A/N: Looking forward to your feedback!
Had to split this into parts, or it would never be ready. Please forgive any grammar errors, had to break out a new keyboard/laptop from storage. Have mercy! I wanted this to feel like an actual House of the Dragon episode. Hopefully I succeeded on that front.
...despite life's disasters, delaying this chapter actually worked out well. That episode hit HARD and now my blood is up.
Just wanted to say, I appreciate you all! More feedback means faster updates! It's especially important, in these, trying times, with the main site notifications down. Every word counts and all these reviews really keep me inspired! Looking forward to hearing from you~!
I now have a -tentative!- update schedule set, barring life kicking me in the teeth. Sundays for Foxfire/Game of Thrones, Mondays for Elden Ring, Tuesdays are still a blank slot, Wednesday is usually my day off, but that might swapped around given when I'm actually OFF from work, while Thursday-and-or Friday will be Take the Girl and Saturday will be the surprise day. Do let me know what you want to see and when!
In conclusion! I'm usually updating six out of seven days a week. That takes a lot out of me. Why do I do it, you ask? Because entertaining people keeps me sane, ironically.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
Brace yourself. This IS Game of Thrones, after all...
"And now it begins."
"No. Now it ends."
"Does it?"
~?
Gone Crabbing (Part I)
"Your grace?!"
"This will never stand!"
"There is no pretense for this!"
"The boy cannot become a Lord!"
"Have you taken leave of your senses?!
Rhaenyra reveled in the chaos that followed; basked in it really; the shouts, the screams, the snarls, every bit of it.
Oh yes, all hells broke loose and they were at the very eye of the storm of it all; there was a certain dark delight to be had in being the center of attention; she'd rather enjoyed it ever since she was small and she enjoyed it now, watching these so-called "lords" were tearing themselves apart over her and Naruto's engagement.
Daemon would've laughed himself hoarse had he been here. She settled for a smile in his place and resolved to tell him everything that transpired here. It would be glorious.
Still, a Lord? My, but that had set the Fox amongst the Chickens. Father had not discussed this with her in advance, though she was hardly adverse to his choice. Where was Naruto to go? What lands would he take? They could hardly give him Dragonstone now, amusing as it might be, but it still ought to be somewhere close unless...
.
..
...yes, of course! The Stepstones! Clever of him.
If they were to be cleared of pirates and slavers -as Naruto could undoubtedly do- then resettled with good folk, they'd have a bastion against further invaders to say nothing of the upswing in trade.
He would need troops to command of course, and Father was mentioning something to that effect, but how to broach it...
.
.
...blast it, but Ser Criston was trying to catch her eye.
She tacitly averted her gaze and refused to look his way. Honestly, that man. Perhaps elevating someone like him to the Kingsguard had been a mistake in hindsight. Too late to take it back now though, she supposed. It wasn't as though he'd done anything wrong per se, nor had he taken any actions that might see him stripped of the white cloak...yet. Still should he dare step out of bounds or cause trouble over this, she would make him pay for it.
With fire and blood, if need be.
For his part, Naruto weathered their criticism with an unusual stoicism, leaving her to wonder if he was quite alright. His face was worringly blank. She squeezed his hand beneath the table, but he didn't respond. His hand fingers didn't even twitch against hers and a secondary squeeze accomplished nothing.
Oh, dear. Father might have broken him with that grand announcement.
She nudged his thigh with hers and when that didn't evoke a reaction, she stomped on his pinkie toe.
That got his attention.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto jolted back to himself with a start.
Lord.
He was a Lord.
Why was he a lord?!
He couldn't make sense of it all.
Also, marriage. Actual marriage. Him and Rhaenyra.
By the sage, it felt like he was going to pass out.
And worse, Kurama was laughing at him!
What was he to do about this?!
Marriage sounded...kinda nice, but a lord?! Him?! He didn't know the first thing about being a lord!
