@caetargaryen​

ravellaarryns​:

kingarryn​:

“they have absolutely no claim to the throne at all.” he hears rosa state, causing rowan to look downwards to the floor for a moment, knots forming in the pit of his stomach at her words. although none of his siblings knew or even suspected his lineage, rowan could sense of guilt and shame slowly start to wash over him. his cousins held a stronger claim to the arryn throne, his throne, than he himself. he felt the burden on his shoulders only grow heavier. 

the threat needed to be taken seriously if house grafton were involved, as well as if even lesser lords or locals were whispering about such a coup as it must meant that their support was growing. rhys’ news made him immediately begin to question himself and his rule. rowan leaned forward in his chain, resting a hand on his leg. “can house grafton be persuaded or do your informants tell you that their allegiance is set?” he pauses for a moment, “what has led to this? was this my doing?” his mind started to wander.

@ravellaarryns​

there was a claim for the gulltown arryns to make; though it were weak, and overextended at best considering the stark contrast between the older, prouder lineages of the noble houses of the vale compared to the richer, merchant families. as well as the fact there was no succession crisis in sight; for the mountain king had lived through the recent wars, and gods willing would continue to do so. the ambitions of their cousins was rooted in trade money, stemming from their close links across the narrow sea; a world away from the ideals and notions of the noble houses of the vale. at her elder brother’s question, she remained silent, her orbs fixed upon his features as though she wondered how he could even think such a thing, so soon after returning from defending their border?

“how could we have failed them?” she asked, her tone typically harsh; her world was one of black and white, of the arryns, of the vale … and everyone who was below them. “our people remain safe within our borders, whilst the people of other kingdoms have become destitute or at worst, buried or scattered ashes.” shaking her head slightly, the woman refused to acknowledge any fault; for how could it be? she understood her brother had his own approach, his own method of dealing with his men and his people, though at times she believed he needed reminding that he was the mountain king; there was a reason for such a placement. “do not question yourself brother; for then we question our very blood and all we know. this is treason; reasons be damned.”

@rosaaaryn​

.

how could family think such a way about them? did they not see that if they prospered as a family the entire kingdom would prosper as well. if there was going to be a fight that broke out between them then everyone was going to suffer for it. rosa's feared that she would be away in the north and unable to help her family. but there was still time now to help if she could, as her move to the north was not this moment.

 "i agree with what ravella says. there is no reason to doubt yourself rowan. you have helped to lead this entire kingdom into a time of peace and then helped protect our borders. we are growing as a country with new allies and protections and all of that has been done under your care. please do not doubt yourself." rosalyn said, signing with her words. "if grafton can be swayed than it would be worth reaching out to them. even if they might be leaning towards our cousins. if we can squash this before anyone else hears than that might be best.

@falcxnprince​

t r u t h  s e r u m

rosa | ophelia | morra | cassana | harlon | theo | mellara | axell | ellie

rodrikofwinter​:

a private meal with his betrothed was a luxury in the vale that rodrik would not enjoy so often in the north. as the lord of winterfell and now king of winter, he often took his meal in the great hall with his men, as his father had before him. there was something to be said about a meal in private, where his singular focus could remain on the woman who was soon to become his wife.

the smile upon rosa’s face brought one to his own, a more genuine smile than the wolf of winterfell often showed in the south. “we are often quite insular at times,” he told her, his head inclining. “our gods are different, our way of life. we are simpler; i do not take much joy in gold or jewels as you might be accustomed to here.” he took a sip from his ale. “when we are in the north, i will assign someone to instruct you in our customs.”

fingers moved to cut the meat that was on the plate in front of him. “i know that i am not the warmest of men, rosa,” he spoke candidly, wishing for her to know his thoughts. “but i will do all in my power to make you happy. as my queen, you will be elevated above most. and as my wife,” here he paused before exhaling. “as my wife, i will be faithful and belong to you alone.”

.

it had only been a handful of times that rosa had seen the king of winter smile since she had met him at dragonstone. although it was rare, it was kind. it felt genuine each time he gave one, not a forced pleasantry like so many other nobles painted on their faces. she felt quite special to get to see it more and more as the days drew closer to their wedding.

rosalyn knew moving to the north would mean a big change in customs that she had been used to. and there was no denying that she was nervous but it felt almost exciting as well. a simpler life was by no means a worse life or anything to snub her nose at. she  often found solace in the quiet moments of the castle, she was sure she would find the same at winterfell. "someone to help me would be great help, thank you. that last thing i want to do is offend anyone."

taking a small sip of her drink, she could feel her cheeks burn the slightest color of pink, despite her efforts. "rodrik," rosa started. "you have been nothing but kind to me from the moment i have met you. you have been learning how to sign for me when no one said that you must. i find that to be very warm." she told him. there was a pause, a slight hesitation at her next words. as she was unsure if they were right or not. "i want for you to be happy as well. i...i hope i could also help to make you happy."

