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raspberryfingers · 1 year

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A Lion in the Garden -Tywin Lannister x Reader- (Part 19)

WARNING: Mentions of miscarriage

—————

My grandmother was arriving from Highgarden today, much to both Margaery’s and my happiness. It had been a long few months without her, especially when I’d been gone in Dorne and Margaery had been the only Tyrell—minus my father—in King's Landing.

I was waiting for her at the gates of the Red Keep, and watching her carriage come through the grand doors made me smile more than I had since winning at the tourney.

The horses stopped, and I instantly approached, watching my grandmother step down and look around with a sigh. She’d never been fond of Kings Landing.

“Hello, dear,” she said as I took her hand and kissed it.

“Grandmother. Welcome back,” I said, and she scoffed, linking our arms as we made our way toward the castle. Our slow pace was convenient, as my stitches had been taken out, but walking was a bit hard if I did it for too long. The maesters assured me that if I continued to take care, I’d be back to normal in about two weeks.

That naturally excited me, because though Tywin and I had continued to… well, enjoy each other, it would be nice to do so without cautious restraint.

“I’m not happy to be back. Dreadful city. Though, when I received that raven I knew I had to come,” she said, patting my hand gently as we went inside.

“I wouldn’t have sent for you under any other circumstance. Margaery loves me, but she needs you here right now, as I’ve been a bit too busy helping Tyrion Lannister manage finances and plotting with the Lord Hand on how to handle Stannis Baratheon should he somehow manage to defeat Robb Stark,” I explained, and my grandmother nodded.

“Yes I’m aware, you’re quite involved. Margaery needs someone who knows her experience, anyways, and as far as I’m concerned, you don’t,” She said, raising an eyebrow at me. I shook my head.

“No, I certainly don’t. It’s happened to you before?”

“It happens to plenty of us, dear. It’s never discussed, but it occurs far too often. It causes far too much pain,” my grandmother said, lamenting what had apparently also happened to her.

I felt my heart sink, and I had no clue what to say or do. All I could do was apologize.

“I’m sorry, grandmother.”

“It was all a long time ago. How has your sister been doing? Relatively, of course,” she asked quietly, not wanting anyone to hear us as we journeyed through all the damned stairs in the castle.

“Slowly but surely she seems to be improving. Though, she hasn’t been eating as much these days, and I believe she’s been spending less time with the king. Cersei made a passing comment about it the other day, asking if she was alright because Tommen had not seen much of her lately. I explained that she had been sick and was recovering, though Cersei clearly did not buy it,” I informed her, watching her nod and sigh.

“Margaery’s going to need to start going outside again if she doesn’t want people to whisper. We’ll keep her away from more tedious things of course, but she needs to maintain her relationship with her husband or else things are going to go very wrong,” my grandmother insisted, quite animated with her free hand.

“She’ll take it better from you.”

“Yes, I know.”

I looked around and sighed, a feeling of dread in my stomach. I felt so bad for Margaery that it often made me sick.

“Oh, I nearly forgot. You’re a bloody fool for going to Dorne with Jaime Lannister,” she said suddenly, though I realized it was most likely because I was struggling with the stairs.

“It was fun, grandmother, and both Myrcella and Tyrstane are safe. Plus, they’re to marry at the end of this week,” I said, watching her roll her eyes.

“Fun. You are utterly ridiculous, (Y/N). You love jumping into the wreck, don’t you?”

“It’s certainly my biggest flaw, grandmother.”

“The two children are quite eager, aren’t they? You’ve only been back for two weeks now,” she noticed, to which I nodded and laughed.

“Yes, they certainly are eager. They are both good people, though. Cersei gave me a genuine thank you when I brought her daughter home,” I said, making her laugh.

“That would've been a sight! She detests the whole pack of us, only the gods know why. Perhaps she doesn’t like the thought of her mother being replaced,” my grandmother guessed, laughing even more as she whispered the last bit to me.

“Oh please, grandmother, for the last time, I’m not-“

“Enough, (Y/N). Lord Tywin already told me the two of you kissed. I suspect you’ve done much more than that since then,” she scoffed, waving her hand at me in annoyance.

I remembered then, that Tywin had said she’d made him promise to marry me after bedding me. I thought perhaps she’d done it as part of her assumptions about us, not based on actual evidence. Though, I was not entirely surprised. Nor was I upset, somehow. If Tywin had truly wanted to keep it secret from everyone, he wouldn’t have told my grandmother a thing.

Perhaps he didn’t mind telling people because he thought… there might be something more to our relationship?

“We have not done more since then. And either way, I’m certainly not replacing Lady Joanna. Tywin has a special place in his heart for her,” I said, shaking my head.

“Try telling Cersei that.”

I sighed, knowing my grandmother was right. I hoped that someday Cersei would come to tolerate me, but I found the chances of that oddly slim. Then again, it seemed anything was possible now that I was in love with the man I’d hated for a lifetime.

—————

Olenna and Margaery were sitting together, and though Margaery felt bad for making her grandmother come to King's Landing, she knew it was what she needed.

“I know it’s hard, my dear, and I’m so sorry. You’re still young though, and it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to have children,” Olenna assured her, taking her granddaughter's hand from across the table. Margaery nodded and looked down, pressing her lips together.

“I just- I wonder if it was something I did. Or rather, something I didn’t do. I wonder if it was my fault,” She whispered, making her grandmother shake her head.

“No, my dear, it wasn’t any of that. Children die in the womb all the time, only the gods know why. I’ve gone through it too, and look where I am now. I have three wonderful grandchildren to make up for my disappointing son,” she said, making Margaery laugh for the first time since she had miscarried.

“What was it… what was it like, for you?” Margaery questioned, fidgeting with her hands.

“It wasn’t easy. I was a bit farther along than you, and your grandfather already knew I was pregnant. He was thankfully supportive, but it took me a long time to move on. You don’t have that luxury, my dear,” Olenna said, making Margaery look down once more and furrow her eyebrows with a distinct sadness.

“I don’t want Tommen to know. He’ll let it slip to Cersei and Tywin without even realizing the implications,” Margaery said softly, knowing that this was something she’d had to suffer through alone. A pain she would always have to keep a secret.

“Which means you’re going to have to resume public life much faster than you’d like to. You don’t have to be ambitious just yet, but perhaps you ought to stay with the king in his bed tonight, and walk with him in the gardens tomorrow,” Olenna suggested, knowing that if Margaery remained secluded for too long rumors would inevitably spread and her relationship with Tommen might be affected.

“What if he wants to… to…”

“Let him down gently. Tommen’s a sweet boy, if you tell him you just want to hold him, he’ll comply. He probably won’t think anything of it,” Olenna said, to which Margaery nodded.

“As for Cersei and Tywin, don’t worry yourself. So long as Tommen doesn’t know, Cersei won’t. Even if Tywin knew, he wouldn’t dare do anything, your sister would take his head,” she continued, to which Margaery smiled a bit.

“I feel bad for (Y/N). I’m worrying her, I know I am,” she said softly, making Olenna scoff and shake her head.

“Don’t even think about (Y/N), her feelings in this don’t matter. What matters now is you, my dear,” she assured her granddaughter, hand to her cheek. Margaery simply nodded, which Olenna took a sign to move on from the topic. The last thing she wanted to do was make the trauma and pain worse by discussing it too much.

“Now, tell me what I’ve missed, dear girl.”

“Kings Landing has been quite boring, I’m afraid. Besides a small uprising of religious fanatics, which were crushed quite promptly, nothing has caused any problems,” Margaery informed with a shrug. Olenna nodded.

“And what of your sister? Anything new?”

“Well, (Y/N) was the champion in the tourney, and she went to Dorne just before the wedding, though you already know both of those things,” Margaery said with a soft laugh.

“Believe me, when I learned of it, I was in the right mind to send down our best guards and retrieve her from King's Landing. Even more so when I heard that she’d accompanied Jaime Lannister to Dorne. Your sister is a complete idiot. It’s good to know I at least have one smart grandchild,” Olenna complained, a distinct aggravation in her voice. Meanwhile, Margaery found she could not stop laughing. She was extremely grateful you’d send for Olenna.

“I’m certain Tywin Lannister would’ve thanked you for doing it. I wish you’d been there, grandmother. He kept yelling for the match to stop while (Y/N) was fighting, and he was shaking. I would’ve sworn I saw a tear slide down his cheek when she was being choked. I’ve never seen a man look more terrified in my life,” she said softly, as if worried someone might hear what she was saying. Olenna nodded and sipped her wine, swallowing as she processed everything.

“Do you think he’s bedded her yet?”

“It’s hard to say, but if I could place my bets I would say yes. The day (Y/N) left for Dorne, Ser Elias came up to me and asked if I knew where she was, to which I responded ‘no, should I?’” She began, pausing for dramatic effect, “apparently she’d told him that she was spending the night in my chambers. I covered for her of course, but it was rather odd, and when I saw her later that day she looked unusually happy.”

Olenna merely nodded, and Margaery thought it was rather odd. She would’ve expected her grandmother to laugh. She did not know, of course, that a promise had been broken. Well, the Queen of Thorns would not let that stand.

—————

Tywin Lannister was making his way up the tower of the hand, returning from the King's chambers, where he had informed Tommen that he planned to lead 500 men to Winterfell to destroy Stannis. He expected to leave in a little over a week, though he knew you would not be happy with it and would most likely demand to come along. When he’d agreed to send 500 men, you expected he would send another to lead for him, such as Kevan. But, in all honesty, he missed battle just as much as you did. More than anything, he just wanted to leave King's Landing for a month or so.

Admittedly, he didn’t want to leave you. Dorne had been miserable for him, but he tried to rationalize how much he missed you by telling himself it was merely because he was worried about your safety.

While you’d been gone though, he had truthfully realized something else. It had been eating at him since you’d returned.

“Lord Hand, Lady Tyrell is here to see you.”

Tywin had reached his chambers, and was surprised when the guards said that. Had you really climbed all the stairs? He knew you were mostly healed, but it seemed a bit strenuous all the same.

Opening the door and going inside, he looked around and did not see you. Were you in his bedroom?

He ventured to find out, licking his lips somewhat anxiously at the thought of you waiting for him in bed.

However, as he pushed open the door, he found your grandmother sitting at the small table in his room. There was a distinct shock in his eyes, and it gave Olenna great satisfaction.

“Lord Tywin, how lovely to see you. I have a feeling the sentiment is not shared, though. You were expecting my granddaughter, I would guess,” she said, rising from her seat and clasping her hands together.

“I did not realize you arrived today, Lady Olenna,” he said sharply, standing straighter and making sure that the initial shock on his face was nowhere to be seen.

“Either way, the guards did tell you Lady Tyrell was waiting for you inside, and your first instinct was to come to the bedroom,” she noted, to which he scoffed and looked away from her. He would not tolerate this.

“And that is relevant, why?”

Olenna merely laughed, sitting back down and pouring herself some wine.

“You’ve broken your promise, Tywin,” she noted, looking over at him smugly. He raised an eyebrow, sitting down across from her.

“I have done no such thing.”

“Then would you care to explain why my granddaughter has dresses in your closet?” She interrogated, making Tywin suck in his cheeks for just a moment. He was backed into a corner now, was it better to admit it or continue to resist?

“I don’t blame you, Tywin. My granddaughter is quite beautiful, and I was aware that your restraint would tire eventually. I’d only like you to be honest with me so that I might be honest with you,” she said, watching Tywin pour himself some wine and take a rather large sip.

“I would like you to know that (Y/N) presented herself to me, and that I attempted to protest. I had every intention to maintain my promise,” he told her after a moment, watching as she began to laugh.

“Oh, she’s just like me, that girl. And, it’s quite a thing isn’t it? You attempted. Come now, Tywin, we both know that’s certainly not the same as maintaining it. You wanted my granddaughter, just as she wanted you.”

Tywin involuntarily fidgeted with the ring on his finger. The one you had given him.

“I’ll be honest, yes I did. And I don’t regret it,” he said sharply, trying to maintain his confidence before your grandmother.

“I’m glad, because now it’s time you actually uphold that promise. You recall just as well as I do what you vowed to do once you began to bed her,” Olenna remarked, watching the Old Lion look down into his lap.

“I need more time.”

“Perhaps you should’ve considered that before you decided to bed my granddaughter. I’m going to be frank with you, Tywin. My son intends to accept another marriage proposal for (Y/N) by the end of this week, and to have another one of her suitors end up dead will not look coincidental. If you have any intention of ever marrying my granddaughter, you ought to ask her now,” Olenna explained, watching fire ignite in Tywin’s eyes at the mention of another man marrying you.

“I still have time. Even if the proposal is accepted, I have until the wedding planning begins. Your son might be an idiot, but he’s not so stupid he won’t understand that marrying his daughter to me makes infinitely more sense than some boy from a liege house,” Tywin reasoned.

“Of course, but then it will create conflict. Whichever damn lord my son intends to give her to will naturally be upset that the engagement was called off, and perhaps even more upset at House Lannister. Should that liege house decide to try and do something to spite you, you would feel compelled to do what you’ve always done and destroy them. Now, when that happens, there’s a unique dilemma for House Tyrell. Not only would we be failing to protect a liege house, but we’d be marrying our eldest child to the person that committed the assault. You need to propose now, Tywin, that’s all there is to it,” Olenna said sharply, making sure that Tywin completely understood the repercussions of him deciding to wait. The lion would keep his promise or watch the woman he loved be married off, there was no debate or compromise.

Tywin sat there in silence, knowing your grandmother was right. It did have to be now, lest he hold his silence forever and be forced to see you married to some pathetic boy and swell with his children.

No.

It was time now, and Tywin knew it just as well as your grandmother did. And the truth of it was, he did want to marry you. He wanted to claim you as his wife and spend the rest of his years with you, even if they should be only a few. But there was an underlying fear in him, especially as he recalled what you’d said the night the two of you had laid together for the first time.

You weren’t ready to marry him either.

He doubted that in the last two months or so that had changed, and it made him beyond anxious.

“What are you thinking, Tywin? Men like you don’t usually stay quiet for very long,” Olenna said, interrupting his thoughts.

“I’ve already procured a ring for your granddaughter. I’ve been intending to give it to her since she returned from Dorne,” he replied after a moment, watching Olenna’s eyebrows raise with surprise. She certainly had not expected that of him.

“A ring?”

“She gave me this one as a testament of our good relationship. I’d like to give her one of her own as a testament to my devotion to her. As a testament of my- my love,” he explained while showing her the ring you had given him so long ago. Your grandmother smiled at him.

“How romantic of you, Tywin. I would not have expected it.”

“I am worried she won’t accept it,” he said, ignoring the previous comment made and pouring himself more wine.

