#i am his usurper. okay queen.

[astrid-beck]

that's MASTER astrid becke to you cunt

[aphroditelovesu]

Yan!Husband Maegor the Cruel/Yan!Mother-In-Law Visenya Targaryen Headcanons

❝ 🐉 — lady l: Am I obsessed with Visenya Targaryen? Yes I am. Lol, this takes place before he becomes King, except for the ending, so I hope you like it! Forgive me for any mistakes because it's 3 am where I live ❤️.

❝tw: not compatible with canon, mention of death, forced marriage, death, manipulation and usurpation.

❝🐉pairing: yan!maegor the cruel x female!reader and platonic yandere!visenya targaryen.

Your marriage to Maegor was rushed and you didn't have the chance to refuse or say no. Not when the Dowager Queen was the one who chose you to become her son's wife. You were doomed from the beginning.

Everything happened very quickly, you only remember your parents receiving a letter from the Queen ordering you to come to Pentos immediately. Neither your parents nor you have thought much about it. One mistake and soon you were placed in a ship and shipped off to Pentos without knowing the reason.

It was only after your arrival at the Red Keep that you knew what would happen. Your reason for being there. You would become Maegor Targaryen's wife.

You didn't want to marry him, you knew his reputation well but you no longer had a choice. Not when he had taken an interest in you and the Dowager Queen too.

Everything was done quickly. You were bathed, dressed like a doll and during the night, under several looks of pity and fear, you married Maegor, becoming his first and only wife.

It wasn't that bad, you quickly decided. Maegor was a kind husband to you and tried to make you happy. He let you have your freedoms and do what you wanted, as long as you never left the house in Pentos. Visenya was nothing but sweet to you, your mother-in-law was very affectionate and spent a lot of time by her side. You were grateful for that.

He was a decent and even good husband. You had to deal with his jealous outbursts frequently and his often painful touches, but it wasn't that bad. It wasn't bad when you slept with him or when he killed a guard by ripping out his heart because he looked at you for too long. It wasn't that bad, you told yourself every day.

When everything seemed too much to handle, you turned to Visenya and she always comforted you. Everything was fine, she said. This is his way of loving you, that everything would be fine in the end. Visenya knew how to manipulate you with sweet and poisoned words.

There were times when you loved your husband, times when Maegor was your caring and loving husband. This happened when you were on your period or more sensitive and he was a completely different person. His touches weren't harsh, his kisses were soft and his body was soft. You loved these moments.

He had always been possessive and you knew that the best thing to do was not provoke him. You knew very well what your husband was capable of doing, you still had nightmares of when he forced you to watch the terrible murder of your guard after he accidentally touched you.

When this happened, you would curl up on the bed when he left the room and call for Visenya. The only one capable of understanding, you thought. She smiled as she sat next to you and stroked your hair, always repeating that everything would be okay. Your heart hurt, but you blindly trusted your mother-in-law.

With tenderness, Maegor presented you with splendid jewelry, but your greatest treasure was the time you spent together, away from the judgmental eyes of the everyone. He protected you, not just with his warrior skills, but with kind words and gestures of affection.

You came to love Maegor in your own way. And he loved you dearly in return. Although you were still afraid of him, you learned to like him. You would always fear him, but you could ignore that. Because you knew Visenya would never let him hurt you, especially when you found out about his pregnancy.

It was Visenya who discovered it. She always had an eye on you and when one of your maids came up to her and whispered in her ears that you hadn't bled in two months, she smiled huge and knew it was time. It was finally time for Maegor to ascend the Iron Throne.

Maegor was delighted when he found out about your pregnancy. Now everything was falling into place. You will always fondly remember his reaction. How he knelt in front of you and placed his head against your belly, smiling widely and you could swear there would be tears in his purple eyes.

Now everything could fall into place. Maegor would have a secure succession and together with Visenya Targaryen, he usurped the Iron Throne and became King of the Seven Kingdoms. You were present, watching as Visenya crowned her son with his father's crown and everyone watched in awe as the new King ascended.

You clutched your belly as if you were protecting your baby. Maegor stood up and walked over to you, taking a crown that he had ordered forged for you and placed it under your head, crowning you Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Visenya watched with pride and satisfaction. Everything was coming together.

[drakaripykiros130ac]

Apparently, Rhaenyra is “selfish” and “entitled” because she didn’t sit down like a good girl after the vipers who had mentally abused her ever since her mother died, took her throne.

The misogyny is so real in this fandom and it’s highly disturbing for the 21st century.

If a woman fights for something that she is owed, she is “evil” (I thought we were past the caveman mentality).

And yes, Rhaenyra is owed the Iron Throne.

King Viserys named her his heir.

The lords of the Realm bent the knee to her and swore oaths of fealty to her.

Neither Rhaenys (the Queen who Never Was), nor Rhaena (Queen in the West and the East) ever had this much in their favor.

She is selfish because she wants to be given what she was promised?

It wasn’t like she begged Viserys to make her his heir. Viserys made that decision all on his own, and Rhaenyra accepted the responsibility and grew up knowing that she would be the first ruling Queen of Westeros one day. She trained for it too.

She is selfish because she refuses to let Hightowers dictate how the Crown rules the Realm, even though they are not the ruling House?

She is selfish because she needs to protect her own family from a faction of traitorous snakes who were planning to assassinate them all?

Because make no mistake: Rhaenyra and her family would have been murdered by the Greens if she hadn’t gathered her forces and fought back.

Rhaenyra, her husband Daemon, and her two sons, Aegon and Viserys, pose real threats to the Greens. They always would have. The usurper would have had to have them all killed to secure his reign (so much for “the Realm would never support a woman over a man”).

“Entitled” is not a word fit to use for any member of a royal family. You don’t “earn” a crown, you inherit it. That’s what a monarchy is. I don’t think any heirs before Rhaenyra had to fight for the right to inherit their father’s crown.

Why should Rhaenyra have to?

If you answer this question with “Because…” you’re basically a misogynist period.

The Hightowers stole her throne and then expected Rhaenyra to stand her ground and accept it for the “good of the Realm” (as if they care about that).

The Greens drew first blood and started a war which destroyed the Realm just so they could satisfy their thirst for power. If they truly “cared” about the people, they would have let the natural transition of power take place as it had been decided (and the people were more than okay with Rhaenyra being Queen, as proven many times in canon).

And as far as I am concerned, Rhaenyra was far too generous throughout this whole war.

She was willing to forgive Aegon and Helaena for the betrayal (because she knew it was not really their fault), she spared Alicent’s life, she didn’t burn Oldtown to the ground etc. I’m not sure if I would have been able to restrain myself, had it been me.

Show some respect for the Dragon Queen and pray that you never have your inheritance taken from you by a gold digger and her backstabbing family.

[hadesisqueer]

I appreciate The Dragon Prince because it gave me tragic antagonists or villains that I love (Claudia), villains that while I don't really like them I understand how they came to be and can feel a bit of sympathy for (Aaravos or Viren), villains I straight up fucking hate (Sol Regem) and villains that I don't really hate because when they appear on-screen I just sigh wondering how they can be so fucking stupid (Karim). They really give you everything.

No but for real, Karim's entire character arc consists of 'The risk I took was calculated but I am bad at math' because. He's so dumb. He keeps saying he wants to restore the Sunfire Empire to its former glory, but like-- how? What plans do you have for the future? Are you going to try to retake Lux Aurea? Because you can't. Oh, you want humans out? Okay-- how would that help to restore the former glory, though? You're just being a bigot?

The thing is that all Karim ever did was talk about his birthright —that's not even his birthright, actually, because he's the youngest sibling— and keep babbling about history demanding blah blah blah of people and how his sister wasn't a competent queen when actually it is the opposite. Janai proves, by allowing the architect to live while still giving her an according punishment, that she is a fair queen who chooses mercy and allows people to grow while still choosing justice; also, that she's more practical, because what good is a talented architect dead —who did something awful but still was sorta right about fire being dangerous around the camp— when you can just make her build a shrine so this kind of incident never happens again. Janai also had the Sunseed and plans to nurture it and help it grow, help her own people grow. She actually had plans for the future, and she had the patience necessary. She understands that you must learn from history but that it also doesn't define you, that you must not let it define you.

