A/N: And we're back, as promised! Have a nice loooong chapter!
Wanted this to feel like a House of Dragons' episode. Hopefully I succeeded. Here's hoping for feedback~!
Maybe the updates for this story should be 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 recent 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.
No questions yet again. Gotta keep it interesting~! Alright, I've kept you long enough!
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...
GUESS WHO'S HERE~?!
No, really. Go right ahead. Guess away. First two don't count.
I tried to keep the first part subtle for a reason. Some will know what I'm playing at. Others won't.
Still, I think I made it rather obvious. Lets find out, shall we?
Looking forward to reading your guesses when I get back!
One last warning, there's a bit of foul language here.
This IS Game of Thrones, after all...
"...Naruto, was it? I would speak with you. Alone."
"Alright, your kingliness. Real nice chair, by the way..."
"It is much more than a mere chair. Guards. Leave us to speak in peace."
~It Begins.
Shadows Looming
The dragon hungered.
It was an ancient hunger, gnawing at their old bones, a constant relentless urge to destroy and feast and consume. But such meals were scarce. These days it had to content itself with scraps. How it hated scraps. The old wyrm remembered days when it never went without; before the dark times; before the earth cracked and death spewed forth.
Oh, yes. It remembered the Day of Doom. The moment of Fire and blood. When a city died, men burned in their homes and dragons fell from the sky. It recalled the anger. The pain, the outrage, spreading its great wings, shaking off the ashes to flying away. Far far away until it found safety in this strange land across the sea.
It had been hungry ever since. It had grown larger ever since.
The Dragon had found a dead whale three days ago, seized it from the sea with its claws and carried it to shore. That made for a fine feast. Such bounty from the sea was rare these days, but even they did not sate it for long. So long now. Long had it lived. Long had it lingered. Long had it languished, even as its kin grew old and withered away or fought and killed one another.
But not it. The Dragon was different.
With old age came strength and strength, power. Though its body grew, so too did its resolve to live. It clung to life tenaciously out of spite if nothing else. It would die in glorious battle or not at all; such was the fate it craved, such was the reason it had grown from a weak fledgling into the behemoth now feared far and wide.
Yet what was the point of power when it had nothing to test itself against? What use was fire and claw and wing when no true opponent presented itself?
For a long while now, it cared only to sleep and hunt. Such was its fate, discontent though it was.
Until it heard the roar.
Distant and strong, ancient and powerful; the old wyrm first heard the call across the sea, a cry that shook the very world.
How its blood boiled that day! A single word had bleated through its ancient mind. Challenger! At last! After so long! Such a mighty racket made it feel young again. It had not faced a proper foe since the dark times. Not since the passing of its kith and kin in the old city.
It knew where the roar came from; far across the horizon, to the south of its great lair. But when it raised mighty wings to cry out in return, no response was given. It had not heard it -had not felt the call!- a second time, nor was there a third. And so it was made curious. What manner of beast could make such a noise? Another dragon...?
.
..
...no. This did not sound like a dragon.
Perhaps it would leave its lair soon, seek out the sound and battle it. The thought pleased the old wyrm. It had gone by many names since its birth, but it cared not for them. Why should it? It was fire. It was blood. It was death. Nothing else mattered. Names were for humans. This was its domain, its island, its kingdom. Any who came would be torn asunder-as would the owner of the mysterious roar when they finally met. But first there would be battle. They would fight. The thought stoked the fire within. Yes. Their battle would be legendary.
But not this day. It was not yet time.
And so the dragon waited for the day of release.
Waited while gnawing on whale bones, with its infernal hunger.
So.
Very.
HUNGRY.
Eventually, hunger gave way to sleep, as it did. The Dragon enjoyed its dreams. They were a reprieve from its hunger.
Tonight, when it slept, The Dragon once more dreamed dreams of a man carved from golden fire.
It longed for a day when it could devour him.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto rocked back on his heels, considering the monarch before him with wide, wary eyes.
"You want me to stay?" he balked a little at the request. "Here? In the Red Keep?"
"I would, yes." Viserys granted him a nod. "Is that a problem?"
King Viserys of House Targaryen, first of his name, King of the Andals and the Rhyonar and the First men. Lord the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. It really was quite the title. And that was quite the throne Rhaenyra's father was sitting on, as was the blade he leaned upon. So many swords. Blades sprawling down the very steps themselves like some kind of ad metal carpet. He couldn't hope to count them all; he tried and lost track after a hundred.
In a way, wasn't a King some kind of Hokage?
Except you had seven lands to look after instead of one. That was an awful lot of responsibility. So many lives to look after. He couldn't fathom it. All these politics, all these laws and vows and oaths to keep. Just thinking of it left his head spinning. Made him feel downright boorish stand here wearing these rags.
And yet the man sitting the throne only smiled kindly down upon him. "Well? What say you?"
