Ashford

[emmelineashford]

ofhightowers‌:

                                                    OCEARA HAD never experienced death of a love one so close to her. Both her parents were still in good health, and so were her seven sisters, her children so far had experience nothing but a blissful childhood. It was a foreign feeling that no one had prepared her for, Augustine wasn’t suppose to go for many more years and she knew she would follow close behind, but now. It was too soon. She could not follow him, not when their children needed at least one of their parents, even if it broke her, she would hung to her children until her last dying breath. As Emmeline spoke Oceara began to calm down, the thought of her children, the though of close friend being there to support her, it all created a small bubble of calm around her. For a few minutes she too believed it would be okay, she would be okay. She still shook in her embrace, but the tears no longer came. “Help me back, please.” She was exhausted, exhausted and broken. 

As the shaking began to slow, Emmeline knew her friend had reached the stage where there were no more tears left to cry. It was a good sign, but it was just the first step on a long and winding road to recovery, and she knew that Oceara would feel the crushing weight of her loss ebbing and flowing like waves crashing against the shore. She helped her friend to her feet, but took a moment to fix Oceara’s hair and dust off her gown. Even though people would be understanding of their lady’s grief, presenting an image of poise and dignity was important in times like these, when people would look to Oceara for strength. She had to be a picture of strength, even if she was crumbling on the inside. Showing the deep well of their emotions in public was not a luxury ruling ladies had. “The people responsible for your husband’s death walk among us.” Emmeline said quietly, linking their arms before they set off down the hall. “Hide the tears and set your face in stone. Let them see the fire in your eyes. You do not know your enemy yet, but they know you, and you must make them tremble with fear at the thought of your revenge.”

[emmelineashford]

bearislands‌:

the warrior woman tradition of bear island was a great source of pride for house mormont.  once prone to attacks from wildling raiders from the frozen shore and the ironborn pillagers of the sea,  the women were trained in warfare to defend homes while the men hunted and foraged.  if a man could do it,  a woman could do it.  every man, woman and child knew how to stand their ground in matters of combat and confrontation.  beric did not understand why most of westersos forced fragility on most women,  potential warriors never given a rightful sword of opportunity.

the scene before him torched an observant smile,  to find a southern woman who could hold a sword and use it effectively was,  unfortunately,  almost unheard of.  the lord stood afar, leant against doorframe with arms folded over broad chest unnoticed.  detoured from comrades of hedge knight days and discovered a un-southern like sparring season.  though not astounding, the woman demonstrated fine swordsmanship.  beric noted, likely one day her skill would be an unfortunate surprise for a foe. 

❛  my father always said that knowing how to defend one’s self should be a human right,  ❜  voice remained in a perpetual monotone state but emotions toyed between pride and amusement.  beric soon recognized her as lady emmeline ashford due to a brief encounter.  the young bear straitened posture and turned his body after the servant scurried past.  phatom smile traced lips as hues focused back on her,  intimating stance softened.   ❛  every man,  women and child on bear island knows how to fight.  my uncle,  ser jeor,  taught most of them before he died,  ❜  there was a pause,  heart whined at the mention of his dear uncle but downcasted eyes reached hers again,  ❛  you use that blade well,  though i would recommend some polishing on your footwork  alas,  you’re certainly a breath of fresh air from most around these parts  ❜

Still embarrassed at having been caught in such a position, Emmeline ducked her head so that the flaming tendrils of her hair that had escaped would hide her pink cheeks. She sheathed the sword and unbuckled the belt, taking it over to the table by her bed. She always kept it within plain sight, knowing most would dismiss it as an ornamental trinket, but some would see it as the threat that it was. For herself, Emmeline found comfort in looking at the sword her father had made for her. Every detail had been painstakingly chosen by him, and the work had been carefully overseen by him as well. It was not just a weapon, but a memory of the one person who had loved her more than anything, cruelly taken before his time.

Her mouth twitched at the mention of her stance. She knew that was her weak point, and the fact that he had picked up on it so easily showed his expertise. With the servants afraid to correct her during their sparring sessions like her father always had, Ems technique had become a little sloppy. She saw the chance and knew she had to take it, even if it went against the image she had been curating for herself to ask. “Would you advise me?” She turned back towards the lord, her face an impassive mask but her hands betraying her anxiety in their clenched fists. “I would appreciate some helpful advice from someone who knows what they’re doing. My servants do not have the necessary knowledge or courage to correct my mistakes.”

