#anti ned stark

[wingsofhcpe]

actually wait. Why did Ned even had to tell Catelyn Jon was his bastard. Why couldn't he say he like. Found the boy alone in an abandoned house. Its parents dead by disease. Could be Rob's bastard that Rob obviously couldn't keep. Could have been entrusted to him by a dying mother he just happened to be near to when she died.

Or he could have just trusted her with the fucking truth because this is Catelyn Stark we're talking about, not Cersei Lannister (sorry Cersei love). Literally any of these would have resulted in both Cat and Jon being happier.

Imo, that's yet another proof of how shallow and misguided Ned's idea of honour is: so long as it assuages his conscience, he doesn't care who gets hurt for his honourable ideals. He didn't care that his sister's kid grew up neglected at best, abused at worst. He didn't care that he broke his wife's trust and made her miserable. He didn't care that one daughter was forced to be a hostage to the Lannisters without a single ounce of protection, and that his other daughter was effectively lost to the four winds for years and turned into an assassin because if she hadn't, she'd have been killed.

No. He only cared about the holy ideal of "honour", but apparently not about what it means to be honourable and do good by those that depend on you.

[brydeswhale]

Ned and Arya Stans are just not used to anyone criticizing their faves, so it kind of traumatized them when people are like, “Yeah, not my fave.” Actual critique makes them go into a full meltdown, sadly.

[sunnyhvnny]

i love house stark but i couldn’t like cat in the show or books. it irked me the way she treated jon and i know she thought of him as a bastard but she was so cruel to him especially in the show.

Understandable, I think Cat is a character that people either love or hate. I do think they made her worse in the show though (we’re not counting lady stoneheart in the books lol). Sometimes I like her sometimes I don’t 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I think, for me, I understand her feelings about Jon and why she directs those feelings at him and not on Ned but it still unfair to treat a child like that and personally it just heightens my dislike for Ned because he never stepped in or had a conversation in her. He didn’t have to tell her of Jon’s true parentage but he didn’t always have to shut her down.

[a-chaotic-dumbass]

favorite thing in asoiaf is that the stark family tree is just filled with haters in every generation. theon stark brandon snow alaric stark cregan stark even ned's brother brandon and lyanna too. even the current kids jon snow robb sansa and arya all have some kendrick lamar level of beef w at least one person. brandon the builder spawned an entire genre of haters

[spacerockfloater]

Honestly, the house Stark (specifically Sansa) stan to house Hightower (specifically Alicent) stan pipeline is so real. It warms my heart that most of the GOT fans who have a soft spot for the Starks sympathise with the Targtowers.

I am genuinely offended that the Team Black folks think they’re one with the Stark fans because Cregan promised Rhaenyra he’d side with her on the war (despite not thinking that she’s important enough to come to her aid immediately, marching down only when the war was over and executing those who poisoned Aegon II). It gives off the same icky energy as when someone who looks entirely different than you calls you ‘twin’: bitch, no the fuck we ain’t! Did you miss Cregan’s first ever voice line in the show? “Duty is sacrifice.” That’s a whole ass parallel to Alicent’s “Where is duty? Where is sacrifice?” that you can’t ignore.

And I can’t help but laugh each time someone says that Ned would do right by Rhaenyra. Like, no the fuck he wouldn’t! One look at her firstborns and he would have marched straight to Dragonstone! We’re just completely overriding show canon for the shake of delusion at this point.

Anyways, stan house Stark and house Baratheon for wiping the Targaryens off the face of the earth forevermore!

[silverflameataraxia]

Sansa and Jeyne are the only people to call Arya ugly.

Meanwhile Ned, Jon, Gendry, Lady Smallwood, and the kindly man have all commented on her beauty, but this fandom ignores it in favor of two middle-school-aged mean girls who have to put Arya down to feel good about themselves.

[rise-my-angel]

If I had a nickle for everytime fandom glorified some emo loser shitbag I wouldn't be poor anymore.

Everyone claims people loved Rhaegar but like no one can name a single friend he had that wasn't men who WORKED for him. He had no friends, he just played sad songs on his harp singing that no one wants to listen to his obsessive prophecy rants anymore.

He got crushed to death by a war hammer. The way Rhaegar died was cooler then he was as a living person.

Meanwhile Ned Stark is out here calling the King fat to his face, strangling a dude in the street in broad daylight for insinuating a joke about his wife, arguing with the Queen seconds after he woke up from a feverish sleep, and letting his kids all keep Wolf pups as pets that he KNOWS will grow to be the size of a fucking car.

Put up anything Rhaegar did and I'll match it with anything Ned Stark did but that he did it cooler more unhinged and didn't have to be a creep while doing it.

