merman in crow's feathers

Ceryse couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips at the finger pointed in her direction. She’d felt endlessly lighter since her journey north, and the serious man before her was partially to thank…. and while he might not outwardly admit to it, she knew that he at least tolerated her gentle teasing. “Were you looking through my things again?” She teased, sitting up once more to fold the shirt he’d dismissed. Perhaps with time, she might convince him to wear it. “I know quite well the layers are for protection.” But Ceryse simply hoped there would be no need for them this time ( and if there were, the world would explode into darkness at her bidding ). “A merman?” She asked, brow arching. “Then we must swim together.” That settled it —  he’d ruined it for himself. She certainly would not settle until it was so. “Perhaps I thought you would look handsome in Dornish attire, but I suppose leathers will do.”

He let loose an exasperated sigh. How had they gotten to this point in conversation? Again? Ilerah wasn’t even here to egg her on. “If anyone were to overhear you, they would think that I’ve ever been through your things. I have never.” He said sternly. “If you know that they’re for protection, then why would you insist I wear something so thin it could not stop even a wooden tipped arrow?” Endymion questioned her. “House Manderly is on the coast. Our sigil is a merman. My sister and I used to spend every warm day in the water if we could find a way.” He explained. The Night’s Watchmen had even managed to find black leathers for his purposes. “I am unconcerned with looking handsome.”

She knew exactly what he was doing —  exactly why the hand rested against her head, but she dared not make a comment ( lest he find something wrong ). “Yes.” The word came out so softly she almost questioned if he heard it. “We’ve missed so much of each others lives already I don’t… I never once imagined you wouldn’t be here for this. I’m just —  I’m thankful you’re here.” The fear lessened ever so slightly as a bubble of laughter passed her throat. “Babes.” Persephone corrected. “Gods be good, apparently they have their own sense of irony and were determined that my child would not be brought into the world alone. The maester believes me to be having twins.” For that she was endlessly thankful. Persephone had loved her other siblings in her youth, but nothing had ever ( nor would ever ) compare to the bond she shared with Endymion. “I don’t intentionally ask them to follow you about. They’re a loyal bunch who realize your importance to me. When they are not tasked with something particular, they simply tend to find information to willingly give.” Though in this case, she had requested that someone bring her word when her twin had entered Sunspear. “The King Beyond the Wall rides with you?” An eyebrow arched in surprise. They hadn’t had the chance to discuss much in detail of what his job along the wall included ( not when she’d been so avidly trying to get him to leave it behind ), but there was some curiosity there. “Would you introduce me?”

Her forehead was a normal temperature. (As normal as one could be in this Dornish heat.) All the same, Endymion went to pour her a glass of water from the pitcher on the nearby table. He handed the drink her to with the silent instruction to drink it. “I told you I would be here, so I am here. I would not be anywhere else.” He assured her, although Endymion was glad to hear that his presence had not been forgotten. “You’re having twins?” A smile quickly lit up his face. He knew what that meant. There was perhaps no one who understood better that this meant for Persephone’s children. They would always have another soul on this earth. “Is that why you’re so round?” He said in a rare joke, but rested his palm on the front of her stomach. Endymion had not been around very many pregnant women in his lifetime. “I don’t like it.” He said simply. Endymion didn’t like the idea that anyone could just buy and trade information on him. There was still much that he wished to remain a secret. “He has, and no.” The ranger said with a serious gleam in his eyes. “At least not until you’ve given birth to the twins and recovered from it. You don’t need to focus on anything else until then.”

starter / @endymionight​

With a little too much Dornish wine in her, she had finally made the decision to not drink anymore and declined whenever asked. She could not say anything bad about the Martells’ hospitality, there was always another glass of wine at hand or delicious fruit nearby. However, she was not drunk merely a little tipsy, but it was enough to make her slightly clumsy. She brushed someone hard with her shoulder and immediately turned around. “I am sorry!” Rhaena exclaimed hastily. “I should have been more careful, I-” She stopped speaking when she noticed who she was talking to. “Lord Endymion, I am surprised to see you so soon again. I did not think a man of the Night’s Watch would enjoy the south of Westeros.” It was not meant to be rude as the words were spoken with legitimate surprise. 

Endymion instinctively held out his arm to steady whomever bumped into him. He looked to see who it was and was surprised to see the Queen of the Iron Throne. “That is quite alright, Your Grace.” He said, bowing his head politely. “My Lord Commander suggested that I attend this summit when I returned from King’s Landing. As you are well aware, the Night’s Watch is in the best interest of all people. I am here to represent that interest.” Endymion explained calmly. “I have never been opposed to the South, though. It is merely not where my Brotherhood is stationed so my trips are here are few. However, I am also escorting the King Beyond the Wall in order for him to address the concerns for his own people.” 

@endymionight​

cassana dangling her feet in the cool water, letting them splash around in a futile attempt to cool herself off. walking closer towards where she sat on the rocks was a familiar face. after everyone traveled back north she had not heard from the ranger. “i thought the capital was horrible with the heat, this place is just unbearably hot. i can’t imagine how you are doing and your guest, seeing as to where both of you just came from. are the rumors true?”

Endymion was glad to see a friendly face amongst the courtiers. He sat down next to the Northern lady, but avoided putting his own feet in the water. “It is very hot. I was in the snow right before we rode south. This sun is a sharp difference.” He sighed, but nodded. “It is true. The King Beyond the Wall accompanied the Night’s Watch here. He believed himself entitled to be included in any discussion. With the appearance of all the other Kings and Queens, I am inclined to agree. Do you not, Lady Mormont?”

“Oh.” Dragging out the word, a mischievous grin pulled across her face. “And is my crow familiar with the women’s undergowns?” An eyebrow arched slightly, as if to chide him for so readily setting himself up to be teased. After a moment of holding eye contact, she reached over to pull the material from his hands and instead hold it up against his torso ( as if to ensure the sizing was correct ). “If you wish to be a stubborn man, then I am certain we could find you some Dornish fighting leathers.” Nose crinkling, her dark gaze rose to meet his once more. “But at the very least, you ought to change for this evenings celebrations. One certainly cannot swim in furs.” 

Endymion pointed a warning finger at the lady. “Don’t you start that up again.” His voice was as serious as ever, but there was no bite behind the words. Ceryse was nearly as bad as his own sister. There was no convincing her out of anything. “I do not wish to be a stubborn man.” He said, pulling the shirt down with one hand. “I am a stubborn man. For your information, I do not wear all these layers simply to keep warm. The leather is needed protection.” Endymion returned to unpacking what he’d brought from the Wall. “I think you would be very surprised what I can swim in, I was a merman before I was a crow, but since you are so interested in the state of my wardrobe, I am happy to inform you that I already have Dornish leathers ready to wear. I do not like to be unprepared.”

Despite the relief she felt ( and his gentle words ), it didn’t stop a hand from raising to gently bat against his chest. “I’ve missed you.” She murmured softly, the trembling in her bottom lip subsiding as she drew in a large breath. “And I’m glad you’re here because I’m utterly terrified.” Fingers squeezed around those clasping hers ( hoping the action might ground her a bit ). Though she wouldn’t admit it aloud to anyone ( not even her twin ), Persephone worried over what might happen if things took a turn for the worse on the birthing bed. A piece of her wished to make him promise to ensure her children survived —  that they were cared for, but to readily admit to such a fear when she instead ought to be remaining positive was not something she was ready to do. “Azriel tells me that a herd of rugged men and women dressed in furs rode into the capital with you, alongside the Asshai natives… you’ve come with quite the band of traveling companions.” An eyebrow arched —   a silent ask for the story which might accompany such a thing. 