“You’re worried she won’t accept your marriage proposal? Don’t be ridiculous, Lord Tywin,” she remarked with a scoff, believing the man to be exaggerating or unnecessarily nervous.

“Before she left for Dorne was the first time I took her into my bed. Before I did, I told her that you had requested that I did not bed her without requesting her hand shortly afterwards. In response, she said that she understood I was not ready to marry her, just as she was not ready to marry me. If her sentiments have changed in the last month or so, then I am unaware,” he explained, watching her nod.

“Let me ask you something then. Before that night, did you already want to marry her?”

“No. I felt our relationship was too young.”

“And since then your sentiments have changed?”

Tywin paused, nodding and looking away from Olenna’s satisfied smirk.

“Then naturally, Tywin, I don’t think it’s fair to assume that my granddaughter's sentiments are still what they were.”

“Even so, I don’t want to pressure her. She’s always expressed a desire to live her life the way she wants to, and I’m not going to take that from her.”

“She doesn’t have a choice, Tywin. It’s you or a liege lord. My son is clearly relentless, and I’ve already been trying to slow him down. She’s not getting any younger, and she does need to marry and have children,” Olenna said, despite wishing you didn’t need to. She’d enjoyed watching you grow into yourself, and had always dreaded the day you got married. Somehow, though, she felt you would thrive with Tywin Lannister for a husband.

“Even if she marries me, it’s important to consider that she-“

“She detests the idea of children, I’m aware. Perhaps it’s a good thing given that you’re so much older than she is,” she noted after a moment, leaving the bait out. Tywin had no clue it was a test.

“It’s not the idea of children that she detests, it’s losing her freedoms with it. She’s excellent with her younger siblings, and I have no doubt in my mind she would make an excellent mother. However, (Y/N) would kill herself if that’s all she was ever permitted to be,” he corrected, watching as a smile appeared on your grandmother's face. It reassured her, in a sense. It made her feel that perhaps Tywin truly did understand you, and it was not a lustful fling.

“And so, I will come to my next point. Something I have meant to speak with either you or your son about before asking (Y/N)’s hand in marriage. Something I am going to demand,” he began, standing up to assert a certain level of confidence and dominance in the conversation. Olenna remained unphased.

“You’re not in much of a position to make demands, Lord Tywin. Either you marry my granddaughter or somebody else will,” she said, raising both eyebrows at him to demonstrate just how genuine her statement was.

“Tell me, Lady Olenna, if your son found out I was not only willing, but actually quite eager to marry your granddaughter, what do you imagine he would say?” Tywin questioned, already knowing exactly what the response would be, of course.

“He would most likely jump up and down while clapping his hands together, the pathetic fool,” she mumbled, remembering just how excited Mace had been upon hearing Margaery would marry Joffrey.

“Precisely. Your son is more eager to marry (Y/N) to me than (Y/N) is to be married to me. Therefore, I am in the position to be making demands. Demands that he is not going to like, mind you, but demands that he will fulfill in order to marry his daughter to me,” Tywin asserted, making Olenna’s face twist with distinct annoyance. Gods, Tywin Lannister really was an insufferable cunt, wasn’t he? She had not a clue as to what you liked about him.

“You love and desire my granddaughter far too much to ever give her up, Tywin. Let’s not pretend that I’m a blasted fool.”

“Correct. I have every intention to take her as my wife, but your son doesn’t know that, and I would threaten to reject her should he not give in. Don’t look so annoyed, you’ll like this demand.”

“But my son won’t?”

“No.”

“Very well, what is it?”

“I will marry (Y/N) on one condition: she must remain head of the Tyrell army until she can no longer hold a sword. That is my demand,” Tywin said sharply, watching Olenna’s eyes widen.

“My son is not going to give into that demand easily.”

“Nevertheless, he will if he wants to see his eldest daughter married to the richest man in Westeros,” Tywin assured her, knowing the kind of man your father was. He would complain, and then he would do as he was bid.

“What if he does not? The one thing he’s quite unrelenting in is making Loras the new head once (Y/N) has been wed,” Olenna questioned, knowing just how strongly your father felt about the subject.

“He will.”

“Yes, you’re right. But hypothetically, what if he does not? Would you truly sacrifice marriage to my granddaughter over it?” She asked, genuinely curious now. Tywin did seem quite confident in the fact that Mace would accept his request.

“No, of course not. I would give (Y/N) anything on earth that she desires, and if she desires to be my wife, then she will be. It’s exactly why I am making this demand. She desires to fight, she desires to lead. So she will,” he said simply, knowing that any other man might’ve been blind to your misery as merely a wife and mother. But no, Tywin would not see you unhappy, even despite his concerns. He would rather watch the garden be overgrown than see it barren after he had cut everything back.

Olenna merely nodded at the man, rising from her chair with a distinct satisfaction. It was odd for Olenna to consider that Tywin Lannister, the coldest, most brutal man in all seven kingdoms seemed entirely enslaved to your wishes.

Just as he had been a good husband to Joanna, your grandmother was confident he would be good to you. Somehow, she got the strange feeling that deep down, Tywin Lannister was a romantic. She likened him to something such as ember, once soft and hardened after all these years.

Of course, he’d been rather harsh even as a boy, but it seemed those who managed to find a way into Tywin Lannister’s heart would have his utmost loyalty and devotion. So long as they did not do something that might remove that sentiment, anyways.

He was a small, sturdy fortress. Fiercely protecting the few that could fit within his walls, and easily repelling those that did not.

Yes, you would do well with Tywin Lannister for a husband, your grandmother had not a single doubt about it. And even more than that, you would be happy.

Olenna wanted to laugh at the thought. Two years ago, even she would not have been able to conjure up the thought of you marrying Tywin Lannister, for love especially. Yet, even now, at 28 years old, you continued to surprise your grandmother. She supposed you always would.

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@ladysindar @vesta-ro @exo-nova @paola-carter

@prettykinkysoul @nothing2113

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@the-desilittle-bird @dianilaws @girlonfireice @muscari-fae @lostgirllulu @abigfanofgameofthrones @smalltownbigheart @frombloodandflesh

#tywin lannister #tywin lannister x reader #game of thrones #game of thrones x reader #house lannister #charles dance #tywin x reader #asoiaf #tywin imagine #a lion in the garden

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ladymelisande · 4 months

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Why do you dislike Elia Martel/think her fans have no good reason to like her? I’ve personally been neutral/indifferent towards her but I’m curious to know why you dislike her.

Oh, is basically how her fans and the other members of the Dead Ladies fandom have created a whole cult-like fandom that dedicates their time uplift her and other useless dead minor characters over the actual protagonists of the story (mainly Dany and everything related to the Targaryens but also poor Arya).

Not to mention that you can't post a single thing about Rhaegar Targaryen or Lyanna Stark without her fans whining. They also flod said tags with their hate pieces and what is worse... Some of them also tried to turn Lyanna either into a victim of 'evil Rhaegar' or she is 'Lyanna the homewrecker' as if Rhaegar and Elia's marriage wasn't a political match and is repeated again and again how they were only friends. They also go around how Elia is 'POC' (most of the time they cast a Hindi actress with her and pretend the Martell are Indian @ainomica can explain you further), never mind that Dorne is based on Spain and that the most famous actor that played one is Chilean.

They also turn Elia into another Catelyn Stark that apparently would have cried rivers of blood if Rhaegar went back to King's Landing victorious with Lyanna and their baby... Never mind Rhaegar had no plan to replace Aegon as his heir and believed that he was the Prince that Was Promised. So Elia would have queen, but they rather her be raped and dead than alive 'humiliated' by the fact the husband she didn't even love had a mistress.

They also used fanfic lines and passed them as canon to hate on Rhaegar. Multiple times. It's pretty pathetic.

But the things have gotten worse since the Sansa stans have basically merged themselves with Elia stans and once again the circle becomes bigger once HOTD comes out and the Sansa-wannabe that is Ninicent makes their little Club of Performative High Born Feminity even more annoying. The hate directed to Daenerys, Arya, Lyanna, Rhaenyra and even Cersei comes mostly from that section of the fandom. Like I can't even separate them because they are mostly the same people. They go around how these characters are 'not like other girls', 'man wannabes' and how their faves are so important for the story that they are actually the real intended protagonists! (I wish I was kidding).

They are basically self-inserts and they populate the fandom in such way that a newbie wouldn't know who the real protagonists are. Because active characters have actual personalities and actually affect the plot, so they can't be used as self-inserts.

#may answers #fandom stupidity

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queen-scribbles · 6 months

Text

Girls Night Out

Post-Gauntlet Keme & Elara friendship fic bc I caught a plot gizka off the most recent time through. ft Jaxo's Checking In mission and Elara giving relationship advice :3 [~3500 words]

---

The medcenter hallway was 763 tiles long.

Keme knew this because she'd counted them while pacing. Thrice.

The lovely thing about being Havoc's CO was that it allowed her to know the "status of her team" but didn't necessarily let her do what she wanted with that information. Which was why she was here, in the kriffing hallway, instead of in there. When the medcenter said no visitors they meant it. No exceptions for commanding officers.

She'd memorized the list of Jorgan's injuries, too.

Which was why she was here. Pacing the hallway. Instead of out enjoying the brief--rare--shore leave, or restocking, or any of the half dozen other things she could think to do.

It was hard to read the words "punctured lung" and not worry.

Keme finally halted and slouched in one of the barely-padded chairs, fingers nervously tapping the armrest as she stared at the wall. Please be okay.

[Punctured lung. Multiple contusions and blaster burns from sustained heavy fire. Significant plasma burns to left leg, extensive bone and nerve damage; below knee amputation recommended. Potential retinal--]

Footsteps echoed down the austere hall and Keme snapped to her feet. Her shoulders dropped fractionally seeing it was Dorne.

"Not to be insubordinate, Major-" the other woman began, settling into parade rest posture when she reached Keme.

Keme waved off the concern. "We're on leave, Elara. And regardless, if you're about to dispense medical advice, it's hardly insubordinate for you to do your job." She shifted her weight, fighting the urge to pace again.

"Very well. You should go do something, Keme. This" --she gestured to the hallway-- "is not healthy for you, and it isn't helping anyone."

Keme snorted and rubbed at gritty eyes with the heel of one hand. "Like what, Elara? I don't have anyone to visit, I'm not much for shopping, and I'll bet my next three paychecks I couldn't focus on a book or vid to save my--"

Her comm beeped with a message notification. Keme frowned. Garza or the medtechs would've commed, no reason for her parents to be contacting her right now... She spotted a terminal and headed for it, Elara on her heels.

"Something the matter, sir?" Elara asked.

"Don't know yet." Keme signed in and pulled up her messages. There were two--one text, one audio. The text file proved to be the official notice of their promotions; major for her, captain for Jorgan, lieutenant for Dorne, and the medals and commendations earned on the Gauntlet mission.

"Would've made captain soon if Command hadn't hung me out to dry." She chucked internally at the memory. Hope this wasn't too much of a delay for you.

The audio message was from Jaxo. "Hey, hotshot, heard you're back on Coruscant, with leave no less. Some friends and I were equally lucky, and we're gonna do something fun with it. Swing by if you wanna join us."

"That sounds like someone you could visit," Elara commented. "As a distraction."

Keme rolled her eyes as she closed down the terminal. "C'mon, how much fun d'you think I'll be tonight?"

"You never know," Elara said with a shrug. "Maybe once you start relaxing, it'll help more than you expect."

Keme chewed the inside of her cheek. Under other circumstances, it would be fun. Maybe she should give it a shot. "I'll go if you come with me."

Elara arched a brow. "I wasn't invited."

"So I'm inviting you," Keme said. "I'll tell Jaxo since we both have leave we're a package deal."

"Oh, alright. If it'll get you out of here."

Keme gave a wry smile. "Guess this means we need to go find other outfits, that fit the tone of having fun better."

"I suppose we should," Elara said with a faux-sigh, and they started down the hall.

Keme couldn't help a last look back over her shoulder, as if that would make a doctor materialize with an update and justify her staying.

It didn't.

---

This cantina was too loud. The first couple hadn't been bad, which almost made the pounding music and din of customer chatter worse. Keme took the drink--gizer ale--Jorda clumsily shoved in her hands and surveyed the crowd. Dancing, drinking...

The song changed and Keme wrinkled her nose. It was too loud to think in here, let alone really talk. She took a sip of her drink as that clicked. The other places they'd hit so far; five of the eight Jaxo had tallied at the start, were busy, noisy, but not so much to prevent conversation. She could listen to Jorda or Keran's war stories, Jaxo regaling them with one of her declassified exploits, and it was at least somewhat the distraction she needed.

With this place too loud to think, her thoughts were slipping back to the default track, even as she sought some level of refuge at the high tables away from the dance floor.

Punctured lung. Multiple contusions and blaster burns from sustained heavy fire. Significant--

"Hey." Jaxo hoisted herself up on one of the other tall chairs. "This seems a dang'rous combo with drunk people," she muttered, briefly distracted, before looking back at Keme. "Why don't you look like you're havin' fun? The whole point of this is t' have fun!"

"It's too loud in here." Wasn't technically a lie; she was all but hollering just to talk. "Can hardly hear myself think."

Jaxo snorted. "Y' aren't s'pposed to think, you're s'pposed to dance, have fun, drink people under the table." She studied Keme for a moment, expression sobering at the half-shrug she got in response. "You've been quiet all night, come to think. Dorne looks like she's havin' more fun than you." She lightly kicked the side of Keme's boot. "Didn't you just save the Republic an' get a big promotion?"

"Yeah," Keme acknowledged, distracted by a specific flicker of movement as Elara worked her way through the crowd.

"Well, I've about had my fill of this sort of fun," she commented, setting her half-drunk Johrian whiskey on the table and claiming the remaining chair.

Jaxo rolled her eyes. "Think you've rubbed off on your CO, Dorne; she'd rather sit an' mope into her drink than celebrate."

Elara let the jibe roll off without acknowledgement, giving her attention to the latter part. "The promotion may be cause for celebration, but since the squad XO was seriously injured in the course of that mission, I think her reticence is understandable, don't you?"

Jaxo had the grace to wince at the explanation. "Didn't know that part, sorry, major." She nudged Keme's shoulder. "Still, you being all sullen an' worrying isn't gonna help him get better any faster, right?" Isn't it better to be in a good frame of mind for dealing with whatever Command throws your way?" She glanced around the room, did a double take and grinned when it passed over the others from their group. "Looks like Keran found us some new friends." She slid off the seat, tottered a little finding her balance, and flashed Keme a genuine smile. "Hope you'll feel up to joining us, hotshot."

Keme appreciated Elara's silence as they watched her leave, headed for the gaggle of clean-cut 'friends' who had joined Keran and Jorda.

