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iron--spider · 4 years

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I woke up at 3am yesterday to watch The Devil All the Time and I’ve been thinking about it since. I’m gonna put my thoughts and feelings and a review of sorts behind the cut, because I am gonna talk about it freely, so there will be spoilers! So don’t click if you don’t wanna see. I’ll also be discussing the content of the film and I know that might bother people, so that stuff is in here, too! And it’ll be really long because you know I can’t shut up.

So, I loved it. I loved it loved it loved it. I read the book a long time ago when I first found out Tom was gonna be in it, and the only problem I had with the book was that the POVs would change in the middle of a paragraph lmao, but other than that I thought it was pretty perfect. I knew the movie was gonna be pretty brutal, because the book is brutal, so I was prepared.

-BUT I think the critics HIGHLY HIGHLY exaggerated how bad the content was. Like, seriously, they acted as if this was gonna be a Saw movie. I was preparing for blatant, horrific gore, but it didn’t live up to their dramatics at all. There’s blood and nasty situations, but every single episode of Game of Thrones is worse than this movie, as are most episodes of any crime drama on a paid network. I actually thought they were super, super tactful of all their horrific shit. The dog death was off screen and the shot of the body (described by the critics as literally traumatic) was so quick (enough to shut your eyes) and in the dark. I also argue that particular moment is extremely important for Arvin’s journey, because it’s the moment he truly turns on his father and turns on religion entirely, and he carries it with him his whole life (it’s what he flashes back to when he says “I know what my daddy did” because it’s the marker of all Willard’s mistakes) and it winds up being one of the last things he does before he leaves everything behind. Burying Jack’s bones. So, like, I despise dog death or any animal death in my entertainment, but it’s important here and handled well. And all the worst death scenes are either extremely fast (Helen’s and Gary Matthew’s) or shown in negative (all the photos). I think Bodecker’s headshot with Bobo is probably the worst and is also pretty quick. I don’t know if this means I’m a jaded bitch, but God the way they were all whining and crying, I thought it’d be a million times worse. It could have been, with the book’s descriptions, so it was actually pretty tame. Lenora’s death affected me the most and they cut away from that, too. I guess it’ll still bother some people, but there are many, many mainstream things that are far more violent and gory than this was.

-I thought it was a beautiful movie. I never mind films that are slightly slower but I love ones that use their time to lay things out and really show us what’s going on, build the ambiance and the relationships. I loved the narration (which I was worried about), and it really made me feel like we were visiting a moment in time that was important. Like something that was written and should be learned about. Rumors in a town you’re passing through. The ghosts of past trauma and transgressions looming over everyone that’s left.

-I liked the changes they made with Roy and Theodore because I thought that storyline kinda meandered in the book and I’m glad that Roy was actually gone the whole time and not just neglecting to come back to Lenora.

-The only real complaints I can make, I’ll get out of the way here: I wanted a little bit more time with Carl and Sandy. Carl was really creepy, but he could have been much creepier. In the book he was the one looking at the pictures constantly, Not Sandy, and that really showed that he was the one with the sickness, the one pushing them forward and orchestrating it all. I thought they did well with showing how Sandy deteriorated in her efforts with him through the years, but I would have liked to see a bit more of their personal lives together and her fear of him and her genuine feelings about what they’re doing, because the book goes into that a lot more. I also wasn’t a fan of Lee finding the picture early and knowing some about what they were doing, because I liked how it was a surprise to him in the book and yet he still did all he could to cover it up. And lastly, in the book there’s a scene with Arvin after he kills Sandy and Carl where he’s in a motel and he takes like 18 showers because he can’t get the grime of what he’s done off of him, and he looks at the picture and has a nightmare about killing Sandy, and I really would have loved if they’d kept it in. It would have been another ‘acting’ moment for Tom, and it would have been nice for us to see his direct trauma and reaction to everything that’s piling on top of him.

-BUT that’s it. I loved pretty much every single other thing and decision that they made. The cinematography was TOP NOTCH. You could tell they filmed on 35mm film, you could see the grain, and it really, really added to it. Antonio Campos is a very skilled director and I trusted him at the helm of this story. Everything looked so authentic, all the sets and the costumes. The soundtrack and score were AMAZING and enhanced the film. Technically it was just perfect in every regard to me.

