A/N: Hopefully I didn't miss anything here. This was a pain to edit.
Happy birthday to me~ !Hard to believe another year's gone by, just like that.
And here I am writing a chapter before I go out and celebrate with my family. Hope you enjoy it~!
In other news, I've gotten around to watching House of the Dragon. All ten episodes now. Its...intense. Might write a story for it if enough folks ask. Didn't like how *SPOILER* got screwed over like that. Might call it Foxfire? Dunno. Feels like just yesterday the original Game of Thrones ended. Yet here I am, another year older, wiser, and with even more grey hairs. Makes a man feel proper old. Hard to believe I've been at this for almost fifteen years. Speaking of which...
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
It HURTS to say that; but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves, and it feels like the end of an era. Sometimes the app helps, other times...not so much.
Sometimes the app helps, sometimes it doesn't.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November -two months and still no change- you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system before everyone leaves.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this story, and all others.
I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Alright, I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no quotes references or themes. Not a wit or one!
They're tributes, one and all. Now then...here...we...go.
Had a right blast writing this.
"What a terrible thing the past was. All that blood. All that fighting.
And for what? A chair? A fucking chair?!
NO! We must be better than this."
~?
Blood of My Blood
Ser Allister Thorne found himself...conflicted.
Aye, he supported the Targaryens, that much was true. Always had, always would, always will. He'd stood with them during Rober Baratheon's ignominious rebellion. Defended King's when the traitorous Lannisters sacked the city. Even when king Aerys was stabbed in the back by the accursed Kingslayer Thorne was still down in the city, fighting. It had taken ten men to lay him low and nearly a score more to drag him before Tywn. That day had seen him presented with a choice. Die with his king, or live in exile.
So yes, he had fought for the Targaryens. He'd been sent to the Wall fighting for them. And in a sense he was still fighting now.
Only difference was, this time, Allister's heart was fighting itself.
For good reason at that.
You see, Allister Thorne was a proud man. He held that pride near and dear; for sometimes, it was all that kept him going. But at the end of the day Thorne was also a smart man. He'd heard the rumors down south. Read the messages brought by the ravens. He knew the winds had shifted. Robert Baratheon was gone and his foul spawn with him. His elder brother had taken the throne, purging the Lannisters from King's Landing by force of arms and wit of treachery. Bloody Baratheons. All they did was take. And then the tides again, turned not once, but twice, kicking up a strange vortex of miracles and coincidence that had just now landed on his doorstep.
Many a man claimed the gods were cruel.
If so, they were undoubtedly laughing at him now.
A party unannounced, an arrival most unexpected, an infestation that had all but taken over Castle Black.
Hot air rushed overhead and despite his best efforts Thorne flinched as a great black beast hurtled through the skies. A lilting cry followed as two smaller -but no less deadly!- shapes joined it. Away they wheeled into the sky, angels of terrible death winging into the cloudy day. Gods above, he'd never get used to that. Dragons had been extinct for years, yet here they were, ascendant once more.
This was his reality now, and he wasn't sure he could accept it.
Someone laughed from above, a sharp rich sound that had him looking up once more. "Land, Drogon!"
The largest of the beasts wheeled down gracefully -narrowly missing the gatehouse!- so close he could nearly touch it, lashing the castle with a windstorm born from his wings. Thorne didn't fail to notice the stag clutched in its jaws. Symbolism it most assuredly was not, but it wrung a small spiteful smile from him all the same. Perhaps it was petty of him-no it undoubtedly was, but tiny things like that kept him going these days.
That blasted Baratheon boy might come to Castle Black with his retinue in tow-alongside three sodding dragons-but in doing he'd brought her with him. He didn't loathe the lad as much as he did Ned Stark's bastard, but it was close. Too close for his liking. In a perfect world he would gladly be right of them all and be done with it.
Not so the Targaryen girl.
He looked upon her now, Daenerys Targaryen, last living kin of Aerys Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne, here in the flesh. She slid off the dragon's back like she'd been born to it, dismounting with an easy grace that bespoke of three days practice spent here at the Wall. She didn't even pay them any mind, focused as she was on her dragon, idly stroking its long neck.
"Look at 'her." one of the watchmen muttered beside him. "Blasted wench. Wouldn't be nothin' without those overgrown lizards."
Thorne's temper sparked. He reigned it in with a grinding growl. "Watch your tongue."
His sworn brother didn't catch the warning. "What's to watch? She's probably mad, just like her father-
Allister whirled and cuffed the man across the mouth. He dropped like a sack of rocks and dashed his head against the floor. Thorne stepped over his dazed body, left him there to sleep in the cold, and stomped away. Let one of the others find him and drag him back to bed. He'd be nursing a broken jaw come morning.
"That was a fine right hook. Thanks for defending her honor."
He paused. Gloved hands clenched into fists at his sides. "...I didn't do it for you."
"I know you didn't."
Soft footsteps echoed behind him, circled him, and sure enough he found himself face with the Baratheon brat in question. The lad looked healthy enough. He'd been complaining of headaches these last three days, but now they seemed to have abated. Cheeky prince was even smiling at him. "May I have a word?"
Thorne's temper flared. He stomped it down to a simmer. "Speak your peace and be done with it, Baratheon brat. I have a defense to prepare."
Naruto smiled and took the insult in stride. The former king, Joffrey would have shrieked and screamed for his head. But he wasn't Joffrey now, was he? On the contrary; there was a keen gleam in the boy's eye, one that took a strange stoic amusement in needling an otherwise tired and bitter old man. Thorne wasn't sure he liked it.
"I understand you fought for the Targaryens, once." It wasn't a question. They both knew it to be true. "During the reign of King Aerys."
More mockery. How it galled him.
"Aye, I did. I fought and I lost." he swept a gloved hand to the snowy ruin of Castle Black. "Now I'm here, freezing my arse off at the end of the world. What of it?"
The boy planted both hands in his pockets, stepped to him, looked him square in the eye and-
"Would you like a chance to fight again?"
Thorne's entire world turned to ice ten times over. "...what?"
"Do I have to spell if out for you?" A flicker of annoyance passed through the young man's bright blue eyes. "I'm offering to release you from your vows, you dolt. The Crown has that power."
Redemption. The thought burned through Thorne like wildfire. A chance to serve the Targaryens again. To atone for his mistakes...!
And yet.
"I took a vow."
"And you will serve that vow." the Prince retorted glibly. "Albeit in a different capacity. We need every sword we can find for the battles to come."
Thorne tried to speak. His tongue failed him. "I don't understand."
"Means welcome aboard." The prince clapped his back and kept walking. "Daenerys will be happy to have another supporter. Do try to get on with Ser Barristan, won't you?"
Thorne couldn't bring himself to follow.
"Would you rather stay here, then?" Naruto glanced over his shoulder, where the dragons still danced in the sky like gods of old. "Or perhaps you'd prefer rather be dragon food like your friend?"
Here at last, that pulled a response from Thorne. Janos Slynt? A friend? Ha! "He was no friend of mine."
A low, throaty chuckle filled the night. "Didn't think so. Come along, then. You're not the only one we're recruiting today...
(.0.0.0.)
"You work for me now."
Locke narrowly caught the coin purse.
Fumbling fingers fiddled with the string and opened it. Bloody thing was full to bursting, so much so that the mere act of holding it nearly sent the coins spilling onto the chill ground below. Seven hells. There was more money in this bag than he'd seen in his entire life. Lord Bolton hadn't paid him half as much.
And the Dwarf merely smiled at him. It was not a pleasant smile. He had the same look about him as those dragons; and in that moment, Locke knew. If he spoke falsely, if he lied, if he tried to fool the Little Lion, he'd have his head on a spike before daybreak. It was not the gold that bought his allegiance, it was that look. That smile. Fuck killing Jon Snow or finding Bran Stark, he'd be lucky to get out of Castle Black in one piece with Mother of Dragons watching his very move.
"Why me?" he croaked at last.
"A little bird told me you're good at what you do." came the ready answer. "We both came from nothing; neither of us are afraid to get our hands dirty. So you're going to help me find the Stark boys. But there will be no reaving. No raping. None of it. If you lay a hand on them, the hand comes off. Followed shortly thereafter by your head. Understand?"
Behind him Drogon roared and the world shook. High above them, the very Wall itself seemed to tremble.
Well. That simplified things, didn't it? He wasn't fucking with no dragon. Not even for Roose.
...aye, m'lord." the hunter knelt. "Your will be done."
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto gazed at the dagger.
It was good, solid steel, not Valyrian like his other blade, but it had served him well since it first came into his possession. Solid. Reliable. It had never once faltered in the face of adversity, though he at times had. Even now he glimpsed his stoic reflection in its cold edge, a stranger's face, weary and tired by the journey...
