SKYFALL,          CREGAN STARK
chapter five.          alysanne meet darling, darling meet alysanne

          THE ARRIVAL OF Bennard Stark had been nearly seven days after Alysanne Targaryen's own arrival in Winterfell.  The man had been greeted by the North's warriors and his second eldest son,  Brandon.  His eldest and youngest,  Benjen and Elric,  had been the ones to accompany him to King's Landing in hopes of retrieving the hand of King Viserys' second born daughter.  Wide grins had been etched into their faces upon their arrival, greeting everyone in their pride for securing the Targaryen Princess' hand in marriage. They had behaved as if they just came back from a victorious battle,  clasping the hands of those who reached out and nodded at those who welcomed them back home.

         BUT CREGAN WAS nowhere to be found when his uncle had returned on horseback.  The young boy had watched from the comforting warmth of his castle,  his home.  His stomach had churned in disgust as he watched his cousins and uncle interact with the folk of Winterfell as if they had just won them a great war.  Like the forcing of both his hand and Alysanne Targaryen's was something to celebrate and parade around like it was a trophy.  The amount of anger the Stark boy had held within himself was beginning to boil over in the days of his uncles absence.  Cregan was sure that if Bennard had attempted to talk to him that he'd either explode at him or get physical with him.  He didn't like liars nor people who didn't uphold their promises.

"I SEE YOUR uncle and cousins have returned," a soft voice had observed as the owner settled themselves to the left of Cregan. The Stark boy had been surprised a little, not expecting someone to catch him in his own little pity party.

"YOU'D BE CORRECT," he nodded, turning his head to see who it was that decided to join his company. The familiar sight of silver hair brought a smile to his face as he registered who joined him; Alysanne.

ALYSANNE KEPT HER head and eyes forward as she carefully watched Bennard Stark and his sons make their way through their little greeting party, heading towards the castle. She hadn't seen the man up close nor in person before, he left King's Landing before Alysanne got the chance to meet him. She wasn't too sure if she would've slapped the man if she had initially met him at King's Landing nor was she certain that she'd still do it now if she had the chance to.

"HE LOOKS...QUITE young," Alysanne commented, not knowing what to say in response. She had imagined Bennard to be extremely old and full of grey hair and possibly even a hunchback. But the man had still perfectly good posture and jet black hair and had nearly no wrinkles in sight. She'd admit that he was good looking but the fact that he had been the one to force her hand and Cregan's made him look ugly in her eyes. The things you'd do for power.

CREGAN CHUCKLED AT Alysanne's observation, shaking his head at the Targaryen girl. It wasn't everyday that you'd hear the Princess call your uncle young and good looking. "I suppose so. But his personality isn't quite pretty nor young," he replied, shifting his weight from leaning on the stone pillar besides him to leaning forward on the iron bars on the balcony in front of him, hands on either side so he wouldn't fall face first off the thing.

A SMALL GIGGLE escaped from Alysanne's lips as she processed what Cregan said, not believing what was said to be false.

          "I JUST THOUGHT he'd look like an old man,"she begins to explain,  her mouth moving before her brain could process the words she wanted to say.  "I mean,  I conjured up this image in my head of what he'd be like.  Like he was some ugly and evil step–mother from the fairytales my handmaiden used to tell me growing up," she finished,  another giggle escaping her lips as she thought of Bennard with a long crooked nose,  moles covering his face,  and a high pitched voice that sounded like nails on glass.

CREGAN BARKED OUT a laugh as he too began to imagine what the Princess thought his Uncle looked like. He certainly acts like an evil step–mother, he thought to himself as his laughs and Alysanne's giggles echoed throughout the empty hall they were occupying.  The two had to stop to gasp for breath,  tears building at their waterlines from how hard they had laughed together.

          "AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED to be greeting your Uncle?" A familiar voice questioned,  pulling Cregan out of his laughing episode.  Cormac had spotted the two grasping onto their stomachs for dear life as they doubled over in laughter in the middle of the hall. 

          "I DO NOT think Bennard would like my welcome," Cregan responded,  mood slightly dampened now that his best friend interrupted his moment with Alysanne and brought his mind back towards the subject of his Uncle.  He had nothing nice to say to Bennard so he decided it would be best to not welcome and greet him like everyone else in Winterfell was doing.