"No, its not a problem." A wry smile touched the corner of his mouth. "Actually, I wanted to help you."
Viserys reared back, a brief flicker of confusion flashing across his face. "...you? Wish to help me? In what way?"
There it was. The faint bite of disbelief in his voice. Naruto bit his lips to hide a smile; did so enjoy being underestimated.
"From what Rhaenyra told me," he took a step forward, climbing the stairs leading to the throne, footsteps echoing in the empty halls. "You're the one holding the realm together, Viserys. I think that's admirable-no, it is admirable." He chuckled wistfully, recalling another leader he'd once known -the Third!- older perhaps, but one who had led until his death, "You remind me of an old friend." He crested another step. "I'd like to see you smile more before you work yourself to death." Nearly there, now. "After all, the hardest thing any leader can be is a good man."
Now he stood before Viserys, towering over him
The King didn't flinch. He looked up at him, fingers idly curling 'round the hilt of his sword. Blackfyre, Rhaenyra had called it. The sword of the King. Its steel sang in the low light as Viserys chuckled.
"Wise words for one so young."
"Oi," he scoffed. "cut that out, I know you're only thirty-nine."
"Perhaps," Viserys allowed with a low laugh, "But the weight of the crown often makes me feel twice that age."
It certainly seemed such. Even with his back bowed, the weary king sat gingerly upon the throne, almost as though he were afraid of being cut by it. He could see a bead of blood on his thumb from where he'd nicked his hand before he'd arrived.
"Ha!"
"Are you certain you're not a Targaryen?" the King asked abruptly. "Some distant relation, perhaps?"
He shook his head. "Pretty sure I'm not...
"And yet the dragons bow before you." Viserys heaved a sigh. "The idea that we, that anyone can control the dragons used to be just that." he waved a hand through the air. "An illusion. In truth we are more often at their whims than not. We can no more command them than we can will the run to rise or the moon to fall.
"Why tell me this?"
"Because you have done that which should not be possible." those keen eyes fixed upon them. "You can control them. You have. We've seen it. I have seen it."
A flash of indignation burned through him at those words. "I don't control them. I just talk to them. Reason with them."
"And frighten them into submission when that fails." Viserys pointed out. "As you did with Caraxes, and as I'm told, Syrax. I have seen Caraxes devour any who man who dare go near him, all save Daemon, yet you had him resting his head in your hand. Many in my line have been dragonriders, some even dreamers, but one who can walk through fire itself? That," he raised a finger to point at him, "is rare indeed. I find myself wondering what else you might be capable of."
It wasn't a threat, but a question. Curiosity. He wanted to know.
"A few things." he shrugged one shoulder, not quite willing to tell him. "I'm a man of many talents, ya know"
Kurama scoffed. "That's putting it mildly, but wise of you. Best to conceal our gifts for now, rather than reveal them."
"Not keen on revealing you hand, eh?" Viserys patted the hilt of Black Fyre, steadying himself upon its great edge as one might a cane. "Only a fool reveals his hand when the game begins. I can respect that." his gaze narrowed and in this tired old man, he glimpsed a core of steel. "I trust you're not here to make war against us, then?"
Naruto lifted his chin. "I am not."
Viserys considered him for a long moment. "...I believe you."
"You do?" Naruto's brow shot disappeared into his hair. "Just like that?"
Rhaenyra's father tilted his head to regard him. "Are you saying my faith is misplaced?"
"Not at all." he dared a smile. "Its nice to be trusted. Almost everyone else has been glaring at me the moment I came here."
An awkward peace fell between the two of them.
Viserys broke it first. "Rhaenyra seems found of you...
"Hmm." he couldn't quite hide a smile at that. "She's nice."
...unfortunately," he finished with a grimace, "My small council looks upon you with concern. As does my hand."
Ah. And now they came to the meat of the matter. His lips pursed in a thin line. "Its that Otto guy, isn't it? He had it out for me the moment he laid eye on me."
"His concern is ever for the safety and security of the realm." Viserys spoke slowly, choosing them with great care. "That makes him seem harsher than he truly is at times."
No kidding.
Try as he might, Naruto just couldn't see himself getting on with the Hand of the King. Alicent seemed nice enough at least. One point in Hightower's favor.
"A single bird amidst a nest of vipers does not a home make."
'Not now, pal.'
Lost in your own thoughts again?"
...something like that." He was hardly about to reveal Kurama's true existence to anyone just yet. They'd call him crazy and try to toss him in a cell. Try; because no one here could move him if he didn't wish to be moved. But he'd have to kill a great many people to escape from her, two of whom he was rather fond of-
Viserys hissed suddenly, snapping him back to reality. "Blast and damnation!
Naruto blinked and looked back to him. The king had accidentally cut his palm on the throne when he wasn't looking, further bloodying his already injured right hand. It looked to be a deep cut at that; bleeding down onto Blackfyre's naked edge. The sight filled him with a strange, nameless dread.
