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artist-issues · 1 year ago

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I Saw Wish

And it was the worst animated Disney movie I’ve ever seen. I have to watch it again before I can get into the nitty gritty details. But I don’t need details to sum it up, because my dad actually said it perfectly as we left the theater:

“It was like someone who didn’t really understand Disney movies tried to make a Disney movie.”

Both the form (the technical arts of filmmaking) and the content (the morals, values, and themes of the movie) were totally horrible.

I don’t know who’s fault it was. Jeremy Spears was in the storyboard room and Mark Henn and Eric Goldberg did some 2D animation. But they must have gotten outvoted, or they must not care anymore.

Because holy cow. Here’s some stuff that’s just off the top of my head.

SPOILERS. Not that it matters, because nothing interesting happens in this movie.

The writing? Terrible. Ninety percent of it feels like the characters are filling time with quirky one-liners that are trying too hard to be appealing, then failing, then taking you out of the movie. The jokes aren’t funny. The characters just respond to each other in conversation to check a one-liner box. The other twenty percent is whole conversations repeating tell-don’t-show exposition that has already been covered, usually twice, in previous scenes. Like if in Tangled, every scene had included some variation of Rapunzel saying to friends and enemies alike, “I have to see the floating lights so I’m sneaking to the castle with this thief who wants a mysterious tiara I hid from him. Don’t tell my mother, she’s a bit overprotective!” Over. And over. And over.

The character motivations are way too broad. Asha? Her dream is just “that everybody around me gets to be happy.” That’s it, in a nutshell. No deeper exploration of that. Nobody asks, “why do you care so much?” Nobody tries to convince her she should look out for herself, and then she proves she was right all along. The King? We are told (not shown) that he doesn’t want anyone else’s dreams to be “destroyed.” But he in no believable way expresses that that motivation is still what’s driving him during the movie—what’s driving him is just a plain old lust for power, no nuance.

By the way, the whole premise of the movie? Undercooked. Half-baked concepts strung together with no definitive meaning. Therefore, it’s not believable. Example: The characters act like the wishes are beautiful—well, actually, no, this movie doesn’t know how to show, so there’s not a lot of meaningful acting—the characters just tell us that wishes are “the most beautiful part of someone,” and that’s why it’s worth going through this adventure to give their wishes back to them. But there’s no proof of that in the movie. In fact, it directly kicks it’s own legs out from under that idea, because it has every character who gives up their wish forget that part of themselves. Asha’s grandfather has forgotten his wish, but that doesn’t make him any less “beautiful.” She, and everyone, still treats him like he’s this wonderful old man who deserves the world, who everyone loves…but why is he so appealing? If he “gave up the most beautiful part of him?” The only character who is changed by their lack-of-wish is the Sleepy-analogue character…who is just sleepy, which is described as “boring.” But nobody else who’s given up their wish in the whole kingdom acts like that. It’s just him. Also, the King acts like it’s so important to protect the wishes from destruction. But what does destroying a wish look like? That actually happens to Asha’s mom. Her wish-bubble is broken, literally, and she just says she feels grief. But like. Why? She never remembered it in the first place; it had been missing from her life for years. Also, what the heck is a wish?! It seems to range from broad concepts like “inspire people” to “fly.” Just “fly,” like a bird. The desire to levitate off the ground is the most important, beautiful essence of one background character. Like, what?! But no character ever has the why behind their wish to make us care.

I could go on and on about that point. Like, think about Disney movies that wrote the book on how to make movies about characters with wishes. If Ariel were in Wish, her bubble would look like “dancing and learning and exploring on the Surface with someone who understands her.” But we believe that that is her real, genuine wish, and that it matters to her, because we are shown why being understood is so important to her. Because it’s missing from her life. There’s a scene where she explores a boat alone, and even her best friend doesn’t get excited about it with her. Her dad won’t listen to her point of view. Her siblings don’t ask her about her life even when they think she’s in love. She wants what she wants because of pieces of her life that we are shown.

We are never shown why Asha’s grandfather is obsessed with inspiring people, so we have no reason to believe it, or care whether he gets it or not. We can’t feel disappointed when his wish is said to “never come true,” like we did when Quasimodo was abused by the people he wished to join. We can’t feel elated when he finally “gets” his wish, like we did when Simba smiles on Pride Rock remembering the same way he used to as a cub and claims the crown with a roar. We don’t have anything to hang on to, nothing to relate to, nothing to grasp and feel with the characters. So we don’t feel, because they didn’t put the work in to help us feel. They just say, “the mom’s feeling grief. Feel grief.” And expect us to do the work ourselves. I have to stop harping on this point and move on.

But The main point of the movie is very broad because of that lazy premise, and it’s barely reinforced by any kind of appealing storytelling. If I had to guess, the point would be “Keep wishing for more even when it’s hard.” But the story they told to communicate that meaning was so unimpactful. Asha doesn’t have a dream of her own that’s such hard work to accomplish! (Neither does her grandfather; his wish is “to inspire people.” And at the end, we’re supposed to see him strumming a guitar and believe it’s inspiring? We were never shown how he worked hard to learn how to play the instrument. Or that he carved it with his own hands, or anything like that. So there’s no meaningful demonstration of working hard for it or achieving your wish even if it’s far out of reach.) And nobody except the king is trying to take wishes away from anyone, and he just does it literally, after they voluntarily give them to him, so there’s not even any impactful demonstration of “don’t let anyone tell you your wishes are dumb or unachievable, or stop you from reaching them.” Even when he takes them away, it’s just because they…could, someday, be used to threaten his kingdom in a vague, really unlikely way. There are so many things you could do with “keep wishing for more even when it’s hard.” For instance; you could say the main character has always been afraid to dream (wish for more), because maybe when she was a kid something wonderful almost happened but ended in tragedy, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t want much because if you don’t dream you’ll never be disappointed. She takes no risks, and has to learn that sometimes trying and failing is worth more than slogging through life all self-protective. I mean, the pieces were right there. She has this line about her dad, and how she wished he would get better but then he died. She has lines about how nobody should have to live with grief?? Then that’s never addressed again! It’s just a throwaway emotion-moment with no buildup or follow-through to tie it to and support that main theme.

The compositions of too many shots were so terrible. Characters got cut off in weird places. One shot has Asha dead center, with her grandfather on the left side of the table and her mother on the right, having a family dinner with a super exposition-heavy conversation that is meant to be emotionally charged. But despite everything else being perfectly centered, half of her mother’s body is chopped off. The movie’s shot like someone’s mom who doesn’t understand technology tried to take a video with her phone.

The charm of the art “style” wears off basically immediately. I know what they were going for. I see the sketch lines and watercolor textures. This is maybe the first time Disney ever failed to accomplish a visual “look” that turned out good. Everything looks dull. Muted. De-saturated. Slightly out of focus, but not in a cool Spider-Verse way. The sets or backgrounds are lazy; at no point does the scenery look complete; big, empty, boring spaces that do not create any kind of “stage” for impactful moments. The rendering looks unfinished. When Asha’s hair moves during her belting of the “I Make This Wish” song, it’s bad. It’s unnatural. It flops in a way that doesn’t make sense for the weight of her hair. The most impactful visual moments come from the villain, and they’re moments when he looks way too unhinged for the kind of line he’s saying.

There is no interesting character development. Asha goes from believing everyone is basically good and their wishes deserve the chance to come true , to….that, again. That would be fine, she could be a static character, if she proved contrast-characters wrong, in a believable way. But she never does. Because no other characters argue with her except the King. And it goes no deeper than “everyone’s wishes are basically good and they deserve the chance to make them true” vs. “nuh-uh, because I get to decide what makes them deserving.” The King doesn’t have any kind of interesting development, either. They don’t expand on his tragic backstory—it consists of one drawing of him near a broken boat, and a few images of the corner burned off of his family taoestry. They never say “King Magnifico wished for _____ and it was taken away!” They literally never tell you what his wish or dreams were, or what motivated him to create the whole kingdom that the movie’s premise sits on. So there’s no convincing sense of progression, how he got this way, why he’ll keep going “so far.”

The pacing is weird. It undercuts every moment that could have any kind of emotion behind it. One minute Valentino is suavely bouncing around, then he’s given a two-second beat to blubber with badly-animated tears that he’ll miss Star—then he instantly gets to have another funny one-liner so we forget he might’ve been sad a second ago. We’re clearly supposed to believe that the King and his wife are devoted to each other, and his turning evil was such a big betrayal, but there’s no time and no impactful evidence for us to believe either of those things. And even if we did, the moment he’s defeated and trapped in a mirror, and begs to be let free, the Queen kind of shrugs it off, makes a forgettable one-liner, and tells them to throw him in the dungeon. And he doesn’t look remorseful. And we don’t even get to assume he’s embarrassed or emotionally devastated that he’s come to this—because the last thing he says is “nooo, the dungeon is so smellyyy!” Like this is a half-baked LEGO short that can’t get emotionally deeper than what an actual 3 year-old’s parents might be okay with.

And that’s the worst offense: The movie is not genuine. It works hard for nothing, and it has no vulnerability. It just uses old Disney standbys to pretend to be vulnerable. Have the music swell and the characters gasp and the songs drip emotion when characters are meant to be saying or doing something emotional.

But truthfully, think of all the Disney movies you’ve ever seen with the hardest emotional moments. The sheer joy of Genie when he realizes he’s free. The anguish when Elsa thinks Anna’s been frozen forever, or when Anna thinks she’s dead. The trauma when Simba loses Mufasa. The longing and dreaming of Ariel when she reaches up out of her grotto. The sense of foreboding when Mother Gothel says “fine, now I’m the bad guy” or the heartbreak in Rapunzel’s eyes when she thinks Flynn has abandoned her, or the shame on Aladdin’s face when Jafar reveals he’s a street-rat, or the horror of cruelty when the stepsisters rip up Cinderella’s dress, or Kala’s tears when Tarzan leaves her in the treehouse, or Sarabi’s tears when Simba comes back, or Mulan’s father tossing aside the sword and token of the Emperor to embrace Mulan, or heck, even just Lilo pushing Stitch in the woods and telling him “get out of here.” This movie has no moments like that. It has moments you can tell that the filmmakers wanted to hit like that—but they don’t.

Because no work is put into building them up. You know how much Simba loves Mufasa, because you’ve been watching their chemistry more than any other character all the way up till he dies. You know how much Mulan wants to please her family because she spends all of Act I desperately attempting to do that. You know Quasimodo believes the world below is beautiful and wants them to accept him because he has interesting things like—talking to gargoyles, convincing us that he’s lonely; building a scale model of the townspeople, convincing us that he sees them in a beautiful way and wishes he were beautiful in more ways than one like them, too.

Right down to the facial expressions, none of them are as anguished, happy, sad, excited, silly, in any convincing way like all of Disney’s other movies. Asha’s “low moment” when she’s afraid her “wish” hurt everyone else (still vague on what that wish ever was) lasts two seconds, she’s not crying, she’s barely sitting with slumped shoulders, and her family barely spend two seconds comforting her. They basically just say, “aw, no, it’s not y fault, it’s the king’s.” And she’s like, “yeah okay” and that’s that. It’s like the animators we’re afraid to animate really intimate emotions on the characters’ faces. The voice actors, too.

And the whole movie is peppered with Easter eggs to past Disney movies. But all that does, if you really know Disney beyond the visuals, is make you think of how hollow this movie is in comparison. How much you wish you were watching Cinderella or The Little Mermaid or something with depth and vulnerability instead of Wish.

#I’ll talk more in an organized fashion later #wish #disney’s wish #wish Disney #wish 2023 #critique #spoilers

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nateconnolly · 1 year ago

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Two sisters lived in a fragrant house. The older sister Ahana worried that a drought might come, but the younger sister Leela was happy to spend all day in the house.

“Stop looking for something to complain about!” Leela chided Ahana. “The rain will provide for us!”

But Ahana began to dig a well. It was bitter work. Each morning, Ahana woke before the sunrise, and Leela slept peacefully until noon.

After the first month, Ahana cried, “You lie here all morning like a lazy dog! Come dig the well with me!” And so Leela and Ahana both woke before the next sunrise.

But the work was very bitter.

“The rain will provide,” Leela said after digging for six hours.

“Then go home,” Ahana replied, so Leela returned to the fragrant house. She boiled rice and chicken; she mixed it with salt, turmeric, and parsley. Ahana returned after dark and saw a bowl of food waiting for her. Leela was already asleep: she had gone to bed before the sunset.

Ahana took a blanket and draped it over her sleeping sister.

After the second month, Ahana thought to herself, “Why should I continue to dig the well alone?” So she said to her sister, “Come dig the well with me tomorrow.”

The next day, Ahana woke before sunrise, and Leela woke when the sky turned blue. Leela joined her sister, but the work was very bitter.

“The rain will provide,” Leela said after digging for an hour, so she returned to the fragrant house.

Ahana returned after dark. She found a bowl of rice waiting for her, but it had been left out since noon. The food was very cold.

After the third month, Ahana said, “Come dig the well with me tomorrow,” but Leela stayed home.

After the fourth month, Ahana said, “Come dig the well with me,” but Leela did not look at her. So Leela went to bed long before the sun had set, and Ahana dug long after dark.

While Ahana was gone, Leela grew very hungry, so she ate both portions of the food.

After the fifth month, Ahana completed the well. She went home and slept until sunset.

After the sixth month, the rain stopped. Leela said, “Let me drink from your well, or I will surely die,” but Ahana said, “Why should I let you drink from a well that you did not dig? And what good is your rice now that you cannot boil it?”

After the seventh month, Leela died, and Ahana inherited her rice. Ahana grew very rich. She sold rice and charged neighbors to drink from her well. Rice was so scarce that people would sell their houses just for a single bag. Ahana bought herself golden dishes rimmed with jewels; gems and diamonds from every continent; fine dresses of every color; cool, refreshing lakes, and wide open fields.

But her house was no longer fragrant. She realized Leela must have been burning incense to keep the house smelling nice. Ahana only noticed now that her sister was gone.

The waters of the well were still deep even when Ahana’s hair turned grey, and her joints creaked as she moved. Her memory was like a small cloud in a great storm: tossed about, torn up, and pushed away by the winds of her age. She lost things that she needed. She saw things that weren’t there.

Ahana walked to the well in confusion. She saw a drowning woman in the well, and she thought to herself in terror, “My sister cannot swim!”

Ahana jumped into the well to save her sister, but she could not find Leela.

There was only the waters of the deep.

And so, Ahana drowned trying to save her own reflection.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two sisters were married to the same merchant.

They had grown up in another house beside another field. The older sister was Asha and the younger sister was Labuki. The drought had passed and there was plenty in the land.

When they were children, Labuki asked, “Where has your well gone?”

But Asha dismissed it, thinking to herself, My sister is a infant. She does not know that what she says is nonsense. She doesn’t understand that I do not have a well. Their mother married both girls to a merchant to secure contracts. Their family would make a fortune selling rice through his trade caravans.

Asha was his first wife, but he loved her younger sister more. He lavished Labuki with gifts and servants, jewels and perfumes, while Asha lived in a separate house on his property. Nevertheless, Asha was an ambitious woman.

“Surely, if I give my husband a son, he will look on me with favor,” Asha said to herself. But when Asha laid with him she produced a daughter, and she cursed her child for being a girl. Even as she fed the baby, she whispered, “I don’t want you, I don’t want you.”

Labuki laid with the merchant and produced a son.

Asha laid with the merchant again and produced another daughter.

Labuki laid with the merchant again and produced another son.

Asha laid with the merchant again and produced another daughter.

Labuki laid with the merchant again and died in childbirth.

“You are my wife now,” said the merchant. “I give you power over your sister’s sons.”

Asha looked at the sleeping boys, who could not yet understand that their mother was dead. She could send them off into the woods alone. Her daughters would be the sole inheritor of the merchant’s wealth, and Asha would be the sole mother of his children.

“They are my sister’s babies,” said Asha. “They will live here with us.”

Her nephews grew up calling her ‘Mother,’ and she never corrected them. It felt like a lie. Her daughters grew up calling her ‘Mother,’ and that felt like a lie, too.

You can read the rest of this story for free on my AO3 for original fiction.

Here's the Reviews:

#nate's writing #fiction #original post

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hazbinhotelxreader · 10 months ago

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Stressed Carmilla x female reader smut

Words: 783

“Stress Reliever”

A/n: I posted this yesterday but saw it was on mature…so I’m reposting it.