          "WHILE I AGREE with your statement,  he's going to wonder why you didn't welcome him.  Use it and twist it to his liking," the Mormont boy added,  leaning on the balcony's edge just like his friend besides him.  Bennard was a mastermind with words,  bending them to his will and whatever he saw fit in order to sway others to believe him.  It was something that wasn't very obvious.  Cormac and Cregan only knew due to the amount of times the older man skewed the young Lord's perception of if he really deserved to be crowned King of Winterfell.  They had only begun to realize some of his true intentions mere months ago. 

          CREGAN STARK LET out a grumble of dissatisfaction,  pushing himself off of the edge of the balcony and stood upright,  hands instinctively going to rest on his sword strapped to his waist belt.  "As long as the two of you come with me.  One of you is going to need to make sure that I don't choke out the old cunt," he spoke,  eyes darting between the Targaryen Princess and Mormont boy on either side of him.

          "I'LL TRY MY best, Stark," Alysanne smirked, smoothing down the skirts of her dress as she recovered from her laughing episode moments earlier.

"THAT'S ALL I ask for, Princess," Cregan smiled.

CORMAC SNORTED AT the pair before putting his hands on Cregan's shoulders and lightly shook them, "C'mon, Lord. The faster we get there, the longer we have our heads on our shoulders".

THE TWO BOYS chuckled at that comment, beginning to make their way down towards the front gates of the castle of Winterfell, Alysanne quickly following behind.

"HELLO, UNCLE," THE youngest Stark uttered out as he stood in front of his family member, hands interlocked behind his back as he gently bowed to the man.

BENNARD SMILED, "NEPHEW".

A SMALL MOMENT of silence settled itself between the two males, causing those surrounding the duo to gaze at one another in curiosity. But it had been broken just as quickly as it had appeared.

"I AM GLAD to see that the Princess made it here safely," Bennard spoke, eyes drifting from his Nephew to the silver haired girl standing a little ways behind Cregan. The smile still remained on his lips as he greeted and introduced himself to Alysanne, inching closer to the Targaryen.

"YES," CREGAN PIPED up, shifting his standing position slightly so he blocked his Uncle's way to his betrothed. "She arrived to Winterfell safe and sound on dragon back, Uncle. It's been, what? Almost seven days since she's arrived. Right, Cormac?" He continued, glaring at the old man in front of him.

"AYE, LORD. I do believe that to be correct," Cormac replied, same distance away from his friend as Alysanne was. His eyes drifted towards the Princess, seeing her trying to hold back shooting a smart remark at Bennard. The Mormont boy smirked at how ready she was to pipe back at the older Stark, even if she hadn't properly met the man yet.

BENNARD HUMMED, SLIGHTLY agitated with his Nephews passive aggressive comments, deciding to not give into the boys attempts and just simply continue to smile and nod at his responses. "Well for that, I thank the Mother for bringing her and her dragon here safely," he stated.

          "I APPRECIATE YOUR kindness,  Bennard," Alysanne nodded,  hands interlocked in front of her as they rested against the fabric of her dark red dress.  The Princess truly wanted to show the man how she felt towards him but ultimately decided against it as she'd most likely be thrown in to the dungeons of Winterfell for physically berating and assaulting the man.  Even though he deserved it.  "My dragon,  Vermithor,  brought the both of us here soundlessly.  I expect that the dragonpit will be large enough for him,  correct?" She asked,  smiling,  "He is quite large so I hope you already ordered your men to get started on it".

           ALYSANNE HAD ONLY opened her mouth to annoy and agitate the man before her in hopes that if she continued to do so, he'd be annoyed with her behavior and call off the arrangement after deciding that she wasn't fit for his Nephew. Annoying him would probably be her go to whenever she interacted with him, something to get him angry at her for so she could be done with this betrothal and go back home to King's Landing.

"HMM, YES. I just gave the order for them to, Princess." Bennard commented, nodding as he glanced at Cregan from the corner of his eye, seeing his jaw clench as he continuously interacted with the Targaryen girl.

          CREGAN KNEW THAT what came out of his Uncle's mouth was utter bullshit.  Cregan had been the one to give the order to his men to get started on the construction of the Dragonpit for his betrotheds mount.  He had given it nearly hours after she arrived to Winterfell.  It had been a slow start to the process but nonetheless,  Cregan had still been the one to give out the demand.  The smile on his Uncle's lips made the young Lord want to slap it off of his face.  Ridiculous,  he thought,  jaw clenching even tighter as he tried to ignore the insistent stare Bennard was giving him. 

          "FATHER!" A VOICE exclaimed,  pulling the groups attention from the tension in the air to the direction of the voice. 

