire more children has proven true, his only remaining child is a girl. Obviously, he cannot name her heir lest he be labelled a hypocrite. So, his only option is to have his brother marry and produce a son that will be named heir” replied Vaeryna.

“He summons you to Kings Landing to be a broodmare for the kinslayer?”

“It’s an outrage. It’s a scandal” snarled Jeyne as she quickly downed a cup of wine.

“They know their grip on the throne hangs by a thread, I am the eldest daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen, they can’t risk me marrying elsewhere, lest my lord husband develop the idea of putting me on the throne” replied Vaeryna.

“Which is exactly where you should be. Your mother was the rightful Queen, you are her heir. It should be you sitting on the Iron Throne” stated Cregan, his hand grasping the hilt of his sword so hard his knuckles turned white.

“Maybe in another life, but this is the one we currently live. I cannot ignore a summons from the King” muttered Vaeryna.

“Your not actually considering this?” gasped Jeyne.

“What other choice do I have? I can’t exactly ignore it. Sooner or later, they will come for me, I do not wish for either of you to suffer for my ignorance and I cannot risk them discovering that-“

“-I understand your reason Princess but to marry the kinslayer, to lay with him and birth his children, it is too great a sacrifice,” said Jeyne.

“You above all know what I promised my mother, and If marrying a kinslayer is the only way, then I will do what I must” replied Vaeryna firmly.

“Surely there has to be another way” exclaimed Jeyne.

“Princess-“ muttered Cregan sadly.

“I know that I have no right to ask this, but please Cregan would you-” exclaimed Vaeryna.

“-I swore an oath to your mother, and now that oath extends to you” replied Cregan.

“Both of you have my eternal gratitude. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me and-” said Vaeryna sadly.

“-We but do our duty to you sweet Princess. If ever you have need of us. All you need to do is ask” said Jeyne softly.

Vaeryna stared at her Cannibal and took a deep breath, the time had come for her to bid farewell to the peace and serenity of the Vale and travel to Kings Landing.

Cregan had already left the Vale earlier in that morning, wanting to get back Winterfell as quick as possible. Their farewell had been bittersweet. Whilst her mother had expressed a desire to see her married to the Lord of Winterfell, nothing official had been declared, not that it mattered anyway as no doubt the King wouldn’t have given his blessing.

Vaeryna was sure she would have been happy married to Cregan, but she wasn’t so sure that her Cannibal would enjoy the snow.

So with a heavy heart, Vaeryna bid farewell to the Lord of Winterfell and pressed a gentle kiss to the forehead of the small hooded figure hidden in Cregan's fur lined cloak.

Saying goodbye to Jeyne was hard. Vaeryna had been sent to the Vale at the start of the war and Jeyne had provided much comfort when all the only news they received was that of death and destruction.

After giving Jeyne one last hug, Vaeryna climbed on the back of her Cannibal and took to the skies, heading away from the Vale towards Kings Landing.

One she was air borne, Vaeryna couldn’t help but think about Aemond. From the sweet shy boy, he was, to the kinslayer he became.

News would often reach the Vale of Aemond’s exploits at Harrenhal and his burning of the Riverlands and Vaeryna would despair as countless innocents had lost their lives to Vhagar’s flames. But for his crimes Aemond suffered, as his witch whore was captured and executed by Sabitha Fey after she had seized control of Harrenhal.

Aemond didn’t have much time to grieve for his fallen witch as he faced her father in a dragon battle above the gods eye not long after and when he emerged triumphant, he had returned to Kings Landing to revel in his victory.

A few hours later, Kings Landing appeared on the horizon and Vaeryna couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive. Of course, she was expected to marry Aemond and birth his babes, but how would she be treated outside of their need for her.

She would be hidden and patient, she was the daughter of the Rogue Prince, she was blood of the dragon and she had made a promise to her mother, and by the gods of old Valyria she would see it kept.

If she was blessed with a son, he would be named heir, her blood would one day sit the Iron Throne, her mothers blood, her father’s blood. All was not lost.

Once Vaeryna arrived in Kings Landing, she had Cannibal circle the Red Keep a couple of times before he landed with a colossal thud on the stone walls that surrounded the castle. Announcing his arrival with a thunderous roar, Cannibal manoeuvred himself off the wall and lowered himself to the ground.

After taking a moment to gather her bags that were attached to Cannibal, Vaeryna elegantly moved off Cannibals back and descended down the wing that he’d pressed against the ground.

Cannibal lingered by her side for a moment, observing the two guards that had appeared at the entrance to the castle. His low rumbling growls echoing around the courtyard.

“It’s ok my sweet” urged Vaeryna as she ran her hand along Cannibals scaly neck.

Cannibal who was still hesitant to leave her side, bared his teeth as the guards moved closer.

“I’m fine, they are merely escorts. Go hunt and find a place to rest. I will see you soon” said Vaeryna as she pressed a quick kiss to Cannibal’s snout.

Cannibal trilled as he nudged her gently, lingering at her side for a few moments longer before he opened his large wings and took off from the ground with a huge gust of wind.

Vaeryna held her satchel close as the guards slowly approached her.

“Princess Vaeryna. Welcome to Kings Landing. Allow us to escort you to the King”.

“Thank you” replied Vaeryna.

Vaeryna silently followed the guards as they walked through the Red Keep. Ignoring the curious looks of the maids and servants as she went passed.

Eventually the guards came to a stop in front of a large ornate wooden door. The Throne Room.

The great doors opened and Vaeryna steeled herself for what she was about to face.

“Princess Vaeryna, of house Targaryen”

After she was announced Vaeryna walked into the Throne Room, her fingers clutching her satchel tightly.

Ignoring the whispers of those loyal to the King as she passed.

What a sight she must have made, dressed in her riding leathers, her long silver hair twisted into many elaborate braids that Visenya herself once favoured. Her red and black sash that represented her house and her dragon draped over her shoulder, the silver dragon chain that crossed from her shoulder to her waist twinkling in the light with every step she took.

“Welcome to Kings Landing Princess, I trust that you agree to the terms that were presented too you?” asked Aegon.

“Yes, Your Grace”.

“Very well, you shall wed my brother Prince Aemond within a month, I suggest you both use that time to get to know one another” said Aegon.

“As you wish” replied Vaeryna as she stared at the King, he looked so small sitting upon the Iron Throne, the blades of Aegon the conquerors fallen enemies looked like a twisted and gnarled hand that had sunk it’s claws into the usurper’s back and wouldn’t let go.

“Temporary chambers have been assigned to you for now, but I think it’s for the best that once you and my brother are wed, that you share chambers. To increase the chances of producing children of course” said Aegon firmly, ignoring his mother who tutted.

“Yes, Your Grace” muttered Vaeryna.

“I will also assign Ser Arryk to be your personal guard” spoke Aegon.

Vaeryna look at Ser Arryk who gave her a courteous nod before he resumed his post at the foot of the Iron Throne.

“I will expect your attendance at dinner every night” ordered Aegon.

“Yes, Your Grace” replied Vaeryna. She figured it was for the best that she keeps her answers short and polite.

No matter what she thought of his crowning or who was the rightful heir, which was her mother, it wouldn’t do well to anger the King.

“Is there anything you wish to request in return for your acceptance of my terms?” asked Aegon curiously.

“Only that I be allowed to see my Cannibal as often as I desire” replied Vaeryna.

“You could ask your King for anything, yet that is your only request?” inquired Aegon.

“Yes, Your Grace. I don’t require anything else” muttered Vaeryna, making the mistake of looking at Aemond who seemed to be eyeing her intently.

His arms folded behind his back, his posture rigid and firm. But it was the glint of silver at his hip that suddenly caught her attention.

Dark Sister, her father’s Valyrian steel sword.

Aemond followed her gaze and he smiled, wrapping his hand around the pommel of the sword.

Vaeryna’s lip curled in disgust, her hands clenched the material of her satchel so tight it began to rip.

It was only Aegon’s voice that broke her out of her anger induced haze.

“Very well. I grant your request. You may see your dragon whenever you wish”.

“Gratitude Your Grace” replied Vaeryna bowing slightly.

“I will have Ser Arryk escort you to your chambers so that you may bathe and get settled, I will see you at dinner” said Aegon firmly.

After she had changed out of her riding leathers and bathed. Vaeryna decided to pass the time by making sure her things were unpacked and placed exactly where she wanted them. Not like she brought many of her things with her anyway.

A few dresses, and books and her most prized possessions that she kept in a small, locked box; a seahorse pendant that Luke had given her just before he died, her mother’s Valyrian steel necklace, one of her father’s rings, a few scraps of parchment that Aegon and Viserys had drawn on, some dried flower petals and letters from Jace.

Vaeryna unfurled one of the letters and smiled as she read Jace’s messy looping swirls.

‘Issa gevie zaldrīzes’ (My beautiful dragon).

Jace wasn’t as proficient in high Valyrian as she was. He kept putting it off, until he gave in and ended up learning with Maester Gerardys.  

When her mother had married her father, after the incident on Driftmark. Daemon had insisted on teaching her himself.

It was his way of making up for not being there for her when she was born. By that time, he was living in Pentos and married to the Lady Laena.

Her father wasn’t a bad man, not really. He didn’t want power. He didn’t want the throne as so many others believed. He just wanted to be with family. To be important.

Vaeryna shook her head and continued to read.

‘ēva istan hēnkirī arlī’ (Until were together again).

A solitary tear slipped down Vaeryna’s cheek as she read the rest of Jace’s letter.

She would never admit it out loud. But deep in the depths of her mind, she missed him the most.

His deep brown eyes, his cheeky smile, and the way he would always make her laugh.

She even missed that god awful haircut that he’d given himself. He’d sheared off his beautiful dark curly locks just before they’d travelled to Kings Landing to defend Luke’s claim as heir to Driftmark.

Suddenly a knock at the door broke her out of her reverie. It was a maid informing her that dinner was ready.

Vaeryna silently followed the maid down the corridor. The only sound was the slap of her shoes against the stone floor and of course the clanging of Ser Arryk’s armour as he followed.

“Princess Vaeryna. Your Grace” said the maid after she had opened the large wooden door.

Vaeryna took a deep breath and entered the dining room. Sitting at the long table was Aegon, Aemond and Alicent.

The dowager Queen’s loyal dog and former hand of the King Ser Criston lingered in the corner.

“Welcome Princess. Pease come in” said Alicent smiling.

Vaeryna nodded slightly and slowly approached the table, suddenly becoming very aware of everyone staring at her.

“Perhaps an introduction-” suggested Alicent nudging Aemond who rose from his seat, he was much taller up close, his body lean and covered with leather, his features were sharp yet perfect that his face looked like it had been carved by the gods themselves.

His long silver hair tied back, the scar that bisected the left side of his face only added to his allure, his missing eye covered by an eyepatch.

Never had Vaeryna seen a man so handsome, just a shame he was a kinslayer and a loathsome cunt.

“-I have no need to be introduced. I’m well aware of who my uncle Aemond is and what he is” retorted Vaeryna as she took a seat.

Aemond scowled at her before he resumed his seat, glaring at Aegon who scoffed loudly.

“As the King said. Your courtship period with Aemond will last approximately one moon, after that the two of you will marry in the sept under the faith of the seven” said Alicent sternly.

“Of course,” whispered Vaeryna, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

“You will be expected to be virtuous, chaste and do your duty as a wife and only bear my son’s children”.

