The year is 286 AC. King Jaehaerys II has just passed, leaving the throne without a rightful ruler. While his three children fight for the crown, Winter creeps closer, and unimaginable darkness looms.
Not all alliances will be so typical this time. In fact, many people have a crucial effect on the way this story is told. As for the ending, we only hope there are enough people left alive to tell it after its passed.
Events
Join us for our first event, the wake of recently deceased King Jaehaerys II.
Updates
AUG. 19: So we are now officially open to the public. We have a mini-event flashback thread going on, and our main event just began. Feel free to make a second canon if you can keep both of them active enough.
Don't hesitate in pestering staff with questions; it's what we're here for! Let's raise a glass and make a cheer toward a successful launch of Winds of Winter.
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
YEARS AGO A TALE OF HEARTS -
Birdsongs filled the ears of the Tully lord, sitting within the godswood that decorated his keep. Resting beneath the embrace of the ivory tree branches, sheltered from the light with its crimson leaves. Dressed with plenty of jackets the furnace of a man lightly slumbered.
Oaks and Elms filled the quickest passage between his great hall and much of his keep. Flowers decorating whatever the cobblestone did not touch. A small paradise from the winds of the north and the squabble in the south. Hoping to share it with his lady to be within the coming days.
Though they had not truly met, letters shares and experience from the past the last of their bonds. Since arriving at the keep he had made sure to let her explore on her own. When she desired to find who kept her captive here she would. Though if she asked to leave she had more then the power too. Ashe was no prisoner of his.
With birds fluttering down to his shoulders, enjoying picking at loose threads and resting upon his warm shoulders. The brim of his decorating the lower portion of his face to block out the rays of the sun. Waiting to share the world he knew with his beloved. Though he could only wait, wait for his hand to grasp for his. Only then would he grab back and never let go of her little hand.
The warmth of the south was new to her, even after months of staying here, she could never truly get used to parting with the soft furs that once adorned her shoulders constantly. It wasn't just the furs she was devoid of as of now, but her spouse as well. Never once had she met him, quite curious really. It made her wonder if she was married to a specter or her marriage was nothing more but an excuse to move her further south from the keep. Regardless, she didn't mind too much as she seemed well cared for here... but she was a curious one and there was little to do. It was high time to meet her generous host.
The young pup walked through quiet halls, the midday sun caressing her rosy cheeks. Bird songs caught her ears as she stopped, looking down a cobble stone path leading towards what she knew was the godswood. It might not hurt to pray, ask the old gods for guidance in seeking out the man she was meant to call her husband.
She didn't really have time to decide as her feet seemed to have decided for her as she found herself walking towards the place. Every so often, a bird would fly close by, the flapping of their wings, close enough for her to feel. It reminded her of the birds that hung around her bedroom window, waiting to be fed crumbs kept from meals in the morning and in the evening. She wondered if maybe she could make friends with these birds.
As she neared the wood, she caught sight of a figure hunched in slumber beneath the tree. Birds flocking to his person without fear. Curious. She'd have approached were it not for the fact she hadn't met this person yet during her stay here... And he was well dressed to be yet another helping hand here in the keep. Was he one of the lord's children? Possibly. One she must have missed.
Strange as it was, she hadn't thought of the man to be her husband yet as that would have been far too easy, though something about him reminded her of a dear old friend she'd exchanged letters with. After all, she'd met few with the same wild locks as his, peeking out from the brim of his hat.
Ashe approached quietly, kneeling by the other's side, strangely unconcerned for the other's intentions. She felt safe here... within the godswood, within this keep to think anything ill would come to her in stirring the other. With her small hand, she reached out to caress the other's cheek, feeling the warmth of another soul for the first time in a long while before reaching out for his hand, the birds fleeing from her outstretched digits.
She opened her lips and a voice, soft and almost kind left them. "Hello?" Was all she said.
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
YEARS AGO A TALE OF HEARTS -
Padded footsteps entered the godswood. They did not bear the weight of a servant nor the semblance of his ilk. At long last the wolf had stumbled into the stream of the trout. Prowling up the disheveled lord resting upon the ground.
