Watch a Queen Conquer

a coat of gold a coat of red a lion still has claws and mine are long and sharp my lord as long and sharp as yours

[avelinabeaumont]

We Are Lions | Avelina & Lynessa

Avelina was exultant.  

For fifteen years she had awaited this triumphant moment, suffering in silence, plotting endlessly, hoping for all and fearing all else.  For fifteen years she had endured the horrors and heartaches of Rowena’s reign without complaint, knowing that a better queen already lay in wait.

Finally, the new age had dawned.

Jon Valles had left his wife, as joint mistress of Fontaine and Valles as well as heir of House Beaumont, as one of the wealthiest and most influential women in all the East - indeed, perhaps all of Aragoth.  Of course, there was still the horror who called herself Queen, and poor Helena, and even little twittering Cordelia, but there were already plots in motion to nullify these threats, as well.  Celia was safe and returned to her care.  Alexandir had been arrested for the ghastly murder, thus severing the last real hopes of the Godiva line and ending an old foe forever.  For once, after so many years of torment, there would be justice.

Lynessa, herself, was radiant.  With the doors shut and only they two to be seen, Avelina broke into her first real smile - too long obscured by her fake screams and tears - and opened her arms to her eldest daughter.  Holding her close, Avelina closed her eyes, whispering into her hair, “My pride and my joy,” Avelina stroked her chocolate locks and smiled, her eyes misty now with tears of joy.  “My little queen.”

Lynessa’s performance at the news of Jon’s death had been masterful.  Not a soul could possibly suspect so distraught a widow, whose haunting screams still seemed to ring out in the air around Jon’s dead body.  Dmitrei had done his work and Lynessa had taken her first visible steps towards her throne.

Pulling back to look in Lynessa’s face, Avelina’s smile was radiant.  “My only queen,” she whispered, touching her daughter’s face.  “You have made me so very, very proud, my darling.  And you are safe, untouchable.”  Taking Lynessa’s hand in both her own, Avelina kissed it.  “Soon they will all bow before you.”

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

Lynessa was exhausted and yet every inch of her body thrummed with barely contained excitement.

Her eyes were permanently rimmed in red, tracks of wet tears fell in constant waterfalls down her porcelain cheeks, she appeared to never be able to catch a breath...

And yet the moment the servants closed the doors to her chambers, leaving Lynessa and her mother finally and truly alone, there was nothing seemingly left in their way.

She crashed into her mother’s waiting arms without a second thought, crumpling to the ground and pooling the two of them into a heap of black and crimson silks. “It’s really beginning now, isn’t it?” Lynessa sighed, a soft, incredulous laugh bubbling over her lips.

“It’s truly begun, everything we’ve planned for, everything you’ve raised me to be... I really shall be queen, won’t I, Mother?”

For a moment, the girl of twenty-six looked for all the world like a small child of two or three, staring up at her mother with hope and expectation of the validation she’d craved for so long. Finally she would become what everyone saw her to be. Finally she would do more than play a part, she would truly fulfill the destiny she had been born to complete.

“It’s hard to imagine, even now that I see the path laid out before me. We have been making such plans since the moment I first took breath... And now to have them realized, to take these first steps... I knew this day would come, but... Oh, Mother, it’s all so much.”

Lynessa squeezed her mother’s hands tightly as her fingers wrapped around Lynessa’s own.

“And you promise you shall stay by my side in this, won’t you?”

[ofdragonriders-blog]

LYNESSA VALLES (NÉE BEAUMONT) / natalie dormer

♦ Age: (26) ♦ Relationships: Jon Valles (deceased husband), Avelina Beaumont (mother), Genevieve Beaumont, Celia Beaumont (sisters), Adela Vipont (aunt), Rowena Godiva, Helena Godiva, Cordelia Arrington, Arthur Arrington (cousins), Joseph Vipont (guard/interest), Dmitrei Massard (ally/interest/enemy), Emylyna Vipont (best friend) ♦ Description: Since she was a little girl, Lynessa knew that it was her destiny to be Queen. Even though she is neither the next in line as the Godiva (or Arrington) heir, Avelina has promised her that one day the throne will be her’s. Unlike her younger sisters, Lynessa has long been aware of Rowena’s treachery and she’s been plotting alongside her mother and Dmitrei Massard to take the crown away from her. In order to obtain his lands and army, Lynessa courted and married Jon Valles but (with the help of Dmitrei Massard) saw him murdered at their wedding reception. Slowly but surely, Lynessa and her mother mean to gather enough power to oppose the Queen. Lynessa is charming, witty, and beautiful, but she is also manipulative and can be self-centered. The people may love her now, but given enough power, Lynessa may not be a better Queen than her cousin.  TAKEN BY LAUREN.

[lizzydobbs]

You couldn’t handle my undivided attention.

Lynessa Beaumont (via lizzydobbs)

[jesperdalmas]

OOC | Jesper & Lynessa

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

Oh god. I’ll edit/reblog this again later with more in-depth thoughts once I’ve had time to think about it, but all I can see is Lynessa like… deliberately stringing Jesper along/using every womanly wiles-y trick in the book she has to make him believe that she will marry him…. someday.

