And welcome back to chapter 2 of Return of the Black Dread, please enjoy. I got a lot of positive reviews, a couple of mixed ones and several in between reviews. Overall it was very well balanced and accepted. I will be publishing the next chapter to Reading RDK soon, but right now I have a lot of projects I am reworking and pushing out, that is the main reason you haven't seen a update yet seeing as you have all been looking at either new publishings or otherwise and for that I apologize to all of you.
Robert Baratheon watched in excitement as the dragon's all fought in what could only be described as a dance of death, a Dance of Dragons. Several of them had already fallen to the ground, defeated or dead, their riders also dead from being crushed under the weight of their dragons or the sheer height of the fall with their beasts. However, with the battle moving out and away from his city, he knew he only had one shot to see what this army of dragon riders wanted.
"That was fucking awesome!" the king cried out with a bellowing laugh.
"Robert, will you calm yourself, we need to prepare for these dragon riders in case they decide to attack us." Cersei said in a small amount of anger.
"Oh hush up woman,don't act like you didn't feel like you were watching a battle between dragons as if it wasn't like a bard's tale." Robert growled out, his excitement momentarily fading away. But his curiosity went to new highs about the mystery of how the dragon riders appeared over King's Landing, who the riders were, and what they could do after the battle had ended.
"While I am not disinclined to agree with her majesty, I must urge caution Your Grace. These are dragons, fire breathing dragons. And there are dozens of them. One of them is large enough to shadow a quarter of the city and put out fires started by a dozen of its brethren with a single flap of its wings." Tywin said to his son in law. Tywin was trying to be the voice of reason because Robert can be impulsive and don't think with caution that the riders could be a threat to his rule or what their sudden appearance could unleash on the Seven Kingdoms or the world at large.
"But this is also an opportunity to see if we cannot make peace with this group of dragon riders, see if they would be willing to ally with King's Landing and start an order of dragon riders of our own. If we need to, we can spread the riders out across the remaining kingdoms as a way to control the unease in the population." Varys said calmly. He would always support the Targaryen rule, if doing this allowed for one to be put on the throne, then he would do anything to make it happen. After all, Varys is a true follower of the Targaryen right to rule the Seven Kingdoms.
"Why would we do that? I say we ride out there and force them to bend the knee and give us what we want. And what I want is that black dragon for myself so I can subjugate my enemies, and if they don't bend the knee, I will force them to be burned by the dragon and then eaten." Joffrey said madly with a gleam in his eyes that if the common people were to view, they could see the insanity that lives inside of Joffrey.
"And I will make sure you get your wish, my child." Cersei said to placate her insane son. Joffrey can be her son, but she knows that she needs to control his more sadistic tendencies because if something were to happen to Robert, Joffrey will be named the king of the Seven Kingdoms with that her power will be reduced by obtaining the Regent title that she will only keep until Joffrey is of age and by that she would loss the regency and when she is not useful for Joffrey she could be toss aside or maybe he could order for her head to roll if she angered Joffrey in any form.
"Yea, you wish to force men who ride on creatures with the ability to burn you with minimal effort to bend the knee, good luck with that." Tyrion said he may love his nephew but he can see that his current thought could and would get him death, before looking at Robert, "Your majesty, what needs to happen right now is we need to take a small portion of the gold cloaks in the city and ride out and meet with these riders in person. We need to establish a form of communication with them, and see what their intentions are, and if they prove to be peaceful, then make deals with them, and if they are hostile, then we need to formulate plans to fight back against them." The Imp said pleadingly Tyron could be small in comparison with his own father but his intellect can surpass some of the people that are members of the Small Council with how he can see that trying to be aggressive with the dragon riders brings doom to those that antagonize them.
Seeing as the city had a population of roughly 850,000 or so citizens, it wouldn't hurt to bring 15,000 gold cloaks as an escort and there would be plenty remaining from the 200,000+ guards left to protect Kings Landing and its population.
For once, Tywin Lannister was actually impressed by his short son. He had actually been about to suggest the same course of action himself, but his youngest had beaten him to the punch, he was actually kinda surprised. Ned cleared his throat, "Uh, people, have you forgotten? The name that one of those riders roared out just so happened to be the very same name as one of the dragon skulls hidden under the Red Keep, one the entirety of the world knows so well it was considered a fable." he stated. The fighting had quickly come to a stop when the large silver/white dragon had fallen to the earth, its body crashing to the ground with a crashing thunder from its sheer size. He could only assume that it had been either slain by a spell or the larger black dragon had killed it. After viewing how some of the riders were using magic he started to think if this means that magic will return after being an almost extinct craft.
"Yes we all heard him very clearly, he called the beast the same name as the skull under the keep. What do you want, a fucking pastry Stark?" Jaime asked sarcastically.
"No, I'm just pointing out that something is amiss." Ned said, causing the group to pause momentarily where they all looked to the new Hand of the King, "Why would a man who rides a dragon that is that big, and that dark scaled, call his mount the very same name as that specific skull under the Keep?" Ned asked, causing all of them to look back and think, only to come up with no answer.
