Rosa Knew Her Husband Was Busy And This Would Be Just Another Thing To Add To His Growing List Of Tasks

L Y R A   S U N G L A S S

“perhaps she had them all fooled. her air of confidence was in truth a well-crafted cloak that took years to perfect. lyra knew it well enough. she had been the master of her own deception.”

penned by anya

@sunglxss

location: the vale’s buildings, day after the attack

@ravellaarryns @falcxnking​

time had stopped when the news of the attack reached her.

there had been such joy with her sister’s return so recently. so many plans she wished to make with all her siblings. hoping to get to spend time with them all after being away for so long. for most of her life they had been her whole world, the one thing she cared about more than anything else. them and their happiness. and now they were all together again.

and then in a moment, it was gone.

the news of her brother’s death had reached the young queen as quickly as it could. at first she could not believe it, knowing it had to be wrong. not her brother, no way could he gone like that. then a deeper worry sunk in worrying for ravella and rhys and if they were alright or had they been taken too? would she have to burry all of them at once? be the lone falcon still atop a mountain of sorrow she would never wish on anyone?

but the gods were kind and kept her two other siblings safe.

her husband had come with her, as she saw for the first time the body of her brother. he had held his wife up as she barely kept it together seeing what had happened to him. but after some time he had left to give her some space and allow her time alone with her siblings.

alone she sat waiting for ravella and rhys to join her. asleep next to her was her baby, still too small to be away from her for long. but thankfully he seemed as if he would sleep through most of this. rosa’s fingers fiddled with the black fabric of her dress, trying not to let her mind wander to what her siblings must have gone through that night. her eyes closed for a brief moment as she uttered a prayer to herself, “please gods, watch over them. keep them safe.”

BETROTHAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

the king of the vale has graciously permitted the king of winter to take his dear sister princess rosalyn arryn’s hand in marriage. 

@rosaaaryn + @rodrikofwinter

TRUTH SERUM

feel free to ask anything, in character or anonymously, and my character will be forced to answer truthfully.

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

ravellaarryns​:

who: @rosaaaryn where: the great hall, the eyrie, the vale of arryn when: the wedding feast of queen ravella arryn and lord graham royce

The sound of a baby crying won’t leave the very fringe of her mind, as though she could just about hear it over the sounds of talking and the lute, the sounds of footsteps hitting the floor, the sounds of bodies hitting the floor. The ruling Queen of the Vale of Arryn appeared as distant and untouchable as the most holy of stars as she remained sat upon the Weirwood throne, which so many Arryns had sat upon in the centuries, decades, years and even weeks leading up to this very moment; finally the Gods had played their dominion over her in a way she had always suspected they would, and bound the houses together. 

Those houses that were always supposed to be bound, with the two same souls as it were in the very beginning. What had all of this been for, if not to start again in the very beginning? How much of a say did any of them have, over any of it? 

What the fuck was that sound? Who was crying? Her hand clenched around around the weirwood, looking down upon it; was it not a very twisted symbol of that Andal conquering over the First Men, chopping down those trees that held some sense of meaning only to sit upon it. Her hand was a fist upon the edges, her knuckles white as her jaw stiffened; those who had been in the far North had already seen a vision of those icy, dead orbs that now fixed upon the King Consort in his negotiations with the Braavosi dignitary. Why did she feel so, so far away?

 The Queen barely noticed her sister approaching her, the glow of motherhood remaining upon her porcelain features, with hair that had been kissed by fire; the only two Arryns seemingly left in the world, from what felt like  a dynasty in the very beginning. How it had all had fallen down from such dizzying heights, and how she would ensure to fix it, dragging it up if she needed to; the Arryns needed to be untouchable once again. It was the only way. 

She did not react as her sister spoke to her, though there was no doubt the women were entirely opposing figures in what their wedding day had looked like; Rosalyn the blushing bride of the Mountain, and Ravella had not cracked a smile once. That was hardly out of the ordinary though. She looked upon her sister in silence for a few moments, realising she would need to put herself through the same torture she seemed to love putting herself through. She would need to now. There was no other choice.

Oh well. 

.

the music swirled around the halls of eyrie like it had done so many times before and would continue over and over again. although to rosa is was barely audible to her, enough for her to hear what was happening and for her to enjoy the melodic tunes. when she was little, she hated being sent away from parties by her father since if she ventured too far from the room the music would be lost to her. all of the party would be lost to her the moment she was out of the doors, while her siblings could at least enjoy the sounds of it through the halls. ravella was always there for her, ready to interrupt something for her or steer their father’s anger away from her. there was a bond of sisterhood that not even their father could sever from them.

it was strange they were the last two arryns left standing. how their father must be rolling in the crypt to think his daughters would be who would carry on his legacy. it was frightening to think how large and strong their brothers were growing up and to think where they fell to. 

no. she could not think of such things at her own sister’s wedding. this was a time for celebration and happiness. the vale would be in good hands with ravella and graham. both of them cared for the future of the vale, they always had been. they needed that now, they needed people who could carry the burden of ruling.

the music reached its end and everyone in the hall gave polite applause for the dance. rosalyn had thanked her dance partner, a vale lord who said it was an honor to be dancing with one of the arryn queens. and the younger queen searched for where her sister was. and unsurprisingly , she was in the same spot atop her throne. but as she approached her sister, there was no recognition on her face. 

rosalyn knew what this marbled silence from her sister could possibly mean. it was like her sister was staring into another world. one that she could not fathom to understand. while rosalyn loved her sister so very dearly, feeling as if she was part of her own heart, she knew of the walls that ravella had built up. of the cold exterior that must be maintained for some reason. had it always been like this? or lately had the marble become more and more frequent? it was hard to say as her time was spent in her new home.

 “sister are you alright?” she asked, her voice quiet so none other would hear. but she got no response, just a silent look from here sister. oh gods she really was in that other world today. the winter queen took a seat down next to her sister, turning to face her. her hand rested gently on her sister’s hand that gripped the throne so harshly. “come back to me for a moment.” she spoke softly. “something is wrong. what is troubling you? this is your wedding day you should be dancing with the rest of us yet you sit up here all alone.” she said, her hands signing along with her words as they often did when speaking with her family. “i know you now have this new weight upon your shoulders that was not supposed to be yours…but bearing it alone is not something you must do.” she told her. “what is troubling you?” she asked again.

edricxstark​:

Who: @rosaaaryn​  Where: Barrowtown “Rosa, do you have a moment?” Edric had few people that he trusted with his true inner thoughts. His sister in law was one of those few- well rather, two people. “I… Well I could actually use some advice. And from someone who isn’t going to answer with political agendas in mind.” He knew he could trust her to speak truth to him.

.

glancing up from the small needlepoint she was working on, the new queen of the north gave a smile to her good brother. “of course i do. although my needlepoint is very important but i believe it can wait.” she said placing the embroidery hoop down on the table next to her. she gave a signal for edric to come sit next to her by the fire. she had hardly moved from the spot all day as the winter storm still continued to rage outside. 

with everything that had happened recently she had agreed with torrhen it was best for her to stay within the stark’s buildings unless it was completely necessary. thought she did find it nice getting to spend more time with her brothers and sisters in law. it did seem like something was troubling edric however and it was not just the words he said. his demeanor did not seem exactly like him. “what’s going on? i am always here to listen.”

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.

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

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.

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."