A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly?
...I fell behind, I'm sorry. This isn't my finest chapter, but I'm dealing with a work situation. Bloody bastard called off TWICE! Two days in a row! Guess who was in charge and had to come in to cover?! I'll give you three guesses. First two don't count.
This chapter needed to be reworked not once, but TWICE, which didn't help matters. Demon of Ashford is FIGHTING ME.
In short, I'm writing this, the third rewrite. while stressed out and on very little sleep.
Of course, I could have published it yesterday, but then it would've been a short, awful, one-thousand-word chapter. I'm fairly certain folks don't want that.
If by some miracle this story actually makes it to...lets say, 900 REVIEWS -unlikely, but possible, given its well past 800 already-I'll do my best to update early again. Until then, I'll be off updating other things. This story WILL be updated again next month regardless, but feedback really lights a fire in me to focus on certain stories faster. Just look at Untraveled Road and Shed No Grace on Me, to say nothing of Foxfire and Dance of the dread.
So, onward, I suppose.
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. 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.
No questions this time. Someone complained -of course- and I'm not in the mood.
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 prefers to call him Naruto, yet she's the only one who truly does.
Timeline is still a little skewed here, but hey, that makes things...fun.
References and verbatim from Game of Thrones below:
"You're a Lannister. Act like one."
"Oh, but I am! A true lion keeps his claws concealed as he stalks his prey, never looking away.
Always watching, waiting, until his prey shows that fatal, fateful moment of weakness. And then he pounces."
~?
Break your Chains
"You maimed the mountain."
Nathaniel didn't flinch, bless him. "I did. What of it?"
Standing before his desk once more, Tywin's heir met him stare for stare and refused to budge an inch. It almost -almost!- made him smile; like looking back through time to the boy he'd once been. Would that the rest of his children had such steel in their spine. Tyrion was just a babe, he'd all but given up hope on Cersei for now, while Jamie had only just begun to find his, but Nathaniel?
The Mad King himself could've stood in this very room, and he doubted that stoic expression would waver.
With an iron will like that, the legacy of the Lannisters would be in good hands.
And so rather than reprimand him, Tywin asked a question. "Why?"
"Simple." The boy planted a hand on his desk. "The loyalty of Sandor outweighs the cruelty of Gregor. Better a determined dog than a mad mountain."
Tywin considered the matter a moment. It was true, Gregor had grown increasingly erratic as of late. Unpredictable. Violent, even. He'd killed a guard just the other day for looking at him. The man was a blunt instrument at the best of times, crude but effective; good for breaking and bludgeoning the enemies of the Lannisters and little more. Few could hope to stand against a man of that height and strength. In light of that he'd turned a blind eye to the mans...eccentricities for some time now.
"But did you have to burn him?"
"I did." the faintest curl of Nathaniel's upper lip told him exactly what he needed to know. "Violence is the only language Gregor understands. He was born mean. There's something wrong with him. Up here." He tapped a finger to his skull. "But he knows strength, and I proved mine to him. He hasn't come near Sandor or Selene since I put him in his place."
Because no one ever had. Tywin imagined Ser Gregor was at something of a loss now. Still, the idea that he might otherwise be addled...
He leaned back in his chair, contemplating the matter further. "You might send a message to the Maesters, then."
"Already have." the boy beat him to it. "They call it a tumor. A sickness of the brain."
"Can you cure it?"
"Maybe." A shrug followed." I might be able to. Not sure I should. If he's as much a monster with it as he is without, what's the point?"
Tywin tutted softly. His boy was clever, but he still didn't see all the angles. Not yet. He would in time. With aging came experience, and he was growing slowly but surely.
"If you could secure his loyalty, he would be a powerful ally."
Nathaniel clicked his tongue. "Maybe...but do I really want someone like that on my side?"
There it was, that good heart of his again. Tywin oft favored the iron fist, but the boy was akin to a velvet glove draped over it. He was the kind face of Lannisters, offering the carrot before the stick. His mercy played well into his plans for the family, but there were times when he thought the boy could stand to be more ruthless. The only good enemy was a dead enemy, as the saying went...
.
...
...ha! Were that true, he would've killed Aerys long ago, consequences be damned.
Still, if his son practiced peace, he would never be wise in war.
How little he knew.
"Which brings us to another matter. He steepled his fingers. "Lord Rickard Stark has agreed to my offer."
Nathaniel caught on quickly. Sharp as a tack, this one. "You're fostering me in the North?
"For a time. Five or six years, perhaps. Your sister will go to the Stormlands." Sure enough, the boy's expression proved quite telling. Tywin pursed his lips. "You do not approve?"
His son most surely did not "...I have questions."
Good. He would've thought less of him had he gone off meekly to suffer in the cold without protest. "Ask."
"Why the North?"
