#rhaegar's folly

[daenerystargaryen06]

"How beautiful, the queen tried to tell herself, but inside her was some foolish little girl who could not help but look about for Daario. If he loved you, he would come and carry you off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl, the girl in her insisted, but the queen knew that was folly..." -A Dance with Dragons - Daenerys VII

"I would need to steal her if I wanted her love, but she might give me children. I might someday hold a son of my own blood in my arms. A son was something Jon Snow had never dared dream of, since he decided to live his life on the Wall. I could name him Robb." -A Storm of Swords -Jon XII

Daenerys wanting Daario to carry her off at sword point, and Jon thinking of stealing Val for her love. Two parallels of one girl wanting to be stolen, and one boy wanting to steal someone. Both for love.

"None of them had ever seen a direwolf before, he realized, and Ghost was twice as large as the common wolves that prowled their southron greenwoods. As he walked toward the armory, Jon chanced to look up and saw Val standing in her tower window. I'm sorry, he thought. I'm not the man to steal you out of there." -A Storm of Swords - Jon XII

"Even if her captain was mad enough to attempt it, the Brazen Beasts would cut him down before he got within a hundred yards of her." -A Dance with Dragons - Daenerys VII

Jon is sorry he can't steal away Val, and Daenerys reflects on the fact that even if Daario did attempt to carry her off at sword point, he'd be cut down.

Both Jon and Daenerys have a sense of romanticism in their POV's. Both are hopeless romantics (perhaps Daenerys more so than Jon in a sense). Both want love, despite denying it deep down. Jon because he's a man of the Night's Watch and a bastard. Daenerys because she is a Queen over her people and accepts duty over giving in to "girlish" thoughts.

Both had found love within confinement. Jon having fallen for Ygritte while pretending to be on the Freefolk's side. Daenerys having found a twisted love in Drogo after being sold to him as a bridal slave. Both were coerced into sexual relations with Ygritte and Drogo. Both had to watch Ygritte and Drogo die (and Dany killed Drogo out of mercy).

"He found Ygritte sprawled across a patch of old snow beneath the Lord Commander's Tower, with an arrow between her breasts. The ice crystals had settled over her face, and in the moonlight it looked as though she wore a glittering silver mask [...] "Oh." Ygritte cupped his cheek with her hand. "You know nothing, Jon Snow," she sighed, dying. -A Storm of Swords - Jon VII

"And when the bleak dawn broke over an empty horizon, Dany knew that he was truly lost to her. “When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east,” she said sadly. “When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When my womb quickens again, and I bear a living child. Then you will return, my sun-and-stars, and not before.” Never, the darkness cried, never never never. Inside the tent Dany found a cushion, soft silk stuffed with feathers. She clutched it to her breasts as she walked back out to Drogo, to her sun-and-stars. If I look back I am lost. It hurt even to walk, and she wanted to sleep, to sleep and not to dream. She knelt, kissed Drogo on the lips, and pressed the cushion down across his face." -A Game of Thrones - Daenerys IX

Both Jon and Daenerys have also found interest again after the deaths of Ygritte and Drogo. Jon wants Val, and Daenerys sleeps with Daario and may perhaps love him, but doubts over her relations with Daario. Both focus on their duties over giving in to what they really want. Daenerys even marries again for peace over giving in to what she really wants.

Both Jon and Daenerys think of having children, but push away the ideal. Jon due to being a member of the Night's Watch and a bastard. Daenerys due to thinking she is barren/cursed by Mirri Maz Duur and can never again have a child born from her.

Jon reflects that if he ever had a son, he'd name him Robb after his brother. Daenerys when pregnant with Drogo's child names her son Rhaego after her brother.

Jon is the secret son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. Lyanna is associated with blue winter roses:

"He was walking through the crypts beneath Winterfell, as he had walked a thousand times before. The Kings of Winter watched him pass with eyes of ice, and the direwolves at their feet turned their great stone heads and snarled. Last of all, he came to the tomb where his father slept, with Brandon and Lyanna beside him. "Promise me, Ned," Lyanna's statue whispered. She wore a garland of pale blue roses, and her eyes wept blood." -A Game of Thrones - Eddard XIII

"Robert had been jesting with Jon and old Lord Hunter as the prince circled the field after unhorsing Ser Barristan in the final tilt to claim the champion's crown. Ned remembered the moment when all the smiles died, when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen urged his horse past his own wife, the Dornish princess Elia Martell, to lay the queen of beauty's laurel in Lyanna's lap. He could see it still: a crown of winter roses, blue as frost." -A Game of Thrones - Eddard XV

When Daenerys has visions in the House of the Undying, she sees the Wall:

"A blue flower grew from a chink in a wall of ice, and filled the air with sweetness. . . . mother of dragons, bride of fire . . ." -A Clash of Kings - Daenerys IV

Jon is the 'blue flower' she sees growing from the wall of ice, filling the air with 'sweetness'. Jon is Lyanna's son. Both carry blue flower representation.

Jon also wants to know everything there is about his mother; who she was, if she loved him, what sort of person she was. Just alike to how Daenerys wants to learn and know everything she can about Rhaegar, as she also idolizes him in a sense. Both have thoughts about these people. Jon constantly thinks about his mother (Lyanna even if he does not know yet who she is); Daenerys often thinks of Rhaegar (despite never knowing him). Both think of these people despite them already being gone from the world, and both only wish they could have known who they truly were as people and can only guess how Lyanna and Rhaegar would've thought or acted.

Jon thinks of having dragons at the Wall:

"We should have twenty trebuchets, not two, and they should be mounted on sledges and turntables so we could move them. It was a futile thought. He might as well wish for another thousand men, and maybe a dragon or three." -A Storm of Swords - Jon VIII

When Jon dies, Daenerys hears a wolf howling in the distance:

"Off in the distance, a wolf howled. The sound made her feel sad and lonely, but no less hungry. As the moon rose above the grasslands, Dany slipped at last into a restless sleep." -A Dance with Dragons - Daenerys X

Both have an association/thought relating to one another's animal sigil/companion. Jon thinks of wishing for three dragons (Daenerys' house sigil and her dragon children). Daenerys hears a wolf howling when Jon dies, making her feel sad and lonely (Jon's house sigil through Lyanna/Ned and his direwolf Ghost).

Both Jon and Daenerys dream of home. Daenerys with the house with the red door and the lemon tree. Jon with Winterfell.

Both are estranged from their families (Jon being at the Wall. Daenerys being in Essos and the last of her family having died).

Both have lost their brothers in different means. Both have had their mothers die from childbirth and never got to meet them. Both of their fathers (Rhaegar and Aerys) died during the Rebellion.

Both had arcs of leadership and rule, and struggle with their decisions and making hard choices. Jon winds up killed due to his choices at the end of ADWD, and Daenerys becomes stranded in the Dothraki Sea due to her choice of saving Drogon (and her people from Drogon) from the fighting pit and escaping on dragonback.

While Daenerys thinks of taking the IT as a duty due to being the last of her family and Viserys' last living heir, Jon admits to wanting to become Lord of Winterfell but turning the opportunity away.

#daenerys defence squad #daenerys stormborn #daenerys targaryen #daenerys targeryan #daenerys appreciation #mother of dragons #pro daenerys targaryen #breaker of chains #khaleesi #asoiaf jon #jon snow #asoiaf daenerys #a song of ice and fire #team daenerys #meta #long reads #long post #parallels #jonerys #jon x daenerys #snowstorm #drogon #ghost #ygritte mention #drogo mention

[turtle-paced]

When Tywin says that Elia by herself was nothing, was dowplaying her because of resentment? She is a Princess of Dorne, sister of a Lord Paramount, no longer the future queen at that moment, but was part of the royal family, she was someone important.

Right up front I'm going to say that of course Elia was someone important. Everyone is someone important. But here's our quote for context:

Lord Tywin stared at him as if he had lost his wits. "You deserve that motley, then. We had come late to Robert's cause. It was necessary to demonstrate our loyalty. When I laid those bodies before the throne, no man could doubt that we had forsaken House Targaryen forever. And Robert's relief was palpable. As stupid as he was, even he knew that Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Yet he saw himself as a hero, and heroes do not kill children." His father shrugged. "I grant you, it was done too brutally. Elia need not have been harmed at all, that was sheer folly. By herself she was nothing." Tyrion VI, ASoS

What Tywin is talking about is sheer cold political calculus. And Tywin speaks with the prejudices of a large part of his society. Elia was AFAB, Dornish, and chronically ill. Any and all of those things would hinder her involvement in broader Westerosi politics. What she had going for her, in that broader scene, was her marriage into the royal family.

Once the royal family that Elia had married into was deposed and her children, who were potential claimants to the throne, murdered - that's her main source of broader significance gone. "By herself she was nothing" = "without her husband or her children she had no way of affecting Tywin's plans." Though Elia may have retained a socially privileged place in Dorne, he was probably right about how much, or how little, Elia would have been able to influence Westerosi politics as a whole following Robert's Rebellion.

#asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #cw: violence #elia martell #tywin lannister #a storm of swords

[martellspear]

Hey! I love your blog and your dedication to Elia Martell as a character. I have read your fics on ao3 and absolutely loved them. And I was wondering if you had any recs for us Elia enjoyers out there? Canon-compliant or AU it doesn't matter I just want to consume Elia content like there is no tomorrow <3

hi, anon!! thank you for your sweet words, they mean a lot and i'm so happy that you enjoyed my fics 💗. i haven't read many fics - studying is getting in my way -. but, i'll share a list of my favorites ones and my bookmarks.

* warning: it's LONG

First of all, I'd recommend checking Failed_to_Deanon, she's insanely talented and has a lott of elia-centric works

A Farewell by Ramzes - one shot

In the morning of Rhaegar's departure for the Trident, Elia Targaryen makes a surprising discovery about her husband and their marriage.

The Sun Rises Again by amn_elfire - fanfic - 10/?

After her death, the Seven give Elia the task of saving her people from Rhaegar and Lyanna's folly with the opportunity to avenge her children by sending her back in time to before her betrothal with Rhaegar was ever arranged. Or With her prior memories still vivid in her mind, Elia sets out to prevent the events that led to the deaths of thousands while never forgetting who was at fault for the deaths of her children. But she isn't the only one.

All Too Well by starboundheart - fanfic - modern!au - 1/?

Five year after a fairly clean divorce, Rhaegar decides its time for a family vacation - to Summerhall. Under the guise of his children needing to know each other. But as always, the man has ulterior motives. Or does he?

Elia's House of Ghosts! by biohazard603 - fanfic - 3/?

i can't wait to read this one!!

Elia buys her first house! She has always been drawn to that old abandoned tower, the Tower of Joy, and now it was finally hers! Too bad she doesn't know or remember the ghosts that were there first. or Modern AU where Elia buys a haunted house.

clear the board, reset the pieces by lostchildofthenewworld - fanfic - 9/9

All they ever wanted was the opportunity to go back and do it right, to allow themselves to be happy.

The wolf burned like the heat of the sun for her alone by Redroses123 - fanfic - 10/?

Rhaegar has to get rid of his wife so that he can be with the woman he loves. He does this in mad Targaryen fashion. Elia finds herself hitched for life to the second son of Rickard Stark. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise she doesn't understand yet. How will this change fates design. NOT FOR RHAEGAR FANS

Repercussions of the First Sin by Sunspear22 - fanfic - 27/?

It started with a blue crown...

The Bereaved Dunes by aurasjournal - one shot

this one is so beautiful

In the Bereaved Dunes, where shadows weep, A tale of love and sorrow, bound to keep. Elia, my sun, in your memory I tread, Through sands of despair, where tears are shed. I should've taken you far away, my dear, To Dorne's warm embrace, where skies are clear. But fate had other plans, a cruel twist of hand, In the Bereaved Dunes, where sorrows expand.

What if you go, what if you stay by Biggestscarinyourback - fanfic - 4/4

She listens to the eyes of violet and sits down. Her husband's eyes are almost this colour too, she reflects again. But not half as bright, certainly no laughter in them. His are darker, cold as they are soft, a confusing contrast that gives her no reprieve. They should have been burning, The Last Dragon they had called him and yet he lacks any and all fire in those eyes, as far as she has seen. The blood of the dragon runs hot, they had declared, she has it too, running in her veins, burning. A bittersweet look into Princess Elia Martell's life amongst dragons and lions, from the day of her wedding to her tragic demise.

Lazarus in the Sun by Anonymous - fanfic - 3/?

The Princess of Dorne is a marked woman. With her husband victorious at the Trident yet somehow still missing, now more than ever does Elia Martell find herself stuck between a rock and a hard place: to stay in King’s Landing with herself and her two children at the hands of a madman, or to take the jump and escape? A spur of the moment decision turns into a years-long deception as Dorne wrenches her way out of the Seven Kingdoms on the back of a lie. And though peace is finally taking root once more in this corner of the world, no sooner do the gods laugh when an unexpected figure from the past comes back and unsteadies the ground beneath them all.

Hourglass by spearsndragons - fanfic - 11/?

Elia dies and awakes on the day of her wedding. Armed with the memories of her previous life, she is determined not to let them come to pass. She will make the Seven Kingdoms regret they ever underestimated her. In another part of the Red Keep, the Gods of Old Valyria send Rhaegar back in time to fix his wrongs and ensure the survival of House Targaryen. Rhaegar knows his madness and hubris led to the destruction of everything he loves and cares for. Never again. OR AU: The Gods and fate reverse the hands of time. Elia seeks retribution and Rhaegar endeavors for redemption. In one life, they were husband and wife. In this one, they might just be each other’s biggest adversaries. But, while Elia and Rhaegar plan to prevent the tragedies that befell them, they find out they are not the only ones who were given a second chance. And not all who came back are their friends.

we fall apart as it gets dark by sunstealer (TheSunsetStar) - fanfic - 2/?

this one is SO dear to me <3

The apparent abduction of Lyanna Stark sets off a chain of events: Brandon Stark and his allies march to the Red Keep, where Brandon demands Rhaegar's head. A duel is called by Aerys, and fire serves as his champion, leading to the death of Brandon's father and Brandon's own imprisonment. It's only after these events that a letter arrives at Winterfell, written by Lyanna herself, explaining that she left of her own accord. The deaths of the Lord of Winterfell and the Heir of the Eyrie, along with Aerys' demand for the heads of Robert and Ned, ignite a rebellion. Elia, isolated in Kings Landing without her children, must play her role as the dutiful wife. However, complications arise when the man who once demanded her husband’s head becomes her constant companion, the Kingsguard sworn to her. Will she stay true to her duty or follow her husband's example and forsake it?

Sunset Embers by spearsndragons

Five years into King Rhaegar I's reign, the realm prospers under his progressive leadership. However, the same cannot be said for the king's family. Behind the walls of the Red Keep, Rhaegar grapples with his inner demons, and House Targaryen continues to be haunted by the war's tragic end. Water magic resurfaces across the sea in the Golden Empire of Yi Ti for the first time in centuries with the arrival of the Emperor's new wife. She works to uncover the forgotten history of the world, only to realize that her own past refuses to be buried. OR Dark AU: Is this love or a curse? To yearn for freedom while willingly chaining ourselves to someone, finding solace in the very shackles we can't bear to break?

wherever the wind blows by TheSunsetStar - 1/1 (part of a series)

Rhaegar comes back to her, bringing along a wife and child. Ashara comes back to her, grieving the loss of a child with wolfsblood. Oberyn also returns to her, having just returned from his journeys across Essos, offering words of apology. Everyone returns, yet her daughter never does. or in her desperation Elia gives her daughter to Varys and never sees her again.

Reckless by sunstealer (TheSunsetStar)

"Get out," she tells him. "Leave." "You're not going to talk to me?" His voice comes out hoarse; she wonders why. "You've done enough!" she lets out. He looks disappointed when she says it, his eyes clouding over. She almost apologizes for snapping at him. But she reminds herself that he shouldn't be here at all, he shouldn't be here with her. "Goodbye, Rhaegar," she says gently, not allowing any trace of emotion to surface in her voice. The name sounds foreign coming out of her mouth, as though it belongs to someone else. She wishes for the days to go back to before he met Lyanna. Before everything turned sour. Before it was too late. or Rhaegar returns to her but things are difficult now.

Baelon the Cruel and His Queen of Love and Beauty by sunstealer (TheSunsetStar) - fanfic - 6/?

Baelon Targaryen, the second-born son of King Aerys and Queen Rhaella, and the twin brother to Crown Prince Rhaegar, possessed an ethereal beauty expected of one with Valyrian blood. Yet, behind his captivating face, an aura of cruelty and ruthlessness lingered, casting an unsettling shadow over his reputation. And his sudden appearance at the Tourney at Harrenhal unknowingly changes everything. (or just a crack fic about Rhaegar's 'cruel' twin brother and his shenanigans at the famed Tourney at Harrenhal)

Right Where You Left Me by TheSunsetStar - fanfic - 19/19

elia is dead in this one, but she's so important to the story and i love this fic, so it makes the list :)

Rhaegar's life is spared by the valiant intervention of Arthur Dayne, moments before Robert deals the fatal blow. With their lives preserved, Rhaegar and the remaining Targaryens seek refuge on Dragonstone, eventually making their escape to Essos. Regrettably, Rhaegar is forced to leave his eldest daughter behind. Left in the midst of her adversaries, Rhaenys grows up surrounded by those who view her as an enemy. As time passes, she becomes entangled in the treacherous game of thrones, particularly in the aftermath of Cersei and Jaime Lannister's public execution for their incestuous relationship. Caught in a web of schemes and deceit, Rhaenys finds herself compelled to employ similar tactics in order to ensure her own survival.

#a song of ice and fire #elia martell #asoiaf #fanfic #house martell #fic rec

[malora-hightower]

The Starks + Thinking About Each Other

Part I: Ned

There were three tombs, side by side. Lord Rickard Stark, Ned’s father, had a long, stern face. The stonemasons had known him well. He sat with quiet dignity, stone fingers holding tight to the sword across his lap, but in life all swords had failed him. In two smaller sepulchres on either side were his children. Brandon had been twenty when he died, strangled by order of the Mad King Aerys Targaryen only a few short days before he was to wed Catelyn Tully of Riverrun. His father had been forced to watch him die. He was the true heir, the eldest, born to rule. Lyanna had only been sixteen, a child-woman of surpassing loveliness. Ned had loved her with all his heart.

AGoT, Eddard I

He could still hear her at times. Promise me, she had cried, in a room that smelled of blood and roses. Promise me, Ned. The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave her his word, the fear had gone out of his sister’s eyes. Ned remembered the way she had smiled then, how tightly her fingers had clutched his as she gave up her hold on life, the rose petals spilling from her palm, dead and black. After that, he remembered nothing. They had found him still holding her body, silent with grief.

AGoT, Eddard I

“You avenged Lyanna at the Trident,” Ned said, halting beside the king. Promise me, Ned, she had whispered.

AGoT, Eddard II

Not for the first time, he wondered what he was doing here and why he had come. [. . .] He belonged in Winterfell. He belonged with Catelyn in her grief, and with Bran.

AGoT, Eddard II

Bran’s wolf had saved the boy’s life, he thought dully. What was it that Jon had said when they found the pups in the snow? Your children were meant to have these pups, my lord. And he had killed Sansa’s, and for what? Was it guilt he was feeling? Or fear? If the gods had sent these wolves, what folly had he done?

AGoT, Eddard IV

Yet even as he said the words, he remembered that chill morning on the barrowlands, and Robert’s talk of sending hired knives after the Targaryen princess. He remembered Rhaegar’s infant son . . . and the way the king had turned away, as he had turned away in Darry’s audience hall not so long ago. He could still hear Sansa pleading, as Lyanna had pleaded once.

AGoT, Eddard IV

Ned did not need Littlefinger to tell him that. He was thinking back to the day Arya had been found . . .. He was thinking of the boy Mycah, of Jon Arryn’s sudden death, of Bran’s fall . . ..

AGoT, Eddard IV

“No,” Ned said. He saw no use in lying to her. “Yet someday he may be the lord of a great holdfast and sit on the king’s council. He might raise castles like Brandon the Builder, or sail a ship across the Sunset Sea, or enter your mother’s Faith and become the High Septon.” But he will never run beside his wolf again, he thought with a sadness too deep for words, or lie with a woman, or hold his own son in his arms.

AGoT, Eddard V

He yearned for the comfort of Catelyn’s arms, for the sounds of Robb and Jon crossing swords in the practice yard, for the cool days and cold nights of the north.

AGoT, Eddard VI

“You never knew Lyanna as I did, Robert,” Ned told him. “You saw her beauty, but not the iron underneath. She would have told you that you have no business in the melee.” He took out the dagger and studied it. Littlefinger’s blade, won by Tyrion Lannister in a tourney wager, sent to slay Bran in his sleep. Why? Why would the dwarf want Bran dead? Why would anyone want Bran dead?

AGoT, Eddard VII

The dagger, Bran’s fall, all of it was linked somehow to the murder of Jon Arryn, he could feel it in his gut . . ..

AGoT, Eddard VII

It would be good to return to Winterfell. He ought never have left. His sons were waiting there. Perhaps he and Catelyn would make a new son together when he returned, they were not so old yet. And of late he had often found himself dreaming of snow, of the deep quiet of the wolfswood at night.

AGoT, Eddard VIII

Could Robert be part of it? He would not have thought so, but once he would not have thought Robert could command the murder of women and children either. Catelyn had tried to warn him. You knew the man, she had said. The king is a stranger to you.

AGoT, Eddard VIII

“Robert will never keep to one bed,” Lyanna had told him at Winterfell, on the night long ago when their father had promised her hand to the young Lord of Storm’s End. “I hear he has gotten a child on some girl in the Vale.” Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart. Lyanna had only smiled. “Love is sweet, dearest Ned, nut it cannot change a man’s nature.”

