Rhaegar Targaryen
Grey, gloomy and cold. This was often the first impression of the people from the South when they first set foot in the North. He would have to agree with that but if you look closely to what is in the place, you'll see the beauty hidden.
For King Rhaeagar Targaryen, the North was a beautiful place. The place does not stink of piss compared to King's Landing instead, it offers fresh air—free from pollutants, clean and healthy to breath in. The place was not also crowded; there were still a lot of lands here unoccupied and a lot to be developed.
It was also peaceful here; it was far from the noise of the South, streets here are not crowded. There are no sea urchin running along asking for money, no beggars and homeless people staying on streets. Instead, the people here busy tending their farms and would occasionally wave their hats to the Royal Party currently making their way to Winterfell.
But as they approached the outskirts of Winter Town, the town located outside Winterfell, Rhaegar felt his heart beat quickened. Winterfell was near and yet something inside of him coiled at the thought that it wasn't Lyanna who's waiting for him inside and someone else.
When was the last time he went here?
It was eighteen years ago, months after he ventured to the Wall to visit his Great Uncle Aemon and tried to join a short ranging mission in the Land of Always Winter. That was also the time that he and Lyanna ran away and stayed hidden in Dorne.
Those were distant memories now and he can't even remember what Lyanna looked like without recalling all the blood she lost that clung to her dressing gown, the sickly paleness of her skin and the dead baby resting on her breast, his little Visenya. Lyanna cried bitterly at the death of their child but Rhaegar cried even more when in a matter of minutes, Lyanna had joined Visenya in the next life.
Painful… it was too painful to further linger to those memories so he shook his head and focused on the remaining hour of their travel. He knew that the thousand soldiers he brought here were also as weary as he is and they all needed rest after a month's ride.
Even his horse, a black stallion he called "Blackfyre" for his color and as reference to the lost sword of Aegon the Conqueror, also needed rest. He also badly needed to get out of his famed black armour, the one similar to what he used in the Battle of the Trident during Robert's rebellion, with the three headed dragon encrusted with rubies.
He had been wearing it during their journey because given the current situation, he can't lower his guard. Tywin Lannister was a wise and unpredictable man and they can't be sure when or where he'll strike them.
He had to admit it was his fault, he should have listened to his councillors when they told him to just banish the man and his children from Westeros but he was stubborn and as a good King, he should set an example to people that crimes, especially something as grave as treason of passing bastards as the King's children, should never go unpunished.
He wanted to set an example but it was a wrong move, the next thing he knew was Tywin recalling the men he had given as addition to the Royal Army, crippling their force. And then some sightings of army activities in the Westerlands and Varys telling him that his little birds heard that Tywin plans to avenge the death of his beloved son and heir.
Tywin was a man of duty and as he spent twenty years serving his father as Hand of the King, Rhaegar thought that he of all people would understand his punishment but the King also forgot that Tywin was a father and he may not be showing it on public but he loved his children and grandchildren fiercely - with the exception of Tyrion, who the man blames for the death of his wife. And the Imp was now staying at the capitol under his graces and currently works for him as the Master of Coins after Petyr Baelish took a short "break" and went to the Vale to marry Lysa Arryn.
As they entered town, Rhaegar was surprised to find the streets full of people-men, women, children, young and old cheering and shouting at them as they passed by. Some of them were waving Stark and Targaryen banners while greeting him with "your grace" and some "welcome to the North". There were also some children looking at the knights in awe.
Some of them were waving furiously and shouting for the names of the knights that were prominent members of the Kingsguard; some were calling for Ser Arthur, Rhaegar from his place on the center of their party can see Arthur blushing at the screams of the children. There were also some calling for Ser Barristan, Ser Gerold, and Ser Oswell.
He can also spot his daughter, Rhaenys looking out of the window of the wheelhouse and waving at the small folk that welcomed them. His sister was also doing the same smiling brightly at the people and in return the people were looking at them with admiration.
"I never thought that the people of the North are warm in contrast to their cold weather." His son Aegon commented as he rode to his side.
Rhaegar just smiled at his son's words.
Then a horse broke from their ranks and he saw Tyrion riding away from them and Rhaegar already knew where his friend was going. He'll probably visit a brothel and skip the welcoming at the Stark's courtyard. He just sighed and turned to his son who was following the Imp's traces with his indigo eyes just the same as his.
"Don't even think about it." He said as his eyes flashed warning at his son who was smiling slyly.
Sometimes Rhaegar wondered if he did the right thing of letting Tyrion in King's Landing because the half-man somehow influenced his son with whoring and drinking and there is no night that he'll not see the two of them going back to Maegor's holdfast either drunk or smelling like the cheap perfume of whores from the brothels they visited.
Rhaegar also was thinking if it was a stupid mistake naming his son "Aegon". The King was actually hoping for his son to follow Aegon the Conqueror but he ended up a little like Aegon the Unworthy.
Rhaegar sighed.
As the walls of Winterfell came closer to the view, Rhaegar felt uncomfortable. Will the Starks be us welcoming as the people in the village?
He obviously doesn't know if they would be but after sending his letter to Ned Stark stating his obvious intentions about his visit, he wasn't sure if the man will welcome him here because the last time he took a Stark wife, the realm bleed and three other Starks- his daughter included, died.
Asking for Sansa Stark's hand in marriage was supposed to be the last thing on his list. But he was desperate; a wife that will provide him children—heirs and military support. Tywin Lannister's eerie silence was a dangerous as him waging a war against the King now.
The gates of Winterfell were wide opened and from the outside he could already see Ned Stark's family standing there and waiting for them to enter. There were also some people who seems to be citizens of the village that were lined inside watching them with curious eyes as the ranks started filling the vast empty yard of Winterfell.
The first to enter were the men holding the Targaryen banner. They were followed by several knights, and then they were followed by the wheelhouse and he and Aegon entered gracefully with the Kingsguard on both of their sides.
He heard Aegon gasp, eyes wide as he stared at the large family who will host them here.
He too almost gasped at the sight.
The family members weren't the one who caught his attention but the large furred animals standing beside each of the children. There were six in total and the beasts were sitting at their masters and mistresses side and looked at the royal party going in with curious eyes.
These weren't just normal wolves or dogs, they were bigger and wild looking compared to the canine animals he thought of. These were of special breed- direwolves, he thought, the animal that graced the Stark sigil. He wondered where they got the pups as history have said that there were no direwolves left since thousands of years ago, they disappeared even before dragons and he was surprised to see such wolves here in Winterfell.
He then grabbed the reins of his horse pulling it to stop a few meters in front of the Stark family. He jumped off his horse and handed the reins to one his soldiers.
His eyes first studied the Starks from Ned Stark and Catelyn Tully Stark but then his eyes landed on a tall girl besides the second born son of Eddard Stark.
Sansa Stark, the girl he was after.
Rhaegar wanted to frown in disappointment as he looked at her. She doesn't look like a typical Stark but she favoured her Mother's Tully features. Rhaegar had heard stories and rumours about Sansa Stark's loveliness in the South and King's Landing.
The stories often came from the Lords of Southern houses who ventured to the North with their sons in hopes of winning the hand of the beautiful young lady in front of him. Yet all of them came home rejected but it didn't stop the young man to fantasize about her.
Sansa bore a striking resemblance to her mother when Lady Stark was still younger. Rhaegar had seen the woman during the Tourney in Harrenhal, she also had a number of suitors asking for her hand and Rhaegar can agree that the woman was indeed pretty.
But Catelyn Tully's daughter, Sansa was even more beautiful than her mother ever was. She was taller, more slender and has more delicate features than her mother. And even if the rest of her body was hidden, Rhaegar can see the womanly curves that she has.
Rhaegar was no stranger to beauty. He already had three beautiful wives. Elia with her exotic Dornish features of olive skin, black hair and black eyes. Cersei with her flawless sun kissed skin, golden hair and piercing green eyes and lastly his Lyanna, his beloved Lyanna with her unblemished and smooth pale skin, wild brown hair and mischievous grey eyes.
And he had to admit that he was bit disappointed that Sansa doesn't look like Lyanna. But he knew that he can't possibly compare the beauty of the two winter daughters.
Lyanna had the wild and cold beauty of the North while Sansa was born both of the North and South. Rhaegar thought that she may have the dainty features of the South; he had a feeling that Sansa also has the strong wolf blood and a hidden wild nature that made Rhaegar love Sansa's aunt.
And when his deep indigo eyes met her sky blues, Rhaegar felt the world stop and his heart beating wildly. It was as if they were the only people in the world and he felt that he didn't care about the others with him.
