AN:
A new story a new beginning. This chapter can be what is classified as a prologue. It will basically cover how Naruto got into the Dayne household and who knows it. A surprise is waiting there. As for people from Naruverse, I think I won't add anyone other than the Kyuubi. Yugao and Mikoto can find themselves here if I fancy that later.
As for the pairings here are my views.
I don't support harems. I mildly tolerate the ones that do have it. I will read it if it is actually very good. Like Fishcake's affair by ihateheroes.
I like Kurenai and Mei from Naruto and Arianne and Dany from GOT. So if any pairings I make won't deviate much from these.
No changes here.
The next ones would be the setting. I will try to start at Dorne then eventually move to King's Landing. I can make Naruto a Royal knight, a tried and tested method. But I don't have anything else striking my minds. Readers, help me here.
Making Naruto a Dayne was a random thought believe me.
Also whoever you are please tell me what the hell is a dishonored theme? I couldn't make sense of your request in your review.
I am putting up The Lysean for adoption. Anyone interested pm me.
So let us start.
DAWN OF THE WHISKERED DAYNE
PROLOGUE
October 10 Konoha
Minato was rushing through final preparations to seal the beast outside, into his son. The delivery was a disaster. Someone had slipped in through the Anbu patrols. The infiltrator killed five Anbu, Kushina's personal guard and Biwako the wife of the Sandaime.
He had sent in a message to Sarutobi that someone had disrupted the sealing during Kushina's delivery and taking advantage of her labour pains set the Kyuubi free.
His beautiful wife was still running a fever and delirious from all that exertion. And little Naruto was fine. He had to admit the whisker marks on his cheeks were cute. Otherwise his son was a almost a clone of his.
The eyes were his,at the least in shape if not in color. The face in its early stages seemed like the only change in it would be its wider jaws. His son was gonna be a ladykiller just like his old man.
Hope Jiraiya sensei doesn't corrupt him too bad. Having a harem and all sounds good but it is too taxing to take care of. He couldn't even imagine having to handle one more Kushina . But in spite of these happy thoughts his eyes teared up.
It was just so frustrating that this would likely be the last day he would be seeing his cute son.
For his mind was made up. He was gonna summon the Death God. Request him to seal the beast in his son at the cost of his own life. His son would be the child of prophecy not him.
For a moment both sadness and joy erupted in his chest. Ironically both were felt because of his new status of fatherhood. The worried father felt sadness that his child would likely have a hard life as people who are often trapped in these prophecies tend to be. And the proud father was overjoyed that his son would likely be the best son he could ever hope for.
With tearful eyes he set foot outside the house. He sent a shadow clone to his genin teammate Mikoto Uchiha. His wife needed someone to take care of her in this state and he could only trust Mikoto now.
Thinking nothing of the ominous words of his wife that was given before he came, he strode forward and teleported away into the dead of the night.
***Dawn of The Whiskered Dayne***
Mikoto gave Itachi over to her mother and rushed out to her childhood friend's house. Fugaku had already started evacuation of the civilians.
She initially did not get along with the red-haired foreign princess. The foreign exotic girl managed to look stunning even in dirtied rags. While she on the other hand had to painstakingly make sure to put forward her best foot forward at all times to impress the boys. But when even her childhood friend Minato fell in love with the princess, she started loathing her.
Thinking back on those memories she laughed at how childish and a brat she was growing up. Eventually she got to know Kushina well and a deep friendship was forged.
From then the three of them were inseparable. It was this bond that made her give her, just a few days old son to his grandmother and seek Kushina out on what could turn out to be her deathbed.
Enough blame was gonna be placed on the Uchihas after this day. The Sharingan in the beast's eye was seen by all. It will be a long time before any other clan trusted them. And it will be even longer before the Uchihas got any more political power. The Hyugas would see to that.
She didn't want to add Kushina's death to that list.
She pricked her finger at the gates and applied it on the seal matrix. The godparents of her son had added her into the security seal of their home.
The seal let her in and she rushed into Kushina's cradle room. She was accosted by the teenaged Uzuki guard Yugao.
"Mikoto-san, Kushina-sama is not feeling well. I request you to give her rest. She is delirious and yelling things that make no sense." The young girl made an attempt to hold Mikoto back.
"Then make way child. This day has not been good for her. She will talk to me, I am an old friend of her. Did you forget I am her child's godmother."
Mikoto went into Kushina's room and she could smell death. Blinking away tears due to her close friend's apparent death she asked," Kushina are you there? Can you hear me?"
"Mikoto stop Minato he doesn't know what he is gonna do?" She hysterically demanded her friend.
