A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly?
*coughs* Owwww me poor lungs, they bloody hurt...T_T
Might be bumping this story up to M-rated soon, depending on what folks want to see. Many were demanding the next chapter early, so here we are~! Hopefully this chapter gets some good feedback here; that determines is update schedule, after all. God of War and other categories are being worked on as well, they just need a bit more polish as it were.
Still dealing with -what I assume to be- a chest/sinus infection, and its driving me mad. Hurts to breathe sometimes.
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws nearer, 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 this time, only story. Its a doozy~!
Alright, I've kept you long enough. 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..
Yet again, warnings for language and the like. This is Game of Thrones after all...
Minor verbatim from episode one.
"You're weak, Viserys. That council of leeches knows it. They all play on your for their own ends."
...I have decided to name a new heir."
"I'm your heir."
"Not anymore. You are to gather your men, leave for the Stepstones at once. And you are to do so without quarrel! By order of your king!"
~The Moment.
A New Heir
"You're leaving?!"
"I am. Its just as I said." Daemon shrugged on his pack, checked Dark Sister in her sheathe, and turned to face him at the last, face writ in a scowl. "My dear brother has seen fit to disinherit me. I'm off to the Stepstones to win his war for him."
Naruto opened his mouth to answer; closed it again when he temper threatened to get the best of him. Mustn't lash out. No matter how much he wanted to. Any sign of violence would be met with more violence. He cast a baleful look at the paired Kingsguard blocking the door, effectively sealing them in t. He dimly recalled their names. Ser Arryk and Erryk of House Cargyll. Brothers. No doubt they were here to make certain he behaved himself; or see if he had any part if his father's madness last night.
And what madness it was! The heir for a day. What was Daemon thinking, saying that?!
Not much, apparently. His "father" had come barging in here just before dawn to collect his things and bid his goodbyes. He sailed with Lord Corlys on the morning tide.
"I can't believe he would do this...
"He did". Daemon stalked about the room like a man possessed, tugging on his cloak. "Its already done."
"Because you said something foolish!"
"I was drunk!" His father pivoted on him with a wild look in his eyes. "And I would not have said such a thing in his presence! No, we both knew who's responsible for this."
"Yes, we do."
Daemon squinted at him. "Don't look at me like that. I had no part in this."
"You did." he returned his glare, refusing to falter. "You should've been by Uncle's side, or even Rhaenyra's. Otto wouldn't have any ammunition to use against you if you had. Instead you were off getting yourself soused. Of course he used that against you! You gave him the perfect opportunity! Only a fool would ignore it!"
Daemon reared back, hissing like the dragon he was at heart. "And what would you have done?"
"Hunkered down." he snapped in return. "Held my tongue and comforted them until the storm passed. Which is exactly what I did!"
His lord father considered him for a long, agonizing moment. "And where were you last night?"
"With Rhaenyra!" the words tore out of him in a roar and he thrust both arms forward, shoving his "father" away. From there he stomped forward, smashing a booted foot down on his father's to hold him in place lest he lunge at him. "I held her all night! She cried herself to sleep in my arms! Do you have any idea what that's like?!" A tan finger shot forth, digging itself into the elder Targaryen's leather cuirass. "No, of course you don't. How could you? You only care about yourself!"
Daemon flung up his arms. "And now you throw his words back at me!"
"I...!" Naruto bit his tongue to stifle his temper. "I'm sorry." He didn't want them to part like this; not on such a sour note. "How long will you and Caraxes be...?"
"Gone?" A bitter bark of laughter filled the air. "A year, perhaps. Maybe two." he shrugged one shoulder stiffly, his face a mask of tight anger. "Perhaps once I burn Crabfeeder out of the Stepstones, the King will see fit to restore my rights."
Naruto didn't think he would. Not after a slight like this. An ugly thought struck him. "If you're not the heir, then who is?"
"Rhaenyra I expect." Daemon shrugged a shoulder. "Won't she be surprised?"
She certainly would. He almost pitied her.
...I'll go with you." he decided at length. A quick pivot brought him to his own desk, which he promptly began ransacking. "We'll deal with the Crabfeeder together. It won't even take a year."
