#savage samwell tarly

[asoiafandotherbooks]

TWOIAF/Fire & Blood: The King Who Flew Flies One Last Time, Lodos Reborn, A Vulture King Emerges, and Harren the Red Runs Wild...

Warning, Spoilers Ahead…

Aenys has only been king for a few months and he’s already endured a challenge to his authority in the Riverlands. Unfortunately, his tepid response has only encouraged rebellions in other regions.

Aenys returned to King’s Landing only to discover that Lord Ronnel Arryn, The King Who Flew, has been deposed and imprisoned by Jonos Arryn, his younger brother. Jonos then proclaimed himself the “King of the Mountain and the Vale”.

In the Iron Islands, a drowned priest proclaimed himself Lodos the Twice-Drowned, finally returned from visiting the hall of the Drowned God. It’s been 36 years since Lodos drowned himself, so that was quite the visit.

In Dorne, a man calling himself the Vulture King rose in the Red Mountains of Dorne. Princess Deria Martell denounced the Vulture King but thousands flocked to his banner. The siren call of avenging the evils the Targaryens visited on the Dornish was too tempting to resist.

Lord Harmon Dondarrion wrote to Aenys of the Vulture King: “This Vulture King is half-mad, and his followers are a rabble, undisciplined and unwashed. We can smell them coming fifty leagues away”.

The Vulture King must have taken great offense to the question of his personal hygiene as Blackhaven, home of the Dondarrions, became his first target. The Vulture King’s followers stormed the castle and the Vulture King himself sliced off Dondarrion’s nose. His followers then torched Blackhaven and marched away.

Aenys sat befuddled and indecisive in King’s Landing. Grand Maester Gawen stated the King couldn’t understand why this was happening. The small folk loved him, why don’t these rebels? If they had grievances, why not come to court and tell him – he would listen! Aenys would make a decision only to countermand it shortly after. For instance, he ordered Hand of the King Alyn Stokeworth to sail a fleet to the Vale to aid Ronnel Arryn, only to recall the fleet as he was afraid to leave King’s Landing undefended. As if King’s Landing could be undefended with Visenya and Vhagar only a short flight away on Dragonstone. The only concrete decision Aenys made was to send Queen Alyssa and the children to Dragonstone.

Aenys thought the next move should be to hold a grand council to discuss options. Dowager Queen Visenya decided to skip the council and issue orders.

The Rise of the Dragons has a passage not in The World Of Ice And Fire or Fire and Blood: “During Aegon’s reign, Visenya often assumed the daily tasks of ruling while Aegon was off on his royal progresses. Visenya’s role changed when Aenys assumed the throne, and she became more an advisor – and an often unwelcome one – rather than a co-ruler whose decisions had the force of law. It could truthfully be said, however, that Dowager Queen Visenya was still the most influential woman in the realm during Aenys’ reign – even more so than his own queen, Alyssa. But Visenya’s lack of direct power – and her clear preference for his own son, Prince Maegor – would eventually alienate the two entirely.”

First, Alyn Stokeworth accompanied by a few hundred men entered the Riverlands to hunt down Harren the Red. (To be fair to Aenys, he had input into this decision – but only this decision).

Second, Lord Allard Royce of Runstone (on his own initiative) assembled loyal bannermen and demanded the release of Ronnel. Jonos granted that request by throwing Ronnel through the Moon Door. The Eyrie is impregnable to any conventional assaults, but Visenya had a solution to that: sending Prince Maelor astride the recently claimed Balerion the Black Dread, Jonos’ lackeys lost their nerve upon spotting Balerion and threw Jonos through the moon door in an attempt at mercy. Maegor “mercifully” executed the traitors by hanging instead of burning. The World of Ice and Fire notes the traitors all died by Maegor’s hand, so Maegor seems to be a “man who passes sentence must swing the sword” type. Hubert Arryn, a cousin of Ronnel and Jonos, was installed as Lord of the Eyrie. Hubert had six sons by his wife, a Royce of Runestone.

Third, Goren Greyjoy, the Lord Reaper of Pyke, marshalled a hundred longships to descend on Old Wyk and Great Wyk. He put thousands of Lodos’ followers to the sword. Goren then had the head of Lodos prickled in brine and sent to King’s Landing. Aenys was overjoyed by the gift and granted Goren a boon. Goren asked for the right to expel every septa and septon from the Iron Islands, which Aenys reluctantly granted.

Fourth, was the Vulture King. Princess Deria continued to denounce the rebellion but did nothing to stop the Vulture King. Many suspected she was sending the Vulture King men, money, and supplies. The Vulture King had thirty thousand men under his command but made a fatal mistake in splitting his forces in two.

The Vulture King took his force to march west against Nightsong and Horn Hill Lord Walter Wyl, the son of the Widow-Lover, commanded the force sent to besiege Stonehelm, seat of House Swann.

Orys “Orys One-Hand” Baratheon left Storm’s End one final time to defend Stonehelm. He smashed the Dornish forces. Walter Wyl was then delivered to Orys: “Your father took my hand. I claim yours as repayment.” He then proceeded to take Walter’s other hand and both feet as “usury”. Apparently, Lannisters aren’t the only one to pay their debts.

Orys died on the march back to Storn’s End from wounds taken in battle. Davos, Ory’s son, said he died content, smiling at the rotting hand and feet.

By this point, the Vulture King had to abandon the siege of Nightsong. He marched east only to have Lady Caron (of Nightsong) join with a strong force of marchers led by the the noseless Harmon Dondarrion. Then “Savage” Sam Tarly decided to join the party with several thousand knights and archers. Savage Sam personally cut down dozens of Dornishmen with Heartsbane, the Tarly Valyrian sword. The Dornish broke and tried to retreat to the mountains only to be cut down by the marcher lords in the “Vulture Hunt”.

The Vulture King himself was taken alive and tied naked between two posts by Savage Sam, dying up thirst and exposure, his corpse feasted upon by vultures. His death is considered the end of the Second Dornish War but few Dornish Lords actually participated.

Harren the Red was both the first to rebel and the last to be put down. Harren was cornered in a village west of the Gods Eye. Harren slew Lord Alyn Stokeworth before being cut down by Bernarr Brune, Alyn’s squire.

King Aenys knighted Bernarr Brune and granted gold, offices, and honors to Davos Baratheon, Samwell Tarly, No-Nose Dondarrion, Ellyn Caron, Allard Royce, and Goren Greyjoy. Prince Maegor returned to King’s Landing to cheering crowds and proclaimed a hero. Aenys named Maegor as Hand of the King.

Up next, my thoughts on the rebellions.

[marwyn]

There’s such variety present among Sam Tarlys

[asoiafcanonjonsnow]

The Watchful Protector: Jon's Unwavering Concern for Sam

Within the sprawling and perilous realm of Westeros, one figure has consistently emerged as a steadfast and unwavering protector — Jon Snow. His steadfast devotion becomes particularly evident when he embarks on an expedition beyond the Wall alongside his loyal friend, Samwell Tarly.

He hoped Sam was holding up, back down the column. He was not a good rider even in fair weather, and six days of rain had made the ground treacherous, all soft mud and hidden rocks. Jon III, ACOK

When Mormont commands him to ride back along the column to spread the news he gave him, he finds the opportunity to check on Sam:

In the midst of the baggage train, Jon passed Samwell Tarly, slumped in his saddle under a wide floppy hat. He was riding one dray horse and leading the others. The drumming of the rain against the hoods of their cages had the ravens squawking and fluttering. "You put a fox in with them?" Jon called out. Water ran off the brim of Sam's hat as he lifted his head. "Oh, hullo, Jon. No, they just hate the rain, the same as us." "How are you faring, Sam?" "Wetly." The fat boy managed a smile. "Nothing has killed me yet, though." "Good. Craster's Keep is just ahead. If the gods are good, he'll let us sleep by his fire." Jon III, ACOK

Look at Jon’s adorkable attempt to make a joke! The boy is happier than he had even been on the quest beyond the Wall despite the difficulties they face.

As for Sam, being Jon’s considering friend means that he has to stop himself before saying the word “bastard” to describe Craster. It’s a common courtesy that Jon isn’t used to:

Sam looked dubious. “Dolorous Edd says Craster’s a terrible savage. He marries his daughters and obeys no laws but those he makes himself. And Dywen told Grenn he’s got black blood in his veins. His mother was a wildling woman who lay with a ranger, so he’s a bas . . .” Suddenly he realized what he was about to say.

“A bastard,” Jon said with a laugh. “You can say it, Sam. I’ve heard the word before.” Jon III, ACOK

AGOT Jon wouldn’t be comfortable with someone talking about bastards in front of him even if he could hide his discomfort he certainly wouldn’t laugh about it. However, in ACOK, Jon Snow has matured and found his place in the world, adapting to his new circumstances.

The last part of their conversation is Jon telling Sam to be careful about Craster’s women, and thinking that his friend doesn’t need a warning to stay away from them.

"I need to hunt down Ser Ottyn. Be careful around Craster's women." As if Samwell Tarly needed warning on that score. "We'll talk later, after we've made camp." Jon III, ACOK

Jon, you are certainly gonna be surprised by Sam’s association with one of these women later on!

P.S.🎉 Don't miss out on what's to come! Stay tuned for a thrilling Fandom Event. We're beyond excited to embark on this incredible journey together and share the magic of Jon Snow's world with all of you. So, keep those eyes peeled and get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating realm of Jon Snow! ⚔️🛡️

[jackoshadows]

The Night's Watch needed leaders with the wisdom of Maester Aemon, the learning of Samwell Tarly, the courage of Qhorin Halfhand, the stubborn strength of the Old Bear, the compassion of Donal Noye. What it had instead was them. - Jon, ADwD

So, on the topic of Jon’s mentors and mentorship, I thought I would highlight what Jon’s mentors taught him and how he used that as a leader.

As a protagonist, Jon Snow is one of those characters with many mentors and father figures as he climbs that ladder to become Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and possible future KITN. He learns from all of them - enemies and allies - what to do and what not to do. He implements what he learns from them and in some cases his mistakes stem from not using what he has learned.

Let’s start with Ned Stark, the character Jon refers to the most in terms of advice and strategic policy making. It’s from Ned that Jon has gained his understanding of the North, from how to treat with the mountain clans to his distrust of the Boltons. Jon’s chapters are peppered with ‘My father said this’ or ‘My father’s bannerman would do this’ and so on.

From studying the dead wights:

“My lord father used to tell me that a man must know his enemies. We understand little of the wights and less about the Others. We need to learn.” - Jon, ADwD

to knowing his men and their abilities to have the best man on the job.

Jon hopped down onto the ice, thanked the men on the winch, and nodded to the spearmen standing sentry. Both wore woolen hoods pulled down over their heads, so nothing could be seen of their faces but their eyes, but he knew Ty by the tangled rope of greasy black hair falling down his back and Owen by the sausage stuffed into the scabbard at his hip. He might have known them anyway, just by the way they stood. A good lord must know his men, his father had once told him and Robb, back at Winterfell. - Jon, ADwD

The Halfhand gives him similar advice on their ranging beyond the wall and their mission to find the Freefolk - ‘Know your men’. And Jon does. Jon observes and assigns jobs to his men based on what they are capable of doing despite the obvious bigotry they face from the other crows at the Wall.

It was at times like this that Jon missed Maester Aemon the most. Clydas tended to the ravens well enough, but he had not a tenth of Aemon Targaryen's knowledge or experience, and even less of his wisdom. Bowen was a good man in his way, but the wound he had taken at the Bridge of Skulls had hardened his attitudes, and the only song he ever sang now was his familiar refrain about sealing the gates. Othell Yarwyck was as stolid and unimaginative as he was taciturn, and the First Rangers seemed to die as quick as they were named. The Night's Watch has lost too many of its best men, Jon reflected, as the wagons began to move. The Old Bear, Qhorin Halfhand, Donal Noye, Jarmen Buckwell, my uncle … - Jon, ADwD

One common criticism levied against Jon Snow as a leader is that he should have just replaced his top deputies if they were not ready to listen to him or follow his orders. Replace with whom though? He had no one else. All he had were the likes of Othell, Bowen, Clydas etc.

He hires Satin as a steward and Leathers as Master-at-arms, assigns many of the castles to men and women like Iron Emmett and Morna White Mask.

Septon Cellador spoke up. "This boy Satin. It's said you mean to make him your steward and squire, in Tollett's place. My lord, the boy's a whore … a … dare I say … a painted catamite from the brothels of Oldtown."

