#gwynweekofficial

[gwynweekofficial]

We are mesmerised by this artwork by @jinart369 of the Valkyrie and his shadowsinger. Gwyn looks so utterly stunning 😍

Characters by @Sarah J Maas

[sanzy4]

HERES A GWYN WEEK 2024 COMMISSION BY ME!!

(I’m a teeny bit lateeee I’m sorryyyy but it’s worth it trust me)

ART DONE BY @adduani (she’s a rlly talented artist you all need to check her work out!!!)

Here’s a conversation between present day Gwyn and Gwyn from 3 years ago right around the events of Sangravah. This was inspired by the bus stop scene between Barbie and the old lady at the bus stop in the Barbi live action!

Gwyn has always been a very important and meaningful character for me. She represents me almost perfectly and during rough time she rlly gave me the motivation to stand up to my own fears. Just like that she has been an inspiration to so many women in this book community. Just like that, I also believe you yourself should be your biggest motivation. What I loved while I was thinking of this concept was that younger Gwyn is not just looking at her older self to find hope and motivation, but older Gwyn is also being able to look back at how far she’s come. And that no matter what, she will always be enough. I also wanted Gwyn to have short hair cuz I loved how the idea of cutting hair represents growth and liberation in many cultures and works of fiction.

Hope you enjoy!!!

[bookishwithathought]

[lady-embers]

𝑮𝒘𝒚𝒏 𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌: 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝟏 - 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚

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A post shared by Margaret 🇱🇷 (@bookish_embers)

Under the cover of moonlight, two sisters create their own little bit of magic.

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝑪𝑶𝑺𝑭 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑮𝒘𝒚𝒏 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝑵𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒏, 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒏, 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏.

“My sister and I used to braid bracelets and put these little charms on them full of wishes for each other....We believed that the wish would come true once the bracelet fell off.”

𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚'𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑮𝒘𝒚𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 💖

The artist for this is the incredibly talented @majuandrad!! Thank you so much for taking on this commission and getting it done so quickly for me! This brought me to literal tears with how perfect it is.

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 @𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒉𝒋𝒎𝒂𝒂𝒔

@gwynweekofficial

[positivewitch]

Gwyn Appreciation Week 2024 Day 3 - Priesstes

ੈ✩‧₊˚ Our Stories are Worth Telling ੈ✩‧₊˚

@gwynweekofficial

I want to take the road that no one dares travel, and I want to travel it with you two. No matter what may befall us. Not as Illyrians, not for their titles but as something new . To prove to them, to everyone, that something new and different might triumph over their rules and restrictions.

[sunshinebingo]

@gwynweekofficial Day 7 - Free Day

Summary: Gwyn pulls Azriel in her bedroom when they come back from their date. It seems this night is about to end differently from their other nights. Word Count: 1.7k

Warning: NSFW!

Read on Ao3 or below the cut

Gwyn opened the door to her bedroom before turning back to Azriel. The smile she gave him was one that had been plastered on her face for most part of the evening. Tonight had not been one of their typical night outs in Velaris. There had still been dinner at their favourite restaurant and the walk along the Sidra. Their time together had still been filled with talks and laughs, and the occasional moments of comfortable silence when they simply enjoyed the presence of the other.

Gwyn didn’t think that it could be more perfect. Until a random topic of conversation snowballed into something bigger and deeper. They had opened their hearts to each other tonight, confessing the depths of their affection for each other in a way that left no room for doubts.

Trusting Azriel with her heart had come at the pace of nature, slow and steady. In the course of several months, he had gone from being her saviour to one of the persons who had taught her how to save herself. He had then grown into her friend, her confidant, and eventually the one who she longed for the most in a way she never thought she would with anyone.

As though their minds were one and the same, Gwyn stood on her tiptoes at the same time as Azriel leaned down. Their lips met halfway in a kiss. Usually, one of them would be the first to pull away, offer a “goodnight”, wait to get one back, steal another kiss, then walk away. But this time, it didn’t happen that way.

