A/N: WHAT IS UP MUCKAAAACHUNGAAAAS!? IT'S TRAVEZTY! And sorry for the huge delay from the last posting! I had a huge case of writer's block, so I got stuck at a certain point in writing this chapter. To alleviate it, I had to switch gears and work on something else for a bit to get my creative juices working again. I also accidentally deleted Mircea, Vladi, and Radu while doing some cleaning up of older D&D Characters, so I need to take some time to rebuild them from the ground up. Again I apologize for the delay, as well as for this chapter being extremely short because of this.
I would also like to personally thank Trafford for getting in touch with me about this story. He actually gave me some inspiration and advice as to the pacing of this story. However, to summarize what he said, he basically told me that my writing style is pretty much clipped and high paced, in comparison to most. I will not deny how fast my writing seems but there is a reason for that. Truth be told, my style is actually highly dependent on preset stories. What I mean by this is that when I write fanfictions for Mangas, I use the Manga to decide the pacing of the story, for the most part. I do the same thing for animes, movies, and games, I basically use their original script and pacing, then modify my own script to keep pace with theirs. While it may look like plagiarism (and in some ways it may be that unintentionally), I have bad pacing when it comes to my writing, and so I use the original source as a template and write in my version of events at the points I like best.
When it comes to stories that I originally design or when I have no source material to set my pacing (like Dungeons & Dragons and Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire, for example) my style is somewhat fast and loose, as I'm literally building it brick by brick as I go, with the dice and/or my interpretation of the characters deciding how things work out. So if this story is a bit fast-paced for your liking, I humbly apologize but other than the wiki articles, and whatever I can glean from show clips, I'm pretty much making it up as I go.
In any case, I will try to update a bit more often, but I have a lot of projects I need to update as well, so idk when the next chapter is coming out after this one. However, here is the Order of the 4 Projects by which I will update them, should Inspiration not just randomly slap me in the face while I'm planning out a chapter.
First: Nocturne of Ice and Fire (This is the story you are reading, a Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire x Dungeons & Dragons Fanfiction.)
Second: Spirit of the Wolf Book 1: Wings of the Butterfly (This is a Legend of Zelda BotW/TotK AU Fanfiction, where Zelda allows information from her time to influence the future of the Founding Era, and the Butterfly Effect that happens because of it. If you're interested check it out)
Third: "Goblin Slayer: The Table" (A Goblin Slayer x Dungeons & Dragons fanfiction, basically takes a D&D based Anime/Manga and combines it with actual D&D, where the Gods are the Players and the Characters are Player Characters for the Gods that represent them)
(Update 3/10/24: So after much much rethinking of this chapter, I bring you this entirely new version, and, hopefully, it is a much more satisfying read than the previous version which I had posted weeks ago. I had changed things up starting at the First Encounter between Vlad and Cersei, so I hope things are more enjoyable. I also, as stated in my update, I had to do something to set my plan into motion.)
Anyway I think that is enough out of me for now! Please be sure to Follow, Favorite, Review, and Share this story with anyone who likes GoT/ASoIaF and D&D Content! Again sorry for the delay, I'll try to upload more frequently, no promises though. Catch ya on the flipside! DRACARYS!
Chapter 3: Lament of Innocence
The Banners gather as they make their way towards the great castle of Harrenhall, many of the nobles are actually quite excited for the Tourney that is to soon begin, but what is more, everyone is completely astonished that Harrenhal, after so many centuries, has finally been restored to it's former glory, standing tall, strong, and defiant against the skies, it's 5 great towers once again reaching into the heavens like grasping fingers, it's walls fully restored, much to the surprise of many who have come to witness or participate in the tourney, witness Balaur soaring above them all, unleashing his breath in salute of the nobles and participants that arrive, roaring his welcome. The Royal Entourage of Prince Rhaegar, Queen Rhaella, Princess Rhaenys, and Prince Viserys are stunned to see such a great beast like that of Rhaegar's Vermithor being above them, and Vermithor, ever the respectful dragon, let's out a screeching roar towards Balaur, saluting him and paying his respects to the Drake as he passes overhead. Balaur, looking towards the sound of the screeching, instead of unleashing a roar, unleashes something akin to Whale Song, and the Drake lands near Prince Rhaegar, the Knights readying their swords, only for Queen Rhaella to raise her hand, then lowering it slowly, silently ordering them to sheathe their weapons.
Balaur, deciding to have a bit of fun with the knights as Rhaegar dismounts, charges at the Crown Prince, and roars menacingly in his face. Rhaegar, keeping his ground, watches as the Drake's display ends, before closing it's mouth in a snarl as it growls at Rhaegar, who takes off one of his gloves and slowly raises it to Balaur, his hand gently touching the scales of the larger dragonoid, and the Drake, apparently, calms down, and relaxes the tension in it's body, looking deep into Rhaegar's eyes. That is when somebody walks towards them, and Rhaegar turns to him, "Prince Draculya!" Rhaegar says, "No, wait… You're one of his brothers…?"
"Indeed I am, Ser Mircea of House Draculya, my prince!" Mircea says, bowing respectfully. "I welcome you, and your entourage, to Harrenhal!" He then looks to Ser Jaime Lannister, who bows his head respectfully, and the knight bows his head back. "Balaur, begin your search…" The Drake nods and looks to Vermithor before taking off into the sky. "Forgive Balaur he-"
"THAT'S MY FATHER'S BANNERMAN YOU'RE KICKING!" A Woman's voice calls out, her voice sounding like the snarling howl of a wolf… No… A Direwolf! Everyone in the Royal Entourage turns in shock as they see a woman with hair as black as night and eyes like silver charging towards a group of boys attacking a Crannogman, wielding a tourney sword. The battle between her and these boys was swift, sudden, but violent as the woman beat these boys so badly and so quickly that they ran away in terror, calling her a monster as they ran away in fear.