Rhaenyra kicked him again under the table and he was grateful for it; because that outburst, coupled with the brief burst of pain centered him and helped him to focus on the argument at hand. He'd hardly expected the Small Council to sing his praises, but this level of opposition was...more than a little annoying, honestly. He noted those who didn't protest of course. Lord Beesbury and Lord Lionel looked surprised, startled even, but though their looks were hawkish, they did not raise their voices as the rest did.
Not so the others.
Mellos and Otto were against it from the start judging by the mulish looks on their faces, to say nothing of Corlys. And he didn't miss the sudden tension from Criston Cole, standing guard near the doors, either. Bloody kingsguard was staring -glaring!- at him and Rhaenyra like a scalded cat.
Velaryon, Hightower, Mellos and Cole. He'd remember those four.
Otto took a deep breath and exhaled. "Your grace, there is little precedent for this-
"Actually, there is." Rhaenyra piped up with a smug smile. "In the past, those who have done good service to the realm have been elevated beyond their station before-
"To knighthood!" The Hand of the King snapped back with a heated glare. "This...boy has no lands, no forces, none to serve him."
Viserys took his remarks in stride. "We shall address that in due time."
Lord Velaryon tried to rally. "The Stepstones are vastly more important-
Naruto sensed weakness and pounced. "They are important."
All eyes turned to him.
Viserys smiled proudly. "Do continue."
Well, shit. He'd done it now. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say.
...why did he get the feeling the old kind had planned this? Panicking for a moment, he hearkened back to one of the many lessons about the Steptsones that Viserys had drilled into him. It wasn't just house Velaryon suffering from these raids, if he recalled correctly.
Aha! That was it! He remembered! Fine, they wanted to play games,so could he. Silver tongue don't fail me now!
Steepling his fingers, he straightened his back, steeled his face, and spoke deliberately. "The Manderlys and even House Redwyne are also being affected by this blockade, ya know."
Lord Corlys paused at that, perhaps startled by such knowledge. "So they are...
The king's grin grew, prodding him on.
Had he really planned this far ahead?
Surely not, right?
.
..
...right?
"My point is this; this matter isn't solely a problem for House Velaryon alone, its an issue affects the entire realm." when no one on the Small Council dared to object, he dug his heels in and aimed for the weak amongst them once again. "If I liberate your precious Stepstones from this so-called Crabfeeder, will you support me, then?"
By all accounts, those islands were teeming with Pirates and slavers. Scum. The lowest of the low. No one who would be missed. Which meant he needn't feel any guilt for sending them to a watery grave.
A ripple passed over the council.
"Absurd."
"Preposterous."
Otto scoffed. "You'd need an army."
He sneered at Alicent's father. "I am an army, my lord."
"Such arrogance...!
"Doddering old men should know when to hold their tongues."
Naruto's head whipped around with an audible creak. He hadn't been the one to say that...!
Otto sensed the shift before it happened and looked across him. "Have a care for your tongue, princess."
"I shall not!" Rhaenyra burst to her feet with a snarl, teeth bared in anger. "You never liked him from the first! None of you have!" her baleful gaze roamed across the small council, singling them all out one after another in turn. "And for what? Because he doesn't come from a famed and storied house like the rest of you? I have half a mind to-
"Enough!" Viserys thundered, his voice cutting through the argument like a lightning bolt, his gaze raking over the small council like dragon's fire. "I came here today to give you glad tidings, not to be suffocated by all this fucking politicking! My decision is final! And I will not have you disparage our guest."
Naruto blew out a sigh. They didn't believe in him, didn't trust him, wanted him gone. After all, he had no lands, no wealth, no titles. His sole claim to fame were his abilities. That suited him just fine. He'd show them his power and they would learn. Perhaps that was a sign just how much these Targaryens -or perhaps just Rhaenyra and Daemon- had rubbed off on him.
'I love being underestimated.'
