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gladerwolfstarkimagines · 2 years

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Korra x Female Air Acolyte Series: Part One

Imagine being an air acolyte and a budding romance forming between you and Avatar Korra

Part Two, Part Three, Part Four and Part Five.

You were an air acolyte that lived on air temple island. You’d originally lived at the Southern Air Temple with your sister who was also an air acolyte. That was how you met Pema. She quickly became close friends with your sister and was always a kind motherly figure to you. Pema left when she married Tenzin but when she heard your sister, your only remaining family member, passed she invited you to live with her at her home. You were only 12 at the time and although you were a fully qualified acolyte neither Tenzin nor Pena made you stick too strictly to your duties. They took you in and gave you a home and a purpose. You were happy and cared for. The Airbender kids were like younger cousins and although you weren’t one of their children you felt safe with Pema and Tenzin.

As you got older you began taking a more active acolyte role and Tenzin began mentoring you. At the age of 17 you’d been in the field a while and were very experienced. Tenzin viewed that as enough experience to travel with his family to meet the avatar and you were so excited.

Oogie began to descend and you peered over the side excited to get your first view at the Avatar’s compound. You recognised Tenzin’s mother immediately and watched amused as her grandchildren interacted with her. Your eyes however went to the girl behind her, the Avatar.

She didn’t look as you expected her to, she looked...normal. You’d been expecting a towering powerful giant but this girl just looked like a friendly normal teenager. She waved slightly and you smiled back at her. Tenzin finally caught sight of her and rushed to greet her. He introduced you and Korra grinned "this is so great! Are you going to be joining us for our lessons? I can’t wait to have someone my age joining me". You frowned and looked at Tenzin. Pema sighed "you'll have to tell her eventually" she sighed. Korra looked crestfallen as Tenzin told her the news, he wasn’t here to train her. Over dinner Korra tried convincing him to change his mind but Tenzin held to his reasons. You tried to help, offering suggestions but nothing would budge Tenzin and Korra stormed away angrily. You watched her walk away and frowned. You understood she was disappointed and wished there was some way you could comfort her. You were sat next to Katara who knocked her cup off the table “ow how clumsy of me!” she cried and you smiled “let me help you”. You reached down to grab her mug and she leant in “Korra always goes to the kennels when she’s upset, they’re outside the main door and to the left”. You stared at her confused and Tenzin’s mother just smiled at you. You excused yourself and followed Katara’s instructions.

You found the kennels but no Korra. However there were some footprints so you followed them into the snowy grounds. You were sure you were lost when you heard a noise. You turned to see a polar bear dog barreling towards you. You gasped and fell backwards as you tried to run. The polar bear dog roared loudly and you closed your eyes before someone intervened. "Naga stop!" someone called and the Avatar appeared. "Bad girl y/n is a friend". The avatar then turned to you "sorry about that, Naga hasn't met you yet and she knows everyone in the compound so she assumed you were trying to hurt her". Korra offered you a hand up and you took it. The girl pulled you effortlessly to your feet surprising you and bringing your faces close together. “Are you okay?” she asked her blue eyes practically dazzling you. “I’m fine...are you?” you asked “I know Tenzin’s revelation couldn’t have been good to hear”. Korra sighed “it’s fine, I mean there are worse things to happen I’m just sick of waiting around for my life to start! I’m kept here like an outcast and whenever I ask about leaving they just tell me I have to wait until I’m a fully training avatar...”. “Hence why you’re so eager to master airbending” you commented and Korra nodded “exactly! Now that’s been pushed back indefinitely so i’m stuck” she said sitting down angrily in the snow. You watched her wondering how you could help her when an idea came to you. “What if I showed you a few things?”. Korra hesitated “what?”. “I know i’m no Airbender but a lot of airbending forms are practised by acolytes too for their health benefits, not to mention we’re around them 24/7, what if I showed you the basics?”. Korra’s face lit up “that’d be amazing! Thanks y/n”. You blushed under her intense gratitude and shrugged “no problem, now let’s get started!”.

You and Korra trained in the snow for a while before Katara found you and told you it was time to leave. Korra was upset but you thought your training had helped a little. She promised to practice the forms you’d shown her every day and you promised to ask Tenzin every day when she could come to Republic City. Your deal was made and you left the Water Tribe with a very strong positive first impression of the Avatar.

When you returned to Republic City you got back on with your normal life. You kept your end of the deal and bugged Tenzin but to no avail. However you were soon going to learn the Avatar waits for no one.

