#Jon not only is a prince through his father but he has also been made an inheritor of winterfell

[rise-my-angel]

Some stans actually believe that once Jon learns of his true parentage he will be happy. Jon literally just wants to be acknowledged as a Stark, he wants nothing with that shitty prince or his fire loving family. He might get some closure knowing about Lyanna but Ned Stark will always be his daddy.

I was thinking about this, and really, it doesn't change much of Jon's understanding of Ned. He knows his father isn't telling him the truth, or at least by not saying a word to him about his mother, he is keeping information from him on purpose. He knows Ned was hiding something about his birth, because Jon spent his entire life wondering what couldve happened between his mother and his father to cause him to shut down about it, even to him, even to Catelyn.

Jon already is aware that Ned is hiding something. He just does not know the degree of the secret.

But also, I am sick of people dismissing Neds role in his life. Ned is not Jon's uncle. Sure by blood he is, but Jon was raised thinking that he is his father. He was treated just like a father treats his son, he was loved and given the same education that Robb got, he was raised in the family home getting to grow up with his brothers and sisters.

Jon didn't suddenly lose all those days or evenings he wouldve gotten to spend with his father alone. Didn't suddenly lose all of the times they acted just like a loving father and son with no hangups. He didn't suddenly lose the fact that to Ned Stark, Jon is not his nephew, he is his son.

Jon does not suddenly lose that Ned never even gave him a reason to feel like he wasn't a good enough son. He interacted with his father his whole life in a way that made him feel loved to the point that even now that hes dead, Jon routinely feels frustration that multiple older men in his life have tried to place themselves into the position of a father figure to Jon.

He was given a personalized version of the Mormonts ancestral sword, that was once belonging to Jeors son. Jon's honoured but he is not lost on the implication that Jeor looks at Jon like a pseudo son and it bothers Jon even then. Men can give Jon a thousand swords but it will never change that his father alone is Ned Stark. And keep in mind, this occurs during the period of time early at Castle Black where Jon is resentful and thinks Ned let him come here because this life was all he deserved. And he STILL refused to let someone sway him into seeing a man as a father figure other then Ned Stark.

Jon through all the insecurities and anger, loves Ned Stark as much as a son possibly could. More then once Jon thinks in situations that could lead to his death, about Ned. He always circles back to what would his father think or do. Jon dictates his independent, adult life based around learning to be the honourable man his father wanted him to be and does so without resentment.

My negative opinions of Rhaegar aside, Jon has no attachment to the thought of him as any kind of man. He grew up his whole life knowing the story that Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna Stark. He grew up likely hearing the rumours that she was raped. He knew that kidnapping led to her dying tragically at the age of 16 in a way that clearly traumatized his father.

Jon has never been missing a father figure. He has always been missing his mother. Not missing a mother figure, only his mother. The only person he cares to learn about is her because shes the one person in Jon's blood he has never truly known. Then he learns hes heard about his mother his whole life, and realizes the bloodshed caused both for his conception and that she died without having a chance to be with her son at all.

Learning the truth is about realizing WHY Ned did the things he did. Why telling him about his mother was both too painful and too risky. Jon can be angry he was lied too, but does not change that Jon is smart and will understand that Ned did it all to protect Jon.

Jon will realize Ned did not need to raise him as his own son, in his home and family and give him love, to keep him safe. Jon knows Ned did all of that because he loves him the way Ned loved Robb or Bran. Jon will ultimately realize he never actually lost the father he grew up with, because Ned always considered Jon to be his son.

Learning the truth for Jon is about Lyanna, it's about learning that his mother died with her last words begging Ned to protect him because she loved him. It's about Jon realizing he is an echo of the dark shadows of Lyannas final months of life and that he needs to stand up and fight because she couldn't. That he needs to protect the ones he loves the way he wishes he could go back in time and protect her.

It's about realizing hes always had a father, because to Ned, Jon was always his son through and through. And it's about Jon realizing that he needs to live and fight because without him, Lyannas memory will fade away forever and he will not allow that to happen to her again.

Whatever people want to say about how Jon will feel about learning his blood is partly Targaryean, they will always downplay Jon also coming to terms with himself as a Stark.

However Jon will feel about the Targaryean side, none of that will take away that Jon will realize how incredibly important his Stark side is and always was. Their speculations about how Jon will feel about a man hes barley thought about his whole life, should never overpower that the truth leads Jon to the thing that matters.

That Jon Snow has always been loved, and he's always been a Stark. Because he was the son his mother died begging to protect, and he was the son that Ned Stark chose.

[eruherdiriel]

Duty

Jonsa ficlet Rating: T Universe: Canon, vaguely bookverse Other: Marriage of convenience, Queen Sansa, Sansa POV

Also on AO3.

Sansa finds him under the heart tree, Longclaw across his lap and a whetstone in his hand. He looks so very much like Father it hurts and makes what she is about to say all the more disconcerting.

“My queen,” he greets her, then returns to his work.

“My prince.” She spares Jon any further pleasantries. They will not change what she has to say. “The North needs heirs. I need an heir. We cannot ignore that forever.”

Jon’s hand stills, and though he does not look up, she can see his face become guarded.

“We’ve done our duty.”

Sansa holds in a sigh at his intentional obtuseness. “It takes more than once, Jon.”

“Aye, it can.” Finally, he looks up, but he keeps his eyes from locking with hers. “I thought to give you more … time, before we made a second attempt.”

Their wedding night had been a stilted affair at best; she had trembled, he had frowned, but they had seen it through. Sansa had tried not to think of the men who had touched her before, or how surely Jon was willing himself to think of the woman who came before her. 

“You’ve had me once. Surely another time will not be so different,” she snaps. It won’t be different. Your kiss will always taste of duty, and I will never give myself wholly to anyone. But some childish dream buds inside her at times, when he offers her a hand as they walk over icy ground or when he scowls at men who overlook her authority. 

Regaining her composure, she continues, her tone softer. “You leave soon. We cannot afford further delay.”

It’s not just about heirs. Sansa does not know how long Jon will be gone, only that she dreads the absence for the awkwardness it will engender in his return. It would be better to become accustomed to his touch now. And what if he does not return? Despite everything—the oddness of a match to a man she once thought her bastard brother, who is the opposite of everything she once wished for—Jon has been a better husband than any of her former suitors could have been. No one else could love the North and Winterfell as well as she does. And if he gets her with child, perhaps she could forestall another marriage if he falls in the war against his Targaryen aunt.

Jon eyes her. “Would you want children even if it was not your duty?”

The question startles her. No one has ever thought to ask me. Bearing children was always expected of her, a sure part of her life. But yes, she has dreamed of a family, and she wishes for one still.

“I want children.” Then, because she honestly does not know, Sansa asks, “Do you?”

She wonders how much Jon has allowed himself to even consider the idea of a family. Since they reunited, she has seen a glint of desire in his eyes for things he never should have wished for—for Winterfell, for a title—but Sansa also knows he has denied himself. “Winterfell belongs to my sister Sansa,” Jon had said when the Northern seat was offered to him. Learning that had caused another bud of hope to emerge in her, though she tried to temper it.

His answer comes swiftly. “Yes.”

Sansa’s tongue sticks to the roof of her mouth. She swallows, trying to bring moisture back so she can form words again.

“Then we both get something we want. It shall not merely be duty.”

Jon purses his lips as if in disagreement but doesn’t refute her. His eyes drop before he speaks, resuming the work of sharpening Longclaw. “I’ll come to your chambers tonight then, your grace.”

She nods, then remembers he isn’t looking at her anymore. “Tonight,” she says before turning away and attempting not to run from the godswood—not to run from him. It would be unbecoming of a queen, and she is not afraid of him.

All day, her tummy flutters for nothing: when Jon’s fingers brush her back as she sits in the chair he has pulled out for her, when his eyes meet hers to communicate silent agitation as Lady Cerwyn complains about troop commitments, and when his fist taps on the door of her chambers in the evening.

“It is only us here, my queen,” Jon says before they begin. “No one else.”

Is it? she wonders. Along with their ghosts, surely the nobles and smallfolk have a presence with them in this act. It is for them, for the assurance of her people that she and Jon strive for an heir. And for ourselves, and the family we both desire, she reminds herself. Then her husband says something else, something that makes her heart stutter.

“Let me make it good for you,” he whispers between kisses. “Let me try.”

She should not allow his words to plant a seed in her heart, but the look in his eyes is needful and vulnerable in a way Jon so rarely allows himself to be seen. Sansa finds herself nodding, letting him kiss his way across her body, letting him rid her of her shift, letting him touch and kiss her in ways that start to feel nothing like duty.

[agentrouka-blog]

"Sansa had never had much of a head for figures. If she did marry Prince Joff, Arya hoped for his sake that he had a good steward." - AGOT, Arya I this passage comes right after arya talks about jeyne's namecalling, so i always took it as foreshadowing that jeyne will someday become sansa's steward, as her father was to sansa's father. but it occurs to me it could also be jonsa foreshadowing the way the "hands of a blacksmith" quote is gendry@ foreshadowing. what do you think, rouka?

Hi there!

I had only ever made the jonsa connection before, what with Jon being made an upwardly mobile steward in the same book that states Sansa would need one.

I'd never connected the quote to Jeyne before, but since GRRM made sure to emphasize throughout AGOT (and later ADWD) that Jeyne is a steward's daughter, as opposed to any other household position, it could well apply to her too. Like Sansa, she may step into the role of her father. As you point out, that whole chapter is full of foreshadowing, so why not for Jeyne? Like Sansa, her secret dreams may yet have a future.

Her lower social position places her in a similar state of inclusion into the highest circles without being able to fully belong. Much like Theon (as a hostage) or Jon (as a bastard) or Littlefinger (as a low status ward), she is not necessarily gracious about it, and she mocks Arya for failing to meet certain standards, while enjoying privileges Jeyne could never access. Sansa herself notes Jeyne's ineligibility for a high status marriage, without being so unkind as to voice it. Jeyne's desire to belong is turned into a cruel mockery by the powerful adults forcing her into the role of Arya Stark after exploiting her in the worst way. But it's precisely Theon, the worst possible extreme iteration of her own insecurities and petty inclinations, who ends up saving her even knowing who she is. He's not saving Arya, he is saving Jeyne. Imperfect steward's daughter Jeyne.

Jeyne's journey, while worse, is very similar to Sansa's and for both the time of hidden identities is coming to an end soon. There is going to be an upward swing to agency and power.

When Sansa learns what Jeyne has been through, her status will not matter. Her voice and her witness account, on the other hand, will. (Actually... could there be a Shae parallel in there? The trial against Tyrion?) So if Sansa's journey leads to queenship, Jeyne's journey should also lead to independence and status and agency. To a true sense of belonging. And if Sansa's journey leads to love, should not Jeyne's at least invite the possibility down the line?

There is a whole soup cooking there for Jeyne Poole.

[jonsnowunemploymentera]

JON SNOW FORTNIGHT EVENT 2023

Day 14 - Alternate Prompt: Dream of Spring

The dragon has three heads. There are two men in the world who I can trust, if I can find them. I will not be alone then. We will be three against the world, like Aegon and his sisters.

- Daenerys VI, ASOS

For quite some time, I’ve been thinking about Jon’s potential to bond with one of Dany’s remaining dragons. This is something that most readers take as a given, but it seems that there is barely a consensus on which dragon he will claim.

Many readers have theorized that Jon will bond with Rhaegal because that is the dragon named for his father, Rhaegar Targaryen, but some readers have made arguments for Viserion on the grounds that the black bastard should claim the white dragon - a largely aesthetic argument.

I must admit that the aesthetic argument is quite seductive…but there’s a hitch: Viserion is cream and gold, not purely white. 

The cream-and-gold I call Viserion. 

- Daenerys I, ACOK

Viserion’s scales were the color of fresh cream, his horns, wing bones, and spinal crest a dark gold that flashed bright as metal in the sun. 

- Daenerys, I, ASOS

Gold also isn’t a color that Jon is associated with in the books. His main color is black (which signifies his Targaryen parentage and identity as a member of the Night’s Watch). Ghost’s coloring, an albino direwolf with white fur and red eyes, is important because it’s meant to resemble the weirwood trees and establish a connection between Jon and the old gods. Cream and gold don’t really do that. And, I must also admit that I’m yet to come upon a compelling thematic argument for why Jon should bond with Viserion over Rhaegal.

Thematically and narratively, I think it makes the most sense for Jon to bond with Rhaegal. Now, some readers have argued that he could technically embrace his Targaryen heritage by bonding with any dragon. And while that is true, I think this argument diminishes the importance of Rhaegar Targaryen being Jon’s father. Yes, Jon may have never looked for a father, and he may always consider Ned Stark to be his father. But he also has to acknowledge the fact that he is a Targaryen through Rhaegar, no one else. He’s not just accepting being a Targaryen, he’s accepting a father he never knew about. And part of the emotional weight in the R+L=J reveal will be Jon coming to terms with the fact that Ned lied. Ned isn’t his father, someone else is - that someone else being Rhaegar. Thus, there is a heavy emotional weight in Jon bonding with this particular dragon.

But for today’s prompt, I want to make the argument that Rhaegal is more than just a dragon named after Jon’s father. What Rhaegal represents as a dragon and what Jon represents as a character are very much aligned. 

So obviously, Rhaegal is named after Jon’s father, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

“The green one shall be Rhaegal, for my valiant brother who died on the green banks of the Trident.”

- Daenerys I, ACOK

It’s worth noting that Dany not only mentions her brother, but mentions the green banks of the Trident. The Trident is a location that Jon is connected to without having actually journeyed to the place. For starters, there is the castle Harrenhal where Jon’s father and mother met, which is south of the Trident. And, there’s also the Ruby Ford which is where Prince Rhaegar died - and Jon has quite a few connections to this little part of the great river.

First, there’s the matter of Rhaegar’s rubies,

“Rhaegar’s rubies?” 

