Bastard Knight

"He had been a child in the war, but there was no such thing as children back then, he knows that now. There’s no such thing as children now, either, but that does not matter to him. He had not grown up until he had reached Lys, and even then he tried to pretend he still had his innocence. But he knew, eventually, that his uncle had almost killed him, that he would have died because of a father he never knew."  Ser Edric Storm. Sworn to Shireen Baratheon.

[calpernia-samson-deactivated201]

Brushing her tender and loving fingers along his cheek she allowed her head to rest in his hands, giving him power to kill her if he so wished, power to snap his sweet cousin in half as she was in his arms and only there for him holding tightly to him. Wiping away his tears she laughed happily with a smile, bright and loving. To know he was alive and well, to feel him in the flesh was a relief to her lifting the greatest weight from her heart to know her god, the only true god, protected those she cared for. Nodding she kissed his cheek, kissed where there had been a trail of tears to look back into his eyes, cupping his face in her hands as he wound fingers through her hair. Closing her eyes she pushed her forehead against his smiling as she cried still happy tears having shivered before when he kissed the place where magic concealed her greyscale. Brushing her nose against his she nodded. “He’s waiting for me at the boat. I could not leave knowing you were here and knowing what happened. I could not live another day without knowing you slept under the same stars and breathed the same air.” She whispered so terrible close to him. She wished to take him back with her and protect her from this place but there were plans in motion and he’d be worth more here even if it broke her heart to live without knowledge of him living or dying. Shireen worried though - always would about her dear one. “No matter where you go I will find you even if it takes me a thousand years”

[edric--storm]

Edric got a hold of her hands and took them into his; he leaned into where her skin touched his, the kiss she gave him. It made him feel warm, at ease -- at home. He felt as if finally, finally, he was whole again after living so long with a piece of himself missing. A piece which was far away, out of reach, but at least safe. That was what always mattered most: Shireen being safe. The tides were turning, if the events of the last couple of days had proven anything, and if they stayed smart and planned ahead, Shireen would be sitting on the Iron Throne soon. She would rule Westeros hard, but just, sparing those who deserved mercy and killing those who didn't. Edric's only purpose in his life that belonged to Shireen was to see that day. To see it, and then he could die a happy man. He brought her hands to his lips to kiss the knuckles of her fingers, one by one, cherishing her like a queen deserved to be cherished.

"Tell that old stinker I said hello." There was a grin on Edric's face now, and he chuckled lightly. Guilt took him over then; guilt for making Shireen worry, for leaving her in the dark. "I am sorry I could not write you as often as I wish I could," he murmured, still holding her hands, but gaze cast down. "They found out who I am. That I am Edric Storm, bastard of the late King Robert. Ser Loras was particulary charming to greet me. But he still believes you are dead, and it can stay that way." Edric looked at his cousin now, tears finally dried away. "I made him believe it. I blamed him for taking you from me, all that. They cannot know you survived, and I could not risk them finding out by writing you. Forgive me, my queen." Then, Edric kissed her hands again, and told her: "But I know you'd find me. You always find me. As I always find you. Well, most of the time, anyways."

[calpernia-samson-deactivated201]

To be honest she prayed that this was the right man, that she had happened upon the true desire of her heart to see him again. Who else though could ever look like Edric – who could have ever managed to be her sweet and beautiful cousin? Who else could come near the appearance and the heart of her dearest one? If he hadn’t been Shireen would have apologized and in her thickest of skins would have walked away to fall to her knees in some forgotten corner of the world away from everyone she knew to sob violently. Her worst fears were losing the ones she loved – the worst fear of them all was knowing the boy who’d promised to always be her protector – who always promised to fight for her until her dreams were realized and she sat on the throne she deserved was dead. That would have leveled her to the ground and crushed heart and bone but spurred the young woman to fight on even harder.

