Full art for Ayra and Mercedes - Together in Tea!

Artist: Asatani Tomoyo

GoT is also a show that was in a lot of ways paying for present sins with the promise of future potential, that now we know it never resolves. Like its fanservicey sexposition scenes are really cringe right out the gate; not because hot sex scenes are bad or anything ofc, but because the show was afraid to either own it as hot fun or commit to deeper sexual exploration; being neither they are distracting & objectifying. But the books have all this really great depth on gender roles and politics in this medieval setting, so you are like "yeah okay these are a bit cringe but overall the show is gonna be good on the female character front". But then it wasn't, at all, it had all these weird decisions around girlboss 2010's feminism and rape politics and its at best unremarkable, and more likely embarrassing. So when you go back and see those scenes, now its like a sign, "oh yeah this show has no understanding of tone when it comes to sex".

And it isn't limited to the sex stuff - Oh Tywin & Arya become like buddies in Season (2? 3?) because Charles Dance could have chemistry with a broomstick? Sure, this is good on screen, lets give it a chance! Oh it... goes nowhere, makes Tywin act like a total idiot leaving a noble captive alone & unutilized, and Ayra is just a murdersword so learns no lessons from this. Oh...these scenes suck, and waste our time. Now I know that, they are annoying to watch, they are no longer good. Every scene where characters discuss "balancing the power of factions" or like Margaery talking about maintaining ones brand with the people, wtf no you don't need to do that, literally just blow up your rivals. Murder every single one of them in 9/11 - Pope Edition, and you will be completely fine, ruling uncontested. They were all dumbasses, those scenes are dumb now.

Of course the early seasons are better, but I don't know if you can really call them good anymore. ASOIAF is one big cohesive story, and they made a lot of decisions early on that were like "hm but okay it'll probably pay off" and then they don't. Some of it definitely does work still, but now its really hit or miss - I don't think any Season is unscarred.

TC!dad!JK

“for now, stay in your rooms until i tell you to leave. i’ll make sure to come see you all and i have assigned a servant for each of you so if you need anything you tell them and they’ll tell me” you tell your sad children who each nod their heads. “ae-cha, you’re in charge of jaehan, jawon and areum, you both are in charge of ayra and ji-eun. be good, okay?”

“yes ma’am” your three oldest nod their heads again but before you leave, you make sure to give your children a hug and a kiss and in return, they say i love you. you just wish you had a chance to do this exact same action to jinseoul before he…

this is why you can’t give up. you have six other children that need you and you refuse to lose another one. you signed up for this after all, except you never expected to lose one of the seven you had. you truly thought you and jungkook would have 10 children but that hope, that dream has been completely shattered.

when you return back to the bedroom, jungkook is no where to be found.

“where is jungkook? you ask the guard you assigned to keep an eye on him.

“he’s in his office, your highness. jisung has just reported to him that duchess choi has been stabbed to death”

“stabbed?! how could this—,”

“the king believes it was that girl who stabbed jinseoul and fled. he’s gone completely mad”

“okay, thank you” you tell the guard before turning to head back to your bedroom.

once inside, you go to the washroom and strip yourself of your clothing and step inside the large empty tub. you pull the clip from your hair and toss it somewhere, resulting in your long locks of hair to fall past your shoulders and cover your face.

you reach to turn the water on before sinking down in the tub and waiting for it fill up. as the tub fills up, all you’re thinking about is the time you found out you were pregnant with jinseoul. you were shocked, scared, and angry at yourself. how could you let that monster impregnate you? but that moment of weakness was a blessing in disguise because you actually felt joy being jinseoul’s mother. he was the reason you saw jungkook in another light despite how much you wanted him far away from both you and jinseoul.

you couldn’t deny how great of a father jungkook was to jinseoul. what was once ‘mama mama’ quickly became ‘papa this and papa that’ and as much as you hated it, that was softened you up. it softened him up too.

the water has completely filled the tub and you lay flat under water just reminiscing about your first child. the bright light at the end of the tunnel hasn’t gone out, it’s just dim but it still hurts. your son didn’t get to leave on his own terms his life was taken from him.

“aaaah!!” you pull yourself from under the water, gasping for air, and coughing from the lack of oxygen. you reach over to turn the water off and just sit in the tub, alone. your hair completely soaked, your body idle, and your heart in pieces.

meanwhile…

“i’m so sorry, jinseoul. i’m so sorry” nami cries as she begs on her hands and knees for jinseoul to forgive her for ever hurting him.

“i deserve death, but before you come and get me, i promise to kill your father for ever hurting you. i’ll drag him to hell with me. i’ll bring ae-cha to you so you don’t have to be alone. i know you must miss her so much…”

He Instructs his most trusted and capable guards to take care of you and his remaining children, because right now he’s going to leave so he can find that bitch and kill her for once and all.

Jungkook is already at the Palace gates on his horse, impatient and bloodthirsty, he has rarely killed women in his reign but he’s going to kill Nami in the worst way possible, he’s going to make an example a lot of her, the most brutal example one can ever make.

He will find her, even from the deepest pits of hell. He knows where duchess choi lives and with his army behind him, he’s marching.

The horse is fast, just like his owner, impatient. “Yes junghyun.. yes.” Jungkook pats the horses back, and he lets the wind blow away his long locks, the time goes by, the rush of adrenaline running through his veins,

Yes, he couldn’t wait for jisung to bring him the girl so now he’s out himself searching for her like a madman, this is his territory she cannot really go that far anyways.

he hasn’t even met with the doctors yet because he doesn’t want confirmation of his son’s death.

He just doesn’t understand why would she kill him if she claimed to love him? he will find out very soon because he’s almost on his way to duchess Choi’s lodge.

Jinseoul didn’t deserve to die-especially not at the hands of his beloved, he’s going to kill her in the most painful way possible, she gave you the deepest scar one could ever have.

She ripped his heart out so he will do the same, literally.

“SURROUND THE LODGE FROM EVERY SINGLE DIRECTION. SHE SHOULDN’T ESCAPE.”

All of their horses come to a halt, and the king doesn’t waste any moment to get off, and he’s rushing into the lodge, and with his men behind him, he’s searching the whole residence, jungkooks biting his lower lip because he hasn’t been this excited to kill anyone in a long time.

He cannot wait to feel her blood splash all over him, as he will stab her over and over again, no one will be able to recognize her face.

Jungkook goes through every single door in room, and after a good few minutes, he finally comes across the room where duchess Choi’s body is.

He feels a little sick to see the woman being killed by her own crazy daughter, but he doesn’t feel bad for her, because she gave birth to such a monster. “Ugh That bitch isn’t here…. OH MY GOD WHERE COULD SHE HAVE GONE?”

Of course Nami isn’t here. Maybe he should go back to the palace and ask ae-cha about anything that jinseoul must’ve told her about their hideout.

She must be there, and there has to be a hideout.

“Come on… we’re headed back to the palace.”

2024 Grammy Awards: Full list of winners

This year’s Grammy Awards was held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, United States on Sunday. Disappointingly, no Nigerian artiste was announced as winner at the 66th edition of the awards ceremony. David Adeleke, aka, Davido; Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy; Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake; Olamide Adedeji, aka Baddo; and Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, aka Ayra Starr; all lost out in their combined 10 nominations across different award categories. Here is the full list of winners: Best African Music Performance Amapiano – Asake and Olamide City Boys – Burna Boy Water – Tyla WINNER Unavailable – Davido Featuring Musa Keys Rush – Ayra Starr Best Melodic Rap Performance Sittin’ On Top Of The World – Burna Boy Featuring 21 Savage Attention – Doja Cat All My Life – Lil Durk Featuring J. Cole WINNER Spin Bout U – Drake & 21 Savage Low – SZA Best Global Music Album Epifanías — Susana Baca History — Bokanté I Told Them… — Burna Boy This Moment – Shakti WINNER Timeless — Davido BEST RAP ALBUM Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage Michael – Killer Mike WINNER Heroes & Villains – Metro Boomin King’s Disease III – Nas Utopia – Travis Scott PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II Jack Antonoff – WINNER Hit Boy Metro Boomin Daniel Nigro SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL Edgar Barrera Jessie Jo Dillon Shane McAnally Theron Thomas – WINNER Justin Tranter Best Global Music Performance Shadow Forces – Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily Alone – Burna Boy Pashto – Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain Featuring Rakesh Chaurasia WINNER FEEL – Davido Milagro Y Desastre – Silvana Estrada Abundance In Millets – Falu & Gaurav Shah (Featuring PM Narendra Modi) Best Album Notes Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy (Live) Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos – WINNER I Can Almost See Houston: The Complete Howdy Glenn Mogadishu’s Finest: The Al Uruba Sessions Playing For The Man At The Door: Field Recordings From The Collection Of Mack McCormick, 1958–1971 Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package The Collected Works Of Neutral Milk Hotel Gieo For The Birds: The Birdsong Project – WINNER Inside: Deluxe Box Set Words & Music, May 1965 – Deluxe Edition Best Music Film How I’m Feeling Now -Lewis Capaldi Live From Paris, The Big Steppers Tour – Kendrick Lamar Moonage Daydream – David Bowie WINNER I Am Everything – Little Richard Dear Mama – Tupac Shakur Best Music Video In Your Love – Tyler Childers I’m Only Sleeping – The Beatles WINNER What Was I Made For – Billie Eilish Count Me Out – Kendrick Lamar Rush – Troye Sivan Best Song Written For Visual Media Barbie World What Was I Made For? – WINNER Dance The Night I’m Just Ken Lift Me Up Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media Call Of Duty®: Modern Warfare II – Sarah Schachner Hogwarts Legacy – Peter Murray, J Scott Rakozy & Chuck E. Myers “Sea”, composers Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Stephen Barton & Gordy Haab WINNER God Of War Ragnarök – Bear McCreary, composer Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical – Montaigne, Tripod & Austin Wintory, composers Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Ludwig Göransson Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny – John Williams Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson WINNER Barbie – Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt The Fabelmans – John Williams Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media Aurora Barbie The Album – WINNER Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3: Awesome Mix, Vol. 3 Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Best Comedy Album I Wish You Would – Trevor Noah I’m An Entertainer – Wanda Sykes What’s In A Name? – Dave Chappelle – WINNER Selective Outrage – Chris Rock Someone You Love – Sarah Silverman Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Desire, I Want To Turn Into You History Jaguar II – WINNER Multitudes The Record Best Immersive Audio Album God Of War Ragnarök (Original Soundtrack) Act 3 (Immersive Edition) The Diary Of Alicia Keys – WINNER Blue Clear Sky Silence Between Songs Best Historical Album Fragments – Time Out Of Mind Sessions (1996-1997): The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17 Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos – WINNER The Moaninest Moan Of Them All: The Jazz Saxophone of Loren McMurray, 1920-1922 Playing For The Man At The Door: Field Recordings From The Collection Of Mack McCormick, 1958–1971 Words & Music, May 1965 – Deluxe Edition Best Tropical Latin Album Voy A Ti – Luis Figueroa Siembra: 45º Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo… – Rubén Blades… WINNER Niche Sinfónico – Grupo Niche Y Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia VIDA – Omara Portuondo MIMY & TONY – Tony Succar, Mimy Succar Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así – Carlos Vives Best Gospel Album I Love You – Erica Campbell Hymns (Live) – Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Maverick Way – Maverick City Music All Things New: Live In Orlando – Tye Tribbett WINNER My Truth – Jonathan McReynolds Best Roots Gospel Album Tribute To The King – The Blackwood Brothers Quartet Echoes Of The South – Blind Boys Of Alabama WINNER Songs That Pulled Me Through The Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman Meet Me At The Cross – Brian Free & Assurance Shine: The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light – Gaither Vocal Band Best Rap Album Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage MICHAEL – Killer Mike WINNER HEROES & VILLIANS – Metro Boomin King’s Disease III – Nas UTOPIA – Travis Scott Best R&B Album Girls Night Out – Babyface JAGUAR II – Victoria Monét WINNER What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) – Coco Jones Special Occasion – Emily King CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP – Summer Walke Best Remixed Recording Alien Love Call New Gold (Dom Dolla Remix) Reviver (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Remix) Wagging Tongue (Wet Leg Remix) – WINNER Workin’ Hard (Terry Hunter Remix) Read the full article

