#bracken vs blackwood

[mesillusionssousecstasy]

House of the Dragon 2x03: Review

I think the episode was very interesting even if it was the "worse" so far. Nevertheless the devil was in the details in this episode.

First of all, it was such a pleasure to have seen the conflict between Bracken vs Blackwood. Because I believe that those two houses are important for the ASOIAF's history.

We also have seen the aftermath of a war, with blood and bodies lying very where. It was perfect. To the liking of GRRM.

Rhaenyra is combing her hair with Visenya's braids.

Rhaenys would have been a great queen (but maybe also a bit weak), but I didn't like that she took Alicent's side. That didn't make sense at all.

The detail of the Hand's chair. Incredible.

I hate more and more Ser Criston Cole.

Aegon is still throwing tantrum during the council meeting.

There was a focus on Aemond's hand and the piece of money he was playing with (foreshadowing?).

It was some incredible picture when Seasmoke was flying in the sky during Mysaria and Rhaenyra's conversation.

Interesting does Mysaria's knows about dragon? And their loneliness after their rider's death?

There is the mention of two new dragons.

It's confirmed that Rhaena doesn't have a dragon yet.

Was it the God's eye showing before Harrenhal?

Speaking of Harrenhal, the castle is so devastated. It seems that everything in Harrenhal needs to die eventually.

The presence of weirwood trees is impressive.

Could you notice the sound or more likely the scream of burning people in the background when Daemon was inspecting the castel.

The visual of the castel was stunning.

Daemon was left with himself.

The detail of the different fire were incredible, for example with the lord's chair.

The place is so terrible.

I like this new Strong character, especially when he said to Daemon that Larys killed his father and brother.

This Strong mentioned again the battle between Bracken and Blackwood, and forgetting the why they hate each other so much.

It was a very interesting discussion during the supper at Harrenhal.

We meet Ser Gwayne Hightower finally, Alicent's brother. I thought he was younger in the book.

Alicent and Ser Cole are so hypocrite.

The hanged men are still at the same place.

I didn't like the dynamics about this episode, meaning it was men vs women.

There is definitively true love between Corlys and his wife Rhaenys.

It was interesting to see four dragon's eggs.

Did you notice that they put the song for kings while Rhaenyra told goodbye to her legitimate sons (foreshadowing).

I like very much Rhaena and Baela's sisterhood.

Did Helaena make a foreshadowing about baby?

Helaena's braid was incredible too.

She shouldn't have forgiven her mother at all.

Interesting to know that Aegon's armor still exists.

Layrs is a fucking liar.

Aegon II put a Maester of whispers inside the council.

Even the White Cloak are laughable, reflecting Aegon II's picture.

We are shown a lot of smallfolks' life in King's Lading.

Was it truly the son of Bealon the brave? Or more likely a foreshadowing of the dragonseed.

We know more about Aemond's fondness for Madam Sylvi. She was his first. Strange that they didn't put the theory of him and Helaena's forbidden relationship. Did you notice that they don't have any scene together.

I wasn't expecting this full frontal.

Sorry but Rhaenyra is so fucking weak in this episode. She is definitively not like the Rhaenyra in the book.

I loved seeing Baela taking some actions.

Finally, some high valyrian with Baela. She was the revelation in this episode.

Harrenhal is such a dope.

I really liked Daemon with loose hair.

And it's very interesting that they confirmed that Harrenhal is a magical place.

It felt so good to have seen young Rhaenyra again.

Daemon had a vision in front of the weirwood tree and then after the lady said that he would die here, said in front of a lake (prophecy).

Even the chandelier in Dragonstone are incredible.

Finally, the confrontation between Rhaenyra and Alicent never happened in the book. They weren't the same age and they were friend at all! Because it is completely stupid, unwise and foolish.

Or maybe it was a way of showing us how easy it is to enter to King's Lading.

Is it me of there is a Kristen Bell ressemblance when Rhaenyra was wearing the uniform of a septa.

This is something in the picture with all the candles and the rond.

Also the two characters were so in contradiction with each other. Back to the beginning but with inverted role.

Who's Alicent's mother? We never knew her.

I didn't understand Alicent suggesting to Rhaenyra concerning Aemond : "You know what Aemond it?" Meaning a monster ? a bastard?

But in the end it is such a terrible and sad story with an inescapable ending.

[reidmym1nd]

spoilers for hotd s2 ep 3

"im as fearsome as any of them" BOY WHO LIED TO YOU?? EVEN HIS COUNCIL KNOWS HIS LAYING EVEN HIS OWN MOTHER LMAOAOAO

jace serving face card once again

the kingsguard knows what's up you can't tell me they dont

not daemon acting like he's the king

something seeing green in kings landing is making me sick

nyra sending her youngest children away made me sob WHEN JOFF SAID "MOMMY" I STARYED TEARING UP

TWO THINGS I WANNA TALK ABOUT IN THAT BROTHEL SCENE (again)

WHERE WAS THE JUMPSCARE WARNING FOR THE HEAD PART???

aegon is really make me dislike him, we just saw history repeat itself but this time with his young squire and then him catching aemond in bed with his @buser

I WAS NOT EXPECTING AEMOND TO TURN AROUND NAKED BRO

OMG MILLY'S BACK I HAD A FEELING SHE WAS GOING TO BE BACK

yk that alicent and rhaenyra was kinda wholesome BUT UGH SHE KNEW IT WAS A MISTAKE BUT YOU STILL WANT WAR??

im not prepared for the next ep, its gonna be the battle of rook's rest🧍🏻‍♀️

cole and alicent having marital disputes (in fromr of the council too, idk how these ppl dont know what happens behind close doors) and then having alicent and rhaenyra together at the end was just the icing on top 😭😭

just realizing daemon might never see his sons again (i havent read the book so idk the whole timeline for dance of the dragons)

[imjulia-andilikecats]

They Really Hate Each Other That Much?

[prince-aegon-targaryen]

It wasn’t perfect but the team fighting wasn’t nearly as bad

[apothe-roses]

Kinktober 2024

Day 20: Hate Fucking | Willem Blackwood x Bracken!reader

Word Count: 201

You hoped Grover Tully’s death was slow and agonizing.

The door closed with a thud. You look at your new husband. Willem Blackwood scowls at you.

“I’m sure you’re looking forward to this as little as I,” Willem starts. “Unfortunately, I am expected to perform by duty and beget a child on you.”

You scoff. “I’m sure it won’t be an enjoyable experience for either of us.”

