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outlawarya · 8 months

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I've been feeling a little... well, awful, and to fix what I can of my mood, I've been writing something very atypical--for me, at least. mostly because my typical is working on whatever I already have going on and I have some thing on my plate already. It's outlined and advanced on writing, but I wanted to take a time before actually publishing it. However, it doesn't hurt to share a little something, right? So here you can see, the opening scene of A LADY'S TRADE, a regency gendrya fic:

⊱―⊰

A LADY'S TRADE

Jon didn’t know quite well what to expect when he received a message from Arya calling him to talk business.

In all honesty, he simply could not predict much from his cousin—more like sister—of late. They had spent so long apart that now he could hardly recognize her. When they parted, she was a small girl and now she was a grown woman.

It was disturbing, to say the very least.

Admittedly, their whole lives had been disturbing thus far.

After all, they had all been split up from a young age, when it was too dangerous to be named Stark, after the Lannisters managed to usurp the Throne and persecuted all of them, and sent to each end of Westeros, disguised and, hopefully, safe.

It was only recently, when Daenerys Targaryen had taken her rightful crown, that the remaining Starks had been reunited again.

There were only five of them now. Jon, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon, trying to get acquainted to each other once more after years apart with not one word of one another.

Bran and Rickon were off at school while Jon tried his best to manage everything that was left for them.

That’s why when Arya called him to talk business, he knew at least that she meant something related to inheritance.

What he did not expect was for her to say, “I want to get married”

Jon stares at her, waiting for the moment she’ll beam and say it’s all a jest with him, but she keeps solemn.

In a business expression.

Seven hells.

“I’m sorry?”

“I said I want to get married,” she repeats, unfazed. “I figured I’m already of marrying age and should take action on it”

“You’re younger than Sansa and she’s not wed yet,” Jon points without thinking. “And you might want to take one year or two to enjoy the comforts of our recent safety without feeling like you need to chase after a betrothal”

“There is no comfort I want and can enjoy as an eligible lady that I couldn’t take pleasure as a married one,” she says and Jon looks at her, really looks at her.

She’s still a small thing if compared to the rest of them, short and skinny, although now her presence fills the entire drawing room, commanding and determined. She’s all conviction, and he can see that she has really thought that through. It’s not an impulse, it’s not something she feels obliged to do.

Arya really and simply just wants to marry.

He never thought he’d live to see this day.

“Very well,” he concedes, sinking into an armchair, not knowing how to deal with the news standing. “So, you want to get married”

She sighs in exasperation, “Yes, Jon, for goodness’s sake, that is what I said”

“Forgive me if I wasn’t prepared!”

Arya sits in a three-placed sofa next to him and keeps silent for a moment, to which Jon is grateful, because his brain is trying to process what exactly this means.

It takes a while, but he revisits the whole process in his brain. When a young eligible lady wishes to be wed, she needs a dowry, which isn’t a problem, thanks to Arya’s parents, who organized the heritage of each of their children before passing.

She also needs permission from her family and from her legal tutor. For Arya, that meant him. Not that he was the heir of all the Stark estate, but he was the only member of the family alive, legal, and available to deal with such matters. He had spent the last months learning the letters and numbers required for such a job while Bran—the official heir to the House Stark, still too young to take his task in his hands— was still at university.

Having all of that already prepared, there was only one thing to be taken care of, and Jon realized that was probably the lead subject when the theme was planning to get married.

“I suppose we’ll have to discuss the best available suitors for you,” he suggests hesitantly, feeling the uncomfortableness of discussing such matters with someone he had thought a little child for so long. He never thought he would have such a conversation with Arya Stark of all ladies.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” the girl smiles wolfishly and sinks into the sofa, completely relaxed, her crossed arms in not a very ladylike posture. “I already know who I want as my husband”

There should be no room for doubt in the way she speaks, and yet Jon thinks he never doubted so much his own beliefs until this moment.

It wasn’t even just because Arya was his little cousin anymore—but it was still a factor that would most probably plague him for a very long time yet—because he could put that aside for a moment to try and evaluate the subject.

It was that Arya Stark was a young woman who barely ever engaged in social events ever since they had been reunited. As a wealthy and infamous family that was recently involved in such an altercation, House Stark was in no short demand of invitations for social gatherings, and yet Arya avoided most of them, allegedly to avoid the whispers that followed them wherever they went. She did join Sansa once or twice, but the occasions were rare.

Jon never knew her to fed the attention of any men who might have courted her. And yet, she had already a suitor in mind.

“And who might he be, dare I ask?”

“Do you, by any chance, know the Heddle family?”

“I do,” he answers, thinking of the Crossroads Inn, known throughout Westeros and kept by the Heddles.

“And do you know that their eldest daughter, Jeyne, is engaged?”

Jon frowns, unsure where this is going, “Yes, I’ve seen the lady with her fiancé. I even met Mr. Waters on occasion.”

Arya smiles.

“He’s the man I want as my husband”

Jon blinks.

Now this for sure was the jest he thought was coming before because there’s no way in the Seven Hells this is really happening to him…

“I beg your pardon?”

Her smile doesn’t faulters for a second, “I have the entire ordeal already planned, Jon, so listen carefully and assist me, because my mind is made and will not waver”

When she explains, all Jon can think is how there was no letters or numbers who could have prepared him to deal with Arya Stark.

#yes I had to already share the cover as well because who am I if not a fanfic cover maker before a fanfic writer lmao #gendrya #gendrya fanfiction #fanfiction snippet #arya x gendry #gendry x arya #fanfic #fanfic life #f: a lady's trade #arya stark #gendry waters #gendry baratheon

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istumpysk · 8 months

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OPERATION ICEBERG: THE TIER LIST

THEORY:

Ned Stark + Ashara Dayne = Jon Snow (N + A = J)

TIER:

Debunked: These theories have been directly contradicted by the text, George R. R. Martin, or other authoritative sources.

[Tier list overview]

EVIDENCE:

Ashara Dayne was a Dornish noblewoman, rumored to be Jon Snow's mother. Her life ended under mysterious and tragic circumstances.

We're first told of the rumor that Ashara Dayne is Jon Snow's supposed mother in one of the opening chapters of A Game of Thrones.

Ned would not speak of the mother, not so much as a word, but a castle has no secrets, and Catelyn heard her maids repeating tales they heard from the lips of her husband's soldiers. They whispered of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, deadliest of the seven knights of Aerys's Kingsguard, and of how their young lord had slain him in single combat. And they told how afterward Ned had carried Ser Arthur's sword back to the beautiful young sister who awaited him in a castle called Starfall on the shores of the Summer Sea. The Lady Ashara Dayne, tall and fair, with haunting violet eyes. It had taken her a fortnight to marshal her courage, but finally, in bed one night, Catelyn had asked her husband the truth of it, asked him to his face. That was the only time in all their years that Ned had ever frightened her. "Never ask me about Jon," he said, cold as ice. "He is my blood, and that is all you need to know. And now I will learn where you heard that name, my lady." She had pledged to obey; she told him; and from that day on, the whispering had stopped, and Ashara Dayne's name was never heard in Winterfell again. - Catelyn II, AGOT

The name resurfaces when Cersei Lannister, who has evidently heard the same rumors, uses Ashara to challenge Ned's honor.

In the next book, Catelyn once again ponders the possibility that Ashara might be Jon's mother.

Arya was the only one to show much of Ned in her features. And Jon Snow, but he was never mine. She found herself thinking of Jon's mother, that shadowy secret love her husband would never speak of. Does she grieve for Ned as I do? Or did she hate him for leaving her bed for mine? Does she pray for her son as I have prayed for mine? They were uncomfortable thoughts, and futile. If Jon had been born of Ashara Dayne of Starfall, as some whispered, the lady was long dead; if not, Catelyn had no clue who or where his mother might be. And it made no matter. Ned was gone now, and his loves and his secrets had all died with him. - Catelyn VI, ACOK

When Bran hears the tale of the Knight of the Laughing Tree, we learn more about Ned and Ashara's initial meeting and their dance at Harrenhal.

The crannogman saw a maid with laughing purple eyes dance with a white sword, a red snake, and the lord of griffins, and lastly with the quiet wolf . . . but only after the wild wolf spoke to her on behalf of a brother too shy to leave his bench. - Bran II, ASOS

In an Arya chapter, Edric Dayne of House Dayne—presumably someone with insider knowledge—reveals more details about Ned and Ashara's alleged love affair. Harwin confirms that he has also heard such rumors.

"My father was Ser Arthur's elder brother. Lady Ashara was my aunt. I never knew her, though. She threw herself into the sea from atop the Palestone Sword before I was born." "Why would she do that?" said Arya, startled. Ned looked wary. Maybe he was afraid that she was going to throw something at him. "Your lord father never spoke of her?" he said. "The Lady Ashara Dayne, of Starfall?" "No. Did he know her?" "Before Robert was king. She met your father and his brothers at Harrenhal, during the year of the false spring." "Oh." Arya did not know what else to say. "Why did she jump in the sea, though?" "Her heart was broken." Sansa would have sighed and shed a tear for true love, but Arya just thought it was stupid. She couldn't say that to Ned, though, not about his own aunt. "Did someone break it?" He hesitated. "Perhaps it's not my place . . ." "Tell me." He looked at her uncomfortably. "My aunt Allyria says Lady Ashara and your father fell in love at Harrenhal—" "That's not so. He loved my lady mother." "I'm sure he did, my lady, but—" "She was the only one he loved." "He must have found that bastard under a cabbage leaf, then," Gendry said behind them. [...] It was Harwin who rode up beside her, in the end. "Where do you think you're going, milady? You shouldn't run off. There are wolves in these woods, and worse things." "I'm not afraid," she said. "That boy Ned said . . ." "Aye, he told me. Lady Ashara Dayne. It's an old tale, that one. I heard it once at Winterfell, when I was no older than you are now." He took hold of her bridle firmly and turned her horse around. "I doubt there's any truth to it. But if there is, what of it? When Ned met this Dornish lady, his brother Brandon was still alive, and it was him betrothed to Lady Catelyn, so there's no stain on your father's honor. There's nought like a tourney to make the blood run hot, so maybe some words were whispered in a tent of a night, who can say? Words or kisses, maybe more, but where's the harm in that? Spring had come, or so they thought, and neither one of them was pledged." - Arya VIII, ASOS

Barristan Selmy, who was present at Harrenhal and held great fondness for Ashara Dayne, recalls her suicide over a lost child and/or a man dishonoring her. He wonders whether he could have prevented her becoming enamored with "Stark."

But Ashara's daughter had been stillborn, and his fair lady had thrown herself from a tower soon after, mad with grief for the child she had lost, and perhaps for the man who had dishonored her at Harrenhal as well. She died never knowing that Ser Barristan had loved her. How could she? He was a knight of the Kingsguard, sworn to celibacy. No good could have come from telling her his feelings. No good came from silence either. If I had unhorsed Rhaegar and crowned Ashara queen of love and beauty, might she have looked to me instead of Stark? - The Kingbreaker, ADWD

Lastly, Catelyn mentions that Ned refers to Jon as his son, a claim corroborated in the book's opening chapter.

