𝙳𝚈𝙽𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙲𝚂 .

𝙰𝚁𝙶𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙰 𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙷𝙴𝙾𝙽 ⊹ 𝙳𝙴𝙵𝙽𝙴 𝚈𝚁𝙾𝙽𝚆𝙾𝙾𝙳 penned by g for CONQUERHQS.

[dvnastics]

𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐍 - stats ﹕ biography ﹕ family tree ﹕ wanted connections

( baratheon d / laura berlin / cisfemale - she & her ) here ye here ye — the riverlands welcomes 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐍 of 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆. king matthos baratheon is glad that the thirty-two year old appears to be charismatic and he shall overlook that it’s said they are also machiavellian, as long as they are glad to celebrate peace in the seven kingdoms. fortunately for them, matthos remains oblivious that they are happy with his reign. ( g / 30 / she/her / gmt / none. )

[cordoleo]

words had not meant to barb, but, at times, they do nevertheless — he knows he has overstepped (even as it has been a long time since picking at his words with her have been a need), and royce lowers his eyes, giving her a moment of privacy with the turmoil the subject seems to have brought to her. "i simply know that it is no easy feat to stay away from the ones you care for. be that him, or the children. whenever i have to send them to renyse, i feel at odds, even if i know she may be better with them than i am myself." he would not meddle in her relationship, claim to know more than what she confided; the seven knows that he's hardly apt as a counselor when his own turn at the wedding table had not been the most exciting tale to tell. "though if you do not wish him to be by me, then so be it. it won't be an absence i will find difficult to replace." he tilts his head her way, looking at her once more. "i am glad that you are to stay. perhaps it can be of a leveling force to sebastion. selyse does a fine job at it, but the capital has a tendency for... distraction."

[dvnastics]

darkened hues threaten a squall , her temper curtailed by the camaraderie and affection . friends are few and far between in king's landing , she can not afford to alienate her few alliances with her quickening temper . more so , argella did not wish to ruin decades of friendship that bordering familial , especially not over a misplaced comment . ❛ thank you for such a ... thought provoking insight . ❜ though temper is tamed , the clip to her tone does not so easily dissipate . it was not royce's fault , their conversations had enjoyed the benefit of frankness for many years and thus , she could not blame him for continuing in the tradition . ❛ it is not that i do not trust you , or believe you incapable , i simply do not know what shall be best . would having him in the capital at all be foolish ? ❜ it's rhetorical , more voicing aloud inner thoughts and yet still her gaze ( gentler now ) falls upon him , a brow arching at the mention of her siblings . ❛ what sort of distractions ? ❜ the expression upon her countenance questioning if he was aware of something she was not .

[ephiiphanies]

The change of subject is welcomed, selyse had never minded the topic of her marriage, although with whom it was spoke was differently. with argella it was as speaking to a friend, with her father a business transaction, and with his wife, well that was a trap she refused to fall into. "i cannot say anyone has, dearest sister," selyse finally brings herself to answer it. it was not just the wish or argella, for better or worst it was that of the king and queen too. yet, to everyone demise the youngest stag of the lady of storms, she was an idealist. "i do wish to marry, you see," selyse sighs, "but i do not wish to attach myself to someone only for political reason. and i know," and she did understand, "that i should to hold to such believe with firmness, that i am a princess and my duty is to our father and the kingdom," and blah blah blah. "but i simply cannot fandom it, it terrifies me, and i am certain i will wither away." she was not as strong as argella was, she never had been nor she pretended to be.

[dvnastics]

the patience argella had for her sister was , uncharacteristically , endless . where with others the mention of shirking one's duty would rise ire , with selyse she wished only to provide a solution . a smile , slight in proportions , tugs at the corner of her mouth , attempting to break the tight compressing of lips . often did she ponder the differences between selyse and herself ; where the younger possessed gentleness and warmth , argella viewed herself with a firm aloofness . it was not the notion of fighting against ones duty , argella had fought her marriage tooth and nail , but it had not been for some idealistic romanticism – that was what she failed to grasp . ❛ you shall not wither away , sweetling . ❜ the sigh that accompanies her words sounds almost exasperated , yet she grasps selyse's hands with firm determination . ❛ i wish i could give you what you seek , but the world is not always fair to people like us , it is the price we pay for power . ❜ even as words are uttered , argella's impulse to take away all of selyse's fears directs her towards a more coddled approach . ❛ though rest assured , i will never allow a match for you that would make you truly unhappy . ❜ how she would keep such a vow remained to be seen .