interview

ayra had overheard it while listening half-heartedly to some drunkards at some inn out in the middle of nowhere in fodlan. she just wanted to relax a bit, but the moment she’d heard the word astra her body had instantly perked up, her ale forgotten about.

some ultra powerful sword technique called the astra. apparently you can learn it from a professor there. or something like that from the man’s slurred speech. he’d mentioned how he was a ‘famed’ knight of seiros… and something about how he was single for the ball and therefore wasn’t gonna waste his time going, but ayra couldn’t care less about that part.

no. what she cared about was shannan. she’d given up on being there for him again since the moment she left for belhalla with sigurd’s army. she truly thought she would never see him again. not to mention everything about it sounded too good to be true. shannan? here? and she finds him from some random drunk bastard’s gossip? surely it was some sort of trap or something to lure her into danger, however…

it seemed she was letting her heart win over her brain this time. she scoffs to herself as she looks up at the gates of the garreg mach monastery. she wasn’t one to believe in it but maybe this would end up being destiny.

—

a quick visit. that was what she told herself, but it seemed it would be anything but with the screening process she was going through as soon as she entered the damn place. security was tight (apparently tighter than usual because of the ball going on that night) and.. well she couldn’t blame them. so she sits through the interview they propose to her hoping this was all worth it. that she would see shannan again if she was just patient enough about it.

the man that takes her in for the interview is nice enough. she hadn’t completely listened but apparently he was a priest of the church. the vibes of the monastery weren’t all that bad either, the few students she saw that went to the academy seemed to be doing pretty well off for themselves. she can’t help but think it would have been nice for shannan and her kids to grow up in this place as the priest leads her to where she would be interviewed.

“miss ayra you said your name was?” even with the man’s supposed kindness ayra remains a smidge guarded. “yes.” she briefly nods to confirm. “alright.. well, this won’t take long at all. why don’t you have a seat and we’ll get started, alright?”

—

“what has led you to where you are today?”

“…” ayra’s normal stone cold gaze goes soft as she thinks about her nephew. ever since her brother and father had died everything in her life she had done was for shannan for so long. before she had the twins, before she’d even met her husband, he was the only stable part of her family left. he was the thread that kept her hanging onto her future. “a lot, i suppose.” is her at first taciturn answer, but she goes on to elaborate after a bit of silence. that clearly wasn’t enough of an answer for him. “shannan.. he—my nephew, but he’s more like a little brother to me.” she didn’t think she would have had a reason to try and live if it weren’t for him. isaach nor herself wouldn’t have a future without him…. since when had shannan become such a prominent part of her existence? more than her own children? she wonders the answer to her own question. then she scoffs, a barely visible smirk tugging at her lips. “i didn’t realize everything about me was so dependent on him until now.”

“what are your strengths and weaknesses?”

“my strengths? i’m a trained warrior in the blade, specifically of the astra style. i learned from the best…. though that’s all just talk. give me a sword and i’ll show you myself.” even as she offers up a demonstration of her skills to really prove herself the man interviewing her actually tells her that’s not necessary. her brow furrows (you want my strengths but then don’t want to actually see them in action?) but she accepts it and moves on. “my weakness…” ayra gazes at the floor in silence. “i’ve become a coward with not the strength to protect the people and the country that i love..” she laughs, tone sardonic in a way that clearly hurts her. she had practically abandoned both shannan and her children to repay her debt to lord sigurd, to assist a man from a country that was initially her sworn enemy. the very enemy that had caused them to have to flee to verdane, that had killed her father and brother. shannan was older by now, surely he had realized how royally she had messed up. and not to mention her kids… she wouldn’t be surprised if they grow up hating her. who would love a mother who would go to battle first and take care of her children second? she sighs in resentment of her own nature, lashes fluttering shut. shannan. larcei. scathach. i’m sorry. perhaps one day she would be able to say those words out loud to them. she doesn’t imagine that will be anytime soon.

“if a story would be written about your life, what role would you play?”

she hesitates over such a strange question. she was never good with words; it was always so much easier to show her ideals through action. “it…” she pauses, takes a deep breath. “ it wouldn’t be a story about me. it would be a story about my country and my nephew who is destined to grow to rule it.” she looks up at the ceiling, her surroundings washing away around her. she can imagine isaach if she thinks about it for long enough, she can imagine her half brother telling her that she must escape to verdane. that she must take care of shannan and assure that isaach as a country had a future. it always always pained her to think of what she lost, even if perhaps it never showed on her face quite right, quite obviously as it might for the average person. suddenly her name is called and ayra blinks, as if opening her eyes and waking up from a bad nightmare. “and the role you would play in that story, miss ayra?” the priest asks innocently enough. she takes a deliberate breath before speaking. “my role in that story would be the protector of my nephew and by association my country.” and she had so utterly failed in fulfilling that role. growing quickly frustrated now, ayra crosses her arms and looks up at the man with something of a glare. “are we done here now?”

it is only later that she finds out she’s been accepted. worse though is when she told she’ll be a professor for the black eagles. what makes these people think she should be teaching kids? she’d happy be pointed at an enemy like she was comfortable but no… she really had no idea what she was getting herself into.

speaking of VAs lute is voiced by mineta jesusfjdklfjkdf

After several nonproductive days of being too exhausted or running out of time to get anything done, I’ve started revising what will be Chapter Six! The opening scene is mostly still usable, but there’s going to be a considerable amount of new or reworked material, and some events will unfold in a different order.

For those of you who’ve read the original version, I have a few questions if you don’t mind.

In the original version, Amarantha wakes up in the castle and sets out to find her mother. Her explorations lead her to the dining room, where she meets Ayra and Ateva and has a talk with them before continuing her search. She ends up finding Elystan and declines an offer to make up with him and goes back to exploring...it’s all rather aimless.

I’m considering letting her briefly explore/try to find Edmara but realize Gilsbrecht is lurking and try to avoid her. This takes her to Elystan, where they have a more streamlined conversation about escape and Edmara’s whereabouts and Amarantha declines his offer to make up after the Slapping. She needs to get out now, and she tries the most obvious route, through the front gate. The guards won’t let her pass, there’s some discussion and new information (but not enough), and then...Gilsbrecht returns. She’s been looking for Amarantha. She’s got a job for her.

Ayra and Ateva will be reintroduced in the next chapter.

Does the new scenario work for you? Do the order of events make sense? How’s the pacing? Would it work better to encounter the castle’s inhabitants in a different order (e.g. the princesses first, then Elystan? or Gilsbrecht before anyone else?)? Could this be improved in any way? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated; the insight of a different perspective is always helpful.

The Wolf & The Hound

Chapter 2: Winterfell

Summary: Home is what you make it.

Winterfell looked as if it had gone through several changes since you last saw it. Though, given the rumors and stories, you suppose it was true. Arya had a small smile on her face as your group rode up.

“Good to be home again.”

“Surprised you even came back,” Sandor grunted.

“Someone needs to spread the story of how I killed Cercei.” Sandor grunted at Arya’s smirk. “The better question is: why did you come with me? Winterfell isn’t your home.”

“Sick of King’s Landing. Bunch of cunts. Figured your sister may have a job for me. Or perhaps I’ll try across the sea when spring comes.”

Ser Davos sighed and whispered in your ear. “They were like this before and after the army of the dead attacked.”

You just nodded your head, still unable to come to grips with the fact that the White Walkers had been real and an army of the dead had attacked your childhood home. Davos had told you of the dragons as well and that had made your jaw drop. The stories you had heard Old Nan tell the Stark children had been real this whole time.

Riding through the Winterfell gates, you could see people still clearing debris from a battle that wasn’t too long ago. And yet, not a single familiar face. Time has taken so much from The North, Winterfell, and from the Starks.

Your group pulled up to the stables and Ayra easily dismounted. There was so much that changed about her that you wanted to know her story. But you also didn’t want to know given what you knew of Sansa’s story. It couldn’t have been any easier.

Sandor dismounted next and to your surprise, was at your side. “Can you get down, Little Wolf?”

You gave him a small smile. “I think I can manage.”

But still he waited. It had become a silent routine since the attack by the former Lannister soldiers. Even though you had proven you could protect yourself, Sandor had kept an extra eye on you. You had become acutely aware of his gaze, feeling as though you were being studied at times.

Something about the Hound intrigued you. It started the night of the attack and you couldn’t explain it. But the man that once scared you, now had your attention in a completely different way.