"Look, I meant what I said." he raised his voice anew before another argument could brew, "If you're that worried about the Stepstones, send me. I'll have them cleaned out in a year. Probably less. Won't be hard." a lone shrug of his left shoulder added weight to the words as the lords looked amongst themselves. "I can even keep you and Aemma safe at the same time."
For his part, Viserys quirked a bemused brow. "You are skilled, but even you cannot be in two places at once."
Naruto smiled as he rose from his chair. It was a smile that would terrifying their enemies. "About that..."
Smoke bloomed once. Twice. Thrice.
Three shadow clones waved back.
Viserys blinked. He blinked hard. "I stand corrected!"
Maester Mellos fell out his chair, crawled backward like a drunken crab, and made a sign to ward off evil. "Witchcraft! Wizardy! We must cast him out at once!"
"Go ahead. Try. " he crossed both arms before his chest and his doppelgangers mimicked him. "I dare you."
None dared make the attempt.
Because in that instant, he allowed his true feelings to break free and flooded the room with killing intent. It was only for a moment, a sliver of a second really, but it was enough. No, more than enough. The room fell into shocked silence. He tilted his head, and happily shattered it, speaking in unison with his clones.
"That's what I thought."
The Maester whimpered anew.
The small council, meanwhile, somehow proved even less enthused; Otto Hightower looked like he'd bitten into a lemon, Corlys had reared back up out of his seat, while lords Lionel and Beesbury seemed to be one breath short of suffering an an anxiety attack. Those two, at least, he felt bad for...not so the rest.
Lord Lionel dared to lean over and poke one of his clones in the side. Said clone smacked his hand away, eliciting a shout from the master of Laws.
Lord Beesbury nearly fainted dead away. "Gods! They're real!"
Naruto scoffed. Why would they be anything less?
Kurama coughed in his ear, interrupting his amusement. "On your left. She's staring."
With that, he became suddenly and keenly aware of Rhaenyra watching him with very wide eyes. Sage knew what was going on in that head of hers but she almost looked...dare he say excited? Why would she be? For a moment, he thought she might jump him here and now. She rubbed her thighs together and bit her lip; a surge of dark heat shot through him as he remembered just what those lips could do.
Shelving that thought for later, he turned back to face the king. "Satisfied?"
"Quite." Viserys steepled his fingers, ruefully impressed with him. "If you aim to conquer the Stepstones, then it is only fitting that become Lord of the Stepstones...and perhaps," he amended with a glance at his grinning shadows, "A new Master of Whispers."
Rhaenyra clapped her hands. "I'm sure he'd be delighted to be a part of the Small Council."
Otto nearly had a conniption then and there.
Kurama whistled. "Clever girl..."
Naruto very nearly did a double take himself. Clever bastard. Had this been his plan all along? He wouldn't deny that it was for his benefit, but in the same vein he wasn't terribly happy about it either. But he could hardly protest now, could he? Doing so would present a divided front where they must be united.
So be it. He would show them; he'd show them all.
He didn't just do well, he excelled.
(.0.0.0.)
"Say mama, dearest."
Visenya reached for her with pudgy little arms, cooing softly.
Aemma crooned and pulled her into her arms. "Close," she hummed at her, "Try again."
Her youngest only yawned, prompting a sigh from the queen. "I suppose we shall have to try this some other time...
It was a simple matter to lay her dear one down for a nap; simpler still to tuck her into her crib and watch her fall asleep. She'd always been a sound sleeper and today was no exception.
All the while, her dragon remained close, the little hatching wise and wary, but also loyal, even young as it was.
Aemma took some small paternal pride in watching the wee beast. Many a dragon's scales were known to shift as they grew older, but this one may well remain black as knight. She could even see the beginnings of horns curling on either side of its head. It needed a name, and no one seemed to be in any hurry to give it one. Visenya certainly wouldn't any time soon.
But what to name it?
"How does Gransax sound?"
The dragonling laid his head down at the food of the cradle with a huff.
