A/N: Can anyone see this?
Seems the site broke again last night *sigh* so I'm not entirely sure this is visible.
I know this story isn't all that popular compared to the rest, but still, I'm fond of it, and since it hit seven hundred reviews, here we are, another update.
If this makes it to eight hundred -hopefully- I'll update again as promised. I'm still alive, still here, still kicking...for now. Claws of a Lion, Demon of Ashford and Son of the Stag are FIGHTING me.
In other news depression's starting to hit real hard these days. Sometimes I wonder why I do anything at all. I can't claim to understand what's going wrong with my head. I don't even know why! One moment I'm fine, then my mood craters for a few hours, then I'm back again for a bit, and the cycle repeats. Its rather annoying; as though I've become a prisoner in my own mind sometimes. Sure, what's one more mental problem on the pile. Not like I don't have enough, what with already being this old. Feels like every day is a battle sometimes. My doctor is of no help at all.
Take a walk he says, go outside more he says, you'll be fine he says. *siiiigh* Don't bloody feel fine. Maybe I should see someone else...
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds, the world over. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Not Q&A for a bit, as someone complained. Ah, well. Can't please everyone I suppose. Trying my best to keep everyone entertained here.
Alight, I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no quotes, references, quotes, themes or memes!
They're simply tributes to legends far greater than I; an old man who writes as a pastime.
Now, then...Shall We Continue? I do hope you're prepared.
A character also snaps here, in homage to a comment an acquaintance of mine made on youtube way back when.
Can't rightly remember the who, when, or where of it all -was a long time ago- but its there.
Verbatim for season seven here.
"We're only human. We love who we love. Such is life."
~A future scene.
Bend no Knee
The King in the North had come to Dragonstone.
Daenerys could see his ship from here high atop Drogon's back; a large galleon moored by the castle bay, nestled against their fleet. At least she assumed it was Jon Snow's ship; if not, then a very foolish foe had come to their doorstep. No, it must be him. Who else would willingly approach an isle swarming with dragons. She doubted their return had gone unnoticed at that; after all, one could hardly fail to notice Drogon from afar, much less a unique beast like Ancalagon. Dragons were hardly subtle creatures at the best of times and these two were eager to roost after such a long flight.
The thought had her smiling into her child's dusk-colored scales; now there was a sight sure to give Northmen a fright.
A hue and cry went up from below, and not just from the guards at that.
She heard Aegon whoop a beat before their descent.
Looking down, she could see why; Rhaegal and Viserion had finally noticed their arrival now as well; she could see them stirring on the cliffs below. The smaller dragons trilled happily at their brother's return, quieting only a little as Ancalagon descended, allowing his rider to disembark at a brisk pace. Not one to be outdone, Daenerys did the same with Drogon, who immediately craned his long neck toward his siblings. Ancalagon boomed a greeting of his own and just like that, the four of them were off, chasing and braying at one another through the clouds like a pack of happy dogs.
Daenerys couldn't quite conceal her smile. Such feisty children she had. It was good of Aegon's dragon to tolerate them.
Aegon -Naruto!- nudged her side. "Not something you see everyday, is it?"
No, it certainly wasn't.
Together they made their way to the castle in comfortable silence, save for the distant crashing of the waves. The salty spray felt good against her arms, though she found herself wishing she had dressed warmer. Alas, her old attire was not simply not suited to the current climate. It had been a pleasant experience wearing her blue dress again; something to remind her of better times across the Narrow Sea, when she was more concerned with freeing the people of Slaver's Bay, when she needn't worry about foreign powers or enemy armies, when everything seemed so much...simpler.
But life was seldom simple here in Westeros and cold though Daenerys was, she was beginning to realize she didn't like darker colors. Wearing nothing but black made her seem dour and stuffy. Grim and cold, when in truth she wanted to be warm and kind. Hmm. Now there was a thought. Perhaps she'd see if she could procure something a bit brighter in the future...
.
..
...and how strange it was to finally be able to think of such!
For so long she had accepted her infertility as a fact of life...until it wasn't. Now that she could have children again, the promise of sex held much more than just physical appeal, but emotional comfort as well. She could have heirs. She wanted a son; wanted one so badly it made her breast ache. The son she'd never had, the son that wretched witch had stolen from her so long. Of course a little princess would be all well and good; twins would be an unexpected but welcome surprise as well...
