“OF COURSE i’m sure.” amalia said, brushing away any doubts and worries still tugging at her mind, there was no place for them here. the moment the other girl’s hands were placed in her own, amalia was tugging her to the place where the crowds of dancers was thickest. “i was rather fond of these shoes,” amalia began with a playful pout, “but other people here aren’t half as considerate as you are so they’ve already been trampled halfway to ruin tonight, so there’s no harm if you happen to stand on them as well.”
WITH A TUG , SHE’S DRAGGED ONTO THE FLOOR and she knows that there’s no turning back . whatever she remembers of her dancing lessons as a child must be used ... despite the lack of memory . at the mention of the other’s shoes , sylvina instinctively peers down and gasps at the beauty -- despite the scuffs . ❝ i promise i’ll try my best ! ❞ the girl exclaims , giggling as her gaze shifts back to the stranger . she suddenly remembers her manners , if nothing else . ❝ you should know the name of a woman who steps on your shoes ... i’m sylvina . ❞
eliar was unsure what he wanted, if he wanted anything. he was decently sure that him wanting things is what had placed them both in this predicament. he is, instead, amazed and impressed by her kindness to him. it would be much easier, he was sure, to be angry or cruel to him. even given his invitation to do so, she remained kind. ‘ it is good to hear that, sylvina, ’ he replies, giving her a slight smile. he was unsure exactly what to do next, and is wondering if it would be best for him to take his leave, to not impede on her life any further, when he hears the way her voice cracks in response to his statement. he looks down quickly, concern in his eyes. he hadn’t wished to upset her.
instinctively he places a hand on the side of her shoulder. it lingers there for a moment, before it slowly retreats again as eliar realizes he is likely overstepping boundaries he has no right to cross. he had no right to touch her or to believe that his touch would be comforting. ‘ my apologies, ’ he says quickly and quietly. he clasps one hand in the other, letting them hang in back of his person. ‘ i didn’t mean to upset you. ’ he hadn’t. eliar meant no ill will towards her. ‘ i’m glad to hear that, ’ he says, and he thinks he catches a hint of a smile from sylvina, at which he lets the air he had been holding since her last words go. he returns the smile with one of his own. ‘ it certainly is quite the party. did you enjoy dancing ? ’
THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN BEING CRUEL TO HIM . though the darkness on her shoulder says otherwise . however he feels toward her now , whatever ... likeness , if any , he has would be crushed by her anger . she’s not someone who likes to be disliked , among many other issues with a potential outburst . that’s not the woman she wants to be . once upon a time she had wanted him as her husband . though that has faded with the rest of the possibilities , she’s still slightly intrigued by him . there’s something caring in his words , genuine compassion that she wishes to grasp . she wants to remember what that’s like , to have someone care without the incentives it could provide . would he be content with friends ?
though unfamiliar , the touch is a comfort . she wrinkles her nose and gives him a look , but sylvina wouldn’t make him remove his hand . there’s worry floating around her thoughts that perhaps he pities her , but she refuses to press further . ❝ it’s quite alright ... and you didn’t upset me . ❞ though truth to her words , as he hadn’t been the source of her pain , but she had been reminded of it . her face falters , for a moment , until she catches a glimpse of his . it’s impossible not to respond with a smile , brighter than last time , showing teeth ... even if it only lasts for a second . ❝ i did , but i must admit ... i’m not very good at it . ❞ despite her interest in the arts , dancing has never been a talent of her’s . with the passing years , she’s convinced she’s become even worse . ❝ is seeing familiar faces all you’ve done ? don’t tell me there’s all these festivities and you haven’t engaged in any . ❞
he did believe, to some level, that had he been doing her a favor. it was very likely that she would have been a good wife, but didn’t a good wife deserve a good husband ? at the age he had been, he was sure he wouldn’t have been one, especially for the wanderlust in his bones. his father had insisted to him so many times, in an effort to convince his son that he did want to get married, that sylvina tallhart was an excellent match, that any young man would be lucky to have this engagement. however, the problem was not that eliar didn’t want sylvina; when he had met her she had seemed a sweet and kind soul. the problem was that he didn’t want a wife at all. he was certain leaving her would also not wound her too greatly. as his father had said, any man would be lucky to be marrying her, so he assumed someone who wished for that life would quickly take her place. in all honesty, he was surprised when he had returned that she was still unwed.
he watches her, curious, at the quick reply. he doesn’t want to push it, he shouldn’t ask to be berated, though maybe that’s what some part of him was hoping for ( the same part that realized he was guilty of injuring the lady tallhart ). as if that would unburden him of some level of guilt he felt. yet, he also wants her to know she doesn’t simply have to say she forgives him because that is what was expected. eliar had left in search of an escape from the decorum that seemed to dictate life, and he thought it would be unkind to not offer her the same escape, at least to some extent. she had paid for it more than he had. he takes a deep breath, ‘ you don’t have to. you can if you wish to, but don’t do it because you feel you have to. ’
he looks over when he hears the sigh, and he can see the pain for a moment, as well as ( he thinks ) the same restless feeling that grew in him at the halfhearted apologies from people who barely knew his father. he also knew he could never sympathize with what she was feeling, being completely alone in the world. eliar was comfortable with the vastness of the lands he traveled, for he knew he could always return home. ‘ i never meant to leave you alone, ’ there’s a soft, unpracticed quality in his voice, it is something he hadn’t said before. he swallows, shaking himself slightly in order to answer her next question. ‘ it is good to spend some time with familiar faces. how about yourself ? ’
SHE’S UNSURE HOW TO RESPOND . here lies a situation she wishes someone could instruct her how to react , what to say . there had been suitors before him and some after , but no other betrothals befell her . she remembers some of their faces , harsh words or demands they had offered . none of them had ever been as nice as eliar umber , and even he hadn’t been nice when it counted . most wanted to take her away from her home and trap her in a cage to be nothing more than a face to a marriage . to have sons and nothing more . would he have done the same ? she’s not sure , but her expectations of him have faltered . it doesn’t matter anymore , anyway . sylvina has kept her home , her titles , and her lands . they will not fall into the hands of a stranger who wants nothing more than what she can offer them . if she will not be loved , then she will not take that risk .
i don’t need your permission , she thinks , biting back a bitter remark . have the ages alone made her cruel ? she would never say such a thing but her thoughts spiral with anger . it seems as if nothing he says will be a good response . if he had not wanted her forgiveness , it’s too bad for him . she will be kind and use her manners but she will not bend over backwards to make him feel better about what he had done . it takes her a moment to speak , not wanting to be harsh . he had his reasons for doing what he did . the end of their betrothal was not the end of her world . ❝ i know i don’t have to , but i do . it was some time ago and we both have moved on ... i hold no ill feelings toward you , eliar . ❞ the last thing she wants is to have him think she was a poor girl caught up about a broken betrothal ... even if , at the time , she was .
her lips twitch at his sudden words , eyes swelling with tears . she hides her face and blinks them away as quickly as she can . ❝ i... ❞ sylvina’s voice cracks and she’s at a loss for words . she was never his responsibility and the two of them had been strangers at best . alone , that’s all she had been . strangers and friends alike had visited her , but she hadn’t stopped feeling that very way since . afraid to give a response to the sentiment , she jumps at his question . ❝ i had the pleasure of being asked to dance earlier . it was fun ... i’m having fun , ❞ she admits , letting out a deep breath . there’s a hint of a smile , though she hopes it’s hidden in the shadows .
given his lack of time spent in the north, not much news of his former bride to be had ever reached the wayward knight, if they had he would have been more apprehensive to speak with her, further solidifying the cost his actions. he would have never wanted to leave this poor girl alone, but he had placated himself with the idea that surely her family would find another engagement, likely better than himself. and while he had not heard of any marriages, he had not heard of any funerals either. it was only when he returned, when erik told him. she is the only tallhart left in the world, image if you didn’t have me and the boys. he had taken those words to heart.
he can feel her eyes on him. he was used to being watched, but those were usually moments when he was in control, doing his best to impress a crowd. apologies were not meant to be acts of showmanship, however, and so eliar felt somewhat lost in the gaze of the other. yet, she seemed as nervous as he did. he hadn’t been sure what to expect, so he decided this made as much sense to him as any anger would have. he had no way to know what it would feel like to be on the other side.
he nodded, and moved with a steady gate from the main hall, figuring that this was a conversation that would be better done in private. he knows the winterfell halls well, having played there as a child, and is able to guide them easily to a corridor path he assumed would be empty, with everyone else celebrating their new king. ‘ i’m sorry i haven’t spoken with you sooner, my lady, but i thought i should apologize for my absence. i know my father had made arrangements with the lord tallhart, and while i could not honor them, it should have been i who informed your family of my departure. ’ a deep breath, he stops his pace and turns to look at her directly.
