Summary: Elia Devenny was the unknown bastard daughter of Oberyn Martell. Prince Doran Martell kept her secret due to the fact that her mother had a hidden heritage. To keep her safe and avenge the death of her namesake a marriage alliance is made between her and Jon Snow, the bastard son of Ned Stark. As the game begins secrets are revealed and Elia and Jon must learn to love in a dark world.
Elia – Adelaide Kane
One
Winterfell
Eddard Stark gazed down at the sleeping baby boy who looked so much like his sister as his wife silently joined him. He had made a promise to his sister on her death bed to protect the child at all cost but he could not lie to his wife and Catelyn had been understanding of the grave situation.
"He looks exactly like Lyanna but that could change as time grows," she whispered sounding wise beyond her years.
"I know," he acknowledged quietly.
Catelyn hated the war that had broken out because Lyanna Stark's foolishness. She should have just done as expected of her and her brother and father would be alive but then Catelyn could not blame the girl for falling in love. As much as she wanted to hate the child she could not for no child should have to pay for the sins of the parent. Robert had been cruel and seeing that cruelty she had understood exactly why Lyanna had fallen for Rhaegar and ran away with him.
"Robert must never learn who true parents are," Catelyn informed gravely.
"I know and we will tell him the truth when the time comes," Ned said finally feeling older than his years.
Jon clashed swords with Robb's using all his strength smiling in victory when he pushed his brother to the ground. He pulled back knowing he already had more leeway than most bastards and pulled his brother up from the ground. Theon laughed in the background no doubt amused at his actions but Jon ignored him as he headed inside. He silently made his way through the halls stopping when he came upon Lady Catelyn.
"Jon you are hurt," she said concerned touching his arm.
"I am fine Lady Catelyn," he told her bowing.
Catelyn sighed knowing that despite the man years she had treated him like a son he had been affected by the harsh words of those spoken by the people of Winterfell. They dare not say a word around the family but she knew and she wished desperately that life could be different for the boy but he had to be protected at all cost.
"I have told you Jon to call me Catelyn," she reassured.
"Of course milady," he said looking at the ground not wanting to do that because he could already hear the whispers of the people of Winterfell.
Catelyn watched Jon walk off to see Maester Luwin and wished that there was another way. Soon he would have to be told she could feel it in the air but she was afraid because if Robert learned the truth then Jon's life would be in grave danger. She turned hoping that the time for truths could be delayed a little while longer because the game could be quite deadly.
~Pawns of the Game~
Dorne
Doran Martell looked at the woman before him calmly as he thought carefully about the situation. He was hiding the anger he felt towards the treatment of his sister Elia and her children. The woman revealing her truth had complicated matters and drew his attention away from more important matters. He formed a plan in his head of revenge and smirked knowing it was a brilliant one.
"The girl will be named Elia," he said giving her a hard look, "You will go into hiding with her in the North until such a time I declare otherwise. You will live in Snow Rock with a trusted friend. I have plans for that child understand that."
"Of course," she said looking ahead steely determination in her eyes.
"A seer standing in front of me with my brother's child asking for help," Doran mused softly.
Aria Devenny knew that this was the only viable option for her daughter and hoped that one day Elia would forgive her. She had seen what would happen if Oberyn found out about his child right away and had to do what was best for her precious babe. Doran had his reasons for helping and she could see that he was planning to use it to his advantage later on and just hoped that Elia would be prepared to be a pawn in the game.
Snow Rock
Aria closed her eyes knowing it was time as she clutched the letter from Doran in her hand tightly. She had done her best to explain the whole situation to her daughter as the child grew but now Elia was a beautiful girl of ten and six her fate decided by her uncle who sought revenge for what happened to his sister and her family. The game could be a deadly thing and despite the fact that Doran was doing this for his own gain he also just made her daughter's life not only difficult but very interesting indeed. Aria knew that she would soon die and only hoped that Elia forgave her for the news she was about to receive.
"Elia darling we must speak," she ordered seeing the concerned looked that Sir Arthur Dayne sent her.
"Of course mother," she said with a frown her brown eyes narrowed in concern.
"I have received a letter from Prince Doran," she explained, "You are to be wed to Ned Stark's bastard son, Jon Snow."
"Has Ned Stark agreed to this alliance?" she asked tensing her eyes becoming hard reminding her so much of the Red Viper.
"Yes he has," she answered waiting to see her daughter's reaction.
"It seems my fate has been sealed then mother but then again I think we both knew that one day this would happen as you have told me many times," she spoke coldly.
Elia knew she was being harsh and that her mother had no choice in the matter but it was unfair that her life was not in her own hands. She walked to her bed chambers knowing that very soon she would be married to a man she did not know. The Starks despite having sided with King Robert during the war were honorable but that did not mean much to a scared girl. Elia had been named after the lost sister of Doran and Oberyn Martell and the story of her namesake was a horrific one. From the beginning her life had been one of a pawn and now this was just that much more confirmation that she was a pawn in the game of thrones.