call me poseidon

M A X I M U S. From the Iron Islands. Thirty eight years of age. Known as the Poseidon of the Sea, for his ships rule the waves with unrelenting power. Loyal to the Greyjoys and himself.

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

“We’ll get through it, darling. Whatever may happen, even if there is war, I will do my part to support you,” her freckled nose crinkled as she smiled at him. Where she always compared Augustine to the sun, bright and bold and strong – Rose thought of Max as the moon. Just as bold, but somehow dark and cold but comforting enough to quiet her mind, powerful enough to control the tides in her heart. As a child, she counted on the moon to keep her company in the lonely darkness. It didn’t seem like that had changed. “How could I be bored when I have you to look forward to? Also, I forgot to mention, I did some stitching on your shirts while you were gone this morning.” She wasn’t going to tell him about the small roses she stitched on the inside of each cuff, he’d have to find that out for himself. “I hope you don’t mind, but they truly needed some mending.”

Maximus had stepped foot into battle - skirmishes if compared to those that had taken place throughout the wars of the past - but it was more then most men had endured. He’d seen death and shed blood, but to imagine that this woman would risk his loss to support him was concerning. “We’ll get through it.” He echoed softly, knowing full well he’d sooner pack her and the children into the cabin of his ship and sail them far, far away. “Surely I am not that entertaining.” They’d slept together and that offered plenty of entertainment, but he wasn’t a great conversationalist and he hated most activities offered there. “You didn’t need to do that, but I appreciate it none the less. Perhaps they will smell a touch like you and it will help me avoid wishing to kill any idiot I cross paths with.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

reylaofhousearryn:

She nodded after his explanation, wondered what his name was. “And what is your name, my lord?” But, his next words made her forget about wanting to know his name. “Arryn?” She repeated as her brows furrowed in confusion. “My lord, I would really like to know more about this Arryn woman, if you’d be so kind to tell me more.” After she stopped talking, she noticed how she could feel her heart beat in her throat. “If you have time, of course.” 

This was the part he hated. Revealing himself to someone and watching the recognition of a name flutter across their face. Mainlanders hated Greyjoys whether or not they seemed to have real reason, and while their conversation hadn’t been anything special, it was still one he’d had without intense judgement. “Maximus Greyjoy.” He muttered, clearing his throat a touch awkwardly when she requested her continue to speak of the woman. “Uhm, from what I can remember she had dark hair and an eye color similar to yours. Kept to herself a lot so I can’t speak on much else. Allyria I think someone called her once.” 

[maximusgreyjoy]

ircnbcrne:

“LAST i checked, it was none of your fucking business.” bri answered easily.  her words didn’t have much malice behind them, in fact she was quite fond of maximus, she simply didn’t feel like discussing private matters with him. “what shit are they spreading now?” briseis didn’t talk to enough people to be able to keep up with the castle gossip, but she expected the mainlander nobility were likely spreading rumours about their people.

Biting his tongue to keep from snapping about names and rank, the man simply clenched and unclenched his fists twice. She was one of the more tolerable Islanders, and as she hadn’t caused any real issue, he couldn’t be angry. “Most seem content talking theories on who killed those two. Some think it was us.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

achingblvsh:

“aye, they do.” it’s why he could hardly stand them, much preferred the company of the ironborn he knew were loyal to him, would not betray him or be shocked by the things that we said. “fighting without our greatest strength will only end with all of us in the halls of the drowned god. time here is better spent learning their weaknesses, gaining some of their trust. then we can tear them down from the inside.” he had to be smart about this. too many grejoys had rebelled before him, and too many had failed.

