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ladydreamfyre · 3 months

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Just because I'm bored, I sometimes go back to old leaks about season 2 of HOTD. I found the two I used to be most interested in and compared them with each other. I found them both on Reddit. One was released in February 2023 and the other in April of the same year. Here are the conclusions:

1. Rhaenyra vs Daemon

The first one says that Rhaenyra and Daemon will argue about actions taken during the war, which ends with Daemon slapping her in the face.

The second describes Rhaenyra over a table with a map of Westeros. Rhaenys and Daemon are with her. Daemon states that he has told Rhaenyra many times to send assassins to Aegon and Aemond, but she has refused each time. Rhaenys replies that they would be cowards if they attacked Alicent's sons in such a manner. Rhaenyra agrees with her and says that she would rather Aegon and Aemond die in battle than in the Red Keep. Rhaenyra also adds that it would have been better if Helaena had married Jacaerys. At which Daemon insults Helaena with ugly words, Rhaenyra tries to silence him, but Daemon continues by claiming that as long as Aegon's son lives the succession crisis will continue. Rhaenyra responds that killing the child is a low act and that they would be better off taking Jaehaera hostage until the Greens agree that the little princess should marry Joffrey and Aegon gives the throne to Rhaenyra. Rhaenys agrees with this idea. Daemon, on the other hand, is against it and insults Jaehaera. Rhaenyra is angry with Daemon and tells them both to leave, addressing Daemon that they will discuss the matter later.

Both leaks indicate that Rhaenyra and Daemon will come into conflict. The latest leak also indicates that Daemon will use some form of physical violence against Rhaenyra, again.

The second leak is very informative, and when I remembered it now I realised that a similar scene was shown in the last teaser.

In the picture we see Rhaenyra over the map, Daemon and Rhaenys, but also Ser Erryk. Rhaenys looks like she's looking at someone, so there may be someone else with them. Nevertheless, the discussion described could still happen in this teaser scene between the three.

2. Aegon and Helaena

The first leak describes Aegon at a meeting of the Small Council, attended by Otto and Tyland Lannister, among others. The men are discussing among themselves, while Aegon sits quietly with his hands on the table. They are discussing the death of Lucerys. Suddenly a guard appears and announces that the Queen (Helaena) needs urgent attention. Aegon says "If Aemond can kill one puppy, we can kill more", then apologises and leaves. Aegon then goes to see Helaena, who is with Alicent. Helaena faints, reaching out her hand to Aegon, and he catches her. Alicent informs Aegon that Helaena is pregnant.

The second leak describes a similar situation, only starting with what happened earlier. Helaena is in the chamber along with Alicent, the twins and the maester. The maester informs Alicent that Helaena is pregnant. Helaena smiles and says to Alicent that she wished she had been the first to know and that she would have told Aegon the news. Alicent is nevertheless concerned as she wonders what will happen if a boy is born. Helaena replies that she wouldn't mind another boy, but Aegon would prefer a girl, as Jaehaera is his favourite child. Alicent then tells the guard to summon Aegon to the chambers so she can tell him the news. Then a scene similar to the one in the first leak is described. We see Aegon at a meeting of the Small Council, playing with glass of wine. The council members discuss matters of trade amongst themselves, including Tyland Lannister, but Aegon replies that for all the extra money they should hold a tournament and that he would rather ride his dragon Sunfyre than attend a meeting. Criston Cole then appears and informs Aegon that he is expected in his chambers. Tyland Lannister jokes and says that apparently Queen Helaena needs urgent attention.

It seems that Maelor had not yet been born at that time. There is no description of him being in the chamber with Helaena and Alicent next to Jaehaerys and Jaehaera.

We also see Aegon interested in his wife, and we also learn that Jaehaera is his favorite child, so Aegon needs to spend time with his children to be able to determine who he likes more. Although this does not mean that he does not love his son. Maybe he prefers his daughter because she is not the heir to the throne? Aegon didn't have a good relationship with Viserys, maybe that's why he doesn't know how to deal with his son. Or maybe little Jaehaera reminds him of sweet and innocent Helaena? I leave this to everyone's own interpretation.

Most importantly, the description of Aegon's participation in the Small Council closely matches the scene from the teaser.

We see someone with his hands on the table, playing with a ball. There seems to be a cup next to him? Additionally, this person's outfit matches Aegon's outfit in another scene when he sits on the Iron Throne.

“Aegon sits quietly with his hands on the table.”

“We see Aegon at a meeting of the Small Council, playing with a glass of wine.”

In the photo we see hands on the table and probably a glass of wine next to the person. Which fits the descriptions I mentioned earlier from both leaks. It seems that the things described in both leaks may be accurate to some extent. And that's very interesting.

3. Blood and Cheese

Blood and Cheese was only described in the first leak, but it connects to the scene described in the second one, which I wrote about at the beginning. The leak informs us that the entire event will take place in the middle of the night. Helaena will be with her children in some aisle and they will talk. Suddenly Helaena hears voices and starts calling for Aegon and Aemond. When Blood shows up, Helaena grabs her children and starts running. However, Blood stops her and grabs her by the hair, while Chees rips Jaehaerys from her arms. Blood tells Helaena to give them Jaehaera or he will rape them both, but Helaena refuses. Cheese tells Blood to let it go because they have a boy and that's enough. As they leave, Helaena screams and her children cry. Cheese wants to run away with the boy in his arms, but Blood slits little Jaehaerys' throat. Helaena and Jaehaera scream. It also says "Cheese doubts before running."

Now I will not consider the event itself, why they decided to change it and so on (if this version is true). Let's focus on relating this version to the conversation between Rhaenyra, Rhaenys and Daemon.

“Daemon continues by claiming that as long as Aegon's son lives the succession crisis will continue. Rhaenyra responds that killing the child is a low act and that they would be better off taking Jaehaera hostage until the Greens agree that the little princess should marry Joffrey and Aegon gives the throne to Rhaenyra. Rhaenys agrees with this idea. Daemon, on the other hand, is against it and insults Jaehaera. Rhaenyra is angry with Daemon and tells them both to leave, addressing Daemon that they will discuss the matter later.”

“Cheese doubts before running”.

“Blood tells Helaena to give them Jaehaera or he will rape them both, but Helaena refuses. Cheese tells Blood to let it go because they have a boy and that's enough.”

What I will describe now is my own theory, which does not necessarily have to be true. Just speculation regarding the information mentioned above.

It appears that Rhaenyra was involved in renting Blood and Cheese as well as Daemon. However, they both had different goals. It is possible that Rhaenyra actually wanted to kidnap Jaehaera to hold her hostage, and maybe even kidnap Jaehaerys, if possible, to keep the Greens in her grasp. If we assume that Rhaenyra's target was only Jaehaera, it would explain why Blood insisted that Helaena give her to them. However, Cheese, seeing that Helaena was adamant and having Jaehaerys in his arms, quickly calculated that the boy was definitely a better option, so he says that it will be enough.

It is also said that Cheese wants to run away with the boy he was holding in his arms. So he probably didn't want to hurt him at that moment, or he didn't want to hurt him at all and deliver him to Rhaenyra safe and sound. However, Blood has other plans, he kills the boy and runs away. "Cheese doubts before running." Is this an indication that Cheese was surprised by Blood's action?

Now, my theory. Blood and Cheese were hired by Rhaenyra and Daemon, but it was Daemon who used Mysaria to find suitable candidates for the job. Rhaenyra just applauded. Kidnappers are kidnappers, if Daemon chose them it means they were good at their craft. Rhaenyra orders them to kidnap Jaehaera. However, Daemon has other plans, which only Blood informs about. He secretly tells Blood to kill Jaehaerys, and maybe even Jaehaera. I wouldn't be surprised if he also ordered him to rape Helaena and her daughter, especially since he had previously insulted them in leaks. So we have Cheese, who was going to follow Rhaenyra's orders, and Blood, who was initiated by Daemon and was going to kill the little prince, and maybe the princess.

Again, I leave it up to your interpretation.

An interesting thing is that, according to the leak, Helaena was supposed to be in the aisle during the attack. Where was she going with her children? Was she returning from Alicent? Or maybe she was just going to her, like in the book? In the book, Blood and Cheese attacked Helaena and her children in Alicent's chambers, where they were waiting for them. It's different here. Will Helaena be walking through the halls with her children and then they will be attacked? Or maybe she wasn't coming back from Alicent but from Otto? In the book, Helaena took often the children to Viserys, but this is not the case in the series. Viserys ignored Helaena, but Otto clearly had a good relationship with her. Maybe Helaena took her children to Otto, who told them stories, just like Viserys did in the book?