And you were starting to like it.

You climbed down from your horse and removed your bag. There wasn’t much in there, but you weren’t ready to part with the items just yet. You may be somewhere safe, but your mind was still in survival mode. Staying close to Arya, she lead you through your old home and into the Great Hall where Sansa was sitting with a Maester you didn’t recognize.

“Glad to see you finally returned, Arya. And who is that with you?”

“It’s I, Lady Stark. ____, your former handmaid.”

Realization dawned on Sansa’s face and she shot to her feet. “Seven Hells, ____?”

You nodded your head and Sansa ran towards you, wrapping you in a tight hug. She had grown so much since you last saw her and it was hard to believe she was a woman now. When you began to work as her handmaid, you were five years older than her and worried over her constantly.

“It’s so good to see you again, Lady Stark. I am glad to see you made it here safely.”

Her face clouded over as she pulled out of the hug.. “As safely as possible on the road I traveled.”

Your face fell as well. “I know that story all too well myself, my lady.”

“I’m so sorry you had a rough journey as well.” She put a smile on her face again. “But you are safe now. Back in Winterfell.”

“Will I have a job again, my lady?”

“Of course! If you wish, you could resume your old job of being my handmaid. I will need a new one when I become queen.”

“Queen?!”

Sansa giggled. “Yes. Thanks to my brother, the North will finally be free.”

Your jaw dropped in shock as a deep voice spoke up behind you. “Congratulations, Little Bird. Didn’t think your brother had it in him.”

“Well, he hasn’t agreed to the marriage, given who the new Queen is to him. But he did secure our freedom. Though, I am surprised to see you here, Clegane.”

“Hoping I can find some work here, Little Bird. Had my fill of King’s Landing.”

“I think I may have the perfect place for you. But for now, let’s get you both settled into permanent rooms and fed. We can worry about jobs in the morning.”

“Thank you, my lady,” you curtsied and then followed as she lead you to a table.

“I will have the room prepared while you eat.”

Davos and Arya joined you and Sandor at the table, Arya to your right with Sandor and Davos across from you. Wine and ale were brought and Sandor surprised you again by filling your goblet with wine. But taking only ale himself.

“Since when do you serve other people?” Arya snarked.

“Fuck off,” was his eloquent reply.

Arya rolled her eyes and turned to Davos. “So how long will you be staying in King’s Landing?”

“Not sure, my lady. I came to tell Lady Sansa of everything that happened in the South. Your brother will be wanting me back soon.”

“What did happen in the South?” You quietly asked.

The table grew quiet before Davos answered. “The Lannisters were defeated. Queen Daenerys now rules over the Seven Kingdoms.”

“Six Kingdoms,” Arya automatically corrected.

“How…” your question trailed off.

“Jon. He, uh, he wasn’t our brother after all. He was our Aunt Lyanna’s son.”

You choked on your wine. “What?!”

“Apparently she married Rhaegar Targaryen in a secret ceremony. She was never kidnapped.”

“So Jon’s a-”

“Targaryen. Yes.”

You blinked in shock and looked down as a plate was set in front of you. Jon was a Targaryen? Not Ned Stark’s bastard? And a Targaryen now sat on the Iron Throne once again? It was enough to make your head spin.

And you hadn’t even heard of the army of the dead yet.

“You alright, Little Wolf?”

Looking up, you could see concern in Sandor’s eyes. You nodded your head. “Yes. It’s just so much information to take in after such a long journey.”

He nodded his head in return. “Aye, and there will be more to talk about tomorrow. For now, eat.”

You heeded his words and began to eat the meal in front of you, trying not to think about all the horrors you would have to listen to. Since you were focused on your plate, you missed the look Arya gave the Hound and the glare he returned.

When you were done, Arya left for her own room while Sansa lead the rest of you through the halls. Davos was first in a guest room before you and the Hound were taken to permanent rooms for the staff of Winterfell. Sansa opened a door for you and you were happily surprised.

“Is this my old room?”

Sansa smiled. “I tried to make it as it once was. I hope I got it right.”

“Thank you, my lady. This was more than I could hope.”

She pulled you in for another hug. “I’m just glad you’re safe again. Now get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning. I’m now in my parents’ old room.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She left to lead Sandor to his room and you moved to close the door. But as you did, you noticed Sandor looking down at Sansa with a small smile on his face as she spoke to him. And it made your stomach twist into a knot. But why? If your long-time friend found happiness, shouldn’t that make you happy?

You closed the door and tried to sleep, ignoring the images of Sandor smiling.

Chapter 3

The 18 Best Nigerian Songs of 2021 So Far - OkayAfrica

It's been another great year so far for Nigerian music with outstanding releases from the country's well-cemented stars making it far and reaching ears across the globe. 2021 has also seen the quick rise of new names to keep an eye out for in the highly-competitive Nigerian music scene. Check out our picks for The Best Nigerian Songs of 2021 So Far below. Follow our NAIJA HITS playlist on Spotify here and Apple Music here. Wizkid 'Essence' ft. Tems While "Essence" technically dropped in 2020 as part of Wizkid's Made In Lagos album, the new year has seen the song catapult into massive levels, even making it into the U.S. Apple Music Top 50 charts. Kicked off by outstanding vocals from Tems, "Essence" sees both Nigerian stars riding an undulating synth piano riff — crafted by producers Legendury Beatz and P2J — into the perfect breezy summer track. It's no wonder celebs like Kevin Hart, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner have been posting of videos of themselves jamming to the track as the weather turns warm in the Northern hemisphere. Olamide 'Rock' Olamide shared "Rock," a mellow and flirtatious little number, as the lead single from his new 10-track album, UY Scuti, titled after one of the largest known red stars. "Rock" is a smooth jam you'll have repeating over and over again. "The song is saying my lady doesn't have to do too much to impress me — I love you already," Olamide mentions. Ruger 'Bounce' With his pink hair and eye-patch Ruger has become one of the new breakout artists coming out of the highly-competitive and saturated Nigerian music scene in 2021. "Bounce," the highlight from his Pandemic EP, has been rising in the Nigerian charts and, with just one listen, it's easy to tell why this sugary and addictive track is a hit. "Bounce" actually peaked at number one last week on Nigeria's Apple Music charts. Adekunle Gold 'It Is What It Is' Adekunle Gold dropped the single and music video for "It Is What It Is," a song about acceptance and remaining calm and centered in the face of life's adversities. "The truth about freedom is it is only found in clarity of self," Adekunle mentions. "I believe this song is about letting yourself be free from every other voice but the one guiding you internally." Keep your peace people. Ayra Starr 'Away' New Mavin Records signee Ayra Starr came fresh out of the gate and got people talking with "Away," the lead single from the 19-year-old's self-titled debut EP. Born in Benin and raised between Cotonou and Lagos, Nigeria, Starr's sound allows her versatility and distinctive styles to take center stage. The introductory "Away" is a pulsating, hip-grinding track that re-explores what typically makes up a break-up song. Joeboy 'Focus' Afropop star Joeboy dropped his long-awaited debut album Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic in February. The 14-track project is the official follow-up to the young artist's debut Love & Light EP which dropped in 2019. While no additional artists feature on the album, it is nonetheless an impressive body of work with several bangers to have stuck on repeat. Burna Boy 'Kilometre' Burna Boy came through with the brand new single, "Kilometre." The Chopstix-produced song sees the superstar singing about the distance he's traveled, literally and figuratively, to reach his current level as one of the top African artists in the world. "Kilometre" is an energetic track built on a repetitive refrain that will get stuck in people's heads and soundtrack many a dance floor to come. Rema 'Bounce' Rema shared the eye-grabbing new music video and single "Bounce." In the new clip, the Mavin Records star takes us to a place that can only best described as Mad Max-meets-Burning Man as he celebrates, well, "booty bounce." It's a wild post-apocalyptic affair that matches the fast-paced freneticism of the single and its Don Jazzy-produced beat. Jazzy also appears in the video. Mr Eazi 'The Don' Mr Eazi's "The Don" and its accompanying short film, were shared as the lead bits from his latest EP Something Else. While Mr Eazi describes the project as "the calm before the storm", the multi-talented musician did not disappoint. With production credits to Killertunes and E Kelly, "The Dn is an operatic, 'afro-trap' ballad of note, "The Don" gives fans a glimpse into Eazi's bountiful bag o' tricks and treats, as well as teasing the highly anticipated EP to come. Lojay x Sarz 'Tonongo' Up-and-coming Nigerian artist Lojay connected with producer Sarz for this highly-addictive single "Tonongo," a song which is about Sarz's experience of falling in love with a stripper. "'Tonongo' is about expressing the depth of emotion that lies beyond the surface," Lojay mentions. "The single was inspired by the atmosphere of a strip club - moody and dark — a fitting ode to the dancer the song was written about. I enjoy the duality of the song. It ended up making itself and that's the beauty of it, the beauty of music. It's so spiritual. I'm just a vessel. I hope people relate to it and find beauty in it." Seyi Shay & Yemi Alade 'Pempe' Seyi Shay and Yemi Alade teamed up for an explosive collaboration titled "Pempe," a vibrant and mid-paced number that exemplifies a quintessential afrobeats song and everything that makes it infectious. Mixed and mastered by Kel P, this one is a seamless and fun collaboration between the two Nigerian artists. YUNG L 'Yaadman (Intro)' Yung L delivered the single and music video for "Yaadman," an addictive and energetic dancehall track built on slick guitars and heavy beats. It came paired with the striking visuals directed by TG Omori. "Yaadman (Intro)" is the first track on Yung L's album, Yaadman Kingsize. Bankulli & Not3s 'Foreign' Afropop manager-turned-singer Bankulli came through with a fire track and accompanying visuals featuring Not3s. On his latest go at being center stage, Bankulli (who got a Grammy nod for his work on Beyoncé's Lion King: The Gift) recruited British-Nigerian Afroswing crooner Not3s to add his golden touch to the track. The snappy "Foreign" is sure to appease fans with it's stylish and catchy vibe, and equally as pleasant visuals to match. Femi Kuti 'As We Struggle Everyday' Femi Kuti's "As We Struggle Everyday" was the lead song from his double album Legacy +, a joint endeavor with his son Made Kuti. The single is a politically-charged afrobeat tune about people having the voting power to hold their 'leaders' accountable, but often failing to do so. Throughout the song, Femi sings "As we struggle everyday We try to find a better way See these leaders wey suppose jail Na him my people dem dey hail." Teni 'For You' ft. Davido Singer and songwriter Teni shines in the music video "For You" featuring fellow Nigerian star Davido. "For You", which is centered on a prison escape, sees Davido and Teni teaming up for a thrilling visual escapade.The music video starts of with Teni behind bars and comically relays the love story that lead to her re-arrest. "For You" is a standout from Teni's Wondaland album. Laycon 'Fall for Me' feat. YKB Nigerian rapper Laycon dropped his debut album, Shall We Begin, which features appearances from the likes of Mayorkun, Joeboy, Teni, and Terri across its 12 songs. The album's lead single "Fall For Me," featuring YKB," is a highly-infectious affair paired with a trippy music video. Read our recent interview with Laycon. Tekno 'Enjoy (Remix)' ft. Mafikizolo Tekno dropped the remix to his upbeat and electric single "Enjoy" which was released towards the end of last year. The Nigerian artist enlisted South African Afropop duo, Mafikizolo, who have added their signature flair to both the remix itself and the accompanying visuals. Rema 'Soundgasm' Another banger from Rema on makes it on this list because of his impressive consistency. In "Soundgasm," Rema adds country-style guitars to his ever impressive bag of tricks. The London-produced track showcases the Nigerian star's vocal range as he goes from a high-pitched refrain to rap-sung verse melodies seamlessly. The music video follows Rema to a house in Nashville where he's joined by a female companion. "Dimension," another noteworthy Rema feature from this year alongside JAE5 and Skepta should also be on your rotation. https://www.ghupload.com/the-best-nigerian-songs-of-2021-so-far/?_unique_id=61c0699b46cb3

