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alia-turin-fanfiction · 3 years

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Because @golden-olea absolutely loves one of my OCs and I love him as well and she is my excuse to continue writing about him

Fic Title: Hot Spring Rating: Explicit Category:F/M/M Fandom: Wiedźmin | The Witcher Relationships: Eredin Bréacc Glas/Original Female Character(s)Original Male Character(s)/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Eredin Bréacc Glas Original Characters Original Female Character(s)Original Male Character(s) Additional Tags: Threesome - F/M/MPool SexHot Springs & OnsenBlow JobsMaster/SlaveElf/Human Relationship(s)One Night Stands

AO3 Link

She watched the elf as he walked to the hot spring. His Red Rider armor was still on him, dirt and blood covering some of the shiny pieces of metal. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, his golden hair was tied in a high ponytail and she froze as his warm blue eyes stopped on her. She bowed her head realizing she had been staring. She had been working in the hot springs for a month now, she had seen a lot of elves pass through here, soldiers, generals, noblemen and even common merchants, but he was certainly one of the most handsome she had seen.

He tilted his head in curiosity, probably seeing the blush on her cheeks.

“I think this is the part where you help me take my armor off.” his voice didn’t sound annoyed, teasing or cheerful was what she would go for. That surprised her. Someone else, using these words probably would be already shouting at her.

She didn’t wait for a second invitation not wanting to test her own luck. She came closer to him, her fingers easily finding the straps and ties of his armor. She remembered the first time she had to take one of these, her hands were shaking and she didn’t know where to start. Now that wasn’t a problem. Piece by piece she shed the metal from his body, then she unbuttoned the shirt, her movements becoming more nervous as she knew he was staring at her. She removed the garment and began folding it neatly as her eyes watched his body. She could see every muscle on his chest, arms and abdomen neatly outlined, he had a tattoo on the right side of his ribs, a horse standing on its hind legs, breathing fire. She wondered if that was something all Red Riders did, they were horsemen after all.

“Saw something you like?” he asked teasingly again and she realized she had stopped folding and had been just staring at him.

“My apologies, my lord.” she felt stupid. He had been doing that every day for a month, she should just get it together.

“Not a lord.” Aedan put two fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him, just as she was about to reach for his belt. She was pretty, big blue eyes staring at him, long brown hair reaching way past her shoulders. “And you didn’t answer my question. Did you see something you like?”

She didn’t answer, just stared at him, probably concerned she had stepped over the line. She probably had, but he didn’t care.

“You are pretty.” he said with a smile and her face turned almost as red as his cloak. “Can I kiss you?” this time she nodded, a bit hesitant but she nodded. Aedan leaned forward, and pressed his lips against hers, realizing it has been months since he has felt a touch like that. Stupid border patrools. “Why don’t you finish what you started.” he looked down at his pants which was the only piece of clothing he had left.

Her face was still flushed but her fingers resumed to his belt, then his pants. She pulled them down, stopping for a second as she saw the bandage around his right thigh.

“You won’t hurt me.” he finally said as he saw how much she was trying to prevent touching anywhere near the bandage. It had been bad a week ago, it still hurt when he walked or when he rode his horse, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been when Eredin found him bleeding, dying.

He stood there naked in front of her when she tried to make a step to the side to allow him to walk in the hot water, but he grabbed her hand and turned her with her back toward him.

“Tell me if you want me to stop.” She was a servant and he knew he could do whatever, but he did not like abusing that power. Not like that.

He kissed her neck, gently, his fingers easily finding the laces of her drass and working them slowly. His lips moved to her back, kissing every inch that the fabric revealed under his touch. Her dress fell around her feet and he pulled her body closer to his pressing her hardness against her back. She moaned as he cupped her breasts with his hand, her whole body feeling so small and fragile compared to his. He moved one of his hands between her legs feeling she was already wet, he smiled as his fingers started teasing her, gently caressing her clit until she started moaning and wiggling against him. He continued kissing her neck softly, his body wrapped around hers, as he pushed two of his fingers in her, she felt so tight around him, he needed to push her on the ground and just take her like that, but he also doubted his legs would be able to withstand that without opening the wound. He continued fucking her with his fingers, his thumb on her clit pressing harder.

“Look at you, going to come around my fingers like a little slut.” he whispered in her ear and he felt her tense under him as she came.

Eredin walked to the hotspring, it had been a long trip, he needed to clean himself and relax in the hot water. His body ached and he needed rest. The springs had turned into something like a tradition for him and his men, the mountains around Tir na Lia were filled with them. The Aen Elle had found something sacred in the hot springs, a way to relax and communicate in the peaceful environment. All springs had servants that took care of the place, but humans were not allowed in.

Eredin was about to walk to the pool, surprised that he had not been greeted by anyone, and then he realized why. The first thing that reached his ears was the lewd noises, a woman purring and moaning. Then he saw it, tall blond elf had wrapped his arms around a servant girl, one of his hands on her breasts the other between her legs fucking her slowly. Eredin raised an eyebrow, realizing who the elf was. He was surprised with the injury on his leg, Aedan was up for any of that, the man barely walked and barely rode, even if he did not complain for a second. He just leaned against the nearby wall and watched, his man was playing with the girl, her body completely helpless against his.

For his own surprise he could feel himself getting hard, the space in his pants getting tighter with every time her body wiggled against Aedan’s, but Eredin watched. Now was not the time for him to walk in. He saw Aedan moving his lips from her neck to her ear, he could see his mouth moving and words coming out of it, words he could not hear, but whatever he said made the girl tense and then she came around wiggling even harder against him. Aedan kissed her, his hand gently caressing her arm. Interesting, from everything he knew about the man he would not expect him to be the caring type. He whispered something in her ear again and the girl turned around, her face flushed with embarrassment. Eredin watched her get on her knees, her lips slowly sliding over the tip of his cock. Now was the time to walk in.

“Having fun?” Aedan groaned as he heard the familiar voice behind himself. He thought he had heard footsteps earlier, but as no one came, he thought it was just his imagination. The girl jumped away from him and stood up, turned toward Eredin but her head was bowed down in shame, her hands trying to cover her nakedness mostly unsuccessful.

“Didn’t know watching was your thing.” Aedan was trying not to growl. Things between him and Eredin were complicated at best. The man had been his commander for months now and certainly his opinion has changed a bit. At first he thought Eredin to be nothing more than a lordling, a nobleman’s son who had been given that command to get some glory under his belt until he moved to a more pleasant life in Tir na Lia. Since then he fought next to the man, with him and Eredin had even saved his ass as much as that annoyed him. Deep down he was starting to understand his initial perception was probably wrong, but he still did not like him or trust him.

“It is not.” Eredin answered as he took his own clothes off and walked in the hot spring. He moved to the furthest end of the pool and sat on the stone bench that was under the water surface. “Come here.”

The words were directed at the servant and it took her a moment to realize that, but she started walking in his direction, going around the hot spring.

“No. Get in.” Eredin’s words surprised even Aedan. Humans were not allowed in the pools, no matter what. He knew his general had shown great care about some traditions and little care about others. The girl hesitated, understandable. “I’m the master of the Wild Hunt, and you will obey me.” The way he spoke the words even Aedan would have obeyed him, if that was directed at him. The girl nodded and got in. “Come to me.” she did, following the same path Eredin had taken.

Eredin watched the girl as she walked to him. She was pretty, no wonder Aeda had gotten his hands on her, she had been probably the first female he had seen since they returned, but certainly a very good looking one. When she came close to him, Eredin ran a finger over her soft cheek.

“Was he nice to you?” his eyes were on Aedan who had walked in the pool as well, sitting on the opposite end. “I’m his officer, if he was not nice to you I will punish him.” he didn’t care how Aedan had tried the girl, his words were not for her, they were a reminder for the other man where his place was.

“He was kind.” she spoke softly as Eredin turned her around so she could face the other elf.

“Tell me, have you fucked two elves at the same time? Two Red Riders?” she shook her head for no. “Well there is a first time for everything isn’t there?” he said as he sneaked his hand between her legs, feeling the wetness inside her. “Exciting, isn’t it?” she moaned as an answer.

He lifted her a bit, making her slide down on his cock as he was sitting. Her small hands grabbed his forearms for support, nails digging in the muscle. His hands were on her waist and he picked a harsh speed, moving her body up and down his length, his hips pushing up to bury him deeper. He looked at Aedan and smiled, the man’s blue eyes were a mix of anger and lust.

“Missing your toy already?” Eredin asked mockingly as he grabbed the girl’s throat and pulled her back, exposing her chest above water. He didn’t stop his violent pace and her moans filled the otherwise peaceful place.

Aedan couldn’t decide if his anger right now was stronger than his need for release. He wasn’t jealous, the girl meant nothing to him in the grand scheme of things, but he was first there. He knew that was Eredin’s way to put him in his place and he probably deserved it, for all the times he had disobeyed in the last few months.

He was about to do something stupid and impulsive, his speciality, when Eredin pushed her off himself, the servant whimpering in displeasure. He watched as his general placed his hands on the edge of the pull, and pushed himself up, sitting at that same ledge.

“I think your pretty mouth has some work to do.” Eredin said as the servant turned toward him. She leaned forward, one hand reaching for his cock, but before she could wrap her lips around his tip, he grabbed her hair violently and pulled up. “Hands behind your back, like a good little slut.” She did, as she was told, immediately, no hesitation and then leaned forward to take him in her mouth as best as she could.

“Fuck it.” Aedan was done watching. He walked across the pool, as Eredin was giving him a smug smile. He wasn’t even going to ask him for permission.

Aedan ran his hand over the girl’s back, feeling her tense for a second, his hands grabbed her hips to keep her steady and she froze for a second.

“Don’t stop.” Eredin said as he tightened the grip around her hair.

She continued moving her head up and down on his length as Aedan pushed in her, still so wet inside her. He picked an even faster pace than Eredin had, his thrusts moving the water around them and splashing it outside of the pool. She moaned, or tried, Eredin was fulling controlling her head, fucking her mouth with the same pace Aedan was moving in her. He felt the wound on his leg open, blood showed on the surface of the water, but he didn’t care. He continued chasing his orgasm, getting closer with every move, he moved one hand between her legs, finding it easy to drive her over her own edge, and as she started coming around him, he knew he needed just a moment but then something hit his chest and sent him flying back.

Eredin almost laughed seeing the surprise on Aedan’s face as he kicked him in the chest. The man got on his feet, spitting water as he was trying to say something. The servant just moved her eyes between the two of them, but Eredin jumped in the pool, embracing her.

“Do you want to return the favor? He made you feel good twice, I think you owe him at least one.” he pushed her closer to Aedan and she stepped behind her. “Take a deep breath and make sure you swallow.” he pushed her head under water, using her hair to guide her to Aedan’s cock. Even if the water was moving he could see her finding her way. Aedan didn’t need an invitation either, he grabbed the back of her head and stared fucking her mouth fast until he came, letting her go. The servant pushed herself out of the water breathing heavily and choking. Eredin gave her a few moments, when he grabbed her hair again and pushed her under the water, her mouth this time wrapped around him. It took him a few thrusts until he came, feeling her gasp for air around him. He let her head go as he needed a moment to recover. When he opened his eyes he saw Aedan sitting on one of the under water stone benches, the servant in his arms. He was kissing her neck and whispering something in her ear.

“Get out and bring him a bandage.” Eredin had not failed to see the blood in the pool and now that the water had stopped moving he had no problem seeing the source either.

The girl didn’t hesitate, she freed herself from Aedan’s arms and jumped out of the pool, her step shaky but she found her way easily.

“You don’t need to be a dick.” Aedan sank a bit deeper in the pool, relaxing his head on the stone. “Especially after that.”

“Are you nice to the deer in the woods before you kill it and skin it?” Eredin sat on the other end of the pool, sinking up to his chin; he needed the warmth of the water to relax his muscles.

“Do you plan to kill her and skin her?” the blond elf laughed. “She is a toy, but I don’t like breaking my toys.”

“And where is the fun in that?” Eredin asked and they both shared a smile. He had learned that the two of them had more in common than they didn’t. Maybe that is why they had started on the wrong leg. He didn’t care if Aedan liked him or not, but the man was an excellent soldier and that was something he needed and respected. He was young and reminded Eredin of himself at that age. Impulsive, hungry for glory. “Are we good?”

“Ask me tomorrow when I am not bleeding in a hot spring because I couldn’t control myself when I saw a pretty face.” Aedan grabbed the stone ledge of the pool and pushed himself out, rolling his body on the floor just as the girl brought the bandage. Eredin sighed. Stubborn. As he thought, they had a lot in common.

#my writing #the witcher #eredin breacc glas

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bonjour-rainycity · 3 years

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Double Heart | Chapter Nine ~ Cosima

|previous part|

Pairing: Haldir x OFC

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 3476

Warnings: None

**Read on Ao3 under the user “bonjour_rainycity” if you prefer!**

A/n Sorry this was a little late! Happy reading :)

Translations: Mae govannen = well met! // Meleth nîn = my love

Two weeks after I woke in this strange world, we reach Imladris.

When Haldir tells me that the sparkling city in the valley is our destination, I can scarcely believe him. After endless days and nights riding through open country, to finally reach civilization, even if it’s not the civilization I’m used to, is so welcome I nearly cry with relief.

Four men on horseback race up the slope of the mountains to meet us. They wear heavy armor—more than what Haldir and the others wear—and carry tall spears. Their leader, fierce though he seems, takes my breath away. Even from here, I can see his face because it reflects an ethereal glow. His hair, which has to be spun gold, flows long down the back of his horse and glints in the sun. Whoever he is, he is no mere man.

“Elrond’s patrols,” I question, remembering someone mentioning them earlier.

“Yes,” Haldir responds, and I can hear a grin in his voice. “We have reached their outer borders. Congratulations, Cosima.” He twists to offer me a proud smile. “You have completed your first journey.”

I swallow, unable to keep myself from smiling back. Haldir can be so stoic at times that praise from him is completely unexpected. Warmth spreads through my chest.

The riders come to a halt in front of us and the one I assume to be their leader dismounts, striding confidently in our direction. Haldir slides off Faervel, approaching in a similar fashion. I take the horse’s reins in my hands, stroking his back affectionately. The horses’ height doesn’t bother me anymore and I’ve become much more confident in riding them in the past two weeks.

“Mae govannen, Haldir o Lórien!”

“Glorfindel.” Haldir clasps the man’s elbow jubilantly. They converse in that language I haven’t heard since I arrived — the others have been speaking solely in English for my and Alex’s benefit — and it’s jarring to hear the unfamiliar sounds. It serves as a reminder that, though I have allowed myself to become comfortable here, too comfortable, maybe, this is not my world. This is somewhere different.

Haldir turns over his shoulder and extends a hand in my direction. I catch my name and Alexander’s among the strange syllables and offer the man—Glorfindel, Haldir called him—a smile in greeting. He approaches, stunning golden hair shining in the light of the sunset, and bows elegantly. A laugh bubbles from my throat—startled by the action. Vaguely, I remember Rumil bowing to me when we first met. Whereas his motivation had been to make a joke, Glorfindel seems totally genuine, the gesture one of respect and welcome. He performs the same movement for Alex.

“Welcome, lost humans and my elven friends. Come, I shall keep you waiting no longer. Elrond is eager to see you and I am sure you are equally ready for proper food and a full night’s rest.” With that, he strides back to his horse and mounts.

I scoot higher on Faervel’s back to give Haldir room and hand him the reins. The horses must sense how close we are to extended rest, because they race faster than they did the entire journey. Despite my new skill, I have to grip Haldir extra tight to make up for the frantic pace and only being able to use one arm. Though the mountain slope is steep and the city surely has to be miles away, we arrive in less than an hour.

Streams of blue and white cascade above us, falling every way I turn and crashing down below. The air smells impossibly sweet and fresh — perhaps due to the flowers that bloom all around. The rays from the sinking sun, brilliant orange and gold, mingle with the water in the falls and, just as Haldir promised, send gently curving rainbows over our path. I let out a breath, completely stunned.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Haldir’s voice holds a reverence I’ve never heard before, but it is aptly placed. I could not fathom regarding this city with anything less than the utmost respect and admiration.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. Even in my homeworld, I—” I blink, unable to comprehend the etherial nature of my surroundings. “I would have remembered it. This…”

“I know.” Theres a soft, almost vulnerable quality to his voice that caresses the phrase. I can imagine his eyes are alight like mine, taking in the splendor of the city even though he’s seen it many times before. I’d wager this is a sight one never gets used to.

Glorfindel pulls his horse to a stop before an arching, narrow bridge.

Oh no.

I suck in a sharp breath, gripping onto Haldir with both my injured and uninjured arm. My wound stings, but it is preferable to suffer this momentary pain than to loosen my grip and go plummeting off the edge.

Haldir chuckles, the vibrations rumbling deep in his chest. “The bridge is only the beginning. Look ahead—part of the main city is suspended on pillars.”

My stomach churns and I feel my heart race. By the way my arms constrict around him, Haldir seems to figure out that he has not employed the wisest strategy. His voice softens and he squeezes my hand like he did earlier, after the attack. “Faervel knows the way. Neither he nor I will let you fall.”

I take a deep breath. It’s either the bridge and the safety of Imladris or the orc-infested mountains. And, I suppose, Haldir has gotten us this far. Minor injuries aside, we survived a heavily out-numbered attack relatively unscathed. I trusted him then and I can trust him now. “Fine.”

He chuckles again but makes a big show of lining Faervel up with what will be the middle of the bridge. I resist the urge to elbow him in the ribs — armor covers them anyway. It would hurt me more than it would him.

Glorfindel calls out in that language again, then directs his horse onto the bridge. The three other mounted guards follow. Then, so gently I barely register the change, Faervel steps from the lush grass to the stone of the bridge. Water roars and tosses below us, drowning out any words the others might say. And drowning you if Faervel doesn’t keep straight. That is, if the impact doesn’t kill you first. I fight the urge to whimper and keep my eyes locked straight ahead. Almost to the end.

The bridge is mercifully short and soon we are on much surer foundations, having crossed into the city. While the water still cascades around us, its noise has subsided, almost like it’s been muted. In its place, soft, lyrical music fills the air. Harps. Once we are far from the bridge, I look around. The buildings are made of stone yet seem a natural part of the valley. Chains of flowers spill from every archway, peek between small cracks in the stone, weave into the intricate designs in the masonry. Trees, the same ones that welcomed us at the border, make a home in the city, growing where they wish — even if that means rising alongside a fabricated pillar.

Haldir speaks softly, hesitantly, almost like he doesn’t want to interrupt my exploration of the city. “Is it worth the bridge?”

I realize we’ve come to a stop in front of a large dais backed by a constant stream of blue and frothy white. It’s like we’re in the waterfall. “Definitely,” I exhale. Though, I have no desire to cross that bridge again any time soon.

A tall man steps onto the dais. His face is kind and, though the edges of his mouth and forehead are lined with creases, he could be any age. He seems altogether outside of time. His eyes hold wisdom, more than I could ever hope to collect, and I know this must be the Elrond my friends talked about. He could be no other.

He spreads his hands and smiles warmly. “Welcome. Our friends from Lothlórien and the humans who accompany them, welcome to Imladris. We have dinner prepared for you. Leave your horses with the guards — they will be well cared for.”

I believe him. He could probably tell me the sky is green or Faervel is a mouse and I wouldn’t question it.

And if he told you that you’re in a different world?

I gulp and push the weighted thought away.

Haldir swings his left leg to meet his right and slides off Faervel’s back. As always, he keeps a gentle hold on me until my feet are securely on the ground, then clasps his hands behind his back in his most favored stance.

I peek behind me to locate Alexander. He shifts from foot to foot and darts his eyes suspiciously around the room. With his short hair, lanky stature, and clear discomfort, he looks so out of place here. With a start, I realize that I must, too. Though the physical differences are certainly apparent, there’s just something about these men…an otherworldliness I had somehow gotten used to during our journey. But here, in this unreal city surrounded by others who are so clearly not men…For the first time, I truly, honestly consider that they might not be human.

Rumil appears on my right side, practically beaming with excitement. “What do you think?”

I exhale on shaky breath, my recent realization having left me feeling a little lightheaded. “I think it’s a lot to take in. It’s gorgeous, though.”

At my left, Haldir eyes me curiously. He heard my reaction upon reaching Imladris and is probably wondering why I’m downplaying it to Rumil. Truth be told, I just don’t have the energy to take much more this evening. A good meal and sleep will hopefully help.

“Orophin!”

I tilt my head around Rumil to find the source of the delighted shriek and find myself staring at the most enchanting woman I’ve ever seen.

Her hair, coiled and dark, tumbles down her back in tight curls, brushing the back of her legs. Her espresso skin shines in the nearly-faded light, almost as if it has a luminescence of its own — perhaps a result of the joy that radiates from her. She wears a long, ruby-colored gown that sweeps gently over the stairs as she practically throws herself down them, sprinting in our direction.

“Meleth nîn!” Orophin calls back to her, breaking from our informal line and rushing to whom I assume to be his fiancée.

Indulgent chuckles run through our group as the two collide, gripping each other in a fierce hug. They pull back almost immediately, pressing their foreheads together and just staring into each other’s eyes. The action seems much more intimate than if they had fallen to the floor in a passionate embrace, and I avert my eyes, feeling the need to give them privacy.

“Come on,” Haldir whispers, ghosting his fingers over my elbow. “They will join us later.”

Elrond leads us through open-air hallways. Every way we turn seems to offer a view of the waterfalls and brings with it a light, fresh scent. He takes us right, bringing us through one final archway and into what looks to be a dining room. In the center is a long rectangular table surrounded by ten matching chairs. The table is already stacked with food — breads, salads, fruits, and various kinds of meat that smell absolutely mouthwatering.

Elrond smiles invitingly, entering the room and stopping behind the chair at one of the table’s heads. “I expected you would be weary this evening and would wish to dine in private. Please, sit and help yourselves.”

I follow Rumil and Haldir, hoping I’m not violating any social rules I am unaware of by choosing a random seat in the middle. Before I can pull the chair back, Haldir steps in to complete the task, gesturing for me to take a seat. I have to hold back my amusement at the antiquated gesture — perhaps it’s a custom here. He does seem more formal than Alex and I are.

Haldir and Rumil take the chairs on either side of me and, before long, Alex appears at my opposite. I smile at him. Given our recent arguments and the fact that I don’t really know if we’re friends in this life, I’m not quite sure where we stand. But he returns the gesture which allows me to breathe a sigh of relief. He’s familiar, at least. Baranor sits between Alex and Elrond and immediately the two healers engage in deep discussion.

I distract myself with the food and soon have more piled on my plate than I could possibly hope to eat, but I can certainly try. Before long, Orophin and the woman from earlier join us and are welcomed jovially.

Orophin beams, gesturing to the woman at his side. “Lavandil, these are the humans I was telling you about. Cosima and Alexander, this is my betrothed, Lavandil.”

Lavandil sets her excited gaze on both myself and Alex. “Hello, it’s so nice to meet you. Welcome to Imladris! We are pleased to have you here.” Her voice is warm, welcoming, and I find it impossible not to smile along with her, distressed though I am at Orophin’s clear distinction of me as ‘human’.

Orophin pulls out a chair for Lavandil and sits between her and Alex, who looks ridiculously uncomfortable in the presence of so many of these…humans. Though, I must admit, my resolve to call them that is steadily weakening.

Minutes later, Glorfindel enters the room accompanied by a demure man called Lindir. Haldir and Glorfindel fall into a spirited debate about patrol strategies and border security. Rumil piles something on my plate that he claims I have to try. He’s not wrong — it’s really good!

“So, Cosima, Alexander.” Lavandil props her elbow on the table and rests her chin on her hand, looking at us with interest. “Orophin says they happened upon you both near the river and that you haven’t any memories?”

All eyes converge on me and Alex. I don’t trust him to be polite, so I hurry to answer her question.

“Yes. We remember each other and tiny snippets of our home, but besides that, nothing.”

“How strange,” she muses, looking fascinated. “That must have been so shocking. How are you adjusting?”

I exhale slowly, playing for time. How am I adjusting? The weight of everyone’s eyes feels almost crushing. “It’s definitely a lot to get used to,” I say diplomatically. “But we’re really lucky to have run into good people who were willing to help.”

Despite his feelings towards our companions, Alex wisely remains silent. It would do us no good to offend our hosts.

Lavandil giggles, the sound bright and cheerful. “I’m glad they were helpful and not rude. I know Haldir has a tendency to interrogate first and help later. He’s slow to trust.” She shoots Haldir a teasing grin, to which he merely rolls his eyes, but his cheek twitches like he’s fighting a smile.

I try to suppress a grin. “Well, he wasn’t exactly warm and fuzzy, but he calmed down quickly enough.” I purse my lips, contemplating. “But now that I think about it, no one really left me unattended or gave me a weapon even though the trip was dangerous. Hold on, do any of you actually trust me?” I lean back in my chair and cross my arms, though I raise an eyebrow at Haldir to let him know I’m only kidding.

He shakes his head, huffing in mock exasperation. “We trust you now but at the start, how was I to know you weren’t some sort of spy?”

“A spy!” I huff. “I’m hurt. But moving on. Later, once you decided I was not a spy, how come no one gave me a knife or anything?”

Rumil chortles. “Have you seen the lines of your mending? You’re more likely to impale yourself than an enemy.”

I grumble indignantly. He’s right, but that doesn’t mean I have to tell him so.

Haldir quirks an eyebrow. “Would you like to learn? I can teach you.”

I think on this. Hmmm…do I need to learn how to use a weapon? Probably. But do I want to? Surprisingly, I find that the answer is yes. This world is obviously dangerous—I got a very real reminder of that just a few days ago—and I want to be capable in it. Haldir or the others might not always be there to defend me—I should learn how to protect myself.

“Yeah, I would. Thank you!”

Haldir nods, the edges of his mouth pulling into an expression of grim determination. I quickly discover why.

He’s psyching himself up, I realize with a quiet laugh.

He inclines his head towards Alex. “And you, Alexander? I can teach you as well.” By the gravity in his tone, it is clear Haldir’s offer is real, but begrudging.

Alex takes a bite of fruit. “No thank you.”

That’s to be expected. Though Haldir was angry earlier and probably overreacted, he did make a good point when he said that Alex has yet to make an effort to adjust to life here. He’s stayed on the edge of things since the moment we encountered him, always keeping one foot out the door.

A voice warns me that, rather than criticizing Alex, I should have been doing the same.

Elrond motions for an attendant to refill my glass of water. “Baranor says you were attacked in the mountains? That must have been very frightening.”

Flashes of grotesque beasts and shining swords enters my mind and I shrink away from the images. I know we’re safe inside these halls but the fear is still there, lurking at the edges of my thoughts.

Haldir cuts in and I realize I have been silent for longer than is polite. “We were attacked, yes, by about eighteen orcs, wouldn’t you say?”

Rumil and Orophin both nod — I didn’t even know they had a count. I had been focused trying to dodge the blades and arrows. To me, it seemed there was an endless stream of the monsters. Haldir continues. “We killed them all and had no trouble for the rest of our journey. It does make me wander though,” his eyes dart to mine and then quickly away. “Such a large party so close to your borders? Is that common these days?”

“Yes.” Elrond nods gravely. “We have seen an increase in scouting parties and attacks. Just last month, a fully armed company of forty attempted to breach one of our southeastern border stations.”

“No,” Orophin breathes, gripping Lavandil’s hand tightly, a stricken look of horror stretching his face.

She brushes his concerns aside. “Oh, I’m fine. I was up north visiting my mother at the time. I didn’t even know the attack had occurred until I returned home.”

Orophin’s reaction worries me. I lay my fork on my plate, appetite fading as fear gnaws at the edges of my gut. “That’s unusual?”

Haldir shakes his head. “It is not unusual to encounter orcs at the borders, but an armed, prepared, planned attack of such a large number is…telling.” He avoids my gaze.

My body runs cold. “Telling of what?”

“Sauron,” Elrond says simply.

“That name means nothing to them,” Orophin reminds him, still looking at his love. He holds so much concern in his eyes—and a measure of fear—and I wonder just how big of a threat this is. Is Lavandil in danger? Is Elrond? Are we?

Elrond elaborates. “Sauron is a being of great power and even greater evil. He was defeated once before, but whispers of his presence have been heard throughout the realm. I believe he is growing in power again, gathering his armies. He is preparing.”

I drop my hands into my lap, gripping the edges of the chair in an attempt to find an anchor. Across from me, Alex has gone pale.

I don’t have to ask what this being is preparing for. It’s obvious. He’s preparing for war.

If the orcs weren’t bad enough, now we’ve got an evil power looming over us all? I wonder…is my homeworld safer than this?

Glorfindel raises his glass of deep red wine. He holds a steely, almost feral glare in his golden eyes and, suddenly, I am very, very afraid of him. “As quickly as he rises, so shall he fall.”

All aside from Alex and me raise their goblets, a forceful, “hear, hear” resounding through the room of stone. My eyes meet Alex’s. He raises an eyebrow as if to say, what do you want to do?

And I know my answer.

I want to go home.

A/n Thanks for reading! Likes, comments, and reblogs make my day! Let me know if you would like a tag :)

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Tolkien tag list: @anangelwhodidntfall @eru-vande

Haldir tag list: @tolkien-apologist

Double Heart tag list: @lainphotography @themerriweathermage @thophil2941btw @kenobiguacamole @wishingtobeinadifferentuniverse @from-patroclus-with-love @boywivlove @ordinarymom1 @my-darling-haldir @sweet-bea-blossom @moony-artnstuff

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imagine-loki · 4 years

Text

Country Entertainment

TITLE: Country Entertainment

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 1 / ?

AUTHOR: brightsun-and-darkmidnight

ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki wooing you at an amusement part in the game area

RATING: Teen …? I think..?

NOTES/WARNINGS: Maybe bad flirting? I am trying to make it fluffy

My Ao3: brightsun_and_darkmidnight

*FINALLY..Read the warnings. Once you agree you can handle it…

~ ~ ENJOY ~ ~

Loki felt the gentle hand of his mother on his shoulder.

Frigga smiled once Loki took his eyes off of the huge pig.

“Let’s go see the events in the arena.”

Loki nodded as the auctioneer started taking bids. Odin threw his hand up for the bid.