Feeble paws rest next to him, capturing only the sight of her slender legs beneath his visor. Studying her prey softly upon kneeling down to his slumped form. Reaching out to touch him, delicate fingers dancing upon his cheek as his cheek rolled into her palm. Adoring her gentle touch.
Auburn curls twisting around her fingers upon his waking self. A sleight of hand removed the hat that blocked their sight. Amber eyes greeting hers with countless moons dividing their last encounter. A smile dressing his cheeks with his gilded orbs melting at the sight of his wolf.
" Am I dreaming or have you finally found me Lady Stark? "
Birds starting to flock to the nearby trees as the man placed his hand on top of hers. Keeping the warmth that alluded him close. Remembering its inspiring warmth that filled his heart back in Winterfell. It felt just like yesterday when they expressed talking to the other with every raven they could send to one another.
His skin pressed against her palm as though it'd belonged there. Her thumb pressed softly against his cheek, caressing him gently as the hat gave way to the amber eyes she'd easily remember just about anywhere. Lost in it's warmth, the silver haired wolf could only look as his familiar voice caressed her ears after so many moons, as though there was never a moment they'd parted.
Trembling lips parted to speak, only then had she realized she'd been smiling the whole time she'd seen his face. A welcome sight really, though she had many questions to ask of him, namely... why was he sleeping out here in the open?
"If 'tis a dream, then I pray I not wake any sooner than my next blink." She took his hand and led it to her own cheek, pressing into it with closed eyes. It was warm. He was real. Her heart was a flutter with joy at this discovery. "Would you forgive me for asking what it is you are doing in my husband's keep? I would not want to see you beheaded for sneaking in unwelcomed." She whispered in jest as she brought his hand upon her lap, caressing it gently and allowing herself to look intently upon his face, recalling every detail of it and comparing to the face that was in her memory.
"I had not expected to meet you once again in such a way my lord... this is.. truly a surprise..."
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
YEARS AGO A TALE OF HEARTS -
Exploring the pale flesh that marred his face with her thumb. Letting fingers adore his gentle face. Caught in awe the dainty wolf crumbled before the northern lord. Rubies swollen ready to weep with the sight of Edmund. What a precious sight the silver wolf was before the karp. Hoping to never forget.
Guiding his hand to her petite cheek, his hand cupped the serene maiden. Ashe's ethereal voice a delightful song upon his ears. Sharing that she desired this to be a never ending dream. Adding to that the wonder of why he was in her betrothed keep. Laughter rolling off his breathe as he comforted her.
" Waiting for you little shewolf. "
Admitting a portion of the truth as he released his grasp from the beauty. Coming up to his knees to kneel before the Lady of House Tully. Lifting his chin to display the clever sneer upon his face. Grasping for both the hands of the stark in his garden. Fingers wrapping around hers, keeping them warm beneath his.
" I am happy that I do not have to wait on a raven to hear from you. I now have you to myself if you will have me - Lady Tully."
Words written upon paper could not match the feelings of his heart. Even his words had trouble finding the right meaning for his lady. Though fingers yearning to fill the divide between hers must have showed his devotion and love for the northern beauty.
His words were a joy to her ears, to have him wait for her... for someone to be waiting for her. She'd have burst out crying right then and there, not from sorrow, but from overwhelming joy. "How cruel of you my lord. Playing this game without informing me. What would you have done if I had not gone to look for you? Were you planning to stay hidden here for the rest of your days never to see your lady?" She shook her head as she moved to sit before him, just as he knelt, her hand in his felt warmer than than it was beneath her beloved furs, yet much more comfortable than the sheets of her own bed.
She looked at him with love, the same love nurtured with every raven that visited her window. The same love that was nearly broken as her marriage was announced, and the same love that now danced with joy as he spoke. No written letter could compare to hearing the words face to face. No wedding vow could compare to the simple words she was about to say to him, just the two of them, beneath the ancient wood. "I will have you, as you have me my dear Lord Tully. May the old gods bear witness to this promise." She chuckled lightly, her voice a soft chime mingling with the birds over head.
