#asongofgoldenfireandblackbloodthreads

[thefallenprincesss]

starter for @edrickofwinterfell

the weather was brighter than other days, as the princess went towards to the training grounds. the snow was cleaned off the grown, to create a clean pathway.

The princess had her arrow on her back as she wanted to practice what was taught by her husband. She unlatched it on from her back belt… as she started to set it up.

She knew how hard the arrow was… she had her leather gloves on as she started to look at the target.

She had to relax, calm her head down. The princess knew how much she had a temper, a targaryen temper. But this was something she had to work on especially when she shot an arrow.

Rhaenya was focusing on her arrow needing to shoot it at the target. the Princess had focused on the target her eyes trying her best to shoot it.

Her hands shook as she pulled back on the bow but her hands shook. The arrow came down as she lost balance as she sighed.

She wanted to throw the arrow break it snap it. This was frustrating as she looked at the at the target. She tried her again… but her hands were unstable and unsteady once more.

Which made her lose her balance. But she didn’t expect a small audience to be watching her. She turned to look back as she gave up on her bow and arrow… and saw Edrick… Cregan’s younger brother watching her.

[creganstarkrp]

Out Of Place

(starter with @torrhen-manderly )

"Another, my Lord?" The now familiar voice of the wench before him asked. Cregan had not noticed his cup had fallen empty; his thoughts distracting him a little too much. The young wolf only nodded in response and soon the ale began to pour. The chatter around him only continued as those grey eyes of his scouted the room and the men filling it. It was not long before the chatter of the Tavern increased and with it, Cregan's annoyance for people in general. Still, he was able to occupy himself with the half decent ale he sipped at.

The fire crackled in the distance and a near smirk came over him; it seemed the South truly knew nothing of the cold. His own furs had been left in his new chambers and Cregan imagined they would soon gather dust. "Are you in need of anything, my Lord?" It was only then did Cregan realise the ladies of Silk had begun their rounds. Still, the Lord of Winterfell was polite as he always was. "There is no need." His tone of dismissal was easy to recognise as the girl nodded; a flash of disappointment in her eyes.

The young Lord took another sip of his drink; eyes moving around the room once more. His larger hand moved down his side; the forgotten wooden toy wolf in his pocket catching his attention. Cregan could not stop the soft smile tugging on his lips for a mere second as he remembered. His small boy and heir had placed it in Cregan's hand with his chubby fingers just before the Lord left for the Capitol. He imagined his son would no longer be that small of a babe when he returned.

The melancholy thoughts seemingly followed him but the sound of the Tavern's door opening had his attention.

[thefallenprincesss]

starter for: @aemond-of-house-targaryen "You're my brother until the end of time,"

There was a silence, as she sat in the room... she was waiting for her brother. She hated everyone being late, because Aemond use to get upset when she was late. Now it was him being late... she read her book as she waited for her brother's arrival... there was something that they had to talk about... Well she didn't know what exactly... There was something about missing Aemond, and she was quite intrigued by what they were going to talk about. She looked at the door and then back at her book as she continued to read... As the door opened, she didn't get up... until she was sure it was her brother. Then he walked in... his tall figure walked in as she looked up at Aemond and Rhaenya gave him a small curtsy. The room was already tense as Aemond sat across her and she sat back down in her seat as she looked at him. She tucked her book back into her side... and she tried her best to make it awkward. "Brother... it is nice to see you once again," She gave a smile... she could see him looking into her eyes... and there was a slight hesitant. The princess bit her lip... as she saw his stern reaction... well it wasn't a pleasent sight at the most.

Rhaenya look at her Aurora who walked around her small paws padding around in the floor as the Princess lifted her up to her lap. "Thank you..., well it's not this dog... but for the other dog... I have already name it..." She smiled... hoping he would give some interest.

