A/N: Can anyone see this? Its impossible to tell anymore. I can't work properly with all these these bloody 503 site glitches! They've ruined my inspiration this week. I had a slew of double update days planned, which cannot happen now.

I had intended to update Take the Girl and Kill the yesterday, whike Long May He Reign would've been with Foxfire, possibly with Welcome to Heaven and By Any Other Name being updated this Monday -days off got switched about- instead of Tuesday. It was going to be a slew of updates. I was content, if not quite happy with the state of things and had a busy week planned.

Now? Between all this crap with the site and the drama with my job, now I just want to curl up in a corner and cry. Still, here I am. Looking forward to your feedback!

I wish this chapter could be longer, but I'm not well; as stated in the last chapter, the "Black Wedding" has been split into multiple parts. Because there's a lot going on here. Want another early update? A change in rotation? By all means, let me know in the comments! Every bit really helps lift my spirits and inspire me in these crazy times...

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 are. This chapter goes right for the feels. Away we go~! But first, we must go back a few minutes...

Subtle references to Warhammer and 300 ahead...

"You want the fancy-lord-talk from me? FINE! I may be Lord of the Stepstones these days, but I'm also the Master of Whispers as well.

Or have you forgotten? When someone gives me a title and a task, I take them both seriously, unlike you dolts.

Sadly, the Toads no longer answer my call; they cannot hear my words, nor can they help me in my work.

Maybe the distance is too great. Maybe they no longer recognize me. Maybe I've changed. I don't know, and it saddens me greatly. That's another piece of my homeland gone.

I'm sure you have no idea what I'm talking about. You never will. I pity you for that which you will never know nor gain.

Yes, the toads may no longer heed my request for summons, and probably never will. HOWEVER! Something else does.

They heard me during my time in the Stepstones. They answered my cries. They accepted me, as others did.

And unlike the Toads, they have eyes everywhere. They are many! Each of them a legion!

Who are they? You know them. They know you. You see them every day. As they see you. You don't spare them a second thought.

Yet you walk and talk and wither and wail under the news their wings bring.

Shall I introduce you to them?"

~?

The Black Wedding (Part III)

"Have you taken leave of your senses, sister?"

Alicent knew that voice; just as she knew who had cone to confront her. And yet despite that, she felt no fear; she knew his arrival was an inevitability; best to cut to the quick and spare him any pain. Steeling herself, she turned away from her meal entirely, lifted her chin, and resolved to make this brief...

.

..

...or so had been her thoughts, until she looked upon her beloved older brother.

The moment she laid eye upon him, she found herself forced to reassess.

Oh, dear.

She hadn't seen her brother in years. He'd grown. Alas, Ser Gwayne Hightower seen better days. His doublet was unbuttoned and his hair askew, his expression torn somewhere between a pained smile and a grimace, all made possible by the half-empty goblet clutched tight in his left hand. She sniffed once, frowned now at the scent emanating from him and bit back her initial response...only for her tongue to betray her.

"You've been drinking."

"Of course I've been bloody drinking." he swayed a little and set the goblet down at her table, the better to balance himself with both hands and glare down at her where she sat. "How else was I to pluck up my courage and talk to you, sister?"

...this was going to be an ordeal, wasn't it? One she must face alone. So be it.

Naruto and Rhaenyra were dancing amidst the crowd, and the most of the Targaryens with them.

Viserys was in talks with Ser Lyonel Strong over some small matter or another, but he looked her way now, ready to render aid if need be.

Alicent waved him down. She could handle this. She must, if only to prove herself.

Steeling herself, the soon-to-be-princess blew out a quick breath and schooled her mien into a regal look, her outer facade betraying nothing of the conflict within. "You may speak with me whenever you wish, Gwayne. There's no need for this-

Gwayne thumped a fist down upon the table with an angry noise, causing her to jump.

Blast it all, he'd rattled her. This wouldn't do. Find your center.

Breathe.