"Well, that is a curious answer, but I would like to think that the one under the keep is more than likely named after the large black dragon we witnessed flying about the city earlier." Tyrion said calmly, "It is well known that the original Conqueror of Westeros had a black dragon named Balerion who came to be known as Balerion the Black Dread, but what not many know is that the man who would become the ruler of the kingdom after him, a man named Rhaegar Targaryen, also had a young dragon of his own and he even named it after the beast when it was born as a way to honor its forefather, and though it never got as big as this dragon named Balerion-it too came to be known as The Black Dread." Tyrion said calmly and factually, "What we have seen, my dear friends and family, is the original Black Dread and its brethren appearing in the midst of battle above the city in a similar fashion as the tales speak of the riders vanishing mysteriously. I believe a sort of spell was cast, but went wrong and thus hurtled them through time and they somehow ended up here in our time." the dwarf explained.
"I agree with the imp, that actually makes sense for once." Arya said as she jumped into the conversation.
"Arya, watch what you say." her father said.
"What? He actually said something that made sense. The riders used magic, the spell went wrong, and they ended up here. What is so hard to understand about that?" the sixteen year old replied, answered and asked in one sole moment.
"Arya has a point father, Lord Tyrion does speak a very plausible theory on why they suddenly appeared here in King's Landing en masse the way they did." Sansa said in agreement with her sister.
"Oh bloody hell, just shut up the lot of you." Robert said loudly, "We are going out there, all of us, and we are going to see what these dragon tamers want. Gather half the gold cloaks and have them mount up, we leave in five minutes. All the knights in attendance mount up as well, we may need their help too to speak with these people." Robert commanded.
As what the King wants, he usually gets unless they want to end in his bad side.
With a call, a large portion of the knights and gold cloaks mounted up and rushed out of the city.
Naruto offered a final prayer to the graves of those that died during the final battle and past friends that he would miss because of the jump into the future, after all what other thing the spell going wrong did, if it didn't kill them. What he now needs to do is to think in the present and prepare for the future after all his life has been one adventure after the other.
The once glorious House of Dragons was once more united, but at a cost none should have to pay; for it was paid in blood. His father had always told him, Live for something; or Die for nothing. He hadn't understood the meaning behind the words then, and even now he admits he was still at a loss to the meaning of his words; but he understood well enough. He stood back up, feeling his knees pop from having been kneeling to long, and sighed. Turning he saw the remaining members of the two Houses and the dragons. He gave a whistle, "Each of you, mount up. We head to the ruins of Castle Dragonstone, there we will start to rebuild. House Blackfyre will take control of the castle once it is rebuilt, and when I see fit, will once more begin the practice of Dragon Breeding for House Blackfyre to rebuild the number of riders we have. I will be taking several members of the Blackfyre House with me and we will be returning to Valyria to see if we can salvage anything of use. Until then I l-" he stopped as the sound of thunder filled the air… only… it didn't exactly sound like thunder.
Naruto cursed as he realized what was coming, "Mount up now! We have enemies that are incoming!" he commanded as he jumped up into Balerion's saddle, the dragon soon rising to its full height while the remaining riders rushed to their dragons as fast as they could, they had enough time, if only just. The sound of horses racing across the ground at a gallop could only spell trouble if they were ill prepared. It took the better part of four minutes for the other riders to climb onto their dragons before a call that an army of horsemen had arrived, easily 15,000 strong.
When the army of brave, but incredibly dumb, horsemen came to an immediate halt, Naruto urged Balerion to the front of the pack, his large form eclipsing a quarter of the army under his magnificent shadow, casuing several of the horsemen to back up nervously as the gigantic reptile stepped to the front to shield the remaining dragons and their masters. Naruto's voice echoed out, "Whoever is the leader of this… charge, I would advise you to step forward and present yourself. That is, if you want all these men to live to go home and fuck their wives and love their families for another day." he commanded.
A young boy, roughly seventeen winters of age by the looks, snarled at him, "You dare command my father, Robert Baratheon, King of the Seven Kingdoms and Ruler of Westeros like a common peasant, I'll have your head on a pike before I claim your dragon for myself, so I use that stupid and mindless beast against my enemies and watch the world burn if I command it to do that!" the child whined out in a non noble manner that it appears more as a tantrum by not getting what he wants.
"And you will do well to hold your tongue when speaking to Naruto Aegon Targaryen, Conqueror of Westeros, and Commander of House Targaryen and House Blackfyre, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. Rider of Balerion the Black Dread. It might just save you the suffering of being eaten alive by the dragon you so callously insult." Visenya snarled back, "And spoiled brats like yourself have no place in talking in the affairs of grown men, which you most certainly are not." she spat.
Joffrey saw red at the words this woman flung back, "She insulted me! Bring me that whores head, and mount it on a pike!" the brat snarled, only to cry out when a large fat man slapped him hard enough to throw him off his horse and into the mud at the feet of his horse.
