hearkenedsouls

[hearkenedsouls]

Despite the perils of their situation, and Anne's previous gloomy mood, a quiet breath of laughter escaped her at Benjamin's unfinished question. He certainly was providing quite the distraction; she did not recall a time where he had dared to entertain such a scandalous conversation with her before.

"Children are not conceived through sleep, Benjamin. Surely you know that much?" she teased him, smiling reassuringly as he once again offered his apologies. It was always painful, the reminders of her lost babies, but time had dulled some of the hurt...as had the new life growing in her womb. A hand lifted momentarily from the reins to press against her lower stomach; was there now a gentle swell, or was it only her imagination?

Her gaze flickered over to him, amused at the implication behind his words. Her husband had his moments, but she couldn't say she disagreed with Benjamin's judgement - his company was often intolerable. "I am glad to hear so. I feared many people remained displeased to have a Spanish queen." Even after years of living in France, it seemed her birthplace would never be forgotten.

A frown furrowed her brow at the memories of Rochefort - even before his attack, she had found him unbearable - but she shook her head at Benjamin's words. "I am glad you were not," she reassured him. "Louis would never have believed that his dear First Minister laid his hands on me...and I would have lost you." There was no doubt in Anne's mind that the King would have swallowed up whatever obscene lie Rochefort gave in explanation.

Before Benjamin could latch onto the palace quip, Anne felt the need to confess about her marriage bed, and he snapped his head in her direction, startled. "Oh, but...you had a son," he feebly pointed out. "Surely, he...?" Trailing off -- such matters were not appropriate to discuss, welcomed or not -- he exhaled, apologetic. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "I swear my aim was to amuse you, not dredge up painful memories."

At her question, he was quick to reassure, "The knights never had anything negative to say about you -- I promise. Unlike your husband, you were actually pleasant to be around."

Anne waved off his apology, seemingly unbothered. She spoke instead of Rochefort, and Benjamin listened with a twisting sensation in his stomach.

"I'm so very glad you were able to fend him off," he replied. "I'm sorry I wasn't there... I seem to recall Rochefort requesting a private audience that day, and that neither of you were to be disturbed under any circumstances, and..." He exhaled, visible disgust bleeding into his face. "Well, if I had known, let's just say he would've lost both eyes that day."

#honorhearted #;the spanish queen #tw child loss #tw miscarriage #//yesss she is!!! there's also an episode where she insists on going out and helping the poor even though there's threats to her life #//and another time everyone is begging her to stay safe in the palace but nope off she goes to the jail to pardon some prisoners XD #//poor ben having to deal with the stress of a stubborn queen risking her life all the flipping time XD

[hearkenedsouls]

"I have yet to be provided with a palace," she pointed out, with a twitch of her lips. "Although, under the circumstances, I would be willing to reconsider my judgement if I'm still alive by the week's end."

An eyebrow quipped upwards at his unexpected comment about the recently departed King, but her curiosity was piqued. "Is that so? I never slept beside him. He could barely stand to be in my company for more than a few minutes," she admitted, impassively. Theirs had always been marriage of duty, of convenience, and whatever fondness that initially existed between them had quickly disappeared. Evidently, a few minutes was all it took to conceive. "What did the guards say about me, I wonder?"

Waving away Benjamin's apology, she offered him a faint, reassuring smile. "No, please. I appreciate the distraction," she replied. If she did not make light of their situation, she was concerned that she wouldn't be able to fight off the tears any longer.

Urging her horse into a slow walk, her smile grew at Benjamin's surprise. "It was more instinct than skill," she admitted. "Rochefort tried to force himself upon me, and a fork was all I could reach to defend myself. I was lucky I made contact with his eye, as it seemed he learnt his lesson after that," she informed him, her face tightening. Despite the unpleasant memories, it was rather freeing to talk about it, at last; Louis would never have believed that his adored First Minister had laid his hands on her.

Benjamin grinned in spite of himself. "Am I truly that bad of a husband? Of course, I've never been told otherwise, so I suppose it must be true... Next time I seek to get falsely married, I'll look into honing my craft."

Anne's remark was unsurprising. Royalty, no matter how kind in her case, tended to be more delicate and unaccustomed to the harsher aspects of life. Still, he couldn't help but quip, "Truly? Your husband's guards used to complain about him being a nose-whistler. Are you saying you were able to garner restful sleep with that beside you?"