AGoT, Eddard IX

Riding through the rainy night, Ned saw Jon Snow’s face in front of him, so like a younger version of his own. If the gods frowned so on bastards, he thought dully, why did they fill men with such lusts?

AGoT, Eddard IX

He dreamt an old dream, of three knights in white cloaks, and a tower long fallen, and Lyanna in her bed of blood. [. . .] “As they came together in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. “Eddard!” she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as blue as the eyes of death.

AGoT, Eddard X

It was queer how sometimes a child’s innocent eyes can see the things that grown men are blind to. Someday, when Sansa was grown, he would have to tell her how she had made it all come clear for him. He’s not the least bit like that old drunken king, she had declared, angry and unknowing, and the simple truth of it had twisted inside him, cold as death.

AGoT, Eddard XII

And yet, he knew he could not keep silent. He had a duty to Robert, to the realm, to the shade of Jon Arryn . . . and to Bran, who surely must have stumbled on some part of the truth. Why else would they have tried to slay him?

AGoT, Eddard XII

Ned thought, If it came to that, the life of some child I did not know, against Robb and Sansa and Arya and Bran and Rickon, what would I do? Even more so, what would Catelyn do, if it were Jon’s life, against the children of her body? He did not know. He prayed he never would.

AGoT, Eddard XII

Her eyes burned, green fire in the dusk, like the lioness that was her sigil. “The night of our wedding feast, the first time we shared a bed, he called me by your sister’s name. He was on top of me, in me, stinking of wine, and he whispered Lyanna.” Ned Stark thought of pale blue roses, and for a moment he wanted to weep.

AGoT, Eddard XII

He was walking thought the crypts beneath Winterfell, as he had walked a thousand times before. The Kings of Winter watched him pass with eyes of ice, and the direwolves at their feet turned their great stone heads and snarled. Last of all, he came to the tomb where his father slept, with Brandon and Lyanna beside him. “Promise me, Ned,” Lyanna’s whispered statue whispered. She wore a garland of pale blue roses, and her eyes wept blood.

AGoT, Eddard XIII

“Serve the boar at my funeral feast,” Robert rasped. “Apple in its mouth, skin seared crisp. Eat the bastard. Don’t care if you choke on him. Promise me, Ned.” “I promise.” Promise me, Ned, Lyanna’s voice echoed.

AGoT, Eddard XIII

The thought of Winterfell brought a wan smile to his face. He wanted to hear Bran’s laughter once more, to go hawking with Robb, to watch Rickon at play. He wanted to drift off to a dreamless sleep in his own bed with his arms wrapped tight around his lady, Catelyn.

AGoT, Eddard XIII

When he woke, there was nothing to do but think, and his waking thoughts were worse than nightmares. The thought of Cat was as painful as a bed of nettles. He wondered where she was, what she was doing. He wondered whether he would ever see her again.

AGoT, Eddard XV

He made plans to keep himself sane, built castles of hope in the dark. [. . .] Catelyn would raise the north when the word reached her, and the lords of river and mountain and Vale would join her. The memory came creeping upon him in the darkness, as vivid as a dream. It was the year of the false spring, and he was eighteen again, down from the Eyrie to the tourney at Harrenhal. [. . .] He remembered Brandon’s laughter . . .. [. . .] Ned remembered the moment when all the smiles died, when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen urged his horse past his own wife, the Dornish princess Elia Martell, to lay the queen of beauty’s laurel in Lyanna’s lap. He could see it still: a crown of winter roses, blue as frost. Ned Stark reached out his hand to grasp the flowery crown, but beneath the pale blue petals the thorns lay hidden. He felt them clawing at his skin, sharp and cruel, saw the slow trickle of blood run down his fingers, and woke, trembling, in the dark. Promise me, Ned, his sister had whispered from her bed of blood. She had loved the scent of winter roses.

AGoT, Eddard XV

“. . . And now your son marches down the Neck with a northern host at his back.” “Robb is only a boy,” Ned said, aghast.

AGoT, Eddard XV

“Pity.” The eunuch stood. “And your daughter’s life, my lord? How previous is that?” A chill pierced Ned’s heart. “My daughter . . .”

AGoT, Eddard XV

#ned stark #part II will be catelyn #I'm sure I missed some and a couple of these may not fall under 'thinking about' #valyrianscrolls #asoiaf #thenorthsource #bookhousestark #eddard stark #house stark #txt #starksthinkingofeachother

[poorshadowspaintedqueens]

Didn’t Robert Baratheon invalidate his own claim by pardoning Tywin, Gregor and Lorch after murdering Elia and her children, as well as rewarding the Lannisters for their treachery? How is that different to Aerys’ tyranny?

As is so often the case in these matters...it depends on who you ask.

People can split hairs all they want about inheritance and succession, but it wasn't Robert's Targaryen connections that got him the throne. It was the fact that a coalition of powerful lords agreed that he should be king, and were willing to put themselves and their armies on the line to push his claim. Robert became king by right of conquest as soon as he killed Rhaegar at the Trident. It may not have been as dramatic as the Field of Fire, but the basic premise is the same. See also Henry of Richmond becoming king of England in 1485 after King Richard III was killed in battle.

That being said, although Robert was king de facto, he was still not king de jure. He hadn't been officially crowned and anointed, he did not occupy the capital city of King's Landing, and he was unable to sit on the Iron Throne. All three of those symbolically important elements still applied to Aerys, and Aerys still had two male heirs: Rhaegar's son Aegon, and his own son Viserys.

It is also worth remembering that, for the majority of the Rebellion, the Lannisters did not explicitly declare for one side or the other. Tywin had decamped to Casterly Rock after the tourney at Harrenhal and, so far as we know, did not leave his lands until his army marched along the Gold Road to King's Landing. He must already have left Casterly Rock before the Battle of the Trident, considering how long a march it would have been, so it's not actually clear whose side he intended to join. If Rhaegar had managed to win the battle, I'm certain Tywin would have deferred to him, especially since it's hinted that he intended to depose Aerys. But that isn't what happened.

Instead, Tywin found himself in the unenviable position of having to prove his loyalty to a new regime after having spent two decades propping up the old. He may well have even engineered the sack of King's Landing in part to cover up his plan to kill Rhaegar's children, perhaps intending to make their deaths look like collateral damage. (Though I might be giving him too much credit here.)

Tywin offers Tyrion this explanation for his choice to sack King's Landing in A Storm of Swords:

We had come late to Robert's cause. It was necessary to demonstrate our loyalty. When I laid those bodies before the throne, no man could doubt that we had forsaken House Targaryen forever. And Robert's relief was palpable. As stupid as he was, even he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Yet he saw himself as a hero, and heroes do not kill children [...] I grant you, it was done too brutally. Elia need not have been harmed at all, that was sheer folly. By herself she was nothing.

Tywin isn't wrong, at least not about Robert's image of himself. Robert is willing to have children die on his orders (c.f. Daenerys in AGOT), and Ned's narration confirms that he certainly didn't express any guilt about the deaths of Aegon and Rhaenys ("I see no children, only dragonspawn," etc). We know Ned--and a number of others on the coalition side--pushed for Robert to have Tywin executed, or sent to the Wall for his war crimes. So why didn't he? Even Machiavelli would have advised that he do so.

In Chapter 7 of Il Principe [The Prince], Niccolò Machiavelli offers a striking fanboy anecdote about Cesare Borgia's conquest of the Romagna. He describes the man Cesare appointed to establish order across the province as "a cruel and vigorous man, to whom he gave absolute powers," and relates that "in short order this man pacified and unified the whole district, winning thereby great renown" (21). However, as soon as the job was done,

the duke decided such excessive authority was no longer necessary, and feared it might become odious; so he set up a civil court in the middle of the province, with an excellent judge and a representative from each city. And because he knew that the recent harshness had generated some hatred, in order to clear the minds of the people and gain them over to his cause completely, he determined to make plain that whatever cruelty had occurred had come, not from him, but from the brutal character of the minister. Taking a proper occasion, therefore, he had him placed on the public square of Cesena one morning, in two pieces, with a piece of wood beside him and a bloody knife. The ferocity of this scene left the people at once stunned and satisfied.

Even if he was reluctant to punish the lord of the Westerlands, Robert could easily have had Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch either executed or sent to the Wall. They were, after all, the ones with literal blood on their hands, even though it was clearly on Tywin's orders. I doubt that would have fully mollified the Martells, but it would have at least been a basic show of good faith. But Robert not only pardoned all of them, he then rewarded Tywin with a marriage alliance and the prospect of his grandchildren on the throne. Machiavelli would not have approved.

Now, Robert insists to Ned that this was Jon Arryn's idea, and we know Jon was also the one who travelled all the way to Sunspear to return the bones of Lewyn Martell. But one has to wonder how different things might have looked if the Lannisters had been made to answer for their crimes.

But the question in the ask was: Does this invalidate Robert's claim? And the answer there is no. It does not. He had already won, for all intents and purposes. Now, while these actions do not invalidate his claim to the throne, they do win him a number of enemies, and they succeed in alienating Robert's staunchest ally and best friend.

#asoiaf #asoiaf meta #robert baratheon #aerys ii targaryen #jon arryn #tywin lannister #robert's rebellion #niccolò machiavelli

[atopvisenyashill]

Do you think comparisons can be drawn between Targaryens sharing the same name? Aegon. Rhaenys. Aemon. Viserys. Daeron. Rhaena. Others?

YES! I think they’re very purposefully characters in conversation with each other actually. @transdimensional-void has this great meta here about all the rhae girlies and the way that relates to the themes in rhaegar's story. i also think there's a clear link between aemon the dragonknight, maester aemon, and jon snow (which is why i think jon was named aemon) and i've kinda talked about that here (although a bit angrily, haha) and I have a "jon and the aemons" tag as well for that reason.

then there's the daerons who i think are really interesting - Daeron the Young Dragon who started a violent war of conquest against Dorne without reason, who gets himself murdered under a peace banner because he bungles the whole thing so badly, and his younger brother has to do an entire religious penance walk barefoot through the desert lasting months just to sort everything out again. Then Daeron the Good, who helps end that war by refusing to play into the cronyism of his father's court - his father who only got the throne because of Daeron I's folly - and refusing to allow the disrespect of Naerys or Myriah, who settles everything by marrying Maron to Daenerys and doing this amazing PR campaign of praying to Baelor's statue with Maron and claiming he's doing Baelor's work, not Daeron's or Aegon's. Daeron I whose unnecessary death leads almost directly to a lifetime of reproductive abuse and spousal rape for Naerys, and Daeron II growing up in the shadow of this horrific life where he's the only protection his mother has and he's never enough, until she dies and suddenly he's the only thing standing in the way of Daenerys and an equally horrific end.

I think it's kind of a fandom joke that all Viserys' are flops and I do think that's a theme in the series - men trying to be Visenya by literally invoking her name but they simply do not have the juice. Viserys I with his inaction and his drive to feel Good Things Only, Viserys II keeping his eyes firmly shut to the follies of the younger Targaryens around him, Viserys III slowly losing his mind to grief until he turns all that anger out at poor Daenerys. Something to be said with how highly they're all linked to a younger relative they fail to care for, and the fact that those women are all linked narratively as well - Viserys and Rhaenyra, Viserys and Naerys, Viserys and Daenerys.

