;embrace

[nariaargo-blog]

sommersofkindness:

Pierce didn’t see any humor in death, his smile hesitant as he conceded the lady’s point with a nod. Many had died so far while he and the ones he held dearly to heart remained safe; perhaps they could escape the hands of fate this time as well. “A being as powerful as that wouldn’t owe an explanation, but we’d still look for one.” Suffering was part of human nature and the way Queen Argo spoke told him that she had little patience for those who did not endure. It was the coldness of the Vanguard.

“You continue to impress me, milady, I doubt my opinion matters that much. I know nothing of the hidden darkness in this world, but with every strange occurrence I’m more and more certain that powerful, old magic is involved.” He paused. “Have you ever felt like there’s a greater force working upon your destiny? Or would you say that is a notion for those who lack in power?”

     She hummed, agreeing with his point. Suffering was a part of their life, but just as they continued to feel it, they would seek to understand why they were treated as such. But the answer was already there, plain as the sun in the sky --- they suffered for their weakness. Some just insisted that it was all more complicated than that. Naria paused at his question, thinking for a few moments before she replied, “I believe we all have our role to play, experiences in life we are meant to live. However, whether or not we live to those moments is up to the gods. They decide who lives and dies, who is strong enough to continue on.” 

     “But there are moments of chaos. When the world must tear itself apart to be renewed.” Naria settled her hands into her lap, finding herself rather enjoying his company. ( a surprise. she’d come to berate. ) “The gods are just as mad as men can be.” Naria leaned forward, closer to the former knight. Close enough to see the youth in his eyes, the freshness of his face. “What would you say to that?”

[nariaargo-blog]

sommersofkindness:

Pierce didn’t say anything about how one could fall from grace whenpeople deemed them useless – he wasn’t healing the ill to be popular. And hewould have to admit that Lady Argo was partially right. “Who would want todestroy us?” He questioned, a thought he usually ignored. “There needs to be anexplanation if we’re being punished or tested. But yes, the other disasterscame and went and most of us are still here.” He pulled out a chair and satacross from the woman, in a way that he could watch over his patients. “If Imay ask, what do you think of these talks of beasts and curses?”

     “We can’t all die at once. Where would the fun be in that?” Naria pointed out with a laugh. She considered the question of just what she imagined was punishing them for a moment, but such answers were far beyond her knowledge --- or care, really. “Maybe it’s time itself. Maybe it’s a god or man or something in between. Do you truly think one such as that owes an explanation? All that matters is suffering. That is all some seem to do, while the weaker fail.” Naria slowly tilted her head the side, frowning. “I would much rather hear what you think of such things. I'm sure it's far more appealing.”

[elwinnargo]

crossroads || naria&elwinn

[nariaargo-blog]

elwinnargo:

Lord Argo expected no less, with a clench of his jaw successfully repressed the primitive instinct of protection, to let through a more logical solution. Elwinn remembered his father had once told him about a dark moment in the history of the Vanguard, where strange creatures left the bodies of their victims shaped in strange symbols, yet the reason was still unknown. They were only stories, he’d always thought, but this was a moment to find out the truth about them, if there was any truth at all. “Then I have no choice but to respect the Queen’s interests,” he said, his lips crooked in a charmed smirk. 

He got off his horse and ordered a group of knights to wait for them, and as the rest of the caravan began to move, he led the Queen of the Vanguard to the frozen dismembered corpses. It hadn’t happened too many days ago, or else the they’d be rotting and the air would be foul. But it wasn’t recent either. There wasn’t much information he could gather. “What do you think, Lady Argo?” 

      “The Queen is very grateful,” Naria replied with a smile, before she lowered the hood of her gown and began walking, Elwinn at her side. The carriage’s wheels groaned behind them but she paid no mind to the attendants or the jeering horses, moving down the earthen road to where the scene lay. Bodies --- what was left of them, at least. She sniffed the air but they carried no scent of death. Yet, the closer she drew towards them, Naria realized they were certainly not alive, either. Their skin, stiff and a strange hue, caught her attention, and she moved closer to inspect.

      Naria was quiet at first, bending to kneel in the dirt to examine the cursed. They lied together neatly, forming a pattern vaguely similar to ancient runes that marked some her books. “Some with archaic knowledge did this . . . Or something inhuman entirely. These symbols were thought to be lost.” She reached forward, touched the closer form. Cold, stone beneath her fingertips. But it wasn’t the stiffness of death. No puffiness of the rot. Dirt-stained faces still recognizable. She cupped a cheek in her hand, turned the face into the light and sighed. “One of Eva’s attendants. I recognize her scar.” Naria frowned. “Warnings are never good, Elwinn. That is the only thing this sight can be.”

[nariaargo-blog]

sommersofkindness:

The answer startled him and he couldn’t hide it in his eyes. “I did notknow that I had such a reputation, enough that the Queen of the Vanguardherself would wish to see me.” He briefly bowed his head. Pierce didn’tsee himself in terms of an angel, butit was good to hear that some people appreciated his help. “I beg to differ.This is exactly the time for kindhearts to soothe the fear of the unknown. We’ve had people turning to stone andthe dead rising from the grave… I trust that we will survive these new horrors.” He paused, pointing to a chair. “Would you like to take a seat? I presume you wanted to talk, if you came here in full health.”

     “Even I can appreciate the popularity of a kind heart, young man,” Naria teased, playful. She knew what could be said of her and her family, ignorance flying from the mouths of the meek. “I also know how quickly the popularity disappears once there’s nothing you have left to offer.” Naria turned her head to the side, carefully weighing his words. It wasn’t that she sought to understand --- she knew quite well how inspired minds could think. She still enjoyed hearing such optimism, however. “Or perhaps it shows the world is determined to destroy us,” Naria pointed out. She accepted the offer without a word, walking over to the chair he’d gestured towards. “Perhaps we’re being tested. The only way to survive such things is to outlast them, yes?” 

[nariaargo-blog]

sommersofkindness:

Piercestraightened up, more for the jabbing tone of her voice than the fact that hewas before a noblewoman – a new queen.He thought of Portia, sweet and kind, but she had never been like the otherqueens. “I can make more, Your Grace. If selectiveness means that I have to denycare to a commoner and save it for the new kings and queens, my conscience doesn’tlet me do it.” He said, tone steady and calm. “But if you need any kind oftreatment, I’m more than happy to help.”

     Naria smiled --- one of pity, and a touch of fatal admiration. A boy with a sense of honor. Surprising that the recent events hadn’t broken such a heart. “Did I say anything of keeping it for ourselves?” She asked, raising a brow. “I seek no treatment, Sommers. I simply wanted to see the face of the angel himself. You’re quite popular among the rabble.” The pathetic, weak rabble. Peasants groaning at every hint of inconvenience. “Medicine should be limited. Help those that need it, of course; but what will we do when we’re out of time? out of supplies? and the world’s crashing around us with all this talk of ghosts and curses and shadows in the woods. Perhaps now is not the best time for kind hearts and never-ending sympathy.” 

[nariaargo-blog]

sommersofkindness:

“Please,wait a moment,” Pierce said to the person approaching the healing tent, signaling with his handfor them to pause. He was leaning towards a cot, changing the dressing on awoman’s arm. “You can apply that ointment and press down with a fresh cloth everymorning, that should heal in a week at most.” He secured it firmly and then gotup to face the other guest.

“And whatcan I do for you?”

     Naria eyed the woman the former knight tended too, a disapproving frown clear on her face as she received her medicines and disappeared from the tent. “I wasn’t aware we had so many supplies. To think we’re giving them so freely ---” The Argo sighed, long and heavy, hands crossing in front of her gown as she turned to eye the former young knight. “We’re unsure how long we will be here, perhaps we should be more selective with medicines, don’t you think?” 

