#or like an oath of alliance that goes both ways

[kaidatheghostdragon]

Can we have gremlin danny eventually realize that steph is becoming a halfa? He deliberately sought out a hero/vigilante on the hope that they'd find a way to get their soul back, he is definitely gremlin enough to use this to his advantage. What advantage? The observants bullied him into taking an innocent soul, and now that soul is going to become as much of a powerhouse as he is.

Ie, the observants have to contend with ANOTHER gremlin prankster halfa as a consequence of their actions. (Counting ellie, that's now 3 prankster halfas.)

Danny may or may not also use this new knowledge to power up the other two-thirds of his own trio as well.

And steph may eventually take this trick to some of the other bats or heroes. (Would tim be dumb enough to sell his soul back and forth to his ex-girlfriend for a secret power-up that nobody else would know about?)

And regardless of whether you think the lazarus pits are capable of turning Jason into a halfa or not, this provides an alternate pathway to heal him up, too.

It's a Deal.

So! Steph is in a bit of a Bind. Literally.

Her Father had just discovered that she was the Vigilante who kept ruining his Plans, and decided to Deal with her. So he tied her up at a Bomb Site for one of his Plans and left her to die there.

No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't escape the Ropes, and time was running out. If only she had managed to get that last message out to Batman in time, maybe he would have come to rescue her.

The Timer had nearly reached Zero, when all of a sudden Time Stopped. The Ropes around her fell away, and a guy walked up to her as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Hey, you seem to be in a bit of a bind."

"Not so much anymore, was that you?"

"Yeah, bit of a Free Sample. See, I'm in a bit of a bind as well. I made a Deal with these floating Eyeballs, and long story short in order to keep my town safe I need to take the Soul of an Innocent person."

"And is that where I come in?"

"Yup, Basically I save your life, help you out with whatever you want, and you give me the rights to your Soul."

"What if I just walk away while time is stopped?"

"The building is Locked down tight, and I can't actually hold Time stopped for too long either way, it's sort of a new power to me. Without my help you wouldn't get out in time."

"So it's sell my soul or die?"

"Trust me,I don't like it either, but it's what I have to do."

"You know what, sure. You help me escape, help me take down The Cluemaster, and I'll give you my Soul."

"Then it's a Deal."

"I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

[iniziare]

Verse: Absolution (Present Timeline)

"And so I wield my blade to the very end, until the stars have been cut down from the sky. This oath I will never forsake."

With the long elaboration of what (or rather 'who') I think Jingliu's deal is with (that you can find written up in this post), I think that it's a logical progression to talk about what I want to do with it. Simply because something like potentially being given a blessing that is able to restrain the mara... wouldn't be done without reason. I don't see the Aeons as 'kind' and 'benevolent', because canon has given me no reason to think that they are.

"... but whether it be you, me, the Cloud Knights, or the generals of the Reignbow Arbiter, we are all just pawns in a game of the gods. I am sick and tired of threading on a predetermined path."

Jingliu's case was as simple as it was serious, she eventually entirely succumbed to mara due to the sheer amount of trauma tied to her history (and at the time, her 'present'), and there was no return for her. So the fact that she did come back from it, and refers to it as a ‘deal’ is immense, as she wouldn’t have been lucid enough to seek it of her own accord as she was akin to a rabid animal— it had to have been offered to her. This is why I believe it’s ‘divine intervention’. On top of that, why restrain her from the mara as best as possible, if not done for a specific purpose? No one could stand toe to toe with Jingliu in combat, not a single enemy could ever best her— so is she then not the best adversary against Yaoshi, and all denizens of the Abundance? That’s the direction that I believe they are going. As she herself states to Jing Yuan: Jingliu is a pawn, along like many others, in a game of the gods. What encapsulates this better, than to have her be lucid because of one of these gods, to fight another? But it’s not even forced on her, for I fully believe that her hatred of the Plagues Author surpasses that of anyone else’s, except Lan's themselves. And with the 2.5 trailer, I feel even more strongly that this is the case. So let me note down the details of a present-day verse. This will get edited accordingly if canon itself plays into this more firmly

One final time, as stated above: Jingliu is kept lucid not by the Ten Lords Commission's 'wine' as is shown to have been the case with Hanya (and Xueyi), there is no tie as she fled the Xianzhou while succumbed, and fell to mara even further afterwards, when she ultimately fought Jing Yuan. The reason instead, is because of Lan, who is keeping her lucid as to serve as a soldier/pawn in the battle with the Abundance. The strongest soldier that the Luofu had in its ranks.

With the 2.5 trailer out, and the seeming further confirmation that Feixiao is inherently tied to Hoolay and the Borisin (and the direct note of the Moon Rage affliction, which is an innate Borison curse), and the continuous name-dropping of Jingliu, which was now followed up with a glimpse of her— I'm relatively certain in my assumption that this is a perfect example of what Jingliu would have been kept lucid for: the protection of the Xianzhou Luofu (and the Xianzhou Alliance as a whole).

There are multiple direct ways for Jingliu to either be kept out of jail, or have her sentence altered. One is given to me by the very heavy insinuation within the 2.5 trailer, which is Feixiao's apparent betrayal of the Alliance. This is one of the Arbiter Generals, whom were all bestowed with spirits by Lan, making them formidable enemies. Once observing Jingliu's lucidity for themselves (Hua, the Marshal, and Yaoguang, the Arbiter General presiding over the Yuque), Jingliu could be designated as the person to hunt down both Hoolay (who she was responsible for defeating the first time) and Feixiao, in exchange for a lesser sentence.

But the mara? It never goes away, it never leaves her. She is pulled back to lucidity, but that is seemingly (from what I can tell), the only 'reprieve' that she gets. For example, Jingliu is still plagued by an incredibly unreliable mind that still holds memories but the details slip through her fingers like sand. When she is caught within moments of participation in intense turbulence, there is something akin to a faint blood-lust that aches under the surface— but due to the deal's restraint, she's able to step away from it, though there will be physical evidence of the difficulty that I imagine could manifest similarly to incredibly intense withdrawal symptoms. There is a reduced appetite and thirst, and there is an intense cold to her touch when the mara grows a little in intensity.

Would she be able of reclaiming the title of Sword Champion? Unlikely, as Jingliu did commit one of the Xianzhou's sins, and was erased from its living records for having done so. And though this was committed outside of her own conscious mind, she is incredibly aware and intent on accepting and facing the consequences of said sin (one could see her having to live with the mara's symptoms as an eternal suffering). Besides, there is another who might one day claim it. But to her, what it represents for her (and not in general), is... merely a title, a position, something that she once was through and through— but is no longer. It is a tragedy, but it is is also life.

[horizon-verizon]

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/adowryofblood/716588730922745856

The answerer's points remind me of what Seth Abramson said about Alicent and Rhaenyra both. Especially the:

it was a huge mistake to reframe every bad decision rhaenyra made as a reaction to something that someone else did to her. first of all, it removes all agency from her as a character whose actions drive the plot. second, it incorrectly portrays her as 100% victim when she is very much 50-50 victim/perpetrator. the fact that the writers felt this was necessary for a woman character is so incredibly gendered. to them, a woman can only be sympathetic if she is reacting, if she is acted upon first. a sympathetic, role model woman does not have drive or flaws. feminism starts and ends with one person on the throne.

Abramson said:

I am very interested in the answerer's part here:

the writers fundamentally misunderstand that the appeal of book rhaenyra is her narcissism and impulsivity, and her character only really makes sense if she remains that way. for example, only a very specific type of person would marry their uncle right after both her and his spouses die. that's not a heroic action, but it doesn't make her an evil queen. it doesn't negate our sympathy when she miscarries or when the lords call her a whore. it just makes her a multifaceted person. same goes for alicent.

AND most of all:

the writers' intention--to deconstruct what they perceived as an "evil queen" archetype from the book--was compelling, imo

Because that is exactly what GRRM is doing w/Rhaenyra. The entire account of the Dance is green-leaning and endeavors to make Rhaenyra much worse than she actually was.

Alicent, in my eyes, was not a good person, and she, to me, is hardly a better person than Rhaenyra, and she is neither a simple character. Yet the account would have us think that as well: she is a simple, "good"/"good enough person" just like other men in ambition...is she really, though?