[thefallenprincesss]

starter for @creganstarkrp

"winter dreariness, until gray grows faint pink, sky thinks briefly of love"

rhaenya was sitting on the bed of their shared chambers waiting for Cregan to get ready. she had a long red winter riding outfit on that would stand her out in the snow.

she was kicking her feet bored as she saw the bow and arrow laying on the floor as she tilted her head to look at it. her small dog came onto the bed curling up on her lap as rhaenya brushed her dog’s hair.

once she realized cregan was ready… she got up as she smiled at him seeing him in his hunting gear. her eyes were glowing… in love… she hadn’t seen him in his hunting gear just yet.

she approached him as she gently brushed his hair out of his face. “and you look handsome my lord,” she kissed his cheek. she knew if they started to kiss… they weren’t going to get anywhere.

the princess smiled looking up at him as she turned back to look at the bow and arrow on the ground. “are you going to teach me to use that…?”

her eyes looked up at him as she giggled… in intrigued on how she was going to use an arrow. she had been taught to use a sword… but not an arrow.

rhaenya followed cregan through the door and went to the courtyard as their horses were awaiting them. a guard helped her onto her horse… as she followed watched husband get on.

they went into the snow, as rhaenya was feeling the cold wind against her face as she winced. but she admired the view as never saw anything more beautiful in her life.

[thefallenprincesss]

a starter for @creganstarkrp There was some peace in Rhaenya's life, after going through her episodes of being a nightmare. She had gotten a letter from one and only love and she had never been more excited to see him. She was quite excited for what was coming and the princess was doing everything to keep her room quite child-friendly. Rhaenya liked children... it was something that she couldn't wait for her future. "Elaena can't be there, he will break it!" She looked at her friends a little stressed out. Elaena laughed as she got up and she grabbed the vase and moved it into the back of the room. Rhaenya had commissioned a couple of toys for the boy and she didn't want him to feel so lonely in a new environment. Elinor and Elaena twirled around behind as they giggled, "Our best friend is going to be a step- mother!" The princess looked at wild eyes as she hushed them, "Do not be so loud! I do not need the entire court to know that!" Rhaenya frowned at the girls with a pouting smile, then inside was quite excited. There was something that was so exciting to know there will be a child she could take care of in her presence. The princess looked at herself in the mirror, she took her necklace off, she also took her earnings off and she knew that from history with her nieces and nephews. "Elinor, can you put my hair into a braid crown, so my hair is out of my way?" Rhaenya asked, even though the princess knew that Cregan's son was five, but she wanted to be extremely careful. Lady Elinor her hands worked quick as she pinned her hair back into her hair. She made sure her hair looked beautiful as she got a needle and ribbon, who started thread the ribbon through her hair. Rhaenya loved her hair and she twirled around in her dress.

There was a knock on the door... there was a little giggle on the other side of the door. Rhaenya smiled as heard the smiles, she was excited.

[thefallenprincesss]

Rhaenya was trying to clean up the mess that Rickon had left behind. It was hard for her to clean all the toys up and it truly reminded her of her childhood. The heard the door open and the princess smiled at her sister. She embraced her sister, as she tried not to step over a toy. "I mean--- yes, but no," Rhaenya responded looking around, at the floor, she was quite unsure of what to do, there were dolls on the floor and castles. The princess watched as her sister looked around the toys and she gently bit her lip. Rhaenya never had told Helaena about who she was getting closer with. Rhaaenya saw the rocking horse and she smiled as she looked at it... knowing how much Rickon loved that little horse. She wandered her own chambers slowly just organizing toys and putting them into a nicer way. Her eyes were slowly just trying not to make it so obvious what was going on as she was biting her lip even more, as she looked around not trying to make eye contact with Helaena. "Hm...?" She continued to look at the toy she held in her hands, "Oh? I-- um, it's someones..." Rhaenya cursed in her head... none of her siblings knew about her and Cregan... only her mother did. "Rickon..." She thought she said in her head, but she had said it out loud. She didn't mean to say it loudly but she did. "It's Rickon's toys..." She didn't clarify herself again as she just kept holding a small dragon toy in her hands looking at the floor not wanting to explain more to her sister on who Rickon was.

Secrets unveiled

( A part of @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood )

Starter with @thefallenprincesss

Helaena walked in, scanning her younger sisters room, seeing old toys she knew from their childhood. When her eyes met her sisters, they embraced. “Rhaenya, sister, isn’t it good to be back in our old rooms?” She softly remarked, continuing to look at their toys. The room seemed to be almost… messy with toys. Unusual, Helaena thought.