"What did he do now? And you sit down you are in no position to move around. "
Kushina did as she was told," He is gonna summon the Shinigami to seal the Kyuubi in our son. The payment is what irks me."
"Why? The Shiki fuuin takes your life for sealing anything isn't it?"
"No, I am not sure of that." she lingered on her breath a little what she uttered next could potentially doom the world.
"It takes the thing you value the most. Minato is prepared to die. At the moment it is not his life that the Shinigami will take."
"What!" Mikoto was rendered speechless. "What should we do?"
"I don't think I have much life left in me. Go stop Minato."
"Yes. Naruto is my godson too remember. I have to be his mother in your absence ain't I? Don't worry I will make him the biggest mama's boy." She cracked a smile hoping it will lighten her heart.
"You better. "Kushina drawled out.
"Yugao-chan, take care of her I think I will have to stop our Hokage.I will Inform the Sandaime." She ordered the young Uzuki who only nodded.
The Uzumaki agreed to do her family's traditional duty.
***Dawn of The Whiskered Dayne***
Sarutobi had worn his old battle armour after a long time. The situation certainly required it. People wanted a leader in the absence of the Yondaime. God knows what the kid was doing. It was very irresponsible of him as a Hokage. But he couldn't really blame him. The Kyuubi out in the world unbound meant he probably lost his wife in the process.
The Hokage position continued to bleed dry those who assumed it. He was almost inclined to believe his medic student's views. But he was of a stronger mettle. He immediately beckoned his only present student. Though he was not good in seals like the toad student of his, his snake will find out a way.
"Sensei, I am here. What do you want me to do?"
"Minato and his family is gone I believe. Investigate what happened. There is no trace of him, his wife or their newborn son."
"Minato is on the Hokage mountain. There is a bundle in his hands." The snake man let it be known. He was glad he didn't get the Hokage position now if this was the price.
Hiruzen kept quite and raced his brains. Minato on the mountain with a bundle could only mean one thing. The only available container for the Kyuubi at the moment was a newborn baby. It meant the Hakke Shiki Fuuin.
"Orochi, if I don't survive call back Tsunade. If Minato is gonna use the Shiki Fuuin. I will offer myself. "
"Sensei ..."
"What? You thought Hokage was all about power. You have always failed to get the bigger picture. It is all about sacrifice. Don't take all that Danzo says to your heart. Konoha doesn't have the divine right to rule over this continent as he would like us to believe."
"He asked me to implant a Sharingan in his empty eyehole." Orochimaru pointed a finger at Danzoasthe culprit for today's events.
"This is not his work. It doesn't serve his purpose. This is the work of a renegade who has had years to fester his jaded hatred. But also he has contacts here otherwise he wouldn't have chosen this time specifically."
"What should I do about his request? " the snake man begged for counsel.
"Give him what he needs but keep an eye on him. He brings more sorrow than glory." Hiruzen reluctantly agreed.
"Kuchiyose: Emma."
"Kuchiyose: Nagina."
The two summons materialized in front of the accomplished ninjas.
"Hiruzen...How grave?" The Monkey King asked the aged former Hokage.
"Very. The Kyuubi is out we will have to push it out of the village.
The snake summon kept her silence.
"Let us keep the fox busy. I can see Gamabunta yonder." The snake and her summon left to do their self-appointed mission.
"The Kyuubi can't harm me physically but it's chakra can certainly burn me." The bigger monkey accepted his shortcoming.
"I understand but first we will have to make an entrance." Saying that the duo leaped into the highest concentration of shinobi they could find.
***Dawn of the whiskered Dayne ***
The baby on the raised altar cried. The man who was his father teared up. It was not the first time either of them cried today. It also will not be the last.
He was gonna burden the baby with a millstone that he will need all the help to even drag. Let alone lift on his shoulders through the sea of life.
It hurt.
It hurt to make the sacrifice.
It hurt to be a shinobi.
Minato shivered as he summoned the Death God. The shivering was due to the presence of the Shinigami it had nothing to do with the claw he was impaled upon. A ten foot demonic entity came snarling. His face was identical to the mask he had seen in the makeshift Uzumaki temple Kushina had taken him. They had spent a considerable fortune transporting it here.
The Shinigami grimaced as he saw the pitiful mortal before him. He was enraged.
How dare he misuse the favor he had given one clan.
The Shinigami decided to amuse himself with the mortal's request for now. "Say mortal what do wish me to fulfil?"
"You see this beast behind me. Seal it in my son over there. It has been out of the seal more than necessary." Minato quipped. All his preparations had borne fruit. Kushina was just rambling out of worry. The Shinigami had taken the first step and asked him directly. What more confirmation did he need?
"As you wish." The entity growled out and did as he was told. Within moments the beast was gone. "Now the matter of my payment."
"Well I am alive. " the yellow flash offered.
"Barely. Humor me for a moment. What about your son? Jinchurikis are seen as weapons, guardians, abominations, leaders everything of the above at some point of their life. Will you leave him alone to face these hurdles handicapped?"
"I have faith in my son. He will tame the beast. He will be the child of prophecy that sensei always talked about. I will be the proudest father then."
"So your son. Your not much different than my intended summoners but your not an Uzumaki are you?"
"No. Was gonna be one by marriage. Guess that marriage will never happen." Minato lightly offered clutching his stomach. Applying pressure there would keep him alive for a little longer. Until this ordeal blew over.
The Shinigami got a closer look at his summoner. No kekkai genkai decreed to be wiped out did he possess. No abundance of vitality, did his spirit possess. Too bad this was the only soul he was allowed to devour and that too stipulated by various rules.
"So you thought your life was payment enough. Foolish mortal. As if your dying embers is enough for me. No, what my payment is supposed to be is the thing that you value the most. I can't make you suffer for your audacity to summon me to seal off a demon of all things. But I can mete out this punishment. The person you value the most is mine."
"No! My son..."
"And there you said it. I was confused there a second between your wife and son. Thank you for clearing it. I will be grateful in the afterlife." The skeletal framed entity in the strange fabric chuckled and broke Minato's heart.
Minato hallucinated about the day he had eavesdropped on Kushina talking to their unborn son. He thought of that as cute and didn't pay much mind. Now it all made sense.
The story of the wandering sage. The clan of wordsmiths. The fearsome beast of chaos.
"What are you gonna do?" He forced himself to say.
"You still have the courage to ask me. I am impressed. As for your question. I am taking him far away. To lands in the Earthrealm itself but chakra as you say it finds it hard to manifest there. The Kyuubi will fade and the world is saved without the need for a child of prophecy. And I get to one-up all the other celestials."
"I am satisfied. He will have a good life there."
"Your testing my patience mortal." The Shinigami didn't waste any more time and took the infant away.
"I still won Shinigami. Naruto Uzumaki was the child of prophecy. I was right after all."
Damn there goes my attempt to die smiling. I am so happy... that I want to sob into the ground.
***Dawn of the whiskered Dayne***
"I was right." Was the words she heard Minato repeating pitifully. She hurried to his side. He had left the hole in his stomach open. The stomach acids had started eating up into his organs.
"Minato can you hear me? Answer me goddamnit you infuriating blonde."
Minato turned his head towards her and smiled. It was beautiful as if he was enlightened today. But the sorrow that brought him was also painfully evident.
"I had the best son I could ever wish for. He was the one Jiraiya-sensei was looking for." He said to her clasping her hands painfully.
"What the fuck are you saying Minato? Where is Naruto-chan?" She asked. He needed to get out of his funk. He barely had a few moments as it is.
"Tell Jiraiya sensei I was right in naming him Naruto. "And he breathed his last.
"Minato. Minato. Wake up goddamnit. I can't lose the both of you on the same day." She panicked.
"Let him go, Mikoto-san. He is dead. The Shiki Fuuin claims the life of its caster." The aged voice of the Sandaime informed her.
She swiftly turned her head. "What is the meaning of all this? Kushina told me to stop him. So I came running. What is going on Hokage-sama?" he didn't respond.
"Seems like the hat would leave me only with my death. I was late. That is all there is. Where is Naruto-Chan?"
"I don't know, it was only Minato here when I came. Nobody else. I swear Hokage-sama. I didn't harm my godson. Or kidnap him or anything along those lines." defended the raven Matriarch.
"Say I believe you, that doesn't change facts. The Yondaime's legacy is missing and I can only see here an Uchiha. A woman of the clan who is the prime suspect in all this to boot."
"Hokage-Sama. You can't be serious. Nobody in our clan has the wretched Mangekyou. It is forbidden under execution to possess it. One madman is enough for our tarnished names."
"Then where is the last Uzumaki?"
"I am deeply offended that you consider Kushina to be dead already. "
"She will be dead sooner than you think. No one can survive the extraction of a bijuu, even the Sage of the six paths."
"Sensei, leave the woman alone. She is as clueless to all this as us."
"Shut up Orochimaru. This is not the time for your newly discovered sense of mercy. Konoha has lost its Hokage, its jinchuriki, its future jinchuriki and half its forces all on the same day."
"Well that doesn't justify accusing a single naive clan. I don't think they have a hand here."
The Hokage and the snake summoner started arguing. Curses flew, death threats freely given, giving Mikoto ample time to recollect.
