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Rating:
Not Rated
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Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories:
F/FM/M
Fandoms:
House of the Dragon (TV)Norse Religion & Lore
Relationships:
Alicent Hightower/Rhaenyra TargaryenMysaria | Lady Misery/Rhaenyra TargaryenRhaenyra Targaryen/Laena Velaryon (Daughter of Corlys)Alicent Hightower/Viserys I TargaryenAlys Rivers of House Strong/Rhaenyra Targaryen
Characters:
Rhaenyra TargaryenDaemon TargaryenViserys I TargaryenAlicent HightowerOtto HightowerGwayne HightowerCregan StarkRhaenys Targaryen VelaryonCorlys "The Sea Snake" VelaryonLaena Velaryon (Daughter of Corlys)Laenor VelaryonÓðinn | Odin (Norse Religion & Lore)Freyja | Freya (Norse Religion & Lore)Frigg | Frigga (Norse Religion & Lore)Þórr | Thor (Norse Religion & Lore)Baldr | Baldur (Norse Religion & Lore)Criston ColeHarwin StrongHarrold WesterlingAlys Rivers of House StrongFreyr | Frey (Norse Religion & Lore)
Additional Tags:
Alpha/Beta/Omega DynamicsAlpha Rhaenyra TargaryenOmega Alicent HightowerAlternate Universe - Canon DivergenceCrossoverSoul BondDark Rhaenyra TargaryenGod ComplexAngst with a Happy EndingOtto Hightower Being an AssholeBad Parent Viserys I TargaryenPolyamoryOpen Relationships
Language:
English
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Published:2024-08-06Updated:2026-02-03Words:150,501Chapters:28/?Comments:211Kudos:519Bookmarks:88Hits:27,525
Salvation Comes in Forms
Ronniekade
Chapter 2
Summary:
A conversation insures.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
---
"Who are you exactly?" the princess curiously asked the old man sitting in front of her at her favorite tree.
"I am Odin, the Allfather and the king of the Aesir Gods," he told her.
"Why are you here? Inhabiting my body?" she asked, a bit annoyed.
"The Norns had apparently deemed it unnecessary to inform me of my fate, only saying I'd die at Ragnarok by the hands of a giant wolf I had sealed ages ago. They seemed to deem it even fitter that I survive and live a different life now that I've got a second chance," he spoke calmly and gently, knowing the temper of young people.
The young girl looked at him even more confused. "So my body is your second chance at life? You will live through me? Who are the Norns, and what's Ragnarok and this giant wolf?" she asked quickly, wanting to understand.
He laughed at her impatience. "Do be patient, my child. We have all the time in the realms. The answer is yes, I'd live through your body and have my chance at living, but do not worry. I'd not sabotage your life or anything. In fact, I'd even help you. We can make a form of arrangement we both agree on eventually, but for now, let's focus on understanding each other's natures."
The more he spoke, the less irritated Rhaenyra became. It was strange how this old man had put her at ease. She nodded in understanding, wanting to hear more about the lands he was from. It was not every day a god gets thrown into your body, and you have to share it with them.
"The Norns are the weavers of fate, three old, annoying hags: Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld. Each of them represents a time: the past, the present, and the future. They told me my fate so long ago. I tried so hard to escape it, but it was fruitless. My body still died, but my soul lives."
Rhaenyra felt sorry for him. It was still not okay for him to use her body, however. "My end, they told me, would come in Ragnarok—the end of the nine realms, the end of my rule, and the death of the gods, both Aesir and Vanir. They told me that it'd start with my son's death. I had not believed it, and it'd end with Surtr, the fire giant, setting his fire to the nine realms with his sword, dooming us all. The prophecy said that I'd be devoured by the wolf Fenrir, and it all came true."
"I'm so sorry. You've lost everything: your home, your family, and now even your body. I've just lost my mother and can't bear the pain, so I really can't imagine losing everything at once," she said, looking down in sadness. In a strange moment, the Raven God hugged her, surprising her. He even patted her head like she was a puppy. She was strangely content, having not had this much sympathy in a long time. He pulled back and smiled at her, his one eye looking gently at her.
"Oh, darling girl, no need to be sorry. I've had a long time to prepare for my end. I've lived a good life, though unfulfilled and ruined by prophecy. I had everything I wished: power, knowledge, the nine realms in the palm of my hand. I was a beloved, worshipped god. I made mistakes. I was not without flaws, but I did try to be a good father and a husband to my family. I'd say that's a pretty good thing I had."
"I'm relieved to hear that," she smiled softly. His heart had already grown softer for the child. She was good and kind and didn't deserve what she'd gotten in life.
"Your mother will have her justice. I give you my word. Your body saved my soul, and it is a debt I'll pay," he promised her. She looked at him strangely; his customs were strange.
"Revenge?" she asked, confused. "But she died in childbirth. No one killed her," she said, even though deep inside, she knew whose fault it was that her mother died.
"It is your duty as a daughter to kill your mother's killer. Retribution is a must. A great insult has been made against your mother and her house. You must demand satisfaction," he spoke to her very seriously. Of course, he'd be serious about this—he is the god of retribution, and people worshipped him for it.
"But the one who ordered her to be like that was the king... my father. How could I demand it of him? I'm but a princess with no army, no military experience, no wealth of my own, and just a dragon. I don't think I can do it," she replied sadly, lowering her gaze, ashamed to admit her weakness to the old man. Besides, despite everything, Viserys was still her father. He was all she had left now. Daemon was nowhere to be seen as he had been exiled due to the crude words he said at a brothel.
The god lifted her chin, his blue eye shining with gold. "You are not weak, you are simply unprepared. I know you must love your father, but you must face the truth. If he loved you and your mother, you'd have been enough for him. His pride and weakness killed your family. Do you wish to lose more when you have already lost the person who loved you the most? If I did this to Frejya, I know that even my sweet, gentle boy Baldur would seek justice from me, and I'd allow it. Thor would not even try to understand; he'd strike me where I stand, and again, I wouldn't even move. You have a debt to repay. Think on it, little dragon. Make your blood proud."
Rhaenyra had a lot to think about, but she really didn't know what this place was. It looked like the Weirwoods but inside her brain instead. "What can you tell me about this place? It looks surreal."
"It is a mind palace, a projection of memories, or rather a place to store them. Your brain has built it for you to protect you and give you some place where you'd be safe. I think these woods are your safe haven, so no wonder your mind has remade them for you," he explained to her. She was still a little confused but nodded and started looking around more. 'Maybe if I try hard enough, I can bring my memories of Mother and Alicent and see them more,' she thought hopefully.
"You have magic in you. I suppose it has something to do with your dragon," he stated, wanting to understand more. She nodded.
"My family is from Valyria, the old hold of dragon lords. Almost a hundred summers ago, a doom came and destroyed it. My family only survived because the gods showed favor by giving my ancestor Daenys a dream warning her of what was to come. Then, in the reign of Aegon the Conqueror, with his sister-wives, they conquered the seven kingdoms and ruled them as one," Rhaenyra looked happy to talk about her heritage and where she came from.
"So there aren't other families who survived the doom but yours?"
"No, there are the Velaryons and Celtigars, maybe more in the east. I don't know. There probably were others who escaped death because they weren't there that day. Anyway, when do you think we're going to wake up? I miss Syrax and Alicent," she asked, anxious. She didn't know what sort of sickness had taken over her or why she was not conscious. She thought it was because Odin was there, but again, he was there, not controlling her body but just unconscious like her. He patted her hair and said, "I don't know, child, but I know it will be soon. Would you like to take over when it happens? Or I can do that to handle the pain and exhaustion so you don't." His offer was kind, but she wanted to feel that pain. It wasn't even a bit of what her mother felt. She shook her head, refusing, and looked at the sky, already so itchy to fly more.
"Odin, do you miss home?" she asked him. She smiled sadly at her.
"Yes, I do."
"What do you miss most about it?" she asked again, both excited to learn more about the lands beyond and wanting to forget about what's to come.
He pondered a bit about what to tell her, but the truth always worked, and she was harmless. "My children, my wife, and my friends. I miss my subjects and, hell, I even miss my cunning brother who betrayed me, but I know I'd never forgive him," she looked at him, surprised but understanding. She wouldn't know what to do if she were ever in that situation.
"Can you tell me more about your realms then?" she asked, eager to learn more about the lands beyond. He nodded. He was always a good storyteller. Baldur was always the one who asked for them. Thor loved to hear of his expeditions to Vanaheim and Muspelheim. His favorites were the ones about the giants and how he fought them in Jötunheim. All of his grandchildren loved to hear those in particular as well. But Odin figured the young princess was more like Thor, even if she reminded him so much of the gentle nature of his youngest boy. And so the stories began.
The Well of Úrd
Oh High One, thou hast fallen deep, yet with the dragon's might, thy wings shall spread ever further. Thy fates shall intertwine as one, woven by the gods of old and new. Raven and Dragon, into one ye shall be. The gods of Valyria, in fear, do weep.
O golden dragon of the heavens, claim thy wings, and thus thy fate shall lift thee high.
Notes:
Hope you enjoy this short chapter, i know it's confusing but bear with me, next chapter maybe I will finally get to what's gonna happen when Rhae wakes up.
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