Gwyn grabbed the front of his shirt, and instead of playfully shoving him away, she pulled him closer. Azriel grabbed her by the waist and did the same with her. The kiss turned more urgent, as though they needed that final proof that they belonged to each other. Gwyn didn’t question her body as she started walking back inside the room. She held onto him tightly to prevent that he stopped kissing her to ask if this was okay like he so often did when things between them took a step further. This was more than okay. In fact, it was not enough.

Azriel’s shadows closed the door to Gwyn’s bedroom at her silent request. She walked until the back of her legs hit the grey loveseat in the room. She broke their kiss and looked into the eyes of Azriel. She couldn’t believe that this male had proudly called himself hers. Her Shadowsinger, she giggled at the thought. His shadows swirled against her ears and cheeks like they were reminding her of their reciprocated love for her.

Azriel raised his eyebrows. “What’s so funny?”

Gwyn shook her head with a smile. She turned them around and pushed on Azriel’s chest until he fell on the loveseat. His wings spread out wide open behind him. His eyes remained glued on her as she parted her legs and straddled his lap. Azriel placed his hands back on her, right at the seam of her short crimson dress that had risen higher up her thighs. Gwyn placed her hands on his shoulder and brought her face closer to his. “Touch me,” she breathed against his lips.

Azriel squeezed her thighs with his large hands. “I am.”

She lowered her hands to his chest. “More,” she said as she started unbuttoning his black shirt. “I need more.”

She made quick work of the garment and set about roaming her hands across his exposed skin. They kissed again, their lips and tongue even more eager than before. Gwyn grabbed his wrists and glided them under the fabric of her dress. She didn’t stop until his hands were spread on her backside and he firmly held her. The delicious pressure made her want to squeeze her legs together.

Gwyn slid herself forward until she was so close to him that she felt his hardening cock pressing right against her centre. Azriel groaned into her mouth when she instinctively began grinding against him. A smug kind of pride filled her at the knowledge that every reaction he was having and every sound he was making were yet another thing about him that was hers. In 500 years, and of all the creatures in Prythian, it was her that Azriel had chosen to give his heart to. And the feeling was as glorious as what his body was doing to her.

Gwyn slipped the thin straps of her dress down her shoulders until she could take her arms completely out of them. The dress bunched at her waist, leaving her breasts completely exposed and her backside covered by her sheer black underwear and Azriel’s hands.

“I want you to make me come for you,” she said, sending every ounce of confidence in her eyes as she could when she looked at him.

Without tearing his gaze away from her, Azriel brought one of his hands between them. A sigh left Gwyn’s mouth when he pushed her underwear aside and touched her there.

“Is this good?”

She couldn’t have lied even if her life depended on it. “Gods yes.”

His fingers circled her clit, glided down to her entrance and came back to that sensitive bud again.

Gwyn wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. “I promise to tell you if I don't like something.”

His mouth moved from her lips to her cheeks and down her neck. “I also want you to tell me what you like,” he said before he dragged his tongue on the column of her throat. She suddenly regretted not having done all this sooner but immediately decided that she would definitely strive to make up for the time they lost.

“This,” she ground harder against his hand. “I love this. And this…” She grabbed a fistful of his hair and moved his head so he could pay attention to her breasts. It was not the first time that he was seeing her. But it was the first time that he was sucking on her nipples while two of his fingers were slowly sliding inside her.

The sound that left her mouth from the onslaught of pleasure was so loud that, had she cared, she would have worried it would wake the entire House of Wind. But it was nothing compared to the one that followed as an orgasm suddenly hit her. Stars exploded behind the lids of her closed eyes and Gwyn bathed in every second of the ecstasy that he brought her. When she opened her eyes again, it was to the sight of Azriel gazing at her in wonder.

“Beautiful,” he whispered, before he surged forward and pressed his lips to hers once again. His fingers were still inside her, and Gwyn felt no shame in admitting that she wanted them there for longer.

“Can I touch you too?” she asked, her hands already at his waistband.

Azriel took one of her hands and spread it on the obvious bulge between his legs. “You can do whatever you want sweetheart.”

“Thank fuck,” Gwyn muttered as she hastily unbuttoned his pants – the fabric damp from when she had rubbed against him – and released his cock.

