- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER TWENTY SIX ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU
❛ you're a part time lover and a full time friend
the monkey on your back is the latest trend ❜

A year prior . . .

MARGARET KARSTARK.

I've begun to find myself thankful for Rhaenys Targaryen, her compassionate love towards my daughter when she's away brought a sigh of relief to me almost all the time. Eudora would write me letters about the princess, how her words comforted her when I'm not around. It makes me feel upset when I couldn't be there for her during those times of need.

My daughter hasn't written back for a while now, and it's concerning me. But maybe she was just busy, it was amusing to hear from Rhaenys that Eudora has not written back to her either. Eudora is not easy for one to understand, but I know my daughter. Something isn't right. "You've been rather quiet," Sara, my nephew's half sister, inquired, pouring me a small drink. "Are you alright?"

I could only shake my head. "My daughter," I told her, Sara nodding knowingly. A small huff of air escaped my mouth, looking towards the young girl in front of me and motioned for her to take a seat. "How is Cregan's babe?"

"Sound asleep, My Lady," Sara replied. "He has grown restless, however. With the absence of Arra and all."

"And any word from Eudora?" The girl only shook her head. "It's alright, she'll send a letter soon– I believe she will."

—

Present day. . .

JACAERYS.

The time Jace and Eudora spent on getting to Winterfell was rather longer than their stay– Jace wondered what was going on at home. Of course, ravens travel slowly especially from Dragonstone to the North, the average trip would be almost four days. So he wasn't surprised when he hadn't heard anything from his mother just yet.

The days he spent at Winterfell were spent hunting, drinking, or training along the older Stark. He'd watch Eudora train with her cousin in the early morning, watching as she would strike even faster and harder than what he saw back at the Red Keep. "A girl is not often taught to wield a sword," Margaret said, walking up to Jace's side. The two were overseeing Eudora and Cregan once more, Margaret fixing her coat. "She grew up around boys, Cregan taught her how to fight."

"And her father?" Jace asked, looking towards the woman. Margaret shook her head.

"I love Bennard, but he was just another face in the court to Eudora– not the figure she wanted him to be... He was disappointed that she was born a girl, my child knows that." Jace nodded at her words, pursing his lips together as he continued to watch the girl fight– Eudora wasn't in the clothes he knew her to wear. Maybe it was because they were in Winterfell and they needed different types of clothing, but Jace could see the shift in her. He felt Margaret's hand on his shoulder. "Promise me something, Jacaerys."

"Promise what?"

"Bring her home safe, the North hasn't seen her face in such a long time," her words sounded rather serious. Not the soft tone Jace heard over the past few days.

"I promise," he answered, and he hoped he would be able to keep that promise. "Cregan and I have been talking about a few things."

Eudora began advancing towards Cregan with her sword, the sound of metal clanging against each other grew louder and louder. But that wasn't to the pair's concern. "So I've heard." Jace felt the air grow tense. "You want to ask me for my daughter's hand in marriage, is that right?"

He nodded once more. "I know Eudora and I have agreed it's too early to have a say in the situation. And yet I fear that upon returning to Dragonstone, anything could happen. Aegon Targaryen usurped my mother's throne, and Eudora almost had to take Aemond as her husband. I'm not saying that—"

"Jacaerys, you've already had my blessing to begin with," Margaret interrupted, walking behind him to stand at Jace's other side. She looked down, picking at the dirt in her fingernails. "The only problem is if she would agree to it. You know my daughter, she's as stiff as a rock." The prince pursed his lips at Margaret's words, the sound of swords clashing came to a stop. He looked towards the pair below, Eudora's simple braid slowly coming undone. "I trust she'll choose what she most desires."

—

EUDORA.

The girl looked towards her mother and Jace as Cregan stored their weapons away. "What are they talking about?"

"Something rather important," the older Stark said, coming back to her side. "Cousin, walk with me." Eudora didn't hesitate to follow along, though she spared one more glance at the Velaryon.

"What's wrong?"

"I trust that you know the situation with the Targaryens all too well, especially with the recent miscommunication about Aemond," Cregan spoke, his heavy footsteps leaving their marks on the snow. Eudora stopped, already knowing where the conversation was leading to.

"If you're asking me to marry Jace–"

"Eudora, I promised you years ago that when the time is right you and Jacaerys Velaryon will wed," he told her, looking down at the younger girl. He gave out a huff of air, looking around to see if anyone was listening. "I don't want to force you to, it's not my place. But I want to remind you that from the looks of everything, we are entering darker times, Eudora. I'm only looking out for you. This union would secure his safety and yours."

She could only remain silent for a few seconds. "I don't want to marry Jace if it's only for political gain."

"I love to think that you're to wed because of love."

This caused Eudora to laugh. "I'm surprised the great Cregan Stark would know anything about such a thing."

Cregan could only smile softly. "My late wife, remember Arra Norrey?" The younger Stark nodded as an answer. "She was my everything, and now she lays in the crypts. All I have now is our child, Rickon. I'm not saying to wed Jace out of security, Eudora. But the years to come are uncertain, I just wish you well... Think about it, yes?" He then left Eudora, leaving towards the big doors of the castle.

She could only bite her lip, she wasn't too sure what to say or what to do. Maybe Cregan did have a point, life in Westeros was never guaranteed— it would be a miracle to even live past eighteen. In her heart she knew she wanted to, but something was holding her back. Eudora thought that it might just be that it's all happening too fast, or that it's not happening fast enough. Maybe she didn't want to give her father the upper hand by doing so— but marrying Jace was her choice, she was making her own decision at that moment.

"Oh fuck it," Eudora muttered, trying to catch up with Cregan. "Cregan, wait!" She called out, her cousin turning to look at her. "I'll do it." He only nodded, walking into the castle. Maybe it was too fast, Eudora knew that. But she definitely knew that, as Jace said, in this world of confusion, that Velaryon boy was her only certainty. They'd only have each other in the end, so why not just live a little?

—

It took at least another day or two for the preparations, Eudora wearing her mother's old wedding dress. The young Stark agreed to do the ceremony only if it was going to be small and intimate. She was never a fan of people— much more crowds. Only a few were invited, which brought a smile to her face. Eudora wished that Jace's family were here, however. How it should've been either Baela or Helaena to help her dress that day. How Jace would be with his brothers enjoying the morning. How her mother and Rhaenys would've finally met. But a big occasion being celebrated in such a small manner was still monumental.

He held her hand in his, small smiles coming from the two. They said their vows in front of the Weirwood Tree, Margaret deeming it would be more fitting. And when all was said and done, two children were married despite all the horrors they were about to face.

The Targaryens and the Starks united, but it was only just the beginning of the end.

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