Alicent closed her eyes for a moment, basking in the music of the wedding. Rhaenyra laughed somewhere in the background. The sound of her dear friend's mirth lent her strength. When next she opened them, she had found her center once more.

"Have you something to say, brother of mine?"

He glared at her, swaying a little. "You know damn well what I want to say."

Her lips pursed into a thin line of narrow displeasure. "This is a wedding. There's no need to use such crass language."

"Your wedding, yes." one couldn't possibly miss the bitter edge in his voice. "So nice of you to tell us." he tottered a little and swept a hand out toward the dance floor. "We're all very happy for you."

He was angry. She supposed he had a right to be. Indeed, how could he not be cross with her? She'd sprung this on her entire family without even a word of warning; small wonder they were in disarray. But that had ever been the Plan. Sow chaos in the hopes of forcing the Hightowers to show their hand. And it was working beautifully. Perhaps a bit too well, really...

Still, she smiled for her brother. "I appreciate it."

That seemed to confuse him for a moment; for he pivoted back to her with a frown. "You cannot be serious."

Alicent clasped both hands together and laid them on the table, resting her elbows there in a subtle display of defiance. "I am.

Gwayne goggled at her for a moment, took another long drink from his goblet, then rallied. "They made you do this, didn't they?" his voice was low, tones hushed in brother concerned. "You were coerced. Threatened. The king means to use you as a hostage against Father. That's his play, isn't it?"

He truly did not understand. She pitied him. How sad.

Reaching across the table, she laid a hand on his. "I've never been more certain about anything in my life."

Gwayne jerked his arm away. "This is madness. The realm will never stand for it. The Faith will revolt."

Once upon a time, she might've cared for such a thing. Now...?

She shrugged a shoulder. "Let them."

He recoiled at her blase behavior, lovable, honorable oaf that he was. "Where will you even find a septon willing to acknowledge such a union?!"

Alicent hid a thin smile behind one hand.

Little did he know they'd already found one. A rather charming young fellow named Lorgar who'd followed Naruto all the way from the Steptstones. Granted, the man might believe her blond beloved was one of the Seven himself, but everyone had their eccentricities, so who were they to question his?

The High Septon might kick up a fuss and try to annul the marriage, but if he did, they'd simply replace him with someone more pliable. And whomever came after him. On and on it would go until the "Faith" admitted defeat. They would not be allowed to relive the dark days of Maegor the Cruel and should they try...well. They had more dragons than Maegor ever did. A great many more. The outcome was not in question.

Instead, she lowered her hand and schooled her face into a stony stare, just as Queen Aemma had taught her. "I am not his pawn."

Gwayne squinted her. "Beg pardon?"

"I. Am. Not. Father's. Pawn." she repeated slowly, dragging out each word for maximum effect and damage. "It would behoove you to think twice before you make such accusations. Such slander is often punishable by death."

He went still. "You would kill me?"

Alicent paused, considering. "I would take no pleasure in it."

Brother barked a bitter laugh, the sound nearly lost in the clamor of the wedding around them. "But you would do the deed regardless. And thus you allow yourself become their whore."

Alicent nearly burst to her feet and slapped him on the spot; but no, that was what he wanted. A reaction. An excuse.

She refused to give him one.

Naruto and Rhaenrya were the impulsive ones in this marriage. The former had sheer strength to back up his deeds, while her fellow princess often brandished her family name better than any blade. But they were both so restless and chaotic, prone to making rash decisions and foolish mistakes. Thus it fell to her to be the brains to their brawn.

"Call me that again," she intoned, her voice lower and colder than the deepest, darkest sea, "And I shall pluck out your tongue."

Gwayne considered her for a long moment, his steely expression matching her own. "When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say."

Brave, foolish brother. Whatever her feelings for Father, she truly didn't wish Gwayne's death. There would be bloodshed aplenty in the days to come, and she had no wish to add to it.

When he moved to leave and depart, she seized hold of his wrist, locking him in place.