No, that wouldn't do. "Lansseax?"
The little beastie side-eyed her, annoyed.
"Bayle," she tried, throwing out a last, desperate name to see what would stick.
The dragonling perked up.
"Like that, do you?" She crouched down beside it and held out her hand. "Then Bayle you shall be. Bayle the Dread. Does that suit you, small one?"
A fine name. A strong name. Not quite as regal and grand as Vhagar and Vermithor or Silverwing, nor Syrax or old Caraxes and Meleys, but it still held a certain gravitas she felt.
And speaking of which...!
Striding to a nearby table, Aemma plucked a tiny cube of meat from the silver dish therein. Pivoting held out the little speck of meat for the beast.
"Come here, little one."
It didn't budge from the foot of Visenya's cradle. Stubborn!
She tutted softly. "You haven't eaten all day."
Its tail twitched.
"You can't keep her safe if you starve yourself," she reproached. "You must keep up your strength."
That did the trick. It scuttled closer.
"Good boy." She held out her arm, the invitation clear.
Baby Bayle made angry Bayle noises as he clamored up her limb.
"Oh, yes." She laughed, setting him down upon the table. "You're quite fearsome. You'll be a right terror someday."
That seemed to placate the prideful little thing. It scooted closer still and sniffed the meat in her hands.
"Help yourself."
Hunger won out, but it didn't seem interested in the raw meat.
Now seemed as good a time as any to try and teach it, she supposed.
"Poor baby," she cooed at it in High Valyrian. "Go on, cook it yourself if you prefer it well done."
Bayle hesitated.
"Use your breath," she prodded at him. "Dracarys."
The little lizard eyed the tiny cube of meat, inhaled...and sneezed out a ring of smoke.
Aemma couldn't quite hide the giggle that followed, though it drew a growl from her daughter's dragon. What marvelous creatures they were! Her own bond with Silverwing was still young, tentative even, but here and now she could see why those of her bloodline were so inherently intertwined with the wyrms.
"Better." She smiled and spoke the word slowly. "Dra~ca~rys."
Baby Bayle glared at the meet, inhaled deeply and...
.
..
...success at last! He'd breathed fire just now! Just a tiny little flame, but a fine start; his meat cooked, he tucked into his meal with relish.
Aemma ran a finger over his horns. "You'll look after Visenya, won't you?
Bayle finished eating, looked at her, and chirruped once.
The queen beamed. "Good boy."
(.0.0.0.)
"Marriage?"
Alicent nearly collapsed when she was given the news; if there hadn't been a bed behind her, she might've fainted on the spot. Even now it looked like she just might-her eyes were wide, her expression glassy, complexion positively pallid. Rhaenyra couldn't quite suppress a twinge of pity at that; she'd broken the news to her in person, hoping to soften the blow.
Instead, she'd inadvertently made things worse.
So much.
Worse.
"I did no think Father would be so bold as to announce our betrothal before the small council-
Alicent made an agonized noise and rounded on her. "Then you didn't sanction this?"
"I did not." she said.
"But you do not deny that you wished for it."
She didn't fail to notice the accusing note in her words, the bitter bite in her voice. Her temper twisted at the hurtful insinuation, but she held herself back. She didn't mean that; she mustn't. Alicent would never try to hurt her, not deliberately. Her dear friend didn't deserve such pain. But she did deserve a choice.
"It is time to choose."
Alicent bristle. "Choose what?"
"Either you're with us, or against us.
She whined. "Can I not hold some middle ground between the two?"
Rhaenyra lifted her chin and stared her down. "You cannot." When she dithered, she pressed the issue. "He would welcome you, you know. You've but to talk with him. Truly talk to him, without a minder looming over your shoulder or someone watching your every move."
Alicent agonized over it looked away. "Your father would set the realm afire in his haste to see you happy."
Good. She found herself rather fond of fire.