"How d'you think she'd feel, knowing she agreed with you?" Keme sighed, folding her hands over her cup and resting her chin atop them.

"About what?" Elara took another sip of her whiskey.

"Relaxing's the point of shore leave. Unwinding so you're ready for your next assignment." She tried not to dwell on the likelihood Havoc would be running a member short for whatever theirs was.

The song changed, something slightly quieter, and she sighed in relief at the reprieve.

A small smile tugged Elara's lips and she swirled the remaining whiskey in her glass. "True as that is, and as good as it would be for your mental state regardless, I think you were 'wound' a bit further than the rest of us, so it follows it'll take you longer to unwind."

"But you two also have a point there," Keme said, idly watching the animated body language of Jaxo and Keran's "friends". A challenge had clearly been issued; Jorda plunked a tray of shots down on the table. "What good does worrying do? Not gonna speed up the healing process, not even gonna magically create an exception to the 'no visitors' policy." She straightened with a huff. "But it's like I can't help myself."

"Well, I'd say concern for your people when they get injured in the line of duty makes you a good CO." Elara raised her glass and slanted a mischievous look at Keme over the rim. "Though I'm under no illusions it would be quite so much a... distraction, in my case."

Keme made a strangled noise of indignation. "I- You're my friend, of course I'd worry-!"

"I know, and I'd appreciate it," Elara said with a smile. A loud whoop dragged their attention to where Jaxo was clearly winning whatever game was going on. "I also know this is different."

"No point playing dumb, huh?" Keme groaned and rubbed her temples. "It is and I don't know why."

Elara scoffed, barely audible under the music. "No? Need I remind you the ship's medbay is right next to the armory?" She arched a brow. "Or that I have functional ears and it isn't as if you two whisper?"

She should probably be a little embarrassed by the implication, but she wasn't. Keme slugged down half her drink in a go, cleared her throat at the burn. "Then you know it's just been talking." So far, she added mentally. "Maybe a little flirting, but nothing serious, nothing to justify wringing my hands over him getting hurt. 'Specially in this line of work."

Elara studied her. "Keme." She set her now-empty glass on the table. "Jorgan didn't just 'get hurt', he was seriously injured, almost died--"

"Thanks for preventing that, by the way," Keme muttered into her drink, suppressing a flinch at hearing it so bluntly.

"You're welcome. My point is, just because you two have been outwardly taking your time, exhibiting caution due to your positions, doesn't mean your heart was on the same timetable." She leaned back in her chair. "You've not done anything by half-measure since I met you, it would hardly be a surprise for this to follow the pattern. And... close calls like this can easily serve as catalyst for realizing the true depth of feelings."

"Very astute." Keme finished the last swallow of her drink and slid off the seat to stretch. "Both the advice and the noticing."

"As I said, it's not hard to pick up." Elara smiled and likewise slid out of her chair. The song changed back to something that pounded, prompting the two of them to head for the relative quiet of the street.

"Well, in that case, thanks for not reporting me for fraternization or something," Keme said dryly, taking a deep breath of comparatively cooler air.

"I don't see a need," Elara said, shrugging. "It's clearly mutual, and hasn't kept either of you from doing your jobs, quite well. So long as it doesn't interfere with operational effectiveness, I don't see it as my place to report anything you or Captain Jorgan haven't, sir."

Keme slanted a glance her way, smirked at the mischief glinting in her friend's eyes. "You playing matchmaker now, LT?"

(A small but undeniable pulse of glee burrowed through her gnawing worry at 'clearly mutual'.)

Elara tilted her head, brows arching in faux-innocence. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, major. Should I stop??"

"Depends, do you think I need the help?"

"I have every confidence in your ability to pursue a man who's interested in you," Elara deadpanned. "If that's what you're asking."

Keme snorted. "Thanks. Then I guess it's just a matter of if you wanna be complicit should we get written up for fraternization down the line."

Elara perked up. "Oh, there's a form authorizing romantic relationships."

Of course there is. And of course you knew about it off the top of your head. "Great, more paperwork. Jorgan'll be thrilled."

"I think he'd do it for you."

"I think we should wait until it's actually a relationship before we worry about that, rather'n just flirting, huh?"

"If you insist," Elara said with a shrug.

Keme wondered what the odds were that form would be downloaded and waiting to be called for, when she was ready. Probably pretty high. She looked up, watching the racing lights of traffic flight paths for a minute. "Thanks, Elara. 'M sorry Jaxo's not exactly warm and welcoming, but I'm glad you came along."

"I was an unexpected addition," Elara said mildly. "And I'm far from ignorant of my reputation among Republic personnel. Their opinion of me is their business. Staying true to myself is mine."

Keme nodded. Good outlook. "How much d'you think it would shock them if we rejoin and I said you're the one who talked me out of moping and into havin' fun?"

Elara snickered. "Oh, that might almost be worth stretching the truth."

It wasn't that much of a stretch; talking about her muddled feelings had helped her feel better. More like celebrating. But they didn't get a chance to run their experiment. Even as they turned to head back inside, Jaxo and the others emerged from the cantina.

"Another one down," Jaxo crowed, hooking an arm around Keran's neck. "An' our tab's covered 'cause I drank her Navy buddies under the table!"

Ah. So that's who they were. "Quite the achievement," Keme drawled. "Where to next?"

"Done moping, major?" Jaxo teased.

Keme shrugged. "You and Elara made some good points. Tonight should be for fun."

Jaxo was too tipsy to hide her surprise. "Yeah? Glad we, uh, got through to you. We still have two stops left, hotshot. I expect you to pull your weight for them."

"Aye, aye," Keme said with a mock salute that Jorda found hilarious from her loud bout of laughter.

"Right then." Jaxo steered the group toward a taxi stand. "On to the Sloppy Tauntaun!"

Keme gave a startled bark of laughter. "That is not its name!"

"Oh, you're in for a treat," Jaxo sniggered as they piled into a cab. "Hole in the wall cantinas are the best."

---

Keme wasn't completely sure she'd agree with Jaxo's assessment once they're had their fun at the ironically well-kept Sloppy Tauntaun--she preferred cantinas with a bit of polish--but the drinks were good and they did have fun.

Last stop was the Silent Sun because it was closest to Jaxo's place. Smart move on her part; Jorda couldn't make it more than a few steps without giggling, Keran and Elara were weaving a little, and even with her slow start, Keme was feeling the buzz of not-quite-drunk(but more-than-tipsy). Still. She could walk a straight line, so not too bad. And she knew now Elara could match Jaxo shot for shot, which was fun information and had definitely increased Jaxo's opinion of the Havoc medic.

They'd turned down the hallway to Jaxo's place, Jorda now leaning on Elara while Jaxo punched in her access code--it took two tries, Maybe she was more plastered than she showed--when Keme's datapad beeped. She glanced at it out of habit.

Medcenter alert.

The pleasant alcohol buzz was gone.

She didn't open the message but its mere arrival was a reminder of reality.

Later. I'll deal with it after we leave. It still felt like her datapad was burning a hole in her pocket. She shook it off and followed the others into Jaxo's place. There was still the harsh reality of she couldn't do anything(except pace a groove in the hall), anyway.

"Hey. "Jorda's hand settled heavy on her shoulder. "You're amazing, y'know?" She blinked like a newly-sighted loth-kitten. "J'st amazing. Savin' our butts on Quesh? The Gauntlet? Amazing," she proclaimed with all the gravitas of an emphatic drunk.

"Thank you, Jorda," Keme said with a chuckle.

Elara materialized, gently tugging on Jorda's arm. "I think it would be best for you to lie down a bit, Corporal. Jaxo said you can use her bed, come on."

"Well, this was fun," Keran drawled as Keme joined her and Jaxo. "'Specially now that you've guaranteed I'll get heckled for the next month."

"Hey," Jaxo said with a grin and shrug. "If your Navy buddies can't drink a sweet little thing like me under the table, that's their problem, not yours. You heckle them right back."

Keran laughed. "Good plan. On that note, I better get going. We ship out late tomorrow, so I should work on sleeping off the incoming hangover. See ya 'round, Jaxo, Major."

"Later, Keran," Jaxo said, turning to Keme as Keran headed out. "Glad you made it. Even if it took a while for you to get in the spirit."

"I did need the distraction," Keme allowed, trying not to dwell on the medcenter alert. "Sorry I was a bit of a drag."

"Hey." Jaxo shrugged. "While I'm of a mind we should enjoy the good times when she get 'em, you had a pretty decent reason for that being tricky." She hesitated a moment, smile tugging her lips, then, "I gotta ask, this XO of yours... wouldn't happen to be the grumpus watchin' your six when we worked together, would it?"

Keme huffed a laugh. "Yeah. He's good at it."

"'Course he is." Jaxo snickered and sobered. "Well, I wish him a speedy recovery. And maybe Havoc can wrap this war up quick for us, huh?"

"You lookin' to swap for a desk job, Sergeant?" Keme teased.

Jaxo barked a laugh. "Please. I'd go insane inside a month." Her gaze flicked to the side as Elara rejoined them. "Am I gonna need to clean any of my stuff?"

Elara shook her head. "Not so far. But I would advise making sure she stays hydrated."

Jaxo gave a mock salute. "Aye, aye." She flopped back on the couch. "I'll let you two go. Thanks for coming."

"Yeah, sure," Keme said with a wave as she and Elara made for the door. "Thanks for the invite."

"Anytime, Major," Jaxo called after them just before the door closed.

They had to keep an eye for gangsters and so didn't have time for conversation until they were in the speeder back to the Senate district.

"Glad you went?" Elara asked lightly.

"Yeah. Needed the distraction," Keme said even as she dug out her datapad and pulled up the unread message. "Unfortunately, reality is persistent and has really bad timing..." She only skimmed the first couple sentences before handing the datapad to Elara. "Medcenter alert. You're better with parsing the jargon than I am."

One corner of Elara's mouth twitched and she took the datapad, lips moving silently as she read. "It's a treatment update... they were able to repair the retinal damage with no scarring..."

Good the squad sniper's vision isn't compromised, Keme thought sardonically, something tight easing in her chest.

"...they did have to amputate, the requisition for a cybernetic leg is attached. Being in SpecForce, particularly Havoc, that should be filled by end of day tomorrow; Command will want their top unit at full strength ASAP..." she read further. "...overall prognosis is good; full recovery and return to duty within two standard weeks."

"That fast?!" Keme blurted. She wanted Jorgan back, no question, but not because the medcenter rushed him out the door.

"The miracle of kolto," Elara said, shutting down the datapad and handing it back.

"And skilled medical personnel, and you," Keme added, tucking the datapad away. The tightness in her chest and gut eased further.

Elara arched a brow. "Wouldn't I fall under 'skilled medical personnel'?"

"No, 'cause you saved his damn life in the field, without access to all the fancy equipment here, that puts you in a category all your own, Dorne," Keme retorted.

"Don't forget Forex while you're doling out praises," Elara said, glancing at the buildings whizzing by.

"Oh, never. I've already bugged Garza twice about giving him whatever's the best commendation we can wrangle for a droid." Keme smirked a little, toying with the clasps of her jacket. "Squad loyalty and cohesion are grand."

"Your leadership's helped us get there," Elara said. "You're a fine commanding officer, and if I may say so, an even better friend."

"You may, and thank you." Keme shifted in her seat as the speeder pad came into view. "You're a good friend, too, Elara. Right down to talkin' me into girls' night out when I wasn't sure about it."

"That's what friends are for, sir," Elara said as the speeder settled on the pad and they climbed out. "As well as supporting you in rough times," she added when Keme's gaze went toward the medcenter. "Heading back?"

"Just to check in. Then--unless by some miracle the 'no visitors' policy has vanished--it's back to the Starbreaker for some rest."

"Sounds like a plan."

Keme nodded absently. Her bunk on the ship would be more comfortable than a medcenter chair, at least.

And she could always resume counting hallway tiles in the morning.

#queens fic #kementari rand #elara dorne #keme/jorgan #swtor #swtor fic #keme 🤝 tel: thinking elara is the best damn medic in the galaxy #love that keme's all ''we haven't done more than talk/lil flirt idk how serious it is'' when the VERY NEXT romance conversation #is the ''i've been watching your back alright'' + first kiss one #like #keme bABE #if the bragging about sniping range wasn't enough #the Giving You Jewelry should have been #and elara's just enjoying the show like >:3

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thewitchqueenofharrenhal · 1 year

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Oh Martells are your favourite house? Okay, so I definitely want to know what you think about Arianne Martell and her relationship with Doran? I saw people saying they aren't as great as Ned and Arya, but I don't like this kind of comparisons. Ned died and Doran is still alive. Arya and Arianne are in different positions, because Arianne is the oldest child and Doran views her not only as his child, but future ruling Princess and I think the scene in books when he basically saw through all her machinations and asked do you really think this is the way how game of thrones is played? And then he told her about his plans and she had character development because of it, it's so great dynamic between father and daughter. It wasn't always perfect, but Doran was aware he made a mistake by casting her aside and not sharing his plans with her and corrected it. And Arianne found out he never wanted her to become hostile towards Quentyn, he didn't prefer him over her, it's simply Doran's nature, but of course Arianne had the right to interpret his behaviour as favouritism towards her younger brother. This is how Viserys should have acted towards Rhaenyra. I will never understand people who hate Martells. Their mindset basically belongs to more modern times, it's the rest of Westeros which is misogynistic, not them. And side note: both Doran and Oberyn are good dads, how Martells do it? They have everything for me to live there except for the fact they are fictional 😭

It's no secret how much I love House Martell. However this is all my interpretations so take them with a grain of salt and I am definitely open to other perspectives.

You're right - I don't think it's fair to compare Ned and Arya to Doran and Arianne when the relationships are simply different.

With that being said I think their relationship is beautiful and full of love. I think Doran loves Arianne with all his heart and vice versa. However I think something that ASOIAF has drilled into the story time and time again is the children being ruled by the mechanisms of their parents.

I think Doran's children understand to a degree some of the trauma and grief that House Martell carries but I think Doran ultimately tried to shield them away from it and that was a mistake. Unfortunately this schism between love and duty has been major through all of Doran's storyline trying to avenge Elia and her children (love) while trying to keep his people safe (duty). His relationship with his children and Mellario (love) vs The sacrifices expected of him as a ruler (duty).

I think Doran's issues with Arianne simply stemmed from love and a desire to keep her safe. Mind you I think it's unfair to even call them issues because I think he esteems her highly. I think that he never believed that Arianne could ever imagine he would mean to disinherit her because in his mind it's so clear how much he loves her. However the problem was frankly his lack of communication and misunderstanding of her character.