There is a scene of Helaena with one of the attackers in the teaser, but you can't see where she is in the background. The image is blurry.

Maybe Helaena is in some chamber and I'm misinterpreting the word "aisle". You'll have to forgive me, English is not my native language. Despite everything, this word was used in the leak.

4. Daeron the Daring

And finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, He.

In the first leak, we have information that Daeron will make his screen debut in Oldtown with Ormund and Garmund Hightower. Daeron and Ormund plan to travel to King's Landing to return Daeron to his family. Daeron says he can fly there on his dragon to greet Aemond and Vhagar.

The second leak describes a conversation between Aegon and Aemond, in which Aegon states that he is glad that for once their mother's anger is not directed at him, but at Aemond (referring to what Aemond did to Luke). Aemond is not happy about this comment. Aegon sees this and feels bad for saying it and tries to comfort Aemond by stating that Alicent's anger will eventually pass, as Aemond and Daeron are her favorite sons and Helaena is her favorite child. In turn, Aemond replies that Aegon is their mother's favorite child, to which Aegon does not answer. Aemond changes the topic of the conversation by saying that Daeron will arrive soon and that Alicent will forget what Aemond did.

In both leaks, we have confirmation of Daeron's existence in the series. Which is very optimistic. I know a lot has been said about Daeron, and most people seem to think that he won't be in the series at all or that he won't appear until season 3. However, let's focus on the optimistic version that Daeron, according to these leaks, will appear in season 2, one way or another.

Summary

Both leaks mention a few other things, but I decided to choose the most interesting ones. Interestingly, it is impossible not to notice that both of them overlap to a greater or lesser extent. It is likely that they come from one source, but different people had access to more or less details. Or they subjectively chose what might be the most interesting for us. I returned to them several times over the months until I finally decided to compare and combine them. Long post, but I hope it was entertaining for you. The closer we get to the premiere of season 2, the longer the days get. That's why I'm coming to you with this piece of information. Maybe you have your own thoughts or know more than me. I encourage you to refer to this.

I'm not saying everything here is true. Maybe it's all a lie. I don't know the exact sources of this information, I'm just quoting what I once found on Reddit. Some of you have probably heard about it. Think of it as fun. Let's hope that season 2 will be better than all the leaks that have appeared in recent months and that they will really surprise us with something good. Hopefully.

Let’s stay together because...

The Night Is Dark And Full Of Terrors.

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emilystheories · 1 year

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The Throne of Glass world no longer exists.

It was destroyed by the Asteri to create Midgard.

[Spoilers for Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, and Crescent City]

Many thousands of years ago, and prior to the Asteri's invasion of Midgard, there existed another civilisation. Part of this civilisation lived in a place called Parthos.

More specifically, when asked what the Crescent City world was before the Asteri's reign, Tharion noted that "ancient humans and their gods dwelled here."

An exact description of the Throne of Glass world.

Interestingly, despite the Crescent City books mentioning other continents (such as Pangera), readers are only given a map of Lunathion.

This is particularly strange, as all other SJM books have provided a full world map.

So, why would this be hidden for Crescent City...?

As such, I theorise that Midgard is actually the Throne of Glass world; hence why a full map has not yet been revealed.

Thus, I believe that following the events of Kingdom of Ash, some years later, the Asteri showed up and destroyed their world. The result of this was the creation of Midgard, and subsequently Lunathion - the world Bryce inhabits today.

The Timeline.

Evidently, this theory suggests that the timeline between the ACOTAR, CC and TOG worlds are not simultaneous, but rather that Throne of Glass occurred in the past - many thousands of years ago.

When considering this possibility, some rebut that this cannot be possible, as Aelin fell through worlds - right past Velaris and Lunathion. However, there is nothing to suggest that Aelin didn't also fall through time.

In fact, there are a multitude of hints throughout the various SJM books to suggest that time travel, or time manipulation, is indeed possible:

When the Asteri lured people into Midgard, it is said they offered a hand through "space and time."

The Harp, when used, can transport people through "space and eons." In fact, the 26th string is time itself - but what happens when a full melody is played?

Merrill straight up suggests that all of the worlds overlap - sharing the same space, but are separated by time. Almost as if it suggests that ACOTAR, CC and TOG are in the same 'world,' but manifestations of differing time periods; the past (TOG), the present (ACOTAR), and the future (CC).

Most importantly, when Bryce lands in Prythian, she starts to wonder if she had travelled in time; or, if this new world occupies a different time period (the exact concept that Merrill just suggested...)

Further, in her most recent interview, SJM was asked whether time travel would play a part in future books. SJM mysteriously replied, "no spoilers."

Thus, if this theory is correct, and Throne of Glass is indeed set in the past, then it is perhaps no coincidence that "Midgard" is the Norse name for "Earth."

And that "Terrasen" means "Old Earth."

Parthos.

As previously mentioned, a portion of the civilisation that used to inhabit Midgard (and as this theory suggests, the TOG characters) resided in an ancient city called Parthos.

As readers, we are first offered a glimpse of Parthos when Apollion takes Bryce to a "dream world" - a landscape in which the Great Library of Parthos used to be.

When in this dream world, Bryce notes that what remains of Parthos is a "DUSTY plain."

Interestingly, in the ACOTAR world, the Bone Carver mentioned that the world he (and his siblings) came from is now nothing more than "DUST drifting across a plain."

As the Bone Carver mentions this, Feyre notes that he draws three interlocking circles into the ground.

This is the exact symbol of Bryce's Archesian necklace - which is also the symbol of Parthos.

If this theory is correct, then the Bone Carver originated from Parthos - from the Throne of Glass world.

Considering the similarities between the Bone Carver and the Sin Eater (the absent God-like being in the TOG world who quite literally carved bones, and was known as the 'God of Truth')... it makes perfect sense.

However, the most telling clue of all, that connects everything together, is this;

Knowing that Parthos is referred to as a "dusty" plain, consider Rowan's words to Aelin:

"I love you. There is no limit to what I can give to you, no time I need. Even when this world is a FORGOTTEN WHISPER OF DUST between the stars, I will love you."

Why would the world Aelin and Rowan inhabit ever turn into a "forgotten whisper of dust"? Just like Parthos?

Because IT IS Parthos.

It is the world the Asteri destroyed to create Midgard.

Asteri Archives.

As even further proof, recall that when Bryce entered the Asteri's archive rooms at the end of CC2, she found notes on how Midgard came to be.

These notes stated that the "indigenous life was not sustainable" for the Asteri.

If this theory is correct, this suggests that the "indigenous" lives were the Throne of Glass humans, and that they did not possess enough magic (or first-light) to feed the Asteri.

We already know this is true, as it was a similar problem that the Valg previously faced.

Additionally, on the exact same page of the notes that detail the Asteri's invasion of Midgard, there is a sketch of both a wolf shifter, and a mer.

The wolf shifters and the mer are the two species confirmed to be the Throne of Glass fae.

So, it begs the question; why were the Throne of Glass fae explicitly mentioned on the Asteri's Midgard (pre-colonisation) notes...?

The Southern Continent.

If Midgard is built on the ruins of the Throne of Glass world, then I believe that Lunathion is situated on the Southern Continent (the setting of the TOG book, Tower of Dawn).

More specifically, as Lunathion is said to be modelled after an "ancient city," I believe it is modelled after the famed Southern Continent City - Antica.

In Tower of Dawn, Antica is described as a city surrounded by a wall, lined with "olive groves" and "wheat farms" bordering the city.

Lunathion is described in the exact same way:

Further, both Lunathion and Antica have "arid" climates:

Lunathion:

Antica:

And, most notably, both are surrounded by deserts; a unique geographical feature that is not prominently featured in other SJM settings.

As such, this suggests that the lost library of Parthos, is the Torre Cesme.

Perhaps the most sacred building in the entirety of the Throne of Glass world, the Torre Cesme is home to a huge library - one that is said to be the oldest.

In the present day, Jesiba Roga guards the remaining books that were once held in the library of Parthos (or, in the Torre Cesme library).