Daemon's anger died a slow death on his face, withering away into a strained smile. "Nothing would please me more...but you can't come with me."
"Excuse me?"
His father looked past him, to the still-silent Kingsguard brothers. "You are to stay here. By order of the King."
Realization broke like the dawn, burning all uncertainty away. "As a hostage to ensure your compliance."
Daemon didn't say a word. He didn't have to.
Naruto made a choked noise. "...!"
He could put an end to this madness, he knew. He absolutely could slaughter every guard in this room without breaking a sweat. It would be like carving a cake. Fight his way to uncle Viserys. Make him change his mind. Kill him, if need be. He could butcher anyone and everyone who dared oppose him. It would be easy. So terribly easy. No one knew what he was truly capable of. No one could stop him.
And then what?
Reality sank in. Seeped into his thoughts like the darkest of poisons. If he shed blood here, he could never take it back.
Alicent. Laena. Rhaenyra.
Unbidden his mind conjured up their faces among his thoughts. Their heartbroken expressions. The tears in their eyes. They'd think him a monster. They wouldn't understand. No one would. He'd be the butcher who put his father on the throne by force; a madman who catapulted the realm into war, one that wouldn't end until he or everyone who opposed him was dead. It was a war he could -would!- win. A war that would cost countless lives, but on he would see the other side of. Many would not.
.
..
...
He blew out an angry breath. "I...will stay."
"I know you will." Daemon clapped his shoulder and drew him into a crushing embrace. He found himself returning it stiffly. This wasn't what he wanted. None of it was. "You must harden your heart in the days to come." his fatherr whispered in his ear. "Don't let those leeches sink their teeth into you. I'll be back soon enough."
His peace said, he let him go and stood, stared at him for a long moment and marched to the door. He swung it open and didn't look back. Not once; not even when Ser Erryk peeled off to follow him.
Naruto glared at the door. Watched it close behind him. Calm. He must be calm. Had to be calm.
His right hand clenched into a fist. Blue eyes sparked red.
He wasn't calm. Not at all.
A snarl tore out of him as his fist crashed through the door frame, spraying splinters in every direction. Once. Twice. Thrice now, until a fourth blow smashed it clean off its hinges and into the wall. Unsatisfied, he stalked after battered wood and tore it apart, beating it down until it was so much sawdust at his feet. It did precious little to assuage his temper. Damn it. Damnitall. Damn him! He hadn't asked for this! For any of it!
Someone coughed behind him.
Only then did he realize Ser Arryk hadn't yet left.
"Now what?" he glared bloody red daggers at him. "Why are you still here?"
To his credit, Arryk at least managed to look somewhat contrite. "I am sorry my lord, but the King wishes to see you...
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto found his uncle stood before an altar of burning candles.
Limned by decades worth of wax, it stood as a testament to the ages; a reminder of a kingdom that spanned the decades. Stern and strong, only growing longer and harder, made ever more powerful by the passage of time. Some might call that a portent. An example and warning in equal measure. The House of the Dragon stood strong and proud even now, more than a century after Aegon's death.
He disagreed.
For him the wax represented not royalty but rot; an awful corruption that had slowly crept into the Targaryen dynasty until it became a blight; a wound that must be excised. And there atop the altar stood a giant dragon's skull. Larger than large, a giant among giants. Fake. He'd seen dragon bones before, and these were not those. It was good craftsmanship, but he knew the real from the fake.
Kurama would've laughed at it. As it were, a small, despondent smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"You wanted to see me, uncle?"
Viserys was silent for a long, ponderous moment, running an open palm over the candles.
"Balerion was the last living creature to to have seen old Valyra before the doom." here at last he looked upon the skull. "All its greatness and all of its flaws." a moment of silence passed between the two of them. "What I am about to tell you is a secret. It does not leave this room." he turned to face him, and Naruto found himself wincing at just how...haggard the poor man looked. "Do you understand?"
He muttered his assent.
"This skull," a rusty chuckle pervaded the crypts as he looked back to him. "Is not real. Shortly before his death, King Jaeherys ordered this made by the finest craftsmen the world over, then had them killed to protect the secret. It suits the world well to think that such a monster is dead, to believe that a creature like this no longer exists."