If only we had a Joseph Vipont too. xD Lynessa juggling Arthur, Jesper aND Joseph?!? a literal three ring circus tbqh. ;D

[jesperdalmas]

Don’t forget Dmitrei!  ;D

Ooooooh, omg that’s gonna be soooo much fun!  A game of cat and mouse in which they are by turns each!  *rubs hands together*

Ok so Jesper isn’t a ~high passion~ kind of guy so it’ll be more a chase than she may be bargaining for and I think that’ll prove v intriguing :3  I mean, not that she wouldn’t catch his eye bc I mean oBV she would catch his eye hahaha ;DDDD  But he won’t be as easy to fool as Valles and as an rper it’ll be fun watching them play off each other.  He’ll see her beauty and he’ll want her but he knows her mother, her cousin the queen, her father, both her grandfathers…and he’ll be wary bc he knows she’s got full as much brains as beauty and he also realizes he’s not exactly a catch for her.  He’s settling.  So, even if Lynessa convinces him that she, herself, is telling the truth, he’s not gonna trust that the rest of her family is.

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

Oh man, I mean, I figure Dmitrei is a given with Lynessa atp. ;D Actual royalty/murder soulmates tbqh. (I should text you a photo of the water bottle I bought only bc it says “Just a Cupcake looking for her Stud Muffin” and all I could think of was Dimessa, not even gonna lie. Bought it just bc Dimessa/Dmitrei feels. I am trASH FOR MY EVIL STUD MUFFIN.)

uuugghhh. i jUST. Lynessa being turned to her first real challenge before having to turn on Dmitrei! I’m so excited!

but oh man, nICE. I think Lynessa is mainly going to be like: “reALLY?!? Where in the seven hells did thIS GUY COME FROM?! I THOUGHT WE’D FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH VALLES. I HAVE HIS ARMY AND HIS MONEY. I THOUGHT WE’D GET TO MOVE ON HERE.” And just generally sighing and being like: “guys. I brought this #TeamBeaumont meeting to order because soMEONE *glares pointedly at Dmitrei probs* dIDN’T GIVE US ALL THE INFORMATION. did noBODY *stares at Dmitrei again* stop to think that this dude would show up??!?” Like def could see her sighing and being all: “I would have vomited all over him but might have been better to wait to kill Valles until after the marriage was consummated, or at least appeared to be consummated. Save us some trouble.” And cue Avelina’s head literally exploding. lol.

and oh man, I am so here for Lynessa being pulled into much more snarky two-faced conversations, like literally my favorite. Bc unlike Dmitrei, Jesper is going to get the full on facade of the Raven Queen/The Jewel of the Capitol. All brilliant white smiles and tinkling laughter and standing probs a bit closer than propriety allows. But at the same time I think she’ll see that someone like Jasper does value intelligence far more than Valles ever did (as he was more threatened by intelligence/cunning) so I think Jasper would get flashes of that as well.

If only because I’m sure Lynessa has a grand plan of trying to distract Jasper long enough, convince him that, yes, indeed, someday she will give him what he wants in House Valles through marrying her, he just has to be patient. All the while working behind the scenes with Avelina/Dmitrei to assure that he’ll never lay a hand upon her or any of her newly amassed assets. 

Will just be pissed that she has to waste her energy on this game as well, is all. 

[jesperdalmas]

OOC | Jesper & Lynessa

Ok, sooooooo this is gonna get v interesting hahahah  Alrighty, so Jesper has always coveted Valles, disrepair and all, and when the crown threatens to give it to Jon’s wife of all of an hour without so much as a consummation to legitimize the union, Jesper’s gonna fight it.  He was Jon’s heir prior to his marriage, you see, and esp w the added advantage of Fontaine, Jesper is exceedingly keen to have that line of succession restored.  However, when he sees that Lynessa is equally keen, he’ll think to himself, “A Beaumont alliance would be greatly beneficial, anyway,” and I think he’ll turn to courting Lynessa.  I know Avelina won’t go for that, but they can’t really kill him since they just killed Valles and that’d draw too much attention but still a Dalmas marriage wouldn’t help Lynessa rise and she already married Jon just to have Valles and Fontaine, so why marry Dalmas too when she’s so agreeably single and ready to mingle with someone who could actually help her rise to queendom???????  So yeah.  Lotsa contention etc.  I’m excited to see what happens!!!!!

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

Oh god. I’ll edit/reblog this again later with more in-depth thoughts once I’ve had time to think about it, but all I can see is Lynessa like... deliberately stringing Jesper along/using every womanly wiles-y trick in the book she has to make him believe that she will marry him.... someday.

If only we had a Joseph Vipont too. xD Lynessa juggling Arthur, Jesper aND Joseph?!? a literal three ring circus tbqh. ;D

[shkodrans-deactivated20180108]

“The Margaery Tyrell that walks into the sept a fortnight from now will inspire a thousand songs.”

[eviebeaumont]

Lions & Feathers | Evie & Lynessa

“Mother can’t make you do this.”  Evie’s eyes were bright, her fingers tightening in passion over Lynessa’s.  “She cannot force you to marry that man.  It’s not too late, even now.” 