“It may be. Who can say? The battle was long leagues from here, but the river is tireless and patient. Six have been found. We are all waiting for the seventh.”

- Brienne IV, AFFC

We’re told that seven rubies were lost; six have been found but the people wait for one more. While there’s not really a consensus on which characters are represented by the six rubies, the unanimous agreement is that Jon is definitely the seventh - Rhaegar’s real son who is yet to be revealed. 

Then there’s the inn at the crossroads which lies near the ford, and is a place that is key to some of the most important events in the story. Some readers speculate that this might be where Rhaegar and Lyanna met before they decided to run off together.

Finally, Jon was named Robb’s heir in ASOS. One of Robb’s titles was King of the Trident. So it seems fitting for Jon to ride the dragon that is explicitly connected to this place.

Next comes Rhaegal’s color schemes. This is how he is described:

Rhaegal is a green and bronze dragon: his scales and wings are jade-green, while his eyes are bronze. He has black claws and teeth like black needles. His flames have been described as being yellow, yellow and red and "orange-and-yellow fire shot through with veins of green".

ref

Now green isn’t a color that Jon is associated with much in the books (it’s usually black - the NW, Rhaegar, and white - Ghost). However, I think Jon’s connections to this color are more symbolic.

Green is the color of life. It is synonymous with nature and fertility, prosperity, and hope. In the books, the color is often connected to youth and innocence, and sometimes even immaturity. In a lot of cases, it’s connected to the summer season.

“You’re no ranger, Jon, only a green boy with the smell of summer still on you.”

- Jon III, AGOT

“The Royce boy was green as summer grass, yet he insisted on the honor of his own command, saying it was his due as a knight.”

- Tyrion III, AGOT

And Rhaegal’s green coloring has been linked to summer:

Rhaegal was made of the green of summer and the bronze of fall. 

- Daenerys I, ASOS

His coloring is so interesting because it denotes a cycle. Summer = growth and life, fall = decay and even death. And we have Jon who represents the cycle of life in the story (more specifically, the never ending cycle of life after death: rebirth).

In broader texts, green is also connected to the season of spring. Spring which usually comes after winter. Where winter represents death, desolation and despair, spring usually represents rebirth, renewal, and fertility (among other things). Spring in many ways is a hope for summer. 

Anyone who is familiar with my blog will know that I have argued over Jon’s connection to spring many times. Many of his mythical parallels symbolize spring and the cycle of death and rebirth. Jon presumably dies at the end of ADWD, the start of winter, but readers expect him to return to the story so that he can help usher in the spring. In this way, Jon represents renewal and growth and rejuvenation of the land; bringing fertility back to the land after a period of death. Thus, it’s quite compelling to have the king who represents spring to ride the dragon whose coloring also represents spring.  

I’ve also argued before that King of Winter is a fitting title for Jon in the upcoming war for the dawn (and beyond) because it’s not about him being an agent of winter, but rather about him being a king who conquers death (winter). It’s just added symbolism then: a winter king who fights death riding on a summer-green dragon which is colored with life.

Rhaegal also has some bronze specs. His eyes are bronze and as an egg he had bronze flakes. Some traits connected to this color are: support and comfort, strength, reliability, and stability. There is a scene in the books that marks the green egg with bronze flakes as a source of strength and comfort for Daenerys. It’s when a pregnant Daenerys takes her green dragon egg and holds it near her bosom for comfort.

Irri fetched the egg with the deep green shell, bronze flecks shining amid its scales as she turned it in her small hands. Dany curled up on her side, pulling the sandsilk cloak across her and cradling the egg in the hollow between her swollen belly and small, tender breasts. She liked to hold them. They were so beautiful, and sometimes just being close to them made her feel stronger, braver, as if somehow she were drawing strength from the stone dragons locked inside.

- Daenerys IV, AGOT

Dany holds the egg between her womb and breasts, both of which are linked to her fertility. But she is also mentioned to draw strength from the dragon. At this point, it seems obvious that Jon and Dany are destined to meet and become lovers sometime later in the series. And even if they do not become lovers, it is very probable that they come to find strength and comfort in one another. 

She was lying there, holding the egg, when she felt the child move within her … as if he were reaching out, brother to brother, blood to blood. “You are the dragon,” Dany whispered to him, “the true dragon. I know it. I know it.” And she smiled, and went to sleep dreaming of home.

- Daenerys IV, AGOT

I do think it’s quite interesting that there is a link between the green egg and the child growing in Dany’s belly. There’s the aspect of fertility and the birth of a new life there, but also hope intermixed. There is a new life growing in Dany’s belly, and this baby reaches out to the green colored dragon who represents growth of new life. And then we have Jon Snow, who fans speculate will father Daenerys’ child(ren). Another link of fertility between Daenerys, Jon, and Rhaegal.

But that’s not all. There are some similarities in personality that make this a love match. Rhaegal has a fiery temper, which seems to match Jon’s quite well. Both boy and dragon can be little brats.

Across the tent, Rhaegal unfolded green wings to flap and flutter a half foot before thumping to the carpet. When he landed, his tail lashed back and forth in fury, and he raised his head and screamed.

- Daenerys I, ACOK

Dareon and Sam left with him. They descended to the yard in silence. Outside, Jon looked up at the Wall shining in the sun, the melting ice creeping down its side in a hundred thin fingers. Jon’s rage was such that he would have smashed it all in an instant, and the world be damned.

- Jon VI, AGOT

Though he is not as fierce as Drogon, Rhaegal is more dangerous than Viserion. We know that Jon can become quite dangerous, especially when he is angry as he sometimes exhibits explosive strength when enraged

[Barristan] wondered where Rhaegal was. Thus far the green dragon had shown himself to be more dangerous than the white..

- The Queen’s Hand, ADWD

There’s also the matter of Jon’s mental state post-mutiny. It’s reasonable to suspect that he might become angrier, colder, and more ruthless - thus embodying traits of a true King of Winter. Jon will have the wolf blood in spades, and so it’s fitting for him to ride a particularly fearsome dragon. 

In conclusion, I’ve come to really like the idea of Jon bonding with Rhaegal because there are some strong connections there not just for Jon but for Dany as well. I like the idea of Dany finding love, life, and new beginnings with Rhaegar’s son, especially as they fight against death and winter together. And for this son to ride the dragon that is named after the brother she’s never known but loves all the same.

[...] the Usurper’s dogs had murdered her brother’s son when he was still a babe at the breast. If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys. 

- Daenerys I, ACOK

As for Jon, Rhaegal is connected to his role as one who brings about spring (new life) and eventually summer. Not only is Rhaegal connected to the fertility of the land, but he’s also connected to Jon’s own fertility through any children he might have with Dany. And through Rhaegal, Jon could wield magic that he inherits from his father’s bloodline. Really, Rhaegal is almost perfectly suited for him.

I’ll end with this really cute scene between Rhaegal and Drogon as more Jon/Dany seeding…

Drogon and Rhaegal were asleep atop some cushions, curled about each other, but Viserion perched on the edge of her empty bath. 

- Daenerys IV, ASOS

Really, it was meant to be.

[rynnthefangirl]

I think that part of Jace never getting to rule is very important because as the entire saga shows, ruling is a complete beast only comparable to a hydra from which very few emerge complete.

Rhaenyra and Daemon's children are Disney princes, I don't accept discussions because that's what the book shows. Strong, kind and quite competent as well as fierce and loyal. That applies to the VB, the dragon twins and V&AThey loved each other, adored each other and would have given everything for each other without thinking twice, and they all seem at least intelligent, if not cunning.

((if you ask me that generation was too powerful and that's why they had to die, J&A to the tenth power)

But we see that when it comes to governing, everyone makes mistakes, makes mistakes, and faces difficulties. No matter how well you're trying to make yourself believe it, the gods are going to screw you over somehow with politics and knives in the dark.

The closest we have to Daemyra children are the Stark children. Specifically I want to focus on Robb and Jon, because they are both sons of Ned (let's not get technical) and were taught by him in equality, As ruler of the North Ned apparently had no problems and is loved by all to the point that his children benefit from the social capital Ned left them. But when Robb and Jon take the lead, it's interesting to see the traits of their father that they adopted, I'm thinking of one in particular: how they treat the people around them

CCat says that Robb rode out every day with one of his men and rotated them because that was Ned's MO to make his people feel heard and to be able to know the problems and what was going on. That's one of the things that made Ned loved by the people, but the way Robb did it and tried to live with honor leads him to make mistakes like forgetting that Theon is a hostage, not a friend. Robb got too personal and led with his heart.

Jon on the other hand remembers that a lord is no friend of his people, that there is such a division and he must maintain it in order to fulfill his duty. Consequently when we reach his era as Lord Commander Jon is placing people he knows are loyal and fair in positions of power... But he isn't talking to them, he has completely isolated himself from his friends and colleagues or has been alienating them and as a result he is left without people to watch his back and even his friends have started to consider him an idiot.

This is the same advice! The difference is that Ned had years to find his balance between the two approaches and even then we see him struggle with it.One of the first things he thinks is that he can't be despotic with the small council because everyone is equal there, but there is also a part of power that Ned didn't use because of that approach. In addition to the mistakes that are inherited, Robb does not know of the hatred that some lords have (cough Lady Dustin cough) and Jon has to deal with years of decay and hatred in the Night's Watch, (both like their father are also sadly ignorant of ambition and how far people will go for it)

Jace in times of crisis was doing pretty well, he didn't die for anything he did or didn't do, but that doesn't guarantee that his government was perfect, that there weren't obstacles of some kind at the time of promotion or later. We saw Jace display leadership skills, but we never saw him have to confront his fiscal policies.

Ah, sorry for taking so long to reply to this. Awesome analysis of the Starks though, thanks for that! I’m still pretty early in my first ever read through of the main books so I don’t really have anything to add about Robb and Jon, but I’m definitely looking forward to getting to Jon’s Lord Commander era and seeing him deal with the trials of leadership.

As for my area of expertise though (Targaryen history), I think another good example of a promising leader struggling with the curveballs of kingship is Aegon V. Aegon V pretty much had the best intentions of anyone who ever sat the Iron Throne (improving the rights of the smallfolk), and had a pretty solid plan to accomplish it through marriage alliances with his 5 children. But despite his good intentions and politically wise plan, everything still goes to shit. 4/5 kids break their marriage proposals, and he’s left with more enemies than friends, eventually leading to his doomed attempt to hatch dragons. Like Jace and Robb, Egg was as promising a king as you could hope for, and yet the main legacy of his reign was the tragic killing of most of his family (and I believe most of his reforms were gotten rid of in the years after his death).

This is also my basis for one of my gripes at S8 of GOT. Bran being King of Westeros and Sansa being Queen of the North are framed as these happy endings with the “right” people at last ruling, but neither of them have ever actually ruled anything before. And exactly like you said, ruling is it’s own beast, it tries you in ways you would never expect. So those two are propped up as more fit to rule than other characters in the show who have ruled imperfectly (Jon, Dany before she goes crazy, etc), but realistically they ALSO will be imperfect. They certainly have traits that I could see causing them issues in their reigns, and there are many conflicts I could see arising in Westeros after the show ends (ex. Iron Islands and Dorne declaring independence, anger from the Reach lords at a random Sellsword being made Lord of Highgarden). But by ending the show right before their reigns, our final monarchs Bran and Sansa get to be exempt from the trials and tribulations that have tested every other ruler in the show before them. If they are king and queen at the end of the books, maybe it’ll play out differently— but in the show I just found it frustrating that the “best” rulers are the ones who never actually ruled.

[esther-dot]

Hi I'm the one who send that one link to the Arya and Lyanna post

Wow you guys weren't kidding when you said those people are obsessed with Arya and her being pretty or whatever. I was interested in the post but then it just devolves into random rambling about Arya and how she looks as pretty as Lyanna and- I'm sorry but how is any of that important and why are they so pressed about it?

Also- accusing people of reducing Lyanna to a sex slave to Rhaegar??? When did that happen? Or are they pressed because people rightfully bring up how the R/L shit isn't romantic? Thats not 'reducing' Lyanna, thats calling the horrible thing that happened to her what is it. Twisting it into a star crossed lovers story or romanticizing it is even WORSE and just makes her into someone who's apparently so in love with Rhaegar she's willing to RUN AWAY WITHOUT TELLING HER FAMILY to be with him. Thats not any better and just reduce her to her relationship with that albino prince. HE'S not the most important aspect of Lyanna's character, her relationship with her FAMILY is.

I don't delve into ASOIAF tags much but good grief, no wonder you block a lot lmao. That one post was enough for me. That faction of the fandom seems unhinged and not in a fun way

(continuation of this convo)

Going into the tags is only fun if you’ve preemptively blocked a shit ton of people. 😂

Arya fans tend to be very aggressive, and I often don’t think their rage makes much sense. Arya was incredibly popular on the show, but they used to make these angry posts about how everyone ignored her which made no sense to me until I realized, they meant because no one but their circle believes she will a) have a romance with Jon, b) become QitN. People write about the themes in her story, there’s lots of spec now about her endgame, none of it is enough. It’s the same way everyone acknowledges her and Sansa’s fraught relationship, but they claim it’s ignored because unless you say Sansa was a bully, you’re doing it wrong.

I don’t know anything about that particular blogger, but a lot of Jonry@s believe Lyanna went willingly with Rhaegar and ship them. This one sounded different to me, like they did want to emphasize her family instead, but minimizing what she went through during the last year of her life isn’t how that’s done.

Although, my heterodox belief is that I’m now pretty convinced that Lyanna went with Rhaegar willingly. I had a series of asks about Targ stuff popping up in Sansa chapters which changed my mind about how R/L unfolded. I think Martin gave us parts of Lyanna’s story in Sansa’s:

(link)

Sansa’s “betrayal” of her family (which I don’t actually consider one but you know) isn’t a necessary part of Ned dying (he had already gone to Cersei), but it would allow for a point of connection between her and Lyanna. Sansa wanted her prince (a Baratheon) so she defied her father, Lyanna didn’t want her Baratheon so ran with her prince, defying her father. There are lots of parallels and even direct comparisons between Sansa and Lyannna, so I think it’s likely to lay the groundwork for later revelations about R+L=J.

Also, Lyanna is a play on the Virgin Mary and Rhaegar has some similarities to the Biblical King David (the jealous, crazy guy he’s meant to replace, the harp playing, stealing another man’s “wife,” the “savior” coming from his bloodline etc), so even though Martin has given him an ulterior motivation with Lyanna (he did take advantage, he isn’t being whitewashed), I’m thinking there are more interesting ideas in there than strictly infatuated prince or sadistic, rapist, bastard. That idea, well, I just don’t think Martin’s been spinning out his R/L story this long for the conclusion to be that Robert Baratheon was right all along. I don’t think Dany’s view of Rhaegar is correct either, imo, it’s a mixture.

It’s still a pretty disturbing story, almost like a horror version of the archetypal virgin mother? What can you do when an all-powerful being decides you’re his incubator? It’s def still a possibility Martin takes that to the darkest possible place, but my expectation of getting Jonsa makes me think Lyanna’s reaction to/potential feelings for Rhaegar shouldn’t be brushed aside. Sansa is charmed by Joffrey’s singing, we know Lyanna wept over Rhaegar’s. Jon is hit pretty hard by Ygritte’s singing as well, so that’s a specific thing Martin likes to use as part of romantic relationships. The bigger idea behind Rhaegar may be what a prophecy / the belief of being the chosen one and then the belief you must create the chosen one…an examination of what you can do to achieve that end, the wrong you can justify in its pursuit. Even so, I’m pretty sure there will be more nuance than either “side” of the convo likes to offer because Martin writes that into most of his villains, and I’m sure he intended to with Rhaegar as well.

I personally hate Rhaegar, I’ll never forgive him for what happened to Rhaenys which is just, the most brutal of lines to me,

It was Ser Amory who brought me the girl's body, if you must know. He found her hiding under her father's bed, as if she believed Rhaegar could still protect her

and he really annoys me because he had power to do something about his dad and the fate of Westeros and just, fucked everything up in the most egregious, offensive, public way he could? All the same, how I feel is a distinct thing from what Martin intended. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[vivacissimx]

Hey, how are you? I asked you yesterday if I still could ask you about certain wisps you made and you said yes. So here we go…

First what you mean by Kingdom of heaven/ Dany origin story if Rhaella slayed, that’s sounds a quite funny topic, what is the plot?Second have you written anything about TOJ, I always found the mystery surrounding it and all the speculations people make quite interesting to say the least, I mean c’mon it’s Jon Snow birthplace.

Finally for hotd- verse I’m interest in “life on dragonstone” because I love the Targaryens and I want to know more about their life in their home island, especially for Rhaenrya after all it was her seat for more than 24 years (I think).

But only share your wisps if you want to. 😊Also if I was supposed to only ask you one thing, I’m sorry, just choose one of the three. I’m just a very curious person and given the opportunity (and also the courage) I will inquiry people about every single subject. Thanks I’m advance. 👏🏼

yeah the more the merrier!

kingdom of heaven

the premise of this is that aerys dies at duskendale (rip bozo) and that rhaegar became a boy king type at 16. however this is a rhaella POV so not too much on that, i do want to explore the distance between rhaegar and rhaella--esp with him now in the shoes of aerys. she's developed a psychogenic itch issue over time as a result of the abuse which causes rhaegar to worry & employ a few of her ladies to keep him apprised of her condition, which she understands as him "spying" on her.

i wanted to play with rhaegar's whole reading ancient texts at 3 thing as being helped along by rhaella's gift with tongues/translation, maybe even an interest in history. and given aerys' mentioned growing refusal to cooperate with the iron bank, there now being a need for an ambassador to be sent to braavos in order to negotiate the repayment structure.

rhaegar, who's been trying to connect to rhaella via books like how they bonded when he was a kid, comes to think rhaella would actually be a good addition to the party doing this & she agrees because she realizes one day that she's never left westeros. there she meets the tattered prince who is employed as her bodyguard (she has a complex about the kingsguard considering aerys' kingsguard didn't keep her safe). they bond over these empty titles they have that caused them so much pain & suffering and yknow it's a daenerys origin story so you can guess what happens next !

“Seed born of your royal father,” Pycelle blusters. “With all due respect, your Grace, to the Queen, to whom I have provided services over many a year but this child is not… born in the purple chambers, so to speak.”

“Rather blown in with the wind, hm?” the new Queen speaks. Perhaps impertinently, but Lyanna Stark’s face is yet soft with the fat of pregnancy, and a babe of her own lies in the royal nursery. Rhaella releases a pain she did not know she held and sees her son’s wife with a clarity she could not, in years before.

Rhaegar holds Rhaella’s blessed bundle in his own arms. He has not yet looked up.

Rhaella wishes to go to him—an old ache that she has always tamped down, a reflexive you are not allowed you will taint him you are watched and found wanting ringing through her fingers. The itch threatens her. A first since Braavos.

It is left to him to fill the distance, then. 

Him to raise his face so bright and measured, find her eyes with his own, so much darker than hers, yet of her and her son still. “Daenerys Windblown,” the King softly says, in front of all the Council. “Princess Daenerys Targaryen, the Windblown. Long awaited.”

“Perhaps one day she shall be Queen," Lyanna adds, defiant, denying any other the chance to speak. To which Rhaella can think only of Braavos' salty streets instead, and festival masks crowned with seashells—and freedom from all such premonitions

TOJ / all candles fall quiet

this is just vibes lol i like the chatty chattyness of two people newly in luv

“Fine, then. Your turn.”

Rhaegar hums, pretends to think about it. “The Others. The Others take this, the Others take that.”

Lyanna frowns. “You jape me. I heard southron men say it often at that last grand tourney. We Northerners are surely not the only ones who would say this.”

“Southroners say it, certainly,” he concedes, “yet not half so often. In the streets of King’s Landing, you will oft hear Maegor’s teats, or Seven Hells.”

She snorts. “Seven this, Seven that.”

“Shall the Others take them too?” he teases, and she groans. “You’re terrible!”

“Apologies,” he murmurs, bringing her hand to his mouth and brushing his mouth across her skin, rubbing his nose at the knuckle of each finger. Gods be good, her skin is always so comfortingly cold. “Your turn.”

“Arbor Gold?” she tries, and he arches a brow.

life on dragonstone

meant to be a slice of life with the rhaenyra/laena/harwin/laenor/daemon/qarl hexagon going on. i LOVE this dynamic that george gave us by accident i assume, i think it's so interesting & it's the one thing in fire & blood that i desperately wish had an equivalent in the main story.

Life has not gone quite according to plan, admittedly. Rhaenyra doesn’t wonder if perhaps… in the future, should her sons look back, how they might think of her. Of the choices she’s made, whether the love she has given them has been enough to make up for all the horror they have been subjected to? 

No, that is not fair to herself, Rhaenyra does not believe. They will not be children forever. She has walked into her life with her eyes wide open and her children will do the same. Laenor did, when she wed him, Daemon as well, Harwin always professed to. Rhaenyra has never asked anyone to accept what they could not for her sake, nor would she take upon herself more than she could handle simply in love’s name. Everything she has ever done is by her own free choice.

Perhaps Laena knew that better than anyone. It is this loss that Rhaenyra feels most keenly, as one who would be a mother to Laena's girls.

[waitingforwinterwinds]

Game of Thrones - 12 EDDARD II (pages 104-112)

Ned and Robert B. head out for a pre-dawn horse ride to dump some exposition and background lore in the early morning (northern) countryside.

-

The rising sun sent fingers of light through the pale white mists of dawn. A wide plain spread out beneath them, bare and brown, its flatness here and there relieved by long, low hummocks. Ned pointed them out to his king. "The barrows of the First Men." Robert frowned. "Have we ridden into a graveyard?" "There are barrows everywhere here in the north, Your Grace," Ned told him. "The land is old."

internally screams in "learn to burn your dead when your ancient enemy are freaking Ice Zombie Necromancers."

Ned did not feign surprise; Robert's hatred of Targaryens was a madness in him. ... Ned had named that murder; Robert had called it war. When he had protested that the young prince and princess were no more than babes, his new-made king had replied. "I see no babes. Only dragonspawn." Not even Jon Arryn had been able to calm that storm.

R+L=J Not even Lyanna's blood would have saved Jon from that, I don't think. As much as I can sit here and wish Ned had just told Catelyn the truth, to spare Jon so many years of abuse, all it would have taken would have been one single slip up. Littlefinger, the Lannisters, hell even Varys if he'd thought it would help his plans. The entire Stark line would have been done in for treason.

Ned: calm yo' tits Bobby B, if that sister selling beggar king tries to cross the Narrow Sea, we'll just bounce him like his visa application. Which would be super easy if you had a Warden of the West. Robert: Your nephew is a protohuman, he's way too young to have the spine of steel needed for border patrol Ned: Your big bro Stannis has the spi- why are you giving me that look? What have you done?Robert: So I kinda sorta already promised the badge to Jaime Lannister. Now I know he killed the last king, despite it being his job to protect said king, and he's in line for the Warden of the West, but he's my brother-in-law, so it's all good.

Robert has just. the most terrible ideas.

A man could not always be where he belonged, thought. Resigned, Eddard Stark put his boots into his horse and set off after the king.

Oooohhh, I like that line. "A man could not always be where he belonged." Nice. I also like how up until that last line, the chapter had been referring to him as Ned, not Eddard. Like he's drawing up the Duty of it all and putting the father away. mmmm, that probably didn't make sense, but you know what I mean? it's the formality of it.

[cjsmalley]

Diana's Daughter: Part II

When Diana returned to Wayne Manor, not even a week later, she was holding a baby girl who would fit right in with the Waynes.

The family crowded around her, all clamoring to see their newest member, but parted like the Red Sea for Bruce and Alfred

Bruce bent slightly, looking at his newest daughter; Diana had a Master’s touch it seemed for the baby girl was perfectly formed and proportioned. She would pass as a naturally born newborn easily.

“Have you named her yet?” he asked quietly, looking up at Diana.

“Yes,” she nodded, smiling down at her daughter, “Ophelia.”

“I have made room in the nursery for Miss Ophelia,” Alfred spoke mildly as Bruce stood and took his daughter into his arms for the first time, “and of course, your room is ready, Miss Diana. Will the young Miss need formula?”

“Yes,” Diana nodded, “I have been feeding her goats’ milk, as Mother fed me, but I’ve heard formula is a better option.”

“Very well,” Alfred inclined his head briefly, “when was the young Miss last fed?”

“Oh, it’s nearly time.”

“Very good. If you will excuse me, I’ll see to her bottle,” Alfred took his leave, hurrying to the kitchen.

“Ophelia,” Bruce was murmuring, “Ophelia Prince-Wayne. Perhaps Martha, as a middle name? For my mother?”

“That would be lovely, Bruce,” Diana agreed warmly.

Bruce was still taking in the baby—black hair and when her eyes opened, they were Wayne blue.

Ophelia looked up at the man holding her serenely, not making a fuss at the stranger.

“Hello, Ophelia—I’m your daddy,” Bruce said softly, “oh, baby girl, it’s wonderful to meet you…I do have to warn you, though, I’ve never raised a baby before but…Clark, come here please.”

Not five minutes later, Clark and his boys joined them; Chris was in a little carrier on his father’s chest.

Clark saw the baby and muttered softly, “Goodness.”

Then he raised his voice ever so slightly, “Bruce, Diana, is that really—?”

“Your goddaughter, Ophelia, yes,” Bruce murmured, giving Ophelia back to Diana before moving to take Chris; Jason beat him to the boy, hefting the toddler up onto a hip, “Got him, Ol’ Man.”

Clark took Ophelia into his arms and chuckled, “Well, convincing the world she’s a Wayne won’t be an issue. Look at her; Diana, you did magnificently. You really should be a sculptor if this’s the quality of your work!”

“I have Miss Ophelia’s bottle here,” Alfred returned, bottle standing on a silver platter with a folded washcloth.

“Diana, may I?” Bruce asked softly and she nodded; he took his daughter from his friend and Alfred and Dick guided him through feeding and burping a baby.

Bruce already knew how, but he was glad for the reminders.

As Ophelia ate, the adults spoke quietly.

“So, I’m her godfather,” Clark began, “who’s the godmother?”

“One of Mother’s most favored generals, Philippus. She has been a second mother to me,” Diana paused, before admitting, “I am also hoping to ask the Ghost King and Queen. If anything happens to Themyscira…To all of us…”

“I did the same for my boys,” Clark assured, “if something happens to you, me, Bruce, nobody else can raise them. Kon would probably be fine with Lois but Jon and Chris…their powers…”

“Exactly,” Diana agreed, “her abilities…Bruce or you would be able to handle her but if we’re all gone, I doubt she could be fostered by a civilian human.”

A portal bloomed open beside them and out came the Ghost King and his Queen; they were carrying their own toddler.

“I got him,” Kon called, grabbing Anakin so Danny and Sam could be read in on the situation.

“Of course we’ll take her in,” Sam said after being asked, “if Damian’s comfortable with it.”

“I am, Mother, Father,” Damian agreed, “it is not her fault she will be raised by Uncle Bruce despite not being of his blood and the plan for her safety is wise. She is my sister as much as any Wayne is my family.”

“That’s very mature, Dami,” Wally praised.

“It is only sensible,” Damian shrugged, “she is just an infant. Miss Diana, you have my word that if the worst comes to pass then she will be told of Uncle Bruce and the Waynes. I will personally ask the Lady Pandora to tutor her in the ways of the Amazons.”

Diana knelt and clapped a hand to the boy’s shoulder, “That relieves many of my worries, Damian. Thank you.”

Everyone old enough took a turn holding Ophelia and cooing at her after she was fed and burped; even Damian did so but he sat down first.

Alfred, with the help of some ghostly cooks from the Realms, made a small feast to welcome Ophelia to the family.