Prior to the end of CC1, Jesiba kept these books locked away in her store, Griffin Antiquities. Interestingly, a set of "glaring owl eyes" had been placed on the store to Jesiba's shop.

Owl's are the symbol of Silba, and the healers of the Torre Cesme.

Further, considering that Yrene's healing abilities are the exact same as Bryce's Starborn powers - could this explain why Jesiba looked like she had "seen a ghost" when she first beheld Bryce's Starborn light?

Such a notion makes even more sense when you consider that Hypaxia's tutor was brought back to life using necromancy, and was originally an inhabitant of Parthos.

Hypaxia states that this tutor specifically trained her in healing magic; just like the healers of the Torre Cesme.

In fact, the scene of Hypaxia removing the Kristallos venom is near identical to Yrene removing the Valg parasite from Chaol:

Lidia Cervos.

Speaking of necromancy, knowing that Hypaxia's family dabbles in such magic calls into question the identify of Lidia, Hypaxia's half-sister.

Is she Aelin Galathynius, brought back to life?

Or, perhaps she is a child of Aelin and Rowan, brought back to life?

Not only do Lidia and Aelin look near identical,

Not only is Lidia represented by flame (Aelin's power),

But her shifted form is that of a deer; that sacred animal of Terrasen. Even her last name "Cervos" is a type of female deer.

Lidia is also seen wearing a "gold ring, crowned with a square, clean-cut ruby." This is the exact description of the ring Aelin have to Rowan when they married.

Further, Ruhn also suggests that Lidia must be an Asteri, or as old as one, given the way she uses language. However, as Lidia is only 47, this makes no sense.

However, it makes perfect sense if Ruhn is actually talking to Aelin, or Aelin's child; someone who, according to this theory, existed many thousands of years ago.

(And, as a side note - given that Lidia looks like the "spitting image" of Luna, and that Luna's sacred animal is the Stag... could it be that Luna is Aelin? And that Lunathion was named after her?)

Connections.

Is it then perhaps no coincidence that one of the houses of Lunathion is the "House of Flame and Shadow." Aelin was known as the "Queen of Flame and Shadow."

In fact, Throne of Glass being the past world of Crescent City explains a plethora of connections:

The "Stag King" of Avallen.

Ruhn being named after the Ruhnn mountains.

Why so many CC places sound like TOG places (Morrah = Morath, Korinth = Orynth).

The witches worshipping the same "three-faced goddess."

Why wyrdmarks can be found everywhere (especially underwater, where some of the ruins of the "ancient civilisation" are said to lie).

It also explains the "World of Throne of Glass" book, which to this day, mysteriously remains unpublished.

According to SJM, the World of Throne of Glass is an "encyclopedia" that documents the full history of the Throne of Glass world. Written by a "grumpy librarian," SJM stated that it will "feel like a book you can pull off the shelves of an ancient library."

It's almost as if the World of Throne of Glass is a Parthos book in itself...

Is that why it remains unreleased?

Future books.

If this theory is correct, some may wonder how SJM could possibly include TOG characters if they are indeed dead.

I believe there are two viable options:

The "rewrite history" route:

In a future multiverse book series, the main characters of CC and ACOTAR would team up, and using the Harp/Horn (or perhaps the full power of the Dread Trove), they would go back in time. In doing so, they would join forces with the TOG characters, and stop the Asteri from ever overthrowing their world.

If successful, it would mean that the Dusk Court was never destroyed. At present, Bryce is hinted to be the ruler of this court... but it doesn't exist (and there isn't a lot of time to rebuild an entire city). However, if time manipulation was used... no rebuilding would be necessary.

It would also explain why the Oracle told Ruhn that the "royal bloodline will end" with him - as Midgard would never be created, the same applies for the Autumn King's reign.

The "escape" route:

Alternatively, perhaps when the Asteri arrived in the TOG world, some of the main characters were able to escape into other worlds - such as Prythian.

This would explain why so many of the characters in the ACOTAR and TOG worlds share many similarities (for example, Tamlin as the ancestor of Aedion and Lysandra...)

This would also explain why so many of the ACOTAR character's last names have been hidden from the reader.

Some characters may have escaped elsewhere too, such as Hel...

(^ This is more of a crack theory, but there's only two characters in the SJM universe who have "freakishly" blue eyes, can shape shift into any form they choose, and have powers that manifest as cold...)

However, no matter the method of saving the world, or storyline adopted, Aelin said it best herself:

"This world will be saved and remade by the dreamers."

#sjm theory #sjm crossover #sjm multiverse #acotar #acotar theory #crescent city theory #throne of glass #aelin galythinius #feyre #rhysand #bryce quinlan #azriel acotar #cassian acotar #azriel #sarah j maas #crescent city

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mllemaenad · 8 months

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Mizora's smug little dance over the rescue of Wyll's father is interesting.

The first thing to note is that she really, truly meant to kill Ulder. She timed her arrival to the moment of his liberation, and she explicitly told Wyll "this is what you wanted". She wanted that to be the last thing Ulder heard. She wanted him to die believing his son is a monster. And she wanted Wyll to have to live with that. The cruelty is the point.

The fallout of her failure to actually kill him illustrates two things:

First of all - she really has lost. Because now? Wyll does not have a contract. Mizora has a contract, to ensure that Ulder dies by his enemy's hand. There's nothing to say Wyll can't intervene to protect him, or that his friends can't, or that Ulder himself can't be kept fully apprised of the situation and take measures to protect himself.

That isn't to say there's a guarantee that he'll survive her, of course. But Ulder is a politician and soldier, and Wyll hunts monsters. "Something nasty is trying to kill us" is not a new situation for either of them. It goes on the Problems List, but it's not earth shattering.

But Mizora ... oh, she can smugly "sub clause 73 part 2" to her heart's content. But they're all her sub clauses now. There are no consequences for Wyll anymore. But if Mizora fails in this? If Ulder dies an old man, of very natural causes, then what becomes of her? Her best case scenario is that her threats are revealed as toothless. But I bet that's not how it goes. I bet her boss will have things to say about it she very much will not like.

Which brings me to the second, sadder thing.

The Iron Throne mission was difficult, absolutely. But it was difficult because there were a lot of things going on, and a limited number of turns to handle them in. Mizora's arrival did not help, but she was far from the biggest problem in the place. More to the point: she was almost zero threat to Wyll's father. He was the first priority for the mission, and we had an escape route well and truly mapped out for him. He got teleported to the ladder immediately after Mizora arrived, and was in the submersible by the next turn. Ulder was never in any serious danger.

No, Mizora's damned spiders posed a threat to everyone else: mostly the Gondian hostages we were attempting to extract. These people had nothing to do with Mizora's nonsense, but they could still very much die for it.

Which ... looks like how it works. How was Mizora able to get her claws in Wyll in the first place? Because he was seventeen. Because his father wasn't there to protect him. Because he had no idea the city has a "break glass in case of fire" backup dragon. She is only able to attack the vulnerable.

A level 12 Wyll, with an army of powerful friends, no longer counts as vulnerable. His father, now fully informed, doesn't either. Who is most likely to suffer from Mizora's attempts to fulfill what is now very much her contract? The vulnerable.

Servants. Soldiers. Bystanders. Random people she will happily drop assassins and monsters on, in her effort to get her way. And that is what Wyll and his father will likely have to spend their lives fighting.

The cruelty is the point.

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 spoilers

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tokoyamisstuff · 7 months

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You get them a cat HC's

Featuring Mihawk, Shanks, Buggy and Kuro!

Warnings: None.

Notes: GN! Reader

A/N: I just needed to get this silly little idea out of my head!

"Oh? Well, I guess another one won't hurt."

Turns out his castle is a refuge for all kinds of animals. He's taking care of injured or abandoned beings of all sort.

Let's be honest, his personality has a lot of a feral cat as well. You find the similarities hilarious, while he still can't see it.

One time you walked in on him petting it - one of the rare occasions you ever saw him smile.

Loves when the cat sits on his lap while he's in his armchair by the fire, sipping on a glass of wine. An adorable image, and his favourite kind of self-care.

It will rub itself against his beard all the time. Who can blame it?

Needs at least one new outfit a week since the cat will always wreck the feather of his hat or scratch his leather clothes.

Talks to it with a way higher voice than usually, and yes, he does babytalk.

-><--><--><--><-

"Great idea! I actually thought about getting a mascot for the crew anyways."

This man is like a Disney Princess. Just gives off a vibe that makes an animal automatically love him.

Is pretty chill about standard annoying cat behavior. This pet will be misbehaving a lot since he just takes everything with a smile. Can't really be mad at all.

It will probably have a standard seat on his shoulder and loves hiding under his cape.

Always buys snacks when he's on land and even shares his meal with it.

Talks about the cat as if it's an actual person, and talks a lot. Literally his new bestie, you're almost jealous.

This animal has seen some shit. He'll definetly not go anywhere without it and do some weird party tricks when drunk.

Would protect it with his life, certainly.

Poor guy is actually a lil' bit allergic, but endures for your and it's sake.

-><--><--><--><-

"...fine. But if it goes anywhere near my stuff I'll throw it overboard!"

Will have a full blown rant about how cats are ungrateful and illoyal little shits.

Isn't actually an animal person in general. Especially cats and dogs are a little too fascinated with his nose for his liking - it looks like a toy, after all.

It follows him around despite his best efforts not to. He gets used to it quickly however and starts talking to it. It helps him get his thoughts in order, actually.

Lets you keep it in the end because this man just can't say no to any of your wishes. Won't admit it though, probably says it's because they're useful to catch mice on the ship or something.

Throws a tantrum at least once a day, especially when the cat got anywhere near his maps.

Unsuccessfully tries to teach it any tricks for them to participate in the circus.

Is often caught juggling for it and acts like the cat just happened to be there while he was practicing.

It's an open secret that he adores this animal. It's also the only one allowed to sit on his throne besides him.

-><--><--><--><-

"...what an astonishing creature, indeed."

It takes everything in this man to not drop the facade.

Wants to keep it so badly but hesistantly talks about hygiene and how the cat's presence may negatively affect Kaya's health.

He's actually the most skilled when it comes to properly train those stubborn creatures.

Anyways, he still will get scratched and hissed at. It breaks his heart.

Indulges it as good as he can. Only the best food, it's own room in the mansion and always new toys.

Always nerds out some biological or historical facts about those animals.

Loves to absentmindedly stroke it's fur whenever it sits on his lap. Looks like a Bond villain when doing so.

#one piece #buggy x reader #shanks x reader #mihawk x reader #kuro x reader #headcanons #writing #self insert #dracule mihawk #buggy d clown #shanks #captain kuro

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r1-jw-lover · 7 months

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Official John Wick Major Arcana tarot cards featuring Chapter 4 characters

Art by Julien Rico Jr, in collaboration with Lionsgate.

Sources: nerdsloveart, behance

Image descriptions below the cut:

[Start ID: 22 images featuring characters and locations from the movie "John Wick: Chapter 4" as Major Arcana tarot cards. The drawings are in black and white against a sandy beige background, and has plenty of circle motives. Roman numerals are at the top, their corresponding card title at the bottom, and the movie title "John Wick: Chapter 4" on the bottom left margin.

0: The number zero, or unnumbered, tarot card features Killa Harkan played by Scott Adkins as "The Fool". Killa is holding a 2 of spades between two fingers while giving a smug smile that shows off his set of golden teeth. He wears a ring on his right hand and the other hand is holding a stack of cards. Behind Killa is a minimalistic design resembling a casino token with details such as the diamond and clover symbols, as well as the numbers on the dice. In front of Killa is a table with two piling stacks of casino tokens, a gun, and the shadow of John Wick's head looming over a large portion of the table.

1: The number one tarot card features The Tracker or Mr. Nobody played by Shamier Anderson as "The Magician". Mr. Nobody has a smug expression on his face and is holding his rifle in a way that lets it rest slung over his shoulder. By his side is Mr. Nobody's Belgian Malinois. The backdrop consists of simplistic, grayish graphics of map vectors cropped into several circles of different sizes. There is a white-coloured infinity symbol on top of Mr. Nobody's head.

2: The number two tarot card features Rooney, aka The Ballerina, who first appeared in "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum", as "The High Priestess". Rooney's back is facing towards us as she's performing a ballet move on a circular stage. Rooney is wearing a white crown and a dress that shows the cross tattoo on her back. In the backdrop, where Rooney's face is looking towards, are curtains with the initials "JW" written on the far ends of the frame.

3: The number three tarot card features Katia played by Natalia Tena as "The Empress". With a cool expression on her face, Katia is leaning forward against a set of railings, giving off a domineering aura. Katia is wearing a metallic necklace and a cross on her neck. Behind Katia is the crest of the Ruska Roma and a line in Russian circling around it.

4: The number four tarot card features The Bowery King played by Laurence Fishburne as "The Emperor". The Bowery King is sitting on a throne, but behind him is a pair of eyes staring menacingly at us. In front of him is a logo design with the same pair of eyes, though rendered smaller and appear less menacing, with an X crossed in between and a horizontal line capping the top of the X. At the Bowery King's feet, a few pigeons are shown in the foreground while the Brooklyn Bridge appear in the background.

5: The number five tarot card features The Elder as "The Hierophant". Behind the Elder is an Islamic floral design which extends into a more geometrical pattern. Standing in the background are two of the Elder's men.

6: The number six tarot card features John and Helen Wick, played by Keanu Reeves and Bridget Moynahan, as "The Lovers". John and Helen are smiling brightly towards each other in front of a New York night cityscape backdrop, with the Empire States building separating them at the centre. Above John and Helen is a silhouette of them pressed against each other about to kiss in front of a bright sun with the Brooklyn bridge in the background.

7: The number seven tarot card features John Wick driving his 1971 Plymouth Barracuda as "The Chariot". There is a bullet mark on the front glass pane of John Wick's car. On top is a closeup of John Wick surrounded by a circle of road markings and bullet marks.

8: The number eight tarot card features Charon played by Lance Reddick as "Strength". On top of Charon's head is the infinity symbol, and behind is a design reminiscent of a timepiece neatly decorated with knives, guns and bullets in a circle. Further behind is a faded image of the reverse side of the Gold Coin. Filling the bottom of the frame is the New York cityscape backdrop illuminated by the sun.

9: The number nine tarot card features Caine played by Donnie Yen as "The Hermit". Caine wears sunglasses and is holding a cane in his left hand and a pistol in his right. Caine's head is illuminated by a circle of bright light, which is surrounded by a dimmer, slightly bigger circle with Japanese wave patterns and then large protruding rays of black. In the backdrop are two winding trees along with a city landscape of Osaka, but they are overshadowed by Caine's black rays.

10: The number ten tarot card features L’Arc de Triomphe as "The Wheel of Fortune". The location is illustrated in such a way that looks like a clock, with the monument at the centre and twelve roads leading towards it. Surrounding the Arc de Triomphe are the letters from John Wick's name arranged in the exact order of north-west, north-east, south-west, south-east, west, north, east and south directions.

11: The number eleven tarot card features The Harbinger played by Clancy Brown as "Justice". The whole illustration is framed as if the Harbinger is contained inside an hourglass, with a half-body portrait of the Harbinger at the top and a full-body silhouette of him forming at the bottom from the sand flowing downwards. Behind the Harbinger's portrait is the Latin quote, "si vis pacem, para bellum", whereas next to the Harbinger's silhouette is a crescent moon. Along the sides of the hourglass outside are two duel pistols facing opposite directions on each side.

12: The number twelve tarot card features Koji Shimazu played by Hiroyuki Sanada as "The Hanged Man". Except for his feet, Koji is portrayed as an vertically-inverted reflection of himself on a pool of water. Koji is holding a katana and his head is surrounded by a circle of dim light and a brighter, slightly larger circle made of Japanese wave patterns. As seen in the reflection, behind him are cherry blossom trees and the Osaka city landscape.

13: The number thirteen tarot card features John Wick, aka the Baba Yaga, played by Keanu Reeves as "Death". John Wick is holding a pair of nunchucks in his right hand. Behind John Wick is a city landscape of Osaka lighted by the moon while his head is surrounded by a row of skull pictograms and two rows of bullets. There is also an faded image of the reverse side of the Gold Coin behind John Wick.

14: The number fourteen tarot card features Winston played by Ian McShane as "Temperance". Winston is holding up a wine glass with a capital C labelled on it, and there are multiple swords projecting from his back like wings. Behind Winston is the hotel name "Continental" and numerous halos of various fonts and patterns, along with the cityscape of New York, with the Statue of Liberty and the Empire States building in sight.

15: The number fifteen tarot card features The Marquis, Vincent Bisset de Gramont, played by Bill Skarsgård as "The Devil". Behind the Marquis is his signature emblem with two black knives crossed behind his head. The emblem is surrounded by two rows of knives. In the background is the night cityscape of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in view, illuminated by a moon that is surrounded by a snake or serpent that's chasing its own tail.

16: The number sixteen tarot card features the New York Continental Hotel as "The Tower". The top floors of the Continental Hotel are being set on fire as the small dark silhouette of John Wick and the debris carried along fall from its rooftop.

17: The number seventeen tarot card features Akira played by Rina Sawayama as "The Star". Illuminating behind Akira is a star resembling a six-pointed shuriken with two Japanese stork paintings on its left and right, which is further surrounded by a circle of alternating arrow fletchings and four-pointed shuriken. Akira is holding a bow and arrow and standing tall as the bodies of two men lie dead around her. In the background are the branches of cherry blossom trees and the sun or moon shining behind Akira.

18: The number eighteen tarot card features John Wick's and Mr. Nobody's dogs as "The Moon". The two dogs are staring up at the crescent moon, which is shaped as if John Wick's head is covering portions of the full moon. Surrounding the crescent moon are small stars and a illustration of the cycle of the moon phases. The two dogs are sitting on a road leading into an ambiguous city landscape in the background.

19: The number nineteen tarot card features the Sacré-Coeur as "The Sun". The rays of the sun spread out far and wide as wisps of clouds drifts behind the giant church. A dark silhouette of John Wick can be seen on the top open window of the Sacré-Coeur.

20: The number twenty tarot card features Chidi played by Marko Zaror as "Judgement". Behind Chidi is the emblem of the Marquis with a black knife cutting across behind his head. Below Chidi are the High Table's heavily armoured soldiers who are backdropped by a big splatter of sandy beige.

21: The number twenty-one tarot card features John Wick as "The World". John Wick's back is facing towards us with his head glancing back, showing us his face. Overlayed on top of him is his surname "Wick" with the "I" replaced by a bright silhouette of a walking John Wick. A circle of bullets surrounds John Wick and bullet marks scatter around him as the emblems of the High Table, the Marquis, the Adjudicator, and the Gold Coin fill all four corners of the frame.

./End ID]

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shadowdaddies · 1 month

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It seems I'm going everywhere this spring. May I suggest some road trip headcannons from the TOG and/or ACOTARs group?

(whichever you prefer I love them all)

I'm so jealous, I need a trip lol. I went with TOG for this because they'd be so iconic to roadtrip with imo

Throne of Glass Roadtrip Headcanons

• Aelin plans the trip and insists on driving, only because she lied about where y’all are going and wants to surprise everyone

• She also only packed wine and chocolate for snacks

• Lorcan has packed enough to compensate for everything Aelin didn’t pack (and more)

• Aelin didn’t book a hotel or anywhere to stay, but you’ll be fine because she “knows a guy” literally everywhere you go

• Rowan is riding shotgun at first, but he keeps trying to give Aelin directions with Google Maps so she makes him switch seats with Fenrys

• Fenrys is moved up to shotgun for his superior DJ skills, which even get Manon singing along

• Rowan is frustrated at first that he got moved to the backseat, but eventually gives up and falls asleep for the rest of the ride

• Dorian is watching TikToks on his phone way too loud and showing you all of the funniest ones (he’ll eventually run out of battery and realize he forgot a charger. Manon has one but lies and says she doesn’t so that she doesn’t have to listen to it anymore)

• Aedion starts complaining that snacks aren’t sufficient and we need to stop for real food, and Gavriel agrees

• Manon finds a Waffle House on the route and Aelin agrees to stop there, but Dorian and Lysandra want to go somewhere nicer to eat (they’re overruled)

• Aelin and/or Manon start a fight at Waffle House (but Lysandra is the one who kicks ass)

• You arrive at Aelin’s friend’s house where you are all staying, and it’s way nicer than you all expected

• Lorcan doesn’t trust it and says he won’t stay there, until Elide convinces him it’ll be fine

• It would be the nicest vacation you’d ever been on, and it’s really best if you don't ask Aelin questions about how she pulled it off

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netherworldpost · 5 months

Text

Hello (pours a glass of root beer) I am feeling things. And writing this post in a method I used to use frequently about

(vague gesture)

Many years ago. Moving on.

Let’s talk about @gothiccharmschool . Do you know about Jillian?

Do you know Jillian?

(sotto voce) If so you are a damn lucky person who has had an illuminating force in your life.

I first stumbled into the orbit of Jillian Venters maybe a decade ago or longer. It’s been an experience, these years, and the number doesn’t matter. The point I want to make is Jillian Venters has helped me and countless others through so much and asked for absolutely nothing in return.

I have asked her so many questions at random times in varying states, personal and professional, and lately I have been going through archives to prepare for larger projects. So many memories.

(why are larger projects always so dependent on archives IT TAKES SO MUCH FEEELING TO GO THROUGH THEM)

And have come across old posts of Jillian offering advice — to myself, to young goths younger than myself, to everyone and anyone with Questions and Confusion and Needing A Map to place they don’t know if it actually exists but by the moon they pray it does because only there can ever be found

Answers.

Here is a convenient archive of hers on her website.

Here is her full post and here is the link

And here is the Mamushka!

Jillian Venters: you are moonlight lace and midnight grace and you so often remind vampires to use napkins (they have blood on their face). Of all the wonders in this world, you are of royal, vampiric, witchcraft designation of the highest, pinkest and blackest, fluffiest throne.

May your tomorrows be better than todays.

You deserve every pleasant thing and joy in this world.

Cheers my fellows.

Tonight we toast Jillian Venters of Gothic Charm School.

#jillian venters #gothiccharmschool

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skyler-reads28 · 9 months

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The Erilea Map 🗡️🦌🐉

#book blog #book blogger #booklr #books of tumblr #readers of tumblr #book lover #book reccs #reading #book #book challenge #book maps #throne of glass #erilea map #throne of glass series #sjm #sjm multiverse

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bardicfrustration · 2 years

Text

Spice o Life

“Eddie?”

“Yeah sweets?”

“Why is there pepper in your room?”

“Hm?” He finally looks up and follows where your pointing to a lone pepper shaker sitting atop his dresser. “Oh!”

“I know you like to eat in bed, but like, seems a bit messy Eddie, even for you-“

“No no no, babe. Listen. It’s for dnd.”

You squint at him. “Are you like, making the boys take a shot for every missed roll? That’s a bit cruel even for you.”

He throws his head back with a laugh, “No, but I should that sounds like a riot. Naw, this is for making maps. Here, watch.” He gestures for you to sit with him on the floor, stretching to grab the pepper and his crusty composition notebook of campaign ideas.

Once you’re settled next to him and the notebook is spread open on the floor, he unscrews the shaker and pours it out with wild abandon along the lined page. Eddie’s tongue is plump over his lip as he focuses on carving and outlines around the mounds and hills of spice with his pen. He looks delicious while hes working at something.

He finishes with a flourish that scatters pepper all over the page and the lines he had marked.

“Fuck. Well, then we juuuust...” He picks up the notebook and tries to delicately pour it back into the glass, but you watch it fall like dark snow into his carpet. The room already smells like spice, which is an upgrade from stale beers and old cigarettes. “Viola!” He brandishes the page to you, his brand new masterpiece.

“A mysterious new land full of danger and treasure for our adventurers to explore!” He grins with that spark in his eye that you know means that he’s proud of himself. You want to remind him that he should be, but he’s never been good at taking a sincere compliment. You focus on something else.

“Our adventurers?” You raise an eyebrow and lean in close.

He blushes, “Well. I mean- It’s just a figure of speech.”

You hum and look up at him from under your lashes, “Hm. Too bad. Sounds nice, ruling by your side.”

His eyes flicker between your eyes and your lips, the teasing always riling him up and making him shy.

“EDWARD! WHERE’S THE DAMN PEP-oh.” Wayne chooses the perfect moment to open the door. He nods apologetically, “My bad. Eddie, pepper?” He holds a hand out.