At the feast, preempting Lynessa’s vigil, Jon Valles had been drunk, shouting threats and stumbling after Evie’s own fiancé, the equally drunk Alexandir Godiva.  If the wold had somehow been blind to the kind of man Jon really was, they certainly knew now.  Even Evie, generally so keen to see the best in everyone, felt certain.  He was murderous, and no one, not even Lynessa, would be safe with him.

“I’m sure the queen could find you a suitable match,” she added, quickly.  Most of what her family planned was kept from her, but Evie wasn’t stupid.  She understood that status was important to her mother and sister, that is had to be to people like them.  And the queen was generous: she had just seen to it that Evie would be provided for by giving her to one of the three most eligible bachelors in the realm. 

“What about that visiting prince?  Romayne Vitalis?“  (Evie, of course, didn’t realize that Rowena, herself, had her eye on Romayne.)  “Surely if you spoke to our dear cousin, she would be pleased to see you well matched.”  Evie bit her lip.  “I daresay, Lynessa, almost any man would be superior to Jon - Earl of Valles and Lord of Fontaine, or not, your happiness is what matters.”

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

Many people of Aragoth were sure that Lynessa Beaumont--Jewel of the Capitol, Saint of the Downtrodden, the Lioness in the Raven-Hall--had a heart. Some semblance of one at least.

But Lynessa knew better.

She knew that something like a heart had been burned out of her eons ago, replaced instead with one made of flint and shimmering gold. The heart of a queen--of a ruler of everything it perceived. Perhaps with a few small scraps of feeling soldered on as an afterthought; small fleshy bits protected by their tarnished armor, but the remainder of humanity all the same. 

So when her little sister, the darling light of her life and perhaps one of her true foils, cornered Lynessa in her own chambers the morning of  her wedding, those small scraps ached for the pain in her sister’s eyes.

“Oh Evie, my love...” Lynessa said with a small smile, free hand coming up to brush soft golden locks of hair away from her face, her thumb brushing along her sister’s skin. “I promise you no one is forcing me to do this.”

A small lie perhaps, its power made potent by seeds of truth sprinkled through it. No one was truly holding a sword to her throat when they suggested she marry Valles. Lynessa was shrewd and intelligent. She knew full well what marrying Jon Valles would bring her. Even if they hadn’t made plans to destroy him before his soiled hands ever even twitched at the thought of her--she would have done this without a thought.

“And even if they were, I assure you, it would indeed be a bit late. At least in order for me to save face. Dismissing a man as high as Earl of Valles the morning of his wedding day would be quite the insult to Aragothi nobles, let alone the gods themselves.” She laughed gently, turning from Evie to look at her reflection in the mirror. For a beat or two, Lynessa was silent, just watching the woman looking back at her with the face of a goddess--of a queen. Beautiful yes, but terrifying in her own right.

Sometimes Lynessa could hardly recognize any bits of herself in that image.

“I love Jon. Very much so.” She said finally, glancing at her sister through the reflection with a small smile. Lies upon lies. To one of the few people in this world she cared about. All to protect her--to keep her from being pulled into the mire Lynessa had been all but born to. “I know he’s a bit... much to take on faith alone, but I care for him very deeply, as he does me. I would not have agreed to marry him otherwise. You know me, love. You’ve known me your entire life. Do you truly believe that I would ever enter into something so binding against my own will?” Lynessa turned back to Evie then, letting out a sigh and standing in order to wrap her arms about her sister, enveloping her in a tight embrace.

“This may be the last time you and I are left alone, my dearest sister. I’d not have us waste these precious moments debating whether or not I am daft in following my own heart.” Lynessa pressed a soft kiss to the top of Evie’s head, wondering to herself how much truth portended in that plea. After all, once Valles’ blood was spilled upon the floor of the Hall of the Gods, their game would begin in earnest. And neither Lynessa herself nor her mother had any intentions in allowing their most precious treasures to be stained with the bloodshed.

No, Evie and Celia were to be left innocent of it all. Held above the carnage as Lynessa clamored her way to the throne, strewing bodies in her wake.

Lynessa’s arms wound tighter about Evie, squeezing her eyes shut in order to try and stem the tears. she would not cry for the woman she never would be--the sort of woman she could already see blossoming in her sisters. They would survive and live in a better world than this one because of her sacrifices. And in the end, that was worth more than any heart to Lynessa.

“Help me get ready before mother and my maidservants come?” She asked quietly, pulling away a little to look at Evie with only slightly tear-stained eyes. “Like when we were children and we always brushed each other’s hair? A hundred strokes each to make our hair shimmer like the morning sun, just as the fairy stories said.” Lynessa chuckled a bit, fingering one of Evie’s soft golden curls. “Though you always held more of the sun than I ever did.” in many more ways than your hair...

