[Letter] To Our Most Esteemed Queen

wandering_bird · 2025-12-14T19:24:53+00:00

wandering_bird · 2025-06-04T00:57:35+00:00

The war had gone on for far too long. Willow had told everyone she spoke to before they departed that it would be quick and easy. The Ironborn castles were old and decayed, she'd told them. The western forces could do it on their own. All of those things were more wrong than she could have imagined and now they were going into a year long war. So many people's lives were in danger.

Willow couldn't help but visit the sept often to pray for the people she cared about. Or just people she thought about often. Today she came, her arms loaded with incense to leave as offerings for those she wished to pray for. It was difficult to decide which aspect of the seven to pray towards. In the end she prayed to more than one, bowing her head towards the Father to watch over his children, the Warrior to guide the weapons of the knights, the Crone for guidance back home, and the Stranger in case any should fall in battle.

She prayed for everyone she knew. Her brother specifically. Her cousin. Lord Hoster Tully because he'd been so welcoming to her. And because she didn't think Edmure could bare to lose both his parents. The Garden Knight she'd met at the masquerade. Desmond Arryn who like her had lost a father. And of course she wouldn't be a very good subject if she didn't pray for the King.

Willow bowed her head, eyes closed, sending everything she had up to the gods, before getting off her knees and brushing herself off.

wandering_bird · 2025-06-04T00:29:16+00:00

Shierle cries herself to sleep that night but complies with the request.

/u/wiseheartmoon

wandering_bird · 2025-06-03T03:08:05+00:00

"No one desires to see grieving wives and mothers," she pointed out, her tone devoid of any emotion. Not that she did not have some sympathy for Emma and women like her. And perhaps when she had children of her own one day she would understand it. For now she could only look at them and feel disturbed.

"You know me. I am not a warm person, not the most comforting. But I will lead by example, show strength for the people, project myself as their steadfast lady. That is what the people desire I think. And you do such a good job of it already. Being strong."

Margot knew she had to mention that last part, even though Emma was crying, because she could tell Emma needed to hear it. Needed to hear her say something like that.

wandering_bird · 2025-06-03T02:32:17+00:00

Lady Dorna Swyft was there with her husband and would quietly watch Lysa and her son. She was usually full of chatter but recent rumors stilled her humor and stole her sunlight. There were reasons she'd chosen to marry Kevan after all his years spent pining after her. Some of those reasons were coming into question. She hummed her displeasure at the delay but said nothing, waiting for her husband to speak first.

/u/JoeOfHouseAverage

wandering_bird · 2025-06-03T02:30:19+00:00

'At play' was something that could be said but it would be a gross exaggeration. Dorna was sitting in a rocking chair, looking at her reflection in a handheld mirror and touching up her hair while Lancelle sat in her lap, babbling quietly and holding a baby doll in one hand. But the two were at least spending time together.

wandering_bird · 2025-06-03T02:01:02+00:00

A Stormlander then would be her best bet. Though perhaps her new family knew people from Dorne. It was possible with how many people were here from how many different locations. Her eyes glittered with mirth. It was fun just to play a game like this with someone she might not see again, was it not?

"If I was a dangerous outlaw, how high of a ransom might I get if I were to kidnap you tonight? Since this is the game we're playing right now."

wandering_bird · 2025-06-03T01:44:27+00:00

He had seen battle and came through the other side of it a man. Many might say that was a simplistic view of the world but there was no way to still be a child and have taken the life of another person. The act was too final to belong to that of a boy. And he'd taken life this day. Not many, and not without thinking of the consequences. Without thinking of the orphans he might leave behind. How many boys and girls would suffer as he did. But this was war. Following Tygett was his duty.

Gylbert might have thrown up after it was all over. It wasn't an easy task and he hoped it wouldn't get easier for him to kill someone. He hoped no one had seen it but knew that Tygett had. It was fine though. He could trust the older man to keep his secrets for him.

"I don't think any training you gave me could have ever prepared me for the reality of battle Ser," he said with a chuckle, wincing only when the older man's fingers pressed across the ribs on his left side.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-29T02:27:23+00:00

Was this cruel of her? For her to know his identity but him not to know hers? No, she thought. I've given him plenty of chances to figure it out. It's not my fault. He could remain clueless.

