Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Jon.
He had been sitting there speaking with Margaery and Loras when he felt it, Ghost something was happening with Ghost, he turned to Margaery and told her he'd return in a moment and walked out into the hall. As he walked quickly he didn't even notice that Walder hadn't kept up, just headed off to where he knew Ghost was. He saw it then Ghost looking threateningly at prince Oberyn the black pup growling beside him, he saw the prince reach to his waist and realized if he took out a weapon he was done for.
"Ghost to me." he said and his wolf moved towards him.
"I thank you." Prince Oberyn said his relief clear.
"Don't mention it my prince."
"You have me at a disadvantage?" Oberyn said looking at him.
"Apologies my prince, Jon, Jon Snow." he said and smiled at him.
It was as if time stood still then and he realized it straight away with how the prince looked at him, he knew or if he didn't he would soon. His mind raced as he thought through the possibilities, as he went over the different scenarios in his brain, it was not the first time he'd done so. Ever since he'd first spoken to Richard about how to bring Dorne in he'd considered what would actually happen should they find out the truth.
Giving Oberyn the Mountain was only partly a way to bring them on board, Jon knew better than most the love a brother could feel for a murdered sister, the thoughts of the justice, no vengeance he had sought for Rhaenys was clear in his mind still. So whether they forgave him, accepted him, rejected him or sought to punish him in some way he cared not, Elia's brother deserved what he sought as much as Jon had. But it was supposed to be after the Mountain had fallen and not before that he would seek to speak to Oberyn or Doran, after they had sated their need for vengeance and not before.
"I have heard much about you young man, the things you're said to have done are known even in Dorne." Prince Oberyn said and if he was unsure he'd been recognized before it was clear in how Oberyn looked at him now that he certainly knew the truth.
"People speak my prince, I've played a small part nothing more." he said.
"You do yourself a disservice Jon, my daughter speaks of you as if you're different, as if you'd been born a Dornishman instead of in the cool North." he said pointedly.
"Your daughter my prince?" Jon asked trying to change the subject.
"Sarella, she spoke to you earlier." Oberyn said with a smile.
"Aye she did, she seems most eager for knowledge."
"Something she inherited from me perhaps as I often find myself most eager to learn new and interesting things." Oberyn said looking directly at him.
He was about to reply when Walder arrived, the large man glaring at the prince before looking to see he was fine and that Ghost was standing beside him.
"I should be getting back, I've left my friends alone for much too long i fear." Jon said, now was certainly not the time to speak to the prince he realized.
"As should I, maybe we could walk together, with those wolves of yours I find myself most protected." Oberyn said with a smirk.
"They do offer protection, but only when it's needed my prince." he said and Oberyn laughed then.
They walked back to the ballroom and while they did so in silence, he could feel Oberyn looking at him all the way, staring, searching out his features, but whatever he was looking for he didn't seem to find this time. When they reached the room he turned to bid the prince goodbye and once again found him staring at his face.
"Will you be taking part in the tourney tomorrow Jon?"
"I'm afraid not my prince, I injured my shoulder and need to rest up." he said and Oberyn looked at his arm.
"I was supposed to keep it in a sling, but well." he said with a shrug.
"But it's hard to dance while wearing a sling is it not?" Oberyn said and Jon smiled.
He saw it again then, the recognition and he knew it, it was the smile, his smile, his father's smile, it must be, oh gods it's Rhaenys's too, he recognizes her in me, the smile left his face as he frowned and said his goodbyes hurrying back to his table.
"Is everything all right Jon?" Margaery asked seeing his expression.
"I, can we speak, you too Loras, not here my room?" he asked.
"Of course Jon." Margaery said and Loras nodded in agreement.
They got up and left the hall Ghost and the black pup walking with them, when they got to his room Jon unlocked it and as soon as the entered Rhaenix chirped at him making him laugh.
"What's so funny?" Margaery asked.
"Rhaenix just asked if the wedding was fun."
"What, you mean you can?" she said looking at Jon and then at the dragon.
"Aye, Rhaenix is not on ordinary dragon Margaery, it's hard to explain but she's my sister." Jon said and Rhaenix chirped again and he frowned.
"What?" Margaery asked.
"She just told me off for telling you like that." he said abashed and Margaery laughed.
"Good." she said still laughing.
"There's more to it, more stuff I've not told you, Loras knows some of it, but after I told you the other day, gods if I'd told you the rest you'd have probably ran away and not come back." he said and she laughed some more as she shook her head in disagreement.
"Tell me." she said determinedly.
So he told her it all, the dreams, the warging, told her of how he and Rhaenys had spoken together, when he brought up the bit on the ship as he passed Dragonstone Loras gasped and Rhaenix chirped loudly.
"So that was, you thought you were, we were so worried Jon, Jaime and I." Loras said and he got up from the bed and walked over placing a hand on Loras's shoulder.
"It's, I'm sorry I didn't tell you it all, I didn't understand it at the time, some of I still don't." he said and Loras nodded as he walked back to sit beside Margaery."
"I can't say I understand it either, warging I mean, how does it work? I mean you take control of an animal but how?"
"You wish to see?" he asked.
"I do." she said.
He closed his eyes and found the door open as always, Ghost walked over to Margaery and licked her hand making her laugh before she looked to Jon and then back to the wolf.
"Jon?" she said to Ghost and as Ghost he nodded before letting go of the connection.
"Does this, are you?" Jon stumbled over his words as he looked at her before she smiled at him.