You were on your way to City hall on an errand for Tenzin when you heard blaring police sirens. You turned to see cars all heading down the same street chasing after what seemed to be...a polar bear dog. You squinted at the figure on the bear’s back but couldn’t see them clearly enough. You joined in the crowd rushing to follow the chase and spotted an officer. "What’s going on? Who is that?" you asked. The man recognised you due to your air nomad uniform and shrugged "no idea, some girl from the water tribe. She resisted arrest after attacking some gang members. Apparently the damage was pretty bad, though I don’t get how one girl could do all that. It looked like a few benders at least". Realisation set in and you shook your head "or the avatar".

You knew Korra wouldn’t be able to outrun the entire police so you just hurried to the police station and demanded to see the avatar. You were taken into the most secure room and the door opened. Korra sat there chained to a table. Her eyes lit up when she saw you and you smiled...before you saw who she was talking to. All the way here you’d prayed it wasn’t Beifong but of course it was. "Chief, Avatar Korra" you nodded to them both "I came as soon as I heard". Lin tutted at you "why did you come?". You paused "to help of course. I'm sure whatever happened we can work out an agreement". Lin turned to you "an agreement? The girl’s a menace. She destroyed countless properties and goods with her vigilantly attitude". "But I'm the avatar! I have to help people" Korra cried. "That title might impress others but not me" Lin glared at Korra and you sighed. "Cheif Beifong please try to..." you started when Korra gasped "wait Beifong? ...you're Toph’s daughter!". Lin sighed "I don’t see why that's relevant?". "Well your mother was friends with Avatar Aang! My past life! She helped him". "Still not relevant" Lin shrugged and you rested a hand on Korra’s chair. "What the Avatar means is your mother understood the value of the Avatar and their role. While Korra’s actions were disruptive she did save those people and she was doing what she considered her duty. How is that any different from the harm your officers caused barreling down the street trying to catch her? I saw atleast 3 overturned Sato mobiles, was that a menace or just officers doing their duty?". "Yes exactly!" Korra cried. You wanted to smile but had to remain serious. Lin sighed "I appreciate what you're trying to do but it won’t work kid. Ordinary people have no ranks to take the law into their own hands, that's the polices duty Avatar or not. So I’m sorry but..." when the door opened. "Y/n?" Tenzin asked and Lin groaned "there’s more of you?". Tenzin managed to arrange Korra’s release and she was set free. You walked with her out of the cell and couldn’t help but laugh as she shot Lin an *I'm watching you* sign. Tenzin however wasn’t in as good a mood. He scolded Korra for travelling here and used this as proof she wasn’t ready. You tried speaking up for her but Tenzin snapped at you and Korra gave you a signal to stop.

It was decided Korra would go straight home and Tenzin led you both there in silence. So you waited at the docks for Korra to be sent away. You weren’t happy about it and made this known by refusing to look at Tenzin. You watched as Korra said goodbye to the Airbender kids and Tenzin sighed. "I know you don’t think it's right but this city is far too busy for her, she needs a more stable environment". You shook your head "does she? She's been locked up in that compound for years. How is she going to learn how to help the world if she’s never experienced it? Locking her away isn’t going to help her but being here in a living breathing city...she’s already learnt to be more careful and respectful to the law and that’s in one day! Imagine what else she could learn". Tenzin was silent and when you looked at him you saw he was thinking. Finally he stepped forward. As Korra went to say goodbye he announced she could stay. "But how...why?" Korra asked and Tenzin glanced at you "let's just say I had some good advice". Korra beamed and rushed to hug you "thank you y/n!". You smiled blushing slightly at the attention "I just said some words that’s all!". "Well I'll always be grateful to you" Korra smiled squeezing your hand and you smiled squeezing back.

Tenzin brought Korra to Air Temple Island and you showed her around. You got her all settled in a new room and brought her all the things she’d need. "We can get anything else in the city" you told her "for now just make do and try to rest. Your training will begin very soon". Korra cheered "yes! I'm so excited! I've been waiting years for this and finally it’s happened". You smiled at how endearing she was and nodded. "Well you've earned it! Get some rest, I'm right across the hall if you need anything". You went back to your own room and prepared for bed. You’d just gotten into the blankets when there was a knock and Korra appeared. "Hey y/n I can’t sleep...". You smiled. She must've literally tried for a minute before giving up. "Well would you like to stay here and talk for a bit?" You asked "perhaps you're a bit excited?". "Yeah that sounds good" Korra agreed, wriggling into the blankets so she was beside you. You kept the lights low to try and make her sleepy and just talked. Korra told you all about her life and you told her about yours. You eventually felt sleepier and sleepier until you could hardly keep your eyes open. You went to tell Korra you were too tired to continue when you realised she was sound asleep. You smiled and covered her up more with the blankets before going to sleep yourself.