.
..
...and so much more.
He turned it end over end in his hand, trying to find some imperfection with it upon failing to do so, he found himself all the more disappointed. Steel never faltered. Flesh did. There were times when he wished his heart could be the same, that he could simply advance without want or feeling or concern for anyone else.
But he couldn't be that man, he knew. Never was. Never had been, never would be.
His dreams had led him to this moment. He knew what he had to do in regard to the Wildling army and likewise what would follow. He simply didn't know if he had the strength to commit himself.
A scarred hand palmed his face. Times like these he missed his old friend-
Someone knocked on the door. He heaved a sigh.
"Come." he said softly.
The door to his chambers creaked open.
Narutolooked up, squinting against the fading light of the hearth.
He had thought it might be Margaery, but no, she found himself pleasantly surprised. Daenerys slipped inside, clad in a white fur robe, face gone pensive. He had time enough to glimpse Ser Barristan behind her; granted him a brief nod. The old knight returned it and closed the door behind the princess. She paid it little heed and sat beside him. Her head came to rest upon his shoulder. She smelled of dragon, or rather, Drogon. The scent was strangely comforting to him.
"How are you feeling?"
Better." He muttered. "The headaches are gone."
"Hmm." she said no more, content to lean against him.
It was too much. His tongue committed the foulest of mutiny.
"I've begun to remember." he said suddenly, apropos of nothing.
She pulled back, bright eyes quizzical, face furrowed in a frown. "What?"
"My life." he raised his gaze to look her in the eye, gauging her reaction. "Not just the dreams as we the closer we got to the wall," he turned the dagger end over end in his hand, balancing it on razor's edge before a moment more before slamming in his sheathe, "But what came before. The closer we came the the easier it became. Maybe it has something to do with the magic here." a nervous chuckle burst out of him, dark and reuful. "Maybe I've always been able to remember, but just didn't want to.
...What are you saying?"
The truth it was, then. He'd been silent enough these past few days.
"My name," He took a breath, steadied himself, and sighed. "My real name, is Naruto Uzumaki. Not Baratheon." When she didn't interrupt he barreled onward. "I died in one world and was born again here, in another. I killed many who were deserving, and many who were not." he looked her square in the eye. "I killed my best friend. I'd forgotten all about that, buried the memories deep. But I can't anymore. I though you deserved to know. Even if you think I'm mad.
She touched his hand. Threaded her fingers through his and smiled softly. "I believe you."
His brain fizzled. Blazed anew now. Was it really that easy?
...ya do?"
"What would you have me say?" she nestled closer to him with a huff. "I've seen and heard all manner of madness since I met you. All this talk of wildlings and dead things...even dragons themselves were extinct until recently. An amnesiac prince reborn in another world is hardly the strangest thing I've encountered since I crossed the Narrow Sea."
Why didn't she understand? "But I'm not who you thought I was-
"Aren't you?" she met his gaze evenly. "Have your feelings toward me changed?
"No." that much was a certainty. He cared for her just as much as he did Margaery. The only reason he'd broken this to her first was because he felt -hoped! she might understand; her life was more rooted in mysticism and magic than any other. Margaery would be the one that needed convincing and for the life of him, he hadn't figured out a way to broach the subject with her yet.
"There you have it then." Daenerys tugged a strand of pale hair aside and kissed his cheek. "You once said it yourself, who we where is not who we are. We must be better."
His smile grew. "Wise words from the mother of dragons? Will wonders never cease?"
She must've known there was more to it; because her gaze didn't relent." These...visions of yours, there's more, isn't there."
He nodded glumly.
A log cracked in the hearth.
She pressed him. "What else did you remember...or see?"
His gaze turned back to the fire. Therein lie the rub. Knowledge was like madness. Too much could break a person. But he couldn't lie. Not to her.
"The past." he touched a hand to to the hilt of his sheathed dagger. "The present. The future. More vivid than ever before."
He hoped she wouldn't ask hers. In the end, he was disappointed. "And what came of it?"
Best make the cut quick, then. "You claimed the Iron Throne."
Daenerys perked up. "I did?"
Oh, Dany. Her ambition might be muted, but it was still there. She still wanted to be queen when Stannis died.
As if it were that simple. "Yes." he said.
She saw the haunted look in his eyes. "What did it cost?"