Diana and Ophelia stayed at the Manor for the requisite six weeks it would take a human woman to recover from childbirth. During that time, Clark got an exclusive from the Waynes to introduce their newest member to the world and spread the story they had all decided on.

Diana’s Paris’ friends, her civilian friends, all welcomed her daughter with joy, wondering at how they hadn’t known Diana was pregnant until she went on maternity leave a mere week before the birth and why hadn’t she told anyone.

Diana explained her family had a history of miscarriages and stillbirths so she hadn’t shared the news when she didn’t need to; athletic women were, after all, less likely to show until late in pregnancy.

Her civilian friends held a belated baby shower, as did the Justice League; the Waynes, of course, had prepared as soon as they were informed of the plan.

Even the Amazons, overjoyed at a new child born to one of their own, had celebrated with feasting and gifts.

It was at the Justice League held shower that Kronos—now Clockwork—made an appearance; he was being escorted by the King and both carried gifts.

Blankets made by masters of the craft, similar to a blanket it Phantom child had; it was woven with protective spells.

Batman and Wonder Woman had profusely thanked them but had Zatanna and Constantine double check them.

And so began the story of Ophelia Martha Prince-Wayne, the next Wonder Woman.

Wished Away 9

Tylers meet Phantoms:

“Christ, Mum,” Rose said as she took in how Jackie, Pete, and Tony were dressed, “we’re just meetin’—”

“Royalty!” Jackie squeaked. They were all done up like they were meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace itself!

“Honestly, Mum, they don’t care,” Rose rolled her eyes, grabbing her mother’s wrist and tugging her through the console room and to the wardrobe room, “I told ya ta dress casually. Let’s just hope the Ol’ Girl has clothes fer ya.”

It took about an hour to get everyone redressed, in things much more casual but still nice, before Rose led them back to the console room.

Jackie was clearly anxious, “Are ya—”

“’m sure, Mum. Danny an’ Sam don’t do formal unless they have ta. Unless you’re an annoying subject or someone threatenin’ war, ya don’t even have ta call ‘em by their titles. They’re just Danny an’ Sam ta family.”

“Lookie what I found,” Jenny bounded from the innards of the TARDIS, holding a tiny bike helmet.

She went to her toddler uncle and put it on him, making sure it fit right, “Landings in the Realms are worse than normal ones. The TARDIS does Her best but the Realms give her…nausea? A headache? She just doesn’t do good.”

“Oh, goody,” Jackie said lowly, hugging a strut for dear life already.

“Let me protect Anthony,” Bad Wolf came out, holding out her arms; without hesitation, Pete handed his son over.

Bad Wolf settled Tony in her arms, against her chest and shoulder, and then spread her feet and crouched slightly, clearly bracing for impact; she stayed steady even as the TARDIS began Her flight.

Everyone else was thrown about the console room, the Doctor and Jenny barely holding on to work the console, but Bad Wolf and Tony did not move an inch.

The landing was rough, just as Jenny said it would be, throwing even the Time Lords to the grated floor before the TARDIS stopped quaking.

Jenny recovered first and stood up, rubbing her shoulder, to peek out the doors, “We’re in the Palace. Uncle Danny and Aunt Sam are waiting…”

Slowly, everyone picked themselves up and Rose reemerged, straightening with some popping from her knees.

Jenny led the procession out, racing to hug a man and a woman, “Uncle Danny, Aunt Sam! How’re you?”

Danny and Sam chuckled and hugged her as one, “Good, doing good. You?”

“Perfect!”

She let go of them to drag Jackie, who was hesitant, forward, “This’s my Gran, Jackie. Mum’s side, duh. Completely human. He’s my step-granddad, Pete, and Mum’s holding my uncle, Tony.”

“Yer Majesties,” Jackie tried to curtsy even though she was in trousers, “an honor ta—”

“Oh, enough,” Sam chuckled, “didn’t they tell you? We don’t do formalities with family.”

“Family?” Jackie’s eyes were wide, “I know Rose said—but—”

“We count Clockwork as family,” Danny explained, “and he’s claimed the Doctor as family. The Doctor and Jenny. Rose’s basically married in by this point. Common-law, you understand. That makes her family our family. Welcome to the Palace, your home in the Infinite Realms.”

“My god,” Pete muttered, somewhat disbelieving.

“Not a god, not yet anyways,” Danny winked.

“Where’s Dani?” Jenny burst out, “Is she still in school?”

Sam grinned, “With Anakin, in the nursery. We let her stay home today.”

“Oh, Gran! Can I introduce Tony to Anakin? Please!” Jenny nearly begged.

“Anakin’s our youngest,” Danny explained kindly, “around Tony’s age, actually. We also have a nanny looking after them, Nanny Clara. He’d be perfectly safe.”

“Well…” Jackie looked to her husband, who nodded, “if you’re sure.”

Jenny cheered and took Tony from Rose, dashing off with him deeper into the Palace.

“Jenny knows the Palace as well as anyone,” Sam assured, “and if she gets lost, she can flag down a servant for help. She’s heading directly for the nursery. It’s the most defensible part of the Palace.

Danny stood up, helping Sam, “C’mon, we can talk over food; stay close, Tylers. Doctor?”

“Rose and I can bring up the rear,” the Doctor agreed, taking Rose’s hand as they began walking.

The Palace was a gothic masterpiece, in a very literal sense, though even Sam had wearied of all the gloom and had sought artists and artwork to fill the halls, soft, plush carpets and tapestries to keep the warmth, glassworks to fill the once barred windows. Statues and busts dotted the hallways, some classical, some avant garde

Masters had given their masterpieces, their magnum opuses; they were paid handsomely of course, in either coin or material.

Oils, watercolors, acrylics, textiles, glass, all created for Her Majesty the Ghost Queen. For His Majesty the Ghost King.

It wasn’t yet a riot of color, nor would it ever be, but it was more alive.

Jackie gasped and the group stopped, turning as one to see what had captured her attention.

“When they said the family was huge…”

Ah, it was the most recent family portrait; all the children were gathered around Danny and Sam, all in formal wear.

“We…sometimes people sell the souls of children to me,” Danny started, causing her and Pete to whip around to him in horror, “I know, it’s horrible, isn’t it? But anyways, we adopt the kids. Only Dani—Danielle—isn’t adopted.”

He pointed out each child and gave their backstory.

“Good Lord, you were young!” Pete said at Damian’s story.

“Old enough to be king,” Danny shrugged helplessly, “it…it wasn’t easy, we had help, so much help, and we made mistakes…”

“All parents do,” Jackie told him softly.

“So we’ve been told,” Sam smiled just as softly, “and we’ve learned and made new ones with each kid.”

Danny coughed and continued to point out kids and tell stories, until all had been covered and then they moved on.

As they neared the dining room, Danielle and Jenny joined them with each holding a toddler.

“Oh my,” Jackie said, taking in the Anakin Skywalker; she knew who he grew up to be, or would have if he had not been adopted.

“We’re hungry, Dad,” Danielle said.

Danny waved them into the dining room where the smaller table was already set for a meal; there were two chairs with booster seats and Jenny and Danielle put Tony and Anakin in them before sitting beside them and helping them get food.

The group chatted over the meal, Jackie and Pete slowly relaxing at how easy going the Royals were, and generally had good cheer.

After the meal was done, Jenny asked, “Do we put their photo up on the family wall now? I know you’ve got me, Dad, and Mum…”

Danny chuckled, “We can, if they’re okay with it.”

“Family wall?” Pete questioned.

“We keep walls of pictures of the extended family,” Sam explained easily, “you know, like Rose, the Doctor, and Jenny. Harry’s and Neville’s parents. Damian’s paternal birth-family. The Royal Portrait is just the immediate royal family. The walls are for everyone and everything else.”

Danny and Sam led the group out of the dining room and down another hallway; the walls were plastered with photographs. Some were professional, most were candid and amateur.

A common camera sat on a small round table; a high-end camera but nothing too expensive or professional.

Danny picked it up, saying, “If Jackie, Pete, and Tony don’t mind—”

Jackie decided it would be a family photograph and dragged the Doctor in; Rose and Jenny came without complaint.

Danny took a set of pictures.

After that was done, it was decided it was time for the Tylers to leave, taking pity on the still disgruntled TARDIS.

They were, however, invited to the next family gathering.

[the-witches-you-couldnt-burn]

Like I did with you

So I’ve been procrastinating hard during my study break for my exams, but here have a song fic!

Ghost of you by 5SOS

Genius comments: The song tells the tale of a heartbroken lover who has lost his significant other – due to a breakup or even suicide/death – and is refusing to accept the fact that she is never coming back.

I didn’t feel like writing angst and whenever I hear this song I feel like ballroom dancing (and I have).

Also thank you to the lovely people on the Maribat discord server!

Ao3

The sequel ‘It started with a whisper’ is up!

————————

Gotham Academy implemented a new ‘Study Abroad’ program due to recent funding from a local humanitarian. This program gave the students of Gotham Academy a chance to study abroad in Europe and vice versa. Countries like Sweden, Greece, Germany, Ireland and more participated in the program; offering a multitude of high schools with many different courses.

And because of that very wealthy benefactor, his son got first pick on where he would like to study. This was 100% not a forced decision at all to subtly keep track of the happenings of Paris. With that the Ice Prince of Gotham took the City of Love by storm.

He had been at Collège Françoise Dupont for the past few months, and it’s been hell. The class he had been placed into was ripping apart at the seams. There were two students that the class gravitated towards; he observed some of the others meeting in secret, without the knowledge of their respective ‘leaders’.

The first student that held the majority of the class’ focus was Lila Rossi. She was a black hole with beady green eyes, who dragged who ever was in her reach to an agonising fate. Damian saw through her deceptions and rejected her flirtations. The students that followed her, ate up whatever lie she spat out. Rossi soon learned that lies about the Wayne family and Gotham wouldn’t fly with him.

“Really? You worked with Monsieur Wayne?” The pink clad girl, Rose, squeaked.

Damian had just walked into class on his second day at the hell hole and already regretted it. He shot a glare towards the large group, “Who ever told you that is severely misinformed. My father has never worked with a minor from Europe, due to potential rumours and allegations it could cause. It is not a threat but a promise if a lie of similar caliber is spread there will be a lawsuit.” And with that he walked towards his seat in the back, the Ice Prince had cast his decree, the class’ atmosphere had frozen over.

The second student was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Those that surrounded her were Alix Kubdel, Chloé Bourgeois, Max Kanté, Lê Chiến Kim and the occasional secret appearance from Juleka Couffaine. They didn’t view Dupain-Cheng through rose coloured lenses, they were always grounded and opinions were respected. Damian, who was a loner without Jon at his side, was satisfied by himself; Marinette respected that and didn’t force him to socialise like Lila tried to.

So that leads us to this. He stood against a sidewall of the giant banquet hall, staring out at the crowd before him. Jon was walking to wards him with a can of sprite in hand. Jon had moved to Paris with him but had been placed into a different class. The boy who was the epitome of sunshine stuck around the Ice Prince, their friendship is an enigma to the Françoise Dupont students.

Jon’s face was flushed. He had just gotten a drink after dancing for the past hour. Tonight was the night of the Collège’s formal dance for their graduating class. Skirts of all colours and fabrics swirled, as their partners (majority of whom had matching suits) twirled them to the music.

Jon, gesturing to the crowd, asked him whether he was going to stand there all night or dance. Taking a sip of his drink a smirk appears on his face, “unless the great Damian Wayne is to much of a coward to dance.”

Here I am waking up

Still can't sleep on your side

Damian’s head snapped towards the taller boy, “Are you seriously using my ego to get me to dance?”

Jon raising an eyebrow, “Well?”

If I can dream long enough

The temperamental teen stormed off, grumbling about “Jon being as bad as Todd”. Scanning the room he search for a suitable partner, there was no way he would embarrass himself by dancing alone.

You'd tell me I'd be just fine

I'll be just fine

He spotted Dupain-Cheng stood off to the side, alone. She was draped in a layered white dress with black hemming. As he neared, he realised that the asymmetrical skirt was actually a light blush with her signature apple blossom flowers embroidered. She looked up at him and he straightened his stance, slowing his pace. Her sapphire eyes locked on to his, her bangs curled off to the side along with the rest of her hair in beach waves.

So I drown it out like I always do

She gifted him a small smile, a usual occurrence within her interactions with him. He offered his left hand, bowing his head slightly. “Dupain-Che—“ he cleared his throat, “Marinette. Would you do me the honour of joining me in this dance?”

Dancing through our house

With the ghost of you

Her eyes widened, not expecting the Arabian God of a teen before her to ask her such a question. She saw his temper during class during his spats with Lila and how he kept to himself without the presence of Jon. But here he was in a fitted Armani suit that made his green eyes glow, and hair messily slicked to the side. Marinette looked at his hand, glad that her makeup mostly hid her blush.

And I chase it down

“I am...” She paused to find the right word, “I am a bad dancer. It is better for everyone that I don’t participate.”

“I can think of nothing less appealing than an evening of watching other people dance.” A small gasp escaped from her mouth before she could stop it. She watched as his mouth twitch’s downwards before his facade returned with full strength. “If you do not wish, to I won’t force you. But if you’ll allow me I’ll guide you through the dance to make sure it isn’t an utter disaster.”

With a shot of truth

Marinette’s lips quirked, giggling as she took his hand, “Your funeral Damian.”

What had he gotten himself into?

The two entered the dance floor, taking up the dance support hold. Their dance had the basic steps of the waltz, with a promenade and many spins; some as a couple and some were just Mari. Damian soon found he enjoy watching the sparkles in her dress light up as she spun. It became even more enjoyable when he discovered that the dress was her own creation.

Dancing through our house

The two made quiet conversations during their dance. Damian pulled her closer by the waist as they repeated the basic steps, their bodies perfectly in tune with each other. “You are a fine dancer despite your protests”

With the ghost of you

Marinette tilted her head up at him, blinding him with a dazzling smile. Damian’s heart fluttered, the two always had a mutual respect but it seems to have grown into a fond appreciation.

