[lilyharvord]

The Secret Correspondence of the Dancing War - Part 3

A/N: Part 3 of the accurate epilogue of Broken Throne because once again, Regina and I are bitter that Victoria did not give us the closure we want. This letter while burned to almost a crisp was saved by me and @elane-in-the-shadows.  Part I / Part II 

iii. Cal 

                                         December 10th 330

Maven,

It’s been a while since I wrote to you or visited you. I hope you don’t mind. Things have been busier these past few years. I honestly don’t remember the last time I got a full night’s rest. Even now, I’m writing to you at 3 in the morning because I can’t sleep.  Mare’s going to kill me too. She already has a hard time sleeping because of the baby. She doesn’t waste time blaming me for that. Funny enough, I don’t mind her teasing about it. The fact that it is even happening makes me feel like I could make electricity myself.

Right, I should probably catch you up on what’s happened. To be honest, a lot of it is fuzzy for me. Since my promotion two years ago, I’ve spent more time on the front lines dealing with the Lakelanders than I have in my lifetime. Your ex-wfie is more of a pain in the ass than I ever thought possible. Like you, she’s a brilliant strategist. I think… given time you two might have found kindred spirits within each other. And while this whole dance between the States and the Lakelands has been exhausting, the good news is that Iris hasn’t had the chance to throw me in any more bays. Mare probably wouldn’t think that joke is funny, but I’m sure you will.

Anyway, four months ago Mare wrote to me telling me to ask for a leave of absence. That she needed me to come back to Montfort because it was urgent. It took more convincing than I would have liked to get that leave. Sometimes I miss being a prince, for the sole reason that if I needed something I didn’t have to wait for people to sit around debating about it, it was just done. But that’s beside the point. When I got back to Montfort, Mare had a, let’s just call it a surprise for me because I can’t think of anything else to call it. A gift? It certainly didn’t feel like it at first. I think all the blood drained from my face when she told me. We argued about it. It’s honestly the first fight we’ve had in a long time, but she won. She always does, as you know. I retired my uniform and she retired hers and we bought a little apartment near her parents’ town house. She wants them close when the baby is born. I get that. I would want my family there too. I wish you could be here. I think you’d be surprised how strong she already is. The other day Mare made me feel how hard she was kicking and it was one of the strangest things I’ve ever experienced. How can something so small kick that hard? She’s going to be a force of nature; I know she will be. Mare’s her mother after all. I can’t even begin to tell you how strange it is to write that. To think that in a few weeks she’s going to be here. 

Mare agreed to let me name her, as long as she gets to name the next one. She had her fingers crossed for a boy. She wants to name any son we have after her brother. I think I’m going to name our daughter after my mother though. Coriane Barrow Calore sounds pretty doesn’t it? But I may just be biased. 

At first, I wanted to drop my name and just keep Mare’s, but she insisted we keep both. Our family line is as much a part of my daughter’s legacy as it is mine. Removing our name would be like trying to erase the past. We’re trying to correct it though. I’d say so far we’re doing a decent job. Notra is on track finally, and Evangeline has been hard at work as an ambassador with both the Lakelands and Prairie. We’re both desperately trying to fix the mistakes our ancestors made.

And I guess I’m writing to you tonight because of that. I can’t sleep. I can’t sleep because all I can think about it that family name. Our father’s name, and ours. Looking back on everything, I realize now what you went through, what you must have felt like. I can’t sleep because I’m terrified of repeating our father’s mistakes. He made so many. I didn’t realize it until Mare told me she was pregnant and I started thinking about my own childhood. I’m terrified that I’ll somehow show my daughter that she doesn’t matter to me, that there is something or someone who comes before her. What if she sees what I do and what I am, and wants to follow in my footsteps? What if she does that because she feels like she has to? I don’t want her to struggle like I did. I don’t want her to think she is duty bound to a fate because of me or because of Mare. You would know what to say. You always knew exactly what to say.

And I guess I also was hoping you could… endow some of your speech ability on me to write another letter to the Silver Session. You handled them all so well as king, (better than I ever could have hoped too) and I wish I had half of your political sense, just because it would make my life so much easier. You always had such politic ways of telling people to go screw themselves. I need a way to say that right now that doesn’t turn a bunch of cranky, old, irritating silvers into more of a political threat.