"Will you shut your fucking mouth boy. I can speak for myself. If I wasn't so sure you were my child, I'd sooner toss you off a fucking cliff." the man snarled, "If you haven't noticed they have dozens of dragons, which when facing any regular damned army, can literally wipe the warriors all out with just one. Or do you forget the pack leader of these beasts name." the man bit out angrily to his son.
"B-But father I-" the boy whimpered out only for the man to snarl angrily at him, "Don't you dare speak to me at this moment boy. You pissing these dragon tamers off would only serve to kill us all. If you utter one more word during these talks, then I'll put your fucking piss ass cunt for a head on a pike myself, do I make myself clear boy?" the man demanded, clearly not in the mood for the boy's antics that were getting on his nerves. With how if something does not go as Joffery wants he is so easily willing to kill someone. One thing that Joffrey needed to learn is that if he continues to treat or kill all his subjects over simple things, he could end up creating not a potential rebellion, but a full fledged war in which he ends up dead as the small folk would be the main contributors to the front.
The boy's head was cowed down, "Y-Yes father." the boy responded weakly.
Robert sighed deeply in annoyance, "My name is Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros and the Seven Kingdoms that was united by the power of Naruto Targaryen four hundred years ago. I have come here to speak with you about your intentions. We intend for no harm to befall you or your mounts. If you are willing, we may sit around a fire or something to speak about brokering a possible alliance." Robert said diplomatically, after all the dragon tamers; or better said the dragon riders could decide that they don't like Joffrey threats and they decide to order their dragons to attack and that could end in a massacre.
"What happened to the Targaryen Rule that was established? Naruto ensured that a member of House Targaryen would always sit on the throne." Rheanys said in confusion as she and her dragon walked up to stand next to Balerion while Visenya moved her own dragon to the Black Dreads' opposing side.
They had noticed how the man named Robert has said four hundred years, so that question could come later.
"It is unfortunate to say, but when the former Prince Rhaegar kidnapped a… love of mine, I couldn't take the heartbreak of what he did to her and it was I who mounted a rebellion against the crown. I slew the prince in an act of revenge and came to be king shortly after the war. However, I would also like to point out I am a quarter Targaryen due to my grandmother marrying into the great house milady, and while I am not as worthy for the crown I am eligible to wear it by blood and by right of succession." Robert spoke peacefully. She was beautiful, but he wasn't stupid not to recognize the two women next to the man at the forefront of this large pack of fire breathers.
"Well, I can understand you wanting revenge, but still the slaying of anyone of royal blood is still considered treason as it is Regicide. However, I won't condemn a man who fights for the people he loves, so you have my respect Lord Robert." Naruto said calmly, Balerion shifting his weight a bit under him.
"You shall address my husband with the proper decorum, peasant. That is King Robert Baratheon, and you shall speak to him as such." Cersei snarled.
"You there, woman of Lannister blood, hush. These talks do not pertain to you." Visenya spoke harshly to the current Queen Regent. After all, Visenya knows that even if she has power under her control by having magic, she knows that men could never accept a female at the leadership of peace talks. Especially in a World that is controlled by MEN they will see Females as inferiors, that they have to put in their place that is under their control and accept all their wishes.
"She kinda reminds me of Miria Lannister to be honest, her looks almost make her a twin." Rhaenys said calmly, and until she has the opportunity to meet her in a more personal form could decide if she is not a simple look alike.
Naruto sighed and shook his head, "You have me at a disadvantage madam, but I think a proper introduction is made on my behalf." Naruto said as he reached up and removed his helmet, "My full name is Naruto Aegon Targaryen of House Targaryen. I was born in Valyria nearly twenty years before the Doom destroyed my home. I set out to uniting Westeros under one banner as a kingdom of peace. I built a throne from a thousand blades surrendered to me by hand and dragonfire. The only Kingdom I had left unconquered was Dorne, and that is because they were the only ones who never fought us in open conflict. But for reference you may call me Naruto the Conqueror, First King of Westeros, Protector of the Realm." Naruto said calmly.
"And you think that means something to me, I am the Queen now, your line ended when your foolish descendant forced my husband to rebel." Cersei scoffed. After all the Targaryen is a dying bloodline, and if she could be able to end it at her first opportunity.
"Cersei, I will say this one time and one time only." Robert growled, "Shut the fuck up. One more word from you and you will be joining that brat on the ground in the mud. If I have to, I'll cut your tongue out. You and Joffrey are ruining relations just as fast as I am trying to build them." he said, "So, do the world a favor and be silent. You are to be seen, not heard." Robert huffed at his wife's look of offense. Shaking his head he looked to the Targaryen founders, "I apologize, my wife and child aren't usually this crass. I would like to broker peace with your house, but unfortunately I am at a loss. It is not every day that you meet some of the people who created a dynasty like the one you have." he said, climbing down from his mount with a bit of difficulty, "So, will you be willing to speak in peaceful conversation my Lord and Ladies?" he asked.
Naruto looked at Rhaenys and Visenya and nodded his head, "Visenya, you and Rhaenys head into the mountains with the others. I will remain behind with Balerion for these talks. Lord Robert and I shall converse alone for the time being." he said calmly to his sisters.
"If it's all the same to you, I think I'll stay." Visenya said.
"Yea, I'm not going anywhere. Nice try though." Rhaenys smirked.
"Eh, can't say I didn't try." Naruto shrugged, "But if it pleases the group, I will stay with my dear sisters and three mounts. I will have Ryden lead the others into the mountains until talks are complete." Naruto said loudly.
"Of course sire, I will protect the remaining members of our house with my life." a man of thirty that had the typical Targaryen platinum blonde hair said on the back of a crimson dragon, "Let's go. Until his majesty Naruto and Ladies Visenya and Rhaenys return we will build camp in the valley." he commanded, as his dragon Shrykos leapt into the air which then led the remaining riders into the air after him.
At least if peace talks went south, and the three of them perished, the dragons would survive and return to their Targaryen family. Though it was highly unlikely.
Robert cleared his throat, "Thank you for being this complying my lord." he said before turning to Jaime, "Take the army and return to the city. I will stay behind with Ned and Tywin to conduct the peace talks." he commanded, "Take my wife to her room and have a guard posted outside the room to ensure nobody enters or leaves. Same as the children. I will not have my bloodline be wiped out if things turn sour here." he said seriously but also thinking with a swift mind that only a person that has played the game of politics could make.
Though he didn't know that none of his three 'children' were not actually even his.
"My king, if I may interject, I would like to stay." Tyrion spoke up.
Naruto spoke up in curiosity, "May I have you name short one?"he asked.
Tyrion nodded his head, "Of course my king, I am Tyrion Lannister, son of Tywin Lannister of House Lannister." he said as he jumped down from his own mount, which was surprising as it was a full grown horse and not a pony which was expected of a dwarf to ride. If Tyron was able to ride a full grown horse, it must be said that he has courage that surpasses his body size.
"Tyrion, I would advise caution." his father urged as the dwarf calmly approached the gigantic trio of dragons.
"It is fine father, I know what I am doing, please have faith in me." the imp pleaded, causing Tywin to back off reluctantly.
"Why is it you wish to stay for these talks, young Tyrion?" Visenya asked.
Tyrion walked up to Balerion, the dragon's large head placing itself on the ground to gaze upon the short human curiously. This human showed no fear, only immense joy and happiness about seeing him and his brethren. The Imp of House Lannister smiled softly, and slowly reached a hand up and shakily put it on Balerion's snout and let out a shuddering breath, "I never thought I would see a living breathing dragon. Let alone three, or the dozens that flew about King's Landing today. You see, when I was a child, an uncle asked what I wanted for my name day. I begged him for one of you." he said, speaking not to Naruto, but to Balerion, "'It wouldn' even have to be a big dragon.' I told him. It could fit in the palm of my hand. 'It could be tiny, like me.' I said. I didn't care about the height of the dragon. Everyone laughed like it was the funniest thing they had ever heard. My Father had the delightful pleasure of telling me that my name day wish would never be granted because the last dragon died out one hundred years ago. I cried myself to sleep that night." commented Tyrion with Tywin wincing at his sons now fruitful words which had caused him to feel a bit ashamed at what he told his youngest son.
Tyrion continued to speak, his heart pouring out to the large dragon, "But here you are… Alive, grown, and amazingly beautiful like I had imagined you to be." he said happily.
Balerion snorted, and darted his long black tongue out and surprisingly gave Tyrion's hand a gentle lick. His deep voice reverberated through the present group of humans who had not seen a dragon before, [Oh I like you human. I didn't think a human like you would exist outside my master and his sisters. Hahaha, if you so wish, I shall allow you to ride upon my back to grant you your long awaited wish. You shall see the world in such a way that riding a horse will be nothing but a distant memory.]
"He speaks!" Ned exclaimed in shock.
"Alright dwarf, you may stay." Visenya said, hiding the small amount of tears she had shed at the dwarfs' words, though she hid it well.
"Yes, my dragon is amazing, don't you see mother? I want that man off my dragon so I can bring it to heel." Joffrey cried out.
However a loud menacing roar from said dragon aimed at the boy stopped all those plans when the back of his mouth began to glow a bright orange, [AND WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? TO CLAIM YOURSELF MY MASTER IS AN INSULT TO BOTH MY TRUE MASTER AS WELL AS MYSELF! I HAVE HALF A MIND TO BURN YOU TO ASH HERE AND NOW FOR SUCH AN INSOLENT THOUGHT!] the dragon roared out in rage, nearly throwing his rider off.
"Calm yourself Balerion, I know he has wronged you but that doesn't mean you have to throw me off the saddle!" Naruto cried out.
[Hmph, count yourself lucky boy that my Master is more rational than I am at the moment. If I were you, I would be very careful when you are in my presence. As far as I am concerned, only the dwarf has my respect and permission to speak to me from your current group, and he is the only one I will permit to ride upon my back besides my master.] Balerion growled out in suppressed anger, [If I were you, human, I would be very careful when you come near my greatness. If you so much as dare try and claim me as your personal pet, you will find that the end result will not be as pleasant as you desire. Now leave, before I simply burn you here and now.] the dragon snorted out a cloud of smoke from his nostrils.
"Amazing…" Tyrion whispered, "I thank you, my friend." he said happily.
Groaning in annoyance, Robert made a note to punish the brat later himself and he wouldn't be nice about it, "Well, I believe the time for negotiations has begun, so, let us begin negotiating." Naruto said as he dismounted his dragon with great caution as he eyed the group ahead of him.
Robert cleared his throat, "If it pleases you, I will allow anything within my power, so long as it is not too demanding." he said as the army and his family were spirited away, though young Arya's voice could be protesting about wanting to pet a dragon like the Imp had. Ignoring the girl, he walked up and held his hand out to the living legend. Naruto firmly returned the gesture and they shook hands. Motioning in a direction not towards the army and his friends or family nor to the dragons, Robert ushered them to follow, "This way, I usually have a camp set up not that far from here." he said plainly.
"Thank you, maybe we can enjoy a bit of venison while we're out here." Visenya said as Vhagar tried to follow, "Stay, Vhagar. Mommy is gonna be right back." she said, patting her dragon on her snout as the creature seemed to whimper sadly. Her gifts had yet to truly manifest, but the dragon was surprisingly vocal when it came to her desires.
Rhaenys smiled softly as she gave Meraxes a pat on the neck, "It's alright baby, mommy will be right through the woods. If it makes you feel better, then you can fly around and keep an eye on us." she assured her dragon as she gave it some tender loving care. The dragon seemed appeased by her words for Meraxes gave a shrill cry before she leapt up and flapped her wings a couple of times and flew up and began to circle the group.
Naruto turned to Balerion and pointed towards the city, "Circle the city and keep an eye open for any trouble. If anyone comes within a half mile, kill them regardless of their intentions." he said before a loud roar escaped the Black Dreads jaws before a clap of thunder signaled his take off into the sky. Naruto then turned to Visenya, "Visenya, send Vhagar out to scout around for stragglers. You never know who might be pillaging the corpses of our comrades or their dragons." he said.
"You heard him, go on. Keep an eye on those graves so nobody pilfers them for mommy, maybe I'll get you a deer for dinner later on." she said sweetly to the dragon who snorted a cloud of smoke at her before taking to the sky and flew off at an incredible speed. She really had her baby wrapped around her finger. Then again her baby was the same when it came to her as well.
Double standards were strange weren't they?
Naruto followed Tyrion, Robert, Tywin and Ned through the woods, his hand pushing brambles out of the way so he could keep up with them. Rhaenys and Visenya followed behind him and kept an eye on the rear so they wouldn't be ambushed. Walking past a few more bushes, the group entered a relatively spacious clearing that had a fire pit and a camping tent set up for overnight stays. There were several weapon racks that held six spears apiece and each was well maintained showing their owner took good care of them. Naruto watched as Robert grabbed some wood and threw them into the pit and grabbed some pitch and set it under the logs and then quickly lit it using a piece of flint and the edge of a dagger.
With the fire now burning the new King stood up and turned to the first rulers of his kingdom, "So, we have discussions to get done right, let's get this done before people begin panicking over our absences shall we?" he asked as he motioned to several seats around the low fire, "Where would you like to start?" he questioned them.
Naruto shrugged calmly before he walked to a log that was directly across from the Baratheon male and sat down, "Well, before we get to that let's get some the fact down right. First things first, I noticed that you mentioned that it had been four centuries since my creation of the kingdom, care to explain?" he asked calmly.
Before Robert could, Tyrion spoke up with a raised hand, "I believe that I might be able to fill in any possible blanks for you there." he stated.
"Of course, anything that might shed some light on this predicament would be most useful." Visenya said calmly, though the fact she was sharpening her sword showed how nervous she actually was right now.
"Ah yes, of course my lady." the dwarf spoke kindly, "See, when your reign was coming about, Magic was a prominent thing almost anybody could do. During the Dance of Dragons, the two opposing forces were said to have simply vanished in a flash of light after Lord Naruto cast some type of spell." he said motioning to the man.
"That's King Naruto to you, but yes that seems to match up with what happened." Rhaenys spoke calmly.
"Well, when you and the two opposing armies vanished into thin air, many speculated that he used some type of spell that eradicated the dragons as well as the riders who flew on their backs. Well, a side effect from that also destroyed much of the worlds magic as a result and the remaining dragons from your house slowly died out. The last three dragons managed to breed a new generation of dragons, but the breeding only caused problems as the dragons bred continued to grow smaller and smaller before the last dragon was born both deformed as well as the size of a mastiff before it died at a very young age. Well, with your return, the dragons, as well as the presence of magic, many will see this as an omen of sorts. Some good, some bad, and some outright ridiculous at the thought." the imp stated.
"Makes sense, but dragons are the ones that supply us riders with magic. We aren't naturally born with the power to cast magic spells and stuff." Visenya spoke.
"What do you mean?" Tywin asked.
"The dragon's we hatch have to imprint on the potential master in order to grant them use of magic, but the young hatchling has to grow a couple years before training in any form of arcane arts can actually begin." Rhaenys specified for him.
"I see." the leader of the lions said quietly.
"Not only that, but if the newborn dragon imprints on someone else, then the potential rider needs to wait for a new dragon egg in order to try again, and dragons won't mate all that often as one would think." Naruto clarified, "In fact most matings end up in the death of the father or mother and in some rare cases both partners. While Dragons usually mate for life, the fathers are still quite edgy over potential enemies for additional mates that it might take and they rarely do not fight as the males are very territorial." Naruto stated before clearing his throat, "And there are vast differences between domesticated and wild dragons as well." he said, gaining curious looks from the present day warriors.
As far as they were concerned, this was all new information or lost information claimed to be a fable.
"What difference would that be?" Robert asked.
"Well, for one, the dragon's born from a domesticated bloodline are smaller, slower, and magically inferior as compared to the dragons who are born from a natural and wild bloodline and don't live as long. The dragons born from the wild are not only bigger, but they are far stronger and faster as well as have the ability to use much more magic than that of their domesticated brethren and can live for up to a thousand years if they don't get killed in combat or by other means." he explained.
"So, does that mean Balerion is a very old domesticated dragon? He must be ancient if he is that large." Ned stated.
He didn't expect for the three Targaryen founders to burst into laughter.
Visenya had to lean on Rhaenys before she fell off her seat, "N-N-Not even c-close!" she guffawed.
Naruto cleared his throat to calm his laughter, "No, he isn't old nor is he domesticated." he clarified, "In fact Balerion is younger than I am. I'm in my mid early twenties, and Balerion is still young enough to be considered a young hatchling. He's just abnormally big for a twelve going thirteen year old dragon." he said, shocking the three men to the core.
"He's only eleven years old, my god,it is said that the dragon rode by King Rhaegar was 200 years old when it perished, and by then it was the same size as your dragon." Robert said with wide eyes, not quite comprehending how such a thing was possible.
Naruto shrugged, "Like I said, the difference between the two is easy to spot." he said before sighing, "Old Elecomun was nearing her first millennia of age before she died in the fighting. She was the white dragon that chased Balerion and I through the city. She was a wild dragon, but from what the stories say she was the youngest of her clutch and as such she was the smallest." he said before looking up to see Vhagar and Meraxes pass by, "I found Balerion while he was still in his egg somewhere in a cave back before Valyria was destroyed. He was born from a near obsidian colored egg with no markings like the others of the clutch, and his egg was almost the same size as my torso when I was a child. When he was born he was the size of a good hunting dog, and his magic reserves matched some of the older dragons that were as old as my grandparents. I was able to learn the arcane arts earlier as a result, but Vhagar and Meraxes were born about five years later and they too were from a couple of wild dragon nests. We were lucky that their parents weren't around or else we wouldn't be here." Naruto explained.
"And do you think there might be other eggs located in the old Freehold of Valyria?" Robert asked. He wanted a dragon, and if he could claim one he might be able to get more which could allow him to protect his reign a bit longer, if only from the Targaryen's returning to power.
Hey, he may respect the dragon riders before him, but he wasn't to keen on just handing over his seat of power, not after what the last Targaryen dynasty did to him and to Lyanna Stark. He wouldn't allow it. And while he wasn't mad for power like the Mad King had been, he still believed that the days of dragon kings were done and over with.
The three dragon riders shrugged their shoulders, "I don't know, it's hard to say. While the Valyrian Freehold was destroyed in the days of the Doom, a good portion of the peninsula remained intact after the destruction so anything is possible. However it is highly unlikely that anything lives therein the ruins. Dragons used to have a nasty habit of claiming destroyed castles back before the War of Eight Kings and thus we had to fight them off and keep them trapped in the borders of the Freehold which usually took several hundred riders as the dragon's liked to roam a lot." Naruto explained honestly.
Robert felt himself curse inwardly. He had been hoping for something that would allow him to possibly extend his reign over the dragons, but some things weren't meant to happen he guessed.
Tywin cleared his throat, "Well, with history lessons now complete, can we now get down to the reason why we are here in the first place my lords, to negotiate terms of agreement and hopefully create a treaty of some kind?" the elder Lannister said questioningly.
Ned nodded in agreement, "I am in full agreement with Lord Tywin, we came here to discuss terms of neutrality, not history and dragons; though it was rather enlightening to learn both categories." he stated.
Naruto nodded his head, "Fair enough, my first term is this. I want my throne." he immediately stated.
"Denied." Robert responded just as quickly, "And it's not because I don't wish to give it up, but because of the repercussions of my giving it up to you." he said and held up a hand to stall their complaints, "And before you go and get political on my ass about it being your rightful seat, remember, I was the one who slew Rhaegar Targaryen who was the heir to the throne at the time in the battle of the Trident while his father was killed as he wanted to destroy Kings Landing, well you would knew it as Aegonfort it was destroyed by your successor Rhaegar and built in its current location and be renamed as King's Landing seeing as the dragon's of your house would often be seen flying about and frequently landing in the area." Robert clarified.
