A/N: Can anyone see this? Do let me know if you can. Every bit of feedback helps, no matter how large or small.
Alas, the site appears to be out of sync once again; reviews still appear in our email inboxes, but not on site, traffic stats are frozen as well and sometimes its nigh on impossible to tell what works and what doesn't. 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!
We're coming to the end of the Black Wedding Arc. Its been fun~!
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.
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~!
Realized I needed to make a minor change for the wedding scene that takes place in this chapter!
Since its technically Naruto and Alicent marrying into Rhaenyra's house, after all...
...but naturally, this wouldn't be a wedding if Naruto wasn't Naruto about it~!
More subtle Warhammer references, doing my best to keep them tame.
"Let it be known that Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, Naruto of House Uzumaki...
..and Alicent of House Hightower are now one heart, one flesh, one soul!
Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder."
~Lorgar Septon of the Seven-Soon-to-be-Nine.
The Black Wedding (Part V)
Otto awoke with a start.
Not in the light, but in the dark.
...hold a moment. Why wasn't he dead?
When he tried to rise, he found that he could not. Someone had stripped him of all finery and every scrap of clothing, bandaged his wounds...
.
..
...and left him chained naked to the floor.
Dark and dank, warm stone against his back. Where was he? A cavern of some sort? No, that didn't make a lick of sense. Caverns were cold. This place was strangely warm, almost worringly so.
Concerned, he rattled his limbs, but no, his arms and legs remained bound.
Another attempt to move resulted in yet another failure. The chains were old, but strong. He had nothing by which to break them.
Where was he? These were not the black cells.
A torch lit the darkness, driving away the shadows. He turned his face from it; watched someone set it into a brazier, now.
The hooded visage of a stranger regarded him, wearing a heavy cloak.
"What is the meaning of this?" He rasped out. "Who goes there...?"
Said stranger peeled back their hood, revealing themself to him.
His stomach sank.
Alicent.
No. Must stay strong. "Daughter."
"Father." She lifted her chin. "Are you comfortable?"
What kind of question was that?! Of course he bloody well wasn't!
And yet she kept staring.
So stubborn.
So like her mother.
A shame he'd been forced to dispose of that woman.
"You missed quite the clamor in King's Landing," she said suddenly, apropos of nothing." I would've liked to see you at my wedding today."
Otto strained against his chains. "It is not too late-
"Yes," she interjected softly, "it is."
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "Willful lass!"
She regarded him for a long moment. "Is that what you fear? Me, thinking for myself?
The words sent a chill shooting down his spine for all the wrong reasons. Her face was blank, reflecting not an iota of emotion.
"It is, isn't it?"
He heard the skittering of something in the dark. "Where am I?"
Alicent didn't answer.
"I did not wish to be here," she said suddenly apropos of nothing, startling him. "Nor did I wish to see you in such a story state. But I believe I must see this, if only to be certain of your death."
Was thar it, then? Was he to be tortured fot her sick amusement? How droll. Two could play that game.
"You will never truly be rid of me, child. My legacy will live on through you."
"Will it?" She tilted her head, face eerily blank. "My children may bear your blood, but they will be raised as Uzumaki. Not those of the Hightower."
Fury lent his voice strength, if only for a moment. "You would open your legs for that fiend?
The look on her face proved telling.
Oh.
She'd already lain with him, hadn't she?
"Rhaenyra carries his child. Soon, I shall as well." She laid a hand over her stomach." Perhaps I already do.
Disappointment. Disgust. Dismay. She had soiled his legacy. His lineage!
"You will be forgotten, father. Your legacy may persist for a time, but not for long. Perhaps even less if Uncle Hobert rebels. In one hundred years, no one will remember your name. By two hundred, you will fade into obscurity. By three...
She crouched before him and laid a hand on his dirty cheek.
"Thank you for teaching me this last lesson, Father. It will serve me well in the years to come."
Her fingers bit into his jaw, preventing him from speaking.
"Rhaenyra and Naruto are seldom subtle. They need a guiding hand; someone to work behind the scenes and make certain they remain safe. I will be that hand. I shall be their shadow. I'll keep them safe. As you should have done."
Otto did not heed her words. He was far too furious.
They'd ruined her, turned her from his pawn into something unacceptable, unattainable, unrecognizable.
He'd tried so hard, and gotten so far, but in the end...!
She had ruined it all.
"Monster!" He spat lividly. "Whore! Fiend! You are no daughter of mine!"
"I am your daughter." She retorted sadly. "I have always been your daughter. Whether you call me such, I care not. I will be happy. And you will be...
"Dead?" He rasped an ugly laugh. "Go ahead. Make yourself a Kinslayer!"
Alicent shook her hewr and stepped back. "You will not die by my hand."
He scoffed. "No, you will simply leave me to bleed and die. Is that it?"