Naruto found himself tilting his head. Had to play along, here. "Yet he does."
"He does." Viserys confirmed.
"He isn't dead, then."
"No," Viserys shook his head in agreement. "No, he is not. The Black Dread lives. My bond with him used to be so strong." he touched a candle and looked at the false skull with a rueful chuckle. "It has faded in recent years. As has he, I expect, but he still persists. Would you believe he was last seen in Dorne only a week ago? Near Sunspear."
His heart sang. The journal he'd "borrowed" hadn't mentioned that bit.
"It is my belief that he is searching for something." Viserys
Something. Not someone. His uncle didn't know. The realization shocked Naruto. It felt wrong, to steal another man's dragon out from under him. But as Viserys' bond with Balerion had waned, so had his continued to wax and grow ever stronger. Sometimes, when he closed his eyes, he could feel the old wyrm as he'd once felt Kurama. Like some silent expectation gnawing at the back of his brain. As if he were waiting for some signal that he didn't know how to give. Was there some connection left there?
Ah, but Viserys was looking to him, speaking once more. "When you look at me, what do you see?"
Weakness. Kindness. Exhaustion. Sadness and sorrow. Naruto said the latter.
"Fair." his uncle sighed. "The dragons, then? When you look at them, what are you thoughts?"
...pardon?" here at last, his temper slipped its leash. "You've scarcely said a word to me since Aunt Aemma's funeral, you banished my father to fight in the Stepstones for something he said while drunk, kept me captive in the red keep as a hostage against him, and now you have your bloody blasted Kingsguard drag me down here to talk about dragons...?!"
"A hostage?" Viserys all but swelled with anger. "Do you think so little of me, boy? You are my blood. The bloody of Old Valyra! You are no hostage, despite what your foolish father may have you think."
"Careful." Naruto stood his ground, idly fingering the dagger hidden up his sleeve. "You may be my uncle, but I won't stand by and let you insult Daemon."
"Please." his uncle pleaded with him, voice softening. "Its important. When you think of the dragons, what do you see?"
He looked back to the skull, considering. "Fire and Blood."
Viserys quirked a pale brow and waved him on.
"Rhaenyra once told me something. Everyone says Targaryens are closer to gods than men." he waved a hand at the false skull mounted atop the altar. "But they only say that because of our dragons. Without them, we're just like everyone else...or so she'd think." he lifted his chin a little to stare the older man in the eye. "But we are our dragons, just as our dragons are us. We bleed. We grow old. We die. But we do not go quietly."
His answer seemed to mollify Viserys, for he nodded.
"The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion." he paced away from him, hands clasped behind his back. "They are a power man never should have trifled with. One that brought Valyria its doom. If we don't mind our own histories it will do the same to us." Without warning he spun back to face him. "Any true Targaryen must understand this...to be king."
In a flash, Naruto's world shattered again.
"I'm sorry to lay this burden upon you, nephew." His uncle stepped closer still as his mind scrambled to catch up. "I have...wasted these last years, wanting for a son. Rhaenyra and Aemma have suffered for it. As has the realm. But you...you are the very best of your father...and your mother, though you knew her not." he flinched a little at the remark. "You have proven yourself to be kind, caring, stern when need be, yet unafraid of battle. You are a just man. And I believe that, in time, you could be a great ruling king."
Naruto recoiled. He didn't want it! "Daemon's your heir, not me!"
His uncle wouldn't be swayed. "Your father was not made to wear the crown. But I believe that you are."
No, no, no. This wasn't something he'd planned for. Not this. Never, ever this. He could see where it was going, the disaster that would follow. This would start a war. Lords and ladies the world over would tear one another apart to win his affections.
"If you want an heir name Rhaenyra." he shook his head. "I don't want it."
"You must." his uncle seized him by the shoulders, shocking him with the intensity of his gaze. "I love my daughter, but she is all that remains of her mother. If I name her heir...the realm will destroy her. Bit by bit. Piece by painful piece. I see that now. As much as I dislike it, men would sooner set everything to the torch than allow a woman to seat the Iron Throne."
His temper sparked as he shook him off with a snarl. "That's no reason not to try! She should be next in line!"
Viserys despair and looked to him. "Do you believe she would make a good queen?"