What he was in Oldtown is none of our concern. He’s quick to learn and very clever. The other recruits started out despising him, but he won them over and made friends of them all. He’s fearless in a fight and can even read and write after a fashion. He should be capable of fetching me my meals and saddling my horse, don’t you think?” - Jon, ADwD 

"Is it true that you mean to replace Emmett with this savage Leathers as our master-at-arms? That is an office most oft reserved for knights, or rangers at the least."

"Leathers is savage," Jon agreed mildly. "I can attest to that. I've tried him in the practice yard. He's as dangerous with a stone axe as most knights are with castle-forged steel. I grant you, he is not as patient as I'd like, and some of the boys are terrified of him … but that's not all for the bad. One day they'll find themselves in a real fight, and a certain familiarity with terror will serve them well."

“He’s a wildling.” 

“He was, until he said the words. Now he is our brother. One who can teach the boys more than swordcraft. It would not hurt them to learn a few words of the Old Tongue and something of the ways of the free folk.” - Jon, ADwD

And then there is Jeor Mormont under whom Jon Snow is trained as a steward.

Life at Castle Black followed certain patterns; the mornings were for swordplay, the afternoons for work. The black brothers set new recruits to many different tasks, to learn where their skills lay. Jon cherished the rare afternoons when he was sent out with Ghost ranging at his side to bring back game for the Lord Commander's table, but for every day spent hunting, he gave a dozen to Donal Noye in the armory, spinning the whetstone while the one-armed smith sharpened axes grown dull from use, or pumping the bellows as Noye hammered out a new sword. Other times he ran messages, stood at guard, mucked out stables, fletched arrows, assisted Maester Aemon with his birds or Bowen Marsh with his counts and inventories. - Jon, AGoT

And as steward to Jeor Mormont, Jon is present when Mormont makes plans to defend the Wall.

The Old Bear unrolled a map, frowned at it, tossed it aside, opened another. He was pondering where the hammer would fall, Jon could see it. The Watch had once manned seventeen castles along the hundred leagues of the Wall, but they had been abandoned one by one as the brotherhood dwindled. Only three were now garrisoned, a fact that Mance Rayder knew as well as they did. “Ser Alliser Thorne will bring back fresh levies from King’s Landing, we can hope. If we man Greyguard from the Shadow Tower and the Long Barrow from Eastwatch …”

“Greyguard has largely collapsed. Stonedoor would serve better, if the men could be found. Icemark and Deep Lake as well, mayhaps. With daily patrols along the battlements between.” - Jon, ACoK

And then as Lord Commander Jon Snow implements what Jeor Mormont planned to do. This is how the author organically builds up and writes a leadership arc.

“True enough,” the small man said. “Is it just to be Icemark, then, or will m'lord be opening t'other forts as well?”

“I mean to garrison all of them, in time,” said Jon, “but for the moment, it will just be Icemark and Greyguard.” - Jon, ADWD

“The wildlings will remain upon the Wall,” Jon assured them. “Most will be housed in one of our abandoned castles.” The Watch now had garrisons at Icemark, Long Barrow, Sable Hall, Greyguard, and Deep Lake, all badly undermanned, but ten castles still stood empty and abandoned. - Jon, ADWD

Then there is Tyrion Lannister, one of Jon Snow’s first friends he makes at the Wall.

Let me give you some counsel, bastard,” Lannister said. “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” - Jon, AGoT

A piece of advice Jon never forgets. He embraces and uses his bastardy to gain Mance Rayder’s confidence and by the time we get to the end of ADwD, Jon Snow shrugs off insults easily enough considering the existential apocalyptic threat at their doorstep.

“And did you see where I was seated, Mance?” He leaned forward. “Did you see where they put the bastard?”

Mance Rayder looked at Jon’s face for a long moment. “I think we had best find you a new cloak,” the king said, holding out his hand.- Jon, ASoS

“If you mean to kill me, do it and be damned for a kinslayer. Stark and Karstark are one blood.” “My name is Snow.” “Bastard.” “Guilty. Of that, at least.” - Jon, ADwD

There’s Donal Noye who plainly and openly tells Ned Stark’s son of his privilege, which Jon acknowledges and makes right with his future friends.

Donal Noye leaned forward, into Jon's face. "Now think on this, boy. None of these others have ever had a master-at-arms until Ser Alliser. Their fathers were farmers and wagonmen and poachers, smiths and miners and oars on a trading galley. What they know of fighting they learned between decks, in the alleys of Oldtown and Lannisport, in wayside brothels and taverns on the kingsroad. They may have clacked a few sticks together before they came here, but I promise you, not one in twenty was ever rich enough to own a real sword." His look was grim. "So how do you like the taste of your victories now, Lord Snow?"

"Don't call me that!" Jon said sharply, but the force had gone out of his anger. Suddenly he felt ashamed and guilty. "I never … I didn't think …"  - Jon, AGoT

Grenn edged backward and put up his hands. “Stay away from me now, you bastard.” 

Jon smiled at him. “I’m sorry about your wrist. Robb used the same move on me once, only with a wooden blade. It hurt like seven hells, but yours must be worse. Look, if you want, I can show you how to defend that.” - Jon, AGoT

Donal Noye who puts Jon Snow in charge of the defense of the Wall:

"No," Donal Noye roared at three of the Mole's Town men, down below. "The pitch goes to the hoist, the oil up the steps, crossbow bolts to the fourth, fifth, and sixth landings, spears to first and second. Stack the lard under the stair, yes, there, behind the planks. The casks of meat are for the barricade. Now, you poxy plow pushers, NOW!" He has a lord's voice, Jon thought. His father had always said that in battle a captain's lungs were as important as his sword arm.

More than ten stepped forward, and the smith picked his four. "Jon, you have the Wall till I return."For a moment Jon thought he had misheard. It had sounded as if Noye were leaving him in command. "My lord?"

"Lord? I'm a blacksmith. I said, the Wall is yours." - Jon, ASoS

Then there is Maester Aemon and his advice and guidance to Jon Snow about making the tough, unpopular choices as a leader. Something that Jon follows by actively pushing through his decisions despite facing opposition at every level. From sending the paper shields to getting the men to listen to him:

Fewer than a dozen shields remained, sad grey things with faded paint and long cracks in the wood. But fresh torches burned in the iron sconces along the walls, and Jon had ordered benches and tables brought in. Men with comfortable seats were more inclined to listen, Maester Aemon had once told him; standing men were more inclined to shout. - Jon, ADwD

Mance Rayder is very important with respect to Jon’s arc of being a leader to the Freefolk. It’s from Mance that Jon understands how to get the loyalty of these people, how to interact with them, how to get them to follow orders.

"Free folk don’t follow names, or little cloth animals sewn on a tunic,” the King-Beyond-the-Wall had told him. “They won’t dance for coins, they don’t care how you style yourself or what that chain of office means or who your grandsire was. They follow strength. They follow the man.” - Jon, ADwD

We see the value Jon has for Mance’s experience and leadership in how he keeps advising Stannis to use Mance instead of executing him as a deserter of the NW and in his understanding of the Freefolk

"Mance knows the haunted forest better than any ranger," Jon had told King Stannis, in his final effort to convince His Grace that the King-Beyond-the-Wall would be of more use to them alive than dead. "He knows Tormund Giantsbane. He has fought the Others. And he had the Horn of Joramun and did not blow it. He did not bring down the Wall when he could have." - Jon, ADwD

It is too cold for this mummer's show, thought Jon. "The free folk despise kneelers," he had warned Stannis. "Let them keep their pride, and they will love you better."  - Jon, ADwD

While Stannis Baratheon and Jon Snow end up butting heads over strategy, there is begrudging respect for each other on both sides. It’s Stannis who first agrees to let the Freefolk this side of the Wall and Jon later builds on what Stannis sets in motion.

No, thought Jon. You closed that door. Longclaw descended. “Can I have his boots?” asked Owen the Oaf, as Janos Slynt’s head went rolling across the muddy ground. “They’re almost new, those boots. Lined with fur.” Jon glanced back at Stannis. For an instant their eyes met. Then the king nodded and went back inside his tower.- Jon, ADwD

Jon going from mocking Sam’s love for books to appreciating his learning and wisdom makes Samwell the next mentor. Or more like an honorary mentor considering they are around the same age, help and learn from each other. From both Maester Aemon and Samwell Tarly, Jon appreciates the useful knowledge obtained from old books.

Books covered his table, tall stacks of them. He’d fetched them up himself, after spending half the night searching through dusty vaults by lantern light. Sam was right, the books desperately needed to be sorted, listed, and put in order, - Jon, ADwD

We will see, Jon thought, remembering the things that Sam had told him, the things he’d found in his old books. Longclaw had been forged in the fires of old Valyria, forged in dragonflame and set with spells. Dragon-steel, Sam called it. Stronger than any common steel, lighter, harder, sharper … - Jon, ADwD

Other honorary mentors include Ygritte and Arya Stark. Ygritte who teaches Jon Snow the ways of the Freefolk and who opens his eyes to the fact that the Freefolk are simply different and not to be hated.

"Maybe they were tired of fighting. Tired of barring their doors every night and wondering if Rattleshirt or someone like him would break them down to carry off their wives. Tired of having their harvests stolen, and any valuables they might have. It's easier to move beyond the reach of raiders." 

But if the Wall should fail, all the north will lie within the reach of raiders."You know nothing, Jon Snow. Daughters are taken, not wives. You're the ones who steal. You took the whole world, and built the Wall t' keep the free folk out." - Jon, ASoS

"Gerrick is the true and rightful king of the wildlings," the queen said, "descended in an unbroken male line from their great king Raymun Redbeard, whereas the usurper Mance Rayder was born of some common woman and fathered by one of your black brothers."

No, Jon might have said, Gerrick is descended from a younger brother of Raymun Redbeard. To the free folk that counted about as much as being descended from Raymun Redbeard's horse. They know nothing, Ygritte. And worse, they will not learn. - Jon, ADwD

And finally I see Arya as being the lone positive female figure in Jon Snow’s childhood, growing up Winterfell, and this is exemplified in the girls he admires, appreciates and ends up loving. Sadly, while Jon has a dozen father figures he is provided with no mother figures to help and guide him and all he has is the little girl he loves and to whom he gifts a sword. Interesting then that this little girl resembles his mother in both looks and personality.

He keeps seeing an Arya in every girl - be it his lover Ygritte or little Freefolk girls wanting to fight for him. She’s not his mentor, just someone who very much influences his outlook on women and girls in Westeros, seen in his respect for the Spearwives and trusting them with the defense of an entire castle.

“The Lannisters are proud,” Jon observed. “You’d think the royal sigil would be sufficient, but no. He makes his mother’s House equal in honor to the king’s.”

“The woman is important too!” Arya protested. - Arya, AGoT

“I will take any boy above the age of twelve who knows how to hold a spear or string a bow.

“And girls?” a girl asked. She looked as young as Arya had, the last time Jon had seen her. “Sixteen and older.” 

“You’re taking boys as young as twelve.”

“As you will. Boys and girls as young as twelve. - Jon, ADwD

Then there are his teachers in Winterfell like Rodrick Cassel and Maester Luwin. Teaching him the sword and his lessons on history, math, languages etc.

Jon Snow is essentially a character that absorbs a lot from the characters he interacts with, learns from his betters and and tries to succeed where others before him - Jeor, Mance, Stannis - failed.

[agentrouka-blog]

Lord Samwell Tarly aka Savage Sam wielded Heartsbane to fight in Vulture Hunt. He slewed many Dornishmen with it which made the sword appeared red with blood. Sam was allowed to hold Heartsbane by husband father Randyl when he was young but Sam was scared because he didn't wanted to hurt his sisters with it. Sam believe that this sword will pass on to Dickon. How do you think Heartsbane will involved in Sam story in future? Will he yield the sword as Savage Sam or he is going to reject it?

I don't think Sam is going to emulate either of his bold namesakes, be that Savage Sam or Lady Sam.

His thoughts on the sword are given to us in AGOT, Jon VIII, in the context of Jon receiving Longclaw from Lord Commander Mormont.

"Sam." Jon stood. "What is it? Do you want to see the sword?" If the others had known, no doubt Sam did too. The fat boy shook his head. "I was heir to my father's blade once," he said mournfully. "Heartsbane. Lord Randyll let me hold it a few times, but it always scared me. It was Valyrian steel, beautiful but so sharp I was afraid I'd hurt one of my sisters. Dickon will have it now." He wiped sweaty hands on his cloak.