I think there's something incredible in how the names Rhaenys and Rhaena completely fall out of favor after the Dance and are replaced by Rhae, Rhaella, and Rhaelle in popularity. Rhaenys the Conqueror, her namesake Rhaenys the Queen Who Never Was, but the Dance proves that there can never be a Rhaenys again because there can never be a woman sitting the Iron Throne again. Rhaena the Black Bride, named for her grandmother, a Queen because she's a consort and remembered for being a Queen in her own right (in a metaphorical sense), Rhaena of Pentos being a dragon rider who knows how to play the game in a smart but compassionate way, all leading to poor Septa Rhaena, locked up for a beauty she can't possibly understand when she is so young, driven to the Faith by the actions of the mad, lustful family members who would never see her as anything more than a pretty face and a convenient womb.

There's also the idea that Daena named Daemon Blackfyre after Daemon Targaryen, because she revered Rhaenyra and felt Rhaenyra was treated unfairly that I find very interesting. Daena's claim being put aside, and just like Aegon III (the beloved, "last" living son of Rhaenyra and Daemon), Daemon is forced to say his claim comes from a father who does not deserve his love instead of the mother he's really dedicated to.

This is also why I tag all the Aegon's with their epithets - I actually think Aegon VI is going to have some sort of "Aegon the U______" name because you have Aegon the Usurper, Aegon the Unlucky, Aegon the Unworthy, and Aegon the Unlikely. Then there's the play of Aegon the Dragon vs Aegon the Dragonbane as well there!

I could go on! There's so much here that's interesting and yes, I do think there are a lot of links between characters with the same name or similar names.

#house targaryen #asks #anons #valyrianscrolls

[alaynasansa]

The Loss of Lady

He saw his father pleading with the king, his face etched with grief. He saw Sansa crying to herself at night, and he saw Arya watching in silence and holding her secrets hard in her heart

Bran III — A Game of Thrones

He had only to look at Sansa's face to feel the rage twisting inside him once again. The last fortnight of their journey had been a misery. Sansa blamed Arya and told her that it should have been Nymeria who died. And Arya was lost after she heard what had happened to her butcher's boy. Sansa cried herself to sleep, Arya brooded silently all day long, and Eddard Stark dreamed of a frozen hell reserved for the Starks of Winterfell

Eddard IV — A Game of Thrones

He remembered Rhaegar's infant son, the red ruin of his skull, and the way the king had turned away, as he had turned away in Darry's audience hall not so long ago. He could still hear Sansa pleading, as Lyanna pleaded once

Eddard IV — A Game of Thrones

What was it that Jon had said when they found the pups in the snow ? Your children were meant to have these pups, my lord. And he had killed Sansa's, and for what ? Was it guilt he was feeling ? Or fear ? If the gods had sent these wolves, what folly had he done ?

Eddard IV — A Game of Thrones

He was thinking back to the day Arya had been found, to the look on the queen's face when she said, We have a wolf, so soft and quiet

Eddard IV — A Game of Thrones

They'd let the queen kill Lady, that was horrible enough

Arya II — A Game of Thrones

Perhaps she had used up all her tears for Lady and Bran

Sansa II — A Game of Thrones

At first she thought she hated him for what they'd done to Lady, but after Sansa had wept her eyes dry, she told herself that it had not been Joffrey's doing, not truly

Sansa II — A Game of Thrones

"I am sorry for your girl, Ned. Truly. About the wolf, I mean"

Eddard VII — A Game of Thrones

"You're horrible !," she screamed at her sister. "They should have killed you instead of Lady !"

Sansa III — A Game of Thrones

Sansa sat up. "Lady," she whispered. For a moment it was as if the direwolf was there in the room, looking at her with those golden eyes, sad and knowing. She had been dreaming, she realized. Lady was with her, and they were running together, and... and... trying to remember was like trying to catch the rain with her fingers. The dream faded, and Lady was dead again

Sansa III — A Game of Thrones

The girls do not even have that much, he thought. Their wolves might have kept them safe, but Lady is dead and Nymeria's lost, they're all alone

Jon VII — A Game of Thrones

Bran felt all cold inside. "She lost her wolf," he said, weakly, remembering the day when four of his father's guardmen had returned from the south with Lady's bones. Summer and Grey Wind and Shaggydog had begun to howl before they crossed the drawbridge, in voices drawn and desolate. Beneath the shadow of the First Keep was an ancient lichyard, its headstones spotted with pale lichen, where the Old Kings of Winter had laid their faithful servants. It was there they buried Lady, while her brothers stalked between the graves like restless shadows. She had gone south, and only her bones had returned

Bran VI — A Game of Thrones

By the time she reached the godswood, the noises had faded to a faint rattle of steel and a distant shouting. Sansa pulled her cloak tighter. The air was rich with the smells of earth and leaf. Lady would have liked this place, she thought.

Sansa II — A Clash of Kings

And what will they do to me ? Sansa found herself thinking of Lady again. She could smell out falsehood, she could, but she was dead, Father had killed her, on account of Arya. She drew the knife and held it before her with both hands

Sansa II — A Clash of Kings

She hated Ser Amory Lorch for Yoren, and she hated Ser Meryn Trant for Syrio, the Hound for killing the butcher's boy Mycah, and Ser Illyn and Prince Joffrey and the queen for the sake of her father and Fat Tom and Desmond and the rest, and even for Lady, Sansa's wolf

Arya VI — A Clash of Kings

"That was Arya's wolf," she said. "Lady never hurt you, but you killed her anyway"

Sansa III — A Clash of Kings

She shouted for Ser Dontos, for her brothers, for her dead father and her dead wolf, for gallant Ser Loras who had given her a red rose once, but none of them came

Sansa IV — A Clash of Kings

"Lady," she whimpered softly, wondering if she would meet her wolf again when she was dead

Sansa VII — A Clash of Kings

Arya was glad to hear that the castle of the Darrys would be burned. That was where they'd brought her when she'd been caught after her fight with Joffrey, and where the queen had made her father kill Sansa's wolf. It deserves to burn

Arya X — A Clash of Kings

A shiver went through her. "A monster," she whispered, so tremulously she could scarcely hear her own voice. "Joffrey is a monster. He lied about the butcher's boy and made Father kill my wolf. When I displease him, he has the Kingsguard beat me. He's evil and cruel, my lady, it's so. And the queen as well"

Sansa I — A Storm of Swords

That was such a sweet dream, Sansa thought drowsily. She had been back in Winterfell, running through the godswood with her Lady. Her father had been there, and her brothers, all of them warm and safe. If only dreaming could make it so...

Sansa IV — A Storm of Swords

I must be brave. Her torments would soon be ended, one way or the other. If Lady was here, I would not be afraid. Lady was dead, though ; Robb, Bran, Rickon, Arya, her father, her mother, even Septa Mordane. All of them are dead but me. She was alone in the world now

Sansa IV — A Storm of Swords

The crypts were growing darker. A light has gone out somewhere. "Ygritte ?" he whispered. "Forgive me. Please." But it was only a direwolf, grey and ghastly, spotted with blood, his golden eyes shining sadly through the dark...

Jon VIII — A Storm of Swords

"I'll have a song for you," he rasped, and Sansa woke and found the old blind dog beside her once again. "I wish that you were Lady," she said

Sansa VI — A Storm of Swords

She saw Ned Stark, and beside him little Sansa with her auburn hair and a shaggy grey dog that might have been her wolf

Cersei II — A Dance with Dragons

#lady the direwolf #sansa stark #bran stark #eddard stark #arya stark #jon snow #cersei lannister #asoiaf #a game of thrones #agot #a clash of kings #acok #a storm of swords #asos #a dance with dragons #adwd #asoiaf quotes

[gendrie]

Glowing like sunset, a red sword was raised in the hand of a blue-eyed king who cast no shadow. A cloth dragon swayed on poles amidst a cheering crowd. From a smoking tower, a great stone beast took wing, breathing shadow fire. . . . mother of dragons, slayer of lies . . .(Dany, ACOK)

She raised her eyes to his. Brown eyes, not grey. Are all of them so blind? For a long moment she did not speak, but those eyes were begging. This is your chance, he thought. Tell them. Tell them now. Shout out your name before them all, tell them that you are not Arya Stark, let all the north hear how you were made to play this part. (Theon, ADWD)

theres a lot to compare/contrast between arya and jeyne as "arya" and dany and "aegon" as aegon. neither fully realizes it, yet, but both arya and dany have pretenders they are going to have to deal with. jeyne has claimed arya's identity after her presumed death. aegon has claimed the identity of dany's nephew who was murdered as an infant. both of these are going to interfere with arya and dany's own identities and their objectives.

"It does make for a splendid story, and the singers will make much of your escape once you take the Iron Throne … assuming that our fair Daenerys takes you for her consort." "She will. She must." (Tyrion, ADWD) The bride raised her eyes. Brown eyes, shining in the candlelight. "I will be a good wife to him, and t-true. I … I will please him and give him sons. I will be a better wife than the real Arya could have been, he'll see." (Theon, ADWD)

jeyne knows she is not who she is pretending to be. she's been forced thru violence to pretend so that the boltons could marry "arya", the heir to winterfell, in an attempt to secure their hold on the north. which hasn't really worked because the boltons are despised. many northerners are in open rebellion to save "the ned's girl" and more are plotting in secret. jeyne escaped winterfell and is now en route to the wall and then braavos. arya and jeyne crossing paths there is a safe bet. this will likely serve as a catalyst for arya reclaiming her identity as arya stark.

aegon truly believes he is the son of rhaegar and elia, but he's not. he has been lied to his entire life. in the targaryen tradition he intends to marry dany so the two of them can rule the seven kingdoms together. aegon decided to invade without dany, though, and it seems he will sit the throne before her. the vision in the house of the undying suggests he will gain some popularity. when she arrives in westeros dany will have to confront this man who claims to be a targaryen like her and with a stronger claim to the iron throne.

"A mummer's dragon, you said. What is a mummer's dragon, pray?" "A cloth dragon on poles," Dany explained. "Mummers use them in their follies, to give the heroes something to fight." (Dany, ACOK) It was the girl who held them here, Lord Eddard's blood, but the girl was just a mummer's ploy, a lamb in a direwolf's skin. (Theon, ADWD)

both jeyne and aegon are puppets being used to symbolize houses stark and targaryen in the game of thrones, but these are false narratives. arya and dany are the real thing. dany is poised to reclaim her identity as a true targaryen and refocus her goals after losing her sense of self in meereen. arya will do the same in braavos soon.

"Remember who you are, Daenerys," the stars whispered in a woman's voice. "The dragons know. Do you?" (Dany, ADWD) She took a breath to quiet the howling in her heart, trying to remember more of what she'd dreamt, but most of it had gone already. There had been blood in it, though, and a full moon overhead, and a tree that watched her as she ran. (Arya, TWOW)

these two pairings are going to collide at some point. then arya and dany are going to slay the lies that are being wielded by their enemies. but thats probably going to look very different in each plot. jeyne has been traumatized by being arya and she will probably relinquish the name with relief. aegon is not going to do that. i doubt he will ever accept that he is anyone other than who he's been led to believe. which is going to create conflict between him and dany.