Eddie groans and tosses it over, and Wayne catches it. “Sorry, Wayne.”

“No, no. You kids have, uh, fun.”

“Wayne.” Eddie flushes a delightful shade of red.

“Stay safe, use protection.” He’s grinning as he’s turning to leave.

“WAYNE!”

You’re giggling while the door shuts and Eddie covers his face with his hands. He flops back onto the floor, and you follow suit to lie on his chest, peeking between his fingers to catch his eye.

“That was cute.” You say.

“That was embarrassing,” He combats.

“He’s family, that’s what he’s there for.” You tangle your hands with his to drag them away from his cheeks. “Plus, its kinda embarrassing for him to come to your room for table condiments.”

Eddie gasps in offence, “It’s for the campaign!”

“Ok, dungeon master.”

“Ooh, I like when you call me that.” He leans down for a kiss, but you pull back before your lips can touch.

“Only if I can sit on the throne.”

“Baby,” He steals a peck, “you can have my whole kingdom.”

#eddie munson #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson fic #eddie munson x reader fluff #my writing #based on the picture of his room that was goin around #and everyone in the replies was like. girl why is there pepper #and my bestie was like oh! for making maps #her brain is so huge and so is eddies. hot girl shit #anyway. uh. have fun

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fanficapologist · 3 months

Text

Of Dragons and Maelstroms

Themes and Warnings: slow burn, enemies to lovers, blood, violence, explicit language, sexual violence, period-typical misogyny, sexual themes, smut, tension, marriage, jealousy, pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, attempted sexual assault, breastfeeding, major character death, divergent timelines

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the House of The Dragon/Fire & Blood/Game of Thrones characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used nor do I claim to own them.

Chapter Sixty-Three

As twilight descended over the Red Keep, casting long shadows through the stained glass windows of the Small Council Chambers, the room took on a serene yet somber atmosphere. The flickering light of torches and the warm glow of candle flames danced across the polished wooden table at the center of the chamber, casting fleeting shadows on the faces of those gathered. The table itself was strewn with maps, scrolls, and various parchments, evidence of the weighty matters discussed within these walls.

The air was heavy with the scent of parchment and ink, mingling with the faint aroma of the lavender-scented candles that adorned the room. The walls, adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of Westerosi history and heraldry, seemed to come alive in the fading light, their intricate details illuminated by the dying embers of the day. The chairs surrounding the table were occupied by members of the Small Council, their expressions grave as they discussed matters of state and strategy in hushed tones.

At the head of the table, King Aegon sat with his Conqueror's Crown resting heavily upon his brow, his expression a mixture of frustration and weariness. His hand propped up his head as he listened to the debate unfold before him. Lord Otto, the Hand of the King, sat to Aegon’s immediate right and was at forefront of the discussion, his voice firm and commanding as he laid out his arguments. On the opposite side of the table, the Master of Ships, Ser Tyland Lannister leaned forward in his seat, his words sharp and decisive. Beside him, Lord Jasper Wylde, Maera's father and Master of Laws, offered his own insights, his voice measured but firm as he defended his positions.

In the midst of the debate, the Master of Whispers, Lord Larys, sat back in his chair, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the proceedings. His lips remained sealed, but his gaze spoke volumes as he observed the interactions between the council members. Across from him, Maester Orwyle engaged in a quiet conversation with the dowager Queen Alicent, who sat two empty seats away from her father, the Hand.

Two additional seats were arranged at the end of the table, closest to the entrance of the chambers. The first was occupied by young Prince Daeron, his youthful features twisted into a scowl as he drummed his fingers impatiently against the polished wooden surface of the table. His presence indicated that the matters being discussed were of utmost importance, though his demeanor suggested a lack of enthusiasm for the proceedings. The second seat was swiftly claimed by Ser Criston Cole, as he entered the chambers before Aemond and Maera. His presence commanded respect as he took his place at the table, his expression serious and focused as he prepared to lend his counsel to the council’s deliberations.

Throughout the chamber, several other members of the Kingsguard could be seen, their white cloaks and gleaming armor marking them as the sworn protectors of the royal family. Among them was Ser Arryk Cargyll, Maera’s own protector, his steadfast presence a reassuring presence amidst the tumultuous discussions taking place within the chamber. Making their way to the table, Aemond, ledgers under his arm and ever composed, led Maera to the available seats, his hand resting reassuringly on her shoulder as she sat next to Alicent. Once she was settled, the One-Eyed Prince took the seat next to his grandfather and looked to him as he continued the heated debate with the other councillors.

As Maera observed the busy chambers, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place amidst discussions of warfare and strategy. Why had Aegon even asked her to be there? The weight of responsibility bore down on her shoulders as she listened intently to the heated debates unfolding around her. At first, the intricacies of military tactics and political maneuvering seemed overwhelming, but as she continued to listen, she began to grasp the nuances of the Green’s positions in the ongoing conflict.

"The threat of invasion from the North looms large, and we must take decisive action to protect our borders. We cannot afford to squander our resources on frivolous campaigns!”

“"And what of our naval forces? We need to invest more money into them and secure our coastal territories to prevent any further advances by the Velaryon fleet.”

“Our finances are steadily increasing from the slight raise in taxes, but it may not be enough to support army numbers just yet. The Stormlands and the Westerlands are also asking for financial aid in order to prevent Rhaenyra’s forces from marching into their territories.”

Despite her initial discomfort, Maera found herself drawn into the fray of debate, her sharp mind quickly picking up on the various arguments being presented. Yet, amidst the cacophony of voices clamoring for attention, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The bickering and squabbling reminded her all too vividly of the spirited discussions that had filled the dinner table at Rain House during her youth.

As the councilmen argued and shouted to make their voices heard, Maera couldn’t help but feel a pang of despair. If this was the way politics were typically handled by the men of Westeros, she feared for the future of the Realm. With a sigh, she rested her head in her hands, the din of squabbling voices echoing in her ears, a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.

The heated arguments abruptly halted as the chamber was pierced by the sharp sound of hands slamming onto the wooden table. Maera instinctively turned her head toward the source of the commotion, her gaze falling upon Aegon, his countenance darkened with frustration and impatience. With a resounding screech, the King pushed back his chair and rose to his feet, his towering presence dominating the room. His expression was thunderous, his brows furrowed in a mix of anger and exasperation as he addressed his advisors.

"My son is dead," Aegon announced in a hushed yet ominous voice, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. "And the daughter that grew in Helaena’s womb did not even have a chance to enter the world."

The deep breathing of every single person in the room could be heard as they looked at their King, their faces reflecting a mixture of shock and sorrow. Aegon continued with a dark chuckle, his tone tinged with bitterness. "My wife has sunk even further into madness because of it, which even I did not think possible."

Maera couldn't help but frown at this statement aimed at poor Helaena, her heart aching for the Queen's suffering.

Lord Otto, ever the voice of reason, was the first to dare to break the silence. "The loss of Jaehaerys is a grave tragedy," he acknowledged solemnly. "But we must continue. We cannot let this crime go unpunished."

Standing from his seat, Lord Otto approached Aegon and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "There is a reason Jaehaerys was murdered," he continued, his voice steady and resolute. "Because deep down, even Rhaenyra knew that you are the rightful King. And because she could not stand that fact, she attempted to weaken you by taking away your heir."

The room fell silent once more, the weight of Lord Otto's words hanging in the air as the councilors contemplated the grim reality of their situation.

To everyone's surprise, Aegon's cold stare bore into his Grandfather, his eyes glossy with suppressed emotion as he spoke with chilling clarity. "The only reason we are here is because of you," he stated icily, his words cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. The other council members leaned forward, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension, as if eager to witness the unfolding confrontation.

"Your Grace?" Lord Otto replied, his tone cautious as he addressed his grandson. Despite their familial ties, Aegon was still his King, and Otto knew he would have to tread carefully if he wanted to keep his head.

Aegon's sneer only deepened as he continued, his accusation pointed and unforgiving. "Viserys loses his wife and his son, yet you immediately paraded your young daughter under his nose in order to climb the ladder of power."

"That is enough, Aegon," dowager Queen Alicent interjected from across the table, her voice carrying a note of warning. But Aegon silenced his mother with a cold stare that spoke volumes.