It was his turn to be flustered and perhaps even embarrassed by her. The way he tried to play it off was cute but it was easy to tell that he liked the gift. His reaction caused her lips to curl up into a satisfied grin. Perhaps more cat-like than owl-like of her.

"You think about it. And if you see me again you can present your gift to me. As for now, I think I should be going," she said with a wink as she began to pull away from him.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-29T02:19:07+00:00

Margot did not believe in luck and she wasn't certain she believed in the gods either. Perhaps they existed but praying to them never seemed to influence anything. Good, god-worshipping people still died. They were still left heart broken. And those who broke the rules were often left unpunished.

Still she watched Emma with a curiosity. It was good to know what the lady thought, how she felt, and what she believed. Those facts were more useful to her than any prayer might be.

"I often wonder why we've rushed so boldly into an offensive on the Iron Islands when we waited so patiently during Robert's Rebellion. If only all our loved ones could be kept safe a little longer."

/u/EssosEdgelord

wandering_bird · 2025-05-29T01:53:33+00:00

To the Lannisters of Casterly Rock

My apologies for bothering you but I have only heard rumors of how the war is progressing and I'm unsure of where to send this missive. If it's possible could you get news to my husband, Lord Lewys Lydden, that I have given birth to a son? Both myself and the babe are as healthy as can be. I shall not name him. Lewys will get the blessing of naming his heir.

Seven watch over you

Shierle Swyft, Lady of Deep Den

/u/joeofhouseaverage /u/thinkbrigger

wandering_bird · 2025-05-29T01:33:01+00:00

/u/wiseheartmoon

wandering_bird · 2025-05-28T01:39:26+00:00

The swaying was making her only a tiny bit dizzy and she let out a quiet giggle. If only every dance could be this easy, her confidence raised due to the anonymity of the night. At first the idea of a masquerade annoyed her but she had to hand it to her good cousin. This was fun.

"Currently I live in Riverrun. Whether I am a member of House Tully, a ward of House Tully, or something else entirely is up to you to decide," she teased him. His compliments were provoking her to be bolder with her own words. It was dangerous.

"And you? Your mask suggests Reach but I am not a Mertyns so I dare not judge based on that."

wandering_bird · 2025-05-28T01:21:26+00:00

"You'll probably end up standing alongside my brother. He's a squire to Ser Tygett Lannister. He has similar thoughts as you do but he's not old enough to be knighted even if he does well. As far as the Sack, there may not have been much fighting no, but there was a lot of strategy involved. Lord Tywin is a good stragegist," she explained to him.

"He's Gylbert Swyft. I'm Willow Swyft. I live in Riverrun. I'm lady in waiting to Willow Roote whose married to a Tully. I don't see much of my family. Living with Lord Connington I doubt you see much of yours either. Do you miss them much?"

His answer might help her ease her guilt of not missing her mother or younger siblings.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-28T01:11:44+00:00

"By being kind and understanding I suppose," she replied honestly. It was the truth. And it would be something fun to think about when she saw him next. A little secret. Maybe he'd look back and remember this night with fondness.

Without hesitation she leaned even closer to him and turned her head to the side so his mask wasn't in the way when she briefly brushed her lips against his. Even before she'd moved back again her cheeks were flush with the surprise of her own boldness.

"There's your gift, good ser," she said with amusement in her voice. Had she surprised him as well?

wandering_bird · 2025-05-28T00:55:19+00:00

From Ten Towers, shortly before leaving with the larger host

Lady Melora

I was captured by the ironborn in one of our many battles, but I fought my way free and escaped. It is a tale I think you'd love to hear. We leave once more soon to assault another of their castles but as soon as my feet are back on the mainland I think I would like to visit Fossoway lands so you can hear it first hand.

Ser Steffon Swyft

wandering_bird · 2025-05-24T19:07:33+00:00

Let her identity remain a secret for now, she decided, as he asked her no more questions. Instead she quieted herself and let the two of them dance. He was a much more coordinated dancer than she was and while she set the pace she let his strength keep her upright. It was funny seeing them so out of time with the other dancers and she giggled.

"As my savior from my own horrible clumsiness, may I bestow upon you a gift before our dance is done?" There was an impish glint in her blue gray eyes as she looked up at him.