"I still have many questions for you however my lord. One of which is how you've managed to keep your presence from me this whole time. Why would you? If I had known it was you I'd be marrying, I'd not have felt like moving from one prison to another."
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
YEARS AGO A TALE OF HEARTS -
" Forgive me my Lady, I only desired your happiness. I had you taken from your den, only desiring you explore our home at your pace. I knew your beautiful legs would carry you to me soon enough my darling wolf."
Explaining why he had not come to her side upon bringing her to his keep. Wanting her to desire to stay here upon her own will not forced by his hand. It had not been easy to remain at the edges of her attention. Wanting to put an end to his facade each day. Though now he no longer had to spend his days by himself, he had her.
Rising from his bent position, hands would find themselves exploring the face of the woman of his house. Exploring the pale flesh he adored, his thumb tracing the shape of her little rubies hiding upon her face. Curling stray silver strands from her head upon his soft digits. Tender actions kept the warm smile upon his lips as he stole a kiss from his beloved.
" I wanted you to explore the keep written in our letters. I wanted the words the ravens shared to come true before your own eyes. I wanted you to be happy is all my dear wolf. Wanting to be the man that you always wanted."
If he had wished for her to explore their new abode, why had he not simply come and showed her around himself? It felt like a gamble to leave her to explore and not end up feeling unhappy with where she was. Which... had almost been the case.
Regardless of the care and freedom she'd received since her arrival, it had felt lonely, wandering alone. She knew not what her spouse's intentions were, and had more then once questioned her sire's decision to send her here as somoene else's bride. Had she been less resilient in staying... she might not have sought him out. Would he have sent her home if she stayed unhappy? It was a thought she need not worry about any longer.
"You've placed far too much faith in a frail little wolf. I'm glad I was not frail enough to give up the search for this mysterious mate." She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes, savoring the warmth she'd so longed for with every letter she'd receive. It was better than what she had imagined. Though he only deigned to touch her face, she could feel the warmth spread through her cheeks, to her hands and through the rest of her body, as she looked to him for but a moment with half-lidded eyes as he'd given her her first kiss, his taste lingering upon her lips which curled into a happy yet bashful smile.
"I had not thought to see this keep as anything from your letters. Same windows, same halls, same gardens, same sky... It might have sounded nostalgic yet it wasn't complete. The man who sent me those letters weren't there to show me what he'd seen..." She reached for his cheek in turn, once more caressing his rough skin wither soft thumb. "You are... the only man I've ever wanted. I care not if it's a silly thing for me to say... but that's what I feel. I cannot tell how happy I am just standing here in front of you, knowing the man I married was the man I loved." Red orbs flickered as happy tears threatened to fall from her cheeks. And now that we're together... would you once more tell me of this keep? Show me it's halls, it's windows, the garden's and all... just... with you by my side."
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
YEARS AGO A TALE OF HEARTS -
" You are stronger than you give yourself credit for Ashe. I never doubted your strength for even a moment my dear."
The albino child had built a redoubt in his heart, the thought of her giving up never once crossed his mind. If anything the white wolf had everything to prove to the world. Soft cheeks fit perfectly within the palm of his hand. Enjoying the mane of his ivory wolf, stroking her softly.
" I saw a beautiful prowl through my halls, and discover the world for herself. I cant express how badly I wish to show you what you have yet to see my little trout."
Spinning his family sigil upon her name now. Though she was a wolf at heart now the goddess before him began to display her beautiful scales. Ashe returned his feelings with her own touch. Tears swelling upon her pale cheeks. Cascading down to her chin. Doing his best to wipe away her gentle tears.
" You are not silly my love, you deserve much better then these humble hands can provide. I will do my best to be the man you've dreamt of all these years. I promise upon the old gods and the new that you will have my heart for as long as it draws breathe, and this body will protect you from all that would do us harm."
Rising up to his feet his hand never left her, be upon her somber expression or trying to rest within her own. Wanting to share the keep of Riverrun was a task he could handle. Knowing that from this day forward these walls would be no longer lonely. Just how long had he controlled the realm by himself. It felt like an eternity. Feeling the warmth of another, of Ashe, he wished for nothing else. For she made him happy.
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