ravellaarryns:
kingarryn:
“they have absolutely no claim to the throne at all.” he hears rosa state, causing rowan to look downwards to the floor for a moment, knots forming in the pit of his stomach at her words. although none of his siblings knew or even suspected his lineage, rowan could sense of guilt and shame slowly start to wash over him. his cousins held a stronger claim to the arryn throne, his throne, than he himself. he felt the burden on his shoulders only grow heavier.
the threat needed to be taken seriously if house grafton were involved, as well as if even lesser lords or locals were whispering about such a coup as it must meant that their support was growing. rhys’ news made him immediately begin to question himself and his rule. rowan leaned forward in his chain, resting a hand on his leg. “can house grafton be persuaded or do your informants tell you that their allegiance is set?” he pauses for a moment, “what has led to this? was this my doing?” his mind started to wander.
@ravellaarryns
there was a claim for the gulltown arryns to make; though it were weak, and overextended at best considering the stark contrast between the older, prouder lineages of the noble houses of the vale compared to the richer, merchant families. as well as the fact there was no succession crisis in sight; for the mountain king had lived through the recent wars, and gods willing would continue to do so. the ambitions of their cousins was rooted in trade money, stemming from their close links across the narrow sea; a world away from the ideals and notions of the noble houses of the vale. at her elder brother’s question, she remained silent, her orbs fixed upon his features as though she wondered how he could even think such a thing, so soon after returning from defending their border?
“how could we have failed them?” she asked, her tone typically harsh; her world was one of black and white, of the arryns, of the vale … and everyone who was below them. “our people remain safe within our borders, whilst the people of other kingdoms have become destitute or at worst, buried or scattered ashes.” shaking her head slightly, the woman refused to acknowledge any fault; for how could it be? she understood her brother had his own approach, his own method of dealing with his men and his people, though at times she believed he needed reminding that he was the mountain king; there was a reason for such a placement. “do not question yourself brother; for then we question our very blood and all we know. this is treason; reasons be damned.”
@rosaaaryn
.
how could family think such a way about them? did they not see that if they prospered as a family the entire kingdom would prosper as well. if there was going to be a fight that broke out between them then everyone was going to suffer for it. rosa's feared that she would be away in the north and unable to help her family. but there was still time now to help if she could, as her move to the north was not this moment.
"i agree with what ravella says. there is no reason to doubt yourself rowan. you have helped to lead this entire kingdom into a time of peace and then helped protect our borders. we are growing as a country with new allies and protections and all of that has been done under your care. please do not doubt yourself." rosalyn said, signing with her words. "if grafton can be swayed than it would be worth reaching out to them. even if they might be leaning towards our cousins. if we can squash this before anyone else hears than that might be best.
@falcxnprince
location, rosa’s chambers, barrowtown
butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she waited for her guest to arrive. she really hoped this was going to be a good idea and that she wasn’t going to just make things worse or mess it up. ‘no’ she kept reassuring herself, ‘this would be good.’
when one of her handmaidens let her know there was knock on the door, rosa took in a deep breath before she opened it. she smiled seeing the new blonde hair queen of the vale.
“your grace, thank you for coming all the way over here. i hope it wasn’t too difficult with the storm happening. just in case i set us up near the fireplace, i don’t know about you but this storm is freezing me to my bones.” rosalyn took her seat near the fire, although a bit slower nowadays. she motioned for gwen to come and join her, nerves still rushing through her.
“i wanted to invite you here as a welcome to the arryn family. i can only imagine that the welcome into the family was not what you pictured it to be and i am sorry for that. but i wanted to personally have this moment to welcome you in. i know we are not in the vale and i now live far away but i tried my best to bring a little of the eyrie here.”
standing up she grabbed a tray of food and brought it back to the table. she had adorned it with small pieces of home. blue fabric, a small bird carved of stone and other various items. “one of my handmaidens came with me from the eyrie and is an amazing cook. she helped to make some things from home.” rosa said pointing out the various small cakes and other treats she had enjoyed in her time in the vale. “it’s a small piece of home, i suppose. oh! i almost forgot my favorite thing. a special tea from the vale as well. would you like some?” she asked picking up the small kettle. the queen wondered if maybe she had gone a little overboard but everyone deserved to feel welcome in their new home.