Karim doesn't get that. He was obsessed with history and the old ways. He didn't have any patience. And he didn't have any long term plans. Or even backup plans for when his plans inevitably failed, either! He was so convinced Janai would refuse his duel he was shocked when she actually fought him, and resorted to fighting-- with fire magic-- against someone who's fireproof-- again, no actual plan. He tried using an assassin to kill his sister, the actual person the assassin had a life debt to. He wants to steal the Sunseed, actively fucking over his people. When Ezran tells him to take his followers and start somewhere else, Karim refuses because he says he doesn't want crumbs off his sister's plate, but at the same time it's like-- that's exactly what you were gonna get, buddy. You wanna use Sol Regem to torch your sister's army. The only thing you're gonna rule over is the followers you have now plus what remains of Janai's, if they even accept you. So, yeah. Literally crumbs.

Also, again, he's so fucking entitled. 'What's rightfully mine' he's the youngest sibling, nothing is rightfully his, he's an usurper. Part of his demands being that humans leave and go back to 'their side of the border, where they belong', buddy, you'd be the king of the Sunfire Elves, not the King of all of Xadia. As king you could make humans leave your territory, but not Xadia. If a bunch of humans, hypothetically, befriended Moonshadow or Skywing elves and lived at the Silvergrove, or wherever the Skywing elves live, with them-- what, now you're gonna try to wage war against the the other elves, too, because they're not following your ways? You can threaten them with Sol Regem, sure, but also consider, because you didn't even consider it when you went to him-- he's an Archdragon, yeah, but the weakest of the Archdragons right now. Let's say Ezran and Janai follow through and give up and leave. They could go with Zym and head straight up to the Mushroom Mage and come back with Zubeia, the current Queen of the Dragons, right after she's done with her treatment. They arrive. Who's gonna win? A healthy Archdragon on her prime or an old, blind Archdragon that hasn't flown or fought in centuries? Also, once you give him the Sunseed he actually has no reason to be on your side, he already got what he wanted. Even if the Katolis thing didn't happen, he could've turned against you very easily. He likely would've done so.

He's an awful leader who doesn't actually care about his people. He disrespects other world leaders like Ezran immediately. He's an entitled, bigoted idiot who doesn't actually think things through and that actually makes him both incredibly annoying and very realistic, which actually makes me like him as an antagonist but still makes me let out a exasperated sigh every time he talks. Best part of him is that he's obsessed with going down in history as someone great when, with his actions, he's only going to pass down as the prince who tried to usurp his sister three times and failed the three times, each failure worse than the previous one. Lmao.

[howlingday]

Cinder: (Tapping on her scroll)

Jaune: (Groans)

Ruby: Are you okay, Jaune?

Jaune: Remember my last mission? The one where Cinder and I teamed up? I arrested the criminals, just like I always do.

Ruby: Uh-huh?

Jaune: But now everyone keeps harassing me online for no reason and it's just so frustrating!

Cinder: (Tapping away)

Ruby: DO YOU MIND?! Jaune is pouring his heart out and you're just sitting there, texting some boy like it's none of your business!

Cinder: Because it isn't my business. If our hero can't handle the criticism that comes with being a huntsman, then maybe he should choose a safer profession.

Ruby: You fucking bitch! Why the fuck are you even here if you're not gonna help Jaune feel better, you fucking half-Maiden bitch!

Cinder: WATCH YOUR FUCKING MOUTH, YOU LITTLE SHIT!

Jaune: (Thinking) Jeez, this day keeps getting worse. She's probably texting her boyfriend, too... Not that I care, anyways...

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

Jaune: (In his room) It's just criticism, right? They're just words, and they can't hurt me. Just... gotta learn from it and move on. (Opens scroll) Can't hurt me any worse than I already am.

JAUNE ARC HOGGING THE SPOTLIGHT

Jaune: Why does everyone keep saying that? All I'm doing is just what I'm supposed to do.

Why is this misogynist stealing the glory? -> (1) Reply What's his semblance again? Gloryhog? -> (1) Reply Cinder Fall is our queen and will not be usurped! -> (1) Reply

Jaune: ...WHAT THE?!

Why is this misogynist stealing the glory? -> AllMaiden replied: For an ugly tramp rotting in her week-old undies, you talk too fucking much! Get off your lazy ass and try being a huntress half as good as Jaune Arc! What's his semblance again? Gloryhog? -> AllMaiden replied: It's Aura Amp, you fucking oxygen stealer! Cinder Fall is our queen and will not be usurped! -> AllMaiden replied: Cinder Fall and Jaune Arc are both living their best lives and neither of them would ever be interested in a spineless shit hiding behind a digital screen!

Jaune: (Sniffling, Smiling) Cinder...

[howyouloveyourdragon]

alicent has a younger omega sister who is politically savvy but ignored by otto. when it is announced that alicent is marrying the king the hightower omega reader and alpha rhaenyra team up (get married) and become a power couple to get back at otto. if you want them to reconcile with alicent that may be something good to have happen but not likely to happen with otto as there's a lot of differences/anger between them. Headcanons though you can use it if you want to turn it into a longer thing.

pronouns: she/her warnings: inferences of misogyny

A/n: your honour i love hightower reader, i got carried away but i hope you still like! this idea is going straight into my pocket

okay so i'm going to use the assumption that Otto had the idea to place Alicent as Queen for a long time so he focussed most of his attention on influence Viserys and Alicent

so he doesn't have plans for you just assumes that once Alicent is married, he will have a plentiful of powerful lords offering tributes for your hand

he doesn't suspect that everything can flip so quickly

I think Viserys would take interest in you for your intellect if he noticed some of the quips you made or the books you read

so he may offer you become a cupbearer to sooth your curiosity

I imagine that Otto wouldn't be entirely happy about this because of your nature but it is another step to gaining the King's favour so he lets it slide

then you almost drop the large jug of wine on Lord Beesbury's lap when the announcement is made but you don't say anything until you're both back at your private quarters, you decide to deal with Alicent later, she's a mere pawn in your father's game but she is not completely innocent

"I don't understand." You roar at your father. "Alicent has been gallivanting with the heir to the Iron Throne since they were children and now you have her betray the princess? Are you a fool, father?" Otto's gaze narrowed as he stared past his child's exterior. "She may not always be the heir." He snapped, his implication clear. Y/n stepped back and scoffed, folding her arms. "You cannot be serious."

"When your sister bears a son, the King will reconsider her position."

that changes everything because you always suspected your father of wanting to claim the Iron throne but this was direct treason

you call him an idiot and storm out basically

and you smack into an equally furious Rhaenyra who is seething

you both share a heated stare but there is no malice

her eyes flicker over you in recognition

"You're Alicent's sister." She states to which you nod warily. "A Hightower."

That's when you clench your jaw and she definitely notices, now with a mischievous glint in her eyes instead of her anger and a burning idea "Well spotted, your grace"

if it were her father you were speaking to, you may have bowed but you knew Rhaenyra, you had seen her fume at the thought of biting her tongue, you doubted she would appreciate you holding yours.

"It seems I am in need of a new lady-in-waiting." You cock your head but don't give her the satisfaction of asking, if she wants something you want her to work for it and especially now that you know of your father's plans to usurp the throne

It's Rhaenyra's turn to clench her jaw

"Would you be interested?" Were you interested in becoming the future Queen's lady-in-waiting? Yes of course you were but Alicent was still your sister and you didn't want to just replace her because of the princess' judgment

then again, wouldn't it be fair to betray her like she had betrayed Rhaenyra? "I would be honoured, princess." You agreed, attracting a smirk to her lips

Her lips curl and her eyes narrow playfully as she links your arms

so the next three years you spend under your princess' arm and discussing the future of King's Landing

but there's no giggling in the godswood or studying Nymeria–you're not Alicent and you need her to know that

in its place you instate deep speeches in the library and chasing one another through the castle

since then, Rhaenyra has presented as an alpha and her presence as heir has practically been reaffirmed for it

she's still the same mischievous teenager that she was when she was younger but with you by her side, guiding her through political and social events, she's much more secure in herself

the idea of you seems to linger in her mind now that her liberties have been broadened, the restrictions from when she was younger no longer apply

her father still wants her to get married but he's a lot more relaxed around it considering her position and large prospects

your own relationship with your father hasn't improved, you're both increasingly wary of each other with snide remarks while dining but even those times are few as the princess demands your presence at her own table where she bears no shame flirting with you while Alicent grips her cup too tight to be coincidental

after one dinner in particular two scenarios happen, one between you and your sister and one between Rhaenyra and her father

"What are you doing?" She asks, hurt clear in the shake of her tone

"What?"

"You chastise me for heeding father's ambition and yet you do the same as I. You're a hypocrite" That boils your blood but you stay as calm as possible

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Yes you do!" She snaps "You're taking her from me!"

"She was never yours!"

"But she could have been" Alicent's voice comes out choked and you finally see the tears in her eyes "if I'd known she was a...I, I would have–" She doesn't need to finish her sentence as you wrap your arms around her and hush her cries

it was times like these that you forget she was the elder

your hand strokes through her hair as she murmurs her pains and regrets

meanwhile, Rhaenyra is working on keeping her shoulders level as she stands straight and composed opposite her father

"I have something to ask of you" She tells him and he's surprised at the authority of her voice "Then speak it" "I wish to claim a bride" His eyebrows shoot up, fairly certain that she would have suggested an allegiance with House Velaryon. He nods in encouragement and smiles "Of whom?" "Y/n Hightower" He nods and grasps her hands in his "Of course, my dear child" Though there is the slightest hesitation and suspicion in him, this is the second Hightower child to be brought into the Targaryen dynasty and Otto's influence feel overbearing these days

However he could never deny his darling daughter Rhaenyra of course

a lot happens that night but she doesn't tell you of the news right away, she waits a few moons to make sure it is something you would be interested in, she was rejected by Alicent she could just as easily be rejected by you too

but she had to try

so once the sun has fully set on the fourth night since and the moon shines down on you like a promise, you brush through the courtyard trying to understand the scalding heat in your loins while whimpers drip from your mouth

you lay upon the cold stone of a bench and take deep breaths until you're found

by Rhaenyra

and with a bright beam of her smile she is telling you the good news as you present yourself to her like an unfolding flower

with a new glow and spring in your step, you're attached to the hip

she likes that you can be affectionate in public with her, that was one of the reasons her relationship with Alicent deteriorated, she always felt like she was about to get caught

you can tell your father feels torn at the news, this one step closer to a Hightower on the throne but that Hightower has stated her dislike of the idea

as you enter the throne room to arrange the betrothal, Otto's eyes are as trained on you as yours are on his and the tension isn't hidden, a standoff waiting to happen

When it comes to the wedding and you begrudgingly take his arm down the aisle, his mouth is close to your ear

"I hope you understand now, I am only here to protect you." Your eyes turn to him, emotions indistinguishable "I'm sure" Your voice is dry and lacks depth, erupted an irritated sigh to escape your father's chest "Must you always be so difficult?" "Must you always be so delluded" He doesn't have a chance to respond as it comes time

He turns to remove your cloak only to remember that it's not there and steps to the side

Viserys was happy enough to perform a Valyrian ceremony for his daughter and at the word 'unbreakable' you knew it was the way to go

all uncertainties are lost as intimate family witness the union

you avoid Alicent's eyes and when you finally meet them you don't find the distaste you expected

as Rhaenyra and you lock your stinging hands together, there's a transfer of something deeper within you

[rynnthefangirl]

Thoughts on the first episode of HOTD Season 2:

-As expected, my hatred for Aegon has grown substantially since the previous season. I just find absolutely nothing redeemable about him. He treats war like it is a game, even though it will kill his people. A horrible king. I do enjoy his little brainstorming sesh with his frat bros about epithets-- a perfect example of his ego, and very satisfying knowing that he is in fact remembered as "Aegon the Usurper" and is considered one of the absolute worst kings who ever lived. Wish I could jump through the screen and tell him that.

-Also reminded of my hatred for Crispy Cole, which had cooled in the intervening time as I don't see many people stanning him or justifying him. But he really is just the biggest hypocrite. His reason for hating Rhaenrya is the exact thing that Alicent is currently doing. Another character with zero redeemable qualities.

-I liked Alicent lighting a candle for Luke. Alicent knows that she is in the wrong, that they all are, and a part of her does bitterly regret what happened and empathizes with Rhaenrya. But the tragedy of Show!Alicent is that she was ruled by her spite and jealousy for so long that by the time the consequences of the animosity she brewed start to come, it is too late to go back.

-Blood and Cheese was a disappointment. I don't care about the change to have Daemon send them after Aemond and not specifically Jaehaerys (as far as I'm concerned, if they are going to whitewash the Greens choices, they may as well do it for TB too). But the Sophie's Choice element was the most compelling part of the whole thing, and they just completely erased it. It was RIPE for adaptation too, what a wasted opportunity.

-So sad we didn't see more of Jace and Cregan. I get it, for pacing purposes we can't spend too long in Winterfell, but I feel like they could have had ONE deep and personal conversation between the two of them. Maybe Cregan could have told Jace about his little brother's death, and THAT is the convo that is interrupted with news of Luke's death. Would establish a bond between the two characters with minimal screen time AND plays well into Cregan's eventual role of helping Jace's own little brother ascend the throne. Alas... *sigh*. Though he and Cregan did have good chemistry, maybe they'll deviate from the books and revisit that later in the season/show since they had to cut the Winterfell visit short (I'm delulu).

-But on the other hand, the bits that we did get of Jace were so good! He looks amazing, him crying while delivering his report to Rhaenyra was just heartbreaking. I am so excited to see more of him, he is rapidly becoming one of my favorites.

-Rhaenyra crying over Luke's clothes broke me. I am so so sorry my love, my sweet Queen, I am so sorry that those nasty ass rats did this to you.

-Where are Aegon III and Viserys II :( I'm so desperate for content for them that I interpreted the exchange "Aegon the Strong" "that would be a better fit for my nephew" as a reference to Aegon III even though that doesn't even make sense.

-Overall I feel like it was a lot of setup, which makes sense. Besides B&C missing the mark, I enjoyed it okay, but there wasn't too much substance. Definitely more compelled by the TB side right now than TG, because there just much more emotional weight there.

[theforgottenmcrmy]

live reactions to house of the dragon season 2, episode 1: a son for a son

i'm basically doing this for my own amusement and reference, but i'm also up for constructive discussions on the episode if anyone feels like commenting

(but if you feel inclined to yell at me for any of my comments, please remember that these are fictional characters, and everyone is entitled to their own opinions🖤)

spoilers beneath the cut

it’s still the s1 recap and I’m already tearing up, can’t believe s2 is finally here

Jaw is dropped, actual chills at new intro. I love it

Winterfell theme=instant tears

Cregan Stark, the man that you are

“Starks do not forget their oaths, my prince” YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT THEY DON’T 🐺

The cave dragon-mounting platform setup? Love it.

“The mother grieves as the queen shirks her duties.” ~ harsh, but the truth

“Would that you were the king” ~ the queen who never was 💅

Rhaenyra 💔

Not Corlys commissioning a dagger for Lucerys😭 he doesn’t give af about blood, that was his grandson through and through.

Here we go, what have the Usurper and crew been up to….

Am I misremembering, or weren’t scorpions a relatively new invention during GOT?

OMG

wtf

I literally can’t with these two 🤡 like

The BALLS of Criston Cole with the damn cape like wtf.

Aegon, did you really expect the North or the Vale to answer you? If your councilors didn’t give you a heads up that that was not likely, you ought to fire them and get new ones.

Tyland and Jaehaerys😂 a pony ride?! These writers were in a silly goofy mood. Although, I will say it’s interesting to see the Lannisters being the ones to take orders for once, rather than give them.

Aegon really shows his age and lack if maturity here doesn’t he?

LARYS

LARYS IS ON THE CASE 🕵️‍♂️

The real question is how will he react when he sees what the dowager queen and ser Crispin have been up to. I’m gonna wager it won’t be pretty

Not Arrax’s wing

LUKE’S CAPE?!😭😭😭

I get they’re trying to make Aegon a bit more likeable this season, but as a member of the audience, I can’t help but feel like that would be SO much more effective if we didn’t already know that he was a predatory 🍇 ist 🤷🏼‍♀️

Otto needs to retire.

Good ol’ Larys, already schmoozing up his next meal ticket. Can’t knock the strategy though.

