https://preview.redd.it/uercmc79kjx71.png?width=1864&format=png&auto=webp&s=c965bd6f1026f86c8f7b36006bb5eb8571e54ff6
Rocky coast with four figures on path in foreground, steep overgrown crags behind, two figures in boat to left. Pen and black and grey ink with grey wash and watercolour . Enchanced and enlarged via AI. Drawn by: John Webber
Please enlighten
In case you haven't noticed, our author is a sucker for Blackwoods. A house that can hardly take a step wrong, especially when compared to their neighbors, the Brackens. Except, maybe, when they marry Freys, but we are not going to investigate the odd match today. Instead, we are going to focus our attention on the obvious symbiotic connection between the raven and his best pal, the (dire)wolf.
Wolves and ravens have a thing in real world, it is known - (I am not going to insist on this, is a well walked path in the fandom.) - as it is in the books where the metaphorical direwolves seem to get along with ravens of all shapes and forms pretty well. Mayhaps because Starks and Blackwoods are both followers of the Old Gods. Mayhaps because we discuss magical blood lines within both houses. Mayhaps because George wants so.
We know of at least two marriages between the Starks and the Blackwoods in the last two hundreds of years. One concerns Lord Cregan and Alysanne Blackwood, one of the most badass female figures in the ASOIAF universe and the other lord Willam and a certain Melantha whom I presume to be pretty tough herself, if she has to survive as a widow and mother to a young lord in what seems to be some pretty shitty times for the Starks.
As cool as they may be, it is not these warrior ladies that drew my attention, but the gentle one.
“Both younger and prettier than Lady Barba (albeit far less buxom), as well as more modest, Missy had a kind heart and generous nature that led even Queen Naerys herself—as well as the Dragonknight and Prince Daeron—to befriend her. During the five years of her "reign," Missy bore the king three bastards, most notably the boy Brynden Rivers (born 175), later called Bloodraven.” TWOIAF
Hard to get cooler than befriending your lover's wife, her son and her brother/champion, all three arguably the most honorable Targs of their life time. Not to mention the lady is alleged to stay friendly with everybody - except Brackens, of course - after her fall from Aegon's favor. Which makes me believe the lady in question is not only nice, but pretty smart, too. I definitely feel frustrated George hasn't shared more about her, but, in the meantime, I dare to make an educated guess about her genealogy.
It is my opinion, and please don't bite my head off if you don't agree, chances are pretty good lady Melissa's mother is a Stark, to be more specific, one of the four daughters lord Cregan has with his lady Alysanne, while her f
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