When Sansa blushed, Rhaegar thought that it was the most beautiful thing in the world to see.
But his trance broke when his daughter called him; he turned to her and found that she had already been at his side. She gave him a weird look which caused him to furrow his brows.
Well, she was not the only one, everyone in the courtyard had noticed his gaze at the eldest Stark girl and Rhaegar blushed in embarrassment. He somehow acted like some fifteen year old green boy staring at a girl for the first time. It caused him to curse himself silently.
He cleared his throat and proceeded to Eddard Stark who at his move, kneeled together with his family and the people in the courtyard.
"Your grace." Ned Stark greeted him through his gritted teeth, the tone was slightly of anger and loathing but Rhaegar didn't care at about it and proceeded.
"Rise." He ordered towering over the man.
Ned Stark obliged and he was followed by his family and the people around.
Rhaegar had always been a tall man but Ned Stark was even inches taller than him that he needed to look up a little to meet the man's grey eyes. He felt a sudden pinch in his chest as he remembered Lyanna's caring grey eyes. The shade was very similar to those of Lyanna's that Rhaegar wanted to cry.
However there was no warmth and love in Ned Stark's eyes. It was cold as the Wall and was full of anger, loathing and resentment.
Ned Stark then looked away from him and his grey eyes regarded the people around them before speaking.
"Your grace, in behalf of my family and the people of the North, I would like to welcome you, your family and your household to Winterfell. We are honoured to serve you and your family." Eddard Stark said in a loud voice and gave out his most gracious bow.
"Thank you Lord Stark and I would also like to thank the people of the North for giving us a warm welcome." He answered as his indigo eyes also looked around, his lips curled into a smile.
He held out his hand to the Lord of Winterfell, whose jaw was clenched and seemed to be reluctant to take his hand. But after a few seconds, Eddard Stark wrapped his large calloused hand on his.
He can't blame Stark for giving him such cold treatment but he wondered if the man already forgiven him after seventeen years. But he think that it was impossible since it was his fault that more than half of the man's family was now dead and now he plans not only to take Stark's daughter but to ask for military support.
He then turned and gestured the three people standing behind him to join them. Daenerys, Rhaenys and Aegon came rushing forward with big smiles on their faces and Rhaegar proceeded to his introduction.
"These are my children; Princess Rhaenys, Prince Aegon and my youngest sibling and sister, Princess Daenerys." He introduced and the two Princesses curtsied while Aegon bowed and took the man's hand.
There was no resentment or hating in Stark's eyes when he received Aegon but Rhaegar pretended not to see.
"My brother, Prince Viserys, extended his apologies. He cannot come for he is ill." He lied, Viserys was far from ill and has other agendas, dangerous ones that cannot be overlooked.
Stark nodded and Rhaegar then moved to greet the Lord's wife.
Catelyn Stark aged with grace, she looked lovelier as she grew old and Rhaegar wondered if it would be the same as her daughter. Rhaegar shook the thought from his mind and reminded himself that he wasn't here for his manly lusts but for an allegiance.
"Lady Stark." He greeted the woman who gave him a crook smile but received him warmer than her husband. He kissed her knuckles then.
"Your grace." She said as she curtsied, Rhaegar nodded before he proceeded to the eldest of the Stark children.
If Sansa was the younger version of her mother, Rhaegar could say that the heir to Winterfell bears an uncanny resemblance to his father. He had seen Eddard Stark in his youth during the war and this was how the man looks like.
Jon, if he was informed correctly, was a Stark through and through. He had the same dark hair and grey eyes as his father and wears the same solemn expression that the Lord of Winterfell has. He greeted him briefly, shook his hand and proceeded to the second born son.
Robb Stark was the next; he was Jon's fraternal twin. Some of their facial features were similar to each other but Robb favoured his mother's side than his father's. He had the same auburn hair and Tully blue eyes as his mother and sister has. Rhaegar perceived that the boy was the total opposite of his solemn brother. And even in Tully features, Robb had the same mischief in his eyes as Lyanna had when she was still alive.
Lady Sansa was next and Rhaegar noticed that she was blushing heavily. It was then that he noticed her hair, in a closer view; her auburn hair seemed to grow brighter almost burning like fire. Then he again met her eyes, her blue eyes were so clear that it reminded him of the sapphire waters in Tarth during their short trip there. There was warmth in her beautiful blue eyes and a hint of ice and cold that run through her veins as a daughter of winter.