Lynessa laughed once more at Evie’s continued suggestion of a replacement husband for Valles, though, gently padding away a tear as she returned to her chair. “Ah, yes. His Grace, Prince Roymayne Vitalis, scourge of the Southern Isles. He is rather handsome, I’ll admit as much.” She glanced up at her sister once more, mischief in her eyes. “Just don’t tell my husband when I think of Romayne instead of him on my wedding night.” The young woman wiggled her eyebrows at Evie, bursting into a fit of giggles. 

If only life could remain like this forever...

If only she could be queen without paying the price...

Perhaps then, Lynessa knew, she would not have to leave her sister far behind.

[lorrgana]

[hersreputation]

I’m glad to hear you’re happy.              Ecstatic. I really am.

[clarkesbellmy]

[incorrectgotquotes-blog]

The best part of having no emotions is that I can think rationally. I’ll do whatever it takes to get this done. You’re the opposite, a pile of neuroses and insecurities, hopes and dreams. You’re basically one big emotional variable that I just don’t really need.

Littlefinger (to Lysa Arryn), A Storm of Swords  (via incorrectgotquotes)

[dmitreimassard]

Face the Dragon | Dmitrei & Lynessa

The last time he had seen her, she had placed a crown of roses about his head. A beautiful piece of work it was, he recalled: her soft hands twisted the flowers about carefully concealing the thorns so that he didn’t know they were there until they pricked his skin. They had many names for her in the City: the people - especially the children - adored her. But what she really was, was a rose. All soft and beautiful petals concealing her sharp thorns that were filled with a deadly poison. You wouldn’t even notice them until it was too late. 

Jon Valles’ lifeless corpse was proof of this. 

He had seen something that day, however, that he hadn’t seen before and it wasn’t her thorns. Those he had always suspected. But she had proved to be her mother’s daughter. There was an intensity about her he hadn’t know was there before. And then … was it caution or paranoia that drove her to threaten him? Her mother saw enemies everywhere, even where she might have found friends. What did Lynessa see? Did she see people who would tear her down the first chance they had or did she simply see him for what he was? A man who would always play the game of thrones, even after he had won. 

He had assured her of his loyalty, of course, but they both knew that words were empty promises and only actions would prove him to her. We may be rivals one day, he had said, but only when we have no more enemies to cut down and we alone are standing on their ashes. Until that day, you would do well to trust me.

“My condolences, my lady,” He said, bowing before her. She was still dressed in her wedding gown: all white and gold, ravens and lions. She was as lovely now with her tear stained face (a nice touch, he thought) and hair slightly out of place as she had when she took Valles’ hand at the alter. He straightened, his eyes meeting her’s and for a moment there was a hint of mischief but then it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. “Might I have a word with you, in private?” He ventured. “If it would not be too distressing, I may have news of your husband’s killer.” He said, slowly as though he was truly concerned for her in this moment of grief. 

When she had nodded and her attendants had left the room, Dmitrei grinned, “And how did you like my little wedding gift?” He asked, moving slowly towards her. “We have cut off the head of the serpent. Are you ready, now, to face the dragon?”

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

Already there were whispers flying about court.

The beautiful young Countess Valles, widowed before ever reaching her marriage bed. What a crime, what a loss, some said. Others whispered that perhaps she truly was blessed by the gods--saved from a fate worse than death itself by the striking down of her dearly departed husband.

After all, what such kind and sweet young thing could ever truly love such a cruel man? Even as she screamed and cried out and wept for the man she had called husband for no more than a few hours, seemingly torn to pieces by his passing--many were sure she would see the gift the gods had given her in this in time.

Yet as her attendants had all but carried Lynessa away from the feast hall to the rooms that had been meant for her and her husband’s repose, the young Countess could only hope that the facade was enough to fool everyone.

For while she wept to placate the masses, to draw the warmth and love in their hearts towards her, the lioness inside Lynessa was crying out in triumph. Deceitful blood had been spilled this night. Blood of a man who had no right to attempt to lay claim to her, or the throne for which she had been destined ever since the gods had placed their bloody crown upon her head--just as her mother had told her.

Lynessa’s only regret was that she could not allow herself to wash herself in that blood. No, she must remain aloof. She must maintain their lofty image of the goddess on high. This heartbreak--as they saw it instead of the triumph it truly was--could only raise her higher in the people’s eyes.

And as long as they continued to love her, Lynessa continued to wield a weapon far more dangerous than Rowena or any of her kin would ever come to realize.

Of course, in order to keep up the charade, Lynessa sat silent upon the cushioned chair in which her attendants had placed her for hours, silent tears rolling down her face as she stared into the fire. She refused all food or drink offered to her, responding only with a quiet ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to any questions they asked, until Magdelyne--her favorite handmaiden--timidly stepped forward and laid a hand upon her mistress’s shoulder.

“My Lady, wouldn’t you be more comfortable if you changed out of your wedding gown? We could draw you a bath. It’s been a trying day and--”

“No. I will not yet discard my husband.” Lynessa snapped at the young woman, fingers curling tightly about the brilliant-white of the fabric of her dress. “You of all people should know how important this day--this man was to me. My love was murdered in the Hall of the Gods and you dare to ask me to shed the one thing I have left of the happy moments before he was gone for me forever?” She tossed Magdelyne’s hand from her shoulder, instead tangling her fingers through her once-perfect curls, sending diamond-encrusted pins scattering about the floor.

