#but fulfill to the LORD the vows you've made.’

[madewithonerib]

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Matthew 5:34-36 [NIV] But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by Heaven, for it is GOD’s throne; 35 or by the Earth, for it is HIS footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

There you have it the final nail on the coffin on NY's Resolutions, ha!

Michael R. 4878 Brian Johnson looks like a guy of his age who wears makeup, had a face lift and some botox. Mr. I Tried To Make My Face Younger is the perfect example of pivoting with the culture, he initially aimed to be healthy & avoid death, but the onslaught from others made him shift toward looksmaxxing, an elusive & expensive goal

Looksmaxxing is a social media trend where people try to become more attractive by improving their physical appearance. The term originated on incel message boards in the mid-2010s and became popular on TikTok in the 2020s.

[isnotwhatyourethinking]

The Warrior & The Healer - Chapter 1 Cassian x Winter Court Healer Reader

Summary: Y/n's healing powers are unparalleled, a gift from the Mother that she wields with precision and care. Sent to Velaris under the guise of a diplomatic mission, Y/n is secretly bound by a darker duty—spying for the Winter Court's ruthless war general, Isarn, to protect her imprisoned mother. But as she works to heal the wounds inflicted by Hybern, a chance encounter with a certain Illyrian warrior changes everything.

Word Count: 2,348.

Author's Note: hi y'all! I'm nati and this is my very first fanfic, I'm open to suggestions but pls be kind, english is not my first language. I might be making this into a series but I'm not sure yet, I hope you like it nonetheless! also this is somewhat inspired by Heal Me by Lady Gaga heheheh

Warnings: good ole angsty plot for now, nothing else I can think of.

The chill of the Winter Court still clung to my bones as I stood on the balcony of the House of Wind. Despite the sun’s gentle warmth, I couldn't shake the frost that lingered in my veins. The Night Court's capital lay below, a city I had yet to fully explore, but even from this vantage point, its beauty was undeniable. Whispers of the recent attack by the Attor hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the flickering lights.

Adjusting my cloak, I subconsciously made sure the insignia of the Winter Court remained hidden. My mission was secretive; even Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, had sworn to keep my presence under wraps. As the Winter Court’s most powerful healer, my talents were needed now more than ever. The Hybern King’s cruelty had left deep scars on Velaris, and I had vowed to mend as many as I could.

My steps quickened in an attempt to warm up as I moved away from the edge of the balcony. The crimson structure loomed above me, imposing yet elegant, a testament to the power and grace of the Night Court. At the entrance to the hallway stood a tall figure wrapped in fleeting darkness, waiting.

The famed Shadowsinger.

His piercing hazel eyes assessed me with a quiet intensity.

"Y/N of the Winter Court, I presume?" His voice was smooth, almost soothing.

Shit. Spymaster. I nodded curtly, trying not to think of the cold sweat dripping down my back.

"Yes. I am here to assist with the healing of Velaris' citizens."

He stepped aside, one hand on his back, motioning for me to enter. "I’m Azriel. We've been expecting you. Rhysand and Feyre will see you shortly."

The House of Wind was even more magnificent inside, a careful blend of wealth and strength. But I didn't allow myself to be distracted. I followed Azriel down a corridor, my gaze forward, my expression impassive.

"You'll find the Night Court different from what you've heard," Azriel said quietly, glancing at me.

I raised an eyebrow, mentally recalling the rumors of cruelty and violence. "I doubt that."

I could’ve sworn I saw his lips curving upwards. "We'll see."

We arrived at a large, intricately carved door. Azriel knocked once before opening it, revealing a spacious office where Rhysand and Feyre awaited. The High Lord of the Night Court and the Cursebreaker stood behind a grand desk, their powerful presence commanding yet welcoming. My heart is pounding with panic, but my mental shields remain intact.

I was trained for this moment, I remind myself.

"Y/N, welcome to the Night Court," Rhysand said smoothly, his violet eyes locking onto mine. "We appreciate your willingness to help our people."

I inclined my head slightly. "I am here to fulfill my duty."

Feyre offered a warm smile, her eyes kind. "We’re grateful, nonetheless. We've arranged for you to have a designated area in the city for your work. Think of it as a sanctuary, a place of healing."

Rhysand nodded. "You'll have everything you need. We want to ensure you're comfortable and able to do your best work."

Before I could respond, the door opened again, and a gorgeous blonde strutted in, her golden hair gleaming in the light.

"Y/N, this is Mor. She'll show you around and take you to your quarters."

"Welcome," Mor said warmly, extending a hand. "Shall we?"

I shook her hand briefly, nodding. "Lead the way."

As we walked through the House of Wind, Mor chatted easily, pointing out various rooms and features. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself drawn to her easygoing nature and genuine kindness. Definitely not the welcome I expected from The Morrigan.

"How have you found Velaris so far?" she asked as we paused by a large window, its view of the city breathtaking.

"It's... different from what I expected," I admitted, keeping my tone neutral.

Mor's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Different good, or different bad?"

"Different," I repeated, not committing to either.

She laughed softly. "You'll see, Y/N. The Night Court is more than just the rumors."

So I’ve heard.

We continued our walk as I couldn't help but feel a small flicker of hope. This mission could be your saving grace. Mother help me, I prayed, unsure of referring to the one above or your own.

