𝘪𝘧 𝘪 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘺 -

[stormlanded]

stormxblooded​ ( tris )

He doesn’t remember a time where he has felt so light, as though the burden he carries is finally shared with another. It should be a relief, but it brings with it its own concerns. There will come a day - perhaps soon, perhaps in the weeks to come - where he will have to let her go, let her replicate this charade they have created on more honest terms, and the most he shares with her, the harder it will hit when that day comes. He cannot share that burden with her, though. Not now, and not ever. 

But when she laughs, it is easy to forget, easy to allow a chuckle to rumble from his own throat. “Oh, good,” he makes no attempt to hide the amusement in his voice. “Then there is no need for pretence. It couldn’t have happened to more deserving victims.” There’s something underneath his humour, a darker and more twisted feeling, an anger that he cannot name and cannot place. She has had her share of ill treatment, and that this should continue despite her liberation from Lord Royce is maddening. 

“I did,” he confirms, calmly, no sense of shame or apologies in the words. Neither do the glares of others deter him. In the world of Tristan Vance, there’s little that matters outside of the two of them. “I am quaking in my boots, I am sure,” the glint in his eyes show that he is doing nothing of the sort, and he nudges her again. Gentle teasing, anything to keep that smile on her face. 

Her question, however, pushes his mirth to one side, replaced by a thoughtful furrow of his brow as he considers that which she proposes. It is only then that he realises the one truth he has been repressing for far too long now - that despite his claims, he does care what she thinks. He cares very much indeed. “It’s different,” he responds after a beat. His eyes meet hers, and a heartbeat passes. Then another, and his tongue darts out to wet his lips, suddenly dry. “I do not want you to think ill of me,” he admits. “But I fear you may come to. At least you cannot say that I did not warn you myself.” 

                          IT  STRIKES  HER  IN  AN  INSTANT.  A  REVELATION .  just  as  quickly  as  this  easy  companionship  has  come  about ,  the  laughter  and  the  comfort  that  comes  with  it - -  it  can  just  as  easily   disappear .  her  father  can  figure  out  a  one -  sided  ruse ,  or  lord  vance  (  despite  his  brooding  and  protestations  )  can , in  fact  find  the  one  whose  heart  beats  in  tandem  with  his  own .  complicated  and messy  as  he  makes  it  seem .  he  is  not  hers ,  but  she  will  lose  him .  eventually ,  she  will lose  him . she  has  suffered  a  great  many  heartbreaks ,  but  none  quite  like  this .  none  where  the  idea  of  the  loss  pains  her . 

                         she  does  not  want  to  lose  him ,   but  feels  that  telling  him  such  is  foolish .  it  puts  an  unfair  pressure  on  his  shoulders .  it  is  already  his  favor  --  his  sacrifice  that  he  makes  for  his  sake .  why  should  he  exert  his  kindness  any  further .  not  when  he  deserves   love  ,  especially ,  perhaps ,  because  he  thinks  himself  the  most   undeserving  of  it. 

          he  teases  her  again ,  and  she  sees  the  light  in  his  eyes  &  the  smile  on  his  lips ,  and  thinks  it  perhaps  it  the  most  rare  &  beautiful  thing  she  has  ever  seen . it  falters  upon  her  next  inquiry ,  as  she  expected  it  might  have ,  but  she  DOESN’T  .  she  remains  steadfast ,  resolute .  she  stands  as  tall  as  her  stature  will  allow  her .  and ,  perhaps  boldly ,  she  takes  one  of  his  hands  into  both  of  her  own ,  resting  it  just  below  her  chin . 

                      ❛ do  you  know  something ,  tristan  vance  ? ❜  she  presses  her  cheek  to  his  hand .  the  line  is  blurry - -  between  close  friends ,  to  false  beloveds,  to...something  else  entirely .    ❛  you  have  secured  my  good  opinion  for  years .  ever  since  you  first  came  to  runestone .  all  it  took  was  for  you  to  look  at  me  once  and  say  what  no  one  else  would .  that  i  was  sad ,  that  i  was  frightened ,  that  i  was  alone.  ❜   she  does  not  mean  to  cry ,  but  a  single  tear  slips  down  her  cheek  and  lands  on  her  glove .    ❛  you  saw  me  for  exactly  what  i  was  and  expected  nothing  else ,  and  still  thought  to  make  a  friend  of  me .  it  takes  a  remarkable  person to  see   someone  so  clearly ,  particularly  when  all i  needed  was  for  someone to  see  me .  ❜    if  there  is  yet  to  be  propriety  between  them ,  she  will  blame  it  later  on  her  status  as  a  ruined  woman .  ❛ you  saw  me . you  see me . without  pretense  or  expectation .  and  that  is  a gift .  ❜  it  is  why  every  letter  he  has  ever  written  her  is  tucked  carefully  into  a  box,  more  precious  to  her  than  the  gowns  her  father  buys  to  try   to  restore  her  eligibility.  cautiously ,  she  presses  her  lips  to  his  knuckles. ❛ and  i  think ,  that  perhaps ,  i  see you,  too .  so  whatever  ill  may  be  said  about  you  will have  to  fight  me  before  it  is  granted  audience.   ❜

[stormlanded]

stormxblooded​:

@stormlanded​

It had started small. A running nose, a cough that reverberated through Marya’s chest. Cassandra has mentioned it in passing, had ensured her daughter had a draught to ease her lungs, and thought little else of it. She had worried over her eldest’s every sniffle, but had long since learned that children were hardy little things, that chills and colds were common amongst little ones. She hadn’t been worried. 

How dearly she was now paying for that mistake. 

Perhaps it was more of a shock that it was Marya who lay struggling for her every breath. The cold of The North wasn’t healthy for any of her children, but Marya had always been more robust than her siblings, bolder and brasher, a smaller version of Cassandra herself in both looks and temperament. If it had been the baby, or even Steffon, she may not have been caught so unawares. But this was Marya, her Marya, and she had never thought to see her like this. She’d never seemed smaller, not even as a newborn, and Cassandra couldn’t help the cold, sinking feeling that her next laboured breath could be her last. 

She wouldn’t cry. Not while her daughter was still awake, bundled in blankets and furs, head resting on Cassandra’s lap. Slender fingers brushed dark curls from her face, cold hands burning where they made contact with clammy forehead. She had sent for a maester, god knows how long ago now, and had sent word to her dinner companions for the night. By now, half of Winterfell would know what was going on - though she doubted many would care. 