#asoiaf nonsense #feel like this could be controversh lol #bc i think some people want dany and aegon to be one big happy fam #but i uh do not see that happening #similarly idk that arya and jeyne is going to play out like people want either

[thelustybraavosimaid]

The Tale of the Blue Winter Rose, Rhaelya, and Jonerys

The story of Bael the Bard and the tale of the blue rose and why it was specifically mentioned to Jon is because it is a chance for him to learn the story of his parents, Lyanna and Rhaegar.

"Who was your mother?"

"Some woman. Most of them are." Someone had said that to him once. He did not remember who.

She smiled again, a flash of white teeth. "And she never sung you the song o' the winter rose?" (Jon VI, ACoK)

To go off on a small tangent, this is a very similar kind of foreshadowing that George had woven in before, specifically with Jon in his conversation with Jeor, when discussing Maester Aemon (aka, discussing Jon's family):

"Yes and no. First they offered it, quietly, to Aemon. And quietly he refused. The gods meant for him to serve, not to rule, he told them. He had sworn a vow and would not break it, though the High Septon himself offered to absolve him. Well, no sane man wanted any blood of Aerion's on the throne, and Daeron's girl was a lackwit besides being female, so they had no choice but to turn to Aemon's younger brother—Aegon, the Fifth of His Name. Aegon the Unlikely, they called him, born the fourth son of a fourth son. Aemon knew, and rightly, that if he remained at court those who disliked his brother's rule would seek to use him, so he came to the Wall. And here he has remained, while his brother and his brother's son and his son each reigned and died in turn, until Jaime Lannister put an end to the line of the Dragonkings."

"King," croaked the raven. The bird flapped across the solar to land on Mormont's shoulder. "King," it said again, strutting back and forth.

"He likes that word," Jon said, smiling.

"An easy word to say. An easy word to like."

"King," the bird said again.

"I think he means for you to have a crown, my lord."

"The realm has three kings already, and that's two too many for my liking." Mormont stroked the raven under the beak with a finger, but all the while his eyes never left Jon Snow.

It made him feel odd. (Jon I, ACoK)

The tale in itself is doubly tied to Jon because, as we know well, Lyanna is tied to flowers, specifically blue winter roses.

Last of all, he came to the tomb where his father slept, with Brandon and Lyanna beside him. "Promise me, Ned," Lyanna's statue whispered. She wore a garland of pale blue roses, and her eyes wept blood. (Eddard XIII, AGoT)

--

Promise me, Ned, his sister had whispered from her bed of blood. She had loved the scent of winter roses. (Eddard XV, AGoT)

--

"Now as it happened the winter roses had only then come into bloom, and no flower is so rare nor precious. So the Stark sent to his glass gardens and commanded that the most beautiful o' the winter roses be plucked for the singer's payment. And so it was done. But when morning come, the singer had vanished...and so had Lord Brandon's maiden daughter. Her bed they found empty, but for the pale blue rose that Bael had left on the pillow where her head had lain." (Jon VI, ACoK)

--

Ned remembered the moment when all the smiles died, when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen urged his horse past his own wife, the Dornish princess Elia Martell, to lay the queen of beauty's laurel in Lyanna's lap. He could see it still: a crown of winter roses, blue as frost. (Eddard XV, AGoT)

The "Stark maiden" in the story is Lyanna, chosen by Rhaegar:

If he loved you, he would come and carry you off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl, the girl in her insisted, but the queen knew that was folly. (Daenerys VII, ADwD)

Both the winter rose from the story and Lyanna are fair:

"North or south, singers always find a ready welcome, so Bael ate at Lord Stark's own table, and played for the lord in his high seat until half the night was gone. The old songs he played, and new ones he'd made himself, and he played and sang so well that when he was done, the lord offered to let him name his own reward. 'All I ask is a flower,' Bael answered, 'the fairest flower that blooms in the gardens o' Winterfell.'" (Jon VI, ACoK)

--

"And there's my grandfather, Lord Rickard, who was beheaded by Mad King Aerys. His daughter Lyanna and his son Brandon are in the tombs beside him. Not me, another Brandon, my father's brother. They're not supposed to have statues, that's only for the lords and the kings, but my father loved them so much he had them done."

"The maid's a fair one," Osha said. (Bran VII, AGoT)

The room Lyanna was in also smelled of blood and roses, and she had winter roses in her hands when she died, but when they spilled from her palm, they were black, dead. Like her.

Not my mother, Jon thought stubbornly. He knew nothing of his mother; Eddard Stark would not talk of her. Yet he dreamed of her at times, so often that he could almost see her face. In his dreams, she was beautiful, and highborn, and her eyes were kind. (Jon III, AGoT)

As Lyanna's son, Jon is, in Daenerys' vision in the House of the Undying, the blue flower growing in a chink of ice (becoming LC?) at the wall (the literal Wall), filling the air with sweetness, and Dany will be his bride, the bride of fire:

A blue flower grew from a chink in a wall of ice, and filled the air with sweetness...mother of dragons, bride of fire... (Daenerys IV, ACoK)

This is not tied to Sansa or Jonsa.

Menstruation is called flowering, but Sansa was not menstruating in winter time. It also would make no literary sense for a vision specifically for Daenerys, who was in the House of the Undying, and also seeing said blue flower growing in the ice, and also as the bride of fire, to not be connected to her in some way.

Petyr being called Baelish is also not a tie to Jonsa, either, because it is Bael the Bard who steals and impregnates the Winter Rose, and she loved him so much that she had begotten him a son.

That would be foreshadowing for Petyr/Sansa, not Jon/Sansa.

"No. They had been in Winterfell all the time, hiding with the dead beneath the castle. The maid loved Bael so dearly she bore him a son, the song says...though if truth be told, all the maids love Bael in them songs he wrote. Be that as it may, what's certain is that Bael left the child in payment for the rose he'd plucked unasked, and that the boy grew to be the next Lord Stark. So there it is—you have Bael's blood in you, same as me." (Jon VI, ACoK)

Instead of being the next Lord Stark like in the Bael the Bard story, Jon would be the next King in the North, as per Robb's will:

"...and dead. No one has seen or heard of Arya since they cut Father's head off. Why do you lie to yourself? Arya's gone, the same as Bran and Rickon, and they'll kill Sansa too once the dwarf gets a child from her. Jon is the only brother that remains to me. Should I die without issue, I want him to succeed me as King in the North. I had hoped you would support my choice." (Catelyn V, ASoS)

#why do people use chapter order to justify a ship? #i don't fucken get it tbh #🤷🏿‍♀️🤷🏿‍♀️ #rhaelya #jonerys #snowstorm #daenerys targaryen #jon snow #asoiaf

[istumpysk]

Operation Stumpy Re-Read

AFFC: Jaime I (Chapter 8)

Excuse me, where is Alayne?

"Allow me to stand tonight in your stead," Ser Loras offered. "He was not your father." You did not kill him. I did. Tyrion may have loosed the crossbow bolt that slew him, but I loosed Tyrion. "Leave me."

[...]

He never said he meant to kill our father. If he had, I would have stopped him. Then I would be the kinslayer, not him.

Bad news, you'll both slay kin, only in vastly different ways.

Remember when I didn't understand this?

The height of folly was reached when a plump fool came capering out in gold-painted tin with a cloth lion's head, and chased a dwarf around the tables, whacking him over the head with a bladder. Finally King Renly demanded to know why he was beating his brother. "Why, Your Grace, I'm the Kinslayer," the fool said.

"It's Kingslayer, fool of a fool," Renly said, and the hall rang with laughter. - Catelyn II, ACOK

How funny.

Anyway, at least he realizes he's partly responsible for Tywin's murder.

+.+.+

And then he was alone again with his lord father, amongst the candles and the crystals and the sickly sweet smell of death.

Do the Daenerys fans read these books with their eyes closed?

+.+.+

Unless my brother murdered Varys too, and left his corpse to rot beneath the castle. Down there, it might be years before his bones were found. 

Hmmm. Hmmm. Hmmm.

Tyrion hung back a moment. Varys had already betrayed him once. Who knew what game the eunuch was playing? And what better place to murder a man than down in the darkness, in a place that no one knew existed? His body might never be found. - Tyrion XI, ASOS

I don't know if this is about Varys, or the twins.

+.+.+

Jaime had led a dozen guards below, with torches and ropes and lanterns. For hours they had groped through twisting passages, narrow crawl spaces, hidden doors, secret steps, and shafts that plunged down into utter blackness. Seldom had he felt so utterly a cripple. A man takes much for granted when he has two hands. Ladders, for an instance. Even crawling did not come easy; not for nought do they speak of hands and knees. Nor could he hold a torch and climb, as others could.

Jaime's not going to be able to escape the bowels. Got it.

+.+.+

And all for naught. They found only darkness, dust, and rats. And dragons, lurking down below. 

+.+.+

He remembered the sullen orange glow of the coals in the iron dragon's mouth. The brazier warmed a chamber at the bottom of a shaft where half a dozen tunnels met. On the floor he'd found a scuffed mosaic of the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen done in tiles of black and red. I know you, Kingslayer, the beast seemed to be saying. I have been here all the time, waiting for you to come to me. And it seemed to Jaime that he knew that voice, the iron tones that had once belonged to Rhaegar, Prince of Dragonstone.

A dragon waiting for Jaime at the bottom of the Red Keep is not helping my confusion regarding the location.

+.+.+

The day had been windy when he said farewell to Rhaegar, in the yard of the Red Keep. The prince had donned his night-black armor, with the three-headed dragon picked out in rubies on his breastplate. "Your Grace," Jaime had pleaded, "let Darry stay to guard the king this once, or Ser Barristan. Their cloaks are as white as mine."

Prince Rhaegar shook his head. "My royal sire fears your father more than he does our cousin Robert. He wants you close, so Lord Tywin cannot harm him. I dare not take that crutch away from him at such an hour."

Is that another Targaryen talent? Ensuring you're surrounded by people (Lannisters) who will betray you?

+.+.+

Rhaegar had put his hand on Jaime's shoulder. "When this battle's done I mean to call a council. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but . . . well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken. We shall talk when I return."

Those were the last words Rhaegar Targaryen ever spoke to him. 

Then what happened? Hahahahaha.

A council! He means to call a council.

+.+.+

It was queer, but he felt no grief. Where are my tears? Where is my rage? Jaime Lannister had never lacked for rage. "Father," he told the corpse, "it was you who told me that tears were a mark of weakness in a man, so you cannot expect that I should cry for you."

If he's feeling no anger or grief, why is he so insistent on standing vigil for seven days, and seven nights?

Because Jaime Lannister cares a lot about appearance.

+.+.+

Without his beard, Pycelle looked not only old, but feeble. Shaving him was the cruelest thing Tyrion could have done, thought Jaime, who knew what it was to lose a part of yourself, the part that made you who you were. 