Vaeryna of course picked up on Alicent’s thinly veiled dig at her mother, and obviously Alicent was waiting for her response as she stared her pointedly.

“I’m well aware of my duty Your Grace. Despite what you all may think, I have no such desire to sully myself or my husband by birthing bastards” muttered Vaeryna, looking at Aemond who was smirking.

“Pretty words Princess. Surely you can understand my reluctance to believe such things”.

“I honestly don’t care what you believe” shrugged Vaeryna.

“You will show respect to the dowager Queen” snapped Ser Criston.

“I only show respect to those who respect me” replied Vaeryna.

“You have given me no reason to respect you-”.

“-Neither have you” retorted Vaeryna.

“Mayhaps we should start this conversation again?” suggested Alicent.

“You talk about the importance of my virtue and purity, yet it was your own son who was involved with that Riverlands bastard” said Vaeryna.

“He didn’t-“ muttered Alicent glancing at Aemond who lowered his head slightly.

“-Apologise, but there is no point in denying it. Everyone from Storms End to the wall knew of your favourite sons frequent visits to Alys Rivers bed” replied Vaeryna.

“Don’t you-” warned Aemond.

“-Seems as though she had quite the fondness for Targaryen’s, as my father also enjoyed her company during his time at Harrenhal” said Vaeryna smirking.

“That’s not-“ exclaimed Aemond his eye wide.

“-What true? Of course, it is. Surely you didn’t think you were that special. I must admit it’s quite poetic, isn’t it? Given your dislike of ‘strong bastards’. Yet you take one as your bed mate” retorted Vaeryna.

“That’s enough” warned Alicent.

"Boy it must really sting that when you were imprisoned, your precious son was far to busy getting his cock wet to even bother coming home to save you" said Vaeryna smirking.

"I said that's enough" exclaimed Alicent.

“Quite unfortunate that she died. As I dare say she would have given you your own little strong bastard eventually” retorted Vaeryna, looking over at Aegon who was sniggering into his cup of wine.

“You are excused. Return to your chambers. NOW” ordered Alicent as she slammed her hands down on the table.

“Your Grace” muttered Vaeryna bowing slightly to Aegon and then leaving the room with Ser Arryk.

“She should be punished-” snarled Criston.

“-For what? Telling the truth?” asked Aegon.

“Your Grace-“ muttered Alicent.

“-Oh, come on mother. We all know about Aemond’s little slip at Harrenhal, let’s not pretend otherwise” replied Aegon taking a sip of wine.

[isefyres]

𝔐𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔴𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔭𝔢𝔯 𝔢𝔯𝔞:

CONQUEST ERA. aegon i targaryen, rhaenys targaryen, obsidia celtigar, torrhen stark, brandon snow, thorea stark.

JAEHERYS ERA. alaric stark, alyssa targaryen, baelon targaryen, viserra targaryen, saera targaryen, alarra stark.

DANCE ERA. laena velaryon, jacaerys velaryon, rhaena targaryen, serafia celtigar, kermit tully. floris baratheon, cassandra baratheon, heleana targaryen, criston cole, aemond targaryen, daeron targaryen. viserys i targaryen, rhea royce, lea tyrell, aliandra martell, lyandra saan.

POST DANCE ERA. viserys ii targaryen, jaehaera targaryen, myrmadora haen.

REBELLION ERA. rhaegar targaryen, ser arthur dayne, ashara dayne, elia martell, ned stark, catelyn tully.

MAIN ERA. osney kettleblack, balerion blackfyre, orysa baratheon, cersei lannister, tywin lannister, joanna swyft, laena longwaters, gendry baratheon, shireen baratheon, alynne connington, jon connington, vera dondarrion, rolland storm, shyra errol, daven lannister, addam mallister, elyra brax, jeyne westerling, joy hill, edmure tully, barbara bracken, eleanor mooton, liane vance, bethany blackwood, astor sunderly, gyselle goodbrother, wallace waynwood, myranda royce, lyn corbay, mya stone, bryanna coldwater, harrold hardyng, jennis templeton, catelyn stark, jeyne poole, mara mormont, jorah mormont, wylla manderly, alys karstark, beth cassel, brandon cassel, freyia knott, sigorn of thenn, howland reed, ellaria sand, edric dayne, gwayne dayne, addam whitehead, quira qorgyle, trystane martell, harmen uller, jeyne fowler, willas tyrell, elinor tyrell, desmora redwyne, megga tyrell, eleana vyrwel, bayard norcross, taena merryweather, tommen costayne, irri, doreah, lysandro orthys, narcyssa orthys, ezzara, sariah, cahira, malakai veltheos,

INDIVIDUAL BLOGS WITH MOST MUSE: JON SNOW | ROBB STARK | MYRCELLA BARATHEON | SARA SNOW | JAIME LANNISTER. | MELISANDRE. | CREGAN STARK. | DAEMON TARGARYEN | VISERYS III TARGARYEN | ALICENT HIGHTOWER. | RHAENYRA TARGARYEN | DAENERYS TARGARYEN | LYANNA STARK | MYSARIA OF LYS | SANSA STARK | MARGAERY TYRELL | VAL OF THE FREE FOLK | OBERYN MARTELL.

bold: most likely to respond faster and high need to write. italics: testing or wanting more interactions. nothing: can go either way.

*note: jacaerys velaryon, willas tyrell and maybe ashara dayne will get single blogs possible but they remain here. you can request things from solo blogs here or on my discord: caliofhousestark

[deesdressup]

Groups of ASOIAF The Four-Headed Beast - Samantha Stokeworth - Elissa Farman - Rhaena Targaryen - Alayne Royce Saera Targaryen and her Favourites - Alys "Sweetberry" Turnberry - Perianne "Pretty Peri" Moore Four Storms (Daughters of Boros Baratheon) - Cassandra - Maris - Ellyn - Floris The Three Jeynes - Jeyne Merryweather - Jeyne Mooton - Jeyne Smallwood The Three Widows - Samantha Hightower (née Tarly) - Johanna Lannister (née Westerling) - Elenda Baratheon (née Caron) Headcanons for the 6 unnamed daughters of Rhaena Targaryen and Garmund Hightower - Rhaenys: The eldest, learned and valued academics, married to Baela and Alyn's second child (presumably a son) and became the Lady of Driftmark - Leyla: A lover of fine silk and jewellery, moved to Pentos to marry the Prince of Pentos - Valaena: Twins with Dalaena, married to Cregan Stark's son Rickon - Dalaena: Twins with Valaena, married to a son of Joffery Arryn - Annelie: Hot headed, tried for years to hatch her own dragon but mainly took care of Morning, captain of her own ship The Sea Wing - Jocelyn: The youngest, married to a brother of Patricia Redwyne

[blue-mint-winter]

Reading Fire and Blood: Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand:

Cregan led an army of twice the size of Riverlands army. Munkun said it was 8 thousand. More than one thousand settled in Riverlands, the rest found jobs as guards or in sellsword companies and went to Essos. Maybe these northerners will have a role in changing the perception of the North in the rest of Westeros.

Lol, High Septon refused to travel with Hightowers not because of scandal with Lyonel and Lady Sam, but because Hightowers lost the war. High Septon went with Lord Redwyne (former ally of Hightowers), and 2 Blacks - Lord Costayne and Lord Beesbury. Former Hightower allies want to distance themselves from the losers.

Why did the book say Lady Baratheon named her son Olyver after her father, but then reveal her father's name is Royce Caron? Weird, this feels like an editorial mistake, not intentional on the part of the author.

Maris Baratheon joined the silent sisters. It seems like her punishment for taunting Aemond who then killed Lucerys.

In this chapter, finally Munkun replaces Orwyle as grandmaester, so he becomes the primary source. Hopefully he'll be more truthful as he doesn't have to cover up his crimes like his predecessor.

The new government is evenly split between former Blacks - Arryn, Mooton, Manderly, Corbray - and Greens - Fell, Westerling, Caron, Lannister. Looks like another concession so they don't restart the war. Making Tyland the Hand is such a move. It seems Blacks seriously underestimate him because of his disability. He was blinded and maimed in Rhaenyra's dungeons, but he didn't get a lobotomy, his mind is still sharp if he managed to go on a trip to Essos for Aegon II.

I wouldn't call not putting literal teenagers Benjicot (13), Kermit (19) or Lyonel (15) on the council of regents as conspicuous omissions, it's just common sense. I guess both lady Lannister and Sabitha Frey had business to do at home as they were recent widows. Every kingdom had a representative on the council and grandmaester Munkun was there for the Reach, pretending impartiality, so omitting the two reacher lords - Peake and Rowan - made sense.

Orwyle bribed the guard to let him escape with what? Words of wisdom? Someone else provided the money and I'm betting it was Tyland saving his old pal from small council, as later on Tyland postponed Orwyle's execution on a flimsy excuse of lacking an executioner and gave Orwyle comfortable quarters to continue writing his "chronicles".

Tyland as a hooded, malign sorcerer residing in a Tower (of the Hand) started doing magic... money magic. All his reforms are well thought out. I find the rumours about his sorcery and drinking baby's blood hilarious. Truly a proof that rumours about witches and sorcerers should be disbelieved until the person proves they are a magic user. Though it would be interesting if Tyland somehow learned magic, maybe when he was in Essos?

Aegon III's descriptions so far suggest that he is wary of assassination attempts and doesn't trust people. His attachment to Gaemon seems natural, the boy is only 5 years old so he can't really betray him and probably reminds him of his younger brother. Both Aegon III and Gaemon are orphans and their mothers were both killed by Aegon II.

The council is starting to shrink as Jeyne Arryn and Royce Caron have to deal with trouble at home. Why can't they appoint someone in their place when they are absent? Then Corlys dies and he's replaced by Unwin Peake??! I understand that Alyn was too young, but to keep balance on the council a Black should be appointed as replacement, preferably from Crownlands. Choosing Peake is tipping the scales towards Greens.

Suddenly, they start worrying about succession in case Aegon dies. I like that he picked Gaemon for his heir. Baela and Rhaena are like the new incarnations of Visenya and Rhaenys. The whole search for a husband for Baela was similarly insane to the search for Daella's and Viserra's husbands, they even conclude similarly with some old lord with heirs who is clearly the compromise option. I like that Baela just ran off and married Alyn instead. Let's remember that he could be Jace's half-brother (which would explain the closeness Jace shared with Addam in the short time they knew each other). The marriage to Alyn allowed Baela to stay close to the court and her siblings and obviously it helped with Alyn's status as a lord of Driftmark.

Willis Fell and his complaining about Baela's choice of husband, calling him their future prince consort, sounds close to treason. As if he expects Aegon III will not live. Or rather that when they arrange his sisters to marry pliable men, they would get rid of Aegon and rule as the council for a woman heir and her weak husband. Let's remember that Willis Fell is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and a dedicated Green. This man's job is to protect Aegon so he won't die. It sounds really bad for Aegon.

Rhaena smartly prepared beforehand and chose Corwyn Corbray, an acceptable suitor. Good for her. She really fixed relations with the Vale that her father ruined years ago.

Winter Fever came and another Black lord, Manderly, left for his domain without appointing someone in his absence. That leaves 4 councilors - Mooton (Black), Westerling (Green), Peake (Green), Munkun (Green). With Tyland as Hand (Green), Fell as Lord Commander (Green) and Leowyn Corbray as Lord Protector (Black). This is a huge shift in power and the council that was once balanced now is dominated by members of the side that lost the war and isn't really loyal to the king.