"It is the last place Aerys would expect to find you." Also the furthest from his reach. "And the Northmen at least, care not for the Targaryens. They ascribe to their foolish notions of honor. The Martells seek an alliance with the Crown, the Tyrells are loyal to the Crown, the Baratheons share blood with the Crown."
Nathaniel quirked a brow. "When you say it like that, it sounds as if everyone is licking the mad king's boots."
"Not all. The Arryns hide away in their mountains. The Tully's obsess over petty squabbles, while the Freys are ever eager to ingratiate themselves with the Mad King. The Greyjoys are far worse; would happily reap and reave while the lot of us are distracted.
Nathaniel thumbed his chin and considered the matter further. "Then why send Cersei to the Stormlands? That's the same as giving them a hostage against us, isn't it?"
Tywin scoffed. "Let them think they have a prize in your sister. They do not."
He left the rest unspoken.
Nathaniel -and perhaps Jamie once he accomplished his great task- were the hope for his house. It was too soon to trust Tyrion, no matter what Joanna might wish of him. Learning to love his third son might well prove an exercise in futility. It was simply too soon to tell. Not for the first time, Tywin found himself inordinately glad he'd made Nathaniel his heir. He wasn't spitefully stupid, but in the same vein he wasn't afraid to ask questions. An admirable quality in a leader. And if his plan paid off, years from now, he might even be...no, no, best not to get his hopes up, lest he place all his eggs in one basket.
"You may take that girl of yours with you. And Clegane, of course."
Nathaniel fixed him with a keen look. "Which one?"
"Whichever you prefer."
"Cersei won't like that."
Then perhaps you should speak to her before you leave."
(.0.0.0.)
Cersei hadn't been eating.
Naruto knew it at a glance; one look was all it took; the moment he picked the door's lock and saw her pale face, it was easy to see. She didn't look up from her pillow as he entered, not even when he set a tray of food down beside her bed. She looked thinner. Gaunt, even. He tapped her shoulder and she rolled over, refusing to look at him. Still sulking over Jamie, of course. His departure had hurt her dearly.
"Eat."
He tapped her again; she didn't move.
"You need to eat.
No response.
"Eat," he hefted a loaf of bread at his sister like a sword, "or I swear to the Sage I'll shove this down your bloody throat."
That got a reaction out of Cersei. She rolled over to scowl at him. "What in the Seven Hells is a Sage-mmph!"
He shoved the bread into her mouth, muffling her words. "If you can sass me, you can eat."
Cersei glared at him.
Naruto hefted another loaf with intent.
...in the end, she was the first to back down.
She chewed reluctantly, swallowed, and looked at him through half-lidded eyes. "Where is Jamie?"
Was she that much of a mess? "You where he is. He's joined the Kingsguard." he ignored her flinch. Now came the difficult part. "And you...you're going to be sent to the Stormlands for a bit.
Her brow furrowed. "You're coming with me...?"
"No." he shook his head and braced himself for the inevitable explosion that was sure to follow his words. "I'm going to Winterfell."
"What?" She drew back, startled. No, no, this must be some sort of mistake. Father would never separate us like this."
"He would and he has. There's nothing I can do about it."
"But I don't want to go to Storm's End!" She looked away, sullen. "Its not fair!"
Ugh. Wasn't she supposed to be the older sibling here? Why did this always fall to him...?
"Father doesn't hate us." he took her by the arm and steered her back to him. He's trying to protect us and build bonds with the other houses. It'll only be for a few years..
...how many?"
"Five or six. Maybe less."
Cersei absolutely hissed at him.
"That doesn't mean he can sell us off like a pack of of...!" She paused, paled suddenly, and swallowed a caustic retort. "...nevermind."
There it was again. That pause; the moment she took to compose herself. She'd stopped herself from saying something nasty again, from being an utter shrew.
"Why are you acting like this?"
"Like what?" Cersei averted her eyes and looked away from him, idly twirling a lock of blond hair around one finger." I don't know what you mean."
"Like that!" he snapped his fingers at her. "Not...yourself."
She took a deep breath, perhaps in anger, or maybe to steady herself. He never knew. And then:
"I prayed for you."
Now it was his turn to blink. "Pardon?"
"While you were dying," she elaborated, patting his hand. "You were asleep for so long after the attack. No one thought you woke up, and Pycelle, that old white rat, couldn't wake you. So I prayed." her fingers squeezed his, so tight it was almost painful. "I prayed and prayed and prayed. I swore to the all the old gods and the new that I'd be a better person if they let you live. And you did. They brought you back to me. So I have to keep my promise. I have to, or they'll take you away again...
'I always would have come back, ya know...'
Naruto nearly said the words aloud...but he bit his tongue at the last second. If this made her a better person, then surely that was a good thing...?
