Chapter Text
Derrock Savage's P.O.V.
"What will happen now, father?"
My only daughter, Desiree Savage, speaks up while staring at the flames. Glancing down at her, I take in a deep breath from knowing what the next steps will be after tonight. However, I don't want to share them with her just yet, but I know I will have sooner of later.
My mother, the Queen by nature and Desiree's grandmother, died today from old age. She passed away in her sleep like most of us Savages to when it's our time to greet the Gods again. Everyone of house Savage is here for her funeral, they all travelled from far away for this ceremony.
Every member of the Savages surrounds the bonfire where our Queen lays in the flames. We're in the center of the forest, at the same spot the Gods gifted our family with a blessing. Creatures who live in this woodland stand with us and mourn for their Queen.
"By this time tomorrow, the creatures of this land will crown me King by nature." I finally speak up after a long moment of silence. Turning and kneeling in front of my seven-year-old daughter, I confess what will also happen during this time tomorrow. "... Then you and I will travel to King's Landing together."
Desiree's grandmother was the savage beast in the shadows for the Iron throne because she was the Queen of nature. It is tradition in house Savage for their Queens and Princesses to go south and be the savage beasts in the shadow. Though now because the Queen's gone, my daughter, who is our princess, must stand in her place, for she is to become the next Queen by Nature.
The Queens and Princesses go to the south to be savage beasts in the shadows. The Kings and princes of nature go north to be the savage beasts in the shadow. This tradition started when we gained knowledge of what's behind the wall in the north.
Out of protected for the women in Savage family, only the men go to the north. Which is why my daughter is asking what will happen now, because she knows she's not ready to be the shadow for the Iron throne, but has to go anyway. However, I've already planned for a situation such as this one.
"You have nothing to fear, my dear. I've already discussed this matter with House Stark." Taking Desiree's hands into my own, I murmur softly and genuinely. "I will be the Iron throne's shadow until you are of age. The Starks have already prepared themselves for my absence and the Targaryens are already making arrangements for my arrival."
"Your arrival? Not Our arrival?" Desiree questions abruptly, and I hold down a smile at her, catching how I worded my statement. Nodding my head, I explain to her while standing back up. "You will go with me in secret. Only the King knows you will be joining me. Viserys and I already discussed it... Until you are of age, we will keep you a secret from House Targaryen."
"Why, father?" She murmurs while I come to stand beside her. Looking back at the flames, I answer in regret that what I'm saying is the truth. "We do not want anyone to take advance of you, my dear. You are young and have not learned all you need to know about your purpose. We do not want anyone to hinder your learning before you are able to be the Iron throne's shadow."
"They would try to take advantage of me?"
"Unfortunately, some of the Targaryen blood might. Though, I promise, neither I nor the King of the Iron throne will allow that to happen. By the time you are ready to be the Iron throne's shadow, no one will be able to hinder you or take advantage of you, my dear."
I vow to my daughter and take her hand in mine once again. Standing side by side, the two watch as our Queen by nature turns into ash. Though as I stare at my mother's body burning, I can't help but think of what the future holds for my daughter and the Nature's princess.
Desiree Savage holds a godly gift just like the rest of the savage blood. Though, she has yet to understand the true power the gift is and how important it is to not let men use it selfishly. She'll learn sooner than later of how our gift is something all mankind desires to have...
... Of how our gift is something all Targaryens desire to have.