[emmelineashford]

ofhightowers‌:

                                      EMMELINE’S WORDS echoed in her head, bounced with an eager pain. Augustine had been soul, just like she had been his, without him there was chunk of herself missing, a part she would never recover until the gods brought them back together. The brunette left herself be hugged, the first time someone other than her children had comforted her, it made her travel to her sisters, if they were there this would be them. But Emmeline’s embrace was the closest she had to it, and it comforted her aching heart on ways the girl might never know. Her arms found her way around her small frame as she continued to sob, the more she tried to calm herself down the more it seems she could achieve it. “I don’t know how I’ll ever recover from this, I don’t think I have what it takes,” she confessed. People had great expectations of her as of that very moment, but she was afraid she would never be able to meet them.

Emmeline’s own body shook with the force of Oceara’s sobs, but she stayed put and kept the woman wrapped in her tight embrace. Sometimes the only thing that could hold you together was a strong pair of arms wrapped so tightly around you. “There is no getting over something like this.” Emmeline spoke softly, gently stroking her hair in an attempt at a soothing gesture. “But you will learn to bear this pain. It is not about forgetting, or letting any of the hurt go, it is about learning how to cope with this extra weight on your shoulders. No one is strong enough to bear such a weight by themselves for long. But there are so many people who want to help you, and we can help you to carry it.”

[emmelineashford]

ofhightowers‌:

                                          THERE WAS  a part of her that wished she could find comfort in the familiar voices of those closest to her, but not even the presence of her children help alleviate her pain. She had a heavy heart, many times had she read about heartbreak and how much it would hurt, of ten she had laugh about the stories, but now she understood that it wasn’t a old maids tail. Heartbreak was a physical pain, as real as the burden than she now carried on her shoulders. It was on that very day that she truly understood how alone she truly was, in a different life her family would’ve run to her aid, her sisters would comfort her and she would be taken care of. But she was shun, erased from her family’s minds and hearts, a punishment for her actions. The Hightower’s were her family now, but they too needed comfort and care, they had no time to reach out to her and make sure she was alright. And her children, so small, so innocent, so fragile. The ones who understood still found it confusing, and the ones that didn’t simply found themselves lost. Oceara denied with her head as she recognized the face in front of her, swallowing heavy. “I don’t think I know what I need to make help my heavy heart and soul. I am lost, confused, and in pain. Oh, it hurts so badly.” Oceara whimpered as she continued to hug herself, for her baby to come she was suppose to be strong but she could not find her strength anywhere.

Emmeline knew the pain of losing a loved one and her heart still weighed heavy with grief for her father, but she knew that pain was different to how Oceara was feeling. Emmeline had only ever had her family, but Augustine had been Oceara’s soulmate, her greatest love and the father of her children. She had cut her ties with her family in order to be with him, and now she was truly left alone. All of the responsibility that came with ruling a house would now be crushing her at the same time as her grief, and Em could relate to that. “How I wish I could take this pain away from you, my dear.” A tear rolled down her cheek and she pulled Oceara into a tight embrace. Whether the hug was meant more to comfort her friend or herself, she did not know, but sometimes the only thing for grief was to be hugged so tightly that it felt like the other person was shielding you from the pain. “I wish I could make it stop, but I don’t think anyone has that power. Even the gods themselves could not end this pain. The more deeply you feel for someone, the more painful the loss is when they are taken from us and I feel that your husband was your very soul.”

[emmelineashford]

ofhightowers‌:

                                        OCEARA HAD been in shock when she had been called to the throne room, every step she took something had been ripping at her insides. She wasn’t sure, but she had a feeling, Augustine had been absent for far too long, he never did such thing without letting her know. But she had been in denial, may the gods have mercy on them. The soul breaking scream had filled the entirety of the castle. Her husband, the love of her life, the light in her nights, the father of her children. Gone. Dead. Murdered. Hysteria had taken over her, and then she had been denied to see his body as people tried to console her, to aid her, to appease her. But to no avail, in the arms of her handmaidens she had seen the room go dark and hours latter she had woken up alone in her room. She jumped off the bed as it burned, it still smell of him and it torture her. Without being seen she slipped away into the dark of the halls, she needed air, fresh air, she needed to leave such forsaken place. Oceara tripped over the skirt of her dress falling to her knees and holding her womb and once again she broke down. “Oh for all the seven gods, why.” This was her punishment, finally catching up to her.  