Alicent outwardly played by the rules of patriarchy, she is partially responsible for the war and her kids' deaths. Yet she's barely remembered at all and for being a perpetrator of this calamity. She wasn't the only or even the first person at fault for the Dance, though she is still definitely one/a prime of the persons responsible. So even with Alicent, there is some deconstruction of "evil queen" going on, in terms of what an evil queen who "seduces" (beguiles and deceives) the right men through powers of persuasion, her performing seemingly innocuous deeds that an aristocratic woman/royal woman is expected to do, and the necessary amount of violence performed by men:

She convinces a council of men [except one] to turn against Rhaenyra by making herself and her kids seem future victims of who she painted as the would-be evil queen

in the same council she doesn't have to take an oath of secrecy or alliance with the men when Larys brings it up on account of her womanhood....yet again, she's the one who brought them all together and stirred them to act in her favor

she got Cole on her side to strategize for her team (Battle of Rook's Rest and maybe more if Aemond hadn't been dumb) using his self-convinced hatred of Rhaenyra for her own needs -- her taking him in as her protector after Rhaenyra rejects him would have been seen as not that unusual because tourneys have accidents and rage-filled men maim and kill others enough times

her pointing out how Cole would "endanger" Rhaenyra's virginity (before he joined her team) makes a question of Rhaenyra's virginity and Cole's place beside her (to influence him away from her and remove that protection), while looking as if she's just concerned about Rhaenyra's well being and reputation as the Queen/her stepmother

And more. Once again, the subversiveness comes not from how we the modern audience perceive Alicent so much as from how Alicent was never viewed as the "evil queen" despite all the subtle and nonsubtle actions she took to undermine and usurp Rhaenyra. Even when she has tried to get her granddaughter to kill Aegon, the text writes her as more crazy than responsible for her actions, even expressing a little surprise (in tone) from Gyldayn and some who attended the wedding for her absence during Jaehaera and Aegon's wedding.

Getting back to Rhaenyra's characterization though, HERE is what azureflight says about Rhaenyra's womanhood within the context and perceptions and subsequent meaning:

Rhaenyra was undeniably female, in a society where being a woman was lesser. She was not someone they can put into a sterilized icon to strip from her flesh and blood humanity and she was not some “not like other girls/almost like a boy” type that they could rationalize accepting as their ruler because she “technically didn’t count as woman” due to how different she behaved.

She was the embodiment of every fear about women these people had: Powerful despite lacking traditional mastery of arms, charming and hot, making her deeply desired by men which meant she could influence and “control” them, sexual meaning they couldn’t control her, holding authority, meaning she could reject them, and cuckolded her husband, meaning she could emasculate them. Oh, and she also had a dragon so she would most definitely win if they were to ever try to assert themselves physically against her, as they would try against women like this in general.

"Undeniably female", I read--to the perception of what a woman looks like to her contemporaries--as Rhaenyra checked all the boxes of what a woman and an attractive aristocratic woman looked like and some behavior. Love it attention to clothes/beautification, not that interested in fighting like a warrior, wanting a family, being attracted or having a preference for knights and warriors, etc.

The problem for them was that she also had many other behaviors, a look (pale weird hair, rare colored eyes), and materials that made her have much more power than most men or deviated from the Andal standards of womanhood and femininity.

Rhaenyra was a contradiction, a temptation, a danger, and a "mystery" to those men and many women if they didn't actually know her. And F&B/Gyldayn/maesters/many men, after the Dance ended AND during her life wanted to reduce her into this "evil", "ugly" "WRONG" queen.

Funny how they also reduced but underestimated Alicent's person simultaneously.

[swordoaths]

@homebehind enabling me with my favorite topics for Éomer Part I: 💭 + éomer and lothíriel because I am nothing if I am not selfish 😂

Since we get.... the bare bones regarding their relationship, I'd like to take a moment to discuss Éomer and Lothíriel re: whether their pairing was a love match or a political one. Both are valid paths for them to take, and whilst I do believe both are at play, I do heavily lean on one way more than the other.

Though it is true that Éomer and Lothíriel are politically well suited and that I do think Everyone knows that, for it further instills the Oath that Éomer has taken to honor the alliance between Rohan and Gondor, I don't believe it is the sole reason they are together. I believe that Éomer fell in love with Lothiriel for who she is as a person.

Why? In short, no matter the politics-- no matter how good it may look on paper for them to be together-- I think both from Éomer's life events and the truehearted nature of the people of the Mark, the first reason for marriage (for Éomer) has to be love.

Regarding his life events, Éomer doesn't have any family left. Between the ages of 11 and 28, the constant repeating theme in his life was death, and this grief slowly chips away at his heart until he doesn't hold onto hope any longer. We must remember that the Éomer we see riding into battle in the War of the Ring is Éomer who has no hope left. He is facing the literal end of the world by the might of Sauron--- a darkness he knows personally from the darkness that had plagued Rohan--- but his world has also been taken from him via the death (or perceived death, as is the case for Éowyn during the Battle of Pelennor Fields) of his family. The only surviving family member with Éomer at the end is Éowyn, but she leaves the Mark to be with her love, Faramir, in Ithilien.

And when family is most important to Éomer, this loss devastates him. It has torn him apart for years. So, when Éomer returns to the Mark as King, he is alone. Yes, he has the people of the Mark, and the people of the Mark do respect and love their King, but he has no close loved one-- no true, heart-to-heart bond with another person. And he is searching for that love in a marriage.

There is also the nature of the people of the Mark. They do not lie. They come from a culture with no written word; therefore, what they say is all they have. To lie is to dishonor the individual and to dishonor the culture of the people of the Mark. But always speaking the truth has another element to it, for when the people of the Mark speak, they are speaking from the heart. They are expressly known as Truehearted people. Entering a loveless marriage has elements of falsehood-- of not being true to the heart. It goes directly against who Éomer and the people of the Mark are. Even if it was the best political match in the world, if Éomer had no love for the person he was marrying, it would be dishonoring himself, his culture and people, and the person he would be marrying. He cannot live in a lie.

There's also the fact that Éomer is known to go by the heart. For example:

(On Éomer choosing to act from the heart re: following Aragorn) “‘As for myself,’ said  Éomer, ‘I have little knowledge of these deep matters; but I need it not. This I know, and it is enough, that as my friend Aragorn succoured me and my people, so will I aid him when he calls. I will go.’” (On Éomer's faith in Aragorn being derived from a heartfelt bond) “Since the days when you rose before me out of the green grass of the Downs, I have loved you, and that love shall not fail.” (On the death of Éowyn driving Éomer to a rally because his heart was broken) “He stood a moment as a man who is pierced in the midst of a cry by an arrow through the heart; and then his face went deathly white, and a cold fury rose in him, so that all speech failed him for a while. A fey mood took him. Then without taking counsel or waiting for the approach of the men of the City, [Éomer] spurred headlong back to the front of the great host, and blew a horn, and cried aloud for the onset. Over the field rang his clear voice calling: ‘Death! Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!’ And with that the host began to move. But the Rohirrim sang no more. Death they cried with one voice loud and terrible, and gathering speed like a great tide their battle swept about their fallen king and passed, roaring away southwards.”

With all of this, I hope it explains why marrying for love is the more important thing to Éomer, and thus, why I believe he fell in love with Lothíriel for who she is, and not what political tie she brings.

(Extra note that's sort of relevant: I always thought that Éomer and Lothíriel meet via Imrahil. Éomer and Imrahil are friends. They fought side by side in battle, and I do think that when you're fighting in a war together, you do forge strong bonds with the people who stand by you. And there is a specific part in the battle whereupon Éomer and the people of the Mark join with the Swan Knights to drive off the Orcs.

Imrahil and his family also rode to Rohan with the funeral procession of Théoden King to show support of the alliance, certainly, but also to show support for Éomer in a time of grief, too. Éomer, of course, often rides to Gondor as is said in canon.

Because he is friends with Imrahil (and also the fact that Imrahil is politically influential), Éomer is going to see him when he makes the journey to Gondor. And if Éomer and Imrahil see each other, it's only natural that Éomer is also going to see Imrahil's family, which means he's going to see Lothíriel.

And since Imrahil knows Éomer to be a good man-- someone who is worthy of his daughter in heart and deed-- I think he just kind of lets them find out for themselves.)

[weariedwightarchive]

changes made:

(note: I still need to finish updating her bio, but here's everything that'll be changing!)

url changed from courierofrivendell to weariedwight

removed the epessë Dolenpen; added the epessë Ewerthril. Faegalad went by no name or title (aside from Ring-bearer only for clarity's sake in writing) while she was Ring-bearer, and Ewerthril was an unofficial and used by some when speaking of her rather than addressing her directly as such.

added this golden circlet to her list of associated items.

removed her ruler of Eregion au verse since it's becoming part of her main canon.