FE4 Suzuki Novelization Translation - Chapter 9 Part 5 (The grand finale!)

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Chapter 9: And So, the Door of Fate Opens...

Part 5

Sigurd gathered his entire army in front of the castle and announced that the war was over.

He then went on to thank everyone for all their hard work, and stated that those who were not from Grannvale and wished to return home, should do so now.

That night, a huge celebration banquet was held at Velthomer Castle.

-

The next day, those who wished to return home did so. The Silessian soldiers and Orgahill Pirates traveled to the north, the Augustrian soldiers to the west, and the Isaachian soldiers to the east.

Before they left, Sigurd generously divided the army’s remaining funds between all of them.

There were less than two hundred soldiers remaining.

The next morning, they started their final march together.

They spent the night at a town along the way, and arrived in Belhalla Field the next afternoon.

There, the Roten Ritter was lined up and waiting for them.

When Lewyn saw them, he said to Sigurd, “There’s way too many people here, don’t you think?”

Sigurd nodded, stopped Farron, and turned towards his army. “If we move towards the palace in a large unit, then we will invite another misunderstanding. I’ve decided the army will stay here, and only a limited number of people will accompany me during my audience with the emperor.”

He then chose who would go with him - Lewyn,  Claud, Lex, Azel, Brigid, Ayra, Jamke, Alec, Noish, Arden, Midir, Beowulf, and Chulainn. He left out Erinys and Lachesis.

Only less than twenty people joined him, walking slowly down the long path formed between the two lines of the Roten Ritter on either side of them.

Finally, they could see the Belhalla Castle gate.

Arvis stood before it.

When Sigurd’s group stopped in front of him, he dismounted his horse, and said, “Lord Sigurd, it is with joy that I officially recognize your return home. Congratulations.”

"Duke Arvis, we apologize for making you come all this way just to greet us. If I may ask, is His Majesty in the palace?"

"His Majesty is so gravely ill, that he cannot even leave his bed anymore. That is why I am handling all government affairs myself now."

"So that's what's going on. It pains my heart to hear it. His Majesty was very worried about me, so I will visit the palace after this to apologize to him."

"You will not be able to do that."

"Huh?"

"You will die here as a traitor. I cannot allow you to see the king."

"Wh-What are you… Duke Arvis, what do you mean?"

"Muah ha ha, you mean you haven't realized it yet? You're so soft! You plotted with Duke Byron to usurp the throne! There is no changing that fact. As the husband of the late Prince Kurth's daughter, I must punish you! Don't take it personally."

'He's such a good person, that it makes him a fool.' Arvis thought as he looked at Sigurd's face, dumbfounded in disbelief.

'Byron, Reptor, Lombard, Ring, Chagall, Dakkar… they were all such foolish men, and fools stand in the way of the utopia I am constructing. The nicer those like Sigurd are, the more of an obstacle they are. So there is no other option but for them all to die.'

-

The ideal Arvis had imagined was the construction of the Grannvalian Empire. The foundation of that empire would be equality. Everyone would be equal no matter which country they came from, the commoners would be protected from the self-centered orders of the nobles by law, and all people would be guaranteed freedom of religion. Of course, the followers of the Loptr Church would not be persecuted either, and would be able to freely worship Loptous.

The truth was, that on the night of his coming-of-age ceremony, Archbishop Manfroy of the Loptr Church had told him that Loptrian blood flowed through his veins. His mother, Cigyun, had been a descendant of Maira.

After he'd heard those words, Arvis was very troubled by them. He'd once witnessed a mother and child be burned at the stake just for being followers of Loptous, and realized there was a chance that something similar could happen to him. He worried and worried, and in the end, his conclusion was that all discrimination must be erased from the world.

 'And this is something that only I can do. Only I, who has inherited both the blood of both a Crusader and Loptous, can truly understand the meaning of discrimination.'

To turn his ideals into reality, he would have to demolish the entire current structure of the world.

And to do so, he'd decided to use Manfroy.

Manfroy and the other members of the church stirred up the greed within the nobles across every region of Jugdral, while also planting suspicion in their hearts, causing every country to get involved in the war that soon spanned the entire continent. Whether the Loptr Church’s actions were good or evil did not matter. It was all about upheaving the old structure of society.

‘Anyone would probably think to use the Loptr Church. Yes, I used them. But I did not work with them. I said that very clearly to Manfroy. “I will acknowledge your existence, but I have absolutely no intention of reviving the Loptrian Empire.” When this war is over, I will subjugate all of the surrounding countries, and establish the Grannvalian Empire. My work will be the dawn of a utopia state, and my name will be forever etched into Jugdralian history. Arvis, the first Emperor of Grannvale, will be the most famous name in all of Jugdral.’

Arvis was in very high spirits, and wanted to show his new bride the world he was creating.

‘When she sees that I rule over everything, it should add to her good memories.’

She’d appeared in front of his villa looking confused and lost, yet he’d fallen in love with her at first sight. He hadn't realized it at that time, but it was because she looked just like his mother, Cigyun. She even had the same lavender hair as his mother.

However, while she could speak, she'd lost all memory of her past. At first, Arvis had been very curious about where she was from and what kind of life she'd led until they'd met. Once they'd married and vowed to love each other, though, it didn't matter to him much anymore. Still, whenever he saw her lost in thought, he couldn't help but remember that she had a past he knew nothing about.

At one of those moments, he'd gently rubbed her shoulders and said, "There's no need for you to push yourself to remember. The future is much more precious than the past. If we make lots of good memories from now on, everything will be fine even if you don’t know your past, won’t it?”

He’d said those words for himself as much as he’d said them for her.

-

Arvis stepped back to reach for his wife's hand, who he'd told to stay safe behind the soldiers, and gestured for her to stand next to him.

"Look, this is the man who killed your father! Sigurd, son of Duke Byron! His punishment will be execution!"

The moment Arvis finished speaking, Sigurd screamed, "Deirdre!!"

And she gasped when she heard his voice.

She felt like she'd heard it somewhere before. She furrowed her brows, stared straight at him, and tried her hardest to remember.

"So it was you! Wasn't it, Deirdre!? It was him!"

"Do you… know me…?"

"You are… my…"

Sigurd started to answer, but Arvis cut off their conversation by ushering her back behind the soldiers so roughly that he almost pushed her. "Escort my wife into the palace immediately."

Two soldiers each grabbed one of her hands.

"Wait, Lord Arvis… Just give me a moment with him…"

"Deirdre!!"

"I order the entire army to kill Sigurd, the traitor, and his accomplices! There is no need to bring any of them back alive. Execute them on the spot!"

"Damn you, Arvis!" Sigurd unsheathed Tyrfing and tried to attack, but Arvis' soldiers pushed him back.

He cut down all the soldiers, only for Arvis to attack him with a Valflame spell a moment later.

 His body felt hotter and hotter with each passing second, yet he still took one step forward, then another, and another. 'Arvis!'

Valflame's fire hit Sigurd once again.

He could no longer continue forward, nor could he move at all…. 'Deirdre!!'

When the fire burned out, his charred remains were still standing proud and tall.

And in his right hand, Tyrfing was unchanged, emanating the same glittering light as always.

-

 'Erinys, run!' Lewyn shouted in his heart, while casting a Forseti spell and walking north. 'I won't die. There's so much that I must do.'

-

When Erinys realized that things had taken a turn for the worse at Belhalla Castle, she yelled, "Run, everyone! Hurry, before the enemy reaches us!"

Then, she spoke directly to Lachesis. "Get on my pegasus!"

Lachesis climbed on behind her, and the two flew north.

'Lord Lewyn told me he won't die.' She repeated to herself over and over the entire way home to Silesse. 'Lord Lewyn told me he won't die.'

-

Beowulf jumped on his horse and started galloping in the direction he knew Lachesis was in, but standing in his way was a large group of enemy soldiers.

"Outta my way!" He yelled, and forced his way into their formation.

He thought nothing of defense, only swinging his sword over and over and over again.

However, their numbers were too great, and he couldn't make any progress.

'Run, Lachesis!'

A lance stabbed into his side.

As he fell from his horse, his last thought was, 'A noble knight like you needs to make it out of this alive…’

-

Chulainn stood still, not even unsheathing his sword.

The enemy approaching him thought that he wasn't going to resist, and rushed closer.

Suddenly, like a flash of light, he attacked the enemy. Then, he stepped to the side, and cut down another enemy. He jumped, and killed yet another enemy the moment he hit the ground.

But as he killed a fourth enemy, he was struck by a meteor.

'I don't have any regrets, Sigurd.’