Sam has no desire for this dangerous sword, no more than he has ever shown a desire to be able to fight at all. He is not mourning his lost inheritance, either. It's his father's cruelty that traumatized him.

This is a marked contrast to Jon's relationship with blades and inheritance.

When Jon had been Bran's age, he had dreamed of doing great deeds, as boys always did. The details of his feats changed with every dreaming, but quite often he imagined saving his father's life. Afterward Lord Eddard would declare that Jon had proved himself a true Stark, and place Ice in his hand. Even then he had known it was only a child's folly; no bastard could ever hope to wield a father's sword. Even the memory shamed him. What kind of man stole his own brother's birthright? I have no right to this, he thought, no more than to Ice. He twitched his burned fingers, feeling a throb of pain deep under the skin. "My lord, you honor me, but—" [....] "Yes, my lord." The soft leather gave beneath Jon's fingers, as if the sword were molding itself to his grip already. He knew he should be honored, and he was, and yet …

He is not my father. The thought leapt unbidden to Jon's mind. Lord Eddard Stark is my father. I will not forget him, no matter how many swords they give me. Yet he could scarcely tell Lord Mormont that it was another man's sword he dreamt of …

Which picks up a thread introduced even earlier:

"A wolf with a fish in its mouth?" It made her laugh. "That would look silly. Besides, if a girl can't fight, why should she have a coat of arms?" Jon shrugged. "Girls get the arms but not the swords. Bastards get the swords but not the arms. I did not make the rules, little sister." (AGOT, Arya I)

He gets a sword and the arms in one from Mormont, but it is not The Sword he truly wants. The sword that marks his father's heritage, his legitimacy.

Given the cruel deeds attached to Heartsbane, Samwell seems wise to reject the sword in his heart. It's not his father or his sword that represents home to him, it is his mother and his sisters.

I have a suspicion that Jon will emulate Sam there, and have no desire to wield his "true" father's ancestral family weapon, either, should he have the chance to bond with a dragon. He may not be Ned's son, but he is the man who raised him, and it is his mother who is his tie to his home.

He already has the true symbol of legitimacy:

Ghost was curled up asleep beside the door, but he lifted his head at the sound of Jon's boots. The direwolf's red eyes were darker than garnets and wiser than men. Jon knelt, scratched his ear, and showed him the pommel of the sword. "Look. It's you." Ghost sniffed at his carved stone likeness and tried a lick. Jon smiled. "You're the one deserves an honor," he told the wolf … and suddenly he found himself remembering how he'd found him, that day in the late summer snow. 

Samwell doesn't need the validation of Heartsbane, and I don't think the text will seek to validate the sword itself, either. Samwell has plenty of heart on his own, and since GRRM has Ice put through the blender, I don't think he's out there looking to glorify these swords so much as asking us to question the purpose and worth of carrying weapons. Ancestral vanity blades (no matter the high quality) mean little. Brienne has made better use of Oathkeeper in the short time it has existed. I wouldn't bet on Heartsbane surviving.

[istumpysk]

Operation Stumpy Re-Read

ACOK: Jon III (Chapter 23)

Sam looked dubious. "Dolorous Edd says Craster's a terrible savage. He marries his daughters and obeys no laws but those he makes himself. And Dywen told Grenn he's got black blood in his veins. His mother was a wildling woman who lay with a ranger, so he's a bas . . ." Suddenly he realized what he was about to say.    

Damn, I can’t believe Jon’s best friend was about to use bastard as a criticism.

+.+

He put the spurs to his surefooted little garron. "I need to hunt down Ser Ottyn. Be careful around Craster's women." As if Samwell Tarly needed warning on that score.

Well.

+.+

On his way back, Jon swung wide of the column's line of march and took a shorter path through the thick of the wood. The sounds of man and horse diminished, swallowed up by the wet green wild, and soon enough he could hear only the steady wash of rain against leaf and tree and rock. It was midafternoon, yet the forest seemed as dark as dusk. Jon wove a path between rocks and puddles, past great oaks, grey-green sentinels, and black-barked ironwoods. In places the branches wove a canopy overhead and he was given a moment's respite from the drumming of the rain against his head. As he rode past a lightning-blasted chestnut tree overgrown with wild white roses, he heard something rustling in the underbrush. "Ghost," he called out. "Ghost, to me."

Sounds like a lumber baron’s dream!

Real talk, I’ve read this 47 times. Something is being communicated here, but I don’t know what.

I must say, I do enjoy him spotting the white roses immediately before Ghost appears. Blue roses are so last year.

+.+

"How many wives does he have, truly?" Grenn asked.                 

"More'n you ever will, brother. Well, it's not so hard when you breed your own. There's your beast, Snow."

I was reading this in bed and thought it said “when you breed with your own,” and I screamed. Then I read it again and it wasn’t as fun.

I have nothing else to say, I only wanted to share that story.

+.+

On the southwest, he found an open gate flanked by a pair of animal skulls on high poles: a bear to one side, a ram to the other. Bits of flesh still clung to the bear skull, Jon noted as he joined the line riding past.

A fresh bear skull found outside Craster’s Keep?

Turn around, Jeor Mormont.

+.+

"Aye, those three I recall. The lordling no older than one of these pups. Too proud to sleep under my roof, him in his sable cloak and black steel. My wives give him big cow eyes all the same." He turned his squint on the nearest of the women.

The wildling girls were lusting over Waymar.

The wildling girls will lust over Jon.

Hmmm.

+.+

"These are bad times to dwell alone in the wild. The cold winds are rising."

"Let them rise. My roots are sunk deep." Craster grabbed a passing woman by the wrist. "Tell him, wife. Tell the Lord Crow how well content we are."

The woman licked at thin lips. "This is our place. Craster keeps us safe. Better to die free than live a slave."                 

"Slave," muttered the raven.

Look, it’s a slave that doesn’t realize she’s a slave.

+.+

"Who's this one now?" Craster said before Jon could go. "He has the look of a Stark."

"My steward and squire, Jon Snow."         

"A bastard, is it?" Craster looked Jon up and down. "Man wants to bed a woman, seems like he ought to take her to wife. That's what I do."

One point for the ‘Jon is a legitimized Targaryen’ side of the debate.

+.+

Jon got the horses fed before he stopped to think of his own supper. He was wondering where to find Sam when he heard a shout of fear. "Wolf!" He sprinted around the hall toward the cry, the earth sucking at his boots. One of Craster's women was backed up against the mud-spattered wall of the keep. "Keep away," she was shouting at Ghost. "You keep away!" The direwolf had a rabbit in his mouth and another dead and bloody on the ground before him. "Get it away, m'lord," she pleaded when she saw him.

Through Ghost’s interference, Jon is brought face-to-face with Gilly.

The pup knows things!

+.+

"You may be the Lord Commander's pet, but you're not the Lord Commander . . . and you wouldn't talk so bloody bold without that monster of yours always about."

"I'll not fight a brother while we're beyond the Wall," Jon answered, his voice cooler than he felt.          

Lark got to one knee. "He's afraid of you, Chett. On the Sisters, we have a name for them like him."                 

"I know all the names. Save your breath."

Huh? What’s the name?

+.+

Jon spitted the carcass, banked the fire with a pair of rocks, and balanced their meal atop them. The rabbit had been a scrawny thing, but as it cooked it smelled like a king's feast.

Jon’s feasting like a king!

(On rabbit!)

+.+

So there is magic beyond the Wall after all. He found himself thinking of his sisters, perhaps because he'd dreamed of them last night. Sansa would call this an enchantment, and tears would fill her eyes at the wonder of if

+.+

Crouched atop the rock that had sheltered him during the night was the rabbit keeper, wrapped in a black cloak so large it drowned her. Sam's cloak, Jon realized at once. Why is she wearing Sam's cloak?

Sam cloaks Gilly, then steals her. A two-for-one marriage!

+.+

"Old Lord Crow, him with the talking bird, he gave Craster a crossbow worth a hundred rabbits."

Lord Petyr was seated on his window seat, languid and elegant in a plush plum-colored doublet and a yellow satin cape, one gloved hand resting on his knee. "The king is fighting hares with a crossbow," he said. "The hares are winning. Come see." - Tyrion IV, ACOK

Couldn’t tell you why we’re linking Joffrey and Craster.

Or maybe it’s a commentary on Tyrion and Jeor arming monsters, I don’t know. 

+.+

Her arms closed over the swell of her belly. "Is it true, m'lord? Are you brother to a king?"    

Ha, it’s droll because he is a brother to a king, but Robb is his cousin. 

+.+

"Gilly, he called me. For the gillyflower."      

"That's pretty." He remembered Sansa telling him once that he should say that whenever a lady told him her name. He could not help the girl, but perhaps the courtesy would please her.

He can call me a flower if he wants to.

+.+

"For the baby, not for me. If it's a girl, that's not so bad, she'll grow a few years and he'll marry her. But Nella says it's to be a boy, and she's had six and knows these things. He gives the boys to the gods. Come the white cold, he does, and of late it comes more often. That's why he started giving them sheep, even though he has a taste for mutton. Only now the sheep's gone too. Next it will be dogs, till . . ." She lowered her eyes and stroked her belly.

What would the Others want with sheep and dogs? 🤔

+.+

"I'll . . . I'll be your wife, if you like. My father, he's got nineteen now, one less won't hurt him none."          

"Black brothers are sworn never to take wives, don't you know that? And we're guests in your father's hall besides."

"Not you," she said. "I watched. You never ate at his board, nor slept by his fire. He never gave you guest-right, so you're not bound to him. It's for the baby I have to go."

x

"Very good. See that my horse is saddled and ready. I mean for us to ride within the hour. Have you eaten? Craster serves plain fare, but filling."

I will not eat Craster's food, he decided suddenly.

You can’t help yourself! 🥺 My brave little hero.

+.+

Yes. Jon thought of Gilly. She and her sisters. They were nineteen, and Craster was one, but . . .    

. . . but sometimes the oppressed underestimate their own power?

+.+

"You knew?"         

"Smallwood told me. Long ago. All the rangers know, though few will talk of it."

"Did my uncle know?"

"All the rangers," Mormont repeated.

x

"Yet it would be an ill day for us if Craster died. Your uncle could tell you of the times Craster's Keep made the difference between life and death for our rangers."

"My father . . ." He hesitated.

"Go on, Jon. Say what you would say."    

"My father once told me that some men are not worth having," Jon finished. "A bannerman who is brutal or unjust dishonors his liege lord as well as himself."

That’s strange, because it seems to be an open secret in the north that the Boltons still flay prisoners in the Dreadfort.

There’s nothing more depressing in life than learning your elders were raging hypocrites.

Final thoughts:

I get the feeling the author might be trying to show us Samwell Tarly can be more bold than anyone.

Sam. ❤️

-> return to menu <-

[butterflies-dragons]

SLAYERS OF MONSTERS

Every re-read has its findings, and this is an awesome one:

After killing an Other in the middle of a very heavy SNOW storm, Samwell Tarly is dubbed "Sam the Slayer"

He wondered what his father would say if he could see him now. I killed one of the Others, my lord, he imagined saying. I stabbed him with an obsidian dagger, and my Sworn Brothers call me Sam the Slayer now. But even in his fancies, Lord Randyll only scowled, disbelieving.

—A Storm of Swords - Samwell III

In the same book, the Ghost of High Heart prophesies that Sansa Stark will "slay a savage giant" in a castle built of SNOW.

I dreamt of a maid at a feast with purple serpents in her hair, venom dripping from their fangs. And later I dreamt that maid again, slaying a savage giant in a castle built of snow."

—A Storm of Swords - Arya VIII

I can't wait for them to meet!

[masha-russia]

Meanwhile Lord Samwell Tarly of Horn Hill suddenly appeared athwart the Dornish line of march with several thousand knights and archers. “Savage Sam,” that lord was called, and so he proved to in the bloody battle that ensued, cutting down dozens of Dornishmen with his great Valyrian blade, Heartsbane.

The Sons of the Dragon

[tru-neutral03]

I am a dark skinned POC and the thing that kills me most about Anti Dany fans is that they infantalize the POC people that chose to follow and live for Dany.

The way anti Dany fans speak about freed men and women who chose dany as being “brainwashed into following a white savior” is colonialist and racist as fuck and I’m sick of it! Just because these POC were FORCED into slavery doesn’t mean that they are incapable of making their decisions AFTER they were freed! It reeks of “these poor savages that can’t make their OWN decisions, these poor dumb brutes” and I don’t think they realize how racist they sound.

It reminds me of when Missandei clapped back against Sansa in the crypt and Sansa fanqueens were all like “Missandei is a dumb brainwashed Stolkholm syndrome slave! Missandei MISUNDERSTOOD Sansa!” Which is HILARIOUSLY STUPID, considering that Missandei can literally speak 19 (19!) languages (like move over Samwell Tarly, there’s a new genius in town, and she’s got that black girl magic 🪄) and is Daenerys’ adviser. Missandei can speak more languages than season 8 Sansa has brain cells (RIP seasons 1-6 Sansa who used to be a kind, sweet badass in her own way, now she’s just Cersei 2.0) and apparently Sansa fans think that Missandei is too dumb to pick up on TONE.

The racism just jumped out from Sansa fans and I was horrified! What kills me the most is that if the Dothraki or Unsullied chose to fight for the Starks (because if the starks get advantages they DESERVE them, but if Dany does, she’s a “Mary sue” and “entitled bitch”) they wouldn’t care. It shows that they only care about POC as far as to weaponize us and I’m so done. It’s disgusting and needed to be said!

(Sorry I did answer earlier I didn't get a notification)

I couldn't agree more! They always try to make it seem that they weren't freed at all despite the fact Daenerys gave them a CHOICE! Some would say 'they didn't have anywhere else to go' uh yes they did but they CHOSE to the follow Dany. People trying to dumb them down so they could push their 'Daenerys is a master' narrative. It's just disgusting. As you said Missandei is a genius, she knows 19 languages, gives counsel to Daenerys and the people of Meereen trusted her as much as Daenerys. The Unsullied were taken as children to be trained as killing machines and to always be obedient but the moment they were freed they chose to follow Dany. Daenerys had them look within their own ranks to find someone who can lead them and chose Grey Worm who by the way was the best leader the Unsullied could've chosen. They obviously have the capability to make decisions on their own.

They want the slaves to be helpless, mindless victims under a manipulative queen but they are people. They are people with minds of their own and are choosing to put their faith in the woman who freed them. The fact that they try to diminish their choices with phrases like 'they don't know any better' is disgusting.

As for the Daenerys stuff I totally agree as well. Starks good, dragon lady bad thats their mentality. Even after the travesty that was that dumpster fire they still cling onto the idea that Dany will go mad and that the starks will save everyone. The 'Ice' in a song of Ice and Fire has been confirmed to be the the Others and the 'Fire' has been confirmed to be Dany and her dragons. The starks are prominent in the story but not title prominent.

She lived her childhood in squalor, homelessness and hunger. She knows that pain and hardship and seek to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. She stopped the Dothraki from raping women (She's imposing her foreign ideals on them!😒) she ends slavery (What about the economy and culture?🤢🤮) she had nothing to gain from this, only more hardship but she did it anyway because she knows what it's like to be starved, raped and sold but somehow they see all of this as her decent into madness. In contrast, the Starks (yes including Jon) were raises in a castle with food, servants and security. After everything goes to shit they do whatever it takes to survive weather it be going to war (Robb), playing the Game of Thrones (Sansa), kill to avenge their family (Arya), cutting someone's head off to show your authority (Jon) or believing in visions (Bran).

These are all understandable reactions to what happened to them but when Daenerys does it she's a tyrant who only wants power. She waged war against slavery (Robb), remained civil with her enemies (Sansa), plans to avenger her family (Arya), or when she even thinks for moment that Quathe's prophecies are true (Bran)

Fact is that there will always be a double standard against Daenerys and anyone associated with her.

[fedonciadale]

Hi, thanks for responding to question from before with Jonry@. I don't think I'd ever get out of the Jonsa pit I've holed myself into-canon or not I'm here till death. I was wondering if you have any meta's about ghost and lady's interaction since my friend says that ghost only ever interacts with Nymeria. Keeps shoving the book in my face but won't let me borrow the book to read it myself. (my copy is coming next week) so I can't search and there's no meta's I've found about the two dire wolves

2) I do remember one of your meta's saying that the first pov of Jon and Sansa have their wolves eating from their hand under the table and I might be reaching, but that got the mean something right? Like its the FIRST pov, and there is a saying first impressions are important. And GRRM writes that both Jon and Sansa have their wolves in a similar sitch. But if that's the only known interaction between the wolves then might be reaching

Hi there!

I think that was @kellyvela who wrote that, not me.

Under the cut for length

But I put together some parallels for you! Please, not that they are not always worded in a parallel way, but they have similar situations and I bolded the parallels.

"I've never seen an aurochs," Sansa said, feeding a piece of bacon to Lady under the table. The direwolf took it from her hand, as delicate as a queen.

Septa Mordane sniffed in disapproval. "A noble lady does not feed dogs at her table," she said, breaking off another piece of comb and letting the honey drip down onto her bread.         

"She's not a dog, she's a direwolf," Sansa pointed out as Lady licked her fingers with a rough tongue. "Anyway, Father said we could keep them with us if we want."     (AGOT, Sansa I)   

Something rubbed against his leg beneath the table. Jon saw red eyes staring up at him. "Hungry again?" he asked. There was still half a honeyed chicken in the center of the table. Jon reached out to tear off a leg, then had a better idea. He knifed the bird whole and let the carcass slide to the floor between his legs. Ghost ripped into it in savage silence. His brothers and sisters had not been permitted to bring their wolves to the banquet, but there were more curs than Jon could count at this end of the hall, and no one had said a word about his pup. He told himself he was fortunate in that too. (AGOT, Jon I)

So, we have : feeding under the table, honey (which could be worth a meta on its own) and the question if it is noble or polite to bring a direwolf to the table.

The wolves follow them around but that happens often. I still think it might point to something that this is mentioned.

Lady followed at her heels as she ran from the inn's common room.     (AGOT, Sansa I)

Jon climbed the steps slowly, trying not to think that this might be the last time ever. Ghost padded silently beside him. (AGOT, Jon II)

Both wolves watch Arya and Nymeria:

"There's going to be lemon cakes and tea," Sansa went on, all adult and reasonable. Lady brushed against her leg. Sansa scratched her ears the way she liked, and Lady sat beside her on her haunches, watching Arya chase Nymeria. (AGOT, Sansa I)

Arya was in her room, packing a polished ironwood chest that was bigger than she was. Nymeria was helping. Arya would only have to point, and the wolf would bound across the room, snatch up some wisp of silk in her jaws, and fetch it back. But when she smelled Ghost, she sat down on her haunches and yelped at them.     (AGOT, Jon II)

Sam, who is a foreshadowing of Sansa (Jon’s lady love, with his singing and love for stories) also scratches Ghost behind the ear.

"No." Sam's mouth grew tight and hard. "I hated it there." He scratched Ghost behind the ear, brooding, and Jon let the silence breathe. After a long while Samwell Tarly began to talk, and Jon Snow listened quietly, and learned how it was that a self-confessed coward found himself on the Wall.     (AGOT, Jon IV)

Both have a moment of humiliation in their first chapter and their wolves are a comfort to them, Note that this time the padding by their side and following closely at their heels is swapped:

Alone and humiliated, Sansa took the long way back to the inn, where she knew Septa Mordane would be waiting. Lady padded quietly by her side. (AGOT, Sansa I)

Laughter boomed all around him, and Jon felt hot tears on his cheeks. Someone tried to steady him. He wrenched free of their grip and ran, half-blind, for the door. Ghost followed close at his heels, out into the night.     (AGOT, Jon I)

Both experience other people (future enemies and other being in awe of the wolves). Both have their wolves in hand.

Anxious to see, Sansa let Lady clear a path through the crowd. People moved aside hastily for the direwolf. When she got closer, she saw two knights kneeling before the queen, in armor so fine and gorgeous that it made her blink.     (AGOT, SAnsa I)

Still, Sansa wrenched away from him, and the Hound laughed, and Lady moved between them, rumbling a warning. Sansa dropped to her knees to wrap her arms around the wolf. (AGOT, Sansa I)

"A wolf," a man said, and someone else said, "Seven hells, that's a direwolf," and the first man said, "What's it doing in camp?" and the Hound's rasping voice replied, "The Starks use them for wet nurses," and Sansa realized that the two stranger knights were looking down on her and Lady, swords in their hands, and then she was frightened again, and ashamed. Tears filled her eyes.     (AGOT, Sansa I)

He did not say a word. Lady bared her teeth and began to growl, a  low rumble full of menace, but this time Sansa silenced the wolf with a  gentle hand to the head. "I am sorry if I offended you, Ser Ilyn," she  said.       (AGOT, Sansa I)

"Is this one of the direwolves I've heard so much of?" a familiar voice asked close at hand.  Jon looked up happily as his uncle Ben put a hand on his head and ruffled his hair much as Jon had ruffled the wolf's. "Yes," he said. "His name is Ghost."     (AGOT, Jon I)

Tyrion Lannister was sitting on the ledge above the door to the Great Hall, looking for all the world like a gargoyle. The dwarf grinned down at him. "Is that animal a wolf?"   "A direwolf," Jon said. "His name is Ghost." He stared up at the little man, his disappointment suddenly forgotten. "What are you doing up there? Why aren't you at the feast?"     (AGOT, Jon I)

"He's not scared," Jon said. He knelt and called out. "Ghost, come here. Come on. That's it."   The wolf pup padded closer and nuzzled at Jon's face, but he kept a wary eye on Tyrion Lannister, and when the dwarf reached out to pet him, he drew back and bared his fangs in a silent snarl. "Shy, isn't he?" Lannister observed.

"Sit, Ghost," Jon commanded. "That's it. Keep still." He looked up at the dwarf. "You can touch him now. He won't move until I tell him to. I've been training him." (AGOT, Jon I)

The wolves give them strenght and courage (and they fear if they are alone). Well, all of the Stark children do the

"Someone's there," Sansa said anxiously. She found herself thinking of Lady, wishing the direwolf was with her.     (AGOT, Sansa I)

The thought made him sick. What was he becoming? Afterward he sought out Ghost in the loneliness of his cell, and buried his face in his thick white fur.       (AGOT, Jon III)

Ghost ran with them for a time and then vanished among the trees. Without the direwolf, Jon felt almost naked. He found himself glancing at every shadow with unease. (AGOT, Jon VII)

Frowning, Jon continued on his way. He led the mare for half an hour, until she was dry. Ghost did not appear. Jon wanted to mount up and ride again, but he was concerned about his missing wolf. "Ghost," he called again. "Where are you? To me! Ghost!" (AGOT, Jon IX)

So, I would say that there are quite a lot of things that are parallel situations, even if the wording is not that similar: feeding under the table, watching Arya and Nymeria, the wolves as comfort in a situation of humiliation, other people being in awe of the wolves and future threats and enemies being snarled at. To me, that looks like pretty much for just two chapters - even if you discard the signs of affection, the wolves at their heels etc. because this happens with the other Starks as well.

I want to alert you to two other things:

Sansa and Jon alone without their wolves and “threatened” by ferocious beasts, wishing for their wolves:

That was such a sweet dream, Sansa thought drowsily. She had been back in Winterfell, running through the godswood with her Lady. Her father had been there, and her brothers, all of them warm and safe. If only dreaming could make it so . . .    

She threw back the coverlets. I must be brave. Her torments would soon be ended, one way or the other. If Lady was here, I would not be afraid. Lady   was dead, though; Robb, Bran, Rickon, Arya, her father, her mother,   even Septa Mordane. All of them are dead but me. She was alone in the  world now.         (ASOS, Sansa IV)

That night Sansa scarcely slept at all, but tossed and turned just as  she had aboard the Merling King. She dreamt of Joffrey dying, but as he  clawed at his throat and the blood ran down across his fingers she saw  with horror that it was her brother Robb. And she dreamed of her wedding  night too, of Tyrion's eyes devouring her as she undressed. Only then  he was bigger than Tyrion had any right to be, and when he climbed into  the bed his face was scarred only on one side. "I'll have a song from  you," he rasped, and Sansa woke and found the old blind dog beside her  once again. "I wish that you were Lady," she said.  (ASOS, Sansa VI)  

Jon wondered where Ghost was now. Had he gone to Castle Black, or  was he was running with some wolfpack in the woods? He had no sense of   the direwolf, not even in his dreams. It made him feel as if part of  himself had been cut off. Even with Ygritte sleeping beside him, he felt  alone. He did not want to die alone.       (ASOS, Jon V)

Jon took a step toward the tent, thinking of the Horn of Winter, but the   shadowcat blocked him, tail lashing. The beast's nostrils flared, and   slaver ran from his curved front teeth. He smells my fear. He missed Ghost more than ever then. The two wolves were behind him, growling.      (ASOS, Jon X)

I think this is an interesting parallel

And there is another connection I’ve never done before:

By the time she reached the godswood, the noises had faded to a faint rattle of steel and a distant shouting. Sansa pulled her cloak tighter. The air was rich with the smells of earth and leaf. Lady would have liked this place, she thought. There was something wild about a godswood; even here, in the heart of the castle at the heart of the city, you could feel the old gods watching with a thousand unseen eyes.   (ACOK, Sansa II)

They look as though they belong together. Val was clad all in white; white woolen breeches tucked into high boots of bleached white leather, white bearskin cloak pinned at the shoulder with a carved weirwood face, white tunic with bone fastenings. Her breath was white as well … but her eyes were blue, her long braid the color of dark honey, her cheeks flushed red from the cold. It had been a long while since Jon Snow had seen a sight so lovely. (ADWD, Jon XI)

And then there is this:

That night Sansa dreamed of the riot again. The mob surged around her, shrieking, a maddened beast with a thousand faces. Everywhere she turned she saw faces twisted into monstrous inhuman masks. She wept and told them she had never done them hurt, yet they dragged her from her horse all the same. "No," she cried, "no, please, don't, don't," but no one paid her any heed. She shouted for Ser Dontos, for her brothers, for her dead father and her dead wolf, for gallant Ser Loras who had given her a red rose once, but none of them came. She called for the heroes from the songs, for Florian and Ser Ryam Redwyne and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, but no one heard. Women swarmed over her like weasels, pinching her legs and kicking her in the belly, and someone hit her in the face and she felt her teeth shatter. Then she saw the bright glimmer of steel. The knife plunged into her belly and tore and tore and tore, until there was nothing left of her down there but shiny wet ribbons.  (ACOK Sansa IV)  

Is this Sansa dreaming of Jon’s death?

And there is this scene: Is this foreshadowing of Jon and Sansa’s reunion? Considering that Sansa is the sun, that might well be.

It was a long moment before he understood what was happening. When he did, he bolted to his feet. "Ghost?" He turned toward the wood, and there he came, padding silently out of the green dusk, the breath coming warm and white from his open jaws. "Ghost!" he shouted, and the direwolf broke into a run. He was leaner than he had been, but bigger as well, and the only sound he made was the soft crunch of dead leaves beneath his paws. When he reached Jon he leapt, and they wrestled amidst brown grass and long shadows as the stars came out above them. "Gods, wolf, where have you been?" Jon said when Ghost stopped worrying at his forearm. "I thought you'd died on me, like Robb and Ygritte and all the rest. I've had no sense of you, not since I climbed the Wall, not even in dreams." The direwolf had no answer, but he licked Jon's face with a tongue like a wet rasp, and his eyes caught the last light and shone like two great red suns.     (ASOS, Jon XII)

So, I would say, that the paralles in the first Jon and Sansa chapter is not happenstance and I would also say that there are other instances where Sansa and Jon thinking of their wolves (or interacting) still has some meaning that is worth exploring!

Thanks for the ask!

[fandomficsnstuff]

Little Dragon - Part 13

Summary: You were a child slave of Meereen, when one day a silver haired woman sets you free. Though your master isn’t too keen on letting you go, and Daenerys took personal action to see you freed and taken care of.

(Warnings: talks of former slavery, time skips and it’s a bit fast forwarded, Jorah’s death, lots of angst I think, let me know if I missed anything, stay safe out there ya’ll!)

High Valyrian is in cursive

And Dothraki in bold

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

You kept your head down as you rode on your horse, a fairly new experience for you, but it was similar to riding Rhaegal, just smaller, less scaly and less windy, you had reigns to hold onto, and a saddle to sit in. You were broken out of your train of thought as you heard your name called, turning your head to see none other than Jon Snow, giving you a nervous glance “hello” he said awkwardly, making you look ahead, spotting Daenerys talking with Missandei, before turning back to him “Lord Snow, can I help you with something?” he grimaced a bit, but still gave you a smile “if it’s alright, I would prefer if you didn’t call me Lord” you nodded “forgive me, I don’t know what to call you then. All these… customs are new to me, I have only lived with them for a few years now” Jon frowned at your words “how long then?” you shrugged as you looked ahead again “around five, I was ten when our Queen Daenerys found me” you smiled at the memory, glancing at Jon who only gave you a look that silently asked you to explain further.

“You see, I was a slave, in Mereen,” Jon immediately frowned “but you were a child?” he sounded disturbed, and it brought a tiny sense of envy, envy that he didn’t grow up with such horrible things “yes, though that didn’t concern my former master. I remember the day that Daenerys liberated Mereen, I remember seeing her silver hair in the street as she walked with the freed children, but I was still a slave. My master had let his other slaves go but not me, he kept me locked up in his small pyramid… Daenerys saw me watching her in the window, so she waved at me. I remember being so scared of my master that I looked over my shoulder before I waved back, I was so scared of how many beatings I would get if he caught me, but he didn’t, anyway, I must have leaned over the edge of the window, because she saw my collar. I remember how angry she looked as she walked into the house, she immediately had my master thrown in the cells, and then she saw me, on the steps, watching her again” you smiled warmly at the fond memory, a few tears building up in your eyes, but as you looked back at Jon, he seemed horrified and confused, looking away from you as he thought over your words, as if he didn’t know what to say “it’s alright, Jon Snow, I wouldn’t want your sympathy” he looked at you with confusion, something that made you smile ever so slightly, he didn’t know why you didn’t want sympathy.

“I don’t want sympathy because that is not why Daenerys took me in as her own, at least I’d like to believe it wasn’t. Yes, she felt bad for me, but I remember seeing those purple eyes of hers… I remember how safe I felt. It was only later that I learnt of Rhaego. Perhaps she saw in me what she had lost, or maybe it really was just sympathy, whatever it was, I no longer wear a collar, my body no longer bears bruises except for those I earned in training. Daenerys may not have carried me, but she is my mother. That is why I do not want sympathy, Jon Snow, because I no longer need it, I am no longer in a position where it keeps me alive” you finished, speeding up your horse to join Daenerys and Missandei, leaving behind a sympathetic, but understanding Jon Snow.

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Your lips slightly parted in awe as you neared Winterfell, you felt as though the only grounding force that told you it wasn’t a dream was Rhaegal and Drogon above you, their roars and the sound of their wings let you know you were wide awake, and you finally turned to Ezzo, smiling amazed at him before looking back to Winterfell. You had read about it in Mereen, and you remembered how out of all of the cities, you wanted to see Winterfell the most, and here you were, approaching it slowly as people of the north watched you ride by. You felt Ezzo’s hand gently nudge your knee, making you look at him as he gave you a smile “what?” you asked as he just looked at you, he shrugged and just kept smiling “just wanted to look at you” you blushed at his words, the colour of you (Y/S/C) cheeks flushing red, and you looked away, much to Ezzo’s dismay, he thought it looked beautiful with your (Y/E/C) eyes. You shook your head, almost as if you tried to shake off the blush on your cheeks, but you couldn’t shake off the smile that graced your lips “I’ve read a lot about Winterfell, it was built so long ago, it’s said to be built over there natural hot springs, so even though it’s snowing, the castle is much warmer than it looks” you looked back to Ezzo, only to find him already looking at you, and you refrained from saying anything, just enjoying the soft look he gave you as you looked back to Winterfell.

You marvelled at how big it actually was, and Daenerys, upon seeing your face, couldn’t help the smile that found it’s way to her lips.

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You sat tense by Daenerys’ side, something she had noticed long ago. You were cold, colder than before. When you read about the hot springs under Winterfell, you had hoped it would have given more of an impact, but here you were, willing yourself to stop shaking, while your mother sat quite comfortably, since she was a Targaryen. Your eyes scanned the crowd as a way to distract yourself, and you noticed how everyone seemed to love Jon, everyone knew him, adored him, admired him, and you could see, out the corner of your eyes, Daenerys’ smile wavering, she noticed as well. Daenerys was so used to being loved back in Essos, in Essos she was the Breaker of Chains, the Unburnt, the Mother of Dragons, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, she brought wonder and awe to people’s lives as she entered them, but here, here she was the foreign queen who their king had knelt to, the daughter of a madman, leader of an army of savages, and you imagined how much it must hurt her, so turning to her you gently nudged her, giving you her attention, and you knew the smile she put on her lips were fake, it was forced and stretched, like a piece of leather being forced over shapes it wasn’t meant to embrace.

You got up, pulled your new arakh out from behind your back and sat back down, your whole body facing her as you showed it to her “Ezzo gave it to me” you let her hold it and study it, watching her smile fade as realization struck her “your name day…” your own smile fell, you hadn’t meant to force it upon her, she was busy, it was a time of war, you understood how she could forget it, so you quickly shook your head “Mhysa I-... I didn’t mean it like that I just… wanted to show you��� he carved the handle himself and-”

“I’m so sorry, Little Dragon” she looked heartbroken and you quickly shook your head again, reaching out for her hands “no, no Mhysa, please don’t be, we’re at war, I nearly forgot it myself, as have Missandei, please don’t feel bad. We’re all busy, you most of all, and after Viserion-” you stopped yourself there, knowing you’d get nowhere with her, and mentioning Viserion would only bring the both of you pain, you could already feel the tears building up in your eyes “I will do my best to correct this, I swear, (Y/N)” you sighed, taking back you anakh, putting it on the table, leaning over and hugging her “you don’t have to, just be happy” you whispered the last bit, feeling her arms finally wrap around you to embrace you as well. Once you parted you saw how sad she still was, which made you feel a guilty, you hadn’t meant to force it upon her, you heard her give a short sigh, turning back to look at the different people, studying them and how they loved Jon Snow, you followed her gaze, and you couldn’t help moving your hand down to gently grasp hers, she was so warm compared to you, her Targaryen blood had fire running through her veins “you are so cold, are you freezing?” you turned to look at her concerned expression, making you smile slightly “no, no I’m just cold. Mhysa, you’re a Targaryen, you have fire in your veins” you giggled slightly, and she joined you, briefly, before looking back over the the northerners “they’ll love you, you know, they’re just scared, perhaps even a bit betrayed, they trusted their king to never kneel again and then he did it, they’re just angry, but I don't blame them, who wouldn’t be in this cold?” you whispered the last bit to her, making her grin and do her best to hold in a laugh that you knew wanted to tear it’s way out of her and make itself known to everyone in the room, a thought that kept you warmer than the fires your brother’s breathed.

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You frowned as you stared at her in disbelief, taking in her words, each time you tried to decipher it a new frown appeared on your forehead “but-...” you leaned back in your chair, your gaze off to the side, not looking at anything in particular. You finally looked back at Daenerys, seeing her being torn between worlds as well. You leaned forward, gently grasping her hand in yours “who knows, Mhysa?” she swallowed the lump in her throat before speaking up “his brother, Bran, Samwell Tarly, and he’s going to tell his sisters” you frowned at her last statement “but I thought he loved you?” at yours words Daenerys finally let a tear roll down her cheek, all her life she had believed she was the true heir to Westeros, and now, now all of the sudden she wasn’t, the goal she had worked her way towards her whole life was gone, snuffed out, like a candle in a storm. You sighed heavily and got up “and he says he doesn’t want the throne?” you looked out a window before back to Daenerys, seeing her nod briefly and weakly, making you sigh again “then that’s that, Mhysa, he doesn’t want it, you are the heir to the Seven Kingdoms, you are the Queen of Westeros, there is nothing else to it” you kneeled down in front of her, you knew how much this meant to her.

She gently shook her head “it doesn’t matter what he wants… he’s the rightful heir and the people-”

“No! Mhysa… you’ve worked towards this your entire life! He doesn’t want the throne, they can’t force him upon it, can they? I-... I know you love him… I know you haven’t said so but, the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you, he loves you as well, I’m not-... experienced in love but, you have to at least trust that, right?” Daenerys sighed and looked at you, raising a hand to gently hold your cheek, you leaned into her touch and she smiled at the gesture “my sweet little dragon” she whispered, leaning over and placing a kiss on your forehead, her eyes closed as yet another tear fell from them.

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You glared at your mother as she looked at you with a pleading look “I am not going into the crypt, I want to fight!” Daenerys sighed, you two had been at it for almost an hour now “(Y/N) there is nothing to discuss, please, my little dragon, do as I say. You have a responsibility, you’re the heir to the throne, my ONLY heir, please, I can’t let anything happen to you” you sighed as she used your nickname in Valyrian, mulling over her words before finally giving a weak nod, making Daenerys close her eyes in pure relief. You sighed heavily as you walked down the steps, mumbling annoyed, making Sansa frown as she studied you, looking down at Tyrion, who sighed “she wants to fight, a Dothraki has been teaching her for months now. I think she’s scared,” he whispered the last part, making Sansa lean in as he continued “I think she’s scared of losing yet another brother, or perhaps even her mother, she thinks that somehow if she fights with her, she could prevent it” Sansa frowned even more “but the dragons are not her brothers” Tyrion shrugged “she has grown up around them for the last five years, whenever she was sad and Missandei or Daenerys wasn’t around, the dragons comforted her, I’ve heard stories of how they flew up on her balcony and came close to her, let her lay up against them and cry. When they were locked in the pyramid, she visited them every day, Rhaegal was her dragon, and now Jon Snow is riding him, she may not be a Targaryen, but she understands those dragons, almost as well as their mother, so try to tell her, once a little girl, lost and afraid of the world, protected and cared for by these dragons and their mother, that they are not her family. She already lost one brother, forgive me, Lady Stark, but I do believe you can understand how she feels” Tyrion ended, looking back at you as Missandei sat down next to you, talking with you quietly.

Sansa watched you with sympathy now, she understood what it was like to lose family, and while she couldn’t see how you saw dragons as family, she could understand the bond and the grief you must have felt when Viserion died, especially now that it was known that he had joined the Night King as an undead dragon, no longer the brother you knew.

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You stared at the piles upon piles of dead bodies, blood covering your face, your akanh in your hand, a cut on your hand and leg, still bleeding, your eyes widening as you saw a white figure in the distance leaning over someone, crying. It was nearly dawn, the Night King was dead and so was his army. Your feet took off before you even knew it, you barely felt the wound on your leg as you ran across the body littered field, you fell to your knees, you arakh long forgotten as you stared at the body in Daenerys’ arms. You breathed heavily as you just stared at his pale skin, the blood splattered across his face and armor, and the small drops of tears from your mother’s eyes. You gently shook your head as you held your breath, at any moment he would wake up, right? He would wake up, let you know that he was alright, he was okay, he was wounded but alive, right? You let out a whimper as none of that happened, he stayed still and pale, and you leaned over his breastplate, resting your head on it, not caring about the blood smearing onto your forehead. You let a sob escape your lips, only one, you told yourself, but it was followed by another, and another, and another, and before you knew it you were sobbing against the cold, hard metal covering his chest.

You looked up at Daenerys to see her crying as well, holding Joarh close and you couldn’t help but lean down and hug his stiff form, your arms around his neck as you sobbed against his throat, silently begging him to wake up, and when that didn’t work you tried verbally “wake up, please Ser Jorah, please, please wake up, please no, no, no, no! Wake up!” you hadn’t even noticed how you had begun to speak Valyrian, it was your native tongue after all, even though Jorah never understood it. You shook him as hard as you could, tears streaming down your face as you shook your head once more, you could barely breathe, Jorah had been the one to cut off your collar, he had been the one you had talked the most with, even though none of you understood each other back then. You leaned against Daenerys’ shoulder as you both cried, tears streaming down your faces as you continued to hold the old knight.

You don’t know how long you stayed like that, clinging to his corpse and Daenerys’ side as you cried over his body, praying that somehow he would wake up, somehow his eyes would open, or he would cough, say something, anything. But nothing happened, and nothing ever would, he was dead, cold and stiff, buried in metal as he laid in the cold snow, blood surrounding him, some of it his own, some of it not, that thought chilled you to the bone more than any wind ever could, he was bathed in blood, some not his own, it made you sick, and you felt the urge to throw up, leaning away quickly and throwing up over the side, making sure none of it touched Jorah or your mother. Afterwards you groaned, tears still streaming down your face as you glanced at Ser Jorah, another sob forcing it’s way through your body and out your mouth as you yet again fell to Daenerys’ side, holding Jorah. You felt Daenerys’ hand slowly place itself on your back as you sobbed, her own cries still spilling from her lips as you both just held him, not caring who watched or who was nearby.

[disfunctionredon]

So is no one else angry at Samwell Tarly for stealing Gilly's credit for discovering the secrect wedding between Rhaegar and Lyanna? Typical man stealing credit from a better woman...

[dragonmartellstark]

AU: Elia Martell and Rhaella Targaryen, the sun and the dragon (2/?)

Shireen Baratheon: She was the only daughter of Stannis Baratheon and Selyse Baratheon, being the niece of Robert Baratheon. She was cared for by her aunt Lyanna Stark seeing her as a daughter to her. Shireen grew up being a curious, shy but polite girl, as well as being considered very pretty with big blue eyes, thick black hair and a cute smile. Despite the fact that her father longed for a boy, she had some appreciation for her daughter and every month she gave her a present.

The young woman and two of her cousins, Lyarra and Cassana appeared at the Maidens' Day Ball as candidates to be the next queen consort of the Seven Kingdoms and wife of Aegon VI. During the dance the young king asked to dance with little Shireen and they both had a good connection with Shireen being one of her favorites, but she was also the envy of other candidates including her cousins. At the end of the Ball, Aegon VI claimed to want to marry Shireen Baratheon and this engagement was welcomed by the king's mother, Elia Martell, and her grandmother, Rhaella Targaryen. In 299 A. C., the wedding of the young people was celebrated being a splendid and happy event for the young people. Elia Martell gave her daughter-in-law a necklace that she brought from Dorne and wore it during her wedding, inheriting it from Shireen and marking a good relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Shireen and Aegon did not consummate the marriage until 304 A. C., when Shireen turned 15 years old and shortly after sharing the bed, the queen announced her first pregnancy, being a great joy for the family and the common people. At the end of 304 A. C., Prince Aemon was born, the future Aemon I and it was a great joy for all, even for the parents of the queen. The kings were very close and had six children in total, bringing the couple closer together.

Aegon's reign was fairly peaceful and Shireen focused on charity work and caring for her children. In 335 A. C., Aegon VI died victim of puerperal fever due to a hunting accident where he cut his hand and the wound was not well treated. The death of her husband was painful for Shireen, wearing her entire life in mourning and taking shelter in her children, numerous grandchildren and in art, being she known as a great patron of the arts. Shireen Baratheon passed away in 353 A. C., at 64 years old while she slept in her rooms in the Red Fort. She was cremated and her ashes were placed next to those of Aegon VI.

Lyanna Stark: In the tower of joy, Lyanna gave birth to the only child she had with Rhaegar Targaryen, Jon Eddard Stark and despite the difficulties Lyanna managed to leave the birth alive as well as her son. When Rhaegar died and Princess Elia made a peace treaty with Robert Baratheon, Arthur Dayne traveled with Lyanna to King's Landing where he was reunited with his brothers and his fiancé.

It was a complete scandal that Lyanna had had a son with Prince Rhaegar intensifying Robert's anger, but Elia Martell convinced him to let Jon live in Winterfell and allow her mother to visit him whenever she wanted. This idea did not please Lyanna, but she could not be more stubborn as she had already had a relationship and a child with the princess's husband, so she accepted that her brother Ned would take care of the child as hers and she I would visit it.

Lyanna and Robert were married shortly thereafter in 285 A. C., to Lyanna's surprise, Robert was attentive to her and was eager to share the bed with her. Little by little Lyanna began to feel a great appreciation for Robert, both of them spending time at hunting parties and banquets. Shortly after her marriage, Lyanna became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Gendry Baratheon, the future Lord of Storm's End.

Their marriage was passionate and relatively happy, even though Robert had a discreet lover while Lyanna was pregnant, but it is known that these relationships were rare and short-lived. The couple had a total of ten children: Lyarra, Steffon, Cassana, Stella, Eddard, Sara, Rickard, Rickon and twins who died shortly after birth.

Lyanna was also present in the life of her son, Jon Eddard whom she adored, but she did not have a good relationship with her daughter-in-law, Ygritte who she considered somewhat mocking and suspicious because of her mysterious origins.

In the year 311 A. C., Lyanna became pregnant again, but she was already 45 years old so the doctors feared for her life. During labor, her mother suffered a hemorrhage caused by childbirth and in the end she gave birth to a pair of twins, but Lyanna died after giving birth being a heartbreaking grief for her entire family.

Jon Ned: Jon spent his entire life in Winterfell being raised by his uncle Eddard Stark and his aunt Catelyn, while he received visits from his mother, Lyanna Stark whom he adored very much.

Jon was a skilled swordsman and a good boy who was loved by Winterfell and his cousins, especially Robb and Arya Stark. From the beginning he wanted to find a fiancée so that he could have children and make his living, but surprisingly Jon brought an unknown young woman named Ygritte, who was said to be an illegitimate daughter of the Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont, but others say that she was a savage that the young man found and fell in love with. The little wolf affirmed that he had married her and that he was in love with her being this something bittersweet for her uncles and her mother, but they ended up accepting and organizing a formal wedding.

Jon was in the service of his cousin, Robb Stark, when his uncle Ned Stark passed away and Robb was proclaimed lord of Winterfell. Robb appointed his cousin as his chief advisor, gaining fame for his peaceful reforms and not wasting so much money. Jon reportedly also had a good relationship with his half-sister, Rhaenys Targaryen, despite all the problems his mothers had in the past.

Jon and Ygritte had a passionate marriage, having thirteen children, even though three would die at birth. Jon was a loving and attentive father always looking for the best for all the sons and daughters, looking for important trades or marriages, he even agreed to marry one of his daughters, Raya with his cousin Eddard Stark, becoming Mistress of Winterfell.

The young wolf's life continued as usual until one day in 334 A. C., while doing a hunting party with his sons Cregan and Jeor, Jon was envestigated by a bear ripping off his leg causing him to bleed. Jeor tried to save his father, but the low temperatures and the amount of blood that he began to lose caused Jon to go into shock and die in the presence of his children at 51 years of age.

Ygritte was plunged into deep sadness upon losing her husband and six years later she would end up dying under strange circumstances. They were both buried in the Stark Cemetery.

Ygritte: The young redhead always lived among the savages being a tough and skilled archer, but Ygritte knew that the conditions were not favorable she loved to hunt, but the food was scarce and the skins even more.

Luck smiled at Ygritte when she met young Jon Targaryen, the illegitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, at a hunt. Jon was amazed by Ygritte's beauty and her strong temperament, Ygritte also felt attracted to the 16-year-old young man, her face seemed beautiful to him. The savage offered the young man a night of pleasure in exchange for food, but the little wolf offered him to marry her and live in Winterfell as her wife, to which Ygritte accepted in order to have a comfortable life.

Jon with the help of Jeor Mormont posed Ygritte as an illegitimate daughter of the commander with a prostitute before joining the Night's Watch. The young Stark took the redhead to the Forest of Gods where they were married privately only with the presence of Samwell Tarly and Dolorous Edd.  Jon and Ygritte appeared before Eddard Stark and Jon's mother Lyanna Stark claiming that they were in love and had married in the presence of the Old Gods. Lyanna Stark was not satisfied because she was not convinced by the origin of the young woman, but she ended up accepting the marriage for the happiness of her son and soon a formal wedding was held where some members of vassal houses attended.

The marriage was somewhat tumultuous at first due to Ygritte's strong and disorderly character, but the couple managed to have a solid, passionate and fun union as they both shared a love of combat and hunting. Ygritte became pregnant a year after getting married, giving birth to a boy named Jeor in honor of the Old Bear. Every two or three years Ygritte gave birth to more children, having a total of thirteen children: Irrla, Johann, Daeron, Raya, Sarra, Samwell, Brereton, Cregan and Cecily; Ella ygritte gave birth to two stillborn children and one died an hour after birth.

Ygritte's personality changed slightly with her motherhood being her a protective mother and something dominant especially with her children. Ygritte's life continued as always alongside her family and hunting for her until 334 A. C., her husband Jon Eddard passed away being a shame for her since she was very much in love with hers. Upon Jon's death, Ygritte took refuge in the hunt and in her children, especially in her daughter, Cecily, who was her tear cloth and her greatest consolation until her daughter died in the year 339 A. C., further increasing Ygritte's grief.

