A/N: EDIT: Went back and added some more content, not that anyone noticed.

I'm tired...

...maybe I shouldn't have upgraded this to M. Feedback dropped into the abyss. That's a bit of a spirit breaker. T_T This isn't my finest chapter either; so sleepy...bloody exhausted really, there's never enough time in the day. Apologies for the lack of length, I'm bloody sick right now and this INFERNAL HEAT WAVE is not helping. Update schedule is a bit scuffed at the moment, juggling a lot of projects. Trying to push through...

On that note, Dance of the Dread IS NOW M-RATED. You've been warned~!

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. Feels like everyone's lost their minds, the world over. 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.

Not Q&A for a bit, as someone complained. Ah, well.

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...

Finally, brace yourself. This IS Game of Thrones, after all...

Wonder if anyone gets the chapter title references.

In a sharp contrast to "Foxfire" this iteration of Alicent has become proper feisty...

She wants who she wants and woe betide ye if you get in her way.

Case in point:

"I understand congratulations are in order."

"...they are, I suppose. Thank you."

"Whenever is the wedding?"

"Whenever we wish."

"The sooner-

"No."

...I beg your pardon?"

"You did not choose him for me. I chose him and HE chose me. Thus, it will be when WE wish. He and I. Not before."

~A future scene.

Stand in the Sun

Silken sheets.

Warmth nestled against him in his bed.

An almost pleasant soreness pervading every inch of his body.

Dazed though Naruto was, it only took him a moment to get his bearings. And what wonderful bearings they were. A quick glance confirmed his initial confusion; he wasn't alone. Alicent lay sound asleep at his side; half sprawled atop his chest, head tucked into him, and not a stitch of clothing to her name. Come to think of it, he wasn't wearing anything either beneath the sheets...

.

..

...oh, dear.

His mind loosed a singular bleat of confusion before he remembered the events of last night:

"I choose you. Do you choose me?"

Clothes falling to the floor, a flurry of movement.

Her mouth on his, his hands on her hips, her hands in his hair, her hips grinding against his as she cried out his name.

Oh.

Ohh?

Ohhh!

So last night hadn't been a dream after all.

Good. He might've gone mad if that were the case.

Alicent certainly seemed content enough; she remained sound asleep where she lay, dead to the world.

That was a frightfully red mark near her neck. He coughed a little, terribly embarrassed. Had he bit her that hard? She'd left a mark or two on his chest, but one near her nape was so very visible. Most people would see it and begin to gossip. Bah! Let them, the pious pack of parasites. What did they know, anyway?

Somewhere near the bluffs of King's Landing, he could feel Balerion stirring, eager to fly and hunt.

Good for him. He had more pressing concerns.

He laid one palm over his eyes and contemplated rising to face the day, but he was quite comfortable where he was; in truth he had no real desire to move. He ran a hand through her hair, drawling a pleased noise from her even in her slumber. She cuddled closer, practically clinging to him, lips creasing in a pout.

...yup, definitely not moving now.'

Patiently, he settled into wait.

His faith was rewarded.

Soon enough, his intended began to stir. Slowly at first, then quickly now as she came around. Her eyes fluttered open to meet his. Widened for a moment. He saw the precise second she remembered; because rather than retreat as she might have before, she scooted closer and pressed herself into him with wanton abandon. Her lips alighted upon his chin in a long, lingering kiss.

"Good morning, my prince."

Prince, not lord. Four little words, and yet they conveyed so much; so many things, a morning greeting, a plea not to be pushed away, and beneath it all...lust. She wasn't trying to manipulate him -no one could and he'd not let them- far from it, she simply didn't want to let go of him. He kissed her forehead in return.

She moved to stand, reluctant to leave. "I should go-

Desire sparked in him and he grabbed at her wrist. "Stay."

"I can't." She dithered but didn't try to break free. "We should've waited until we were wed. People will talk."

"I don't care." He was so very sick and tired of caring, of fretting and fussing over the rules.

"I know." the ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. "That's I'll come back later tonight-

Why? So they could dance around this and hide it from everyone? Keep it secret? No, no, no. He wasn't having it; if only because he knew how such things ended. So did Alicent, judging by the look in her eye. Why hide it now? They had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Maybe it was foolish to flaunt this, but he was so very tired skulking about in the shadows.

Nay. No more. No longer.

"No." he bit off the word. "No more hiding." He gave her a gentle tug, drew her back into his lap, and kissed her softly on the lips.

She quivered against him. "We shouldn't."

"We absolutely should. Who cares what they say?"

Another kiss and she responded to him with a moan. "You make a compelling argument...

Of course I do. he kissed the nape of her neck, drawing a pleased noise from her. "Do you want to keep hiding, or do you want to live?"

A rhetorical question, of course. He already knew her answer and so did she. He felt her resolve weakening with every kiss, little anxious gasps of raw excitement fleeing from her lips as he tormented her with a torrent of kisses. It was only a matter of time. He watched the conflict flash across her face as he kissed her breasts; saw her struggle against her carnal desires a moment more...

.

..

...and fell.

Soon enough she began to respond in kind to his ministrations, her arms looped around his neck, then her hands his hair as she held on for dear life. She was wet and ready for him, bouncing in his lap -it did wonderful things to breasts-the brief pain of last night forgotten in its entirety. In a matter of moments she was writhing under his touch, locking her legs round his waist, the better to draw him deeper. He saw the fire in her eyes, the refusal to let go until he gave her what she waned.

By contrast, Her release came quickly, lraving her beneath his touch. She fell back to the bed with a please sigh.

Not yet satisfied, he began lavished kisses upon her lips, followed by her breasts; lower now, his lips alighting upon her thighs, which he gently tugged apart.

She made a noise of confusion. "What are you-

Then he kissed her...there!

Alicent gasped aloud, a noise of such visceral delight that he stopped for fear of having hurt her. He paused and she glared at him from where she lay, face flushed red, gasping for air, his hands still on her knees. The ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth and she flushed anew.

"Don't stop!"

It was a cry for more as much as a plea.

He returned his attention to her folds while she covered her mouth with one hand to stifle the little gaps of delight that fled from her lips

They didn't leave his -their!- room until the afternoon.

(.0.0.0.)

They couldn't have.

Rhaenyra didn't want to believe it.

Surely they wouldn't do such an awful thing to her.

When Lord Larys Strong told her of what he'd seen, she hadn't wanted to believe him. It just...it wasn't possible. But the signs were all there. if one knew where to look. She had seen it all, hiding round the corner. She dearly wished she hadn't; if only because the sight was now burned into her mind, hotter than any flame.

Alicent had emerged from Naruto's chambers with her hair down, face flushed and clothes ruffled. That was damning enough. And then she'd seen it. Oh, yes. She saw it all. Her dear "friend", the one person whom she trusted more than anyone else, turned back at the door as though to speak to someone, and then he had been there. Holding her. Letting her throw her arms round his neck and...and...AND...!

They'd shared a long lingering kiss.

She'd only seen a glimpse of it before darting back into cover but seen she had.

Alicent had departed soon thereafter. She'd heard the click of her heels, even if she hadn't dared to look.

Naruto had left some time afterward, looking...not smug, but content. He never noticed her; never even deigned to check her little hideaway. And so she hid back behind the pillar and waited there unwilling to move until the last of his footsteps receded into the distance.

With their absence, her heart broke.

Misery. Misery, misery. That was what he'd chosen.

She had to confront him, had to say something, but calmly. She must be calm. She mustn't lose her temper, she must...she must...oh sod it all!

Her rage was rising, her temper triggered, her wrath roused. She wanted to shout and scream and spit; to show him what it was like to be hurt, to know pain.

.

..

...perhaps she should show him what it felt like.

(.0.0.0.)

Viserys raised his cup. "You seem quite pleased with yourself, old friend."

Otto hid a smile behind his chalice as he drank.

A fair question indeed.

Was he pleased?

Yes, he was.

He found he was, remarkably, given all that had transpired. Events -and Alicent!- had exceeded his expectations tenfold. His dutiful daughter had done her duty without being asked. Indeed, she seemed to have the prince well in hand. Why, it was as if she actually loved him. Nonsense of course.

Alicent would do her duty.

She would bear the prince children.

The Throne would belong to the Hightowers.

Nothing would stand in the way of that. Nothing could, now...

(.0.0.0.)

Naruto knew there would be trouble as soon as he saw Rhaenyra's face.

He could see it there behind her eyes, the anger boiling just below the surface. She was hurt. Betrayed. Furious. He could understand the former, but not the latter. Why react in such a manner? She acted as if she owned him, as though he were hers to claim. He was not. Nothing could be further from the truth. He was his own man. If she had a problem with this, she should've said something. Anything...

.

..

...but she hadn't now, had she?

On a whim, he let her lead him to her quarters, the better to speak in since.

And well that he did, because the moment -nay, the very second- the door closed behind him...

"You would choose her?!" A goblet bounced off his chest, spattering wine across his doublet. "Over me?!"

Ah. So she knew, then.

"I'm not choosing anyone over anyone." he ignored the spread stain, took her by the hands and tried to guide her back to the chair. "Calm down, and lets talk about this...

"Is that all you have to say?" Rhaenyra smacked his hand away with a hiss that reminded him so much of Syrax. "You have chosen! I saw you with her!"

"And what of it?!" he flung up his arms exasperated. "Why does it matter to you?!"

Naruto saw the answer in her eyes and winced. Oh, dear.

He'd never really thought of...not considered...

"Look, if you're that upset, doesn't have to be just the two of us." he lowered his voice to a placating tone. "Alicent cares deeply for you; she'd never deny you anything. If you'd just talk with her and explain yourself -your feelings- she'd welcome you with open arms. We can work this out among ourselves and come to an agreement. No need to throw things...

It was the wrong thing to say and he knew it the moment she went absolutely still against him. "You...you would have me be second? To her?"

"That's not what I'm saying! Stop putting words in my mouth!"

"I am no one's whore!"

"I'm not calling you one!" here at last, his temper slipped its leash. "If anything, you're acting like a spoiled brat!"

Rhaenrya face closed down, eyes hardening to chips of stone. "Get out."

Stubborn girl! "If you'd just listen to me, you'd see-

She slapped him. "GET OUT!"

His temper sparked. Mustn't give in.

...if that's what you want." he heaved a sigh. "I'll give you some time to think.

Her goblet bounced off his head. "OUT!"

Must. Remain. Calm.

...as you wish."

He steeled himself. and walked way from her. The door slammed shut on him, striking his flank. He took the blow with quiet dignity and kept walking.

After all, he'd made his choice.

Now it fell to Rhaenyra to make hers.

He heard her sobs echo through the hall after him.

It was the beginning of the end, but to what he knew not.

A/N: Well, I'm sure we all saw this coming, did we not?

Only time will tell if things shake out for the better...but this IS Game of Thrones after all...

Well? Should this be continued? What say you? Yay or nay! Really need to hear back from you all, here.

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.

Timeskips are coming soon~!

(PREVIEW)

She'd found her.

It had taken years, but here at last, she was triumphant. Father couldn't nay-say her now.

She'd found her quarry, tracked her to this abandoned beach.

Laena grinned like the child she still was at heart. "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!"

"Brave of you boy, but foolish. I thought you would've learned your lesson by now."

What can I say? I've always been a slow learner.

Daemon read the note. And he began to laugh. Loudly.

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.

They were still balking when Balerion swooped down out the clouds and landed beside him.

"Go ahead." he cooed. "Run for it. More fun for us."

Balerion sniffed.

Who was this small mewling creature and why was his partner offering it to him? Humans were strange.

"Say hello to my son, Balerion.

His partner's mate looked concerned. She needn't be.

The Black Dread sniffed once and laid back down.

Protect the child.

"Father!"

"Ooomph!" Naruto grunted. "Jeez, you hit hard!"

The boy's mother smiled. "Is it any wonder? Your son takes after you, husband...

"Its not fair." his son sulked. "They're all bigger than me, and they all have dragons. I don't."

"You're young. There's still plenty of time," he sighed as he saw the pained look on his face. "Alright. Come with me."

"What?" the boy balked a little. "Where are we going?"

"To the dragonpit. Where else?" he slung an arm around his shoulder. "We'll enter it together. Today's the day you find yourself a dragon. I've got one in mind...

EDIT: More hints~!

Hope you enjoyed~! =D Looking forward to your feedback!

I'll be sure to chat with you all when I get back from work! Have a great day~!

I'm still in pain, but I'm trying to push through.

Warm regards,

~Nz.