Mor led me to a spacious room with a stunning view of Velaris. I couldn't take my eyes out of the window as she said "take your time to settle in. I'll give you a tour of the city tomorrow."

I nodded mindlessly while I offered a reserved, polite smile. "Thank you, Mor."

Left alone in my quarters, I finally allowed myself to breathe. I sigh with relief when I notice the fireplace turning on while I unpacked my few belongings, placing them carefully around the room. As I moved, my thoughts drifted back to the Winter Court, to the harsh, snow-laden lands where I had clawed my way to survival.

The frost in my veins was a constant reminder of the curse I carried, this relentless, icebound power. I paused, my fingers brushing over a simple stainless steel, snowflake-shaped pendant—a heirloom from my mother. A symbol of resilience.

I placed the pendant on a small table near the window, letting its tiny opal stones catch the last rays of the setting sun. My mother’s memory was a shadow that both comforted and haunted me. Isarn’s threats echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of my precarious position.

“You know what’s at stake here,” his screeching voice hissed in my memory, “We don’t want your bastard mother to suffer a terrible fate because you suddenly grew a conscience, do we?”

His words cut through me like a knife. Isarn, the barbaric General and Commander of Winter Court forces, knew how to exploit my deepest fears, how to manipulate me into doing his bidding. I clenched my fists, fighting the surge of ice-cold anger and helplessness that threatened to overwhelm me.

I had no choice but to obey, to pretend to be a loyal emissary while secretly feeding him information about the Night Court. Every interaction with Rhysand, Feyre, and their court was fraught with danger. And they had been kind and welcoming, unaware of the darkness that lurked within me.

I was preparing for bed, exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders, when doubt crept in. What if Isarn had misled me? What if the Night Court was not as he described? This house, their warm welcome, did not feel like the cruel Court he had painted: a land where violence and betrayal were commonplace. His words now felt deceitful, meant to justify my actions, to ease the guilt of backstabbing the High Lord of the Winter Court.

The thought of betraying their trust gnawed at me, but I had to protect what mattered to me the most at all costs.

I stared at the soft glow of my mother's pendant, a silent beacon of hope in the darkness. The pendant's opal stones shimmered, casting gentle reflections on the walls of my room. It reminded me of my mother's strength, her unwavering resilience in the face of hardship. She had taught me to trust my instincts, to see beyond the lies that surrounded me. Had I failed her…? No. I will not break now.

Eyes on the prize, Y/N.

With a heavy heart, I drifted into a restless sleep, haunted by Isarn's chilling words and the weight of my dishonorable duty.

Morning came too soon. The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. I woke with a start, the weight of my mission settling heavily on my chest.

I dressed quickly, donning the simple but elegant attire provided by the Night Court. The fabric was softer than anything I had worn before, a stark contrast to the thick, practical clothing of the Winter Court. As I secured the pewter cloak I had brought with me, I steeled myself for the day ahead.

Morrigan had promised to show me around the city, to familiarize me with the building assigned to assist the victims of the attack, and my new responsibilities. I had to play my part perfectly—no hesitation, no doubts. A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened it to find Mor waiting, her expression warm and inviting.

“Good morning, Y/N,” she said, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “Are you ready for your tour?”

I nodded, managing a small smile. Time to put the ice mask on. “Yes, I’m ready.”

When we arrived in the city, my heart sank. Velaris was a kaleidoscope of colors, with flowers blooming in every corner and the scent of fresh bread, jasmine and lemon verbena wafting through the air. It was a place of light and hope, so different from the bleakness of my homeland. Here, there was life, warmth, and a sense of belonging that I found both comforting and disconcerting.

Morrigan led me to a large building near the heart of the city. “This is where you’ll be working,” she explained. “It’s our primary healing center. We call it The Sanctuary.”

The name seemed fitting. The tall, white brick building exuded a sense of peace and safety, a haven for those in need. I followed Mor inside, taking in the bustling activity. Healers moved swiftly between patients, their hands glowing with magic as they mended wounds and eased pain.

“You’ll have everything you need here,” Mor continued, guiding me through the various rooms. “We’ve set up a private space for you to work, and you’ll have access to all our supplies.”

I listened with careful attention while I walked with her, trying to absorb it all. This was my new reality, it seems, and despite the deceit that had brought me here, I couldn’t deny the importance of the work. Healing was in my blood, a calling I could not ignore regardless of the task I was sent here for.

I took a deep breath, allowing the comforting hum of activity around me to steady my nerves.

Mor led me through the Sanctuary, introducing me to the various healers and staff members: they all greeted me warmly, their smiles open and genuine. I was struck by the sense of community, the way they worked together with a seamless efficiency that spoke of trust and camaraderie. I cursed Isarn under my breath.

Morrigan brought me back to reality when she gave my arm a reassuring squeeze before excusing herself to attend to other matters, asking me to meet the Cursebreaker at the loading dock. I bid her goodbye as I made my way to the back of the building, my nerves just about to get the best of me while I head towards the area where supplies were being delivered. The air was filled with the scent of fresh herbs and medicinal salves, a familiar and comforting aroma. As I inspected the crates and boxes, I heard a soft voice behind me.

“Y/N, it’s so good to have you here.” Feyre said with tired eyes.

I replied, bowing my head in respect, still unsure of how to address the High Lord's companion.