-

Alec said to Noish, "Seems like this is the end."

"Yeah…"

"Shall we both charge at once?"

"Sure…"

"Alright, good luck."

"You too…"

They both shouted a battle cry, then charged their horses straight into the enemies surrounding them.

Arden followed along after them. "Hey, don't leave me behind!"

-

At the sight of Arvis' cruel strategy, Azel was finally able to overcome his inferiority complex.

'Attacking us like this makes you the loser, Brother.'

He countered a ball of fire that an enemy had cast with one of his own.

'I was happier than you'll ever be, Arvis.'

There were enemies coming at him from three different directions.

He cast two consecutive fireballs, killing two of them.

However, he couldn't take out the third one in time.

'Tailtiu, take care of the children…'

-

Midair and Brigid fought side-by-side.

They shot arrows one after the other, keeping their enemies from getting close to them.

But no arrow could stop a burning meteor that was headed straight for them.

It hit Brigid's right arm, and fell directly on top of Midir.

Brigid knew immediately that her arm was now limp and useless. Midir died instantly.

'We were so happy together.'

She endured the intense pain coursing through her body, held Yewfelle under her left arm, and waited for the enemies to approach her.

"I am Princess Brigid of Jungby! Go ahead, kill me!"

-

Ayra and Lex fought back-to-back.

They no longer had any idea how many enemies they'd killed.

Suddenly, Ayra heard Lex scream in pain.

She stepped back, and realized that he'd collapsed.

'Lex, we're in the middle of battle, so I can't hold you. But I will die with you.'

After that, she continued to fight, but didn't budge an inch.

Finally, lance that she could have dodged if she had moved pierced her side.

She fell atop her husband.

'We will never part ever again, Lex.'

-

Jamke focused on attacking the enemy general.

He jumped out from behind Sigurd's charred body and aimed an arrow right at the space between Arvis' eyes.

The arrow missed its mark, instead hitting Arvis' left shoulder, but still caused him to stagger.

Then, a fireball slammed into Jamke from behind.

'Aideen, take care of Lester…'

-

Claud witnessed the events that the Valkyrie Staff had not shown him in utter disbelief.

'This is so terrible. ...Gods, are you really allowing this to happen?’

He prayed to the staff, but it didn't respond.

'This must be wrong.'

The moment he had that thought, he realized what his duty was.

He tightened his grip around the staff, and prayed again.

'Gods, I accept what is happening. But no matter how I look at it, I know it must be wrong. Please do what you must to right this wrong, for the sake of our future. I exchange my life, so that justice and love may win…'

A light shot out of the gem in response.

'Ah… thank you for accepting my prayer. With this, I have fulfilled my duty. Please accept my offering of my life.'

Not even a second later, a meteor fell on top of him.

-

Lewyn suddenly felt a strange power course through his body.

'I will not die. There's so much that I must do.' 

At first, he'd just been trying to convince himself, but now, he really believed he would survive.

He walked forward and cast Forseti spells in rapid succession, without pausing even once.

Each spell caused an explosion front of him, blowing his enemies up into bits and sending their dismembered body parts flying.

'I will not die.'

Lewyn kept walking.

He cast spell after spell, and continued forward...

-End of Fire Emblem Genealogy of the Holy War: Sigurd’s Story Book Two-

The Second Raven 

Jon sat on his horse, waiting for the Lord of Storms End to appear.  He wondered, not for the first time, how the he had come to find being a lord.  The tales he heard from the men who were sent from the Stormlands that the Lord they have heard about was cold towards women and prefer to be amongst the Blacksmiths.  He had built his own forge, taken to a young peasant boy who he named his heir.  Many say he fathered the boy, naming a bastard of his own as the next lord.  

The sound of a few horses came up behind him.  He thought he would find Gendry arriving like his father, with the fanfare and the many many soldiers, but he found himself coming face to face with three riders.  

“I thought you would be at least a little taller since the last time I saw you .”  Gendry smiled at him, the time hadn’t seem to aged him, as he felt aged himself.  

“I thought you would be a little bit fatter.” Jon retroted matching his smile.  Gendry rode his horse next to Jons.  Both gazing at the Winterfell castle down below.  

“Has the Queen been informed of our arrival?”  Jon asked, Gendry shrugged his soldiers. 

“I mean, Lord Tyrion did say that we were expected, but I highly doubt he informed her who.  Also King Bran never tells anyone anything unless it’s in a message they can’t quite figure out.”  Gendry replied, giving a soft laugh.  “But knowing you Starks for as long as I have, you are hard to shock.”  Jon’s smile died.  His eyes falling back onto the Stone castle.  

“I’m not a Stark.”  

❙❙❙❙❙     ❙❙❙❙❙     ❙❙❙❙❙

Sansa eyed little Ned up in the balcony with Meera right behind him.  She nodded for her to pull him inside, so that he will not be present when they arrive.  Tyrion had sent word shortly after Bran had, but had not specified who would be arriving.  From her many years in Kings Landing and knowing how Tyrion works as the Hand of the King, she understood to expect the unexpected.  The real reason for their coming, she could only guess was to see the boy.  Protecting him was one of her sole purposes in life since his arrival ten years ago. 

The Queen of the North felt all the air leave her the moment his dark grey eyes met hers.  Sansa tried to keep her face as neutral as she could.  Tears sprang to her eyes, this moment she had dreamed of.  Being reunited with even one person of her family in these long years made her heart soar and ache at once.  He had sent Jon Snow to Winterfell.  Secretly and silently in her mind she cursed the dwarf in his plans.   

Jon took a few tentative steps forward with Gendry just behind him.  Sansa stood there her Direwolf crown a top of her head, her red hair flowing freely, her blue eyes hard as steel.  His mind race with words that he couldn’t bring himself to say.  He didn’t know how to address her, she was after all, not his Queen, yet she was still Queen of the North.  

“Your grace.”  Gendry bowed.  Jon followed, the words fumbling out of his own mouth.  

“Lord Tyrion said he had sent two trustworthy people with news of the south.  Who would of think that he sent two of our Heroes from the Long Night’s war?”  Her voice was just as steely as her eyes.  Jon gave a soft smile.  

“I believe the Hand of the King thought I would be welcomed more than just an old Blacksmith from the south.”  

“So they sent a former King of the North?”  One of the Lords spoke.  The angered lord bowed his head in shame the moment her eyes went towards him.  

“The former King of the North is of my family blood.  He is welcomed in our childhood home, always.” Her eyes turned towards Gendry.  “As is the Blacksmith that labored day in and day out to help provide weapons and to protect the people of the North from the Night King.”  She motioned for a stable boy to come and grab their horses.  Stepping forward, she tentatively took Jon’s hands in hers.  Jon watched her facial expressions, looking for any indication of any emotion.  “I have business to attend to, but we will dine alone tonight.”  She smiled, before leaving the two in the courtyard.  Gendry looked up at the balcony, wondering if he would see her, even if he knew it was impossible.  His eyes fell on a boy no bigger than she was when he had met her.  His big brown eyes staring at the guests.  

“Is that the boy?”  He asked Jon.   Jon looked up to see the young boy, quickly turn back and run into a room.  

“I believe it is.”  

❙❙❙❙❙     ❙❙❙❙❙     ❙❙❙❙❙

Jon sat across from Sansa in her solar.  The Fire crackling, their meal over and done.  Very few words had been uttered since his arrival in her solar.  

“Hows Ghost?”  Sansa took a sip of her tea.  Her eyes on the fire instead of him. 

“Hes healthy as an old Direwolf could be.  I’m sorry I couldn’t bring him with me, I know how much you loved him.”  

“I wouldn’t want his heart to give out south of the Wall.  A Direwolf belongs as far North as it can go.”  Sansa remembered her father speaking on how Lady was of the North.  

“The years have been kind to you.”  Jon gave a soft smile, trying to remember the woman he last saw on the docks.  

“You would know how truly unkind they have been if you bothered to read my letters.”  She mentioned.  Placing the cup down, she stood up walking over to the window.  The night sky was cold, yet the walls were warm from the water running through them.  

“Being Queen suits you.”  

“Does it? Why don’t you just ask the question you were sent to find out.”  

“Sansa.”  Jon stood, taking a few steps closer to her.  

“Don’t.  Don’t Sansa me.”  Her blue eyes meeting his.  “You are not King in the North nor are you my older brother.  Tyrion’s a smart man.  Smart enough to know ways around Bran’s secrets.”  

“I came to visit my family.”  He finally argued.  Sansa turned just in time to watch little Ned run through the dark courtyard, Meera chasing after him.  

“Hes grown so big.”  She whispered.  “He reminds me Rickon when he was able to run.”  

“Sansa.  The Lords of the South want to know who will be King or Queen when you pass.  That is all.”  

“You and I have very different memories of the Lords of the South.”  Sansa defended herself.  “I’m tired, I wish to speak on this more tomorrow.”  

“As you wish.”  Jon turned to leave, but Sansa reached out gripping his sleeve.  

“Part of me is happy to see you back at Winterfell.  Truly I am.  As Long as there is a Stark in Winterfell, you will have a home here.  No matter how mad you make us.”  Jon smiled, placing a soft hand on her cheek.  

“You will always be my family Sansa.”  Sansa sighed into his touch, wishing they could go back to the days of fighting against the Night King, before he went south.  When it was them versus the rest of the country.       

❙❙❙❙❙     ❙❙❙❙❙     ❙❙❙❙❙

Gendry had wondered towards the archery section of Wintefell.  His eyes falling on a target, his mind wondering back to all those years ago.  Ayra practicing before the great battle.  Always hitting the bullseye.  It wasn’t like to her miss, which she never did.  His hand on top of the tagert, suddenly was shaken with an arrow filing directly in the middle.  Turning he noticed an unsmiling boy, holding an arrow at him.  

“Why did you come?”  He asked, the bow pulled back.  Gendry held up his hands, in defense.  He felt his heart race, his eyes on the tip.  

“On orders of the King of the Six Kingdoms.”  

“But this is not the Six Kingdoms.  This is the North.”  Gendry took a small step forward, his hands still raised.  

“True, but our two kingdoms are allies are they not?”  The Boy didn’t move.  

“What makes you think we are allies, if we were allies, wouldn’t that mean we are the seven Kingdoms?”  