Oh... Stiffening at his blunder, Benjamin wondered if quips about her departed husband were even welcome. The king was scarcely cold and in the ground (or likely in his case, with his head upon a pike), and mouth growing dry, he apologized, "I'm sorry, I...should not make sport in a time such as this. I suppose I merely wished to serve as a distraction. Forgive me."

Mercifully, the queen seemed intent on their travels. After fetching their few supplies, he followed Anne out into the courtyard towards their mounts.

"A weapon would be a good idea," he affirmed. "If we get separated, it'll be a comfort to know you'll at least have something to defend yourself." Arching a brow, he looked her way with mounting surprise. "Are you saying you are responsible for Rochefort's eye?"

Anne flashed him a beatific smile in return, and stunned, Benjamin watched her mount her own horse without his assistance. She was certainly full of surprises...

"Uh...well, remind me to never say anything untoward while we're dining," he quipped. "I can't believe someone who looks as you do would go right for the eye."

Chuckling in spite of himself, Benjamin hoisted himself up onto his own mount and took hold of the reins. Curious, he added, "Where did you learn such methods, anyway? Surely, not from your perch in the palace?"

#honorhearted #;the spanish queen #//near the end of season 2 i think!! #//yeah i've been equally distracted with watching turn but i will get back into it at some point :')

[hearkenedsouls]

twilight fancast (1/?)  the olympic coven

Bella Swan played by Katherine Langford Edward Cullen played by Benjamin Wadsworth Renesmee Cullen played by Danielle Rose Russell Emmett Cullen played by Wolfgang Novogratz Esme Cullen played by Emilia Clarke Carlisle Cullen played by Jamie Dornan Alice Cullen played by Amanda Arcuri Rosalie Hale played by Florence Pugh and Jasper Hale played by Josh Whitehouse

#;photos #;mirror #;the loving vampire #//i want an alt fc for esme but idk whoooo #queued

[hearkenedsouls]

Despite her glumness, Benjamin's quip brought a small smile to her lips, and she tugged uncomfortably on the sleeves of a dress. "I'm in a bad mood because I'm stuck with you as my husband," she retorted, teasingly. "But, as it happens, the dress isn't helping matters either," she wrinkled her nose at the coarseness of the material against her skin. Certainly, not fit for a Queen...but that was the point, she supposed.

"Good. I am not sure I can say the same," she admitted. Anne was accustomed to long nights dozing on soft down mattresses under dozens of rich furs, and lazy afternoon siestas in the summer, when the heat grew too strong. At least Benjamin would have his wit's about him.

She was pleased when he agreed with their direction, although her expression clouded as he warned of the dangers. "Perhaps I should carry a weapon," she suggested, as they walked out towards the courtyard, where their borrowed horses were waiting. "I'm rather apt with a knife. Did you ever wonder why Rochefort suddenly started wearing an eye patch? Although, I do believe I used a fork in that instance," she flashed Benjamin a smile, which grew when she considered that - in all likelihood - that monster was now among the dead. Unless, of course, he was behind the attack in the first place...

Effortlessly, she mounted the horse and settled the reins comfortably in her hands. The creature did not compare to her own dear horses, but she seemed to have a sweet enough temperament.

The night was not a kind one. Benjamin barely slept; any noise, no matter how miniscule, roused him from his attempts at slumber and drew him upright, his hand already upon his saber. Despite his paranoia, no one came for them -- no one even truly disturbed them, save for the rowdy drinkers down below -- so by the time he awoke mere hours later, he felt much like a husk.

Once he and Anne were reunited, it seemed that she felt much the same way. Glum-faced and droopy-eyed, she inquired of his sleep, and Benjamin had to smile. "Come now," he couldn't help but tease. "Don't tell me you're already in a bad mood because of having to dress like a commoner. Is it truly so bad?"

His jest, though genuine, was also a way to enliven himself. At present, Anne was the only thing keeping him from returning to the confines of his bed.

"I've slept better," he affirmed, "but I also require very little rest to function -- least especially in such trying times, madam."

The Spanish border, unsurprisingly, was Anne's goal; hopefully no one else would have a similar line of thinking. "As you wish," Benjamin agreed. "So long as we keep to our story, we should be able to blend in relatively easily...my only concerns are the back paths and woods. There are plenty of places there for concealment.."

#honorhearted #//rochefort is the first minister of france btw and in the series anne stabbed him in the eye when he tried it on with her x) #//you go girl #;the spanish queen

[hearkenedsouls]

Anne was apt at listening to the hidden meaning, the words unspoken in a sentence, but Mark was hardly subtle in his jibe. A sense of warmth settled within the pit of her stomach; did he think Louis had made a foolish decision? It was too much to hope that such an honoured guest would be one of her silent supporters.

And yet, his question only fuelled her belief that perhaps she had an ally here, after all.

"Nobody has asked me that," she admitted, with a wry smile. "I am coping about as well as you would expect." It was rather freeing to speak so honestly...for what did it matter now? Soon, it seemed, she would no longer be Queen. "Perhaps I will be permitted to return to Spain...I fear I do not have the ah - temperament for the sisterhood."

❝ ——— 𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 give her a faint smile, one that mostly showed sympathy. It was a fraught time for the French monarchy. He knew that in England, most Queen's retired to nunneries. For a woman so beautiful... that would be a dreadful shame.

Mark was surprised by her words and the rise of his brows clearly showed it, his smile becoming more genuine. ❝ I admit your husband's timing was... surprising to us all. A lack of heirs can bring a man to make foolish decisions. It is not a problem we have in my family. ❞ It was well known he had nine living siblings, many now married with large families of their own.

❝ How are you coping? ❞

#iomamuise #;the spanish queen #//nah anne you can't be a nun #//too much waste of dat booty XD

[hearkenedsouls]

As they rode closer to the palace, he looked at Eskel with a skeptical expression. Not that he was against killing - he'd had more than his fair share of battles - but he would never dream of paying someone else to complete his dirty work. He did not even have an executioner.

"I see," his disapproval was clear, but he didn't recant his invitation. Really, it mattered little what life was like before Narnia - everyone returned a different person after their visit. His expression lightened at Eskel's question, and he couldn't help but smile as he imagined Aslan as one of his advisors. That would certainly be helpful!

"Aslan is the creator," he explained, his tone soft yet serious. "He created Narnia; all of the lands and oceans, and each of the talking beasts. He crowned me King."

The gates were open as the patrol returned to the courtyard, and Caspian easily dismounted - handing the reins of his horse to a waiting stableboy, affectionately squeezing the boy's shoulder in thanks.

"Come on, let us discover what this strangeness is between us," he encouraged, glancing over his shoulder to ensure Eskel was following, as he took the stairs two at a time in to the palace.

Eskel wanted to make sure that his time here was worth it, and since this weird magical pull made him little more than a puppet who followed the attractive man, he would stay for a while.

The instant thought wasn't "Who's Aslan?", it was "Forever." to the question of how long he would stay. Maybe he'd re-enter the Continent after decades, only that time wouldn't have passed there. This would be a whole new experience for him and made Eskel feel a little anxious. He was a mutant, he would grow old, way older than any human would. Undisturbed, a Witcher could live for hundreds of years. If it was their fate to live that long, since most didn't get older than hundred-somethings.

"You know, assassin makes it sound sneaky, like poison in a chalice ... but I basically lay the target wherever it meets me."

He tried to make it sound that he really just hunted monsters, but it was as he said. He would kill a man or two in his career for coin or even his own morals. And he better never tell that man that there's been a time where Eskel was so angry at the world and humankind that he killed whole bunches of vagabonds and burned villages to the ground.

These times were far behind him now.

"So, who's that Aslan? Is he your adviser?" Eskel asked.

They were so close now that Eskel could make out even more details and he hoped he would enter the castle with Caspian. For some reason it made his heart ache very profoundly thinking of a possible farewell.

#eskelwolf #;the seafaring king

[hearkenedsouls]

A flicker of concern crossed her features at Penelope's admittance, and her lips pursed thoughtfully. What could her father have done? Truthfully, she did not know him well - he was always so busy, she barely spent more than a few minutes in his company each day and even less alone.

