#cairbre the cruel

[thewolfisawake]

Runs finish today, they need to be taken out and check what's applicable. The Oireachtaigh family expected Cairbre to entertain a step with a suitor--one that they'd figured out and found lacking. There was their father's incessant need to check on the king's projects and actions. And there was correspondences from the foreign powers to the Seelie with the Noivan Empire and the Unseelie as the latest.

Eriskyne's list appeared endless with their tasks. And were receiving less and less time to even rest. They feared mistakes piling but they could find no time to sort themselves. And it wasn't as though they had someone they could ask. So all they could do was attempt to push through so a break may find itself to them.

Looking down at the writing, it was all hazy and no matter how they move the parchment or paused to examine...it was difficult to refocus. Eriskyne rubbed their eye when there was a ringing of a bell. Checking their dial, it indicated the visitor was looking towards their Edinburgh home, "Who--ugh, I have no time for this."

They were hanging on by a thread but ever a perfectionist, the changeling wouldn't allow themselves to slip. At least that was the through before they opened the door.

Standing there was a woman, who they might've at one time looked 'older' but by now can see likely only in her 20s. Hair like fine flax that fell over a shoulder. And eyes like her namesake of hyacinth shined with curiosity...and something else. Fair skin...the last time they saw was stained with red. A smile no longer mournful but still gentle met their gaze.

"My...look how big you've gotten, Χαρά μου..."

The inconceivable piled upon the insurmountable, toppling all within Eriskyne's head. And rather unceremoniously that thread they tread by snapped. The lady, sensing they were suddenly unsteady, showed a surprising strength as she wrapped an arm around them. She bore their weight easily as she crossed the threshold and looked for where she could lay them.

Eriskyne's awareness dimmed quickly but they could hear the lovely tones of her. They knew it could be no one else. But they could not remain tethered any longer, the burden of their being crashing down on them. A soft, uneasy voice--afraid that if they woke up, it'd be just a cruel dream--called, "Mamaidh..."

#{Wanderlust of the Reposed} #oof when I had to think of dead parents #I immediately remembered #and was like 'oooh that's gonna be a lot' #the passive stress Eri's been having #plus the absolute bombshell of seeing #their past come up #yeah brain was not having it #said it's beddy bye kiddo

[softservewidow]

Cairbre the Cruel - First documented irish catboy ?

#ireland #poetry #irish poem #middle ages #catboy #cairbre the cruel #mythology #celtic #celtic mythology #meme #irish myths

[momo-de-avis]

So regarding the conundrum I was stuck in, which I expressed yesterday, I’ve reached a veredict. And I would actually appreciate some feedback because this is THE low point. This is where the line on the graph just falls down like a damn slope.

Keep in mind this is the structure: the character who wrote the letter, Etain, is already dead. The very previous chapter shows her death, and why it happened. It is mentioned she wrote a letter, and this would be the letter she sent that her betrothed reads.

Defeated, he fell on a chair, head stuck between his hands. All around him, the two continued to discuss—Flann as cautious as ever, Ewan siding with the younger one, pros and cons being listed, one eager to put together a party to assess his claims, stating that sending a few scouts couldn’t hurt, they should at least try. Flann agreed with the scouts, but not everything else—it was an unnecessary risk, they had to wait until they reached further north and secured a safe passage towards Dunmorrígain so they could contact the ó Conchobhair, with their aid they could then prepare an assault.

But the uncertainty in Seán’s heart grew, a flutter that propelled him to move in his seat like a restless child, hands up and down his body, between messing his hairs and slapping his knees, jittering leg evidencing his despair. I have to have faith, he thought, closing his eyes for a moment as behind him the two men continued to discuss the matter with a growing voice that was borderline a shouting contest. He had come to notice that Ewan and Flann tended to disagree on several matters, far too much than what should be expected of a clan bearing not two, but three leaders. It sometimes caused a fuss between their men, who seemed torn between the two and acted irrationally out of, perhaps, a lack of discipline. He hoped that wouldn’t be the case then.

Time passed; outside, the sounds of merry living dwindled, light decreasing as the sun settled in the horizon, and inside the tent, the fight ensued. Seán didn’t move, only occasionally turning back to say something he believed to be useful, though he was sure none of them paid attention to what he had to say. Then, a man came inside, holding a letter between his fingers and called for either of the leaders. Ewan and Flann exchanged a look, the former taking a step forward and leaning in to listen to the messenger’s whisper.

Ewan looked down at the letter, a layer of pallor cast over his face as he gulped in silence. His eyes skimmed the inside of the tent as if he sought for something, but they rested on him, on Seán. He gave a step forward, handed him the letter and nodded.

“For you,” he said. “From Alba. It just arrived.”

Seán’s hands trembled, his fingers barely able to hold the paper. The seal struck a chord of fear in his heart—the green apple of the ó Cairbre. His mouth went dry and he blinked repeatedly; there was a hazy sensation to the world, as if it swirled and moved despite his existence, outside himself, with no meaning, no connection to his soul, no relation to him whatsoever. It was a good sign, was it not? She had written him a letter—it had to be Etain’s words inside—and that meant she was safe. Yet something inside his heart sent a shudder of a horrifying anticipation, one he couldn’t quite explain.

He broke the seal. The letters danced on the paper when he unfolded it, and for a while, they seemed to bear no meaning. Do not come for me, no matter what happens. His hand waved in the air, found solace in covering his mouth when tears sparked in his eyes. I am lost, and this I have chosen with a clear conscience, now I only pray to Brigid that you find it in your heart to forgive me. A dash of pain, cold and brisk, stabbed his heart and shot up his head; for a moment, he thought he went blind, but was simply blinking. His eyes focused with difficulty, the words now contorting under the yellow tint of the lights that brought out their irrational shape and buried their crude meaning into the depths of his scarred mind. Am I to live, he will make me a prisoner and negotiate my life with Selena—I cannot allow that, my love. I cannot allow myself to put her in that position.

Both Ewan and Flann disappeared from his sight; all there was, was the irritating sepia tone of the air around him, the intense smell of burned wax and wood, and the clanging sounds of metal outside, cups clinking against one another as voices raged in roaring laughter. A distant, inconceivable joy he couldn’t place. He wasn’t there, but thrust into somewhere unknown, a black nothingness where Etain’s words stung his skin like a million needles.

I am told they’re only a day away as I write this. It is likely the ó Cinnéid will yield. They’re weak, have always turned where the money is and hide their tails between their legs like cowards. Do not trust them. Lugh knows I cannot, and I have accepted the fate of our city. Now, I have to accept mine.

The words became blurry. Seán wiped his eyes with the back of his hand when the tears came, blinked repeatedly at their stinging sensation. Protect her. Fight for her. A sob escaped his lips; his hand shivered, he could barely hold the paper. Stay with her, forever. Don’t ever leave her side. She needs you, my love. He crumpled the letter, though he didn’t mean to; he thought of throwing it away, but couldn’t do it. Etain’s very soul was contained in it, her very essence enclosed in the ink that stained it in those daunting words.

Tell Selena I love her, and how much it saddens me that I will never get to see her crowned. Perhaps my spirit will linger, and I shall walk by her side until her dying days. I certainly hope the gods are kind enough to grant me the gift of peering through the veils, if only to make sure her life is a gracious one.

Ewan’s hand moved, trying to reach for his shoulder in a calming pat, but Seán warded him away. The letter was clutched to his hand like an amulet—he couldn’t let it go. He opened it again, pressed it against the table to soften the creases of his impulsive gesture, a sense of regret so great possessing his heart he felt he was tending to Etain herself, muttering the words as he did so: I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, my love, I am so sorry.

I left my wedding dress on my bed. Ever since the day I left the School, I longed to wear it. I chose the colour blue because it reminded me of the seas, the same that’s always scared you so much.

Flann tried to speak to him, but Seán told him to shut up. The map was now a deriding vision, a divine mockery. There was no room for the flashing memories that assaulted him—all he could think of was Alba and its gardens, the marble statues of Etain’s favoured place, sprinkled with apple trees and quinces everywhere as she hopped around merrily. Her giggle. The way her eyes crushed whenever she smiled, her cheeks pink as roses in puerile joy. Her golden locks swaying at the salty breeze, how graciously they framed her round face.