A/n: lol I’ve done a lot of Carmilla stuff. I’m working on Lucifer too! I just find carmila easier to write since I’m attracted to females (and her the most out of the show). But anyways hope you enjoy!

(Requested by: Erin26_94 on AO3)

Warnings: submissive Carmilla, Dominant reader, gentle sex, praising, gay sex, oral(vaginal)

Info: takes place after “Whatever it takes”. Carmillas stressed out due to velvette and the meeting, and she is gifted with some pleasure from you.

Carmilla sighed softly as Zestial left the room. She went over and grabbed some alcohol, pouring it into the glass again but then drinking the bottle instead. Velevtte had stressed her out greatly. Almost exposing Carmilla being responsible for the death of the exorcist.

She sat down at the table and rested her head on her hand, closing her eyes to take a deep breath to calm herself down, that’s until she gets a knock on the door. “Come in.” She commanded sternly. You enter the room with a concerned smile, carmillas expression immediately softening, so did her voice. “Mi amor..is there something you need?”

“Odette and Clara told me you were feeling a little stressed, so I came to check in on you” you said softly and concerned, walking over to her and kissing her gently on the side of her head. She sighed softly and looked up at you with tired eyes.

“Yes..Velvettes catching on my love..” she admits and rubbed her forehead out of stress. “Such a respectless brat…” she grumbled frustrated with today’s meeting.

You chuckled at her insulting one of the VEES, after all they were pretty respectless, and rude, so they kinda deserved it. “Want me to help you take away that stress my love?” You offered as you traced her thigh

She looked up at you, and nods. “Yes..I would love that..what did you have in mind?” She asked, leaning in the chair more comfortably now.

“Well…I can let you release that stress out with something more….passionate~” you say seductively and continue to trace her thigh.

Carmilla blushed softly. “I’m not sure love..we are still in the office..I’d rather not-“ she was cut off from her worries by you.

“Don’t think about that okay? We’re the only ones here and it is late, no one’s going to come in..tonight is to focus on you. Okay?” You reassured, moving your hand up to her hips.

She sighed softly in relief. “Okay then…I trust you on that my dear..” she said and stood up, making you push her to sit on the table. She was slightly confused of what you were doing but didn’t question it and allowed you to continue.

You got on your knees and started to pull off her pants, she blushed as she looked down at your figure. You discard the pants and set them on a nearby chair, and you start to trail soft kisses up and down Carmillas thighs, making her shiver and arch her back in response. “You’re so good for me..” you praised her softly and kiss up towards her sensitive sex.

Your hot breath hits carmillas sensitive folds, causing her to let out a soft gasp and grip the edge of the table. “Mi Amor….” She choked out, arching her back and wanting release. You gave into her wishes and started to leave long licks onto her pussy. She moaned out and used all her strength to not grab your head and push you into her. You continue to leave long and soft licks and kisses onto her core, your fingers massaging her thighs.

Your warm tongue finally enters her sobbing and tight pussy, you tasted the inside of her as her thighs tighten around your head, making your breath hitch. “Ohhh…Mi Amor…keep going…” Asha said breathy and placed her large claw onto the back of your head to push you in more while her thighs kept you in place. You moan and thrust your tongue in and out of her, your hands gripping onto her large thighs and holding her tight. “oh mierda….yes..yes..” she moaned out as she got closer to her climax.

Your eyes shut tight as she throws her head back in pleasure, crying out your name as her hips grinded into your face, her large hand holding your head into her and fingers twined into your hair, her large thighs holding you close.

You taste the familiar salty and warm liquid fill your mouth and you swallow every drop of her precious cum, milking the rest out with your mouth. You pull away and pant, standing up and gently kissing Carmillas lips, she wrapped an arm around your waist and kissed back, her tongue dancing with yours. Your lips parted, strands of pre-cum and saliva connected your mouths, and she spoke up, panting softly.

“Your incredible Mi Amor….”

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin hotel x you #human reader #carmilla carmine smut #carmilla carmine x fem reader #carmilla carmine x reader #carmilla carmine #carmilla x fem reader #carmilla #hazbin hotel carmilla #carmine

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jozor-johai · 30 days ago

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Just a thought about Archmaester Marwyn's motives, maybe...

Archmaester Marwyn is of course infamously mysterious, appearing on-page in only one chapter, and once he finally appears he immediately departs. He gives cryptic warnings and advice to Sam, but the reader is left desperately wondering what to believe and what should be taken as untrustworthy ravings. Amidst all that, readers are left with very little to be sure of when it comes to Marwyn’s actual motives.

He says this of his plans, a brief enough description:

“Get myself to Slaver’s Bay, in Aemon’s place. The swan ship that delivered Slayer should serve my needs well enough. The grey sheep will send their man on a galley, I don’t doubt. With fair winds I should reach her first.”

That's still quite cryptic—sure we knew why Aemon wanted to reach Dany, but does Marwyn have the same reasons? Or even similar ones?

However, there’s a fragment of an idea from an Asha chapter that I think should not go overlooked, and might offer some additional insight into Marwyn’s investment in Daenerys. Asha asks what Rodrik the Reader is reading, and it’s a book by Archmaester Marwyn:

“Nuncle.” She closed the door behind her. “What reading was so urgent that you leave your guests without a host?” “Archmaester Marwyn’s Book of Lost Books.” He lifted his gaze from the page to study her. “Hotho brought me a copy from Oldtown. He has a daughter he would have me wed.” Lord Rodrik tapped the book with a long nail. “See here? Marwyn claims to have found three pages of Signs and Portents, visions written down by the maiden daughter of Aenar Targaryen before the Doom came to Valyria. Does Lanny know that you are here?” (AFFC The Kraken’s Daughter)

So shortly we finally meet Marwyn, we learn this: he claims to have found three pages of visions written down by Daenys the Dreamer, who predicted the Doom and saved the Targaryens from destruction.

What might Marwyn have found contained in those pages? Even three pages of such a valuable lost book might be enough motivation and insight to propel Marwyn to act, especially when he claims to have seen much and more besides through his glass candle.

Marwyn claims not to trust prophecy… but perhaps his attitude is affected by these three pages of Signs and Portents.

“Born amidst salt and smoke, beneath a bleeding star. I know the prophecy.” Marwyn turned his head and spat a gob of red phlegm onto the floor. “Not that I would trust it. Gorghan of Old Ghis once wrote that a prophecy is like a treacherous woman. She takes your member in her mouth, and you moan with the pleasure of it and think, how sweet, how fine, how good this is . . . and then her teeth snap shut and your moans turn to screams. That is the nature of prophecy, said Gorghan. Prophecy will bite your prick off every time.” He chewed a bit. “Still . . .”

That “Still…” might hold a lot of weight here.

This is but one of many minor mentions of Marwyn have preceded his appearance, but especially because this detail from Rodrik comes from the same book he finally appears in I think it should be given special attention. I think it’s no accident that GRRM gave us this insight, no matter how brief.

Just making an observation.

#asoiaf #asoiaf meta #jozor thoughts #valyrianscrolls #daenerys targaryen #marwyn the mage #sam tarly

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ladystoneboobs · 6 months ago

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an examination of theon greyjoy's feelings about and (implied) relationship with evil uncle euron

Theon searched for his uncle Euron's Silence. Of that lean and terrible red ship he saw no sign, but his father's Great Kraken was there, her bow ornamented with a grey iron ram in the shape of its namesake. [...] It might be only a caution, now that he thought on it. A defensive move, lest the war spill out across the sea. Old men were cautious by nature. His father was old now, and so too his uncle Victarion, who commanded the Iron Fleet. His uncle Euron was a different song, to be sure, but the Silence did not seem to be in port. It's all for the good, Theon told himself. This way, I shall be able to strike all the more quickly. -Theon I, aCoK

the first we read of euron is in theon's first pov as he searched the harbor at lordsport for euron's ship. no reason is given for singling that ship out nor an initial reaction to its absence. later down the page euron is described as different from balon and victarion, with none of an older man's caution to be expected from him. that's why theon thought it for the best that euron's ship was not in port, though at this point it appears his only concern is being the boldest greyjoy around, commanding the fleet all the more quickly for its already being assembled, and not being outshone by euron. the only hint at more is his description of the ship as "terrible".

"You can marry off your sister," Esgred[Asha] observed, "but not your uncles." "My uncles . . ." Theon's claim took precedence over those of his father's three brothers, but the woman had touched on a sore point nonetheless. In the islands it was scarce unheard of for a strong, ambitious uncle to dispossess a weak nephew of his rights, and usually murder him in the bargain. But I am not weak, Theon told himself, and I mean to be stronger yet by the time my father dies. [...] [Asha-as-Esgred, to Theon:] "Euron Croweye has no lack of cunning, though. I've heard men say terrible things of that one." Theon shifted his seat. "My uncle Euron has not been seen in the islands for close on two years. He may be dead." If so, it might be for the best. Lord Balon's eldest brother had never given up the Old Way, even for a day. His Silence, with its black sails and dark red hull, was infamous in every port from Ibben to Asshai, it was said. -Theon II, aCoK

by theon's next chapter, when he and (unknown, to him) asha discuss their greyjoy uncles, theon has learned that euron hasn't been seen in the iron islands for two years. atp, rather than just noting that euron's not at home, theon has decided it's for the best if he's died somewhere and can never return. the word terrible is again used wrt euron and it's also said that his ship is infamous all over the world. euron is the only greyjoy never to have given up the old way in any sense, and the implied danger to theon is that he could also partake in the old tradition of a strong, ambitious uncle murdering his nephew. euron has thus been establishled as a villain, a threat, and possible kinslayer more specifically but we have yet to learn all the other, more unique aspects of his villainy. i think it likely that grrm, with his gardener-writing, had not yet decided that euron was an incestuous sexual predator. the risk of nepoticide is enough to explain theon's nervous shifting at the mention of euron's cunning and the terrible things said of him, but it could also apply to euron's full characterization only revealed years later in aeron's pov, one of those little half-open seeds gardener-grrm could decide to grow later.

[Robb Stark, to his assembled bannermen and his mother:] "Euron Greyjoy is no man's notion of a king, if half of what Theon said of him was true. Theon is the rightful heir, unless he's dead . . . but Victarion commands the Iron Fleet. I can't believe he would remain at Moat Cailin while Euron Crow's Eye holds the Seastone Chair. He has to go back." -Catelyn V, aSoS

our next clue about theon/euron is not from his own pov but in the book between his arcs when he's "offscreen". i'd say the fact that theon had confided to robb at all about euron is significant, let alone that he related enough things about euron for robb to rhetorically dismiss half of what theon told him and still feel confident of ironborn infighting with euron on the throne. (with theon's status unknown and asha absent from the isles too, euron would have a claim to that throne and a better one than victarion regardless as the eldest surviving greyjoy. vic is the dutiful younger brother who wouldn't normally make any power play, so for robb to know that euron's rule would be challenged by his younger brothers shows he does indeed have insider intel wrt euron.)

this accurate read from robb stands in pretty, ahem, stark contrast to everything theon must have told robb and himself about the likelihood of a robb/balon alliance. an impartial observer who knew (as theon did) that balon's first rebellion was about bringing back the old way more than just independance from the iron throne would have known those goals were not in line with the kitn's cause and that alliance was a no-go from the start. we see in the quoted portion of theon i above how he lied to himself about balon becoming a cautious old man and this being his time in the sun, yet it seems euron was the one family member he couldn't lie to himself about. not only did euron make such an impression on him that theon always remembered him very clearly but the effect was such that amid all his hostage time at wf fantasizing about his return home, he felt the need to tell robb the truth about this one scary relative by confiding in him with multiple stories. (though if euron had sexually abused theon, i can't imagine him ever explicitly revealing that to robb or anyone else.)

"My uncle[Victarion] is never coming back," Reek told them[the ironmen Victarion abandoned at Moat Cailin]. "The kingsmoot crowned his brother Euron, and the Crow's Eye has other wars to fight. You think my uncle values you? He doesn't. You are the ones he left behind to die. He scraped you off the same way he scrapes mud off his boots when he wades ashore." -Reek(/Theon) II, aDwD

this is euron's only name-drop in theon's dance pov, significant only in that it shows theon had recent news of his uncles, enough to know that euron dgaf about keeping balon's northern conquests and had instead drawn vic and the other captains far away. which brings me to ...

Crowfood. Theon remembered. An old man, huge and powerful, with a ruddy face and a shaggy white beard. He had been seated on a garron, clad in the pelt of a gigantic snow bear, its head his hood. Under it he wore a stained white leather eye patch that reminded Theon of his uncle Euron. He'd wanted to rip it off Umber's face, to make certain that underneath was only an empty socket, not a black eye shining with malice. Instead he had whimpered [...] -Theon I, tWoW

here, we have theon meeting a non-bolton northman he's known before, no different really from all the non-bolton northmen inside wf or any others he'd met growing up there, none of whom really seemed to scare him as his captors did, yet the mere sight of mors "crowfood" umber's eye patch is enough to freak theon the fuck out, wanting to rip off the eye patch for reassurance that crowfood was just a regular guy. this is the kind of terror we'd expect wrt ramsay, which would make sense in that regard, as ramsay had been his most immediate abuser, torturing theon in every sense for around a year almost right up until the moment of his escape, and ramsay's still right there in wf, so theon had good reason to still fear recapture by him. euron, though? that's an uncle he hadn't seen in over ten years, who theon knew to be far from wf as seen in the above dance quote, so he had no reason to expect to see him again in that part of westeros and one would think he had enough immediate problems not to worry about someone he hadn't seen in so long. you'd think his pre-ned, pre-ramsay childhood with all the greyjoys would feel a lifetime away with all he'd been through since, esp the reekening. but whatever impression euron left on him was still just as clear and fresh as ever, so that anyone with an eye patch could suddenly make him feel fear of an uncle hundreds of miles and a decade removed from him. from this moment i take away two things: 1) theon will survive stannis and have to meet uncle euron again bc otherwise i don't see the point of grrm throwing this in here and 2) it now feels a helluva lot more likely that theon was another csa victim of euron's bc i don't think this kind of sudden fear could be accounted for with just general scariness from euron. feels more like being triggered by a trauma flashback (just as aeron had as soon as he heard that euron had taken balon's throne), doesn't it? and after having been recently sexually abused by ramsay all that time it makes sense that he'd be even more sensitive to reminders of another abuser as soon as he'd finally escaped ramsay, moreso than when he was just nervously shifting as he and asha vaguely talked of euron's terribleness.

after all, theon/aeron are already linked in the feastdance as both are youngest greyjoy siblings who happen to also be victims of abuse who had buried their old selves in a new identity. aeron's old self even sounds a lot like pre-ramsay theon. theon remembered pre-born-again aeron as the "most amiable of his uncles, feckless and quick to laugh, fond of songs, ale, and women", and aeron described his younger self as "a sack of wine with legs. He would sing, he would dance [...] he would jape and jabber and make mock. He played the pipes, he juggled, he rode horses and could drink more than all the Wynches and the Botleys, and half the Harlaws too." doesn't that sound like the ever-smiling and joking unserious theon we first met, fond of wine and womanizing, once a good dancer, and better ahorse than most ironborn? the only part really missing for theon is aeron's ability to always win literal pissing contests. you'd think being sexually abused by two different evildoers (euron and ramsay) would be enough of a parallel, but this winds preview chapter certainly makes it seem like they also shared the specific experience of being abused by euron in childhood too. our poor youngest kraken really did never have a chance, did he?

shoutout to this post detailing the evidence of theon's sa by ramsay for inspiration. ik i'm not the first to suggest abuse by euron too, but thought it useful to make the case by laying out all the relevant quotes as evidence.

#valyrianscrolls #asoiaf #asoiaf meta #theon greyjoy #euron greyjoy #aeron greyjoy #what is dead may never die #i really do think asha is the only younger kin euron hasn't been sexually invasive w in some way #vic was too close in age and too big so he raped vic's wife instead and parades naked in front of him #obvsly there would still be shame for an ironborn lady to be raped but we see in aeron's twow chap and w the way vic treated the maester #how much more stigma there would be for a male victim. so if euron tried anything w asha theres some chance it gets back to balon but #he knows that boys would never feel safe revealing such a crime #funny how even w bastardized tv!euron i saw showfans getting creepy sex vibes from his two scenes w fam #cw sa mention #cw csa #theon thursday!#(c)lsb

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episodes-ff · 9 days ago

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Touched

This a cute lil something something that I had playing out in my head for a few weeks now so I thought I’d put it into reality. Enjoyyyy!!!!