"Is it so wrong of me to wish for freedom?" she yanked him closer, glaring at him. "Not merely to carve a window in the prison father made for me but true, proper freedom?

He glared at her, uncomprehending. "What do you gain from this?"

"Must it always be about gains with you?"

"Such is the way of the realm." Gwayne said.

"Then the realm is wrong!" Here at last she slapped him, the sound lost in merriment around them." Is this how they would have us, sibling against sibling, brother versus sister, and for what? To the death?"

He met her glare with one of his own. "I do not fear death."

"Is that what you think this is? Fear?" She scoffed and shook her head. "This is not fear, brother, but love. I fell for Rhaenyra before Naruto." Her words immediately put Gwayne on the backfoot, she could tell the moment she uttered them. "I loved her from the first. My feelings for him only came afterward. More than that, my current position as a sister wife is what would have been the best possible outcome of a series of bad options had I gone along with Father's plans to seduce the king."

Here at last, Gwayne faltered. "Seduce...?"

"You weren't aware of that little tidbit, were you?" Alicent tilted her head and dug the proverbial knife in. "But why would you be? However much you might be currently involved with father's schemes, I doubt he would've told you he was sending me to woo a married man."

Aha! There it was! Uncertainty in his eyes, and with it, doubt. "Father would never-

"Wouldn't he?" she scoffed at his naivete. "Search your feelings; you know he would. Daemon once said something to his Grace that summarized Father perfectly. Otto Hightower, our father, is a second son who stands to inherit nothing he doesn't claim for himself. We are but pawns to him, pieces to be used and cast aside at his whim. You've no idea the depth of his ambition."

"Alicent-

"No!" she snapped at him. "I'm not finished! His Grace could've killed me. Such would've been well within their rights the moment I entered his chamber." she gestured down to the dancing throng below them. "Instead here I sit, in a position of honor, being wed to both his daughter and the most powerful man in all of the realms. And you call that dishonor?"

Fed up with him, she burst to her feet.

"Wag your tongue all you like, brother. It will change nothing. Open your eyes; preferably before someone plucks them out."

So speaking, she whirled, pivoted on her heel, and departed with a swirl of silk.

Her gaze found Naruto on the dance floor with Rhaenyra, his blond hair a beacon among so many others. He was impossible to miss; more than that, he made no effort to hide himself. She made a beeline for the both of them. Someone Lannister lord tried to grab her wrist on the way, but she slipped free of their questing grasp and moved on.

Here and now, she craved comfort, more than anything; a deft applications of elbows and cold glares caused the rest of the dancers to part before her.

Naruto must've sensed her coming; because he and Rhaenyra abruptly bowed to one another and the latter allowed Daemon to sweep her away into the crowd mere moments before she reached then.

Several things happened at once.

Alicent had only just begun to reach out for Naruto when the baffling blond inexplicably pivoted on his right heel, rounding on her with such speed that she almost gasped. From there caught her by the waist and spun her into his chest. She looked up at him, somewhat startled, only for him to kiss her forehead and pull her closer still. A ripple of fresh surprise ran through the crowd at such brash behavior, but none dared object, and thusly, none heard him whisper ever-so-softly in her ear.

"Having some brotherly troubles are we?"

She smacked his chest, only to yelp as he took her by the hands and spun her into a dance. There was a single moment of breathless panic before he spun her back again, letting her rest against him.

"Watch closely, now." His breath briefly warmed the back of her neck, sending butterflies shooting through her stomach, "Just do as I do, and you'll be fine."

"Do as you do whaaaaaa?!"

She squeaked as he blurred into motion and just like that they were off into a lively caper of a dance, jumping and leaping and twisting with reckless abandon. Alicent stumbled at first, but he'd always been something of a quick study; it was simply enough to match his movements and eventually, anticipate them.

Step one two three, twist, spin, twirl, jump, twist and leap again.

Pause, bow, jump a second and fourth time.

Likewise, a lilting laugh leaped from her lips. "What kind of dance is this?!"