But the face that greeted her when the man turned around was the one she hoped and prayed for it to be. He looked older, stronger but still the same. Still her greatest friend and ally. Still her very own Edric. Her Edric…

She heard her name and pulling a brave face she nodded trying her hardest to remain as strong as possible but with the touch of calloused hands and rough skin cupped her cheeks she threw her own arms around him, tears flowing from her eyes. Happy tears – grateful tears. When strong arms in return enfolded her smaller frame she  allowed his hands to peel the hood away closing her eyes to feel the sun upon her skin and his breath on her neck, hiding his face there as he held her. He smelled of smoke and sweat but he smelled most importantly like her one and only Edric. Her Edric. Her living and breathing Edric. Rocking him back and forth she smiled feeling his squeezing brushing her delicate hands through his dark hair burying her face into his own as best as she could. “Not as much as I’ve missed you. Not as much.”

[edric--storm]

When she cried -- when he heard her sniff and sob, when he caught the glistening to wet pearls on her cheeks, and when he felt their warmth against his skin, Edric shed tears of his own. He had held them back, had remained strong, but now, he couldn't anymore. He could not keep them in; he could not keep the happiness in, the relief, to see his beloved cousin again after so many moons had come and gone. After so many lonely nights of lying in his bed and thinking of her, of Dragonstone, even Devan. Of wondering whether she longed to see him as much as he did. Gods, she was his only family. The only family he had truly ever known. Not even Edric's supposed uncles had cared as much as Shireen did. Edric half sobbed, half laughed as he turned his head to kiss her cheek, skin where he knew her greyscale lingered.

Like a man desperate for affection, he clung to his Shireen, clung to her and held her close to him. By now, the tears rolled freely down his cheeks, and were soaked up by her clothes. "I thought I'd- lost you," Edric admitted, murmuring his words into her hair. "When Lord Jorah was stabbed, and I couldn't find you, I was so scared they had got you. Because I knew you were here. I knew it. I just couldn't find you." Now, Edric pulled back with a sniff, his hands coming up to cup Shireen's face in his palms, his fingers tangled in the hair at the back of her neck. His thumbs brushed away her tears. "But now you have found me." Edric laughed, genuinely, and wiped his sleeve across his nose before touching their foreheads together.

"Is Devan here, too?" The question came out naturally, because the three of them were a team. Edric might poke and annoy Devan, but the lad was important still. Not as important as Shireen, of course -- no one would ever take priority over her, he knew -- but he asked still. "Or did you travel all by yourself?"

[calpernia-samson-deactivated201]

As dangerous as this interaction probably was and as advised against as it had been by Melisandre before she left Shireen needed proof. Physical proof that her dearest cousin was still alive and breathing, that he was still beautiful and still existent. Truly the streets were disgusting but even the cleaner ones were wrought with horseshit of another kind only these walked around and dared to call themselves true kings and nobles. 

Letters had died long ago and she knew there was a reason he had had to stop sending them but her biggest fear was because hands could no longer lift the pen because his head was no longer connected to his neck. The Green Wedding almost killed her but she’d protected those she cared for and even this one to a point hoping if he was there that R’hollor would have protect the one of her champions she couldn’t see.

Now her she was not even three feet from him avoiding the piles in the street concealed underneath her cloak and still using her powers to hide what she could from the rest of the world. Extending her hand she tapped his shoulder before moving closer. “I wonder if little Eddie is fonder of swords or horses or is it adventure or his family… chocolates maybe or the stories I’d read to him when we were littler..” She whispered in a voice for only him to hear her.

[edric--storm]

The voice was sweet; it was gentle and familair, and it was childhood and his life; it was family, and it made the heart in his chest kick and shout, and when Edric turned, he saw the only person he ever truly cared about standing right behind him. Ridiculous, but he could feel his mouth open and close in a loss of words. There were none to say, although he had imagined how he would greet her so many times. Months had passed since the last time he had been able to write Shireen. Months of being overly careful since spiders had whispered to their masters about who he truly was. That Edric Storm was alive would be of no benefit to anyone. He was but a bastard of King Robert's, with no claim to the crown. If he let it slip, however, that the trueborn heir to the Iron Throne still was...now that would have caused problems.