"I am a Targaryen, not merely some broodmare." she clicked her tongue when Alicent instinctively made to protest. "Nor are you." She took her hands in hers, stroking her pals with both thumbs to hold her close. "You are meant for more than this, more than your father's machinations."
A shiver shot through Alicent and she could tell it was not at all an unpleasant one.
"Here, let me show you."
Rhaenyra took a gamble then, and leaned in; closer still when her dear friend didn't push her away. She paused now, just shy of her face, nose brushing hers, giving her a chance to back away.
Then she kissed Alicent.
Her mouth found hers, softly at first, gently, then with need, kissing her fully, deeply, as she hadn't back in Dragonstone. Alicent melted into her with a whimper, perhaps for mercy, perhaps for more, she didn't know. Whatever the case, she didn't relent; on the contrary, she took hold of her right hand, pushed her down to the bed, and pinned her there as her left slid between her legs. Tempting her, teasing her, lips lingering along her cheek, dragging across her neck with all the fiery fierceness of her blood, until the object of her affections mewled and whined beneath her.
She set the coup de grace, whispering into her ear. "Think how glorious it would feel if he were here, too...
Alicent withdrew with a whine, eyes wide, cheeks flushed. "That's not fair...
"Life isn't fair." she cupped her cheek. "You must make it so."
It was tempting to press the matter, to pursue, to devour her whole as a true dragon would. Instead she let her rise, sit up, fuss with her hair and dress until it resembled some small semblance of normalcy.
Silly girl. This would never be normal now. Not between them.
"I...I need to think on this."
"You've been thinking." she declared. "You're out of time." Her dear friend wilted with those words. "Naruto leaves for the Stepstones tomorrow. I intend to go with him. I would have your answer by then."
"You what...?" Alicent stared at her. "You've been with him again, haven't you?" Her smile betrayed nothing, but her eyes must've given something away, because she yelped. "Rhaenyra! What if you get with child...?"
"I regret nothing! And neither would if you were to join us."
She jolted upright and whirled away, running her hands through her hair. "You would make a whore of me, bearing his bastard children!"
"I would not!" Rhaenyra followed after her. "Targaryens have married two before-
"Yes, but never a woman with a woman, to say nothing of this...this...debauchery!" the pretty pink tinge in her cheeks said otherwise. "Father would never allow it.
She tilted her head. "I am not asking him. I'm asking you. Do you not wish to be free of his cold grip at long last?"
"I do, but not like this! If I do this, I shackle my fate to yours and his. Yours would be mine, win or lose."
Silly girl. "That's what love means."
But Alicent was raving at her now, wild with her own fears. "You would turn the faith against the realm. Or the realm against the faith."
"Fuck the faith."Rhaenyra rolled her eyes when Alicent dithered. "You Hightowers and your bloody seven-pointed star. Why should we care what a bunch of septons think?"
Alicent grabbed her wrist. "Listen to yourself! The crown and the faith are the two pillars that uphold the realm. If one were to turn against the other, we would have war!"
Was that her fear? She took hold of the hand grasping her arm, threaded it into her palm, and kissed their interwined fingers. "Then let us have war. Should the faith turn against us, we will finish that Maegor started. With fire and blood."
Alicent gasped. "No!"
"Yes!"
"Rhaenyra, you must listen-
"It is you who should listen!" She snarled when Alicent tried to shush her; her blood was up now; the dragon within her roused in all its fury, her bright eyes alight with equal parts exasperation and anger. "My path is set, I have made my choice, and I will not be swayed from it." she would not let that awful dream come to pass, not when she could finally be free, with Father's blessing no less. "What will yours be?"
Alicent bit her lip and looked away; here at last, she took pity on her.
"It is not too late." She gestured to the sealed door and the small table set beside. "Ring the bell once you've made your decision. A servant will fetch me at once. Until then...
She took a key from her belt and swung open the door. Alicent glimpsed the white-cloaks beyond it and realized what she intended. "You're locking me in here?!"
"Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk will watch over you until such a time as you have given me said answer."
Her dear friend bridled. "Am I to be a prisoner then?"
"I'm doing this for your own good! I aim to keep you safe!
"From whom?!"
Rhaenyra growled at her. "From your father!"
Alicent recoiled as if she'd been struck. "What?" Her face crumpled, but to her credit, she recovered quickly and schooled her face back bin an expressionless mask once more. "What has he done?"
"Tried to have my mother poisoned for one."
Her friend warbled. "H-Have you any proof of this...?"
"I know what I have seen and sensed. Naruto has the matter well in hand. I shall see you on the morrow."
She left her with that, departing in a swirl of silk.
Alicent lunged after her with a cry, but the Kingsguard stood resolute in their duty, closing and locking the door in her face.
Rhaenyra hardened her heart to her cries. Gods, but she wanted to go back and comfort her...but no.
Alicent was a tempting prize, but she new she musn't push her too hard, too far, too fast.
If war was coming -and she believed it was- she would need to step up her training.
She hoped she would see sense.
(.0.0.0.)
You're dying, Daemon.
He opened his eyes and sat up with a cough.
Grimacing, he glared at his hand and the blood there.
Bugger. He was of the blood of the dragon. Whatever this foul affliction, no matter the malady, he would not die quietly.
Caraxes trilled in the distance, missing him, calling to him, eager for action.
He looked to the window and dragged himself upright.
Time to fly.
(.0.0.0.)
Ser Criston cornered her soon thereafter.
Rhaenyra knew it was coming; from the moment she left Alicent's chamber it was merely a matter of time.
She'd like to say she happened upon him by chance, but she knew the ugly truth. He'd been following her for some time now, ever since she'd left Alicent's chamber.
At the time, she hadn't thought him fool enough to confront her; that he wouldn't follow her into the gardens.
Evidently she'd been wrong.
Ser Criston Cole had become one of her few regrets in this life. He was handsome enough at a glance she supposed, but those rakish good looks were somewhat tempered by his...what was it? His honor? Fastidiousness? Regardless, there was something off about him. She felt he could be trusted to protect those in his charge with all might, and yet when the subject of Naruto was broached he became increasingly recalcitrant as of late, if not downright irate.
And now...blast it all, he was going to make a meal of this, wasn't he?
"Princess."
Whirling, she faced him in a swirl of silk. "I wish to be alone, Ser."
He didn't budge, damn him. "Is it true?"
Rhaenyra tilted her head and feigned ignorance, quietly hoping he would let it be and leave. "Is what true?"
"That you are to be married!"
True enough, and Alicent too, if she had her way; she would not leave her one and only friend cold and alone if she could help it. Oh yes, she would keep her nice and warm-
"Your grace, please. This is folly." Her delightful little fantasy shattered, replaced by the reality of the boorish, BORING man before her. "You must reconsider."
So they were doing, this, then. Let none say she was a coward. "I fail to see the folly here."
The man adopted a mulish expression, but she refused to rise to the bait, and so he sputtered, incoherent. "He's not even a lord! Not really! Or even a knight!"
"What of it?"
Ser Criston averted his gaze with an aggrieved noise. Rhaenyra looked at him then; truly looked at him as she hadn't before. She noticed something then, a hint of longing she'd failed to see, not even dared to consider. A spark. She didn't much like what she saw.
Oh, dear.
She took a swift step back, suddenly aware of just how alone she was with him. "I cannot grant your desire, Ser."
Cole flinched and glanced away from her, ran a hand through his dark hair, then dragged it down his face. "I know not what you mean. I desire nothing."
Liar. But she chose not to speak the words, for both their sake.
"Just tell me this. Why him?"
Her face closed down. "We will speak no more of this."
"Your grace...!"
You forget yourself, Ser Criston." she snapped at him. "You are a knight of the Kingsguard."
"By your decree!
Annoyed, she turned to leave.
He made a wild grab for her shoulder.
The second Rhaenyra felt his fingers touch her, something sparked in her.
Out came her knife in a whirl of steel. Flesh parted. Blood spattered upon the cobblestones.
She drew back with a hiss, brandishing her bloody blade with wild eyes and clenched teeth. "Keep away from me!"
Tension hung between them, thick and heavy, a firestorm ready to implode at the slightest provocation. She'd wounded him. Not just with the blade, but deeper than that. She could see it in his eyes; the pain, the welling betrayal, the mistrust. She hadn't meant to hurt him; hadn't meant to lead on a man for whom she felt nothing whatsoever. None of this was her fault and yet she could see the pain in Cole's face, deeper than the shallow slice she'd left upon his hand.
She should tell Father. Tell him this instant. Have the white cloak ripped from his back...!
Cole regarded her sadly, cradling his bloody palm, and though he made no move to approach, she could hear the agony in his voice when he spoke. "Please, I must know! Why him?! What do you see in him?!"
A loaded question if ever she had heard one. In the end, she forced herself to settle for the simplest, most honest answer she could give. Perhaps that would finally satisfy him.
Damn her bleeding heart.
"Hope." she cleaned her knife with a cloth and stowed it before throwing said cloth at him. "See to your wound and do not touch me again, lest I rip that white cloak from your shoulders myself."
Cole tensed. "I serve the King."
"By my decree." She threw the words back in his face. "Good day, Ser."
Criston winced and she took the chance to flee. For once, he did not follow in her wake.
Wherever Naruto had fled, she prayed he was having a better time of things than her right now...
(.0.0.0.)
Syrax trilled softly.
"Easy now," Naruto approached the golden dragon with soft and steady steps. "Please don't try to set me on fire again. I rather like these clothes."
The young dragon seemed to consider that for a brief moment; her nostrils flared and expelled a plume of black soot.
"No!" He thrust a finger at her. "Don't even think about it!"
Not that she could hurt him of course, but he would be rather cross if she ruined his outfit. It was difficult enough to find something he liked, the last thing he needed was another day of endless fittings.
Blasted silk.
It had taken no small amount of cajoling on his part to get Rhaenyra's dragon all the way out here to the beach in the first place; now that she finally had a chance to experience some hard-won fresh air, he'd hoped her temper would prove more malleable. He liked to think that he'd succeeded on that front; if only because Syrax hadn't tried to bite him for the better part of an hour now.
But even her temper had limits, and he could sense that the young dragon was nearing the limits of hers.
"Here." He plucked a fresh fish from the bag at his waist. "If I feed you another one of these, will you behave?"
Syrax tilted her head and eyed him most intently.
"You want the whole thing, don't you?"
Rhaenyra's dragon trilled.
"Oh, fine." He tossed it her way and let it spill out at her feat. "Have your feast."
She was more than happy to do just that; so much so that she even deigned to let him stroke her horns, the feisty girl.
In hindsight, he wasn't quite sure why he'd brought her all the way out here. Perhaps he was feeling nostalgic. Thinking back to simpler times.
Or maybe he was just feeling homesick. Hard to tell.
Something cried out above them. He looked up, confused for a moment...until he saw the shadow.
Well, well. That was a big dragon. Smaller than Cannibal, but still big.
And very red.
The beast swept down towards them at speed, a falling star from on high and belatedly, he realized it wasn't Caraxes.
At the last second the newcomer swept their wings out and landed with a ponderous thump, rattling the sands and his eardrums alike. It took one look at him, reared back, and howled in his face. He stood his ground, mildly amused by the territorial display. Behind him, Syrax lowed fearfully and abandoned her fish feast, backing down in the face of the larger beast. Poor girl. This red menace made her look tiny by comparison. But it was nothing compared to Cannibal and likewise, nothing he hadn't seen before.
