Nymeria's eyes shined with unbridled curiosity as Harry led her down a secret stairwell attached to Harry's chambers. The spiralling stairwell was lit up with little spots of dull yellow lights. She was sure it was the work of Harrion's magic as there were no flames in sight. She had seen similar lighting in the great hall of Avalon, where the ceiling hosted thousands of specks of light to represent the stars visible in the night sky. The only difference she could see was that these lights were dull yellow rather than the brilliant white in the great hall.
"Where are you taking me?" Nymeria asked curiously.
She had come into Harrion's chambers hoping to rekindle the passion they were forced to set aside aboard his airship. But instead, she was now walking down an endless number of steps deep underground.
"Are you taking me to a secret sex dungeon?" Nymeria asked playfully.
"No." Harry smirked at her as he paused midway while looking at her, "Were you hoping to?"
"If there are more steps, then I hope not. I'd have happily joined you in bed in your chambers." Nymeria said sultrily, rubbing her shoulders against him while taking the lead and going down the stairs.
"You'll find this setting to be a better spot." Harry said with a grin.
Nymeria found the air getting considerably warmer as she went down further until she finally reached a cavern at the end of the stairwell. Light was scarce in the area, making her hesitate to take a step further. She couldn't see anything before her on the ground. It was pitch black, but her ears picked up on the sound of water.
"There is nothing to fear. Come, take my hand." said Harry.
Nymeria found herself led further into the cavern with Harrion by her side. As they walked further, the light started to streak into the cavern, and Nymeria found herself taken by surprise as she set her eyes on a large pool. The water in the pool was steaming slightly, which explained why she felt warm. There was a small opening in the ceiling where light and a steady stream of water poured into the pool below.
"Is that…?" Nymeria trailed off as she stared at the scene before her.
"Yes, it's a pool with warm water. I was inspired to make this after seeing the beauty of the Water Gardens. But unlike those waters, I made this in the likeness of a hot spring." Harry whispered into her ear.
"This is quite beautiful." Nymeria admitted with slight awe.
Nymeria cast her dark eyes on the rocky walls surrounding the pool. There were different types of creepers with violet flowers lying on the rocks like a sprawling canvas.
Suddenly, she found herself swept off her feet by Harry. She couldn't help but squeal in surprise as Harrion picked her up in his arms.
"So, how about a dip in these warm waters?" Harry asked with a suggestive smirk, making Nymeria stare wantonly at her lover with half-lidded dark eyes.
Before she could say anything, Harrion jumped into the pool. She threw her arms around Harrion's neck and closed her eyes as they splashed into the pool.
Contrary to her expectations, the pool was not as hot as she thought. It was a pleasant, enjoyable warmth and helped ward off the slight chill settling in Avalon.
"You got my dress wet." Nymeria complained after she regained her feet and touched the pool's bottom.
"In that case, we should let these clothes of yours dry." Harry said huskily, capturing the hem of her top.
Nymeria's eyes shined with dark lust as she happily raised her hands, allowing Harry to undress her.
**** Lemon Scene ****
Nymeria stood there in the pool naked from the waist up while Harry threw away her top outside the pool.
"I'm not the only one with wet clothes." Nymeria purred as she moved closer towards Harry and took hold of the fabric he was wearing.
She tore off the fabric from Harry's body with one sharp tug and threw it away. Her arms snaked around his neck and locked themselves firmly around him.
"It's fortunate Arianne never got to come. Now, I can have you all to myself." Nymeria hotly whispered against his lips before their lips smashed against each other.
She couldn't help but savour the taste of Harry's lips against hers.
Nymeria moaned loudly when Harry's hands caught her ass in a vice grip with his fingers digging into her flesh. She found herself hoisted by the palm of Harry's hands even as their lips danced against each other.
Nymeria gasped when her back hit against the side of the pool.
"Mmm." she hummed appreciatively as Harry's lips pressed against the pulse point on her neck.
She let out a giggle as Harry's lips left a trail of fiery kisses against her skin as he went down further until he hovered around the valley of her breasts. Her fingers threaded through the wet locks of Harry's hair as he took turns to leave wet, sloppy kisses on her mounts. Her hair was swept behind her shoulders, leaving much of her skin for a bunch of steaming kisses and the occasional bites that left her mewling in pleasure.
A shiver passed through her spine when his tongue swirled around her dark nipples before lapping up her nipples between his teeth. Her body was set on fire as Harry's lips and teeth raked across her skin. She pushed him back slightly to get hold of his pants, and she started to push it down his hips.
Their lips again met again, this time silencing the moans from Harry as she took hold of the hardened cock in her hand.
She grinned against Harry's lips as they bit and stole kisses playfully while she slowly slipped out of the skirt covering the lower part of her body.
Nymeria let out a long, drawn-out moan as she was pressed against the side of the pool, and Harry's cock breached her nether lips while his teeth sunk into the skin of her right shoulder. She happily returned the favour by sinking her nails into the skin on the back of his waist.
A hiss left Harry's mouth, which put a smile on her face.
Harry's mouth suddenly covered hers, silencing the moans and all sounds as Harry started to pick up pace in slamming his hips against her. Nymeria's eyes became clouded with lust as Harry found new depths in her pussy while she cried out in pleasure now that her lips were free from his.
Suddenly, a slap landed on her ass which made her squeal at the top of her lungs. Nymeria looked at Harry with some surprise, only to see an animalistic look in his stormy grey eyes.
"So territorial – just like a wolf." Nymeria purred as her fingers threaded through his slick black hair.
"You know direwolves mate for life." Harry whispered breathlessly against her neck as his teeth nipped at her skin, making her hiss.
"Are you planning to keep me all to yourself?" Nymeria purred.
"Maybe I am."
Nymeria suddenly pushed away from the side of the pool and forced Harry to sit on a step in the pool while she straddled him. A resounding slap echoed throughout the pool, followed by a yelp which involuntarily escaped from her lips after a palm landed on her ass.
"You're too greedy, Harrion." Nymeria giggled while his hands squeezed her ass with his fingers sinking almost painfully into her flesh, followed by a sharp push of his hips which let her tremble in orgasmic bliss.
She could feel he was getting ready for another session as she recovered from her peak pleasure.
"That I am." Harry grinned at her before he resumed churning her insides with repeated long strokes that made her toes curl.
They continued their lovemaking deep into the night, and Nymeria was all too happy to make up for the time they lost in between their last bid of passion.
***** Lemon scene end ****
When the morning light streaked into their bed, Nymeria slowly blinked awake. She was not surprised to find herself in Harrion's bed. Their nightly activities had resumed in the bed after they started off in the pool.
Her body twitched when a pair of warm lips pressed against her shoulder blades. Her eyes flew wide open, and her legs grazed another pair of warm legs on the bed. A strong, muscular arm settled around her waist with long fingers brushing past her belly button.
Her skin tingled under his touch. She closed her eyes and savoured every moment and sensation.
Her hair was pulled back, exposing her neck, and Harry wasted no time planting a kiss against her nape and then her earlobe.
"Are you awake?" Harrion asked in a whisper.
"Mm-hm." Nymeria purred.
"We should get ready and break fast. I'm told by the cooks we're having some tasty salmon and eggs."
Nymeria pouted as Harry pulled back from the ministrations. Oh, she knew he did that on purpose. He was a huge tease, but she was Oberyn's daughter. No one was better at teasing than the Sand Snakes.
Nymeria pouted as Harry pulled back from the ministrations. Oh, she knew he did that on purpose. He was a huge tease but she was a daughter of Oberyn. No one was better at teasing than the Sand Snakes and she intended to prove it.
*****
Harry stared at the map before him with marked positions of his fleet.
Most of his fleet was spread across the Blazewater Bay, Blacktyde and Avalon. Since the Ironborn threat had drastically reduced following the consistent destruction of their fleets and ports, Harry had called back most of his ships from the area, leaving only a skeletal force to patrol the waters near Blacktyde.
It was not a decision he liked as he knew the Ironborn would soon realise the opportunity to push themselves beyond their islands in the absence of his fleet.
