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Tidings from the North and Notes at Dragonstone

Summary:

Baela thinks her marriage to two men will shock the family...

Work Text:

Dearest Papa,

I'm certain you shall be in utter shock to find that Jacaerys and I are wed.

I jest of course, you likely suspected as much would happen when Stepmother sent us both to the North and the Vale.

For good or ill I am you daughter through and through and I could not help it when things happened that mad e such a move even slightly permissible.

The more interesting part of my news is Jace and I had already been guaranteed the North's loyalty to Stepmother, when Lord Cregan Stark asked us both to marry him. He assured that this was a personal matter but he was drawn to us and felt that he could not bear to not at least ask.

Cregan is a warrior, through and through, he's had to be with his life, with his own usurping family members, wildling raids to fight off, and the occasional Northern Lord getting a might to big for his britches. He and Jace got on instantly, both tend to be a trifle serious, but are also kind and I hate to say it, noble. My own affection came from his complete acceptance that I was a dragon rider in my own right and never a sign of confusion when Jace and I would discuss things, as he seemed to take it as given that I was Jace's equal in the negotiations. He also happily has no problem with Stepmother as a Queen. Having met many northern women now, especially those of Bear Island, I can entirely understand why.

So, while it might surprise you a tiny bit that when Jace and I wed each other in front of the Heart Tree in the Gods Wood of Winterfell, Cregan stood with us and swore to us as well. My explanation should clarify that Jace and I couldn't help ourselves when a rugged northern lord tells us he loves us.

So now I have two husbands. Before Stepmother worries at all, we did not entirely take leave of our sense, and made certain to draw up proper marriage contracts. We've already worked out the particulars. My first born child will be Jace's heir, and then the second will be Cregan's. I did point out my mothers fate and the fate of many women and Cregan shrugged and informed us that he did have other relatives in needs be to be the Stark in Winterfell after him. He'd like it to be our child but acknowledges that sometimes it simply isn't so. Both men also agreed that we will set a new president, in that male or female, the child will inherit. When discussing that part Jace got that soppy awed look he always gets when he remembers Stepmother's coronation, he's so terribly impressed by her it's adorable.

Our match does feel gods blessed, not the seven though, but by the Old Gods of the first men. For this morning (just a few hours previous) after our wedding, three direwolf pups were found in the godswood by Cregan (he goes to the godswood to pray at dawn every morn). No sign of a mother, just three pups, waiting at the base of the heart tree. Three Papa!

Jace's pup is light gray all over, fading to white on his ears and tail tip. Sweet Jace has names him Sea Mist. Cregan's pup is cream to orangey dark brown, he's named him Drengr in the language of the first men. Mine, my sweet pup, is black as pitch with eyes almost the same green as Moondancer. It's truly amazing. I've named her Baelerion...silly I know, but I could not resist.

My husbands are wearied from last night and this morning but I believe I hear them stirring, so I'll end my letter and entreat you to break the news to Stepmother and the others as best you can. Preferably before our return. Cregan will be staying here in the North of course, to gather forces if needs be and to generally govern his lands but Jacaerys and I intend to journey back to Dragonstone at least briefly.

Your Daughter, for good or ill, Baela.

 

My dear Baela,

I fear your Grandmother is going to kill you.

Due to Lord Borros Baratheon being an illiterate cunt Rhaena and Lucerys have already wed each other as well as three other people. You were her last hope for seeing (planning) a granddaughters wedding. You also had a choice to wed or not, but poor Rhaena wasn't awarded that.

Be that as it may, your Queen, whom none of you received permission from to wed, is simply laughing over this as she could not for Lucery's more forced wedding. Hurry home my girl and bring at least one husband back with you. I doubt you and Jace will have long to rest though as we've need of you in the Riverlands...

The cubs are a wonderful sign.

Your amused father (who wants no details) Daemon, King Consort of Westeros

 

*notes sent across Dragonstone from Baela to Rhaena and back, after both are finally returned home*

Dear Sister,

How has married life treated you? I myself am well pleased in both my husbands but you...I know Lucerys will make you happy but what of Aemond? Does he demand your marital duties as well? What of your sister wives? I want to ask in person but I can almost never catch you alone properly. Written may be easier anyways. I daresay you will blush at my questions but I must know.

 

Oh curious one,

Lucerys is of course a utter dream to be married to. Also our friendship is deeper for marrying, once my moonblood came everyone kept us separate more and some our easiness with each other left. Now that we are wed, that easiness is back and I have never been so happy. Some of it is feeling free to pester him into telling me of his intrigues and plans. Those more...cunning ideas that he always worries over so. Happily he also sees me as still entirely capable and competent despite having seen me naked. (I did not blush over much, I am not so frail as that, but really Baela...