“Shame on you, Magdelyne... To mock your mistress when you can see I am falling apart inside...” Lynessa whispered as a soft knock broke the awkward silence and signaled the entrance of Dmitrei Massard.

Here was the true godsend. As if by magic, her most beloved adversary always seemed to know the most opportune moment to appear. After such an outburst, surely her handmaidens would disperse and chitter amongst the other servants--weaving a tale of a bereft mistress whose heart was broken by the tragic events of the day. Thus when she eventually returned to the world in a day or two’s time, with a strengthened smile and a “new” determination to concentrate on making sure that the lives of those she now had the responsibility to care for were happier than her own.

If she were their champion before, now she would certainly become their princess.

“Thank you, Ser Massard. Your compassion is well met.” Lynessa barely croaked out as he bowed before her, playing at half-hearted attempts to compose herself. Yet when they locked gazes, his mischief was answered with a dark sparkle in her own. At his questions she barely nodded, swallowing an imaginary lump in her throat as she gestured her attendants away.

And then, with the clicking of the door closing behind them, the outermost mask fell away. The woman straightened as she stood, a sly but brilliant grin spreading across her lips as Dmitrei approached her.

“My most gracious and loyal servant... I believe I distinctly asked for my husband’s head on a silver platter. Not lying to rot beneath the feet of the gods. How can I be truly pleased when you’ve yet to carve him into pieces for my supper?” She teased the man, soft hands coming to cup Dmitrei’s face as he stopped in front of her. “And yet, I cannot hang such a trophy upon my walls without reproach, so perhaps it is for the best. You and I shall have his blood singing in our veins for years to come, Mitri. And I do thank you for that.” Lynessa pressed a soft kiss to Dmitrei’s brow before releasing him in order to wipe away some of the salty trails that had dried upon her cheeks. They were of no use at the moment and could easily be replaced before her attendants returned.

There was no need for such pretenses between two players such as them.

“As for the dragon... We shall see how it fares against the like of a goddess.” She grinned, nodding towards the now-closed door as a chuckle bubbled over her lips. “You missed quite the performance I put on for--ah, what was it I heard Magdelyne call herself once?--ah yes, my closest confidantes. I’m certain at this very moment they are proclaiming to anyone that will listen of the heartbreak their mistress feels over the loss of her newlywed husband. And to think! The cheers that will be raised in my name when I appear again, brilliant as the sun!” Lynessa clasped her hands in front of her heart, grin wide and fire blazing in her eyes.

“I could almost scream with excitement! Power, true power, has finally come to our hands, my dearest Mitri.” The girl let out another laugh then, placing her hands on Dmitrei’s shoulders and squeezing as if to contain herself from pulling him into a tight embrace. “It all begins now. I will be queen... I will be queen!”

[dmitreimassard]

Inch by Inch | Dmitrei & Lynessa

[dmitreimassard]

He chuckled, “Oh, I have long come to terms that I shall not turn heads. But why should I care to, when you wield it so well, yourself?” He asked. He looked down at her then as she looked up, a hypnotizing smile upon her lips. “See? Even when I know it’s a lie, I’m still taken in by your charms. But then, you already know that." 

He had his ways of manipulations and she had her’s. Her’s were arguably more dangerous, he mused. Men would throw away their lives and their honor for the chance to have a woman like Lynessa Beaumont, even if only a night. She could fake smiles and promises as well as himself, but even if she did not, he was certain that there were many who would be willingly manipulated by her. 

"And that makes you truly dangerous, my lady,” He said, in agreement. Women could hold lands now, but that mattered little. That did not change how they were looked upon by most men. And despite the change of the laws, many choose to honor the Old Ways and give their property to a male heir, even if they had only daughters as Lord Fontaine did. 

“Men will rule the day that they ever took you for nothing but a pretty face,” He said. Just as those who branded him as weak and nothing but the son of a traitor would regret their words when he was king. Revenge would be sweet. 

Dmitrei laughed, “Indeed. He is a fool.” There was much to be lost if they failed with Valles, but neither Dmitrei nor Lynessa considered that a possibility, even for a moment. Oh, Avelina was still nervous and would remain so until Valles was cold and dead, but that was nothing more than a mother’s concern. Avelina would worry for her daughters, always. There would always be some potential threat that needed to be crushed.

“He is only a stepping stone, nothing more. The real challenges will come later.” He promised. That was something he looked forward to. Manipulating Valles easily. His own arrogance made him weak. He could never see a man like Dmitrei as someone who would pose a threat to him, even if he was on the Queen’s council. He was a man of inferior birth who did not even have much skill with a sword. 

But there are more dangerous weapons than steel. 

And he would have laughed to think that a woman should ever hold any power over him. He may be easy to do away with, but Dmitrei would savor their victory. He once thought about revealing himself to Jon before he was killed, if only to see the shock on his face. But it would be better this way. Better for him to be further removed and better for their plots down the road if someone else was to do the deed. 

