A/N: EDIT: alas, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of feedback for this chapter. Maybe the story isn't as popular as it used to be... I just don't know sometimes...T_T
Can anyone see this chapter? Do let me know, I'm still wary after all those site crashes and glitches.
Many thanks to newboy (a reviewer) for offering a great many ideas regarding the Iron Islands!
As always, I wanted this chapter to feel like a proper Game of Thrones episode!
Hopefully I succeeded~!
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough, methinks. Enough of this old man's rambling; you're here for a story. Hope you're prepared for the chaos to come. Once more, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. Nope. They're simply tributes to legends far greater than I. Lastly, a reminder to one and all. Naruto's Westerosi name remains Nathaniel. Joanna -and now Rhaella!- prefer to call him Naruto, yet they're the only ones who truly do.
Timeline is obviously a little skewed here, but hey, that makes things...fun.
References and verbatim from Game of Thrones below. Hope you enjoy all this hard work.
Away we go~!
"I don't trust him."
"Naturally. I'd be disappointed if you did. As you said earlier, Euron Greyjoy has his uses...for the time being. Until he has expended said usefulness, we shall make use of his so-called talents and direct them at our enemies. Keep him close if you wish, but under heavy guard. Whatever his plan may be, we shall counter it. Although...
...although?"
"If he truly wishes to prove himself "loyal" throw him at his own men raiding the West. We'll see the truth of it then. If he cannot kill his former comrades, then he's too weak for our purposes. If he kills without remorse, then we will know the measure of him. Either way, he'll be distracted.
On sea, Krakens may well be dangerous.
But on land it is the Lion that rules.
Remember that, my son."
~Nathaniel and Tywin.
Dreams of Conquest (Choice)
"Hail the Father of Dragons!"
Naruto buried his head in one hand and fought down a sigh as he grasped a goblet in the other with intent. "Say that one more time and I will HARM you, Oberyn...
"Nonsense!" the young prince thumped him on the back. "If anyone deserves praise after that display, its you!" He raised his own goblet high. "To driving the Gryejoys back into the sea!"
He nursed a scowl in his wine. "Not all of them."
"Ah, but you have that one watched by the Hound, no?" the dornishman kicked one foot upon on the table with a laugh. "I doubt he'll be making trouble for us anytime soon."
He wouldn't; not after the deal they'd made; on the contrary, he'd proven himself most cooperative.
Downright useful, really, occasional witty barb aside.
Therein lie the problem.
Reluctantly, Naruto raised his arm, reached out, and clanked his cup against Oberyn's own.
He would find no salvation in wine tonight; much as he might wish to.
They'd already thrown a massive feast to celebrate their victory at Lannisport, followed soon thereafter by a smaller, more private affair, with those who were in the know. That had been...what, hours ago? He wasn't sure. Wine had a way of muddling one's thoughts and he'd drunk more than his fair share tonight. Not enough to make himself drunk -he didn't think it was possible at this point- but just enough to lend his thoughts a pleasant afterglow, a distant haze that kept him from perseverating on more menial matters.
Tywin -Father!- hadn't bothered to keep up with their drinking games for long and departed soon thereafter once it became clear they'd be at this all night. Tyrion had tried to stay up with them as best he could, bless his little heart, but at the end of the day he was just a boy. He'd folded hours ago and Mother had carried him back to bed, leaving the two of them alone.
Oberyn hadn't stopped teasing him since, naturally.
"What troubles you?"
Choosing a different avenue of attack, was he? Clever of him.
"Hrrmph." he growled and made to drink, only to realize his goblet was empty. He remedied that and fixed Elia's brother with a stern glare. "What makes you say that?"
Oberyn tutted. "You have the look of a doomed man about you, Lannister. I know it well. Come now, its just the two of us here, the ladies have long since retired for the night. You can tell me."
He very much doubted Cersei had gone to bed just yet. He'd last seen her whispering something Lyanna's ear; something that left the Stark girl's face terribly red. Elia was clearly a bad influence on her, to say nothing of Nymeria. He didn't want to imagine what the four of them might get up to while he was in his cups.
So he chose not to.
"I'm overwhelmed," he admitted it to him freely, frankly, even. "There. I said it. Happy now?"
The Martell laid his chin to rest upon one hand. "How so? Plans for the coming battle?"
A blond brow rose. "You know its not that."
"Ah." Oberyn's smile became a touch sharper, a tad more protective. "I take it Elia made her move, then. My dear sister was never one to back down from a challenge."