Alys Rivers returns to the narrative with Aemond's son. Somehow, the Greens don't realize that this is the male claimant they are searching for. And they could have an extended regency for him. The curse on the messenger is Alys' first feat of magic. I wonder if there's no rational explanation. Too bad Alys and Tyland didn't have a magic battle from their towers (lol).

I'd say Winter Fever saved Aegon III by killing the Greens: Fell, Westerling and Tyland. Corbray died too, but now the imbalance between the two factions isn't so big as Munkun has to play the impartial part.

Tyland being fine then getting sick after new cases stopped appearing and dying after only 2 days instead of 4 like others makes me think he was poisoned. My list of suspects contains Orwyle (my main suspect in previous poisonings, who was let out of his cell to help with healing) and Peake - known for participating in the Caltrops conspiracy to kill and poison dragonseeds.

The king's healing hands is such an obvious LOTR reference XD. Nice homage to Tolkien.

That ending with Gyldayn summing up Tyland as the Hand that faithfully served Aegon III is a really effective form of influencing the reader's judgement. It's an opinion stated as a fact. Meanwhile the whole chapter Tyland was preparing another coup under the guise of strengthening defenses, didn't listen to Aegon's opinions on anything, kept him away from the public eye to the point he lost all popularity from the masses (regained some of it thanks to visiting the sick) and made plans to replace him by marrying off his sisters.

Very interesting political chapter.

[ravellaarryns]

who: @casimirtully what, where and when; during the festivities within kings landing celebrating the coronation of king jaehaerys targaryen, the falcon queen held a typical audience with the lord of the snakewood, in which he shared reports of some strange occurrences happening on the border. it has been reported that a number of seven lyseni managed to flee from the quiet isle during an orchestrated attack, crossing over the border lowlands with the kingdom of the vale of arryn and head toward the safety of wickenden, the seat of house waxley within the vale of arryn. the queen of the vale and the king of the riverlands now sit within an audience meeting, attended by two stewards of both households who are taking notes for official documentation and archives.

the queen of the vale had a choice to make. no doubt, the lysene influence within the continent of westeros had mostly been concentrated to the kingdom of rivers prior to the arrival of a pair of siblings that seemed to have found a place for themselves within the dragon king's court - but they were growing in a level of intrigue and power that put them in direct rivalry with the iron bank of braavos. it had only been some years earlier had ravella herself walked the halls of the sea lord's palace, an esteemed guest whilst she represented the interests of her brother in seeking out their treacherous merchant cousins who had forgotten their place.

"they all remain as guests of house wickenden. they have not been granted permission to leave wickenden." they would be allowed to venture to none other location other than the halls that had been allocated to them; though at this moment in time, it appeared as though they were being treated as lavish guests in the warmth of house waxley's ancient home. "though they have stated their intention is to travel to gulltown, and sail back to lys from our ports." this man had been close friends with her oldest brother at one point in time, she remembered seeing them together; it only made her colder toward the river king.

that was not counting the fact he was to wed the former queen of the vale, whose child she needed to take a look at - a threat to her stability, no doubt. they were bordering regions, and yet it was made abundantly clear that the river king had sought to allow himself and his own to be used by the lions. if rumour were correct, the prince of fair isle had even threatened to murder his sisters - princesses of house tully. did the man have no pride? "i can arrange for them to be transported to kings landing, or you may even send a force to collect them." she spoke as though they were items to be moved around a board rather than humans. "once we have settled on further matters."

the vale and braavos, including the iron bank itself, had always upheld a reputable association; not only due to their geographical proximity to one another, but also as a result of the shared values they both held. this would no doubt be good for the river king to hear, considering it meant the lyseni would fail to find an ally within the lands of the mountains of the moon; and yet, seven of those twisted valyrians had managed to find their way into the lands ruled by the moon and by the night. "you know house waynwood holds a blood right to harrenhal." ravella thought of money, of gold; paired with the staunchness of her bloodline, it would only elevate the vale of arryn to another level.

she would hand them back to the river king for justice to be dealt with; she would hand them back to the summer mooton whom she had conversed with some nights earlier at a feasting hall regarding the lack of utilisation of harrenhal. two claims of power, and at this point ravella was ready to suggest that jeyne waynwood marry a qohaerys lord, to further double and amplify their claim together: she had made it a point she wished for the woman to be married within the riverlands, regardless of how much she seemed to avoid the majesty of her own claim. as much as ravella silently understood and accepted some powers were more ancient than their own, it was no reason to avoid or deny clear advantage.

"i am seeking a deal to be made between our two realms - especially if the lyseni are to come courting at my door for more than their brothers, sons or husbands." the last thing casimir needed was a region hosting lyseni influence on his border; the crownlands was already enough of an issue in that regard.

[jalabharmooton]

Jalabhar turned his head and faced the woman, why was the queen of the Vale talking to him? And why was she talking to him about Jeyne Waynwood. Ja looked over at the lady and then back at the queen, popping another grape in his mouth as he listened to her. He would never marry a Valyrian, it was simply an insult to make the suggestion. He didn't expect her to know. Perhaps the suggestion came from Qoherys having one of the newly gifted houses. Harrenhal was cursed. Everyone knew it was cursed, everyone who lived there met a terrible end. He had enough of terrible ends for House Mooton.

And why did she care about the tax of Harrenhal? Did she wish to get some information from him? No. House Mooton was one of the wealthier houses of the Riverlands, hit hard by the attack from the Lysene but not hard enough to marry into a curse. He took a drink from his cup and bowed his head in her direction. "Your grace, it's an honor to have you join me. And even more of an honor to have my confusion addressed so thoroughly."

"There is always a fascination with Harrenhal. So many wish to visit, others have their own tales of hauntings and ghosts. I've only been once, myself. Large, great holdings as we all know." And he supposed it could tempt a man trying to secure his wealth. Establish holds. He wouldn't have to live there, no, but it only took one visit for a gargoyle to land on a man's head. "Have you been there before?"

♟

there were certain parts of day to day life that ravella of the eyrie had grown to stand, rather than fully and completely accept; noted in the way she had taken to view her responsibilities and her role as life, rather than her position. there was no difference between the two, not from the moment the sapphires of the falcon crown rested upon jet black curls, and not in the years that came far before it. there was no sense of pity, or reluctance from the aura of the woman; regality, civility and superiority seemed to sit comfortably upon shoulders that had seemingly be born with armour upon them. part of it was the responsibility that came in the knowledge of needing to be seen, and not necessarily heard; only when it truly mattered.

but being seen, in itself, was a momentous decision. and yet still, she remained sat upon one of the many tables, where people had come and gone throughout the night; there remained knights of the vale within the bustling halls, mere spaces from where she remained sat. and listened. her hand remained wrapped upon the goblet of wine that stained her lips with a hue of maroon, the bitter taste of dornish red had met her high standards upon first tasting it. orbs of ice looked towards the dornish faction, ever colourful, and ever loud even in a place that was not their own; unbecoming and undignified was how she found it.

and there was another on the table with a tainted bloodline, heritage stemming from across the summer sea: she had not spoken to him once, despite the fact he was sat some spaces away from her, directly before her. he listened. if only he could hear what continued to reign hollow within the chambers of her own mind-forged manacles, how that would no doubt have relished the spy. her gaze remained upon him, almost uncomfortably; there was not a bit of her that felt as though she should look away. this was the spy master of the river king; the one whose entire family had been turned into cinders for the sake of the half year queen abandoning the land of rivers.

she made no response to his comments, despite the fact she heard it; obviously he would not know nor understand matters of genetic superiority. for as much as ravella arryn had championed the breaking of the vale's support of the dragon king in what felt like a lifetime ago, she was able to recognise the strengths of the valyrian race. her goblet was placed down now, a hand resting upon the surface of the table. and when she spoke, her voice was it's usual deadpan, detached tone: in a way that was more than simply aloof. matched with the intensity of a gaze that looked upon him as though she knew him, it was unsettling. "that one is the lady jeyne of house waynwood." she did not use her hand, but her gaze instead; one of the many with blood ties to harrenhal. it were obvious what she spoke of.

harrenhal was too valuable to merely dismiss, able to produce a large number of tax, to simply be left to crumble in the way it had. the dragons imprint still remained all over it, and it seemed as though the river king hesitated to touch it, lest he scald his gills. "and those two, both ladies of house qoherys. ad yet, valyrian influence has done enough in the riverlands, we can safely say." house mooton was close to the borders of the crownlands, but it was also on the eastern shore of the riverlands; making it some days ride from the border with the land of the mountains of the moon. "for all the ambition the men of the riverlands seem to have, none have yet thought it wise to pair with at least of the claimants. and still, the tax it reaps remains crumbling." would lord mooton not wish to extend his influence by acquiring harrenhal under his coffers? did he not have a point to make, if the talk were true?

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

Hey thanks for making such a cool blog! I use your post that lists the lgbt characters in asoiaf for reference a lot and was wondering if any characters could be added with the release of Fire and Blood

Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoy that list! So, cut for F&B spoilers…

First of all there’s Rhaena Targaryen (eldest daughter of Aenys) and her many girlfriends/favorites, including Elissa Farman and Larissa Velaryon. Rhaena and Larissa were both married to men and had children, but I’m not certain that means they’re bisexual rather than lesbian, just that they were in a very regimented culture where marriage and children are not something most highborn women can just opt out of. (Especially a princess like Rhaena.) And Rhaena’s first husband was her beloved brother, her second was a forced marriage, and the third was most definitely only a beard, so I personally think lesbian more likely (with societal comphet).

Princess Saera Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I) taught her “favorites” Alys Turnberry and Perianne Moore how to kiss, and then one day they started kissing while naked (which was “scary but exciting” per Alys), and they “took turns pretending [they] were boys” before eventually inviting Saera’s male favorites (Braxton Beesbury, Roy Connington, Jonah Mooton) into their sexual games. When the scandal eventually broke out, it didn’t end well for anyone in particular alas. (Well, Saera at least was happy, on her own terms.)

Jeyne Arryn, the ruling lady of the Vale during the Dance of the Dragons, was called “the Maiden of the Vale” as she never married. She had a “dear companion”, Jessamyn Redfort, and when she died, it was “wrapped in her arms”.

Laenor Velaryon, and his companions Joffrey Lonmouth and Qarl Correy, are in F&B, but there’s nothing new about them that wasn’t in TWOIAF or the history novellas. Other characters from those stories include Essie and Sylvenna Sand, but nothing new about them besides their deaths, unfortunately. Oh, and there’s Sabitha Vypren, who does a lot more in F&B, but there’s not much new about her sexuality – just a rumor that Alysanne Blackwood was her lover, as they shared a tent while on the march, but Black Aly’s courtship with Cregan Stark does seem to show she preferred men. (And frankly if I were a woman commander of a male army I’d rather share a tent with another woman commander than trust in what might happen or be rumored if I were on my own.) Though I suppose it’s possible Aly was bisexual, we shouldn’t really rule that out.

Speaking of bisexuality, this isn’t new information (as it was in TRP), but I should reiterate that Rhaenyra Targaryen became “fond and more than fond” of her cousin/aunt-in-law Laena Velaryon when she and Daemon Targaryen lived nearby, and they frequently raced on their dragons between Driftmark and Dragonstone. Dragonriding has always been a metaphor for sex (see Dany’s first flight; see Rhaena taking her girlfriends on dragon rides but never her husband Androw), so it’s very probable there was some sort of polycule going on there.  (See also the fact that Syrax was producing multiple clutches of eggs during this time, and it might be that the “male” parent wasn’t just Caraxes, but also Vhagar.)