-Acting! Acting! God this was like...a massive testament to the casting department and the talent of these people. Everyone was on their A game. Bill Skarsgård has been on my radar since Castle Rock (which I recommend to everybody, both seasons) and he was so natural and great in this role. Haley Bennet was absolutely adorable as Charlotte, I loved her cute face and her sweet relationship with little Arvin. Riley Keough was so great as Sandy with the limited amount of time she had, and Jason Clarke is one of my favorites but he was unrecognizable in this as creepy ass Carl. Harry Melling was a far cry from Dudley Dursley and he did a great job with his screen time, too. Same with Mia Wasikowska, who didn’t have much to do (same as poor Helen in the book) but she was able to garner our sympathy anyway. Seb Stan was slimy and gross but he pulled it off so well. Eliza Scanlen has been one of my favorites since Sharp Objects (another one that’s brutal as hell but I recommend it, she’s so scary) and she was so, so great here. Robert Pattinson was ALRIGHT, everybody talks him up over this but he felt a little hammy to me and a little too over the top, but there’s no denying his talent.

-Now, the reason we’re all here. Tom. My God. As soon as it was over I just didn’t know what the hell to do, I didn’t even know how to....go on, lmfao. We all know he’s talented, that’s why we’re here, that’s why we love him, but his performance in this is just BEYOND all that. Beyond comprehension. The man is only 24 years old and he’s out here outacting people who have been in the industry for longer than he’s been alive. He is SHOCKINGLY good. I knew he’d be perfect for Arvin as soon as I read the book, but he just completely embodied this role in a way that I couldn’t have imagined. He doesn’t show up in the movie until about 45 minutes in (which doesn’t hurt it because of the strength of the leadup, Bill’s performance and the performance of little Arvin’s actor) but God, as soon as he’s there the whole thing comes to life in a way that it hadn’t before. Tom is literally just a shining light, and he draws your eye in every single scene he’s in, and when he’s not there you’re wondering when he’s gonna come back. Arvin, to me, is a very complex character—he has been inherently changed by how his father twisted religion in his childhood, how deeply he betrayed him by his behavior, but he still has a kind heart and a protective streak and the need to be strong despite the pain nearly breaking him apart from moment to moment. Tom is just outrageously good at portraying all Arvin’s little nuances, how he clenches his jaw, how his voice breaks when he’s afraid or trying to convince someone of something or get his point across, how his hands tremble after he’s done something he wishes he didn’t have to do, how his whole body wilts when he realizes he’s emulating his father. And his eyes. Tom can do so, so much with his eyes that it’s unbelievable. He tells you so much with just a simple look, a glance, a wince, a long blink. I’m not exaggerating when I say he’s just an absolute revelation in this, he cements his place in Hollywood with a firm hand and a tender look, and I will not be forgetting what he did here anytime soon. There’s a reason that everyone called him out for being so stunning in this. He is magnificent. He has a gift.

-I wanna say, in particular, how much I love Arvin’s relationship with Lenora. Their lives were both marked by such tragedy and pain and Arvin just took up the torch of protecting her from the moment he said hello as a child. He wants so badly to be tough, and he IS, but there’s just miles and miles of love in this boy’s heart, and it manifests itself for his family—for his uncle, for his grandma, but for Lenora in particular. I loved how he just showed up when she was being harassed and just ran in there without thinking, and it’s purely devastating that he was out taking care of her bullies while a worse predator was cornering her. The scene where she was sick wasn’t in the book but it was a beautiful addition. Tom sometimes wears this very open, unguarded, honest expression, and this is the only scene in which he shows it, and it really expresses the love between them and how much she means to him. Arvin didn’t find Lenora’s body in the book, but it was the right change for them to make. Tom was devastating here, and that pain and that moment truly fuel every second of his journey through the rest of the film. “My Lenora”. The saddest siblings. Both Eliza and Tom did so beautifully with this relationship and I hope they work together again.

-Favorite acting moments for Tom: when he’s in the car in the rain after beating up the bullies, when he’s in the church crowd and realizes Preston is insulting his Grandma (the way his face changes oh my GOD), when he finds Lenora, when the cop comes to tell him Lenora was pregnant (this is just....so damn good), when he was telling his uncle to look after his Grandma, THE ENTIRE CHURCH CONFRONTATION (the way he trembles when he’s trying to get his attention, how he speaks the whole time, how he slowly gathers his strength), when he thinks Sandy has shot him, the moment where he’s over Lee’s body and just....pleading with his eyes for him to listen and realize what he’s done. And the last scene, in the car, all the emphasis on his face....once again, he can do so, so much with a look, with his eyes. Someone called out the beautiful last shot in the film, and of course, it’s Arvin’s sleeping face. And it was so beautiful (and devastating, to think of him enlisting. Tom draws so much sympathy that you just want Arvin to have a normal life so badly. He deserves it, he does, but will he get it?)

-Last thing I’ll say, I really loved how, despite turning his back on religion, that God seems to be protecting Arvin the whole time. He’s terribly afraid confronting the preacher and that could have easily gone badly, especially when he tosses the book, but Arvin was somehow able to get a shot off and get the upper hand. And with Carl and Sandy, he senses something is off immediately once they pull off the road, and he would have absolutely been killed had Carl not switched out Sandy’s bullets for blanks. And in the confrontation with Lee, he once again shoots at the same time as him, shoots without looking, and manages to come out unscathed and on top. A few spoiler reviews pointed out that the last person that picks Arvin up is supposed to be a Jesus-like figure, almost like he’s finally been saved. It hurts that everyone around him that he loved is almost forsaken by God, but he himself is protected. It’s such a complicated commentary on religion throughout the entire piece, but it’s so interesting and engrossing.

So I’d recommend this movie to anyone that loves movies, loves Tom, can deal with a gritty story that takes its time laying out all the chess pieces. It is definitely heavy subject matter but it doesn’t go overboard with the horror as it easily could have. Yes, there are triggers to look for, but the critics hugely over exaggerated how awful it was. I can probably go get time stamps for certain things if people wanna ask me after reading this, but if you can get through a Tarantino film or any HBO drama, you can do this. And Tom’s performance is one for the ages and not one that deserves to be passed over or downplayed. It is beautiful and heart-wrenching—a magnificent turn that displays his monumental ability to reach out and guide you into any world he decides to make his own.

I loved The Devil All the Time.

#tom holland #arvin russell #the devil all the time #text post #LONG #I’M SORRY

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sigfriedtudeau · 5 years

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I’m alive

I know it’s been a few months since I first created this profile and I’ve been... less than active. But I’m currently working on a piece of fiction about one of Sigfried’s adventures in the multiverse!

Spoilers, it contains pirates.

It’s not done yet or anything, but uh. I have a bit of a sample for you all! Consider it chapter 1 of a multi-chapter adventure! Leave some feedback so I can go ahead and make some changes and improve it! This is just a rough draft and I expect some changes once the entire thing is done, so criticism is more than welcome.

***Sorry about the lack of formatting. Tumblr Doesn’t play well with documents and I don’t really know of any hosting services, save Ao3 and I don’t have an account there. Yet...***

Matteus cursed under his breath, withdrawing his hand as hot wax from a nearby candle splashed onto his hand. Writing by candle-light was already something the man despised. Doubley so when he had to do so below the deck of a ship that rocked back and forth on the waves.

"Seraph guide me..." he muttered, sending up a silent prayer for patience to his patron. He looked down at the paper and sighed defeated at the long black streak that now ran across the page. He threw down the quill in exasperation and crumpled up the paper, tossing it over his shoulder, where, unbeknownst to Matteus, it landed at the boots of his ship-mate, Sigfried.

"A pleasure to see you too." Sigfried said in his typical drawling fashion, in an accent completely alien to Matteus. Matteus turned, startled at the intrusion. How anyone dressed in such finery could move so silently, on the creaking boards of the ship no less, was beyond Matteus. Everything about Sigfriend was beyond Matteus.

Some things made sense, sure. It was clear he was from wealth or nobility. He had the quiet easiness of someone with a childhood of plenty, and the calm demeanor of someone who's never had to struggle. The way he spoke with a cutting wit told of his education. Often times outright insulting people to their faces and laughing along with them as it sailed over their heads. Not Matteus though. He could see straight through the man's smile and personability. But what he saw was a void. He didn't know what exactly it was that lay beneath the personna he put on, just that it was a facade. And this not knowing always put him on edge around the man.

"I see you're back. Where'd you pop off to this time?" Matteus asked, turning back to the desk and reluctantly pulling out another sheet of parchment. Sigfried chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I thought I'd pop over to the pub, have a drink, maybe find a place to take a hot shower."

Matteus tried to distract himself with writing but found it impossible to. He turned and looked at Sigfried, who stood in the shadows of the room. Even obstructed by the darkness as he was, Matteus could make out the handsome features of the youngman. His auburn hair was almost unnaturally red. A deep hue that reminded him of rubies. Or blood. His face was clean shaven, a feat in and of itself considering they had been at sea for a week now. The silence was broken as Sigfried cut it, raising an eyebrow at Matteus.

"I was above deck. Where else would I be?" He asked, gesturing to the wooden hull around them.

"I almost find your other excuse more believable. I can't imagine there being anything up there interesting to you." Matteus said cutrly, turning back to the blank sheet infront of him.

"What? I was craving some fresh air and conversation. Is that so hard to believe?" Sigfried asked, feigning innocence.

"I imagine you'd be hard pressed to find either up there, considering our ship-mates." Matteus said, rolling his eyes. "Then again, I don't know much about you. For all I know, you feel perfectly at home here among pirates."

"Privateers." Sigfried said.

"Right. Privateers. And what, pray-tell, is the difference?" Matteus asked, more annoyed at his having to be here than with Sigfried himself. In all honesty, it was refreshing to have someone learned to speak with, not that Matteus would ever admit it.

"This. Right here." Sigfried said, leaning down to pick the paper up from the floor. He let the answer linger in the silence and soon Matteus found Sigfried at his side, perhaps a bit too close.

With Sigfried looming next to him, Matteus could see the features of the young man better illuminated, his eyes glinted almost golden in the light of the candle. He absentmindedly unfurled the parchment in his fingers and smoothed it out.

But what really struck Matteus, more so than the otherworldly glow in his eyes, or the way he stood dangerously close, was his scent. Here, on a ship that smelled of salt and sweaty bodies, Sigfried smelled of... citrus? A luxioriously pleasant scent, tangy and refreshing emmenated from the young man. A week into their voyage and somehow, he'd managed to remain well groomed and smelling of Lemon Verbana.

"A piece of paper. Some writing. A signature and a seal." Sigfried said, breaking the silence between then men.

Matteus' vision snapped up to Sigfried as he snapped out of his thoughts.

"Excuse me?"

"The difference between a pirate and a privateer. It's paper. A contract. Someone with power somewhere decided to endorse them. That's the difference." Sigfried said with a smirk, before putting the edge of the parchment into the flame of the candle, watching as it cindered and burned away, rubbing his fingers together and scattering the ashes.

Matteus couldn't help but watch as Sigfried stared at the smoldering paper, only letting go of the burning page as an afterthought, as though the flame approaching his hand was nothing more than a trickle of water.

"You're terrible at penmanship, by the way." Sigfried said.

"Yes well, it was never my strong suit. Less so on a moving ship." Matteus replied, hiding his offense. "I've never been particularly good at writing.

"Strange." Sigfried said. "You struck me as a learned man. I meant no offense."

"I never said I wasn't. I dislike writing. It's a bit too delicate for me. And I'm no good at putting words to paper. My mind doesn't work eloquently. I prefer reading. I'm much more at home, escaping into fictional worlds of other's minds. I am a consumer, not a producer."

"You shouldn't cut yourself short." Sigfried said beaming. "That last bit was almost poetic."

"Poetry. Why am I not surprised?" Matteus asked, shaking his head and smiling bemused.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Sigfried asked, cocking his head to the side.

"I'd never deem to offend..." Matteus replied.

"Well now I'm definitely curious."

"Well... some folks would refer to your type as... well."

"A dandy? Ostentatious? I've heard it all before, much worse, frankly..." Sigfried said shrugging.

Matteus was quick to jump in, "Oh! No, no I'd never say something like that, it's so crude..."

"No, no. It's quite alright. I know you're a man of the church. You'd probably say something like... oppulent. Frivolous. Obsessed with the pursuit of materialism." Sigfriend said with a flourish, playing the last bit up.

"We all have our vices." Matteus said, looking down at his letter.

Sigfried pat the man on the back, making Matteus feel uncomfortable. He cleared his throat. "Yes. We do have our vices, but I can assure you, materialism is not mine. Well, not entirely."

"And what is it then?" Matteus asked, sitting up and looking to the man.

"Wanting." Sigfried said. "Simply put. It's wanting. Greed. But not just for objects, or fineries. I want oh so much. Knowledge. Experiences. Pleasures and pains. Power in many forms. That is my vice. To want without end."

"Avarice is indeed a powerful vice." Matteus said calmly, deferring to the teachings of his church. "Of course, we can all free ourselves through persev--"

"Free myself? Why would I want to do that? It is that yearning desire that drives me my friend. It's what drags me across the... world." Sigfried said, stopping himself before he gave away too much. "But, I showed you mine, so why don't you show me yours? What's your vice then?"