"Everything." His words slaughtered her smile and it wounded him to do so. "You lost your every friend, you every ally all but one of your dragons, even your own sanity by the end. You went mad. Westeros was yours, but you were the scourge of it. A monster, just like your father."
The Mother of Dragons flinched, but rallied. "And then?"
"And then you died." he couldn't quite keep the bite from his voice. "Stabbed." a gloved hand mimed the motion to his chest. "Right through your heart. You never saw it coming. Drogon took your corpse, melted the Iron Throne and flew back across the Narrow Sea, never to be seen again."
Daenerys recoiled. "I died...?"
No. No, no. Don't go this way. "Listen...
She slapped his hand away and sprang to her feet. "I died...?!
"Listen!" He caught her by the wrist, touched a hand to her cheek and turned her face back to him, reeling her back to the bed. "Listen to me now." she didn't fight him. "Its like what you said to me. That Daenerys wasn't you. Isn't you. She will never be you. Just as you will never be her."
She looked away. "You sound so certain...
"Of course I am. I didn't exist in that timeline." He pivoted, fixing her with a heated look. "And frankly, I'm glad I wasn't. The realm was a mess. Everyone wanted that damn throne so badly; it all went to shit because of that damn chair. I don't think I'd be able to do a damn thing to fix that timeline. Better than I'm in this world.
Silence reigned between them, broken but for the crackling of the hearth.
"You say you saw a vision of a world that might be, not is." She took a deep breath in turn to brace herself in turn, steady on, then turned her body towards him once more. "Is there any chance that the events you saw might still come to pass...?
Naruto blinked. Paused. Gave it some thought now.
Would it? For one the Starks were a fair sight better this time around than they had been. By contrast the Lannisters were in decline. Cersei and Jamie imprisoned were, while Tyrion was firmly on the crown's side. Tywin didn't dare approach King's Landing for fear of what befall his last living heir, and it would take him decades to raise a new one...assuming he could even sire a child at his age. Daenerys was in Westeros early with a strong power base, and while things were strained between her and Margaery they hadn't come to blows.
Margaery would never die in a blaze of wildfire, not with the caches beneath the sept of Baelor cleared away. The men favored her here too, anyone could see that. She was even now promising pardons to men of the Night's Watch, rather, those who would proved themselves worthy of such an honor. That was bound to cause ripples, not all of them good.
Hells, there might not even be a Watch after all was said and done. Many a man here was a murderer or rapist and worse, cowards and cravens who had chosen to take the Black rather than face the headsman's axe. But for every monster here there was also a man, innocent souls who had been sentenced for poaching or committed dark deeds for the sake of their families. These were the ones they wanted.
But tensions yet remained. Two in particular. "About you and Margaery...
Daenerys tensed, her face hardening into granite. "I know not what you speak of."
"Don't deny it." He sighed. "Whatever is going on between the two of you needs to stop."
The Mother of Dragons huffed, tossed her head a little and lifted her chin to glare at him. "She's the one to instigate-
"Dany. I don't have time for it. We don't have time for it." he grasped her hand, not to hold her this time, but to comfort her. "I already swore your children will be treated equally." his fingers threaded with hers, holding tight. "No one will be disinherited, supplanted, none of that."
Now it was her turn to sigh. "I am well aware of your words."
He frowned a little. "Then why snap at one another?"
"Are you truly so blind to it?" she rounded on him in turn. "She mocks me. Slights me when you aren't looking. And you...favor her. You were meant to be with her. If not for Littlefinger's machinations...
...I know." They never would've met. Or if they had, it would've been as enemies. He shook that disquieting thought off. "But as I said, my feelings haven't changed. "Right now we need to figure out what the blazes is going on up here, deal with the wildling army, then get back to the capital with all due haste. I don't like the idea of leaving Sta-Father," he corrected himself ruthlessly, "Alone with that red woman for this long."
Daenerys laid a hand on his, perhaps sensing his disquet. "I thought we were going to venture further out beyond the wall...?"
"We were." he shivered a little at the memory of his vision. "But not that far. What we have here is a small force. To deal with that...thing we need an army. Armies." he corrected. "It shouldn't be too hard to convince them, provided we bring back proof."
"We have dragons. Surely we can-
"You lose one of your dragons here, Dany." He hadn't wanted to tell her that, but needs must, he supposed.