[ofphoebvs]

"well one would like to lose to a victor after all, so my hopes go out to the tyrells," alyssa replied, "i'm sure that selyse would agree with me."

alyssa and selyse had never been close either. selyse, like argella, had been set against her from the start, all for the sake of her mother, but at least the two of them were able to be civil with each other for the length of a tennis competition. if she'd been playing with argella, alyssa would have broken a tennis racket over her head at some point during the first match.

she would never say as much out loud, but alyssa was jealous of her two older sisters, who clearly loved each other so much and loved her so little. it hurt, to watch the two of them together while she was sat at the sidelines, and so she had doubled down on the rivalry, throwing herself into her love of her true brothers, of her mother. to spite them, or to make herself feel better? at this point she wasn't sure.

"though of course there is still the match for third place, against the queen and lady rykker. i trust you'll be cheering us on." she noted, her smile overly bright but her tone cold.

[dvnastics]

tempest hues observed porcelain features with a measure of amusement , since when had her little sister possessed such a bite ? it was true that alyssa had never really featured prominently in her thoughts or concerns . it had been far easier , in youth , to simply ignore the younger and pander to selyse in ways she may not have had the fates been different . youth bequeaths petulance and no more so than in broken children . it would not be unfair to say that argella had been a villain in the lives of younger siblings , just as often as she had vilified their mother . her reasoning had been simple back then , they were her children ... her spawn . or at least , such was the simple reasoning ; even as a child argella could not admit the jealousy over the simple fact that they had their mother and she did not . nevertheless , they had both grown and whilst she may have expected to feel the bit behind her sister's words , she was nonetheless amused surprised .

❛ ah , well , i wonder who will win between your queenly mother and her little ... pet . ❜ the droll tone spoke of a predetermined victory on the queen's behalf , had selyse been with her then perhaps the pair would have laughed . ❛ you played well though , i was impressed . ❜ no longer the petulant child , genuine compliments were not impossible for her other siblings ( save for drystan , she'd rather peel the skin from her bones layer by layer than stroke his ego ) . ❛ have you signed up for any other competition ? ❜

[cordoleo]

she raises her eyebrows, lips lightly parted as she notes on the correction. from her part, there is little memory to be had of the events of the rebellion — only of a sudden absence of some family with some to return and others not to, the roundness of her mother’s belly, a perpetual look of concern on her parents’ face whenever she was to see them. “have you any memories of storm’s end? i remember so little of my grandfather, it may be the same for yourself?” the tale was too gruesome for a child to hear of it, but she would know that both patriarchs of house baratheon and house stark were to perish together, burning in the green light of wildfire. even the thought of it now inevitably glooms her otherwise bright countenance.

she does remember to reopen her smile when his majesty is mentioned, soft chuckle perfectly timed exhaling from her lips. “it must have been a lot of a child, perhaps that is why you have some sympathy for your wild one.” her gaze falls on the items in display again, deep thought settling and allowing her to hum. “something for her cloak, perhaps? or a doll, if she cares for it; dress her in silks and the gift shall be even more precious to her.” the lightness of the suggestion dissipates momentarily as she blinks. an early wedding gift, yet no one even knows if that was to occur. lynara fights against the sigh that wishes to escape her mouth, and the opposing wish to simply have the gift regardless; she could find occasion for it, even if it is not the wedding desired by the king. “your sister has already gifted me something for it. i only have the one neck, your grace.” yet, she pauses, furrow between her eyebrows as something churns in her belly — the ever insistent desire to please that never truly abandons her. “if it shall upset you, i may keep it. certainly the king can find reason for it to be worn.”

[dvnastics]

it was not uncommon for matthos , after one too many chalices of wine or tankards of ale , to lament the demise of his sire . it was , after all , a strong justification for the rallying of his bannermen . whilst the stark grandsire featured within the grisly tale , he played a secondary role to the baratheon protagonist and in truth , so ingrained within argella was matthos' version , he was often an afterthought for the princess as well . with a turn of her head , argella forced her gaze away from her soon - to - be goodsister , unwilling to acknowledge the morsel of shame lumped within her throat . besides , she doubted the stark's ( despite the penchant for the sanctimonious ) regaled the demise of lord rogar with the same sorrow as they did for lord osric . ❛ a little . ❜ argella mused , trying to decipher fact from fiction . how much of rogar did she actually remember and how much of it was just her father's ramblings ? ❛ i remember him comforting sebastion and i after mother died , he held our hands as we kissed her goodbye . ❜ matthos had not been around for that and she remembered father & son arguing later that evening for it , but that would remain unspoken . ❛ not so long after he was gone as well. ❜ the shrug that rolls elegant shoulders almost feels coolly dismissive , but it is nothing but a defence mechanism , the princess lacking any desire to pry open her chest of traumas and least of all in present company . a smile is forced , a nod in accompaniment . ❛ perhaps you are right . ❜

the swift change in topic is welcomed , the previous having leaned too heavily into the realm of emotion for argella's liking . conversation regarding her children comes easy enough , though seldom does she gush , the pride in her tone is unmistakable . ❛ all splendid ideas , lady lynara , i shall have to seek. your counsel on her next nameday . ❜ a brow arches in slight surprise to her reaction over the offer of her gift . ❛ selyse ? ❜ naturally her mind goes to full blood over diluted and for a second time a shrug rolls her shoulders . ❛ well , if you do not want it , i shall not force it upon you . ❜ it was difficult to tell whether offence was taken , for seldom was argella not curt of tone . the necklace is handed back to the vendor , a small smile offered in gratitude as she turns away from the stall completely . ❛ is there anywhere else you wish to venture ? ❜

[ephiiphanies]

The princess laugh was refreshing, to him hearing a woman laugh who hardly ever did was far more enchanting that hearing the ones who laughed often and for no reason. iravan forces himself to look away as his own lips curl into a smile, fighting the urge to laugh alongside her only because her amusement was contagious. "i have heard such sayings before, although i cannot agree with it, i have master the swords but dancing, i am good at best princess." he confesses, it wasn't him being humble, but simply being honest. "i am quite content with watching the fun from the sidelines, there is better competitions for me." the arts of weapons, things that were more physically demanding in his opinion were far more suited for him.

[dvnastics]

an amiable smile curled berry - reddened lips , his disagreement a refreshing reprieve from the usual pandering she often received from her father's advisors . yes princess , of course princess , their tones layered with patronising overtures . ❛ how very modest of you . ❜ hands folding within her lap , argella casts a sidewards glance in his direction . ❛ oh ? and which competitions might they be ? ❜

[kwistowee]

THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987) dir. Rob Reiner

[dearemma]

[costedcrowns-deactivated2024062]

deep silence announced the presence of the baratheon princess . blued hues slow in their acknowledgement of her presence , meeting argella's gaze before returning to the brushing of his stallion . lorcan enjoyed the quiet and could go days without speaking . in the presence of his good family ( if they could be considered that ) he strove to not engage . turmoil marked their presences , had since he had been a youngling doing his father's bidding for a spec of praise . lorcan allowed a huff of laughter to escape him , his own annoyance that simmered pushed down . as usual . " go look over there . " head nodded to where the horses of the guests were . when in a different state of mind he would help but he was in no mood for disrespect . the princess would have to find another to take her mood out on .