“You think I can’t satisfy you?”

“You could pay a whore all the gold in Westeros, and couldn’t bring her to even fake her pleasure,” you smirk.

Willem turns from you, bracing his hands on the table.

“Craven,” you mutter. You put your back to him, only to be harshly turned back around by the arm.

He pushes you against the wall, kissing you harshly. His hands are forceful as he drags your skirts up harshly and slides a finger between your legs.

“If you hate Blackwoods so much, why are you wet right now?”

“The only thing making me wet right now is imagining your head on a spike.”

He chuckled darkly before scooping you up.

“I won’t be gentle.”

“Good.”

You claw his back and scream when he tears through your maidenhead.

[horizon-verizon]

PART FOUR of Undeniable Truths Recorded about Dance of the Dragons in F&B

*In Light of Season 2 of HotD*

[PART ONE, TWO, THREE]

note: some of these changes are fine

Alicent & Rhaenyra would never been able to secretly bypass a whole military blockade not just once or twice, but several times to "negotiate" how to put an end to the war without failing spectacularly & revealing themselves; nor even if they could would they want to, since the already-nonsensical-&-self-contradictory Rhaencient rewrite doesn't exist in canon

Jacaerys also visited the Manderlys &Jeyne Arryn aside from Cregan Stark (before Rhaena was sent to Jeyne)

not only did Jeyne Arryn verbalize and show so much more enthusiasm and determination to support Rhaenyra bc of their cousin link/Aemma, she also was for her (despite Daemon) bc she wanted to advance women's positions and safeguard their agency as she herself had to defend her rights against some male cousins despite having been named as heir

Jace's relationship w/Cregan was very clearly stronger than what's implied in the show, where they even made a pact that Jace's future daughter would marry Cregan's heir AND they spent a lot of time just hanging out as "bros" before that

in the show, The Battle of the Burning Mill occurred before any Blackwoods raided any house; in the book/orig story, the battle happened because the Rhaenyra-supporting Blackwoods attacked the green-supporting/declared Brackens and their lands (and only them) as one does at wartime (for all war is bad, this how it be)

in that battle, Samwell was killed by Amos Bracken; Alysanne Blackwood ("Black Aly") Blackwood, Samwell's sister and Benjicot's aunt, then killed Amos in the same battle (Sabitha Frey appears or is named much later, though she would have been active here as well)

obviously, Black Aly existed and she had already distinguished herself in killing Amos Bracken

when the Brackens left their seat (Stone Hedge) behind to counterattack at some random riverside mill, Daemon and his "strong host made up of Darrys, Rootes, Pipers, and Freys" seized Stone Hedge in their absence and took the remaining Brackens (Humphrey, his wife, kids, and paramour) & forced Amos' bastard brother, Raylon Rivers, to surrender

THEREFORE: no Tully or any Riverlord, went to Harrenhal to specifically accuse Daemon of anything in canon precisely because the Blackwoods targeted mostly or only the Brackens (not various riverlords) AND the Brackens had already declared for Aegon while the Blackwoods were for Rhaenyra -- thus these already feuding houses were at opposite sides

THEREFORE: Daemon did not send the Blackwoods to attack a non-discerning and non-anticipating house who was just there to be there; he prepared an attack on both ends against those who were already his sworn queen's enemies -- yes sacking villages is bad, so is war; point is that it wasn't the travesty or unethical by Westerosi standards bec it was all warfare circumstance

Oscar Tully was Grover Tully's great grandson (said ill and frail old man in the show)

Oscar Tully was not the lord of Riverrun/head of House Tully; his brother Kermit was, who was really the one leading the riverlords into battle & glory during and after the Dance

their father, Elmo Tully/Grover's grandson, was lord and he decided to keep the Tullys out of the fighting altogether until until Addam Velaryon basically forced them to (he would die on the march to war from contaminated water)

Grover Tully--remember, that old man show!Oscar mentions as reason for his presence--was fully for Aegon on the basis of maintaining a male's right over a woman's; he was one of those who voted for Viserys or against Laenor/Rhaenys...so Elmo defied his sick father to keep himself and his sons/the household alive

in the Blood & Cheese part, Alicent was there to witness what happened to Helaena and her kids, tied up & gagged before Helaena & her kids entered Alicent's rooms to say their goodnights

Maelor exists; when Blood and Cheese seized Helaena's kids, they forced Helaena into a "game" of choosing which boy would die; she tries to convince them to kill her instead (no necklace) but they threaten to r*pe Jaehaera and kill all her kids, so she reluctantly chooses Maelor to die; the duo instead kill Jaehaerys after Cheese whispers to Maelor his mother wanted him to die

Otto doesn't go anywhere despite possible exceptions he might have taken with Aegon killing many ratcatchers in response to Blood & Cheese

Gwayne Hightower never left KL bc Gwayne became 2nd in command under Luthor Largent, Lord Commander of the gold cloaks

the call for the Sowing didn't involve any of those who might have lived in KL - it was near-exclusively for people at Dragonstone-the-Island bc of the people's close history with the pre-Conquest Targs, who had affairs with or r*ped many of those on the island since they appeared

Jacaerys was the one to come up with the idea of the Sowing

Jacaerys was the one to meet with Corlys on how to attack KL with their dragons, which is how the Sowing came about

Addam had to save Alyn from his own attempt to bond with Sheepstealer; Alyn got badly burnt

Nettles existed, obviously; she became Sheepstealer's rider through patient offerings of sheep each and every morning

Mysaria was nowhere near Dragonstone; she, Rhaenyra, and Daemon meet up again once Rhaenyra and Daemon take KL

Daemon was already in Harrenhal when Luke died; he sent messages to people to plan for Blood and Cheese and was nowhere near KL...again, distances....

Corlys was much more active during this period; mentioned his meetings with Jace; asked/pushed Rhaenyra to legitimize Addam & Alyn

though it's by Mushroom's conclusions, the text makes it very clear that Rhaenyra would not have taken well to Alyn and Addam either living with her own kids nor openly shown to be Corlys' children...and thus so bc bk!Rhaenys was made of musch different stuff than show!Rhaenys...the evidence of such both consistent and as far back as before the GC of 101

Aegon and Aemond went to Rook's Rest together to ambush Rhaenys and it was planned; Criston is cited as one who likely either came up with the ambush himself or at least collaborated with Aemond for that

Aemond did not burn down Sharp Point in frustration over Rhaenyra having gathered her dragons..or any crownland house for that matter; he did burn down several random riverland villages alone on Vhagar after he and Cole found out about KL's fall/Daemon's deceit and Cole left him

[ladystarksneedle]

Bracken | Blackwood

[coffincoitus]

blackwood and bracken ancient feud hiiiiiiii

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

Theon is Team Bracken because horses and because GRRM's favorite buttmonkeys

Sandor is probably also Team Bracken, unfortunately, also because horses, and because the Blackwoods would unnerve him (the old goth vs metal problem lol)

Whereas Sansa would be Team Blackwood because the tree and ravens would remind her of home, and she'd think Lady would like Raventree Hall (and she'd think Melissa's statue was very pretty and her story was romantic)

Sam is an instant Team Blackwood because he'd find a kindred spirit in nerdery with Hoster

Dany might lean Bracken at first because horses (there's a lot of horse girls and boys in the major characters ok lol) and Jonos's hairyness would remind her of “her bear”... but she'd also quickly find him tiresome for the same reason, and then Tytos would politely address her as cousin, and remind her of Betha, and welp

(Tytos would also address Jon/Bran/Sansa/Arya as cousin. Tytos is very nicely situated for the future, assuming he survives the Long Night and the War for the Dawn)

But that's just me. Add your own!

‘would x completely unrelated asoiaf character be team black or team green’ boringgg lets talk about whether completely unrelated characters are team blackwood or team bracken

[skyrigel]

“Come back, be here ...”

Pairing: fancast! Benji blackwood x Bracken!reader

Benji masterlist

“ You and Benji meet when sky goes blaze and sun comes up, by the woods. But this time somthing hits different.

Nsfw 18 +, sexual content ahead ( blow job ) and hinted sex, enemies with benefits, smug! Benji, gn! Bracken! Reader, choking, physical shoving and rough reader, Benji being adorable, fluff, sprinkle of fairy dust ( angst ) some team black vs green dispute.

“ What are you doing here ? ”

The twigs crunched by your soles echoed in ten empty woods, the sun was coming up from the horizon where land met sky.

“ You're late.” Benji said, rubbing his eye like he had fallen asleep, bones cracking as he got up from the bottom the trunk where he was sitting, a leather pouch discarded.

“ This wasn't even meant to be.” You spat, eyeing him as he grinned at your anger, already making his way towards you.

“ Why ? ” He said nonchalantly, knowing how much you hated that tone, slurring the ends, “ Because your coward king—”

“ Shut your mouth.” You shoved him, his back hitting the nearest bark, wrapping your fingers around his throat, his eyes locked in yours.

“ or what ? ” He challenged, every sound resonating back in your skin, waves shooting up and down, rippling your heart, he was very much amused when you had no answer.

“ Go, before I kill you traitor. ” You loosened your grip, satisfied to see the four red marks clinging to his cartilage rings, adam apple bobbling when he swallowed hard.

“ Why are we doing this ? ” He pulled you by the back of your neck, his face turning to a scowl.

“ Doing what ? ”

Benji shaked his head like you were being an idiot, “ This.” he said, with more urgency and you huffed before he caught you off guard.

He kissed you, not the first time and as you hoped, not the very last.

But it was different, like all your kisses were more crashing and shearing and reaching for each other while this, this— it was everything the rest weren't. Soft and sweet, a breeze on your mouth, slow and musical, like you had all the time, it was how lovers kissed, so close that his heart was beating in your ribs, so close that sides didn't matter and he was all along in you, with you.

“......” You pulled away when your chest ached for breath, his face was beaming with the crimson patches and lips swollen by you.

“ Do you...” He started, biting his lower lip, you looked away, “ ...you happen to have time.”

“ Not much.” you grabbed at his tunic, pulling it away while his face only heated up like the sun itself.

The moment you took him in your mouth was the moment you changed what has changed, ofcourse, Benji slipped into another person while you were at it, sometimes he would call you ‘darling’, ‘love’ and all those sweet names lovers had the luxury of, but it was forgotten as soon as both of you were in your clothes and senses.

But when he tugged at your hair, whispering sweet nothings with moans only you could make him gasp, or you hoped ( you wished ).

He was praising and guiding as your mouth devoured him whole, sniffing in his musky scent and drowning in his thick juices, he came with cursing “ oh love...” so loud that neither of you could forget it didn't happen.

There was hardly any talking, speaking meant acknowledge of what you were doing and in that case — you both were clueless. You hardly remember how and when this became something that was meant to be.

To meet by the horizon and fuck daylights out of each other wasn't the most fierce rivalry, to speak ill and crude before pulling each other for a kiss that could last lifetimes.

To hold hands as one reached heaven, or presumably hell, each thrust driven with hate, passion and anger and most of all — hope.

Benji and you never kissed after, it was only the initialisation, the ‘ hey, let's fuck.’ and a glare or pathetic attempt to insult was used as ‘ now get the fuck out of my territory ’ with an unsaid, ‘ but be back to me, soon’

So when Benji helped you up your knees, his head leaning against the bark as he show stars in morning blazing sky, before his eyes met you, flushed and pink lips pressed in warm summer sun, softly and sweetly.

“ You are getting good.” and here it was, his pathetic attempt but you were so wrong because that smile, which reached his eyes could never be an insult, and he was still clasping your hand.

You swallowed hard, the sun came up and he was looking at you, his gaze was softer when you looked back, was it today or was it all this time and you never saw, too afraid to fall in those devastingly beautiful eyes, lighting up like mischief.

“ Now get out.”

He chuckled as you pulled, clutching your wrist near your heart, arching your brows because that made you feral — another useless fact Benji had told you.

“ Don't be late—” he bent down, picking his leather pouch along with cloak, displaying his fine ass, shit “ — next time, there's more I want to do. ”

Despite you struggled, keeping the blush under control, or to blame the sun, you felt your whole body stiffening with the mere thought, arousal lurching in your stomach.

“ If you really want to do something,” you took three step back, facing his forward, the sun almost in the sky, blazing his whole face, “ then you could tell your troops on the western front to calm the fuck down, it's annoying.”

“ You didn't answer my question.” He pouted to himself, waving you off.

“ which question ? ” you blinked.

“ Nevermind, next time.” He smirked, you nodded, so there's going to be next time, you held the smile clutched in your cheeks.

“ Right.” you said, nodding while he bobbled in chin in courtesy and walked out of the woods to the blackwood fields.