Fae is still the daughter of Brenior and Ellother, although is now the direct niece of Nerdanel, rather than grand-niece

Fae's background info remains the same up until her becoming Ring-bearer for the Three Elven Rings. Celebrimbor strips her of her name and rank for her own safety, and she flees Eregion as no one. Rumors still spread and she becomes known as both Faegalad the Deserter and Ewerthril, though doesn't learn of it until she reaches Lindon and stays there instead of returning to Eregion.

she becomes a soldier of Eregion, and goes by Ewerthril instead of Faegalad out of both spite and the belief it's a name deserved despite knowing it was for the sake of Middle-earth and her people that she left without them knowing why. She doesn't leave Lindon to fight, but does fight when the Grey Havens (and still makes her oath to see Sauron's death after seeing what happened to Celebrimbor), and is after permitted to join a moving army during the rest of the War of the Elves and Sauron.

after the war, Ewerthril gathers the willing survivors of Eregion and returns to her homeland, where she builds Ost-in-Rínas northwest from the ruins of Ost-in-Edhil and west of the Caradhras. Her kingdom is quite small compared to the other realms, but still a kingdom nonetheless. She rules without the aid of one of the Three Rings, and often joins patrols on her kingdom's borders to ensure the safety of her people. However, they are welcoming to travelers, and are willing to host Elves, Dwarves, and Men alike as long as they are willing to be civil. Outside of that, her kingdom's focus is on trade and smithing, and while its army is small, is still not one to be trifled with.

Ewerthril joined the War of the Last Alliance as commander from the start, instead of toward the end, and leads her army with confidence and caution. She still earns the epessë Maethorwen, and later in the war "Maethorwen, commander of a broken army", because of the loss her army suffers, and how she begins to lead Elves from other fallen armies. But, by the end of the war, Eregion's numbers have dwindled greatly, and is no longer a kingdom - having been attacked by Sauron's forces while making their way up to Rivendell. Ewerthril is devastated but unable to sail despite her grief due to her oath, but is offered a place in Rivendell by Elrond to heal. She accepts, and becomes Faegalad once more.

she remains in Rivendell for a good while (still figuring out how long - possibly a century), but then returns to Ost-in-Rínas with a handful of her people. They rebuild their kingdom, although it remains a settlement within the ruins instead of a true kingdom, and becomes a passing point for travelers once more. Although not an official Lady, Fae is still given that title out of respect, and she looks out for those that have chosen to call Ost-in-Rínas home.

Fae is present during the Council of Elrond as a participant, where she encourages the Ring to be taken into Mordor, but doesn't participate in the Fellowship. She remains in Rivendell for a short while before returning to Eregion. She hears word of the troubles in Rohan, and she and some of her people join the Rohirrim in the Battle of Helm's Deep, before traveling to Gondor to fight alongside Aragorn.

after the events of lotr, Fae returns to Ost-in-Rínas, and remains even as her people sail for Valinor. She remains a ghost-like figure in her kingdom, and doesn't sail until FA 56.

I plan on adding a few more addendums to Fae's bio, and I'll still be having her untagged main verse pick up after the events of lotr, so she'll be alone or mostly alone in Eregion. I'm also thinking of keeping the courier aspect by adding that Ost-in-Rínas had a focus on falconry, and uses their birds for both hunting and as couriers to the other Elven kingdoms.

otherwise, Fae's still gonna have the same characterization, although she's just Tired:tm: from everything that happens sfdghjd - and I like the idea of her becoming a ghost story of sorts with Eregion

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb: DISCOVER THE EPIC NEW ROMANTIC FANTASY EVERYONE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT!

As an elite spy and the Queen's Third-in-Command, Aya has dedicated herself to a life of discipline and duty, using her gods-given abilities to keep dark magic from ever returning to the realm. Her oath ensures she will always act to protect those she fights alongside—including Will, the Queen's Enforcer and Aya's bitter rival.

Forced by circumstance to work together, Aya and Will struggle to come to an uneasy truce. But when tragedy strikes, Aya instinctively reacts, unleashing a power that hasn't been seen in over 500 years. Shaken, she's confronted with an impossible truth: one that threatens the precious grip she keeps on her control. One that forces her to work with Will to discover who—or what—she really is. And one that could turn her into a weapon in a war she doesn't know how to win.

With Will at her side and untold power at her fingertips, Aya will have to decide: Has she been sent to save the realm she loves...or destroy it?

Review:

Two rivals with secrets that could destroy each other find themselves forced to work together if they want to save their kingdom, if only they could trust each other.... Aya is the elite spymaster for the Queen, becoming the Third-in-Command and spending her days trying to use her abilities to keep dark magic from returning to the realm. Aya's only real issue: Will, the Queen's enforcer and second in command who is her bitter rival and constantly goes out of his way to get under her skin. Aya and Will have a complicated relationship only made more complicated by their attraction to one another and the fact that Will is hiding so many secrets but demands Aya's trust, but refuses to tell her why she should trust him. When both Will and Aya are forced to work together to make an alliance with a prince from another area, and the fact that Will has learned Aya's deep dark secret and has chosen to keep for some reason... things are complicated. Aya and Will will have to figure out to trust each other if they want to make it out alive. This was an interesting first novel in the series, it started out rough definitely picked up by the halfway mark and definitely improved by the end. Will was an okay love interest I really did not like him at all until about 60% into the book (which is so unfortunate) and the romance between them kind of felt out of nowhere. Will constantly demanding trust from Aya and going on about all the things he's done for her yet never telling her, like sir, please, work on your communication please. Thankfully it all worked out in the end but jeez. I am interested to see where the second book goes and what happens with Aya's and Will's journey. If you enjoy fantasy romance with a rivals to lovers trope, give this one a try!

*Spoilers* Aya overheard Will telling the Queen that Aya is dangerous and can't be trusted and that she shouldn't be given the role within the Queen's trusted trio, however she is, and ever since she has hated him. Aya had been initially attracted to will until she overheard him destroy her like that. Aya has the ability to persuade people to do what she wants while Will has the ability to read people and feel what they feel and make them feel what he feels. Aya's ability is very strong and she has kept it hidden however Will discovers it when they are both nearly attacked by wolves and she communicates and controls the wolves. Will and Aya both go on a mission to another kingdom to seize an alliance and find out what is happening with their arms trade over there. Aya and Will both are hiding stuff, Will is constantly getting on her case and acting offended that she doesn't trust him but he never tells her why he deserves her trust and why "everything he's done has been for her". Will has been trying to keep Aya's ability a secret and has been in love with her for a long time, he knows the Queen would want to use Aya as a weapon and has tried to keep them separate and he's been pretending that he and the Queen have a more intimate relationship to get people to not focus on Aya. However his sole focus is Aya and he finally confesses everything to her. Then there is Aidon ( the prince of the other nation who serves as the other love interest for Aya that makes Will jealous). Aya is discovered as the second Saint from the prophecy and Aidon's father tries to kill both of them but Aya uses her powers to survive and heal Will too and AIdon says he only did everything to protect everyone. Aya and Will both confess their feelings for each other and swear a oath to each other rather than the Queen and vow to fix the nation and save Aya.

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[guardingoath]

GUARD YOUR ROAD, REMEMBER YOUR OATH.

#𝑮𝑼𝑨𝑹𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑶𝑨𝑻𝑯

An   independent  roleplay  blog  for a foreign trader, registered with the alliance of the Xianzhou Yuque.

          Luocha,   ( 罗 Luó "net" or "gauze," Chà "shrine," or "monastery." )

                    ↳         the traveling merchant

  ↳    𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑬: Echoes of the coffin:

Under the watch of the white irises, he knocks on the coffin. "Sometimes I feel I underestimated you by proposing this deal."

↳    𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑬: Perfect timing:

On a bustling street he walks and walks. The sunlight closely follows his footsteps. He makes a stop and picks up an umbrella to shade himself from the sun ...and from that prying gaze.

Selective, canon based, worshipped by andrea, 25+ she/her. Main multi over at @aequitaes

Rules under cut !!

♦ i'm andrea, she/her 25+ in the timezone of the united kingdom. a single mum, working aaand also at uni. so my reply time can go from fast as lightning to, 3-7 business years. Please bear with me.

