--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in…" description: "\"“This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in her wildest dreams. This... this was the Blood Queen of Garbhán Isle? Scourge of the Madron lands? Destroyer ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4b/g-a-aiken-1894_dreams_this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-h_1260908.jpg" --- # This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in her wildest… ![“This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in her wildest dreams. This... this was the Blood Queen of Garbhán Isle? Scourge of the Madron lands? Destroyer of Villages? Demon Killer of Women and Children? She who had blood pacts with the darkest of gods? This was Annwyl the Bloody? Talaith watched…” quote by G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4b/g-a-aiken-1894_dreams_this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-h_1260908.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4b/g-a-aiken-1894_dreams_this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-h_1260908.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4b/g-a-aiken-1894_dreams_this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-h_1260908.jpg) > ““This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in her wildest dreams. This... this was the Blood Queen of Garbhán Isle? Scourge of the Madron lands? Destroyer of Villages? Demon Killer of Women and Children? She who had blood pacts with the darkest of gods? This was Annwyl the Bloody? Talaith watched, fascinated, as Annwyl held onto Morfyd the Witch’s wrists. Morfyd — the Black Witch of Despair, Killer of the Innocent, Annihilator of Souls, and all around Mad Witch of Garbhán Isle or so she was called on the Madron lands — had actually tried to sneak up on Annwyl to put ointment on the nasty wound the queen had across her face. But as soon as the warrior saw her, she squealed and grabbed hold of her. Now Annwyl lay on her back, Morfyd over her, trying her best to get Annwyl to stop being a ten year old. “If you just let me—” “No! Get that centaur shit away from me, you demon bitch!” “Annwyl, I’m not letting you go home to my brother looking like that. You look horrific.” “He’ll have to love me in spite of it. Now get off!” ... “Ow!” “Crybaby.” No, this isn’t what Talaith expected. Annwyl the Blood Queen was supposed to be a vicious, uncaring warrior bent on revenge and power. She let her elite guard rape and and pillage wherever they went, and she used babies as target practice while their mothers watched in horror. That’s what she was supposed to be and that’s what Talaith expected to find. Instead, she found Annwyl. Just Annwyl. A warrior who spent most of her resting time reading or mooning over her consort. She was silly, charming, very funny, and fiercely protective of everyone. Her elite guard, all handpicked by Annwyl, were sweet, vicious fighters and blindingly loyal to their queen.”” [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A feared ruler appears gentle and protective, subverting expectations of cruelty and power. **In simple terms:** A feared queen is actually kind and caring. Key Takeaway Look beyond appearances to understand true character. Themes subversion identity compassion power expectations Mood conflicted hopeful intrigued Type narrative character study fantasy When to use this quote - fantasy novel - character introduction - world‑building - conflict resolution Key Concepts character development moral ambiguity leadership Questions to Reflect On - How do we reconcile a leader’s reputation with their personal actions? - What does this reveal about judging others by appearances? A Different Perspective The queen’s kindness may be limited to those she trusts, not all subjects. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Target practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/target-practice/) [Wildest dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wildest-dreams/) ## Related quotes > [“With a sigh, Fearghus went and stood in front of her. “You are a mad bitch, Annwyl the Bloody.” “What other woman would put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/with-a-sigh-fearghus-went-and-stood-in-front-of-her-you-are-a-mad/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“Gods, Annwyl. What’s wrong?” Morfyd demanded. Green eyes turned to them and Annwyl sneered, “Nothing. I just wanted the two of you to shut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/gods-annwyl-what-s-wrong-morfyd-demanded-green-eyes-turned-to-them/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“The men watched as Annwyl the Bloody took a stand against something from their darkest nightmares.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/the-men-watched-as-annwyl-the-bloody-took-a-stand-against-something-2/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“Um … I am Annwyl.” “Annwyl. Annwyl. I do not know an Annwyl. So, are you my dinner?” “No.” It took a step back.