Damn his bleeding heart. On a whim, he stepped forward, into the king's personal space. "Let me see your hand."
Viserys waved him off and wiped at the wound with his sleeve. "Its just a flesh wound."
Naruto stomped a bare foot. "Hand. Now."
The King complied with a sigh.
"I don't see what-oh?"
Golden chakra flared and flowed into his palm, rendering his words a startled gasp. The wound closed with nary a sound. Almost flawlessly. Only a thin white line remained. Viserys turned his hand over with quiet awe, as though he expected to find the injury hiding somewhere upon his flesh. When he failed to find it, he looked to him.
"What manner of magic is this?"
"Not magic," Naruto shook his head. "Chakra. Please don't tell anyone yet."
If people realized he could do this, he'd be hounded day and night. Perhaps that was cruel of him, but he'd only just come to these shores. He wanted to rest a little first, ya know? He hadn't even been here a week yet an already tangled with two dragons and court politics. It was exhausting.
Viserys grabbed at his hand. He let him. "You are a healer, then?"
His brow furrowed in a frown. "In a sense. Why?"
"I would ask a favor of you. Do this for me, and I will be in your debt."
(.0.0.0.)
A queen had her duties.
Lady Aemma Targaryen knew this of course-she'd known it for years now-but knowing didn't make this battle any less unpleasant. As queen, she knew it was her duty to provide her lord husband with heirs, to keep the line of succession safe and secure. Therein lie the rub, as it t'were.
Aemma loved her dar Viserys, loved him with all her heart and soul as she would never love another in this life, but this...this would be her last child. She simply could not endure anymore, could not bear another stillborn, another babe dying in its crib. How she feared for the child she carried. Pregnancy was a battle to make even the sternest of souls balk. To risk life and death merely to bring another little life into the world...there could be no more arduous battle in this world.
For if war was a man's battlefield then the birthing bed belonged to a woman.
Once more, Aemma knew this. Hated it, to be sure, but she understood it.
Rhaenyra did not.
Would that she could! Life would be so much easier for her if she simply understood the way of things. She had been defiant once, too. Wild and free-spirited, so determined to live life to the fullest with her family. Before the Great Council. Before her dear husband Viserys was chosen to be King. Before the unspeakable burden of being Queen broke her, and stillbirth after stillbirth...
After five failures she had come to accept that some things was simply not to be; if this birth failed, Rhaenyra would be her one and only living child forevermore.
Just thinking of her made Aemma smile. Even if it was a tired, fretful thing. She loved that wild, willful girl more than life itself. Rhaenyra was the delight of the seven kingdoms. The apple of her eye. But her dear child disdained any such suitor and spent every moment she could on dragonback, or with Alicent. Her position was clear. She would not marry, never go near a boy unless she was forced to.
She would never marry.
Which left Aemma rather flummoxed, yes very flummoxed indeed when her only child entered her chambers with a boy in tow.
Aemma pushed herself upright in bed, squinting a little at him.
He looked...odd. Yes, that was the word. Messy blond hair framed a whiskered face from which bright blue eyes shone, and although his clothes were little more than black-on-orange rags, they still conveyed some sense of sad dignity, as did the battered metal plate he wore round his head. What was that? A headband of some sort? Was the purpose of the plate, then? To protect from arrows, perhaps? If so, why carve that strange sygil there? Curiosities upon curiosities. Questions upon questions. She settled for the first.
"And who is this, then?"
"This is Naruto, mother." Rhaenyra preened -actually preened!- and stepped aside to make way for the newcomer. "Father told him of you and expressed concern for your...condition." she mimed a motion at her swollen belly. "He claims to be a healer."
Naruto? So this was him, then. The boy Viserys spoke of these past few days. Foxfire. He would could not be killed by dragonfire. Younger than she'd imagined.
"Hey now, I said I can heal," the young man corrected, speaking for the first time within her earshot. He had a most pleasant voice. "Not that I'm a healer. There's a difference, ya know."
"Is there?" Rhaenyra cocked her head, ever eager for debate. "They're one and the same aren't they?"
"No, no," he held up a hand, "We're not doing this again. We'll be here all night."
How rare it was to hear her girl banter with some beside Alicent.
"Is he a maester, then?" She propped herself up on her elbows, fanning herself with one hand. "Where are his chains?"
"He doesn't have any!" Rhaenyra burst out. "Isn't it strange?"
Oh. A healer not of the Citadel? Self-taught perhaps, or an exile. The Maesters wouldn't like that, not one bit. Still...far be it from her to stir the pot. If he was offering his services, she would happily take them. Surely a second opinion couldn't hurt. Not when she felt so wretchedly weak.
"Hmm." He knelt before her, eyes fixed on her stomach and the little life within. "I ain't too experienced with this sorta thing but...lemme see. Oh." A paused followed. "You're not well."
