I Understand The Sea

Such lessons were easily postponed though as they had both asked with excitement to go to the ocean once again, both of them having been so captivated with it since their arrival. With a smile on her lips she had found it impossible to deny them and soon they had rushed across the courtyard in their impatience to be at one with the water once more. Words of caution were about to leave her lips from their haste except they never quite made it into the air before her youngest took a tumble near the feet of some lord who she barely glanced at. Instead focus was on her daughter, murmuring soft words in the tongue she preferred to use and dusting her off. Fortunately excitement won out and there were no tears, only then did violet eyes glance upwards. “Forgive me, my lord.“ Lyrical tones filled the air as she ran a soothing hand over Larissa’s dark hair. “Jikagon toliot konīr, issa riñar.” Eyes followed them as they went to a quiet corner to play hand in hand before she smoothly rose to her feet. “I trust they did not unsteady you in their haste to reach the ocean?”

Nose wrinkled as she entered the makeshift forge a languid ease to her movements before she approaches the man she had come in search of. “You must be the blacksmith everyone is saying so much of.” Lyrical tones do not the bluntness to her words, unwilling to waste a moment of time that she spent away from her daughters nor did she had any real interest in the boy other than the skill he supposedly possessed. What oher use would she have for a blacksmith? Golden brow arched upwards in something of a challenge and violet eyes fixed on him firmly ready to his his features for any kind of falsities when she could and would take her custom elsewhere. “Tell me, are you as good as they all say?”

“I do not think much of the implication that my home is not safe. If I had not considered Driftmark to be secure I would not have chosen to move my daughters back there. Therefore, I choose neither because that would suggest that they are mutually exclusive.”

“One is scarcely better than the other. I hold no love for Lions nor Wolves and I doubt that will ever change for the role they played in that rebellion. Some credit has to be given to the Starks though for doing what this world rendered me unable to and free my brother. They helped me keep my daughters safe for a while and for that they have my gratitude if not my favour.”

                   No time away could help Jeyne to forget how difficult & stressful her life in the South had been. Despite the long and arduous journey North to her home, it felt as though she had barely left -    a feeling which only made more prominent by the familiar faces which scattered the hallways. It may have been a different castle, but there was no mistaking the fact that she was right back in the viper’s nest.  She had been made different by her experiences in the South and then by her imprisonment in the Dreadfort. 

The sable-haired woman looked out of the window, observing the activities which were taking place in the chill. One boy was practising his archery, and it reminded her of when the Stark boys used to practice with Ser Rodrick.

❛  He appears to be enjoying himself, ❜ she commented to the person beside her, eyes never leaving the young boy who appeared to be growing more confident with every attempt. He had yet to fully hit the target, but that did not seem to deter him. ❛ The innocence of children, ❜ Jeyne added with an almost melancholic sigh. She remembered when she was that innocent, back when she believed that nothing could hurt her so long as she had the protection of her father’s sword and the friendship of Lady Sansa. 

Violet eyes had been fixed on own her children as they excitedly made their way down the hall with Alyssa confidently leading the way, her little sister in tow by way of their two interlinked hands. The sight caused a smile to touch her lips, heat always incomparably warmed when she gazed upon the beings she had been privileged enough to bring into the world. If she achieved nothing else in her life ( her aspirations naturally remained high ) she would be glad that they would be her legacy. 

Any fondness that her features had held faded quickly, so much so that the look that settled upon them was cool enough that it would make one wonder if she was capable of any such thing. “Men are always easily pleased. Boys even more so.” Lyrical tones were dismissive when she had little time for the self importance that all men held, no matter what age they were. Another reason why she was so grateful to have girls, despite the way that the world seemed to curse all women. “Give them a weapon and not only do they feel able to take on the world but be able to solve all of its ills with it too.”

Features then turned slightly more pensive as gaze drifted back towards her daughters, hand reaching out to run over Alyssa’s hair before she bent to balance Larissa on her hip so she could see out of the window. “It is truly a miracle that they are able to remain that way in such times.” An almost whimsical cadence takes over, firmly wishing for them to remain untouched by the horrors everyone spoke of.

{ open starter } - the crownlands

The frenzied preparations for a war that just couldn’t seem to end touched every corner of the encampments, and Alys was growing restless. Although she had all but been born on horseback, been raised with three brothers, she had always felt more suited to wars of politics than wars with swords and spears. Charming a visiting Lord or soothing disgruntled smallfolk were all but second nature to her by now, but here, she felt useless. Watching men, her men preparing to fight an enemy Alys was not entirely sure they could defeat left her with a near-constant pit in her stomach. Tired of feeling as if her skin was crawling, tired of feeling stuck in one place amongst people she knew did not quite trust her, people who only held their tongue because other concerns were greater, Alys seized her first opportunity to escape from the throngs of people.