@gcuienveres
bethanystark:
.
war was the worst of all the ways she had been separated from her twin. it felt wrong at times, to sit in his chair and act with the authority he possessed. it wasn’t that she was unfamiliar with the duty that was being the stark in winterfell, but it was the fact it meant her brother was off getting himself into trouble, into danger. during the dance she’d been the one to wrap a bark and leather good luck charm on his wrist, but now that charm was secured by his wife. things were so different this time, but yet still also the same.
at least this time she didn’t have to prove herself as a capable leader. gods, the amount of old men challenging her before… they were lucky bear hadn’t tried to eat them in the night.
bethany rose early -it was hunting season and her body refused to listen when she tried to sleep in and say she couldn’t go out- and had been looking over some reports from along the way to sea dragon point and deepwood motte when the queen entered. brown eyes shifted up to acknowledge her goodsister’s presence before going back to the papers. “mornin’ rosa.” she sounded preoccupied, rightly so, and the huge direwolf that was her shadow and companion came up to circle and sniff at the queen, checking her over in that protective way before being content and flopping down next to bethany’s chair. well, theon’s chair. it was just hers for now.
“the siege has begun, but it’s slow going through the wolfswood to sea dragon point. we have logging trails through there, not roads fit for soldiers. not yet at least.” she said as she took a dagger to a sealed letter and read it over before rolling her eyes and setting it aside in one of many piles. men. “i’m sure you know this, but no news is good news in war. our concerns are to keep the home fires burning while theon collects more war stories to tell us when he gets back.”
.
it was strange being in a position to make some real decisions and have power over what may happen during a time of war. during the last battles of the dance rosalyn had been locked safely away in the eyrie to ensure nothing would happen to the arryns not in the fight. they would be safe up in the mountains from almost everything. there was no time to help with decision-making, nor would her voice be heard anyways. her father never was someone to promote his daughter’s talents.
often the young queen wondered what he might think of his daughter now if he could see her. the queen consort of the north, mother to a future king. maybe there might be a small sense of pride. she would never know.
rosalyn watched her goodsister as she spoke, picking up what she was saying. she would have to teach her a sign or two to help her communicate. luckily reading bethany’s words wasn’t too hard of a task to do.
after giving bear his well earned pets, she moved to the table next to bethany. “at least we will have the advantage of knowing these woods over the iron born raiders. this will be unfamiliar land to them, could lead to many mistakes on their part.” she said, looking over the pile of letters. “one of the elder lords stopped me in the halls last night to ask for an audience with the two of us. he said he did not have time to write a letter but wishes to discuss his taxes, seeing that his supplies are going towards the war efforts now.”
anya-snow:
Location: The North, Winterfell Closed starter for @rosaaaryn
After the meeting, Anya remained within the chambers of the council to discuss some matters regarding the trading alliance with Yi Ti. King Theon and his trusted knight, Ren, went over some of the details of beginning to send Northern soldiers to the regions of Wan and Shizi as had been agreed. In turn, the blacksmith turned representative for the merchant’s guild and liaison to the free regions of the Golden Empire had informed them both of the upcoming visit from her father and her uncle. Jinhai in particular was someone she knew the Winter King might wish to meet, as her dear uncle was the current head of one of the richest, most influential guilds in Wan. A powerful man in Yi Ti as a whole.
Exiting the council chambers, Anya was greeted by familiar wintry air. Over her warm coat, the raven-haired woman wore a jade green cloak with embroidery of golden thread made from one of the rolls of silk her uncle gifted her on his last visit. Dahlia had sewn it for her a while back but now that the king had legitimized her in Westeros, it felt right to finally wear it. Let there be no doubt that she was proud of her ancestry and the links that tied her to her father’s family.
She walked across the courtyard of Winterfell and stopped to look over her shoulder when her name was called. “Your grace,” the blacksmith said, seeing the Queen in the North. There was evident respect in her tone and as Anya approached the redheaded queen, she also offered a polite bow of her head. “How may I help you?”.
.
a sense of calm had rested over winterfell since everyone had returned from the fighting. it felt like all of them could breath once more. there was no more waiting for a messenger to bring the starks terrible news of a loss of one of their own. it felt like now they could start again to focus on what was most important, which was building up the north to be the best it could be.
there were many tasks of being a queen that rosa had found herself settling into rather well. but the biggest piece of advice that had been given to her was to surround herself with friends in her court. ladies who were smart, and clever, and represented all sides of what being a northern woman could be. there was one woman who had impressed the queen at every opportunity presented to her.
“anya!” rosalyn called out to the blacksmith as she spotted her heading out of the meeting. “i hope i have not caught you at a bad time. i was hoping you could come for a little walk with me, i wanted to ask you something.” she smiled. “although it should be inside or else i think the wisdoms will throw a fit given, well…” she said motioning to her stomach which was growing more and more each day.
heading back into the relative warmth of the castle, she waited for the other to join her. “how are you enjoying your new position so far? i know everyone is excited to see what new opportunities are ahead of us now with bringing in new ties to the north.” the queen said. “i believe the king and i share a vision for what new people could be brought into the north and find their home here. there are opportunities for people to move beyond where they have begun….i believe that is important”
ravellaarryns:
.
