Wonder and terror was in everyone's heart upon seeing the Cerulean Serpent-Dragon approach King Aerys' camp. Joy and awe filled their cries as they saw their Prince Rhaegar riding it. The magnificent creature circled around them several times, before landing.
From her back emerged Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Dayne, their Prince and a stranger dressed in blue, the Wizard who will be known as Alatar. King Aerys was the first to greet his son, and with a few words, the Prince introduced Alatar the Blue to his father, and Nu Wa, the Unsullied. Wonder filled the King's eyes as his son told him of his story, and joy when he told them that the dragons needed food.
Immediately, the King called to his lords. "Give them whatever they want!" He cried before turning to the Serpent-like Dragon, her body coiled next to the Wizard in Blue. He spoke to them as a man might speak to dreams, and demanded as a man consumed by the milk of the poppy, that they bring the rest of the other dragons to him. With grasping hands, he called to the Serpent Dragon, called her Vhagar, for was she not a reincarnation of that terrible beast from the Dance?
Sadly, neither dragon nor wizard understood his words. So, impatient Aerys, mad Aerys, tried to mount Nu Wa, who patiently endured the King's antics.
He fell and sprained his ankle.
The king would have attempted it again had his son not stopped him, arguing that they should wait until both sides have learned of each other's tongues. With great hesitation and anger, the King agreed.
Immediately, food was sent to the Place of Miracles as the smallfolk have begun calling the clearing with the two trees. And with them, came trusted men to guard the area from outsiders.
For the following days, dragons came to the King's camp. There had been many of them, of different shapes, sizes and ages (each of these Aerys tried to ride, with little success). They came alone or in pairs to pay their respects, and with broken words and hand gestures, showed that they desired no war with the King; only leave to rest and heal. They bowed, allowed men to touch their scales and wings before promptly returning to their clearing.
Days passed into a week, and soon other creatures came to pay their respects to the King: Walking trees and giants who could change their shapes. The Westerosi Lords were struck with fear, and in the depths of their hearts, desire to master such creatures. The trees introduced themselves as Ents, and they were led by their matriarch, Willow Long Leaf, a towering creature that did indeed look like a walking Willow Tree.
From the giants came Ingethil, who claimed descent from *Thuringwethil, "She of Hidden Shadow," and widow to Huror, a minor chieftain of the Beorning. She flew to them as a giant bat, and there were many lords and knights who were confounded by her. But when she landed, she, too, spoke haltingly to the King, and pled succor and respite for her people.
To these strange and fell creatures, Aerys gave his consent… so long as he had the friendship of the dragons, inviting them to come to King's Landing and serve like the Targaryen Dragons did of old…
It was late afternoon when Narsologalagon landed back in the 'Place of Miracles.' The other dragons were fast asleep, surrounded by cow's bones. The Ent-Wives had gone somewhere in the forest, but Nars knew they haven't gone far away. The thrice-damned "Great" Eagle was still unconscious, but the Ent-Wives had done much to tend to his wounds. As for the Skin-Changers, a few were carrying wood in their bear forms. They were in the process of building a tiny cabin.
When he landed, he was greeted by three of their company who wanted to know about Alatar. Nu Wa was there, as was Willow, the Ent-Wife and a Gigantic Bear. They were soon joined by Blaugh, another four limbed dragon like Nars.
"Well now," Nu Wa said, after they had concluded pleasantries. "You seem pleased today."
"That I am. The King's relatives arrived today, and Alatar and I impressed them, I think. The wizard had played the conjurer to the King's second son and the young grand-daughter, while I had impressed the nobles." Nars tried to search for Pallando, and he found him staring at the giant Weirwood. "How long has he been like that?" he asked Ingethil.
"Most of the entire day, and all throughout the afternoon," the Giant She-Bear answered before anyone else could. "When I ask him about what is so interesting about the Tree, he dismisses me." The Bear then transformed herself into her human form for the convenience of speech. Ingethil stood almost 10 ft. tall, lanky and a little too lithe in comparison with her kind.
"What other news of Alatar? How is he?" Willow asked.
"Well enough. He can speak broken Westerosi now. He has even taught me some," Nars answered. "I give you bread and salt. That's an ancient Westerosi greeting," he said proudly. "I have also met the King, and have even spoken with him, as many of you have-"
"Did he try to fondle you?" Blaugh asked in an annoyed tone, while scratching the stump of his left arm. Red scaled and slightly smaller than Nu Wa and Nars, Blaugh was a four limbed dragon long ago, but the Servants of Sauron had demoted him to a three limbed drake. Like most of their company, Blaugh had come to the King's camp to pay their respects days ago, and to make clear that they are not a threat.
Aerys responded by clumsily poking at his body parts.
Narsologalagon frowned at the question. "He tried to mount me, if that is what you mean?"
Blaugh raised an eyebrow. "And did you?"
"Yes, if you must know," Nars answered a little defensively. "He wanted to fly. So fly we did. Against Alatar's advice, I must admit, I bore the King and when we're finished he wept tears of joy and clung to my face."
