jgs237: His status as a Dayne or Stark will be cemented in later chapters towards the end of the story. Still ways to go.

ZabuzasGirl: Thank you.

alec-potter: Thank you, and glad it was better then you expected, hopefully this one is the same.

zpvasgl2704: Here's Dany's response lol!

Guest: I'm going to be honest, this review actually made me laugh out loud hahaha, in a good way. Wouldn't that be nice for Orin? Two beautiful strong willed women with interesting qualities that make them so unique to share a bed with? I'm not going to slam the idea right away because the story isn't finished yet and taking any suggestion out of the realm of possibility isn't too smart, but I will say there's about a 99% of that not happening lol. Unless i get floored with reviews of everyone else thinking the same thing lol. But thanks for the review and idea!

Silver crow: Hopefully it delivers.

Chapter 35

The room was silent as Orin squared off against the queen. She stood a few feet away, staring him down, as he stood unmoving. The others had left quickly after the queen's command and since, neither had spoken. Arianne's little game had caused tension in the room as the queen tried to figure out her next plan of action.

Orin for the most part tried to hide his smile. It wasn't very amusing to see the queen so unraveled knowing her decision was a difficult one, but more so knowing that Arianne's attitude was one that surprised people. Daenerys was not used to people confronting her head on, just as Orin had once done. So seeing Arianne do it as well had been slightly amusing.

"The Princess of Dorne seems to trust you," Dany finally said.

Orin nodded. "I spent many days in Sunspear growing up. My mother was close with the Martells. Arianne and I became fast friends."

"Friends?" Dany stepped around the table that separated them and approached. Her hard stare had been replaced with a coy smile. "I've been gone for quite a long time so the customs may confuse me in Westeros, but forgive me, lovers and friends aren't exactly one of the same last I remembered."

The heat on his cheeks flared as Orin wished he'd been talking to anyone else but the queen about his personal life. "We aren't lovers."

"Really?" Dany didn't seem convinced. "Apparently she wishes to marry you to solidify our alliance. That doesn't come across as friendly but more so planned in her self interest."

There was still much Dany had to learn about the princess. "Arianne has a peculiar nature. I'm sure she does not mean to actually marry me."

"Only bed you," Dany added.

"You mean like your sell sword?" Orin didn't realize the bite his words had.

"Daario doesn't control a kingdom!" Dany argued. "He was devoted to me before anything even began!"

Once more his cheeks flared as Orin shifted away slightly. "Why are we even discussing this? She's come here for you, not me."

"Apparently not." Dany rolled her eyes but agreed. "But your right. I have bigger problems. The Dornish fleet, their support, can I trust them?"

Without hesitating, Orin nodded. "You can."

"Why?"

Her skepticism was beyond grueling. "You wish to conquer the seven kingdoms as your ancestors once did. In my opinion, conquering one less kingdom seems like the smartest choice."

"I trust those numbers, but I don't trust their loyalty."

"Then trust mine." Stepping forward, Orin no longer felt embarrassed in front of the queen as he stared her down. "I promise you, Arianne and Prince Doran can be trusted. They want the same thing we do. Let them help you."

The two stood close, almost two close, as they both tried to figure out what to do next. Asking for help wasn't easy, especially asking strangers, but if Dany wanted to conquer Westeros, she'd need all the help she could find. Right now Dorne was willing, all she had to do was accept.

"I trust you," Dany said quietly.

The words meant more to Orin then he thought as he looked down at her. His ability to hold back the feelings he had was growing more difficult at each passing moment the two shared together. All he wanted was to confess and pray that she felt the same.

Breaking the heavy eye contact, Dany turned, returning to her seat in haste. "I'm sure there are Lords from Dorne you wish to see after so long. And the princess must also want another chance to speak with you."

"Of course." The deflection had Orin reeling as he stepped backwards.

Turning his back to her, Orin left the room, slightly in shame for ever thinking that the queen would have any feelings towards him. She was to be the ruler of a realm, and he would just be another passing man. How could she possibly feel anything for him?

Slowly walking away, Orin refused to turn back towards her, missing the wistful look the queen gave him as he left.

Tyrion prided himself on being the smartest person in the room each time he entered one. He would never be the tallest, or the strongest, or best looking, but one way to get everything you want was to out maneuver the others in ways they couldn't. His mind was all he had, especially with his name now tarnished, so relying on it was his only option.