AN UNCHARACTERISTIC SHRUG came from the shoulders of ravella arryn; for a moment it looked as though the woman were truly exasperated with all the events that had seem to stir within her life as of recently, to the point where she wished she were brazen and careless enough to discard of her duties completely and make up some nonsense excuse to visit jocelyn baratheon in kings landing, or perhaps even remain in winterfell with rosalyn for some time. “why would he?” she asked, her tone momentarily harsh at the question; it were obvious what the reaction would be from the closest lords and ladies of the court of arryn, those lords who were essentially pillars for the arryn throne.
he had already married outside of the vale once; though that alliance was beneficial; however to dismiss a vale lord’s daughter as a potential queen for a woman from an opposite faction with no use at all was something she never thought she would have to live with. and yet her eyes softened slightly when she realised that perhaps rosalyn’s question was not from a place of logic or reason, but emotional hurt; she knew her sweet little sister had a steadfast and close with their eldest brother, and perhaps she felt blindsided by the sudden revelation. how she resisted the urge to welcome her to the club.
“i am sure you can ask that question yourself… though perhaps also ask him why a betrothal between myself and lord wyatt grafton would prove beneficial in his mind.” she paused momentarily, knowing the information was a lot to catch her up on; how much had changed since she had left the vale for her new marital home? “i would do so myself, however we are not exactly communicating.” she gently looked over the small bump on her sister’s stomach, momentarily imagining her sister as a mother; and how she thought any child to have her as a mother was blessed. “enough of this; there will always be something to stress over. how are you finding your condition?”
.
rosalyn knew that with her move away from the vale that things were going to change. but she had not expected her siblings to get into a blowup fight so soon from her leaving. it wasn’t as if they never fought when she was around, of course, they did. all her siblings were strong-willed, capable people. she knew they fought, but she always was there to encourage everyone to come together again. maybe she could do this now even from her place in the north.
“lord grafton? why….why would he engage you to that man? after all that has happened?” this was getting more and more confusing as ravella told her each thing. the pit of her stomach dropped thinking of it all. reaching out she held onto the seat near her and lowered herself into it. was it a mistake leaving to the north? to get married? maybe she should have stayed closer to home to help everyone. what if she wasn’t able to mend this together like she always tried? for now she could bury the hurt that came with learning this secret. rowan would have an explanation for this and for the secrets he was keeping. “i…i will speak to our brother when he is free. i’m sure he is going to be busy up here. i’m sorry i was not there to help you. i will do my best now though.”
her hands ran over her stomach and the small bump that was beginning to show. it wouldn’t be long now until it was going to get bigger and bigger. she wouldn’t have such freedom of movement she has now, she was going to enjoy it while she still had it. “i have been feeling fine, honestly. perhaps a bit more tired than usual and i am a little sick in the mornings but i am okay. you should see my handmaidens they act as if i cannot walk ten steps by myself.” she smiled. “i have been happy to have times to escape away to walk.” reaching out she took her sister’s hand in hers. “but i have wanted you to be here with me and i’m so thankful you’re here now. it feels better knowing you’re here.”
rodrikofwinter:
a private meal with his betrothed was a luxury in the vale that rodrik would not enjoy so often in the north. as the lord of winterfell and now king of winter, he often took his meal in the great hall with his men, as his father had before him. there was something to be said about a meal in private, where his singular focus could remain on the woman who was soon to become his wife.
the smile upon rosa’s face brought one to his own, a more genuine smile than the wolf of winterfell often showed in the south. “we are often quite insular at times,” he told her, his head inclining. “our gods are different, our way of life. we are simpler; i do not take much joy in gold or jewels as you might be accustomed to here.” he took a sip from his ale. “when we are in the north, i will assign someone to instruct you in our customs.”
fingers moved to cut the meat that was on the plate in front of him. “i know that i am not the warmest of men, rosa,” he spoke candidly, wishing for her to know his thoughts. “but i will do all in my power to make you happy. as my queen, you will be elevated above most. and as my wife,” here he paused before exhaling. “as my wife, i will be faithful and belong to you alone.”