Blaugh scoffed, but Nu Wa frowned. The serpent-dragon coiled tighter into herself before speaking. "You have done ill. That could-"
"I flew slowly, and the King's leg's was securely strapped to my back."
"That's not the point!" Nu Wa said. "I will speak with Alatar on this matter when he comes back, and we w-."
"Speak to him all you want! But I will not do as you wish." And Narsologalagon's eyes tensed. "Nor will I be a wizard's pawn."
It was then that Willow spoke in her usual gentle tone, but with a hint of anger. "Alatar and Pallando saved Narsologalagon of Harad. Hm Hoom. As they have saved all of us here. Were it not for them. Hm Hoom Ha. We would still be prisoners in the Morgoth's Crucible. Hmmm Ha. Or dead."
"Not for any love of us," Nars shot back immediately. "The Wizards only saved us to prevent the Enemy from turning us into weapons! Did not Sauron desire to turn our fledglings into weapons, as Morgoth did of old? Help us they did, but it was help given out of a Wizard's of schemes."
Nu Wa was angry now, and she slowly uncoiled her body.
"My lady!" Willow pleaded, knowing that she could do little to stop the two dragons from tearing into each other should words turn into threats.
It was Blaugh who halted the violence, his rough old voice brimming with authority. "What Nars said was true, Lady Nu Wa. You and I know this." And then he turned to Nars. "But to say it was all for self interest is folly."
Narsologalagon opened his mouth, but quickly closed it and leaned back sullenly.
"What Nars say is true," Ingethil spoke now, too, and not wishing to escalate the situation gentled her voice. "But they could have abandoned us at any time, to fight the wars in the west, in Gondor, along with the rest of the Istari. But they have stayed with us. And we owe them to at least be patient." And she looked up at the Nars with animal-like eyes. "I am sure that they, too, have considered the merit of what you propose." And before anyone else could speak, "Now, you were going to tell us about the King?"
Nars' face was sullen for a moment, but it quickly changed to boredom and he lied down on his haunches.
"Listen then. The Targaryens rule a vast realm. Rhaegar showed Alatar a map." He then looked at Nu Wa. "You saw it, too. Do not deny it."
Nu Wa glared at him harder.
"They had conquered this realm using Dragons. Large ones they told Alatar and I. They had conquered it many generations of men ago, but war and folly had rendered the dragons extinct. And now, the rule of the so-called 'Dragon Kings' is waning. Our appearance to this land changes that." Nars looked at everyone. "We have an opportunity here. The Old King looks at us, and he sees the glories of the past." An amused smile entered his face. "He called me Balerion?"
"Balerion?" Blaugh asked.
"The Black Dread," Nu Wa spoke. "It was one of their ancient dragons. "Apparently, its skull was preserved in their 'Red Keep.'"
"Wonderful," Blaugh said sarcastically. "And I thought the Little King could not be more delusional."
"More than delusional. This family of his worship Dragons-"
"Worship Dragons as weapons you mean," Nu Wa interrupted. "Just like Morgoth did. Just like Sauron, or have you-"
"Aerys is not Sauron, nor does he have his power."
Nu Wa was going to say something, but Blaugh beat her to it. "And you want us to ingratiate ourselves with his family; become their new Dragons?"
"Why not? We would be fools to ignore such an opportunity." Nu Wa kept her silence, but her face showed what she thought of the suggestion. The Ent and Shape-Skin-Changer looked unsure.
Blaugh gave voice to their musings. "What about the others? Would they be asked to play their part as well?"
"They can do what they want, but Aerys has promised 'Balerion ' his friendship to 'ALL' of us here." And he looked at the other faces one by one, daring them to argue. "We are interlopers in their lands. Their lands. Did not the Wizards tell us not to steal or squat on other's properties. An open hand is extended to us. Let us take it."
"And what if there's war. Hoo Humm," Willow asked. "Will you fight?"
"You have known only war, Ent-Wife," Nars retorted. "But this Westeros is not like our world. There is peace here!"
"Peace and war are like the changing of the seasons, especially for men." Blaugh said sagely, scratching at his stump.
"Quite." Ingethil added. "And my people are much too depleted to fight. And the Ent-Wives were never meant for battle. Peace there may be now, but you have said this yourself. The Targaryens conquered this Westeros. War was-"
"If tomorrow there should be war then let me and those who wish to fight, fight!" Nars snapped disdainfully. "Meanwhile, the rest of you can heal and rest. For free if you are so weak. Anyone who joins me can-"
"Healing and rest, we need," Nu Wa snapped suddenly. "But I know what you want, and you would risk the rest of us for your greed."
Willow and Ingethil tried to speak, but they were quickly cut off, while Blaugh reared up tensed his claws, preparing to stand in front of the two dragons. The Westerosis who were sent to guard the clearing from outsiders noticed it too, and readied themselves.
"Greed? You wound me, my lady. I say this because of practicality. All this land belongs to the Targaryens. We are interlopers."