Rumors were spread about “the three Jeynes”, Jeyne Smallwood, Jeyne Mooton, and Jeyne Merryweather, young noblewomen in King’s Landing to attend the Maiden’s Day Ball of 133 AC (to be a potential bride for Aegon III Targaryen) – that they “liked to dress in squire’s garb and visit the brothels along the Street of Silk, to kiss and fondle the women there as if the three of them were boys.” Whether these rumors were true or not is unknown.

And last but not least, there’s the rogue Tyroshi pirate Racallio Ryndoon, King of the Stepstones… around whom swirled many rumors, not in the least that he sometimes dressed as a woman and “played the whore”. This may have been a fetish thing rather than transgender identity, though, as he also liked to be beaten by his wives. Still, his enemies often called him “Queen Racallio”, so… um, I think that’s the best we can expect from Gyldayn/GRRM.

Anyway, I think that’s it. Though if anyone notices I’ve missed anyone, please let me know!

[my-watch-begins]

A match for love. Part V

Pairing: Harwin Strong x Female!OC.

Words: 5.3 k

Warnings: cursing, things get hot up in there, smut. 18+. Minors DNI!, not proof-read.

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10.

Ayla danced her fingers around the table, waiting for her father to finish with his business before addressing her.

Just yesterday they had received word from Jessamine, who said that her concerned state hadn't gone past Lady Jeyne and she had taken matters with Lord Mooton directly with the Lord Groover Tully. Lord Mooton was expected to be sanctioned for the disrespect to the whole of House Redfort.

Now, Ayla had come to her father about Gwayne. Lord Edder didn't seem to think that the business with his daughter was as serious as Ayla was presenting it.

"What seems to be the matter Ayla?" Her father asked, the sound of Ayla's nails on the desk must've gotten to him quickly.

"I want to talk about Gwayne, are you going to speak with his father?"

"I will not" his eyes were still trained in the scrolls on front of him, he was more than likely reviewing reports of the latest regiment of soldiers he was sent to train.

"Why not?" She pushed.

"Well, do you have any updates on your end that would prompt me writing Gwayne's father about the betrothal? Something like a marriage proposal"

"I do not" she replied through gritted teeth.

"Then there's nothing to talk about" 

Ayla stood up and sighed in frustration. She has grown accustomed to be given everything, the few times when things didn't go her way often left her in a sour mood.

She knew that Harwin was going to spend the morning with her brothers, who apparently hadn't had enough fighting in the showcase.

Ayla decided then to join Harwin's sisters in the library upstairs, she knew that's where they spent their times in the Redfort. Grayce was an avid reader and enjoyed learning about events in the Vale. Jaena just accompanied her, often letting Grayce read her the words as she worked on embroidery. When Ayla joined, the three girls quickly dropped their chores and got to talking.

Hours passed until Harwin also made his way up, his eyes roaming the library as he looked for the girls, who were sitting outside sharing food and tea, throwing their heads back as they laughed. Harwin found that Ayla shared traits with both of his sisters. She had the kind and often reserved template of Grayce and Jaena's quick wittedness and often explosive temper. 

Once his sisters saw him, they beckoned him to come out to the balcony.

"Harwin look!" Grayce pointed to the horizon excitedly. Harwin walked around their table and stared out, finding the imponent towers of Harrenhal in the distance. The Redfort rose on the top of a mountain, the view it had from the Vale and the nearest road leading to the Riverlands was a great vantage point. The castle of Harrenhal stood unmistakably in the distance, their towers fading in between the low clouds.

"So you've had your eyes on me this entire time" he teased, leaning off the ledge and turning to the table.

"I don't know how I could've, you haven't been in Harrenhal in give or take five years"

"Have I now?" He sat adjacent to Ayla and pulled a clean cup from the center. Ayla was quick to grab the seaming pot and pour some tea to Harwin.

"Yes, you left Harrenhal when your father was appointed Master of Laws"

"Mmm, and how do you know that?"

"I make it my business to know" Ayla hid a little smile behind the cup of tea, sipping the contents shortly before her eyes found Harwin's bandaged hands "I've also heard of your exploits at Princess Rhaenyra's wedding, how you bravely hoisted her to safety"

"Oh, I bet that made you jealous"

"Mighty jealous now that I've met you" Ayla followed his teasing tone with her own one, both of them smiling as they talked.

Grayce pulled the conversation to the illustrated books she'd seen and how they portrayed Harrenhal in it's former glory, making Harwin point out that the castle wasn't all destroyed, there were still parts of it that held the former grandeur of Harren's original vision, including the still intact White Hall where King Jaehaerys I held the Great Council for the succession of his ruling.

Grayce had mentioned something about King Jaehaerys I and his visit to the Redfort, which prompted Ayla to lead her to one of the corners of the library to tell her all about it.

Harwin remained seated next to his sister Jaena, and he knew how dangerous of a place it was.

"Have you asked her yet?" She beckoned as she pulled the chair to sit closer to him, her eyes still trained on the door to mind it for Ayla's sudden presence.

"Ask her what?" Jaena quickly slapped his arm.

"For her hand" she scolded, as if they had any other reason to talk.

"No, not yet"

"And why not? We leave tomorrow at first light"

"I know that"

"Is there a 'but'?"

"Why are you so invested in this?"

"Because I like her" she whined, knitting her eyebrows together "we all do"

Jaena pulled a straight face when Ayla and Grayce walked back in the balcony. Harwin then stood up, greeted the girls and left them to keep talking.

That night, the last night, after Harwin settled his affairs and placed a new log in the fireplace, he sat in the armchair and sighed, knowing that he wasn't going to be sleeping much that night.

His feelings were clear, he realized he wanted Ayla as soon as they shared a first meal upon their arrival at the Redfort. He liked her eyes on his, the soft touches of her fingers on his hand, and when he kissed her in the clearing near the waterfall he made up his mind that nothing would give him such pleasure as to have her all to himself.

The words Gwayne had spoken about the arrangement had only made him lock his feelings and convictions more, and if he had to fight Gwayne to win Ayla's hand then he would be delighted to do so.

He straightened on the chair when he heard the door open, Ayla's figure slipping in between the tiny space she'd open, then she closed the door behind her slowly, not wanting for the heavy locks to make much of a noise amidst the quietness of the night.

She turned, finding his eyes already on her figure. She smiled, slowly walking to him.

Harwin picked up her intentions, clearly noticeable by the way she was just wearing her sheer nightgown, when she stood before him the light of the fireplace behind her accentuated the curves of her body under the garment.

"Couldn't sleep?" He asked, Ayla fisted her gown and leaned in to sit on his lap, his hands quickly found her waist, rounding it with his arm as he pulled her closer, and his other one found the dangerous place between her thighs.

"No, I'm-" she sighed, one of her arms had rounded Harwin's broad shoulders, his other hand touched his chin and jaw lightly "I'm heartbroken because of your departure"

She couldn't look at him in the eyes, Harwin could see the grimaces of her lips as she tried to make her chin not tremble.

"We still have the most fun way of communication, by raven"

Ayla let out a sad chuckle, her forehead coming down to his chin. Harwin pressed his hand along the curve of her waist, going up to her shoulder, then back down.

"I want to have this night with you" she sighed, her head shooting up to ghost her lips with his "and if I have to marry that idiot Gwayne later then I won't care because I will have had this, with you, tonight"

Harwin sighed, swallowing the lump in his throat. He was determined to pull her head up to make his gaze meet with hers, ready to deny her, but when he did so he couldn't. She closed the short gap between their lips, kissing him slowly at first. When he didn't pull her back she ran her tongue along his lower lip.

He heard the straps of her gown slide, and before he could react she pulled her arms out of the sleeves, the soft skin of her back hit his caressing hand, then the softness of her breast collided with the roughness of his own chest.

He inhaled sharply. He hastily pulled them both out of the chair, making Ayla stand on her feet.

His lips left hers long enough to search for the sleeves of her gown, when he looked down and his eyes met her two full breasts, her nipples hard at the arousal, he quickened his moves. Ayla complied and let herself be dressed again, but when she was about to complain to Harwin, her eyebrows already knitted at the middle, he grabbed her jaw and pulled her for a kiss, his teeth nipped at her lips once before pulling away from her again.

"Let's go to another room, one away from my family and yours"

Ayla searched in his eyes questioningly, then took his hand and began walking. She pulled him around the castle and to a stairway, once on the second level, he saw her look at the doors as she passed them, then decided on one and opened it.

The room inside was cold, had clearly been untouched for some time, but the bed was made and there were some thick furs to keep them heated, they would be needing them later.

Once the door was closed and locked behind them, Harwin pulled Ayla for a kiss, one that verged tenderness and roughness. His lips then traveled down to her neck, Ayla's hands found the nape of his neck, her fingers crawling at his back as she pulled herself to be flushed to his body.

It was Harwin who now pulled at the strap that held the gown tight to her chest, then pulled and opened the neck wide enough to slide down the garment all the way down, leaving Ayla naked in front of him.

His big hand cupped her breast, filling his entire hand with it, then his lips found hers again. They walked to the bed, his lips still on hers as Ayla grabbed his shirt and pulled, Harwin diligently put his arms up and was rid of his shirt, leaving it discarded next to her gown.

Harwin placed his hands on her waist and made her lay on the bed, then engulfed her body with his as he towered over her.

"Is this what you want?" He muttered breathlessly on top of her, his lips now traveling down to her neck, Ayla sighed and ran both of her hands over his mass of loose curls.

"Yes" she breathed out "I want all of it, all of you"

He leaned back to sit on his heels, looking at Ayla in all of her naked glory, he raked his hands down the valley of her breasts, then down to her stomach. He then grabbed the back of her legs and pulled them to either side of his body.

"It may not be pleasant at first, but it will pass" he assured, his hands now smoothing down her inner thighs, he felt the skin perk up in goosebumps, then slowly his hand made it's way to her heat, her slit glistening from her arousal.

Ayla stared at Harwin and his imponent figure in between her legs, how he was devouring her with his eyes, how he was surely thinking of all the things he wanted to do to her, when suddenly his thumb lost itself between her folds and traveled up. She inhaled sharply when his thumb moved on top of her most sensitive bud, circling it. Ayla's mouth fell agape, her skin peaking in temperature.

Harwin's thumb began moving faster on her clit, making Ayla gasp loudly, her body reacting making her begin to arch her back at the sudden change of pace. Still, Harwin was not happy with how she was seemingly holding back her pleasure.

He towered over her, one of his hands supporting his weight on top of her as the other kept working on her bud.

"Ayla, look at me" he commanded, Ayla soon opened her eyes, it was a sudden blessing having him so close, she hadn't known what to do with her hands, but now she could press them both to his shoulders, her fingers leaving a white indent on his skin "I wanted us in the furthest away room because I want to hear you" one of his fingers entered her, then curled inside of her making her close her legs around his waist "or am I not making you feel good?"

"You are" she replied instantly, nodding fervently as his fingers began pumping in and out. His lips attacked her neck, deciding that if she wasn't going to let go so easily, he would push her to the edge until she could no longer control herself.

He grabbed her by the waist with both hands and scooted her up on the bed, then dove in and before Ayla could register what was happening, Harwin's tongue raked along her slit, and when it touched her clit she let out a moan, long, one that reverberated through her entire throat.