Now the Avatar was in Republic City something told you things would be very different...

_____

Season one Korra has a special place in my heart. I loved when she was so cocky and hot headed 🥰🥰

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themediummuses · 5 years

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Dear Phoenix,

@objectionabl3

Well, you wished for a letter in order to hear about what I’ve been up to since my...then-unknown disappearance, right? I wish I could’ve found a moment to tell you when you visited me before, but I couldn’t quite find it, so here’s me writing it now: it’s not exactly a happy tale. A lot of it spent doing what I could to make it through the day, the week... Step by step, making it through the years and staying very quiet.

Though I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. I would like to write out the approximate of what went on, rather than summarize so heavily, so here goes.

That day of the end of the trial... I did see it. After all, such a terrible crime would catch the eyes of anyone, wouldn’t it? Such a promising young man, his career and life at an end before it began...and one of the other students on campus blamed for it. I remembered the day Dahlia told me- forcefully- that she’d go to school. I wasn’t needed. I was so scared, but I didn’t know the lengths she was about to go through...

Dahlia usually told me everything. The one time she didn’t, it almost cost us both dearly... Though you’ve already heard my statement in court on what I believe.

It broke my heart to see your expression. Your tears. That same day, I dyed my hair black to cover up the red Dahlia had helped me put in to look like her to the best of my ability...and then I told myself I wouldn’t go back. I wouldn’t hurt you more than I already had.

So I made the temple a punishment instead of a home.

I spent the next...five years or so in a deep depression. I hurt you, someone I’d come to love so deeply. I had wanted to save my sister, to stop her crimes and help her be the person I remembered her to be when younger...but the letter came in a few weeks after her trial: execution by hanging being her verdict. All I had done had come back to nothing. Bikini did her best to try and make me smile, to make me laugh...but unless it was for business, I only did the bare minimum to get by. To pretend I was okay.

...I very much wasn’t. I’m still trying to figure out how I can ever apologize to the one who was my mother when mine wasn’t... How I can apologize for almost throwing away the life she gave back to me. I...I was a coward. Again.

I mentioned it before, didn’t I? That Dahlia asked me to help her steal a gem from our father with the help of Valerie? She asked me to help, had set things up at Dusky Bridge so I could be there easily to assist...but I hadn’t. I left her there and became a traitor in her eyes.

...The day she was executed, I had gotten a letter two weeks prior announcing the date. I could go, if I wanted to. I could say my last words to her, if I wanted to. I... I could let her not die alone, if I wanted to.

Like a coward, I didn’t go. I let her die alone. I’m trying to forgive myself for that, but it’s hard. So, so difficult for me to do. I cared for her, didn’t I? So why didn’t I...?

Anyways. I did think about giving up for a time after that. I thought about it...a lot. A lot more than I’d admit to anyone else. I’m not sure why I didn’t go through with it; I suppose because Bikini had already done so much for me. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her alone... She didn’t have anyone else, especially someone who knew the temple as well as I did. Who would help her if I was gone? If her back got worse?

That’s the benefit of temple work, at least. As long as I kept focused and worked hard, then it was pretty easy to not think about that sort of thing. However... I still couldn’t avoid it in town.

The town of Chisana near the temple, just west of the mountain, knew about me and my sister. It was hard not to, when we looked so perfectly alike. For awhile after that trial, they did...harass me about it. About my demonic sister. About how evil she was. I know she seemed like that to others. I know she did horrible things that nobody has to forgive her for or hear me justify, but...

I do still care about her. Where people see a demonic woman, I still remember my sister, the one who protected me always. I’m sure...that Dahlia went through a lot. I don’t remember much of my childhood, but what I do remember was the yelling. I remember her dragging me out of the house, away from it all. I remember she learned foul words early; she made me giggle with shock when she swore out our mother. It was terrible, but she...she eased the pain. Sure, she called things I liked stupid sometimes, but by the time we went back home, she often had flowers in her hair.

Flowers she let me put into her hair as she would talk about the better life we could have. Away from our family and rich, probably. We could be by ourselves and never have to deal with this nonsense again. (Note: she did not say “nonsense”, but I never did pick up the habit of foul words like she did.)

That’s who I remember when I saw her. A sister who only turned cruel and desperate because she thought that’s how the world worked. Not that anyone else would know that, I suppose, but... It didn’t help to hear it. Didn’t help that when I still tried to stand by her as family, I was vilified for it.

I cried on the bus home from sheer exhaustion. Later, I learned how to block it out. Block it out until I could focus on the grocery shopping that needed to be done and get back to the temple in one piece...more or less. Just another thing my heart couldn’t exactly mend from. Convince yourself it’s okay and a surprising amount of things can be done, though.

That...about sums it up, I think? The only other thing I can think of is to mention the later chaos once things settled again. A murderous sister could be overlooked if you’re...apparently looking for a girlfriend. Or looking for a girlfriend for your son/grandson. Something that eventually became an odd norm in town...or from guests to the temple. Acolytes are polite enough, but other guests? Not so much.

I hope that will be the one benefit of prison: not dealing with that again. Some people take the hint and take their leave, but others...are not so kindly. Some are very, very stubborn, I’ve learned. Especially the guardians of NEETs or... It feels rude to phrase it like this, but the very desperate. I have work to do and they’d block the doorway! It was incredibly upsetting, but Bikini was a load of help; she’s a lot more aggressively forward than I could ever be.

(Though I feel like I have to say: on that note, don’t worry about Laurice. He was a bit persistent, but it was more dramatic than anything. Though I do feel bad I didn’t notice he was trying to hit on me at all until the trial itself was going on! How awkward... I thought I was being blackmailed, but he was just trying to confess... I’m not sure if Mr. Edgeworth said anything to him, but just in case, the next time you see him, could you apologize to him for me? I feel bad for unknowingly ignoring him like that...)

Um, anyways! Okay, that’s finally it. As I mentioned in the beginning, it’s not exactly been a happy time on my side, but... I’m hoping it’ll get better once I’m out of here. After all, now I can talk to you again. I’ve made a wonderful friend in Laurice and Mr. Edgeworth...and I can even properly talk to my cousin and little sister.

The future is an uncertain thing, but I hope things will turn around. Until they do, I’ll do my best to do just that for myself. Here’s to hoping, right?

I hope you’re doing well, Phoenix. Thank you for this opportunity. Take care of yourself, alright?

Until we meet again,

Iris Fey-Hawthorne

#objectionabl3 #chat; Iris #[ AND HERE IT IS ]#[ I promised a letter ]#[ and damn right I'd deliver ]#[ this also blog canon across the board so ]#[ anyone feel free to read ]

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fightevilandthengetblownup · 7 years

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ASOIAF AU Part II

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The queen dowager was excitedly awaiting for the start of the smaller court summons to be held that day, news from her eldest son was on the agenda and it had been too long since she’d last seen him. The last time she’d seen Prince Jackson was on the morning after his father’s funeral, departing back to the Citadel with a soft brush of lips on her cheek and a whispered promise that he’d find a way to avenge her beloved husband one day, when it was safe.

It had been the love and the fear for the previous King of the people that allowed her to keep her head and her first born both, the legitimization being rejected by Jackson when he was old enough to realise the looks his younger brother gave him and their father were only growing darker. If the people had not feared the old king so much, her life would have been fore fitted as the sun returned and her and the other maids had left the safety of their hide-away.

Gathering her skirts and brushing past the servants as they curtsied, Eleanor made for the throne room in record time, falling into place alongside her youngest son, Prince Ian, to the left of the dais. Of course King Jeffrey wasn’t there yet. He would likely show up late to purposefully slight any word from his brother and by extension the Citadel that he could.

Looking around the chambers, Eleanor notices the dark haired princess has only Lady Deja Tully beside her, both girls whispering to each other as they look around the room and rudely point out or nudge the other towards different people before dissolving into not entirely subtle laughter. Gripping Ian’s shoulder as he shifts boredly, the older woman follows their gaze to the Tully girl’s cousin standing beside the knight who had arrived with her and Jackson’s friend, Harry Rosby.

The acolyte caught her eye, and gave an awkward bow and gesture which Eleanor could not interpret but would speak with him later regarding. The boy was young, but not overly so, and her son wrote of him fondly - that they were doing important work together and that Rosby would likely help him uncover the truth regarding the fabled Long Night and the magick of their realm. She never really believed in anything other than the Seven, and that the fables of wargs and greenspeakers and white walkers being just that - fables - but Jackson had always been curious about such things. Where as the rest of the children just wanted to know why they could not have a dragon like their ancestors.