[elwinnargo]

crossroads || naria&elwinn

[nariaargo-blog]

elwinnargo:

@nariaargo

Lord Argo rode his horse alongside his wife’s carriage, as it was accustomed in the North, where the small caravan was heading. The family was travelling with only a few knights, and some civilians they had recruited with the promise of a new home they’d have to tame and conquer. They had barely crossed the imaginary borders between the territory of the Highcrest and Westedell when the group began to slow down before stopping completely, and so the head of House Argo gave a soft kick to his horse and rode to the front of the caravan. His knights whispered once again the rumours Lord Argo had ignored, but he now saw it himself, and it was enough to convince him they wouldn’t be able to move beyond. At least not in this shape. 

“Turn around. We’re going back.” He instructed the knights as he rode back to the side of the carriage.   

“We must go back, my dear,” he said to Naria through the vehicle’s window. “Something strange, beyond our wisdom, has cursed these lands.” 

      Something was . . . OFF on these roads. Naria couldn’t put her finger on what inspired the darkness in the air, but she knew it followed them from Westdell. She frowned, glancing out the window and past the nearest knight, looking to the woods that surrounded the road. ( something . . . something there. ) Then, the carriage slowed, indistinct words flying from the lips of their driver. “Why have we stopped?” She asked the knight, but he offered no answer. Naria’s lips thinned in frustration as she moved to open the door and see for herself. 

                             --- “A curse?” 

      Her features were suddenly serious, pulled tight with the understanding that whatever before them was grave, indeed. Without another thought, Naria pushed the doors of the carriage open, lifting her skirts as she stepped out of the cart. “I would like to see this for myself, Your Majesty,” she said, lifting her head to look at him atop his horse. “If it would please you, send the knights back; but such things are . . . of interest to me.”

[drogonqueen-archive]

N Y X

born of chaos,  primordial goddess of the night

[nariaargo-blog]

enyoxelise:

            The sound of her lady’s voice had Elise straighten and she gave her sparring partner a curt nod before sheathing her sword and turning. She allowed herself to smile; not quite friendly, not at all smugly, and she injected just the slightest amount of shame in it. A simple smile for a familiar face, submissive yet slightly edging privacy. Acknowledgement of her own showing off, yet aware of Naria’s secret pride. “It is hard not to be—I have yet to meet an opponent who can match me in strength or skill, in this part of the Realm.” Alright, so perhaps she was boasting just a little bit. “Your highness,” she finally added after a long moment. After all, Naria was now a queen.

     “May you find that opponent soon,” Naria replied, voice cool as she beckoned the young knight forward. “Proper challenges always bring our strongest selves to the light. And when we defeat those, we are made the better for it.” She turned her eyes to the other warrior Elise was practicing against and offered a polite smile, gifting them with a nod to show her respect. "Have you attempted a match against a Wildling? The way they stormed the Keep was . . . vicious.” The memory sent a tingle down her spine. Such strength; such barbarity. Naria couldn’t resist the admiration. 

[nariaargo-blog]

galenvance:

“If you so insist, My L—” Galen paused, tilting his head with a faint smile. He’d forgotten. “Your Majesty.” Lady Argo was an interesting person, undoubtedly; he’d only occasionally spoken to her directly, more because a part of him had always avoided the Argos than anything else. They were a sharp, clever people that had a singular ability to make him feel like they were cats and he was a singularly amusing mouse. The Lord and Lady, now King and Queen, were well-suited for each other if nothing else, and of the two, Lady Naria was far lovelier. “You may call me my name; unless I’m very much mistaken, I believe that hasn’t changed with my shift in station.”

Galen stepped away from his horse with a gentle pat, letting Bernard nose around the sparse grass while he stepped nearer to the woman before him. “If you have any advice for how to avoid attention, I’ll gladly take it. Not drawing the eye tends to lead to a much simpler life, I’ve seen. But, considering,” he motioned to her from head to toe, inclining his head respectfully, “I’m not sure how good your advice would be.” 