starkwhitewolf​:

.

deep in thought as he was, it took him a moment to process that rosa was right there. rosa arryn. she was a natural beauty. the match had been made to connect their two kingdoms, but torrhen never had any objections. for one, he was an honorable man bound by duty, and to the north. he knew his marriage needed to be incredibly beneficial for his kingdom, and it was. he would be lying if he said it was a love match, it was simply an arrangement, a convenience for both of them, but he’d also be lying if he said that loving rosa arryn didn’t come easily for him. she was beautiful, kind, smart, and she brought out the best things in him. while it seemed he learned something knew about his wife every day, there were times where it simply felt they knew each others own thoughts.

he stood up, looking at her a moment before walking up to her and wrapping his arms around her. it seemed day after day they were bombarded with new stressors, he wanted a moment to simply be with his wife. he was not very open with his emotions, especially in the company of others. torrhen preferred to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself unless it was necessary. feelings only overshadowed good judgement, in his opinion. there may be times that would prove important, but he believed those times were rare. “rosa.” he replied, firmly, but voice low an gentle, for him. “how do you fare? and the child?” as he spoke, he signed as he kept his voice low. he knew what was said to her. the king in the north was privy to all that was happening around these parts, except for the mysterious signs being left, of course.

.

‘you will marry a great man one day my daughter’ her mother had said that to her hundreds of times. rosa still could remember the time her father scoffed as her mother told her that. it seemed to only encourage her mother to tell her it more and more. letting her know that she was worthy. rosa knew her father never thought she would be able to marry. who could look past her faults? there was no hiding how he felt about her. part of her wondered what her father thought of her now if he could see her. married to a king. his own daughter a queen of an entire kingdom. his daughter who he assumed would be nothing but a burden to the family. 

and yet here she was. married. a queen. and soon to be bringing in the heir to the north into the world. rosa had known her marriage was to help both the vale and north. but torrhen was a good man. there was no denying that. neither of them expected the feelings to rush to them so quickly. it was like the books she read growing up, stories of love and the ends people would go to for it. she always knew she would marry a great man. but torrhen was more than just a great man. he was strong and capable and so very very smart. and deep down he was caring, affectionate. he wrapped his arms around her then and she felt completely safe. like nothing outside their walls could touch them if he stayed by her side. the queen watched carefully as her new husband signed out his words to her. here in this room with torrhen she felt safe. and yet the man’s words still rung out in her ears. his threats. “i would be lying if i were to say i didn’t feel scared.” she said, her hand clutching her stomach. “what if his words are true. what if what he said….” she shook her head, not wanting to think on such a thing.

gareth-hightower​:

the-write-ideas​:

Send me a △ and ask a really invasive question aimed at my character

They’ll have to:

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how much they don’t want to answer that question.

Answer that question.

rosa | ophelia | cassana | harlon | theo | mellara | axell | ellie | cerissa

rodrikofwinter​:

@rosaaaryn​

though many in the north would consider him to be jovial, a man who will share a drink and a laugh with his men, in the south rodrik has long been thought of as the dark wolf, a man who has made decisions others would often revile. his expression was solemn in the south, made even more so by the dour walls of dragonstone. the harsh neutrality of the grey bricks juxtaposed against the sea so turbulent the water was little more than droplets and cresting waves that crashed against the shore, both reminded him of home and made him wish that he was still in the north.

his crown, hammered bronze with spikes of black iron, was heavy on his head, though he did not wear it outside of his official duties.

( his bearing, his countenance, the way he spoke so confidently made it clear, rodrik thought, that he was the king of winter. anything more was an ostentatious showing he did not believe in )

rodrik had sparred in the training yard with a couple of his men and as he walked back into dragonstone itself, he kept from wiping beads of sweat percolating on his forehead. as he neared the hallway toward his chambers, however, he saw a familiar face though it was not one he knew well. the arryn princess his father had wanted him to wed stood just ahead and though negotiations between the families had not begun again, he felt it impolite to simply ignore her.

“good afternoon,” he said, the small talk sounding strange even to his own ears. “it has certainly been some time since we’ve last met.”

.

the days at dragonstone were coming to an end. and honestly, rosa was thankful for that fact. after everything that happened on this island, the arryn princess was ready to make her way back home. when they were first leaving to come to dragonstone rosa was overjoyed at the thought of getting to leave the vale for awhile. all throughout the war she had been stuck in the vale and honestly mostly in the eyrie to keep her safe. so getting travel somewhere was exciting for her. but now she wondered why she had left the vale at all.

but rosa couldn't let these thing bring her down. to break her. no she needed to stay strong for herself and for her family. so despite how much anxiety it might bring her she decided to go for a nice walk today. her guards following behind her to at least bring some comfort.

