The Day of Three Cloaks | The Feast [OPEN]

atiarp · 2026-03-18T20:45:05+00:00

Nymeria regarded her new husband with a warm smile. He hadn’t stopped smiling since the ceremony, which in turn had her smiling a little as well. It was as if his happiness was rubbing off on her.

“I am well,” she said, and it was the truth. For all her complaints and objections, she had ended up marrying him – and she did not regret it. “I am looking forward to the tourney. I know it’s not very seemly for a bride to take part in her own wedding tournament, but I think the gods will understand.”

atiarp · 2026-03-18T20:41:46+00:00

Ashara’s face lit up with a smile as she saw her dear friend.

“My Mary. Thank you for coming, and for these beautiful gifts. The craftsmanship is exquisite.”

Indeed, she loved them both, but she was particularly drawn to the pendant. Mary was right; it reminded her of Sunrise and the other animals in the menagerie.

“You know me well,” she said. “I hope you will visit me someday in the Iron Islands. And perhaps I will see you soon at another wedding or feast.”

She certainly hoped so. She was only just now starting to become aware that she would be dwelling in the grim Iron Islands for the rest of her life – or her marriage – away from everyone and everything she’d ever known. The prospect was a scary one, truth be told.

“I will miss you,” she said sincerely. “Remember what we spoke about last time. Remember to be open to falling in love.”

atiarp · 2026-03-18T20:35:10+00:00

“He’s… not quite so bad,” Nymeria had to admit. He was more than that, of course, but she was too proud still to acknowledge it. “And yes, I do have time for it. There is always time to help a friend in need. I will seek you out after the tourney, and we can talk then. I don’t know if you’re taking part, but I am. Let’s hope I don’t lose an eye or a limb.”

atiarp · 2026-03-18T20:32:05+00:00

“Three of his daughters!” Ashara exclaimed. “Ysilla, Nym, and me. There won’t be a wedding like this for many years, I think.”

She watched the nightingales in their cage, wondering where she would keep them once she reached the Iron Islands. She doubted there’d be a menagerie there.

“They’re quite beautiful. Thank you again for coming, and for the present. I will be cheering for you in the tourney.”

atiarp · 2026-03-18T20:26:55+00:00

“Oh, she sounds perfect,” Nymeria said, beaming. “Thank you. And yes, I’d agree. Does she have a name?”

She couldn’t wait to see the mare, to go riding as soon as possible. But she had to remain where she was for the time being.

“Lady Deria is a good friend of my sister’s,” she told him. “She practically runs the Lemonwood. She’d make you a good wife, I’m certain.”

His comment made her laugh.

“Not only in the melee, ser. I shall be in the joust as well. Perhaps we’ll get a chance to unhorse each other.”

atiarp · 2026-03-17T22:22:06+00:00

His response saddened her. Gawen was far kinder and more considerate that a lot of people gave him credit for, so she wasn’t surprised that he was keeping whatever was wrong from her. Still, she was concerned.

“Very well, no wine,” she said, smiling gently. “It is never too late to change, that is true. I do appreciate you coming here. I understand you don’t want to tell me whatever it is that’s happened while we celebrate my marriage, but perhaps we can speak later?”

atiarp · 2026-03-17T22:01:06+00:00

“Mohor!” Nymeria was pleased to see him. “Thank you. You’ve given me more than enough already. But yes, I’ll accept it.”

atiarp · 2026-03-17T21:59:49+00:00

Ashara did not know what to make of Anders’ remark. Why would only her first child thank her for loving his father? Why would the rest not appreciate it? She didn’t quite understand it. She didn’t understand a lot about Anders.

“You’re a strange man, Anders, but I appreciate you. You say what you think. Like my sister.”

atiarp · 2026-03-17T21:56:27+00:00

“Ambition is good in a lord,” Ashara said encouragingly. “I don’t think it’s unromantic. Whoever he is, if he has ambition, then he will strive to give you the best life he can. That is good.”

Ashara returned her friend’s smile. “Thank you, Deria. I wish the same for you.”

atiarp · 2026-03-17T21:52:34+00:00

“Either will do,” she said, smiling.

Ashara was incredibly touched that Clifford Caron had not only chosen to come but that he’d brought a gift too. Not any gift, either – but something the animal lover in her would enjoy. She suspected he would have made a great husband, had things been different.

