They began the harvest early that year. A traveling merchant arrived with sparse wares and quick eyes. He reported an army moving from the west. Armies are a mouth, you see, that swallows down everything in their path. The village decided to reap everything they already had and store it. They slashed and heaved and worked in tandemāputting aside petty grudges of who slept with who and whose child set whose barn on fire last year. It was me, of course, but I believe my mother will forgive me.Ā
As far as we understood, the army was coming with the westward sun, not our soldiers or our lords, barely within our family of known things, and if we were lucky they would be a passing shock. Maybe smash and grab and force some grain into that open mouth, but what army searched for very long or through every home? The woods would be our refuge and our sheep hidden behind hills. It would be a quick collision, they told us children, and no more.
I believe my mother will forgive me. I was a bad child, a poor one, born to an aging widow whose other children were fully grown. The seventh. I enjoyed the freedom of a soft parent who had become too weak for the switch and ready to indulge a round-faced child like me. Sometimes, I knew even then, I took advantage of it. Setting fires to make the other kids gasp or playing pranks like making the cat dance on the ceiling.
The men came, a great hungry maw just like they said, ragged as the day was new. The men spoke in gravel and grunts, mostly gestures and nonsense to me. We were foolish, hopeful, wishing for the best and offered cold hospitality. They were tired from their forced march to whatever far away capital laid claim to us. Grain, they conveyed, we must have more.
They slaughtered the sheep and raided the stores and forced the families of the largest houses to let them stay days and days. We were lucky then, to be poor and unwanted. I slept in the same bed as my mother, shivering together in the late summer heat like it was winter and squeezing our eyes closed. Surely, they would leave soon and we would not watch the Eating Mouth chew our village to the rind.Ā
Daily, we watched drunken brawls and half-hearted drills and our village sons pressganged into their ranks, forcing on them strange guns that blew sparks and fire. I was growing tired of how they made the adults cower behind themselves. A little fire was growing in my centerāthe same little fire that lifted my hand to make the cat dance and my friend sing backwards now and then. I was a seventh child.
There was a bad-tempered ram they left alone. His black fur was coarse as gnarled roots and he would throttle anyone that approached him from a hard angle. They might've eaten him for meat or driven him off but had to first ask themselves if it was worth the risk of a gut injury or hoof to the head. They were almost never carefulāoften teetering back and forth around the village, strong drink on their breath.
I approached Knott, the ram with his horns twisting down, and fur black as night, and put my hand out. I asked. My mother will have to forgive me, but for all the world, I did ask. He bowed his mighty head. How many of his flock had they already slaughtered? How many of his ewes? No one believes me, but itās true: He bowed his head and it fell off.Ā
Down at my feet, Knottās head blinked up, and I placed it over my own. We went together, me and Knott, walking in my ragged dress and on dirty bare feet. I had to walk around our church grounds and into the tavern. They were singing in their terrible gravel speech with their terrible teetering walk.
They donāt see me, until they doāme, and Knott. I play our game, the one I taught my friend, where we speak in reverse and walk on ceilings. Then, I speak using Knottās voice, screeching for his ewes and ramming tables. Finally, I used the words I did for the barn last summer: smoke and sparks and fire blowing out.
The village had a second harvest that year, meager and small, but good enough and when we hear of approaching armies to our fields and hills, they are warned: the children here are born with horns.
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In the court gardens, the last queen of the Stone Kingdom strolls the grounds, choosing her new head. She is only fifteen and cannot decide between the birdbath or a rosebush. The court advisor has chosen a lantern for a head, streaming light day and night on the parliamentsā ruins. The jester has chosen a rotten pumpkin that sags and spills seeds down her shoulders. Sheāll replace it soon, carving new faces on each new gourd. Lately, the smile has grown wider and wider with the news. The first queen wears a crown in place of a head, missing the rubies and emeralds, but the gold buffeted to shine. The first queen walks only at night, only in the darkest corners of the castle grounds, gold glinting in torchlight.
The last queen though, only fifteen, barely spoke the language of the land, and gestures, frantically for the knight. He carries the last head the garden will ever see. The knight tosses it down and the last queen picks up the king's head. She places it on her stump, laughing, laughing, using his mouth and his terribly empty eyes. Theyāll rest, tomorrow theyāll rest, lantern gone out and pumpkin gone rotten, but for that day, she will laugh.
Once the vultures were sighted setting fires, the druids knew it was too late. For years they had been keeping the inevitable at bay. They had the dwarves take the canniest bats so deep underground they could never find their way out again. They had the elves cull any lizard that grew larger than a man. They had humans rip out the hearts of crows that used gold in their nests.
Of course, there is no way to stop the emergence of dragons in a land like theirs. And the birds were starting to set fires again.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 8/?
Fandom: Game of Thrones (TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jorah Mormont/Daenerys Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen & Viserys Targaryen, Aerys II Targaryen & Daenerys Targaryen
Characters: Jorah Mormont, Daenerys Targaryen, Missandei (ASoIaF), Other Character Tags to Be Added, Viserys Targaryen, Aerys II Targaryen
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Fantasy, Minor Violence, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Other: See Story Notes
Summary:
After a difficult year, Daenerys makes a wish for Christmas. Little does she know just how different and exciting this wish will make her life.
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Meet Samuel, the resident Vampire of New Shorehamā¦ and come along on the journey of his wild life in the afterlife
Warnings: Mentions of blood, death
Josh let his eyes flutter shut and reached up, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. He couldnāt believe the scene that was unfolding in front of him. Sam paced back and forth, his eyes darting between the diner where he still had a mental hold on Marjorieās mind, and your body lying on the gravel of the parking lot. You had fallen into a deep sleep, the deepest sleep of the undead and he knew you would be out until your body adjusted to the change that just took place.Ā
āPlease tell me you did not call me to help youĀ dispose of a dead body, Sammy!āĀ Josh scolded and gently nudged your hand with his foot, grimacing as he watched it flopped lifelessly to the side. A nervous chuckle slipped past Samās lips as he knelt down and cupped your cheeks in his hands. He knew you couldnāt hear them or feel what he was doing but he still caressed your cheeks in a comforting way.Ā
āSheās not dead butā¦ā Samās voice trailed off and he swallowed hard knowing exactly where Joshās mind was going. He sat back on the ground and gently pulled your head so it rested in his lap, brushing the hair out of your face. Josh reached up and ran his hands through his hair, tangling his digits in the curls and tugged hard at the root, a move to make sure he was truly awake.Ā
āSamā¦ you didnāt, did you? Please tell me you didnāt.ā Joshās eyes were wide as he looked between Sam and your sleeping form. An expression Sam couldnāt place his finger on spread across Joshās features as the realization set in. He shrugged his shoulders and a sheepish smile spread across his face, he knew he was in deep shitĀ Ā from all angles but couldnāt help the weird sensation that bubbled in his stomach.Ā
āI had no intentions toā¦ but then something happened and I almost killed herā¦ I canāt have my first kill be accidental. So I panicked andā¦Ā gave her my blood to heal her.ā A deep sigh slipped past Samās lips and he reached up to run a hand down his face as he spoke the words of his mistake, making it feel that much more real. Josh let his head fall back and he stared up at the star speckled sky, unsure of if he really wanted to know the rest of the story.Ā
āSamuel, you did WHAT?! You canāt just go aroundĀ turning people into your kindĀ just because you donāt want to kill them. I thought you guys had likeā¦ a fridge full of blood for emergencies, donāt you?ā A huff slipped past Samās lips as he slid one arm under your knees and the other across your back and pushed himself to stand while cradling your body against his chest.Ā
āNows not the time for stupid questions, Captain obvious, I need you to take her back to my place before Marjorie gets suspicious. I canāt keep her in the dark any longer.ā Sam said as he tried to shove your lip body into Joshās arms. His eyes grew wide and he took a step back, holding his hands up in surrender. Anger flashed through Samās eyes and he stomped his foot like that of a toddler.Ā
āListen this isnāt time for your funny business, this can literally cost me myā¦ my eternal life if you can even call it that. Take her home and put her in my bed, please. Sheāll be out cold for at least a day or two itāll be fine.ā Sam quipped and took a step towards your car. Joshās eyes grew wide as he watched Sam maneuver your limp body up and over his shoulder, freeing up a hand to open the back door with. Gently, he slid your body back into the firemanās carry he originally had you in. Bending at the waist he ducked into the car and laid your body on the back seat, securing a seat belt across your waist so your body wouldnāt fall off of the seat.Ā
A deep sigh slipped past Joshās lips as he realized exactly what Samās intentions were and he watched as he dug your keys out of your pants pocket. Straightening his back he turned on his heel and dangled the keys in front of Joshās face, waiting for him to hold his hand open so he could drop the keys into his palm.Ā