...ah." She froze. "Another of your visions again?" He granted her a glum nod. At length she found her voice again. "Which one?"
"Viserion."
Her breath hitched. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I won't let him die. As to the future coming to pass...it shouldn't." he said it haltingly, choosing his words with great care. "But my knowledge only extends so far. Things have changed. We still have enemies and I'm not sure how to deal with all of them...
"Then we will remind them of their place."
"Ha!" the ghost of a smile touched his whiskered face. "You and Kurama would've gotten on famously."
He regretted the words the moment he said them; if only because she tilted her head a little. "Who or what is a Kurama?"
Someone he missed. Someone he'd never, ever see again. Would that he'd come with him. "A story for another time. Its late and there's still much to do-
"Wait." She caught his hand when he made to stand.
"Dany...?"
She wanted to say something else. He could see it in her eyes, burning with repressed passion. Not just lust or love, but fear. He wondered what it might be.
"Remember." Instead she laid a hand on his. "I am yours. And you are mine. The blood of my blood." She rolled her shoulders and her robe drop to the floor, baring herself to him. "Come, let us speak no more of the past and prophecy tonight...
The ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "As my lady commands."
Her lips crushed against his as his fingers tangled in her long hair...
(.0.0.0.)
Lost in passion as they were, neither saw the door close, sealed from without.
None noticed the all-too-keen gaze watching them both.
Soft footsteps carried the eavesdropper away.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto had her out and about again only eight hours later.
The sudden turn of pace baffled Daenerys; she couldn't fathom why he'd woken her before dawn in such a manner. Moreover she was tired and sore and not at all in the mood. But at his gentle urging she dressed herself once more and off they went, prowling through the quiet corridors of Castle Black with naught but Ser Barristan for company. She liked it not but trusted there was purpose in it. Why depart so early in the morning, and with just the three of them? It smacked of some secret plot.
Perhaps sensing her confusion, Naruto nudged her with an elbow. "There's someone I'd like you to meet. Now's the best time."
Daenerys glared daggers at him. "What possible use could I have for any of these miscreants?"
"Well, one or two might surprise you. Speaking of which...
In short order she found herself guided through the darkened halls. He certainly seemed to know where he was going; which suggested he'd been this way before. Did it have something to do with his visions? Or had he simply been thorough. She suspected it was the latter; Naruto could be devilishly thorough when he wanted to be.
In no time at all they reached a worn-yet-sturdy door, one which the prince opened and ushered her through into the room beyond. She entered without fear.
An aging man sat at a table within, faced limned in dull candlelight. Maester, by the look of him. He had a great many chain draped round his dark robes. By the milk white of his eyes he was quite blind and yet his head turned toward them all the same. Sharp ears on this one. A faint smile touched at the corner of his mouth and though he could not see, she sensed a keen wit in this aging eyes.
"Who comes?" his voice wasn't frail at all, weary perhaps, but not weak.
"Friends, good Maester." Naruto smiled and urged Daenerys onward. "My lady wife here would like a moment of your time."
Daenerys whipped around to glare at him. "I would?!"
"Trust me." he winked. "You won't regret this."
She sat with a scowl. "I had best not!
The blind Maester frowned. "This is most irregular my prince...
"We'll leave the two of you alone." Naruto spoke over him. "Barristan and I will be right outside-
"Yes, yes, shoo." Daenerys swatted at him. Blast it all. Why was she feeling so cranky? Surely it was too soon for that. "I'll be fine. Leave me to whatever nonsense this is."
Naruto didn't retort, but departed with a knowing smile, shutting the door in his wake.
At length, the Maester sighed softly. "Well then, I suppose we had best make ourselves comfortable."
"..."
"The prince cares for you a great deal, it seems."
Daenerys knew bait when she saw it. She also knew better than to rise to such a trap.
"Allow me to repeat something I once told a young man who, like you, found himself at a crossroads." The blind Maester offered a small, grim chuckle. "Love is the death of duty. I said that to him, once. He didn't listen. Duty is difficult. After all," he chortled softly. "What is honor compared to the one you love? What is duty, to the feel of a newborn son in your arms?"
Daenerys felt a strange sensation kick at her chest. She ignored it. Had Naruto foreseen this, too? No, impossible. Surely his foresight didn't extend so far...
The nameless maester spoke again. "You love that boy, don't you?"
If looks could kill, this blind Maester would be a pile of smoldering ashes on the floor.