Naruto opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again now...
.
..
...and closed it once more.
Would she make a good queen? In all honesty, he didn't know. She held the right by blood to be sure. But what had she been taught? Not much. Not enough.
He, on the other hand...
In his first life he'd ruled over an entire village, maintained peace and prosperity for his people, walking the razor's edge between chaos and order. In his second he'd studied his histories, pondered over the mistakes of kings and rulers past, and become convinced that the Targaryens as a whole were beginning to go mad. He would not. Indeed, he was uniquely positioned to prevent such a thing.
Rhaenyra was not.
As far as he knew, his cousin didn't even want to inherit. She wanted...well. He knew her wants very well. She'd told him them. She wanted to fly with Alicent on dragonback, see the great wonders across the Narrow Sea and eat only cake. She wasn't worried about her position. She'd never once, in her life, mentioned wanting to be queen. If he passed this over, the burden would surely fall to her.
And then where would they be?
The realm forced to swear their oaths to a mourning girl, a girl who would slowly be crushed beneath the weight of their expectations. He didn't want that for her. By the log, he didn't want that fate for anyone.
If he could spare her that pain...
"There it is. That keen mind of yours." Viserys spoke softly, earning a dark glower from him. "You know full well the weight the Crown holds. This is no trivial gesture, nephew. Dragonstone is one thing, but the Iron Throne is the most dangerous seat in the realm. Should you take it, you will have to marry. Take a wife. Father children. Secure your succession properly, as I could not."
He looked away with a scowl. "I'm well aware of that."
"You must be." Something in his uncle's voice had him looking back to him. For a moment in the candlelight, he looked weathered, aged beyond his years. "I...will not marry again. I cannot." he shook his head, and for a fleeting instant, he glimpsed tears the eyes of his uncle. "I dare not, for fear of what it might do to me."
He'd thought as much. By all telling, his aunt and uncle had loved one another dearly. They'd spent most of their lives together. He would never again love another as he had her. Furthermore, marrying again so soon after declaring a new heir would only muddy the waters of succession. Time would tell if Viserys kept to his word. He hoped so, but many a man had made such promises in the past.
Silence reigned between them.
Viserys broke it first. "Will you take up this mantle?"
Would he? Could he be a good king? He believed so, yes. He had the mind for it, if not the stomach. But becoming the heir, one day ruling over Seven Kingdoms...did he dare? A true King was more than a Hokage could ever be. He knew Daemon -Dad-! might not take kindly to his decision. Or might he be proud? There was truly no way of telling with him sometimes.
He tried to think of all the good he could do. And children...little ones running around underfoot. He might enjoy being a father again. He'd loused it up last time-and learned his lesson. No, he wouldn't make that mistake again. Any child of his, son or daughter, he'd be there for. Completely.
"I can choose my own wife?"
His uncle nodded. "Whomever you wish."
"Then...yes." the word tasted like ash on his tongue. "I'll do it."
"Good." Viserys almost seemed to sag before his eyes. "Now there is something else I need tell you."
Naruto blew out an angry breath. Of course there was. What else could he possibly say that was worse than this?!
"It might be difficult for you to understand, but you must hear it. Our histories," as he looked on, his uncle paced away from the fire looking past the false skull anew, "They tell us that Aegon looked across the Blackwater from Dragonstone and saw a rich land ripe for the capture. But ambition alone is not what drove him to conquest. It was a dream."
Dreams, eh? Laena had dreams. Dreams of dragons...
"And just as Daenys forsesaw the end of Valyria," Viserys rambled on, "Aegon foresaw the end of the World of Men. 'Tis to begin with a terrible winter, gusting out of the distant North. Aegon saw absolute darkness riding on those winds. And whatever dwells within will destroy the land of the living. When this great winter comes, nephew, all of Westeros must stand against it.
A shiver stole up his spine.
"And if the world of men is to survive," Viserys continued apace, heedless of the sudden dread he felt. "A Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne. A king or queen strong enough to unite the realm against the cold and the dark. Aegon called his dream the Song of Ice and Fire.
There was something about those words that resonated within him. Where had he heard those words before...?
