“A raven from the King, my Lord,” said the Maester of Winterfell.
“Another one? I wonder what this one will say as this is the fourth one this year. Never, in all my years, has the King sent so many missives this way in such a short period of time. First, to inform us of the death of Queen Aemma and Prince Baelon, then to summon us to the capital where he named his daughter his heir and third to inform us of his new marriage.”
Lord Rickon then took the message from the Maester and quickly read it.
“Summon Cregan to me at once,” he said to a nearby servant.
“My Lord? What is it?” inquired the Maester.
“The poor Princess. Barely more than a girl and her father is already marrying her off…” he trailed off as his son burst into his solar.
“Father! What is it? I was told it is urgent.”
“A raven has arrived from the King.”
“Another one? What’s this one about? Has his new Queen died?”
“No, she hasn’t or at least it wasn’t mentioned in the raven. However, it does directly involve you.”
“Me?”
“Here son. Read it yourself.”
Lord Rickon then handed the raven to his son who read it outloud.
“Dearest Lord Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North
It is with greatest joy to inform you of my intention of giving my beloved daughter in marriage to your son and heir, Lord Cregan Stark. My Queen and I wish to have the marriage held at Winterfell by your own traditions as soon as can be arranged. It is also my intention for my daughter, as is the tradition of the land, once married, to live at Winterfell with Lord Cregan, yourself and his children. The dowry I have decided upon for my daughter is the entirety of the New Gift, 100,000 gold dragons and ten years of half taxes for the entirety of the North. I believe that this is adequate for this special union.
With greatest regards,
King Viserys, First of his Name, King of Westeros and Protector of the Realm”
“I cannot refuse the union, my son. This is the King and the Princess’s dowry will greatly help our people.”
“I know. I just don’t understand how he could see me as the ideal bridegroom for his young daughter. I’m five and ten years her senior and a widowed father of two.”
“Perhaps he believes that you’ll make her feel more secure? I don’t know nor do I dare attempt to understand the mind of the King. All I know is that we need to get planning the wedding as the King wants it to happen as soon as possible.”
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The Winter Queen
FanfictionIt wasn't long after her father married her former maid that Rhaenyra, the young heir, was quickly married off to the heir of the North.
