A/N: Happy Sunday~!
Pairing is decided/solisified next chapter! Last chance to influence it! I have two drafts planned out, and I'm curious to know which everyone would like to see.
Hope everyone can see this with the notifications down. Here we go! Looking forward to your feedback! Do let me know in the reviews!
I wanted this to feel like an actual House of the Dragon episode.
Hopefully I succeeded on that front.
Just wanted to say, I appreciate you all! More feedback means faster updates! It's especially important, in these, trying times, with the main site notifications down. Every word counts and all these reviews really keep me inspired! Looking forward to hearing from you~!
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
Brace yourself. This IS Game of Thrones, after all...
"On that day, the Stepstones met their new lord.
He greeted them not just with fire and blood.
...but with light."
~?
Gone Crabbing (Part III)
"I dislike armor."
"You'll dislike an arrow in your chest even more, princess." Ser Harold Westerling tutted once and bade Rhaenyra to raise her arms. "Up you go, now. This is the last of it."
"I pray that you are right-gah! Not so tight!"
"It has to be tight, your ladyship." Came the admonishment. "It'll never protect you otherwise."
Rhaenyra glowered at the Lord Commander. If looks could kill, the Kingsguard would've been a smoldering pile of ash upon the floor. Alas, said glower was rendered somewhat impotent by the fact that she couldn't exactly move properly at the moment. Naruto was of no help at all; he'd long since given up trying to hide his laughter whatsoever. Even now she could hear him snickering softly in the corner. She settled for a sullen sigh instead and tossed her head at him, huffing now as a few stray strands of hair fell across her gaze.
She'd never bothered to wear armor before, never truly felt it necessary, until now.
Naruto had impressed upon her the need and she dearly wished he hadn't.
It was just so...uncomfortable! How did men move in this?!
The fitting along had proven a nightmare; this armor was made for a man, not a woman, and while she had indeed grown quite a bit, several...adjustments were needed. Hence being told to stand perfectly still as the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard buckled her into this gaudy getup. Naruto didn't have to suffer through any of this, so why should she?
"So that's Aegon's armor, eh? It suits you. Wouldn't you agree, Ser Harrold?"
Speak of the fox and he shall appear!
"As you say, my lord."
"Ugh, stop that. I'm not a lord yet...
Craning her neck as best she could, Rhaenyra caught sight of the blond's cheeky grin and her temper flared.
She knew her ancestor's armor was special, how few had ever worn it, of the implicit honor she'd been granted by being given it for this outing.
Ohhh, Otto and his cronies had chafed when they first saw her in it. She remembered that conversation well, and Father's smile as his Hand chafed at the sight of her in the royal arms:
"Aegon's armor? Your grace. Are you sure that's wise?"
"She's hardly wearing a crown now, is she, Otto?"
...may I have a word?"
"But of course."
"In private."
No doubt they were off having an argument even now, one she wasn't privy to.
Bah, let them. Father had found his Fire at long last and the Hightowers would have their way no longer.
Was this Father's way of sending a message? Or perhaps protection? Few would be able to tell what she was wearing on dragonback and the slavers of the Stepstones certainly wouldn't care, but the distinction was there. For there could be no greater shield in battle than Valyrian steel armor. She'd been forced to bind down her breasts, which was rather painful, but the discomfort proved well worth it. And with luck, she'd never have to wear this ridiculous getup anytime soon.
"There." Ser Harold rose and handed her Aegon's helm, distracting her. "Try it on, princess."
Rhaenyra huffed. "But my hair...
"Here."
She felt Naruto lift her pale tresses, carefully tucking them back behind her ears. From there, he accepted the helm from Ser Harold and laid it on her head.
Rhaenyra reluctantly accepted it; it was not a perfect fit, and she would be foolish to think so. The helm was a tad larger than she'd expected, but the smiths of King's Landing had compensated for that and provided a bit of padding, the better to make it snug against her face. It would provide her ample protection nonetheless.
"Not bad," she heard her intended murmur. "Not bad at all."
She took a moment to admire herself in the mirror.
A stranger stared back at her, armed and ready.