[dvnastics]

had the fates been kinder , or steered from their cataclysmic path even for a moment , she may have called him uncle . yet to have done that would have been to call joanna , mother ; and that thought alone was to rouse a wave of nausea . instead they were destined to a fate of loathing and , as was evident by his candour , a lack of civility . of course , argella was quick to misplace her own blame in rousing his hostility , but her own came simmering to the surface like a pot left to boil . ❛ oh how helpful you are , lord lorcan . ❜ every syllable oozed derision , her stormy irises darkening . her cloak roused a layer of dirt from the floor with the sharpness of her turn . ❛ fucking lannisters . ❜ uttered under her breath , yet not nearly as concealed as she may have intended them to be .

[talestold-a]

perhaps, had they ended up on the same side, their conversations would be incredibly different. the animosity cerenna holds against the princess is mostly due to their respective places on the game board and the slight jealousy that comes from holding such a title... though being an offspring of the king must come with its own disadvantages. the woman has always been an intense force that the lady lannister both respects and finds intimidating. it's even more frustrating when the other does not immediately feed into the bitterness and the envy rages again. part of her wants to speak ill of joanna for her own selfishness, knowing argella would take nothing but pleasure in hearing of her troubles. the fear of word reaching back to the queen is what keeps her to hold her tongue. " oh, do forgive my inability to feign niceties for your grace, i have much more pressing matters on the mind, " said with a sigh as she lowers her head for a moment. " you can relate to being forced to do something you do not wish to do, i am sure. "

[dvnastics]

it was always a bit of a risk for a lannister ( or one affiliated with them ) to speak to argella with such piqued candour . yet , as affronted as argella could become cerenna had the luxury of being the queen's niece and no matter how much argella fought against it , joanna did outrank her , thus a safe harbour from the tempest was offered to the lannister woman . ❛ you mean to tell me that all this time you have been nice during our conversations ? ❜ whether or not argella had intended the humour that laced her words would remain a mystery , but she offered a huff of laughter all the same . ❛ i should hate to see you at your worst . ❜ the chalice was brought to her lips once more , golden arbour sweetening lips as she mused over cerenna's words . ❛ such is the nature of our status , i am afraid & one day our children shall loathe that about us too . ❜ the thought of change hadn't crossed her mind . whilst argella had been devastated over the news of her own betrothal ( oh how she had shouted , begged and cried ) she was always going to follow through with the decision . the alternative would have been a loss of everything and argella was far too stubborn to allow something like marriage to stand in the way of her ambitions . ❛ i take from your blatant displeasure that someone is forcing you into something ? ❜

[ilthoriatm]

starter   for   :   everyone location:   great   hall,   masquerade   celebration

the  orchestra  playing  for  the  evening  sounded  sour  to  aerion.  the  atmosphere  seemed  heavy  and  for  some  reason  a  smile  seemed  to  cover  his  lips  easier  than  normal.  perhaps  finally  being  amongst  the  vultures  gave  him  a  sick  satisfaction  he  hadn't  known  he  needed  -  perhaps  to  be  in  the  pressence  of  those  who  had  done  his  household  wrong  gave  a  new  spark  to  the  need  to  overthrow.  aerion  drank  from  the  goblet  in  his  hand,  letting  his  eyes  roam  the  viscinity  of  his  surroundings.  a  light  hum  escaped  his  lips,  unknown  to  him  that  he  was  being  watched  -  until  he  could  feel  the  lingering  eyes  upon  him.  "it  is  rude  to  stare  for  too  long-"  he  said  in  a  rather  soothing  tone,  his  eyes  turning  to  his  newfound  companion  for  the  night.  "i  do  not  bite,  no  matter  the  rumours."  he  mused  as  his  lips  turned  upwards.

[dvnastics]

it had become a defence , of sorts , her unnerving talent for observation . or in more simplistic terms , her ability to stare down an opponent ; the unsettling effect it had upon people merely a advantageous byproduct of its usefulness . you could learn a lot about people by simply observing them , yet on occasion their actions left one with more questions than answers . the man who had become the object of argella's attentions that evening was one such person . though he was not completely unfamiliar to her ( if one were to believe the gossip , they were pledged to house targaryen initially ) , argella could not recall having met his acquaintance before . ❛ my apologies , i was merely appreciating your costume this evening . ❜ a lie , but a well polished one . masks had long since slipped from the faces of many , the initially excitement waning for practicality and argella was no exception . the stag mask she had donned hours before had been sent back to her rooms , it had been a wonder , but dreadfully heavy . yet despite the masks having been cast aside , the fabulous and oftentimes ostentatious attire remained . ❛ did you have a theme in mind when choosing , my lord ? ❜