Alicent’s really trying to justify what happened to Lucerys 🤡

I’m getting the sense Alicent will have wished she kicked Otto out of the Red Keep herself by the time he finally gets canned

House Velaryon theme = always a banger

Mysaria’s accent is SUCH an improvement this season! 👏🏻

Daemon’s desperately pointing fingers at ANYONE who was even remotely close to Aegon😂

That little moment between Rhaenyra and Daemon was so little but said so much

“I want Aemond Targaryen” HELLS YEAH YOU DO 🖤🖤🖤

Daemon- “your wish is my command” 😇

I love that Baela accompanied Jace to go see Rhaenyra.

Jace💔 can’t even get through his report…

Rhaena😭

NOT THE DAMN TOY HORSE FROM BACK IN THE DAY

Jace and Joffrey😣

The fact that Rhaenyra and Alicent both accept what happened to Luke at the same time, but in different ways…. Cinematic poetry right there

A son for a son🤷🏼‍♀️

We love those in King’s Landing who remain true loyalists to the Queen🖤

What would Aemond think if he knew what the Commander of the Kings Guard and his mother do together in their free time🤔

Something funny about a man with no dragon experience and a young prince with no true battle experience talking about a war with dragons as though they’re even remotely knowledgeable…

What vengeance does Aemond seek at this point? Alicent even suggested it was because Lucerys was never punished for taking his eye… Aemond literally unalived Luke. At this point, the Greens seem to have all the advantage. So, at this moment, what exactly does Aemond want?

If anything happens to the dog I stg-

Don’t think Aemond would appreciate you referring to him as a “hound”, Aegon, but go off, I guess

Okay kicking the dog was so not fucking necessary-

Lucerys died during a storm, and it looks like someone else is about to too 👀

The fact that Blood is the voice of reason rn

Helaena💔 you don’t deserve any of this

Okay these noises are fucking AWFUL 😭😭😭💔💔💔

Helaena, not knowing where to go, going to her mother’s chambers🥲

OF FUCKING COURSE these two are at it again like- will they stop now? Will Criston at least have the decency to feel immense guilt and put an end to it himself?

While one can argue Criston Cole has a power dynamic to contend with in both situations (though I would argue he still consented to both), the difference is Rhaenyra was 17, and and Alicent is a woman in her 30s who also prides herself on being religious and practically pious🤷🏼‍♀️ one of them really ought to have known better then sleeping with a member of the Kingsguard, but I won’t say which one.

The Blackwoods and the Brackens!!!

Dragon eggs?👀

[blaiddfailcam]

Which one is the gooder boy: Blaidd or Maliketh?

THAT'S TOO DIFFICULT A QUESTION ANOn

Okay let's see though... Both are obviously very good boys who reflect each other's harsh fate, as well as those of their Empyreans, yet contrast each other in the specifics of their alliances. So, let's break them down a bit, because I hate to give a dull answer.

— MALIKETH —

It's still unclear when exactly Marika became a god, or why she was chosen an Empyrean, and the exact nature of her relationship with the Hornsent. Presumably, Maliketh was gifted to her by the Two Fingers way back then, and she could only become a god so long as the Gloam-Eyed Queen was defeated and the Rune of Death removed from the Elden Ring, which is precisely what Maliketh was created to achieve. This raises a bit of a question as to whom Maliketh was truly allied—was Marika really his mistress? or did he merely serve to fulfill the destiny that was foisted on her by her worshippers?

Let's take a closer look at their present state: Marika is, for all intents and purposes, dead, with a black-and-red shard of light piercing her abdomen; Maliketh mourns for her, yet growls in frustration over how she "gulled" him. In both of Maliketh's defeat dialogue lines, we gain a few insights into Maliketh's knowledge of Marika's state...

"Witless Tarnished... Why covet Destined Death? To kill what?"

...that he cannot understand why the Tarnished would seek Destined Death, potentially hinting that he knows Marika is already dead (and doesn't know that Radagon is now a god, and perhaps not even that Radagon and Marika are one).

"Forgive me, Marika... The Golden Order... cannot be restored."

...that Maliketh more specifically served the Golden Order and sought to restore it after its shattering, which we later learn was done by Marika's own hand.

Though for a time I thought Messmer might have been responsible for Marika's state, it seems far less likely given his dialogue in his fight, which suggests he doesn't know Marika is "dead." As it stands, the most likely culprit is still Maliketh himself, as he wields the red-and-black Rune of Death. He is a shadow, after all, and we do learn through Blaidd's quest that shadows are created to serve their Empyreans unless they disobey the Two Fingers/the Greater Will, at which point they are tasked with disposing of them.

It's possible then that Maliketh, though he adored Marika, only truly functioned to sustain the Golden Order as she was fated to establish and govern eternally. In fact, Maliketh may have had more in common with the Hornsent, whom Marika betrayed and inflicted an unforgiveable crusade—the altar in Farum Azula appears to depict Marika's Elden Ring, yet with the spiral tree motif visible along its spine.

Of course, there's still the question of whether her death was Marika's own intention. Throughout her reign, Marika was constantly sowing the seeds of her own decline, from the exile of the Tarnished to the shattering of the Elden Ring. Though she was imprisoned and practically executed for her trespass... it's possible this was her intention all along. In which case, Maliketh played his part perfectly without ever realizing he was fulfilling Marika's own wish.

Speaking of, let's move on to...

— BLAIDD —

Blaidd is abundantly clear in whom he serves: "I am Ranni's shadow and it's for her that I fight. Whatever any of you might call me..." Unbeknownst to him, Blaidd is fated to be turned against Ranni for eluding her destiny, yet he insists he would never do such a thing. Even as he's inevitably driven mad by the Two Fingers, he roots himself where he stands to protect Ranni from the vengeful Black Knife Assassins.

When Blaidd was given to Ranni, they were each children, and it was fated that Ranni would succeed Queen Marika as a carrier of the Elden Ring's vision, though not necessarily the Golden Order itself. Just like Marika's usurpation and subjugation of the Godskins, Ranni's destiny appears to have demanded she instill the Elden Ring with a new Order, one prescribed by the Greater Will itself. But Ranni refused to acquiesce, pursuing instead her own vision, in which she would abscond with Order and create a world without certainty.

Regardless of Ranni's choice, it's clear that Blaidd's childhood alongside her instilled in him an intense admiration for her. Even if his purpose was to ensure she followed her destiny safely, he rejected any and all manner of gods or vassals to serve only her... unaware that it would ruin him. As it turns out, Ranni and Iji were evidently aware of Blaidd's curse, and though they relied on him to assist the Tarnished, he too was ultimately "gulled" by his compatriots. And he still refused to betray Ranni.

While this of course comes across as tragically endearing, it's probably important to remember just what kind of person Blaidd devoted himself to. Ranni is largely responsible for the deaths and half-deaths of countless people throughout the Lands Between as a direct result of her assassination of her stepbrother, Godwyn (arguably the like, only truly diplomatic demigod lol). After the Night of the Black Knives, Ranni abandoned her assassins, disappearing with the death of her flesh, leadng them to exile and persecution. And despite all this... she never really shows a hint of remorse. To her, they were all stepping stones.

While I doubt Blaidd was involved in the Night of the Black Knives (realistically, I think Ranni would have taken precaution against involving the man specifically designed to kill her should she commit to high treason), he must know to some degree that Ranni is responsible for the state of the world as it is. This doesn't even begin to shake his love for her. In fact, it's pretty clever that our first encounter with Blaidd is to hunt down Darriwil, a traitor who's already imprisoned, and who literally can't even speak to defend himself; all the while, Blaidd never even offers us any information about the nature of Darriwil's betrayal. Later on, Blaidd seems happy as a clam to kill Ranni's own flesh and blood brother, Radahn.

The man has no real moral compass. He's obsessed with the four-armed doll. It's like his Jungkook. Embarrassing!

— AND THE GOODEST BOY IS... —

...Maliketh, lol.

As far as can tell, Maliketh didn't assist in any sort of genocide, as he was presumably hidden in Farum Azula with the Rune of Death since the very conception of the Golden Order, and likely prior to the string of genocidal tyranny Marika would unleash.

What's interesting to note about Maliketh and Blaidd's contrasting morality is that Maliketh is relatively faultless, but his purpose was to aid in the realization of a cruel world Order that unleashed an endless cascade of misery upon the Lands Between; Blaidd is aware of Ranni's treachery, yet they pursue what is arguably a more hopeful future, even if only out of self-interest.