"Beyond a doubt," his lord father said. "Come, let us see what mischief my sons have rooted out now." He sent his horse into a trot. Jory and Bran and the rest came after. - Bran I, AGOT

The Starks were not like other men. Ned brought his bastard home with him, and called him "son" for all the north to see. - Catelyn II, AGOT

COUNTER-EVIDENCE:

God, where do we begin?

The confirmation from George R. R. Martin to David Benioff and D.B. Weiss regarding Jon's true parentage.

It's well known that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss correctly guessed Jon's true parents, giving George R. R. Martin the confidence to let them adapt his book series.

Martin recounted, "I did ask them a few pointed question to determine whether they had actually read the books, and they gave me the right answers." When asked to specify what they were grilled on, Weiss elaborated: He asked us, "Who is Jon Snow's mother?" We had discussed it before, and we gave a shocking answer. At that point, George didn't actually say whether or not we were right or wrong, but his smile was his tell. We knew we had passed the Wonka test, at that point. — The 'Game of Thrones' writers had to answer this trick question about the book before they were allowed to make the series

Who were Jon's parents in the television series adapted and written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss?

Right.

The leaked original outline.

Here.

Arya will be more forgiving... until she realizes, with terror, that she has fallen in love with Jon, who is not only her half-brother but a man of the Night's Watch, sworn to celibacy. Their passion will continue to torment Jon and Arya throughout the trilogy, until the secret of Jon's true parentage is finally revealed in the last book.

Until. Until.

Let me point out the obvious here: if Jon were Ned's child with Ashara Dayne, there would be no parentage reveal that could relieve the torment felt by Jon and Arya. They would still be half-siblings, and it would still be unacceptable for them to be in love. Not much of a reveal then, is it?

The original intended purpose of revealing Jon's parentage was not to place him on a throne or to fulfill a special prophecy; rather, it was to pave the way for a possible romance with a sister. This doesn't work if Ned Stark is his father.

The timeline simply doesn't add up.

The tourney at Harrenhal, where Ned danced with Ashara, took place in 281 AC. Ned traveled down from the Eyrie.

It was the year of false spring, and he was eighteen again, down from the Eyrie to the tourney at Harrenhal. - Eddard XV, AGOT

The year after that tournament, Rhaegar abducted Lyanna, leading to the eventual deaths of Brandon and Rickard Stark, and the start of Robert's Rebellion.

With the coming of the new year, the crown prince had taken to the road with half a dozen of his closest friends and confidants, on a journey that would ultimately lead him back to the riverlands. Not ten leagues from Harrenhal, Rhaegar fell upon Lyanna Stark of Winterfell, and carried her off, lighting a fire that would consume his house and kin and all those he loved—and half the realm besides. - The World of Ice and Fire - The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring

Ned Stark had returned to the Eyrie following the tournament.

"At the dawn of Robert's Rebellion. The Mad King had sent to the Eyrie for Stark's head, but Jon Arryn sent him back defiance. Gulltown stayed loyal to the throne, though. To get home and call his banners, Stark had to cross the mountains to the Fingers and find a fisherman to carry him across the Bite. [...]" - Davos I, ADWD

Robert's Rebellion spanned 282-283 AC.

Are you wondering what Ned was up to during that time? I'll tell you.

(map!)

Ned Stark was in the Eyrie when King Aerys demanded his head.

Unable to use Gulltown, he crossed the Mountains of the Moon to get to the Fingers.

He then hired a fisherman to take him to White Harbor, but a storm rerouted him to the Three Sisters.

Thankfully, Lord Borrell granted him safe passage to continue on to White Harbor.

Upon reaching Winterfell, Ned immediately called his banners.

He subsequently marched south to the Stoney Sept and helped secure a victory in the Battle of the Bells.

Following that battle, he travelled to Riverrun and married Catelyn Tully.

At this point, Robb Stark was conceived.

Around this same period, Jon Snow should also have been conceived.

After that, Ned participated in the Battle of the Trident, contributing to the defeat of House Targaryen's forces (laugh out loud).

He then marched to King's Landing, only to find that Tywin Lannister had already sacked the city.

Note: Ashara Dayne was not present.

He then moved on to Storm's End to lift the siege, thereby saving Stannis Baratheon (and pissing me off).

Following this, he travelled to the Tower of Joy in the Red Mountains of Dorne. There, he defeated Arthur Dayne among others, and discovered his dying sister, Lyanna Stark.

Before her death, Lyanna made Ned promise her something. (Prioritize self-care? Never stop learning? Forgive yourself for past mistakes? Save and invest? Be the best you can be? Gosh, who could say.)

After the events at the Tower of Joy, he travelled to Starfall, the home of Ashara Dayne, to return the ancestral sword of House Dayne.

Note: He did not stay for 40 weeks.

Finally, Ned returned to Winterfell, bringing with him a baby and a wet nurse.

Shortly after, Catelyn Stark arrived at Winterfell with Robb Stark, who was considered the older of the two babies by literally everyone.

The end.

So, I ask you, given that Jon wasn't conceived at the tournament at Harrenhal in 281 AC—

Jon was fourteen, an old hand at justice. - Bran I, AGOT

Robb is fourteen. Soon enough, he will be a man grown. - Catelyn II, AGOT

When the wars were over at last, and Catelyn rode to Winterfell, Jon and his wet nurse had already taken up residence. - Catelyn II, AGOT

All of which is a long winded way of saying, no, Jon was not born "more than 1 year" before Dany... probably closer to eight or nine months or thereabouts. - George R. R. Martin

—when exactly, during Robert's Rebellion, did Ned manage to teleport himself to Ashara Dayne to conceive this child?

Catelyn Stark is a smart woman, but sometimes emotional distress can cloud one's judgment.

The Brandon Stark Consideration.

In true George R. R. Martin fashion, there's hints that another Stark may be more relevant to Ashara Dayne.

Ned Dayne casually mentions that Ashara met not only Ned at Harrenhal, but also his brothers.

"Before Robert was king. She met your father and his brothers at Harrenhal, during the year of the false spring." - Arya VIII, ASOS

When Bran hears about Ned and Ashara's dance, an ellipsis of truth clarifies that this occurred only after a conversation between Brandon Stark and Ashara.

[What the hell is an ellipsis of truth? George R. R. Martin frequently uses an ellipsis as a technique to emphasize statements in the text that are highly relevant or truthful.]

Barristan's reference to 'Stark' is amusingly vague and non-identifying.

If I had unhorsed Rhaegar and crowned Ashara queen of love and beauty, might she have looked to me instead of Stark? - The Kingbreaker, ADWD

In A Dance with Dragons, we learn that unlike Ned Stark, Brandon Stark was the type of guy to dishonor a highborn woman he had no intention of marrying.

Brandon was never shy about taking what he wanted. I am old now, a dried-up thing, too long a widow, but I still remember the look of my maiden's blood on his cock the night he claimed me. I think Brandon liked the sight as well. A bloody sword is a beautiful thing, yes. It hurt, but it was a sweet pain. - The Turncloak, ADWD

I have a feeling we'll hear more and more about Brandon Stark and Ashara Dayne in the upcoming books.

The complete and total absence of Ashara Dayne in Ned Stark's thoughts.

Ned Stark is an introspective man, often dwelling on past events and his family. So why is it that in all his chapters, he never once thinks of Ashara Dayne, his great love and the alleged mother of one of his children, who tragically took her own life?

He doesn't reflect on her when thinking about Jon, while recalling Robert's Rebellion, when considering Arthur Dayne, or even during his recollections of the tournament at Harrenhal where they supposedly fell in love.

It sort of feels like the woman means absolutely nothing to him.

"Honor," she spat. "How dare you play the noble lord with me! What do you take me for? You've a bastard of your own, I've seen him. Who was the mother, I wonder? Some Dornish peasant you raped while her holdfast burned? A whore? Or was it the grieving sister, the Lady Ashara? She threw herself into the sea, I'm told. Why was that? For the brother you slew, or the child you stole? Tell me, my honorable Lord Eddard, how are you any different from Robert, or me, or Jaime?" "For a start," said Ned, "I do not kill children. You would do well to listen, my lady. I shall say this only once. When the king returns from his hunt, I intend to lay the truth before him. You must be gone by then. You and your children, all three, and not to Casterly Rock. If I were you, I should take ship for the Free Cities, or even farther, to the Summer Isles or the Port of Ibben. As far as the winds blow." - Eddard II, AGOT

Nothing! Unaffected. Unfazed. It rolled right off him.

Confused Edric Dayne.

Edric Dayne tells Arya that his aunt, Allyria, told him that Ned and Ashara fell in love at Harrenhal.

A few things to consider:

Edric Dayne was born in 287 AC, well after the events of Harrenhal and the Rebellion.

Arya got goosebumps when Lord Beric said her father's name, but this Ned was only a boy, a fair-haired squire no more than ten or twelve. - Arya VI, ASOS

Edric Dayne doesn't actually believe Ashara is Jon's mother. He thinks Jon's mother was his wet nurse, Wylla.

(I hope I don't have to point out again that Ned Stark didn't stay at Starfall for 40 weeks, and this story makes no sense.)

(I'm sure I also don't need to point out that the author prevents little Ned from claiming something factually untrue and swearing it on the honor of his house.)

"Brother?" Arya did not understand. "But you're from Dorne. How could you and Jon be blood?" "Milk brothers. Not blood. My lady mother had no milk when I was little, so Wylla had to nurse me." Arya was lost. "Who's Wylla?" "Jon Snow's mother. He never told you? She's served us for years and years. Since before I was born." "Jon never knew his mother. Not even her name." Arya gave Ned a wary look. "You know her? Truly?" Is he making mock of me? "If you lie I'll punch your face." "Wylla was my wetnurse," he repeated solemnly. "I swear it on the honor of my House." - Arya VIII, ASOS

But what about his aunt Allyria, who told him Ned and Ashara fell in love?

Well, we don't know a lot about Allyria, but we do know one thing: she was betrothed to Beric Dondarrion in 294 AC or 295 AC.

"How long have you been Lord Beric's squire?" she asked, to take his mind from his misery. "He took me for his page when he espoused my aunt." He coughed. "I was seven, but when I turned ten he raised me to squire. I won a prize once, riding at rings." - Arya VIII, ASOS

Beric Dondarrion was born in either 276 AC or 277 AC. He was 21 years old at the beginning of A Game of Thrones, which would make him a young boy during the tournament of Harrenhal and the Rebellion.

Beric Dondarrion was handsome enough, but he was awfully old, almost twenty-two - Sansa III, AGOT

Given cultural norms, Beric's age, and the year of their betrothal, what is the likelihood that Allyria is younger than Beric? I'd say very likely.

That would make her a little girl during the events of Harrenhal and the Rebellion, so it's doubtful she has firsthand knowledge of Ashara or Ned.

The "son" issue.

Yes, Ned refers to Jon as his son in Bran's opening chapter. Yes, Catelyn claims Ned calls Jon his son. However, I have to point out, we're often shown Ned referring to Jon as anything but his son.

