A/N: Hello! I will not inform you of the verdict concerning our friend Oberyn - you'll have to wait and see! Eliana and Tywin meet to discuss marriage but Eliana has her own wild card.

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How she pictured herself bludgeoning him to death in that very room, how there would be blood on her hands again... perhaps he was testing her, waiting for her to react. Was that the reason for the sharp knife present beside her food? She wanted him to hurt just as much as she did. She knew that he'd lost nephews to the Karstark fury. There was only a minor loss to his family, but not enough, not anywhere close to loss within her own, and she wanted nothing more than to make him suffer just as she had. She wanted him to burn, to die in agony... to know what pain felt like as those you love were taken from you.

Instead she pushed such thoughts away and turned her attention to Tywin. It pained her to speak to him. She didn't even know why she was, except for the fact that perhaps remaining proper was the only thing that kept her sane. She merely stared at the food sat before her on the plate, raising her eyebrow at the boar sausage, her mind trailing to the true purpose behind Tywin's meeting with her. She could feel his eyes upon her, his gaze verdant and as hard as valyrian steel while he seemed to just look irritated by her presence. "Lord Hand..." She greeted tersely.

"Lady Eliana," Tywin acknowledged her coolly, bringing his wine to his lips as he drank deeply, dragging out the tension to unsettle her. "I suppose you're wondering why I wished to see you, are you not?"

Eliana nodded silently, her eyes trained upon him still. "Well, you piqued my interest that's for certain."

"There are things we need to discuss," Tywin didn't even bother beating around the bush, which Eliana preferred somewhat... she found she had no desire to dither with politeness. "A truce if you will."

"A truce?"

"Yes, a truce, with you." Tywin agreed, his voice proud and unrelenting, showing he was a man used to getting his own way; but Eliana knew how to deal with men like that.

She'd never been timid before and she would not be timid then. Intimidation wouldn't work on her, she mused, she had nothing left to lose... what else could they take from her without creating another uprising? The only person they could hurt was her, and she didn't care about herself any longer. "Why would you want to do such a thing? Why would I? You killed my brother, kept my sister hostage and lost the other, beheaded my father... burned the lands and tortured the people of my grandfather... I have no peace to strike with you."

"What make's you think I want your peace, Lady Eliana?" Tywin questioned, "I want the peace of the North and of the Riverlands." The North had been her only home once upon a time, where she grew with her family. She didn't know what it was to her now, but she knew she had begun to lose parts of it with Bran's and Rickon's deaths until it faded completely with Robb's. And while the Riverlands had been her second home, she felt a foreigner there as well. "The North lost the war, and the Stark line can no longer be furthered as you know. The Riverlands are a disaster and the North has become a feral mess, as chaotic as beyond the Wall... " He stated, his voice somewhat pacific. "Roose Bolton is now the Warden of the North, but his hold over it is vociferous. I need it to be firm, before winter truly does come. Your banners have no leader, yet they're obstinate; refusing to pledge allegiance to the King."

"Then what does this have to do with me?" Eliana pressed forward with irritation. She had a suspicion about what he was going to propose, but she didn't want to assume. There was nothing she could do to help contain the North. Feral and untamable was its nature.

He was a cold man, she knew that, but she could be cold too. If she did not want to lose herself in her grief, she could lose herself in her anger just as easily. "Your family are all traitors; Starks, Tullys and Arryns alike, however that being said, their armies are of paramount if Joffrey is to remain King, he needs all the Kingdoms to rule." He paused in his eating, his eyes growing dark and unlighted. "Stannis may have been defeated because of his failed attempt of a siege, but he's gathering more men and more ships with each passing day... and to avoid another siege, I'm going to need the men that rallied with you and your brother, and your uncle."

Eliana said nothing, she had no words as Tywin carried on.

"You're both a Stark and a Tully by blood. You walked with the men; you fought with the men; you spent time in their camps; you broke bread with them. There is no woman in the North that commands as much admiration and respect as you."

