#alya ask

1. How does Rhaenyra feel about Alya?

rhaenyra never (technically) meets alya in the canon compliant universe sadly, since she dies in the dance. alya is pretty much in grassy vale by then.

BUT! in a universe where rhaenyra successfully gets the throne? and alya is officially her daughter-in-law?

rhaenyra likes her! alya reminds her a bit of her arryn mother, which gives her some bittersweet feelings. she had some reservations, knowing she was a politically awful match, though they were quickly resolved when she noticed the way her son had doted on her. who was she to deny clear affection? whilst they’re not often seen as much as walking together in the red keep, she is kind to her good-daughter, and will be there for her when the girl is in need of a mother— something which she wished she would’ve had as a young mother herself.

(oh, and alya gave her a granddaughter— sweet little daella, who rhaenyra absolutely ADORES. absolutely her favourite grandchild.)

2. Do Alya and Rhaena (of Pentos) ever cross paths?

well yes of course! they meet while rhaena wards in the eyrie! they were fast friends, both girls who found solace in each being the black sheep in their families.

rhaena is absolutely alyas longest lasting friendship in every universe, and probably who she’d call her closest friend. in canon compliant, rhaena and alya visit one another in their respective homes in the reach, their children friends from how insistent they are of seeing one another. rhaena was one of the first people to meet alya’s first babe, a bumbling baby girl with dark curls. rhaena knew very well what it meant, and swore to protect her friend if anyone were to threaten her.

even as rhaenyra is officially queen, alya and rhaena are just as close. they’re often seen gossiping in the gardens of the red keep together, drinking tea and nibbling on sweetmeats and tarts. maids know not to disturb these two— as they’ll give you a hardy glare as to shoo you away.

by the time of her coronation, she’s around 30? in my mind she had a kid like a month or two before the coronation, with her mother in law dying like a month prior. so the coronation is delayed, but it’s all good. can’t let her miss such an event!!

the inspirations are primarily early medieval, with anachronistic hints of pre-raphaelite and art nouveau, to keep a fantasy element to it. it’s quite fun and cute!

THE GOWN !

she wears a gown of a vibrant teal fabric (likely velvet. she favours velvet a lot.) it uses an EXTENSIVE amount of fabric to show off the wealth of the crown. the overdresses sleeves are just as bountiful in fabric, trailing down to the floor as the train of the dress. it’s heavy, but so is the crown which lays upon her head. it is heavily embroidered, and uses hundreds, if not thousands of minuscule gems like diamond and moonstone to create a glimmering, almost starlike effect. her underdress is just as extravagantly embroidered, using cloth-of-silver as its base, whilst small gems litter the sleeve. the moon-and-falcon of her house is symbolically woven into the fabric, as to remind the court of where their queen comes from— she may be interwoven into house targaryen, but she’s an arryn, and she’s proud of it. her neckline sits on her shoulder, as most of her dresses do, highlighting the jewels and jewellery on her neckline, collarbone and neck.

this is the most lavish she will probably ever dress. she did not dress so lavishly at her own wedding. she’s a bit out of her element, but she cannot say she did not enjoy such festivities.

(some general reference imagery. the most similar gown silhouette is the top right, however i pull from all of these works!)

THE HAIR !

i’ve actually struggled thinking about her hair. her head is most definitely covered by a long, lace veil, with designs of her house woven in. i like to think perhaps she has something like florals in her hair? much like the top third image, framing her face, and probably not real flowers, but gem laced which sparkle and match the coronet of which she’ll be crowned.

for her actual hair? it’s somewhat pulled back. whether it’s unbound but slick back, or fully pulled back into a braid or bun, i’m not quite sure. all of these seem likely to me!

THE JEWELS !

she wears a variety of jewels. she wears many pearls, amethyst, moonstone, diamond, alexandrite and sapphire. cool toned jewels which match her gown. she has brooches to hold up her sleeves, rings littering her slender fingers with mix of gold and silver. she is a glimmering figure!!!

THE CROWN !

i honestly think this shiera seastar crown from crowns of westeros, with a few minor tweaks is what her crown is. seven silver panels with oval-shaped teal gemstones, with seven-pointed stars stood behind them. instead of the metal spheres, they’re seven pearls. the rest of the crown is a silver band to wrap around her head. i’ve toyed with the idea that this was a crown of alyssa velaryon, or at least emulates it, hence the heavy faith imagery.

and here is a sketch (which admittedly, a little bit more than a sketch. bc i’m never happy with how unfinished my sketches look.) of what i roughly think it would look like. still have to iron out the creases. but it’s pretty accurate.