She felt no fear nor doubt when she dragged her fingers on her sex, stopping him from removing his hand as she gathered the wetness there. She wrapped that same hand around his shaft and stroked him. She started with slow, experimental movements, watching his face for any indication of mistake from her part. She twisted her hand with a squeeze that made him close his eyes with a wince. He didn’t stop her. So, Gwyn asked,

“Am I doing good?”

Azriel let out a chuckle that made her go more wet than she already was. “You’re doing more than good. Don’t stop,” he gritted out and plunged three fingers deeper inside her.

Gwyn threw her head back and cried out. Her hands around his cock sped up like his did inside her. Her free hand pulled on the silky strands of his hair as his mouth alternated between her breasts. The shadows brushed along her spine and made her shiver.

Gwyn rode his fingers until she felt herself approaching that blissful peak again. She tightened her grip on his cock. What she mumbled in between moans and gasps could have been his name or a plea to keep going, she didn’t know nor did she care. All that mattered was the way Azriel kissed her and held her closer as she climaxed again. Her hand instinctively squeezed his cock a little harder. She didn’t stop pumping him despite her mind-blowing pleasure that coursed through her. A few more strokes of his throbbing cock were all it took for him to come apart in her hand. His cum spilled all over her hands and stomach.

It took them a little while – foreheads touching and their breaths mingling – before they both eventually came down from their high. Gwyn had once thought that nothing could beat being hugged by him. Then she had been proven wrong when she had learned what it was to kiss him. Earlier tonight, this had been bested by the confirmation that he loved her. But now, she understood that there was so much more to experience with him. Things that she had been afraid to hope for before. But not anymore.

Gwyn pulled away from him and stood on weak legs. She stepped out of the low heels she had not realised she was still wearing. Then she dragged her crumpled dress and her soaked underwear down her legs. His shadows followed the same path as his eyes did on every inch of her bare skin. A silly smile spread on Gwyn’s lips when she looked down at his cum running down her stomach.

She looked at her Shadowsinger and extended her hand towards him. He looked thoroughly debauched with his drunken smile, his hair like a nest, his shirt and pants open, and his cock out. With how stunning he looked, she needed to make sure that he ended up like this more often.

“Will you stay with me tonight?”

Azriel took her hand and stood. His answer came with a peck on her lips. Gwyn pulled him in the direction of her adjoining bathing room, her mind already considering all the things they could do while in there.

[azrielsfavoriteshadow]

Azriel: Where is my mate?

Azriel’s shadows: Let’s go check out what’s at the training pit 😏

[sadiegirl2021]

Gwyn would love Galentine's Day! She'd go all out to make it unforgettable. A celebration so huge that Rhys would have to make it an official holiday!

@gwynweekofficial

[orphicauroras]

Happy @gwynweekofficial everyone 🩵

Gwyn Week 2024: DAY 6 | AU

In another universe, I see Gwyn as a bookstore owner who occasionally writes. She has a ginger cat with the same attitude as her, named Silver, and she loves to sing

[shadowsxgwynriel]

Day 3: Priestess

@gwynweekofficial

This is a short drabble about one of the children from Sangravah coming to visit Gwyn.

Word Count: 568

Gwyn walked over to Clotho’s desk. “You wanted to see me?”

Clotho nodded her hooded head, and her enchanted pen moved in the air, There’s someone that wants to see you.

“Who?” Gwyn asked. It couldn’t have been Nesta or Emerie, because they would have just looked around until they found her.

One of the children.

She froze, knowing exactly what Clotho meant. One of the children from Sangravah was here to see her. Gwyn quickly blocked out the horrors of that night.

“I don’t . . . I have work to do for Merrill,” Gwyn stated.

The pen moved again. It wrote, You’re afraid. Why?

“I’m not. I really do have to help Merrill with something.”

Clotho was observant and rarely ever missed a thing. Should I send the child away, then?

Guilt and shame filled her. One of the children had gathered the courage to come here, and Gwyn was too busy letting her own fears hold her back.

“No,” she said, straightening her shoulders. “Where are they?”

Clotho angled her head to the left. Over there. And Gwyneth?

“Yes?”

