A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly? Here we go! A nice looong chapter!
First, *coughs* owww my luuuungs are still hurting...and I have no idea what's causing this. Doctors are baffled, as am I.
In the meantime, I'll try to keep updating this and Dance of the Dread early again. Depends on the feedback. Slifer has the month off, so I'm terribly busy. Feedback determines all things, as always.
Do let me know~!
If a man may suggest a soundtrack for this chapter, it would be "Rhaenyra Returns by Diego Mitre." Very catchy and really helped me get into the mood writing this early update.
...this is what happens when I listen to feedback lol
It has been...not quite two weeks since the last update, but the people have spoken, I suppose. Aaaaand we're back!
Maybe the updates for this story should remain weekly? Bi-weekly? Need to hear from you all on that front. Thanks for sticking with me.
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws near, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. The awful earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns:
Q: Is that dragon who I think it is?!
A: Yup. You already know the answer to that question~!
Q: Visenya's going to be a very special child, isn't she? I see those hints you're dropping...
A: Glad someone caught them! Read and see~!
Q: Update schedule?
A: As stated, its going by ear this month. So far Rise of the Beast Hero seems to be next, along with God of War, Elden Ring a few RWBY updates. Can't forget Genshin and Doctor of Demons, either...
Addendum! Genshin updates will be next month. They need time, and I need to write more Nahida scenes for Archon.
Q: F***k ser Criston Cole. That is all.
A: Made me curious, so I did some reading on him. He's worse in the books. FAR WORSE.
Q: Wait, if Aemma lives, then that means...oh. Ohhh that changes things.
A: Indeed it does. I wanted Foxfire and Dance of Dread to be two different stories, each taking a path of their own. For isntance! "Dread" may well become a harem, but for the time being, the main pairing here in "Foxfire" seems to be NarutoxRhaenyra. So far so good...
You'll soon see what I mean.
Q: He should just bed Rhaenyra and Alicent already!
A: Well, that's out of the blue. They've only just met; it takes some time to forge a bond, ya know...
Q: Viserys needs to man the hell up. He's a dragon at heart after all. Give the man some spin! Let him stand up for himself!
A: Funny you should mention that...
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me. Now then...
Brace yourself. This IS Game of Thrones, after all...
"I would much rather have someone who encourages my kindness rather than condemns it."
Would you have her, then? She cares for you a great deal.
That...is a dangerous question."
~?
Whatever it Takes
She owed Naruto her life.
Aemma knew that, she did, really, and a part of her was grateful that she lived. Another chance to see the sun rise over King's Landing. Another chance to hold her daughter. She had not expected to see such. Life was a great gift she knew, and she'd come perilously close to losing hers. Had she been left to fate, she and her child would be naught but ashes now. She lived solely because of his skills.
But she could not sleep.
She'd tried and tried and tried, but rest would not come. Because you see, Aemma was afraid. So very afraid. Afraid of being poisoned once again, afraid losing all that she had come to love, afraid of being set aside and plunging the realm into war. All this because she could not bear a son. Even now she dreaded the news that might come at any given moment; the declaration that she was no longer fit to be queen. She put on a brave face for her daughter's sake, but she could not hide the pain she felt inside.
Maybe it would be better to take her life and be done with, to spare herself the pain-
A mewling cry came from the crib.
Aemma leaned over it. Her child stared back at her. Little Visenya. Her healthy baby girl, the apple of her eye.
Idly, she placed her hand in the crib and let her newborn daughter grasp at her finger. Precious child. Must protect her at all costs. She certainly had a strong grip. It took more than a bit of effort to pull her hand away, and it only made her child laugh. For a moment, the little girl almost seemed to glow gold.
"...!"
Aemma blinked fiercely. She was seeing things. Perhaps some essence of nightshade. Just a drop. Maybe it would be enough to help her sleep today.
Sleep. She needed more sleep. Perhaps then the fear would finally let her be.
The gods were not so kind. Her dreams were dark and full of death.
(.0.0.0.)
"The queen lives."
Three little words, yet they both freed and destroyed Viserys in the same instant. Oh, the news gladdened him make no mistake. Words could not hope to describe his relief at Aemma's survival. She'd born him a girl. Another daughter. Healthy, hungry, and LOUD by all accounts. Little Visenya would be the delight of the realm, surely...
.
..
...and yet.