.
it had only been a handful of times that rosa had seen the king of winter smile since she had met him at dragonstone. although it was rare, it was kind. it felt genuine each time he gave one, not a forced pleasantry like so many other nobles painted on their faces. she felt quite special to get to see it more and more as the days drew closer to their wedding.
rosalyn knew moving to the north would mean a big change in customs that she had been used to. and there was no denying that she was nervous but it felt almost exciting as well. a simpler life was by no means a worse life or anything to snub her nose at. she often found solace in the quiet moments of the castle, she was sure she would find the same at winterfell. "someone to help me would be great help, thank you. that last thing i want to do is offend anyone."
taking a small sip of her drink, she could feel her cheeks burn the slightest color of pink, despite her efforts. "rodrik," rosa started. "you have been nothing but kind to me from the moment i have met you. you have been learning how to sign for me when no one said that you must. i find that to be very warm." she told him. there was a pause, a slight hesitation at her next words. as she was unsure if they were right or not. "i want for you to be happy as well. i...i hope i could also help to make you happy."
@cassvstark @kingvmorra @harlonvflowers
as requested by @ambitionbled (it won’t let me tag you, sorry!)
CONCERN.
❝How much have you had to drink?❞
❝You could have fucking alcohol poisoning!❞
❝Easy, there. Try to sit up.❞
❝I think I might’ve overdone it on the alcohol…❞
❝We’ve got to go get your stomach pumped.❞
❝I thought you said you were clean!❞
❝Yes, it is a big deal.❞
❝Let me drive you home.❞
❝You are NOT driving like this!❞
❝You are gonna have one hell of a hangover tomorrow.❞
❝Drinking until you puke is not normal.❞
DRUNK.
❝Is this real life?❞
❝I want to go to sleep but I can’t find any sheep.❞
❝How do you show fish affection?❞
❝Taco Bell is open 24 hours, right?❞
❝Tequila is not my friend? YOU’RE not my friend.❞
❝Drunk I am not.❞
-glasses on head- ❝Where did I put my glasses?❞
❝How do I tell my parents I’m a mermaid?❞
❝I’m not even tired.❞
❝I should call my ex.❞
❝I’m not drunk enough for this.❞
❝Does playing Mario Kart drunk count as drunk driving?❞
-hugging the floor- ❝I’m trying to stop the floor from spinning.❞
❝Can we go out for fried chicken?❞
ANGST.
❝What’s the fucking point anymore?❞
❝Screw recovery. I want a drink.❞
❝I’m too sober for this shit.❞
❝I don’t give a shit what you think.❞
❝I seriously don’t feel too good.❞
❝I didn’t even have that much to drink.❞
❝Will you stop fucking interrogating me?❞
❝I can drive. I’m fine.❞
❝There’s a reason I drink so much.❞
❝You’re the reason I drink so much.❞
❝I’m only happy when I’m drunk.❞
FLUFF/FUN.
❝You’re cute, you know that?❞
❝You wanna get wasted?❞
❝I’m bar-hopping tonight, wanna come?❞
❝What are you drinking, and why aren’t you sharing?❞
❝I’m having a party for two.❞
❝You’re so hot.❞
❝I’m usually too chicken-shit to say this, but…I really like you.❞
❝I don’t want to kiss you with your alcohol breath.❞
*kisses on forehead*
*kisses on cheek*
*kisses on lips*
“the only one able to handle this flame and perhaps calm it would be his wife, for who else could burn this bright as well? who could withstand his fire except someone made of it too. ”
penned by jd
@morsmartelll
gcuienveres:
closed starter for // @rosaaaryn
.
golden skirts swishing around her ankles as the sound of her footsteps bounced off the marble walls, guinevere held the grand, admittedly heavy, bouquet of ornate roses close to her chest as she made her way through this specific wing of the eyrie, a part of the castle she had never yet explored before. the two woman had never spoken much in all the time they had been in the vale and back in dragonstone, aside for when their ladies would cross paths on their daily duties and they would engage in civil small talk for the sake of politeness. her first impression of the youngest arryn princess was one of fragility; almost reminding her of the sunflower fields back in the rolling hills of the westerlands, vibrant, but delicate, and needed to be cared for properly.
the lannister woman knew how a lady of her rank was supposed to behave; hiding true feelings and thoughts behind a facade of sweetness and kindness, whilst silently observing the situation around them and supporting their own causes privately. and in the years a woman spent learning to be quiet but observant, one would pick up the ability to be a decent judge of character; the woman had learned to listen to her senses, her gut, the tone of one’s voice and the warmth in their eyes. and guinevere, from a quiet distance, had begun to think that rosalyn was good; truly good, in the purest way. and so when her engagement to rodrik stark became the court’s main source of gossip for the week, guinevere done what she had aways been taught to do; play the part.
congratulating a princess hosting you in her home for news of her engagement wouldn’t be considered brazen, or bold; but rather women being women, fawning over foolish notions of romance and chivalry, and finding anything excuse to gossip. guinevere did not intend on even knocking on the door of the chambers and alerting the flame haired woman of her presence, motioning to the guards on either side of her door to leave the bouquet at her door, accompanied with a small note expressing simple congratulations for the engagement on behalf of the house lannister. with that, the woman had ushered toward her own lannister guards to turn as they began to make their way back up the corridor, only to hear the chamber door open before she could leave the doorway. “apologies; i did not wish to interrupt. a small gift, for your good news.”