They're both good boys, of course. But cute, doggy features won't hold up in the court of law! Under careful scrutiny, I, the public, have weighed the follies of their hearts and determined Maliketh the Goodest Boy of Ring Game!!!!!!

if u see any typos. No you dont

[greenerteacups]

…in the vein of GoT and ASOIAF, I would love to pick your brain on House of the Dragon (if you’ve seen it / read F&B!) and more specifically, your thoughts on the most recent season + retcons / changes they’re doing.

Loved reading your most recent ask btw it made me want to read the entire series (sadly I’ve only watched).

Okay I think the problem with HOTD is that while they're clearly leaning into the "maesters are biased, all history is constructed" motif in FAB, they're losing track of the changes they're making, and hence failing to keep the characters consistent. Making Alicent and Rhaenyra into embittered former lovers (textually or subtextually) is a cool choice, but they don't commit to exploring that idea! because the second half of season 1 is about the collapse of their relationship and their transformation into incredibly violent, resentful enemies (alicent tries to attack rhaenyra with a dagger? tries to deny her children the right to inherit driftmark? usurps rhaenyra, invokes a law that denies ALL women the right to rule, and sends aemond to kill luke (for all rhaenyra knows!) and just when you think you're finally going to see some good REAL nasty vicious lovers-to-enemies arc, rhaenyra is like "hang on. i gotta see if i can still smash" and does SeptHeist2024. and alicent then says NOTHING about this to any guards and just fucking. lets her go??? and then by the end, the woman who tried to carve out rhaenyra's eye with a KNIFE in front of the fucking KING and FULL COURT to avenge her son — rhaenyra tells THAT woman, to her face, that she's going to kill that woman's firstborn son, and that woman SHRUGS? because — what, she wants to go fucking wildlife camping?

in general, s2 feels like they've reverted these characters to people who can have the scenes that the showrunners want to write. all the juicy rhaenicent resentment and fury and thwarted yearning is boiled down into some milquetoast refrain of "i miss you :( war is hard :(" and a bunch of empty parallelism that doesn't make SENSE because these characters are not offered the same choices! the ONLY thing that was interesting to me in s2 is that they seem to be prepping for the rhaenyra messiah-complex arc (cf. the scene where she tells the dragon-keepers to fuck off and watches vermithor roast about 50 peasants with a stone cold straight face.) her relationship with daemon is way more nasty and dynamic and CONSISTENT than her relationship with alicent because i think they're balking and reluctant to let rhaenicent be as nasty and spiteful and jealous as daemyra is! but like! that's the POINT! none of these people are good or virtuous and their relationships are all terminally fucked by the weight of the duties levied on their shoulders! it's the cycle of violence! let them perform cyclical violence to each other!!

anyway it's like. i think the show has a lot of promise. i STILL am hype for s3 because i think this could be mid-stage growing pains and you can still correct a lot of these wobbles in the next season. pros: good cinematography, GREAT dragon cgi, that way aegon does a spring-jump and vaults over the horse when he's riding to vhagar is fucking awesome. cons: too many scenes of alicent looking sad, not enough scenes of alicent being vengeful or resentful as is established for her character. too many scenes of daemon tripping balls. also not enough scenes of baela and rhaena having character or relationships. also not enough simon strong dripped out within an inch of his life and being unrealistically mouthy to the queen's husband. never enough of that.

[legitalicat]

Power is Power - chapter 3

AN: I love Aegon Targaryen I cannot help it.

Masterlist here!

Songs for the Chapter

Like Real People Do by Hozier

Tattoo by Loreen

Summary: The Velaryon Club.

CW: Language, flashback to political marriage, romantic longing, canon typical Targcest, discussions of usurpation, implied wine drinking

Pairings: Aegon Targaryen ii x Alisanne Velaryon, past Alisanne Velaryon x Jacaerys Velaryon

Word count: 2.1k

Previous chapter

Alisanne looked between her brothers. Jacaerys and Joffrey looked just as eager for the answer as Lucerys. She could only smirk as she sipped on her water. She watched the berries she liked to use to flavor her water float about the top when she returned to merely holding it in her lap.

“So how did you do it?” Lucerys asked her.

They had changed, she felt, since she saw them last. Their hair longer, curlier. Their jaw lines sharper, seemingly having lost any remnants of baby fat. Lucerys seemed as riled up as ever, but Jacaerys was more reserved. Joffrey changed, she thought, depending on which brother he was with and who was encouraging.

“Alicent had told me grandsire was asking for me, she had just left him. By the time I arrived, he was dead,” Alisanne told her twin. “Aegon and I had made the agreement, a long time ago, that he would need to hide for as long as he could in order to hold them off. We knew Otto planned something, but his plan includes keeping Aegon in the dark. So when Aegon hid, I went to Rhaenys and told her to give a note to Mother.”

“A note I presume you had pre-written?” Luke smirked at her.

“Oh of course,” she responded, smirking at him. “I presume you lot know the rest. Rhaenys made her escape, mother found out. We proceeded along how Otto wished us to, until we received word you all were on your way.”

Jacaerys stared at her. At one time, she had been certain that she would have been his wife. His queen. She had grown with the idea that her mother would not allow her marriage to Aegon and that she would be with Jace.

He felt it too. She could tell by the way he looked at her. Whatever could have been, or may have once been, plagued them both. Part of Alisanne’s heart, she feared, would always belong to him.

Though, nothing could convince her it did not turn out better this way. The way Aegon loved her, it was something people only dreamt of. And the way she loved him? She had not been exaggerating when she spoke of burning down Westeros for him.

“And you love him?” Jacaerys asked her. There was a deeply hidden sorrow woven into his words. She had not wanted it to be so, though she did not think she could stop it.

“Yes,” she said quietly to him.

Any expansion upon her word would take away from the weight. She could tell him how Aegon treated her as though she were the only thing that mattered in the world. How she fell in love with him the moment she caught him awake before her, singing with the birds when he thought nobody would hear him.

With Aegon, it did not matter the truth they both knew. Harwin Strong being her father instead of Laenor Velaryon was what he referred to as an inconsequential matter. She was who she was, his wife that he loved as though it were breathing. In her, he found beauty and love in ways he had never known. ( 1 )

“And he is good to you?” he asked her quietly.

“He is. A better man than I thought possible,” she whispered, reaching across and taking his hand in hers.

Alisanne and Jace shared this moment. Their gazes connected, their hands touching. Her heart reached out to his. She needed him to understand it was true and genuine. It was no trick, not some manipulation, but a love that was pure and honest.

“Then perhaps we should start inviting him to the weekly Velaryon Club meeting,” Joffrey said with a deep laugh.

“We should,” Jacaerys said, giving his sister a small smile and a nod. “As long as you are okay with him knowing how crazy you are.”

“I am far from crazy,” she said quickly, laughing quietly.

“You dove into the water from Vermithor’s back,” Luke pointed out.

“You jumped from Arrax,” she told him, laughing as she turned and shoved him lightly.

“And we all fucking agreed Mother can never know,” Joffrey said as he finished his drink. The others all took a drink from their own cups.

“Bold of you to assume I did not see you all from my room,” Rhaenyra’s voice said from the door way.

Alisanne choked on her water before she stood up and turned to look to her mother. She was far more relaxed now. The crown did not sit upon her head. The tension she held was gone.

“It was Alisanne’s idea,” Joffrey and Jacaerys said together far too quickly.

“Okay what the literal fuck, fuck you guys,” Alisanne said as she looked at them. Then she turned back to look at her mother. “But for the record, Jace dared me and Rhaena said she thought it was a bad idea and Baela said I couldn’t let boys win so really it wasn’t my fault.”

Rhaenyra could not help but laugh. To see her four eldest children, together again, was her greatest joy. They had been closer than any siblings she had ever known. They would live and die for one another.

She stepped closer to Alisanne and took her hands in her own. There was something so special for Alisanne to be back with her mother. There had been so many moments she had wanted to walk down the halls to her room, to be held like she had when she was a child.

“I am so proud of you,” Rhaenyra said quietly.

“I did what was needed. Nothing more,” Alisanne said. Her voice wavered a bit, tears coming to verge on being released from her eyes.

“No. You turned what we were all sure was a dangerous position into a life of happiness and love. That is a feat few can say they’ve accomplished,” Rhaenyra told her. “Speaking of which, I have been asked to tell you Aegon awaits for you in the courtyard.”