Harwin's skillful tongue moved fast over her bud, and Ayla soon found the covers of the bed, fisting them as she moaned loudly again, her back arching. She found herself letting out a string of moans that threatened to leave her lacking her voice tomorrow.

In the brief moment she looked down, her hands now finding his curls to fist them, her legs trembled beyond her control. Harwin pressed now two fingers inside of her, and when he curled them to touch the tender spot in her walls, her back arched and she let out a high pitch scream, a short one that stopped when her whole body trembled. Her breathing also quivered as Harwin kept his fingers inside her, the delicious clench of her walls hugged his fingers in a  delicious rhythm.

Harwin straightened himself, once again sitting on his heels, his free hand rubbed Ayla's body, the skin leaving a trail of goosebumps after he caressed her.

"Ayla" he called breathlessly, not from exertion, but because he needed her now. Ayla opened her eyes and lifted her head slightly from the bed, a quiet understanding flashed on her eyes, Harwin understood that he could continue. He leaned over her, his arm propping himself up as his other hand, the one that he took from Ayla's heat, grasped his hardened member, he rubbed the tip on her slit, making Ayla press her hands at his shoulders again, her legs seemed to have a mind of their own, hooking themselves to hug his waist and to pull him closer, eager to finally have him.

She gasped when he entered her in one thrust, his fingers digging into the flesh of her waist as he stood still. Her walls were still clenching at the aftermath of her orgasm, making Harwin grunt as he placed his forehead to her clavicle. Ayla's orgasm hadn't stopped the initial pain of accommodating Harwin's girth to her tight walls, she'd pressed her hands at his sides and unconsciously held him still, as if it would subside the pain, her breath caught up in her throat, but she slowly let it out, relaxing herself at Harwin's caring hands on her waist and legs. When the pressure was bearable, pressing at his sides she beckoned him to start moving.

Harwin began thrusting in long strokes, his member managing to fit even deeper in her, listening attentively to her sighs and whimpers to gauge at how she was.

A moan escaped her at one of his long thrusts, soft and deep at the same time, like it originated from the deepest part of her throat, beckoning him to keep the pace going for the sake of sanity. He then lifted himself and placed his hands at her waist, picking up the pace on short and deliberate moves.

He wish he could have the view he had right now imprinted in his retina, the sight of her closed eyes and open mouth, her full breasts bouncing up and down, her hands now grasping at his forearms, then the most tentalizing sight of them all, his hard cock disappearing in her heat, squeezing it as he pushed inside of her, ripping more and more moans out of her throat.

Her face of pleasure changed as well as her moans, now higher in pitch, Harwin's hands now held hers and pinned them on top of her head. His hips began moving faster, making Ayla press the back of her heels at his lower back, the only way she had to cling to him as he pounded, Harwin was letting out his own soft grunts.

It was too much for Ayla to handle, the decided thrusts, the grip on her wrists preventing her from touching him, her moans echoing along with Harwin's own. She crumbled again, her back arching to meet with Harwin's chest as she came, a cry ripping out of her throat. Harwin's hands loosened the grip, giving Ayla finally freedom to dig her hands at his chest. Her skin became even more electrified when his hands raked her breasts, then up to her throat and back down again in the valley of her breasts.

She was spent, taking deep breaths as she felt her walls tighten around Harwin's cock. She finally opened her eyes, finding Harwin's already looking down at her, darkened with lust.

"Was that good my love?" Ayla nodded dutifully, her hands grabbing his and pressing down at her neck, she needed his hands on her body, the roughness of them to light her up "shall we keep going?"

Before Ayla could answer, he led her arms to round his shoulders, then pressed his own hands at her waist and pulled her off the bed. Now sitting with Ayla straddling his cock, she didn't know she could feel him so deep inside her, but she did. The change of position was enough to restart her wanton moans.

She had him exactly how she wanted him, chest to chest, his arm snaking around her whole back and his other hand guiding her hips in motion, back and forth, rubbing her insides with his cock in new spots. One of her hands clawed at his shoulder, the other one gripped at the loose curls in the back of her head, wanting to keep him close, to have his skin melt with hers.

"Fuck Harwin" she muttered, her lips on top of his, both of them breathing the same heavy air and drowning their moans with each other's mouths.

Ayla felt the change of pace, now both of his hands were leading an impossible fast pace, Harwin's turn to claw his fingers at her waist, surely leaving indents of his fingerprints on her body. Ayla felt an already familiar turn on her stomach, her forehead coming to his shoulder.

"Harwin" she gasped breathlessly, her legs threatening to numb. Suddenly she felt it, he stilled her movements to empty himself inside of her. Ayla hugged herself to him, his orgasm triggering her own, loosing all resolve as she moaned in his ear, her hand fisting at his hair making Harwin grunt, presumably in satisfaction at the mix of hurt and pleasure.

She felt outside of her body, lightheaded, but oh so very satisfied.

When she came to her senses, she was nested in Harwin's embrace, her head laying on his shoulder, covered with thick furs, his hand resting on her waist.

She lifted her head up just a few inches, seeing Harwin also become alert and look down at her with a smile.

"You feel asleep for a second there" he removed his hand from her waist as moved her wild hair out of her face "sleep love, I'll take you to your room before first light"

"Okay" she whispered, then crawled upwards to rest next to him, her forehead meeting his chin as her hand came up to rest at his jaw, her thumb lightly moving back and forth.

The next time Ayla came to her senses, she wasn't in the dreamy position she'd fallen asleep in. She was, sadly, back in her own bed, dressed and wrapped around the covers and sheets of the bed upstairs, her own bed was still made and untouched beneath her.

She quickly sat up when she saw the light outside, fearing that she had missed Harwin's departure. She unraveled the sheets from her body, noticing that one of them held the proof of her lost maidenhead, she balled it and held it to her chest as she looked to see if the other one was tainted. The door opened after a quick knock, leaving Ayla staring expectantly at the figure that would appear.

"Good morning my Lady" one of her handmaidens saluted, carrying a bowl of water and some rags, ones she left on the table near the fireplace.

"Good morning Talya"

"Oh, you've made your bed already" she noted, giving Ayla a quick look and a frown.

"Yes" she fisted the rest of the sheets "my blood moon came early, I was going to take this to wash"

"Don't bother my Lady" she extended her hands and Ayla gave her the sheets "the young ladies, Jaena and Grayce were waiting for you in the hallway, to break their fast with you before they left."

"Oh-" she felt her body loose the tension it was holding, they hadn't left yet "I'll meet them in a minute" Talya nodded, Ayla quickly added "I won't be needing any help with my dress, Talya"

"As you wish" Talya nodded, then headed out.

Ayla's suspicions were right, as soon as she rid herself of her nightgown, maroon dots painted her waist, the grip of Harwin's fingers leaving marks to remember him by.

Ayla changed quickly, not wanting to keep the sisters waiting, then quickly knotted her hair in a high ponytail, a few pieces falling and framing her face, then joined the girls in the hallway.

In the adjacent tower, Harwin harbored a pain in his chest that he at first doubted the reason for. He didn't touch a thing the maids had displayed for them to eat before their departure. Much to his dismay, he crossed glances with his father once, who looked at him with a sympathetic twist of eyebrows.

"You know, Lord Edder is to be in King's Landing in the upcoming month, a fruitful relationship has developed from this little adventure. I'm sure you and Lady Ayla will be able to reconnect then" he offered.

Harwin finally cracked a smile.

"That is not why I'm distraught. I believe lady Ayla and I do not need a longer courting period to gauge out intentions. I am going to ask for Ayla's hand before we leave" his eyes found his father's, gleaming with a certain proudness.

"I must admit I knew that would be the outcome of this trip the first night we had dinner with the Redford's. Lady Ayla is a picture perfect match for you, son"

"Still-" Harwin wished to keep his father's expectations at bay "I didn't say anything because I'm sure she would've insisted in coming to King's Landing with us. Leaving the family home is not something to take lightly"

"It surely is not, I'm glad you're willing to wait" Lord Lyonel stood from his seat and motioned at him to do the same "we should pay Lord Edder the respect of forewarning him your intentions"

Harwin nodded, then stood up from his seat and followed his father around the castle.

As soon as Harwin and Lord Lyonel crossed the door to Lord Edder's office, he smiled and waved his hand around, then placed both of them on Harwin's shoulders.

"There's absolutely no need for this my boy" he said with a smile, Harwin's nervousness dissipating almost instantly "I've raised my daughter to be a strong willed, intelligent and tenacious young woman. She, as you've witnessed, likes to get into a little bit of trouble every now and then. All she needs is for someone to protect her, sometimes from afar, but most important she needs someone to love her"

"I'm willing to do that and more, Lord Edder. If I am ever lucky enough to call myself her husband, she should expect nothing less of me"

"Good" he nodded, patting Harwin's arms reassuringly "I am more than happy to have our houses join" he looked now at Lord Lyonel, who by the look of his face mirrored Lord Edder's happiness.

Harwin only saw Ayla again when she and his sisters walked to the entrance of the castle. Harwin's heart tightened at the sight of her puffy red eyes and nose, she'd clearly been crying and so had his sisters.

He walked to them, Jaena and Grayce understood that they would want a few minutes to themselves. They left Ayla's side and Harwin kept walking with her to the furthest part of the salon, leading to a corridor.

"How are you today?" He asked, glancing down at her. Ayla gave a weak smile.

"Remember at the clearing, when you told me there would be plenty of time for us to make haunting memories together?" Harwin smiled sadly, standing in front of her and slowly raising his hands to her waist "back then I didn't think you were serious"

"Neither was I" he admitted. Ayla's eyes remained on his lips, her hands coming up to lay flat oh his chest. "Ayla"

Her chin trembled, Harwin's forehead came down to touch hers. He held her in his arms, much like he had done the night of Lord Mooton's verbal explosion. Their noses touched, and Harwin heard her unsteady breath as she tried to hold back tears.

"Look at me Ayla" he whispered. Ayla leaned back, took a deep breath and looked at him, almost instantly she blinked and heavy tears fell from her eyes "I promise you, this is our last goodbye"

He saw it, the clear change in her expressive eyes, how they turned to curiosity, then instantly disbelief.

"Next time we see each other, be it days or months from now, I won't let you out of my sight again. If you would have me-" Ayla closed her eyes, her hands crawled to his neck and she pulled his face to hers, foreheads touching "next time we see each other, I will make you my wife, if you'll take me as your husband"

"I will" she answered instantly, her lips meeting his plump ones "I will happily take you as a husband" she whispered over his lips, then kissed him again, now their lips dancing with each other, his tongue slipping into her mouth as one of his hands dipped lower to grasp at her glute.

Ayla startled in his arms and pulled away from the kiss when the hallway erupted in a frenzy of warnings and cheers, both from Harwin's sisters cheering at the both of them, celebrating them on their love, and Ayla's brothers who considered that Harwin had put a little too much passion in the kiss. Ayla was still holding him by the neck, but had managed to crack a good laugh along with Harwin, momentarily distracting them from the sorrow they would feel when they were no longer in each other's sights.

Upon their farewells, Harwin kept a reassuring grip on Ayla's hand as he saluted her brothers. Ayla on the other hand held both of his sister's, her eyes fixating on Grayce as she linked a bracelet at her wrist.

"We bought this at Wickenden. Something to remember us by"

Ayla stared at the thin chains twirling on themselves and painted in red, blue and green, the colors of House Strong.