But Harry hoped he'd have time to finish dealing with the problems started by the Sistermen before the Ironborn regained their courage to try something in the Ironman's Bay.
With most of his fleet based out of the three islands in Blazewater Bay, he was ready to wage war against the Sistermen and the Myrish pirates. Only two things stood in his way – a plan of attack and permission from Winterfell. Unfortunately, his father was taking his sweet time to make a decision and was delaying the inevitable.
Therefore, he went after the plan to move at a moment's notice.
"So, let's hear your plan." said Harry, taking his eyes off the map sprawled before him and focusing on his brother.
"I have spoken with captains of White Harbour and our own to realise that the Sistermen and the pirates launch a raid on our ships from almost all parts of the islands but go back to certain defensible ports marked on the southeast parts of the island." Jon placed a couple of silver coins along the southeast sides of the three islands.
"They do this because the southeastern sides of the islands are filled with coral reefs and rocks. This makes it difficult for an outsider to safely sail our ships into the region, especially at night." said Captain Nimpton.
"There are many such beachheads on the northeast parts of the islands as well, with lighthouses dedicated to guiding merchant ships to crash into the reefs and rocks. The Sistermen in the past have used this method to capture merchant ships from White Harbour during storms." Captain Simeon piqued up.
"Yes. These reefs are a problem for us." Jon nodded, "I suggest that we launch an attack with our flagships armed with blasting scorpions specifically to destroy these rocks and deny such defences stymie our attack on the pirates."
"We're not attacking any ships of the Sistermen. So, there won't be an escalation of war from our side." Captain Nimpton promptly added.
Harry stared at the map thoughtfully for a moment before he came to a decision.
"Our targets will be strictly these reefs, right?" Harry asked, staring at Jon and the Captains of his fleet.
"Yes. You wanted a strategy to take out the pirates. This is that strategy." said Jon.
"Taking out their natural defences is a sound strategy." Harry muttered before nodding to himself, "All right. You've convinced me. Who will lead the attack?"
Jon happily picked up the conversation from there and started explaining the plan of attack.
All things considered, Harry found the plan sound to his ears. Even the Captains of his flagships were in agreement to wage an attack on the selected targets. Blowing up some rocks around the islands was far better than the prospect of launching a full-scale invasion on the Sistermen. War was never good for business, and he hoped the Sistermen would see sense and stop aiding the pirates when their precious rocks that defended their isles blew up.
However, the possibility of war still lingered, and he was prepared for that. After all, expecting people to behave rationally was a naïve way of thinking. He supposed the Sistermen's pride would decide the possibilities of war in the region.
*****
Jon Arryn couldn't help but sigh tiredly as he watched the septons and the followers of the Old Gods shout at each other. To his great regret, there were now growing religious tensions within King's Landing, and it wasn't going away despite his best efforts.
He had tried to involve the King in the matter to deescalate the tensions, but Stannis was adamant about not involving the Crown in matters of faith. It was a strange position to take, but Stannis was all kinds of stubborn, unlike Robert, who was much more malleable. At least, Robert put on the appearance of being impartial and of sound judgment in certain matters. Stannis was uncompromising and rigid in his convictions.
It didn't help that Stannis had repeatedly rejected the requests by the septons and septas to rebuild a Sept to replace the destroyed Sept of Baelor.
Stannis' disinterest in spending the royal coffers on building a sept was understandable.
Even he agreed that the Iron Throne wasn't in a position to spend thousands of gold dragons on rebuilding a grand sept like the Great Sept of Baelor. But Jon thought Stannis could've shown a little tact and merely agreed to contribute and make vague promises to soothe the rustled feathers among the septons.
Instead, Stannis dismissed them outright from the court, loudly proclaiming that septs were for religious men and that perhaps those religious men should fund the construction and not the Iron Throne.
Immediately after that, rumours started to spread that Stannis was not a religious man. It didn't take long for word to spread that Stannis had abandoned the light of the Seven and taken up the worship of the Old Gods.
Since then, the followers of the Olds Gods and the Seven were at loggerheads with each other.
It started off with some fiery preaching from the septons and septas near the neighbourhoods where the Weirwood trees had sprouted in the city following the earthquake. The people living close to the Weirwood trees believed the Old Gods protected them from the misfortune that befell the city. They had started worshipping the trees like the Northerners. This made them antagonistic against preachers who called their trees demonic.
The fights that broke out were challenging to put to rest, but Jon had Ser Eustace Brune, the commander of the City Watch, settle the issue amicably.
However, the incident caused the followers of the Old Gods to take up preaching and spread their religion to all corners of the city. A new priestly order amongst the followers of the Old Gods cropped up, calling themselves the Green Men, who were intent on fighting against the influence of the septons and septas.
Since then, Jon had to arbitrate between many of the competing claims of both sides as they preached across the city from street to street. This particular problem he was facing just happened to be the most complex of all.
"The sacred Weir wood tree is the resting place of the Old Gods. The land that surrounds it belongs to the gods and their worshippers. We will not allow thieves like you to desecrate this place." Alyn of the Green Men said passionately.
"This land belongs to the Great Sept of Baelor, and therefore, we get to decide the fate of a silly tree." Septon Salmaine argued back.
"This land was a barren wasteland. Your grand sept…" cue the derisive snort and sneer from the priest, which made Jon wince, "…caused nothing but grief to the people of Visenya's hill. They were burnt to death, and the lucky few who survived your accursed sept and its demonic ways were left with burnt bodies and smoke-filled lungs. Tis is the Old Gods that came to the rescue of the people in the hour of their need."
Despite what he thought of the current situation, he had to admit there was some truth to the words of the Green Men. Only blackened lands, ash and desolate stones were left in the wake once the Wildfire burned through the Sept of Baelor and the Guild Halls of King's Landing. People had refused to settle on the blackened lands, fearing it would be cursed.
But the Green Men had planted Weirwood saplings on these blackened lands, and they had grown to full-grown trees in a matter of weeks. The lands surrounding the trees also became green and, in some instances, filled with colourful flowers that put the royal gardens to shame. It was one of the reasons why the Old Gods were in favour amongst the people of the city.
"The Olds Gods have cleansed the land of the evil clinging to this place. Now that our gods have purged it, you seek to return us to the past where corrupt fat septons leech off us common folk and live extravagantly. I think not!"
The septon let out a growl, and the poor fellows hanging around the septon surged forward to assault the Green Men physically, which inevitably drew the ire of Ser Brune.
Jon pinched the bridge of his nose as the gold cloaks tried to keep the peace and physically separated the two groups from tearing each other apart. The vitriol and shouting between the two groups drowned the calls to peace.
He spent the whole day trying desperately to find an amicable solution until orders suddenly arrived from the King granting the lands surrounding the Weirwood tree to the Green Men. The reason Stannis gave for such an overarching order was the septons only complained endlessly while the Green Men were turning burnt useless parts of the city into ripe lands for new settlements.
Jon was so tired of dealing with the whole mess that he didn't even raise any objections despite the Small Council members staunchly opposing the King's decision. He was thankful that at least one group was satisfied, which left him with only one dissatisfied group to handle.
While the capital was experiencing dangerous tensions amongst its people, he also had to keep an eye on the matters of the Vale. At least, on that particular problem, Lord Yohn Royce looked into the involvement of the Sistermen and Petyr Baelish in the pirate activity in the Bite and the Narrow Sea.
His wife was staunchly against any accusations against her childhood friend. But there was cause for him to suspect Baelish's involvement, especially after Varys informed him about some of Petyr's activities.
"Hugh." Jon called for his squire to his side.
"Yes, my lord."
"Invite Lord Baelish to dine with me and my lady wife tonight." said Jon.
"I'll inform Lord Baelish right away, my lord."
Jon leaned back in his seat and dropped his shoulders as he tried to relax. But the number of parchments on his desk piled up with requests and other immediate concerns of running the kingdom made him sigh.
'Why do I feel like I created more problems when I solve one problem?' Jon wondered.
AN:
To read ahead of the update schedule; pat(r) eon. C (O) M/Dragonspectre.
For artwork related to the fic:
https://discord.gg/Nw2JH25fJf