She pulled back and looked Rhaenya in the eyes. “Have you been playing with toys, sister?” Helaena teased, “It looks like a storm has come through! Oh, look at our old dolls…”

Helaena strolled towards the small dolls her and Rhaenya used to play with, feeling a wave of nostalgia. She picked up a doll that resembled Rhaenya in a way, feeling its soft hair brush her hand. The same way it used to years ago when she was a child.

Her eyes shifted towards the other toys, looking for more familiar objects to reminisce over. But her eyes kept catching different things, unfamiliar things…

Toys that she had never seen before littered the ground, ones she couldn’t imagine Rhaenya would have ever owned. Why are these in her room? Helaena wondered to herself, looking to Rhaenya to examine her.

“I’ve never seen these toys before, sister. They do not belong to my children, or Rhaenyra’s, or you…”

[thefallenprincesss]

starter for @lyarra-of-house-stark

Rhaenya had entered back into the castle of Winterfell. She had saw the crowd forming as they all looked at her and Cregan. The princess felt quite overwhelmed by the faces and looks at her.

The silence was threatening feeling the tension of eyes just staring at her. She wanted the people to realize that she was going to do her duties, and also be a lovely towards all of them.

Her eyes traveled back her newly husband as she looked nervous… feeling as if everyone hated her here. She squeezed his hands, but she couldn’t complain, as she was now the Lady of Winterfell.

The last time she was here… all she remembered everyone being quite scared of her, espeically the idea of brining her dragon.

She looked at the people and the crowd of people that came to come see them. As she was led towards the high table as the people were alreayd sitting there.

A couple of the people stood up… as Rhaenya gave a smile. As she looked at new people she had never met in her life. Lord Benjen Mormont and Lady Lyarra Stark.

The princess smiled gracefully at the Lady, seeing how quite beautiful she was. She looked at her, “Lady Lyarra, I am very grateful to meet you. And wish to strengthen our relationship,”

Rhaenya looked down, as she knew one of things that was taught to her was the way of gift giving. As she handed the lady a bracelet… “I brought this from King’s Landing, was very much thinking you might like it.”

The princess was calm on the outside though she could feel how hard her heart was beating. She thought to herself, as she realized this how Cregan thought possibly. Then she took a deep breath as she started to talk once more.

“I hope our relationship… as sister can strengthen, and I will forever be grateful to be at your side for any reason.” Another sweet smile escaped her lips as she gently held her own hands… as she brought them in front of her.

When she realized, people weren’t paying attention to them, they were talking, a normal party. Rhaenya smiled as she realized, it was a big deal and people weren’t going to make a big deal at the North… she hoped. and if anything she would always have Cregan… and possibly Lyarra’s support too…

[thefallenprincesss]

Write a scene (at least 200 words!) involving your character(s) celebrating their nameday! It can be their most recent birthday, or a scene/memory from their past about a a previous one that was particularly meaningful or impactful. The details and specifics are of course, up to you, and you are welcome to include other characters from the RP (as always, with their writers permission!), but this cannot just be a scene with their nameday as the setting, it needs to explore your character(s) emotions, thoughts, and/or experiences in regard to namedays, their favorite or disliked, most anticipated, most anxiety-provoking, or most meaningful elements, and hopefully a combination of all of the above!!

It was her nameday... it was bright and sunny as she started to sit up in her bed. Something about today was different, as she sat up... with fabric in her hair. Her hairs were in twists, as Alarra came in and help undo the small fabrics. She smiled as she rubbed her eyes, and her servants started to take open the curtains to let light in. The princess sat up as she started to get ready for her day. The blue gown sat on wardrobe as Rhaenya was excited to wear it. This was the first birthday in a long time where the twins would be sharing their birthday. There was nothing more than getting was her dream. She guided herself to get ready, as her ladies and her servants started to get her ready. This one birthday was something she was excited for, and Rhaenya wanted to know what Daeron was doing. Daeron had let her choose the theme, the color schemes.... and everything was blue... pastel blue... well all different shades of blue. Something about this birthday was different... they had more friends, there were something else... they had friends that were both of their friends... Once Rhaenya was ready in her pretty blue gown, her hair was all neatly done, she watched as her cooks brought in her favorite lemon pancakes. Her eyes widened with seeing the amazing toppings, as she started to clap her hands.... She ran over to the table... "Thank you," She smiled as she started to immediately... the flavor were rushing into her mouth and everything felt so much... After breakfast, she had her dogs in her small basket, as went to the gardens... where all the birthday events were set up... it was blue... pretty... ribbons... and people... She walked around seeing everyone in blue... yes even her mother, everyone had followed the dresscode... that's all that mattered for her. The princess walked around and she was happy... excited... everything was perfect in her eyes. Everyone was happy and she was too, then she approached her brother. "Happy name day," She kissed his cheek, as she held his hand... "There is nothing more than... to share our birthday for the first time in years," Daeron smiled as he kissed his sister's hand and they both looked at the crowed of people, "Happy Name Day,"