From the tables scattered around the dance floor there was a blond, with his fist clenched. Lila had dragged him off of the floor as soon as Damian and Marinette made their debuts; together. The brunette was now off angrily gossiping to Alya and any other who’d listen. It was a hot topic between Lila and Alya that Marinette loved him, although now, as he watched her dance with Damian, he was unsure as to whether that was ever true. He sat there, glued to his seat, watching the spectacle before him.

Cleaning up today

Found that old Zepplin shirt

The two dancers didn’t notice that everyone had cleared off the floor to watch them. They danced in sync, no movement was made without the other following it. Adrien had realised awhile ago that even though he didn’t have romantic feelings for Marinette, he cherished her friendship. That relationship was now tarnished due to the path he took when he first revealed his knowledge of the deceptions. His father had forced him to keep Lila happy, even if it made him miserable.

You wore when you ran away

And no one could feel your hurt

He had lost her, and he was unsure as to whether he could gain any semblance of their relationship back.

We're too young, too dumb

To know things like love

Damian lifted his partner’s right hand and twirled her three times, they both were content within their own world. The two swayed before turning together and walking around the now open space.

But I know better now (Better now)

Marinette flushed as she realised what was happening around her, leaning towards her partner she whispered, “I think we’ve become an impromptu entertainment.”

Too young, too dumb

To know things like love

Too young, too dumb

Damian subtly gazed behind her seeing their peers in a circle surrounding them. He was on the inside looking out, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world. He whispered reassurances in her ear, he wished to finish the song before he released her from his embrace. The two drowned out their audience, focusing on each other and the beat of the song.

So I drown it out like I always do

Dancing through our house

With the ghost of you

And I chase it down

With a shot of truth

That my feet don't dance

Like they did with you

The melody slowly faded off as the last lines were sung. The two finished on a basic waltz step before swaying in each other’s arms. The music ends and there is silence, blood rushed to their ears and their breaths mingled.

The two stayed in the other’s embrace, face-to-face, staring. They broke out of their trance by clapping. Looking around Marinette saw many of her peers and most of the supervising teachers applauding their performance.

Their friends broke through the crowd, Jon patted Damian’s shoulder (retracting before he got bit) while Chloe and Alix pulled Marinette back to their table to discuss what Disney magic had befallen the couple. The bluenette glanced back at her partner, mouthing a silent goodbye.

The crowd dispersed but were still buzzing from their display. Marinette was bombarded with questions, not only from her friends, but from other students about her dancing with the demon. Her stuttered replies did little to quench the crowd’s thirst. Her face must be comparable to that of a tomato.

Damian, having noticed the building crowd and Marinette’s uncomfortable stance, broke away from Jon. The crowd parted like the red sea, unwilling to be the one to anger the Ice Prince.

He offered her his arm (to which she took) and escorted her out to the patio outside. She stayed entwined with him, as she looked out at the stray Parisian night; leaning her head onto his should. Here the two could breathe. Here the two of them could be their present selves, no ghostly facades needed. It seems they could drown out anything in the presence of each other.

Unbeknownst to them, Jon had recorded their dance, along with their previous and present interactions of that night. He thought for a second to use it as blackmail material but decided to just send it off anyways. Oh the chaos it caused.

[jackoshadows]

 “You,” Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, “will marry a king and rule his castle, and your sons will be Knights and princes and lords and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon.” - Eddard, A Game of Thrones

My featherbed is deep and soft, and there I’ll lay you down, I’ll dress you all in yellow silk, and on your head a crown - Arya, A Storm of Swords

“Aegon has been shaped for rule since before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. Tommen has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows that kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them.” - Kevan, A Dance with Dragons

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So this is an essay of sorts on my speculation/theory that Arya is going to end up as a leader of the North by the end of the series. I will split this into several parts:

Arya and leadership

Arya and Northern leadership

Arya and Nymeria

Skillsets

Importance of being a Warg/Skinchanger

Succession

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Arya Stark and leadership

“Know the men who follow you,” she heard him tell Robb once, “and let them know you. Don’t ask your men to die for a stranger.“  - Arya, AGoT

Arya has always been a leader rather than a follower. Just like Jon at the wall, she initially chafes at having to follow orders instead of doing what she thinks is the right thing to do. Despite Gendry and Hot Pie being older than her, she’s the one giving the orders and making the plans. She manipulates or forces characters into doing what she wants – getting Gendry to leave Harrenhal and forcing Jaqen to help her free the Northmen.

Arya took the lead, kicking her stolen horse to a brisk heedless trot until the trees close in around her. Hot Pie and Gendry followed as best they could. From time to time Arya glanced over her shoulder, to make sure the two boys had not fallen too far behind, and to see if they were being pursued - Arya, ASoS

Like most of our protagonists, Arya is ambitious and interested in being an active participant at the top. She wanted to become a King’s councilor and build castles. That entire little speech that Varys gives about the ideal candidate for ruling fits Arya to a T.

Arya has gone hungry, scrubbed and cleaned, cooked and kept house, sewed and mended clothes, bound up wounds, been hunted, been scared for her life – and done all this with limited protection. Just survived on her wits. Arya can wield a sword, is fluent in several languages and has studied with a Septa.

We also see war torn Westeros and the suffering of the smallfolk through Arya’s eyes in ACoK and ASoS. It doesn’t matter if it’s Stark or Lannister, the smallfolk suffer the same – Septon Meribald’s ‘Broken Men’ speech in AFfC embodies what Arya observes. After Arya frees the Northmen using weasel soup and Vargo Hoat betrays the Lannisters, there are reprisal killings, torture and rape enacted by Stark bannermen and the sellswords. The smith, Maester and the head maid are executed for merely serving Tywin – something on which they had no choice. Gendry points this out to Arya and she feels guilty for her part in all this.

“I hate this lot worse. Ser Amory was fighting for his lord, but the Mummers are sellswords and turncloaks. Half of them can’t even speak the Common Tongue. Septon Utt likes little boys, Qyburn does black magic, and your friend Biter eats people.”

The worst thing was, she couldn’t even say he was wrong. The Brave Companions did most of the foraging for Harrenhal, and Roose Bolton had given them the task of rooting out Lannisters. Vargo Hoat had divided them into four bands, to visit as many villages as possible. He led the largest group himself, and gave the others to his most trusted captains. She had heard Rorge laughing over Lord Vargo’s way of finding traitors. All he did was return to places he had visited before under Lord Tywin’s banner and seize those who had helped him. – Arya, ACoK

"It’s not a village, it’s only black stones and old bones. “Did the Lannisters kill the people who lived here?” Arya asked as she helped Anguy dry the horses.

“No.” He pointed. “Look at how thick the moss grows on the stones. No one’s moved them for a long time. And there’s a tree growing out of the wall there, see? This place was put to the torch a long time ago.”

“Who did it, then?” asked Gendry.

“Hoster Tully.” Notch was a stooped thin grey-haired man, born in these parts. “This was Lord Goodbrook’s village. When Riverrun declared for Robert, Goodbrook stayed loyal to the king, so Lord Tully came down on him with fire and sword. After the Trident, Goodbrook’s son made his peace with Robert and Lord Hoster, but that didn’t help the dead none.”

A silence fell."  - Arya, ASoS

"Wolves, she thought again. Like me. Was this her pack? How could they be Robb’s men? She wanted to hit them. She wanted to hurt them. She wanted to cry.” - Arya, ASoS

The smallfolk in the Riverlands are caught between the Starks, Tullys and Lannisters with no good choices. And on the ground level, Arya sees this, understands this and acknowledges this. Her actions benefited house Stark and no one else. She understands the cost of war.

Arya is also very keen on justice. In that she not only thinks that characters deserve justice, but she wants to actively participate and deliver justice. She considers the execution of Dareon from the NW as a just one.

Dareon had been a deserter from the Night's Watch; he had deserved to die. - Arya, AFfC

“Guilty!” Arya shouted with the rest. “Guilty, guilty, kill him, guilty!” …

Arya could only think of Mycah and all the stupid prayers she’d prayed for the Hound to die. If there were gods, why didn’t Lord Beric win? She knew the Hound was guilty… - Arya, ASoS

Her father beat her so often and so brutally that she was never truly free of pain or fear until she came to us.”

“Did you kill him?”

“She asked the gift for herself, not for her father.”

You should have killed him.“ - Arya, ADWD

Arya drew back from him. "He killed the slave?" That did not sound right. "He should have killed the masters!" – Arya, aDwD

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Arya and Northern leadership

I would sooner my men die fighting for the Ned’s little girl than alone and hungry in the snow, weeping tears that freeze upon their cheeks. - Hugo Wull

The North has famously never had a female leader in House Stark. So is it possible for valiant Ned’s precious little girl to become the first Lady Stark to lead the North?

In terms of personality, Arya resembles some of the other female leaders/members of Northern houses. She is bold and forward like Lyanna Mormont and Wylla Manderly. She has trained with the sword and learned how to use a bow and arrow. She proactively engineers her own escape like Alys Karstark. Characters like Ygritte and Alys remind Jon Snow of Arya.

Arya venerates Ned Stark. She follows his advice as much as Robb, Bran and Jon do. Even more so. She executes a NW brother for desertion. And that is important for the Starks.

I should kill them myself. Whenever her father had condemned a man to death, he did the deed himself with Ice, his greatsword. - Arya, ACoK

The blood of the First Men still flows in the veins of the Starks, and we hold to the belief that the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. - Bran, AGoT

“The Starks do not use headsmen. Ned always said that the man who passes the sentence should swing the blade, though he never took any joy in the duty.” - Catelyn, ACoK

“Rickard Karstark, Lord of Karhold.” Robb lifted the heavy axe with both hands. “Here in sight of gods and men, I judge you guilty of murder and high treason. In mine own name I condemn you. With mine own hand I take your life. Would you speak a final word?” - Catelyn, ASoS

The pale morning sunlight ran up and down his blade as Jon clasped the hilt of the bastard sword with both hands and raised it high. “If you have any last words, now is the time to speak them,” he said, expecting one last curse. - Jon, ADwD

Arya is one of the Starkiest Starks of the whole lot. She is also the only Stark to actually have the Stark look. She is stubborn and determined to do things the Stark way. She often uses her father’s advice to guide her way.

Her father used to say that a lord needed to eat with his men, if he hoped to keep them. “Know the men who follow you,” she heard him tell Robb once, “and let them know you. Don’t ask your men to die for a stranger.“ - Arya, aGoT

Arya had loved nothing better than to sit at her father’s table and listen to them talk. She had loved listening to the men on the benches too; to freeriders tough as leather, courtly knights and bold young squires, grizzled old men-at-arms.- Arya, AGoT

Whenever her father had condemned a man to death, he did the deed himself with Ice, his greatsword. “If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him go look him in the face and hear his last words,” she’d heard him tell Robb and Jon once. - Arya, ACoK

Now there are theories that it is future Bran who was communicating with Arya through the weirwood at Harrenhal, but she does gain strength from her father’s words when she prays to the Old Gods.

Gooseprickles rose on Arya’s skin, and for an instant she felt dizzy. Then, so faintly, it seemed as if she heard her father’s voice. “When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives,” he said. “But there is no pack,” she whispered to the weirwood. Bran and Rickon were dead, the Lannisters had Sansa, Jon had gone to the Wall. “I’m not even me now, I’m Nan.” “You are Arya of Winterfell, daughter of the north. You told me you could be strong. You have the wolf blood in you.” - Arya, ACoK

And while Arya is travelling incognito, GRRM keeps her connected to the North, house Stark and the Northern plot. She starts her journey from KL with a NW brother Yoren. She’s disguised as a boy like Danny Flint, Manderly requests a song about brave Danny Flint at Ramsay’s wedding with ‘Arya’. In the Riverlands, Arya’s plot intersects with her father’s bannermen, she participates in the capture of Harrenhal for house Stark and is there for Roose Bolton’s war council. She meets both Roose Bolton and Aenys Frey – our antagonists in Winterfell facing off against Stannis in ADwD. She meets Robett Glover – who is currently in White Harbor - when she lets him out of the dungeons. She gets Jaqen to help her father’s men.

“Vargo Hoat’s come back with prisoners. I saw their badges. There’s a Glover, from Deepwood Motte, he’s my father’s man. The rest too, mostly.” All of a sudden, Arya knew why her feet had brought her here. “You have to help me get them out.” – Arya, ACoK

Arya looked. She knew all of her father’s men. The three in the grey cloaks were strangers. Arya, AGoT

Twin towers. Sunburst. Bloody man. Battle-axe. The battle-axe is for Cerwyn, and the white sun on black is Karstark. They’re northmen. My father’s men, and Robb’s. - Arya, ACoK

Harwin?” Arya whispered. It was! Under the beard and the tangled hair was the face of Hullen’s son, who used to lead her pony around the yard, ride at quintain with Jon and Robb, and drink too much on feast days. He was thinner, harder somehow, and at Winterfell he had never worn a beard, but it was him—her father’s man. Arya, ASoS

“I bet there are Winterfell men too.” Her father’s men, the Young Wolf’s men, the direwolves of Stark. - Arya, ASoS

Arya is also involved in betrothals/marriage – first to Elmar Frey and then married off to Ramsay Bolton to hold the North. As a side note, her connection to all these bastards is indeed interesting - Elmar Frey, Ramsay Bolton, Gendry and Jon Snow. Is GRRM trying to say something here?

We now have the Northerners and Freys that Arya sees in Harrenhal transposed to Winterfell and ‘her father’s men’ rising up for Arya Stark.

Now, we can speculate and assume that these Northerners would have done the same for the other Starks, but that’s not the point here. In the books, GRRM has written this story to revolve around Arya. The mountain clans are marching for ARYA. The Northern houses are fighting alongside Stannis for ARYA. When lady Barbrey Dustin points out the anger of the Northmen at the treatment of ‘Valiant Ned's precious little girl’ she is talking about ARYA.

