❝How Much Have You Had To Drink?❞

wintervsuns​:

♞

the eldest son of rolan karstark rose from his knee before the furs and skirts of she who was the queen of winter; and though their interaction and communication had only been in the most recent of times, she was the other half to he who brandon trusted with his entire being. at her words, at her composure, at her grace, brandon knew the north needed not a queen of winter; but perhaps a queen of spring that would bring some sense of warmth to the frozen wilderness. whilst her understanding was genuine, his own oath was sacred to her new gods, and his old. whether he uttered them in a sept or a godswood was irrelevant; he swore that no harm would come to the queen in his presence again - there was a time where he found duty burdensome, and yet in this, he would live by it completely. 

the man held her work close to him, his appreciation showing in his very body language, dipping into a low bow and thanking her sincerely for her efforts. “there was no need to go to such lengths, your grace.” he assured, and yet he suspected that she always would; for it seemed as though that was her nature. “i thank you still - it will be of great help to all those who wish to venture further north.” 

he had little words to her reassurance of considering him distant kin; aside from being quietly numb to the human element that seemed to come from the woman that should see him as a subject. even if the north were rougher around the edges than the stuffiness of the south, there were principles that still remained; and yet the way in which rosalyn addressed him was though she saw him as an equal rather than a subject. going out of her way help in his search party, to personally dot and cross each location according to registered taxes; gods, he knew that volume enough by the times he would need to look over it to settle conflicts between tenants upon his own lands - it was tedious, lengthy, and time-consuming. he looked upon her for a moment, before respectfully lowering his gaze. “take care of yourself, your grace.” he spoke, expecting dismissal. “is there any other matter you would ask of me?” 

.

rosa was hopefully her work would be in help to them. although it was not for any sort of reason of ego that she had helped. she could care less if anyone knew the work had come from her or not. she cared that it would aid those looking. keep them safer and in return bring back the missing faster that way. brandon was not only an incredibly kind man but a smart one as well. she was thankful both her husband and her had him by their side. if anyone could make sense of the scattered markings on that map it would be him.

“you too, my lord…please. i only ask that you and the others return safely. we will share a toast in your honor when you do so.” that’s all she could ask of any of them who were leaving on such a noble task. danger lurked for them around every tree in those woods. none of them knowing where the pirates were going to strike next or what they were going to do. staying safe would be hard enough. 

rosa gave him a small curtsey back as the karstark lord left with her work. part of this would be left to the fate of the gods. the new stark queen had left from the library to first visit the small sept. spending some time to pray for the safety of all those leaving from the north and from the vale. for the protections of her niece and sarra karstark. after that she left to visit the weirwood tree, to speak with the old gods. to ask them for to watch out for her loved ones. wondering if they would listen to her.

-end-

it was clear the wedding party was going to go deep into the night. it seemed like everyone was ready for a night of drinking and partying before what was going to lie ahead of them. and while rosalyn had enjoyed her time of merriment with everyone else, she was also happy to sneak away for a bit. holding onto the arm of her now husband the two of them walked the halls of the castle. butterflies filling her stomach once more as they walked alone together. no more need of a chaperon to keep a watchful eye on the couple. they were married which afforded them a little more privacy, which was both relieving but also caused the butterflies to flutter in her stomach. "did you have a nice time?" the now queen asked as they walked together. "i know it was more of a southern wedding but i hope you still enjoyed yourself."

@rodrikofwinter​

ravellaarryns​:

ravella remained in her seat, emerald orbs flickering across the mirror toward the  purple, blackish hues around rosalyn’s neck. the colours moved in a haze, somewhat shielded by her fiery red locks - but she saw it nonetheless. the only sign ravella gave of her unease was the sharp rap of her platinum sapphire ring against the desk as she drummed her fingers, momentarily getting lost in her thoughts. she had been told that the attack was not one based on politics, but a madman looking to escape his grim fate - still, she couldn’t help but hold her breath. "the crack of dawn, though the targaryen guards were questioning all travellers in and out of dragonstone. by the time my presence was cleared, it was midday.” offering rosalyn the beginnings of a small smile in response to missing her presence, she hoped her own sister would know had missed her too - despite not admitting it. “forgive me, for i must stop dancing around the topic. last night?” ravella began, turning in her chair so she was facing the tub, crossing a leg over her skirts.  her question was introductory; wanting rosalyn to take lead of the conversation and indulge the details she could bring herself to.

.

rosa was thankful that his sister's arrival came this morning. after everything it was nice to have some good luck coming her way. knowing her sister her entire life she knew that smile from her meant a great deal. plus her sister coming to visit her first reassured her that ravella missed her as well. the red-head knew the conversation would lead to this. pulling her knees close to her chest, the younger arryn frowned." it was awful" she started. "the man... I didn't know it at the time was rholk, the man the tully king hired to attack us all." she said, "i saw him in the hallway... i was alone... i. .. i tried to run ravella, i really tried. but he was bigger and so fast. "she closed her eyes trying not to bring back those memories.

starkwhitewolf​:

torrhen paced the halls, wincing with every cry of pain his wife made as his good friends tried to comfort him. he was eternally grateful for rhydian and brandon in that moment. despite tradition or formalities, he was desperate to be with rosa, but he knew his presence was best outside, surely there were better hands and minds within the room, one more would only distract from focus and he wanted everyone’s attention on his wife and child. suddenly, as if by magic, a babe’s cry filled the halls of winterfell, and torrhen’s heart. he waited what seemed like hours, but finally a midwife gave the welcome, and he walked faster than he had in his life.

