( if. the defining clause. a vital condition. it suddenly sickens her to even consider holding one end of his leash, like a war hound collared into obedience. like the stag butchered and quartered around her throat, a bone-shackle tethering her to aleksander's whims. )
I'm not the sort of queen that demands loyalty if it isn't freely given.
You and your mother have done your part to keep me protected, in Paul's absence — whatever debt you feel you owe me, you can consider it paid.
[ is there dishonour in it? she is a queen, if not now then in a matter of reckoning, and queens and kings know that their words are law. aemond would understand most of all; he's done little else but prepare to stand in his brother's shadow and hope to be worthy of his light. ]
It remains unfulfilled, Alina. Even if you forgive it, the gods will know in true, and they will demand an answer in due course.
I am not asking you to name someone, but I would rather honour a promise made than be forgiven its debt.
a new plight, distinctly. the opposite has been more common place — men wriggling on the oaths they've hooked themselves with, baiting her into alliances with false promises. instinctively, she types what would you have me do? and then promptly wipes it from her screen, annoyed with her never-ending need to seek guidance.
queens and saints and generals don't beg to be led. they lead. she swallows down her uneasiness, her reply slow in coming. )
I have a name, but killing a man who enjoys it is hardly the justice I want. Giving him the death he wants won't bring me any peace.
Torment, then. Betrayal. There are other ways to break a man's heart.
[ aemond has, despite appearances, only lead himself through life. raised himself in the absence of his mother's softness, taught himself under the watchful and stern eye of his grandsire. ser criston had hardened him against womanly touch, and aegon — what can he say about aegon? his brother whom he loves and hates equally. how many times has aegon broken his heart? how many times has he picked up the remnants of his trust and rebuilt it for him again?
the realm falls in step behind him because of fear. and that fear is rooted in his refusal to be mastered by anyone. the realm will never love him — so let them fear the hurts he can inflict.
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text — un: aemond_
We are on the eve of this wretched game ending. Do you still hold me to my words?
no subject
Do you want to be freed from your vow?
no subject
That is not mine to answer. Would you have me kill your attacker, once the truth is confirmed by our hosts?
no subject
( if. the defining clause. a vital condition. it suddenly sickens her to even consider holding one end of his leash, like a war hound collared into obedience. like the stag butchered and quartered around her throat, a bone-shackle tethering her to aleksander's whims. )
I'm not the sort of queen that demands loyalty if it isn't freely given.
You and your mother have done your part to keep me protected, in Paul's absence — whatever debt you feel you owe me, you can consider it paid.
no subject
[ is there dishonour in it? she is a queen, if not now then in a matter of reckoning, and queens and kings know that their words are law. aemond would understand most of all; he's done little else but prepare to stand in his brother's shadow and hope to be worthy of his light. ]
It remains unfulfilled, Alina. Even if you forgive it, the gods will know in true, and they will demand an answer in due course.
I am not asking you to name someone, but I would rather honour a promise made than be forgiven its debt.
Oaths needs be kept. Please.
no subject
a new plight, distinctly. the opposite has been more common place — men wriggling on the oaths they've hooked themselves with, baiting her into alliances with false promises. instinctively, she types what would you have me do? and then promptly wipes it from her screen, annoyed with her never-ending need to seek guidance.
queens and saints and generals don't beg to be led. they lead. she swallows down her uneasiness, her reply slow in coming. )
I have a name, but killing a man who enjoys it is hardly the justice I want.
Giving him the death he wants won't bring me any peace.
no subject
[ aemond has, despite appearances, only lead himself through life. raised himself in the absence of his mother's softness, taught himself under the watchful and stern eye of his grandsire. ser criston had hardened him against womanly touch, and aegon — what can he say about aegon? his brother whom he loves and hates equally. how many times has aegon broken his heart? how many times has he picked up the remnants of his trust and rebuilt it for him again?
the realm falls in step behind him because of fear. and that fear is rooted in his refusal to be mastered by anyone. the realm will never love him — so let them fear the hurts he can inflict.
he is a better weapon than he is a son. ]
What would you like for him to suffer?