The news had hit Emmeline like a pail of icy water. Although she had not known Augustine personally, she knew what he meant to so many people, especially his wife. Even though she knew oceara would be surrounded by people offering their consolations, Emmeline still had to see her. Oceara had been kind to her, had understood her struggles when others did not, had supported her through her own inner turmoil - how could Emmeline abandon her now that she was the one in need of support? She found the woman on her knees in the hall by her room, sobbing as though her very soul was being torn out. At first she didn’t know how to react - did Oceara want to be alone? Did she need someone to hold her and whisper soothing words? Maybe she even needed someone to show tough love to tell her to persevere for the sake of her children. But it was not Emmeline’s place to decide what Oceara needed in this moment. It was her responsibility to do whatever Oceara needed that might help her bear the weight of the pain a little more easily. Sinking to her knees in front of the other woman, Emmeline gently placed her hands on Oceara’s shoulders. “If you want me to go, I will. If you want to sob on my shoulder, you can. If you want to scream and hit me, I won’t stop you. Whatever you need to help you cope, I will provide for you.”

[marystewart]

I am Elizabeth Tudor and I will bow to no man. [insp]

[petyrbaelishs]

Queen Elizabeth in Reign Season 3 ( x )

[marystewart]

We will live or we will die, but we will not live in fear.

[mademoiselleboullan]

Mary? How can you trust her?

[candyumbrella-deactivated202002]

Once we’re on the hunting ground, he’ll learn I am nothing less than a Tudor queen.

[emmelineashford]

ofhightowers:

                       THE WAY Emmeline’s smile sipped away from her beautiful features had Oceara doing the same. “What is it, Lady Ashford? Is there something going on that I am not aware of? I thought your seat was safe as the only daughter of the late Lord Ashford?” Oceara tried to remain as informed as possible, but sometimes between taking care of her children herself and her other duties thins slipped through her fingers. 

Emmeline sighed and settled back in her seat. “My father arranged a betrothal for me before he passed. He wished to see me married and taken care of, but died before the final agreement could be made. The family have allowed me time to grieve for my father, but they will not wait forever for my answer.” She had kept her panic over her predicament to herself this past month, but now that she had someone to talk to about it, she found all of her anger, fear and heartbreak over the situation pouring out of her like a flood. “If I agree to the betrothal, then I am to be wed and taken away from my home, and Ashford falls to my cousin. If I do not agree to the marriage, then I risk offending the family and losing their trade, which is incredibly important. Losing their trade means the loss of jobs and supplies, and my people will suffer for it. Not to mention my cousin may attempt to rouse support in his favour and have me stripped of Ashford by force.”

[agentofliberty]

[agentofliberty]

♛ ~ Elizabeth I → 4.02 - ❛ A Grain of Deception ❜

[emmelineashford]

hollowbrcvery:

SHE didn’t immediately recognize the woman. she was not dornish, that much was obvious, but elia hoped to make more connections outside her beloved home. “please, call me elia. people use so many titles here i’m worried i’ll forget what my name actually is.” she told the woman with a grin. “what shall i call you?”

“Elia.” She said with a grin, pleased that they could drop the formalities. Keeping track of everyone’s titles was tricky, and she would be more relaxed if they were on a first name basis. “I’m Emmeline Ashford. You can just call me Em if you prefer.”

[agentofliberty]

♛ ~ Elizabeth I → 4.01 - ❛ With Friends Like These ❜

[emmelineashford]

ofhightowers:

                        “I DO indeed love my children and their company, but sometimes having a good conversation with a six year old can turn into a challenge.” She laughed, however there were days when her children were her entire social interactions of the day. “Perhaps if all seems well we could make of this more of a habit. I am all for making lovely friends, besides I hope it goes without saying that you have my support on your current seat. Us women should always stick together.” 

Emmeline laughed at that. “Yes, there aren’t many six year olds really known for their sparkling conversation and wit. Although I have met one or two that know how to be more savage with their words than men are with swords.” Most children were not capable of holding back insults when they felt them. At the mention of her seat, Em’s smile slipped slightly. “Your support means so much to me, but I fear that I may not be able to hold onto Ashford for much longer.”

[candyumbrella-deactivated202002]