“The Fontaines do not have much to speak of themselves, but what Valles will inherit is no small amount. Of course, it pales in comparison to the Beaumont and Arrington fortunes. It is worth a great deal more than Valles’s own seat in the North. Although, I don’t believe that is any great feat. It seems your husband-to-be doesn’t believe in any sort of routine upkeep. It will be a small victory, but Fontaine is another piece upon your board on the way to claiming all of Aragoth.” He said. “Do not be so quick to cast it aside.”

“They underestimate me, just as they underestimate you. They would prove to be a more agreeable opponent if they knew that they were playing. But that will come.” For all of his wits, they had magic which left him at a severe disadvantage, but one he relished all the same. 

He laughed, “Yes, but let us hope that we shall never come to that. I know that, in the end, you will surely best me.” He said, smiling out of the corner of his mouth as he spoke.  

“I wonder what requests you might have of me that I would not care to commit?” He asked, raising an eyebrow as he grinned mischievously at her.

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

“Ah, so you intend for me to do all your hard work for you, then?” Lynessa said with a teasing laugh, raising an eyebrow at the man before her. “For the spider webs you weave would be for naught if I did not bring them all to heel. Though perhaps if you too are so easily charmed, you should be careful where you place your traps, Mitri. Wouldn’t want to tangle yourself up in my trail of admirers now would you?” She grinned once more, knowing well that Dmitrei was far too clever for that sort of thing. He had no heart, after all, much like herself he had locked it away within his chest, realizing early on that it was a useless organ.

And yet sometimes, Lynessa still wondered...

“Men will always take me as a pretty face, for all men are fools in one way or another.” She continued. “Whether they will rue this misconception or not depends largely on if they defy me because of it.” Lynessa raised an eyebrow and shrugged her shoulders, gesturing widely with her hands. “To some, I am still their beautiful distant goddess, carved of marble and onyx, far-off and unattainable, with worship as the only connection they could ever attain. It is the ones who see my face and determine that it is something to posses and conquer that will learn better.”

She fell silent for a moment, fingers returning to their diligent work as Dmitrei assured her that while Valles was a sub-par opponent, that the reward they would reap from allowing him to play such a game would be well worth the price.

“Certainly, you speak the truth... Fontaine and Valles combined will make a sizable addition to my claim, I understand as such. Even with the well-being of the Fontaine girls thrust upon me as well.” Lynessa sighed. “It is simply frustrating that I could not have taken the same pieces upon the board through a more simulating fashion. Marry a man who is a half-wit and a fool with the same ease in which I fall asleep, cut him down before our wedding bed even sees candlelight (thank the gods), send off his cousins to rot in the North and repeat? It’s exhausting. Only our talks ever seem to bring me joy anymore. Everyone else is so dim-witted I can hardly stand them.”

She paused, then, looking up at Dmitrei as he spoke of how everyone else in the world underestimated both of them, with a unspoken undertone of how they certainly would show the world what came from dismissing them. “And so you say... Yet who but us will ever truly understand the games we play? What competition could anyone else in all of Aragoth be? We are each other’s match, Mitri. It’s folly to think otherwise.” Lynessa placed a hand over his, squeezing it once. “Let us only hope it ever continues in friendship, for, as you said yourself, surely I would best you if we ever truly were to turn against me.” She winked at the man, though something cold began to fester behind those wide blue eyes. 

“Now there is the sort of question I’ve come to expect from you.” Lynessa smiled slyly back at Dmitrei as he teased her, feigning innocence as she examined her handiwork, biding her time. The crown was beautiful, yes--roses of varying shades of red intertwining in a never-ending pattern. Yet she had done wonders in hiding the true crown behind all the beauty: thorns sharp and jagged forming a thick ring two layers strong, bloodthirsty and waiting to strike at anyone who dared take it from her.

“I am sure there are very few things to which you would not willingly partake in, my dearest Mitri. Much like myself, you are a man who knows that many great deeds come at the price of much smaller, less...” Lynessa paused for a moment, trying to decipher the correct phrase to use as she gently adjusted each flower for its best presentation. “Shall we say palatable actions.” She smiled gently at him once more, moving ever closer to him upon the bench until she sat with her knees pressed softly against his, the crown lying upon her lap between them.

“And yet, there is one thing, I am certain, that you wish for more than our great hope to see me take my rightful place...” She continued on, fingers brushing ever so lovingly against the soft petals. “That if this wish of yours were threatened by any request I gave to my most loyal servant, you would defy me without a second thought.” Lynessa’s gaze fell to the crown in her hands, moving almost of its volition to be placed ever so carefully upon Dmitri’s head, trailing gentle touches across his brow. A wistful expression passed over her features then, gazing at Dmitrei as if she wished for nothing more than to see him crowned as such.

Until moments later when her hands suddenly crushed the crown to his scalp, petals tearing and fluttering to the ground as she drove the thorns into the sides of his head, drawing blood. “I will not stand for such things, do you understand me?” Lynessa hissed, blue eyes aflame as they stared into his own, lips pulled back to bare her teeth. “I am your queen, and though I may wear the raiment of the ravens, never forget that a lioness’s blood runs hot through my veins and I will tear your throat to pieces if you ever try and take what is rightfully mine.”

