บท 8: The Prophecy
' I think I overdid it' I thought as I saw how everyone on the table was looking at me.
Most people were shocked.
I studied everyone's reactions one by one.
Viserys and Aemma looked bothered more than shocked and Rhaenyra, who didn't seem to understand the point of their shock, kept looking around confused.
Rhea who was next to a fuming Daemon was wheezing like she had seen the funniest thing ever, as the little girl next to her who I know now was Visenya kept looking at me with something I could only think was wonder.
On my side of the table, the reactions varied.
Rhaenys was standing in shock next to Corlys who was urging her to sit down, Otto Hightower and his young daughter were looking at me with unfiltered horror.
My family..well my family was sitting there like it was another day on a hunt, they already knew I could speak Valyrian and many other languages so it didn't come as a surprise to them.
But the Targaryen family and the other table inhabitants cannot say the same.
Daemon who was at his breaking point stood up quickly as his seat cleared to the floor.
He looked at me with such venom, that I thought his eyes would spew fire. My father who saw where the situation was headed also stood up.
Seeing Daemon get this angry from something as simple as words made me Realise that under all the titles and glory, he was still an immature 20-year-old.
Also, that I was in deep shit!
"HOW DA..!!" Daemon started.
"THAT'S ENOUGH OF YOU!" The king finally spoke with such ferocity that I actually flinched, and so did most of the people at the table.
"If you cannot take a child's words, how are you to call yourself a prince?" The kings piercing gaze locked onto Daemon, lingering on the prince who was red-faced.
Daemon who changed his gaze from the king to me, sat down with a huff, while everyone else also let out a breath they were holding in.
My father who was still standing took a step forward to most likely come get me, but he was stopped by the king with a wave.
"Peace Boremund, finish your food" And with hesitation, he went back to his seat next to Mother, who looked like she was going to lose her shit.
I also did as the king instructed my father, and just ate my food in silence.
There was a low murmur of chatter afterward, with many casting glances at me. I ignored them until the king directed a question towards me.
"So Valyrian?" He asked as our gazes met.
"Yes your grace," I said, but the way he kept looking at me suggested he wanted an explanation, and thank god for my father because that's exactly what he gave the king.
"The Maester at Storms End takes good care of Durin's education, he has taught the boy many things," My father said.
"Yes I can see that, but it takes a great mind to learn so much at a young age," The king said, his gaze never leaving mine.
"There is no doubt in that, Maester Wilkins only sings praises when it comes to Durin" My mother said from the side, as the king turned towards her.
"Is that so?" King Jaeherys said turning to me again.
"I'll say, the child speaks better than my husband over here" Rhea quipped, as daemon grunted but kept himself in check.
Otto who was sitting next to me cleared his throat as a sign that he found what lady Rhea said funny.
"Well, it's good to know that the future is so bright" Lord Corlys said, finally speaking. The man has been silent this whole time, only saying something when Leana or Leanor did something or needed help, a true stoic.
"Yes..yes indeed," The king said.
"and tell me Durin, do you have something you would like to do in the future" He asked me, as most of the people looked at me, while I was still swallowing some broth.
So far I've only done things out of character for a 3 year old and it was showing how much people found it disturbing.
It was okay in Storm's End because that was home and where the Baratheons were law, so it didn't matter much, but here amidst scheming sycophant it was best to tread carefully, so I did the only thing I could...acted my age.
I looked at the king, showing a bit of hesitation which made his brows quirk.
"I...I want to travel the world, and....and become a BARD" I said the last part with the biggest smile I could muster....and the silence was loud.
Rhea coughed loudly, something getting stuck in her throat, while everyone was looking on with surprise.
"A bard" It was Viserys who said it, but the way he was smiling said that he approved, which was odd.
"I guess he's still just a child," Rhaenys said lightly, finally showing a smile.
"Hahahaha, I guess the child want's to be a bard," My father said to my mother who was smiling.
But the way the king was looking at me suggested he didn't believe me one bit.
"That is most curious, yes indeed" The king said, looking at me as the room atmosphere returned to normal.
Daemon was the only one who was sulking until Visenya started dosing off, that's when his attitude changed completely, and left in a hurry with Visenya cradled in his arms, but not before asking leave from the king who waved him off, Rhea also had to leave then.
So slowly people started leaving and clearing the table, the velaryon's first, after them Otto and young Alicent left, bidding the king a good night, then it was Viserys and his family who also left because of a pregnant Aemma, and then all that were left where my family and the king.
When my father and mother were bidding farewell to the king, he said something that took me by surprise.
"Boremund, would you let me speak with Durin, it will only be for a short while," He said, but even though it sounded like a question, there was no saying no to the king, so the only thing father and mother could do were leave with boros and Jocelyn.
Which left the room empty, except for a couple of kings guard members, who the king waved off.
It was just me and the king now, sitting next to each other.
There was a silence before he stood up, and went towards the door, he turned around and waved his hand in a follow motion, so I got off of the tall chair and went to follow the king, most likely going to his chambers.
We walked in silence through the halls of the great castle that was once ruled by Harren the black, walking slowly and flanked by the King's guards.
After a short walk, we came upon a single room that was situated behind the great hall, which I'm guessing was the king's chambers.
The guards who were flanking us stepped foarword, one opening the door and the other standing guards, while me and the king went inside.
The first thing I noticed was the amount of books, scrolls, and documents lying on the big desk close to the window.
The room was large but it wasn't too large, there was a king-sized bed for the king of the seven kingdoms, a wardrobe next to a chaise lounge, and a small table.
The room was modest for a king.
I must have shown it on my face because the king who was now standing in front of the desk looked at me with amusement and said.
"It gets the job done" before turning around to look through the pile of messy papers.
As I scanned the room, something gleaming next to the bedstand caught my eye. When I approached, I was astonished to find a legendary object casually sitting there, as if it were not one of the most prized possessions of the Targaryen family.
Blackfyre.
There it was, in its sheath, just an arm's length away from me. I wen't to grab it but the clearing of through suprised me.
I saw the king sitting on one of the chairs next to his desk before I went and sat in front of him like I didn't just try to wield his sword.
There was a silence between us, as the king's piercing lilac eyes kept looking at me, his gaze for some reason looked so intense that it started to make me nervous.
"What did you want to talk to me about" I finally asked.
He kept looking at me before he hummed.
"Why do you think I've been showing interest in you Durin, and don't lie to me or act childish, you as well as I know that it won't work" He said, getting to the point.
'What the hell, he's tone changed completely.'
But that's a good question. I've been overlooking it this whole time: why would the king, of all people, show interest in me, just another snot-nosed noble child, not worth anything to him?
It got me thinking. From the moment I met the king, he kept looking at me with an inscrutable expression. With growing nervousness, I realized I had no idea why he was interested. I initially thought it was because of my intelligence, but he couldn't have known I was different from other children when he called and asked me all those things during the council. So, what was it?
The king who to this point was silent shook his head before taking an ancient-looking book from the desk.
"This book, is the diary of my great uncle, ores Baratheon," He said, showing the grey book that looked like it was going to break in half if I even touched it.
I nodded my head in understanding, still confused as to the reason the king called me here.
"You know that Storm End holds many ancient secrets, many of them found and many that are still being discovered to this day," He said, and it was true, the Baratheon castle was one huge enigma.
There were many contradictions in the architecture. I've read about it under the Maester's instruction and seen it with my own eyes. The truth is, the castle I call home should not be able to stand with such impossible design choices.
I Noded for him to continue.
"Orys Baratheon found one of these secrets and documented it in this diary right here. After his death, it was said that the diary was given to Aegon the first, my grandfather" he said.
Getting a bit frustrated, I asked the king.
"And what does this have to do with me" I said, a bit heatedly which made the king raise his brow in amusement, but nonetheless opened the book to a page and recited something that struck my core.
- In the twilight of chaos, when dragons roam free and fire rains from the sky, a hero shall rise from the line of Durran God's Grief. Born of storm and sea, this Baratheon will wield thunder-forged chains.
With eyes like the fire tempest and a heart of iron, the Stormbreaker will bind the wild dragons, ending their reign of terror.
From the storm's fury, a new peace shall emerge, and the land will find balance once more.
Beware the false beacons, for only through fire and storm shall the true Stormbreaker be revealed. Thus, the wild shall be tamed, and a new era shall dawn.-
The king finished, with a heavy heart, looking at my face.
"I have not been blind to my makings, I could have chosen my heir and be done with it, I did not have to call this council...but I did. And I did it for a reason" The king said, but I bearly registered him in my shocked state.
"Durin?" The king put his hand on my shoulder finally getting my attention.
"I can see it,... the great disaster that is pending, I have been seeing it, ever since my children started to die off" he continues, showing sadness for the first time since I've met him.
"And what confirmed it for me was finding this diary, but I couldn't believe it. I couldn't just take it for face value, but I had to do something." He said, squeezing my shoulder a bit.
"So I called for this council, to see what the lords would do, how they would act, what allies they had. I had to see it..." The king said heatedly finally letting me go.
This was turning out to be much heavier then I anticipated.
"Then I saw you" He said in a whisper.
"With fiery red eyes that reflected a hunger that I have never seen on a child, and understanding, oh.. the understanding," He said.
"That's when I heard it.." He said raising the book to his eye level, looking at it with a haunted face.
"The prophecy rang in my ear like a dragon's roar, it shook my very chore," He said it like he actually heard it in the moment.
"What do you mean.... you heard it" I asked to clarify.
He looked at the candle that was on the table with a distant look, before turning his gaze towards me.
"I mean I physically heard it, the same way I hear you talking, those words in Orys Baratheons book rang in my ear the moment my eyes caught yours," he said, as he put both of his hands on my shoulder.
"Something horrible will happen in your lifetime Durin Baratheon, and you will be in the storm's eye," He said with such heavy words, that I felt physically heavier.
.
.
.
.
'Well shit' I thought
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Hey guys,
Sorry for the delay.
Honestly, if I had a penny for every time I apologized, I'd be rich by now.
Anyway, here's the new chapter! I hope you enjoy it. Some of you mentioned that my chapters have been too short, so I've made this one a bit longer. I hope it meets your expectations.
As always, I appreciate your constructive criticism.
What are your speculations about the prophecy? Why do you think Durin was so shocked when he heard it? Has he encountered it before?
Looking forward to your thoughts!
Side note, if you want a chapter this week then donate to me: paypal.me/Helpauthor03
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