The Winter Queen

Chapter 3

Okay so quick note about everyone's ages at the start of this story as they do not follow show or book canon.

King Viserys' is 33.

Alicent is 23 (she's ten years older than Rhaenyra and had been more of a lady's maid/ mentor than a "true friend" to her. Alicent is also 10 years younger than Viserys)

Aemma would have been 29. (She married Viserys when she was 12 and he was 16. Rhaenyra was born four year later).

Rhaenyra is 13.

Lord Rickon is 60.

Lord Cregan is 28. (He married his first wife at age 17 and she died five years later attempting to birth their third child. Its why he's been reluctant to remarry.)

Benjen Stark is 10. (Cregan's firstborn and heir.0

Alys Stark is 8. (Cregan's daughter and younger child).

Yes, Rhaenyra is significantly closer in age to her soon to be step children.

It had been two weeks since Viserys had sent the raven off to Lord Rickon when he finally got his response.

It read:

To King Viserys, King of Westeros and Protector of the Realm

I will not deny that my son and I were both greatly surprised by your Raven especially since we were unaware that you intended to have your young heir wed so soon and since my son is five and ten years her senior.  However, I do accept the marriage and the generous dowry you are providing her with.  After some consideration and seeing your desire to have the Princess wed as soon as possible, I have decided to have the wedding in three moons time, right at the start of the warm season, unless Your Grace insists it be earlier.  Also, it will provide some time for the Princess to have a couple warmer gowns and cloaks crafted if it is desired.

With Greatest Loyalty,

Lord Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North

The acceptance of Lord Rickon for the marriage filled the King with great joy!  His precious child would soon be taken into the safety of her own marriage bed and with any luck, both she, and his Queen would soon begin to swell with their own first babes.

Viserys knew that his daughter was, at that point, completely unaware of the plan for her to soon wed and since there were only three moons until her marriage and move to Winterfell, he decided it was about time for him to inform her.

“Ser Westerling,” he called.  “Summon the Princess Rhaenyra to my chamber at once. Tell her I have the most glorious news to share with her!”

“At once, My King.”

With that, Ser Westering left to get the 13 year old Princess.

As the King waited for his daughter to arrive, he couldn’t help but think about how her marriage to Lord Cregan and becoming a step mother herself would pave the way for her and Alicent to renew their friendship.  Oh, he just knew that the marriage was going to be the best thing that had ever happened to his daughter.

Soon enough, Ser Harold returned and announced his daughter while letting her enter his chambers.

“Father?  Ser Harold says that you have good news to share with me?” she inquired.

Beaming at his beautiful little girl, he cupped her face between his palms and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before dropping his hands down and taking both of hers in his.  He then led her to a lounge where they could sit side by side.