"king rodrik." surprise laced in her melodic voice. rosa had seen the other king during the time on the island but had never a real chance to speak with him. plus with the rumored talked of their father's arrangement she thought it might be inappropriate for her to reach out to him without knowing where people stood. but now with the two of them in the hall together there was no leaving a perfectly polite conversation. "it certainly has been a long time and much has changed. is your family well? i haven't had much of a chance to speak with either of your sisters here yet." she smiled. "and you! i hope you have been good as well with all the new pressures of kinghood."

@lorczamartell​

wandering around dragonstone with her interprator rosa spotted the martell princess for a distance. kindly, she asked the other woman to give her a few minutes alone before walking over towards where the martell was standing. “good day to you. i hope i have not interrupted you too much your grace. i had heard of your arrival and have not had the chance of meeting your acquaintance.” rosalyn said. “i am princess rosalyn arryn of the vale. it really is lovely to meet you.”

wedbedbehead​:

where: the eyrie who: @rosaaaryn​

Sometimes, Ysilla felt that she had spent far too much time of her life waiting. It was the worst feeling in all the world, really, not knowing what was happening somewhere to people who meant the world to you. To have to wait for the outcome, and learn only afterward if all was well. But this was the story of all those who remained behind, be it for the battle that was perhaps occurring right this very moment, somewhere in the Riverlands, or for the whole of the last war.

But if Ysilla was frightened for her brothers, then Rosa must be doubly so, for her brothers and her new husband. Ysilla had been in the very same position some years ago, and even now she woke at night dreaming of waiting, waiting, not knowing—but aware somewhere in the back of her mind the raven that was going to reach them any day, knowing exactly what it would say. But what good was it to wallow in her fears and worries? Thinking about it would send her mad; and so she would not, save where her own history meant she was the perfect person to assuage the fears of another, fears newer and so likely more painful for it.

“It feels as though it’s been forever since we had the chance to speak,” she said, turning from the window to face Rosa so she could hear—that was, see. “Which is only natural, of course, with you married now. I’ll have to make certain my hand is better when you leave, so you may read my writing without all the difficulty everyone says I gave them the last time I had anyone to write to.” She wrinkled her nose. As much as she enjoyed conversation, letter-writing had never been a great skill of hers. She never knew what to keep and what not to. “I know this is a troubled time, but I am glad we have the chance to speak. So—Your Grace—how has being the Queen of the North suited you so far? Well, the parts you’ve seen of it.”

.

the way the sunlight streamed in through the window illuminated the dark haired woman perfectly. it felt warm. welcoming. it fit perfectly as she was getting to see her friend again, after having been so busy she barely had time to think. the two of them having agreed to meet today to catch up. rosa couldn't help but hugging her friend as she approached. "i'm sorry i have been so busy. my mind is all over the place lately but i should hve done better to manage my time to see you sooner." she told her, pulling away.

"i apologize in advanced for the copious amount of letters you will be recieveing from me. i will not care what sort of handwritting i am getting in return as long as it is a letter from my friend then i will be happy." ysilla had always been a true and loyal friend. it was evident in the small gestures she had given to rosa throughout their friendship. even something as little as moving herself to be better seen by rosa in order to lipread better. small moments that didn't need to be asked but were just done. a small gesture sure, but true friendships were built on such things. it was small things that rosa remembered in the longrun. rosa had tried to reciprocate that back to ysilla throughout the years as well. wanting to be by her side, holding her hand when she was sad. being there to tell her over and over again that she was enough. that the terrible misfortune that had befallen her was in no way her fault. that one day rosa wanted her to utterly and perfectly happy. ysilla deserved it afterall.

"oh please, you are one of the last people that need to be calling me your grace. especially when it is just the two of us here." the redheaded laughed softly. "it has been....interesting. i've been trying to talk with some of the other northern women who are here. some have been very kind to me and others are wary...i cannot say i blame though. i am a stranger to most of them. i would never want to demand a friendship out of them all so soon." truthfully it was hard to navigate all of this without rodrik by her side. he had left her in good hands, with people to help teach her about the north and help to guide her. but there was so much she felt like she did not know. so much she just wanted to ask rodrik, but he was so far away. "is it silly to miss him, so much?" she asked her friend, her voice low and quiet. like maybe it was foolish thing to think, not wanting anyone else to know but her. "i know we haven't gotten to be married for long but i already miss him."

visxionaries​:

@rosaaaryn​

he saw the figure of rosa arryn, sat upon a bench beneath one of the cloisters of dragonstone as the rain fell outside, talking to … a basket? cedric almost narrowed his eyes in momentary confusion before clearing his facial expression as the woman noticed him; he had heard much of rosa arryn’s emotionally fragile nature, and seen a fair amount of it in the few moments rowan had allowed his little sister to stay with the bunch of older boys. offering her a nod of acknowledgement, he did not intend on stopping but continuing on his journey -  it was then he saw the floppy ears of a rabbit peep from the basket. ah, cedric thought. not mad. almost simultaneously, his four legged fox of a shadow had chosen to sneak from the shade of the foliage; vivid orange tail upright as his amber eyes fixed on the rabbit now being cradled in the woman’s arms.

“kit, no.” cedric hissed under his breath, moving to step before the creature in an attempt to stop the arryn woman from seeing the creature that wanted to feast upon her precious bunny for a spot of lunch. “go on, bugger off. we’ll get you lunch somewhere else.”

.

there was a cool breeze move past from the soft rain that fell outside. she had forgotten long ago what the rain sounded like falling on stone but she knew it was a peaceful noise. if she closed her eyes and concentrated hard enough then maybe she could conjure up the sound or imagine what it could be. the arryn was happy enough to sit on the bench and enjoy the view at least. for a moment she might even look as if she belonged in that spot, like a statue caught in time.  

her gaze was mostly fixated on the book she had brought along with her, along with her small companion who was enjoying the protection of the basket he was tucked into. the breeze moved around them carrying hints of sweet rainwater that hung in the air with each rustle of the wind. lost in the paged of her book she missed cedric walking by her, only looking up to lean over to share a small piece of fruit with smudge she smiled. “there you go.” she told the tiny bunny.

up ahead of her she did not hear the agitated words of the tyrell as he commanded his own small companion to keep walking. rosa could only see the red flash of a fox trotting over towards her. and more likely over towards smudge. quickly she scooped up the small bunny in her arms, standing up to keep out of sight of the fox who now stood at her feet. “no, you are getting no meal here. find somewhere else to go little fox. shoo…shoo please.” her eyes searched up towards someone walking up “he cannot have smudge. is he…feral?” she said holding the bunny closer, only noticing them who it was. “oh, cedric. hello.”

anya-snow​:

Location: The North, Winterfell Closed starter for @rosaaaryn​

After the meeting, Anya remained within the chambers of the council to discuss some matters regarding the trading alliance with Yi Ti. King Theon and his trusted knight, Ren, went over some of the details of beginning to send Northern soldiers to the regions of Wan and Shizi as had been agreed. In turn, the blacksmith turned representative for the merchant’s guild and liaison to the free regions of the Golden Empire had informed them both of the upcoming visit from her father and her uncle. Jinhai in particular was someone she knew the Winter King might wish to meet, as her dear uncle was the current head of one of the richest, most influential guilds in Wan. A powerful man in Yi Ti as a whole.

Exiting the council chambers, Anya was greeted by familiar wintry air. Over her warm coat, the raven-haired woman wore a jade green cloak with embroidery of golden thread made from one of the rolls of silk her uncle gifted her on his last visit. Dahlia had sewn it for her a while back but now that the king had legitimized her in Westeros, it felt right to finally wear it. Let there be no doubt that she was proud of her ancestry and the links that tied her to her father’s family.

She walked across the courtyard of Winterfell and stopped to look over her shoulder when her name was called. “Your grace,” the blacksmith said, seeing the Queen in the North. There was evident respect in her tone and as Anya approached the redheaded queen, she also offered a polite bow of her head. “How may I help you?”.

.

a sense of calm had rested over winterfell since everyone had returned from the fighting. it felt like all of them could breath once more. there was no more waiting for a messenger to bring the starks terrible news of a loss of one of their own. it felt like now they could start again to focus on what was most important, which was building up the north to be the best it could be.

there were many tasks of being a queen that rosa had found herself settling into rather well. but the biggest piece of advice that had been given to her was to surround herself with friends in her court. ladies who were smart, and clever, and represented all sides of what being a northern woman could be. there was one woman who had impressed the queen at every opportunity presented to her.

“anya!” rosalyn called out to the blacksmith as she spotted her heading out of the meeting. “i hope i have not caught you at a bad time. i was hoping you could come for a little walk with me, i wanted to ask you something.” she smiled. “although it should be inside or else i think the wisdoms will throw a fit given, well…” she said motioning to her stomach which was growing more and more each day. 

heading back into the relative warmth of the castle, she waited for the other to join her. “how are you enjoying your new position so far? i know everyone is excited to see what new opportunities are ahead of us now with bringing in new ties to the north.” the queen said. “i believe the king and i share a vision for what new people could be brought into the north and find their home here. there are opportunities for people to move beyond where they have begun….i believe that is important”