Now it was his turn to flush, for an altogether different reason. "You could say that...but then again, Lyanna's very much the same...
Oberyn caught the implicit meaning therein and boomed a laugh. "Nathaniel! You sly dog! However did you pull that off?!"
"I didn't." he masked a rueful laugh in more wine. "They made a deal while I as asleep."
"...I see." Elia's brother did the courtesy of pouring him more wine, then some for himself before returning to his seat. "Rather, I wish I did. Mysterious are the ways of women!"
Naruto glowered into his wine. "I'll drink to that."
"As you should!" Oberyn guffawed openly and downed another flagon for himself. "You treat them well, I'll admit. My sister has nothing but praise for you as of late."
He did his level best to be a good lover to them, really, he did.
Ah, but that still left the matter Cersei.
Cersei, Cersei, Cersei!
There could be no more running from her, he supposed. He could hardly admit his issues -and conflicting feelings!- to Oberyn on that front for fear of facing his confusion, or worst, his scorn. There were some things even the Dornish didn't do.
No, this was a matter he must address on his own, come what may.
Time to face the music there, one way or another...
.
..
...if only he knew how!
Wait. There was someone he could speak to about this...
In hindsight, he should've known better; it wouldn't be that easy.
(.0.0.0.)
"I fail to see the problem here, Nathaniel."
Yup, really shoulda known better!
"Rhaella-
"Naruto~!" She sang back, using his tried-and-true name. "We Targaryens have wed brother and sister together for years. It is our way. Whyever did you think I would object?"
Tonight's dream had become a pleasant jaunt on the beaches of Dragonstone, their bare feet warmed by the waves. Together they walked hand in hand, simply basking in one another's presence.
Or so he had been, until she'd turned his argument on its head.
She'd a tendency to do that, didn't she?
"I'm not a Targaryen," he pointed out.
"Who can say?" She shrugged the cylinder expanse of a shoulder. "The Conqueror's Bloodline goes back further than any of us could hope to trace, and he was known to travel to the West a great deal." Smiling softly, she hid her lips behind one hand, doing nothing at all to contain her laughter. "Regardless, I don't take issue with the matter of you having a mistress." pulling ahead of him, she hummed and kicked at the surf, laughing but a little as it tickled her toes. "Your heart is too big. I could never hope to hold it alone."
"Still my sister."
Rhaella glanced back at him, violet eyes twinkling in the low light. "And did not a great many "clans" of yours intermarry for generations back in your village, as you yourself told me?"
Dang. She had him there. "Yes, well...if I did do...that with Cersei, she wouldn't exactly be my first."
Rhaella's gaze sharpened ever so slightly "Is that so...?"
He told her the truth. How could he not? She'd been nothing if not honest with him; if nothing else, he owed her the same courtesy.
By the end, her face was red, not at all from anger. "A Stark? And a Martell? My but you are greedy, aren't you?"
He mentioned Nymeria.
Rhaella's brow shot into her hair. "Well, competition breeds excellence, doesn't it?"
"You're alright with this?"
"I suppose I'll have to be." Her violet eyes sparked suddenly as a thought occurred to her. "Unless you've been bedding them for quite some time and leading this old woman on...
Old? Her? Not anymore; not after he'd rejuvenated her. "You barely look twenty, ya know.:
She whipped around and pinched his cheek. "Naruto Uzumaki! Tell me the truth this instant! When did you start sleeping with them?!"
Her outburst made him smile; he rather liked this fiery side of her.
"Recent." he said the word freely, having nothing to hide.
She tweaked his cheek. "How recent...?"
"As in less than a three months." her met her gaze unbowed, unbent, unbroken. "Literally the other day in Lyanna and Elia's case, and not by choice."
"Oh." A light flush touched Rhaella's cheeks. "I suppose they ambushed you, didn't they?"
He coughed into a fist, remembering just how terribly forward each of them had been. Even Cersei, with her most recent confession.
"And despite all this, you've not slept with your sister?""
"No...
She giggled and for once it sounded almost girlish, further betraying her anxiety. "You do realize you're tempting me, no? I've have a mind to make my escape, ride to Casterly Rock, and pin you to your bed for a week."
His face went scarlet.
Urk. You'd think he'd be used to blunt courtship by now. Rhaella outstripped them all by a country mile.
Left unsaid was the fact that any attempt on her part to flee the capital would fail without his aid.
He gaze her hand a squeeze. "Please don't try just yet."
"Whyever not?" she was testing him, despite her teasing tone, he could sense the burning question therein. "I daresay you'd slaughter anyone in your way."
"I would." he replied, steadfast in his conviction. "And every army sent after you. Until nothing was left. I'd also be seen as the villain and the whole world would turn against me."
Her lovely face drained of all color; she'd meant it as a jest. "You're telling the truth, aren't you?"
Yes.
He was weaker in this incarnation, sure, but only just. He could still outrun horses, crush stone in his bare hands, and command the very elements. And that was without Sage Mode, to say nothing of his shadow clones and more recent...creations. Factor in three dragons and he had the potential to burn not just Westeros, but Essos and the lands beyond.
"Well!" She fanned her face with a hand. "Now you're getting me all hot and bothered. Its only the fair I do the same to you, no?"
"Now wait just a second-
Too late, and she was much too close for him to escape in time. She laid a hand on his shoulder and leaned in. Her lisp brushed the outer lobe of his right ear as she spoke, delivering the softest kiss with every other word. "I yearn for you, beloved. I wish to touch you, not in dreams, but in the waking world, to feel your lips on mine, your hands on my waist...to cry your very name to the heavens for all to hear...
He shivered but a little as she pulled away. Was it possible to get riled up from words alone? If so, she'd succeeded.
The fact that he restrained himself seemed to impress her greatly; because she dared to kiss his cheek. "Such a gentleman. I maintain what I said, however." Straightening up, she lifted her chin ever so slightly, violet eyes catching the light of the setting sun to set her gaze ablaze. "Those silly girls may have your body, but I had your mind and heart first; as such I shall be your unforgettable first.
He couldn't resist the chance to tease her. "Even though you technically aren't?"
"Even so!" She huffed and stomped on his foot as they walked.
Comfortable silence reigned between for a time.
Alas, it simply couldn't last for long.
The good things seldom did.
"There is something else you should know." Rhaella said suddenly, almost apropos of nothing, fingers tightening around his. "Aerys has been looking for dragon eggs.
Naruto nearly missed a step and fell face-first into the sand. Thankfully his reflexes were just as sharp in a dream as they were in the real world and he caught himself immediately..
His blood, however ran cold.
"Does he know?"
"No," the youthful queen shook her head, "He suspects nothing. If he had even the slightest inclination, he would've sacked Casterly Rock by now. Varys assured me has no such plans. Although...
He didn't like that tone. "Although...?"
"He may be using the Greyjoys to ascertain your capabilities," she continued, brow furrowed in thought as she pondered the matter further. "You won't be able to hide them much longer, my love." Her hip brushed his, causing him to sigh but a little. "They are growing, yes?"
"Kurama is, and quickly, but he's still not large enough just yet. Shukaku hatched more recently, to say nothing of Matatabi...
Her eyes lit up. "You have three dragons now?!"
"Did I forget to mention that?"
Had he only mentioned Cersei to her...?
"Yes!" she gave him a firm shake, drawing another laugh from him. "You most assuredly did!" Calming herself, she raised their intertwined hands and gave his knuckles a quick kiss. "How did that happen?
He explained in blunt, if brisk terms.
"Do you believe there will be more?
"Six more, at least."
"Ah, your tailed friends, I take it?"
He nodded.
Rhaella shivered. "Goods be good." Mastering herself quickly, she shook her head. They may be small now, but I expect that won't remain the case for long. Dragons grow quickly in the company of others."
Now it was his turn to quirk a brow her way, bemused. "Been reading books on Dragonlore, have you?"
She sniffed. "Reading is all I can do these days. That, and exercise."
Foot, meet mouth. "I didn't mean to imply-
"Quite alright." she leaned into him mid-step, taking the chance to pull him close for what it was. "I know you didn't mean anything untoward by it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder in any case; it will make our grand reunion all the more sweeter...provided my so-called-husband doesn't catch wind of us."
He scoffed. "Aerys isn't that smart. The man's insane.
Rhaella pinched his arm, drawing a grimace from him as she spoke. "He may be so now, but he was brilliant once and has little left to lose at present. You'd do well not to underestimate him."
"...Fair point."
Mad and diseased he may be, but that made him all the more unpredictable. He'd already sicced the Greyjoys on them, or turned a blind eye to their raids, at the very least. Who knew what else the madman might be capable of, when provoked or pressed? He didn't want to find out.
"I would ask that you keep an eye on that Greyjoy," Rhaella warned him. "His kind have ever proven untrustworthy.
"And you keep an eye on Aerys."
She tutted and caressed his cheek. "Let me worry about that doddering dragon. I am nothing if not subtle."
Targaryens were most assuredly not subtle. "Keep a knife on you at all times and keep Jaime close. He'll keep you safe."
...I will endeavor to do so." she released his hand. "I suppose its time to go, then.
It was. He wished it wasn't; but he couldn't keep sleeping like this.
Her voice caught him as he turned to go.
"Nathaniel, wait."
He paused.
In an instant, she was upon him, hands cupping his cheeks, forehead pressed to his. Her nose brushed his, lips close enough to kiss. Yet she didn't lean in.
"You've given me advice all this time, helped me, protected me, even when you had no reason to." her voice was low, fervent, yet strangely sad, tugging at his heartstrings. "Allow me to impart some small wisdom unto you in return. Be honest with your sister, as I am honest with you. Look into her eyes, ask her every question you can consider, and see what comes. If she loves you, then she does. If this is what a fledgling crush, compelled by lust, then that is a different matter. Speak with her, be true with her, or you shall both live to regret it until the end of your days. Do not simply settle as I did. Else you shall live a life of misery."
She tapped him between the eyes.
"Now wake up."
He did so.
But only for a moment.
(.0.0.0.)
Cersei opened her eyes with a start.
All around her, she found not the comforting confines of her room but...
...something else entirely.
A forest? Why was she in a forest? It was a lovely one, make no mistake; full of lush, lively greenery wherever she looked, but it wasn't home.
Was she dreaming? She didn't remember ever seeing a place like this.
What is this place?
"That's...something of a long story."
Cersei pivoted, startled as a voice called out behind her. "Nathaniel...?"
For it was her brother, undoubtedly so, but he looked...different, somehow. Stronger, taller than before. His eyes were brighter, his body almost seemed to glow with golden light, lit from within. He'd never looked quite so handsome as he did in this moment. Those odd marks on his cheeks, too. What was this? What manner of witchcraft could this be? He'd called this a dream, yet she was aware of it, so that must mean...
Oh.
Ohh.
Ohhh~!
Right, then. If this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up! Not now, not never ever!
"Sit." he instructed her, indicating a nearby patch of grass. "We need to talk."
Her heart promptly leaped into her throat and took up residence there.
And yet, sweeter words had never been spoken.
Cersei sat instantly.
(.0.0.0.)
Rhaegar Targaryen considered his options.
This was a dangerous game he was playing, one with great risk.
And yet the greatest risks often brought the greatest rewards, did they not?
If father would not take action, and help him find a suitable bride, then he would take matters into his own hands.
stealing himself, he cracked the reigns and spurred his steed forward.
But as to where he rode...
.
..
...well...
... who can say?
A/N: Ran out of time. Next chapter's gonna be a wild one, in more ways than one.
Shall we pick up with Naruto and Cersei here? Or skip ahead? Perhaps both? Your choice!
Do let me know!
I mean, really, Rhaegar could be going anywhere, to Dorne even... do try and guess...
Should this remain a story? Would you like weekly updates? I've got five slots left. Or should it remain monthly? By all means, speak up. Finally got this chapter to show up properly! The site glitch took a lot of progress from me, but here we are, making a comeback despite losing most of this chapter to the crash. Looking forward to your feedback!
So...in the immortal words of Atlas...
...Review...Would Ya Kindly? And of course, Enjoy the previews. Potential ones...
Previews are -mostly!- the same this time. Didn't want to spoil the upcoming chapters.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SPOILERS LAY AHEAD!
YE BE WARNED~!
(PREVIEWS)
The Greyjoy raiders never stood a chance.
From Cornwall to Crakehall, they were set upon, one and all.
By years end, they were driven from the West and cast into the sea.
And once they were...
x
Ships sailed toward the Iron Islands.
It would be a massacre.
But for whom?
x
Euron laughed. "And now it begins...
x
...no survivors."
x
Tywin tutted softly. "Congratulations. You've managed to anger the one person whose rage you should fear the most.
For what its worth, you have my sympathy.
I doubt your death will be painless..."
x
Something stirred in the depths.
EDIT: Hey, you made it! I do hope this chapter lived up to your expectations. By all means, feel free to let me know what you think!
Looking forward to your feedback/chatting with you when I get back from work!
Hope you have a great day filled with lots of luck,
~Nz.
R ~! =D