Daenerys

Gulltown was lost to her. Lord Gerold Grafton arrived at the Eyrie carried in by his son and what was left of his bannermen.

"We were blocked from the sea." He told her." By House Manderly in the North. And when they invaded we suddenly found ourselves attack on two fronts. The Manderly's from the sea and House Royce, Hunter, and Waynwood from land." The houses that had bent the knee to Daenerys had apparently risen up against them." Lord Yohn Royce led twenty thousand men and overwhelemed us."

"Where do they march from there?" she asked.

"Here Princess." Lord Grafton replied. Dany gulped.

"Could twenty thousand men take this castle?" But before an answer could be given she was interrupted by Lord Lyonel Corbray.

"Princess." He said." There's word from the front." She showed a letter to her bearing the wax seal of House Martell, allies to her family and cause. It must be good news, she told herself. She took the letter and opened it however it was not as she expected.

"My nephew." She said reading down the paper." Is dead. Ser Gerold Dayne, Ser Lyn Corbray-" She paused a moment before reading the next name. Her breath caught in her throat." Ser Jorah Mormont." She could not read the rest and set it aside.

Lyonel Corbray took the paper from her grief stricken hands and read it for himself.

"The Lords Lannister, Tully, and Stark ride to the Vale led by King-" He stopped as Daenerys turned her eyes upon him." I mean uh led by the false King Robert Baratheon." They were stuck between Twenty Thousand of the Vale's finest to the East and the Usurper in the west with an untold amount. But Lord Gerold did not seem as frightened as the rest.

"We are well fortified here." He said." It's said a Dozen armies perished trying to take this castle during the Age of Heroes."

"Between the two armies they could starve us out." Lyonel told.

Dany noticed Lord Lyonel had suddenly gone pale. The people he had known all his life who he noticed called friends were now coming for them. And they wouldn't treat his betrayal kindly.

"What would you say we do?" Gerold said. As the two argued her bodyguard strong Belwas shifted his fat head from one man to the other.

"The Eryie will be the first place they look." Lord Lyonel said." Maybe it's better if we move the Queen somewhere safe."

Queen that was her title now. The title Ser Jorah had first called her by.

"Where would we take her to?"

"Heart Home." Lyonel quickly answered." My home." He pointed a finger at his chest." Let Robert Baratheon and Yohn Royce waste his time on me while you get the Queen somewhere safe."

"Where would we go?" Dany asked.

"Back across the narrow sea. It's not safe for you here, my lady. Go with Lord Grafton back to the free cities. Lord Gerold you still have some coin about you?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"Good. Go back to the free cities and purchase whatever Sellsword company and Unsullied army you can. When you return we'll drive them right out of the Vale once more."

"Are you sure?" Dany asked.

"Yes my Queen." Lyonel quickly went to one knee." I swore an oath to you and your family. I will keep you safe as long as I can."

And later that day with Gerold Grafton and three hundred men while Lyonel Corbray stayed behind with his own men to deal with Robert Baratheon.

Doran

Word had reached him quicker than expected. He'd seen this moment in his dreams. Areo Hotah would come through the doors and tell the Prince that Lord Tywin was dead, The Mountain was dead, Amory Lorch was dead. The Kingslayer was killed by Aegon himself and Robert Baratheon had been dethroned and a Targaryen now sits on the Iron Throne as was tradition. But this was not that day.

Aegon and his Dragons were dead. And apparently when Robert Baratheon marched into the Eryie to find the Targaryen girl they found nothing. Doran hoped the girl was alright wherever she was. And lastly Prince Oberyn Martell along with what was left of Dorne's army had been captured. Doran knew what was next; they would come for him and Dorne.

Had this been any other point in history the war would not be over. Dorne had never been conquered and their armies could at least fight to a draw to preserve themselves. But Oberyn had taken all the warriors of Dorne to fight in this war, leaving Dorne almost defenseless. He'd called his armies back from fighting in the Reach but they wouldn't be enough to defend Dorne.

There was little he could do except sit and wait for what was to come.

Eddard

Dorne was everything the North was except opposite. It was Hot instead of Cold, dry instead of wet, it's people more open than secluded. Ned had realized this first on the boat ride to Sunspear.

Prince Oberyn was their captive along with dozens of other Dornish Lords their heirs and thousands of soldiers. Those Royal guests were accompanying them on this venture back to their home while the thousands of soldiers were being held in King's Landing under the watch of Lord Stannis Baratheon.

The fighting had concluded with the death of Aegon Targaryen at the hands of Ned's own son. And when they arrived at the Eryie they met Robb, Ser Edmure Tully and Lord Tywin Lannister. Now together with the combined might of three armies they planned to retake the Eryie but found it surprisingly Targaryen-less. And only Lord Lyonel Corbray was inside the Eryie claiming he claimed it for Harrold Arryn and King Robert. But his fellow Lords spoke against him.

Lord Jasper Redfort saw him when the Targaryen dragons slew his family and took his home. Other Lords sighted him as one of her chief enforcers. And that same day as Lord Lyonel hoped to be allowed back into the King's peace he was sent to live out the rest of his days at the wall. The fighting in the Vale was concluded as Harrold Arryn sat in the Eryie his new home as Warden of the East.

But Dorne would fight as long as they had to, just as they would have after the last Rebellion. And now just like Jon Arryn had before them Ned as Acting Hand of the King journeyed down to Dorne to make peace and bring them back into the Seven Kingdoms. But he was not alone.

Robert along with Ser Balon Swann of the Kingsguard to protect him. Under normal circumstances he'd have brought all his swords. But Jaime Lannister was the Kingslayer, Ser Barristan is a turncloak and Ser Loras was from the Reach and now was not the time to bring up more trouble. So the Honor guard was made of men from Stormlands and Northmen.

Their stop in King's Landing was also to allow Lord Tywin and Ser Edmure to put the prisoners into the dungeons, where they would wait until terms could be met.

Aside from the King and his white Knight they brought Ten Thousands swords as a show of force, though Ned hoped it wouldn't come to that.

The majority of their host waited in the courtyard and the surrounding city. The air was thick with tension, so thick it could be cut with a sword. And Ned hoped everyone would stay theirs.

Robb sat out in the courtyard amongst his comrades. Ser Domeric Bolton, one armed Eddard Karstark, Lord Smalljon Umber and lastly Dacey Mormont. The five sat about a fountain with long legged Dacey Mormont laid out across the cobblestone edge surrounding the fountain, dipping her hand in it and watching the ripples. Robb sat closest to her his arms crossed over his chest.

Domeric sat in the dirt digging his knife into the sand. But Eddard Karstark and Smalljon Umber were scowling the entire time.

"I hate this place." Smalljon commented. The other's nodded their heads.

And now they sat in the castle itself sitting side by side with his King and brother-in-law, Ser Balon Swann standing behind them, two more guards at the door. Across the table was Prince Doran Martell Head of House Martell and ruler of Dorne. Behind him was his own guard, big chested and broad shoulder Areo Hotah.

"King Robert" Doran began." Lord Eddard." He nodded to Ned." May I offer you anything food, wine?"

"No." Robert quickly answered. " We did not come here to feast and relax. We've come to talk about an end to this conflict." Guest Right Ned thought.

"Yes." He answered." If you please."

"As you wish." The Prince responded. Unlike his brother Oberyn, Doran was much calmer and spoke in a much softer tone. A cup of wine was brought out and filled for Ned. "Now my Lords, what do you plan for us to do?"

"The Seven Kingdoms cannot be whole without Dorne. Join us once again."

"Under you?" Doran lifted a finger to point at the Stag King. A short silence took them and it was Ned who spoke next.

"Your army is captured. Your brother and Lords are our hostages; your claim to the Throne is gone. Let it end."

"Dorne has never been conquered before." Doran told." Even with the aid of their Dragons the Targaryens failed."

"What could you possibly hope to accomplish?" Robert asked him. His anger was starting to rise; Ned could hear it in his voice. The guards Ser Balon and Areo were becoming tense, both keeping their weapons close. "In the Iron Islands all of House Greyjoy was put to the sword for rebellion a second time. This would seem like a second strike for House Martell as well." Robert replied." Perhaps House Yronwood would be more compliant if they were the ruling House of Dorne.

"Enough!" Ned raised his voice silencing both the King and the Prince. He eyed the two of them and thought his words over carefully before choosing them.

"You acted the way you did out of love." Ned said facing Doran." Robert and I understand that more than anyone. Robert went to war for my sister whom he loved fiercely, you went to war now for your sister and her children. But we have still all lost. You your sister, niece and nephew. And Robert." He turned a hand to his friend." Has lost a son, a boy of eight." The King's head shifted towards the ground. Prince Doran continued to look at Ned. "None of us chose this for ourselves. Were it up to me I would be back in Winterfell with my wife and children. I never asked to be a King's Hand or Warden of the North or even a Lord. It was all meant for my brother Brandon. But he's gone and the right fell unto me." He paused a moment looking to see if his words were sinking in. "A new century will be upon us soon, let whatever anger you've held inside of you go and begin in this New World."

"A New World." Doran repeated. Ned quickly continued." What would this New World involve Lord Stark?" Ned had his attention.

"Our terms are not unreasonable." Ned continued." You may keep to your Rhoynish culture. Your brother and your Lords will be returned to you, unharmed. A Dornishman of your choosing will be granted a seat on the small council. But the heirs of Dorne must be sent to foster in other regions of Westeros. And your own children must marry outside of Dorne. "He paused a moment." A royal marriage can be arranged. You have a young son Trystane and Robert has a daughter." Out of the corner of his eye he could see Robert glaring at him with murderous intent. He knew Robert would rant and roar his disapproval so Ned responded with a glance of his own. It's what Jon Arryn would have done it seemed to say. And with that look Robert's glare shrunk.

"Alright, yes, yes." He grumbled. "When she's flowered of course!" He pointed at Doran.

"And all that it would require is your surrender and loyalty, Prince Doran." Ned finished. But the Prince was silent; there was still another issue unsettled to him.

"Lord Tywin?" He questioned." And Ser Gregor Clegane? What of them? What of their involvement in my sister's murder?"

"Nothing connects Lord Tywin to that death other than the Mountain." Ned told." But Ser Gregor was killed in battle by your own brother. The debt is paid."

The Prince was silent except for his fingers lightly strumming against his chair. After a few moments he cleared his throat.

"The gout has left me unable to stand but my heir Arianne will in my place." The Princess came up the steps and into the room before them within a few minutes. And with Robert the First before her she bent the knee as future Princess of Dorne. And like that it was all over.

"A stirring speech Lord Stark." Prince Doran said still seated in his chair." I was very moved."

"I thank you kindly." Ned responded." But Brandon was always the better speaker than I."