Had she missed him as much as he had? Had she wondered why he had ceased to write her as Willem, why there were no more ravens coming for her? Had she thought him dead, even? Gods, Edric was about to jump out of his own skin in happiness. It could not be put into words. "Shireen...," was all he managed to whisper as he cupped her face in his calloused hands. "Shireen!" Were those tears in Edric's eyes? They couldn't be. He was her knight, and knights didn't cry. With sheer willpower, he forced them back, and threw his arms around his cousin's slender body. On its own, Edric's hand pulled her cloak back, and he buried his face in her hair. She smelled of sea and salt and Shireen. He held on tight, the tightest he ever had, in fear that she would disappear again. "Gods, I have missed you so."

[sophiecollins22]

Joanna jumped out of her skin a bit when Edric approached her. She knew the man, but she felt as if someone walking in on her during a vulnerable moment would mean they’d know her secret without her even telling them. “I-,” Joanna tried to figure out how to respond. “I am not frightened by you, Edric. I only had a terrible dream.” It was strange, how a servant moved from King’s Landing to Highgarden for an event. “What made you come to Highgarden? Are you in a noble person’s service?” Joanna gave him a small smile, hoping to change the subject. 

[edric--storm]

He was wearing a fur, for the nights in Highgarden were so terribly cold to him. It was a light one, not thick, but it sufficed. Now, with Lady Joanna standing in front of him, Edric slipped it from his shoulders and placed it around hers. "I am sorry you had a nightmare," he told her, voice low and gentle. When she offered him a smile, he smiled back, not failing to notice the attempt of changing the subject. Edric would oblige. "So to speak. Perhaps I'm valuable to them, too? King Robert was my father, after all. Though I'm not sure how that could be from any interest to them." Slightly, he shrugged his shoulders, and then asked: "Would you like me to escort you back to your chambers, my lady?"

[ladyhelenaarryn]

It’s only me. I wanted to see if you were alright since that horrible ordeal.

[edric--storm]

You needn't worry about me, princess, though I do appreciate you coming by to see how I am doing. But I am alright. How about you? Have you taken any injury? I hope not.

[edric--storm]

It seems as if the situation has...somewhat calmed down, though of course it remains tense. That is good. At least people aren't killing each other anymore. I heard some rumours about who's the traitor, though I refuse to become a fishwife and participate in such talks. On the bright side, I stepped into some horse shit.

[robb-baratheon-blog]

I - yes, fair enough. My apologies, I can’t - I can’t seem to think straight right now. [His hands were shaking when he looked down at the dagger, but he tightened his fingers around the hilt anyways, forcing a nod] Pointy end, chest, throat. Understood. I - I can do that. [His feet stumbled over the floor as he struggled to keep up, desperate not to be left behind] And what about you? You need to find safety as well.

[edric--storm]

Edric did not say much more than was necessary. The boy was terrified, and talking to him to try and calm him down seemed not to work. And to stop and try again, well, he did not have the time for it. Though a soft part of him had taken over -- the part of him that was still the scared child, ripped away from his home in Storm's End -- when he had approached Robb in the crowd, taking in the shocked look on his face and immediately being reminded of himself all those years back, Edric still had to find Shireen. She was his priority. A sense of weakness had kept him from doing his duty. But he found no regret in himself.

So he dragged and pushed, until he finally caught an opening. Gods knew how long it would remain so, and Edric urged on, his hands rough on Robb. "Come on," he said, Robb now in front of him to make sure he was not left behind. One hand still clasped around his arm, his other palm lay flat against the lad's back, shoving and guiding. "You see that? Should be a way in the gardens." Not that he was sure, but it seemed there were gardens in Highgarden everywhere. His wild guess might have been actually decent. "Make a run for it. Don't look back. Go find your family. And keep the dagger."

[robb-baratheon-blog]

You don’t say? Although you sound as if you’re speaking from experience, and how do I know you won’t stab me yourself? [Something in the man’s voice made him fight to slow his breathing, until he almost felt normal once more] Do what? I’ve never been trained for such a weapon - [but he takes it anyways, because it feels like the right thing to do - like the thing Arya would do.] Where are we going? I need to know where we’re going.

