fruitageoforanges

[fruitageoforanges]

four horsemen of team blue. transcripts for the text are located in the alt text, feel free to send in an ask if you need any clarification [an au in which aemond makes his own claim for the throne, and shit hits the fan]

#hotd #greens <3 #aemond targaryen #alys rivers #PLEASE tell me it’s an alysmond + gwyn throuple i need that in my life #these designs all look so fucking cool #i’m living for alys’ wrinkles if she isn’t domme-ing those two men she can domme me >3

[fruitageoforanges]

the king of long winter

(working on an au where aemond defects and makes his own claim for the throne bc hes nothing if not a shitstirrer!)

#htod #greens <3 #not really applicable here but for archival purposes fjlkfj #aemond targaryen #MY FAILSON SHITSTIRRER #aemond when his final brain cell goes out the window #it's vibes and audacity from hereon in

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remember how Alicent rushed at Aegon after the incident with the eye, accusing him of not keeping track of Aemond? just imagine a parallel where, at the bedside of Aegon, whose life hangs in the balance, Alicent, in a fit of weakness and fear, with tears in her eyes, grabs Aemond by the shirtfront and shakes him, accusing asking him why he did not protect his brother.

#hotd #greens <3 #alicent hightower #aegon ii targaryen #aemond targaryen #YES PLEASE #even though aemond DID #even though vhagar bore meleys down and made sure there was nothing left of rhaenys but bones (sorry rhaenys but that's fucking metal) #it doesn't matter to alicent because her eldest son might die

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Could you elaborate on what you mean by the Rhaenyra and Mandate of Heaven thing?

well the show establishes that she is like divinely sanctioned by the gods to be king when 1)the white hart appears to her and not her 2 year-old brother on his birthday hunt and 2)the prophecy on the dagger reveals that the realm needs a strong targaryen ruler to unite the realm against the white walkers and everyone tells rhaenyra it is her.

i think this makes her a much weaker character because she’s not allowed to want power for power’s sake or because she thinks she would be a good ruler in her own right or even wants to accomplish any specific political goals. no she wants power because the gods have said it thusly and she has to save the world. it takes so much of the complexity and agency out of her character and pulls most of the narrative’s thematic punches. how do you tell a story about the devastating consequences of dynastic infighting and civil war in an oppressive monarchical state if one of the claimants has to be unequivocally divinely correct? not well.

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i literally do not care abt larys skinchanger theory for the political spying implications or whatever i care about him spying on alicent and what it means for his perception of self and his own humanity and also alys skinchanging into him as punishment for him trying to do it to her and him thinking it’s really hot. still don’t want it to be canon just want to play with the idea in my little sandbox :)

#hotd #larys strong #alys strong #SKREEE #how have i not seen this theory #alys skin changing into larys… inspired

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#hotd #greens <3 #aegon ii targaryen #aemond targaryen #NOT THE SEPTAS STARING IN THE LAST IMAGE HELP #but seriously aegon & aemond's relationship all comes down to this. aegon cupping aemond's cheeks in front of the whole of KL lmao

[fruitageoforanges]

quick poll for readers of my fic, “portrait of a prince on fire” (and anyone else with an opinion, this is doing my head in):

#hotd #hotd fanfic #lucemond fanfic #portrait of a prince on fire #tearing my hair out over this #there’s a character who suits the name lucan so we’ll #but it’s a luke chapter and i’m aware having luke and lucan would be too complex

[fruitageoforanges]

"Why did Rhaegar leave a whole THREE Kingsguards with Lyanna? Why did he leave Jaime, A CHILD, to PROTECT his family? Why wasn't Arthur, a DORNISH man, with Elia?"

These or other individual questions about the Kingsguards during the Rebellion era keep coming up every now and then. Usually, it concerns questioning Rhaegar's motivations, sometimes even Jaime's morality or culpability, as well as the morality of said Kingsguards.

But I was having a conversation with some fans and it comes down to the same issue: no one considers the Targaryen politics at the time, and fragment these circumstances in shallow bits and pieces, naturally, coming down to "there's no good explanation for this!"

Everyone hates that these two Targaryen men have genuine character complexity, especially in rapport with eachother: Rhaegar and Aerys.

Let's go over the Kingsguard at the end of Aerys' reign, and actually consider allegiance and what the mean, and how those would actually easily explain a lot-

Jon Darry, Darry cousin: unclear loyalty, when it comes down to the Aerys-Rhaegar conflict. Darrys are without a doubt Targaryen men, but we don't know if and who they would choose. Darrys are most of all connected with Viserys and Rhaella, who are very sheltered from the rest of the world all the same. Darrys might have been sideline in the Aerys-Rhaegar conflict by such default then, and eventually Jon would be sent to the Trident anyway. But then again, unquestionable loyalty to House Targaryen sounds like a traditionalist approach.