"I think Kushina knew about this. She warned me to stop Minato. And Minato was babbling something about Jiraiya-sensei here."
"What did he say about Jiraiya?"
A new suspect? Perhaps. The idiot could do it and say he was teaching life skills to his godson.
"That he was right on naming his son Naruto. Whatever that means. And Kushina indicated that Minato didn't know fully about the jutsu he was gonna use."
Hiruzen scratched his scraggly beard. Questions upon unknown questions and not a single answer to be found.
"Orochi investigate this until we can find Jiraiya. Mikoto-san remember more, we will need your testimony later."
Saying that they both disappeared. Leaving Mikoto to surmise what they just pulled on her.
"Bastards, they just pulled a good cop-bad cop move on me, the wife of the police chief."
***Dawn of the whiskered Dayne***
Hiruzen and Orochimaru were sitting in the Hokage' room. Hiruzen had immediately took on the office. Danzo was severely threatened if he dared to disrupt anything. His teammates were given free rein over the civilian matters for the time being. Tomorrow was gonna be the funeral of the Uzumaki family as he had insisted. And still there was no leads to where the infant jinchuriki had disappeared to.
Hiruzen was thinking about giving the portion of the Shiki Fuuin to Orochimaru to investigate where Minato had gone wrong. The only problem was his student's greed towards jutsus.
Jiraiya had given the message that he will be here within the week. Tsunade had also been called back.
"Orochi if I were to retire tomorrow who would you recommend?" A test it was but a much needed one.
"Jiraiya. Today's events have shown me that I am not exactly fit for being a Hokage. I wouldn't have offered my own son. I don't have that much faith in Konoha to look after the child in my absence. Sensei, can I take an apprentice?"
"Apprentice? Why the sudden change? If I recall you wanted nothing to do with children. I had hoped that you would be the second of my students to understand parenthood. Was really disappointed in your self appointed celibacy."
"That has nothing to do with this. And my unmarried status is due to the fact that people think I am a walking corpse. About our new situation of being bijuless I think I have a solution."
"What? I will listen but I can't guarantee about agreeing." a gain of this magnitude may desire much more than his conscience as payment for the pain.
"I have been thinking of infusing bloodlines into possible receptors. It worked on a few mice. The Mokuton being the worst. It's chances are only five percent. The mice only accepted after I fed them a decent supply of Senjutsu. Anything I should know there. Jiraiya is the expert in that field after all." Orochimaru made his case.
"Consult with Jiraiya. Find out why it worked before proceeding. I don't want Danzo to accuse you of being a heartless monster akin to his looks."
"Why do you even keep him around?" Orochimaru could never understand the logic behind that. If that man was such a nuisance why not kill him and end it.
"Well he is a known enemy. All my unknown ones are then collected by Danzo. I can then get rid of them enmasse whenever I have to. Also I do need someone to put the blame if things go worse."
"Speaking of that, Danzo is likely gonna blow this up isn't he?" The snake man wanted to know if his sensei wanted any help in that matter.
"Already being looked into. Without his teeth his bark would be slightly more amusing to watch."
Root was being cleared out. The last time it happened was just before Minato became Hokage. His sensei was of the opinion that he didn't want to burden the new one with his negligences.
"I accept to both your requests. File a request at the academy. Do you want to choose the unlucky kid or will you let me?"
"I have someone in mind. Do you remember Anko Mitarashi?"
"Yes. Jiraiya's favourite daughter. Your godchild. Of course I will remember the female Jiraiya." Hiruzen's eyebrows twitched as he thought about it.
"I am growing old sensei. I need a heir."
"And what does that make me?" He quipped but he understood what he meant. Orochimaru was always easily the most emotional of his students. The fight with Hanzo had poisoned him in ways that made him feel less of a man.
"Your a fucking miracle, sensei! More than fifty years of age and still ready to go out in the field. That is what I will ask Danzo if he puts his head up. Where the fuck was he when his beloved Konoha needed him? Yeah I know playing truth or dare in his secret club with his cronies."
The night went in and many of their worries was drowned in the playful banter. They talked for hours before Orochimaru bid his leave.
***Dawn of the whiskered Dayne***
The Stranger was just going about doing his job when the Elder gods beckoned him. It was too much to wish that they didn't get to know what he had done.
They were the Elder gods for a reason and he the mere ferrier of the dead. The Father lay in his wrathful self atop a golden throne beside him was the Mother in an equally ornate throne. Surrounding them were the other four all scheming to put him down but he was sure he could sway some of them to his side.
"What makes the Elder gods to request my presence? I still have a lot of pending work you know. Today was especially busy for me. The Kyuubi broke out and caused lots of death and destruction. Did you all feel that too?"