Kings Landing had been a terrible test for him, showing that as smart as he thought he was, there were still people who could hurt him in other ways. The mind could only do so much when the enemy was everywhere.

Yet here in Meereen there were no devious minds, except for Varys of course, but the man had saved his life, so Tyrion had no fear of the eunuch. Everyone else however was much easier to read. Unlike Cersei who had been impossible to read or council, Daenerys was quite the opposite. She listened to his advice and spoke with him in confidence over important matters, giving Tyrion more knowledge on the people around him.

The sell sword was devoted, Ser Barristan didn't trust him, Missandei was wary of him, and Orin Stark did whatever he thought right. They were simple to read and easy to understand which made Tyrion's life expectancy that much longer.

He'd given up on life, but things had gotten quite interesting in Meereen over the past couple days, giving him a sense of curiosity that needed to be filled. The world the queen wanted was one he was very keen on seeing and hoped one day he'd help create.

So as he sat, watching the queen's advisors counsel her on Dorne's offer, he wondered if they all thought the offer was as beneficial as he thought it was.

"Do you really think you can trust them?" Daario asked. He stood near Tyrion, distrust all over his face. "Orin Stark's word means very little when a fleet is facing off against us in the bay."

Tyrion may have been a drunk, but he was no fool. The sell sword and heir to Winterfell's annoyance with each other was quite obvious and Tyrion wondered if the queen knew she was the cause of it all. It was no secret that Daenerys had taken Daario as a lover, nor did they hide it, but Orin Stark's feelings were quite secretive it appeared.

They boy could lie to the queen, lie to himself, even lie to Tyrion, but eyes never did. Tyrion saw the looks, specifically during the attack on Meereen, and knew the Starks feelings. He pitied the boy, knowing nothing would ever come to be. Daenerys had given some inclination she felt the same, seeing as how she kept pushing to have Orin on her side. He might have been heir to the north, but the north was in shambles, and would not be a formidable alley in the wars to come.

"Normally I'd agree," Tyrion interjected. Orin Stark's words did mean little when speaking for an entire kingdom, but actions spoke to him. "But the Martells have great hatred for my family. I refuse to believe they accept my family on the throne."

"So their hatred justifies their loyalty?"

"Elia Martell was married to your brother your grace," Ser Barristan spoke up. Tyrion could see the discomfort the man was in. "The two shared children before they were murdered. They want justice for their family, for your family."

"So you'd have me trust them?" Dany asked.

Tyrion was grateful when the knight nodded.

"We need their ships," Dany admitted. She looked at each of them before resting her eyes on Daario. "And we need their men. If I become doubtful of every Lord and Lady, then everyone becomes my enemy and I am not that kind of queen."

The others nodded as Tyrion tried to hold back a smile. The fine balance of tough choices and wise decisions was hard to master, but Daenerys seemed to have figured it out. Tyrion had seen flashes of her anger, yet moments of kindness, and together they made for a rare talent.

Perhaps Varys had been right.

"That will be all," Dany announced.

Getting up, Tyrion watched the others leave before approaching the queen. "A word your grace?"

"Of course."

Taking the seat closest to her, Tyrion poured himself a glass. "Your captain is quite cynical."

"Most men are."

Tyrion couldn't argue with that. "That is true. I sometimes find myself only seeing what others have to gain from each action taken. How did the word get so cold?"

Dany's eyes drifted towards the open balcony. "We let cruelty become normal."

"It's a difficult process, but you have the right council to change that."

Dany turned to him, a smirk on her face. "I assume you speak of yourself."

Tyrion smiled. "I'd very much like to believe I'm a good person, or have good tendencies at best. Gods know I've done plenty wrong in my life. Yet people like Ser Barristan and Missandei, people who truly see the good, not for self-interest, but for everyone. These are voices to listen too."

"So you're saying to ignore Daario's council."

"Gods no." Shaking his head, Tyrion refused the idea. "I'm a firm believer that every person has a story to tell. Every story leaves the listener that much more knowledgeable. Daario Naharis has a vast knowledge on things many of us would never understand. It's your job to listen to every story, and then decide what parts you choose to remember."

"There are many stories," Dany pointed out.

Lifting his glass, Tyrion cheered. "That is why you have others to help you listen."

The two smiled at each other before the sudden arrival of an unsullied guard and Varys broke their conversation. Tyrion quickly noticed the serious look his once traveling partner had on his face and frowned.

"This can't be good," Tyrion mumbled.

"What is it?" Dany asked.

Varys eyed Tyrion as he stepped forward, before smiling lightly towards the queen. "Urgent news your grace, from the north."

No good would come from visiting Arianne at this hour, but as Orin stood outside her door, night quickly upon them, he knew he had nowhere else to go. Regardless of her usual manor, Arianne was the closest thing to home he had, and right now Orin needed that.

Two guards from Sunspear met him outside the door as he approached. Without saying a word the two stepped aside, most likely instructed by Arianne, as Orin went inside. He wanted to roll his eyes at the looks each guard had adorned their face, but never got the chance.

His eyes drank in the sight of the Princess of Dorne as she sat by her bed, quill in hand, as she wrote a letter. Only a small candle gave light to the room, revealing only half of her wondrous face.

Orin must have been a fool for not succumbing to her beauty like so many before him had. Smart, beautiful, well spoken, a good name, and a past shared together, everything pointed towards the inevitable, yet as Arianne turned slowly towards him with a smile, he knew exactly why it would never work.

"Your trip was a success." Word had quickly gotten to Orin on the alliance between the queen and House Martell. "You must be happy."

Arianne smiled. "I am. Although I'm sure it's you I must be thanking. I'm sure the queen asked you about are loyalty."

"She did."

"As I expected." Looking back down at her letter, Arianne continued to write. "Regardless, my father will be pleased with the result."

"I am a bit surprised," Orin admitted. He remembered Prince Doran quite well, more specifically the prince's aversion to warfare. "Your father doesn't strike me as a battle commander."

"That we can agree."

Her words sounded almost harsh. "Are you angry with him?"

"Disappointed." Arianne stood from her seat as she approached him. "I wish it hadn't taken Oberyn's death for my father to finally take a stance in this war."

"He was trying to protect you." His own words had him smiling as he made his way towards the table for a much needed drink. "I suppose that's something both our parents have in common."

His back towards her, Orin was caught off guard when Arianne's hand slipping into his, gently pulling him around. His eyes met hers instantly as she stepped closer, no space between them, caressing his fingers.

"I missed you."

Her words startled him. "I missed you as well."

Arianne's other free hand soon found its way towards his face as she pressed her fingers against his scar. The wound no longer hurt, only the memory keeping him up late at night.

Noticing her bright smile, Orin frowned slightly. "What is it?"

"It's funny."

"What is?"

"I was thinking about the last thing Oberyn said to me before he left for Kings Landing." Curious at the response, Orin said nothing as she continued. "Apparently you and I were to wed to broker an alliance between Dorne and the North."

Even a continent away, tragedies struck to both of them, and war looming at anytime, Arianne still had time to tease him as if they were back in her chambers in Dorne. She didn't let anything change who she was, and Orin respected that.

"You'd get bored of me," Orin whispered.

Her beautiful smile brightened. "I know I would. I'd expect you'd find me with another man not so long after we married."

Orin couldn't hold back the laugh as the two remained close together. "They say honesty is important in a marriage."

"More important then love," Arianne answered truthfully. Her fingers dropped towards his lips as her smile disappeared. "But if I were to marry for love, I'd expect to be looking up at you when the time came."

The raw emotion from her words stunned Orin as he felt her push his neck lower towards her. Resting his forehead against hers, the two stood in silence, never once looking away. The last thing Orin wanted to do was hurt another person he cared for.

Desire was clear in her eyes, but hurt would soon follow. Gently lifting his head, Orin planted a kiss atop her head, before pulling away. He wanted to stay, but refused to hurt her, as he spun towards the door.

He was a coward for not facing her.

Gripping the handle, Orin opened the door to a surprising sight. Ser Barristan stood waiting, a soulful look etched upon his face. They hadn't spoken since before the attack, and Orin wondered if perhaps the man had been sent here for Arianne.

"Ser Barristan."

"Orin," The man greeted.

"Do you wish to see the princess?"

Shaking his head, Ser Barristan never once smiled. "It's you I have to speak with."

"What about?"

The knight's serious face did nothing to calm Orin's nerves. "We just got word from the north. It's about Sansa Stark."

Orin's stomach dropped at the name.

"She's alive Orin, and she's on the run."