"You would have the firm loyalty combined with devotion of three of the Seven Kingdoms, perhaps even more. You're a Stark born with Tully blood and the blood of the First Men, daughter of the North... or the Queen of the North as I recall many have resorted to calling you. You could rally thousands to fight on your behalf to avenge your family; the figurehead of thousands, and perhaps, then you'd win." Tywin contemplated, knowing it was somewhat dangerous discussing this subject with her. "Who would the North and Riverlands rally to, if not the Queen of the North... but I will not be so stupid to allow such a thing to occur, I will put it to a just end before it had even begun."

"And how do you plan to do that?" She challenged.

The mighty lion chuckled lightly, clasping his hands together as he suppressed a belch. "It appears your influence over my son had been quite profound." He explained, beginning to feast upon his food before it went cold and dry whereas, Eliana refused to touch her own. "At least it's you rather than Cersei... so it's some improvement to a certain extent." He commented, chewing on the boar. "It seems he's absolutely smitten with you."

If he continued like this, she would leaving the room as she knew she would grow far too irritated with his games to want to dwell with him any longer than necessary.

"Your mother and I have already discussed this at some length; I cannot win them over with gold, neither with words but you, if I had you, then they would listen." He concluded, throwing her a dark look. "Do you realise how much power you hold?"

Stupid wasn't something she liked people to assume she was; she knew what Tywin was getting at... he wanted to ruin the freedom she'd granted herself by throwing another obstacle in her way, but the question was what exactly? "Enough with the games, and the flattery Tywin. Tell me what you want." Eliana demanded.

"I want you to marry my son, Lady Eliana. If you marry Jaime, then perhaps the rest of the men that still struggle against me will finally realise that if the Queen in the North can bend the knee, so can they."

Letting her anger truly get the better of her then, Eliana clasped the knife and Tywin saw the movement, smirking as he watched. "Willingly or forced, you will marry him. You may not realise it now, but this will benefit the both of you. You've lost everything, and Jaime needs an heir... you will love his children. Peace will be the gift of your marriage." Tywin spoke as he caught her by the wrist, his grip taut and harmful.

Laughter erupted from Eliana at the request, did he think she'd be so foolish as to serve them for him upon a golden platter? She would do nothing to aid House Lannister, she would see them all die if it meant vengeance. "Do you think I will just accept something a ludicrous as this? The North remembers, Tywin." She ripped her hand free of his grasp.

"I think you will do your duty and whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of your remaining family," Tywin replied dryly. Oh, how she wished to thrust the knife deep in his face and twist before yanking it free, however, she barely managed to keep her fury at bay. "If you do this, then you uncle and great-uncle will be pardoned... if you marry Jaime." He threatened, as if trying to intimidate her. "Will you choose to protect them or uphold your honour? What are your mother's House words again? Family, Duty, Honor? Family and Duty come first, always."

Tywin knew as well as Eliana that her mother and sister were all that she had left. Her aunt Lysa was hiding in the Vale, offering them no aid nor protection. Arya was presumed dead. She didn't think she was strong enough to cope with being the sole survivor of two once proud families.

"You will marry Jaime, and give him children as your duty."

Having heard enough, Eliana downed the last slithers of her wine before she set down her glass so it echoed against the polished wood. "Do you know how many people it takes to start a war?... Only one." She beared her teeth in his direction, wanting him to know she would not be the property of the Lannisters. "Your days are numbered, Tywin."

And with that, she rose and strode towards the door, not sparing the man another look as she swiftly excused herself.

She paced and paced, thinking about how much she wanted to kill Tywin Lannister. How dare he? How dare he even consider such a proposal? Taking the goblet a maid had filled with wine, she launched it across the room in the direction of the door, picturing Tywin stood there, and then she watched as the wine drizzled down the door like blood. Her father's blood, her sibling's blood.