Turning her attention to the two beside them, she noticed how out of place all three were compared to the other’s at court. Especially considering how long the young lady was and had been there so far, Eleanor would have to speak with her daughter about letting one of her ladies run around with their hair completely undone like a pauper and skirts that didn’t cover her shoes. The knight was just as out of place, however for the obvious wear of his clothes and armour compared side-by-side with the kingsguards patrolling through the room.

Neither seemed to be speaking to the other, and obviously no love lost between them from the girl’s end on their travels together. The glances from both men though suggested possibly otherwise, the subtle shift of the knight’s stance whenever she moved and the confused looks he’d send her contrasted to the slightly frightened looks of the acolyte. Eleanor would have to speak to Harry Rosby about it, and ensure she wrote a question to her son to quiz him further for her - hopeful to help the girl adjust to court despite the scandal surrounding her mother and father, if only for her continued respect of Lord Lannister.

All three newcomers suddenly stiffened, ahead of the sound of the side door opening as the king finally arrived. Stomping into the throne room, hair disheveled and obviously furious to have to be there. Eleanor gripped her youngest’s shoulder tighter and pulled him back against her, as though she could hide him in her skirts from whatever the angry regent may do. Obviously he had been disturbed “at play”, and a quick surveying of the room suggested it may have been with Princess Shada’s lady-in-waiting Bela Waynwood; one of the least favoured of her daughter’s so called friends.

Turning her attention to her son, the queen dowager curtsied alongside the rest of the small court that was assembled as Jeffrey reclined into the throne, kicking a foot out in as relaxed a posture as the throne allowed. Eleanor knew how uncomfortable it was, from her and her husband’s youth where they enjoyed the piece for a set piece in their childlike fun. That now the possible reason her king-husband was no long upon it sat in his place made her heart hurt.

“Let’s get this over quickly, I have much more fun things to be doing.” Bemoaned the king, throwing an arm dramatically over his eyes before lifting it at the lack of laughter. The forced noise rose from majority of the crowd, those who knew the way court worked now and learned quickly, while others shifted uncertainly. “Where’s this bumbling learned fellow with some stupid nonsense about winter and whatever else droll things the Citadel deigns to tell us.”

Awkwardly, Harry Rosby shifted forward out of the crowd towards the lower steps, pulling out a scroll longer than most ravens could bring. Coughing again as he had been seen to do around the castle in the few days since his arrival, the man began speaking about the news from the Citadel regarding the likelihood of Winter within the next four years, the news from the Riverlands and Eastern areas, rumours of fleets from Essos planning to attack having come from fishermen on the coast, and various other bits of news that had the court as a whole chittering away for lengthy periods as he moved through his scrolls. Having a full description of news rather than what would fit on a ravens scroll was always an exciting time for those in court, aside from the king himself.

King Jeffrey the Gray was as uninterested as he had ever been, picking at his nails with an elaborate dagger rather than appearing to listen, causing the poor acolyte’s stories to be more drawn out and stammered than necessary. When that seemed to bore the king, he proceeded to survey the throne room and leer at any woman who met his eye to see who would back down.

As the news turned to a more personal account from the eldest brother, Jeffrey’s attention had returned to the man speaking to laugh cruelly at a well wishing from his brother to his reign, while the court murmured gently over the sentiments and news that the eldest Targaryen was progressing through his studies quickly and was working on his final ring despite only having left five years previously. Eleanor felt a rise of pride at that news, and shared a smile with her daughter and youngest son for their older brother’s successes, before frowning at a note that he was planning to return to court within the next month for the princess’ birthday celebrations. Jeffrey didn’t appear pleased by that news, but he seemed more interested in staring down the new Lannister girl as that information was delivered who didn’t appear to be playing the same game.

“Oh is he? Fantastic, isn’t that mother. The Bastard King will be back this month for our sweet sister’s name day.” Jeffrey sneered, looking over at his sister who was gossiping excitedly at the prospect with Deja Tully until his look stopped them. Glancing back over at his mother, the king sighed and jerked himself up from the throne in one swift move. “We shall welcome my /beloved/ brother back soon enough, for our lovely Princess comes of age for betrothal next year. And to celebrate, my darling sister shall name the celebration to begin the claims of her love and attention.” Approaching his sister and taking her hand, Eleanor sucked in a breath wondering just what his plan was to be and how his brother’s news had not induced more than simmering spite. He kissed the back of her hands, and laughed quietly at the blush on the princess’ cheeks. “I would strongly suggest a tourney of sorts, with so many /fine/ knights at court, my dear Shada. You’re sure to find a strong companion amongst those who will actually fight for you, or at the least weed out the weak, sister.”