She stared at him for a moment or two longer, her fingers still curled tightly about his head, face a stone mask of fierce determination, though her eyes slowly followed a trickle of blood as it rolled sluggishly down Dmitrei’s cheek. Leaning forward, Lynessa closed her eyes and gently kissed away the blood, smiling as the coppery taste ran over her tongue. 

Perhaps it had been a mistake to show him this side of her, the anger and fire that raged just under the surface of the marble goddess her mother and her people expected her to be. And yet, of anyone, Lynessa was certain that Dmitrei Massard would appreciate such an outburst for what it was: a reminder that she knew what he was and did not trust him, just as he certainly did not trust her. It was the only way two such similar souls could ever work together towards a single goal.

“Now look what I’ve done, how silly of me. I’ve ruined the beautiful crown I made for you.” Lynessa sighed as she pulled away, putting a hand to the side of her face in mock frustration. “I suppose I’ll just have to make another, though none is ever so fine as your very first, so I’ve been told.” She smirked at Dmitrei, brushing her hair over her shoulder and wiping a spot of blood away from the corner of her lips. “Would you prefer willow branches, my darling? Or perhaps lilies this time. Something gentler, surely.”

[emylynavipont]

OOC | Emylyna & Lynessa

[emylynavipont]

Ughhhh, Lyna will DEF feel that same way too bc, unlike Lynessa, she most def has a heart and it’s actually v tender and it’s having been damaged and tormented is actually what drives her so intensely, yknow?  But at the same time, I feel like she’s in too far atp and she’s basically, “If I look back, I am lost” ~thanks dany

Tbh, Lynessa’s plan is waaaaaay better.  Like, she’s got a dragon (even a sickly one trumps none at all - unless she’s already duking it out with Dmitrei atp and he’s taken it??????), she’s got a dark sorceress (Avelina), she’s got an army, an income, prosperous lands of her own…and Emylyna has capricious Rowlin’s ear (and thereby some level of access to his power, wealth, and army) - at the moment.  HAHAHAHAHA  Plus, I mean Lynessa’s fighting for her family and Lyna’s fighting to prove herself - meaning Lyna started out with some level of doubt.  HAHAHAHA  Lyna’s pr obv out of her league but that’s never stopped her before.  ;DDDDDDD 

UGHHHH LYNESSA and it hurts bc I feel like Avelina - in trying to prepare her for what was to come and give her the armor she’d need to survive - kinda helped do that to her?????  Bc I can see her being all, “You must lock away your heart,” basically and like she meant the best, but there’re alot of reasons 14 year old Avelina shouldn’t have been a mom hahaha

OMGGGGGGG I LOVE IT!!!!!!  Esp bc I can actually see that sticking in her mind and Lyna reminding herself whenever she feels weak that she must be a true queen like Lynessa - heartless.  I mean, yeah, I think she def would’ve interpreted that as like ~figurative queen like ‘powerful lady’ type deal.  Plus, I feel like she’s v aware of Lynessa’s royal blood and like it just felt natural to Lyna that she should use the term.

But still, she would’ve seen the truth in it and lkJFKDJSAKLFJ but it’s also kinda fascinating to me bc I feel like Lyna’s probs one of the few ppl who’s ever really seen the evidence of Lynessa’s heart, yknow?  And part of that, it’s this admission.  And I can see Lyna basically looking her eye and being all, “You have a heart, sure enough, but you are - as you must be - it’s mistress and therein is your power,” basically.  But still, Lyna remembered and remembered to cut out her own heart when the time came.

OMG YASSSS them utterly seeing themselves in each other tho <33333  You know they were the actual queens of the playground ;DDDD  And them going through all the changes of life together.  Can you imagine when they saw each other at teens and had all the boys around the castle wrapped around their fingers hahahahaha

Lyna laughing and being like, “Feel fortunate you know nothing of the artless West.  Your letters were all that got me through,” basically.  You know they get sooooo excited to see each other, too!!!  Like, she spent the entire time just waiting to see Lynessa again <333333

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

IT’S HILARIOUS TO COME BACK TO THIS NOW THAT JOSEPH VIPONT IS A CHARACTER THAT EXISTS TO COME AND ACCIDENTALLY DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT #TEAMBEAUMONT HOLDS DEAR.

Esp. as he’s Lyna’s ~cousin, so I had thoughts of Lynessa totes flirting with him when they were younger and she was visiting Lyna, all practicing her ~wiles on Joseph by whispering things like: “Dearest Lyna, you mUST introduce me to your handsome cousin over there. I’m shocked an appalled that you’d keep one such as him locked away!” All giggles and sly sarcastic looks to Lyna, nOT KNOWING THE TORTURE THAT WAS TO COME. FEELINGS AREN’T SOMETHING THAT LYNESSA IS USED TO HAVING.

and ugh. I know it’s taken me fifty years to respond to this, but I’m for reals so into this friendship. Lyna and Lynessa as the only ones who know of each others hearts, who probs are the only ones who have seen each other as they truly are instead of the masks they wear for the public in order to survive, always struggling for the same goal, never realizing that it means they will one day have to face each other across the chess board that is Aragoth.

