A/N: …I'm alive, somehow. Looking forward to your feedback! Every bit really helps lift my spirits and inspire me in these crazy times...
Apologies for the delays, depression is strong these days, and this chapter NEEDED to be perfect.
Once again, sorry for my current mental state. My mood is high, then low, then high again. Its affecting my...well, everything. Its in my head, trying to tear me down...making things difficult...
Update schedule got a bit messed up as a result, but i'm trying to get it back on track while preparing updates for Kill the Boy, Long May He Reign, Just a Shinobi, Practice Makes Perfect and Shed no Grace on me. Those are just the ones I have in the works at the moment, many more are coming, but they're not where I want them to be just yet. In other news, Advent is working on Dance of the Dread and Rise of the Red Queen, while Slifer is preparing the next chapter for Father of Monsters.
Many thanks once again to newboy (a reviewer) for offering up a font of idea to use in the reviews. They all sound wonderful, and I'll be sure to use them! You rock!
I really, truly, want each chapter of this story to feel like an actual House of the Dragon episode on all fronts. Hopefully I succeeded.
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 determine the update speed of this story. Simple as that. In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
Here we go. This chapter goes right for the feels. Away we go~!
For clarification, we know the name of Hugh's wife in the show but his daughter went unnamed. I searched high and low. But there was no name to find.
We all know what happened to the little lass thanks to Aemond sealing the city.
So a man gave her a name; you know and recognize it well.
We're getting REAL close to that timeskip.
Warhammer references as well!
"We're not just our failures. As much as they hurt, we learn from them. Then we go out there and do our best to make up for them-even though we never will.
We save people. We help people. As many as we can to make up for those we couldn't.
That's what we do. What I do. And I wouldn't change it for the world."
~a legend.
Raise an Army
The arrival of Hugh and Ulf was met with no fanfare.
No applause, no feasting, no revels.
Nothing at all.
Indeed, Naruto didn't truly realize the Targaryen bastards were present in the Red Keep at first. Granted, he'd known Daemon and the King had gone to collect them, but he hadn't expected to encounter them just yet. Thus, when the King summoned him from the training yard to his chambers directly; even then he assumed it was for more wedding preparations or somesuch. More fittings, more words of advice, that sort of thing, all to prepare him for what was to come. Besides, his mind was decidedly elsewhere at the moment.
Even now he was still reeling from it all as he stumbled through the halls: Marriage. Pregnancy. Family.
By the sage, he was gonna be a Father.
Mum and dad would be so proud.
It still didn't feel real, not here, not now, not yet. Sure, he'd always wanted to get married and start a family, but that had been in his world. He understood his world. He liked his world. The Elemental Nations weren't the best place to live, sure, but at least they made sense! Back home, if someone like Otto Hightower ticked him off, he'd just punch 'em, ya know? Fight 'em, befriend 'em, let bygones be bygones, that sorta thing. And if that failed, well, there was always the 'ol bijudama to send someone packing if they were truly irredeemable. Folks respected strength.
Westeros was an entirely different beast.
He'd learned that long ago, but only now was he truly beginning to understand it. You couldn't go and slug someone here; because apparently that sorta thing was frowned upon. Everywhere he looked there were schemes within schemes, backstabbing, backbiting and betrayal in this seemingly endless game of thrones.
Honestly, the spiky chair didn't look all that comfortable. He couldn't fathom why everyone wanted to plant their keister on it. More power to them, he supposed.
A few years ago, if someone had told him he'd be marrying a princess, he would've laughed his head off.
Him? Royalty? No thanks! He liked Rhaenyra because was blunt and clever, defiant and energetic.
They were just good friends, right? Yup. Definitely.
Then, later, when his feelings on the matter matured and he gradually found himself attracted to Rhaenyra, he hadn't dared to dream she would ever reciprocate those feelings. Who could possibly love him? She was a Targaryen princess who-might-become-queen, and him? He was restless and chaotic, unable to sit still, oftentimes dense as a brick through no fault but his own, wholly unable to understand Westerosi politics. Call him thick, call him a meathead, but there it was.
Romance was...a sore subject for him. The one time he thought he'd loved someone, he'd gone and loused it up, misread the signals, and made an arse of himself.
Sakura had always loved Sasuke and he'd been blind to that for a good long while before realizing the truth.
And he was okay with that! Really, he was! It was an old scar, one that had mostly healed.
So he'd held back. Kept Rhaenyra at a distance, refusing to make a mistake.
And it worked for awhile...until it didn't.
When that night on Dragonstone came -it felt like forever ago now- he thought himself lucky beyond measure. Rhaenyra felt the same; against all odds, he'd managed to catch her eye, and she was actually quite fond of him. Better yet, her parents were delighted by such a match. He'd been content then, believed she was more than enough for him, unworthy as he was. Now she was carrying his unborn child and that brought on a whole host of feelings that he didn't know what to do with.
But somewhere along the way, he'd incidentally garnered Alicent's attention as well.
Rhaenyra had battered and begged then beseeched him to try with her, until he finally gave in.
And the rest, as they say, was history.
What was the old saying? Some old biddy said it once. He couldn't recall.
Love is a hurricane?
Yeah, that about summed it up.
They meshed together well, the three of them.
Kurama chuckled. "Very well indeed."
Heat speared through his cheeks at the thought; just thinking of it made him dizzy sometimes.
"Who knows? In time she'll bear you many children of her own."
Steam. His face was caught in a sauna and red like roses.