the king of winter entered with a bright smile and went to lay beside his wife, admiring the little babe in her arms. gods he was so small. smaller than he ever imagined. it had been long since he had seen a baby, perhaps even since his own younger brothers and sisters had been born. he remembered hearing mothers’ laboring echoing in the halls, their first cries. he had been worried then, of course, although not quite understanding the severity of the situation. with his own wife, however, it was the equivalent of torture. had he been able to take aware a fraction of her pain, taken on a bit of the risk she had to, he would.

yet they were here, frozen in time, in this moment. he would recall this for the rest of his life. “he’s perfect, rosa.” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple, reaching a gentle finger to stroke the little one’s cheek. “i did not imagine a baby to be as peaceful as he.” he jested with a soft chuckle, ice blue orbs turning to his queen. “i know some might think of this as duty, but you have given me the world, i am eternally grateful to you.”

.

after everything they had gone through together, he was here. all the worry and doubt of what was going to happen. cursed words thrown at her by pirates and threats. but their son was here and not born under a blood moon but a perfectly clear night sky. suddenly in a moment all that worry and stress and fear was gone as she held him in her arms. he was safe now in her arms. she knew she would never let anything bad happen to him and torrhen would never let anything happen to any of them.

what a blessing it was to have them both here with her now.

“he is absolutely perfect.” she smiled, getting to see the look on torrhen’s face as he saw his son for the first time. the king of the north and the future king swadded in her arms.

torrhen said she had given him the world but rosa knew in her heart that she would have given anything to him in that moment. anything he could ask for. “and you have given me the world too, a new world in my arms. a new home, a new life. i could never thank you enough for everything you have given me. i love you more than i can put into words this moment.”

despite still being sore, she adjusted herself up in the bed, holding out their son for torrhen to take. “you should hold him.” she said.

THE KING AND QUEEN OF WINTER are pleased to announce the birth of the twins PRINCE BRANDON STARK and PRINCESS RAVELLA STARK. the second and third born children of king owen stark and queen rosalyn stark. mother and the two children are reported to be strong and healthy.

@owenstark

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."

M O R S   M A R T E L L

“the only one able to handle this flame and perhaps calm it would be his wife, for who else could burn this bright as well? who could withstand his fire except someone made of it too. ”

penned by jd

@morsmartelll

E R R O L D   S T A R K

“Theon was right, Errold was smarter than everyone else around him. It was a fact he enjoyed, it was after all his sword and his shield. ”

penned by devin

@erroldstark

within the library of barrowhall, the ever-growing shape of rosalyn stark darted around the room. probably much to the chagrin of her lady maids who do desperately wanted her to just sit and relax in her state. but how could one relax when there were people missing within her kingdom. she was the new queen here wasn't it her duty to help? she could not hold a sword, she could not travel into the freezing temperatures of the north. but what she could do, is her research.

in front of her dozens of books and maps were laid out. pages of notes were quickly being written by her as she looked over everything she could. if these people were holding so many people captive surely they would need a big place to hold them? and that somewhere would need to be isolated. and maybe somewhere there would be a record of a place like that, or maybe a mention in notes of a tax collector or traveler. ink stain fingers continued to furiously take notes when she heard the sound of someone entering the library. brandon karstark, a dear friend of her husbands and to the stark family in general. infact she had learned the two families considered themselves family. which meant he was now hers as well. the kindness he had shown to her in her first days of the north was something she was sure she would never forget. "lord brandon." she said starting to stand up from her seat. "forgive me i did not see you there. is everything alright? did you need something?"

@wintervsuns​

rvrprnc​:

open starter.

days spent in solitude. constrained to his chambers. his only company a crow that would check in on him, perch atop the inner casement … waiting. waiting for something. waiting for him? oh, and the targaryen guards. though, he could easily admit he preferred the crow. no matter it’s mirthless forewarning. 

at the opening of the doors, the thought vanished. maybe he could admit, but he would not. the guards entered for other than to deliver one of the three unloving meals of the morning, day, night. now they were to take him for a walk? brynden rolled his eyes in response. strike one. two more, no walk. “ ugh … ” he ran a hand through his lengthened locks. “ very well. ” he then followed. two led before him, two behind. he wondered if he should try to sneak off, but even he was not dimwitted enough to realize they were on an island and unfortunately now, the trout, even if it could swim in salt waters, was only his houses sigil. 

.

the day had a slight chill to the air, enough to nip at the skin but still it was one of the rare days it still felt wonderful outside. pulling her cloak tighter around her, she was happy to get away from some of the bustle of the castle. a nice quiet walk, she was expecting. but up ahead on the pathway rosa was able to catch a glimpse at him. brynden. he looked so different from when she saw him last. the night of the ball he was dressed up, like they all were. ready to have a fun night. but all of that was turned upside down and it seemed even more so for all of the tullys. part of rosa knew she should just keep walking but before she could stop herself her feet were carrying her closer and closer. "brynden!" she called out, forgetting proper etticute for the moment but she hoped he would forgive her.

after a moment she was able to catch up to him. "you're outside. i....i am so glad to see you." it was the truth. she had been so worried for her friend since news of his imprisonment had reached her. her gut had told her that there was no way he could be part of this. seeing him now he looked different, and not just the long hair. there was something else. "are you alright?"