#arc ii

[captaincatalinasilver]

Ugh I miss the old Bonnie Anne and Ratbeard voice actors so bad :’)

Maybe the new VAs will grow on me.

[thelittleprincesstargaryen]

Visiting the Royal Stables

The Royal Stables, The Red Keep, King’s Landing, 11th day of the 11th moon 129AC

Visenya loved to visit the Royal Stables, even if she did not have a horse of her own. Yet. She had asked for one for her last three name days, and she had been certain her tenth name day would be the day she got a horse of her own. But the day had passed without a horse. Visenya had tried not to be too disappointed, which hadn’t been hard as it had been her tenth name day being sick. She really hoped her one-and-tenth name day would be different, both in terms of her health and in terms of becoming a rider. Maybe her one-and-tenth year would also be the year she would become a dragon rider, Morning was growing fast.  

Her older brothers all had horses and other pets. Visenya had not truly been interested in other pets until she read about songbirds and how they would mimic music played to them. Visenya longed for someone to enjoy her music as much as she did and maybe even inspire her to new music. She had voiced that wish to her parents, along with the wish for a horse. Or a unicorn.

“Viserys?” She called out, having been told her brother was supposed to be down in the stables. She was careful not to startle the horses. Visenya carefully greeted each animal as she walked past them. She paused at the old mare she knew belonged to her uncle-grandsire, a good old lady she had ridden many times in practise. Uncle-grandsire rarely rode, and he had been happy to let Visenya practise. “Rytsas, Embar,” she said tenderly in High Valyrian. Why her uncle-grandsire had a horse names Ocean seemed off, except for the fact that her uncle-grandsire was Corlys Velaryon. “I’ll come back later,” she promised the old mare and ventured further into the stables, heading towards her brothers’ horses. “Vis?”

A starter for @princeviserystargaryen00

[rideroftheredqueen]

Mending Family Ties

Encountering Floris in the library had made Rhaenys realise that her Baratheon cousins were all at The Red Keep. It had been embarrassing not being able to recognize Floris, but it had been years since she had seen her cousin, formative years for the young woman.

Recognizing Maris was somehow easier. The clever storm, wasn’t that how her own mother referred to Maris? It had not been easy to realise just how close her own mother was with her younger cousins when their own relationship was still strained.

“Maris?” Rhaenys called out as she spotted her cousin near the dining hall. “Sorry,” she added as she finally caught up to Maris, now slightly out of breath and rubbing her side. These last few days she had begun to get stitches at the slightest of movement. Calm little hippocamp, please. Muña will remember to move slower, promise.

“I heard Floris and Lady Jocelyn arrived. And that you arrived with Princess Rhaenya. It took me an embarrassing amount of time, to realise that I would have a chance to catch up with all my Baratheon cousins during this royal wedding.” She said with an easy smile. “Though, Floris didn’t seem too pleased to run into me,” she added with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

“Mother – Lady Jocelyn – tells me you’re quite studious? Which languages are you capable of reading? If you don’t mind my curiosity?” Rhaenys asked, she had always loved languages, especially High Valyrian and had been fortunate enough to find a husband who shared her love of languages, though he had never quite mastered High Valyrian. “And I was wondering whether you might share Princess Rhaenya’s fondness of lemon cakes?”

A starter for @thecleverestorm

[lordhusband]

Late for The Queen's Name Day

The Red Keep, King’s Landing, 4th day of the 11th moon 129AC

Corlys had planned and prepared for the journey between Driftmark and King’s Landing. It was by no means an unfamiliar journey for him, nor for The Sea Snake. However, it was not often his princess-wife accompanied him onboard his ships. Rhaenys had never been strong at sea, but this pregnancy seemed to have taken it all from her. Corlys had estimated the journey to take a day, but he had to change course more than once, to reach calmer waters, to ease the journey for his wife. This meant they arrived in the late afternoon two and a half day later than they had expected.

They had missed Rhaenyra’s nameday and by the time they had settled, Rhaenys was exhausted. Corlys tucked her into the bed and kissed her forehead as he rested his hand on her swollen belly. “Better?”

“Better,” she said with a soft smile. “And you should go and see Rhaenyra. And apologize for our tardiness. And give her our present.”

“It can wait till morning, so you can join me,” Corlys said tenderly, pressing his thumb against the spot, where he felt their little hippocamp press back against him. “The journey was harder on you than I expected.”