I keep thinking of the day I fell in love with you. That day you found me in the arena and I begged you not to tell the guards on me. We had known each other for eleven years, and I wondered: how could I have missed it? How could we have lived together as friends for so long and missed on the love that bloomed right there and then, so immediate it took me by surprise? How could we have shared a lifetime together and only find this joy so shortly before we parted ways? I wish I could return there. I wish I could stand in the School’s arena with you right now. I wish I was hiding behind a tree or under the benches as you pressed a hand against my lips to keep me quiet while the guards searched for us. I thought the School would tear us both apart if we let everyone know, but as it turns out, it was never in the gods’ plans.

The world, Seán, is more cruel than I figured. Alba was always peaceful. I had my stupid gardens and my ocean, and I had you. And all the while, our beloved Selena suffered. They taught us for eleven years the tools to survive in a world that isn’t ours. They kept us hidden and protected like precious gems, and released us into the world like tamed animals. You and I, and Selena, we don’t know how to survive in it. The three of us were always bound to inherit a war we didn’t start. That’s why you must always stand by her side, that’s why you must always fight for her. So that in one year, two years, eleven years, the next children won’t fear what we feared.

I love you, so much I understand now our fates are not bound together. I love you enough to take the fall so you shall stand. But I promise you I shall not fall alone. You’ve always said I was a better dancer than I was a fighter. I suppose the time has come for my last dance, my love.

“There has to be time for—” his words died on his tongue, sucked in by his own sobbing. When another pair of hands touched him, Séan pushed them away. “You have to go to Alba right now! You have to do something!”

And the world swirled, untamed, distant and disconnected. All he thought about was Etain, her garden, her quinces and apple trees; all he thought about the wedding that never happened, the mistakes committed in the past. Her joy, her smile, her giggle. Her bossy attitude, her imposing stance, the way she pressed her lips together when she wanted things done her way, how her eyes fulminated whoever crossed her. Her blind acceptance of Selena’s reveal, how she hadn’t flinched at the thought of her best friend being Lavinia’s daughter. Devoted and faithful, as she had always been.

Ewan’s hands held him down by the shoulders; this time, Seán didn’t fight him. His strength waned, his vision blurred. The letter shuddered in his hand, the words now indistinct. I love you, and please forgive me. They danced in his mind like a haunting, and images of Etain projected themselves in his mind as a last attempt to hold on to her. Stand with her, fight for her, don’t ever leave her side. Promise me. I promise you, he thought, but he couldn’t; if he promised her, that meant accepting she was gone, but there was still time, there was still a chance.

“I cannot—” tears ran down his cheeks. “I cannot leave her, we have to—” there had to be a chance, there had to be a chance at saving her, saving the city, saving Alba’s gardens; a chance at standing atop the walls overlooking the black rocks whipped by the white foam of the seas, as Etain leaned over with arms wide open, giggling. He had to see her again. “Please, I beg you, we have to—”

“I’ll gather a party,” Ewan said, his hands now holding his face. “We’ll leave in the morning.”

Seán nodded. There had to be a chance.

So yeah, my idea was taunting the reader with this idea of the character being obsessed with the possibility of there being a chance, because there isn’t. By now, the reader knows there’s no chance. She’s dead and the reader saw it. 

(And then there’s one character left for us to see just how much this fucks her up)

#my writing #writeblr #also hey #I wrote this last night #very likely to be changed sometimes soon #but so far I think it holds

[cuddlefish85]

In The Shadow Of War Part one

 Summary: With Asgard in flames and it's people facing an uncertain future the king and prince of Asgard must face a new threat when one of Asgard's many enemies decides to make them pay. And you become their last hope to bring peace to a dead race and help keep another alive.

 Pairings: Loki X Reader (ft Thor, Valkyrie) 

 Warnings: Violence, mention of war and slavery 

 A/N: This is my second attempt at a Reader insert and my first attempt at posting on Tumblr so forgive any mistakes and please enjoy. The usual applies I own nothing but my original characters and that’s at a push. 

                                                  Let Rip The Dogs Of War               

'Cross the field they thunder To the walls of hardened stone,  While all the time torn - split - asunder Yet not one faltered while many fell,  Till 'gainst the walls they charged and broke,  The enemy who stood in smoky hell,  Who stood on the walls of crumbling rock,  For their king, too, they fell in turn, And into the choke and the battery smoke, They fled, they fell, rallied not again.

  Dogs Of War by Zac Pearce

Asgard

From your perch on the low wall, you watch as the golden hair prince roughly tumbled with his friends. The royal grounds had been your play ground for as long as you could remember as your father would bring you between the realms to do the All father's bidding.

You hadn't understood your father's willingness to help but you knew your place and as the only daughter in a large brood of boys, you were quick to put yourself in your father's graces.

A boisterous laugh boomed from the young heir and you furrow your brow; Thor had always reminded you of your most favourite brother but also the one who more often than not was the cause of your punishment from your father. Turning from the pile that comprised of Thor and his friends you find the dark prince scowling over the top of his book, no doubt disturbed by Thor's thunderous laugh.

As though feeling your gaze, Loki looked to you and for a moment he looked at you with uncertainty and then scowled before returning to his pages.

With a frown you jump from the wall and brush your tunic down; as one of your father's chosen you were expected to be ready to fight whenever and wherever he demanded it and he stated many times that a fighter couldn't wear a dress that constricted movement.

“(Y/N) join us; leave my brother to his books” you turn your frown on to Thor; he had been but a toddler when had first ran up to you and attempted to fight you and you had easily pushed the boy away and glared.

Now he had taken to challenging you in a playful nature.

You always declined his offer.

“If he wishes me to leave him alone I shall but I will not best you again for it is boring” you tease causing Thor to stare at you for a moment before laughing again and give you a curt nod.

You turn away knowing that Thor and his friends had found new entertainment, for not matter how many times you attempted to strike up a conversation with the young prince he would snarl for you to leave him alone.

Though this had not always been the case, there had been times many years ago when Loki would bound towards you and you would spend hours talking and he would show off his latest magic trick.

You strode with purpose ending up before the dark prince and cast a shadow over him. And just like all the other times he scowled at the pages before turning his dark look to you and glared up at you.

“Just go back to that oaf and play what ever silly games he wants to play” Loki growled causing you to narrow your eyes at him. Despite how many times he would snarl or snap at you, you would always hold your own.

“Why must you be such a troll” you hiss causing a flush to crawl up his usually pale cheeks and for his blue eyes to narrow at you.

“Trolls are from stories that are told to simpering children” Loki snapped causing you to prop your hands on your hips and turn your nose up.

“They are real; I've seen them.... my father has one of their heads mounted above my brothers bed” you declare before a laugh breaks out close to you and you see Thor and his friends laughing.

“An apt place for your head” Fandral declared with a pointed look to Loki who snarled a little. Thor smirked at his brother before looking between the pair of you. Thor had gotten it in to his head that Loki was cruel to you because he liked you. When you denied that fact Thor would shake his head and mutter that you were both alike.

“A rather big word for you to use” Loki snapped causing Fandral to frown, glancing around him but the others just shook their heads.

“Apt.... I would dare say that maybe Sif has been teaching you” Loki declared with a sniff before Fandral narrowed his eyes but Thor slapped his hand on the other boys shoulder and chuckled.

“That would be the only thing Lady Sif would teach my dear friend here... was it three days  your eye was shut or only two” Thor questions as the other two laughed and Fandral seemed to give in to the teasing of Thor. You shake your head knowing that Loki often pushed his luck with Fandral and Volstagg; the latter of the two that could be bride with food.    

 Loki had taken pride in that and it was only Hogun who managed to remain un phased by Loki.

“(Y/N)” A hand maiden called before a dark, tall and scowling man appeared behind her, though not heavily built the man spewed dangerous power, from the top of his bald head all the way to his booted feet.

And when his silver eyes settled on you, you can't help but smile slightly knowing that the boys behind you were in awe of the warrior. With a grim look he stalked towards you and bowed his head as he stood an arms length away from you.

“(Y/N) we are to return home” Cairbre ordered as you frowned, though a man who rarely smiled he sounded more tense than he usually did.

“But” you begin but an arched black eyebrow had you snapping your mouth shut and ducking your head. For a brief moment Cairbre softened a little but quickly looking at the boys behind you returned his grim nature.