"One of mine!" He laughed, not at her, but with her. "Try to keep up!"

Alicent did her level best.

All eyes watched them caper and cavort; she could feel every gaze upon them, searing into her back. Rhaenyra hollered her encouragement somewhere among the gallery, but she'd long since grown so dizzy that she could no longer tell friend from foe.

She only had eyes for her partner, and he, her; all the hall had cleared around them, leaving them in their own little world.

A small part of her wished this night would never end; or better yet, that the other six could simply be skipped and that they could leap straight to the wedding ceremony.

It was not to be.

As quickly as it had begun, the dance ended, and the drummers hastened a new beat. She could feel all eyes on them, breathless as they spun away, and for a moment -just a moment- she lost herself.

Heart racing in her chest, pulse pounding in her ears, she stepped in, threw her arms around Naruto's neck and kissed him full on the mouth, all but welding her body to his.

This time there could be no disguising the gasp that went up.

There! Let that prove her intentions further.

...thank you, husband." the words were for his ears and his ears alone as she drew away. "I needed that."

She didn't miss the pleasant little shiver that shot through him when she said the words. He dipped his head low to peck her on the lips, perfectly polite, but she didn't miss the spark in his eyes; he looked like he wanted nothing more than to rip her out of that dress, bend her over and do things to her. The thought warmed her in return and stirred her thoughts in return.

"Later." He whispered to her, the word the darkest seduction, the most primal of promises.

Alicent dared to kiss him one last time in full view of the court, lips lingering on his as she pulled away. "I'd like that."

Later, indeed.

Content, she bowed out before she could lose herself and let another dancer take over, her temper soothed.

From there she watched from afar as he danced with Queen Aemma, followed by Prince Qoren.

And then came the calculated chaos with Cole.

Over it all, she heard Viserys shout aloud:

"SEIZE HIM!"

(...Some Time Later...)

...it would appear Cole had gotten some of his blood on her dress.

Or perhaps she'd done so when she stabbed him.

How very vexing.

Rhaenyra tutted as she endeavored to scrub the stain from her bodice; thankfully it wasn't all that visible, but the sight of it irked her somewhat.

She didn't balk at the violence that had led to the bloodshed, only the sheer stupidity behind the act. Criston Cole must've truly wished for death to have done such a thing; if they hadn't planned for it, she might be alarmed. Would've been, really.

But she had never been in harms way in the first place now, had she? They'd anticipated this. Prepared for it, then a dozen other outcomes besides, in the improbable event Cole recovered his wits and acted sensibly.

Yet still, despite that, Ser Criston sought death.

Now it looked like Naruto was about to deliver it unto him.

Credit where it was due, he really did seize the man as father commanded.

He seized him, lifted him by the throat, and proceeded to punch him right in the armored chest.

Have you ever heard the sound of a superhuman fist striking steel? Its rather reminiscent of a ringing bell, and Ser Criston Cole became that bell. It was a rather pleasant sound, Rhaenyra found.

Their former Kingsguard did not fall to the floor.

Quite the contrary.

He flew.

The sheer force of Naruto's punch ripped the man free from his grasp and cast him across the hall, where he struck the massive wooden doors. They shuddered against the impact but remained sealed. Pity. He must have held back, not wanting to break them. Still, with nowhere left to go, Cole slid down to the ground with a groan.

Naruto stalked after gim with a scowl. "Any last words?"

The crowd followed him, eager for blood.

Rhaaenyra trailed at the edges, watching it all with a slight smile.

She caught Alicent's eye and winked her way, reassuring her, then returned her attention to the soon-to-be dead man. A decidedly fist-shaped impression cratered Cole's armor inward now, leaving a sizable dent behind. It must hurt a great deal and make it terribly hard to breathe. Good. She hoped it hurt.

Cole swore furiously, fumbled for his sword, and slashed at Naruto with all his might.

It shattered on the blond's shoulder, leaving him clutching a broken hilt.

...shit."

When Naruto next blinked his eyes, they gleamed an eerie shade of gold, the flat slits of his inverted pupils wholly unamused. "You're right. You really are shit at dying."

Cole tried to speak. Tried to say something else; anything, really. Naruto never gave him the chance.

A knee crashed between Cole's legs, annihilating his groin. The man folded up with a wheeze, clutching his bits.

Unsatisfied, Naruto seized him by his dark hair and dragged him out to headbutt him repeatedly. Once. Twice. Thrice. By the end, Criston's nose was little more than a red ruin in his face, leaving him wasted and gasping for air through his mouth.

"Well, since you won't be needing this...

Dropping him, Naruto rolled the stunned knight over, tore his white cloak free from his shoulders and wrapped it round Cole's throat. From there, he used it as a crude garrote to strangle the man. No words were given, no clever speeches. Just quiet execution.

Somehow, that thrilled her more than anything else.

"Wait!" Daemon strode forth from the crowd before he could finish him. "Spare his life!"

Naruto paused, a breath short of finishing the dirty deed. "He deserves death."

Daemon nodded his assent. "And he likely will die. After we question him for his treasonous actions."

Naruto pretended to consider his words; Rhaenyra knew it an act; everything was proceeding precisely as they planned. The crowd stood stunned into silence, no one else dared to speak for fear of turning Foxfire's wrath upon them. Good. It did her heart glad to see all those gossiping fishwives silent for once in their lives.

Daemon delivered the coup de grace. "Take a trophy if you wish, but we need him alive...for now."

Naruto shrugged, dug a thumb into the right side of Cole's face, twisted it, and yanked.

Even Rhaenyra couldn't steel herself against the wail the fallen knight gave as he plucked out his eye. More than a few lords and ladies fainted on the spot.

Naruto held up his bloody hand, prize and all. "Perhaps I'll have the cooks serve it up as an appetizer."

She knew he was hamming it up, could tell by the twinkle in his eyes.

The crowd did not. Good. Let them fear him.

Naruto clicked his tongue. "Corvus."

A towering man bearing dark hair, clad entirely in black and grey armor appeared behind him in a swirl of...were those raven feathers? No, surely not. Either he was playing his part very well, or he'd gone and made a new friend when she wasnt looking. The latter seemed more likely.

Just who else had he met in the Stepstones...?

Naruto gestured to Cole's trembling form. "Escort our friend to the Black Cells."

A nod. "...your will be done."

Mildly unsettled though she was by the new arrival, Rhaenyra watched this "Corvus" teleport Cole away -she could think of no other word for the whirl of feathers that followed- with a certain grim satisfaction.

One less thorn in her side, and his destruction had proven all too amusing. Sometimes it was easy to forgot her husband had technically been appointed the Master of Whispers, after all...

Naruto cleaned his bloody hand on Cole's cloak, stowed the man's eyeball in a vial-pouch, caught her looking, and promptly sketched a little bow. The utter dastard.

Still...he was hers.

Rhaenyra smirked and sauntered his way, hips swinging to and fro. That settled it; she was intent on having another dance and more before the night was done.

Alicent was already halfway there. She would not be outdone!

Viserys raised his goblet, thusly satisfied by the sight. "Let the feast continue!"

More blood would flow before the wedding was done.

A/N: Hope folks caught the honorable Corvus and Lorgar mentions.

Hmm, I wonder whose turn it is to fall next chapter...hope everyone's looking forward to it!

Writing this wedding really is daunting; there's so many moving parts! Everything has to just right, or the whole thing comes flying apart. We had to split the wedding up into parts because A LOT is about to happen. See you soon, weather and health permitting! The upcoming chapters promise to be wild, but I need tiiiiime to write them. Be assured, those scenes will be well worth it. Thanks for being patient!

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~! I should be able to update 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. Feedback makes the world go round!

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.

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 door opened behind Otto.

Do you take the princess Rhaenyra and the lady Alicent to marry...?"

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.

~Nz.