Wedbedbehead​:

And how is my fair maiden?

location: winterfell, the day of the king’s arrival back home

@kingtheonstark​

news spread quickly throughout the castle that the king was spotted riding up to winterfell. everyone was abuzz with energy getting everything ready for the return of their king and his men. a feast would be held in celebration of his safe return and the good news brought from the war. there would be planning that would require her attention but right now rosa did not care for any of that. all she wanted to see was her husband. to hold him in her arms and know for certain that he was safe.

perhaps the pit in her stomach would be gone, the worry that had settled there the day he had ridden off to fight. the worry had only grown once she had learned the news of her pregnancy only a few days after he departed. the news kept secret from him as to not distract him while out at war. it had been a difficult decision to make but one she knew was right. 

but four month in now her stomach began to swell more and more visibly with each day that passed. the wisdoms and midwives had begun discussing the possibility that she was perhaps carrying more than one child given how large her stomach had already gotten. a likely outcome given her husband was a twin.

outside the triumphant sound of horns echoed across the castle as the king’s party entered the castle's walls. there was cheering and celebrations from all who were outside. all welcoming back their king and heroes. rosalyn hurried down the halls to make her way there, leaving behind her ladies in waiting encouraging her to slow down. but how could she when theon was here? when he was right outside. she hurried until she arrived at the large curved door that lead to outside, taking a moment to pull herself together as a queen should before stepping outside.

and there he was. alive, safe and finally home. “my king.” she smiled seeing him in their home at a last. the pit in her stomach already disappearing just seeing him here. taking the steps down to meet him in the courtyard, reaching her hand out for him. “welcome home.”

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​

what's your relationship like with your siblings now that you have moved to the north?

“i still love them all dearly. i wish i was still close to them as i feel like i cannot be there for them as much. and i feel like there are things are they are not telling me because i am married into another family. but i will never stop loving them, ever.”

@ravellaarryns @kingarryn @falcxnprince

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

Lucrezia Borgias rose dress in The Borgias 1x03

mereyagrafton​:

Who: @rosaaaryn​  Where: Barrowtown 

“Your grace, how are you? I had wanted to have a chance to speak to you earlier but I presumed you might be overwhelmed with all that has taken place as of recent.” Mereya approached the redheaded queen of the North. She felt it important to show her kindness to more of the noble ladies surrounding her in Barrowtown, especially with her sister seemingly being a traitor. She wanted to show she was anything but. 

.

there were few places that rosa had gone to beyond the stark’s housing since the storm hit. given she seemed to be growing bigger and bigger each day and safety was of torrhen’s utmost concern at the moment. but a quick trip to barrowhall was all she needed to make, and her guards were sure to stay close by her side throughout the entire journey.

rosa was preparing to leave soon when she heard a voice call over towards her. mereya grafton. not much about her had come her way since the arrival of her brother and her. she knew all about her family though. she may be queen of the north now but she was still very protective of the eyrie and her family. it seemed however for now mereya was on the side of the arryns….for now. “lady grafton. i am doing well, thank you for asking. unfortunately, it seems that life is busy for most of us. however, with the safe return of everyone, we can all hope that things are getting better. i was going to go for a short walk in the halls, stretch my legs a bit. the maesters say it’s good for the baby and also helps from going a bit stir crazy with the storm.” she said with a slight laugh. “how have you been?”

falcxnprince​:

.

it was odd, seeing his sister as a queen now, of course, he always knew she would marry well. ravella, too, but as they grew, he began to realize the elder arryn sister had more of a sway with whom she would be shackled to forever, or at least, the king knew better than to align her with just anyone. that is, until none other than wyatt grafton became the most suitable person to become her fiance. he scoffed at the idea, a traitor marrying an arryn who resided in the eyrie itself. it was laughable, and he still couldn’t put his mind to exactly why that decision was made.

rosa, on the other hand, would likely fair just well with anyone. she was kind, obedient, qualities that made a good and faithful wife, but nonetheless, worried the youngest arryn. he hoped no one would dare take advantage of his sister’s good heart. she seemed, however, to be doing plenty well up in the frigid north. he embraced her hug, however, partly for it’s warmth, but mostly because he truly did miss her. she was always the neutral party when the other siblings bickered. “we certainly do.” he replied, releasing her from his arms. “yes, yes, yes, sister, please do not stress yourself with worrying about me you know i am perfectly self-sufficient.” he smiled. “you have plenty of things to worry yourself about as it is, i’m sure, please tell me how everything has been for you up here.” 