He'd wanted for a son, been so certain this one would be a boy. The dream was clearer than a memory...until it wasn't. Aemma had said this child would be her last one. Viserys was inclined to believe her. This birth had nearly killed her. If Naruto had been there if the bleeding hadn't been stopped...no best not to think of that.
Such way lay madness.
He slumped in the Iron Throne, grimacing a little when it pricked his left arm again. Another bloody cut-another wound. It felt like everything was wounding him these days.
With no sons born to him, Daemon remained his heir, which should have been all too the good...if the council didn't despise him. It didn't help that his younger brother was riding high after the tourney, one he'd won handily. Naruto had a hand in that matter as well. He'd been told Daemon was quite...thorough when it came to decimating his opponents. The name of one Criston Cole came to mind. He'd beaten that hedge knight handily.
Ah, but he digressed. First things first. "Send him in."
His loyal kingsguard obeyed and the grand doors before him creaked open as one. Naruto strode through them before they even finished parting, took one look at him, and walked his way. He looked more than a bit weary after so much time aiding Aemma with her labors, but otherwise healthy. Hmm. Perhaps it was for the best that he'd foregone fighting in the tourney after all. Had he been out there winning names and glory, his lady wife would've surely perished.
"I am told that you are to thank for the health of my wife and daughter." Gods it felt odd to say those words what they both knew. But there was an order to these things. There would be a celebration later, and rewards upon rewards heaped upon the young man before him. But for now, he wished to speak to him alone. "You have my eternal gratitude, Ser."
Rhaenyra's whiskered warrior stopped just shy of the throne and managed a tired smile. "I did my best."
The ghost of a grin graced his weary visage. "So you did."
Looking back, there had been a moment-an awful moment-when he was certain he would lose Aemma and the babe both. He would've made an awful decision. Killing one to save the other. And then where would he have been? Lost. Alone. The realm thrown into chaos. Such a dreadful thought; it threatened to drag him down even now. But he refused to let it. Aemma was safe. Aemma was alive. Aemma would not die. She would want for nothing in the days to come, he would see to that personally.
But why was the young man looking at him so? "Is there something you wish to say?"
"There is," the healer heaved a sigh, "But I'm not sure how to say it."
"By all means, speak freely. I shan't take offense."
Naruto took a deep breath to steel himself. Then he looked him square in the eye and destroyed him. "She's afraid."
"Afraid?" Viserys balked. "Of what?"
"That she'll be set aside or worse, forced to have more children."
The words were a slap in the face. "Who said such a thing?! I'll have their tongue!"
"She did." The boy lifted his chin and looked straight at him. Past him now, to the trio of Kingsguard between them. "Do you trust these three?"
"They are sworn to protect me."
"Are they?" Naruto took another step forward.
The kingsguard bridled at his unrelenting approach, hands flying to the hilts of their swords-for what little good it did them. The blond's body flickered a moment then he was well past them, ascending the steps to the Iron Throne without messing a single, well...step. Had he been an enemy, Viserys might've balked. As things stood, he merely quirked a brow and sat a little straighter on the throne. Odd. It didn't cut him this time.
Mysteries upon mysteries.
Still, it seemed this one held many secrets indeed. He thanked the Gods every day that Rhaenyra had found him first.
He did not want this one as an enemy. No, nay, never.
This boy could burn cities to the ground.
Credit where it was, due, his kingsguard recovered quickly and rounded on him. Swords flew from their sheathes. The tallest stepped forth, ready to defend him. "Step away from the king!"
"Don't." Blue glared over Naruto's shoulder, considering the armed trio as one might a band of unruly children, not the lethal warriors they truly were. "I'm not in the mood. Get in my way and you're getting One Thousand Years of Death."
Viserys shivered on his throne. Not an idle threat, that. Not from Naruto. Not when he was in such a foul mood.A thousand years of death? It sounded like a most formidable technique indeed.
He waved a hand. "Leave us."
His guards bridled, caught flatfooted by his command. "But my king-
-has spoken." he growled over their protests. "I am in no danger here. Or do you think me unable to defend myself?"
Naruto hid a wry smile behind his hand. Beneath his gaze they did as their king bade them and made for the doors, albeit begrudgingly. More than one looked back as they slipped through. At last the great wooden barrier closed behind them and they were alone once more.
Only then did Viserys dare face his unlikely ally. "You are certain of what you heard?"