GRRM has Stannis wanting to rescue Arya for Jon. He has Mance trying to rescue Arya for Jon. He has Jon breaking his vows and dying trying to rescue Arya. A large part of what drives this plot forward is that it’s Arya, and her special relationship with Jon Snow influences a lot of what is happening south of the wall. The story only happens this way with Arya in the North. And that’s why it’s Arya’s story and not that of any other Stark. Superimposing this or that Stark in place of Arya to make a case for why they would be leader of the North makes no sense. GRRM writing in the marriage of Arya Stark to hold the North makes the case for why Arya is important to the North.

So, Arya has actively helped free Northmen in the Riverlands, engaged with important Northerners and Freys at Harrenhal and drives the plot to take down the Boltons in the North. With her leadership skills, her ability to wield a weapon and fight, looking like Ned, following in Ned’s footsteps and advice, her fierce personality, her loyalty to bannermen, her desire for justice and to help the weak and powerless, her huge direwolf - she would be like the Kings in the North of yore.  I think the Northerners will be fine with Arya Stark being the Stark in charge.

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Arya and Nymeria

“What if the wolves come?” “Yield,” Arya suggested - Arya, ACoK

The direwolves are an important part of the books, and an important aspect of the Starks.They are as much a part of the Starks as Dany’s dragons are a part of her. They cannot be ignored as unimportant pets who will end up serving no purpose.

“He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you.”  - Catelyn, ASoS

Ghost did not count. Ghost was closer than a friend. Ghost was part of him - Jon, ADWD

“Part of you is Summer, and part of Summer is you. You know that, Bran.” - Bran, ACoK

“Wolves and women wed for life,” Haggon often said. “You take one, that’s a marriage. The wolf is part of you from that day on, and you’re part of him. Both of you will change.” - Varamyr, ADWD

You have five trueborn children,” Jon said. “Three sons, two daughters. The direwolf is the sigil of your House. Your children were meant to have these pups, my lord…The direwolf graces the banners of House Stark,” Jon pointed out. -  Bran, AGoT

“Roose Bolton has Lord Eddard’s daughter. To thwart him White Harbor must have Ned’s son … and the direwolf. The wolf will prove the boy is who we say he is, should the Dreadfort attempt to deny him.“ - Davos, ADWD

GRRM has mentioned several times that they are important.

The Lannisters are always likening themselves to lions, for example, and their motto “Hear me roar” speaks of a certain way of looking at life. But I think for the Starks it goes a little bit beyond that, especially in this generation, with these direwolves. It’s more than just a handy metaphor with them - GRRM, interview

"Wolves have been part of European folklore, of which America's descended, going back thousands of years. In Rome, Romulus and Remus -- there's always been this relationship between wolves and men." That relationship is seen time and again in Martin's series, and it's one that will Martin says will continue as the last two books are eventually released. Arya's wolf, Nymeria, in particular, will play an important role. "You know, I don't like to give things away." says Martin, a grin spreading across his face. "But you don't hang a giant wolf pack on the wall unless you intend to use it." - GRRM interview

The direwolves are important especially for Arya whose theme is ‘The lone wolf dies but the pack survives’ and there are constant mentions of the pack in her POV chapters. Nymeria is an alpha, a leader of her pack like Arya is a leader of hers.

“She says there’s this great pack, hundreds of them, mankillers. The one that leads them is a she-wolf, a bitch from the seventh hell.” - Arya, ACoK

Throughout ACoK and ASoS, Arya mentions the wolves in the Riverlands. They appear to be just ahead of her or behind her. In her chapters there are mentions of wolves eating people, of Roose going wolf hunting. It’s almost like the wolves are traveling with her. They even help her escape – the wolf howl giving the signal – from harrenhal. And it’s possible the pack was picking off Roose Bolton’s riders chasing Arya because they were following right behind.

She could hear the sound of her own breath, and the wolves as well, a great pack of them now. They are closer than the one I heard in the godswood, she thought. They are calling to me. - Arya, ACoK

Once, from the crest of a ridge, she spied dark shapes crossing a stream in the valley behind them, and for half a heartbeat she feared that Roose Bolton’s riders were on them, but when she looked again she realized they were only a pack of wolves. She cupped her hands around her mouth and howled down at them, “Ahooooooooo, ahooooooooo.” When the largest of the wolves lifted its head and howled back, the sound made Arya shiver.   - Arya ASoS

Nymeria keeps amassing this huge wolf pack and Arya being a strong warg can sense this

She was no little girl in the dream; she was a wolf, huge and powerful, and when she emerged from beneath the trees in front of them and bared her teeth in a low rumbling growl, she could smell the rank stench of fear from horse and man alike. - Arya, ASoS

She dreamed of wolves most every night. A great pack of wolves, with her at the head. She was bigger than any of them, stronger, swifter, faster. And her brothers and sisters were with her, many and more of them, fierce and terrible and hers. - Arya, ASoS

In her wolf dreams she was swift and strong, running down her prey with her pack at her heels. - Cat of the Canals, AFfC

The wolf dreams also helps Arya connect to Bran, Jon and Rickon. We see Ghost able to sense the other direwolves and Bran trying to communicate with Jon.

Nymeria is a grey wolf and the stark sigil is a grey wolf on a white background.

 “The rain had washed the guard’s blood off her fingers, she wore a sword across her back, wolves were prowling through the dark like lean grey shadows, and Arya Stark was unafraid.” - Arya, ACoK

“Arya had her father’s eyes, the grey eyes of the Starks.” - Reek, ADwD

What’s in a name? I have already mentioned in another post, the symbolism of the names for the direwolves and them being an indication of the future for the Starks. Arya’s direwolf is named Nymeria – a Rhoynish warrior queen who led her people to safety. Something that Arya may well do in the future when the North is under attack from the Others.

More importantly, Nymeria in Dorne changed the customs and rules of house Martell to follow those of Rhoynar and allowed for female rulers. Nymeria herself was the first female leader and was followed by her daughter. Nymeria changed the norm for Dorne and we could see the same happening with Arya Stark in the North.

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Skills and Education

Look with your eyes, Syrio had said, listen with your ears.- Arya, ACoK

Education at Winterfell:

Arya was mainly taught by Septa Mordane and received the same education as Sansa. She would have been taught history and about the Faith by the Septa, she can read and write, and is good with sums. She’s better than Sansa at managing a household. She can ride a horse like a Northman and is an excellent swimmer. She knows some high Valyrian. Besides the Septa, Arya also hangs around Ned Stark when he is teaching the boys. Many of his words of wisdom that she remembers is from when he is teaching the boys. She mingles with her father’s men, the cooks, the stable boys etc.

Kings Landing:

Water Dancing style of swordfighting from Syrio Forel.

Harrenhal:

Being incognito allows Arya to move around like a mouse or the ghost of Harrenhal and observe and learn things. She is privy to Roose Bolton’s war council and listens to them discuss the Northern campaign against the Lannisters. We get the first inkling of the Red Wedding in these chapters between Roose and the Freys.

Arya observes the different people, analyzes their movements and figures out how to approach them.

The night she was caught, the Lannister men had been nameless strangers with faces as alike as their nasal helms, but she’d come to know them all. You had to know who was lazy and who was cruel, who was smart and who was stupid. You had to learn that even though the one they called Shitmouth had the foulest tongue she’d ever heard, he’d give you an extra piece of bread if you asked, while jolly old Chiswyck and soft-spoken Raff would just give you the back of their hand. - Arya, ACoK

And as lords and ladies never notice the little grey mice under their feet, Arya heard all sorts of secrets just by keeping her ears open as she went about her duties. Pretty Pia from the buttery was a slut who was working her way through every knight in the castle. The wife of the gaoler was with child, but the real father was either Ser Alyn Stackspear or a singer Lord Lefford made mock of ghosts at table, but always kept a candle burning by his bed. Ser Dunaver’s squire Jodge could not hold his water when he slept. The cooks despised Ser Harys Swyft and spit in all his food. Once she even overheard Maester Tothmure’s serving girl confiding to her brother about some message that said Joffrey was a bastard and not the rightful king at all. “Lord Tywin told him to burn the letter and never speak such filth again,” the girl whispered. - Arya, ACoK

She aids in the escape of the near hundred Northmen imprisoned in the dungeons and even Roose is impressed enough to make her his cupbearer. And the next time, she conceives of, plans and executes their entire escape all by herself. She plans for the logistics – weapons, transportation, people, travel route, what to wear.  She makes sure she is warmly dressed, takes the map from Roose’s chamber, uses her position of cupbearer to manipulate several men,  manipulates Gendry into escaping with her, takes down the guard and leads them away. It’s an endeavor that showcases her intelligence, cunning, determination, ability to strategize and lead.

Arya also shows a lot of restraint and keeps her secrets. She doesn’t trust the Glovers or any of the Northmen in Harrenhal - and considering the Red Wedding, it’s a good decision.

Their captors permitted no chatter. A broken lip taught Arya to hold her tongue. Others never learned at all. - Arya, ACoK

Arya watched them die and did nothing. What good did it do you to be brave? One of the women picked for questioning had tried to be brave, but she had died screaming like all the rest. There were no brave people on that march, only scared and hungry ones. - Arya, ACoK

On the road Arya had felt like a sheep, but Harrenhal turned her into a mouse. She was grey as a mouse in her scratchy wool shift, and like a mouse she kept to the crannies and crevices and dark holes of the castle, scurrying out of the way of the mighty.- Arya, ACoK

Braavos:

Arya’s education here is not limited to killing for the Faceless Men. She is also educated in poisons and languages. She improves on her high Valyrian and is now fluent in Braavosi and other Essosi languages. She learns acting/mummery. Not showing emotions on one’s face, detecting emotions in another person.

“A man does not need to be a wizard to know truth from falsehood, not if he has eyes. You need only learn to read a face. Look at the eyes. The mouth. The muscles here, at the corners of the jaw, and here, where the neck joins the shoulders.” He touched her lightly with two fingers. “Some liars blink. Some stare. Some look away. Some lick their lips. Many cover their mouths just before they tell a lie, as if to hide their deceit. Other signs may be more subtle, but they are always there. A false smile and a true one may look alike, but they are as different as dusk from dawn. Can you tell dusk from dawn?”

Arya nodded, though she was not certain that she could. “Then you can learn to see a lie… and once you do, no secret will be safe from you.”  - Arya, AFFC

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People skills

“I will remember, Your Grace," said Sansa, though she had always heard that love was a surer route to the people's loyalty than fear. If I am ever a queen, I'll make them love me.” - Sansa, ACoK

Arya’s ability to make friends wherever she goes highlights her people skills. And Arya is able to communicate and connect with people from all walks of life.

Sansa knew all about the sorts of people Arya liked to talk to: squires and grooms and serving girls, old men and naked children, rough-spoken freeriders of uncertain birth. Arya would make friends with anybody. - Sansa, AGoT

She had loved listening to the men on the benches too; to freeriders tough as leather, courtly knights and bold young squires, grizzled old men-at-arms. She used to throw snowballs at them and help them steal pies from the kitchen. Their wives gave her scones and she invented names for their babies and played monsters-and-maidens and hide-the-treasure and come-into-my-castle with their children., Arya, AGoT

Her father used to say that a lord needed to eat with his men, if he hoped to keep them. “Know the men who follow you,” she heard him tell Robb once, “and let them know you. Don’t ask your men to die for a stranger.“ - Arya, AGoT

Cat had made friends along the wharves; porters and mummers, ropemakers and sailmenders, taverners, Brewers and bakers and beggars and whores - Cat of the Canals, AFfC

Her girls were nice as well; Blushing Bethany and the Sailor’s Wife, one-eyed Yna who could tell your fortune from a drop of blood, pretty little Lanna, even Assadora, the Ibbenese woman with the mustache. They might not be beautiful, but they were kind to her - Cat of the Canals, AFfC

She’s also loyal to her pack. She doesn’t betray Jon even to her father. She helps free her father’s men. Despite Gendry talking of leaving Lommy or Weasel behind, she refuses. And despite the odds, she tries to help Gendry.

It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was that they had Gendry. Even if he was stubborn and stupid, she had to get him out. She wondered if they knew that the queen wanted him. - Arya, ACoK

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

Importance of being a Warg/Skinchanger

She was the night wolf, no scraps of skin could frighten her. - Arya, ADwD

Since this is a fantasy series, magic is a big part of the story with a magical existential apocalyptic threat on the horizon. The North is the first bastion facing this threat. Jon and Dany both have magical pets and prophetic dreams. Bran is the 3ER. They are leaders or will become leaders by the end. Arya is a strong warg/skinchanger. Apart from Jon and Bran, she’s the only other Stark to use these abilities so far. As GRRM as indicated, having a direwolf is going to be useful in battle – we are going to be seeing direwolves involved in the battle for Winterfell for example. Arya is able to warg Nymeria from all the way over in Braavos. She skinchanges cats and sees through their eyes, when she is blind. She is deft with a sword, knife and decent with a bow and arrow (she could be better now using her FM senses). She would be an effective fighter to have against the Others and her warging skills could prove useful in battle.

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

Succession

I’m not a lady, Arya wanted to tell her, I’m a wolf. - Arya, ASoS

And finally we come to succession. This is the hardest part and entirely speculation and we need the next book to get an inkling of where GRRM is heading towards. I am also basing all of this on Hibberd more or less confirming that King Bran on the Iron Throne is GRRM’s ending.

So of the true born Starks, Arya is pretty much last in line. With the inclusion of Robb’s will, we have 5 Starks left. Bran is the rightful heir to the North. Taking him out of the running, leaves Jon, Rickon, Sansa and Arya. Assuming Jon ends up North of the wall – in his dreams the Old Kings in the North in the crypts reject him, maybe foreshadowing that he doesn’t belong in Winterfell - that leaves Rickon, Sansa and Arya.

As for Sansa, again there is a plot significant reason for why GRRM has put an obstacle in her path, allowing for Arya to jump the queue. Sansa is currently married to Tyrion Lannister, a marriage that cannot be easily annulled (With an enemy regime in KL) or ignored like the show did. Robb Stark has most likely disinherited/removed her from the line of succession and named a legitimized Jon Stark his heir and Lord of Winterfell. If he has the support of the Northern houses who want an experienced, older Stark to lead them, Jon Stark could well be the next KITN over Rickon Stark. I don’t think a 7 year old Rickon would object to Jon in charge. So that makes it Jon Stark, Rickon Stark and Arya Stark.

Does Rickon have to die for Arya to become Wardeness of the North? It’s possible Rickon dies, but it’s also possible he doesn’t.  It could be that Rickon does not want to lead the North – by the end of the book, he would be 8 or 9. Of course there’s the argument of a regent doing the job for Rickon until he’s ready. Or, he could just give way to his sister because he wants to. Something similar to Aemon refusing the throne and it passing to his younger brother Aegon.

Or we could have the traditional situation where Rickon becomes lord of Winterfell as next in line, while it’s Arya who is involved in running the day to day affairs. However, that would very much be status quo - with Rickon at WF and Bran down south in KL, it would be men ending up in positions of power everywhere once again, except maybe Dorne. If this happens, then Arya would be a leader of the North, but the Stark line would continue with the male line.  

It’s possible Jon Stark as King could change things for the North. Jon treats the spearwives the same as the brothers of the NW, he respects Val’s abilities, he trusts in Alys Karstark. If Rickon refuses the mantle, it could very well be that Jon Stark relinquishes his position to his favorite person ever, Arya Stark, to be the next Wardeness of the North.  Thus paving the way for Arya Stark to be the first female leader of the North like her hero Nymeria in Dorne.

It would be fitting for the character who introduced Jon Snow to equal rights for women.

“The Lannisters are proud,” Jon observed. “You’d think the royal sigil would be sufficient, but no. He makes his mother’s House equal in honor to the king’s.”

“The woman is important too!” Arya protested. - Arya, AGoT

Could King Jon reverse Sansa’s disinheritance after her marriage is annulled when KL is in friendly hands? Sure. But we don’t know how the Sansa/LF/Vale group will react to Jon as KITN and whether they will mount a challenge in Sansa’s name. And if Jon has to choose between Sansa and Arya as to whom he wants in charge of Winterfell, we know who it is he will think is more capable and will always choose.

I do think Winterfell succession will not be as clearcut as many Stark fans are hoping. Too many factions supporting the different Starks. GRRM loves to write about dysfunctional families and the Starks are not anything special in that regard. TWoW will tell us of whether there will be any kind of Stark civil war.

Is Arya too young for all this? I predict that by the time we get to the end of the books, about 5 years would have gone by. At 14, Arya would still need a regent – one of the many lords of the houses in the North. But I think considering her experiences, skillsets, a huge direwolf, Ned Stark’s wisdom and strong connections to the North, she will be an able leader. As GRRM said,

“[Arya is] older than some of the 40-year-olds in the book.” - GRRM

Either way, whether she gets Winterfell or not, Arya will end up as a leader in the North. Either she rules for Rickon and takes care of the day to day responsibilities or she does so in her own right as Lady of Winterfell/Wardeness of the North. She’s not going anywhere or sailing off on a boat. The show’s ending makes absolutely no sense for a character yearning for home in 5 books after going on the nightmare ‘adventure’ from hell. She will be in the North, in Winterfell, being a leader and continuing Ned Stark’s legacy.  She will counsel her brothers and build and her people will love her just like they loved her father.

So in conclusion, I think there is enough story, character build up, characterization and set up for Arya to go North and take over as a leader of house Stark to face the threat of the Others along with Bran, Jon, Dany and Tyrion.

[asongofstarkandtargaryen]

Jon Snow Month - Arya Stark

JON & ARYA: THE ONES WITH THE STRONGEST LINKS TO THE STARK LORE AND THE NORTH.

Among the youngest generation of Starks, Jon and Arya are the only ones who share the traditional Stark look (aka the look of First Men, the one most Northerners share):

Jon had their father's face, as she did. They were the only ones

According to the Old Nan, all Starks have wolf blood but it is stronger in some than in others.  Arya is the only one who is mentioned within text to have the wolf blood.Ned shares a scene with his daughter where he explains that she shares the same trait with her aunt and uncle (Lyanna and Brandon Stark) while he never shares a similar scene with any other of his children:

"Ah, Arya. You have a wildness in you, child. 'The wolf blood,' my father used to call it. Lyanna had a touch of it, and my brother Brandon more than a touch. It brought them both to an early grave.

I’d agrue that among all of Arya’s siblings the one who also has a stronger touch with the wolf blood is Jon. Ned seems to associate wildness and stubborn behavior with the wolf blood. And as Jon has admitted on his own POV  “he was nothing if not stubborn”. As for examples of Jon giving in to his wildness, just remember anytime someone insults his father and how ready he is to throw fists.

Something that I also find interesting when it comes to wolf blood is that Ned only mentions Lyanna and Brandon from the previous generation. The parallels between Lyanna and Arya are obvious and have been highlighted through all the books. But what about Brandon and Jon? Maybe those two Starks share a similarity (which is influenced by their wolf blood) that it’s worth discussing. The most prominent action of Brandon is that when he thought that Prince Rhaegar stole his sister. In a reckless move he went to Kings Landing and demanded the prince to face him. Sadly, that lead to his early death. Just like his uncle, Jon also made a reckless move when he thought that Ramsay was threatening Arya via the pink letter. He declaired to his Black Brothers that he was going to face Ramsay and that lead to his assassination.

Another thing that highlights their Starkness is the strong bond they share with their direwolves. Both experience “wolf dreams” (although that this is something they also have in common with their brother, Bran). The difference between them is that Arya embraces her wolfness, while Jon is trying to separate himself from his wolf (”I’m a man, not a wolf). Not keeping close Ghost and fully embracing their bond is partly what lead him to his early demise. So once he returns to life in the next book, I expect him to fully embrace the wild, wolf side of his.

Finally, I wanted to speak about the Northern politics. Right now, Jon is the only Stark kid who actually participates in politics that concern the North: his advices to Stannis Baratheon, letting the Wildings settle in the North, Solving the Karstark succession issue. He’s also the one who is named by Robb his heir and thus has currently the biggest claim to become Lord of Winterfell/ King in the North. 

Meanwhile, all of the rest of his siblings could potentially become “keys to the North” (Davos is searching for Rickon , Littlefinger wants to use Sansa in order to claim the North and Bran while is considered dead is still the rightful heir). However, so far the one person who was highlighted as “key to the North” was princess Arya Stark even if they used an imposter (poor Jeyne Poole) and the actual Arya is across the Narrow Sea. 

So, while I can’t say for sure how things will turn out in the future and the extent their other siblings might also get involved, right now the ones who are more connected to the Northern Plot are Jon and Arya.

[agentrouka-blog]

"And Arya, well . . . Ned's visitors would oft mistake her for a stableboy if they rode into the yard unannounced. Arya was a trial, it must be said. Half a boy and half a wolf pup. Forbid her anything and it became her heart's desire. She had Ned's long face, and brown hair that always looked as though a bird had been nesting in it. I despaired of ever making a lady of her. She collected scabs as other girls collect dolls, and would say anything that came into her head. I think she must be dead too." When she said that, it felt as though a giant hand were squeezing her chest. "I want them all dead, Brienne. Theon Greyjoy first, then Jaime Lannister and Cersei and the Imp, every one, every one. But my girls . . . my girls will . . ." (ASOS, Catelyn VII)

How can you read this and come away thinking that she didn’t fiercely love her willful, stubborn little girl? That she was not intimately familiar with her personality, her habits and quirks through frequent observation? That her preoccupation with her behavior wasn’t born of the same worries shared by Ned himself? How can you read this and decide she is complaining about her as opposed to merely describing her child with the exasperated affection of a grieving parent trying to paint a vivid picture?

Also literally we don’t even get a POV on Sansa before Ned already decided on the betrothal. The only thing we get is Jon watching her escort the crown prince in the feast procession, followed by Cat’s POV that evening where Ned decides to accept the betrothal, followed by Arya the next morning witnessing some friendly speculation on the subject at the sewing circle. 

The first time we get Sansa’s POV and any information about how Sansa views this development is when they are at the Trident, where she’s had time to get used to the idea for weeks and is “in love” with Joffrey. (And why wouldn’t she think that her father made a good choice? Surely he has her best interest in mind?) She absolutely never actively asked for this beforehand and what she wanted was not a factor in the decision Ned made about her future at all. He himself states that it’s about signaling his loyalty to hide his investigation.  

I just saw your post on Catelyn on why you believe that she isn’t a good mother. It makes me very curious on what are your thoughts on Ned and his treatment of Sansa and Arya? Would you consider that favoritism?

I haven't noticed any indications that Ned has a favourite between them. Sansa gets the betrothal to the prince she wants, Arya gets to learn to fight like she wants. The only issue there is Ned's reluctance to accept Arya for who she is, but that's far more complicated than favouritism.

That's a combination of knowing that Arya will be otracised and mistreated if she doesn't conform to societal norms and Ned's awareness that Arya is very much like Lyanna, and we all know how that went. Though thankfully Arya is smart enough to not run away with a married man.

I think, generally speaking, Ned was a good father. Of course, we don't actually get to see a lot of his parenting, so it's difficult to say but overall, yeah, he was a good dad. I do have problems with the whole Theon situation and that he allowed Catelyn to treat Jon so badly, but neither of those were fully in his control to do anything about, so it's complicated.

[aboveallarescuer]

I love that Daenerys Targaryen has significant parallels with all the major ASOIAF characters (as well as with many of the minor and the historical ones too). I love that comparing and contrasting her with them almost always highlights her epicness and/or how special her place in the narrative is.

Daenerys Targaryen is not just a queen, she’s a queen regnant and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, i.e., a she-king. This means that she can be compared and contrasted not only with Cersei and Margaery or with Alysanne and the other Targaryen queens consort, but also (in fact, especially) with Stannis and Robb or with Aegon the Conqueror and the other Targaryen monarchs that succeeded him.

Daenerys Targaryen is not just a claimant to the Iron Throne like Stannis, Young Griff and Renly, she’s the only one of them who is a POV character.

Daenerys Targaryen is not just one of the POV rulers, she also happens to be the only POV ruler with power in her own right and who isn’t in a subservient position in any way (Jon is Lord Commander, but he’s also the king’s advisor and is running the equivalent of a penal colony, so the stakes are much lower than Daenerys ruling a city and dealing with opposition from half the world; Tyrion and Ned are Hands of the King; Cersei is queen regent, which means that her power stems from Tommen’s kingship). Also, Daenerys has the clearest parallels with Aragorn and her ADWD storyline was deliberately written by GRRM as a response to the lack of information from Tolkien about what makes Aragorn a good king. Finally, if one compares her ADWD storyline with Jon’s, one can see how many roles she occupies at the same time: the administrator (Jon), the monarch (Stannis), the most magical character linked to fire and prophecies (Melisandre) and the leader of the disenfranchised (Mance; note that Daenerys was forced to leave her homeland, was enslaved and currently doesn’t belong anywhere - that’s the exact same situation of many of the former slaves of Slaver’s Bay, who come from different places and have different races, ethnicities and backgrounds. Daenerys empathized with them right away because she is one of them. Her detractors may accuse her of being an outsider, but that’s because they prioritize the viewpoint of the Ghiscari slavers. The freedmen, like Daenerys, come from many different places and are outsiders to the noblemen too).

Daenerys Targaryen is an extraordinary conqueror and strategist. Aegon the Conqueror made the Westerosi bend the knee with the help of his dragons, 15-year-old Daenerys Targaryen overthrew the slave masters primarily thanks to her own battle plans, not her dragons. Robb Stark captured castles in the westerlands motivated by personal injury and his actions had local impact; Daenerys Targaryen conquered three cities motivated by her desire to abolish slavery and her actions had worldwide impact.

Daenerys Targaryen is not a typical member of her family, she is the main leader and representative of House Targaryen in a way that Jon/Bran/Arya/Sansa or Cersei/Jaime/Tyrion can’t ever claim to be. Their fathers Ned Stark and Tywin Lannister had large roles in the main story and, in the Starks’ case, their older brother Robb is more well-remembered than any of them (at least so far). Meanwhile, Daenerys’s father Aerys II was already dead before she was born and before the main story began, which allowed her to carve her own path outside of his influence. Moreover, her accomplishments are already greater than both of her older brothers’. She became the face of her family in a way that matches (in fact, even surpasses) Ned with House Stark and Tywin with House Lannister.

Daenerys Targaryen is not a typical mother, she’s both Mother of Dragons and Mhysa. Her motherhood is transcendental in a way that Catelyn’s or Cersei’s aren’t because it is not related to blood ties or to her fertility. Instead, it’s associated with her unprecedented feat of reviving an extinct species, with her ability to make up the magic as she goes along, with her leadership, with her revolutionary nature, with her compassion for thousands of people. Additionally, unlike the other major mothers, Daenerys is the only one who isn’t doomed to go “mad” despite all the losses and hardships she faced.

Daenerys Targaryen is a hero, which is especially clear when her actions are contrasted with House Stark’s, whose brand of “heroism” has been mostly to react to personal injury so far. Ned Stark participated in Robert's Rebellion because his father and brother were killed. Ned’s son Robb wanted Northern independence because his father was killed. Ned’s vassals want to start another war in the name of the Starks because of their loyalty and their outrage about the Red Wedding. Their motivations, sympathetic as they may be, have never involved the commoners. In contrast, GRRM had Daenerys empathize with the former slaves, start a war in their name and abolish slavery despite them not being associated with her through oath of fealty or blood relations or lands. She was specifically singled out by the author as the one leader who “wants equality for everyone”. It’s a stark contrast (pun intended) to the actions of the main family (at least as a unit) of the story. Sadly, it’s easier (for some fans) to root for the heroes mostly reacting to personal injury who never made any mistakes of large scale consequences since they never got to be in authority. Or for the heroes fighting against ice zombies (though, to be fair, Jon haven’t even faced them in ADWD, his main challenge was to conciliate the Free Folk and the Night’s Watch, so the stakes of his storyline are much lower when one compares his problems with Dany dealing with enemies from all over Essos raising armies to defeat her). It’s harder to do the same with the hero who takes an active stance against social injustices and who wrestles with hard questions about when political violence is justified (which never have easy, clear-cut answers) and all the negative ramifications that come with them.

