[ he won't question her good-weather temper, because an ally is an ally and their side would do well to have the north's support. and they need it so direly now. ]
You must have heard of the recent deaths among our numbers. Mine family among them, my half-sister and my nephew. You should not stand unprotected nor unguarded.
Is there someone you might shelter with in the meanwhile? Would you oppose to my naming a friend of our house to join you?
Your cousin spoke similarly. That we should stand together as one.
[ the last time she put her faith in anyone outside house stark was a time she came to regret, so strongly.
but what can she do? there is no other ally here, and she has never been a fighter. if she were attacked in this house she would have no defence. she knows that. ]
Prince Aemond, I know the bonds of family were strained between you, your sister and your nephew. Still I am sorry for what happened to them, for your loss of them in this place.
I should take your advice. It is not the first time I have been alone in the lion's mouth, and I would not repeat the experience, if there were any other choice.
One can only hope so. This tournament seems of a peaceful nature thus far. As long as there is no trickery afoot, we are safe.
If it is not too bold to ask, would you like company next time you attend the festivities? An escort or a friend to enjoy what little reminder of home we have here.
[ he doesn't expect any reply from her, for this message. it's not an apology, because they are not in the business of apologising for anything, but there is genuine feeling behind this one.
whether that matters or not, aemond will leave it to the gods. ]
Your bastard brother, Lady Stark. The dragon rider. Would you answer any questions about him?
[ jon. she misses him now as much as she ever has, perhaps even more. he would understand how she feels, she could ask his advice. if there were but one person she could speak to-- ]
I will. Jon is his name. The dragon he rode was Rhaegal, one of those brought to Winterfell by Daenerys.
Jon. I would presume he is a Snow, on account of your shared lord father?
[ aemond knows of the bastard names well. it is why he insults rhaenyra's own by calling them lords strong; if the truth were ever acknowledged on its face, they would be rivers, no claim to any land or title or even legacy beyond what they have borrowed.
the targaryens have their own bastards. blackfyres, few of them ever known on account of their challenge to the throne. a targaryen bastard is dragonseed, and dragonseed has claim to dragons. what greater proof of heritage is there than that? ]
Would you consider describing him to me? And his dragon?
Yes, Jon Snow. He was named for Jon Arryn, my father's great friend. My father never spoke of his mother, but returned from war with him.
[ true, even though sansa knows his real origins, now.
she doesn't think this is about that, anyway. ]
I have not the look of a Stark. I have my mother's looks, her hair and features. Jon has the look of my father's kin - black of hair, dark of eyes, like my sister Arya.
He is a man of honour. He and my brother Robb were close in age, and as children they were the best of friends. For some time we were separated, when I was taken South, and Jon went North to join the Night's Watch. Years later when I found him there, he looked so much like my father. He is serious, kind, caring. Perhaps to a fault. Stubborn, foolish in the way that brothers are. I would give much to see him now.
[ she pauses, staring at the words. he would tell her that it is alright, and that she would see home again, and that he would keep her safe. she would not believe him, but she would like to hear it anyway. ]
Rhaegal, the dragon. My eyes have seen only two living dragons, Rhaegal and his brother Drogon. Their look was similar - large, horned all around their faces. Drogon was the larger, but both were very large, much more so than the bones of the others I saw in King's Landing. His scales were mostly green, with yellow beneath his wings.
[ he had wondered about her distinctly tully features, bearing few if none of the famed severeness that starks are said to look. a dour and frowning lot, he'd heard said at court many times — but you would find no other house so known for fealty and honour.
the targaryens have their dragons. the starks have their word. aemond understands why the north is slow to seek a marriage with the dragons for their own.
a dragon's love is a fickle thing, the smallfolk would say. few would know how deep a dragon's loyalty goes for one of its own, and perhaps that's a truth best kept within the family. ]
A green dragon would be a lovely sight. Mine own Vhagar is such a colour, but shadowed with black instead of yellow. This Drogon, Daenerys rides him, does she not? Dragons grow the more they fly, and faster with a rider to mind them.
I know it is not much, to say this here where we cannot find those who we love and speak our truths to them, but your Jon — were he to find his way here we would not spurn him. He is dragonseed, dragonblood. Perhaps one of the last remaining by your account and Daenerys' own.
