Chapter Text
❖ ALAIS TARGARYEN ❖
...Alais Targaryen was purported to be the consequence of secretly snatched moments between Ser Criston Cole and his queen, with Alicent's pious reputation affording protection for their sins. The youngest of the Targaryen children, she was singled out by Viserys as a means to broker peace between his warring wife and daughter by wedding Alais to Jacaerys Velaryon. However his efforts were in vain, the union doomed to failure from the start, with Alais observed to be in tears throughout the entire ceremony. Meanwhile, Jacaerys's heart was rumored to be elsewhere, in the possession of the Lady Baela Targaryen.
Rhaenyra Targaryen took against her daughter-in-law from the beginning, only acquiescing to the alliance to humour her ailing father. It was said she was reminded too much of Alicent whenever she looked upon the girl's face, a living reminder of the loss of their once close bond. Such strife only soured the marriage further despite Jacaerys trying to treat his wife kindly, oft defending her against his own mother. But when Aegon Targaryen declared himself king, Alais's place became precarious, putting her life in peril. Despite now being with child, Alais was forced by Rhaenyra to prove her loyalty by accompanying Jacaerys north on dragonback, an arduous journey that would have repercussions.
Seeing he had no choice but to obey, Jacaerys set out to seek House Stark's support for his mother's claim, Alais's arms wrapped around his waist as they flew towards the barren North. The pair were welcomed at Winterfell, but Alais took ill soon after their arrival, requiring the maester's services. As she recuperated, Cregan and Jacaerys hunted together, swiftly forging a strong friendship. However when grievous tidings came by raven that Lucerys Velaryon had been slaughtered at the hand of Aemond Targaryen, Jacaerys turned on his wife, wherein it was believed he would have struck her if he had not been restrained by Lord Stark.
Grieved and guilt-ridden at almost raising his hand to Alais, Jacaerys delayed his return despite his mother's demands, staying by Alais's bedside. When it became clear she could not travel, not at the risk of miscarrying his heir, Jacaerys finally made the decision to leave his wife at Winterfell, knowing he could not guarantee her safety. With Rhaenyra now rallying the banners against Aegon, Jacaerys's marriage would come under fire, leaving Alais exposed. At best, she would be held hostage by Rhaenyra; at worst, her life would be taken in revenge for the loss of Lucerys.
Jacaerys thus departed Winterfell, never to see his wife again. It was said he and the Lady Baela became lovers shortly afterwards, seizing their only chance at happiness together. In spare moments, Rhaenyra sought to tear asunder the union between Jacaerys and Alais, not wanting Alicent's bloodline to inherit the throne and also Driftmark. But at Jacaerys's urging, Rhaenyra reluctantly allowed Alais to remain at Winterfell for the time being, entrusting her prisoner into Cregan Stark's custody, whilst charging Alais in her absence with treason.
Despite the dowager queen's pleas, Aegon disowned his sister, declaring her a 'whore and traitor'. In vain, Alicent sent raven after raven to Winterfell, begging for her daughter's release. An attempt was made on Alais's life in the wake of Blood and Cheese, the assassin slain by Cregan Stark during the assault. Alicent blamed the Blacks, cursing Rhaenyra for trying to take her last remaining daughter from her. Whether Rhaenyra was responsible, is open to question, but she was heard to say she too 'had lost her only daughter, and it t'would have been a fair exchange'.
Cregan Stark was reputed to have treated the captive princess kindly during her imprisonment. However, Jacaerys's death at the Battle of the Gullet seen Rhaenyra naming Joffrey as her successor, as well as the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to Driftmark. Distracted by greater demands on her time, that was the last Rhaenyra afforded Alais her attention, still refusing to release her from Cregan's custody. Abandoned, alone and great with child, Alais remained at Winterfell until the Hour of the Wolf, wherein now free, Alais took her future into her own hands by instructing Cregan Stark to carry out her strictures.
The first of her requests centred on the right of inheritance. Jacaerys's unborn child, if a son, should have been acknowledged as heir to the throne and Driftmark, with all its rights reinstated, but Alais, to the surprise of all, voluntarily rescinded such claims, surrendering it to Aegon The Younger instead. Wherein Aegon wed Jaehaera Targaryen in an attempt to finally unite the warring factions, a union that would prove as doomed as Jacaerys Velaryon and Alais Targaryen's had been. Alais's second request was to have Baela Targaryen named as heir to Driftmark. The third was her mother's life should be spared and Alicent to be as treated kindly as Cregan had treated her.
Such requests were graciously granted, and Alais went on to deliver a daughter after a long and difficult birth. Yet the child soon drew her last breath before sunrise, much to Alais's grief. A year later, Alais would quietly wed Cregan Stark in the godswood, becoming Lady Stark, and was said to never lay eyes upon her mother again...