"I am fond of him. It is not love." Heat hit Dany's face even as she said the words, a lie emerging out of sheer reflex. I am fond of him. He is pleasant company. No more. I say again, I do not love him."
"Yes, you do." A knowing lilt entered his voice. "You'd give your life for him in a heartbeat."
She would. "I most certainly would not-
"Yes, you would." he smiled, sightless eyes reflecting an almost parental mirth. "Heard it in your voice just now. I remember how it sounds. I was in love once. If you can imagine all manner of horrors befalling that poor boy, is it so difficult to imagine that an old man once was, more or less like you...?" he patted the table once, fingers tracing the worn stump of a candle. "After all, nothing makes the past a sweeter place to visit, than the prospect of imminent death...
She stilled. "If you mean to threaten me, you will find I am not so helpless.
"Child," he tutted. "It is not you I speak of. I know the sound of a doomed man when I hear it. And to think, you carry his child...
Panic! Terror! Anger! All these and more bleated through her breast in an instant, setting her heart to racing. He knew. How did he know?! She wanted to tell Naruto last night, truly she did, but she'd only just discovered it herself and even now the thought of it terrified her. To lose another child as she had her first...
"How did you...?!
"I may be blind girl, but I am a Maester." a finger wagged her way. "Your footsteps are heavy with more than mere purpose and you are quick to temper." A pause now, when she didn't deny it. "He doesn't know, does he? Ah, he suspects, perhaps but to know-
"You know nothing!" she sprang to her feet with a hiss. "No one does! I am alone in this realm, the last of my line. And you!" She scowled at him. Squinted now, noting his strangely pale hair. "Who are you?"
"Do you wish to know?"
Silence reigned in the library.
Daenerys lifted her chin. "I would have it said."
"My father was Maekar," he spoke slowly, a note of sardonic amusement creeping into his voice. "First of his name. My brother Aegon reigned after him when I had refused the throne." her blood burst into fire at his words and her lips parted in confusion, but words refused to come as the maester prattled on. "He was followed by his son Aerys. Whom they called the mad king...
Daenerys shot out of her chair again. "You're...him. Aemon Targaryen."
"I am indeed." came the dry answering croak. "And who are you? You sound rather-
Her hands gently closed around his wrinkled fingers as she knelt before him. "My name...is Daenerys. Daenerys Targaryen."
"Oh!" He wheezed out a startled laugh. "Oh, my." his hands quivered a little, reaching up to touch her face, to better feel her. "I had heard, but to think you would be here. And so we meet at last. How unexpected. And all this time you were alone." here at the last, his voice broke. "Under siege. No proper family to guide or protect you. Your last relation thousand of miles away. Useless and dying. A targaryen alone in the world truly is a terrible thing, isn't it...?"
She squeezed his hand. "But we are not alone now, great-uncle."
Aemon Targaryen sighed, a soft raspy sound like unfurling old parchment. "No, I suppose we are not, dear girl...
The old Maester would weep long and hard on that cold, bitter morning; yes, he wept for quite some time indeed, in the arms of a long-lost princess.
A/N: There you go.
Hope this brought a smile to your face in these dark times. And I really do need to now if anyone wants me to write that House of the Dragon story...
Now I'm off to drink and celebrate with the lads. Awaaaaaay~!
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
And have some previews.
(Preview)
Margaery sat beside him on the bed. "I would speak with you."
Naruto sighed. "We're doing that right now, aren't we?"
...I was referring to the matters of succession."
"No, no, no. We are not doing this again."
"I'm just a bastard, Your Grace."
Those keen violet eyes regarded Jon for a long moment.
"No," Daenerys said at last, shaking her head in quiet denial, "I don't think you are."
"Winter is nearly here."
"Well, father was bound to be right sooner or later...
"Go on. He likes you. You'll not have a better chance than this.
"What?! I don't know how to ride a bloody dragon!
"Nobody does. Until they ride a dragon."
...what if he doesn't want me to?
"Then we've enjoyed your company.
"Where do I hold onto?
"Wherever you can."
"Ygritte, don't."
Someone thumped her on the back of the head.
Naruto caught her as she fell and handed her off to Jon. "She'll live."
Tormund took one look at Viserion and grinned. "You're a big beasty, ain'tcha?"
I swear to you, those who would harm you will die screaming.
Show your strength to them.
Here. Now."
Dark steel flashed in the gloom. The battle was joined.
R&R! =D