By my colors I miss you. It comes at me like a wave sometimes. I’ll just be walking or sitting and then it’s there and I feel like I can’t breathe. You left a hole that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to close. The other night, I realized your birthday was coming up. You would have been 28 this year. I realized that while Mare and I were walking back from dinner. When she asked me why I got so quiet, I told her the truth. She was quiet for a long time too, then she asked me if we would tell our children about you. I don’t know if you want me to. Or which person I should talk about. A part of me didn’t believe the last thing you told me. I know that the boy who used to stay up until ungodly hours playing chess with me was in there somewhere. I know that the brother who used to joke with me and play along with my terrible lies I told to get out of trouble was in there. I know the young man that was braver than I ever could be was in there somewhere. I wish I could have found him. I wish I could have saved you. Maven I have never regretted anything more than the fact that I turned a blind eye to your suffering or what your mother did to you. Maybe you’d be here with me today if I hadn’t. Maybe you would get to hold your niece. Or maybe, maybe she wouldn’t even be here. To be honest, I don’t know. I learned a long time ago that playing the what if game just hurts more.

I hope you are at peace. I hope you are resting and that you somehow do get these letters. I hope you know that even at the end, you were my brother, and I loved you. I still do. I’ll come visit you soon, maybe after Coriane is born. Although I’ll probably be even busier then. I suppose I’ll just have to write in the meantime.

As always, your brother, 

Cal

@elliemarchetti @farleydiana @scxrletguardsdawn @petergrantkavinsky @freaky-freiday @inopinion @mareshmallow @evangelineartemiasamos @evangeline-of-montfort @delilahlbard @king-maven-calore @whatsup-gorls @redqueenetwork

[princesslana05]

This made me cry so much

[lilyharvord]

The Secret Correspondence of the Dancing War - Part 2

A/N: The second part of the accurate epilogue of Broken Throne (because Victoria did not give us the closure we deserved and wtf did the walking fortune cookie get the write it? (Rude)), decoded by @elane-in-the-shadows and myself. (((: Fine part 1 here

ii. Mare

                                               August 17th 330

Farley,

I think that Clara might like my room on the base more than yours. She says she likes the view of the pond. Which is good, because she’s been asking Kilorn to take her out to swim almost every day. He says she caught a fish the other day. I don’t really believe him, but he insists. She’ll probably write to you about it. She’ll probably also mention our… failed attempt at cooking chicken. No one was harmed in the process. She might exaggerate what happened. Your daughter is more dramatic than Evangeline. She misses you though, more than anything. She says my hugs aren’t the same, but they’re “okay enough”. I know Ada is supposed to have her right now, because I was supposed to leave for the front a week ago, but… something came up, so I’ll be watching Clara until you get back from your location.  

On one hand, I feel bad using the same envelope as your daughter to send you my letter, but I really don’t want to walk all the way across the base and get a second envelope just to send this. Besides, I know Clara’s letter will be secure, so mine will also. And security and discretion is sort of important right now. 

Clara has no idea what’s happening with me, although I think she’s starting to figure it out. She unfortunately inherited Shade’s observations skills which means I have no secrets anymore. At least, no secrets between the two of us. I don’t think that’s bad though. I was tired of secrets a long time ago. I guess that is also why I feel such a desperate need to tell someone this. I should probably write to Cal, but his location is NOT secure right now, which is probably why he hasn’t written to me. I’m going to have to wait until he gets back from the front to tell him. I don’t know how long that will be either, which means I have to tell you. I guess I thought you would understand. Please just… I need advice. I know you’d probably tell me to figure it out on my own, but you’ve always had a knack for thinking your way out of tough situations. 

I wish I’d figured it out sooner. I think I knew for a while, I just didn’t want to think about it. If I was right, it would make life stupidly complicated. Being around Clara these past few weeks has sort of changed everything though. And while a part of me is (this sounds so stupid) happy… I’m scared too. The minute I saw the results, I had half a mind to find a healer and get a procedure, to just get rid of it. How can I justify bringing something so fragile into the world? But then it moved, I thought I imagined it, but then it did it again… and Farley I couldn’t. If that’s selfish of me, I don’t know. 

Of all the times for this, now is really not the best. But for you, it wasn’t the best time either and you got through it. You stayed with the war effort, but the more I think about it, the more I think I need to leave the front completely. While I have nothing against how you raise your daughter, the way Clara looks whenever someone knocks on the door makes my stomach clench and my throat burn. I know she’s just waiting for news that you’re never coming back. Especially after the whole Tiraxes deal fell through last year and we didn’t hear from you until you returned a week later. I don’t want… I don’t want my child to have that fear. I don’t want them to be looking out the window wondering when I’ll be home or if Cal is ever going to come back. I dont need want that for her them it her. I can’t believe that I wrote that. But some part of me fluttered when I did. Forgotten gods I hope I haven’t messed her up. I was just at the front a month ago. She was there, she was there with me and I was running directly into the line of fire. I’m glad I didn’t know then though. I would have made a mistake. I know I would have. 