Aemond is less a mystery than he seems, for all we have not spent long together. He is terrible at expressing himself in a positive way, growing up learning to keep all his emotions to himself. He has always needed to be strong for his mother, for Helaena, he needed to be perfect for that snake cunt Otto. Aegon was a loss, so Aemond had to shoulder it all.

Even his desire to claim Lucerys eye, he could not truly recall when he started wishing for it. I daresay his mother and grandfather repeated it so much and brought the subject up so much he started believing it. The instant an opportunity to possess Luke in some other way presented itself (marriage) the eye-claiming was lost. He is in love with Lucerys and hopefully between him, myself, Cassandra, Ellyn, and likely soon Helaena, we may be able to help him soften from perfect warrior to decent human. If father can be domesticated, Aemond can. (Also yes and no to your question, he has demanded nothing, but we have lain together as husband and wife.)

Cassandra and Ellyn are lovely and don't deserve a father like Lord Borros. Cassandra's a little arrogant, but she's not intolerable. Ellyn is sweetness itself.

As for any details concerning intimacies...you share first and mayhap I will. Also I am not committing such things to paper and neither should you!

Oh sly one,

I am glad you and Lucerys have fully regained your bond. I cannot believe your goal is to transform that black stormcloud masquerading as a person into any proper form of a human being. Though if anyone could accomplish such a feat, it would be you and Luke.

Helaena may be joining your marriage? Well, I am happy for her at least, what of Aegon? What of the children? Good luck sweet sister.

Did I say I wanted details? Ha! you know me, I want all the details! Details such as why Lucerys looks even more haggard than before especially.

 

Lady Nosy,

Helaena deserves happiness. Her innocent children deserve protection.

As for Lucerys...with Aemond gone he is um...well he must be husband to two women who are well pleased with his husbandly attentions (Ellyn, save for our wedding night is not for such things yet, on account of her youth). I am only gratefull Lady Floris, younger even than Ellyn, is now in Grandmother's keeping, safe from her pig father. But yes, Cassandra and I have much demand for our poor husband, and before Aemond left he was in demand of three spouses. My poor sweet husband. He has taken to going on flights with Arrax to escape our amorous demands I believe. (It is hardly our fault that Father apparently instructed him well in the art of pleasing a woman.)

Again, ought else and I shall keep my words for your ears, not paper.

Lady smug,

Husbandly attentions hmmm...shall I soon expect a little niece for nephew to bless us with their presence?
Jacaerys and I have been so busy we've not had many heir making opportunities since we left the North. We are about to be even more-so as we head off to the Riverlands to support Father's attempts and diplomacy (that don't involve feeding people to Caraxes) with that mess of lords that all want to fight each other.

I am trying to not be put out by this. Mostly though Jacaerys and I just collapse in bed in exhaustion. The most intimate we've been recently was Jace patting my shoulder in solidarity over my less than lady like oaths about Grandfather's tendency to ignore or become deaf to Stepmother when she makes any battle plans. She's been reading books on this, talking with Father on the subject for years...she has not seen battle but for true. However neither has Jace or Luke and Grandfather does not dismiss there words.

 

Dear Sister

Well, if we can get these "peace-talks" at Storms End to work and Aegon really does relinquish his crown. You and Jace and your Northman can have some time for more happy pursuits. I must tell you now, before you depart for the Riverlands and I for Storms End that Maester Gerardy's has confirmed that I am with child. I am both happy and in terror. The birthing bed kills so many...

Luke seems positive a light breeze will kill me now, but hopefully Stepmother and Grandmother can talk sense in to him. Cassandra is understandably morose (though genuinely pleased for me), as she too has been looking for any sign that her womb has quickened.

 

Sweet Sister,

Congratulations! Also I understand entirely your torn feelings. A babe is a welcome thing, but as Stepmother says, the birthing bed is women's battlefield.

You know Luke is worrier, he was always going to worry no matter what once you fell pregnant. So long as he doesn't try to wrap you in lambs wool for the duration enjoy the extra attention. I'll admit to a twinge of jealousy, but not too much as I have hoped to fight if there are any battles.

I must say though, I am feeling a bit like a failure. I was to be the madcap child, yet here you are with four soon to be five spouses. Mayhap I shall need for myself and Jace to find an extra husband (or wife) or too in the Riverlands...there is that dragonseed girl, Nettles I've been talking with recently.

Your not at all competitive twin, Baela

 

Sigh,

Baela...no.

 

Laughing at you,

Baela...yes!

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