A nod. "She was crying before you arrived. Bawling her eyes out."
...I see." Viserys dearly wished he didn't. Ignorance was bliss. "I will seek her out." he sank back into the Throne with a sigh. "Speak with her." Yet again, he was left untouched by the blades. A matter for later. "Rest assured, I will put this matter to bed."
Naruto huffed. "You'd better, or I'll never forgive you."
Viserys winced.
"You have done me and mine great service. I could name you to my kingsguard...but you don't want that, do you?
A wry grin touched whiskered cheeks. "Don't get me wrong," Naruto clasped crossed both arms behind his head, "Armor looks nice and all, but it not really my style."
No, he supposed not. He couldn't imagine this agile young man wanting to wear heavy plate. His power lay in his mobility, his freedom, his ability to range about the Red Keep unmolested. Otto could disparage him all he liked; after today, Naruto had proven his worth tenfold. The whole of the realm
"I owe you a debt I can never truly repay. But I will try." he leaned forward against the throne. "Ask anything of me-no," he amended, feeling that wasn't enough, "Any three things of me, and if they are within my power to grant, you shall have them. Wealth, fame, power, anything you wish."
The boy's face went red, not from anger but embarrassment. "I don't deserve-
"You do." Viserys tapped Blackfyre down against the throne, silencing him. "You have been a loyal companion to Rhaenyra and done good service to my wife. You deserve more than a mere knighthood." when the blond didn't respond, he heaved a sigh and slouched anew. "You truly are an enigma. With but a single stroke, I could make you a lord, you and your descendants both, from this day until your last day. And yet you hesitate. Is it humility, I wonder? Or something else...?
"As I said before, I'd rather stay here in the keep."
With Rhaenyra. Viserys caught the hint, even if the blond before him remained blind to it. Rhaenyra had been positively gushing the last time she'd spoken of him. She held nothing but praise and admiration for this young man. And he seemed rather fond of her. He'd seen the way they stared at one another when they thought the other wasn't looking. His daughter had even taken up daggerwork under Naruto's instruction. Seeing the two of them together made him feel alive in a way he hadn't been for years.
Perhaps...
Viserys knuckled a fist against his cheek, considering the matter a moment more. He and Aemma had been forced together at a young age, but love blossomed between them in time. Could the same not happen to these two? Was there a chance? Another, smaller, less altruistic voice that argued for its sake as well. That kind of power in the Targaryen blood...it would make them legends. No longer would they have to rely solely upon their dragons to keep lords and ladies in line. Theirs would become an empire spanning for hundreds of years.
But he could not ask such a thing directly. It would ruin their fun. "Surely there must be something you want?"
For some reason that set the blond to coughing.
"Nope! Nothing comes to mind!" Naruto hastily scratched at a whiskered cheek with one finger. "Any chance I can I hold onto those favors for awhile? Can't really think of anything to ask right now...
Viserys barked a laugh. "As you wish. How fares Rhaenyra?
That smile became a touch less strained. "Fussing over her new sister. Said she's going to put an egg in her cradle today."
That sounded like her. "Then we shall leave her to it for now. There are things I would speak of with you. Tell me, son, have you ever been taught to woo another?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Woo...?
(.0.0.0.)
Visenya was an energetic child.
Not necessarily a bad thing, Rhaenyra found; her new sister did not fuss or cry as a normal babe might, but she neither would she be still at that. She always had to be moving and looking, holding onto someone, something, or barring that, being held. And her eyes! They were the brightest shade of rippling violet she'd ever seen. If Naruto was to be believed -and he was!- he'd expended no small amount of energy to keep baby Visenya alive. It showed. She was out of danger now, and wild as a dragon. This girl was going to be special. She just knew it.
Rhaenyra sighed. "You're going to be a feisty little sister, aren't you?"
The babe burbled happily up at her as she set Dreamfyre's egg in her cradle. It was a darker color, reminding her of Vhagar. She knew it would hatch. She just knew it.
Truth be told she rather liked the idea of being a big sister. To have a little life to guide and mentor, to have and to hold, to mold in all the right ways. And she feared she might have to, if mother was sleeping all the time. Even now she was lounging on the bed only a few feet away, sound asleep. Essence of nightshade no doubt-
The door creaked open behind her, shattering that thought.