A little shiver overtook her and not from the cold.
Aegon noticed, of course. "Still not used to it, are you?"
Daenerys looped an arm in his for warmth. "A little," she lied.
His smile flashed out, causing her heart to skip a beat. "I can think of a few ways to warm you up."
She flicked a bemused look his way. "I imagine you can. Bold of you to suggest such a thing out in the open...
"I was talking about swinging a sword, my lady." his grin gained a teasing edge. "Whatever did you think I meant...?"
Heat seared through her face. Ohhh, he was good with his games. Very good. Her certainly knew his way around a bit of banter. She liked that. It made him seem more human somehow, more humble despite his own professed madness. A dragon was no slave and Aegon certainly wasn't. Even now when faced with the prospect of meeting a self proclaimed monarch -and she had views about that!- he remained steadfast and strong in the face of adversity. While she...
She massaged one of her arms, recalling her prior weakness at the Blackwater Rush. "Once we've spoken with this Jon Snow, I need to start my training...
He nodded. "Indeed you do."
Brat. She granted him a grave look, noting the sly smirk he wore.
"Careful now," she cautioned him, "I enjoy your company, but you overreach yourself. I am your Queen."
"You are," he allowed, but his grin gained an edge, warming her blood in return. "If you wanted a mindless pawn, you wouldn't have proposed to me."
...fair enough. There was a certain endearment to his blunt way of speech. Aegon had been born bold, was always bold, and would likely die bold. No, no, no, she amended hastily, he couldn't die. She'd lost too many loves already and left so many others behind. Fate could fuck right off. He absolutely could not. If he lost his life, if something happened to him, or heavens forbid someone hurt him, she might just go mad, assuming she wasn't already. Perhaps that made her a selfish woman. So be it. She wouldn't give him up. No, nay, never, not for the world. No one else could have him. She'd burn any who tried to take him...
"Squeezing a little hard there, Dany."
She blinked and looked down, realized her fingers had bit into his arm while they walked. "...Forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive." Far from being concerned, Aegon only smiled, good eye creasing. "You were lost in your head. It happens."
Blast. She couldn't bear it when he looked at her like that. It made her feel warm and hopeful and loved, yes, but more than that, she felt safe. Here was someone who would never betray her, who wasn't afraid to tell her when she was doing something foolish, who would happily help her take the Iron Throne and sit it for decades to come. He was the other half of her soul and...and...
.
..
...and she wanted him, damnit.
Desire sparked in her and she grabbed him by the face, wrestling his lips down to hers. His hands settled about her waist and held tight even as her own linked behind his head; the better to pull him closer and deepen the kiss. It wasn't enough. Not nearly enough. She reveled in kissing him, but she longed to find a solid surface to push him against, be it a wall or a bed or...
"About this King in the North," Aegon said between kisses, "I say we let him keep his kingdom. It'll be easier to draw him into the fold if we do."
What was he on about? She bristled at the very insinuation and pulled away with a quizzical frown, desire fading. "The Seven Kingdoms are ours to rule."
"They are," he allowed, "But why on earth would we ever want to go North? That one's larger than the other six combined. Let the Northerners have that land. We don't need it. They, however, need our food, and it would be a sight easier to have them as allies rather than cow them into submission."
She bridled at that remark, mightily put out. "He could be here to swear fealty for all you know."
Aegon scoffed. "I'd bet my sword he won't. Northerners are stubborn. Anyone calling himself "King in the North" will be thrice as bullheaded."
Did he even realize what he was saying? She'd crossed the Narrow Sea to rule Westeros, not half of it! "I will not simply give away a piece of our realm!
"Dany...
"No." she scowled at him. "I will hear no more of it."
Aegon looked like he wanted to argue, but thought better of it.
"Lets make a wager, then." an almost impish gleam shone in his good eye. "Thirty laps around the yard says Jon Snow won't bend the knee."
Running laps? Her? She wanted to train, yes, but that sounded awful. He'd probably chase her all the while...
She wanted to say no. And yet her Targaryen pride prickled at the thought.
"What if I'm right?"
"I'll serve you on hand and knee for the rest of the month. I'll even compose a ballad for you." He offered her his hand, grinning like a fox. "Deal?"
Her brow show into her hair. "You can sing?"
"Ah, ah, ah!" Aegon wagged a finger at her. "You'll just have to win the bet and find out now, won't you?"
Daenerys found herself blinking all the same, somewhat taken aback. He would sing for her? She'd never heard him sing; didn't even know he could...and she'd never been serenaded before. Interesting. She scowled at him, but shook his hand all the same. "I suppose we should make ourselves presentable, then...
In short order they did just that.
(.0.0.0.)
"You stand in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of house Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne...
Daenerys sat upon her throne once more, clad in her dark garments and listened with half an ear as Missandei introduced her with sound and aplomb; listing her lengthy titles one by one, all the while, resisting the urge to scratch her nose. Perhaps she had one too many titles after all. Granted she had earned each of them, but actually paying attention to them was tiresome. However did Tyrion and the rest tolerate it all?
Aegon stood by her side, closer than all the rest, ready to defend her if need be. She glanced at him askance.
Let the King in the North keep his kingdom, honestly! Did he take her for a fool?
He might've come to bend the knee, for all they knew!
That said, Jon Snow was certainly a fierce looking man; lean and dark-haired, with all the pale skin of a Northerner. He was certainly fit enough in that armor of his If her heart hadn't been for another she might've found him handsome. As it were, she wondered at the bravery it must've taken for him to come here with so few soldiers. Doubtless his advisors had told him to stay away. Yet here he was.
Curious.
"This is Jon Snow." the weathered man beside him introduced the still-silent Northman. "He's King in the North."
"Thank you for traveling so far, my lord." she addressed him kindly. "I hope the seas weren't too rough."
He granted her a careworn smile. "The winds were kind, Your Grace."
"Apologies," his second interjected ruefully, "I have a flea bottom accent, I know, but Jon Snow is King in the North, your grace, he's not a lord."
Oh? He wanted to play games with her, did he? Alright. She'd play. "Forgive me, Ser...?"
Tyrion interjected on her behalf. "Your grace, this is Ser Davos Seaworth."
"Forgive me Ser Davos." it took every bit of her ironclad self control to keep a cold smile from splitting her face. "I never did receive a formal education. But I could've sworn I read the last king in the North was Torrhen Stark, who bent the knee to my ancestor, Aegon Targaryen, in exchange for his life and the lives of his Northmen. Torrhen Stark swore fealty to House Targaryen in perpetuity." her head tilted just so, feigning innocence. "Or do I have my facts wrong?
The man faltered. "I wasn't there, Your Grace."
It wouldn't do to be cruel. "No, of course not, but still, an oath is an oath. And in perpetuity means," she looked to her Hand, "What does it mean Lord Tyrion?
"Forever." Tyrion almost seemed to sigh the word. He knew the argument that was coming. Too bad. She was in a foul mood already.
"So I assume, my lord," she leaned on the word, putting emphasis on it, "That you're here to bend the knee...?"
Jon Snow met her eyes. She dared to hope.
"I am not."
Daenerys could've sworn she heard Aegon mutter "Told you so" under his breath.
Damnit.
"Oh." she leaned back against her throne. "Well, that is unfortunate." for her as much as him. "You've traveled all this way to break faith with House Targaryen?
"Break faith?" Jon Snow made an incredulous noise, looking at her like she'd grown a second head. "Your father burned my grandfather alive. He burned my uncle alive. He would've burned the seven kingdoms-
"My father was an evil man." she winced even saying it; for it had been a bitter pill to swallow. "On behalf of house Targaryen I ask your forgiveness for the crimes he committed against your family. And I ask you not to judge a daughter by the sins of her father.
Aegon made a pleased noise at that. She took strength from it and bulled on.
"Our two houses were allies for centuries. And those centuries were the best the Seven Kingdoms have ever known. Centuries of peace and prosperity with a Targaryen sitting on the Iron Throne and a Stark serving as Warden of the North. We are the last Targaryens, Jon Snow. Honor the pledge your ancestor made to mine. Bend the knee, and I will name you warden of the North. Together we will save this country from those who would destroy it."
He looked around for a moment.
"You're right." he said at last. "You're not guilty of your father's crimes...
Her heart soared with triumph. Ha! Take that! Victory was hers!
...and I am not beholden to my ancestor's vows."
Hope died. Stubborn foolish son of a...!
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I need your help," he declared. "And you need mine."
She blinked, taken aback by the sheer audacity of it all." Did you see the dragons flying overhead when you arrived?"
"I did."
"And did you see the Dothraki, all of whom have sworn to kill for me?"
"Aye," he replied, "They're hard to miss."
"But still, I need your help?"
"Not to defeat Cersei," Ser Davos put in. "You could storm King's Landing tomorrow and the city would fall. Hell, we almost took it immediately without dragons-
"Almost," Tyrion put in glibly.
Davos glowered at him. If looks could kill, the dwarf would've been a pile of ashes upon the floor.
"But you haven't stormed King's Landing." Jon spoke up. "Why not?" His words, instantly put her on the defensive; for there was no clear cut answer she could give without weakening her position. "The only reason I can see is that you don't want to kill thousands of innocent people. Its the fastest way to win the war, but you won't do it. Which means, at the very least, you're better than Cersei."
My, but this wolf had some spine to him. "Still that doesn't explain why I need your help."
"Because right now," he said, "You and I and Cersei and everyone else, we're children playing at a game, screaming that the rules aren't fair."
Aegon palmed his face as he heaved a sigh. "And you were doing so well...
Daenerys looked to Tyrion. "You told me you liked this man."
...I do, against my better judgement."
"In the times since he's met me," she bit back on a hiss as she looked Jon's way. "he's refused to call me queen, refused to bow, and now he's calling me a child."
"I believe he's calling us all children." credit where it was due, her Hand tried to defend his friend valiantly. He did not succeed. "Its a figure of speech."
Jon dared a step forward. "Your Grace, everyone you know will die before winter if we don't defeat the enemy to the North."
She scowled at him. "As far as I can see, you are the enemy to the North."
He shook his head. "I am not your enemy. The dead are the enemy."
Silence reigned supreme.
"The dead." incredulous, she looked back to Tyrion. "Is that another figure of speech?"
Evidently not, for the "King in the North" wasn't finished. "The army of the dead is on the march-
"Army of the dead?" Tyrion didn't guffaw, but it was a very close thing indeed. "When did this come about...?"
Jon cast the little Lannister a pleading gaze. "You don't know me well, my lord, but do you think I'm a liar? Or a madman?
"No," he sighed, "I don't think you're either of those things."
"The Army of the Dead is real." Jon dared another step forward, heedless of the nearby Dothraki. "The White Walkers are real. The Night King is real. I've seen them. If they get past the wall and we're squabbling amongst ourselves...we're finished."
Anger sparked in Dany's heart. Finished? Her? She'd only just begun. She would not be dismissed so easily.
"I was born here at Dragonstone, you know. Not that I can remember it." she rose from her throne. "We fled before Robert's assassins could find us."
Aegon sighed under his breath. "Here we go...
"Robert was your father's best friend, no?" she moved down the steps, one at a time, considering him. "I wonder if your father knew his best friend sent assassins to murder a baby girl in her crib." Not that it matters now, of course. I spent my life in foreign lands. So many men have tried to kill me, I don't remember their names." Two more steps, now. "I have been sold like a broodmare. I've been chained and betrayed, raped and defiled. Do you know what kept me standing through all those years in exile?
The King in the North didn't speak. He didn't dare. He absolutely did not dare.
"Faith." she all but spat the word at him, lips curling around her teeth in a furious hiss. "Not in any silent gods, not in myths and legends. In myself. In Daenerys Targaryen. The world hadn't seen a dragon in centuries, until my children were born. The Dothraki hadn't crossed the sea, any sea. They did for me. I was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms." she stopped short of him now, just out of arms reach. "And I will; without allowing myself to be distracted by this nonsense-
"You'll be ruling over a graveyard if we don't defeat the Night King!"
"Enough." he'd interrupted her for the last time; now her temper sparked. She looked to her guards. "Take him away."
A Dothraki reached for Jon.
Mistakes were made.
The King in the North slugged the man in the mouth and he dropped like a sack of potatoes.
Before anyone could think to draw their weapons, he moved.
And what a move it was.
"You want to talk about faith?!" Rather than attack with his bare hands, Jon Snow rounded on her, eyes wild, voice rising as he thrust a finger in her startled face. "Tell that to the Wildlings who lost their families at Hardhome! Say that to all those who died screaming under a mob of bodies! I saw them, the white walkers face to face, I bloody killed one and saw what followed; hordes of undead, skeletons with strips of flesh hanging off, freshly dead men women and children, turning on their friends and family!" his eyes became glazed, his voice holding a terrible weight that seemed to press down around her temples. "I saw the land become silent and the Night King walk out onto that dock, eyes bright blue, a crown of horns on his head, all cold malice and death! Do you even know what its like? To see something like that?!"
She tried to speak, only for Jon to silence her with a snarl.
"I watched that creature raise his arms, and when he did," her fellow monarch fought down a shudder, mastered himself, and bulled on. "All the dead stood. Every last one, my friends, brothers of the nights watch, all stained with blood and eyes icy blue, nothing but puppets and meat for the Night King to use." his words -his haunted rage- had cast a spell over them all, holding them in his thrall. "You think the white walkers don't exist, that they're mere myths and legends? That they're not real?"
A bitter bark of laughter burst from him, sharp and angry, swallowing any response she might've made.
"When they march down here," he thrust a gloved finger at the floor, "When your precious army starts dying and coming back as wights, when your beloved dragons are shot down by white walkers without so much as smile, and their eyes open blue, you'll bloody realize what's real! Maybe then you'll stop faffing about with your stupid iron chair and understand!"
Daenerys reeled back, eyes wide, balking at the sheer vitriol in his tone.
No one had ever shouted at her like that. Not even Aegon.
Much to her chagrin, her intended began to clap.
"The wolf has fire in him." he sauntered forward, swaggered really, one hand on the hilt of his sword. "Are we sure he's not a dragon in disguise?"
Daenerys turned a baffled look on her fiance. "You would like him. He's like you...
"Now, now," Aegon seemed darkly amused by it all, we're all the same side here, aren't we?
Jon squared his shoulders. "And what side is that?"
"We all despise the Lannisters. Well," he amended with a rueful look at Tyrion. "Most of the Lannisters. Present company excluded, of course. After all, they've wounded your family even more than the Targaryens, haven't they? Aerys took your grandfather and your uncle, but Cersei and her ilk shattered your family, just as they did ours. Isn't that worth a bit of blood?"
Jon hesitated.
"Aha!" Aeogn thrust a finger at him. "There it is. I'm good at reading people. You hate them just as much as we do."
"Its true, I have no love for the Lannisters-
"Then you won't mind helping us destroy them first." he cut him off with a limpid smile. "It won't even take a week. We'll happily help you with your problem afterward."
"A week is more than enough time for the Army of the Dead to face the Wall!"
"The war against my sister has already begun," Tyrion chimed in. "You can't expect us to join you in fighting...whatever you saw beyond the wall."
"What I saw was real!"
Daenerys scoffed, unable to hold back her disbelief. "That remains to be seen."
"You don't believe him." Davos stepped up once more, impressing her yet again with his forthrightness. "I understand that. It sounds like nonsense. But if destiny has brought Daenerys Targaryen back to our shores, it has also made Jon Snow King in the North. You were the first to bring Dothraki to Westeros?" he took a quick breath then barreled on before she could get a word in. "He is the first to make allies of wildlings and Northmen. You were named Mother of Dragons, he became Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, you rose as queen of Queen of Meereen, he was declared King in the North.
He paused now, letting the words ring in the throne room.
"Slightly less impressive titles, I know, but not because of his birthright, he has no birthright, he's a damn bastard." he swung an arm out, voice rising with passion, raw emotion from an aged man who had seen much, no more than anyone his age should. "All those hard sons of bitches chose him as their leader because they believe in him. All those things you don't believe in? He faced those things. He fought those things for the good of his people, he risked his life for the good of his people, he took a knife in the heart for his people. He gave his own-
Jon quelled him with a glance.
"A knife in the heart?" Aegon interest redoubled. "So you've died as well."
Jon recoiled, at the words shook his head, then rallied. Daenerys eyed him speculatively.
"Listen to yourselves." Davos heaved a sigh. "If we don't put aside our enmities and band together, we will die. And then it doesn't matter whose skeleton sits on the iron throne."
"If it doesn't matter then you might as well kneel." Tyrion came to her defense, ever the middleman. "Swear your allegiance to Queen Daenerys and King Aegon, help them defeat my sister, and together our armies will protect the North.
"There's no time for that." Jon remained damnably stubborn, much to her ire. "There's no time for any of this! While we stand here debating-
"It takes no time to bend the knee." For all their mounting tempers, Tyrion tried one last time with all the courage of a giant. "Pledge your sword to her cause, then-
"And why in the seven hells would I do that?!" Jon recoiled as though the very implication of it all stung him. "I mean no offense, your graces, but I don't know you. Either of you." he looked between her and Aegon as one might perfect strangers, which to be fair, they were. "As far as I can tell your claim to the throne rest entirely on your father's name, and my own father fought to overthrow the mad king. The lords of the north placed their trust in me to lead them, and I will continue to do so, as well as I can, for as long as I can."
Ohhh, this Jon Snow was good. Very good indeed. Such a shame he was her enemy.
"That's fair." she granted him a grave nod. "Its also fair to point out that I'm the rightful queen of the seven kingdoms. By declaring yourself king of the Northernmost kingdom, you are in open rebellion."
Jon bridled. "Begging your pardon You Grace, but you're not listening-
"Aaaaand I think that's quite enough for one day." Aegon stepped between them and bodily thrust them apart,. "If we keep going like this, blood will be spilled and we'll all do things we might regret. There's no need for that now, is there?" he looked between the two of them, all scarred smiles. "We're all friends here, aren't we? Eh?"
Danerys glared bloody red daggers at her intended.
Jon stared at him coldly, baffled by his behavior.
Aegon didn't back down, bless him.
...you must forgive my manners." she took a deep breath for calm, then looked to Jon and Davos. "The two of you must be tired after your long journey. We'll have baths drawn for you and supper sent to your rooms.
Her peace said she turned and marched back to her throne, content to pretend he didn't exist.
Of course, the King in the North couldn't let that be. "Am I your prisoner?"
Gods be good but he just had to get one last remark in, didn't he?
Daenerys glared over her shoulder at him. "Not yet."
(.0.0.0.)
Aegon found him on the cliffs.
In hindsight, Jon wasn't surprised. It was the only place he could get away from everyone and see his ship; so it made sense that someone would track him down here.
"Brooding, are we?"
He didn't answer, refused to even look at him.
That didn't stop Aegon. Not in the least, no, not by a mile.
"You're doing a very good job of it," the prince jibed, standing by his side. "You've got the whole dark and somber look going for you. Almost reminds me of an old friend. You would've liked him, I think. You could both be dark and broody together.
Would he never stop talking?!
"You know, his name was Sasuke-
Jon's temper sparked and he rounded on him. "Why am I a prisoner here?"
"You're not a prisoner." the prince swept a hand out across the cliffs. "You're free to walk the castle, the yard, the beaches, wherever you want really. "
"Except my ship." he looked to the moored galleon so close, yet so far away. "I can't leave."
...no, you can't." her intended smiled at him. "But there's a reason for that. If we let you leave now, we'd never have a chance to make a proper alliance."
He nearly guffawed outright. "And you think there's a chance for that? After what you just heard?"
"You laid a lot at Dany's feet. You can't expect her to just blindly accept it straight away." he clapped him on the back. "Don't worry about her. She'll come around once she's finished sulking. This is what she does. After all, she protects people from monsters. Its why she crossed the Narrow Sea, you see." his good eye winked at him jovially. "Because, sometimes, you need a monster to fight a monster."
Jon frowned at him. "And that's what you are? A monster?
Aegon shrugged. "I can be at times."
Jon winced. "You're insane."
"I am." Aegon-Naruto!-granted him a small a little. "But I'm also sane enough to admit it."
"That doesn't make any sense."
A laugh was his reward. "Trying having your skull smashed in as a babe, dying, and coming back. See if things make sense then."
He rounded on him. "I have!"
"Someone smashed in your skull as a baby?"
Jon blanched. "No...but I suffered something similar not long ago."
Aegon's eye fastened upon him. "...you're telling the truth, aren't you?"
He was. Gods knew he wished otherwise. There were things a man shouldn't see, shouldn't suffer, shouldn't signify. That was one of them.
"Stay here, Jon Snow." Something must've shone through his gaze; because Aegon clasped his shoulder with one hand, squeezed, then walked away. "I'll have a word with our queen."
He frowned at his broad back. "She is not my queen."
Aegon laughed and kept walking.
"Be glad that she isn't!"
(.0.0.0.)
As luck would have it, Daenerys was waiting for him when he returned.
Just...sitting there, on his bed.
"May we talk?"
A/N: Here comes the talk...
Felt good to improve some scenes here.
Well? Should this remain a story? If so I'll endeavor to update it weekly with the rest. If not...well, I tried.
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
By all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the Previews!
Well, potential ones.
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~?!
They're most the same, don't want to spoil things...
(Previews!) AKA Season Seven...
"I still can't believe Jon spoke to me like that."
"Again." Aegon traced her thigh with the padded sword.
Daenerys drew in an aggravated breath. "You did that deliberately.
He winked. "Did I?"
She tried to thump him with her own practice weapon, only for him to nimbly sidestep her once more.
"So close!'
You're stubborn, I'll give you that.
I prefer persistent. He laughed at that, not at her, but for her.
Oberyn chuckled. "You see how she pursues him? Our queen is smitten.
Jon Snow wasn't the only one new arrival.
A dothraki stepped aside. "This man claims his your friend, Khaleesi.
He is indeed. This is Jorah Mormont. My dearest and oldest friend....welcome home, Ser Jorah."
We will not take Casterly Rock with the unsulied.
A pall fell over the room. Tyrion waited for the other boot to drop. Eventually, it did.
Surely you do not mean to burn it?!
No, it will fall.
It has no value. The matter is not up for discussion. I have heard your counsel and-
The doors bust open.
Make peace? With Cersei? You're joking." he looked to Tyrion. "Tell me he's joking.
...I'm afraid not."
Aegon rose from his chair. Jon stood his ground.
In hindsight, that last decision might've been a mistake.
"I would sooner," he touched one hand to the side of his scarred face, "Gouge out my other eye and hand it to you on a silver platter than make ANY sort of peace with Tywin Lannister and his bitch of a daughter. The only reason I don't count Jamie Lannister among that number is because he frankly did the world a FAVOR when he killed Aerys all those years ago. No. I'll kill every other Lannsiter I cna get my hands on, present company excluded of course." He granted a quick nod to Tyrion.
"Your war won't matter when the dead march south!"
"And how are they going to come South, hmm? Last I looked, there's a Wall in the way. We have time. If your "Night King" can raise the dead, the last thing we want to do is dangle a dragon in front of him. No, we need to be smart about this. You want a wight, send me over the bloody wall. I'll grab the first one I find, and come back!" he thumped a fist against the table. "No faffing about, no grand heroics, none of this stupid horse piss."
"You love her." it was not a question, though the words were pained.
Naruto lifted his chin and stared him down. "I do."
Jorah stared back. "And you will be true to her?"
"Of course I will."
"See that you are. If you are not, your neck will meet my blade.
"Its too late now. Don't you see? Look at them. She loves him. And he loves her. We can't tell them."
Arya quirked a brow. "You can fight?"
"When I must."
She drew Needle. "Show me."
"You have spirit." he patted Sansa's head then laughed when she scowled and squirmed away. "I like that. Really, I do. But if I catch you trying to undermine my wife again...we'll be having words."
"You're content to be her mad dog, then?"
Dragon, actually." he tapped his eyepatch. "I never said anything about being sane...
EDIT: Hope this chapter put a smile on your face! Have a great day~!
Looking forward to chatting with you later!
Sincerely,
~Nz.