I don't think Arianne was not doing anything for so many years as the text tells us how well loved she is in Dorne. She is very intelligent, charismatic and capable. However she is ambitious and perhaps a bit impatient and I think that is where Doran and her have some issues. I think Doran is perhaps a little not necessarily disappointed but dismayed in her attempt to play the game of thrones (the Myrcella plot line) because he knows how capable she is and how flawed that plan was. He has high expectations of her - We have seen how intense those expectations can be in Quentyn :( I think Doran thinks she will be a fantastic Queen of the Seven Kingdoms or Ruler of Dorne unfortunately I do think Arianne is the one who feels insecure in her abilities because of one the lack of verbal affirmations and communication from Doran and of course Mellario leaving. I think Doran just needs her to wait and breathe but that brings up another string of issues with House Martell - Have they not spent years waiting? So many years waiting and what has it got them?

Alas to stay back on track I think it was excellent character development once they finally talked to each other and reached some understanding. I think Doran has to a degree given the reigns over to Arianne and I think Arianne understands how much of a big deal that is and has shown herself to be extremely capable and thoughtful in TWOWs chapters we have of her. I think Doran will come head to head with some of his mistakes when news of Quentyn arrives but I think Arianne is a worthy successor to Doran and Dorne for that matter. House Martell is miles ahead compared to most of Westeros they're not perfect but you are correct miles ahead. I think it's probably "cool" to hate on them because they are the only ones who successfully defy universally beloved and fan favorites House Targaryen.

Doran and Oberyn were both really amazing dads not without faults...Obara:( but they did try their very best to make sure their children were prepared for most everything.

I agree haha I don't think I'd enjoy living anywhere in Westeros but Dorne would be one of the better places to end up in.

Sorry for all the ramblings!

#anon #House martell #arianne martell #doran martell

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denydefeat · 11 months

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Wishlist/Plot ideas for random characters under the cut. If you comment a muse or a few? I'll send you a DM about it. Some are vague. Some are more thought out. I'm going down my muse list so nothing is really separated but it is if you follow it while following my muse list.

Nesta: Not having a mate yet. I love them but also. It's just too clean. I want it messier. Thanks. OR Eris being her mate FUCKING FIGHT ME Elain/Lucien: Since I'm out here writing both, I want Lucien to ask Elain to just reject the mating bond so he can go on his own way without the confusion, guilt, and lingering what-if. Her having the internal debate about whether or not that is what she truly wants. Just all of the drama around that. Emerie/Mor: Literally those two. I write both so let's GO. Stannis: Winning the battle of blackwater before Tywin can deus ex machina his ass there (I love Tywin shhh) and becoming King of Westeros, only to deal with all of the repercussions of his journey there (enlisting the help of the Red God, killing Renly, being generally disliked, etc). Myrcella: Either staying in Dorne longer or not getting poisoned (yes this is show based only since the books vary in the Dorne storyline so) Robb: Being called to a battle in lieu of attending the Red Wedding and, thus, surviving it (though Catelyn and likely his wife attend and perish). Rick Flagg: More SS missions. Just general chaos with various DC villains. Harley/Ivy: I would kill for this ship I write both LETS FUCKING GO Rick/Harley: Same as above thank you. Clark/Lois: Same as above again thank you. Max: Anything post the finale. Max deserved a better ending than his friends like "he's mad at us oh well" while he's getting his shit rocked in the streets. I'm so fucking mad about it I could punch a goddamn wall. Heather: Surviving the electrocution/hitting her head. Having some deficits and taking time to recover, but eventually returning to neuro as Derek's protege (and eventually Amelia's I feel like her and Amelia would get along so well) Denny: Surviving plEASE that's all that's all I want Lily: Escaping Godric's Hollow with Harry that night and finding a safe house with a friend (Marlene, Sirius, Remus, etc) Brian: Him and Justin reuniting, even a few years down the line, in New York or in Pittsburgh Snow White: honestly if you write with Snow in her main verse, I will love you forever. If you write with Snow White from Fables and you write Bigby??? I will stan you forever. Neal: Getting to live and raise his son wtf. Who gives a flying shit about ships? Ben Solo: Same as Snow tbh if you write with Ben? I'll stan you forever. Jyn: Her and Cassian escaping before the city is destroyed and surviving and continuing work in the Rebellion. Anakin/Padme: Leaving for Naboo before Order 66. :)!!! Riddick: If you write Riddick muses, write with Riddick or Dame Vaako and let's go Coriolanus Snow: ANYTHING between the 10th and 64th hunger games. Peeta: Peeta being the one taken from the arena and Katniss being captured by the Capitol. :)!!!! Tauriel/Kili: GIVE ME KILI SURVIVING I BEG YOU THANK YOU Renesmee "Carlie": Anything honestly I just love writing her. Bella: Realizes men ain't shit and doesn't take Edward back immediately girl set feminism back like 50 years with that (I'm kidding she was a girl who wanted that dick that bad and I respect it I'm gay but I respect it). Leah/Sam: Leah being the first wolf to shift and/or Leah and Sam imprinting on each other pls goSH I AM SO SAD (I love Emily tho don't get me wrong)

#WISHLIST / A dream is a wish your heart makes #[ there are others sure but these were the ones popping out to me so xoxo happy reading ]

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cicaklah · 1 year

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star trek picard episodes 1-3 thots

THE THOTS ARE BACK

So this post directly follows on from the angry freakout I had earlier this week where I live incepted myself into watching picard season 3 ride or die, because sometimes you've just got to go down to the highway and watch the car crash in person.

also, I reminded myself that I dont care about other people's star trek opinions, only my own. therefore, I needed to have star trek opinions.

here are my thots, here be spoilers

first off: gates mcfadden's face lift is fucking spectacular, the woman looks amazing. Her eye sockets are so sculpted, her cheeks are so taut, her jawline is so sharp, and yet she still looks her age. this is what growing old in the socialist utopia promises: you too can look like a woman who has not actually had to work since the early 90s. also credit to everyone looking great in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

second: jack crusher (the second??!?! how does that work anyway), is so fucking hot.

third: I went into this knowing broadly what happened in episode 1 and 2, and that episode 3 the twist is changelings, because I saw a spoiler yesterday on una mccormack's tumblr. changelings is interesting, because to do a ds9 plot in tng is bold, especially when you can't bring odo back since ya man rene audeboujournois died a few years ago. worf doesnt even mention him by name: ffs worf raffi was alive during the dominion war, she'll know who fucking odo is. he's odo.

fourth: the moment I was like, I am here for the long run was Worf's whole introduction and his everything. I think its always hard to give credit to michael dorn for being so great because he has to act stoic through SO much makeup and he just is worf, but honestly, it felt like if they'd just put the black hair on him he would have looked exactly the same as he did thirty years ago. Like they had to make his hair white just to make time have passed. The man is so well preserved, maybe he also has a very good surgeon, but I am down to believe that he just Is Like That. Damn.

five: worf is the best thing that happened to raffi, I love them together, they are the best team.

six: all of this is going to fall apart when brent spiner comes to Lore it all up, as that is obviously what was stolen from the daystrom institute alongside the portal gun.

seven: so episode 3 won me over because I had kind of forgotten how good an actor patstew is when he really gives it?? because fuck me the scene between beverly and picard where they talk about how the whole baby thing happened was so good, so subtle, so emotive. It also crucially made sense: they had tried to be together. they had failed to be together. crusher was tired of his shit, he's always been a terrible partner and it just didn't work, but then she was pregnant and ready to leave anyway, ready to move on, so just went, fine, breakup over, beverly out. Also, reminded picard that the universe keeps trying to kill him, that he'd basically killed her husband and her son, and she had no other family....thanks for the sperm donation, I'm gonna go retire and have a redo. I was already 100% team bev but now I am 200% team bev, also fuck off picard with your 'oh yeah actually I wouldn't have been my horrible abusive father fuck you for taking me at my word, my whole /r/childfree carefree bachelor attitude, how could I have known anything about myself in my early 60s, I was but a boy, we could have had it all, rolling in the deep' etc. Father and husband fuck the fuck off you traditionalist old bastard you just told us you had broken up for the FIFTH TIME.

eight: should have reserved point seven for seven herself but: SEVEN!!!! I am fucking going to do it, I'm going to write the seven of nineifesto. She is so fucking deep waters, shes been so betrayed by authority figures none of who actually give a shit about whats best for her, just for what is best for the story, she is not meant to be in starfleet ffs, she got the worst possibly mentors in janeway and picard. also seven and raffi just need to hang out with worf and tell the rest of them to fuck off.

nine: captain shaw was right and he should say it. He was having a nice time, just running his ship, doing his duty, when he gets fucking hijacked by two guys who literally are mavericks and crash ships all the time, who are manipulating seven, who MUTINIES, and they literally destroy his ship and ruin his life in the space of about 12 hours and he saw through their bullshit within 30 seconds of the 'surprise inspection' gig. justice for captain liam shaw, only sane man on the titan.

ten: look, the show is never going to stick the landing, but like all star trek, it is a journey. there are changelings, there is worf, there is raffi, there is my forthcoming 200k seven of nine fix it fic, there is so much to enjoy, and also there was the absolutely awful deaging makeup, please stop doing it, it made me feel seasick.

anyway these are my thots on yaoi kthxbye

#star trek picard #picard thots #picard #picard season 3

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em-writes-stuff-sometimes · 1 year

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Heyyyyyy,

Love LOVE loved Nameday. Amazeballs.

I have this headcanon that I need to exorcise that ties into Deal. So I feel like after Babey's diplomatic coup in Dorne, Viserys is going to realise what an absolute ASSET she is and send her on a royal progress throughout Westeros for a year or so in the vein of Jaehaerys and Alysanne, really trying to RAMP up love of the royal family; this could also be an opportunity for the monarchy to interact with the lesser visited parts of the Realm. Imagine Babey and Daemon in White Harbour or even at the Dreadfort. Ooooooh, imagine Viserys sending Babey on a political visit to the Iron Islands of all places. Imagine her interacting with the Iron Born or the worshippers of the Drowned God. I'm fairly sure that the Red Kraken is around during this time. He might try to take Babey as a salt-wife and then uncle-daddy Daemon would have to save her. The possibilities, i-

Lol, you don't have to consider this; it was just another trifling idea of mine I had to exorcise, but I feel like it would really help to emphasise how Babey is gradually coming into her own politically and playing the game to her advantage. The idea of a BAMF!Babey really excites me plus it'd be a massive fuck you to Jasper Wylde who had the absolute audacity to doubt Babey in Deal.

Hey, anon! I'm so happy you enjoyed the grottiness of 'Nameday'!

Oh, I'd love for Vissie T to wise the fuck up and realise what a goldmine he's sitting on with the Babey/Daemon combo; everyone's favourite bad boy with little miss angel Princess? Absolute POWER COUPLE. For realz, they'd be an excellent PR rep for House Targaryen, such a celebrity pair. People would come flocking to see their Princess and her rogue husband, just for a glimpse of the royal lovebirds. It'd be awesome to explore some of the different regions of Westeros in the House of the Dragon era, too! I'd have to do research, which y'all know I invest too much time into when writing this damn thing. I do believe the Red Kraken was only around 8 or 9 years old at this time (he was born in 113 AC, and we're circa-121 to 122 AC in this fic currently), so if such a plot were to take place, it'd probably involve his dad. Still fun as fuck to think about, though!

Babey's progressing towards BAMFdom, don't worry! Jasper Wylde is a dickhead, and now that I've given him some characterisation I fucking hate him, lol. I have PLANS for Babey that go beyond sitting pretty and getting railed - things might be moving slowly, but we've got a five/six-year time-gap between now and Episode 8 (and the beginning of the Dance), so there's plenty of time to explore some stuff!

This is a really awesome idea, anon! Thank you for this!

#fanfiction comments #follower headcanons #terms of endearment thoughts

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sunshinespear · 2 years

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it’s midnight and i’m back to desperately wishing for the fanfic that goes like:

you’re tywin lannisters fourth child that he had (somehow) (also you dont have a mom bc plot) and you’re already an old maid by the court’s standards (20-something *shock and horror*) so you’re being pressured to marry by your house. so when your nameday gets near there’s a big week-long ball and everyone in the seven kingdoms is invited and you’re supposed to find the most dynastically advantageous husband out of them all but you hate them all---

then dorne pops up (who the fuck thought they were actually going to accept the invitation. they didn’t even rsvp) and everyone’s like oooo drama and you and prince oberyn meet and like he’s cute or whatever but he’s also annoying and your families hate each other so you two HAVE to hate each other but oh no he’s hot oh no he’s nice oh no he’s a really good dad oh no he’s so sweet and protective to his paramour ellaria (also really nice and sweet and hot and a great mom -- also you respect her so much even though you’re a lady from literally The Worst noble family and she’s “just” a Sand and that makes you ~different~ so they both like and respect you more) and then slowly over the course of the weeklong festivities you get into more scenarios where you turn from butting heads into getting to know them both better and slowly start to fall for each of them ---

but twyin is just a cunt and he’s like “you’re not allowed to be seen with them because they have a bad reputation, also here’s your not friendly reminder that you have to get married, you old hag. and yeah i know i said i would let you pick your husband-” (bc you argued for it bc the patriarchy cannot get you down even in medieval times, you are a boss bitch lioness so these bitches can hear you rawr and thats why you won the argument with tywin - you’re just that amazing and stubborn) “-so i know i said i would let you pick but i picked for you, go accept his proposal now” and you’re like “oh my god my life is over and i can never be with these people i truly care about and they’ll never want me because our houses are ~eNeMiEs~” or whatever

AND THEN the most shocking plot twist ever, prince oberyn likes you back and he’s like “nah fuck it. i’ll fight your dad, i’ll fight your brother, i’ll fight whoever the fuck this loser that thinks he’s gonna propose to you is. i’m fighting everybody, ok. what’s good?”

so you’re like in the great hall and literally in the middle of getting proposed to (today is finally the last day of the ball and also your official nameday) and he’s just like “I OBJECT” or something andddddd then there’s like some arguing or whatever but then homie just looks at this dude you’re supposed to be marrying and is like “i’m entitled to a fair duel with you for her. soooo if you really like her that much duel me and draw my blood first” and whoever that punk is is STUCK okay because tywin is terrifying but so is DUELING THE RED VIPER so anyway that dude just gives up. he’s like “no thank you, i like living, you can have her”

so, tywin is PISSED but what’s he gonna do? the man with the worst reputation at court just said he wants you and he’ll fight anybody about it. so now your reputation is kinda fucked by proxy and you don’t even care and you’re telling him in front of the whole court that you caught feelings too. what can tywin even do? he has to just accept it and try to leverage it later (that will not work, because he’s been abusive to you since you were a child and you’re finally with the one person who’s not afraid of him who is also a member of the one family he cannot touch).

so you get to marry prince oberyn in the end and be with him and ellaria in dorne making love and having babies for forever YAY.

also this is a blast from the past story so it’s before all the main events of the show. ellaria is pregnant in this and she’s just walking around looking like a goddess of fertility and beauty and flowers and love. actually as a matter of fact you spend the first few days wanting to punch oberyn but you and ellaria get along like you’ve known each other your whole lives and that drives him INSANE because at this point he’s still in denial that he likes your ass meanwhile you and the love of his life are just doing hot girl shit together. ellaria knows him well enough to know he likes you (beyond wanting to fuck you, which he absolutely does) and that he hasn’t realized it yet and she spends most of her time teasing him about it.

so anyway, tywin also tries to be really mean to you about ellaria at some point in this story like trying to insinuate that you’ll never matter to oberyn bc of her or he’ll try to bargain with oberyn that he has to give ellaria up in order to marry you and the three of y’all are like “...HA HA. anyways soooo... back to doing whatever tf we want” and then y’all all live happily ever after. the end.

oh also there’s like some sort of gift giving ceremony at some point early in the week and prince oberyn gives you this young dornish stallion that hasn’t been broken yet (IT’S A METAPHOR). so everyone who is dornish laughs and is like “yeah exactly, give the lannisters an unbroken stallion that’s gonna try to kill whoever rides it. haha yes. that will send a Message” and everyone that’s not dornish is like “oop time to brutally abuse this animal and try to break it” but of course they’re all dummies and you know 1) you’re gonna make this horse Your Horse, and that 2) abusing it to break it will never work. but the not-dornish court people literally try to abuse your new horse right in front of you

so you’re just like “i will literally stab anyone who touches my new horse” and everyone’s like *eyes emoji*, “wot,” but everyone leaves it alone and let’s you work with the horse while it tries to literally kill you. then over the course of the week while you’re falling in love with oberyn, the b-plot is that you’re slowly earning the trust of this horse that he gave you every day that you’re working with it and eventually by the morning of your nameday (just after tywin told you he picked you out a husband and you think you’re life is over) the horse finally likes you enough to let you ride it (which the dornish thought you never would be able to) without having to “break it” (as everyone else wanted you to). this fills you up with hope yknow bc you’re about to go accept this proposal you don’t want and you had almost lost hope but at the same time this spirited creature with almost as much stubbornness as you has finally let you in. and riding it feels like freedom and you’re kinda like “yknow what i’m always going to keep this horse with me to remind me to have an unbreakable spirit” so it’s actually very deep and meaningful okay bitch and you’re able to go into that court that morning with your head held high

SO THE HORSE METAPHOR: both you and the horse are unbroken by your evil awful family and also you slowly earned the horse’s trust and affection without forcing anything, keeping the horse unbroken, the same way you slowly earned prince oberyn’s (literal house words: unbowed, unbent, unbroken) trust and affection. so the narrative is kinda paralleled/foretold by what’s going on with the horse and both you and oberyn are represented by the horse in different ways. maybe the same morning the horse finally trusts you enough to let you ride it is the same morning oberyn realizes the full brunt of his feelings and decides to take action about it. maybe that’s too on the nose and i should stop with the horse metaphor.

also optional extra detail if you want: you’re different from the rest of your family because while they all have blond hair, you have a mane of black hair. symbolically and physically, you are the “black lioness” of the family (and the court may have nicknamed you as such). you are the one who is so wildly different from the rest and eventually leaves to find where you do belong because of it

And then I remember this fic only exists in my head and if i want to read i’m gonna have to WRITE. IT. ew.

#yes this is cringe and it is my happiness #this is literally the movie that plays in my head and on paper it sounds WACK #but in the big screen in my head *chef's kiss*#prince oberyn #oberyn x reader #ellaria x reader #oberyn x ellaria x reader #oberyn x you #ellaria x you #oberyn x ellaria x you #house martell #ellaria sand

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unicorncornflakes · 10 months

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Little one fic related:

They say the greens won the war. But did they really? Helaena, the most innocent of the greens, lost her mind and all her children excluding Jaheara. Aemond is one the most hated men in westeros, he started the war and was forever cursed by being a kinslayer. Aegon... fuck Aegon I'm not gonna even start on that one. Daeron Made it out somewhat normal. Jaheara is stuck forever in those war moments even such a young girl, tormented by her twins death and loving her uncle Daeron who I am sure like any Westeros man thinks he's all might and glory but in reality is just a man with a sword that cannot save her from being eventually sold off like Y/N to the one who will bring the most use to the crown and she while being the only living child of the current monarchs will be passed in the inherentance (ironic isnt it?). Alicent arguably lost all her children to war even if they are alive.. Otto lost his life. Oh also Aemond lost his balls. Where are you ball, Aemond? Not found. The council of greens have suffered greatly too i am sure . So in a way no one won the war and everyone is paying the price. Okay maybe Dorne won because they stayed the fuck away from it (good for them honestly).

Basically, this is the great plot of Little One. The story is a reflection that no one wins in war. There are no victors, there is no glory or power, only destruction and sorrow. There are no winners, only losers and the children have to pay for the sins of the parents. Little One is not only called that way because her main character is quite young, but also because she is also small, having not lived through or suffered from the war. She is young in spirit and mind, but still the long shadow of those who came before her oppress her. The Greens are undoubtedly the big losers of the war, to think that they claim to have won it. Little One is a story where everyone is a loser, and very possibly will continue to be (And really, I'll always have my heart with them, that's why I'm on their team, but I really believe that this is one of the versions of what would happen if they had won). Aegon is now a monster led by his brother, who knows full well that he will always be hated. Jaehaera is a collateral casualty of the war, just like her mother. And Daeron is a lost man who tries to return the speldor to his house by being the best gentleman he can be, but he knows that he is failing. Y / N is only involved in a plan that escapes her understanding, in which green and black continue to fight from the shadows, because only one of them is left standing, the conflict will not end. I like your way of analyzing it, because I think it encompasses the truth of what is happening to them now. Sad but true.

And yes! Dorne always wins for me. They are my favorite as well ;)

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hyperfixatedimagines · 1 year

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Hello, I just want to say you have no idea how much I love your fics and you are such a good writer. I've always found writing stories/fictions so fascinating and you really intrigued me into studying/learning the process of writing. I'm just curious how you come up with ideas/characters/settings/storyline overall. You don't need to share if you don't want to but if it's okay, can you ? It would be helpful for me as I am currently learning how to write a book <3

Oh wow, this is beyond super sweet thank you!! If you're planning to write a book I'm sure there are hundreds others better qualified to give advice but I can definitely share my process and how I work.

For requests, the person requesting gives me really good bones most of the time in terms of plot and setting. Most of the time they give traits for the reader to have as well so it's more about filling in the blanks with dialogue.

For the original fics I come up with it really varies. In terms of the Queen & her Lady I wanted something where the reader and alicent would have to see each other frequently and a reader who didn't have to struggle with same sex attraction and repression as a contrast to alicent as a character. Dorne is such a stark contrast to the rest of westeros & they aren't a part of this point in history so there's lots of room to play in without getting characterization wrong because there isn't much for the Dornish characters at this point in the story.

In my original non-fan fiction work. I struggle a lot more as it's all on me in terms of characters/setting/plot/pacing but I really like to work from a singular feeling/theme/character/relationship and sort of build the rest from that small bit.

I hope at least one part of this whole ramble was helpful to you! If you'd like to chat more my dm's are always open! I wish you luck with your novel! <3

#ask

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succubusphan · 2 years

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A Rose of Winter- Chapter 6

Summary: All Daniel wanted to do was escape the stifling life as a Stark of Winterfell and travel the world. Between the looming threat North of The Wall and the den of lions in the capital, he unexpectedly finds love in the midst of a war set to tear Westeros apart. Caught between loyalty to his family and duty, he is torn in a thousand directions that all point to one man: Philip Flowers.

Rating: E (There are only a few smut scenes but it's an M for battles, war, and other adult topics)

Tags/warnings: I removed most triggers (no R or SA, no minors involved in sex, no gore). It does include: Deaths either written without details or in a poetic way if it's an important character (Dan and Phil, Ghost and Balerion will live but everyone else is fair game). Strangers to lovers, Slow Burn, missing each other. The prophecies and stories foreshadowed are fulfilled, a satisfying ending to the entire story without plot holes. Extreme canon divergence. Dan and Phil are not replacing characters, they were written in. GAME OF THRONES AU

Author's Note: This is my OSPBB 2022, Couldn't have done it without my betas @effingmeteors and @filisaceaf.

Word Count: Each chapter will be around 15k and have at least one Dan or Phil pov. The total wc is about 210k.

Read on Ao3

TYRION

Tyrion scratched his chin as he ate breakfast. It was only a matter of time before someone let Cersei know about his plans to send Myrcella to a safe place. The question was who.

The door slammed open on the wall as his sister made her way to him. “You little monster. She is my only daughter, did you think I would let you sell her like a common whore?”

“Myrcella is a Princess, some would say she was born for this,” Tyrion said before eating a few grapes, hoping that she would continue.

“I will not let you ship her to Dorne as I was shipped to Robert Baratheon.”

“Dorne is the safest place for her. She will be happy there.”

“Are you crazy? The Martells loathe us.”

“That is why we need to seduce them. We will need their support in the war your son started.” He kept his tone even, never raising his voice to match hers.

“She will be nothing but a hostage.”

“A guest,” Tyrion corrected her.

“Do you think a piece of paper Father gave you will keep you safe?” She smiled. “Ned Stark had a piece of paper too.”

“It is done, you cannot stop it.”

“No!” she yelled, pushing everything off the table. Then, she stilled as if she was trying to control her outburst. His poor sister was not used to having control taken from her.

“Just how safe do you think Myrcella is within these walls?” He explained. “The best way to protect her is to send her away before Stannis heads to King’s Landing. Do you want to see her enslaved, tortured, or worse?”

“Leave,” she whispered.

“You know I love Myrcella too.”

“What do you know about love?” she spat. “Leave!”

“This is my room.”

“Leave!” she screamed.

Tyrion sighed and walked to Pycelle’s bed chamber.

---

He knocked on the door and waited patiently for the old man to drag himself over.

“Oh, Lord Tyrion. What a surprise,” he sputtered.

Tyrion walked in and looked around curiously, Bronn close behind. The place was a mess of old robes and books lithered on every surface.

“Oh, Lord Commander, I had not noticed you, my apologies…”

Rolling his eyes, Tyrion addressed the matter directly. “You betrayed me.”

“I am not sure I - I undres-s-stand, My Lord.”

“You told Cersei about my plan to send Myrcella to Dorne!”

“No! It was not me, I am your loyal servant. The Spider, it was surely him. One can never trust a eunuch.”

Tyrion huffed. “Except that I told you that I was sending Myrcella to Dorne, I told Varys I was sending her to The Iron Islands, and Littlefinger that she was going to The Vale.”

“The Spider is everywhere.”

“Bronn, cut his manhood,” Tyrion said.

“No, no please!” The old man cried.

“How many hands have you betrayed?”

“I never-”

“Jon Arryn?” Tyrion pressed.

“He- he knew the truth about The Queen, and - and, he was going to tell King Robert!” Pycelle stammered.

“So you poisoned him!”

“No!” Pycelle whined. “I would never!”

“But you let him die.”

“Everything I’ve done has been for House Lannister!” The old man said. “I will always serve House Lannister!”

“Throw him in one of the black cells in the dungeon,” Tyrion said and watched Bronn call one of the city guards and have Pycelle dragged down the hall kicking and screaming.

News of another Stark victory reached the Capital. He had attacked in the middle of the night with only two thousand men and caught the Lannister army by surprise.

Tyrion could hear Joffrey’s screams reverberating through the Throne Room as he rushed down the hall. “You need to answer for your brother’s sins!”

Sansa cried, her voice shook as she spoke. “Your Grace, whatever my brother may have done, I had no part in.”

“Robb Stark attacked in the shadows with an army of wolves, thousands of honourable men were butchered and when they were done, the Northerners feasted on the flesh of the fallen!” Said Lancel, that snivelling idiot.

Tyrion knew he needed to stop his idiot nephew before he killed the girl.

“Killing you would send your brother a message, but my mother insists on keeping you,” Joffrey said.

Tyrion walked in and could finally see his smile as he lowered his crossbow.

“Stand!”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Sansa said.

“Ser, leave her face, I like her pretty,” Joffrey said.

Ser Meryn of the Gold Cloaks walked to Sansa and punched her on her stomach, kicking her to the ground.

“My Lady is overdressed, Unburden her.”

The Gold Cloak tore the back of her dress before Tyrion could rush to her side.

“What is the meaning of this?” Tyrion yelled. “What kind of Knight beats a helpless girl?”

“The one who serves his King, Imp,” said Meryn Trant.

Bronn walked up to him, one hand on his sword. “Careful now, you don’t want red to stain that pretty white cloak.”

“Someone bring her something to cover herself with!” Tyrion demanded before turning to Joffrey. “She is to be your Queen!”

Joffrey shrugged. “I am punishing her!”

“For what? She is not fighting Robb’s battles, you halfwit!” Tyrion watched as The Hound removed his white cloak and placed it on Sansa’s shoulder as she cried very quietly, trying to make herself small.

“You can’t speak to me like that! The King can do as he likes!”

“The Mad King did as he liked,” Tyrion said, his voice loaded with disdain. “Has your Uncle Jaime ever told you what happened to him?”

“Nobody threatens The King!” Ser Meryn said, approaching Tyrion.

“Bronn , the next time Ser Meryn speaks, kill him,” he said. “See? That was a threat. I was merely educating my nephew.” Tyrion turned around and helped Sansa to her feet. “I apologise for my nephew’s behaviour,” he said as they walked out of the Throne Room. “Tell me the truth, do you want to put an end to this engagement?”

“No, I am loyal to King Joffrey, my one true love,” she said without hesitation.

Tyrion stopped and watched her leave with her ladies in waiting, marvelled at her strength. “Lady Stark, you may survive us, yet,” he said in wonder.

---

In an attempt to give Joffrey something else to focus on, Tyrion sent two whores to his chambers. But that proved to be a mistake. He realised this when Joffrey called him over and showed him their bodies pinned to the wall with a series of arrows from his crossbow.

His stomach turned at the sight. As he exited the room, he vowed to never attempt to do anything nice for that little monster.

If Tyrion wanted to get any diplomatic advantage, he would have to do it himself. There would be no point in trying to reason with Cersei or Joffrey. Instead, he called Littlefinger to a secluded part of The Red Keep.

“I have a deal for you.”

“You will not make a fool of myself again. You promised me Harrenhal if I arranged Myrcella’s match with Robyn Arryn, yet she is sailing to Dorne instead.”