That evening all the gifts arrived to her chambers as she sat on her bed and started to open all her gifts... Uncle Daemon had given her a newer... and more sharper dagger, and she had a small smirk on her lips.... reading the small note he had left... "Be careful cutting hair princess, Happy Name Day, Daemon" As she moved onto her next gifts she opened was bigger... wrapped neatly. She carefully unwrapped it... from her sister Rhaenyra... a small loving pout came onto her face... It was a new saddle, something more equipped for snow. Rhaenya gently brushed her fingers on the leather and fur... as she gently saw the engraving of her dragons name Auerlys. She saw all the gifts staking up on her bed... as one her servants started to help her move it... and she saw the blanket that Helaena embroidered for her. She felt so loved.... her husband had given her gift earlier in the day... and now she just... she just felt extremely loved. The princess was extremely happy... as Rhaenya was about to go lay down... the door knocked.

The sweet dogs were about to go to bed but the knock woke up them up... as Rhaenya opened the door the servant, she had a small dog bed in her arms.... There was a small white dog in the bed with a bow... Rhaenya looked up at the servant... "Who is it from....?" The servant had a small smile, "The Prince Aemond," Rhaenya had a smile as she brought the dog inside... her brother remembered... she was happy as she cuddled the small dog into her arms... "Oh hello little snowball!" She kissed his nose... The princess read the apology note from her brother.... letting out a small giggle... as she realized... her birthday.... was finally complete... a gift from her cousins... and all her siblings... but this was the best of all... for now....

[thefallenprincesss]

Future Siblings

Rhaenya was sitting in her chambers, where Rickon had decided to join her. There was something soft about just the two of them together. She heard the hums of the little boy laying on her floor, as he started to kick his legs while playing with his knights. The princess decided to join him on the floor, which she never did once she found out she was with child. "My boy," she kissed his head, as she looked down at her new son. Rickon's wide eyes looked up at his mother, as he sat up... "What is mother?" The princess smiled as she started to speak happily once more, "I have something to tell you," she whispered as she gently ruffled his hair. The little boy's eyes widened as he started to sit up as he gently played with his own fingers. "What is it? Is it a secret?" Rhaenya smiled as she started to let out a small laugh, as she looked at him, "A small secret, but... I have to tell you-- that I am with child... Do you know what that means?" She saw her son's head tilt his head, his eyes starting to get slightly confused. "With child? Do you have a child with you?" The princess giggled again, as she looked at Rickon, "I doo not have a child with me, right now, but I have a child inside of me... in my stomach," she responded. Rickon's eyes widened as he looked at his mother in confusion, "In your stomach! Can I feel it?" Rhaenya laughed, "You may, the babe might be small to feel, but you will see my stomach grow, and you will be able to feel your new sibling!" Rickon's hands immeidately went to the princess's stomach as he leaned against her slight flat stomach... "Hi... I will be your older brother... I cannot wait to meet you..." The princess' heart melt as she ruffled his hair, "You are so sweet, I wanted to give you something..." she reached out behind her to grab it. The little boy sat back up straight to look at his mother, he waited patiently. Rhaenya revealed two dolls... a boy doll and a girl doll... "I wanted you to have these... to play with! You can have both or you can have one!" Rickon's eyes went slightly narrow, as he started to decide... and he picked up the girl doll. Rhaenya smiled, "You can have both if you do want both." The boy shook his head, "No, I want this one... this one looks like my mother... from what father...described her.. can I name her after my mother?" Rhaenya nodded, she paced a gently kiss on his head, as she looked at her son with the softest eyes. "Of course, you may name her Arra, I want you to have this... not only to ready you for your new sibling... but just so you have stuff to play with," Rickon gave him a toothy smile, as she looked at him, with love. Then the little boy giggled as he started to play with his new doll. Rhaenya gently stood up as she started to move to sit back down to watch her son play. It was wholesome... it was soft... everything felt just amazing, Rickon ran over, "Thank you--Princ-- I mean mother," he giggled as he hugged her. Rhaenya hugged tightly as she wanted to always protect him. "As I promised you, I will always be there for you... and you may tell me anything you need..." A smirk went up the little boy's mouth as he looked up at his mother... "Can we get... lemon cake..." he giggled, as he hid his devilish smile into his mother's dress.

