"Father? Lord Velaryon, I believe there is something you want to tell us?" The King addressed the man.
"Indeed, your grace," the lord agreed without looking at his sovereign. He did not bit the command perceived by very few as a polite request immediately, instead he lifted the silver cup and emptied its content. At that angle Draco saw how young the man was and how very different. His father was not old, albeit months in Askaban and years of Crucio robbed his face of its health and grace, Lucius Malfoy was not this youth with wind-chafed face and broad shoulders. When the man put down the cup, he smiled, a knowing smile and sharp eyes on a face a shade too beautiful for a man. "Let me introduce my little brother, Draco", a shorter pause and, "Waters".
Am I?
"Is he now?" the King asked not entirely convinced.
"Third son of my late father, the boy has always been a peculiar one, comes of being a baseborn, I imagine".
"The boy shows more of your stock. Your father had the reputation". The tone the monarch used broke no argument.
"Brother, you have been sorely missed. Come, let me show you to your cabin", the young lord left the table and paced its length, never breaking the eye contact. "If we can be excused, your grace".
"Not so soon, Lord Velaryon. The boy still has things to answer for." The witch smiled gamely and faced the King. "The boy might be of Velaryon's seed, but you are the King and it is your duty to purge the world of darkness!"
A choir of voices erupted in a sync, the Queen's voice loudest of all. "The night is dark and full of terrors!" The simultaneity of them startled Draco, but the rest of court did not bat an eye, as if the moment was mundane and habitually common.
"It's true the boy has powers, but he is stained. There is darkness in him, corruption, his soul was sold!" The cough of surprise broke away from the wizard's throat. He watch at the madwoman and almost cursed. "His soul belongs to Him, whose name is never spoken, the Great Other, the lord of Darkness!"
Voldemort!? How does she know? The hair on the back of his neck prickled, there was no water in his dry mouth, but he had to swallow.
"Enough is enough, witch!" the Velaryon man's voice cracked the air as a whip. "You insult my family no more! Keep your R'hlor and your worshippers away from my blood. Come here, Draco".
The Malfoy stood there stupefied, next second he moved towards the man who claimed he was his brother. The absurdity of the day would never cease, it seemed, but an odd and entire unfamiliar emotion stirred deep inside him, it was unwelcome, but strangely comforting feeling. Draco Malfoy was not ready to unpack it at that moment. As he stepped forward, the Red woman barred his way and snatched his left arm.
"Here, Your Grace, Lords and Ladies, witness the brand of slave!" The witch ripped the sleeve of dead measter's tunic, beneath an ugly mark in shape of a skull and snake stood out against his pale skin. "The abomination, the most worthless of men, a bastard! The Lord of Light will feast tonight on his flesh, and when his black powers dissolve, the R'hlor bestow true power on You, the Prince that was promised, the Fire of the Realm, King Stannis!"
"King, King, Stannis, the King!"
When the cry of fervent voices washed over the boy, Draco Malfoy lashed out.
His hand shot forward and clutched the ruby choker on the woman's neck. He pulled it back, the metal squeezed her soft flesh, now her unblemished face was turning red. As he suspected it was not a simple trinket, her heartbeat changed and the ruby was glowing prettily in so many shades, sending uneven pulses. But try as he might he could not take it off, at last he simply channelled what magic he had to break the ruby. Almost there... But when the witch's claws circled his left arm, he saw it, My ring. There it was, banded on her finger, black obsidian and silver snake engraved on tourmaline. How is it possible? No one can take it off of me. Was I completely void of magic? Impossible! His right hand caught her wrist and squeezed it with all strength it still possessed. He wrenched free his left hand and clasped it around her forefinger. The Red woman saw then what he was trying to do and fought back, she was strong, unnaturally so, but the ring had the master and slipped easily off her. He was about to put it on, when two different pair of hands reached for him. A slap came from a slender hand, but Draco had forestalled and slapped it back, but then a burly kind of hand snatched the ring and was about to knock him. He closed his eyes, preparing for collision, when something slithered around his torso and a second later he was sprawled on the floor, next to Maester. The putrid odour of bodily fluids assaulted his senses, it was enough to calm him down. When he turned back, he saw the Red woman on her knees, fighting for the breeze of air, she was not so stunningly beautiful now, in the arms of the ugly queen. The boy in motley was hovering around, jumping gaily and singing one of his stupid songs. The King stood in front of them facing the Handsome Lord. Now the antagonism was tangible.
"If the boy is this barbaric, I understand why you kept him secret. He must be caged and chained, for the safety of people and more so for your own, Lord Monford."
"It is not the way our family treat their children. The boy is young and stupid, the way they always are at their tender age."
"Have you hurt a woman at his age?"
"Never. Admittedly though never was I threatened with bonfire. A woman or not, the priestess is as much at fault, as well as a thief." The young lord held out his hand.
His Grace took his time, leisurely examining the ring, he span and traced the silver. Then he flipped it over and tossed it into an open hand.
"No, that is my ring!" The witch finally found her voice, lost of its exotic flavour it was shrill and pitched.
"Since when?" Lord Velaryon turned around and offered his hand. For once Draco did not think twice, he grabbed the extended hand and found his clumsy feet. The man did not let go of his arm, instead he squeezed it lightly.
"What does it matter? The Lord of Light has offered it to me as a gift."
"Does he? I thought the red was the only colour he preferred. Either way, the ring is my family heirloom, we do not part with our treasures quietly."
"You have your stone, now all of you will stop this bicker!" The monarch warned.
"Thank you, Your grace. It was unseemly of my little brother, and I beg your forgiveness. The boy is half-wild and so frightened, let us put aside what has occurred. The House Velaryon offers its annual sea life profit for the followers of the Lord of Light. Let it be known, our house respects the God".
"It's not me or the God you should be asking for mercy, Lord of Tides. Melisandre is the one who suffered the hurt". The King stated in a way that made Draco question wether it was R'hlor he worshipped more or the woman that he subconsciously lusted.
"My lady", the voice was clipped, but the smile that was blooming on his handsome face take some intensity away of his tone. "The lord of light is merciful and so are you, I've heard. The boy is young and yet to see next winter, let him learn the wisdom of your words. Kind lady, accept our small offerings... please".
"The only offer I accept is him, the boy must burn!" The witch stood abruptly, light purple bruises sprouted about her slender neck. "Take away your empty gifts, the Lord of Light has no need of your wet money!"
"As you wish", the young man sighed. "But when I go, I will take my ships, my men-at-arms and my apologies".
Half a hundred men raised from trestle tables, a green seahorse embroidered on the front of their surcoat. Men still seated at their benches turned their heads left and right, occasional grumbles were coming from here and there, all in low muttering and humming.
Harsh sound of grinding teeth irritated Draco's nerves, he glanced at his Grace.
With a hard clenched jaw and narrowed blue eyes the King was watching at his vassals' men. Draco did not know much about the politics of this world, but he knew defiance when he saw it, it was a ticklish situation for any king, but it appeared this one had already been too familiar with it. The wizard allowed himself a hope, however small it was, he kept it close to heart.
"You go too far, woman", the King declared. "Have not Old Cressen been enough for Lord of Light? Young and old, your God leaves ashes, it's swords I need..."
"Your grace!" His lady wife broke in.
"Silence!" The man was not practiced at softening his speech. His eyes zeroed in on him, his daughter's pretty eyes, they scrutinised him from heel to head and fixed on his face, they did not like what they saw, not one last bit of him. "Life has taught me to not put trust in my brothers, rightfully so, never have I ever felt my brothers' love. But look at you... I wonder how much you would risk for your bastard brother, Lord Velaryon?"
"Much and more", the answer was.
Something was cracking inside him, Draco sensed.
"I see", the King nodded. "Take the boy. We had enough of folly for a night. But come morning I want him punished, the lesson must be taught. He will miss his hand next time he assaults a woman."
"Thank you, Your Grace. The boy will learn his lessons", a solemn promise was proffered. The man pulled him towards the entrance, together they exited the hall.
Here's the reveal, no one guessed it right (no attempt either T-T). Actually it was Lucius Malfoy with his black ribbon who served me as an inspiration for this ff, unfortunately, with his world view and pretty near innate bias he wouldn't fit into this world, but Draco is a different story... My man Monford Velaryon isn't exactly the very picture of LM in my mind's eye, but he does bear some resemblance. Initially I wanted to tag him as one of main characters, but he isn't on the character list in this website (when even Jinglebell is there?) On a different note, how many of you have already watched the teaser of House of the Dragon? The show-Velaryons will have a different skin colour, but since Draco is pale as milk I decided not to change the physical appearance of Monford and Aurane, it'll match the book description. Anyway, have you chosen the house to root for? This nerd is on a #teamblack ehm..