‘ i also wish to offer my condolences. ’ he didn’t know what else to say here, to remind her that he understood the importance of family due to love for his own, still living, seemed cruel and to only prove he could not understand the pain she was enduring. however, he too had lost both of his parents at a young age, perhaps he should only speak of that. ‘ the loss of a parent is a terrible thing. ’
SYLVINA KNOWS LITTLE about the man beside her . all she can recall from her snooping and her father’s apology was that he’d gone to travel elsewhere . a sorry excuse , she had thought , though she understood . from an outside perspective , she couldn’t blame him for wanting to marry a stranger . all risk and the chance of no reward . she could be a good wife , a good mother , but how was he to know ? assuming he cared about that at all . she’d had a slight deciding factor in her betrothals , not wanting to marry anyone hungry for lands that did not belong to them . not wanting to marry someone she met who was cruel or mannerless . eliar had been kind before , before he had left her with an unknown fate . it wasn’t his fault , she kept thinking . but ... wasn’t it ?
in truth , no one has ever asked her what she wants . does that not matter ? surely it has to , especially when she is now the one making her own decisions . she is the ruling lady of torrhen’s square , the last standing member of house tallhart . her house will die with her . is that not enough to have her seeking the future she wants ? won’t honoring herself honor the house she loves so dearly ? she often thinks about how easier her situation would be had she been born a lord and not a lady . a man does not need a wife , but a woman needs a husband . that’s what her mother used to say ... yet , her mother is no longer with her and sylvina thinks she’s doing well enough without one . maybe she just wants the other aspects of a marriage .
she knows what he’ll say and honestly , she doesn’t care for an apology . you only apologize if you feel sorry for what you’ve done and she suspects he doesn’t . sylvina pulls in her lower lip , chewing the skin raw while he speaks . she’s not mad , though she thinks she should be . if anything , she’s disappointed , but she’s not sure why . there’s no point in missing what could have been if the other person wanted nothing to do with her . perhaps ... perhaps that’s all she wants . to be wanted back . ❝ i forgive you . ❞ she whispers , one step behind him . isn’t that what he wants to hear ?
his next words have her audibly sighing . it’s better than becoming angry . she hates the condolences , the empty words that people are sorry her parents are dead . yes , her too . though she knows they are one in the same with the loss of parents and she suddenly goes a bit easier on him . ❝ thank you , ❞ sylvina says a bit quieter , barely able to be heard . she swallows , grip tightening around her own hands . it seems as if it’s her turn to speak , though she would rather never speak again . ❝ are you enjoying your time in winterfell ? ❞ her voice cracks as she asks , sucking in a deep breath .
AMALIA WAS undoubtedly in her element, the celebration that came with the crowning of a new king meant that she could for once put aside all the worries and doubts that had been plaguing her since she’d become lady of the riverlands and simply be happy for her kingdom, and her new king. just a few glasses of wine had amalia dancing across the hall, her smile as bright as anyone else’s. “dance with me.” she requested, both hands held out to the person who, from amalia’s perspective, was not enjoying the festivities as much as she was. “or at the very least, share a drink with me.” the command was spoken with the childish authority of one who was not often turned down.
BITING HER FINGERNAILS -- it was a nasty habit she’d had since she was younger . here she was , in a room full of royalty and noble blood alike ... and she couldn’t keep her hands at her sides . biting at her nails , knuckles in her mouth , the girl had no clue how to stand still . her final act came when she tugged at the sides of her dress , wondering if her apparel had fairly matched the ambiance . she loved festivities such as this one , but it had been so long since she’d been to one , let alone outside her home ... and she found herself incredibly out of place . before she could sink back further among the crowds to hide herself , a friendly face invited her to dance . the thought of wine seemed foreign , so instead she gave her shaky grip to the unknown woman . ❝ are ... are you sure ? i wouldn’t want to step on your toes ... ❞
despite what some might say, eliar umber was not a complete fool. or perhaps, more exactly, he is not the same fool he was when he was younger. he wouldn’t pretend to regret what he had done, getting married at such a young age wouldn’t have been good for him, wouldn’t have been kind to the girl he was betrothed to. yet, what he had done instead wasn’t much of a kindness either: leaving this young woman behind without so much a reason why, just his brother explaining that he had gone to explore the world.
