A/N: Blasted doctors, blasted aches and pains... *sniffs*
Feels like I'm running myself ragged these days at work. Trying to push through...
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, 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.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns.
Q: Give old Viserys more screentime!
A: Ask and you shall receive.
Q: Update schedule!
A: Everything and anything. I'm writing alone -mostly- this month, and trying to recover. Do be merciful on this old man.
Q: More dragons, old man! Its called HOUSE of the dragons for a reason, yet now you're holding back?!
A: More dragons you say? Well, well. This chapter has the most yet. Its all been building to this moment...I hope you savor it.
Q: When will we get more romaaaaaance?
A: Wanted the romance to be more natural and a bit of a slow-burner at first, but ohhh is it a burning. It helps that neither Naruto nor Rhaenyra know ANYTHING about romance at this point in their lives, so they're hopelessly clueless
Whether it will be a single pairing or harem depends on fan feedback, but I will say this.
You ain't seen nothing yet!
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...
Brace yourself. This IS Game of Thrones, after all...
Many thanks to Adventreader221 for the penning a scene for this chapter. He wrote it himself for me; I merely edited and improved it.
"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...
~?
Fire and Blood
The cavern awaited.
It called to Viserys, urging him down to its depths.
And so the king walked forth, venturing into the mountain that was Dragonstone.
He could feel it in his bones now; he was meant to be here. Perhaps he always had been, but had simply ignored the call. No longer. Down into the darkness he went, torch in hand, braving death and darkness for destiny. The irony wasn't lost on him. This might make a fine melody...assuming he survived.
Because the dragons awaited. He could hear them singing in the depths. Theirs was a song of fire and blood, a trilling primal melody that spoke to his very soul.
It had occurred to him, in the beginning, that he might have brought Naruto to the isle with him, the better to soothe any prospective partner they might stumble across. In the end he'd decided against it. Doing so would cheapen the act of bonding with any of the wryms within. He had to know if he could still do it after all these years.
Claim a dragon. By himself. Alone.
He was taking a mighty risk by doing this in the first place; dragons were known to devour those they rejected. He'd left Daemon at the cavern entrance with strict instructions. Who else could he trust with this, who better to ferry him to Dragonstone in the dead of night? Daemon was loyal to him. He would not betray his trust, no matter what those on the council might think.
"If I am not returned by sunset, I am dead."
"Good luck, brother." he'd clapped his shoulder.
Luck. Yes, this would take a great deal of the latter...
Viserys began to sing an old Valyrian ditty under his breath, the better to steel his nerves as he descended deeper into the dark. Hopefully it wouldn't offend the dragons. Daemon had always been the better singer between the two of them. Speaking of two wanted to bring Aemma down here. Perhaps he would now that was fully recovered. She had Targaryen blood as well. It wasn't too late. There was still time. He could fix his mistakes-no, he would fix them.
The House of the Dragon could yet be saved.
After what seemed an eternity, Viserys felt the stairs beneath his feet and realized he was ascending. Climbing towards a flat platform. He could hear something breathing beyond it in the dark ahead of him. Something large. His heart began to hammer in his chest. Sweat beaded upon his brow.
He laid the torch down and finished his song.
A great shadow stirred. He glimpsed a tail coiling round the steps.
An ancient rumble rattled the cavern, causing his very teeth to tremble in his jaw.
And then the dragon sang a song of its own.
Flame burst forth from its maw as it screamed; napalm bathed the ceiling, revealing the true bulk of the beast.
At length the blaze died. The dragon swept its massive head down and Viserys found himself delighted; because in the light of his fallen torch, he recognized this beast.
Vermithor.
This was the Bronze Fury, riderless for three decades since the death of his lord grandfather, Jaehaerys. Viserys had seen him many a time before as a boy, both up close and afar; as such he knew him by sight. Long had he hoped to find him down here in the depths, but never in his wildest dreams did he think he would encounter him so soon. Gods, how he had grown down here. He was larger. Large enough perhaps to rival even Vhagar herself if it ever came to a fight.
His mate, Silverwing was rumored to be down here in the Dragonmount as well. They never left one another's side.
But it was not Silverwing he faced now.