"I am a man of the church." Matteus said incredulously.

"Yes, and in my experience, the ones who seek out religion are the ones who need it the most. You don't expect me to believe you've never been tempted?" Sigried replied.

"My vices are my burdens to carry, and none one else's." Matteus said finally, shaking his head and returning to his writing.

"Aw, come one, that's no fun! At least give me a hint.... oh, are let me guess." Sigfried said stepping away and pacing about behind Matteus. "Is it gambling? No... you'd be terrible at gambling... The drink? Oh, are perhaps it's a desire of the flesh..." Sigfried cooed, leaning close the Matteus.

Matteus shooed him away with a hand. "You should consider yourself lucky it isn't my temper."

Sigfried laughed. "See? You can be funny when you want to. Fine. Keep your secrets. There are more than enough sinners on this ship to keep me occupied."

"It's my curiousity." Matteus said calmly.

"What's that?" Sigfried asked.

"My vice. My curiousity. I crave knowledge. Even when sometimes I shouldn't. I perhaps delve too deeply into pursuits of knowledgde." Matteus said, blushing at the admission.

"Boo!" Sigfried jeered.

"Excuse me?"

"That's not a vice. The pursuit of knowledgde is always a noble pursuit. It's the hoarding and censoring of knowledge that's a sin." Sigfried said with a certainty.

"Never let anyone stifle your curiousity Matteus." It was strange seeing Sigfried like this, Matteus thought. The guy seemed aloof most of the time, but he seemed sincere now.

"Alright then..." Matteus said, turning back to his work. A silence lingered between them as his quill tapped away at the parchment.

"You smell pleasant." Matteus said, breaking the silence once more. Sigfried was surprised. He turned, an eyebrow cocked, "Ah, well, thank you." He said politely, nodding.

"It wasn't meant to be a compliment." Matteus replied.

"You'll excuse me if I find it hard to be offended by that accusation." Sigfried countered, bowing his head in mock modesty.

"It wasn't meant to be an insult, either. It's just me stating a fact. A particularly strange fact." Matteus said, scribbling with the quill again. "It's strange that a week into this voyage, you managed to remain so well groomed. Your clothes even seem freshly laundered. Is there a washroom on this ship that I, and everyone else seem not to know about?" Sigfried laughed heartily again. "No, afraid not. Although, we are surrounded by water. And, assuming one comes prepared with the right provisions, bathing ones' self isn't particularly difficult."

"You mean to say that you've been bathing in the ocean?" Matteus asked, pressing the line of questioning, if for no reason other than to distract himself.

"Nothing quite that exciting I'm afraid," Sigfried said, knowing in his mind that the truth was actually much more fantastical than even that. "But there are buckets and I know how to tie a knot. It doesn't take much imagination to figure the rest out from there."

"So you're bathing in cold, salty sea-water? Why? I'm sure you've noticed that no one else is bothering to..." Matteus asked confused and a bit self-consious now that he realized that he too, must smell just as bad as the rest of the crew, and noting how shabby his vestments were becoming.

"I never said it was cold, but it is a small price to pay. I consider it the least I can do for my shipmates." Sigfried said. He continued as he saw the confused look in Matteus' face. "Everyone else on the ship smells the high-heavens. The least I could do is to not add to that. And if I can make conversing with me any more pleasant for our ship-mates, then it was worth it."

"How thoughtful of you. Which leads me to my next question. Sigfried, why are you here? On this ship? I hardly know what I'm doing here, but you. I can't find any worldly reason that someone like you would want to be here." Matteus asked, a bit emboldened by their conversation.

"Now, if I didn't know any better, I'd say I'm starting to grow on you..." Sigfried said in that enfuriating drawl, a smile crossing his lips.

"Don't let it go to your head. It's just if I must converse with someone on this ship, better it be with you than with..."

"Pirates?" Sigfried cut in.

"With you, than with people that proudly wear their sins on their sleeves." Matteus ammended.

"You know, for a second there, that was almost nice." Sigfriend said, rolling his eyes. "And simple. I'm here because they're sailing somewhere that I need to go. And it's pretty obvious why you're here."

"Is that so? Then how about you tell me, since I have no idea why I was told to come here." Matteus said, standing, frustrated, thinking back to his meeting with the bishop. He wouldn't tell Matteus why he needed to accompany this ship, but he was adamant in that Matteus needed to go.

"Really, it's not hard to figure out. You're the most famous exorcist in the country. Why would they send you out to sea?" Sigfried asked, shaking his head, then looking around. "Tell you what. Come by my cabin later and I'll show you something. Maybe it'll fill in the gaps for you."

With that, Sigfried was gone before Matteus had a chance to question him further. He shook his head and rest it in his hands before going back to penning his letter. He didn't like not knowing something someone else clearly knew and wasn't telling. The fact that Sigfried of all people knew made it even worse. Who was he? What was he on this ship for, and why did he know the purpose of this voyage and he didn't?

Matteus dropped the quill once more and clasped his hands, bowing his head in prayer, asking for guidance from his patron.

#fanwalker #fanwalkers #fan walker #Planeswalker #magic the gathering #magic: the gathering #MtG #fanfic #oc #sigfried #Sigfried Augustin Tudeau #flash fiction #chapter 1

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crowkingwrites · 7 years

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War Creatures (Ch.1)

Pairing: Loki/ Reader

Summary: In a crossover of the Nine Realms and Westeros, you find yourself in the dawn of a rebellion. Odin, Lord of Pyke, has made alliances with your family, House Grover of Highgarden. Your father's army will join Odin's army to overthrow the King and take the Iron Throne. There is just one cost to this alliance.You must marry the dark, young prince Loki.In a world where Kings do as they wish, where war is an oncoming storm, and peace is nothing but a dream, you are lost but brave. Loki is more powerful than he seems, and love will grow from the flames of war.

Requested?: Sort of?

Words: 2615

Read on Ao3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/11108748/chapters/24790230

Highgarden was open. It was a dream to many, but a home to me. This place was not like the rest of the nine kingdoms. Highgarden was a sanctuary. The castle sat on a high hill overlooking the waters of Mander. Many visitors insisted that our castle grew here rather than being built. Flowers and plants grown over tiles and columns, overtaking the stone.

I sat in one of my favorite chairs just outside my room. This is where I usually took my morning tea, but I was currently reading another book of poetry, snacking on oranges.

I peeked at the maids below me carrying sheets towards the washing rooms. They were laughing to themselves. Something about another servant accidently falling into a pool of water. I heard in other kingdoms the maids constantly frown and you can see the bags under their eyes. My father has always taught me that these were my people, not beings I can order around. It made me smile to know my servants were happy.

“Cecilia!” I turned to see my septa call me. She waved her hand at me to go with her. I put down my book, and hurried to her side. Maybe was an anxious woman. Her head was always covered even on the hottest days.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her.

“Your father requires your presence,” Maybe said. “It is very important, do you understand? Very important.” We continued down the hallway. My father’s men passed us in the hallway. I tried to say hello, but when they saw me they looked away.

“Maybe,” I said. “Is Sir Petra feeling okay? He looked sick.”

“Now is not the time for questions,” Maybe answered flatly.

“But—

“Cecilia, please not now,” Maybe interrupted me. More of my father’s men emerged from the main hall. None of them met my eyes either. They kept walking. One pair whispered to each other while looking at Maybe.

I shook my head. This couldn’t be as bad as I thought it was. Maybe I was overthinking things.

We approached the doors to my father’s hall. Our family sigil craved in the middle. A book with a single eye on the cover. I looked back at my poor septa who was wringing her hands together.

“Are you coming?” I asked.

“Your parents wish to speak with you alone. I will see you tomorrow morning for our walk, my dear,” Maybe turned to leave.

“What do you mean tomorrow morning? What about late afternoon tea? We always have late afternoon tea,” I said. Maybe looked over her shoulder at me.

“I expect you will need time alone to reflect, my dear. Now, go inside. They are expecting you,” Maybe walked away, and I knocked the heavy, wooden doors to my father’s hall.

Guards opened the doors to my somber-looking parents. Lord Garth and Lady Magnolia Grover of Highgarden sat in their respective thrones before me in the hall. They had closed the windows, but the sun still reached the inside of the room. It changed the hall entirely.

The branch-like beams that once looked like strong trees on the ceiling, now looked like a frightening forest. The banners hung along the room stared at me instead of greeting me.

My mother, Lady Magnolia, wore a dark green dress. Her hair was half tied back as usual, and she wore a frown on her face. She was a critical woman. I was her eldest, so I was used as an example for my sisters.

My father, Lord Garth, was the opposite of my mother. He was a large, happy man. He tried to avoid my gaze, but I caught him every time. Something was not right. Something was wrong.