**SIX YEARS AGO**

Anaya

"Boyyyyyy, I am not doing all that!" I giggled over FaceTime as Terry begged for me to come with him to the club with his friends. It's been a month since Terry and I have started talking and one thing I've learned about him is he is very much persistent to get what he wants. We’ve been playfully going back and forth over the last hour because his cousin Mike is in town and he wants me to come out. “Come on, girl, we talk on the phone enough. I wanna see your pretty ass in person.” He smirked as he rid himself of his sweaty gym clothes. Eyeing his moist torso through the screen, I subconsciously bit my lip analyzing the sculpted details of his perfect body as my body flushed with heat.

"You know, Anaya, it's a little rude to stare." He husked smoothly causing me to scoff. "Boy whatever! I was not looking at your arrogant ass." I fussed making him laugh as I waved him off. "You haven't taken your eyes off me since we got on the phone, girl. Just admit you want me, Mamas." He flirted causing me to flip him the bird. "When?" "Never." "We'll see." He fought back as I rolled my eyes. "Imma have yo pretty ass." He mumbled under his breath while grabbing a water from his kitchen. "You said what?" "Nothing." "You know you talk a lot of shit?" "Why are you such a hater, Anaya?" "Why are you so annoying, Terry?" I countered as he bit his lip and shook his head at me deep in thought. "Come out with me. I'm not taking no either." Taking a gulp of water as he stared me down in the camera, my pussy subtly throbbed under the eye contact before I let out a deep groan. "Ugghhhhh fine! Damn!" "Now was it so hard to listen to Daddy?" "You are not my damn Daddy." "Not yet." He once again mumbled yet again thinking I hadn’t caught it. "Send the address and get off my phone." I fussed before he chuckled heartily and I hung up. Hearing a ping, I checked my texts to confirm before I got up to go find an outfit.

Taking in my appearance, I smiled doing a slow whine of my hips before taming any fly aways in my hair. Doing a final spin, I made sure Bash was well fed before securing my heels and purse before making my way downstairs to my awaiting Uber. Arriving to the club, I thanked my driver before hopping out and making my way up to the line. Standing and waiting, I texted Terry to let him know I had arrived before feeling a tap on my shoulder. Looking up I was met with a security guard. "Anaya?" "Ummmm, Yes." "Follow me." Smiling shyly as he opened the belt to let me out of line, I followed behind as the crowd groaned with having to wait. Walking inside the loud club, I got a bit of hype as the vibes and music engulfed me. Bodies collided hungrily on the dance floor while sections were lined with the cream of the crop.

Walking me over to a section, I spotted him amongst a group of guys looking as good as our first meeting. He looked so good, I could just take a bite out of him where he stood. Getting caught so deep in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed him walking over and standing in front of me until he snapped his fingers in my ear. "Huh?" "I was saying you finally made it. Damn, Mama, I know I'm handsome but I ain't know you would get lost in the sauce." He gloated laughing as I shot a sarcastic smirk at him. "Boy! You are not all that." "Shiiiit, I can be whatever you want me to be, baby." He breathed against my ear as he snaked his hand around my back to touch my waist. Feeling slightly flush in his hold, I cleared my throat before meeting his eyes as he bit his lip. "Ayeee, Tee! You not gone introduce us?" One of his friends questioned breaking us from our staring match. "My fault my fault. Y'all this is Anaya. Anaya, this is my cousin Mike and my homeboys, Brandon, Eric, Ace, and my homegirls Bree, Leah, and Asha." Introducing myself with a wave, I received a round of friendly hey's from the guys before feeling ravenous daggers coming from the girls as I noticed Bree staring down Terry. Internally rolling my eyes, I shrugged off their evil looks before gently smiling as Terry wrapped his hand around my waist.

Terry

Tonight was supposed to be a chill ass night with the guys, enjoying a few drinks, and getting to know Anaya better, but this shit been anything but. Ace bitch ass would invite Bree and her girls on some funny shit and their messy asses would convince her to come out. I don't even know why the hell she's so pressed anyway; we hooked up twice a few years ago and she decided we'd be better off staying friends. She's had boyfriends and all types of shit but the one time I bring a girl around that I care for, it's a problem. They been being so shady and rude to Naya all night and she hasn't been nothing but nice to em.

Watching her start twirling her hips in the section as the next song came on, I decided to get up and make my move. "C'mere." "What?" "Dance with me." I husked in her ear as the music blasted. Looking up at me and shyly nodding, I took her hand and lead her through the crowd to the dance floor. Pulling her up close to me, the beat vibrated through our bodies as she wound her waist against me and bit her lip. Bending forward, she twerked as the crowd got hype cheering her on. Holding onto her backside, I caught the rhythm as my homeboys held me up so she could take me for a ride. Hearing the DJ transition to the next song, she rose up and giggled as I smiled whipping her around to face me. "So you can dance, huh?" "Something like that. I see you can catch a lil rhythm too." "Something like that." I smiled pulling her closer and rubbing her body as we got carried away in the beat.

Feeling her fall forward, she turned around and eyed Leah as she sipped her drink. "Oh my gosh, girl. I am so sorry!" She muttered sarcastically as I mugged her. Waving her off, I turned Anaya back to me and whispered against her neck. "Ignore her." I commanded as I tilted her chin up to look at me. The electricity between us was crazy right now. I could almost feel it crackling off her lips. Leaning in to seize the moment, we were once again being bumped. "Yo what the fuck?!" "Really, Terry?! This how the fuck you gone do me after everything we shared?" Bree spat in anguish as her girls nodded in fake support. "Yo, Bree, back the fuck up away from me, aight? You tripping!" "No nigga, you tripping! I can't believe you throwing away what we have for this bitch!" "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING A BITCH, TRICK?!" Anaya seethed mushing Bree in the forehead as I stepped in to break them up. "What the fuck is your issue, bruh? We never had shit, never fucking will." "Oh really? So why were you in my fucking bed last night if we don't have shit?! Huh?" She spat flashing a devious smirk as Anaya threw her hands up and stormed off. "Anaya wait!" "No! Clearly you got your hands full already, I knew this shit was too good to be true." She murmured on the verge of tears as she snatched away from me and headed to the bar.

Anaya

Having a seat at the bar, I rolled my eyes and rubbed my temples as I waved for the bartender. Struggling to get his attention, I continued waving my hand before feeling a hand on my waist. "No need, lil mama, allow me. Aye, my man!" This guy said quickly getting the bartender over. "For the lady?" "Can I get two shots of tequila?" "I'll get the same and lemme get a whiskey sour." "Coming right up!" "Thank you." "No problem at all. I'm Rome, by the way." "Anaya." "That's a beautiful name, miss Anaya." He flashed his gleaming smile before kissing my hand gently. Blushing uncontrollably, I took one of my shots and took in his features. "Anaya, can we talk?" Terry said in a huff as he came up to me interrupting our moment. "We don't have anything to talk about Terry." "I'm serious, Anaya. I'm sorry for what happened back there with Bree. We had a very short lived fling a few years ago and that's all. I promise to you I haven't laid a finger on that girl since. I swear to God, Anaya. Please?" He pleaded staring me down with those eyes. Those goddamn eyes! "Terry, it is what it is. Go be happy with her. I don't wanna talk about this anymore." "But Anay-" "Umm, I believe she said the conversation is over with, my man." "My nigga, I'm not talking to you." "From the looks of it, neither is she." Rome interjected stepping between us as I looked on in shock. Not gonna lie it kinda turned me on...

Feeling Terry's glare burning into my soul, I swallowed the lump in my throat before looking up at him. Seeing the anger slowly brewing inside him, I knew he meant business and while I didn't know what either man was capable of, I could quickly tell that Terry wasn't with the games. "I-It's ok, Rome. I got this." I said touching his strong shoulder as I stood and took my last shot. "You sure you okay?" "Yes. Thank you so much for the drinks." I smiled gently before encasing him in a side hug. "No problem at all, lil mama. I'll see you around?" "Sure thing, let me get your number." Taking down his digits as Terry's foot twitched in agitation as I said my farewell. "If you need anything at all, give me a call." Rome whispered against my neck as I nodded. "Thank you again." I said before leaving in a rush as Terry pushed through the club to the exit.

"Can you slow the fuck down? Fuck!" I spat removing my heels so I wouldn't fall as he trekked quickly to his truck. "Hush, Anaya! Gone sit there and take that nigga number down in my fucking face. Out yo fucking mind." He ranted as I tensed at the harshness of his voice. "Get in the car." "Terry, where are you taking me." "Get the fuck in the mothafucking car, Anaya." Silently getting in, he slammed my door before getting in his side and locking the doors. What the fuck did I get myself into?

Tags: @violetmuses @kaylaahisthebestest- @theereina @believeinthefireflies95 @brisunique @madxlov3 @casualsludgeshoetoad @mauvecherie-writes @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @kumkaniudaku @geneziesm @megamindsecretlair @simpledopeme @goldenjasssy @vivaalenaa @playgurlxoxo @ghettogirly @luuvprincess @perfectlyimperfectme @tbmotw @comfortzonequeen @melanin-honeyy @strawberrymoon45 @luckygirlszn @kindofaintrovert @secretlifeoofmarpessa @cmbmjbfan @summwerella @qdancer22 @ihateyallniggas @rebelrel0987 @cheracherachera @bhristpher @cocooned-butterfly @ovohanna24 @theblessedcap @deijalee @ranikyani @catha2003 @magik22 @sweettea-and-honeybutter @pinkbuzzlightyrrr @justicefordeanthomas @liv10002 @kalideshawnwrites @j0joworld @withoutmusiclifewouldbflat @ladynotdiana @mymindisneverhere @brattyfics

It's so many more of y'all I can tag but my hands are cramping. I love you guys SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!! TYSM FOR THE CONTINUED LOVE AND SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME YOU HAVE NO CLUE!!!

#episodes-ff #fanfiction #anaya ivy #aaron pierre #terry richmond #hasta el fuego

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gwenllian-in-the-abbey · 9 months ago

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Anyone who thinks that Rhaenyra calling Helaena "my sweet sister" means anything positive about their relationship or about Rhaenyra's feelings for Heleana needs to go back and re-read the main series (or read it period, because trust me you will understand F&B a lot better with ASOIAF as context).

In ASOIAF "sweet sister" is that phrase is used disparagingly the vast majority of the time. A quick search reveals it is used 82 times, and the character who uses this phrase by far the most is Tyrion when speaking about Cersei (an example from ASOS Tyrion I):

There are also multiple examples of Jaime using it about Cersei too, especially when he's unhappy with her (a random example from AFFC Jaime V):

Other people also use it referring to Cersei, again sarcastically. "Your sweet sister did X." Which makes sense! Cersei is pretty notorious and people gripe about her to her brothers pretty often.

Beyond various people talking about Cersei, the top offender is Viserys, who uses it quite a bit when addressing Dany, usually with a bite of malice (AGOT Daenerys I):

Interestingly, Viserys later calls out to his "sweet sister" when he is begging for his life. I can't imagine that reminding her of all the times he threatened her with those same words helped his case very much.

There's one instance of Arya using it about Sansa when she is giving an insincere apology (AGOT Sansa III):

Here is Theon using it about Asha (ACOK Theon V):

Lysa also uses it about Cat, and her feelings about her "sweet sister" at this point are pretty negative (ASOS Sansa VII):

You get the picture. At the very best, it's used with a fond sort of sarcasm, at worst it's actively spiteful. You can count on one hand the number of times it is used sincerely in the whole entire series, and really there's only one instance, from Edmure to Cat, that I would read as 100% sincere without even a tiny hint of sarcasm. F&B doesn't have anyone's POV to indicate the tone with which Rhaenyra said those words, and although it's possible this might have been the second time in the whole of ASOIAF that we were meant to treat those words as unquestioningly sincere and loving, I think this is a bit like the discourse around "sharply questioned." Those words, in-world, tend to carry a connotation beyond their surface meaning. It would not be something reassuring to hear terms for surrender given using the phrase "sweet sister," and in fact, given that we have no other indication that Rhaenyra has any sort of relationship with her siblings whatsoever, Helaena would be entirely justified in interpreting her words as spiteful or sarcastic. After all, if you're using a quote from the book to speak to Rhaenyra's intentions, the character you're referring to is book!Rhaenyra, who is not shown to be an overly nice person. Even by the most charitable reading, we can safely assume that those words were included by Gyldayn in his history knowing that in-world readers would read them as insincere. They are not intended to portray Rhaenyra and Helaena's relationship in a positive light.

#sweet sister discourse #helaena targaryen #team green #asoiaf #rhaenyra targaryen #fire and blood

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annymation · 11 months ago

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The Kingdom of Wishes- A “Wish” Rewrite

Chapter 7- Inspire Them

Chapter 6

“You’re… a star?!”

“You guessed it!” Aster exclaimed cheerfully, flying down to the ground while doing backflips in the air, until he lands in front of her with a bright smile on his face, he bows down like a prince formally introducing himself to a princess.

“Good Asha Lucero, you have given so much happiness to others, you deserve to have your wish come true.” The star speaks more eloquently now, and it feels like these lines where rehearsed, that's because they were, for he's actually just repeating what all wishing stars say to their wish makers when they come down to earth, like it’s protocol.

That line is a reference to what the Blue Fairy says to Geppetto.

“So it shall be my honor tooOO-OH MY GALAXY IS THAT A RABBIT?!?” He sees a rabbit coming out of the bushes and gets distracted… Again…

As you can see, Aster’s not very good at following wishing star’s protocol.

Asha watches as the teenage star flies by like lightning towards the little critter, she's blown away trying to process that this is actually happening and not just a dream, wanting to ask a million questions while at the same time she's completely speechless. So all she can say in a stutter is “Umm y-yeah it sure is hehe” To answer his question. She can't help but chuckle seeing how the star is so amazed over something so simple like a rabbit.

Aster holds the rabbit’s ears up, the animal seems confused but not really minding it “Awww they're way cuter seen up close… And I was right! I told them rabbits had big ears!” The star claims victorious.

Asha tilts her head to the side “Huh? Told who?”

“A few neighbors of mine that make up the lepus constellation, see?” Aster points up to the sky, to a constellation that looks like a rabbit with very tiny ears “I told them rabbits had cute BIG ears, but they insisted their formation was good enough, it’s like they don’t even care for accuracy, really” They say while looking up with a smug, shaking his head slowly, it's like he's thinking "I told you so".

Asha gazes upon the night sky, her eyes sparkling just like the stars “… Y-yeah I guess the ears are pretty tiny hehe” she suddenly realizes what Aster just said implies... Aster is not the only one. She quickly turns to them perplexed “Wait wait slow down, are you telling me ALL the stars... ARE ALIVE??” She's breathless, looking back up at all the stars like a deer mesmerized by headlights.

Aster can't help but chuckle, she's so amazed over something that, to him, is so simple “Heh heh not aaaaall of them, but most of them, yeah." Aster explains casually while letting go of the little critter. The star turns their attention back to Asha, gazing at her with a friendly smile while floating close to her, observing her with curiosity.

Asha on the other hand is still gazing up to the night sky as she says, her voice filled with astonishment "My father used to write that we had a connection with the stars but... I could never imagine they’re actually people!" She turns back to look at Aster, her voice barely above a whisper "… Much less that they come down when they’re wished upon"

"Oooh we don’t usually come down to help at all, I’m just here because you’re a special case, Asha" Aster says, floating around her like a fish swimming in circles.

“I am?"

He stops flying around, now just floating right in front of her to explain why he's there in the first place “See, when it comes to wishing upon a star, like myself, NO request is too extreme..." He stops for a moment as if to think how's the best way to continue his point "Although... your request to save your kingdom from the clutches of two evil rulers is… Well … A lil bit extreme, just a bit, not gonna lie… heh heh" They say sounding more high pitched and awkward than before.

"Yeah... I know" The girl looks down slightly

Aster lifts her head gently to look at him, giving her an optimistic smile "That is, too extreme for you to do it all by yourself, that’s where I come in!”

Asha’s enthusiasm slowly returns "So... You'll grant my wish? just like that?" She snaps her fingers to indicate how easy and quick it'd be.