“Come Cha ghabh seo a chluich; it is not a request” though spoken in a soft manner you now that Cairbre had been ordered on more than one occasion to grab you and throw you over his shoulder.

With a resigned nod you turn back to Thor and Loki, avoiding their curious stares as you curtsy to them. You turn and quickly walk pass Cairbre with your head held high. You feel him follow you and you chance a glance back to find you were still under the watchful eyes of the boys. You meet Loki's gaze for a second before something clicks in place and you look up at Cairbre, his strong jaw clenching as he looked ahead.

“Is it my uncle? Will he attack?” you question as Cairbre faulted a moment before flickering his eyes to you for a second before steering you towards the stairs. You walked in silence as you strode through the halls of the palace; when you were alone Cairbre suddenly stopped and turned you towards him.

“Cha ghabh seo a chluich..... a war is coming and I will not always be there to protect you; you run and you fight another day understood” Cairbre ordered as you stare at him dumbly but when he shakes your shoulders hard you nod.

“Your father will not lose his right to his chair!..... at any cost” Cairbre hissed studying you before you nod in understanding. For a few seconds you just stare back at Cairbre an unease settling in your stomach but then Cairbre is on his feet and guiding you towards the rainbow bridge.

You knew this would be the last time you would visit Asgard and a little part of you felt a stab of pain at knowing you would never see Thor or Loki again.

19 Years Later

With a grunt you sit upright in your bed and pant as your eyes dart around the dark room, a sliver of blue moonlight filtered through the window, hitting a few dark pieces of your bed furniture.

Dragging hand down your face you attempt to control your breathing as you listen. All is silent and for a moment you think you had been woken by your imagination and nothing more, but you hear it. A faint yell.

Your senses on alert you look towards your chamber doors, the dark blue doors only standing out due to their golden trim. Pulling the covers back you quickly slip from your large dark wooden bed.

Due to your warrior training you were light on you feet; a true shadow, which you blended into with such ease that your father had put you in second command to a small section of his army of Shadow Warriors.

  Coin cogaidh, Dogs Of War, were the most revered warriors. They had gone to war for the All father; a force to reckoned with. Moving like liquid shadows on the battle field you had earned your right among them; which had annoyed one of your three remaining brothers.

Slipping your hand to the handle you slowly press down, upon hearing the click you steady your breathing and take a moment to listen. Hearing nothing you pull back the door a little and when you see the shadow of someone out side you flick your hand down, a black dagger appearing in a whisp of shadowy smoke you quickly stab at the figure only to have your arm grabbed and twisted. You and the door are barrelled open, you bring you knee up to gain some space but a flash of silver eyes you freeze as Cairbre glares at you.

He quickly releases you and peers back out the door, you don't move simply just stare at him.

“Cairbre” you hiss but he raises a hand, pressing the door closed, his head cocked to one side as he listen. After a few moments he was assured he turned to you with a grim look.

“It's time to go” Cairbre stated as he hand slipped to your elbow but you refused to move. Holding your ground as the towering man glared at you.

“This is no time to play; this is a civil war” Cairbre snapped causing you to straighten despite your elbow being held tightly by Cairbre.

“Then my place is out there; you trained me to fight for my father” you snap with only a hint of bitterness.

Cairbre was fair compared to what your father.

And at those words you see guilt on Cairbre face and it throws you. Cairbre had always been loyal to your father and by default to you. Growing up you knew this man would throw him self on a sword for your safety.

And the fact that he would willingly make you go against your father changed everything you thought you knew about the man.

“I trained you defend yourself and that is what you will do; far away from here. This war was never meant to be won by an army. The weapons your father plans to use are the most dangerous and once unleashed....” Cairbre trailed off before he clenched his jaw and squeezed your elbow.

“Your freedom is more important” Cairbre declared before he turned to the door and slipped it open slowly, you just stare at him as though he had gone mad.

Without a second look back he tugged you out and dragged you along the hallway. The large palace seemed more dark and foreboding than in all your life. As you drew closer towards the stairs leading to the main hall you can hear shouts, cries and wails as soldiers fought.

For a moment you have the urge to snatch your arm back from Cairbre but you fight it as he stopped in front of a tapestry that depicted the All father charging into battle with you father. Snatching it back, Cairbre allowed his hand to flicker with a shadow and inky wisps before pressing into a stone, a hole shimmers to life and Cairbre is pulling you behind him.

