CHAPTER FOURTEEN
———————————
O D D W O M A N
LORD CREGAN STARK responded with haste, and shortly after, Lady Jeyne Arryn had sent her letter forward. Both of them agreeing to the terms. In return of Lady Arryn sending her produce grown in the Vale, Daella would send five thousand men if the Vale ever went to battle—and her allegiance.
Lord Stark's terms were a bit less...predictable. Cregan Stark asked for a quarter of their harvest for spring and to send however many men she deemed appropriate whenever the North rose to battle. In return the lord sent over a third of his winter produce, one hundred farmers from the North to help teach those how to grow food in winter, and...himself.
The moment Daella received his letter, he was already half way to Highgarden, meaning preparations would need to happen hastily.
It wouldn't be grand, she knew that after almost three weeks of travelling the last thing Lord Cregan would wish to do it sit and pretend to be happy whilst southerners thanked him on his generosity.
So instead, she merely decided she herself would see he was comforted too. If he wanted a feast she could bring him a feast, if he wanted to lock himself in his room and only attend her council meetings than she shall.
But to know she would have to meet him first.
She stood in the courtyard, a cold early winter's breeze flowing through the air. But she couldn't not complain in front of northerners. They ate, slept and breathed ice. This weather would be humidifying to them.
Two carriages pulled up. One filled with produce and farmers—whilst others trailed behind it, and the next was a bed chamber. Lord Cregan's bed chamber.
But it was empty.
"Lord Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North!" One of his men shouted, making Daella whip her head to the train of farmers who smiled blissfully as they looked around the Highgarden walls.
Breaking through the crowd, came a tall, broad figure whose shadow swallowed Daella whole. She would have been intimidated had she not know who it was. But her statue never faltered, instead, her lips curled into a satisfied smirk as she looked at him.
Her aunt was right. He was extremely handsome. His shoulder length hair tied back, his broad shoulders draped in fur, his features as sharp as ice.
He was rugged. In the best way possible.
"My Lord." Daella purred, bowing her head slightly in respect. She felt oddly out of place in her own home, just herself surrounded by a mountain of Northerners
"M'Lady." The Lord of Winterfell repeated her actions, although he took her hand and placed a chaste but gentle kiss to the back. Daella felt a shiver shoot up her spine.
"I hope your travels were well and safe, Lord Cregan." Daella's brows raised high upon the feeling of Cregan's chapped lips blessing her hand, but her smirk did not leave her glowing skin. It felt as if the courtyard had gone completely silent, even the animals who lurk in the bushes perched quietly as they watched the interaction between the two. Lord Cregan's eyes had never left her's. The moment he stepped foot inside the courtyard and seen the woman standing in front of his men. An dark blue dress draping her body with slits going up the arms and a off the shoulder neckline. Her hair was braided into a neat bun and her hands were clasped together.
Whilst on their journey, they had met many southerners, all of whom had cowered in front of the wild northerners. And when Cregan knew the woman he was bound to meet was turning five and ten in a few weeks time. He expected no less. And yet, she didn't show any signs of cowardliness or even any indication of wariness.
What an odd woman.
"Thank you, My Lady. For your hopes and for opening your home to us." Cregan grinned, staring down at the woman before him.
Daella chuckled before waving him off dismissively—it was nothing, the spare bed chambers needed to be put to use anyway. "I have not prepared a feast for you, Lord Stark, I was not sure whether or not you would want to after your tremulous journey." Daella said, hoping she had not disappointed the lord and his men.
"But if you wish to do so I ca—"
"Do not fret, My Lady. My men have feasted on a deer not long this mor, I believe all we need know it to be put to bed." Cregan's smile made her almost swoon. Almost.
When she had met Jacaerys she was young—as was he—and she had 'fell in love' what a foolish thought, why would a prince ever fall in love with her. But, it didn't matter, not a day went by when she didn't think of him. She was probably a lost memory in his mind.
But she had met Lord Cregan Stark as a woman. She had changed drastically. No longer did she depend on her aunt—who had actually stayed at Casterly Rock more often than she did Highgarden— and no longer did she stutter over her words. She was sure of herself. Independent.
She was ruling regent of the Reach and heir to Highgarden. And when her father passed she would be Lady of Highgarden, Lady Paramount of the Mander, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach, Warden of the South, and commander of the largest army in Westeros.
When Daella Tyrell came to rule, she would be unstoppable. Something many have realised but the girl herself.
But just because she was unstoppable didn't make her unable to find a young lord attractive.
"Of course, My Lord. I will let your men settle, and I will show you to your chambers." Daella smiled up at him, clasping her hands in front of her stomach.
Cregan eyed her up and down. "That would be more than enough, My Lady."
Briskly, Daella motioned her head tf or the Lord of Winterfell to follow herself, the two treading through Highgarden side by side in complete silence.
Neither noticing the fleeting glances they were giving each other.
———————————
HEEYYYYY
CREGAN OMLLLLL IS SO HOTTTTT I CANT I SHAKBDIWNAKWIDNDKWNS
ANYWAY HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE CHAOTER
IT WAS SO SHORT ANS I TRULY APOLOGIES BUT IM IN A BIT OF A STUCK RN
PLEASE DOMT BE A SILENT READER AND GIVE ANY FEEDBACK PLSSSS
LOVE YASSS
YOU ARE READING
THE LADY - Jacaerys Velaryon
Fanfiction"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." - Louisa May Alcott In which the young Lady Tyrell needs to learn how to take control instead of asking for it... ALL RIGHTS TO HBO AND GEORGE RR MARTIN except my own characters and...