"I see," she swallowed faintly, before she allowed her shoulders to raise in small shrug. "Well, my father is perfectly capable of looking after himself. Perhaps he has his own plan in action," she suggested, absentmindedly. Her expression softened at Penelope's assurance, and she returned the squeeze of her hands. "Of course, I could never think badly of you due to the actions of your mother," she paused, for a moment.

"Are you - are you content to be marrying me?" she queried, with uncharacteristic hesitancy. "There is no-one else you would prefer...?" not that Anne had much influence over her father, but it would be deeply upsetting if this arrangement stopped Penelope from being with her true love.

Penelope frowned and looked down at their joined hands "I doubt they had anything close to offer to dissuade a match with a king or prince. I am afraid knowing my mother there may be something more nefarious at play and I am most sorry for anything she has done to make this match" her mother was a shrewd woman who would do what she had to in order to claw her way up the pecking order, and a daughter that would one day be Queen consort was an honor no one else would have.

She squeezed the other's hands before looking her in the eye once more "I promise to matter what it is my mother has done I had no part in it. I was only told of this match once it had been made official by your father" it would kill her if Anne thought less of her for this, when she would do all she could to ensure the other woman would be happy.

#bcbliophile #;the spanish queen

[hearkenedsouls]

"Indeed," her own smile turned softer, and she felt decidedly relieved. Out of all her potential suitors, there had been many that Anne was either fearful of or quite disgusted by - men several decades older than her, with evident disregard for women. But with Penelope, she felt she had a genuine chance of happiness.

The question wasn't unexpected, but she had rather hoped that Penelope would have been able to answer it for her. With a faintly apologetic smile, she shook her head.

"I am afraid not. My father made it very clear that his decision was not up for discussion. I must admit I was a little surprised...I do not mean that unkindly, but I have had kings and princes and lords seek my hand. Powerful men who would have been beneficial to the country. Is there anything, perhaps, your mother and father would have offered mine?"

"I think that if we both want the same things and support one another there is no reason we both shouldn't get what we want then" the redhead smiled warmly as she returned the squeeze of her hands. She felt better after speaking to her, less afraid what what this union would bring. "I'm an excellent listener, even when I am writing so you will never need to fear me trying to quiet you."

She also knew what it was like to have to bite your tongue, to make yourself small to please your parents and she would never ask that of her. "May I ask you something?" Something she had been wondering since her mother told her about the engagement.

"Do you know why I was chosen over the hundreds of others who were offered for your hand?"

#bcbliophile #;the spanish queen #//definitely blackmail xD

[hearkenedsouls]

Ah, that was better. A soft smile tugged at the Princess' lips, and she squeezed their joint hands encouragingly as Penelope seemed to answer her questions honestly, openly, rather than being afraid of such directness. A promising start.

"I am sure you will be able to keep writing, I do not see why that would have to change," she assured her. "I desire much the same as you," she admitted, "someone who will listen to me, who will allow me to speak my mind and not try to silence my voice." She was so used to having to bite her tongue and follow her father's orders, she could not bear if she had to do the same in her own marriage.

As for love, well, that was certainly desirable. Would that develop between them? Only time would tell, she supposed.

She really wasted no time it would seem, then again it wasn't as if they would have a long engagement and these questions were fair. They were things she herself wanted to know about her partner, but hadn't known how to ask. Taking a moment to really think over her reply she took a breath, what did she want in a partner?

"If I am to be honest, I want a partner-- someone who will listen to me and tell me their own hopes and dreams, their fears and lean on me for support as I would for them. In a perfect world I would like someone who loves me or at least could come to and allow me to keep writing so long as it doesn't interfere with my duties as a wife. I suppose that is what I hope for in this union as well. What about you, Anne?"

Her last question made her eyes go a little wide, she didn't know what would make her happy in a marriage, as she had never thought on it before now. "Just be yourself" the redhead finally managed after a moment.

#bcbliophile #;the spanish queen

[hearkenedsouls]

A faint laugh escaped the King at Riven's words, and he slapped him on the back companionably. "I shall do my best," he grinned, before nodding towards the glimmer of sea below the castle. "Will you accompany me? The ship is almost finished, I want to see the progress they have made. I am anticipating that we can begin the voyage a fortnight hence."

@hearkenedsouls | continued from here

He’d dealt with monarchs in the past that just had their own agenda and were cruel about it. Back home his friend Stella’s mother was Queen and one of the most twisted people he knew. Given she had used magic to bind her daughter painfully to the school and had order another friends death. Caspian though, really seemed like he cared for the people he presided over. “Good, don’t fuck it up.” Riven laughed a little.

#acourtcfmuses #v: voyage of the dawntreader #;the seafaring king

[hearkenedsouls]

The King finally tore his tear-filled eyes away from the skies as he listened to the owl speak, and a faint frown crossed his features at the talk of the prophecy. Who was this creature, to arrive uninvited onto his balcony and speak of such things? He almost sounded like...but no, Aslan had long forsaken him.

He had not lost everyone. He still had friends, loyal servants, his knights...but he would have traded them all in a heartbeat for the lives of his wife and son.

"I have lost too much," he responded, his voice despondent. "But I do not wish to speak of this. Please leave me," he repeated, again. There were very few he wished to speak to these days; he relied more and more on his second-in-command to continue the ruling of his kingdom.

Aslan raised his eyes to the sky along with Caspian who looked like he was still looking for his late wife, hoping to find her there. However, Lilliandil didn't lived in these skies anymore, but had found home in Aslan's Country where they would reunite one day.

"No word has been lost from the Prophecy that you were once told," the owl spoke up again, as a gently reminder, and Aslan looked at Caspian again. This was that balcony where they had had that talk, where Aslan had told him that a new Power of Evil would rise, that families would be torn apart -- and exactly this had happened during the reign of the Green Mist and now the Green Witch destroyed Caspian's family as well.

And Aslan had promised he would be there with them in the battle. He was there indeed, as he didn't leave them when they had to fight the sea serpent. Also, Aslan had been working on Eustace, because that he had once become a dragon was not without purpose. He needed this to finally be able to walk on Aslan's Path, thereby making him ready for the journey that was yet to come. For he would be the child - with Jill Pole - who would save Prince Rilian and bring him back.

And Aslan knew it.

"You have not lost everyone you love. You just need to have faith."

#fatherofnarnia #;the seafaring king #queued #tw death #//aww yes his faith is definitely lost at the moment

[hearkenedsouls]

She eyed her with amusement, but does not disagree further - it hardly matters whether she was asleep or not, after all. "It is never safe to remain in one area for long, while travelling. We do not have the safety of the palace walls out here," she explained, softly. "But there is no imminent threat."

@hearkenedsouls | continued from here

"It's not lying so much as it is bending the truth. My eyes were closed admittedly, but that does not meant that I was asleep." Rosaline has definitely been asleep and had already coughed discreetly into her sleeve to wipe any offending drool away. "Not safe? How so your Majesty?"

#acourtcfmuses #;the spanish queen #queued

[hearkenedsouls]

"Perhaps not," she agreed, with mild amusement. But that was one of the reasons why she sought out his company - it was different, refreshing. Out of all those at court, she felt that Kilian would not be afraid to speak the truth to her when she needed to hear it.

Linking their arms together, she stepped forwards through the double doors - feeling more like she was marching into battle than into a ballroom. "I do appreciate your company," she reiterated. "I did not want to face this alone," she admitted, in a soft voice. It was the first official engagement since the King's death.

@hearkenedsouls | continued from here

“I’m clearly not the most refined for this sort of role your Majesty.” The pirate admitted, because he didn’t know how to act at these things. The fancy clothes were entirely itchy and as the Queen pointed out, he was a bit of a grump. Especially in these kinds of situations because he didn’t know what to expect.

He sighed though, because while a pirate and a scoundrel, he was a gentleman when he wanted to be and it seemed he was going to this thing. “Fine lass, let’s get this over with aye?”

#acourtcfmuses #;the spanish queen #queued

[hearkenedsouls]

"It will take some time, but they'll change...and you'll adjust too," she assured her, squeezing her shoulders tenderly. "The golden becomes rather pretty, I think." Her smile faded somewhat at Gabriella's question, and she pursed her lips thoughtfully - considering her answer. She'd explained the circumstances that led to Carlisle changing her, of course, but she'd not gone into all the details.