"Who…?" Rhaegar asks, completely stunned as he looks at her.
"That, Rhaegar, is your future bride. At least if Lord Rickard Stark accepts your father's arrangement…" Rhaella says, "What do you think of her?"
"She is so… Amazing!" Rhaegar says, his eyes almost alight with life, the light of his inner fire being ignited for the first time in the months since Elia's Death.
"Does that mean I get a new Muna?" Rhaenys asks, looking at her father, both sad, yet excited.
"Rhaenys, my darling girl…" Rhaegar says to his daughter, "I know you miss your mother, and I do as well, but I know she wouldn't want us to mourn her forever. Her murderer is dead now, and while his kind still plague our world, I promise you, she will love you if her father accepts."
"Promise?" Rhaenys asks, acting adorable.
"I promise!" Rhaegar says, smiling at the girl, and they continue on, with Viserys intrigued at how a woman as dainty as her could actually defeat younger but larger and stronger boys so easily, and how could he obtain such power? Inside the castle, Vlad kneels to the Prince and Queen, before providing them with bread and salt, and giving them Guest Right. After this, Rhaegar decides, on a whim, to go meet with Lord Rickard Stark himself, to see what his decision is, and, thankfully, finds him with his children in their tent. "Lord Rickard Stark." The Starks and the Crannogman look to Prince Rhaegar in surprise, "May I enter?"
"My Prince, of course!" Lord Rickard says, welcoming Rhaegar in as Vermithor, being the smart little dragon he is, takes cover under Rhaegar's cloak, near his shoulders. "What brings you to us, my Prince?"
"There is something that I wished to speak to you about. Something I only learned from my father… Mere hours before the death of my wife…" Rhaegar says, looking sorrowful.
"My Prince, if it is still a sore subject…?" Lyanna says, offering him a drink.
"Thank you, and it is quite alright… I've had the time to mourn Elia, and Prince Draculya allowed me to obtain justice against the monster who killed her." Rhaegar says, "May she rest in peace knowing she has been avenged." Everyone nods somberly. "What I came to speak of was the Betrothal Offer my father made…" Rhaegar knows that the Northmen are a blunt and honest people, so being blunt and to the point is the best way to speak to them. "I was wondering if you had come to a decision." Lyanna looks to her father with shock, she had only just recently learned of her betrothal to Lord Robert Baratheon, which infuriated her to no end, especially after Brandon spilled the beans about the man already having a Bastard. Now she finds out about this!
"Father, why didn't you tell me!?" Lyanna snarls at her father
"You were upset about your betrothal to Lord Robert, so much so you didn't give me a chance to tell you about the King's Offer… I also thought it best to give each of them a chance to show you which of them is worthy." Lord Rickard says.
"Well your daughter certainly impressed me not too long ago!" Rhaegar explains, "The way she dealt with a trio of larger and more physically imposing boys was amazing! The way she handled her sword as well, while it is clearly the Northern Style, it was like I was witnessing the reincarnation of Queen Visenya!"
"Really?" Lyanna asks, stunned as she blushes at the praise, to which Rhaegar confirms with a nod.
"Truly! I'm beyond impressed!" That is when they hear a sound as they see something climb out of Rhaegar's Cloak. A beautiful Yellow-Bronze Dragon with emerald green eyes, wings, crests, and markings flowing through it's Body whilst it has small but glossy black horns, talons, and teeth.
"Is that… A Dragon?" Brandon Stark asks.
"House Stark, allow me to introduce to you Vermithor!" Rhaegar says, smiling as the little dragon gazes at them adorably.
"He's so beautiful." Lyanna says, astonished as she slowly reaches for the little dragon, who begins snarling as she reaches forward, Lyanna stopping at that sound.
"Easy now…!" Rhaegar says, "Vermithor is not very good with strangers. It will take him time to trust you." Lyanna nods but then smiles at the little dragon. "I suppose I should take my leave… Thank you for indulging in my selfishness for the moment!" He then looks to Lord Howland Reed. "As for you Lord Howland…" He then gently places his hand upon the Crannogman's shoulder, "Let's fix you up…" He then closes his eyes and breathes slowly, and begins speaking in High Valyrian. "Tessarion, Goddess of Love, please bless this man with your warmth and affection…" Much to the shock of those who look at this, Howland's cuts and bruises glow with a faint golden light, and, before their very eyes, the light closes towards the center and the wounds are gone. When it is done, Rhaegar backs up and begins breathing hard, almost losing his footing
"My Prince…!" Brandon says, catching the Royal. "What did you just do?"
"Something I found myself capable of doing once Vermithor was born… According to Prince Draculya, my magic had manifested itself, and, as a result of that, there are a few abilities that I am currently capable of, this being one of them…" Rhaegar explains, "He claims the spell I had cast is known as "Cure Wounds" in Wallachia. The only limitations are that I need to sacrifice a portion of my magic in order to heal a person's injuries, but I cannot regenerate lost limbs or organs. I also need to be touching the person in question, which means I need to get up close to perform it." Everyone looks at Rhaegar with shock as the Prince steadies himself as he looks to the Starks, excusing himself as he makes himself scarce.