A bitter laugh burst from her. "Of course I'm not well, you silly boy. I'm pregnant."
"No, you don't understand." his blue eyes rose to meet hers, stern as the grave. "I think someone's been poisoning you."
...what?" Aemma's stomach clenched as the baby kicked deep within her belly. "No...that's-its not possible.
"Is it?" Rhaenyra hissed out a breath. "That's a damning accusation. How can you be so sure? What proof do you have?"
"Nothing I can show you, only what I can sense." he shrugged beneath their gaze, uncowed by their ire. "Pretty sure someone shouldn't have what your mother does in her. Its subtle, but whatever it is has been causing a slow decline. I know what healthy looks like, and this ain't it."
Rhaenyra grabbed his shoulder. "Will she be alright?"
"She will be if I have anything to say about it." Rhaenyra scowled at him still and exasperated, he clicked his tongue at her. "Have some faith, yeah? If I can save a man from the brink of death and regrow someone's eye, I can damn well help a pregnant mother. Your mother." He shook her hand off, turned back to Aemma and offered an open palm. "Hand please."
So forward!
Aemma frowned even as her heart fluttered. "I beg your pardon, good sir?"
Rhaenyra turned a pleading look upon her. "Just take his hand already, mother!"
Reluctantly, she did as her dear daughter bade. Naruto wasted no time. He tapped his palm to hers and pulled it away just as fast. A fain tingle lingered in her fingers and she blinked down at it. A strange black moon mark gazed up at her from her palm, appearing as it hadn't before. She balked at it, turned it over, found it etched upon the back of her hand as well. What manner of black magic was this?
"What have you done...?"
"Just a tether to help me focus my chakra." Naruto hummed softly and laid his hands on her belly. "Alright. This shouldn't take too long. Gonna start with the little one first, then you. Ya might feel some-
"Ah!"
She felt everything!
Aemma's back arched beneath him, a gasp of soft surprise fleeing from her lips, fingers gripping the bed as her entire jolted in place. Distantly she heard Rhaenyra gasp. She felt a series of sharp tingles in her body, like lightning racing just under her skin. From her head to toes-not an inch of her was spared. And yet there was no pain. She could feel whatever he was doing to her, but experienced only a strange numbness, smelled the faint scent of burning light, saw...saw...
"Well, well." With neither word or warning, she saw it; a fox, great nine-tailed crimson beast looming in her mind's eye. "You're in a bad way aren't you? Don't worry. We've got you. Sleep now."
With those words, Aemma fell into a deep slumber.
She dreamed, then. A fevered dream of ice and fire, of things she couldn't possibly explain, let alone hope to understand. Colors. So many colors. Red and Black and Green. A giant behemoth spread its wings to blot out the sun. Countless dragons wheeled through the sky and assailed a golden beast, like gnats swarming a giant. They died in droves as he ripped them from the clouds. A silver lance struck a green shield and both shattered into splinters. Flea Bottom burned in a plume of green fire.
And there, sitting on the Iron Throne, all this madness, all this death...!
'Rhaenyra...?'
It was a mercy when the dreams finally faded and flung her into a deep sleep. Aemma wasn't sure how much time passed after that. Seconds? Minutes? Hours? It could have been the former, but seemed the latter for all she knew. She slept through it all and thought no more of her dreams.
With neither word nor warning, the darkness faded and she came back to herself.
"Mother? Mother!"
Aemma blinked black spots from her eyes. Rhaenyra's face was the first she saw. She helped her up and Aemma tensed, prepared for pain. None came. She felt...better. Healthier. Stronger. Livelier than she had been in months. Still exceptionally gravid and heavy with child perhaps, but more aware.
"How do you feel?" Rhaenyra fussed over her as she hadn't since she was very small, hands flitting over her belly.
...better, my child. But where is...?"
"Down here." Naruto sat sprawled on the floor at her bedside, his brow slick with sweat. He turned a tired smile on her. "Sorry, that took a little longer than I expected. Never dealt with poison before, nevermind that much of it. Maybe be more careful about what you eat and drink from now on, yeah?"
Aemma most certainly would. Maesters would test every meal. Or perhaps she could ask this young man to attend her? Rhaenyra seemed fond enough of him and he certainly didn't balk at poisons.
Another question quavered at her lips. "And the baby?"
"She should be fine." he hummed. "I think I got it all out. Time will tell."
The world fell out from under Aemma as her every hope absolutely shattered.
.
..
...she?"
"Aha!" Rhaenyra preened even as Aemma's heart sank further still. "I knew it! Visenya will be a fine name for her."
Aemma scarcely heard her. A girl. Gods be good...Viserys had been so certain it was a good boy. So had she. If it wasn't...what was to be done? The succession would still be called into question to be sure, but more than that. If her last child was to be a girl...she would be expected to have another, her decision be damned. And another, and another, until a healthy boy finally came. Despair threatened to consume her. No more. Please no more. She couldn't bear to go through this. Not again...
"You mustn't tell anyone!"
Some of her despair must've shown through; because Rhaenyra's companion dragged himself upright to face her.
"Don't make that face," Naruto soothed. "You're a good mother. You'll be a good one again."
That wasn't it! That wasn't it at all! Her brow furrowed as his words caught up to her a moment later. "You speak as if your own no longer lives."
"She doesn't. Her and my dad...well." he looked away, idly scratching a whiskered cheek as Rhaenyra looked to him. "They're not around. They died shortly after I was born."
He missed the way Rhaenyra looked at him when he said that. Aemma did not. There had been interest before; but now there was empathy. Compassion. Would she be happy with him, she wondered? The House of the Dragon must marry for advantage, that much was certain, but maybe...perhaps...
She shoved her worries down and reached out to touch his head. He balked a little at first, but didn't lean away, the poor boy. "You have my sympathy."
"Thanks," he chortled a little at her remark. "But its an old wound. I've made peace with it."
Aemma patted his head. He was a loyal lad. "Would you stay for supper?"
Naruto smiled softly. "I'd like that."
"And perhaps a proper change of clothes." she amended, flicking a look up and down the length of him. "We can hardly have you walking about in those rags anymore."
A hint of fire flashed through his eyes and he clutched at his clothes. "What's wrong with orange and black?"
"Besides the fact that your outfit is in tatters?"
His jaw opened. Closed. Opened again as he finally found the words, idly tugging at the tattered collar of his tunic. "I was kinda hoping someone could fix my clothes."
"Unlikely." Rhaenyra tutted. "There's hardly anything left to fix. Your outfit is a loss."
Naruto growled a little. "Still don't see what's wrong with these colors."
Strange as it might sound, Naruto's defiance pleased Aemma more than words. Respect or no, he wasn't going to let anyone push him around. Not her, not Rhaenyra, no one. Good. Her daughter had no need of a yes-man or a lickspittle. Better to have a proper defender -a proper advisor- than some mewling coward who bowed to her every whim.
Ah, but he'd asked her a question earlier, hadn't he?
"Nothing at all." she smiled at him as the walked. Black was one of the two colors of their house, after all. As was another. "Would you consider wearing red instead?"
Rhaenyra perked up. "That sounds grand, mother. He'd look good in those colors."
Naruto adopted a decidedly mulish expression, not knowing where to look between them. "I'm not gonna wear some fancy tunic."
"Perish the thought." Rhaenyra took him by the arm. "I have just the thing."
He blew out a sigh. "...I'm not going to like this, am I?"
Soft laughter filled the room.
(.0.0.0.)
Days gradually bled into weeks.
Soon enough, those weeks soon became a month.
Against all odds Naruto found himself starting to settle into King's Landing. But all was not well...
(.0.0.0.)
"Something must be done about the boy."
The small council had once more been brought to order.
All were present at the table today: Grand Maester Mellos. Master of Coin, Lyman Beesbury. Master of Laws, Lyonel Strong. Master of Ships, Corlys Velaryon. Even Daemon was in attendance for once as a Commander of the City Watch. Viserys almost wished he wasn't; if only because he knew discord was soon follow. Lord Corlys aside, it was too much to hope that Otto would forget about the boy. Likewise he knew Daemon would defend him if only to spite Hightower in return.
And so discord would be had.
"We have humored him these last few weeks and still he shows no sign of leaving." His Hand continued, turning a smoldering glare upon him in return. "His presence is of no tangible use; if anything he is a threat."
Viserys bit his lip to silence the outburst that threatened to explode forth. The boy did have a use. Aemma's health was much improved thanks to his tireless patronage. Rhaenyra smiled more these days than she ever had. But he'd begged for his silence. And so he held his tongue.
"Are you mad?" Lord Corlys didn't much care for such things. His concerns lay with the Stepstones at the moment. Nevertheless he raised his voice in support of Naruto. "You saw what we saw that day, Otto. And yet you would be rid of him?"
"And why should he leave?" Daemon scoffed, lounging in his own chair. "You heard Lord Corlys, we should keep him close. Or are you so threatened by a mere boy?"
"He has spirit perhaps. But one man, one boy," Otto amended, "Cannot be allowed to take such liberties. The good of the realm-
"Piss on the realm." the Prince leaned forward to sneer at him. "He frightens you, doesn't he? You old, senile cunt."
"Peace, peace." Lord Beesbury raised his hands. "He's just a boy."
"He commands dark magics." Leave it to Maester Mellos to speak out against him. He should've expected as much."
"A boy immune to dragonfire with the ear of the princess." Otto turned to face Viserys, face carved from stone. "A boy who visits your own lady wife nearly every night. He is a danger, if not to your person then to your reputation. Surely you can see this, our grace."