āYou have to take her car or Marjorie is going to be suspicious.ā Sam mumbled and placed a reassuring hand against Joshās shoulder, seemingly having more faith in him than Josh had in himself. Josh was not the praying type but tipped his head back and trained his eyes on the star speckled sky, saying a silent prayer to whatever higher power was listening. A deep sigh slipped past his lips and he held out his hand for the keys, but ultimately had to reach up and snatch them out of Samās taunting grip.Ā
āAnything happens call the restaurant but I think sheāll be out until at least this weekend. I uhā¦ I did a number on her.ā A sheepish smile spread across his face as he reached up and rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. A deep sigh slipped through Joshās lips and he shook his head as he turned on his heel and slid into the drivers seat of your car.Ā
āYou fucking owe me little brother.āĀ Josh all but growled as he shoved the keys in the ignition and started the car. Sam waved him off and he backed out of the parking lot and sped off in the direction of their shared duplex.Ā
Sam began to jog in place, shaking both his hands and his head to get the nervous energy out of his system. He couldnāt show any signs that he felt any different than he had when he had escorted you out of the diner and to your car. Sam knew that if he seemed even the slightest bit frazzled Marjorie would start asking questions that he wasnāt fully prepared to answer quite yet.Ā Ā Pulling a deep breath in through his nose, he rolled his head from side to side and checked on the look of his eyes in the tinted diner window, not wanting anything to give away the snack he had just stolen from an unsuspectingĀ Iris.Ā
It was then that Sam realizedĀ he hadnāt caught your name; and with another deep breath pulled in through his nose as he reached up and smashed his palm against his forehead. Marjorie would no doubt ask about theĀ friendĀ she had him escort out, wanting all the little details and if sheād be a good fit for a midnight snack of sorts. He scrambled to come up with believable facts, name, age - he couldnāt put his finger on your exact age, but ball parked you to be somewhere between his and his eldest brothers ages - height, weight,Ā the scent you put off.Ā All different things that elder Vamps just had to know forĀ book keeping reasons.Ā
Sam rolled his neck from side to side and, with another deep andĀ hopefullyĀ steadying breath, he slowly sauntered his way back into the diner. Marjorie was making herself look busy by cleaning up where you had been sitting. She paused in the middle of wiping down the counters and a sly smile spread across her face as she leaned her elbows against the counter. Sam swallowed hard and his eyes suddenly widened as he realized you would still be on his breath.Ā
āI uhā¦ I have toā¦ wash my hands. Her scent is everywhere.ā He mumbled as he pushed past Marjorie and made a beeline for the staff bathroom. Sam locked himself in to the single stall room and began to pace, knowing that his expression and nervous energy would give him away. Turning to the sink, he leaned against it and took another series of calming breaths.Ā
āSheās not going to be suspicious if you donāt make her suspicious.ā He mumbled, trying to calm the racing of his mind as he willed the phantom feeling of a racing heart in his chest to stop. Reaching down he turned on the faucet and let the water run, cupping his hands beneath the stream to gather some and quickly tossed the ice cold water against his face, a habit he still hadnātĀ Ā quite kicked yet.Ā
With one last splash of water he turned off the faucet and reached up, using the sleeve of the flannel he wore to dry off his face. Turning on his heel he slowly made his way back out into the kitchen and watched as Marjorie stood holding the landline phone to her ear, her eyes widening as whoever was on the other end spoke. She turned to Sam, nostrils flaring in what he could only describe as anger and slowly nodded her head as she processed the information being fed to her.
Sam slowly made his way back over to the sink and began to wash the dishes he had abandoned to walk you out to your car, hoping that the phone call Marjorie was on didnāt ruffle her feathers too much. He watched her discreetly out of the corner of his eye as she nodded and began to twirl the phone cord around her finger like that of a school girl in the nineties, her face becoming red with anger the more she listened to whoever she was speaking with.Ā
Marjorie placed the receiver back onto the the wall mounted base and turned slowly on her heel, her eyes boring holes into the side of Samās face. A frustrated frown tugged at the corners of her lips as she slowly made her way over to where he stood, now washing the dishes you had used for your dinner. He swallowed hard, the look on Marjorieās face telling him all he needed to know. She watched as he slowly rinsed off the fork you had used, washing your scent down the drain. Marjorie cleared her throat and plucked the fork out of his hand, beginning to dry it on the hand towel that laid over her shoulder.Ā
āSoā¦ I just had an interesting phone call with your eldest brother. Tell me, Samuel, why pray tellā¦ was Josh calling to ask me how long a newly turned vampire would be asleep? Is thereā¦ a reason he needs to know?ā Sam was quick to shrug his shoulders, never taking his attention off of the dishes he was meticulously washing in the sink. He could feel her gaze burning a hole into his temple and watched as she slowly slipped the hand towel of her shoulder.