Meanwhile…
Walking through the Tents, Prince Vladislaus Draculya goes to greet all of the Lords and get to know them all with a smile on his face. However, much to his shock, he sees the Golden Lions of House Lannister amongst them, which wasn't one of the Houses he remembered greeting at his gates, causing him to think they may have invited themselves into his home. His pupils turning to slits at the outrage, he begins to make his way towards the Tent to seek an audience with whoever represents House Lannister at this tourney, only to see somebody walking out of the tent in a huff. It is a beautiful woman with long golden hair that falls down to her locks in luscious curls, and with emerald green eyes that are filled with indignation and anger. As she walks out of the tent, she sees Vlad walking towards the tent, and she stops in her tracks. "You are?"
"Prince Vladislaus Draculya…" Vladislaus says, glaring at her, his stunned state over as he glares at her. "Care to tell me why House Lannister has decided to come to this tourney, uninvited I may add?"
"That is none of your business!" Cersei says, however, much to Cersei's appearance, in the blink of an eye, he is up in her face, baring his long sharp teeth at her.
"On the contrary, Lady Lannister, it is my business… You step into my territory uninvited, and have the audacity to think such an intrusion will go unpunished?" Vlad asks, keeping his town even as he looks at her, his eyes glowing red as Cersei looks to him with a stunned look, his sharp teeth startling her as looks directly into her eyes, in which Cersei looks back, a deep chill running up her spine, "Now I wonder what the king will do when he arrives, and discovers you here…?"
"You wouldn't dare…!" Cersei says, looking at him.
"No I wouldn't, but I will if you don't tell me what you are doing here…" Vlad simply states, in which Cersei realizes, much to her chagrin, she is cornered as she looks into the Prince of Wallachia's eyes.
"I have come to see Rhaegar… To…" She turns her head to the side, "To ask him to reconsider the possible marriage my father intended for us to have."
"That is all I wanted to know…" He then smells the air, "Wait… Your bleeding…?"
"What…?" Cersei asks, looking at him, then looks at her hand, and realizes her nails had been digging into her hand, causing her to bleed slightly. "Damn…"
"You smell rather tasty…" Vlad says, gently taking her hand, "I wonder what it would be like… To taste your blood…" Cersei looks at the Lord of Harrenhal in shock as he opens his mouth and licks her bleeding hand, a purr of satisfaction escaping his lips as she looks at him. His eyes glow as he looks into her eyes and smiles, her wound closing as he let's her hand go. "Thank you for the taste, Lady Cersei…" He then slowly turns around and walks away, "Speak with Rhaegar, if you can find him before the King arrives, if you don't, then I cannot guarantee your protection…"
Cersei, looking on at the man, feels like her heart is racing as he looks at her hand, finding it has already scabbed over, and an old memory fills her mind as she remembers her meeting with Maggy the Frog so very long ago.
Lannisport, 276 AC
Cersei Lannister has just turned 13 as she walks into Lannisport, having heard rumors of a Maegi who could foretell the future, a woman whose strength not only lied in prophecy, but also in curatives and love potions. Joining Cersei are Jeyne Farman and Melara Hetherspoon as they travel down to where this woman is located. It is a small shop within Lannisport, and much to Cersei's surprise, she finds the, apparently, old woman, sleeping on a bed next to her workplace, taking a nap as if to recover her strength. "Great, the old woman is asleep…" Melara says, looking at Cersei, "Should we kick her bed to wake her?"
"Bad idea…" Jeyne would say, trying to remain quiet, "She's a Maegi, a Bloodmage… Showing such disrespect will cause her to turn our futures dark!"
"You really believe those tales about blood magic?" Melara asks, looking at her.
"You never know! The Targaryens mastered it in Old Valyria…!" Cersei listens to them, and, despite her impatience, looks around the shop, seeing plenty of dried herbs that, from where she stands, smells rather nice. Maybe if she were to crush some and then burn them with a bit of fire from the hearth, maybe she can coax the Frog to wake up.
"I have an idea…" Cersei says, "Watch the woman, I'm going to try and wake her up…" Cersei says, carefully moving to the counters and looking at possible dried flowers that might work. Little do they know, Maggy is indeed awake, only feigning sleep as she listens to the girls, smiling as she hears this. To this, Cersei carefully, and quietly, uses Maggy's mortal and pestle to grind up the petals of a rose, with some lavender blossoms, and a drop of some sort of scented oil to make it burn easier. Taking a piece of straw, Cersei gently moves the flame to the combination, causing the perfumed smoke to fill the air as Cersei gently holds the burning combination in the mortar and carefully blows the smoke to Maggy, hoping it wakes her. To the stunned surprise of the girls, Maggy seems to rouse from her sleep, and, to their widening eyes, they see that the old hag is actually very young and very beautiful. This woman should be well over 50 years at least, yet she looks barely out of her 20s!
"Ah… Customers…" Maggy says, smiling at the girls, sitting up in her bed. "What might I do for you, my dears?"
"So pretty!" Melara says, shocked.
"So young!" Jeyne says.
"You expected an old woman who was squat and warty, with crusty yellow eyes, no teeth, and pale green jowls? One whose voice was croaking, and accented, with a bent-back?" Maggy teases the girls, smiling, to which Cersei regains her composure.
"Greetings, Maggy, I am Cersei of House Lannister… I wish to inquire about seeing my future…" Maggy smirks as she looks at Cersei, her eyes becoming dangerous.