Clicking his tongue, he reached up to scratch the dragon's chin and her scream cut off into a confused, albeit contented purr.
He looked to the beast's back, searching for its rider. "Are ya done?"
"Not quite."
As he looked on, an armor-clad rider dismounted with ease, an older woman bearing pale hair, bright eyes, and a faintly bemused expression. He remembered seeing her once or twice around the castle. Wasn't she Rhaenyra's cousin or somesuch? He couldn't quite recall her name. It was right on the tip of his tongue...!
Kurama beat him to it. "Rhaenys. The Queen Who Never Was.
He whistled internally at the name and title alike. 'How'd you remember that?'
The old fox preened. "When you've lived as long as I have, you get an ear for names."
She sauntered his way, her expression intent and for some reason, though he couldn't quite say why, he felt strangely...sad, seeing her. He couldn't say why; they barely knew one another. She should have many years left of her. He hoped she lived them well. Of course that also begged the question as to why she was here, harassing him in the first place.
The Queen Who Never Was granted him a grim smile. "I understand congratulations are in order."
He scowled. "Word travels quickly, it seems."
Said smile became a touch more bemused. "My lord husband was quite vocal about it."
A blond brow rose in mild consternation. "Sent you after me, did you?"
"No." she replied, "I though I'd see the truth for myself."
"And what do you see?"
She considered him for a long moment. "A boy who has become a man, it seems." She looked past him, to her partner. "The rumors are true, it seems."
"Should I thank you for that?" he looked past her, still scratching her dragon's chin. "And you must be Meleys. Can I stop now, or...?
The large dragon trilled onceand all but shoved her snout into his chest, nearly bowling him right over.
"I'm guessing that's a no." He beamed, charmed. "You're nicer than Caraxes at least..."
"Careful," Rhaenys chided him. "You might lose the hand."
He winked her way with a laugh. "I'd grow it back."
"That's not something to say in jest."
He grinned. "Who's joking...?"
"Clearly not you, it seems." She relented with a huff, but the fire banked in her gaze. "I would have words with you about Rhaenyra."
Something about her tone made him feel deeply protective of the princess; out came the sarcasm in all its cutting teasing.
"But my lady!" he touched a hand to his chest, feigning concern. "The two of us? Alone? People will talk!"
She crossed both arms before her armored bosom and glared. "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit."
Naruto blew out a sigh. "Alright, alright, can't take a joke, sheesh...
It would prove to be a riveting discussion.
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Part two next Sunday or EARLIER, time and health permitting.
Weeeell? What did you think? Should this remain a story? Would you like weekly updates for that matter? Yay or nay? Really need to hear from you, here.
As stated, this has a high chance of being upgraded to M later down the line, but I need to know if folks want to see that. 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.
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 are mostly the same, wouldn't want to spoil things now.
(Previews!)
"Do you love her?"
"Of course I love her! I wouldn't be dealing with all this if I didn't!"
"But would you die for her?" Rhaenys pressed.
His eyes blazed gold. "Careful now...
The Stepstones never stood a chance.
"Is the safety and security of the realm not worth one life?"
"You'll never stop at one!" he righted himself with a grunt, turned his head, and spat out a bloody tooth. "I'll take you all on!"
Otto's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "This...complicates matters."
"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 them in the rain and they 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!
"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!
Pressing the hilt of the spear down on the back of his head, the attacker sneered at him, "Kneel..."
With a swipe of his hand, he knocked the spear of, and taking a trick from his nephew-in-law leapt up and struck out with a round house, "Not today!" Oh that felt good! And then, shock settled in, and turned to rage, "YOU!"
Naruto crashed into the wall a second later, ripping the blade out with his left hand while smashing his fist into the man's face, "That's for Daemon!" he roared as he spun around and slammed the hilt of his blade into the mans face-ripping the wall of the castle apart.
"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! Have a great day!
Warm regards,
~Nz.
R&R~!