"He is my blood, and that is all you need to know. [...]" - Catelyn II, AGOT

The look Ned gave her was anguished. "You know I cannot take him south. There will be no place for him at court. A boy with a bastard's name … you know what they will say of him. He will be shunned." - Catelyn II, AGOT

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

To her credit, Cersei did not look away. "He saw us. You love your children, do you not?" Robert had asked him the very same question, the morning of the melee. He gave her the same answer. "With all my heart." "No less do I love mine." Ned thought, If it came to that, the life of some child I did not know, against Robb and Sansa and Arya and Bran and Rickon, what would I do? Even more so, what would Catelyn do, if it were Jon's life, against the children of her body? He did not know. He prayed he never would. - Eddard XII, AGOT

The thought of Jon filled Ned with a sense of shame, and a sorrow too deep for words. If only he could see the boy again, sit and talk with him - Eddard XV, AGOT

Lord Eddard seemed much younger this time. His hair was brown, with no hint of grey in it, his head bowed. "… let them grow up close as brothers, with only love between them," he prayed, "and let my lady wife find it in her heart to forgive …" - Bran III, ADWD

Other things to consider:

Quick question, what impact would Jon's identity as a secret Dayne have on the overall narrative? None. Hello?

Anyone with two brain cells should be able to figure out that when the book quickly reveals Ashara Dayne as Jon's real mother, that's obviously not the case.

It's pretty easy to tell that Ned Stark is not the type of man to cheat on his wife or dishonor a maiden. He's the quiet wolf who's too shy to speak to girls.

While George has never explicitly confirmed the R+L=J theory himself, he has been known to slip once or twice when being pressed on the topic.

Since all of their mothers died, who gave Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister their names? Mothers can name a child before birth, or during, or after, even while they are dying. Dany was most like named by her mother, Tyrion by his father, Jon by Ned. - George R. R. Martin

Lastly, and most important,

THE INESCAPABLE, OVERWHELMING, INDISPUTABLE, OPEN-AND-SHUT, CRYSTAL CLEAR, AVALANCHE OF EVIDENCE THAT CAN BE FOUND IN EVERY SINGLE BOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL POINTING TO LYANNA STARK AND RHAEGAR TARGARYEN BEING JON SNOW'S ACTUAL PARENTS. HOLY FUCK.

Is there more? Probably. But I'm tired and I think I've made enough points.

STUMPY'S THOUGHTS:

I hate this theory like I hate flat earthers.

Just out there being stupid for no reason.

VOTE:

I welcome discussions. Feel free to reblog, respond, or challenge my perspective—I won't be offended by any of it.

Please note, if "no" is the eventual winner, or if it's competitive, a second poll will be conducted to determine the proper location.

NEXT THEORY:

The Hound is the gravedigger.

[Main menu]

#operation iceberg #asoiaf theory tier list #theory 9 #n + a = j

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asoiafreadthru · 3 months

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A Game of Thrones, Catelyn III

“Mother, what are you doing?”

Catelyn had always thought Robb looked like her; like Bran and Rickon and Sansa, he had the Tully coloring, the auburn hair, the blue eyes.

Yet now for the first time she saw something of Eddard Stark in his face, something as stern and hard as the north.

“What am I doing?” she echoed, puzzled.

“How can you ask that? What do you imagine I’m doing? I am taking care of your brother. I am taking care of Bran.”

“Is that what you call it? You haven’t left this room since Bran was hurt. You didn’t even come to the gate when Father and the girls went south.”

“I said my farewells to them here, and watched them ride out from that window.”

She had begged Ned not to go, not now, not after what had happened; everything had changed now, couldn’t he see that? It was no use. He had no choice, he had told her, and then he left, choosing.

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mattyalwayssmokesweed · 11 months

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What makes you think Arya is going to be queen in the north?

A lot of things actually. This is going to be long.

First of all, in the first book, Ned tells Arya:

"You," Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, "will marry a king and rule his castle, and your sons will be knights and princes and lords and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon." — Eddard V, A Game of Thrones

I always thought that was significant, especially because then she tells Sansa, who at that moment was betrothed to an actual prince, this:

“Sweet one,” her father said gently, “listen to me. When you’re old enough, I will make you a match with a high lord who’s worthy of you, someone brave and gentle and strong.” — Sansa III, A Game of Thrones

It could be nothing, really; to be honest, it could just be Ned trying to make his daughters feel better in the best way he could, but I still find it strange how it was exchanged between the sisters; Sansa will be betrothed to a Lord, and Arya to a Prince— it feels a little too much like foreshadowing. The Sansa part is more understandable because there’s only one Prince at the moment (well, two counting Tommen but he’s a bastard Baratheon, so of course he’s out of the equation just like Joffrey was), but then why would Ned say Arya will marry a prince, when it’s clear he has no intention of betrothing his daughters to the king’s sons?

Maybe because she is going to be crowned queen, and whoever she marries will be a king. How can she be crowned, if she’s in Essos currently training to be a Faceless Man?

That takes me to Lady Stoneheart, who Arya saved when she warged into Nymeria. Arya technically brought her mother back using her connection to her direwolf, and Beric Dondarrion gave her the kiss of life— so the gods decided to accept the exchange between Beric and Catelyn’s lives, but why? Because they (or R'hllor, more likely) are angry at the Freys for breaking the guest right, which is reffered to as a sacred law. If we take into consideration the story Bran is told about the Rat Cook, then we know the gods don’t like it when the guest right is broken, which to me means they brought Catelyn back to avenge everyone who had broken that sacred law— that’s why Lady Stoneheart is so vengeful even though she’s only been brought back once (she was dead for more time, I know, but still) in comparison to Beric, who only really suffered from memory lost and losing himself after six times being revived by Thoros of Myr, Catelyn came back even worse, which makes me believe she’s being used as a weapon by the gods, who are angry at the Freys.

Now, Lady Stoneheart, in the last time we see her, has Robb’s crown

In [Lady Stoneheart’s] hands was a crown, a bronze circlet ringed by iron swords. She was studying it, her fingers stroking the blade as if to test their sharpness. Her eyes glimmered under her hood. — Brienne VIII, A Feast for Crows

She’s holding onto that crown both for sentimental reasons (it belonged to her firstborn) and as a reminder of what the Freys did to her family. But I think she’s waiting for one of her children to appear. Now this is pure speculation, but I think Catelyn knows somehow her children are alive— maybe she met with Ned and Robb in the afterlife (is that how George calls Heaven? I can’t remember lol) and realized none of her other children are there except for Robb.

Now, even if that’s not true because it’s speculation, Catelyn is aware that Sansa was “de-legitimized” by Robb on his official will:

"A king must have an heir. If I should die in my next battle, the kingdom must not die with me. By law Sansa is next in line of succession, so Winterfell and the north would pass to her." His mouth tightened. "To her, and her lord husband. Tyrion Lannister. I cannot allow that. I will not allow that. That dwarf must never have the north." — Catelyn V, A Storm of Swords

So Sansa is no longer the next in line of succession because Robb “took her out” of the will, in a way. So who’s next, now that Robb’s heir, Jon, is also dead? And yes, we all know Melisandre is bringing him back, but between Jon and Arya who Catelyn would choose as the next ruler of the North?

Lady Stoneheart is waiting for one of her children to come to her so she can crown them, and given the connection Arya has with the Riverlands and that both Rickon and Bran are far away. If Rickon is smuggled by Davos, he’d be taken to White Harbor and presented to Wyman Manderly, which isn’t in anyway close to where the Brotherhood without Banners is; Bran is too busy being a tree. That only leaves us Arya.

Why do I think Arya is going to be crowned? Her direwolf is the alpha of a pack of wolves in the Riverlands; the Brotherhood without Banners knows Arya and would support her claim; Brienne and Jaime swore to protect the Stark sisters… it all comes together to Arya being queen, with Brienne and Jaime as part of her Queensguard, and the BwB as her army (and if Edric Dayne ever shows up, I believe he would also support her claim). She will be crowned in the Inn of the Kneeling Man, where the last King in the North, Torrhen Stark, kneeled to Aegon the Conqueror.

I don’t think it’s going to last, however— Arya might like or dislike being queen, we don’t know, but she would give the crown to either of her brothers (Jon, Bran or Rickon) without question. But I think it’s important that Arya, as Queen, leaves the northmen to take back Winterfell and for her to stay there until either one of her siblings comes back— which probably will be Jon since he’s the closest, but maybe it’ll be Rickon once Wyman hears the northmen have taken Winterfell with Arya as their queen. (Wishful thinking again, but we may even get an Arya and Rickon reunion in White Harbor and have the two siblings leaving the armies as queen and king)

Now, how will Arya get to the Riverlands if she’s in the House of Black and White training with the Faceless Men? I think there’s going to be big fallout between Arya and the Faceless Men, which will make Arya go back to Westeros and seek out Nymeria, and maybe even Gendry and the BwB in the last place she saw them. And if she hears her mother is back, she’s going to go look for her. Let’s remember this:

That night she went to sleep thinking of her mother, and wondering if she should kill the Hound in his sleep and rescue Lady Catelyn herself. — Arya XII, A Storm Of Storms

And this:

It was her mother she wanted, not her mother's sister. — Arya XII, A Storm of Swords

We are reminded constantly that Arya loves her mother. If she had the change to see her again, she’ll take it in a heartbeat. And once they meet again, Catelyn will crown her. Also:

"In that one she was always looking for her mother, stumbling through a wasted land of mud and blood and fire. It was always raining in that dream, and she could hear her mother screaming, but a monster with a dog’s head would not let her go save her." — Cat of the Canals, A Feast for Crows

Could be about the Red Wedding and Arya’s guilt for not being able to stop the Freys for murdering her family (which is obviously not her fault— she was just a kid and there was nothing she could’ve done), but it could also foreshadow their reunion.

So yeah, I believe Arya going to be Queen in the North, if not permanently. But I do think she’s going to take back Winterfell and kill the Boltons, especially when we know this:

Dressing her in grey and white serves no good if the girl is left to sob. The Freys may not care, but the northmen… they fear the Dreadfort, but they love the Starks. — The Turncloak, A Dance with Dragons

And:

What do you think passes through their heads when they hear the new bride weeping? Valiant Ned's precious little girl. — The Turncloak, A Dance with Dragons

The Northmen will help Arya and support her claim as Queen in the North is they discover Ramsay married a girl who was pretending to be Arya. I believe that would be the final push that would make them raise arms against the Boltons and go to Arya to help the Stark girl take back her home and her name, which Ramsay took from her and gave it to someone else.

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ilargizuri · 3 months

Text

The Long Night

What I really hated about the Show is that the so-called "Long Night" and the so-called "Long Winter" lasted a few weeks in the Show, when every person who knows something about winter told us in the Books, that it would be a long Winter. Like VERY, VERY Long.

I just saw a Video on YouTube that theorized about the period of the Long Night and they said that it is possible that GRRM actually plans a really long Night where his Characters will grow into adults and do some really important things. Rikkon could be a Man at the End of the Story, Bran be a real King at the Age of his Father, etc.

Now what annoyed me, again, about this Video, is that the Creator also thought that Daenerys and Jon would become real Lovers during that Winter. This is a possibility if Daenerys wants to sit out Winter with her Dragons in the North, sewing Clothes, Blankets and such Stuff near the Hearth with Sansa. And actually govern a community through this Winter, but Govern, is not what Daenerys wants or enjoys or even envisions when she thinks about her Future, because most of the time her "Plans" only include going to Westeros and winning the Iron throne with Fire and Blood!