[edric--storm]

See it this way, if I wanted to stab you, I would have done so already. I do understand your mistrust, though. [Edric grabbed the young man by the upper arm; hard, his fingers digged in deep so he could not be torn away from him.] First lesson: you stick them with the pointy end. Chest and throat are the spots you want to go for. [Now he half shoved, half dragged Robb along, his elbows coming out to make room for the two.] The stables are a safe bet. If you do not find your family, you can always make an escape on horseback, ride back to wherever your home is.

[robb-baratheon-blog]

No, I - I can’t say it does, not entirely, not at all, actually, I would like to make it out of here entirely un-stabbed. Edric Storm, right, okay, thank you, Edric, yes, although maybe I should save my thanks until we’re both not dead.

Oh, right, because concentrating right now is so easy, of course, how could I have forgotten? Just concentrate, Robb, then everything will be perfectly alright!

[edric--storm]

That is fantastic to hear, Robb. Stabbing is quite unpleasant, let me assure you. A dirk in your belly would be such an inconvenience. Breathe in and out, and stay close. Here. [From his belt, Edric drew a dagger and pressed it hilt-first into the lad's hand.] Push comes to shove, you use that. And you do not think about it -- you just do. [Edric's own pulse had sped up, beating hard under his jaw now. He is as alarmed as anyone else, scared that Shireen might've caught up in all this, but his battle-trained mind helped him to stay focused.] I'm right behind you, lad. Press on. And don't forget to breathe.

[robb-baratheon-blog]

I - I can’t - how could - why is this happening, who even are you, a man just died, how am I supposed to keep my wits about me, none of us are safe-

No, no, I can’t - I can’t leave, not without my mother, my sister - Joslyn! Joslyn!

[edric--storm]

Keep it together. Do you want to be trampled to death? No? Stabbed? Not to your fancy? Good. Then you need to take a deep breath and keep it together. If it'll help, my name's Edric Storm. And trust me, I did not want this, either. 

I understand your fear. My cousin is out here, somewhere. But we'll find your family, alright? But you have to concentrate.

[robb-baratheon-blog]

I just want to go home.

[edric--storm]

Hey you-- Are you okay? Hey, look at me. It's okay, lad. Breathe. Breathe. Don't lose it; not now, you hear?

I can get you outta here. But you have to stay close.

[throwbacksongs]

Visit Original Link

Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

[lordcommanderloras-blog]

Or it’s because I’ve got more power and autonomy than you, whatever helps you sleep at night. I don’t. I don’t question orders and maybe that’s why those I support are on the Iron Throne. It doesn’t - it doesn’t matter, Margaery and her husband function as a unit, that’s why the kingdom is as strong as it is. Like you would love a sister? Alright then, Jaime Lannister, let’s say you did just love her as that for a moment , hypothetically - even so. If anyone dared try to take my sister from me their body would be unidentifiable. …fuck you. Don’t make it sound like I was just some whore he brought in off the street. Bedwarmer. Honestly, fuck you. I’m sure your opinions of his taste would have affected him just about none at all. 

I’d be careful about referencing that. One of those who was on the other end of that warhammer? His son is the one on the Throne, bastard. Watch what you say. Oh, yes, the only child who had to grow up too fast. You at least were content with being a child for a bit, to be part of a family, to be loved - I was too busy trying to grow up and then once I had to, once Stannis and his red priestess made me it turned out to be absolute shit. Oh, please. You don’t scare me, Storm. I fucking dare you. [Loras’ breath caught in his throat for a moment, knowing for a moment that Edric was, without a doubt, right: it ached like bruises spanning his whole chest that Edric knew, that Edric knew how weak Loras was in the face of Renly’s memory. Then, at Edric’s next words, he spluttered, felt himself grow hot in the face.] Fuck you. I would never - not after him - you could never - fuck you. [One hand leapt up to snatch at Edric’s wrist out of instinct; prompted partially by the man’s sudden movement toward the pin right in front of Loras’ jugular and partially by the fact that the burns started there, at his neck, and didn’t want Edric getting too close. Was it not enough that the bastard had poured salt in his figurative wound, he had to do this, as well?] Who I truly am? [He scoffed.] Who I truly was was burnt out of me at Dragonstone. Fuck you and whatever complex you’ve got about being the gods’ gift to the world because you’ve got the blood of the stag in you. Aegon and his family saved me, shaped me into someone who could survive. [Though aware of how flatly fake his words were, he clenched his jaw, hoping that he could make himself at least believe the words, if he could not convince Edric of their truthfulness.] 

