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"Winterfell" •
Daeron walked through the halls of Winterfell castle, a place he calls home. Guards passed by him with a small bow, as he greeted them with a nod.
As he made his way to Cregan's office, a letter had been tucked away in his hand. Daeron knocked before entering the room, seeing Cregan sitting at his desk looking over letters.
The Northern man looks up, greeting the prince with a nod.
"Daeron, what can I do for you?" Cregan asked, setting the letters he was reading down and focusing on the teen.
In the years Daeron had spent in Winterfell, Cregan had cared for the boy since he arrived. Making sure he was trained and well cared for. And in those years, the two have become close. A bond as close to familial.
"A letter, from my sister," Daeron replied, lifting the parchment up.
Cregan nodded, gesturing to the chair in front of the desk. Daeron makes his way to sit, opens the letter, and reads it loud enough for Cregan to hear.
"Dear Brother...Mother has been crowned queen. The people of Kings Landing are joyful, yet I fear for everyone's safety. I fear for mother's safety--"
Daeron pauses, glancing up to see Cregan's reaction. The man furrowed his brows, as worry etched onto his face.
The two knew what was going to happen. But, having it as a reminder on paper made them realize that the truth of what's to come is coming much closer than they expected.
"...I fear that our sister and her husband are planning to take the throne back no matter the consequence. I must tell you what I have been seeing in my dreams, as I'm not certain of it. Lately, I have seen a letter. Or what I think is a letter. I think father wrote it, as I recognize his writing,"
Cregan leaned forward a bit, becoming interested in the dreams that were mentioned. The Northerner had been accustomed to the Princess' abilities and was not off by her dream-like personality.
Cregan cared for the girl, as he cared for Daeron and Alicent. He cared for Aegon, and most importantly, he cared for his Queen.
The very woman who captured his heart the moment he saw her. Albeit not in the way he hoped for. Elaina Targaryen was an extraordinary woman. A woman who held power, yet possessed grace and kindness in her heart.
Cregan had wished she wasn't married to the king, in hopes that they would have met under different circumstances.
"...I feel as though Father left something. Those dreams keep reoccurring, and I'm going to try my best to figure it out. Write back when you can, and give my regards to Aunt Alicent, Uncle Lucien, and Lord Stark," Daeron finishes, before folding the letter back up and stuffing it in the pocket of his pants.
A moment of silence washed between them, letting the words process through their minds.
"It is now we must arm ourselves. Rhaenyra and Daemon will not stand down, and I fear that certain houses will join her," Daeron states.
"And we will, we just need to be wise about our decisions," Cregan said, reminding Daeron to be level-headed as they figure out what to do.
"And the letter they sent?" Daeron asked, reminding Cregan of the letter Rhaenyra and Daemon had sent before they visited Kings Landing.
"They must now know my loyalties are with your mother. Even without... my personal opinions, my loyalties are to the crown. The crown now belongs to your mother," Cregan said.
Daeron smirked at him, knowing that something between his mother and Cregan had formed. The prince did not care at all, if anything he would rather call Cregan his father than the man who helped make him alive.
"Oh don't look at me like that," Cregan said, shaking his head as a smile formed on his face.
"I'm sure my brothers and sister, would happily agree that you'd make a finer fit of a husband for our mother," Daeron said, nodding his head as he imagined his brothers and his agreeing with him.
However, Aemond and Aegon would need extra convincing as they're just as protective as he is of their mother.
But, Daeron already agrees on Cregan forming a relationship with her. Knowing that the man would treat their mother in other terms of being a Queen.
"Do not jest with me," Cregan chuckles.
"I simply do not jest, it is for babies," Daeron replied.
"Then you are simply a baby," Cregan teased.
Daeron shook his head but found it entertaining that they could talk to one another with informality.
"In all matters that are important. I truly believe you would make my mother happy. She deserves nothing but that and more," Daeron said, glancing away as he remembered the tired expression his mother always wore, and tried to hide whenever she was with them.
"Your mother is a goddess, no man is worthy of her presence," Cregan said, as he imagined Elaina's beautiful smile and melodic laughter.
Cregan adored her, more than he expected. He hoped one day after all this is over and the expectations of their status no longer exist, that he would be at her side until their days end.
"You're right, no one will ever be worthy of her. But, I believe you could be that person," Daeron said, standing up from his seat and dusting himself off a bit.
"I must inform Aunt Alicent of the news, I'm sure she's worried sick for mother. Inform me if anything arises," Daeron states, nods his head and leaves the room as he makes his way to his aunt.
Cregan is left alone with his thoughts, figuring out what their next move is. Surely Rhaenyra and Daemon would send a letter asking once again for their loyalty.
The North would never stand by them, not when they've abandoned the people and their duties.
Cregan believes Elaina is fit to rule the Seven Kingdoms. The people cheered her on as the crown was placed on her head. What more evidence can the princess want?
And that's what Cregan fears. No matter the amount of evidence that is placed in front of Rhaenyra and Daemon, the couple would fight to the death for the throne.
Maybe, even each other.
Cregan swears that no matter what, he will always stand by Elaina. The North will stand by their queen.
• unedited
sorry for the short chapter, but just wanted to write in other perspectives other than Elaina's.
I will post again once christmas weekend is over, I just wanna focus on my family! I hope everyone stays safe and is well!