Oberyn Martell has always fascinated me as a character. My favourite chapter in ASOS is his duel with The Mountain, especially when he erupted in an explosion of rage and passion for his sister. After all he had the "unbeatable" Mountain defeated yet his rage took over and causes a mistake that cost him his life. Clearly despite the many years since her death, he still carried these huge feelings and it was great to read (as I hope it will be great to see in the TV series in Season 4). I've tried to tie in his anger and feelings about Elia with his "formidable reputation" that Tyrion briefly discusses when he greets the Red Viper at Kings Landing in ASOS.

Rating = T (language & violence)

Disclaimer – If you recognise it then GRRM owns it.

For Her

Chapter 1

292AL

To those watching he fought like the Warrior himself. He slithered through the battlefield, avoiding the corpses and focusing on his next target. His spear was thrust with absolute precision and resulted in instant death to whatever was on the receiving end. Should his spear be snapped in battle then he would draw his longsword and continue the carnage, albeit at much shorter range. He had fought in countless battles for the Second Sons and his skill with any blade was surpassed by no-one within the company, even the Titan's Bastard.

After battle he would drink and find a bed mate for the night. With his sharp tongue and every sharper looks, he did not lack for attention and he would often be seen taking a serving wench, a Lords daughter or even a squire to his tent. His fellow sellswords often wondered if he needed a companion in order to sleep. If alone, they wondered, do the faces of the hundreds of people he has killed haunt his dreams?

What they didn't know is that Oberyn Martell didn't remember anyone he killed. They could have two heads like Maelys the Monstrous and he would not have noticed. The rage he carried with him on the battlefield was reserved for a few men and it was their faces he saw in every man he slayed. A tall one was Clegane, a short one was Lorch, an old one was Tywin Lannister and a young one was Robert Baratheon, the Usurper. He never forgot those faces and they never left his thoughts ever since he was exiled.

9 years earlier 283AL

"I don't care about the size of their forces, I'd take a Dornishman over any Northerner, Baratheon or fucking Lannister any day."

Doran stood expressionless. "They outnumber us nearly 10 to 1 brother, it would be complete folly."

Oberyn stopped pacing the room and through clenched teeth hissed "Is it only me who cares about her and what happened to her? You know what happened to them all, I know you hear the little birds sent by the Spider just as I do, and it was brutal. Those Lannister cunts murdered her and her kids. To die like that..."

"I grieve brother, I truly do, but I would not risk plunging Dorne into a war we cannot win for revenge. I know Elia wouldn't wa-"

"DON'T YOU SAY HER NAME! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE WANTS. I WOULD DIE TEN THOUSAND DEATHS FOR HER!"

Oberyn turned as he screeched and faced his elder brother. Doran stood there and drank from his cup. His face still did not reflect any emotion. Oberyn wanted to shake him and shake him till he woke up and saw what they had to do for her. Since the raven had arrived with news of her death, Oberyn had done nothing but plan for war. He had contacted all the great houses of Dorne, commanding their soldiers to mobilise. He received no response from any house, great or small. When a message came from Varys informing him of the exact nature of her death, he personally rode to Godsgrace to rally the troops only to find he was not welcome inside the city. The same occurred at Salt Shore and he was ready to ride to Hellholt until Lord Gargalen personally informed him that Doran had sent word to all of Dorne that Oberyn was trying to raise them to fight and he expressly forbid it. As the ruling prince of Dorne they had to follow his command. Oberyn immediately took to his horse and returned to Sunspear to confront Doran.

"Oberyn, I will never claim I was as close to Elia as you were, the age difference prevented that. But never believe I didn't love her, just as I love you. But the time for revenge is not now. The new hand of the king is on his way with the bones of your uncle and I mean to negotiate peace with him."

"I have a better idea." Oberyn responded "Instead I'm going to fuck Lord Arryn then I'll cut his head off and send it to the Usurper. Make sure you don't get in the way or your head will roll too."

He stepped towards Doran with his hand on the hilt of his dagger but found the way blocked by the swift movement of Areo Hotah who held his axe in both hands. Oberyn looked deep into the Captain's eyes but he did not flinch. Oberyn had heard this man was quick and deadly, he wondered if he could swing that axe quicker than he could free his dagger and plunge it into his neck.

Doran spoke up "Areo, Oberyn, back down."

Immediately Areo stepped backwards and moved to the side of Doran, but he didn't move his hands from his axe Oberyn noticed.

Doran spoke eventually "I have vengeance in mind brother, believe me but now is not the time. Our enemies are at their strongest, we need time to weaken them and strengthen us. I need you to control your rage for now and I promise that when the time is right you can unleash it all on all of them. Gregor Clegane, Amory Lorch, The Lannisters, Robert Baratheon - you can destroy them all and no-one will stop you. But only when the time is right. Can you control yourself?"

Oberyn stared at the floor and quietly responded "I don't know I can Brother."

Doran took a long look at Oberyn then spoke up. "I will book passage for you to the Free Cities. You need time, I need time, our enemies need time. I will send for you when your rage can be unleashed, until then do not return to Westeros."