“I’m fine Corlys. I need rest. Go. Please?”

“Only because you’re begging me.”

“I do not beg, Corlys Velaryon. But I will have you begging for mercy, if you do not comply to my wishes.”

Corlys chuckled and leaned down kissing his wife’s lips before he stood once more. “As my princess wishes.”

“Better.”

Corlys grabbed the parcel Rhaenys had wrapped for Rhaenyra. As he made his way to the Royal family’s more private quarters, he greeted the people he passed, Rhaenys had taught him that knowing the people around him, aided when times were tough. They had felt the community gather around them when they had lost Laena and Laenor. That had been Rhaenys’ credit. Her visits to the markets, the villages, making friends regardless of station.

“Where would I find the Queen at this hour?” He asked one of the Queen’s Guards. He was directed to a sitting room and knocked the door before entering. “Rhaenyra? Tala?” He asked and stepped inside, letting the door close behind him. “I come in lieu of your muña, who had taken to bed again. And we are well aware that we are late. However, I do come bearing a gift.” Corlys held out the parcel in a mock peace offering, with a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

He knew Rhaenyra would like the parcel, or at least she better. Rhaenys had spent days searching for it, fearing it had been lost in time. A set of three bangles, once gifted to Daella, passed on to Aemma only to have seemingly been lost. Rhaenys however had found it in the crates she had received upon the death of her muñazma. Corlys had taken them to be polished and engraved. One with Rhaenyra’s name, one with Aemma’s and one with Daella’s. Around the bangles Corlys knew Rhaenys had wrapped a silk shawl Laena had once worn.

Corlys had teased his wife about the nostalgic present, however he had stopped with one stern look from her. “Rhaenyra needs to know she’s family. The country sees her The Queen. She needs to be allowed to simply be Rhaenyra.” Corlys had agreed, though he stilled wished Rhaenys would have joined him, as she would be much better at explaining the significance of the gifts.

A starter for @black-queen-rising

[scala-ask-caelum]

With finals season finally over, the underclassmen are feeling ready for asks again!

[bee-kathony]

The Oath | Ch. 22 “Up on the Hill” 

a/n: thank you so much for reading! with happy results from the last chapter and a mysterious letter showing up, there’s still a lot to figure out! I hope you enjoy reading and thank you as always to my wonderful beta @lcbeauchampoftarth <3

Arc I | Ch. 16 | Ch. 17 | Ch. 18 | Ch. 19 | Ch. 20 | Ch. 21

December 14th, 2019

Yesterday, after Jamie and Claire met with Ned to review their options, they left with Madeline to spend the weekend at Lallybroch. He confirmed that they had a strong case, especially with the results of the new paternity test stating that Jamie was Madeline’s father. The mysterious letter could also be considered important evidence, suggesting that Frank had tampered with the results — or, at least, had asked someone else to do it.

“Ye say this letter was dropped off at yer house?” Ned asked again for clarification, going over the letter in his office.

“Yes, no return address and our address isn’t even on it.”

Ned pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and handed the letter back to Claire. “Then someone kens yer address. If I had to guess, then tis someone from the lab that has access to that kind of information.”

“Someone that maybe wants to come clean?” Jamie said.

“Perhaps that is the case,” Ned nodded. “I’ll file a lawsuit and serve a copy of the summons and complaint on Mr. Randall. The next step will be his part, if he wants to hire an attorney and respond to the allegations in our complaint”

“Thank you, Mr. Gowan,” Claire said, feeling so relieved she could have hugged him.

“Call me Ned, lassie.” He smiled and reached for her hand over his desk, squeezing it as if they were old friends.

“Thank you… Ned,” Claire smiled back. “I don’t know what we would have done without your help.”

“Like I said.” He looked between them both. “I’d do anythin’ for yer family. Anything to see that ye get the peace and happiness ye deserve.”

The only thing they had left to do now was wait.

++++++

Claire was sitting near the fire in a rocking chair that had once belonged to Jamie’s mother, Ellen, but was now Jenny’s. Madeline was staring up at her, her little hands reaching for a stray curl. “No, no darling,” Claire laughed. “Don’t tug on mum’s hair.”

Her mind was finally beginning to calm from the raging storm that had occupied her thoughts during the last week. Sleepless nights of worry and doubt had left her exhausted, so spending a few days at Lallybroch was just what she needed.