At the nod from Shada, dark hair covering the way her blush was spreading down her neck and chest, the king nodded to the crowd. “You heard it, a great tourney for my sister’s maidenhead!” If the girl hadn’t been blushing before, she would have at that, as Eleanor felt her own face flush alongside many of the elders at court and the young women hiding their faces. “Send out the ravens and shut this stupid fool up, I’ve got better things to do.” Giving a final laugh, the king stalked out of the court the way he had come in, leaving his embarrassed sister amidst the chattering of the court as Eleanor sighed sadly. How she wished her husband had not left her to this mess.

---

As the city began to be besieged by those coming for a chance at the princess’ hand, the training yards appeared to develop a new shadow - always present, and always there to clap and holler in an unladylike fashion at a great bout. Especially on the rare rounds when the tall, broad shouldered hedge knight would find himself the one bested.

The warm summer air was getting to some of the men entering the yard for the first time this season, arriving from the North or even the Riverlands and the Vale as the snows being slow to recede this year and with the cold winds still at the backs of travellers until crossing the Trident. These men made for an easy fight for those in the capitol who purely wanted to display their prowess without fear of losing. Ser William Baelish was not one of these, preferring to keep himself busy with drills unless out rightly challenged.

He had noticed the blonde shadow following him around not even a week after their arrival in Kings Landing. Obviously the rough-and-tumble attitude she displayed on the road translated even more poorly to the gentile requirements of a lady-in-waiting position. The cries and calls she made from the balcony or the alcoves around the yard made it even more clear, some of the words so unexpected from a court lady that all but the lowest of the knights, lords and guards at practice would find themselves fumbling in surprise. William couldn’t help but find it endearing in the strangest way and think that his sellsword father would like the girl’s fire.

“Is that how a lady from Lannisport talks these days? Here I thought they’d let a fishmen’s wife in with this caterwauling.” The call came from one of the men currently drilling against each other, the direwolf stitched into the upper arm of his jerkin identifying him as one of the new Northern arrivals. One of the two Stark brothers come to court that very morning.

Laughter came from the blonde, as William slowed his swing and eventually sheathed his sword to move towards his gear against the wall near her. Joanna Lannister called back as she fluffed her skirts around her from her perch in the wall seat. “Well maybe I learnt it visiting you and your giant brother the year past. You Northerner’s do have such a way with words.”

Reaching his shield proudly displaying the grey Titan head from his father’s homeland and wineskin carefully perched beside it filled with cool water, he could tell that the chance of trouble beginning had passed as he drank deeply.

The younger Stark man approached the alcove, leaning on the stone beside the laughing girl to flick at a a fly away ribbon from her current red dress. “You know, milady, that I had nothing to do with your manners. You’d be as like to blame Dean and father than me.” Grinning conspiratorially, the tall, lanky man ran a hand through his hair, longer than his brothers by far, before adding, “If either of us was the bad influence, it would be you Joanna. Leading a youngster like myself astray and toying with my tender child-heart.”

Good natured teasing continued between the pair, almost as if they’d forgotten the blond knight sat beside the girl as he drank slowly from his wineskin and felt the sweat cooling on his skin as his exertion calmed. Shortly after the older brother found himself disarming his sparring partner, a knight from Dorne who scrambled to collect his daggers from the dusty ground as the Stark strode away to join his brother. The trio were obviously friends, and William recalled vaguely that the current Lord of Winterfell was one of the only high lords excluding the direct family who would allow the disgraced Lannister pair guest rights. /Obviously, a friendly face brings out a less.../ Glancing at the girl beside him, the knight saw a difference to the stubborn, mulish attitude from the road, or the withdrawn quiet of the court outside the dirty training yard. /Frustratingly headstrong side to her./

“How’s court treating you, maiden fair? Going to let one of us wolves have a dance at the next celebration, a ribbon at the tourney, or are you still looking for a hairy bear?” The future Lord of Winterfell, Dean Stark was more classically handsome and Northern than his brother, hair cut shorter than most with green eyes that shone with affection. The knight quickly dropped his gaze to his sheath as the other man caught his eye. “This one isn’t nearly so frightening as that hound trainer Clegane, Joanna.”

“I beg your pardon for listening, my lord.” The pleasantries roll off his tongue easily, almost bored as he put away his drink amongst his things. “Ser William Baelish, from the Fingers area. I’m afraid I’m not acquainted as well as may be, however I was charged with escorting Lady Joanna to the city by her Aunt and Uncle at Riverrun.”