A few steps away and Thor caught up with Loki and Frigga.

Thor gently hugged Frigga, “my friends are here. We were going to enjoy rides and play the games.”

Frigga gave Thor a knowing look before speaking, “have fun and make sure you eat something.” Frigga pointed a finger at Thor, “make sure your FRIENDS eat too.”

Thor smiled sheepishly. “Yes mother. Enjoy the show, it is barrel racing now right?”

“It is. Now behave."

Frigga took Loki’s elbow and guided him to the entrance after Thor assured her the things she demanded would be honored. Frigga and Loki watched the riders but Frigga quickly had a favorite.

Frigga tapped Loki’s arm as she exclaimed. "Look at her! Wow!”

Loki smiled at his mother’s enthusiasm

“She has excellent position on her horse, you can tell how much she trained! She has to be first place!”

Loki looked at the score and the girl was .63 seconds away from the winner.

“That’s a load of shit. She was the best!"

Loki’s eyes widened, "mother."

"Sorry dear. Well. I better get back to your father. You go have fun.”

Loki nodded and went in search for Hela or Thor.

Seeing Hela at a ring toss game he went over.

Hela was talking to the worker and the woman smiled, making Hela turn. Hela went back to talking to the worker. Loki didn’t feel too wanted but sometimes Hela is better company than Thor at fairs. Thor and his friends always tried to hook up with whoever they could. Their flirting was absolutely terrible.

Hela shook the woman’s hand, “bet you another 50 dollars.”

“You’re on!”

Hela turned to Loki, “dad get anything good to eat?”

Loki shrugged, “mother and I watched barrel racing.”

Loki watched the women exchange looks.

Hela gave the woman money and a bucket of rings were placed in front of Loki. He rose an eyebrow and was about to ask a question.

“You are gonna need to practice. Get all of those knives for me.”

Loki quickly caught onto the game. The rings were meant to go around the knives in the center of the stand, but to make things a little more difficult the podiums spun so the knives were constantly moving. With a few practice throws Loki got the hang of it.

The woman working the stand put the 5th knife on a pile. “He is really good.”

Hela’s smile was heard in her voice as Loki got another knife. “You are gonna owe me that 50 dollars!”

The woman huffed when Loki pointed to another knife with a ring around it.

“The freaking bucket cost 20 dollars, and he is gonna take all the knives!”

Hela smirked. “Maybe you should have bet lower.”

“I didn’t know your brother is really good at throwing stuff!”

Movement caught Loki’s attention when someone moved fast to jump over the stand.

It was a girl with tangled hair pushed back away from her face. She had a tight dark green tank top with a flannel around her waist. With tight jeans and dirty boots. The odd thing about her is she was wearing a bow around her neck.

The girl wrapped her arms around the worker. “Hey big sis!”

The worker wrapped an arm around the girl then stated, “Maggi. Fix your hair."

Maggie gave her sister a cocky smile. "I did. You know its because of the spoiled princess"

Hela laughed, "Comeon Sam, your sister is a sass master.”

Maggie’s sister, Sam groaned. “Fuck off."

Maggie smiled, "life would be so dull without me.”

Loki smiled and went back to playing the game… that he might have briefly forgotten.

Sam asked nudging her, “What place babyswiss?”

She gestured towards the bow around her neck, “Second. .63 seconds.”

Loki got another knife added to the pile.

Loki glanced at the girl and the clothes were the same as Frigga’s favorite rider.

Hella held out a hand to the woman who slaps $50 in her hand.

The sister explained to Maggie’s questionable face. “Hella said you would be under a minute.”

Maggie drawled, “How nice to believe in me…”

The sister defended herself as she set a new knife in Loki’s pile, “Listen we knew you would lose because that spoiled bitch would get rid of the horse.”

Maggie shrugged her shoulders, “Now if someone beat her time before I had to go…”

Sam talked again. “You’d be able to buy a new vehicle with your winnings.”

Another knife added to Loki’s collection.

Sam grumbled, “And buy my new supply of knives.”

Hela laughed.

Maggie exclaimed, “my jeep runs great. Just got a few things that need upgraded. I dont need something fast.”

A squeaky voice made Loki want to cringe.

“My truck would beat your shit jeep anyday. I would beat you at anything anyway.”

A few laughs were heard but Loki kept his eyes on the game.

Maggie leaned on the counter with a smile, “How about we ride something between our legs Princess?”

The supposed princess laughed. “Right and what do you have in mind?”

Maggie winked, “Your boyfriend seems ready."

Hela turned, both her and Sam laughed.

Maggie laughed as well, "just kidding but I’m not kidding when I say you guys need to work on blood circulation above the shoulders. You might not use your brain often but it’s kinda important..”

Loki sees the Maggie smirk and the princess one looks confused until she looks at her boyfriend’s crotch.

A few laughed at the huff from the girl.

Maggie continued with a dramatic eye roll, “I mean something with intelligence. A HORSE.”

The cringeworthy voice held a cocky tone. “I won first place, what makes you think you can win?”

Maggie shrugged standing up tall. “You said any condition anyway you could beat me. I want to get another shot at proving you wrong.”

The girl laughed briefly. “Whatever. Cover that huge forehead of yours… is an hour too short of time to be presentable?”

Maggie was running her fingers through her tangled hair. “Can I borrow a brush? No? Okay, I figured you always have your entire beauty necessities with you.” Maggie was working on forcing a knot to come undone. “Don’t wait up for me, I’m sure you are going to need the whole time actually learning how to gear your horse.”

The other girl walked away with an eye roll and dramatic stomp.

Hella laughed. “Well. I’m looking forward to this.”

Sam cheered, “record it!”

Maggie leaned her hip against the counter, “yeah let me know her reaction when I don’t show up.” She winced as she undid the knot in her hair by pulling it.

Loki got another new knife set down in his pile.

Hela patted Loki’s shoulder. “Just a couple more Loki. Good job.”

Maggie exclaimed, “Is he getting all the knives?!”

Hela smiled, “yep. I got 50 dollars saying, my brother, Loki, is going to get me one of every knife. With only one bucket of rings.”

Maggie’s smile faltered a bit when Loki looked right at her.

He shrugged. “My sister likes knives.”

Sam huffed in annoyance, “and he is really good at this game.”

Loki seen familiar blonde hair and went back to tossing the rings.

Fandral leaned onto the counter making Maggie eye him oddly.

Fandral winked. “You are a beautiful woman and I would love to see where those tan lines end..”

Maggie’s face fell to a stoic expression. “Maybe they don’t.”

Hela rolled her eyes and Sam glared at Fandral.

Fandral continued not getting that he was unwanted. “I would love to take you on the Farris wheel. See the fair’s lights and how the moonlight makes your eyes shine.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “I don’t like heights.”

“I could hold you and keep you safe in my arms.”

“Strong arms are not going to help anyone from a fall like that.”

“Ah yes. A graceful angel Falling hard for a man like me. It must have hurt.”

“Actually to get here, I clawed my way up.”

Fandral laughed, “all the better.”

“Maybe you could kiss my hand better after sporting a black eye for the next victim of poor flirtation.” Maggie gave Fandral a sweet smile.

“Surely a woman like you can be wooed.”

“Get a ring around the blade of my favorite knife. You get as many chances as one bucket can hold.”

Fandral sees Loki’s pile of knives, “well then do me a favor my REALLY good friend and help me.”

Maggie crossed her arms and leaned back against the stand “If he does it, he gets the date. You are on your own.”

Loki looked in his bucket and had 14 rings left and had 5 more knives to get.

Hela patted Loki’s shoulder. “Get her FAVORITE knife. You need a date.”

Loki rolled his eyes. “I didn’t know there was more to this game than winning knives.” Loki threw a ring and got it around a butterfly knife.

Hela took it from the pile and started doing tricks with it.

Marigold got a knife out of her back pocket and was talking with Hela about tricks.

Loki had 2 more knives to get but only 5 rings.

Fandral was only able to get 3 knives in his haste and earned the laughs of Thor.

Sif offers Fandral a fry and says, “Pitty offering”

Fandral takes it and bites it with a high head as they all walk away.

Maggie groaned. “Yep totally not my type."

Maggie held her knife still and Loki wondered if that was part of the trick. Loki had one more ring and he already knew he was not going to get the two knives left. He took a chance and threw the ring at the knife in Maggie’s hand.

She looks down at her hand and back up at him.

The sister laughed. "Well then… she’s speechless for once.”

Maggie was quickly back to her social ways. “Shut up Sam.”

Hella smirks and pats Loki on the back-“Looks like you have to go on a date with my little brother.”

#Loki #Lover #Submitted fic #submission #brightsun-and-darkmidnight #chapter 1 #country entertainment

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jloves-pp · 4 years

Text

The Story of Merida and Hiccup part 3

Chapter 3-Dining with Royalty

Merida, Hiccup, Toothless and Angus had been travelling to DunBroch for what was feeling like hours. The sun was setting as the Merida and Hiccup had been chatting and questioning each other. Hiccup asked Merida what Angus was and she was surprised that he never seen or heard of horses.

"Didn't you have horses?" Merida questioned.

"No, we don't but our dragons more than filled that role", Hiccup stated.

"Well horses can't fly or breathe fire" Merida commented.

"True but when one accidentally sets one of houses on fire, then you can start to have second thoughts about a species", Hiccup said. He and Toothless were glancing around as they walked, he had to admit, the woodlands were beautiful and he felt like he was at home.

"Speaking of dragons, why do you call him Toothless?" Merida then asked, looking down at them from her horse. She watched as the dragon looked up at her and he's teeth disappeared into his mouth.

"Did I just..."

"Yeah, that's why I call him Toothless" Hiccup expected, "Yeah, I know very original", he added sarcastically.

Merida let out a small laugh. "Well it suits him", she then said. "Are there other kind of dragons or do they all look like him?

"Yes, there all sorts of different dragons, we still finding all kind of breeds" Hiccup said excited whenever he talked about dragons.

"Like what?"

Well, there's Gronckle they are big, like a boulder with little wings, one of my friends has one. Then there a Zippleback they have two heads, one can breathe gas and the other lights it, they are pretty cool. Deadly Naddder, they have great tails in to fight with. Monstrous Nightmare, can light their bodies on fire, it's not good to ride on them then as you can imagine and of course the Night Furry, that's what you are, isn't it Bud" when Hiccup mention Night Furry, his purred happily.

Merida was going to ask more about the Toothless when she noticed something in the distance.

"Hiccup look" she told him, pointed ahead. Both Hiccup and Toothless looked up and saw far across water, on a cliff stand a stone castle. A long wall circled the kingdom and Hiccup could see tiny figures of people, even knowing it was the home of his enemies, he really likes the kingdom.

"Wow, its amazing" Hiccup exclaimed, Toothless agreed with him with a purr.

"Aye, there no place like it" Merida said smiley at her home.

"Is there a Royal family live in the castle?" Hiccup then asked.

"Aye, there is" Merida answered.

"I wonder if there's a princess.

"Aye, there is one".

"I bet she's beautiful!"

Merida checks turned red, "Well maybe she not that beautiful, in my opinion, even though her parents tell her she is, I don't think she cares about her looks, sorry, I am rambling on... Well it's nearly dinner time and we have to go".

"Oh ok then", Hiccup replied. As they set off again, down to the path that led to the kingdom.

"We hopefully have some spare rooms for you and Toothless" Merida said as they could see the bridge ahead.

"Yeah, about that, do you know any good places around there for Toothless" Hiccup asked stopping his dragon, this brought Merida and Angus to a stop.

"Why?"

"Well, unless they don't enjoy fighting, hurting and killing. It better hide him to be safe", he heard his dragon complain with a grown.

"He doesn't like that idea", Merida said, smirking. Knowing what Toothless was thinking.

"We can't risk it, Bud" Hiccup said rubbing Toothless's head. They were drawn towards a noise in the distance as the noise drew nearer they could tell no it was the sound of horse hooves and the horse and rider could now be seen in the distance.

Before Merida realise it, Hiccup and Toothless disappeared behind a huge bush. She thought that Hiccup was hiding the dragon away from sight. She jumped off Angus as she recognises rider was one of the guards.

"Hello Jamie, are you off with the messages?" Merida said, noticing his satchel, that usually contained letters from the clans".

"Aye your highness, the Queen just gives me a last minute gift for young MacGuffin". He answered looking at the bag before saying, "Well I had better be off. Farewell Princess", and with that, he rode off. Merida made a simple wave after him.

"You're... You're the princess?" Merida jumped slightly when she heard Hiccup's voice. She nearly forgot about him and turned to see a stunned look for on his face. Hiccup had heard everything while hiding with Toothless. "Oh...I...I...I'm sorry. Forgive princess", he apologised and started bowing rapidly", if I'd have know, I won't have...ur what I'm trying to say...it just...I didn't know". He fumbled his words. The princess could only watch as the boy bowed. She glanced over to Toothless who was just as confused by Hiccup.

"Please don't", Merida quickly said holding out her hands, which Hiccup stopped mid bow. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you but really have never liked all that fuss and people acting like fools around me, so..." Merida explained as she crossing her arms, She wasn't sure she was explaining herself properly.

"No, it's ok!", she turned back and saw Hiccup a few feet from her. "It's hard being yourself when everyone else expects you to be different".

Hearing these words, Merida felt comforted. Maybe there was more to this boy! She thought, they smiled at each other then they heard Toothless purring.

"Oh, right let's find a place from Toothless, I think there's a dark part of woods near here", she said as she pointed to her right.

As she started to head in the direction, Hiccup thought over what just happened. He knew being around a Scot was bad, but finding out that she is the princess of the kingdom was worst. If anyone found the truth. He would be put to death instantly, so now he had to be more careful. He told himself that he need to get the tail fin fix and get back home! But he wanted to get know more about this princess.

"Hey, Hiccup. Are you coming?" He heard Merida called and turned to see both her and the dragon were ahead of him.

"Yeah, hang on", he answered and hurried to join them. They soon reached a small cleaning that had a small cave, Merida explained to them it use to be a bear cave but it's been empty for years, she pointed out a and a small burn nearby and explained that maybe some fish could be caught there if they were lucky.

Hiccup and Merida made sure that the Night Fury was comfortable and remove the saddle and Hiccup's harness, they went back to get Angus and walked into the kingdom. The Viking was surprised when they walked toward the entrance gate. He could see tents, stalls and stables with people being busy, bustling around.

"So, when do the all the people live?" He asked as Merida led Angus to his stable.

"Some live in the castle but most of the people live near by. Some live out by the fields and the vegetables patches, and so out by the coast so they can catch fish", she explained as she feed her horse and then started brushing him.

"It's, well it's just different from my home" Hiccup said.

"Oh, what's your home like?" Merida asked. He hesitated, he knew he shouldn't mention about the whole Viking thing but he didn't know when to start.

"Ur, well...there so much, I don't know where to start", Hiccup admitted truthfully.

"Well, you can tell me at dinner, now come on".

Merida said smiling and then took Hiccup by the hand and pulled him along with her.

Hiccup couldn't get a word in as Merida led him to a door that connected to the kitchens, He saw mostly women preparing food. They all stopped and said "good evening Princess", as Merida past all of them noticed the strange boy with her. Hiccup waved politely in acknowledgement of them before him and Merida went up the stairs and he noticed tapestries covering lots of the walls as they made their way to the great hall. As they reach the hall they could hear voices, the voices getting louder as they got closer.

"Honestly Lass. How is it hard to tell one man sheep from another mans sheep? Truly they all looked the same", a man said loudly.

"Well, we need a solution soon or we'll have two farmers at war", the woman's voice answered.

When Hiccup and Merida entered the hall they could see a long table with five seats. At one end was a huge man with a red moustache, he was chewing a chicken leg. At the other end of the table was an elegant woman with long brown hair, surrounded by letters and in three of seats, were three little identical boys each had a mass of red hair. Hiccup instantly knew that they were Merida's family. Merida looked liked her mother, with exception for the red hair she had inherited that from her dad.

Merida let go of Hiccup before she walked up to them.

"Well I think...oh Merida", Fergus was clearly happy to see his daughter. "Your just in time to eat before the boys ate everything", he added chuckle.

"There's plenty dad, for all we know they could have a secret stash underneath their bed", Merida joked looking over to Hamish, Hubert and Harris with a sisterly smile.

"How was trip dear?" Elinor then asked, looking up from the letter, giving a warm smile to her.

"Oh just the usual, riding Angus and shooting arrows and a bit of bad weather!", Merida told them.

Hiccup watched the family as they chatted about their day, he hadn't expected to see the royal family interacting like this, and at home it was just him and his dad so he couldn't help but smile that this scene.

Out of nowhere, the boy heard a loud, angry noise. He then saw two strange creatures covered in fur heading his way. Hiccup backed off as his heart pounded.

"Oh. Leave the lad alone" Merida's dad yelled "chew on this", and he threw some chicken legs to the dogs, the greyhounds were distracted and they turned to eat the meat.

"Merida, who is this boy?" Merida mother question.

"Oh", she quickly came to Hiccup side and gently pulled him by arm. "I like you to meet Hiccup".

Fergus nearly let out a laugh but stopped and coughed when he noticed his wife gave him a warning look.

"It's nice to meet, your Majesty" Hiccup said bowed.

The queen softly smiled at the boy before asking "How long have you know my daughter?"

"Actually we just met today", Merida intervened "I found him injured and I had to make sure he was ok"

"Oh dear" Elinor said surprised, not only for Hiccup but also Merida's actions. "Are you hurt?"

"No, no. I have a few cuts and bruises but I'm fine", Hiccup reassured, waving his hands.

"Oh if you're sure", Elinor said, Fergus joined in and stated "You two must be starving, come and sit down".

"Oh no, I don't want to disturb you dinner ", Hiccup said quickly.

"No, I insist, we'll find a chair for you", Elinor insisted and had two servants fetch one and place it next to Merida's seat. The young boy wanted to say no as Merida took her seat but he reluctantly sat down.

"So, Merida, what happened out there?" Elinor asked her daughter.

"I was about to come back when there was a storm, that's when..." Merida began but then

"That's when her horse got scared and ran off", Hiccup told. Merida looked at him, confused but it clicked. He wanted to protect his dragon.

She showed a knowing smile before telling the story. "Aye, I chased after him and we ended up by the water edge. That's when I found Hiccup".

The rest of family was listening eagerly. "So what where you doing in DunBroch by the young man", Fergus asked Hiccup.

"Well, me and my friend were...Ur sailing when we were court up in storm and landed here", Hiccup answered

"Where is your friend? The Queen asked.

"He volunteered to stay with the boat. it's ok, he can take care of himself"

"Well good, he doesn't need to worry about Mor'du roaming around" Fergus commented.

"The boy has been through enough, he doesn't need to hear about our evil bear", Elinor told him.

As the grownups chatted, Merida got a plate and put some food on it. "Here, there more if you're still hungry", Merida said gently put the plate in front of Hiccup. It was the same food as they had in Berk. Chicken, pork, vegetables and haggis but they seem bigger and full of colour. Hiccup took a small bite of beef and vegetables and he paused, the taste was like fireworks in his mouth. He never had tasted flavours so strong and amazing in his life.

"Are you all right Hiccup?" He heard Merida asked.

"Oh yeah" Hiccup answered swallowing his food. "It just I never thought food could taste so good"

"What foods do you usually have" Merida asked.

"The same but my home, are food is a bit tougher and bland". Hiccup expected.

"So where do you live Hiccup?" The queen then asked.

Hiccup took a moment before he said "well it's on an island in the middle of nowhere, we have hunting. Fishing and a wonderful views especially of the sunsets"

"That's sounds lovely", Elinor said but her face dropped "But your parents Hiccup! They must be worried sick".

Merida notices Hiccup face drop, " It's just me and dad".

"Oh, I'm sorry" Elinor apologise to him.

"It's fine, really." Hiccup said reassuring them. He was used to people knowing what happened to his mum. Of course they wouldn't have known.

Merida could see an uneasy look at Hiccup's face. She thought maybe he never knew his mum, it make her think of when she nearly lost her mum. Merida didn't want this melancholy atmosphere over everyone.

"He'll be fine here" Fergus reassured. "He'll send a letter to them, saying he's all right and he'll be home in no time".

Hiccup and Merida could see Elinor's face relax. "Right we'll get a room made up for you", then she had two maids sent to set up a room. The rest of the dinner was really pleasant. Merida's parents asked Hiccup question about home but Hiccup was careful to avoid mention some details.

After they finished, Elinor told Merida where Hiccup his room. It didn't take long for Merida to find it, Hiccup had a good looked around. The room had a warm cosy feeling, it had a big fireplace, a four posted bed with green curtains surrounding it.

"So do you like it? Is there anything wron?." Merida began ''but...''

Oh no, no, no, it's really nice. It's a lot nicer than my room back home" Hiccup turned and explained, waving his hands.

"Ok" she said a bit relieved. Hiccup walked up the big bed, he was used to his wooden bed but this bed had a mattress that was so soft.

"My room is down the hall, my parents and brothers are a bit further down and if you need anything, let..." Merida had turned and pointed the hallway but when she'd look back, Merida found Hiccup lying on the bed, already asleep.

She was surprised but then realise that he been through so much today, he must be exhausted she thought. Merida smiled before she closed the door and went to bed.

The next day, in the woods. Toothless who was hanging upside down from a tree, he yawned and opened his tired eyes. He wondered how his best friend was doing when his stomach growled. He had eaten 3 fishes from the river late but he had gone to sleep hungry night. Even though it was a risk, the Night Fury decided to visit the kingdom. It was early in the morning so barely anyone should be around; Toothless managed hide and to slip toward the gate once the way was clear and he passed the guards without being seen.

When the dragon saw two humans, men on guard duty, Toothless thought they looked weird, he was used the Vikings, but their clothes were different, seeing men wearing pleated checked skirts was very strange. As he searched for Hiccup, he sniffed the air until he smelt that familiar smell of fish. He followed it before he reached a door that was open slightly, he pushed it open and found heaps and heaps of recently caught fish, his mouth had began to drewl, he licked his lips, he was very please himself and his find.

Maudie the head maid had finished mending a dress for the queen. On the way back to the kitchen, she heard odd noises coming from the fish hold. Without thing she found herself slowly pushing open the door to reveal a mess of knocked over baskets, fish bones and half eaten fish. The creator of this disorder was a giant black monster lizard with wings. Toothless looked up to noticed the shocked maid; he simply smiled to her, Maudie screamed and ran for her life. Toothless looked on confused, he thought she was an odd woman.

Hiccup was had had a peaceful sleep and when he awoke, yawned and stretch. He wondered why Toothless hadn't woken him, when he opened his eyes, he realised that he wasn't at home and Toothless wasn't with him as usual. Looking around at room, he remembered yesterday, it all came back to him. Him and Toothless flying in a huge black cloud and ending up in Scotland and now he had stayed in this castle of the enemy. He also remembered Merida finding them; Hiccup began to thinking of the princess but stopped himself. "I should get breakfast now".

Hiccup headed downstairs and was told by one of the guards where breakfast was to be severed. He found the King, the Queen and the triples were already eating.

"Good morning Hiccup. Do you have a good sleep?" Elinor asked as she waved her arm gesturing where to sit.

"Good, in fact it the best sleep I ever had", Hiccup said while putting some food on his plate. "Where's Merida?"

"Probably still a sleep, that's where she's usually is at this time of day!" Fergus answered.

"Where I am usually?" They turned to see Merida come in, grinning modestly.

"Oh there you are!" Fergus greeted her as she sat next to Hiccup. "We surprised you're up this early".

"Well, I wanted to show Hiccup around DunBroch while he is here", Merida explained then turn to Hiccup "If that's ok with Hiccup?"

"Yeah, I like to and...", but before he could finished. They suddenly heard someone scream for dear life. The sound got louder and louder and the door burst opened and Mandie ran in. Fergus had jumped up.

"Mandie, are you all right?" The Queen asked getting up and rushing the woman side. Elinor and Fergus began to calm her so she could catch her breath and be able to speak.

Mandie tried to talk but all that came out was "d...d...d...d...d"

"What is to Mandie?" Elinor asked the poor woman, she kept asked but no responses.

This frustrated king held his head, "Ock don't fash , spit it out Mandie".

"...DRAGON! Dragon…dragon!

Hearing this, everyone looked confused except Hiccup and Merida who exchanged worries looks at each other.

"What? You must be working too hard", Fergus said thinking she was just hallucinating but Elinor though otherwise.

"Show us where you seen it" she said nodding a little at her husband.

They encouraged Maudie back to the fish hold with some reluctance she lead the way. The redhead could see the fear and worry on Hiccups face, before she could say anything him, they reach the room. Fergus held his sword ready; he swung opened the door and found...Nothing, nothing but a mess of fish.

"Well, no dragon but something has definitely been in here", The King declared. Merida and Hiccup breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the Nightfury got away.

"But it was here!" Maudie protested as she sat on the floor "it was big and black with green eyes and...and...No teeth!"

"NO TEETH" Fergus repeated in disbelief ", what kind of dragon has no teeth".

Hiccup squeezed his eyes when he heard that. Merida did heard him murmured something under his breath, it sounded like "Nightfurrys had retractable teeth"

Elinor knelt down to the maid and patted her hand supportively "Maybe it was a bear that you saw".

"Well if it is, let's hope we go don't go through the whole the bear incident again", Fergus said before turning the guards and telling them to keep an eye out any suspicious.

Elinor asked her daughter to help Maudie to her room, Hiccup offered to help. What they didn't notice was Hamish had spotted something in the room; he motioned to his brother to see. Hamish picked up what look like a black flat stone but it didn't quite feel like one. The triplets soon found more and quickly left to investigate the stones.

Merida and Hiccup helped Maudie into bed while Elinor poured some water for her and told her to the rest as she drew her curtains and they left the room.

"There, with some peace and quiet, she'll be better soon", Elinor reassured Merida and Hiccup as they walked to the kitchen.

"Do you think what she saw was real?" Merida asked.

"Well, from what we all been through, nothing will surprised me", her mother answered.

"Ok, we better head out now" Hiccup then said. He and Merida began to head to the door...

"Wait, take this" Elinor called to them. She gave Hiccup a small parcel. "This is for your friend. He must be hungry being out there minding the boat and be careful there could be a bear about!"

"Well my friend does have a big appetite", Hiccup said which was true. Hiccup and Merida went to get Angus and headed to the forest. It didn't take long for them to find the dragon. Even though Toothless had his back to them, Hiccup knew what he was doing. "Toothless. What were you thinking?"

Heading towards him Hiccup yell, Toothless turned with a fish's tail was sticking out of his mouth. Seeing the evidence, he suck it up and swallowed it.

"Toothless, this isn't Berk. These people have never had seen a dragon. So if they found you, they won't think twice of hunting you" Hiccup explained to his friend. Toothless growled in understand of his meaning.

Merida watched them in fascination. Even know the dragon didn't speak, the two were having a conversation. She of course talk to Angus like that but she could feel a special connection between the two. Suddenly a loud growling sound, coming from the Nightfury.

"He still hungry" Merida thought allowed. She then saw Hiccup rubbing his face in frustration. A thought came to her; she just hoped Hiccup didn't mind her idea. "Well if your still hungry. I know where there is a well stocked burn at this time of year, so you should be able to feed to your heart's content", she told the dragon as she and her horse joined them. This had caught Toothless interest and purred happily.

#mericcup #Merida #hiccup #how to train your dragon #brave #fanfic

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a-libra-writes · 4 years

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first of all, congrats on 400 followers!! you’re one of my favorite writers on tumblr!! can i ask for 🎭🥊🎄 with edmure??

ooooh sure. It’ll probs be full fluff I warned ya

🎭Jealousy HC

He gets jealous so easily, it’s almost funny. He doesn’t have a possessive or mean jealousy, he just sulks until you come back to him. He doesn��t even notice how much he’s glaring in the lord’s direction.

It’s so easy to tease him because he really doesn’t notice you’re doing it on purpose. He just assumes the other men are bothering you, and takes it upon him to eventually get between you two and butt in the conversation.

(Your reputation as the “Fair Lady of Riverrun” doesn’t help, the bards love singing to you and the riverlords will always try to suck up to get your favor).

It’s easy to turn Edmure’s mood around with sweet words and sweeter kisses, he’s a simple man. He doesn’t want to dwell on such a negative feeling, anyway, and by the next day he’ll have totally forgotten about it.

🥊Exercise HC

He’s an active person in general. Anytime Edmure’s duties keep him locked up in the keep, he gets antsy. He has to spend at least an hour or two outside, and if he had his way, he’d be out there all day.

He likes doing a variety of things - swimming, hunting, riding, training ... It doesn’t matter as long as he’s out and moving. As a result he’s fit and and very healthy.

And he loves it when you come along with him! He’ll even teach you swimming and archery, he doesn’t care if it’s an “unladylike” thing. It’s something for you two to do together.

Granted, you both come back covered in mud and mess, looking the least like a Lord and Lady... but you’re happy.

Anytime you’re feeling stressed, Edmure will always recommend a walk outside. If you were a rider, at some point he bought you a fine horse that you can take on some trails outside Riverrun.

He’s always taking the children out to do this or that. While he knows young ladies should stay inside and attend to their lessons, he really can’t say no to his daughter begging him to teach her how to use a bow or let her go riding with him. So some days all the kids come back a total mess.

He’s very adamant about the children learning to swim, actually. He thinks its absurd that many grown men don’t know how; it’s a vital skill, in his opinion.

Modern AU: Just as a sidenote, the Tully kiddos are def the kids that are into all the sports, specifically swimming. You and Edmure try to attend as many meets and games as you can, plus the practices! Edmure and Catlyn were big into sports when they were in high school (Lysa was more artsy).

🎄 Holiday HC

Feast days and the harvest festivals are always a big event in Riverrun, because Edmure likes a good celebration. Once or twice you both have attended Winterfell with the children in tow, but all other times you’ve stayed to entertain his bannermen and their families. It’s always a several day affair, sometimes with a modest tourney, often with a ball.

Edmure is very insistent on allowing the smallfolk just outside the Riverrun walls (since the inside walls are bursting with guests), and he makes sure they have a good share of the festivities. He’ll send good meats and ale, and they can attend the tourneys. Many bannermen find it silly, but Edmure can’t imagine not allowing his people to join in the celebration.

The children are often allowed to run wild during the festivals, and once they’re older, the boys will start squiring and later competing in the tourneys. Edmure is BEAMING with pride when he sees his oldest son suit up in the fishscale armor and get up on horse decorated in maroon and navy.

Modern AU: Holy shit Edmure loves Christmas

It was always a big deal in his family, and Catlyn loves it just as much, so that means when it rolls around, the Starks and Arryns are coming. Your family alternates between using your house or the Stark’s, but no matter what it’s a huge affair. Drinks everywhere, kids everywhere, decor everywhere, probably at least five dogs running about, two piles of presents because one doesn’t fit under the huge tree. There’s so much food and so many people that a Christmas dinner isn’t realistic, so everyone just eats whenever they’re hungry, and at least twice there’s a dog that needs to be shooed off the table.

He plans for this like, months in advance. Well Catlyn does most of the planning, Edmure is already thinking of what to get everyone and finds the silliest decorations. Why is there an inflatable Santa on the lawn, why is he wearing a Hawaiian shirt, and why is it up in November?

Because he’s friendly with a lot of people at work, guests tend to come and go during the big Christmas party. That means even more kids, even more champagne, even more talking over the already loud music. You and Edmure sleep in during New Year’s because yall still aren’t recovered from the three-day Christmasgeddon.

#edmure tully x reader #libra headcanons

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punishandenslavesuckers · 4 years

Photo

Adventuring requires fast solutions to dangerous problems and sometime that problem is gravity, terminal velocity, and the fucking ground. Home-game excerpt. Death Ward lets you do some wild shit.

Orlia speaks Sylvan.

She’s a ranger and a dwarf so it’s reasonable she might have the occupational need to do that and also the lifespan to mess with weird supposedly unknowable languages. She’s used it on one previous occasion on this hellish trek; to lure giant elk in for nose-pats and oatmeal treats. She probably did it specifically to appease the party’s gender-indifferent tiefling cleric (Rime) who, being a Secomber local, is aware exactly how terrible it is being out here.

Which is to say, getting to pat a giant deer was one of the very, very few highlights of sneaking around the hobgoblin infested moors. The many lowlights have been vampires, a manticore, flaming skulls, goblinoid assassins, and dreading the fact they’re literally trying to hike across a war zone into giant country.

A fun note: Things that survive being in the same ecosystem as giants are, themselves, motherfuckingly dangerous to say nothing of the giants themselves. Blue – the team sorceress, Triton nobility, and the only one who speaks Giant – insisted that appealing to the diplomatic side of giant-kin is a GREAT idea. Will – the team half-elf, part-time werewolf, former highwayman, and monster hunter – pointed out rather keenly that, no, asshole, that’s a terrible idea. And then they bickered all the way from Secomber to the Emerald Enclave forward camp.

Bian (tabaxi rogue,former privateer, team sneak) and Rime have resigned themselves to a future getting punted two miles across the monster-infested moors. It’s been that kind of month.

Anyway, back to Orlia speaking Sylvan:

“They’re cool with it,” she’s saying in Common.

“How confident are you in your ability to understand Giant Eagle?” asks Will.

“One-hundred percent.” It’s convincing because one of the four giant fucking eagle standing behind her begins to preen her hair amiably. “I mean, like, if you’re a dick and they drop you for being a dick that’s on you, but they’re into the idea of helping y’all clear out hobgoblins.” A beat. “Also, they do understand Common. The Sylvan is for, like, effect. Ya know?”

Will eyeballs the three other giant eagles who are cocking their massive raportial heads at the group. “There’s only four of them…”

“You four go ahead. I can move faster alone. I’ll catch up to you.”

“Are we really going to ride giant eagles?” Rime is beaming, their big jet-black eyes lighting up with glee as the flower crown literally rooted to their horns starts to bloom with happy colors. They snap their fingers again, thaumaturgy generating their words for them. “They’re okay with it?”

“Yup,” says Orlia, her craggy features splitting into a grin. “You get to fly with eagles.”

“Fuck,” says Bian at conversational volume.

Rime laughs. “That’s amazing!”

“Fuck all of you,” Bian emphasizes. Her tail looks like a white bottle brush.

“They aren’t scared of cats,” Orlia says in what is probably meant to be a comforting tone.

“Fuck you especially,” Bian says, pointing. “This is a bad idea.”

“Is it safer though?” Blue asks.

“Yeah,” says Orlia. “They can drop you right in giant country—” Bian mutters something like ‘oh yes, the very definition of ‘safe’, sure’ – “and you can skip all the other heinous shit in this godforsaken tundra.”

“Yeah. God forbid we be tired when we meet the race of enormous bastards who will probably kill us,” says Will, totally deadpan. “Like it’s gonna make a difference.”

“I always make a difference,” Blue declares, marching past her ex-husband and flipping her long white hair so it smacks him right in the face. While he sputters, she approaches the nearest eagle and plants herself arms akimbo before it. “Hello. Your name is Murder Wings. We will totally take out hobgoblins.”

The eagle cocks its head back and forth like it’s considering the name ‘Murder Wings’ with some seriousness.

“We’re gonna die because you’re all stupid,” says Bian.

Rime, who is already petting their eagle and feeding it scraps of jerky from their ration pouch, looks up from what they’re doing and says, “Hmm?”

“Never mind.”

They all, with varying amounts of awkwardness, clamber onto the horse-sized giant eagles. Rime has the least amount of trouble with this, probably because of the jerky bribery and genuinely friendly vibes. Blue’s eagle literally drops to a sitting position like a nesting sparrow while the tiny Triton woman boosts herself up. Bian, once mounted, clings stiffly to the back of her eagle and says, angrily, “I can’t stab anyone while we’re sitting on big fat birds, you know.”

Will falls off his eagle for the second time and says, “This bastard better not roll while we’re flying.”

“Again, for fuck’s sake,” strains Orlia, “they understand Common.”

Will’s eagle pecks him on the head.

Bian can’t quite hear what Rime is yelling at her until they snap their fingers and throw their words across the roaring, open skies directly into her left ear.

“This is amazing!”

Bian doesn’t have thaumaturgy like her adorable teifling priest buddy. (For whom, by the way, she has come out to this miserable inland war zone.) So she can’t tell her newest partner in crime (friend, ally, and genuinely good person pal) to literally go fuck themselves with a cactus the way she would like to. She can only cling to the back of a giant eagle and resist every single instinct in her body to sink tabaxi claws into the feathers beneath her.

They are about half a mile in the air and Bian has been trying not to think about that. Just imagine she’s riding a very feathery magic carpet barely two feet off the floor. The deafening roar of the wind, freezing air, and Rime’s occasional magic bursts of cheerleading are not helping. She would flip Rime off, but she can’t bring herself to spare a paw.

“Murder,” she says to herself like a mantra. “Stabbing. Future glorious vengeance.”

Her eagle’s head jerks a little bit. It eyeballs her suspiciously.

“Not you. Another guy.”

The eagle doesn’t look convinced, but that doesn’t matter because it’s about then Rime’s voice booms at three times its usual volume. Bian jerks, fur standing on end as Rime shouts in panic: “WYVERN! WYVERN, BEHIND AND FOLLOWING!”

Bian risks it then to jerk her head around and look over her shoulder.

Rime is ducked low against the back of their eagle, the wind ripping wildly at the ribbons and flowers that encircle their head. They’re pointing backward and up into a thin mist of cloud cover… and at a massive, draconic shadow as it abandons stealth and dives, screaming, from the stratosphere to gain ground. Bian struggles immediately for the crossbow on her hip, yelping as her eagle starts to fly a lot fucking faster away from the fuck-huge predator now chasing them.

“No, you dumb bird! Go back!”

The eagle flaps even faster.

“Goddammit!”

She looks over her shoulder. Rime shouts something and a flare of divine light ignites at their chest and spirals down their outstretched arm. A blinding bolt bursts from their palm and cuts a line of pure white through the sky, exploding into radiant fire across the wyvern’s chest. It screams as bright beads of magic cling like static to its hulking frame. It’s eyes shimmer with rage even from a distance as it rears up and –

Instantly gets a ball of chromatic lightning to the face.

The sky lights up with azure electricity, crackling as the wyvern shrieks.

Blue is twisted at the waist on the back of her eagle, thighs dug into its flank, one fist buried in dark plumage. Her right arm is up over her head gripping the crackling diamond component of her spell. She bares her teeth in a big battle-grin, her smile white in the light of her spell as her eagle inexplicably cuts its speed and begins to lag back. It places itself between Rime and the shrieking dragon-kin racing after them.

There’s a boom from Bian’s far right as Will pulls his scimitar one-handed from his back and activates the thunderous spell effect on the blade. He, like her, is not doing much good a mile in the air. He, like her, is realizing their eagles are pulling ahead of Rime and Blue. He, like her, is imagining the future six seconds from now when the beast hunting them picks its next target from the two spell casters.

“Fuckity fuck fuck,” Bian hisses, scrabbling for a crossbow bolt, jamming it between her teeth, fangs biting wood as she uses her other hand to rack the bow before slotting the arrow and locking it. “This is so fucked.”

She looks over her shoulder in time to watch Rime light off another bolt of tracing magic from their hand, the glow silhouetting their body against the dreary sky. Ribbons spin in an uncontrollable halo around their head. Their fingers spread wide and infused with light. Impact. The wyvern’s shadow blooms massive across the bone-white backdrop of the cloud wall behind it and it roars, blood spraying as a chunk of lightning-charred flash disintegrates from its neck and shoulder.

Blue’s eagle is still lagging behind, its claws flared with predatory intent.

Bian and Will exchange a look of horror.

“IS SHE TRYING TO FIGHT THE FUCKING DRAGON THING WITH HER FUCKING BIRD?!?!” Will bellows, horror in his wind-reddened face. “IS SHE TRYING TO FIGHT THE–?”

To Blue’s credit, she appears to be kicking her heels into the eagle’s flanks like a rider encouraging a horse to gallop, but the eagle ignores her. Blue yells something inaudible, turns, raises her fist and another lightning burst roars chromatic across the sky and ignites the wyvern, tearing flesh from its back and wings. It thrashes, tumbling, screaming… then flares its wings to catch itself.

It dives at Blue’s eagle.

It hits like a cannonball, feathers and blood bursting into the atmosphere. Blue’s body disappears between two massive beasts as they collide. The wyvern shrieks, talons tearing red lines into flesh. The eagle screams, clawing back, trying to break away… The tail lashes out, like a scorpion’s strike, slamming into the giant eagle’s ribcage and punching deep. Ribbons of blood begin to spiral out from beneath its body, snatched away in the wind. Its wings stop flapping.

“BLUE!” Will is yelling. “BLUE! BLUE, NO!”

Bian stares, transfixed, unmoving, and flying away from the battle.

As Blue’s eagle.

Falls out of the sky.

And drops through the clouds.

Rime screams. They do it with their real voice, the demonic one, and it sounds like a roomful of people screaming their friend’s name. Bian’s eagle just flies away even faster as she yells at it to turns its useless dumb bird ass around. Will’s body erupts on the back of his mount, fur and muscle swelling against the constraints of his chainmail and leathers. He bellows something werewolfy at his eagle and it begins to dive, following Rime’s mount as it too begins to dive.

Then they, like Blue, are gone beneath the clouds.

The wyvern is already gone, chasing its prey to the ground to finish off anything (if anything) still breathing.

Bian doesn’t see what happens next. She only sees the end of the fight.

Will though…

Will is a werewolf riding a giant eagle with a roaring scimitar that’s now on fire. It would be fucking legendary if he wasn’t scared shitless and diving at terminal velocity toward the ground. Even that would not be so bad if he wasn’t almost certain that Blue just fell half a mile out of the sky and she’s a burst corpse of organs and blood on the permafrost. Even that would not be so bad if… if…

His eagle slices through the cloud cover into the lower atmosphere, hooking hard up to level out at three-hundred feet up from the ground. The momentum is so intense Will has to literally bearhug his eagle which immediately shrieks as the flaming sword hazards it face.

Immediate landscape: Almost directly beneath them, Blue’s eagle is on the ground, flat, smeared like bloody throw rug. Blue herself is visible, sprawled half on top of the dead bulk of her bird, unmoving, but not (importantly) herself a fucking smear of internal organs across the moorland. Rime’s eagle is not diving with the same zeal that Will’s eagle dove, so the cleric is about 50 feet up from Will, their bird circling downward like an anxious vulture.

Most importantly: The fucking wyvern is on the ground, waddling its way like a hulking, leathery, lizard bat toward Blue who may or may not be too dead for their cleric to do something about.

Their cleric who is stuck on the back of an eagle too far away to do shit.

Will is thinking things like ‘Can’t these stupid birds go faster?’ and ‘Maybe if I jump, I’ll be fine. I’m a werewolf. Yeah, I think… I think it wouldn’t kill me.’ and ‘Blue can’t die yet, we didn’t finish this thing out.’

And that’s what he’s thinking about when Rime jumps off their eagle.

Later, Rime will explain that what they did was pull out the spell scroll they found in a crypt two weeks ago. Later, Rime will explain what Death Ward is: a spell a that wraps the hand of a god around someone and asks a favor from the pantheons of death for a just a little leeway. Later, Rime will explain they clutched that spell scroll to their chest like a fistful of flash paper burning in their fingers as they cast a spell too advanced for them to know.

And it worked.

But right now, in the moment, Will is calculating his odds of surviving the very same jump to the ground…

So Will has enough time to think ‘What the FUCK’ as Rime Raishon falls past him in a blur of armor and ribbons. They drop two-hundred plus feet to the permafrost. Will hears them hit the ground with a hideous, bone-shattering crunch. Will stares down, then, at Rime’s body outlined, sprawled, unmoving, on the rock and grass 200 feet beneath him.

He has time to think numbly, ‘Why did they do that? Whydidtheydothat? Why the FUCK did he—?!’

And then Rime stands up.

Not, like, easily. But they get up.

Rime levers themselves up on one elbow, then up on one knee. Their scream as they do so – agonized and feral – comes to Will on the wind as they stagger to their feet. Will watches their cleric stumble into a run toward the wyvern, hobbling on phantom limbs splintered in a suicidal drop to earth. Their hand comes up and across the field a familiar eruption of ribbons blooms like a razor-wire flower and begins to tear at the wyvern. Rime’s spiritual weapon whacks the dragon-kin across the skull as it looms over Blue’s body.

Will has no time to figure out, in that moment, what the fuck Rime just did.

He’s too busy hitting the ground as his eagle dives, pulling into a flat glide feet from the ground where he can roll off its back into a stumbling run. He bolts past Rime whose standing, shaking, their eyes glowing with arcane light as they unleash bold of radiant fire, screaming something that might be Infernal at the wyvern as it starts to take flight, the corpse of the giant eagle (not Blue!) in its claws.

Will barely notices. Blue is a crumpled tangle of lacy blue dress, ghost-white hair, and twisted limbs in the grass. She’s like a broken doll and as he skids on his knees to her side, he can hear the ugly, wet, dying noise of her punctured lungs gargling. He tears a potion from his belt, uncorking the vial with his teeth and grabs her jaw, turning her face up and pouring the entire contents into the blood-filled ruin of her mouth. (It looks like she bit through her tongue on impact.)

“Fucking drink it,” he hisses, terrified she’s going to choke it up instead of swallow.

The wyvern is screaming, its wings buffeting the air nearby, but Will ignores it. It’s flying away. Some other direction. He can’t physically tear his eyes away from Blue’s mouth, the pool of purplish blood and glittering magic liquid on her tongue.

“C’mon, c’mon…”

Blue’s throat bobs.

She wretches, rolling on her side and vomiting up blood and phlegm as her lungs knit and immediately struggle to expel what’s blocking her airway. She coughs. Gags. Yells as a twisted wrist snaps back into alignment and cuts on her face sluggishly congeal and clot. She growls in pain, punching the ground repeatedly before rolling onto her back and looking deliriously around her.

“What happened?” She blinks blearily at him. Her eyes drift somewhere over Will’s shoulder. “Where is…?” Her eyes focus. She screams. She jackknifes instantly into a sitting position. “RIME!”

Will looks over his shoulder. Horror makes it slow, like time drags its heels in a nightmare.

He looks over his shoulder.

To see the wyvern flying away at speed.

It’s got something in its jaws – a dripping ragdoll trailing bloody ribbon the colors of a festival god. It’s flying away with Rime’s unmoving body clamped between its jaws. Because, obviously, obviously – idiot, idiot, idiot, oh fuck, oh no – it was flying back to attack the only spell caster left on the field. The one fucking stupid enough to keep inciting its attention until it mauled them unconscious while Will was getting Blue back up.

Will stands, even as his brain tells him it’s too late, it’s too fast, too hale, too healthy to run down.

It’s going to fly away with Rime. If they’re alive it’s going to eat them that way. If they’re dead, there’s no undoing it. Bian, Will thinks dully, Bian is going to be so fucking –

Blue screams in Aquan – a pure primal, primordial shriek – and her hands spin through complex pattern then lock like she’s got her fingers around something’s throat. The air around her sours with ozone, the smell of her magic as her eyes ignite lightning bottle blue.

Static leaps between her teeth and she says, “GO THE FUCK TO SLEEP!”

And the wyvern, against all fucking odds, instantly goes slack in midair.

Its ungainly bulk glides for a moment on its momentum, like a tossed dart through the cold winter winds, the arc of its trajectory falling ground-ward. Not far to the ground (it must have kept low to snatch Rime in its mouth), but it hits and skids to a halt after about 30 feet, a long drag of torn dirt in its path. Then it lies there in a pile of muscle and burnt hide. It doesn’t move. Just lies there, its massive flanks rising and falling slowly.

Dead asleep.

Blue’s hands are shaking. Arcane light still glitters in her eyes. She’s whispering to herself, softly, “Just barely. Just barely. Oh fuck… fuck…”

Will breaks into a run at precisely the moment Bian’s eagle comes wheeling down at a leisurely, cautious flight speed to alight on the ground about nintey feet off from the downed wyvern. It fucks right off the moment it realizes the dragonoid is still breathing and Bian kicks herself free of it, cursing and swiping her claws furiously at the giant bird. Then she rockets, tabaxi-quick, across the gap between her and the wyvern and immediately dives under one limp, tented wing.

Will skids around the body, hand jumping to his belt for a potion, fumbling at the strap.

But Bian looks up – her fur sticking up along the back of her neck – while Rime coughs, choking on the contents of the healing potion she’s just given them. The cleric is literally still wedged between the wyvern’s jaws, the massive points of its fangs grinding and squeaking on the battered metal of their breast plate. Rime’s covered in blood – a slick, sticky dark color just barely distinguishable from their natural tiefling complexion.

“Don’t wake it up!” Will hisses, ducking down and carefully prying the creature’s jaws apart. Like a dog with a chew toy. “Get out. Fast, fast, fast, it’s gonna wake up.”

“It’s asleep?!” Bian yowls, lunging away.

Rime wiggles out of its mouth, gasping with pain as the fangs drag across their armor, using one hand to grip a massive lower canine and push it out from where its shallowly lodged in a gap below their armor. They slip free, blood still running from their gashed arm and upper shoulder, soaking through the ribbons around their arms. Bian drags Rime all the way away across the grass as Will readies a direct blow to the beast’s skull. The burning scimitar flares in his fist.

“Blue?!” he shouts.

She has her diamond in hand already. Lightning crackles in her fist as she strides toward them, hell fire in her eyes.

“Do it!”

Will brings the blade down as Blue calls down lightning.

#rae plays dnd #dndfic #homegamefic #dnd #homegame fiction #rae writes #raewrites

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cinaja · 4 years

Text

Before the Wall Part 2

Disclaimer: I don't own the world or the characters, all of it belongs to sjm

----

When Miryam dreamt of running, she always imagined that getting out of the palace would be the hard part and everything after that would be easy. Now, she learns that she was wrong.

So, so wrong.

The desert is hell. Burning hot during the day, biting cold at night. And Miryam never learned how to find shelter, food or water. Cauldron, especially the water. Then, there are the beasts that prowl the sand, hunting for anyone stupid enough to leave the main routes. Miryam stops counting the times she almost gets eaten somewhere around fifteen.

Honestly, she has no idea how she makes it to the small town at the edge of the desert. Half-starved and sore, she arrives and, for the first time in her life, sees the ocean.

For a few seconds, she just stands and stares, awestruck. She escaped almost a month ago now, but this is the first time she truly realises it. She is free. She still can't quite wrap her mind around it.

Crossing the ocean is another matter entirely. There are boats, of course, but the village is full of Fae and it anyone with eyes will notice that Miryam is part human. They are still in the Black Land – being half-breed usually means being a slave and if anyone decides to check, it will take one look at her brand and she will be returned to Ravenia. (She has seen what is done to those who try to run, punishments drawn out over weeks).

Miryam spends two weeks scouting the harbour until she finds the courage to approach one of the ships. There is no hiding her human heritage, so she keeps her head down as she walks towards the pier.

Still, a soldier steps into her way, grabs her arm. "Going somewhere, half-breed?"

"I just - ", Miryam begins, but someone else interrupts.

"That's my daughter you're insulting." A middle-aged Fae female steps between them. Miryam only barely manages to hide her surprise.

The soldier mutters an apology and waves them on towards the boat. Caught between fear and relief, Miryam follows her. They get on the boat and into a small cabin and no one so much as looks at her. Not when her companion is so obviously Fae.

Only when the door closes behind them does her saviour turn towards Miryam. "Did you know", the female says, "that they are searching the entire town for some runaway slave? Half-Fae, sixteen years old. Apparently, she ruined the Queen's engagement. Her Majesty offers quite the reward for her head. You wouldn't know anyone who fits this description, would you?"

Miryam is tired and scared and not inclined to play games at all. "Why?", she asks, "Why help me? I am nothing to you."

"Why?" The Fae shakes her head. "You truly think that all Fae are monsters, don't you?"

Miryam stiffens, suddenly feeling colder than the desert at night. All these images flash through her mind, all the blood and suffering. "Yes", she says, "All of them."

Something like sadness glimmers in the female's eyes, but Miryam just turns away. She is so very tired of always bowing, kneeling and of being helpless and scared.

The Fae female still lets her stay in the small cabin. She introduces herself as Kamona, a healer on her way from the Black Land to Montesere.

During the three-week-journey, she doesn't force any conversation on Miryam (She doesn't know if she could have spoken if she wanted to. With every day that passes, she begins to realize that she spent so much time just surviving that she has no idea how to live anymore. No idea how to regain the hope she lost the night her mother died). Still, she watches Kamona as she looks through her supplies. The healer talks about the ingredients as she does (Miryam is half sure it is for her sake).

They arrive in Montesere and Kamona takes Miryam to some local inn. There, the Fae glare at her as they whisper about the rebellion brewing in the north. Humans fighting Fae. Humans defeating Fae.

And suddenly, Miryam has a destination.

Kamona nudges her. "You know", she says, "I was travelling north as well. Join me for some of the way and I'll teach you what I know. I'm sure those rebels will have use for a healer."

Miryam nods, mostly because Montesere is another country where humans are slaves as well as an ally to the Black Land and she is forever marked as its Queen's property. Staying with a Fae is the best protection she can get.

They travel from village to village on the horses Ramona bought. In each village, there are more whispers of rebellion. But towards the end of the first week, there is another story. One from the south.

They talk of Ravenia of the Black Land, whose fiancé broke off the engagement. They say that she had his entire family murdered in her rage, leaving only Prince Drakon alive so that he might live to suffer the consequences of his insolence. And then they talk of the slave Ravenia didn't manage to catch, even though she had her soldiers search every town for her.

Miryam is shaking so badly that Kamona has to lead her out of the inn. The brand on her arm seems to burn, she barely makes it outside until she sinks to her knees and retches.

Not all days are horrible, though. Most are quite pleasant, actually. As the weeks pass, Miryam grows to love healing. Kamona has a book with notes on anything a healer might need and Miryam memorises each word. But when Kamona asks her to help with the sick in the villages they pass, she shakes her head (they are Fae, all of them. Slavers. Miryam can barely admit to liking Kamona, she certainly isn't ready to help these people. Her mother's face flashes before her eyes).

"It shouldn't be long now", Kamona says one evening, making Miryam look up from the herbs she is sorting through, "Just another month or so."

Perhaps saying it was bad luck. Because the next day, as they are camping on top of a small hill, they see soldiers coming their way. Black Land soldiers

Miryam runs towards their horses. She already sits in the saddle when she realizes Kamona hasn't moved.

"We will never outrun them", the healer says, "You go. I'll stay here."

"No." Miryam shakes her head wildly.

But Kamona takes her big, ancient book on healing and puts it into Miryam's saddle bag. "Consider it payment, for the suffering my kind caused yours. Besides, I certainly deserve death more than you do." She must have seen Miryam's confusion because she adds: "I broke my vows. Killed someone. They are after me as well."

Miryam stares at her, open mouthed. She knows how easily Kamona could escape - she would just have to hand Miryam over. But she won't. A Fae sacrificing herself for a human. It shouldn't be possible.

"No", Miryam says, although her voice is shaking. She knows Ravenia's punishments, knows what will be done to her. But Kamona is her friend (if such a thing is possible between Fae and human). "I can't..." The soldiers are so very close now.

"Just do me a favour", Kamona says, "Save some mercy for my people. Not all of us are monsters."

Then, she slaps Miryam's horse on the flank, making it jump forward so fast that she almost falls out of the saddle. She only looks back once. Back to the female who sacrificed herself for her. She is standing on the hilltop, looking towards the approaching soldiers

The horse runs faster, perhaps sensing its rider's fear

When Miryam finally stops, the sun is already rising. She slides out of the saddle, her entire body is stiff.

That's twice now that a Fae has saved her life.

She falls to her knees and cries.

She wonders when she became so hopeless, so filled with hate. So empty (she knows, of course she knows). But suddenly, she doesn't want to be that person anymore

She just doesn't know how to be anything else. Because the girl who survived Ravenia, survived the horrors of the Black Land - perhaps she was never meant to truly live

So, kneeling in the grass, Miryam lets her die.

She can't go back to being the child she was before Ravenia broke her. But she can choose who she wants to be now.

"I will be kind", she whispers towards the rising sun, "I will help others, I will keep them from suffering as I did. No matter who they are, no matter what they are. I will be kind."

When the sun has fully risen, she picks herself up from the ground and continues. North. Towards rebellion.

In the next village, there is a young Fae male with an infested gash along his leg. Miryam dismounts and kneels next to him. "I'm a healer", she says, "Let me help you."

----

Note: So, I know there wasn't much action this time, but the chapter was necessary for the character development. Next time, there will be more plot (as well as another familiar face from the books), I promise

#miryam #drakon #jurian #morrigan #mor #before the wall #the war

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ginnyzero · 4 years

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Completely Harmless Ch. 45

Completely Harmless An SSO SilverGlade Re-imagining Story (Or Fix it Fan Salt fic) By Ginny O.

When Lily and her friends wanted to buy horses and were directed to the Silverglade Manor and its myriad of problems, they didn’t expect to start a revolution. They were just a bunch a stable girls. Completely harmless. Right?

A/N: Things are only canon if I say they’re canon. Pre-Saving the Moorland Stables compliant for the most part. Posted in its entirety on my website. Posted in 2000 to 4000 word bits here. Rated T for Swearing Word Count 177,577

Chapter Forty-Five She sells sea shells by the ... river shore?

Lily tried to regain control of the meeting. “Pauline, where do we stand on the decorations?”

“Okay, here is the ideas I’ve had with everyone talking. Okay, we take flower wreathes and put them on the lamps and then wrap them with more flowers like the ones in the wreathes and our artificial palm leaves, and the sea shell garlands and sea shell lights. Then, if you have an arm to hang things off of, put a paper lantern with more flowers if you want. Um, don’t choose any flowers that are protected ladies. Then we can use the bubble garlands and the jelly fish lights like we did with the clouds and rainbow hearts from the trees. You can mix them up with the regular paper lanterns too if you want. Put the flower lights, sea shell garlands, and paper lanterns in all the stables. You can make the paper lanterns look like bubbles if you do it right.”

“Like with the clouds.”

“Exactly!”

“Then we can use the beach scene lanterns the exact same way we used the heart lanterns. But you can add the decorated anchors or ship wheels in with them. Or use the shell buckets instead. We put up the boats with the selfie walls, boats have nets decorated with shells, the round white circles have flowers and greenery like they’re a big wreathe. Put up some of the round lanterns, throw in an anchor and a wheel for props if they want. Um,” Pauline scrolled through the pictures. “We can create cabanas for the bar and the dance floor using frames, sheets, the flower lights, the artificial palm leaves, and inside have the jelly fish lanterns and more bubble garlands. The bar can have a net on it and be strewn with the decorated shea shells and the shea shell lights.” Pauline stopped at the giggles.

“Sea shells,” Lily said dryly.

“Sea shells,” Pauline repeated. “We can have more bucket, anchor, wheel decorations on that. And the pineapples, because Lily wants the pineapples. We can put more of the artificial palm leaves there too. Above the bar can go the jelly fish lights and the bubble garlands.” She paused. “And these lace sailboats are cute. We can have them as a prop too at the selfie wall. I mean, I think we’re actually set for decorations. I mean, I know it sounds more than what we had for Rainbow Week, but we’re mixing them in more interesting ways?”

“There are more bigger pieces.”

“And no balloons.”

“Right, I mean, we could use the lantern lights instead of balloons to fill up space or use the jelly fish lights and white lanterns to make little scenes.” Pauline shrugged. “We’ll have to experiment.”

“Food,” Lily moved on.

“Jorvik Crawfish Boil,” Pauline checked her notes. “Crabwiches, fruit salad in a carved watermelon bucket, Vegetable and mushroom skewers, popsicles, watermelon on a stick?”

“One sounds too many.”

Pauline crossed out the watermelons on a stick. It seemed redundant.

“I saw mermaid tail favors. We could put candy in them?”

“We should have cookies, like citrus ones.”

“That means they’d be orange.”

“Orange cookies.”

“I also saw plastic seashell favors, we could put something in those too.”

“I think we better put out some things like pretzels and Cheetos for people like Alex,” Lily said.

“Okay, now we need some drinks because I think we’ve covered food pretty well. And I mean, we can all buy snacks to put in the buckets. That’s not difficult.”

“Pretzels, popcorn, Cheetos, and crisps.”

“Wait, can we really have a bonfire without s’mores, sausages, and potatoes?”

“Yeah, and bread for the sausages or to eat with the crawfish.”

“Cheese, we might need cheese.”

Lily rubbed her forehead. “Fine. But we’ll have to figure out how to split it out. Drinks.”

“I make some really chillax awesome drinks.” Tim spoke up. The first time he’d spoken up in a while. Maybe he was overwhelmed with the eager teenage girls. Or maybe he didn’t care that much about the food or the decorations.

Lily turned her head. “Yeah, I think we might want to test your drinks first.”

“Shibby!”

“Why don’t you tell us the ingredients?” One of the girls asked sweetly.

Tim rattled off his ingredients. They included kidney beans. Kelp. Corn water. Fermented potato juice.

Lily held up a hand. “Fermented potato juice is vodka and corn water is basically moonshine. Are you trying kill us and get us drunk?”

“You don’t think people will like them.”

“I think maybe we should stick to things like banana and strawberry smoothies. Orange juice. And grape and seltzer punch.”

“Apple juice. Watermelon and blueberry spritzers.”

Tim slumped in his seat.

“Those will bring the tourists back for more.” Lily patted his arm.

He sighed. “They sound boring to me.”

“We can try to make them exciting. Package them in fun ways! Mermaid, err, okay without lemons this is not as easy as you’d think.”

“Grape comes in clear.”

“Ohhh, that works. Look we did this at home, just color up some different ice cubes, put edible rainbow glitter around the edge of the glass. Put it in some grape juice with soda if you want, and let the ice cubes melt. Mermaid Cocktail. Or as it was described early grape and seltzer punch.”

“Mock up a white grape sangria too, strawberries, blueberries, apple or orange slices in white grape juice, apple juice, and soda.”

“They can be fun, we promise,” Lily patted his arm again.

Tim sighed. “All right, I’ll have to trust you.”

“Put the orange and soda in hurricane glasses, drizzle strawberry juice into it, garnish in a fun way, sunset hurricane drink.”

“See,” Lily smiled at him.

Tim didn’t look convinced.

“Watermelon and grape go with a lot of things. And we can get you the cucumbers too.”

“Okay, I think we’re good to go.”

“We’ll come up with a recipe list.”

“All right, then we’re doing the different wreathes at the different parties,” Lily said. “Let them have the sand souvenirs. We can do necklace garlands and bracelets to I guess for the luau theme.”

“And hide decorated Conch Shells, because they’re big, and colorful,” Pauline said. “Like, I think these are plastic or vinyl. I hope they are. Real conch shells might be too expensive.”

“Okay,” Lily nodded. “Hedgehogs, you’re the source of the crawfish for the crawfish boil. I’m leaving that to you.”

Riley groaned.

“I know you’d rather have the mermaid favors. Kelsey that sounds like something Madison would enjoy doing.”

“She would. So, we’ll take it.”

“You’re going to have to make a lot of them so, yeah.” Lily wrinkled her nose. She didn’t feel bad about giving that to them and only that. “Bulldogz, I know how you feel about Jamie cooking.”

“Someone is trying to hire her for the Midsummer Feast and thank goodness she’s easily distracted.”

“So, you can have the shell party favors.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Josefina spoke up. “We’re the source of the strawberries and the blueberries. Do you want us on drinks or on the fruit salad?”

“We’re going to have to buy watermelons in bulk from the food stalls.”

“Okay, question,” Lily put her chin on her hand. “Who among is a competent melon or pumpkin carver? Because they should be the ones doing the fruit salad. I mean, I don’t think the carved bucket idea was a plain bucket?”

The girls got on their phones and started texting people in their clubs.

Loretta shook her head. “None of mine.”

“Loretta, since you have the Midsummer Festival grounds in your area, are you going to do a beach party too?” Lily asked, genuinely curious.

Tan leapt in. “Of course we are, and we’ll decorate those Dark Core containers and chase off the goons if we have to.”

Loretta made a face. “They’ve been stealing. Can you believe it?”

“You don’t say.” Lily’s voice was bland. “Do you have any records of it?” Lily asked. She wasn’t at all surprised that a company with a name like Dark Core hired a thief.

Tan tossed her head. “I recorded everything.”

“Could you send it to Linda?” Lily asked slowly and raised her brow.

“Linda? Why would she want to know? I mean, she’s one of those weird druid riders,” Tan flicked her wrist.

“Because the Baroness will want to know,” Lily said. Frustrated she had to spell it out. “And Linda is her personal assistant and monitors her emails.”

“Oh, in that case, sure,” Tan said and dug out her phone. “As long as the Bobcats get the credit for catching them.”

“I’m sure Linda will tell her.”

Loretta sniffed. “I had them all file reports with Thomas.”

Lily nodded and texted that information to Linda as well.

Linda texted back she was going to ride over to Moorland to get it. She needed to see Alex anyways and she was probably at Maya’s.

“Or with Justin,” Lily murmured. Had Justin gotten up the nerve to say anything to Alex yet? Lily shook her head.

“I’ve got a carver,” Amelia said. “She sent pictures of her work. She can carve buckets and flowers.”

“Then you’re on for the fruit salad,” Lily said. “Do you mind another club coming and picking fruit for the cocktails and the popsicles?”

“Not at all.”

“Chipmunks,” Lily turned to them. “I know you’ve got the farmers, but you also have Harold.”

“Orange slice cookies. On it, Lady Captain Lily.” Kate saluted and then fluttered her hand and bowed.

Lily restrained a sigh. Of course Kate would choose both.

Pauline spoke up. “I think we should take the popsicles, Lady Captain President, we’ve got the big freezers in the Wine Cellar to keep them in.”

“Right, good plan.”

Pia spoke up. “I’ll take one of cocktail slots. That way I can work closely with Tim to make sure they’re fun and fizzy.”

Sonja spoke up. “We also have the other fruits in our forest. So, we’ll take a cocktail slot too. And help everyone harvest fruit.”

Ingrid was next to volunteer. “Ma Anna knows pastry, and croissants like those crabwiches are pastry. We’ll take the crabwiches and make different meat salads for them.”

“Fish salad, chicken salad, egg salad, ham salad,” Violet muttered.

Pauline checked her list, “That leaves the Pandas, the Bulls, and the Cats.”

“What do we have left?”

“Veggie skewers.” Pauline checked. “Snacks, bread and cheese, etc., and more cocktails.”

Loretta spoke quickly. “We can do the Snacks, bread, and cheese and so on. That’s all shopping. We are power shoppers. And none of the stinky stuff from Will’s Mill either.”

Ami wrinkled her nose. “We have a spa. We know cocktails. We’ll help out there and see what we can do with our grapes.”

“That leaves us the Veggie Skewers, and we can get most the produce from the Farmer’s Market and do assembly in Valedale.” Melissa nodded.

Lily spoke up. “This is going to sound crazy, but maybe we should have Courtney Summers do the Midsummer Feast. She’s a local and maybe she knows the local dishes.”

“Barney, Marley, and Carney can cook too,” Kate said. “Or, so says Barney. They have all the traditional recipes.”

“Kate, can you do the invitation thing? I’m sure the Baroness will refuse to invite her personally. But notice, she showed up last time.”

“I’ll invite all of them to do it. Make it a family affair. It’s a week and if we have too much food, well better than none at all.” Kate nodded.

“All right, well, here is hoping that the budget can take this,” Lily said.

“I bet we can get the farmers to donate lots of the supplies,” Kate waved her hands. “It’s for the Midsummer Festival after all.”

“That would be good.”

“We can approach them individually and get back to the group,” Amelie said with a nod.

Luciana spoke up. “I’d like to put a cabana up on the beach near the Dews Farm to be the gathering spot for everyone finishing up their charity events.”

“Splendid plan, Luciana,” Lily nodded. “We can set up one there, and a dance floor and it can be a celebration. At the end of the week, we’ll have all the money. Where are we keeping the money?”

“Silverglade Manor’s safe.”

“Right, we’ll have all the money and can present Maya with a big fake check. And I hope that will be enough to get them out of their debts and back on their farm.”

“They’re in foreclosure,” Loretta sighed. “Not bankruptcy. I had to go over it with her three times.”

“If they’re in foreclosure, that’s easier than bankruptcy to an extent. Though what did they do? Take a loan out on their farm?”

“From G.E.D. instead of a bank.” Loretta pushed her hair back behind her neck.

“Well, Ms. Drake is going to take the cash or else I’ll shove it where the sun don’t shine,” Lily muttered.

“Make it super public,” one of the girls said. “She can’t be a monster in front of a lot of people.”

“Ms. Drake?” Amelia asked.

Josefina snorted.

“It’s worth a try.”

“We’re going to have to do the same thing for the stables once it happens.” Ginny said.

“Have they tried anything but threats?”

“No. But the stable is in debt. To the bank, not to them, praise Aideen. But if the bank forecloses on the property, we’ll all be kicked out. Though your plans with the Friesians have been working. And Mr. Kemball has started on the Riding Arena. We’ve been having to keep him honest.”

“That must be a job and a half.”

“Like keeping James honest,” Pia said.

There was some nervous laughter.

“All right, Mares, Frogs, Squirrels, Terriers, and Kittens,” Lily said. “Get your areas in order. Your job is to focus on your section of South New Jorvik County and come enjoy the Midsummer Beach Party when it’s on. If you have problems with G.E.D. or Dark Core, report to me or to Linda.”

Pauline interrupted. “Music, Lily. Music!”

“Well, Fort Pinta will have DJ Kai. And I know New Hillcrest will have Syntax.”

“We’ve got a pretty big beach with a lot of islands all picked out.”

“I think asking Mr. Wetton for thirteen acts again is a bit too soon. Plus, it would make Rainbow Week less special.”

“Radio the different music the DJs are doing.” One of the girls suggested. “Set up a transmitter. Jack it through that tower in the Grey Mountains that G.E.D. has set up and it should get the entire county. Or stream it online.”

“That’s devious, and I like it.” Lily grinned.

“They shouldn’t have an obnoxious radio tower that big up there anyways. Radio towers can be much more discreet. I mean, put one on the observatory and it won’t be a blight to the landscape.” There was a sniff.

Lily turned to Pauline. “Happy?”

“Syntax can hack the tower,” Ginny said.

“Yes, keep them hacking for the greater good.” Lily smirked.

Kate shouted. “Okay, pizza time!”

They were all hungry. And there were new people to meet. So, they had pizza and wings and loaded potatoes and talked to each other and Tim. Though they all agreed Tim was quite strange and was it college or something else?

They split up.

FOR THE ACCOMPANYING IMAGES PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE MY WATERMARK AND CONTACT INFORMATION. THANK YOU. I get it. Some of you might get excited and want to see this stuff in the game, especially the clothes, tack, and pets. However, the only way I want to see this in the game is if I get paid for it. If I see it in the game and I’m not paid for it, there will be hell to pay. You think I’m salty. I’d be angry. Personally, I’m not going to send this info to SSO. If you do, leave my contact information there! Don’t give them any excuses to steal.

Now, I’ll know you haven’t read this note if you leave me comments about how ‘salty’ I am about the game and if I hate it so much I should do something else. I am doing something else. It’s called Mystic Riders MMORPG Project. Mystic Riders however is a very baby phase game. You can check out our plans on the game dev blog. (Skills, Factions, Professions, Crafting, Mini-Games, 25+ horse breeds!) If you know anyone who would be interested and has money or contacts about game making, direct them to the blog.

#star stable #star stable online #sso #fan fic #jorvik reimagined #star stable salt #silverglade reimagined #completely harmless #beach is tough not to be tacky #many nods to ruth westside

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buttsonthebeach · 4 years

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Lost Horizon, Pt. 2

@scharoux is the sweetest and most patient soul for waiting so long for part two of this story - thank you, dear friend, for trusting me with Rhaella and her epic tale!

This long fic picks up almost directly where The Last Game last left off - with Rhaella pregnant and alone in a world where Solas has removed the Veil, despite her attempts to stop him.

My Ko-Fi || My Commissions

Part One of Lost Horizon can be found here

Other pieces about Rhaella I have written include:

1. All Things Green and Growing

2. The Long Road Back

3. The Turning of the Year

3. The Same Kind of Scar (contains explicit content)

4. World Without End (contains explicit content)

5. The Last Game Pt. 1, the Last Game Pt. 2, and the Last Game Pt. 3 (contains explicit content), and the Last Game Pt. 4

Pairing: Rhaella Lavellan x Solas, post-Trespasser

Rating: Teen for violence, references to sex

Warning: Directly referenced character death for a character from DAI, general references to death and destruction

********************************

Merrill and Rhaella’s journey to Skyhold was slow. Isabela’s ship carried them swift and true - that part wasn’t the problem, even if the ship and all the crew seemed haunted, even if Rhaella could feel the absence of a woman she had never met as surely as she could feel the sea breeze - but once they were back on land, and traveling via horseback, her pregnancy proved a problem once more. She felt impossibly huge, her belly as big and round as the horse’s it seemed. Years of practice had made her a good rider, but the extra weight and the shift in her center of balance was even more pronounced now than it had been before, when she had ridden from Skyhold to Jader for her journey to Kirkwall.

The slow going meant she had plenty of time to take in how much had changed since that last journey, when she had been on her way to stop Solas. The burned out villages, and also the rapturous displays of light in the night sky - the dance of spirits thrilled to be free of the Veil. They rarely had to use a campfire for light, in fact. Wisps were drawn to them the way moths used to be. They frequently went to Rhaella’s belly after floating near her head and Merrill’s.

At least you’ll get beauty like this, little one.

Her magic surged towards each and every wisp when they came, but she tamped it down. Solas would know the feel of her magic, even across the distance, as surely as he would know the sound of her voice. They had not been pursued as far as they could tell, by people or by spirits, and she wanted to keep it that way. Merrill had known a draught to keep her from entering the Fade, which was their other means of concealment since they’d left.

“Poor Feynriel,” Merrill said the first time she brewed it. “I wonder what’s become of him in this world. If it makes more sense to him now, or less. Marethari made this for him while he was staying with the clan, and I learned it when we visited once. He was a Dreamer, so a draught like this didn’t always work for him, but it will be good enough for you and I. It feels like a different life to remember those times, when he was one of my biggest worries..”

“It does,” Rhaella said, even if she was only remembering a few weeks ago, when she’d been on this road going in the opposite direction, convinced she could stop the tide of Solas’s power from sweeping through and changing everything.

Sometimes on that long slow journey she lay there and was convinced the baby would never be born. She would be trapped like this forever, huge and waiting, adrift. She wondered how many other pregnant mothers lay awake in Thedas staring at the same moons and feeling the same way. They’d conceived their children in one world, and they would be born into an alien one.

Rhaella was grateful for Merrill’s training as a First, and her involvement in Kirkwall’s alienage since then. She still knew enough about pregnancy and babies to act as a midwife. She seemed less puzzled than the other midwife about the size of Rhaella’s belly, how it was bigger than they were expecting.

“Solas is not a small man,” she said with a shrug. “As long as you feel well, and you can still feel your little one wriggling about in there, I’m not worried.”

Solas is not a small man. The words sent a shiver of memory through Rhaella as she envisioned the days and nights that had led her to this moment. The size and weight of his body, how sheltered it made her feel, how whole. She pushed those thoughts away. She imagined, instead, a son that was as tall as him, who had only his kindness and not his narrowed vision, his pride. A son who reminded her of her own father.

I will love you no matter who you are, she promised anyway, feeling the child move.

The journey grew slower and more difficult as they climbed the mountain paths towards Skyhold. Rhaella struggled to lean far enough forward in the saddle to make her horse comfortable, so they had to walk the steepest parts of it. But, the feeling of being further from civilization, and the giddiness of having evaded Solas for nearly two weeks now, loosened their tongues a little, and Rhaella and Merrill were able to talk more freely. Merrill told stories of Hawke that she had not heard from Varric, and they shared their memories of growing up Dalish, compared notes on the Arlathvhens they had been to, speculated on whether or not they had ever met at one of them. It started to feel a little normal. Almost like Rhaella was back to being Inquisitor, and Merrill was one of her companions.

(It was probably a testament to how upside down things were now that Rhaella could think back to that time with fondness.)

Then they arrived at Skyhold, and all that warmth, all that strength she’d built, drained away.

It was not so much that the building was different. Its ancient stone was largely unchanged. It had weathered the creation of the Veil, after all. It was not even the scorch marks all over the courtyard, or the charred ruins of the stables.

It was the sound of the empty hospital tents flapping in the breeze. Of wooden shutters banging listlessly against stone walls.

It was the total, absolute emptiness of the place that had become her home.

The castle stood, but the people were gone, and the emptiness of that threatened to swallow her whole.

She should have been wise enough to expect this, to know that things would not be as she left them, that she would not return home to rally the people she’d left behind to some sort of unlikely victory. She had not heard from any of her forces in the weeks she’d been in Kirkwall. She’d hoped that was because Solas was intercepting their messages, that against all odds, there was still a home to come back to, a chance to set things right. Still, the blow of the silence struck her as true as any kick or punch ever had.

Then there was a high, hollow sound - a call, almost like that of a bird’s - but bigger, and then louder, like a trumpet, coming from the lower courtyard, and the sudden movement of a big brown blur -

“Thistle!” Rhaella called, and her hart galloped to her, drawing up short when he reached her, and then snuffling her with his warm, soft nose, whining again in his throat. She rested her forehead against his, breathed in the warm, woodsy smell of his hide. She scratched the place behind his ears that always made him stamp his feet with delight.

“Hello, friend,” Merrill said, approaching. “You’re a delight! I haven’t seen a hart like this in a long time.”

“He has been my constant companion for years now. I can’t even tell you how good it feels to see that he is okay.” Rhaella leaned her head against Thistle’s again and took another calming breath. She did not need to jump straight to despair. She had not even gone inside the keep yet. Who knew who else she would find, or what signs would be left behind - maybe everyone had moved somewhere else, or gone out into the world to help make a difference -

She wasn’t sure whether to feel reassured or afraid when the first arrow flew and landed at her feet.

Merrill’s hand flung out instantly, as if to shield her, and Rhaella’s magic crackled beneath her skin, longing to cast a barrier. She had to actively work not to cast the barrier without the Veil in the way, and it made her grind her teeth. Her son kicked wildly in her stomach at the sensation of the caged magic.

“It’s okay,” Rhaella called out when the urge to cast her spell passed. She looked in the direction the arrow had come from - the old tavern. She started in that direction, brushing off Merrill’s arm. “It’s me, it’s Rhaella.”

Another arrow flew, this one passing over her shoulder, so close that Rhaella could hear the pitch-perfect whine as it cleaved the air by her ear. Thistle snorted and stamped behind her, spooked, and Merrill took her staff off her back. The third arrow struck the barrier that Merrill cast, splintering into a shower of wooden shards, but Rhaella had seen where it was headed. Straight for her head.

Then Rhaella saw her, in the upper window of the tavern, leaning out now, bow in hand. Sera.

“Sera!” She called, waving her arms, walking closer. Surely it was an accident. Surely Sera had not actually meant to aim for a killing blow. “Sera, it’s just me.”

“Yes,” Sera said, nocking another arrow, half-drawing back the string. She stepped out onto the roof of the tavern. Her skin was even paler than usual, but her eyes were rimmed as red as the plaidweave armor she wore. “Who the fuck do you think I have been waiting for?”

Rhaella’s heart sank.

“Sera -”

“They’re all dead!” Sera shouted, the tears coming now. “All of them! Every person that mattered to me is gone now. Every person who trusted you to lead us. They all paid the price, and for what? So you could get a good shag with a man who never really loved you? And you didn’t even have to see it, did you, oh high and mighty Inquisitor? No, you got to be somewhere far away when it all came crashing down, all the fire and magic and shite, all the screaming and the dying. But I didn’t get that. I had to be here. I had to see it happen. I had to watch and even when I shut my eyes I had to listen. D’you know what it sounded like when your precious Commander died?”

Cullen.

No, not Cullen.

He was many things - not all of them good - but Rhaella prayed in that moment to the gods she didn’t believe in that Sera was lying.

“D’you know what it was like for him when all that bloody magic came rushing back, after all those years he’d worked to stop taking that Maker forsaken lyrium? I bet you didn’t even think about it when you went rushing back to your arse-wiping Dread Wolf. About how he would fucking scream -”

“Stop!”

Rhaella was aware that Merrill had shouted the word, that Sera was still talking, but the sounds were distant, covered up by a roaring as real as the sound of an ocean storm, of an earthquake. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t even think beyond the roaring sound. It was only the kicking and rolling of her child within her womb that brought her back to the surface.

“You don’t understand,” Merrill was saying. “Rhaella went to Kirkwall to stop him. She tried her best. She never stopped trying. She fought him until the very last moment, but there was nothing anyone could do. He was too strong for anyone but another of his own kind. And Rhaella didn’t stop there. She has been aiding the wounded ever since then, and once she had her first opportunity to flee from Solas, she did. How do you think she ended up here?”

“It doesn’t make a difference,” Sera said, and there was a sudden wave of magical heat rolling off of her, sparks at her fingertips. “Shite!”

She threw down her bow and Rhaella could see the trembling in her fingers. Sera had never wanted this, and now she was cursed with it. Magic.

Rhaella opened her mouth but no words came out. Her chest felt like it was caving in. Like all of Sera’s words had lodged there, true as arrows, true as morning sun.

“Please, believe us,” Merrill was pleading. “Neither of us wanted this. We’re trying to make our way in this world, the same as you.”

Sera shook her head once, viciously, and picked up her bow. She nocked the arrow again and started to draw it back. Rhaella realized that her hands were over her belly, feeling it warm and tight as a drum, but her magic was not seething inside her this time. She was making no real move to defend herself. Merrill grounded herself, started gathering the energy for a barrier. Then Sera lowered her bow.

“Get whatever supplies you need to get somewhere else. And then get gone.” Her eyes bored into Rhaella’s. “If I ever see you again, I will kill you.”

Then she disappeared back into the shadows of the tavern.

Rhaella felt rooted to the ground where she stood. Like she might never move from this spot again.

It was one thing to see the devastation of Kirkwall - a city that was not a part of her, another vein through which her own heart’s blood flowed - it was another to stand here in Skyhold and witness the magnitude of her failure. To hear those words of accusation dropped not from the mouth of a stranger but from a friend.

Cullen.

“Rhaella. Rhaella. Come on, love. I don’t think we want to stay here long.”

Merrill was using the same voice that Rhaella herself used to gentle Thistle when he was spooked. Her hands were on Rhaella’s shoulders, guiding. Their steps towards the keep were slow. Thistle whined, high and loud and mournful. Rhaella wondered what stories he would share of the day the Veil fell, if he could speak.

She tried not to study Skyhold as they walked through it. Tried not to see the blood or the winding patterns of lighting etched into wood and stone, the overturned tables, the shattered glasses. The kitchen was ripped apart but there was still food enough in the storeroom beyond it, and she and Merrill filled their packs with as much of it as they could reasonably carry. Rhaella felt the burden of her pregnancy all over again, how she would need more food than she ever had before on the road.

“Is there anything else you want to get?” Merrill asked when they were done there.

Rhaella nodded, and went wordlessly towards the long staircase that led to her chambers. Merrill did not follow. She was grateful for that.

Her chambers were exactly as she had left them. That was the most eerie part of all. She was not the same woman she was the last time she slept here. Her bedroom should have reflected that. But everything was in its place - each pillow on the bed, each paper on her desk. She picked up her field journal, which she’d left behind in her haste to get to Kirkwall. Then she saw the one thing that was out of place. A letter in an envelope, right in the center of her desk.

Rhaella

It was Cullen’s handwriting.

D’you know what it sounded like when your precious Commander died?

Rhaella tucked the letter quickly into her bag. She couldn’t read it. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Merrill had distributed everything they gathered between Thistle and their other two horses by the time Rhaella returned. After a brief discussion, they agreed that they would keep both horses, using one for supplies and if one of their other mounts got tired.

“So where do we go now?” Merrill asked, her eyes shifting towards the tavern and then back to Rhaella.

“The Emerald Graves,” Rhaella said. “It has plenty of resources, plenty of places to hide, and it isn’t terribly far from here.”

“I have always wanted to see them,” Merrill said. “All those tombs of the elves who came before us, who fought for our people.”

Rhaella half wondered if the tombs had broken open when the Veil fell - if those elves had stepped out to a brave new world where their people had both won and lost.

She cast one glance back at Skyhold as they rode through its gate. The towers and battlements she’d come to know as home. It was lost to her now, like so many things were. Another ghost of her own, standing stark and sad against the blue mountain sky.

She took a deep breath and rode on.

They rode until nightfall, back down the same road they’d taken up the mountain, until Rhaella’s lower back ached so badly that they could not continue. She warmed damp cloths on a stone over the fire that Merrill built and then had Merill place them where it ached. She’d never wished so desperately for a bed in her life as she did in that moment, lying there on her side on the nest of blankets they’d arranged, unable to curl up into a ball or lie on her stomach, anything to relieve the pain.

“Warn me if it gets more intense,” Merrill said. “Sometimes that’s how it goes for women - the start of labor, that is.”

Rhaella felt a surge of panic and joy alike. Would tonight be the night she met her son, the person that made all of this worth it? The reason she continued putting one foot in front of the other on this road that had no real destination yet. At least not one she could see or count on. But the pain in her back did subside eventually. There was a new chill in the air by that point, a wind coming down off the mountains that made them both shiver. Rhaella looked to the saddlebags they’d removed from their pack horse, hoping for another blanket - and spied something familiar sticking out of one of the ones Merrill had packed. Red and fur-lined.

Cullen’s cloak.

She rose, went to it, pulled it out, half-hoping she was wrong. She wasn’t. She’d have known it anywhere, and of course Merrill would not have. She’d just seen something warm that might help them on their journey, and not another dagger aimed directly at Rhaella’s heart.

Merrill was a few paces away, standing watch since they didn’t want to risk setting wards. Rhaella went to her bag and pulled out the letter she’d found on her desk, the tears already rising in her throat, the guilt already swimming in her stomach. She found a tree that she could sit against, looking away from Merrill, and eased herself to the ground, cloak and letter clutched in one hand.

She read.

Rhaella,

I am never going to see you again.

That's the worst part of this. It isn't the pain or the screaming or the uncertainty. It's knowing I will never see your face or hear your voice again.

My hand is shaking. I hope you can read this if you find it. When you find it. I refuse to believe that you did not survive this. You and the baby - you have to survive. I have to believe this was all worth something, and if the two of you are still out there, it was.

You are the most incredible woman I have ever known, Rhaella. Your quiet strength - I know it will see you through. I have watched you move mountains and I know you will move them again and again.

(I hope this all makes sense. I was never good at words, and my hand is shaking, and everything hurts -)

I wish I could be there to see you move those mountains. To see your baby. The baby I thought of as ours no matter what. I understand that what we had was never going to be real. I am at peace with that. I would have given you everything nonetheless, Rhaella. You and the baby deserved that and I would have been whatever you needed me to be. If - if this isn't the end - if I can withstand this - if we are both alive - I will still give you everything. Not because I want you to wake up one day and love me. But because you deserve that as my friend.

Whatever happens - when you find this - I want you to know that I believe in you. I wish I had words good enough to express it. I don't. I believe in you the same way I believe in the Maker and his Bride. Maybe that is the closest I can come to explaining it. I believe in you, and if anyone can stop Solas, it is you.

If I die today, I die with nothing but faith and devotion in my heart. It was how I always wanted to go, Rhaella. It's okay. I am at peace.

Yours always,

Cullen

She was crying before she finished the third paragraph, of course. Deep, wracking sobs that hollowed out her chest, carved up her ribs, scratched up her throat. They were animal sounds. She wasn't sure how long they went on. It seemed there was no beginning or end to her grief as she thought of everything Sera said, how she'd sacrificed everything for a man who never really loved or deserved her. Were they both right? Was that really the source of her weakness? Had there been some final part of her strength locked behind a door with Solas's name written on it, where she hid all the memories that were good? Had that been the strength she would have needed that day in Kirkwall?

Rhaella cried into the folds of Cullen's cloak, her mind a maze of questions with no answers, and grieved.

Solas generally prided himself on being the master of his emotions. Controlling them, subduing them, and, when all else failed, simply hiding them away.

He did not bother hiding his frustration when he returned from his fight with the Evanuris.

He came into his Kirkwall base of operations and threw down the helm he'd been wearing, reveling in the loud sound of metal striking wood as it hit the table. Maybe if he did that over and over again he could drown out the sound of his failure - of half of the Evanuris's forces escaping into eluvians and shattering them as they left. He'd wanted to pull them out, root and stem, to be done with all of this, to focus on what came next - rebuilding, helping those that remained find peace and meaning in the new world he'd made. Helping himself find peace with what he'd done. Finding time to mourn the friends he had lost (sacrificed).

Mending things with Rhaella.

"We have not been able to trace them yet," Abelas said, calm and even, but with a hesitance that Solas noted at once.

"What else?" He barked. He'd tried not to be the kind of Commander who yelled unless it was truly what the situation warranted. Then again, he'd tried a lot of things. And yet here he was again, with nothing but ash and loneliness to show for it.

"Rhaella and Merrill are gone."

Abelas said it swiftly and calmly, with the precision of a surgeon making his first cut.

Solas felt the air leave the room.

He felt his power leach into the vacuum it left behind.

Raw mana, undirected, uncontained, filling up every object and person around him, lighting up the room with a blue glow, filling it with a subtle roar. He felt his advisors shield themselves in barriers, as if he would attack them. Perhaps he would. (He would not.)

Solas took a breath and drew his mana back in.

“When?”

“Not long after you did as far as we can tell,” Abelas said. Another surgeon’s cut.

“Together.”

“Presumably, yes.”

“Where?”

“Unknown. We have not been able to track them via traditional or arcane means, though perhaps you will have greater success with the latter. You know Rhaella better than any of us, after all.”

For a moment, Solas considered letting her go. It would be kinder in the long run. He’d told her that once, when he was a stronger man. But he still had dried blood under his fingernails, the screams of the dying in his ears. He still had unfinished business, and people who would seek to hurt Rhaella and his child.

