SKYFALL, CREGAN STARK
chapter six. uncle knows best

BENNARD STARK HAD been proving to be a pain in the ass for both his Nephew, Cregan, and Cormac Mormont. The man had been ordering the two boys around, having them do tedious tasks that absorbed all of their time and forced them to put their more important and own personal tasks in the back burner until Bennard was satisfied of their work. It had annoyed the two boys to no end. Eventually, they began to avoid the man at all costs and quickly get out of sight if he managed to catch them walking down the hall or during breaking fast. Cormac spent most of his time outside of the castle, wandering the stables and making sure the horses were taken care of or out in the towns surrounding Winterfell, gathering information on what they needed. Where as Cregan spent his time with Alysanne, always accompanying her wherever she went.  There was never a moment where Cregan wasn't at the Princess' side.

          "YOU KNOW,  PEOPLE are going to start thinking that you're glued to my side," Alysanne spoke one day as the Stark boy trailed behind her,  books in his hands as she explored the small,  yet vast,  library Winterfell held.  "Some might even start to think that you're actually a lost puppy".

          HE POUTED AT her last comment,  proving her point right as he stopped in his tracks and whined about what she said like he was a toddler and eventually lost sight of her,  calling out her name frantically as he tried to look for her.  She popped out of a corner,  scaring him as she laughed.  It was quite a sight to see and Alysanne loved messing with him.

MANY DAYS LOOKED like this while others consisted more of the Targaryen being absolutely done with Cregan's constant following and the two argued much over that fact. He had been hellbent on avoiding his Uncle that he was practically suffocating Alysanne with his twenty–four–seven presence. It's not that she enjoyed his company. She just had too much of it and desperately needed a break from the boy.

"IF YOU CONTINUE to ignore and dodge your Uncle at every turn, I'm going to kill you myself, Cregan" she whispered to him one night, tired of his insistence of accompanying her everywhere she went. "Although I do enjoy your company, I am starting to find myself thinking of the ways I could get you to shut up. Forever!".

"WHATEVER YOU HAVE going on with your Uncle, you need to deal with it. You can't keep avoiding him forever" she added, shaking her head and excusing herself from Cregan's side, finally having some time to herself.

THE STARK BOY took a few days to properly process what Alysanne had said to him. He assumed that she was right. That whatever he was avoiding was probably something he should address and resolve with his Uncle quickly. But there was a plethora of things that troubled him regarding Bennard. One of them being the lack of acknowledgment of Cregan as King of Winterfell, his ceremony and birthright being held from him by his greedy Uncle and his equally as power hungry sons, excluding Brandon. This is what seemed to be the driving force to both of their indifference towards one another.

BY THE END of the fourth day of Cregan Stark's processing, he vowed to himself that by the first light of the morrow, he would discuss these matters with his Uncle and he wouldn't take no for an answer.

          "I CAN BE there while you talk to him," Cormac softly suggested, eyes following the young Prince of Winterfell as he nervously paced the length of his bedroom, teeth gnawing as the soft flesh of his forefinger in thought.

"NO, I SHOULD be alright," Cregan replied, gaze never wandering back towards his most trusted companion.

WHEN CREGAN HAD approached Cormac and expressed his desire to talk with his Uncle, the Mormont boy was hesitant to let him go alone. He knew of Bennards short temper regarding certain matters and did not want his friend on the receiving end of it. Especially since he held so much power at the moment. Bennard could do anything to Cregan and it most likely be swept under the rug by him and his two other conniving sons.

"I'D MERELY BE a buffer. There to make sure nothing strays too far out of line," the boy suggested, offering up himself to be the mediator in case things started to go awry. But no matter what Cormac had to offer and suggest, Cregan insisted that he would be fine without him there. This was something he needed to do on his own.

"I'LL BE JUST fine, my dear friend. I'm sure everything will go smoothly," Cregan replied in response, somehow not even convinced with his own words that nothing will go wrong. His gut twisted in nerves, the teen not being able to accurately access what the feeling meant before he was heading off towards the throne room, where he Uncle spent the majority of his time at.

THE YOUNG LORD just hoped that whatever came out of this discussion, he'd leave with more answers than questions or doubts.

THE SOUND OF quill on parchment and light whispering was the first thing Cregan Stark heard as he gently pushed open the wooden doors to the throne room, revealing himself to those inside. There, at the large table, sat his Uncle Bennard and cousins, Elric and Benjen, whispering amongst themselves. Their conversation halted once the teen boy showed himself, hands tightly clasped behind his back as he stared at the men in front of him.