“You were travelling to Kings Landing through Riverrun, little Joanna? Are you sure you weren’t coming up for a sneaky visit?” The younger Stark questioned, laughing loudly along with his brother at the blush upon the girl’s face as she wrinkled her nose in annoyance. “Father would have /loved/ to explain your absence to your grandfather. Or were you trying to make a home up North again? Not sure father would accept your proposal this time now you’re full grown, though at least it’s not because of his snowball abilities again!”

Giving both North men a steely look, the young woman stood huffily from her seat on the alcove with a loud swish of her silk skirts. “And I’d love to explain to your lord father why both his son’s have returned from court with no wives and no balls!” As the young lioness went to stalk away, she turned about and pinned the hedge knight with a glare and an arm held out defiantly. “If you would be so kind as to accompany me back into the keep, good ser, I’m afraid I am feeling light headed from such shocking accusations.”

He rose slowly from his spot, shrugging the shield back upon his shoulder, the knight looked a little uncomfortable as both other men continued to chuckle before he gave a short nod. Holding onto Joanna’s arm as she herded them both towards the main corridors of the Keep, he tried not to smile smugly at the thought that perhaps there were those that frustrated the girl as much as she did him.

“So, my lady, are you feeling any better?” He asked gently as the pair made their way through and across the entry hall towards a set of corridors to the left of the main entry. William had not come through these doors before, the light pouring in from internal courtyards filling the space with a warm glow and the noise of servants and the ladies of the court talking and laughing floating through. His quarters were beside Acolyte Rosby, towards the right side of the main entrance and straight down stairs into the basements. It did not surprise him that the granddaughter of a great house and the Master of Whispers would be given such a beautiful space to stay while at court. “I gather you’re very well acquainted with the Stark’s?”

His companion gave a soft sigh, almost dancing out of the way of a gaggle of ladies passing them by, not once loosening her arm from his despite the rise in laughter once they’d passed. “Very. My father and their father were best friend’s in their youths despite the distance. And have remained so since then.” Joanna gave a gentle shrug as she glanced up at him. “After my mother’s passing, the Stark’s became as close to family as our family became not. Lord John was the greatest, strongest, most fair and loyal man in all the Seven Kingdoms to us when I was young.”

“And I gather your younger years found the so called Great Wolf of the North to be the love of your life, if his son’s are to be believed.” He was no fool, able to deduce from the teasing that the trio had many inside jokes and stories which he would never get a chance to understand with someone from such a house of the Stark’s or Lannister’s. William gave a deep sigh as he thought self-deprecatingly that he was better to become friends with those like Rosby or other new houses than aim at lofty relationships with someone like the Stark boys, or the young Lannister. “From the stories, I would not blame your tender heartedness - Lord Stark’s fame reaches all of his war time strategy and the purse winnings of his youth. Heard right, its that he would likely wipe the floor with all the knights and lords in the kingdoms if he were to compete a tourney again!”

The blush was back as the girl tried to laugh off the question, spinning a tale the rest of their walk about a fierce battle the winter before last when her and her father had been snowed in at the keep of Winterfell for the season. The sun had broken through the clouds for four days that winter, and the children had played outside the walls for the first time in months. Both Stark boys, despite the four year age difference between herself and the eldest and her being one year up on the younger, had declared themselves rulers of their own snow banks. Each building a snow shelter facing each other and not allowing the young lady to join either team. As Joanna would share it, the Lord Stark had come upon the game and built her a massive snow defense all her own and taught her how to throw snow balls with deadly precision, much to her own father’s amusement.

Approaching the doors to her grandfather’s wing, where Joanna was staying with her family rather than the other ladies-in-waiting at the Keep, William gave a hearty laugh at the end of the tale before releasing her arm. “Well now, Lady Joanna. If only you had shared such tales on our own journey together, perhaps it would not have been so bad. Though it is a shame to have caused you to separate from your one true love.” There was a twinkle in his eye and more than a hint of teasing in his tone as the girl laughed back at him.

“It is so dreadfully rude that you did, however maybe you will accompany me somewhere else one day and I shan’t have to try to run away from you that time. If you’re heading back to the capitol after finishing with Rosby, I might just try to beg you steal me away back to Lannisport.” The blonde woman gave a laugh, though it was obvious she was only partially joking, as though the idea had just crossed her mind. “Or to Winterfell, or Riverrun, or anywhere really. Where are you from, isn’t it small and out of the way? That might be perfect.”