She was to marry Jaime? How could she... he knew what was to happen to her brother, and that, that was something she couldn't forgive.

Tywin had made it evident that she wasn't to be given a choice, but she wouldn't give up that easily. She was a fighter, her father always made sure of that, and she always would be. The marriage, even forced upon, wouldn't break her because she wouldn't marry Jaime... if anything, it added the fire burning within her.

She'd fought her way through the war, and no way would she lose then. As her father's firstborn, he taught her how to survive war and the tactics needed to endure it's repercussions. She knew her mother had been worried when she'd been born a girl instead of a boy, she was worried he would've been displeased with a girl... but it seemed Eliana and Ned formed a bond no one understood. Even though he was dead, she could still hear him, telling her what to do.

Your heart is free, have the courage to follow it.

"You lied..." She muttered, as she gripped the stone of the balcony, her anger rushing through her body. "And now I'm destined to share an eternity of misery with those who took you from us."

But I will be as strong as the North, Father, Eliana thought. You taught me well enough. I will wreak havoc upon their souls, if they think I will yield so easily... I will not marry Jaime Lannister, I'll play them at their own game.

She knew what she was to do - what she had to do. It terrified her, to come to such a conclusion that could one of two ways. However, it was the only way that would get her out of the claws of the Lannisters. She would rather him any day, especially if it meant the safety of her family.

He once offered her solace, would he offer it once again?

"Robert Baratheon has asked my father to betroth me to his brother," She admitted, seething at the prospect.

"Renly?" Oberyn wasn't surprised by the news. He had, after all, seen something of the sort coming. "Something like this was going to happen eventually," he said gently.

"Well I'd hoped it would never happen at all… and especially with Renly. Renly!"

He gave her a smile out of defeat. "What do you plan on doing now that it has surfaced?"

"Nothing, so come one... let's returning to sparring."

"Why, so I continue to keep hitting you? You're too distracted..." Oberyn had noticed straight away that something was up, but he'd dismissed it and chose to go ahead with the lesson and that had been a mistake. Making silly mistakes she wouldn't usually do, it was obvious she'd been unfocused from the beginning.

He couldn't blame her though; no one – least of all, Eliana – deserved to be married off to a man such as Renly Baratheon. Such as woman as Eliana was, needed freedom and being married to Renly would offer only misery. The marriage would kill her, and more painfully than any of his poisons. Ther mere thought made his stomach churn. "Do you have a plan?"

Eliana threw her hands into the air out of despair. "What is there for me to do? My father wishes for me to marry, and Robert is the King. He thinks it a good match - he wants me betrothed as soon as possible."

Vanquished and defeated, Oberyn didn't like the side to Lia he was witnessing, her face laced with despair and her shoulders hunched as if the entire world was weighing down upon her. He didn't like the sudden shift from her fierce, competent woman of valour to this being. "Your father can't possibly think that you will just marry that fool,"

Eliana sent him a pungent smile. "It really doesn't matter... Robert is the King and my father answers to the King. It would be bad for the family name if I declined and it would wound Robert and my father both."

"I can't imagine forcing one of my daughters into a marriage."

Her smile withdrew its bitterness to look more friendly and welcoming, "My father loves me, but he thinks that I'll grow to like Renly, and that my complaints are just out of stubbornness."

"You won't, though."

She laughed at his words, her smiling turning upwards mockingly. "Oh, but he's come to love me from a far, Oberyn... I'm such a delicate Northern lady, because he's knows me so well." Oberyn's own smile grew as did her own, "And, of course, once I am married off to Renly I will stop all this fighting nonsense to enroll myself in activities fit for women. The joy!"

Oberyn scoffed at her words. "Seven Hells Lia, how can you even consider such things?"

She sighed, shrugging as she thought. "Well, my Septa did agree I was quite good at needlework, but poetry is not my forte. I'm absolutely contemptible at the art."

"Perhaps I could read some to you... and teach you."

Her upcoming situation had finally sunk in for Oberyn... she would be marrying a man who wasn't attracted to women, he couldn't contemplate the idea of her marrying such a fool, whom didn't deserve her heart. She was tender, witty and facetious, compassionate yet fierce. "Can't your father find you someone else? There must be other options surely?"

"Let's see; Jaime Lannister and Thomos Bracken were popular choices, but no other options I'm afraid, as far as my father is concerned. Marrying Renly would make me the Lady of Storm's End," She sighed deeply, feeling as though she was already drowning.

Seeing the despair and defeat, Oberyn finally made a decision he knew he wouldn't regret. "What if you married a prince?" He expected laughter, for her to not take his suggestion seriously, for her to joke about the offer but that wasn't the case. "I'm a Prince, that's better than a Lord."

She looked as though she'd been slapped across the face, her eyes wide and mouth agape. Even as her eyes filled with tears, she didn't blink, her eyes glaring at him. Why is she upset? Was he that bad of an option, was he truly that awful for her? Surely he had to be a better choice than Renly Baratheon. Perhaps etiquette differed in the North, maybe he'd issued her with some unknown insult or-

"I'm not one for cruel japes, Oberyn, and that was cruel."

A jape? She thought he was joking with her? "Eliana, I –"

"I don't want to speak of this anymore, I'm in a vulgar mood as it is already... I thought you knew it was rude to mock your friends when they confide in you, seeking comfort but it seems I thought wrong. I shouldn't assume such things."

He caught her wrist and pulled her to him when she tried to leave.

"Don't," She made a poor attempt to free herself from his hold, but Oberyn held on tighter.

"It wasn't a jape, Lia," Something in his voice made her stop trying to pull away, and instead she glanced at him, her cyan eyes shining with tears. Then Oberyn did what he did best, the only thing he could think of in that moment, what he'd wanted to do since he first saw her sparring with Markas. He released her wrist, and placed his hand upon the nape of her neck before bringing her lips to his own. When she gasped, Oberyn deepened the kiss, savouring the feel of her lips against his own in that moment.

Kissing was Oberyn's area of expertise. It was the only way for him to convince her that he suggestion was true. Tentatively, she touched her tongue to his and slowly returned the kiss. Groaning against her mouth, his wrapped his other around securely around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He was pleased even though she was clearly inexperienced, he knew she would be a quick learner and he would gladly teach her... she would be quick to learn when he bedded her as well. It was the right decision in asking her to marry him. No doubt.

Gradually he pulled away from her, smiling at her flushed cheeks and swollen lips, pleased with his work in making her flush. Her icy eyes opened and he struggled to suppress the urge to kiss her again. His hand trailed to her cheek, as he took in their differences concerning skin tones, thinking of the contrast if neither of them were clothed.

Eliana looked up at him, her eyes still riddled with perplexity as she slightly frowned. "Why would you suggest such a thing when you've denied marriage for the majority of your life?"

Oberyn considered his reply, thinking of how to word such things. "I am fond of your company, but I know that with time I will love you and I think you would come to love me too... we could have a happy life together, Lia." He paused, taking both her hands in his. "How could I allow the woman I might one day love be married off to some other man? What sort of a man would that make me?"

Eliana looked at him, and smiled at his words. "You know, I knew something was going on inside that head of yours, but I didn't think you'd go as far to admit it." She smiled softly at him, "I'm flattered though, that you are willing to marry me just to get me into your bed."

He'd admit that much; yes, he did try to seduce her but after two weeks of trying, he'd given up and instead turned to training her.

Eliana laughed at his expression, "I may be innocent, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm an idiot. I know if a man is trying to get something from me... I was just simply trying to get as many lessons out of you as I could before you knew that I knew you wanted to bed me."

She'd beat him at his own game, using his own ploy against him until she won. "Seven hells, Lia! Marry me! I need you to marry me!"

"I'll ask my father. I'm sure he'll be happy for my own suggestion, especially if I tell him that I actually want to marry you."

Obberyn knew he was smiling like the fool he was. "Is that a yes?"

Eliana smiled.

Not bothering to knock, Eliana strode into the room to see Oberyn conversing with two of his companions, Markas Allyrion and Irraro Sanerah. Both men she'd met before, while she was in Dorne. Markas and Oberyn had been friends for many years, and Irraro was from Braavos whom Oberyn had met when visiting the city.

The three of men looked up when she entered the room, tension lacing their faces as she went straight to the pitcher of wine. Knowing something was up, Oberyn nodded to the two men for them to leave.

Markas rose from his seat, bowing his head in her direction which only sent his hair flying across his face, his hands tucking it behind his ears so it was out-of-the-way. "My lady, it is a pleasure to see you again." He greeted, taking her hand as he walked by her.

She nodded, "And you as well, Markas."

"You flourish with beauty with each passing day." Irraro greeted, smiling warmly as he carried his own goblet of wine out with him.

Once they were gone, Eliana moved to the window where she stared out of the city, feeling as though the entire world was bearing down upon her. Eliana half expected Obara to be in the room, but she wasn't which made her heart sink slightly. She knew the girl had travelled to the capital with her father to rescue her. "Where's Obara?" Eliana pressed, drinking the wine in her goblet while her eyes slowly landed upon the Sept that sat across the city.

Oberyn smiled and ran a hand through his hair, "She is with your mother and sister, or at least I think she is. She's eager to see you." He answered, observing as she paced unknowingly. "What's wrong... you seem on edge?"

"Do I?" Her voice was harsher than she expected it be. Oberyn shrunk slightly in his seat and she saw it, her face growing regretful. "I apologise, it seems Tywin Lannister knows how to get under my skin." She explained, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath as if to settle her fury. The Baratheons were known for their fury, however, her own could question their words.

"What has the man done now?" Oberyn pressed, rising from his chair while she turned around to face him.

Eliana scoffed, "What hasn't he done..." It seemed to her that Tywin was going out of his way to make her life a misery, she would never be free, neither would her mother or sister. Forever trapped in the Lion's Den.

He neared her, cautious of her mood, Oberyn took her hands in his and squeezed and hoped his gesture would persuade her to divulge what the Lion had done to his lady. "Lia?" His voice was soft, laced with concern as she clenched her jaw.

A wild card which Eliana wasn't prepared to abide by, she had her own wild card to put into play and she needed Oberyn to comply before she could continue any further with pursuing such a thing. "Ask me again." She tilted her head, watching as he become lost.

His brow deepened in confusion as he searched her eyes for some inkling of what her request was. "... Ask you what?"

"You know what."

Oberyn understood in that moment, though he couldn't be sure she was being honest with - did she really want this? And now? Was this the right time to ask such a thing of me? Was it right? "But you said- " He went to argue, wanting to be sure it was what she wanted, and not because Tywin had challenged her to the point where she wanted to act out of spite. He wanted it to be true.

He wanted her to want it.

Her hands trailed to the suns woven into his brocade, distracted by the needlework before meeting his gaze of uncertainty. "I know what I said, but I'm saying ask me again."

"But do you want this right now? Or is this out of spite, that you just want to get back at Lord Tywin... do you want this right now?" He couldn't but feel she just wanted this out of spite and not out of love but he gave in, the look upon her face getting the better of him as he finally gave in. "Marry me, Lia."

A smile broke out onto her face as she stared at him, her hands sitting upon his neck. She lent forward to press her lips against his cheek, lingering before she trailed her lips along his neck, earning a groan. "Thank you."

He hummed a reply, his arm snaking around her to pull her against him while he pulled her away from his neck to peck her lips. "And then, my winter rose, then we'll take them for everything they have."

A/N: You know what to do, guys!

Markas and Irraro are two of my own OC's along with Thomos Bracken who will also be introduced with another OC as well!

Ezeiel