A/N: Folks are still going feral over the finale. But here we are! Hopefully I can manage another early update...
...if that is your wish?
Do let me know!
In any case, life has kept me away, but I have returned, spurred on by all your feedback. Reviews keeps me writing, looking forward to chatting with you all~! If by some miracle this chapter gets a ton of feedback-unlikely, but possible, given its well past 1,200 already-I'll do my best to update early, possibly even weekly as I am with other stories. Until then, I'll be updating other things.
No questions this time, we've got a lot of ground to cover! I wanted this to feel like a proper Game of Thrones episode! Hopefully I succeeded~!
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough, methinks. Enough of this old man's rambling; you're here for a story. Hope you're prepared for the chaos to come. Once more, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. Nope. They're simply tributes to legends far greater than I.
Lastly, a reminder to one and all. Naruto's Westerosi name remains Nathaniel.
Joanna prefers to call him Naruto, yet she's the only one who truly does.
Timeline is still a little skewed here, but hey, that makes things...fun.
References and verbatim from Game of Thrones below:
"It was a sound scheme, Aerys. I'll give you that.
But unfortunately, old friend, you made...
...one...fatal...MISTAKE.
~Tywin.
Homecoming
Naruto prepared to leave Winterfell with all due haste.
Most nobles would've dragged their feet well into the next day and then some, demanding a hunt or perhaps a feast before departure. Most nobles nobles would have bragged and swaggered about hatching a dragon, such as not had been seen in over a century. Most nobles would've exacted heavy obeisance and tribute -or worse- from the smallfolk in the surrounding area once they did set out, likewise taking their sweet time returning to the safety of their stronghold.
Most nobles would've been dead by nightfall, caught by the king's men.
Thankfully, neither "Nathaniel" nor Lyanna cared overmuch for pomp and circumstance.
Life had beaten it out of them. They were quick and efficient, downright expeditious in their eagerness to depart,
Even now in his lunacy, Aerys had eyes and ears everywhere; he knew it would only take a single servant catching sight of Kurama to unleash chaos. This far from Casterly Rock, they had few allies save the Starks, and possible betrothal or no, he couldn't reasonably expect Lord Rickard to face the king's wrath for his sake. If found to be lying he would face capture and torture, Wildfire at the very least. Death would be a mercy and the Mad King was not known for such.
No, the sensible option was to flee the coming storm before it could gather.
Loose lips sank ships to be sure, but his was ironclad.
He saw to that personally.
A surly Kurama was stuffed into a small box filled with hay -the former having multiple holes poked into it to allow him to breathe- and said box was subsequently stowed in his pack for safekeeping. Then they were off, gathering only what food and supplies their horses could afford to comfortably carry.
Theirs was hardly a grand or glorious departure befitting a lord and lady; rather than pompous fanfare and the assemblage of the castle household, here they were instead, skulking about in the early hours just before dawn. So early that not even the servants themselves dared to rise.
Nor did they flinch at disguising themselves. That, at least, proved easier than packing. Well, for some of them, at least.
Lyanna was all too happy to don a worn suit of armor and hide her appearance from prying eyes. Lady of Winterfell though she may be, she was a warrior through and through. Nymeria simply changed her face -he had no way of knowing just how many of those she'd taken from the House of Black and White- and she was set.
Naruto had a tougher time of it; unwilling to unveil his "talents" here in Winterfell, he found himself forced to rely on more mundane means; ditching his finery in favor of simple peasant attire, run mud through his golden hair to temporarily darken it, and likewise dirty his face.
Alas, there could be no concealing the Hound however; even without his signature helmet stowed away, the man was simply too large. In the end they threw a hood over his head and called it a day.
No one must know that Nathaniel Lannister and Lyanna Stark were fleeing to Casterly Rock, least of all why. Doubtless they would learn in time, but for now, secrecy was paramount.
Although...
"You don't have to come with me, you know." He said to Lyanna.