My heart tells me to leave. That I need to go back to Montfort. That if I truly want this, then I have to be there for her. But my mind tells me it’s selfish. That I’m not thinking about the future and about the people like us who have suffered for years. But then I think about what she’ll be like, who she’ll be, and I suddenly have this desperate need to run under a rock and hide. I know the Session will hunt her down, and after all the attempts on Clara, I feel sick just thinking what they will do to get their hands on mine. 

I just don’t know what to do. I’d ask Cal but I know what his response will be. He’d tell me to go, and he’d come with me. But I can’t pull him away from the front either. We both make such a difference there at times. Is it selfish to do that? To take my family and run? I need your help. Please write as soon as you can.

Mare

PS: if the healer’s wrong and it’s a boy… I want to name him Shade. I hope you understand that… and are willing to give your blessing. If not, I understand.

@elliemarchetti @farleydiana @scxrletguardsdawn @petergrantkavinsky @freaky-freiday @inopinion @mareshmallow @evangelineartemiasamos @evangeline-of-montfort @delilahlbard @king-maven-calore @whatsup-gorls @redqueenetwork

[elane-in-the-shadows]

The Secret Correspondence of the Dancing War - Part 1

A/N: The accurate epilogue of Broken Throne we deserved, decoded by @lilyharvord and me!  

i. Farley

September 25th 329

Dear Clara,

I’m sorry I can’t give you the time to talk with you about this in person and only leave you this letter as a reminder. I hope it’ll serve as that, at least. You can take it as a promise.

I’ve avoided making promises to you. No big ones, that is. I didn’t want to add broken promises to my list of shortcomings and misses, of which you never forget to remind me after I’ve been away. I’ll expect you to scold me if I make a promise only to break it. Clara, I am and have been willing to listen when my child needs to chide me. I wish you to trust me. I might be scary, but I never wish to scare you.

I’m sure there’ll be another lecture waiting for me when I return from Tiraxes, trying to convince its rulers to side with the Scarlet Guard and Montfort instead of joining the other remaining Silver monarchies. After years of stubborn indecisiveness, they should’ve realized by now the advantages and future we can offer. But I suppose minds of brick are a common trait among Silver monarchs, not just Calores. But I’ve gotten through to Cal, and I’ll get through to the Triarch of Tiraxes that it would be foolish not to join the Scarlet Guard if they want to keep their heads - and dignity, though I suspect the latter is of bigger import to them. Although Ada’s arguments will cut down their pride and refuses and if not, I’ll scare them until they see fit to agree.

Which means, I have every reason to be successful and return whole and healthy to you. I promise this.

That is why I’d also like to ask for a promise from you, Clara: Please don’t teleport on your own. Don’t try to follow me, don’t play tricks Mare and Cal, your grandparents or anyone else of your family (which includes Kilorn, obviously! They have my authority in my absence, so listen to them.).

I know you’ll understand. Even if you’re furiously waving this letter in your hand right now, as furious as you were on the base yesterday and … vanished. One moment, I told you we’d have to stay there instead of at home because of the rising threat of attacks, the next you protested and were gone.

Please. My heart stopped. My mind blanked and I had to think of your father who teleported one last time, right to his death. It didn’t make sense, to think of this, but the fear for you lived up all the same. Even as my heart warmed and beat again as I realized that you are like him.

Shade, your father, never had a trainer or teleporter companion. All he did, he’d mastered on his own, not even knowing how or why or if they were other Reds with abilities like him. He was brave. But you don’t have to be. You can ask other teleporters for advice and tutoring, like Arezzo (though you’ll have to wait for her to return with Ada, me and the rest of the team.) This is also a promise. We will train your ability, so you can use it safely. And for whatever you want.

This is what I want to give you, what I strive for in my efforts: That you can have a childhood now (no matter how difficult our lives are), but also a future you can choose, with the right and possibilities to be whatever you wish for.

I wish I could hug you right now,

Diana Farley

PS: I don’t like to live on the base instead of in our cozy house either, Dove. I’ll miss it, and your frequent “redecoration” attempts. I love you,

Mama

@elliemarchetti @farleydiana @scxrletguardsdawn @percelain-doll @maudthebookeater @petergrantkavinsky @inopinion @mareshmallow @evangeline-of-montfort

[princesslana05]

I’m crying 🥺

[marecalrandomstuff]

Reblog if a book has ever made you cry.

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[paperblairplanes]

You know what I just realized? There's no way Marecal's kids aren't going to find out about Maven. Their parents are war heroes and their uncle was the last king of Norta. Their family made history. So at some point, they will go up to Cal or Mare and ask about Uncle Maven.