Don’t let whatever you’re worried about keep you from hearing what the child wants to say. You deserve to be happy, Gwyneth. Remember that.

Her chest tightened, but she only nodded and hurried away.

She found the young girl—one of the older children from that night—standing by a stack of books that needed to be shelved.

And to her surprise, the Shadowsinger was also there.

He stood off to the side. She figured that he had been the one to bring the girl here.

His shadows were wreathed on his shoulders. Gwyn could sense them peering at her, and she couldn’t help but smile at their curiosity.

Azriel scanned her face with keen eyes. What he was looking for, Gwyn had no clue, but obviously he found it, because his body relaxed and he disappeared further into his shadows, giving them privacy.

Gwyn faced the girl, who was probably around fifteen now. And even though she was a few years older than the last time they had seen each other, Gwyn still recognized her. “Hello, Alina. How are you?”

Alina smiled shyly. “You remember me?”

“Of course I do.” Gwyn tried not to fidget under Alina’s watchful gaze. “What, uh, brings you down here?”

Alina shifted closer, eyes shining bright with emotion. “I never got the chance to thank you for saving me, for saving all of us, that night.”

The Invoking Stone seemed to burn inside of her pocket. “You don’t have to—“ Clotho’s written words flashed through her mind. Don’t let whatever you’re worried about keep you from hearing what the child wants to say. She was just right. Even if Gwyn still felt unworthy of any gratitude, Alina deserved the chance to at least be heard.

A slender body suddenly wrapped around her, and Gwyn returned the hug in stunned silence. “Thank you. We survived because of you. I hope that when I’m older, I can be as brave and kind and selfless as you are.” Alina’s body shook. “Thank you,” she repeated once more, her voice thick with emotion.

Gwyn searched for words, but couldn’t find any. Her eyes burned and a single tear slid down her cheek. She ignored it and continued to embrace Alina.

In that moment, Gwyn could have sworn that a part of her soul was starting to heal.

[thevalkyriesshadow]

@gwynweekofficial

What about Gwyn's Character resonated with me?

I felt instantly connected to her character as soon as we met her. She has spunk, shows resiliency, and is a fierce and loyal friend.

I see a lot of myself in Gwyn with her bright personality, her excitableness, and her adorable interests (like who doesn't love cute things like Pegasi and friendship bracelets?!)

I love the motto that has become a mantra for the fandom, "I am the rock against which the surf crashes. Nothing can break me." This particular moment was powerful.

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and my life was turned all the way around. I was constantly told how strong I was and that keeping positive was what was going to get me through, but no one prepares you for the aftermath. I was trying to live a normal life after treatment, but my self-image and fear of the cancer returning put me in a low place. I looked at myself like my body had betrayed me, and in turn, that affected my body image and even my sensuality. So now, whenever I'm feeling anxious or stressed or I have a blood test coming up or I'm worrying about my future, I think of Gwyn and repeat the mantra, "Nothing can break me."

I resonate with Gwyn's character because her journey of self-worth and growth and healing is something I connect to. I had found myself again by getting back into my sensuality doing burlesque (which was truly a transformative experience, I highly recommend taking at least one class to anyone and everyone.) I think Gwyn's journey will be similar, one where she connects with every part of herself that was lost during a tragic moment in her life.

Gwyn is a beacon of hope for every reader, and I can't wait to experience more of her journey with her. 💜

[gwynweekofficial]

For Day 1 - Family and friends

Commission by @ktreadsthings

Artist - @majuandrad

[aldbooks]

This little drabble was inspired by this TikTok by MorallyGreyNesta. The song is from the Serpent & Dove series by Shelby Mahurin

Enjoy!

"I've had enough of your mouth today, Berdara," Cassian snapped after Gwyn made another snarky comment. Both were in fine form today for reasons Nesta wasn't entirely sure of. There seemed to be some private disagreement that neither was inclined to share with anyone else and Nesta knew well enough to let them both come around on their own. They would talk, but only if they weren't pushed. Still, she hated to see such tension between her mate and her best friend. 

"And I enough of yours, General," Gwyn snarled. Emerie, who was running punching drills with Nesta while Gwyn argued with their trainer, gave her a wide eyed look.

