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Ngl gotta start prepping before season 2

The Winter Sun (3)

3. A call for help

MASTERLIST

Summary: You decide to take your future into your own hands, sort of. 

Pairing: Cregan Stark x Fem!Targaryen Reader 

Warnings: Cursing, medieval and asoif customs, bullying, arrasment, incest (c’mon is HotD), AGE GAP, Cregan is 12 years OLDER than reader), arranged marriage, might miss some warnings

+ 18 MINORS DNI

Wordcount: 3.3k

Notes: Thank you for following another one of my madnesses HAHA anyways LAST TIME JUMP PEOPLEEEE, from now on… no more, this is it! they are getting closer and closer.

128 AC. Reader is 18 years old

Too much has happened in the last two years…

King Viserys was dying, he was bed bound, nobody could see him, but the Queen and Otto, and they ruled the Kingdoms nows, they claimed that in their name, but you knew the large amount of milk of the poppy they were supplying the k=King, you knew he couldn’t take decisions any longer.

Helaena now had three children with her brother-husband Aegon, they were adorable children.

Aemond stalked you silently, in his face every time he looked at you was wonder and hope, but you gave no signs back to him that you were replying to his feelings

You were secretly finding your own love match, but to no avail.

Every suitable man that you like even a little bit, was scared off quite easily, especially after one or two times that would strike conversation with you, you started to think you were unlikeable. Unknown to you at the time, it was Aemond who threatened to feed them to Vhagar if they ever even looked at you again.

You started to believe nobody could ever want you.

You knew the real history, that your parents never married, that would make you a bastard, legitimized, but a bastard nonetheless. When you were younger, the King would hear none of it, referring to you as his very Targaryen niece, you had the coloring of the house of old Valyria to prove it.

But perhaps the word and legitimization of a king wasn’t enough to the Lords of the Kingdoms, perhaps they found you hideous and unbearable. Even with the sizable dowry that came from taxes of the lands your father owned, and you now did.

Fear of being eaten by a dragon certainly surpassed every man’s desire for the young beautiful princess.

Not even freaking Dorne would take you

“We don’t dance with dragons”, had said the prince when you came close to strike a conversation with him. 

And that is how your eighteen name day found you, unmarried and with no prospects, it was a matter of days before you were betrothed to Aemond, you knew it, everybody knew it.

And you were growing desperate. 

Jacaerys was betrothed to Baela, not that he was a better choice for you than Aemond himself anyways

But perhaps he was… but he was taken.

They prepared a small feast in your honor that day, with your favorite meals, and a selective group of people of court in the private dining room, and you were grateful, but not very happy about it.

It had been a quiet day, you took a ride on Vhaelar, went to the God’s Eye for a small picnic, you even took Joanna with you.

It had been a quiet day, and as you looked at your plate in front of you, you look up to find Aemond’s gaze in you, he sported a sly little smile as he drink his wine casually

It made your skin crawl

After the dinner Steffon wouldn’t leave your side, and you were thankful for it

“There is a late night council meeting”, he told you, and you looked up to him wide eyed. “to discuss your future”, you gasped

“Can you tell me what they speak off?”

“I won’t be in it, but you might…”, he said, he guided you to the council room, you hid around the corner, waiting for everyone to enter, Steffon went to his Lord Commander, entered the room for a few moments, and then he got out again.

As Steffon was leaving the small council room, he looked at you and with a movement of his head, you knew what to do. He pointed to a small door behind a big base, it was hidden to the unknown eye, but you were starting to learn about all the secret passageways around The Red Keep.

So you sneaked in. After a small passageways of stone, you came to a wooden chair, placed by the side of a decorative wall, with a flowery steel design, behind it, you could clearly see and hear the small council meeting

“The matter of the betrothal of the Princess (Y/N)” said Otto, and your ears perked up, “we can’t postpone it much longer, she just turned eight and ten, it’s time”

“We need to arrange a good match for her” admitted the master of laws

“She received a ton of proposals when she became of age two years ago, we replied to none and now, nobody will answer our letters”, muttered Jason Lannister, “her time has passed…”

“The king wanted her to figure out who she wanted to marry”, clarified Alicent 

“More like Aemond scared away all of the suitors”, said the Lannister. 

