Author's Note: This has not been BETA'd, just proofread it by myself, so if you've seen some grammatical errors, feel free to leave a review, so I am able to immediately correct it. Constructive Criticism is highly encouraged. Don't hold back, but No Trolls please. Feel free to leave suggestions/comments, I'll consider it in future chapters of the story.
Disclaimer: I wish it was mine...
Valar Dohaeris
"All Men Must Serve"
Chapter One: Bound By A Promise
Sunspear, Dorne
Salt breeze blew from the Summer Sea as the blood orange trees danced with it. The trickle of water from the hundreds of fountains and pools that decorated the enchanted garden was melodies far more enchanting than the lute. The pale pink marbles that pave the gardens and courtyard glistened under the glaze of the sun.
The Water Gardens.
A palace that hid an oasis in the desert of Sunspear.
Home of House Martells.
Oberyn Martell, marched through the garden, adorning his golden satin silk robes with the intricate details of his house sigil over his light metallic tunic and brown leather pants. His leather boots cluck through the pale pink marbles in a hurry, waving his hands towards the giggling maidens that pranced around the gardens.
Peering through the outstretch leaves and branches from the trees, he caught sight of his target, laying perfectly elegant in her pale rose satin silk dress, her silver long hair spread softly over the dornish carpet, and her alabaster skin twinkle brightly like diamonds.
"Daenerys," he called approaching the maiden, as she turned her body towards him, a gentle smile adorning her beautiful young face.
"Oberyn!" she exclaimed, sitting up. "You're back! Sunspear missed you!" Oberyn knelt in front of her, catching her in his arms as he gave her a gentle sqeeze.
"With you here? I doubt it." He japed, his sharp face made into a mischievous grin as he release her and went towards the table were fruits of Dorne to pluck a grape and proceed to enjoy it's juices.
"Ellaria has missed you." She pulled herself up and went beside him. "… as well as your daughters. They have come to teach me the way of the blades everyday and have been patronizing me for my lack of finesse in such area, commenting on my sickly arms and zero reflex." Oberyn bursted in laughter.
"You're not welcome in the battle field, my sweet. You're too gentle and kind." Oberyn said sweetly to her, curling a strand of hair in his callous fingers, his eyes watching her adoringly. For fifteen years he has watched her grew to a woman whose beauty men will bring forth a war. She was ethereal and unworldly, no words, songs and poems could ever do justice to her magnificence. Her light purple eyes could stare straight through a man's soul like she could see everything about you. Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, daughter of the Mad King and sister to Elia Martell's husband, Rhaegar Targaryen.
She brings forth in her wake a tragic past despite her gentle heart. Fifteen years ago, brought forth the downfall of once a glorious dynasty, a rebellion from the Usurper, now king of Westeros, Robert Baratheon, and the betrayal of house Lannister. Elia Martell, Oberyn's beloved sister, raped and murdered, her innocent children murdered, by a guard permitted by the Lannister. His anger boiled, how he hated those pretentious bastards. And poor babe Daenery's whose saving grace was the offered peace between Dorne and King's Landing as well as the pleas of the Eddard Stark, close confidant of the Usurper as well as the brother of Rhaegar's lover and the maiden that brought forth war. Robert had agreed in the condition that such parties will take responsibility; Martell's to raise her and the Starks to wed her.
Oberyn had tried to persuade Doran, the current Lord of Sunspear, for the hand of his Ward, but Doran had firmly refused. She was bound by a promise in exchange for her life and she must keep her promise, which she was reminded of that promise every nameday. Secretly the Martell's raised a toast to her name, and in Sunspear, she was revered highly disregarding her family's fall of grace. Both brothers believed that Iron Throne was hers alone and would whisper to her of her birthrights and to never forget it.
"Dany" Ellaria's voice bellowed, as she appeared before them. Ellaria was Oberyn's current paramount. She quickened her pace as she saw Oberyn's face and went up to hug him which he returned. "My love, you have come back." She exclaimed. "I'm home." He whispered back.
Ellaria released him and turn towards Daenerys, still in Oberyn's arms, "Doran has asked for you." Daenery's nodded to both of them before turning to leave. Oberyn watched her go.
"Your highness," Daenery's bowed lowly as the wheeled gout man watched her forlornly. "my sweet queen," he called her fondly, beckoning her near him to which Daenery's complied and kneeled beside him. He traced his frail fingers against her pale cheeks as she leans in to his touch "… I bare such grave news. It is time I must surrender you."
"… Fifteen long years should be enough and that you must fulfill the other end of the bargain." He hissed between gritted teeth. Doran Martell too has come to love the child as if it was his own. He raised her and as much as he wants her stay, she was honor bound and he can't stand to ruin what was left of her honour.
"I should have listened to Oberyn and chain you here in Sunspear, my desert flower. I mourn for letting you back to that awful place. Your beauty and gentle heart deserves more than what those vermins could offer." Doran exclaimed as Daenery's smiled weakly to him. "I am most grateful for raising me well Doran, no words could ever express it. But the Usurper will not see me weak and cower. I will not let it."
Doran smiled at her, clasping her hands to his, "Have I ever told you about the history of the Water Garden?"
Two Moons and Three Suns Later…
Daenery's gaze nervously beyond the edge of the ship, strong winds blew through her silver mane, her golden georgette silk dress bellowing with the wind as White Harbour came to view. She could feel her heart hammering through her bones, a slight tingle from the tips of her fingers and little bit light headed; she hadn't slept well for the last three days.
How she missed the Water Gardens. It was the first time she has been away from home. Now she's returning to the snake's pit with nothing but a distraught heart and a worried mind. Oberyn had held her firmly and whispered sweet nothings, before boarding the ship. No one from the Martell went with her as they have affairs to take care in Sunspear, but both brothers had made her promise to write to them as much as possible.
"M'lady, we're almost to dock," she nodded her head towards the ship captain. She draped her silk wrap over her face and pulled her hood over her silver hair. Nearing the port she could see guards of grey and black, direwolves banners flapping with the sea wind; a burly man in his mid-thirties in heavy black tunic, leather, and fur standing gruffly among his guards.
Once the ship docked, Daenerys tighten the fabric wrap warding off the gold breeze of the north, taking a hesitant step off the ship plank. The burly man with his long face, dark hair, grey eyes and closely-trimmed beard, took a step towards her carrying a coat made out of bear fur.
"Daenerys Targaryen?" he asked in raucous voice and the girl nervously nodded. He made to drape the fur around her shoulders as Daenerys stood stiffly from his gesture. He introduced himself to her as Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, before leading her towards the stables to ride for Winterfell which was half-a-day from White Harbour.
Stallions in the North were very much different front the ones in Dorne; there, horses were lean, slightly built but agile, here, the horses are gruff like the men that ride them with thick fur. Mounting them was quite a feat for the petite maiden, pity from the guards that accompanied where she was able to sort-of sit herself.
"Have you ridden a mare m'lady?" the guard questioned, "Please forgive me, this is a first for me." she answered and the guard curved a smile at her, "Not to worry, a little sore but all is good. You'll be riding horses in Winterfell, no time you'll get used to them."
Eddard Stark approach Daenerys on his mount, pulling her reins. With a wave of his hand, his men rode for Winterfell.
Winterfell
"Mother," Robb pushed opens the wooden door towards his parent's chambers, finding his mother reclining on her chair facing the heart that warmth the room, her knuckles tightening around the curve of the chair's arm. He called out to her again. "Robb" she responded, beckoning him to her.
Robb Stark, stocky-build, blue eyes, and thick auburn red hair first born son of the Eddark Stark and Catelyn Tully and heir of Winterfell, knelt in front of his mother, watching her mother's forlorn expression. She made to cup his cheeks, smiling softly to him "I still remember the day when you came to this world, red face and scrawling. Oh, how I wish to keep you in my arms."
"I'm no babe, mother." He grinned.
"Yes, no babe at all." She ruffled his hair affectionately, "I want you to live your life, to kiss a girl and wed a woman and father a son, but in time, when you are man enough and with a girl proper for you."
He sighed heavily, "Father has made a promise Mother, and it is our duty to fulfill it."
"But a Targaryen?! What must Ned be thinking to agree to such things?!" she exclaimed, Robb made to hushed her softly, "That we shall never know, come Mother. Stark banners has been spotted, let us greet father and the Mad King's daughter."
Winterfell Courtyard
The Catelyn and her children lined up to greet Eddard Stark's returned, the hooves of his men's horses thundered through the damp land with Ned in front next to him a hooded figure whose petite form could only make up for a girl.
Ned dismounts from his horse, as Catelyn run up to greet her husband's cheeks with a kiss. Arya, Rickon and Brandon hugged their father, as he pulled them inside the castle, "Tend to the Lady." He bellowed as he disappeared from the oak doors.
Robb, turned his attention to the girl whom just climb down from her horse, assisted by one of the guards. He watched her wave the guard politely with a nod. Her feet were shaking, non-visibly but he noticed; she was holding the reins to steady herself. He approached her just in time to catch her from falling down the mud.
"Thank you," She said to him, as he hoisted her up, not noticing a fabric which was used to wrap around her face was caught up from the reins, it slipped off her face immediately. She turned to look up to him, shocked and Robb was awestruck. He was enchanted by her. Her alabaster skin was like freshly fallen snow and her eyes were an odd light purple hue, she was possibly the most beautiful girl in all of the Seven Kingdoms.
Daenerys' hadn't notice the fabric wrap falling off her face—she was too occupied by this stranger's face; it was the most unconventional handsome she has ever laid eyes upon, with hair burning red and blue as cold as the narrow sea.
A moment had passed, both staring at each other, before she pushed herself away from him, with him holding her steadily. "Please forgive me; I'm not used to riding."
It was velvet, soft and rich voice, compared to his northern coarse voice. In time, Ned walked out from the castle doors towards them, "Let's get you settled in, Daenerys. It was a long ride and it's your first time here, the cold might be a little harsh, I'll send some extra fur."
She nodded to him, Lord Stark turned to his heir, "Have you met my son, Robb?"
"I have." She gave a curved a small smile, but Robb looked away towards the stables, a lone figure standing behind the shadows, he gulped.
"I'll ask the head maid to draw you bath, Lady Targaryen." He muttered before turning away and leaving.
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