Naruto shook his head, "And while I find your titles befitting one of your position, let me remind you, you also committed Regicide by murdering the Crown Prince who is of my house. Now, I will not hold it against you, wars have been fought over lesser things than love, but see it from the people's point of view, you fought over a woman, you killed their prince and usurped his rightful place as king. Many see you as unworthy even if they do not tell you to your face. The smart thing to do would be to step down and help the rightful king learn the ropes of properly ruling the kingdom. Now, we will not discuss the potential for war if I am not given what I want, I'm not petty nor childish, I just want my throne, hell you can remain king, just give me the one I had forged and get a new one built for yourself to sit on." Naruto proposed.
Tywin shook his head this time, "It wouldn't work. The Iron Throne is the seat of power in all of Westeros and it has become known as the Throne of Kings throughout the years. A large percentage of the population would see it as you trying to usurp Robert in that Regard, and even if he were to have a second throne forged from swords, your's would still be the original seat in which dozens of kings sat before Robert claimed it in his rebellion." he stated.
"Again, he was also the one who subjugated the majority of the kingdom with his dragons with the exception of Dorne which was married into the dynasty nearly a century after he and his riders vanished from the face of the earth." Tyrion pointed out, "If it pleases the majority of you, I say let him come to a meeting of the small council and lead the kingdom for a couple months and see what changes he can make for the empire." he suggested.
"Yea, no not happening Imp." Visenya stated sharply, "It's either we rule as we claimed and intended to, or we fight for a throne, and I'm pretty sure nobody wants that. The death toll alone would weaken any kingdom and all it would end up doing would be hurting the smallfolk in the long run." she put it out there for them to hear.
"And while that may be, we simply cannot have two kings running such a vast empire with clashing ideals. The policies and diplomatic ideals alone could spell trouble for the empire as a whole." Ned spoke.
"Well, that's actually not true." Rhaenys spoke, drawing their attention, "Before the Doom there were actually three kings who helped run the empire along with the Targaryen's and their dragons. The Houses of Celtigar, Velaryon, and Blackfyre respectively helped our father who was I guess you could say the High King, ran the Freehold of Valyria for generations before its destruction. Hell, if anything it might just work as if not better than back in Valyria." the woman said, waving a hand at them.
Robert once more shook his head, "Not only that, Ned, but the clash of ethnics and policies may just bring further instability. And while I am all for giving up my seat to run my house as I should have twenty years ago, I am not willing to relent in status and return to being a common lord, again I'm sorry." he said with a grunt.
"Well it seems we are at a impasse Lord Robert. What with you not desiring to give up your throne to it's rightful ruler and me vying for what was originally mine to begin with." Naruto stated.
"We can put that on the back of the discussion for now, let's move on to other discussions shall we?" Tywin asked calmly.
"Actually, I think I might have an idea that could work if you both listen to it." Tyrion offered.
"Well what is it?" Visenya asked callously.
"Why not, and this is all up to the lot of you to decide if you want to do it or not, but why not have Lord Naruto become the Lord of the Dragon's Reach and the Dragon Riders and set up a series of patrols throughout the kingdoms under the rule of King's Landing. Anything and everything related to the Dragons will be under his jurisdiction and he will answer directly to King Robert." he offered.
"That's actually not a bad idea." the Warden of the North spoke to himself while he rubbed his chin in thought over what the Imp of the Lannisters had said.
"Very well then, I will consider it. What say you, King Naruto?" Robert asked the dragon king.
Naruto hummed in thought and nodded, "I'll think on it as well, but for now we shelve this plan."
"Alright then, with problem one solved for the time being, what about living arrangements for the two Houses; House Targaryen and House Blackfyre?" Tywin asked.
Visenya spat a glob of saliva out, "Oh that's a simple one. We originally were gonna have House Blackfyre return to Castle Dragonstone and begin rebuilding it so they could rule the surrounding lands before returning to breeding the dragons back into higher numbers." she stated, "However, we never really discussed the arrangements for House Targaryen due to the fact you and those horsemen arrived before Naruto could issue his commands to us." she said to the Warden of the West.
"That works perfectly for the time being. Dragonstone needs the occupancy and there have been numerous discussions on rebuilding it these past few years and even a couple of generations before your return with a couple of the past rulers." Robert noted, "Though I don't really give a damn what any of you do there, so long as it doesn't interfere with my life." he said waving a fly away from his face.
"Well that's one problem solved, but the dragon's numbers alone present a problem. The stables that were built into the cliffs aren't large enough to house all the dragons currently alive, and I doubt any of their riders would like to stuff multiple dragons into those caves at the same time. They were going to be expanded while I was in charge, but the Dance of Dragons happened and shit went to hell before I could actually begin the expansion of the stables so the dragons could live somewhat comfortably." Naruto stated as he adjusted himself in his seat.