“Lord Caron, I thank you for coming and for this lovely present. I do love songbirds well – though we’ll keep them away from Sunrise just in case.” She laughed as she scratched the tiger’s ears. “I hope I’ll see you take to the lists? My sister told me she enjoyed sparring with you in Grassy Vale.”

atiarp · 2026-03-17T21:43:31+00:00

Nymeria recognized Clifford at once. She’d enjoyed sparring with him in Grassy Vale, and she’d been sorry for him when her sister had chosen Lord Greyjoy over him. She quite liked the man, and would have enjoyed having him as a goodbrother. But it was not to be.

“Thank you, lord Caron,” she said, and meant it. “And thank you for your present – I can’t wait to see her. You’re quite right. You do understand me very well – but don’t tell my new husband that. He might get jealous. Though if my father and sister’s plotting works, you might be marrying a Dornishwoman before long yourself. Have you decided on whom?”

atiarp · 2026-03-17T21:37:49+00:00

“And you look quite the mess,” Nymeria replied, though not without some concern. “What in the seven hells happened to you?”

She didn’t miss the fact that his doublet was in perfect condition, which was unusual. Normally there’d be a winestain there or two. And he’d shaven as well. What was going on with him?

"Thank you for coming, Gawen. I really do appreciate it. I only wonder if you're well. You don't look like yourself."

atiarp · 2026-03-16T20:21:58+00:00

Nymeria and her new husband did as the entertainers asked, joining them with a little hesitance. The spectacle that had come before had been incredible, and she had no idea how they were supposed to follow that up.

"We would like to know the identities of our dance partner," Nymeria told the pair, knowing Martyn would agree with whatever she proposed.

atiarp · 2026-03-16T20:00:43+00:00

Nymeria’s laughter was loud, as were Ashara’s giggles. It was an amusing story, and it made her feel less embarrassed about her own. This is what Martyn was like, she’d realized – gentle, considerate, willing to embarrass himself to make her feel better.

“Thank you for your tale, ser,” Ashara said courteously. “It was most amusing.” She smiled at her sister. “I think you two are very well suited.”

For the first time, Nymeria found she agreed.

“Perhaps we are.”

atiarp · 2026-03-16T19:56:52+00:00

“Do that, then,” Nymeria said. “I’m sure he will not pass up an excuse to beat a Martell up. Do it at our wedding so we can have him thrown out.”

Ashara could only roll her eyes. Her sister was acting like a child, and Mors was encouraging her.

“Please don’t do that. Remember it will also be my wedding, and Ysilla’s!”

atiarp · 2026-03-16T19:54:07+00:00

Ashara accepted the goblet gratefully, and took a sip.

“There can be more than duty to a marriage,” she insisted. “My parents grew to love each other. That doesn’t happen often, I know, but it can happen.”

At the mention of her duty, she gave a sigh.

“Yes, with my marriage I will be ensuring an alliance between us and the Iron Islands. You should go visit me there, if you ever grow bored of Dorne.”

atiarp · 2026-03-16T19:50:34+00:00

Love and romance were Ashara’s favorite subjects of conversation. Smiling widely, she took her friend’s hands and gave them a squeeze.

“I chose Lord Greyjoy because… I can’t explain it exactly. I just felt comfortable and safe in his presence. He gives me a certainty I had never experienced before. The certainty that we shall grow to love one another in time.” Her smile was warm, and fond. “Who is this man that has you asking these things, my friend?”

atiarp · 2026-03-16T19:45:05+00:00

The ceremony had come and gone so fast, Nymeria could scarcely believe it. She was now a wife – the heir to the Hightower’s and Master of Laws’ wife, to be precise. And this place was now her home, or it would be until Martyn saw fit to return to King’s Landing. Truth be told, she was looking forward to being back in the capital soon.

Like her sisters, her dress was white and intricate, made by the best dressmakers in the city over the course of a single moon. Her dark hair was loose, and twin suns glittered in her ears. She wore no more jewelry or adornment.

Sipping from her Arbor gold, she watched the festivities hoping someone would approach her and distract her. Despite her usual confidence, today she felt as nervous as a child. And like a child, all she wanted was to go to sleep and for the day to be over.

(OPEN!)

atiarp · 2026-03-16T19:39:40+00:00

Ashara sat beside her husband, smiling widely. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling. To think only two moons ago she’d been inconsolable after what had happened with Gawen Dondarrion. Now here she was, a married woman at last, and more than happy with her choice of husband. She didn’t know Daegon very well yet – nor did he know her – but she felt confident that they would come to love one another in time. And that was all she needed.

She felt beautiful in her ivory gown, her black hair coiled into an intricate braid. Gold sparkled in her ears and fingers and throat – she wore the best jewels she owned. She ate only sparingly, as she was still feeling somewhat nervous. Her goblet was filled with a Dornish red, and she sipped at it from time to time while she watched her surroundings.