.

rosa had begun to build a life up in her new home. when her engagement was first announced rosa had always feared that she would not be able to settle into her new home. that she would not be able to fit in, that she would always be an outsider. the people of the north were strong, protective of one another and wary of people from the south. it had only been three months of living up in winterfel but she already felt herself beginning to relax. she had begun to make friends, to become closer to torrhen. and now with their child on the way everything felt like it was starting to fall into place.

but a piece of her would always miss the mountains of her home. miss seeing her brothers and sister every day. even if some of that time was spent breaking up petty squabbles, she would not mind it.

the distance away made moments like this so special. getting to hold her family close in the crisp chilly air. “of course, of course. but a sister still worries. i want you enjoy your time here.” rosa looped her arm through her brothers to guide him out of the cold. “i have been well up here. there is much to get used to and much that is different but i am happy. torrhen has been wonderfully attentive and helping me through the change. i couldn’t ask for more.” she smiled. “you are going to be an uncle again soon enough. i will have to request another visit from you all after he is born if you are all able to go back home before he arrives.”

letter sent to @ravellaarryns after a few weeks after fighting breaks out

dear sister,

i have missed you terribly since my visit back home to the eyire. it warmed my heart to see you once again and i hope i will be able to visit you again soon. please give my love to graham as well, it was wonderful to see him and i am so happy for the two of you. i know i said it about a dozen times when i saw you in person but i know in my heart you will be an amazing queen. i am so proud of you.

there is some slight unfortunate news upon returning back to the north. it seems not even us could escape the trouble in the iron islands. some of the escaped men have found their way into our woods and have joined forces with the thenns. theon and the others have left to deal with the issue. 

however with bad news come some good news. a week after theon left to fight i discovered i may be with child. the midwives here have confirmed it and they believe it may be more than one. but it is still too early to tell for sure. i have yet to tell my husband yet as i am afraid it may be a distraction while he is fighting. but i am in good hands and being well protected and taken care of. i wanted you to know as quickly as i could tell you.

i love you so much. and eddie says the same.

your loving sister,

rosa

goldcnaura​:

closed starter . ` riverrun 

⤳

@mellaratully​​

        RIVERRUN WAS HOME, RATHER,   it had once been home. back when laughter and joy flooded the castle’s halls. back when the warm touch of the trout queen hovered over the side of elyse’s face. with the return to the riverlands came the repetitive reminder that everything had changed. her memories, tainted with the pain and suffering that had made a home of the tullys. ginger locks are spread over the pillow of her sister’s bed, a halo surrounding doll like features. oceanic orbs are locked on the ceiling, lost in thought. 

         she was no longer sick, the harshness the blizzard had gifted her seemingly… gone. and yet - something lingered. a shift within herself, a change. the princess of the riverlands remained the same. soft, calm, empathetic, compassionate, warm. however, there seemed to be a level of composure that had not been there before. maturity. she had witnessed the extremities of her own thoughts, of her own behavior, she had seen just how cruel she could potentially be and while she hated every bit of it - elyse had realized that the naive way of viewing the world had to go. so it had.

           ❝ does this feel like home to you ?? ❞ head turns, voice seemingly a whisper. it was one thing to think something but another entirely to finally say it out loud. ❝ has it ever ? ❞​

.

these quiet moments were something mel had cherish about her sister, the oter half of herself. moments spent in silence not alone but in the comfort of each other’s presence. mel lazily reading a book she had gotten up north, while her sister laid next to her. when she spoke up, mel tossed aside the book to listen to her. ever since they had gotten the news about elyse, mel wanted to be sure she was there to listen to whatever her sister needed to say or yell or vent.

mel thought of the question, wondering if she was meant to even answer it. it was hard to say, after all that had happened with them.“i don’t really know if it does. i want it to. i hope it does again soon. it felt like home before with you and mom and everyone but now….it’s getting better with cas home. and…well…you know.” and him gone. unspoken but mel knew elyse would understand her. 

“perhaps you will find a new home.” the news of her sister’s engagement was something she had known for a long time would come. but she just didn’t know to who it might be. but her twin was beautiful, kind, and smart. exactly what a princess should be, what a true tully should be. mellara knew one day she would be married, selfishly she had hoped it would be someone from the riverlands. somewhere the two of them could be so close with. the reach was not so far…the north was further. “how are you feeling about all of it?” mel asked, rolling onto her side to face her.