Not a girl, but a young woman. A warrior.
She looked proud. Regal. Strong.
Like a Queen.
The thought jolted her and she shook her head to clear it.
No, no, no. Don't think such foolish things. Daemon was the heir, not her. This armor was merely being loaned to her until the smiths forged something more to her tastes.
Still...
A small part of her still marveled at it all; that Father was even allowing her to ride into battle in the first place. She supposed the armor was his way of saying sorry; of doing his best to protect her while allowing her to forge ahead and carve her own path. She'd long since bid her goodbyes to him and Mother and Visenya already; Daemon was sound asleep after his latest treatment at Naruto's hands -with a harsh tongue lashing besides!- and as things stood, there was nothing left but to saddle up and ride.
Even then it was...difficult to tear her gaze away from her own reflection.
She looked to Naruto and found him staring. "What is it?"
"Nothing." he flushed a little, but didn't avert his gaze, bless him. "You look good."
She preened a little, wanting to drag more words out of him. "How good?"
"Sensational."
Oh? That was high praise indeed, coming from him.
Ser Harold coughed into a fist. "Begging your pardon, but we best get moving before the Small Council tries to delay us for a second time."
"Those men again!" Rhaenyra rolled her eyes. "They've already called for Father to divorce Mother, did you know that?" she rounded on Naruto with a huff, causing him to raise his hands at chest level to ward her off. "I know how they plot in their councils whenever we've been sent away. Meanwhile, the lords of the realm gather like vultures to a carcass, hoping to feast on my bones. I will not be peddled off for a mountain stronghold or a fleet of ships!"
She would not let this betrothal be annulled. Not when everything -everyone!- she'd ever wanted was finally within her grasp-
Naruto took hold of her hands suddenly, startling her. As she looked on, his thumbs stroked small circles in her palm, bringing with them just a hint of chakra to soothe her ragged nerves. She took a deep breath to settle herself, looked down, and wrapped her fingers around his, squeezing until tight until all her worries and fears bled away.
"We're of one mind in this, aren't we?" only then did she turn her gaze upon him, desperate, pleading. "We cannot let those old fools part us."
"Us?" he caught the way she said the last word. "Alicent gave you her answer?"
Rhaenyra bit her lip, averted her gaze, and turned way. "Perhaps...
His expression sank. "Rhaenyra?"
Ohhh, no. She wasn't letting him off that easy. Not after the hells she'd been put through today with this fitting. She would leave him in suspense a little while linger.
And so she spoke, glancing at him over her shoulder. "You'll know when we return my lord."
"Oi oi, don't you my lord me! Give me a proper answer!"
She beamed, refusing to give up the ghost. "You made me suffer through wearing armor, it's only fair that I make you suffer a little as well."
Something flashed in his eyes and she felt her heart quicken in response. Gods but she wanted out of this armor, she wanted him-
It was fine, wasn't it? They were to be husband and wife soon...
Ser Harold coughed, reminding them they weren't alone. "Begging your pardon your grace, but the Sea Snake is waiting."
Yes, yes; she supposed it was high time to board the ship.
Off to their bloody war, then.
(.0.0.0.)
Alicent flopped down onto her bed with a heartfelt sigh and gazed at the ceiling.
She had made her choice. Against all odds. The deed was done, the die cast.
Now she would have to live with it...whatever came her way.
(.0.0.0.)
Lord Corlys noticed her new armor.
Rhaenyra knew he did; if only because the Seasnake went terribly still the moment he laid eye upon her. Poor Lord Corlys looked like he was one step short of an anxiety attack. His brother Vaemond looked at her like she'd grown a second head and six arms besides. By contrast, her cousin Rhaenys presented a more subdued reaction. A pale brow arched, mildly amused by the less than subtle statement, yet also concerned. Meanwhile her cousin Laenor, ever uncaring of the higher machinations of court, saw her and dared a happy wave, one she returned in kind.
Not so the adults.
She could practically feel the entire room assessing her, sizing her up, considering her with new eyes, and Naruto at her side.
Needless to say, the silence didn't last very long. Not at all. Her betrothed made certain of that.
"So," he ventured with a chipper smile, "We're headed to Dwarfstone first, then...?"
Rhaenys elbowed her husband, resetting him.
"...erm, yes." The Lord of Driftmark pivoted and swept a hand across the map-strewn table indicating the many myriad markings therein. "At present, we've lost at least fourteen ships, the last three of which bore my banner. The Stepstones have now grown into a conflagration of epic proportions, while we were sitting in dithering about court business."
Rhaenyra lifted her chin to stare at him. "Which we are no longer, cousin."
Vaemond scoffed in the background
Rhaenyra rounded on him. "Is there a problem, ser?"
"You are a child playing at war." he looked her up and down, his disdain evident. "Unworthy of that armor.
"And I suppose you are, oh master of complaints?"
Vaemond bridled, even as Laenor snickered.
Well struck, cousin!
"You like to hear yourself, talk, don't you?" Naruto tilted his head, and Rhaenyra knew he was at his most vicious, because her blond beloved was smiling. It wasn't a nice smile either; all gleaming teeth. The sight of it made her shiver, not at all in a bad way. "Talk, talk, talk. Complain, complain, complain. Do you really enjoy the sound of your own voice that much?"
Vaemond rather reminded her of a bloated puffer-fish in this moment, such did he swell with utter indignation. "You dare mock me, boy?"
Blue eyes fluttered shut and open in a slow, dangerous blink. "You mocked my princess first. I'd say the insult's well earned."
Rhaenyra flushed to the very roots of her hair. Alright, maybe Daemon had rubbed off on Naruto a little bit after all.
.
..
...just a tad.
More than a tad it seemed; because Vaemond ripped his blade free from its sheathe, steel scraping loose with angry rasp as he leveled his blade at the blond's chest. "Mind your tongue!"
Naruto looked to Corlys for a moment, heedless of the sword poking against his torso. "May I?"
At length, the Sea Snake shrugged. "Don't kill him."
Vaemon sputtered "Kill who-
Naruto pivoted back and an invisible fist struck the younger Velaryon dead center in the chest, smashed him against a wall. He hung there for a moment before he slid down it, wide-eyed and choking, gasping for air. He lay there on the floor, wide-eyed and quivering, momentarily paralysed by the sheer shock of what he'd suffered.
Three swift steps carried her betrothed to Vaemond's prone from, where a fourth raised his right foot high. From there he placed his boot atop on Vaemond's chest and held it there, grinding it down against the man's breastplate hard enough to dent the metal with an audible crunch, such that everyone in the room flinched.
Definitely some Daemon in him!
"Nobles like you make me wanna puke," he leaned it, teeth bared in a rare snarl. "Self-righteous, arrogant, thinking only of yourselves and your glories." he applied fresh pressure, drawing a wheeze from his prey. "I could snap you in half with both hands behind my back. Maybe I should. Would you like that? Would that be a glorious death for you?"
Corylys coughed pointedly behind him and almost reluctantly, Naruto withdrew his boot and allowed the wheezing man to breathe.
Rhaenyra didn't swoon; she wasn't that weak. But she was very glad she was wearing armor in the instance.
"Enough." Corlys slammed a fist down on the table before looking back to her. "I don't want compensation, princess. I want blood. We will seize the Stepstones by force and burn out the Crabfeeder and all his men. If, of course, your "betrothed" here proves himself a man of his war.
Vaemond rolled onto his stomach and grumbled sullenly. "Even if it means starting a war with the free cities?
"Even then."
Rhaenyra frowned, momentarily confused. ""These pirates are not the free cities."
"Who do you think provides them with their ships and tender, princess?" Rhaenys rebuked her gently. "In all of its history the seven kingdoms have never started war of the free cities. Were that to happen the losses would be incalculable. No king has ever been able to tame the step stones for long. It is an inhospitable place suited only for savages."
"Then savagery is what we'll give them. What reason does the crab feeder have to fear us?" Corlys glared at her. "None. Now we shall show him. Not by sending sending envoys to Pentos or Volantis to find common cause. No!" his fist thumped down on the table with intent. "Today they learn what terror is! We bring fire and blood! Salt and sea!"