The princess shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Of course, I had it prepared for when you would visit... come sit down... and we can finish the night with lemon cakes."

[thefallenprincesss]

Rhaenya was quiet, she wasn’t talking to most people after her father’s death. She sat in deep silence, and she missed the water. The waters of being able to play in Driftmark.

She held her dress tightly as she looked over at her family...She would have only had a couple people at moment who gave her trust and comfort. That Lord Cregan Stark, her twin brother and her Aun.

Rhaenya looked at her Princess Rhaenys from afar… the concerned eyes that she gave. She could tell that she knew. the Princess wore her black dress… a newer dress, where she hadn’t ruin the hems quite yet.

She felt uncomfortable just standing there as she grabbed her necklace and played with the jewels on it. She wasn’t a child… but just feeling the missing half in her was weird.

Rhaenya sat on a bench bouncing her leg- she saw Rhaenys approaching her… she looked up at her and she felt Rhaenys’ hand on hers.

“oh.. Okay,” Rhaenya looked up getting up and holding her hand tightly. The princess took her hand and followed… she didn’t know where exactly they were going but she hoped, it was somewhere peaceful and comforting.

Sandcastles at the Sea Side

When Aemma and Viserys announced the birth of Rhaenyra, Viserys had pulled Rhaenys aside to tell her the name they had picked for their daughter. Rhaenys swelled with pride. An unspoken acknowledgment that had the Great Council of 101 chosen her as heir; Viserys would have been her supporter, just as she supported him.

Years later, a more weakened Viserys once more pulled Rhaenys aside as he and his second wife Queen Alicent had welcomed another princess. The princess was to be named Rhaenya, in honour of her sister the crown princess and in honour of her great aunt. Once more Rhaenys swelled with pride.

Rhaenys had grown close to Rhaenyra after Aemma’s death and Rhaenyra’s marriage to her late son Laenor. Though Rhaenys had no official role in the council under Viserys’ reign she often followed her Lord Husband to Kings Landing which allowed her to spend time with her youngest name-sake.

Rhaenys was proud of the woman Rhaenya was growing into, however she also worried about the young princess. She had noticed the state of her dresses, while the girl had always seemed to have a tendency to fiddle with the hems, Rhaenys feared that the nervous habit had gotten worse after the death of her father, Rhaenys’ cousin; the King.

After a particularly tense luncheon, Rhaenys carefully approached Rhaenya, reaching down to stroke her hand. “Come with me?” She suggested softly, nodding towards the grand doors leading away from the dining hall.

A starter for @thefallenprincesss

[creganstarkrp]

Comforting Memories In Winter

starter with @edrickofwinterfell

"Thank you," Cregan nodded his head politely towards the maid who he had ordered to bring him reports of his brother's ailment. Even as he ruled over Winterfell; his family was just as important. Cregan had always known that; even from a young age.

The loss of his parents is still heavily influencing him even now, which is why he kept most at a distance. Still, it had took Cregan longer than he would ever admit to finally come to his brother's chambers.

As ever, Cregan did not knock. It was a habit that many would argue was not a good one. "Brother," the Lord of Winterfell whispered out as the candles flickered in the dimly lit room. The cold breeze making its presence known as the wind howled like the sigil of their house.

He fought the urge not to be reminded of his first wife; his steps nearly faltering. Alas, he was a grown man and had been for a while now. The heavy boots of his echoed in the chambers as he stepped further.

[thefallenprincesss]

a challenge for @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood

[ with approval with @notatargaryenbastard ]

Rhaenya bit her nails, as she started to look anxious from all the lessons. She shared lessons with Prince Jacaerys. They were reading with one another, as she stuttered with her words.

Jace corrected her, as her face blushed as she looked down. The two had shared a friendship, always going around and play together.

She frowned as she looked at the words struggling to read. The prince put the book down, “Don’t worry, we can’t always get the first try,”

The Princess nodded as she looked at him…with mischievous smile. “Do you think we can sneak out… and go play in the gardens?”

Prince Jacaerys widened as he let out a small grin before he slowly closed the book. He grabbed her hands as they sprinted out of the library.

The two giggled and laughed as sprinted out to the castle and went to the garden, feeling the fresh air through the sky.

Rhaenya stopped once they arrived as she inhaled the lovely air into her nose as she smiled. Jace looked at her also doing the same.

The princess looked at Jacaerys, as she held his hands, “It feels nice, doesn’t it?”

The prince nodded as they both started to explore the garden. There was this nice feeling, of the two of them just exploring the garden. Rhaenya looked at Jacaerys, “Do you ever worry?”

Prince Jacaerys nodded, “I worry, about the realm, my mother, my family…”

Rhaenya nodded as she looked at him with slightly sorrow in her eyes. “I apologize for my mother,”

Her hands squeezed his hand as Jacaerys’ eyes looked up at hers. He saw her blush, her face turning red. He saw a flower, as he picked it for her, “For you,”

Princess Rhaenya having the biggest crush on the Prince smiled, as she blushed. As she smelt it, “Thank you,”

It was silent between them, as they both sat down in front of the gardens, as their hands kept intertwined. It was just silent, with birds chirping, with the lovely scene of the outdoors.

[thefallenprincesss]

starter for @black-queen-rising Everything was slowly getting back to normal for her, Rhaenya was getting into her peace. She thought she was, well the fact that everyone was slowly making comments about her once more. She groaned at the idea of hearing all these rumors and it wasn't well for her to be hearing these, but she could quite careless. She was already happy with the life that she held, with her family and with Cregan. The young princess knew everyone was just jealous of her.

She looked at herself in the mirror once more in her chambers. There was a hesitation looking at herself, “You are not Rhaenyra, You are not Helaena, you are just Rhaenya,” she whispered to herself.

Her face held a soured face as she caressed her dress. She flattened it out and it was something that she had to continue to remind herself. No matter how many people said… what, she was sure that she was just Rhaenya.

Her door opened as Rhaenya turned to look back and it was her friend Elaena. “The Queen is requesting your presence,”

That made Rhaenya’s stomach tightened, it was quite nerve wrecking now. She didn’t know why, it was making her feel this way.

She turned to her friend, “I look ready to go right…? or should I change my dress?”

a wash of anxiety came across her face as Rhaenya looked at herself in the mirror once more and she took a deep breath. She was her own worse enemy… she was worse than the Smallfolk.

The princess looked around as she looked for any gifts to give her sister. She somehow felt rushed now. Well she had been meaning to talk to Rhaenyra for while now. This was just felt even more nerve racking. “Do we have anything to give her majesty?”

Elaena looked around seeing the anxiety in the princess. She dug through stuff as she around, “A paper crown?”

Rhaenya had never felt more annoyed, “The Queen, is not needing a paper crown and looking a fool Elaena!” She took a deep breath, as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Once she was calm she apologized to her friend for her outburst. Everyone seem to be getting on he nerves and it was making her annoyed.

“I’m ready,” Rhaenya told herself, “Everything will be alright,”

She gathered her ladies as they lined up behind her and everyone flattened out their dresses. She took another deep breath before leaving her doors. As they walked through the halls the sound of shoes clacking in the halls, as people curtsied to the princess.

They arrived to Queen Rhaenyra’s chambers as the guards looked at the princess before giving a little bow and opening the door.