Aster hates to bring somewhat bad news, but he tries to explain it the best they can “Eeeh no, hehe not exactly, I can’t just fix everything in the blink of an eye, that’s more of a genies thing, ya know?” They clarify while creating a genie's lamp with their star dust, manifesting it above his hand to illustrate his point.

“Huh, I see” Asha is surprisingly not disappointed by that at all, she honestly didn't think it could be that simple, besides, just having any help at all is more than enough "So what can you do?"

“Oh I can do a lot! Watch, hey Valentino!" Aster flies down, now face to face with the little baby goat "What do YOU wish for lil buddy?"

Asha looks puzzled "I thought you couldn't grant wishes"

Aster giggles as he looks up to her, the star is floating barely above the ground but he's posing like he's laying down, with their hands behind the back of his head "Hehehe It's easier to explain if I show you, but let's just say I can grant simple wishes, however, the stronger it's the want in the wish maker's heart then the more I can do!"

"Maaa! Maa!" Valentino bleats out happily to Aster

Aster eyes sparkle with excitement upon hearing the goat's "words" "OO-HOHOO now THAT'S a strong wish! You got it buddy, here ya go!" He sprinkle some star dust on Valentino, to which the goat gladly eats all of it. Asha watches curiously, waiting to see what could her goat possibly have wished for...

And Valentino talks

"Did it work- *gasp* It did! I'm tawkin I am tawkin!" The little goat giggles, adorably hopping around the two of them, Valentino's voice is cute and high pitched, he sounds like a toddler.

Asha lets out an "awwwwn" with a huge smile and her eyes wide. She sits down to hug Valentino, not able to contain herself with such an adorable display.

"You sure can bud! Now go on, make your wish come true!" The star cheers while floating above the two of them

Asha looks up to Aster confused "Huh? But you just granted his wish"

"Nuh-uh I just wanted to say one thing, I wanted to THANK YOU!" The baby goat exclaims, nuzzling closer to Asha in their embrace "Thank you for always taking care of me! You're the best fwiend I could ask for!" He finishes, licking her nose.

The girl stares at her baby goat, completely overwhelmed by the cuteness.

"Soooo yeah, I can make animals talk! Pretty neat huh? But that's just the tip of the ice be-" Aster notices Asha was quiet, too quiet "Uuuuh you're ok?"

"*sob* yeah I-Im fine *sniff*" She hugs Valentino while petting him, sobbing at the sweetness in his voice. She really needed to hear that after the day she had.

Aster doesn't understand what sad tears are though, so they assume he just made a huge mistake "oh OH NONONO- IM SO SORRY I-I THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE IF HE TALKED D-DON'T WORRY ITS NOT PERMANENT! HE JUST WANTED TO SAY "THANKS" P-PLEASE DON'T BE SAD" The star is panicking, flying around and flailing his arms uncontrollably.

Asha dries a little tear from the corner of her eye and smiles at Aster "Hheheh calm down, I'm not sad, really, I just got emotional that's all"

Aster looks relieved at that, he calms down as he flies down to sit next to her

"Maaa! Maa!" Valentino is back to not talking.

"Oh so it really wasn't permanent" Asha says, as Valentino leaves her arms to hop around and eat some grass.

"Like I said, all he wished for was to say thanks, now that he did so, he has no need to speak anymore" Aster explained calmly

Asha had a thoughtful look for a moment, her eyes light up as she pieces it together in her head "... Hmm I think I get it, so you just gave him what he needed to fulfill his wish himself" Aster nodded his head quickly, excited that she got it right, Asha continued "So... What about my wish though, how will you help me grant it?" She asks to the wishing star sitting next to her.

Aster’s already big smile widens even more with the question, as they fly upward and lifts her up with one hand "I’ll be your guide! Give you all the tools you’ll need to succeed! But of course, the only one who can make your wish come true is YOU!” He boops her nose, making some star dust fly around her face

Asha feels a sense of joy come to her when the star boops her nose... But even then, the thought that everyone is depending on her makes her feel all her fears and insecurities come flowing back.

“Me? But they’re the king and queen of that whole kingdom and I… Well, I don’t even know WHO I am in all this” She admits, looking away from the star for a moment, her gaze is distant.

Aster can sense her sadness returning, and the spark of her light glowing dimmer as hopelessness fills her thoughts. His eyes turn to the side for a moment, pondering how he can rekindle her spark and make her see what he sees... Eventually, his eyes lit up with an idea, literally making his hair shine brighter like a lamp bulb turning on.

"Weeeeell I can't tell you who you are neither, that's something only you can figure out." Aster begins with a playful smile, flying to be face to face with her.

Asha notes how those words are a direct contrast to how the royal pair kept saying she needed their help to find out who she is. The star word's caught her attention.

"BUT if ya ask me, I think I might have an idea of who you are in "All this". So allow me to elaborate in the best way I know how… EVERYBODY HELP ME OUT!"

Aster exclaimed, calling upon all the living things of the forest. He uses his magic to bring all the trees and flowers to life, as well as making all the animals able to sing and dance.

And so, we get my version of "I'm A Star."

This song is quite literally the opposite of what “Wish Away” was, if "Wish Away" made Asha feel small, like she couldn’t do anything on her own and NEEDED the king’s magic, “I’m A Star” is doing the opposite of that, making her feel as grand as a celestial body, like she can do anything, and Aster is just there to land a hand, but only she can reach her dreams, and she CAN do it.

I’m A Star

[Verse 1]

Have you ever wondered why you look up at the sky for answers? Or blow dandelions in the wind? Asking them to better your chances Why throw a dime down a well? While you know that's no spell

(Aster begins to sing, extending his hand up to the sky to present all the beautiful stars above. Asha looks up to them, but before she knows it Aster grabs her attention again by pulling from behind her ear a dandelion made of star dust he just created, he shows it to her while singing the second line, Asha instinctively blows it like she indeed always did as a kid. Aster then flies away from her and to a wishing well in the woods, he makes a coin with his star dust and throws it while not even looking at the well, his gaze is still focused on Asha as she watches him sing attentively)

Things passed down generationally, to you Yes, I hear And to some unbelievers those are shoddy fallacies But have you ever wondered why you look up at the sky for answers?

(Aster makes the trees come to life, happy faces appear on them as they dance along with he music, Asha watches them in amazement, she starts getting into the mood of the song, with a giddy smile on her face. She answers "Yes, I hear" to Aster's comments, because she indeed grew up with these traditions of wishing upon dandelions, wishing wells and stars, but not thinking those will magically solve all her problems, it's just a first step to set her goals. As he sings the final line, Aster flies to above the trees, reaching to the stars with a determined and confident smile, Asha looks up to him with her eyes shining... Suddenly Aster flies back down doing backflips in the form of a ball of light, and hits the ground the song makes a "THUM" before the chorus kicks in)

[Chorus]

Well, you don't have to look too hard I'm here for all your question marks If you're tryna figure out just who you are Don't look far

(Aster stands up as soon as they land back on the ground, the animals of the forest now all sing to help him with the chorus. Upon singing the second line, Aster hits his foot on the ground, making a trail of light glow underneath the earth like roots (It's like Elsa hitting her foot down when making the castle during Let It Go), that make a giant flower grow under Asha, lifting her up to above the forest, the giant flower blooms during the third line. Asha is on it covering her eyes in fear for a moment, but Aster flies to be in front of her, taking the hands off her eyes as he sings the last line, making her look at him, he gives her a reassuring smile, making all her fears go away)

In the sky, and your front yard In your heart and in the scars If you really wanna know just who you are You're a star…

(Aster pulls her by the arms and they jump off the flower, Asha is once again startled, but when they're about to fall Aster makes another giant flower bloom, that catches them just in time, they hop on that flower and Aster once again pulls Asha to jump again, this time Asha fully trusts them and jumps without fear, knowing they'll make another flower for them to jump on. They do this during the two first lines, but as Aster sings "If you really wanna know just who you are" they spin around in the air holding Asha's hands, they both twirl in the air together before Aster throws Asha up to the sky, she floats with a little bit of Aster's star dust on her, and she looks in awe to the stars above her... Before she thinks of what Aster just said, now her face turns into confusion, as she immediately falls down in his arms)

[Verse 2]

What! But you just said YOU'RE a star! Uh-huh! Well, yeah, but you're up to par Cause' while I do bring that magic intervention Only you can reach your destination!

(Asha and Aster are now back in the forest, Aster just caught her in his arms, and Asha promptly questions what he means by saying "She's a star" when clearly he's the star here. Aster puts her back down as he answers that yes, he is a star, but he explains Asha is just as magic as he is, Aster makes some star dust flow from his fingers like tiny fireworks as he sings "Magic intervention". A bunch of animals show up around them and sing in harmony the last line. Asha looks at all of them in surprise. The whole forest is lit up with colorful lights thanks to Aster's magic.)

See, I'm more like that lil voice, in your head That suggests when you can't find your path ahead So even though I can't do all of the work for ya I'll make sure it's enough for you to shoulder!

(Aster suddenly is tiny, the size of a hand, dancing on Asha's shoulder. He whispers in her ear that he's the little voice in her head, and once he sings "Path ahead" he makes a golden path appear in front of her, made of star dust. The animals all happily follow that path and encourage Asha to follow along, she hesitates for a moment, but she takes a deep breath and makes a run for it, making little Aster fall from her shoulder as he sings the last line)

[Verse 3]

A wish is a dream that comes from your heart So I've dropped in just to do my part With my magic we'll make that dream go just as planned But I'm sure that by now you already understand:

My wish... depends on me? EXACTLY!

(Asha walks through the path, accompanied by the animals, they sing the first line to her melodically. There's some butterflies flying around her too and Asha gazes upon her overjoyed. Aster flies along side her, posing like he's laying down relaxing, saying how he's just there to do his part. He then uses his magic to create even more shiny yellow butterflies, seeing how Asha seems to like them. The music plays drums as Aster sings "But I'm sure that by now you already understand" and the butterflies fly around Asha in circles, one of them fly to her finger, Asha looks at it as she asks "My wish... Depends on me?", she sounds unsure but she's almost understanding. Aster yells the answer with contagious enthusiasm, making the butterfly on her finger fly away"

[Chorus]

For you don't have to look too hard It's all around and not too far If you're tryna figure out just who you are You're a star!

(Asha is suddenly picked up by a Iberian red deer, running with their herd behind them, all of them singing the chorus, she holds on to his horn with a smile as Aster flies in front of them lighting up the path ahead, the deer she's riding sings to her "You're a star")

Do you know you're a work of art? Even in the deepest dark If you really wanna know just who you are I'm a star!

(Aster sings the first two lines along with the other animals, while looking at Asha with eyes full of admiration. Asha however looks in shock ahead, pointing to him they're running to a cliff, Aster notices and as they jump off the cliff Aster makes Asha float with his star dust, holding her close to her with the full moon behind them, they look at one another in the eyes for a second...Valentino was also on one of the deers, and comedically passes by floating and singing with his baby voice, even though he has been "off screen" so far.)

[Verse 4]

Some say that's just too ordinary Like us stars just ain't necessary 'Cause I'm no legendary genie Granting wishes one, two and three!

(We cut to Asha and Aster back on the ground in the middle of a flower filled, Aster makes all the flowers glow like stars, making the woods beautifully lit up with splashes of color and light all around them. As Aster sings "'Cause I'm no genie legendary" he makes a yellow lamp just like the one from Alladin and hands it to Asha, as she holds it she hubs it, and out of it comes three Asters, completely yellows as they're made of star dust, each one shows up in the rhythm of each number in the line "One, two and three")

Well, my friend, just between you and me I'm way more fun, 'cause, you see I'm here to guide and make you believe YOU can write your origin story!

(Aster snaps his fingers making the lamp and all the three clones disappear in a poof of yellow glittery dust. He's now holding Asha by the shoulder and speaking close to her ear like he's about to tell her a secret as he sings the first line. He offers her a hand as if inviting her for a dance, Asha gladly accepts it and they both dance together around the dancing trees and animals. Aster lifts her off the ground and twirls her around as he sings the last line, Asha looks down at him with a radiant smile, she seems to really like that idea)

[Chorus]

You don't have to look too hard It's all around and not too far If you tryna figure out just who you are You're a star!

(Asha and Aster dance together, they hold hands an almost begin to do a waltz before Aster always changes to a more free style dance. The animals sing the chorus and copy them, with some rabbits dancing while holding their paws together, and some birds flying together in harmony with the music, Valentino is dancing to along with the animals. Aster boops Asha's nose as he says "You're a star")

No matter where you end or start We're both each other's counterparts If you really wanna know just who you are I'm a star! (Wooh)

(Asha is filled with delight as she dances freely, without a care in the world, she feels as if she could fly. She watches all the magic that surrounds her with pure wonderment in her eyes, she finally fully accepts what Aster and all the other creatures in the forest are trying to tell her, as she exclaims "I'm a star!" and all of them cheer.)

[Post-Chorus]

Ooh, I'm a star Watch out world here you are (Hey, hey) You know who's lookin' sharp? (Who?) Me, I'm a star! (Wooh) Oh, you're a star! Watch out world here you are! (Hey, hey) You know who's lookin' sharp? (Who?) You! You're a star

[Outro]

Ha-ha-ha, wooh Yes, wooh Ah-ha-ha, ho-ho

(Aster makes a light shine on Asha like a spot light, as the animals all watch her dance by herself, feeling fully confident in who she is. The star keeps hyping her up, overjoyed that her spark is back. Aster flies around her as she dances, he sings the last lines praising her, while making the flowers and leaves fly around them like colors of the wind from Pocahontas, but on the last line both him and Asha point at each other when saying "You! You're a star" and their fingers touch each other when they point. The two of them find that amusing, and on that adrenaline high energy that can only laugh and cheer together. Asha falls on the grass, laughing with overwhelming joy and exhaustion after all of this, Aster lays next to her as he celebrates.)

Asha and Aster are laying down, laughing on the grass. Flowers are growing around Aster because he's so happy. Asha is more out of breath, since ya know, unlike Aster she actually breathes. Some animals that helped Aster as backup singers start to leave the scene

"Wooh! That was great! Thank you for the help fellas!" Aster thanks the animals for their help, still laying on the floor with Asha as he waves them goodbye.

"Any time buddy!" "That was fun!" "We should do this more often!"

The animals chit chat as they leave the pair and Valentino alone in a small clearing in the forest. The girl and the star are now both gazing up to the stars while Valentino is sitting next to them, also looking up.

"Sooo did I explain well enough?" They asks her, genuinely wanting to know since this is the first time he explains to someone how wishing stars work.

"Yeah... I'm still trying to process this is all really happening and I didn't just fall from the tree branch and hit my head... But yeah I get it.” Asha says, still out of breath after everything that happened “So you’re here to help me… I assume you're all caught up on what my problem is, right?" Since he's magic she assumes they might as well know everything.

Aster confirms her assumption "The king has been changing people's wishes for years. And he changed your wish so you would become a princess locked up in a tower by sun rise, yup yup I'm all caught up" Aster elaborates quickly, while trying to smell some of the flowers that grew around him, but disappointingly realizing he can’t smell anything.

(Aster has been keeping up with the rewrite y'all)

"I have no idea on how to stop them" Asha breathes out, her voice comes out as almost an whisper

Aster is still staring at the stars as they say "On your own it would be pretty hard" But then he turns his head to look at her "But lucky for you, your magic guide here already got it aaaaaaall figured out" They have a cheeky grin

Asha sits up in surprise "You do??”

"Yuuuup!" He begins to illustrate his plan using his star dust, creating the image of the castle "King Magnifico is gonna release the wishes from his tower any minute now" the star dust castle illustrates the wish bubbles coming out of it, then Aster creates the image of a sleeping Asha with his other hand "While you sleep, I'll keep an eye out for that cursed wish bubble the whoooole night long, then when it shows up I can just grab it before it reaches you" Aster illustrates the wish bubble approaching her, and he grabs the small orb with his own fingers.

“And just like that you... You can stop it from coming true?” Asha asks slowly, it feels almost too good to be true.

“Of course! That "wish" turned curse won't get even close to you while I'm around here” He sits up as he says confidently. He then chuckles a bit at that, realizing the irony “Heheh it’s kinda ironic ain’t it? A wishing star stopping a wish from coming truuu- wOAH“

Aster is caught off guard by Asha hugging them.