And can you just imagine the pain, the bittersweet regrets and sorrow, the memories that would flash through their heads? The little brother Cal lost, the young lover Mare lost. The brave faces that they'd have to put on. The journey they'd have to relive. The death they'd have to recount.

The aftermath. Mare's hands shaking, remembering the weight of a little piece of metal. Cal staring blankly at a chess board. Coriane and Shade looking through old albums tucked deep into the attic. Finding pictures of a boy no older than seventeen with their father in regalia long abandoned. A family standing together on Tuck island. Two graves, next to each other.

The echoes of war and loss ring loud

[evangelineartemiasamos]

What is so great about Glass Sword is that it’s only action and angst, with no in between and zero chill, zero relief. When you get a breath of fresh air after a heavy batlle, the angst is already waiting for you and drags you down so hard that you’d rather go back to life-threatening action and that captures exactly Mare’s conflict in this book and how terrible she feels about this. 5/5, perfectly done, Ms. Aveyard.

[paperblairplanes]

RQ Imagines: Reader dating [Tiberias “Cal” Calore VII]

((Cal isn’t my favorite character so please forgive me if some of these are OOC))

•Two words: bear hugs

•It doesn’t matter where you two are or what you’re doing, he’ll bear hug you until you’re yelling at him to get off

•In the same vein, he also loves to surprise you by coming up behind and lifting you off your feet and into his arms

•He insists on cooking whenever you look tired. It’s his way of trying to bring you back to life. He’s not fantastic, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

•In the mornings, he wakes you up with a kiss on the nose

•Lots of evenings spent slow dancing in the living room

•He’s the designated coffee maker because for some reason he’s just better at it

•WILL fuss over you to no end when you’re sick

•Most of your dates are simple things like walking through the park or going to a cafe. He just wants to hold your hand and talk

•This man is a f u r n a c e, so wintertime means lots of snuggles

•All his gifts are very sweet and thoughtful. He wants to give from his heart, not his very full wallet

•Blabbers on about the history book he’s reading at dinner. You find it endearing, if not a bit disheartening sometimes

•"Babe let’s do a couple’s workout"

•Highkey jealous and is not afraid to act on it

•He knows he’s ripped and will subtly flex when he catches you staring. If you notice, you call him out on it and it turns into a teasing conversation

•Can, has, and will show you off at any given opportunity

[vaveyard-deactivated20250708]

canon

[redqueenmemes-blog]

Reblog if you need RQ4 right now

[maurasargent-deactivated2019041]

MY RQ EDITS

➫ the moment that broke our hearts (and killed me, just look at my url XD)

Red Queen, Chapter 26, by Victoria Aveyard

“Maven, please,” I plead, trying to make him look at me. But he turns his back, focusing on his mother and his betrayed blood. He is his mother’s son.

…

“You used me.”

Finally, Maven condescends to look back at me. “Catching on, are you?”

inspo: @gisabarrow :)

[princesslana05]

This made me cry so much

[selectedredqueen-deactivated201]

ITS RAINING AND IM JUST THINKING ABOUT MAXERICA AND MARECAL WHY ARE MY OTPS LIKE THIS

[queeniriscygnet]

Ok but Li Shang is so Cal

This scene is like Cal trying to train newbloods😂

http://youtu.be/ZSS5dEeMX64

[princesslana05]

I see it

[queeniriscygnet]

Quotes that inspired the titles -Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard

[princesslana05]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[cmarthad1-blog]

Choose

Reblog for Cal Like for Maven

[princesslana05]

I choose Cal

[maremollybarrowcalore]

reblogged and add fav kc quote

[kihlorn]

“Now I’m in a king’s cage. But so is he. My chains are silent stone. His is the crown.”

- Mare Barrow, page 171

[queeniriscygnet]

“I know who I am. I am Mare Barrow. Not Mareena, not the lightning girl. Mare.”

[princesslana05]

he caught me in a princes trap now I’m in a kings cage

[princecardan]

Every MareCal Moment in King’s Cage ⇀ the epilogue part 1 / ??

Because it is a choice. He need only say no. Or yes. One word holds both our fates. Choose me. Choose the dawn. He didn’t before. He has to now. 

[marecal-trash]

[lilyharvord]

Um

[maremollybarrowcalore]

[kihlorn]

[queeniriscygnet]

[princesslana05]

crying

[simplyyempyrean]

Reblog if Books have changed your life

Because this boy told me books are nothing but a waste of space.

[princesslana05]

Yes books are better than boys

[princesslana05]

Scarlet Guard meeting with the High Houses

Clara: *crying*

Cal: General Farley would you like some assistance

Farley: like hell

...

Farley: fine

Clara *stops crying when cal holds her*

Clara: da... dada?

Farley: oh hell no *takes Clara back*