Were there truly no signs of his Targaryen blood in his features? He is like Jacaerys?
someone has been in her room. someone has left food. thoughts of poisoned wine and cosmetics fly through her head, and it takes a moment before rational thought arrives.
a cake that smells of lemon. knowledge of her house's words, green ink. the people all of that would point to are very few, and yet...
it has been just over a month since she met her end. the fear is still fresh.
so she reaches out, tentative but hopeful. ]
Prince Aemond.
My apologies for disturbing you at this late hour. A gift was sent to my room, which is most kind, and speaks of one who knows me.
For your assistance with my research into the nature of this place — and your willingness to be forthcoming about the misfortune that befell you — I thought it only appropriate to send you a gift. It is but a small token, but one I hope will at least bring a smile to your face.
May the new year bring you nothing but joy, rather than the sadness and pain of these past months. — Emmrich Volkarin
[Alia’s gift is wrapped somewhat clumsily in brown paper, likely taken from the kitchens, and taped excessively to ensure it’s secure. Inside, resting in sparkly, star-studded tissue paper:
A smooth-polished rock from the lake (yes, everyone gets a rock) with the gift-receiver’s initials carefully carved into it (with what? Don’t worry about it.)
A business card for Sol & Scroll, because if you aren’t patronizing it, you should be.
There’s also a note, scribbled on notebook paper stolen from Alina (sorry, babe):]
Lady Sansa -
I have not forgotten your kindness in the cells, nor the warmth of your presence. I would walk with you again, as often as you please it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text — un: aemond_ (breaking the seal)
Date: 2024-10-05 02:10 am (UTC)Have you a retinue to mind your safety yet?
no subject
Date: 2024-10-05 07:37 pm (UTC)[ a welcome message. she likes him. she's very unsure that she should, but she does. ]
It is good to hear from you. I'm afraid I have no guard as yet. Loyal Northmen are in short supply in this strange house.
( let's forward date to after the werewolf death discovery )
Date: 2024-10-06 03:10 am (UTC)You must have heard of the recent deaths among our numbers. Mine family among them, my half-sister and my nephew. You should not stand unprotected nor unguarded.
Is there someone you might shelter with in the meanwhile? Would you oppose to my naming a friend of our house to join you?
no subject
Date: 2024-10-06 09:13 am (UTC)[ the last time she put her faith in anyone outside house stark was a time she came to regret, so strongly.
but what can she do? there is no other ally here, and she has never been a fighter. if she were attacked in this house she would have no defence. she knows that. ]
Prince Aemond, I know the bonds of family were strained between you, your sister and your nephew. Still I am sorry for what happened to them, for your loss of them in this place.
I should take your advice. It is not the first time I have been alone in the lion's mouth, and I would not repeat the experience, if there were any other choice.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-06 11:54 am (UTC)You will be protected, Your Grace. Our quarrels from home need not follow us here in these trying times.
[ and a queen that remains neutral is a force they need not worry about. sansa stark would be worth the effort. ]
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From:@moondancer
Date: 2024-10-05 07:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-10-05 07:57 pm (UTC)But your family are not. I am sorry for those you love, Lady Baela.
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Date: 2024-10-05 08:00 pm (UTC)I can only focus on preventing more violence at this point, however.
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From:— text| un: jacaerys
Date: 2024-11-15 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 02:16 am (UTC)[ she had not thought to be noticed. he has been the only one to ask, and that had been fine with her, but--
that he does ask speaks well of him, to her. even if she is not certain what to say. ]
I am alive. The game has ended, and perhaps we may have some peace. Perhaps that is all that matters.
What of you?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 02:40 am (UTC)If it is not too bold to ask, would you like company next time you attend the festivities? An escort or a friend to enjoy what little reminder of home we have here.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 03:14 am (UTC)[ he's kind. perhaps he understands better how she feels, because he has seen his own death more than once.
perhaps he would be kind even if he hadn't. ]
My thoughts have travelled much to home of late. I miss my sister, my brothers. This house seems farther from Winterfell than before.
text — un: aemond_
Date: 2024-11-28 08:01 am (UTC)whether that matters or not, aemond will leave it to the gods. ]
Your bastard brother, Lady Stark. The dragon rider. Would you answer any questions about him?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-28 08:27 am (UTC)I will. Jon is his name. The dragon he rode was Rhaegal, one of those brought to Winterfell by Daenerys.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-28 08:34 am (UTC)[ aemond knows of the bastard names well. it is why he insults rhaenyra's own by calling them lords strong; if the truth were ever acknowledged on its face, they would be rivers, no claim to any land or title or even legacy beyond what they have borrowed.