“THANK YOU! ASTER THANKYOUTHANKYOU THANK YOU!!” Asha isn't usually much of a hugger, but in this case she just can't contain how happy and relieved she feels “Aster I was just… So scared, you have no idea, that they’d take me away and- Thank you...“ She finally feels like everything will be alright

(She doesn't know she's in a story written by an angst loving writer, so everything will NOT be alright my friends)

Aster is... Well this IS their first hug, ever, it feels very foreign to him... It feels… New.

The star can't quite describe what it is, it's like happiness but somehow... Stronger... If someone was to describe this feeling to him, he'd think it couldn't be true.

They return the hug of course, holding her tight as his eyes close shut “Heh don’t mention it, I’m your wishing star, of course I’ll protect you.”

(hmmm would you say you’d protect her… At all cost????)

Aster wanted to stay like this for as long as they could but... Suddenly some quiet orchestral instruments start playing in the background, they sound messy and without harmony. Aster's eyes are shot open and they quickly lets go of the hug "A-and everyone else in Rosas too, since ya know, that was uh- your wish heheh" he stumbles over his words nervously.

Asha doesn't notice the awkwardness in his voice, she just gets up, feeling her confidence returning, reassured that she does have a chance of winning with Aster by her side.

"… Yeah- YEAH! We can do it, I can make them see the truth, now that I have your help!" She speaks passionately, ready to take on anything the world throws at them "What can we do to save everyone else?"

Aster flies off the ground, looking just as excited as her "I'm glad you asked! Here's my plan" Once again, Aster uses his star dust to illustrate his plan quickly: "First! We get in the castle. Then we free all the wishes. Everyone gets their wishes back. They all learn that they should make their wishes come true through their own efforts. BOOM. They get "Something more for them than thisss"!" he sing songs the last phrase at the rhythm of "This Wish"

Aster eagerly waits for her reaction to his… “plan”. Asha is smiling but... She knows that's a terrible plan, however, she doesn't want to be rude.

"Umm... Its a good idea but... I think we can workshop that a little bit." She says as kindly as she can to not hurt the star's feelings.

"Yeah yeah of course! this is OUR plan after all" Aster is floating like he's laying down on his cape, like it's a hamrock in mid air. The star is over confident that this is indeed the perfect plan.

Asha takes a deep breath before explaining "Well... If we simply free the wishes, I don't think the people of Rosas will want them back, you know? They want their wishes GRANTED by the king himself, it would take a lot of convincing to make everyone want to grant their own wishes. Not to mention most of them were changed by Magnifico so now they're curses."

As she speaks Aster start floating down and down and down with every word, realizing the situation is a bit more complex than he expected, he's sitting on the grass now with his legs crossed.

"... Huh... I didn't think about it that way" He admits, sounding a mix of embarrassed and disappointed in himself "This... Guiding thing... Might be a bit harder than I thought" their voice is quiet as his hair that moves like a flame (I don't think I've emphasized this enough, his hair is a reference to Hades hair, ITS ALWAYS MOVING) starts to shine less brightly.

Asha notices the star insecurities, so now it's her turn to cheer him up, she sits next to Aster and holds their hand. Aster's eyes light up when he feels her hand on his, he listens attentively to what she has to say

"Hey don't worry, it won't be easy, but thats okay, we just need some time to plan this out, together. You said it yourself, right? You can't do all the work for me, and I don't want you to. Just having you here to help already changes everything... I'm really glad you're here, Aster" She gives him a warm smile, her eyes locked on his.

His hair lights up again, even brighter than before, and more flowers bloom around them. "... Yeah, I'm glad I did come down here." The star says, a smile growing in the corner of his lips, his eyes sparkling. Aster doesn't have a heartbeat but if he did it would probably be beating like a storm in their chest.

Asha is quite literally oblivious to the effect she just had on him. She simply gets up again and changes the subject. "We can think on a plan tomorrow, now I gotta go home and-" She stops, realizing that if she goes home she's gonna have to explain everything to Dahlia "Oh my-how am I gonna explain YOU to Dahlia and her parents, or explain why I ran away like that... " She places a hand on her forehead, now walking side to side worriedly.

Aster starts floating again, with a knowing smile on his lips "Mayyyybe you can sleep in a different house tonight" They state with a childlike mischievousness in their voice

Asha looks at them confused "Huh? What house?"

Aster turns her head with one finger, making her turn around to looks what's behind her.

"How about that one?"

Asha then sees...

(Pretend this picture is at night time please)

"That's... That's my old home, where I grew up" Asha feels a warmth in her heart, it's a feeling of nostalgia and comfort, she hasn’t been in there for a long time.

Aster still has that same knowing smile, his eyelids are relaxed as he comments "Really? Huh what a coincidence..." it's not like he guided that whole musical sequence to lead them here or anything- what? What you talking about? "WELP let's get in then!" The star flies to the door like a dash of light.

"W-wait Aster, the door is locked-" Asha warns him but-

Aster uses his magic when touching the door, making it glow yellow for a moment, and just like that, It's open "Not for me, it isn't heheh"

Asha smiles, yeah, of course they can open doors too.

We have a small time skip, cutting to them inside the house. It's a cozy small cottage with, even though it looks a bit dusty from it's time abandoned it's still quite organized. It's faintly lit with candles, but Aster's hair and cape pretty much light up the whole place a lot more.

Valentino is soundly sleeping on a pillow, while Asha is sitting on the dinner table, drawing on her sketchbook... Drawing Aster of course, because what else would an artist do if they met someone who was literally 2D animated in real life?

(“But Anny shouldn’t she go to sleep?” SHE WILL GO TO SLEEP AFTER I GET MORE CUTE INTERACTIONS OUT OF THEM)

She's also eating some berries that animal critters got for her offscreen, ya know, because Aster asked them to, and she didn't have dinner. While she draws, Aster is flying all over the place, taking a closer look at EVERYTHING inside the house.

"Wow, I could never actually see how human houses looked like from the inside! It's way more spacious than I thought"

Asha can't help but laugh at that statement "Ha! Now that's funny coming from someone that lived in SPACE, which I gotta ask... How was it like? What did you do up there?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity

"Oooh ya know, the usual, watch the birth of super novas, throw asteroids as far as you can, sometimes guess where a new solar system will form next, just a bunch of boring stuff" The way Aster says it makes it seem like those are the most mundane things ever. He says while admiring a fork in his hands.

(Ariel coded. Aster is Ariel from space y'all)

Asha hears the star describe all those things in awe, after all she also really likes astronomy.

"None of that sounds boring at all, and I still got a thousand other questions!" She says excitedly

Aster is just as excited to answer them. But then he notices Asha's sketchbook is open, that gives him an idea.

"Well then ask away! I'm an open book, or rather..."

Aster jumps INSIDE her book, shrinking down to the size of her finger, now he's black and white, and is animated with more rough sketchy animation, as a reference to animation tests, like this (2D Mirabel my beloved)

GIF by scurviesdisneyblog

"I'm IN an open book! heheheh" He giggles, there's no reason for them to do that other than he wanted to see if it was possible, and of course it is.

Asha looks at the now moving Aster sketch on her book, she's stunned for a moment, but then again that's not even the most impressive thing Aster has done today.

"O-Okay so umm, you mentioned earlier that not all stars are alive, right? Just some... So how does a star gain life?" She asks, like she's interviewing him for research.

Aster walks around the pages of her sketchbook as he explains "When we are wished upon for the first time by a mortal! I got my first wish about 18 years ago more less, and that's when I gained life" He jumps to a different page, now with some animal sketches drawn on it.

"Oh... We're the same age then" Asha mentions, somewhat surprised, but at the same time it does make more sense than Aster being a 100000+ year old, after all he acts like just a teen… When he’s not acting like a kid that is.

"Guess we are! Happy birthday by the way!" Aster says as he brings some animal drawings to life, they begin to run around him "Hehehe Though can you imagine if you WERE my first wish maker? I would've shown up here looking like a new born star, an actual baby, now that'd be awkward wouldn't it?"

(...Yeah Aster, that would be very strange... Thank goodness it never happened... Am I too salty?)

"Heh I guess so, and uh do ALL the stars look and dress like you?" She goes on to the next question.

"We always pick a different form depending on what's more fitting for our wish maker, I picked this form because… Well- You were in need of help like a princess in a fairytale, so I thought the princey looking clothes would fit the occasion" Aster's now in a different page with the drawing of a tree, he's hanging around from the branches

Asha is slightly put off by the comment, she had enough of this "princess talk" after what happened in the castle that night.

"I am NOT a princess though" She corrects him with one eyebrow raised up.

Aster drops from the tree branch "Oh I know! You're just pretty like one" He says innocently, like he's just stating something that's clear as day.

Asha blushes, getting flustered by that sudden compliment... She didn't expect a literal star to find her pretty.

(NEVERMIND HE LITERALLY SANG "DO YOU KNOW YOURE A WORK OF ART EVEN IN THE DEEPEST DARK" A FEW MINUTES AGO LIKE GURL HE IS NOT BEING SUBTLE)

"Heh heh wow-okay um... Honestly when I first saw you I assumed you were like... A sorcerer or something" She tries changing the subject, assuming they're just saying that to be nice.

" Pffft a sorcerer?! Nooo nonono if I wanted to come off as a sorcerer I would've dressed myself something more like this"

He snaps his fingers, changing his clothes to look like Mickey’s sorcerer apprentice outfit, because Disney reference babeeeeyyy.

"Though the hat is a bit too big isn't it? I don't think it suits me heheh" He chuckles as the hat covers his eyes.

Asha giggles at that in amusement "Hihih I think you look great either way"

Suddenly, a gust of wind blows through the window. The pages of the sketchbook flip rapidly because of the wind, throwing Aster off the book

“WOOOOOOAAAH!!!” He screams as he gets back to their normal size, before he knows it he's thrown inside a closet

Asha gets up instantly to check if he’s alright "ASTER?! YOU OKAY?" she asks worried

The star is just laughing without a care in the world, laying inside the closet full of old belongings of Asha and her family. "Woooo hahahah yup! Need more than a little wind to-“ Aster notices something in the closet that caught his attention “Hey, what's this?" Aster gets up from the closet, holding a mandolin.

"Oh… that's my Saba's old mandolin, I guess I forgot it here" Asha looks at the instrument with a smile that was somewhat nostalgic, but also mournful. She expected the memories of him would come flowing back by them just being in the house, but it still caught her by surprise.

"Did he play?" The star asks curious

"Actually... No. I never seen him playing it, I even asked him to teach me a couple of times but he was never interested" She sounds sorrowful as she passes her fingers through the cords.

"Huh... I see" Aster can kinda guess why that is… But they prefer to keep the information to themselves.

She's still paying close attention to the instrument in her hands, looking at it with downcast eyes "You know… I wish he did teach me, I don’t know how to play any instruments… But Saba always seemed disinterested in-“

Asha notices Aster started shining brighter and giggling more than usual all of the sudden… Also he’s shaking his arms around rapidly, leaving smear frames like he has multiple arms, ya know since he’s 2D. Soooo yeah, they’re stimming.

“Umm... You doing okay Aster?" Asha asks holding the mandolin close to her.

Aster floats now with his face is close to hers "You "WISH" you say?! Weeeell I can help with that!" His voice is full of glee, like the simple word “wish” coming out of Asha’s mouth filled him with energy

"Y-you can? But how? You can’t change the past" Asha is more confused than ever

"Nope! Buuut I can use my magic to give you a taste of what it would’ve been like if he DID teach you! Here, let me try something”

Aster extends his hand, asking her to hand them the mandolin, Asha isn’t sure where this is going but she trusts the star completely, so she gives it to him. Aster begins spreading his star dust on the cords of the mandolin, making them shine brightly. The cords start playing many different melodies by themselves, as if every song ever played in that instrument is being played again all at the same time. Aster then makes that shine on the cords return to him, the mandolin stops playing and now Aster has a light flickering on the tip of his finger, you can almost hear the faint sound of music coming from that light. Aster reaches out, getting that finger closer and closer to Asha's face

"Aaaaand BOOP!” Aster boops her nose with his shiny finger, making stardust sparkle around her face. She blinks a few times, not understanding what just happened. ”There! Try it now!" Aster says as he hands the Mandolin back to her. Asha looks at the mandolin, then back to Aster, who’s staring at her with a big smile, eager to see what she’ll do next.

She holds it to try playing it, not sure what since she doesn’t know any songs- wait...- But she DOES. Asha’s eyes light up when she realizes that now she can remember so many melodies in her head, like the knowledge was always there. The chords, the music notes, it all comes naturally to her as much as speaking and reading. And so, her fingers dance through the mandolin, creating a beautiful melody, a smile grows on her lips.

"Woah I- I can play it now!" The girl says cheerfully

"Yup!” The star boy flies upwards quickly, glad they could make her happy granting one simple wish… Thought he knows there’s a “but” “But it's not permanent, you'll only know how to play till tomorrow's strike of midnight" Aster explains while walking around upside down on the ceiling.

Asha looks up and asks "Why midnight?"

The star shrugs “It's always midnight" he answered simply "Anyway, it may not be the same as if your grandfather taught you but... At least you can get a feel for it before trying to learn at your own pace"

Asha chuckles a bit with that notion, most people would probably be upset if they only got to know a talent for one day, but she’s more than happy with just knowing how to play it NOW, and yeah, she can try learning how to play by herself later.

She looks at the instrument as she says:

"Thanks, Aster. Though I don't think I'll have the time to play it tomorrow, we gotta figure out how to defeat the king and queen, remember? And I doubt knowing how to play the mandolin is gonna help us heheh" she says that last part laughing a quietly to herself, how silly would that be? To defeat those villains with music.

"Yeah I guess it won't..." Aster speaks in a disappointed sigh while still pacing around the ceiling, sad that Asha won’t get to enjoy her wish tomorrow… But then… an idea pops up in the star’s head. His hair lights up like a lamp once again. The boy JUMPS and does some backflips before landing on the table with wide bright eyes and a huge smile. "What if it COULD help though???" He exclaimed, now standing on the table.

"...What?" Asha asks with one arched eyebrow

Aster starts walking circles on the table like they’re thinking on the details of their new plan "Wait wait wait let me think... Yeah YEAH I KNOW! Asha! YOU can INSPIRE THEM!" Aster says pointing a finger to Asha, smiling ear to ear.

"Inspire who? Huh?? What you talking about???" Asha is now hugging the mandolin walking backwards, not understanding what’s going on right now.

Aster tries lowering his energy as he speaks more calmly "Think about it, why did the king and queen want your wish soooo much in the first place?" He asks, now sitting on the table with his legs crossed.

"Uuh because they're evil" She states the obvious fact with a deadpan expression.

"Ok yeah that too- BUT they wanted it because they were afraid you could INSPIRE people, that's their weakness! They depend on the people believing in them, trusting them with their wishes, so if we want to win we gotta. Break. That. Trust” He says emphasizing each one of the last three words by hitting his finger on the table.

"And you think we can do that... By playing music?" Asha gives him a look that can only be described as an “… seriously?” Expression, she’s not confident in that idea, not in the slightest.

Aster on the other hand is just as confident in that idea as he’s confident that the sun will rise tomorrow. So they continue:

"It's a start, you can inspire the people of Rosas with music so that they at least THINK about wanting to pursue their own wishes, you said it yourself, that we could only return the wishes to them once they learn they shouldn't depend on king Magnifico" Aster says, now floating closer to Asha with that same bubbly smile that doesn’t seem to ever leave his face.

Asha tries to patiently explain to him why that’s not a good plan "Aster, it's a lot more complicated than that, I mean, how would we even know if I'm actually changing anyone's minds?"

Aster doesn’t miss a heartbeat and exclaims "I'd know!"

"…huh?" Asha eyes squint.

The star once again has his face reeeeally close to Asha’s, their noses almost touching, so she looks him directly in the eyes "I can SEE people's beliefs! Their wants! Their dreams! My eyes can see all that as plainly as a smile on someone's face. If, or rather, WHEN anyone feels inspired by you, I will know" The star is shining like the sun now, somehow it doesn’t hurt Asha’s eyes though, but she still not fully convinced.

"And you... Really think I can change their minds?” Her voice is full of doubt now, both in herself and in the notion that the people of Rosas can ever change that easily “I was seen as a weirdo in the kingdom for years, and after what happened today... They must see me as something worse, how can I change anything?" She looks at the star with a saddened expression.

