A/N: WHY HELLLLO MY DEAR GAME OF THRONES AND NARUTO FANS! Thought I was dead, did you? Thought I was gone, hmm?! NOPE! I'm back again after my birthday and feeling better than ever! VIVA LA REQUEST YEARS! Let the stories pour forth like sweet, sweet wine! No hiatus for me! Nothing will put me down! I will ever work to strive onward and upward!
ALSO!
We've now got an annoying little twat known who apparently wants me to kill myself. Fun fellow, isn't he? His reviews are made up of multiple sock puppet accounts and he discovered my name because I was foolish enough to post my gmail account with my actual name there. Well, that's my fault, but all his nastygrams? Not so much. So here's his for you all to see:
Tim Lofar.
His email is:
gogharambe720
at
gmail
dot
com.
HA!
Two can play at this game, you demented little bugger!
Let him have it!
I wouldn't be surprised if he tries attack me again for this, but at this point, I'm DONE being nice. I can only fight fire with fire. Haters gonna hate. It seems he's been attacking other authors as well, the little stain. Whatever you do, don't let his cruel words get to you as they have me. Some people are just born mean it seems. Now, this is a nice, LONG chapter, one that I ended up having to split into TWO parts to get out properly. It demanded to be written with painstaking care, so I do apologize for the delay.
This particular portion is more character oriented, as we get to peer into the minds of Daenerys, Margaery and others. Don't worry, there IS some action, and plenty of juicy bits abound both here and in the next oncoming chapter.
I PROMISE it won't take as long as this one did!
And remember, Stannis HATES the Targaryens, and by definition, Daenerys. She represents a very real threat to his rule, and he can't stand that. He loathes it even more that Naruto's taken it on himself to protect her, and BOY is that FINALLY going to cause friction between them in this chapter...
One last thing, next chapter will easily be longer than this one. So, something to look forward to, that. Now, then my dear, beloved readers!
Since this IS Game of thrones, there are naughty bits ahoy, here!
Language as well!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
If you don't like that, feel free to skip it.
Off we go!
"Are you trying to distract me, again?"
"That depends. Is it working?"
"Not really-NEVERMIND!"
~Naruto and~?
The Orange Wedding (Part I)
Naruto woke the next morning feeling more rested than he had in an age.
Calm, even.
As though some monumental weight had been lifted from his shoulders overnight while he had slept; as if he'd been looking through a veil all his life and that shroud had only just now been torn away, the fiery blond found that, for once in his life he didn't wake up to the sound of voices in his head. In fact, he didn't hear much of anything at all. It felt cleansing to say the least. All the weight and worries of the bloody kingdom and being the blasted heir apparent seemed to have fallen away overnight when he wasn't looking, leaving him free and weightless.
It might have something to do with the warm body nestled against him.
"What."
That was his next thought as he came to amidst silken sheets and warm furs, realizing once again, that he wasn't alone. Now, he clearly remembered taking Daenerys to bed last night. The memory stood in stark relief among the angry haze of yesterday. Her cries-and her words-as he entered her were branded into his brain, unforgettable. But still, he'd expected her to flee before the sun rose, as Margaery had often done before her, as others had done even before that.
That she hadn't was a bit of a shock.
Yes, it proved quite the surprise indeed to find that she hadn't simply spirited herself away in the middle of the night. That she was still there would've once sent alarm bells clamoring in his head, but he simply could not bring himself to feel anything resembling worry as he laid eyes on her. Having fallen asleep against him some point after their lovemaking, the last Targaryen had not deigned to move hence. If anything she appeared to have laid claim to him when he wasn't looking; her pale hair tickling his chest, one arm absently twined against his, trapped in his side, her visage smooth and peaceful in sleep.
Even in slumber, her skin felt like fire to the touch, warmer than any flame.
Azure orbs stole over her pale skin at a glance, rose-colored nipples just begging to be tweaked. Daenerys had surprised him last night with her tenacity and pleasure, fighting just as hard as him, giving as good as she'd got. On some level that frightened, but in the same vein, also excited. A will like hers came along once in a lifetime, and never in his own had he ever expected to meet someone who would match him in that aspect. Once more, it occurred to him that he was going to marry this girl.