“Trust of mainlanders?” He couldn’t help but scoff softly. He only trusted them as far as he could throw them - a sentiment he was certain went both ways. “Unless you plan on attempting to bed, wed or woo some mainlanders, I fear that task will be close to impossible for most Ironborn.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

Rosalin hadn’t thought of asking Ben exactly what he wanted, she assumed Augustine would just take him. Though it was not as if he was short on heirs or spares by the looks of it. Rose was still surprised each day by the man before her, and she hoped that he’d continue to surprise her in the years to come. If they got that long, that is. “You are so clever, Maximus. That is a splendid idea,” eyes kind on him. “I hope it doesn’t happen but I imagine the Lannisters will provoke someone somewhere and the Starks will try to intervene and then all the vassals have to get involved. It is silly. Besides, I personally am not bored here.”

“Clever has absolutely nothing to do with it.” He muttered. “When we are emotional, we do not always allow ourselves to see all options.” Maximus had spent years training himself to cut emotion from the equation - particularly in battle. You had to be capable of seeing things clearly. “Lannisters and Starks be damned. That is not our battle to fight - nor will it ever be.” The Greyjoys could continue to thrive where they were, even if the rest of the realm went to shit. “I am glad you have yet to bore - I fear we will be here a while longer.” 

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

“Mm, I learned to be an Islander from the best, did I not?” She smiled and moved her head to rest on his. He still smelled of the sea, it felt like home. He was home. At his question, though, her smile faltered. Rosalin wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Of course she didn’t want to give up her son, but she felt as if she was obligated to give him the best opportunities, and being with his father seemed the better option. Her hand trembled in his. “I do not know what would be best, clearly I never did…” Rosalin’s ears fell deaf for a moment when he talked, but she pulled herself out of her mind long enough to catch on. “Of course, I am certain he is just busy, he can’t be doing any better than the rest of us here. We must remember that his shoulders carry a heavier burden, Maximus. Though I think the men are more bored than anything.”

Pride swelled in his chest at her words, fingers itching to draw her mouth back to his but ultimately resisting. But at the feel of a trembling hand within his own, Maximus wasted no time bringing her fingers to his lips. “You did what you felt best. We are in no rush to make a decision, but should you still feel uncertain, perhaps we will simply... ask your son what he wishes.” It seemed like a fools plan - allowing such a young boy to decide his fate, but Maximus’ plans tended to border foolhardy. “Everyone is bored. It’s only a matter of time before a fight between different ruling houses breaks... and I would much prefer you be far from here when it does.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

“I would never let you fight alone, it would be unwise for you to doubt me.” Rosalin’s voice was still gentle, despite the darkness that coursed through her words. Her body wanted to press against his but she thought better of it, they weren’t Dothraki, and they certainly were in the wrong. “Well, my love, I saw Augustine, he found Ben. I talked to his siblings, who apparently were hurt and worried that I had left. Oh, and I spoke to Alek, of course not mentioning anything. He was as lovely as ever. How about yourself? Any issues?”

“You may not be an Islander by blood, but you are by soul. I expect nothing less. But we have no reason to fight anyone - not now. Let us enjoy the quiet before the storm.” It would all come crashing down sooner or later, for he knew better then to believe the good would last forever, but Maximus would cherish it none the less. “Do you truly wish for Ben to go with him?” Should she state otherwise, he would make sure things were different. “Alek and lovely do not belong anywhere near one another,” he muttered. “Islanders are getting rowdy. We had a few conflicts but they have been resolved. I spoke with Alek briefly to attempt getting instruction, but we all know how that goes.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

His blatant tenderness with her was something Rosalin was still struggling to process, believing that she was stuck in her own head and not in the reality that was before her. She couldn’t doubt his love when he was so public with his affection, part of her wondered if word had gotten to her husband yet but his words caught her off guard as her heart swelled on every passing syllable. “I would say you broke me, Maximus.” Rosalin drew him back to her and kissed him. Nothing else mattered in that moment, she was giving him everything. “I would fight the Drowned God for this to last longer. I have…never felt this strongly about a man before. Not even my son’s father.”

He’d spent time worrying over what others might think - particularly Islanders - for him disregarding his wife to spend time adoring a cousins salt wife instead. But with her seated beside him and a plethora of weapons strapped about his person, Maximus found himself no longer caring. “You needn’t fight a soul - Drowned God included. For not even he will separate us, I promise you that.” Despite having sworn that she could leave when she wished, Max was certain he’d spend every breath fighting such a thing. He’d lost the first woman he’d loved, it wouldn’t happen a second time. “Tell me of your morning - since I was forced to leave you.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

“I could say the same about you, but I do not think you’d ever believe me.” Rosalin had meant it, she had always gotten the feeling that perhaps the man she pined after for years was not always as kind to himself as she should be, which was why she always made the increased effort to remind him of his good. “I could always be more gentle, if that’s what you’d like,” she whispered as her eyes fell to their hands. “Do you think so? We were clearly both very good at denying ourselves. Besides, are journeys not more interesting in dangerous waters? I’d much rather ride a storm’s tide with you than any other, the Drowned God has only given us a taste of what is in store, I fear.”

He’d tried to believe her over the years when she spoke, but after failing to find the help his first wife had required, some part of him had always harbored doubt on his own abilities. “I would not ask you to do anything you did not wish. Wild or gentle, I would love you just the same.” Fingers of his free hand reached over and wrapped gently against the back of her neck - drawing her close for lips to press against her hairline. “You do not realize how close nor how frequently I contemplated relinquishing my control to you. We would have denied ourselves for a while longer, but you would have broken me sooner or later. Whether it be through words or a different dress.” Drawing back from her, he shrugged. “We will ride the tide together. No matter where or what it brings to us.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

grcyjovs:

he snorted at that, head shaking. “i have four wives, i’m not left unsatisfied, cousin.” he teased, eyes flicking up before they roll. he certainly had his own temper, but at least he could control it when he needed to do so. alek pondered over the idea of telling him for a few moments, the thought of keeping it from him amusing for a second. “you know i want independence for our people. i want to speak with the king and put things in place to make that happen while we’re here.”

He’d known the ideals his cousin held near and dear for quite some time, but never had Maximus expected they be a plan he truly put into action. Men were often more bark then they were bark, and he’d anticipated this be just another example. “Careful with your wording. Southern spawn have.. soft hearts. We will fight our way to our ships if necessary, but I’d prefer to leave without incident.” 

[maximusgreyjoy]

wildlingsjon:

One of the sailors. He’d seen the ships before, never made land in the north though. “Southerners?” Jon’s laughter was loud, just like the Starks. “You’re a southerner, you’re a lord you sit in a castle and have people serve you. No matter what Island you’re on, you’re a southerner too. Maybe a little tougher than the ones here but, you’re not like us.”

Lips dragged into a toothy smile - amusement evident. “And you’re the future King beyond the wall, no? Do kings not have people serve them?” He questioned. “I hardly sit in any castle. I sail and fight and earn my place - which is more then most of this lot can say.” 

[maximusgreyjoy]

reylaofhousearryn:

She listened to him intently, wondering who the woman could have been. Thoughts of her mother began clouding her brain, and she took her eyes away from the man before her and looked over across the Blackwater Bay. “Yes, you’re right. I would have.” She muttered as she attempted to push the thoughts of her mother’s brown hair and sad smile out of her mind. His decision to call her “Lady” drew her from her thoughts. “Lady Reyla, of House Arryn.” She said, assuming that he had called her that since he didn’t know her name. “I don’t know your name, my lord. But I would like it very much if you could tell me more about this woman.” Her words sounded more like a question towards the end of her sentence.

“Just like the rest, you’re a lady. But you are not mine, so you are Lady.” He explained, caring little for the formal title. But at the mention of Arryn, his fingers snapped. “An Arryn woman right - I never knew much, she took on the bastard name from the Vale almost immediately and we were told not to ask questions. She was pleasant - gave us treats occasionally.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

“Stop, I have my own bad habits,” she assured as she imagined the situation in her mind. Maximus teaching her son and their son how to man a ship while she taught their littlest squid how to dance. The image made her heart shake, and her hand gripped on his thigh. But the thought of carrying his child made her stomach swirl. The possibility lingered inside her still, he hadn’t been exactly cautious but Rosalin wasn’t concerned. Though there was still the issue of the fact they were both married…”My love, if we keep at it, we may have to address it sooner rather than later.” She joked and leaned into him, still being careless. “I must say, as terrible as it has been here, the past few days are the happiest I’ve been in years.”