Naruto eased his way into the nursery behind her, wearing a rather curious expression, something she couldn't quantify. He looked weary. She could see the dark circles under his eyes. When was the last time he'd slept? How much energy had he spent, ensuring her lady mother and sister would survive?
The question troubled her greatly. He deserved a proper reward for that. Not empty promises.
"Thank you," she stepped to him with a whisper, hating herself for the tremor in her voice. "For saving my mother. And my sister."
His face grew a little warm under her gaze. "It was nothing-
"It is not nothing!" she grabbed his arm and bared her teeth at him like the dragon she was at heart. "They live because of you. Never forget that."
"I haven't." he patted her hand, still gripping his wrist. "Your old man promised me three favors for helping."
His words drew a baffled blink from her. "Three?"
My, but Father was being generous...
"Didn't know what to do with them." he shrugged helplessly, drawing her attention once more. "So I'm holding onto 'em for now. He wanted to make me one of his Kingsguard-
Rhaenyra's heart leaped into her throat. No! He couldn't!
-but I declined." Naruto finished, quelling her frantic pulse. "Not really my thing."
"Good." she hated how weak she sounded. "That is...good. You cannot be a Kingsguard. You are...
...are?" he blinked her way.
Mine. oh gods, she'd nearly said the word aloud. Bad Rhaenyra! Down, girl! Control thyself!
"You are important," she said instead, looking away to hid her flush. "Your talents would be wasted with them."
"On that we agree." he looked past her, to her sister's cradle, made curious by the sounds coming from within. "You put an egg in there already?"
"I did." she answered quickly-all too happy for the change in topic. "Would you like to see?"
Naruto leaned over the cradle to regard little Visenya. Her baby sister babbled gormlessly at him and pawed at his hand. She actually managed to latch onto it.
"Ow!" he laughed and yanked his arm back. "Quite the grip she's got. I wonder what its like, bonding with a dragon." he ran his fingers over her egg, humming softly. "Sure I can calm 'em down in a pinch, maybe even make friends with 'em, but a bond? That's something I'll never have." he turned and looked her square in the eye. "Your people are born with your dragons. You tame dragons, live with your dragons, and you'll probably die with your dragons. I kinda envy you, ya know?"
A pale brow rose. "You envy me?
"In that regard, yes." he granted her a boyish grin
"Have you ever heard baby dragons sing?" she preened a little. "I have. Its beautiful...
A series harsh cracks echoed in Visenya's crib.
Rhaenrya rounded on the sound. It was a noise she knew all too well.
She darted back to her sister's crib just in time to see the egg split from within.
A snout thrust itself through one of the cracks, followed by a claw, then a tail. It struggled for a moment before Naruto took pity on it and gave the egg a solid tap with one finger. More cracks spread across the egg. The rest, as they say, was history. In short order a dragon fought its way free from the fractured egg and sprawled out in the crib beside little Visenya.
Rhaenyra took a moment to wonder at it; for the creature's scales were a deep russet bronze, its eyes the color of finest rubies. She'd never seen anything quite like it.
The hatchling only had eyes for her sister. No one else. Even now it curled up beside her sibling. It did not protest when little Visenya cooed and tugged at its tail; if anything such an act only compelled the creature to curl tighter around her, furling her with its tiny wings as though to shield her from all the evils of the world. The wyrm took one look at Rhaenyra and warbled out a warning. Its actions amused her. Although it was much, much smaller than her, it actually dared to hiss.
"Huh." Naruto muttered. "So that's what it sounds like...
So young, and already so protective of its charge. Visenya would have to name it someday, when she was older. Until then it would remain nameless.
Naruto dared to reach in for the little hatchling. It nipped at his finger, drawing blood. This didn't dissuade him; nor did he flinch. He simply reached in the rest of the way and ran a tan hand over its head. In a matter of moments it was crooning softly.
A miracle girl, with her miraculous dragon.
Visenya was going to be a very special child indeed.
Aemma groaned suddenly from her bed and Rhaenyra felt her smile sour. Blast. She hadn't expected Mother to wake so soon.
"Hey, you're finally awake! Neither had Naruto at that; because he quickly left her side and toward hers. "How're ya feeling? Are you dizzy? Do you need anything to drink?" A nod, and he pressed a glass of water to her lips. She drank greedily. "Easy, now. Slow sips...