Dress muddy and hair tangled and messy from her ride, Alys figured she must look wild as she stood outside the stables, running a brush across her horse’s soft back. It was quiet, over here; it appeared the men were busy elsewhere. For the first time in what seemed like ages, she felt calm. The hard ride had finally quieted the nervous energy that seemed to be her constant companion. Hearing footsteps approach, Alys could not help the tension that squared her shoulders, even as she turned to greet the figure walking in her direction with a blinding smile. “Looking for a horse, or looking to get away for a moment?” she quipped. “Come, join me - it’s quiet over here.”

For all she tended to embody the role that she could have played in another lifetime, her grace and the determined tilt of her chin making her appear every inch a queen, the blonde was not completely immune to the tug of wildness within her. She had grown up by the sea and she knew that she could be as changeable as the tides and as dangerous as the crashing waves, but still possessing hidden depth and treasures to all those worthy of discovering them. As well as the ocean finding its way into her very core, embedding itself deep within her soul, it had given her a taste for adventure that had led to many a day being spent riding if the weather than not been fit for sailing. With her girls occupying so much of her time ( something she would never regret ) there had been little room for such indulgences but having left them playing happily in trusted hands, she felt able to sate the need that she had. 

Lithe footsteps carried her to the stables, violet eyes fluttering around them as she searched for her faithful steed. With so much activity it seemed an impossible task and she almost missed the voice that called out to her. “Attempting to locate my own.” Lilting words were given without paying the woman any attention as she continued her search. With a frustrated sigh she decided to postpone her looking until the men exited from the stables and there seemed little harm in exchanging a few words to pass the time. “For a few moments.” Violet eyes flicked over her new companion and a golden brow raised in a museful challenge. “I trust it is not too much of a leap in logic to assume that you have been out riding?”

Shy and retiring had never been words that could have been used to describe Aelena Velaryon, not when she wished to echo the heights that women of her House had in the past instead of fading into the corner like so many in more recent generations had allowed themselves to. The blood of Valyria flowed through her veins and that made her more than any that surrounded her, no matter how the so called lion in front of her seemed to think herself worthy of not only gracing her presence but sparring with her. 

( though she did have to say, for all the general distaste she held for the blonde she was at least somewhat able to meet her toe to toe and that was vastly more entertaining than the majority of those she had encountered )

A look of wide-eyed innocence fills violet eyes at the other woman’s words, feigning as though she may have been distraught at such an accusation. “One needs to feel joy to smile do they not?” Honeyed words flow melodically from lips carefully crafted into a serene smile that she aimed at the other woman. Sincerity was clear in her cadence when there was a truth to what she was saying despite words being intended to offend despite being dressed up with sweetness. “I am afraid you are yet to kindle anything close to that sort of levity within me, my lady, and I have always favoured honesty over false niceties.”

Violet eyes shimmered with anger that she did not bother to attempt to conceal, aimed solely at the woman who had the audacity to question the merit of her decisions.  Flawless features curl into a look of distaste as she draws her head up and straightens her shoulders when her pride and stubbornness had always been her armour in this world. Words leave her lips, as melodic as ever but this time there is an icy bite to them that cannot be missed. “Forgive me if I do not listen to someone childless when it comes to what is best for my daughters.”

( for a moment her heart had fluttered within her chest and she had wondered if this stag can know her people so well as to sense that the Velaryon had made the wrong choice of heart, leaving behind a man who could have loved her. but it was safer to interpret it as a involving her daughters when thoughts of Richard were always so dangerous )

Any pretence of civility she might have been tempted to uphold had been well and truly cast aside and the golden haired woman found herself freeing her tongue of its usual constraints - she had no qualms about unleashing some sharp words when her own pride was smarting at the notion of not doing right by her girls. “If their father had not made the choice to side with your family, perhaps he would still be alive to aid me in choosing the best path for our children. But as he is not, my judgement will have to suffice.”

With the assurance given that she would not be more than a few hours, the Velaryon found herself with some time on her hands and as always the ocean called to her endlessly. Lithe footsteps carried her closer to the shore as she breezed past almost everyone that she encountered only to eventually find her path marred by a man she felt equal flickers of annoyance and curiosity towards. Violet gazes trailed over him as though she was judging him and somehow found him wanting - which was not entirely personal when so few ever managed to truly impress her. Lips pursed together slightly before they parted to let lyrical tones flow forth with a golden brow raising somewhat in challenge. “So you are the man who has brought such ill tidings along with him.”

Courtesies had been what had made her extend the hand of polite friendship to the Dornish woman, hearing of a betrothal that would have made them neighbours should it have come to pass.  Ravens exchanged had fostered a bond between the two of them and the Velaryon felt somewhat protective over the other woman despite them being the same in age.