he was still childlike now, playing at heroics across the world, and while he could recognize how he had gone about leaving sylvina tallhart was wrong, he would have left it as a mistake of the past to be learned from. the hand of an older brother who was better versed in people is what pushed him towards her tonight. there was an uncommon uncertainty in his step; he wasn’t sure how she would react to him. tallis had already surprised him earlier in the night with how cold women from the north could be when wronged, and the promise he had made to her had much less at stake than the entire future that had been promised to slyvina.
‘ lady tallhart, ’ he says, catching her attention, refusing to let any feeling of apprehension paint his face, ‘ i don’t wish to bother you, but i was hoping that we could go for a walk. ’ @tallharts·
SHE MISSES HOME , despite being so close and still in familiar territory . it was good that she left and she knows this , but relying on something so heavily has left her wounded . torrhen’s square is her safety , somewhere where no one can cause her harm ... not that they would , anyway . it’s impossible for her to shut herself off to the world for the rest of her days , but she would have been perfectly fine seeing how long she could go . now , most she meets are either strangers or people who haven’t seen her in ages . she cannot take another word of condolences .
her hands are held nervously at her sides , tugging at the fabric of her dress . it takes a moment before she spots eliar , but once she does , her eyes become locked on him . she hasn’t thought about him since his initial ... well , it wasn’t quite a betrayal , but only because they were never anything in the first place . what do you call a stranger who breaks a promise ? is that not still a betrayal ? she remembers listening intently behind corridors as the eldest umber informed her father of his absence , of a marriage that would not be . it still stings . perhaps it had been for the best . that’s what she hopes , anyway .
❝ lord umber . ❞ her voice trembles and she hates herself for it . sylvina wants to be angry with him , inform him she would rather step out barefoot into the snow -- but she doesn’t . that has never been her way . instead , she nods , hands fidgeting at her sides as she silently steps forward to accompany him .
⤷ the courts offer bread and salt to SYLVINA TALLHART of HOUSE TALLHART . many say that the TWENTY THREE year old RULING LADY of TORRHEN’S SQUARE is known to be OPTIMISTIC and SOLICITOUS , though ill tongues whisper that SHE is TIMID and VULNERABLE . when her name is uttered , one is reminded of infectious laughter throughout a room , lightly colored dresses swaying in the wind , quiet lullabies sung near a crackling fire . the overwhelming isolation of an only child wanting to bring honor to her house . may she be blessed and protected in this war of crowns .
trigger warnings : talk of miscarriages / stillborns , death , subtle references to depression & self harm .
it’s me , cait ... i’m back ! with another ! i was like u no what ? i need softness , a character that isn’t truly awful ... so here she is ! let’s just jump right in ...
stats.
full name : sylvina tallhart .
pronunciation : sil-vee-nuh
nicknames : syl , sylvie ... she loves nicknames , pls give her more
title : ruling lady of torrhen’s square .
age : twenty three .
gender : cis female .
pronouns : she / her .
place of origin : torrhen’s square , the north .
allegiance : her house , herself , the northern king . anyone that’s nice to her in all honesty .
favorite hobby : singing . loves to sing . her father used to scold anyone who would give her mean looks / ask her to quiet down .
background.
born to daryn and adella tallhart a few years into their marriage . rumors circled the north of why it took them so long -- adella must be barren , the two had never consummated their marriage , the gods had forbidden them from having a child of their own . none of them true , but that didn’t stop people from talking . that wasn’t the only gossip , either . daryn tallhart was a giant , a man who towered over everyone he met . he had hair the color of crows and eyes that mirrored the trees . his bride adorned beautiful chestnut hair with eyes that matched her locks . their child looked nothing like them . long blonde hair and bright blue eyes . there was talk she was a bastard , not even a tallhart herself . nothing ever came of such a lie , but sylvina had been teased about it in her youth .
while she was not a bastard , daryn tallhart did have bastards . he fathered two boys , though never acknowledged them or had any idea they existed . it was before he was married , before he became committed to his tiny family . had he known , perhaps sylvina could have said she had brothers .