Alisanne grinned from ear to ear without realizing it. A little chuckle left her like a simple exhale of breath. “Ah, yes. I shall see you all at supper, then?”

“Must you go? Now?” Luke asked her. “Surely he can wait.”

Alisanne looked to him. She didn’t quite know how to tell him that she couldn’t. Aegon would be perfectly fine if she sent word that she would meet him later. But she needed to go to him, to see him, to feel him.

“With any luck, you will one day understand why I have to,” she told her twin before leaving the room.

Her steps to the courtyard were rushed. Much more than her path earlier in the day. She could not help the way her feet carried her as though she were late.

When she passed through the doors and came to the courtyard, Aegon and Sunfyre were waiting with Vermithor. Sunfyre the Golden and The Bronze Fury, together, had always been a sight to see. Especially when Sunfyre would sing and chirp and Vermithor would seem almost calmed by him.

Aegon rested his forehead against Sunfyre’s side, waiting for Alisanne. She stood at the foot of the stairs and just looked at him for a moment. To think she had once been concerned with never loving him seemed so ridiculous to her now. She had rarely seen such beauty.

She was fire and blood, salt and sea. Harsh and unforgiving at times, devastation following closely if she wanted. But he was the birds in the trees or the whitest clouds in the sky for her. Her heart yearned for him like he kept it beating. ( 2 )

Their wedding night, she was terrified. That was the first night she had not been with her mother or any of her brothers. She had expected a bedding ceremony, something that Alicent was pushing for. She had expected the rumors of Aegon’s disinterest of a woman’s desires to be true. Though nothing that happened that night was expected.

Alisanne followed Aegon in near silence. The halls of the Red Keep had never been so lifeless. They did not pass a single person all the way from the Great Hall to Maegor’s Holdfast, the only sound coming from their own feet and the guards that walked behind them.

They came to his rooms. Their rooms. She would need to get used to that, she supposed. There was no telling how long she would be here until her mother could find a way to free her. Then she would be able to return to Dragonstone.

“I shall take the settee for the night,” Aegon told her quietly. “I was not able to get all your things up here yet, but I remember you being quite fond of blankets as a child, so I asked for a few extra to be brought for you.”

Alisanne turned to him, brows furrowing in confusion. “You do not mean to join me in the bed?”

“I did not think you would want me. You do not seem pleased with this. While I cannot give you forever without ever having to bed me, I can give you some time to adjust,” he told her quietly.

Something about the way he said it hurt something inside her. He was already so certain she did not, could not, want him. And while it may be true she had not wanted the marriage, she did not like the thought of him doubting himself in such a way.

“You are my husband,” she told him.

“Not the one you wanted,” Aegon said. “You think I do not know you love Jacaerys?”

“It does not change that you are my husband. And I do not think love is this thing that happens to us, but a decision we must make every day,” Alisanne said to him. Shyly, she took his hands in her own. “We could either live our lives miserable or we can make the choice to love each other. And a man who brings the thought of comfort in one of my favorite things is a man I think wants to choose to love.”

Alisanne made the choice that day, that moment, to choose Aegon every time. She did not at the time know how deeply she would come to love him. He had made himself a permanent fixture in her heart without even meaning to.

Vermithor made a rumbling noise when he finally saw her. It was one of a happines at seeing his rider. Some people did not notice the difference in the sounds he made. Sunfyre was much more obvious, singing to Aegon both in greeting and as a way to make him smile, grumbling when hungry, screeching if he was fearful. Vermithor though tended to either roar or grumble for everything.

But Aegon knew. It’s why he pulled back from Sunfyre and looked to find her. And then he saw Alisanne, who had a small smile on her face. A smile in which he could only replicate.

“Vaoreznuni naejot gaomagon ao waiting, ñuha jorrāeliaryz,” she told him as she walked over to him. (“Sorry to keep you waiting, my love.”)

He chuckled softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Daor jorrāelagon naejot sagon vaoreznuni. Iksā kesīr sir se konir sagon mirre nyke could jorrāelagon,” he said softly to her. (“No need to be sorry. You are here now and that is all I could need.”)

“You have been invited to the Club Velaryon meetings,” she told him, grinning up at him.

“Oh I have now?” he asked her, chuckling.

“Yes. You should feel honored. We are a very exclusive club,” she told him.

Before he had the chance to say another word, Alisanne kissed him. She could not tell what exactly she wanted to show him. Part of her wanted to prove to him how much she loved him. Her lips moved against his own with a soft devotion. She was his in every sense.

And when Aegon’s fingers dug into the flesh of her body through her dress, pulling her to be flush against him, more awake in her. Then, she wanted to show him how she desired him. How desperately she felt that need in her bones. If given the chance, she doubted she would ever leave his side.

When he finally pulled away, he smiled lazily at her. “Come now, love, let us fly,” he told her softly.

Alisanne nodded quietly, giving him another quick kiss, before mounting Vermithor. When they took off into the sky, all she could think of was how perfect this all felt.

><><><><><><><><><><><><

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[repetiita]

While they weren't friends nor colleagues, there was a distinct comraderie amongst those considered 'cards'. They weren't entirely human. Nor were they bore of Pride; but they were chosen. Noah, the bleeding heart and child of a glutton stood, his arm occupied by a smitten child, Nunzia. Smoking near a window in comfortable silence sat the dancer, Camilla, the doctor, Kaede and the police officer, Samuel.

A mood killer; that is what king Nado was. A nameless husk, shambling in with a faux crown upon its head.

No more quiet chatter, no more boisterous laughter. Just complete silence each time it appeared. No matter what body it latched onto, no matter how polite a smile it wore, the rag-tag team of 'humans' looked at it as it was. A usurper.

"I'm getting the distinct feeling that I am not liked by you all."

"This in itself is fine, however, I wish you all remember that I am your leader. Ignoring my orders is not an option."

Within the blanketed silence, a single hand raised. Like an owl, King's head turned, wide eyes landing on the only human with the gall to openly oppose it's whims. Perhaps it noticed the colour in Nunzia's face drain when it decided to turn its body to match its heads position. Or how Noah tensed as it moved. Operating a human was a challenge.

"Respect is earned." As always, Queen spoke without permission... Nevermind her tenure in this little group; Pride seemed to hold a soft spot for her. Rendering her untouchable. Pompous. "And to be frank, despite joining us recently, you assumed a RECENTLY VACANT position. One held by someone we all cherished. If you allowed us the chance to grieve before waving authority, your transition would be smoother, Second."

There it was. Vitriol and spite dripped from her tongue whenever she called it that. Taking on the label of King did nothing but twist the knife.

Imitating it's environment, it asked a simple question; speaking her true name. ". . . Did you love the First, Camilla?"

"We all did." Noah spoke through grit teeth, though fear held him still, he stood with Camilla. Respectable, while Nunzia hid behind him, her hands trembling. It could practically hear the chattering of the siren's teeth.

Once more, an uncomfortable silence took the room. Even Samuel, whose lungs could barely take the dust, lacked the gall to cough and clear tarred airway.

All is silent until the door slams open by the grace of Peter's foot. The life of the party had broken the only door still on its hinges, his wide grin fell, smelling ROT before seeing it standing before the others. Its body turned to the two, for behind Peter stood their lucky charm, Marissa, unshakable in her faith.

"Fuck, we already bullyin' the new guy?"

"Correcting, Jack..."

"I see it as bullying, Camilla."

CLAP ! Loud and oddly piercing, Marissa clapped. Once, twice-- a total of four claps. Like a teacher commanding the attention of a room. "That's enough!" Her small body bounced as she practically skipped between the two faux monarchs. "No fighting!"

"And King, you know not to use our real names when we meet. One more infraction and--"

"Understood. I've attended this meeting and shall be leaving early, is that alright with you, Clover?" Without waiting for Marissa to stammer an 'okay', the King made itself scarce, shambling out of the dilapidated bar without a second look.

Perhaps next time, it will try a different approach.

". . . Good riddance."

As if time resumed, noise seeped into the atmosphere. Starting with a single cough.

[hitchell-mope]

(The Fate Of The Fake Queen And Her Older Sister The Wicked Witch)

Snow: Henry. Please. Stop this. Stop this now. While you still can.

Henry: sorry grandma. No can do.

Regina: why are you doing this?