♦ basic rules apply. i don't partake in callout culture, i will educate myself and stay in my own lane where applies. I'm just here to have fun and write, it's not that deep friends!

♦ happy for ask replies to be turned into threads - always! if inspiration hits, go for it!

♦ slow on following back, i don't always check, tumblr messages are the bane of my existence so again - nothing personal.

♦ i practice mains - this is largely due to the little free time i have, so it's like a safe little space of i know i can be slow and i know they'll still be there. that being said. Investment. it goes both ways. i am happy to be the one to initiate - i don't scare easy, but i can't write with ghosts and i am usually inspired by people actively poking and providing enthusiasm, sparkles and respect of thee jacket potato supremacy (iykyk)

♦ i will not send in passwords, i'm not very active on the dash so please don't expect me to be Looking out for any 'like this to stay mutuals' posts, i kinda expect that to be gauged based on interest - like if i've made effort to send prompts and/or reply to threads then assume --- yes, i would like to remain a mutual.

♦ triggers: i don't use fancy tags i just trigger it as it is.

♦ won't be following anyone under the age of 18. ( doesn't have to be age stated specific just 18+ but if i don't see that anywhere, i likely won't be following!)

[celticbarb]

#bookreview #scotland #newrelease #scottishhistorical

Book: Secrets of A Highlander's Heart

Author: Julie Johnstone

Return of the Highlanders, Book #1

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Publisher: DBA Darbyshire

Book Length: 238 pages

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

Scotland

The Past -1460

The Present - 1475

It starts with Laird Sir Gilbert Stewart, Lord of Lorn, his wife Isabella and their three young children Ross. Graeme and Mags. I loved the interaction with the children who were ages five, three and two. Also the relationship with the loving parents. I did enjoy going through two timelines which were set in 1460 at the Stewart clan castle Dunstaffnage but it also shows that a best friend is about to betray him for money and lands. A definite nail biter without giving much away.

It also goes to present time in 1475 where Grace MacDonald is traveling with the man her father who was Lord of the Isle who wants her to marry childhood friend Errol MacLaren for a political alliance. Even though her father had promised his wife on her deathbed he would allow their two daughters to make love matches. Grace just does not feel the spark plus Errol doesn’t seem to respect her opinion and treats her more like possession than an equal. Then she meets Brus Stone, a beautiful man that saves her life. Not only that but he seems to respect her and value her opinion. Except he feels she is above his station . Brus is part of the Northern Watch, a group of warriors to put a halt to fighting, stealing and ravaging to protect Scotland but they also must sign an oath to never marry and have children and stay with the Northern Warriors forever unless they get a signed release from the King of Scotland.

When Brus and Grace meet they are like a moth to a flame but he has a lot of trust issues due to his past. He seems to send her mixed signals, as he was told his mother had abandoned him. He also feels she is a Laird's daughter and he believes he was illegitimate and not good enough for her. Except Grace notices Brus has very courtly manors in the way he carries himself and she questions where he learned it from. Then the ultimate betrayal happens and it seems Brus and Grace are on opposite sides. It is obvious they both care deeply for each other but the past might come back to haunt them. Do they even have a future or will Grace hate Brus for the choices he must make? On top of that Grace must make a difficult decision that will definitely hurt one of the men in her life.

This extraordinary book is my most favorite book I ever read by Julie Johnstone that definitely checked all the boxes for me. I thought the swoon worthy hero and feisty heroine were absolutely perfect for each other! It was an emotional read that will definitely pull on the heart strings and I can't recommend it enough. What a great start to this phenomenal new series. I can't wait for the next book and it is definitely a story readers don’t want to miss!

Disclaimer: I received a free advance review copy from the author for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.

[betweenlands]

reasons you should vote for campfire crew include but are not limited to:

THE deathgame trio of all time. there's so much accidental foreshadowing towards them ending up in the final three that it's actually insane

this is quite possibly the only trio i've seen where the third impostor is more bloodthirsty than the two people whose goals are to actually kill everyone

this trio was responsible for every single PvP kill in the first season of Deceit. and yes i mean EVERY single one. if there was a death to PVP, someone in Campfire Crew caused it

this extends to loony killing two people, the server crashing and rolling back to before the deaths, and loony being forced to repeat the whole pvp sequence again with them knowing what he's doing. and then he does it. again.

every time they play rock paper scissors someone dies (this is related to the above)

they mean a lot to me. i've genuinely never seen any alliance quite like the Campfire Crew before, dynamic-wise. they literally swear a blood oath over a campfire (see above reblogs) and then put down a sign saying "we will never acknowledge what happened here" and then that promise straight-up haunts legundo in season 2 and is part of why the (deceit) Bad Boys are the way they are.

speaking of things legundo does in campfire crew. he also makes taneesha and loony fight each other when he dies and the game ends. like we're talking, goes into creative mode to hover ominously at them and goes KILL EACH OTHER.

campfire crew is a deathgame tragedy to me. taneesha knew what she was doing, knew what parts she wanted to play, and was waiting to see how things shook out. loony was paranoid, incredibly so, always thinking he needed to have something to seem more powerful/more dangerous than legundo to keep him in the alliance. legundo is scared as hell of the both of them but he wants to believe they're allies so, so badly, and the guy is loyal to a fault (even when he tries to betray them he literally can't).

also the three of them are also really cracked hardcore players and 2/3 of them were in MCCR! from a non-story standpoint, taneesha's got a wicked sense of humor, legundo is excellent at both storytelling and team coordination, and loony's sense for cohesive builds is near-unmatched.

i like them a lot and they're really really cool and everyone should watch deceit (especially if they have trafficseries withdrawl) and. just. yeah. they're really important to me. also look at loony's face he's so polite how could you not vote for this guy

in conclusion: vote campfire crew i like them a lot and more people should be insane about campfire crew

The winner of this poll will go on to face Architechs (Grian, MumboJumbo, Iskall85)

PROPAGANDA:

Campfire Crew:

CAMPFIRE CREW THE ABSOLUTE GUYS OF ALL TIME. CAMPFIRE CREW THE PINNACLE OF ACCIDENTAL FORESHADOWING THE TOP TIER OF "IT'S NOT THAT DEEP BUT IT COULD BE" WATCH AS LOYALTY EATS THEM FROM THE INSIDE OUT IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO END THIS WAY YOU SAY FINAL THREE AND YOU COME OUT WITH THE FINAL THREE. there is literally SO MUCH i could say about campfire crew and absolutely none of it would be enough. death games are prime material for interactions of all time and the campfire crew is absolutely knocking it out of the park. they lose their first lives planning around each other. they live in the same house (they live in different houses). they're scheming against each other. they're working with each other. they're two people who have FOUR KILLS EACH and one hapless innocent man. they're three people who swore a pact over a campfire and despite everything ended up holding to that pact. every time they play rock paper scissors, someone dies. the innocent, in death, turns them against each other, despite this not being how the game works. they reveal their roles to each other and it has this entire sense of inevitability -- of everyone having ALREADY KNOWN what was going to happen. it doesn't matter that two of them are going to kill everyone else on the server. you get that "innocent's" loyalty and you have him for life. paranoia is nothing next to a need for blood and connection. i have a normal amount of emotions over "i swear my loyalty / i offer my fealty / uhhhhhhhh same." do not @ me

Ghaae:

They’re in love your honor. They’re three gay men in love. Two himbos and a scientist. They were roommates then they were lovers.

dam it, I don't have the words for them. they are just little guys with big hearts and lots of love to give and all of them are just a bit traumatized and bit to used to the concept of death and they all need hugs and get them surprisingly often despite everything happening around them, and I love them and would kill for them <3

Gay people. Honestly that's it. They all need hugs respectively (as does everyone in this smp) Rae is the child of the Goddess of the mind, and is also the vessel of said Goddess (and is 1 of 2 things keeping their end dimension together). Aax is a olm who was. Made a in a lab. And kills undead things whether they want to or not (he was made to), named himself after an axe. Caspain is just a guy. The most guy on this smp. They got a cute little house and a even more adorable dog named atlas, and back in season 2 their axolotal area was named the armory because most of the axolotals were named after weapons. (Season 3 its just a pond), they're very gay all the time and deserve the whole world.

[fandom-puff]

Family, Duty, Honour

Pairing: Tyrion Lannister x reader

Requested by: anon ‘Can you do Tyrion with his arranged marriage wife on their wedding night/first time?’

Notes: the reader in this fic is a Tully cousin. Let’s see if I can actually get to the smut without almost 1k words of worldbuilding this time! (The answer is no- do u see why it takes me so bloody long to write!)

(Part 2)

Warnings: Arranged marriage, smut, loss of virginity, clearly not canon compliant lol

Gif creds to owner

Being summoned to Tywin Lannister’s office was never a pleasant experience. More often than not, it meant you were in serious trouble, and in Tyrion’s case, he was always in trouble; his father often referred to him as a drunken, lusty little fool. As Tyrion entered the office, he instantly did not like what he saw; his father was stood with his hands behind his back, rather than being sat behind his desk. He gestured for his son to sit, before he began speaking.

“As you know, your sister has been married to King Robert for some time, and is now pregnant with their second child. Their first, Joffrey, will be the next king of the seven kingdoms,” Tyrion nodded slowly as his father spoke at him, rather than to him. “In case that child is a girl, she must fall pregnant again to ensure there is an heir and a spare to fully consolidate the Baratheon dynasty. Your brother Jaime has sworn an oath that prohibits him from siring children,”

“Legitimate children,” Tyrion quipped, relishing in the way his father’s jaw tightened.

“Siring legitimate children. And I will not sit a bastard on Casterly Rock when I am gone. That leaves you,” Tyrion sat up a little straighter- was his father finally agreeing to acknowledge his claim now that Jaime couldn’t be lord of Casterly rock? “I have therefore arranged your marriage, and your son will inherit Casterly rock.”

Tyrion frowned. “My son? Surely it goes to me first,”

Tywin snorted. “Don’t remind me,”

Tyrion was quiet for a moment. “Who have you promised me to?”

“One of Hoster Tully’s nieces,” he said flatly. “What, disappointed? There aren’t many noble houses willing to marry off their daughters to a dwarf, even if he is a Lannister. You will marry YN Tully, splitting their ties with the North and the Vale with West. Your son will have Casterly Rock, and gods be willing, your spare will have Riverrun,”

“Hoster has other children, as well as his niece,”Tyrion reminded him.

“Yes. But Catelyn’s children will be shared about the North; Eddard Stark is unlikely to let them stray further south than the Neck. And Lysa has struggled to conceive, and her only child is sickly. If the it comes to it, one of the Stark heirs will take the Vale. Edmure Tully is a cocksure fool, and Brynden Tully has gone rogue. It’ll be easy to place your spare on that seat. But an heir for Casterly rock should be your priority,”

Tyrion sighed. “I don’t have a choice in this matter, do I?” When Tywin shook his head, he sighed. “Then I would like to meet this girl before we wed. To settle her nerves. Is she… of age?”

“She has flowered,” Tywin said sternly. “That should be enough for you,” with that he turned on his heel, leaving Tyrion to mull the concept of his wedding over. He sighed, returning to his chamber- he was in dire need of a drink.

**

As you walked up the steps to Casterly Rock your breath caught in your chest and you squeezed your uncle’s arm subconsciously as he escorted you.

As you entered the keep, Lord Tywin came around the corner, closely followed by his son. You gave a little curtsy to Tywin, before allowing Tyrion to kiss your knuckles. “My lady,” he said, his voice gentle. “I thought we might take a stroll through the garden. I’m afraid it’s not as impressive as the likes of the Reach, but it overlooks the sea,” your uncle gave a nod, allowing Tyrion to escort you on a tour of the gardens while he finalised the wedding plans with your soon to be father in law.

As you walked, Tyrion stole small glances sideways at you. It was undeniable that you were a Tully, possessive the sharp bone structure and deep red hair of your family. You knew your airs and graces, listening attentively as he told you about the history of Casterly rock. Sighing, he gestured for you to sit on an elaborately carved stone bench.

“My Lady… I know that this marriage is not… well it’s not anybody’s idea of perfection. I may be the ‘Imp’ but I promise to you I shall treat you well. I will protect you, honour you, treat you properly as my lady wife,”

You nibbled your lip nervously nodding slowly. “Thank you, Lord Tyrion,” you said softly, and he couldn’t help but stare longer than was decent into your piercing eyes.

“H-how old are you, Lady YN?” He asked gently, fearing the worst.

“My nineteenth name day will be in four moons,” you said. “Why?”

Tyrion shuffled slightly. “I only ask… these marriages usually do not take age into consideration. My father only told me you… were fertile. I feared that I would be wed to a child. And if that was the case, I would wait until you were older for the… I will still wait now, if that is your wish,” he promised, and you nodded, feeling much more at ease with the prospect of marrying the Imp.

***

The vows were said and you had been cloaked under the rich red and gold of house Lannister. Seated at the head table of the grand hall of Casterly Rock, you watched as the feast and the dancers went on. As Tyrion placed tidbits of the rich food on your plate, you were increasingly aware of the rising drunkenness in the room- over the hubbub of the feast, you could hear several bawdy jokes about the upcoming consummation of your marriage.

Tyrion noticed your growing anxiety, and placed his hand gently over yours. “Remember what I told you,” he said in a quiet voice, leaning close to your ear so that you could hear him. “If you want me to, I will wait,” you nodded at his reassurance, your shoulders relaxing slightly in your wedding gown, and you slipped your hand into his, giving it a gentle squeeze in thanks.

After the final course was served- small cakes decorated with and intricate motif of a lion frolicking in a river full of splashing trout in honour of the new alliance forged between the west and the riverlands- Lord Tywin and Lord Hoster rose from their table and made their way to the head table. Tywin gestured Tyrion away until you could no longer hear, though you were sure your father in law was lecturing him on his expectations for a son. Your uncle took a seat beside you, pouring you a half cup of wine.

“When your mother died,” he began. “I swore to the old gods and the new to protect you. The Lannisters are proud, and dangerous no doubt, but you are one of them now, my girl, and I’d rather you be married to the Lannisters with their power and wealth than to be treated like a whore by the Dornish or even the Baratheon… the Lannisters aren’t likely to let harm come to you, but I swear, if the imp ever hurts you, I will raise the men of the Riverlands, and I will get the Vale and the North on board as well. Even in Casterly Rock, you will be protected,”

You smiled. “Thank you, Uncle. But Lord Tyrion is a good man, kind and gentle. And even though I am a woman grown, he swore to me he would not force himself on me, nor would he betray my honour,” your uncle gave a tight smile, kissing the top of your head.

“Honour,” he said stiffly, stiffly, seeing Tywin and Tyrion returning to you. “Remember our words, My girl. Family, Duty, Honour,”

You nodded, squeezing his hand, before it was announced that it was time for the bedding. But instead of a boisterous display involving stripping both you and Tyrion out of your clothes on your way to your marriage chamber, Tyrion took your hand and led you out of the great hall alone, walking you to your new bedroom in relative silence.

As you shut the door, he looked at you, sighing quietly. “Shall we have some wine?” He said gently, gesturing to the table set out with wine and bread and fruit, in case the happy couple needed sustenance throughout the night. You gave him a small smile and nodded, letting him pull a chair out for you as you sipped on wine and nibbled on bread.

“I… expected a bedding ceremony, my Lord,” you said quietly, before quickly adding “I’m glad the traditional one didn’t happen though! My cousin, Catelyn didn’t have one, because her husband didn’t want to dishonour her,”

“Eddard Stark and I have that in common,” Tyrion said lightly. “And I told my father that I would not have his bannermen manhandle my wife to her room,”

You smiled gratefully, setting your cup down. Tyrion held up the jug, but you shook your head, not wanted to get too inebriated. You sighed softly, your fingers tracing over the embroidery on your wedding gown, and Tyrion watched as you worked over the stitched trouts- although Casterly rock glittered with jewels and gold, he had to admit that the embroidery of the riverlands and the north was superior to the rest of Westeros. “Are you nervous, My Lady?” He said gently, asking the obvious, before reminding you again of his promise.

“I am, a little,” you murmured. “But… I must do my duty and give you a son,” you looked away, taking a deep breath. “I am nervous because I’m a maid, and I am scared it will hurt, or I will not please you, or fulfil my duties to my family. But I… I trust, my Lord. I think I’ve trusted from the moment you invited me to Casterly Rock ahead of the wedding, despite that being only two weeks ago…”

Tyrion smiled gently as you rambled, taking both of your hands in his and leaning down to kiss both sets of knuckles. “I won’t hurt you. I’ll be gentle with you,” he promised. “I must ask one thing of you, YN… just call me Tyrion,”

You smiled gently, leaning down and pressing your lips gently to his. It was your first proper kiss, aside from the one under the eyes of the gods, and you were initiating it. Tyrion couldn’t help but smile against the cushion of your lips, finding your tentative gentleness endearing. He reached one hand up to curl around the back of your neck and was relieved to feel you relax as he stroked your deep red hair. He grazed his teeth against your bottom lip, before pressing them down gently, you let out a shudder and-gods- a moan.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he murmured.