And once again, Aster reassures her with a bright smile and some words of wisdom "You just gotta believe, believe in yourself all the way, implicitly and unquestionably-

(That’s uh… that’s a reference to an Walt Disney quote, cause like, I’m shocked that Disney’s 100th anniversary movie had none of those, and also it’s really fitting for Aster’s character… sorry for the interruption, let’s keep going)

- believe in yourself as much as I believe in you! I'll be there to help you. It won't be easy but we gotta start from somewhere, right?… And I REALLY think if anyone can inspire them it's you, Asha."

The thought never crossed Asha’s mind before but… The way Aster talks to her almost feels like they know her for a long LONG time… But maybe that’s just how wishing stars talk to their wish makers in general. Asha thinks for a moment… Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to at least try…

"... Yeah I guess... It does sound fun to play music with my saba's mandolin like I've always wanted...” She looks at the instrument, but then a worrisome thought came to her, she looks back at Aster and asks “But how are YOU gonna be there with me? We can't let people see you"

Aster smirks as he starts floating towards the entrance of the house "Oooh hohoho way ahead of you! Watch this.” He gets out, closing the door behind him. Asha sees a huge flash of light coming from the windows, she looks at the door confused until… Aster walks back in. Emphasis on WALKS, not float. For he’s no longer a 2D animated glowing boy… He’s 3D just like Asha and all the rest of the environment. Asha is startled for a moment because she almost couldn’t recognize him now that he looks like… A real person.

“Ta-da!” He says walking in while twirling around, showing off his new form. His cape no longer has star dust flowing out of it, and his blonde hair no longer moves nor shine, and the star mark on his right eye is gone.

All Asha can say is amazement is “...Wow”

The star was just interesting to look at before, since he was a moving drawing. But now… Now Asha felt a bit more when looking at him, her heart starts beating faster.

Although he does looks like a real person his movements feel… Off, like their animation is in a different frame rate compared to everything else, his movements are slightly quicker.

(In case you haven’t noticed yet Aster is a walking animation study)

"Pretty neat huh? I feel so heavy now hehe" He jumps a few times, like they’re getting used to the gravity

"Wait wait wait did you just turn yourself into a human??" Asha asks while walking towards him to take a closer look.

"Naah, I wish." He whispers the "I wish" part more to himself "This is just a disguise, all wishing stars have one, though I can't actually use my powers while in this form" The boy says while checking his new appearance on a mirror hanging on the wall "But hey, not like I'll need my powers to help you inspire people, that will be all you! I'll be there just to hype up the audience" He says excitedly

Asha feels her insecurities creeping in at the mention of an audience "... We can't bring too much attention for ourselves though, SPECIALLY from the king and queen, they'll probably think that cursed wish changed me, so they'll be looking for me"

"I can keep an eye out for them… Aaaaand" Aster runs towards the closet he fell in earlier, and grabs another item that caught his attention beside’s Sabino’s mandolin… It’s a purple bluish cloak, the same cloak from the movie that references the fairy godmother’s cloak.

“My mom’s cloak…” Asha says warmly as Aster hands the piece of clothing to her

"They won't recognize you like this, from the top of their palace you'll look like just any street performer" The star's voice is filled with trust that everything will be alright, and Asha feels that trust too as she holds the cloak close to her heart.

"Yeah... Okay, we'll do it! Tomorrow morning at the plaza" Asha announces decidedly

“Alright!" The star jumps up, realizing he can't fly in that form so he looks slightly confused when he lands back down, he feels a bit embarrassed by that "Heheh... But hey, speaking of that cursed wish of yours... shouldn't the wishes have already been released from the tower?" Aster says looking out the window.

"... I honestly don't know what time of night the king usually releases them, I'm always already asleep when that happens... *yaaaawn* and speaking of which, I should probably go to bed now" Asha says, walking to her old room with tired eyes

"Great idea, I'll be on the roof to watch out for that cursed wish!" The star says as they turn back to his 2D appearance so they can fly to the roof

"Good night, Asha!"

"Good night Aster"

Aster flies to the roof and lays down, to protect Asha. The young star relaxes looking up to the night sky.

…

And then

We hear the sound of instruments.

Violins, flutes and bells all playing quietly but erratically.

We then see a new emotion that Aster hasn't displayed before form on his face...

Aster looks annoyed.

The young star rolls his eyes, speaking in a tone reminiscent of a bothered teenager

"Wow, I barely even started and you guys already think I’m doing this all wrong? A little bit of trust would be nice"

The instruments play again, as if to answer to what he just said

"Yeah I knooow it's gonna take a while to grant this wish, but hey, if it was a simple wish I wouldn't be here in the first place, now would I?"

The instruments play again, more aggressively

"I may be young but I deserve to be here just as much as anyone else... I know I'm doing things differently but... She needs me"

The instruments play again

"NO THIS IS NOT-"

He stops himself from yelling, Asha might hear, he looks up to the stars with a glare.

"*sigh* This is NOT about me wanting to stay here longer than I have to, I'm just doing things MY way, just give me a chance, I know what I'm doing..."

…

Silence.

…

All Aster hears now are the sounds of the night, like crickets and the wind

The star turns their gaze now to the castle in the distance

“… I know what I’m doing.”

Chapter 8

Final thoughts

Does he though?

And WOW that was a looooong chapter of just two characters talking to each other huh? Well I hope y’all enjoyed the cuteness because it’s aaaaaall going downhill real soon :3

So just getting one thing out of the way, about this last scene of Aster talking with the stars… I wrote that whole scene while listening to “I’m still here” from Treasure Planet to get my head in the misunderstood teen vibe, just so you guys get an idea.

It’s not like Aster was faking his upbeat personality,obviously not, they don’t fake anything, it’s more like they have layers… like an onion 🧅. With Asha and everyone else he’s the happy optimistic little ray of sunshine that believes wholeheartedly that “🎶No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, that dream that you wished will cooooome true🎶” and all that jazz.

BUT with the stars, he’s treated like a kid, when they feel like a teenager and wants to be treated as one. My point is he’s more than a happy face, he’ll have an arc and be a rounded character.

And don’t worry, the stars ain’t antagonists, they’re more of a true neutral party. Just observing… Yeah.

And if you think “that plan of inspiring people with music is not a good idea” why yes, I know, but that’s Aster plan, aka the guy who takes ✨If you believe you can do it✨ as gospel, and don’t get me wrong I agree with believing in your dreams, but Aster will come to learn what that REALLY means, and what it really means to be someone’s guide.

This plan WILL lead to something good for Asha and Aster… buuuut it’ll also lead to something real bad, so ya know, Aster gets a reality check, and Asha will get some character development… Yippee 🥳

Hope you guys enjoyed this Magnifico and Amable free chapter because they’re coming back right in the beginning of chapter 8 hahaha say bye bye to the good vibes.

As always

Thank You For Reading!

255 notes · View notes

novaursa · 3 months ago

Text

The Price of Fire (13)

- Summary: In the shadows of the Red Keep, the daughter of the Mad King, Princess Y/N Targaryen, finds herself caught between duty, love, and survival. As her father’s madness deepens and political intrigue swirls, she seeks solace in a forbidden romance with her sworn protector, Ser Arthur Dayne. With King Aerys plotting to use her as a pawn and her brother Rhaegar maneuvering to shield her from their father’s grasp, Y/N must navigate a web of deceit and desire. As tensions rise, secrets ignite into fierce passion and dangerous alliances, where the wrong move could mean the end of them all.

- Paring: targ!reader/Arthur Dayne

- Note: For the rest of the parts of the story, visit my blog. The list is pinned to the top.

- Rating: Mature 16+

- Word count: 8 000+

- Previous part: 12

- Next part: 14

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @lightdragonrayne @onlyrealjoy @hajmola-vs-aamchaska @alyssa-dayne

The sun was setting over the vast expanse of Dorne as you and Arthur rode toward Starfall, the ancestral seat of House Dayne. The long journey had been grueling, but the sight of the pale stone walls of the castle rising against the desert landscape brought a sense of relief. Starfall, nestled near the shores of the Torrentine, shimmered in the fading light, the Sword of the Morning’s ancestral home looking like a beacon of safety amidst the chaos you had fled.

Arthur rode beside you, his gaze sharp and focused as always, but there was a heaviness in the air between you, a shared understanding of what you had left behind and what awaited you here. His hand, warm and steady, had gripped yours tightly for much of the journey, a silent promise that he would see you through this. But even Arthur, as confident and unwavering as he had been, knew the gravity of what was to come.

As the gates of Starfall opened before you, a small party emerged from the castle to greet you. At the forefront stood Ashara Dayne, her violet eyes wide with anticipation. Her dark hair, flowing freely over her shoulders, caught the last rays of the sun, and her expression—though composed—betrayed a mix of emotions as she saw you and Arthur approaching.

She had received the letter, of course. She had known they were coming. But seeing it unfold before her eyes—the dragon princess, you, and her brother, the famed Sword of the Morning, now a man branded a traitor to the crown—was something else entirely.

Behind her, several retainers of House Dayne stood, their expressions somber but respectful. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of what was happening. Here, even in Dorne, word had spread like a storm of King Aerys' descent into insenity, of his obsession with his daughter, and of the dark ritual that had led to the hatching of a dragon—a miracle, some whispered. But others, even here, spoke of it with a shiver of unease. The way in which the dragon had been brought into the world—the burning of men, the wildfire—it cast a shadow over what should have been a wonder.

As you and Arthur dismounted, Ashara stepped forward, her eyes flickering between you and her brother. She was beautiful, as she always had been, but there was an intensity in her gaze that spoke of understanding and concern.

“Arthur,” she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of both affection and caution. Her eyes moved to you, and she gave a respectful nod. “Princess Y/N.”

You managed a faint smile, though you could feel the tension in your chest, the exhaustion of the journey and the enormity of what you had fled catching up to you. “Lady Ashara,” you replied, your voice quieter than usual.

Ashara’s eyes softened, and she glanced at her brother again, as if searching for something in his expression. “I received your letter,” she said, her voice careful. “But seeing you both here...”

Arthur, ever composed, stepped forward. “We had no choice,” he said quietly, his voice steady but filled with an unspoken weight. “The situation in King’s Landing has grown far worse than you know.”

Ashara sighed, her eyes darkening with concern. “It is all anyone can speak of, even here in Dorne. The king’s madness... his obsession with his daughter.” She glanced at you then, her expression softening. “The birth of the dragon. It’s seen as a miracle in some corners, but...” She trailed off, and the unspoken truth lingered in the air.

“But the manner of its birth,” she continued after a moment, “has unsettled many. The burning of men with wildfire... it casts a dark shadow, even on a miracle.”

You looked away, the memories of that ritual flashing through your mind, the heat of the wildfire, the sight of the men burning, feeling fires on you skin, the scent of their flesh still resides in your soul. It was something you could never forget, a nightmare that clung to you even now.

Arthur reached for your hand again, his fingers curling around yours gently. “We’re not here for miracles,” he said softly, his voice filled with the kind of tenderness he only ever used with you. “We’re here because the king’s obsession has reached its peak. Rhaegar... Rhaegar had no choice but to take action. And now, we must protect Y/N.”

Ashara’s face tightened as she heard her brother’s words, the weight of them settling over her. “Rhaegar has started a war,” she murmured, her eyes searching Arthur’s. “And you... you’ve broken your oath to the crown.”

Arthur’s jaw clenched, but his gaze remained steady. “I’ve broken no oath that matters. My loyalty is to her, to protecting her from a fate worse than any betrayal to the crown.”

There was a long pause, the silence filled with the heavy weight of what lay ahead. Ashara, torn between her own loyalty to her brother and the reality of what this all meant, finally nodded.

“I understand,” she said softly, her voice filled with sorrow and resolve. “Come inside. We will keep you safe here, for as long as we can.”

She turned and led the way toward the gates of Starfall, her retainers following closely behind. You and Arthur exchanged a glance, and for a moment, despite everything, there was a sense of relief. You had made it to Starfall. For now, you were safe.

But as you walked through the gates and entered the shadowed halls of the ancient castle, you couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

The halls of Starfall were cool and dim, a sharp contrast to the scorching Dornish sun outside. Ashara led you and Arthur through the shadowed corridors, her movements swift and graceful, though her face was etched with worry. Arthur remained close to you, his presence a steady comfort as your steps echoed through the ancient stone halls. Starfall’s very walls seemed to carry the weight of history, of long-forgotten battles and the legacy of House Dayne.

As you walked, you couldn’t help but glance at Arthur, his jaw tight, his hand brushing against yours in quiet reassurance. But just as you were about to speak, a familiar voice broke the silence.

“Well, well,” the voice drawled, smooth and unmistakable. “The princess of dragons graces us with her presence. It’s been too long since we’ve seen that pretty face.”

You stopped, your heart skipping a beat as you turned to find Prince Oberyn Martell leaning against one of the stone pillars, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. His lips curled into a slow smile, and he stepped forward, his gaze flicking between you and Arthur with a knowing look. He was dressed as casually as ever, but the power and confidence he exuded made the air around him feel charged.

“Oberyn,” you greeted with a small, tired smile, surprised to see him here. The last time you had seen him was at the festival of the Mother in King’s Landing, when the court had tried to match his sister, Elia, with Rhaegar. It felt like a lifetime ago now. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Oberyn’s smile widened, his eyes flicking over you, taking in your travel-worn appearance but with no less warmth. “And I wasn’t expecting to find the famed dragon princess on my doorstep, but here we are,” he said lightly, his voice teasing but not unkind. “You’ve certainly brought a bit of excitement to Dorne, though I suppose that’s no surprise for someone with dragon blood.”

You chuckled softly, despite everything, and offered a light jest, your words more out of habit than ease. “You flatter me, Prince Oberyn. Though I’m sure there’s plenty of excitement in Dorne without me.”

Oberyn’s eyes sparkled with amusement, but then his gaze shifted to Arthur, who had remained by your side, ever watchful. The prince’s expression turned more thoughtful, his smile turning into a smirk. “I must say, Arthur, you’re looking... particularly attentive,” he remarked, his tone dripping with suggestion. “And very close to the princess.”

Arthur straightened, his face calm but unreadable as always. “I’m protecting her, Oberyn,” he said, his voice steady. “That’s my duty.”

Oberyn raised an eyebrow, the smirk on his lips deepening. “Oh, I remember,” he said smoothly. “At the festival in King’s Landing, you and I spoke, and I noticed it then—the way you looked at her. The Sword of the Morning, in love with the dragon princess.” His eyes gleamed mischievously. “It seems I was right.”

Your heart skipped a beat, heat rising to your cheeks at Oberyn’s words. You glanced at Arthur, who remained composed, though there was a faint tension in his jaw. He didn’t deny it. And neither did you.

Before the moment could stretch on further, Ashara cleared her throat, giving the prince a sharp look. “Your Grace,” she said firmly. “This is not the time.”

Oberyn shrugged, though his smile remained. “Very well, Lady Ashara,” he said, though his gaze lingered on you and Arthur for a moment longer. Then, with a graceful step, he turned to face you more fully, his expression softening.

“You’re safe here, Princess,” Oberyn said, his tone turning serious. “Starfall is well-guarded, and if Aerys sends men to Dorne, we will respond. Dorne does not bow easily to the will of mad kings.”

You frowned, the weight of everything pressing down on you again. “Why are you protecting me?” you asked, the question escaping your lips before you could stop it. There was gratitude in your voice, but also confusion. “I don’t... I don’t understand why you’re taking such a risk.”

Oberyn smiled, but there was a flicker of something more in his eyes—something sharp and calculating. “I have a passion for protecting damsels in distress,” he said with a smirk, though his voice was softer now. “But more than that... it’s the right thing to do.”

He paused, his gaze thoughtful as he considered his next words. “And perhaps,” he added, his tone more deliberate, “saving you could be beneficial to Dorne in the long run. Once Rhaegar secures the throne, there will be... opportunities for future alliances. A free princess, safe and sound, could open many doors.”

You felt a pang of unease at his words, a reminder of the political games that had always surrounded you. Even now, far from King’s Landing, you were still a piece on the board—a tool for others to use.

But more than that, Oberyn’s words stirred something deeper, something painful. You shifted uncomfortably, the conflicting emotions swirling inside you. No matter how deranged Aerys had become, he was still your father. Your blood. And despite everything, despite the fear and the horrors you had witnessed, you could not shake the love you still felt for the man he once was. The father who had once held you close, who had smiled at you with genuine affection before the madness consumed him.

“I... I understand,” you said quietly, your voice faltering slightly. “But it’s still... difficult. He’s still my father, no matter what he’s become. And all of this... it still feels alien to me.”