“We all have bad habits, but your good outweigh your bad.” Maximus believed himself to be the opposite - his bad traits various and good limited - which was why he cared little for appearances outside of their little family. Their opinion was all that mattered. “Careful woman - you near broke me and your claws are sharp.” The words were teasing as fingers moved to scope up the hand against his thigh. “Do not give a man such hopes - dangerous waters... and this - us - we would have happened. It just may have taken longer.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

dcrneborn:

‘      a    name    does   not change who i am, and i am no greyjoy.     ’     she sneered in such a way that you could taste her hatred for the name alone. perhaps had she been given more a chance, she could of been a greyjoy in more than just name, but with all that had happened, she thanked the gods, old and new, that it had not happened.     ‘    i wish to be with my family before i have to return to the rocks to rot for the rest of my days.     ’

“A name changes everything.” He responded immediately. “You might be Dornish born, but you’re associated with the Island. Everyone knows it. And for that everyone will assume you are one of us, even if you refuse to be.” And that alone would make things difficult for her. She might be able to enjoy her time with her family, but beyond that would prove to be a different experience.

[maximusgreyjoy]

ofblacktyde

        HE NODDED AND A SMILE tugged at the corners of his lips. at least there were some ways to remain entertained that didn’t include being forced to make small talk. getting drunk was likely the only way he’d survive their extended stay.          “ all the women i’ve seen are too frightened to even think about fucking. a shame. if i thought my life was threatened i’d like to spend my last hours in bed. ”

He scoffed softly, leaning forward so his elbows rested heavily against the table between them. “Frightened women like to feel safe. They’re a... soft breed here. But regardless, they still enjoy walking on the edge of danger. Prove yourself capable of both and they will come.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

rcslinflcwers:

“He is a soft child, but I fear he inheirted his father’s temper. Something about that hair…” She stopped, knowing it was foolish to mention Augustine so freely to him. While the love she felt for him had shifted into something else, she still held him close in her heart as the father of her son. “He likes horses, almost like he can speak to them. I half expected him to be a smith with the circumstances of his birth and upbringing, alas, he manages horses.” Her hand began to trail toward his thigh. It was the first time she spoke about her son in such a way to anyone, and she was glad it was Maximus. “I think you’ve done so well by the children, I almost wish I could bear you children myself.”

“Every bad habit he inherited from his father, he gained ten good habits from you - I’m certain of it.” They lacked horses on the Island - the terrain to rough and to small to make them viable. Lips thinned at the thought. “I’m sure placed into the right environment he could explore his likes and dislikes more in depth... and if horses continued to be his passion..” Maximus would figure it out. Secure a plot on the mainland - build a house and worry about the rest later. Fingers curled around hers, expression softening. “That is a conversation for another day - when we are far from this place and safe.”

[maximusgreyjoy]

dcrneborn:

sharp   crystal   like   eyes turned on him in an instant, lips lifted in a light sneer.     ‘     insinuating something, greyjoy ?    ’    brow rose, she was thankful with the death as it had let her gain more time with her sister, it filled her with something she craved so desperately on the islands but would never receive. however had it truly been her to force a dagger in the back of a lord she would never turn on her dornish roots, she would of aimed for an islander or at the very least aimed the blame at them. 

“Simply making an observation, Greyjoy.” He returned, the smile crossing his lips light and airy as he leaned back in his chair to regard her. Maximus wasn’t privy to what had occurred between his cousin and his wife - nor had he ever dared ask - but given the way she was behaving, he couldn’t blame Alek for his hostility. “And what does my dear ruling lady wish to do with all of her newly freed time?”