"She's in trouble now," Emerie muttered. Nesta winced.

From the corner of her eye, she watched Cassian's wings flare, red siphons flashing dangerously. His voice was a thundercloud as he pointed to the track that ran around the training ring. "Laps. Now. You're gonna run until you're too tired to talk anymore and maybe then we'll all have some peace and quiet."

"Ah, Hel," Nesta muttered, catching the mutinous expression on her friend's face. To someone like Gwyn, those words were practically a challenge.

They'd drawn the attention of several of the other priestesses as well as the Shadowsinger who glanced over his shoulder in time to see Gwyn give Cassian a rather pointed gesture before jogging over to the track. 

Cassian, noticing how many of them had paused their drills to watch, growled "Anyone care to join her?" Immediately they all snapped back to attention. He opened his mouth to begin calling out instructions again but was cut off by a loud, clear voice singing- the ring's acoustics causing the voice to amplify through the space.

"Big Titty Liddy was not very pretty, but her bosom was big as a barn-"

Nesta slapped a hand over her mouth as a surprised laugh barked out of her. Emerie, like most of the other priestesses was watching Gwyn's progress around the ring, mouth hanging open, as she practically skipped through her laps, singing at the top of her lungs.

"Her creamery knockers drove men off their rockers, but she was blind to their charms."

It was all Nesta could do to breathe through the silent waves of laughter that shook her body as she saw her mate's nearly purple complexion caught somewhere between outrage and incredulity. He shot her a scathing look when another giggle slipped out of her and she shrugged. "You told her to run until she couldn't talk anymore. How else will she know when that happens?"

Several snickers sounded around the room before another shocked wave of silence followed the next set of lyrics. "Big Willy Billy talked sort of silly, but his knob was as long as his arm-"

Emerie choked and the Shadowsinger made a strangled coughing sound as his shadows swarmed around his face hiding his expression. "How does she even know this song?" Emerie half wheezed, a tear spilling down her cheek as she tried to hold in her laughter.

Nesta didn't even try to hide her amusement this time as she shook her head. "No idea, but I think we should take her to the pub to sing. She'd be a hit." The two girls dissolved into giggles, ignoring the glare Cassian sent their way.

"Its shape down his thigh soon caught Liddy's eye, and in nine months, a nipper was born!"

Azriel was now entirely shrouded in shadows as a few other priestesses burst into laughter.

"Their baby they named Abe, his brother Green Gabe. Then Belle and Adele and Keen Kate. Soon dozens came mewling, but they still kept screwing, even outside the pearly gates."

Cassian, who had entirely lost control of training at this point, threw back his head in exasperation, but joined in when Gwyn began another bawdy tune, later declaring that laughter was excellent core work.

[bookishwithathought]

Day 1 { Friends and Family} @gwynweekofficial

Starting off with an in memoriam celebration of the two women in her life of whom we know very little of yet can trust had a heavy hand in nurturing Gwyn to become the wonderful person she is: strong, smart and charming with a subtle wildness.

Happy Gwyn Appreciation Week to everyone

Images: Pinterest

On the Playlist: Chasing Clouds by James Quinn

[lady-embers]

Gwyn Week Day 7: Free Day

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A post shared by Margaret 🇱🇷 (@bookish_embers)

This quick sketch of Gwyn was done by the talented tomandosal!

The past week has been an absolute joy seeing all the Gwyneth Berdara love for Gwyn Week. She is a character a lot of us can relate and rally around.

I can't wait to read more about her and discover her past, her powers, and what all she can do and be as she continues on the path of healing and growth. She will be an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. I just know it.

To all the Gwyneth Berdara's out there, never give up. Keep your light shining bright and looking to the horizon of a new day. Don't let those hard days win. For you are a survivor and a warrior 💖

[positivewitch]

Gwyn Appreciation Week 2024 Day 2 | Pysche

@gwynweekofficial

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A post shared by PositiveWitch🌙 (@positivewitch)

Gwyn whispered, 'I am the rock against which the surf crashes,'

Nesta straightened at the words, as if they were a prayer and a summons.

Gwyn lifted the blade. 'Nothing can break me.'