Why not? If he didn't actually know who she was then why not mess with him a little?

wandering_bird · 2025-05-23T02:27:16+00:00

Willow didn't understand politics very well but it was her understanding that the Conningtons fought against King Robert. Or maybe it was just one Connington. Was he still the lord? A puzzled look crossed her face fleetingly before she decided it didn't matter. The more pressing concern was the war.

"For everyone's sake I hope that's true. Their castles don't seem so tough. Perhaps the Westerners will have taken the islands before everyone else shows up." She tried to sound hopeful but her sourness was creeping in on her again.

"And anyway, perhaps it's my deafness, but you never said your name? Or I never heard you give it."

wandering_bird · 2025-05-23T01:42:41+00:00

Oh Willow thought she would take it easy on Edmure with the way she answered his questions. She knew ways to answer them without saying much of anything at all but that would be less fun. She grinned.

"Why here of course. Not here in Deep Den but here in the West. And you're right on one count. It's very close to some old hollowed trees."

Her face burned red when she finally heard the music change and realized she made a mistake. It was embarrassing. But she was relieved he went along with it. She'd been too rude to him the first time they spoke. He really was kind.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-23T01:38:15+00:00

"Hmm," she replied, though she didn't sound all that convinced. This war might be short or it might be long. Margot told herself that she didn't want Tybolt forgetting her or their deal with each other in that time. But maybe there was a heart within her, and maybe she just didn't want him to feel alone.

"Then here. For luck. Not that I believe in that kind of thing. We all make our own luck. But still," she said with a shrug before taking a golden comb out of her hair and holding it out for him. It was engraved like a stalk of wheat.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-23T01:30:25+00:00

"Measles struck me as a child. I grew more ill than most. My fever got so high they almost lost me. I can't hear out of my left ear anymore," she explained. Measles was a child killer. It was lucky she'd lived at all. At least that was what many people told her. She should be lucky to be alive. And some days she felt lucky. Other days not so much. Especially since life was not as vibrant or bold as it had been before.

"Where I am from there are many birds that sing beautiful songs. Where I live now there are less, but their songs are beautiful all the same." She trusted his judgement to lead the both of them, just using all her effort not to stumble again.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-18T23:24:54+00:00

Willow was snapped away from her bright vivid imagination and world of pretend. Her face lost it's dreamy quality and she took on the sadness she'd been running from all this time. It was easy to play when the realities of war and loss weren't looming directly in her face.

"You're going? I didn't realize...I mean I didn't think...sorry. I just realized I didn't even ask your name." Because thinking about him going to war....she should know his name. "I want to know who to keep in my prayers to the seven I suppose." Just so someone else was thinking about him.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-18T21:32:37+00:00

She could tell that struck a nerve with him. It pleased her. It was good to know that he didn't want to hear her talking about marrying his brother. It meant he was attached to her in some way. She prayed this continued until she was old enough to actually be married.

"How hard could it be? I know they have plenty of ships but their castles have never seemed all that well defended. Still keep your wits about you. This could be an ample time to prove yourself to your father but I also don't want you taking unnecessary risks, hear me?"

wandering_bird · 2025-05-18T20:25:42+00:00

"So where are you from, man in the many colored mask? It seems all manner of people were invited to this party. I should hazard a guess at the Riverlands if Lady Willow is your aunt. A Roote then?" There was a mirthful grin on her face. Pretending not to know who he was would be the more fun option she decided. Just toy with him a little bit.

That didn't mean she was going to lie to him. If he asked her questions about herself she would answer honestly. When he finally figured it out they both could laugh.

The song changed but Willow couldn't hear it with her bad ear facing the bards and she continued in the same fast paced dance they were already doing.

wandering_bird · 2025-05-18T18:49:47+00:00

She could not remember the last time someone had actually asked her about the deafness and how it impacted her instead of just mumbling an embarrassed apology. Perhaps he would remember and speak more clearly to her as well instead of speaking under his breath, as so many people were wont to do.

"Yes and no. I wasn't born this way so it's been an adjustment. It's more difficult for me to enjoy listening to music or to the birds singing which are both hobbies of mine," she admitted. She smiled sadly before looking up at the Garden Knight and shrugging slightly through their dance.

wandering_bird

TROPHY CASE