My father waved his hand to the guards, and they shut the heavy wooden doors behind them. It was only us three in the room now.

“Cecilia, come closer,” My father said. I noticed the pint of ale next to him. My father never drank during the day unless he was stressed.

“Father, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” My father looked down and let out a long sigh.

“Cecilia, when you were born, I was so happy,” he started. “I had secretly hoped for a boy because I wanted an heir. Then the wet nurse handed you to me, and I was in awe of you, Cecilia. I felt apart. You were so small and vulnerable. I promised myself that morning to protect you and your sisters from everything.

“Of course, when you began to read, I let you read anything you pleased. Poems, epic tales, religion, philosophy, anything you wanted. Your mother and I were excited that you were a curious girl, but we kept things from you and your sisters.”

“What kinds of things?” I asked.

“Things going in the nine kingdoms. I have kept news of the capital and other kingdoms from you, but now I no longer can.”

“I don’t understand, father,” I said. “I am always updated on the news in the capital. I have a report every morning. One of my maids tells me the news every morning with my tea.”

“Do you not think I would filter her? Your chambermaid is to tell you what I deem is appropriate. I have been lying to you, Cecilia. Please do not be angry with your maid. She was following my orders.” I felt my fists balled up at my sides. My nails dug into my palms.

House Grover prided itself on knowledge. Our words “Knowledge is Power” was known throughout the nine kingdoms of Westeros. We invested time and a lot of our money into the pursuit of knowledge, and here was my father keeping information away from me.

“What have you been hiding from me?” I growled.

“Cecilia, do not growl at your father like that,” my mother scolded me.

“Let her be angry, Mags. I knew she would be. I need her angry,” my father patted my mother’s lap, soothing her.

“You need me angry? Why?”

“Because what I have been hiding from you and your sisters is something that will make you either very angry or very scared. I need you angry. You are no use to me scared.” My father sounded cruel, but he was right. Cowards rarely get anything done.

“Cecilia, look at me,” my mother said. “You must not tell your sisters. Do you understand? The less they know, the better.”

“Now you are scaring me. What could be so awful?” I asked.

“His Grace, Malekith of House Vindici, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Nine Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm must die.”

“What?”

“King Malekith has gone mad with power, Lia. He has hurt innocent people. He wishes to create a child army so he can raise them, so they can be loyal to him. He has promoted slavery across the realm, along with slave fighting, sex slaves, and abuse to his own people, the Dark Elves. He must die, and there must be a new king.”

“Father, this is treason,” I said quietly. “As angry as I am, I will not allow you to do this by yourself. I cannot allow this. If Malekith is this cruel to his loyal subjects, I cannot imagine what he will do to you.”

“No Lia. Allow me to finish. Lord Odin from Pyke is leading a rebellion against King Malekith. He is gathering men from the North and creating alliances. He wrote to me a month ago about an alliance between us. I agreed to take on this alliance with him.”

“So there will be war?”

“Yes, there will be war. But first, an alliance will be made.”

“I thought you said we were allies of Pyke already. Did you not send word that you agreed?” I asked.

“I have, and Odin knows, but we need to make this alliance official. We need something that ties us together, Cecilia,” My father stood up and took my hands. “We need a marriage.”

At first, I was confused. Why was my father speaking of marriage when he was already married? My father stared at me longer, and then it hit me.

“I see. That is why you need me angry. That is why you called for me. I am to be married,” I said out loud. It made sense now. Why Maybe was so distant, why my parents were so somber, why there was no one else in this hall. My mother stood up and joined my father.

“I want you to know that we discussed this at great length, and it is time for you to marry. You are ready. You are old enough, you have bled, and you are mature enough for this,” my mother said. My mouth felt dry, and I couldn’t look at either of them. My heart started to race.

“Who is he? Who is my betrothed?”

“He is my son,” I heard a voice say from behind my parents. A woman stepped out from behind the curtains in the corner. Her golden brown hair was tied back in braids on top of her head. She wore a combination of armor and dress. She impressed me. She also intimidated me.

“Who are you?”

“I am Lady Frigga of House Odinson. I have been looking forward to meeting you, Cecilia,” she said. “You will be marrying my son, Loki. I believe you two would be great match for each other.” My mother coughed when she said that. I had a feeling my mother wasn’t so supportive of this.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“Mother’s intuition,” Frigga looked at my mother when she said that. It was obvious. Frigga and my mother did not agree on this marriage completely. “Now that you are aware of events that are to come, I was hoping to take afternoon tea with you. I would like some time to get to know my future daughter.”