And neither one really wanting to see the other lose, even though that is the only way they’d ever be able to win. aUGH. 

oh man, also Lyna assuring Lynessa she has a heart, if only one held tightly under control???? Something that’s totally gonna come in handy with the whole Valles/Arthur/Joseph issue that’s on the horizon. Valles as the horrible choice that must be made -- Arthur as the choice that an ill-used heart can tolerate -- and Joseph as the one pure thing Lynessa never knew she’d want, even as she cannot have him and must steel her heart against him in order to take what she has always been told is rightfully hers.

LYNA AS THE ONE WHOSE COUNCIL LYNESSA LISTENS TO MOST CAREFULLY EVEN AS SHE KNOWS BETTER THAN TO DO SO BC SHE’S ACTUALLY P MUCH JUST A V SMALL CHILD STILL WHO HAS BEEN SADDLED W/ MANY RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS THAT AREN’T IMPOSSIBLE, BUT ARE NEARLY SO, AND DOESN’T REALIZE SHE’S DROWNING UNTIL IT’S P MUCH TOO LATE.

[lizzydobbs]

All them other girls are peanut butter and jealous.

Lynessa Beaumont (via lizzydobbs)

[jamesgarin]

OOC | James & Lynessa

[jamesgarin]

HAHAHAHA ballsy is def something he is…wise, not so much ;DDDD  But that doesn’t stop him from wildly flaunting his authority issues hahahaha  Either way, he’d just laugh/be generally amused if she helped him bc he’d be like, “Probs legit what I would’ve done in her position.”  (Also Avelina is v proud of her bc everyone knows wine is a girl’s best friend lbr ;DDDDDD)

HAHAHAHAAHAH Avelina def shares that as well she’s literally like, “Off with his head!” and that’s the story of James’ Near Death Experiences #23434758943785940320389574  Also, after that, I’m perfectly srs in saying I think Avelina finds out who the best of Jon Valles’ soldiers were and assigns at least one (probs more lbr) to each daughter as her sworn shield bc AVELINAS BBS WILL BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS

And I’m not really sure how this James/Lynessa thread became an Avelina/Lynessa thread but I”m also not really surprise tbh bc I mean…Avelina rules my heart ;DDDD

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

HAHA. omg. Lynessa would be like: "hell yes I'm amusing and wonderful and u should probs swear ur fealty to me now, get in on the ground floor, might be able to get urself a high seat in the palace knowhatimean??!?" Only not really bc obvi not the greatest idea to blather about how you plan to be queen someday to just ~anyone, but still. Something along those lines of helping him steal Rowena's stuff bc it might prove useful to have him as an ally at some point.

OH MAN. AVELINA PUTTING VALLES' GUARDS AS A SWORD SHIELD TO HER DAUGHTERS, LYNESSA IS HERE FOR THAT. (also now I want the T-Hiddles dude she has weird like ~human feelings for to be her shield guard bc how hilarious/bad for business would thAT BE.)

also never apologize for Avelina/Lynessa feels. I am always here for those 100000000000% <3333

[lucianmoran]

OOC | Lucian & Lynessa

LETS HEAR IT FOR COMPLICATED TIES!!!!!!!!  Which is most def what they share.

Ok, so Lynessa’s sister, Celia, is set to marry Loys Mortain; Lucian is set to marry Loys’ step-mother.  Additionally, Lynessa herself marries Jon Valles, who is one of the Lords in the North, like Lucian Moran, himself (tho he never cared for Valles at all, he still believes in the ties of the North etc), and Valles’ army (soon to be Lynessa’s army) is also a Northern army as a result.  Furthermore, Lucian is v supportive of the Arrington claim.  Rn he, ofc, has no idea that Lynessa plans to lay claim, and he’s also in general against women ruling (and he has a strong distaste for Avelina), but once Alexandir is chased off as a traitor and a murderer and Arthur is dead or incompetent or whatever, I can see him potentially throwing in with Lynessa for all these reasons (since Lynessa ofc has Arrington blood through Avelina née Arrington) and yeahhh I mean idk what Lizzy’s got in store for us which may or may not rock the boat but yeah MUCH POTENTIAL hahahah

[lynessabeaumont-valles]

Oh man, wow. Super complicated, for reals!!

But yeah, I could see that Lynessa would know very well that someone like Lucian would be a great asset to have on her side. So probably would pay a lot of respect and deference to him, but at the same time showing glimpses of the intelligence and political savvy she's got in her little finger. Bc above all things, Lynessa is extremely good at reading people and figuring out what they respond best to in people.

So I could see her on one of her visits to the North/Valles/etc that she would come pay her respects to Lucian and see how easily/uneasily she may be able to rope him in as an ally to her cause.

Do you think that if she had made mention of planning to marry again, he would be more ~comfortable/into the idea of her becoming queen? Since that way she'd have the "balance" of a man "keeping her in control" or whatever? (bc hAH. like Lynessa's ever really gonna let some dUDE rule over her. pssshhhh)