"You should've let me die yesterday, dear boy." she pulled back to look right at Naruto with haunted eyes. "It would've been a kindness.
The boy bridled. "Death is never a kindness."
She looked away from him, refusing to drink further. "As you say...leave me."
A host of curious emotions flashed across his face. Rhaenyra saw them all. Grief. Anger. Loss.
"Look at your daughters." he bit out the words at last. "There's your reason to live."
He whirled, marched to the door, flung it open and stalked out. All this in an instant. By the time Rhaenyra realized what had transpired, he was already gone.
"Naruto!" She took a step after him, paused, then glared at her mother. "Why are you being this way?! He saved your life!"
Aemma looked back to her, scrutinizing her face. a soft smile dawned. "You're fond of him."
Her nerves tingled. "I don't know what you mean.
"Yes, you do."
She scowled at her. "No, I don't.
Yes," mother hummed the first word, "You do." The ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I can hear it in your voice. You just haven't realized it yet. Be good to him, won't you? He is strong, but his heart is so very fragile." What was she on about? Bah! Riddles and vagaries.
Why was mother smiling at her in such a manner?
Why was her heart beating so bloody fast?
Why was she running after Naruto?
(.0.0.0.)
The Small Council seated themselves before him once more.
Viserys took them in at a glance. Grand Maester Mellos. Master of Coin, Lyman Beesbury. Master of Laws, Lyonel Strong. Master of Ships, Corlys Velaryon. And of course, Otto Hightower. Daemon was nowhere to be found, no doubt carousing in Flea Bottom with that woman of his. What was her name? Mysaria...? It mattered not. So long as his brother kept out of trouble.
And then Otto stuck his boot right in it.
"Your grace," he cleared his throat, then rallied. "This is the last thing any of us wish to discuss at this hour, but I consider the matter urgent."
His brow furrowed. He felt energized today; more awake than he'd ever been. More aware...and far less patient. He wanted to be with Aemma, wanted this meeting over and done with. "What matter?"
"That of your succession." His Hand answered. "You are left without an obvious heir."
Lord Corlys bridled. "The king has an heir my lord hand."
Otto barreled on. "Despite how difficult this time is your grace, I feel it important the succession be firmly in place for the stability of the realm-
"The succession is already set." Lord Strong interjected now. "By precedent and law."
"Shall we say his name? Corlys took his seat at last. "Daemon is the heir."
Maester Mellos clicked his tongue. "If he were to remain uncontested heir, it would destabilize the realm.
"The realm?" Lord Corlys scoffed. "Or this council?"
Otto sighed. "No one here could know what Daemon would do were he king, but no one can doubt his ambition...
Aha. Viserys understood, now. Oh, yes. He knew full well where this was going. Had he always been so blind? So pliable? So easily manipulated?
"Look what he did with the gold cloaks." Otto prattled on. "The city watch is fiercely loyal, an army two thousand strong."
"An army you gave him, Otto." Viserys rounded on him, gnashing his teeth. "I named Daemon master of laws but you said he was a tyrant. As master of coin, you said he was a spendthrift that would beggar the realm. Putting him in charge of the city watch was your solution.
...a half measure your grace." his Hand sighed. "The truth is, Daemon should be far away from this court."
No. He would not allow it. He'd sooner lop off his own arm. "Daemon is my brother. My blood. He will have his place at my court."
"Let him keep his place at court your great," Maester Melos rumbled. "But if the gods should visit some further tragedy upon you either by design or accident-
"Design?" he felt he could breathe fire in this moment. "What are you saying? My brother would murder me? Take my crown? Are you?!
No one dared speak.
"Please!" he scoffed into the silence that followed. "Daemon has ambition, yes, but not for the throne. He lacks the patience for it."
"The gods have yet to make a man who lacks the patience for absolute power, your grace." Of course Otto would say such. He couldn't attack Naruto, he didn't dare, not after today. Daemon's position was not so unassailable. "We must discussion the succession."
"Must we?" Viserys felt the dragon stir in his chest. "There is nothing to discuss. Daemon remains my heir until such a time as a son is born to me."
"Under such circumstances," Lord Beesbury coughed into a fist, "It would not be an aberration for the king to name another successor."
Lord Strong quirked a dark brow. "But who else would have a claim?"
Otto seemed to draw inward on himself. The king's firstborn child, Rhaenyra."