'Stop, stop, stop! I'm gonna pass out at this rate!'
Ah, but he digressed. Back to the present, yes, he wasn't at all focused on the Targaryen bastards at the moment. Neither Ulf nor Hugh particularly factored into his plans going forward at the moment. Surely he wouldn't be able to meet them yet, and when he finally did, it would probably be in a controlled setting of some sort with everyone watching him.
Imagine his surprise then, when he entered the room and found a stout man with an impressive beard and his very pregnant wife awaiting him within the king's chambers.
Naruto blinked. He blinked hard.
Right, that had to be Hugh and his wife. No sign of Ulf, which could only mean the man was elsewhere, or more likely, Daemon had dragged him somewhere.
Startled as he was, he briefly considered making a fuss about that, then immediately thought better of it; perhaps it was for the best given the nature of their arrival; if the whole of the Red Keep knew of them beforehand, they'd hardly be a weapon against Otto now, would they?
And his time was coming, make no mistake. The date was set, the decision made, the die cast.
For now it fell to him to deal with these strange newcomers.
The request that Viserys made even stranger still.
"Would you mind taking a look at them?"
"You want me to do what? No, wait," He glanced askance to the right, realizing someone was absent. "Where's Rhaenyra?
"She was here a moment ago." Aemma sounded strangely smug as she sat in a heavily cushioned chair with a curious Visenya nestled in her arms. "Alicent swept her off somewhere."
Right, she'd fainted before when Rhaenyra broke the news, hadn't she? Which meant...
Her and Rhaenyra...alone together...talking her pregnancy and girl things...
Ohhhh...nope, not getting involved in that conversation!
"Daemon's off making Ulf presentable." Viserys rose from his own chair, planted a hand on his shoulder, and answered his unspoken question before he could think to ask it. "That one was in dire need of a bath and a drying out besides. In the meantime, I had thought you might wish to meet our new guests and make certain they're healthy."
Ahhh, he meant the baby. Naruto looked to Hugh and his wife, each of whom knelt quickly his gaze. Wait, why were they doing that?
"Stop that." he bid them rise with a quick gesture and a baffled baffled noise, heedless of the king's amusement. "There's no need to kneel here, not to me." He looked to the pregnant woman next in her golden dress, idly noting her tanned skin and dark hair, the anxiety flashing across her face. Someone must've given her that dress to wear. She didn't seemed used to it at all. "And you are?"
The pregnant woman offered a clumsy curtsy as best her belly would allow. "Kat, your grace."
Naruto sputtered. "Your-what-now?!"
Hugh shrugged a broad shoulder. "You're the king of the Narrow Sea. Its in the name."
The noise Naruto made might've been a close cousin to a whine. "I ain't a king!"
The bastard blinked. "Then why do they call you King of the Narrow Sea?"
He flung up his arms in aggravations. "I literally gave up that crown!"
Hugh met his stare evenly, darn him. "A warrior is a warrior even without his sword, and a king is still a king, crown or no."
"Heh. I like this one, He's honest."
Of course Kurama would...
Heedl ss of the byplay, Viserys chuckled and clapped him on the back, leaning into the subject with relish. "Should I fear for my crown now, son-in-law?"
Naruto made angry Naruto noises and glared at him. "No, you don't! You're not saddling me with this crazy kingdom!"
"Pity." The merry monarch laughed anew. "And here I had thought to renounce my crown and retire to Essos."
"Dont even joke about that, old man!"
"Now, now," Aemma smiled indulgently, running a hand through the pale wisps of Visenya's hair. "They're new to court. Have mercy on them. That said," Still speaking, she looked back to the mother to be. "We cannot go calling you Kat. The Lords and Ladies will have field day with that."
"Kathryn, then?" Viserys suggested. "Its not so different from her actual name."
Aemma perked up. "I rather like that." She smiled and looked down at her youngest daughter. "What say you, dearest?"
Visenya clapped her hands with a happy cry.
"I think she likes it."
Hugh shrugged a broad shoulder. "Sounds like a proper Lady, and it isn't so different from her real name. S'fine with me."
All eyes turned to Naruto, much to his dismay. Why the heck did he have the last say here, oi?! "Sure, I guess?"
Viserys clapped his hands and beamed at Kat. "And there you have it! I hope you don't mind.
The mother-to-be-flushed prettily. "If it pleases Your Grace."
"It does indeed." He granted her a magnanimous smile and looked to Hugh. "Yours, however, is a good name. A strong name. I daresay anyone who gives you trouble will be met with more than harsh words.
The corner of Hugh's mouth twitched, just so. "And a hammer besides, Your Grace.
Viserys scoffed. "Please, call me cousin. We are kin, are we not?"
Hugh nodded stiffly. "Apologies. We're still...adjusting."
"I imagine so."
Bayle stirred where he lay, huffed once, and lay back down, unimpressed.
Hugh looked past him. "Oi, is it safe to have that thing laying about?"
Aemma hummed and stroked the dragonling's head, drawing a pleased trill from the little black beast. "Be assured, he means you no harm."
Kat-now Kathryn, he supposed-still eyed Visenya's dragon warily. "Are you sure?"
"I am." Her smile sharpened. "If he considered you a danger, we would not be having this conversation. So long as you are kind to Visenya, so too will he be to you."
Hugh glanced to Aemma's daughter, as though just now noticing her, and his face softened. "She looks strong, that one. She'll grow up to be a fighter."