One day in the year 340 A. C., the body of Lady Ygritte was found near the Wall in inappropriate clothes for the severe winter that hit. It is said that she died of hypothermia or cardiac arrest from the pain of losing her husband and daughter. Ygritte was buried at the age of 60 next to Jon Ned and his children who had passed away at the time.

Shireen Baratheon: Fue la única hija de Stannis Baratheon y Selyse Baratheon, siendo sobrina de Robert Baratheon. Fue cuidada por su tía Lyanna Stark viéndola como una hija para ella. Shireen creció siendo una niña curiosa, tímida pero educada, además de ser considerada muy bonita con los ojos grandes y azules, el cabello negro espeso y una sonrisa tierna. Pesé a que su padre ansiaba un varón tuvo algo de aprecio por su hija y cada mes le regalaba algún presente.

La joven y dos de sus primas, Lyarra y Cassana se presentaron al Baile del Día de las Doncellas como candidatas para ser la siguiente reina consorte de los Siete Reinos y esposa de Aegon VI. Durante el baile el joven rey pidió bailar con la pequeña Shireen y ambos tuvieron una buena conexión siendo Shireen una de las favoritas, pero también la envidia de otras candidatas incluyendo sus primas. Al final del Baile, Aegon VI afirmo querer casarse con Shireen Baratheon y este compromiso fue bien visto por la madre del rey, Elia Martell y su abuela, Rhaella Targaryen. En el 299 d. C., se celebro la boda de los jóvenes siendo un acontecimiento esplendoroso y feliz para los jóvenes. Elia Martell le entrego a su nuera un collar que ella trajo de Dorne y uso durante su boda, heredándoselo a Shireen y marcando una buena relación entre suegra y nuera.

Shireen y Aegon no consumaron el matrimonio hasta el año 304 d. C., cuando Shireen cumplió los 15 años de edad y poco después de compartir la cama, la reina anuncio su primer embarazo siendo una gran alegría para la familia y el pueblo llano. A finales del 304 d. C., nació el príncipe Aemon, el futuro Aemon I y fue una gran alegría para todos, incluso para los padres de la reina. Los reyes estaban muy unidos y llegaron a tener seis hijos en total acercando mas a la pareja.

El reinado de Aegon fue bastante pacifico y Shireen se centró en las obras de caridad y en el cuidado de sus hijos. En el 335 d. C., Aegon VI falleció victima de fiebres puerperales debido a un accidente de caza donde se corto una mano y no fue bien tratada la herida. La muerte de su esposo fue dolorosa para Shireen vistiendo de luto toda su vida y resguardándose en sus hijos, numerosos nietos y en el arte, siendo conocida como una gran mecenas de las artes. Shireen Baratheon falleció en el 353 d. C., a los 64 años mientras dormía en sus habitaciones de la Fortaleza Roja. Fue incinerada y sus cenizas fueron puestas al lado de las de Aegon VI.

Lyanna Stark: En la torre de la alegría, Lyanna dio a luz al único hijo que tuvo con Rhaegar Targaryen, Jon Eddard Stark y pesé a las dificultades Lyanna logró salir viva del parto al igual que su hijo. Al morir Rhaegar y que la princesa Elia hiciera un tratado de paz con Robert Baratheon, Arthur Dayne viajo junto a Lyanna hacia Desembarco del Rey donde se reencontró con sus hermanos y su prometido.

Fue un completo escandalo el hecho de que Lyanna había tenido un hijo con el príncipe Rhaegar intensificando la ira que tenía Robert, pero Elia Martell lo convenció de que Jon viviera en Invernalia y le permitiera a su madre visitarlo cuando ella quisiera. Esta idea no le agrado a Lyanna, pero no podía ser mas terca al ya haber tenido una relación y un hijo con el marido de la princesa, así que acepto que su hermano Ned cuidara del niño como suyo y ella lo visitaría.

Lyanna y Robert se casaron poco después en el 285 d. C., para la sorpresa de Lyanna, Robert fue atento con ella y se mostraba deseoso de compartir el lecho con ella. Poco a poco Lyanna empezó a sentir un gran aprecio hacia Robert compartiendo ambos el tiempo en partidas de caza y banquetes. Al poco de casarse Lyanna quedo embarazada y dio a luz a un niño, Gendry Baratheon el futuro Señor de Bastión de Tormenta.

Su matrimonio fue apasionado y relativamente feliz aun que Robert tuvo alguna discreta amante mientras Lyanna estaba embarazada, pero se sabe que estas relaciones fueron escasas y poco duraderas. La pareja tuvo un total de diez hijos: Lyarra, Steffon, Cassana, Stella, Eddard, Sara, Rickard, Rickon y mellizos que murieron al poco de nacer.

Lyanna también estuvo presente en la vida de su hijo, Jon Eddard al cual adoraba, pero no tuvo buena relación con su nuera, Ygritte la cual consideraba algo burlona y sospechosa por sus misteriosos orígenes.

En el año 311 d. C., Lyanna volvió a quedar embarazada, pero ya contaba con 45 años de edad por lo que los médicos temían por su vida. Durante la labor de parto, la madre sufrió una hemorragia provocada por el parto y al final dio a luz a un par de mellizos, pero Lyanna acabo falleciendo tras dar a luz siendo una pena desgarradora para toda su familia.

Jon Ned: Jon paso toda su vida en Invernalia siendo criado por su tío Eddard Stark y su tía Catelyn, mientras recibía las visitas de su madre, Lyanna Stark a la cual adoraba mucho.

Jon fue un experto espadachín y un buen muchacho siendo querido por Invernalia y sus primos, en especial por Robb y Arya Stark. Desde un principio se le quiso buscar una prometida para que pudiera tener descendencia y hacer su vida, pero sorprendentemente Jon trajo una joven desconocida llamada Ygritte, la cual se decía que era una hija ilegitima del Comandante de la Guardia de la Noche, Jeor Mormont, pero otros dicen que ella era una salvaje que el joven encontró y se enamoro. El pequeño lobo afirmo que se había casado con ella y que estaba enamorado de ella siendo esto algo agridulce para sus tíos y su madre, pero acabaron aceptando y organizando una boda formal.

Jon estuvo al servicio de su primo, Robb Stark cuando su tío Ned Stark falleció y Robb fue proclamado señor de Invernalia. Robb nombro a su primo como su consejero principal ganando fama por sus reformas pacificas y por no derrochar tanto dinero. Según se dice Jon también tuvo una buena relación con su medio hermana, Rhaenys Targaryen pesé a todos los problemas que tuvieron sus madres en el pasado.

Jon e Ygritte tuvieron un matrimonio apasionado llegando a tener trece hijos, aun que tres fallecerían al nacer. Jon era un padre amoroso y atento siempre buscaba lo mejor para todos sus hijos e hijas buscándoles importantes oficios o matrimonios, incluso acepto casar a una de sus hijas, Raya con su primo Eddard Stark convirtiéndose en Señora de Invernalia.

La vida del joven lobo siguió como de costumbre hasta que un día del año 334 d. C., mientras hacia una partida de caza junto a sus hijos Cregan y Jeor, Jon fue envestido por un oso arrancando su pierna haciendo que se desangrara. Jeor trato de salvar a su padre, pero las bajas temperaturas y la cantidad de sangre que empezó a perder provocaron que Jon entrase en estado de shock y muriera en presencia de sus hijos con 51 años de edad.

Ygritte quedo sumida en una profunda tristeza al perder a su esposo y seis años después ella acabaría muriendo en extrañas circunstancias. Ambos fueron enterrados en el cementerio de los Stark.

Ygritte: La joven pelirroja siempre vivió entre los salvajes siendo una ruda y experta arquera, pero Ygritte sabía que las condiciones no eran favorables amaba cazar, pero la comida era escasa y las pieles todavía mas.

La suerte le sonrío a Ygritte cuando en una casería conoció al joven Jon Targaryen, el hijo ilegitimo de Rhaegar Targaryen y Lyanna Stark. Jon quedo maravillado con la belleza de Ygritte y su fuerte temperamento, Ygritte también sintió atracción por el joven de solo 16 años pareciéndole bello su rostro. La salvaje le ofreció al joven una noche de placer a cambio de comida, pero el pequeño lobo le ofreció casarse con ella y vivir en Invernalia como su esposa, a lo que Ygritte acepto con tal de tener una vida cómoda.

Jon con la ayuda de Jeor Mormont hicieron pasar a Ygritte como una hija ilegitima del comandante con una meretriz antes de unirse a la Guardia de la Noche. El joven Stark llevo a la pelirroja al Bosque de Dioses donde se casaron de manera privada solo con la presencia de Samwell Tarly y Edd “El penas”. Jon e Ygritte se presentaron ante Eddard Stark y la madre de Jon, Lyanna Stark afirmando que estaban enamorados y se habían casado en presencia de los Antiguos Dioses. Lyanna Stark no estaba conforme debido a que no le convencía el origen de la joven, pero acabo aceptando el matrimonio por la felicidad de su hijo y pronto se celebro una boda formal donde asistieron algunos miembros de casas vasallas.

El matrimonio fue algo tumultuoso en un principio debido al carácter fuerte y desordenado de Ygritte, pero la pareja logro llevar una unión solida, apasionada y divertida al compartir ambos el amor por el combate y la caza. Ygritte quedo embarazada un año después de casarse, alumbrando a un niño llamado Jeor en honor al Viejo Oso. Cada dos o tres años Ygritte alumbraba a mas hijos teniendo en total trece hijos: Irrla, Johann, Daeron, Raya, Sarra, Samwell, Brereton, Cregan y Cecily; Ygritte dio a luz dos niños muertos y uno falleció una hora después de nacer.

La personalidad de Ygritte cambio ligeramente con la maternidad siendo una madre protectora y algo dominante en especial con sus hijos. La vida de Ygritte siguió como siempre al lado de su familia y la caza hasta que en el año 334 d. C., falleció su marido Jon Eddard siendo una pena para ella ya que estaba muy enamorada de el. A la muerte de Jon, Ygritte se refugio en la caza y en sus hijos en especial en su hija, Cecily que fue su paño de lagrimas y su mayor consuelo hasta que su hija falleció en el año 339 d. C., aumentando mas la pena de Ygritte.

Un día del año 340 d. C., el cuerpo de Lady Ygritte fue encontrado cerca del Muro en ropas poco apropiadas para el fuerte invierno que azotaba. Se dice que murió de hipotermia o de un paro cardiaco por la pena de perder a su esposo e hija. Ygritte fue enterrada con 60 años de edad al lado de Jon Ned y sus hijos que habían fallecido en ese entonces.

[memecucker]

something i noticed with the ASOIAF prequel books is that GRRM seems to intentionally avoid giving historical characters the exact same first and last names as major characters and especially POV characters with the exception of the name “Brandon Stark” (tbf there should actually be way more Brans given how old the Stark family as and how it’d established to be a favorite name) and the Targaryens generally speaking (though notably there are only two other “Daenerys Targeryn”s mentioned so far and one of those died in childhood and the other is mentioned as being who Daenerys the major character is named after).

The barring those cases the most notable exception is how Fire and Blood makes a big deal out of the martial prowess and ferocity of “Samwell Tarly” also known as “Samwell the Savage” and was one of the most brutal fighters and commanders of his day who would cut down dozens of enemy soldiers in battle while his whole form was drenched in their blood and his terrifying savageness in combat against enemies of the realm is the reason why the Tarlys are considered a prominent house of the Reach after being richly rewarded by the crown. I like that, especially since the “in universe” author of Fire and Blood has this tone of “Ok yeah we all know that Samwell Tarly is the name of a blood soaked insane badass warrior”

[jackoshadows]

One of the reasons for why I love Jon Snow in the books is because I find him to be the character who adheres closest to values I find admirable. IMO, Character traits like being broad-minded, intelligent and loyal tend to be more attractive in a character rather than than say good looks or good manners. Jon is selfless and honorable - to a certain extent. He can be pragmatic and bend the rules if necessary.

Jon Snow stands out as the only leader/main character in the series whose central narrative theme is about unifying people against a common threat. This is underscored by GRRM sending him off to the wall at the start of the books and Jeor Mormont telling Jon Snow:

When dead men coming hunting in the night, do you think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne -  Jon Snow, AGoT

With this in mind, we see Jon continually grow as a character from book one to book five gradually killing the boy to let the man be born.