“It’s an honor to assist you, Lady Feyre.”

She smiled warmly. “Please, just Feyre. We’re all equals here. I’ve been overseeing the healing efforts, but I’m thrilled to have you join us. Your reputation precedes you.”

Her words caught me off guard, but I managed to maintain my composure. “Thank you, Feyre. I’m eager to start and do what I can to help.”

As we spoke, the sound of loud footsteps and the clinking of glass bottles announced the arrival of more supplies. Feyre turned toward the noise, her expression brightening. “Ah, here’s some extra help.”

A large figure appeared, carrying a massive load of boxes that obscured his face. He moved with a fluid grace that belied his size, setting the crates down with surprising gentleness. When he finally straightened, I was taken aback by the sheer presence of the male before me.

“Y/N, this is Cassian,” Feyre introduced him with a smile. “He’s our Illyrian War General, and a close friend.”

Cassian turned to face me, and I felt my knees almost failing me. He was stunning, with broad shoulders, dark hair, and piercing hazel eyes that seemed to see right through me. His handsome face was framed by a faint scruff, adding to his rugged appeal. His wings, powerful and majestic, were furled behind him, a testament to his warrior status.

“Pleasure to meet you, Y/N,” Cassian said, his voice a rich baritone that sent a shiver down my spine.

For a moment I forgot my mission, my deceit, and the weight of my duty. I was utterly mesmerized as the world around me faded, his overwhelming presence was a potent mix of strength and charm that left me speechless. I felt a warmth radiating from his body contrasting to the cold that had always been my companion.

A pull in my heart.

Feyre’s voice brought me back to reality. “Cassian often helps with the heavier supplies,” she winked at him, her tone light. “He’s indispensable around here.”

I cleared my throat, struggling to regain my composure. “It’s... nice to meet you, Cassian.”

He rolled his eyes at Feyre and grinned, a roguish smile that made my heart skip a beat. “The pleasure’s all mine.” I swear I feel his voice like a thunder, rumbling in my bones. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

As he moved to help with the rest of the supplies, I instinctively reached for a box at the same time, just as our hands brushed against each other, and I jerked back, my heart racing. I looked up, meeting Cassian’s hazel eyes, and caught a whiff of his scent—leather and cedar wood. The world seemed to tilt as something inside me snapped into place.

A golden thread wrapped around my heart, pulling tight.

Panic surged through me.

No, no, no, no. This can’t be happening. Not now, not with him.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, all the emotions and thought I'd tried to keep at bay were coming to me like relentless waves: I was here to spy, to betray, to ultimately save my mother, and now, like a curse from the Cauldron itself, my mate happened to be right here in this Court, under these circumstances, standing right in front of me, completely oblivious to the turmoil inside.

I avoided his gaze, tears pricking my eyes while I feel my ice mask on the brink of cracking.

I was fucked.

Chapter 2

dividers by @estrelinha-s

[impossiblepackage]

say, i heard you reblog a post about role playing games. do you happen to know of any ones that i, a beginner, could feasibly get into in this day and age? i tried DnD but a combination of not having anybody to play with (whether irl or online) and a dissatisfaction with low level boringness kind of made it fizzle out for me

oh hey an ask from 3 months ago that I didn't even see. hi.

ANYWAY. First things first, i cannot recommend @theresattrpgforthat enough. Ain't nobody better at recommending rpgs than that blog right there. Now, on to my thoughts.

If you want a DnD-like rpg, Pathfinder 2nd Edition is gonna be my first recommendation. It's harder to find games for on account of being significantly less popular than dnd5e but it's probably the 2nd most popular game. It's also completely free, with everything being hosted on https://2e.aonprd.com/. It's got everything except adventures, those ya gotta buy. For the next 10 days, there's a humble bundle that includes PDFs of lots of the pre-remaster legacy books, and includes a couple adventures, including a whole adventure path going from level 1 to 20. As a whole, the game is different to dnd but it's recognizable. Big fan myself, and paizo isn't a bunch of pricks. The setting is also super gay. There's a potion of trans your gender, and one of the main religions in the world is the worship of 3 gods in lesbian polycule.

Ironsworn: probably my favorite RPG, period. (also has a space version, that works the same way). It is narrative focused, and designed for solo play or in groups with no GM. Works just as well by yourself, as a duo, in a small group, or in a traditional way with a few players and a GM. It's structured around it's vow system. Your character makes a vow, you decide how difficult that vow should be to accomplish, and as you do things that advance it, you mark progress. Eventually, you make a roll to try and fulfill the vow, with the difficulty determined by how much progress you've made. If you fail that roll, it's bad. Cool thing is that just about everything works that way. Undertaking a journey, delving a dungeon, fighting a dude, it's all handled with the same system. It's a game about perseverance and struggle and relationships, both with people and with places. also very fun to play for writing practice. It's mechanics are rooted in it's setting, but there's no reason you couldn't play it in basically any setting. the youtube channel Me, Myself, And Die is, essentially, Critical Role But It's Solo RPGs, and he did a great season where he played Ironsworn, check it out. Also, Basement Fort on youtube did a duo playthrough. I've only seen the first episode but it seems like a fun watch, as well as showing off duo gameplay.

the Witcher RPG: i haven't played this myself or even looked at the books yet, but everything I've heard about this game has me super excited about it. the general consesus seems to be "yo this is wayyyy better than I thought it would be, why aren't more people playing this, what the fuck". If somebody more familiar wants to talk about it, that'd be dope.

gonna ramble about the rest much less, LIGHTNING ROUND OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Dungeon World: same genre as dnd, but much less crunchy gameplay. Much easier to learn.

