#ashccra

Allyria didn't immediately answer, head still cushioned on Ashara's lap and eyes closed. For a moment she wondered if she could pretend she wasn't waking up and this wonderful dream. Part of her knew it had to be a dream, Ashara was gone and had taken her sweet scent of sea salt and honey with her.

❝ Auntieee ― you look so beautiful !! ❞

You are me when I cry about Hector of Troy on my multi.

Brandon emitted a sigh of feigned annoyance as he arose from the bench he sat at with his brother. “The things I endure for you, Eddard,” he mumbled as he departed, but put on a smile as he approached the woman who had been the subject of their conversation for the last few minutes. Both Stark brothers clearly had been interested enough during the tourney so far to enquire after who she was. Brandon had known she was a handmaiden to Princess Elia, at the very least, but having had so little to do with the southron houses for so long, he and Ned had been at a disadvantage when it came to determining exactly which one. Both soon had had their question answered. 

Eddard was not easily angered. He had a kind and gentle demeanor that often sighed. He was used to being patient and minding his place. He was a second son a shadow of his brother, but now House Stark was his. When he was angry though he had the icy chill of the winter kings. His sister had been kidnaped by a married man who was next in line to be king and his father and brother along with other first born’s and bannermen of his father were murdered. 

Standing before him was the sister of one such man rumored to be an abductor of Lyanna. Dorne had no choice but to go to war with House Targaryen, because of centuries of bonds and Elia, being the rightful wife of Rhaegar. ‘ You know what the Mad King is, his rule has to end and the Targaryen treachery has polluted the heir too. I won’t bring harm to Elia or her babes and if I can help it, your brother too.’ He added that with a lingering chance of the end turning out different, Rhaegar was a warrior and a knight of the Kingsguard, for the moment he was basing the man's actions on loyalty to his oaths and friendship to the Prince.

This wasn’t how lie was supposed to be. He had been broaching with his father and him in kind with Lord Dayne, but now he had made a promise to go to war and to win it he would have to take his brother’s place and be married, this was more than any other smitten lady received for a goodbye, Jon Arryn and told him as much. Still, Eddard was not as easily swayed, as he searched desperately for her violet eyes, ‘ I think I would have been a good husband. I think there could have been many things done differently. I don't want to cast you aside, I don’t want to see your tears freeze or your smiles fade. I will think of you in the back of my mind and I pray to the Old God’s that you will find a man who loves you.’ Consolation tasted foul on his tongue, like spoiled milk. ‘ I can’t let what the Mad King has done go and the only way to get justice is to join Robert and Jon has called his Banners he will be destroyed if I don't muster my men and the Riverlands. I need ---- I need to be the Stark, my father and Brother, were.’ His words gained such sorrow and tears fell from his features as it became all too clear, that the Old God’s had set him on a path that would strain them apart to either end of Westeros. 

░▒▌╳▐ ᴅ ʀ ᴀ ɢ ᴏ ɴ ʟ ᴏ ʀ ᴅ

      IT’S NOT SURPRISING AT ALL how, despite his best attempts to appear confident and calm, Ashara could see right through the facade as if it were a pristine glass window. It’s also just like her to not just remark the fact, but to offer words of encouragement, filled with only the highest of faith in him and no trace of doubt lurking in the tone. Was he doubting himself before the big event? Or was it just nerves? It’s not as though he has any experience to compare this to because it’s the first big concert, where they’re not the opening act but rather the MAIN one—The reason why an audience of well into the three thousands ( all tickets sold out ) paid. No, Vaedar’s only worried that their performance won’t be on par to expectations, since being a DISAPPOINTMENT is one of his biggest fears. It’s also kind of ridiculous to think, considering the wonderful critics they’ve been receiving for their music as of late, which is what got them their big break in the first place.

Maybe it’s all just born of his more ambitious nature as well, because a part of him knows well that they can be even better—that this is just the start. Through all of it, from the very beginning, his now fiancé has been by his side as a motivation, and a pillar of reassurance and strength when he needed all of that and more. It’s a journey that has NOT been easy in the least but how GRATEFUL the man is to have her and one day—No, every day, he tries in his own way, to let her know.

A smile now dances on his features, leaning into her touch for a moment before turning his head to kiss her hand, holding it in his own. Violet and purple eyes meet, both harboring a reflected affection ( an adoration, truly ) for each other that cannot be put into words but their hearts know—Their touches, the kisses, their gazes, the smallest of glances never fail to convey all that their voices can’t communicate.