There was no doubt that Frank would hire an attorney and try and fight the lawsuit. He thought he was right, and if he had been the one to bribe the lab, then he thought he was safe as well. But one thing Claire knew was that karma always came back around, and Frank Randall had a lot of answering to do for the things he’d done.

As Claire sat there rocking, she thought of the first time she had come to Lallybroch. Not even in her wildest, craziest dreams would she have thought she would be back here eleven months later with a baby in her arms. Jamie Fraser’s baby, to be exact.

The fact that they now knew for certain that Madeline was his… well, it was everything. It was assurance that eased her, and it brought tears to her eyes to know that Madeline had come into the world to bring her and Jamie together. Without her, who knows if they would have worked out…

Of course, Claire thought about what would have happened had she not gotten pregnant. She might have bumped into Jamie sooner, or perhaps even later. But she imagined that they would talk more often and spend time together, much as they had those many months ago.

Maybe Jamie would have asked her out on a proper date to dinner or the movies. No, not the movies, you can’t really talk at the movies. Mini golf? Either way, at the end of the date, Claire imagined that Jamie would have tried to kiss her, and she would have let him.

Months later, after their 37th date, Jamie would have asked her to permanently move in with him; after all… most of her stuff was already at his place. She would say yes and bring her feminine touch to his house. Then one night, while they were eating take-out, Jamie might propose, hiding the ring in a fortune cookie. Or maybe he’d do it while taking a walk with her in their favorite park.

And she would say yes. Then, years down the road, they’d get pregnant and have a baby… and another, and another.

Things hadn’t worked out quite like that — a bit backwards, perhaps — but she wouldn’t change it for the world. It was like that old song kids used to sing on the playground: “Jamie and Claire sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage.”

They had their baby in the baby carriage first, then love, then marriage in just a few months.

But love wasn’t a formula, nor was it perfect. There was no right way to do anything in life. Whether you fall in love in a day or over the course of several years. Love is not a science that can be measured or calculated. It’s a feeling, and it’s also a choice.

And Claire would choose this life over and over again, for as long as she lived.

She was so deep in her reflections on all of her past choices with Jamie, staring into the warm glow of the fire, that she didn’t hear Jamie come in. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her forehead, making her jump.

“Och, sorry, Sassenach,” he chuckled. “Didna mean to scare ye.”

“I just didn’t hear you come in,” Claire smiled warmly at him and reached her hand up to cup his cheek. Kneeling down beside the rocking chair, he kissed Madeline’s head too.

“You always do that,” Claire observed. “Kiss both of our foreheads.”

Jamie shrugged, wiping his thumb over the wet spot on Mads’ head. “I just like doin’ it.”

“Well, I’m not complaining,” Claire said. “It’s rather sweet.”

“Then I won’t stop,” Jamie responded and then kissed Claire on the lips. “Jenny said that dinner will be ready soon, I came to tell ye.”

“What’d she make this time? Not haggis.” Claire made a face.

“Nah, not today,” Jamie chuckled. “She just made spaghetti, said tis easy to make for a lot of people.”

“Mmm, I love spaghetti,” Claire grinned, already thinking about dinner, and her stomach grumbled.

“I ken ye do, and ye also like to get it all over your face.” He leaned in and started peppering her cheeks with kisses and Claire tried to push him away, laughing.

“I do not! It’s a messy food!”

“Even Madeline isna that messy,” Jamie smirked, sliding his finger into Mads’ small hand to grasp.

Claire sighed then, the glow of the fire making her sleepy.

“What’s on yer mind then?”

“What?” Claire looked at him. “Oh, nothing.”

“I can read yer face, Sassenach…” Jamie stroked her cheek with his other hand. “Ye’ve something on yer mind.”

“Just thinking about the lawsuit,” she admitted. “And everything that Ned told us.”

“Well, Ned said the lawsuit would be filed yesterday and that Frank would be served as well. I don’t expect him to do anything til Monday. That’s partly the reason I wanted to come here this weekend. So we wouldna be worrying about what was goin’ to happen.”

“You’re probably right,” Claire said, noticing the slight smirk on Jamie’s face that appeared whenever she said that. “I had really hoped all of this would be done before Christmas, but that’s not looking likely.”

“No,” Jamie sighed. He’d wanted them to have a peaceful first Christmas together, free from the mess and drama. But it might take up to six weeks to get a court date set, if that’s the route they went.