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/um-i-am-annwyl-annwyl-annwyl-i-do-not-know-an-annwyl-so-are-you-my/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“The men watched as Annwyl the Bloody took a stand against something from their darkest nightmares. Too afraid to fight, but too terrified for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/the-men-watched-as-annwyl-the-bloody-took-a-stand-against-something/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“I’m confident with the possible exception of Texas, it’s illegal to use your employees for target practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/i-m-confident-with-the-possible-exception-of-texas-it-s-illegal-to/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [I actually shoot. I enjoy target practice. I find it really zen. You focus on nothing but the target. You have to control your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-duckworth/i-actually-shoot-i-enjoy-target-practice-i-find-it-really-zen-you/) [Tammy Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-duckworth/) > [“He had all the bushes and trees cut down around his house at Bokatola so that from his porch he could use passersby for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hochschild/he-had-all-the-bushes-and-trees-cut-down-around-his-house-at-bokatola/) [Adam Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hochschild/) > [“Beckendorf walked up with his helmet under his arm. “She likes you, man.” “Sure,” I muttered. “She likes me for target practice.” “Nah, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/beckendorf-walked-up-with-his-helmet-under-his-arm-she-likes-you-man/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“The meteorites of 1908 and 1947 had struck uninhabited wilderness; but by the end of the twenty-first century there was no region left on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/the-meteorites-of-1908-and-1947-had-struck-uninhabited-wilderness-but/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [I should have done target practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-solanas/i-should-have-done-target-practice/) [Valerie Solanas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-solanas/) > [“Keep your voice down. And before you go all badass cop on me, I’m the one who saved your life outside. (Nathan) How do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/keep-your-voice-down-and-before-you-go-all-badass-cop-on-me-i-m-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [While starving refugees in Homs were providing target practice for government snipers, Bashar al-Assad's strongest international backer was in Sochi, at the Iceberg Skating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-packer/while-starving-refugees-in-homs-were-providing-target-practice-for/) [George Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-packer/) > [CPR dummy looked like him and had clearly been stabbed. Repeatedly. In the groin. He thought she might have used the dummy for target…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/cpr-dummy-looked-like-him-and-had-clearly-been-stabbed-repeatedly-in/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [“My mother wasn’t a psychotic criminal. (Kiara) No. I’m sure she was a wonderful lady who loved you dearly. That she held you when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/my-mother-wasn-t-a-psychotic-criminal-kiara-no-i-m-sure-she-was-a/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) ## More by G.A. Aiken > [“Do you not listen to our daily meetings about the state of your lands?” “Of course I don’t. They’re dead boring.” “Not everything can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/do-you-not-listen-to-our-daily-meetings-about-the-state-of-your-lands/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“Normally, I’d lie and connive and do whatever necessary to make you take me into the south.” “But …” More tears began to flow.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/normally-i-d-lie-and-connive-and-do-whatever-necessary-to-make-you/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“I didn’t think it was possible — but this situation has managed to get worse.” “But you’re so calm,” she observed. “That’s usually when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/i-didn-t-think-it-was-possible-but-this-situation-has-managed-to-get/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“I’m Queen Rhiannon, but you can call me Queen Rhiannon.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/i-m-queen-rhiannon-but-you-can-call-me-queen-rhiannon/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“Like Mum and that bastard.” “You mean Da?” “Call him what you like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/like-mum-and-that-bastard-you-mean-da-call-him-what-you-like/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“Briec removed his clothes and slipped into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her waist and snuggling her from behind. “Izzy?” “That’s just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/briec-removed-his-clothes-and-slipped-into-bed-with-her-wrapping-his/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“An unhappy Briec is an unhappy universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/an-unhappy-briec-is-an-unhappy-universe/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“You bet against your own son?” “Just like you, the boy doesn’t pay attention. And seeing that she’s just like her mother, he didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/you-bet-against-your-own-son-just-like-you-the-boy-doesn-t-pay/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“You, dragon, are the most—” “Amazing being you’ve ever met.” It wasn’t a question from him. It was a statement. “I was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/you-dragon-are-the-most-amazing-being-you-ve-ever-met-it-wasn-t-a/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“You have strong thighs and are very, um, handsome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/you-have-strong-thighs-and-are-very-um-handsome/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“You bastard! Let me down!" "Not on your life, beauty." The godlen claw gripped her tighter. "You get hurt, he'll kill me. Now quiet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/you-bastard-let-me-down-not-on-your-life-beauty-the-godlen-claw/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“. “And I stole some oxen jerky out of Bercelak’s bag. He makes the best oxen jerky.” “Bercelak the Vengeful cooks?” “Aye. And he’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/and-i-stole-some-oxen-jerky-out-of-bercelak-s-bag-he-makes-the-best/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“The bastard was effectively stuck until he and Morfyd helped him. Fearghus smiled a little at his father’s suffering and the female who caused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/the-bastard-was-effectively-stuck-until-he-and-morfyd-helped-him/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“Found naked with a few of his grandfather’s kitchen maids? His father’s claw right to the back of the head. Suggest that when his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/found-naked-with-a-few-of-his-grandfather-s-kitchen-maids-his-father/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“What’s wrong with him?” “Nothing. He’s just. . just. .” “Just what?” “A peacemaker.” And she’d dropped her voice to a whisper. “What would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/what-s-wrong-with-him-nothing-he-s-just-just-just-what-a-peacemaker/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) [Explore all 198 G.A. Aiken quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) ## More Dreams quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [“Now you’re wet. You’re so wet you’re leaking down your ass. You’re soaking my pillow. I don’t think I’m ever washing it. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stoker/now-you-re-wet-you-re-so-wet-you-re-leaking-down-your-ass-you-re/) [Susan Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stoker/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 40,599 Dreams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in her wildest dreams. This... this was the Blood Queen of Garbhán Isle? Scourge of the Madron lands? Destroyer of Villages? Demon Killer of Women and Children? She who had blood pacts with the darkest of gods? This was Annwyl the Bloody? Talaith watched, fascinated, as Annwyl held onto Morfyd the Witch’s wrists. Morfyd — the Black Witch of Despair, Killer of the Innocent, Annihilator of Souls, and all around Mad Witch of Garbhán Isle or so she was called on the Madron lands — had actually tried to sneak up on Annwyl to put ointment on the nasty wound the queen had across her face. But as soon as the warrior saw her, she squealed and grabbed hold of her. Now Annwyl lay on her back, Morfyd over her, trying her best to get Annwyl to stop being a ten year old. “If you just let me—” “No! Get that centaur shit away from me, you demon bitch!” “Annwyl, I’m not letting you go home to my brother looking like that. You look horrific.” “He’ll have to love me in spite of it. Now get off!” ... “Ow!” “Crybaby.” No, this isn’t what Talaith expected. Annwyl the Blood Queen was supposed to be a vicious, uncaring warrior bent on revenge and power. She let her elite guard rape and and pillage wherever they went, and she used babies as target practice while their mothers watched in horror. That’s what she was supposed to be and that’s what Talaith expected to find. Instead, she found Annwyl. Just Annwyl. A warrior who spent most of her resting time reading or mooning over her consort. She was silly, charming, very funny, and fiercely protective of everyone. Her elite guard, all handpicked by Annwyl, were sweet, vicious fighters and blindingly loyal to their queen.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "G.A. Aiken" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-her-wildest-dreams-this-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dreams" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-her-wildest-dreams-this-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4b/g-a-aiken-1894_dreams_this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-h_1260908.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4b/g-a-aiken-1894_dreams_this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-h_1260908.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4b/g-a-aiken-1894_dreams_this-wasn-t-what-she-expected-never-in-h_1260908.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in her wildest dreams. This... this was the Blood Queen of Garbhán…” — G.A. 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