"A girl?" Lord Strong became incredulous. "No queen has ever sat the Iron Throne."
"That is only by tradition and precedence Lord Strong-
Maester Mellos tried to interject, but the Lord of Harenhal barreled right over him.
"If order and stability so concerns this council then perhaps we shouldn't break one hundred years of it by naming a girl heir."
"Daemon would be a second Maegor, or worse!" Otto burst out.
"Would he?" Viserys saw his opening and took it. "He seems much softened these last few weeks. I daresay Naruto's blunted some of his sharper edges."
No use. Otto had a decidedly mulish look about him. "He is impulsive and violent! It is the duty of this council to protect the king and the realm from him. I'm sorry your grace, but that is the truth as I see and I know that others here agree!"
Anger flashed through him again and he found himself gripping the hilt of his dagger to still it. "I will not be made to choose between my brother and my daughter. We are peace! I am not prepared to start a war where none is needed!"
"You wouldn't have to, your grace." Lord Corlys surprised him by coming to his rescue...or so he thought. "There are...others who would have a claim."
Lord Strong barked a laugh. "Such as your wife? The queen who never was?"
"Rhaenys was the only child of Jaeherys eldest son." Corlys snarled back. "She had a strong claim at the great council. All here know this. And she already has a male heir-
Otto laughed bitterly. "Just moments ago you announced your support for Daemon!
"If we cannot agree on an heir how can we expect the realm to-
"ENOUGH!"
Hold a moment.
Why did his hand hurt so much?
Viserys looked down to find his fist gripping his drawn dagger, valyrian steel sheathed within the table, buried to the hilt. When had he drawn it?
All looked to him. For the first time, he saw fear in their eyes. Fear not for him, but of him. This was it. His moment. Balerion had chosen him all those years ago for a reason. Even near death, the lord of dragons had seen the fire in him yet. It roused now and bared its fangs at the vultures before him.
"That is not a matter I wish to discuss at this time." he silenced the man with a glower as he drew his knife and sheathed it once more. "My wife just suffered a difficult birth. She needs rest, not needling to breed again."
"Because of that boy."
"Careful, lord Corlys." He rounded on the speaker. "As far as I am concerned, this "boy" you speak is as family to me. I will not let you speak ill of him."
The Lord of Driftmark lifted his chin in open defiance. "You show too much favor to him."
"And you not enough." he retorted. "The boy possess extraordinary gifts. I would keep him close."
Lord Strong sniffed out his intent. "You intend to have him wed?"
...I do."
"To whom?" Otto looked like he'd sucked on a lemon.
The ghost of a smile touched the corner of his mouth. "I am mulling over a match, but nothing is certain."
Lord Beesbury sniffed. "Power aside, he has no lands, no wealth. Only a knighthood to his name."
"But he does have honor." Viserys stared the older man down until he averted his gaze. "Principles.
"You grace, no one has even seen him fight, he disdains the Game-
"Reluctance to murder is not a weakness!"
"Perhaps we are going about this the wrong way," Maester Mellos dragged himself upright in his chair, metal links clanking around his neck. "The Queen will be able to breed again, and when she does-
"No."
The council fell quiet.
It took Viserys another moment to realized he'd been the one to say that word.
Otto broke the silence first. "You grace...?"
"I said no." They had grown accustomed to his kindness, of him yielding to them. No more. "I will not press Aemma for another child. She has suffered enough."
And he had been lenient for far too long.
What had Daemon told him, once? He was the dragon. His word was law. It was high time they remembered.
"Then perhaps we should-
"I will hear no talk of setting her aside!" out came the dagger again. "The next man to suggest it will lose his tongue and an eye besides!"
"There is...another way." Much to his disbelief, Otto actually rallied once more. "Do not set her aside, but take another wife, as Aegon did before."
The sheer audacity of it silenced Viserys outright, leaving his tongue heavy in his mouth.
One could've heard a pin drop in the silence that followed. And then:
They all went mad.
"Are you mad?" Lord Strong flung up a hand. "Nevermind the realm, the Faith would never stand for it!"
"The common folk will understand."
"There will be rebellion!"
"Then we shall-
"MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER NEARLY DIED!" Viserys surged to his feet. The sudden movement silenced his council. "I will not sit here and watch crows circle them while they yet live!"
No one, not even Otto, dared challenge him.