Naruto elevated his opinion of the man every so slightly, from one soon-to-be-father to another.
Aemma preened, pleased by his praise. "I'm so glad you agree."
"Now, then," Viserys continued apace, "You may not know it, but Lord Naruto is a renowned healer, and I brought him here for a reason...
Kathryn blinked. "Is he a Maester in disguise?"
"Not quite...
Naruto tilted his head and let them banter on a bit as he made his introductions, mind whirling. If memory served, Hugh was technically first cousin to Viserys and Daemon, while Ulf would be a half-brother to them both. By that very logic, Rhaenyra and baby Visenya had two new uncles. Bloodlines were so confusing.
Shaking his head, he looked back to Rhaenyra's old man and decided to cut the crap. "You want me to look in on the kiddo?" he jerked an elbow Kathryn's way. "Is that why I'm here?"
Viserys nodded, pleased by his deduction. "If you please. I would prefer to avoid another near disaster as Aemma suffered."
His wife squeezed his hand and Naruto felt any lingering annoyance he might've felt melt away.
How could he possibly say no to that?
"Fiiiiiine...
Hugh hovered protectively like the proud papa he was as he drew near. That much, he could understand. Respect, even. Fathers protected their family; their children most of all. When he made to reach for her, however, the bastard grabbed his wrist and his gaze strayed back to his wife.
His expression said it all, his words moreso: "What do you think you're doing?"
"Making sure your child is healthy." Naruto met the man's gaze without fear, unflinching. "Or would you rather she be born with a weakened immune system? Perhaps a fatal birth defect?"
Alright, maybe that last bit of sass was unnecessary. Wherever had his patience gone? He used to have more than this...
Kat sighed, diverting his thoughts. "Let him be, husband. What's the harm?"
Hugh released him with a grunt, albeit warily. "If you hurt her...
He beamed. "Wouldn't dream of it, big guy."
"Do not call me that."
Aha! Weakness detected! "Too late, definitely callin' ya that...
In short order, Aemma helped ease Kathryn around Visery's sculpture of Old Valyria and onto the bed near. The poor woman accepted gratefully and lay down, a sure sign of her exhaustion. Now that he noticed, she really didn't look well. Had she been eating enough...?
Her dark eyes flitted to his, breath hitching a little. "Please, be gentle."
His inner healer took over. "Nothin' simpler."
From there, he laid a hand on her round stomach, closed his eyes, and opened his sixth sense to the world. An erratic array of emotions assailed him at once; with but a frown, he tunneled his focus inward, fixating upon the burgeoning babe in her belly. This was different from Aemma's pregnancy; he'd been rushed and harried at the time with the little one and her mother, too preoccupied with delivery and saving both their lives to really delve deep and comprehend what he was seeing. Now, he had more mastery than he did that day.
Now he eased into the process, seeking a single point of brilliance.
Kat was an easy fix, he mended some malnutrition and gave her a bit of energy -heedless of the gasp she gave- and nipped a few other health problems in the bud.
The baby wasn't hard to find.
'Hello, there~!'
A tether of tentative consciousness touched his, tiny and frail, unable to yet speak. Foreign sensations cascaded through his mind, one after the other. She was warm, she was safe, she was comfortable, but did not wish to leave the warm place. She was afraid of him. She did not know who or what he was.
Waitaminute...she?
A fierce flare or pride sparked in him. Kat was having a girl! He was going to have a niece! He must tell everyone! HE-
Ahem.
Affixing his focus to the present, he returned to the matter at hand, though not without a pleased chuckle.
Heh. Wow. Uncle Naruto. Really has a nice ring to it, ya know.
With a but a thought he eased her fears and went to work.
Kat's kid was relatively healthy for the most part, insomuch as any child could be in Westeros. A few minor defects, weak lungs, he got to fixing those right away. From there, he nipped a propensity for coughing in the bud and worked to strengthen her immune system, making it strong and healthy.
And while he worked, he gave the girl's DNA just a little...nudge.
He was doing her a favor, really. If she took after her mother, the entire court would mock her. But if she held to the genetic code of her father...if she was born looking like a true Targaryen with pale hair and violet eyes, surely she would lead an easier life. Not one entirely free from scorn, no one did, but a better one. He took the strands of Targaryen DNA and gave them another push, weaving them deeper, urging them to manifest over that of the mother's traits.
Was it not his duty, nay, his purpose, to make things easier for such an intrepid soul?
For a moment his vision flashed and he found himself...
...somewhere else.
"Hurry up, slowpoke!"
A young Targaryen girl raced past him in the courtyard ahead of him, wearing the dark leather of a dragonrider. He glimpsed tan skin, deep violet eyes and pale hair the color of snow, her hair almost boyishly short. A wild and reckless grin wreathed her impish face as she slung herself onto a young dragon's back, a beautiful blue beast that distantly resembled Dreamfyre...
The msytery girl plonked herself down into the saddle with a pleased noise, then turned his way to wave; he jolted, surprised that she was somehow able to see him, interact with him.
"Hurry up and get on your dragon already, Uncle!" she tossed her head impatiently, long hair swaying in the wind. "We're going to be late! Igon's about to be born!"
"Slow down, Arya!" His mouth moved of its own accord, refusing to obey him, to his dismay. "Its just a quick flight across the bay to Dragonstone...
She looked past him and her grin grew, voice gaining a decidedly teasing lilt. "Tell that to HIM, silly."
An almighty shadow fell over his back, punctuated by an irritated, impatient hiss of breath.