     Your majesty. What a STRANGE title. Yet, Naria certainly wasn’t going to offer a complaint. After all, she could be here . . . brushing a horse after shoveling its’ shit. Narrowing her eyes in thought, her lips pursed. She studied his face searching for a name a flash f familiarity, but there was nothing. “And pray tell, what might your name be, young man? Vance? Or would you prefer a friendlier name?” She asked, smiling pleasantly. Fondly. Such a pretty golden man. Strapping at that! No wonder he was so popular in the Keep. ( and beyond, if gossip was to be trusted. )

    “Oh my,” she replied, playing coy as she chuckled in delight. “You are a sweet one. What ever shall become of you now? I hope to hear of it in the Vanguard, though I suppose that will be very difficult, now won’t it? No thanks to you.” Naria shrugged, batting her comment away with a flick of her hand. She remembered his part in the collapse of the Vitello’s power; how he’d come, bathed in the glow of torchlight like some divine spirit, a welcome sight in the darkness of the dungeons below. A curious young man . . . “I imagine you’ll do just fine for yourself, little friend. As for my advice: I have none to offer. Perhaps it should be you advising me.” 

[nariaargo-blog]

enyoxelise:

           “Oh, come on, that can not be all you’ve got,” the warrior taunted, eyes gleaming as she lowered the sword and regarded her opponent. “I was expecting a real challenge.”

     “Come now, Elise,” Naria cooed, a passive spectator to the little show her favored knight displayed. Beaming at the magnificent display of strength and power, and coaxed the girl towards her. “I believe you’ve shown your skill to the young man. Let’s not be too proud for it.”

[elwinnargo]

a shot in the dark || naria&elwinn

[nariaargo-blog]

elwinnargo:

@nariaargo

The night turned out to be darker, without the lights of the Keep shining from the distance. Where the majestic castle once stood, only ruins, ashes and columns of smoke were easily seen from his window at the decaying inn the Argos were staying. Elwinn breathed deeply as he turned from such picture, to face Lady Argo. “There’s not much we can do here,” he spoke, still thoughtful. “It seems there is no place as strong as the Vanguard.” 

     There was something about this pathetic little inn that was . . . ever more charming than their rooms in the Keep. Naria gave a little smile as she ran her fingertips across the mantle of the rusted fireplace, slipping her nails down the bricks and stone and collecting dust as she went. "Is that such a surprise?” She asked. “They’ve never allowed the weakness to be cleansed. It was only a matter of time before the weight crushed it.” Losing interest in the architecture, Naria gathered her skirts and stepped towards him, thinking aloud, “I wonder how the Vanguard is now. What awaits us when we return --- return as King and Queen.” Though she never considered herself power-hungry in any sort, the titles were undoubtedly appealing. “I pray it will be as strong as we are now.”

[nariaargo-blog]

galenvance:

“—Oh?”

“You know, I generally don’t deal with that sort of thing anymore,” Galen said apologetically, turning from where he was adjusting the saddle of his horse. His appearance was enough proof of the words he spoke; he’d retired all his silk doublets and gold-clasped shirts in favor of a simple, dark shirt and trousers. If it hadn’t been for the way he carried himself after years of working in the Keep, he could have passed for anyone. 

He offered a smile, brushing the hair back from his forehead. “But I can try to help you, nonetheless. What did you need?”

      Naria pursed her lips in thought --- who would she go to for requests now? ( all those servants . . . she shook her head sadly. what would become of their livelihood now? ) “Nevermind it, I’ll attend to the issue myself. I suppose it will be a pleasant change.” Perhaps one of her own attendants knew how to properly pick the hooves. Naria smiled, grim and tight to the golden-haired boy, a face she recognized easily. “I admit, I’m at a loss for what to call you now. You’ve certainly taken on the look of a commoner ---” Her eyes dropped to the simple shirt, a stark change from the doublets and finery she was so accustomed to seeing him in “---yet . . . you still draw the eye. It’s so difficult to erase years of good grooming, isn’t it?” 