"Yes, I do." The wild wolf of Winterfell briefly lifted the visor of her helm to squint at him as she helped him settle the last saddlebag. "Who will keep you out of trouble if not me?"
He scoffed at her, incredulous. "You started half the fights we got in!"
She huffed indignantly, refusing to admit her fault. "Did I, now...?"
A blond brow rose. "Remember that brawl with the bear?"
"Nonsense! That was all you."
"You're the one that-
She looked away with a sniffle and he caught a glimmer of moisture in her eyes before she dashed it against the back of her knuckles.
Silly girl, masking her feelings behind that tomboyish facade.
They had to go and quickly, but Lyanna was keen on coming with him. Visit she said, just for a little while. He knew she didn't want to let him out of her sight.
"Fine. Clearly, I must be mistaken," he sketched a snarky bow and lilted his voice to match. "Forgive me, my lady. I was a fool to ever doubt thee."
It did the trick; she looked back to him with a watery smile. "We will allow it. You can make it up to us tomorrow."
He rolled with it. "Extracting favors from me already, are we?"
The Hound snorted in the background. "Sassy lass."
"Strong, too!" Lyanna shook an armored fist his way. "I'll knock you on your arse one of these days Clegane! Mark my words!"
Sandor rumbled a rusty laugh, bemused by her spirit. "You're not half bad, for a Stark...
Naruto finished filling his canteen and glanced about. "Where's Nymeria?"
Just like that his smile died an ugly death. "Getting ready."
Naruto felt his brow furrow. "Ready for what?"
Sandor didn't say.
Strange...
"Hurry up!" Kurama chirped angrily from the many-holed crate they'd tucked him in. "I'm freezing my scales off out here!"
Lyannna giggled and despite the direness of their situation, Naruto very nearly snickered himslef. Mustn't laugh at his plight...!
To most, Kurama was just a very chirpy baby dragon. Sandor certainly thought so.
"Noisy thing...oi." He opened the crate and thrust a hand in to keep Kurama from poking his head out. "Keep it down in there you before you give us awaaaaaaargh!" He withdrew his hand thrice as fast with a hiss of pain and slammed the lid shut to rub at his wrist. "Little bastard bit me!"
Kurama hissed out a laugh in his crate. "Serves you right!"
Clegane couldn't understand him but he knew mockery when he heard it. "Think you're funny do you?!"
Lyanna tutted. "Be nice, Sandor. He doesn't know any better."
Kurama most assuredly did but he wasn't about to say so.
"Lannister."
Crisp footstpes drew his ear and he turned to see Lord Rickard trudging his way.
Oh, dear. He didn't look happy.
Had he changed his mind about this whole affair?
Imagine his surprise then, when the man seized him in a crushing embrace.
"My people have set up waystations throughout the North." he informed them. "They're manned by men I trust. You'll find fresh horses and provisions there. Ride hard, ride fast, and stop for no one."
Naruto tried to pull away, only for Lyanna's father to cling to him.
"Keep my daughter safe." He growled the words into his ear, low and deep with warning. "Treat her well, or I'll tear Casterly Rock down on your head."
Lyanna yelped, gone red in the face. "Father, no!"
"Father, yes." Rickard released him with a grunt. "Just making sure the boy knows what's at stake."
She promptly thumped him over the head for it. "Trying to scare him, more like! Stop that!"
Lord Stark took the blow with good grace. "I know not what you mean...
Like father like daughter. It almost made him smile. And here he thought she got her stubborn disposition from her mother. Apparently not. He knew precious little of Lyarra Stark, her mother, but he didn't recall her being anything like this. Warmed his heart, it did.
And so he bowed his head instead. "I'll keep her safe. A Lannister pays his debts."
"Debts?" The Lord of Winterfell balked a little at that. "What debts? You owe me nothing save Lyanna's safety."
"I disagree." He shook his head. "You kept me safe here all these years when you could've just as easily turned me over to the king. I won't forget that." Reaching out, he offered the man his hand in friendship. "I wish you good fortune in the war to come."