Her voice sounded terribly far away all of a sudden. "He's been waiting for you."
.
..
...oh.
Something nudged his back and nearly bowled him over.
With all his speed, he whirled to greet it-
Not fast enough; not nearly enough.
Reality snapped back like a rubber band, denying him a glimpse of his steed, leaving him blinking stars from his vision. Kurama groaned something that sounded suspiciously like a curse in his head; whatever had affected him had clearly left him dazed as well.
This was someone important; he wasn't sure how he knew, only that he did.
"Well?" Kat nudged him, anxious. "How's the babe?"
He took his hand from her belly ans stood, still reeling a little. "She's fine." then almost as an afterthought, "It's a girl."
Hugh perked up, even as Kat gasped. "How do you know?!"
"I just do." He wasn't in any mood to explain. "She'll be just fine."
Viserys saw his daze, bless him, and swooped in to change the subject. Did you have a name picked out?"
"For a boy, aye." Kat murmured, dumbfounded. "We were going to name our son Igon-
Naruto twitched in the background and bit his lip to stifle a gasp. Just what was it with him having visions of Targaryens?!
-but a girl?" Hugh ran a hand through his beard. "Never gave much thought to it."
Naruto closed his eyes. "Arya would be a good name."
The name had significance, even as he spoke it aloud. Power. It was both the name of no one and someone, of one who had yet to exist, of another, who would be born more than a hundred years from now. A girl, who in another life, who would one day know the name of every dragon and very much wished she too was born a Targaryen, sword and dragon and all.
Visenya would have a lively childhood friend indeed.
Hugh nodded, pleased by the sound. "Aye, that sounds like a good one. I'll consider it.
Kat scowled at her husband. "We shall discuss that later, husband."
She looked like she might protest further, but when Hugh looked to her, she faltered.
Viserys took the initiative before either of them could think to speek.
"Kneel, if you would."
They did so, or rather, Hugh did, poor Kat was in no state to kneel at the moment so they let her lay abed awhile longer.
Naruto, for his part, found himself forced to play the part of the unfortunate witness once more.
To watch now, as Viserys rose from his chair and laid a hand on Hugh's shoulder.
"From this day until your last day, you are Hugh Targaryen, cousin of Viserys Targaryen, Protector of the realm and the Seven Kingdoms." Rhaenyra's father looked to the awestruck Kat next. "And it is my great pleasure to offically make the acquaintance of your lawfully wedded wife, the lady Kathryn Targaryen."
There it was, the declaration made clear, the words set in stone. There could be no taking them back now. Naruto hoped they were for the best.
"You honor us beyond measure." Hugh surprised the lot of them by bowing his head further still. "Beggin' your pardon, Your Grace-
"Cousin." Viserys corrected him with faux-sterness.
"Cousin." he amended in return. "You've given us so much, and I know I shouldn't ask for more, but once our little one is born...
He hesitated, either unable or unwilling to finish that sentence.
"Ah." Viserys caught on quickly, proving his intellect once more. "You wish for a dragon egg to be laid in your daughter's cradle, do you not?"
Naruto's brow shot straight into his hair. He'd not expected that...
Hugh practically prostrated himself. "I know I've no right to ask one for myself given my upbringing, and I wont." the poor father to be practically stumbled over his words in his haste to get them out the way. "But surely she deserves to be a proper princess, to live the life Kat and I never had."
"I don't see why not." Aemma piped up. "It is tradition after all, and you've just legitimized them."
Viserys stroke his chin and pretended to consider it. "Some may make a fuss."
The queen scoffed in return. "Hang the council and the court. You're the King, not them.
Naruto threw his weight behind her words. "Weren't you the one saying we had a surplus of eggs this year?"
Viserys chuckled. "You always see to the heart of me. Very well. After your daughter's birth, she shall be granted an egg for her cradle." He could see he wanted to grant Hugh one as well, but for once, he held himself in moderation. "You have my word."
"There will be an official proclamation just before the wedding," the king continued. "Make no mistake, this is a dangerous game we've drawn you into. Defeat is not an option.
Hugh adopted a rueful grin. "Then we had best win, cousin."
Aemma chuckled softly. "Rhaenys will like this one.
Naruto blew out a sigh. "I'll just be going, then...
(.0.0.0.)
Ser Criston Cole absolutely despised Lord Naruto Uzumaki.
Perhaps, that wasn't quite right; he also respected Him, envied Him, he wanted to be Him.
Everything that He was, everything that He had accomplished, everything He would ever be, all gained through blind bloody luck.
Seven hells, it wasn't fair.
All that he had, he owed to the Princess. Were it not for her, he would still be a humble hedge knight. By her word he had gained an honor that no other Cole before him had ever known. The Kingsguard! There could be no no higher honor. He would go down in history as one of the most accomplished knights of the realm. He would live out the rest of his days serving the woman he secretly loved, and her children, then her children's children after her. Rhaenyra would never know how he truly felt for her, his feelings would remain unrequited. And for a time, he was content.
Until he came.
He had at least been a knight, but Naruto was nothing; by all accounts a lowborn with not even armor or a sword to his name. He'd paid him little mind at first, thought him merely another victim of the Princess' kindness, one who would be forgotten in time.
How wrong he had been.
Instead he found himself forced to watch as the baffling blond bastard quite literally -in his mind- failed his way upward into greatness. Until he was no longer a pauper. Until he became a knight, then a Lord and now if the rumors were to be believed, he may well become a prince. Possibly even a king.
And there was naught he could do to stop him. He was powerless. How he hated it.
Of what use was his sword arm against a man who could destroy islands? Granted, he hadn't been there to bear witness to the deed himself, but he'd heard the stories, listened to the sailors and Lord Velaryon's men alike. One man telling such a fanciful story in a tavern was an accident, another on the docks a possible coincidence, but a third in the streets of Flea Bottom? Then a fourth? Fifth? Sixth? That was a pattern.
It beggared belief. He was a weapon of mass destruction, death incarnate, and yet he pretended to be human. How it galled him. Something had to be done-no, something must be done.
And as for Cole himself...what was he without the princess? Nothing. No, less than nothing. A warrior trapped in a thankless task, sworn for life. Now he was left adrift, wandering the halls like a ghost. Rheanyra avoided him these days. She was all but lost to him. Naruto did not, and was not, whether out of arrogance of ignorance he knew not but the fact remained.
Cole watched him leave the King's chambers in a rush now and, after a moment, followed him at a measurable distance. If he was at all aware of him, he did little to show it.
He waited until the princess's paramour was alone, practicing in the yard, working himself through another sent of relentless drills. He worked over a pair of straw dummies as though they'd insulted his mother; battering them with vicious blows until they were naught but so much straw and sackcloth at his feet.
A practice blade landed at Cole's feet with an audible clack and belatedly realized he'd been discovered. He looked down at it, then to the young man in question.
Baleful blue eyes blazed back at him as Naruto leveled a hard stare his way. "If you're here to fight, then pick up a sword. I could use the practice."
Cole considered it for a ong moment, then thought better of it...for now. "May we speak?"
Credit where it was due, the blond quickly recognized the trap and made to leave.
"I don't think we have anything to talk about. If you're not gonna spar-
Cole moved to block him and he blew out an annoyed breath.
There it was; a brief spark of blue anger in his eyes. For a moment, just a moment, he felt an awful weight push down against his shoulders, as though some great and terrible beast were glaring back at him from within the blond's gaze. Perhaps that was true. Perhaps not. Either way, he'd come to far to back out now.
And so he stifled a scowl, mastered his fear, and bade himself speak. "I would discuss the Princess with you."
"Rhaenyra?" Naruto scoffed, unamused by the subject. "She can fight her own battles."
A lone muscle jumped in Cole's jaw despite his best efforts.
The soon-to-be-Prince noticed. "Is there a problem?"
Cole growled. "You are unworthy of her."
"I am."
.
..
...of all the words he'd expected to hear, those were not one of them. Cole paused, taken aback. "I beg your pardon, ser?"
Naruto planted a fist on his hip. "You heard me." The casual admission left Cole reeling even more, and the words that followed threatened to floor him altogether. "I don't deserve her. She's a princess and I'm...well...me." A small laugh tumbled past his lips as he indicated himself with a gloved hand. "Frankly, I don't know what she sees in me. I'm a mess. She could've chosen anyone but me and been better off."
His hackles rose at the very insinuation. "Then why follow her?"
"Because I love her." Naruto jabbed back. "And she loves me. For that, I'll follow her to the end of my days.
How those words burned. How they stung. It should've been me! Not this blond braggart of a boy! "You would follow her? Even if it means your death?"
"Cole," The laughter that followed wasn't warm; it was cold, bringing with it an ominous chill. "I've been dead ever since I first set foot in your word, dying of a thousand cuts."
Wait, world? What world? What did he mean by that?
Naruto didn't give him the chance to ponder it; stooping low, he snatched up the blunted blade he'd cast at his feet. A flick of the wrist sent it whirling his way.
Cole caught it.
This was a bad idea; a terrible idea.
Temptation whispered to him, demanding an outlet for his rage.
Naruto strode over to the rack and retrieved a longsword of his own; the valyrian steel sword at his belt remained sheathed. Sketching a lazy salute, he waited for him to engage. A moment passed. Then another. Followed by yet another. Still he did not engage. Still that small smirk of a smile tormented him.
A scarlet haze crept into the edge of his vision.
He couldn't stand it.
Cole lunged.
Naruto parried him quickly; almost at once, he could see that the boy wasn't skilled with the sword, not exceptionally; his footwork wasn't quite right, but his strength and speed made up for that. He preferred to brave the blade with both hands for one and it showed; their first clash put Cole on the back foot. He recovered quickly and closed the distance, swinging low.
Steel met steel as their blades locked and clashed.
Cole growled at him, voice low. "You let the King bring bastards into the keep."
An irritated expression crossed the whiskered warrior's visage. "I did no such thing."
"Then why help them at all!" he grounded out through clenched teeth. "They're beneath us!"
"Beneath you!" Naruto broke their blade lock and kicked him in the chest, sending him stumbling back; he considered him for a long moment before advancing, blue eyes sparking. "You have only strength for yourself. I have enough to spare."
Cole bridled, but the blond wasn't done with him.
His sword flitted out to riposte only for an overhand smash to sweep it away and smash into his side. It sparked brightly off his armor. Cole felt his ribs bruise beneath it. Naruto's sword swept for his knees in a streak of surly silver, forcing him to block with a gauntlet, out of position as he was. He felt the armor there creak ominously as his wrist fractured.
"If a single family is a burden to you, then how do you expect to protect the royal family themselves?"
Cole switched hands, grimacing. "They would be a burden."
"Of course its a burden!" a weaving web of steel slashed his blade aside and drove the hilt of the blade into his skull, causing him to see stars. "Life is a burden! The burden you swore to carry when you SWORE to serve the Kingsguard. Abandoning them would be worse than killing them." Something was speaking through him, a being old and ancient, and he was powerless to resist, barely able to retaliate as his hated foe forced him back, back, thenback again raining down blow after blow upon him. Dazed as he was, it was all Cole could do to defend himself from the storm of swords and swords that followed.
"Are you so frail as to consider that a great burden upon you?!"
CLASH!
"Are you so uncoordinated and incompetent with handling your sword that you cannot swing it when your heart is clouded?!"
SMASH!
"Are you so immersed in your delusions that you would put your needs before that of innocents?!"
THRASH!
"If so, it's a travesty you even consider yourself a Kingsguard!"
An open palm slammed into his armor, denting it to hurl him backwards. He struck a wall and slumped down it, winded. Cold steel kissed his neck before he could think to rise, pinning him there.
Sinister scarlet slits stared down at him, bestial and inhuman. No longer were they blue. Were had the blue gone? He'd happily take that color over this soul-searing scarlet.
"Naruto" scowled down at him, his expression torn between disgust and outright fury. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"
Something broke deep inside Cole, then. It felt like his pride.
"Rhaenyra changed my life!" the words poured out of him in a broken babble as he shouted up at the impassive blond that had bested him so easily. "It was she who chose me, she who made me more than I was, she who raised me up to this! Since then she has become the flame I follow. But you...!" He choked on the words and the bitterness they brought. "You took her. Snatched her away, like she was always meant to be yours, without so much how a second thought! You know naught how it feels." his head slumped chin tucked against his chin. "Desire for women has brought me grief after grief...
Naruto stowed his sword and glowered down at him with a flicker of pity. "Then resist it."
Bitter laughter tumbled out of him. "Would that it were so simple...
"Your brothers in the Kingsguard find a way."
Cole wheezed a sigh. "Do they? Perhaps so," he amended at the blond's thunderous scowl. "Or perhaps all men are corrupt. Even you. And true honor is a mist that melts in the morning. To die without that would be a kind of relief, don't you think?"
The blond barely blinked. "I didn't come here to trade philosophy with you."
"I no longer have a philosophy. Or rather, my philosophy was this." Cole set a hand to his true sword, fighting the urge to unsheathe it, knowing such would truly be his end. "To protect the righteous and dispense justice on the rest. You ruined that. Wherever you go, you wade into battle like the storm kings of old and men are like dust under your feet. And all our fine thoughts and all our endeavors are as nothing. But you...you march toward your own annihilation. Will you even recognize yourself by the end?
Naruto shook his head.
"We're more than the sum of our parts; we're not just our failures. As much as they hurt, we learn from them. Then we go out there and do our best to make up for them-even though sometimes, we never will. We save people. We help people. As many as we can to make up for those we couldn't. That's what we do. What I do. And I wouldn't change it for the world."
Naive. Cole scoffed at it, blinded by bitterness. "Then you are blind to your own flaws and faults. Just like Rha-
"Oi!" Naruto seized him by the wrist and, in a blur, hauled him upright his feet. "Now listen, bub, you better end that sentence REAL carefully...or you and me? We're gonna have a problem."
Cole shoved him and Naruto released him; he had the faintest realization the blond was humoring him. "The only problem here is you! You're the one standing in the way of peace!
"If that's what you call peace, then I don't want peace." he stared back at him. "I want problems always."
His peace said, he walked past him, paused, and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Live well, Ser Criston. Or don't. It doesn't matter me anymore."
Cole's terrible temper stirred, sparked, snapped, now. Rounding on the blond, he drew his blade. "Kill me, then!"
Naruto kept walking.
Cole gave chase.
"Kill me!"
"You know," the blond paused and craned his neck back to regard him. Odd. His eyes were blue once more. "Not so long ago, I would've taken you up on that. Now? I don't think I will."
An incredulous noise built in the back of his throat. "Why?!"
"Because death is clearly what you want." Naruto drawled, pitching his voice as one might toward a petulant child. "And I'm not going to give it to you."
Cole twitched, livid.
"Attack me, or don't." a palm flicked his way in clear dismissal. "End your own life if you find it to be such a drag. You want to go out honorably? Do it on your terms. I'll bury you, I'll forget you, and I'll move on. But know this." a finger rose his way, jabbing at his dented breastplate. "No one will remember you. No songs will be sung of your, no tales told of your deeds. Either way...
Planting both hands in his pockets, he stalked away from him.
...I wish you good fortune in the wars to come."
Cole sank to his knees in defeat and despair.
Naruto kept walking, paying him no heed.
He couldn't let it end like this...
(.0.0.0.)
"I can't believe you're pregnant!"
"Alicent, please stop fussing over me. I'm hardly going to shatter on you."
"You say that now, but the two of you made me faint! Am I not allowed a bit of excitement?"
Rhaenyra supposed she was owed that much, but it didn't stop her from flushing anew as Alicent ran both hands over her stomach for what felt like the umpteenth time this afternoon. She seemed fascinated by her child, fixated on it, much to her dismay. Even now, a fresh surge of heat warmed her cheeks as her childhood friend caressed the faint bump in her belly. Mother had been bad enough; but her dear friend simply wouldn't let her be!
"Stop it." she batted her hands away to regard herself in the mirror. "You'll ruin my dress."
At this, her beloved paused, if only for a moment.