[nariaargo-blog]

paxton-balor:

The Lord drew up a chair and sat himself there upon, leaning forward and staring into the other’s eyes with a smirk. He ignored her words and spoke his own.

“Do you know why Holden chose a commoner over your daughter?”

     So it was to be that sort of conversation --- how incredibly rude. And disappointing. Losing what interest she’d mustered before, Naria sighed bitterly , vacant when she turned to him. “Enlighten me, Lord Balor. I imagine it would bother you to the point of insanity if you didn’t find some way to express your own opinions.”

[iirongauntlet]

CHARACTER MOODBOARD — “ many called her beautiful. she was not beautiful. she was red, and terrible, and red. // @meleabra​

[nariaargo-blog]

destructionofeva:

Eva listened to her mother, her temper boiling, her eyes sparkling with pure, unveiled hatred and venom. How could anyone love that poor excuse of an Argo? How could Elwinn tolerate her? She was noting but an old maid, no longer good for anything but to remain pretty and quiet, like she did when she dragged her own family into the dungeons. She was nothing but an old hag with her youth fading fast and, apparently, with it her intelligence.

Young Chaos gritted her teeth and let out a cold, cold snicker. “Unlike my splendid marriage to that crippled prince. Shall I have it in the dungeons? Perhaps we could consummate it there as well, right before they take us to the gallows. Was that your plan, Naria? A splendid plan that was, marrying me off to someone who would never be king. Fortunately, I stalled it long enough and now I shall end it.”

With her mother’s final words, Eva laughed.

“If you think I have nothing to offer, then you are a greater fool I have ever thought you would be.”

     Perhaps Eva never would understand . . . Naria gave a shake of her head as she released the beetle onto the ground, watched it scurry towards a dark corner elsewhere. “If only you would stop to think of the move you’re playing now, rather than bet on a hand you’ll have later. Hamish would be a fitting husband, a cripple though he may be.” She rose from the ground, standing tall before her daughter, soothing her red, dirtied skirts but appearing no less herself. This was what the Balors, Pemberleys, Larivieres, and Thorntons --- what they all --- did not seem to comprehend. The Argos, TRUE Argos, were not afraid of a little darkness. It was where they thrived. 

       She did not smile, did not thrive in the face of her daughter’s insolence, recklessness, ignorance! Instead, she mourned; but it was fleeting, replaced with annoyance. “Then by all means, seek an attempt to prove me wrong if you must, but do so without dragging my family’s name into this mess you are creating for yourself. Go to Charlene and Isiah without us to hold you back. Bat your eyes and spread your legs to the likes of Paxton and know that it is your own doing. This road will lead you no where but disappointment, I assure you of that.” Naria gave the girl a dismissed nod, turned her back and walked deeper into the cell and away from the light. “You may go.”

[nariaargo-blog]

carryourwxrld:

Aethan hesitated but moved forward. Nyx, the goddess of night, stood before him. The Argos were no strangers to him, but her striking features surprised him all the same. “Lady Argo,” he greeted with a slight bow of his head. “I was passing to see if there was enough food and drink, but I’ve been told all of that has been checked already.” He questioned the conditions of the dungeons, but not enough to bring his concerns to his father. He enjoyed the pleasant air around his parents. It was new and perhaps even fragile. He had no interest in shattering it.

     A Balor! The youngest at that. Naria’s answering grin was quick --- what a pleasant surprise. “Aren’t you a kind one,” she replied. What hid behind that nod of his, those youthful features? ( was he more like his mother? or perhaps his father? ) “I’m afraid you are right. The gentleman passed by just an hour ago . . . But I would so appreciate your company, if you want to offer that as well.”