"I love it" Ayla's hands slipped from Harwin's momentarily to hug Grayce and Jaena tightly "even if I wasn't going to marry your brother, I would've found a way to keep withing your lives. I hold you in a special place in my heart"

When the girls parted from Ayla and walked to the carriage, Harwin pressed his hand on her neck, rubbing his thumb over the curtain of hair and into Ayla's neck.

Ayla took a deep shaky breath and leaned to his shoulder, his hands found hers again and rubbed over her knuckles, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I'll write to you as soon as I can" he muttered to Ayla, but didn't want to utter a word, fearing that it may launch her tears into overdrive again, she opted for tiptoeing to kiss him, his hand lightly pressed at her jaw, keeping her lips on his for a long but soft kiss.

She held her breath when he pulled back, forcing herself to open her eyes and look at his.

"This better be our last goodbye" Harwin pulled the corner of his lips to a small smile.

"It will be, love" he pressed another quick kiss to her forehead and reluctantly peeled away from her, their hands holding together until the last second. When Harwin turned to walk to his horse, Adrian took Harwin's side next to Ayla and pulled her crying sister to him, Ayla blinked heavy tears as she watched him climb on the horse. He gave a quick glance at Ayla, she forced herself to smile, even though her lips and jaw were locked in avoiding to cry.

Then slowly, the party disappeared into the road. Ayla sighed, running a hand on her cheeks and cleaning it out of the fresh tears that ran on them.

"Congratulations my girl" it was now her father's turn to kiss her on the forehead, then rounded her shoulders with his arm and walked into up the stairs to the entrance of the castle "Ser Harwin is a great match for you, one I'm ashamed I didn't thought of to begin with"

"It's better we made it ourselves, I'm sure Lord Lyonel wouldn't have agreed to the match if it had been set up as a political one" she reasoned, grateful that her father had turned the matter of conversation away from her love's departure.

"We will meet again with the Strongs. I do have some new business in King's Landing, and you'll sure join me then"

"I gladly will, father" she replied with a weak smile.

"And the marriage itself-" Ayla quietly rolled her eyes, mostly to herself.

"You don't waste time, do you?" She quipped, interrupting him.

"The marriage itself will have to be within the next four months. I wish for us to join houses as soon as possible, for your sake and Ser Harwin's"

"And why are you concerned exactly?" She stood before him, blocking him from walking further "do you know something I don't?"

"I know plenty that you don't. Regarding your betrothal, I know that by the way Larys looked at the both of you when Harwin asked for your hand, he wasn't happy"

Ayla thought of the lack of interaction she had had with Larys, he mostly kept to himself or joined Lord Lyonel in the matters he still had to attend as Hand, even from afar. She was glad that her father had kept a keen eye on him and had been looking over her even in her moments of weakness.

"You're afraid he would somehow convince Lord Lyonel of calling off the betrothal?"

"I'm concerned he would plant a seed in the time you and Harwin are away from each other. It doesn't need to be with Lord Lyonel itself, it can be with absolutely anyone who wishes to stir chaos"

"Well-" a sudden smirk painted on Ayla's lips "let him try".

Taglist: @her-fandom-sanctum @mostclevermiss

[asongofsilks]

ASOIAF FANCASTING --> EVERY NAMED FEMALE CHARACTER ABOVE THE AGE OF FIVE, PART XIX

Elaena Targaryen (c. 150-220 AC): Youngest child of King Aegon III and his wife Daenaera Velaryon. For the entirety of her teenage years, she was imprisoned in the Maidenvault by her older brother, Baelor I. She fell in love with Lord Alyn Velaryon and gave birth to his twin bastard children, Jon and Jeyne Waters. After he disappeared at sea, she eventually agreed to marry another after a year had passed. She was wed to the aged Lord Ossifer Plumm, but he died on their wedding night. Nine months later, she gave birth to a son, Viserys Plumm, whom some whispered had been fathered by the ruling king, Elaena's cousin Aegon. After Aegon's death, she married Lord Ronnel Penrose, Daeron II's master of coin. Daeron trusted Elaena with many matters of state, including doing her husband's job. She had four children with Ronnel, then declared that seven children was enough for her. After he died, she married once more, this time for love. Fancast: Kirsten Dunst.

Eleanor Mooton (b. 286 AC): Daughter and heir of Lord William Mooton of Maidenpool. She is wed to Dickon Tarly, the youngest son and heir of Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill, who has occupied Maidenpool at the end of the War of Five Kings. Fancast: Bella Ramsey.

Elenda Caron (b. approx. 97 AC): Wife of Lord Borros Baratheon of Storm's End, and mother to his four daughters, the Four Storms. In the Dance of the Dragons, Lord Borros was initially courted by both sides, but came out in support of Aegon II after betrothing one of his daughters to Aegon's brother Aemond. Elenda became pregnant once again during the Dance and gave birth to a boy, Royce, seven days after her husband died in battle. She ruled the Stormlands as regent until her son came of age. Fancast: Meryem Uzerli.

Elenei (Age of Heroes): The daughter of the sea god and the goddess of the wind, she loved the mortal Durran Godsgrief, who became the first Storm King. Angered at their union, her parents destroyed every castle that Durran built, until the seventh castle withstood their anger. Fancast: Andie MacDowell.

Eleyna Westerling (b. 287 AC): Younger daughter of Lord Gawen Westerling and his wife, Sybell Spicer. Her older sister, Jeyne, becomes the wife and queen of Robb Stark during the war of the Five Kings, and Eleyna and her mother and siblings join his retinue. Fancast: Bonnie Wright.

Elia Martell (256-283 AC): Daughter of the ruling Princess of Dorne and wife of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, with whom she had two children, Rhaenys and Aegon. Elia's health was ever fragile, and the maesters advised that it would be dangerous for her to bear any more children; this may have been the reason that Prince Rhaegar abducted Lyanna Stark, since he believed that he needed to have three children to fulfill an ancient prophecy. However, Rhaegar died in battle during Robert's Rebellion, and when King's Landing fell to Tywin Lannister, Elia and her two tiny children were brutally murdered at his command. Fancast: Anna Shaffer.

Elia Sand (b. 285 AC): Eldest daughter of Prince Oberyn Martell, younger brother of the ruling Prince Doran, and his paramour Ellaria Sand. She accompanies her cousin, Princess Arianne Martell, on her way to meet the Golden Company, and gets into trouble along the way. Fancast: Ivana Baquero.

Elinda Massey (b. approx. 115 AC): Lady in waiting to Queen Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons. She was with Rhaenyra in King's Landing until she fled from the rioting, and landed with her on Dragonstone, where she witnessed Rhaenyra's death by her brother Aegon II's dragon, Sunfyre. Stories say that she gouged her own eyes out at the sight of Rhaenyra being devoured by the dragon. Fancast: Doutzen Kroes.

Elinor Costayne (b. 28 AC): The widow of a knight named Theo Bolling. After he was killed by the king, Maegor the Cruel, for supposedly conspiring with the Dowager Queen Alyssa to put her son Jaehaerys on the throne, she was summoned to marry Maegor in a ceremony with two other brides. All three women, known as the Black Brides, were widows and had borne children; Elinor had given her first husband three sons by the time she was nineteen. She became pregnant with Maegor's child, but the son was stillborn and deformed. After Maegor's death and the accession of Jaehaerys I, she was one of the Seven Speakers who helped convince the realm of King's Jaehaerys' fitness for the crown and the Targaryens' exceptionalism. She eventually devoted herself to the Faith of the Seven, joining the great motherhouse in Lannisport. Fancast: Joely Richardson.

Elinor Massey (b. approx. 120 AC): She was one of the noblewomen suggested as a marriage candidate for King Aegon III after the death of his first wife, Jaehaera. After it was announced that there would be a ball held on Maiden's Day for the king to choose a new wife, a tale of how she had been deflowered started to spread, probably instigated by the Hand of the King, Unwin Peake, who wanted to marry the king to his own daughter, Myrielle. Fancast: Ece Çesmioglu.

Previous

[dwellordream]

who do you think were alicent's ladies in waiting during the dance? it's so odd to me that the queen consort isn't seen with her own entourage of hightower relations and other women currying her favor.

By now I think it's pretty clear GRRM has minimal interest in depicting queen/lady-in-waiting relationships, and that he doesn't really consider that dynamic the way he does the Small Council or Kingsguard.

We also just don't know the names of a ton of ladies during the Dance who weren't aligned with the Blacks, so.

It's a bit hard to speculate, besides maybe some of the ladies who later show up during the Maiden's Day Cattle Show as possible brides for Aegon III. Some of the older ones or their older sisters/cousins could conceivably have been ladies in waiting for Alicent and/or Helaena at some point.

Ladies from the Maiden's Day Cattle Show who either have no age listed or are old enough to have been at least in their early teens during the Dance:

Alyssa Royce

Barba Bolton

Elinor Massey

Henrietta Woodhull

Jeyne Merryweather

Jeyne Mooton

Jeyne Smallwood

Lyra Hayford

Moriah Qorgyle

Patricia Redwyne

Rosamund Darry

Ysabel Staunton

We don't know exactly when Bethany Hightower was born, but she might have been old enough to serve as a lady in waiting to Alicent and/or Helaena. The same goes for Samantha Tarly's sister Sansara. Sharis Footly may also have been a possible lady in waiting to Alicent at one point or another.

[adancewithdragonsrpg]

RESERVAS OFICIALES

Al final del post dejamos la normativa de reservas por si alguien tiene dudas.

PERSONAJES CANON

Forrest Frey - TheKarpa Jeyne Arryn - Espeon Alicent Hightower - Scar Baela Targaryen - Scar Benjicot Blackwood - Bloody Ben Alysanne Blackwood - Niña Indigo Aemond Targaryen - Phantom Jacaerys Velaryon - Simba Tyland Lannister - Simba Aegon Targaryen - Grey Daemon Targaryen - CanciónNoEsTwitter Kermit Tully - CanciónNoEsTwitter Otto Hightower - Loyalty Elmo Tully - Muppet Jason Lannister - Narciso Rhaena Targaryen - PanConMermelada Brandon Stark - DeusVult Cregan Stark - Lobo Dalton Greyjoy - StrongBoi Floris Baratheon - Maple Helaena Targaryen - Sargent Maris Baratheon - Alyanna Coryanne Martell - Halo Aliandra Martell - Exel Rhaenys Targaryen - Meleys Lucerys Velaryon - SoloOtroRolero Daeron Targaryen - EtherealStar Steffon Connington - EtherealStar Cassandra Baratheon - Medialunita Ormund Hightower - Gerris William Royce - Gerris Borros Baratheon - Arctic Rhaenyra Targaryen - Yuna Sara Nieve - borealnyx Criston Cole - Harlan Hunter Joffrey Velaryon - Ardillaloca Qyle Martell - borealnyx Sabitha Vypren - Alesbosamente Garlan Tyrell - Enoee Margaery Tyrell - Bear Desmond Manderly - StrongBoi Benjen Stark - Showstopper Byron Swann - Muppet Erwin Lannister - CojoHermoso Qoren Martell - Caraxes Martyn Tyrell - LaRosa Corlys Velaryon - Elquenollegó Oscar Tully - Espada Cerelle Lannister - Briska Tyshara Lannister - Edith Finch Royce Caron - elViejoTio Jeyne Bulwer - Faith