Was he? From what he'd seen the boy was more a boon than a bane. He'd softened some of Daemon's sharper edges. He was a gentle soul, one who wished to keep peace and help others. He'd said as much when he'd spoken to him. How then, could he willingly rid himself of such a helpful soul?
"Who as he harmed, hmm?" Daemon thumped a fist against the table. "No one. You have no corpses to pile at his feet. Not this time."
"Your actions with the city watch-
"Have already been discussed." The Prince shot back. "Don't deflect, Otto. Your yellow belly is showing."
Otto planted both hands on the table. "As is your forked tongue, you reprobate."
"Oho!" Daemon leered at him. "We've turned to insults now, have we?"
"Enough!" Viserys raised his voice before they could come to blows. "I will hear no more of this nonsense. He has done me good service and Rhaenyra is fond of him. " he rounded on Otto, turning a withering glare upon his Hand. "As is your own daughter, if you recall."
Otto bridled at the reminder.
"So protective of her." Daemon remained relentless. "Why?"
The Hand of the King looked away. "That is not your concern."
"Isn't it?" He twisted the knife. "Perhaps the lady Hightower fancies him. He's certainly handsome enough."
Otto shot to his feet.
Daemon matched him with a grin. "Struck a nerve, have I?"
"Enough! The both of you!"
Daemon spun on his heel and walked away...as you wish, your grace."
Viserys squinted his way. "Where are you going?"
His brother scoffed at him without so much as looking back.
"I've places to be, brother, and I've heard enough of this tripe today...
(.0.0.0.)
Daemon's back hit the floor.
Pain snarled up his spine, but triumph roared in his heart; joy at the realization that he'd managed to last a full three seconds longer than last time. Progress was a bitter, brutal thing to win, but make no mistake, he was winning it all the same. And if his opponent was at all baffled by his determination, all the better. He kicked up and drove a knee into his opponents chin, earning a grunt in turn. He kept fighting, lunging up to swing for his chin. Dark Sister sang in his hand and found itself parried neatly, shunted aside and-
THUD.
Clenched knuckles barreled into the back of his head.
His face hit the floor this time, with an aching skull besides.
He laughed, rolled over, righted himself with a grin and snatched up his sword. "Again."
"Really!?" Naruto lowered his fist, knuckles scraped raw from all the punches he'd delivered today. "I just knocked you on your arse.
"I said...again." Daemon snatched up his sword and thrust it at him.
Rhaenyra's companion didn't look half bad in Targaryen colors. Red and black suited him. His niece had chosen well, it seemed.
"You're some kind of persistent, you know that?" He rolled his shoulders, black tunic left open at the chest beneath light armor, dark red trousers shifting just as he took up his stance. No fancy doublet for this one, no sir. "Maybe don't leave so many openings next time, yeah?
Daemon frowned. "What?"
"You like to gloat when you get a good hit in and that's fine, that's you," the blond waved a hand, batting his blade aside, "But save it for when you've actually won. Case in point, you left your back wide open there. I was able to flank you easily."
Had he? It was something to consider at the very least. He was ever looking to improve as a warrior and not all lessons came to one on the battlefield. Testing himself against a superior opponent was one way to improve to be sure, yet it was also a way to take the measure of him. And thus far?
"You'd do whatever it takes to win." Naruto raised a waterskin to his lips and drank deeply. "I can respect that.
"Can't say the same of you."
Now it was Naruto's turn to frown. He stowed his drink and glowered at him. "Ha?"
"You're soft." Daemon tapped his boot with Dark Sister, turning that frown to a grimace. "You hesitate. You have bested me much sooner if you went for the hard blows."
"Hard blows, he says. "Blue eyes rolled in mild annoyance. "Those hard blows would've broken your ribs and bruised organs. Do you want to die that badly?"
Words, words, words. Not enough action. "No, I want to improve. There's a difference."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "You're not going to give up on this, are you?"
No, he wasn't. "A word of warning. Otto wants to be rid of you. He made a play to have you removed from the Red Keep today. Lucky for you, me dear brother wouldn't allow it. Seems you have him wrapped around your finger. It didn't stop him from trying anyway.
A brief spark of anger flashed through those blue eyes. Daemon found himself reminded of what he'd seen when the boy bested Caraxes. His temper might be slow to rouse, but once it was, there would be no hiding from his wrath. Perhaps if he could turn that fire towards Otto, they might well be rid of him...among others.
"Did he, now?" A curious expression settled over the blond's whiskered visage. "Why?"
Might as well be honest with the boy. "Because he's a cunt."
The boy barked a laugh at his casual vulgarity.
"He is!" Daemon pushed through despite his own smile tugging at his lips. "The man's a second son who stands to inherit nothing he doesn't seize for himself. Your arrival has thrown his plans into disarray. Is it any wonder he wants to be rid of you?"
Naruto crossed his arms. "And what plans are those?"
"If I knew that, I'd have put the old oaf's head on a spike by now. You know," he clapped his shoulder. "You would've made a fine Targaryen."