“Maybe, or maybe two Kingdoms could rule side by side and be independent when it comes to farming, laboring, and other resources.”  The Boy lowered his arrow to the ground.  Gendry recognized him as the kid from earlier.  His brown eyes was just like hers. 

“Who are you?  I know the man in black is the Lord Commander of the Nights Watch, but I don’t know you.”  

“Gendry Baratheon.  Lord of Storm's End.”  

“Mother said that you were the Blacksmith that made the weapons for war against the Night King.”  

“So you have heard of me?”  Gendry walked over, grabbing the arrow from his hands.  Ned began to jump up trying to reach it.  “Good sturdy arrow. The Tip is a little blunt, from hours of practice and should be reforged or sharpened if you were trying to kill someone.”  He bumped the feathered end against Ned’s head.  “Next time you aim an arrow at someone, make sure you are ready for the consequences.”  He handed the weapon back, noticing a few men running towards the courtyard.  

Following the commotion, Gendry wandered out, his eyes on a hooded rider entering through the main gate.  The boy had come to stand just behind him, away from danger, yet not fully covered.  His arrow placed in the bow ready to be pulled.  Sliding off the horse, Gendry took a step back.  In ten years she hadn’t grown an inch, still the small stature and in men's clothes.  Her Hood falling back to show her hair had grown long.  The braid falling against her shoulder, the scare above her right eye faded yet still ever present.  Her eyes meeting his, dashing quickly to the boy behind him.  

“Arya?”  He whispered, a smile breaking over his face.  One he could never hold back looking at her.

Masterlist 

Okay this is very late, I was meant to post this days ago and forgot to but here's my Battle Of Winterfell thoughts:

I felt really bad for Sam during the entire episode but I also got kinda annoyed after his little speech last episode about how they need him to fight. I get it that it was war and he was scared, and rightfully so, but something about it just annoyed me.

I love how quite it is when they are waiting for the Night King and his army, it just adds to the tension and helps put people on edge.

Not gonna lie I was a little scared when The Hound and Gendry pushed through to the front, I really want my boys to live and going to the front isn't gonna help with that.

I'll never know how Davos knew that was Melisandre from that far away but I have been waiting to see her again. At least she tried to help them and, more importantly, light the goddamn screen so I could actually see. Honestly I thought Davos was straight up gonna kill her and I'm a bit sad that he didn't get to tbh cos I feel like he did deserve bit of revenge.

Seeing all the Dothraki swords go out was pretty intense, I honestly didn't expect them to go down like that and I didn't expect the survivors to come running back. After that you can just see everyone realise that they are fucked.

The intense moment of horror I felt when I saw Brienne go under was horrible, I seriously thought they had got her. I dunno what I would've done if she died.

Arya sending Sansa was so sad, you could see that Sansa didn't want to leave but in all honesty she wasn't much use up there if she can't fight. Sansa looked so lost when she went down to the crypts and even Tyrion looked at her with shame, they both know that they have no place upstairs, I really felt bad for them.

Edd dying really doesn't mean too much to be tbh, he was a good character but he wasn't that important to me.

The Unsullied sacrificing themselves to let the others get back inside the gates hurt me, after the way the North treated them they still gave their lives to save them. At least Greyworm survived.

Arya saving The Hound is so underrated, they two will always have each others backs and no one can convince me otherwise.

Thank fuck for Melisandre, at least she's helping them this time since the dragons fucked up and didnt light the wood. I gotta say the dragons really disappointed me this episode.

I feel really bad for Tyrion, he just wants to help but even Sansa has to admit that they are useless. I really enjoyed Sansa admitting that Tyrion isn't that bad but seriously, she wasn't saying anything bad about Dany. All she was saying was divided loyalties would be a problem so people can stop acting as if she was hating on Dany.

Bran telling Theon that he was home was so important. Theon needed to hear that even after everything he done, Winterfell is still his home and that he belongs there.

Gotta admit I was a bit impressed when the dead created a bridge of bodies to get over the fire, I didn't expect them to be that smart.

Braime fighting for each other and protecting each other this episode gave me life, also protecting their son Podrick as well. I'm so here for their little family surviving everything together.

The Hounds panic attack was one of my favourite scenes this episode, it really shows the big guys trams and it just proves how much Arya means to him. We was ready to just give up and die but when he knew Arya was in danger he had to save her. Honestly one of the best duos in this show.

Lyanna Mormont killing this giant hurt me so much. That little girl had more balls than most the characters on that show and if she was gonna go out she was gonna go out fighting. Even when she was dying she took out a giant, she is such a badass little queen who will be greatly missed.

Arya alone inside that castle was honestly more intense than most horror movies, that was definitely there to foreshadow her being able to sneak past the dead at the end of the episode to kill the Night King.

I'm sad to see Beric go but at least the guy will be at peace now, knowing he died for what he was meant to do. I knew he was gonna die but I kinda hoped Melisandre

I have been waiting for Ayra and Melisandre to meet again. I never took much notice of the eye thing but when she said that it all clicked and the little "not today" part was a reminder I didn't need. God I had forgot all about Syrio Forel and I really liked that little reference to season 1.

I knew that burning him wasn't going to work but I was hoping that Jon would go into the flames at one point. I want to see if he will be like Dany and not get burnt or if cos he's half stark it will kill him. I feel like this is where the Night King got a bit cocky and that's was his downfall, Dany's dragon didn't work and he thought he left Jon to die so he didn't see anyone else as threats, only obstacles.

I FUCKING KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE CRYPTS. I said this to my stepdad last week when they said they were gonna his people in the crypts, I knew it was gonna be a bad idea. He said to me it wouldn't happen cos they are decomposed, well fuck you it happened. I told you so.

I knew that Jorah was gonna die protecting Dany but I didn't expect him to fight until he was dead. That man was so loyal that he fought until his last breath (must be a Mormont thing) but seriously I'm gonna miss him. Even with his faults he was a great character.

Speaking of which Sansa and Tyrion (with no training) were prepared to die fighting for the people in the crypt. The little hand kiss bit got me, I really believe that they will grow closer after this.

Theon fighting even when he was the last man standing hurt me so much. I really hoped he wouldn't die and get a happy ending but I kinda expected him to die like this. He done amazing and he tried so hard to protect Bran, when Bran told him he was a good man I think that was what he needed to hear to know that it was okay to die. He gave everything to protect Bran and I hope Winterfell remembers him.

Jon giving up and screaming back at the dragon was so relatable for some reason? Honestly bro, me too.

ARYA KILLED THE NIGHT KING. MY GIRL DID IT AND IVE NEVER FELT SO PROUD. I never thought about her killing him till now but it makes so much sense, she has been training for this for years and has learned about death. I'm raging that I didn't realise it before but I'm happy that it wasn't Jon or Dany who done it cos it would've been too obvious.

Dany crying over Jorah was heartbreaking and I think it will definetly add to the Dark Dany that she is becoming now that she has lost her most loyal friend. Also Drogon trying to comfort her was a horrible thing to add, I was already sad I didn't need to see that.

Missadre being a dramatic bitch and dying like that. Davos was just pissed he wasn't the one to kill her.

I really enjoyed this episode and I'm surprised that more major characters didn't die, definitely not complaining tho. I really hope the next episodes give the chapters time to rest and have them meet their loved ones after the battle (Aka Gendrya and Braime). I also looking forward to seeing everyone's reactions when they find out that Arya killed The Night King.

With one fell swoop, the Alliance has come to Quel’Thalas and in their fury, they have dispatched an entire fleet of Thalassian Warships, taken a province of the Ghostlands, nearly taken Sunstrider Isle, besieged the Sunwell, and locked Quel’Thalas in a barrier of magical nullification. Armies from Stormwind, Kalimdor, Gilneas, Kul Tiras, and even reclaimers of high elves and void elves have landed to bring Quel’Thalas into submission. 

Just as the ink was signed for the Sunguard to become a fully fledged regiment within the Royal Thalassian Army was the battle called. An army of Three Hammers moves onto Silvermoon City and the Sunguard moved to intervene. Thane Fergus Mountainbeard and regiments of dwarves position themselves to fight head-on with the elven host. The Sunguard, moving to the fields south of Silvermoon make into battle array for a pitched battle while Gilnean forces close in on their rear and ready to reave into the Dawnspire.

Off the coast of Sundial Anchorage, a Stormwind and Kul Tiran Fleet led by Commodore Lucious of Lordaeron takes command as soldiers from Kul Tiras, Stormwind, and Arathor are ready to disembark. 

Near Sunsail Anchorage, Admiral Drake dispatches his Kul Tiran marines onto the shores and brings the Citadel of the Last Ember, home of the Phoenix Guard under siege. 

Attempting to make some sort of headway on the Isle of Quel’Danas, Fleet Commander Esme Sunshard and Commander Faervel Bael’nar ready themselves with Stormwind 3rd Fleet and a garrison of undead that hold the beach landing. 

Further south, a new nation sparks into the hearts of all former exiles of Quel’Thalas. The Kingdom of Quel’Thalas Reborn, a thalassian enclave has reclaimed the former Windrunner Holdings. Their elven regiments move onto Embertree of Shallowbrook and further into Havenblaze port. 

With the war sounding out in the deep Amani trolls swept out of the mountain passes and surround the Emberlight. Dispatching General Idrya Blacksun to the Blacksun Gates, the Emberlight prepares for the carnage. Sailing north, Severus Blacksquall engages with the Stormwind 9th fleet off the coast of Sundial Anchorage.

The night was not without some victories as the Sunguard was able to dispatch squads of agents. Monax the Undying was successfully able to raise new soldiers in Autumnvale while the scout Thinariel was able to show the Sunguard main force a position of an ambush on the dwarven column. Finally, the bard Vaelan Cindercloak gave a rousing song to the Mage-Guard under Azriah Thelryn’s command.

Research into Militia Training and Advance Seafaring were completed by the human Gideon and the Pathfinder Caelinda respectively while a force was sent to Suramar to assist in retrieving allies. A troop of consisting of Caeliri Dawnsworn, Melori Bronzeblade, and Elovriel the Wyrm were successfully able to find and meet with the Matron known as Ayra, a rising figure within the city-state. 

On the southern front, an elite force consisting of Oosaarn Bloodaxe, Sibelia, and the Spellbreaker Thordemar were able to cross over the Thalassian Mountains into the Ghostlands and link up with a battalion of elite Forsaken soldiers known as the Queen’s Hand. 