(The child, the child, the child, he could hardly bring himself to think the word at first but now it was ringing through his mind like a struck bell, an endless echo. He might not get to meet his child if he could not find her, and perhaps that was what he deserved -)

He had to find her to protect her. To tell her one last time that he was sorry. If she went her own way then - if they went their own way then - he would just have to find a way to endure.

Var lath vir suledin, she had said to him the day he took the Anchor and her arm. Perhaps that was when she was a stronger woman. Perhaps he had broken them both.

“We leave for Skyhold at dawn,” he said. He turned on his heel and left. He had enough control, enough composure, not to spill his tears before them. He waited until he was in Rhaella’s room, surrounded by the smell of her, to do that.

He would endure, he told himself over and over again. He would endure. He simply wasn’t sure what it would cost.

#beach writes #beach does commissions #scharoux #rhaella lavellan #rhaella x solas #lost horizon #character death #angst #...like all the angst

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brrahbrrahcharacterimagines · 5 years

Text

Night Queen (The Night King x Reader)

MASTERLIST

Pairing: The Night King (Game of Thrones) x Reader

Word Count: 1210

Warnings: Death mention

A/N: I know the Night King is kinda out of character, but he doesn’t exactly talk in the show so I had to make do. @yetanotherlurker2 I tried my best!

You had lived north of the wall for as long as you could remember, a proud member of the free-folk. After spending your entire life free, you couldn’t even imagine a world of Lords and Ladies. A world where women such as yourself were treated as less than men.

You were actually born in the South. South of the wall, that is. Rumor had it that you were born into a high-ranking family, but you had your doubts. The leader of your group of free-folk had found you as a baby during a raid on a village, taking you in as his own. He had died years ago, but during his life you had thought of him like a father.

Today was a day like every other. You were trekking through the snow, trying to ignore the way that the cold seemed to burn your skin. The wind was blowing strong today, blowing the furs around your face and making it harder to see. It seemed colder than it had before, the same way it had for days. You swore that every time you went to sleep you woke up colder.

Something felt different about today though. Something in your bones told you something big was going to happen. At first you had tried to ignore the feeling. That was a mistake.

You heard them first, the tapping and creaking of their limbs alerting you. However, that alert came to late as you rounded the corner only to come face to face with a herd of them.

Wights.

You quickly drew your bow, quickly pulling an arrow out of your quiver to shoot at the creatures. The rest of your group began pulling out their weapons as well. You aimed at one creature, shooting it straight through the heart. At least, where its heart would have been.

It did nothing. You aimed for the head this time, hitting the creature straight through its left eye. This only seemed to make the creature angrier. It ran right towards you, so you turned heel and ran the other way. Unluckily for you, this led you straight into the middle of a horde. They looked angry.

“Help,” you cried to no response. The rest of the group had either been taken down already or had fled for their lives. This was the end for you. You saw the wights approaching you from all sides, grabbing another arrow to make a final stand.

You shot the arrow, and as it hit the skull of one of the wights they all stopped. You were shocked. Had you managed to kill it?

Your surprise was only heightened as they all turned, looking to an overpass to your right. You squinted, trying to make out what they were looking at. At first you saw only snow and haze, but the longer you looked you were able to make out the shapes of horses. You even thought you had seen riders.

The snow seemed to clear for a moment, revealing a man atop the center horse. You blamed the snow obscuring your vision, because he looked blue in your eyes. Surely this couldn’t actually be the case. His hand was raised in the air.

He must be their leader, you thought as he looked straight at you. His eyes seemed to bore into your soul, burning his image into your brain. The next thing you knew you were being lifted up by one of the creatures, and the world went dark.

You awoke some time later in a cave. Although the place was covered in snow, it felt warmer than it had outside. You sat up from where you had been laying, wavering as you stood on ground made of pure ice. How am I not freezing? You thought.

“You’re up,” you heard a voice say. You spun, almost too quickly as you slid slightly on the ice. As you turned you saw him, the same man you had seen up on the mountain. His voice was deep, and it sounded almost familiar.

“Who are you?” You asked, squinting your eyes at him.

“I have gone by many names,” he said. “Richard, Vladimir, and others. But you may know me as the Night King.” You couldn’t believe your ears.

“You’re real?” You questioned. “I thought that you were just a story.” You sighed. “But then again, I had thought that wights were mere stories until I saw them first hand. The murdered my father.”

If you weren’t as smart as you were, you might have even said that you saw regret in his eyes. His piercing, blue eyes. You had heard stories about men with blue eyes, the bright blue eyes of the dead. Yet for some reason you couldn’t help but stare into his eyes just a little longer. Something about them intrigued you.

“My apologies,” he said as he stood from the seat he had been sitting in. He was taller than he first looked, making you take a step back. He may be intriguing, but that didn’t make him less intimidating. “I won’t hurt you.” He revealed.

“Why not?”

He saw no point in lying to you; the truth would come out eventually.

“I have seen visions of you for hundreds of years,” he said. You felt your mouth open in shock. “We are going to unite out peoples.”

“What are you suggesting?” You asked. You had a gut feeling that you knew what he meant, but you still had to ask.

“We are to be joined forever” He said. You were right.

Despite the fact that this was obviously an unconventional situation, you still felt excitement rise in your stomach. Free-Folk did not marry in the same way that Southerners did, but some did pair off and remain exclusive.

Part of you was horrified. The Night King was no man. How would this even work? Yet another part of you rejoiced. Something in that part of you was tugging at your heart, trying to whisper to your mind that this was your destiny.

“But I am just a Wildling,” you retorted.

“Not just any Wildling.” He said as he took a few steps closer to you as he spoke. “You were born Y/N Tully. Stolen by enemies of your father as a child you were brought North, only for your captors to be killed by the Free-Folk.”

The rumors you have always heard were true. You are the member of a famous house south of the wall. Some part of you was not surprised. You took a few steps towards the Night King, looking up at him.

“If we are to be joined, then what will I be?”

“You will be my Night Queen,” he responded. You felt butterflies stir in a deep part of your soul. This was what you were born to do.

You reached out, grabbing one of his hands in yours. It was freezing, but somehow his touch was not unpleasant. He looked at you quizzically, and you made a mental note to teach him about human affection.

“Then you better show me around,” you told him, “my King.”

You thought you saw a hint of a smile on his lips, encouraging you. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

#the night king #night king x reader #the night king x reader #game of thrones #game of thrones x reader #game of thrones season 8

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telli1206 · 4 years

Text

The Wedding Date - Chapter 3

Snow White is getting married. Let the week-long festivities begin! Evie can’t wait to celebrate her sister’s upcoming nuptials. There’s only one little problem: she’s supposed to bring a date, and her mom's expecting a MALE date. Evie hasn't told her yet that she prefers girls (ok, she's afraid to tell her)! She’ll be damned if she lets Snow’s wedding be the moment that her mom finds out her secret and ruins Snow’s special day. So to avoid the issue, Evie convinces her friend Jay to join her and pose as her date/boyfriend to keep her mom off her back. That should be easy enough to fake for a week, right?

And it is, until two distractions show up. Namely, Mal and Carlos.

Chapter 1 on Tumblr is here

Chapter 2 on Tumblr is here

Also posted to AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/23281867

The Trail

Their trip ended quickly when the bus pulled up to a long stretch of beach, lined with horses of all different colors, saddled and ready to ride. The beach riding path is open and sunny, along smooth sands and calm waters. The beach eventually makes way to an open wooded trail, lined with trees and colorful foliage; a beautiful trail for a morning ride.

In that short drive Jay had fallen asleep on Evie’s shoulder, snoring loudly. When the bus finally comes to a complete stop, she leans over a little to make sure he’s asleep, then firmly flicks him in the nose with two fingers. Jay startles awake with a snort, wide eyes aimed at Evie, who is covering a giggle with her hand. He narrows his eyes at her but can’t hide his smirk, so he just nudges her to get up.

As they step off the bus, Evie’s eyes immediately flicker upward to the tied and saddled horses. She can’t stop the tiny shudder flaring up her spine at the sight of the tremendous animals. She grabs for Jay’s hand, giving it a tight squeeze when she feels his palm rest in hers.

“Still not a fan of horses, Princess?” He asks, in almost a teasing voice. He can’t hide his concern though, as he pulls on her hand and tilts his head to look at her. “Are you gonna be ok?”

Evie bites her lip, still gripping Jay as she stares pointedly at the brown and white spotted horse in front of her. She inhales sharply, and forces herself to loosen her hold on Jay.

“Yeah.” She breathes. “Snow loves horses. Always has. I can do this for her.” She turns to meet Jay’s eyes. “Besides, you won’t let me get hurt, right? My knight in shining armor,” she adds with a wink.

Jay unlinks from Evie and dips down in a bow, taking her hand in a gentlemanly kiss of her knuckles “But of course, Milady,” he drawls, in his most formal-sounding voice.

She bows her head with a giggle and swats his shoulder. “Thank you, Sir Jay,” she jokes. Still, when she sees the rest of the guests start to approach and mount the horses, she starts to stiffen again.

Jay straightens up and drapes an arm over Evie’s shoulder, walking her slowly towards the horses. They stand there for a moment so she can take a few deep breaths. Suddenly, an abruptly loud sigh behind her has her spinning on her heel.

Grimhilde approaches them, carefully pulling on red leather riding gloves, and Evie pushes back an eye roll at the spectacle. Her mom has a never ending need to be fashionably prepared for everything, but despite the occasion and need for comfort, she refuses to look like anything but a perfect lady. She used to force the same idea on Evie growing up, so she can’t even imagine how disappointed Grimhilde must be at the sight of her in tennis shoes right now.

“Darling,” Grimhilde pauses in front of Evie, eyes trailing her outfit from top to bottom. Evie’s frozen under her stare. Her face looks emotionless like always, but Evie’s in tune enough with her mom to know the criticism that’s about to follow.

“You can’t honestly still be afraid of horses, can you? I thought that was going to just stay a silly little childhood issue. When we grow up we mustn’t act so fearful, it’s not an attractive look.” She purses her lips as she brings her eyes back to her gloves, pulling and smoothing them over her fingers.

Evie huffs quietly, fisting her hands as she tries to respond in a calm voice. “Well mother, I think it might have something to do with that first riding lesson I took when I was eleven. When I stepped too close and Beauty fractured my foot? I was in a boot for six weeks.” She tries to gently unclench her jaw. “That’s not something you easily forget, when a large animal shatters your bones.”

Grimhilde walked up to the spotted horse closest to them, reaching out to stroke his side softly. “Please, dear. It was a tiny break. It was such a shame you insisted on ending your lessons, too. Horseback riding is a skill saved for true ladies and gentlemen.”

Before Evie can argue, Grimhilde waves a hand out to one of the employees helping with the guests. “Young man!” He turns her way. “If you would please?” She asks, gesturing up the horse to its back.

He runs a step stool over to her, offering her a hand as she steps up to the horse. She mounts easily with a smooth and quick swing of her legs, propping herself upright on the horse with a tight grip of the reins.

She tilts her head down slightly, opting to look at Jay instead of Evie. “I’m so glad she has such a strong man like you now, Jay. You’ll take care of my weak and timid little flower, won’t you?”

Evie crosses her arms across her chest, unable to hide the stern furrow in her brow. Her mother really knows how to get under her skin. But Jay just uses his arm on her shoulder to press Evie firmly against his side. “I’ve always got her, Ms. Grimhilde. But you should know, there’s nothing timid or weak about her. Her strength and determination are two of the things I love about her.” Jay smiles, looking only at Evie, ignoring Grimhilde’s gaze.

Grimhilde looks straight ahead for a moment, then closes her eyes with a small nod. “That’s good to hear, Jay, thank you. Please keep her safe on her horse then. I’ll be up ahead of the line with Snow and Christian, but I’m sure I’ll see you both at the picnic later.” She straightens her back and directs the horse ahead, leaving Evie and Jay alone.

“Thanks, Jay.” Evie smiles as she rests her head on his shoulder. “That was really sweet of you to say.”

“Of course, Eves. It’s all true anyway. Don’t let your mom think you’re anything but a badass, because she’s wrong. End of story,” Jay says with a grin.

Mal makes a sudden appearance in front of Jay and Evie, surprising them. “Hey! Ready to ride some horses?” She says with a big smile.

While she was only dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans with her high tops at breakfast, Evie notices that she must have added a purple and green leather vest before they left, which matches what Evie would have envisioned the brazen girl’s usual style to be like, more so than anything Evie has seen her in yet. Mal’s eyes flicker to Evie, offering a coy smile when she sees the girl’s eyes are already on her, and then walks up to a black horse next to them.

“Of course, your purpleness,” Jay said with a smirk. “Were you able to wake up the beauty queen?”

Mal turns back and gives Jay a sideways glance. “I don’t think I’d be standing here if I tried to leave without her, would I?” She chuckles.

Evie laughs and shakes her head. “Yeah, you really do know Audrey.”

Mal turns to Evie with a cunning smirk, and Evie can feel her heart flutter. Mal tilts her head back to gesture behind them. Evie and Jay turn to see Audrey getting on a horse, Chad boosting her up. Aurora and Phillip are near her, gracefully mounting two horses fluidly and with ease. Just by looking at them, you couldn’t deny they were skilled at this activity.

“I’m going back over there to ride with them. I haven’t spent much time with my Aunt and Uncle yet, and riding used to be one of the things we did together all the time when I was staying with them.” Mal turns her eyes down, humming quietly with a smile, lost in her thoughts for a moment. But she recovers quickly with a curl of her lips when she looks back up to Evie. “That’s not to say I love horseback riding, but I’m pretty good at it, so it can be a fun time.”

Jay is instantly distracted when he sees two people passing behind Mal, and the black and white curls that he’s become acutely aware of for the past two days come into view. Carlos and Doug are approaching two horses, getting ready to mount them. While Doug flips a leg over easily, Jay notices Carlos struggling. Looking at Mal and Evie still smiling at each other gives him an idea.

“So, you’re a good rider Mal?” Jay says, eyeing her.

She scoffs. “Yeah Jay. Are you a good listener? Because I think that’s what I just said,” She keeps a smile on her lips as she glances at him, conveying her teasing sarcasm.

Jay snickers and nods his head “Touche.” He points to Evie and places the hand once on her shoulder on top of her head. “I’m only making sure because this lovely lady of mine is anxious about riding right now. She’s never had much luck with horses.” He lets his eyes drift behind Mal to make sure Carlos isn’t on his horse yet, then looks back to her. “Do you think you could get her up and show how to sit and hold the reins right? Maybe give her a few tips for the ride.”

Jay could almost roll his eyes when he sees both girls glow with wide eyes at his suggestion. These lovesick chicks make it too easy. “Sure thing,” Mal replies. “But why aren’t you helping?”

“I...have to take care of one thing. I’ll be right back though, so we can hit the trail together ok?” He turns his head to Evie with a reassuring nod.

Evie has no doubt what that one thing could be, and she’s eager to have more time with Mal anyway so she shakes her head at him, a little too eagerly. When she sees Mal looking she stops, then looks right at Jay with a smile. “Absolutely, babe. See you in a minute.” She leans forward for a tiny peck before Jay drops his arm and walks away quickly, straight past Mal.

Mal spins her head to sneak a glance to where Jay is headed. Evie shakily stutters, trying to direct Mal’s attention back to her.

“S-s-s-so, do y-you think you can help me on this...thing?” Evie grits her teeth, approaching a black and white spotted horse tied up next to Mal’s. Mal whips her head back to Evie, quirking a smile at her as she walks closer. Evie feels herself tense as Mal steps in front of her. She shivers at Mal’s arm brushing against the small of her back, her palm then resting there firmly. She pushes on Evie gently, giving her a warm smile before the force turns Evie toward the horse.

“Ok, you know how to mount right?” Mal asks. Evie keeps her mouth shut tightly but nods. “Great. Put your foot up then. I’m just going to give you a little hand.” Evie follows Mal’s instruction mechanically, her brain still registering the warm hand touching her. Mal pulls it back to let Evie mount, but her focus is not on her foot in the stirrup and it slips out, causing her to stumble back, arching her spine and waving her arms for balance. Mal grips a hand on her shoulder while the other grabs Evie’s arm, steadying her. “Ok, whoa! Hold on.” She pulls Evie back and waits for her to settle back onto her feet. “Are you ok?” Evie stands back upright, exhaling deeply.

“I’m fine, sorry about that. I swear I can do this,” she replies, laughing lightly. On her second attempt her foot connects with the stirrup, and she reaches up to grip the saddle as she swings her leg over. She feels Mal’s palm touch her side as she lifts off the ground and she smiles to herself, the tiny act making her feel calmer and safe.

"There it is!” Mal cries, a little too loudly. A few guests turn to look her way, and she ducks her head quickly, a little embarrassed at the outburst. “Uh, good job Evie. I knew you could do it.” Her praise elicits a wide smile from Evie, and Mal tips her head back up to smile back. “Let me just, get on my horse now, and I can give you a few tips while we wait for the ride to start.”

-----

Jay walks quickly towards Carlos, watching as he stumbles off the stirrup for the third time. He’s dressed very simply today in a fitted red t-shirt and jeans with black and white high tops, but Jay had barely taken notice of anything except how fucking great those jeans fit him. His resolve is extremely low at the moment because of that little detail that’s clouding his mind.

Once he sees Doug successfully mount his horse and turn away briefly to talk to another guest, he knows he has the perfect opportunity. Jay comes up quietly and gets close behind Carlos, tucking his head in next to his ear. “Need a helping hand?” He whispers.

Carlos yelps, jolting forward in surprise. He turns around abruptly with his hands out and eyes blown wide open, but drops his hands and sighs loudly when he sees Jay.

“Jay!, You almost gave me a heart attack!” He says, clutching at his chest.

Jay snickers and offers a small shrug. “I’m sorry, Carlos. I just couldn’t resist.” Carlos just shakes his head, finally letting a tiny smile turn on his lips. Jay feels his heart thump in his chest. The pure excitement from simple interactions with Carlos was enough to get him racing, but every time he makesCarlos smile it feels like the most intense and exciting adrenaline rush. It was enough to make Jay crave that feeling all the time.

“So, how about that helping hand? I think one good swing and we can get you up there,” he says, waving at the horse’s saddle.

Carlos smiles shyly and nods, eyes pointing to the ground. “That would be great, thanks.” He looks back up at Jay through thick, dark lashes. Crap, he really hopes Carlos can’t hear him swallowing the huge lump in his throat.

“Alright, just put one hand on the saddle here while you put your foot in the stirrup. That should give you enough leverage to swing the other one up and over,” Jay explains, gently grabbing Carlos’ wrist to direct him to the saddle. He keeps one hand steady on the horse’s upper body as Carlos places his foot in the stirrup. Carlos’ small frame is easily blocked from view with Jay standing in front of him, and as Carlos lifts and starts to swing, Jay swiftly reaches up to palm a wonderfully firm backside and hoist it onto the seat. While he manages a little squeeze, his hand shoots back down in less than a second, leaving Carlos on the saddle looking speechless, mouth hanging open.

“See? Easy peasy.” Jay smiles, trying to keep his action from being plastered all over his face in joy. He can feel his own face burning now, a searing combination of embarrassment and excitement taking over the colors of his face.

Carlos looks down at him, silent, and Jay can see there's a pink creeping up his face too. As enjoyable as Carlos’ blush is to Jay, he does feel a tinge of regret for upsetting the boy because he can’t keep his own urges under control.

“Um, is everything ok here?” Doug questions. He’s trotting his horse up next to Carlos while boring his eyes down at Jay.

“Yeah man, we’re fine. You can chill,” Jay says, staring back at Doug and refusing to avert his eyes. He knows he's failing at hiding his irritation, but he’s not sure he even cares. Doug should really just mind his own business.

But Doug doesn’t really seem to care what Jay has to say. He lets out a contemptuous snort, then pulls his eyes away from Jay and turns to Carlos, who still looks visibly stunned. “C? You ok? Did he do something?”

Jay balls his hands into fists, digging his nails deeply into his palms. He bites his lip in anticipation, fearful of what Carlos will say. Did he go too far? Probably, especially if Carlos doesn’t feel the same. He can feel his heart drop into his stomach. He’s not prepared for this to be the last time he flirts with Carlos.

“N-no.” Carlos squeaks, barely audible. “I’m fine. This damn horse was just such a pain to mount. Jay stopped by to offer a helping hand,” he tells Doug, with a quiet, breathy laugh.

Jay’s mouth dropped open in shock. Carlos didn’t tell Doug what he did? He looks up at Carlos, who’s offering a small smile to him. Jay sighs and hints a smile back, dropping his shoulders and relaxing.

"Ok, fine. I guess that’s nice of him,” Doug sneers. “But Jay, I bet your girlfriend could use some help? Probably a good idea not to keep her waiting.”

“Thanks, Doug.” Jay replies through partly clenched teeth. He keeps smiling at Carlos, refusing to acknowledge Doug. “I’ll see you on the ride.”

He turns back to walk to Evie, his chest feeling like it might burst. Carlos hadn’t ratted him out to Doug, and he even smiled after covering for him. That has to mean Carlos is at least a little interested in him, doesn’t it? Jay hasn’t felt this hopeful since first laying eyes on the beautiful freckled boy. He resists the urge to skip back to Evie, eagerly anticipating what the rest of this day might bring.

-----

“Princess...I don’t want to push you, but do you think we could maybe go a little faster? I’d have better luck walking.”

Evie’s whole body is stiff. Her hands are limp and unmoving, with the horse’s reins laced between her fingers. She’s not coaxing or encouraging her horse to move, so he just barely walks along the path, even stopping occasionally to graze on the tiny shoots of grass that pop up along the beach path. The tight, toothy smile on her face is obviously fake to Jay, just trying to hide her fear of the dangerous animal she’s currently perched upon.

Jay watches the last couple of guests trot past them and sighs. Evie’s horse has stopped to graze again, and they’re going nowhere. “Didn’t Mal give you some riding tips? I thought she was going to help you out.”

“She diiiid, but I’m still nervous!” Evie groans. “What if I fall off and he tramples me, Jay? Those hooves hurt, trust me on that!”

Jay inches his horse closer to Evie and places a hand on her saddle, leaning into her. “C’mon Eves, don’t you trust Mal? She told you herself she’s a good rider. Just give it a try. And I’m right here with you if anything goes wrong.” He pats her horse gently and then pushes himself off, giving her a little room.

Evie sucks in a deep breath, and closes her eyes as she exhales. She lets her body relax as she lifts the reins and pulls back on them lightly, squeezing the horse with her calves at the same time. “Go.” She says in a firm voice, and the horse immediately breaks into a trot. Jay smiles happily as he urges his horse to follow.

“That’s my girl!” Jay exclaims. “Mal definitely taught you some moves. I’m guessing your time together went well today, huh?” He asks with an arched eyebrow.

Evie steals a look his way, biting her lip. Thinking back to every moment with Mal so far can always bring a smile to her face, and Jay leans forward when he notices her happy glow. “Damn, that well? Nice going, Eves!” He grins and flashes a thumbs up at her.

Evie just shakes her head, suppressing a giggle. “It’s not like that. It’s not like anything special happened. We just talked, and she helped me on my horse.” She looks up at him, expression turning serious. “She’s just...amazing, Jay. She’s beautiful, obviously, and so, so witty and smart. She’s got such a personality too, so bold and outspoken. At the same time, she was really gentle and kind with me today, trying to help me get on the horse and ride. And she was really excited for me when she saw me facing my fear. It was so sweet. She’s amazing.”

“If I were to guess, I’d say you were amazed by her, Princess,” Jay replies, snorting with laughter.

“Hilarious,” she drawls, rolling her eyes. “Ok, I get it. I know I’m not being so articulate. She flusters me Jay. I can’t help it. And you know what? That really worries me. My mom’s going to see through me in no time.” She looks ahead to the trail and cranes her neck, trying to spot her mom or sister. Despite not seeing them nearby, she still lowers her voice. “This weekend will end in disaster if my mom so much as gets the idea in her head that I might be into girls,” she whispers towards Jay.

Jay shakes his head at her. “I think you're giving your mom a lot more credit that she deserves for being observant, Eves. Unless it’s about her, does she really notice anything?” Evie pauses to think, eventually nodding in agreement to Jay’s point. “Listen, I get why you’re doing this, the pretending with me. To avoid the drama with your mom, for the sake of your sister and her wedding,” Jay says with an exasperated huff. “But you need to stop worrying about making other people happy and remember that you deserve to be happy too, ok? Don’t let the best girl you’ve ever met slip through your fingers because you’re worried about your mom.”

Evie shrugs sadly. “It wouldn’t be the first time I let someone go because I was worried about her approval,” she mumbles. “But you’re right. I’ll keep spending time with Mal. I only have this week to really see if there’s something there, so I’m not wasting it.”

“That’s the spirit!” Jay practically shouts, making Evie almost jump off her horse. She shushes him and smiles, shaking her head.

“Forget about me for me, and tell me what happened with Carlos back there? Did you talk to him more? I remember someone telling me they would stop flirting and just focus on talking if I needed them to...” she says, narrowing her eyes a little as she looks at Jay.

Jay drops his head away from Evie’s prying eyes, silently chewing his bottom lip. He curls his fingers instinctively, as if he thinks Evie can guess what they last touched just by looking at them. He finally sheepishly meets her gaze, unable to hide the guilt on his face.

“Jayyyyyy!”

“In my defense, have you seen him? It’s not like he makes it easy to keep my cool.” Evie keeps her eyes locked on Jay. “Eves, he’s got, like, the fucking DEFINITION of bedroom eyes, ok? And lips that were made for kissing. And don’t get me started on that tight ass of his..:” he commented in a lowered voice.

Evie’s eyes are now blown wide with shock, mouth hanging open. “Tight ass? Jay, tell me you did NOT…”

Jay turns away quickly, rubbing his neck with one hand. “I’m weak Eves. I’m sorry.”

“Oh God, what happened?” Evie definitely couldn’t hide the worry now. “How obvious were you? Fucking hell, Jay!” Fear slowly creeps up into her. Now she can’t shake the idea that he might have been caught by someone at the wedding.

“Calm down Princess, Carlos almost didn’t even notice that I did it, I was discreet. But I may have gotten a handful when I helped him on his horse,” he says, a smile curling on his lips at the memory.

“Well great for you, but what if someone saw you? My mom knows everyone here, it could still get back to her if you were caught,” Evie replies with a frown.

Jay winces, realizing he may have been rash with his actions. “Dammit, I didn’t think of that. I’m sorry. I promise though, no one saw me, I’m positive. Shit, I swear I’ll be more careful.”

Evie rubs her face with one hand, but instantly regrets the move, grabbing the reins tightly again. “More careful, how? Please tell me you’re not going to try anything else with Carlos. What happened to talking to him, getting to know him better?”

“I still want that..” Jay paused, trying to choose his words. “...but I can’t fight the tingle.”

Evie just stares at him, utterly confused. “The tingle?”

“You know, that fiery feeling. That urge...to touch someone you’re attracted to. It’s not just about sex. I swear, Evie!” He adds, responding to the quirk of her eyebrows. “You just, you feel that you need to have that contact with them, so you can feel that they’re real. For yourself, because you almost can’t believe it.” He looks down at his hands, flexing his fingers and examining his palms.

“Wow.” Evie breathes, stunned by his words. “Jay, that’s almost poetic. Romantic even.”

“Really? Thanks,” Jay says, smiling warmly at her. But a flicker in his eyes suddenly turns the smile into something eerily smarmy. “Does that mean you wouldn’t object to me getting some action? Maybe I can entice Carlos into our room for a little makeout sesh...or even some over the clothes activities,” he suggests with a shimmy of his shoulders.

“And there’s the old horny-as-fuck Jay we all know and love. Welcome back.” Evie says, tilting her head at him with an overstated eyeroll.

“So, I take it that’s a no then?” He pouts out his lip at her, doing his best to look pathetic.

“What do you think?” Evie huffs. “Do you really think no one would notice if you took someone else besides me into our room? C’mon Jay, be serious. Don’t you think I’d be doing the same with Mal if I thought I could get away with it? We’re NOT taking that risk. You know better.”

“Fine, little Fun-sucker,” he teases, giving Evie a little smile.

“Whatever.” Evie sits in silence for a moment, thinking. “Don’t you think, if you don’t let your dick get in the way, you might discover that you actually really like him?” Evie asks, glancing at Jay. “I think you should give Carlos, and yourself, the chance you really deserve, to see if there’s potential. For a REAL relationship. Maybe, just maybe, Jay, he’ll be the one that makes you drop those awful pickup lines and gets you to finally ask someone out like a real gentleman.”

Jay sighs and turns to her. “Yeah, I know Eves, ok? I’ll try, but no promises. You know this is totally not, my, you know...comfort zone.” Evie smiles, nodding slowly in agreement.

He looks ahead on the trail, then gestures to Evie. “Now that you’ve successfully cockblocked me, do you think we can try to catch up? I can barely see anyone else, they’re probably already into the woods by now.”

Evie brightens, flashing a smile at Jay. “Oh! I can do this! I’ve seen this plenty of times in movies. Watch!” She dips forward in her saddle, almost into a racing stance and squeezes her legs again while she whips the reins.

Jay’s heart drops. He can already see what’s about to happen and it’s too late to stop it. “No, Evie, wait! Don’t -- ”

“Go!”

A sudden jolt forward throws Evie back into the saddle, slamming her butt down hard. She squeals in surprise, her eyes snapping shut when she registers the pain. They fly back open quickly when her body starts bouncing rapidly. The beach scenery is zooming past her, and she can faintly hear yelling behind her. The wind whipping in her face is making it almost impossible to hear anything but her own heart pounding.

She looks around for Jay, only then realizing he must be the one yelling. She’s coming upon the rest of the guests quickly, and she tenses when she sees all the horses blocking her way. Her horse veers off, and she catches her breath as she feels the bump of the uneven earth when the horse leaves the smoothness of the trail and clambers into the woods.

She feels the close brush of shoulders and hair as she whips past, which urges her to find her voice and start screaming. But her sounds are taken so quickly in the rush of air as they fly through the woods. She can see and feel branches and leaves tearing through her hair and whipping at her face. She’s too paralyzed with fear to try any other commands, so she just grips the reins as tightly as she can, closing her eyes again and silently wishing for Jay to get to her already.

-----

“Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck fuck fu--EVIE!”