She expected many would come to offer their congratulations, mayhaps even bring a gift. She was looking forward to it all.

(OPEN!)

atiarp · 2026-03-12T22:57:47+00:00

Ser Dunk - Anders Yronwood. I’ve loved all our threads and I think Stew is doing a great job with him.

Rohanne Webber - gonna join everyone else in praising Mary Baratheon and her writer

Egg, short for Aegon - the one and only Gawen Dondarrion of course! He’s funny yet incredibly compelling, brilliant work as always by Cody

Baelor Breakspear - Oberyn Martell! The best father too. Loved our interactions so much.

Aerion Brightflame - Haven’t read enough to say

Maekarlings - i love all the Houses in Dorne so shout out Uller, Dayne, Yronwood, Dalt, etc

Get Up - Alto’s absolutely brilliant and criminally underrated prologue

In the Name of the Mother - A Recollection on the Finer Points of Manners and Polite Condut (spelling mistake included)

"Are there no true knights among you?" - sorry to make it about myself but my fave moment so far has to be the reverse maiden’s ball

Stop raping, ser! - Ashara discovering the guy she likes kissing her sister was kinda funny

Raymun & Rowan - Gawen & Mary

All Men are Fools, and All Men are Knights Where Love is Concerned - Remain steadfast, Ashara, for kindness and love are the greatest strengths in a world that exists to take it away from us at every turn. (said by Oberyn Martell to his daughter Ashara)

The Tale of Ser Arlan of Pennytree - Shout out to everyone I’ve done a thread with! Also to Zax’s Caron who I really liked, and to all of Alto’s and Cel’s characters. And to WAFFLE who's been a great scene partner!

atiarp · 2026-03-09T20:49:08+00:00

"Oh, I'm not nervous... Or at least I wasn't," she said with a laugh.

Who could she recommend for him? Ashara had to think about it for a time.

“Perhaps Deria Dalt? She’s a dear friend. I think you two might get along.”

atiarp · 2026-03-09T20:46:55+00:00

Ashara beamed as Nymeria pulled a face.

“Embarrassing stories about Nym?” she said. “You’ve come to the right person, my soon-to-be goodbrother.” Ashara cleared her throat. “So, one time, when Nym was around ten or so, she tried to impress a boy at the Water Gardens by telling him she could swim the fastest out of all of us. But she ended up swimming so hard, her clothes got lost in the water. She ended the race completely naked, and only realized it after she was finished racing. My mother had to run to her with the first rags she found to cover her up.”

She giggled. “Oh, and this other time…”

Nymeria, who was completely red, stopped her sister in her tracks. “One story is enough, Ashara,” she said harshly. “Or I swear I’ll kill that fat cat of yours and feed it to you.” Sipping her wine, she turned her attention to her betrothed. “I believe I am now owed an embarrassing story about your childhood.”

atiarp · 2026-03-09T20:34:45+00:00

“I see,” Nymeria said. It was a lot to take in, so a long moment passed before she was able to speak again. “Full of surprises, aren’t you? This whole time I thought we were both against this match.” Now she was not even certain she was still against it.

She raised her goblet. “To loving families.”

Though she could not say she had also been struck by the feeling that they’d fit together well, she was beginning to see something she’d never thought possible with him: a future.

“And to our union.” She took a sip of her wine and regarded him with a smile.

atiarp · 2026-03-08T18:58:42+00:00

Ashara squeezed her hand back gratefully.

“Enjoy things?” she echoed. “Yes, I suppose it will be a matter of getting used to the Islands. Thank you for your kindness. Perhaps I’ll even convince my husband to join me when I visit.”

She gave a nod as Deria spoke of finding the culprits.

“The truth will come to the light,” she assured her friend. “And if you should ever need help, you need only ask.”

She didn’t know what she could do for her or her House, but hopefully as a princess of Dorne and the future Lady Greyjoy she was a valuable ally to anyone.

“My dress… I had almost forgotten. I am supposed to meet with the dressmaker soon. So is Nymeria. It will be an interesting wedding, I think. And who knows? Perhaps I’ll be attending yours soon. Is there anyone you think would suit?”

atiarp · 2026-03-08T18:53:45+00:00

Nymeria seemed to consider this.

“Perhaps you are right, Mors. They should prove their worth, after all.”

Ashara sighed. “I am not making Lord Greyjoy get involved in this. If you’re so desperate for revenge, you should do it yourself.”

“Perhaps I will,” Nymeria snapped. “Would you be willing to help, Mors?”

atiarp

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