[✦ F a e r i i e f o x ✦]

The towering silhouette of the Howling Keep loomed before Chrysanthemum, its jagged spires clawing at the overcast sky. The air was thick with foreboding, a chill that seeped into her bones as she crossed the barren path leading to the forest surrounding the thing. Shadows danced along the cold stone walls up there, as if whispering secrets of those who had come before her and never left. Her steps slowed as she approached the keep, her heart pounding like a drumbeat in her chest.
Irt didn't take long for her to be met with a couple of guards once she neared the forest, their imposing figures framed by the dim light that made it's way through the cloud thicket. They stopped her in her tracks, of course, like any good guard would do.

“What business do you have at the Howling Keep?" their voices dark and on the edge of threatening, not that she'd expect anything else. It wasn't a tone she was too unused to either, seeing who her father was.
Chrys took a deep breath, steadying herself against the weight of their scrutiny. She met their gaze, swishing her dark tail over her hocks as she squared up against the bigger, stronger males.

“My name is Chrysanthemum,” she began, her voice steady but soft, carrying a tinge of her exhaustion. “I have traveled far to find my grandfather, Selven. I have heard of his disappearance.”
The guards exchanged glances, their posture unyielding. The second guard spoke this time, his tone skeptical. “You claim to be kin of the Dark King? Bold words for someone wandering into his domain unannounced.”
“I am his granddaughter,” Chrysanthemum said firmly, the steel in her voice surprising even herself. “Please, just… tell me where he is.”
The first guard hesitated, shifting his weight on his hooves slightly as he considered her words. Finally, one of them left, presumably to announce that the royal pair had a visitor. “Wait here,” he commanded gruffly, though his tone lacked the sharpness it had carried before.

Chrysanthemum stepped back slightly, her gaze falling to the ground as the weight of the journey caught up with her. The cold air bit at her body, and the exhaustion in her limbs reminded her of how far she had come. But she refused to let herself falter now. The moments stretched into what felt like hours, the silence punctuated only by the occasional rustle of the wind and the distant howl of some unseen beast. Her thoughts churned as she stood there, uncertainty creeping in. Was her grandfather truly lost?



tag; A z z y
notes;

credit for art - medilic

[A z z y]

The night hag moved through the woodland that ensnared her home in a comfortable silence, despite the turmoil that gnawed at her innards. She had seen the way he had looked at Boudicca, crossing the party to meet her with the same look in his eyes that he had once had for her - familiarity, lust. It was not jealousy that stirred within her gut, but concern. Would he forego every promise made to her, made to the kingdom, to pursue the affections of the neutral queen? Would he risk the crown he had so desired to warm himself at her hearth? Thomasin would admit to feeling betrayed, if her assumptions were correct, but it was no longer an uncommon feeling to her. She greeted betrayal like an old friend, if Belial believed she was the type to take misdemeanours against her, against the kingdom, lying down, she would ensure he met a similar end to Selven. Her heart ached at the thought of her fallen lover, the one who was soon to lay in the cold earth atop the apex of the mountain range… beside Black Phillip, beside Cersei and Jaime. Everything she loved was no more, everything that had ever come to matter to her was deceased. There was a void within her chest now, a darkness where hope had once blossomed…

A heavy sigh was forced from within her lungs, her gilded optics rolling in their sockets to view the ominous skies and their darkening hues of stone and ash. A storm was brewing, the static felt in the ether around her as she waded through the fading emerald blades. Marduk sat upon her withers, her guide, her watchman, yet his silence was deafening, even as the wind rippled through the skeletal appendages of the canopy above - she could hear him louder than ever before. What will you doooo? his voice hissed within her grey matter, yet his beak did not move. A single lobe flicked towards the ruby eyed corvid, yet her countenance did not turn in unison. What will you do if he has betrayed you once more? First the helkaer, now an enemy declared from the war… Thomasin inhaled the winter air gently, her mind roaming over such possibilities. I don't know… she began, her attention on the conversation at hand and not on the guard who approached her through the woodland. Whatever needs to be done I - she was cut short as the guard before her cleared his throat, a look of confusion plastered across his features. Thomasin did not allow her demeanour to shift into one of shame or embarrassment, but one of cool stoicism, a brow arching in his direction.

Your majesty, he began, his tones uncertain, as if doubting the image of who stood before him. A mare has arrived, seeking Selven, another pause as he awaited a reaction, but none came, just that thousand yard stare that seemed to look through him. Her name is Chrysanthemum, she claims to be his granddaughter… he trailed off, readying himself for an explosion, yet instead the eerie calmness of the witch remained true. His granddaughter? How interesting, do lead the way… she motioned her chin, gesturing for him to lead her in the direction of their guest. Selven had not mentioned any other of his kin, aside from Gothika and the woman he had chosen to lay with instead of returning home - was this a child of Gothika? Or was there more to him than he had ever let on… silently, Thomasin mulled over such notions, a muscle in her jaw twitching as the two equines and the crow moved in silence, a wary lobe of the guard kept upon the witch queen as she roamed behind him. Ahead, my queen, he halted and bowed his crown, allowing her to pass, her stride carrying her confidently into the line of sight of the younger mare. A pretty thing she was, dipped in hues of bronze and silver, with flowers wound into her locks.

Thomasin halted before the maiden, her golden pools drinking in her image for a moment as she allowed her features to soften a fraction. Chrysanthemum? She began, her regal tones filling the silence with ease. I am Thomasin, the Dark Queen, she introduced herself with ease, a calm confidence as she diligently sought the phrasing she so desired. How would such news be best broken to a stranger? Thomasin was not one for comfort, for physical affection particularly with strangers… having lost so much, she viscerally remembered the pain of learning of her father's demise, would this loss hurt Chrysanthemum the same? Inhaling steadily, Thomasin levelled her gaze upon the younger mare, a feigned softness in her eyes. I am sorry - Selven passed away a few days ago, there was a hurt in her own words now, but she could not discern their integrity. With a flick of her obsidian cords, she offered the mare a gentle smile, one of understanding, of warmth. I can take you to where he rests at the moment, should you wish to say your goodbyes? The offer was genuine, the fallen King's body rested for now in the cellar of the citadel, a bitterly cold room filled with floral arrangements to mask the scent of decay. He was resting under a blanket of flowers and herbs, their children resting beside him, awaiting their burial in the coming days.


TAGGED - ✦ F a e r i i e f o x ✦
WORDS - 903
MUSE - good!
NOTES - hope this is okay 💜
Speech