"Everyone wants to know their future, that is until they know it…" Maggy says, "A Future is not some predetermined path, but the sum of your choices in life… Those of us skilled enough in blood magic to predict the future are only able to see what shall come true if they remain on their path…"
"I am willing to accept the consequences of my actions when they come…" Cersei says, looking at her, and Maggy gives her a look as she stares into Cersei's eyes, smirking.
"Are you sure…?" She asks, slowly reaching for a knife, "I will give you one last chance to turn around and leave… For those I have told the future either decided to fight what I had foretold, only to end up securing it, and yet I have seen those who accept their futures, only to change it without realizing it…" She takes the knife and moves it in her hand… "This is your last chance… Will you take the plunge and risk securing your fate, or will you turn and leave, safe in your ignorance?" Cersei takes a moment to think on it before giving Maggy a serious look. "It seems your mind is made up… Just remember, what I will see is the sum of your choices for who you are now… But if you are true about accepting the consequences of knowing, and accepting your fate as it stands at this point… You may just change it…" She then holds the knife by the blunt side of the blade. "I will need a taste of your blood to be able to see your future…"
Cersei looks at the knife and gently takes it in her hand, being careful to prick her finger, before handing the knife back to the Bloodmage, who gently sets it aside before massaging Cersei's finger, allowing for more blood to pool on the skin before gently tasting it… "Mmmm…" She then closes her eyes for a moment as she pulls away, only to then open them as her scleras, the whites of her eyes, turn blood red. "I cannot maintain my sight for long… So I can only answer three questions about your future… Be mindful of what I had told you…"
"I have been promised to the Prince… When will we be married?" Cersei asks.
"A Prince you shall wed, indeed, but not the Prince who shall sit upon a Throne of Swords…"
"Who is this Prince…?" Cersei asks, disappointed, but her curiosity takes hold of her.
"Like the Prince you fancy, he too is a Dragon, but one who feasts upon the Lifeblood of the Living to Protect them from the Forces of the Undead…" Maggy says.
"Will… Will we be happy?" Cersei asks.
"Oh yes, very happy… Though you shall not be the only to marry him, for joined you shall be by a Princess of the Rivers, and mine own blood… And the four of you will live for many many years, should you all survive the coming darkness brought upon by the Dead…" Maggy says, with each answer her eyes turning whiter and whiter once more… "Hmmm It seems I still have enough magic for one more question…"
"Will the Prince and I have children?" Cersei asks.
"Yes, two-and-ten in all, 3 from you, 5 from your River Sister, and 4 from Mine Own… Let not the number discourage you, for your children shall be the first… Gold will be their Crowns, and Gold their Shrouds, but when your tears have drowned you… The Queen of Ravens shall return them to you, changed yet the same, in exchange for your Vow." Cersei feels her heart shatter upon hearing this, looking upon Maggy with horror as the Frog gives her a sympathetic look.
Return to the Present…
Cersei looks at Vlad as he walks away, and she looks at her hand once more, in which she hears the Lord of House Draculya humming a song as he leaves. Wondering if this is the Prince she was destined to marry, but putting the thoughts out of her mind for the time being, Cersei makes her way towards where she could possibly find Rhaegar, who, much to Cersei's surprise, had a Dragon perched upon his shoulder. Her desire for the Silver Prince reignites, and as she approaches, she sees Rhaegar turning towards her. "My Prince!" Cersei says.
"Cersei Lannister? What are you doing here?"
"I…" Cersei says, wanting to say that which she wished to say, but part of her felt… Wrong for wanting to say it… "I overheard you are going to be marrying Lady Lyanna Stark, is that correct?"
"I should, but why do you ask?" Rhaegar asks, wary of her. "And Why are you here?"
"If I may speak the truth, initially, I came to speak with you about reconsidering and marrying me instead…" Cersei says, finding her words flowing out of her before she could stop herself. "However… I recently had dreamed of a memory that reminded me of something important…"
"What kind of memory…?" Rhaegar asks.
"When I was a girl… During the tourney to celebrate your brother's, Viserys, birth, my father told me he would approach the King for a marriage between us… I had gone to Lannisport to visit a fortune teller to see if she would tell me if it was successful or not… She revealed to me it wasn't, and the news I received later that day only confirmed it… For Years, I longed for you, but I kept forgetting what my future held…"
"And today you've remembered it?" Rhaegar asks.
"Yes… Though it wasn't until a short while ago… I see now that I am… Not destined for you, as much as my father desires it so." Cersei says, "So I wished to apologize for all the times I had come to you and tried to force you into marrying me…" She bows her head sincerely, "I am sorry…" Rhaegar looks at her… But then smiles as he sees she is being truthful.
"I accept your apology, Lady Lannister…" Rhaegar says, in which he then looks at her, "So who is the man who is bound to you?"
"We stand within his lands now…"
"Vlad? Oh my…!"
"It is certainly a surprise for me as well… But please don't let this reach my father… If he knows I had a bloodmage tell my future…"
"He shall not hear a word of it from me…!" Rhaegar says. "You have my word, Cersei."
Elsewhere…
Vlad is humming as he walks through the sea of tents as he sees the Stark Banners, smiling as he makes his way over to them, though, as he approaches, he then hears the sound of a voice shouting. "BRANDON STARK!" A voice calls out, in which Vlad turns the corner to see one of the Starks standing with a woman with beautiful auburn hair and blue eyes looking towards a shorter person with surprise. "YOU SHALL NOT HAVE HER!"
"Petyr Baelish, what is this about?" Brandon Stark asks, looking to see the young man, barely 15, wielding a bit of slapdash armor and wielding a sword rushing to them. Vlad looks on, seeing that this is going to be a brutal fight.
"I challenge you for the right to Cat's hand!" Petyr Baelish says, to which, much to Brandon's surprise, Petyr mouth was covered in blood.
"Petyr, what have you done?" Brandon asks, looking at him.
"Bran? What's wrong?"
"Cat, get out of here, Petyr has transformed into a Vampyre!" Brandon says, drawing his sword.
"Wait, Bran! You don't mean!"
"RUN!" Brandon shouts, to which Petyr snarls as he charges forward, clashing his sword with Brandon, the Heir to Winterfell drawing his sword, but, much to his shock, finds that Petyr Baelish is much stronger than he expected. 'Is this the power that comes with being a Vampyre!?' The fight immediately gets more violent as Cately backs away, with Vlad having heard what Brandon had said, and raises his voice.
"VAMPYYYYRE!" Vlad roars, in which, much to the shock of all the guests, alarm bells start ringing as the soldiers mobilize, with Vlad charging in to help Brandon. "HANG ON!" Vlad jumps above Petyr Baelish, his hand burning with fire as he jumps above Petyr, intending to strike him down… But, somehow, Petyr predicts his attack and dodges out of the way, just enough that Brandon gets hit instead, sending the young lord Stark flying backwards being coated in fire, the man screaming in pain as he falls back. "NO!" Vlad snarls as he turns to Petyr and the battle begins in earnest, with Petyr laughing as he makes the first move. Baelish, smiling, charges towards Vlad, but moves past him, Vlad seeing a chance to strike the Vampyre down, only to miss once more as Petyr charges in, and grabs onto the burning Brandon.
"Now you are mine!" He then bites down on to Brandon's neck, the man screaming in pain as he tries to fight off Petyr, who has sunk his fangs deep into Brandon's neck. The Screams alert the starks as they rush over, especially Rickard who sees Petyr Baelish drinking his son's blood. However, Baelish tosses Brandon aside, only for the man to rise. "Now, Brandon Stark… You've lost this duel… Do away with these pests while I claim my prize…" Vlad looks at Petyr Baelish in shock, then to Brandon Stark, whose eyes are glazed over.
"Yes… My Master…" Vlad looks horrified by what he is seeing, and, almost immediately Brandon charges at him, only for a sword to block Brandon's strike.
"Bran, snap out of it!" Ned says to his brother, blocking the attack.
"He's Charmed!" Vlad says, "Keep him busy, I'm going after Baelish!" Vlad then moves quickly to Baelish, who hears the Dhampyre rushing up behind him, snarling as the two vampyric warriors clash. Vlad charges at Baelish, rearing back his hands as the erupt into flames, four consecutive strikes landing on Petyr's body as the Vampyre snarls in pain, striking back with his sword, in the next instant… The First Two strikes miss by a wide margin as Vlad denotes Petyr's lack of skill, but the third manages to land on him, dealing a rather nasty cut across his face. "You clever little sneak…" Vlad then swings his fists at Baelish again, his first strike missing as it explodes into flames, the Vampyre barely dodging as his hair gets slightly singed, only to find the first attack was a feint, the second punch hitting him square in the face, in which Baelish, now feeling it, can't understand how he is losing so fast to this man… Only for a burning kick to hit Baelish in the buttocks and send him falling to the ground. Growling, Petyr picks himself back up and swings his blade again, cutting deep into Vlad's chest before going into another assault, only for Vlad to block the sword with the back of his hand, but, much to Vlad's surprise, Petyr lunges at him with his fangs, which manage to sink into Vlad, who roars in pain.
Vlad can feel it, his the signature decaying feeling as the Vampyre's fangs sink into him, however, as he feels the teeth sink in, he notices something else coming from the Vampyre's mouth, a second pair of fangs extends from the lower jaw and pierces his skin, sending some sort of liquid into his veins. However, grabbing his holy symbol, Vlad roars and fights off the Vampyre. Kicking Baelish off of him, Vlad holds his injured neck and snarls. "Oh I am going to dissect you when this is all over!"
"If you can catch me, Halfbreed!" Baelish snarls, holding his chest, but even he can tell this is going poorly for him. However, seeing how Bran and Ned are still fighting, he decides this is not worth it anymore and just finishes what he intended to do, and rushes to Brandon. Vlad sees in horror what he intends to do, and turns to stop Baelish, swinging his foot and unleashing a flurry of blows as Baelish rushes past him. Both of his kicks miss their target as Petyr dodges them and thrusts his sword forward… Time slows down as Vlad recovers, only to watch in horror as Bran, caught off guard by Baelish, has his head cut clean off his shoulders… Catelyn screams in horror as she calls out for Brandon, and the Starks look on in horror as Brandon's headless body falls to the ground, dead. Vlad looks at Baelish, who is laughing, only for his smile to slowly disappear as he feels something, and looks to his hand, seeing it starting to blister, and he looks to the sky, seeing the clouds are starting to part… Baelish then turns and runs as fast as he can.
Vlad snarls as he sees Baelish turning to flee and draws his sword, holding it in his hand and throws it as hard as he can… The Sword embedded itself right through his chest, only for Baelish to stumble, but kept on running. "YOU DAMNED COWARD!" Vlad shouts in anger, his skin turning pale as everyone sees his humanoid countenance fade away, revealing scales across his body as his black hair turns white with his green eyes turning violet, with horns growing out of his head and his wings appearing as his voice unleashes flames out the corners of his mouth in his anger."I SWEAR TO THE RAVEN QUEEN THAT I WILL SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE HUNTING YOU DOWN FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!? YOU'RE A WALKING CORPSE! YOU HEAR ME, A WALKING COOORPSE!" Vlad's body returns to normal as he turns to Brandon Stark's corpse as Rickard Stark falls to his knees next to his son's body, the man looking devastated as he sees his son lying there, beheaded, and what escapes his lips next are screams of pure and utter rage, like the howling of a father direwolf having found his pups having been slaughtered.
Rushing over to the sound of the screams are the guards and Prince Rhaegar, who covers his mouth in shock, along with Robert Baratheon. Robert, seeing his best friend looking devastated at his brother having been killed, rushes to him, turning his friend away and hugging him, while Rhaegar, rushes to Lyanna, who begins to weep for her brother, holding her close. Vlad falls to his knees, growling as he glares off in the direction that Baelish had fled, if it hadn't been for the Sun interrupting them, and he had been so paralyzed with rage, he would be hunting that monster down by now. However, Vlad has Brandon's Body brought to Qyburn, in which the Maester brings out a magical artifact that Vlad had, the Coffin of Darkness, which will preserve Brandon's corpse until they bring it back home when the Starks leave. Though Rickard wishes to leave now, Vlad is barely able to convince him otherwise.
That Night…
The Celebrations that were supposed to begin have become somber as the news of Lord Stark's son has spread through the entire camp, and now… Everyone knew how skilled Brandon was, better than any of his siblings, and those who knew Baelish know how weak the boy was… If becoming a Vampyre granted Baelish the strength to overcome someone far superior to him so easily, and the fact that Vladislaus, the Prince who was hunting these creatures, was nearly overwhelmed by his prey, it shows everyone at the tourney the seriousness of the situation, and just how truly dangerous these Vampyres actually are. Vlad, for his part, sits at the table, shame written on his face, but he stands as he addresses his guests. "Everyone… Today we were set to gather to celebrate a great tourney, as my way for my brothers and I to show a great appreciation for these lands in not only giving us a home in which we can hunt the Vampyre Menace that had escaped here, but also for the warm reception we had received by the lords of the Crownlands and Riverlands."
"Unforunately, a Vampyre had snuck into my home under my very nose, and had transformed one of the nobility into one of their own, resulting in the death of Lord Brandon Stark. This shall forever be a mark of shame upon my family, for, despite how vigilant we were, we had failed to protect one of our guests when they needed it most." He turns to Lord Rickard Stark, "Lord Stark…" Rickard looks to Vlad, his eyes still stained from the tears, "I swear to you that when I find Petyr Baelish, and after we have performed our Vivisection of Baelish and discovered how he was able to take control of your son… His sentencing, and head, are yours, my Lord!"
"Thank you, Lord Draculya…" Lord Rickard says.
"So while we will mourn Brandon Stark tonight, I shall now dedicate tomorrow's Tourney in his honor, for, despite him being a victim in all of this, he had revealed to us a new breed of Vampyre I have not encountered before… And I swear, Brandon's Death will not go unavenged…" he raises his cup, "To Brandon Stark!"
"TO BRANDON STARK!" All the celebrators shout, raising their glasses, and everyone begins to start to get into a more cheerful mood as the thought of justice being brought down upon the Vampyre Petyr Baelish, is set in motion. Rickard, though still angry, does begin to drink as he tries to hide the pain he is feeling for the loss of his eldest son. In truth now, Eddard is now the Lord of Winterfell, and… That is when everyone begins to hear the music of a High Harp, the strumming of the silver strings as Rhaegar sits at a table and plays for everyone, singing gently as everyone pays attention to the Prince.
As things go on, Vlad smiles as he looks around, and, deciding to take a chance, as Lady Cersei Lannister is among those feasting, smiles as he walks over to her, "My Lord Draculya…" Cersei says.
"Lady Cersei, would you honor me with a dance?" Vlad asks, to which the Daughter of Tywin Lannister smiles and takes his hand.
"Of course…" In which the two begin to dance as more musicians join Rhaegar, in which the dancing continues for a bit as Robert Baratheon starts drinking with other nobles, and the celebrations keep getting rowdier, that is until Vlad looks at the Musicians and he stops his dance with Lady Cersei and snaps his fingers as musical instruments begin playing a rather dark tune.
"My guests, allow me to introduce you to one such song from my homeland… A Song that depicted one of the greatest battles my countrymen had faced against the Vampyre Menace!" Vlad says, the music being rather quick in pace as smoke begins to fill the room, and the Lord of Harrenhal's eyes glow. Everyone then finds themselves in the middle of a battlefield where many soldiers are facing an onslaught of vampires, in which many of the lords watch in shock as the scene of human soldiers facing off against such monstrous creatures, with what appear to be magic being used against them, and much to the shock of the nobles, Mircea, Vlad, and Radu step forward.
Turmoil at the Front…!
Ottoman's Forces on the Hunt…!
There's a Thunder in the East…
It's an attack of the Deceased!
That is when they hear a roar as several giant dragons of green dive down from above, and, the nobility, looking on in fear, see how these dragons unleash, not fire, but a thick green cloud of gas that stinks to the heavens, but they watch as the soldiers scream in agony as they cough, but also by their bodies burning severely… And what's more, a force of 7,000 Vampires charge through the mist, and attack the weakened defenders.
They've been facing poison gas…
7,000 charge en Masse!
Turn the Tide of the Attack
And Force the enemy to turn back!
And that's when the Dead Men are Marching Again…!
That is when all the Nobility look up as a light streaks across the sky, a five tailed comet, in which, much to the horror of one of the noble's screams, the heavily wounded, and, apparently, dead soldiers rise from the ground, 100 of them, along with their horses.
Targoviste, then and again…
Attack of the Dead 100 Men…
Facing the Undead, once again..
100 Men!
Charge again!
Die Again (2x)
Two Combatants Duel…
Danesti against Dracul!
Vampires of 12 Battalions Large…
Into a Wallachian Counter-Charge!
They'll be fighting for their lives,
As their enemy revives!
Wallachians won't surrender, No!
Striking fear into their Foes!
And that's when the Dead Men are Marching Again…!
Targoviste, then and again…
Attack of the Dead 100 Men…
Facing the Undead, once again..
100 Men!
Charge again!
Die Again (2x)
All the Nobility watch as the rising soldiers bear their fangs as they attack the Vampyres from behind, much to the shock of their enemy, the rotted and marred appearance of their foes scaring the Vampyres into trying to retreat into the city, only for Balaur to blast fire at the gates, cutting off their retreat. "It was a fierce battle, the newly turned Vampyre Spawn Legions of House Danesti, arrogant of their new prowess, and ignorant of their remaining strengths given to them by Vladislav of House Danesti, and believing they were still living beings, were horrified to see that the men and women they had thought slaughtered, rose from the grave, attacking them with greater ferocity than before…" Vlad would explain, as they watched the wounded soldiers charge as they attacked the vastly superior numbers, but each of these undead, driven by fear, would make several rookie mistakes for any soldiers driven by fear.
And that's when the Dead Men are Marching Again…!
Targoviste, then and again…
Attack of the Dead 100 Men…
Facing the Undead, once again..
100 Men!
Charge again!
Die Again (4x)
And that's when the Dead Men are Marching Again and Again!
THAT'S WHEN THE DEAD MARCH AGAIN!
The music ends as all the nobles see Vlad and his brothers win the battle against the Vampyres, with Vlad Impaling a vampyre king upon a spear in broad daylight, and the people of the city cheer for him. The vision ends with the music, and Vlad smiles as the guests are thoroughly entertained, but also, their eyes fully opened to the true power of the Vampyres, and the threat they pose. However, as they all return to their seats, any sort of merriment dies instantaneously as the doors to the Great Hall open, with Vlad noticing King Aerys Targaryen entering the room, and everyone went silent as the King approached the High Table, with Vladislaus walking to the King and bowing to him respectfully. "Lord Draculya… It is a pleasure to be here at last."
"Your majesty, forgive my saying, but you are late…" Vlad says, "We were getting ready to end the night…"
"A King is never late, nor is he early… He arrives precisely when he means to!" King Aerys says, wrathful, only to then go into hysterical laughter as he, and Queen Rhaella, take their seats with Prince Viserys and Prince Rhaegar, and everyone does their best to kick up the party once more. Vlad sighs as he cannot believe his luck as he sees King Aerys, but he signals silently to his brothers to quietly escort Lady Lannister out of the room. However, as his bad luck continues, Aerys points at them. "Halt!" The two brothers freeze as they turn to the King. "You two… Come… Closer…" His long yellow fingernail curling like a claw as he flexes his finger with a smile. The two men approach carefully, bowing to the King. "You two must be Mircea and Radu… The brothers my son had told me of… Tell me… Lord Vlad had requested you be given the two castles that originally belonged to the House Wode, correct?"
"He did indeed, your majesty, though our brother's reign in his lands is still young, so we wished to aid him in finishing the initial set up before we moved into our new keeps…" Radu says, his words having a flamboyant flare to them.
"Hmmm…" King Aerys says, smiling at the two men wickedly. "Then might I ask why you were making you way towards…" He snaps his fingers and two knights of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy and Arthur Dayne, grab Cersei reluctantly. "Escorting Tywin's daughter out of the room?"
"Your grace!" Cersei says, fearful, to which she realizes she had lingered here too long, and though her brother Jaime is among the Kingsguard, he cannot do anything to help her without inciting the King's Wrath.
"Lord Draculya, I had heard you have yet to speak to Tywing about the arrangement… May I ask why that is?" King Aerys asks, looking at Vlad with rage in his eyes.
"Your grace, I have not had the time to do so, add to this that I had invited Lady Cersei here to discuss the matter with her person-" That is when Aerys punches Vlad across the face, the Vampire recoiling a bit from the hit. Much to the surprise of the King's Guard, many of the servants draw weapons, while baring their fangs at King Aerys, but Vlad holds up a hand, stopping them.
"Let that be a lesson to you, Draculya… Never deny your King's will, no matter what you do…" Vlad looks at Aerys, his eyes glowing, to which the Mad King takes a step backwards as Vlad's curled back lips reveal his fangs, but Vlad takes a deep and audible breath.
"Yes… Your majesty…" Vlad says, snarling.
"Good…" Aerys says, calming himself as he then looks to Cersei Lannister. "Now… What to do with you…? Does Tywin know you are here?"
"N-No, your grace…" Cersei says, terrified.