So Daenerys won't sit at the Fire and wait until Springs comes and the Deep, Deep Snow will melt, actually, That deep, deep Snow will be the Reason the North won't be able to aid her in her War for the Iron Throne if that part is not already over. Because it would take months to get through this Snow, not to mention that the North is low on Supplies, so most likely the soldiers would starve to death, if they tried to march South. So if Daenerys comes North helping them to fight the Others, then it is very likely that the Armies of Daenerys, will starve and freeze to death.

Recently I discovered the explanation about Jon being the Mummers Dragon, which makes some Sense. And Quaithe warns Daenerys to not trust that Person. but so far those People she shouldn't trust were never actively against Daenerys. Tyrion (The Lion) comes to Daenerys's Aid, The Kraken wants to be Daenerys's new Husband, and the perfumed Seneshall is probably Varys, but he isn't planning actively against Daenerys, just not for her. So in general, it is possible that if Jon is the Mummers Dragon, he isn't even actively against Daenerys, so the stabby scene most likely won't happen. BUT Jon mentioned in his Godd Bye Scene with Arya, in the Books, when she gets Needle (I think it was there, but it could be earlier not sure) That they will find Arya in the Snow frozen to Death with Needle in her Hand. So the Picture he paints here, is that they find a Girl/Woman in the Snow, with her Weapon of Choice frozen to Death.

Let's just pretend the War for the Iron Throne is before the War for the Dawn, I mean the book series is not called "Game of Thrones" it is called: "A Song of Ice and Fire." So the War for the Dawn is probably more important than the Squibble-squabble over an uncomfortable Iron Chair. So the Big Final Fight in the Books is most likely against the Others. So IF Daenerys comes North because of Jon and he is the Mummer Dragon, then his Wish for her and aid the North in his War against the Others is what will be Daenerys's Fall. He doesn't even have to do much, all he has to do is win the War and stay in the North when Daenerys goes back too early because it is even colder than when they arrived, she may threaten Sansa and the Starks when they try to stop her for her own Good. But Daenerys doesn't listen, and freezes to Death on her way back to her Throne, And when Spring comes they find a Woman frozen to Death with the Weapon of her Choice, a Dragon. She dies without Issue and a Big Counsel is called to choose a new King, which then either results in the separation of the Seven Kingdoms and Bran becomes King in the North, and so on.

Jon can still become a Stark, still being together with Sansa, maybe even Married to her. They become Lord and Lady of a Castle and Rikkon can still become whatever he wants to be. It is a possibility. Also, Bran could be older than he was in the Show when Winter is over because the Winter in the books will last longer than one Night.

#my thoughts #asoiaf #jonsa kind of #stark children

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all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone · 5 months

Text

Reborn {Jacaerys}

AU Verse

@tessastormrp

There was chaos in the throne room, the war was supposed to be over. Cregan had marched South after the dragon queen's death to fulfill his oath, and his younger brother Bran had marched with him to avenge his Velaryon lover. Cregan had ended the war, and taken King's Landing, although now the last of the Greens resistance had taken their last stand in the throne before the Iron Seat. Otto was face-to-face with Cregan, Criston between the two, and stood in front of Queen Alicent with his sword pointed at the Wolf's chest. Their warriors held at a stalemate, ready to attack one another at the slightest provocation. Lynesse stood to the side, holding Hera in her arms as people yelled and argued.

"You have no right!" Otto yelled, demanding Cregan to call his men off, to release the city. He began yelling again but stopped as there was a commotion outside the doors of the halls, the sound of fighting, yelling, and shouting. Next the doors of the hall burst open and warriors bearing the Velaryon and Targaryen sigil surged into the room, shoving people aside and cutting down a few of the Green warriors who charged at them.

"What is this?!" Alicent demanded looking at the warriors who stayed back a bit near the doors. However, they slowly started to part as someone stepped through. The warriors parted like water as someone walked into the throne room.

It was Jacaerys.

Dressed in black Targaryen garb, Prince Jacaerys emerged from the crowd, a ghost to all, as he had been presumed dead for nearly a year. He held his head high and his gaze was dark, serious, slightly amused. His hair was longer and curly, one of his eyes was a different color and he had a scar on the left side of his face, near his temple. But it was him nonetheless. He smirked softly and walked towards the throne, approaching Otto, Alicent, and Cole.

"Otto Hightower." Jacaerys breathed out, not looking at anyone else in the room, "How in the seven hells are you still alive?" He asked with a little chuckle, before glancing back at his warriors and gesturing with his head, "Take them. Now." His warriors surged forward and grabbed at the green warriors, who sent Cole to the floor and grabbed Alicent and Otto. Jace slowly turned his gaze to look up at the Iron Throne before slowly walking up the steps and standing before it. "You have no right!" Otto nearly screamed as Jace stood in front of the iron throne. Jacaerys turned smoothly and looked back out at Otto before finally letting his gaze wander over the crowded hall and looking back at Otto.

"I have the only right," Jacaerys said.

#SCREAMING HERE #tessastormrp #bran #a strong velaryon {jacaerys}

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madame-fear · 2 years

Text

♡ Random Headcanons for All The Characters I Write ♡

A/N: *slams table with both hands* I NEED TO CATCH UP WITH MY REQUESTS INSTEAD OF WRITING ALL TYPES OF NONSENSE, GODDAMN IT. Also with my...*clears throat* pending essays. Anyways, enjoy this, babes. ^^ Also, GIFS are not mine, and i don't take requests for Game of Thrones.

Characters included?: Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow (Gotham & Dark Knight), Josh Templeton (Super Dark Times), Charlie Tahan, Brandon "Bran" Stark (Game of Thrones)

───────────────────

🦇 Gotham! Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow:

• Spoiling you with small treats he knows you'd like: Pumpkin pins, your favourite chocolates and candies, crow earrings, flowers, etc.

• If you're shorter than him, he'd find it absolutely adorable. He often hugs you because he loves pressing you tight against his chest and giving you small head kisses as he caresses your hair.

• Showing you off with the Legion/his gang

• Comforting each other when any of you has bad nightmares/night terrors. 🥺

• HUGS FROM BEHIND!!!!

• Doing the makeup around his eyes when he has to do his duties as Scarecrow.

• Him telling you every little good advance he has with his fear toxin <3

• Fear gassing the hell out of anyone who hurts you, or even, has the audacity to flirt with you.

• The sweetest boyfriend ever! Always hugging, cuddling, smooching or kissing you all the time <3 He's so proud of having someone as amazing as you by his side :)

💉 DK! Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow:

• Unlike Gotham! Jonathan, he's not that clingy; but he definitely finds ways to let you know he loves you to no end, and like he's never loved someone.

• He won't admit it, but he absolutely loves it when you wake him up with breakfast on bed, or bring a cup of coffee to his lab while he's working.

• He often returns the favour for you, such as, waking earlier than you and cooking breakfast for the two of you and waking you up with a sweet kiss on your forehead <3

• Jonathan doesn't really like involving you with his Scarecrow or fear toxin matters, but, much like his Gotham! version, he'd also proudly tell you all the progress he made with his fear studies.

• Reads to you your favourite book when you wake up from a bad nightmare. Also, cooes you gently so as he holds you near his body so you know he's there to protect you.

• He LIVES for seeing you wearing his things: his glasses, clothing, hoodies...anything! Even his Scarecrow mask.

• Loving cheek, forehead, and lip kisses all the time, whenever you want and can.

• Calls you his "Little Crow" <3

🗡 Josh Templeton:

• Biking around together as some sort of having a date together.

• Him teaching you how to use his brother's katana, only as an excuse to be closer to you, and touch your soft hands.

• This boy literally cheers you up whenever you get to properly slit something with the katana! He'd be so proud of you 🥺💖

• Going to the grocery store together and buying all your favourite candies and chocolates!!!!

• Also, having movie marathons at his house and him letting you pick whichever movie you like the most 🥰 (a/n: this was inspired by a request im going to publish soon!!)

• Him having literal heart eyes for you when you defend him from bullies.

• His home is practically your home now, since you spend most of your time on his bedroom rather than your own.

• At the beginning of your relationship, he was rather awkward with physical contact and kisses. Baby steps with him please.

• Eventually he'll get some confidence, and with the passing of time, he'll be constantly filling your face and hands with tons of kisses & smooching!

• Breath-taking hugs too. 🥲

• Oh, and he loves being the big spoon when you have a sleepover at his home. <3

🎬 Charlie Tahan:

• Taking you to literally every single premier he goes to. And tightly holding your hand if you get nervous.

• His sister and you teasingly calling him "idiot" or "dumbass". But playfully, of course! Just to annoy the hell out of him <3

• He's rather private about his personal life, but he'd have a few posts & stories on his Instagram showing you off 🥰

• Him always inviting you over to have a sleepover at his home 💞 And, watching your favourite movies & shows always!!!

• ^ That's literally the way you have dates. And dates at McDonald's since he loves it. :)

• Sending memes to each other, ofc.

• Messing with his long fluffy hair all the time!!! Leaving it even more messier than it usually is, but he doesn't mind because he likes it when you do it.

• Always holding your hand and giving you small pecks on your cheek and/or lips 🤭💖

• Loverboy 100%

⚔ Brandon "Bran" Stark:

(i've been wanting to use this gif for SO long he just looks so cuteeeee)

• Teasingly – but with love – calling him "Wolf Boy" in reference to House Stark's sigil: wolves.

• Unadmittedly, he'll absolutely love it when you refer to him as your "knight in shining armour".

• Him often warging into Summer so he can catch your attention when you're not in the same room, or you're simply busy. You roll your eyes at him, but you secretely think it's cute.

• Also wargs into ravens only to sneak into your room and watch you sleep. Sounds creepy, but he does it because he likes keeping you safe, in a way.

• He also tries so hard to impress you with his archery skills 🤧 He feels so proud of himself when you cheer him after properly hitting the target.

• His older brothers annoying the hell out of Bran by teasing him with you when they notice he gets distracted with your presence + gets all blushy!!!

• When he notices you're cold and/or sleepy, he'll have you pulled on top of his lap, and covered with his fur cloaks. No 'buts' allowed, because he's doing it anyways.

• Expect to catch him staring at you absolutely lovestruck at times <3 He'd be over the moon at the thought of you being his 🥺💞

• Catching him staring at your lips a bit too often while you're talking with him. And it always ends in a big makeout session. ❤

• HIM ALWAYS SHOWERING YOU WITH LOVE AND KISSES <333 But mostly in private though, he's a bit too shy to show affection in public.

• Always finding a way to lurk you into bed with him, only so he can have you cuddled by his side 🥰

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esther-dot · 2 years

Note

“The things he has told us time and again over the course of years that he told D&D? The things the fandom wants to believe are strictly their fuckery? Like say, Stannis burning Shireen, King Bran, Dark Dany?”

Can you share where George told us ‘time and again’ that he told D&D about Dark Dany? Because from what I know, the three things George RR Martin confirmed he’s told D&D were Stannis burning Shireen, King Bran and the Hodor moment. I don’t remember him saying anything about Daenerys’ ending, I’d be happy if you enlightened me, I’d love to see the interview/post.

Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t careful enough there! Martin has said many times over the course of years, that he has known his main endings and plot points for years/decades. He has also said he shared these with D&D, that he expected the show to have the same endgames, and before and after s8 he has spoken of how faithful an adaptation of ASOIAF Game of Thrones is. Obviously they have huge divergences, but I think those are in the how the endgame is reached, less the what. That’s the part of “he told us time and again” that I meant, not that I have heard him explicitly say, “Dany dies a villain.”

But, he did say this of the infamous Meereenese Blot Essays:

Then he went on to add that sometimes there's an essay or even a series of essays that "really gets it right". He specifically cited the difficulty he had with the Meereenese sections of ADwD, trying to figure out the POV, and he called it the "Meereenese Knot." He admitted being annoyed when some turned it into "the Meerenese Blot", but someone made a series of essays with that title. "I read those when someone pointed them out to me, and I was really pleased with them, because at least one guy got it. He got it completely, he knew exactly what I was trying to do there, and evidently I did it well enough for people who were paying attention." Of course, he added that some other essays depress him when people get everything wrong, and when people get everything wrong, well, whose fault is it? It could be his fault because he didn't write it well enough, but who knows? (link)

Here are some quotes from those essays:

But when you look past the unreliable narrator and POV-character bias, Martin’s aim becomes clear. The whole plotline is designed to maneuver Dany into a mental place where she’ll decide to sideline her concerns for innocent life, and take what she wants with fire and blood. Martin’s triumph is in handling this character development in such a natural and organic way. He gives Dany as much agency as he can — her hand is never truly forced by the Harpy or slavers. He presents her with incredibly difficult situations, places her core values into conflict, and makes her choose. Her choices first go one way — then another.

Now, the transformation is complete. The Dany we knew at the end of ASOS is gone. The one who reaches Westeros will be a very different person. The dragons are now unchained, and the gloves are off. (link)

and

In parts I-IV of this essay, I’ve laid out my main argument that Martin has designed Dany’s ADWD plotline quite deliberately to focus on her struggle within herself. She tries to be concerned for innocent life, and fears unleashing her violent impulses. Eventually, she sacrifices a great deal for peace, and achieves it. But she turns out to hate it, and in the end rejects it, in favor of “fire and blood.”

and

In contrast to Daario, Martin tailors the traits of Hizdahr zo Loraq to represent the path of peace through political compromise. Dany’s feelings toward him are exactly how she ends up feeling toward the peace — like the peace, Hizdahr is unsatisfying, frustrating, not what Dany truly wants, and cannot make her happy — and instinctively, she wants war more.

and

Dany’s sexual satisfaction is a metaphor — the reality of peace can’t truly satisfy Dany, only war can (link)

So, no, Mr Martin didn’t look into a camera and say, “Dark Dany is real and everyone who says so isn’t a hater or partaking in a ship war.” But I’m not sure how you read the essays and what he said about them and deny that’s the path she’s on?

I also think the way he regularly included “the major beats” in his discussion about endgames being the same in the show and books indicates the burning of KL was always in his mind, but even if he didn’t say so, I don’t think it’s a weird conclusion to come to. Not if you relate Dany entering a funeral pyre because she is blood of the dragon and emerging with her dragons to the later quotes about Aerys wanting to turn KL into a giant funeral pyre so that he could be a dragon. It’s just not much of a leap at all to realize, oh, the author is building to something here. (link)

My words could have been clearer, but I think Dark Dany is just like Stannis burning Shireen. It makes sense, it’s foreseeable, but fans like Stannis so they refuse to believe it without seeing the words on the page. Fine. But it doesn’t mean it wasn’t where Martin always intended to go. His quote about Feldman’s essays is from 2015.

The other Martin quote that seals the deal for me regarding Dark Dany is the fact that he called her a threat and compared her to the Others:

MARTIN: Well, of course, the two outlying ones — the things going on north of the Wall, and then there is Targaryen on the other continent with her dragons — are of course the ice and fire of the title, “A Song of Ice and Fire.” The central stuff — the stuff that’s happening in the middle, in King’s Landing, the capital of the seven kingdoms — is much more based on historical events, historical fiction. It’s loosely drawn from the Wars of the Roses and some of the other conflicts around the 100 Years’ War, although, of course, with a fantasy twist. You know, one of the dynamics I started with, there was the sense of people being so consumed by their petty struggles for power within the seven kingdoms, within King’s Landing — who’s going to be king? Who’s going to be on the Small Council? Who’s going to determine the policies? — that they’re blind to the much greater and more dangerous threats that are happening far away on the periphery of their kingdoms. (link)

I just don’t think he accidentally called her one of “the much greater and more dangerous threats” if in his mind she wasn’t, ya know, a threat to the people of Westeros. That quote is from 2014. There’s also the oft referenced the dragons are the nuclear deterrent quote which I can’t find the original source for at the moment, but I take the above as confirmation of what Dark Dany enthusiast have long argued. Martin reading this quote:

“the reality of peace can’t truly satisfy Dany, only war can”

and saying, He got it completely, he knew exactly what I was trying to do there…well, it feels like an answer to the Dark Dany question.

#ask dot #anti burning people alive #anti daenerys #anti daenerys targaryen

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the-fiction-witch · 6 months

Text

The Mother

Media Game Of Thrones

Character Bran Stark

Couple Bran X Reader

Rating Smut

Kinktober day 28

Kinktober concept tenticles

When we arrived the cave was… not what I expected. It was dark, icy cold, with the grey roots and bloody vines of the werewood trees above and along the walls. The children lead us deeper into the darkest.

I was fearful but my choice was them or the others out there and honestly, I'm not sure which I feared more.

Suddenly they stopped and seemed to spread outputting a fair space between us them

"What's going on?" I asked

"She is coming" the children whispered

"Hodor. Guard the door with summer"

"Hodor" he nodded taking Summer with him towards the entrance of the cave just in case we needed a way back out.

"She is coming" they whispered their voices hushed and almost frightened

"Who is coming?" I asked them trying to sound strong and not let my fear seep into my thought

"The mother" they whispered "The mother, the mother" They said it like a mantra as If calling out to whatever answered that name

But suddenly without warning the roots and vines all the walls and that hung from the ceiling wrapped around each of us, Meera, jojen and I were immediately thrown back tight against the walls of the cave with the roots around our wrists, ankles, waists and necks as of the roots had come alive to form our chains, of course, Meera screamed as did jojen I think we all panicked

"What's going on!" Meera yelled trying to fight her way out on the wall to my left

"The hell are these roots there fucking alive!' Jojen complained on the wall to my left

"Just stay calm we'll find a way out of this" I did my best to reassure them but the roots tightened and I saw as roots now covered both Meera and Jojen's eyes and even if it was a fight another slipped into their mouths seeming to force feed them this grey sap like substance that made them calm and relaxed in the restrains I tried to tell but my own vision was taken and I felt the thick root force its way down my throat forcing this sticky stuff down and as much as I tried to fight it was intoxicating, and so pleasant like ale and mead but even stronger it just made me feel so happy, so content, unwilling to argue.

I lost track of how long I had been here and my mind had grown complacent and unresistant as I’m sure the intention was. I had tried to escape into time, into Hodor, summer or anyone else eyes but I found it impossible to do so. But I gained some clarity when the root in my mouth left as did the one covering my eyes, and I saw this… creature.

A woman formed of wood and leaf-like some kind of green statue or earthly god her skin deathly pale like a werewood tree her hair the red of the leaves, carvings across her body sigils and runes lost to time, blood running down from her eyes.

“What are you?” I spoke up

“I am the mother of the earth”

“Mother? The mother to what?”

“The children” she smiled

“The children of the forest? You’re the mother of the children of the forest?”

“That I am”

“You- You’re the first woman. The first woman of Westeros. Mother to the children of the forest and all other things in this world”

“Clever boy” she smiled

“What do you want? Why have you summoned me here?”

“You are dangerous. With the others marching you are a danger to all that exists”

“If we don’t stop them they’ll destroy all life here”

“No, they will destroy all people life will always remain”

“So you’re on their side?”

“I am on no side. I am only on the side to protect life, to protect the world we have worked so hard to build and hold all this time. I have lost enough of the world we made to men. Our trees are almost gone, the arm has been swallowed, this world is being littered by stones and ships none of which that sound be here” she explained “You shall remain here where you cannot cause problems” she says

“What will you do with us?”

“Nothing you will merely be kept here, used to feed my dying trees” she explained

“You can’t just keep us here!”

“I will hear no complaints I’m sure of it” she smirked glancing at Meera and jojen, I looked and saw they were different from the last I saw them, the roots had all but overtaken them the roots wrapped and coiled around them to swallow them up but the smaller leaf covered roots had taken an even sicker control.

Meera had roots slipped under her shirt the roots gripping and squeezing at her breasts, another under her clothes repeatedly forcing its way inside both her pussy and ass, a leaf playfully tickling her clit and inner thigh, still blind and being forced to swallow the thick grey sap, the wall and floor of the cave below her wet and damp clearly showing we had been here a long time.

Jojen too had roots slipped under his clothes a root wrapped around his cock squeezing and rubbing another inside him the wall under him too covered in his seed proving we had been here a good long time.

“Stop! You can’t just do that to them!”

“It is what they have asked” she explained petting Jojen’s hair “You should see the sickness they wish for him more so than her” she chuckled “And I see your sickness, Brandon. I see the sickness you see in me” she slyly smiled

The roots around me tightened slipping their way under my clothes

“Ahh- ahhh! Let me go!” I pleaded but I had no resistance to the roots she controlled it slipped under my clothes and coiled around my cock, and the root returned to my mouth forcing it down my throat and feeding me the sap again forcing me to relax and admittedly… I enjoyed it. As much as I wanted to escape the longer it went on the more I enjoyed it relaxing into the pleasure until I hit my orgasm my seed shooting across the cave and onto her she smiled and gave my head a gentle kiss

“Enjoy yourself my raven boy” she cooed before the roots covered my eyes again and leaving us to be kept happy, compliant and unable to leave.

#game of thrones bran #brandon stark #bran stark #bran #brandon #isaacwright #isaachempsteadwright #isaac wright #isaac hempstead wright #isaac

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stark-boys-simp · 1 year

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common tongue: part 1 (theon’s pov)

a game of thrones and house of the dragon modern au x reader

a/n: hi!! a lot of you might know me as @angstycatthatlikestea from @valeskafics ‘s blog, i finally decided to start writing again! i don’t have any specific ideas in mind yet for this, but if anyone has any suggestions/ideas i’d love to hear them. i really hope you guys like this!!

in king’s landing, there wasn’t a lot you could be sure of.

would the city actually fill in the potholes that flea bottom was fucking littered in?

would the pavement outside of king’s landing college ever be repaired?

viserys targaryen was mayor now, still after forty or so years. people in flea bottom hated him. he was nice, he was politically correct (which wasn’t a bad thing to be) but he was so… passive. the city council leader, and also, coincidentally, his father in law, otto hightower, and the treasurer, tywin lannister, whom everyone agreed were bitches, even their children. jon arryn, the chief of police, seemed to be the only voice of reason in the entire pack of them, which is, of course, probably why he was found murdered in his home on november twenty-sixth at 3:57 by his neurotic wife, lisa, and their spoiled son, robin. robert baratheon, the deputy chief, was outraged and grieved at the death of his old friend, and called in his old army buddy, who was now serving as a private detective up at winterfell.

theon greyjoy was their foster kid, the starks. he’d been with them for over five years. he thought they were his legal guardians now? there had been some paperwork he remembered. but whatever. he was still a greyjoy. and the starks had made him move back here, in his senior fucking year, which was just stupid. who gave a fuck about some old guy dying, anyways?

ned and catelyn were arguing up in the front seat. “i cannot believe you bought a house here without consulting me!” she was saying angrily. “we could have rented somewhere nicer! but no, you had to pick something in flea bottom, of all the places-.”

ned glared stoically out of the windshield. “i thought you would have appreciated me taking care of things without spending too much money, you’re always saying things are tight-.”