“If King Viserys hadn't had more children, he would have named Aegon his heir to the throne instead of Rhaenyra, everybody knows this”, continued Lord Beesbury

“So what?”, asked Otto. 

“So what? So plenty! She is his daughter! Many loved Aegon more than they ever loved Rhaenyra and Daemon, they might see her as the true heir”, said Jason

“Viserys has three male heirs!” Fought Otto, “and Rhaenyra, also a woman”, he said dismissively

“It is of no consequence”, said another, “we must betrothed her now”, muttered again the lord of laws, which of whom you never learned the name of

“With who?”

“Send her away from court”, muttered the same one

“What about Aemond?”, you heard Queen Alicent ask, and it froze your blood, “the King had been dragging him along for three years since he asked for her hand, he said he was going to think about it!” She cried

“I know what he said”, answered the hand, “but we cannot marry all of your children amongst one another, Aemond must marry a good lady, a first born woman of a great house, to secure alliances”

“I agree”

“What better ally than a dragon? and the vale?”, asked Jason

“There is… Cregan Stark”, said Lord Beesbury, and that lit up your heart with hope

“The wolf? Why him?”, asked Otto

“He stands alone, a widower, no heirs to Winterfell…”

“The north?”, repeated Otto

“Imagine the strength of this alliance! Bring in the North! No Targaryen has ever married a Stark”, continued the oldest man in the room 

Silence again, and for once, you had hope

“No”, sentenced the Queen, “he has never shown interest, not even when she became of age, besides he is a savage, a pagan”, was the Queen’s fanaticism going to be your undoing?, “Aemond on the other hand…”

“What about Jacaerys?”

“He is betrothed to Baela Targaryen, his aunt” 

“His aunt, or cousin? or his sister by law? Can’t keep count”, laughed Jason and then they all laughed with him

“We should send word to Stark”, said Lord Beesbury, “he is a good man and it will bring the North into the fold”

“My son and I, we are disappointed”, said the Queen

“Let’s offer her to Stark” sentenced Otto, “if he says no, we will marry her to Aemond before the next moon” 

You whimpered, they were going to betrothed you to Aemond, if Cregan said no.

Aemond, your torturer, the person who made sure to make your life a living hell… he… 

No way.

You had to take matters into your own hands. You had to make your own proposal, or else 

You sneaked away, you needed to get out of the hallways near the council before they ended their meeting. And your mind was clouded with doubts and questions with no answer

Cregan Stark.

You haven't seen him in five long years, what you remember of him, there were all happy memories. He had always been kind to you, he had given you one of your favorite books, taken yours in return by anyways…

But he lived in the far North, the cold North. Once you went to White Harbor with your father, you went by boat, you had never felt more cold in your life. Besides, the lives of the Northerners were so much different than yours, southerners. The north was wild and unruly, some say it was each man for their own. They were rough and loyal, the blood of the first men pumping through their veins.

Would he say yes?

He had married Alysanne, she was from the Riverlands, perhaps… a little bit more South wouldn’t matter to him, right?

You smiled, contented

But a letter seemed too impersonal, only a name written on paper, perhaps he didn’t even remember you. Also, the royal court “suggesting” him who he should marry? again?

Did you even want to go to live up North? to marry Cregan? he should be around thirty right now, way older than you. Your cheeks heated. But he was always so kind and good. And he must have been so lonely, alone up there. 

You could have your own family, create it.

You didn’t have more time to think about it, the very next day, that letter would be sent, and it would decide your fate.

But you had a family here, Viserys, your uncle, and Queen Alicent, and Helaena, and your little nephews…

And then you remembered Alicent shaming you for not praying to the Gods, her urgent eyes everytime you would do something or speak your mind, the way she pinches your arms when you would go out of line.