Kids On Bikes: it's Stranger Things but as a ttrpg.

Call of Cthulhu: get spooky, idiot. The players are investigators unraveling some mystery or another, and trying to keep their sanity in the face of some cosmic bullshit.

Lancer: it's about mechs! closer to anime-style mechs than battletech style, from what I can tell. I've heard good things.

Vampire: The Masquerade: you will NEVER guess what this is about. It's a classic, it's great, it pretty much redefined the way I think vampires should work. The new version of Werewolf: The Apocalypse is coming soon, and I'm real hyped for that, too.

Shadow Of The Demon Lord: my understanding is that this game is basically "DnD 5e, but good".

[fantisyoflove]

So You Wanna Play With Magic [part 2]

This doesn't go as Draco planned.

WC: 1,820

"Hello darling." Draco sneers as he straightens his jacket and runs a hand through his perfect hair, ever the picture of perfection.

You look between him and Harry, utterly shocked.

"What are you on about, Malfoy?" Harry repeats but Malfoy is too busy letting himself into Harry's house and looked around critically. Malfoy sticks both his hands into his pockets as he walks around the living room squinting at random objects before moving on to something else to judge.

"I've grown tired of waiting. I think you've had your fun but now it's time to settle down and fulfill your end of the bargain." Malfoy quips not even glancing in your direction as he reads the titles of books on the shelf.

You look back at Harry who just looks amused and confused by the whole event.

"Malfoy," you to sound calm, maybe he's had a nervous break, maybe he's lost and thinks he is at someone else's house. "I don't know what bargain you're talking about. We've never made a bargain."

Malfoy snorts, "Don't act stupid y/l/n its not a good look for you. I know you're parents are gone but the magic bond connects us together. Even if they arnt here to enforce it we are still intended"

That struck a cord, just because you didn't get along with your parents didn't mean you weren't effected by their deaths. Harry moved closer to you his fingers brushing along the back of your hand. You bat him away. If you let him comfort you now the tears will for sure start falling.

"Can you please explain because I have no idea what you are talking about."

Malfoy pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed, as he took in a deep breath.

"The arranged marriage, Y/N. Your family and mine arranged our marriage shortly after your birth."

"But arranged marriages are illegal" Harry cut in.

Malfoy glared down his nose at Harry. You hadn't noticed but he was a whole head taller than Harry now.

"Yes, Potter, the are illegal now" he ground out "but back then the dark lord ruled and he made pureblood arrangements mandatory. Ensuring pureblood status was everything to him and he made the arrangements himself." Was it even possible for him to speak without sounding condescending?

"Exactly and now they are illegal so any contract he made then would be null and void" you say.

"This isn't some silly contract our parents signed. We were magically bound to one another. If we don't complete our marriage vows with the proper rituals by the time you turn 25 then our magic will be gone!" Malfoy stressed.

"What do you mean gone?" Harry asked.

"As in we will both be muggle. And given the history of wizards losing their magic this way we would also be dead shortly afterwards as well. So I don't know about you but I'd prefer to live with my magic thank you." Malfoy straightened his jacket and reached his hand out to you.

"25? Thats like 6 months away... Why now? What ...What do you mean... I don't " You are sputtering now. Your brain going into overdrive trying to think through everything Malfoy is saying. Harry pulls you against him and kisses you.

"Hey, why don't you sit and I make tea. Okay?" He says gently as he brushes the hair from your face and holds you close against his chest. You nod reluctantly but go to sit on the couch. He kisses you one more time on the top of the head.

"I'm going to have to insist you stop kissing my wife, Potter" Malfoy snaps.

Harry rests a hand on your shoulder, "Yea okay Malfoy, whatever." He scoffs and kisses you again on forehead while holding eye contact with Malfoy. He gives him a cheeky smile before walking to the kitchen.

"You don't get to just storm in here at," you glance around to catch the time on the clock behind you, "FOUR in the morning, Malfoy! And start making demands in Harry's house."

"Well then let's go back to your place and have this conversation like grown ups"

You start picking at the edge of your shirt sleeve not looking at Malfoy.

"She lives here, Malfoy." Harry pipes up from the kitchen. You here the kettle whistle and wish for something stronger than tea in this moment but anything to calm your nerves would be good.

"Not officially," you correct "but yea when I'm not working I stay with Harry."

Harry comes in with a tray with 3 mugs of tea, all thr fixings, and a small plate of biscuits, always the giving host. He handed you one mug with a wink. You squint at him as you take a tentative sip, it's spiked with firewhiskey, thank Circe!

Harry held his cup up in a cheers to you and took a big gulp. You looked between your two cups and then the one left on the table, presumably for Malfoy. Harry gave a slight shake of his head and you sighed, settling back into the couch.

"You wanna talk about this "like grown ups" Malfoy then take a seat. Talk." Harry said pointedly as he sat next to you on the couch.

Malfoy scowled but grabbed the mug left for him and added a generous amount of milk and several scoops of sugar.