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

“ My leige” A beaded man came rushing, his hand waving a parchment that was crumbled around the edges.

“ Make sure the mother is provided good care —” you turned to him, “ yes ? ”

“ The Blackwood troops dreaded the west aisles... there's been no dispute.”

Something inside you soared high, like bird's first flight and dropped like a free fall, no certainly just a hope.

“...” The said man stared at you, that's when you realised you were smiling your brightest.

“ that's... that's very nice.” You stood up, the woods awaited you.

[aemondapologistfrfr]

Pray That I Don't Catch You

benji blackwood x bracken!fem!reader

Summary: The crown intervenes and decides that a marriage between Lord Brackens daughter and Lord Blackwood’s son will solve the tensions between the two houses. You both were very open about your dislike for each other until something changed.

Warnings: 18+ swearing, wine, arranged marriage, chasing(like literal chasing), oral(f), fingering, loss of virginity, p in v, breeding kink

Authors Note: idc that this is overdone i haven’t done it yet 🧍🏼‍♀️ me vs avoiding eye contact w my ongoing series so i could write this in one sitting anyways this was supposed to be chill and then turned into this 

Word Count: 5.9k

                                         ᓚᘏᗢ

ততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

Stone Hedge has been in absolute chaos over the past fortnight preparing for the crown to visit. My mother is having gowns made hastily for us and I’m not bothered by that in the slightest. I’ve been begging for new gowns for ages so this is the perfect time. I spend my days with the seamstresses and help embroider some details. 

My father has been on edge and I’ve done my best to avoid him. I hear his voice trailing throughout the halls from his council chambers. The servants are quick to drop him off wine and quickly run out of his presence. My mother tries to soothe him but even her soft nature won’t crack his hard demeanor. 

“What did I tell you boy?” my fathers voice jolts me from my nap. I slowly peek my head out my chamber doors and see him hauling my brother down the hall. I gasp as I take in his bruised and bloodied face. My fathers eyes narrow on me and pluck me from my chambers and leads me to the council chambers with him. My mother is already waiting inside looking less than pleased. 

“I’ve told you both time and time again that the crown is to visit in a couple days. We’ve been preparing for almost a moon now.” my fathers face gets redder the louder his voice gets. 

“I haven’t done anything.” I scrunch my brows and look around at them. 

“You could have kept your brother inside with you.” my mother gives me a pointed look. 

“Since when am I his keeper?” I groan, pushing myself back into the chair. “What even happened to him?” I look at my brother's face with a grimace. 

“Some Blackwood moving the boundary stones. Am I to just let them on our land?” my brother turns his attention to our father. 

“The crown is coming to deal with this generational feud. You’ll be lucky if they don’t send you to the Wall. Gods, my heir will be taken from me. Over some fucking grass.” my father downs his cup of wine and starts to fill it anew. I look at my mother and my worried expression is mirrored on her face. We have no way out of this chamber until my father dismisses us no matter that we have nothing to offer. 

“It’s never been an issue before..” my brother scoffs.

“The crown hasn’t come here in decades. The Queen wishes this fighting to end. Gods, know how she plans to do that.” my mother shakes her head. 

ততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

I crane my neck towards the sky as the Queen circles Stone Hedge on her dragon. Her dragon gives out a loud cry before it descends and lands outside our gates. Her traveling company has arrived just a day before and our Keep has been bustling with activity. Her handmaidens cluster around the gate as her feet touch the ground. She waves them all off and my family all bows deeply. 

“Your Grace.” my fathers rough voice travels across to her. 

“Rise.” her voice soft yet firm. “Where might Lord Blackwood be? I had hoped we could all sit down and begin the meeting with haste.” she hums and looks around. 

“Oh-um, My Queen, I had assumed you wanted to rest after your travels.” my father stutters out. 

“Let’s assume nothing else on this visit.” she hums. “I’ll send someone to retrieve him.” she walks past us with her company a step behind her. 

                                         ᓚᘏᗢ

When Lord Blackwood arrived my brother went rigid upon seeing his son in tow. I can tell this is who he got into a fight with by the black eye that has yet to begin to fade. I fill the cups around the council chamber and allow my eyes to roam over all of the unfamiliar faces. I catch the Blackwood boy staring at me and he gives me a sneering smile before turning his attention back to the Queen. 

“Then that matter is settled.” she looks at me and I try to keep my face neutral. I should’ve been paying attention. I turn to my mother and she has a worried expression on her face. “Your daughter and your son's union should be more than enough to stitch the Riverlands back together.” the Queen looks from my father to Lord Blackwood. 

The realization starts to sink in at what her words mean. My mother is still staring at me and I feel Lord Blackwood's son's eyes on me once more. My brother mumbles something next to me but I ignore it and slip out of the council chambers. I sprint down the stairs and make my way to the courtyard. The fresh air hits my face and I keep running through the gates. Once I make it past the tree line I finally stop and rest my hands on my knees to catch my breath. 

“What have I done to be at the end of your cruel joke?” I whisper up at the Gods. 

“Enough with the dramatics.” I turn and see the Blackwood boy leaning against a tree. “They sent me to come retrieve you. I’m sure in hopes that you would think I was rescuing you in some galant way.” he drawls looking me over, bored.

“I won’t go back with you.” I raise my chin at him. 

“You will. I won’t be spending the evening out here.” he starts to walk towards me. I take one glance at his outstretched arm and suck in a breath before turning and sprinting deeper into the forest. Green and brown blur past me as I delve us deeper into the woods. I hear his heavy feet a couple feet behind me and my adrenaline pushes me further. I feel his fingers wrap around my arm and I go to pull away and send us both flying to the ground. “Gods woman.” he grits out through his teeth as we fumble around in the dirt and leaves. 

“Let go of me.” I try to pull my wrists out of his grasp but he slams them down to the earth. 

“If I do, you'll run and we’ll end up in the same place in a couple minutes.” his breath fans across me as our chests push into each other as we try to slow our breathing. 

“I don’t want to marry you.” I shake my head. 

“Nor I you.” he looks me over with annoyance. “But I’m afraid the Queen insists.” 

“I don’t care. I won’t.” his nostrils flare at my words. 

“Stubborn and hardheaded like every other Bracken.” he mumbles and I bring my knee up hard between his legs and the air is knocked out of his lungs. I scramble to my feet and break into a run. “Pray to your Gods I don’t catch you.” he screams into the trees and I hear twigs snapping behind me. 