Now came the truest test of his mettle. The moment of truth. All or nothing.
"You know me. You know why I am here." there was no tremor in his voice. No. Not now. Nary this time. "I am Viserys of House Targaryen, first of my name." he raised his right arm and gripped his wrist, forcing himself to stand his ground. "Son of Baelor. Grandson of Jaehaerys, your last rider. Hearken to me."
Vermithor's growl deepened, gaining a deep bass note. Viserys saw flame build behind those jaws, and his death in those flames. But he did not falter. To flinch now meant death. Still the fire built. Movement meant the end of him. Yet if he said nothing he would surely burn. Only seconds remained. Viserys could feel the searing kiss of heat on his face. He made his choice.
"I am not your enemy!" he shouted at him in Valyrian.
Vermithor's fire guttered out slowly, almost reluctantly as he looked on.
Viserys sucked in a sharp breath to steady his own heart. And well that he held that breath; because the mighty bronze dragon bulled in closer to regard him further. Its scaled muzzle drew back in a snarl, bringing the faint scent of sulfur. A single snap of those might jaws could bite him in two and there would be naught he could do about it. He snorted. Inhaled now, testing his scent.
Gods be good, was he actually going through with this?
Visery let his arm fell and willed himself to be absolutely still. He'd taken his gamble; the slightest movement on his part might well spell death if he wasn't careful. He could see himself in Vermithor's eye now; his own reflection gazing back at him within that slitted, angry pupil.
He took his chance, removed his glove, and laid a hand against great dragon's bronze snout, just beneath its leftmost nostril.
"Please." he whispered softly to the dragon, not a command, but a plea. "Help me save the realm.""
...the pupil dilated as Vermithor stared at him overlong.
At length the dragon's angry growl eventually softened, becoming a softer, high-pitched trill as the king stroked his snout. Visery's knew that noise. He'd heard it once before when he was but a prince himself; when an ancient, dying dragon accepted him for its final flight. In an instant he was taken back to that fateful day; that moment.
Now, just as Balerion the Black Dread had long ago, Vermithor the Bronze Fury bowed his head.
Viserys finally dared to exhale and with it, he felt a burden lift from his shoulders. An exhausted smile stretched across his face. He'd done it. Grandfather's dragon had accepted him. He would not be riding Caraxes back to King's Landing with his brother, oh no. He would fly.
Daemon would laugh himself silly when he saw this.
The Small Council wouldn't. This recent development would make them nervous. Otto perhaps even moreso.
Good. It was high time they remembered who he was.
Naruto and Rhaenyra...would probably be over the moon to see another dragon.
Something else moved in the dark behind Vermithor.
Without warning, the Bronze Fury nudged Visrys. As if it wanted to show him something.
Not quite trusting his eyes, the king glimpsed another shadow in the dark. He peered into the gloom, wondering if he'd catch sight of it.
Quiet suddenly, he saw her. Silverwing.
Somewhat smaller than Vermithor, but no less dangerous for it, the former dragon of Good Queen Alysane nevertheless raised her head to regard him as her mate pushed him forward. He could see her wings slouched in the dark, scales shimmering in the fading torchlight behind her mate. Her long body was curled around something...
.
..
...gods be good.
Eggs. So many eggs. He could see nine of them from there. There might be more in the dark.
Silverwing too, considered him for a long moment as though to say: "Well? Where is she? Where is your queen? Where is my next Rider? Bring her hence!"
Viserys couldn't help himself. A disbelieving laugh burst from him. Soft and sharp, it echoed in the cavern. If he, a tired old king could bond himself to a beast like Vermithor, then surely Aemma had a chance. Targaryen blood ran through her veins as well. And perhaps...
A mad idea was born.
He must bring his family here. At once.
The House of the Dragon would truly flourish once more.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto didn't like Ser Criston Cole.
He couldn't rightly say why he disliked the newest member of the Kingsguard, only that he did. The man in question wasn't even a bad person per se; just too defined by a strict code of honor. It didn't help that Rhaenyra had been the one to elected him to said Kingsguard herself, making the man even more indebted to her. Everywhere she went, Cole followed like a watchful hound.
Always!
Every damn time!
It was bloody exasperating!
He had his morals, sure, but he wasn't trapped by some strange vow. Oaths and promises were sacred things, not meant to be sword lightly. Yet sworn them Cole had. He'd sworn and sworn and sworn. Time would tell if he kept them. He couldn't help but feel that Cole would falter when the time came. He seemed humble, but there was something inherently...arrogant about Ser Crison that made him wary of the man. Even after Daemon had knocked his dornish arse to the dirt, that pride hadn't abated.
Even now the man was shadowing him around the Red Keep as he looked for Rhaenyra; in part because he didn't know where she'd run off to either.
They'd walked in silence for the better part of five minutes now. "You are too close to the princess these days."
Naruto sighed. It was too much to hope it would last. "What she and I do is none of your business."
The new knight didn't take the bait. "I believe it is."
"That's cute". He kept walking, refusing to look back and give the man the time of the day. "You know, you're awfully proud for a man who ate dirt a few weeks ago. Didn't you lose to Daemon in the tourney? I recall him knocking you on your arse."
Cole's face reflected no outward sign of anger but it was there. He could sense it, smoldering just under the surface. "The prince is skilled-
"And I'm better," Naruto rounded on him, bringing him up short. "Keep that in mind before you do something foolish."
Cole considered him for a long moment. The ghost of a smile graced his tan face.
...you love her, don't you?"
"He's not wrong."
"Hey, hey!" Naruto felt his face burn as he whirled and marched away. "I don't even know what love is! I've never felt it before, ya know!"
He enjoyed being around Rhaenyra. She'd proven herself a capable student and she was improving with her daggers. Nothing simpler...right? His face felt strangely warm. He shook it off.
"Nevertheless, you cannot be with her. You are lowborn." Cole, the blithering idiot, actually dared to press the point as he followed. "She is a princess. The two of you cannot be. The King will never allow it."
"She's my friend."
The silence was his answer."
Bah! Showed what little he knew. Viserys-when they met in private-seemed to delight in taking every opportunity to push him and Rhaenyra together. He would encourage them to ride on dragonback, walk through the gardens, train with the master of arms, visit little Visenya and her growing dragon; anything so long as the two of them did it together. They even ate together during meals. Not that Naruto minded. If Rhaenyra's father was angling after something, it seemed benevolent enough. Kind even, when compared to the grasping ambitions of the Small Council.
Viserys had been nothing but good to him.
And this man, this up-jumped knight, thought he knew the king? Knew him? Knew any of this?!
ENOUGH.
His shot out, pulverizing a nearby pillar to powder. He heard the sharp intake of breath behind him. Cole had seen that. Good. Let him see and wonder, let him realize the perils of poking a fox.
"Ser Criston." the words were an angry rasp. "You're making m angry." a scarlet eye peered over his shoulder. "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
Something rattled the Red Keep above. Naruto squinted toward the ope sky. A dark blur hurtled by, as fast as it was large. He couldn't see it against the sun. Another dragon? Just how many did King's Landing have?
Much to his annoyance, Cole rallied and recaptured his attention. "I have no quarrel with you, ser. Only respect. Which is why I wish to warn you-
"Warn whom of what?"
Rhaenyra rounded the corner ahead of them, face carved from stone. Had she been eavesdropping? The argument must've distracted him; he hadn't sensed her...oh, dear. She didn't look happy. There was a fire in her eye that he hadn't seen in awhile; she didn't so much walk as she did stalk. She was wearing her dragon-riding leathers today and he immediately noticed the daggers in her belt. Good. He kinda liked that black outfit...
Cole bowed his head. "My lady, it is good we found you."
"T'would seem it was I who found you." she sniffed at him. "There you are." Keen violet eyes found Naruto and her gaze softened. "You're late. It time for practice."
He nodded, grateful for the olive branch she'd offered. "S'why I was looking for ya. Where to this time?"
Her grin made his heart race. "I was thinking near the Heart Tree today. Would that suffice?
Good place. Quiet enough. Downright secluded. Nice and quiet. "Fine by me."
"Lovely." those lively orbs of hers lit up. "Then let us be off."
Cole moved to follow.