CASAS / FAMILIAS

Karstark - Niña Indigo Mormont - Bear Peake - StrongBoi Dalt - VhagarNoo Redwyne - Briska Yronwood - MagicRules Celtigar - Exel Umber - Ishadriel Darklyn - Señor de la Plaga Rowan - Edith Finch Vance - Harlan Hunter Dondarrion - CojoHermoso Tarth - Misifú María Eugenia Dayne - Medialunita Farman - TheQueen Lannister de Lannisport - Pandora Bolton - Bolifacio Reyne - Elquenollegó Mooton - Bruma Oakheart - Rae Rogare* - Amanda Tarly - Phantom Ambrose - Hécate Fell - Lilacandviolet Drumm - Neurona Florent - Midnight Mallister - Woodswood Estermont - Halo Ashford - Bluemoon Largent* - PocholoTargaryen Mertyns - Norteña Wylde - TheKarpa Plumm - UnViserysPlumm Cerwyn - Freya Harte - Ponyo Farwynd - Gyda Reed - Roilys

PBS

Adam Driver - TheKarpa Katie McGrath - Espeon Skandar Keynes - bloody ben Emma Appleton - Niña Indigo Ewan Mitchell - Phantom Thimothée Chalamet - Simba Ben Barnes - Grey Tom Glynn-Carney - Grey Adelaide Kane - Scar Olivia Cooke - Scar Matt Smith - CanciónNoEsTwitter Cameron Monaghan- CanciónNoEsTwitter Elissa Bibaud- Bear Morgan freeman - Suco Rhys Ifans - Loyalty Michael Fassbender - Muppet Nick Slater - narciso Alex Hogh Andersen - DeusVult Aaron Taylor-Johnson - Lobo Leo Suter - StrongBoi Santiago Cabrera - VhagarNoo Charlie Vickens - VhagarNoo Kylie Bunbury - VhagarNoo Elle Fanning - Sargent Marta Gastini - Alyanna Morfydd Clark - Magic Rules Natalie Dormer - MagicRules Kaia Gerber - Halo Bruna Marquezin - Woodswood Jordan Patrick Smith - Ishadriel Sophie Turner - Edith Finch Jodie Comer - Edith Finch Hugh Jackman - Harlan Hunter Christian Bale - Harlan Hunter Chris Hemsworth - CojoHermoso Elliot Grihoult - SoloOtroRolero Dominik Sadoch - EtherealStar Alex Storm - EtherealStar Harry Lloyd - Fatbelly Tom Hiddleston - Fatbelly Sai Bennet - Rae Sadie Sink - Vma Jessica Chastain - Misifú María Eugenia Blance Soler - Medialunita Alexandra Daddario - Pandora Nicholas Galitzine - Bolifacio Thea Sofie Loch Næss - Bolifacio Jeanne Goursaud - Bolifacio Emilia Clarke - Dracarys Engin Ozturk- Apolo Charlie Hunnam - CojoHermoso Henry Cavill - Lilacandviolet Katheryn Winnick - Eris Millie Brady - Remedios Jonathan Rhys Meyer - Elquenollegó Kaya Scodelario - TheQueen Alexander Dreymon - Pandemonium Dayana Crunk - Brienne Anton Closmain - Ardillaloca Freya Allan - TheQueen Anya Chalotra - Niña Indigo Dove Cameron - Bruma Elizabeht Debicki - Amanda Luke Evans - PocholoTargaryen Lily James - Rae Daria Milk - Bear Tom Hardy - Phantom Eva Green - Carmilla Vanja Jagnic - Misifú María Eugenia Florence Pugh - Hécate Farah Zeynep Abdullah - TresPerlas Bradley James - Ishadriel Victoria Justice - Exel Peyton List - Exel Jannis Niewöhner - Showstopper Anne Hathaway - Ponyo Lucky Blue Smith - Mushroom Jarred Blakiston - Mushroom Lea Seydoux - Mushroom Matteo Martari - DeusVult Harry Gilby - DeusVult David Gandy - Caraxes Sam Heughan - Caraxes Michiel Huisman - Caraxes Zach McGowan - Neurona Clive Standen - ReyBuitre Meryem Uzerli - Midnight William Moseley - CojoHermoso Eve Best - Meleys Theo James - Bluemoon Alice Pagani - Halo Alexander Ludwing - Bluemoon Jason Isaacs - Elquenollegó Deva Cassel - Halo Karl Urban - TheKarpa Vika Bronova - Maple Jensen Ackles - Harlan Hunter Kennedy Walsh - PanConMermelada Sean Harris - PocholoTargaryen Alexandra Dowling - Norteña Leele Sonosekisk - Norteña Ruby Hartley - Norteña Mads Mikkelsen - TheKarpa Ruairi O'Connor* - Espada Scarlett Johansson - Wendy Travis Fimmel - Argon Hayden Christensen - UnViserysPlumm Frida Gustavsson - Freya Katya Miro - Medialunita Alina KovalenkoFreya Lili Johanson - Briska Katya Chertykova - Briska Angelina Michelle - Briska Anastasia Tsilimpiou - Edith Finch Abigail Cowen - Colorada Graham McTavish - elViejoTio Imogen Potts - Gyda Daneil Sharman - Roilys George Blagden - Roilys Felicity Jones - Faith Daisy Ridley - Magic Rules

[isefyres]

extreme cleanup coming this way:

removing:

tessaria velaryon

atlas celtigar

sebastion farman

justin massey

anya harring

stannis baratheon

alessander steadmon

hermia morrigen

rolland storm

andromeda caron

aidan gower

crispian cole

cassandra cole

genna lannister

lynora hill

myrelle lannister

damon vypren

mayla mooton

vivyan mooton

damona lothson

astor sunderly

robin arryn

calypson upcliff

hallis mollen

brandon tallhart

eddara tallhart

jonelle cerwyn

grethe crowl

freyia knott

lyessa flint

mellario of norvos

guinevere dayne

jeyne fowler

daemon sand

sylva santigar

nymeria sand

elaine dayne

talla tarly

alyna ashford

jennis mullendore

mancia serry

garlan tyrell

gaia haen

kaento qoherys

nightingale

kira kandaq

xina xhora daxos

isleen labryntheos

callista barreos

maybe adding:

gerold gower.

getting a single blog:

arya stark

[agentrouka-blog]

They tracked to her lair with a pack of wolfhounds, and barely escaped with their skins. Not one of those dogs came back, not one.

Is it meant to foreshadow the confrontation between Nymeria and Ramsay's hounds? Direwolf Hound battle something that Grrm says might happen in Winds.

Hi there!

I both like the idea of Arya being involved in destroying Ramsay and at the same time I don't see how it would work. (Arya is in Braavos, Nymeria in the Riverlands. Things in the North are happening sooner than she will return, I think.)

I would love it because it would create an unexpected resolution to the conflict between Arya and Jeyne. Jeyne was made to impersonate Arya and bore a horrible fate in her place. Jeyne had not been kind to Arya but no one deserves what happened to her, and Arya's past experiences witnessing sexual assault tells us she would feel the same. She would not ever let a petty childhood nickname outweigh her anger at a girl being horribly assaulted and the Northern lords present there just standing by.

I don't doubt that Arya will be involved in getting justice for Jeyne. But against Littlefinger, most likely.

On the other hand, Nymeria has not exactly been a force of good in the Riverlands. The above tale is told in response to her supposedly snatching a baby from her mother's arms.

The man in the green cloak said, "I heard how this hellbitch walked into a village one day . . . a market day, people everywhere, and she walks in bold as you please and tears a baby from his mother's arms. When the tale reached Lord Mooton, him and his sons swore they'd put an end to her. They tracked her to her lair with a pack of wolfhounds, and barely escaped with their skins. Not one of those dogs came back, not one."

"That's just a story," Arya blurted out before she could stop herself. "Wolves don't eat babies." (ACOK, Arya II)

Arya vehemently denies it, but we know Nymeria happily eats sheep and shepherd alike. That's not a good look. Her presence in the Riverlands is unnatural and incompatible with the human inhabitants. No wolf pack is supposed to be that large or that bold. Hundreds of them.

They exist for a reason, but they could make quick mincemeat of Ramsay and his dogs. Hardly a fight. Ghost could take the dogs on by himself, we've seen a similar fight constellation with both him and Summer more than once. The dogs are not an important enemy, they are animals named for his victims. Ramsay is the real enemy, and the dogs should be left alive to make mincemeat of him.

I think Nymeria will have a different purpose related to the Riverlands, its vulnerable people, and a worthy enemy for her giant pack. Something redemptive, protective.

When Nymeria protects Arya by killing the mummers who hunt her after their escape from Harrenhal, we see her facing off against a worthy enemy for a good purpose.

No matter what GRRM scribbled on the side of a script for the tv show once, I think Nymeria's purpose in the books will be more related to humans than dogs.

[blue-mint-winter]

Musings about the timeline of deaths and speed of the travelling news (in F&B)

After the betrayal of Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White in Tumbleton, the events of the Dance of the Dragons seem to follow in quick succession. However, it was surprising to learn that 5 months passed between Daemon's death on 22nd May and Rhaenyra's death on 22nd October 130 AC.

I'll try to put the events in order:

The First Battle of Tumbleton and the Betrayal.

Rhaenyra orders Addam's arrest and Nettles' execution, Addam escapes, Corlys is imprisoned, grandmaester Gerardys is sent to Dragonstone.

Lord Mooton receives his orders, maester Norren tells Daemon, next morning Daemon goes to Harrenhal, 14 days later fights with Aemond in the battle of the God's Eye and dies on 22nd May - that means Rhaenyra's orders arrived in Maidenpool on 7th May.

Attempt to rescue Corlys, hanging of the 2 rescuers, on the same day after sunset Helaena dies after half a year of captivity - so it's at least in June? The six months could be a maester's exaggeration.

The rumour about Helaena's murder causes a riot so it must be within a few days of her death if not the very next day.

Next day after riots Rhaenyra learns about Maidenpool disobeying her, Nettles escaping and Daemon's "betrayal", then storming of the Dragonpit happens on that night.

Rhaenyra leaves King's Landing at dawn, ser Perkin installs king Trystane, the beginning of the Moon of 3 Kings, Larys is back in court, Orwyle and Corlys are freed.

News about unrest in King's Landing reach Tumbleton.

Belated news about Aemond's death reach Tumbleton, Hugh Hammer wants to be a king.

Next day: Hugh wears a crown, kills Roger Corne, the Caltrops plot in the night to kill Hugh and Ulf.

2 days later, in the night - Second Battle of Tumbleton, Addam Velaryon attacks with a Riverlands army that he gathered.

Next morning after battle Ulf declares that he'll be king.

Next day Hobert Hightower poisons Ulf and himself.

Rhaenyra is on the road for unspecified amount of time, but she's turned away at Rosby, stays for one night at Stokeworth.

Rhaenyra stays in Duskendale for unspecified amount of time, on the condition that it won't be long, manages to send 3 ravens to Dragonstone but gets no reply from Gerardys, because Aegon II took over there - it's safe to assume that only happened after she left King's Landing. During her stay in Duskendale Rhaenyra sends ravens to Cregan Stark and Jeyne Arryn and gets their replies, then lady Darklyn asks her to leave because she overstayed her welcome.

Rhaenyra goes to Dragonstone and dies on 22nd October, Aegon II sends ravens to lords.

Sunfyre dies on 9th December, Aegon II almost executes Baela.

Borros Baratheon takes King's Landing after hearing about Rhaenyra's death, ending the Moon of 3 Kings.

Aegon II returns to King's Landing in the last days of the year (around 22nd December).