But not for long.
Alicent's chin came down over her shoulder, cheek nuzzling hers as she embraced her from behind. In a rare moment of boldness, her fingers drifted lower, past her belly, caressing her. For once, it was Rhaenyra's turn to shiver. Blast. She was growing bolder. At this rate, she'd be the one teasing her in no time at all.
Pushing aside that strangely pleasant thought, she considered herself in the mirror for a moment anew, struggling to make sense of the stranger staring back at her.
"Go try on your dress, little dragon." Mother had prodded her oh-so-very-gently as only a parent could. "We'll be along shortly."
How quaint. She scarcely recognized herself. Who was this gorgeous young woman staring back at her?
Alicent cooed over her. "This is wonderful. You're going to be a mother.
"Easy for you to say! It feels...strange."
Her friend hummed against her. "You look lovely."
Rhaenyra glared at her. "You say that now, but I've not yet seen you in your dress."
Here at last, the Hightower girl squeaked, courage finally faltering. "You will...in good time.
"Hmmmhmmhm." the princess preened at the promise. "I'm looking forward to it."
She'd only glimpsed it in passing once at the seamstress, but it looked grand.
Otto Hightower would have a conniption when he saw it.
Ahhh, she couldn't wait to see Alicent in those glorious colors...and to peel her out of them
They lapsed into comfortable silence for a time, regarding one another in the mirror. Rhaenyra reveled in it. For once in her life, everything was turning out well for her; proceeding as planned. There had been a number of hiccups of course, there always were in life, but here at last she felt it would be smooth sailing going forward...for a time, at least.
Alicent found her voice first, holding her just a little tighter. "Have you thought on a name for the babe?"
"Naruto and I already told mother. Jacaerys or Tywin if its a boy. Helaena for a girl."
Her expression wrenched a little. "I'd wanted to name my daughter such...
A pale brow rose. "Oh~? Are you so eager to get with child yourself?"
She didn't miss the flash of panic in her eyes. "N-no! Not at all!"
Aha! She revealed her true intentions!
Someone was jealous~!
Rhaenyra rounded on her, pivoting away from the mirror to writhe in her grasp and embrace her friend in return. Alicent offered a token resistance, nothing more, melting into her grasp like warm pudding as a hand rose to cup her cheek. It wasn't enough to satisfy her; not nearly enough. She bit her lip, squirming in place.
"Perhaps I can distract you from such thoughts." she crooned. "You've but to ask."
Alicent's gaze flitted down to her lips.
An invitation, just for her.
Rhaenyra accepted it and leaned in to kiss her hungrily, lips lingering over hers with scorching passion. To her great delight Alicent responded in kind, mouth melding marvelously with her own; she'd grown bolder about this. Her hands drifted lower to grip her rear even as her own palms came up between them to caress her breasts.
"Wait a moment," she gasped between kisses when she began to unlace the back of her dress. "Not here. We shouldn't...
She pulled away and kissed her cheek, drawing a whine from the redhead. "Shall I lock the door, then?"
"What of Naruto? Where has he wandered off to this time?"
Rhaenyra shrugged. "He'll find his way back to us. He always does."
As though summoned by that very thought, the door to Alicent's chamber came crashing open.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto entered the room and stopped short, puasing just long enough to lock the door behind him.
And then his breath was stolen away.
Oh.
Ohh?
Ohhh!
Rhaenyra looked absolutely resplendent in a long white dress stitched in a scale-like pattern, slender arms wreathed in golden bracelets, a necklace of pure gold wreathed around her neck, long hair bound in elegant plaits atop her head, bedecked and bejeweled with rubies. tapering off into a braided ponytail of sorts that stopped just between her shoulders. If this was how she looked now then he couldn't imagine what she'd wear for their actual wedding. Likely something far more...formidable than this.
Regardless she looked...by the sage, he didn't have words for how she looked.
Alicent was also standing beside her, face terribly aflush as she adjusted her dress. She studiously averted her eyes when he looked her way. Strange, he had the oddest feeling he'd interrupted something.
Rhaenyra stared at him for a long moment, crossed both arms over her bosom and huffed. "Alright, say it. I look awful."
Far from it. "You look beautiful."
"Truly?" Her face lit up, and her eyes flitted up and down the length of him. "You don't look all that bad yourself."
He supposed he didn't at the moment, despite his scrap with Cole. "I wish I was wearing armor."
A chuckle escaped him. "As do I."
"Really?"
"Oh, please." she gave his chest a gentle shove. "You'd look good in anything you wear. I, on the other hand," she gestured in exasperation to her dress. "How am I to move in this? What if I'm attacked?"
He chortled. "I suppose you have your knives."
"Just one." she patted her upper leg, drawing a squeak from Alicent. "Strapped to my thigh. It wasn't as though I could hide it anywhere else-
Alicent coughed into a fist. "Ahem? Perhaps we should speak of the dragon in the room, first?"
A slow flush seared up the back of Naruto's neck. "And what's that?"
She stared at him. "I wish to...to speak of children."
Naruto's mouth went dry, words failing him.
"Happily," Rhaenyra swooped in with a smile at the change of subject, "I'd be delighted to discuss it at great...length with the both of you."
Quick as lightning, she reached behind Alicent's back, finding the strings of her dress and yanked. The Hightower girl yelped as her garments slipped and retaliated in kind, doing the same unto Rhaenyra. In a matter of moments they were wrestling with one another. Naruto tried to protest before they could finish, really, he did; he even had the forethought to step forward and try to stop them-
Too late, the ladies dresses pooled pleasantly at their feet as they bared their bodies to him.