Zelena: isn’t it obvious? He’s a dark one. It’s in their nature

Henry: oh so close zelena. But no dice. See. THIS!

(He slams Zelena’s face into the floor)

Henry: is for my father. And THIS!

(He slams Regina’s face into the floor)

Henry: is for Graham.

Emma: what the hell is going on?

Henry (cheerfully): hello mother! Welcome to the execution!

Emma: can I get in on this?

Henry: by all means.

(Emma kicks Regina in the face and shatters Zelena’s jaw with one punch)

Emma: that felt good.

Regina: I am your mother!

Henry (drawing Excalibur and pressing it into Regina’s neck): no. No you’re not. You’re a dictatorial, tyrannical, despot. And after tonight. Everyone will have what they deserve.

Granny: what the hell is going on here?

Henry: sorry for the mess granny. I’ll clean it up be out of your hair. But you might want to see what I’m about to do.

(He teleports everyone out onto the street in a cloud of golden smoke. Once there he casts a protection spell on all the buildings)

Zelena: where’s my daughter?

Henry: you mean my baby sister.

Zelena: where’s my daughter! I demand to see her! You can’t keep her from me! I demand to see her! I demand to se-

(Henry pulls out Emma’s gun and shoots Zelena dead mid sentence, splattering Regina in her sisters blood and causing her to scream in terror until Henry backhands her across the face and starts beating her up with his bare hands)

Henry: SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP.

Killian: Henry! It’s okay.

Henry: you’re right Killian. You’re right. Sorry everybody. I got carried away. It won’t happen again.

David: what’s going on?

Rumple: isn’t it obvious your majesty? He’s doing away with our enemies

Snow: Henry’s gone too far. We can’t save him.

Henry: oh grandma. I’m saving you.

(He takes out The Pen)

Henry: let’s see now. Oh yes. “The Great Usurper Regina Mills felt every bone in her legs and arms break into pieces within her”

(Regina screams in pain as her body is shattered into pieces)

Henry: “the anti magic cuffs appeared on her wrists and ankles)

(The anti magic cuffs appear on her wrists and ankles)

Henry: “in a shower of golden flame the bane of the royal family’s existence fades into the abandoned cell of Rumplestilskin. Fated to be alone, forgotten and to starve to death. Knowing that she failed to meet her accursed goals of revenge against The Rightful Queen. And that is where she stays. Until even her bones crumble to dust”.

(Regina is dragged off into a shower of golden flame, wailing pitifully like the injured bitch she is)

Rumple: well done Henry. I couldn’t have done it better myself.

Henry: of course you couldn’t have gramps. You weren’t The Author. Now let’s complete business shall we?

(Ornate crowns appear on Snow and David’s heads)

Henry (projecting his voice all over town): CITIZENS OF STORYBROOKE. TOUGH TIMES LAY AHEAD OF US. MAY I PRESENT TO YOU OUR TRUE LEADERS. MY GRANDPARENTS. KING DAVID AND QUEEN SNOW.

Emma (smiling widely): it’s about damn time.

(End of The Fate Of The Fake Queen And Her Older Sister The Wicked Witch)

[artzychic27]

More Evil Royal Boyfriends?

Nathaniel: *Ballroom dancing with Marc while all of their guests are forced to watch while in chains* My love, how long has it been since we've waltzed?

Marc: Since that dreadful Alice girl dared to interrupt our tea date.

Nathaniel: HER HEAD! I NEARLY HAD HER HEAD! *Throws a dagger, and it nearly hits one of his prisoner's heads*

Marc: Darling, let's not worry about the past... Just keep throwing more daggers until you decapitate one of these peons.

—

Marc and Nathaniel met when they were fifteen at a ball thrown by Nathaniel's parents to find someone to marry him because he keeps having the other candidates beheaded after dates

Anyway! The Prince of Hearts has his guards drag out anyone he deems unworthy of his time

He gets bored of the party and goes into the palace garden, remaining unaware of a certain persistent attendee following him until he reaches a secluded part of the hedge maze

Emani of the Southern Isles is only interested in dating Nathaniel for his family's riches and to be very close to the Prince. The King and Queen like him for Nathaniel and invited Emani, thinking he'll calm their son down and cause fewer deaths, not knowing his methods for doing so are frowned upon centuries from now.

Then Emani has the audacity to touch Nathaniel's shoulder. And just when Nathaniel is about to call for his guards to have Emani beheaded, Emani gags him and makes a threat that actually terrifies Nathaniel until he agrees to allow Emani to court him

Before they can go back to the castle and tell Nathaniel's parents the "good news," an assailant emerges from the hedges and takes Emani out quickly with a poison-soaked rag, saving Nathaniel from the worst marriage of the century

The assailant introduces himself as Prince Marc Grimhilde, the orphan Prince whose parents died of mysterious circumstances after they grounded Marc for poisoning his suitor, Lucien Ratcliffe, the son of a wealthy colonizer

—

Nathaniel: Well, I thank you for the save, but I could have had his head on a platter if I so desired without your help.

Marc: Okay then. *Injects Emani with an antidote, and he wakes up panting* Go for it.

Emani: What is happen- *Nathaniel cuts off his head with a dagger*

Nathaniel: I told you.

Marc: Lovely blade work. I prefer toxins, but everyone has their method. When do you plan to usurp your parents?

-

The King and Queen of Hearts are less-than-thrilled that Nathaniel's decapitated someone during the ball and has chosen the "Poison Prince" as his suitor, but since they're terrified of both of them, they allow them to date

A chill went through everyone's bodies that night

They get married at twenty, a few months after the tragic death of Nathaniel's parents, and merge their Kingdoms

Marc moved into the Hearts Castle after having having his burned to the ground in a fit of rage when his Magic Mirror told him there was some girl fairer than him

—

Marc: I AM THE FAIREST! NOT SOME PEASANT GIRL IN RAGS! I WANT HER DEAD!

Nathaniel: On your whim alone, my nightshade. Would you like her heart or head?

Marc: Surprise me.

—

Unfortunately, the girl (Juleka) runs off when she hears the King of Hearts is after her. Last anyone heard, she’s crashing with some dwarves

When the mirror still dubs him the second-most fairest, Marc poisons a card guard because he can’t bear to be mad at his husband. So, he resorts to Plan B, his favorite: Poisoning Juleka

For that to work, he uses dark magic to make himself look much older and is worried how Nathaniel will react.

—

Nathaniel: You are still the same malevolent imp I married after you poisoned my parents. And for the record, you look very handsome with grey hair.

Marc: You’re just saying that.

Nathaniel: … Has someone besides the mirror questioned your beauty, my love? Lead me to them and expect their head on a platter of the finest silver.

—

So, Marc kills Juleka with a poison apple, she falls into a deathlike state, Rose shows up to kiss her awake, and they move into her castle far away from the land so Marc is the fairest in the land again (Though, he doesn’t know she’s alive again)

The husbands decide to celebrate Juleka’s supposed death with tea in the castle gardens

But while they’re relaxing, they hear the card guards loudly and stupidly singing about painting the roses red

When they find the card guards, not only are they painting the roses red, they’re painting them with some girl with pink hair

Of course, Nathaniel has the card guards decapitated, and since the girl (Alix) clearly doesn’t know how things are done in his kingdom, he challenges her to a game of croquet. If she wins, she lives

—

Nathaniel: Look, I’m a fair ruler, so in exchange for your life, let’s play a round of croquet.

Alix: … That doesn’t sound-

Nathaniel: ALL THINGS ARE DONE MY WAY HERE!… *Whispers to Marc* Make sure she has the warped flamingo mallet, darling.

—

Of course, Alix lost, and she’s sent to the dungeon to await her decapitation while Nathaniel and Marc celebrate with more tea in the garden

When they go to take her to the guillotine, Alix escaped, and well, that set Nathaniel off

—

Marc: *As Nathaniel chases around the castle staff with his dagger* Remember to pace yourself, darling!

[waitingforwinterwinds]

Game of Thrones - 72 DAENERYS X (pages 772-780)

Dany burns a woman alive and turns her husband's funeral pyre into a hatchery for her dragon eggs.

The reader, after almost 20 solid hours of a headache that seems immune to painkillers, is perhaps a little overly critical about it all.

-

Bound hand and foot, Mirri Maz Duur watched from the dust with disquiet in her black eyes. ... "I am tired of the maegi's braying," Dany told Jhogo. He took his whip to her, and after that the godswife kept silent.