.
the last thing she expected to see as she stepped out of her room was the sigh of the lannister princess, and a small gift that was sat at her doorstep. a smile spread across the young arryn's face as she realized what gwen had done.
"you brought me a gift?" rosalyn said, pure surprise in her voice. how incredibly thoughtful that was of her to do. with the last-minute nature of her wedding, she figured it would not be such a big deal to other houses. it was nice to see someone congratulating her like this. someone thinking of her.
"thank you so much for these. they are truly so lovely." she smiled once again. "please, your highness i would love for you to join me for some tea if you have the time. as a thank you for such a thoughtful gift." bending down she picked up the bouquet of flowers that had been left for her. how beautiful they were. and the thoughtfulness behind them made them even more beautiful.
it would be nice to get her mind off the planning of the wedding for a few moments. and getting to spend time with gwen who she had barely gotten a chance to see since they had arrived back in the vale. everyone seemed so busy that it was hard to stop to enjoy simple pleasantries.
stepping aside to allow guinevere inside, she took a quick moment to sign to her handmaiden asking her to grab some tea and other small goodies for them. placing the bouquet on one of the large windowsills she turned to look back at her new companion.
"you know, it seems a little silly but ever since i was a little girl i have collected pressed flowers. if you look through my books now i'm sure you will find a dozen of them tucked in between the pages." she laughed. "they are like little memories hidden away. i've started a collection of flowers that have to do with the wedding. when the time comes i will be adding these to it, so i can remember."
starkwhitewolf:
.
torrhen was still figuring out rosa arryn. one moment she seemed as easy to read as a parchment he had scanned many times before, other times she seemed as unfamiliar as an entirely new language to decipher. he was never one to try and assume things about others simply based on their behaviors or past lives, but he knew, in part, it was important as husband to understand his wife to a certain degree. marriage to rosa had proved to come easily, but in many ways he was dealing with his own internal struggles. the eldest stark son had always been protective of his family and his home, even knowing he’d have to marry outside of the kingdom one day. a large part of him, to not fault of rosa, still saw the arryn name as an outsider to his kingdom. while he got along well with her brother, the king of the vale, torrhen stark had always put a small wedge between himself and those not from the north. perhaps rosa would help him to find a better way of securing relationships with outsiders, without entirely blocking them off.
the king’s brow furrowed at her words. while honestly was expected, and appreciated, he hated to hear that she didn’t feel completely safe in her own kingdom. how he wished to return to winterfell, to cast out every last southerner, to be rid of the shadows that haunted everyone. at her questioning, however, he shook his head. “no.” he replied firmly. “do not give him that power, rosa. that is how he is thriving, fear.” torrhen sighed, placing a hand on her stomach gently. “the monsters under our beds as children were always a play in our own minds. do not let him torment yours further. if i have to send you south for safety, so be it, i will.“ even if it meant his child was not born in his kingdom, a thought which troubled him in an inexplicable way, he would do what it took to keep rosa and their baby safe.
.
there was a longing to return back home to winterfel. away from all of this mess. a place where they could just spend time together as a married couple as they had. it had only been a short time since they been married, since she had moved her life up north, since they had discovered the wonderful news of their child. she wanted to spend time just to enjoy those moments. spend the time to get to know torrhen more. he had so many walls up around him, almost like she could see them. it had taken time but already she could see a few of them begin to fall around them. letting her into the real him, a side he might hide from others. she wanted to know that part of him.
“i would not leave you. i want to stay here with you, i want our child born in our home. with you by my side…” danger seemed to lurk around every corner for them now. it might be safe to leave to the south to have the child but then what? “if i go south then i would be giving into their fears. i want to be strong for you, for this child.” if she could do that, if she could show her strength then perhaps whatever curse this man was trying to throw at her could be overpowered. if she was strong then this child would be. she placed her hand over his on her stomach. the smallest kick was there, only just started but each time she could breath a sigh of relief that the child was okay. her other hand, moved to the side of his face, running her thumb over his cheek. “i want to be here with you. i feel safe with you here.”
rosa | ophelia | morra | cassana | harlon | theo | mellara | axell | ellie