[sownwithstars]

flirting vs harassment

[daenerys-apolog1st]

Ok, I already posted this on TikTok, but I just thought I'd reiterate my thoughts here:

People that compare Laenor's situation with Robert's and try to use that to justify everything the Greens said about/did to Jace, Luce, and Joffrey have either watched both shows with their eyes closed and headphones on full volume or are intentionally being obtuse about what's going on in these situations.

First of all, I'm going to say upfront that I'm only talking about the respective shows here. In the books Jace, Luce, and Joffrey are in all likelihood 100% Laenor's biological sons and there's plenty of evidence to that point, the "bastard" rumors were just an attempt by the Hightowers to discredit Rhaenyra and her sons' claims. However, in the show they decided to make these rumors true because the writers are overwhelmingly Team Green and decided to sacrifice the original story as well as any kind of coherence in order to push the "both sides are bad" narrative---both points, I'll make posts about later on, but are beside the point here.

So, with all of that said:

Firstly, Laenor is 100% aware of Luce, Jace, and Joffrey not being biologically his- (and I say "biologically" because it's made clear in the show that he views these children as his own and has essentially adopted them).

Rhaenyra and Laenor quite literally have an entire conversation about it in Season 1 where he apologizes to Rhaenyra for being gay and not being able to give her children- (either because he simply can't with her, or because of infertility---because, in that same conversation, it's clarified that they did "lay together" and try but nothing came of it) -and Rhaenyra tells him that she's not sorry he is who he is at all because he's a good man.

However, as mentioned previously, Laenor is shown to be perfectly happy with the situation as is---he still views Luce, Jace, and Joffrey as his children and calls them his sons, and never once does he mention anything about "blood" or even seem unhappy that they're not his.

Secondly, everyone else that matters in the situation is also aware of their parentage, and doesn't give a fuck and supports them.

Corlys, the current ruler of Driftmark and Laenor's father, is also shown to be well aware of Luce, Jace, and Joffrey not being Laenor's blood---he and Rhaenys have a conversation about it during Laena's funeral where Rhaenys suggests changing the Driftmark heir from Luce to either Baela or Rhaena, since they can just say it's in honor of Laena and not cause any fuss.

However Corlys, when Rhaenys suggests this, tells her- "the blood doesn't matter, only the names, and they are Velaryons" -which, frankly, says everything that needs to be said about the situation and brings up the point that---whether Laenor's biological children or not---they were basically adopted and are, for all intents and purposes, his children so calling them the "Strong boys" or railing against the people calling them "Velaryons" is both tone deaf and disrespectful as fuck. But anyway-

Corlys, throughout everything, never wavers in his intention and support of Luce inheriting Driftmark and Rhaenys---even though she perhaps disagreed---knew this, which is why she defended Rhaenyra and her sons in that ridiculous "trial" held by the Greens.

Baela, who would likely be the one to inherit Driftmark if the succession was in question, is also shown by this point to be aware that Jace isn't Laenor's blood, but she's also shown to not give a fuck. She loves Jace and views him as a Targaryen, which he IS, case closed.

And while it's not shown whether or not Rhaena was aware, although I'll bet she probably was, she was going to marry Luce and therefore inherit the Driftmark throne anyway---and the throne would then pass to her children, grandchildren, etc.---which also closes the case for that matter of succession as well.

The ONLY person who opposed it was Vaemond who, I'll remind everyone, WASN'T advocating for Driftmark to go to Baela or Rhaena---the next logical heirs, if Laenor's children were off the table---he was advocating for HIMSELF to get the Driftmark throne. He might've said he was doing it for his family and honor and whatever, but he WASN'T---he was just being greedy and wanted Driftmark and its power for himself.

And, another reminder, Luce didn't even WANT Driftmark because- "that would mean everyone is dead" -which shows that he actually cared about his family since he was willing to forgo power and wealth if it meant his family was still alive, which---call me crazy---makes him more honorable and more worthy of inheriting Driftmark than Vaemond, who openly called Rhaenyra a whore in public court and ignored his brother's CLEARLY STATED wishes.

That covers the Driftmark succession, since the main issue with bastardy in noble/royal society was inheritance, and Jace inheriting the Iron Throne was never in question since the throne is passed through the ruling family---the Targaryens---and Rhaenyra was his mother, so the throne passed to him through her. There's no issue there.

Not to mention that, say what you want about Viserys---and I will eventually, literally the entirety of the war could've been avoided if he wasn't such a moron and actually had a backbone---but he was the king and the king's word is LAW, he said those boys weren't bastards---something supported by the family/house who would've actually been hurt by the bastardy in any way---so, legally, those boys weren't bastards, blood or not.