"Well, what about spreading a portion of the dragon's and their riders throughout the empire. Places like Runestone, Sunspear, Storm's End, Casterly Rock, Eyrie and Winterfell each and all have plenty of places for the dragon's to live and grow with some comfort if need be." Tyrion stated.
Tywin and Ned both shook their heads, "That is definitely out of the question. The sheer numbers of both riders and dragons in each of those places would be akin to subjugation in the eyes of each of the rulers and if not they would more than likely assume they were being spied on." Tywin stated.
"Well, I was actually thinking of having the dragons of House Targaryen just burn the ruins of Valyria down to the ground after saving anything of value such as literature and maybe the original crowns of the other kings, maybe even the armories and vaults above ground. However, the sheer number of men required to do even that would be near 150,000 as I assume the deserted ones accumulated the incurable Garin's Curse, but I would assume that you call it something else here." Naruto said.
"Isn't that the old name for Greyscale?" Tyrin asked and got a nod from Ned.
"Yes, but the old name was Garin due to the fact the magician Garin Pendragon cursed a man and any who he touched to be driven insane and slowly die." Visenya pointed out, "But, with our dragons we should be able to stay alive long enough to gather what we need." she said.
"We aren't going for the riches. We're going for minor things. Forgotten knowledge, some tools and weapons, maybe some armor if we get lucky. But for right now, the goal is the same, get what we can from the freehold before coming back." Rhaenys stated seriously.
"Precisely. Annals on blacksmithing would be considered priceless, and any weapons or armor would be considered legendary in stature. We riders don't need the armor of course seeing as we are wearing Valyrian steel armor and have Valyrian steel blades and small weapons. Anything else of value would be pricey and as such need to be handled delicately." Naruto commented.
Robert leaned forward, "How about this, if you get several of those books for making Valyrian Steel and some other things for me, and I'll give you a seat on the Council. I will ensure that if the worst should happen to me, then you shall rule until my eldest son is ready. Do we have an accord?" RObert said.
Naruto raised a hand, "Not quite." he stated, "Your eldest son, I'm afraid, probably won't ever be ready to rule. I know you won't like hearing this, but the fact he cries over someone telling him to shut up and immediately demanding for their head to be cut off, demanding we simply bend the knee and hand over our dragons, demanding us to address someone who holds the same titles as us as a better person-no offense to you there-it makes him seem like one of the Mad Ones from back home when they didn't purge the child born of incest with magic." Naruto said calmly.
Robert sighed, "Yes I have taken notice. Ever since he could walk all he would ever do is try and hurt people for some sick reason. He cut open a pregnant cats belly and ripped the litter out in some deranged notion to impress me. After I beat the snot out of him, he only got worse and worse no matter what I did for him." Robert admitted, "Sometimes I don't even think he belongs to me. I've seen plenty of my bastards, and let me tell you, almost all of them have my hair and facial structure. He looks too much like his mother, but it could be just me overthinking things." he stated tiredly though he didn't notice the curious look on his father in laws face by his admission about his eldest.
Naruto cleared his throat, "I know it isn't my place to judge, but if it makes you feel any better, plenty of boys turn nuts even from the strangest of things. No matter what happens, the gods are always judging us by our actions, and maybe it's the stubborn youth, but if he grows up,he might just be one hell of a king." he said to the man. Collapsing his hands together Naruto motioned towards Robert, "So, some books on Valyrian metallurgy and some trinkets, am I right?" he asked.
"Yea, maybe even the old Baratheon Valyrian Crown used by my ancestor before the Doom of Valyria as well." the king added.
"We do this, we get a seat on your council?" Visenya asked.
"Yes, and like I said before,if the worst was to happen, then you could rule until my boy grows up." the current king said.
The entire group knew the truth though. Robert was willing to give his throne up forever as they all knew, Joffrey would never grow up and pull his head from his ass. His constant whining and his ideals on how a King should be were nothing when compared to the actual thing.
Naruto cleared his throat, "Well, it looks like we're going home girls. Just the three of us, and we won't be gone longer than a week. We get back to the Freehold, grab what we can, and get the hell out of there. No goofing off, no mindless wandering. In and out." he stated.
He was not ruining his chance to get his throne back, and if he had to get some old books from his home, then so be it.
However, shadows were lurking in the darkness, and players were setting the board up to their desires. The only question was, who would make the first move?
Would it be the mighty Dragon who had yet to taste the bitterness of defeat?
Would it be the greedy lion who knew that it could get anything it wanted with a few honey laced words?
Would it be the sneaky snake hidden in the crowd waiting for the opportune moment to strike?
Or would it be the stubborn wolf who didn't know when to mind its own business?
Ok so mainly a filler chapter, not exactly any action, but next chapter should have something interesting happen. But regardless that is all for now. LIKE/FAVORITE/FOLLOW to show the story the support, and please please please don't forget to REVIEW/COMMENT to let me know what you think of the chapter so far guys.