Endymion smiled. “I’ve missed you too.” He said in earnest. There was rarely a time that he did not miss his twin when they were separated, but it had been worse this time. Endymion rested a hand on her head, attempting to be subtle in checking for fever (just in case), and he slid his hand down to her cheek. “You? Terrified? I don’t believe it. You’ve never been frightened of anything in your entire life. You are aggravatingly fearless.” He insisted. “I won’t need to.” If Endymion hadn’t been able to read every thought that passed Persephone’s face, then something deep inside of him would have known that fear. Perhaps it was that special bond that tied twins together. It was the same way they knew when the other had been hurt as children. Their own unique brand of magic. “You’re going to be fine, as will your babe. You’re too stubborn for anything else anyway.” His fingers squeezed hers in return. “Do you always have your spies on me?” Endymion raised a brow, but sighed. “The women came with me from King’s Landing, actually. They are only returning now. The rest are Wildlings. The King Beyond the Wall would like to be included in the decisions being made here.”

♛   TASK: 014.    ‘ THE ROAD GOES EVER ON ‘

Endymion was hesitant to leave his sister again. Especially considering that she was now with child and would need more protection than ever before. However, his duty belonged with the Night’s Watch, and the Wall is where he had to return. The Red Priestess, Ilerah, and a follower of R’hollr, Ceryse, both joined him on the trip North.

Once they returned to the Wall, it took a couple of weeks to plan their trip North of the Wall. He did not act as an advocate for his female companions, but let them convince the Lord Commander to allow them to venture with the Night’s Watch all on their own. Somehow, they managed to accomplish this task. Endymion put together a crew of twenty-five of his most trusted rangers to accompany them.

When they were North of the Wall, Endymion checked in on several known Wildling villages to ensure that none of his men had disobeyed him during his trip south. He was please to learn that they hadn’t. It did not take long for the King Beyond the Wall to hear that he was in the territory again.

@endymionight​

Knocking at the door of her traveling companion, Ceryse hardly waited for a response before pushing her way into the quarters ( she’d grown far to accustomed to sharing a living space during their travels ). Offering him a smile in greeting, she dropped a pile of several articles of clothing onto his bed with a huff. “Shed your feathers my Crow  —  you’ll suffocate beneath that material.“ Plopping down beside her offering, the woman released a soft sigh. “I’ve already brought the others theirs. The northerners were both intrigued and skeptical to rid of their furs, but if they see their friends doing so, they will follow. I assure you  —  it’s a wise decision. Anything else will bring them heat illness.” 

When his door opened before Endymion had even had a chance to respond to the action, he let out an audible sigh. These women would be the death of him. They’d grown far too familiar. He stared down at the clothes with an obviously skeptical face. “This material isn’t just for heat. The leather serves as protection as I’m sure you’ll recall. This-” He lifted the fabric in one hand and glanced over to the woman who, despite his best efforts, had become a friend of his. “-Is what women’s undergowns are made of.” He supposed it made sense to wear clothing that breathed a little more in order to stay cool in this weather, and he was thankful that his men had already been taken care of, but Endymion could not imagine himself wearing such clothing. At the very least, it was black. “I don’t suppose you would accept a leather tunic and pants alone.”

@endymionight​

With most of her house having been dismissed to participate in the evening festivities ( save the guard who never left her side ), an eyebrow arched at the sound of knuckles rapping against her door. “You know well enough that I cannot easily get up and open it.” She muttered beneath her breath before calling for them to come in  —  a soft huff of irritation leaving her ( one that disappeared at the sight of her twin appearing ). Seeing her mirror image seemed to lift some of the stress she’d begun to feel off her shoulders, and despite herself, her lower lip began to tremble. “You utter ass  —  making me think you wouldn’t be here for the birth of my child. It’s about time you got here.” 

With the briefest and most insincere of apologies, Endymion quickly abandoned those he’d ridden to Dorne with in order to seek out his sister. He entered her room impatiently and saw her in bed. His eyes softened immediately as she crossed the room to take her hand. Endymion leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Must you always have such little faith in me?” He asked with a teasing smile reserved just for her. “I told you that I would do all I could to be here, so I am here. You should be saying. ‘Thank you, Big Brother, for being here when I need you.’ - not calling me an ass.”

Ceryse: Well, based on the direction of the wind, the broken sticks in the corner, the slight disturbance in the dirt, I'd guess she went left.

Endymion: You could really figure it out from that?

[ endymion & ceryse & ilerah in the chilling adventures of sabrina ]

"It's not a tornado that's coming. It's something much much worse."