----------

Moving on to Robert's situation, it's completely different in every possible way.

Robert is shown, in detail, to not be aware that Joffrey, Marcella, and Tommen aren't his children---and Cersei had bastards intentionally, without his knowing.

Robert and Cersei definitely did NOT have the same arrangement that Laenor and Rhaenyra had, and it's shown in multiple ways that he and Cersei COULD have had children together. They originally had a son together, although that child died, and Cersei explicitly tells Ned Stark that she was happy that she didn't have Robert's kids and that she intentionally- "finished him off in other ways" -so that there was no way he could get her pregnant.

Cersei also, in contrast to Rhaenyra, did everything in her power to make sure that Robert never knew that "his" children were actually bastards---she had TWO Hands of the King killed, as well as who knows how many other people, in order to make sure that Robert stayed in the dark. Which shows that---unlike Laenor---Robert wasn't aware of it and definitely WOULD NOT have been fine with it, and succession IS actually a problem in this situation because of it!

If Cersei's children were in line to inherit titles, power, etc. from HER House and family---the Lannisters---then succession wouldn't be an issue, since they'd be inheriting it through her. However, they're inheriting the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms which were being held by the ruling family, which---as of Game of Thrones---were the Baratheons, of which they were not. Not to mention that every Baratheon family member was vehemently AGAINST Joffrey inheriting the throne and no one was in his favor.

Even NED, who gained NOTHING from Joffrey being disinherited and would even LOSE power---since Sansa, and therefore his blood/family/house, would no longer be marrying into the ruling house/family---was like- "oh no, Robert wouldn't be okay with any of this, I need to make sure the rightful heir sits the throne" -which is exactly why HIM being vocal about bastardy is honorable and Vaemond's wasn't.

Ned was actively letting go of power in order to do the right thing, and he was doing it for the right reasons and to make sure that he did what Robert would've wanted if he had all the facts, meanwhile Vaemond wanted to GAIN power and didn't care about Driftmark going to the blood heirs, Baela and/or Rhaena, nor about honoring Corlys' wishes. It's selflessness vs. selfishness.

So yeah, these situations are nowhere near the same, so please shut up about it.

[chocosweetcream]

Why do people in this fandom normalize an affair between Rhaegar and Lyanna?

Because Rhaegar’s marriage was arranged. So it means the reason for arranged marriage is an excuse for cheating and cheating with a highborn woman and running away with her?

Not like that. Just because the marriage was arranged doesn't make it an excuse to affair and run away with the other woman, especially to fulfill the prophecy.

If the three of them were still alive after the rebellion. And People knew the relationships between Rhaegar and Lyanna, the people would surely support them. Because Lyanna is from the North and she is the Stark. And that put Elia and her children's lives in danger. It can happen like the Blackfyre rebellion. Because a lot of people are racist and sentimental towards Dornish.

This fandom is sick of normalizing an affair between Rhaegar and Lyanna. But if happens to Ned Stark if he really has an affair or their other favorite character in the affair, they will be mad.

[rosewaffles]

^^^@brydeswhale tags

“I wonder if being forced to carry around his own potential murder weapon at what amounts to rehearsals for his potential future murder could have possibly warped Theon Greyjoy’s personality?”

And other questions Ned Stans refuse to answer.

[sunnyhvnny]

Bro Sean bean can clap these cheeks but ned stark dun wan'it

I love Sean Bean. Boromir has my heart but Ned Stark makes my eyes roll so hard I think I’m gonna go blind.

[elainarcheronstotebag]

saddest part of elia’s story is that she didn’t even get to haunt the narrative. her death literally meant nothing to no one except for dorne/house martell. no, instead show!lyanna, the woman who ran away with her husband gets the sympathy and her legacy lives on. her ghost haunts robert/cersei/ned, but barely anyone even mentions elia’s name except for oberyn. elia died is such a tragic and cruel way with her children, and will never receive justice because to do so would harm lyanna’s memory.

and i don’t blame book!lyanna, because she was young and most likely a victim herself, i would like to think she’d be angry that elia died like that “for her.” i literally fall to my knees and sob anytime i think of my poor sweet beautiful angel elia and her babies:(

[maisiestyle]

"Ned Stark's Precious Little Girl"

Arya is a mix of both her parents. But as her story unfolds, with every new chapter and book, Arya has moved beyond her parents and into a far more dynamic character.

Ned was a role model to Arya, she loved him more than almost anyone (she loves Jon most of all). She holds on to Ned's memory now more than any of his children.

