The Winter Queen

Chapter 43

Daemon

If there was anything Daemon expected to have happened upon his arrival at Winterfell, his brother fainting at the sight of his daughter, was not at all one that he would have anticipated. Otto and/ or Alicent making an escape attempt? Yes. Being tacked by giant wolves? Maybe. Seeing Syrax in the skies over Winterfell? Yes. The King fainting and making their house look even weaker than it already was? Hell, NO! However, that is exactly what he did. Honestly, if Viserys was in such poor health, he should not have made the trip North. The Starks could have come south or Daemon could have taken the Hightowers North all by himself. It would not have been an issue.

Due to this, Daemon had to take control of the situation.

"Rise, House Stark! I apologize for my brother, our King's weakness but I'm afraid he's been overcome by emotion at being reunited with his oldest child and heir. Please, if there is a place where my brother may rest from our journey, we would appreciate it."

"It is not bother, My Prince," began the eldest looking male of the group even as he waved a group of servants forward. "My servants will carry the King to the chambers we have prepared for him and our healer will be called to attend him at once."

After passing his elder brother off into the arms of Winterfell's servants, the elder man decided to make introductions.

"My Prince, we have not been properly introduced before. I am Lord Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. To my left is my son and heir, Lord Cregan Stark. Cregan, I believe, is two years your junior."

Cregan then extended his right hand to the Prince even while his other tightened around the waist of the stunning young woman at his side, "My Prince, it is an honor to meet you. My wife speaks very highly of you."

Rickon looked at the pair adoringly, "Next to my son is his wife, your niece, Princess Rhaenyra."

Daemon then gave the young woman a long glance. He could hardly believe that this stunning woman who was clearly besotted with her husband and was also rather clearly carrying a child, was the same girl that he had known since she was a newborn babe. Obviously the last five years had been much better for her than they had been for her father.

Rickon then continued, "To her left is my son's heir, Lord Benjen Stark. He's holding the Princesses' oldest child and heir, Princess Alessa-Visenya Stark and her current youngest and also current only son, Prince Inigo-Drogon Stark. Next to them is Cregan's oldest daughter, Lady Alys Stark and she's holding the middle Princesses. Princess Ingrid-Jyaenna Stark and Princess Aislinn-Daelys Stark."

Daemon took note of his great nieces and nephew's names. They were somewhat Valyrian but also different. It seemed as though Rhaenyra noted his quizzical expression.

Clutching her husband's arm firmly, she said the first words to him in over half a decade. "I wanted their names to honor both sides of their heritage. First men and Valyrian. My children may be dragon lords from Old Valyria but they also have the proud and strong blood of the First Men in their veins. Alessa is Old Tongue for protector of humanity. A fitting name for a future Queen. Ingrid means fair and beautiful and fertile, something I wish for my child. Aislinn means dream and she was named after Daenys the Dreamer who saved our House from the Doom. Lastly, Inigo means fiery. He's currently my only silver haired babe and I hope he inherits the Targaryen fire but no so much that he ever considers usurping his sister. Though he may one day make a fine consort for her."

Daemon nodded at her explanation. It made sense. She wanted to honor both sides of her children's heritage. However, there was still one thing that did not make any sense to him.

"Why do they all bear the surname Stark? Surely your father wishes to have the family name continue."

The two elder Lords and the Princess shared a laugh.

"Is it not tradition, My Prince, for children to inherit their father's surname?" Lord Rickon asked. "As it is custom that a woman takes upon herself her husband's name, traditions and goes to live with him once she is wed. The King never specified when he announced his intention for our children to wed anything about his daughter keeping the Targaryen name nor for any of the children to take the Targaryen name either from birth or in the future. They are all members of House Stark. My daughter and my grandchildren."

Daemon took note of Rhaenyra's nods to her good-father's statements.

"Yes, and the Starks have been very good to me. Rickon has been more of a Father to me than mine own ever has been as he has never brushed me aside in favor of others due to not being what he truly desired. I came here as a child bride for his son. He knew of my youth and the expectations placed upon Cregan and I. He's helped Cregan expand my pitiful education that I received even after having been named heir and has never ceased to ensure that I have felt welcome here at Winterfell and that this is my home."

Daemon knew that his brother had never really paid much attention to his dear daughter unless he absolutely had to, but he surely thought that once he had named her his heir that he would have at least tried to expand her education before he married her off. Apparently there was yet another thing for him to be angry with his brother over. If he was going to name his child his heir, he really should have ensured that she got the education and training suitable for that role rather than keep on ignoring her until he decided it was time to ship her off to be wed and bred. Thankfully, his folly seemed to have benefited his little dragon and she now was surrounded by supporters who willingly and eagerly wanted to help her.