“Yes, she is. Sorry about that. My brother Jaime rots in a cell, I want him released.”

“Robb Stark would never release him.”

“No, but his mother would. How would you like to see your beloved Cat again?”

ARYA

Ever since the guards from the City Watch had come asking for Gendry, Yoren had taken to searching for more secluded places to rest, oftentimes staying off the road during the day as well. They were not far off from The Gods Eye, slowly making their way to the North. In just a few months, Arri would finally be able to hug Jon again, to feel safe; something that she hadn’t felt in months. Not since -

She shook her head and turned around on the dirt floor she’d been trying to sleep on. Tonight’s hideout was an abandoned tower slowly falling apart with time. It had no beds, or hay, or anything really, but it sheltered them from the elements and kept them out of sight. She huffed and turned around.

“Why don’t you rest, boy?” Yoren asked from where he was sitting by the door, his sword already in his hand.

“I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about -”

“I used to have a brother but he was taken from me, killed without remorse without even a reason. He was just a boy. Many nights I tossed and turned without sleep, making a list, saying the names of the men who killed him. Eventually I was able to track them down, and I killed them one by one. I finally got my revenge.”

“Then what happened?”

“I was sent to The Wall. Actions have consequences, but I have learned to live with mine. If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a single thing.”

She nodded and laid on her back, staring up into the darkness. “Ser Meryn Trant, Joffrey Baratheon, Ser Ilyn Payne, Cersei Lannister, The Hound,” she whispered, starting over when she got to the end of the list. She let out a sigh thinking how she would deal with each of them.

The noise outside put Yoren into motion. He looked out the window, holding his breath.

All the boys rose to their feet at the sound of the horses and the soldier’s amours as they searched the area.

“Don’t let them see you,” Yoren whispered to her and Gendry. “If things go array, run; run north and don’t look back.” Then he stepped back and addressed all the prisoners. “There’s men out there wanting to end you, fight! Go out and fight for your lives!” He kicked the door open, everyone running in different directions.

Arri felt someone grab her hand and her eyes widened until she realised Gendry was dragging her away from the fight. The soldiers attacked everyone they could get their hands on, young and old.

There was fire spreading all around, making it even harder to choose a path to safety, but they all still ran, taking cover behind the bushes.

“Where is the bastard?” yelled one of the soldiers.

“I have many bastards,” Yoren said, walking up to them.

“I am Ser Amory Lorch of Tywin Lannister’s army. These capital soldiers have requested our assistance. Lower your weapons in the name of The King!”

“What King would that be?”

“This is your last chance. In the name of King Joffrey, lower your weapons.”

Yoren didn’t move. An arrow hit him in the chest and the soldiers charged at him but he was able to fight them off, killing three of them before another arrow hit him, making him fall to his knees.

It was then that every boy charged towards the soldiers with their very limited fighting skill, Arri right behind them until she heard it.

“Boy, boy!” called the man in the small cell; the one she’d given water to. The cart itself was burning and there was no way for him or his two companions to escape, the metal heating rapidly. “Help us, boy. We can fight! We can help!”

Not wanting their deaths weighing on her conscience, Arri grabbed a small hatchet the man was pointing to and gave it to him before running.

One of the Lannister soldiers caught up to her, kicking her to the ground and grabbing Needle. “What a pretty sword. I could clean my teeth with it,” he said.

A little over Arri heard Lommy yelling for help. “Don’t leave me! It hurts! Help!”

The man towering over Arri laughed and walked to the blonde boy and smiled. “Does it hurt? Do you want my help?”

“Yes, please!” Lommy whined, a shocked sound coming from his throat when the soldier killed him with his sword.

“Perfect,” he said, cleaning the blade on his uniform. “Where is Gendry?” He screamed, looking around at all the prisoners already surrounded.

Arri couldn’t take her eyes off Lommy’s empty ones. Then she saw it, his small hand laid so close to Gendry’s helmet. He’d probably taken it when he got the chance. “Do you want Gendry?” she asked. “That’s him.” She pointed to the blonde boy’s body.

Satisfied with the results of the attack, the soldiers tied them up and put them on a cell before marching for Harrenhal.

JON

Jon stepped outside for the last time to feed Ghost and stayed with him for a moment, petting him and apologising for not letting him in. The other crows were not too happy to sleep with him, so he had to return to his cage every night.

The screams of a woman giving birth reverberated all around the Haunted Forest. In the weeks they’d stayed at the inn, it was not uncommon to hear one of Craster’s wives bringing another child to the world but something caught Jon’s attention.

Once the baby’s cries were heard, the woman pleaded and pleaded but Craster walked out of the small hut with the child in his arms and ventured into the woods instead of his cabin. Jon kept his distance but followed him still. They walked for quite a while before the old man set the child on a slab and made his way back home.

This time, Jon didn’t follow him; instead he waited, holding his breath as he saw a tall white figure walking to the slab. The creature could have been mistaken for a human wearing battle armour but its skin looked like a collection of ice crystals and its deep blue eyes shined.

The creature touched the child, cocking its head to look at it before locking eyes with Jon and making a strange noise. It resembled a scream but there were no discernible words, instead, it was the sound of ice cracking.

Before Jon could turn around, he felt something hit him in the back of his head and his knees give out under him.

When Jon opened his eyes, hissing and bringing his hand to his head, Lord Commander Mormont was looking at him in disappointment and Craster was yelling at the top of his lungs.

“Leave!” Craster said. “I want all of you gone! Out of my house!” Then he approached the Commander. “You make this right.” He waved Longclaw in Front of Mormont’s face.

“Wait outside!”

“Lord Commander,” tried Jon.

“Now!”

Everyone shuffled out of the stables. Jon sat by the horses and let Sam tend to the wounds on his face, refusing to talk about what happened until Mormont walked up to them.

“Leave us,” Mormont said. Sam nodded and left without a word.

“What did you do?”

“I followed him,” Jon admitted but rushed to justify himself. “He took the baby into the woods; a newborn.”

“What business is that of yours?”

“You don’t understand, he’s killing them! All the boys and-” Jon paused, frowning. He could see no shock in his Commander’s eyes; he looked troubled, but not surprised at all. “You know.”

“Wildlings - they have different Gods than you and I. Those babies are his offerings.”

“Offerings? He’s killing his own children! He’s a monster!”

“That monster is the difference between life and death for the rangers when they venture beyond The Wall, including your uncle Benjen. We have other wars to fight, out there. Like it or not, we need men like Craster.”

“I saw it. I saw -” he shook his head, “something take that child.”

“Whatever it was, I’ll dare say you’ll see it again,” Mormont said. “Now, ready my horse, we leave at dawn.” He pressed Longclaw to Jon’s chest. “Don’t lose it again.”

DAN

Dan tried his best not to look into his mother’s eyes but she gave him a knowing look nonetheless. He shouldn’t have fallen asleep in Phil’s tent, but his heart got the best of him. He knew they wouldn’t be staying for much longer and he would be away from Phil once more, not knowing when or even if they would ever meet again. As much as Dan liked to pretend that that wasn’t the case, they were at war still, and they would be for quite some time. Thinking about the future was something he actively avoided because he had already come to the conclusion that most of the people he loved, or even himself, would not be alive by the time everything was said and done. He let out a deep sigh and ran his fingers through his long curls.

“Are you ready?” His mother asked.

“Ready?”

“Renly has asked us to ride with him; he is meeting Stannis for negotiation not far from the camp.”

“Is that safe?”

“If Stannis wanted to attack he would do it without hesitation, but Renly’s army is much bigger than his own, so he knows not to make impulsive decisions.”

“Alright. Why should we accompany them?”

She sighed, looking at him with a little disappointment. “Loyalty is very important; it is what the Starks have always been known for and while Ned supported Stannis’ claim to the throne, we are visiting Renly. I assume he wants to show Stannis that he doesn’t have as many allies as he’d thought.”

“I want to support Renly.”

“I do too, but our word is the only thing we have left, so we must be open and negotiate with them.”

“Lady Stark, I had not thought to find you in the Stormlands,” Stannis said.

She smiled. “I had not thought to be here, Lord Stannis.”

“Can that truly be you?” Renly asked, his voice dripping with contempt.

“Who else might it be?” Stannis replied.

“When I saw your standard I couldn't be sure. Whose banner is that?”

“My own!”

Renly shrugged. “I suppose if we use the same one on the battlefield, it would be terribly confusing. Why is your stag on fire?”

It was actually quite an interesting feat. While Renly’s stag was crowned and sitting on a green background, Stannis’ sat on a red heart surrounded by flames.

“The King has taken for his sigil the fiery heart of the Lord of Light,” said a mysterious woman in red at Stannis’ side.

“Ah, this must be this fire priestess we hear so much about. Brother, now I understand where you found religion in your old age.” Renly was not holding the insults back. Dan has to resist the urge to laugh in such a dire situation.

Stannis was much older than Renly and looked absolutely furious both at the fact that he needed to negotiate with his young brother and at the insults. “Watch yourself Renly!”

“No, no, I'm relieved. We really believed you're a fanatic. Charmless, rigid, a bore, yes. But never a godly man.”

The red Lady sneered at Renly. “You should kneel before your brother, he's the Lord's Chosen, born amidst salt and smoke.”

“Born amid salt and smoke?” Renly rolled his eyes. “Is he a ham?”

“That's twice I’ve warned you,” Stannis finally snapped.

“Where is the Hand of the great King Stannis? Renly asked.

Dan’s mother tried to calm them down. “Listen to yourselves! If you were sons of mine I would knock your heads together and lock you in a bed chamber until you remembered that you were brothers!”

“It is strange to find you beside my brother, Lady Stark. Your husband was a supporter of my claim. Lord Eddard's integrity cost him his head and you sit beside this pretender and chastise me!”

“We share a common enemy!” She said.

“The Iron Throne is mine - by right - all those that deny that are my foes.”

“All the realm denies it from Dorne to The Wall,” Renly said. “Old men deny it with a death rattle and unborn children deny it in their mothers’ wombs. No one wants you for their King. You never wanted any friends, brother, but a man without friends is a man without power.”

“For the sake of the mother who bore us, I will give you this one night to reconsider. Strike your banners, come to me before dawn and I will grant you your old seat in the council. I'll even name you my heir until a son is born. Otherwise, I shall destroy you.”

Renly’s face softened and he cleared his throat. “How is Shireen? I haven’t seen her in two years.”

Stannis frowned, seemingly confused by the sudden change of topic. “She is doing well. Why do you ask?”

“If you give me Shireen as a sign of good faith, I will consider your offer. The battlefield is no place for a child.”

The red woman spoke before Stannis could reply. “My Lord, she has your blood. You shouldn’t let her go.”

“If I were to consider it, what would you do with her?”

“Raise her - with my husband. Make her my heir. She would be safe and happy.”

The red priestess grabbed Stannis’ arm and his demeanour changed instantly. His face went from careful consideration to completely cold and distant. “No. She’s my daughter.”

Renly frowned. “Look across those fields, brother. Can you see all those banners?”

“You think a few bolts of cloth will make you King?”

“No, the men holding those bolts of cloth will make me King.”

“We shall see, Renly. We shall see,” Stannis said before riding away.

The red Lady looked at Renly with such an intensity that made Dan uncomfortable. “Look to your sins, Lord Renly, for the night is dark and full of terrors.”

Renly turned to Loras in disgust. “Would you believe I loved him once?”

Back at the main tent, Renly, Loras, Dan, and Phil sat down to discuss the horrible attempt at negotiation.

“You were too confrontational,” Phil said.

Renly gave him a look. “What did you expect me to do? He is trying to take the throne without any good reason other than he is older than me. You can’t expect me to be civil towards him.”

“Of course I can. It was the smart thing to do, but I guess you are not that smart after all.”

“Phil!” Loras chided him.

“You know perfectly well that I’m speaking the truth,” Phil said. “Dan agrees with me, don’t you Dan?”

Dan sputtered, nearly choking on the wine he’d been drinking. “Well - yes and no.”

Loras smirked at him, clearly enjoying seeing Dan in a difficult position, by Phil, no less. “You can’t agree with both.”

“I am not agreeing with both. I just would not have gone as far as to call Renly stupid, but I do believe that being more civilized would have been more agreeable - even if Stannis didn’t seem too keen on discussing a realistic solution.”

“See? This is a smart man,” Loras said, patting Dan’s shoulder.

Dan finally felt confident enough to ask what had been weighing on his mind all afternoon. “Renly, would you have really accepted your niece in exchange for the throne?”

“Yes. Stannis is old and his love for battle would put him out of his misery eventually, leaving the throne free for me, as his heir,” Renly said, his face softening when he thought about his niece. “I’ve always had a soft spot for Shireen, ever since I held her in my arms for the first time. When we thought that greyscale would take her, it was me that searched high and low for someone who would be able to help her, not Stannis. He would have left her to die. Now she lives locked up in her room, reading about the wonders of the world instead of seeing the sunlight, going for walks and experiencing the life that she deserves. And it’s all because of Stannis. He just can’t stand the fact that his daughter is not perfect.”

Loras nodded. “We would be good parents to her, and that would be the safest option to get the throne, even if it took some time.”

“What will you do now?” Phil asked.

“There’s nothing else I can do now other than killing my brother. I can only hope Shireen survives and forgives me for it.”

---

Dan had had a wonderful afternoon walking down the beach with Phil, watching the sunset, kissing between the cliffs when nobody was watching… it was only his luck that everything would be ruined so suddenly. He walked into his tent to find a man already waiting. He pulled his sword and placed it by his neck, causing the man to give him a snivelling smile Dan was already learning to detest. “State your business.”

“You must be Daniel. I am Lord Baelish, a family friend.”

“So you are the man who betrayed my father and got him executed.” He pressed the blade to his neck and saw a drop of blood sweep out of him. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t behead you right here.”

“I am a diplomatic envoy sent by Tyrion Lannister. If even a hair on my head is missing, you and your entire family will regret it, dear friend.”

“You are not my friend,” Dan said.

His mother walked in, the smile slipping from her face. “He’s not anyone’s friend. He has none because everything he does is lie and betray those around him.”

“I am merely following orders, Catelyn. If you would call off your boy, I could give you the gift of goodwill I’ve brought you.”

His mother put her hand on his shoulder and Dan lowered his sword but did not step away from him. “We don’t need any gifts from you,” she said.

“It is not from me. The Lannisters send it to you.” He pointed to the chest on the opposite side of the tent.

Dan watched her walk to it and open it carefully before she let out a wail. She fell to her knees and Dan rushed to her, finally seeing the contents of the chest. It was his father’s bones. She cried and screamed again and Dan tried to hold her but she didn’t want to be touched. “Leave me alone, please.”