She shook her head.
There it was again, that odd skittering noise.
Otto peered into the gloomy dark.
Something peered back.
As he looked on aghast, six scaled shapes scuttled forth from the shadows all; small though they were, each bore differing colors of gold on green and amber and blue and gray, even pale alabaster.
And they, each of them, were headed straight for him.
"Silverwing's latest clutch hatched recently." Alicent hummed over their approach. "I've been allowed to visit and feed them on occasion with Rhaenyra. They haven't been fed this morning. And they are so terribly hungry."
Horrow dawned. This was no cave! This was the Dragonpit! She meant to feed him to these beasts!
This was not the death he deserved!
Not like this!
"Ironic, isn't it? You worked so hard to exterminate dragons, and yet here, and now, you shall meet your end by them."
Say something! Anything! Delay!
"Dragons are noble beasts." He retorted, trying not to show his dread as the little lizards approached. "So long as I do not show fear, they shan't harm me."
Surely...?
"These are hatchlings." Alicent tutted softly, correcting him. "They're starving. And you Father, are red, bleeeding, meat."
No.
The dragons crept close.
No, no.
Yet closer now.
No, no, no.
Closer.
He tried to struggle but he was too weak, the chains entirely too strong, and the hatchlings too many. In desperation, he tried to thrash his head cast them aside, all for naught.
One them, a bright green creature with red eyes, crawled onto his chest and hissed.
Otto snarled at it. "Back! Get back, you...!
Its jaws opened wide...!
And his pride broke. "Alicent! Please! Help me!"
Her eyes were cold, ruthless, just as he'd once wished her to be. "I won't kill you father. But I don't have to save you."
The hatchling bit his nose and tore it clean off, warping his words into a scream.
The impasse broke.
That emboldened its siblings; their fangs found his legs, his groin, chest, and now his throat, ripping and tearing.
Otto Hightower screamed out in despair as he was eaten alive...
(.0.0.0.)
...and Naruto Uzumaki yawned.
He blew out a quick breath to steady himself and idly adjusted his collar for what must've been the umpteenth time in the last five minutes. Was it? Felt like it was. Perhaps it had been longer. Time got awfully funny when you were waiting for your wedding. He could've been waiting hours for all he knew. Maybe the better part of a day.
Wedding.
Even now, word still sent a flush burning through him.
Somehow, it was...not an unpleasant one.
This was it, then.
He'd faced down savage shinobi, grappled with gods, danced with dragons, all without balking and yet the idea of marriage set his heart racing. He'd never thought himself the marrying type, ya know? Never the sort to try this whole settlin' down thing, starting a family, raising little ones. It had just...never in the cards, ya know? Not back in the Elemental Nations, at least. There was always one conflict or another, always another bout, another battle to be fought.
Westeros had been much the same for most of his time here.
But here and now...there was actually a chance to settle and breathe.
Despite that, a small part of him wanted to turn and run; batter down the door and flee across the Narrow Sea.
"Those are just nerves talking. You'll be fine."
He cast his thoughts inward. "Easy for you to say, Kurama. You're not the one getting married."
"Am I not? I'll be looking after Rhaenyra and Alicent, just as you will. At least you'll be getting something out of it.
He winced a bit at the rebuke, even if it hadn't been intended as such. "I'll try to include you more in the day to day."
"I demand that your brats call me Uncle Kurama. I'll settle for nothing less.
A peal of laughter escaped him, taking the tension with it. "Sure, sure...any word on our friend?"
...I can sense him. He's nearby."
That was good to know. "Wonder what's keeping him?"
Kurama scoffed. "How should I know? I'm not a mind reader."
Would that he were! Sensing people -and their emotions- wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
And those bloody bells wouldn't stop tolling. The sept was starting to give him a headache. Darn sensitive senses.
They'd isolated him in a small chamber where he was even now being "prepared" by several servants before a great many mirrors.
His surly reflection said exactly what he thought of that.
Mercifully, his attire hadn't been changed from the feast. For that at least, he was grateful. Alicent and Rhaenyra would likely have new dresses -and he was rather curious about that- yet for now he had no choice but to wait while the last-minute-preparations were made.
Today's wedding was unusual, and that it was technically Rhaenyra's wedding; not his. She was the main focus here, he was being brought into house Targaryen alongside Alicent.
Thus they'd be meeting her at the altar. Some of the Nobles had been fussy about that. Said it defied tradition.
Meh, let 'em hang.
His right ear twitched a moment before the door opened; a wave of his hand shooed the servants out just as she entered.
He pretended not to notice her...right up until Alicent's chin came down on his shoulder. "Husband."
"You're really calling me that whenever you can, eh?"
The former Hightower lass hummed into his neck and he leaned back into her, taking solace in her company, allowing his gaze to rover over her wedding dress.
She looked lovely.
Alicent had chosen a beautiful baleful black gown to contrast the amber colors he wore. It flowed all the way up to her neck, revealing not an inch of skin below her chin, which somehow only further served to accentuate the beauty within. Who said black was a morning color again? She rocked that dress. He thought the long sleeves and black gloves were a particularly nice touch. Probably had black heels on under the dress as well. She did herself proud, or at least he thought so.
Still, he liked seeing her in brighter colors too, ya know?
...promise me you'll wear something more colorful next time," he asked.
"Gladly. I daresay we've worn enough black for a lifetime." She laughed into his shoulder. "They'll be calling it the Black Wedding as this rate."
"Very funny...
Idly, he spied a bit of red on her cheek and frowned. "Is that blood?"
She thumbed it away with a smile. "Nothing you need concern yourself with."
Wait. Had she...?
High above them, the bells tolled one final time, then fell silent, distracting him.
Naruto blew out a sigh. "Sounds like its time."
Alicent squirmed a little. "So it would seem."
"Nervous?"
"A little...
He offered her his arm, and she accepted it, daring a quick kiss on his cheek that left him wanting.
Alicent had no family willing to walk her up the steps, so that fell to him.
Tongues would wag. Let them.
Out they went.
A sizable crowd awaited them both without and within, peasants packed as far as the eye could see, their grasping hands hemmed back thanks to a ring of trusted guards, by which they could walk down a center aisle leading to the altar above it all.
Some of the poor bastards looked like they weren't eating well. His heart went out to them, but he had nothing he could offer them on hand at the moment.
...wait, didn't he?
On a whim, he reached out with his free hand and still holding tight to Alicent to keep her safe, he touched those he could as he walked, imparting a touch of healing chakra into whomever he could. A brief brush of his fingers was all it took. More than a few looked surprised that he would even dare to such a thing. Those he didn't -couldn't!- reach, he made sure to look at, to smile for, and to give his thanks, if only to show that they were, the lot of them, acknowledged; that each of them were seen.
After a moment's pause, Alicent caught onto what he was doing and began the same. Clever girl.
Little did they know the sheer upswing of goodwill they'd just won themselves.
It would prove instrumental in the coming years.
But for now, the upper levels of the sept awaited. Past those steps, the nobles gazed at them, many gobsmacked by his seemingly senseless act of charity. All except the Targaryens. But even they didn't dare speak a word. All eyes followed them as they ascended the steps, then past them, to the one who stood at the head of it all.
And there, at the very end, awaiting them, he saw Rhaenyra.
Naruto felt his throat go dry.
In contrast to the Alicent's seemingly seamless black dress, Rhaenyra wore a shoulderless orange red gown with a slight lifted window at the chest, accentuating her breasts. The fabric shone like fire itself against her pale skin; catching the light just so to blaze bright, much like her rich violet eyes. Apparently Alicent's last dress had given her ideas and she'd been driven to exceed her. Judging by the subtle-yet-quietly-pleased noise Alicent made at his side, she was quite impressed.
Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition.
Up the steps they went together, Alicent lifting her dress just a touch as they walked, lest she trip.
Rhaenyra reached out halfway and took her hand, the better to help her balance.
"You both look lovely." she whispered.
Alicent hummed. "As you do."
Someone coughed behind them.
Naruto chuckled. Right, he'd nearly forgotten about their Priest.
Lorgar was an amicable Septon who'd followed him over from the Stepstones. Tall and broad of shoulders. He towered over most priests. His bald head and bright brown eyes made him seem downright harmless to many an outsider, when in truth, he was anything but. A heavy flanged mace hung from a dark leather cord wrapped at his waist, making him one of the few priests allowed to carry a weapon, and only with express permission from the crown at that. He could hardly blame him for wanting to protect himself, most everyone probably had at least one hidden dagger on them today.
Weddings were dangerous in Westeros; people got IDEAS during weddings. Bad things happened during weddings.
Not this one, they wouldn't; he'd kill whoever tried anything.
So he swore.
"Your holiness." Lorgar bowed his head, granted him a small smile, followed by Alicent and Rhaenyra in return. "My Ladies. Are we ready to begin, or do you require a moment?
Naruto didn't deign to correct him. No need to antagonize the poor fellow; arguing would only upset him. He'd let him believe as he wished for now.
Still not quite sure why the man thought he was a god, but at this point, he wasn't going to question it. When in doubt, go with the flow.
Rhaenyra nodded, and the "Septon" raised his voice for all present to hear, noble and present alive.
"You may now cloak both your beloveds, and bring them under your most holy protection."
In return, Rhaenyra quirked a brow Naruto's way. Despite his nerves, he smiled.
She'd been rather explicit about this part.
Naruto chuckled, brought both hands together and burned an old gold, calling upon Kurama's chakra in all its towering might. But rather than allow his partner to manifest in the sept and carelessly crush everyone under his might, he took the offered energy and twisted it.
The result was something extraordinary. That shining chakra spread out around him like a cape, one he draped about himself, Rhaenyra, then Alicent's shoulders for good measure
Lorgar's gaze burned with fresh fervor at the sight.
"Your Grace," he looked to Viserys near the steps, followed by Daemon and Aemma, then Hugh and Kathryn with Ulff, and all those behind them, "My lords, my ladies, we stand here in the sights of gods and men to witness the union of man and wives. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever."
Rhaenyra perked up as Alicent did the same.
"In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these three souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words."
They were easy enough to remember; Alicent had all but drilled them into him; his voice rose in perfect cadence with her and Rhaenyra as they linked hands with one another, never looking away.
"Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. I am his/hers, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days. "
Neither of them faltered, though Alicent did flush at the very end, much to Rhaenyra's amusement.
Lorgar continued apace and Naruto listened with one ear, trying to focus on multiple things at once.
Already his senses were stretched thin, bristling for any sign of deceit or ill intent.
Any moment now the doors would burst open and men with crossbows would stalk inside. Or someone would tear a dagger from their sleeve and throw it there way. Swords would be drawn as men stormed the altar en masse hollering for blood.
But for all his suspicions...nothing happened.
No knives came out.
Not a one.
Somehow, that concerned him more than anything else. The enemy had to know that this was their last, great chance to stop what would be seen by many as an unstoppable union.
Yes, it would be foolish to attack here and now, with so many watching eyes, but it would also be foolish not to try. One could not make a statement if one did not act, after all.
Yet no one did.
He expected a challenge, a reason to fight, an excuse to execute some of the odious nobles eyeing them with such disdain. Few of them liked him, and they liked this marriage even less, but their unease and anger stemmed more from their woudned pride thany any true desire for violence. Someone might try something though...
Rhaenyra nudged his side, bringing him back to hinself just in time to hear the last of loyal Lorgar's words.
-Let it be known that Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, Naruto of House Uzumaki, and Alicent of House Hightower, "Lorgar gently wrapped their hands together for a moment the three of them, then unbound the cloth as he dutifully spoke the words, "Are now one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder."
Rhaenyra rounded on him with a flair, her smile all teeth.
He knew what she would say next; he could've upstsged her; instead he let her have her moment.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love for you both."
She drew him close and kissed him deeply, lips lingering over his; then moved to Alicent, kissing her just as deeply before drawing away, leaving the poor redhead reeling.
'So that's it, then. Marriage.'
It felt...kinda nice. No, really nice, actually!
"Then why are you holding back? Shown them how much you care."
He really should, shouldn't he?
His heart soared at that thought and he just couldn't help himself; without thinking, he drew both Alicent and Rhaenyra close; hand to hand, arm to arm, cheek to cheek, glomping then in a fierce hug.
Their startled cries against his chest were sweet music to his ears.
Alicent yelped. "Naruto?!"
Rhaenyra thumped his chest with a fist. "What is the meaning of-
He silenced them with his lips, kissing each ferociously untily they were left swooning breathlessly on their feet.
"Sorry!" There could be no holding back his smile, or his laughter, now. "I just can't help myself! I love ya both~!"
While they were thus distracted and enamored, he raised their interlocked hands high and spun to face the crowd, grinninng like a loon.
Mission accomplished.
Most of the nobles applauded, some with decidedly less enthusiasm than others, but the smallfolk roared their approval with a thousand dissonant voices.
Something answered them.
With neither word not warning, an almighty quake suddenly shook the Sept roof from above, rattling the mighty building from top to bottom, causing many an onlooker to look, well...up.
Well that they did at that; because a ragon's roar shattered the air from on high, bellowing what might've been a challenge...or a greeting.
Naruto's grin practically split his face. "Finally. I was wondering when he'd show up~!"
At long last, after all this time, Cannibal had returned.
Now that was a wedding present!
A/N: Goodbye, Otto. Rest in pieces.
I know, I know, that was a bit of a lurch between the two scenes there. It was deliberate and meant tk show that Otto is NOT coming back.
We'll circle back to Naruto and the Cannibal's next chapter...and see if he came in peace or not. I'm sure you all know the answer.
Do you wish for weekly updates to remain? Ot would you prefer bi-weekly? I'll leave that to you, the readers. Do let me know! This story hinges on your feedback!
Want an 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. 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.
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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!
(Previews!)
Cannibal flared his wings to belted out another raucous roar, rattling the very world. Yet for all that, he did not attack. Curious.
Rhaenyra winced, one hand over belly. "Was that a challenge or a greeting.
Naruto didn't answer at first, rather, he strode forward. "Lets find out."
"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.