King Viserys who claims to care for you, and he did, but won’t even speak to you, he would defend his grandsons and sons instead of you when you went to him crying, saying that they were bullying you.

And Aemond… Aemond pushing you, making you trip, grabbing your arms so hard they bruised. His mean words and remarks. 

The tension with cousin Rhaenyra, the “bastard” words being brought so often. She not even looking at you, and her sons tormenting you as well.

UNcle Daemon, who once on his cups had said that he hated even looking at you.

What will become of you once your uncle is dead? he had promised you you could go back home, but married, and he was so sick it wouldn’t matter what he promised you two years ago. You wouldn’t leave the Red Keep unmarried, that was for certain.

This family was bad for you.

Your father raised you far from it for a reason, you would always ask him why wouldn’t he answer the call of the throne, and he, once, looked you in the eyes and responded.

“Before I didn't care to take risks, because I was alone, and now I’m terrified, I will not go to the most dangerous place”, it was the Red Keep, the most dangerous place. He wanted you to have a life outside of it. 

Far from it.

You nodded

This was the right thing to do

You weren’t sure you believed in the seven, but you sure believed in fate, this was fate.

It was decided. 

You jumped from your bed, you dressed in your riding gear, the one for winter, in the insides it had fur, and then, you left your chambers, so excited, adrenaline pumping through your veins. 

But it was raining, thunder could be heard in the distance. 

Did you care? i certainly made you doubt, you wouldn't be able to see anything in the air, but the only thing you had to do was flight north, so… you still asked Steffon to accompanied you

“Are you sure this is what you want?”, he asked, concerned washing over his features

“I need to go North and charm the Lord of Winterfell”, you said with an apologetic smile, “I need to take my future in my own hands”

“I respect you for it”, he said with a shy smile, “But I’m going to miss you”, he said with a gentle smile

“I’ll come visit”, you said with a shy smile

“promise me you’ll tell me everything, I can go and fetch you”, he said, and you smiled

“I promise, I hope it works”, the carriage stopped in front of the pit and you couldn’t jump out fast enough. 

Vhaelar was waiting for you, no doubt she had felt you as you neared it, and followed you as you guided her through the huge hallways of the pit to the outside.

She took flight with you on her back

Vhaelar fly easily through the storm clouds, she was a big dragon, took after her mother Vhagar. But the rain bothered you, soon you were drenched, grabbing at the reins tightly, you luckily were wearing gloves, but there was nothing you could do regarding your sight, clouded by the rain.

The thunder started to hit near you, you had flown through storms before, you liked it, but this time, something was wrong.

You felt a deep roar, it almost got confused by the storm, but you knew better, you looked up and you saw the biggest dragon in the whole freaking word

Vhagar

“Where are you going little cousin?”, you heard Aemond ask, because of the atmosphere of the storm you could hear him clearly

“Leave me alone!”, you cried, but Vhagar descented teasingly over you, Vhaelar did the same, soon you could see the earth underneath you, your dragon, was faster, but with two flaps of her wings VHagar disappeared amongst the clouds. 

You whimpered in fear and your dragon roared angrily, feeling your distress, wanting to eliminate the cause of it

“Lykiri Vhaelar”, you tried, but you were trying to calm yourself. It wasn’t working. 

“iksā ñuhon!”, you heard him scream, [YOU ARE MINE], and you trembled in fear. 

As you looked up Vhagar huge claws were closing in on you, grabbed Vhaelar swiftly by the neck, but then released her.

Vhaelar roared, but this time, it was one of submission

“No! Vhaelar!”, you complained, and she flew alongside her mother. You could see Aemond now, he released the reins and offered his hand towards you. And you whimpered

“No”, you whined, grabbing the reins tightly, Vhaelar was turning to fly back to King’s Landing, and you cried silently for your defeat.