Turning his attention back to Lord Otto, Aegon's voice dripped with disdain. "I bet you were thrilled when mother birthed me. A child of your blood, a contender to the throne."

"You were the King's firstborn son," Otto growled in response. "The crown was always meant to be yours."

Aegon's retort was swift and cutting, his words laced with bitterness and accusation. "So you usurped the throne the minute Viserys' heart stopped, taking it from Rhaenyra, whose claim Viserys steadfastly upheld, causing a fucking war?!" His voice echoed through the chamber, the weight of his accusation hanging heavy in the air.

Maera sensed Aemond’s tension beside her, his body rigid with silent frustration at the escalating argument. Without hesitation, she reached out and placed her hand on his, offering a silent reassurance amidst the mounting tension. Though Aemond didn’t turn to acknowledge her, he intertwined his fingers with hers, a subtle acknowledgment of her presence and support.

Lord Otto's retort reverberated through the chamber, his voice rising with indignation. "The Realm would not have accepted her as Queen! If she had taken the throne, you, your brothers, your wife, your children, would all have been put to the sword as to not challenge her!"

Aegon genuinely laughed at his Grandfather’s reasoning , his response dripping with scorn. Maera couldn't help but ponder Otto's concerns, though the notion of Rhaenyra resorting to such brutal measures seemed incongruent with the image of the beloved queen the Realm revered. Still, she understood the fear that gripped Queen Alicent and her children in the face of such perceived threats.

Scratching his head beneath his crown, Aegon fixed his gaze back on Otto, his expression hardening with resolve. "You said the Ironborn would back us, they have not. Then you suggested the Dornish, who have not. Then you assure me that Westeros backs my claim, and yet over half of it has flocked to Rhaenyra's cause," Aegon declared, his frustration palpable as he addressed the council. Turning to the assembled councilors, Aegon pressed on, his voice ringing with determination. "If you were stupid and power-hungry enough to plunge us into war off of baseless fears and lies, the least you could have done is ensure we win it!"

Before the tension could escalate further, Aemond's voice cut through the room, his tone measured and neutral as he addressed his brother. "Aegon," he interjected, his words a plea for calm amidst the storm of emotions that threatened to consume them all.

Aegon's gaze met Aemond's, a fleeting moment of unspoken understanding passing between the brothers. Maera, silently praying beside her husband, hoped that Aegon's anger wouldn't be redirected at Aemond. Instead, Aegon cleared his throat, redirecting his attention to Lord Otto with an exasperated sigh.

"Viserys may have been weak and stupid, but he did one thing during his reign that I thought was smart," Aegon declared. In a swift, unsettling movement, he removed the golden pin that signified the Hand of the King from Lord Otto's breast pocket. Gasps filled the room, and Aemond shot up from his seat, fists clenched, his eyes fixed on the dishonoring act.

Alicent's voice cut through the tension, her tone pleading as she addressed her son. "Aegon, please. Your grandfather has been nothing but loyal to the crown. He does not deserve this."

Aegon replied, his words biting. "Your heart has made you soft, and turn a blind eye to his countless failings." Without meeting his grandfather's eyes, Aegon made a final demand. "I suggest you get out of these chambers while I think about what to do with you, lest I send you back to Oldtown in my anger. Go."

With uncertainty pooling in her stomach, Maera watched as Lord Otto, former Hand of the King, obliged the command, leaving the chambers. The heavy wooden door closed behind him with a resounding thud, leaving the remaining council members in an uneasy silence. In the wake of the tense exchange, a palpable tension hung in the air, stifling any attempts at conversation. The councilmen exchanged furtive glances, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts, unsure of how to proceed in the wake of the king's outburst.

Maera felt a mix of emotions swirling within her, a combination of apprehension, frustration, and a deep-seated concern for the state of the realm. The weight of the ongoing war, coupled with the discord among the king's advisors, weighed heavily on her shoulders, casting a shadow over the once bustling chamber. Despite her efforts to remain composed, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her, a stark reminder of the tumultuous times in which they lived.

As Aegon set his sights on Aemond, Maera's heart quickened with apprehension, fearing the king's wrath for her husband's earlier reaction. She watched intently, her gaze locked on the scene unfolding before her, as Aegon stood before Aemond with an air of authority that belied his stature. The tension in the room was palpable as Aegon looked down at the pin of the Hand of the King, still in his hand. Maera's breath caught in her throat as she watched, uncertain of what the king's intentions were. But then, to her surprise and relief, Aegon secured the pin to Aemond's doublet, an unexpected gesture that left the prince visibly taken aback.

“Don’t fuck this up,” was all Aegon said to his brother, before stepping back to his seat at the table and swigging his goblet of wine. The room erupted into murmurs and whispers as the significance of Aegon's actions sank in. A mixture of emotions washed over Maera as she observed the exchange, relief flooding through her at the realization that Aegon was not intending to punish her husband. Instead, it seemed he was bestowing a significant honor upon Aemond, elevating him to the esteemed position of Hand of the King.

Maera's heart swelled with pride for her husband, a sense of awe washing over her as she watched him accept the pin, his expression a mix of surprise and determination. She wondered to herself if the words she had said to Aegon all those days ago had actually registered with him. In that moment, Maera felt a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, a flicker of optimism for the future of House Targaryen and the realm as a whole. As Aegon finished downing his glass of wine, the attention of the council was once again drawn to him as he addressed them with renewed determination.

"Right, we need a change of strategy. But quite frankly, I'm exhausted after today's events," Aegon declared, rolling his neck until it clicked. "So, I will make my main concerns known for you all to adhere to before I retire. The finer details," he paused, placing a hand on Aemond's shoulder, eliciting a huff from the One-Eyed Prince, "will be handled by my brother."

The members of the Small Council nodded in agreement, their attention turning to Ser Tyland as he began to take notes, and to Ser Criston as he rose from his seat to roll out a map upon the wooden table. The intricate details of Westeros were displayed on a large piece of parchment, each region and territory clearly marked. With precision, Ser Arryk stepped forward, placing two different types of figures on the table: one representing the Greens, the other the Blacks. With meticulous care, he positioned them in the appropriate territories, each move calculated and strategic.

Maera watched on, her mind buzzing with thoughts and concerns. She observed the proceedings with a sense of confusion, still unsure of why she was being privy to such sensitive information. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that with Aegon’s declarations, the reason for her presence would soon become clear.

Aegon's finger traced the path to Storm's End on the map, his voice commanding as he addressed the council. "Lord Borros has more men to spare to the effort but will not provide them until the marriage pact is sealed," he declared, his gaze locking onto his youngest brother, Daeron, who sat with a look of hesitation.

Turning his attention to Daeron, Aegon issued his directive with unwavering determination. "Fly down to Storm's End and pick one of his girls. I do not care which one. Wed her, bed her, put a child in her." Daeron began to protest, but Aegon cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Yes, Daeron, we are all aware of your limp cock," he said with a chuckle. "Maester, give something to my brother that can be administered when he gets there, as to not disappoint the poor Lady."

Daeron growled in frustration, pushing himself up from the table and storming out of the chamber, prompting Dowager Queen Alicent to rise from her seat and hurriedly follow after her youngest son, her expression filled with concern. Undeterred, Aegon pressed on, his gaze now fixated on the Crownlands on the map. "The Realm is divided, and our enemies are too close for comfort," he remarked, his voice laced with urgency.

With a flick of his purple gaze, Aegon directed his attention to Ser Criston Cole, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who stood nearby observing the map. "Lord Commander, approach the Black factions near Kings Landing and execute these treasonous Lords," he commanded, his tone uncompromising. "Surely the heirs of these Houses will see sense. If not, eradicate the entire fucking House if needs be." The gravity of Aegon's words hung heavy in the air as the councilors absorbed the weight of his directives, the fate of the realm resting precariously in their hands.

Ser Criston furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on the map as he contemplated the potential repercussions of executing the Black factions' allies near King's Landing. "Rhaenyra's forces will come to these Houses' aid if she hears we are executing her allies that are closest to the Capital. That could spur her on to come for the Keep," he cautioned, his voice heavy with concern.

At the Lord Commander’s revelation, Maera's eyes widened in alarm, her heart pounding in her chest with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. Would Rhaenyra truly come for them in Kings Landing? The thought sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of dread at the prospect of facing the full force of the Blacks' fury.