When we first see him at the wall, he’s a bit of a privileged brat and offended by the other recruits. But after Donal Nye sets him straight, he uses his education and knowledge to help the other kids in the NW. Jon grew up otherizing the Wildlings and saw them as people to be kept on the other side of the wall. He then spends a lot of time with them and comes to see them as  human beings same as him and the rest of Westeros.  He wants his childhood desire of being Lord of Winterfell, but understands that he swore an oath to the NW and his job is to defend the realm.

There are two quotes that embody Jon Snow best in the books:

‘You know nothing, Jon Snow’ – First used by Ygritte to educate Jon Snow on his ignorance about Wildlings and then later used by Lord Commander Jon Snow to remind himself that he still has a lot to learn even as a leader of men. A take on Socrates ‘I know that I know nothing’ – a humble acknowledgment that even the best leaders are not experts but human beings who can mistakes.

‘We look up at the same stars and see such different things’  - Jon is able to understand that two people can see the same thing and have such different opinions and that their opinions are colored by their upbringing and situation. As someone who has to unite people against a common threat, this is an important understanding that Jon has earned – this could be why he is a damn good negotiator in the books, earning praise from even Stannis. 

Jon is able to acknowledge these important little lessons because he is at heart a fundamentally good person. We see this in how he treats characters who are disadvantaged and mistreated by Westeros society.  These are not big moments but small character relationships that highlight how Jon Snow often stands out in thinking differently to a majority of Westeros.

Jon Snow as a child comforting Arya when she comes crying to him about being a possible bastard because of her looks. Imagine how much this would have hurt? But he loves Arya enough to put aside his own hurt feelings to reassure her.

Once he gets to know Tyrion personally and differentiates him from the rest of the Lannisters, Jon is quickly able to see past appearances and Westerosi prejudices and considers Tyrion a friend:

He ran back to the common hall , where he found Tyrion Lannister just finishing his meal. He grabbed the little man under the arms, hoisted him up in the air, and spun him around in a circle. “Bran is going to live!” he whooped. - Jon, AGoT

Asks Tyrion to comfort and help Bran in whatever way possible. This is in contrast to Robb’s immediate dislike and distrust of Tyrion. Jon judges a person based on their actions.

“Thank you, my lord of Lannister.” He pulled off his glove and offered his bare hand. “Friend.”

Tyrion found himself oddly touched. “Most of my kin are bastards,” he said with a wry smile, “but you’re the first I’ve had to friend.” - Tyrion, AGoT

Realizes how Sam Tarly is ill equipped to fight, figures out what Sam is best suited to do, talks to Maester Aemon about it and arranges for Sam to work for the Maester instead.

Appoints Satin Flowers, a former male prostitute from OldTown as his steward despite opposition from his bigoted department heads. And he does this, because once again, he judges based on a person’s actions and skills, rather than on the labels society places on them

“My Lord, the boy’s a whore...a...dare I say... a painted catamite from the brothels of Old Town”

“What he was in Oldtown is none of our concern. He’s quick to learn and very clever. The other recruits started out despising him, but he won them over and made friends of them all. He’s fearless in a fight and can even read and write after a fashion. He should be capable of fetching me my meals and saddling my horse, don’t you think?”

“Most like,” said Bowen Marsh, stony-faced, “but the men do not like it. Traditionally the lord commander’s squires are lads of good birth being groomed for command. Does my lord believe the men of the Night’s Watch would ever follow a whore into battle?”

Jon’s temper flashed. “They have followed worse. The Old Bear left a few cautionary notes about certain of the men, for his successor. We have a cook at the Shadow Tower who was fond of raping septas. He burned a seven-pointed star into his flesh for every one he claimed. His left arm is stars from wrist to elbow, and stars mark his calves as well. At Eastwatch we have a man who set his father’s house afire and barred the door. His entire family burned to death, all nine. Whatever Satin may have done in Oldtown, he is our brother now, and he will be my squire.”

Jon appoints Leathers of the Freefolk as his Master-at-arms once again, against objections from the likes of Cellador and Bowen

Bowen: Is it true that you mean to replace Emmett with this savage Leathers as our master-at-arms? That is an office most oft reserved for knights, or rangers at the least.

Jon: Leathers is savage. I can attest to that. I've tried him in the practice yard. He's as dangerous with a stone axe as most knights are with castle-forged steel. I grant you, he is not as patient as I'd like, and some of the boys are terrified of him ... but that's not all for the bad. One day they'll find themselves in a real fight, and a certain familiarity with terror will serve them well

The Freefolk women: Jon sees them as capable and equal in all ways to the men. He sends Val off all alone to find Tormund. He garrisons Long Barrow fully with Spearwives, entrusting them to defend that castle and the wall.

And we find that Jon is hungry for knowledge, and in his spare time he learns the Old Tongue from Leathers so that he can communicate with the giant Wun-Wun. He is always reading the books Maester Aemon left him, conducting science experiments on wights and even thinks of building a green house on the Gift to grow food. Once again, Jon acknowledges the importance of learning that he picked up from characters like Aemon, Sam and Tyrion.

I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind.. and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” Tyrion tapped the leather cover of the book. “That’s why I read so much, Jon Snow.”  - Tyrion, AGoT

There’s a reason for why Jon’s so good at what he does. Look at the people from whom he learns – Ned Stark, Tyrion Lannister, Jeor Mormont, Donal Noye, Qhorin Half-hand, Maester Aemon, Samwell Tarly, Mance Raydar, Stannis Baratheon etc. Every one of these men gives him a tidbit of information that he ends up using in the books.

Jon is very astute and has a deep understanding of the way the North and people in general work:

"The free folk despise kneelers," he had warned Stannis. "Let them keep their pride, and they will love you better." Soon or late, however, Tormund Giantsbane would assault the Wall again, and when that hour came Jon wondered whose side Stannis's new-made subjects would choose. You can give them land and mercy, but the free folk choose their own kings. - Jon, ADwD

Early on he advises Stannis to go with the Umbers instead of the Karstarks. Later we see his advice hold true as the Karstarks betray Stannis while Mors Crowfood allies with him. He also advises Stannis to approach Manderly – a decision that once again works out right. He explains to Stannis in clear detail how to approach the mountain clans for help

 “And they will fight for me, you believe?”

“If you ask them.”

“Why should I beg for what is owed me?”

“Ask, I said, not beg.” Jon pulled back his hand. “It is no good sending messages. Your Grace will need to go to them yourself. Eat their bread and salt, drink their ale, listen to their pipers, praise the beauty of their daughters and the courage of their sons, and you’ll have their swords. The clans have not seen a king since Torrhen Stark bent his knee. Your coming does them honor. Command them to fight for you, and they will look at one another and say, ‘Who is this man? He is no king of mine.’ ”

In a way, it makes sense that Jon tries to see the humanity of people, tries to teach them, weeds out talent and designates based on merit and skillset – he works with the lowest of the lowest. He’s the military head of a group of outlaws, murderers, rapists, bigots, smallfolk with no education or access to education. He has to be able to see beyond labels to get this ragtag bunch ready to face an apocalyptic threat.

Contrast this Jon Snow to Jaime Lannister in AFfC who hangs some outlaws in the Riverlands and then proudly calls himself ‘Goldenhand the Just’ for meting out ‘justice’, failing to even acknowledge that those hungry outlaws were created by his war – a war that started because of his incestuous adultery.

To conclude, Jon Snow ending an 8000 year old feud between the north and the freefolk, bringing them over to this side of the wall, including them in the realms of men, making real alliances between old Northern houses and the freefolk epitomizes what Jon Snow stands for as a character in the books.

There’s a reason for why GRRM describes Jon Snow thus:

Jon Snow is the truest character--I like his sense of realism and the way he copes with his bastardy.

[ao3feed-geralt-jaskier]

by Ghost_wolf2002

Jaskier is an omega, his husband doesn't make that much money and he grew up in a rather poor area in Westeros, his alpha doesn't even love him like he used to do, and he ends up becoming abusive and rude, Ramsay doesn't make legal money like he probably should, in fact, he works for the Bolton's crime family, so that puts Jaskier in even more danger, Jaskier decides to get dragged along by his beta friend, Margaery Tyrell, to a party in downtown Winterfell for an evening with the Starks and Vengerbergs, and it doesn't really go as well as you would expect it to.

Words: 1020, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Series: Part 1 of Of Chains and Ice

Fandoms: Game of Thrones (TV), Wiedźmin | The Witcher - All Media Types

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con, Underage

Categories: Other

Characters: Sansa Stark, Jon Snow, Arya Stark, Jaime Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Robb Stark, Brienne of Tarth, Tyrion Lannister, Ned Stark, Cersei Lannister, Theon Greyjoy, Gendry Waters, Bran Stark, Sandor Clegane, Margaery Tyrell, Catelyn Tully Stark, Petyr Baelish, Rickon Stark, Davos Seaworth, Joffrey Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, Robert Baratheon, Ramsay Bolton, Tywin Lannister, Lyanna Stark, Samwell Tarly, Rhaegar Targaryen, Tormund Giantsbane, Loras Tyrell, Jaskier | Dandelion, "Savage Sam" Tarly, Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia, The Hansa | Geralt's Company (The Witcher), Eskel (The Witcher), Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of Vengerberg, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy, Triss Merigold, Nymeria (ASoIaF), Roach (The Witcher), Lambert (The Witcher), Iorveth (The Witcher), Vernon Roche, Emhyr var Emreis, Other Wiedźmin | The Witcher Character(s)

Relationships: Jon Snow/Sansa Stark, Jaime Lannister/Brienne of Tarth, Arya Stark/Gendry Waters, Jon Snow/Daenerys Targaryen, Catelyn Stark/Ned Stark, Sansa Stark/Margaery Tyrell, Cersei Lannister/Jaime Lannister, Petyr Baelish/Sansa Stark, Theon Greyjoy/Robb Stark, Lyanna Stark/Rhaegar Targaryen, Jon Snow/Robb Stark, Renly Baratheon/Loras Tyrell, Theon Greyjoy/Sansa Stark, Jon Snow/Ygritte, Arya Stark & Sansa Stark, Khal Drogo/Daenerys Targaryen, Tommen Baratheon/Margaery Tyrell, Joffrey Baratheon/Bran Stark, Arya Stark & Bran Stark, Joffrey Baratheon & Tommen Baratheon, Jaskier | Dandelion/Oberyn Martell, Oberyn Martell/Loras Tyrell, Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier | Dandelion, Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Sansa Stark, Daenerys Targaryen/Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of Vengerberg, Renfri | Shrike & Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of Vengerberg, Jaskier | Dandelion & Renfri | Shrike, Philippa Eilhart/Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of Vengerberg, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon & Jon Snow, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon/Jon Snow, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon & Jaskier | Dandelion, Jaskier | Dandelion & Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy, Dettlaff van der Eretein/Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy, Dettlaff van der Eretein/Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia, Anna Henrietta | Anarietta & Syanna | Rhenawedd, Anna Henrietta | Anarietta/Dettlaff van der Eretein, Dettlaff van der Eretein/Syanna | Rhenawedd, Jon Snow & Loras Tyrell, Robb Stark/Jeyne Westerling, Theon Greyjoy & Robb Stark, Ramsay Bolton/Robb Stark, Ramsay Bolton/Jon Snow

Additional Tags: Lesbian Margaery Tyrell, Past Jon Snow/Daenerys Targaryen, Political Jon Snow, Protective Robb Stark, Modern Westeros, Minor Jaime Lannister/Brienne of Tarth, Jon Snow and the Starks Are Not Related, Kings Landing, Joffrey Baratheon is His Own Warning, Ramsay is His Own Warning, Jaime Lannister Has Issues, Happy Cersei, BAMF Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow Knows Something, Pregnancy, Romance, Italian Mafia, Good Parent Ned Stark, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Crime Boss Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia, Drugs, Narcotics, Substance Abuse, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Child Abuse, Slow Build, Porn, Suicide, Arranged Marriage, Marriage Proposal, Family, LGBTQ Themes, Boys Kissing, Kissing, Explicit Sexual Content, Canon-Typical Violence, Sexual Violence, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst, Abuse, Cuddling & Snuggling, Loss, Polyamory, Idiots in Love, I'm Sorry, Religion, Blood and Injury, Major Character Injury, Injury Recovery, Jealousy, Threesome, Sexual Tension, Awkward Tension, Trauma, Childhood Trauma, Psychological Trauma, Torture, Organized Crime, Crimes & Criminals, References to Drugs, Unplanned Pregnancy, Wealth, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics