Prologue II

Promises

281 AL

"Eldon slow down! Eldon!" Hakkon shouted, as his babe cousin rode past the guards escorting them back to the mountains.

"I have waited years for this day." The red eyed boy proclaimed. "The old gods and the seven themselves couldn't keep me from this moment now!"

The Lord of Seascale, couldn't help grinning at the excitement Eldon had allowed to take him over. For five years, the boy had been fostered at the capital, in the beginning it was an other worldly experience seeing Eldon serve as the Prince's ward. To the dragon's credit, it seemed Eldon's mother's fears had been unfounded. Rheagar was never rough on the boy, but he didn't coddle him either.

Practically the moment Eldon, had been able to hold a wooden sword, the prince had him train with it...Which they all learned had been what Eldon had been waiting for the whole time. He'd even begun in vein to try and mimic Ser Arthur's dual blade style of swordsmanship.

"It was a decent effort m'lord, but I should think you'll need more practice?" The legendary knight had playfully laughed, the first time he helped Eldon up when the weight of the swords toppled him over.

"I'm not done yet," Had been Eldon's reply every time. Say what you wanted about his need for improvement, that little Northern boy, had made it his mission in life to match up, The Sword of the Morning. And for brief moments they swore Arthur would grin, flattered by the boys attempts. His denials of which always brought a merry time for the group.

...But then came the war. And their "stay" in the capital turned into a nightmare once the Prince and Arthur disappeared.

What felt like hours after the grand tourney at Harrenal; where Eldon had apparently become fast friends with the second Forrester boy Asher. And Hakkon learned he was engaged to a Manderly daughter. The Prince unseated Ser Barristan, and crowned Lyanna Stark instead of his own wife. And as if enough chaos hadn't emerged from that he "allegedly" kidnapped Lyanna, sparking Brandan Stark and his father to do something foolish,

Ride straight for the Mad King

"HAKKON!" Eldon's father shouted, shattering his nephews trip down memory lane.

"Yes m'lord, what is it?" The blue haired lording replied, before frantically shifting his gaze back to Eldon, who was riding WAY too far out by himself now.

"Oh let the boy go, besides Oliver's following him, and if Eldon can out run the guard captain, well perhaps my son has earned some time to explore."

"Maybe so but ell...Eldon is still just a pup, and he's seen far too much already."

"You've taken a liking to the boy, good your time with him will help when your son needs rearing one day." Lord Steel Gate jested, laughing his heart out when Hakkon almost fell off his horse.

"That's a bit soon don't you think!" The boy of six and ten shouted. "I've barely even met the girl yet."

"Nonsense I'll have you know. Oliver, Jason, and I were all married practically on the boat ride back from the war." Hakkon's lord uncle once again laughed, but then fell silent staring dead eyes at him.

"Did he really witness that before I arrived?"

With a deep hesitation and regret Hakkon replied just one word before riding off again "YES"

Rila Scalebreaker wailed in agony as she gave birth in that harsh winters night. This was to be her second child, after her darling babe boy Eldon; Her heart had almost skipped a beat when she learned she'd with child again. Wanting to cry tears of joy the day the measter said it was to be a little girl, what mother wouldn't want a little princess of her own to love?

In her mind she'd always seen two babes holding her hands, a boy brave and strong, but would lead with a compassionate heart; a girl beautiful as the full moon, and wise as any measter. Now was finally that chance.

But gods did this day hurt, it hurt so much more then Eldon's birthing had...she was starting to get scared. Her "sister" in the corner with tears in her eyes, her own babe girl Lexia holding onto her hand just as scared, her "lord" husband staring at the measter his eyes conflicted, poor "Ellie" doing his best not to cry holding his screaming mother's hand. This wasn't how she'd wanted to be reunited with him.

"M'lady the child is almost born you need to keep fighting..." Harold, measter of steel gate hushed gently to his lady, rubbing her head with a wet cloth. As if Rila needed to be reminded to keep pushing. With a tearing feeling the babe came into the world.

A small, tiny, little thing with eyes closed shut, who not so much as whimpered after coming out of her mother.

"It is a girl my lady..." Harold proclaimed, his voice scared how he should reply at the sight of the child. Already getting ready to declare it's death.

Grabbing the measter's chain with a vice Rila pulled him down to her, she knew when Harold was trying to ease bad news to her.

"You will give me my daughter now measter..."

With a pained frown Harold relented gesturing the handmaiden to give the child to her mother. The blood already starting to drain out of their lady, too much blood Harold knew; gods be cruel he knew.

Lady Rila realized it as well the moment the pain didn't leave her, but she didn't care for this split second she would look at her little girl. "Look Ellie this is your babe sister isn't she beautiful? You're a big brother now." Tears welling in her eyes as she felt the dark come for her, it wasn't fair she'd finally gotten everything she'd ever wanted; she had the right to watch her babes grow up, to make them feel loved every single moment. They'd just pieced their family back together.

She didn't want to die, gods not in front of Ellie, glancing down to see the poor lad of only five name days eyes widen...he'd realized what was happening now. And the fact he understood death on such a level for being so young, broke her heart.

"Ellie I need you to make me a promise, I need you to swear you'll always protect your babe sister; that's your job as her big brother." Rila strained softly, before placing Eldon's sister into his trembling arms. The proud mother knew what she had to do, if this would be her final moment with Eldon-he'd know just who he was.

"I...I'm s..." Eldon whimpered, through tears to his mother. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen, he was still just a babe himself...he wasn't ready to lose his mother not before he had her in his life.

"We're all scared." Eldon's father said after placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

"It isn't easy being brave, I tried so hard when they took you, the thought of never seeing you smile terrified me, but…" Rila said, pulling Eldon close to her, holding his forehead to hers, letting him feel her warmth, her weak heart beat its last; show her son how much he'd ever meant to her.

"You taught me how to be brave, and I only wish you could see what I could right now..." She said, with all her strength, looking into Eldon's gaze in a way that could make time stop. She still had so many plans for her family, so many moments she still wanted to be there for her son; his first love, his first heartbreak, when he took his place as lord, even gods willing grandchildren-but in the end all she could do was smile and lose herself when her light faded...

"Hey there guess wha? You're my babe sister, and I'm not going to let anything ever hurt you." Too young to do justice too his pain, instead Eldon cooed his crying sister, he'd made his mother a promise, he had to fight back tears when Nera looked up at him "She has our eyes mother" She'd learn the old gods couldn't have given her a better older brother if they tried.

282 AL

"What do you mean, your going to do nothing!" Eldon roared, with fury taking his voice. The war was over, Robert was king of the seven kingdoms now...but that wasn't enough. Eldon having learned just now from his father, of the news that Stannis was readying his fleet for Dragonstone.

"Ellie calm down your frightening Nera...there...there." Lexia Flatscale, Eldon's second oldest cousin said, after rocking Nera back to sleep. Her cousin and uncle having been arguing all day. Taking upon herself to look after Nera.

Eldon hadn't been the same since his mother's passing. He practiced with his swords more then ever, he buried his head into the measter's books, and everything else was taken up by his sister. He couldn't stand by and do nothing anymore, not when boy or not he could do something.

"No" Eldon's father coldly said. "The war is over, you're safe back home once again, enough worrying about the world below." His son was being a stubborn child, he felt powerless around his mother and kings landing, and believes he's somehow changed that...No he was just a foolish boy, playing a title he hadn't earned yet. His father was almost tempted to reveal the reality of that war path, he cut with Ned Stark just to get him back.

"I saw what King Robert wants, its going to happen again and you don't even care..." Eldon shouted before he was silenced.

"Do not presume to know me boy, you've been home less than a year, and already want to throw your life away!" His father said stern and resolute. This wasn't the way his son should work through his grief, and he would not lose another member of this family. A six name day boy, had as much chance of changing what he couldn't as any other emotional child.

"How can I call myself the heir of this house, if I can't save one mother and child?" Eldon stated with confidence and vigor. "Are we not the house of dragon slayers?"

The latter response shocking his father, the very same words he screamed to his brothers in their final push against House Dracarys. This boy was doing this regardless of his father's blessing, that was a call to arms.

"We won't last long in a fight, but what the hell I've always wanted to try my metal at Dragonstone bay?" Ekkor Seascale replied, tying a bandana bearing the seascale colors around his dark blue hair.

"Fight? Please i'm not stupid, sneak in sneak out. If your really that good a sailor that is?" Eldon joked, clasping their hands in a tight grip in agreement.

"You won't come back the same, know that." Eldon's father said one final time as warning, only one thing lied down this path and it wasn't the absolution his son was searching for only something much worse.

"We do NOT run from the fire" Eldon replied,

" Our Steel is as sharp as our hearts" Ekkor replied as he followed his cousin

"Gods, there isn't anything left…those poor bastards." The newly titled Davos Seaworth remarked, aboard Stannis Barethons lead ship, the fury. His liege, had been ordered to scrap up this "new" royal fleet, if you could call it that. A task that had been no small feat in itself, made none the better by, King Robert's impatience.

Lord Stannis, conscripted a sizable portion of ships from every house that could spare them, building in place of those that couldn't. Taking almost two very long years of planning, neither man had been looking forward to fulfilling.

Davos wasn't a fool, he knew very well why Robert wanted them to take Dragonstone so fast, despite Stannis being too proud to officially pass down the order. Regardless they'd been expecting one hell of a fight, instead what they found was dragonstone in total ruins.

"The storm ripped them to pieces." Stannis commented, sailing closer to the island to investigate what "used" to be the Targaryen fleet. Now nothing, but wrecked ships and debris littering the harbor and shores. "Order part of the fleet to break off and look for survivors"

The stag knew the order was pointless, there wouldn't be a single survivor in this mess. But these men deserved the gesture anyway, the war was over, and their only "crime" had been staying loyal to the losing side. When time permitted it, whoever's body was found or washed to shore, he'd see properly be laid to rest.

"A…are those what I think they are m'lord?" Davos asked. Confused once they'd made for the harbor, pointing out the black Targaryen flags-had been replaced by several white ones. "Their surrendering?"

"Cowardly rats fleeing a sinking ship." Stannis replied. Disgusted at what he was witnessing, wondering just how long it had taken them too turn on their queen and her children. Did any of you even bother to look for survivors, before saving your own skins? He thought once they disembarked and made for the castle.

He'd been far too correct in his assumption, the so called "loyal" army practically rolling the red carpet out for Stannis and his men. Blasting open the gates and dropping to their knees, before they'd even reached the gate.

"I…is this normal?" Davos whispered. Looking dumbfounded at the servants all begging for mercy with the looks in their eyes. He'd sailed past the Tyrells at Storm's end, and had never been in anything but a basic brawl down in flea bottom. So none of this made any sense to him.

"It is when loyalty or pride, never meant a damn thing to you." Stannis spat, when who he'd guessed was the guard captain; wonderful job he'd done, approached them.

"Lord Stannis, the castle is yours."

"Just like that, you're not even going to try?" Davos chuckled sarcastically.

"You saw the fleet outside, King Robert sits on the iron throne, what else is their left to stay loyal for?" The turn coat stated, unable to even look at Stannis in the eye.

"You have a queen, and a prince, don't you?" He asked.

"An eight-name day boy is no leader worth following, and the queen is...in labor." The guard replied, Stannis stiffening up at the mention of the queen wrapped in childbirth. Again the purpose for why he truly was here, rearing it's ugly head with a tight knot in his stomach.

"Damn you to the seven hells Robert, you should have been a man and done this yourself?" Stannis thought, clenching his fists in a fury- so tightly he drew blood "We all have a duty great or small, we must do out duty." Making his peace with it, and already preparing to cut Robert out of the rest of his life after this. He'd return to Storm's end, the right he'd earned being the damn errand boy.

"Where is the queen?" He asked. A hand maiden stepping forward with a curtsy to usher him towards Rhaella's chambers.

"What are we to do with the traitor m'lord?" The spineless guard asked, frantically as if just remembering it now. The revelation so shocking it broke the stags stride right then and there.

"The what?" He said, questioning whether he'd actually just heard that right. A "traitor" among this den of traitors, meant someone here was actually worth speaking with.

"Oh, this outta be good." Davos joked.

"You fuckin brat, just wait until Robert hears about ya!" A former Targaryen guard roared. Tearing into the small boy, laid out on the ground. Who was now a mess covered in bruises and cuts. The guards deciding to take turns with him. Forcing him to cough up a mouthful of blood, when they struck him hard in the chest. This wasn't punishment anymore it was just torture.

When his is brother had ordered him to butcher a mother and her children, Stannis thought he couldn't become any more furious...until he and Davos were walked towards the cells and witnessed the guards taking pleasure in beating a boy!

"Have you all lost your minds!" He shouted, quickly grabbing the guards by the shoulders and throwing them back. "Their had better be a damned good reason for this!"

Davos rushing over to help Stannis ease the boy back to his feet "Steady lad, take it slow."

The scum rushing back to attention, desperately trying to find the proper words to explain themselves to the angered storm lord. "You don't understand, that bastard killed two of our comrades."

"He killed two of you, he's hardly big enough to pick up a sword." Davos protested. Rapidly looking down to the boy, and then back to them. Squinting his brow in confusion.

"It's true, we were getting ready to prepare for you Lord Stannis, and then he just jumped out of the dark. Don't let him fool you, he's not a normal brat, his eyes match his soul; he's a damned wild animal!" They scoffed, tossing the bloody blade he'd used to kill their fellow guards with at Stannis's feet.

For several long moments, upon picking it up Stannis just stared at the knife. It was a long, black dagger. But it wasn't made out of steel or iron. His suspicions revealed the second he wiped away the blood. A very old, extremely well forged, blade of pure dragon glass. But their was something else about it, he'd seen this somewhere before. His eyes widening once he examined the inscription along it's edge.

"Why venture when you can climb and sow?"

"Davos, you and you alone are to go investigate the shores right now." He growled, tossing him the dagger.

His half handed ward catching it, and briefly examining it himself "And what am I to look for?"

"Theirs a ship hidden among the ruins on the beaches somewhere." He replied.

"What makes you so certain, m'lord?"

"It's the only way that dagger could have gotten here, now I gave you an order!" Stannis commanded, booming with a tone that made painfully clear to Davos he had to job to do and best get to it.

Without another wasted second, the grizzled knight nodded in response. "It will be done, try not to hurt the lad while I'm gone though."

Once his companion left to carry out his orders, Stannis gestured the guards to leave him with the boy. Coldly staring down at him eye to eye once they did so. He'd heard the rumors about him inheriting his bastard mother's gaze, but he'd never actually realized how haunting they'd look. The guards weren't to far off base. It was truly rare to find anything, but a mutt born with two eyes completely drowned in red. But their would be time for that later. Now he needed to hear him say it, confirm it.

"What is your name boy?" He asked.

"El...Eldon Sc...scalebreaker." Eldon coughed, struggling with panted breaths.

When Davos had returned, he'd brought back another blue haired boy with him. And once all had been revealed to Stannis, he allowed Eldon to follow him back to witness the Queens final moments.

What had remained of Eldon's conviction and courage had burned away with his adrenaline. Saying not another word, upon taking the babe from it's mother, and swearing a vow to her. Knowing nothing of what he'd truly just promised, Stannis would keep that to himself, until the boy ever needed to understand.

"Look at me boy" Stannis spoke.

When Eldon remained silent, Stannis slapped him across the face to demand his attention. He took no pleasure in striking him, but he hadn't the to time to wait for his sanity to return on its own; pain would have to do for what must be said.

"Did you swear to protect this girl boy?" The Stag asked, looking straight through the boy.

Reality flooding back to him slowly, Eldon nodded his head "yes" in response. Which was promptly rewarded, by Stannis bending down to look him directly face to face.

"Then stop crying, you gave your word, and so you've done your duty."

"B...but I wasn't t...I just wanted to..." Eldon desperately plead to Stannis, while still on the verge of tears. His response a cold scowl, and another fast whip to the cheek.

"What's done is done boy, you took two lives this night." Placing a gentle hand on Eldon's head once he'd calmed. "The first kill is always the hardest, you never want it. Your life won't be short of it now. But never make the mistake of enjoying it. Now leave and never turn back."

A/N

As always thank you for reading the fact you even clicked on my story makes me happier then you could possibly imagine.

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