A rap at the door jerked her from her troubled thoughts, gaze snapping to the lock to check it was not bolted. It wasn’t, and so she called out, her voice hollow and hoarse. “It’s open. You can come in.” 

                          OF  COURSE  IT  HAD  COME  THROUGH  WORD  OF  MOUTH  that  her  niece  had  taken  ill .  her  sister  who  had  called  her  a  bitch  and  a  liar  only  nights  before  wouldn’t  deign  to   stoop  to  her  level . . .  to  clue  her  in .  they  were  finished .  and  yet ,  katherynne  could  not  stand  idly  by  when  a  child  was  in  danger  and  she  had  the  means  to  help .  she  offered  her  apologies  to  tristan (  something  she  found  to  be  more  genuine  than  she  expected  )  and  made  her  way  toward  cassandra’s  rooms  with  her  kit  in  tow . 

she  knocks  once ,  waits  to  be  allowed  entry ,  and  slips  inside .  preemptively ,  she  holds  a  finger  out  in  warning  .  she  assumes  a  position  of  authority , her  voice  no  more  than  a  whisper  as  to  keep  marya  calm.  “  the  nearest  maester  is  a  half  day’s  ride  away ,  at  castle  cerwyn .  and  with  very  limited  ravens ,  it  will take  longer .  you  can  turn  my  help  away ,  and  watch  her  suffer . or  you  can  allow  me  to  do  what  i  know  how  to  do .”

in  this ,  there  should  be  no  choice ,  and  she  moves  closer .  she  kneels  at  the  girl’s  bedside  a  gentle  smile  touching  her  lips. “  hello ,  beautiful  girl .  your  name  is  marya ,  yes ?  mine  is  katherynne .  my ,   you  look  so  like  your  mother . i  imagine  you  have  her  fighting  spirit ,  too .  i  must  ask  you  to  use  as  much  of  that  spirit  as  you  can  now  ,  my  dear .  i  trust  your  mother  is  using  hers  ,  too .  and  together  we’ll  make  you  well  again .”  tentatively ,  she  reaches  out  to  touch  marya’s  arm ,  before  casting  a  wayward  glance  at  her  sister.   “ cass ,  i  need  you  to  move ,  please .  you  may  sit  at  the  edge  of  the  bed ,  but  she  needs  space .”

katherynne  puts  the  back  of  her  hand  to  marya’s  head  and  nods ,  and  begins  to  immediately  pull  back  layers  of  fur  and  blanket. they  need  to  cool  the  child ,  not  keep  her  warm  before  any  next  steps  can  be  taken. reaching  into  her  kit ,  she  grabs  sections  of  cloth  before  rising  to  stand  and  pouring  water  into  a  bowl.  she  is  careful  to  avoid  cassandra’s  gaze.  there  is  very  little  she  wants  to  say  to  her  sister.  she  dips  the  cloth  into  the  basin,  before bringing  the  entire  basin  to  the  bedside. “  this  might  be  quite  chilly  my  darling ,  which  is  why  i’ve  brought  you  this. . .”  from  around  her  shoulders  she  removes  her  shawl ,  and  places  it  delicately  in  marya’s  small hands. “  this  shawl  is  magic,  you  see. it  has  made  me  braver  for  many  years.  you  need  only  touch  the  flowers  and  remind yourself  of  how  brave  you  can  be,  and  the  shawl  does  the  rest.”  again,  kat  smiles  reassuringly  at  the  child,  before  placing  the  makeshift  compresses  on her  arms ,  forehead ,  and  across her clavicle  and  legs. 

                         “  the  fever’s  only  part  of  it . . .”  she  starts ,  whispering  to  cassandra “  when  did  the  cough  begin ?”

[14sorrow24joy34agirl44aboy]

Eldest daughters be like: at this point I don't know exactly who am I protecting and from what. I just feel a crushing sense of responsibility

[stormlanded]

 stormxblooded​: 

He thought it would be more difficult. Affection does not come easily to Tristan, and in the rare instances where it has been shown to him, he accepted it only fleetingly before running a mile. Perhaps it was because of the knowledge that none of this was real. It was a means to an end for Katherynne, and though he wasn’t adverse to it - it had been his suggestion, after all - he still marvelled at the easy familiarity he found himself falling into with her. It was like sinking into a warm bed, soft and comforting in a way that he could not explain. 

“Is that so?” He glances over his shoulder, a disproving eyebrow raised in the direction of the still-tittering gaggle in their wake. “Is it wrong of me to be glad they lost their wagers?” he muses aloud. He isn’t a wrathful man, but in him stirs a primal protectiveness that he feels for her, an instinct that has been there since their first meeting. The phantom of smarting knuckles from his altercation with Lord Royce tingles in his hand, and he turns his head, away from them, away from everyone who didn’t matter, to focus on the sole person who did. 

He shakes his head, lips twisting into a wry sort of smile. He knows that she has been the topic of malicious gossip and lies - but so as he, and that, he thinks, she has overlooked. “Only a year? You will have to do better than that,” he teases. His spare hand crosses over his midriff, fingers splaying gently about her waist, the gesture punctuated with a gentle, playful squeeze, and then his touch is withdrawn as fast as it is offered. “I, myself, have been the topic of scandal for over a decade now. We shall be a spectacle together.” He ruminates on her words for a moment - he has had many potential brides, but he isn’t sure how many of them have been happy about it. “You’re doing marvellously, you know. I don’t think there is anything to worry about. 

He has had little time to pay heed to what has been going on in Winterfell. A part of him, the cynical pessimist that dwelled deep within, hadn’t been surprised by the news, as heartless as that seemed to be. He has long felt like there’s been something brewing, and perhaps this has simply been a catalyst that sparks a war. He hopes it will not come to that, but he knows better than to voice that hope out loud - and would be less than shocked to see it dashed. “Then we are a distraction, I suppose. Even in times like this, the gossip mill still churns.” He ceases to walk, moving to face her. “I do not care what people may say of me. I gave up thinking about such things long ago. People may say what they like, and my life will go on as it always has.”