Rhaenyra whirled to face the Kingsguardand fixed him with a smoldering glare. "I have another task for you today, Ser Criston. You will guard my mother."
The former hedge knight made to protest, naturally. "My lady, I don't think that would be a wise decision. It would be-
"Go." she commanded. "Unless you think your talents are best suited to to cleaning the privy for the next month?"
...no, my lady."
"Good boy." she tutted, turned, and offered Naruto her arm. "Shall we?"
Naruto couldn't help but smile as he claimed it. "We shall."
Arm in arm, the unlikely duo walked away.
Behind them, Cole ground his teeth.
(.0.0.0.)
Visenya had finally fallen asleep.
Gods be good, but her daughter didn't like sleeping.
Aemma would've found it amusing if she weren't so exhausted.
Little Visenya lay nestled in her arms, sleeping soundly. Thanked the seven for small miracles. Her youngest was a wild little thing when awake. She refused to sleep unless she utterly exhausted herself, which meant she had to be babbling, crawling, grabbing at anyone and anything within arm's reach.
Then there was the matter of Visenya's dragon.
Even now the little hatchling remained protective of its charge; refusing to let Visenya out of its sight for more than a few minutes at a time. Today it had decided to curl itself around Aemma's shoulders like some kind of cat. Aemma didn't much mind. The days were getting colder and its scales were warm. It was growing slowly, but most dragons did when they were small. This little one would not need the Dragonpit for some time yet, not until it hit its inevitable growth spurt.
"Well?" he tilted her head to regard the still-nameless little beast. "Are you going to rest as well?"
It chirped at her and coiled down round her shoulders. Sunlight glinted off its brilliant onyx scales. Within moments it was sound asleep.
The song of a baby dragon truly was a wondrous thing to behold. Aemma had heard it many times these past few months. It always made her heart dance...
.
..
... sometimes she caught herself longing for one of her own.
But no, that door was closed to her. She'd grown up in the Vale before being wed to Viserys. That time had come and gone.
The nursery door creaked open.
Ah, speak of the devil. There was Viserys now.
Aemma sat a little straighter in her chair at his entry. "Husband."
...wife." He looked away with a rueful expression. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." she granted him a tiny smile, holding Visenya close. "My breasts are still dreadfully swollen."
That drew a laugh from him as he crossed the room to her side. "As I recall, you were rather cross about that the last time...
The sleeping hatchling resting on her shoulders chirruped softly as though in agreement.
Aemma chuckled for a moment. Things were still somewhat strained between them, but less so these days. Viserys never seemed to quite know what to say around her, but he was trying, she'd give him that. He'd not laid with her in awhile, either. Perhaps he was afraid to inflict the agony of childbirth upon her again.
Perhaps there was hope...?
A familiar scent reached her noise. She inhaled. Frowned a little now. "You smell of dragon, husband." He truly did. "Where have you been?"
"Preparing." He moved to her bedside, knelt before her and clasped her hand in his. "I have failed you, Aemma. Forgive me.
Aemma's heart hitched in her chest. How she'd wanted to hear those words. For him to admit his mistake...
"You have Targaryen blood a much as I, half on your mother's side." he continued softly.
"How could I forget?"
"Come with me to Dragonstone." she wasn't prepared for what followed. "There's a dragon I wish for you to meet, as I have."
Realization fell upon her in a storm.
"You claimed another." she balked at him. "That's why you smell of such. Who?"
His grin grew a bit more boyish and she felt her heart flutter. "Vermithor."
The name rocked her world.
Gods be good. That beast? Then what he was asking of her...the one he wished her to meet in Dragonstone, the beast waiting in Dragonstone...
"Me?" She startled, realizing what he wished of her. "You want me...? To claim a dragon? Silverwing, no less? I couldn't possibly. I don't know how to ride a dragon much less claim one."
Viserys squeezed her hands. "She will accept you, as Vermithor did me, I am sure of it."
As you were sure I would have a son? Aemma nearly said the words aloud. No, no, that was no fault of Viserys. The gods were cruel. She had two darling daughters and quite possibly a son-in-law on the way. She was content. With the poison leeched from her body she felt stronger than ever, but her womb would never quicken again. She would bear no more children, so long as she lived.
"I still don't know how to ride a dragon...
