A Song of Ice and Fire | Aegon Targaryen

Ch 22: A Desperate Proposal

130 AC

"I've been having a hard time adjusting, I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting"

I looked at the snow beneath my feet, looking up at Winterfell. I grabbed Saera's arm as we walked through it. Since my last time being here, the people had a newfound respect for me. They bowed as we passed by them, Saera sending small smiles all around. 

"Is it like this all year round?" Saera asked. 

"From what I know, yes" I said. 

We reached the Great Keep to find Cregan waiting for us. I smiled, throwing my arms around him. He laughed as I unwrapped my arms from him. 

"Sorry" I said. 

"It is good to see you, my old friend" he said. 

"Do you mind if we go inside?" I asked. 

He opened the door as I motioned for Saera to go in first. We walked down the hall to the Great Hall as I sat down, smiling at Cregan. 

"I've heard of the miscarriage, Visneya.. my condolences" he said. "And of the.. Princess Vaella."

My smile weakened as I looked down to my stomach, trying to forget that fateful night. 

"We have been friends a long time, Cregan, I'm proposing a betrothal between yourself and my sister, Saera" I said. 

He tapped his fingers on the table, not saying a word. I watched as his gaze fell upon Saera who didn't look away from him. 

"Lord Brynden Blackwood has offered a betrothal himself for his daughter Alysanne" he said. 

"But she is no Targaryen" I said. "It's a good offer. She has both Targaryen and Maximoff blood. The Targaryen's have dragons and Maximoff's magic.. good allies to have as family."

He sighed as I bit my bottom lip. 

"May we speak alone?" I asked.

Cregan nodded as we both stood up to go outside. I put my gloves on as we left the Great Keep.

"It's a lot, I know that" I said. "And I understand if you need to consider Lord Brynden's proposal but my sister is a great fighter, she's beautiful and fearless. She can give you the heirs you need now that you are Warden of the North."

"Lord Brynden gave me a far more compelling argument, Visenya" he said.

I sighed, looking around.

"Your children would have royal blood. They don't need to have dragons if you don't want them to" I said. "Listen.. Cregan... I'm just trying to make allies on my own without my grandfather."

"You're fearful?" He asked.

"Rhaenyra will try and usurp me from the throne" I said. "I need to know I have the North as an ally."

He looked around, pondering as to what to say.

"I have sons.. they could marry daughters you bare and one day they too would become Queen.. I'm begging, Cregan" I said.

"I have to weigh in my other options, you must know this, Visenya" he said. "I have to think of what's best for my family and the North."

"I've lost my mother.. my father.. my youngest sister and a baby only a few months ago" I said. "I cannot bear another funeral.. my sister is not safe at Kings Landing as long as Rhaenyra and Daemon are there."

I grabbed Cregan's hand to his surprise. 

"My family means everything to me, and I've nearly lost all of them" I said. "Saera is all I have left.. but I'm willing to let her go if it means she remains safe."

"I will marry your sister" he said.

I smiled, throwing my arms around him.

"Thank you" I whispered.

I let go of him, wiping tears I didn't realize were streaming down my cheeks. 

"Weeks before Vaella's death she saw something.. she saw blood.. people dying" I said. "She saw a war with out dragons. A war I fear is imminent and is approaching fast as my grandfathers health declines."

"Do you really think she will create a war to overthrow you?" He asked. 

"I don't doubt Rhaenyra will challenge my right to the throne" I said. "When the day comes, and the North fights by my side.. I will allow the North be on its own again."

"That's a bold promise to make" he said. 

"I know for some time the Starks have not taken kindly to us Targaryens, you only listen because we are your rulers" I said. "I consider you a friend, a dear friend, Cregan.. my only stipulation to this promise is an oath to be made."

"What kind of oath?" He asked. 

"The North will no longer be apart of the Seven Kingdoms but there will be a time that will come soon where you will need our dragons, you will need us to fight something coming beyond the wall" I said. "Targaryens and Starks will now be making a sort of alliance. Further stipulations of the oath can be made at a later time. For now it is a time to celebrate the first marriage between a Stark and a Targaryen."

We walked back inside the Great Keep, announcing the betrothal between Saera and Cregan.