My lungs feel like they’re on fire and I risk taking a sharp turn and slowing my pace to quiet my noises and breathing. I rest against a tree and lean my head back trying to focus on catching my breath. I look up at the orange and pink sky knowing I need to get out of this forest before moonrise. I look around at my surroundings and slowly push myself off of the tree. I take one step forward and squeak and he presses me against the bark. 

“Get-“ one of his hands press against my mouth. 

“I don’t want to hear another fucking word from you.” he stares at me. “Do you understand?” he raises an eyebrow. I nod my head having no other choice. I keep looking at him as he slowly removes his hand. He grips his other hand around my wrist and begins to pull us back in the direction of Stone Hedge. I try to pull my hand away but he just tightens his fingers in response. I nibble on my lip wanting to say something but unsure of what he’ll do. 

“You’re going to leave bruises.” my voice barely above a whisper. 

“I don’t care.” he tugs me to start walking faster. 

“At least slow down.” I huff yanking his arm back. He turns to me with dark eyes and I match his stare. 

“Do you wish to walk through the forest in the dark?” he looks down at me. 

“No.” I purse my lips. “I don’t want you to drag me through this forest anymore either. You should act like a gentleman if I’m now your betrothed.” I look up at him expectantly. He shakes his head at me and his grasp tightens around my wrist once more and he starts to pull us through the forest. As we approach the tree line the sun sets and my mother and father breathe out a sigh of relief as we come into view. I barely noticed him slip his fingers between mine to make our journey seem more innocent than it was. 

“Thank the Gods.” my father sighs pulling me into his tight embrace. “I was about ready to go in there myself.” he pulls back and looks me over and starts to pull some leaves out of my hair. He looks over at the Blackwood boy and nods his head. “Thank you, Benjicot.” I look at him just now realizing I never got his name. 

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I look myself over in the mirror and continue to smooth out my skirt. I watch as my handmaidens finish with my hair and step back to admire their work. My mother comes in and places a necklace around me. I smile at her in the mirror before I turn to her. I offer what I hope is a comforting smile and she gives me a reassuring nod. 

“It’s just lunch in the gardens.” the corners of her mouth turn upward. “It can’t be so bad.” she raises my chin. This isn’t the first lunch we’ve had. He has been coming here everyday and it’s clear it’s not on his own terms. Our conversations are short and we mostly fight or sit in silence unless there are others around.

“I suppose you’re right.” I sigh, nodding my head. I brush past her and make my way down the stairs. I allow a smile to spread across my features as I see him waiting for me. He offers me his arm and I accept watching my mother smile at us from the corner of my eye. “So lovely to see you, Benjicot.” I hum resting my head on his shoulder. 

“A bit much.” he chuckles lowly and I pinch his arm rather hard in return. “How is my betrothed today?” he brings his hand up to my cheek in the pretense to caress it but pinches me. 

“Ow.” I push him. 

“Easy.” he chuckles, pulling me back against him. 

“My day has gotten so much brighter now that I’m with you.” my voice sickeningly sweet. People around us stop and smile watching us pretend to be smitten. They never catch the underlying moments like when he pushes my chair in too far and steals the breath from me. Or when we embrace and my hands find the back of his neck I pull so hard on his hair I’m surprised I haven’t taken any out yet. As he takes his seat across from me, servants are upon us filling our cups and plates.

“Are you counting down the days until we wed? It’s just under a fortnight now.” he smirks while sipping his wine. 

“I can’t wait, Benjicot.” his nostrils flare at his full name. 

“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Benji?” his voice has a bite only I can hear. 

“You should’ve never told me you dislike it.” I chuckle, raising my cup to him. 

“I dislike you.” a servant walks up and he adds. “Being away from me. I can’t wait until we’re wed and I never have to spend another moment without you.” he reaches across the table for my hand. I offer it to him and watch the servant swoon looking at us. 

“Oh Benjicot.” I coo and lean in closer to him and his hand constricts around mine. The second the servant walks away I rip my hand out of his and massage my fingers. “Must you always manhandle me like some beast.” I hiss across to him. 

“You are a beast that requires manhandling.” he glares at me and I know the look is mirrored on my face. We eat our meal in silence and once we finish our table is cleared. We stare at each other in silence and he exhales loudly before rising and offering me his hand. 

“This is a surprise.” I look at his hand with a raised brow. “I was only promised lunch.” I hum accepting his hand and standing. 

“We might as well walk through the gardens. We’re already here.” he pulls me against him and tightens his fingers around mine. 

“Was this your own idea, Benjicot?” I can barely stifle my giggle. “Just can’t get enough of your betrothed?” I hum pressing myself against him and he stops us. 

“Enough.” he grabs my chin making me look up at him. “You will thank me for taking you on a walk and you will hold my hand and smile.” I squint my eyes at him. “I will have no more of this attitude.” I bite my lip trying to hide my smirk. His fingers tighten around my chin and I continue to blink up at him as he looks at me expectantly. We stare at each other for what feels like minutes and I sigh rolling my eyes. 

“Thank you for taking me on a walk through the gardens. It’s unexpected and appreciated.” I grab his hand from my chin and interlock our fingers. He searches my eyes one last time before we continue our walk through the gardens. The walk is silent but it feels different from what we’ve been doing. His hand isn’t like a vice and we aren’t overly acting even when we run into others. When he returns me to the main doors of the keep and pulls me into his embrace my fingers don’t pull against his hair instead they slowly thread through it. 

“I will see you in the morning.” his knuckles brush against my cheek and I scrunch my brows at the action as he walks away leaving me on the steps. 

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There is only five days until I’m to marry Benjicot and I curse myself for having butterflies at the thought. I wish we could go back to loathing each other. The constant teasing has slowly progressed into something more. We’ve been spending more time together since our walk in the garden last week and I try to hide how happy it makes me. My skirts swish behind me as I make my way down the steps and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face when I see him waiting for me. 

“You look radiant today.” my heart skips at his words. I haven’t gotten used to the genuine compliments from him and they steal my breath every time. 

“Thank you.” I mumble against him as he pulls me into his arms. “What do you have planned for us today?” I look up at him as I pull back. He doesn’t respond, only smiles at me as he walks us out of the main doors. We walk through the gates and I look at him curiously. He leads us into the clearing before the tree line and I smile as the tall grass brushes against my fingertips. 

“I’m surprised you haven’t sprinted away yet.” his tone playful. 

“Shall I?” I look at him with a glint in my eye. “Do you want to chase after me again, Benjicot?” my heart starts to beat faster in anticipation. 

“I thought you were starting to like me.” he chuckles, pulling me closer. I slip my hand out of his and dash towards the tree line. He engulfs me a second later and spins me against his chest. “No no no,” he chuckles, wrapping his arms around me tighter. “We’re not doing that again.” I try to wiggle out of his grasp and groan with little luck. One of his hands makes its way to the back of my head and tilts it up to him. 

“You were much faster this time.” I try to suppress my smirk. 

“Or was I just enjoying hunting down my betrothed the first time?” his fingers tighten in my hair and my breath catches. 

“I escaped you last time.” he chuckles. 

“You didn’t play fair last time.” he slowly dips his head down. 

“You’re not playing fair now.” I try to tilt my chin up but his fingers pull harder. 

“You’re the one who ran.” he lips hover over mine. 

“And you’re a tease.” I huff willing him to press his lips against mine. He chuckles and pulls back watching my heaving chest. I push him back with a scrunched brow and make a run for it again. 

“I’ll give you a head start.” he calls after me and I throw him a smile over my shoulder. 

I hop over wayward branches and ignore the twigs that are digging into my skirts. I risk a glance behind me and smile when I don’t see him. I keep moving forward and scream as he pops out in front of me. I jump to the right and sprint past him as he wildly laughs. I hear him behind me and I push myself to run even faster. His fingers catch onto the fabric of my dress and he pulls me back against him. I land against his chest with a thud and his hand rests against my chest above my heart. It slides up around my throat as his fingers press against my pulse. 

“You worked up from running or you like being chased?” he pants against my neck. His fingers caress across the front of my throat as I lean back into him. “Tell me.” he licks up the side of my neck and I writhe in his arms. 

“Benjicot,” I sigh, holding onto his arms. His hand slides up to my chin and turns my head to the side. 

“You’re insufferable when you call me that.” he bites down on my neck and I gasp digging my nails into his skin. “You never answered my question.” he presses a kiss against the red mark. 

“What was it?” my voice broken while his arms wrap around my front holding me against him. 

“Do you like when I chase you?” a shiver runs down my spine and I nod my head. “I knew it.” he chuckles. He kisses my neck once more and begins to remove his hands from my body. “Run.” my adrenaline spikes as he scoots me forward and my feet start to carry me through the forest once more. 

I run in the opposite direction and I hear him tearing through the leaves behind me. My feet pound into the dirt as I break through the tree line and into the open field. Some grass tangles around my ankle and I tumble to the ground in a fit of giggles. Just as I’m about to call out to him he bursts through the grass and trips over my foot sending him to the ground. I laugh harder and crawl over to him to make sure he’s okay. He’s rubbing his head as I kneel at his side and brush his hair back between giggles. 

“Poor Benjicot.” I coo wiping the dirt from his cheek. “Are you okay?” he glares up at me before tackling me backwards. 

“Must you always send me to the dirt when we’re out in the forest?” he searches my eyes as I smile up at him. 

“You chase after me so intensely. I didn’t make you charge through the clearing like a bull.” I purse my lips. 

“Well I don’t want to lose you.” he scrunches his brows and his words come out softer than both of us anticipate. 

“Careful you sound like you care.” my tone taunting. 

“Shut up.” I catch his eyes dart to my lips. 

“Are you going to make me?” I tilt my head watching him. He presses his lips against mine a second later. My fingers tangle in his hair holding him against me and he grabs them with his own and pins them to the ground. I arch my body up into his wanting more than our lips to be touching and he chuckles against my mouth. “More.” I whine against his lips. 

“You’ll have whatever I decide you deserve.” he kisses down my jaw and I mewl beneath him. “You’re absolutely fucking indecent.” he sucks harshly against my neck. I wrap my legs around his waist and pull his weight against me. “Gods,” he pants against my skin. “No more. We’re not wed yet.” he pulls back and stares at my heaving chest. 

“Ever the gentleman.” I roll my eyes. “Then help me up.” I hold my hand out and he pulls me up. As we walk through the field he plucks flowers from the grass and hands them to me silently. I hold them together and by the time we make it back through the front gates I have a small bouquet in my hands. 

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“Are you going to finally admit to me that you’re absolutely smitten?” my mother preens from behind me as she finishes placing the last pin in my hair. 

“Gods mother,” I groan and I see my handmaiden giggling in the mirror next to me. “You’ll regret teasing me when I move back with him to Raventree Hall.” I purse my lip. 

“The couple hour journey?” she raises her brow to me. 

I roll my eyes at her and she presses a kiss to the top of my head. The next two hours go by in a blur as I’m tied into my gown and last minute touches are being applied. I’m paraded down to the great hall and wait behind the closed doors in anticipation. I fiddle with my nails and my heart races as I hear the soft song of the string instruments. The doors groan open and everyone rises and turns to watch me walk up to the dais. 

I spot my mother and see her crying next to my father and brother. I smile at all of the familiar faces and finally allow myself to look forward. My eyes travel up his form until they lock with his. He looks very well groomed and his cheeks have a faint flush to it. He holds his hand out for me as I approach him and he helps guide me up the step to stand in front of him. I don’t even pay attention to what the septon is saying as Benji and I focus on each other. We repeat after the septon when prompted and when he announces us man and wife Benji pulls me against him and seals our lips. The hall explodes in cheers and we’re ushered to the empty floor to share our first dance. 

“You look beautiful, my wife.” he hums, pressing his lips against my forehead. 

“Thank you, Benjicot.” I look up at him with a smile. 

“Must you still call me that?” he groans as we start to sway to the music. 

“It’s your name, is it not?” he scoffs, shaking his head. “My husband pouts?” I throw my head back and laugh. He shushes me as he twirls me around the floor and laughs as he pulls me back against him. We let our bodies glide to the rhythm and after a couple minutes more duos join us in our dance. We slowly make our way back to our table and laugh and talk with our families on either side of us. 

“I had something set up for us.” Benji whispers into my ear. 

“What is it?” I tilt my head looking at him. 

“Come.” he offers me his hand and helps me stand with a smile. Our parents smile after us as we slip out the doors. He leads us outside in the yard and he pulls me on the other side of the gates. 

“It’s dark.” I squeeze his hand. 

“We have the full moon. Our eyes will adjust.” he hums leading me into the tall grass. I see a small flickering in the distance and I press closer against him. My eyes begin to adjust and I see a tent and a fire being tended to by a guard. “Thank you.” he nods at the man and he disappears back through the grass to the gates. 