He no longer found the idea as appalling as he once had.
He would be taking her hand in holy matrimony.
And someday, they would have children.
Together.
Theirs.
Heirs.
His.
The idea of blue-eyed girls running about with redheaded boys was strangely comforting in its own right. Insanely worrying, but comforting all the same. If such a time ever came to pass, he'd raise them better than his own father had. He wouldn't use them as tools or weapons and he certainly wouldn't undermine them every step of the way. Because they would be his children. His own flesh and blood.
With her.
Spirits, was he ready to be a father?
Could he truly even live to shoulder such an incredible responsibility?
As a bastard, Stannis had tried to do right by him and look how that turned out!
Still...
He'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy Daenerys Stormborn's company, rather, he'd grown quite fond of her. The Mother of Dragons was like him, sheer fire and heat and passion; she said what she wanted, fought for what she believed in, and damn consequences to the seven hells. He respected that. They'd both come from nothing-no, less than nothing. Each of them had shouted and clawed and killed to get where they were now. Granted, they hadn't gotten off on the best of terms in the beginning, but they'd come to understand, if not respect one another.
He still wasn't certain he could truly make her happy. That time had come and gone long ago.
The years had poisoned him in more ways that one; left him feeling cold both within and without. And yet somehow, when he wasn't looking, he'd warmed up to her. To others. Found himself starting to consider other ways to live; ways that didn't have him cringing from voices in his head, methods that didn't drench his hands in blood. At times, in his brighter moments he liked to think that he was getting better. In his darker ones he wondered if he was secretly backsliding and this was all some elaborate trap, a fell ruse meant to snare and tear him down the moment he took her as his wife.
Wives, a small, nasty voice in his head reminded him. You're marrying them both, remember? And all you have to do is convince the King. Aren't you lucky...
Naruto didn't feel particularly lucky.
Of course, he would likely be marrying Margaery as well, if the court had its way. Was that to be his life, now? His every act dictated by the King, by his Father, forevermore at the whims of others? He supposed it could be worst. At least he'd come to know his potential brides before being flung into this madness. At any rate, he cared for them both in equal measure, even if they were likely to tear each other's eyes out.
Where Dany had the will and the spirit to keep pace, Margaery possessed the wit and the cunning to match him.
Truth be told-and though he'd never admit it aloud, he was almost fond of Arianne, but that was another can of proverbial worms.
For here in this moment, he found he couldn't take his eyes off Daenerys.
Sighing, he absently he stroked her face, smiling when she turned her cheek toward his palm.
To his disbelief, she actually gave a small snort.
It was so unladylike and surprising that he nearly guffawed outright, if only because he knew she'd never be caught dead making such a noise in public. Naruto clamped a hand over his mouth, shoulders visibly shaking from the effort of containing his mirth. Daenerys Targaryen wasn't exactly the vulnerable sort,
Really, he couldn't resist poking her.
It was just too easy.
"Morning, sleepyhead." he whispered, nuzzling her face with a finger. "Time to wake up."
"Careful now," she spoke suddenly, eyes still closed, voice a quiet purr and surprisingly sober for one who should still be sleeping, "I may not be able to kill you, but I can still find a way to make you miserable." Ah, so she was awake, then. Well, that just made him want to poke her all the more! One did not simply taunt the Son of the Stag and expect him to leave you be. Not after a bold claim like that. It was like painting a big red target on one's backside and them firmly telling them not to kick you. How could one resist!
"Is that so?"
Before he could make good on his promise the last Targaryen, her eyes still smoothly shut and for all appearances gone back to sleep, nipped his outstretched finger with her teeth, nearly drawing blood.
"Ouch!" Naruto found himself recoiling with a yelp, but the cry lacked rancor. "You bit me!"
Bright eyes fluttered open and she rose, placing her chin on his shoulder.
"I did warn you." she sighed, supremely smug in her satisfaction.
...you have sharp teeth, ya know." Naruto groused.
The Mother of Dragons offered him a small smile.
"The better to bite you with, husband."
The last word sent a silent shiver of excitement through him.
Husband.
Not even a day into their newborn alliance and already she'd startled him. They weren't even truly wed yet, and still she called him such. Many things though she was and might yet be, Daenerys Stormborn was not humble, not in the least. She was concerned she'd actually hurt him, but her pride would never allow her to admit that. This was her not-so-subtle way of sounding him out, reaffirming their pact, of checking out his loyalties, searching for second thoughts after the frenzied, frantic coupling of last night.
Oddly enough Naruto found he had none.
"Husband." he rolled the word around on his tongue, testing it, get a feel for the way it tasted. "Aren't we being a bit overeager?"
"Am I?" she replied coyly, fingers trailed the web of scars on his back. "I though we were of one mind on this."
"I'm sure that we are, but-
Not one for mincing words, the Prince craned his head to look back at her and assure here that they were indeed, only to have his lover give him a firm push him back against the pillows. What?! Paranoia flared and for an instant, he thought she was actually trying to smother him as his hated step-mother had tried to do so many times in his youth. But no, she did not thrust his face against the pillow as he'd expected, nor did she hold him there. Instead, she began to trace a series of soft, loving kisses along his back and shoulders. His scars, he realized after a moment's confusion. She was kissing his scars.
That was...oddly touching.
Invigorated by this surprising display of affection the Son of the Stag writhed upward, taking the the fiery blond in his arms.
After a brief and surprisingly vigorous scuffle, Dany successfully managed to pin him against the mattress by his arms, long enough for her to seat herself firmly in his lap. With a sly, superior smirk she leaned forward and took his now-erect member firmly in hand. Naruto hissed softly and that smirk became a triumphant one.
"You were saying?"
Sly little...!
Refusing to be bested so easily, he surged upward and broke her weakened hold. From there it was a small matter to tackle her back into the thick blankets, grip her firmly by the hips, plant a chaste kiss on her lips and sheathe himself fully in her already moist entrance.
"Oh!"
Daenerys' startled gasp piqued into a moan of surprised pleasure as he entered her and she stretched to accommodate him.
And just like that, the tables were turned.
"Well, that truly depends on you, wife." he deliberately drew out the word as he thrust into her, relishing each pleased sigh that followed, the slight shivers that went through her as he pushed ever deeper into her core and once more made her his. "You acted as if you had me by the balls back there, but!" he bent down, kissing her passionately again, drawing another groan from the Mother of Dragons, "The way I see it, I'm the one who has you at a disadvantage, presently. Please let me know if you have any objections."
"Turn my words against me will you-ah!"
She opened her mouth to continue but all that emerged was a plaintive whimper as he hit a particularly sweet spot. Still, that look of burning defiance in her eyes only aroused him all that much more, promising that no matter how much pleasure she might be in now, there would be a reckoning for this.
The Son of the Stag would absolutely have it no other way.
It was almost as if he'd truly found a match for himself.
"What's wrong? You seemed so chipper before."
"Is that a challenge, my lord?" she hissed.
He hummed a laugh.
"Perhaps."
Somehow, despite her lack of fine silks, despite not having her ever-growing dragons coiled around her, and despite the fact that even now she was moaning beneath him, Daenerys still projected an aura of smoldering authority. Even with her hair a mess from sleep and not so much as a single crown to her name, she still seemed every bit the queen she thought she was, the one she believed she deserved to be. Let her be queen, the voices whispered to him again. Let her bear that heavy burden for you so that you might yet be spared the troubles of the realm. Why take up that mantle when someone else is so willing to claim it for you?
But here, now, the only thing he could truly think of claiming was her.
She must've seen his desire, for something flashed in her dark eyes, and this time, he didn't resist her.
Daenerys eeled out of his grasp and before he could think to stop her, kissed him fiercely, her lower lip caging his between them. Her tongue did not ask for trespass, instead ruthlessly plundering his mouth as she had her way with him. Slim hands placed themselves firmly upon his chest and with a firm shove, pushed him back against the mattress. Not content to be so easily dominated by his lover, Naruto retaliated and hooked his hands against her hips, fingers digging into the creamy expanse of her skin.
Then he flipped her.
"What are you-oh!"
Dany uttered a very unladylike squeak of surprise as she found her perspective abruptly upended by the blond bastard and thrown back to the thick covers. In the next instant Naruto spun and she found herself trapped beneath him. There was no violence in the action, no anger, no wrath, but the abruptness of it all left her briefly stunned, momentarily unable to move. Her pale hair splayed out against the pillows, cheeks flushed, lips parted, wide eyes staring up at him, fingers wringing against the sheets.
Naruto shuddered.
She looked so...
...fuckable.
"Gods." he muttered beneath himself, nearly unable to believe what he was feeling in that instant. "I think you were right."
"About?" she gasped out, grinding her hips against him in silent need.
"I might actually enjoy marrying you."
The laughter when it came, caught him completely off guard. It bubbled out of her all at once; a softy merry giggle like the sound of sweet music. Worse, he couldn't tell if she was laughing at him or what he'd just said unwittingly in his heated passion. Naruto decided he wanted to hear more of it. More of her. No this angry stoic woman she'd become, but the girl who was laughing even now, holding her sides and shaking out of sheer mirth. He wanted to hear more. Wanted to hear her, cry out his name.
"What's so funny?"
"You." she said on a sigh, her hand rising to cup his cheek. "You try so hard to push others away, yet when it comes down to it, you crave comfort. Don't you?"
Naruto felt the tips of his ears begin to burn red hot. She'd hit dangerously close to the nail on that one.
"I...don't know what you mean."
"Shush." she reached up for him, arms circling his neck loosely, mouth molding marvelously against his.
Naruto found himself yielding gladly to the kiss and even returning it somewhat, happy for the distraction from those cold, uncomfortable memories. It never occurred to him that she might be actually trying to divert his attention elsewhere until she pushed started doing something incredible with her hips. Naruto found himself half-inclined to let her have her way with him for the time being; watching in fascination as she laid her hands on his chest and began grinding against him in an up and down motion. Her pert breasts seemed to quiver with every bounce, her cries growing more and more insistent in each movement.
"Are you trying to distract me, again?" he ground out, gritting his teeth.
"That depends. Is it working?" she purred, gazing down at him.
"Well, really, that depends-NEVERMIND!"
In any case the Son of the Stag soon found he had other concerns as his body decided it had waited quite long enough for far too long, his release coming quickly. Evidently Daenerys' felt the same. They came together quietly, their shared cries muffled in one another's mouths. The Mother of Dragons toppled forward a moment later and he was there to catch her, her head resting against his heaving chest. In his arms she felt warmer then ever before, as though he were cradling the sun itself to him.
Afterward they lay together, sated, catching their breath.
Daenerys proved the first to recover,
"Are you trying to get me up the spout?" she laughed, rolling off his chest. Her hair seemed to shine in this light, composed of living flame.
"Hardly." Naruto caught himself chasing a smile with a sigh of his own. "I'm not ready to be a father yet. I don't think I could handle it."
"I-
Before she could answer the door slammed open quite suddenly and armed men burst into the room.
The intrusion was so sudden and abrupt that Naruto had killed two before he even realized what was happening; snatching a pair of knives from their hidden place beneath his nearby, he flung one, blade first into a man's eye through his helm, killing him instantly. His second sank to the hilt in another's throat, causing the intruder to drop with a startled gurgle, clutching in vain at the red mist spraying from his torn jugular. By then sense had reasserted itself and he realized these weren't assassins, but his father's guards, easily recognizable by their armor. Good. He would've felt absolutely horrid if he'd slain Ulric just now in a fit of paranoia.
Then he remembered that they'd just broken into his chamber.
"You lot," he began slowly, "Have ten seconds to explain yourselves."
Of the three remaining, their captain stepped forward, warily turning up the plate of his helmet.
"My prince!" He raised a hand in a placating gesture, "Calm yourself, please!"
An uneasy silence pervaded the room.
"What is the meaning of this?" Naruto growled, flinging himself off the bed. "Who sent you here?"
"The King, my lord." the bearded man flinched at the molten red in the blond's stare, "He demands your presence in the throne room at once."
If looks could kill, he and his men would be a pile of charred ashes upon the floor.
"Then he should bloody well know not to have you barge in unannounced!"
A few eyes strayed to Daenerys, who had yet to move from the bed.
"H-He insists, my lord." the captain pleaded.
"Then he'll wait until I'm fully decent." Naruto growled, snatching up his leather jerkin and breeches. "Stupid sods, don't you know to knock when a man's fucking a woman?!"
The guards quailed momentarily, but incredibly, their leader rallied.
"We heard noise and assumed-
"Assumed what?! That we were under attack?!" Naruto rounded on the man with a roar as he tugged on his belt, fraying temper finally slipping its leash. "You didn't even think to knock! How was I to react when armed men burst into my room, hmm?! Because of YOUR actions, two of your men are dead! Enough! Out of my way! I'll take this up with the old man!"
"Sire, we were told to escort-
"I will join him as well." Dany declared suddenly, taking the wind out of his sails.
"The King did not summon you." the captain bristled.
Naruto and Daenerys exchanged a terse, guarded look.
"I will accompany him." her tone brooked no further argument.
"Right. As the lady says, then."
The guards did their duty and escorted them both without any further protest, though Naruto secretly suspected they were bristling inwardly from Dany's defiance, for they followed them at a measured distance. These were truly Baratheon men after all, and she, a Targaryen. No love lost there. Still he was their prince and they at least refrained from openly speaking ill of her in his presence.
It served just as well in the end; because their aloofness kept them from overhearing his and Danerys' shared conversation.
"Why would your father summon you so suddenly?" she whispered aside to him.
The voices rushed in before he could reply, hissing charges.
Treason?
An attack?
That damnable Red Woman?
Or perhaps he's finally grown tired of you?
"Your guess is as good as mine." he forced out.
The Mother of Dragons groaned.
"Oh, this bodes poorly...
As ever, its high arched ceiling took him aback momentarily, if only because he still wasn't accustomed to the sheer grandeur of it after all this time. Braziers of flame crackled upon heavy pillars as he walked past, their scorching fires licking hungrily at the foundations of the room. A strange incense seemed to linger in the air, dulling his senses and heightening his anxiety. He'd scorned the throne room and most of the Red Keep as of late, Still, he did not let the concern he felt show on his face and neither did Daenerys.
For there, perched upon the Iron Throne, Stannis awaited him.
Mercifully, Tyrion was present there beside the King.
Unfortunately so too, was the Red Woman.
And of course, that blasted Littlefinger.
Naruto felt his jaw tighten.
This...boded poorly.
Old paranoia plucked at him unbidden; he found himself considering how long it would take to draw the knife from his boot and rush his father...or the door. With his strength, a few solid blows would surely splinter the solid frame, but at what cost? And would he be able to do in time? He had no armor and no weapons beyond that of his knife. Dany didn't even have that. here was no other unblocked escape from the room that he was aware of, and even with his talents, he didn't relish the idea of having to fight his way out of the Red Keep...
'Stop panicking.' He berated himself. 'Just breathe. They haven't said anything...yet.'
Taking a moment to compose himself, he started forward.
Daenerys followed after him, her crisp footfalls echoing beside his in the empty space. Surprisingly, she did not walk ahead of him, nor did she deign to trail behind him as some might. To his disbelief she stayed at right side and matched his pace step for step, even with him in all things. Then she took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, all whilst firmly lacing her fingers with his own. Naruto nearly missed his step and stumbled on the spot; it was only the most rigorous act of wills that prevented him from from falling and allowed him to maintain his pace alongside his stoic demeanor.
This very act smacked of rebellion, and he felt his respect for her climb another notch. If she'd meant to reassure him, she'd done a fine job.
Judging by his raised brow and the stern set of his jaw, Stannis didn't take kindly to this oh-so-tender act of solidarity.
The King held his tongue until they'd reached the stairs, his grim expression never wavering.
"Leave us." he commanded of the guards after a moment of silence.
The Kingsguard did as they were bade, turning on the heels and sealing the great door behind them.
Scarce had it closed then Naruto found himself face to face with the full storm his father's wrath. Now, Stannis did not explode into rage, he did not leap from the Iron Throne and condemn him for his deeds, nor did he move to strike him in his fury. This was a cold anger, one he hadn't seen since he was very young and for the first time in decades, the assassin felt a touch of fear. His lord father had never been one to let his emotions rule him, but that look of disappointment etched into that stern visage stung more than words ever could.
"I am disappointed in you." His father declared flatly. "What is the meaning of this treachery?"
Well.
This was off to a stellar start
Daenerys tilted her head.
"The meaning of what, my King...?" she inquired with faux sweetness.
"You know full well what you've done, girl." the King growled.
"Do I, my lord? I was under the impression I didn't."
Naruto bit his lip to stifle a smile.
'Oh, you're brave!'
Had the situation been any less dire, or the need for silence any more impetative, Naruto would've applauded her. She knew precisely what she was doing, and she was going out of her way to do it. To infuriate the brother of the hated Robert Baratheon responsible for the downfall of her family must have been as thrilling to her as ending an enemy was to him. She likely saw it as revenge, no matter how petty it might seem to anyone else. As things stood however, it served only to provoke the King's wrath to new heights.
Where Naruto's veiled insults merely riled Stannis, Daenery's impudence had the King exploding from the Iron Throne, full of sound and fury.
"I should have your tongue cut out for such talk!"
Naruto stepped between them with a growl.
"Touch her and the hand comes off!"
Tyrion must've seen the storm in the eyes of Stannis; because he hurried to intervene before matters could escalate.
"Come now, let us be reasonable about this-
"Quiet, dwarf!
The Lannister bristled at the slight, but didn't contest him.
"Perhaps," Baelish suggested after a moment's pause, "We should hear what the prince has to say and let cooler heads prevail."
Naruto nearly removed Littlefinger's head for his insipid pandering. He was certain the man had a hand in this fiasco, he just couldn't find a way to prove it. Still, the Son of the Stag found himself somewhat relieved to see that the anger in his father's eyes had dulled somewhat when he turned to face him. That bitter, bitter disappointment, however, had not. It still hung there like a shroud, an angry pall threatening to dredge up old, painful memories from his past.
"You are to marry Margaery, yet I find you dallying with this girl...?"
"How in the seven hells did you even find out?" he growled.
"Littlefinger's agents informed me."
Well!
That made things simple!
His hand twitched, itching to strike the little weasel down on the spot for his smug smile.
Bastard! Was he trying to undo him?!
It was only with a supreme effort of will that he restrained himself.
"I had planned on speaking to you of it today," he conceded, "If you hadn't all but ordered me from my bed like an idiot."
"Watch your tongue."
"Or what?" the blond retorted, "You'll cut it off? Don't be a fool and just listen-
"He is the Lord of Light's chosen, your father, and your King." Melisandre interjected, her manner smooth as silk, "You should show him the respect he is due...
"Oh, do fuck off." the blond flung up a hand, forestalling her protest. "If I wanted to discuss etiquette with a walking hypocrisy I'd chat up Joffrey." he bit out. "Oh, wait. He's dead. By my hand. For being an idiot." Blue eyes the color of the blackest seas flicked up and down her body, as though deciding where best to place a dagger. "Say, am I sensing a pattern here?"
"Enough!" Stannis barked, returning to his throne. "Melisandre. This matter is no longer your concern. Return to your chambers. I will summon you when I have need of you."
To her credit, the Red Woman didn't protest. She sketched a humble bow and retreated.
"As my lord wills it."
No sooner had she departed than that burning gaze found Naruto once more.
"I don't know why you keep her around."
"The matter is not up for debate." Stannis declared.
"Yes! It is!" Naruto shot back. "I have a very good reason for-
"No. No more stalling. Your wedding shall be on the morrow at dawn." he declared stonily, his voice as rigid and unbending as the throne in which he sat. "You will take Margaery Tyrell as your wife, and the Targaryen girl," for here his gaze did pass dismissively over Daenerys, "Will be given to the North and become a ward of the Starks. She won't be any trouble to anyone, there."
Daenerys stiffened, and sensing an impeding outburst, Naruto rushed in.
"Father-
"I said enough!" Stannis's voice cracked out at him like a whip, eliciting the slightest of flinches from his son. "You will do as you are told. Your silver-tongue won't help you, this time."
Naruto sighed, feeling all his expectations crumble.
"Then perhaps my blade will." he growled.
Then he climbed the steps to meet him.
Slowly at first, then with increasing resolve.
Stannis followed his ascent with a wary eye, watching intently as his heir cleared the roughly hewn stairs.
One of the Kingsguard moved to stop him.
Much to his detriment.
Naruto's fist cracked outwards with impossible speed and struck the man dead on in his breastplate, dealing him a solid blow and denting the gold-painted metal with an explosive crunch. The Kingsguard didn't so much stagger as he did soar; flung away like a rag doll, to crash into one of the pillars at the far end of the chamber. Then, his broken but still very much living body suffered the misfortune of slumping into the brazier below said pillar with a dull clang. Unable to move due to their shattered spine, he began to burn. The shrieks that followed curdled the very blood.
No one paid them any heed.
Now it was the Son of the Stag who gazed down at his father, gaze boiling with wrath.
"You should heed the counsel of your advisers, your grace." he spoke with limpid sincerity. "It would not do to dismiss her so easily."
Stannis scowled.
"I have received no such counsel."
"You are being counseled at this very moment." Naruto warned, his voice taking on an uncharacteristic edge, jagged and cutting. "I suggest you heed it lest you make a mistake. It would truly be unfortunate were we to need another King so soon after Joffrey's untimely passing. The nation would indeed mourn you."
Daenerys hissed quietly beneath her breath.
She hadn't expected it either. This was as blatant a threat as they came; a promise of complete and utter destruction if the King didn't heed his words and counsel. Naruto didn't even have to draw a blade to convey his intention, those words carried the dire implications more surely than any weapon ever could. The kind of threat no man-even a prince-would ever dare utter for fear of being executed on the spot. Yet Naruto had simply thrown down the gauntlet without a second thought, daring his progenitor to pick it up.
Stannis could barely believe it, either.
A certain part of him was almost proud that his heir possessed such courage; a resolve that would not bend, a will that refused to break. The rest was furious that the young man would so openly defy him. Who was he to go against him like this? Who was he to think he could so easily usurp him, his will, with a word?!
"Are you threatening me, boy?" he growled, rising to tower over his son, "I made you what you are."
"You're right. I am what you made me." Naruto acknowledged with a curt nod. "Be thankful I've learned to be better. Now you listen. I know you despise the Targaryens, but that gives you no right-no right, do you hear me-to simply exile Daenerys. She," and here he did fling a finger at the Mother of Dragons, "Is not here to usurp you, she is not here to take your throne, and she is not going to be exiled on my watch. I will not have it, do you hear me? I will not have it. Not just that, but she has dragons. Dragons, you old coot! They grow larger every day! And you want to throw them-her!-away for no reason! With those beasts on our side the whole world would bow to us! And you want to remove their mother?! Are you mad?!"
Father and Son stared one another down, neither willing to cave.
Then, remarkably, the King did just that.
"What would you have me do, then?"
Naruto sighed.
"If I might offer a suggestion, my king?" Tyrion implored. "I believe the lad has a solution. You ought to listen."
Naruto shot the dwarf a grateful look, but his turmoil remained.
Part of him had always known it would come to this.
The idea of having more than wife had always been an alien one to him. If not for Littlefinger's-or was it truly Varys behind all this-manipulations he never would have given it so much as a second thought. Even now he only recently begun to consider it even a remotely viable option at all. but this was the only path he could see that didn't end in exile or death for him or those he cared for.
Exhaling deeply, he uttered the words that would seal his fate.
"I propose that I do as the Targaryen's once did." he said.
"And what, pray tell, is that?"
"I shall marry them both."
Daenerys stiffened.
"What?"
It was both what she had wanted, and entirely unexpected. That he'd argued for her and against her exile was wonderful, but marrying her and another? Thinking it was one thing, hearing it another, and learning that it was to be her fate was something else entirely.
What was she to think of this?
"...very well." Stannis's sudden concession drew a baffled blink from all, "You've made your point." feeling weary indeed, he waved him on. "Marry the Targaryen girl as well then, if you're so smitten with her. But on your head be the consequences. The wedding will be tomorrow, you will be married, and then you will go to the Twins to witness the wedding as promised. Gods take you."
Naruto bowed.
"As you command, Father."
Genuflecting, he turned to depart.
"Son." Stannis's voice rang out at his back.
Naruto paused.
"Yes?"
Stannis was silent for a long time, gazing at the rigid back of his progeny.
On some level, he remained conflicted. Oh, he acknowledged the boy for his clever manipulations, of course. He'd found the best path for both parties, if not necessarily the easiest. The boy had the will to face him down in full sight of others and not retreat. For that, if nothing else, he had his respect. Respect wouldn't save him a second time. He'd just made it clear that he had his own ambitions, his own desires. And should those desires ever fall into conflict with that of the realm...
"If you ever threaten me like that again, you will die."
The blond turned and offered a humble bow.
"Perish the thought, your grace."
Turning his back to his father, he marched to the doors, flung them open, and stormed out.
Leaving all behind.
"Well." Tyrion murmured darkly to himself, "That went better than expected." It had indeed, far, far better than he'd expected it do. He'd thought swords might be drawn and blood spilled, that a prince might well yet become a king. "Come my lady," he said, offering her his hand, "I shall escort you to your chambers. You have a wedding to prepare for. I'm sure we can find something for you to wear."
Daenerys could only manage a nod.
None noticed the hidden smile on the visage of Petyr Baelish.
Everything was falling into place.
(...Meanwhile...)
Everything was coming undone.
Margaery Tyrell knew this.
Just not how to stop it.
Even as she read the missive, her mind was racing, plotting, planning. Her position, once so secure, had been eroded in a matter of moments, and she hadn't even been told. She'd had to learn of it through a note from one of her grandmother's spies and it hurt, it hurt, it hurt far more than it should; more than she could have expected. The missive wounded her far more than words ever could, and she found herself sinking into her chair with a repressed groan, fighting tears.
She should have known.
She should have glimpsed her ruin in the Targaryen girl's eyes when she was first presented to the court. It all seemed so long ago now. Just as she first sensed something amiss when the Prince had argued so fervently against her being thrown back into the sea. She'd thought him merely chivalrous, against the idea of a woman being harmed. Clearly, she'd been mistaken. Not just in refusing to meet with the Mother of Dragons, but for allowing this dalliance to become...this. Somehow Daenerys Targaryen had gotten her claws into him, she and her dragons both, and now she feared she would be losing him to her entirely.
Part of her suspected the Spider had a hand in all this, or perhaps even that wretched Littlefinger, with his gutless smile.
Someone was scheming to undo them all, but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out who.
Someone was sowing dissent in their ranks and chaos in their hearts.
Someone was doing a very good job of it, at that.
It no long mattered, she supposed.
She could no longer argue this.
By rights, the Baratheon's were fulfilling their promise; she would indeed be married to the Prince and-with luck!-become the next queen. They had neglected to mention, however, that Naruto would be taking Daenerys also as his wife. It smacked of disrespect, and worse, it angered her. She had thought they had an understanding. That he cared for her. She'd even found herself slowly starting to care for him. He was a good man, an excitable one perhaps, but a kind one, and honest to a fault.
Perhaps that was why this hurt, thus.
The idea of sharing him with another should repulse her, and by some measure, it did.
Well, she certainly had a way to remedy that, didn't she?
Steeling herself, she crumpled the note in her hand.
One way or another he would be hers.
A/N: And the plots doth THICKEN! there you have it! We're back in business! Also, *sniff* I'm afraid I have some bad news. Game of Thrones is ENDING! That's right, they've confirmed that there are only two seasons left and they're going to shorten the amount of episodes in each. WHY?! Why you do this?!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
(Preview(s)
Naruto exhaled softly.
"Goodbye, my friend."
And laid the flowers down.
R&R! =D