Oberyn’s expression softened, and for a moment, the playful, teasing prince was gone, replaced by someone who understood the weight of loss, the pain of family. “I don’t envy your position, Princess,” he said quietly. “But remember, you didn’t choose this. None of this is your fault.”

Arthur’s hand found yours again, a silent comfort, and you squeezed it gently, grateful for his steady presence.

Ashara stepped forward, placing a hand on your shoulder, her expression kind. “You’re safe here,” she repeated softly. “You have people who care for you.”

You nodded, though the knot in your chest remained. The love you still carried for your father, the man he had once been, warred with the reality of what he had become. And the uncertainty of the future hung over you like a dark cloud.

But here, in Starfall, surrounded by those who had chosen to protect you, you knew you were not alone.

The journey to Dragonstone had been long and weighed down with silance, the heavy skies mirroring the burden that hung over Rhaegar’s heart. The sea winds whipped around the island fortress, carrying the salt of the Narrow Sea, but they did little to cleanse the worries from his mind. He had successfully escorted his mother, Queen Rhaella, to safety with the aid of Varys' men, ensuring she was far from the madness of King’s Landing. Yet even here, in the ancient stronghold of House Targaryen, the shadows of his father’s madness loomed.

Rhaegar stood on the terrace overlooking the stormy sea, his silver hair blowing in the wind, his violet eyes dark with the weight of the world pressing upon him. His thoughts drifted to you—to the sister he had sent away with Ser Arthur Dayne, trusting him with your life. His heart ached at the thought of you, far from him, but safer in the hands of the man he trusted most. But the weight of keeping you hidden, even from his own mother, gnawed at him.

Behind him, the door to the chamber opened quietly, and his mother, Queen Rhaella, stepped out to join him. She was pale and fragile, her face lined with worry. The toll of years spent under Aerys’ madness was clear in her eyes, though she carried herself with the dignity of a queen.

"Rhaegar," she called softly, her voice filled with concern.

Rhaegar turned to face her, his expression softening as he saw the worry etched into her face. She was his mother, the woman who had endured more than anyone should ever have to. And now, as he stood on the precipice of war, he knew the pain he was causing her—the uncertainty, the fear for her children.

"Mother," Rhaegar said gently, stepping forward to take her hands in his. "You’re safe here, at Dragonstone. No harm will come to you."

Rhaella’s eyes searched his face, and though she nodded, her worry was not so easily dismissed. "But what of you?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "And your sister? Where is Y/N, Rhaegar? I don’t even know where she’s been taken. How can I be at peace when I don’t know if my children are safe?"

Her words hit Rhaegar with the force of a storm. He had expected this, had known his mother would ask. But now, standing before her, he could feel the weight of his decision bearing down on him. He could not tell her where you were. He couldn’t risk it. Not with his father’s insanity growing, not with Aerys' wrath so unpredictable. If she knew, and if Aerys ever turned his wrath on Rhaella again, she might suffer because of the knowledge.

"Y/N is safe," Rhaegar said softly, his voice steady but filled with the burden of what he withheld. "She’s with Ser Arthur. He will protect her."

Rhaella’s eyes flickered with relief, but also with a trace of doubt. "Arthur is a good man," she said, her voice still soft, "but why must I be kept in the dark about where she’s been taken? What danger is she in that you can’t share with me?"

Rhaegar exhaled slowly, his heart aching for the truth he couldn’t share. "The less you know, Mother, the safer you are," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "Father’s instability... it’s growing worse. If he turns his attention to you again, if he seeks to punish you for what has happened... I can’t risk you being harmed because of knowledge you shouldn’t carry."

Rhaella’s face tightened with fear, her grip on Rhaegar’s hands tightening. "Your father..." she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. "He won’t let this go, will he? He’ll come for her. For you."

Rhaegar nodded slowly, his expression grim. "He will. But I won’t let him take her. I won’t let him destroy us."

Tears welled in Rhaella’s eyes, but she blinked them back, her fingers gripping her son’s hands as though she could anchor herself to him. "I’ve already lost so much," she said, her voice trembling. "I can’t lose you, Rhaegar. I can’t lose Y/N. I’ve lost your father, the man he once was... but not you. Not my children."

Rhaegar’s throat tightened, and he pulled his mother into a gentle embrace, holding her close as the stormy winds whipped around them. "You won’t lose us," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I swear it. I will protect Y/N, and I will do everything in my power to protect you."

They stood there for a moment, mother and son, bound by shared pain and love, both knowing that the storm that had begun in King’s Landing was only just gathering strength.

After a long silence, Rhaella pulled back slightly, searching her son’s face. "What will you do now?" she asked softly.

Rhaegar’s eyes darkened as he looked out over the sea, his thoughts already turning to the war he knew was coming. "I will prepare," he said, his voice resolute. "The North is already moving. The Riverlands will follow. Father has ignited the flames of rebellion with his madness, and there’s no turning back now."

Rhaella’s hand trembled as she reached up to touch Rhaegar’s face, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Be careful, Rhaegar," she whispered. "I know your destiny, your dreams... but be careful. You and Y/N are all I have left."

Rhaegar nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his mother’s love and fear. "I will," he promised.

The warm air of summer clung to the open field, the sun hanging high in the sky as Rhaegar Targaryen stood, watching the approaching banners of House Baratheon. The grass swayed gently in the breeze, but there was a sense of foreboding in the air that even the heat couldn’t dispel. Across the distance, Robert Baratheon rode forward with his men, the stag on a field of gold flying proudly behind him. The meeting was inevitable, a consequence of all that had transpired.

Rhaegar stood tall, his silver hair catching the light, his violet eyes focused ahead. Though stripped of his title as Prince of Dragonstone, branded a traitor by his father, none of that concerned him as much as the accusations leveled against him—the claim that he had stolen his own sister. The gravity of those words hung over him, even as he prepared to face Robert.

The two had not met since that fateful festival in King’s Landing, when the court had tried to match Elia Martell with Rhaegar. But now, they faced each other under very different circumstances.

As Robert and his men came to a halt, Rhaegar's thoughts momentarily drifted to you. You were safely hidden with Ser Arthur Dayne, far from the madness that had engulfed the realm. But that safety had come at a price, and now the consequences were unfolding before him.

Robert dismounted, his powerful frame towering over the men who stood behind him. His face was hard, his blue eyes filled with anger and accusation. His warhammer, which had already claimed many lives in this rebellion, hung at his side, a menacing reminder of the brute force he commanded.

"Rhaegar," Robert said, his voice carrying across the field like a growl. "Last time we stood together, we were in King’s Landing. Now look at what you’ve become."

Rhaegar remained calm, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword as he met Robert’s gaze. "Much has changed since then, Robert," he replied. "But we both know why we are here today."

Robert’s expression darkened as he took a step closer. "Aye, I know exactly why," he said, his voice thick with contempt. "You’re a traitor to the crown. You’ve turned your back on your own father, and you’ve dragged the realm into chaos. You’re no prince anymore—you’re just a thief."

The accusation hit like a blow, but Rhaegar had expected it. His hand tightened slightly on the hilt of his sword, though his face remained composed.

"I’m no thief, Robert," he said firmly. "I’ve protected my sister from a king who has lost his mind. My father is no longer the man he once was. His obsession with power, his madness, has poisoned the realm. I couldn’t let him drag Y/N into that madness."

Robert’s fists clenched, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "And you thought it was your right to take her away?" he spat, stepping closer. "To defy the crown? You think that makes you better than Aerys?"

Rhaegar stood his ground, his eyes never leaving Robert’s. "It wasn’t about defiance—it was about doing what was right. Y/N was never meant to be used as a toy in my father’s delusions. He wanted to take her as his wife, Robert. His own daughter. I couldn’t let that happen."

Robert’s face twisted in disgust, but his rage remained unchecked. "So you decided to start a war to protect her?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think that makes you some kind of hero? You think this rebellion is about saving your sister?"

Rhaegar’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t rise to the bait. "This isn’t about me," he said quietly. "It’s about protecting her from becoming another victim of my father’s madness. The man who sits on the Iron Throne will burn the realm to the ground if it means keeping his twisted grip on power."

Robert’s eyes narrowed, and he took another step closer, looming over Rhaegar. "You think you’re better than him? You think you can just claim her for yourself and call it protection?"

Rhaegar’s breath caught for a moment, but he forced himself to remain steady. He knew the truth of his actions—knew the purity of his intentions when it came to you. His love for you, his desire to keep you safe, had driven him to do things he never thought possible. But Robert’s insinuations cut deep.

"I love my sister," Rhaegar said, his voice low but filled with conviction. "But not in the way you think. I would die before I let Aerys destroy her, or destroy the realm. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to protect her from a fate worse than death."

Robert scoffed, shaking his head. "You’ve already brought death, Rhaegar," he said coldly. "You’ve dragged the realm into war, and now it’s going to destroy everything you think you’re protecting."

For a moment, the only sound was the distant rustling of the wind through the grass. The tension between them was shimmering, both men knowing that the words exchanged here were only the beginning.

Robert took a step back, his face hardening once more. "This isn’t going to end well for you, Rhaegar," he said, his voice quiet but full of menace. "You’ve made your choice. Now you’ll face the consequences."

Rhaegar met Robert’s gaze, his expression resolute. "The consequences have already begun, Robert," he said. "But they won’t end with my death. They’ll end with a mad king removed from the throne."

Robert’s lip curled, and without another word, he turned and strode back toward his men, his warhammer swinging heavily at his side.

As Robert’s men mounted their horses and prepared to leave, Rhaegar remained standing in the field, the wind brushing through his hair. The meeting was over, but the battle that lay ahead was only just beginning.

The throne room was suffused with an uneasy warmth, the late summer heat mixing with the heavy dread that clung to the walls of the Red Keep. Behind the Iron Throne, Terrax lay coiled in the shadows, the massive black dragon’s slow breaths audible in the otherwise silent hall. His golden eyes, half-lidded but ever watchful, glowed faintly in the low light. The courtiers and council members stood still, their attention split between the maddened king and the restless creature behind him, each movement of the dragon a reminder of the volatile situation they faced.

King Aerys II sat upon the Iron Throne, his silver hair wild, eyes blazing with anger. His thin frame seemed to tremble with barely contained fury, and the small council could feel it in the air, crackling like the heat of a fire about to blaze out of control. Lord Owen Merryweather, his face pale and drawn, stood at the center of the storm, the weight of the king’s rage fully upon him.

“You have failed me, Merryweather!” Aerys shouted, his voice sharp and cold. “The rebellion grows stronger, my enemies multiply, and my daughter—my daughter—remains out of reach! What good are you as Hand if you cannot stop even this?”

Behind the throne, Terrax shifted, his tail scraping against the stone floor with a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers through those gathered. The dragon’s presence had always unnerved them, and now, with the king’s madness growing unchecked, it felt as though the beast was an extension of Aerys' wild temper, ready to erupt at any moment.

Merryweather swallowed, sweat beading on his forehead. “Your Grace, I—"

“Silence!” Aerys barked, cutting him off. “You were meant to serve me, to keep order in my realm. Instead, you have allowed chaos to spread! You have let my son steal away my daughter, and you have done nothing to stop it!”

The entire council stood frozen, none daring to meet the king’s gaze for fear of drawing his ire. Even the smallest glance toward Terrax could betray fear or hesitation, which Aerys would certainly seize upon. The dragon’s breathing grew heavier, and the oppressive heat in the room seemed to intensify.

“You are no longer fit to serve,” Aerys continued, his voice lowering into something more menacing. “I strip you of your title as Hand of the King. You are banished from my sight and from this court. Leave now, before I decide to deal with you more harshly.”

Merryweather, ashen-faced, bowed low and backed away from the throne, his departure marked by the soft clinking of armor and murmurs from the court. The doors closed behind him with a resounding thud, leaving the room in a stifling silence.

The king’s eyes swept over the remaining council members, his gaze wild and dangerous. His fingers gripped the arms of the Iron Throne so tightly that the sharp blades beneath his hands dug into his skin, leaving thin trails of blood. But Aerys paid no mind to the pain—his thoughts were consumed by other matters, chief among them your absence.

“Jon Connington,” Aerys called, turning his attention to the man who now stood before him. “You will be my new Hand. Bring my enemies to their knees, bring my daughter back to me, or suffer the same fate as your predecessor.”

Jon Connington, calm and composed, bowed deeply. “I will not fail you, Your Grace,” he said in a measured tone. His words were confident, but the gravity of his new role was evident. He knew the dangers that lay ahead, both from within the court and beyond its walls.

As Connington took his place, Aerys’ gaze snapped to Varys, who had been standing silently at the edge of the room. The Master of Whisperers, ever composed, offered a slight bow, his hands hidden within the folds of his robes. But Aerys was in no mood for silence or patience.

“You!” Aerys hissed, his voice sharp and filled with venom. “You claim to know every secret in this kingdom, to have spies in every corner, yet you still have not found her! Where is Y/N?”

Varys, unmoved by the king’s outburst, responded in his usual soft, unflappable manner. “Your Grace, my little birds are searching every corner of Westeros. There are whispers, but—”

“Whispers?!” Aerys’ voice rose to a fever pitch, the madness in his eyes flaring. “I do not want whispers, Varys, I want my daughter! You will find her, or I will burn every spy of yours alive! Do you hear me?”

At the mention of burning, Terrax’s tail twitched again, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. The dragon, though bonded to you and not Aerys, sensed the turmoil in the room. His presence was a constant reminder of the thin line between power and destruction that Aerys walked so carelessly.

Varys bowed his head, his voice smooth and deferential. “Your Grace, I assure you, we are close. The princess will be found, and she will be returned to you.”

Aerys stared at Varys for a long moment, his breathing heavy and erratic. “You had better,” he muttered darkly. “Or I will feed you to the flames myself.”

As Varys bowed again and stepped back, Grand Maester Pycelle, standing nearby, cleared his throat nervously, hoping to ease the king’s temper. “Your Grace,” he began cautiously, “perhaps if we—”

“Quiet, you old fool!” Aerys snapped, turning his anger on Pycelle. “I have no use for your weak counsel! We are beyond diplomacy—this is a time for fire and blood!”

At the mention of fire, Wisdom Rossart stepped forward, his lips curling into a thin smile. “Wildfire, Your Grace,” he said, his voice eager. “With wildfire, we can cleanse your enemies from the earth. Rhaegar, the traitors, all of them can be burned away.”

Aerys' expression shifted, a gleam of dark satisfaction lighting his eyes. "Yes," he murmured, as though Rossart’s words had calmed his storm. "Wildfire. I will bathe them in flames, and they will know the wrath of the dragon."

Terrax’s head lifted slightly, his golden eyes gleaming as if in acknowledgment of the words. His massive body remained coiled behind the throne, a shadow of danger that made every man in the room acutely aware of their own mortality.

Ser Gerold Hightower stood silently, as stoic as ever, but even he could feel the weight of the king’s madness pressing down upon the room. His presence, once that of a steadfast protector, now seemed to waver as he witnessed Aerys descend further into darkness.

Aerys, seemingly appeased for the moment, sat back on the Iron Throne, his bloody fingers gripping the metal as he spoke in a low, dangerous tone. “Find her,” he commanded, his voice filled with malice. “Bring Y/N back to me, or you will all burn for your failures.”

The small council exchanged brief, uneasy glances before bowing and retreating from the hall. The tension in the air was almost unbearable as they filed out, leaving Aerys alone with his twisted thoughts and the ever-watchful dragon behind him.

The doors closed with a heavy thud, and Aerys remained seated, his mind racing with thoughts of betrayal, fire, and the daughter who had been taken from him.

The night was calm at Starfall, the vast Dornish skies speckled with stars, but inside the cool stone walls, your mind was anything but still. You lay curled in Arthur’s arms, his warmth against your back a comfort, yet sleep did not bring you peace. Instead, it dragged you into darkness—a darkness that twisted and churned with an ancient and foreboding sense of doom.

In the nightmare, you stood in the heart of a desolate, frozen wasteland. The air was heavy, and the sky above you was a bruised, sickly green, swirling with strange lights that seemed to whisper as they danced across the horizon. The world around you was coated in thick layers of ice and snow, a cold so deep it seeped into your bones, making your breath come out in ragged puffs of white.

There were figures in the distance—vague shapes moving across the horizon, their forms blending with the howling winds. The cold gnawed at your skin, yet you felt something far worse in the air: a creeping sense of dread, as if something ancient and evil was stirring beneath the ice.