“What are we doing out here?” I look around at the campsite. 

“Enjoying the moon,” he places a kiss against my neck. “And the stars.” he places a kiss to the center of my throat. “Having the privacy and space we need.” he kisses the other side of my neck. “I don’t want this to get ruined.” his hands begin to untie my gown and it pools in the grass leaving me clad in my sheer slip and slippers. His gaze on my body sends shivers through me. He starts to pull me further into the grass and my eyebrows knit together. 

“Where are we going?” my voice soft as I stay close to his side. 

“Not far. We’ll be able to see the fire. You’re safe.” his thumb rubs against my hand. He stops us and when I turn the fire is only a dot in the distance. “Can you see?” he searches my eyes and I nod. He leans down and presses his lips against mine. His fingers dig into my waist as he pulls his lips away from me. He searches my eyes and I see the corner of his mouth twitch as he glances at the fire. I see the glint in his eye and I bite my lip. 

“Come get me, Benji.” I smile before I bolt in the direction of the fire. I hear the grass swaying behind me and I push myself to run faster. My hair whips wildly behind me and I hear his heavy breathing quickly approaching. 

“You know I'm just toying with you right?” I hear his voice come from my left and I jolt, my pace faltering. I turn in a circle looking to see where the grass moves but all I can see is the glow of the fire. “Why’d you stop?” I turn at his voice only to be greeted with grass. My head snaps in the opposite direction and I turn on my heel and race back to the fire. Benji scoops me up from my right and I squeal in his arms jerking wildly. He brings us back to the campsite and into the tent. 

“You had a featherbed brought out here?” I chuckle as he kisses across my neck while laying us back.

“Why are you complaining about not being on the ground?” he starts to pull up my slip and I gasp as his fingers trace against my hips and up my sides. “Lift your arms up for me.” he hums and I slowly put them above my head. He pulls off the slip and dips down to kiss across my chest. He encases one of my nipples and I gasp as his teeth graze against it. 

“Benji,” I whine, holding onto his shoulders. He kisses his way over to my other breast and sucks it into his mouth. I arch into his mouth and he smiles against my heated skin. “Take off your clothes.” I plead pulling against his jerkin. 

“Shh,” he bites against my skin and I gasp. He kisses back up my chest and captures my lips. He grinds against me and whimpers spill from my lips. His fingers slide up my wet small clothes and my legs close around his hand. “Have you been touched before?” his fingers continue to tease me as they’re held between my legs. 

“No.” I whine, shaking my head. He kisses down to my neck and my hands hold him closer. 

“Have you touched yourself?” he starts to open my legs and I let out small sighs as he presses into my heat. He watches me as I nod my head. He raises his eyebrow as he trails his finger up and down. 

“Once.” I breathe out, squeezing my eyes shut. My hips move on their own and I gasp. 

“When?” he smirks against my neck. 

“The last time you chased me.” I flush at the confession. “I didn’t- I was just so hot and so- yes,” I cry out as he dips his fingers below my small clothes. “Benji,” my voice cracks as he swirls around my bud. 

“Yeah, does that feel good?” he looks down at me as I squirm. “Fuck you’re so wet.” he groans lets his fingers slide down and circle my core. 

“I wanna feel you.” I whine pulling at his clothes. He sits back and watches me squirm on the bed as he slowly removes his clothes. I lift my hips as he pulls my small clothes down bearing me completely. “Touch me,” I plead, reaching out for him. 

“So needy.” he chuckles, leaning back down to press his lips against me once more. He leaves a trail of kisses in his wake as he makes his way between my thighs. He places a single kiss between my legs and they shake around his head. He wraps his hands around my hips and pulls me closer and I stare down at him, nibbling on my lip. His lips encase my bud and my head falls back to the pillow. 

“Yes Benji,” a moan tears through me. I shake above him as his tongue circles against me. When his tongue moves faster I tangle my fingers in his hair. He groans as I hold him closer to me. I feel one of his fingers circle my entrance and I whine as he pushes it in. He starts to slowly pull his finger while swirling around my bud and my breath starts to come out in pants. “Benji,” I gasp as he presses a second finger into me. 

My hips rising off the bed and he starts to move his fingers faster. Whimpers cascade from my mouth when he curls his fingers. “Yes,” I cry, rolling my hips against his face. He chuckles as he moves my hips himself across his tongue and my stomach coils. I fall apart grinding against his face and he starts to kiss his way back up my quaking body. His hand tangles in my hair as he pulls me into a heated kiss. I moan into his mouth as his fingers circle my bud. 

“My good little Bracken wife.” he kisses down my neck. I gasp beneath him as he pulls pleasure from me with his fingers. I shutter the quicker his fingers move and reach up to try and kiss him but he’s just out of reach. “Just begging for me. Gonna fill you with my Blackwood seed and watch you grow with my child.” he whispers against my lips as he slips his fingers back in me. My fingers dig into his back as my legs start to shake. I pulse around his fingers, whining his name as he kisses across my neck. 

He slips his fingers out and starts to push his length into me. I look at him with hooded eyes as he slowly pushes in. We both pant once he settles inside and I begin to adjust slowly rocking against him. “Fuck, you’re killing me.” he groans and I clench around him. 

“Benji,” I whine and he snaps his hips, stealing my breath. 

“Relax for a second.” he grits out through his teeth digging his fingers into my waist. He slowly starts to move in a slow rhythm pulling small gasps from me. He grinds against me brushing against my bud and my eyes roll to the back of my head. He continues the movement and I feel my pleasure building quickly. He curses into my neck as I fall apart around him. “Gods you’re so sensitive.” he kisses across my chest. He starts to move his hips faster and he captures one of my nipples into his mouth. 

“Please, yes,” I whine as his teeth tease the hardened bud. My legs lock around his waist and he groans against me before moving back up to bite and suck across my neck. “I’m gunna,” my voice cracks as pleasure slams through me and I cling against him.

“Fuck,” he groans almost collapsing on top of me. He rests his forehead against mine as he slowly starts to push into me. “Doing so good for me.” he pants and I mumble something inaudible. He starts to move his hips faster and my eyes screw shut as I focus on the feeling. “This what you like?” he chuckles, snapping his hips into mine. 

“Yes, Benji,” I moan loudly, pressing my chest into his. I come undone as I feel him spill inside of me. He keeps moving his hips and I gasp feeling the warmth between my legs. 