With the battle lines drawn, the Sunguard prepares for its next adventure in the PHOENIX WARS!

TC!dad!JK

“you’ll really do that?” you ask. “don’t lie to me jungkook. please don’t sit here and lie to me” but jungkook emphasizes that he’s telling the truth. if it’s home you want then he doesn’t mind you going back for awhile because you need the space. he’ll do anything for you and for the first time, you really believe it. you slowly nod your head and just as promised, he arranges for you to go home as long as you need to. to clear your mind with no kids, no duties, and no more him even though he hates being apart from.

“thank you so much” you whisper to him before kissing his cheek goodbye. you kiss all of your kids and they watch you leave until they can’t see you anymore.

although all of the kids cried, jinseoul felt the worst. he’s the closest one to you and his crying almost made you want to stay but you know you need the space. they’ll be fine without you and jungkook tells you to not come back until you’re happy again.

when you arrive home, you’re in shambles. you feel like you can actually breathe and what hurts the most is that your house is empty. your father used to always greet you and your mother would sit and make flower crowns in the backyard. it feels like you’re dreaming despite everything being 100% real.

you immediately begin cleaning your small home and getting rid of the dust. you speak to your old neighbors and visit the flower shop you and your mom used to walk to all of the time. you feel some of your happiness restore when you see it. you feel like a kid all over again with a small reminder that you’re still a queen because everyone treats you with so much respect.

months pass and to say you’re happy is an understatement. right now, you’re sitting in the flower shop making flower crowns for all of the little girls and boys who want one.

“thank you so much, miss y/n”

“i want one next!”

“can i have one too, please?”

each of the kids crowd around you asking for a flower crown and their cute faces reminds you of your children who you miss dearly. after all of this time, you’re ready to go back and see your kids again and you arrange the trip back to the palace that day.

when you arrive to the front gates, your heart is beating rapidly. you’re scared that your children will be upset with you for being gone so long. however, when you arrive inside and your children see you, they immediately come running to you, almost trampling you with their excitement to see your face. “awww, i’ve missed you guys too!” you say giving all of your three oldest kisses all over their cute faces. you then visit ji-eun and ayra who are with their nannies and excited to see you as well. jawon is sleep on his bed so you press a kiss to his head and try to look for jungkook who is rumored to be in a meeting but you don’t care to wait until you hear jungkook’s voice from up the hall.

you immediately begin running in his direction and when you get close enough, you pounce on a surprised jungkook and kiss him all over his face. his cheek, his eyes, his lips, oh how much you’ve missed his lips. “i’ve missed you so much” you say in his neck and the ministers just smile at the heartwarming reaction.

“kiss me. right now. i don’t care who’s watching, just kiss me”

~🫧

Jungkook manages to catch you and you straddle in his lap, your legs wrapped around his waist and everyone’s watching the encounter.

“Kiss me. right now. I don’t care who’s watching, just kiss me.” Your words ring in his ears and his mind goes numb. You’re really here, after so long. And you look so radiant, happy and healthy.

You just showered his face in kisses and now you’re demanding him to kiss you, is he in heaven? Is this really reality?

“Y-Yn!” He stutters.

Jungkook just wants to stare at you forever, he wants to look at you, but he needs to kiss you right now. So he doesn’t waste any time to crash his lips on yours.

He doesn’t care if anyone’s watching. Oh it feels so good to kiss you. He’s missed everything about you. He kisses you like his life depends on it.

It’s almost lewd but he doesn’t care and it seems like that you don’t either. “Oh baby… you must’ve really missed me- wow.” He finally breaks the kiss. Panting heavily and stares at you lovestruck.

“I missed you a lot too!!!”

2024 Grammy Awards: Full list of winners

This year’s Grammy Awards was held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, United States on Sunday. Disappointingly, no Nigerian artiste was announced as winner at the 66th edition of the awards ceremony. David Adeleke, aka, Davido; Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy; Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake; Olamide Adedeji, aka Baddo; and Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, aka Ayra Starr; all lost out in their combined 10 nominations across different award categories. Here is the full list of winners: Best African Music Performance Amapiano – Asake and Olamide City Boys – Burna Boy Water – Tyla WINNER Unavailable – Davido Featuring Musa Keys Rush – Ayra Starr Best Melodic Rap Performance Sittin’ On Top Of The World – Burna Boy Featuring 21 Savage Attention – Doja Cat All My Life – Lil Durk Featuring J. Cole WINNER Spin Bout U – Drake & 21 Savage Low – SZA Best Global Music Album Epifanías — Susana Baca History — Bokanté I Told Them… — Burna Boy This Moment – Shakti WINNER Timeless — Davido BEST RAP ALBUM Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage Michael – Killer Mike WINNER Heroes & Villains – Metro Boomin King’s Disease III – Nas Utopia – Travis Scott PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II Jack Antonoff – WINNER Hit Boy Metro Boomin Daniel Nigro SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL Edgar Barrera Jessie Jo Dillon Shane McAnally Theron Thomas – WINNER Justin Tranter Best Global Music Performance Shadow Forces – Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily Alone – Burna Boy Pashto – Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain Featuring Rakesh Chaurasia WINNER FEEL – Davido Milagro Y Desastre – Silvana Estrada Abundance In Millets – Falu & Gaurav Shah (Featuring PM Narendra Modi) Best Album Notes Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy (Live) Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos – WINNER I Can Almost See Houston: The Complete Howdy Glenn Mogadishu’s Finest: The Al Uruba Sessions Playing For The Man At The Door: Field Recordings From The Collection Of Mack McCormick, 1958–1971 Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package The Collected Works Of Neutral Milk Hotel Gieo For The Birds: The Birdsong Project – WINNER Inside: Deluxe Box Set Words & Music, May 1965 – Deluxe Edition Best Music Film How I’m Feeling Now -Lewis Capaldi Live From Paris, The Big Steppers Tour – Kendrick Lamar Moonage Daydream – David Bowie WINNER I Am Everything – Little Richard Dear Mama – Tupac Shakur Best Music Video In Your Love – Tyler Childers I’m Only Sleeping – The Beatles WINNER What Was I Made For – Billie Eilish Count Me Out – Kendrick Lamar Rush – Troye Sivan Best Song Written For Visual Media Barbie World What Was I Made For? – WINNER Dance The Night I’m Just Ken Lift Me Up Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media Call Of Duty®: Modern Warfare II – Sarah Schachner Hogwarts Legacy – Peter Murray, J Scott Rakozy & Chuck E. Myers “Sea”, composers Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Stephen Barton & Gordy Haab WINNER God Of War Ragnarök – Bear McCreary, composer Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical – Montaigne, Tripod & Austin Wintory, composers Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Ludwig Göransson Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny – John Williams Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson WINNER Barbie – Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt The Fabelmans – John Williams Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media Aurora Barbie The Album – WINNER Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3: Awesome Mix, Vol. 3 Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Best Comedy Album I Wish You Would – Trevor Noah I’m An Entertainer – Wanda Sykes What’s In A Name? – Dave Chappelle – WINNER Selective Outrage – Chris Rock Someone You Love – Sarah Silverman Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Desire, I Want To Turn Into You History Jaguar II – WINNER Multitudes The Record Best Immersive Audio Album God Of War Ragnarök (Original Soundtrack) Act 3 (Immersive Edition) The Diary Of Alicia Keys – WINNER Blue Clear Sky Silence Between Songs Best Historical Album Fragments – Time Out Of Mind Sessions (1996-1997): The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17 Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos – WINNER The Moaninest Moan Of Them All: The Jazz Saxophone of Loren McMurray, 1920-1922 Playing For The Man At The Door: Field Recordings From The Collection Of Mack McCormick, 1958–1971 Words & Music, May 1965 – Deluxe Edition Best Tropical Latin Album Voy A Ti – Luis Figueroa Siembra: 45º Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo… – Rubén Blades… WINNER Niche Sinfónico – Grupo Niche Y Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia VIDA – Omara Portuondo MIMY & TONY – Tony Succar, Mimy Succar Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así – Carlos Vives Best Gospel Album I Love You – Erica Campbell Hymns (Live) – Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Maverick Way – Maverick City Music All Things New: Live In Orlando – Tye Tribbett WINNER My Truth – Jonathan McReynolds Best Roots Gospel Album Tribute To The King – The Blackwood Brothers Quartet Echoes Of The South – Blind Boys Of Alabama WINNER Songs That Pulled Me Through The Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman Meet Me At The Cross – Brian Free & Assurance Shine: The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light – Gaither Vocal Band Best Rap Album Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage MICHAEL – Killer Mike WINNER HEROES & VILLIANS – Metro Boomin King’s Disease III – Nas UTOPIA – Travis Scott Best R&B Album Girls Night Out – Babyface JAGUAR II – Victoria Monét WINNER What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) – Coco Jones Special Occasion – Emily King CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP – Summer Walke Best Remixed Recording Alien Love Call New Gold (Dom Dolla Remix) Reviver (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Remix) Wagging Tongue (Wet Leg Remix) – WINNER Workin’ Hard (Terry Hunter Remix) Read the full article

A Doe Becomes a Wolf, Part One

Pairing: Jon Snow x OC, Robb Stark x OC

Warnings: Cursing, smut, loss of virginity

Words: 2211

Everything tag: @squirrelacorngliterfarts @kawennote09 @sherrybaby14

           The carriage feels stuffed with four people. I feel like I’m sitting on top of my mother and siblings. I long to be riding my own horse, like Father and Joffrey. But that’s not ladylike apparently. Fuck that. I don’t want to be a fucking lady if I can’t ride a horse. The carriage slows down. I nearly beat the door down trying to get out.

           I look around. We are not in Winterfell. We’re in the middle of nowhere. Again. I let out a groan and drop to my knees. Why can’t we be there already? We’ve been riding for a month.

           “Ilyana!” I hear a shriek from behind me. It’s Mother. I look back at her. “Get up! You’re going to ruin your dress!”

           “I’d rather be wearing trousers anyway,” I say. She gives me a look. I slowly stand up. Myrcella and Tommen come out of the carriage. Father walks over with Jaime behind him.

           “When will we be there, Father?” I groan.

           Father laughs. “Tomorrow. We will be in Winterfell tomorrow, Ilyana.”