It feels like an eternity as he drags you behind him in the dark, twisting and descending in a darkness that is all consuming but Cairbre moves with ease, almost as though he could see each step clearly.

Suddenly he stops and another opening appears and you find yourself in the woods, the moon now a bright blue disc in the sky. You were far away from the castle, far enough that any sounds of fighting could only just be heard.

“Cairbre” you whisper before he stops and for a moment you wonder if he would move but then he turns and stares at you.

“I have spent many years being loyal to you Cha ghabh seo a chluich..... what your father has wrought today will destroy us.... but I will keep my promise to your mother and protect you” Cairbre ordered as you shake your head and slowly pull your arm back.

“But..... I.... my place has always been to fight for my father” you whisper as Cairbre shakes head, looking towards the forest before he looks to you and sighs.

“It was never a position..... it was a sacrifice” Cairbre declared but before you question him you hear footsteps behind you. Spinning you stare as Frigga revealed herself, pushing the darken hood from head.

“Your highness” Cairbre greeted before you spin and stare at him with betrayal. Your father had hated the All father for what he had forced your people to become and you hadn't ventured to Asgard in 19 years because of this.

“(Y/N) child” Frigga called causing you to shake your head and step away from the pair of them.

“No I will not betray my people!” you hiss darting your eyes between the pair, Cairbre reaches forward but you snatch your arm back.

“Our people are dying.... tonight is not just the beginning, it is the end” Cairbre stated as you shook your head again, watching Frigga from the corner of your eyes.

“No.... no my uncle will be stopped and.... and I will take my rightful place in the army and....” you stop yourself because you know that if you return your father will know in a second that Cairbre had attempted to make you flee and he would be killed.

“I do not agree with all the things my husband has done, that is why I am here to help you” Frigga stated before you look to her and stare at her. Your head shake is a little less violent.

“If father wins he will come for me” you whisper causing Cairbre to glance towards Frigga who nodded.

“You will be safe.... hidden” Frigga offered and you snapped a glare towards her.  

“I don't need to be hidden to be safe.... I can keep myself safe” you snap causing Frigga to raise an eyebrow at you but remained silent.

“Not hidden.... free” Cairbre stated as you turn to him and shake your head, somewhere deep in the castle an explosions rocks the night around you. Swallowing hard you turn back to Cairbre.

“We haven't got much time” Frigga ordered causing Cairbre to nod before he moved towards you quickly and gathered you in his arms. You let out a shock gasp, never once seeing the man who you considered another father ever show you any sign of affections beside a fond smirk.

“When you are ready you will return and reclaim” Cairbre declared before he pulled back and forced you to stare at him.

“Our people will need a strong leader; one who isn’t corrupted by the absolute power” Cairbre ordered before he turned you and shoved you towards Frigga who sighed when you glared at her.  Turning you look back to Cairbre and set your jaw with determination.

“You taught me to be a strong warrior.... I would have been one of my father's greatest warriors” you declare watching with a frown as Cairbre shakes his head sadly.

“No you would have been his deadliest weapon” he corrected before another explosions rocks the night, this time closer. Without another word Frigga grips your arm and drags you away. You dumbly follow for a little while, trying to understand why Caribre would be upset by the fact that you were a fierce warrior.  

It would be a great honour for you to be considered a deadly weapon. But the more you thought about and the further you got the more you were convinced he had meant something else.

 A secret that has been whispered by your mother days before her murder.

Snapping back when you reached a clearing you glance to Frigga as she stops and grabs a bag and hands it to you.

“Where am I going?” you question, bitterness still lingering but curiosity winning out.

“A place far away from here; you will learn how to fit in. And if you are to ever need me just call my name” Frigga ordered as you frown but she offers a small smile and steps back from you.

“I am not your enemy” Frigga assured with a smile to which you just stare at her.  

“Your new home is called Midgard,” you flinch as another explosion causing the night sky to turn bright and almost blind you.

“Heimdall” Frigga called before you are engulfed in a white light and your home vanishes from your sight.

Just as it began to burn.

#loki x reader #thor #valkyrie #mcu #reader insert #oc #orignal mythology