[ilthoriatm]

starter  for  :  everyone location:  great  hall,  masquerade  celebration

there  was  something  about  arriving  late  that  bothered  zehra  tremendously.  her  feet  had  hit  westerland  soil  not  too  many  hours  ago  as  she  had  been  occupied  with  duties  given  to  her  by  her  mother.  now  however,  when  she  had  finally  come  where  everything  was  happening  -  she  was  a  little  nervous.  she  knew  trouble  had  been  sturred  before  her  arrival  and  she  wondered  if  anyone  would  tell  her  about  it,  perhaps  one  of  her  cousins  would  be  kind  enough.  with  gentle  steps  zehra  entered  the  great  hall,  looking  around  for  familiar  faces,  unable  to  find  any  as  everyone  was  wearing  a  mask  -  herself  included.  but  doe  eyes  covering  the  intellect  behind  scanned  the  room  still.  as  she  walked  forward  her  eyes  settled  upon  the  exterior  of  the  place,  mesmerizing  and  different  from  storm's  end.  this  however,  causing  the  young  baratheon  to  bump  into  someone's  shoulder.  "forgive  me-"  zehra  turned  around  abruptly  lowering  her  head.  "i  did  not  pay  attention."

[dvnastics]

it was a pleasant novelty to experience , the masquerade ball . mystery and intrigue enthralled her with unfamiliar fervour , two things she would usually loathe exciting her with the prospect of a level playing field – she was not alone in her disadvantage . and though some were recognisable by gaits or styles that betrayed their true identity ( just as she would be known by some ) for the most part , argella could enjoy the anonymity . that did mean , however , that people were not as careful as they might otherwise be around her . the nudge to her shoulder a prime example . the wine sloshed in the cup , droplets falling upon her pale hand , but fortunately missed the sleeve of her dress by a fraction . lips pressed into a thin line , eyes narrowing upon the figure uttering her apologies . it was her voice that fully quashed a quickening temper , her expression soothing into one of deep thought – where did she recognise that voice from ? ❛ it's quite alright .❜ she uttered , shaking the spilled wine from her hand . her gaze was intently honed upon the woman , however , steady eyes trying to fathom any familiar attributes . ❛ i am aware this defeats the object of masquerade , but you must sate my curiosity and tell me who you are , your voice is so familiar and yet i cannot quite place you . ❜

[behindfairytales]

LAURA BERLIN as Queen Emma of Normandy Vikings: Valhalla, The Reckoning (2.08)

[seraphiel-ravencroft]

drystan’s amusement didn’t wane at argella’s pointed emphasis; instead, it only broadened his grin, the edges of his lips turning up in delight as he took the chair across from her. “ah, ‘your’ father,” he echoed, the word rolling off his tongue with a deliberate mimicry, his tone infused with a jesting sarcasm. he lounged back, arms draped casually over the back of a nearby chair, embodying the very picture of nonchalance. in his mind, the titles and blood ties that so deeply defined the roles within their family were but pieces in a game he was determined to win, regardless of his lineage. the pursuit of the throne, for him, was not a matter of birthright but of ambition and capability. the question of whether or not he was matthos’s child held little weight against his aspirations; his desire to rule was fueled not by a claim of blood but by a belief in his own superiority.

“indeed, your dear father has decided to grace the competition with his presence,” drystan continued, shifting seamlessly back to the matter at hand, his voice laced with a playful disdain for the formalities they were both subjected to. “he seems keen on demonstrating that age has yet to diminish his prowess - or perhaps it’s just another attempt to overshadow his offspring. but between you and me,” he leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially, “i think he just enjoys the spectacle of it all. though, i must say, i’m rather looking forward to seeing if he still has it.”