"This secret has been passed from king to heir since Aegon's time." His uncle laid a hand on his shoulder, rooting him where he stood. "And now you must promise to carry it. And protect it. Always." His grip tightened a bit, fingers digging desperately into his skin. "Promise me this, Naruto. You must promise me."
He heaved a sigh. "...I promise."
There. It was done. His word was his bond.
There could be no turning back. Not now. Not ever.
(.0.0.0.)
At long last.
For the first time in decades.
He sensed him. He knew where he was.
At long last he had purpose again. A mission. A goal.
Here and now, Balerion spread his great wings and took flight.
(.0.0.0.)
Alicent found him in the gardens.
In hindsight Naruto wasn't all that hard to find; one had but to look for the silver armor of the Kingsguard to know he was near.
"Ser Arryk. Ser Erryk." she sketched a quick curtsy to the brothers. "Is the prince within?"
The elder of the two nodded. "He is, my lady."
"May I see him?"
They duo exchanged a wry look.
"Here to wish him luck?" the former wore a bemused smile that put paid to her expectations.
Erry tutted. "Hush now, brother. Don't tease the poor girl."
They parted for her. Alicent scurried between them.
Naruto was seldom the subtle sort. His hair was a dead giveaway among all the greens and golds, to say nothing of his attire. He was sat upon a stone bench, hands on his knees, a flagon of wine beside him. The servants had dressed him well. He looked regal in black and red, every bit a Prince, the future king he was meant to be.
It wasn't fair.
He was good and kind and charming and above all merciful, a stark contrast to most lords and ohgodshedidnotdeservethisburden. Why had Daemon done what he did? She didn't know. Father had been exultant; he'd long held a grudge against the Rogue Prince; to have him brought low in such a manner must've brought him no small amount of pleasure. In a single fell swoop, he'd removed a thorn in his side and found someone far more palatable in his place.
"Will you go to him?" he'd asked of her. "He needs guidance in this moment, now, more than ever...
He needn't have. She would have happily sought him out anyway.
"I thought you might be here." she sat beside him.
"Hmm." he didn't look at her; his eyes were on the coast. As though he were watching. Waiting for something. "How'd you find me?"
Alicent quirked a brow.
"Fair enough." he sighed. "How are you feeling?"
She gripped a trembling hand to still a tremor...and hide the nails she'd bitten. "I had another nightmare last night."
For some peculiar reason, that made Naruto wince. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." she shook her head. "You defended me. If not for you, I'd be on a boat to Essos right now."
Her heart quailed just thinking about it. She would not have lived long across the Narrow Sea. No, not long at all.
Naruto knocked back his goblet, drained it to the last drop, and crushed it in his hand. "I won't let that happen to you again."
It sounded suspiciously like a promise. Alicent eyed the sundered cup and imagined it as the head of the one responsible for that horrid plot. It brought her some small relief. She was no fighter, she never had been, but perhaps it was time she started to learn. She never wanted to feel that helpless. Not ever again. And speaking of helpless...
"They're waiting for you." she whispered.
"I know." Naruto ran a hand through his hair. He looked tired. Exhausted, really. "I'll be along in a bit."
Alicent scooted a little closer.
"I...know it can't be easy." She laid her hand on his. "Losing your aunt and your father, almost in the same day, then having this burden thrust upon you...
"I did it to spare Rhaenyra." he heaved a sigh. "But now I almost wonder if that's an excuse. If I actually want it...
Oh, gods. Rhaenyra. Someone would need to speak with her soon. Alicent didn't know if her dear friend wanted to be Queen, but Viserys had slighted her all the same, just as Rhaenys had been slighted so long ago. He could always yield the throne when he became king if he didn't want it, surely. He didn't have to keep it.
"Do you?" Her eyes met his. "Want it, I mean."
He held her gaze and curled a finger around hers, sending a little jolt through her body. "I want to do good. And what about you? What do you want?"
Alicent's throat went dry. "What I want...?"
She wanted him. Wanted him as she'd never wanted another in all her life. She wanted him to reach across the table, take her by the waist, pull her into his lap, and press his lips to hers, to feel her hands on his, her body tangled up in his, for the two of them to finish what had nearly begun in the Tower of the Hand before those...ruffians interrupted. The realization wasn't quite as jarring as she'd thought it would be and her mind began to wander to dark, treacherous places.
