CHAPTER 6 | VALYRIAN BLADE
"I believe you've mistaken me for someone else" Amara stated, looking straight ahead. Trying her best to not make eye contact.
"Oh, I'm not quite old yet to do that" he smirked. Amara plopped down on the bench again, the dress falling from her arms. The effect of wine was slowly fading away and Amara was terrified of the reality itself.
She covered her face with her palm and let out muffled curses.
"Take your time" Tyrion said.
"How did you know?" Amara asked, giving up. Everything was already ruined, she could only ask for an explanation.
"First that accent, then your immense adoration for the prince of Dorne and the fact that Lord Varys acted strangely when your name came up. But those weren't the things that confirmed my suspicions of you" He stared intently at her, as if he analyzed even then. It was as if he wanted to know her reaction to all of this.
"Then, where did I reveal myself?" She asked monotonously, raising her brows at the young Lannister.
"It's quite obvious is it not? You reacted aggressively at my brother's comments and as far as I remember. You and my brother were really close weren't you?"
"Yes" she squeaked. Amara was flustered beyond belief, she wanted to sink into the bench. She feared that Tyrion Lannister would hate her after this.
"I suppose you hate me now. For lying to you and pretending to be a completely different person" she muttered under her breath, loud enough for the half man to hear.
Tyrion sighed "I could never hate you, Amara. I am but disappointed in you"
"You couldn't expect me to trust someone from the capital with everything I am and I was" her voice became heavy.
"No, that is not what I meant. I am disappointed because I expect a girl as smart as yourself would never set foot in the capital" he remarked.
"Yes, but I have some business that I need to take care of before leaving" she stated.
Tyrion grunted in annoyance. Amara was in a delicate position, one slip of tongue and she was as good as dead.
"Do you remember the decree that was passed after the rebellion? The decree for Berrin Jordayne and his children's banishment from the crownlands on the grounds of betrayal and treason" Amara felt her throat run dry at the mere remembrance of the sentence. It had been one of the reasons why she took up an alias while traveling. "You better remember that, Amara. Because it was after this that your house went in ruins. No one would trade with Tor, neither would they marry into the house, had it not been for the Martells your house would cease to exist" Tyrion added.
"My father was wrongfully accused. Rhaegar Targaryen had to be stopped, there was nothing he could do" Amara said.
"Of course, your opinions are not for me to critique. I was neither present nor am I interested, he was a dead man the day he kidnapped the Stark girl" Tyrion sighed.
Amara hummed in response.
"I owe you an apology and an explanation for my actions. I believe" She asked.
"No need. You did what you had to do. Who am I to judge?" he smirked. Amara returned him a sad smile.
The sat there for a few moments silently for a few moments, under the saffron sky of late evenings. Tyrion Lannister thought about the girl beside him and for a moment his worries didn't seem half as bad as hers. He didn't want to pity her, she'd survived this long with it. She needed encouragement not sympathy.
"All my life, people have whisked me off from troubles. They thought I was a porcelain doll. Too delicate for the world. It was like they didn't want me to fight my own battles. 'you are meant for greater things' they'd say to me and I would believe them. Like a stupid girl I was" She scoffed. She felt like an idiot infront of Tyrion, now. She knew he was judging her weak self, but she needed to get it off her chest.
"I was shipped off to Dorne at the brink of the rebellion by the prince and my father who thought I was too weak. It didn't do any good did it? They both died. Your brother, who was my friend became a person I can barely recognise and as of my brother, he nearly lost his mind. Sometimes I wish I hadn't left that morning, perhaps things would have been different" She sniffled, wiping her premature tears.
"You would have died that's all. My father is not known to be merciful" Tyrion stated. Looking straight ahead with furrowed brows.
"Atleast I would be remembered as who I truly am. Now Amara Jordayne is just some girl who died somewhere in Dorne. Insignificant and worthless as it is" She sighed.
"Forgotten? I think not" Tyrion smiled softly, recollecting a bitter sweet memory. "My brother remembered you. He always has" Tyrion added. Making Amara chuckle.
"I hope what you say is true. Jaime is not half the man he was"
"War changes us Amara. I changed at the sight of the wildfire that burnt the bay."Tyrion continued.
"Jaime always said that the boy in him died the moment he shoved the sword through the king's back but I believe he truly died the day the news of your death arrived at Casterly Rock. Ever since he hasn't had the best luck, but he survived. Don't blame him of changing, it happens to us all" Amara smiled weakly at Tyrion's words.
Amara didn't know of the things Jaime had faced. They both had been apart for so long that they had failed to experience each other's pains. She felt guilty. She acted in a rather juvenile manner, she judged her old friend too quickly.
"You wouldn't tell him, would you?" She asked quietly.
"Jaime? As much as he'd be elated to see the girl he cared for is still alive, and right infront of him, I do not believe this secret is mine to reveal. But you need to tell him someday, maybe when the time is right and he is ready to accept it" Tyrion chuckled and the Dornishwoman nodded in response.
"I hope you shall tell me your story someday Amara. It seems like you have a lot to tell" Tyrion added as he playfully smirked.
Amara laughed. "One day I shall, Lord Tyrion. Over the best dornish wine in the country. Deal?"
"A deal it is then" he laughed
The sky had darkened and the lamps of the port had been lit. The pair had discovered a different aspect of their friendship and both were glad to do so. Tyrion Lannister was able to open of to a good listener while Amara had found someone she could trust, other than her loud mouthed companion.
ooo
The wedding day had arrived quicker than Amara had anticipated. The preparations of Margaery had kept her so busy that she'd forgotten to interact with all her acquaintances. After their talk at the balcony Tyrion and she had barely gotten a chance to talk to one another about anything other than Shae. Amara knew he was worried, she'd tried to talk to the handmaiden but the woman refused to listen to her. Amara had also barely had a conversation with Neeve about her brother. She had a lot of things piled up and she hoped that the wedding would go on smoothly so that she'd have the time to attend to her affairs.
She'd missed the breakfast on the wedding morning and it offended Margaery quite a bit, so she promised to make it up to the future Queen.
Amara stood in front of a giant mirror while Ellaria fixed her dress, for the ceremony. Ellaria had forced her to wear the plunging green dress despite of her unwillingness to do so.
"I'm attending a wedding not an orgy " she sighed, rubbing her temples in worry.
"I know that, sweet pea. First impressions are everything and I believe you are going to make a extremely lasting one" she smiled, brushing her shoulders off of the last time.
Ellaria had been nice to her all these years, the woman had abstract sexual tastes but she was surely one of the lively people Amara had encountered. They weren't close, not like Oberyn and she had been. But the woman did know how to cheer her up.
"I hope so Ellaria" Amara muttered under her breath.
A knock was heard on the door of her chambers which made both Dornishwoman turn their heads simultaneously.
"I'll go get it" Ellaria proposed and Amara nodded in affirmation.
When Ellaria opened the door she giggled in joy and Amara knew who was at the doors. Oberyn Martell kissed his paramour and whispered to her. She mouth twisted into a smirk as she called out the the woman by the mirror.
"I'll leave you two alone" she said as the prince walked in. She closed the door on her way out, leaving the room in an ungainly situation.
"Oberyn" Amara breathed out, turning to the Dornishman.
"You look beautiful" he smiled proudly, as his hand gripped her shoulders. Trying to get a better look at her.
Oberyn's eyes glinted in happiness, he'd wished to see her in regal clothes everyday, it really bought out who she truly was. Not some commoner, she looked like the lady of her house.
Amara blushed at his compliment.
"You mastered the art of flattery like none other" she smirked.
"So many years in this world. I ought to know this bit" he said. "But I didn't just come to flatter you 'mara. I have something for you" she said with a mischievous smile on his face.
"A gift? My prince I believe you have forgotten that it is not I who is to be married" she laughed.
"It is a celebration. I cannot think of a better time for it" he said, slipping his hand into his golden tunic.
"Do you want me to close my eyes?" Amara joked.
"There will be no need for that" Oberyn said as her took out a dagger. Amara's eyes widened in awe. The dagger was beautiful, it was sharp and had a gilded grip which had carvings on it. The blade glowed in sunlight and she swore that it was an exquisite piece of weapon. It was quite unusual for Amara to be taken back swords or daggers as she held little interest for them but this particular dagger had instantly caught her attention.
"Is that?"
"Valyrian Steel? Yes it is" he said.
"I do not know how to thank you, this is really beautiful" She said, taking the dagger in her hands. It had a certain weight to which was quite unexpected for a dagger of it's size.
"But, I don't know how this could be of any use to me. Neeve is always by my side and I don't even know how to wield it" she sighed.
"You never know when it could come of use. You don't need to know how to wield a dagger, Amara" Oberyn laughed "Your father kept it with him all his life and so will you"
Amara froze.
"Th- this was my father's?" She asked in disbelief.
"That is why I'm giving it to you, silly. He wanted you to have it when you were ready" Oberyn stated.
"Good lord, Oberyn!" She exclaimed, playfully nudging the prince. Oberyn Martell laughed as he pulled her into a hug. Amara broke away from the hug, rushing to her bed. She tucked the knife securely under her mattress and rushed to the prince who waited for her by the door.
"Let us go now. We don't want to be late, do we?" He winked at Amara.
"No we don't"
And with that the pair walked out of the guest chambers of the Red Keep to find Ellaria Sand waiting for them.