"You'll be safe, won't you, little brother?" she drew him into her arms, and for once, he didn't protest against her embrace. "You'll come back to me again." her hand stroked the top of his head gently as she whispered sweet nothings to him. "Won't you? You won't let those barbarians break you."
Strange turn of phrase there. He chose to ignore it. That was a mistake.
...I'll try. It was the only thing he could think to say. "Don't make yourself miserable in the Stormlands. Who knows? You might enjoy it."
Cersei huffed and held him tigther. "I most certainly will not...but I shall try."
He tried to stand up. She didn't let him go. A sigh parted his lips.
Fine. He'd let her be clingy. Just this once.
"The things we do for love...
(.0.0.0.)
He had time enough to write two quick letters before dawn.
Sending ravens up in the North would be difficult; he knew that, hence his frantic scribbling now. One for Elia, another for Rhaella. The former wasn't much to read, but the latter...
.
...
...well, some might call this treason.
It was a risk of course; if anyone intercepted the ravens he might be in a spot of trouble.
But no one would. He'd seen to that. These messages would combust if anyone but their intended recipients opened them.
From a purely political perspective he could see why such subterfuge cause strife, but everything really would be better if the mad king was gone. Loyalty to the crown and the realm was all well and good, but there came a point when sanity outweighed it. What was the saying? Everytime a targaryen was born the gods flipped a coin? Half of them went mad didn't they? Be it in the beginning or the end. Which meant...
Treason, they said.
Treason it was, then. Even dragons died.
But before death came torment. And he had just the thing for Aerys...
(.0.0.0.)
The north wasn't as cold as Naruto feared.
Some might call that cold comfort. Heh. Jamie would've smacked him for a joke like that. Mother would've laughed. She'd cried when he left. He wondered how she was faring now. Almost all of her children sent away for their own safety, leaving her to raise Tyrion nearly alone-no, no, don't think about that. Happy thoughts. Warm thoughts!
This far wasn't warm like the Westerlands, but it was hardly the icy hell he'd heard stories of. He'd take what he could get in a world like this.
The Hound wasn't happy about it. Even with his healed face, he'd been scowling all the way
Nymeria was shivering, too. He'd lent her his cloak long ago, but she clearly wasn't used to these temperatures.
The faceless girl made no complaint, but he saw her scowl all the same.
Winterfell certainly lived up to its namesake if nothing else.
Even in summer there was snow about in the castle yard and the air, while not freezing, had a crisp chill to it. The castle proper was magnificent; from here one could hold off even the staunchest of sieges. It came quite close to matching the majesty of Casterly Rock.
No sign of the Lord and his family, however.
No one had expected them, or even come to greet them.
Some might have called that breach of courtesy. Rude, even.
Naruto called it secrecy. It was only natural that Tywin would want to keep this secret; and he couldn't much blame him for that. Best to keep some things under wraps. If the whole realm knew he was here, he'd never be safe. Faceless men did not come cheap and while he very much doubted they'd come for him again after the ultimatum he'd issued, he wouldn't put it past dumb thugs or common cutthroats to try their luck. Likely only the Starks knew he was here, but where in blazes were-
Aha! Movement!
He heard the harsh canter of hooves behind them; such a noise that nearly had his escort performing an about face. A rider in light leathers came barreling into the courtyard behind them, astride a black stallion. He shot past them, circled once, and came to a halt. No, he realized as they tugged back their hood, not a boy. She. He found himself staring at a slender, dark-haired girl nearly of an age with him.
"You're the Lannister lad, then?"
...I am." he quirked a blond brow at her. "Who're you?
She swung herself off the horse with a grin and offered him her hand. Against his better judgement, he took it. She yanked him out the saddle to stand beside her. Naruto felt his heart kick against his chest. Was this what it was like to be smitten?
"Lyanna." She grinned at him. Her eyes strayed to the sword at his hip. "You know how to use that?"
"Depends." he couldn't quite hide his smile. You know how to fight?"
Her grin grew. "You'll do. Lets see what you're made of."
"Wait, what-
Lady Stark threw the first punch.
It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
A/N: Next chapter will be far longer than this measly one, you have my word.
We'll also have some proper timeskips that we've been building up to.
Aaaaand scene.
Well, should this remain a story? Or should it fade back into oblivion? By all means, speak up.
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; holidays are HERE and 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.
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)
A red priestess from Asshai wishes to speak with you, my lord."
Does she now? Send her in.
Lyanna tutted softly. "You foolish lion."
"This from the wolf who thumped three squires?" She thumped him over the head and he laughed. "Ow, ow! Hit me all you like, I regret nothing!"
Joanna sighed. "My dear, sweet boy. What did you do...?"
He laughed and fell into a chair. "What was necessary. You should've seen the look on his face, mum...
Rhaella perked up. "It IS you...
Jamie willed himself to breathe. Calm. He must be calm. Now wasn't the time to act.
But if Aerys so much as whispered another plot against Nathaniel...
Well. No one would be sad to see the Mad King go.
Bronn was silent for a long moment. And then:
"Yer father's a right scary cunt sometimes, ya know that?"
"Don't let him catch you saying it."
"Aye, but I don't have any halls to weep over.
"Not yet. Stick with me and the world will be your oyster." Naruto spurred his horse on. "A Lannister pays his debts."
The sellsword chortled and rode after him.
"You certainly do...
Father hated him.
Tyrion was a smart lad; he realized this immutable truth by his seventh birthday. Father despised him, loathed his very existence, wished he'd never been born. He seldom smiled in his presence, and when he did it wasn't a kind one. By contrast Jamie and Cersei and Nathaniel were the truest of siblings and Joanna the best mother a son could ask for, even a dwarf.
He was forced to grow quickly in mind, if not necessarily body. He learned, oh yes, he learned. Cerseri was technically the eldest, despite being twins with Jamie, having been born minutes first. Yet as a woman, she could never inherit, a fact that often made her bitter.
And so Tyrion learned.
Not that he had much choice in the matter mind you; it was either learn or die.
At six years old he was smarter than most men, with a silver tongue to match. He understood his family; almost as much as he did his beloved siblings.
Jaime was a Kingsguard.
Cersei wanted to be queen.
Nathaniel...had more worldly ambitions.
Back from Winterfell, he seemed more intent on them than ever.
He was the heir of course, which meant that, for the most part, his future was his own. At least it was until father found a suitable match for him. He wondered who it would be. He was still writing those letters to Kings Landing. And wasn't that a mystery? One of these days he'd have to find out who-
Her heard a commotion in the room ahead, a low, muffled bang. His brother's room. And was that smoke peeling out the air?
"Damnit." a low growl pierced the air ahead of him. "Another failure. Why won't you hatch?!"
He poked his heat into the room and waddled in. "A dragon egg? Now wherever did you find that?"
"Merchant from across the Narrow Sea."
"Looks like a stone to me." he knocked his knuckles against it. "Certainly sounds like one."
"Oh ye of little faith, Tyrion...
"I have plenty of faith." he scoffed. "Just as I have faith that merchant swindled you out of a great deal of gold. Its certainly very...red."
It certainly is."
"You do realize that, if by some miracle it actually hatches, you'll be expected to hand that hatchling over to the King."
Nathaniel scoffed.
"Fuck the king."
"Dangerous words. Aerys might not like them.
"Don't care what he likes." he set the egg down in the brazier. "This egg's special. It'll hatch. I just know it."
"And then what? You'll ride the beast into battle?"
Nathaniel walked away with a hum.
"I understand I have you to thank for saving my life."
"Think nothing of it. What's your name?"
...Qyburn, my lord."
A crack spread across the egg. Another. Another, now. Another yet still.
And then...
Cersei shook her head, setting her golden hair swaying as she sat beside him. "Foolish little brother. Are your proud of yourself, now? Was it worth all the pain?"
"Undoubtedly-ow!" Tyrion hissed as she tenderly cleaned his injury with a wet cloth. "Well, ladies do love battle scars, or so I'm told...
"Perhaps," she hummed, not quite able to hide her smile. "You nearly lost your eye and nose. Whatever will father say?"
"They should have aimed lower?" Cersei pinched his arm and he yelped. "Dear sister, you wound me!"
"I'll do more than that if you don't hold still...
"I'm sure you will." he eyed the fallen bodies with a sigh. "Who taught you to use a sword like that?"
Cersei only smiled. "No one."
Bloody tourneys. He hated them. Still, this was a sight better than jousting. He'd take what he could get in the melee.
Prince Rhaegar was...not as he expected. At least he seemed saner than his father. For now.
"May you fight well." the prince settled into a stance.
...same to you."
"Seven hells!" Robert guffawed. "How are you still standing after a blow like that! You must have a skull like iron!"
Naruto reeled on his feet. "Something like that...
"Gods, this calls for a feast!" He slung an arm around his shoulders. "To our new friendship! Don't sulk over there, Ned! You're coming too!"
He could feel HER staring holes in him as they japed.
Rober elbowed him, winking as he did. "The she-wolf's looking at you again, lad. Give 'er a kiss."
Naruto thumped him over the head. "You kiss her!"
"Me?! The Baratheon only laughed harder. "Not a chance! I'll not come between a wolf and her prey. Besides, I've got my eye on another...
"I am a Lannister! Not some broodmare!"
Joanna tutted. "You're my daughter. You've not even met the man-
...I won't do it."
Her eyes flashed.
Then she took her hand from his mouth and pressed something far softer to it.
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 reading your feedback/chatting with you when I get back from work!
Hope you have a great day!
R&R! =D