"Alicent...?"
Oh gods, she'd been ignoring him again. She squirmed a little in her seat and swallowed, face flushing.
Naruto must've seen it too, because his eyes flashed. There was a spark of...something there.
Alicent wanted to act on it. So very badly.
Painfully, she restrained herself.
No. Not yet. Not just yet.
In this moment, she settled for holding his hand. Standing now, tugging him up after her.
"Shall we be off, then?"
Her prince smiled.
(.0.0.0.)
One by one, the Lords of Westeros swore their fealty before the Iron Throne.
Laena's father knelt first. "I, Corlys of House Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, and Master of Driftmark, promise to be faithful to king Viserys and his named heir, the prince Naruto. I pledge fealty and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith, without deceit. I swear this, by all the old gods and the new."
Away went Lord Corlys. And then came another to kneel. Ah. He recognized one. Otto's brother...
"I, Hobert Hightower, Beacon of the South, Defender of the Citadel, and Voice of Oldtown, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the prince Naruto. I pledge fealty to them and promise to defend them against all enemies in good faith, and without deceit. I swear this by all the old gods and the new."
So many lords. One after the other. They swore and swore and swore. And he had to stand here, dressed up in all this finery, listening to them.
"I, Jason Lannister..."
"I, Ormund Baratheon...
"I, Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell...
He wasn't sure how much time passed after that; before the long line before him finally dwindled to a single soul, and then none at all.
At last, it was done.
Viserys rose from his throne and all, himself included, turned to face him.
"I, Viserys Targaryen, first of his name," he stood, brandishing Blackfyre before him, "King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, do hereby name my nephew, Naruto Targaryen, prince of Dragonstone, and heir to the Iron Throne."
Naruto inclined his head. In his peripherals, he glimpsed others doing the same.
So.
That's it.
Just like that.
He felt an invisible weight settle about his shoulders as he looked into the crowd. Alicent smiled at him. Little Laena actually dared to wave. Rhaenyra...just stood there. She did not scowl. Nor did she smile. She simply stared, face carved from blank stone, impossible to read. He wondered if she understood why he'd done this. Was she happy for him? Angry? He couldn't tell. Nevertheless, he'd done this for her sake.
All to save her from the Iron Throne.
Naruto had never seen such an uglier chair in all his life. Ugly perhaps, but powerful all the same. The greatest seat in all the realm, the throne of the king, highest of all, bringing seven kingdoms to heel. Pity his uncle was so weak. King Viserys was a good man to be sure, the realm had never seen better since the reign of Jaehaerys himself, but he lacked the strength of his predecessor. And now he'd named him, a new heir, for all the lords and ladies to see. He'd find himself swamped with marriage proposals in a week.
He pursed his lips to stifle a sigh. 'How could anyone want this...? And why do I...?
Viserys tapped Blackfyre against the steps. "My heir will now address you all."
.
..
...uncle say what now?!
Naruto bit his lip to stifle the shout that threatened to burst forth from his throat. Oh gods. A speech?! No one said anything about a bloody blasted speech! What was he supposed to say?! What could he say? He hadn't even thought of anything! Even now he could feel their eyes on him, watching, waiting for the first sign of weakness. To hold his tongue here promised disaster. But in the same vein, speaking foolishly would doom him all the same. He had to play the part here, no matter how much he might loathe it.
Alicent gave him an encouraging look beside her father.
He heaved a sigh.
Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. He opened his mouth to speak. "Lords and Ladies of Westeros. Before we begin, there's something I'd like you all to hear-
A dragon's roar rattled the Red Keep from top to bottom, swallowing his words whole.
Men and women screamed, doubled over and clutched at their ears.
Naruto's face lit up in a flash of vicious, triumphant recognition.
He couldn't have timed that better if he tried.
Could it be...?
(.0.0.0.)
Daemon saw the winged shadow first.
He'd been on the verge of departing for the Stepstones with Mysaria only a moment before when he first glimpsed it from the sky; heard it, the heavy beat of wings beating out their dark cadence, a deadly dirge, a steady whump-whump-whump that left shockwaves in its wake. His lover yelped and clung tight to him, but he paid her little heed.