Jay whips the reins on his horse, breaking into a gallop as fast as he can after Evie. He knew immediately when she started leaning forward into race mode this wasn’t going to end well.

Her horse took off like a shot. Jay barely had time to understand what was happening before she was already halfway down the beach, about to overtake the other guests.

Jay’s a decent rider, but he’s never had to race a horse before, and now he’s frantic to get his to move faster so he can catch the black spotted one pulling away from him, his friend perched on top frozen in panic.

When he hears her scream his heart only races faster, and he jams his calves against his horse’s sides to coax out more speed. When he approaches the largest crowd of riders he spies a flash of purple, and in a desperate effort shouts to her. “Help! That’s Evie!” He speeds past the group, hearing someone (Audrey?) shout, “Go! You’re faster!” He breathes a tiny sigh of relief when he hears another set of hooves coming up behind him.

Mal flies by him at lightning speed, closing in quickly on Evie. In a few seconds she’s already close enough to reach for her reins. Jay focuses on getting to them to help, but in an instant he’s upon them, Mal having already calmed Evie’s horse down to a trot. He hears Mal speaking slowly in a calm voice to soothe the animal as it slows its stride.

“It’s ok girl, you’re ok. That’s a good girl,” Mal coos, petting the horse’s mane once she brings it to a full stop. Her eyes shoot up to Evie when she hears a tiny hiccup. Mal stares, brows furrowed in concern, when she sees the girl’s eyes wide and brimming with tears, a look of sheer terror fixed on her face.

Uncertain of what to do, Mal chooses to continue her coos, but instead directs them at Evie, trying to soothe her too. “It’s ok, you’re ok.” She reaches forward to place a hand over Evie’s, shocking her back to life. She looks down at her covered hand, quiet and observing. When she looks back up to Mal, her lips turn lightly into the beginnings of a smile.

“That’s a good girl,” Mal coos again to Evie. She bursts out into giggles, and soon Mal joins her, neither breaking eye contact with the other.

Jay watches the entire rescue with a wide grin, the fear ebbing away to warmth at Evie’s current joyful state.

“Mal, you weren’t kidding about being a good rider. Damn,” Jay comments, offering her a high five. “You’re probably the best I’ve seen.Thanks for saving our Princess here, she really had me worried.” He looks to Evie with a tinge of sadness in his smile.

“You’re too sweet, babe, but I’m fine.” She says, reaching her free hand out to clasp onto his for a brief second, her other hand still underneath Mal’s. “But yes, thank you Mal. You saved my life.”

“It’s nothing, no big deal,” Mal dismisses the praise with a wave of her arm. “I’m just glad you’re ok. Now, are you NOT going to take off anymore like you’re in some wild west movie? Or do I have to escort you back to the picnic to make sure you stay safe?”

Seeing the rest of the group approaching them now, Jay gets an idea.

“Actually, Miss Purple, I think it would be a great idea if you could escort her back.”

Both girls gape at Jay, mouths hanging open. “I-I’m sorry?” Evie asks, utterly confused.

“Princess, this is not your sport, ok? You are so lucky you didn’t get seriously hurt just now. I think you’ve had enough for today.” He tilts his head and touches her shoulder reassuringly. “Mal’s a fucking awesome rider. If she’s ok with taking you back, she can make sure you’re safe and hopefully give you some advice on your...technique,” he chuckles.

Evie sighs, shrugging her shoulders in defeat. “I guess you’re right. It’s probably better I go back anyway, I think I’m still shaky,” she stretches a hand out in front of her, noting the tiny tremors that are still visible. “If Mal doesn’t mind, I’m all for it.”

Mal nods, leaning forward to reach for Evie’s reins, helping to turn her horse around. “Sure thing. I wouldn’t want the Princess to get into any more trouble,” she adds with a wicked grin as they start a slow pace back down the path.

-----

Jay waves as Evie and Mal head back to the picnic. The guests start closing in on his location along the trail, and he can see Snow’s confused eyes looking up to him as they approach. Her mouth hangs open, still a little stunned at what she had witnessed. Christian sees her distress and addresses Jay for her.

“Everything ok? Evie’s good?”

“Yeah, little hiccup. Princess thought it’d be a good idea to try to race. Don’t think she had any idea she could go that fast.” He says with a loud snort and a smile. “She’s fine though. A little freaked, so Mal offered to take her back for a little rest.”

Snow visibly relaxes, sinking her shoulders and offers Jay a pleased smile. “Thank goodness. Thank you Jay. Were you going to file in line and join us for the rest of the ride?”

He nods, craning his neck to act like he’s casually looking for an opening. His smile spreads wide at the white curls he’d hoped to find, immediately turning his horse into line next to the cute freckled boy who’s already flashing him a bright smile.

“Jay!” Carlos chirps. He startles at his own high-pitched enthusiasm, and tries clearing his throat. “I’m glad you and Evie are ok. Everyone saw what happened.”

A genuine look of relief reflects through his dark brown eyes as he surveys Jay. Jay returns the looks with a sincere smile. He can’t ignore the stirring feelings pooling in his stomach when he’s with Carlos, and in his mind he silently thanks Evie for convincing him to keep his raging hormones in check and give himself the chance to learn more about the boy.

A head pokes out from behind Carlos, with the same discerning glare that’s been glued to Jay for days. He resists the urge to curl his lips in anger at the sight.

“Yeah, really glad she’s ok, man. I’m glad you and Mal got back to her in time.” Doug looks back to the route Mal and Evie just took. “So tell me, why is Mal taking her back? Seems to me that should be her boyfriend’s job, right?”

“That’s what she wanted Doug. What do you want me to tell you?” Jay says with a shrug. “I think she didn’t want to spoil my fun.” He avoids Doug’s eyes, instead turning to Carlos with a wink. Carlos smiles coyly, but then turns away, keeping his eyes along the trail.

Jay hears Doug huff and can’t resist a little smirk. This little game with Doug is becoming deliciously satisfying to him.

The group starts to circle back around to make the trek back to the beach for the picnic, and there’s a comfortable silence for a few minutes as everyone situates themselves to the new route. Once steadily moving, Jay casts a side glance to Carlos, mouth feeling a little dry as he attempts normal conversation. At least, normal to everyone else. Communication without flirty comments or pickup lines are not considered the norm for anyone that knows Jay.

“So, Doug. You’re still studying architecture, right?” Doug perks an eyebrow at his question, but nods his head. “How’s school going?”

“Good…” He answers slowly. His look is quizzical, not trusting where Jay is going with this. But he decides to continue. “Midterms were a bitch, but I actually think my finals won’t be too bad. I just need to make sure my final building project is submitted on time, but I’m in a good place.”

“That’s great to hear, man. Glad things are going well.” He turns to Carlos, resisting the urge to trace along his smattering of freckles with his eyes. “So, Carlos. What are you in school for?”

Carlos visibly perks at the question, his eyes glowing bright with excitement. Wow, is he this geeked just because I asked about school? Jay doubts he’s ever seen anyone get so excited when being asked about their education. His reaction is damn adorable, so Jay doubts he’d forget ever seeing something like that. Cool it, Jay. Focus on talking.

“I’m studying to become a veterinarian.” He says with a big smile. “So right now I’m finishing up my Bachelor’s Degree in biological science. Once I graduate I’ll be getting my Doctorate in veterinary medicine.”

“Finishing your degree?” Jay was a little taken aback. Carlos seemed to be slightly younger than he and Doug, by maybe a couple of years or so.

“Yeah, Carlos is wicked smart,” Doug tells him. “He graduated high school at sixteen.”

“Wow.” Jays stares, obviously impressed. “And you’re an animal lover then? I mean, obviously, right? You can’t be a vet and not care about animals, can you?”

Carlos giggles at him, causing the cutest nose wrinkle. “I mean, you probably can, but that’s not me. I love animals. In fact, someday I hope to open my own veterinary clinic.”

Jay has never seen Carlos so bright and happy, and he loves it. He leans forward to give him a light pat on the knee. “That’s great Carlos! Helping animals like that is noble. You’re a really impressive guy.”

Carlos drops his eyes down as his beautiful pink flush dusts his cheeks. This time Jay is proud of the flush, because his honest opinion of Carlos is what caused it. Carlos impresses Jay more and more every time they talk.

The path opens back up to the beach, and they can see the torch lights and blankets already laid out, pink petals strewn across cloud blue blankets, with a few pink peonies settled in the center of each.

The guests all start to slowly shuffle their way to the rows of fencing where the horses were originally tied, white suited attendants patiently waiting to help secure the harnesses properly for each horse.

As they approach their original destination, Doug turns to show Jay a tiny sneer. “Well thanks for the company Jay, but I’m sure your girlfriend could use some help. Jay flinches and sneers back. Doug’s favorite word must be girlfriend now, he’s spat it at him enough for Jay to wonder if he knows any others.

Jay waves Doug a way, holding back his look of disgust.“Dude, she’s been back, remember? I’m about to go check on her, but I doubt she needs my help. Mal’s got the horse thing covered way better than I could.”

Doug rolls his eyes as he swings his legs to dismount. Jay just takes a flying leap down and sticks his landing perfectly.

He rushes over to Carlos, who’s dropping his legs over to one side already and waving around his foot to try to locate the stirrup. “Need some help?” He purrs, touching a light hand to Carlos’ side.

Jay pulls back when he feels Carlos stiffen under his touch. He twists back onto the horse, sitting for a moment, his face now impossibly red.

“N-no. I’m ok. I probably shouldn’t be getting another helping hand.” Jay can’t hide the instant look of disappointment on his face. “Doug’s right, you should probably be checking on Evie. Your girlfriend needs you.”

Carlos dips his head silently, then returns to his dismount. Jay watches him, reaching up a hand to rub at the back of his neck.

“I...guess you’re right. I’ll go find her. I’ll see you at the picnic though?” Jay steps back a little as Carlos finally lands on the ground. When he looks up he sees how close he landed to Jay, their chests only inches apart. His eyes widen in surprise but he doesn’t step back. He quietly nods to Jay, locked into his eyes until a hand grabs Carlos by the arm and pulls him.

“Yeah, see you later Jay.” Doug snorts at him, dragging Carlos along, who offers Jay a final glance and smile before taking Doug’s lead. Jay sighs dejectedly while watching them go, then marches off to find Evie.

——-

“Ok Princess, we’re almost back. Let’s try one more command,” Mal says with a grin.

Evie smiles proudly and nods at her. They’ve been practicing the entire trip back, and she’s surprisingly happy with how much easier riding a horse has become to her in just a few short minutes. Her fear has quickly faded underneath an eagerness to succeed at each new command. It might be partly to savor the impressed looks that Mal’s been throwing her way, but she’s not caring to understand the reasons for now, only focusing on each new lesson as they’re given.

“So, start to tighten your entire body. No, no, don’t squeeze anything,” Mals says as she sees Evie press her legs together. “The point is the horse not feeling you respond to its movements, which starts to signal to him that you don’t want him to move.”

Evie tries what Mal says and notices the horse starting to slow. She can’t resist widening her smile. “It’s working! I’m doing it!”

Mal nods, smiling brightly. “Yeah, you’re doing great.” She looks up to see how close they are to the horse drop off. “...ok, it looks like we’re about ready to stop. Now, I want you to firmly hold the reins, pulling back as you say ‘whoa’ to him. Keep your upper body straight, the only movement he should feel is the reins.”

Evie does as she’s told. “Whoa!” She states firmly and pulls the reins, marvelling at how quickly the horse comes to a halt. She can’t break from her wide toothy smile, and she looks at Mal flushed and beaming with pride.

“I did it! I can’t believe it. I rode a horse today. And I don’t feel freaked out or afraid! Well except maybe for that minute I thought I was going to fly off and get trampled, but now I feel great! This was actually fun” Mal shakes her head at Evie’s rambling, smiling to herself as she jumps off her own horse, grabbing the reins to give to a waiting attendant.

Mal then walks up to Evie’s horse and takes the reins from her hands, giving them to another attendant to hold. She looks back up to Evie with a warm smile, offering her hand. Evie can feel her face burning. She’s sure her flush is now dark red as she accepts Mal’s hand, turning herself on her horse and sliding off to jump down. Mal’s other hand shoots up to her waist as she descends, steadying her to land on her feet. Evie and Mal stare at each other for what feels like minutes, Evie’s enthusiasm gradually softening to admiration as she looks into Mal’s beautiful green eyes.

She shakes out of it when she squeezes her hand and feels Mal squeeze back. She pulls back quickly, dropping her hand to her side with an embarrassed chuckle. “Let’s...go see if we can find a good place to sit for the picnic,” she says, pointing at the blankets laid out on the beach.

They walk slowly, side by side, stealing glances at each other. “You know, you’re a great instructor.” Evie offers through a sideways look. “Have you ever considered teaching? You have the patience for it.”

Mal scoffs at the suggestion. “No one’s ever told me I’m patient before.”

“Well, I never felt rushed. And you never made me feel like you were frustrated either. Which is amazing because I’m a FREAK when it comes to horses.” They both burst out laughing. “I’m serious though,” Evie comments as their laughter dies down. “I’m not easy to teach, and you were great. You have real talent as a teacher.”

“Thanks,” Mal says, her smile warm and appreciative. “I have thought about it, but not with horseback riding, actually. That’s really just a skill I picked up, not a passion of mine. I spent a lot of time with my Aunt Rory and Uncle Phil growing up, so they occupied my time with riding. Audrey loves it, so they were hoping we might bond over it.” She giggles a little at the idea. “We actually did, if I’m being honest. Even though I’m better than her at it, she still feels like she can brag to others. She says she taught me everything I know. And as long as she has bragging rights, you know she’s happy.” The girls laugh and nod to each other. Both understand Audrey’s drive to be or have the best of everything.

Mal purses her lips in thought. “I think, if I were to teach anything, it would be art, but I’m not sure I’d be good at it. I think I’m much better at creating my own with that then trying to explain to others how to do it,” she comments, chuckling to herself.

“Well I bet you could teach art. I haven’t seen any of your work yet, but I’m sure you’re good.” Evie smirks, not meeting Mal’s gaze.

Mal perks an eyebrow, “Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?”

“At breakfast, I could see the passion in your eyes when you were buried in your sketchbook. You were really absorbed in your work. People who are that intense about their art are always ridiculously talented.” Evie finally turns to look Mal’s way, surprised to see a light flush on her cheeks. “Besides,” she adds, “anyone actually considering teaching art must really love it.” Mal nods at that, a small snicker escaping her lips.

“Well I’m not sure that would make me a good artist or teacher, but I’ll let you see some of my art soon enough. Then you can tell me if you were right to give me such high praise already.”

“I’d love that,” Evie replies with breathy excitement. “But I already know I’m not wrong.”

Mal smiles and tips her head down as they walk, leaning to bump into Evie’s shoulder. She stumbles with a giggle, bumping Mal back even harder, and she jerks her head up in surprise at Evie’s strength.

Suddenly, a high-pitched squeal has both girls shooting their gaze forward.

”Evie!!” They spot a colorful girl running towards them, with auburn curls piled high and arms outstretched. She squeals once more right before she pounces on the blue-haired girl.

Evie oomphs as the wind is knocked out of her, feeling tiny arms gripping her tightly just above her waist. She smiles as she pats the auburn hair, then leans forward to wrap her arms around the small girls back, encasing her in an awkward hug.

“My Dizzy,” she coos, planting a soft kiss to the top of her head.

#jaylos #malvie #descendants #descendants au #wedding au #mal descendants #evie descendants #jay descendants #carlos descendants

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antevalia · 4 years

Text

poison ivy | act: one

➳ Summary: He thought he was done for, after attempting to chase down a suspect in his investigation, a mercenary ends up getting trapped the dead weight of his horse in the depths of the forest. Fearing for his life when the unknown suspect returns back to tie up loose ends, an unexpected savior comes to his rescue. However, he might find himself having to make a tough decision between his flame, his coin, and the good of the people.

➳ Word Count: 1.9k+

➳ Rating: Teen

Thick leaves and branches whipped and slapped, cutting at his cheeks and his exposed arms. He’d know he’d come to feel the effects of this endeavor once it was all over and the excitement of the chase wore off. Yet he was almost upon them! Swiftly, the young hunter chased after the cloaked rider on horseback, leaping and crashing through the thick forest. One would have already abandoned their horse after being taken off the beaten path and lured deep into the woods like this. It was so thick with moss and nature, there was hardly any place for walking or trotting without a struggle. Yet, for the bounty hunter, there was no time to waste. Almost within range, the hunter took arm with his dagger. If he could get close enough, he’d throw the lousy mongrel from his horse and from there it was easy pickings. If he could. The cloaked figure was only in range for mere seconds before turning and vanishing into the thickness of the forest yet again. On and on this went until the two were back on a clear dirt path again leading straight ahead. With a clear path, the hunter grabbed a rope from his hip, swinging it to his side. Steadying himself he raised the rope and just as he swung it forward, the cloaked figure jerked his horse to the side and in one quick moment the hunter’s horse found itself entangled and suddenly tumbling down a muddy and rugged hill, it’s rider tumbling with it. Feet firmly clasped in their hatch, the hunter’s leg twisted and turned, his side and back colliding with the dense mud and stone before being launched in the air, then back down again. Twigs poked at him like dull swords and his knees began to tear and crumble. Out of breath, the hunter choked on his screams, mud slammed against his face as he slid and only came to a stop once a tree stump blocked his path.

Groaning and writhing, the hunter looked hesitantly looked down, fearing the worst. His knees were bruised and bloody, a twig of sorts lodged into his calf, and his right leg had almost entirely been trapped under his horse. The pressure was agonizing and even more so when he began to struggle to remove himself. He muttered a curse and laid back with a grunt in defeat, but sat up almost immediately once he heard rustling in the distance that seemed to draw nearer by the second. Grunting, the hunter frantically searched around him for his knife, his dagger, his bow, anything to defend himself from what he assumed might be wolves coming to tear him limb from limb. To his surprise, what emerged was no wolf but rather a figure dressed in a dark cloak. The one he had been chasing. Groaning, the hunter, tried desperately to free himself as the figure stalked ever so closer, unsheathing a unique looking dagger from his cloak. He was to die here, he was sure of it. Yet as the masked person was just upon him, something zipped through the air, and the assailant drew back, gripping his arm. Blood.

“Away with you!” A voice yelled. From the top of the hill stood a woman, her glare and her arrow fixed. “Away now!” She yelled again and loosened another arrow. As quick as it flew, the masked rider vanished back into the depths of the forest and the hunter let out a shaky breath. Quickly, the maiden archer slid down the hill with ease, though dirtying her boots, and bent down, surveying the sight before her. Through the pain, the hunter felt mild embarrassment at his predicament. Here before a woman, a man of his stature lays crippled in pain, crushed under a horse that was no doubt beyond saving as its neck bent in an unnatural position. A horrible shame he’d feel even more later, for that was a horse he’d been given by a good friend of his. “Your leg,” the maiden said, pointing to it. “I’ll need to examine it… But first, we ought to save the other one.” The hunter only grunted and watched her carefully as she shifted towards the fallen horse.

“You cannot lift it, its too heavy,” the hunter said, though the woman just ignored him and held her hand out. In one swift motion, the maiden guided her hands upwards and the hunter felt a tremendous weight taken off of his leg. His eyes looked on in shock as the maiden directed the horse’s corpse to the side and gently placed him on the ground. “You--You’re a mage!” He let out. Again, she barely acknowledged him and only hummed a response, and began shuffling around in her pockets.

“And you’re a mercenary,” she said blankly, nodding towards all the fallen papers surround them from his horse's satchel. They were nothing but bounties, official letters, and treasure maps. All of which he’d certainly need later. It was a dead giveaway. Before he could respond, the mage removed a small vial from her pocket. “Drink this,” she said, shoving it towards his mouth. He had no time to protest before she placed the vial between his lips, and tilted it, the vial’s contents spilling awkwardly in his mouth. It was a horrid taste that seemed to linger on his tongue as he swallowed. Gods, why did he swallow it? She was a stranger!

“What is this?” The hunter said, spluttering. “What poison—”

“It’s not poison,” the archeress interrupted. “It’s to help with your affliction.” Before he could even think, she quickly removed the twig from his calf, a sharp pain shooting up his leg and making his heart race once again. It was so sudden, he didn’t even register that he’d been howling out in pain for a few seconds now.

“You’ll kill me,” he whispered in between ragged breaths. It hurt like hell and the stingy pain after she removed it made it all the worse. She only glanced at him, but he could have sworn he saw her roll her eyes as she began to bandage his bleeding calf.

“I cannot treat you here,” she said suddenly. “We’ll need to go to my hut. It’s not far from here.” For a second the hunter had wondered how exactly such a thin and frail-looking woman was to carry him, a heavy with muscle mercenary, to her hut. That was, until he found himself suddenly a foot above the ground, floating behind the woman who marched through the forest like it was her own, bow firmly in hand. Glaring eyes darting from side to side.

“This is—I’m flying!”

“You’re a mercenary who’s probably fought countless monsters of different variety and worlds and yet you’d marvel at simple magic?” It was the most she’d said to him thus far. Her voice was smooth and quite deep. Maybe a bit of rasp to it. Nevertheless, she struck him as a woman of value.

“Fighting creatures and mutations is nothing to compare to taking flight.”

“You’re but only a foot off the ground, sir,” she said as a matter-of-factly. She scoffed at him and he could tell she thought him an indignant fool.

“The pain,” the hunter said. “It’s not there anymore. What did you do?”

“The tonic I gave you,” she replied simply. To that, he let a small ‘ah’ and let her drift him along after him in silence. When they arrived at the hut she set him down gently atop a long wooden table, simultaneously moving the herbs and other assorted plants off of it and placing them elsewhere. Then she turned to him and began ripping his pants around his wounded legs.

“Well, this isn’t how I imagined I’d be undressed by a woman,” the hunter said and the archer only shot him a look and continued. The hunter hadn’t noticed before, but his wounds seemed pretty grievous. His knees were all mangled up and swollen, and his ankles looked like crumpled paper. Nevertheless, his right leg had seemed like it’d been crushed entirely. He let out a sigh and laid back, letting the woman do her work on his legs. “Is it bad?” He said hesitantly.

“Well, your legs are done for,” she said and look of horror spread across the hunter’s face. “For now.” He relaxed but still looked equally disturbed. She took a few glances at him before a small smirk graced her lips.

“Oh, that amuses you?” The hunter said. “Poor wee crippled me,” he said and the young archeress only slapped his leg, causing him to yelp in pain, before rising to her feet.

“And what if it does?” She retorted. “Can’t a healer get their fair share of amusement every time some big idiot in distress falls down in the forests and needs assistance?”

“Ah, so you’re a healer?” She turned to her table and began to mix together a concoction. “Yet you carry that fine bow and clearly know how to use it.”

“Indeed… These tonics don’t brew themselves,” she said. “I have to fetch them and as you can see one must have the means to defend themselves if they’re to roam these dense parts of the forest.” She’d thrown away her cloak when they arrived and the hunter started to know the small little scars littered on her shoulder blade. He wondered if defending herself was where she’d acquired them from. “Though, I must say I haven’t had the pleasure of saving a mercenary from the clutches of death from an unknown assailant.”

“Ah, the pleasure is mine to be saved by a young maiden in the forest and even to be undressed by her,” the hunter said, a sheepish smile creeping on his face. “Perhaps this young maiden would like to tell me her name?”

“Maybe she would,” she said, turning back from the table holding a cup with an odd colored liquid inside. “Or maybe she’d rather just get on with it.”

“Then I’d have to wonder why this young maiden didn’t just leave me in the forest to die.”

“Mmm, perhaps she thought the hunter was a pitiful sight to behold, crushed under a horse, with no means of defending himself against the masked assassin!” She was dramatic yet kept that callous type of speech about her.

“Ah, so you have a sense of humor.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” She said finally and shoved the cup to his lips. “Drink,” she ordered. She was far from tender, but her roughness seemed to only make him pine after her words even more. She was a beauty too, of brown locks kept up and secured by a golden band. Her skin was pale and flushed pink and light freckles adorned her nose and cheeks. Her lips were colored a deep red, her eyes were a shade of blue, no, green, no gray. She was memorizing to behold, at least to him, in all her natural northern beauty.

“The names Aiden,” he said, wiping the residue from his lips. She only smiled with half-lidded and mischievous eyes, before pushing the boy back on the table. As soon as his head fell back he felt an incredible weight weighing him down.“What’s happening to me?” He asked softly, strength fleeting from his body. “I don’t feel so good.”

“It’ll feel weird at first, but I promise you this is better than the alternative,” the woman said, but Aiden could barely hear her before his eyelids shut and his mind seemed to collapse, all thought fleeing from the forefront. Yet before he succumbed into complete darkness he managed to hear one last thing uttered from her lips.

“Alyssia.”

#1000 words #mine #words #spilled work #daily writing #writing #writblr #literature #creative writing #short story #short stores #fiction #writer #writers #original fiction

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gray-autumn-sky · 5 years

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Change of Heart - HCBA Flashforward

The “Let’s Have a Baby” chat.

Regina stands in the window watching as her sons disappear into the woods, craning her neck to see Roland’s horse’s tail swish just once more before they vanish.

For weeks now, she’s been delaying this, delaying letting the boys go off alone on their horses. Robin’s reminded her again and again that the orchard isn’t far off and that they’ll be back at the house long before the sun sets, and Mal has assured her they’ve ridden the trail enough to know the way without getting lost. They’ve both reminded her that Henry’s a skilled rider now and that Roland’s getting better and more confident every day, and though she knows all those things to be true, there’s something about watching them go off on their own that doesn’t sit well with her.

They’re growing up and it’s all happening too fast.

Soon, there will be a time when they don’t need her, and not long after that, a time when they set off on their own and don’t come back.

Swallowing hard, she pushes away those thoughts and reminds herself that her sons are merely riding their horses to the orchard to climb trees and eat apples. They’ll be home before dusk. They’ll be home in time for dinner, and they’ll still ask for a story before bed. They’re still little boys who need her, even if they’re growing up.

A laugh from down the hall interrupts her thoughts, and she’s glad for it. Turning, she looks in the direction of the sound, smiling faintly.

Winnie--Winifred--is Mrs. Potter’s two-and-a-half year old granddaughter and their houseguest for the next two days while her parents prepare for her new sibling. It’d come up a few days before, when Chip brought her for a visit with her grandmother. At some point over a cup of tea, Chip confessed to his mother that neither he nor Anna were quite sure what they’d do with their girl when the time came. And from there, it’d been decided--Winnie would stay at the Lodge...

She must be awake from her nap, Regina thinks to herself as she makes her way down the hall to the girl’s room.

They didn’t have a proper nursery at the house, so they’d hastily fashioned one.

They’d moved in a child-sized bed that sat abandoned in a dusty old room and washed the linens that fit it. They pushed it up against a wall and shoved a short bookcase up against the other side to keep her from rolling out of the bed--and though it looked like a terrible contraption, Winnie enjoyed it and wasted no time placing her doll and bonnet on the shelves.

Regina peeks into the room, fully expecting to see the toddler sitting up in her bed playing with her doll, but what she finds is so much more endearing.

Winnie has been up from her nap for some time, and Robin is with her. They’re both sitting on the floor with one of the nicest porcelain tea sets they own sitting between them, and Winnie is serving them ‘tea’.”

“Extra honey in mines,” she tells him.

Regina’s heart aches as she watches Robin lift the cup, pretending to smell the tea. “I can’t wait to try it,” he tells her.

The little girl beams, lifting an empty plate. “Biscuits,” she says.

“Oh, how did you know?” he asks, pressing his hand to his chest. “These are my favorites.” He pretends to take one, then looks to Winnie’s doll. “You must try one.” He looks to Toulouse, Roland’s orange cat that sits opposite the doll, looking interested as the plate is passed around. “You, too. You’ll love them.”

Winnie holds the plate out to her doll, then grins and pulls it back and offers it to Toulouse who sniffs the plate in confusion. “For you,” she says, nodding as if she’s in conversation with the cat.

“They’re so good,” Robin says, reaching to the plate. “I think I’ll have another.”

“Yes, please,” the little girl says, looking quite pleased that her guests are enjoying her tea and biscuits.

Regina takes a step back, drawing in a breath as soon as she’s out of earshot. Her eyes are teary and her chest is tight, and she’s not quite sure why that is. Perhaps it’s about Henry and Roland growing up, perhaps it’s seeing Robin looking so happy and content having a tea party with Winnie--but whatever it is, it awakens something in her, something that was never entirely asleep.

She takes another breath and pushes away those thoughts.

She’s been thinking them a lot lately, despite trying not to. When Henry decided he doesn’t need her for his baths, when Roland started to sit beside her as they read instead of climbing into her lap, when they visited the village and the boys ran ahead rather than holding onto her hands, when Anna told her that she was pregnant with Winnie, when she saw Robin hold Chip and Anna’s little girl for the first time…

Those feelings have been cropping up more and more, and she’s not quite sure what to do with them.

So, she pushes them back and heads down the hall to her room.

But she can’t quite focus, and her thoughts travel with her.

She’s long known that Robin wants more children. They haven’t talked about it in years, now--not since the very beginning--and he’s likely accepted that there will be no more children in their lives.

Every now and then, she can tell that he thinks of it--thinks it, but never says it.

He’s happy--they’re happy--with what they have.

And yet, here she is thinking about what it might be like to have another child.

She didn’t enjoy being pregnant the first time around; but she can’t deny her circumstances are quite different now. She’s not a scared teenager anymore. She’s not alone, and she’d have no reason to hide it. And now, she knows what to expect.

The pregnancy would be temporary.

What would follow would change their lives--and she can’t help but think, now, in their particular moment, that their lives would be changed for the better.

She envisions holding the child for the first time, what it’d be like to feel its little fingers wrap around hers, what it’d be like to go through all those wonderful, incredible firsts again--laughs and smiles, steps and words--and to see the child’s personality take shape. She wonders if the baby would look more like her or like Robin, if she’d see Henry and Roland in their younger sibling, and whether it’d be a boy or a girl. She thinks about cuddling her baby after a bath and singing it to sleep, she thinks about holding its hands as it toddles around the house.

And she thinks about what it’d be like to experience all of that with Robin by her side. There was no doubt that he’d dote on their child, just as he did with the children they already had.