          BRANDON HAD BEEN watching the interaction between his cousin and Father from afar,  nearly on his way back to the castle to continue his daily tasks but had been stopped in his tracks when he saw the familiar silver haired teen girl in the corner of his eye.  He knew of the ever growing tension between his cousin and Bennard,  he wasn't blind to it like the others.  He's always been suspicious of his Fathers true intentions towards Cregan and tried to go about it as discreetly as he could.  But Bennard's his Father and he couldn't imagine him doing something that put Cregans birthright at risk. 

          "I WAS JUST on my way back to the castle,  if you'd like to join me?" He questions,  putting his hand on Bennards shoulder as he stood in between him and his cousin.  "Perhaps go and greet the other men of the court?".

          RELIEF FLOOD CREGAN'S chest as his Uncle nodded at his middle sons request,  bidding the trio a quick goodbye before he followed after his son towards the large castle of Winterfell.

          "WELL,  ISN'T HE just lovely," Alysanne mumbled,  shaking her head as she received a not-so-great feeling about Cregan's Uncle.  He seemed tensed and rigid when around his Nephew,  something she could only describe as off putting. 

          "INDEED," CREGAN MUTTERED back,  watching Bennard and Brandon disappear into the castle and out of his sight.  "Very lovely".

          IT WAS QUITE evident how Cregan felt about his interaction with his Uncle, a frown on his face as he stared at the empty space Bennard once occupied. Alysanne and Cormac could tell that the conversation they just had, albeit it not being a long one nor one of aggression, affected him in a way that made him solemn and quiet, something he never was.

"I THINK IT is time you introduce me to Darling, Stark. I've waited for too long to say hello to her," Alysanne speaks up in an attempt to cheer up the young Lord as well as try to get his mind off of things. Bennard obviously took a lot out of him and she could see that on his face.

IT WAS AS if the words that exited the blondes mouth cured Cregan of his sadness, eyebrows perking up and smile replacing the frown on his lips. "I think that's a splendid idea!".

CORMAC TRIED HIS upmost best not laugh out loud from the reaction of his best friend, looking like a total puppy who was just praised for being such a good boy. The corners of his lips upturned into a smirk as he lowly chuckled to himself, coughing and wiping his lips to cover the action. Poor boy's already fallen for the Princess and he's too blind to see it, he thought to himself as he quickly excused himself from the twos presence, snorting to himself as he made his way back to the castle to continue his daily tasks.

"DARLING HAS FULLY recovered from her labors," he pipes up, grabbing the hand of Alysanne and slotting it between the crook of his elbow, "The pups only just started to open their eyes and begun to walk around. It's truly an amazing sight to witness. I am sure Darling would love to see you. She hasn't gotten many visitors since she had the pups".

CREGANS EAGERNESS MADE Alysanne giggle at him, distracting her from the anxiety she felt at meeting the companion of her betrothed. She had never seen a direwolf up close or in person before, the species being solely a myth back in King's Landing. The girl had only seen paintings and drawings of the creatures, always being depicted as ravenous beasts who wouldn't hesitate to claw out your throat and eat you for a snack if you so dared to cross their path. She heard Cregan talk so highly of his companion and the species many times since her arrival at Winterfell that she was sure Darling was just as sweet as he said she was. But still, hearing of one and seeing one were two completely different things. Alysanne just hoped that the creature liked her enough to not growl or snap at her if she tried to pet it. She wouldn't know what to do if it did.

THE REST OF the walk from the gates of Winterfell to the room the Direwolf was being held in had been full of Cregan reassuring just how much Darling'll love her and how gentle she is with everyone she interacts with. Alysanne only nodding along as she never tore her gaze away from the boy's rambling, smiling sweetly as he talked and talked and talked.

          THE ROOM WAS exceptionally warm as Alysanne and Cregan walked into the chambers Darling was being held in.  The midwives and maesters had thought it best to keep the room warm so it could help aid in the animals healing process from her labors.  And it did help as she was nearly completely recovered.

          "DO YOU WANT me to go in first?" Cregan asked,  turning slightly towards Alysanne as he stood in the middle of the doorframe with the door ajar.

          "IF YOU THINK that's best," she replied,  peeking over the boys shoulder to try to get a look at the female direwolf.  But she saw nothing as she tried to get a peek. 

          A WIDE TOOTHED smile spread itself across Cregan's lips as he momentarily disappeared behind the door,  closing it so he could greet his beloved companion and prepare her for meeting a new individual.  Alysanne could hear his cooing and gentle whispers as he talked to Darling.  The blonde even thought she heard small kissing noises come from behind the wooden door.