“If you want your girls back we can arrange the exchange for Jaime Lannister.”

“Leave!” she screamed. “Leave me be! You are nothing but a liar! I should have you executed for what you did to Ned!”

“Think of your girls,” he pushed.

Liar. He was lying; they didn’t have Arya at all.

Time seemed to stop when Dan’s mother rushed to him and slapped him as hard as she could. “Leave!”

Petyr Baelish’s expression morphed from a satisfied smirk to pure outrage before he gave her a vengeful look and walked out.

“Mother, I-” He was hurt too, but he understood. It was the love of her life, the man she had raised an entire family with.

“Please, let me be alone with your father for a moment.”

Dan’s eyes filled with tears; he nodded and left in search of Phil. When he finally found him, he allowed himself to cry in his arms, listening to Phil’s heartbeat and sweet whispers but he couldn’t help but wish death upon their enemies.

DAENERYS

The Red Waste, Essos.

Just when Daenerys was starting to lose hope, the first horse returned, but it didn’t carry good news. What returned was exactly that, just the horse. No rider.

Jorah found Rakharo’s head in the satchel and said that he had probably died at the hands of another Khalasar. Daenerys was heartbroken but had to stay strong to comfort Irri. She was devastated; even more so because she thought that Rakharo wouldn’t be able to enter the Night Lands due to the mutilation.

Danny didn’t know how she would make it happen, but she promised Irri that she would give him a funeral and burn his body to make him whole again and allow him to enter the Dothraki land of the dead.

So far the only good thing to come from their wait was getting to eat the horse.

Days later, Kovarro rode back, exhausted and on the verge of fainting but he brought them good news. They had an invitation from Qarth, one of the richest cities in Essos and set their path there.

----

What was left of her Khalasar arrived at Qarth only two weeks later, but instead of opening the gates for them, the Ruling Council, known as The Thirteen, met her outside the gates, guarded by their soldiers and the gates firmly closed. Three walls surrounded the city, each taller than the previous one, which were said to make it impenetrable.

A representative that refused to give his name but introduced himself as a trader of spices demanded to see her dragons, but Danny was not an idiot. She knew they would try to take her children from her if she set them out of the cage, so she offered to show them once they were inside and fed after their long journey.

The offer was rejected and The Thirteen turned around walking to their gates. Only then, she snapped. “Thirteen! I am Daenerys Stormborn. I will reclaim what was taken from me and I will burn every city to the ground. Turn us away and we will burn you first.”

“How do you intend to do that if you die in the desert?” He said with a smile. “Qarth didn’t turn into the greatest city that ever was or will be by letting Dothraki savages within its gates. We wish you well.”

“Running away from a little girl is not representative of the greatest city that ever was or will be,” said the tallest man among The Thirteen.

“The Thirteen have spoken.”

“I am one of The Thirteen and I am still speaking. I Invoke Soumai,” he said, pulling a small sword from its holster and running it on the palm of his hand. “I will vouch for her, her people and her dragons in accordance with the law.” He then showed the blood dripping from his wound to the spice trader and to the rest of the council who nodded solemnly.

The huff that the spice trader let out made Danny smile, she knew then that they were saved. “Be it on your head, Xaro Xhoan Daxos.”

“Welcome to Qarth, Mother of Dragons,” Xaro said with a bow.

The gates opened to reveal the most beautiful place Danny had ever seen. She walked inside, looking at the white stone buildings with gold accents, palm trees all around and colourful birds singing their songs. Ships came and went from its dock, bringing spices and foods and exotic fabrics from all over the world, enriching the qarthians and their culture.

The place was, for the lack of a better word, a paradise.

Daenerys thanked Xaro profusely and followed him to his marvellous home where they were all able to clean up, change and eat enough to be full and even more.

---

It was easy, a little too easy, to forget about her goals for a few days. To enjoy resting and living a quiet life, teaching her children to use their fire and be able to feed themselves.

“Dracarys,” she said and Drogon - the largest of her dragons - breathed the smallest amount of fire followed by a tiny cloud of smoke and cooked the piece of meat Danny had placed in front of him. She clapped and pressed a kiss to his snout, making him screech in delight.

Rhaegal and Viserion watched intently but it took them a few extra days. It was alright, they would learn and help each other.

Doreah walked into her room and brought a selection of dresses Xaro had bought for her; they were truly beautiful, but she was hesitant to accept such expensive gifts from a man who had not yet stated his intentions. She knew well that he must want something in exchange for his kindness.

“I don’t want to give Xaro the wrong impression.”

“Wear them, Khaleesi. They are a gift.”

“The last man that bought me a dress sold me to Drogo,” she said.

“It is not right to take gifts from a man like that,” said Irri.

“He is our host, you can trust him,” Doreah added, her tone sharp as she looked at Irri.

“You don’t want to do things for gold Khaleesi, that is no good. Only whores do that.” Irri snapped, but quickly regretted her statement. She knew it was not right to bring Doreah’s past to prove a point, so instead she shook her head and said: “Wear them, Khaleesi. They are pretty and it would be rude not to accept the gift from your host.” She grabbed an apple and left the room.

That afternoon, Daenerys and her Khalasar decided to enjoy the market and everything it offered. Even if they didn’t have gold, the Qarthians were curious enough to offer them samples and show them their best products. Just like the city, the market had an array of different peculiar characters of different cultures; magic and beauty all around. A woman with her face covered with an intricate gold mask looked at her intently but didn’t approach her, choosing to speak to Jorah instead, but the Warlocks did.

Perhaps it was only one of them, Danny couldn’t be sure since they all looked the same: greyish skin and purple lips with no hair. They played with illusion, appearing out of thin air in different places and disappearing again, marvelling the people around them who clapped in excitement.

“Forgive them, Khaleesi. They drink ‘shade of the evening’ much too often; its hallucinogenic powers extend their life but also give their lips that distinctive purple shade. They are mere charlatans playing parlour tricks.”

“It is still quite impressive.”

“It is not real magic; not like your dragons,” Xaro said.

Daenerys smiled, not knowing what to say.

“We could form an alliance, you and me, Khaleesi.”

“What sort of alliance?”

“Come, there’s something I want to show you.”

Back in his house, Xaro Xhoan Daxos finally showed his true intentions.

“I am the richest man in Qarth, Khaleesi. If you accept to marry me, I will buy as many ships as you need and help you win The Iron Throne,” he said as he showed her the door of his vault. It was big - taller than Xaro himself. It appeared to be made out of solid gold and had many jewels encrusted.

She blinked repeatedly and looked back at him. “I’ve had a husband already and I don’t intend on getting another.”

“Robert Baratheon is dead. His heir is rumoured to not be his son. This is the perfect opportunity to sail to Westeros. If you accept my proposal, I will give you half of my vault. This is where I keep all of my riches; there’s no way to open it other than with this key,” he said, showing her a long chain with a round pendant that looked like a small copy of the vault door. “Not even air can get inside.”

Danny shook her head. It was tempting, but she didn’t want to owe her success to a man. “I am Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, a Khaleesi and a Targaryen by blood. I will not marry you in exchange for ships or any other riches.”

“My apologies, Khaleesi. I did not mean to offend you.”

“Good night,” she said and turned on her heels, walking in the direction of her chambers.

Jorah was already waiting for her, wanting to know about their meeting and was not impressed by what he heard.

“Do you want to accept?”

“No, but it is a tempting offer. For now, I have declined.”

“You can’t accept, Khaleesi. You need to gain resources and an army another way, otherwise, he will own you forever.”

“I know, Jorah, but I’m tired. I’m tired of waiting, of failing my people. I made them a promise and the only thing I’ve brought them was death and misery,” Danny said, her eyes welling up with angry tears.

He pulled her into a hug. “I want to see you on The Iron Throne because you have a good claim on it, but most importantly because you have a gentle heart. I know it, even if you try to hide it, I know your true nature, Daenerys.”

Danny stepped away from him and looked into his eyes. She frowned. She was so stupid, how did she miss the fact that her most trusted advisor was in love with her. “You love me,” she said and it was not a question.

Jorah took a step back and looked down in shame but didn’t deny it.

She cleared her throat and crossed her arms. “What would you have me do - as my advisor?”

“Give me a few days. I can get you one ship.”

“One ship?”

“That is all you need for now. It will be enough to get you to Westeros and you find allies there. It may not be what you envisioned, but you will not owe anything to anyone.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Daenerys nodded. One ship. Perhaps it could work.

TYRION

There was a knock on the door. Tyrion opened it to find his whining idiot of a cousin, Lancel Lannister. “What do you want?”

“The Queen demands that you release Maester Pycelle from the dungeons immediately.”

“I will not. Why did she ask you to come here?”

“I - I don’t know. She trusts me.”

“Tell me, dear cousin. Does The King know that you spend so much time in his mother’s bedroom, especially after the Hour of The Wolf?”

Lancel’s eyes widened.

“I would be happy to tell him that the reason you were knighted was that you helped her kill Robert, Ser Lancel. It would be interesting to see what he does with you.”

“No, please,” Lancel whined.

“I could reconsider it…”

“I will do anything. Anything at all!” He dropped to his knees.

“You will spy on Cersei. Tell me what she does and with whom, who she speaks with, and anything else I may ask you to enquire about.”

“Yes, I swear it! Please don’t tell The King.”

“Alright. I have a good heart and we have a deal. Now go and tell her I said no.”

---

His plan was incredibly useful when only days later his dearest cousin was able to tell him what Cersei was working on: Wildfire. Tyrion went to talk to the pyromancer that had been working under her orders for years and he was happy to show him the hundreds and hundreds of barrels he had so proudly produced.

Perhaps…

PHIL

Phil tried to keep his mind on the important tactical discussions, but having Dan around was proving to be a distraction. He cursed himself for falling in love with the Stark boy. His grandmother would be disappointed if she knew, but he couldn’t help it. Dan was just… Dan. So sweet and beautiful - and kind too.

He closed his eyes and tried to focus but the image of Dan moaning under him chased his every waking moment; he could hardly wait to get his hands on Dan again.

“Are you alright?” Loras asked, pulling Phil from his thoughts.

He blinked repeatedly and looked around the tent, most of the soldiers had already left, Renly was removing his armour in front of the mirror to rest for the day. Loras was looking at Phil with concern written all over his face.

“Yes, I was a little distracted. Perhaps I am just tired, sorry.”

Loras smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Tired? From what? Would Dan have anything to do with it?”

“Of course not,” Phil said.

“No? And who was the one that bit you like that?”

Phil’s hand went straight to the left side of his neck, instantly feeling a small twinge of pain that made him smile.

“Do you love him?” Loras asked, smiling widely.

“That - is private.”

“You know we have no secrets, little cousin. Tell me: was he good? Do you plan on seeing him again?”

“I don’t want to speak about Dan like that,” he frowned.

“So you do love him.” Loras' smile softened. “It’s alright to admit it; we don’t have to always do things to gain something.” He looked at Renly and sighed. “I’m glad that you have found someone that you want to share your life with as I have. This war… is unfortunate but necessary. In the end, I hope that it was all worth it.

Phil grabbed Loras’ arm and led him to the deepest part of the tent where they wouldn’t be overheard. “Do you really want to share the rest of your life with Renly?”

“Yes, of course I do. This marriage is convenient for both families but that doesn’t negate what we have. There is no shame in falling in love, make sure you let Dan know. With matters as they are, any day could be our last. That’s why I make sure to repeat it every night before we fall asleep. ”

That was the moment Phil knew he was making the right choice. He knew that Dan and he were different. What they had was important, but they knew it could be gone in the blink of an eye. As a bastard, he had spent the majority of his childhood in Essos, not knowing why his family had sent him there, nor why he was eventually allowed to come back. He saw every day as borrowed time, especially with how many times the people assigned to care for him went missing or simply died. He thumbed the ring on his finger and looked at the lilac stone in the centre. He remembered it like it was yesterday.

The beautiful woman had pulled her red hood back and looked into his eyes. “Look at me, Philip. I will give you two gifts today but you must promise to listen to me very carefully.”

Phil had nodded eagerly, his black hair so long it covered his eyes.

She’d placed the chain around his neck, it had a beautiful ring hanging from it, just a bit too big for him. “This will keep you safe. The people searching for you will not recognise you as long as you wear it. You are to never take it off until it’s time.”

“H-How will I know when it’s time?” He’d asked, looking at the pretty stone.

“You will know,” she’d smiled. “And this… this is very special.” She showed him a long chain with a golden rose pendant. “There will come a time when you will be able to save someone’s life and that will change the entire world, just like a butterfly batting its wings, it will cause the end of a War and the beginning of the Real War.”

“Who should I save?”

“Love will guide you to the truth.”

“Thank you, Lady…”

“You may call me Kinvara,” she’d said with a sweet smile. If Phil hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would’ve never believed she had set the man attacking him on fire. “Now, let’s get you home. Your family misses you dearly.”

“Why haven’t they come to get me then?” he’d asked, holding onto her hand as she led him through the streets.

“Because they wanted you to be safe - and now you are.”

He blinked, his mind returning to the present. “I will, thank you, cousin.”

“Of course,” Loras said. “I’ll speak to Margaery and be back shortly, will you wait for me?”

“No, I think I would like to go for a walk.”

“Then I’ll see you for breakfast.”

Phil nodded and watched Loras exit the tent, Brienne of Tarth being the only person keeping guard inside. “My Lady, would you please let me speak to the King in private?”

She let out a huff at being called a Lady and eyed him suspiciously but looked at Renly for approval. “Your Grace?”

“Yes, Brienne, you may wait outside. Phil is family, we can trust him.”

She nodded and stepped outside, but Phil knew she was still within earshot. He motioned Renly to one of the sofas and once they took a seat, he asked: “What do you think about Stannis’ red priestess?”

“I think that whatever she’s doing to my brother is working for her, she has him wrapped around her finger. Do you know why I asked about his Hand?”

Phil shook his head.

“I received news from Dragonstone saying that Stannis burned him at the stake along with many others as a sacrifice. This… faith of them is vile.”

“Not all Red Women are like her. I met one when I lived in Essos. She saved my life and whatever she did to me has kept me safe ever since. All attempts on my life have stopped.”

Renly looked at him curiously. “What did she do?”

“She gave me this ring.” He said, showing Renly his left hand. “At the time I was too young and had to wear it on a chain around my neck, but now it fits perfectly. And she gave me something else as well. She - Kinvara was her name - she said it would save a life and change the course of a war. Well - she said it would end one war and the real one would begin. The real war, she called it.”

“What did she give you?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled the pendant out. “This. I would like to give it to you.”

Renly frowned. “Why not Loras?”

“Because you are in far more danger. That woman - she will do something. So please, wear this, fight fire with fire.”