the targaryens have their own bastards. blackfyres, few of them ever known on account of their challenge to the throne. a targaryen bastard is dragonseed, and dragonseed has claim to dragons. what greater proof of heritage is there than that? ]
Would you consider describing him to me? And his dragon?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-28 08:54 am (UTC)[ true, even though sansa knows his real origins, now.
she doesn't think this is about that, anyway. ]
I have not the look of a Stark. I have my mother's looks, her hair and features. Jon has the look of my father's kin - black of hair, dark of eyes, like my sister Arya.
He is a man of honour. He and my brother Robb were close in age, and as children they were the best of friends. For some time we were separated, when I was taken South, and Jon went North to join the Night's Watch. Years later when I found him there, he looked so much like my father. He is serious, kind, caring. Perhaps to a fault. Stubborn, foolish in the way that brothers are. I would give much to see him now.
[ she pauses, staring at the words. he would tell her that it is alright, and that she would see home again, and that he would keep her safe. she would not believe him, but she would like to hear it anyway. ]
Rhaegal, the dragon. My eyes have seen only two living dragons, Rhaegal and his brother Drogon. Their look was similar - large, horned all around their faces. Drogon was the larger, but both were very large, much more so than the bones of the others I saw in King's Landing. His scales were mostly green, with yellow beneath his wings.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-07 08:18 pm (UTC)the targaryens have their dragons. the starks have their word. aemond understands why the north is slow to seek a marriage with the dragons for their own.
a dragon's love is a fickle thing, the smallfolk would say. few would know how deep a dragon's loyalty goes for one of its own, and perhaps that's a truth best kept within the family. ]
A green dragon would be a lovely sight. Mine own Vhagar is such a colour, but shadowed with black instead of yellow. This Drogon, Daenerys rides him, does she not? Dragons grow the more they fly, and faster with a rider to mind them.
I know it is not much, to say this here where we cannot find those who we love and speak our truths to them, but your Jon — were he to find his way here we would not spurn him. He is dragonseed, dragonblood. Perhaps one of the last remaining by your account and Daenerys' own.
Were there truly no signs of his Targaryen blood in his features? He is like Jacaerys?
(no subject)
From:delivery. ( seventh of december. )
Date: 2024-12-07 04:02 am (UTC)aemond has a servant leave it in her room. attached to the cake box is a plain card in green ink, with pristine handwriting: ]
To honour your House's words, and offer some comfort during this cold.
[ he doesn't leave his name on it. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-18 11:46 pm (UTC)someone has been in her room. someone has left food. thoughts of poisoned wine and cosmetics fly through her head, and it takes a moment before rational thought arrives.
a cake that smells of lemon. knowledge of her house's words, green ink. the people all of that would point to are very few, and yet...
it has been just over a month since she met her end. the fear is still fresh.
so she reaches out, tentative but hopeful. ]
Prince Aemond.
My apologies for disturbing you at this late hour. A gift was sent to my room, which is most kind, and speaks of one who knows me.
Am I right to send my thanks to you?
🎁 delivery (dated 12/24).
Date: 2024-12-09 11:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-12-18 11:45 pm (UTC)but in the meantime, a servant delivers a note to him the next morning, the paper rolled up and sealed with wax that displays her sigil. ]
Maester Emmerich,
I have received your very kind gift, and send you my thanks. It is very beautiful - a wolf worthy of House Stark.
Thank you, for thinking of me, and for all of your kindness.
- Sansa of Winterfell, Queen of the North.
delivery; christmas eve 12/24
Date: 2024-12-14 05:49 am (UTC)There’s also a note, scribbled on notebook paper stolen from Alina (sorry, babe):]
Lady Sansa -
I have not forgotten your kindness in the cells, nor the warmth of your presence. I would walk with you again, as often as you please it.
- Alia
no subject
Date: 2024-12-18 11:46 pm (UTC)a short note is sent by return: ]
Lady Alia,
Thank you, most fondly, for your gift. It is very beautiful. I hope that the holiday is pleasant for you and your family.
May the Old Gods smile on you.
- Sansa of Winterfell, Queen of the North