He refused to look at them and made for the door. His kingsguard followed. With his right hand he sheathed his dagger, with the left, he thrust the council doors open and marched through them, uncaring of the scene he made. He wanted only to be gone from this place and be with his wife.
The doors creaked shut behind him. He kept walking, through the darkness, even as shadows fell across his face.
Perhaps it was time. A visit to the dragonpit might be in order; he might even go after this very meeting. He had not sought out another dragon after Balerion's death; in truth, he'd never felt the need. He'd only ridden the Black Dread once, yes, but he remembered how to ride. Every Targaryen was trained in such as soon as they learned to walk and such lessons did not fade with time. His council would learn to listen to him again as they once had. He...and the dragon he was about to seek.
Yes, he decided as he heard raised voices echo in the chamber he'd just left, a visit to the dragonpit was most certainly in order.
(.0.0.0.)
Love.
Rhaenyra found the very concept puzzling. Did she know what love was? She loved mother, she loved father, and she loved little Visenya. She loved Syrax as she loved her dear friend Alicent. Did she love Naruto? She wasn't sure. They'd only known one another a short while and yet she found herself enjoying his company all the same. No, more than that. If not for him her mother and baby sister would be gone, dead and burning, ashes on a pyre. Her heart clenched at the thought and anxiety buzzed through her as she raced down the hall.
Naruto had put an end to that future. Mother would never die in childbirth now. For that she was forever grateful, if not more...
.
..
...Hmm. Maybe mother was right. Maybe she was fond of him after all. Naruto was a mystery, an enigma, a puzzle she longed to solve.
He was Foxfire.
This time it was she who caught up to him; and no, Rhaenyra didn't miss the delicious irony in that.
She found him drilling with his new daggers in the yard, tearing apart a practice dummy with lethal dispatch. Rather than approach she lingered instead, watching him from afar, entranced by his movements. No mad magic to be seen here, this was sheer skill, instinct incarnate. He carved his silent foe up like a cake and left it in pieces. Were his opponent human, they would've been a bloody mess at his feet...he really was upset, wasn't he?
She coughed to gain his attention.
He spun and for a fleeting instant, she glimpsed more than anger in his face; for unshed tears gleamed in his eyes. He blinked them away quickly and recovered, but the expression stayed with her; the sight of his sorrow hurt her more than she dared admit. His pain was hers.
"I don't understand your mom." he flung up his arms and despaired. "She has plenty to live for! How can she want to die?"
'I might,' Rhaenyra thought to herself. 'If i were in Mother's position, forced to squeeze out children year after year with no reprieve, I might want to die as well.'
Her parents loved one another dearly but to willingly put oneself through that kind of pain...what could possibly compel such madness?
Uncle Daemon had laughed when she'd asked him. "There's more to it than pain, dear niece. You'll understand someday."
Would she? Rhaenyra had very much doubted it at the time.
Now she began to see the truth of those words. She felt her heart quicken again, as it often had in his presence, and felt compelled to move to his side. He was hurting. She wanted to help; wanted to take him in her arms and hold him close, tell him all was well, that he had nothing to fear. He was still looking to her, awaiting an answer.
"It is a sad world we live in," she said at length, choosing her words with infinite care. "My dear mother has suffered through this since she was younger than me. Is it any wonder she craves a reprieve?"
"That's different," he huffed, no doubt made rather indignant by the truth of her words. "But to want death...
No more of this! She couldn't bear to see him in pain anymore. There was only one thing for it.
"Sit." She gestured to a nearby wooden bench.
He squinted her way. "Why?"
"Please," she begged.
"Fine." he did as she bade. "There, I'm sitting now whaaaahey?!" his words piqued into a strangle noise as she deftly stepped in and took him from behind, wrapping her arms around him as her chin came down atop his shoulder. He stiffened at her close proximity. 'What are you doing?"
"Hugging you." she answered honestly. "Alicent often does this for me when I'm stressed. It helps ever so much." No response from him. That simply wouldn't do. She paused to consider him, wholly out of her depth. "Is this helping?"
A horse little laugh left his lips. "A bit."
He leaned back into her and Rhaenyra found herself yelping a little as she staggered. Heavy! She pushed her body into his back to steady herself, but that pressed them even closer to one another and left her rubbing her cheek against his. The faint smell of sunshine and -what had he called it? Chakra?- reached her nose. It was a strangely pleasant aroma.