You and Harry scrunched your noses and gave each other a look.

"Like some tea with your milk, Malfoy?" You tease.

He sniffs, "Excuse me for enjoying a sweeter tea. Especially since Salazar only knows what kind of box bag tea you pick up from the market"

Harry smirks, "actually y/n got this particular blend from her trip to France last month."

Malfoy glared over his cup as he took a small sip. "Yes, well it's not horrid." He sat back in the chair across from them.

"Now," Malfoy started as he crossed one leg over the, "Lets begin, shall we." Boy he was always so smug.

Malfoy explained how the ceremony would have gone for you both as infants. How your magical cores were banded together and you both were linked now to each other. "I surprised your parents didn't tell you of all of this." Malfoy snapped. "Usually intendeds are told when they are around fifteen so they can start forming a relationship to one another."

"Is that why you were so weird during our fifth year? Was that supposed to be taken as flirting?" You giggled remembering a very rude young Malfoy trying to insult you during every class you had together.

Malfoy tugged at his collar and rubbed the back of his neck, "Listen I may have not had the best examples of love growing up but I was under the impression that you were told the same thing I was and therefore you were being difficult on purpose. Like you were trying to hurt me back then."

Looking back you remember a very nervous Malfoy, on the train, asking you how your summer had been. You snapped at him and told him to bugger off. Now you really did seem like a dick, especially if Malfoy was expecting you to at least put some kind of effort into this inevitable relationship.

"I'm sorry," You say softly. He looks into his mug but nods at you.

An awkward silence settles over the room.

Harry clears his throat nervously, "Well it makes sense you didn't know. Your parents kicked you out after first year so it's not like they were around to tell you. And didn't you say your guardian was a half-blood. He wouldn't have known about all this."

Malfoy looked angrily between you and Harry, "What do you mean they kicked you out?"

"After I got sorted into Hufflepuff my parents sent me a howler saying I wouldn't be welcome back at their home and would need to find somewhere else to stay. They effectively cut me off."

Malfoy frowned and looked away, "I didn't know."

"Might be best, moving forward, if we don't just assume things about each other. Agreed?"

"Agree."

"So, why now?"

"Pardon?"

"Why are you coming to me now? When we supposedly only have what? Six months at most to complete this? If we have been 'intended' since birth why wait so long?" Harry grabs your hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

Malfoy's eyes glare at the movement before he coughs and looks pointedly away. "I figured you had known, clearly I was incorrect.."

"Clearly"

He glares at you, "Yes, like I said. Since I thought you knew I figured you were doing all of this," he waves his hand in your general direction, "to have whatever freedom you felt you needed before we wed. But then my parents saw your picture in the prophet with him," He jerked his thumb towards Harry. "And they want to squash any story of you two before it gets out of hand."

He takes another sip of his tea and makes a face like he is surprised how good it tastes.

"Typical." Harry scoffs into his mug. Malfoy shoots dagger eyes at him. Harry sticks his tongue out at him.

"What is the supposed to mean?" he snaps.

"Nothing Malfoy" Harry takes another sip of his drink. You arn't sure how much firewhiskey he put in your mugs but you hope it isn't the alcohol talking right now. "Just that it's so funny how you manage to show up always at the worst time. You want y/n to just drop everything for you? You just expect everyone to do whatever you say. Poor Malfoy can't ruin his public image."

"Yes, Potter, what little reputation I have left I would like to keep clean. Not everyone can be Perfect Potter! Savior of the wizarding world! She is my wife!" Malfoy growls "We don't have much of a choice."

"Well some people might think death would be better than being married to you!" You snap. You regret what you said when you see the look on Malfoy's face. Maybe that was a step too far.

"Right." Malfoy stands and takes care to carefully set the mug back down on the tray. "I will give you a few days to collect your head " he bites out. "But then we must make an appointment with the solicitor to draw up the marriage contract. You may bring whoever you like as a witness or your own solicitor if you'd like but not him." He nods to Harry as he stands and buttons his coat.

"Expect my owl." He said finally before glancing one more time at you. His eyes were shadowed, probably from lack of sleep, and he looked so hurt. The front door was pulled shut with a little too much force and the picture frames on the wall rattled before the whole house settled in silence.

[curtiscroachblog]

What have you promised God?

Word for Today written by Bob and Debby Gass

Sunday 25th August 2024

'You will keep the promises you made to him.' Job 22:27 CEV

When God makes a promise to you, you have every right to expect him to keep it. And when you make God a promise, he has every right to expect you to keep it. 'You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfil your vows. What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways' (Job 22:27-28 NIV). This Scripture could be your doorway to blessing and a key to the breakthrough you have been praying for.

Revisit the promises you've made to God. He wants you to feel confident towards him. 'Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence towards God. And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight' (1 John 3:21-22 NKJV). Accept responsibility for what you are and what you can become.

Dare to pray: 'Disturb me, Lord, when my dreams come true, only because I dreamed too small. Disturb me when I arrive safely, only because I sailed too close to the shore. Disturb me when the things I have gained cause me to lose my thirst for more of you. Disturb me when I have acquired success, only to lose my desire for excellence. Disturb me when I give up too soon and settle too far short of the goals you have set for my life' (Author unknown). In order to go forwards, you may have to go back and make things right between you and the Lord.

