Dearest Mother,
I arrived at Winterfell early this afternoon, cold of face and chilled to the core, but found myself greeted warmly by both Lord Cregan and his household. It would appear that Lady Arryn's warnings of heed about the Starks were not entirely necessary, nor truthful, for in Lord Cregan I have found an easy friend. A man who is quick to laugh, and kind of smile, honorbound to his duty and the words his father spoke before him; he intends to keep the promise his lord father made to yours, and supports your cause for holding the throne. We are to meet on the morrow to speak of specifics, of the things that which our matter needs and what Lord Cregan is able to offer – but for the night, House Stark has seen fit to hold a feast in honor of my arrival. A matter of which I was made aware of by Lord Cregan's elder sister . . .
Lady Arryn had choice words for her, that I fear repeating now, even in letter, but Lord Manderly and all his household could not say kinder things to her credit. Perhaps the truth of the matter is somewhere in the midst of it, though I am uncertain if I could say for certain. Her tongue seems to be much sharper than Lord Cregan's, or perhaps it is that she is merely more willing to wield it unabashedly. It was . . . a strange thing to bear witness to, after so many years of gentlewomen afraid to say their peace in front of mine eyes, Lady Aoife did not falter in her teasing of me.
Perhaps it is all the more strange and terrifying still, that I cannot recall a time where I have seen a maiden as beautiful, nor whose eyes hold as much grief, as she. In recounting with the Maester, before he handed over a quill and parchment, Lord Cregan and Lady Aoife have lost both their mother and father, a younger brother, and Lord Cregan's wife, a close childhood friend to them both. I had not realized one being could behold so much sorrow, to know so much loss – and still to find the ability to be both present and kind, House Stark is but a reminder of the strength a family can possess, and undoubtedly, the kind of people we will be glad to have at our shoulders in any weather.
Love, Your Son and Envoy —
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon