Chapter 12-Deadly Interaction
Naruto was in the North. Or to be more accurate, he was in Winterfell seeking out one Bran Stark. Word had reached him by raven from Maester Luwin that Bran was showing some strange abilities and having strange dream like visions. Given how Naruto was part of the magical and supernatural realm from which Luwin himself had no real experience, he felt it was best if the Sage paid the boy a visit. While the Maester of the North didn't have the experience personally, nor understood how Naruto did what he did, the elderly man knew when to call for help from someone who did know.
Hence why Naruto was here.
"Hello Bran. Working hard I see," said Naruto when he walked into the main hall of the castle of Winterfell to see Bran was surrounded by book, Maester Luwin, and Jon Stark with the dire wolf Ghost and Summer in the corner watching everything.
"Hello Great Sage. Thank you for coming at my Maester's request," replied Bran politely while seeing Jon also giving a nod of respect to the masked man who helped get him to be a legitimate member of House Stark.
"When the Maester wrote to me about your unique abilities, I felt it was my duty to see just what they were exactly, and decide on how to proceed following what I learn. Now, tell me in your own words what it is you are doing during these dreams or what you see happening in your dreams?" questioned Naruto with Bran nodding.
"Well...sometimes, I dream I'm Summer, my dire wolf. I see myself through his eyes and we are hunting as one. I see everything he sees. I feel what he feels when eating the prey captured during the hunt. Other times, I see...I see strange things. I'm not part of it, but I see shapes or animals moving around the world. I sometimes see a Kraken attacking the North with what looks like a near empty wolf's den being flooded. I see three dragons flying around a desert area with broken chains while shooting fire on the chains to make them melt. I see the wolves who were from the North killing most of the lions in the West and a Stag made of fire burning another Stag with roses on top of its antlers to ash. And recently I saw...I saw...," said Bran while hesitating.
"You saw what?" asked Naruto frowning.
"I see a three eyed raven. It speaks to me saying to find him. In the far North...beyond the Wall. I also saw...I also saw...the White Walkers," said Bran with Naruto frowning.
"Are you sure Bran?" asked Naruto with Bran nodding.
"Yes. While it was only for a brief moment. But it was one of them. He might even be the leader of them. He has a crown of horns made of crystal like ice coming out of his head. It looked like he could see me with the way his eyes stared into mine. He actually reached out to grab my arm, but thankfully I woke up before it happened," replied Bran with Naruto frowning.
"If this White Walker does exist, I won't let him hurt you Bran," said Jon to assure his brother's worries for the future.
'So they made their own King. It figures since they need a leader. It only took them at least a thousand years. Still, I have to investigate this after I deal with Bran,' thought Naruto before refocusing himself on Bran.
"The White Walkers can't get through the Wall. The magic residing in it prevents them from entering," said Bran knowing the stories about the Wall and how it kept the White Walkers from heading South.
"True. But let's leave the White Walkers alone for the moment. They clearly know of you and your existence, but getting over the Wall is just not possible for them at the moment. Even with their army of the undead. As for your dreams of being your dire wolf, I would say you my dear boy are...a Warg," replied Naruto with amusement at the end.
"A Warg?" asked Bran while the others looked intrigued.
"Yes. Its a rare trait to possess such an ability such as this one. I know even the Wildlings beyond the Wall have such a skill and have used it as such to spy on the Nights Watch to see the best way to get around the most guarded areas. Its how some of them get over the Wall without being seen. Case in point being the Wildling girl you recently acquired into your service," said Naruto with Bran looking intrigued yet worried.
"Does that mean I'm part...Wildling? What does a Warg do exactly?" asked Bran with Naruto letting out a chuckle.
"No. Its not hereditary per se. Your son or daughter could or could not possess the skill and the same goes for your Grandchildren. Your descendents may not have it for three generations, but the fourth might. When it appears isn't an exact science. As for what a Warg is, it means you Bran Stark, have the ability to possess the minds of animals, and ultimately control them for a period of time," answered Naruto with Bran looking at him in shock and awe.
"Animal possession?" questioned Bran with Naruto nodding.
"And not just your dire wolf either. You can control ravens, cats, pig, goats, and just about anything alive. You possess their bodies and move around as they would while their animal instincts become yours for a time. You're Warg skills are in their infancy stage right now. Meaning you understand what it happening, but are not truly capable of controlling things. Not yet anyway," replied Naruto with Bran nodding.
"Is there a downside to this power?" asked Jon with concern since he feared there was a catch this sort of power.
The Gods always made sure of that.
"There is a catch. As you Warg with an animal, you essentially are the animal during that time. Meaning, if you were a pig, or farm animal about to be killed for food...you would die as if you actually were the pig or farm animal about to be killed for food. In short, if the animal you Warg into dies for whatever reason its life ends, you die with it. The pain from the animal's death transfers into your brain here and is so intense your actual body shuts down too because it believe its been hit with a lethal strike to the body. One could say its a form of mind over body used against you," answered Naruto with Bran looking pale at the thought.
"So only use this power sparingly and carefully," surmised Jon while Naruto nodded.
"Practice makes perfect. No question, but do it within the confines of the castle, and without one of the animals most likely to lose its life. Also, I wouldn't rely on using the ability to Warg to sustain your actual body if in an animal for a long time. Remember, the animal you are possessing is eating another animal, not you personally with your human body. As such your own body must not be neglected," replied Naruto in a lecturing and warning tone.
"Speaking of human bodies...does Bran have the power to possess other people? If one can Warg with an animal...is it possible to do possess another person?" asked Jon with Naruto surprising them by nodding.
"It is possible in theory. It all really depends on the possessor and the possessed in terms of who is mentally stronger. The Warg would have to be incredibly strong mentally and have a great deal of experience with his or her power. The possessed would have to be of a weaker mind of sorts to allow a Warg to possess him or her in such a manner. Another way to do it, at least in theory, is for the possessor to allow such a possession to even take place when the attempt is made. Again, its all in theory, but I wouldn't make the attempt at this time," replied Naruto with Bran thinking things over.
"I will be careful when I Warg into other animals. Maybe I will do it just with Summer for now," said Bran while Naruto nodded in approval.
"Good. Just make sure you don't spend too much time in your dire wolf's head. Its not good to stay in there or any animal's head for too long," said Naruto in a concerned tone.
"What about my dream about the three eyed raven? He spoke to me in my dream and asked for me to find him beyond the Wall," questioned Bran while Naruto thought that part over in his head.
"I'll deal with him. He and I have...history together," replied Naruto sadly.
"You know of this three eyed raven?" asked Jon while wondering if there was more to this then the Sage let on.
"More then you know. Rest assured Bran, you do not need the three eyed raven to teach you about your powers. Leave that to me," replied Naruto before patting the boy.
"You're going to train me?" asked Bran in shock.
"Only to help master your ability to Warg and your visions of the future. The latter is the most difficult to Master because those who experience it at a young age don't understand what they see. As such, it can make someone go mad because they see things that neither make sense, or do make sense to them with not all of their visions being nice. Foresight is contrary to many people wishing for such a power, not a pleasant ability to have in one's hands. Especially, if you see the death of those you love, or even yourself, and are unable to do something to stop it," said Naruto with Bran looking frightened by such a power.
"Can it be controlled?" asked Bran with Naruto nodding.
"With time and training. You currently lack the discipline because you are young and are unable to stop seeing such visions due to them appearing in your sleep. When you sleep, your mind is more relaxed, and it is the reason why they keep happening when dreaming. When I take care of my business beyond the Wall, as well as some other private matters, I will come back here to help with your powers, and make sure its under better control," said Naruto before getting up from his seat and heading for the door.
"But what if these visions keep happening while you are away?" asked Bran with Naruto looking back.
"The visions can't hurt you Bran. Not all of them will be pleasant, but not all of them are horrible either. Tell your visions to Jon or Maester Luwin after they happen. With more minds helping you understand what you saw, the better it will be to act accordingly," said Naruto before he was out the door.
(Stormlands-At the Moment)
Naruto appeared just as Catelyn Stark rode into the encampment of Renly Baratheon and his army mixed with those of House Tyrell. Both of their appearances had shocked the men there, some had drawn their swords, while others seeing who the masked was, had quickly stopped them, and quickly bowed their heads in respect. They knew the masked man from their childhood and the stories spoken of the masked three eyed Sage, who had the power to crush armies of men like they dimwitted children.
"Lady Stark. Hope I didn't frighten you with my sudden appearance," said Naruto with the woman getting off her horse and smiled at him.
"No. I'm all right Great Sage. Why are you here, if I may ask?" questioned Catelyn while Naruto were currently walking with her to see the melee going on in front of the Renly and his new wife Margery Tyrell.
"To speak to Renly. He needs to stop his campaign for the Iron Throne before its too late and a whole lot of shit spirals out of control," said Naruto with all seriousness in his voice on the matter.
"I need Renly's help to fight the Lannisters. Surely my husband will understand if I ask him to make Renly the official King?" countered Catelyn while Naruto shook his head.
"While tempting to make Renly King, he can't be one due to the rules of succession, and there is also the matter of his...sexual preferences," whispered Naruto while Catelyn now had a grim look on her face.
"Then my coming here might be for not," whispered Catelyn while Naruto shrugging.
"Not necessarily. Perhaps you can convince Renly and Stannis to stop their bickering and make peace with each other. I doubt either one wants to be labeled a kinslayer. With any luck, a third party such as yourself can talk some sense into them. You have a knack for it," replied Naruto before they saw the melee going on in a much closer setting.
"Yield! I yield!" exclaimed Ser Loras of House Tyrell.
Not surprising when your helmet is lifted off your face and a dagger pointing down at it.
"Well fought! Approach," commanded Renly while clapping and saw the victor approach and kneeled.
'The armor is a bit bulky so it hides the body behind it well, but that is clearly not a man behind that armor,' thought Naruto while seeing the victor of the melee with analytical eyes.
"Rise and remove your helmet," commanded Renly while the melee victor did that and many were shocked to see it was a woman of all things who had bested Ser Loras in a fight.
'I knew it. My Mother would be laughing herself stupid if she were here,' thought Naruto since he knew how his Mother was the same way and wanting to prove herself among the other gender.
"You are everything your Father promised and more my Lady. I've seen Ser Loras bested once or twice, but never in quite the fashion. Most impressive," praised Renly while Ser Loras himself didn't look pleased.
"Now now my love. My brother fought valiantly for you," said Margery to make sure her husband wouldn't forget Loras and his true value.
"That he did my Queen. However, there can only be one champion. Brienne of Tarth, you may ask anything you desire. If it is within my power, it is yours," replied Renly while he saw the woman once again took a knee.
"Your Grace, I ask for the honor of a place within your Kingsguard. I will be one of your seven, pledge my life to yours and keep safe from all harm," said Brienne while Renly just smiled and nodded.
"Done. Rise Brienne of the Kingsguard!" declared Renly while everyone around them started clapping, but it was clear to Naruto not everyone was happy with the news of having a woman be among them in such a male dominated position.
Naruto nodded in approval though since the woman had definitely earned her right to be in such a position since she knew how to fight and was clearly believed in fighting for someone worthy of her sword. With a whisper to a knight near them, Naruto motioned the man to step forward, and make the necessary announcement.
"Your Grace, I have the honor of bringing you the Great Sage Naruto of House Uzumaki. Beside him is Catelyn Tully Stark, the envoy of the Lord of Winterfell Robb Stark," said the Knight while presenting the two people behind him.
"Lord of Winterfell and King in the North!" declared Catelyn while glaring at the man who announced their arrival.
"I still can't believe that happened. You, your husband, and son will have to talk about that last title Lady Stark," whispered Naruto with Catelyn letting a grimace form on her face for a second, but nodded discreetly all the same.
'He's right. Robb didn't ask to become King in the North, but the situation in the South with the Lannister's actions in the past using the late King Robert has made them hate the idea of bending the knee to someone on the Iron Throne. House Stark is considered to be royalty in the North just like Lannisters are in the West, the Tyrells in the South, and the Arryn in the East. The only difference is Northern Lords don't have such a strong sense of loyalty to the throne that has a history of hurting them for so long. Ned is Regent, but he won't rule over King's Landing forever, and they know it to be true. This war happening with the Lannisters is the chance for the North to leave the Kingdom as a whole and be its own with a King to serve far closer to home,' thought Catelyn while telling Robb as such and he agreed with her on the issue.
The problem was getting the Northern Lords to do the same. If Robb tried to resist them on the issue, even when it first started out, it risked many Houses withdrawing support to fight the Lannisters. Why fight for a House run by a Liege Lord who doesn't have the fire in him to fight back against the injustice done to them and the North as a whole?
"Great Sage. Lady Stark. I'm pleased to see you both. May I present my lovely wife Lady Margery of House Tyrell," said Renly while presenting the woman, who was indeed one of true beauty.
"An honor Lady Tyrell. I actually know of your Grandmother. She was quite the beauty many years ago. I see much of her in you," replied Naruto with a bow.
"You knew my Grandmother? She never mentioned it," replied Margery in surprise.
"That's because I asked her not to tell anyone she knew about me on such a level. Its not something I wished to be known at the time and I didn't want her hassled over the fact she knew me all those years ago. Over time, many people have been trying to find my home in order to learn of my secrets to using my magic. They have even gone so far as to harass others who could actually lay claim to having met or known me to find the actual location of my home," explained Naruto with Margery nodding in understanding and saw why he wanted his privacy.
"You are both welcome here. Lady Catelyn I am sorry for what has befallen your family with the two attempts of murder of one of your children and the attempted coup against your husband. Rest assured, the Lannisters will pay for this when the time comes," said Renly while trying to play to the crowd of knights around them to make himself be the kind and generous King the people would fight for when the time came.
"It is enough to know justice is done my Lord," replied Catelyn while Brienne of Tarth seemed peeved by her way of addressing him.
"Its 'your Grace' when addressing Renly Baratheon. You should both be kneeling when approaching the King," stated Brienne with a hint of anger.
"There is no need for that. Catelyn Stark is an honored guest representing House Stark and House Tully. And the Great Sage helped my late older brother Robert win the Iron Throne almost single handedly. Its actually because of him that we learned of the plot by the Lannisters to take the Iron Throne from him using one of three incest bastard born children. I even hear they had a hand in the death of the former Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn of the Vale. Neither of them are required to kneel," replied Renly to calm his new Kingsguard.
"Has your son marched on the Lannisters yet Lady Stark?" asked Ser Loras with Naruto wondering if the man even understood he said a very stupid question.
"I do not sit on my son's War Council meetings. And even if I did, I would not share his strategies," replied Catelyn Stark with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"If Robb Stark wants a pact with us, then he should have come here himself. Not hide behind his Mother's skirt," said Loras with a hint of amusement and got some chuckles from among the Knights around him.
"My son is fighting in a war. Not playing at one," countered Catelyn with more bite to her words and a glare to match that silenced the laughter around her.
"Its true. So far Robb Stark's army has won every single battle against the Lannisters to date. And unlike you Ser Loras, the man does not yield to others," added Naruto since he knew such news would make many here think twice about doubting Robb's ability to lead the Northerners to victory.
Plus insulting Loras's pride was an added bonus.
"Don't worry Lady Stark. Our war is just beginning. The Lannisters may have the most gold, but the casualties we will inflict on them will make the value of it while men fight for them decline greatly," replied Renly while getting off his own throne and was walking down to the center of the little melee arena where the two guest stood with Margery right beside him.
"Actually, the war is why I am here. We should walk and talk," replied Naruto seriously to Renly, who nodded in agreement.
"I already know about my brother and he doesn't concern me. I have 100,000 men under my command. All the might of the Stormlands and the Reach," said Renly proudly while all the Knights around him nodded and cheered as he walked by.
"And all of them are young and bold like your Knight of Flowers. Its all a game to you isn't it? I pity them and you," remarked Catelyn sadly at the sight of these men acting so cheerful.
"Why?" asked Renly in confusion.
"Because it won't last. Because these are Knights of Summer and Winter is coming," said Catelyn while seeing Naruto understood what she meant.
These men were men living in warm weather and Southern temperatures allowing each man here to live a nice, almost cushy lifestyle. They enjoyed the pleasant feeling Summer and the heat and warmth of the season. Since this was the end of the longest Summer on record, the Winter that was to come following a brief season of Fall would be cruel to these men beyond measure. Not only that, but this war wasn't some mere tourney where one smashed into another man on a horse with a wooden lance and was granted victory with points.
No. This was a serious war.
One where swords, spears, arrows, and all forms of weaponry were used to end another man's life. Northern men understood this. Out of all the Seven Kingdoms, out of all key four points of Westeros, the North had the most battle hardened men living there, and rightfully so since everything in the North must be earned. Not given. Something the West, East, and the South failed to remember when it came to the hardship of Winter when one has to live off the land. To fight for every scrap of food and clothing one can get their hands on. Many thought the North was filled with fur wearing barbarians, but it was those furs earned through hunting, and living off the land that allowed Northerners to live through the most brutal of Winters.
And the most brutal of times.
"Brienne, please escort Lady Catelyn to her tent. She's clearly tired from her journey here after such a long ride. The Sage and I will conduct business in my tent. Meet us there later," commanded Renly with Brienne nodding.
"At once your Grace," said Brienne before she moved Catelyn to the assigned tent meant for guests while Renly to his own with Naruto beside him.
"She's not wrong Renly. These men have never been challenged in a fight beyond those of tourneys and the like where they are from. Stannis himself has veterans under his own command who have seen plenty of warfare in the past. He's a man who surrounds himself with capable men and know how to fight when knee deep in battle. While I know you do not believe that Stannis can win against you due to his lack of numbers, he makes up for it with having quality, competence, and military discipline on his side," remarked Naruto with Renly sighing.
"So you're saying my chances against my older brother are slim to none?" questioned Renly with Naruto shaking his head.
"Its not that Renly. You have the numbers. No question. You have the quantity in terms of the army needed to win. But Stannis has the quality. I always found that quality trumps quantity nine times out of ten," said Naruto with Renly sitting in his chair and drinking some wine.
"And the one out of ten where quantity actually trumps quality?" asked Renly with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"The victory is a hollow one. You will lose so many of your men that the victory doesn't even seem like one at all. Is that what you want Renly? To be the one out of ten and lose a large portion of your army in the process? To have all your men who survived come to the horribly reality that so many of their comrades died just so you could sit on the Iron Throne? That they fought, bled, and nearly died for one man to sit on the seat of power that made one King go mad and his successor into a drunkard?" questioned Naruto with Renly looking away with a sad expression on his face.
"I don't want my men to die Naruto. Contrary to what you might believe about me on a personally, I deplore unnecessary violence," replied Renly with Naruto nodding.
"Which is why I came here Renly. To get you and Stannis to stop this war that about to erupt between you two. If you don't, I foresee nothing but pain, hardship, and death," said Naruto with Renly looking more amused then worried.
"I heard rumors of your having the ability to see the future. Is such a thing true? Did you see my future just now?" asked Renly with a smile.
"Damn it Renly I'm being serious! You have spent your whole life living it easy because you are the youngest Baratheon among your brothers! Both men fought in war while you didn't. They knew how to fight while you know how to charm people. When it comes to war, who do you think has a better chance of winning? The man who knows about how to fight? Or the man who knows how to be charming?" questioned Naruto with his patience with the man getting thin.
It was at that point Brienne entered the tent with watchful eyes.
"What would you have me do Naruto? Talk to my brother? Make peace with him?" asked Renly with Naruto nodding.
"Yes, for starters anyway. Second, you need to get this strange idea of being King out of your head. Unless, your older brother Stannis suddenly drops dead without you being in any shape or form involved in the slightest, the laws about the succession to the throne are very specific Renly," replied Naruto with Renly scowling at him now for bringing that particular piece of information up.
"Stannis will not make peace with me Great Sage. He wants the Iron Throne as much as I do. But we both know he's not King material. I am. My only misfortune here was being the youngest of my brothers," replied Renly with Naruto nodding in somewhat agreement to his words.
"You're right about Stannis not being King material. A good commander? Yes. A King? No. Especially now with the Red Woman influencing him from her position as his new Advisor," replied Naruto with Renly looking amused.
"Yes I've heard about her. Burning statues of the Seven. Seeing visions in fire and calling on her Lord of Light for guidance. You think this Red Woman is a threat to me with her so called magic?" questioned Renly with Naruto scowling at him.
"Renly, I'm more of a threat to you then she could ever hope to be in life. The only reason I don't slay your ignorant ass right now is because I don't believe it is necessary, and you are the most reasonable of your brothers. However, the Red Woman is indeed a threat to you because unlike me, you don't have any defense against her power. She can use magic and will use it on you if Stannis wants your army to fight for him," replied Naruto with his tone showing how serious he was about this.
"And be marked as a kinslayer? Surely Stannis wouldn't go that far?" questioned Brienne while Naruto nodded.
"My Kingsguard is right. My brother is many things, but killing his own brother? No. He wouldn't do that," replied Renly with Naruto sighing.
"You think so huh? Let me tell you story. Its about a man, who killed his entire family. A man who was given this sinful task by the leader he was sworn to serve. To go home and kill his own family for the sake of the village he lived in and loved as a whole," replied Naruto before telling Renly the story of Uchiha Itachi and how the man killed his kin in the name of duty to the village.
In the end, it seemed to make the two people standing in the tent with him understand the seriousness of the situation regarding Stannis.
"I see. That is...quite a story," replied Renly with his face looking very pale.
"Indeed is quite a story," said Naruto and sighed.
"Is it true? This man killed his entire family? Became a kinslayer multiple times over?" asked Brienne with Naruto nodding.
"Yes. It is true. If a man like Itachi can do that for such a reason, what makes you think Stannis won't do it for one of his own? You are an obstacle to him Renly. The practical man in Stannis tells him that you are his brother and as such you should be shown mercy. The military man in Stannis however, tells him obstacles who get in his way are to be killed so you won't be a threat to him anymore. Stannis will listen to the practical side of himself first, but should you refuse his offer, the military side will use whatever available resource is at his disposal to remove your life from play. Even going so far as to using one with the ability to use magic to do it," replied Naruto with Renly sighing.
"You're right. I don't want to bend the knee to my brother since we both know the man is not worthy of being King. But at the same time, I don't want to fight Stannis. He is my brother after all," replied Renly with Naruto nodding knowing the man was stuck in a very difficult situation.
"I know you don't Renly. And I think Stannis doesn't want to either. At least not without a proper excuse or reason. Just be cautious from here on out Renly. Better to be cautious and have nothing happen, then be ignorant and someone putting a blade in your back," said Naruto with Renly sighing.
"And what about the Red Woman? If she is whispering into my brother's ear and he's listening to her...I fear for his mind," said Renly with Naruto nodding.
"Leave her to me when the time comes," replied Naruto before he left in a ripple.
"I heard stories of his magic, but never until now did I believe it even existed," remarked Brienne at the sight of seeing Naruto vanish.
"I agree. The things I could do with that power to vanish alone is worth more to me then all the gold in the world," said Renly before letting out a sigh and had some more wine while thinking about his conversation with Naruto.
He had much to think about.
(Iron Islands-Pyke)
Theon was in his room. A room he had not been in since his time as a boy. As the son of Balon Greyjoy. It was dark with only a single lit candle at his desk. Theon was currently sitting in it, reading his warning letter to Robb about how things didn't go as planned. How the young Greyjoy's bitter Father was now planning to attack the North in typical Ironborn fashion after finding out it was vulnerable now that its men were now fighting against the Lannisters.
All he had to do was tie this to a raven and let it fly straight to Robb Stark.
He should do it. He could do it.
And yet...Theon didn't do it.
On one hand, he owed the Starks for many things in life. They treated him well. Better then most would in their place in fact. They made sure he was educated, trained to fight, and the brothels with women in them weren't have bad either. Theon learned a lot from his time in the North and from the Starks. His Father thought the North was weak, but they weren't weak. Everyday in the North was one where the strong lived and survived the harsh temperatures surrounding it. Bitter colds, winds, snow, and the animals around the North that would go so far as to kill or eat humans to survive. Theon had hoped his Father would be pleased to see his son become so strong in such a harsh environment. To see his son was indeed every bit the man the boy's brothers had been in life.
Sadly, his own Father never did care about him very much. His two dead brothers were considered more like son to Balon Greyjoy then Theon ever could have been in his eyes. It didn't matter to old bitter man sitting on the Salt Throne that Theon was strong, could fight, and did fight in many battles. Had they been navy battles with ships under his command, had Theon raped, pillaged, and did everything worthy of being called his son and an Ironborn...maybe Balon would actually see his son as his son.
And not as some dog he threw away to the wolves in the hopes they would eat him alive so the stain on the kraken's blood would die.
Theon desired for his Father to acknowledge him as his son. To see Theon as his Heir and welcome him back with open arms. He wanted the old bitter man to look at him and say "I'm sorry for throwing you away. You have become strong and I wasn't there to see it happen."
But that wasn't Balon Greyjoy. No. Balon Greyjoy was a mean bitter old man, who was so bitter with his past losses at the hands of Westeros that he would rather continue where he left off years ago, and burn everything to the ground. To take everything around him and leave everyone else with nothing. To rape, pillage, plunder, and destroy whatever his eyes could see or not see while taking everything of value for himself.
'In order to gain my Father's approval, I need to betray Robb. But what if Father's plans for the North fail? What will Robb do to me if I'm captured? I swore an oath to follow him when proclaimed King of the North, yet I am Ironborn. We do not sow. Oaths and words mean nothing to us. Only actions. All that truly matters is the Ironborn way and appeasing the Drowning God,' thought Theon while holding the rolled up letter with his House seal on it and frowned.
Deep down, Theon knew he should side with Robb Stark. He knew his Father was in over his head trying to go back to the ways of old. Those days were archaic and the beliefs of an old bitter man who was a sore loser and letting his equally bitter hatred from losing all those years ago fester like a disease you got from an unclean whore at a dirty brothel.
And yet...Robb Stark wasn't his Father. Robb Stark was his brother by oath, but sadly not his blood.
If only things had been different.
"I'm sorry Robb. But I can't betray my family," whispered Theon before putting the rolled up parchment on the lit candle and watched it slowly burn away.
"You already did Theon," whispered Naruto coldly while he stabbed Theon in the back with a tanto with he end of the blade coming out the front of his chest.
"G-Great Sage!" exclaimed Theon in surprise.
"I had hoped you would not go down this path Theon. I watched you talk to your Father. How he insulted you shortly after seeing him. Pleading with him to see the bigger picture in the war with the Lannisters. I'm not all that surprised he said no to the offer Robb gave you to give to him. Bitterness is a poison and your Father has been drinking it for over a decade. But what disappoints me the most in your actions is the fact you would betray your sworn brother Robb Stark, and House Stark for that matter. All for the mean, bitter piece of shit you would call a Father. Ned Stark was more of a Father to you then your own Father by blood. And how do you repay him? How do you repay House Stark? By siding with the bitter old man named Balon Greyjoy. The man who threw you away to save his own life and didn't show an ounce of regret doing it after bending the knee. You sided with that idiot for a sire over the House that actually treated you with something akin to an actual family. Such a betrayal will not go unpunished in my eyes Theon. You owed your happy life in the North to the Starks and betrayed them for this fucking shit hole your Father calls the Iron Islands," whispered Naruto while Theon was choking on the blood slowly spewing out of his mouth.
"P-Please don't...kill me!" pleaded Theon while Naruto pressed the blade in deeper.
"Too little too late Theon. You are already dead. Once I pull out this weapon...its over," whispered Naruto while Theon still struggled to live.
"R-Robb needs...my...my help. My...Father is...is planning to...invade the North!" said Theon while Naruto nodded.
"I know. I already warned him and Ned Stark about this. Your Father's plans will fail and the Ironborn sent to attack the North will die. I wish you hadn't chosen this path Theon. Alas, you made your decision, and now must live with the consequences," replied Naruto before pulling the tanto out and left the Greyjoy there to bleed over the desk.
Without even looking back, Naruto was gone into the shadows of the room, and was gone long before Theon's sister found him like that the next morning. Yara accused her Father of having Theon killed despite the man denying it and calling his only remaining child a fool for thinking as such. Yara countered saying Balon didn't love Theon and saw him as a threat to their plans to invade the North. How he didn't trust his own son because Theon had been with the Starks for so long. Again, Balon denied it, calling his daughter a fool, and would not resort to such a manner of killing his only remaining son, even if said son was nothing more then a naive servant of the wolf pup in the North.
Thus began the gradual rift between Yara Greyjoy and her Father...just as Naruto planned when he killed Theon.
(Lannisport-Tyrion Lannister's Quarters)
Tyrion sighed while looking over his work for the day and wondered if this appointed position by his Father was another way to kill him off. Death through sheer boredom and paperwork. Not to mention keeping Joffrey and Cersei in line. Word reached everyone in Lannisport of Tywin giving temporary lordship of the city over to Tyrion and it was met with mixed reactions. Shock for the most part, some anger by others, but surprisingly the majority of the people did support the decision.
It seemed anyone was better then Cersei or Joffrey in their eyes. Oh Cersei had tried to usurp him. Same with Joffrey. They had tried to use their positions, claimed positions, threats, bribery, and everything else one could use to turn the soldiers against Tyrion. It all failed of course. Tyrion knew so long as Tywin was (ironically enough) alive to have the final say over the West, Cersei could not get the soldiers in the city around her to move against Tyrion, and that was just fine with the "imp" of House Lannister.
Besides, it seemed this work in running the city was going to do it for her anyway. In the short time Cersei had "ruled" here under Joffrey's name, the woman had spent a lot more gold then one should. She either spent it on herself, Joffrey, something Joffrey wanted, something she wanted, and ultimately compensated the family treasury by taking more money from the people.
'I swear, the woman expects too much from the people. She relies on this imaginary fact her House name is Lannister and everyone should bleed in some manner for it and for her personally,' thought Tyrion while working on the letter he was writing to Naruto in the hopes he or maybe even Ned Stark would read it.
In truth, the letter was written to somehow make peace with the North, the Lord Regent, and get this war to end without further loss of life. The North had been dominating one battle after the next without stopping from what news reached Lannisport about the war. The only good news right now was a significant portion of the Northern army was sent back to defend against the impending invasion by the Iron Islands. Not only that, but the health of one Holster Tully was getting weaker by the day, and it wouldn't be long before the Liege Lord of the Riverruns would die of old age. Hence further delays for the North to advance further South to the West and ultimately claim victory over House Lannister.
Still, such delays were only temporary, and Tyrion knew he had to milk such moments for all they were worth.
"You won't let me leave this room! You won't let me..." said Shae, the current woman in Tyrion's life, whom he met back just days before fighting beside the Hill Tribesmen of the Vale.
"Sshh, keep your voice down!" exclaimed Tyrion worriedly since he knew his sister still had spies working for her to find evidence needed to get their Father to remove him as the Lord of Lannisport.
"Why? You think your Father can hear me? In another city? On some distant battlefield while surrounded by his army?!" Shae countered while raising her voice and made Tyrion grimace.
By the Gods why did the most stubborn women intrigue him so damn much?!
"I don't intend for you to stay here. I honestly didn't expect to become Lord of Lannisport either or have you by my side. Yet here we are in this room. But I need to have you here under legitimate reasons that won't raise any suspicion by my sister. Even now she is seeking to conspire against me to find a way to remove me from my current position. If she does succeed, I will be locked away, and you will be suffering horribly under her thumb if not under the cruel hands of my nephew Joffrey. I don't have to tell you that neither he or his Mother are the nicest people to be around," warned Tyrion with Shae sighing.
"I take it you have an idea on how to keep me around?" asked Shae with Tyrion nodding since it was the only way he could think up at the moment.
"As I stated earlier, I don't intend for you to stay here. I might be able to bring you into the kitchens. Again, its only temporary!" stated Tyrion with Shaw frowning.
"Every man who has tasted my cooking has told me what a good whore I am," said Shae, as she saw Tyrion grimace, and had a feeling his next few choice words wouldn't be well liked by her.
"Well, you wouldn't be a cook. You would be posing as a scullion," replied Tyrion with Shae looking at him cautiously.
"Scullion? What's a scullion?" asked Shae since she was from another land and culture so her understanding of a few choice words defining someone's profession was slightly off.
"A kitchen wench," answered Tyrion and winced since it was basically her being in the kitchen, working in the kitchen, and yet not being an actual cook.
"A kitchen wench? So I am to provide food to everyone around me when called? Perhaps I should give some of the men a 'special desert' while I am at it?" asked Shae angrily with Tyrion sighing again.
"Yes and no. This is only a precaution to keep you alive. We have both come to a very dangerous place. My position here is stable, but barely given my sister hating me with every fiber of her being. My nephew is no better. They will both do everything in their power to gain control of Lannisport before moving to take the Iron Throne back from Ned Stark. I have to keep my family at bay while at the same time try to bring peace between House Lannister and House Stark. There is also the issue with House Baratheon, who my sister has had the distinguished pleasure of fucking over horribly in terms of her being unfaithful to her late husband, and the late King of the Seven Kingdoms no less," explained Tyrion with Shae raising an eyebrow at him.
"I heard the late King was unfaithful as well," remarked Shae with her arms crossed.
"True, but my sister also conspired to have said King and the Hand of the King killed so her morals are not what you call...existent. She also wants to hurt me and she will look for any weakness she can find," said Tyrion with Shae looking insulted.
"So I am a weakness?" questioned Shae with Tyrion sighing.
"Its a compliment my lady. I assure you it was not an insult in the slightest. When I mean you are a weakness, I mean anything, everything, and everyone who gives me joy is a target. You give me happiness. My sister cannot stand to see me happy in any shape or form and I know whatever or whoever brings me joy is a target for her machination to bring about my downfall," explained Tyrion and was silently thankful to Naruto during their walk to the Vale in regards to their talk about how to diffuse a conflict with women when they assume the wrong things when in a heated conversation.
Just be truthful and honest with the woman you are in a relationship with Tyrion. Explain to her in very precise detail what you are trying to say so she can't misunderstand you.
Tyrion had to admit it had worked so far since it made Shae's scowl on her face become a small smile instead.
"How long must I stay hidden?" asked Shae with Tyrion sighing.
"Only temporary. At least until I can place myself in a secure position where you being out in the open near me doesn't make either of us a target. I need to get in contact with the Great Sage and convince him to get Ned Stark and Robb Stark to make peace with House Lannister. To reach terms in which all parties are satisfied and hopefully one where I can still keep my head in the end when its all over. When all that happens, I will have one less thing to worry about, and you will become my main priority," said Tyrion with Shae smiling further at him.
(North-Beyond the Wall)
Naruto walked toward his destination with a seriousness he had not felt in a long time. To think he would come back here after all this time. How long has it been since he last saw him? A century? Two? Five? Maybe more perhaps?! It didn't matter. Time had come and gone. Now there was only the present.
"You shouldn't have come back here," said one of several girls who looked like she was born from some form of tree or plant.
"And you shouldn't be standing in my way," countered Naruto coldly at the sight of these children of the forest.
His creation from years past, who were meant to help him bring nature to a new height of greatness.
"Considering what you did in the past, you will understand I don't believe you," replied one of the girls glaring at him.
"I'm not here to debate this with you. I'm here to talk to the three eyed raven," said Naruto before walking around one of the forest girls and entered the cave.
And soon found himself standing in front of an old man surrounded by roots of a Heart tree above them.
"So you've finally come. After all these years," commented the old man pinned by the roots of the very Heart tree on the hill above them.
"You didn't think I would. I suppose I should be surprised given your power to see the future. Then again, you never could see the future when it pertains to me," said Naruto with the three eyed raven grimacing.
"Even now you hold nothing but contempt for me. For what I did," replied the three eyed raven while Naruto scowled and removed his mask so the old man could see it.
"Why so surprised? You betrayed me. We had an actual chance for a lasting peace with all mankind. No more wars. No more mindless skirmishes. And what do you do? You fuck it all up in a grab for power. A grab for power, which would have been short lived, and would not last. You saw it. All of it. I know you did or you wouldn't have made the grab. You threw away countless years of hard work and planning for ever lasting peace. And for what? A few measly decades of you sitting on a throne ruling with the world soon plunging into chaos and war within days upon your death. Hardly a proper trade off," replied Naruto with the old man wincing in pain from the memory of his betrayal.