From the back of Caraxes he glimpsed ebony black scales cutting through the clouds; a creature so large that even Caraxes whimpered in fear. It was all he could do to keep his dragon from fleeing on the spot. No creature had ever inspired such terror in him or the blood worm. Such awe. Such wonder.
And yet for all that, the monstrosity paid them no heed.
It didn't notice them on Caraxes, or if it did, it certainly didn't seem to care. Instead it belched a great gout of crimson fire -such heat!- and dove right past them. As it did Daemon glimpsed the scars on its back, smelled the faint scent of fire and brimsone, heard the roar that rattled the world, a deep bass rumble that rattled his teeth and left his ears ringing. Whatever it was, it moved with frightful speed for something so large. And it was headed toward the capital.
Mysaria whispered against his back. "What is that?"
This could only be one beast. One creature. One dragon. One wyrm that surpassed all others.
Had his son called it, he wondered? Had it come for him at last? Or perhaps...?
A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "The future...
(.0.0.0.)
The winged shadow blotted out the sun, draping itself over King's Landing.
Peasants wailed. Lords and ladies cowered in fear. Knights soiled their trousers.
Balerion paid them no heed. Why should he? They were as ants to him. His hunger could wait. He was close now.
So very close. He could smell him; he had his scent now, even over the stink of this city. Where...there! A figure had emerged from the Red Keep ahead of the others. A young man. He strode with poise and purpose, taking the steps two at a time in his haste to descend. When he looked up and saw him -how could he not?!- the ancient wyrm heard a distant peal of laughter sweet as birdsong and felt his joy. He burned like the sun in his mind's eye, bright as he had been on that fateful day ages past.
But what was this? The man was making for a space near the high walls, with others racing after him. A rather wide...open space.
Aha! The Bright Man wished to see him, did he? Face to face, as they had in their first meeting. Very well!
With a triumphant roar, Balerion swooped down to greet him.
A/N: HE'S FINALLY HERE.
Next chapter's dedicated to him~!
And there we go. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Well? Should this be continue? What say you? Yay or nay! Really need to hear back from you all, here.
If I might suggest a soundtrack for Balerion's entrance, it would be the Targaryen Theme (Epic Version) by Samuel Kim.
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Most likely, I'll leave the first chapter up and consign the rest to the void it comes to that. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now, then...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly!
And as ever, Le warning!
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Granted, some are pretty far in the future, but still.
(PREVIEW)
Viserys swore softly. "Gods be good...
Naruto raised his arms high. "Here! I'm right here!"
Alicent yelped and ducked. The dragon ignored her. It only had eyes for one.
The Prince was waving, smiling, grinning like he never had before.
"That's right! Down here!"
"You would choose her?! Over me?!"
Daemon read the note. And he began to laugh. Loudly.
"That boy rides the largest dragon known to man. I won't raise an army against that. It will be the Field of Fire all over again!"
Naruto caught the crossbow bolt in his hand.
"Always loved crossbows." he grinned, considering the barbed shaft. "Never used 'em myself. They take too long to reload. I, on the other hand...
He whirled and flung it back, skewering them in the face. Their corpse pitched back. The others balked.
"Go ahead." he cooed. "Run for it. More fun for me."
Laena grinned like the child she was. "Found you~!"
Vhagar growled and lifted its head to glower at her, sand sloughing off its back. Fire built in the back of its throat.
"No!" She hissed in angry Valyrian and thrust an open palm forward in the face of its flame. "Obey, Vhagar! Yield to me!"
"This dagger once belonged to Aegon the Conqueror. It was Aenar's before that. And before that...well. It is difficult to know. Before Aegon's death, the last of the Valyrian pyromancers hid his song in the steel." He tugged the blade from the brazier held it out for them to read.
Together, the two of them leaned closer to inspect the steel.
"From my blood, come the prince that was promised. And his will be the song of ice and fire...
"Father!"
"Ooomph!" Naruto grunted. "Jeez, you hit hard!"
The boy's mother smiled. "Is it any wonder? Your son takes after you, husband...
EDIT: Ah, but who is it? Hope you enjoyed~! =D