“Please don’t,” you replied, voice breathy as you felt unfamiliar heat and… longing stirring within you. With your gentle plea replaying in his head, he slipped his hand into yours, pulling you gently towards the canopied bed.

Slowly, you undressed one another down to your smallclothes. Tyrion gulped as he looked over you, the peaks of your breasts pushing against your chemise. “Magnificent,” he murmured, and you smiled, ducking your head down to hide your bashful expression.

“What do I… what do I do?” You whispered, sitting on the bed. Tyrion smiled gently.

“We must prepare you,” he said gently. At your frown, he carried on. “If we are to continue with comfort in mind, we must ensure your body is ready to… accommodate me. This will relax you… make you… slick,” he explained and you nodded slowly, shuffling back so you could lay on the pillows. As Tyrion made to climb up onto the bed, you took a deep breath, lifting your chemise up and over your head to bear your chest and cunt to him. Tyrion suppressed a groan at the sight, urging himself to go slow. You were his lady wife, not some whore. He approached you slowly, coming up to your side and pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek, before trailing his lips down. You gasped as you felt his teeth scrape against your skin, before you let out a low moan as his lips wrapped around your nipple, suckling gently. He waited until your breath came in little desperate pants, your body twisting and pushing up to him before he trailed his hand down to the thatch of curls between your thighs. You gasped and tensed up, but as he began rubbing your thigh gently and you soon relaxed, allowing him to push your thighs apart.

“T-Tyrion,” you whimpered, feeling the palm of his hand cup your pussy. He was about to ask if you were okay, but your next words put his mind at ease. “Please… more…”

He gave a light chuckle. “As my lady wife commands,” he said, a slight smirk tugging at his lip as his finger dragged between your folds, swirling around your clit on every other stroke, until you were dripping and squirming with anticipation, grasping onto his arm, little moans tumbling from your lips. Tyrion smiled slightly, sucking his finger clean and groaning at the taste. “Are you ready for my cock, YN?” He asked, and you bit your lip.

“I-I think so?” You murmured, watching with wide eyes as he undid his underwear and shoved it down his thighs, his straining cock springing free. You bit your lip hard, and Tyrion smiled softly.

“I will be gentle with you, YN, I promise,” you gulped and nodded, reaching for him.

“Please…” you murmured. “I-I’m ready,” Tyrion gave a slight smile as he moved to line up with your entrance, slowly pushing his cock into you. You whimpered, back arching, and when he hit the barrier of your maidenhead, you hissed.

Tyrion petted your thigh gently, shushing you. “This will hurt for just a moment, I promise,” he told you, and you nodded, squeezing your eyes shut as he breached your maidenhead. What was an uncomfortable stinging sensation soon dissolved into a feeling of fullness, of being stretched. It felt… good.

“M-move,” you begged, bucking your hips up despite yourself, and to your delight, Tyrion complied, groaning as he grasped your hips, his hips beginning to roll against yours, his girth caressing all of your most intimate pleasure points, watching the way your eyebrows tugged together and your mouth went slack as you let out needy gasps and moans, increasing in pitch and volume as he dragged you closer to the edge. He was close himself, his movements becoming more sloppy, his head tipping back as he groaned and grunted. “Tyrion,” you cried, back arching, and his mouth practically watered at the sign of your bouncing tits. “Tyrion I’m- I feel-”

“Let it happen,” he groaned, and when he felt your channel spasm around his length he grunted, spurting his seed into you with a shout of your name, spurred on by your cries of ecstasy.

Shaking, gasping, you whimpered as Tyrion pulled out of you, and smiled gently as you watched him pour you some wine and get you some fruit. You curled into his side, now under the covers as you sipped the more watered down wine, humming softly as Tyrion fed you plump, sweet berries. Sleepy, you settled down under the covers, resting your head on his bare chest, and as you nodded off to sleep, Tyrion swore to himself that he would put his young wife and any children you had before all else in his life.

Tags: @sociallyawkward-princess @lazyotakujen @janelongxox @honeyofthegods @lxoxtxtxi

[doodle-pops]

Okay okay, hear me out: I've been thinking about this for a while now. Not sure if it makes sense, also I'm sorry if you don't want to get stuff like this.

Imagine you are Maedhros's wife/husband in Beleriand. You had to stand by and wait while he was captured and held in Angband, and you saw him return, how broken he was, and you helped him recover. Inevitably, he changes as the oath aswell as all the suffering, which he partially caused himself. You don't always agree with his ways, but stay by his side nonetheless, out of love. Until Doriath, that is. Dior didn't want to give away the Silmaril, so the Feanorians and their followers prepared for battle - or more, yet another kinslaying. Shortly before they invade Doriath, you have a massive fallout with Maedhros. Telling him how another kinslaying can't be the solution and that you can't just let him do this, kill any more innocent people because of this Stones. He goes berserk and screams at you, you wouldn't understand hos situation, he can't just stop after sacrificing so much for the oath, and if you can't tolerate it, just leave and never come back to him. He doesn't want to see you ever again. So you do just that, leaving for the forests of Doriath, that is.

By coincidence, you see how Celegorms soliders leave Elúred and Elúrin in the forests to die. The both of them look so lost and scared that it hurts your heart and you get sad yourself. You show yourself and calm them, and hide in the brush with them whem you hear Maedhros calling out their names.

The twins are scared, obviously, and you are the person that saved them, this got them...attached to you and they don't want you to leave. So you do just what every normal person would do, and take them in. You watch them grow into strong adults and become Lords of the Eldar, mighty swordsmen and silver-tongued diplomats. They die in the battle of tha last alliance, at Gil-Galads side, and your grief is as if you were their mother yourself.

Eventually, you depart to Valinor, and at the shore, you meet your family. Maedhros has been reembodied and awaits you, tears streaking down his cheeks, and as soon as he holds you in his arms, he doesn't stop apologizing , or crying for that matter, but of course you forgive him. (Who wouldn't forgive Maebae?)

And then you hear two voices yelling your name and Elúred and Elúrin come running at you and tackle you in a hug, telling you how much they missed you. A few paces behind are Dior and Nimloth, who both look quite fond of you three, and thank you for caring for their boys, because they couldn't.

Your gaze turned to Maedhros another time, just as another tear rolls over his cheek. His blue eyes look glassy and he makes a sniffling little noise before saying: "You took care of them..."

I love to receive stories like this. If you hadn't known, I tag these under y/n imagines and you can find all the others like this I've received. You can send them in, it's welcomed.

I do love a happy ending and reader took care of the twins and saved them. It's sad that they died but that means they met their nephews Elrond and Elros at some point🥺 Maedhros imagines really do take me out

[terrence-silver]

If terry had a daughter I think she would take after her father and orchestrate the entire cobra Kai gang war just for her amusement and using the amazing acting skills from her father to play both sides

― She does whatever she wants, however she wants; the world has been her oyster since day one. She's beautiful. She's rich. She's privileged. She's a teenage heartthrob. She attends private universities. She is studious and disciplined where it matters the most. Drives expensive cars galore or has a chauffeur all of her own. Wears the most lavish clothes. Has her pick of romantic interests and friends (creatures) she discards and uses with impunity and guess what, sometimes, Little Miss Silver gets awfully bored in her ivory princess tower.

― She sees the whole Valley Karate Gang war as her elaborate amusement. A clown show. A circus act she can direct for herself as much as her dad. Of course she wont get in trouble. She's Terry Silver's daughter. She's a college valedictorian, for crying out loud! She's a star pupil! A grade student who's due to study at the Sorbonne, don’t you know! Probably has a posse of people protecting her, even though she can very well protect herself (a lady doesn't have to), both with fists and her fake crocodile tears. She doesn't believe in a cause. She just believes in mischief.

― Probably views the other students in Cobra Kai as underlings. Riff raff. This is her father's revenue (one of countless others) and school, they're just paying pawns in it. No different than the exercise machines, the props and the furniture. The Miyagi Do are laughable. Eagle Fang is also laughable. All the participants in it are also laughable. She learned from her father directly and any other high end, private tutor Sensei imported from overseas and for that reason, she fancies herself as an elite student, with elite privileges. Elite knowledge compared to others.

