Chapter 35:

AREO

"Uncle, you must raise your banners!"

"I will do no such thing, Obara," said Doran Martell. "You share the same hot-headedness just like your father, to ruin any potential negotiating--"

"The only negotiation that I will attend to is where I hold my spear," said the eldest Sand Snake.

"And my whip," said the second.

"And my knifes," said the third.

Doran's captain of the guard could see he was too exhausted of keeping this pretense up any longer.

"Nieces," said Doran, who was rubbing hid head profusely. "Now is not the time for bloodshed. The usurp-- King Robert has my brother and your mother, Tyene."

"That is why we must go," said the third. "So that we can rescue Father and Mother from the Fat Stag before we can proceed to kill him once and for all."

"Why, may I ask, do you wish to kill him when he gave us the Mountain?"

"After 20 years, Uncle! I know you wish to have us save our strength for the bloody White Walkers the North keeps talking about, but do we know for certain the Starks are telling the truth? They lied about the existence of Rhaegar's son with the wolf-bitch who stole him away from our aunt Elia."

"That is ENOUGH!" Doran finally snapped, pounding his fist on the arm chair he was sitting on, causing his nieces to stare at him in shock. "You want to go rescue your father and his lover, go! But you will not be taking any of Dorne's men to the Capital. Areo will go with you to watch over you and make sure you don't do anything stupid."

Now it was Areo's turn to be shocked

"Me, your Grace? But who will watch over you?"

"Dorne's men, of course," Doran said, before leaned forward. "And you'd best behave yourselves, my young nieces. Areo will make sure you don't get into any trouble. Like getting yourselves killed, do you understand?"

The Sand Snakes just nodded, still stunned by their Uncle's outburst.

"When do we leave?" the second finally spoke up.

"Now that is a good question, Nymeria," said Doran, who smiled. "You leave immediately."

The Sand Snakes smiled back.

Areo sighed mentally, resigned to his new assignment. One thing was for sure, though. Despite his prince's wishes, there was going to be trouble.

JON

"I'm going to miss you, Jon," said Arya, who teared up as she hugged him.

Jon had been surprised along with the others when the Hound burst in the throne room with his sisters and Septa Mordane after he and Renly made their truce. Jaime had quickly explained the situation to the Hound, who grumbled as always, before both of the girls ran into their father's arms as he held them tightly as if he would lose them forever. Jon was sure Father had told them the truth about Bran, as their eyes were puffy and watery.

"I won't be gone for long," Jon said.

"But why do you have to leave?" Arya cried. "Is it because the Baratheons don't want you here?"

"No, it's nothing like that."

"Because if it is, I swear by the Old Gods that I'll--"

"You will do no such thing," Jon said. "I have to go North of the Wall because I have a very important mission."

"A mission? What mission?" Arya said. "Why? We know the White Walkers are out there, why would you go there?"

"Because Renly and I have decided to treat with the wildlings north of the wall," said Jon.

"The wildlings?!" Arya said incredulously.

"Yes, Arya," said Jon. "I know most of the South look down upon us, less than the wildlings North of the Wall. But we have discussed and agreed that we will negotiate with them to help us stand against the White Walkers."

Arya cried again, with Jon hugging her closely.

"I love you little sister," Jon said, kissing his sister's forehead.

She stood up and stepped aside as Sansa and Jon stood face-to-face.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't a good sister," she said.

Jon hugged her, with Sansa returning the embrace.

"Take care of each other, alright?" Jon said.

Sansa nodded.

Jon walked over to a horse supplied to him by House Baratheon. As he was about to mount, he heard a soft voice behind him.

"I wish you good fortune in the wars to come, Jon Stark."

Jon turned and came face-to-face with the Red Woman, who smiled.

"You are going to need it," she continued, before her smile fell. "There are those in this journey who are going to die."

Jon opened his mouth to speak, but she continued. "My Lord has only shown me glimpses in the flames, I did not see clearly who will fall to the White Walkers." She grabbed his arm. "Remember, you are Azor Ahai reborn. Only you can extinguish the darkness from this world."

Jon nodded, and then Melisandre left. He hoisted up in his horse's saddle. As soon as he did, he locked eyes with Lady Margaret, who had been staring at him for quite a while. Suddenly he heard the gates to the Red Keep open, and all the men who had volunteered for this journey, rode out. He turned back to Margaery, who was gone. He quickly trotted his horse forward to join the group, off North to Beyond the Wall.