with that said , syl is an only child . her parents tried ... so many , so many times to have more children . multiple miscarriages and a stillborn child . they stopped trying after sylvina’s fifth name day . their tiny family was perfect as it was , though they had their own worries about their daughter being heir to torrhen’s square and house tallhart .
sylvina was as sweet as the pastries she loved so much . her parents feared putting her under that pressure , leaving her to make tough decisions and face challenges just as they had ... potentially , all on her own . they knew they wanted her to be betrothed to someone who could take care of her and syl wanted that too . she knew her parents were right , that she would lack direction when the day came where she was without them . she wanted to marry , to have a family , to have someone be what her parents were to each other .
she trusted her father’s judgement and agreed to a betrothal with eliar umber . as much as she wanted to marry for love , her mother had become gravely ill at the time of their discussion . she wanted to live to see her daughter marry . only , sylvina never married and her mother passed away . when lord umber passed and his son was nowhere to be found , their betrothal became extinct . a small part of syl was relieved , but she’d mostly been offended . she thought she would find someone else to become betrothed to , but she never did . her father passed soon after and sylvina was on her own . a broken heart , she thought . her father had died of a broken heart and perhaps she’d soon follow .
sylvina is the only tallhart left in the world . her parents are gone , she has no siblings and her other distance relatives are part of other houses . for a long time , she never left torrhen’s square or saw anyone . if anyone wanted to speak with her , they would send a raven . if they wished to meet with her , they would travel to meet with her advisors who would speak to her privately afterwards . she did what she thought she had to do -- shut off the world and rule alone . if not for her advisors and the people in her home , she would speak to no one . they were the ones to convince her to travel to winterfell to congratulate the king . it was something for her to look forward to and with a smile , she saddled up for winterfell .
she’s ... lost , to put it mildly . she’s not really sure what to do anymore ? she manages her home and keeps her people happy , but that’s about it . if not for the love she has for her home and her name , she would venture out into the world and never return . one of her advisors could have torrhen’s square while she became someone else . though , she promised her father she would do her best and live by their words : proud and free . in a sense , she is both of those . with her parents gone and the ruling lady of her home , her future is her’s . any betrothal is her own choice . perhaps it’s the beginning she needs , going to winterfell . maybe there’s something there that will revive her again .
personality.
as sweet as can be . at her prime , she’s talkative and kind and a great listener . loves loves LOVES stories and fairytales and the stuff made of dreams . is still a child in many ways , forced to grow up much too quickly . she has a vast imagination and an intensive curiosity . the arts intrigue her , such as poetry , sketches and singing . one of her best friends at home is the bard in her court .
the world can be a cruel place , she’s learned this , but she sees much else with rose colored glasses . in her case , the glass is always half full and she’s always looking for the best in tough situations .
she’s responsible ... enough . certainly not a good first choice but she’s definitely stepped up to the plate since her father’s death . the only people she relies on are people who were trusted by her parents , though she has many of them . she loves people , she truly does , but is nervous to branch out to strangers again . as a woman who holds her own fortune , she’s scared someone might attempt to take it from her , as her advisors have warned her . it’s why she’s refused to rush into a betrothal , to accept visitors face to face , to travel outside of her home for trivial reasons . though she’s slowly , slowly slipping back into old habits and who she knows she can be , she’s trying to be careful . we’ll see how that goes .
sylvina is trying to hold onto who she is ( or was , really ) without completely crumbling or succumbing to her naivety . one step at a time .
connections.
maybe a failed betrothal after eliar ? perhaps she herself called it off , or they did ? could be either . they would have to be a Real work of art for sylvina to call it quits .
people who knew her parents . or knew her before becoming ruling lady . someone who knew her before she lost herself .
friends . sylvina is Very Social , apart from present time . it’s no secret she would probably have many . whenever her father used to travel , which was a lot , he’d take her with him .
i’ll be putting a connection for this on the page , but people of her court ! or maybe people who were once apart of it !
friends . enemies . a past forbidden lover . bad influences . good influences . someone who wants to take torrhen’s square for their own . someone who wants to help her learn how to become a successful ruling lady . anything !
like this and i’ll message you on discord ! or tumblr , if you’re not there !
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