"The Long Night," a voice whispered, soft and mocking. "It’s coming again, princess. It’s always coming. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it."

You turned, searching for the source of the voice, but found nothing. Only the endless expanse of ice and shadows, stretching out as far as the eye could see. The winds screamed around you, carrying with them whispers—fragments of words, lost promises, broken oaths. The cold grew sharper, more painful, until it felt like knives slicing through your skin.

“You will fall.”

The voice was clearer now, slithering through the winds like a serpent’s hiss. “You cannot escape what is coming. Not even with a dragon by your side.”

Suddenly, the ground beneath your feet cracked, and with a sharp jolt, you were falling—plunging into a chasm of ice and darkness. You couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see, but the voice followed you, laughing softly in your ears.

“Do you hear it? The dead are coming for you, princess. They always have.”

The terror rose, thick and suffocating. You could feel the icy hands of the dead clawing at you, pulling you deeper into the frozen abyss, their empty eyes staring through you, their mouths twisted into grotesque smiles. The dead were all around you now, their bodies rising from the snow, their skeletal fingers grasping for you, dragging you down.

"Look how far you’ve fallen."

The voice was taunting, gloating, as you struggled to break free, but your limbs felt heavy, useless. You couldn’t escape. The cold was everywhere now, inside you, freezing your very soul.

"There is no escape, little dragon. You belong to the darkness."

And then, piercing through the nightmare, came a sound—a deep, thunderous roar that shook the very ground beneath your feet. The dead scattered, their twisted forms retreating into the shadows as the roar echoed through the icy wasteland. The sky above cracked with a brilliant light, and in the distance, you saw him—Terrax, your dragon, his golden eyes blazing as he cut through the storm with a fury that shattered the nightmare’s grip.

With a sharp gasp, you woke, your body trembling and drenched in sweat. The darkness of the dream still clung to you, the voice’s taunts lingering in your mind like a poisoned whisper. But the warmth of the real world was there to greet you. Arthur’s arms tightened around you protectively, his voice soft in your ear.

“Y/N,” he whispered, his tone filled with concern as he held you close. “You were dreaming again.”

You turned in his embrace, your breath still ragged from the fear that lingered in your chest. Your eyes met his, and the depth of his affection and worry was clear in the moonlight that filtered through the window. Arthur’s hand gently brushed your hair away from your face, his thumb tracing soothing circles against your temple.

“I’m here,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “It’s all right. You’re safe with me.”

The warmth of his body against yours was grounding, pulling you away from the icy grip of the nightmare. You rested your forehead against his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of him, allowing his steady heartbeat to calm the storm still raging inside you.

“I saw it again,” you whispered, your voice shaking. “The Long Night... the dead...”

Arthur’s hand moved gently along your back, his touch a constant source of comfort. “It’s just a dream,” he said softly, though there was a weight in his voice, a worry that he couldn’t fully hide. “It’s not real.”

But even as he said it, you both knew that your dreams, your visions, were never just dreams. You had seen too much, felt too much for them to be dismissed so easily. The weight of your dragondreams always lingered, their warnings carried deep within your soul.

“And the voice,” you murmured, your fingers curling into his shirt. “It keeps taunting me, Arthur. It... it says things that feel too real.”

Arthur’s brow furrowed, and he held you tighter, his hand moving to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing softly across your skin. “You’re stronger than whatever that voice says,” he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. “You’re stronger than the darkness, Y/N.”

You looked up at him, your heart swelling with gratitude and love for the man who had stood by your side through all of this madness. In his eyes, you found the safety and strength that the nightmare had tried to take from you. With him, you knew you could face anything, even the shadows that haunted your dreams.

Gently, you leaned in and pressed your lips to his, a soft, lingering kiss that spoke of the bond between you. Arthur responded with tenderness, his hand resting at the small of your back, holding you close as he deepened the kiss, his affection pouring into the simple act of being with you.

When you pulled away, his forehead rested against yours, his breath warm and comforting against your skin. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible in the quiet of the night. “And I will protect you from whatever comes.”

You nodded, your heart steadying in his arms, the terror of the dream fading as you found solace in his embrace. Terrax’s distant roar echoed faintly in your mind, a reminder that you were never truly alone.

As you lay back down, nestled safely against Arthur’s chest, his arms wrapped around you protectively, you knew that no matter how dark the dreams became, you had the strength to face them.

Because with Arthur—and with your dragon—you would never be lost to the darkness.

The soft light of dawn spilled through the open window of the solar, casting a warm glow on the smooth stone walls of Starfall. You sat by the window, looking out at the Torrentine River below, its waters gleaming in the early morning light. The sound of the river’s gentle rush echoed faintly, but the quiet peace of the moment did little to calm the storm that churned within you.

Ashara Dayne sat across from you, her long dark hair falling loosely over her shoulders, her violet eyes filled with understanding as she watched you. She was patient, allowing the silence to stretch as she waited for you to speak. You had asked to talk, but now that you were here, the weight of everything seemed too heavy to put into words.

Finally, you let out a breath, your voice quiet but laced with frustration. "I feel so helpless here, Ashara."

Ashara’s gaze remained steady, but she tilted her head slightly, encouraging you to continue.

“I can’t just sit here while Rhaegar fights this war alone,” you went on, your hands clenched in your lap. "He’s out there, risking everything, and I’m... I’m hiding here, waiting for it all to be over. It feels like I’m abandoning him. I can’t let him do this by himself."

Ashara's expression softened, and she leaned forward slightly, her tone gentle but firm. "You’re not abandoning him, Y/N. You’re protecting yourself, and Rhaegar wants you to be safe. That’s why he sent you here."

You shook your head, the frustration bubbling up again. "I know that’s what he wants, but it doesn’t feel right. I’m his sister—his blood. I should be out there, doing something. I should be helping him, not hiding away like some helpless... damsel."

Ashara’s lips curved into a small smile at your choice of words, but her eyes remained serious. "You’re far from helpless, and you know that."

You met her gaze, your mind racing. The nightmares had grown worse, and with each passing day, the weight of the war pressed heavier on your shoulders. Rhaegar had always been the one to protect you, the one to fight for you, but now… everything was different. Aerys’ wrath, the rebellion, the shifting loyalties across the realm—it felt like you were drowning in it all, powerless to change anything.

"I can’t let him fight for me," you murmured, almost to yourself. "Not alone."

Ashara was quiet for a moment, considering her next words. She leaned back slightly, folding her hands in her lap. "There are many ways to fight, Y/N. Not all battles are fought with swords and armor. Your presence here, alive, free—that is something Rhaegar is fighting for. He needs to know you’re safe. You being here isn’t just hiding away—it’s part of the larger plan to keep you away from your father’s madness."

Her words were logical, and you knew she was right in some ways. But it didn’t lessen the weight of your guilt, or the desire to act. "I understand that," you said quietly, "but I still need to do something."

Ashara gave you a thoughtful look, her violet eyes searching your face. "You have power, Y/N," she said softly. "More than you realize. You have your dragon, you have your lineage, and you have the strength that’s been passed down through the Targaryen line. When the time comes, you’ll know how to use that power."

You looked away, your eyes drifting back to the window. The wind stirred the curtains gently, carrying the scent of the river and the warmth of the sun. Ashara’s words lingered in your mind, but they didn’t dispel the ache in your chest, the need to do more than simply wait.

After a long silence, Ashara’s voice broke through your thoughts, her tone shifting slightly as she changed the subject. "Speaking of strength," she said, her lips curving into a knowing smile, "Arthur seems to have found something special with you."

You blinked, startled by the sudden change in topic. Turning back to her, you saw the warmth in her eyes, the subtle teasing behind her words. Your heart skipped a beat, and you felt your cheeks warm.

"Arthur..." you began, but words failed you for a moment. "Arthur has been... my anchor through all of this."

Ashara’s smile widened slightly. "I can see that. And I can see how deeply he cares for you. It’s not every day that the Sword of the Morning risks everything for a princess."

You felt a swell of affection as you thought of Arthur, his steady presence, the way he had held you through your nightmares, the way he had promised to protect you, no matter what. He had been your protector, your confidant, and now, something more.

"I don’t know what I’d do without him," you admitted softly. "He’s been there for me through everything, and... I love him."

Ashara raised an eyebrow, her smile turning playful. "Oh, you love him, do you?"

You laughed softly, feeling a bit of the tension leave your chest. "Yes, I do. It’s... it’s not something I ever expected, but it’s real."

Ashara’s gaze softened, and she leaned forward again, her voice quieter now. "Arthur is one of the finest men I’ve ever known. And he’s chosen you. That’s not something to take lightly."

You nodded, feeling the truth of her words settle in your heart. "I know. And I won’t."

There was a comfortable silence between you for a few moments, the bond between you and Ashara strengthened by shared understanding. She reached out, placing a hand on yours, her smile filled with sisterly warmth.

"You have the strength you need, Y/N," she said softly. "And when the time comes, you’ll know what to do. But for now, let Arthur be your strength, too."

You squeezed her hand in return, the ache in your chest easing just slightly. Ashara was right—Arthur was your strength, just as much as you were his. You weren’t helpless, and you wouldn’t let Rhaegar face this war alone.

But for now, you would gather your strength, and when the time came, you would fight—however that battle would unfold.

The battlefield stretched before Rhaegar like a sea of metal and banners, the morning mist lifting to reveal the grim reality of war. The sun barely broke through the thick clouds overhead, casting a gray pallor over the land, as though the very sky was mourning what was to come. He could hear the clank of armor, the snorting of horses, and the murmur of men preparing themselves for the bloodshed that was about to unfold.

Rhaegar sat tall on his white stallion, his violet eyes scanning the ranks of his forces. His armor gleamed with silver and black, the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen emblazoned on his chest. Beside him stood the loyal bannermen of the Riverlands, the men of House Tully and their allies, their faces grim but determined. Further along the line, the northern forces were just beginning to arrive, banners of the direwolf of House Stark flapping in the wind, led by Eddard Stark’s forces marching south to support Rhaegar in defiance of King Aerys.

The wind carried the faint scent of blood and steel, and Rhaegar could feel the weight of his decisions pressing heavily upon his shoulders. His rebellion, ignited by the need to protect you and free Westeros from his father’s tyranny, had led to this moment. There was no turning back now.

Ahead, the forces of King Aerys were already arrayed on the field, their banners rippling in the wind—the crowned dragon of House Targaryen, the royal sigil of his father, flanked by the soldiers of the Crownlands and the Gold Cloaks of King’s Landing. The forces were led by those loyal to Aerys: Ser Jon Connington, now Hand of the King, and Ser Gerold Hightower, who had taken the field despite his growing unease about Aerys’ madness. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard had brought with him some of the most fearsome knights, including Ser Jonothor Darry, and those who still believed in their king’s right to rule.

The tension in the air was palpable, the calm before the storm. Rhaegar knew that the battle would be fierce, and the stakes were higher than ever. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, but his mind remained clear. This was no longer just about him or his sister. This was about the realm, about saving Westeros from the fire that Aerys threatened to unleash.

Rhaegar turned to one of his commanders, a grizzled man from the Riverlands, his face marked by years of battle. “The North has arrived to avenge its father and son,” he said, his voice low but steady. “Eddard Stark’s men will flank Aerys’ forces from the west. We hold the center and press forward when the moment comes.”

The commander nodded, his eyes flicking toward the northern banners. “The Starks have always been slow to move, but when they do, they move like a storm.”

Rhaegar gave a grim smile at that. “Then let us hope they bring the storm today.”

As he looked over the battlefield, his thoughts flickered to you—safe, for now, with Arthur Dayne at Starfall. The knowledge that you were out of Aerys’ reach gave him strength, but it also fueled the fire inside him. He couldn’t fail. He wouldn’t.

A sound like thunder broke through the murmur of the armies—horns blaring from the other side of the field. Aerys’ forces were moving. The distant figures of knights and foot soldiers began to march, their steel glinting in the dull light as they advanced. At the forefront, Rhaegar could see the royal banners, the sight of them stirring a mixture of anger and resolve within him.

Jon Connington rode at the head of the force, his armor bright, his expression set in determination. He had always been fiercely loyal to Aerys, and Rhaegar knew that Connington would fight until the last breath to uphold the king’s claim. But Rhaegar could see the uncertainty in the ranks behind him—the men who fought because they were sworn to, but perhaps not because they believed in their king.

Rhaegar glanced at his own commanders, giving a short nod. “Hold your ground until we have them where we need them.”

The battle lines were drawn, and the moment stretched out, tense and silent, before the storm of steel and blood began.

Suddenly, with a roar that seemed to shake the earth itself, the two forces collided. Men shouted, swords clashed, and the sound of steel on steel filled the air. Rhaegar spurred his horse forward, charging into the fray, his blade flashing in the sunlight as he cut down the first man who came at him.

The chaos of battle surrounded him—screams of the wounded, the clash of swords and shields, the stampede of horses as cavalry units smashed into the lines of infantry. The smell of blood was thick in the air, and Rhaegar’s heart raced as he fought, each blow driven by the knowledge that this battle could decide the fate of the realm.

He found himself facing a knight in gold-plated armor, one of Aerys’ personal guards. The knight swung his sword with a vicious cry, but Rhaegar parried the blow, his own blade flashing in retaliation. The force of the impact sent a shock through Rhaegar’s arm, but he pushed forward, his strikes precise and deadly. Within moments, the knight crumpled to the ground, his armor stained with blood.

Around him, the battle raged. The Riverlands forces, led by Lord Tully’s bannermen, were holding the line, but Aerys’ men were pressing hard. Rhaegar could see Jon Connington at the forefront, rallying his men, his sword flashing as he cut through the lines of northern soldiers who had joined the battle. Ser Gerold Hightower was there as well, his white cloak stained with blood as he fought with the cold precision of a seasoned warrior.

Amid the chaos, Rhaegar found a moment to breathe, his eyes scanning the battlefield for signs of the northern reinforcements. The men of the North were slow to move, but when they did, they came with a fury that was unmistakable. Eddard Stark’s forces, now fully engaged, were sweeping in from the west, flanking Aerys’ troops and cutting through their lines with brutal efficiency.

Rhaegar saw Eddard himself, his long sword in hand, moving through the chaos with deadly purpose. The two men’s eyes met briefly across the battlefield, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. They were fighting for the same cause, though the stakes were personal for each of them.

But the battle was far from over.

As Rhaegar drove deeper into the heart of the fight, he caught sight of Jon Connington, who had dismounted and was now fighting on foot, his face set in determination. The two men locked eyes, and Rhaegar knew that this confrontation had been inevitable.

"Traitor!" Connington roared, his voice cutting through the chaos of the battle. "You’ve brought this ruin upon the realm!"

Rhaegar spurred his horse toward him, leaping down with a fluid motion, sword in hand. "No, Jon," Rhaegar called back, his voice cold and resolute. "It is Aerys who has brought ruin. He is no longer fit to rule."

Connington’s face twisted in fury as he charged, their swords meeting with a loud, ringing clash. The force of the blow reverberated through Rhaegar’s arms, but he held his ground. The fight was brutal, a dance of steel and fury, each man driven by his own sense of duty.

"You would destroy your own blood for your selfish rebellion?" Connington spat, swinging his blade with ferocious power.

"I fight to save my sister, to save the realm!" Rhaegar countered, parrying the blow and spinning to deliver a strike of his own.

Their blades clashed again and again, the fight raging around them as the two men battled for control of the field. Connington’s strikes were wild, fueled by anger, while Rhaegar’s movements were controlled, precise, as if every swing of his sword was driven by a higher purpose.

With a final, brutal thrust, Rhaegar found an opening, his sword sliding through Connington’s armor and sending the man to his knees. The Hand of the King gasped in pain, blood seeping through his mail, but his eyes burned with defiance even as he fell.

Rhaegar stood over him, his breath heavy, his sword dripping with blood. "Aerys is done, Jon," he said quietly. "The time of his reign is over."

Connington’s eyes darkened, and with his last breath, he spat at Rhaegar’s feet, refusing to yield even in death.

As Rhaegar turned back to the battlefield, he saw that the tide was shifting. The northern forces, bolstered by the Riverlands, were cutting through Aerys’ troops. The royal banners were falling, and the lines of the Crownlands were beginning to break.

The field was slick with blood, the cries of the wounded and dying filling the air, but through the chaos, Rhaegar could see victory on the horizon.

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