“well they weren’t this tight, i could try to get a higher paying job if you were so worried about money-.”

ned sighed and looked at her before turning his eyes back on the road. “i’m sorry, cat,” he began. “i was trying to do the right thing. and it’s in a nicer area of flea bottom. a bigger house, with enough room for all of us.” he smiled at her, trying to get her to smile back at him. she continued glaring out the window. “an attic big enough for robb, jon, and theon to share. two bathrooms. a big kitchen and living room.”

catelyn’s mouth twitched slightly. “an open floor plan?”

“of course. i know how much you like them. and if you want it more open, i’ll give rickon a sledgehammer and point to a wall.”

rickon scowled in the backseat. “it was one time and i was five.”

“i’m still impressed you managed to lift a sledgehammer,” sansa muttered. rickon flipped her off from below where cat could see.

the car stopped suddenly in front of a run-down, mildly lopsided house at the end of a long, twisted street. ned looked at catelyn apprehensively. theon personally thought it looked pretty great for flea bottom, but catelyn’s eye had started twitching ever so slightly. “hm.” her mouth tightened. “how long before the moving van gets here?”

“it should just be a few hours.” ned looked back at the rest of them. “right, starks, start unloading. robb, jon, theon, you three get the attic, bran and rickon, you get the downstairs bedroom, sansa and arya, you get the upstairs bedroom.”

arya immediately opened the door and hopped out, slinging her hockey bag over her shoulder. sansa groaned and began shoving her things in her bag as well. jon pushed the back door open and hopped out of the trunk. theon decided to join him, but immediately fell flat on his ass. the sound of soft laughter filled the air, girls’ laughter. a pair of red converse walked over to him, and a hand reached down to help him up. he looked up at the person the red converse were attached to, blinking in the grey sunlight. the girl smiled down at him.

“i’m sorry, that was mean. i’m y/n. we’re neighbors.”

he took her hand and let her pull him up, trying to put on a cool, suave, face. “i guess i must’ve just fallen for you.”

she pursed her lips, still smiling. “cheesy.”

“did it work?”

she laughed. “not in the slightest. my friend is having better luck with your sister.” she gestured towards a pretty, tall, brunette girl leaning on the side of the van and talking to sansa, who, sure enough, was blushing a color almost as red as her hair.

“not my sister.” theon looked back over at y/n. “i’m a foster kid.”

she nodded. “oh, nice. what’s your name?”

“theon. greyjoy.”

robb, who had jumped out the back as well, finally stopped staring at her and reached out to shake her hand. “i’m robb stark. the red haired girl is sansa, the one with the hockey bag is arya, then there’s bran with the glasses, rickon, and jon snow, our cousin.”

she smiled back at him and shook his hand. “nice to meet you all. i live over at that house, just there.” she pointed to a slightly shabby, but cozy yellow house, with plants in the front. theon thought they might’ve been herbs of some kind. “feel free to drop by anytime.”

she turned back to the brunette girl, who seemed to have successfully gotten sansa’s number. “margaery, we should get back.”

margaery, whatever that name was, waved to sansa and started walking back towards y/n, linking their arms together.

ned cursed loudly and suddenly. “what do you mean it won’t be here for another day?” he said into the phone. “is there any way it can be hurried up?”

catelyn looked at him apprehensively. all the kids were quiet.

ned scowled and hung up the phone. “bad news. the moving van won’t be here until-,” he checked his phone. “tuesday.”

a loud chorus of complaints began. y/n and margaery were still standing there, and theon felt almost embarrassed for the two of them. he could tell that robb was fidgeting too. y/n and margaery exchanged glances. margaery seemed to be warning her not to do something, but y/n shook her head and went to tap ned on the shoulder. “excuse me, sir?” she asked.

ned looked over at her, trying to cover up his scowl. “can i help you?” he asked politely.

she shook her head. “we’re neighbors, actually, i’m y/n oakheart and i live just over there. i overheard what happened and i wanted to offer our washer and dryer for you guys to use, if you want. our laundry day was yesterday, so it’s no trouble.”

catelyn froze and started to say, “i wouldn’t want to impose-.”

y/n shook her head. “don’t worry, ma’am, i wouldn’t offer if it was too much trouble. we look out for each other here.” she motioned towards the garden in front of her house. “i grow fresh vegetables and fruit, too, if they ever get too expensive in stores. you can all totally come by for dinner if you want, the pizza guys around here usually spend more time getting high than actually delivering pizza.”

catelyn opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, as though trying to say something. “i-is your mother okay with this?”

y/n nodded. “mhm! she’s always okay with us helping out the neighbors. if it makes you feel better, we do this for everyone who moves in.”

margaery nodded. “i can confirm. my house also has some extra sleeping bags if you need them,” she added. “like y/n said, we look out for each other.”

catelyn nodded, seemingly speechless. “i- thank you.”

y/n smiled happily. “cool! bring your laundry by when you’re ready, we’re in the yellow house. margaery lives in the blue house next door.” she turned around, taking margaery with her.

theon watched her go, his mouth slightly open. he couldn’t help but stare at her ass as she walked, until arya hit him in the back of the head with his own bag.

“get your shit together, motherfucker, or i’m taking your room,” she muttered to him.

he scowled at her and punched her arm lightly, trying not to let catelyn see. “get your own shit together, you little shit.”

jon intervened. “both of you get your own shit together or i’ll tell ned you were the one who accidentally shared that porn on the family tv.”

theon frowned. “but i was the one who-.”

“who what?” sansa asked suspiciously.

“nothing.”

#game of thrones x reader #got x reader #hotd x reader #modern got #modern hotd #house of the dragon x reader

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hollowwhisperings · 10 months

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"Speaker For The Dead": Bran Stark as a Reference to Ender Wiggin.

I read the first two Ender books when FAR too young to handle their themes of, y'know, the intimacy of xenocide when you're a child soldier. Scary stuff for a kid of age with the protagonist.

So colour me Unsurprised upon relearning that the language the aliens of SFTD's aliens to speak with humans... is named "Stark".

Because of course GRRM would find joy in a conveniently horrifying-by-implication Pun.

The Premise of "Speaker For The Dead" (the sequel to "Ender's Game", a Differently Horrifying inspiration for some of my childhood nightmares) is this: human colonists and the local alien species had been more-or-less at peace until a human is Suddenly & Inexplicably Murdered by the aliens who considered him a Friend.

Due to [the Plot of Ender's Game], Humans are wary of Jumping To Conclusions as to this seemingly Senseless Violence and Ender Wiggin (of Ender's Game) stops at the planet to Speak at some Funerals. To properly Speak for the Deceased, Ender investigates the Murders and because of [the plot of Ender's Game] feels certain that there has been a Fatal Translation Error.

Spoilers for SFTD & comparisons to Bran's POV Arc under cut.

He's Right.

The Piqueninos (the aliens) are still learning to communicate with the humans they're sharing a planet with, using a language named "Stark". The deceased men were both held in great esteem by the Piqueninos, one of the primary reasons why [A Xenologist Expert] was sought after: why kill someone who was their Friend?

It turns out that Ritualistically Vivisecting respected males of their society is how the Piqueninons Evolve: they had spent the entire book calling Trees their "Fathers" and they had meant that literally.

The gratuitously violent murders of their human friends were efforts by the Piqueninos to honour these men by making them Fathers, using the same method of Deification on the human men as they would to their own kind.

Cue the Horrific Revelation that, no, Humans Do Not Transistion From Life Phases via being Ritualistically Killed to Become Trees: the Piqueninos efforts to "honour" their Human Friends actually Killed Them. Permanently.

Now let's reevaluate what Bran Stark's been up with the Singers in ASOIAF.

Brynden Rivers has been sending Dreams to kids with Greenseer Potential and directing them North.

Jojen & Bran, inspired by such Dreams, go Beyond The Wall to seek out this "Three-Eyed Crow" who will teach Bran how to "fly".

Bran & Company end up in a magically warded Cave populated by the mythic "Children of the Forest" (Singers) and someone they call "The Last Greenseer", a man who has a weirwood tree growing through him & introduces himself as a Man Formerly Known as Brynden.

contextual clues identify him as "Brynden Rivers": one of three Great Bastards of Aegon IV had with Lady Melissa Blackwood*, Hand & Spymaster to Kings Aerys I & Maekar I, a Disappeared Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.

the Singers confirm the religious beliefs shared with the First Men as being Literal: the trees are gods and the gods are trees. Incidentally, Jojen brings up how Revered Greenseers are by those who worship the Old Gods.

Jojen has Greensight and Bran, as someone who can both Skinchange AND Greendream, qualifies for "Greenseer" status. Except... the Singers Very Consistently call Brynden "the Last Greenseer" even with Bran Stark right there contradicting that There Can Be Only One (the Singers also mention greenseers as existing in Plural, historically, & that those of their Own Species have "died out/[faded?]").

Brynden "The Last Greenseer" takes Bran as his [apprentice]. Part of this Training is going into the Weirwood Tree [Hivemind], a network that transcends Time & Space (because Roots, i guess?) and allows Bran to see all sorts of varyingly traumatising Visions.

Bran's lessons require his sitting on a Weirwood Throne beside Brynden who is, incidentally, a body horror Weirwood Tree-Human hybrid now.

BTW, Bran's "training diet" features an Ominously Described "Paste" fed to him by the Singers. It's made from Weirwood Seeds, apparently.

(hey isn't everyone stuck in this spooky underground cave because leaving it means getting eaten by zombies? whete are they getting these Weirwood Seeds from- oh. Hi there, Brynden the Tree-Man Abomination)

wait, if Bran's a Greenseet now then how come the Singers still call Brynden the "Last" Greenseer? is this, perhaps, an instance of, say... interspecies life phase transitions being Poorly Translated to humans due to Trees Being Gods and Trees Transcending Time & Death?

has Jojen, perhaps, Made An Assumption about "when" that Title of "Greenseer" is gained? He had said that Greenseers were Deified as Weirwood Trees, implying they were entombed upon death...

...but what if Dying is part of the deification process?

(well, for a given value of "dying"... *looks at Brynden The Tree-Abomination Rivers*)

...the Cave Singers are totally going to ritualistically vivisect Bran and make him their new Tree God, aren't they.

(and, from the looks of Brynden, some decades into HIS initiation... this process will Not Be Quick nor "Pretty")

Brynden is probably complicit in the Singers' Scheme to Make Bran A Tree, if only due to Brynden being the "Weirwood" Bran's Paste Training Diet is made from.