[erzakyuubei]

Jonsa Book Foreshadowing

Not mine. Credit goes to Juligen from asoiaf forum.

YOU WILL MARRY A KING..............

“You,” Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, “will marry a king and rule his castle, and your sons will be knights and princes and lords and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon.”Arya screwed up her face. “No,” she said, “that’s Sansa." 

(Eddard V- A Game of Thrones)

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

For me this quote is one of the most important quotes from the entire series because it pretty much sets up for the audience both Sansa and Arya story arc. Sansa will be the sister who will marry and have children and fulfill her childhood dreams of a happy family, which is why Love, marriage and children will be a constant theme in Sansa’s arc story. She will be treated as an object, passed around by the powerful players of the story, all interested in her claim of Winterfell and the North; she will be forced into marriage alliances and her future children will be desired for their claim in the North. Sansa will try to survive as much as she can, keeping still a slim hope to find love and happiness and maybe one day fulfill that sweet dream of a rebuilding her destroyed family.

Arya will follow another path; she will be a warrior and ruler on her own. Arya always wanted to be the keeper of her own holdfast, she wanted to be a knight and fight in battle and most important, I believe Arya wanted to feel the independence that most women in Westeros could never feel. Not that love and marriage is not impossible for her, but I feel George wants Arya to be a Queen regent on her own.

George is trying to tells us in this passage of the books that women should be able to choose their own paths and if its love, marriage and children what they wish for they should have it, but if its not, they should be free to figure out her own destiny. The tragedy of Lyanna Stark was that she never had a choice and was forced into marry someone she never cared for, and I believe George wants to show with both Sansa and Arya that girls should be free to choose their own dreams., because BOTH dreams are equality valid.

A CLOAK STAINED IN FIRE AND BLOOD......................

When she crawled out of bed, long moments later, she was alone. She found his cloak on the floor, twisted up tight, the white wool stained with blood and fire. The sky outside was darker by then, with only a few pale green ghosts dancing against the stars. A chill wind was blowing, banging the shutters. Sansa was cold. She shook out the torn cloak and huddled beneath it on the floor, shivering.

(A Clash of Kings - Sansa VII)

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

Sansa cloaked herself with a cloak stained in "Fire and Blood" the words of House Targaryen. For me this has always been one of the biggest foreshadows on the book and its interesting to notice how George used the character of Sandor Cleagane as a redherring for this scene in order to not make so obvious the connection with Jon.

It was only when we make the connection of this particular scene with one that happened a few chapters before In the book A CLASH OF KINGS that it became pretty obvious this quote was about Jon Snow.

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

“I’ve never lain with any woman but Cersei. In my own way, I’ve been truer than your Ned ever was. Poor old dead Ned. So who has shit for honor now, I ask you? What was the name of that bastard he fathered?”

Catelyn took a step backwards. “Brienne.”

“No, that wasn’t it.” Jaime Lannister upended the flagon. A trickled ran down onto his face, bright as blood. “Snow, that was the one. Such a white name … like the pretty cloaks they give us in the Kingsguard when we swear our pretty oaths.”

A Clash of Kings - Catelyn VII

When she crawled out of bed, long moments later, she was alone. She found his cloak on the floor, twisted up tight, the white wool stained with blood and fire. The sky outside was darker by then, with only a few pale green ghosts dancing against the stars. A chill wind was blowing, banging the shutters. Sansa was cold. She shook out the torn cloak and huddled beneath it on the floor, shivering.

A Clash of Kings - Sansa VII

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

THE ORDER OF THE CHAPTERS OF THE BOOKS....

Every time Sansa’s marriage proposals are being discussed in the books, the next chapter usually its followed by a JON chapter. Once you put the two quotes together is that you really get it, what George was once again, very delicately trying to tells us.

In the first book A GAME OF THRONES, chapter 4 Eddard I, we have King Robert arriving at Winterfell and asking to visit Lyanna tomb in the crypts of the castle. While there King Robert decides to ask for Sansa’s hand in marriage for his son prince Joffrey. This is the chapter where Sansa and Joffrey become officially betrothed to each other and their Royal engagement its made official. The very next chapter? JON. This is also the chapter where Jon Snow will get drunk in the Feats for the king and ask uncle Ben to join the NightsWatch.

In a CLASH OF KINGS chapter 52, SANSA IV, Sansa will get her period and be finally “fit to bear children to the king”. Cersei then tries, as best as she can, to be a mother figure to Sansa in this very special moment and gives her a womanly advice. She tells her that love is a dangerous feeling that makes us all weaker and it should wiser for her to love only her children. Once again we have a chapter discussing Sansa future marriage to a king and the following chapter is JON VII.

Finally on A STORM OF SWORDS, we have the famous chapter 68, Sansa VI, where she laments that no one will ever marry her for love, its only her name and Winterfell they all want. The very next chapter of the book? JON. Again, thats not a coincidence, George does this, he said that he takes a lot of planning and caring about the way he writes and structures his books.