"Enough with the barbs. You have crossed us far enough for one day already. What the hell were you thinking when you pulled off your little stunt?" This was the Father or as some knew him the Izanagi or Odin.
"Hmmm. Let me think it might have to do with the fact that the bijuus are now separated, the One Beast can't be revived again? You should thank me but like always I will be scorned. Is it too much to ask for respect and love for me here." He retorted.
"Cut out the crap. I know how you think. That was the farthest thing on your mind. Now atleast say in what position did you put him and the part of Earthrealm you chose."
"All I will say is his new home is less magical for a lesser word. One of your pet peeves it was. The presence of the Kyuubi will surely change that. I put him in the hands of some noblewoman. I don't know who she was. Just heard her prayers to bring back her stillborn child. I told her some mumbo-jumbo of forgetting to put a soul in the babe's body and gave your precious prophetic child to her as replacement. The woman even tried to hug me, The Stranger after that.
I just told her I prefer blondes and went away. You should have seen the look on her face after that. Maybe she thought the little whipper snapper was my dirty laundry." He guffawed.
None of them were amused by Loki as he was called in some parts of the Earthrealm. It was good that they kept a tight leash on this buffoon. Otherwise Armageddon would be upon them because of the said buffoon's stupidity.
"That is fine. You didn't harm much the balance between the realms. You are dismissed. Please take a rest for some time. I don't think the realms can handle a little more of your sugar overdose." The Warrior chided.
"It is times like these that I wish I was a mortal just so I could call out on what a big prude you are." The Stranger said to the Warrior and he huffed away.
"The weakling is sulking. Let him brood for some more time Father. It was quite peaceful without him being here. Tell me that none of you thought the same thing that I am freely talking now. One of these days he is gonna be the death of us."
"Thor it is enough. We understand your point. Keep silent while we discuss the repercussions of these you can blow off steam somewhere else."
"You bet I will." And he promptly stormed off. He may talk to one of his friends. Fighting with them in Kombat always cooled him down. Or may be he could see the little snapper that had caused all this fuss. That sounded like a much better idea. Now knowing what his idiot of a co-worker said he could glean that he was in one of the magic-deficient worlds. Worlds on the edge of collapse show that particular trait.
He also let it known that he was called the Stranger in the place which narrowed down considerably to a small island-continent in a realm that just had its magic sucked out. Long story short one of the gods had thrown a hissy fit as his evil schemes were found out and in the ensuing fight accidently the magic core of that particular realm got sucked out.
Those were thoughts for another day. At the moment he wanted to see a possible champion of his. Loki was a trickster and disrupter of plans extraordinaire but a strategist he was not. The longer vision was always found by him more readily than the prankster.
He immediately teleported to the said place. Sniffing the last place to reek of his coworker's essence he found out the kid. A big healthy babe he was. Sleeping peacefully now no worries on his infantile porcelain face. He was resting against a raven haired woman. Must be the noble woman the buffoon was talking about.
He went closer and ordered in a falsetto voice, " Woman let me look at the child. "
The woman screamed and was about to bolt but he stopped her with his words," I am your Warrior. Why are you afraid of your protector? I am a thousand times better god than the buffoon you met a few moments ago."
"Almighty Father. First the Stranger now the Warrior. Who else are gonna see you, my little man?" The woman asked the mysterious child entrusted to her.
"I am still here, let me have a look at the child. Hey you little man." He softly said as she finally gave in sometime before he started on his second sentence.
"You got a nice grip there. A fine warrior you shall be. I think I have a gift for you." He said before slipping his hands into the air and summoning a straw hat like that of his friend and champion Raiden.
"Grow up strong Naruto." He said before putting the hat on him disapparating away. Raiden was once a demon much like the spirit inside the babe but he changed. Now he is more chivalrous and fair than even some of the gods he knew. If anyone wanted to learn how to be decent and just they just had to look closely at Raiden. And for that He respected him.
***Dawn of the whiskered Dayne***
Ashara sat back with the child. She had lost her daughter moments after birth. Her heart was broken further after she learned the girl's father had married the Tully woman. She should have made him vow on her. He was a good man, too good.
She refused to think good thoughts about him further. She had lost and he was married to another. It was a fool's dream any way. No Lord Paramount would like to marry just a Dayne.
What did a house of barely two hundred bannermen have to offer to the old Kings of the North which commanded savages numbering close to thirty five thousands.
Nightmares were still told of Greatjon Umber the walking giant. A tad bit smaller than the Mountain but many a times skilled. Howland Reed, Roose Bolton, Richard Karstark, Jeor Mormont all had illustrious stories now labelled to them.
She looked at the child again. He had three birthmarks on either cheek like that of a cat or a fox. She wondered what it signified. She had tried to touch the hat that was entrusted to him but it gave her a jolt every time. But it didn't affect Naruto as the Warrior called him. It was a peculiar name. She was not sold out on naming him that.
She would consult her brother before taking a decision. Amongst all this it was unlikely that he would be called a Sand. Blessed by the Gods his case was strong and she had the proof with her.
She was really confused now. What to do? If Rhaegar had won she could just ask him and it would be done. Rhaegar never liked the infamy associated with bastards. According to him, the sins of the father shouldn't be borne by the son. Added to that he was a big prophecy and history nut. With all the omens and divine paraphernalia he would buckle down to the request. But now it was Robert on the throne. She didn't know how much sway Ned had on him.
Dayne was a small house after all. It was only her brother, Arthur which brought it to fame in Westeros. Where was her brother? She really needed him at the moment.
She left the child in the cradle and went to the rooftop verandah. She needed some air to clear her thoughts. And lo behold! She could see a party of raiders coming to her castle.
It was her brother alright, with his shield or on it. Coming closer she saw the Stark banner and her heart skipped a beat.
Why were the gods so merciless on her?
***Dawn of the whiskered Dayne***
Arthur Dayne POV
The only Sword which saw the morning
When everything becomes irrelevant. When continuing to dispose your duties means separating a brother from his dying sister. When continuing to trade blows means you are supporting the annulment of the future King's marriage with his Dornish princess. The princess whose family have for generations been your masters. What drives you ahead then?
Was Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning tarnishing his own name by continuing to defy the inevitable? Especially when the name going to confront him was the same man his dear brother had written to him about.
In the letters he had admired the man at the same time cursed him. But part of the blame lied with his sister too. She was the seducer after all. By the latest news he was to render his sister's upcoming child fatherless.
Gerold Hightower was already bargaining with him. Osney Whent had already decided to surrender. He didn't demand anything of them. He himself had trouble fighting in this war.
Now don't color him surprised. Yes Rhaegar was a good prince and could have made a good ruler. But what he did was a crime that didn't get forgiveness. Rhaegar was the one who insisted the marriage with Elia. He was the one who made his father make the final decision.
Now to throw all that in the name of another daughter of the Lord Paramount was nigh suspicious. Did Rhaegar want to unite the Kingdom with a wife from all corners of his Kingdom. Did he want to give the Starks a greater role in politics to offset the Lannisters unstoppable might under Tywin. Was it just lust?
No matter how he looked at it Rhaegar had lost all trust from him. He had become the very man Arthur despised with all his being.
A being looking for his own growth everywhere and at every moment. Not minding of common decency at all.
"Brothers we have bled continuously for the Targaryens. And each generation they have detiorarated. The last one burned a son in front of his father. The future one abducted the wife of another man. I am not asking to lay down your arms. Just a test to our future rulers. If they are worthy of being the same. Dominionship through mere birth always detiorarates."
"To a final ride. Three Kingsguard against twelve bannerman of the Starks." That was Whent.
"Aye." Giddying up their horses they sprang into the night. The gates of the Castle of Joy were thrown open all semblance of self-preservation vanished.
Three desperate Knights clashed with twelve victorious men.
Within moments Hightower was killed. Whent broke down and knelt. Arthur was all alone again. But he was happy.
"Arthur it is enough. This war has been against all our moral codes. Let us just take them up to the room. She is not well any ways." Whent begged his superior.
"A final fight. Ned Stark the father of my sister's child and me." Arthur bellowed.
Murmurs rose up. The young Lord he addressed rose a thick eyebrow. His cloak was travel worn. His gauntlets bloodied. Otherwise he was looking fresh. Perhaps they stopped to take a rest before.
Ned Stark was fairly tall but he was not built for power. His arms lacked the power of Whent or even his. A man's strength could be easily ascertained by the size of his wrists. His own was the size of two dragons put side by side. Ned Stark's was maybe worth one and a half.
But from the looks of his steed Ned Stark was built for speed. A fact that made him think of young Jaime. Such a clear heart Jaime had and it was so marred with such a clouded mind.
Arthur steadied his hand and let the younger man take the first step. The younger man circled him probing for any openings. Arthur hastily turned his horse and made the way for a weakness. Which was dutifully taken advantage of by the young lord.
Dawn met Ice. A flurry of movements ensued with both combatants trying to disarm the other.
Dawn met Ice. And the Stark was bloodied. First blood went to the Dayne. Arthur smirk quickly went out as he was backhanded with the hand he had pushed forward away from his chest.
The man continued with his steed kicking his horse toppling it. All of a sudden Arthur found himself on the ground.
"Seems like you won, Ned Stark. Before you kill me I have a request. I want to die at Starfall. I won't try to escape you have my word. Where would I run to anyway? Also I bet Ashara is confused without me to lead her on. She was such a shy girl when she was young. "
"I accept." was the young Wolf's curt reply.
"Arthur what was that all about? Why do you want to die? Goddamnit this is not the time to be such a chivalrous Knight."
"Think Osney. Who is that, that remains of the old regime? Who is the one that will remind the new King everyday of his failure? Who will be the ones known as monsters? Us. The ones who imprisoned his lawful wife and for what? The child that was just born upstairs. A child Rhaegar placed lot of false hope on.
We are all men at the end of the day. We all make mistakes. The decency is to admit those. If I live I will continue to make the Young Lord upstairs uneasy. I will forever be cursed by his sister. My name will go down in history as the one who escaped.
We reaped the fruits when it was good now it is our time to drink the sour wine. Don't try to change my mind I am made up in this. Come morning the Sword of the Morning will be laid to rest". Arthur had an intense urge to be poetic there.
"But if you live we can show them who was the real monster. It was not us. We just did our duty."
"And what purpose would it serve. Let me die a monster at least some of the name of the Targaryens would be salvaged. Though we may not be fond of the present ones they did shape our kingdoms." Arthur explained to his subordinate his reasons.
"I still don't like it. I maybe a Knight but I was never as stupidly brave as you. I was always the smartest here." Osney Whent grumbled.
"Never told you to make the same decision as me. " he stopped whatever he was about to say as he saw Ned Stark coming back. Rage was evident on his usually cold features. Did Lyanna die before she could talk to her brother? He was confused.
"How did she die?" Ned growled at Arthur .
"I don't know. I put Wylla to take care of her as we waited for you. And if you were wondering your dear sister eloped with Rhaegar. Not something I approved of mind you. I bet the first thoughts of the peasants when fighting for Rhaegar would have been something along the lines of, if a Lord's wife is not safe from our Liege is mine? So I am not surprised he lost. What I am surprised about is your anger? Did you expect something else? Perhaps reports of Rhaegar raping your sister and holding her against her desires. Sorry to burst your bubble. Now take me to Starfall, I am tired."
***Arthur Dayne POV***
Morning had come and we had reached Starfall. The party had taken the route along High Hermitage where the Daynes of the cadet branches stayed. They may try to harm Ashara. I was sure of that. May the Seven give her strength.
Ashara was never the scheming type. She may find herself out of leagues with them. I may have to smoothen out her path a little. And hearing what this Stark told me it makes me regret.
"Ned I would like it if you did talk to my sister. Will make me regret a little less that I ain't killing you?" I broke the silence.
"I will do. She needs an explanation. "
"You are a good man but you brood a lot. Cut down on the brooding will you?"
"I will try." Ned finally managed.
The gates of my home opened and we were let in. Starfall so named because of the comet that crashed here. My ancestors had decided that this land was ideal for a castle. Not sure of that but the scenic beauty from here was breathtaking.
The Daynes enjoyed one of the richest lands in Dorne. Rolling plains made fertile farms possible to grow coffee and sugarbeets. Some varieties of spices were also grown here. Most notably pepper. The river Delta just near by made all this possible.
My house were once Kings, The Torrentine Kings during the era of the First men. Though we were always smaller in numbers we made due with our superior training and equipments. Our Knights were always held in high regard by the Targaryens and Martells before them. But ever since we were divided into two- one in Starfall and the other in High Hermitage things have been looking downward for us.
Why we have been killing the Tarlys and Oakhearts, the premier knights of The Reach. We were the advisors of the Martells now that position was enjoyed by the Yronwoods. The premier soldier of Dorne was Arrow Hotah, a Yronwood man.
The majority of Daynes' income came from toll that we placed on river trade. Something which was steadily turning away from this part of the island to the Westerlands. Dorne was in by all accounts in recession.
Winter rains were shorter. Trade was at an all time low.
"Arthur can I make a request?" The voice of Ned shut me out of my musing.
"Yes if it is within reason."
"Don't die. Ashara needs all the support she can get. And your the only one dependable. I beg you to atleast consider it."
"I will." And that was what all their conversations were like. Ending in no more than two sentences.
"Wylla was an agent of Varys. My nephew must have already crossed the narrow sea."
"So how was I to know that? I am a Knight not a Lord. I had no interests in the political scheming that you Lord's loved and still don't. "
Ned was taken aback by what I said. So rumors of my monk-like temper had spread wide. Jaime was the one to blame there. The boy revered my every word.
"I then beg you to never repeat whatever really happened in that castle. Robert will himself cross the Narrow sea to kill my nephew. He is raving mad about getting rid of all dragon spawn."
"Brother, your alive. "
"How is your child?" I asked eager to know everything.
"He is fine more than fine. Has already started walking. And it is not even a month yet. Come on brother, I really want to talk to you about something." She whined.
Now what had she gotten into? I wondered.
***Arthur Dayne POV***
I strode in fitfully into the room that my sister took me. Along the way she had brought me up to speed. Not sure she was telling the entire thing but as for as she told me I got the following things in mind.
The Stranger came. The Warrior came and undid whatever The Stranger did and blessed the child. He even gave the babe a name. Naruto. A peculiar name. Maybe it was common in the language that the Gods used. Maybe even there it was a rare and honored name. Also The Warrior left a small token of his appearance in the form of a hat which only accepted the boy.
Quite a incredible story!
I came close to the cradle. The babe was not sleeping nor crying the default setting of a babe that was a month old.
"His eyes were open the moment he was born. Brother will he be blind?"
"No. Look at his eyes following my every word. I'll say his eyesight is better than any child I have seen. But all I have seen is Rhaenys. She opened her eyes after a few days. And even then she could not make out my actions like this babe can. " I dared my hand forward. The babe reached out and held it. What a strong grip!
"Nobody will dispute now that this child hasn't been blessed by the gods. Just look at his grip. He could have been a fine Dayne swordsman."
"But now he will be a Sand." she depressingly squeaked.
"I will be there with you. I was initially going to kill myself but since you need me. I will remain here. The new King probably doesn't want anything to do with me."
"Thank you. Thank you." She sobbingly repeated over and over hugging me to death.
"Naruto. A catchy name if anything though it would have bbeen good if we knew what it meant. My gut says it has some precedence to whatever drama we have found ourselves in. The Gods heard your plea and rewarded your request. So it is our duty to name him what they intended him to."
"Yes, brother. Don't be too judgemental of Ned but. I still love him, though he can't marry me as much as I wished he would."
"Hoster Tully placed him in a soup. The hand of his daughter for an army to command. Any desperate man would have taken it. So I don't blame him but still am not happy with his decision which had to hurt my little Babygoo."
"Brother I am not three now. I am a mother now."
"And again you will always be twelve years my junior. So you will always Babygoo." I teased her. Some semblance of normality was what she needed at the moment. Her nerves were frayed even more than me.
"I suddenly remember why I was so happy when you went away." She retorted.
I laughed. At her pout. At her situation. At my own reluctance in what I had decided to do. At the things we do for Love.
***The End***
Phew! Finished the prologue. Thanks for all the little votes you did for this story. The circumstances in which Naruto found himself here was partially uplifted from Signs written by some dude whose name I can't write. Marvellous story in the beginning but somewhere it loses its focus.
The decision to mesh the Norse gods, Shinto Pantheon and the Seven Gods of GOT was inspired after listening to My Wall by Sunn O))). So here is the guide to them.
Father - Odin - Izanagi
Mother- Dunno - Izanami
Warrior- yes that is Thor - Susanoo
Stranger- Loki - Shinigami (Shinnok)
Maiden- Idun/ Sunna both fit - Tsukiyomi - Artemis maybe.
Crone - Amaterasu - Athena I don't know her Norse counterpart.
Smith - this is none other than Hephaestus
Of all of them I can say The Warrior and Stranger fit in very well with what I have envisioned.
I know I might have made quite a few enemies with some of the things I wrote about Rhaegar. This story will never bash anyone. Not even Sansa when she acts like a bimbo. But what has always irked me is the fact that Rhaegar is seen as some holy cow even though he basically is a wife-stealer. Do you all honestly think the peasants fighting with him felt safe about their homes that day during the battle of rubies?
That of the so called honorable knights only Jaime acted out against blatant tyranny is another downer.
Everything is forgiven when you are a genius like GRRM. But I am not. So my decisions in writing so. Hope you all liked it.
Also guys how did you like the POV portion? Knowing that GOT was in majority written like that I tried an attempt in that. Let me know if I should continue writing like that.
Should I make Naruto a good old Knight serving first as a page for the Royces? Or will the path of a travelling mercenary eventually landing in Dany's heart and clutches work out for him? Is he gonna be called Sand initially? Am I gonna revel in killing off Arthur Dayne and follow in the footsteps of GRRM? Why the fuck did I write about Raiden?
Find out about these in the next chapter. The first chapter of Dawn of the whiskered Dayne.
Guys please review. Feed me moarrrrrr!