[edric--storm]

Power and autonomy has driven as many people into their graves as it helped them ascend. Perhaps something you shouldn't forget. You help them hold the Iron Throne? But you are aware that you are a mere puppet to them, yes? Nothing more, especially if your sister and husband are as joined at the hip as you say they are. They're using you. How many questionable things had Margaery have you do these past few years, I wonder? I was eleven when I last saw Shireen. Your perverted fantasies about my relationship with my cousin make me really uncomfortable, ser. Yes, that is the exact same way that I would go on about the matter. Slash their face until only red mist is left. And the person who took her from me is standing right in front of me. Leaves us in quite the pickle, does it not? Not a whore, no. Only the mistress to whatever woman was to marry the Lord of Storm's End. That is far more tragic -- as a whore, you would have at least gotten paid.

And Aegon should just remember what happened to his father on the Trident. I know exactly what I'm saying. To be loved, and then to be sacrificed by said family. Charming, isn't it? Had it not been for Davos, who knows what more evil Stannis and his priestress would have cooked up. What's the matter, Loras? [And Edric leaned down and in, their faces less than an inch apart. His lips where slightly parted and soon enough, they curled into a sly smirk. He was teasing, and torturing, to some point; all the pent up anger he felt for the knight and the family he served was released at once now, and Edric couldn't stop. A big part of him enjoyed it. The other part wished Shireen was here so she could drag him away before he did something he would end up regretting.] Am I making you uncomfortable? You know, with the amount of times you told me to go fuck myself, I wish you'd just taken that off my hands. It's much more fun with two people involved. [And he laughed when he felt Loras' hand making contact with his wrist, though Edric stayed close.] 'Convincing' sounds different, Loras. Are you too blind to see, or just desperate for a place to belong to? They are using you. Abusing you. Whatever you were, they took it from you.

[gendry-deactivated20190326]

"Take care of my children for me." The words twisted in Ned’s belly like a knife. For a moment he was at a loss. He could not bring himself to lie. Then he remembered the bastards: little Barra at her mother’s breast, Mya in the Vale, Gendry at his forge, and all the others. "I shall… guard your children as if they were my own," he said slowly.

[lordcommanderloras-blog]

I will do so as I like. Gods, you’ve no idea what you sound like, do you? It doesn’t take much twisting to reach the conclusions I do from your words, Storm. Taking her from you was not my intent. I was merely carrying out orders from my King to eliminate a possible threat. I assure you her love life was quite the last thing on my mind at the moment. I - I don’t know what you’re - you know what? Fuck it. If it’s as obvious as you say it was then so be it. Because I had six years - only three, really - to be as obvious as I damn well cared to be. Fuck you if you think we weren’t allowed to, or if we shouldn’t’ve. If you think that then I take it back, it isn’t your father you’re so alike, after all, it’s the uncle you claim to hate. 

As many times as you like, and I’ll still not believe it. We may all try as hard as we like but sooner or later we turn into our parents, Edric, it isn’t something you can just avoid. You weren’t officially his ward, you could have gone to Penrose, but so starved for Baratheon attention were you that you had bother Renly. The noble mob. The one that you would just love to join, I’m sure. Hell, this is Westeros - it’s less the fact that you two were cousins and more that you’re practically baseborn that would have kept you from marrying Shireen. [Seeing his mistake, Loras tried to backtrack, jaw clenched tight at Edric’s words.] Shut up. Shut up! I don’t need lessons on how to deal with grief from the likes of you, Edric Storm! I’ve done quite alright with the anger and the bitterness thus far, and - [Said bitterness seeped into his laugh as he shook his head, fingers coming up to close around the dragon pin at his throat.] My sanity? It’s a bit late to fear for that. Your uncle is dead, and you’re right, he’s been dead for a long, long time. [Loras glanced down, his voice hoarse with sudden emotion.] That doesn’t mean it ever ceases feeling a fresh wound.