          "OKAY," THE DOOR swung open,  revealing a smiling Cregan, "I think she's ready to see you".

          ALYSANNE COULD PRACTICALLY feel the excitement buzzing off of the Stark boy as he stepped to the side to allow the girl to walk into the room.  She swore that she saw him shake as well,  having to interlock and hide his shaky hands behind his back.  A wide smile still plastered on his face as he watched Alysanne step into the room and take in the various of things placed in there,  especially the large nest Darling and the midwives had made for the creature.  Furs of all kinds had been positioned into a half circle and laid on the floor,  tiny balls of fur squirming about on them.

          "OH MY," SHE gasped,  bending down onto the floor to get a closer look at the baby pups.  "They are the cutest things I have ever seen!".

          ALL OF THE PUPPIES had herded towards Alysanne,  yapping as they did,  placing their paws on her clothed knees as they sniffed and prodded around.  One particular pup tried to climb up her body and lick at her face but couldn't get farther than the girls lap.

            "THEY'RE QUITE FRIENDLY," Cregan commented,  witnessing how chaotic and excited the pups were towards his betrothed,  smile getting even bigger if that was possible.

            ALYSANNE GIGGLED AS she gently took one pup into her hands and held it close to her face,  the feeling of the newborns tongue tickling her face.  "And adorable!" She squealed as the puppy barked and yipped.

          A SMALL WHINE was heard from the left of Alysanne,  drawing her attention from the pup in her hands to the source of the noise,  freezing all movement once she saw the owner of the sound.

          A WOLF LIKE creature with white,  gray,  and cream coloring sat on the left of Alysanne,  it's bright golden eyes staring at the human in front of her.  Alysanne assumed it was Darling,  the four legged creature being the only thing large enough to be Cregan's companion.  The direwolf inched her snout closer to the pale skin of the Targaryen woman,  lightly dragging her nose from place to place as she tried to understand the strange girls scent. 

           THE CLOSER DARLING got to Alysanne,  the more anxious she got as seconds without a reaction passed by.  She didn't know the behavior of canines and therefore had no idea what Darling was doing with her snout or why she was so close to her.  The proximity of the direwolf made the air in her lungs catch and get stuck in her airways,  unsure of what to do as Darling now placed her nose on her cheek,  mouth gently opening so the tip of her tongue brushed up against the skin,  basically licking from the bottom of her jaw to Alysanne's eyebrow.

          "SHE LIKES YOU," Cregan whispered,  inching towards Alysanne,  crouching down next to her as he reached out and stroked Darling's soft fur.  "She was only smelling you.  Trying to figure out your scent and memorizing it so she can know who you are the next time she sees you.  Nothing sinister or dangerous I promise".

           ALYSANNE ONLY HUMMED in response as she stayed still,  Darling rubbing her snout into the girls cheek.  The direwolfs forehead came to rest on her owners betrothed,  snuggling into her soft skin as the creature left out a soft sigh. 

           "SEE?  HEAD NUZZLING is the ultimate form of affection for Darling," Cregan grinned,  scratching behind his companions ear as she lightly panted,  her pups surrounding her as they either fed from her tender bosom or tried to run laps around their Mother as they stumbled about.

           "ARE YOU SURE she isn't just buttering me up to eat me," she whispered back,  hands now free of the pup as it ran about.  "She looks hungry".

          "SHE DOESN'T EAT Targaryen flesh,  Princess.  Don't fret," he teased,  nudging Alysanne with his shoulder lightly.  "I'll have one of the serving girls come and feed her later".

          THE BLONDE ONLY slightly chuckled at Cregan's comment,  not entirely believing him as the sheer size of the direwolf was quite intimidating and she wouldn't be surprised if she ate human flesh as an alternative meal course.

          "YOU CAN PET her if you'd like.  She doesn't bite," Cregan softly spoke,  noticing her unease around Darling.  He grabbed Alysanne's hand and gently hovered it above the fur of the direwolf.  He nodded as Alysanne wearily looked at him,  hand in his shaking.  "It's alright," he whispered,  "I'm here if anything happens".

            SHE ONLY NODDED as she shifted her gaze from Cregan to her hand in his,  still hovering over Darling's fur.  And with her approval,  Cregan Stark slowly placed Alysanne's hand onto the fur of his direwolf companion,  his own fingers gently bending the girls so they would intertwine within the soft hair. 