                EASY  CONVERSATION  COMES  WITH  VERY  FEW  outside  of  her  direct  family .  katherynne  has  always  known  this  about  herself .  she  finds  it  difficult  to  go  out  on  that  limb  for  just  anyone .  but  with  tristan ,  words  fall  where  they  may  &  where  they  should .  step  falls  into  step ,  and  the  world  does  not  feel  so  unconquerable. with  each  step ,  she  worries  she  has  made  a  mistake ,  by  setting  her  heart  up  for  its  breaking .  with  each  step ,  she asks  herself  what  alternative  existed  ?

           ❛ CERTAINLY  NOT ! ❜  she  laughs ,  withholding  no  mirth  for  the  sake  of  propriety .  ❛ i  would  be  more   offended  if  you  mourned  their  losses . ❜  she  could  not  stomach  the  idea  that  tristan  saw  her  in  the  way  that  most  men  did ,  as  some  pretty ,  pitiable  thing  in need  of  saving  or  scolding .  suddenly ,  his  reputation  is  brought  into  light ,  she  prepares  for  the  long  explanation  - -  the  list  of  his  rakeish  behavior .  she  does  not  prepare  for  the  hands  that  splay  and  squeeze  against her waist.  she focuses  a fraction  of  a  second  too  long  on  the  sensation ,  rather  than  the  jolting  shock  of  his  flexing  fingers . 

  ❛ tristan! ❜  she giggles , another  peal  of  laughter  punctuates the air ,  sending the darting glances of promenading couples their way. immediately, she flushes, bobbing her head in apology, before sending a blazing glare in her ‘fiancé’s’ direction   ❛ you did that on purpose .  fine .  if  i’ve  nine  years  of  scandal  to  catch  up  on ,  you’d  best  prepare  yourself ,  ser . ❜

he  ceases  to  walk ,  and  they  are  faced  with  the  grim  realities  of  their  world  for  a  moment .  she  finds  comfort  in  the  familiarity  of  his  face ,  growing  more  familiar  every  day.  she  thinks ,  she  is  not  sure  what  she  will  do  every  day  without  that  brooding  face  to  try  and  decipher .  katherynne  allows  instinct  to  guide  her ,  placing  her  fingertips  on  his  forearms  as  they  speak ,  an  unexpected  lump  rising  in  her  throat .    ❛ and  what  of  me ,  lord  vance ?  do  you  care  what  i  say  of  you  ?  for  the  truth  is ,  i  think  you  want  me  to  think  you  a  rake - -  or  to  retract  sentiments  that  you  are  good.  when i  simply  do  not  and  i  cannot .  ❜

[stormlanded]

vincitomnic​ ( kassandre )

       THE  PLEASANT  SMILE  ON  kassandre’s  face  has  yet  to  falter,  despite  the  warring  emotions  plaguing  her  conscious.  she  had  heard  of  lady  katherynne  baratheon,  of  course.  had  someone  not,  they  likely  had  been  living  under  a  boulder.  one  could  not  help  but  to  wander  which  pieces  were  true,  &  which  were  the  malicious,  sharp  tongued  gossip  that  swirled  through  the  courts,  only  good  for  giggling  about  the  misfortune  of  others.  the  idea  did  nothing  to  draw  back  her  ire.

“  flowers  bloom  in  the  most  wonderous  of  places,  including  in  frigid  temperatures.  they  are  much  more  resilient  than  people  give  them  credit  for. ”  perhaps  lady  baratheon  was  as  well.  “  i  wished  to  give  you  congratulations  on  your  engagement, and  to  offer  advice  of  sorts  if  you  will  allow  it. ”

                       SHE  IS  STILL  BAFFLED  BY  HOW  QUICKLY  NEWS  had  traveled  of  her  engagement.  she  had  not  expected  it  to  be  of  much  interest ,  and  yet  it  seemed  to  draw  her  into  an  unusual  light . she  is  not  sure  whose  reputation  she  can  attribute  to  the  attention ,  but  she  supposes  it  does  not  matter .  katherynne  smiles  politely  at  the  lady’s  comment ,  before  her  brow  furrows  slightly  at  the  suggestion  of  advice ,

           “  advice ,  my  lady  ?  surely ,  i  am  sorely  in  need  of  it .   have  i  made  a   blunder  already  ? ”

[stormlanded]

 stormxblooded​:

Cassandra hums, her doubt written on her face. She had been loved by Katherynne, once. That much she knew. Her sisters, her brothers, even her father she thought had once cared for her, but years and distance had numbed her to all of that. When it hurt to think of something, Cassandra responds by banishing it from her mind, isolating her heart from it entirely, and that was what she had done with Katherynne. If this entire thing wasn’t so damned awkward to begin with, it might have been easier to believe her, but it is, and she doesn’t. 

As expected, Katherynne doesn’t understand. She never would, and this is what cements Cassandra’s opinion, what makes it clear that she never should have come here in the first place. She wants to clap her hands over her ears, to run from the room and far away from this dreadful conversation, and she can no longer remember why she thought it was a good idea in the first place. Perhaps she thought that Katherynne would be the easier sibling to make things right with, but if that had been her intention, she has screwed it up - as she does with everything, as she always has. But there is no running, and so she grits her teeth, and sticks out her chin in defiance, and shows her horns. 

“The name is enough. It is more than they have,” she points out. It is the source of her greatest failing, that she has brought beautiful, perfect children into the world, and yet she cannot provide them with the countless opportunities that they deserve, that every other child born to her siblings will likely know. “If you do not get it, I will not waste time explaining it to you. I do not owe you anything, Katherynne, and I’ll be damned if you make me feel guilty for raising my children as I see fit.” 

She’d heard rumours of her sister’s fertility, but it was different hearing them from Katherynne’s own mouth. She felt a pang of guilt, but it was too late now to lay down her weapons, so instead, she stays silent, drawing further away, closer to the door, closer to fleeing. “I shouldn’t have come,” is all she says, head shaking vigorously, hair flying madly. “This was… it was stupid.” She is about to leave, but Katherynne’s later comment bristles at her, keeping her rooted to the spot. “Baffling?” she spits, eyes narrowing darkly. “You’re a bitch, Katherynne.” Her words rang clear in the room, echoing in the quiet of the night. “For the last seven years, I’ve been learning to run a household, I’ve been pregnant, or giving birth, or taking csre of a baby, all with at least one other child on my hip. I have been a mother and a teacher and a nurse maid and a steward all in one. Where, in all of that, am I supposed to have found the time to flee up to Runestone? And on what logic do you base the fact I should have seen you? I am not a mind reader or a woods witch. I cannot know what you never said.” 

                          SOMETHING  SHATTERS  WITHIN  HER  THE  MOMENT  THE  WORD -  vile ,  foul  ,  hateful  as  it  is  comes  tumbling  out  of  cassandra’s  mouth .  how  many  times  has  she  heard  if  before ? immediately ,  a  dam  breaks .  her  eyes  go  blank  as  she  is  swept  back  .  the  word  had  been  something  of  a  pet  name  to  moryn  royce .  he  called  her  it  so  very  often ,  that  she  had  started  to  believe  it .  the  word  that  made  her  feel  small ,  and  unkind ,  and  unfit .  and  here ,  it  falls  so  easily  from  the  tongue  of  her  sister . 

                        ❛  i  see .  . .   ❜ a  tear  slips  down  her  cheek , blank  expression  averting  that  of  cassandra’s . ❛  that  is  not  the  first  i’ve  been  called  such ,  but  it  will be  the  last  that  i  stand  for  it .  if  you  hold  me  in  such  an  ill -  regard ,  then  we’ve  nothing  further  to  speak  of ,  do  we ?    ❜  her  whole  frame  trembles ,  fighting  a  silent  battle  not  to  slip  into  the  abyss  of  memory ,  but  the  echoes  are  dizzying . she  does  not  want  to  go  back  to  runestone .  she  cannot .  it  is  that  secret ,  locked  away  place .  it  is  where  the  memories  go  to  hide  until  they  cannot  anymore ,  and  cassandra  has  triggered  a  flood  of  them . how  was  she  to  know ?  ❛  i  see .  . .   ❜ a  tear  slips  down  her  cheek , blank  expression  averting  that  of  cassandra’s . it  as  if  everything  in  her  has  flattened ,  a  detached  monotone   replacing  her  typical  lilt.  ❛  i’ll  attempt  to  be  brief ,  as  i  feel  one  of  my  moods  settling .  ❜ 

               ❛ for  the  last  seven  years  i  have  made  every  attempt  to  be  your  sister .   to  help  you  with  whatever  you  would  let  me .  to  be  as  close  as  you  were  comfortable .  because  i  loved  you  so  terribly  much.  because . . . because i did  not  stop being  your  sister  when  you  stopped  considering me  yours .  ❜  her  breath  hitches , and  she  feels  the  familiar  seize  of  panic  in  her  throat . 

       ❛ and  for  nearly  five  of  those  last  seven ,  i  have  sustained  the  cruelty  of  a  man  incapable  of  love .  i  have  been  slandered ,  mistreated ,  and  kept  away . for  nearly  five  years  i  lived  through  horrors  that  i  will  not  deign  to  share  with  someone  who  regards  me as  a  stranger  as  you  have  just  made  yourself .  i  do  not  mean  to  compare  our  struggles ,  but  cassandra  you  have  made  a  point  to  know  very  little  of  mine.  i  did  not  say  because  i  could  not  say .  i  wrote  to  you - -  i  asked  only  that  you  come.  i  told  you  i  needed  you - . . . that  should  have  been  enough .  to  even  acknowledge  me  would  be  enough . i -❜   the  words  are  lost  to  her ,  she  knows  what  is  coming  next .  BREATHE .  BREATHE . BREATHE .  she  finds  a  grounding  touch  in  the  embroidered  flowers  of  her  shawl ,  remembering  the  steps  of  labor  it  took  to  produce  them .  the  thread ,  the  needle ,  in  an  endless  loop .  she  cannot  go  back  to  RUNESTONE .  she  WILL not  allow  herself  to  return  to  invisibility. 

                       ❛ you  are  in  winterfell .  you  are  safe .  and  moryn  royce  is  dead .  ❜ 

                                               A  BREATH ,  A  TAP  ON  A  GOLDEN  FLOWER  .  REPEAT. 

                      ❛ you  are  in  winterfell .  you  are  safe .  and  moryn  royce  is  dead . ❜

[stormlanded]

oftyrells​:​

                    Marina’s eyes light up like a candle in darkness when she saw her sister was the one behind that door, a genuinely warm smile spread across her rose colored lips, the kind she reserve for only her siblings and her children for they were the only ones that made her life better. Even in the cloudiest days. While Katherine and Marina had not been the closest growing up, they both found friendship and solace in one another once the most evil of factors had been gone. Their parents. Once both girls had been traded like cattle to their respective husbands they had gained a certain autonomy that allowed them to realize they only had one another, and how blessed Marina had been the day she finally realized there was no better friend, confidant or care taker than her older sister. 

                    “Out like a flame on a rainy day,” She whispered as she covered her oldest daughter with the tick fur, making sure she was warm for the night before gently kissing her forehead and standing up from the bed with small difficulty. “Oh thank the gods for your wiseness in this, if it not for you they know I would spend half of this pregnancies cursing the heavens in pain and discomfort.” She chuckled as she walked closer to her sister, a habit of them to sit on the hearth like two little girls ready to braid each others hair and tell each other the latest gossip.

                     With one hand on her belly and the other on her sisters delicate one she found a spot next to her and the warmth of the fire, if it had been raining outside it had been home for them. “I am quite exhausted, five children and a difficult marriage is easier to handle in the comfort of ones home, here it seems much harder than I ever imagined it to be. But its nice to have you here, near me at all times, I suppose its a small price to pay for the small luxuries in life.” 

                       SHE  HAD  FOUND  A  RARE  &  TRUE  BLESSING  in  marina’s  company  in  the  recent  years .  they  both  had  discovered  something  in  each  other  that  was   precious - -  something  that  they  needed . while  theoden  understood  her  very  thought ,  her  very  heartbeat ,  it  was  marina  who  understood  what  it  was  to  be  in  a  woman  where  being  a  woman  was  an  inconvenience  rather  than  an  asset . she  watched  marina’s  children  grow  with  a  fondness  so  intense ,  it  was  if  they  were  her  own .  with  it ,  she  saw  marina  grow - -  watched  her  blossom  into  a  mother .  their  friendship was  a  gift that  is  not  lost  on  her ,  not  when  one  sister  already  seems  to  revoke her  existence . 

          ❛ yes ,  well  when  one  spends  the  better  part  of  four  years  locked  away ,  one  learns  a  thing  or  two  about  healing .    ❜  it  was  true .  she  had  a  natural  affinity  for  healing ,  ever  since  her  childhood  illness had  required  a  plethora  of  maester’s  remedies .  her  time  in  solitude  only  allowed  her  curiosity  to  flourish .  no  wonder  they  royce’s  thought  her  a  murderess ,  what  with  the  herbs  &  plants  she  kept  in  her  own private  rooms. the  sad  comment  leaves  her  lips  with  a  light  laugh ,  and  once  marina  is  settled  by  the  hearth ,  katherynne  rises  again . 

       first ,  she  gathers  a  shawl  folded  over  the  back  of  a  chair  and  wraps  it  around  her  sister’s  shoulders ,  before  personally  delivering  her  the  tea  and  re-settling  beside  her . she  takes  marina’s  hand  into  both  of  her  own .   ❛ you  are  so  very  strong ,  ‘rina .   ❜  she  muses ,  ❛ but  it  will  not  take  a  coronation  to  keep  me  near  you .  i’ll  be  present  for  the  birth ,  just  as  i  was  before . and  all  will be  well .  ❜  it  feels  like  a  promise  almost  too big  for  her  to  keep ,  but  it  is  always  katherynne’s  duty  to  protect  her  siblings ,  and  she  knows   too  well of  marina’s  fear . tucking  her  knees  up  close  to  her  chest ,  she  peers  at  her  sister .   ❛ are  things  with  tomas  really  so  troubled ,  my  darling  ?  can  nothing  be  done ?  ❜

[stormlanded]

armoredspirit​ (  graceyn ) 

TIMESTAMP :    late  afternoon ,  in  the  days  following  the  coronation .     LOCATION :   winterfell ,  a  sitting  room  .       TAGGING :   @stormlanded .

the  lady  of  one  of  the  great  houses  and  her ,   the    sea  witch     —    the  alleged  murderess  and  pirate ,    what  an  unlikely  pair .   yet ,  they  had  one  title  in  common ,  and  that  seemed  to  be  enough  for  the  two  women  to  understand  the  other  in  a  way  others  did  not .  two  widows   (   be  sure  to  read  that  word  with   contempt ,   for  they  are  not   any   widows ,  these  are  widows  who  have  been  accused   )   sit  by  a  fire  in  winterfell ,  a  place  far  from  home  for  both .  graceyn  and  katherynne  had  not  crossed  paths  many  times ,  but  there  was  something  kindred  about  them  despite  this .

‘   i’m  unsure  why  i  even  came ,  if  i’m  honest ,  katherynne ,   ’   graceyn  tells  her ,  shaking  her  head .  had  she  had  any  more  sighs ,  of  frustration  or  otherwise ,  to  give  one  might  slip  from  her  lips  now ,  but  those  were  spent  many  times  over  by  this  point  in  her  stay  in  the  north .  normally  mainland  politics  don’t  enter  her  thoughts ,  but  proximity  of  many  varieties  makes  her  uncomfortable  now ,  anxious  even   —  though  she’d  be  loathed  to  admit  it .  the  fact  that  it  had  be  poison  not  the  least  of  her  worries .   so - called   women’s  weapon ;    by  this  point  in  her  life ,  she  preferred  a  blade ,  but  truth  is  not  a  thing  gossips  have  any  time  for .

‘  what’s  the  first  thing  you’ll  do  when  you  leave ?  ’   she  asks ,  glancing  conspiratorially  at  the  lady  baratheon .   ‘  tell  me  it  is  something  exciting ,  my  dear .  you  deserve  it .  ’  

                  A  MORE  UNLIKELY  FRIENDSHIP  ONE  WOULD  BE  HARD - PRESSED  to  find .  graceyn  borrell  and  katherynne  baratheon  had  very  little  in  common ,  beyond  stories  that  bound  them  together . husbands  who  had  wronged  them  -  morphed  them  into things  to  be  marveled  at ,  gossiped  about .  widows  &  witches ,  it  seemed ,  could  be  synonymous .  while  they  were  women  of  differing  lifestyles ,  katherynne  found  comfort  in  grace’s  company . it  was  a  rare  thing  for  her  to  be  seen  clearly ,  and  the  lady  borrell  did  just  that .  to  be  seen  was  a  rare  &  precious  thing . 

katherynne  turns  her  hands  over ,  allowing  the  warmth  of  the  fire  to  try  to  chip  at  the  permanent  chill  in  her  bones . grace  speaks ,  and  katherynne  tilts  her  head  thoughtfully .  ‘ well , i  am  all  the  better  that  you  did.  we  can  split  the  gossip  this  way.’  katherynne  grins ,  eyebrows  lifting lightheartedly.  ‘  or  prove  to  them  that  we  are  stronger  than  the  clucking  of  hens.’

      the  question  startles  her ,  for  she  realizes  that  her  answer  has  only  just  changed . she  attempts  a  smile ,  remembering  that  she  was  a  woman  in  love . ‘ i’m  to  marry ,  in  fact.’  she  starts ,  bracing  for  graceyn’s  reply. ‘  in  some  time ,  that  is . unusual , i  know .’

[stormlanded]

                  THE  TRIP  TO  MARINA’S  CHAMBERS  HAD  BECOME  A  FAMILIAR  journey  during  her  time  at  winterfell .  nearly  every  night  katherynne  made  herself  something  of  a  guest ,  wishing  the  children  good  night  &  staying  up  chatting  with  marina . it  brought  her  heart  joy  to  see  her  dear  sister ,  and  to  assist  with  a  hoarde  of  beautiful  boys  &  girls that  created  a  small  army  of  tyrells .   the  years  recent  had  brought  the   two  together .  created  an  inseparable  bond .  marina  was  her  truest  confidante  &  truest  friend .  despite  the  circumstances ,  this  precious  time  was  a  blessing.  