Vhaelar purred under you, wanting to console you and the she turned towards Vhagar, pushing her away, she twisted and but one of her wings in warning, Vhagar roared in pain, and Vhaelar took the opportunity to fly higher to the clouds, to hide amongst them, and as she was faster, you lost her.

You lost the Queen of dragons and Aemond riding her.

If anything this told you that you were doing the right thing. You were, you sighed relieved when the clouds cleared out, beyond the storm, and the night was beautiful. You smiled widely, this was it, you were flying towards your freedom. 

You flew for the entire night, at one point, Vhaelar flew so close to the ground the tallest of trees could tickle her belly, but you couldn’t get lost, so you just followed the Kings road. 

Your heart beat so fast you could hear it in your ears, but your smile as the ground tainted with white couldn’t be brighter, even if you were so cold your teeth clicked. 

You passed the Neck and were in Northern territory, you passed over Moat Cailin and up the road you went. And what you saw marveled you, deep and dark green forests, snow in the ground, but little, since it was still early autumn. Your breath became cloudy, but you loved it.

You passed over a huge town, that you thought was Winterfell, but it wasn’t, it was Castle Cerwyn, you recognize the sigil. Many people came out of their houses that arly morning to watch you fly past, and you hope you didn’t scare them. You wouldn’t want them to think they were in danger or something.

Just a little more, you thought so happily, just a little more.

Two hours later, there it was.

You knew it was winterfell, the huge castle over the hill, with two outside walls, it made you think it had been there for thousands of years, and it was going to be there for thousands to come, even after you and everyone you ever met.

Their high circular towers with red tiles, and black stone. You could see their goodswood, the unmistakable red leaves of the heart tree. 

It was beautiful

And under it’s watchful eye, the town you would think was Winter’s town 

And again, people came out of their houses and you heard shouting. You worry, you commanded Vhaelar to fly down.

She landed heavily on the ground, making it shake under her incredible weight. 

She cooed as you yourself landed on the ground

“Kesan sagon sȳz”, [I will be fine], you assured her, and she purred, making herself comfortable in the same spot as she curled on herself and lowered her head to take a nap, her demeanor was one of a large puppy, so people won’t be scared, you hoped.

You walked towards the big gates of the outer wall, swallowing hard.

This was insane

Had you actually flied across the continent to ask a man you haven't seen in five years to marry?

How insane was that?

You started to regret your decision when suddenly, the gates opened for you. You swallowed hard, fixing your riding gear, who had been wet, and then dried by the air, and it was a mess, oh no, how were you going to offer your own hand in marriage looking like that? Oh no, what have you done?

“My Lady, your name”, asked one of the guards that came to greet you, you smiled softly

“Princess (Y/N) of House Targaryen”, you said and he paled

“I’m very sorry your grace”, he said hastily

“You don’t need to be…”, he guided you inside the walls, and to the main courtyard where you could see the entire inside of the castle. 

“PRINCESS (Y/N) OF HOUSE TARGARYEN!”, he shouted for the whole courtyard to hear, and you whimpered, surprised such a sweet looking man could be heard so loudly.

People started coming out of the castle to greet you, everyone saluted you by bowing their heads, and you smiled, nodded, and returned their greetings. But you look up, at the door leading to the main castle, and from it, emerged none other, than Cregan Stark himself

You recognize him anywhere, tall and wide, his haircut, his dark locks shaved on the side, the black fur cape dressing him. He went down the stairs to meet you, and you smiled at him

“My lord Stark”

“Welcome to Winterfell your grace”, he said, that smile he used to draw for you missing, his icy gray eyes had turned cold

“Thank you My lord Cregan”, you greeted back, as hopeful as you could

“Princess?”, he asked, walking towards you, “what are you doing here?”, he asked, a eyebrow raised

“I came with a proposal from the King”, you said, ignoring the cold that was clinging into your body, and drew a smile

“A proposal?”, he asked, curiosity perking his features

“A marriage”, you concluded

“A marriage proposal”, he did not seem intrigued, he seemed bothered by it, behind him there were some people that you guessed, were his master of arms, and the maester, and other lords. He seemed uninterested and cold, so you had to drop it, he did not seem amused by your shy demeanor like he would in the past. 