"Then I have something special in mind…" Aerys says smirking, "Take them away…" Vlad doesn't put up a struggle as he and Cersei are taken away, Cersei begging for mercy as the two of them are taken away. "Now… For the best part of the Night before we turn in…" He then picks up a glass of wine, "My Lords and Ladies… Over a Century and a Half ago…"
'Oh no! Father you can't be seriously doing this now!' Rhaegar thinks.
'Brother, not now!' Queen Rhaella thinks, mentally begging her husband not to do it.
"My Family, House Targaryen, during a time of great turmoil, and when dragons still soared through the skies, sought aid from all corners of the Kingdoms… Many Lords and Ladies, from each of the Seven Kingdoms, were split between the Blacks, the Rightful Heirs to the Iron Throne, and the Greens, the Usurpers from the Reach… However, there was one Noble House and the entirety of it's Region sided with the rightful Heirs to the Iron Throne… In Exchange, all they had wished for, in return, was for House Targaryen to marry one of it's own into the Line of the Kings of Winter… And Out of all of the Houses of Westeros during the Conquest, this one House had the wisdom to choose peace over glory!" King Aerys says to the Lord of Westeros. "This House was that of House Stark!" He turns to Lord Rickard, who looks at the King with wide eyes, realizing what is going on. "I had been told about your son had been murdered, and, from this day forward, the Traitor Petyr Baelish will be hunted down and brought to justice. That is not the end of it, however, for we of House Targaryen have, for too long, neglected to uphold our end of the bargain we had struck so very long ago, when you showed us nothing but loyalty and honor all these years. It is time I amended this and fulfilled that oath we swore so long ago!" he raises his glass, "I, King Aerys of the House Targaryen, Second of my name, do hereby announce the betrothal of my Son and Heir, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, to Lady Lyanna Stark! TO RHAEGAR AND LYANNA!"
Rhaegar could only look on in horror as he sees Robert Baratheon looking at him with nothing but pure rage in his eyes, and, when he looks to the Starks, each of them have a mix of emotions flowing through them… Though… When he looks at Lyanna, he sees only… Relief and… Joy…? Could it be she was hoping this would happen before she met with Robert?
In the Dungeons of Harrenhal, Vlad sighs as he sits down on the stone floor, sighing as he tries to calm himself. "I apologize for getting you into this mess…"
"It is not your fault, my Lord, but what did he mean by the "arrangement"?" Cersei asks.
"When I first met with King Aerys, he asked me a hypothetical question when it came to how to deal with your father…" Vlad says, "This was back when I was much more ignorant of the Houses of Westeros, but he basically asked me how he could deal with, in his mind, the traitor Tywin Lannister. I was the one who suggested, as long as it was hypothetical, that he should marry Rhaegar to Lyanna, and marry you off to somebody who also shares dragon blood yet has no official connection to the Iron Throne…"
"And it turns out his Hypothetical Question was actually Literal?" Cersei guesses, realizing what Vlad was saying. "Damn…"
"Once again, I apologize for getting you into this mess, I thought I would have more time to work out a plan…" Vlad says, "What a mess…"
"Lord Draculya…" Cersei says, making her way towards Vlad, and sitting next to him. "Perhaps there is a way we can get out of this… And the King can get what he wants?"
"You're not suggesting…?"
"I am… If the King is of a mind to listen, you could finish what you were saying earlier, and inform him that you brought me here to ask if I could request it of my father. You are a Prince yourself, correct?"
"Yes, I am. Not of these lands…"
"Clearly, but I can also feel in my heart that you wouldn't be too bad of a husband…!" Cersei says, "It might take a while for us to get to know one another, but I am willing to give us a chance to build it slowly… If you are…"
"I wouldn't mind that… Just know that we Wallachians, as per our traditions, are able to take multiple wives…" Vlad says, "That doesn't bother you, does it?"
"It will be difficult at first…" Cersei admits, "But… If the first child, the heir to your house, is mine, then I shall adapt." Vlad nods as he looks at her, and that is when they hear somebody approaching, to which the two turn to see Queen Rhaella Targaryen.
"Lord Draculya… Step forward…" Rhaella says, to which Vlad approaches the caged door. With surprising speed, she gently grabs Vlad's face and looks at him, Vlad freezing as she does so… "It is true…" She sheds tears… "My son… You're Rhaegar… Aren't you…?"
"I…" Vlad says, looking down, with Cersei watching with shock. "I haven't seen you since you died…" Vlad looks up at her with tears in his eyes, "Muna…" Rhaella sheds tears as she pulls her son in close.
"Rhaegar… What happened to you?"
"I am Rhaegar, but not the one you know… Rhaegar is my name in this realm… In the Realm I come from, from beyond the Blue Veil… I am Vladislaus Draculya, Third of my name…. Son of Vlad the Dragon…" Vlad says, "My version of Aerys II Targaryen…"
"My boy…" Rhaella says, looking at her. "Is the version of me in your realm alive?"
"No… She died after birthing Radu…" Vlad says, looking at her. "Muna… I need your help…"
"How? If I defy my husband…"
"No… Not with that…" He then reaches into his garments and pulls out something… "I need you to send this to get this to the Me of this Realm… To your son… If the King is going to do something unspeakable…"
"That won't be necessary…" Aerys's voice is heard and they all look past Rhaella, their eyes widening with Horror as the Kingsguard have Mircea and Radu at swordpoint. "Now tell me… What other secrets are you keeping from me…?"
"My son…?"