Violet eyes spot the woman among the hoards, smile tugging at at pretty lips at the sight of someone familiar. “Allyria.” Lyrical tones leave her lips to carry through the hubbub, with lithe steps closing the distance between the two of them. “When word reached me of your arrival I found my spirits most cheered.” Arm stretched out gracefully to link with the other woman’s, the contact delicate but still a show of friendship and solidarity. “There are so few friendly faces among lions and wolves.”

Impulsiveness was not something she was entirely prone to when she was far more used to careful planning and decisions that would only benefit herself and her family. However, being so close to the ocean had brought out the tumultuous side of her once more, emotions crashing like waves in a storm rather than ebbing and flowing the way that she preferred. Their last meeting had seen her ask something of him that pride would have usually forbid but with her moods as changeable as the tides, words had slipped from her lips easily and without thought.

Golden head nods slightly in a gesture of genuine appreciation and lyrical gratitude flowed forth. “Then I am much obliged to you.” There were others she could have chosen - her brother for one and perhaps she still would - but the young kraken had intrigued her and she saw an opportunity to ascertain more about the man. “I have the knowledge to teach them myself but when there are two of them and simply one of me it seemed necessary to seek out another able tutor.” Violet eyes flickered over him, some light challenge resting in them when only time would tell whether he was truly able to teach her daughters the ways of the seas alongside her. 

their coming expedition up north had nearly taken over her.  she’d attended meeting after meeting , determening logistics , food , transportation , clothing , battle strategies , and more.  the dragon queen had only been surounded by knowledgeable men and soldiers , she’d put the common people almost out of her mind.  she’d never forgotten about them , but without them in sight , they’d become generalized.  and so when she’d set her eyes on the two children playing about , she was reminded of what they were truly fighting for.   

her features fell soft as lavender eyes followed the children’s forms.  memories flew through her.  both comprising of past and future disasters.  but primarily , she feared for the lives of the thousands of men , women and children on westeros that had little idea of what was coming for them.  

the different angle that he velaryon offered was eye-opening to daenerys.  since jon snow entered dragonstone , a sense of foreboding had taken root within her.  but she’d forgotten that there had already been a long night.  and here they stood.    

“  we can only hope we’re strong enough to keep the world turning. “

Regard was not something easily won from her and it was a feat most could never hope to achieve in their lives when her soul was moved by so little. Nonetheless, the woman beside her had garnered her respect and even if their shared Valyrian blood - descendants of a great empire - may have helped to endear her to the dragon queen but the woman knew it went far deeper than simply their shared violet eyes and hair the colour of gold and silver.

The Targaryen was barely older than she and yet so much had been accomplished in her life. So much that Aelena could have found it so easy to envy when she had been relegated to a life of a wife and yet admiration ran far too deeply for that. Instead she simply found herself glad to be in her presence and a familiar determination kindling to prove that she was just as worthy to stand by her side as any other.

Smile curved onto pretty lips, an expression she was vastly out of practice with unless it was aimed at one of her girls. “I am sure we can prove it.”  Lyrical tones flow forth, easily filling the air when there was a firmness of her belief in the other woman behind them. “You have such strength yourself, your grace, adding others to your might only increases our chances of succeeding.”

Jojen had some foresight into these things and from an early age had been made intimately aware of the concreteness the future could be made of. That wasn’t to say all that would come to pass was predetermined, though he believed most things were and it offered him a certain peace in the face of great trials and tribulations. Sadly, most of his fellow Northerners wrote that off as a Crannogman’s oddity rather than thinking to speak with him on the matter unlike their King. It was for the North that he’d come here and while even he was unaware of how this coming war would end, he was certain he’d do all he could to ensure that humanity survived, even if he was limited to acting as a vessel for the Old Gods to commune through.

He was tugged from his darkening thoughts by a calling in a foreign tongue; his interest in cultures different from his own had afforded him a scarce amount of knowledge of the languages spoken in Westeros and while he couldn’t be sure, Jojen would take an educated guess on the matter. But, the lady in question’s next words came first. “One of the best reminders, my Lady.” he said softly, “But there are similar things all around us to ground us in the passage of time. The seas lapping at the coast, rain falling from the sky, flowers blooming and withering away.” he gestured slightly, “We’re not as important to this realm as all of us would wish to believe.” They may have become the strongest species, but even a lizard lion in a swamp could fall; their survival was no more guaranteed. “Forgive my curiosity, but were you just speaking Valyrian? I’ve studied the language slightly but never heard it properly spoken aloud before.” It had a pleasant lilt, much more than when he’d attempted a sentence of two.    