Rhaenya made sure her ladies had some space behind her and she saw her sister sitting there as she looked at her. “Your majesty,” she curtsied, as she snuck into her knees and gave a deep curtsy.

The room felt tense as she bit her lip looking down at the floor waiting for her sister to say something. Her body fell tensed up for some reason, this was the first time she felt like this Rhaenyra.

[lord-kermit-of-riverrun]

Would banishing Lord Cregan's younger brother destroy much the goodwill he had built up with the north? Most likely. Was Kermit tempted to do so anyway? Very much, yes.

Not before giving Edrick a swift kick beneath the table, Kermit turned to his mother and asked her about the new candles in the Sept. They were imported from Essos this time, instead of the Vale. While seemingly mildly suspicious of the quick subject change, his mother humoured him, reporting that the wicks were of good quality. Then she remembered something of great import and left, taking the bottle with her.

"There's more in the dining hall," Kermit told Benjen wearily. "The cabinet on your left, aove the third drawer. Do not let my mother catch you."

Ben went off quite quietly, to his credit. When Edrick tried to get up and follow, however, Kermit laid a hand on his arm and said "Absolutely not." At Edrick's confused look, he elaborated "I'm cutting you off for today. Tomorrow, you can do as you like, but today you will not drink more in this castle. And I don't think the boatsman will take you back out."

While Edrick huffed, he did not complain. Well, not within Kermit's earshot after he left, citing the need to work on drafting up plans for new canals.

🂱 NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED 🂱

(A thread with @edrickofwinterfell and @lord-kermit-of-riverrun)

Benjen had survived battles, blizzards, and the occasional drunk archer mistaking him for a particularly well-dressed bear, but nothing had prepared him for the gauntlet of grief-stricken prostitutes awaiting him in Riverrun’s brothels.

Fifteen establishments. Fifteen rounds of their most expensive wine. An army of women wailing as though he had arrived bearing Kermit’s severed head rather than his apologies.

Benjen had done his best. He really had. He delivered the message with all the solemnity of a man announcing a noble lord’s passing: Lord Kermit Tully bids his fondest farewells, but he shall not be returning, for he has found true love and wishes to honor it—blah, blah, blah.

He had been groped, kissed, slapped, and, at one particularly low moment, cornered by three women who seemed genuinely determined to keep him as a replacement. He had extracted himself with all the grace of a man escaping a burning building, waving a pouch of gold like a torch to light his way out.

Benjen did not sleep with prostitutes. It was a rule. A principle. Mostly because the moment coin entered the equation, things got complicated, and Benjen preferred his complications to be of the ‘climbing out the window before her husband arrived’ variety.

His coat reeked of rose oil. There was lipstick on his collar. His patience had died two brothels in.

By the fifteenth establishment, he could barely muster the energy to deliver the same speech he’d repeated all night: Kermit is in love. No, I don’t know why. Yes, I am certain. No, he’s not coming back. Yes, you can take it up with the gods if you think they’ll listen. No, I’m not interested in softening the blow personally.

His greatest mistake had been lingering long enough for the women to cycle through the five stages of grief. The bargaining was particularly exhausting. He had been offered free wine, free rooms, free companionship, and, in one case, what he could only assume was an illegal amount of opium—all in exchange for convincing Kermit to change his mind or, failing that, staying the night himself.

By the time he reached the Tully estate, he felt like a man returning from battle. Victorious, perhaps, but utterly ruined. He shoved the door open with the force of someone who had been personally wronged by it, stomping in like vengeance incarnate.

Kermit was waiting, practically vibrating with anticipation. Benjen didn’t even pause. He yanked off his coat, tossed it onto the nearest chair, and held up one finger, silencing any words before they could leave his friend’s mouth.

“No,” he said, his voice hoarse from overuse. “Not a single word. Not one syllable. Don’t even breathe in my direction until I’ve had several drinks.”

He collapsed into a chair, rubbing his temples as though he could physically press the memories from his skull.

“The whores?” he continued, eyes still closed. “Devastated. I watched a woman knock over an entire table in grief. Another bit a handkerchief like a widow at a funeral. I was grabbed, Kermit. Clawed at. Pinned against a wall at least twice. I had to pay for two bottles at the Silk Kiss because someone threw the first one at my head.” He cracked an eye open, leveling a glare at Kermit. “Do you understand what you’ve done? You’ve single-handedly destabilized the local economy. I expect an award from the merchants' guild for my efforts.”