“I’m not sure I believe in this.”

“You don’t have to believe, just wear it.”

Renly eyed the pendant hesitantly before letting out a deep sigh. “Alright, Phil. I will. Thank you,” Renly said, inclining his head to let Phil put the chain around his neck.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“Of course.”

---

He returned to his tent and found Dan already waiting for him in his bed, completely naked. Phil rushed to his side and kissed him. “I’ve missed you,” he said before kissing him again.

Dan pulled him onto the bed, trying to remove his clothes as fast as possible. “Phil,” he whined.

“Shhh. Let’s take our time.” Phil whispered against his lips, as he removed his shirt and breeches, kicking off his boots. He couldn’t help but smile when he saw his ring shining on Dan’s finger. “You wear it.” He laid beside Dan and ran his fingers on his chest.

“Of course I do. I haven’t taken it off since you gave it to me.”

Phil closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. “That makes me incredibly happy, please never do. I want to know that a part of me is always with you.”

“Phil, you are scaring me,” Dan cupped his cheek. “Promise me that you won’t die.”

“Never,” he said, kissing Dan’s hand. “We will grow old together, live many winters and many summers together.”

“Always together?”

“Always.” Phil agreed.

Dan straddled him, looking into his eyes with a soft smile. He was so beautiful it almost hurt to look at him. “Dan - I love you.”

His smile widened. Leaning down, Dan bit Phil’s lip and mumbled “I love you too” into the kiss. He rolled his hips ever so slowly as Phil ran his hands up and down his back and pulled him even closer, moaning at the tortuous but exquisite feeling of their bodies sliding together.

“Take me,” Dan moaned.

“But -”

“I’m ready.”

Phil pulled him into another kiss as his hand made its way to Dan’s backside and slipped a finger into him with ease. The thought of Dan touching himself in his bed while Phil was gone was driving him crazy, he wished he could have arrived earlier to catch him in the act.

"Phil!" He whined, causing Phil to laugh. "Don't laugh. Get on with it."

"Demanding," Phil said, giving him a little spank. "Go on then, if you are so eager, you do it."

Dan bit his lip, looking less sure of himself. "With me on top?"

Phil nodded and patted the side of his hip. "Up."

Frowning, Dan kneeled, allowing Phil to grab his cock and press the tip to his entrance. Letting out a calming breath, Dan lowered himself onto Phil, moaning loudly and throwing his head back in a display of pleasure as he went as low as he could.

Phil gasped, gripping Dan's hips tightly, keeping him in place until he could compose himself. "Dan…" he said, unable to express his feelings properly.

Still, Dan nodded in agreement and started moving hesitantly, rolling his hips, trying different things and finally settling on pressing his hands to Phil's chest and riding him. Starting slow at first but getting confident with each passing minute until the tent was filled with the sound of skin slapping against skin and their moans.

"Yesss," Phil hissed when Dan shifted the angle slightly. "Keep doing that."

Dan smirked. "Do you like it?"

"Yes!" Phil moaned when Dan gave him a smug grin. As the pressure started to build within him, he could no longer stay still and let his instincts take over, meeting Dan thrust for thrust, until he saw his love spill all over his chest and following shortly after.

Letting out an exhausted sigh, Dan laid down on Phil’s chest. “Was I good?”

He pressed a kiss to Dan’s forehead. “You were amazing, my love.”

A little laugh escaped Dan.

“What?”

“I just can’t believe we are finally together, that this is real.” He laced their fingers together.

“It is real, and I am so incredibly happy.”

Dan lifted his head and looked into his eyes, all remnants of a smile now replaced by a frown. “You must remember that you promised you would survive.”

“I will keep my promise as long as you keep yours.”

He nodded and pressed a quick kiss to Phil’s lips. “I promise. Even If everything else fails, we will get our happy ending.”

Phil let out a deep sigh. “I hope time flies until we meet again.”

“It won’t but we can still dream of each other.”

The following morning Phil woke up to find Dan gone and the sheets next to him cold. He knew it didn’t mean anything but he still missed Dan.

Phil dressed in fresh clothes and took a good look in the mirror before going in search of his family. He first saw Margaery, smiling at a man he recognised from King’s Landing. She was giving him all her attention, shy looks, soft smiles and even touching his arm. There was no doubt that she was already getting acquainted with him. He took a turn to avoid them and made his way to the main tent.

Renly sat at the planning table, Brienne of Tarth close at his side, as he discussed the alliance with the Starks.

“I can only pledge twenty thousand men. I need the rest to defeat my brother in battle. Once both the Lannisters and Stannis have been defeated, House Baratheon will restore Robb as the Warden of the North, aid in any remaining conflicts and bring peace to the seven kingdoms.”

“Robb is the King in the North,” Dan said, shooting Phil a covert smile.

“The North’s independence can be arranged after everything is settled. I am not against it but we have more urgent matters to discuss.”

Catelyn nodded. “I am not sure twenty thousand will be enough, Your Grace.”

“Lady Stark, twenty thousand is all I can pledge. You will have to make a decision today and let me know.”

“A-” She started but Dan interrupted.

“We will have the answer by dinner time. Thank you, Your Grace.”

---

That very night, as the sun set over the sea, Dan and his mother entered the main tent to give Renly their final response. He was already waiting for them, sitting at the big table, Phil at his side and Brienne keeping guard as usual, but no one else would witness their conversation.

“Well, what have you agreed upon? Will you support my claim?”

“Yes, Your Grace. We have decided to accept your kind offer of twenty thousand men and the promise to discuss the independence of The North once you have taken the throne and our common enemies are defeated in exchange for the loyalty of House Stark.”

Renly clapped once and smiled widely, “I couldn’t be happier to form this alliance with you. I will give the command to get the men ready for the trip at once. Phil, please let Commander Redwyne know. Give them our best men.” He wrote a message on a piece of parchment and handed it to him.

“Of course,” he said and went in search of the man in question. It didn’t take long, and he was happy to see movement in Renly’s camp already. They would be ready to leave by dawn. It was a bittersweet moment; come morning, the alliance between the Tyrells, Baratheons and Stark would solidify, but that would effectively keep Dan away from him.

He made his way back to the main tent, hoping to catch him there and smiled when he saw Dan waiting outside.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hello,” Dan repeated with a sad smile. “It seems that our time together has come to an end.”

“Yes…” Phil was suddenly at a loss for words, he wanted to ask Dan to stay, but he knew that would not be possible. He couldn’t bring himself to leave his family either. There really was no other way - they would have to wait.

A sudden gust of wind entered the Stormlands from the sea, becoming more and more violent with every passing moment. Phil hugged Dan, covering their faces. “We should go inside,” he yelled and saw Dan nodding.

Renly stood in front of the mirror removing his armour already when Catelyn Stark yelled.

“Renly!” Lady Stark yelled.

Focusing his eyes on the mirror Renly’s expression switched to one of sheer horror and turned around so suddenly Phil could barely take a step towards him before it happened. A tall dark figure made out of smoke or - utter darkness - that looked just like Stannis lifted a knife, almost a mere extension of itself, and struck Renly on the heart - or it would have if the golden pendant hadn’t been on its path.

A burst of light shone out of the golden rose casting the creature away, making it disappear with a howling screech and then there was silence; a deafening silence was all that Phil could perceive. Everyone moved their lips, but no sound was coming from them. He rushed to Renly’s side as he fainted in Brienne’s arms.

“Phil! Phil! Is he alive?” he heard Dan say through the ring in his ears.

Phil pressed his fingers to Renly’s neck and felt his pulse, strong as ever. “We need to sneak him out of here.”

As they made their way out with Renly wrapped in Brienne’s rainbow cloak, they noticed most of the soldiers had taken refuge in their own tents, the wind blowing softly. They reached the Starks’ tent and placed him on Dan’s bed carefully.

“What was that?” Brienne asked, her eyes welled with unshed tears.

“Whatever it was, the Red Woman sent it. I am sure of it,” Phil said looking at Renly.

“Should I search for Loras?” Dan asked.

“No, not yet,” Lady Stark said. “There was an attempt on Renly’s life, we must proceed with caution.”

Phil shut his eyes tightly already dreading what was ahead. “You should take him,” he said.

“What?” Dan asked.

“Stannis should believe that Renly is dead. This could change the course of the war.”

“Loras,” Renly mumbled.

“Your Grace!” Brienne said, her voice shaking and the tears finally rolling down her cheeks. She kneeled at his side. “Open your eyes, please.”

Phil pressed the palm of his hand to Renly’s forehead and saw him blink repeatedly before his eyes focused on him. “How are you feeling?”

“As if some sort of demon almost took my soul,” he mumbled.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“No…”

“I want you to leave with Lady Stark, Dan and Brienne. No one must know that you survived.”

“But Loras -”

“It will be the hardest thing I ever do, but he mustn’t know. If he did, he would follow you wherever you went and you’d be easily identified. But if he goes on with his life, nobody will question your death and you will be safe until the right time comes. You would not survive another attack from the red woman.”

“Phil, I can’t-”

“With you gone, the others will kill each other and leave the Throne ready for the taking without bloodshed. If you stay you will both die. Trust him to carry on what you wanted to achieve, never doubt him. One day you will see him again.”

“This could be your smartest move yet,” Lady Stark said.

“Nobody must know,” Phil said. “Swear it, My Lady, not even Robb.”

“Of course, I swear it,” she said.

“You have my word. I will take the secret to my grave,” Dan said.

“You have more than one promise to keep, Stark,” Phil said with a sad smile.

“I will keep all of my promises,” he said, placing his hand on Phil’s.

“There won’t be a body…” Renly whispered, his eyes looking into the distance.

“The ground you were standing on was charred and your armour is laying right beside it,” Dan said.

“That won’t be enough, but I could cut my hand and get blood on his clothes and armour, burn them partially as well,” Brienne added.

“We can’t stay here for long,” Phil added. “I will see the rest of you out and return to tell Loras the news. Brienne will catch up to you.”

“Where, My Lord?” Brienne asked.

“The Bawdy Badger. It’s past the King’s Woods to the west. At Tumbleton, just by the Mander.”

She seemed unsure but nodded.

“That is a good plan. We will wait for you there, Brienne. You must aid me in this task and return to us safely, that is an order.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

She looked away as Renly removed all of his clothes and slipped into some of Dan’s more casual breeches, taking one of his cloaks as well. “Take this, and place it in the pile,” Renly said, giving her the now charred pendant, the indent of a knife clearly present in the centre of it.

“It left a mark,” Dan observed, pointing to Renly’s chest where the outline of the pendant was burned into his skin.

Phil gave him an unimpressed look but nodded. “That will help us identify you when we cross paths again.”

Renly let out a deep sigh. “Please, take care of Loras. Don’t leave him alone. I am trusting you with my life and his.”

“Of course.”

---

They made it into the King’s Wood in only two hours, but there was still a long time ahead. “I should return and make sure everything went according to plan,” Phil said.

“Thank you, Phil. I won’t forget this,” Renly said.

Phil pulled him into a tight hug. “Be strong, Renly.”

When he stepped away, he looked at Dan, who seemed to be holding tears back.

“We will give you a moment,” Lady Stark said.

Phil bowed before her and placed a kiss on her hand. “Thank you, My Lady. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

“You are a good man, Philip. I hope that you remain one when it’s time to make difficult decisions.”

“I will.”

Dan frowned but didn’t reply to her comment. He merely guided Phil away, taking shelter under one of the oldest trees in the forest. “Phil -”

“I love you,” he said, kissing him deeply. “I love you so much.”

Dan wrapped his arms around him, frowning, kissing him over and over; his tears trapped between their lips.

Phil broke the kiss and pressed their foreheads together. “I love you,” he panted. “I will see you again, even if it’s the last thing I ever do.”

“Yes, don’t forget me.”

“Never.” Phil swallowed thick and cleared his throat. “I should leave.”

“I know,” Dan pressed one last kiss to Phil’s lips, lingering for a moment. “Don’t forget to open Balerion’s cage and give this note to our soldiers before Renly’s death is discovered.”

“Will Balerion find you?”

“Yes. I believe so, but if he doesn’t, he will survive in the King’s Wood.”

Phil nodded. Dan parted his lips to say something, but he shook his head. “I’ll never be ready to let you go. I’ll see you soon, Philip Flowers.”

“It can never be too soon. Until fate brings us together again, be safe, Daniel Stark.”

As soon as Phil returned to the camp he approached the Stark soldiers and gave them the note, letting them know that they should leave at once. He opened the lock on Balerion’s cage and hugged him tightly. He seemed to know that something was amiss. “Go, find Dan.”

Balerion whined and licked Phil’s face.

“Go, find him. Keep him safe.” He pushed Balerion in the general direction of the woods. The wolf sniffed the air and whined, jumping into a sprint and losing himself between the trees.

Then, he made his way to the main tent and found everything ready. He kneeled and touched the bloody clothes, the armour, now pierced and the pendant, all laying in a pile of ashes and charred clothes.

“Phil?” Loras said, rushing to him. “Where is Renly, I -” All colour left his face when he saw what Phil had been looking at. “What-”

“It was Stannis. I was here, he-” Phil paused, watching as Loras' entire body started to shake.

“Where is he?!” Loras yelled, tears streaming down his face.

“He’s gone,” Phil said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Loras slapped him so hard Phil could feel his ear ringing. “You’re lying!”

“I’m not, Loras,” Phil’s eyes welled up with tears. He knew he was breaking his cousin’s heart but it was necessary. He would make it his mission to help Loras reunite with Renly and earn his forgiveness. “There was this creature, like a shadow or- a demon, I’m not sure, but he looked just like Stannis. It stabbed Renly in the heart, and then there were flames. That’s all I remember.”

“If it was Stannis, where are the Starks? Where is Brienne of Tarth?” Loras demanded.

“They left, terrified of what they saw, I’m sure. The alliance was sealed but without Renly they could only return to Robb as soon as possible.”

“If you were unconscious how could you possibly know that they left and why?”

“I searched for them. They left, Loras, why would they stay behind? It is not every day that one sees someone burn down to ashes!”

Loras tried to slap him again but Phil caught his hand and kissed it.

“Please,” Phil said, pulling him into a hug. “I swear, that is the truth.” He felt sick to his stomach the moment those words left his lips, but it was the only way.

“You’re lying,” Loras cried, holding onto him for dear life. Then he let out a piercing scream loaded with so much grief and anger that it made Phil shudder.

“I’m sorry, Loras. I am so sorry,” he cried along with his cousin and said a silent prayer, hoping that he was doing the right thing; that everything would work in the end.

Before long, people had gathered around the main tent and the news spread like fire, some of the soldiers left immediately, some remained, not knowing what to do.

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