The fact that Rhaenyra on the Last Day in King's Landing received news about Daemon's "betrayal" but not about his death makes me think that this was still before the Battle of God's Eye. Obviously lord Mooton wouldn't inform her that he turned cloak, so someone else on her side had to uncover this. Too bad that it's not said if Rhaenyra got the information from one of her loyal lords by raven or if an informant travelled all the way to King's Landing to tell her what happened. It's likely that one of Black loyalists in Maidenpool, who didn't know why lord Mooton turned cloak, went to inform Rhaenyra.

Even looking at the map and how roads are laid out, if the courier is sent from Maidenpool, he has 2 options - turn west and go by Kingsroad or turn east towards Duskendale and take the road from there. Information between Tumbleton and King's Landing probably also goes by road, because Greens aren't sending ravens.

Map from Atlas of Ice and Fire

The thing is that Greens in Tumbleton got news about battle of the God's Eye after they heard about riots in King's Landing. Tumbleton is southwest of King's Landing and further away from Harrenhal than the capital. It would make sense for Rhaenyra to get the news about Daemon's death before the Greens, but she didn't. It must be because she'd left the city before the news came.

The news about the battle of the God's Eye must have reached King's Landing first before it belatedly reached Tumbleton. Harrenhal doesn't have a maester to send a raven and Alys wasn't in a hurry to tell anyone what happened, also Riverlanders hate Aemond so there's no one who would rush to inform the Greens about his death. That's why the information spread more slowly and the news from Harrenhal came so late to Tumbleton. It's possible that it first came late to King's Landing and then Larys and/or Orwyle sent a quick message to Tumbleton. Or they got the information in a normal time then kept it from Tumbleton and the ambitious Betrayers. They could have wanted to stall to give time to Aegon II and Sunfyre to recover to a fighting condition.

It is rather frustrating that it's unknown how much time passed between Tumbleton learning about the riots and about Aemond's death. The book gives the impression that it wasn't that long.

As word of the unrest at King’s Landing reached Prince Daeron’s host, many younger lords grew anxious to advance upon the city at once. Chief amongst them were Ser Jon Roxton, Ser Roger Corne, and Lord Unwin Peake…but Ser Hobert Hightower counseled caution, and the Two Betrayers refused to join any attack unless their own demands were met. Ulf White, it will be recalled, wished to be granted the great castle of Highgarden with all its lands and incomes, whilst Hard Hugh Hammer desired nothing less than a crown for himself. These conflicts came to a boil when Tumbleton learned belatedly of Aemond Targaryen’s death at Harrenhal. 

Hugh openly wanted the crown even when he thought Aemond was still alive? Lol. One thing is for sure, the news of Aemond and Daemon killing each other must have been like an early Christmas present for him. He became the one with the largest dragon.

The Green army could have gone to King's Landing even without Hugh and Ulf. There were no dragons defending the city and they had Daeron's Tessarion. I guess Hobert was cautious because to his knowledge Daemon was still at large and he could take down Tessarion, so the Greens still needed to keep Hugh and Ulf around to fight him. But even with that, if the other lords were so impatient to march, Hobert couldn't hold them back for very long. After the news about Aemond's death, the events started moving very quickly. The Second Battle of Tumbleton happened only 3 days later.

Theories about symbolic timing of deaths

I was thinking if it was possible for Rhaenyra to die on the same day as Daemon. It would have been immensely tragic - Daemon sacrificing himself to kill Aemond, thinking this will protect Rhaenyra, unaware that at the same time she's killed by Aegon on Dragonstone while she's thinking that Daemon betrayed her for Nettles. That's incredibly tragic and angsty.

However, looking at the timeline, it's impossible for them to die on the same day because of Rhaenyra exchanging messages with the North and the Vale when she's in Duskendale. Ravens aren't that fast, so I'd give it a month for her to send letters and receive replies.

Also, Addam Velaryon needed time to gather Riverlands army and go with it to Tumbleton. It had to be after Aemond's death, because otherwise Aemond would have stopped the army.

It could be interesting and more plausible if Daemon's death and the storming of Dragonpit happened on the same day. Last day of Rhaenyra's reign in capital is the same day her husband and protector dies. It's possible as it gives 14 days for the news about Daemon and Nettles to travel from Maidenpool to King's Landing. That should be enough time. I just think that waiting until June would have been too suspicious. Lord Mooton received Rhaenyra's orders on 7th May, there is a time limit of how long Rhaenyra can wait for his reply as Maidenpool isn't that far away. Especially damning should be that Daemon didn't return on dragonback within a day or two.

Knowing just how honorable lord Mooton was, I doubt he sent a false message to Rhaenyra after he openly turned cloak and changed his banners. I think he just went radio silent and didn't send anything. The longer Daemon didn't come back and there were no ravens from Maidenpool, the more suspicious it must have looked to Rhaenyra. If it went on too long, it would look like a confirmation of betrayal. Not to mention she could send ravens to Rook's Rest or someone else closer to Maidenpool to ask them to check what's going on there and why they aren't replying. She couldn't rule out Aemond killing Daemon and burning the city.

Helaena dying after half a year in captivity which kickstarts the riots would place her death sometime in June, probably the second half. Could Rhaenyra really wait over a month for information about Maidenpool without suspecting anything? She reacted with rage to the news, so she wasn't expecting the betrayal. That leads me to believe that not enough time passed to make the lack of contact suspicious to her.

This makes the timing of Helaena's death slightly off. I think it was earlier than June and she wasn't a captive for full 6 months. I could accept if it was around 1st June, because then if she killed herself because Mysaria told her about Maelor's death, it would be on Children's Day and that makes it even more cruel and tragic.

Unspecified time in Duskendale

One thing I'm rather annoyed with is that the Moon of 3 Kings lasts around 3-4 months. Another is Rhaenyra staying so long in Duskendale. Even if travelling there took longer than usual, it's just not that far from the capital, so I'd give it maximum 2 weeks on the road. That would mean that she were in Duskendale for months, which was a time she could have used to travel to the Riverlands or the Vale and her more accommodating allies. As I said, communicating by raven with the North and the Vale could take her around a month, so after that why would she stay even longer in Duskendale doing nothing before she takes a ship to Dragonstone?

Rhaenyra stayed in limbo because the author arbitrarily decided that Aegon can retake the throne only in the end of the year. I'd say moving those events earlier seems better in this case. Tumbleton could happen soon after the riots in June, then Rhaenyra dies in July and Aegon II comes back to King's Landing in August. It doesn't collide with anything else and eliminates the awkward sitting around in Duskendale for months.

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Thanks for reading, as always I'm open to more discussions. Timelines are rather fuzzy in ASOIAF, so it can be a source of endless speculation :)

Next post will be about Mysaria and Nettles situation.

[noratilney]

For the WIP files ask: Alysanne Osgrey thing, and Vayon + Elyana! :-D

Thank you for asking! 💙

They’re both asoiaf wips, with me taking characters that exist but that we know nothing about and making them my ocs. I definitely do want to come back to them both but I’m currently more focused on other stuff.

Alysanne Osgrey thing - so Alysanne Osgrey is truly a most minor character as she’s dead and is only mentioned by her father Eustace Osgrey who Dunk and Egg encounter. Eustace fought on the wrong side of the civil war, the Blackfyre rebellion, and among other things, his only daughter Alysanne was taken to court as sort of hostage for good behavior. That’s like one of two things about her that we know besides her name so I thought I could have fun exploring Daeron and Mariah’s court through her eyes and besides some canon chargers, a lot more ocs as members of the court she interacts with.

Mama and Nell had cut up some of Mama’s old dresses and resewn them to fit Alysanne and suit the most recent fashions. Lady Gosia had even brought over some of the dresses that her daughter Lady Rohanne had outgrown. Lady Rohanne was tiny, smaller even than Alysanne at three years her elder, but her figure was more mature than Alysanne’s, so with a little bit of hidden fabric her dresses could be made to fit Alysanne.

“I don’t know what we’ll do when she outgrows these,” Mama had fretted to Nell, pins in her mouth as she sewed lace onto one of Alysanne’s dresses.

“Worry about that problem when we come to it, Mistress.” Nell advises. “They have seamstresses in King’s Landing. They’ll cost a pretty penny but their work is better than ours will ever be.”

Vayon + Elyana was me deciding to give Jeyne Poole’s mom a name and backstory and write about her and Vayon falling in love. I made her a distant cousin of Catelyn’s:

Vayon Poole’s attention, like all the others gathered in the courtyard, was drawn first to the the bright red hair of their new liege lady but he found his eye drifting to the face of a handsome girl with curling brown hair and curious brown eyes above a cloak of subdued yellow emblazoned with three white hedgehogs.

Vayon was only [twenty] and had been in his post only a few years before the murder of Lord Rickard Stark. His son had kept Vayon on in the absence of having anyone with which to replace him. It fell to him to know to what house each visitor belonged to and how to greet them. Normally he relished such a task, heraldry and mathematics not only were the two things in which he felt supreme confidence, they were passions also. Hedgehogs, though…

Frantically Vayon searched his memory. He had turned his attention to studying the houses of the Riverlands once Lord Stark had wed at Riverrun but had too often been interrupted by tasks of greater importance. She is not a Blackwood nor a Bracken. Not a Vance nor a Frey. Lady Stark’s mother was a Whent but she bears hedgehogs not bats. I know the eagle of Mallister, the plowman of Darry, the salmon of Mooton, the acorns of Smallwood, the martlets of Grell but this sigil I have never seen before. Why did the maester at Riverrun not send me a list of the names of all traveling to Winterfell? Why did I not think to request such a list myself?

The girl - no, the woman Vayon corrected himself, she was too old to be a girl - was one of the first to dismount and she immediately reached up to take little Robb Stark from his wet nurse so she could hold him until Catelyn Tully was prepared to do so.

Quickly, quickly, he chided himself. Any moment Lady Stark would be presented to him and then he would needs greet her retinue, each with the proper respect and deference due their rank and house.

Thank the gods for Catelyn Tully, Vayon thought, for upon being reunited with her lord husband, she took her babe into her own arms, presenting him to his father.

“Your son, Lord Stark.” She said, curtsying.

Eddard Stark took the boy into his own arms where he promptly began to wail. The father looked concerned and the unknown woman rushed to his side to hold out her arms to take the babe again, even before his own wet nurse could. Eddard Stark handed him over with a look of mixed gratitude and dismay.

Robb stopped wailing, making little fussy noises until his caretaker soothed him into good humor with little nonsense sounds.

“I thank you for bringing you both to me.” Lord Stark said, stiffly and correctly to his wife.

Lady Stark gave a warm smile. “He does not know you yet, my lord. He will. Robb is a Stark through and through. It is my cousin Elyana and Robb’s wet nurse who ought to receive your thanks for their care of your heir. They have been most valuable to me on our journey north.”

Elyana passed Robb Stark to his wet nurse and swept a curtsey. “I am pleased to meet you, Lord Stark.”

Eddard Stark gave a bow in return. “I do not recall making your acquaintance at Riverrun, my lady.”

She flushed. “I am Elyana of House Wode, my lord.”

Wode, Wode, that rang something in Vayon’s head. The Wodes were vassals to House Whent, were they not? Minisa Whent’s mother might have been a Wode as well.

“I am pleased my wife will have Southern kin with her in Winterfell and I thank you for your care of my son.” Eddard Stark returned. He turned to Catelyn Tully. “Come, my lady. I wish you to meet all the members of my household. Here is Lord Poole, our steward.”

Vayon gave a bow. “My lady, welcome.”