Oh, and have I mentioned that Daenerys Targaryen is the character with the most overt clues of being Azor Ahai/Prince That Was Promised/Stallion Who Mounts the World? Like with the birth of the dragons, uniting all the khalasars and then leading humanity to victory against the Others will be two more unparalleled feats of hers among the characters of the current timeline. Additionally, as she becomes surrounded and influenced by prophecies, we get to see how Daenerys has a healthy relationship with them in contrast to other characters like Cersei and Stannis.

All these attributes and accomplishments are made even more remarkable when one contrasts them with what doesn’t necessarily make Daenerys Targaryen unique. Yes, Daenerys became the most powerful person in her world, but she also lived in poverty among lowborn people without the privilege of a castle or a formal education, which lends itself to comparisons with Davos and Melisandre. Yes, Daenerys is a queen, but she’s also a young girl who loves songs and stories and idealizes her family members, which lends itself to comparisons with Arya, Brienne and Sansa. Yes, Daenerys is a loving, compassionate mother, but she was also raised by her abuser throughout all of her formative years, which lends itself to comparisons with dysfunctional families like the Lannisters, the Greyjoys and the Cleganes. And so on.

Daenerys Targaryen has a very special place in the narrative, which I think should be acknowledged not only to appreciate her character, but also to understand why GRRM chose to isolate her from everyone else. Why would GRRM be confident that his readers would still be interested in Daenerys despite the fact that she doesn’t interact with any of his other major characters for most of the story? Is it merely because of her dragons, as her detractors say?

No.

It’s because, as the list above showed, Daenerys’s narrative importance and accomplishments are unmatched. They had to be. Daenerys’s character and storyline had to be connected to pretty much everyone else’s in significant, thematic ways in order for her to earn an entire continent, as well as her place as the Fire of ASOIAF. That is why Daenerys is guaranteed to have a major role in all the three main plotlines of ASOIAF. That is why Daenerys is so iconic and represents this book series in a way that no individual Stark could ever do. That is why Daenerys has to be so many things at the same time: a POV character and a claimant to the Iron Throne, a mother and the main representative of her family, the most powerful person in her world and a former slave, a ruler and a conqueror, a she-king and a young girl, quite possibly the story’s main hero and savior. That no other ASOIAF character can come close to her narrative importance or to her in-universe accomplishments is kind of the point because Daenerys had to encompass everything that is great about ASOIAF in order to carry her own storyline. And I'm excited for TWOW because, as she moves closer to Westeros, her importance will only increase more and more.

Daenerys Targaryen is like fine wine. She gets better and better the more time passes, the more you think about her and the more you realize how all the other ASOIAF storylines somehow lead back to hers. Dany’s storyline almost always looks that much more epic and greater in comparison to them because she carries her storyline on her own, so the author had to make sure she caught our attention.

[vampiremeerkat]

Who do you think are the most tragic EEnE characters you've written and why?

Tragic characters are my forte, makes me feel better about myself, but I'm not sure what counts here. Are you asking "acceptably canon" examples that don't revolve around supernatural nonsense, or is any interpretation allowed? If the former:

The Kankers' mother, Bebe, is a hopeless romantic from a neglectful household, who had to raise 3 infants by herself whilst living in poverty. Her health deteriorates as the years go by and it's not improving her spirits.

Mel from For Mel, Love Jon was kicked out on the streets by his father and spent most of his youth lonely and starving. He has a happy ending, though.

Nazz and Kevin are in love with each other, but Kevin's too stupid too live and ruined their initial friendship with his behaviour.

Jonny stopped hearing Plank somewhere in his teenage years and it's made him depressed. He's given medicine for it, but it warps his original personality and he knows this, still making him unhappy. His "happy" ending here is that Plank returns when he takes Edd's advice and ditches the drugs. ..I do not suggest you take Edd's advice, kids, this is fiction.

Jimmy is successful in his adult life, but madly in love with Sarah, who's still chasing after the twink who gave the bad advice in the example above. Because his unsubtle crush on her caused them to drift apart, he's lonely and miserable as well.

If the latter, we're entering a laundry list of contenders:

Genderbent Edd and Marie from Until I See You Again are stuck in an infinite reincarnation loop, and 9 times out of 10, enter situations that are objectively shit. Male Marie is usually to blame here, though only because the first and original Edd was a magical dumbo bitdch who cursed him to be a dumbo bitdch.

The genderbent Edd and Marie from Fairy Queen aren't doing better. Edd is a lonesome, ridiculed old queen of nothing who's kidnapped by a barbarian prince to be his wife, and after she accepts and thinks life has turned around for her, she discovers he's incurably crazy and has been brainwashing their children behind her back. But well, male Marie was raised to be crazy, and in addition, is the child of a woman with her own mental issues, he never stood a chance. You can also add in his father. Every wrong he committed was out of morbid fear for the family he fled from, and he was in love with female Edd as well, a confession that ended his life. Still, he had the choice not to torture his offspring, so that's a character I can't give my full sympathy. He's reincarnated into a horse, it's all very funny.

There's that one theory that argues Jonny is a lobotomized psychic and his old personality can only be called back upon when his husk self interacts with Plank or other faced objects.

There's Eddy, who will become a dementia-ridden man in his senile years, though perhaps it's the people around him who are tragic in this example. Lee is not a happy wife, but pretends to be.

Edd and his surroundings are fairly tragic in How To Save a Life. He survives a vampire attack and turns into a bloodsucking asshole, while part of his old self is still alive, but can't do anything. Meanwhile, his friends have no solutions, except shooting him.

The Japanese Edd and Marie die after getting trapped inside their school building and fighting a pretty hopeless battle with robots.

The Native American Edd, Lee, and Marie got their faces kicked in by foreigners. Lee and Marie are mainly angry because their people used to be the top throat-cutters, but Edd's from a docile tribe and his parents are missing, possibly dead.

The Arab Nazz went through heavy starvation before meeting Kevin, who saved her.

There are probably more examples, but I don't deem them tragic. Enough.

[astradrifting]

 AGOT - Jon I (Chapter 5)

There were times—not many, but a few—when Jon Snow was glad he was a bastard. As he filled his wine cup once more from a passing flagon, it struck him that this might be one of them.

I don’t know why D&D decided Jon could never lie, when literally the first line in his POV is a lie. He’s so good at it he can even lie to himself!

****

A singer was playing the high harp and reciting a ballad, but down at this end of the hall his voice could scarcely be heard above the roar of the fire, the clangor of pewter plates and cups, and the low mutter of a hundred drunken conversations.

A singer with a high harp and a ballad seems like a vague Rhaegar allusion. That Jon can’t actually hear him makes me happy in a very petty way.

****

His lord father had come first, escorting the queen. She was as beautiful as men said. A jeweled tiara gleamed amidst her long golden hair, its emeralds a perfect match for the green of her eyes. His father helped her up the steps to the dais and led her to her seat, but the queen never so much as looked at him. Even at fourteen, Jon could see through her smile.

I think this part is actually Jon being indignant on Ned’s behalf that Cersei was rude to him, by not looking at him when he escorts her, not that she never looked at Jon. Also, there’s those observation skills. He’s never been taken in by a pretty smile.

****

After them came the children. Little Rickon first, managing the long walk with all the dignity a three-year-old could muster. Jon had to urge him on when he stopped to visit.

Adorable!!!

****

Jon noticed the shy looks she gave Robb as they passed between the tables and the timid way she smiled at him. He decided she was insipid. Robb didn’t even have the sense to realize how stupid she was; he was grinning like a fool.

Jon’s a mean drunk I guess 💀

****

Sansa, two years older, drew the crown prince, Joffrey Baratheon. He was twelve, younger than Jon or Robb, but taller than either, to Jon’s vast dismay. Prince Joffrey had his sister’s hair and his mother’s deep green eyes. A thick tangle of blond curls dripped down past his golden choker and high velvet collar. Sansa looked radiant as she walked beside him, but Jon did not like Joffrey’s pouty lips or the bored, disdainful way he looked at Winterfell’s Great Hall.

Joffrey according to Jon: 👁👄👁

But Sansa looked radiant 🥰

****

He was more interested in the pair that came behind him: the queen’s brothers, the Lannisters of Casterly Rock. The Lion and the Imp; there was no mistaking which was which. Ser Jaime Lannister was twin to Queen Cersei; tall and golden, with flashing green eyes and a smile that cut like a knife. He wore crimson silk, high black boots, a black satin cloak. On the breast of his tunic, the lion of his House was embroidered in gold thread, roaring its defiance. They called him the Lion of Lannister to his face and whispered “Kingslayer” behind his back. Jon found it hard to look away from him.

This is what a king should look like, he thought to himself as the man passed.

Giving me big ‘muscled like a maiden’s fantasy’ vibes there, Jon.

Also, curiously enough Jaime’s introduced wearing black and red, Targaryen colours. Maybe a nod to the incest storyline, possibly leftover foreshadowing from when Jaime was going to become king, as per the outline.

Otherwise this means that, like everybody else in this story, Jaime is a secret Targaryen. He and Cersei can join the ranks of Jon, Tyrion, Varys, Mance Rayder and while we’re at it… *spins a wheel of names* Meera too.

****

His brothers and sisters had not been permitted to bring their wolves to the banquet, but there were more curs than Jon could count at this end of the hall, and no one had said a word about his pup. He told himself he was fortunate in that too.

His eyes stung. Jon rubbed at them savagely, cursing the smoke.

Jon spends half this chapter on the verge of tears, my angsty little lad.

****

Jon looked up happily as his uncle Ben put a hand on his head and ruffled his hair much as Jon had ruffled the wolf’s.

They actually call him Ben and ‘uncle Ben’ a few times in the series, which I honestly think might be a Spider-Man allusion. Surrogate father figure Uncle Ben’s early disappearance/death kicking off the plot… There’s also a saying that nobody stays dead in comics except for Uncle Ben - considering all the other resurrections in the books, metaphorical and literal, yet GRRM says that Benjen isn’t Coldhands, it might be the same for this Uncle Ben too.

****

Jon swelled with pride. “Robb is a stronger lance than I am, but I’m the better sword, and Hullen says I sit a horse as well as anyone in the castle.”

"[Garlan] is a great knight," Ser Loras replied. "A better sword than me, in truth, though I'm the better lance." (ASOS, Sansa I)

Love a Jon-Garlan parallel! Also thinking about Garlan being the older brother made me realise - in the story everyone thinks that Jon is younger than Robb, but timeline-wise, he has to be older, because Robb was conceived in the two weeks before Ned left to fight at the Trident, and Rhaegar must have at least already been in the capital by then to rally the loyalists, so Jon was conceived weeks, if not months earlier. Which means that Ned has definitely lied about when Jon’s birthday is.

Jon being the product of a ‘youthful indiscretion’ before he was married is less of a stain on Ned’s honour than him betraying his marriage bed but I imagine Catelyn’s fears about Jon usurping her children might have had more basis if he was known to be the eldest, so maybe that’s why Ned lied about how old he is.

****

“Daeron Targaryen was only fourteen when he conquered Dorne,” Jon said. The Young Dragon was one of his heroes. 

"A conquest that lasted a summer," his uncle pointed out. "Your Boy King lost ten thousand men taking the place, and another fifty trying to hold it. Someone should have told him that war isn't a game." He took another sip of wine. "Also," he said, wiping his mouth, "Daeron Targaryen was only eighteen when he died. Or have you forgotten that part?"

Jon is unfortunately, a jock. And a bit of an idiot. 

There’s something about Jon’s hero dying at 18, Waymar dying at 18 just a few chapters ago... Jon has them all beat by dying at 17.

****

"You are a boy of fourteen," Benjen said. "Not a man, not yet. Until you have known a woman, you cannot understand what you would be giving up."

"I don't care about that!" Jon said hotly.

"You might, if you knew what it meant," Benjen said. "If you knew what the oath would cost you, you might be less eager to pay the price, son."

Jon felt anger rise inside him. "I'm not your son!"

Benjen Stark stood up. “More’s the pity.”

Establishing Benjen as a somewhat contentious father figure to Jon - even more fuel for my brand new Uncle Ben ‘theory’.

****

The wolf pup padded closer and nuzzled at Jon's face, but he kept a wary eye on Tyrion Lannister, and when the dwarf reached out to pet him, he drew back and bared his fangs in a silent snarl. 

"Shy, isn't he?" Lannister observed.

"Sit, Ghost," Jon commanded. "That's it. Keep still." He looked up at the dwarf. "You can touch him now. He won't move until I tell him to. I've been training him."

Possibly he and Sansa are the only ones who properly trained their direwolves, considering how the rest of them will end up behaving.

****

“If I wasn’t here, he’d tear out your throat,” Jon said. It wasn’t actually true yet, but it would be.

Pffffft! Edgy edgy edge-lord 💀

Though I also always feel like issuing casual threats to Tyrion Lannister so I can’t really blame him.

****

Standing, he was taller than the dwarf. It made him feel strange.

He’s got a weird preoccupation with comparing his height to Lannister men in this chapter. My headcanon for the books is that Jon’s quite tall by ADWD but evidently he’s tiny in AGOT if he feels strange being tall next to a dwarf.

****

final thoughts:

Believe it or not, I didn’t actually have Jonsa in mind with my new Uncle Ben theory, but I did just remember that brown haired Peter Parker’s main love interest is red-haired MJ :P