"Speaking of which," Rhaenys refocused upon her, "Has Syrax seen battle?
Rhaenrya bridled, unaccustomed to such direct attention. "She knows how to hunt; she is not inexperienced."
Just young, then," the older woman tutted. "Much like the two of you."
Naruto flounced into a chair. "Is this going somewhere?"
She agreed. "Get to the point, please, cousin."
"The point, my dear, is that you are not accustomed to combat. I am." The words drew a flinch from her. "You would do well to heed my advice. It may be all that keeps you alive in the war to come. We have three dragons, any army some five thousand strong, but it wll all come to naught if we do not have a proper plan.
Anger stirred with her.
She huffed, swallowed her pride, and sat down.
...she actually had a point.
"What would you have me do?"
Rhaenys blinked, surprised. "There may be hope for you yet.
"What will our plan be, then?" Coryls inquired, reclaiming her attention. "Dragons or no, proud men don't like having to look up."
Naruto smirked. "Just as well, then. They'll never see me coming.
(.0.0.0.)
When his loved ones were away, the vultures came to play.
Viserys knew they would; if only because they must; now that Rhaenyra and Naruto were out of view-even with the latter's doppelgangers discreetly lurking about in the shadows, this was the opposition's one and only chance to try and turn the tables, and with it, his declaration of marriage.
Even so it came as something of a surprise when lord Jason Lannister arrived in King's Landing and requested to meet with him, alone, before the Iron Throne.
Tyland's twin, as he recalled; he had considered nominating the former to his small council. He admittedly knew little about Jason himself, being more partial to his practical sibling.
A shame. He needed to know more of the lords and ladies of his court, lest he be caught unawares
"Your grace," Jason bowed low before him, briefly reclaiming his attention. "What I offer you and the crown is strength."
Strength? The man was up to something. He knew not what, but he liked it not. Best to sound him out and see what it was, then. He took a long breath to master himself and leaned back upon the Iron Throne. For once, it didn't cut him as he spoke. "Do you think that house Targaryen wants for strength?"
The Lor Lannister beamed. "If someone offered you more dragons, would you not take them?"
"Do you have dragons to offer?"
The man clammed up.
"I thought not."
"My house is a splendid seat," to his credit, the lord managed to rally. "Rhaenyra may take her place there by my side, without shame, and feel herself compensated for her loss in station."
His very blood blazed like fire. So that was his aim. "What loss of station?"
Jason blanched, perhaps finally realizing far too late the dangerous territory upon which he now trod. "W-Well, despite his illness, Daemon remains your heir, your grace. I had assumed, many of us had assumed, that you would not wed your eldest daughter to some peasant-
Viserys rose from the throne. "Many of us, you say? Have your Bannermen questioned my choice?"
Lord Jason sputtered. "Of course, not, your grace-
A grow threaded through his voice. "It is your sworn duty to report rebellion staring in my kingdom."
"Rebellion?!" Tyland's twin paled. "There's nothing of the sort, your grace-
"And yet what is this treason I hear?!" he let his voice crescendo into a shout. "I did not decide to betroth them on a whim! All the lords of the kingdom would do well to remember that. Now begone!"
The man scampered like the cowardly lion he was.
Otto approached the Throne soon thereafter.
Once upon a time, he considered this man a good an loyal friend. Now he was wary of him, more wary than ever before.
'My dear friend-no, friend no longer. You tried to take Aemma from me. Have you truly sunk so low?'
Yet he had to play the part and act as if nothing had changed. How it burned! The next words even more so.
"Lord Jason would be a fair match for Rhaenyra...
And so he chuckled softly, hollowly, the noise low and deep in his throat. "The girl is a headless contrarian. If I instead forbid her to marry someone, she would've run off with them out of spite. I am powerless over my own daughter of seven and ten. I pray that she finds happiness with this boy of hers, I truly do."
Otto rasped a wry laugh of his own, blissfully unaware of how close he was to death. "King Jahaerys ruled over half a century of peace, while his children drove him to the edge of madness. His daughters, in particular, it is tradition, your grace. The boy may not be of Valyrian descent, but there can be no questioning his strength and skill, I dare say he might be one of the strongest knights in the seven kingdoms.
"But only a knight."
Otto shook his head. "His is not fit to be a lord. He hasn't the bearing, the training.
"And is that why you do not approve?
"Strength, stability, sterness, your grace." came the counter. "He only has one of those three. He is not fit. What do you make of Lord Jason's proposal?"
he rolled his eyes. "That man's pride has pride."
Otto laid a hand on his shoulder and tried to change the subject. "You're not only her father, you're the king. She'll do as you command."
He resisted the urge to sink into the Iron Throne, knowing it would cut him if he did so. "It is not my wish to command her, Otto. I want her to be happy."
His Hand heaved a sigh. "...There is another choice beyond Casterly Rock...
"Well, speak then!"
...one perhaps, you might be more comfortable with, given the state of your legacy...one closer to home."
A sliver brow rose. "Who do you have in mind?
Otto did not hesitate in the least. "My daughter, Alicent."
Viserys nearly burst out laughing then and there; it was only a supreme effort of will that kept him in check. Otto did not know. But then again, how could he? Rhaenyra was a clever girl; she'd kept her plots and plans all too close to her chest, sharing them with no one outside the family. No true Targaryen would betray her. And so, the Hightowers revealed their hand. He almost found it funny.
Almost. Then came the anger.
Blackfyre ran Otto through the gut and the traitorous Hand fell with a gasp, gripping his guts in the dark. He raised his head to say something and he struck it from his shoulders.
"Your Grace?"
Viserys opened his eyes and snapped back to reality, annoyed to find the man still whole and awaiting a response.
"...I am already wed."
"You are," Otto allowed patiently, "yet you have no sons. The succession is imperiled."
"Daemon-
"Would be a second Maegor we all know this." Hightower talked over him, and he narrowly resisted the urge to plant a blade in his belly. "He cannot be your heir; the people will not accept him. Alicent is young and she is fertile; she would bear you many sons-
"I'm more than twice her age!"
"Yes, but it would cease the endless proposals for Rhaenyra's hand. With the succession, well in hand, she could be happy with that if she wished-
Laughter leaped out of him he could no longer help himself. "I came here to drink and chase off a lion not to be suffocated by more politicking!"
Otto's face closed down. "Let us speak no more of it for now."
For now, he said.
Which meant he wasn't giving up.
Ohhhh, the man was going to be wroth once he found out Rhaenyra's plan.
But that would be another battle for another time, another day, another year, not now.
Viserys raised a flagon of whine to his lips and drank deeply to hide his laughter. "Be well, daughter."
(.0.0.0.)
"...?"
Vhagar lifted her head as a massive shadow fell over her.
Shaking her long neck, the old wyrm felt the sand slough off her weathered hide.
The shadow kept moving, paying her no mind; indeed, it didn't even seem to notice her...
That wouldn't do. No one ignored her without consequences.
She lowed once, spread her wings, and gave chase.
(.0.0.0.)
The Stepstones were on fire.
Rhaenyra had seen them briefly before the battle had begun; little gray, blobs of stone and sand bu. But these were just the first few islands, and the slavers and marauders and pirates, were quite unaware of them for now no doubt they would notice their sails in time.
.
..
...or they would have, before Naruto sprung his trap.
Perhaps that wasn't a word. He had not baited the Crab, but stomped on it outright.
It was like watching an inferno come to life. Rhaenyra watched from dragonback and saw it all.
Naruto was horrifying; he flitted across the battlefield with ease; she could see him ripping through slavers and pirates by the dozens, no hundreds. He didn't even need the bloody army, didn't need the dragons, any of it. This was only the first of many islands, and already he was making inroads toward the center, slashing and slaying as he went.
And that was ignoring the blazing beast he'd summoned! What was that creature?! No, she already knew:
It was, in a word...a massacre. Fire and blood made flesh.
Unbidden, she recalled Father's words to her shortly before she'd departed:
"Listen well, Rhaenyra. It is true that as rulers, we must marry for advantage, to better strengthen our line. You've always understood this. I myself was promised to your mother when I was ten and seven years of age and you know why I love her. She made a man of me.