“Alright,” I said and nodded. My mother, Frigga, and I left the main hall. Guards led the way to tea. It didn’t feel real yet. Our king would not hurt his own people. What kind of a king would do that? Why would he hurt his own people in the first place?

And I was to be married. Yesterday, my mother was telling me how childish it was to be running around in the gardens, and now she thinks I’m mature enough to be married. Lady Frigga was kind, but I’ve heard things about her son. Dark things.

My mother and Frigga did not speak to each other during the walk. I did not blame her. My mother was never considered a people person. That was my father’s expertise.

The tea table was set with various small foods and fruits. The tea was not warm, but cool and sweet when it hit your mouth. I had so many thoughts going through my mind. I waited for my mother or Frigga to speak first.

“Cecilia, Magnolia,” Frigga started. “I have heard word that Highgarden was a beautiful castle, but now that I see it no words can do it justice.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking another sip of tea. “I must apologize. I have never been to another castle before. I have read about Pyke. Is it truly always storming?” Frigga chuckled.

“Not always, but it does storm often. Now that I think about it, the last time I saw clear skies and the sun was many moons ago,” she said. I hummed in response. Frigga shifted in her seat and looked at me directly.

“This is a lot, I know,” Frigga said. “I reacted the same way when my mother told me I was to be married to Odin. It is a scary thought.”

“My daughter is not scared,” My mother interjected.

“I said it was a scary thought. Not that Cecilia is scared. However, when you hide so many things from your child, I can only assume that child is not going to be too happy hearing about an impending war.”

“I will not sit here and let you criticize how I raise my daughters,” my mother’s anger was rising.

“Mother, please,” I stopped her. “I apologize, Frigga. My mother and father only meant to raise me without heavy things on my mind. Knowledge is powerful, but sometimes it can be too much to bear.” My mother sat back, looking defeated.

“I apologize as well,” Frigga said. “Clearly, you raised a bright young lady, Magnolia.” My mother nodded, but she could not look at me. She was a proud woman.

“Why me?” I said. “Why not Lady Sif of Casterly Rock? Wouldn’t that be closer to you?”

“It is closer. However, Lady Sif is to marry my eldest, Thor. We wanted you because Highgarden is not only home to many farmlands, but also your soldiers are smart people. My husband Odin knows war, but only to an extent. Your father and his soldiers are seasoned in war on land and sea.”

“You need our intelligence and numbers,” I said.

“Exactly,” Frigga continued on. “We are gathering as many allies as we can. You and Sif are the keys to secure two of our biggest alliances. These marriages are very important to this rebellion, Cecilia.”

“I understand,” I said. I looked around, trying to take it all in. The air was tense and hard to breathe. “Maybe was right.”

“About what? What did Maybe tell you?” my mother questioned.

“Maybe never said a word to me about any of this,” I explained. “But she did tell me that I would need time to reflect. That this meeting was very important and I would need time for myself. I hope you do not take offense, Frigga, but I must cut this off early. I wish to walk around.”

“I understand, my dear,” Frigga smiled. “Maybe another time?” I stood up and my mother followed me without saying goodbye to Frigga. When we were out of earshot of her, my mother started speaking.

“Cecilia, I want you to know. I did not want this. I do not want this,” my mother kept walking with me. “I tried to reason with your father. If there was another way, I would have made him do it.”

“All my life you have prepared me for two things: marriage and to be the lady of Highgarden. Why are you so against this now?”

“This is not what I wanted for you. I wanted a respectable lord for you. House Odinson of Pyke and their men are savages, Cecilia.”

“I know they pillage and they love a good fight, but that doesn’t mean they are savages, Mother. You taught me better than that.”

“They are rough and ill-mannered. They follow a different god. Frigga may not tell you, but I will. Thor may be the strongest warrior of Pyke, but his brother Loki has a different kind of power. You need to be careful.”

“You told me there was no true power to rumors.”

“Not these rumors. I must go back to Frigga to start the wedding plans. I’ll leave you here,” My mother took my hands. “I don’t say this often to you, but I am proud of you, Lia especially today. I will see you at dinner.” My mother kissed my cheek and left me to my thoughts.

This was happening whether I liked it or not. I have read about war. Some of the older servants lost their loved ones to it. War was not a good thing, but it was necessary. A king gone mad is not fit for the throne. He must perish, and I will do my part.

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