That right there might be more missing tongue foreshadowing.

I'm still not a believer, but I'll continue to include it.

+.+.+

"Ser Jaime, I have seen terrible things in my time," the old man said. "Wars, battles, murders most foul . . . I was a boy in Oldtown when the grey plague took half the city and three-quarters of the Citadel. Lord Hightower burned every ship in port, closed the gates, and commanded his guards to slay all those who tried to flee, be they men, women, or babes in arms. They killed him when the plague had run its course. On the very day he reopened the port, they dragged him from his horse and slit his throat, and his young son's as well. To this day the ignorant in Oldtown will spit at the sound of his name, but Quenton Hightower did what was needed. Your father was that sort of man as well. A man who did what was needed."

Well, I know one thing, we're not reading this random story for no reason.

A part of me believes Aegon won't engage with King's Landing, instead he'll go to Dorne + the Reach after the stormlands.

Jon Connington and his greyscale being near Oldtown fits with what the show tried to do with Jorah Mormont.

+.+.+

It was my work, not his, Jaime almost told her. Instead he had promised to find what answers he could from the chief undergaoler, a bentback old man named Rennifer Longwaters.

"I see you wonder, what sort of name is that?" the man had cackled when Jaime went to question him. "It is an old name, 'tis true. I am not one to boast, but there is royal blood in my veins. I am descended from a princess. My father told me the tale when I was a tad of a lad." Longwaters had not been a tad of a lad for many a year, to judge from his spotted head and the white hairs growing from his chin. "She was the fairest treasure of the Maidenvault. Lord Oakenfist the great admiral lost his heart to her, though he was married to another. She gave their son the bastard name of 'Waters' in honor of his father, and he grew to be a great knight, as did his own son, who put the 'Long' before the 'Waters' so men might know that he was not basely born himself. So I have a little dragon in me."

The mystery is solved! Daenerys, Rennifer Longwaters, and Brown Ben Plumm are the three heads of the dragon.

I understand this story gets more developed in the side books (and I am unfamiliar with it), but if you only read the above, it would be hard to not see hints of Rhaegar, Lyanna, and Jon Snow.

+.+.+

Mention that royal blood once more and I may spill some of it, thought Jaime. "Who saw these reports?"

"Certain of them went to the master of coin, others to the master of whisperers. All to the chief gaoler and the King's Justice. It has always been so in the dungeons." Longwaters scratched his nose. "Rugen was here when need be, my lord. That must be said. The black cells are little used. Before your lordship's little brother was sent down, we had Grand Maester Pycelle for a time, and before him Lord Stark the traitor. There were three others, common men, but Lord Stark gave them to the Night's Watch. I did not think it good to free those three, but the papers were in proper order. I made note of that in a report as well, you may be certain of it."

The previous master of coin is subtly mentioned, but don't think for one second that will help Jaime.

Ned sent Rorge, Biter, and Jaqen to the Night's Watch. I bet he wishes he could take that one back, hahaha.

+.+.+

"Tell me of the two gaolers who went to sleep."

"Gaolers?" Longwaters sniffed. "Those were no gaolers. They were merely turnkeys. The crown pays wages for twenty turnkeys, my lord, a full score, but during my time we have never had more than twelve. We are supposed to have six undergaolers as well, two on each level, but there are only the three."

[...]

Six prisoners, Jaime thought sourly, while we pay wages for twenty turnkeys, six undergaolers, a chief undergaoler, a gaoler, and a King's Justice.

Is Jaime going to ask himself who's collecting those wages if the positions aren't filled?

No, of course not, every dumb Lannister must have a Littlefinger blind spot. It's a prerequisite.

+.+.+

"I want to question these two turnkeys."

[...]

But, ser, if I may be so bold, I do not think them like to answer. They are dead, my lord."

Jaime frees Tyrion, and four people die for it, including his father. That's what a redemption arc looks like, right?

The three children continue to honour Tywin's legacy by always making everything worse.

+.+.+

Ser Osmund shrugged. "They won't be missed. I'll wager they was part of it, along with the one who's gone missing."

No, Jaime could have told him. Varys dosed their wine to make them sleep. 

[...]

"If I had a suspicious nature I might wonder why you were in such haste to make certain these two were never put to the question. Did you need to silence them to conceal your own part in this?"

"Us?" Kettleblack choked on that. "All we done was what the queen commanded. On my word as your Sworn Brother."

The gall to accuse others of being involved. Lol

Never change, Jaime Lannister.

+.+.+

The sun had set for good and all. The stench of death was growing stronger, despite the scented candles. The smell reminded Jaime Lannister of the pass below the Golden Tooth, where he had won a glorious victory in the first days of the war. On the morning after the battle, the crows had feasted on victors and vanquished alike, as once they had feasted on Rhaegar Targaryen after the Trident. How much can a crown be worth, when a crow can dine upon a king?

Everyone sit back and enjoy the thought of birds eating Rhaegar Targaryen.

A crow dining upon a king, eh? Is that Castle Black mutiny foreshadowing or Bloodraven vs. Bran foreshadowing?

+.+.+

There were crows circling the seven towers and great dome of Baelor's Sept even now, Jaime suspected, their black wings beating against the night air as they searched for a way inside. Every crow in the Seven Kingdoms should pay homage to you, Father. From Castamere to the Blackwater, you fed them well.

Are you sure they're not eagles?

+.+.+

A woman stood before him.

It is raining again, he thought when he saw how wet she was. The water was trickling down her cloak to puddle round her feet. How did she get here? I never heard her enter. She was dressed like a tavern wench in a heavy roughspun cloak, badly dyed in mottled browns and fraying at the hem. A hood concealed her face, but he could see the candles dancing in the green pools of her eyes, and when she moved he knew her.

"Cersei." He spoke slowly, like a man waking from a dream, still wondering where he was. "What hour is it?"

"The hour of the wolf." His sister lowered her hood, and made a face. "The drowned wolf, perhaps." She smiled for him, so sweetly. 

Look, a hooded drowned wolf is visiting Jaime!

Run, bitch.

+.+.+

"Jaime, Kevan has refused me. He will not serve as Hand, he . . . he knows about us. He said as much."

"Refused?" That surprised him. "How could he know? He will have read what Stannis wrote, but there is no . . ."

HOW COULD HE NOT?

+.+.+

She wants something of me. "Why are you here, at this hour? What would you have of me?" His last word echoed up and down the sept, mememememememememememe, fading to a whisper. For a moment he dared to hope that all she wanted was the comfort of his arms.

[...]

"Be my Hand," she pleaded, "and we'll rule the Seven Kingdoms together, like a king and his queen."

"You were Robert's queen. And yet you won't be mine."

"I would, if I dared. But our son—"

Couldn't help but notice you both want something from the other.

+.+.+

Jaime could smell the fear on her, even through the rank stench of the corpse. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, to bury his face in her golden curls and promise her that no one would ever hurt her . . . not here, he thought, not here in front of the gods, and Father. "No," he said. "I cannot. Will not."

Yeah, who would ever have sex in a church in front of a dead family member?

+.+.+

Dawn caught Jaime almost unawares. As the glass in the dome began to lighten, suddenly there were rainbows shimmering off the walls and floors and pillars, bathing Lord Tywin's corpse in a haze of many-colored light. The King's Hand was rotting visibly. His face had taken on a greenish tinge, and his eyes were deeply sunken, two black pits. Fissures had opened in his cheeks, and a foul white fluid was seeping through the joints of his splendid gold-and-crimson armor to pool beneath his body.

Aww, Tywin got his rainbow!

+.+.+

Shortly after, a flock of novices came swinging censers, and the air grew so thick with incense that the bier seemed cloaked in smoke. All the rainbows vanished in that perfumed mist, yet the stench persisted, a sweet rotten smell that made Jaime want to gag.

Do the Daenerys fans read these books with their eyes closed?

+.+.+

". . . she's been fucking Lancel and Osmund Kettleblack and Moon Boy for all I know . . ."

Jaime had seen Kettleblack naked in the bathhouse, had seen the black hair on his chest, and the coarser thatch between his legs. He pictured that chest pressed against his sister's, that hair scratching the soft skin of her breasts. She would not do that. The Imp lied. Spun gold and black wire tangled, sweaty. Kettleblack's narrow cheeks clenching each time he thrust. Jaime could hear his sister moan. No. A lie.

Listen, I love when the twins torture each other, but I genuinely feel bad for him on this one.

+.+.+

Red-eyed and pale, Cersei climbed the steps to kneel above their father, drawing Tommen down beside her. The boy recoiled at the sight, but his mother seized his wrist before he could pull away. "Pray," she whispered, and Tommen tried. But he was only eight and Lord Tywin was a horror. One desperate breath of air, then the king began to sob. "Stop that!" Cersei said. Tommen turned his head and doubled over, retching. His crown fell off and rolled across the marble floor. His mother pulled back in disgust, and all at once the king was running for the doors, as fast as his eight-year-old legs could carry him.

Did we need two chapters dedicated to Tywin's funeral? Absolutely not, but I still enjoyed every word.

+.+.+

"I wasn't scared," the boy insisted. "The smell made me sick. Didn't it make you sick? How could you bear it, Uncle, ser?"

[...]

"The world is full of horrors, Tommen. You can fight them, or laugh at them, or look without seeing . . . go away inside."

Tommen considered that. "I . . . I used to go away inside sometimes," he confessed, "when Joffy . . ."

"Joffrey." Cersei stood over them, the wind whipping her skirts around her legs. "Your brother's name was Joffrey. He would never have shamed me so."

You don't want to be reading that so close to the introduction of Aeron Dam-phair's rusted iron hinges.

+.+.+

The queen drew Tommen to her side. Mace Tyrell bowed before them. "His Grace is not unwell, I hope?"

"The king was overwhelmed by grief," said Cersei.

"As are we all. If there is aught that I can do . . ."

High above, a crow screamed loudly. He was perched on the statue of King Baelor, shitting on his holy head. "There is much and more you can do for Tommen, my lord," Jaime said. "Perhaps you would do Her Grace the honor of supping with her, after the evening services?"

[...]

But when Tyrell had taken his leave and Tommen had been sent off with Ser Addam Marbrand, she turned on Jaime angrily. "Are you drunk or dreaming, ser? Pray tell, why am I having supper with that grasping fool and his puerile wife?" A gust of wind stirred her golden hair. "I will not name him Hand, if that's what—"

Is. . . is someone watching? Is. . . is Mace Tyrell full of shit?

+.+.+

"You need Tyrell," Jaime broke in, "but not here. Ask him to capture Storm's End for Tommen. Flatter him, and tell him you need him in the field, to replace Father. Mace fancies himself a mighty warrior. Either he will deliver Storm's End to you, or he will muck it up and look a fool. Either way, you win."

"Storm's End?" Cersei looked thoughtful. "Yes, but . . . Lord Tyrell has made it tediously plain that he will not leave King's Landing till Tommen marries Margaery."

Jaime sighed. "Then let them wed. It will be years before Tommen is old enough to consummate the marriage. And until he does, the union can always be set aside. Give Tyrell his wedding and send him off to play at war."