Alicent, at least, was wearing undergarments.
Rhaenyra...was not.
Urk.
His wife-to-be stepped backward and beckoned to him with a seductive smile, fingers crooking his way in an unmistakably come-hither motion. "Won't you come to bed, Husband...?"
"Don't call him that," Alicent murmured, taking hold of his left arm. "He isn't yours yet."
Naruto looked her way, only to receive a searing kiss that swept his breath away.
Was it getting hot in here, or was that just him? His head was spinning...
"Oh?" Never one to be outdone Rhaenyra seized his right, pressing her bare bosom against him before kissing him his cheek return. "Then you had best make him yours before I do."
Alicent sputtered flushed to the very roots of her auburn hair. "Rhaenyra!"
The targaryen girl beamed. "I did tell you to be honest with yourself."
Alicent made angry Alicent noises and buried her head into his arm. "Make her stop!"
Naruto tried not to laugh; really he did. He just couldn't help himself. Gods, she was so adorable when she pouted. He really was a lucky guy, ya know?
Reaching down, he took her by the chin and nudged her face upward to gently capture her lips with his. Alicent stiffened for all of a moment; then she closed her eyes ans he felt his heart soar as she all but melted into him, gently looping her arms around his neck, twining a leg within his.
Rhaenyra made a vaguely displeased noise that sounded something like a cough. "Aren't you forgetting someone?"
Alicent pulled away with a huff, still mildly put out with her friend's antics. "I don't believe he is."
Far from being offended, the princess only grinned anew. "I rather like this side of you."
Naruto look between the two of them and heaved a heartfelt sigh.
What was a man to do, surrounded by such temptation?
Trapped between the two of them, he gave in.
He let them lead him back to the bed.
"The things we do for love...
(.0.0.0.)
...you have my thanks for the information, Ser Criston."
The Kingsguard in question bowed. "Of course, sir. Its time the boy paid a price."
"Is that your only reason?"
"I do not know what you mean, my lord."
...very well. We shall speak again on the morrow."
Otto Hightower dismissed the knight with an errant gesture, idly watching him depart at a brisk pace. So easily led, these men of honor. How easy it was to manipulate them. That, or Cole may well have a deathwish. He wasn't entirely sure which.
But he had more important matters to which he must attend attend.
Bastards.
Two blasted bastards.
Viserys sullied the Red Keep with such.
No doubt he wished to further expand the Crown's reach, or worse, raise a veritable army of his kin. How many more bastards would he snatch off the streets? No, this could not stand.
The time had finally come, then. It was sooner than he might have liked, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
He must act.
Otto sighed as he plucked a letter from his desk, sealed it with wax, followed by his signet ring, and turned the message over in his hands.
After a moment's pause, he gave it to a messenger, who would see it delivered.
These words must be delivered on foot as well as wings.
Maester Mellos was due to return on the eve of Rhaenyra's wedding; they would have much to discuss, he knew, but that did little to dull the dread in his heart. He had agents throughout the realm, from Dorne to the Iron Islands, awaiting his command, ready for his command, awaiting his word...
.
..
...word he was about to give.
Otto did not relish this course of action; he took no pleasure in what he was about to do; what he would unleash. Alicent would surely hate him for this at first; but she would come to understand in the fullness of time. He did what he must because he must. For the good of his Family. For the safety of the Crown. For the security of the Realm.
Perhaps, had he seen the clever trap the Targaryens had laid for him, he might've been more cautious.
Alas, Otto Hightower made the mistake of many an arrogant lord had before him...
...and blundered right into it.
A/N: Otto takes the bait~!
Aaaaaand well cut it there for now!
WEDDING TAKES PLACES NEXT CHAPTER!
That chapter promises to be an absolutely massive one, but I need tiiiiime to write it. Be assured, those scenes will be well worth it. Thanks for being patient!
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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!)
Do you take the princess Rhaenyra to marry...?"
For the feast, he'd chosen an amber doublet bordering on orange and long flowing black breeches bearing matching boots.
Rhaenyra outdid him, naturally.
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...
PUSH!"
The cry of a newborn filled the air.
A moment of silence followed. And then: "It's a boy, your grace!"
A sword is more than a weapon. Stick 'em with the pointy end they say. Ha! When you make a sword, the first priority is to make it purposeful and well-balanced. But a sword is also an object of power and has to express this power in its design...
...and this sword...
..is my gift...
...to you.
The white worm wishes a a word with you, my lord."
Naruto's brow shot into his hair.
"Who?"
"Daemon's lover.
"Ahhhh...
"If you fail to plan you plan to fail. This world is cold and cruel, and there are a few in it, who are steadfast. You, I think, are steadfast.
Visenya whooped, leaned back in the saddle, and flung up her arms. "Dracarys~!"
Bayle answered in a rush of crackling fire. The girl grinned.
Riding on dragonback was the best!
"Faster, papa! Faster!"
His daughter bounced on his back, grinning from ear to ear as she tugged at his hair.
Naruto smiled despite himself. "Feisty as your mother, I swear. Where's your brother hiding-
Someone leaped onto his back.
"Aha! There you are!"
"It turned out there was more than one person worth saving. So that's what I did, I saved her. Then I protected her. That's why people like you and I are here, son. We have a job to do."
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed! Have a great day!
Warm regards,
~Nz.