"NEPHEW," BENNARD SMILED, "What are you doing up this late? I surely thought you'd be in bed at this time of hour".

THE TONE OF which the older man used made Cregan want to strangle the smile off his face. He wasn't a child anymore. He didn't need a curfew nor need someone to establish one for him.

"YES, WELL I wanted to speak to you about something, Uncle," he replied,  eyes darting from the men huddled close together.   Cregan could tell that whatever they were discussing had regarded him as their eyes ever so slightly widened the second he walked through the doors.  "Alone".

BENJEN AND ELRIC glanced at their Father upon hearing of their cousins request, standing up from their seats when Bennard nodded at his sons. The pair had gazed at Cregan as they exited the throne room. The young Stark boy kept his eyes focused on his Uncle as his cousins left, keeping his spine straight and head up.

"WHAT IS IT that you want, boy?" Bennard asked, going back to his previous task of writing on the parchment in front of him.

CREGAN SWALLOWED THE unease in his throat, stomach twisting as he stepped closer to the large wooden table. He knew this conversation wasn't going to be easy. Cregan just hoped that it went smoothly. Or at least as smooth as it possibly could go.

        "I KNOW THAT my Father granted you Lordship over Winterfell until I came of age," he started,  palms getting clammy as they stayed interlocked behind his back.  "I am way past that age,  uncle.  People are beginning to question my legitimacy to the throne.  As well as your motives while you sit the chair".

        THE UNEASY SILENCE that followed after Cregan's expression made his stomach turn in knots and bile rise up in his throat.  Albeit the Winterfell throne being his inheritance, his uncle is currently recognized as the Lord of the North and he had every right to throw his nephew into the dungeons if he thought the situation called for it.  And no one would bat an eye if he did so.

        THE ICY BLUE hues of Bennard Stark made contact with Cregan's grey ones,  an unreadable expression written over the older man's face as he peered up at his only nephew.  "What doubts have you heard of my rule,  dear nephew?  Your Father and I had agreed that you would be granted Lordship when you are ready for it.  And you are not".

        THE YOUNG WOLF hardened his gaze at his uncles words,  fury beginning to boil his blood.  "Yet," Cregan replied.  "But that seems to be subjective,  uncle.  As I assure you I am more than ready to become the Lord of Winterfell and the North.  I have continuously proven myself to you and the people that I am capable of handling the burden of being Lord".

        A MOMENT OF silence passed before Cregan spoke up once again,  a million thoughts swirling in his mind.  "What is keeping you from handing over my claim?".

        BENNARD HAD LONG forgotten what he was writing on the parchment in front of him,  quill dropped from his grasp as he leaned further back in the large wooden chair he sat in.  He knew the reason why he hadn't granted his nephew his birthright.  Greed clouded his judgement and every move he made since his beloved brother passed,  believing himself to be the next in line for the Winterfell throne,  not his nephew.  Bennard came up with excuse after excuse as to why he refused to pass on Lordship to Cregan.  And another came just as quick to his mind before he opened his mouth to speak.

        "IT IS HARD to rule over the North by oneself.  It can be lonely.  That is why I sought the hand of Princess Alysanne Targaryen for you.  Winterfell needs two strong rulers to take care of it and its people," he began,  a smile spreading across the older man's face as his eyes never left those of his nephews.  "I had hope to discuss this with you at a much later time,  but this moment will suffice.  Upon your marriage to the Princess,  I will gladly pass over your birthright.  But only if you see the marriage through and accept her hand".

        HOT,  UNBRIDLED ANGER flashed across Cregan's stormy eyes as his breath caught in his throat.  Everything seemed to be a game to his uncle and Cregan seemed to be the main chess piece. 

        IF KINSLAYING WASN'T treason,  Bennard would already be without a head.  No matter what Cregan Stark did,  he was always faced with an impossible decision that he had no escape from.  And no matter how much his conscience screamed at him to deny his uncles terms,  he knew he had to for he knew there was no other way to convince his uncle to handover his claim to Winterfell.

        WITH A DEEP breath,  Cregan readied himself to answer his waiting uncle.

        "YOU'LL GRANT ME Lordship once the marriage has been officialized?" He asked.

        BENNARD SIMPLY NODDED,  a smirk on his face as his plan began to unfold right in front of him.  His own claim to the throne just merely within his grasp.

        "THEN I AGREE to your terms,  uncle".

        AND WITH THAT,  a deal with a snake dressed in wolfs clothing was made,  the foundation of everything Cregan Stark fought for beginning to crack. After all,  uncle knows best,  right?

authors note!  —
this is not proof read so please
bear with me! i'll do it later :)
also, fuck bennard stark <3