“But,” Jamie said, swiping his thumb across Claire’s cheek. “We know for certain we willna have to deal wi’ this on Christmas Day. Everythin’s closed!”

“True,” Claire laughed. “I just wanted it to be perfect.”

“It will be, a nighean,” Jamie assured her. “I’ll see that it is.”

“Oh you will?” Claire quirked her brow. “Well, if you’re all about making Christmas wishes come true, then you can take your stinky baby and change her nappy!”

“Oooo.” Jamie then grabbed Madeline, holding her out in front of him, and took a whiff. “Yeesh! Christ, what have we been feedin’ her…”

“Just the old boob,” Claire smirked, patting her chest. “And make sure you wash your hands before dinner.”

“You can count on that, Sassenach,” Jamie said with a twisted face as he tried to hold his breath, taking Madeline into their room to change her.

++++++

The next day, Claire woke up to find Jamie watching her.

“Good morning, my own.” He kissed her, pushing her frizzy hair back from her face. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

“Well…” she yawned, rolling to face him. “I’m up now.”

“Tis a beautiful day. The sun is shining and ye ken what that means?”

“No,” she smiled. “But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“It means,” Jamie moved over her, both arms on either side of her body, “that I’m going to take ye ridin’, Sassenach.”

“Oooo, are you?” Claire hooked her hands behind his neck, pulling him down to her for a kiss. “Isn’t it my job to do that with you?”

A deep groan rumbled in his chest and she thought she felt his cock twitch between the layers of clothes and blankets. “A different…” he coughed, “kind of riding.”

“Get dressed, a nighean. Jenny said she’ll watch Madeline while we’re gone.” He kissed her then rolled away, already sliding his boots on.

Half an hour later, Claire was dressed and her stomach was full of a bowl of porridge — a Fraser family staple. When she walked outside, she was actually surprised to find that it was a lovely day.

“You know I’ve never ridden a horse before,” Claire said to Jamie as he led them to the stables.

“I remember, aye.”

“Do you expect me to ride one on my own then?” She had hoped not, and was relieved when he shook his head.

“Nah, Sassenach. We’ll both ride together,” he smiled. “But one of these days, when tis a bit warmer, I’ll teach ye how to ride properly.”

Claire watched as Jamie brought out his horse, Donas, and prepared to saddle him. He was certainly in his comfort zone, and Claire couldn’t help but blush when she remembered they had shared their first kiss in this very stable. Apparently, Jamie remembered it as well and came over to kiss her, his arm secure around her back.

“Took us nearly a year, but I’ve always wanted to kiss ye again here.” His hand pushed back a stray curl and he brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “There’s something about ye, Claire. I feel as if I’ve always known ye, even back then… I knew we were meant to be.”

Claire smiled and, as cheesy as it sounded, she had felt like she’d always known him as well. “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

“Brontë,” he grinned. “How apt.”

They could have stayed like that for hours, wrapped up in each other’s arms, but Donas made a sort of snorting noise behind them — as if he was done watching the love fest. “We’d best get going, then.”

Jamie led Claire over to Donas and helped to hoist her up before climbing on behind her. “Just hold onto the horn there, I’ll get the reigns.” He situated himself behind her and there was no possible room left for imagination.

Claire couldn’t help herself, so she wiggled her bottom against him, blushing as she did. Jamie slid one hand around her stomach, his fingers splayed across. “Two can play at that game, Sassenach. Don’t start somethin’ ye canna finish,” he said softly into her ear.

“You better be taking me to a secluded wood.” She bit her lip as she looked back at him.

“Oh, I’m takin’ ye somewhere secluded.” He clicked his tongue as he pressed both legs against Donas’s belly, and they set off. “You can count on that.”

The wind whipped in their faces and the scenery before them took Claire’s breath away. The Highlands had a magical quality about them, transporting you to a time long ago — where fairies and witches lived amongst the land. The sun was high in the sky, lighting up their path as Donas carried them across the rolling hills.

There was something restorative as well in the air, something fresh that filled her lungs and reminded her to breathe. Jamie’s hand was tight around her waist and the other gripping on the reigns. Claire knew she should be focused on the stunning sight before her, but she couldn’t ignore the obvious bulge pressing against her lower back. She was never more thankful for the limited space on top of a horse.

They must have ridden for another fifteen minutes before Jamie pulled on the reigns and slowed to a steady walk. Donas huffed and shook his head as they slowed down, and Claire gave his neck a soft little pat. Jamie had told her he was a bit of a wild horse, but she liked him.