She even looked more beautiful up close and he got a better view of her face. Like Lyanna, she had a pale unblemished skin, her eyes were wide and blue, her nose upturned and her lips were plump and pink. He wondered how her lips would taste like if he kissed her.
"You must be Lady Sansa." He said and the girl curtsied before him.
She did it in the most gracious way that Rhaegar can't help but compare her to Elia and Cersei. The two for him, held themselves in a regal way like Sansa did herself. While Lyanna, the girl does not curtsy before him but when she does, he sometimes end up laughing as his beloved wife has this adorable annoyed look in her face when she does the act, her curtsy was graceful yet it wasn't as perfect as how Elia and Cersei held themselves.
"Yes, your grace." She answered with a soft warm smile.
It made Rhaegar wonder if she knew his purpose of visit here. Surely Ned Stark would have informed her daughter that the King came here to ask for her hand. Though the real reason of the union was to tie the North to him, he hoped that Sansa won't take this as an offense and think that he only married her for Northern support.
Out of his three marriages, he failed two of them. There was no love between him and Elia, it was only for his duty to the realm to produce heirs. On the other hand he married Cersei for support and for convenience. Lyanna was the only one he loved; she made him feel like himself and not as the Crowned Prince of the realm.
When they were together, they never acted like they were of high birth. They moved freely, do things that royal and noble born aren't allowed to do, they were also like good friends, sometimes talking about the mischief of others and laughing so hard at it. And out of the three, Lyanna seemed to appreciate him more for whom he really was, and that made him love her even more.
He then took her hand and wince a little as he felt a tiny jolt when their skins connect. A small gasp escaped Sansa's mouth confirming that it wasn't only he who felt the unusual sensation.
His eyes fixed on her as he lowered his lips on her knuckles and he smiled when he saw her swallow. She may be uncomfortable with him now but he promised that she won't feel the same way after he wins Eddard Stark's approval.
He then moved to the next child and he stopped on his tracks when he saw her.
Even in a young age, the girl had a great resemblance to Lyanna. She had the same brown hair and grey eyes, the same shade as his father and aunt has. And even if she was still young, Rhaegar knew that she will grow into a beauty like her Aunt Lyanna was.
It made the knots in Rhaegar's stomach to coil. It was hard not looking at the little lady without thinking about Lyanna. And he then thought what it would be like if she was the elder daughter. But he shook the thoughts from his mind, if Lady Sansa would look like his aunt, then he would be fooling himself.
And he remembered Cersei; he knew that the cause of their relationship's failure was because of him and him alone. He knew that he already failed as a husband during the night of their wedding, when Cersei came to him very eager to please him, her eyes full of love and admiration, he on the other hand was still mourning for the loss of his wolf-girl. He knew that Cersei already hated him when it was another woman's name that came out of his lips when he spent his night with her.
Rhaegar wouldn't want that to happen again. He was growing old and some men of the same age, already found women that loved and cared for them as they grow older. While he on the other hand had already had been a widower for three times.
"Who might you be little beauty?" He asked the brown haired girl in front of him who was scrutinizing his appearance with a furrowed brow.
His question made her wrinkle her nose, "I'm not a little beauty, Sansa is. My name is Arya." She said and held out her hand in a manner that is taken as a handshake.
Instead of shaking it, he bent down to kiss her knuckles and Arya frowned at him.
He moved down to the last Stark children the both of them also favoured their mother's Tully features. Bran, the older one wasn't interested with him, his eyes were transfixed with Ser Arthur, Ser Barristan and Ser Gerold who were talking to each other and he made a mental note on his mind to ask him if he'll want to squire for one of the three knights he was looking at.
The last Stark child was named Rickon and he was no more than five. He was staring at him with wide blue eyes while his dog besides him was staring at Rhaegar like he was food.
He waited for Aegon, Daenerys and Rhaenys to finished there greetings before asking Lord Stark to take him to the crypts. He wanted to pay his respects to his second wife and daughter.
Although he wanted to bury Visenya in the Targaryen crypts, it was Lyanna who told him that she wants her child to be buried beside her. So he honoured it as his last gift to her.
