Chapter Summary: In which Harry takes an accidental detour to Westeros and Rhaegar and picks up Shruikan. (Inheritance Cycle/Game of Thrones)
When Harry arrived in Alagaesia, he sighed deeply at hearing that there was a dark lord here too. He only perked up at the thought of rescuing the king's dragon, an allegedly giant dragon, who had been forced into doing the king's dirty work and had been forced to bond with the king. Shruikan was infamous throughout the kingdom of Alagaesia, having been forced to kill many of his own kind and twisted by black magic.
"There any chance to save him?" Eragon asked, looking over at Elva.
The strange, young girl shook her head, catching Harry's eyes. "No. He is lost in his own pain."
"I understand that," Harry muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I'm still going to see what I can do to help the dragon."
Eragon exchanged glances with Murtagh, whom Harry had saved a month ago. Saphira and Thorn were sitting outside, talking with each other. Harry James Potter had appeared last month with no fanfare and no intention to fight for either side. He had just told them that this was a detour, a rest stop, on a longer journey.
"There is no sanity in that one," Elva argued. "Shruikan is not worth the effort."
Harry sighed and looked out of the tent that they were in. The Varden's forces were camped out before the capital, digging trenches and forming lines. "I know a little of insanity. The friend that I'm looking for has a father who is dangerously insane. But if I can help this dragon then I can help my friend."
"Do what you will," Murtagh remarked. "I am grateful to you for releasing me from the king and I know that Shruikan… He deserved better."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
Murtagh gestured to Thorn, whose tail Harry could see the tip of under the tent wall. "Shruikan trained Thorn."
"Alright."
Eragon was about to speak when they all heard yells and shouts around them. A guard poked their head in, saying something about a black something flying over the camp. Harry stilled then brought out his broom, resizing it and running out of the tent, peering up into the night sky, the fires and the lanterns around them not aiding his night vision.
When a tent not too far away from them caught fire, with black flame, Harry steadied himself and mounted his broom, taking flight a minute later. Harry cast a charm on himself, tweaking his vision, enhancing his night sight before having to swerve around Shruikan. The big, black dragon was just flying willy nilly above the Varden's camp, setting everything on fire with his black flame.
Harry could easily sense the emotions from the dragon, the pain and anger that it was feeling would have driven him to his knees had he been standing on the ground. As it was, he was dangerously unseated from his broom and had to take a few precious seconds to steady himself, breathing heavily. He reached out with his mind, casting his patronus with a thought and watched as Prongs danced outward, keeping pace with his broom.
The glowing, translucent deer glanced at him questionly.
"Just my saving people thing, Prongs," Harry whispered under his breath, the wind buffeting him so much that he couldn't hear anything else except his own breathing. "Though in this case, it's a dragon that needs saving."
Prongs dipped his head in a nod then galloped off. Harry zoomed off, flying alongside Shruikan and keeping pace with the dragon's big bulk. "Shruikan! Stop!"
Shruikan stopped mid air, his wings beating the air every few seconds. If Harry hadn't charmed his vision, he wouldn't be able to see the dragon now. All he would see was another part of the night sky, darkness lit up by the stars above them.
Pain-fear-anger-hurt-rage.
Harry's heart stopped as the dragon pushed those emotions at him, turning his big body towards him. Shruikan's pale blue eyes glared at him, pupils wide with anger and pain. "Hey, sweetheart."
Pain-fear-...confusion...hurt.
"You don't have to do this, Shruikan. This is not you."
It… IT IS ME.
Harry frowned, seeing Prongs out of the corner of his eye. "The king made you do all of this, Shruikan. You did not choose this."
The black dragon facing him growled and was about to charge towards him when Prongs raced past his head. The patronus lit up the night sky, running circles around the airborne dragon, creating a kind of wall of light between Harry and Shruikan. The light hummed out its song, aided by the patronus, singing of peace, warmth and safety. Harry watched as the translucent deer almost seemed to whinny, galloping around the broken dragon faster and faster.
Shruikan roared, writhing in mid air as the light tightened around him, the range of it growing smaller and smaller as it closed in on the dragon. The light finally sunk into Shruikan's scales and the dragon froze then started to plummet downward. Harry quickly followed, glancing down to where Eragon and Murtagh were now clearing room, having watched the spectacle.
With a loud crash, Shruikan tumbled into the ground, shaking the earth around him for miles. Harry touched down, right near Shruikan's head and tucked his broom away, distantly hearing Murtagh argue that Harry should be given space and that the Varden shouldn't immediately kill the king's dragon. Archers spread out around the downed Shruikan, bows nocked and ready to kill him.
Harry stiffened then reached down to the earth, muttering shielding wards under his breath. Blue light sprang up around him and Shruikan, who was unconscious, and surrounded them, shielding them from the soldiers who did not know better. He glanced at Murtagh, who nodded, then turned back to watch Shruikan. The power of his patronus was still flowing through the black dragon, shining its light. The big bulk of the dragon in front of him began to shrink, the black magic cast by Galbatorix being removed so much so that Shruikan shrank in size.
Once the final battle was done, Harry strode out to where Shruikan was penned in. The king was dead and Eragon, Saphira, Oromis, Glaedr, Thorn and Murtagh were helping to clean up in the city. Harry had taken off once he wasn't needed and flew over to Shruikan, where he had been fenced in by the Varden. The rebel forces had feared that Shruikan might do something but Harry was pretty confident that Shruikan was healing after years spent being abused. And maybe Shruikan would never be the same but Harry understood that much.
The black dragon had been asleep since Harry had cast the cleansing ritual around the creature. The Rider bond between Shruikan and the king had snapped that day and had nudged Shruikan into unconsciousness. Shruikan was still big but wasn't the size of a small mountain, wasn't twisted by dark magic. But Harry dropped down to land before the dragon, sitting down next to his still big head and started to speak, sensing that Shruikan just needed a little push to wake up.
"Shruikan, I know you hate us humans now," Harry whispered, shielding his eyes from the sun as it moved out from under a cloud. He knew that the other dragons loved the sun so he didn't immediately cast a sun shield over them. "Not all of us are like Galbatorix though. Some of us… I understand what you went through."
Shruikan twitched next to him, opening one big, pale blue eye and glaring at him.
You were not forced to kill your own kind. You were not forced to grow and grow unnaturally. You were not abused until you went crazy.
"I… I was. The first 20 years of my life I lived with my aunt and uncle," Harry offered gently, reaching out tentatively to hover over Shruikan's black scales at his neck. "They locked me in a cupboard, starved me, beat me a few times. Of course, I went to a school for wizards starting when I was 11 but that didn't help."
School for wizards?
Harry nodded, still keeping an eye on Shruikan as he watched the Varden escort prisoners out of the city. "Hogwarts. Where I come from, magicians were called wizards and witches. We learned everything from healing to defense to potions to care of magical creatures."
You… are not from here?
"No. And I do not plan on staying here," Harry spoke, letting his hand lower until he touched Shruikan's warm scales. Shruikan startled a little, raising his head until he looked Harry in the eyes. They stared at each other for a few quiet minutes, with Harry just letting Shruikan study him. "It was… a detour, if you will. An accidental one. I wanted to see if you might like to come with me. Get away from Alagaesia for a while, go somewhere else and just laze around, heal, explore…"
Go… to another world?
"Yes. I have a friend," Harry said. "His name is Rhaegar and he's in danger."
Shruikan eyed him, his pale blue eyes narrowed in thought.
You saved me.
"You're welcome?"
Shruikan let out a rumbling sound, almost like a laugh.
I will go with you. It would be nice to experience another land not my own. On one condition.
Harry grinned slowly, peering over to look right into Shruikan's eyes. "Yes?"
You will be the only person to ride me.
"Done. I… Would you like to bond with me or not? I don't mind either way."
Shruikan raised his head, silent for a few minutes as some servants brought some meat for him to consume. Harry's nose wrinkled at the sight of the freshly slaughtered cow but Shruikan dove right in, chewing the bones and the meat equally.
Oromis and Glaedr walked over, with the golden dragon stopping well before Shruikan.
"You are leaving." Oromis watched as Harry started to stroke Shruikan's black scales as the black dragon ate, the elf's eyes widening minutely.
"Yes. I have a friend who needs me," Harry remarked then walked over to Oromis, peering over at Glaedr. "Shruikan's coming with me so you won't need to decide what to do with him."
Oromis raised an eyebrow but nodded. "That is good. Shruikan probably needs some distraction. I can't even imagine the pain that dragon's going through right now."
Glaedr caught Harry's eyes. Be careful with that one and thank you for saving my Rider's life.
"Harry, Glaedr wanted me to give you this," Oromis said, pulling a scroll out of his belt and handing it over. "Glaedr found a bonding ritual. It has the same result as when a dragon first hatches and touches its' chosen Rider. We figured… He thought that you might want that."
Harry's eyes widened, glancing down at the scroll then tucking it within his pack. "Thank you. I don't know what Shruikan will want to do but thank you."
"Okay, Shruikan," Harry spoke, lightly climbing aboard the dragon and sitting down on the borrowed saddle on Shruikan's back. He glanced down at his pack, having tied it to the saddle, and then to Gryffindor's sword then nodded. "Let's take off. Let me do the portal spell and then you can just fly right through."
Just don't do any magic on me for a while, okay?
Harry dipped his head in a nod. "Of course. I understand, Shruikan."
Shruikan lifted up, his thick, sturdy legs raising up off the ground. The soldiers around him backed up, made room for the black dragon to run. Harry waved to Oromis and Glaedr, pondered what he was going to see when they got to Westeros.
Harry dipped his head in a nod, grasped the spike closest to the saddle on Shruikan's back. "I'm ready. Let's go."
He muttered the spell out loud, under his breath, thinking of Rhaegar at the same time, feeling his power roll around him and through him then outward. It created a big portal in the sky, an opening to another world. Shruikan loped off and Harry grinned, enjoying the feel of the dragon's muscles beneath him. They took flight a minute later, soaring up, up, up into the sky, coasting a breeze.
Through there?
"Yes. Are you sure you want to go?" Harry asked one more time, as they hovered right before the portal. Shruikan's wings were beating slowly, lazily, like they had all the time in the world. Harry watched as Shruikan turned his neck around, to better look him in the eyes.
Yes. No one will know me there, only you.
Shruikan bellowed, blowing out black flame up into the clouds then raced forward, right through the portal.
Rhaegar urged his horse forward, his blade already in his hands, as he watched Robert move forward through his troops. It was warm, a slight breeze winding their way through the trees at the far edge of the Trident. The waters upon the river were flowing fast but not enough to keep horses from running through it. It was shallow at this point, the only spot in the three rivers that allowed people to cross.
He could see Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Jon Arryn and Lord Hoster Tully all waiting behind Lord Robert Baratheon, their armor bloody and filthy from fighting. It was a miracle that they were all still horsed.
Ser Lewyn Martell and Ser Barristan Selmy were flanking him and Rhaegar's eyes went to where Ser Jonothor had fallen. The kingsguard knight had fallen while defending him against Lord Robert at first charge while Ser Barristan had taken an injury to his arm.
Rhaegar still didn't know where Harry was, where the man of his dreams had traveled to. The wizard had said he would try to get to Westeros but then a few days later, their connection had disappeared. He had had no more dreams of the black haired, green eyed man. Just nightmares of increasing strength, his mind showing what might have happened to him. Dreams of Harry dead, bleeding out where no one cared for him, or of Harry splinched. Rhaegar had half understood what Harry had meant when he used that word but he had flinched.
"Rhaegar, please don't get yourself killed," Lewyn murmured, over the din of the bannermen. A mere 5,000 Dornishmen were left behind them, most injured, some still a horse. There were still loyalist troops behind them too though many were exhausted and injured.
"RHAEGAR!"
Rhaegar flinched as Robert rode up, stopping at the other side of the river crossing. Robert had on thick armor and the antler helm, holding a war hammer in his hands.
"Robert!" Rhaegar spoke, raising his voice only a little. "This must stop!"
"You didn't hear, did you? I put forth a claim to the throne!" Robert yelled, his horse taking a step into the water.
Rhaegar's eyes widened then narrowed. "No. You have none."
"When your dragonspawn are dead and you are gone as well, it shall be me. You stole Lyanna from me!"
"I-"
A roar interrupted Rhaegar and then the sun disappeared. He heard gasps behind him and Ser Lewyn and Ser Barristan urged their horses closer to him, drawing their weapons. A strong gust of wind hit the water, causing the water to speed up greatly. Rhaegar glanced up to the sky, his jaw dropping when he saw what was blocking the sun.
A giant, black dragon slowly lowered itself down through the air, its head peering at them. Its eyes were pale blue as Rhaegar saw as it grew closer, the pupils narrowed. It gave a great bellow as it hovered many feet above them, causing most of the horses to whinny in fright. Some bucked off their riders and galloped off. Robert Baratheon's horse reared, screaming. Robert fell off and Rhaegar only spared a minute to be spiteful then returned his focus on the dragon. The dragon that was big, about the size of manse.
It slowly lowered onto the river crossing, growling out at the riders on the other side of the river. And that was when Rhaegar finally realized that there was a man on top of the dragon. A man that looked awfully familiar.
The dragon roared, throwing up its head and blowing out a big plume of black fire. Rhaegar could see Lord Stark, Lord Tully and Lord Arryn all urge their horses back and their men back. Some of the men had drawn their swords and Rhaegar could see some archers move forward with intent.
"Rhaegar! Come on!" Barristan yelled, trying to urge him away. Rhaegar could see Ser Barristan's eyes were wide, his fingers gripping his sword tightly. "We can't keep you safe from…"
"I know him!" Rhaegar yelled back, over the sound of horses screaming and gasps and yells from people around him. The wind too was loud as the dragon's wings beat idly and Rhaegar was awed into silence, as the dragon turned its neck to look straight at him. His horse had yet to rear or buck him off so he took the chance, urging his stallion ahead, into the water.
"Harry!"
The man on top of the dragon, sitting on the saddle, turned. His green eyes lit up as Rhaegar came closer.
"Don't come any closer," Harry ordered, raising his voice. He patted the dragon's back. "He's wary of people. What in the seven hells is going on?"
"Long story," Rhaegar replied, his eyes still wide and his heart beating so very, very fast. "Where have you been?"
"Long story," Harry spoke, his lips twitching up into a grin then he frowned, turning to peer down at the dragon.
Rhaegar watched as Harry muttered something under his breath then glanced towards him.
"Who... Shruikan!"
The dragon growled, smoke coming from its nostrils, and quick as a snake flashing out to grab a snack, reached out and grabbed Robert Baratheon by his armor. Robert yelled, squirming around in the dragon's jaws, trying to reach for his dropped sword. Blood spurted from Robert's shoulders as the dragon's teeth punctured the armor.
"Rhaegar, do you have something to say to this man?" Harry finally spoke, wrinkling his nose at something. "Something like fuck off?"
Rhaegar steered his incredibly brave horse around, feeling it shake beneath him. The huge, black dragon swung around, bringing Robert around so they could face each other. The men across the river were frozen, unsure what to do. They were not listening to whatever Lord Stark, Lord Tully or Lord Arryn were saying, too afraid of the giant dragon in front of them.
Robert glared hatred at him, this time staying still. The man had gone pale, losing blood at an alarming rate as the dragon's teeth impaled him. "House Targaryen will never rise again. You and your mother and father and brother can rot. The Stranger will take you."
"Well, I think not," Harry interrupted. "Over my dead body will that be happening and I'm a little hard to kill. Besides, you wouldn't want Shruikan to go on a killing spree."
"Shruikan?" Rhaegar muttered.
"Long story," Harry whispered, as he slid down off the dragon's back. "Did you really kidnap Lyanna Stark?"
"No, of course not. She wanted freedom," Rhaegar said. "She went with me of her own free will."
"You kidnapped her! Tell them!"
"I did not," Rhaegar spoke.
Robert yelled out, squirming around in the dragon's mouth, until the dragon seemingly got tired of holding him. Rhaegar watched without much pity as the dragon shook Robert around, lifted up onto its hind legs, and then threw Robert down. The Lord of Storm's End hit the water with a loud crack, hitting rocks, and then submerged, never coming back up.
Harry stood in the corner of the tent, watching as the Lords of the houses that had opposed Rhaegar swore fealty to him. His dragon prince had accepted Lord Stark's surrender easily and had persuaded every Lord there to support Rhaegar, not his father.
Shruikan had stuck his head into the tent and Harry had rolled his eyes, casting a spell on the tent to make it raise higher into the sky. Every time that smoke rolled its way out of Shruikan's nose, Lord Eddard's hand dropped to his sword. Ser Barristan stood by Rhaegar's side though Ser Barristan was leaning on one of the tent poles. Harry had tried to heal him but Ser Barristan had said no. Rhaegar had said Ser Lewyn to collect Lyanna from wherever she was, sending most of the Martell forces back home with him.
"You swear that you will not fight me on this?" Rhaegar asked, his purple eyes narrowed, as he looked over the assembled lords. Lord Arryn and Lord Tully had appointed Lord Stark their voice, seeing as Lord Eddard Stark still had to find his sister, and he was the only able to stay calm with Shruikan so close. "I will tell you where your sister is, I promise. I only wanted to keep her safe."
"I never thought you had kidnapped her, my lord," Lord Stark replied, his grey eyes narrowed in thought. Stark's thoughts were loud in his mind as Harry read him, mostly thoughts of his sister and some of his father and brother. Harry winced as he realized that Rhaegar's father had been busy. But regardless, there were no thoughts of further rebellion in Stark's mind, at least for now.
Rhaegar turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. Harry shook his head.
"I accept your surrender," Rhaegar spoke, dipping his head in a nod, as his eyes moved to Shruikan then back to Lord Stark. "We shall ride for the capital when your men are ready. I will expect your firstborn as a hostage for good faith."
Lord Stark's eyes widened, his shoulders dropping.
"My prince…" Harry started. "I believe there is no need for that."
Rhaegar turned to him, raising an eyebrow.
"With Shruikan here, the threat of dragonflame is enough," Harry offered quietly, gesturing to the black dragon behind them.
"You… are correct," Rhaegar said. "I however will raise Lyanna's child."
"Harry," Rhaegar whispered, as Harry's arms went around him. Night had fallen and the glow of fires surrounded them. Shruikan was barely visible in the middle of their camp, his big bulk taking up a lot of space. His bannermen had taken to swerving around the dragon, after seeing what Shruikan did to Robert.
"Rhaegar," Harry murmured, one of his arms cupping Rhaegar's neck.
"I missed you," Rhaegar spoke, leaning into Harry, who tightened his arms around him. They were in Rhaegar's tent, alone, except for Ser Barristan at the entrance. Harry had already moved his trunk into Rhaegar's tent, moved the saddle that had been on Shruikan's back into the corner. "So much."
"I did too," Harry returned, placing a kiss on Rhaegar's forehead.
"What… happened while you were lost? And to come to me with a dragon…"
"Lots of things," Harry said, a slight weary undertone to his voice. "Shruikan, as I said, is weary of humans for a good reason. It'd be best to approach him with me around. What happened here?"
"Robert… happened," Rhaegar answered, sighing in frustration. "Lyanna had wanted to get away from everything and I agreed to protect her. I… spent a night in bed with her, Harry."
Harry was silent for a few minutes, their breathing the only sound in the tent. "I don't mind. You didn't marry her, did you?"
"No. Her child will be a bastard until I sit on the throne," Rhaegar whispered. "Of course, Aerys wanted me to marry, nearly forced me to marry, but I said no."
"Because you love me."
Rhaegar snorted, shivering as one of Harry's hands moved down to his waist, sliding between Rhaegar's tunic and his skin. "Because I love you, yes."
"I love you too," Harry said quietly, his green eyes intent on him. "Will you be needed in the next few hours?"
Rhaegar shook his head, breathless, as he watched Harry grin.
Harry woke up a few hours later, oddly awake for some reason. Rhaegar was asleep in his arms, shirtless and his silver hair splayed out behind him. He had fallen asleep as soon as Harry had pulled out of him, laid a kiss on his forehead. Harry smiled wearily, sitting up and spotting Shruikan's big bulk beyond the tent walls. It looked like the big dragon had fallen asleep curled around the tent, providing a bulky, fire breathing wall between them and any danger.
Harry yawned, slowly disentangled himself and went over to his trunk, opening it. Harry's eyes widened as he peered into it, pulling out the red egg that was nestled at the top of his clothes. The egg was moderately big, red with golden veins right underneath the shell. Harry stared at it then blinked.
"Harry?"
He glanced over to Rhaegar, who had woken up. The man was blearily blinking, purple eyes narrowed. Harry hesitantly walked back over to the bed, sitting down and shuffling over to Rhaegar's side, handing him the egg, the warm egg.
"What…" Rhaegar trailed off, now fully awake and eyes wide.
"Something must have happened," Harry whispered. "The world I was in… there were dragon riders and their dragons. However, they thought that there were no more eggs. I guess they were wrong."
Rhaegar stared at him, reaching out for the red egg and cradling it within his legs. Rhaegar stared at it, transfixed, smoothing a hand over it in awe right before they both heard cracks. The egg started to crack open, breaking up, until a clawed, ruby red limb stuck out. It was a bit lighter than Thorn had been but it was definitely red.
Shruikan stuck his head in, having woken up. The black dragon's pale blue eyes were wide.
Where did that egg come from?
"I don't know," Harry replied, looking over at Shruikan in thought.
The baby dragon inside clawed its way out, the tiny body toddling out, revealing a tiny red dragon with four limbs and two wings. Rhaegar didn't seem to be breathing, his eyes wide with awe and amazement.
"Harry… what…"
"The dragons from the world I was in… hatch when they choose a rider," Harry explained quietly, so quietly, not wanting to disrupt the moment. "This little one must have chosen you."
"Chosen me?" Rhaegar whispered, reaching out to let the dragonet sniff him. The red baby dragon peered up at him then it touched its nose to his finger and Harry's eyes widened as wild magic flowed throughout the tent. It was like a live wire, transferring power between human and dragon. It appeared to go on for several minutes, with Rhaegar lighting up in Harry's senses.
After what felt like an hour but was only twenty minutes, the red dragonet chittered, its wings fluttering slightly. Rhaegar blinked, finally peering at the dragon with love in his eyes. "You chose me?"
The baby dragon nodded, toddling over to sit in Rhaegar's lap and curled up, burrowing into Rhaegar's arms.
"What… Harry?" Rhaegar spoke, picking up his left hand and opening it, palm up. The Gedwey Ignasia shone brightly, burned onto Rhaegar's palm.
"It means you're a Dragon Rider," Harry said. "And… you will be able to use magic, like I do."
Rhaegar stared at him, glanced down at it, then over at him, reaching down to gently stroke the dragonet's wings. The red dragon chirped in happiness, nuzzling into Rhaegar's hand. "I… I don't know what to say."
"I love you too," Harry replied, grinning a little, lying back down on the bed. "We have a kingdom to rescue tomorrow and you have a father to deal with. We should get some sleep."
Rhaegar rolled his eyes but nodded. "I'll have my men find some food for both dragons tomorrow, assuming Shruikan won't eat anyone."
"He won't," Harry replied, watching as Rhaegar lay down too, the dragonet curling itself on his chest with a happy sigh.