"I made a mistake. I was young. I was filled with power. I do not understand how you could not understand what it means to be so powerful, yet not use it to take direct control, and rule over others! Even now I still do not understand you!" said the three eyed raven with Naruto sighing.
"And I don't expect you to understand me. You dishonored me with your actions. You dishonored my teachings. My beliefs. Even now you seek to escape your punishment in being here by finding your replacement in the form of Bran Stark. He has the gift and you seek to teach him everything I taught you about your powers," replied Naruto with the old man sweating a bit under his gaze.
"He needs a teacher. I can guide him," said the old three eyed raven.
"Tell me, do you really think Bran would accept such teachings if the boy knew of your plan to have him be imprisoned here in your place? Or perhaps you wish to prepare him to the point where you could Warg with his body using one of your trips through the past to see previous events? Seeing a past event with you and then at the last moment, possess his body, and stay in it with your years of experience in a much younger body? Like you tried to do to me when attempting your act of betrayal?" asked Naruto seeing the old man continue to sweat under his gaze.
"I do what I must to live and survive beyond this Hell you put me through. I do what I must to live a life away from this prison. I have served my time. I deserve to be free!" exclaimed the old man.
"You deserve to be punished. You betrayed everything I worked so hard for. What others had worked so hard for when beside me. You betrayed your family. A man who betrays his family for power forfeits his right to be a member of that family. You forfeited your right long ago. Stay away from Bran Stark and don't send anyone to bring him to you. I will kill any who try," replied Naruto before turning around to leave.
"Even now you still judge me with such distain. You, who even now won't punish these children of the forest, your own creations no less in helping make nature thrive again. It was them and their own desperate act to protect nature that they ended up creating the White Walkers. You entrusted them with the mutated pieces of the White Zetsu army you fought long ago and they brought about monsters made of ice and death. Yet you do not punish them with imprisonment like you did me!" exclaimed the old three eyed raven.
"You think they aren't suffering? They are stuck here. In this little barrier. Surrounded by just each other and you. Sooner or later they will break through. Maybe I will even help the White Walkers by removing the barrier for them when I have had enough of your own backstabbing existence. Who knows for certain. What I do know is that when they do come, you along with all of them will perish for your past crimes, and I won't shed tear over it," replied Naruto before walking away from the old man.
"You speak to me of dishonor? How do you think the world would judge you if they all knew you imprisoned your last remaining son to this tree?! Or that it was through your own creations that the White Walkers lived through them?!" questioned the three eyed raven angrily.
And Naruto stopped to look at him.
"I don't care if they judge me my son. Believe me when I say I have a lot to answer for when the time comes to be judged. If I ever am judged at all. What I do know is, that the source behind my actions you mentioned is imprisoned here. Where you and the children of the forest belong. In my three eyes, you are no son of mine and I have no pity when it comes to your remaining life being spent here," replied Naruto with the three eyed raven scowling at him while leaving the cave.
"You want to know why I did what I did? I chose to betray your vision and dream for peace because you were a poor Father to me when growing up. You were always caring more about others then your own family. Raising me was more of a chore then joy for you! In my heart my greatest desire was to see you fail and be humbled! Humbled in the fact one Uzumaki Naruto was not perfect! You are not some wise old Sage with years of ancient knowledge at your command. You are just a three eyed bastard who does not know what it is to be a good Father or person!" exclaimed the three eyed raven angrily while Naruto turned to glance at him.
"You think I don't know your reason, my failure for a son? I knew the reason the moment you executed your plan to betray me all those years ago. I know I wasn't a good Father to you at times. Perhaps, I should have been a much better Father, but something tells me that even if I did act like one...you would have still betrayed me in your grab for power. You would have used my own love for you as a weapon by blinding me with it. I think I would have been unable to stop you. So do not get all righteous with me. The excuse for your actions is fake and a lie," replied Naruto before walking out on the man who at one point would have been called his son.
"You can't save the world this time Father! Not even you can stop the White Walkers and the entire undead army from marching. I have foreseen it! They cannot be destroyed by the likes of you!" called out the old man in an attempt to rattle the Sage further.
"Even after all these long years in his prison, my idiot for a son still hasn't even learned anything regarding his actions! I'm starting to think he won't learn anything," whispered Naruto to himself before he left the cold bitterness of the North beyond the Wall.
Naruto had more important things to do then show pity for someone like his failure and betrayer for a son.
(A/N: YAY! Another long chapter. I had to come up with a way to mix how the White Walkers came into being with Naruto, which at first wasn't easy, but I did the best I could given the situation. Bet you didn't see my spin on the three eyed raven. Hope it played out to your satisfaction. Oh, did you see the most recent episode? I can't wait for Walder Frey to die. You know he's going to die soon because the man is an asshole. The assholes on the show don't die right away like the good guys do (look at the history of show's past seasons and you'll see I'm right), but when they do die, they die extra hard, and painfully like we all know they deserve to die when the time for it does come. So here is hoping Walder Frey and his entire family die horrible agonizing deaths for their actions at the Red Wedding. Until next time...PEACE!)