.INDOMITUS. | Jacaerys Velaryon x OC x Cregan Stark |

Chapter Twelve: Warden of the North

{Three moons earlier, in Winterfell}

"My lord, a raven has arrived for you"

Piercing grey eyes turned from the heap of papers and scrolls to the deep brown of the woman in front of him. He raised a brow as she placed yet another scroll in front of him and giggled.

"What's got you all excited, Sara?" He asked, gesturing for her to close the door behind her before taking the scroll in his hand. The parchment was sealed with the sigil of House Targaryen, the three headed dragon. "Ugh, seriously Cregan? It's from the Princess! The maester said the raven came from Dragonstone" Sara giggled as she sat on the edge of his desk, peering at the still unopened scroll. Cregan sighed and rubbed his temple as he began to break the seal. "Bloody Targaryens, probably increasing our taxes again" he grumbled as he unfolded the cream paper. 

~

"To the Warden of the North Lord Cregan Stark,

Allow me first to offer my condolences on the passing of your late Lady Wife. I may not have known Lady Adalind well, but she was a kind soul. I also sympathise with your son. To grow up without a mother is a hard feat.

When your representative wrote to me some moons ago, she expressed your desire to re-marry, more specifically to my daughter the Princess Rhaenys. This raven is to express my delight in announcing the betrothal officially. I understand that marrying the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms could raise some concerns, but I am sure all will be fine.

I shall send my daughter North before your wedding, as a gesture of good will and to allow the two of you to get to know one another. In regards to your son, any children of yours that Rhaenys carries will not succeed him as Warden or Wardeness of the North.

Princess Rhaenyra of House Targaryen"

~

"Sara... what did you do?" Cregan glared at his younger sister as he set the scroll down. His late wife had been dead not a year and already Sara had taken things upon herself. And to an Heir to the Throne? "Creg, I won't apologise for this. You have been cold and distant since Ada passed, everyone can see it. Even Bran can see that his father isn't who he used to be" Sara placed a cold hand on her brother's shoulder, making the older man look up at her. "I've heard things about the princess, Creg, how she has won the hearts of her people. She will be a good wife to you"

Sara took back the scroll and picked up the smaller piece of parchment attached. It was a portrait of the Pearl of Driftmark, smiling up at something no one could see. "She's so young, Sara. I remember when she and her brother were born" Cregan took the portrait and went silent. He may have remembered her birth, but he wasn't blind. He had heard songs of the Pearl's beauty, and now he could see they had not been exaggerated. "But we were still kids at that point. Besides, the Princess was kind to betroth her daughter to you and not to some gross older man on his fourth wife. I'm sure Rhaenys will be happy" Sara pointed out, making a face at her brother.

As much as he hated to admit it, his sister was right. Cregan did not know how the minds of women worked, but he trusted Sara at the end of it all. If she believed Rhaenys Velaryon was the right choice, then he would trust that judgement. "She is beautiful" he hummed, sending Sara a small smile. The brown haired girl knew that was as close to an apology or thanks she would get out of Cregan, so she smiled. "I just know she'll fit right in, even if she is a southener" Sara jumped off of the desk and began to make her way to the door.

"I'll talk to the builders, we're going to need a dragon sized stable" Cregan paled slightly as he heard that. A dragon in Winterfell... that could be interesting.

~~~

{A few hours later}

A firm yet gentle knock rapped against the door to the nursery, and Cregan didn't wait before entering. He saw his son with his wet nurse, and let a smile spread across his face at the sight. "Brandon" he called, alerting the young boy of his presence. "Father! Have you come to tuck me in?" The little boys voice was hopeful as he ran towards Cregan, stopping just in front of him.

"Agnes, could you leave us for a moment?" The wet nurse nodded and immediately left, shutting the door behind her. Cregan began to tuck Brandon into bed and spoke. "There is something important you must know" he started hesitantly, the young boy smiling still. "Is it Mother? Is she coming home?" Cregan's face fell at the mention of his former wife. "Um, no, Bran. I'm sorry son, but your mother isn't returning"

"I loved your mother very much, and I still do. But sometimes, when we lose a person we love we need to find someone else. It doesn't mean we don't love or have forgotten them, but it's just what we need to do" Cregan attempted to explain gently, holding Bran's hand. "So... I'm getting a new mother?" The boy asked slowly. His father nodded, and visibly relaxed as his son took the news well. "Will she like me? What's her name? Is she pretty like mother?"

Bran may not have fully understood what was happening, but to be told he would still have a mother was enough for him. "Her name is Rhaenys, but we must call her Princess. You remember how Father is the Warden?" Bran nodded. "Well, this lady is more powerful than Father, she is a Princess. She even has a dragon" at the sound of the beast Bran gasped. "It won't eat Captain will it?"

At the sound of its name, the black Direwolf raised its head and cocked it to the side. "No of course not, he'll be safe" Cregan reassured. He whistled quickly and the wolf stood, making his way over to his owner. Captain sat and placed his head on Bran's lap, allowing the little boy to stroke him. "Atta boy, Captain, atta boy" Cregan stood up and began to walk to the door leaving the wolf and his son together. "We'll talk more in the morning" he said before blowing out the candles.

Cregan shut the door on his way out and began the journey back to his own chamber, deep in thought. He just hoped Sara had made a good choice.