Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; it is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. House of the Dragon and Fire and Blood is owned by Warner Bros Discovery, HBO MAX, And George R.R Martin respectively. I own nothing and I am just a humble fan.
Author's Note: Hello everyone, here we are with another chapter. Please read and review generously. I hope you all enjoy it. I thank everyone for their support, reviews, and favorites for the story.
I have some good and bad news to share. The bad news is this. My life is crazy hectic right now with health and finance and I have other things in the pipeline when it comes to writing, along with personal issues, and health problems. Right now, the only story that will be given full focus by me is "The Kryptonian and The Son of Storms" as that is a multi-season epic that I am writing out. Apart from that story is another multi-season epic coming out in December that is Naruto and The Legend of Korra. I sincerely apologize for all of this, I really do.
I cannot in good conscience string any of you along, waiting for updates when I would not be able to focus on the story. That would be cruel.
The good news is that the original author of this story idea will write now and his name is Kuronodono12. I will write chapters as much as I can for him when I have some free time. Once again, my deepest and sincerest apologies. I am deeply sorry, but my life right now is a mess and I need to salvage this year by nailing down another job in my field. I hope you all can understand.
Without further ado, let us begin. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Nine- A Heart to Heart
Five Years Later
Five years, five long years had passed since the death of Queen Aemma Arryn. It had taken much time and patience, but the King of Westeros and his subjects were moving on past her death. Of course, they truly did not know how she passed away. And if they did, there was nothing they could really say; the games of the Highborn and Royalty were always a mystery to those beneath them.
Much had changed in these years. Westeros had seen the king marry again, this time to Alicent Hightower. There was much to be said about this marriage behind closed doors and not all of it was pretty. However, the marriage bore fruit. A son was born to King Viserys who he named Aegon, and King's Landing celebrated.
However, this marriage was more platonic, full of duty and obligation, rather than passion and love. Viserys had regretted his actions and had not gotten over Aemma's passing. As for Alicent, she was stuck in a prison to which she could never escape from.
Her father had impressed it on her that the King needed a new bride for the good of the realm so that stability of the realm would be unquestioned. And so, she was forced to seduce the King at his most vulnerable. And it had worked. The King chose to marry her over Laena Velaryon. It had been quite the day, angering Corlys Velaryon.
She did not like this marriage at all and hated duty and this prison she was forced to be in till her death. Worst of all, she hated not being in control of her life. There was only one person in this life that she ever wished to marry; Uzumaki Naruto.
Yet, that was a pipe dream now. She was married to the king and that marriage would never break. And with her father still around, in the shadows, she would always be under his thumb. There were days she wished she was a man and born to the royal family. She could fuck whoever and have dozens of bastards in Westeros, and no one would dare to say a thing.
Unfortunately, she was born a woman, and with that fact came responsibilities and duties that she could never escape from. Yet, in her sad life, there was one bright spot of happiness that she would hold onto for the rest of her life.
Before Naruto and Rhaenyra left for their journey, she had approached him that very day. She had entered his chamber and closed the door. She did not care of the consequences that day, or for the inevitable gossip that would follow. For the first time in her life, she made a decision for herself. For once in her life, she would have no regrets.
In front of Naruto, she had removed her clothes and was left naked as the day she was born. She smiled at the fact that she did have an effect on him. He wanted to speak but she walked forward and placed a hand on his lips. She spoke to him that day and told him that she wanted this. She wanted to do something for herself, and she wanted to experience what it was like laying with the one she came to love and cherish.
And so, Naruto removed his clothes and they made love to one another. It was the best decision she had ever made. She had no regrets in giving him her virginity. He was gentle, sweet, kind, and extremely attentive to her needs. It was the happiest moment of her life.
She had wished she had gotten pregnant. It would have been joyous for her to carry his child in her body. If it were the case, perhaps, they would have run away together, and lived out their lives somewhere in peace. He was powerful enough to protect her and they could have had a great life together.
Alas, some things were not meant to be. And now, he was returning back to King's Landing with Rhaenyra. She did wonder if he ever thought of her. She wondered if Rhaenyra knew about them. For some reason, even thinking about her evoked a strange kind of jealousy.
Rhaenyra got to spend time and have a whole different life with the man she loved. And here she was, married to Rhaenyra's father and having to birth his spawn. It was not fair at all, but such was life for her now.
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The clouds had parted and the ground shook as the people felt King's Landing was under attack. Viserys simply chuckled. It was simply the power of dragons being shown to the people.
Vhagar and Syrax had landed near the Dragonpit and disembarked as the groundskeepers prepared for the dragons a meal and peace and quiet. Naruto and Rhaenyra had chosen to walk towards their destination. Once the people had gotten over their shock, they recognized The Realm's Delight and her protector as the roar of the assembled crowd could be heard and flowers fell upon the two.
Behind them were the City Watch, keeping a vigilant on anyone who would try to do them harm and the newest member of the Kingsguard, Ser Criston Cole who guarded their back.
Naruto had recognized the potential of this man, even though he had lost to Daemon. Criston was a man from Dorne who was hungry, sought fame and fortune, and to prove he was worthy; that even someone as low as him could rise far.
Naruto had decided to give the man a chance to prove himself. Truthfully, Naruto had no idea that it was Criston Cole who would seek him out for such an opportunity. He was hungry and eager for a chance to be something greater than he was. The memory of him losing in the King's Tourney was not something he wanted the people to know him for. He wanted better. Naruto gave him a chance to prove himself and told him that if his intentions were pure and noble, he would have fame and glory in life. If his intentions were malicious and evil, if he had designs for betrayal, he would fall horribly in life.
Naruto and Rhaenyra had arrived at the Throne Room, as the doors opened and they were announced in.
"Introducing Princess Rhaenyra of House Targaryen and her Sword Shield, Lord Uzumaki Naruto."
Viserys stood from his throne and smiled at his daughter after he overcame his initial shock. Rhaenyra was no longer a child, but now a woman grown. She was taller and looked regal and powerful as her silver hair shined. Her eyes had become sharper. She was dressed in the colors of House Targaryen, red and black, with a sword hanging from her hip. She looked like Visenya Reborn, a Warrior Queen of old.
Otto Hightower meanwhile, was simply looking at his daughter, wondering what she was thinking. He saw her looking at Naruto and he could not decipher her expression. He always tried to discover what their relationship was, but he never could. For some reason, his daughter was always a step ahead of him. It was a fact that filled him with pride and frustration. Alicent did remind him of her mother at times.
He had raised her to be his child and his weapon to ensure the blood of House Hightower would sit the Iron Throne, and his suspicions about Alicent and Naruto were put to bed when her child was born and it looked like the King. However, he failed to truly see the rage and anger and rebellion in her eyes when she married the King.
Alicent Hightower had kept her expressions cold and steel-like, showing a look of boredom as she looked upon Naruto. Yet, deep down, her heart soared with joy and happiness as she saw the man she loved again. Naruto had never looked more handsome to her than he had in that moment.
He had grown taller in these past five years and had the visage and look of a warrior. He too was garbed in the clothing of House Targaryen, only difference was that the colors were orange and black. His hair was golden and his piercing blue yes had become warmer and fierce. A sword was held in its sheath on his back as he walked with powerful, confident steps. She noticed to her irritation and anger how the women inside the throne room stole glances at him and had hearts in their eyes.
She wanted to embrace him in front of everyone, kiss him senseless, and fuck his brains out. She cursed her lack of power and strength and the ability to decide her fate and future in these times they were living in. Oh, how she wished it was her standing next to him instead of Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra and Naruto had bowed to the King and Queen. Viserys stood up from his throne and walked towards them, as he embraced them heartily, not caring about decorum or what anyone would say. He had missed the two of them, and living in King's Landing without the two of them was driving him crazy. He had hoped with their return that things would be better now.
Viserys had deeply regretted what he had done to Aemma. And he also had regrets when it came to marrying Alicent Hightower. He wished he had never done so. He was irritated by his hand constantly wanting him to name Aegon heir. That day would never come. As long as he lived, and as long as he was King of the Seven Kingdoms, he would never cast Rhaenyra aside for her brother. He had failed Aemma and Rhaenyra once before. He would not fail them again.
For the first time, in a long while, he got to hear his daughter speak again.
"It is good to be back home, father. And you look wonderful as always."
Viserys hugged his daughter again. He did indeed miss her.
It was Naruto who spoke next.
"Your grace, you entrusted your daughter to me. And in return, I have brought you back a warrior, a refined, regal woman who is worthy to sit on the Iron Throne. All though, sometimes she is not all regal. Sometimes, she can be a bit childish."
"Hey!"
Naruto shrugged. "Well, it's the truth."
Rhaenyra simply struck out her tongue as Naruto laughed. Rhaenyra laughed alongside him, and Viserys smiled. Aemma's death took a toll on the both of them as well as himself. To see his daughter smiling so happily without a care in the world was a welcome sight. Though he had thrust the responsibility and the burden of duty and sacrifice upon Rhaenyra, it was good to see that her heart had not turned cold.
Otto looked at his daughter and saw that her fists were clenched as she was gritting her teeth. He shook his head and turned away, realizing he would have to deal with another headache and the realization that his daughter truly was not the ice-cold, calm, collected person that she portrayed herself in this moment to be.
Otto realized that his daughter was in love with Naruto and she was jealous over the king's daughter. He shook his head again. Love was a powerful and destructive force and it could bring people to its knees. It also made people do crazy and foolish things. Otto needed to recalculate his plans. He needed to make sure that Alicent did not do anything foolish and that Uzumaki Naruto could not interfere in his plans. He had worked very hard and had come a long way in his plans. The King was being stubborn and adamant about naming Aegon heir over Rhaenyra, but in time, he was sure this issued would end. He would not let his daughter nor this body ruin everything.
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Alicent was angry. Her fists were clenched as she gritted her teeth. And if looks could kill, she would burn the Throne Room with her gaze. She saw Rhaenyra and Naruto laugh, and how happy and at ease they were with each other. It was not fair at all. It should her he standing by his side, being able to do whatever she wanted, laughing and living life with the man she loved and adored. And she was reduced to nothing but a mere spectator, forced to see something she never wanted to see.
Rhaenyra then walked over to Alicent and bowed to her gently as Alicent schooled her features and gave her a nod. Rhaenyra then embraced her which made Alicent still for a moment as she returned the gesture.
"It is good to see you again, your Grace. I did miss you."
Alicent could not help but nod gently and give her a tiny smile. Yes, she was upset at Rhaenyra, but Rhaenyra was still her friend. Though she was jealous and angry on the inside, she did not wish upon Rhaenyra anything ill. They were still friends, and Alicent had to admit, Rhaenyra was still dear to her.
"I missed you as well, Rhaenyra. It has been a long five years. I hope you can share with us your adventures and what you learned."
"I am happy to share details about my journey. It has been a long time since we talked. I hope we can speak to each other again soon over tea and cake."
Alicent smiled. "I too would enjoy that."
Alicent looked at Naruto as she gave him a warm smile and nod.
"It is good to see you again, Lord Naruto. I am sure you have some tales to share as well."
Naruto bowed again towards the Queen and then spoke.
"My journey was interesting to say the least, my Queen. My tales are boring, but if you and the King wish to hear about it, I am happy to share."
Alicent smiled and Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes at this interaction. She did not fail to notice how warmly and softly Alicent spoke when it came to Naruto. It felt like love, and Rhaenyra did not like that. Though Alicent was her dear friend, she would never share Naruto with anyone. She had not confessed her feelings to him as she respected his need to grieve and to train, but soon enough, she would marry him and make it clear who he belonged too; he was a dragon's ideal mate.
And to drive the point home, Rhaenyra stood beside Naruto and held his arm as he looked at her. She did not care what anyone said, he was hers and that was that.
Naruto looked to the King as he spoke. "Your grace, I am sure we can continue this another time. I need some rest and I am sure you wish to speak to your daughter in private."
Viserys nodded. "An excellent suggestion. I hope you will join us for a meal later."
Naruto nodded as he left the throne room. Rhaenyra and Viserys left soon after as Alicent stood there, once again angry and shocked at this latest turn of events. Otto rolled his eyes as he looked at his daughter. He walked over to her, wanting an answer to a question.
"Tell me, daughter. What have you and that man been up to in King's Landing?"
Otto was about to speak again but then took a small step back as his daughter stared at him. For a brief second, he saw a look of venom in her eyes that was replaced by a clear look of indifference. She simply smiled at him and that unnerved Otto. It was unnerving that he could not read and understand what his daughter was thinking.
"Father, I will say this once, and I will never say it again. Uzumaki Naruto is none of your business. Stay away from him. If anything were to befall him, I will know. And I will feel a great swell of pity for the poor soul that ever tries to harm him."
"Now, if you will excuse me, I must see my son."
As Alicent walked away, Otto shook his head in annoyance.
"Women, you cannot live with them, nor can you live without them. No man in existence has been made that could understand a woman."
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Viserys and Rhaenyra sat in a room with a great view of the beach, the sea, and the blue sky as they ate in peace. After their meal was complete and the plates and dishes taken away, Viserys decided to speak, hoping to break the ice.
"Before you came back to King's Landing, there was to be a celebration of my first born; the hunt for the White Stag. We are to be going tomorrow. I do hope you come and join us."
Rhaenyra smiled. "I will. I am sure it will be a lovely affair."
Viserys continued. "It is surprising to see Ser Criston Cole trailing behind you."
Rhaenyra shook her head. "He is a man from Dorne with no prospects of his own, no royal lineage. He has talent with a blade, but he has more skill with another weapon. He is hungry to impress and eager to be more than what he is, as all men and women desire. I felt he deserved a chance to see if he can accomplish such a thing."
"However, I am sure you do not wish to speak about Criston Cole. You have something else on your mind. Go ahead, and speak your peace."
Viserys narrowed his eyes. "You have grown much bold since your time away."
"Yes, I have."
Viserys sighed. "I do not seek a quarrel with you child…"
Rhaenyra interrupted him. "You chose to quarrel with me the day you murdered my mother for the son that you have always desired. She was the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and you condemned her to a miserable death."
Viserys was white as a sheet.
"My mother sacrificed everything for you! She gave you her heart, her body, everything she had. And her reward was to die screaming in a bed bleeding out for your fucking dreams and ambitions? And you have the audacity to ask me why I am in a quarreling mood?"
Viserys sighed in sadness. "You are deeply mistaken, my child."
"Really? You believe I am mistaken? Then, if you so deeply loved my mother, why did you marry my friend? You could have chosen to let Daemon be heir. I will admit, Daemon is not perfect and there are things he needs to work on. Yet, he was your heir and a good one. You only made me heir to try to prove your kingly power, but in the end, you are incapable of thinking things through."
"Then again, it does not matter if you married Alicent Hightower or Laena Velaryon. I would not have approved of either choice."
Before Rhaenyra could speak again, Viserys spoke and he said the words she thought she would never hear.
"I am sorry, Rhaenyra."
Rhaenyra looked up at her father and could see that her father had aged significantly in these last five years. She could see that there was clear guilt in his eyes as well as shame. It was eating up at his soul and she was taking her own pain and anger out on him. Still, she needed to know exactly what he was sorry about.
"What exactly are you sorry about, father? The fact that you killed my mother? The fact that you named me heir? Or the fact that you married my dear friend and now regret naming me heir now that my brother Aegon exists, the child you have always wanted?"
Viserys sighed in deep sadness. Tre was no apology that he could give that would satisfy her. After all, an apology sounded hollow to his own ears. All he could do was unburden himself and hope that what he set in motion was the right course of action.
"I am sorry, Rhaenyra. I did kill your mother and I will not deny that. I did it for a son and for a dream that I should have known might not come true. I do regret marrying your friend. I cannot justify what I did and I will not give you any excuses. What I did… is not deserving of forgiveness. I can only be punished for it."
"I did kill your mother. I did kill the woman I love and I will have to live with that. She made a man of me…"
Rhaenyra saw the tears and shook her head. His tears were not for show, they were genuine. Rhaenyra loved her father. She did not hate him and bore him ill will.
Before she could speak, he spoke again, wiping his tears as she was surprised by the fire in his eyes.
"Yet, you are wrong about one thing. You are meant for the throne. Perhaps I am wrong about Daemon. Perhaps, I am. Yet, Daemon is not built for the Throne. He is a warrior first and foremost. You need patience and temperament to be a King. Daemon was simply born in the wrong era."
"I believe you are the one that is meant to sit the throne. One day, a grave threat will come to this world and it can only be a Targaryen who is worthy that will be able to stand against this cold darkness. I believe you are the one worthy to stand against this evil. If you believe in yourself, you will be able to see this become truth."
Rhaenyra had no idea what to think about this. She had no idea if she was truly worthy to sit the Iron Throne. Not to mention she had no idea what this great evil was. The Prophecy known as the Song of Ice and Fire was still something she was unable to truly understand or piece together what it meant. She would have to try to learn what it all meant.
Viserys decided to change the subject. "Tell me, how are things with Naruto?"
Rhaenyra sighed. "He… I do not think he can stand the sight of me."
Viserys narrowed his eyes. "Why would you say that?"
"I think I remind him too much of mother."
Viserys shook his head. "Rhaenyra… did you make this up in your head or did he tell you this?"
"Well, no, but…"
"Listen to me, child. I know you love that man. I know you always have since the day you laid eyes on him. He completes you somehow. He has suffered a great loss. I cannot imagine what he must have felt when held Aemma's dead body. We are speaking about a child who grew up without family. And for him to loser a mother figure so quickly in life will scar anyone. You must give him a little more time, and yet you must act."
Rhaenyra looked at her father, wondering what he meant.
"If you are too late, then another woman will take him from you. As the future ruler of Westeros, you have a duty yourself. I know you hate it, and I do as well, but there are things that must be done in this life. You must marry, strengthen your bonds, and be fruitful and multiply. Our house is a house that can easily be toppled. Dragons do not alone guarantee supremacy. You need to have the backing of a powerful individual as well."
Rhaenyra nodded. While she hated politics and courting, she knew she needed to act. She had a sinking suspicion that there was something going on between Naruto and Alicent, and she needed to nip this in the bud. The Blood of The Dragon boiled in her veins, wanting her to claim him. However, Rhaenyra wanted him to love her not out of duty, but for love and passion itself. She knew his heart was broken and she would make sure it was whole again.
As Rhaenyra meant to leave, her father spoke again.
"Rhaenyra, your mother made me happy. She gave me the greatest gift and that is you. Your happiness is in your hands. Do not waste time. If you love that man, and I know he cares for you, then show him how much he means to you. If you are happy in this world, then I know when I pass from this world, I can face Aemma with some courage."
Rhaenyra nodded, mouthing to her father that she loved him as he returned those words. Viserys hoped that things would be better now that his daughter had returned to the capital.
XXXXXX
Naruto sat on the beach with Vhagar perched near Visenya's Hill as he observed the ways. His heart and mind had been a complex storm of emotions since Aemma's passing. He through himself into training and into molding Rhaenyra into a powerful warrior and figure that could sit the throne and be her father's successor.
Hagoromo's words had haunted him. He was afraid to get close to anyone. Though he had indulged Alicent's wish when they made love to one another years ago, he did not wish to get close to anyone else. He was afraid of them dying and that he could not be able to save anyone.
He needed to find a way to move on and steel his heart. He was not in Konoha anymore, but he was still a ninja. Ninja were more than tools. Ninja were those who endured and managed to come out on top, fighting the odds.
He was about to leave, when he turned around and saw Alicent who had been waiting for him. Naruto stood up and gave her a smile, but she gave him a hug. Naruto returned her hug as she spoke.
"I have missed you these years. I am glad to see you again."
Naruto nodded as he bowed. "It is good to be back in the capital, your grace."
Alicent had been wringing her hands as Naruto sighed.
"Naruto… now that you are back, I was wondering…"
Naruto raised a hand and then spoke. He wanted to make things clear to Alicent that there could be nothing between them. Plus, Naruto had no interest in sleeping with a married woman. It was a headache he did not need.
"Alicent… what we did years ago, I will admit, I enjoyed it. It gave me comfort and joy and I will never regret you pouring your heart out to me. However, we were kids back then. We are now adults with responsibilities. You are married with a son, and you possibly will have more children. I am to protect Rhaenyra and ensure her place on the throne when her father passes. I am sorry, you and I can never be together."
Alicent felt her heart shattering. "Naruto… I… I love you… I cannot love anyone but you…"
Naruto shook his head sadly. "I will not deny that you are important to me. I care about you as well, and if things could be changed, perhaps you and I could have had a chance. This is not that time. You are a mother and a Queen now. You have greater responsibilities then worrying about me. And we cannot be together. I cannot give you what you desire, I do not know if I am ever able to give a woman what they want."
"I am sorry, my Queen. This is the truth, and no matter how uncomfortable it is, we must accept it. Life does not deal us the cards we want; we must simply play the hand we are dealt."
Naruto simply walked away as Alicent clenched her hands. She clenched them so hard, that she extracted blood from her palm. And with each passing footstep, her heart was filled with rage. She hated her father, she hated this life, she hated having to marry the King, and worst of all, she hated Rhaenyra Targaryen.
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Chapter End
That is the chapter everyone. Please read and review generously. I hope you all like it.
The next chapter will be about the White Stag hunt.
Once again, I sincerely apologize. My life is a complete mess right now and I can only focus on a few specific stories. I need to salvage this year and better my life and get shit done and get life in order. Once again, I apologize. Kuronodono12 will take over writing duties and I will help him when I can.
Stay safe and well wishes to you and your loved ones. I hope you have a great summer and a great 2023.