Lord Rickard blanched but a little, bless his stout heart, and gripped his wrist in return. "Do you truly think it will come to that?"
With complete and utter certainty. The Lannisters had taken every step to safeguard against it, but Aerys was bound to overreach sooner rather than later.
Thank the gods for Starks and their honor. Any other major house, Tyrell, Tully, Greyjoy, Aryn or the Freys-even the Martells despite their good relations-couldn't be trusted with something like this. Most would've happily sold him up the river to gain favor with the Mad King. Once upon a time he was sure the Lannisters would have done the same to the Starks, given half a chance.
Revenge made for strange bedfellows indeed.
That said, Lord Rickard Stark had proven himself a good and honorable man. Likewise, both Brandon and Ned were good boys. He hoped nothing happened to them.
In the end, he settled for a small, sad smile. "I wouldn't go south anytime soon. Now, then!" Whirling, he tucked his cloak around him and glanced toward the rapidly brightening horizon. "Where in blazes is Nymeria? We need to go!"
"A girl is here!" said Blackfyre girl practically appeared at his elbow, startling him. "A girl was busy!"
She looked far too smug for his liking. "What were you up to?"
"Hunting for direwolves." she chirruped happily.
"And?" he asked. "Did you find any?"
She shrugged. "Wolves will come to Winterfell again."
"Don't pull that prophecy shit. You're not the Red Woman."
The little Blackfyre managed to look offended, despite her disguise. "A girl has never claimed to be. She has simply set events into motion."
"Care to elaborate?"
Silence was her answer; she hummed once, hefted her pack, and slung herself onto her horse. Was it his imagination or did that pack move just now? No, no, enough delays and deliberations, time to leave. Onto their horses they went, just the four of them, ready for their journey. Lord Rickard bid them a brisk farewell, opened the gates himself, and saw them off.
A long ride followed; they kept their hoods up -or helmet on in Lyanna's case- and rode hard throughout the day, unceasingly.
When a band of brigands set upon them, they rode right through them, swords swinging.
When they passed peasants on the rode with a broken cart, they did not stop.
When wolves howled in the gloom, they rode harder.
Anything could've been one of Aerys' traps or tricks, and they dare not take even the slightest risk.
They rode and rode and rode until their horses nearly dropped dead, but they reached the first way-station before dusk; by then the sun was nearly set. Naruto didn't fail to notice Nymeria fiddling with her pack as the rest of them made camp, but he was too tired to care. He kept the box holding Kurama close, all to aware of his friend's vulnerability, and fed him scraps of meat to keep him warm. The four of them turned in for the night with only a dim fire to keep them company.
Dawn came, and with it, they rode again.
On and on they went, south and west, barely speaking a word to one another until finally, what felt like an eternity later...
After a terribly long journey fraught with peril...
He spied Casterly Rock in the distance.
(.0.0.0.)
"Riders at the gate!"
Tywin heard the distant shout and closed the ledger he'd been considering.
A rare flicker of grim excitement stirred in his chest. He carefully quashed it, stowed his letters, and rose from his desk.
He knew this mustn't register on an emotional level; Nathaniel's abrupt return meant a great many things, but there was an order to be upheld and he would not ruin it by rushing down the stairs, tripping and breaking his neck at the worst possible moment. Already he could hear the commotion in the Rock; servants bustling hither and yon like headless chickens as they made ready for a feast.
That, he would allow. Nathaniel was family, and returning with a great prize at that.
Not just the Stark girl, but if his letter was to be believed...a dragon.
An honest-to-goodness dragon; and wouldn't that change things?
In his heart of hearts, the old lion allowed himself a rare moment of weakness as he stalked through the halls. With Jaime trapped in King's Landing, Tyrion was still somewhat...difficult to connect with despite his utmost efforts, and Cersei had become obsessed with the art of the sword, much to his eternal chagrin. Nathaniel had always been the one to hang off his every word, absorbing every lesson taught like a veritable sponge. He was the centerpiece of his plans, his family, but more than that...
It would be good to see him again.
He had missed the boy. It had been...years. He must be a young man by now.
A nearby door opened ahead of him and Joanna bustled out in a golden dress, shining like the sun.
Less so little Tyrion, holding his mother's hand. The boy saw him and studiously averted his eyes. ...hello, father."
Tyrion grew taller ever year. Perhaps he would not be entirely a dwarf after all.
And yet...his birth had nearly ripped Joanna away from him...
Tywin grunted, unable to muster a proper response.
For once, Tyrion didn't sass him.
Good.
"There you are!" Joanna saw him, took ahold of his arm with her free hand, and bustled the both of them along. "Come, husband, Cersei's already waiting at the gate. Let us welcome our son home."
His wife never failed to draw a smile from him, however slight. "I suppose we should."
It would be a feast fit for a Lion.
(.0.0.0.)
"Riders approaching!"
Lord Rickard heard the distant shout and looked up from his letters. He prayed that the gods were good; that Lyanna had successfully escaped to the Westerlands with Lannister. He prayed for the safety of his boys, so far from home. He prayed that cooler heads would prevail; that war would not come to pass.
The door to his inner sanctum burst open in a rush, revealing the maester.
One look at he man's face told him all he needed to know.
Even so, he had to ask. "What colors do they bear?"
"Riders, my lord. They bear Targaryen colors!"
Aerys? Already? Surely not...unless...
.
..
...
Did he truly have eyes and ears everywhere?
Rickard Stark exhaled heavily. He had prepared himself this. So be it.
He grabbed Ice, ancestral sword of his house, slung it over his shoulder, and stalked down the stairs. Each step brought him closer to his doom. He expected to find Aerys waiting for him in the yard, Kingsguard at the ready to take his head. If that was to be his fate for upholding the dignity and honor of guest right, then so be it. Should this come to a fight he would not go quietly. Brandon was safe in the Riverlands, Ned in the Vale, and Lyanna could not be reached in the Westerlands. His death here would change nothing; one of his children would inherit Winterfell.
And if he perished here, he could finally see his beloved Lyarra again. How he missed his wife...
Rickard Star walked into that courtyard, prepared to meet his end.
Instead, he found himself face to face with the crown prince himself, Rhaegar Targaryen.
Of the Kingsguard, he saw only one, Ser Barristan Selmy, and a few of the household guard besides. Curious...
"Lord Stark." the young prince had an affable air about him, yet he found himself tensing in his presence all the same as he dismounted his horse and removed his helmet. "Well met! I trust you've been well?"
Rickard bowed his head as was customary, mind inwardly racing as said prince approached. "My prince. Forgive me, we did not expect your arrival."
"Understandable." the prince laughed. "My presence here is a rather well kept secret, isn't that right, Barristan?"
His guard hummed once noncomittaly. "I still think this is rather reckless, your grace, even for you."
"Nonsense!" Rhaegar beamed, undaunted. "The greatest risk brings the greatest reward! Still smiling, he rounded on Rickard, "I came to pay call upon your daughter, the Lady Lyanna." he looked past him, to Winterfell, this eager dragon, wholly ignorant of his own peril. "Might she be within?"
His throat closed and words became a struggle. "She is not here, my Prince."
Rhaegar seemed somewhat crestfallen at that. "A pity. May I inquire as to her whereabouts?"
It galled him to lie, but lie he must, for the truth would see his dear daughter entangled in something far more insidious. "I cannot say for certain. She keeps her own hours and goes where she will. She may return in an hour, or a day, for all I know."
"I see."The prince seemed genuinely crestfallen. "Another time then. Although," he paused, seemed to consider something, chewed on the words for a moment more, before sighing. "Tell me, lord Stark, are you at all familiar with the Song of Ice and Fire?"
Lord Rickard blinked, somewhat taken aback. "I...cannot say that I am, my prince.