[dvnastics]

even as a child , drystan's ability to incite irritation had been impressive ; a clever turn of phrase or one of his broadening grins ( much like the one her wore in that moment ) never failing to raise her ire . yet it was his nonchalance that irked her the most . oh , she knew it formed part of the ornate decoration upon the mask he wore & whilst it may have disarmed her siblings , argella had never fallen victim to his charm . he knew this too , that much was evident and so , mannerism that were designed to charm and distract others were solely used as to get a rise out of her . argella could not completely hold this against him , after all , she was prone to doing the same thing . yet there was a peculiar sensation also felt within the company of her younger brother – ease .

argella would be amongst the first to recognise such a ludicrous sentiment given all her dislike & distrust of drystan . nevertheless , however paradoxical it may have seemed , the lack of pretence between them was some form of relief . with drystan she didn't need to pretend to be anything other than what she was ; dislike was mutual , distrust was paramount . constant charm and pleasantries could be exhausting , the addition of politics and the crown made the spectacle a thousand times worse . thus , the company of one she didn't trust , nor needed the trust of was a refreshing change to her day . eyes rolled at his emphasis of your father , the slight far more enjoyable with a more emotional reaction . ❛ of course he enjoys the spectacle , sebastion is the same . ❜ drystan did too , came her afterthought , though not one she would come to utter . ❛ his children are adults , i think he wishes to turn back time and recapture his youth , and if overshadowing his offspring accomplishes that , then that is what he will do & and you , brother , would be wise to let him win should you find yourself in such a position to best him . ❜ hands clasp together , ❛ or don't . i would have just as much enjoyment in him shunning you as i would in seeing you loose . ❜

[dvnastics]

𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬   𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚   𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐧    (   woodland   masquerade   theme   )   .

[awkward-sultana]

(Almost) Every Costume Per Episode + Bona of Savoy’s black gown with gold detailed sleeves and brown fur trim in 2x05

[cordoleo]

joanna has never been one for tears — her father was not easily fooled nor swayed by them, often irked by them instead, and the only use for crocodile tears with her husband had been to keep him away from her entirely. nothing false about the way she had teared up the night of the attack, tears of despair and anger that hardly ever stained her features. just the memory of that night, despite the humiliation the action brought her, often brought the urge to tear up or cry out again, yet, the voyage to the city was hardly the place for it. she was surrounded by prey, meaning to grow into predators, and one above all, she knew that wished to bite. avoiding argella had not been easy, but it is all too expected to happen, one day or the other. it is just the approach with the baratheon patriarch that emboldens the queen enough to exit the confines of her chariot (oh the irony!), and it is disdain that marks her features as word is thrown her way. "were you hoping for the opposite, lady lefford?" it is but a nibble, not even a bite. how far can she play nonchalant, joanna does not know. "it was not i that the blade struck. by little, but not me. my chamber maid was not as fortunate, but her family shall be repaid handsomely for her bravery." of course, for that, she would need to find the ledger of employees of the red keep, for she could not remember for the life of her the name of the girl. "what of your trip?"

[dvnastics]

the formalities have been a steadfast part of their repertoire for as long as argella could recall , though since her marriage to the lannister's puppet house ( perhaps not a truly fair slight to level against her husband ) she seemed to revere the greeting of lady lefford . it was not difficult to deduce it as an attempt to remind her of her place and to the queen's credit , she knew exactly where to strike . she shifts uncomfortably , less so for the mild. accusation hurled her way , but it irks her all the same . regardless , she grants her the curtesy of her rambling . she was not exactly attempting niceties , but she could not fathom the experience and even if she was not fully convinced that it was not all one big ploy ; a design by joanna's own hand in an attempt to gain sympathy . yet , argella is wise enough not to voice such speculation , at least not at present . ❛ briony . ❜ argella finally voiced . ❛ that was the name of the slain handmaiden . i have sent a raven to her family , expressing our condolences as a ... family , i did not think such a expression of sympathy should wait for your recovery . ❜ in truth , it had not. exactly been from a place of sympathy that argella had reached out to the girls family , rather it was another thread to their already tangled web . ❛ my trip has been pleasant enough , all things considered . ❜