“Between you, my lord, and me”, that was it, it was out, you stood straight and as tall, subconsciously showing your neck and puffing your chest a little, as well as smiling 

“You?”, he asked, genuinely surprised

“I’ve come to offer my own hand in marriage”, you said firmly, but with a hopeful smile.

There was silence in the courtyard

“Yes!”, a young woman cheered from the battlements where she had been hearing all of it. 

taglist!

@severewobblerlightdragon @missusnora @stargaryenx @poppyreader @chainsawsangel @court-jester-stuff

Forever in my heart

{Just a cute moment between you, Cregan and your son}

I love him sm!! Hope you enjoy! 🤭💕

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Cregan's heart blooms with love, warmth expanding within his chest as he watches you with soft eyes. You’re sitting on the bed, furs beneath you with your legs crisscrossed as you look down at your son, Brandon Stark, his arms stretched out as he lays before you, his tiny hands grabbing at nothing as he gurgles up at you.

There’s a look in your eyes that has Cregan feeling all choked up, he isn’t quite sure what it is exactly, but it’s full of love and amazement as if you couldn’t quite believe your child was here. He watches as the back of your finger brushes gently across his cheeks, smiling when he blabbers at you.

“How is he?” He whispers, carefully shutting the door to your shared bedchambers so as to not disturb his son. You beam up at Cregan, a giant smile splays across your lips, and even despite your exhausted expression he still thinks you’re the most beautiful person he’s ever met.

You pat the space next to you happily, urging him to sit next to you, and he gladly does. “He’s perfect,” you say, your tone hushed. You smile as you feel his big hand soothing your lower back with a pressure that has you sighing with pleasure.

“He is, just like his mother,” he says, gently kissing your hairline. He looks down at his son, chuckling at the way he kicks his legs up in the air, “Strong too”

He admires your strength, and how you still insist on caring for your son by yourself through everything. It warms him immensely to know you care so deeply, then again, he didn’t expect anything else from you.

You turn to him with a grateful smile, your fingers running along his stubbled jaw before you press a kiss to the corner of his mouth, “Just like his father” you say, leaning your head against his shoulder. You watch as his thumb gently smoothes over Brandon's soft cheek, giggling when your son smiles, his eyes wide and bright, full of wonder.

The sight has your heart clenching in your ribcage, how Cregan is so gentle, the love that flashes through his eyes as your son's little hand wraps around Cregan’s fingers.

Then he gurgles something that sounds a lot like ‘mama’ but it’s not quite correct, and you grab at your husband’s hand with an excited gasp. He chuckles at the shock that takes over your soft expression.

“Can you say, Mama?” You giggle, fingers gently tickling his sides as Brandon lets out an excited squeal, and the sudden noise has Cregan chuckling.

You try to get him to say it five more times but to no avail, as he only lets out incoherent gurgles, blowing raspberries before laughing, kicking his legs wildly as he does. It causes a warmth to spread across your chest and it feels like you’re melting.

“So close lovely, so close” Cregan teases, nudging your shoulder ever so gently. He looks down at Brandon, pushing back the dark tuff of hair that curls over his forehead.

Cregan feels his heart beam as his son looks over at him, his dark brown eyes glistening under the glow of the fire and he mumbles something that sounds dangerously close to ‘papa’

“Traitor” you gasp with a chuckle, looking down at your son with soft eyes. Cregan takes your hand in his, pressing a kiss to your knuckles as he smiles.

“Thank you” he whispers, gaining your attention, “Thank you for everything,” you notice the tears that start to build up in his eyes, his tone so soft that it leaves you breathless.

You wiggle your hand from his to cup his jaw, thumb grazing against the stubble, as he looks at you with those pretty eyes of his, “I love you, so much” he looks down at his son, his hand gently holding his tiny one, “Both of you” and you swear, you could live forever in this quiet moment.

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