          "IT'S SO SOFT!" Alysanne gasped,  smile twitching onto her lips as she copied Cregan's smooth motions of stroking the creatures fur.  "She's so soft.  Do you groom her?".

          "NO," CREGAN LAUGHED,  "I'm afraid that's all Darling's work.  Her vanity is quite well known amongst all in the castle.  She's even been deemed the wolf of beauty by some".

          "I CAN SEE why," Alysanne replied,  gently petting the cheek of Darling,  to which she intensely leaned into,  tail vigorously wagging from side to side.  "How'd you even stumble upon such a beautiful creature?  Let alone have her as your companion".

          ALYSANNE'S TEASING WORDS made Cregan roll his eyes and shake his head,  slightly smiling as he looked at her interact with one of the most important beings in his life.  "That is a story for another day,  Princess," he uttered,  removing his hand from Alysanne's,  a tingly sensation running through the limb as he stretched it out,  palm and fingers splayed out wide. 

          THE TARGARYEN GIRL only hummed in response as she continued to ooh and awe at the sweet creature in front of her. 

          THE YIPPING AND yapping of the wolf pups had caught the Stark boys attention,  looking down at them as they desperately tried to get their Mothers attention or tried to feed from her,  struggling to do so due to her current position. 

          "ALRIGHT,  I THINK it's time we go and allow the pups some time with their Mother," he frowned,  standing up from his crouched position,  straightening his back and knees as he stood.  "It's time for us to head to supper anyways".

          ALYSANNE POUTED,  A groan coming out from her throat as she did not want to leave and stop petting Darling.  If Cregan didn't know any better,  he'd say that Darling would steal his betrothed from him in no time,  if she already hasn't.

          "CAN WE VISIT her again after supper?" She hopefully asked,  eyes wide and bright as she eagerly looked up at Cregan and awaited his answer.  His companion seemingly copying the human girls actions as she looked up at him through her eye lids,  ears going backwards an inch or two as she did so.  The sight itself made Cregan's heart clench and want to forget dinner all together and just spend the rest of the night in the warm room.  But he knew better.

          "SURE," HE SMILED,  nodding.

           ALYSANNE EXCLAIMED OUT of excitement and bid Darling a sweet goodbye,  kissing the top of her snout and giving her fur a few strokes before she stood up,  a wide smile on her face. 

          "MAKE SURE TO brush off all the fur from your skirts.  Wouldn't want to pick a piece of fur out of your mouth mid chew," Cregan teased,  brushing himself down as he patted away all the loose fur from his direwolf.

          THE PRINCESS LOOKED down at her dress skirts and saw that it was covered in Darling's fur,  various strands of whites,  grays,  and creams stuck to the fabric.  "Oh my," she whispered,  ridding herself of the fur by brushing and patting her skirts.  "Does this always happen?".

          "AFRAID SO,  PRINCESS," Cregan smirked,  watching Alysanne struggle to get rid of the amount of fur covering her dress.  "Here,  let me help".

          THE YOUNG LORD bent over slightly to help pat the fur off,  not giving Alysanne any room to agree or argue against it.  A light blush dusted her cheeks as she realized how close Cregan was to her skirts,  shamelessly touching them as he aided her in ridding of the hair that clung to them.  Alysanne tried to join in on Cregan's attempt to help her but by the time she gathered up the courage to,  he was already done,  fully standing upright.

          "THERE,  ALL DONE!" He huffed,  gently gesturing towards Alysanne and her skirts,  smiling.  "Good as new".

          "THANK YOU,  STARK," she spoke,  wiping down some of the wrinkles on the tops of her skirts before straightening her spine.  "Now,  we must make haste to the dining hall or I'm afraid your Uncle will have both of our heads".

          CREGAN COULDN'T HELP but let out a laugh at her statement,  wordlessly agreeing as he put out his arm for the Princess to take,  which she did without a second thought.  And with that,  he and Princess Alysanne Targaryen made their way out of the room and towards the dining hall where his Uncle no doubt already was,  patiently awaiting the duos arrival. 

          Perhaps I shall gift Alysanne a direwolf of her own,  Cregan thought to himself.  I think she'd like that.  Maybe as a welcome gift perhaps?  A late nameday gift?.  Questions and thoughts swarmed the young boys head,  echoing throughout his already clouded and cluttered mind.  But one thing stayed clear; he was falling for the Princess and was falling fast.

authors note!
— geez, a whole whopping 4.3k+ words 🧍🏻
anyway, i hope you guys liked this chapter <3
( also, #bennardstarkhateclub needs to
be on the rise people!!)