Naruto took a stance. "So everyone seems to say. Another round, then?"
Daemon mirrored him. "Though you'd never ask."
They lunged at one another.
(.0.0.0.)
Someone knocked at her door.
Rhaenyra looked up from her books. "Who goes?"
A kingsguard's muffled voice came through the wooden frame. "The Lord Hand, my lady."
Confusion reared its ugly head in her heart. Otto Hightower? What in the seven hells was he doing here at this hour? Alicent had left hours ago. Baffled by the sudden intrusion, she closed her books, rose from her bed and paced to the door. It swung open at her touch and sure enough...
There he was.
"Lord Hightower." she took a step backward to greet him. "How are you this evening?"
"Well, Princess." The Hang of the King inclined his head in return. "May I enter?"
"You may."
He did as bade and closed the door behind him. She watched him like a hawk. He made no move toward her. Not that she thought he would. She admittedly knew little of Alicent's father and was thusly ambivalent toward him. They'd seldom spoke with each other and she didn't much like or dislike him one way or another. Which begged the question:
"To what do I owe the pleasure of tonight's visit?"
"I know we haven't always seen eye to eye." Otto Hightower took a deep breath, clasped both hands behind his back and squared his shoulders. "But I had hoped you might see reason where others would not."
One hand came around, holding a small sack, cinched by a leather cord.
Rhaenyra accepted it, baffled. A great many gold dragon coins gazed back her.
She looked back to Otto, not quite comprehending his purpose here. "What is this?"
"Your companion...his presence here threatens to upset the delicate balance of the Realm." his words were an iron dagger in her heart. "A balance we have spent years trying to maintain. None must know of him. If the people learn that someone cannot be burned by dragonfire...the realm will fall into chaos. Do you understand?" he gestured back to the sack of coins in her grasp. "I would have you give him this, thank him for his service and send him on his way."
Her eyes strayed to the coin pouch in her palm. How heavy it was.
"Three hundred gold dragons." Otto noted. "Worry not, there is enough coin there for him to live the rest of his life most comfortably."
Her fingers bit into the pouch. "And my father ordered this?"
The silence was his answer. Of course it was.
Had the Hand of the King convinced Father? No, surely not. He wouldn't. Would he? She didn't know. That uncertainty tore her thoughts to pieces. But the coin in her hands remained. A small reward, a bit of thanks and that was it? That was all? A miracle like him came by but once in a lifetime and they would have him sent away because his presence was...inconvenient...
.
..
...she knew her answer.
Her heart hardened with it. "I will not."
Lord Hightower heaved a sigh. "Rhaenyra, this is for the best-
"I WILL NOT!"
Rhaenyra flung the coin pouch at Otto's face, pelting him with golden dragons. The guard heard the commotion and barreled through the door. Rhaenyra saw her opening- took it. She shoved past them both and darted away in a rage, hating herself for their shouts at her back, for her anger, for the tears burning in her eyes.
Damn it. Damn him. Damn it all. Could she not have bit of peace?! Not one person to herself?
She stalked through the halls, not caring where she went, so long as it was far from him. She knew King's Landing like the back of her hand; it was a maze of her own making; all too easy to lose them in the side passages and wide hallways.
It was only when she finally paused for breath that she saw a familiar shadow beside hers.
"I didn't hear you."
She heard the smile in his voice. "I can be quiet when I wanna be."
"You certainly can." She sniffed and rubbed at her eyes. "Some noble you are."
"Ninja, not a noble." Naruto clicked his tongue as he seamlessly fell into step with her. "There's a difference ya know."
She glanced askance at him. "How so?"
Naruto opened his mouth to tell her and closed it thrice as quickly. "Sorry. Probably shouldn't tell you everything for your own good."
...Lord Hightower wants me to be rid of you." The words escaped her before she could think to hold them back. "He gave me three hundred gold dragons...
"Money?" She saw him tense in her peripherals. "Why would I want money? Don't wanna leave."
Her heart skipped a single traitorous beat. "I do not wish you to leave, either."
Naruto nudged her side with an elbow. "Then I won't. Simple, yeah?"
"You misunderstand." she rounded on him in a swirl of silk. "King's Landing is a nest of vipers. If you're going to stay here, we have to trust each other."
He blinked back. "I do trust you."
Her face burned. Silly boy! How could he trust her when he barely knew her?! "You shouldn't fling around frivolous words like that."
The blond boy didn't budge. "And yet I still do."
"Why?"
"Well," he looked away, scratching at his cheek. "I'm good at reading people these days. Call it a gift. You seem alright."
Rhaenyra swallowed, took a deep breath to center herself before speaking. "And what of Otto Hightower?"
His lips thinned into a line so firm they nearly went white. "Not so much."