― Much like her father, seeing as she took after him --- she's devoted to very few. Loyal to only a handful who she personally chose and deemed worthy of such alliances, and that is undoubtedly her family and whoever else she might care for on a personal level. But, those she is genuinely devoted to, she would absolutely walk through fire and flames for and showcase a fierce dedication way past her years. She's on some bonds for life, oaths until death level of fealty and none of it is fake; she really means it. She takes such things very seriously. Gets frightening angry if it isn't reciprocated.

― Again, since you mentioned she is far more like her father than her mother, I see her as fiercely protective of her perhaps softer, more mellow mother (namely, Beloved). Her mother isn't a Silver by blood; only marriage. She doesn't have that Silver hereditary attitude and might be deemed a bit meek inside of her own family, in comparison. She's not a Cobra, even if she lives with Cobras, mated with a Cobra and birthed Cobras. She needs someone to stick up for her once in a while, and that is undoubtedly her own tooth and nails strong daughter.

― Same goes for her siblings, of any gender, age group, younger, older, tougher, sweeter, it doesn't matter. Nepotism is ingrained in this child since birth. Our kind stick together. Ruling class galore. Head in the clouds. Haughty and proud (yet, able to play at fake humbleness immaculately if need be). A Silver watches another Silver's back even when a Silver doesn't agree with another Silver. Cross one Silver you've crossed all the Silvers. She's intelligent about how she retaliates too. Absolute social destruction of her foes and maneuvering things from behind the scenes is her thing. That’s how a lady does it.

― Overly-intense. Again, way past her years. I think, or at least I headcanon and imagine she'd say and do the darnedest things, that just verge of uncanny and creepy. Concerning. If she tells you to climb that dangerous cliffside to fetch her that rare flower perched on top of the cenote, you will do it, or you just don't care about her enough and now she's sad. What will her papa say? Or if she tells you to cut the palm of your hand for her, you will and you'll say thank you very much. Shes very convincing and she'll bat her eyes until what she wants is done.

― But, other than that; she is a wondergirl, I imagine. Well dressed. Prim. Immaculate reputation. Everyone's envy. Teacher's pet. The leader of a sorority. A champion of fine etiquette. Excelling in every extracurricular (either through bribery or merit). Talented. Cultured. So very polite. So darling and articulate. A real doll. Almost like she's from another era and clearly old money. Hard not to like her and be somewhat haunted by this unnaturally perfect kid who truly, beneath her sunshine and rainbows facade loves her family and only her family. Everyone else might as well drop dead and burn.

― If I had to give her a faceclaim, I'd probably use a Elizabeth Taylor as a child, because tell me nobody is getting Terry vibes deep down;

[incomingalbatross]

"(Of course, we might also have more confidence in this whole thing if they weren't openly compressing the ENTIRE SECOND AGE into a SINGLE HUMAN GENERATION.)"

Yeah seriously. To have all the events the Silmarillion describes for that period happen in one generation goes beyond ridiculous to downright comical.

The best ways around that would have been a. Make it centered on the elves with a rotating human cast each season. Each season is a new generation. b. Make it centered on the final generation of Numenor, when they are at the peak of their decadence and evil, a mere shadow of the splendor they once were with a select few trying to hold on to the ways of their forefathers (heck this would even allow them to have superficial similarities with GoT even if the two have different cores). c. Do both with the two plots taking place in different timescales.

Of these I think B would be the best, since it'd make for a fascinating classical tragedy as Isildur and his father try and save a nation and restore it, but are forced to realize it is beyond saving and they must instead flee, keeping one last seed from the tree to show their loyalty to the old oaths. A wouldn't be bad either though, since it'd show how Sauron slowly wormed his way into Numenor's good graces and show how the elves watched as the once great nation descended into evil.

Exactly!! Like... imagine if someone tried to fit the Last Alliance and the War of the Ring into a single mortal lifetime (even a Numenorean lifetime). IMAGINE.

All of those options sound more reasonable, yes. I also like B best--the Aeneid but make it Tolkien (and also about internal corruption instead of external conquest)! Yes please!!

If you went with A I think you'd want to really center on the creation and dispersal of the rings (...you know, like the show's title) and ignore anything not directly concerned with that plotline? And then do the fall of Numenor in a separate season or series within the same adaptational universe--heck, maybe even have a series in-between that starts with his open rise to power and ends with him being captured by Numenor. Because there are multiple epics here and they each need room to breathe!

[thunderbringer]

THE LAST OF US VERSE  - info drop.  affiliated with @glaemour  - -  lainey odinson. 

born: 2000. 2013 outbreak day: age: 13 2020: age: 20 - has a daughter named lainey.  2029: age 29 - his daughter goes missing with her mother .  2033 - 20 years later. : age: 33 

when the infection spread thor was just a teenager . quickly , he became more of a survivor than he could have ever thought possible.  him and his parents were lucky enough to find a quarantine zone that took them in . as the years ticked by with no end in sight there was no choice but to adapt and prosper the best way they could . the world takes no mercy on its inhabitants though . his father disappeared on a scouting mission and never returned while he’d watched his own mother get torn apart by a pack of infected after shoving him in a tiny compartment that would only fit him , to save his life . 

 he sat there for days until the military , later to be known as FEDRA ,  found him and brought him to their facility .  from that day forward he’d been trained to uphold the law and keep the peace unless there were extenuating circumstances. there would be times he’d have to make very tough decisions .  small price to pay to have food and shelter in a crazy unpredictable world . 

at the age of 20 there was a woman he’d gotten pregnant . it was never supposed to become anymore than a passing fling but then they were given this miracle in a world full of death and destruction . his daughter had become his entire world and there is nothing that he wouldn’t do to protect her . her birth ensured that he never wanted wanted to take any unnecessary risks so she wouldn’t have to watch death like he had . life inside the walls ensured their safety and kept them alive , but lainey’s mother had other plans .

mother and daughter disappear without a trace when she’s about 9 years old . thor doesn’t know what or who other than a tip that she’s gone in search of fireflies . to say thor was devastated was an understatement since he could not go in search of them . it was made clear to him that he had to stay on duty otherwise he would be considered AWOL . after that , situations with the fireflies had only gotten worse and more decisions were being made that he couldn’t agree with . how does one deal with his own morals and his oaths made to an organization he doesn’t agree with anymore ??  

it wasn’t until  he met MARLENE that he knew the answer to that question . the initial order had been to kill on sight but he found himself eventually forming an alliance with the leader .  they both could use this to their advantage . she could have a man on the inside knowing what was happening with the corrupt military group and he could hope for a chance to finally find his daughter . he just didn’t realize that it would be years and nearly risking everything in the process. the only thing that matters is finding her . 

[findrahil]

our defiance redeems us

by popular request read: one person the fin-galad fic!

rating: T | no warnings apply. read it on ao3!

A good death, if such a thing exists; an honourable one if not. And if such a thing still does not exist, then a defiant death—that is just as good. I will die on my feet, spitting blood and curses at the Enemy, not kneeling and waiting meekly for the blade to fall.

The Last Alliance will fight, not because they are sure to win or because there will be glory there or because there are oaths to bind them; but because it is right.

Finduilas does the buckles and straps of her armour herself. She has never had an attendant for this, and she will not have one now. I am Ereinion Gil-galad, Starlight Scion of Kings, she tells herself as she looks at her sword, shining deadly-sharp. Her armour fits as well, better even, than her skin. This battle is my birthright and my duty.

She sheaths the sword. She is not one of those who remember a time before war and alliance, or a land fair and green beneath a swift sunrise. She was born into war and raised with a sword in her hands and could hold her own before she could read; and as far as the official story of Finduilas goes, died in war. (They are right, but they have written the timing wrong.) And that is where the narrative of Gil-galad, that for which Finduilas had no name and not enough courage in Nargothrond, begins. Finduilas and Gil-galad are one and the same, but Finduilas is the memory of her father, her mother, Túrin, Gwindor, Finrod, and all the others she has loved and lost; and Gil-galad is the ruler, the valiant, the star of high-fire that laughs at the Enemy, sharp and furious like the sword thirsting for blood, and charges like a comet into the night. In a way, neither of them is any more than masks.

Two sides of the same coin.

Loss makes people bold, Gil-galad knows, and Finduilas hopes that after this final triumph and final fall, Arda will not have to be this kind of bold. Even if she will not see it; even if she will not set foot on this land again.