Ned is stubborn, quick to anger, loyal to a fault, and deeply devoted to his family to the point where he sacrificed his honor and died for his children.

Both Arya & Ned had a dislike for Southern culture. Which is double odd considering Ned was fostered in the South: That was never truly his place. Whereas Cat and Sansa are very much creatures made for the South.

Treatment of the smallfolk and not judging those lower than their station... That says a lot about their character, something Ned, Lyanna, Arya & Jon have all shown in the books.

Arya & Ned are similar but different as well. Where Ned was lacking, his ability to not see the truth in the lies around him - Arya has developed beyond that point. Ned was too slow and unyielding until it was too late and he died. Cat was to heedless, prideful, and emotional - that cost her life. At the beginning Arya was a mix of both her parents BUT her journey so far has made her grow and develop where her parents had not. By Book 5, Arya is extremely artful and considerate, patient and willing to face the truth in all its ugliness, adaptable and fluid like water - a changeling. That's how she'll survive where her parents did not.

While Sansa is learning how to flirt, organise a glorified party and remain passive and isolated.

Arya lives out in the open, has escaped death and captivity by her own wits, travelled all over Westeros leaving her memory imprinted on the people she met along the way, and her unyielding desire to never be helpless again which brought her to Braavos. The Sealord of Braavos stood up to a King and his dragons and won - all he did was whisper the "faceless men" and King's Landing yielded - that is true power. Arya will return to Westeros having grown in many ways. But like her father and mother, her family will always be her guiding light.

I love how the Northmen constantly connect Arya to Ned and want to fight for them both:

When White Harbour (a place Arya has visited twice with Ned) hears of "Arya Stark" marrying Ramsay.

“Was ever snow so black?” asked Lord Wyman. “Ramsay took Lord Hornwood’s lands by forcibly wedding his widow, then locked her in a tower and forgot her. It is said she ate her own fingers in her extremity…and the Lannister notion of king’s justice is to reward her killer with Ned Stark’s little girl.” - (Davos, A Dance with Dragons)

~*~

As "Arya" suffers in Winterfell, they connect her to Ned:

"The bride weeps," Lady Dustin said, as they made their way down, step by careful step. "Our little Lady Arya." ... What do you think passes through their heads when they hear the new bride weeping? Valiant Ned's precious little girl." ...

"Lady Arya's sobs do us more harm than all of Lord Stannis's swords and spears.

~*~

The northmen want to fight for Arya:

“Even ruined and broken, Winterfell remains Lady Arya’s home. What better place to wed her, bed her, and stake your claim? […] Let Stannis march on us. He is too cautious to come to Barrowton…but he must come to Winterfell. His clansmen will not abandon the daughter of their precious Ned to such as you. - (Reek, A Dance with Dragons)

[…]

Lord Arnolf shoved himself up, a vulture rising from its prey. One spotted hand clutched at his son’s shoulder for support. “We’ll take [Winterfell] for Ned and for his daughter.” - (The Sacrifice, A Dance with Dragons)

~*~

"Winter is almost upon us, boy. And winter is death. 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. No one sings songs of men who die like that. As for me, I am old. This will be my last winter. Let me bathe in Bolton blood before I die. I want to feel it spatter across my face when my axe bites deep into a Bolton skull. I want to lick it off my lips and die with the taste of it on my tongue." - (Dance with Dragons)

[florisbaratheons]

The fact that Howland Reed had to pry Ned away from Lyanna's dead body - and he disassociated so hard that he didn't remember any of that due to the trauma of his baby sister dying in his arms. GoD. And only, what, days before? His father and brother were butchered by the Mad King trying to find out what happened to Lyanna?

All for a prophecy? All for a disgusting POS who couldn't keep it in his pants? Fuck you, Rhaegar. Fuck you.

[silverflameataraxia]

She had never cared if she was pretty, even when she was stupid Arya Stark. Only her father had ever called her that. Him, and Jon Snow, sometimes. Her mother used to say she could be pretty if she would just wash and brush her hair and take more care with her dress, the way her sister did. To her sister and sister's friends and all the rest, she had just been Arya Horseface.

- The Blind Girl, ADwD

It's just simply not true that only Ned has ever called Arya pretty. Other characters have made mention of Arya's beauty, but she brushes them aside and doesn't believe it because Catelyn never thought she was ladylike enough to be pretty, and because she was so badly bullied by Sansa and Jeyne. Everyone could think Arya was the most beautiful girl in the world, and Arya would still think she's ugly.

But I do love how Ned and Jon (of course Jon. No surprise there.) would re-enforce to Arya how beautiful she is.