The union can always be set aside? Hmmm.

I was blown away to find people in this fandom applauding Jaime for this clever suggestion. I thought we all understood everything this family does badly backfires? I guess not.

Mace Tyrell will leave for Storm's End, but he'll bring Mathis Rowan with him, who has just been removed from the small council by Cersei. Mace will then return to King's Landing once Margaery is imprisoned, leaving Rowan and his forces at Storm's End to lay siege. Aegon VI and the Golden Company now approach.

Mathis Rowan.

"Prince Doran comes at my son's invitation," Lord Tywin said calmly, "not only to join in our celebration, but to claim his seat on this council, and the justice Robert denied him for the murder of his sister Elia and her children."

Tyrion watched the faces of the Lords Tyrell, Redwyne, and Rowan, wondering if any of the three would be bold enough to say, "But Lord Tywin, wasn't it you who presented the bodies to Robert, all wrapped up in Lannister cloaks?" None of them did, but it was there on their faces all the same. Redwyne does not give a fig, he thought, but Rowan looks fit to gag. - Tyrion III, ASOS

That Mathis Rowan.

I will not pretend to know what's going to happen in the story (ha, lies), but I will say, I would not want a spurned Mathis Rowan anywhere near King Aegon Targaryen while a Cersei of House Lannister targets Tyrells in King's Landing, and Tommen patiently waits for his death.

Good idea in theory Jaime, but the chess pieces (Friends in the Reach) are not placed where you want them.

+.+.+

A wary smile crept across his sister's face. "Even sieges have their dangers," she murmured. "Why, our Lord of Highgarden might even lose his life in such a venture."

"There is that risk," conceded Jaime. "Especially if his patience runs thin this time, and he elects to storm the gate."

Cersei gave him a lingering look. "You know," she said, "for a moment you sounded quite like Father."

Is that supposed to a compliment?

It's like when someone compares Daenerys to Rhaegar.

Final thoughts:

Do you have any idea how hard it would be to manage a ranking of the dumbest Lannisters?

Poor Kevan.

-> return to menu <-

#operation stumpy re-read #affc #jaime i

[dulcewrites]

The saddest bit about reader is that she's likely more like Alicent than Elia or Cersei in that both Elia and Cersei had brothers who would casually kingslay if they had tears in their eyes.

Like, Elia was strong as fuck. There isn't any doubt she was, she had to convince her family that she was at least content in her marriage because Oberyn would have 100% murdered both Aerys's racist ass and Rhaegar's dumbass. Doran would have tried for diplomacy to get her and her kids back if not start a war for her.

Cersei couldn't tell Jaime shit about Robert did to her because Robert would be dead. Tywin, unless he was hit with Viserys level of delusion, went to war for (the throne tbh) her and her bastard kids.

The reader comes from a powerful and influential house but has no support in that same way. Her mother and Alicent's are pretty much on par in terms of support (and Alicent's died) and their father's are not much help aside from getting them to be birthing machines for a Targaryen.

The loyalty they have is either on account of desire or unrequited love (Criston-Quinton/Aegon) or through the children they obviously love and want to protect but end up being unintended shields in conflicts (I feel like Daella will end up standing up for Reader in the same way Aegon did for Alicent). The only familial support they have is through the children that also tie them to the environment they are in. They don't have family to truly turn to as they are the sacrificial lamb into the dragons jaws for power.

(I don't think Larys has any desire for Alicent beyond getting enjoyment out of using her desperation to hurt her)

I love love love this ask because I went back and forth on deciding of if I wanted reader to have siblings or a sibling. If she did have sibling, like you said it probably would’ve been an Alicent situation where they are older and have their own lives or younger to the point where she would feel bad burdening them. I wish we would have gotten more information on Alicent’s relationship with her brother because based on the first ep it seems like they close. Or close enough she worried about him during the tourney. Her family says they are behind her but that’s AFTER she becomes queen and makes her allegiance clear with the green dress. The back her as long as the possibility of their blood being on the throne stands

If I did I probably would’ve made them much younger than her (reader has the strongest eldest daughter energy it’s sad lmao).

But I kind of have a headcanon in my head that reader’s parents had trouble conceiving, so she’s their only kid. It only adds to the pressure her mother puts on her. When her parents pass, whatever is in their name is hers. She’s their legacy.

Which moves into how reader’s kids are hers. I think she holds on very tight bc they will be in history books at Targaryens, despite the fact that she’s the one that had them and fought for them. I think that eats her up a lot. They will be targaryen dragon riders and probably expected to marry in the family and basically dilute her (and honestly Alicent’s “impure” blood”). And this ask reminded me about larys monologue at the end of ep 6.

“"What are children, but a weakness? A folly? A futility? Through them you imagine you cheat the great darkness of its victory. You will persist forever in some form or another. As if they will keep you from the dust. But for them you surrender what you should not. You may know what is the right thing to be done, but love stays the hand. Love is a downfall. Best to make your way through life unencumbered if you ask me”

I think Alicent and reader (rightly or wrongly) see their kids as extensions of them bc that’s all they have.

On the quinton/Aegon front, another fear of reader’s is that if she were to give into her desires, the loyalty would be gone. That they have gotten what they wanted and there is no need to help anymore. She sort of dangles herself as carrot a lot of the time bc she doesn’t know another way to gain power. She’s been told since she was young that being pretty and nice goes a long way with men.

The way otto tells Alicent “you’re the most comely girl in court, why must you ruin yourself” when talking about her clearly anxiety driven nail picking… is the way reader’s mother tells her she’s prettier than the other girls that Alicent could marry to Aemond, but it’s her tense disposition that isn’t cute. Not even seeing reader’s tense attitude… is bc of HER. Like her mother tells not to be so self deprecating while also demeaning her 💀

#fool me once asks

[amn-elfire]

The Sun Rises Again

After her death, the Seven give Elia the task of saving her people from Rhaegar and Lyanna's folly with the opportunity to avenge her children by sending her back in time to before her betrothal with Rhaegar was ever arranged.

Or

With her prior memories still vivid in her mind, Elia sets out to prevent the events that led to the deaths of thousands while never forgetting who was at fault for the deaths of her children.

But she isn't the only one.

#shameless self promo #elia martell #elia martell fanfic #rhaegar targaryen #asoiaf fanfiction #house martell #house targaryen #elia x rhaegar #elia x robert #robert baratheon #elia martell lives

[sherlokiness]

Going on tangent from the first.

"I told you, I know our little queen. Let her hear that her brother Rhaegar's murdered son is still alive, that this brave boy has raised the dragon standard of her forebears in Westeros once more, that he is fighting a desperate war to avenge his father and reclaim the Iron Throne for House Targaryen, hard-pressed on every side … and she will fly to your side as fast as wind and water can carry her. You are the last of her line, and this Mother of Dragons, this Breaker of Chains, is above all a rescuer. The girl who drowned the slaver cities in blood rather than leave strangers to their chains can scarcely abandon her own brother's son in his hour of peril. And when she reaches Westeros, and meets you for the first time, you will meet as equals, man and woman, not queen and supplicant. How can she help but love you then, I ask you?"

The bolded ones are true for Jon as well. He was murdered and he will be fighting a desperate war- the War for the Dawn.

This passage makes it almost certain that Dany is gonna fall for Jon but will he be the same? There's also the drowning in someone's eyes. My interpretation for that was he was gonna drown in Sansa's eyes and see through it but maybe he will see through it in a way that he's as dumb as Sansa in AGOT when she looks at Joffrey.

He's gonna buy Dany as a rescuer schtick when he didn't even buy Mel's saving the world bull? I really don't think he's gonna fall for someone with his thoughts like these

What sort of man can stand by idly and watch his own brother being burned alive?

And

Even then he had known it was only a child's folly; no bastard could ever hope to wield a father's sword. Even the memory shamed him. What kind of man stole his own brother's birthright?

Dany was planning to usurp her brother, her rightful king, even before his death yet I suppose it's okay because Viserys was abusive and won't make a good king? Isn't that Renly's excuse for being King? And if Dany burns Aegon(fake or not) then she would be stealing his "brother's " birthright while he watches her burn him? 🤡🤡🤡

#ice and fire boy and nothing so sweet #this is basically #pro aegony #but kinda defeatist I guess #there's still jon one eye #jon being blind and looking through Sansa's eyes #anti-aegony #Is the supposed irony falling for a pyro #when he hates burning people alive

[bloodiedrubies]

A lot of people, be it common or highborn, are provided the liberties of wrapping themselves in merriment, picking the best parts of their lives and background. A golden spoon was in Rhaegar’s mouth at the moment of birth, so to speak, yet he is one of the few of high birth to live under the inspection of a magnifying glass while living in a less than favorable environment. Because the Targaryen legacy was hammered into his mind instead of love and affection ( from the lips of his father ), he was always bookish. With that accompanied at excellent memory. Nothing that has ever happened to him or said to him has been taken for granted. Everything has been a lesson and a stepping stone to become stronger. It made him brittle, truthfully. So hardened to be a perfect man, a perfect ruler, anything BUT his father that it lead to his downfall. It is possible had he not been the first born or had his father not been a cold and sadistic man, Rhaegar would have allowed himself to breathe and live a life without the thoughts of prophecy guiding his actions. Thus, Rhaegar’s upbringing never felt him, made him strong. . and cast him astray. In the alternate timelines following the sacking of King’s Landing, Rhaegar has bitterly learned from his follies. 

Life IS learning and growing.

                 brought to fruition by @uncrvwned​

#— ♔ ʟɪɢʜᴛ ᴏʀ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴡɪɴɢs ‚ ASK RESPONSE. 〉 #— ♔ ᴄɪᴛᴀᴅᴇʟ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢs ‚ STUDY. 〉 #. this was sitting in my drafts ; apologies . #uncrvwned

[asoiafdrabbles]

A Coin Has Three Sides, Chapter 4

AO3 Link

Lyanna was furious. Trying to hide it, of course, but for all the Starks seemed to have perfected an expression as cold as their frigid lands, Rhaenys could see the signs.

It was beautiful to watch.

Covering a smirk behind her cup, Rhaenys kept her eyes moving around the room so as not to give away the attention she was paying to her family’s enemies. The inhabitants of Winterfell were pretending to miss the tension at the high table, or, she realized, perhaps were too dense to notice it.

Lord Stark had never fully recovered from his time in the Black Cells, leaving most of the running of the North to his dutiful middle brother, but he normally made some show of pulling himself together around the royal family, as he was doing tonight. Rhaenys had the impression he hadn’t been in favor of the match between Sansa and Aemon, but also wouldn’t move against the rest of his family.

Lady Stark, on the other hand, had clearly wanted her daughter to be Queen and was as full of hate towards Dorne as any Andal. If the gods were good, Sansa would be thoroughly corrupted and unrecognizable by the time her trip was over, or perhaps even dishonored and unworthy of a prince.

Ned Stark, the true Lord of Winterfell in all but name, was exchanging glances with Catelyn, and Rhaenys was reminded of the sordid rumor that Aemon had whispered to her the night before, something he’d heard from one of the little lordlings he’d befriended.