Well! At least someone recognized the vulture for what he was. She'd not say such aloud for fear of offending Alicent, but the fact remained that the Hand of the King was a grasping man. He'd shown his hand just now, overplayed the cards he held. She would not forget this. She would be wary of him going forward.
"He won't stop." she babbled. "If he can't bribe you, then he'll seek to remove you."
"Let him try."
His words struck her like a sledgehammer. She didn't want to see the back of him, either. She'd grown fond of his witticisms and frank way of speaking; the way he struck others speechless And in that moment, an idea formed. A way to keep him close to her side, to bind his cause to hers. It might not work. It really shouldn't. Such power wasn't invested in her. But she couldn't think of any other way.
...kneel, would you kindly?"
A blond brow quirked at her. Why?"
Her face burned darker still. "Be quick about it!"
Naruto did as she asked, not to humor her as most men might, but because he trusted her.
Trust. Such a little word...so humbling. She didn't know if she deserved such implicit loyalty. And why? All because she helped him once.
Oh gods she was really doing this. If someone saw her right now she would absolutely die from bloody embarrassment; Alicent would never let her live it down. How did one go about knighting someone, anyway? She'd seen Father do so any number of times, even Mother once, on a lark, yet now the words escaped her as surely as fire through her fingertips.
Blast it all. She'd have to look it up-aha! She remembered now. "...I need a blade."
A dagger appeared in Naruto's hand, drawn from his sleeve. "Will a kunai do?"
It would have to. She laughed and touched his right shoulder.
"Kneel."
He did so once more with a bemused smile.
"In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave." Now the blade moved to his left shoulder. "In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just." Back to the right now, and there she held it, letting the knife linger on his shoulder. "In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the innocent."
Those were the right words, weren't they? Father could make it official later.
"Arise, Naruto." her voice tremble a little as she offered him her hand once more. "Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."
This time, he did kiss her hand. Oh gods. She hadn't expected that. Alicent would be scandalized.
"Should I not have done that?" he looked at her. "Daemon said that's what knights do."
Damn her uncle. She'd kick his shin the next time she saw him.
"Huh." Naruto stood, claiming her attention once more. "Never been a knight before. You're not gonna try and make me wear heavy armor or something, are ya?"
Rhaenyra imagined him trundling around in a suite of plate and giggled, just a little, despite her best efforts to resist. "That depends. Will you?"
His smile was answer enough, but he still elaborated for her sake. "Don't need it. Slows me down. Light armor's better.
An agile fighter then? Rhaenyra could respect that. She'd seen him spar before. He would be perfect.
A knight who could move faster than an arrow, heal others, and even endure dragon fire.
Rhaenyra could think of no better protector; not for Father's kingsguard, this one.
She wanted him all to herself-no, not like that!
Oh gods, she was doomed, wasn't she?
A/N: We reach episode one, next chapter.
There we go. Time will tell if this remains a story.
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!)
"I wonder what its like, bonding with a dragon. 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.
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?"
"Have you ever heard baby dragons sing? I have. Its beautiful...
Alicent was not unaccustomed to conflict.
Such was the life of any lord or lady in Westeros, young and old alike. She often did as Father told her-things often worked out when she did. He knew best.
And yet. She found herself beginning to doubt as of late.
Rhaenyra had been spending an awful lot of time with this strange new boy. She rather liked him. Alicent found she did was well; she appreciated his frank speech and kind words; if Naruto had a problem with something he'd bloody well tell you, consequences be damned. Perhaps he was a bit too forthright at times, but surely that was no fault of his. Perhaps he knew what Father had asked of her; and was thus concealing his other talents. If he was, he'd not shown them to anyone else.
Or perhaps...
You're awful at spying, you know that?
Alicent darted behind the pillar. Maybe if she stayed terribly still and held her breath he wouldn't notice her...?
"I can see your dress."
"No, you can't!"
Alicent.
He sounded like the brother she'd never had.
"Make your own future, Alicent." he planted both hands in his pockets and walked away. "Do what you want, with who you want...or don't. Its your choice."
"Me?! Joust?! No, no, no bad idea for all parties involved!"
"SWORD!"
"Push now." A golden hand patted her leg. "Don't worry about the bleeding. I've got you."
Aemma looked up from her birthing bed with a start. "How did you get in here...?!"
Naruto hummed. "Through the window. How else?"
"Its a thousand foot drop to the sea!"
"I'm a good climber."
"Some are simply destined to die."
"Who decided that? These Gods of yours? Lemme tell you something about "Gods." After today's fiasco his temper had well and truly gotten away from him, and there was nothing he could do to stop himself anymore. "They don't know shit. I fought one. I WON. I dare yours to try the same."
"Vultures, the lot of you. Give the man some peace!"
"You have done me a great deed this day. Ask anything of me and I shall grant it to you."
"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...
I would much rather have someone who encourages my kindness rather than condemn it.
"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.
EDIT: Ah, but which dragon is it! I'm not naming names yet!
R&R~!