‘Is it easier?’ Elendil once asked, late one night by a roaring hearth. There is a war on, but there will be time enough to fight it in the morning. ‘To have no wife, no children, no one to lose or leave behind?’

It is not entirely true that Gil-galad has no one to lose, but Finduilas understands what Elendil was asking: no husband or wife, no children, though those are things she might once have had or wanted. But fate has stolen both from her and gobbled them up in its hungry jaws, and armour and authority fit her better than her own skin, so she does not know if she wants those what-ifs still.

The crux of Elendil's question this: is it easier to die if you have no one to lose?

Finduilas gave him no answer then, but thinks that perhaps she has one now. She remembers the years and deaths and tragedies behind her, and remembers one thing that Finrod told her when she was young but not naïve: ‘Love gives me the desire to live, and love will give me the strength to die.’

He is right, she thinks, even if she is not the one of whom he spoke. Centuries ago, behind the stone walls of a then-invincible city, Finrod spoke not of a hopeless, submissive, meaningless death; but of a fighting death. A good death, if such a thing exists; an honourable one if not. And if such a thing still does not exist, then a defiant death—that is just as good. I will die on my feet, spitting blood and curses at the Enemy, Finrod meant, not kneeling and waiting meekly for the blade to fall.

Elendil waits still in her mind for her answer. Is it easier to die if you have no one to lose?

'No,' she would tell Elendil now, through the voice of Gil-galad and with the heart of Finduilas, 'not if you mean a defiant death.' She thinks of Finrod in his last hours, fighting for one Man not because in him lay the path to victory, but because he had loved his father and hated Sauron and would not die meekly and helplessly at the Enemy's feet; and she thought of her own father, leading a doomed charge across a damned bridge not because it would save his people or his city, but because he would not wait for death or capture to come for him, but meet them in battle; and she thought of Fingon in the Nirnaeth, taking up the flaming axe of a felled balrog, careless of the fire burning his hands, fighting not because he thought the Union of Maedhros would be victorious, but because if he was to die he would stand defiant against evil and injustice and darkness to the end.

'The kind of death that comes from saying, We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor, but we will meet them in battle nonetheless?' Finduilas would ask, speaking with the spirit of her friends and kin and allies who had died fighting, died defiant, if nothing else. 'That takes love, and that means having someone to lose. Or someone you have lost and will avenge—that is just as good.'

But Gil-galad and Elendil meet on the field of battle and have no time but to exchange a warrior's embrace before they march to defend their peoples, and take their vengeance, and die fighting. For Finduilas has foreseen it: they must fall by Sauron's hand; and it is bitter to know that it will cost them their lives, whether they end the evil that destroyed their homes, their kin, their joy, or lose to it; but that does not change the fact that they must fight.

Finduilas draws her sword and stands her ground before Sauron, unflinching. By her stands Elendil, and she knows that if she looks over to him, she will see the same grim determination, fire, defiance mirrored in his eyes. She never gave him her answer, but he knows it anyway.

They will die defiant, if nothing else.

[officialleehadan]

Stone Shadows Invading

Many of you know about my books, Return Again and Leap Back, and Jump Forward (books 1, 2, and 3 of the Sunborn series) and have wondered what happened before Riah came to the magical world. This is Zan's story.

Return Again (Book 1, Sunborn)

Leap Back (Book 2, Sunborn)

Jump Forward (Book 3, Sunborn)

Slide Between(Book 4, Sunborn)

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Getting inside the fortress was the easy part.

Zan was used to worse climbing than clean stone that wasn’t cursed at all. It held him easily, even without his climbing line to help. The fortress walls had taken heavy damage years ago, back when the Dark Master laid siege to it with magic and steel. The wall was still sound, but it bore the scars of that war, and stone was difficult to repair without ripping down the entire wall.

Gren was heavier than him, but a little taller, and just as used to climbing around Darkhame. He followed Zan’s lead with the ease of practice, and it wasn’t long before they were at the top of the wall. Zan freed one hand to sign to Gren.

“You first” he signed slowly. Gren wasn’t used to elf-sign yet, but Zan had been teaching him, both the spoken and the signed forms of his mother’s language. Gren nodded, rather than reply, and vanished completely. A few falling pebbles marked his path up on top of the wall, but to the rest of Zan’s senses, he might as well not exist at all.

Zan steadied himself against the stone, glad for the mottled greys of his clothes. Black was comfortable, but grey was better when he needed to vanish against clean stone. He had been dubious at first, back when they began training, but after a few hard lessons, ones that cost both blood and pain, he learned better.

His mother, thankfully, was a fine seamstress. When she learned of his alliance with Gren, she sent another hood like Zan’s for him. Now, they were barely shadows, and faded into any stone they stilled against.

There was a soft, wet sound of impact, and then the distinctive noise of a body hitting the ground. Moments later, the same sound came again, further down the wall. Sentries handled, Gren whistled softly, and Zan scrambled up to the top of the wall. His arms burned from waiting, but a wait was better than risking the wall guards’ attention. As soon as he was up, Zan looped his climbing line over the parapet and dropped it down to the rest of their waiting team.

“Guards are down,” Gren reported, appearing out of nowhere. Zan didn’t jump. After months working together, he was used to the way Gren stepped out of nowhere, carried by his unique invisibility. Zan nodded and helped Tever, who had also risked the climb without a line, Soon, the rest of the assassins were arrayed on the stone, and Zan coiled his line back onto his belt. “Everyone know the plan?”

“We’re ready,” Tever said before Donma could say something snide. He was still mad that Zan was tapped as their leader, but Tever, who didn’t lead well, was pleased about it. “Maidre, Fehaz, stay with Ailo and I. We part ways at the water supplies.”

Zan didn’t wait for them to figure themselves out. They all knew their jobs, and he and Gren had the hardest of them.

“Kill everything that breathes,” he said shortly, without a hint of the reluctance he himself felt at the brutal orders. Nothing left alive, Fashi had told them. Down to the animals, and then with poisoned water left behind to kill whoever discovered the murdered fortress. “Don’t get seen. There will be no rescue.”

That part was his own decision, and it was a half-truth. If Gren or Tever were captured, he would try to save them. The rest could burn for all he cared. He still owed Donma some pain for the still-sore place between his ribs.

From the looks of his fellow assassins, they were starting to realize how serious this mission really was. Good. It might keep some of them alive.

Although if he got a chance, there would be fewer of his enemies returning than came with him on this particular venture. Gren knew about that part of the plan, but Tever didn’t. Not that he would be surprised. He might even take his own chance to clear the field a little.

“Come on,” Zan murmured after a glance at Tever, who gave him a half-shrug. He knew what he was doing. They all did. For better or worse, enmity aside they were the best of the Master’s assassins. His Dark Agents. Trained to be the counter to the demons who haunted the mountains, and to kill the Warriors of the Sun.

If they couldn’t handle a single keep, they didn’t deserve to serve the Master.

Rather than worry about the stairs, Zan slipped down over the inside wall with Gren on his heels. Together, they moved from shadow to shadow, and left a trail of bodies in their wake.

Their orders were clear. By the time the sun rose, there was to be nothing left alive within the walls.

It was harder to climb up the walls to the top of the keep. These walls were whole, and fitted well, leaving few places to get a handhold. Together, they went from turret to gargoyle, to window ledge, with Zan’s climbing line to help when the handholds failed them. It was dangerous climbing, and the risk of a bad fall grew the higher up they went, but finally, they reached the tallest tower. The quarters of the baron who ruled this fortress in King Gerian’s name.

The window was open, an unexpected blessing, but hardly surprising. They were coming into summer now, and who would expect anyone to make the harrowing climb up the walls, this deep into the fortress?

Well, maybe more people would, when word spread of their deeds this night. Zan shared a look with Gren. His eyes were hard and determined behind his mask. They were ready.

Together, they slipped through the window, and started killing.

+++ SB - By Way of the Wolf Star

The name of Wraith the Assassin is known throughout the land. Where he goes, only ghosts remain. If you see him at all, you may assume he has not come for you, for if he had, you would know he was there only when his blade found your throat.

But he was not always Wraith the Assassin, and Zandithas has a long way to go before he becomes the living nightmare of the known world.

Flags and Black Stone Walls

Attic Oath (Free on Patreon!)

Scrape and Steel (Free on Patreon!)

First Knife (Subscriber Only!)

Over the Walls (Subscriber Only!)

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More Stories!

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