Brynden might also want Out from the whole "Unnaturally Alive & Conscious This Whole Time" thing because WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE ALIVE AS YOU ARE TURNED INTO A TREE.

let us Not Recall the descriptions of: Brynden's current appearance, the many non-peaceful expressions carved as Faces for Heart Trees, the states of humans "honoured" by the Piqueninos in SFTD, any descriptions of what Becoming A Tree involves...

...and any investigation into what, exactly, a Weirwood's "seeds" may be. I stop at "Horus in Set's Salad" and THAT WAS ENOUGH.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG, when Not Being A Tree Hivemind, Brynden & thus Bran seem to fulfil a role not dissimilar to that of "Speakers For The Dead": they examine historic events as Outside parties. Brynden instructs Bran on evaluating his Visions objectively, without reverance nor judgement. At least, I think he did. Again: preservation of own sanity > exact visuak descriptions of events in ASOIAF.

Interestingly, being an effective Speaker for the Dead requires much of the same skillset as a Competent Kingmaker (or, at least, a King UnMaker).

To Conclude, the Similarities*** between Bran's interactions with the Cave Singers and those of Human Friends & Piqueninos in "Speaker For The Dead" are Multiple &, knowing GRRM, probably Deliberate. Let's just hope Meera and Jojen have gone AWOL because Meera is Plotting Arson, not because they're of Interest to the Cave Singers' reproductive purposes too. Both series do enjoy subjecting female characters to Grim Maternity &/or Horrific Relationship Revelations.

Arson is my Ideal Plotline for Meera, Grand Elk Larceny as a distant second. All those "Last Hero" parallels Bran Stark has going on should be Recognised (by Meera) and AVOIDED (by Meera) WITH FIRE. I'm lowkey convinced Brynden would actually prefer being burned alive to "indefinitely trapped in rotting human flesh as he slowly becomes a Tree (potentially for the purposes of interspecies repropogation)".

Footnotes

*Lady Melissa Blackwoof was likely an aunt or sister of Lady Melantha Blackwood of Winterfell, Bran's great-great grandmother: there is almost certainly at least one other Blackwood in Bran's family tree, likely as one of his 4 unnamed great-grandmothers through Grandpa Hoster Tully & Grandma Minisa Whent.

It's also possible that all the Movement at the end of Brynden's reign as Hand (the Lords going to KL for the Great Council that made Betha** Blackwood Queen of Westeros & Grand Escort from KL to The Wall to send off Maester Aemon & Ser Brynden) was how Lord Beron Stark's Heir, Edwyle, ended up married to a Riverlander like Melantha Blackwood.

**Queen Betha & Lady Melantha were almost certaingly "cousins" of some sort to Brynden through his mother, Melissa Blackwood. The exact degree of relation is unknown but It's There.

The degrees of relation from "Lady Melissa, Paramour of Aegon IV" to "Lady Melantha of Winterfell" connect Brynden (through his Blackwood mother) to EVERY living Stark, courtesy of their one unanimously agreed shared Grandpa (Lord Rickard Stark, of "murdered by Aerys II & Part 3 of 4 Extremely Valid Reasons for Ned's Rebellion").

Lady Catelyn's being a Riverlander, specifically a Tully & a Whent of Harrenhal, make it likely that Brynden's related to HER too.

Jon, of course, has Black Betha as all 4 of his paternal great-great grandmothers AND Lady Melantha as one of his maternal ones (the others being Marna Locke, Arya Flint, & Lorra Royce): Jon's somehow being "5/8ths Blackwood" is how I got distracted by the blood ties of Brynden & Bran in the first place!

#valyrianscrolls #asoiaf theories #brynden rivers #the last greenseer #bran stark theories #cw body horror #cw cannibalism #speaker for the dead #greenseers #arsonist meera #piqueninos #ender wiggin #house blackwood #i kept getting distracted by how contemporary to brynden all these blackwood grandmums are #i would like 1 family tree for catelyn please #i forget whether house blackwood is legit plot relevant or just fans getting progressively more excited by river witches #it all comes back to the riverlands #jojen is fine actually #weirwood paste

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istumpysk · 2 years

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Operation Stumpy Re-Read

AFFC: The Drowned Man (Aeron II) [Chapter 19]

He had run before the Crow's Eye as if he were still the weak thing he had been, but when the waves broke over his head they reminded once more that that man was dead. I was reborn from the sea, a harder man and stronger. No mortal man could frighten him, no more than the darkness could, nor the bones of his soul, the grey and grisly bones of his soul. The sound of a door opening, the scream of a rusted iron hinge.

I have to say, you still seem a bit frightened.

+.+.+

On the crown of the hill four-and-forty monstrous stone ribs rose from the earth like the trunks of great pale trees. The sight made Aeron's heart beat faster. Nagga had been the first sea dragon, the mightiest ever to rise from the waves. She fed on krakens and leviathans and drowned whole islands in her wrath, yet the Grey King had slain her and the Drowned God had changed her bones to stone so that men might never cease to wonder at the courage of the first of kings. Nagga's ribs became the beams and pillars of his longhall, just as her jaws became his throne. For a thousand years and seven he reigned here, Aeron recalled. Here he took his mermaid wife and planned his wars against the Storm God. From here he ruled both stone and salt, wearing robes of woven seaweed and a tall pale crown made from Nagga's teeth.

This is fun! A female sea dragon feeding on krakens, and drowning whole islands! The Grey King slayed her! Bones turned to stone! The jaw became a throne! The tall pale teeth used as a crown! Weee.

(It's probably the bones of a random whale, but whatever.)

+.+.+

Aeron paused where the doors once stood, pulled the cork from his waterskin, took a swallow of salt water, and turned to face the sea.

um.

+.+.+

All night he prayed, for when the god was in him Aeron Greyjoy had no need of sleep, no more than the waves did, nor the fishes of the sea.

I'm calling a big fat unreliable narrator on that one, Dam-phair.

+.+.+

The Drowned God wakes, thought Aeron. He could hear his voice welling from the depths of the sea. I shall be with you here this day, my strong and faithful servant, the voice said. No godless man will sit my Seastone Chair.

Maybe give that a second listen.

+.+.+

Aeron's voice thundered like the waves. "But who? Who shall sit in Balon's place? Who shall rule these holy isles? Is he here among us now?" The priest spread his hands wide. "Who shall be king over us?"

A seagull screamed back at him.

BRAN?!

+.+.+

"I am Gylbert Farwynd, Lord of the Lonely Light," the lord told the kingsmoot.

[...]

The Farwynds there were even queerer than the rest. Some said they were skinchangers, unholy creatures who could take on the forms of sea lions, walruses, even spotted whales, the wolves of the wild sea.

There's ironborn wargs?? Bwahahahaha!

I'd warg into a lobster and march that thing right into my pot.

+.+.+

Lord Gylbert began to speak. He told of a wondrous land beyond the Sunset Sea, a land without winter or want, where death had no dominion. "Make me your king, and I shall lead you there," he cried. "We will build ten thousand ships as Nymeria once did and take sail with all our people to the land beyond the sunset. There every man shall be a king and every wife a queen."

I'm going to pee my pants.

+.+.+

His eyes, Aeron saw, were now grey, now blue, as changeable as the seas. Mad eyes, he thought, fool's eyes. The vision he spoke of was doubtless a snare set by the Storm God to lure the ironborn to destruction.

Grey, then blue? Val, is that you?

His eyes probably aren't changing colour at all, Aeron is just being Aeron.

Now I'm wondering if Jon is seeing deep blue sunlit eyes that aren't actually there.

+.+.+

The gull screamed loudly above them, and landed atop one of Nagga's ribs as the Lord of the Lonely Light made his way back down the hill.

Wait, I was joking before, is this seagull actually Bran or Bloodraven?

Why did you bring up wargs, George?? HMM???

+.+.+

Aeron Damphair stepped forward once more. "I ask again. Who shall be king over us?"

"Me!" a deep voice boomed, and once more the crowd parted.

The speaker was borne up the hill in a carved driftwood chair carried on the shoulders of his grandsons. A great ruin of a man, twenty stones heavy and ninety years old, he was cloaked in a white bearskin.

[...]

"I can't count how many hands I've smashed to pulp with that hammer," Erik said, "but might be some thief could tell you. I can't say how many heads I've crushed against my anvil neither, but there's some widows could. I could tell you all the deeds I've done in battle, but I'm eight-and-eighty and won't live long enough to finish. If old is wise, no one is wiser than me. If big is strong, no one's stronger. You want a king with heirs? I've more'n I can count. King Erik, aye, I like the sound o' that. Come, say it with me. ERIK! ERIK ANVIL-BREAKER! ERIK KING!"

[...]

"Stand up, Erik," she [Asha Greyjoy] called. "Stand up and I'll shout your name with all the rest. Stand up and I'll be the first to follow you. You want a crown, aye. Stand up and take it."

Elsewhere in the press, the Crow's Eye laughed. Erik glared at him. The big man's hands closed tight around the arms of his driftwood throne. His face went red, then purple. His arms trembled with effort. Aeron could see a thick blue vein pulsing in his neck as he struggled to rise. For a moment it seemed as though he might do it, but the breath went out of him all at once, and he groaned and sank back onto his cushion. Euron laughed all the louder.

Lovers' quarrel.

I'm giving this speech a 6/10.

I'm giving the takedown by Asha a 9.5/10.

I'm giving Euron's laughing a 10/10.

+.+.+

"Who shall rule the ironborn?" Aeron Damphair called again. "Who shall be king over us?"

Men looked at one another. Some looked at Euron, some at Victarion, a few at Asha. Waves broke green and white against the longships. The gull cried once more, a raucous scream, forlorn.

Can it please be Bran? It's important that Bran watch and learn how to win a democratic vote.

+.+.+

The Drumm came next, another old man, though not so old as Erik. He climbed the hill on his own two legs, and on his hip rode Red Rain, his famous sword, forged of Valyrian steel in the days before the Doom.

[...]

He drew Red Rain and told them how Hilmar Drumm the Cunning had taken the blade from an armored knight with wits and a wooden cudgel.

People on the messages boards believe the sword originally belonged to House Reyne. I don't know, don't ask me.

+.+.+

"Who shall be king over us?" the priest cried once more, but this time his fierce black eyes found his brother in the crowd. "Nine sons were born from the loins of Quellon Greyjoy. One was mightier than all the rest, and knew no fear."

Victarion met his eyes, and nodded.

Excuse me, it's illegal to advocate for your candidate at the voting booth.

+.+.+

Victarion waited till they quieted, then said, "You all know me. If you want sweet words, look elsewhere. I have no singer's tongue. I have an axe, and I have these." He raised his huge mailed hands up to show them, and Nute the Barber displayed his axe, a fearsome piece of steel. "I was a loyal brother," Victarion went on.

Look at my hands! Of course Victarion would give the most lackluster speech of all time.

I'm surprised someone isn't feeding it into his ear.

+.+.+

When Balon was wed, it was me he sent to Harlaw to bring him back his bride.

You have experience with fetching wives? Good to know. Also, why is that a good reason for you to be king? Lol.

I'm giving this speech a 2/10.

+.+.+

With that his champions began to chant: "VICTARION! VICTARION! VICTARION KING!" Below, his men were spilling out his chests, a cascade of silver, gold, and gems, a wealth of plunder. Captains scrambled to seize the richest pieces, shouting as they did so.