"Then please, give you daughter this when next you see her." he withdrew a small scroll sealed in wax and offered it to him. "The very fate of Westeros itself may depend upon it." Tossing his head, he flicked a stray stand of pale hair behind his ear. "I shall be resting at a nearby inn should you wish to pay call upon me. I will remain here for three days. Should you find your daughter before then, please, send her to me."
"Yes, of course...
Rickard paid his courtesies but they were numb and distant; perfectly polite, giving nothing away, until the prince finally deigned to depart. He watched him go with something akin to relief. Rhaegar may well be better a man than his sire. But he might not. Aerys was sane once. Who was to say the son would not follow the father into madness?
Chin lifted and back straight he watched the crown and his host ride away into the distance. He counted the moments of their passing, one by one.
Only once he was certain he'd gone did he dare react. His gloved fist thumped against the wall. "Blast it all...
Lyanna would have to hide in the Westerlands awhile longer.
He would never, EVER give his daughter to the dragon.
His fate didn't matter; he would sooner die in fire.
Lyanna must live...!
A/N: Have to cut things here, I've run out of time for the day and work beckons. I'm sorry.
Next chapter has the true reunion you've all been clamoring for.
Hopefully you enjoyed this as much as I did writing it.
Well, should this remain a story? Would you like weekly updates? I've got five slots left. Or should it remain monthly? By all means, speak up.
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; and basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
So...in the immortal words of Atlas...
...Review...Would Ya Kindly? And of course, Enjoy the previews. Potential ones...
Previews are -mostly!- the same this time. Didn't want to spoil the upcoming chapters.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SPOILERS LAY AHEAD!
YE BE WARNED~!
(PREVIEWS)
Naruto felt his jaw click open.
Cersei?!
It had been years, he knew this, and yet even so he scarcely recognized the gorgeous young woman before him.
She was on him a moment later, gliding forward, all but flinging herself at him in her haste to embrace him.
"Ahem."
His sister pulled away, and turned a sharp smile on Lyanna. "And you must be Lyanna Stark."
Oh, dear...
Tyrion gasped in delight! A dragon!
So many vows. They make you swear and swear. Defend the King, obey the King, obey your father, protect the innocent, defend the weak. But what if your father despises the King? What if the King massacres the innocent? It's too much. No matter what you do, you're forsaking one vow or another...
Lyanna tutted softly. "You foolish lion."
"This from the wolf who thumped three squires?" She thumped him over the head and he laughed. "Ow, ow! Hit me all you like, I regret nothing!"
Joanna sighed. "My dear, sweet boy. What did you do...?"
He laughed and fell into a chair. "What was necessary. You should've seen the look on his face, mum...
Rhaella hiccuped once, hand before her face to cover her mouth eyes shimmering with tears. "It really IS you...isn't it?"
he knelt, took her hand in his, and kissed it.
"I am, as always, your loyal servant."
Bloody tourneys. He hated them. Still, this was a sight better than jousting. He'd take what he could get in the melee.
Prince Rhaegar was...not as he expected. At least he seemed saner than his father. For now.
"May you fight well." the prince settled into a stance.
...same to you."
"Seven hells!" Robert guffawed. "How are you still standing after a blow like that! You must have a skull like iron!"
Naruto reeled on his feet. "Something like that...
"Gods, this calls for a feast!" He slung an arm around his shoulders. "To our new friendship! Don't sulk over there, Ned! You're coming too!"
He could feel HER staring holes in him as they japed.
Rober elbowed him, winking as he did. "The she-wolf's looking at you again, lad. Give 'er a kiss."
Naruto thumped him over the head. "You kiss her!"
"Me?! The Baratheon only laughed harder. "Not a chance! I'll not come between a wolf and her prey. Besides, I've got my eye on another...
...enter."
She was waiting by the bed, clad in nothing but a sheer silk gown.
EDIT: Hey, you made it! I do hope this chapter lived up to your expectations. By all means, feel free to let me know what you think!
Looking forward to reading your feedback/chatting with you when I get back from work!
Hope you have a great day!
R ! =D