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

A CLASH OF KINGS - THE WINTER ROSE

In A CLASH OF KINGS we will have George very quietly making the connection with Jon, Sansa and the tale of Bael the Bard.  While was I re reading the books I noticed that George was playing with the chapters orders and trying to tells us some hints of the story by putting characters chpaters next to each other. The first time Jon meets Ygritte on “A CLASH OF KINGS”, chapter 51, she tells him a story of Bael the Bard and the Blue Winter Rose:

"The Stark in Winterfell wanted Bael's head, but never could take him, and the taste o' failure galled him. One day in his bitterness he called Bael a craven who preyed only on the weak. When word o' that got back, Bael vowed to teach the lord a lesson. So he scaled the Wall, skipped down the kingsroad, and walked into Winterfell one winter's night with harp in hand, naming himself Sygerrik of Skagos. Sygerrik means 'deceiver' in the Old Tongue, that the First Men spoke, and the giants still speak.

"North or south, singers always find a ready welcome, so Bael ate at Lord Stark's own table, and played for the lord in his high seat until half the night was gone. The old songs he played, and new ones he'd made himself, and he played and sang so well that when he was done, the lord offered to let him name his own reward. 'All I ask is a flower,' Bael answered, 'the fairest flower that blooms in the gardens o' Winterfell.'

"Now as it happened the winter roses had only then come into bloom, and no flower is so rare nor precious. So the Stark sent to his glass gardens and commanded that the most beautiful o' the winter roses be plucked for the singer's payment. And so it was done. But when morning come, the singer had vanished . . . and so had Lord Brandon's maiden daughter. Her bed they found empty, but for the pale blue rose that Bael had left on the pillow where her head had lain."

(A Clash of Kings – Jon VI)

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

Right next in the following chapter 52, Sansa has her first flowering. This is the chapter where Sansa gets her first period and its now “fit to bear children to the King.”

"The blood is the seal of your womanhood. Lady Catelyn might have prepared you. You've had your first flowering, no more." Sansa had never felt less flowery. "My lady mother told me, but I... I thought it would be different.""Different how?""I don't know. Less... less messy, and more magical.” Queen Cersei laughed. "Wait until you birth a child, Sansa. A woman's life is nine parts mess to one part magic, you'll learn that soon enough... and the parts that look like magic often turn out to be messiest of all." She took a sip of milk. "So now you are a woman. Do you have the least idea of what that means?" "It means that I am now fit to be wedded and bedded," said Sansa, "and to bear children for the king." …….

Do you want to be loved, Sansa?" "Everyone wants to be loved." "I see flowering hasn't made you any brighter," said Cersei. "Sansa, permit me to share a bit of womanly wisdom with you on this very special day. Love is poison. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same."

(A Clash of Kings – Sansa IV)

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

In the chapter 52, Sansa gets her period for the first time. She is taken to see Cersei who uses the moment to give Sansa womanly advice about love. She warns Sansa that love is dangerous and make us weaker. The following chapter of the book is JON VII.

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

“Robert wanted to be loved. My brother Tyrion has the same disease. Do you want to be loved, Sansa?” “Everyone wants to be loved.” “I see flowering hasn’t made you any brighter,” said Cersei. “Sansa, permit me to share a bit of womanly wisdom with you on this very special day. Love is poison. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same.”

(A Clash of Kings – Sansa IV)

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

In the end of chapter Cersei warns Sansa about love and how dangerous it can be. The following chapter of the book is also JON VII. George really wanted us to picture Jon, Sansa and the Blue Winter Rose tale all together. For me this is one of the biggest clues that not only Jon and Sansa will marry but also, its their child that will continue House Stark.

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

A STORM OF SWORDS - THE FALLING SNOW

In A storm of Swords, George used the prologue of the book to foreshadow Jon and Sansa romance, using the snow to symbolize Jon Snow. In the two paragraphs under, Chett will lament that heavy snow has ruined his plans for desertion and that Jon Snow and Sam stole his comfortable position as Maester Aemon’s steward: and that Jon Snow stole his position.

“He could feel tears freezing to his cheeks. It isn’t fair, he wanted to scream. Snow would ruin everything he’d worked for, all his careful plans. It was a heavy fall, thick white flakes coming down all about him.How would they find their food caches in the snow, or the game trail they meant to follow east? They won’t need Dywen nor Bannen to hunt us down neither, not if we’re tracking through fresh snow. And snow hid the shape of the ground, especially by night. A horse could stumble over a root, break a leg on a stone. We’re done, he realized. Done before we began. We’re lost. There’d be no lord’s life for the leechman’s son, no keep to call his own, no wives nor crowns. Only a wildling’s sword in his belly, and then an unmarked grave. The snow’s taken it all from me … the bloody snow …”

 “Snow had ruined him once before. Snow and his pet pig.”

(ASOS Prologue)

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

And later we have Jon Snow introducing himself as “the snow”……

“The singer rose to his feet. "I’m Mance Rayder,” he said as he put aside the lute. “And you are Ned Stark’s bastard, the Snow of Winterfell.”

 ( A Storm of Swords – Jon I)

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

Then comes Sansa’s chapter at the end of the book, where she will feel snow falling down her lips and touching her almost like a lover……..

Snow was falling on the Eyrie.

Yet she stepped out all the same. Her boots tore ankle-deep holes into the smooth white surface of the snow, yet made no sound. Sansa drifted past frosted shrubs and thin dark trees, and wondered if she were still dreaming. Drifting snowflakes brushed her face as light as lover’s kisses, and melted on her cheeks. At the center of the garden, beside the statue of the weeping woman that lay broken and half-buried on the ground, she turned her face up to the sky and closed her eyes. She could feel the snow on her lashes, taste it on her lips. It was the taste of Winterfell. The taste of innocence. The taste of dreams.