[...]

But it was not Euron who put an end to the shouting, it was the woman. She put two fingers in her mouth and whistled, a sharp shrill sound that cut through the tumult like a knife through curds. "Nuncle! Nuncle!" Bending, she snatched up a twisted golden collar and bounded up the steps. Nute seized her by the arm, and for half a heartbeat Aeron was hopeful that his brother's champions would keep her silent

Had to include the italics on the woman.

You know what's crazy? I'm convinced Dam-phair would prefer Euron over the woman.

+.+.+

Victarion loomed above all of them save Andrik. His brother wore no helm, but elsewise he was all in armor, his kraken cloak hanging golden from his shoulders.

"It was good of you to bring such gifts to my queensmoot, Nuncle," she told Victarion, "but you need not have worn so much armor. I promise not to hurt you."

Every time I'm told Victarion is wearing a lot of armour, I'm forcing you to read it.

+.+.+

Asha turned to face the captains. "There's no one braver than my nuncle, no one stronger, no one fiercer in a fight. And he counts to ten as quick as any man, I have seen him do it . . .

Liar.

+.+.+

though when he needs to go to twenty he does take off his boots.

That I believe.

+.+.+

"Daughter?" Asha slipped a hand beneath her jerkin. "Oho! What's this? Shall I show you? Some of you have not seen one since they weaned you." They laughed again. "Teats on a king are a terrible thing, is that the song? Ralf, you have me, I am a woman . . . though not an old woman like you. Ralf the Limper . . . shouldn't that be Ralf the Limp?" Asha drew a dirk from between her breasts. "I'm a mother too, and here's my suckling babe!"

I have to be honest, I'm cringing a little bit.

+.+.+

They pushed past Victarion's three to stand below her: Qarl the Maid, Tristifer Botley, and the knight Ser Harras Harlaw, whose sword Nightfall was as storied as Dunstan Drumm's Red Rain.

I love that all these irrelevant houses have Valyrian steel swords, while Tywin had nothing.

It's too bad he didn't know about Jaime giving his away.

+.+.+

"A wolf is not a kraken," Victarion objected. "What the kraken grasps it does not lose, be it longship or leviathan."

"And what have we grasped, Nuncle? The north? What is that, but leagues and leagues of leagues and leagues, far from the sound of the sea? We have taken Moat Cailin, Deepwood Motte, Torrhen's Square, even Winterfell. What do we have to show for it?" She beckoned, and her Black Wind men pushed forward, chests of oak and iron on their shoulders. "I give you the wealth of the Stony Shore," Asha said as the first was upended. An avalanche of pebbles clattered forth, cascading down the steps; pebbles grey and black and white, worn smooth by the sea. "I give you the riches of Deepwood," she said, as the second chest was opened. Pinecones came pouring out, to roll and bounce down into the crowd. "And last, the gold of Winterfell." From the third chest came yellow turnips, round and hard and big as a man's head.

[...]

"Peace," said Asha. "Land. Victory. I'll give you Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore, black earth and tall trees and stones enough for every younger son to build a hall. We'll have the northmen too . . . as friends, to stand with us against the Iron Throne. Your choice is simple. Crown me, for peace and victory. Or crown my nuncle, for more war and more defeat."

I understand this is the best party platform, but I don't think it's a great strategy to show everyone how worthless capturing Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore has been, right before you promise them that land if they make you queen.

I'm giving this speech a 5/10.

+.+.+

"VICTORY!" shouted Rodrik the Reader, his hands cupped about his mouth. "Victory, and Asha!"

"ASHA!" Lord Baelor Blacktyde echoed. "ASHA QUEEN!"

The two best ironmen, who are sure to live long prosperous lives.

+.+.+

Asha's own crew took up the cry. "ASHA! ASHA! ASHA QUEEN!" They stamped their feet and shook their fists and yelled, as the Damphair listened in disbelief. She would leave her father's work undone! Yet Tristifer Botley was shouting for her, with many Harlaws, some Goodbrothers, red-faced Lord Merlyn, more men than the priest would ever have believed . . . for a woman!

Had to include the italics on a woman.

I'm choosing to believe Asha purposely split the vote with Victarion so Euron can win and kill Dam-phair. That's high level thinking on her part.

+.+.+

Men began to shove at one another. Someone flung a pinecone at Asha's head. When she ducked, her makeshift crown fell off. For a moment it seemed to the priest as if he stood atop a giant anthill, with a thousand ants in a boil at his feet. Shouts of "Asha!" and "Victarion!" surged back and forth, and it seemed as though some savage storm was about to engulf them all. The Storm God is amongst us, the priest thought, sowing fury and discord.

Ants!

Good call, a savage storm is definitely about to engulf you all. Two.

+.+.+

Sharp as a swordthrust, the sound of a horn split the air.

Bright and baneful was its voice, a shivering hot scream that made a man's bones seem to thrum within him. The cry lingered in the damp sea air: aaaaRREEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

All eyes turned toward the sound. It was one of Euron's mongrels winding the call, a monstrous man with a shaved head. Rings of gold and jade and jet glistened on his arms, and on his broad chest was tattooed some bird of prey, talons dripping blood.

aaaaRRREEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

See, now this is a well-run campaign.

10/10 already. Substance? No thank you. Give me sizzle.

+.+.+

The horn he blew was shiny black and twisted, and taller than a man as he held it with both hands. It was bound about with bands of red gold and dark steel, incised with ancient Valyrian glyphs that seemed to glow redly as the sound swelled.

aaaaaaaRRREEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

It was a terrible sound, a wail of pain and fury that seemed to burn the ears. Aeron Damphair covered his, and prayed for the Drowned God to raise a mighty wave and smash the horn to silence, yet still the shriek went on and on. It is the horn of hell, he wanted to scream, though no man would have heard him. The cheeks of the tattooed man were so puffed out they looked about to burst, and the muscles in his chest twitched in a way that it made it seem as if the bird were about to rip free of his flesh and take wing. And now the glyphs were burning brightly, every line and letter shimmering with white fire.

Shit, I'm not ready for the horn. Low expectations please.

Unlike that fake ass sword, I don't think there's any glamour happening here.

The horn was as warm and smooth as the dusky woman's thighs, and so shiny that he could see a twisted likeness of his own features in its depths. - Victarion I, ADWD

The horn is warm, and does real damage to those who use it.

+.+.+

The hornblower's breath failed at last. He staggered and almost fell. The priest saw Orkwood of Orkmont catch him by one arm to hold him up, whilst Left-Hand Lucas Codd took the twisted black horn from his hands. A thin wisp of smoke was rising from the horn, and the priest saw blood and blisters upon the lips of the man who'd sounded it. The bird on his chest was bleeding too.

Euron claims he died.

"Cragorn's died, you know."

"Who?"

"The man who blew my dragon horn. When the maester cut him open, his lungs were charred as black as soot." - The Reaver, AFFC

The following might be accurate.

"A true tale." Moqorro turned the hellhorn, examining the queer letters that crawled across a second of the golden bands. "Here it says, 'No mortal man shall sound me and live.'" - Victarion I, ADWD

+.+.+

Euron Greyjoy climbed the hill slowly, with every eye upon him. Above the gull screamed and screamed again.

Bran, shhhh. Let it happen.

+.+.+

Asha's champions stepped aside, and Victarion's as well. The priest took a step backward and put one hand upon the cold rough stone of Nagga's ribs.

Body language experts tell me Euron Greyjoy has already won.

+.+.+

The Crow's Eye stopped atop the steps, at the doors of the Grey King's Hall, and turned his smiling eye upon the captains and the kings, but Aeron could feel his other eye as well, the one that he kept hidden.

Does he have a fully functioning eye under that thing?

+.+.+

"Crow's Eye, you call me. Well, who has a keener eye than the crow? After every battle the crows come in their hundreds and their thousands to feast upon the fallen. A crow can espy death from afar. And I say that all of Westeros is dying. Those who follow me will feast until the end of their days.

I think all of the Bloodraven x Euron talk is overblown, but I understand why it exists.

+.+.+

"We are the ironborn, and once we were conquerors. Our writ ran everywhere the sound of the waves was heard. My brother would have you be content with the cold and dismal north, my niece with even less . . . but I shall give you Lannisport. Highgarden. The Arbor. Oldtown. The riverlands and the Reach, the kingswood and the rainwood, Dorne and the marches, the Mountains of the Moon and the Vale of Arryn, Tarth and the Stepstones. I say we take it all! I say, we take Westeros." He glanced at the priest. "All for the greater glory of our Drowned God, to be sure."

For half a heartbeat even Aeron was swept away by the boldness of his words.

Euron Greyjoy promising things he'll never deliver. A true politician!

A lot of people have theorized that instead of binding dragons to people, the horn actually binds people to Euron, because Aeron is swept away by his words. I don't believe that for a second.

+.+.+

The priest had dreamed the same dream, when first he'd seen the red comet in the sky. We shall sweep over the green lands with fire and sword, root out the seven gods of the septons and the white trees of the northmen . . .

Not this god damn comet again.

He dreamed a (prophetic?) dream when the red comet first appeared in the sky: fire and sword will sweep over the land. Tee-hee.

+.+.+

"I know as much of war as you do, Crow's Eye," Asha said. "Aegon Targaryen conquered Westeros with dragons."

"And so shall we," Euron Greyjoy promised. "That horn you heard I found amongst the smoking ruins that were Valyria, where no man has dared to walk but me. You heard its call, and felt its power. It is a dragon horn, bound with bands of red gold and Valyrian steel graven with enchantments. The dragonlords of old sounded such horns, before the Doom devoured them. With this horn, ironmen, I can bind dragons to my will."

Semi-canon sources suggest he's lying.

The dragonlords of Old Valyria did control dragons with horns,

The dragonlords of old Valyria had controlled their mounts with binding spells and sorcerous horns. - Daenerys X, ADWD

But according to the World of Ice and Fire mobile app, he didn't find this horn amongst the smoking ruins of Valyria.

I have questions.

If he's lying about that, what else is he lying about?

If the warlocks had a horn that can bind dragons to people, why didn't they use it when she was in Qarth?

If this horn can bind dragons to people, why in the world would Euron give it to Victarion? Please.

+.+.+

The mutes and mongrels from the Silence threw open Euron's chests and spilled out his gifts before the captains and the kings. Then it was Hotho Harlaw the priest heard, as he filled his hands with gold. Gorold Goodbrother shouted out as well, and Erik Anvil-Breaker. "EURON! EURON! EURON!" The cry swelled, became a roar. "EURON! EURON! CROW'S EYE! EURON KING!" It rolled up Nagga's hill, like the Storm God rattling the clouds. "EURON! EURON! EURON! EURON! EURON! EURON!"

Even a priest may doubt. Even a prophet may know terror. Aeron Damphair reached within himself for his god and discovered only silence. As a thousand voices shouted out his brother's name, all he could hear was the scream of a rusted iron hinge.

Don't even judge me, it's okay to laugh at Dam-phair. It's encouraged.

Final thoughts:

The ironborn invented democracy.

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#operation stumpy re-read #affc #the drowned man #aeron ii #dam-phair

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