Focus was not easily shifted from her children but the sound of wisdom on a younger voice catches her fickle attention just long enough that she steals a glance at him from peripherals. “You are quite right.” Smooth words chime in the air, for once no hint of challenge disguised in lyrical tones. “All the things which we take for granted are instead nature’s way of reminding us that it is constant and we are only temporary.” The musings are gentle but tinged with the slightest hint of regret when she was all too aware of just how quickly an empire could fall - her ancestors were a cautionary tale of just that. “Specks of dust or ash that are all too quickly blown away and yet we all strive to somehow make our mark anyway.” For all nature was unchanging, so were the ways of men. Power was always coveted, glory always grasped at. Wealth, stability, heroics. All staples of their lives. Perhaps they changed at heart just as seldom as the world they tried to claim for their own.

Violet eyes flickered with something that was almost dangerously close to being impressed as he correctly guessed the language that had flowed so easily from her lips and something in her softens slightly towards the young man. Perhaps it was kindled by her pride in knowing that the ways of her ancestors were still studied by some or perhaps the affirmation that her indulgence in the past was not entirely futile. Either way the fleeting flicker of a smile is given, so rarely bestowed on anyone outside of her family. “There is nothing to forgive when it is an innocent question that you ask of me.” Indulging others was so rarely done by her and yet she could remember the times in her youth when she had not been sailing or training with her brothers, when the only other place she could be found was pouring over whatever scrolls her family had left. A thirst for learning was commendable in her eyes and while compliments were not something that she was wont to give the next words that leave her lips with echoes of a melody to them might almost sound like praise.“But yes, you are correct. Clearly you are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge.” 

Focus so purely on what was unfolding in front of her and the innocence of it all, t was all too easy to forget that they were far from alone in such a place and the point was seemingly proven as a figure drew closer along the beach. Private moment disrupted, the smile fell from her features as they became something all together more unreadable. Violet eyes shifted to the boy, gaze only flickering impassively over the huge wolf by his side when she had seen dragons and not flinched. Chin tilted upwards proudly, voice easily ringing out over the distance between them. “Is there something of interest to you, my lord?”

bright eyes find the face of the fellow blonde beauty and gratitude seems to warm the woman’s features almost immediately. though words of comfort could be shared with her friends, one could never truly understand the separation of mother and child unless they had felt that sacred bond themselves. the loss of them at her sides feels almost like a phantom presence. when a crack of thunder sounds her steps carry her from her bed instinctively, and for a few moments she is determined in her urge to protect. until the unfamiliar walls no longer blur and she recalls that her children are miles away. the ache she feels then is enough to freeze her to the spot. what if they call for her in the night? searching for their mother in the midst of a frightening storm, and she cannot go to them. what if no one did? who would soothe them if not her? had she failed in her role to protect them, by leaving them somewhere she thought to be safe?

“it is a pain that doesn’t seem to dull.” the softly spoken lady admits as she lays her pen down, eyes scanning the page for a moment. ensuring she has declared her love for them so completely that they know it to be true, even with such distance between them. “i should hope so. it pains me to think that they worry without me there. in time i hope to settle once more behind safer walls where danger lurks less behind unfamiliar corners, so that i might call them back to me.” porcelain hands smooth the ivory of her skirts before she stands, rolling the parchment before tucking it away. her petal lips purse in thought, head angled as a question hangs in the air. “how are we ever to know the best course for those we hold dearest?”

Violet eyes shimmer with understanding, a softness present in them that few were fortunate enough to ever witness. “I doubt it ever will, though I do wish I could tell you otherwise.” Sympathy was a rare emotion for someone to pull from her and yet it was plainly present in lyrical tones. She had never been one to reassure or allow others to find any sort of comfort in her presence and yet the Velaryon found herself seeking to absolve her fellow blonde of some of her motherly worries. “I am sure that they count the days until you are reunited as much as you do. If luck prevails I am sure that they are still blessed by their childish ignorance and untouched by all the darkness that threatens.” She took comfort in knowing that her own daughters were still mostly unaware of the threat that was marching closer to them and she counted her blessings that their father’s death had not affected them as much as it perhaps could have.

The question hovers in the air between them and a sigh escapes her lips as some of her own fears are given voice. While she knew many could not question the depth of the love she held for her girls, there was often a nagging wonder whether the right choices are being made when it came to their future. Was she right to keep them by her side? Or should she have sent them far from Westeros years ago? Such things would remain unanswered and she says as much though tone stays gentle. “We cannot.” Sadness tinges her tone and violet eyes flutter to the floor before shoulders are drawn upright once more. “We simply have to be content with knowing we have their best interests at heart and hope that they will always look upon us and our decisions gently and fondly however they might affect them.” A smile touches her lips but does not meet her eyes, seeking to soothe both herself and her fellow mother. “Perhaps take solace in knowing that they will never have room to doubt their mother’s love for them.”