"Then I shall teach you when the time comes." he kissed her forehead, quelling her concerns. "Have you seen Rhaenyra?"
Oh yes, she had. They'd come by to visit only a few minutes ago.
"She's off with that boy of hers by the Heart Tree." Aemma laid her head on his shoulder. "She loves him, Viserys."
His smile grew a touch more rueful, fondly exasperated even. "...I am aware."
She kissed his cheek. "Then let your daughter follow her heart."
(.0.0.0.)
She was getting the hang of this.
Rhaenyra felt a grin flash across her face as she ducked a dagger and countered with one of her own. She didn't come anywhere close to hitting Naruto-he swayed away from her weapon all too easily-but the fact that she could react at all was a testament to just how far she'd come in such a short time. She took some small, petty pride in her knifework during these short few months; perhaps it was wrong of her to do so, but she did all the same. Training oft left her sore but she'd built her foundation well. These days she wielded her practice daggers well, not like a master, but well enough.
Not nearly well enough to beat Naruto.
Shunting aside another thrust, the bemused blond finally went on the offensive. A dulled blade struck her shoulder, delivering a stinging slap. Rhaenyra grit her teeth against it.
"Dead." her dueling partner sang.
Her brow furrowed. "Again."
"As you like."
She slashed at his stomach, only for him to step aside and brain with a hilt as he walked past.
"You are dead~!"
Rhaenyra yelped, still not quite used to the pain, and dropped her weapons. She bent to retrieve them, only to feel a dagger tickle the underside of her chin.
"Dead." he teased her, feigning an accent. "Not big surprise."
Bloody blasted blond! She kick him in the...no. Rhaenyra took a deep breath to steady herself. He wanted her angry; this was as much training for her emotions as it was her body. She wouldn't rise to the bait. He let her retrieve her weapons, allowed her fingers to curl around the hilts, biting into the loamy soil as they did-
"Rah!"
She flung dirt in his face.
"Good!" He blocked her underhanded tactic with an arm, but his delighted cry startled her. "That's the way! Fight dirty! Use every advantage you can! Like this!"
His daggers wove a web of steel between them, forcing her to retreat or risk another bruise. One couldn't truly block with daggers and Rhaenyra certainly wasn't strong enough to, so she didn't even try. Instead she gave ground and let him have his way. He'd leave an opening eventually, surely. When he swept at her legs, she leaped back, lest she be knocked to the dirt. The moment she did she realized her mistake.
Her foot caught in a root and she pitched backward. Her shoulder hit the Heartwood tree. Trapped.
Naruto pinned her there with his body, hands spread on either side of her to hem her in.
"Gotcha."
Heat flooded Rhaenyra's face and...other places.
Close. So close. Far too close. She wanted to grab him. Embrace him. Drag his face down to hers and melt into him. It would be so simple. No one was nearby. No one would see. And what if they did? She was a dragon, and she cared naught for the opinions of the sheep. Her eyes flitted up to his lips...no! Bad princess! Focus!
In the end, Naruto solved the matter for her.
He let her go, paced away and flung himself down into the grass by trees roots.
Rhaenyra sat beside him. "Something's wrong. Tell me."
Naruto sighed. "You already know."
She did. "Cole means well."
"Does he?" Naruto looked up from where he lay sprawled in the grass. "He's almost always near us. I don't like it."
She pinched his arm. "If someone is to protect my father, then I would prefer that someone to have actual combat experience.
"Bleh. Still don't like him."
He was going to sulk, wasn't he? No, no, no. She couldn't be having that.
She sprawled herself beside him. "Let's fly to Dragonstone, then."
Naruto squinted her. What brought that about?
She squirmed a little under his gaze. "You're feeling restless and I want to get away from the capital for awhile. Is that so wrong?"
Those keen blue eyes regarded her for a long moment. He saw right through her as always. "Did you and Alicent have another fight?"
"No?" Yes. "Why?"
"I just haven't seen you with her lately."
Rhaenyra winced despite herself. "I've been spending time with her. As much as you have with Daemon.
He quirked a blond brow her way. "Jealous?"
"Of my own uncle?" She scoffed. Hardly.
They shared a laugh.