“Taking everything I give you.” he grunts, slowly rocking his hips into mine. “You like being so full of me?” I nod my head beneath him. He keeps rocking his hips into me until he hardens once more. I tremble below him as he presses himself into me again and again. 

“Benji,” his name is the only thing that comes from my mouth as his fingers swipe against my bud. I pulse around him feeling our pleasure between us. 

“Just begging for me to fill you up again.” he grunts and I feel him twitch inside of me and I come undone with a high pitched cry as he fills me once more. He pulls out and I whine at the sudden loss. “It’s just leaking out of you.” he chuckles, lifting my hips up. His fingers push our pleasure back into me and I grab his wrist. 

“Benji, I can’t,” I shake my head digging my nails into his skin as he pushes his seed back into me. 

“Just making sure it sticks.” he presses his lips to my thigh and removes his hands. “You did so good for me, my perfect wife.” he hums and I try to slow my panting as I look up at him. He lays us back on the bed and I cling against him listening to his heartbeat as I drift off to bed. 

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masterlist 🔌 

not soft and dreamy benji has me in a chokehold atm

taglist ✍️

@clarityisnofun @gabriella-aesthetic @callsignwidow @llynx7 @violetiss3lfish @ka1afbr @akiko-oo @papichulo120627 @lizzylovebooks280501 @thatgirl101blog @1-fuzzy-squirrels @arya-brooke @ashovertheriver @zanygot7straykidsbonk @moonymoo1 @malfoycassimalfoy @april-notthemonth69 @anaviieiraaa @p45510n4f4shi0n @neocockthotology @thereaderwitch @hardkiddonut @faenyra @hiimava11 @daintylittlesunflower @primroseluna @fiction-fanfic-reader @povofjustme @multilover19 @alexxavicry @cedstars @fuckalrighty @mrsmunson-harrington @misspendragonsworld @nz2004

[visenyaism]

CHAD BRACKEN VS LOSER BLACKWOOD VINDICATION NEIGH 🐎🐎🐎

incredible brackenism to be like GODS can’t believe those heathen evil blackwoods would hire a dragon to fight this war. still not enough to make me agree with a blackwood for one second you can just light me on fire.

[allyriadayne]

"it's oc that the brackens are the good guys" "the brackens are EVIL" you people are so afraid to see what a bracken in the right side of history looks like

BRACKENATION WE ARE SO BACK! brackens, you were so brave, so righteous in your innocence against the blackwood treachery. that willem blackwood deserved to get his head cut off AND MORE! finally the riverlords are on their side. as they should be. rhaenyra voice now they see you as you are

[kazz-brekker]

hotd episode 2 thoughts

aegon screaming hysterically and smashing up viserys's model of old valyria…alicent unable to get through a sentence without sobbing…helaena staring blankly at the wall and clutching jaehaerys's blanket…i love acting but also that all kind of broke me.

genuinely i am enjoying tom glynn-carney as aegon SO much, he's quickly becoming one of my favorite actors on the show and gives his character so much nuance.

otto using his grandson's horrific death as a pr stunt…truly that man never stops working, he's always on the clock.

i also LOVED the big blowout fight scene between rhaenyra and daemon, it's about time someone dragged that man to hell and back. "the darkness you sheathe within yourself like a sword" and "i don't trust you" and "you're pathetic" go OFF rhaenyra!

criston please don't send someone else on a suicidal assassination mission because you were slacking your duty and banging alicent while the heir to the throne got decapitated. oh, who i am kidding, that man has never had a normal reaction to anything in his life.

i'm so glad we got an actual scene with baela (and the promise of more with her and moondancer in future weeks!) since she and rhaena have been horrendously underused so far.

aemond you have so many issues please go to therapy not a brothel. also i've blogged about this before but the idea that he really thinks he's an equal threat to daemon honestly is so silly.

alyn AND addam of hull spotted, we've got the complete set, and a little teaser of seasmoke as well!

the scene between corlys and rhaenys where corlys was like "if daemon would just submit to rhaenyra and enjoy being a bottom as i do on occasion" made me laugh so hard my sister asked me if i was okay.

i'm very intrigued by the scene between rhaenyra and mysaria (especially the mutual bonding over being exasperated by daemon) since they're technically on the same side but very much at odds in the book and i'm curious to know if this will continue in future episodes.

i really like that this season is emphasizing the perspectives of smallfolk like the hull brothers, hugh hammer, and the brothel mistress, it's something i felt was missing in season 1.

this really was an episode of targaryen men getting absolutely dragged by others for their poor political decisions. can't say i support otto's decisions most of the time but he was 100% correct about aegon.

also the moment where otto realized he had schemed for 20+ years to land a total idiot who just fired him on the throne…delicious, but rhys ifans played it so well i honestly still felt bad for him.

daeron mention! at this point i was honestly starting to think they had cut him from the show so that was a surprise.

as an identical twin i very much enjoyed the erryk and arryk drama but i must admit that i ALSO could not tell the twins apart when they were dueling. someone please revoke my twin card.

alicent walking into a room, seeing aegon crying, and just walking out was kind of funny ngl.

i really didn't expect criston and alicent's dynamic this season but i'm honestly enjoying it a lot. the mutual self-flagellation over their affair, alicent repeatedly slapping him and criston allowing it…really fun honestly.

caraxes is properly coming back next episode and it's true, i HAVE missed that noodle boy <3

also it looks like our first proper looks at harrenhal, moondancer, and a bracken vs. blackwood fight!

[iheartbookbran]

it is crazy that the thing that’s going to finally make Daemon realize that maybe he’s not cut out for ruling after all is having to deal with the Bracken vs. Blackwood bullshit for like a month

[clytemnaestraes]

Saw some folks complaining about the episode being named "the burning mill" even though there's no on-screen battle — the burning mill is a metaphor for the vicious cycle of violence

The episode opens with blackwood vs bracken, nobody knows why they fucking hate each other and are constantly at war the reasons are lost to time as lord simon explicitly stated bc sin begets sin begets sin

And then we have rhaenys wondering when greens vs blacks actually began and saying it doesn't matter the reason will be lost to history once they are thrown into the burning mill of violence and bloodshed and the realm as well as their dynasty is torn to pieces!!

Then towards the end of the episode we see this shot of a circle of flames slowly rotating bc the war has started there's no avoiding it they're already trapped in the burning mill of violence

Ryan Condal is the most AFFC-pilled man in the world and this is one of the most cleverly deployed metaphors in hotd so far