A/N: EDIT: Every review really does help, large or small...anything is better than nothing at all...T_T
Apologies for the shorter chapter, I'm not well, coughing badly and will be taking it easy next week. I'm wearing myself out, here.
These site glitches are also doing my head in...new chapters take forever to appear at times...
...as such, any and all feedback is appreciated.
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~!
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.
Tywin really is a blast to write. Man's in his prime and he is TERRIFYING.
Away we go~!
"You want me to lead the assault?!
I do. It will be your first military command. I trust you wont disappoint me. Who knows? If you perform well enough, the bards may have a new song or two by the end of this campaign. The Greyjoys will know we are coming. I expect they will have fortified Old Wyk and Pike against us by now. It will be a hard fought battle, on land and sea alike. But we have allies of our own on that front. The Greyjoys have irked both the Harlaws and the Mallisters with their incessant warmongering. I expect both will be glad to be rid of them...given the right leverage."
"Great, no pressure. How many men are we throwing at this?"
"Why ask questions you already know the answer to?"
"...that many, huh? Alright. Lets begin..."
~Father and Son.
A Fine Song
The Iron Islands beckoned.
Naruto took no pleasure in the assault that was to come; if only because he knew there would be casualties. Men would lose their lives. Good men, honorable men, from both the North and the West alike. There would be deaths. There could be no avoiding that; for all his skills and healing, he couldn't be everywhere at once. He could come close, sure, but he wasn't perfect.
Even he couldn't cure death.
Worse, the Ironborn knew they were coming. No avoiding that either, given that they'd all but thrown them back into the sea. They had to know what was coming for them by now; even a blind man could see the writing on the wall. They'd likely fortified themselves and dug in for a costly siege.
Alas, the dragons weren't ready for combat.
Well, Kurama might manage a flight with him through sheer dogged determination it nothing else, but Shukaku and Matatabi were still woefully small given how recently they'd hatched. He gave them chakra every day to speed along their growth, but there could be no denying the former fox was growing the quickest out of all of them. Perhaps it had something to do with their bond. Or maybe dragons just thrived during war. Who could say?
Regardless, they couldn't afford to reveal them just yet; not with so much on the line.
He soon found himself faced with another surprise.
Tywin was staying behind.
"You want me to lead the assault?!"
"I do." his father remained implacable as ever where he stood behind the table, much to his chagrin. "You've proven yourself in battle and the men trust you. This will be your first military command without my guidance. I trust you wont disappoint me."
This was to be their final strategy session before he set out, then.
Sure. Greeeaaat. No presure.
Gulp.
"Who knows?" the elder Lannister loosed a harrowing chuckle, "If you acquit yourself well, the bards may have a new song or two by the end of this campaign."
No, thank you! The Rains of Castamere was quite enough! They didn't need a new song!
"The Greyjoys will know you're coming." his lord father laid a hand against the map, indicating a series of marked positions, forcing him to follow his gaze. "I expect they will have fortified Old Wyk and Pike against us by now. It will be a hard fought battle, on land and sea alike. But we have gained new allies of our own." he traced a stern finger past the Iron Islands, tracing the edge of the bay itself. "The Greyjoys are alone, with few allies; moreover, they've irked both the Harlaws and the Mallisters with their incessant warmongering. I expect both will be glad to be rid of them...given the right leverage."
A blond brow quirked. "Leverage you've already applied, no doubt?"
"I may have written a few letters."
The other rose to join it. "What did you offer them?"
Tywins stared stoically. "Victory. What else?"
Damn, dad was scary.
"Great, no pressure." he ran a hand through his hair, considered the pieces arrayed before them with a sigh. "How many men are we throwing at this?"
Tywin tutted. "Why ask questions you already know the answer to?"
"...that many, huh? Alright. Lets begin..."
"Ironman's bay is not so impenetrable as the Ironborn would have us believe." It is vulnerable here, and here." Tywin indicated several points of interest, each of which he committed to memory. "A blockade would be wise, but we haven't the numbers for it. Moreover, the Ironborn are reavers and raiders, their sailors outstrip ours. You must strike fast and strike hard; take them by surprise before they can react. I suspect that wily Greyjoy of yours may have a few ideas..."
Just thinking about Euron left a sour taste in his mouth. Slimy kraken had made himself useful. Too useful, some might say...
"Euron mentioned a few," he admitted ruefully, tracing a finger over the map. "None of which I like."
"Tell me of them, then."
He did. Shortly and succinctly, feeling filthy afterward."
Tywin didn't judge him for it. "...I see. I'd ask you to keep it clean, but clean ways don't win wars."
Grimacing, he took a goblet from the table and drank. Damn. It was only water; he would've preferred wine. "On that we both agree."
"Good! You're learning...
Honor was all well and good to a point; until it got you killed. The Starks had yet to learn that lesson. Perhaps they would in the future. Lord Rickard had proven himself...flexible when it came to protecting Lyanna. With a bit of luck, his bannermen would learn to bend as well; preferably before they broke.
"Tell me," his lord father asked suddenly, apropos of nothing, "Can that Faceless Woman of yours swim?"
This time, he couldn't quite hide his smile. "Nymeria can, and very well at that."
"Can she, now? She couldn't before. When did she learn?"
Heat rose to his cheeks. "I taught her."
Sex on the beach was great and all, but going at it in the water had a pleasure all its own.
Tywin noticed, sharp-eyed as ever. Hrrm. Just be careful you don't get a bastard of her just yet. Although...
"Although?"
"Perhaps the Lannisters could do with a brand family...
Naruto nearly choked on his wine and had to thump his chest just to swallow. "Excuse me?!"
"Calm yourself," Tywin chided him. "We've more work to do before the night is done; your voyage begins tomorrow, or have you forgotten?"
"Joy of joys...
The Lord of Casterly Rock tapped a finger down on the map once more, indicating the Greyjoy stronghold therein. "Quellon is by far the wisest of the Greyjoys, strong and fast at that. He was peaceful and cautious, and wanted neutrality. A pity what's become of him, really."
"How so?"
Tywin fixed him with a stern look. "There was a time when he wished to reform the Ironborn, to make them a proper Westerosi house. He was in talks with me of it, and I entertained his offers. The resources of the Iron Islands would've been a great boon to us."
Cersei might've been shipped off there? Father had never mentioned it. "What happened?"
He suspected the answer, but his father merely confirmed it. "Aerys." after a moment's pause, he shrugged. Or perhaps Quellon has been usurped by one of his sons. He had a great many of them."
Had implied he no longer did. "Dare I ask what became of them?"
"Euron joined us." Tywin counted off his fingers while he spoke, downing one after the other. "Aeron was slain during the battle of Lannisport. Only Victarion and Balon remain, and I suspect it is the latter who leads the Greyjoys now. Slay them, and the Kraken will flounder. Naturally, there's the risk that this is Quellon's doing, and he's leading us into a trap...
True. Forewarned is forearmed, after all.
He didn't like the idea of wiping out a house and tearing down their towers, but there could be no denying the Greyjoys started this. Whether they were pushed, goaded, threatened or coerced, it mattered not. They were enemies.
The Blood of the West ran gold. And gold burned red hot. He'd drown them in it.
Lannisters paid their debts.
One way or another.
(.0.0.0.)
Rhaegar kept riding.
His destination was in sight.
Silently, he prayed that this would go well...
(.0.0.0.)
Something stirred in the depths of the ocean.
Old and ancient.
It awoke.
(.0.0.0.)
Euron froze in the act of sharpening his sword, the steel slipping from his grasp as a vision took him in its teeth.
Keen senses sharpened by magic whispered in his ear, a dire warning of what was to come.
A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, carefully concealed behind one hand.
Opening his eyes, he stooped low, retrieved his weapon and began anew.
"Now isn't this interesting...?
(.0.0.0.)
The dawn broke and with it came bittersweet farewells.
"Must you go?"
Naruto stood on the docks and peered down at Tyrion, fighting back a wistful smile at his little brother's pleading. "You know I can't stay."
Ah, but he was a child, and children as he knew, weren't so easily dissuaded. "Nymeria's going with you!"
Said faceless woman was already aboard the ship, awaiting him, no doubt rolling her eyes.
"Nymeria can fight."
Tyrion was positively distraught to see him go, but he couldn't possibly go with them. Neither could Cersei. She understood that.
Tyrion didn't."You're taking the Hound!"
Because the Hound can also fight; better than most at that. Ellia and Lyanna also need to stay here as well; no one knows they're at Casterly Rock." He knelt down and embraced his brother before he could think to protest again, holding him close to whisper into his ear. "I'm leaving the dragons in your care while I'm away. Can I trust you with them?
Tyrion's gaze lit up. "I'll keep them safe! You have my word!"
He rose to his feet, idly tussling his hair as he went. "I know you will."
He'd left countermeasures behind in the even that someone tried anything, but anything that boosted poor Tyrion's confidence was a boon in his eyes.
After all this time, he'd become many things, but foolish wasn't one of them. Aerys, if he was truly behind this, might try to strike at Casterly Rock while he was away. He'd talked long and loudly with Kurama and Shukaku as to how they might prevent this, with Matatabi offering her own input.
If a dragon came calling -unlikely!- he'd be in for a nasty surprise.
Ellia stepped to him, hands clasped before her, claiming his attention. "You will return, I trust?"
He quirked a brow at her. "You doubt me?"
She took his hands in hers and squeezed. "Never."
Cersei sidled up next to him and kissed his cheek briskly, as a sibling might. "Be safe, little brother.
"I could say the same of you. Keep up those sword lessons of yours while I'm gone."
Her smile was radiant. "Perhaps I'll be able to beat you by the time you return."
He very much doubted that, but there was no harm in humoring her.
Last -but by no means least- Lyanna stepped up. He saw the spark in her eye and knew at once that she was up to something; if not neccessarily what. He soon had his answer as she took him by the face and kissed him fiercely; deeply, passionately, nearly causing him to stumble off the dock entirely and fall into the water before he caught himself.
Many a Northman and Westerlander cheered from the ships. His face went red, and turned redder still as Lyanna's lips brushed the outer lobe of his ear.
"Come back to me," she whispered. "I'll see you in your dreams.
Wait, how did she know about-
Joanna Lannister was next, taking him briefly into her arms to hold him tight. "Be safe, my darling boy."
He sighed against her. "Mother, I'm not a child anymore."
"Even so!"
"Stop coddling him." Tywin was much too stern for such overt displays of affection, but he did clasp a hand to his shoulder. "Save travels."
Joanna elbowed him viciously in the ribs until he capitulated and gave him a firm embrace.
From someone like Tywin, it meant the world.
Of course that meant Tyrion had to latch onto his leg, which gave Cersei an excuse to wriggle into his side. He basked in the warm, familial moment, wishing it would never end.
All too soon, it did.
"Don't worry my lords and ladies," Euron swaggered up, arms swinging at his sides. "He'll be just fine. I'll make sure of that."
Everyone glared at him; not that he could blame them. The Greyjoy had proven himself trustworthy thus far...worringly so. There had been no tricks, no traps, neither twists nor turns. He'd been a veritable paragon of loyalty and virtue, everything a Greyjoy wasn't.
And now here he was, promising to protect him? Just what was he up to..."
Cersei hissed. "If you harm a hair on his head...
Euron chortled softly. "Perish the thought."
There was nothing more to be said.
With one last lingering look and a goodbye, he grabbed Euron by the arm and dragged him away.
From there, they boarded the flagship, and in a matter of moments, they were off.
The invasion began.
(.0.0.0.)
Movement.
Ships approaching.
It sensed them in the deep...
Something called to it.
Hunger.
Prey.
FOOD.
(.0.0.0.)
They made good time toward the Iron Islands; better than he'd ever dared to dream possible.
With the wind in their sails and the sea calm, it promised to be a peaceful voyage.
Rather concerning, that.
In his experience there was no such thing as a peaceful voyage, impending invasion or otherwise. The Northmen wouldn't be of much use on the water; most soldiers weren't, all the more reason to land and disembark quickly. Armor meant naught against the sea. Their journey needed to be a brisk one, quick and efficient to strike at the very heart of the enemy, before all was lost.
A day passed in quiet solitude, with naught but the salt of the sea for company.
A second swept by in relative peace as well as the spied a pod of dolphins.
By the time a third came, he found himself growing restless.
Even with their vessel at the head of the fleet and no cover on the open ocean, he still expected an ambush. Any moment now they'd see sails on the horizon, or some recently tamed dragon -sage knew there were enough eggs about- would come swooping down fom the clouds to burn their fleet to ashes.
When no such threats appeared and no madness manifested, he only found himself further on edge. Euron didn't help matters any with that smug smile of his and the constant assurances of "All will be well." Easy for him to say. He couldn't tell whether he was being his usual smarmy self or if he genuinely believed that-
Something shook the ship, causing him to lurch forward. What in the world...?!
Impossible. There were no reefs this far out, and the Iron Islands, though visible on the horizon, were still well away. So what, then...?
Euron hummed thoughtfully, carefully bracing himself against the mast. "You may want to look down."
A pang of dread seized him.
Reluctantly, he did as the man suggested and gazed into the briny deep. Movement danced in the depths below, too fast for him to properly see. He thought he saw a shadow, a rippling of water that had nothing at all to do with oears. He blinked, scrubbing at his eyes with both hands.
Between one blink and another, The giant eye of a creature stared back through the water.
"...!"
Naruto recoiled; recovered now, as recognition dawned. Wait. He knew that eye-
One of the sailors saw it, shrieked, and stabbed down with their spear.
"Sea serpent! KILL IT!"
Naruto swore. "No, you idiot! Wait!"
Too late, the lance skittered off the beast's scaly brow.
A low, sonorous noise shook the world.
And that, as they say, was that.
The water erupted.
Twyin had been right about one thing.
What followed would make for a fine song indeed.
A/N: Hello, Isobu.
Hopefully he's friendly...?
*gulps*
Hope you enjoyed! Looking forward to your feedback!
So...in the immortal words of Atlas...
...Review...Would Ya Kindly?
NO PREVIEWS TODAY.
Can't spoil things.
Sorry!
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