K H A L   N A H A J O

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 ? ❞​

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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.

C A L L A    L E F F O R D

“How she needed just that at present; to disappear for a bit, to escape. She wanted the soothing feeling of the wind in her hair, the reins in her hands, and the simple notion of having control of at least one small thing in her life.”

penned by eva

@calla-lefford

C A S I M I R   T U L L Y

“Casimir understood that perhaps, though his words had sounded strong and unlike the boy in his youth, the voice of his younger self had indeed peaked through.”

penned by belle

@casimirtully

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. 

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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?"

ravellaarryns​:

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         AN UNCHARACTERISTIC SHRUG came from the shoulders of ravella arryn; for a moment it looked as though the woman were truly exasperated with all the events that had seem to stir within her life as of recently, to the point where she wished she were brazen and careless enough to discard of her duties completely and make up some nonsense excuse to visit jocelyn baratheon in kings landing, or perhaps even remain in winterfell with rosalyn for some time. “why would he?” she asked, her tone momentarily harsh at the question; it were obvious what the reaction would be from the closest lords and ladies of the court of arryn, those lords who were essentially pillars for the arryn throne.

he had already married outside of the vale once; though that alliance was beneficial; however to dismiss a vale lord’s daughter as a potential queen for a woman from an opposite faction with no use at all was something she never thought she would have to live with. and yet her eyes softened slightly when she realised that perhaps rosalyn’s question was not from a place of logic or reason, but emotional hurt; she knew her sweet little sister had a steadfast and close with their eldest brother, and perhaps she felt blindsided by the sudden revelation. how she resisted the urge to welcome her to the club.

“i am sure you can ask that question yourself… though perhaps also ask him why a betrothal between myself and lord wyatt grafton would prove beneficial in his mind.” she paused momentarily, knowing the information was a lot to catch her up on; how much had changed since she had left the vale for her new marital home? “i would do so myself, however we are not exactly communicating.” she gently looked over the small bump on her sister’s stomach, momentarily imagining her sister as a mother; and how she thought any child to have her as a mother was blessed. “enough of this; there will always be something to stress over. how are you finding your condition?”

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rosalyn knew that with her move away from the vale that things were going to change. but she had not expected her siblings to get into a blowup fight so soon from her leaving. it wasn’t as if they never fought when she was around, of course, they did. all her siblings were strong-willed, capable people. she knew they fought, but she always was there to encourage everyone to come together again. maybe she could do this now even from her place in the north. 

“lord grafton? why….why would he engage you to that man? after all that has happened?” this was getting more and more confusing as ravella told her each thing. the pit of her stomach dropped thinking of it all. reaching out she held onto the seat near her and lowered herself into it. was it a mistake leaving to the north? to get married? maybe she should have stayed closer to home to help everyone. what if she wasn’t able to mend this together like she always tried? for now she could bury the hurt that came with learning this secret. rowan would have an explanation for this and for the secrets he was keeping. “i…i will speak to our brother when he is free. i’m sure he is going to be busy up here. i’m sorry i was not there to help you. i will do my best now though.” 

her hands ran over her stomach and the small bump that was beginning to show. it wouldn’t be long now until it was going to get bigger and bigger. she wouldn’t have such freedom of movement she has now, she was going to enjoy it while she still had it. “i have been feeling fine, honestly. perhaps a bit more tired than usual and i am a little sick in the mornings but i am okay. you should see my handmaidens they act as if i cannot walk ten steps by myself.” she smiled. “i have been happy to have times to escape away to walk.” reaching out she took her sister’s hand in hers. “but i have wanted you to be here with me and i’m so thankful you’re here now. it feels better knowing you’re here.”

Lucrezia Borgias rose dress in The Borgias 1x03

in the embrace of the hearth, amidst the flickering flames, her father's scornful words echoed like a haunting melody—etched into her mind like a searing brand. 

“warm his bed, have his children and stay silent. that is all that is needed from you in your marriage, rosalyn. anything more than that and you may risk embarrassing us all again.”

rosalyn, burdened by the fear that these words would never truly vanish, knew her role well as a wife in this land of nobility. yet, her life had taken a different course than the prescribed fate. her husband, a man unlike any she had known before, saw beyond those confines, yearning for her voice, thoughts, and emotions.

the weight of responsibility now rested upon her shoulders, and she felt a mix of trepidation and determination as she prepared to lead the kingdom alone, without a fellow stark by her side. only a month after the birthing bed, she was called upon to assume this new mantle of authority. yet, her husband's unwavering faith in her, the trust he placed in his wife—an arryn, an outsider— or had it become she was an outsider to the lands of the vale. perhaps the snow and ice had hardened her skin.

"it is an honor to be the stark in winterfell," she declared, absorbing the magnitude of her new station. "i won’t let you down; i vow to prove myself worthy. when we return to winterfell, i will ensure there is ample space for those seeking refuge."

with their child in his tender embrace, she found solace and strength, witnessing his loving care for brandon, as well as his affectionate she had seen for edric and ravella. his kindness extended beyond his own family to encompass her as well, granting her a profound sense of gratitude and awe. the blessings she had received exceeded her wildest expectations.

"thank you, owen," she murmured with sincerity,. "thank you for entrusting me with our home. i will strive to be the leader our people deserve."

| a starter for @rosaaaryn​ | | setting: in highgarden before leaving for war |

“You will be the Stark in Winterfell. Edric will be with you and so will our Wisdom. He will guide you in matters of state and decision making. You are the queen of the North and it’s time for all to see you as such. Since the Dance, it was a responsibility to fall on Alys’ shoulders as my twin sister and the eldest girl here it was only fit. This time, you have given birth to Bran and Ravella. It is time. Of course, you will be tired as you recover and that’s where the wisdom will come in. I’ve need for Alys that will keep her far too busy for this.” 

Owen smiled at her, settling comfortably with Brandon in his arms. Another boy. Ravella was sleep and little Bran seemed to always be awake, always looking around. Owen promised he wouldn’t keep waking them so whenever they both were sleep he only woke one which was keeping his promise and on this day, Ravella would sleep. “I’ll leave soon and you’ll heal here with Ravella. Much of our court will return North, some prefer Winterfell, but those who will have need of you will be here until it’s safe for you to come home. At the very least, the neck. Greywater Watch is quite secure as is Moat Cailin.” 

Already planning. Always planning. Rebel. False King and his master. He kissed Bran’s forehead. 

“What say you, my lady wife?” 

location: the welcoming ball, dorne

@starkwhitewolf

a cool breeze blew across the terrace, rusting the pieces of red curls that had escaped her hair style. she wondered if eddard would share in the curly hair she had. he certainly already had the dark color of his father. she’d have to teach him how to properly control it so it didn’t get completely out of control. 

gods even now at a party all she could think of was her son. though she heard it was a common thing for new mothers, especially as they were spending the night away from him. she wondered if he was feeling alright or doing well or giving the maids any trouble at all. maybe she could sneak back. maybe torrhen would be alright without her here? no, no that was silly to think about.

in fact it was nice to get to spend the night together with him without having to run off every moment for their son.

almost like she had summoned him herself she spotted him walking over towards her on the terrace. “i hope you don’t mind i left you speaking with the other lords. it’s far too hot…well everywhere. but at least out here there is a breeze.” she said, closing her eyes for just a moment to enjoy the cool evening air. “are you enjoying the party?”

falcxnprince​:

my sister the queen ;; rhys & @rosaaaryn​

The north was not unknown to the youngest Arryn, and yet the white landscape before him still took time to sink in. The powdery ground beneath his feet felt like mush with every step. He wondered how his sister liked it here, how different this trade city was from Winterfell. It reminded him of Gulltown, and that was perhaps not in the best way. He decided he would keep that thought to himself. This entire journey and meeting was quite important for the Arryn family, and he was not going to be the one to squander whatever important business lied before them before it began.

Within the halls of White Harbor, nobles bustled, making niceties with one another, it bored him. He grew tired of all the small talk, the manners, when so much of it was a false front. He preferred the company of those who could be honest, wouldn’t bite their tongues. How their titles were held in such how regard, for people to only show one half of themselves to one another, was almost offensive. Amongst everyone, however, he finally spotted his sister, Rosa. A smile came over his face as he walked a straight line towards her. Giving a dramatic bow. He announced, “The Queen in the North.” Rhys stood up once again, opening his arms for a hug. “Sister, you look radiant. It’s been too long.”

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rosa had been counting down the minutes until she would get to see her siblings once more. luck had given her the chance to see ravella so early in the day when she first arrived into white harbor, but her brothers she had yet to see. he was not in his rooms when she tried to visit him earlier, so she set her mind to walk until she could find him. and after some time he stood before her giving her an over dramatic bow.

“rhys!”

reaching out to him she flung her arms around him, holding him tightly. closing her eyes for a moment she felt like she was back in the eyrie. she was waiting for rhys to come home from whatever new trip he was taking for information or for fun. but like she would do when any of her siblings were gone she would wait at the entrance gates for them. and then the moment she saw them once more she could pull them into her arm knowing they were safe home. and maybe they were not home but at least in this moment she could know rhys was safe. 

hugging him for a few moments longer she finally pulled away. “i have missed you so much. we have so much to catch up on.” of course there was the ever lingering issue their sister had brought to her attention but that could wait. for right now she was just happy to have her family back. “have you found your rooms already? is everything alright? was the trip safe? have you eaten anything? i can get something for you if you need?” the slew of questions pouring out of her as she wanted to be sure he was content.

@kingarryn​

“huh?” rosalyn asked, peeking her head up from her book, she clearly must have been intently engrossed into. she wasn’t sure if her brother had been speaking to her for awhile or just walked in. “i’m sorry, what did you say again?” she smiled.