"I won't her die." When he finally spoke, his voice was a whisper, for her ears and hers alone. "You, or her. I swear it."
She smiled softly. "I know."
"I never go back on my word.
"I know," she crooned softly. "You never do."
A sudden whim seized her and she acted upon it.
Naruto made a small noise of annoyance when she let go of him, only to frown when sat beside him, took ahold of his head, and guided him into her lap.
"Oi?!" his face went so very red. "What're you-
"You must rest." She began to stroke his hair with one hand, uncaring of which she might see. Let the fools state. Let them gossip. Let them whine and cry and piss and moan at what they believed to be an indecent act. She was a dragon. Fire and blood were her words. She cared naught for what the sheep thought. They were all so small to her she barely even noticed them.
Naruto tried to rise. Rhaenyra knew she had no hope of wrestling him back down, not with his strength, and so she hissed at him instead.
"No!" she glared violet daggers his way. "You've been running yourself ragged since yesterday. Sit with me awhile, my knight. Rest and recover yourself. The storm will pass. When you wake, I wish to train with you."
He bit back a yawn. "Will you still be here when I wake up?"
"I will." She laid one hand over his own. "I promise."
"Gonna hold ya to that...
His eyelids began to droop.
Within a matter of moments he was fast asleep.
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
We all know what's coming, don't we~?
There we go. Time will tell if this remains a story. So? What say you?
As stated, this'll may well upgraded to M later down the line, but I need to know if folks want to see that.
As ever, the Embers rule persists more, for this story, and a few others. Meaning, if folks don't enjoy this, it WILL remain onsite-but it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs with no end in sight and I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So? Should this little tale continue? Or fall into oblivion?
By all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas…
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the Previews!
As ever:
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read at your own risk!
As ever, these are from the far flung future...or are they~?!
(Previews!)
"Dragonstone? What's on Dragonstone?"
...a creature that should not be disturbed."
"Let me handle it."
Viserys heaved a sigh. "You are skilled, but even you cannot be in two places at once."
Naruto smiled. It was a smile that would terrifying their enemies. "About that...
Smoke bloomed. Viserys blinked. He blinked hard. "I stand corrected!"
"You think this hurts? Compared to what I went through, being forced to watch you hurt innocent people, and even my own blood! This is NOTHING! Well? How does it feel? To be utterly hopeless and not being able to do a damn thing about it? Fools! How do you think they felt when you ganged up on him in the rain and he had no way out? Well now it's your turn. I hope you enjoy it. Do you feel defenseless? Scared? Good, now you know how they felt before you killed them!
...you love her."
Naruto felt his face burn.
"Hey, hey! I don't even know what love is! I've never felt it before, ya know!"
"Nevertheless, you cannot be with her. You are lowborn. She is a princess. The two of you cannot be. The King will never allow it."
His jaw clenched.
"Men would sooner put the realm to the torch then let a woman sit the Iron Throne."
Aemma laid her head on his shoulder. "She loves him, Viserys."
...I know."
"Then let your daughter follow her heart."
"A wise man once said. To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead. Do you understand? No? Let me put it differently. You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain. It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first. Fixation is the way to death. Fluidity, now that's the way to life. Bend, but do not break. Never break. Sure they'll spit at you. Curse you even. But I'll let you in on a little secret. To make anyone immediately regret insulting you, show that you're unaffected. Don't blink. Don't flinch. Don't give them the satisfaction that they seek. And in time, they'll realize what fools they were.
Kurama roared.
Something roared back.
A massive shadow fell over them.
Naruto grinned. "Oh, wow, you're a big one...
Rhaenyra grabbed at his arm as winged death descended upon then. It was the largest dragon she'd ever seen...
"If you do this you will make enemies. There will be nowhere left for you to run!
"Run?" he tilted his head to look back at them. "Who's running?" Blue eyes bled into red, snapping into furious scarlet slits. "Where?" Golden radiance flashed around him. "And why?!"
The world burst into light.
Visenya whooped, leaned back in the saddle, and flung up her arms. "Dracarys~!"
Her dragon answered in a rush of fire. The girl grinned.
Riding on dragonback was the best!
"Faster, papa! Faster!"
His daughter bounced on his back, grinning from ear to ear as she tugged at his hair.
Naruto smiled despite himself. "Feisty as your mother, I swear...
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed!
R&R~!