"It could be...just the two of us." she reached over and laid a hand on his. "No one need know."
He rolled over in the grass to look at her. Rhaenyra found herself doing the same. A spark passed between them. Their fingers threaded through one anothers..only for them to look away, neither quite having the courage or the experience to act upon it. She didn't let go of his hand. Nor he hers. Despite their shared hesitation, she couldn't help but feel that some semblance of progress had been made.
"So...dragonstone then?"
Naruto nodded. "Sure, why not?"
"An excellent idea! A new voice chimed.
Naruto jumped, but not as much as Rhaenyra. "Father?"
Viserys sauntered toward them, grinning ear to ear, and...looking strangely disheveled. As though he'd just walked through a windstorm. And what was that smell?
Rhaenyra frowned his way. "What has you in such a good mood?"
He smiled. "Its a secret."
"We're alone here, you can tell us."
Ah, but it wouldn't be a secret then, would it?" he winked good-naturedly. "Your visit to Dragonstone. I'll sanction it. We shall go together. All of us. You me, your mother and little Visenya. And her dragon, of course."
Naruto's brow shot up into his hair. "Is that a good idea...?"
Her father laughed. "Otto can run the capital well enough in my absence."
Naruto made a face. He was still mulling over it all when Rhaenyra burst to her feet.
"You smell of dragon!" A knowing glint gleamed in her violet eyes. "You've been the dragonpit."
"Not...as such..." The king offered a rueful smile. "Still, I wasn't aware I'd become quite so pungent."
But that meant...
"You went to Dragonstone?!"
"Indeed I was." his smile gained a hint of pride. "I'd like to bring you both. There's something I wish to show you."
Rhaenyra exchanged a long, lingering look with Naruto. "If you insist...
Naruto shrugged his agreement. "Should be fun."
So it was decided...
(.0.0.0.)
Once more, intruders had come to his isle; invaders unto his kingdom.
The Dragon could smell them; their scent was finally here.
He lifted his head with a rumbling growl.
At last. At long last. l
He would feed.
A/N: Dragonstone and more dragons next chapter! And it'll be a doozy!
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.
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!)
The King had a dragon again.
"Your grace, I must voice my protest on this matter."
"Voice it all you like. This is not a matter for discussion, Otto. We shall return within a weeks time.
The King had dug his heels in.
If this continued...he might have to take matters into his own hands.
For the good of the Realm.
A word of warning before you go. There is a beast on the souther side of Dragonstone, one that is best left alone. I do not doubt your skill, but I would not see the two of you made a meal. Promise me you will be safe. Promise me, Rhaenyra. Promise me.
"Let me handle it. I can keep you and Aemma safe at the same time."
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!"
He was getting used to this.
Naruto hid a smile behind Rhaenyra's back as the wind lashed at his face; not only had she given him consent to ride with her, but he found he rather liked it.
Very, very much.
Syrax was easily large enough to seat two riders these days and she didn't much mind his presence on her back.
A shadow fell over them.
Rhaenyra gasped.
"So that's what happened.
An isle rose out of the mists.
"Is that...?"
Welcome to Dragonstone."
Well, if we're being honest with each other, there's something I want to show you. You, and only yo. Now seems as good a time as any.
He let go of her hands and stumbled back.
Then there was light.
A great towering creature erupted into existence over his head.
"Foxfire...
"Pardon?"
"Nothing!" she fought down a flush. "What is that...?
Kurama roared.
Something roared back.
A massive shadow fell over them.
Naruto grinned. "Oh, wow, you're a big one...
Understatment of the century, that.
Rhaenyra grabbed at his arm as winged death descended upon then. It was the largest dragon she'd ever seen. She'd heard tell of it, of course, every Targaryen worth their salt knew the legends.
A lone word tumbled from her lips.
"Cannibal."
Otto's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "This...complicates matters."
Naruto whooped and shot through the air.
"Where is Daemon?"
"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!
"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...
"What is it, uncle?"
"Pity." Daemon's smile was infectious. "If you wish to bed him, best get on with it before someone else does."
Strong jaws snapped at him.
"Hey, hey!" he caught the dragon's snout. "Cut that out!"
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed!
R&R~!