”Cregan was conceived before Uncle Brandon was imprisoned, there is no doubt he is Uncle Brandon's son. But some say he is his only trueborn child, that Uncle Ned is far too close to his brother’s wife, and that Uncle Brandon is rarely able to let another touch him.”

There would be no way to prove it without one or the other party admitting to that fact, but fact mattered far less than perception. If the South were to find out about Sansa’s questionable birth, that, too, would make her a less appropriate match, especially with how some still thought of Aemon as illegitimate.

She turned her attention to her brother. Sat beside Cregan, Rhaenys realized how tense he’d been the last few days only because he was now far more relaxed. The smile on his face as he and his cousin conversed seemed genuine.

Cregan, meanwhile, was losing a battle not to smirk every time his eyes drifted over to Sansa. She wondered if he believed the rumors (or knew them to be true) or if they just didn’t get along. As far as she knew, the heir of Winterfell wanted nothing to do with the South, and considering his father’s folly had left him a broken shell of a supposedly once charming and talented man, Rhaenys couldn’t blame him for that opinion.

A King had power to break the betrothals of his subjects and while he could not force new betrothals through, even Rhaenys had known not to say “no” to King Aerys. That Brandon tried to, unwilling to let his sister be made a second wife to Prince Rhaegar despite most knowing he was moving to unseat his father and would soon be King himself, nearly got him killed. Would have, if Rhaenys’ father had taken even another moon to make his move.

Offering the heir of Winterfell back to the North had smoothed over a few of the broken edges of fealty between them, Rickard Stark asking for no other restitution since his daughter was made a Queen and she had already been with child. He’d hidden Brandon’s state, though, instead of replacing him wholly as heir, and created the current situation with his death a few years later.

Rhaenys finally turned her attention to Sansa and could understand Cregan’s amusement. The girl looked miserable, poking at her food and almost slumped in her chair, her hair in a simple braid instead of the hideous updos she had seemed to think were the height of Southron fashion (perhaps a few decades ago she would have been right, but fashion was often derived by the Queen’s taste and neither Queen Elia nor Lady Lyanna were one for such looks).

“Oh, Lady Sansa, Aemon wished for me to offer my advice to you,” Rhaenys said with false sweetness, seeing both Lyanna and Sansa tense. “The South is so very different from the North and I have much knowledge to impart.”

Her father smiled with approval, whether he believed her sincere or not, even as Lyanna slumped in her seat more than was appropriate and focused on her wine. “Lord Brandon and I have determined that Lady Sansa will first be a ward of your uncle, Prince Doran, so that she can learn more of the South in a relaxed setting.”

“How wonderful! Dorne is lovely and Prince Viserys is there, he is great friends with my little brother.”

Aemon shot her a knowing look. “It is true, Lady Sansa, Uncle Viserys and I were very close when I was younger. He will want to look out for me and mine.”

That seemed to perk Sansa up for some reason. “Will you visit, my prince?” The simpering, nearly possessive way she addressed Aemon made Rhaenys’ blood boil.

“I do not know when my next trip to Dorne will be, there are many events in the next few years that will keep me closer to home, but I certainly enjoy the Water Gardens.”

Rhaenys’ own marriage later that year would be one such event, which she certainly didn’t want the treacherous members of House Stark at. She might need to come up with others that would keep Aemon occupied with perfect excuses. Though a few of the right words to their father would likely have him overprotective of his youngest again and not letting Aemon leave even the Red Keep for a time.

Sansa pursed her lips, her dissatisfied expression near an exact copy of her mother’s, like they had tasted something sour and smelt something foul at the same time, and was not a flattering look.

Before she could continue, though, Cregan shifted topics: “I hear you’re taking a few heirs from the North down with you this time, Aemon.”

“Aye,” Aemon gave an amused smile as he mimicked Cregan’s accent with surprising skill, “Domeric and Denys, at least. I’d take you, too, if I thought you wouldn’t melt like ice in Dorne as soon as we passed the Neck.”

Cregan laughed and Rhaenys had the impression they had some inside joke that was referenced. “Those two will be good for it, Dom spent all that time in the Vale, he’s practically a Southron.” He’d raised his voice enough that the party at the next nearest table could hear and the young man in question, Ser Domeric Bolton who Rhaenys had remembered as much for his attractive features as being one of the few knights present, made what must have been a rude gesture in return.

“Don’t be mean, Creg, just because everything you can do Dom can do better.”

“Those are fighting words, princeling!”

“Are you truly challenging others for me already, my prince? We haven’t even left, yet!” Domeric called, a smile on his face that seemed at odds with how the color and shape of his eyes made them look forever cold and dangerous.

Rhaenys could not help but smile, relieved her little brother had found some friendships in their time there. The ladies had left…much to be desired, at least insofar as the ones that had come for the royal visit. She’d heard much about other ladies, ones of Bear Isle and the mountain clans that she thought would have at least pleased Obara and Elia if they were to return with her, but they had not been there to meet.

The Manderly girls were the closest to bearable, but as future Lady of the Reach she had to be careful there. And she had a fairly full contingent waiting for her back home, with all the girls in their family to choose from, whereas Aemon had only Trystane if he wished to take a Martell in, and he was a bit too young, yet.

Another reason that Rhaenys didn’t bother looking for new ladies, her cousins would tear them apart far too easily. She had barely managed to divert attention away from the last young lady at court whose reputation they’d destroyed for amusement (and because she’d insulted Queen Elia, though none would be able to trace the situation back to that).

Aemon did not have such issues, his lordlings were as demure and unassuming as her ladies were not. Of course, if she had an older sister with associations like Aegon had, perhaps she, too, would prefer to fade into the background. Certainly one Theon Greyjoy or Harry Hardying was enough for court.

She pulled her attention away from the boys, turning her attention instead to her father. Aemon had surely put on his normal puppy eyes and daddy’s girl attitude when making his suggestions, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep rewarding him, especially with Lyanna being so cold.

Let her father remember, perhaps, who his real family was, who loved him despite what a disappointment he often was.

#character: rhaenys targaryen #character: jon snow #ship: rhaenys & jon #series: a coin has three sides

[oathkeeperoathbreaker]

Giddy

The servants kept the cups filled all night, yet afterward Sansa could not recall ever tasting the wine. She needed no wine. She was drunk on the magic of the night, giddy with glamour, swept away by beauties she had dreamt of all her life and never dared hope to know. Singers sat before the king’s pavilion, filling the dusk with music. A juggler kept a cascade of burning clubs spinning through the air. The king’s own fool, the pie-faced simpleton called Moon Boy, danced about on stilts, all in motley, making mock of everyone with such deft cruelty that Sansa wondered if he was simple after all. Even Septa Mordane was helpless before him; when he sang his little song about the High Septon, she laughed so hard she spilled wine on herself.

Sansa II, A GAME OF THRONES

Such folly. He leaned against the battlement, the sea crashing beneath him, the black stone rough beneath his fingers. Talking gargoyles and prophecies in the sky. I am an old done man, grown giddy as a child again. Had a lifetime’s hard-won wisdom fled him along with his health and strength? He was a maester, trained and chained in the great Citadel of Oldtown. What had he come to, when superstition filled his head as if he were an ignorant fieldhand?

Prologue, A CLASH OF KINGS

Sansa found herself possessed of a queer giddy courage. “You should go with her,” she told the king. “Your brother might be hurt.” Joffrey shrugged. “What if he is?” “You should help him up and tell him how well he rode.” Sansa could not seem to stop herself. “He got knocked off his horse and fell in the dirt,” the king pointed out. “That’s not riding well.” “Look,” the Hound interrupted. “The boy has courage. He’s going to try again.” They were helping Prince Tommen mount his pony. If only Tommen were the elder instead of Joffrey, Sansa thought. I wouldn’t mind marrying Tommen.

Sansa I, A CLASH OF KINGS

“He hasn’t sailed against us,” Tyrion managed. “He’s laid siege to Storm’s End. Renly is riding to meet him.” His sister’s nails dug painfully into his arms. For a moment she stared incredulous, as if he had begun to gibber in an unknown tongue. “Stannis and Renly are fighting each other?” When he nodded, Cersei began to chuckle. “Gods be good,” she gasped, “I’m starting to believe that Robert was the clever one.” Tyrion threw back his head and roared. They laughed together. Cersei pulled him off the bed and whirled him around and even hugged him, for a moment as giddy as a girl. By the time she let go of him, Tyrion was breathless and dizzy.

Tyrion VI, A CLASH OF KINGS

He was just a man, and his face was just a face. A young man’s face, ordinary, with full cheeks and the shadow of a beard. A scar showed faintly on his right cheek. He had a hooked nose, and a mat of dense black hair that curled tightly around his ears. It was not a face Pate recognized. “I do not know you.” “Nor I you.” “Who are you?” “A stranger. No one. Truly.” “Oh.” Pate had run out of words. He drew out the key and put it in the stranger’s hand, feeling light-headed, almost giddy. Rosey, he reminded himself.

Prologue, A FEAST FOR CROWS

His sister liked to think of herself as Lord Tywin with teats, but she was wrong. Their father had been as relentless and implacable as a glacier, where Cersei was all wildfire, especially when thwarted. She had been giddy as a maiden when she learned that Stannis had abandoned Dragonstone, certain that he had finally given up the fight and sailed away to exile. When word came down from the north that he had turned up again at the Wall, her fury had been fearful to behold.

Jaime II, A FEAST FOR CROWS

Seventeen and new to knighthood, Rhaegar Targaryen had worn black plate over golden ringmail when he cantered onto the lists. Long streamers of red and gold and orange silk had floated behind his helm, like flames. Two of her uncles fell before his lance, along with a dozen of her father’s finest jousters, the flower of the west. By night the prince played his silver harp and made her weep. When she had been presented to him, Cersei had almost drowned in the depths of his sad purple eyes. He has been wounded, she recalled thinking, but I will mend his hurt when we are wed. Next to Rhaegar, even her beautiful Jaime had seemed no more than a callow boy. The prince is going to be my husband, she had thought, giddy with excitement, and when the old king dies I’ll be the queen. Her aunt had confided that truth to her before the tourney. “You must be especially beautiful,” Lady Genna told her, fussing with her dress, “for at the final feast it shall be announced that you and Prince Rhaegar are betrothed.”

Cersei V, A FEAST FOR CROWS

In life the girls had been breathless and giddy, whispering to each other as they went, as excited as they were afraid. The dream was different. In the dream the pavilions were shadowed, and the knights and serving men they passed were made of mist. The girls wandered for a long while before they found the crone’s tent. By the time they did all the torches were guttering out. Cersei watched the girls huddling, whispering to one another. Go back, she tried to tell them. Turn away. There is nothing here for you. But though she moved her mouth, no words came out.

Cersei VIII, A FEAST FOR CROWS

For a moment Theon felt almost giddy. They never looked. They never saw. We walked the girl right by them!

Theon I, A DANCE WITH DRAGONS

#characters are rarely giddy in asoiaf #no one was giddy in asos #a song of ice and fire #asoiaf