(A Storm of Swords - Sansa VIII)

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

A FEAST FOR CROWS - SANSA FIRST LOVE

In A FEAST FOR CROWS, chapter 23, we have Sansa playing the role of Alayne Stone, Littlefinger bastard daughter. In this chapter Sansa remembers Lord Yohn Royce son,  Ser Wayman Royce and how she fell madly in love with him when he visited Winterfell on his way to take the black on the Nights Watch. If we go back to the prologue of the first book, we will find out that surprising, Ser Waymar physical description is identical of Jon Snow. George is trying to tell us that Sansa will probably be physical attracted to Jon Snow once she is reunited with him later in the story. 

"Bronze Yohn knows me," she reminded him. "He was a guest at Winterfell when his son rode north to take the black." She had fallen wildly in love with Ser Waymar, she remembered dimly, but that was a lifetime ago, when she was a stupid little girl. "And that was not the only time. Lord Royce saw . . . he saw Sansa Stark again at King's Landing, during the Hand's tourney."

- A FEAST FOR CROWS,  Alayne I

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

Waymar Royce is described as follows. Notice how similar this description is to Jon.

Ser Waymar Royce was the youngest son of an ancient house with too many heirs. He was a handsome youth of eighteen, grey-eyed and graceful and slender as a knife. Mounted on his huge black destrier, the knight towered above Will and Gared on their smaller garrons. He wore black leather boots, black woolen pants, black moleskin gloves, and a fine supple coat of gleaming black ringmail over layers of black wool and boiled leather.

A GAME OF THRONES, Prologue

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

Jon’s eyes were a grey so dark they seemed almost black, but there was little they did not see. He was of an age with Robb, but they did not look alike. Jon was slender where Robb was muscular, dark where Robb was fair, graceful and quick where his half brother was strong and fast.

- A GAME OF THRONES, Bran I

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

JON SNOW BECOMING SANSA'S HERO

“Sweet one,” her father said gently, “listen to me. When you’re old enough, I will make you a match with a high lord who’s worthy of you, someone brave and gentle and strong. This match with Joffrey was a terrible mistake. **That boy is no Prince Aemon, you must believe me.”** -

( A Game of Thrones – Sansa III)

She shouted for Ser Dontos, for her brothers, for her dead father and her dead wolf, for gallant Ser Loras who had given her a red rose once, but none of them came. She called for the heroes from the songs, **for Florian and Ser Ryam Redwyne and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, but no one heard.**

(A Clash of Kings – Sansa IV)

They were not little boys when they fought, but knights and mighty heroes. “I’m Prince Aemon the Dragonknight,” Jon would call out, and Robb would shout back, “Well, I’m Florian the Fool.” Or Robb would say, “I’m the Young Dragon,” and Jon would reply, “I’m Ser Ryam Redwyne.”**

A Storm of Swords – Jon II

Notice how Sansa's heros match with with the ones Jon's used to pretend to be as a child.

“Frog-faced Lord Slynt sat at the end of the council table wearing a black velvet doublet and a shiny cloth-of-gold cape, nodding with approval every time the king pronounced a sentence. Sansa stared hard at his ugly face, remembering how he had thrown down her father for Ser Ilyn to behead, wishing she could hurt him, wishing that some hero would throw him down and cut off his head.

 A game of Thrones – Sansa VI

"I will not hang him," said Jon. "Bring him here." "Oh, Seven save us," he heard Bowen Marsh cry out. The smile that Lord Janos Slynt smiled then had all the sweetness of rancid butter. Until Jon said, "Edd, fetch me a block," and unsheathed Longclaw.

A dance of Dragons – Jon II

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

THEIR DREAMS COMPLETING EACH OTHERS

Dreams of home and family

“She pictured the two of them sitting together in a garden with puppies in their laps, or listening to a singer strum upon a lute while they floated down the Mander on a pleasure barge. "If I give him Sons, he may come to love me. She would name them Eddard and Brandon and Rickon, and raise them all to be as Valiant as Ser Loras. And to hate Lannisters, too. In Sansa’s dreams, her children looked just like the brothers she had lost. Sometimes there was even a girl who looked like Arya.”

A STORM OF SWORDS, Sansa II

“I would need to steal her if I wanted her love, but she might give me children. I might someday hold a son of my own blood in my arms. A son was something Jon Snow had never dared dream of, since he decide to live his life on the wall. I could name him Robb”..-

A STORM OF SWORDS, Jon XII

Rebuilding Winterfell……

The snow fell and the castle rose. Two walls ankle-high, the inner taller than the outer. Towers and turrets, keeps and stairs, a round kitchen, a square armory, the stables along the inside of the west wall. It was only a castle when she began, but before very long Sansa knew it was Winterfell.

A Storm of Swords - Sansa VII

Winterfell, he thought. Theon left it burned and broken, but I could restore it. Surely his father would have wanted that, and Robb as well. They would never have wanted the castle left in ruins.

A Storm of Swords - Jon XII

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

There is so much foreshadow for this relationship that I always shake my head when people say there is nothing in the books about this romance.

Edited March 30 by prettylongclaw