eachdraidh | (fifth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

Fellow Shardholders. [ what follows is a rehearsed speech, likely written beforehand and committed to memory. sansa stark (better known by most as alayne stone) sits before her locket in troichean beinn. she has, pinned to the shoulder of her fine silk dress, a direwolf. every instinct in her body tells her she should not say what must be said. should not announce what must be announced. but before his absence, her father had been giving her gentle instruction in how to meet these responsibilities. it makes her weep to imagine disappointing him -- yet she is far out of her depth. she needs help. but the speech she must do on her own. ]

With a heavy heart I tell you that Lord Eddard of House Stark -- Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, and a Keeper of Cothromach -- has left these lands. H-he is gone. [ she does not elaborate upon the very grief of his absence, but the cause cannot be too difficult to surmise: else why should anyone's heart be heavy for a man returned to his own world? ]

Yet if Lord Stark has made you promises or oaths of any sort, no matter your court, I wish to see them honoured and fulfilled. [ it takes tremendous will not to beg for the opportunity. she swallows hard. ] And if any have in turn have sworn service to him, I tell you now that I am his eldest daughter and the noble city of Cothromach has deemed me heir to his title. And to his duties. I would be humbled if those sworn to him would consider entrusting me with those same vows -- though I understand asking you to put your trust in a daughter of his house is not a thing easily done.

Likewise, if any in these lands wish to take refuge or make their homes in Cothromach, I would speak to you. My Lord Father wanted to see the city built up to its proper glory, and any Shardholder willing to join us in the task will be welcomed within its walls. For now, Lady Meera Reed sits as castellan while my family travels. Once my efforts in Troichaen Beinn are finished, I look forward to to returning as Sansa of House Stark.

[ by now her voice is shaking and it was a challenge merely to say her true name. it had been a lie, of course: she does not look forward to being herself once more. she knows such honesty runs against every lesson taught to her in the south. honesty leaves her open. vulnerable. but in the south she'd not had jon. nor arya, really. nor any manner of true ally -- none like those allies who have helped her in these lands.

it is for those sweet supportive souls that she speaks her final piece. it is the most difficult thing to ask, and it isn’t hidden behind rehearsal. it is not courtly. ] To those who knew and cared for the girl Alayne Stone: I apologize for my falsehoods. I swear I meant no harm. Please -- forgive me.

[ this confession is done. and so too was alayne stone. ]

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And no one is disappointed in her?

No. Our parents died when we were kids, so it's hard to know how'd they feel about it if they were still alive -- but I doubt it'd be disappointed.

[ for her part, she is glad neither parent had to witness her marriage. even ned stark had remained ignorant about it -- she'd refused to tell him that shame. ]

Your ways are so odd.

Yeah? [ He chuckles a little; to him they aren't, but he's also certain that she's not the only one who thinks they are. ]

How would it be done in your world?

I don't know how the small-folk do it. [ this is her one disclaimer. she can't claim any knowledge for the weddings of the poor and the disenfranchised. ] But the Great Houses press suits to their advantage. Old allies sealed with vows. Enemies placated.

[ Sansa don't call them small-folk......... ]

And those to be married don't get a say?

A septon won't perform a ceremony if one or both parties don't agree to it. But--

[ she stops. there are ways to cajole agreement from a person. or to disguise their dissent. ]

[ John gets the picture. Strange though the ways of his world might seem to her, John thinks he prefers them. ]

So what if it were a situation like my sister and I, where our families can't really give any input?

[ due to... being dead ]

I...knew a young lady who became a ward of the crown. Her titles and claims became the King's to marry away as was most advantageous to him.

Ugh.

[ Yeah, no thank you. ]

I think I'll stay single.

Beg pardon, ser, but that choice is your right.

[ and not, she implies, the right of others. a soldier has more leeway than a lady. ]

It should also be the rights of others. That's the sort of thing I fight for.

[ Or the sort of thing he'd thought he fought for, when he was young and naive and just signed up. ]

The place I'm from values individual freedom. [ In theory. ]

[ softly -- but distantly, as if she doesn't care to be too invested in the ideal: ] What a wondrous place it must be, ser.

Well. Everywhere's got its problems. Even there.

Like which problems?

The people with money and power only caring about getting more of both instead of how they can help the world, that sort of thing. The usual.

I can't see that there are any means to stop what you describe from happening.

Edited 2014-10-15 18:47 (UTC)

Yeah, me neither. In a perfect world, I guess.

I imagine such a world does not exist.

[ a far cry from the rainbows and ponies of other would-be princesses. ]

Same. And anything that looks perfect... well, might want to look a second time.

As with legends and stories. [ looking too perfect. too ideal. ]

We're pretty much living in one, now. Fairies and magic -- nothing like it back home, nothing even close.

I cannot see this place as being too different. Oh, the sorcery is bewildering. And Westeros has no fairies. But the lands seem much the same -- apart from their seasons.

You've got an advantage over me, then. I have no idea where to start with the politics around here, the traditions.

(fifth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

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