He exhaled sharply and, finally, let himself slump against the back of the chair. His limbs felt like lead. His soul had withered. But at least it was over.

And then he saw him.

Edrick. Sitting there. Drinking tea, of all things, swathed in a cloak like some unholy specter of mischief.

Benjen narrowed his eyes, slowly straightening. He studied the boy for a long moment, then arched a single brow. That was his ‘going out’ cloak. His ‘I want to mingle with the common folk’ cloak. The same cloak Benjen was contemplating strangling him with right now.

“Did you follow me?”

[thefallenprincesss]

a starter for @goldaegontargaryen Rhaenya was in her chambers as she was already annoyed that one by one the secret was getting revealed to all her siblings. She put her head down in her hands as she was thinking about the entire situation. She knew she was in the wrong for not telling them but it wasn't her choice. If she had told Daeron already by now the entire court would've known. She sighed as she looked at her room as she laid into her bed. Her and Cregan had made their first court appearance already and whispers already were being told. She hated everything about the whispers and she just wanted to scream into her pillow. She knew her elder brother Aegon had suspicions, Helaena already knew... Aemond didn't care... and Daeron... he probably knows. She did scream into her pillow as she was getting extremely annoyed by everyone around her. The princess laid in her bed with a pillow across her chest as she sighed looking up at her ceiling. As she was going to close her eyes to get a break there was a knock on her door. Rhaenya sighed as she groaned as she was annoyed knowing it was going to be one of her siblings. "Who is it?" She asked annoyingly, in a yelling tone.

[thefallenprincesss]

a challenge for @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood To celebrate and launch our time skip we have a scene challenge for all (or as many as you want) of everyone's muses! Write a scene (at least 200 words) or a series of scenes about important, major, or otherwise impactful moments in your muses lives that happened during the time jump!

There was a rumor, that shouldn't have spread around. There was this hesitation... the idea... but it was never clear. Lady Elaena noticed the gloomy darkness in the room, as she realized Rhaenya had kept the curtains closed. Her windows were always opened and never closed, the Princess always wanted sunlight in the room.... Things have suddenly changed... There were more books on her desk, more than any time of the princess's life. She never studied... but her mind was set on something. Maybe the rumor was true... but the idea of being a Silent Sister was looming over her head. Everything she did... started to align with her mother's life. She accepted no visitors, she sat in her chambers reading... about how to dismantle a body. There was no way, her own ladies knew... cutting her tongue out, not being able to talk, and dismantling her body would be nothing the princess could do. But her mind was set to it... and it was stranger than anything the have ever experience. Elaena had enough of all this, she grabbed the Princess from desk. "Enough, put the book down now." "Leave me alone, you don't know anything," Rhaenya responded as she turned the next page. Elaena's hand stopped her. "I have had enough of you trying to become a Silent Sister, you aren't going to be one. I don't want you to be one, and you will suffer being one. You act like you can easily be one, without having to suffer... you can't even look at blood without nearly throwing up. Stop this madness right now!" Elaena looked at her friend, there was a sense of worry in her eyes. Rhaenya looked at her... friend.... she knew she was right.. but there was something calling her to do what she needed to be for a form of punishment. A tear rolled down her face as the book pages started to get wet. She started to get emotional over the fact that she felt like she was wasting all this time. The Princess turned to her friend as she held her arm and she started to cry in her friend's chest. This wasn't even the idea of her mother... this was her own punishment to herself for making her mother upset. Elaena held her friend closely, as she undid the vale covering her friend's face. "Let me see the beautiful face of yours," She whispered. The wet-tears rolled down her face as she was only punishing herself for this. The lady held her close to her chest comforting her best friend. "Do not ever punish yourself like this, this is dangerous, and you will never be a Silent Sister, is that clear?" Rhaenya nodded as she started to listen to her friend, she realized how much she was only harming herself, but she was harming her entire household for acting like, someone she wasn't. The redhead lady kissed her head, comforting the crying princess, "Never ever change yourself for someone you are not,"