“Do ye like riding so far?” he asked her, switching his hand on the reigns.

She nodded, and craned her neck to look back at him. “It’s wonderful, Jamie. Thank you for showing me.”

“My pleasure.” He kissed her temple.

“Where did you bring me?” She looked around at the grassy scene before her, but couldn’t see anything in particular that might spark her familiarity.

“It’s a place called Craig Na Dun,” he said, pressing his thighs together to prompt Donas into trotting along a well worn path. “Tis just up that wee hill over there.”

Claire spotted it then, a large hill with something sticking just above the top of it. Jamie led them to the base and soon was helping her down. Her legs felt a bit like jelly, sore from her first ride.

Jamie saw it on her face as she took her first steps. “Dinna fash, Sassenach. Yer legs will get used to it,” he laughed and tied up Donas’s reigns to a nearby tree, handing him an apple from his pocket.

“Well, I still haven’t gotten used to being sore after riding something else,” she winked, taking his hand.

They walked hand-in-hand up the hill, and with every step, Claire could see large stones rising above them.

“What is this place?” she asked, her eyes widening as she took in the view before her. Tall stones covered the top of the hill, and she wondered where they’d come from.

“Tis a sort of fairy hill,” Jamie explained. “Scottish stories tell of a woman who came up to these stones, and when she placed her hand on the largest one in the middle… she disappeared.”

“Where did she go?”

“Through space and time,” Jamie said, his voice soft as if speaking in respect for the area. “Many think that it’s still possible.” Now he was leading them to the largest stone in the middle, and Claire’s stomach did a little flip when he placed his hand on the stone.

“Would you want to travel in time?” she asked, placing her hand next to his on the stone. Nothing happened, much to her surprise.

“Only if ye’d come wi’ me.” Jamie grabbed her hand and pulled them down to sit, their backs pressed against the stone. “I think it’d be so interesting to go back to the 18th century and see what it was really like, ye ken? To see the clans in their prime.”

“I think I could go for seeing you in a kilt,” she snickered. “Which I still have yet to see.”

“I told ye, a nighean.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “Christmas Day.”

“It can’t come soon enough.” She smiled and rested her head against him.

They sat there, listening to the wind blow through the stones. It created a sort of buzzing sound, as if bees were traveling around the hill. Claire wondered what it would be like to travel back in time, to see the things she had only read about in history books.

“Would you be a true Scotsman?” she asked a few minutes later.

“Hmm?”

“If we went back to the 18th century and you wore a kilt…” she blushed.

“Oh.” His cheeks turned pink, as well as his ears. “Well, if ye must know, I dinna wear anythin’ under the kilt now. So aye… I would be a true Scotsman.”

“Jesus H. Christ,” Claire sighed. “Now I really can’t wait for Christmas.”

Jamie laughed, turning his body slightly towards her. “Well if all ye want to see is that, ye don’t have to wait until Christmas.”

He pressed his lips against hers, all while pushing her to lie back down on the ground. Both his hands were on either side of her head and he leaned back to look at her. “Yer so beautiful, Claire… so beautiful, it nearly breaks my heart wi’ how much I love you.”

“I love you, Jamie.” Claire placed both hands on his face, amazed at his own beauty. “So much, it hurts sometimes.”

“I’ll make the hurt go away,” he said softly and leaned down once again, capturing her lips. Settling himself in between her legs, he fit perfectly. It was still rather cold, with a crisp chill on top of the hill, so they only pushed their pants down to give them access to what they both craved.

Jamie took hold of himself and guided his cock into her, watching as her mouth parted and a moan left her lips. When he was fully inside, he started to rock gently, savoring the warmth of her.

“My God, Sassenach… I never want to leave ye when I’m inside of ye.” He pressed his lips to her neck.

“I don’t want you to,” she panted, her hands clinging onto his back, bunching up the material of his jacket. His hips were slow but steady as he rolled them once, twice, and three times.

They made love on top of that hill. Their breaths mingled and their sighs dying in each other’s mouths. The wind blew across them, making them both shiver and laugh. Jamie looked down at her, wiping a wind-blown tear from her eye, and then kissed her as he thrust into her one last time.

Chapter 23: Red Red Rose

[blanksoullesseyes]

Death and defeat of Adon Coborlwitz in Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for Doldrey

[thelostsoulundertaleau]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21334933/chapters/50812459