āYou have one chance to come clean. What have you done, Samuel?ā Marjorieās tone was stern and motherly, that of a woman who knew her child was in deep shit. Sam swallowed hard and shook his head slowly.Ā
āIāve done nothing out of the ordinary, Marjorie. What makes you think it was me?ā Sam asked, his voice beginning to quiver as he knew his cover was blown. A mischievous chuckle slipped past her lips as she slid the towel from where it lay and raised her arm. Sam braced for the impact as the corner of the hand towel cracked down against the side of his neck.Ā
āWhat the hell was that for?!ā Sam yelped, reaching up to cover the spot where the towel had made contact. She raised her arm a second time, scowling at him as she began to bring the towel down against him in rapid succession. Sam threw his arms up and over his head in an attempt to protect him from the sting of the corner of the towel.Ā
āWhat have I told you about behaving with humans?! You canāt just go around turning every pretty girl you see because she smells appetizing! Now you have to handle this on your own and I will NOT be helping you!Ā Do you understand, Samuel?āĀ
A deep sigh slipped past Samās lips and he lowered his arms, watching the expression on Marjorieās face as he carefully chose the next words that would slip past his lips. Marjorieās chest heaved with the frustrated breaths she was taking, her nonexistent blood boiling in her veins.Ā
āIām sorry. I donāt know what happened, but she will be my responsibility.ā Sam kept his voice light and even, trying not to anger her any further than she already was. Marjorie raised her arm again in another attempt at a string of blows to his head, oneās that he dodged as he side stepped around her.Ā
āI thought you had better strength than that, hmm? You work around humans all day. How many other newbies have you turned, huh? I need a head count.ā She shook her head and reached up, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger. Sam raised his hands in surrender and took another step away from her.Ā
āIāve never had anything like that happen before.Ā Iām not even sure what did happen exactly.Ā I just know thatā¦ I got lost in her memories and didnāt realize what I was doing until it was too late.āĀ
Marjorie shook her head in a disappointed manner and closed the distance between her and Sam. She pressed up onto her toes, trying to get in his face and intimidate him further. He couldnāt help the nervous chuckle that slipped past his lips and he crossed his arms over his chest, putting a small bit of space between them.Ā
āWhatās her name, Sam? Her age? Whereās she from? She canāt go back to her old life now and you know it.ā Marjorie knew exactly what she was doing, playing the same guilt card that was played on her when she turned him.Ā
āIris. 26. I donāt know where sheās fromā¦ I didnāt think that far ahead.ā Sam sighed and let his eyes flutter shut, waiting for another round of stinging towel lashes when his phone began to buzz in his pocket. One text, two and then three, prompting him to pull it out in the middle of their conversation.Ā
Josh:
911
Sammy I need you home, nowĀ
I SAID NINE ONE FUCKING ONE!!!
Samās eyes grew wide and he swallowed hard before slowly slipping the phone back into his back pocket. He began to slowly back away from Marjorie, making sure he was close enough to the door to bolt as soon as the words slipped past his lips.Ā
āIāve got to go, Josh needs me.Ā I think itās Iris.āĀ
Clear Blue Water, High Tide Came And Brought You In
Paring: Harry/Louis
Rating: Romcom, Supernatural/Fantasy AU, strangers to lovers, fluff
Length: 79k
Written: for the @romcom1dficfest
Summary:
A wonderful sweet, somewhat innocent and very hopeful Harry makes it to the big city to start a new life, away from the pain and risks his own home poses for him. A broken, somewhat lonely but very self-aware Louis tries to give his days meaning, purpose.
A journey through love, understanding and self-awareness in which acceptance of one's self and the capacity to focus on what's really important are the drivers.
A carefully constructed yet fragile web of lies, designed to keep them safe, might just be what also pulls them apart.
Or the one where Harry is a mermaid, Louis is a vampire, and they have to hide who they really are to the other. What could possibly go wrong?