When they first married, his interest in Henry was immediate.

A week or so after their wedding, when she was still so unsure, Robin asked to take Henry on a walk. It was just the two of them--Roland stayed behind with the nanny--and she stood in the windows, watching as her new husband walked the grounds with her son. He held his hand and when it seemed he had something important to discuss, he got down, crouching, so that he and Henry were eye-to-eye. When Henry returned that day, she asked what Robin had said to him. Henry smiled and shrugged and said it was a secret. He didn’t seem upset; instead, he seemed more content and comforted than he had in previous days.

A few months later, she stood in the same windows, watching as Robin lifted Henry onto his shoulders. Henry and Roland were playing some sort of game and Henry’s shoe caught on a branch. Her heart leapt into her throat as Roland stopped, watching as Henry tumbled forward; then, seemingly out of nowhere, there was Robin, lifting Henry up and tickling his sides before he even thought to cry.

He was a natural father and he loved their children.

He took an active interest in being a father.

As the boys grew older, Robin’s relationship with them shifted. Instead of games of tag on the lawn, he took them on rides in the woods, they played hide-and-seek, and he taught them how to shoot a bow and arrow. Their conversations over dinner were less often about mythical dragons and more about the things they were learning--and though she was glad that her sons were growing into thoughtful young men, she missed the innocence of their younger years.

And how short those younger years had been.

The door opens and she spins around, blinking back the tears she didn’t even realize had welled up in her eyes as Robin enters.

“You--” His voice halts and his head tips. “Are you crying?”

“No,” she murmurs, pushing her thumbs beneath her eyes to rid herself of her tears. “I’m just… being stupid.”

Robin’s eyes narrow. “Anything you want to talk about?”

She holds her breath, wondering if it’s finally time to say it, finally time to admit what she’s been thinking about for the last several months. But once she admits it, it’ll be out there and she won’t be able to take it back.

“I saw a bit of the tea party you and Winnie were having,” she says instead.

His smile is immediate. “She makes a lovely cup of tea.”

Regina nods. “You seemed to enjoy it.”

“They’re so much fun at that age,” Robin muses. “So full of imagination.”

Regina nods in agreement as her words catch in her throat.

“Roland liked forts,” Robin says, chuckling softly. “Nothing beat making a big fort.”

“For Henry it was dragons--always dragons.”

“That doesn't surprise me a bit.”

“No,” she grins--remembering the puppet shows Daniel used to put on for him and the toy dragons Robin made for him.

“You seem sad, though.”

“I’m not. I was just… thinking.”

“And what you were thinking about made you sad?”

Biting down on her lip, she shrugs. “I don’t know, honestly.” Taking a breath, she turns to the bed and sits down on the edge, folding her hands in her lap as she fumbles with her fingers. “It’s just lately… I’ve been thinking and…” She sighs and looks up at him, watching as he looks at her with concerned eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s something,” he counters. “And that something’s upset you.”

“I’m not upset. I’m just conflicted.”

“Over what?”

She grins at his concern, wondering if maybe saying the words will make her feel better. She hesitates again and looks away, not wanting to see hope fill his eyes only to be dashed by her inability to decide what she wants. “I… I’ve been thinking that… that maybe we should consider having a baby.”

Her eyes shift to him, watching as his eyes widen and a goofy grin spreads over his lips--and in spite of herself, she can’t help but smile. “You want--”

“I don’t know,” she cuts in, not letting him finish the question. “Maybe.”

“Maybe--”

“Yes--”

Robin draws in a breath and slowly releases it as he pushes his hand into his hair. He’s trying not to get ahead of himself, trying not to get too excited. “What changed your mind?”

“I… I don’t know,” she tells him. “A hundred little things.”

He nods. “And what about--”

“All the reasons I didn't want to have another child?”

“I mean, nothing’s really changed in that regard.”

“No,” she murmurs, “That’s true. They’re just… all more distant now.”

“Out of sight and out of mind.”

“Yes,” she agrees, nodding. “And other factors are weighing a little more heavily.”

He draws in another breath. “Such as?”

“Such as the fact that I can’t stop thinking about what it’d be like to have another child, to go through all those wonderful firsts again, and to experience all those things with you.”

He nods, grinning as he shifts on his feet. “That sounds… like you’re not so conflicted.”

Nodding, she bites down on her lip. It does sound that way. “Perhaps I’m less conflicted than I realized.”

She lets her eyes meet his and for a moment, she just stares at him, watching as he tries to contain his excitement--and then, all of the sudden, in a burst, she laughs out. She feels lighter than she did before, her thoughts weighing far less heavily and though only a handful of minutes have gone by, it’s hard to remember why she was conflicted at all.

“I want us to have a baby,” she tells him, her voice decisive yet light. “That is, if you also want that.”

“I do,” he’s quick to say. “You know that I do.”

She laughs again as she stands, her head spinning with the turn around of her own feelings--and before either of them can say anymore, Robin is in front of her and reaching for her. He lifts her up and spins her around, laughing with her as they enjoy the moment.

They’ll talk about the rest later, she decides. For now, they’ll just enjoy the moment.

Robin sets her down, taking her face in his hands and drawing her in, offering a sweet kiss that leaves her even dizzier than before.

There’s no turning back now, she realizes.

And what a freeing realization that is.

#oq ff #hcba verse

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christabellanikolai · 5 years

Text

Winter’s End, Chapter 4

I promise that when this all over, we will be together again.

Archive of Our Own Link

Sitting within among the Gardens of King’s Landing, there was a sense of warmth. Something that had not been felt in a long time. The smell of fragrant flowers filled the air with a sweetness that had been once lost during the winter. Those who walked the grounds gave her looks of concern or sympathy. She didn’t need it, nor did she want it. She was to them by now, the scars, she accepted they weren’t going anywhere. She was finally at peace with everything that had happened.

“Aunt Sansa!” she turned just in time to see the small child running into her, as he grabbed for her hand. “Come with me you have to see this!” Aegon then pulled her arm forcing her to stand up and follow him.

“Aegon, slow down.” Sansa laughed as she was forced to crouch as she ran, her height much taller than the little prince. “I know it must be something of great importance, but I don’t think my guards can keep up.” She turned to see her guards, made up of men from Riverrun, Knights of the Vale, and one outsider, her own personal knight, Sandor Clegane. She imagined seeing all of them charging through the gardens, led by the young prince was quite comical.

“Look! Look!” shouted Aegon, excitedly pointing forward. In front of her, she saw a tree, it appeared to contrast with the other plant life, though it stood tall. “Mother had it planted here a few weeks ago.” Sansa was at first unsure what about the tree excited Aegon. It wasn’t until she picked him up off the ground and he reached forward. “The lemons are finally growing. Maybe when they are bigger, we can pick them and make lemon cakes in the kitchens.”

“You remembered I liked lemon cakes.” said Sansa with a smile. She had first met Aegon when she visited King’s Landing during her last name day celebration. The Queen had put together a small feast that included a batch of lemon cakes, just for her. She found it hard not to share with them with the young prince. “You have grown so big since the last time we met.”

“Now that I am four, Mother says I can start learning to shoot a bow and arrow.” said Aegon, proudly. “The Dothraki are even going to show me how to shoot from horseback.”

“That sounds quite exciting.” said Sansa “Did you know your Aunt Arya is a wonderful archer, she could even outshoot her brothers when we were growing up.”

“Even Father?” asked Aegon.

“Even your Father.” said Sansa “I am sure she would love to show you how to use one. You have to ask her when she arrives.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the gates of the private entrance rising. They both looked over the balcony to see the arrival of a group. Riders in the front carrying the banner of one of the more recently established houses. “A bear looking upon a maiden.” recalled Aegon “That’s House Giantsbane.”

“It is,” said Sansa smiling at her nephew and from the excitement of seeing Brienne again. “Shall we go and greet them?”

The two headed from the gardens to the gate. Once there Sansa saw a familiar face in the back of the wagon, struggling to lift one of the trunks. “Podrick?”

“Lady Sansa!” said Podrick, surprised to see her he ended up dropping one of the trunks, the sound loud enough to make the young Prince jump in her arms.

“Oh for fuck's sake, what was that?” they all heard Tormund say as he made his way to the back of the carriage. When he saw Sansa his face changed from one of annoyance to happiness. “Sansa, what a surprise, Brienne come see who is here.”

“Sansa!” said Brienne, in her arms were two young children. She passed them over to her Tormund before wrapping her arms around the redhead. “You look strong my lady. How are you feeling?”

“I am quite healed now.” said Sansa. The last time she had seen Brienne was at the Citadel when her burns had been covered in infection. “Only the scars are left.” She now hid them with dresses, and cloaks, though she felt safe to have some when around family and friends.

“I am sorry I could not be here for your name day.” said Brienne, motioning toward Tormund and her twins. “Renly and Cat have been keeping us very busy.”

“It’s quite alright, the gifts you sent were exquisite,” said Sansa as she and Aegon went to greet Tormund and the twins.

“He has got his Mother’s color but his Father’s features now.” said Tormund as Aegon stared up at him. “He even looks at me, wide-eyed, just like his Father did.” He passed the twins to Brienne and Sansa before kneeling down toward Aegon. “You’re Father kneeled the first time we met, he thought I was the King.”

“You don’t look like a King.” said Aegon, everyone laughing at the boy's forwardness. Tormund reached out, mussing the boy's blonde locks before speaking. “Aye, you are right little one. He is already brighter than his Father ever was.”

“I want to hear more about Father.” said Aegon.

“You will little one.” said Tormund before motioning for the group to head toward the Castle. Aegon running ahead to keep up. “But first we have to greet your Mother.”

Walking into the throne room still gave him a feeling of uneasiness. Though so much had changed for the better, the memories of what this castle was, what happened in this room and it’s chambers, still remained with Tyrion. It was the iron throne, seeing Daenerys having to sit in the same spot as so many awful rulers before her, made his stomach turn. Each time he saw it empty, he wanted to destroy it and build a new one, more worthy of his Queen.

“Lord Tyrion.” he heard Varys say as he made his way toward the throne. His hands remained in his sleeves as he walked, another thing that had not changed. “If I may have a private moment before we go into the small council.”

“Of course.” said Tyrion “What is it?”

“As you know, now that Winter has come to an end my little birds are able to travel much faster.” said Vary’s, Tyrion held up a hand rolling his eyes.

“Please Varys, I do not have much time. What whispers have you heard?” asked Tyrion.

“It’s from the North,” said Varys, his face becoming sullen. “Some families say they received letters from the wall. Their contents spoke of winter coming to an end and that King Aegon has returned. They say he scaled the wall to reclaim Westeros.”

“A fairy tale.” laughed Tyrion “The Night’s Watch just got a bunch of recruits, they must be going mad from the Cold. Why are you bothering me with such nonsense.”

“There is more,” said Varys holding up his hand as if to ask to continue. “An innkeeper says he saw a man who looked like Jon, even had the same sword. He believed they were headed South for Kings Landing.”

“Ah, so you believe an imposter roams among us.” said Tyrion “It would not surprise me, it has happened before. Was there not a man who claimed to be Aegon and others have claimed to be Rhaegar?”

“Weak minded individuals who had no purpose.” nodded Varys

“Sooner or later this was going to happen.” said Tyrion “There is still no need to bother our Queen with this information. I will inform Grey Worm to keep a lookout for and arrest anyone claiming to be Jon.”

As Daenerys entered the throne room, her guards in tow both men bowed. Daenerys motioned for them to follow her into the small council chambers. As Tyrion did, he found the room more crowded than usual, Brienne, Tormund, and Sansa standing at the table. He nodded toward the redhead who had once been his wife, she smiled in return.

“Please sit,” said Daenerys as she sat at the head of the table. “As you all know I have been considering reports from both the Citadel and various Maesters. I think it is time that I formally announce that winter is in fact over.”

“Aye.” said some agreeing with her as their fists hit the table. A northern custom that had now made its way South.

“Tomorrow at midday is when I will make the announcement.” said Daenerys “I want you all there with me. Each of you played a role in helping the people of Westeros survive this winter.”

“What about Arya?” asked Jorah “Should we wait until she arrives with Gendry. She fought during the wars as well, I would say harder than most of us.”

“I don’t think she would mind.” assured Sansa “She is not one for this type of thing, the wedding is more than she is used to.”

“Gendry’s letter made it sound as if just getting her to agree to the wedding was a fight in and of itself.” said Davos. Some in the room snickered amongst themselves. Tyrion noticed that both Brienne and Sandor seemed to most amused, almost nostalgic, at Davo’s words as they glanced toward one another.

Though it was night, he could see the city in the distance. Lanterns lined the windows. Those who lived there sleeping soundly, their safety the result of their Queen. The sight filled him with pride, and his longing to see his Dany continued to grow. They once again had to stop, or their horses would not make it to the city. They now rested at a camp just along the Kingsroad. Jon had struggled to sleep during the last few nights of his journey. The dreams and visions he had experienced at the Godswood continued each night. Each time Jon closed his eyes they became more evident, yet he still couldn't understand. He now only slept when the exhaustion finally overtook him.

“You can’t go!” she begged him, standing within their tent. “Jon you aren’t in the Night’s Watch, or an infantryman anymore. You are a King!”

“I need to stand beside my people on the battlefield,” he told her. “If I am not there to lead them right now, this could all fall apart.” In reality, Jon remembered it was more than fear of losing control of his army that brought him to the front line. Something called him to the battle, it was as if a voice were telling him to go. His duty to the North reminding him that he needed to defeat the Night King.

“Then let myself and my army go with you.” said Daenerys as she grabbed the hand he used to fasten a scabbard containing dragonglass to his bet. Jon took it into his own before shaking his head. She tried to protest but he pulled her closer, bringing their foreheads together, both their eyes closed as the only sound left in the tents was their steady breath.

“You know I can’t let you do that.” whispered Jon. “You have sacrificed so much in this war, and there will still be another once this all over.” Not only had she lost her dragon, her child, but her numbers had dwindled. Many Dothraki fell during a long and cold battle, their bodies scattered among the north before being burned by Drogon. The Unsullied which had been assigned to Winterfell perished when the castle went up in flames.

“I don’t care about any of that…” she shook her head, tears were beginning to fall. He halted her movements, bringing his hands to rest upon her cheeks, gently caressing the skin with his thumbs as he brushed away her tears.

“Yes you do,” whispered Jon. “You have spent your whole life fighting for what you deserve. I won’t allow you to lose it, nor will I allow you to question your worthiness of it.” Before she could speak, he brought their lips together, both of their arms wrapping around the other as they kissed. A sense of longing, and fear driving their movements. She continued to pull him toward her, even when they broke apart she again brought their foreheads together.

“I can’t lose you.” she whispered. “I need you by my side. I don’t need you to be this hero, to go off and do something stupid and die. You said it yourself there will be a war after this one, we need to take back what is ours.”

“But first I need to take back my home.” said Jon “Please...understand that I have to do this, I have to.”

“I do.” she nodded “I understand, but you have to come back to be. Promise me you will come back to me.”

“I promise.” He whispered. “When this is all over, we will be together again.”

“I was an idiot to promise her.” said Jon allowed. Unable to sleep he had instead sat and watched the fire. The last of its embers now died as the sun began to rise.

“What?” asked Theon, as he too began to rise from his slumber. Sitting up he looked at Jon with a concern. “Are you having those dreams again?”

“They aren’t dreams, they are memories.” said Jon “Before I went to...before the final battle... I promised her I would return. I told her that we would be together again. I lied to her.”

“You couldn’t have known what the outcome would be.” said Theon

“But I was a fool to tell her that.” said Jon “I knew what war was, what that battle meant. I knew there was a chance that I wouldn’t return, yet I just said it like some kind of fool.”

“She is your wife, you love her.” said Theon “Love makes people do foolish things.” Theon’s words reminded him ones he heard long ago. “Love is the death of duty.” Somehow that day his duty was stronger than his love for her. A mistake he would regret for the rest of his days.

That morning Jon commanded that they move as quickly as possible. Before the sun rested among the clouds, they were riding hard toward Kings Landing, finally reaching the gates just before mid-day. They had chosen to enter through the cities main gates, giving Jon a chance to see what Daenerys had done. The city appeared different since the last, and only time, Jon had been there. It was more vibrant, more alive, it’s people seem happier. Banners of House Targaryen flew above, blowing just as two large Dragon’s circle the Red Keep.

“When she took the city, it was a shell of its former self. The people were starving, their homes turning to ruins.” said Theon as they rode toward the keep. “Even during the coldest parts of the winter, she was determined to help them. Now that winter is coming to an end they can rebuild their lives.”

They found it hard to ride toward the Red Keep, many people seemed to be making their way toward the steps. When they realized they would be unable to make it to the castle by horseback, they decide to instead continue on foot. As they boarded their horses at one of the cities many stables, people seemed to stop to personally welcome them to the city. As they walked Theon reiterated the respect that had grown toward the Night’s Watch after the war with the Night King.

“What is going on?” Orwen asked a merchant as they came upon a crowd standing upon the steps of the Red Keep. They were held back by the Unsullied and Dothraki Guards.

“Her grace, Queen Daenerys is said to be making an announcement soon.” said the merchant. From where he stood behind Theon and the others, Jon could see the man light up with pride when he spoke of the Queen. As he looked around, he found that others seem filled with excitement toward seeing her as well. The sight filled him with a hope that maybe she had not been bothered by any feelings of loneliness during these last 5 years.

They were able to make their way closer to the stairs as some cleared the way for members of the Night’s Watch. As they were, the doors of the keep opened, and the crowd began to cheer. Shouts of “My Queen,” “Daenerys”, even “Mhysa” rang out around them. From where he stood Jon watched as her the leaders of her guard stepped outside, Qhono, Grey Worm, and Jorah. They followed by Davos and Sandor Clegane. Yara, Tormund, Brienne, and Varys soon followed. Even over the sounds of cheers, somehow Jon could hear the sound of a chain, sounds he heard among the halls of Winterfell. His longtime friend Samwell Tarly came out, escorting his sister Sansa. A small child followed them, while Jon did not recognize him the crowd seemed to cheer louder and another set of Queensguard stood close by him.

Tyrion and Missandei were the last to step outside before he finally saw her. As she stepped outside, the sound of the crowd was almost deafening before everyone fell to one knee. Even as he did, he couldn’t help but look up her. She wore a simple white gown that hung off her shoulders, a red cape slung across her left shoulder. Her hair hung low with small braids to hold it back under her crown, a silver, and gold piece made to look as if dragon wings rested across her forehead. The smile she gave the crowd as she motioned for them to stand rivaled even the most gorgeous of sunrises.

“You stand in the presence of Queen Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, First of her name…” Missandei had stepped forward as she gave the Queen a formal introduction. Jon didn’t seem to hear her as he stared up toward his wife. She seemed to also be looking among the crowd, her gleaming smile turning to a gentle smaller one as she was preparing to speak.

“I first want to thank not only my honored guests but all of you for being here today.” Jon’s heart began to race at the sound of her voice. He found himself clinging to every word as if they were a necessity he needed to remain standing. “Today is a day for celebration. Many days ago I received a raven from the Citadel, a white raven. Afterward, I asked that the Maesters across Westeros send me their own reports. On their recommendation, along with the recommendation of my small council, I am in agreement with the Citadel. Today, I would like to announce to you all that this winter has come to an end.”

The crowd roared, fist pumping into the air as she made the announcement. Those who alongside Daenerys applauded. Jon watched as families among the crowd embraced, thankful that they had survived the winter together. Even among the celebration, Jon was beginning to feel like something was off. As he looked around, he saw a handful of people who were not celebrating. While the faces around them were marked with excitement, theirs remained sullen and determine. They looked upon the Queen with anger and contempt.

As the crowd became quiet Jon stepped forward, trying to get closer to one of the men. Even as Daenerys continued to speak, his focus turned toward the man. Theon, and the others not far behind him. As Jon moved forward, he watched the man reach for something on his belt, within the sunlight he the reflection and shine of a small blade. He wasn’t close enough to stop the man as he reached his arm back, even as people coward away from him. Jon was unable to prevent the dagger from flying through the air, directly toward her. There was only one desperate thing he could do.

“Dany, Get Down!”

“We remember those we have lost during the winter, their sacrifices will never be forgot-” A gasp from the crowd, followed by a commotion and then she heard it.

“Dany, Get Down!”

Before she knew what was happening, her guards were in front of her. Qhono using his curve blade to prevent the dagger from touching those who stood on the steps. The Unsullied push who retreated toward them back while the Dothraki pushed herself, and those around her inside the castle before slamming the large doors shut, the sound shaking them all where they stood.

“Daenerys are you hurt?” asked Missandei as she and Grey Worm began guiding her to a safe area of the castle. She pushed them away, looking around for a small mess of curly blonde hair. ‘He should be crying? Why can’t I hear him?’ she thought. Her worst fears were confirmed when she heard Tyrion speak.

“The Prince?” Tyrion yelled, “Where is Aegon?”

“One of the guards grabbed him.” said Sansa as she brushed off Sandor and Brienne. “He should be in here. Aegon come on out, it’s okay.” The group looked around, not even the sound of breath could be heard as they did. After a few moments and there was nothing. The sound of Daenerys crying out as she charged for the door filled Sansa’s heart with fear and sadness she had not felt in years.

“My Queen you can not go out there!” Grey Worm ordered as he pulled her back from the door.

“My son!” she yelled as she reached for the door “I need to find my son! Where is he?”

“Sandor, Grey Worm, we need to go back out there and find him.” said Jorah. The two men nodded before all three returned to the front of the castle, slipping through a small crack in the door.

“They have to find him.” Daenerys begged as both Sansa and Missandei held her. “They have to, he is all I have left.”

He was pushed forward, those within the crowd, chaos had immediately erupted after the dagger was thrown. “Get back!” he ordered them as he ran forward, grabbing the man who had thrown the dagger. Ripping his head back Jon brought placed one of his smaller blades under the man’s chin. “Who are you?” he yelled. The assassin simply smirked at him before flinging his head forward, his jugular landing on the blade. Blood spattered across Jon’s face as he dropped the man to the ground.

He could see Theon and the others fighting other would be assassins. As he tried to join him, another sight caught his eye. The young boy who had been standing with Sansa and Samwell was in the arms of one of the Queensguard. Though instead of rushing inside with everyone else, they now ran toward the crowd, away from the keep. Something about the situation was not right.

“Why aren’t we going with Mother?” he heard the little boy cry out as he got closer. “I want to be with my Mother!”

As he reached out to stop them another assailant ran between them, a blade swung toward his front. As Jon retreated backward, he unsheathed Longclaw from his hip. He moved forward to strike the man, both swords clanging together. As his attacker swung lower, toward his stomach, Jon saw an opening. He swung high in a quick motion, killing the man with a slice to the chest. Jon ran through one of the alleyways in the direction he saw the guard go. He could tell that he was headed toward one of the gates that lead to the Blackwaters docks. His grip around Longclaw tightened as he found the two. The guard appeared to be trying to force the child into some type of basket, possibly a cage on the back side of a cart.

“No!” he heard the child scream. “Take me to my Mother!”

“Shut your mouth!” yelled the guard before striking the boy in the face. The young child cried as he retreated into the basket.

“Stop!” yelled Jon. “Don’t touch the boy any further.”

The guard turned toward Jon, an annoyed smirk crossing his face. “Run along back to your wall boy. This doesn’t concern you.”

“That boy should be in the Red Keep.,” said Jon as he stepped forward. “Let him go and leave now.”

“What a fine offer.” laughed the guard as he pulled a sword from his hip, pointing it toward the child who screamed. “Unfortunately I will have to refuse.” Jon felt a sudden rush of heat travel to the palm of the hand that held his sword. He lifted the blade to that it had come alive with fire. Both men were startled for a second before Jon launched forward in a rage.

“You’re him…” gasped the man as their swords clashed. Each of Jon’s strikes pushing him back. “The one from the statues.” Jon continued to charge at him, ignoring his words. “You should be dead; no matter I will kill you again.”

With a shout, Jon launched forward, the flames from his sword dancing in the air. He quickly brought the blade down against the other man's sword before swinging it toward his left flank. The Valyrian steel easily cutting through the man’s flesh. The guard screamed as his body erupted in flames.

Once the battle was over and the flames disappeared, Jon sheathed his sword into his belt. He gently approached the cart, holding out his hand toward the young boy who was frozen in fear. “It’s alright.” he said, “It’s over now, come, I won’t hurt you.” The boy crawled out toward him, a tiny shaking hand reaching out toward him. “Careful now, you’re bleeding.” The boy had a small cut to his army, while it didn’t appear deep his white sleeve was now stained the color of crimson. “Let me have a look.” Jon ripped a small piece of cloth from his cloak before taking the boys arm his hand. The little one flinched as Jon tied the cloth over the wound. “I am sorry if it hurts. We will get you back to the Keep, and the Sam can look at it.” The boy gasped before looking back up at Jon, his little eyes getting wider.

Jon looked down at that the boy, smiling. “My name is Jon, what is yours?” The boy lurched forward with a gasp, wrapping his arms around Jon and burying his face into his chest. “Okay…” laughed Jon, gently mussing the boy's hair before pulling his hood over his head. As he stepped forward, he pulled his cloak to shield the boy from any spying eyes as the two made their way toward the Red Keep. “Your Mother lives in the Red Keep?” he asked. The boy silently nodded against his chest. “She is probably more worried then you are, we will find her.”

As the two left the alley, they were met by Queensguard. Jon froze as speers were pointed toward them both. Jon tightened his grip on the boy until a familiar face approached them “Grey Worm…” he said before pulling removing his hood.

“Put the boy down.” Grey Worm ordered, both his voice and expression serious. “Do it quickly.”

Jon did as he was told, lowering the child to the ground. The boy was hesitant, unwilling to let Jon go. His hands shaking as he clung to him, pale knuckles clutching the straps of his cloak. “It’s okay.” Jon whispered, “They will take you to your Mother.”

The boy slowly ran toward Grey Worm before being carried back to the keep by another Guard. “Grey Worm, it’s-” before Jon could finish he yelped as he was pushed to the ground. He turned only to find a Dothraki holding him down. “What is going on?” Jon demanded as his hands were tied behind him. He looked up to find Grey Worm standing over him, a look of confusion quickly switching to determination.

“By order of the Hand of the Queen, Tyrion Lannister, you are under arrest for the impersonation of His Grace, the late King Aegon of House Stark and Targaryen.”

#game of thrones fanfic #jonerys #jonerys fanfic #jonerys fanfiction

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xaz-fr · 5 years

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Set in a fantasy world of the semi socialist society Fey Alliance with magic, dick head dragon riders, benevolent necromancers, and even bigger dick head gods of mischief. The Zealous Servant is the story about a guy named Spayar who, has to keep his crown prince of a bff from being murdered by his entire family by murdering them first. Though Spayar just wants to take a nap and find a cute boy to kiss and not have to worry about his corpse potentially being dragged through the street after a war. Better win that shit then.

I will only ping this particular list once and if you want to be pinged for future posts a like or reblog will get you on the next pinglist. Reblogs (especially with a dumb comment but not required) are way more appreciated as it allows other people to see the work

@deadpool-scar-bro @starry-ampelope @golden-lionsnake @aw-some-musics @fullbearauthorclam @ragirl243 @redlion-fr @purple-forget-me-nots @unburdened-billy @trashcano08 @typefulls @slighteyewing @incel-tears @dgmana @genonehell @frxemriss

My favorite thing about Spayar is that no matter how cool he is or becomes this chapter still happens and shows he’a fucking idiot lols.

On the few clear days in the Meltong Basin during the wet season Assarus came to life like an ant hive. Most people tried to stay indoors as often as possible in the autumn because it rained nearly every day, so when the sky was clear and the weather warlockd predicted no rain everyone made sure to make the most of it. Spayar was on his mare in traffic, Duren sitting in front of him, sitting straight up and looking all around. Thankfully Spayar still had several inches on him or it would be a problem.

His mare barely noticed the extra weight. She had a deep brown coat, thick legs, and great big hooves with great feathering. She was a horse who's ancestors had once worked the fields and now were the mounts of royalty and their favored. Von had gifted her to Spayar three years ago when Spayar complained about always having different horses wherever they went. Now she was his, he couldn't even begin to think of how expensive a horse like Spayar's was, trained for battle and didn't even flinch when her rider used magic. Not to mention the size, she was massive, and everyone got out of her way.

"Where are we going?" Duren asked, turning around to look at Spayar, holding onto the pommel to keep from falling off.

"You'll see," though of course Duren knew why. He'd begged and begged Spayar over breakfast to show him how to ride and Spayar had given in if only to just make him shut up. By now they were leaving Bellringer and into South Garden which looked like it was trying very hard to mimic the style of Nedrag and the Garden with it's clean, boxy, buildings and covered in fauna. The city of Assarus or Surassa themselves had no one culture. They were a melting pot of all the provinces, and thus all the kingdoms the Alliance had conquered in its two thousand year being. Parts of South Garden looked like Nedalia or Dalican, there were motifs from the Yellow Hills in South Garden and he saw symbols from the city Peonia painted on the sides of buildings. People from the west of the Alliance had settled South Garden, much like the east had settled in Bellringer with it's gray stone buildings and clocks and its focus on craft rather than aesthetic.

"Shouldn't we be going outside the city?" Duren asked since South Garden was further in and really Spayar just wanted to get to Tradesmens as quickly as possible since unlike Peonia it sometimes mimicked itself after South Garden was one of the most twisting and confusing districts in the capital other than perhaps Cat's Cradle, even the Mire and Downriver were more organized than this.

"You'll see," Spayar just said again pushing his mare through a busy intersection full of people. When they saw his big war horse they jumped out of the way. Spayar was trying to be nice but he was getting annoyed with how busy this damn city was and he had a big horse. Big horses won over busy pedestrians.

"I can see Swan Island from here," Duren pointed once they finally got through South Garden and into Tradesmens. Spayar looked and indeed they could see the holy island from here over the low buildings and warehouses of Tradesmens, meaning Spayar was way off course. "Are we going to Swan Island?" Duren asked, confused.

"No," even as he made his mare head for the river. They came up to the walled bank of the Meltong and could see Swan Island easily. A small lake had formed here in the Meltong river in a low part of the land before it continued its journey south to the Break and the Fea’staal Sea. behind. Swan Island sat in the middle of the lake and it was a large, beautiful park, filled with temples. From here they could see people going in and out of them and people on horses or people enjoying the sunlight on the grass or under the trees.