Aegon's acknowledgment of Maera marked the first time he had directly addressed her since the council began. "Our Mayflower has ensured House Stokeworth and House Rosby by corresponding with their wives and daughters. Who knew women could sway their husbands and fathers so?" he remarked, his tone holding a hint of surprise.

Maera raised an eyebrow at the slightly backhanded compliment from the King, her thoughts racing as she processed his words. Glancing beside her, she caught Aemond's subtle smirk, a silent acknowledgment of pride in his wife's accomplishments.

Suppressing the urge to retort, Maera forced a diplomatic smile as she replied to Aegon. "You honor me, your Grace, but these are only two Houses," she began, her tone measured as she addressed the King. Standing from her seat, she stepped closer to the map, her eyes scanning the figures representing the Black factions in the Crownlands. "There are more Blacks in the Crownlands than Greens," she pointed out, her voice carrying a note of caution.

Aegon's gaze lingered on Maera for a moment, his expression unreadable as he absorbed her words. The weight of the impending decisions hung heavy in the air, each councilor acutely aware of the pivotal role they played in shaping the fate of the realm. Scratching his chin thoughtfully, the King’s eyes scanned the map before cautiously picking up a piece representing the Green forces and placing it in the vicinity of King's Landing. "Then we move the forces down from Harrenhal and divide them throughout the Crownlands. This will ensure that, should an attack come from Rhaenyra's forces to aid those treasonous Houses, we will be ready," he declared, his tone resolute.

Ser Tyland, the Master of Ships, spoke up next, his finger tracing the previous spot where the figurine once lay on the map. "My King, our forces in Harrenhal greatly deter an attack from the North and the Black factions of the Riverlands. We were lucky to secure it before Prince Daemon or Prince Jacaerys in the first place, thanks to Prince Aemond's prompt surveillance."

Maera glanced up at her husband, Aemond, who was intently studying the map, his expression a mask of concentration and determination. His presence exuded a sense of authority, and Maera couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride at the sight of her husband taking on such a crucial role in the council’s deliberations.

Ser Tyland continued, his tone filled with concern. "Harrenhal is our last line of defense before the Blacks enter the Crownlands. Should we really pull our forces from there and leave ourselves so vulnerable to attack?"

Aegon's response came swiftly, his voice confident. "Aha, my Lord, you are right. Which is precisely why I will send my brother to once again patrol Harrenhal on Vhagar and prevent the Blacks from invading from the North.”

The realization that he would be sent away struck Maera like a blow, filling her with a deep sense of unease. She couldn’t bear the thought of being separated from him, especially now, when she carried their child within her. A knot formed in Maera’s stomach as she contemplated the implications of Aemond’s absence. The uncertainty of war loomed large, and the prospect of facing it without her husband by her side filled her with a profound sense of vulnerability. She knew that Aemond’s duty to the realm would inevitably call him away, but that didn’t make the prospect any easier to accept.

Yet it was what happened next that was even more shocking, when Aemond replied to his brother’s, his King’s request with a simple and firm “No.”

Aemond's refusal elicited a stunned silence in the council chamber, the tension palpable as all eyes turned to the one-eyed Prince. Aegon's brows furrowed in disbelief, his surprise evident in his tone as he challenged Aemond's decision with a sharp "No?!”

Maera watched her husband closely, her heart pounding in her chest as she silently pleaded with him to tread carefully. With a subtle shake of her head, she urged him not to provoke the King further, knowing the volatile nature of the situation.

But Aemond remained resolute, explaining his reasoning with a calm determination. "For a few minor Houses in the Crownlands, we should not uproot our main defenses. If we face retaliation from the execution of the Black factions, then so be it. But I am not leaving King's Landing unless absolutely necessary."

Aegon's response was swift, his tone tinged with frustration. "Your King is telling you it is necessary, Aemond," he growled, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "I thought you would have… missed Harrenhal anyway. You have not been there in over five moons."

Aemond frowned deeply at his brother, his face like thunder as he countered, "You appoint a new Hand then immediately send him away? How can I best serve the Realm if I am away from the Keep?"

Aegon reasoned with a hint of impatience. "Plenty of Hands have headed into war, Aemond," he retorted, his gaze unwavering.

Lord Jasper Wylde interjected, his voice measured as he added his perspective to the debate. "I would agree with my son-in-law that Rhaenyra may not come to these minor Houses' defense right away," he began, addressing the King respectfully. "He has also just been given this prestigious honor of Hand of the King, Your Grace. He should know the role better before heading out to aid our forces."

The council chamber was filled with a tense silence as the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, each member grappling with the weight of their decisions and the implications for the realm. Aegon's mocking hum in response to Lord Jasper's interjection only added to the tension in the chamber, his gaze fixed firmly on Aemond as he addressed his younger brother once more.

"My brother and I both know why he does not wish to return to Harrenhal, especially now that he is married," Aegon remarked, his tone dripping with implication.

Aemond's warning tone hinted at underlying tension between the brothers, a dynamic that Maera couldn't quite decipher. She glanced around the room, noting the varied reactions of the council members. Ser Tyland, Maester Orwyle, and Lord Jasper appeared oblivious to the underlying conflict, their attention focused on the strategic discussion. Ser Criston's jaw tensed, his focus unwavering on the map spread out before them.

But it was Lord Larys's demeanor that caught Maera's attention. His eyes twinkled with delight as he leaned on his cane, a knowing smile playing at his lips. Maera felt a chill run down her spine at the realization that Larys was privy to whatever discord simmered between the brothers.

Before the tension could escalate further, Aegon's voice cut through the awkward silence, his tone commanding. "Now, Aemond, enough of this foolishness," he admonished, attempting to steer the conversation back on track. "I am sure, by how cunt-struck you are, that Maera is an honorable wife and that she will—"

"My wife is with child," Aemond declared firmly, , his revelation causing a collective gasp to ripple through the council chamber. Maera's heart skipped a beat as their private news was laid bare before the assembled councilmen. "I will not leave her."

Aegon's gaze shifted to Maester Orwyle, seeking confirmation of Aemond's declaration. The Maester's gentle nod affirmed the truth of Aemond's words, further solidifying the weight of their announcement. Though Maera refrained from scanning the room, she couldn't escape the weight of her father's gaze upon her. Despite his composed demeanor, she sensed a flicker of pride in his eyes. The realization dawned on her—should their child be born a male, he would be a contender for the throne, a thought that sent a shiver down her spine.

With a determined resolve, Maera addressed the council, cutting through the tension with her abrupt words. "Another weakness Rhaenyra can exploit unless we act quickly," she declared, her tone commanding attention.

Aegon's response was swift, snapping his fingers in Maera's direction with an air of approval. "Exactly, goodsister. See? She understands!" he exclaimed, turning his gaze to Aemond in expectation of agreement. But Aemond's expression remained steadfast, his decision to remain in the capital unwavering.

Exasperated, Aegon rolled his eyes before addressing the room once more. "We will wait for the outcome of the executions. Should there be any news of retaliation, Aemond, you will go without question," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. Aemond nodded in acceptance, resigned to the inevitability of his duty. What more could he do in the face of his brother's command?

Aegon's attention then turned to Maera, a shift in his demeanor signaling a new topic of discussion. "Well, this joyous news brings me to my final concern," he began, his words carrying a weight of responsibility. "Mayflower, my children remain shaken after those monsters murdered their brother. And I’m told that you were the only one who managed to get Jaehaera to talk."

Maera's frown deepened as she struggled to grasp the implications of Aegon's words. "Jaehaera and Maelor need a mother's care," he continued, his tone laden with expectation. "And Helaena is in no fit state to raise them as a mother should. I am giving them to you as your wards. Consider it practice for when your own child arrives.”

Notes: ok so big chapter, lots of political movements in here. Believe it or not this was double the length but like who da fuq wants to read 8k words about war strategy? I don’t. So, more details about strategy to be sprinkled in the next few chapters. Keep your eyes peeled 👀

Tags: @blue-serendipity @marvelescvpe @manipulatixe @abecerra611 @shesjustanothergeek @watercolorskyy @0eessirk8

Thank you so much for reading! Comments, feedback, likes, and reblogs are greatly appreciated 🖤

#maera wylde #aemond targaryen #aemond x oc #aemond fanfiction #chapters #hotd aemond #hotd fanfic #house targaryen #house wylde #hotd helaena

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