Real classy Dany.

On the platform, they piled Khal Drogo's treasures: his great tent, his painted vests, his saddles and harness, the whip his father had given him when he came to manhood, the arakh he had used to slay Khal Ogo and his son, a mighty dragonbone bow. ... "To you I give the dragonbone bow that was my bride gift." It was double-curved, shiny black and exquisite, taller than she was.

I'mma add Dragonbone (weapons) to the drinking game = 🥛🥛

"Viserys is dead. I am his heir, the last blood of House Targaryen. Whatever is his is mine now." "My... queen," Ser Jorah said, going to one knee.

Yeah, here we go again, this is the second time (the first being post pregnancy prophecy and the death of Viserys) that we see an escalation in Dany's need for acknowledgement of (her) power and authority. (Or the line of it through her while she was still pregnant.)

... oh fun, we also get to see the old divorced man who tried to do slavery declare his love for a fourteen year old girl who's just had a miscarriage, a second major traumatic death and loss of a loved one (even if he was absolute trash) and invite her to run away with him.

Super. Romantic.

(That was disgusted sarcasm, just to be clear.)

"I swear it," she said in the Common Tongue of the Seven Kingdoms that by rights were hers.

Okay, knowing that this is probably going to get me attacked by Die-hard Dany Stans, I'm just going to come out and say it: Dany's 'right' to the Seven Kingdoms is dubious at best.

Her family's 'right' to the kingdoms came through conquest, we can call it an usurpation, but the rebellion of Bobby B was also a conquest. If his claim isn't legit, than neither is Aegon's. If you're trying to come at it as a blood right, you need to remember that the Targaryen's only ruled for 300 odd years, out of a history that is over 8,000 years old just by a calendar of human habitation.

Dany's blood right as a Targaryen might say she owns the chair, the Iron Throne itself physically as a chair, because her ancestor had it crafted, Blood right might say she has the right to rule King's Landing because her ancestors built it and reigned from it for all but less than two decades of its existence.

Sure, I'll give her that.

But that does not entitle her to the rest of Westeros and/or Dorne. If (and when) she goes to Westeros, it is not as an unjustly deposed ruler reclaiming her seat, it is as a conqueror.

Dany called the Dothraki around her. Fewer than a hundred were left. How many had Aegon started with? It did not matter. "You will be my khalasaar," she told them. "I see the faces of slaves. I free you. Take off your collars. Go if you wish, no one shall harm you. If you stay, it will be as brothers and sisters, husbands and wives."

I know that this is supposed to be a big moment of "Dany frees the slaves" and perhaps the perceived start of her slave freeing journey, but something about this bothers me. And it's not that she's about to burn a woman alive for a crime she might not have committed. (So one slave not getting freed today.)

I think it's that she's already planning to conquer, at least that's what the mention of Aegon gives me vibes for, and that specific thought of him segues into the 'free the slaves' moment, where... where does she think they'd go with their new freedom? I genuinely got the vibe most of these people (the slaves specifically) didn't stay for loyalty or because they were slaves, that they were left behind because they were deemed worthless.

Given the way Dany treated Mirri in the previous chapters, I wouldn't be surprised to see Dany thinking again that showing someone basic human decency is enough to earn their undying loyalty and support.

"Aggo," Dany called, paying no heed to Jhogo's words. If I look back I am lost. ... They thought her mad, Dany realized. Perhaps she was. She would know soon enough. If I look back I am lost.

IILBIAL = 🥛🥛

"- I have no bride gift to give you, but I swear to you, one day you shall have from my hands a longsword like none the world has ever seen, dragon forged and made of Valyrian steel. And I would ask for your oath as well."

Valyrian Steel = 🥛

... Isn't there an article from a GRRM interview where he basically confirmed Valyrian steel isn't made from dragons (or at least not their dragon fire)? So is she saying she'll make him a Valyrian steel sword that will also be forged in the fire of dragons seperate from the Valyrian steelneess of it?

She climbed the pyre herself to place the eggs around her sun-and-stars. The black beside his heart, under his arm. The green beside his head, his braid coiled around it. The cream-and-gold down between his legs.

Hang on, I need to google something.

"Drogon is black, Rhaegal is green and Viserion is the cream" ah okay. never mind. I was just wondering if the placements of the eggs reflected Dany's or even Drogo's relation the the people the eggs were named after. I was mostly wondering because their behaviours and attitudes in the show had a small aspect of character reflection. Maybe not "these three dead men are reincarnated as dragons" strong, but like, I felt hints and vibes.

She saw crimson firelions and great yellow serpents and unicorns made of pale blue flame; she saw fish and foxes and monsters, wolves and bright birds and flowering trees, each more beautiful than the last.

... I should just print out a copy of the wiki's list of house sigils. half the time these kinds of visions end up being house sigil references.

... I feel like someone should be saying "the night is dark and full of terrors" what with all this fire sacrifice and seeing things in the flames.

After them came her handmaidens, and then the others, all the Dothraki, men and women and children, and Dany had only to look in their eyes to know they were hers now, today and tomorrow and forever, hers as they had never been Drogo's.

Yeah, because for all that he waas a slave driving sack of shit who was physically terrifying and a strong and a capable warrior, he was still human. You... you're terrifying in an inhuman kind of way right now.

Who in their right mind betrays what is either a god or a demon after a display like that?

Well that chapter sure closed the book off with a terrifying bang, as I'm sure it was meant to.

Tomorrow is a cheat day for me, because it's the appendix, there might be a post, just end of book thoughts or things I want to say, idk.

Damn this chapter was a heavy one, I think it's a good thing I'm going to have the time to sit with it a while. I just.... hmmm.....

[horizon-verizon]

I am anon who asked about Rhaenyr'a children from Harwin. I meant both, book and show. Thanks in advance.

Okay, thanks anon. Please remember to specify if you have another ask for me. Helps me organize my thoughts.

The ask anon is referring to is HERE.  It was: “Why did Rhaenyra keep having Harwin's children after Jace was born dark-haired? She put herself in a horrible situation and threatened the life of her children.”

First, medieval royal and noble women had affairs and even bastard kids all the time, just as men did. Sometimes to those in the European courts, it was openly suspected that a woman’s kids weren’t her husbands, and sometimes noble girls and women had kids before they ever married. Even thinking of how long monarchy and/or feudalism existed in Europe (400s A.D. to present day), we can reason that by pure probability, there were women who had affairs and had ilegiitmate kids and that they got away with it or its was known but kept hush-hush.

Humans are humans, and humans want intimacy or are horny anon. No matter the setting.

Second, if Rhaenyra did have pale haired, purple eyed kids, Alicent still could have just accused her of being too familiar with Harwin, as she tried to do in the book with Criston Cole:

Though many lords and knights sought her favor, the princess had eyes only for Ser Criston Cole, the young champion of the Kingsguard and her constant companion. “Ser Criston protects the princess from her enemies, but who protects the princess from Ser Criston?” Queen Alicent asked one day at court. The amity between Her Grace and her stepdaughter had proved short- lived, for both Rhaenyra and Alicent aspired to be the first lady of the realm...and though the queen had given the king not one but two male heirs, Viserys had done nothing to change the order of succession.

(Fire and Blood; A Question of Succession)

It’s not an accident that immediately following Alicent’s words, we hear of how both women wanted to be “first lady of the realm” and that Alicent was upset that Rhaenyra was still the heir while Alicent birthed her first son, Aegon the Elder, with Viserys.

In real-life history of European monarchy, someone could actively bring about a noble/royal woman’s downfall for their own political gain by just throwing out the accusation of infidelity, whether they actually believed it or not.

It wasn’t about truth, anon. It was about appearance and instilling doubt onto the woman to take advantage. 

Third, in the first drafts of Fire and Blood, GRRM had Rhaenyra either marry a Lannister and have no kids, or she married Harwin and had his legitimate children. 

The Dance still happened and Alicent still usurped Rhaenyra. 

Really, he made sure to always keep clear that Alicent targeted Rhaenyra for more than her children's supposed illegitimacy. So Rhaenyra was damned if she did, (kids, legitimate or ilegitimate) and damned if she didn’t (no kids).

Which means that it was never really about her children’s legitimacy but, Alicent wanting power for herself and her kids.