"No Jon it's good, it's most strange and I do no understand it but it's good." she said and he relaxed.
"But this isn't what made you bring us here is it?" Loras asked and Jon nodded.
"No, it's Oberyn, he knows who I am," he said and Margaery looked worried at him while Loras just smiled.
"This is good, with Dorne on our side Jon, this is better than good." Loras said not noticing the worried looks on both Jon's and Margaery's faces.
"It's not that simple Loras." Margaery said." Given the circumstances of Jon's birth, the Dornish may not be willing to support him, they may even blame him." she said and despite his own worry Jon couldn't help but smile at her, she understood, he didn't even need to tell her and she understood.
"But they can't blame him for that." Loras said angrily.
"They might though." Jon said and Rhaenix chirped loudly and for a long time making him nod his head.
"Jon?" Margaery said looking at him."
"I think I may have an idea." he said smiling at her before taking her hand in his.
Lannisport 294 AC.
Brienne.
She was excited at the prospect of taking part in the tourney, while not as large as the last one she'd taken part in it was simply being allowed to do so, allowed to be herself that had her excited. She only wished she'd have felt this way last night and gone to the wedding feast. Jon and Loras had both come to her before the wedding offering to escort her and she was flattered by it, but she remembered the dances at Tarth and so she in the end pretended to be unwell.
She knew how she looked in a dress and compared to all these other ladies she'd have felt ridiculous and despite her new friends saying they wished her there, she wondered if they really meant it. She didn't think she could take it if Jon and Loras ended up being like the rest and so she had hidden in her room like a craven. Better to be humiliated privately than in public she had thought and so while breaking her fast she had smiled when talk turned to the dancing and said she was sad she missed it.
Now she was putting her armor on and readying herself for the melee, she had hoped to take part in the squire duel she heard Jon and Loras speak of previously. But given the numbers of eligible participants and the fact of this being a smaller tourney, it ended up being a melee like Kings Landing instead. Though the rules were much more stringent and here there were three knights on the field with them to ensure they were followed.
"I wish you good fortune Brienne." Loras said taking a seat beside her.
"Aye you too Loras." she said smiling back at him.
When time came they walked out together, she hoped he'd make it to the end and that she did too, she found herself looking forward to crossing swords with him if given the chance. She looked around at the field, the three knights were close enough to intervene but not to get in the way. Around her stood ten and five opponents ranging in age from ten to her own four and ten, there were some small boys and one who was close to her own size but she was perhaps the largest one here.
"My Lords, Ladies and Good Men and Women of Lannisport, the West and Beyond. Welcome to the Wedding Tourney of Lord Jaime and Lady Dacey Lannister. I give you first the squire's melee with a first prize of two thousand dragons.
You may begin." the herald shouted and then she was fighting.
The two boys who came towards her were both wearing purple unicorn sigils, House Brax she thought and then looked to see it was the two brothers, Robert and Walder. Jon had pointed out some of the competitors to her earlier and told her who to look out for, these two were not among them. She moved quickly, the younger brother carried a mace and he was ill suited for the job and she easily dodged the blow, the older was a little better but not by much.
The sword clashed against her own and she moved so both boys were lined up, if she timed this right she could take both out easily, she did and as the sword swung again she defected the blow so it caught the other brother instead of her. As one brother looked angrily at the other and the other tried to apologize, she swept one off his feet and disarmed the other, pointing her sword to their necks one after the other they yielded and she moved on.
Loras easily defeated his opponent and she admired his skill before she was faced with the boy who was closest to her in size. The boy was a Banefort and Jon had told her to be wary of his strength something she found to be a wise warning as the boy swung a war hammer at her. She looked on as one of the knights moved closer, worried perhaps that given the boys strength someone could be seriously hurt.
"I've never fought a girl before." the boy laughed.
"Good, after this you can tell people what it was like to lose to one." she said smirking as she quickened her pace.
The problem with strength and wielding a weapon which relied upon it was speed could beat you and so she used hers, when he swung and missed she didn't and she laid traps for him, directing him where she wished him to go. Each time he followed and each time once he'd missed she hit him and hit him hard, in the end it wasn't one strike which won it for her, but a combination of them. The boy would be bruised in the morning but she had beaten him and as she looked around there were only seven others left.
Six she corrected herself as Loras beat another, no five as Lancel took out one more, she moved to her left and found herself up against a Dornish boy who carried a spear, she took a step forward warily having never faced one before.
" The boy with the spear Jon, I, how do you fight that." she asked.
" It's easier if you know his moves, but should you not then you need to allow him to dictate the fight for a bit, allow him to show you them while keeping away from him, let him be aggressive and then use that to win."
" How?"
" At some point he'll over extend and then you block the spear with your sword and take him with another weapon."
" I don't carry another weapon."
" You be the weapon then."
She did as she had been advised, moving back when he swung, letting him become over confident, letting him dictate, she had to jump over low strikes and block or duck high ones, but she wasn't hit once and then it happened. He came in for a low strike and she blocked it with her sword forcing the spear to the ground, she stepped forward and smacked him with her head forcing him to drop the spear to the ground.
"Yield?" she said holding her sword to the his neck.
"I yield." he said smiling when she offered him her hand "I wish you good fortune my lady." he said and she nodded.
She turned to look to see Loras and Lancel face each other, she was surprised Lancel made it this far given what Jon had said of him, even more so when she saw how woefully outmatched he was in every aspect against Loras. Speed, strength, technique, Loras had him beat on it all and the fight only went on as long at it did as he didn't wish to embarrass the boy. Once done he turned and smiled as she walked towards him, he had made it and so had she, if she lost then she'd feel no shame and should she win she'd relish it as being even more worth it.
" And Loras Jon?"
" Is my friend Brienne and I'd no more tell you how to beat him than I would tell you of myself." Jon said and she smiled at him.
"Shall we?" Loras said with a small bow that from someone else she may have found mocking.
"I think we shall, to five Loras?
"Aye, five it is."
She lost the first point in a blink of an eye, she thought Jon was the only one she'd ever faced who moved that quickly, the second one she took with a flurry of strikes finally finding an opening to catch his leg. The blow must have hurt as the next two went to her, one a strike to his shoulder the other to his leg. He caught her with two then, spinning and turning and she smiled knowing those he definitely picked up sparring with Jon.
At three each it slowed down, the first six points had come in a matter of moments, the next one took almost twice the time, they crossed blades over and over, she slashed high and he blocked spinning to come in low which she dodged. He thrust and she parried, her ripostes finding no purchase, on and on they went and she felt the crowd in the arena grow excited. In the end the blow she caught him with that took the point was purely accidental and she apologized as she caught his helm, though he smiled and waved it off.
"I'm sorry Loras, I didn't mean."
"It's all right Brienne no harm done."
"Do you need a moment?"
"I'm well, shall we?" he said and she nodded.
Whether he was or not she didn't know but the last point came very quickly and she almost felt badly for taking the victory, the strike to her mind was one he should have parried easily and had she not caught his head, she may have thought he'd thrown the match. As it was she worried that she'd hurt him more than he was letting on, he did celebrate with her though, he raised her arm and smiled at her as she took the plaudits.
"My lords, Ladies and men and women of Lannisport, I give you the winner of the Squires Melee, Lady Brienne of Tarth." the herald said and the crowd cheered.
She looked up to see Jon smile at her, beside him his sister, Joy and Margaery cheered her on, Lord Jaime clapped politely while his wife was far more enthusiastic. She saw Prince Oberyn and his daughters all cheering wildly and then saw her father look at her his face full of pride. She bowed and then she and Loras walked from the arena, she had won, she had beaten him and as she felt his arm pat her back she finally felt a sense of belonging.
Jaime.
When Jon came to him this morning he had been thankful he'd given him the night, had he come the night before his wedding night may not have been as pleasant as it was. Given the news he had shared Jaime was pretty certain he'd have spent the night worrying, rather than in the arms of his wife. As it was he had spoken to Arthur and despite their doubts they had both agreed that Jon was right on this, there was no point in waiting further, though Arthur himself would remain an unknown until after the Mountain was dealt with.
Arriving at the Tourney he had caught the stares Oberyn was giving Jon and found the prince looking at him also, but beside him his wife's enthusiasm was only diluted by the fact she couldn't compete herself. Something she had not been pleased about, Jaime having to explain the rules that as hosts they couldn't compete in their own tourney and then agreeing to bring her to another as soon as one was occurring, so they sat and watched the squire's melee.
He had considered not having one given the numbers, he could have had duels, but the ages were all wrong, it was one thing for the younger lads, but the older ones needed something like this. So after speaking with Arthur he had come up with a way his aunt wouldn't be too upset with him and this was the result. Seeing Brienne win was tempered for him by the fact it was Loras who lost, he had also been worried by the strike to his helm, though it seemed to not be too bad.
"She's very good." Dacey said.
"Aye, I can see why Jon recommended her."
"Jon did?"
"Aye, said she'd benefit from training under us, that and her being a lady." Jaime said.
"What about her being a lady?" Dacey asked a note of annoyance in her voice.
"Well not everywhere is as enlightened as the North or Dorne in knowing ladies can't just fight, but can win." he said and Dacey smiled at him.
"You really are a charmer when you want to be aren't you?" she said and he laughed.
"No I just know my lady can wield a mace better than any man I know." he said and she leaned in to kiss him.
"My Lords, Ladies and good men and women of Lannisport, I give you the Melee, first prize five thousand gold dragons." the herald shouted.
Jaime looked out on the field to see those he recognized, the Strongboar and Addam had decided to take part as had what looked to be one of Oberyn's daughters, though the prince himself had surprisingly decided not to. Walder was fighting and the blunted double axe he held looked just as imposing as the one he had made for the man. Ser Wendel had decided to fight as had Oberyn's former squire Ser Daemon, but the field was devoid of a lot of the main participants these events usually brought in.
The Vale had not come which he found surprising, unless Jon Arryn had told them or suggested to them he would not be happy if they did. The Stormlands too had been badly underrepresented, with Beric Dondarrion and Bryce Caron the only two lords who'd come. From the Riverlands it was just House Darry and House Mallister, but Patrek was saving himself for the Joust sand Raymun was not a melee fighter either.
He did smile when Thoros came running in late followed by a squire carrying his swords before dumping them on the ground, he watched as the Red Priest picked one up and with the lighting of his sword, the melee began. Jaime spent most of the early part of the fighting looking at Walder, watching him move, he'd not really had a chance to train the man yet and was glad Arthur would be able to spend more time with him. But watching him as he swung that axe, as it collided with the first opponent and knocked him off his feet, for sheer brute strength alone the man was a dangerous opponent.
"Did you see that?" Dacey said excitedly from beside him.
"Aye, wouldn't wish to face him myself." he said and she smirked.
"Don't worry my love, I'll protect you from the big bad giant." she said and he laughed making Genna look to him.
Thirty men had lined up to take part in the melee and already more than ten of them had been eliminated, he looked to see Addam and the Strongboar team up to take out three men all wearing Frey colors and he laughed, he'd completely forgotten they'd even come. He then thanked the gods he'd not had to spend time with any more of the weasels than had been absolutely necessary. Why they had decided it was good idea to go after the Strongboar alone was beyond him, with Addam backing him up, it ended up just being funny.
Walder was facing one of Lord Brax's men who was doing his best to keep out of the range of the axe and was managing to do so, he looked on in surprise when the man managed to disarm Walder. Not that it seemed to actually help the man any, Walder simply ran at him as he was almost celebrating knocking the axe away. The collision must have sent the man twenty feet, it was like an aruochs charging, even up here in the stands people grimaced at the sound of the impact.
Walder just turned and picked up his axe and waited for the next opponent, looking back out he saw Addam had been beaten by Oberyn's former squire who it seemed was also shadowing the man's daughter. The girl used a spear and used it well, but using it against the Strongboar wasn't just ineffective it was damn stupid. Jaime watched as she buzzed around the giant man like a small fly to a horse, he could almost see the smile on the Strongboar's, face his greatsword ready to be used to painful effect.
"She's brave I'll give her that." Dacey said and he nodded as he looked to see Oberyn looking on worriedly.
"She's stupid though, if he hits her she'll be badly hurt." Jaime said looking at the girls lack of armor.
Ser Daemon moved trying to get to her but was faced with Thoros and his flaming blade, Jaime didn't know which way to look, he heard the gasp as the Strongboar grabbed the shaft of the spear when the girl struck. Could almost hear the groan from the girl as he ripped it from her hands and swung his sword, the clang as it hit the axe was drowned out by cheers, Walder stood facing the Strongboar and dwarfing him in height.
"How did he get there so fast?" Dacey asked.
"I don't know but this is going to be something." he replied as Walder and the Strongboar faced off.
The two men moved around each other slowly almost sizing each other up which given that the Strongboar was close to seven feet and Walder over it that wasn't surprising,, when they moved though their speed or more accurately Walder's belied his size. The Strongboar was fast for a big man, Walder though was just fast, size was irrelevant the man moved as if he was half the size and Jaime watched as the Strongboar struggled to keep up. The axe and greatsword rang out as the two clashed, Jaime looked on as Walder caught the Strongboar on the shoulder, as the greatsword caught Walder on the side.
"How can they take that?" Dacey asked wincing as Walder caught the Strongboar again.
"I've no idea."
The end came when Walder actually swept the Strongboar's legs from under him using a move both Loras and Jon used countless times and Jaime burst out laughing as the axe was placed on Strongboar's neck. He yielded and was helped up and his own booming laugh and slap on Walder's back were as loud as their weapons had been when they clashed, he watched as one left the field while the other turned to continue.
There were five left, Thoros had somehow become disengaged from fighting Ser Daemon and instead was facing Ser Wendel, Dacey beside him cheering on her fellow northerner. While Walder was now faced with Oberyn's daughter and Ser Daemon, Jaime felt for all Ser Wendel's skill or luck in getting to this point, he was done for. So instead once again concentrated on Walder's fight, something he in the end was glad of.
Up until now Walder's strength and speed had been enough, now facing two opponents who not only were working together, but knew how to, was going to prove a different test. Jaime watched as they circled before attacking simultaneously, both coming at the side forcing Walder to chose who to face. He instinctively chose right, but it was also the end for him as he over concentrated on Ser Daemon allowing Oberyn's daughter to trip him with the spear, as his axe fell, both of them advanced and he yielded.
"He did well." Dacey said disappointed as Ser Wendel too had been defeated.
"Aye he did, but watch and see what he did wrong." Jaime said as the two turned to face Thoros.
They tried the same move, both circling and just as before, Thoros turned to concentrate on Ser Daemon, though he did so in only a half turn, when Oberyn's daughter came in with the spear, he jumped it and with her off balance, he moved to her and it was she who fell to the ground. His leg sweep catching her completely by surprise, she had yielded even before Ser Daemon moved, the flaming sword still a foot from her face.
Thoros spun and he watched as the flames flew in the air when his sword and Ser Daemon's struck against each other, both men were skilled but the flames were the difference. Every time Thoros brought the sword anywhere near Ser Daemon's face the man visibly flinched and as he hit the sword against his arm, Daemon dropped his own and reached to put out flames that weren't there. With that the melee was over and Thoros had claimed another victory.
Jon.
He was determined to enjoy the tourney even with the specter of Oberyn Martell hanging over his head, when he arrived he had taken Sansa, Margaery and Joy to shop at the stalls. They had left the wolves at Casterly Rock, Jon had enough trouble getting Ghost to behave, having the two pups act up would be too much. His arm was aching him some too and after speaking to the Maester he had been told to place it back in it's sling, giving him another reason not to wish to run after errant wolves.
Sansa was walking around almost as excited as Joy, her first tourney coming so soon after the wedding was more than she could have hoped for. Seeing the stalls selling everything from food to jewellery, from fabrics to drinks, he was glad he'd brought a lot of coin with him. Joy was her usual boisterous self, stopping at stalls and asking for pen nuts and at one an odd sugary stick which she seemed to adore.
"Jon try." she said holding the stick in her hand.
"Mmm yummy." he said after pretending to try it making her laugh.
"Margy?" he heard Joy say and so he looked to Margaery and she did the same even adding in the rubbing of her stomach which made Joy laugh louder.
"Sans." but she got no answer "Sans try." and his sister turned around having been looking at the fabrics.
"Oh no thank you Joy." Sansa said to a frown.
"I think you should try some Sansa." Jon said with a wink and mouthed 'Pretend' which Sansa did making Joy smile again.
"Jon can we go over to this stall?"
"Of course Sansa." he said and they walked to the fabrics.
Sansa in the end bought a lot, well actually it was Jon who bought it as Sansa it turned out had forgotten her coin purse, not that he minded, he knew his little sister would end up giving most of it away in the form of presents anyway. After stopping off to eat they made their way to the arena, Jors following but Jon knew Arthur was here somewhere too. His knight was not happy at having to basically hide from Oberyn and not willing to do so completely.
After making sure the girls were seated he and Margaery went to wish good luck to Brienne and Loras, he spoke to his friend for quite a bit before he left him with Margaery so he could speak to Brienne. After giving her some advice when she asked, he and Margaery walked back to see Sansa and Joy speaking to Martyn, Willem, Tion and Walder, the four boys matching Sansa's enthusiasm almost.
Seeing Loras and Brienne square off had been exciting to even him, he had watched some of the other fights almost bored, both at not being able to compete himself, and because the outcomes were far too easy to predict. Brienne and Loras were clearly far superior than those they faced and barring ill luck would no doubt make it to the end, he instead had been more excited by Sansa's reactions, by Margaery's worry over Loras and by Joy's playing with her pen nuts.
"Your brother will be fine Margaery." he said moving close to whisper in her ear.
"I know it's just I worry so." she said back.
"I do too, but if I thought he was in any danger I'd be out there with him, injury or no." he said and she smiled relaxing some "Joy pen nut." Jon said and Joy shook her head while laughing, "For Margy, Joy?"
"Margy?" Joy said looking to Margaery as if to make sure Jon wasn't trying to fool her.
"Thank you Joy." Margaery said when she offered her the peanut and Joy nodded back at Jon who smiled and winked at her.
"No Tion, my pen nuts." Joy said then giggling as Tion reached forward for one.
Jon looked to Sansa and rolled his eyes making her laugh, buying Joy the bag of peanuts was both fun and annoying at the same time. He turned to see Loras and Brienne were ready to fight and he watched on, his hand falling to hold Margaery's when she gasped at the knock Loras took to the head. In the end it was that which won it for Brienne and he cheered on as did Margaery once she realized Loras was well.
They didn't have long to wait until the Melee and this Jon found much more interesting, not only was Walder fighting in it, but Thoros too, for some reason the Red Priest fascinated him even more since Arthur's revelations. Knowing one of them wished to see him made him eager to know more of their strange religion and Thoros was the only other of them he even knew existed. While Margaery and Sansa spoke of Highgarden and Joy feeling a little sleepy curled up beside him, Jon watched the melee take place.
Walder did incredibly well, he was unlucky in the end and Jon knew it was purely his inexperience that cost him, knowing Arthur would soon be training him amongst others, that wouldn't be a problem for long. Watching Thoros win was incredible though and Jon tried to see the secret to the burning blade, he knew it was liquid of some sort, but what it was he couldn't be sure. With the melee done with they headed to eat before the joust, Joy though it seemed along with the younger boys were tired out.
So it had just been him, Margaery, Sansa, Loras and Brienne, both of whom had joined once they had changed, Loras seeming to feel no ill effects from the knock to the head he took. They were sitting in Tyrion's tavern enjoying their meal when Jon spotted Richard, motioning to him he took his leave and walked to the back and up the stairs. One of Richard's men stood guard outside the room and he and Richard walked in.
"My king?"
"Have you sent Lorch's body to Dorne?"
"I have my king, it left days ago."
"Damn, you're far too good at your job." he said with a small laugh.
"Why do you ask my king?"
"Richard, please Jae or Jon." he said and Richard nodded "Oberyn knows." he said and Richard took a seat.
"How has he reacted?"
"He's not, not yet, but he knows, I.. I think my smile gave me away." he said rubbing his head as if the idea was preposterous.
"It's your father's smile, Jae."
"Aye, my sisters too."
"So now what?"
"I have a plan, Rhaenix's plan actually, I was hoping had Lorch's body still been here."
"To show him and help explain."
"Aye, there's a letter too, from Elia but I know not what it says."
"You could open it Jae, say it was unsealed."
"I couldn't Richard, its between them, I'll deal with it whatever I says, but it's from Elia to her brothers, if it was Rhaenys and I.."
"I understand."
"Is everything set with the Mountain?"
"Aye it is we're all set to go, Jaime told me of your vision, you think it true?"
"I do, if I can speak to him, convince him, maybe he'll listen." Jae said.
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then I'll have to make sure he survives." he said determinedly.
"I'll be heading off on the morrow, I won't see you for some time, be safe my king." Richard said.
"You too Richard, and Richard, thanks for listening."
"Always my king."
Sansa.
Once they had finished eating they walked back to watch the joust and if Sansa was excited by the tourney beforehand, how she was now made that look like boredom. The idea of knights jousting, of racing down a tilt towards each other had until that point, been a dream for her, something she read in a book. Now she was actually going to see it happen in front of her, Jon and Loras explained the colors and decorations on the horses and she looked out to see the knights lined up their armor gleaming.
"Do you have many tourneys at Highgarden Margaery?" she asked.
"My father loves tourneys, and balls, and feasts Sansa, I believe you'll see your share." Margaery said smiling back and Sansa felt her heart race.
Balls, an actual proper ball, while not much different than the wedding in some respects, in others they were and it was these that she looked forward to most, to the dresses and the dances, to the music and pageantry. The little girl who had read and looked at drawings in books of such things, who had hoped to see them one day and now she was actually going to be a part of them, she was lost in this daydream as the first two knights lined up.
"Who are they Jon?" she asked having missed the names and not recognizing the colors.
"They're two hedge knights Sansa, both from the Stormlands I believe."
She watched as the two horses rode towards each other, heard the crash of the lances as they hit the shields, both men remained on their horses and they turned and rode once again. She gasped when the man was knocked from his horse, looked on worriedly as he lay on the ground, once he moved though she looked eagerly on as the next two knights began their run. Over and over it went, Lord Jorah defeated a knight from House Brax, Ser Wendel fell to Lord Beric Dondarion, Ser Addam defeating a knight from House Westerling.
She heard the hum in the crowd and looked on excitedly as the large man Walder had fought faced off against Prince Oberyn, feeling both excitement and disquiet from Jon and Margaery, with Loras looking on almost angrily. The joust itself went four tilts, with Prince Oberyn unhorsing the large man, the Strongboar she heard Jon call him, while there were cheers there were those who booed too, not that it bothered the prince.
She was feeling thirsty and was about to ask for something to drink when a serving girl brought her some fruit juice, she looked to Jon and smiled, he had ordered it for her and Margaery knowing they'd wish it. As the joust went on she found her excitement undimmed, she cringed and gasped when a knight fell but cheered when they rose again. In the end it got down to the final four, Prince Oberyn had looked majestic, Jorah too had been incredible. Ser Addam and Lord Beric being the others who had made it this far.
Ser Addam was her choice he rode so elegantly, Lord Dondarrion was dashing and flamboyant, but to her mind he couldn't come close to Ser Addam. Jorah was fierce like the bear on his sigil and the northerner in her wished to cheer for him, but Jon had no problem declaring that Oberyn would win, so she felt fine picking Ser Addam. Margaery and Loras were both hoping for Jorah to win and she sensed neither were too pleased her brother had picked Oberyn.
Jon was too close to Margaery and Brienne too close to Loras for her to ask either of them why the Tyrell's had a problem with the Dornish Prince without being overheard, so she resolved to find out later. Brienne had stayed almost silent during the joust, her expression remarkably like Jon's just sitting, studying, almost as if they both were picking apart styles and forms.
"It's Addam against Jorah." Jon said and she moved to the edge of her seat.
When she looked up to see Lynesse and the babe looking on worriedly she felt a sense of guilt, Lynesse was her friend and Sansa was cheering for her husband's opponent, she almost couldn't look at her. But it was the crashing of the lances which drew her attention anyway, the first tilt ended with both lances broken. The second the same, as did the third, when they got to the fourth though it was clear Jorah's power was beating Addam's skill.
"Jorah's going to win." she said half excited and half upset.
"Aye he is." Jon said and so it was proved right as in the next tilt Addam fell.
"Is he all right?" she said worriedly but he almost jumped to his feet making her smile.
"It seems he is little sister." Jon said before turning to whisper something to Margaery which made her almost curl up in laughter.
She frowned at her brother thinking he just teased her, but when she saw his confused look she wondered if she'd been mistaken. As she was thinking on it, Prince Oberyn and Lord Beric rode out. This contest was very different, two tilts was all it lasted and Prince Oberyn won it easily, once she saw Lord Beric was well she called Jon to speak to him, watching as he nodded before switching seats with Brienne.
"Jon what is it with Margaery and Loras and Prince Oberyn?" she whispered as softly as she could.
"Lord Willas injured his leg in a joust against Prince Oberyn, while it was an accident, Willas bears the injury still and so the prince is not their favorite person."
"Oh, but your cheering for him." she said a little too loudly.
"You think I'd cheer for him against a northman? Against Jorah?" he said aghast.
"I… I just thought, you said he'd win." she said abashed.
"Aye, he will, but that doesn't mean I'm cheering for him, something Margaery thankfully understands now." he said looking at Margaery who was smiling at something with Brienne.
"What were you laughing at with Margaery earlier?" she asked.
"What when?"
"When you whispered to her?" she said,
"Wait, is that why you looked at my strangely, did you think? Sansa I wouldn't tease you not behind your back, not when you're so fun to tease while right in front of me little sister" he said nudging her shoulder with his own.
"Jon don't you dare." she said laughing at him.
"I won't, it wasn't you I was talking about, we were just talking about the queen of love and beauty."
"Oh, I don't see how is that funny?"
"It's not, I was just saying if I ever won a joust I'd be forced to crown Ghost." Jon said and Sansa looked at him in confusion.
"I don't understand."
"Margaery asked who I'd crown if I won, well I couldn't crown Margaery because Joy wouldn't' be happy and I couldn't crown you because Joy wouldn't be happy and I couldn't crown Joy because…"
"Margaery or I wouldn't be happy." she said smirking.
"Aye, so that leaves Ghost, anyway that's what I told Margaery during the earlier jousts."
"But why was she laughing now?"
"Look over there, see the garland that's for the queen of love and beauty." Jon said pointing to some flowers.
"I see them, oh they're so pretty." she said picturing them placed on her head.
"Aye, now imagine them on Ghost's head." Jon said, she couldn't help it the laughter just burst out, she almost doubled over at the idea of the white wolf crowned in flowers.
It took her a few minutes to compose herself, she needed to borrow Jon's handkerchief to wipe her eyes having laughed so much tears had fallen. She had actually missed the first two tilts and looked on as in the third Prince Oberyn caught Jorah so flush he practically flew from the horse, she worried for a moment until he stood up and waved to Lynesse looking up to give her friend a small smile herself.
"My Lord and Ladies, men and women of Lannisport, the west and beyond, I give you the winner of the Joust Prince Oberyn Martell."
She looked on as the Prince rode to the garland and picked up the flowers on the end of his lance before riding to where his daughters and paramour sat, what a paramour was she had no idea, other than the Prince was unmarried.
"My love, Ellaria I name you the Queen of Love and Beauty." Oberyn said as he laid the flowers in her hand.
She smiled before turning to Jon only to find him staring down at Margaery who had her head turned away from the arena and was looking back at her brother, she looked from one to the other and to the prince and Ellaria, she was sure then it wouldn't be Ghost who Jon would crown if he won.
Oberyn.
The boy had smoothly ditched him the night before he'd give him that much, he had watched him leave the feast almost as soon as they returned and for the rest of the night he had sat so quietly that Ellaria worried about him. He had smiled and tried to be attentive but he knew he'd failed, so he had made it up to her in their bed later on. While Ellaria slept he stood at the window naked, the cold night air keeping his warm blood from boiling.
Everything became clear to him then though the details still escaped him, but he knew who the boy was, he knew who his father was, who his mother was and everything began to click into place. Eddard Stark had done what he hadn't been able to do and while a part of him admired the man for it, his own failure hung over his head like an axe, he had saved his nephew while Oberyn's had died, while his niece had died. Both men had lost their sisters, but he had something left of his while Oberyn was left alone with nothing but memories.
"Come back to bed my love." Ellaria said as she rolled over to find him not there.
"Sleep my love, I must think." he said and she drifted back to sleep.
He had found himself thinking for most of the night and pretty much the entirety of the next day, breaking his fast, preparing for the tourney, even riding in the joust's hadn't cleared his mind. It was only naming Ellaria his Queen of Love and Beauty which did so and even then only for the briefest of moments. Soon he felt himself drawn back to Harrenhal on the day the smiles died, he saw her then the wolf girl and now looking to the stands he saw her son, the boy looked more like his father he could see it clearly now, but she was part of him too.
As he finished removing his armor he was joined by Richard Lonmouth and he knew that he was involved in this also. He looked to the man, his goodbrother's former squire and wondered how long he'd known, how long they'd kept this secret hidden from him, he had to know, he needed to know. Was this the plan all along, had this been what Rhaegar wanted? Did he leave his sister to die, her children to die so her son could live while Elia's did not?
"How long?"
"Less than a year."
"You expect me to believe that?" he sneered.
"I care not what you believe Oberyn, you seem to forget unlike the rest of the world I don't fear the viper. I died many years ago old friend, everyday since I've known the truth has been a second life to me so death holds no fear for me."
"You intend to put that boy on the throne?"
"That boy is my king and he will sit the throne, of that there is no doubt."
"You think Dorne will accept this." he said angrily.
"Frankly I could give two fucks what Dorne will and won't accept. You think it was I who sent you Varys's head, I who brought you here for the Mountain or I who ensured Lorch got exactly what he fucking deserved." Richard said.
"Lorch is dead?" he said surprised.
"Aye, his body is on it's way to Doran as we speak, now come Jaime Lannister wishes to speak to you and Oberyn, I'd leave your knives behind or those answers you seek will never be found."
"You would have me walk into the Lion's den unarmed?"
"If anyone wished you harm Oberyn we wouldn't be speaking right now." Richard said turning and walking away.
He finished dressing and hid the small knife in the cut off in his small clothes before walking to follow Richard, when he saw Daemon and Nym he called them over to tell Ellaria he'd see her later. Then he walked to where Richard was waiting with a horse saddled for him, he mounted and they rode fast to Casterly Rock. He was brought to a room and he sat and stewed waiting for over an hour until Jaime Lannister arrived.
"Richard, you can go," Jaime said and Richard looked at him before nodding.
"Lannister."
"He wishes to speak to you. Should you harm him in any way I'll make it my life's mission that every member of your family will suffer. I will spend ever single piece of gold I have. I'll fucking hire the faceless men themselves with one goal only, to see the end of House Martell. You, your daughters, your paramour, your brother, niece and nephews, all of them gone, your former squire you're so fond of, gone." Jaime said with such surety that he gulped.
"He means that much to you?"
"He is my king." Jaime said and turned so he followed.
They walked to the lift and came out at the family wing, he was taken down a corridor and saw the giant guard and the other one who followed Jon Snow around, Jaime knocked at door and Jon opened it, giving Jaime a smile before he motioned for Oberyn to come inside. Once he did the white wolf was on him immediately pinning him to the door, he felt fear then, genuine fear as he looked in the wolf's red eyes. Compared to this the other meeting had been friendly and he looked to Jon who seemed to have his eyes closed.
"The knife, take it out please I'd suggest slowly." Jon said and he looked to see the wolf baring it's teeth.
He took the knife out and threw it on the floor, feeling able to breathe again as the wolf left him and walked over to stand by the boy.
"Forgive me for that but I didn't wish you to do something stupid, I'd prefer you alive my prince." Jon said with a soft laugh.
"How did you know?"
"I'm a warg, Ghost is my companion, my protector, my friend." he said rubbing the wolf's head "He's not the only one." Jon said and Oberyn looked on in astonishment as a white dragon flew and landed on the boy's shoulders.
"That's, how, that's impossible."
"Is it? I suppose you're right, what do you say Rhaenix are you impossible?" Jon said and the dragon chirped "No she says she's very much possible my prince." he laughed.
"She?" he asked confused thinking the boy had named the dragon for his father.
"Aye she, my sister." he said softly as he dragon chirped again.
"You named her for Rhaenys?" he asked a small smile on his face before he realized.
"No, she is Rhaenys. You may want to sit for this." Jon motioned to a small chair which he sat on.
"I don't, she can't be, she's a dragon, can a dragon even be a she?" his worlds stumbling from his lips.
"A dragon is not a slave, not even to it's gender. But she is my sister." the dragon began chirping and Jon nodded before smiling .
"You can speak to her?"
"I can understand her, we're bonded, we've always been bonded." Jon said as he stroked the dragon's neck.
"I don't… this makes no sense." he said shaking his head.
"There was a day years ago, you and Ellaria visited Dragonstone to see Elia and Rhaenys, Aegon hadn't been born yet. Rhaenys was always an early riser and she liked to wake up Elia and our father, but father wasn't on Dragonstone and Elia had given you their rooms, do you remember?" Jon said and he nodded "Remember what happened when she snuck in to wake Elia and father up, what she found?"
He remembered it almost as if it was yesterday he and Ellaria had been in the middle of it when she came in, she had run out to find her mother to tell her that Oberyn had been hurting auntie Ellaria. For the first time since he had met his paramour she had actually been embarrassed, he couldn't there was no way he could know this. The dragon began to chirp again as Oberyn looked at both it and the boy, trying to make sense of them both.
"I don't know, will it work?"
More chirping and shaking of the dragons head.
"If you say so."
More chirping.
"Aye, fine, you do know best sister." Jon said laughing.
He looked on in wonder as Jon walked to him and held out the dragon for him to take in his hands, he took it? her? And as he held it he looked into it's eyes, they were a deep purple and he could see her, see Rhaenys. He watched as Jon walked to a chest, reaching in and taking out something wrapped in cloth, it seemed he struggled with it, his injured arm not allowing him to lift it properly but he did and carried it to the table.
The dragon chirped at him, tilting it's head as it looked into his own eyes, he could see tears reflected, his tears and he felt the dragon almost wish to wipe them as it moved closer.
"She says she missed you uncle, she missed you so much," Jon said softly and the dragon chirped.
"I..I missed you too Rhaenys," he said wiping his eyes as he felt the dragon lean against his chest.
"I don't know what it is exactly we're going to see, I need you put Rhaenix on the table my prince." Jon said and he reluctantly did as he was told.
On the table were glass candles, four of them, he looked on as Jon handed him one before picking up another, the one he held in his hand was black, the one Jon held, green, it was merely a moment later that the green candle lit up followed by the one in his own hand. He looked on in awe, he had seen them once in the Citadel, each acolyte sent down to spend a night trying to light them with their mind, none ever succeeding and Jon Snow had done it as if it was nothing.
He saw the image then, the place he recognized immediately Harrenhal, he saw himself sitting there in the hall of a hundred hearths, the feast going on and then he saw her, saw Elia and it was if he was right there, as if he could reach out an touch her.
" Things will change soon brother, when they do no matter what happens talk to me first, promise me brother, promise me you'll speak to me before you do anything rash."
" Me do something rash? You must have me mistaken with someone else." he laughed.
" Oberyn promise me."
" I promise Elia."
The image changed and it was Elia and Rhaegar and they were arguing and he felt his rage rise.
" You were not supposed to do it so publicly Rhaegar."
" I'm sorry Elia, I don't know, I don't know what came over me."
" The same thing which comes over us all, you love struck fool."
" I know it wasn't supposed to be this way Elia, forgive me."
" I can forgive easy enough, my brothers not so much." Elia laughed.
" We'll talk to them, explain it all."
" We will."
The images changed once again, he was storming from a room, his sister running after him.
" Oberyn it's not what it seems."
" That man shamed you Elia, he shamed my sister, I'll not sit by"
" You'll do as your bid Oberyn or I shall not speak to you again, remember your promise brother."
" No, not on this, I'll not forgive this Elia, I'll not see you cover for that man." he said as he walked away.
" Oberyn, Oberyn." his sister shouted as she began to cry.
Just like that the images were gone and he sat there looking at the unlit candles, if he didn't hear the dragon chirping he'd not believe what he just saw.
"How can you? How can you do that?"
"I do not know, I'm sill learning, Rhaenix has been teaching me, but I haven't seen the past before, nor the future yet." Jon said.
"Future?"
"Aye, I have dreams, I've seen things, Rhaenys showed me things." Jon said sadly.
"Rhaenix, Rhaenys which is it? I don't understand any of this."
"Neither do I completely, it's coming I get some of it, but what I know is we were bonded, through the dragon and the egg. I did something, changed it, I don't know what, but Rhaenys is Rhaenix, Rhaenix is Rhaenys, she is my sister."
"What do you want from me?"
"I have something for you, I don't know what it says, only it's from Elia." Jon said walking to the chest and taking out a letter before walking back towards him.
"Where did you get this?"
"It was left among my things, take it, when you've read it we'll talk some more." Jon said handing him the letter.
He sat there and read it and reread it crying as he did so, he felt the dragon's wings as she flew to his shoulder, felt her head against his own as he sat there sobbing holding the letter in his hands.