she opens  the  door  as  best  as  she’s  able  ,  balancing  a  cup  and  saucer  in  her  hand .    ❛ are  they  asleep ?   ❜  she  whispers ,  knowing  that  the  smallest  noise  could  disrupt  a  carefully  constructed bed  time  routine .  once  the  coast  is  clear ,  she  sets  down  a  saucer  on  a  table .   ❛ drink  this ,  my  dove .  i  brewed  it  myself .  it  should  ease  any  discomfort  you’re  feeling ,  and  settle  the  baby .   ❜    so  invested  kat  had  become  in  one  day  having  a  child  of  her  own ,  she  studied  all sorts  of  remedies  for  pregnancy .  through  marina’s,  she  had  become  something  of  an  expert ,  and  had  no  use  for  herself . 

     she  smiles  gently ,  tucking  herself  up  before  the  hearth, holding  an  arm  out  to  help  marina  lower  to  the  ground  with  her.   ❛then ,   you  will tell me  everything  you  are  thinking  &  feeling . ❜

@oftyrells​

[stormlanded]

            ( how   can   one   let   go  of  someone  who  has  seen  you  in  the  depths  of                 your  greatest  despair  and  still manage  to  see you  for  who  you  are ?  )

[goulds]

happy birthday, @corruptedandforsaken ♡

[stormlanded]

stormxblooded​ ( tristan ) ​

Tristan wasn’t used to such attentions on him. Even when causing scandal throughout the realm, people tended to leave him alone, and he liked it that way. Since the news of the engagement broke, though, everybody seemed to have forgotten the unspoken arrangement where they left him alone, to brood upon his own thoughts as he pleased. It was maddening, in truth. But he didn’t regret his decision to offer his help to Katherynne. If there was anybody he would bear this for, it would be her. 

Lord Baratheon had been remarkably easy to win over to his side - in fact, he seemed all too determined to put Tristan off of his daughter. He had made it abundantly clear there was little in this match that would be to Tristan’s benefit, and Tristan had made it just as clear that he didn’t care. Katherynne’s happiness was enough for him, and though the Lord had looked upon his with doubtful eyes. he had granted his assent. As false as the engagement was, though, there was truth to what Tristan had said. He would do anything to see her smiling, and nothing she asked of him would ever go ungranted. 

As he approached her, it was clear Katherynne hadn’t escaped the interest in their match. Tristan wasn’t sure it was anybody else’s business, but he supposed it was understandable. They were both in possession of woeful reputations when it came to matters of marriage, after all. Perhaps they were simply waiting for the penny to drop, for things to fall apart, as they so often did for Tristan. Still, he would allow them no ammunition until he had delivered Katherynne safely into the arms of somebody she loved, who loved her as she deserved to be. He had, however briefly, wondered if he could be that man, but it was a fruitless daydream. She was worthy of far more than the likes of Tristan Vance. 

“Might I steal you for a moment, my lady?” he spoke upon approaching the gaggle of women, ignoring all of them but her, his eyes meeting hers and a glimmer of a smile flitting across his face. Her hand reaches for him, and he takes it without hesitation, tucking it tenderly in the crook of his arm. It is not a difficult as he anticipated to act this way with her - perhaps it wasn’t an act at all. It wasn’t a revelation Tristan was quite ready to face, not yet, not when  he knew none of this would ever truly come to pass. 

“My sincerest apologies,” he counters, though it is clear by the twinkle in his eye that he is not sorry at all. “I found myself accosted by a pack of Stormlander knights offering their congratulations, and thought it would be more prudent to allow them to offer it.” He cast his eyes over her, something akin to concern on his face. “I hope that it has not been too overwhelming for you. I have to admit that I did not expect our news to be such a exciting prospect. Not with everything else going on at the moment.” 

           SHE  MARVELS  AT  THE  WAY  HER  HAND  is  so  delicately  placed  in  the  crook of  his  arm .  she  has  to  control  the  look  of  surprise  that  paints  her  features ,  as  the  ‘future  lady  vance’  should  be  quite  used  to  such  tender  gestures.  especially  after  such  a  ‘secret & romantic’  courtship.  but  this  is  tristan ,  tristan  her  dear ,  albeit  unusually  found friend - -  tristan  with  a  rakish ,  even  withdrawn reputation.  it is  tristan ,  who  has  always  seen  her  for  exactly  what  she  is ,  and  never  asked  for  anything  else .  and  it  is  with  tristan ,  she  reminds  herself ,  that  she  must  maintain  a  pretense .  it  is  simply  that . it  must  remain  only  that . for  she  will  not  lose  him  over  feelings  she  is  sure  she  can  stifle . she  spent  four  years  pretending  she  could  endure  another  day  in  runestone .  she  can ,  and  WILL do  anything .

her  brow  quirks  as  he  makes  his  explanation  the  finger  of  her  free hand  tapping  gently  on  her  chin ,  as  if  she  is  trying  to  decide  whether  or  not  his  apology will be  accepted .   ❛ truthfully ,  you’d  be  better  off  ignoring  them .  they’ve  been  betting  on  me  for  months .  i  do  not  think  they  were  offering  their  congratulations ,  so  much  as  discerning  how  much copper  &  silver  they  had  won  or  lost . ❜  it’s  surprising ,  but  her  misfortune  elicits  a  beaming  smile  and  bright  laughter ,  and  she  covers  her  mouth  with  her  gloved  hand .  ❛ i  think  our  arrangement  may  have  done  a  number  on  their  pockets .  ❜ 

  katherynne  watches  tristan’s  countenance  change ,  and  her  smile  falters.  she  cannot  help  but  wonder  if  she  is  doing  him  a  disservice .  as  much  as  he  deserves  his  space  &  freedom ,  both  provided  by  the  engagement ,  she  wonders  if  she  is  depriving  him  of  a  possible  happiness.  she  worries  that  his  commitment  to  her  will  somehow  prevent  him  from  a  life   that  he  deserves . she  knows  his  care  &  protection  for  her  will not  allow  him  to  break  his  word .  she  expects a  statement  of  regret ,  and  finds ,  instead ,  words  of  concern  for  her  wellbeing .  another  lord  and  lady  pass them ,  and  instinct  prompts  her  to  press her  other  hand  against  his  upper  arm ,  as  if  the  ruse  would  be  ruined  if  she  did not . ❛   you  forget  i’ve  been  a  public  spectacle  for  nearly  a  year  now .  this  attention  is  different , but  certainly  not  unusual .  my  only  struggle  is  knowing  what  a  happy  future  bride  is  supposed  to  look  like ,  or  how  i  am  meant  to  act.  ❜   

his  next  comment  elicits  another ,  perhaps  inappropriate  laugh . ❛ after  all  that  has  transpired ,  perhaps  a  simple  engagement  is   a  sort  of  relief . it’s  easier  to  forget  that  our  kingdoms  are  in  peril  when  a  bachelor  has  chosen  to  make  a  murderess  and  witch  his  bride .  ❜ she  looks  over  to  him  with  a  similar  concern . ❛ and  you ?  i  do  know  you  adore  being  the  very  center  of  attention  &  gossip .  ❜  she  nudges  him  gently ,  a  knowing  ,  impish  grin  spreading  across her lips. 

[wishfulromancing]

[stormlanded]

              WORD  TRAVELS  FAST  IN  WESTEROS .  this  much ,  katherynne  knows .  what  she  did  not  expect ,  however ,  was  how  the  more  pressing  matters  at  winterfell did  not  deter  lords  &  ladies  from  their  whisperings . it  was  public  knowledge ,  now - -  to  the  masses ,  at  least . katherynne  baratheon  was  to  be  ‘lady  vance . ’   her  father  had  not  been  a  difficult  sell.  with  marina  he  had  the  support  of  the  tyrells ,  with  theoden  he  had  an  heir ( and  katherynne  did  not  have  to  leave  his  side  )  ,  and  with  anthony ,  he  had  another  chance  at  a  high  profile  arrangement .  it  was  kat ,  ‘kitty’  who  had  been  the  odd  one  out ,  the  black  sheep ,  the  ruined  woman . lord  baratheon  had  made  it  abundantly  clear  to  tristan  that  he  would  not  receive  much  from  the  union , but  dowries  &  alliances  are  of  little  consequence  when  the  engagement  itself  is  all  a  farce .  ‘  it’s  a  wonder  anyone  wants  you  at  all  after  the  splash  you  made  the  first  time  ‘round ,  kitty .’ 

she  does  not  know  how  she  has  found  herself  surrounded  by  a  gaggle  of  ladies ,  all  giving  pretend  congratulations .  she  knows  what  they  want .   they  want  a  closer  look  at  the  witch  of  runestone . they  want  a  better  look  at  the  woman  from  the  towers  of  house  royce ,  kept  away  for  her  wellbeing . ‘  lady  katherynne ,  the  news  was  unexpected  to  say  the  least !  how  pleased  i  am  to  hear  it. ‘  whispers  one ,  taking  her  hands  into  her  own . katherynne  steels  herself ,  allowing  the  words  to  roll off of  her  back .  she’s  heard  them  too  many  times  before ‘ after  lord  royce’s  mysterious  death ,  you  seemed  to  have  vanished .  but  you  glow  now ,  truly .  it  must  be  the  new  love. ‘  says  another. gifted  as  she  is at  playing  the  game ,  she  feels  her  veneer  begin  to  crack .  thankfully ,  her  rescue  is  in  sight.  a  gentle (  some  might  even  say  doting  )  smile  touches  her  lips . ❛ ladies ,  i  must  beg  your  pardon .  it  seems  the  gentleman  of  the  hour  requires  me .   ❜  with  a  turn  and  a  swish  of  her  skirts , she  leaves  the  hens  to  their  clucking. 

            ‘  i  heard  she  tried  to  attack  lord  moryn . ‘  one  whispers ,              ‘  how  long ,  do  you  think ,  before  she  kills  this  one ,  too ?’

it  is  time ,  now ,  to  play  the  part  of  the  enamored  woman ,  in  the  bloom  of  new  love .  truthfully ,  it’s  easier  than  it  seems ,  as  the  mere  sight  of  tristan  sends  her  heart  racing , and  colors  her  cheeks  .  she  approaches  him  rather  quickly ,  extending  a  hand  (  she’s  not  entirely  sure  if  this  is  what  she’s  meant  to  do ,  but  it  feels  a  logical  step.  )  ‘ my  lord. ‘ she  states  audibly ,  enough  for  the  gaggle  of  ladies  to  turn  their  heads.  then , she  ducks  her  head  closer  to  his . ❛ you’re  late .  devoted  men  do  not  let  their  future  wives  be  fed  to  the  wolves.  ❜  the  comment  is  accompanied  by  the  slightest  wrinkle  of  her  nose ,  indicating  that  it  is  in  jest  only . 

@stormxblooded​

[stormlanded]

stormxblooded​:

Cassandra doesn’t miss how Katherynne doesn’t answer the question, but all of a sudden, she wishes she never came at all. In her younger days, she had been a true Stormlander, a tempest of a person unafraid to speak her mind. When confronted with the consequences of her own actions, though, she wanted nothing more than to bury her head in the sand. How could she begin to apologise when the source of the rift between the two was born from chasing her own happiness? There are things that Cass wishes could be different, ways she wishes she could have done more - but she couldn’t, and she hasn’t. 

Teeth come down to close over her lip. The fact Katherynne and Theoden had each other should have been a comfort- but Katherynne’s words hit her more like an accusation. In that moment, Cassandra’s eyes narrow a fraction, the look upon her face darkening slightly, but she does not immediately react with the fury stirring within her, that familiar Baratheon temper beginning to rear its head. “I’m happy for you both,” she managed to keep her voice even, her face as impassive as it could be.

Katherynne’s own congratulations, if you could call them that, feel hollow. Perhaps this is because of the tears welling in her eyes as she speaks them, and that sets Cassandra on edge. She lifts her chin, a look of defiance she hasn’t worn since she was a much younger woman. “Are you?” She questions, dark boring into Katherynne’s lighter ones. Suddenly, the room is stifling, and Cassandra tugs the shawl from around her own shoulders, folding it carelessly and tossing it onto the chair by the side of the fire. 

And then it comes - the truth of Katherynne’s hurt comes tumbling from her lips, and Cassandra can barely stand it. Her lips thin, mouth suddenly dry as she contemplates her next words. But then, Katherynne deserves the truth, no matter how much it shames Cassandra to admit it. “No.” Her voice is a little more than a whisper, and she has the grace to cast her gaze downwards to the floor. “Is that what you want to hear? They do not know anything about you, and that is my choice.” And then there was the question of why. Cassandra didn’t know how to explain to her sister how it felt to hold your own child in your arms, knowing that you cannot give them what you had once had yourself. 

“You’re still a Baratheon.” She shrugged her now-bare shoulders, resisting the urge to shiver despite the gooseflesh appearing there. “I am not ready for my children to know that they could have had more than they do. They are too young to feel like they are less than Marina’s children, or Theoden’s, or even yours or Anthony’s. If you don’t understand that, I cannot help you.” 

           ❛ OF  COURSE  I’M  HAPPY  FOR  YOU , CASSANDRA .   ❜  the  words  come  out  sharply .  if  anyone  would  understand  a  life  built  on  love  and  family ,  it  was  katherynne .  it  had  been  all  that  she  wanted .  she  was  glad  that  cassandra  had  it .  overjoyed  that  she  had  escaped  a  fate  that  katherynne  had  lived . she  would  not  have  fought  as  hard  to  be  a  part  of  her  sister’s  life  if  that  were  not  the  case .  cassandra  ,  marina ,  theoden - -  they  had  all  been  hers  to  protect .how  could  she  ever  possibly  be  remorseful  that  she  had  done  her  job ,  that  she  had  protected  cassandra  until  a  beautiful  life  came  calling . 

she  feels  the  hollow  darkness settle  within  her  once  more ,  feels  a  hitch  in  her  throat .  the  inevitable  panic  is  coming , and  then  cassandra  says  it.  NO .  katherynne  merely  nods ,  as  if  she  expected  as  much .  she  wonders  what  has  become  of  the  gifts  she  sends  to  cassandra’s  home -  to  the  letters  that  specifically request  that  love  be  given  to  the  children  from   aunt  kat . but  this  is  cassandra -  this  is  the  sister  who  has  not  failed  to  surprise  or  hurt  her  for  years .  she  expects  nothing  less .  ❛  very  well ,  then .   ❜

the  tears  do  not  stop ,  but  they  become  more  furious ,  angrier ,  the  longer  cassandra  speaks .  ❛  i’m  still a  baratheon ?   ❜  she  asks ,  her  mouth  hanging  agape .    ❛  i  stopped  being  anything  when  father  sent  me  away .  i  became  nothing ,  and  i  returned  broken .  father  does  not  claim  me ,  nor  i  him .  in  name ,  only  am  i  a  baratheon .   ❜  she  shakes  her  head ,  jaw  setting  into  a  tight  line . ❛  you  think   i  would  walk  into  your  home  and  remind  your  children  that  they  are  not  the  part  of  a  great  house  ?  one  that  runs  on  anger  &  resentment ?  you  think  i  would  compare  them  to  my  own  children ?  cassandra ,  i  have  no  children  to  speak  of.  i  will have  no  children  to  speak  of .  ❜   her  heart  breaks .  it’s  the  first  that  she  speaks  it  aloud ,  though  the  truth  of  it  sinks  her  heart  like  an  anchor  every  day.  ❛  i  am  barren .    ❜   a  quiet  sob  escapes  her,  and  she  rushes  to  cover  her  hands  with  her  face ,  petite  frame  curled  into  itself .

❛  you  may  not  be  able  to  help  me  understand .  i  don’t  understand.  your  logic  is. . .baffling .  but  i  will ask  you  this .   did  you  ever  see  that  i  needed  you ?  i wrote ,  and  wrote ,  and  wrote  while  i  was  at  runestone - -  begging   you  would  see  the  truth  of  it  all .  see that  i  was  struggling .    see  me .  it  was  as  if  i  were  screaming,  and  screaming  and  no  one  saw  me . you  should  have  seen  me .  ❜   she  weeps ,  this  time ,  being  swept  back  into  her  darkest  hours . ❛  the  choices  you  make  with  your  children  are  yours  to  make ,  but  what  i  cannot  understand  is  how  i  reached  out  to  you  when  i  needed  you  most ,  and  you  could  simply  turn  me  away.  ❜  she  wipes  at  her  eyes,  sits  up.  ❛  do  not  assume  that  i  live  a  charmed  life  as  a  lady  of  a   great  house .  it’s  laughable.  do  not  assume  to  know  my  life  when  you  have  not  tried .   ❜  

[kathrynhoward]

[stormlanded]

vincitomnic ( lady kassandre ) 

     THE  ANSWERING  SMILE  THAT  kassandre  offers  katherynne  is  practiced  enough  to  no  longer  look  forced,  but  easy  to  spot  as  ingenuine  to  those  who  know  her  well.  katherynne,  of  course,  does  not.  there  is  no  attempt  made  to  soothe  her  fears  as  kassandre  would  have  done  to  another,  though  there  is  nothing  that  the  other  woman  has  done  to  offend  her.  an  unfortunate  bystander  of  kassandre’s  anger,  flickers  of  her  temper  showing  itself  in  the  blank  coldness  of  her  gaze.  “  that  would  be  lovely,  lady  katherynne.  the  roses  have  bloomed  to  be  lovely. ”  saccharine  in  tone,  an  arm  offered  for  her  to  take  with  a  chiming  giggle.  “  certainly  not  unpleasant,  there  is  enough  of  that  around  us.  wouldn’t  you  agree ?  ”  // @stormlanded​  continued  from  here.

                   VERY  FEW  PEOPLE  OF  LITTLE  ACQUAINTANCE  seek  katherynne  out  these  days .  at  best ,  she  is  the  pretty ,  quiet ,  and  ruined  daughter  of  lord  baratheon -  now  widowed  and  unworthy  of  social  effort .  it’s  just  as  well .  she  finds  such  social  endeavours  to  be  exhausting ,  false .  she  takes  the  arm  that  is  offered  to  her ,  and  begins  a  surprisingly  familiar  voyage  to  the  glass  gardens .    ‘ the  roses  are  exquisite --  it’s  strange  to  think  something  so  delicate  can  live  in  a  place  like  this. ’  she  smiles , as  even-tempered  and  placid  as  a  smile  can  be .  she  cannot  make  out  lady  kassandre ,  though  she  assumes  the  lefford  does  not  simply   seek  out  a  new  friend .  ‘ i  would  indeed.  particularly  in  the  days  of  late.  tell me ,  lady  kasandre ,  how  might  i  lend  my  ear  ?’