Aegon stared at the fire in the room that held the Painted Table. He's been on Dragonstone for a solid month, familiarizing himself with his ancestral home and with a part of Westeros he will soon rule. His mind went to the raven scroll he sent the day before, and he's been waiting patiently for the Queen's reply. In that one year since he was informed about Lyaerys Targaryen, he awaited any and every whisper that spoke of her name, who she was, what she does and how she rules. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that Westeros flourished under her rule, but what bewildered him was the fact that she gave one of their kingdoms to the North. He knew that she's a blood relation to the Starks and was raised by them with love from what Ser Barristan told him, but the Seven Kingdoms will not be the Seven Kingdoms if one of them was given away. The Starks should be honored that their own blood mingled with a dragon's and is sitting on the Iron Throne with a fair and gentle hand, so they should be content having her as their ruler and not cut themselves off from Westeros.

Time and time again he would imagine the Queen, was her hair dark as midnight, her direwolf eyes changing to dragon violet like his own after years growing up as a Stark? Didn't matter, she fit the qualities that are perfect for him as a wife and partner in politics. Another idea of her that he likes is her skill in sword fight and archery. Her ability to fight and defend herself means that she will protect the children they will have. He smiled at the thought, the dream of having little dragons of his own to love and teach them his life lessons is what drives him to rule Westeros so that they can protect the kingdoms in his stead when his time comes.

"Your Grace." Aegon was brought out of his musings and saw Ser Jorah bowing his head to him in respect before lifting it back up and holding a scroll "A raven scroll from the Capital." he said, watching Aegon's eyes widened slightly before he took the scroll presented to him and unrolled said scroll to read what the Queen had to say: 'Aegon Targaryen the Dragon King, I humbly accept your invitation to Dragonstone and I'm willing to discuss the succession to the throne with you in person. I hope you will forgive me for not coming immediately fore I need to make preparations and finish up my meetings with other Houses. But I will come within a fortnight after one of my Hands, Lord Tyrion of House Lannister, arrives on Dragonstone before I do. Please treat him kindly, and do hide the wine in your cellars or he'll drink it all dry. I also must ask that you do not feed him to your dragons while he's with you. We both need him alive. Queen Lyaerys Targaryen.' He finished reading it, laughing through his nose at the humor she added at the end, though he suspected that part about feeding him to his dragons wasn't really a joke.

"She's agreed to come to Dragonstone." Aegon summarized, lowering the scroll as he looked up at the Northern knight who smiled, happy that the Queen was cooperative enough to meet with Aegon. "She'll come within a fortnight after one of her Hands arrive here first." The dragon added, walking around the map of Westeros, the scroll still in his hand.

"Which one?" Jorah asked as Aegon touched along the spot where King's Landing resided on the map, "Tyrion Lannister." Aegon answered, Jorah's eyes widening at the familiar name. "The Dwarf? He drinks and whores." he said indignantly as though the Queen was insulting the King.

out for his King to take, "A raven scroll from King's Landing, written by Queen Lyaerys hersel

Aego held up the scroll, "She also warned me to hide all the wine we have and has requested me not to feed him to my dragons." he said, this being the first time he's heard of Tyrion Lannister, or the fact that he was a dwarf. "She's testing me. She sends one of her Hands because she's wary of me. Which is good because a Queen must always be cautious about any possible enemies or allies." he smiled slightly, annoyed yet understanding of the actions she's taking with this meeting.

"If she's testing you, will you also test her as well?" Jorah felt the need to ask from his place by the map where the North's located. Aegon played with the edges of the scroll, "Perhaps. She and I share the blood of the Mad King, the possibility of madness is still high for both of us, higher for me considering I'm his offspring." he said, remembering what people say about Targaryens, "Every time a Targaryen is born, the Gods flip a coin, and the world holds its breath to see how it will land." he added, those fabled words ringing in his head like a bell.

Jorah's eyes softened as he stared at his King, knowing that fear of inheriting madness from an evil creature has put a great deal of strain on the young man before him who wants nothing more than to make the world a better place. Walking around the table, he approached the King and placed both hands firmly on the young man's shoulders, locking eyes with him directly, "You are nothing like your Father. His blood may flow through your veins, but your heart has more purity and love than that monster ever had." The bear said, like a Father assuring his child that the monsters won't get him. In this case, madness is the monster which the King fears the most.

Aegon smiled up at Jorah, one of the Father-figures he was blessed with in this cruel world, the second being Ser Barristan. From the moment they met, he has been his confidant and family, one of the main reasons he's even alive today. He placed his own hand on the bear's shoulders, a loving gesture a son would return to his a Father as Jorah patted him as well. The two of them walked out of the room to spar with each other in the training yard as a way to kill time before the day their guests come.


"I still cannot believe that our benevolent and kind hearted Queen would send one of her trusted Hands to meet a bloody dragon!" Tyrion exclaimed to Bronn as the two of them sat in the former's study drinking wine.

"No one said life was perfect milord. Brightside, your favorite woman is going with you." Bronn said, trying to lighten the mood as he downed wine from his goblet.

"You are not helping." Tyrion said slowly before he too drank from his goblet.

"She's the Queen's handmaiden that you fuck when you think she's not looking and won't notice. Guess what, she figured it out a long time ago my friend." Bronn said with a shit-eating smirk as he poured himself another drink.

"I was the one who introduced Shae to her in the first place to get her out of whoring." Tyrion said, a mournful expression on his face as he tapped his fingers on his goblet, "Now she's coming with me to meet one of the most dangerous people who ever lived." he said, fearing for his beloved's safety.

"She going with you to protect your sorry arse. Which is not an easy job considering how many people want you dead. I speak from experience, and got paid for it." Bronn said as Tyrion gave him a deadpanned look, "I know, I paid you myself." he set his cup down and got right down to business, "Which is why I'll pay you to come with us on this grand adventure." he said, knowing a man like Bronn can never refuse gold.

"You want me to come along and meet this Dragon King where we'll probably get our arses burned alive." Bronn summarized, looking at the dwarf incredulously, "Fuck it, I'm not protecting your arse for all the money in the world if it means facing fookin' set of flying fire breathing teeth." he said before taking a gulp of wine.

"It's not me you'll be protecting, it's Shae." Tyrion said, leaning forward on his desk, "If it goes bad for me I need you to take Shae out of there." he said, his eyes pleading with his supposed friend to go with him on this journey that may very well end his life.

Bronn lowered his cup and allowed his head to fall back with a sigh. It's moment like this where he has to take pity on his employer and really be his friend, which is something he hates because it damages his character. "My money better be waiting for me if you do die." he said in resignation as Tyrion sighed in relief, happy that his backup plan is going with him on his latest adventure.

The dwarf refilled their goblets before holding his up, "A toast to our next grand adventure." he announced as Bronn mirrored the gesture and added, "Let us hope that we can live through it to fuck another day. Cheers." The clinked their goblets together before downing the wine at the same time.


Lyra sat in her studies filling out documents and writing out scrolls to nobles, giving them her response about their marriage offers. She worked fervently in order to distract herself from thinking about her impending meeting with the Dragon King. She knew that Aegon Targaryen would return to Westeros someday, though a part of her hoped that he would stay in Mereen a little longer to protect the people from being enslaved by their masters. She was happy that he made a change across the Narrow Sea, but she was terrified about what might happen next once they meet each other.

A knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts, "Come in." she said, not stopping in her concentration at her desk as the door opened and a familiar accented voice rung out, "If you keep furrowing your brows like that, people would think you are in a bad mood."

Lyra's hand froze in her writing when she recognized that voice, "Oh Gods help me." she looked up, confirming her suspicions, "Prince Oberyn Martell." The Dornish prince raised his arms up in a grand welcoming gesture and bowed to the Queen with a jovial smile, "Your Grace, wonderful to see you again. How are we this fine afternoon?" he said, walking over to the chair in front of her desk before taking a seat and crossing his legs.

"So many things." Lyra answered, not sure how much more excitement she can handle with her very distant relative in her study. "When did you get here...How did you get in here?" she asked after a pause as Oberyn shrugged in his usual laidback manner, "I let myself in." she gave him a look that basically said 'yeah right.' "Ned Stark let me in. I wanted to surprise you." he answered truthfully as Lyra put her quill back into the inkpot, "Not that I'm unhappy to see you, but for what reason did you have to come here. Is it Tywin?" she had to ask since the last she heard of the old lion, he was rotting in Dorne's dungeon.

Oberyn waved off her concern, "Don't worry, Lord Tywin is alive and is still locked away as we speak." he said, still feeling satisfied for the compensation the Queen gave his people after years of being denied their princess' death.

Lyra nodded in approval, a slight smirk gracing her features, "One year down, nineteen more to go." she said, sharing Oberyn's satisfaction for Tywin's poetic sentencing; twenty years escaping justice, twenty years in Dornish prison.

Oberyn sighed, "Still the happiest day in my life." he said, as though he was enjoying the sunset.

"Second happiest for me." Lyra added, remembering her first meeting with the Dornish prince.

Flashback

It was a week after Queen Lyaerys' coronation. After the death Joffrey, Jaime was immediately sent to the Wall in chains while Cersei was shipped out of Westeros with the help of a Greyjoy. Now, Lyaerys sat on the Iron Throne with her Hands on either side of her; Tyrion on the left, Ned on her right, and her direwolf sitting behind her the way he did at the Lannisters' trial. All three of them, and the Queen's Guard waiting for the arrival of their visiter that was scheduled to come in today.

"I still don't understand why we had to have this meeting here. It's just two people meeting, we shouldn't need to discuss it in a big room. Why not the council chamber?" Lyra said, feeling uncomfortable sitting on a metal throne made entirely of swords. Her attire consisted of boots, a long skirt that trailed behind her and was open to show her wearing trousers with a silver belt, and a matching jacket with opened sleeves and collar that showed her necklace that had a direwolf and a dragon circling each other.

"You need to make a good first impression on our guests, Your Grace." Tyrion answered, "You need to respect your position on the Throne and show them that you are not like the last three kings who sat there before you." he explained, watching as Lyra leaned her cheek on her right hand, "One week later and this crown is giving me a headache. What have I done to deserve this?" she sighed, tapping the side of her crown that was made of silver and shaped to look like two dragons spanning their wings and wrapping around her head and facing each other with a direwolf's head between them, dragon eyes encrusted with rubies while the direwolf had sapphire. Her crown was the perfect symbolism of the Houses she came from.

"You ended a war." Tyrion answered with a smirk, laughing at Lyra's discomfort with the crown before returning to the previous conversation, "Plus it would be a good place once you present the...gift...you're about to give them." he said with discomfort, knowing that this needed to be done no matter what his feelings were.

Lyra looked at her left Hand sadly, despite all the horrible things he's done to Tyrion, the dwarf still loves him no matter what, "You don't have to be here when it happens. I'll understand if you have no wish to remain here in King's Landing after we're done." she said, sympathetic to the dwarf who smiled sadly at his Queen in return, "It needs to be done, I can't hide from this...no one can. This way, everyone can get the closure they need. I don't care how much it hurts, we all need this." he said, eyes shining with tears as resolve set into his face.

Lyra saw truth in his eyes, making her respect her Hand even more as she nodded her head in acknowledgement before the large doors opened, making everyone sit straight as footsteps approached the Queen and her Hands. A man with black hair and sharp eyes that reminded her of a viper and three young women who share a resemblance to the man, his family members no doubt. Each woman carried a different weapon on her person, one holding a spear, one with a bullwhip wrapped around her person and one with daggers strapped to her. They stopped in front of the steps of the Throne, the man in the middle of his entourage bowed at the waist in respect, "Your Grace, it's wonderful to finally meet you at last." he said, his accent distinguishing him from the people the Queen has met in her life.

"Thank you for traveling so far Prince Oberyn. I hope the seas weren't too rough on your journey." Lyra greeted him in a regal and respected manner, taking her role as Queen as her eyes swiveled to the female company the Prince brought with him.

"My Queen, allow me to introduce you to my daughters, the Sand Snakes," Oberyn stepped aside to introduce the girls, "My eldest, Obara Sand," the woman with with spear bowed her head silently, "Nymeria Sand," the woman with the bullwhip nodded her head to the Queen, "and Tyene Sand." the youngest woman with the daggers smiled at the Queen, "Your Grace."

Lyra smiled at the girls in return, each of them reminded her of Arya with the way they held themselves. How she wished for her little sister to be here right now, no doubt she would ask questions and ask them to train with her. "Welcome to King's Landing, forgive me if I imposed on you with my request for you to come here, I couldn't trust anyone to deliver it to Dorne safely or securely." she said, knowing that Tywin would make any deals and pay any debts if it means escaping justice once more.

"Not at all. What was it that you wanted brought to Dorne?" Oberyn asked, not taking his eyes off his goodbrother's youngest child. The same one who he created with the Stark girl and abandoned his wife and children. When he heard about the existence and crowning of Lyaerys Targaryen, the daughter of dragon and wolf, he felt angry at the Dragon Prince for dishonoring his sister. But then, he started becoming curious about this 'Dragon in Wolf's Skin' that everyone in Westeros talked about, how fire didn't burn her, how the cold couldn't freeze her, the perfect example of ice and fire coming together. While he didn't know Lyanna Stark personally, he knew that she was a Northern beauty that made even the Dragon Prince fall for her. Looking at the Queen now, he understood why she was called the Dragon in Wolf's Skin, she looked more Stark than she did Targaryen, which was enough to conceal her from Robert and the Lannister's wrath. But he saw hints of Rhaegar in the girl's features, the skin tone, her cheekbones, the way she held herself, and her eyes. While it was Stark grey, there were hints of violet sparkling within those hues, as though a dragon was hiding underneath.

"An apology." she said, her eyes turning to her guards who carried a chest before setting it down at the Prince's feet. Oberyn and his daughters looked from the chest to the Queen who nodded her head before Oberyn opened said chest to reveal a pile of giant human bones inside. Picking up the gigantic human skull, he turned to the Queen curiously, "What is this?"

"Bones." Lyra answered bluntly, Eddard looked like he wanted to facepalm himself for her bluntness. "We can see that." Obara Sand said, her foot nudging the side of the chest, noting how impossibly big the bones were, "And what creature was this anyway?" she said, narrowing her eyes at the Queen who smirked slightly, "The Mountain."

With that one answer, all four Dornish warriors eyes the skull in Oberyn's hands as he tightened his grip on the monster's remains, as though it would cause it pain like it did with Elia and her children. Oberyn looked up at the Queen, "Who killed him?" he asked, not sure if he should be happy that someone delivered his vengeance, or angry that someone took it from him.

"Let's just say I was a little...unreasonable after I questioned him. Anger can do that to a person who stands in front of her siblings' murderer." Lyra said, her gloved hand petting Ghost's furry head, the direwolf glaring at the remains as well.

Everyone was silent before Oberyn started to laugh, his daughters joining in as their Father tossed the skull into the air, Tyene catching it before tossing it back into the chest as Nymeria shut the lid. "I like you already." Oberyn said, finally at peace for the unresolve justice that befell his House when his sister and her children were murdered.

Lyra composed herself as she addressed the next issue at hand, "I'm happy with your acceptance. But this is one of two gifts I am giving you." she paused before taking a deep breath, "I also must apologize for the actions of Rhaegar Targaryen. Had Rhaegar not chosen my Mother, Elia and my siblings would not have been held hostage by the Mad King." she swallowed the lump in her throat as she controlled her emotions, "They should not have suffered such horrific deaths, and for that, I am sorry." she said, bowing her head to the Dornishman in apology.

Oberyn felt humbled by the Queen's apology, but did not want it from someone who is guiltless for another's crimes. Climbing the steps to the Throne, he stood a good respectful distance from the Queen as her Hands and direwolf tensed up. "There is nothing to forgive, do not apologize for something you had no part in. You've put my sister's soul at peace, and Dorne can finally move on from this painful tragedy." he said this so softly that it was almost unheard by the occupants in the Throne room.

Lyra looked up at the Dornish Prince, his eyes full of understanding and pain, pain he can finally heal from after years of being denied justice. "Thank you." she said, almost shaking as tears shined in her eyes, happy that her siblings' uncle does not blame her. Oberyn smiled in return, "From this day on, call me Uncle." he said, making the Queen breathe out an incredulous laugh as Ned shook his head at the Dornishman, though everyone could see his smile.

"What's the second gift?" Oberyn asked, remembering the Queen saying that she was giving him two gifts.

Lyra turned to her guards, "Bring him." they left the room to fetch the person she was referring to as Lyra turned back to Oberyn with a smile on her face, "Consider my second gift as compensation for denying you the right to kill Ser Gregor Clegane. He wasn't the only responsible for Elia's murder, he may have swung the sword, but that animal had a very long leash that was held by it's master." she paused as Oberyn and his daughters figured out who she was talking about, "You know of whom I speak."

"Tywin Lannister." Oberyn answered, rage filling him at the most hated name in Dorne. Lyra nodded, "Yes, I let him live because death was too merciful, too final. If anyone deserves to punish such a man it's you. For twenty years he's escaped justice, it's only right that the people he wronged be the ones to sentence him for his crimes." she explained, making the Viper and his Sand Snakes smile gleefully at the Queen before they turned their attention to the guards who brought a shackled Tywin into the room. The Dornish family resisted the urge to draw their weapons on the man who took their princess from them as the old lion glared up at the Queen who remained unaffected by his stare.

"Lord Tywin, this is Oberyn Martell, Prince of Dorne, the Red Viper...the brother of Elia Martell." Lyra smirked as she introduced the Prince who walked down the steps slowly, like the viper he is until he stood toe to toe with Tywin. For several long seconds, the viper and the lion stared at each other, unblinking as the former glared at the older man before opening his mouth, "For twenty years you got away with the murder of Elia and her children. It's a very long time to wait, especially when pain and anger festers overtime. Twenty years. That should be a reasonable amount of time for you to suffer in Dorne." Oberyn said, announcing Tywin's punishment as his daughters came to his side, giving everyone the impression of hissing snakes waiting to strike. Turning back to the Queen, she nodded, giving him permission to take Tywin Lannister away before the guards and the Sand Snakes dragged the old lion out of the room, additional guards carrying the Mountain's remains behind them.

Oberyn stayed behind to thank the Queen, "Thank you for the gift Your Grace. Dorne will be very happy to know that their princess' killers are brought to justice." Lyra smiled, "It was my pleasure." Oberyn smiled as he bowed to her before straightening himself back up, "You know, I think I'll visit from time to time. Things should be getting interesting around here now that you're Queen." he turned to walk out of the room, "I'll see you next time my little niece." he said, giving her a back hand wave as he left the room.

The room was silent as she let out a breath, happy and relieved to have Tywin out of the Capital, "Why do I get the feeling that I welcomed another headache into my life?" she asked, turning to Ned and Tyrion who smiled at her near dreadful expression, knowing that the Red Viper will come to King's Landing every now and them when she least expects it.

Flashback Ends

Oberyn sighed, "Joyous day for Dorne. My brother sends his regards." he added, making Lyra smile at her welcome headache who she fondly calls 'Uncle' in her head.

"So what's happening?" Oberyn asked as Lyra looked down silently before leaning back in her chair, letting out a breath, unsure whether or not she should tell the Dornish Prince about what's happened recently. After a moment of contemplation, she told Oberyn what happened, from the scroll, the Small Council meeting and what may or may not happen.

Oberyn stared at her as though she grew three heads, "Seven Hells." was all he said as Lyra nodded, "What's more, is that he may want my brother, Robb Stark, to bend the knee and surrender the North to become part of the Seven Kingdoms once again." she sighed, "These nations might be pulled back into war if they catch wind of the Mad King's son wanting the Throne." she shook her head at the thought of bloodshed and slaughter, "I'm scared, for my people, for the North, my family; everyone. Their lives are in my hands now and I'm not sure if I can keep them safe this time." she said, unsure if whether or not she's doing the right thing in her role as Queen.

It was Oberyn's turn to let out a breath, unsure what needs to be said to the Queen who is caught in the middle, "I wish I could say that everything will be alright, but I fear that will only create false hope when things start going to shit." he said, being honest with the girl who has the country on her shoulder, "I may be a prince but I am not a ruler. I can only tell you that you must learn from another's past mistake and that a single decision alters the course of the future." He paused as he stared at the Queen who has taken her crown off for a moment in need of another's guidance, "You're Queen of Six Kingdoms, yet you feel you must protect your Northern home the most. In the one year you ruled as Queen, you put lives of your people first so that they didn't suffer the last fifty years of shitty kings." she breathed out a reluctant laugh, "You made decisions for their sake, and they live much better lives with you as their Queen. They believe in you because of that, and you must rely on their faith in you, just as you must have faith in yourself. Any decision you make, you do it for the realm." he finished, giving the girl his council the way he would with his daughters.

Lyra swallowed the lump in her throat as he smiled at the Prince, "Thank you, that means a lot for me. After the year I had, I'm still surprised the weight of the crown hasn't broken my neck." she said, making Oberyn chuckle, happy that the Queen still has her humor despite the circumstances, "I'm happy to be of service."

Lyra's eyes lit up as an idea came to mind, "If we're discussing service, would it be too much of a burden to ask a favor?" she asked, Oberyn raised his brows at her request, "Not at all." she beckoned him to come closer before he stood up and leaned forward for the Queen to whisper in his ear. He leaned back after she finished stating her request, "It would be my honor, Your Grace." she smiled, happy and assured that he would abide by her favor.

"If we're talking favors, you should bring my daughters with you for this trip." Oberyn said, smiling at the Queen who asked, "Which ones?" remembering that he has several. The viper smiled mischievously, "Come in girls." he said, not looking away as the door opened to reveal the three Sand Snakes who mirrored their Father's smile, "They love going on your adventures." Oberyn said as though he was enjoying the show while Lyra's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That trip to the streets of steel was not an adventure." Lyra defended herself, recalling the last time she spent time with the Sand Snakes.

"It was the only form of entertainment we got out of King's Landing. This one will be better." Nymeria said, looking forward to the trip as her sisters smiled, "We'll be your Queen's Guard for the duration of your trip, Your Grace." Obara said, her thick Dornish accent leaking with anticipation. "We'll also be your sparring partners like last time." Tyene added, knowing that they will need to kill time until they reach Dragonstone.

Lyra knew there was no way out of this like last time when the Sand Snakes visited her, "Very well then. Make sure you pack everything you need, we'll be leaving in a fortnight." she said, hoping that she won't regret this like last time. Which, given her luck, she will.


Credit goes to SassBrat for her ideas that she wrote in her review for my story. Thank you very much, and yes the Sand Snakes give her the right kind of chaos that is needed in her life. I already planned a sparring match between Aegon and Lyra since they are both warriors that fight to defend their people. Believe me, I'm looking forward to that fight. Also, Aegon isn't in love with Lyra yet, he's just fascinated with the idea of her and the benefits that come with having her as Queen.

I hope that you love this chapter, and I'm happy that people are following this fic. If you are sweating for the next chapter, leave me a review and tell me what you think.