"Can we go to Swan Island?" Duren asked.

"I thought you wanted to learn to ride," Spayar said.

"Yeah I know, but we rarely go to Swan Island."

"Another time. I'll take you and the girls on Asumsest if you want," and he turned his horse to start down the road, running parallel to the river, towards the Winter Palace at the top of the hill in the distance. Tradesmens was full of canals that went into warehouses from the river and looked more like something from the country of Tipin or even Joti than anything else. Bridges spanned every canal for horses and pedestrians, though they were too steep and high to allow bigger boats through, so carriages had to take other routes. Few people were on the River Road but there were a lot of boats in the river. The Meltong was always full of boats and today was especially bad since it was full of trade ships and barges as well as personal boats with brightly colored sails or sides. At the very least both the river and the river road were orderly.

The River Road wound north and east, through parts of South Garden, where Spayar didn’t let anyone get in his way lest they get trampled by war horse hooves, and then through the entire length of Uptown. The Hillsman children all went to school in Uptown. Mostly because their father could afford the cabby ride there and back every day and Anora’s private secondary schooling there. It was a wealthy neighborhood and it seemed like the was a bank on every street from every major city in the Alliance. At the last everyone moved with purpose here, no dawdling or frolicking about like in South Garden. Here people were all business and people stayed on the side walks and out of the traffic of horses, carriages, and some strange two wheeled contraption Spayar had never seen but flew down the street as quick as any horse. It looked like a buggy but wasn't pulled by a horse. He have to look into that.

When the River Road finally dumped them into Fey's Shadow Duren turned to Spayar accusingly. Spayar just rose his brows at his brother. Duren frowned the Hillsman frown at Spayar and turned back around. In Fey's Shadow the roads were wide and well kept, the manses behind their tall, thick, walls, were every style in the Alliance. The wealthiest people lived in Fey's Shadow and most nobles had houses here as well, and built their mansions in the style of their home province. You could see the entire gambit of architectural styles in Fey's Shadow from the low, spider web-like dwellings of the Wren-Kel, to the tall, low eaved, state house of the Peony. Spayar kept his horse on still and Duren's head kept moving, looking all around, trying to see everything. A lot of the houses were out of sight behind the walls but he tried, to caught glimpses of them through the gates.

At some point they came to the Twin Switches bridges, where the Meltong looped back around to itself and were only a few hundred feet apart. Two identical bridges built in a northern style spanned both parts of the Meltong and as they crossed the first bridge you could sort of see over the thick, protective, wall of the North estate. Duren raised himself up in the saddle a bit as though to see better before sitting back down. The North estate was the most heavily fortified estate they’d seen thus far, and the largest. Spayar knew there were bigger ones than the North’s, but it was up there.

“Who lives there?” Duren asked Spayar.

“The Norths,” Spayar said.

“Wow,” he said, “Do you know them?”

“By reputation, now sit down I can’t see,” and Duren turned right way round and sat properly as they started to cross the second Switch. Very shortly after they’d passed the North estate the road started to slant upwards to the Palace which gleamed like a snow capped mountain from the peak.

There were no walls around the grounds of the Winter Palace, just like the rest of Assarus. There hadn't been an attack on the capital in two thousand years when neighboring nations had thought the young Alliance weak. Even the Federation wasn't stupid enough to attack their northern capital. You touched Assarus and a wrath that couldn't be imagined was unleashed. Not since Sinou's death had anyone tried to take Assarus or rather, Surassa, with any serious intent. The first Asuras had made sure the fear of what the Le'Acard could do would be felt through the ages until the end of time.

No one stopped Spayar as he rode up to the palace and Duren started to shift in front of him in wonder. It was above Duren to ever think of coming to the Winter Palace. His brother had been born and raised in Bellringer and he wasn't a knight, or a courtier or anyone of importance really.

Spayar didn't get too close to the Palace, instead he went around to the side where the stables were, where his own horse had been bred. A stable hand came out to see him when he got closer. "Sir," he bowed when he saw Spayar. Spayar recognized him.

"Oh stand up Jill," Spayar said, unimpressed. The stable hand, Jill, looked up, a rueful smile on his face like what Spayar did to Von Jill bowed to Spayar to annoy him.

The oldest son of a talented seamstress Jill was a spry young man Spayar's age with a gap in his front teeth, large ears, big green eyes, and hair the color of a carrot that stuck out wildly from any hat he tried to wear. They'd been sort of friends before Spayar had met Von, more friends because their mothers were friends. After Jill had finished his mandatory schooling in Bellringer he’d begged Spayar to get him a job in the Palace. So Spayar had and now he worked in the stables, right where Jill wanted to be with his love of animals. "You ain't impression' no one,” casually taking on the low born drawl of those in Middleton where he knew Jill lived, across the river from Bellringer.

Jill laughed and stood up straight, walking over to take the mare's bridle as Spayar dismounted with a grunt. Damn horse sometimes felt too big for him, even with his long legs. "Wha'cha here for?" Jill asked.

"Riding lessons, c'mon Duren," he held his arms up for his little brother. Duren dragged one leg over the saddle so he was sitting with both on the same side and then slid down into Spayar's arms. He wasn't strong enough to catch Duren anymore, his brother too big for that, but he could make sure he got to the ground safely.

"For who? You? You’re one of the best riders I know," and Jill sucked on his gap.

"No no, for my brother," Duren stood behind Spayar. He didn't know Jill, Spayar wasn't surprised, the damn guy slept with the horses now and rarely went home to Middleton despite talking like he'd lived there his entire life. Spayar also didn’t see or mention Jill like he did his actual friends. They’d been boys together but had nothing in common anymore and didn’t really interact except for times like these. "I need an easy horse, lower to the ground than her," he patted his mare's neck fondly.

"Wan’a pony?" he asked, "We have a few of ‘em marshy geldings.”

"Yeah, that sounds fine."

"You got it," and then he turned back towards the stables, leading Spayar's horse away. As he did Jill yelled, "Mavok, get one of the ponies saddled up!"

"Who was that?" Duren asked him.

"A friend," Spayar said, Duren just looked confused. "What?" he asked.

"You have other friends other than the prince?" Duren asked.

"Of course I do," Spayar said irritably. Spayar had a lot of friends, though few good ones, and countless acquaintances he knew more about than he had any right to. "Vondugard isn't my only friend."

"Seems like," Duren said, making a face, "dooim says so a least."

"Dad doesn't know half the things I do," thank the gods for that. “Don’t listen to everything dad says, he’s not always right.”

Duren frowned, not liking Spayar talking about their dad in any negative light. “Why do I have to ride a pony? I want to ride a horse," Duren decided to complain about that instead.

"A pony is fine to start with and probably as much as a horse as you'll ever ride," he patted Duren's shoulder. Duren looked at him sourly. "You're a smith brother, not a knight, you got no need for a horse."

"What about you then? Are you a knight?"

"No," Spayar agreed. Gods no he wasn't a knight.

"Then why do you have a horse?"

Spayar laughed, "More than just knights own horses, Duren. You see people not knights on horses don't you?" Duren nodded slowly. "A horse is just expensive. Expensive to buy, expensive to care for, expensive to house. I'm really lucky to have a horse like mine. But you," he tapped his brother's nose, "will be fine with a pony for today. Once you get better we'll move you to a horse."

"Okay," Duren said, Spayar could see the wheels of Duren's mind turning. But before he could figure it all out Jill was back leading a pony, fully saddled. It was a fairly tall pony, rather thin, with long, narrow, legs, but still many hands shorter than Spayar’s mare.

"Here w’are, one of them marshy ponies of LoHanJo'in," meaning it was a Adoshade horse. They'd bred them from the water ponies who lived in and around the Boggart swamps that took up most of LoHanJo'in province. They were just tall enough to stand above the water line most places and short enough to stay out of the way of the lower branches of the trees in the swamps and small enough to squeeze between trees to escape predators.

"Thanks," Spayar said and Jill handed him the lead.

"His name's Ollie, ‘e's a good boy," and Jill patted the pony's rump, Ollie swished his tail.

"We'll have him back before lunch probably," Spayar said.

"No rush. Hillsman can take him out as long as he wants, Stablemaster said that."

“Really?’ Spayar asked, raising his brows at Jill.

“Aaaah, not in so many words,” Jill said, grinning a gap toothed grin.

“Great,” Spayar said, half laughing, “Take care of my horse while I'm out."

Jill laughed, "She'll be a princess while she's here," he promised.

Spayar grinned and motioned to his brother to follow him as he led him and the pony away from the stables. "Spayar," Duren asked as they went to a field. Unlike most of the land around the capital the hill the palace sat on was hard ground. It was why Spayar had picked up here and not just anywhere, Duren wouldn't have to worry about potholes or wetland.

"Yeah?" Spayar asked.

"Does your horse have a name?"

Spayar looked up from where he was checking the pony's bridal, "Uh... no," he realized. He'd never named his horse. Three years and his horse didn't have a name. It had honestly never occurred to him.

Duren hadn’t been expecting Spayar to actually agree with him that his horse didn’t have a name. "It doesn't?"

"I guess not," Spayar admitted and looked back on his life choices where he hadn’t named his own horse.

"You should name her," Duren insisted.

"I wouldn't even know what to call her," Spayar said, "I always just call her girl."

"That's a terrible name." Spayar frowned, now he felt weird about it. How had he not noticed he'd never named his own horse? He’d had her for three years. How hadn't anyone noticed? Or what if they had but had felt like it wasn’t their place to point it out? Maybe everyone knew Spayar’s horse didn’t have a name and wondered what was wrong with him. It made Spayar feel self conscious about the entire thing. He couldn’t just go around asking people if they knew his horse’s name either because then if they didn’t know then they would. "You should think of a name for her," Duren said.

"I guess," Spayar said, though honestly giving his horse a name now would be more weird since he was so used to her not having one. "I'll think about it, now lets get you up.” Mainly he just wanted to get off the subject of his horse not having a name. Hopefully Duren would forget that they’d ever had this conversation.

He showed Duren how to mount a horse. Duren climbed onto Ollie's back with only a bit of trouble. Spayar handed Duren the reigns and saw that Jill had also given him a long lead line as well. Thanks Jill. "Marshy ponies are really well trained," Spayar told his brother to continue to stay off the subject of his own horse. “So you just need to give it a little nudge to get him going. With your heel... yeah like that," and Duren got the pony to start to walk. "Not so tight on the reins," he said as he let the lead rope out.

"How do I turn?" Duren asked.

"Pull them the direction you want them to go. Not too hard," and Duren did so. The pony started to moved in an arc with Spayar as it's center point. Spayar turned as the pony walked and Duren was so focused on the pony it was like he’d forgotten his brother was an absolute idiot.

"Spayar," Duren said after he'd walked the pony around Spayar in a circle a few times "what's a gelding?"

"It's a boy horse that can't have children."

Duren was paying attention to the pony when he asked, "Like you?"

"What! No. I'm not a gelding," thank the gods he wasn't. He rather enjoyed all his equipment, and all their functions.

"But you can't have children," Duren looked at Spayar.

"I am fully capable," Spayar said, trying not to be irritated. Duren was only eight, he was allowed to be stupid. It was surprisingly difficult to not be angry though. "I just won't."

"Cause boys can't have babies?"

"Exactly," Spayar said, "And a gelding is a horse who's been castrated. It's different."

"Well what's castrated mean?"

"It means they cut the balls off." Spayar laughed at Duren's horrified face. His brother looked down at his lap like to assure himself he was still in one piece. "They only do it to horses,” he assured Duren. That didn't mean Spayar couldn't think of at least a dozen reasons or crimes that would get a man castrated, and not just the balls either.

"Why do they do that?"

"To make them calmer."

"But what about making more horses?"

"They don't geld all the stallions Duren," Spayar sighed, "and the Adoshade only gift out or sell gelded marshy ponies, so other places can't breed them."

"Why?"

"Politics, don't worry about it," yeah only Spayar had to worry about that sort of stuff. "Try and make your pony go faster," Spayar encouraged to get them off the talk of horse balls. First making Spayar come to the realization his horse didn’t have a name and now horse balls. Something was wrong with his little brother. Duren tapped the pony again and Ollie started to go faster.

They were out there for a while until Duren said his legs hurt. "Owww," he complained as he got off Ollie. "Why does that hurt so much?"

"You aren't used to it," Spayar said, patting Ollie who looked ready for a rest and to not go in circles anymore. Duren was rubbing the inside of his thighs, looking pained. "Lets head back to the stable, I'm sure Ollie wants his lunch," and he started to walk, Duren rubbed for a few more seconds before following.

"You rode all the way to Peonia and back in like two weeks,” Duren said, looking at Spayar with something like awe.

"I did," he agreed.

"Didn't it hurt?"

Spayar shrugged, "It's just uncomfortable. You get used to it honestly, from being in the saddle so much."

"Doesn't your dick hurt though?"

Spayar snorted, "Usually the whole area just goes numb before it starts to hurt."

"You've ridden a horse with a numb butt?" Duren cried, eyes wide.

"Yeap," Spayar said. "But I ride all the time. The more you do the less it hurts."

"Oh," Duren looked contemplative a moment. "You're not a knight, right Spayar?"

"Nope."

"Then what are you? You can fight and do magic like a knight and a warlock, but you aren't are you?"

"I'm not a knight," Spayar said, "all magic users are warlocks, you know that."

"Then what are you?" Spayar thought about that a moment. What was he? "Spayar?"

"I'm thinkin'," Spayar said as they approached the stables. Jill didn't meet them this time and they entered the building. "Hello," he called. The royal stables were huge and each stall had a name plaque beside the door. Despite that it was easy to get lost and it wasn’t best to wander without a stablehand to guide you. "Hello," he called again. It'd take them forever to find Ollie's stall on their own. He sighed and started down the stall lined corridor, at the very least he could find Ollie's stall. Though he also needed to find his horse. This was probably a horrible idea. Where was everyone?

They walked through the stables to the other side where there was a covered area that led to one of the two large courtyards that stood guard next to the large looping drive at the front of the palace. There they found seemingly all the stable hands, standing back and out of the way. In front of them was a gilt carriage pulled by a team of four, black, horses of the same sick as his own made and standing beside it was a fair haired woman who was yelling at the holsters. Spayar recognized her by voice alone, it was Von's second oldest sister; Obi.

"What's going on?" Spayar asked one of the stable hands quietly, thankfully Duren had enough sense to be silent.

"Her highness keeps changing her mind about what she wants," they said, frowning. "First she wanted white horses, than brown horses, now black horses, and only females. Something' wrong with the carriage, this or that uhg.”

"Well... I have a pony that needs to be put away," Spayar said.

"At least it's something to do, what's his name?"

"Ollie."

"Right, I'll take him. You got a horse, sir?” they said and took Ollie’s lead. Meanwhile Obi was still yelling, irritated something wasn't happening fast enough. Spayar hated Obi. Spayar genuinely hated few people, but Obi was one of them. She was a handful.

“Yes, she’s a royal breed, dark brown coat, white hairs, Jill put her away for me.”

“Ah, I know that one. I’ll bring her here, sir,” and they left with Ollie.

Spayar turned around when he heard Obi crack one stable hand across the face. "Do not talk back to me," she yelled at the man who was now on the ground, hand over one side of their face.

"Apologizes your highness, I was merely-

She stepped on him, stomped was more a correct term honestly. The stable hand cried out, his sound of pain startling the horses. "I said do not talk back to me!"

"I'm sorry," the stable hand stammered. Spayar knew he shouldn’t intervene. He didn’t really have much to do with the other royals unless they put themselves in front of him. It was less messy and he wouldn’t get to know them and feel bad when he plotted their murder. He was about to turn away and take Duren with him when he recognized the stablehand. He cursed to himself. Of course it had to be Jill. Of course it had to be because Can’dhe liked to torment him. Liked to put things in his way and test his character.

He looked down at his brother and saw his brother recognized Jill as well. What would it look like if Spayar just turned a blind eye? How could he explain to his baby brother that it was better if he didn’t get involved? He couldn’t. Not after Spayar had called Jill his friend. What sort of person left their ‘friend’ to be beat over nothing. He sighed a little. He was about to do something stupid and reckless and he wasn’t looking forward to it.

"Learn to listen when your betters speak," Obi spat made to stomp on Jill again. This time Spayar flicked his hand to cast a spell and caught her heeled foot in mid air with a messy weave that clung to the air on spider silk connections. It did hold her though. She whirled on the stable hands accusingly, fire in her cerulean blue eyes. "Who's doing that?" she demanded.

Nothing for it. He’d started this, he had to finish it. Spayar stepped forward, leaving Duren with another stable hand who didn't need to be told to hold his brother back. "Hello your highness," he bowed to her neatly, extending his arms a bit and wishing he was wearing a bit nicer clothes. Anyone watching saw it as mocking but Obi, unobservant as always, saw it as respectful. What she did see was that he didn’t bow nearly as low as he would to Von or even the king. The king. Her nostrils flared angrily.

Obi was the prettiest of Von’s siblings and loved the gut, emulating all the most popular styles from there. Obi had long, delicate, golden locks she wore in immaculate ringlets of the Dalicites. Her nails were always freshly manicured and painted like a Nedalian. Today they were apple red with yellow tips. Her bright blue eyes were ringed in Aldashi style liner, the wings conservative like she’d done them herself and was intimidated by them. They weren’t nearly as long or elegant as Tassa’s. Even her clothes were western Alliance with a high hem on her skirt over a pair of lace tights and a bodice that showed off her flat, golden, stomach and pushed her breasts together while keeping her shoulders bare. For the aesthetics she was lovely. Under that gilded facade she was a miasma of stupidity and temper made of methane that just needed the slightest spark to erupt in either spouting off something so ignorant it actually gave you pause, or she’d turn you inside out with a temper tantrum.

"Spayar," she said his name like he was a piece of shit on her shoe, "what do you think you're doing?"

"Keeping you from hurting an innocent man," Spayar said calmly, standing up again. He didn't avert his eyes when he spoke to Obi either, he didn't know how to anymore. Von demanded that Spayar looked at him on level when they spoke and he did it out of habit to all people of standing.

Obi looked down and sneered at Jill who swallowed. "If I want to it's my prerogative," she said and snapped Spayar's weave holding her leg like he knew she would. This time when Obi made to stomp on Jill Spayar uttered one word and Obi lost her footing and fell ass up on her back. There was a stunned silence in the courtyard. Here Spayar had to play carefully or he’d have a fire on his hands. He wasn’t a pyromacer either and Von want here.

"That man is under your mother's employ and thus under the protection of the Le'Acard," Spayar said, hands behind his back so no one could see how hard they were trembling. He wasn't angry. He was afraid. He wasn't afraid of much but pissing off someone who could kill him effortlessly was one of them. Von wasn't around to protect him from his sister like sometimes. It was one thing to kill your brother’s best friend when he was alone, it was quite another to do it in front of him. Especially a d’aelar. Normally that would make him immune from most attacks by the Le’Acard. Not from Obi. Obi didn’t care. When she was angry or insulted and not handled carefully she’d take on anyone.

Obi stared at him like she couldn't believe he'd really just done that. He'd just humiliated her in front of a bunch of stable hands. "What are you looking at?" she snarled at Jill who was also staring, slightly slack jawed.

"Nothing, your highness," he looked away quickly

She got to her feet and marched over to Spayar. Obi was shorter than him, but it didn't matter, she was like fire. Literally she was fire and was a pyromacer like her brother Von. For a second Spayar thought the tips of her coiled hair sparked and became flame. Not unheard of for a powerful pyromacer. "You would do such a thing?" she hissed.

Spayar kept very calm. Obi won when you talked back, when you got angry. He'd seen enough of her fighting with Teldin, Tallalsala and Dellin to know how she was, what she did, and how temperamental she was. When Obi started to smolder if you struck back in anger like she did she’d just ignite and you’d lose. It was something that happened often enough and only staying perfectly calm in the face of her wrath would see her be handled out of that spark of rage. “I would," he said.

"I am a Le'Acard, you would lay a hand on me?" she demanded, fire in her eyes, her breath as hot as a forge on his face.

"I did no such thing-

"You still-

"I simply stopped you from making a mistake," he just talked right over her. The only way for Obi to hear you was to just talk over her.

"Me? A mistake?" she laughed.

"So you would rather me tell the stable master you beat one of his best stable boys and then he would tell your mother?" Spayar asked her curiously.

Obi froze. She hadn't thought of that. Of course she hadn't. Obi was an idiot of the first degree. Of Von's siblings she was the least he was worried about because Obi didn't have the patience or brain power to plan a coup, let alone the temperament to see it through to completion. She might know Tallalsala was meeting with the Clan and Teldin had the White Foot and Wren-Kal in his pocket, but that meant nothing to Obi. It was like telling her there was a particular bad thunderstorm outside. It would pass, as it always did. "My mother?" she asked and it was like Spayar had dropped a block of ice on white hot iron.

"Yes," Spayar said, "Asuras Virilia takes great pride in the horses her stable breeds, and thus those who work there. You wouldn't want her to know you were abusing them would you?" Spayar was talking out of his ass of course. Obi was too dumb to know differently. She believed everything people told her. A temper with gullibility did not make a good match and was how you threw sand over the tinder of her temper. He looked at the carriage, "Didn't you have somewhere to be, my lady?" he asked her rather innocently, switching topics and confusing her by now being worried for her well being and her time table.

"I do," she said slowly, unsure what he was doing or how to react appropriately since just a moment ago she’d been ready to burn him alive.

"I would hate for you to be late," there was a driver already sitting in the seat up front, staring at Spayar like he was crazy. "Since I'm sure it's terribly important if you need to go."

"It is," she said and pursed her lips at him. She hadn't even realized what he was doing. How did Von have a sibling like Obi?

"I'm sure they're waiting for you," he moved his fingers and the carriage door opened, beckoning Obi.

"This idiot-

"Had the best intentions your highness. You really shouldn't worry about such trvilalries," and already Obi had gone from being mad at him for humiliating her to complacent and ready to do what he said. If you didn’t set her off Obi was actually very easy to deal with. It was just she was easily set off. You just had to use a certain tone with her and she cooled down and did what you said once you showed her that yes; you were the boss here, not her. Honestly she was a bit like a horse. If the rumors were true she was ridden about as much as the common use horses in the stables too. "Driver," he called, "where are you going?"

"We're going to Mirin, my lord," the driver said. The capital of Kou. That made Spayar slightly uneasy. A million possibilities ran through his head about why Obi would be going to the capital of Kou. She had to have a handler, behind the scenes, trying to put her on the throne. If only so she’d be a figurehead.

"That's a long way," Spayar said, “Who are you going to see?”

“The Lady Lenni,” she said. Spayar wracked his brain. Who was the Lady Lenni?

“Well if you don’t leave soon it’ll be too late in the day to make any way down the Westernlance. You wouldn’t want to put off seeing her another day would you?”

“No,” Obi said adamantly.

“Then we should get you on your way,” he said, barely even in the moment with Obi. He was thinking of who the Lady Lenni was. He helped her into the carriage and Spayar closed the door with a pleasant smile. He waved to the driver once he stepped back and the driver, who finally had to look away from his stupefied amazement at Spayar, flicked the reins to put the horses into a trot. Obi would be out of the city before she realized Spayar had manipulated her and she’d told him where she was going and who she was seeing.

"That was amazing," Jill said from the ground. "How'd you do that?"

"I have a lot of practice dealing with Le'Acard," Spayar offered Jill his hand. Jill took it and Spayar hauled him to his feet. Jill wasn't really wounded, but he was a bit battered. "Go to the palace healer, get healed up, if they throw a fuss say I sent you."

"You're right amazing Spayar," Jill said.

Spayar just shrugged, "Go on, me and Duren are for home."

"Right right," Jill said, and dusted himself off a bit. "Thanks," he said again, grinning his gap toothed grin at Spayar. Spayar went back to find his brother, "What you lot standing around for?" Jill cried at the other stable hands, "You gots stuff to do, so go do it!" and they scattered.

Duren was standing with his mare and another man that made Spayar stop dead, the warm feeling of victory over Obi leeching away instantly.

Teldin was holding onto Spayar's horse’s reins and standing next to Duren like it was the most natural thing he could do. "Your highness," he bowed to Teldin much lower than he had for Obi. Unlike her Teldin actually garnered real respect.

As with the rest of the past few generations of Le’Acard Teldin was fair and blonde, his hair in last decade’s style of long and slicked back. Unlike some of his siblings his skin was the color of flour and his eyes were such a brown they were practically black. He had mean eyes like an owl's and a long, proud looking face. He was well built and filled his autumn coat well. This was the man who threatened Von's life, and thus Spayar's own life; the oldest son of the Asuras.

"What can I do for you, your highness?" Spayar asked, straightening. As he did he noticed that twined around Teldin’s neck was a long, leaf green, snake with eyes too smart to be an animal. A shapeshifter. Spayar knew who it was instantly and it put him on more edge than he already was with Teldin’s appearance. Sade was a powerful warlock and shifter and practically Teldin’s second in command. She was practically another Spayar. Why would she be here with Teldin now?

"That was very impressive," Teldin said, he had the voice of a singer, the type you could listen to forever. "Not many people can so expertly manipulate Obi out of a rage," he said it thoughtfully but also like he didn’t actually care.

"You're too kind, your highness," Spayar said.

"Where's my brother?" he asked.

"Vondugard, your highness?"

"Who else would I ask you about?" though they both knew realistically Spayar probably knew the whereabouts of all the Le'Acard children despite only having been in Assarus a few days since his trip to the gut.

"I don't know. I just came home from serving time a few days ago. He wasn't here when I arrived,” he lied.

Teldin put a mean stare onto Spayar but he didn't flinch, didn't move a single inch. "You're a good d'alaer," Teldin said and cocked his head at Spayar in a very predatory fashion. "But you're wasted on my brother." Teldin knew Spayar was lying. He knew and knew Spayar knew he knew but pushing Spayar to answer would get him no where nor would it actually help him. He was just testing Spayar, like he always did, to see what he could get out of him.

"Your brother takes very good care of me," Spayar swallowed. This wasn't the first time Teldin had approached Spayar about changing his alliances. Teldin and Tallalsala had both done it, since they were the two better players on the field. They knew what it meant that Von had a d'alaer and they didn't. Sinou had had a famous d'alaer who helped him conquer the first realms of the Alliance. It was the opinion of most of the Alliance and especially the Le'Acard that Asuras who had a d'alaer on their sides were more competent rulers, better in every way. That they could instill such zealous devotion in someone meant they knew what they were doing. Teldin, Tallalsala and Dellin all hated Von in equal measure they were jealous of him because he had Spayar; his d'alaer.

Spayar was the d'aelar of this generation, the first one since since the early eighteen hundreds. His kind weren’t common and there was only ever one at a time. If there were more they’d constantly be compared until one was proclaimed the true d'aelar in the style of the d'aelar of old. The only way to get the benefit of a d'aelar now was to either kill Spayar and get your own or convince him that it was in his best interest to side with them. He’d been on the end of enough threats to himself and his family and promises of the world, stars and everything in between to know that it was serious for the Le’Acard. They knew the importance of his title, what it meant for them and the nobles, commoners and soldiers of the Alliance in the coming Conflict. The greatest Asuri had d’aelar. They wanted one too. Unfortunately there was only one Spayar.

"I would do better," Teldin said, "whatever he does for you I can do better.” Not the first promise Teldin had ever given him. “Or whatever he doesn’t do for you,” and Spayar did his best not to just grab his brother and bolt. It sounded like he was being courted and not asked to betray his best friend. Knowing Teldin there was all sorts of meaning behind those words and promises he’d follow up on to get the advantage over his siblings. Spayar did his best to not think about Von like that, let alone his viper of a brother.

"I'm not interested," Spayar said instead, once again putting his hands behind his back so Teldin wouldn’t see how they trembled. He just wanted Teldin to leave him alone. "I am Vondugard's d’aelar. His d'aelar I shall stay. As I’ve said before, I want nothing from you, Teldin,” he said. Sade’s body extended out towards Spayar a bit and the human eyes in a snake’s head were reproachful.

Teldin frowned, “You’re sure? Now’s the time to pick sides, d’aelar. Do you really want to be one of those who visits a temple of Lemp?” All the hair stood up on Spayar’s body. Most of the time just the presence of a d'aelar by a Le’Acard’s side was enough to rally most of the nation to them and they’d come through and sit on the throne. But sometimes, it wasn’t. The crown heir in question was killed. D’aelar knew they wouldn’t be spared after a Conflict’s close like their donalim. The only way out was to leave the Alliance and never return, leaving behind everything and one you’d ever known, or kill yourself. Since suicide was against their religion and the will of Lemp necromancers would assist people in their suicides. The d'aelar who went to temples of Lemp were a select few, and they all did so out of shame and grief when their best friends, or - in one case - their lover, had lost the Conflict.

“Careful,” Spayar said slowly, to not betray the hard beating of his heart. “Your dread is showing, your highness,” he said and bowed a little. Sade flicked her tongue at Spayar hatefully and he wondered what the hell had just gotten into him to say that to Teldin’s face. The prince wasn’t the least bit amused.

Teldin dropped his mare's lead and walked away without goodbye. Spayar's heart was all the way up in his throat as he walked away. He lurched forward, grabbed his horse’s lead and his brother’s hand and dragged them away.

"Spayar-

"Later," and Spayar said and stopped long enough to help Duren onto his horse. He scrambled up after his brother.

"But who was that-

"Duren," Spayar said sharply and kicked his mare into a canter to get away from the stables. “Not. Now.” He looked over his shoulder but didn’t see Teldin. Thankfully Duren didn’t ask any more questions and Spayar could focus on putting as much distance between them and the Palace as humanely possible. It was of course this time, when Spayar felt the stress of Teldin and the Conflict on his shoulders, that he remembered that Lady Lenni was the name of a the High Priestess of Belladha, goddess of wisdom. What a stupid thing he’d think of now and what a pointless person Obi was going to see. Spayar didn’t know if he was more annoyed with himself for knowing who Lenni even was, or for thinking about that instead of the fact that Teldin had just promised him if he didn’t join him that he’d make sure Spayar visited a temple of Lemp.

He really hated the royals.

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