Chapter 35: A Letter From The North. 126 AC

Maegor sat beside the window of the solar as he was holding his firstborn, Andar. The boy had just reached his first name day, his hair was fully fleshed out, revealing a mix between black and silvery gold hair. He was sitting on Maegor's lap, looking melancholically at the window. There were not many activities outside the window, as today was a stormy day.

Meanwhile, his second son, Robar, was in the arms of Helaena. She was feeding him her breast milk, the boy was identical to his brother, he had a mix between black and silvery gold hair, but unlike his brother who is rather quiet and melancholic, he is rather… active…

He was constantly twitching around Helaena's arms, he picked up every little thing that he saw in the desk and tried to bite it to no avail, and when he saw a dragon flying around through the window, he would get excited, jumping around and pointing at the said dragon.

"The world is crying right now…" Helaena murmured, making Maegor turn towards her. The ever active Robar was scuffling in her arms, and didn't seem to be interested in drinking his mother's milk anymore. "The cry seems to come from the north. Autumn has come."

Maegor hummed. "Winter is coming closer and closer… Thankfully we have enough food to live through it. We're not an agricultural holding anyway…"

"Winter has come." Helaena said. "Just not for the right reasons."

Maegor sighed. "Sometimes I get frustrated when you say things like that…"

Suddenly, a knock came from the door, turning Maegor's, and to a certain extent, the boys' attention, towards it.

"Come in." said Maegor, putting Andar on a chair. The boy seemed to not throw a tantrum or anything, he just sat there, watching the window as the raindrop fell.

Maegor stood up, and walked towards his desk, sitting on his chair. The door opened, revealing the maester of Runestone.

"My lord." he greeted Maegor, when he saw Helaena, he also bowed to her. "Princess."

"Is this about the winter's cry?" asked Helaena, making the maester confused.

"I'm… not sure, princess." said the maester. He walked towards the desk of Maegor, and gave him a piece of paper.

"What is this?" asked Maegor, grabbing the paper.

"A letter from an unknown person, my lord." said the maester. "The wax seems to not bear any sigil, though the raven seems to come from the north."

"The north?"

"Yes, my lord." the maester bowed. "There is a note outside of the letter, for your eyes only. I've checked if there's any… hostile intent, and there seems to be none."

Maegor just tore off the wax of the letter, and opened the scroll. It seems to be a normal letter, not poison laced to it, no toxic fumes triggered, just a normal piece of paper.

Then, he read the letter.

"

Brother,

I am in need of your help, my uncle Bennard has softly imprisoned me in my own castle. I was supposed to inherit my father when I was of age two years ago, but my uncle kept his title as regent, and never letting go of it. I could kill him if I want, my sword is itching for a battle, and he is old as a battered mule, but I do not want to be a kinslayer. The guards that are loyal to him are guarding my door daily, the only time that my door opens is when food comes in.

I am asking you to help me take my rightful place as Lord of Winterfell, a true Warden of the north, not some imprisoned man that is only kept alive because the regent doesn't want to relinquish his power and be branded as traitor or a kinslayer.

I hate begging for this, but you are my only hope. I sent this letter secretly, through men loyal to me in Winterfell. I could send this to the king, but last I heard, he became decrepit, and could barely talk.

Cregan Stark, titles titles you know how it goes

"

Maegor just raised his brow as he finished reading his letter. The maester looked at him curiously, but he didn't say anything.

"Thank you, maester. You may go now." said Maegor.

"My lord, is there anything I could do–"

"I said, you may go now, maester." Maegor smiled, and the maester bowed. He left the room, leaving Maegor alone with his family.

Maegor just leaned to his chair as he sighed. He turned towards his wife, and waved the piece of paper at her. "Is this the winter's cry?"

"People take other people's rights," said Helaena as she tried to make Robar calm down on her lap. "Even though it wasn't theirs in the first place, they have tasted the privilege, and want more of it."

Maegor hummed at his wife's words. "Me interfering with the north is a risk… Queen Alysanne made the Targaryen-North Relations shaky when she gave fertile lands to the night's watch… and I'm just a lord, not suited to settle a title dispute."

"But you are a friend of Lord Cregan," said Helaena. "He asked for your help, I am sure that the lords of the north will support you in the matter."

"From the looks of it, the lords of the north don't know about Cregan's imprisonment." Maegor nodded. "I might improve our relations… but… if they do know… that's a different matter."

"A friend asked for your help. Yet you are still thinking about it?" Helaena pointed out. "He helped you during your tough times, I think it's time for you to pay him back."

Maegor sighed as he turned to his firstborn Andar. "You're right. Whatever happens after is the responsibility of Cregan, not me."

—

In the middle of the night as the storm still rages on, Maegor stood in the dark hall of Runestone as his family looked at him. Robar, who could barely walk, pulled his trousers, gaining his attention.

Maegor just chuckled at him, and picked him up. "I will be back in a couple of weeks. Do not worry about me."

"Dragon…" Robar whined. "Dragon…"

"You want to ride a dragon?" Asked Maegor. "Alright, after I am done with my business, I will take you to King's Landing, to meet your grandfather. Of course, on Dragonback."

Robar just giggled at Maegor's suggestion, and his father kissed him on the forehead, before putting him on the ground again.

Maegor then turned towards Helaena, who was holding Andar in her arms. "You will be regent when I am away. If anyone asks, tell them I went on a hunting trip to the Wolfswood."

"That's not a very clever reason, husband." Helaena pointed out, a playful smile on her face.

Maegor chuckled as he kissed Andar's forehead. "I know, but it's not like I don't want to be discovered. I'm sure Lord Bennard would make a hassle, and everyone in the seven kingdoms will know of it."

"And yet you are wearing a cloak," said Helaena. "And you're leaving alone, in the middle of a stormy night, with no guards…"

"They will just slow me down, and the courtiers will try to stop me." Maegor said, kissing his wife deeply in the lips. "Do not worry, Vermithor is with me."

Helaena hummed. "I'm sure he will. Be safe."

Maegor just nodded, and he left the castle, towards the gate of the town, before calling Vermithor. And in the middle of the stormy night, he flew towards the north, cutting through the cold wind that is raging around Runestone.