Arthur Dayne: Rhaegar's man without a doubt. His oldest and closest friend.

Oswell Whent: Rhaegar's man. He's with him at the Tower and rumours are his family conspired alongside him to get the Lords at Harrenhal to stage Aerys' usurpation.

Gerold Hightower, Comander: King's (Aerys') man. The scene at the King's doors is often brought up in discussions about the ethics of the KG. But it actually also unveils a key political information within the Aerys-Rhaegar factions. Whether it's a matter of adhering to the status quo only, or personal allegiance to Aerys as well, the message is clear: even when it's between two royals, it's the King he will stand by, no matter what, even when he's not in the right (and if his son tries to usurp him, then technically he is).

Barristan Selmy: Barristan undergoes a character development during the main series in which he finally questions unquestionable allegiance to a King no matter their morality. A past Barristan, however, would then resemble a Ser Gerold, and be in the King's (Aerys) service before anything by virtue of duty. Notably, he would later reflect that Rhaegar did not find him fit to be in his confidence, and these expectations are probably why.

Lewyn Martell: Easily Elia's and Rhaegar's man, and Dornish. Noted as being in his confidence.

Jaime Lannister: One that causes a lot of controversy. A lot of back and forth discussion as to what expectations Rhaegar had of Jaime (and whether Jaime himself fulfilled them). The answer can actually be seen easily by:

1. Looking at it with the awareness that there was a faction divide existed in the KG in between Aerys and Rhaegar, as it was building up to a conflict and hence-

2. Reading their last conversation with that in mind

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

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

Jaime’s anger had risen up in his throat. “I am not a crutch. I am a knight of the Kingsguard.”

“Then guard the king,” Ser Jon Darry snapped at him. “When you donned that cloak, you promised to obey.”

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

For one, Jaime is the last KG left in King's Landing, and one to be kept close to Aerys himself. And Rhaegar is taking him into his confidence before he leaves - he is pretty much talking treason, hinting at usurpation upon his return.

Why did he leave Jaime, A CHILD, to PROTECT his family?

First of all, he doesn't leave Jaime himself in that post. As seen above, Aerys calls the shots. We know from the Ice and Fire "history book" that he sent Lewyn away from Elia as well for being Dornish (while before he was stationed with her and the kids on Dragonstone in Rhaegar's absence) and he commands Jaime to stay. As it appears, he also sends Darry and Selmy with him (with Selmy being a traditionalist at the time, it may even be to keep an eye on Rhaegar).

Rhaegar doesn't have a choice of whom to ask to look out for Elia and the children, no matter which KG would've been in town. He makes that clear. And as to expectations he has of the only one left and whom he can have a word with, while Jaime is, yes, by all means considered a grown man in their society AND a capable soldier who's well trained and already been in combat, he's not asking for Jaime to stand between his family and an army or anything.

There's not meant to be an army. That's meant to be Rhaegar's job to prevent. He's going out to battle. He's meant to give Robert a honorable single combat, prove himself as strong and fair - unlike the mockery of a "trial by combat" Aerys gave Rickard. Hence prove himself unlike his father first of all, probably give his explanations about Lyanna, and also make it clear he's against Aerys' actions and wanting to give the justice by deposing him.

No, Rhaegar isn't irresponsible, dumping that burden on younger Jaime. He does the responsible thing of taking all that upon himself. What does he expect of Jaime? As read above, he does not put Jaime in the mindset of a fighting machine that's supposed to save his family from anything unrealistic. He puts him in the mindset of someone who would be his man and oppose Aerys when the time comes - he's meant to be the one threat to his family when the chips fall down and he is taking the throne.

Whatever reading Rhaegar did of Jaime, he thought he could say those words to him (that would've been dangerous if he were wrong), that Jaime would have it in him to turn against Aerys (again not some ridiculous expectation - a frail man). And Rhaegar is clearly not dumb. He was right in his perception, wasn't he? (Is this where Jon Snow gets his amazing perceptive skills - "little his eyes do not see").

Why wasn't Arthur, a DORNISH man, with Elia?

Why would he be allowed to? We've already established Aerys calls the shots. And among them there's one KG specifically being sent away because he's Dornish and hence loyal to Elia (and Rhaegar). If Lewyn couldn't be there, why would Arthur?

Why did Rhaegar leave a whole THREE Kingsguards with Lyanna?

That is something I couldn't understand for a long time, too. Not only the specific number, but the fact that clearly Rhaegar can't just do whatever he wants with the Kingsguard. Why was this allowed?

It doesn't make sense until you go back to the Aerys-Rhaegar allegiance divide above. The three are Gerold (most loyal Aerys appears to have) and Arthur and Oswell (most loyal Rhaegar appears to have).

Gerold came from King's Landing to take Rhaegar. Oswell and Arthur would have already been with him. Either-

1. Gerold was sent with the order to stay behind with Lyanna. Aerys already took hold of Elia and the kids to control Dorne (and Rhaegar) and would have her in the hands of his most obedient man, too. Rhaegar cannot let that happen, as he plans to turn against Aerys while he's away. If he can't send Gerold away, he makes the compromise of leaving two of his own. One only would have been uncertain odds, but if Gerold eventually acts up when things unravel, he's outnumbered. Arthur and Oswell can do what they have to do and they are in an isolated location and can lie about it later to protect their honor.

2. Gerold wasn't meant to stay behind. But since Rhaegar is decided to depose Aerys, removing him from Aerys is an opportunity. Aerys/Gerold can be lured with the illusion of having a hold on Lyanna. Rhaegar had to leave someone (trustworthy) with her regardless but compromises his own numbers for the same reasoning above, if it means removing a barrier from between him and Aerys. Aerys would be blindsided in allowing in from that same perspective: Rhaegar is made to leave crucial allies behind.

#asoiaf #the 1 of aerys' men to 2 of rhaegar's compromise here makes a lot of sense #asoiaf meta #rhaegar targaryen #aerys targaryen #rhaegar was delusional (affectionate) but not in this specific way lmao

[fruitageoforanges]

quick aegon n aemond doodle bcs im sick as fuck

#hotd #greens <3 #aegon ii targaryen #aemond targaryen #THEY'RE BABIES!!!

[fruitageoforanges]

💔AEGOND💔

#hotd #greens <3 #aegon ii targaryen #aemond targaryen #still in love with their psychosexual slay #also aemond with a split lip >>>>

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THE DEATH

#hotd #greens <3 #aemond targaryen

[fruitageoforanges]

hello hannah my beloved!!! i was wondering, do you have any thoughts on marriage/wedding costumes for the different regions? embroidery, colours, etc? we have the cloak of course, but would dorne follow this tradition too, considering it's so hot, would they use sheer material? does the bedding ceremony (and subsequent tearing of the dress...eugh) affect the choice of dress? kisses my wonderful friend from the puter 🫶

Ur in luck my dearest wife bc I’ve done a few wedding posts here and here and here already

Colors as symbols is Very Important to me. Black in Dorne bc in ancient Egypt black was a good and lucky color, used to represent fertility in such a dry arid place. Green often used in the north as another sign of spring and fertility. Riverlanders using multiple natural dyes in their dresses bc representative of blooming flowers :) Gold used by the upper classes so they can look more like they were blessed by the Maiden. White is fine for purity symbolism but I hate hate hate all white wedding dresses in medieval fantasy bc They Would Not Wear That Shit

Girls from all over the country probably embroider their dresses with their mothers and sisters and aunts and grandmothers. Every woman lends a hand in the coming of age of another. Maybe in the north the family matriarch gives them basically a Rushynk to wear around their neck during the wedding for happiness and protection. Many many traditions of being gifted something by your mother or elder sister or other female family member to have during the wedding and bring with you to your new home as a symbol of having a lifeline back to your family

#asoiaf #costuming

[fruitageoforanges]

i know we all say that aemond is just daemon with the d moved to the end, but i just had the awful fucking realization that aemond is very clearly the masculine version of aemma. there's a post on reddit full of all the valyrian naming traditions and possible pre- and suffixes, and it notes there that aemond is the odd man out, name wise, and only appears in this instance.

this rotting asshole named his second son after his dead wife, the wife he killed in his obsession with having a son.

i am not an alicent stan by any means but oh my god, she did not deserve this at all.

#hotd #greens <3 #aemond targaryen #SICK AND TWISTED

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boys

#hotd #greens <3 #and egg 3 i guess #aegon ii targaryen #aemond targaryen #aegon iii targaryen #CURLY HAIR AEMOND MY BELOVED #love his deranged ass look

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This one I didn't want to show anyone, because I drew it out of the thought "lol, these two are going to be incredible assholes in season 2". 👁️👁️

But I'm laughing so hard at this sketch that I thought I'd share it with you!

#hotd #greens <3 #aegon ii targaryen #aemond targaryen #my cunty boys!!

[fruitageoforanges]

The princesses in the tower

#asoiaf #f&b #daena targaryen #daena the defiant #rhaena targaryen #septa rhaena #elaena targaryen

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oops all girls au.

#hotd #rhaenyra targaryen #aegon ii targaryen #aemond targaryen #helaena targaryen #daeron targaryen #OOPS all girls #prev so so true #'resident of harrenhal' does that mean alys rivers' much younger gf #bc that's what i take it to mean