I do not seek to replace you, child. You've been much alone until that boy washed up upon our shores, alone and angry. I will not live forever I wish to see you contented, happy even. The two of you must marry, and soon, strengthen your own claim. Shore up your succession. Multiply. And if your children are even half as strong their father...well.
That is why I am pleased that you have made a match for yourself, do you understand? You searched him out. You found one that pleases you as I did and you claimed him, as a dragon does. I did waiver at one time. That much is true. But I swear to you now on the lives of your mother and sister, you will not be supplanted, nor will your betrothal be annulled. You may find the years to come something of an uphill battle but-
"I've been fighting those since the moment I was born."
How he had chuckled ruefully for reasons she didn't understand! "So you have. And so you will. Even so, will you choose this path?"
Back then, she'd given her answer, but only here and now did she truly understand the meaning of her father's words.
She was marrying someone who might well be a god. People feared gods.
The very world of Westeros might turn against them.
And yet their children would inherit the very stars.
The thought left her feeling warm in the saddle.
Syrax trilled beneath her, eager for battle
Rhaenyra dove with a whoop.
"Dracarys!"
A/N: More of the battle next chapter~!
LAST chance to influence the pairing! I have two drafts planned out, and I'm curious to know which everyone would like to see.
Just wanted to say, I appreciate you all! More feedback means faster updates! It's especially important, in these, trying times, with the main site notifications down. Every word counts and i appreciate you all! All these reviews really keep me inspired! Looking forward to hearing from you~!
Update next Sunday or EARLIER, time and health permitting.
Weeeell? What did you think? Would you like weekly updates? Yay or nay? Really need to hear from you, here.
As stated, this has a high chance of being upgraded to M later down the line, but I need to know if folks want to see that.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas…
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the Previews!
As ever:
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read at your own risk!
As ever, these are from the far flung future...or are they~?!
Previews are mostly the same, wouldn't want to spoil things now.
(Previews!)
The campaign marched ever onward.
"Lord commander."
Ser Harold Westerling was a surprisingly noble man, defending his comrades despite the stain on their honor. "Cole is a good lad, he just needs to get his head screwed on straight."
Naruto clicked his tongue. "Think he needs more than that...
"Is the safety and security of the realm not worth one life?"
"You'll never stop at one!" he righted himself with a grunt, turned his head, and spat out a bloody tooth. "I'll take you all on!"
Otto's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "This...complicates matters."
"You think this hurts? Compared to what I went through, being forced to watch you hurt innocent people, and even my own blood! This is NOTHING! Well? How does it feel? To be utterly hopeless and not being able to do a damn thing about it? Fools! How do you think they felt when you ganged up on them in the rain and they had no way out? Well now it's your turn. I hope you enjoy it. Do you feel defenseless? Scared? Good, now you know how they felt before you killed them!
"If you do this you will make enemies. There will be nowhere left for you to run!
"Run?" he tilted his head to look back at them. "Who's running?" Blue eyes bled into red, snapping into furious scarlet slits. "Where?" Golden radiance flashed around him. "And why?!"
The world burst into light.
Visenya whooped, leaned back in the saddle, and flung up her arms. "Dracarys~!"
Her dragon answered in a rush of fire. The girl grinned.
Riding on dragonback was the best!
Pressing the hilt of the spear down on the back of his head, the attacker sneered at him, "Kneel..."
With a swipe of his hand, he knocked the spear of, and taking a trick from his nephew-in-law leapt up and struck out with a round house, "Not today!" Oh that felt good! And then, shock settled in, and turned to rage, "YOU!"
Naruto crashed into the wall a second later, ripping the blade out with his left hand while smashing his fist into the man's face, "That's for Daemon!" he roared as he spun around and slammed the hilt of his blade into the mans face-ripping the wall of the castle apart.
"Faster, papa! Faster!"
His daughter bounced on his back, grinning from ear to ear as she tugged at his hair.
Naruto smiled despite himself. "Feisty as your mother, I swear..."
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed! Have a great day!
Warm regards,
~Nz.
R ~!