William held back from rolling his eyes, but only just, as he shook his head and raised her hand to his lips genteelly as he sent her into her grandfather’s rooms. He would be coming back to Kings Landing, but he doubted he wanted to start a kingdom wide search for the pair of them by kidnapping the woman by her will. Perhaps she will be released from her tasks, or have decided she loves the capitol after all. /Maybe she’ll find someone else to steal her off, or someone to make her stay,/ he thought to himself as he headed back towards the bath houses for the local knights and guards. /Or maybe I just won’t come back this way./

---

The light filtered into the room gently from the courtyard through privacy screens, only erected on the days the small council would meet - signifying anyone who entered the bright yard to turn about again or pass through quickly and quietly, without stalling.

Around the table, all but one of the seven waited upon their king to arrive. He was never one for punctuality. Wine was poured into each glass silently by a single servant, who communicated through grunts or gargled noises as his burnt stump of a tongue would bob. It honestly disgusted her. Tipping back her glass, filled almost to the brim with the sweet wines from her warm home kingdom, Ruby Martell gave an exasperated sigh.

“How much longer do we wait before getting on with this? It’s not as if the king cares what we decide to do with the laws other than to say they don’t apply to him.” The dark haired beauty rolled her shoulders as she exchanged a nod with the master of whispers across from her. “I could do my part from my chambers, without even rising from my sheets.”

“Or from Lilith Sand.” The master of coin quipped, drinking his fill as well as a dark eyebrow quirked up at her. Ruby and Crowley Darklyn were a pair of a feather, both climbing from lowly positions in their families to sit on the small council of the new king. If only for his desire to have those who can do their job and his around him, for more time indulging himself. “But I believe I heard she’d left for Dorne again, isn’t that right, Lord Anthony.”

The blond man made a cough, hiding himself in his papers to avoid answering any looks around the table. His lips never opened until the king arrived, the whole table knew that, and if he never arrived - the Lannister man’s mouth would remain shut. It had been how he had remained the master of whispers since he was barely thirty years of age, onto his third king.

“Perhaps it is true, though its more to be said than your sheets, Lord Darklyn. All you go to sleep at night with is those coin charts.” Ruby let out a simple bark of laughter as she reclined into her hair, preparing for a long wait for the king.

The Lord Commander Victor of Qarth leaned forward from where he stood behind his usual chair, hands grasped on the back of the chair. “Our leige was due to finish with his most recent...games very shortly. Though I’m loath to admit he might have found something to delay him.” His voice was gruffer than usual, disgust evident as he considered the preferred pastimes of their newest king. Ruby had a hundred gold dragons with Crowley as to whether he would quit and lose face or be killed for insubordination. The look on his face suggested she would win either way with his death soon enough.

“Be glad that may be the case, Commander, as the crowds are pouring in for this latest plan of his which will certainly make your job harder.” Michael Bolton the Bloody quipped back, his infamous dagger picking underneath his fingernails at dirt or grime or blood was anyone’s guess. The Hand of The King had been the first change to the small council with their new king, bringing in his older and fearless friend from the North. King Jeffrey and Ser Michael Bolton made an odd pair due to the separation of ages, but the older Northern man was possibly as blood thirsty as the king himself. The only difference between the two being that the Bolton man liked those he bled out to have a weapon in their hand, rather than a space between their legs. “All of these new arrivals to court, and so many new /ladies/ around to catch our leige’s eye. Though I’ve heard he hasn’t approached the fairest flower to join the castle yet, Lord Lannister, to your benefit.”

“If the king decided his interests lay there, Ser Bolton, then our Lord Commander would definitely find himself with his hands full in service of protecting our king.” Anthony Lannister’s comment shocked all of those around the table, including the light haired woman sat beside him. There was no love lost between himself and Meg Blacktyde, as the Iron Islands had always been found targetting Lannister ships. That the master of ships was from the Islands had caused tensions around the council table the last ten years. “It appears our good lord is not joining us this afternoon, and with that I am returning to my own chambers for some peace and quiet before this godsforsaken tourney begins. And I recommend you all do the same.”

As the eldest of the table departed, those with more pressing jobs such as the Hand and Lord Commander made their own swift exits, leaving the room quiet in their wake.

“Anyone know who is going to replace Grand Maester Castiel once he finally passes from the Greywater fever?” Meg Blacktyde asked quietly, the seventh chair having remained empty for several months.

Both Crowley and Ruby exchanged a look at the thought, before she finally decided to speak up. “The king’s brother is due to arrival from the Citadel within the month. And his arrival was confirmed prior to this tourney began..” Taking a long drink from her cup, she finished the last before setting it back in it’s place. “Perhaps our king will begin coming to these meetings more often after all.”

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#AU stories #Not Quite GOT verse

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