𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 ✶ aemond targaryen

One

✶

House Stark, the rulers of the North, had long since pledged their allegiance to Rhaenyra as the heir to the iron throne. With their loyalty, the entire North would follow, creating quite a problem for the Greens.

A problem many miles away, as most of the council had put it, but the queen mother knew better than that. She knew that a threat as strong as the North was not one they could leave unchecked, no matter how much distance was between them and King's Landing.

Rhaenyra was already likely to control the Narrow Sea as it was almost certain she had support from House Velaryon after Princess Rhaenys fled King's Landing, refusing the then queen's generous deal, which also meant the Blacks had control of the vast majority of all remaining dragons. There was no room for error, nor any reason not to at least make an attempt at gaining the support of one of the most loyal Houses in the Seven Kingdoms.

That is what first bought an envoy to Winterfell.

Elara had never had the pleasure of meeting a member of House Targaryen as they seemed more often than not to have little reason to come to the North. Now there was a reason, one as good as any—war.

Elara was no fool and neither was her brother. They were acutely aware of the war that was brewing. They could feel it in the change of the wind, the cold air tense with the anticipation of dragon breath. Still, Elara had little love for royal politics. When it came down to it, she would have much rather seen both sides leave her House, and consequently the rest of the North, out of it.

That, however, was evidently not going to happen.

As the queen mother herself was announced, she emerged from her carriage donning her signature green silk dress. She looked beautiful, as befitting of any Targaryen queen, but Elara couldn't help but think what viper hid behind it all.

She watched on from where she stood, taking her place beside her beloved brother as the queen mother approached. He stepped forward with the solemnity of a lord and the protective air of an older brother. His piercing grey eyes met the queen mother's as he introduced himself. "Your Grace, I am Cregan Stark Warden of the North, and this is my sister, Lady Elara Stark."

Her unsettlingly warm gaze shifted to Elara, her eyes taking in the young woman's composed demeanour and regal bearing. "Lady Elara," she greeted, her voice smooth and diplomatic. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Elara inclined her head respectfully, though her eyes remained guarded. "Your Grace."

The queen mother continued after they moved into the great hall, "I appreciate your willingness to receive us on such short notice. I am sure you already know why I am here so I will speak plainly. As you have heard, my son Aegon now sits the iron throne. Your father, the late Lord Rickon, pledged his fealty to Rhaenyra when she was named heir. Now I am asking you, Lord Cregan, to pledge your fealty to Aegon, true heir to the iron throne."

Elara furrowed her brows, although she could not deny that the queen mother's boldness had impressed her. It was clear to anyone that she had come to make an attempt in gaining the support of their great and noble house but Elara had never expected that the queen mother would come in person, let alone ask so plainly for an allegiance.

Still, the young Lady Stark had her own mind on these matters and would not sit quietly as they went back on their father's word. "The true heir? Princess Rhaenyra was named heir by the late king, not Prince Aegon."

The queen mother bowed her head slightly at the mention of her late husband, a believable image of a grieving widow, before returning her gaze to Elara. "With his last breath, my husband announced that he wished for his firstborn son, Prince Aegon, to succeed him as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms."