Chapter 1

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It was approaching the first anniversary of the death of his beloved first wife and Viserys was worried about their daughter.  In the nine moons since he had announced his intention to wed her best friend, she had become increasingly more withdrawn and nothing he or Alicent had done seemed to be able to lift her spirits.  It definitely didn’t help that in the eight moons of his marriage to Alicent, Alicent had not yet conceived a child.  Viserys truly believed that Alicent giving Rhaenyra a sibling would heal the rift between the girls and would bring the greatest joy to his sweet girl.

One night as he was having a nightcap with his young Queen, she proposed something that could possibly solve several issues for him.

“Husband, I worry for our dear Rhaenyra.”

“I do as well, my Queen, but I’m lost as to what can be done to help her.”

“Forgive me for overstepping my boundaries, but my father and I have been talking about this and we believe we have come up with the correct solution. We also think that it may solve the problem of our lack of child.”

“No apologies needed dear, I know we all care deeply for my daughter.  What is the solution you’ve come up with and how do you think it will help get you with child?”

“We feel as though the Princess could use a change in scenery and would be much happier once she is wed.  Upon considering all of the options, we believe that Lord Cregan Stark, the only son and heir of the current Warden of the North would be her best option.  My father and I also believe that the princess's misery and moping is causing bad air in the Keep which is preventing a babe from quickening in my belly.  I have consulted with the Grand Maester and he agrees with this theory.”

“Is he not eight and twenty and a widower, this Lord Cregan?”

“Yes he is, my King.  He also has his own heir.  However, this is to the Princess’s advantage as she’s absolutely terrified of the birthing bed due to her mother’s fate and this means that she will not face the imminent fear of facing the childbed too soon.  Also, the Starks follow the Old Gods and we all know that Rhaenyra despises the Faith of the Seven so she won’t even be forced to wed in a Sept.”

“My Queen, you are brilliant!  I will write to Lord Rickon in the morning informing him that it is my intention to wed my daughter to his son.”

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