"Only for a little while. There are lands to the east. Alatar says there are places where no man-"
"Empty wastelands, and dangerous from what I've learned, you stupid cunt."
For a moment Nu Wa was speechless, and she roared, "Mongrel spawn of Morgoth. I'll…"
"My lady Nu Wa." The voice was Pallando's. He was walking to their circle. "All the dragons here, barring yourself, has had their parentage partly twisted by the Enemy."
Nu Wa briefly looked at Blaugh who smiled at her forgivingly, and she was shamed. She would have asked for pardon, but Pallando raised a hand for silence as he made his way next to Willow and sat under the shadow of her leaves. "In any case, Narsologalagon is right. The lands beyond this narrow sea are dangerous. Alatar and I have spoken about this, and we are in no condition to make such a difficult journey…" Nars looked pleased, but Pallando looked at him harshly, his weathered hands griping the sabre on his belt. "But, ingratiating ourselves to this King Aerys is folly too, and incredibly stupid." His voice was like a whip.
"You fear him Pallando?" Ingethil asked, curious.
"Of course, I fear him!" The wizard answered. "I fear him for what he may do to you, all of you."
"I don't!" Nars snapped. "For all their numbers, these are still men-"
"My dear Narsologalagon. Remember your ancient kinsmen, Scatha and the Glaurung. Remember Smaug who was felled by a man. Remember them and know that hundreds of Dragons have fallen by spell and poison; trickery and folly."
"And pride," Nu Wa added.
"And what would you have me do? Sit here and do nothing! We-"
"Not at all. In fact, I want you to befriend this king." And Pallando turned to Nu Wa. "You too, my lady. Seek their friendship, but give not your allegiance. There are many dangers to this world, and Alatar and I are still trying to understand much of it."
It was then that Nu Wa frowned. "I like not this place, Pallando. It reminds me too much of East Harad. There many among them who plot and scheme. Alatar and I saw it with our own eyes, when we came to their camp."
"I know my lady," Pallando sighed. They talked some more, of Westeros and the Targaryens, of their hurts and of healing, of the past and half-baked ideas for the future. Briefly, they spoke of their time in Sauron's Crucible, but no one wanted to dwell on that.
They would have spoken of more pleasant things but then
Pallando paused, turned to look at the Weirwood Tree and started glaring at it.
"Master Pallando?" Ingethil asked. "What's wrong?"
"It was…" he said, as he turned again to face them. "Nothing."
"A strange bit of nothing," Blaugh said.
"Ha Huuu. What have you learned from the two trees, master Pallando?" It was Willow who spoke now. "I have seen Mallorns before, though not many. Ha Hoom. There is something fell about that one. And the other one. The natives of this land call it a Weirwood. It sings a dark song."
The non-Ents looked at one another, disturbed.
"A dark song?" Ingethil asked, troubled. "We know that Sauron wished to find those trees, and that it was Morgoth who crafted them in the First Age, but surely-"
"Helped craft them," Pallando corrected. "Morgoth had helped craft these trees but he was not alone. We had assumed mistakenly that when we were still in Arda, but now that we are in this world, Morgoth's true goals are finally revealed."
"And that is?" Nars asked.
"That Morgoth sought out other worlds, no doubt in his larger quest to devour the Flame of Anor," Pallando said. "And before any of you ask, I don't know who aided him. Yet."
That was news to everyone.
"And when did you learn this?" Blaugh demanded brusquely.
"Just now" Pallando said, "But then I was interrupted by squabbling drakes."
Nu Wa and Nars looked abashed, while Blaugh smirked. "So what happens now," Ingethil asked.
"Now, I must consult with Alatar. We have certain suspicions that require rumination-"
"No, I mean about the King. Or perhaps it would be more prudent to tell the Prince. Should we not inform him? These trees could-" Ingethil stopped as she felt a slight tremor emerging from the two trees. The others, too, felt it and soon everyone in the clearing was staring cautiously at the Weirwood and the Mallorn.
"Stay where you are. All of you," Pallando said as he got up, staff shining and his hand on his sabre. "But be ready to flee at my call."
With that, Pallando approached the trees, slowly at first, and then at a brisk pace. In the distance, there were the sounds of crying horses as some of the guards tried to gentle them. Pallando ignored them as he drew closer to the trees.
Suddenly, the tremors ceased and a strange silence surrounded the wizard. Curious, he reached out to touch the Mallorn's silver bark, but before he could, he was gripped by terrible presence.
He heard Nu Wa and Ingethil call to him, only for an otherworldly darkness consume him. Between the realm of dream and madness, he saw strange creatures. From the darkness, they looked at him, and quickly drew away as he looked at them.
But there was one who did not flee, a man encased by thick roots. He had red eyes, and pale white skin, old. There was cunning in those eyes, and regret and bitter wisdom too. He looked at Pallando with a steely gaze, beckoning him to come…
To the pitiless northern wastes, where Westeros' dark memories dwell.