[edric--storm]

Of course you will. You're a little fucking shit, that's why. Be my guest, go ahead. Right, orders. Because we never question orders, do we? And slaughtering a helpless girl is such a noble deed. Was it the king, or your sister though, Loras? That's what interests me. Hah, cute of you to think that your slights do their work. Shireen was my cousin, and she was my best friend -- she was dear to my heart and I loved her like I would love a sister. More than that, she was the true heir to the throne! I guess the queen could not live with her own treason as much as she pretends is not the case, eh? You know, Loras, actually I just took a wild guess about you and Uncle Renly, but thank you for just confirming to me that you, in fact, did warm his bed all these years. It's not that I think you should not have. Men are wonderful lovers, I know that. It is just that my uncle could have done a lot better than you. Poor Renly; and here I was, thinking his taste was unquestionable.

Well, I suppose there are bright sides to being like King Robert. Like smashing little, pompous knights in the chest with a warhammer. Yes, I did just that -- I wanted Renly's attention, I did. I also wanted to be a true Baratheon; I wanted to be a knight, a man, not a bastard, and those were all dreams and fantasies of a child. Of a child who was treated like everyone else but would always be base-born. But, said child had to grow up fast, Loras; and he grew into a very, very angry man with little patience and he's currently towering over you in all of his six feet six inches glory, ready to bash your face in. [Edric felt particularly cruel today, it seemed -- something that would sometimes just surface, really. His lips curled into a sly smile.] Aw, does it hurt hearing the truth? You know, I can always bed you, if you wish; and you can pretend I'm Renly to finally get over yourself. [The words rolled out of him, uncontrollable. Edric's quick temper had always been a problem. This was just yet proof again. He took a step forward and hit the Targaryen pin lightly with the back of his fingers, snorting.] It seems you cannot even remember who you truly are, Knight of Flowers. I pity you. 

[sophiecollins22]

It was into the deep hours of night, and as Joanna looked out onto the vast gardens of Highgarden, she struggled with silencing her sobs and focused on breathing better. Her soft hands tightly gripped the railing as she let out a sigh, finally getting past her uneasy sobs. She had yet another nightmare, and it felt so real. She could see in color, smell, feel, and even taste the wine she drank during the wedding feast just before something awful happened. Joanna had believed that a walk around the small castle of Highgarden would help her, but she only found herself lost overlooking an area of rose bushes from twenty feet above. The girl took a shaky breath, unware of who was behind her. 

[sophiecollins22]

[edric--storm]

The fact that he had seen neither Shireen nor Devan yet unsettled Edric greatly. They were supposed to be here -- after all, it was a royal invite, another chance of getting closer to the enemy. Whilst the bastard knight was trapped here -- his true idendity revealed, so to say, and quickly used against him -- he had no chance of writing Shireen, with so many eyes watching him. He would have, make no mistake, but the fear of exposing his cousin, or the mere fact that she was still alive, truly, was too much of a risk he was not ready to take. Instead, Edric had left his chambers in the dead of night to search for his partners in crime. What he had found instead (or stumbled upon, really), was a blonde girl. Crying, shoulders slumped. Against his better sense, he stopped.

"...My lady?" Edric's voice was gentle, and once she turned, he raised both his hands to show her he meant no harm. A part of his subconcious told him that this was Joanna Stark, and that they had met before. "Do not be startled, please. Are you alright?" A stupid thing to ask for their were obvious tears on her cheeks, but the only question he could think of.

[ladyhelenaarryn]

Excuse my not being at court.

I’ve been bed ridden with terrible stomach pains for the last fortnight. Luckily, I am faring much better. 

[ladyhelenaarryn]

[edric--storm]

I am sorry to hear that, my lady. From personal experience I know how awful stomach pains can be. A rather unpleasant sickness, if you ask me. Have you been to see a maester yet?