"Not really," she admitted. "I had...other concerns, when I was first changed," she didn't mind talking about it, but she also didn't want to take the focus away from Gabriella. "Do you need to feed? I can come with you."

hearkenedsouls:

"It'll be better in a few weeks, when your eyes change," she assured her, with a faint smile. The red was a little disconcerting. "But it's still you, look!" and she tenderly brushed Gabriella's hair over her shoulder as the two vampire women stood next to each other, gazing upon the mirror. "Just a little more sturdy."

Gabriella couldn't move her gaze away from the mirror no matter how hard she tried. The was a familiarity to the woman looking back at her: she looked like her ... but she wasn't her - not with those brilliant crimson gaze staring back at her. Gabriella had known, of course, this was to happen upon being turned into a vampire, though she didn't realize how uneasy seeing herself like this was going to make her feel.

"I know, I just-- ..." Gabriella paused herself to properly choose her words. Already her mind was running impossibly fast than she'd never thought possible. "I didn't realize the red eyes would make me feel so ... different ... look so different." She leaned a little closer into the mirror, pale fingers gingerly brushing under her eyes. Oh, how Gabriella wished they were already golden like her mother's ... "Was this how you felt when you first changed, Mum?"

@hearkenedsouls

#rosefromdeath #;the loving vampire #queued

[hearkenedsouls]

"Mmm, yes. Although I doubt we can avoid them forever," she warned him, smiling softly at the kiss. They'd received a letter from Aro a day or so before their wedding, congratulating them on their union and saying how he was very much looking forward to meeting the new Mrs Cullen. From anyone else, it wouldn't have seemed like a veiled threat.

@hearkenedsouls | continued from here

As she grasped his hand tightly, he brought it up to the back of his lips. It was easy to forget that he had centuries of experiences more than Esme. Getting to be with her for these firsts, experiencing everything again fresh through his wife’s eyes was a marvel he’d never expected. “Forgive me, I forget. I'm glad to experience this with you. We’re going to avoid Italy though, I do not wish to deal with the Volturi.”

#acourtcfmuses #;the loving vampire #queued

[hearkenedsouls]

North. Yes, far away from the southern coast and the reminders of France. The more he thought about it, the more desirable it became - when was the last time they had weeks alone together?

"Hills, or a woodland? Perhaps we could go to Wales. Or is that too far?" he mused, a lightness returning to his gaze, as he grazed the back of her hand with his lips.

❝ ——— 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 to have to persuade him more before he agreed to her idea. Pleasantly surprised, the Penvenen squeezed at his hand, a smile tugging at her lips.

❝ Wherever you wish, my love. We could go somewhere quiet, perhaps north? Would you like to be by the sea or surrounded by hills? I have no care for where we are as long as you are comfortable. ❞

#iomamuise #;the kind hearted doctor #//cries so cute

[hearkenedsouls]

"I am not intending for my father to find out," she admitted, with an amused smile. "I am sure I can persuade our chaperone that it is in the best interest for all of us if he remains unaware," she informed her, confidently.

She listened attentively, but she was a touch disappointed at the banality of her responses. She supposed it was to be expected, but she wanted to really know her betrothed. Her hopes and fears for the future, her desires and secrets. Perhaps they were not the topics to discuss on their first meeting alone, but Anne was not discouraged.

"I want to know what your hopes are for our union. What qualities would you seek in your husband or wife, if you had the freedom to choose?" she paused for a moment, considering. Really, what she most wanted to know was...

"How can I make you happy?"

Penelope jogged slightly to keep up with the princess as she lead them through the shrubbery and flowers to her hiding spot. Slightly winded she laughed, glad they had managed to out pace the chaperone and their plan had worked. Not that it had taken much, the maid was rather old and she did feel bad about that.

She followed Anne's tugging and sat next to her, returning the gentle hand squeezing she offered her. "It took far less than I thought it would-- won't your father be cross with us?" She supposed it wasn't as scandalous as if one of them had been a man, but still they were to be married in a weeks time.

"What would you like to know?" The redhead asked, returning the smile with a soft one. She herself didn't think shed was interesting, she spent most of her days reading or when the weather was nice walking the gardens. "I have two older sisters and one younger, I'm the last to wed-- and I greatly enjoy reading. What about you?"

#bcbliophile #;the spanish queen #//lol anne you could just ask her about her favourite colour