When the greetings were done, he called out to Lord Stark, "Take me to the crypts Lord Stark; I would like to pay my respects…" To my second wife and daughter, he wanted to add but he didn't want to remind the people of the North of what happened years ago.
"We've been riding for a month brother! Surely the dead can wait!" Daenerys complained but he shook his head and looked at Ned Stark again.
The man nodded, he first turned to his wife and whispered something before joining him. They turned to the western side of the castle. The both of them were silent as they approached the double metal doors of the Winterfell crypts.
He even helped Stark open the gates and the stale air inside welcomed him first. The two of them descended a small flight of stairs and passed by the tombs of Stark's ancestors, the first tombs were the Kings of Winter.
The Stark crypt was far larger than the Targaryen's for their dead ancestors remains were kept in urns. Unlike the houses in the Seven Kingdoms, the Targaryens burn their dead so the space for burial wasn't an issue.
Finally after almost hundredths of tombs they passed by, they arrived in the most recent ones. He saw Brandon Stark's statue which stood proud and firm almost like his father's.
Then his heartbeat quickened as he saw the last one…
It was nothing like the Lyanna he saw in his dreams and reality. This statue was a poor copy of his lady love. When his eyes moved down, he noticed that the statue was holding a baby on one of her arms.
As if Ned Stark knew what's on his mind, he immediately explained it, "I buried them together, I think Lyanna would prefer it that she was buried with her daughter."
Rhaegar nodded and went closer to Lyanna's tomb. He raised his hands to caress its stone face and sighed. He felt nothing but pain and longing. He wanted to hug Lyanna again. He wanted to see his daughter grow old but Lyanna and Visenya were dead and he was here for Sansa and the Northern army not to reminisce his past.
"She would have made a fine Queen." He commented as his gaze was still fixed on Lyanna.
Ned Stark snorted behind him, "My sister is a wild wolf. She doesn't even want to be a lady? How much more a Queen? She doesn't want to be caged in some place like King's Landing. You say you loved her, yet it seems like you don't really know her at all." Ned Stark commented.
Rhaegar gritted his teeth, "I did know her. Lyanna is a fine young woman and there is no night that I don't grieve your sister's death Lord Stark. I loved her fiercely and she felt the same way with me too."
"Yet you left her and her babe to die." Eddard argued with steel on his voice.
"I was fighting a war." He answered.
"Yes, a war that you started." The man hissed. "And now you expect that I'll just let my daughter go with you after what happened to Lyanna?"
Rhaegar closed his eyes in irritation, of course, Lyanna's death would be the reason why he won't give him his daughter but this man behind him has no idea what's happening.
"You should be honoured that the King wants to ask your daughter's hand in marriage. Other Fathers would have been kissing my hand in happiness." He answered and grimace a little as he remembered Margaery Tyrell.
Highgarden was one of the places on his list to visit. Yet he was dismayed when Margaery Tyrell and her brother suddenly popped up of his court days after Cersei's death. She had been giving him hints and when she won't bit to her efforts, she moved to seduce Aegon and if his son doesn't know what the girl, who was obviously sent by her father and grandmother, has in mind. Aegon would have pounced on her then.
Margaery was a beautiful lady, the Rose of Highgarden, they called her but roses have thorns and the girl was the favorite grandchild of Olenna Redwyne Tyrell, the famous Queen of Thorns. Rhaegar knew that she already schooled her grandchild of the game and of scheming. He was a little angry with their boldness. He was a man who doesn't like people to move ahead of him first. If he wants to do something or decide on something, he wants to make the first move.
And the Tyrells went ahead of him without him giving them a head start. It was Jon Connington who suggested going to the North instead stating that the number of the Reach's army will be dwarfed by what Eddard Stark could provide him.
He laughed at Jon saying that even if the North was big, the population is not as large as the South and the soldiers were not as great in numbers. But Jon shook his head and emphasized that Eddard Stark not only holds the North but he had ties in the Riverlands, the Vale and in the Stormlands.
With the Dorne already behind him because of his children, the forces of the North will be very helpful and will best the number of soldiers Tywin Lannister has. Jon also told him that Ned Stark has a daughter of marrying age that will be perfect to become his Queen japing that he'll be hitting three birds in one stone; an army, a Queen and finally a Stark bride that he always wanted.
He turned around and looked at the man who was staring at him with his cold grey eyes full of anger. Ned Stark's hands were on his sides and were curled into fists. His face was red with rage.
"You're a father as I am. I know you want what's best for your daughter and that you want her to be happy and I can assure and promise you that Lady Sansa will be in good hands. She will have everything she wants and she won't be asking for more. I will provide her with all that she needs and respect her as I respected your sister…."
"Respected my sister? Good ser, you didn't respect her, you dishonoured her and your wife." The man snapped.
Rhaegar let out a deep breath and wanted to punch Connington for suggesting of riding to the North. Maybe he should have let Margaery Tyrell succeed her goal but then he was now in the North and he'll need to convince a Stark of all people.
"This time will everything will be different. My marriage to your daughter will mark the end of the conflict between the Starks and Targaryens that started years ago. It will heal the wounds of the past and I promise you that the North will benefit in this union. I will help you arrange trade between other kingdoms in the South and I will be lowering the taxes and help with the shipping costs. Aside from that the crown will also assist you with the costs of importing your goods to the Free Cities." He said and explained the benefits of the union hoping that it could at least help him convince the man.
The marriage to Lady Sansa was only the first part of his task. The second will be explaining what the current happenings in the realm are, but even if he wasn't still done with the first task, he already was stressed.
"If you think you can make me give you my daughter by trying to boost the economy of my land, you are definitely wrong Rhaegar Targaryen. I won't trade my daughter for gold."
Gods, must he be this hard to convince? Rhaegar silently asked himself. There was no way he can convince the man and even if Rhaegar will offer him a thousand of golden dragons and silver stags, there was no way that Ned Stark would agree to this.
Rhaegar knew that the Targaryen line will depend on this. And he can't give up. The man needs a little more persuasion.
Learn their weakness and use it against them, Varys once told him. The Master of Whisperers had been his mentor ever since he was young and he owe the man a lot of thing as it was Varys who helped him a lot in ruling, tutoring him about the game and what he should do. The eunuch had become his second Hand of the King after Jon Connington.
Sometimes threatening them can help. The voice of the eunuch echoed in his mind and he closed his eyes. He really doesn't want to do this but if it will work then he could just explain later that it was nothing but a farce. And hopefully it will.
His children, Stark's weakness are his children. He noted as he thought of Ned Stark's reluctance to let him wed his daughter.
So he took a deep breath before he spoke and tried to sound as intimidating as possible.
"Oh, you haven't let me finish yet Lord Stark." He said in a steel tone and it caught Ned Stark off guard.
He almost sighed in relief with the man's reaction but stopped himself as he needs to continue his act.
The Lord's eyes widened and his shoulders were tensed and his face shows that he didn't expected that he still has an addition to what he said.
"Disagree and I will have your children sent away to different houses to be fostered. Your oldest sons will be taken to the capitol and will squire some of my knights in the Kingsguard. Once they finished training, they will be added to the ranks of my guards and will be given white cloaks. Your two girls will be taken to Dorne and Highgarden while the youngest two will be sent to the Citadel and study as maesters."
Gods, he never wanted to be that harsh.
"And you will also provide me five thousand of your best Northern men to be added to the Royal Army." He added and hoped that he looked as convincing as possible and his voice doesn't sound as a farce.
Ned Stark looked appalled, the color of his face was drained and his hand was on the pommel of his sword. Rhaegar for a moment was afraid that the man will kill him right there right now.
Sorry if I terrified your brother Lya. I badly needed a wife that could provide me children. I needed an heir. I hope you understand that. He thought hoping that Lyanna could be able to understand why he was acting this way in front of her and their child's tomb.
But then Ned Stark's hand went to his side again.
"You can't!" The man instead exclaimed and Rhaegar tried his best to smile slyly trying to copy those of Littlefinger.
"Try me, I am the King." He said and he shot an apologetic look at Lyanna's stone cold face before he turned his back and started walking towards the entrance of the crypts, leaving a still horrified Ned Stark.
As he reached the gates of the crypts, he heard footsteps following him. At first he feared the man would run his sword through his body after he threatened him but he almost smiled as Eddard Stark called for him.
"Wait your grace!" Eddard Stark called and Rhaegar turned to face him with his brow raised
"Yes?" He asked.
The man stopped running and took a deep breath before speaking again.
"I'll… I'll consider your offer." Lord Stark said and Rhaegar let out a victorious smile.
His first task was almost over but now it's time to discuss the other.