           I groan again. Then an idea pops into my head. “Mother!” I spin towards her.

           “Yes?” she says.

           “Can I ride my horse tomorrow? Since it’s the last day? Please?” I ask.

           Her eyebrows push together. “Ilyana, we’ve had this discussion before.”

           “Oh, just let her! It’s too cramped in the carriage for her. We brought her horse for a damn reason,” Father says.

           Mother pauses. “Yes dear,” she says finally. I do a little dance. Mother rolls her eyes. “You’re so dramatic, Ilyana.”

           “Wonder where I get it from,” I say. Myrcella and Tommen laugh.

           A table is set up for us to eat dinner at. There’s bread, cheese, almonds, apples, plums, salted pork, and pigeon pie. Way too much food for the six of us. I sit in between Tommen and Mother, Father is across from me. We eat in silence, as usual. Mother, Father, Joff, and I drink wine. Myrcella and Tommen drink water because Mother says they’re too young to drink wine.

           Tyrion joins us halfway through. He pulls up a chair next to me and picks at my pork. I playfully glare at him. He’s by far the person I’m closest with. When we finish dinner, I lay on the ground to watch the sunset. Tyrion sits by a tree reading something close by. It gets dark fast though and I’m called to bed.

           The next morning, I’m excited to put on trousers. Excited to ride today. I wonder how far it is to Winterfell. I kind of hope it’s a long way because I want to ride for a while.

           When I get outside, Mother, Myrcella, and Tommen are just about to get into the carriage. I wave at them. Father comes up to me.

           “Your mother isn’t happy that I’m letting you ride today. She says that you need to be a lady,” he says. I roll my eyes. “I know how you feel about that.”

           “She’s suffocating,” I say.

           He laughs. “I know what you mean. Soon, you’ll be married, and you won’t have to deal with her.”

           I pause. “Who am I marrying?”

           He hesitates. “I’m hoping Ned will let me marry you to his eldest son Robb.”

           “When were you going to tell me this?” I ask.

           “It’s not set in stone yet, Ilyana. And it’s not the end of the world,” he says.

           “What about Myrcella and Tommen?” I ask.

           “What about them?”

           “I’ll miss them,” I admit.

           Father laughs. “You won’t miss Joffrey?”

           I wrinkle my nose. “Would you?”

           He laughs again, loudly. He claps me on the back and walks over to his horse. “Better start the ride.”

           The journey to Winterfell passes quickly. Soon enough we’re entering the gates. I hop from my horse and hand the reins off to someone. Mother steps out of the carriage as I walk over there.

           “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” I tease.

           Her expression softens. “It was less cramped, I must admit.”

           “Father wants me to marry Robb Stark,” I say quietly.

           Her eyes narrow. “Of course, he does.”

           “Did he talk to you about it?” I ask.

           “Of course not. I would have told you earlier,” she says.

           “I figured,” I say.

           She cups my cheeks. “I guess it is time. You’re sixteen. I don’t particularly want to though. But your father will force me. He’ll say I’ve held onto you long enough.”

           I laugh. Father calls me then and I run over to him. He’s in front of Ned Stark.

           “This is my eldest daughter Ilyana. I had hoped she would marry your eldest, Robb,” Father says.

           Ned smiles at me. “It could be arranged, your grace.”

           Father nods then Ned and him go to the crypts.

           Ned’s wife comes up to me. “So, you’ll be marrying Robb?”

           “I guess so, Lady Stark,” I nod.

           She smiles. “Please call me Catelyn.” She holds my hand in hers. “Let me introduce you to Robb.” She pulls me towards a curly, auburn haired boy. I don’t see my mother glaring at us. “Robb,” Catelyn calls.

           Robb looks over towards us. “Yes?”

           “This is Ilyana Baratheon. According to your father and the King, you will be marrying her,” Catelyn says.

           Robb takes my hand from Catelyn and kisses it. “It would be a pleasure to marry you, my princess.”

           I laugh. “Just Ilyana.”

           He smiles and takes my arm and pulls me away. It’s then I get a good look at who he was talking to, another curly haired boy, this time black. He looks to be the same age. I assume him to be Ned Stark’s bastard, Jon. He looks over suddenly, like I had called his name. Our eyes meet and I feel something surge through me. I get the urge to run to him and take him in my arms. He takes a step towards me like he feels the same but then shakes his head and steps back again. This happens in the span of a few seconds. I look back to Robb to see if he noticed but he didn’t seem to.

           “Who were you talking to?” I ask warily when we’re away.

           “That was my half brother Jon,” he says.

           I knew it. What was that feeling? I shake my head and try to put it behind me.

           Robb brings me to their godswood. We sit down beside the Weirwood tree, next to a black pond. We’re silent for a moment.

           “I’ll try to be a good wife,” I say hesitantly.

           “I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Robb says.

           It’s silent again.

           “How many siblings do you have?” I ask.

           He smiles. “Four not including Jon. There’s Sansa, Ayra, Bran, and Rickon.”

           “I have…” I start.

           “I know. Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen,” he laughs. “I know a bit more about you than you know about me.”

           I blush. “I guess so.”

           “How do you all get on?” Robb asks.

           I sigh. “Joffrey is a dick. Myrcella and Tommen are sweet though. But they’re also so much younger than me.”

           “I get on with all of my siblings,” Robb says.

           “Including Jon?”

           He laughs. “Including Jon.”

           “What’s it like having a half brother?” I ask.

           He shifts. “You have plenty.”

           My eyes widen. “Well yes. But none of them live with me.”

           “I suppose that’s true. My mother doesn’t like him, obviously. But he loves us and is kind to us,” he says.

           I hum.

           “What was it like growing up in King’s Landing?” he asks.

           I pause. “It’s much hotter there. Stuffy in more ways than one. There’s always someone guarding you. My upbringing is probably about the same as your sisters. I wasn’t raised to uphold the throne; my brother was,” I finally say. “You were raised to lead the North.”

           “Yes. It’s not unlike how your brother was raised to take the throne, although I won’t be ruling the kingdoms,” he says.

There’s a pause in the conversation.

“What’s that?” he asks suddenly, pointing to my waist.

           I pull my dagger out of the sheath. “It’s my dagger. My father gave it to me for my thirteenth name day.” I place it in his hands. “It’s Valyrian steel.”

           “Do you know how to use it?” he asks, looking down at the dagger.

           I laugh. “Yes. A sword too. I wanted to learn so Father had Jaime teach me.”

           Robb hands the dagger back to me and I sheath it.

           Suddenly a boy runs up to us. “It’s time for the feast,” he says.

           “Thanks Bran,” Robb says. He stands up and then helps me up. Bran runs back to the keep. “I shall walk you to the feast, my princess. Will you sit next to me?”

           “Sure, Robb,” I say. I take his arm. He leads me into the keep.

           When we get inside, Robb pulls my chair out for me. I smile as I sit down. He sits down beside me. Throughout the feast, we have polite conversation with each other and others. My mother keeps looking at me warily.

           After I’ve eaten my fill, I excuse myself and head outside. The cold air feels good on my hot cheeks. I walk into the courtyard and see a boy using a sword at a dummy. I recognize him as Jon. I stand and watch him for a moment before he notices me.

           “My princess,” he says, bowing his head slightly.

           “Please, just Ilyana,” I say. “Why aren’t you at the feast?”

           “Lady Stark thinks it would be impolite to seat a bastard with the royal family,” he says, putting his sword down and walking over to me.

           I laugh. “I wouldn’t have minded. I think the only one who would have minded would have been my mother. My father has dozens of bastards.”

           “Do any of them live with him?” he asks.

           “I suppose not. But it’s all the same to me, Jon. You’re still a person,” I say.

           “Some wouldn’t agree,” he says.

           “Fuck them,” I say.

           He laughs. Then he pauses. “You’re very beautiful, Ilyana.”

           I blush. “Thank you, Jon. You’re quite handsome yourself.”

           “If I was a true born, we might’ve been getting married.” He steps closer. We’re a hair away from each other.

           “Do you feel it too?” I whisper.

           “Yes. What is it?” he asks.

           “I don’t know. I’ve never felt like this before, Jon,” I say.

           “I want to kiss you. Can I kiss you Ilyana?” he murmurs.

           “I’m going to be your sister by law soon, Jon,” I hedge.

           “You’re not right now,” he says.

           “True,” I admit and then I nod my head.

           He surges forward the small amount and presses his lips against mine. It’s soft at first, but it’s like we can’t get enough of each other; the kiss soon turns heated. I pull away after a moment, out of breath and lean my forehead against his.

           “I want more,” I admit after a minute of silence.

           Jon stares at me for a moment before he turns and tugs me after him. Neither of us notice Robb going back inside after witnessing our kiss.

           Jon takes me to a broken tower. He turns towards me and stares. “Have you…have you ever…?” he stutters.

           “No,” I shake my head, now nervous. “Have you?”

           He shakes his head.

           “We won’t be interrupted here?” I ask.

           “No. No one comes here,” he says.

           I step closer to him and cup his cheek. Our lips meet in a soft kiss. He lays me on the floor and pulls his pants down to his knees. His cock is hard and rubbing against me. I pull away from the kiss and take my belt off, throwing it aside, then take pants down as well. He rubs his cock against my slit a few times before pushing in. It hurts at first but then he’s bottomed out. He pulls out and thrusts back in.

           “Ilyana,” He whispers in my ear.

           “Jon,” I moan out. It feels so good. I pull his lips to mine.

           I recognize what I’m doing is wrong, but in that moment, pressed so close to Jon, I don’t care. Eventually a feeling seeps through me and I realize that I’ve cum. Jon’s thrusts stutter, he pushes in deep and cums as well. After that, we just lay there kissing. I think we both knew that this feeling was love in the purest form even though we had only met that day. Is this what having a soulmate feels like?

           I don’t know how long we lie there, just being with each other, but eventually I come to realize that people will be looking for us. Or at least me. I didn’t know if Jon’s family would mind if he disappeared. I kiss him one last time and then push him off me. I stand and pull up my pants. I grab my belt and put it back on.

           “We’d better get back,” I say shyly. “Will we…will we do this again?”

           He looks down sadly and shakes his head. “Probably not. You’re going to be married soon and I’m leaving for the Wall.”

           I kiss him fiercely. “I’m glad it was you,” I say when we part. He smiles.